Erik Tagg’s obscure album “Rendez Vous” is one of those albums you don’t come across much. I guess at times I’m a lucky bastard, for I have found two copies of this wonderful LP. And get this at the same record shop.
One of my favorite record stores is located just a few blocks from where I grew up and I remember visiting it first at the age of fifteen. As a youngster my knowledge of records was not what it is now…almost two decades later. The small shop is ran by a guy called Erik (is this a coincidence or what?), who has been the nicest guy for almost twenty years.
The shops basement once housed over twenty-thousand records, but throughout the years numbers have decreased. A few years back Erik was cleaning up the basement and I helped him alphabetize a couple of thousand records. Of course I came up with more one great finds, most memorable being a copuple Erik Tagg or Eric Tagg albums.
Erik Tagg was born in Illinois and began his musical career in the Netherlands as band member of Beehive (1973-1974) and Rainbow Train (1975-1979). During the 1980’s he worked with Lee Ritenour. His Rendez Vous album on Poker is not only a rare find. It contains “Got To Be Lovin’ You”, which is one of my favorite AOR songs. His blue eyed soul was recognized worldwide and in 2001 Zafsmusic and Mark Goodvibes Taylor licensed the previously unreleased track “Living Off The Love” for the compilation album Americana: Rock Your Soul – Blue Eyed Soul And Sounds From The Land Of The Free.
Sorry it took me almost two years to do a follow up Random Record Rants post. I realize this is a great way for some of you to get to know me a little better and I truly hope you will dig the records I’m sharing here.
