The summer warmth flowed through the open windows into the afternoon of The Archive. As usual, late to bed, up late, so quickly out to the record store before they closed to thank them for the birthday gift that I alluded to yesterday. They gave me the Who’s Next/Life House 10 CD box set (2023). What can I say? Something I didn’t have that I really wanted (mate Spant in Liverpool had bought it and told me about it ages ago). Thank you, Jorge, José and Rui and the big boss who we never see for this generous gift.
It was a nice walk through the hot streets, and joy in the air as it felt like summer was here in the minds of the people. The tourists have begun to swarm, the days are getting lighter and this is a wonderful city to live in for balmy evenings and moody walks. I walked past the vintage clothes shop and spoke to Joel, he told me he’s going to do an advert tomorrow for Airbnb in Porto and in Lisbon. From there, I passed by Xico’s store – his band with Phil from Lush Population 5 have just released their debut album. From there down to the record store where I bought CDs of the first two Poliça albums and a John Grant CD – 13 euros for the three of them, nice.
After the record store, I dropped in at the music store and talked to Vítor and Carlos. Carlos is going to come over next week and have a look at all these boxes of dupes that I have acquired over the years, which I can sell at the markets or swap with him or with Xico for other records. I need to move them because they are taking up a lot of room. I need to sort them out into records I don’t have in the main collection, records that I do have but I might be able to replace some of the damaged records, plus there are records in these boxes that have also not fared well sitting in boxes for years and have stuck to each other because of the way they were stacked horizontally not vertically, due to the fact they were in smaller boxes. So again, some records in fine condition with some damaged covers.
Back for the semi-final second leg of the Champions League, Real Madrid/Bayern – 2-1, Real pulling a victory out of nowhere in the last minutes – as they do. From here down to Hard Club to see The March Violets c/- Xana and Jorge. Chunky indie eighties goth-tinged op. We spoke to them after the show (it was Rosie’s birthday). Down to the river to take in the beauty of Porto at night and a slow walk up the hills back to The Archive.
I opened a soul/funk box to find some more damage to one corner of the box and I’ve spent the night cleaning mould, and filing, some Supremes, Syreeta and Sweet Inspirations had some buckling, stains and other ruined covers (Supremes) but luckily most of the box was okay. Some damage to The Temptations and Booker T.
Music today has been The Who – Who’s Next/Life House box set (2023). It’s the abandoned follow-up to Tommy (1969) that ended up being spread out across Who’s Next (1971), Hooligans (1981), Odds & Sods (1974), Scoop (1983) and others. It will take a long time to listen to all 10 CDs.