Friday, November 5, 2010

The Rock Gods 'n Metal Monsters Auction - Do Some Bidding This Weekend!

Just found this, I thought it may be of interest to hard rock vinyl record collectors.  It looks like a lot of great heavy metal vinyl will change hands, maybe into yours! (Closes November 07, 2010 at 2:00pm or 10 minutes after the last bid)

The Rock Gods 'n Metal Monsters Auction
October 31st - November 7th, 2010

The Auction is Live

Bidding Opens: Sunday, October 31st
Auction Ends: Sunday, November 7th - close process begins at 2:00 pm EST
(see auction rules for detailed close process)


On behalf of the entire Backstage Auctions Crew we wish to extend a hard rockin' welcome to The Rock Gods 'n Metal Monsters Auction. We are very excited about this event and we think you will agree after you feast your eyes on the amazing rock relics coming direct from the personal collections of legendary rock 'n metal gods *Al Jourgensen (Ministry), *Kip Winger (Winger), *Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio), *Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Michael Schenker Group, Impellitteri), *Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche), *Bobby Rondinelli (Black Sabbath, BOC), *Andy Laroque (King Diamond), *John 5 (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson), *Walter O'Brien ( Manager - Pantera, White Zombie, Metal Church) *Philip Kamin (Rock Photographer), *Bob Nalbandian (Editor, Metal Rendevouz) and *Ole Bang ( Manager - Mercyful Fate, King Diamond).

The auction will showcase hundreds of rare collectibles featuring Ministry, Revco, Pantera, White Zombie, Whitesnake, Dio, Winger and Queensryche, but with over 500 auction lots up for grabs this online event will also present fabulous finds featuring Metal Church, Grim Reaper, Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Guns n' Roses, Bon Jovi, Marilyn Manson...and that's the short list!

Whether you're in the market for a fully signed Pantera guitar, original art by Marilyn Manson, a Buck Satan guitar (or two) or a few White Zombie RIAA record awards, this auction has it all, including artist signed collectibles, recordings, rare photos, original art work, promotional and concert posters, record awards, backstage passes, promotional merchandise, stage gear and artist worn apparel, drum sticks, exclusive ephemera, tour books and even a some really cool road cases.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, at the 11th hour we have been able to add an incredible collection of over 200 sealed - early 1980s - heavy metal albums that will make your head spin. Among them are amazingly rare release from legendary labels such as Neat Records, Road Runner Records, Metal Blade Records, Heavy Metal Records, Killwah Records, Shrapnel Records and Enigma Records. This is "once in a lifetime" vinyl that you don't want to miss out on.

For more information please visit:  http://www.backstageauctions.com/catalog/auction.php

Michael Fremer Album Review

Should you replace your MCA 180?

Axis: Bold As Love

(reissue)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

  • Experience Hendrix/Sony Legacy 180g LP
  • Produced by: Chas Chandler
  • Engineered by: Eddie Kramer
  • Mixed by: Eddie Kramer
  • Mastered by: George Marino at Sterling Sound

MUSIC




SOUND





AAA Marino Mastered Hendrix

by Michael Fremer
October 01, 2010

If you were around when the second Jimi Hendrix album was released you probably got ripped off. After Reprise’s success with Are You Experienced?Capitol dusted off a Curtis Knight and the Squires album that Hendrix had played on as a sideman before forming The Jimi Hendrix Experience and using a recent photo, issued it as Get That FeelingJimi Hendrix Plays and Curtis Knight Sings.

Many were fooled into spending their hard earned money on that deviously labeled rip off but when the realsecond Hendrix Experience album was released in January of 1968, all of that was quickly and easily forgotten.

The outrageous Hindu devotional art cover that most cloistered college students at the time had never before seen was sufficiently mind-blowing but once the needle hit the lead in groove area it was “up, up and away” time!

The flying saucer opening was kind of corny (if your audio system is correctly set up the “saucer” will circle around the room) but the jazzy “Up From the Skies” was a smooth glide into the heart of Hendrix’s sophisticated music making helped considerably by Eddie Kramer’s outrageous post Sgt. Pepper’s… production work.

“Travel by dragonfly?” Hendrix’s lyrical, dream-like imagery combined with the musical and sonic intensity lifted listeners to new heights of aural pleasure, many aided by the fast spreading marijuana “scourge” of the time. From the shimmering high frequencies to the spatial movement between the speakers, this album was just made for weed!

No point in a tune-by-tune play by play. This album is the bridge between the harder rocking first album and the extended, jammy double LPElectric Ladyland that lost many fans initially but grows in stature as the years pass.

Songs like “One Rainy Wish” with the unexpected break “I have never laid eyes on you, not before this timeless day…” produced a powerful, surprising thrust that works its magic as effectively today as it did all of these years ago.

And of course the title song with its squishy, flange-y, cosmic time travel finale set tens of thousands of stoned young hippies into ecstatic overload. I remember listening to this album and the first two Doors albums (okay, and Days of Future Passed too, I’m ashamed to admit) with my college roommates late Friday nights.

It became our weekend ritual. We sat there zonked in the dark between my AR 2ax speakers cranked way up and when the lights went up at the end, we’d each been to places and seen things words couldn’t begin to describe. The smiles did though!

Of course all these years later, that thrill is gone, but it’s replaced by an appreciation of Hendrix’s guitar wizardry and the rhythm section’s suppleness. This is the album that let the other guitar greats of the era know that Hendrix was the greatest—that he’d transcended the blues riffs, the Chuck Berry-isms and the electrified C&W picking and taken string bending to new territory.

Sonically, this was a huge step forward compared to Are You Experience?, which was issued in mono only in the UK with a different cover and track order. The high frequencies, in particular, were pristine, crystalline and extended. The cymbals shimmered and Hendrix’s guitar line attacks were fast, clean and well-articulated. Bass lines were also clean and extended and the kick drum was deep, clean and well-textured.

The original UK Track issue (Track 613003) was smoother, more extended and went deeper and tighter than the U.S. Reprise tri-color “steamboat” original and of course it was pressed on much quieter vinyl. It had tremendous “depth of field.”

George Marino’s first 180g reissue for Experience Hendrix MCA back in the late 1990s was very good but at the time Sterling Sound no longer had a preview head so the cut was sourced from a 96K/24 bit file. Plating at UNI’s Gloversville, NY factory and the pressing itself were pretty good but not up to RTI’s standards.

So considering that this latest version is all analogue, and was plated and pressed at RTI, you would expect it to be quieter, more detailed and more transparent and you’d better believe it is all of that and more, particularly in terms of bass weight and body.

In fact, the original, while still magical and worth owning if you can find one, sounds polite and slightly compressed dynamically compared to this new reissue, though the top end on the original, cut from the fresh tape can’t be beat. Good luck finding a clean copy for a reasonable price.

Still, in most ways, this reissue is better so I recommend grabbing it while you can.


Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/  for the exclusive rights to reprint this material. Stop by MusicAngle.com for more reviews and features.

Copyright © 2008 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved Reprinted by Permission

New CD Release: Michael Martin Murphey's "Acoustic Christmas Carols"

Rural Rhythm Christian releases "Acoustic Christmas Carols" by award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 04, 2010 – RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN is proud to announce the new album, “ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS, Cowboy Christmas II ” by multi-awarding winning singer-songwriter, Michael Martin Murphey. The artist kicks off his 17th Annual Cowboy Christmas Ball Tour™ November 26, 2010 in Benton, Texas with stops in at least 15 cities before Christmas. A complete itinerary can be found at his website.

Murphey provides lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and tambourine on “ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS, Cowboy Christmas II ” and is joined by Ryan Murphey (guitar), Laura Murphey (vocals), Brennan Murphey (guitar), Bea McTye (pipe organ), Paul Sadler (hammer dulcimer), John McEuen (guitar, banjo, mandolin, tambourine, Indian drum), Tony Laupheimer (percussion), Joey Miskulin (accordion), and produced by Joey Miskulin and Michael Martin Murphey. The album is now available to radio via Airplay Direct and available for sale at iTunes, Amazon, Rural Rhythm Records, MichaelMartinMurphey.com, and many other retail outlets.

TRACKS INCLUDE:
01 Home, Sweet Home
02 O Little Town of Bethlehem
03 The First Noël
04 In the Bleak Midwinter
05 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
06 Away in a Manger
07 Joy to the World
08 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
09 We Three Kings
10 Go Tell It on the Mountain
11 Silent Night
12 What Child Is This?
13 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
14 Home, Sweet Home (Reprise)

The arrangements are reflective of the sounds of a solitary minstrel, or a small group of friends and family singing in a tiny chapel or around the fireside,“ explained Murphey. The cover art for “ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS, Cowboy Christmas II” was provided by award-winning Utah artist and cowboy, Pete Plastow.

Rural Rhythm Records has released two previous CDs by Murphey including: the Grammy™ nominated BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS; and this year’s BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II: Riding Song that includes two power country vocal collaborations – “Wildfire” with Carrie Hassler and “Running Gun” with Audie Blaylock.

For more information on Michael Martin Murphey, please visit http://www.michaelmartinmurphey.com/  or http://www.ruralrhythm.com/  Booking services for Murphey are handled by Class Act Entertainment.

This Date In Music History - November 5

Birthdays:

Art Garfunkel - Simon and Garfunkel, solo (1941)

Pablo Gomez - Los Bravos (1943)

Peter Noone - Herman's Hermits (1947)

Peter Hammill - Van Der Graff Generator (1948)

Don McDougall - Guess Who (1948)

Helen O'Hara - Dexy's Midnight Runners (1956)

David Moyse - Air Supply (1957)

Mike Score - A Flock Of Seagulls (1957)

Bryan Adams (1959)

Ken Coomer - Wilco, Uncle Tupelo (1959)

David Bryson - Counting Crows (1961)

Angelo Moore - Fishbone (1965)

Mark Hunter - James (1968)

Jonny Greenwood - Radiohead (1971)

Ryan Adams - Whiskeytown (1974)

Australian singer Kate Jenna DeAraugo (1985)

Kevin Jonas - Jonas Brothers (1987)


They Are Missed:

Thirty-three year-old Johnny Horton, who had a number one hit with "Battle of New Orleans," died in 1960 when his Cadillac was hit by a drunken truck driver in Milano, Texas. Ironically, Johnny had just played his last show at the Skyline in Austin, where Hank Williams had played his last show as well. Horton's widow, Billy Joe, was also Hanks Williams' widow.

Born on this day in 1946, Gram Parsons, singer, songwriter. Member of The International Submarine Band, The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers. Released the 1973 solo album 'Grievous Angel.' Died on September 19, 1973 from a heroin overdose (age 26).

Bobby Nunn of The Coasters died of heart failure in Los Angeles in 1986. Scored the 1958 US No.1 single "Yakety Yak" and 1959 US #2 single "Charlie Brown."

In 1989, former US Army Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler died at a Veterans Administration hospital in Nashville from complications brought on by an un-explained gun shot wound to the head, suffered 14 months earlier in Guatemala City. Sadler is best remembered for his hit "The Ballad of the Green Berets," which stayed on top of Billboard's Pop chart for five weeks in 1966. He was 49 years old at time of his death.

Fred “Sonic” Smith, MC5 guitarist and husband of Rocker Patti, died of a heart attack in 1994. He was 45.

In 2003, Bobby Hatfield of The Righteous Brothers was found dead in hotel room in Michigan, 30 minutes before he was due on stage (age 63). The autopsy report from the Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner gave the opinion that Hatfield suffered a sudden, unexpected death due to acute cocaine toxicity. The Righteous Brothers had the 1965 UK & US #1 single "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" and the 1990 UK #1 ( #4 US) single "Unchained Melody." It became one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, by some counts having spawned over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages.

Surf guitarist Link Wray died in 2005 (age 76). Wray was credited with inventing 'fuzz' guitar after punching a hole in a speaker giving him a distorted guitar sound. Famous for his 1958 US #16 single "Rumble" which was banned on several radio stations, on the grounds that it glorified juvenile delinquency. A rare feat for a song with no lyrics.

Isaac Wister (Ike) Turner (November 5, 1931 – December 12, 2007) was an American musician, bandleader, talent scout, and record producer. Considered to be one of the fathers of rock and roll, his first recording, "Rocket 88" by "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats," in 1951, is considered by some to be the "first rock and roll song" ever. 1971 US #4 single with then Tina Turner with the John Fogerty cut and wedding bar band staple "Proud Mary."


History:

Elvis Presley made his only commercial, for Southern-Made Doughnuts, on the Louisiana Hayride radio program in 1954.

"The Nat King Cole Show" debuted on NBC-TV in 1956. The Cole program was the first of its kind hosted by an African-American.

The Who released a song called "My Generation" in 1965 which will become a sort of anthem for British teens, rising to number two on the UK chart. In the US however, despite performing the tune on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,' the song will be mostly ignored and would get no higher than number 74 on the Billboard chart.

The Monkees were on top of the Billboard singles chart in 1966 with "Last Train To Clarksville," the group’s first #1 hit. It was later revealed that due to filming commitments on their TV series, none of the group had played on this or most of the group’s early recordings. Eight weeks after their TV series debuted, the Monkees had the number one record in the US with the Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart written song.

In 1967, Bee Gee Robin Gibb was a passenger on a train which crashed in South East London in England killing 49 people and injuring 78. Robin was treated for shock after the accident.

Kenny Rogers and The First Edition made their TV debut in 1967 on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Groovey, man.....



Also in 1967 more than 2,000 people attended an auction of Elvis Presley's personal belongings at his Circle G Ranch in Horn Lake, Mississippi, ten miles from Graceland.

Jerry Reed recorded the immortal cut "Amos Moses" in 1969.



In 1970, while making one of his rare stage appearances, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson lost his balance several times and had to be helped backstage. His right ear, the better of the two, sustained severe damage because of the volume level on-stage.

In 1971, Elvis Presley kicked off a 15-date North American tour at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Minneapolis. Announcer Al Dvorin uttered the well known phrase: "Elvis has left the building" at the end of the show. He was asked to make the announcement in an effort to quiet the fans who continued to call for an encore.

The manager of a Virgin Records store in Nottingham England is arrested in 1977 and charged under the UK's 1898 Indecent Advertising Act for displaying a poster that read "Never Mind The Bollocks: Here's The Sex Pistols". At his trial two weeks later, defense lawyers called Professor James Kingsley, who testified that the word "bollocks" had several different meanings, both slang and proper. After a twenty minute deliberation, the court returned a verdict of not guilty.

In 1977, Ozzy Osbourne quits Black Sabbath, only to rejoin a few weeks later. He eventually leaves again to pursue a solo career.

Brian Wilson was officially fired from The Beach Boys by his former colleagues in 1982.

Billy Joel was at #1 on the UK singles chart in 1983 with "Uptown Girl" his only UK #1 stayed at the top of the chars for five weeks. A #3 hit in the US, the song was written about his relationship with his girlfriend then-wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley.

In 1983, Topper Headon of The Clash was arrested for walking his dog while drunk on London's Fulham Road. No word on the dog's condition, however, Headon was led home by his furry friend.

The Beach Boys went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Kokomo." The track had been featured in the film Cocktail. It had been 22 years since the group had their last US chart topper with "Good Vibrations." Their only other Top Ten hit in that time had been "Rock and Roll Music" in 1976.

"The Locomotion," became the first song to reach the US Top 5 in three different versions, when Kylie Minogue's 1988 effort reached #3 on the US chart. The song had also been a hit for Little Eva and Grand Funk Railroad.



Sheryl Crow scored her first UK Top 10 single in 1994 when "All I Wanna Do" entered the charts at #.4. The US singer songwriter went on to become the first US female to score six UK hits off her debut album 'Tuesday Night Music Club.'

Producer Butch Vig's new band Garbage made their US live debut in 1995 when they played at The 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis. Vig produced Nirvana's album 'Nevermind.'

In 1995, 'The Wizard of Oz in Concert' took place for a Children's Defense Fund. The show featured Jackson Browne as the Scarecrow, Roger Daltrey as the Tin Man, Nathan Lane as the Cowardly Lion and Jewel as Dorothy.

Also in 1995, Queen released their first studio album since the death of Freddie Mercury. Mercury died November 24, 1991 of AIDS.

Creed were at #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with 'With Arms Wide Open.'

In 2002, the funeral took place of Jam Master Jay, (Jason Mizell) from Run-DMC who was murdered by an assassin's single bullet on 30th October 2002. A $30,000 reward was offered in connection with the murder, to this day nobody has ever been convicted of the killing.

In 2007 there was the London premiere of Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who and Amazing Journey: Six Quick Ones. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend host the event. Also, a two-CD compilation, "The Very Best Of The Who Live In Concert 1969-1976" is available exclusively on the band's website.

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page received the Living Legend Award at the 2007 Classic Rock Roll of Honour ceremony in London.

In 2008, artwork created Queen's Brian May, Deep Purple's Roger Glover, Alice Cooper, Paul Rodgers and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason goes on the block at a benefit auction hosted by veteran British band Status Quo. The musicians redesigned "classic Quo single/album covers" for the event in honor of the 40th anniversary of the group's hit "Pictures Of Matchstick Men." The sale aids the Prince's Trust, a U.K. youth charity.

Ozzy Osbourne was presented with the Legend of Live honor at the 2009 Billboard Touring Awards in New York.

MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FROM THE KING OF POP 'MICHAEL' TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 14

Exclusive Teaser and Song to be Unveiled on MichaelJackson.com

New York, NY – The much anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released on December 14 by Epic Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. Tomorrow, an exclusive teaser for the project will appear on www.michaeljackson.com; on Monday, November 8th the world premiere of “Breaking News,” a full track from the album, will stream on the site for one week only.

The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.

“Breaking News,” a never heard before song by Michael that appears on the new album was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and recently brought to completion. Fans can begin pre-ordering the album on www.michaeljackson.com in the next 24 hours.

The attached image of the album cover of MICHAEL was created by painter Kadir Nelson in 2009. In the oil painting, Kadir – who is known for story telling through his art – takes us on a journey through some key moments and important people in Michael Jackson’s life.

Stay tuned for the worldwide launch of the official first single from MICHAEL later this month.
http://www.michaeljackson.com/