Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Classic Rock Videos

Michael Jackson - BEN

Mr. Music

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 22, 2009


DEAR JERRY:
I first became aware of Paul Horn when I spotted a copy of “Inside the Taj Mahal” at a thrift store. It was badly worn so I didn't buy it, but it did look interesting.

Paul apparently plays the flute, along with other instruments, mostly in a jazz style.

Were those recordings really made “inside” the Taj Mahal, or just nearby?

If so, wouldn't a mausoleum, especially this one, be an unlikely place for recording music?

Tell me more about this, if you can.
—Robin Maldron, Wauwatosu, Wisc.



DEAR ROBIN: I can, and I will. But even better is what Paul himself has to say about these topics.

Fortunately, among hundreds of interviews conducted over the years for my various publications, one is with Paul Horn.

In a 1989 sit-down chat with one of our freelance writers, Robert L. Miller, Mr. Horn offers these comments about playing various instruments:

“For many, many years I just played them all. In the early years I played the sax, alto mostly, and clarinet.

“I didn't play the flute until I was 19, and in my second year of college (1949).

“Later, when I was with the Chico Hamilton Quintet (1956-1958), it was alto and tenor sax, alto flute, piccolo, clarinet, and some piano. When I did studio work in L.A., for 15 years after I left Chico Hamilton, I played all my instruments.

“A time came when I just didn't feel like playing the clarinet, and others, anymore — just the flute.”

That the flute instead of a horn would be Horn's instrument of choice, and him having it handy when he first visited India, resulted in the “Inside the Taj Mahal” album.

This landmark collection, followed by several others in Paul Horn's “Inside” series, gave birth to what is now known as New Age, or World music.

About those three months in India in 1967, Paul recalls:

“I went on my own spiritual pilgrimage and a big change in my life happened when I went to India. I was with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and I started practicing TM [transcendental meditation], which I still do.”

During his three months there, Paul arranged to do some sessions in New Delhi. There he recorded enough tracks to fill two concept albums: (1967) “Paul Horn in Kashmir - Cosmic Consciousness” and (1968) “Paul Horn in India - Ragas for Flute, Venna and Violin.”

After a brief return to North America, Paul decided to produce a documentary on TM and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, which took him back to India.

Like millions of other visitors, he toured the Taj Mahal, never realizing how his being inside the Taj Mahal would lead to “Inside the Taj Mahal,” an LP that forever redirected the course of music.

Somewhere along the way the TM documentary was scrapped, but this journey to India would not be fruitless, thanks to a professional quality tape recorder found amongst the film crew's sound equipment.

Late one night, after all the Taj Mahal tourists left the grounds, Horn and his flute, along with John Archer (audio engineer) and his tape recorder, met with one of the tomb's guards. The three men then sneaked back into the domed white mausoleum.

The Indian guard is the one providing the authentic Hindu chants heard on the album, but he is also the one who first brought the unique acoustics of the massive dome to Paul's attention.

Released in 1969, with the one-word title “Inside” (Epic BXN-26466), the album sold over 750,000 copies, securing for Paul the moniker, Father of New Age Music.

Several more “Inside” recordings followed, as Paul kept discovering exotic and inspiring themes and locations for he and his flute: “Inside the Powers of Nature” (Epic KE-31600); “Inside the Great Pyramid” (Mushroom 5507); “[Inside] China” (Kuckuck 080); “Inside the Magic of Findhorn [Scotland]” (GFR 2003); “Inside Russia” (a.k.a., “Inside the Cathedral”) (GFR 2008); “Inside the Taj Mahal II” (Kuckuck 11085); “Inside Monument Valley” (Canyon label); “Inside the Potala [Lhasa, Tibet]” (Inside label); and “Inside Canyon de Chelly [Chinle, Arizona]” (Inside label).

“I never searched out the Taj Mahal, it just happened,” says Paul. “Then someone suggested the Great Pyramid. When I was in Russia on tour, I just happened across this acoustically nice church, so that became another one.

In China is a place called Temple of Heaven, and I just happened to be there.”

For Paul Horn, it was so often a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

That plus always being willing to work “inside.”


Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

This Date In Music History- July 1

Birthdays:

Deborah Harry – Blondie (1945)

John Ford – Strawbs (1948)

Dan Aykroyd - Blues Brothers (1952)

Phil Solem – Rembrandts (“I’ll Be There For You” theme from Friends)(1956)

Roddy Bottum - Faith No More (1963)

Missy Elliott (1971)

Fred Schneider – B-52’s (1954)




They Are Missed:

Steppenwolf bassist Rushton Moreve (co-wrote "Magic Carpet Ride" with John Kay) died in a motorcycle accident at age 32 in 1981.

Legendary DJ Wolfman Jack died of a heart attack at age 57 at his home in Belvidere, North Carolina in 1995.

In 2008, Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley died at the age of 60 from cancer of the oesophagus.

In 2005, Four Tops singer Renaldo "Obie" Benson died aged 69 in a Detroit hospital from lung cancer. The Four Tops sold over 50 million records. Benson co-wrote “What's Going On,” a #2 hit for Marvin Gaye.

Jamaican reggae singer Dennis Brown died in 1999 (age 42). During his career, he recorded more than 75 albums. Bob Marley cited Brown as his favorite singer, naming him “The Crown Prince of Reggae."

Born today in 1939, Delaney Bramlett, Delaney & Bonnie. Worked with Eric Clapton during the early 70's. Died on Dec 27, 2008.

Bobby Day (July 1, 1928 - July 15, 1990) 1958 hit “Rockin Robin”

Born on this day in 1915, Willie Dixon, blues singer, guitarist. Credited with writing more than 500 songs by the end of his life. Wrote classic songs: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I Can't Quit You Baby,” “Little Red Rooster.” Major influence on The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Dixon died on January 29, 1992.


History:

From a front page Billboard article in 1957, "Good music may be making a comeback on the bestseller charts..but rock & roll discs continue to dominate the pop market.”

In 1963, the Beatles recorded their single “She Loves You” and “I'll Get You,” completing the two songs in less than four hours. Went on to become The Beatles' first million-selling single.

In 1966, Ahmet Ertegun signed the English group Cream. Atlantic Records would become a major force in British rock, releasing albums by such artists as the Bee Gees, Mott the Hoople, Yes, Genesis, Derek and the Dominos, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Led Zeppelin.

The Association scored their second and last US #1 single in 1967 with “Windy.”

The Beatles started a 15 week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1967 with “Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,” the group's 10th US #1 album.

In 1969, John Lennon and his son Julian, along with Yoko Ono and her daughter Kyoko, were injured in car crash in Scotland. John receives 17 stitches for facial injury, Yoko receives 14 stitches, and the children suffer from shock. Lennon later had the car crushed into a cube and exhibited it on his lawn at Tittenhurst Park.

Sam Phillips sold Sun Records in 1969. The Memphis label released the first recordings of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Ike Turner, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.

The Doors released their album The Soft Parade in 1969.

In 1970, the Casey Kasem hosted "American Top-Forty" AM radio show debuts in Boston, Philly, Detroit, St. Louis, San Bernardino, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Honolulu and Albany.

Neil Diamond went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with “Song Sung Blue,” his second US #1.

In 1975, the Captain & Tennille got their first gold record with "Love Will Keep Us Together,” an album that will eventually sell 2 1/2 million copies and win a Grammy for Record of the Year.

Lifelong Buddy Holly fan Paul McCartney purchased rights to the entire Holly song catalog in 1976.

A New Jersey based quintet calling themselves Bon Jovi signed to Phonogram's Mercury Records in 1983.

The Grateful Dead's "In The Dark" LP was released in 1987.

Radiohead released their third album, OK Computer in 1997.

In 2007, Elton John, Rod Stewart and former Supertramp singer-keyboardist Roger Hodgson were among the artists who performed at a Princess Diana memorial concert at London's Wembley Stadium. Elton was a friend and Diana was reportedly a Supertramp fan. Aerosmith's guitarist, Joe Perry, performs with '60s pop star Tom Jones. Concert for Diana was organized by Princes William and Harry to mark the 10th anniversary of their mother's death on what would have been her 46th birthday.

In 2008, Beck's eighth album "Modern Guilt," co-produced by Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse, was released via TouchTunes digital jukeboxes (in bars and clubs) a week before the CD was out.

New Heavy Metal Cover Art


The Crimson Armada
Guardians





The Crimson Armada are a new heavy metal band from Columbus, Ohio, that formed in early 2007. They have set out to disprove the stereotypes of metal being blasphemous and evil by producing spiritual and uplifting lyrics through the medium of heavy music. They signed a deal with Metal Blade Records in late 2008 and recorded 'Guardians' in November in a studio in Indiana.











Job for a Cowboy
Ruination


Job for a Cowboy are a five-piece death metal outfit from Glendale, Arizona, and have been rocking since late 2003 when they were in their mid-teens. The band released their debut EP 'Doom' in 2005 before they scored a record deal with Metal Blade Records, and from there they released their first full-length, 'Genesis' in 2007. After they release 'Ruination' in July 7th, 2009, Job for a Cowboy will be joining Slayer and Marilyn Manson for the annual Rockstar™ Mayhem Festival.











Arkaea
Years in the Darkness


Arkaea was formed in 2008 by guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers and drummer Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory, who began a new, refreshing musical launch with recording a few demos together. Soon following the demo recording, the band became complete with the joining of friends Jon Howard on vocals and Pat Kavanagh on bass, both members of Canadian metal outfit Threat Signal. 'Years in the Darkness' is their debut album that will be released with E1 Music (formerly Koch Records) on July 14th, 2009.











Arsonists Get All the Girls
Portals


Santa Cruz, California, based deathcore/experimental metal band Arsonists Get All the Girls began in 2005 as a joke project between friends. As it began to get serious, they proceeded to release a debut album called 'Hits from the Bow' in 2006 with Process Records, and then they signed a deal with Century Media and released 'The Game of Life' in 2007. After the tragic death of bassist Patrick Mason in fall 2007 from alcohol poisoning, 'Portals' is the first album that the band will record and release since the loss. 'Portals' will also be a debut for new vocalist Jared Monnette, who replaced Cameron Reed as he left to focus on Christianity. The band is currently touring the United States.











DevilDriver
Pray for Villains


After leaving LA-based metal band Coal Chamber due to creative differences, vocalist Dez Fafara formed DevilDriver in 2002 and released three albums with Roadrunner. Though it had a slow start, DevilDriver eventually achieved explosive success and have been a part of major tours such as Ozzfest, Hellfest, and Download 2007 and 2009and also headline their own tours. 'Pray for Villains' will be their fourth release and is due to be out in stores July 14th, 2009. They are currently touring in Europe and will begin the second annual Thrash & Burn Tour on July 24th with co-headliners Emmure.

Music News & Notes

Galaxie 500 Reissue All Three Studio Albums On Vinyl

Just in time for the haze of summer, Galaxie 500 are re-releasing their three brilliantly dreamy studio records on vinyl. Today, On Fire and This Is Our Music have all been remastered for these reissues, and each vinyl copy comes with a high-quality digital download of the album, complete with bonus tracks and videos. You can order these classic records directly from the band, and each will run you about $25, or you can pick up all three for $70. And, for the super fans, if you throw in $80, you get all three records and a cool shirt. Not a bad deal at all, considering the downloads and extras included. So quit getting frustrated by bidding wars on eBay, and go the Galaxie 500 online store, fierybreeze.com to pick these up directly from Dean Wareham and company. All vinyl orders placed will ship on July 6.

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Rare Lennon Footage

A federal judge has ruled that Yoko Ono is the copyright holder of rare footage of John Lennon and his family in London c.1970. The judge refused to reinstate a lawsuit brought by World Wide Video LLC in March of 2008 that alleged Ono had interfered with a planned film they were making by blocking the use of the film.

The original footage was shot by Anthony Cox, Ono's husband at the time and contained over 10-hours of film of Lennon and his family at their English estate. World Wide Video was going to use it in their film 3 Days in the Life.

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Sir Paul, Dylan A No Go

Paul McCartney told the Daily Telegraph that he has no plans for a collaboration with Bob Dylan. "That's a newspaper thing. He just said some very complimentary things about me in some interviews and I love him.

"I think he's a great poet and writer so I've always admired him. I don't rule it out and I admire him. But we're not the kind of people who would ring each other up."

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ANGBAND: New Album Title, Cover Art Revealed


Iranian power metallers ANGBAND have set "Visions of the Seeker" as the title of their sophomore album, tentatively due in September/October through Pure Steel Records.

Commented guitarist Mahyar Dean: "I'm sure the album will surprise lots of metal fans. It's our second album and there's always something special about the second albums. On the other hand, now people know under what circumstances we're playing metal — it's six feet under the underground!"

ANGBAND released its debut album, "Rising from Apadana", in August 2008.

The band is believed to be the first Iranian metal act to release its work intenationally through a European label.

For more information, visit www.angbandmetal.com.

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Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past Week

1 BROADWAY CALLS “Good Views, Bad News” LP opaque green vinyl VC exclusive color 102 copies
2 LUCERO “Nobody’s Darlings” LP 180 gram vinyl 50 copies
3 BROADWAY CALLS/ RIOT BEFORE split 7? no idea purple/grey vinyl 35 copies
4 PORTUGAL THE MAN The Satanic Satanist” LP yellow w/ orange swirl vinyl 34 copies
5 IN THE RED/ANCHOR DOWN/BASTARDS OF YOUNG/DRUNKEN BOAT split 7? r cherry cover 21 copies
6 CHUCK RAGAN/ LOVED ONES split 7? blue vinyl 19 copies
7 NONE MORE BLACK “This is Satire” LP black vinyl 18 copies
8 SHOOK ONES “The Unquotable A.M.H.” LP 13 copies
9 TIGERS JAW “Spirit Desire” 7? purple vinyl 12 copies
10 JON SNODGRASS/ CORY BRANAN split LP moon colored vinyl 10 copies

http://www.vinylcollective.com

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R.E.M. Live Digital EP to Be Released July 7


R.E.M. will be releasing a four-song EP titled Reckoning Songs From The Olympia on July 7 through all of the major digital services.

The songs were recorded during the July 2007 "working rehearsals" at Dublin's Olympia Theatre. The band used the live shows to test out material for their Accelerate album.

All four songs on the EP were originally released on their album Reckoning. The album is meant as a preview of R.E.M. Live at the Olympia which will be released this fall.

The track list:

•Harborcourt
•Letter Never Sent
•Second Guessing
•Pretty Persuasion

Garage Rock Radio Records Releases Albums for Fans of 1960s Rock Music

Garage Rock Radio Records has recently released music on iTunes, Amazon.com and other online music stores which will appeal to fans of 1960s bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, the Doors, the Monkees, Iron Butterfly and similar Rock groups. 1960s style Garage, Pop, Punk and Psychedelic music, with its pounding drums, fuzz guitars, swirling organs and gritty vocals and harmonies are alive and well in the new millennium. Listen to these good time tunes and relive the golden age of Rock.

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- Garage Rock Radio Records (www.GarageRockRadioRecords.com) announces the release of albums by its first three signed bands; this music will appeal to fans of 1960s Rock, Pop and Psychedelic music. The music is available to buy and download at iTunes, Amazon.com and other online stores. Buyers can download individual tracks or purchase and download an entire album at a discount.

Garage Rock Radio Records (GRRR) is a new record label that distributes music inspired by 1960s Garage, Pop, Punk and Psychedelic bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, the Doors, the Monkees, Beach Boys, Jefferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly and similar Rock groups. GRRR brings 1960s style Garage, Pop, Punk and Psychedelic music, with its pounding drums, fuzz guitars, swirling organs and gritty vocals and harmonies, into the present day music scene. (What's Garage? www.garagerockradio.com/whatsgarage.htm)

Bill Kline, owner of Garage Rock Radio Records, has always been a fan of 1960s music and was thrilled to discover that thousands of small bands with regional hits were being unearthed in the 70s. "When the famous 'Nuggets' album was released, I was familiar with the Electric Prunes, Seeds, Castaways, and 13th Floor Elevators but it was great to become aware of other groups like the Leaves, Chocolate Watchband and Nazz, making powerful songs, all hoping to be the next 'Beatles'" said Kline. He then became a collector of compilation albums such as the Pebbles series, which continued to bring obscure 1960s Garage songs back from the dead.

Many fans of Garage Rock went on to start their own bands that played Garage cover songs and original tunes inspired by the original 1960s Garage bands. Among the most famous are the Chesterfield Kings, Fuzztones and McFadden's Parachute. All of these bands have genuine 1960s rock sounds, and all were getting airplay on free form radio stations like WFMU near New York City. Kline was working on a website for fans of Garage Rock - www.GarageRockRadio.com, and decided to approach the leader of McFadden's Parachute about distributing his music online. A deal was reached and 15 songs were selected from the catalogue of over a dozen CDs put out over the last several decades by McFadden's Parachute, to create the album - McFadden's Parachute, Greatest Hits, Volume 1 - now available on Garage Rock Radio Records.

Relatively new on the Garage Rock scene is Lyndsey Price, a singer with a powerful and passionate voice with a bit of punk attitude for good measure. Price has also produced songs on the GRRR label, including the "Dark, Dirty & Anonymous" album and the new single, "David and the Goliaths Theme" about the movement to get a Garage Rock exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Also on the label is Kline's own one-man band, Thee Lightning. The album, "Quests and Adventures" contains Garage Rock influenced instrumentals which are perfect for use as bumper music and background tracks for videos and commercials.

For additional information on Garage Rock Radio Records and its artists and releases, or for free downloads for you to review, contact Bill Kline or visit www.GarageRockRadioRecords.com. Albums and individual songs available to buy and download from iTunes, Amazon.com, Napster.com, Rhapsody.com and other fine online stores.

About Garage Rock Radio Records:
Garage Rock Radio Records promotes and distributes online music downloads from recording artists and bands that are inspired by 1960s Garage Rock.

Contact:
Bill Kline, owner
Garage Rock Radio Records
704-573-9214
www.GarageRockRadioRecords.com

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