Winter Woes or Winter Wonder?

A new playlist, a debut release from a centenarian, Valentine's Day gifts, and more...

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how other collectors might organize their vinyl collections. Do you go classic and alphabetize everything? Split it up by genre—rock over here, jazz over there, reggae, and hip-hop in their own sections? Maybe you take a deep-dive approach and sort by year, record label, or even something more personal, like autobiographical? There’s no right or wrong way, but I’d love to know how you arrange your records. Do you stick to a system, or is it more of a “find it when I need it” situation?

Wintertime always has me reorganizing, cleaning, and alphabetizing my collection.

We've been hit with about two snowstorms a week this February, making it the snowiest month over the last few winters. But honestly? I’m not complaining—the fresh snowfall has been a nice distraction and makes for a beautiful scene. I'm not sure how others feel about it, but in less than 50 days, it will all be gone… making way for mud season. I’m going to enjoy it one day at a time. The cold, crisp air feels good when shoveling the walkways and cleaning off your car. I’m unsure how much the lion watching our house appreciates the winter weather. He doesn’t appear thrilled, does he?

I picked up two new albums for the collection this week—because, let’s be honest, there’s always room for more vinyl. There’s something about putting on a new record for the first time, taking in every detail of the sound, the artwork, and the liner notes.

Horace Parlan - Up & Down (BlueNote Records)

Horace Parlan may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about great jazz pianists, but his playing has left a lasting mark—especially on Up & Down, his 1963 release on Blue Note Records. Just reissued as part of the Blue Note Tone Poet Series, this album is a must-hear for fans of soulful, hard-bop jazz style.

Parlan leads a killer lineup featuring Grant Green on guitar, Booker Ervin on tenor sax, George Tucker on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Their chemistry is undeniable, blending bluesy grooves with sharp, expressive solos.

Beyond his own work, Parlan also made key contributions to two Charles Mingus classics, ”Mingus Ah Um” and “Blues & Roots,” helping shape some of the era's most influential jazz recordings.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bayou Country (Fantasy)

This past Friday, Craft Recordings reissued all of CCR’s albums on vinyl—a great excuse to revisit one of my favorites, Bayou Country. Something about this record hits differently, from the swampy grooves to the raw energy that made Creedence legendary. This is their second album, originally released in January 1969.

For me, the standout has always been Keep On Chooglin’—a nearly eight-minute jam written by John Fogerty that the band often used to close their live shows. It’s loose, driving, and a boogie built for that freewheeling encore moment. If you haven’t spun this album in a while, now’s the perfect time to pick up the reissue and drop the needle on the opaque orange vinyl.

How about you? Have you added anything new to your shelves lately?

A few new releases grabbed my attention this week, but one in particular stood out—Marshall Allen’s debut album. Yes, you read that right. At 100 years old, the legendary saxophonist and longtime member of the Sun Ra Arkestra has finally released his first record under his own name.

Allen has been part of the Arkestra since the 1950s and took over as leader in 1995 after Sun Ra’s passing, keeping the cosmic jazz spirit alive for decades. Now, thanks to Mexican Summer, we’re getting a fresh release from this living legend. It dropped on Friday, and while I picked up the digital version for now, there’s no way I’m not adding the vinyl edition to my shelves soon. I wish my local record store had it in stock! 👀

My amazing wife surprised me with this wooden mini turntable for ❤️ Valentine's Day. It’s a music box—but with a twist. When you wind it up and drop the tiny needle onto the record, it plays Edith Piaf’s “La vie en rose.”

It’s a perfect little tribute to the magic of vinyl—right down to the ritual of placing the needle. It's thoughtful, nostalgic, and has just the right amount of charm. Take a listen…

I put together a new playlist for the mood—ten tracks I think you’ll enjoy. Whether you’re kicking back, getting lost in thought, or need a soundtrack for the moment, I hope this playlist covers it all. Give it a listen, and let me know your thoughts.

Until next time, thanks for reading.