Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Here is a local story from Oregon about our beloved vinyl.  Thank you to Nancy Anderson at http://www.oregonlive.com for allowing me to reprint this interesting material:



Hillsboro woman is devoted to vintage vinyl LPs -- and makes it pay

Jan Nissen's home office in Hillsboro is packed with dinosaurs -- thousands of vinyl records side by side and categorized by decades from the 1940s to the 1970s.

The 62-year-old great-grandmother launched a small business to cater to a renewed interest in retro LPs, and she's found customers around the world willing to pay plenty for the pleasure of analog sound and the dramatically illustrated album covers and extensive liner notes.

"I could not have imagined this in my wildest dreams," says Nissen, owner of Gosinta: My store for Turntables, Vinyl Records and More, (http://stores.ebay.com/Gosinta) which pretty much describes the contents of her online store, which is in fact that small home office.

Her timing was perfect, just as vinyl LPs became cool again in our digital age. Album sales have resurged in the last decade. The beauty of imperfect analog has been discovered by a generation raised on digital -- and remembered fondly by older audiophiles.

In 2005, Nissen and her husband, Nick, stopped at a garage sale not far from home. It was the last day, and everything was half price. So they pulled over the car and decided to browse. For $20 she walked away with at least 1,000 records and a vague notion she'd try to make a few bucks by selling the records online. But when her first sale to a customer in Russia went for $178, her little hobby quickly turned into a second career.

Today, she sells a few hundred albums online every month. Most go for $10 to $25, and rarely less than $5. The prize in her collection: the 1971 soundtrack to the movie "The Andromeda Strain" valued at nearly $1,000.

"This is a mom-and-pop business," Nissen says, "but mostly mom." While husband Nick works days as a facility supervisor for the city of Tigard, she carefully follows up on more than 150 daily emails, categorizes and prices each record, and processes and ships orders.

Back in the 1960s, Nissen began working in administration in the music industry and stayed for 40 years. Now she's back in an industry she loved and grew up in. She understands the nostalgia attached to the albums, and judging by sales, plenty of her customers do, too.

"It's like visiting an old friend," Nissen says. "The feel in your hands, the pictures and the sound are all a part of it. Records bring people together, back to the days when listening to music was a family affair and something shared with friends."

Her most prized LP is a vintage Van Morrison, "Tupelo Honey." She has one copy. It's not for sale.

Since she started, she's launched a Web site to update her customers and celebrate music history. She's kept her business small and sticks to the basics.

"Catch a hold of your dream and ride it," she says. "That's the first step. Also, be willing to fail. Failure will show you where to make a turn and go a better way."

Five years later records now come to her from throughout Oregon, mostly through referrals.

"Some people want to part with their records and I find them a new home," Nissen says. "It's exciting. Look at all these beautiful records. And I haven't been to a garage sale in over a year."

Written by -- Nancy Anderson
http://www.oregonlive.com/

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

Let's continue our feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 24th year of syndication (1986-2010), 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 (http://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 JANUARY 11, 2010


DEAR JERRY: Years ago you provided some little-known details about the pre-Beverly Hills “Beverly Hillbillies”; facts regarding the theme song as well as the show in general.

Is my memory correct that there were occasional character and plot crossovers between this series and “Petticoat Junction”?

You indicate the Hillbillies theme is performed by Flatt & Scruggs. Is the Junction theme also by them?

Both shows seem to be set in roughly the same rural setting. Is that the case?

Do any of the TV characters represent real people?
—Sherry Buckman, Fond du Lac, Wisc.


DEAR SHERRY: The crossovers are because Paul Henning is the creator-producer of both “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Petticoat Junction,” along with “Green Acres”; “The Bob Cummings Show”; “Startime”; and many others.

For example, in one “Beverly Hillbillies” episode, “Christmas in Hooterville,” aired December 25, 1968, the Clampetts spent Christmas at Petticoat Junction's Shady Rest Hotel.

In 1962, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs recorded the “Beverly Hillbillies” TV theme as well as the hit single, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” (Columbia 42606).

A little over a year later, Flatt & Scruggs waxed their version of “Petticoat Junction” (Columbia 42982), also a sizable hit for them.

However, the version played on the weekly sitcom is by Curt Massey, who co-wrote the song with Paul Henning. Massey also issued it on vinyl (Capitol 5135) in early '64.

As for the untold, scenes-behind-the-scenes story, read on:



DEAR JERRY: The Junction's Shady Rest depicts a real inn, the Shane Hotel, hidden deep in the Ozark Mountains since 1905. The Shane was run by a single family.

In the summer, the local kids really did swim in the tank that provided water for the locomotive, not totally unlike the three girls (Bobbie Jo; Betty Jo; Billie Jo) cooling in the tank during the show's opening moments.

The Shane could only be reached by train, in this case the M&NA (Missouri & Northern Arkansas), and that is true even today. There is no road to the hotel.

Getting on or off at the hotel back in 1905 required one to flag or signal the train, just as seen in “Petticoat Junction.” In the series, rather than the M&NA line, the name is changed to the fictitious CF&W, also known as the Hooterville Cannonball.

The town Hooterville is really Leslie, and Pixley is nearby Shirley, two real towns in northern Arkansas.

Come to Leslie (on Hwy 65) and see how closely the area matches “Pettitcoat Junction,” including Drucker's store. In Leslie, this store is named Dericksons.

Everyone in the area is excited about getting the Shane Hotel registered as a landmark, then opening up its real history. Visitors can't believe the size of it and where it is built. Even by modern standards, it is quite a feat, more so in 1905 with no roads in the Ozarks. Only the historic Cannonball Express could make the journey.

The Arkansas Ozarks peaked in the 1920s, and the train brought life to hidden sections of the Ozarks. Some say the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks are the same, but not so. The Arkansas Ozarks are 10 times as big and 10 times as rugged.

Granny Clampett is really Granny Henderson, who was born and raised on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. She actually met Paul Henning near there when Paul was camping in the Ozarks.

Many names and events from “The Beverly Hillbillies” are taken from real things very close to the Buffalo River. Among them are Cousin Pearl, who worked in Dogpatch; Granny's friend in Timbo; and the Bodgins from Botkinberg that feuded with Granny.

I am in touch with every historic society in all the towns the enchanted Cannonball ran through.
—John Lorenz, Greenbrier, Ark.


IZ ZAT SO? Character actor Frank Cady is one of only three in the cast to remain with “Petticoat Junction” for its entire seven-year run.

Cady simultaneously appeared as Sam Drucker on “Petticoat Junction”; “Green Acres”; and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” No other actor has done that on three sitcoms at the same time, as the same character.



Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368, e-mail: jpo@olympus.net, or visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/. All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

The Decade of Disturbed Begins!

BURBANK, Calif. - (Business Wire) The countdown to the Decade of Disturbed has begun at www.disturbed1.com!

In March 2010, the band will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of their quadruple-platinum-selling debut album The Sickness by reissuing it with exclusive b-sides and expanded artwork, as well as a first-time-ever vinyl edition. Also in March, Disturbed will relaunch their official website with a special section, accessible by a code included with The Sickness reissue, that will contain exclusive clips, updated weekly, of the band recording their upcoming new album, due for release from Reprise Records later this year. There will also be a special DOD section that will be available for everyone.

Released on March 7, 2000, The Sickness is Disturbed’s best-selling album to date, thanks to such hit singles as “Stupify,” “Voices,” and “Down With the Sickness,” which is the seventh most downloaded track of the ’90s according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Formed in Chicago in 1996, Disturbed have sold 11 million albums and six million digital tracks worldwide, and have scored eight No. 1 singles at Active Rock radio over the course of their career. Their latest album, the platinum self-produced Indestructible, debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in June 2008 and remained in the Top 10 for five weeks. Indestructible is the band’s third consecutive Number One album, following their platinum-sellers Believe (2002) and Ten Thousand Fists (2005), making Disturbed one of only six rock bands in history to score three consecutive Number One debuts with studio albums.

Disturbed is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist John Moyer. For more on the band, including news about the “Decade of Disturbed,” please visit www.disturbed1.com.

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Roky Erickson to Release New Album with Okkervil River

Roky Erickson may not be a household name anymore, but his band ,the 13th Floor Elevators, are frequently cited as pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement. Since the group's breakup in 1969, however, Erickson has faced a variety of personal setbacks: he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and did time in a hospital for the criminally insane after being charged with marijuana possession.

On April 20, Erickson is set to return with True Love Cast Out All Evil, his first new album in 14 years. The collection, which will be released via Anti-, was produced by Will Sheff, whose group Okkervil River acted as Erickson's backing band on the disc. The band previously backed Erickson for his 2008 and 2009 appearances at SXSW.

The songs featured on the album were chosen by Sheff, who was given demos of 60 unreleased tracks from throughout Erickson's life. The songs that made the cut were written at various times over the past 40 years, including some that were penned during Erickson's time in the asylum.

In a statement, Sheff explained, "There were songs written during business setbacks, including the Elevators’ painful breakup, songs written by Roky while he was incarcerated at Rusk, and a great deal of songs that reminded me of the sense of optimism and romanticism that I think sustained Roky through his worst years."

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The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Remake Gets Its Cast

Famed director Robert Zemeckis (The Polar Express, Beowulf) has been striving to lend his creative twist to the Beatles' legendary 1968 feature film, Yellow Submarine. Well, now he can, he has his cast.

British actors Cary Elwes, Dean Lennox Kelly, Peter Serafinowicz and Adam Campbell are at the front of the line for portraying the Fab Four, Billboard reports. So who is playing who? Elwes will reportedly portray George Harrison, Kelly will play John Lennon, Serafinowicz has Paul McCartney and Campbell will take on Ringo Starr. Also lending a hand in the Disney film is popular tribute band Fab 4, who will portray the performances of John, Paul, George and Ringo while the music itself will remain genuine Beatles.

Like its predecessor, the flick will remain animated, but in keeping with current practice, this time around it will be computer-animated. As with his latest film, A Christmas Carol, Zemeckis will shoot live actors and then transform them into computer-generated visions, otherwise known as 3D performance-capture technology.

No confirmation has been made on whether or not surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr will have some hand in the remake, though previous reports indicated that Zemeckis is courting both for the project.

Disney aspires to release the film in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

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CULT OF LUNA albums slated for vinyl release

CULT OF LUNA are set to have their first two albums released on vinyl LP for the first time ever.

Earache Records will be releasing Cult Of Luna's self-titled debut album and its follow-up, The Beyond, on January 25th on limited edition, double gatefold, coloured vinyl LP, marking the first time these album have ever been pressed on vinyl. The release is part of Earache's "First Time on Vinyl" campaign, plugging the gaps in the Earache catalogue previously unavailable on vinyl.

Cult Of Luna and The Beyond have been specially remastered for this release by producer Pelle Henricsson (Refused, Hell Is For Heroes) and include exclusive new artwork by Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson. The debut, Cult Of Luna, includes three songs enhanced and extended specifically for this vinyl edition.

View the exclusive album art and vinyl colours here.

http://earacherecords.com/myspace/col_firsttimeonvinyl.jpg

Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson comments: "We chose to re-design the sleeves in a refined Cult Of Luna aesthetic, still honoring the original pieces which are very important for us as well."

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IfIHadAHiFi to Return favor, Name EP After Nada Surf

Milwaukee Noise-Rock Band Returns Favor, Names New EP After Nada Surf

MILWAUKEE, WI – Wisconsin noise-rock ensemble IfIHadAHiFi, flattered by the recent decision by New York alternative band Nada Surf to reference them in the name of their upcoming covers album If I Had A Hi-Fi, have announced that they are working on an upcoming EP of new original material that they will title Nada Surf in return, continuing a proud tradition of mutual collaboration started by groups like U2, Negativland, REM and Green.

“When we found out that Nada Surf were naming their new record after us, we were really flattered and honored,” says HiFi drummer DrAwkward. “We honestly didn’t realize they were such big fans.”

“We were disappointed when they declined to name their 2003 release, Let Go, after us,” added bassist MrAlarm. “A friend had forwarded us an email from their mailing list that explained that they had decided against it because there was ‘a band from the Midwest who had the same idea for their name.’ Apparently over the years they became big fans of ours and decided to do it anyway. And hey, good for them! If there’s an established brand that screams ‘unit movers,’ it’s IfIHadAHiFi.”

In return, IfIHadAHiFi have announced that their new EP, which the band began tracking in December with local musician/engineer Thom Geibel (White Wrench Conservatory, Quinn Scharber and the…), will be titled Nada Surf. “I mean, it’s the least we can do to show our appreciation for the free exposure,” says guitarist Yale Delay. “The music scene’s all about community, you know? If Nada Surf is willing to plug us to their fans, the least we can do is let our fans know that there’s this great band out there called Nada Surf that they should check out.”

However, while the Nada Surf album seems to be built conceptually around the Milwaukee noise-rock group, keyboardist/guitarist/bassist Rev. Ever explains that the favor can’t be returned to quite that extent. “Judging from their tracklist, it looks like a smorgasbord of our influences. I mean, Kate Bush? The Moody Blues? Hell, Depeche Mode are the reason I picked up a guitar. Which I know is weird, since they’re mostly a keyboard band, but whatever. Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to change our tracklist, so none of our songs have anything to do with Nada Surf at all. Sorry guys!”

IfIHadAHiFi are shooting for a summer/fall 2010 release for the Nada Surf EP, to be released on vinyl and flash drive formats on Latest Flame Records, the home of their 2008 release Fame By Proxy (still lots of copies left! For the love of God, please buy one. Our label dude’s been questioning his judgment).

ABOUT IFIHADAHIFI

Self-described “bitter, pissy assholes who play loud, unlistenable cacophony with a dance beat,” IfIHadAHiFi formed in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley in 2000, relocating to Milwaukee in 2002 in order to “make it in the big city.” In a review for their 2001 release Ones and Zeroes, Pitchfork stated “they could stand to be an important band. Or at least a lot of fun.” (The author of the review has not been spotted on the website since.) One of Alternative Press’ “100 bands you need to hear in 2005,” The HiFi have shared the stage with such notables as Melt-Banana, Rocket From the Tombs, NoMeansNo, Poster Children, and most recently opened the Milwaukee show on the Jesus Lizard’s 2009 reunion tour. Women want to know them, and men want to know their secrets.

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Little Boots Set to Release Much-Anticipated Full-Length Album

British dance-pop sensation Little Boots will release her much-anticipated full-length album debut, "HANDS" in the U.S. and Canada March 2nd, 2010 on Elektra Records. "HANDS," which was released in June '09 in the UK, features the hit songs "Stuck on Repeat," "New In Town" and current single, "Remedy," which the NY Post recently praised as a "synth-pop gem" and named one of their "Top 209 songs of 2009." Beginning today, "HANDS" will be available for preorder as CD and limited edition vinyl at: http://store.elektra.com/collections/little-boots-us-webstore

Little Boots -- known to her family and friends as Victoria Hesketh -- is without question the most talked-about new UK pop star of 2009. She was named one of NME's Best New Artists of the year, won a BRITs Critic's Choice Award and BBC's distinguished "Sound of 2009" poll and is the first artist to have appeared on the Jools Holland show TWICE before an album release. Here in the U.S., Rolling Stone named Little Boots as one of their prestigious "Artists to Watch" and Nylon Magazine hailed, "Synth sensation Victoria Hesketh a.k.a. Little Boots is poised to reinvent pop one small dance step at a time."

The Blackpool-born performer first captured attention as a member of electro-indie combo Dead Disco. Opting to pursue a solo career as Little Boots, she assembled an arsenal of synths and began airing her developing work on YouTube for all to see. Earlier this year Little Boots' U.S.-only "ILLUMINATIONS" EP was released and served as an ideal introduction to her acclaimed brand of futuristic electro-pop. The five-track EP featured rare and exclusive tracks including the irrepressible anthem, "Stuck on Repeat" which started it all.

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Simon & Garfunkel Confirm Sole 2010 U.S. Gig at New Orleans Jazz Festival

Rolling Stone is reporting that Simon & Garfunkel have been added to the first weekend of this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, marking the lone U.S. performance the legendary duo will make in 2010. The pair will perform on Saturday, April 24th, the second day of the festival, which runs until May 2nd.

“Over the years I’ve always enjoyed performing at Jazz Fest,” Paul Simon said in a statement. “Everyone connected with the Festival, and in particular Quint Davis [director of Jazz Fest], has created an atmosphere that is both musical and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform with my old friend Art Garfunkel at this year’s Festival.”

This Date In Music History-January 13

Birthdays:

Robert ‘Squirrel’ Lester - Chi-Lites (1930)

John Lees - Barclay James Harvest (1948)

Trevor Rabin - former Yes guitarist (1954)

Fred White - Earth, Wind and Fire (1955)

Don Snow - Squeeze (1957)

Jim Paris - Carmel (1957)

James Lomenzo - White Lion/Megadeth (1959)

Graham McPherson - Madness (1961)

Tim Kelly - Slaughter (1967)

Zach de la Rocha - Rage Against The Machine (1970)


They Are Missed:

In 1979, soul pop singer Danny Hathaway, known for his duets with Roberta Flack ("Where Is the Love?") died after jumping, (or falling - police couldn't reach a conclusion) from a 15th floor hotel room in New York City. According to his record company, Atlantic, Hathaway had been having some psychological problems and hadn't done much in the way of music lately. He was 34 years old.

The late Bobby Lester of the Moonglows ("Sincerely") was born in 1930.

Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist, Michael Brecker, died in New York in 2007 after battling leukemia. Over the course of his lengthy career Brecker was heard on albums by Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.


History:

In 1906, the first advertisement for a radio, a Telimco selling for $7.50, appeared in the magazine "Scientific American."

Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin" in Hollywood in 1957.



Radio station KWK in St. Louis declared Rock n’ Roll dead in 1958. After giving their Rock records a final play, the station staff break them. No word on if they ordered more.....

The Beatles recorded a TV appearance on the ABC Television program 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' in Birmingham in 1963, playing their new single, "Please Please Me." The show was broadcast on January 19.

The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the US in 1964.

The first day of recording sessions for Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home album were held at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios in New York City in 1965.

In 1968, Dr. K.C. Pollack of the University of Florida audio lab reported that tests have found that the noise generated at rock & roll concerts is harmful to teenage ears.

Johnny Cash recorded a live album at Folsom Prison in 1968.

In 1969, Elvis Presley recorded in Memphis for the first time since his early days with Sun records; the session eventually produces his 18th Number One hit single, "Suspicious Minds."

John Lennon and Yoko Ono cut their hair and donated it to a charity auction in 1970.

Carly Simon started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with 'No Secrets'.

Aerosmith's self-titled debut was released in 1973. It contains the band staples "Dream On" and "Mama Kin."



Eric Clapton has spent the last couple of years troubled by drug addiction. However, on this night in 1973, he makes a triumphant comeback at London's Rainbow Theater. He sells out two shows as the set opens and closes with "Layla." Afterward Clapton told a reporter, "I was very nervous, felt sick, the whole bit." Referring to the audience he responded, "They don't know how much it helped me."

The trial of seven Brunswick Records and Dakar Records employees on charges of bilking artists out of more than $184,000 in royalties began in 1976. The charges had been brought during a federal investigation for possible instances of payola.

In 1978, the Police started recording their first album at Surrey Sound Studios, Surrey, England with producer Nigel Gray.

Also in 1978, Elvis Presley's version of Paul Anka's "My Way" goes gold in five months after the King's death. Earlier, it had become one of Presley's 78 Top Twenty-five hits.

The Y.M.C.A. files a lawsuit in 1979 against the Village People over their song, "Y.M.C.A." The suit was later dropped.

The Grateful Dead, Beach Boys and Jefferson Starship were the featured acts at a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea, held at the Oakland Coliseum in 1980.

In 1984, BBC Radio 1 announced a ban on "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, after DJ Mike Read called it 'obscene', a BBC TV ban also followed. The song went on to become a UK No.1 and spent a total of 48 weeks on the UK chart.

In 1993, singer Bobby Brown was arrested in Augusta, GA for simulating a sex act onstage. It was the second time that the Augusta police department booked him for the same offense.

Christina Aguilera had the US #1 single in 2000 with "What A Girl Wants."

In 2005, a report showed that more songs had been written about Elvis Presley than any other artist. It listed over 220 songs including: "Graceland" by Paul Simon, "A Room At The Heartbreakhotel" by U2, "Calling Elvis," Dire Straits, "Happy Birthday Elvis," Loudon Wainwright III, "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis," Kirsty MacColl, "I Saw Elvis in a UFO," Ray Stevens. "Elvis Has Left the Building" by Frank Zappa and "My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis" by Ray Herndon.

It's announced in 2006 that The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love" and Bob Dylan's "Bringing It All Back Home" albums will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The inductees represent "the most significant recorded musical masterpieces that have had a profound impact on our culture," says Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.

"Greatest Hits," a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band compilation, was released exclusively via Wal-Mart in 2009. After receiving criticism, Springsteen admits the deal was a mistake.