Wednesday, March 8, 2023

amazon.com

Amazon.com headquarters
amazons Headquarters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Vancouver area

 amazon.com needs no introduction, yet they don't really really have everything that I'm looking for.  Some things aren't even almost out yet, are digital only (like Boy Georges latest solo album), or aren't even available through the megasite. For the wishlist, there used to be a feature where one could add an idea if that were the case, but not anymore.  It may not have been used enough, or they don't want you going somewhere else (close rivals Walmart are having trouble, but more because they were nicked and burgled).  I have to wait a while before adding the new Yes and solo Morten Harket releases, while Fish would rather sell his new live albums direct or (because of post-Brexit VAT) through an EU-based indie distributor (and can you blame him, given his past troubles?).  I've gotten pro-CD-Rs of Al Chantrey (né MIA Alan Williams), Alan Reed (now back in Pallas) and the late Ray Thomas (from during a Moodies hiatus), even though I was expecting real CDs of the latter two.  I can't stream Genesis' new boxed set BBC Broadcasts on amazon Music, Spotify or even the pirate site to save money buying it.

The rare Katy Perry CD I mentioned last time (née Katy Hudson) I couldn't sell there because I'd have to start a whole sellers account and have other items, which is not an option for me, which is why I brought her to another competitor, eBay.  amazon, meanwhile, recently opened a sorting office or two in my area, and I only wish they'd also open an amazon Fresh and/or Whole Foods too (more on that at the sister blog, of course).  I bought the new Rick Wakeman on amazon and found that the local place had it too, which they don't always have, yet I earn my points on Bing religiously.  I also go online if the edition I want isn't here in person.  If I can't get it with Prime, I know of a few third party sellers in the UK and EU.

Compared to most people, I don't really spend that much on amazon.  Can't really afford to.  Too easy anyway.  One can get carried away, which isn't good with the economy right now, you know.

Friday, March 3, 2023

Katy Perry (née Hudson) 2001 début

Poor quality low res snap of CD for eBay listing

 Katy Perry was one of the first artists ever profiled on the blog.  After she made it, it became known that she recorded an album that Mary Whitehouse would have liked (maybe Katys UK ex-pat fiancé Orlando Bloom has heard of the late conservative activist, who was in her final days in a care home when the album was released in 2001).  Perry may now dismiss this CD as juvenilia as it's a far cry from "Hot 'n' Cold", "Roar", "Firework", and "Hey Hey Hey" just to name a few.  This is no "Teenage Dream".  Rather "The One That Got Away"!  I'm sure she'd probably just say it'll always be a "Part of Me"!  This one is more of a "Dark Horse" (not George Harrisons, of course).  Back then, it was "By the Grace of God".  I sound like Gene Shalit!  I started this "Last Friday Night"!  I could go on all day!

Before she was Katy Perry, before American Idol, she was Katy Hudson (not to be confused with Kate Hudson), who was brought up in a strict Christian home in Santa Barbara County.  At a young age, she was signed to an indie label in Multnomah County (chosen for the location as I took the zip code from the CD), recorded in Davidson County (the epicentre of country and Christian music), and could have been the next Stacie Orrico (a CCM Britney Spears at one time, perhaps), but the label closed down after the CD came out and it sold very few copies.  Katy Hudson changed her name to Katy Perry because of the unrelated new film star at the time, and tried for several years to launch a secular career before starting over the opposite of an Amy Grant (I know this sounds more like a mere review).  Once she was a household name, word got out about this early release, which is sought after, even though it contrasts the hits she's had since 2008s One of the Boys.  A right chancer can make a few bob off this one, God willing (since He is praised on there).  The price could "Rise".  This is "Never Really Over"!

I saw Katy Hudson in the charity shop for pennies, and recognised it straight away, realising it was too good to be there, so I tried at first going to the local record shop to trade it in, but got a low-ball offer.  I get that it's a small business, and they know the story themselves, so I decided to sell it online.  Amazon wasn't feasible because I would have to had several items and pay to set up an account, so it's not on, so I turned to eBay, where some interest was there, and ultimately sold it to a fan in Clark County for much less than what others would.  He won the pools, and he's in Las Vegas, where Pezza has a residency and some Idol auditions to boot (also held in Nashville and [New] Orleans Parish).  I even told missus on Twitter that I found this from early days, even though she was a different girl back then whose initial phase is another animal like Alanis Morissette, Tiffany, and even Mr Conway Twitty, showing that we all must start off somewhere.  It is very unlikely Katy Perry will ever reissue this album herself because of just how far apart from her current career it is.  You have a better chance with early '90s Alanis and KLF at this rate.  Just something the diehards are willing to look and pay for.