Matthew Sews Up The Shack!!!

Many thanks are due to the marvelous Matthew from Colorado, who stepped up today with this lovely rip of Don Burrow's MRL to complete the series here at the shack! Thanks to him you're now able to enjoy the other tracks in addition to the previously-comped Cannonball cover "Sweet Emma" you've likely already heard on the Killer Jazz Funk From The Mainstream Vault series.

Here's what Matthew had to say:

Dear "Cheeba,"

First of all, let me say that I have been following your blogs, Soundological Investimigations and The Shad Shack for a long time now. I really appreciate all the music you tirelessly put up. Having just finished a rip of an album on par with your usual amount of effort, I can say that I have a new appreciation for the work you put in to sharing this music with people like me. I don't make enough of an effort to comment and show my appreciation, but hopefully this will make up for it...

I have ripped the final album in the Mainstream series, Live at The Sydney Opera House by The Don Burrows Quartet. It is my first rip for sharing purposes, but I think it turned out really well. My hope is that it will suffice to complete the Shad Shack's collection, or at least until a better rip comes along (hopefully Simon666 hasn't already beat me to it!) I found this album only weeks ago for $1 at local thrift store! My copy is the American Mainstream release, not the Australian original on Cherry Pie. For the usual $1 find, it is in great shape. But don't take my word for it...you can listen for yourself here:

I don't have a blog of my own (yet), or a Rapidshare account etc. So I encourage you to post this rip on your blogs if it meets your standards, or share this link with the public. I included extensive cover art, and tagged the 320kbps mp3s. I don't ask anything in return, only credit for the rip. When I checked into The Shad Shack and saw that this was the only one you were missing, I figured the least I could do was do my best to get it to you. I hope you and the other Mainstream fans of the world can enjoy this until the album goes back in print!

Thanks again for all that you do, keep up the good work, and I'll see you 'round the blogosphere!

Matthew has not only filled the last blank in the lion's share list, he's also provided a great quality rip and has thoughtfully included full scans for our viewing enjoyment as well. For a first attempt, I must say he's done a pretty bang-up job here! I'm sure he'd love some feedback on his inaugural vinyl share so hopefully the classy readers here at the shack will provide some encouragement for his efforts.

As Matthew notes, Simon666 from never enough rhodes has been meaning to get to this for a while but he has the 2LP Cherry Red version so scanning the massive booklet and gatefold cover is (as Matthew can now attest) a major task. Besides, our favourite thunderer-from-down-underer has already graced the blogosphere with ample Don Burrows delights at his home base, so he's paid his DB dues already - be sure to check those out as well, you won't be disappointed.

On behalf of the shack and shacksters everywhere, thanks for going out of your way to provide this one, Matthew! If you ever do start your own blog, please make sure to let us know so we can add you to the list of Big Game Hunters!



Also, just a quick reminder there are still a few weeks to get in your mixtapes for the contest and your chance to win a free RapidShare 30day account so you can leech those blogs to your heart's content for a month without any waiting. Details here.