My Weird Record Collection

Father Francis Lad Filas S.J. was an expert in the fatherhood of Joseph to Jesus. Every year for decades he told viewers of ABC-TV about the Shroud of Turin. Oh, and he also knew about sex, and he was happy to fulfill the inquiring minds of the teen populace of 1964. Join Sean for this exciting adventure into Fr. Filas’ record, and a brief walk with the Shaded Dog!

SHOW NOTES

90% of what you know about training a dog is wrong. Well, at least that’s what Chuck Eisenmann says! If you have a dog and want to know what you’ve been doing wrong, perhaps this episode is for you. Otherwise, this episode is DEFINITELY for you! Also, a story of a special black triangle on a certain Beatles album.

SHOW NOTES

Glenn W. Turner preaches the power of greatness and how to achieve your wildest dream of riches — through multilevel marketing! Also…ever wonder what the deal is with ridges and those large spindle holes on seven-inch records? Listen and learn with episode 21 of My Weird Record Collection…and be great!

SHOW NOTES

It’s 1985. There’s a famine in Ethiopia causing suffering and death. In episode 20 of My Weird Record Collection we take a look at that famous fundraising effort that happened in…San Diego??? We also dip our toes in the water of the sea of promo records.

SHOW NOTES

Media legend and genius businessman Earl Nightingale scolds you about driving before you even reach for your keys. Why? My guess is someone cut him off in traffic on his way to work and he decided to vent his frustrations on a record. Whatever the case, Sean examines this spoken-word nugget in episode 19 and also pays tribute to a musical genius who rolled up to heaven recently. So be matyerr and listen to My Weird Record Collection. And stay alive, will ya?

SHOW NOTES

You think you’re a wiz at Trivial Pursuit? And that all that useless knowledge you’ve acquired will get you on Jeopardy! some day? That’s all fine and dandy, but how can you perform in a record-based trivia game? Travel with Sean back to 1966 for episode 18 — and be prepared to identify music played on an organ!

SHOW NOTES

The label was called Music For Pleasure. But how much pleasure does Smash Hits ’71 provide? Listen to episode 17 of My Weird Record Collection and hear Sean discuss this album of mysterious uncredited studio musicians re-produce such time-honored masterpieces as “My Sweet Lord,” Mozart’s “Symphony No. 4,” and of course, “Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep.”

SHOW NOTES

Version 1.0.0

To celebrate the anniversary of Chicago being incorporated as a city, we look at the 1979 release Mayor Daley on the Record for episode 16. Bill Cameron compiled bits and pieces of “Hizzoner,” from happy to angry, and sometimes his rather artful use of the English language. Also, Sean gives some record storage tips as well. You don’t need to make a mountain out of a mole or fly all the way into O’Hara International Airport to enjoy the history behind “Da Mare.”

SHOW NOTES:

Is your marriage on the rocks, or is it on the rock? Are you old enough? Listen to Bob Harrington, the Chaplain of Bourbon Street, and learn what makes a good marriage — better yet, listen to episode 15 of My Weird Record Collection and learn more about the album and a bit about Bob himself!

Also, have one drink for every time Sean mentions the RIAA.

SHOW NOTES

To start off 2025, My Weird Record Collection is back as Sean combines two of his loves: record collecting and retro video games. We take a look at a spoken-word record from 1982 about how to improve your arcade gaming on some classic titles. Will Curtis Hoard’s techniques prove valuable? Listen to episode 14 and find out!

SHOW NOTES

Wait a minute…episode 13 is out? Is it January 15th already? Well, no…

Sean just couldn’t let Christmas go by without one more episode to round out the year! In this Christmas-themed My Weird Record Collection, Sean takes a dive into records he had as a child, courtesy of Mr. Pickwick. You wouldn’t think children’s records would be considered weird. Again, you wouldn’t THINK that children’s records would be considered weird, but here we are. Just listen and find out what we mean.

SHOW NOTES

“Li’l Wally” Jagiello was Chicago’s polka king, yet somehow Sean never heard of him until happening upon this album while out for a day of normal record shopping. So for this episode he takes a look into this oddly-titled album, and takes a mini-dive into Christmas albums. It’s time to live it up! (You know what I mean?)

SHOW NOTES:

We just had a presidential election here in the States, so what better topic than…campaign records! In this month’s episode, we take a look at campaign music supporting two vastly different U.S. presidential candidates who ran for the highest office in the nation in the ’60s!

Also, Sean offers some hints on how to digitize those treasured pieces of vinyl in your collection.

SHOW NOTES:

It’s the Libra time of year, and it’s also Sean’s birth sign! So naturally, this was a fitting record to choose for this episode Learn what the famed astrologer has to say about the sign of the scales. Sean also opines on what to do with those dud records that creep into your collection from time to time.

SHOW NOTES:

Did you know that Sears produced at least two custom records? (Actually, they did at least three, but alas, only two were within reach for this episode!) And did you know that Sears had a charm school? Hear more about it with episode 9! Also, Sean gives you advice on what makes your records sound good.

SHOW NOTES

I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Richard Simmons. Despite having the remainder of the year’s episodes planned out, I made a last-minute change to pay tribute to the wacky master of fitness. For episode 8, let’s check out his 1982 exercise album, Reach. I mean…Richard Simmons singing? Count me in!
While we’re at it, let’s explore these vendors who say, “I know what I have!” (rant alert!)

Show Notes:

Breaker breaker, this is Switchblade Coyote with Episode 7 of My Weird Record Collection. You got your ears on, good buddy? We’re gonna eyeball a record from 1976 that tells you how to get the most out of your CB radio, with that famous channel hogger Peter Thomas. Also, we take a look at perhaps why people love records so much.

SHOW NOTES

Imagine this: it’s 1967. You and your husband arrive at your friends’ house for a dinner party. But before dinner, they pull out a tripod and expand a screen on it, plug in a film projector, and excitedly tell you that they can’t wait to show you highlights of their vacation to Topeka. And just to spice things up, they also provide a professional soundtrack to really enhance the sensation of actually being there. Episode 6 of My Weird Record Collection discusses that memorable soundtrack.

SHOW NOTES

It’s one thing to bet on a horse race that’s taking place at a track. But how about a prerecorded horse race that’s on a vinyl record — and you still don’t know who the winner will be? In episode 5 of My Weird Record Collection, Sean explains how it’s possible via a 1976 play-at-home game.

SHOW NOTES

Sean here. I have to confess: I made some mistakes during the autoharp episode. I know, I know, a horrible injustice to autoharps. Not enough corrections and addenda for a full episode, but too many just to mention in the next episode, so here’s an interim mini-episode to hold you over until May 15. (My apologies to Dr. Walter Duda.)

You and your significant other want to invite four friends over for a dinner party, but what do you cook? And how? Lucky for you, food writers Gaynor and Dorothy Maddox have four suggestions for you. Even luckier for you, My Weird Record Collection is providing you with some commentary on Gaynor and Dorothy’s commentary! Whether you want to try Dorothy’s famous steak dinner or treat your friends to a Polynesian wingding, you can’t lose with Episode 4!

SHOW NOTES

Don’t feel threatened by the ides of March — pick up an autoharp and play! For this month’s episode, Sean pulls out not one but two autoharp albums from his box of oddities from local record stores.

Show Notes

Dime stores were quite common for a time, and in this episode of My Weird Record Collection, Sean takes a look at an interesting relic of those times: a ten-inch record containing the audio from a grand reopening of the original J.J. Newberry discount store in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania!

Show Notes:

The record that started it all for Sean and his weird collection! In the first complete episode we examine this thrift store curiosity and the history behind it and learn some record maintenance tips.

Show Notes

A new year brings new hope, new beginnings, and…a new podcast! In this introductory episode, Sean talks about how he got into collecting records that even their vendors don’t know how to categorize. On the way, he’ll also share some general record collecting and maintenance advice.

Ever wonder what’s on those strange records you see in the wild, the ones that even used record stores don’t know how to categorize? Well, I do! I buy them, listen to them, and share with you exactly what you’re missing! Starting in January 2024 I’ll discuss one (or maybe more!) of these oddities each month, plus give you some thoughts and tips on record collecting.