Around the Block: 2/24/2023

February 27, 2023 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

My Dad’s album covers, our new and current listings, and Philly happenings. Do you remember any of these covers? Did you grow up with vinyl records? I’d love to discuss. Please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Saturday, 2/25/23.

2/24/2023

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

My Dad’s Album Covers

As a kid, my dad had a ton of LPs. For those who aren’t familiar, I mean a vinyl record. Which have made a limited comeback for collectors and aficionados. The first time my older son ever saw an LP he called it a “big CD.” Ironically, my younger son is barely familiar with a CD, though he does know a DVD. And even those are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

My dad always loved new music, so when I was a kid, that was what we would now refer to as classic rock. And he had varied tastes. Hard rock, pop, singer-songwriter, whatever was new and sounded groovy. One big difference between my dad and I is that he continued to love and cherish new music up until he passed away 15 years ago, on Saint Patty’s Day 2008. So, while I still listen to the same music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and some 90s, he was always looking for something new. By the turn of the century, I didn’t know any of the bands he listened to, and he would listen to “my” music in a “blast from the past” kind of way.

One thing I really miss from my dad’s vinyl days is the classic album covers. Three that I remember the most from his house were Jethro Tull’s Aqualung, the Grateful Dead’s Grateful Dead, and Leo Sayer’s Endless Flight. Whether you are familiar with these artists or albums or not, I think you will understand why I remember this particular cover art from my childhood.

Grateful Dead’s self-titled live album is generally referred to as “Skull and Roses.” It is an iconic Grateful Dead image. What was so cool was that the album’s front cover was just the skull and roses in a circle with the words “Grateful Dead,” but it then unfolded into the whole skeleton graphic shown above. You can’t get that from a stream or download, right? I enjoy the Dead’s music to this day. I was fortunate enough to have seen them live quite a bit in my college and law school days. Including the last event ever held at JFK Stadium before it was condemned and razed. I also saw Live Aid there in 1985, and U2 in 1987, when Bruce Springsteen came out and joined Bono and the band for the encore. I am so lucky to have such incredible Philly memories, and these JFK shows are right up there.

My dad always played the Aqualung album, and I loved Jethro Tull’s unique prog-rock sound from the beginning. Ian Anderson jamming on his flute while iconically standing on one leg. I loved the tunes and found the elvish Anderson fascinating. I quickly understood that the spry flutist was not named Jethro Tull, rather that is the band name. Some people get confused with that. In fact, Jethro Tull is the man who revolutionized 18th-century British agriculture and is widely associated with the invention (or at least vast improvement) of the plow. The band is named after him.

In any event, it is the album cover and accompanying title track that got little Jeff’s attention in the early 1970s.

The song is about a man who is experiencing homelessness (as we would now put it in 2023. In a 1999 interview, Anderson said “The idea came about from a photograph… of a tramp in London. I had feelings of guilt about the homeless, as well as fear and insecurity with people like that who seem a little scary”). Spectacular lyrics that sadly still ring true more than 50 years after they were written. As I walk around Center City on a cold winter day and see so many people sleeping on the frigid concrete or bending on a hurt leg to pick up a tiny cigarette butt (as Aqualung did a half-century prior):

Sun streaking cold

An old man wandering lonely

Taking time the only way he knows

Leg hurting bad

As he bends to pick a dog-end

He goes down to the bog and warms his feet

…

Do you still remember

December’s foggy freeze

When the ice that clings on to your beard

Was screaming agony?

Whether 1970 London or 2023 Philadelphia, some things remain the same.

I was fortunate enough to have seen Jethro Tull multiple times at the Mann Music Center and once in London in 1989.

Now the Leo Sayer album is an outlier. I never listened to or knew any Leo Sayer music, but my dad loved him, and the album cover… well, what can I say…

I didn’t even know the LP was called Endless Flight until I looked it up. I recently pulled the album up on Apple Music and it turns out there is one ultra-popular, catchy song on there that I did know. If you have 2:47 and want to flash back to 1976 and smile, then check this out. It will make you feel like dancing. You know, dance the night away. (IMO, the rest of the album is pretty catchy as well.)

My dad had hundreds and hundreds of vinyl albums that spanned five decades and took up an entire wall of his apartment at 6th & Lombard. Plus, his two speakers were huge. Not to mention his entertainment system—receiver, amplifier, turntable, cassette player, eventually a CD player, lots of wires. Things have changed a bit, no? I have just as much music on my phone. And a monthly subscription that provides seemingly all the music ever created at the touch of a virtual button. My speakers are a small wireless or Bluetooth pod. Or in my car, where all my music travels with me like an infinite mixtape. I love streaming music and am not looking to go back, but I appreciate the endless creativity of album art and the days sitting on my dad’s carpet marveling at his varied array of cardboard vinyl sleeves. I totally understand why vinyl is making a comeback for the audiophile and nostalgia-driven alike. I really miss my dad and his album covers.

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

SOCIETY HILL

410 S Front Street #207

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,246 SF | 2 Private Balconies |

2 Parking Spaces in Garage | $1,295,000

Welcome to the beautiful 410 at S Front Street Unit 207 in Society Hill. This large sunlit 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom residence is in mint condition and move-in ready.

Very spacious open floor plan with high quality finishes, 10′ ceilings, and 7.5″ wide oak plank hardwood floors. State-of-the-art kitchen with Custom Center Island Storage Cabinets, Gaggenau Kitchen Appliances, a large pantry, quartz counter tops, and a large window that invites the perfect amount of light. The kitchen opens to a spacious living room and separate dining area. The first of the two balconies is off the kitchen/living room area and overlooks the green courtyard and landscaped gardens with fountain.

The large, tranquil primary suite offers a balcony overlooking the gardens, a luxury soaking tub in a marble drenched bathroom, glass enclosed shower and dual vanities along with an oversized walk-in custom closet. The first guest bedroom also overlooks the gardens and features large windows in a sun filled space. There is an additional guest suite with walk-in closet. The laundry room has a side-by-side Bosch washer and dryer in addition to more storage! Unit is equipped with NEST thermostats.

TWO secure parking spaces are included with the unit in the garage located under the building (direct access from the elevators in the building). Includes an oversized storage unit in the garage. As an added bonus there are 3 years remaining on tax abatement. This pet friendly Toll Brothers community has amenities such as 24/7 concierge, a tranquil courtyard with reflection pool, fabulous rooftop terrace with city views and a welcoming community room off the lobby.

View full listing here

Philly Fun This Week

Tasty Food Happenings in Greater Philadelphia

Head outside of the city to visit the first Black woman-owned winery in Pennsylvania. Cyrenity Sips Winery just opened in Hatboro and offers patrons a standard $10 tasting of wines named after owner Shakia Williams’ family and friends. So support a minority-owned business while enjoying wine and perhaps take home a bottle or two. Cyrenity Sips is open Friday through Sunday.
Also outside the city is West Chester’s Restaurant Week. This special week includes $30, $40, or $50 prix fixe multi-course menus at various restaurants throughout the area. Some of the popular spots participating include Opa Taverna, Pietro’s Prime, and Dolce Zola. Check out the full list of restaurants here. Reservations are encouraged.
If West Chester is a bit too far out for you, then perhaps the Main Line would be a better option. This Sunday was the return of Main Line Today Restaurant Week. This edition is the biggest yet with over 40 restaurants participating including Lola’s Garden in Ardmore, Terrain Cafe in Devon, and Radnor’s Baja spot Buena Onda. Deals include fixed lunch menus at $25, $30, or $35 and dinner menus at $30, $45, or $55.
It’s brunch lovers time to shine at CO-OP Restaurant & Bar in University City. The open-air restaurant is offering a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays with locally sourced ingredients including a Dutch Baby made with New Jersey-grown blueberries, a Lancaster omelet made with mushrooms grown in Kennett Square, and a dry-aged burger served with scrapple mayo.

Photograph & content courtesy of uwishunu.

Featured Listings

SOCIETY HILL

742 Lombard Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

435 S 46th Street

COMING SOON

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,721 SF | $750,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue

New Construction

$340,000 – $1,200,000

MOYAMENSING

1933 S 6th Street

5 BD | 5 BA | 3,250 SF | $599,000

WASH WEST

504 S 11th Street #36

2 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,166 SF | $385,000

SOCIETY HILL

504 S Hancock Street

2 BD | 1 BA | 802 SF | $360,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4614 Paschall Avenue

4 BD | 4.5 BA | 2,800 SF | $598,000

Experienced real estate agent?

Would you consider joining one of the most respected real estate teams in Philadelphia?

The City Block Team is looking for an experienced agent who wants to provide Expert Real Estate Representation. CBT is committed to helping you build your business and offers excellent coaching and mentoring; solid systems & admin support; leads (quality over quantity); superb team camaraderie; and outstanding team name recognition and regard.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss. All inquiries are confidential. Thank you.

Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU and Canva.

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

My Dad’s Album Covers

Spotlight Property

410 S Front Street #207

Philly Fun This Week

Featured Listings

Moving? Discover the value of your home.