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The Starr Kids Uncover Some Of My Vinyl Collection And...

12/19/2016

From a very young age, I've always been exposed to a wide variety of music . . . going to the record store, searching through the poster size glossy sleeves, buying a new release or old classic ablum, setting up those large black discs on my bedroom turn table and spinning the tunes away. Today, I've pretty much purchased digital versions of all the music I own on vinyl and my records rarely leave their sleeves. On those rare occasions, it's just me and my music.

While cleaning up the house the other day, my 5 year old son picked up my Michael Jackson "BAD" LP picture disc and asked "What is this Dad?" My reply was almost defensive and I gently removed my precious vinyl from his grip saying "My music, thank you!" With all the curiousity of a 5 year-old he asked if he could listen to it and... as is 'tradition' in the Starr house-hold, if one Starr kid does something, all the Starr kids want to do the same.

The Starr Kids (Elizabeth, Steven, Michael, and Crystal) decided (with my supervision) to test out my Sony record player and spin some of my old vinyl collection. After a lesson in use and a few unholy drops of the needle we were rock'n.

There's that saying 'everybody's a critic' and the Starr Kids are no exception. They shared their thoughts on 4 of my favourite ablums. All in good fun, let`s see if my taste in music stands the test of time...

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell (1977)

With anticipation, five year old Michael placed the headphones over his ears and then dropped the needle to listen to one of history's most prolific rock albums, Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell (1977). To my delight, we listened to all 46 minutes and Michael was unwaivering in his willingness to take in every beat, chord progression, and lyrical hook . . . like a chip off the old block!

MICHAEL STARR RATES MEAT LOAF - BAT OUT OF HELL (1977) - TWO THUMBS UP !

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell

Bat Out of Hell is the second studio album and the major-label debut by American rock singer Meat Loaf, as well as being his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman and producer Todd Rundgren, released on October 21, 1977 on Cleveland International/Epic Records. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 43 million copies worldwide.[2] Rolling Stone ranked it at number 343 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003. Wikipedia®

Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo (1984)

While I'm certain my daughter Elizabeth likes music, I don't think she wants to 'Go For A Soda' with Canadian singer/guitarist Kim Mitchell any time soon. My nine year old struggled through the first 3 songs before having a complete melody meltdown and left me rockin' solo. "Hey, come back..."

This whole experience reminded me of the time my friend bailed on me the day of Kim Mitchell's 'Live in Rockland Wonderland' concert and my mom came with me instead. "WHAT?"

ELIZABETH STARR RATES KIM MITCHELL - AKIMBO ALOGO (1984) - TWO THUMBS DOWN !

Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo

Akimbo Alogo is the first full-length solo album from Canadian singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell, released on Alert Records in Canada, and on Bronze Records in other territories, including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan. It includes the only song of his to become a hit in the United States, "Go For Soda", which is Mitchell's best-known song, and has been featured on TV series such as Canada's own Trailer Park Boys, as well as an episode of the popular American animated sitcom, American Dad!. "All We Are" and "Lager & Ale" also received significant airplay in Canada at the time of the album's release and still today. Wikipedia®

Michael Jackson - BAD (1987)

My son Steven got a kick out of watching the record spin around. Steven lives with autism and movement is a stimulant. As the Michael Jackson LP picture disc spun, my son stared intently with his hands opening and closing wildly then shouting out "Who's bad?" repeatly through the epic first track. I did have to set the headphone volumes measurably lower than typical to respect Steven's sensibilities to sound, but regardless this mega album from 1987 was a hit with him and so was the art of playing it on a record player. "...just to tell you once again. Who's bad."

STEVEN STARR RATES MICHAEL JACKSON - BAD (1987) - TWO THUMBS UP !

Michael Jackson - BAD

Bad is the seventh studio album by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson. It is his third studio album released through Epic Records. It was released on August 31, 1987, nearly five years after Jackson's previous solo studio album, Thriller. As of 2012 Bad itself has sold between 30 and 45 million copies worldwide, was certified 9 times Platinum in the United States alone, and has been cited as one of the 30 best-selling albums of all time. The album produced a record five Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, the first of two albums to do so, the second being Katy Perry's 2010 album Teenage Dream. Wikipedia®

Culture Club - Colour By Number (1983)

Crystal is the youngest Starr child of the bunch and this little diva obviously knows a thing or two about creative flare. Boy George's image on the 1983 release of Culture Club's Colour By Numbers captured her attention immediately and for the following 38 minutes we danced around our rec room, losing ourselves in the fun of outrageous self expression. Culture Club definitely earned themselves a new fan.

CRYSTAL STARR RATES CULTURE CLUB - COLOUR BY NUMBERS (1983) - TWO THUMBS UP!

Culture Club - Colour By Numbers

Colour by Numbers is the second album by the British new wave band Culture Club, released in October 1983. Preceded by the hit single "Karma Chameleon", which reached number one in several countries, the album reached number one in the UK and has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. It has been certified triple platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US. It was ranked #96 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1980s and is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Wikipedia®

Lead by example on "living wage"

12/7/2016

Naturally, one would hope employment provides opportunity and (at very least) wages that reflect the economic realities of day-to-day life.

Having said that, it seems difficult to justify the expectation of Ontario's employment standards (minimum wage) against a reality where many full-time employees struggle to pay their bills and provide the necessities for their families without secondary or weekend employment. In short, many are simply working 'poor'.

As entrepreneurs, my wife Debra and I know our business ventures need to do more than meet minimum standards. We've voluntarily committed to the "living wage" model and we encourage fellow employers to consider doing the same. Our internal policy has set the stage for a more desirable workplace and since it's implementation we have seen positive impacts in focus, workplace morale, overall productivity and a reduction in employee turnover.

As people, we are conscious of our social responsibilities and recognize the positive influence personal 'livability' has on inclusive communities.

While the City of Hamilton considers a municipal "Living Wage" policy, it is important to point out the example of leadership that all employers can show when making a move from traditional "minimum" base models and truly strengthening the healthy, and vibrant communities we all desire to live within.

Learn more about "Living Wage" from LIVING WAGE HAMILTON

DAMIN STARR

The Starr Kids Uncover Some Of My Vinyl Collection And...

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell

Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo

Michael Jackson - BAD

Culture Club - Colour By Numbers

Lead by example on "living wage"

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DAMIN STARR

The Starr Kids Uncover Some Of My Vinyl Collection And...

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell

Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo

Michael Jackson - BAD

Culture Club - Colour By Numbers

﻿Lead by example on "living wage"

Author

Archives

Categories

Lead by example on "living wage"