The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
Two Beatle acetates with Perry Cox authentication make the list this week, along with two 45's, a funk / deep soul record and an Eddie Cochran picture sleeve. The "Hello Goodbye" acetate has the working version of the song, "Hello Hello". #1 this week goes to a rare classical French LP of Bach Violin Sonatas.
Earth Crisis Reveal Cover Art For "Neutralize The Threat"
Earth Crisis have scheduled their hardest hitting piece of work in recent memory, 'Neutralize the Threat' for a July 12th release date. The most controversial band in hardcore also teamed with artist Ryan Clark to create the artwork surrounding the latest album culminating in the cover.
Art Pop Legends The Feelies Reform, Release New Record, Announce Shows
The Feelies are celebrating the release of "Here Before," their first album of all new original material in 19 years with select East Coast dates. The new album touches on different styles from the Feelies' long history while adding new grooves and musical ideas to the mix. Electric and acoustic guitars melt together in archetypal Feelies fashion on songs like "Nobody Knows" and "Should be Gone. " Elsewhere there are slabs of driving garage rock like "When You Know" and "Time Is Right" and the down-tempo "Bluer Skies," and harmonically rich "Later On." The new album is being released on Bar/None Records.
Consfearacy recently inked a deal with Massacre Records for the release of the band's self-titled album, which is due out on July 1st, 2011. The cover artwork was handled by graphic designer Dennis Sibeijn.
what a wonderful story, remembering the iconic group and their fans
The Rolling Stones 'live' in Middlesbrough, 1963
By Paul Delplanque
Love them or loath them, The Rolling Stones are still rolling and even now attract huge audiences around the world. Next to The Beatles they are without doubt the greatest band to come out of the 1960s, selling millions of records world-wide. Back in 1963 the new band had been going for about a year and were about to embark on their first tour of the United Kingdom. The place they chose to kick-off that tour was none other than Middlesbrough, it was the very first time the band had played outside the London area.
Here are the Top 10 Albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of May 23, 2011 – May 30, 2011:
1.) The Menzingers – A Lesson In The Abuse Of Information Technology LP
2.) Living With Lions – Holy Shit
3.) Fireworks – Gospel
4.) Dance Gavin Dance – People We Knew 7″
5.) Into It. Over It. / Koji Split LP
6.) The Creepshow – Run For Your Life LP (EXCLUSIVE Purple)
7.) Balance and Composure – Separation
8.) The Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits LP
9.) Against Me – Russian Spies 7″
10.) The Creepshow – They All Fall Down (Picture Disc)
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USA
Albums:
1. Adele :21
2. Seether :Holding Onto Strings
3. Various :Now 38
4. Jason Aldean :My Kinda Party
5. Mumford and Sons :Sigh No More
6. Beastie Boys :Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
7. The Lonely Island :Turtleneck and Chain
8. Justin Bieber :Never Say Never The Remixes EP
9. Fleet Foxes :Helplessness Blues
10. Il Volo :Il Volo
Singles:
1.Adele :Rolling In The Deep
2.Katy Perry feat. Kanye West :E.T.
3.Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer :Give Me Everything
4.Black Eyed Peas :Just Can't Get Enough
5.Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull :On The Floor
6.Bruno Mars :The Lazy Song
7.Britney Spears :Till The World Ends
8.LMFAO :Party Rock Anthem
9.Lupe Fiasco :The Show Goes On
10.Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes :Look At Me Now
UK
Albums:
1. Adele :21
2. Kate Bush :Director's Cut
3. Adele :19
4. Hugh Laurie :Let Them Talk
5. Bruno Mars :Doo-Wops & Holligans
6. Friendly Fires :Pala
7. Chase & Status :No More Idols
8. Jessie J. :Who You Are
9. Foo Fighters :Wasting Light
10. Caro Emerald :Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor
Singles:
1. Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer :Give Me Everything
2. Bruno Mars :The Lazy Song
3. Aloe Blacc :I Need A Dollar
4. LMFAO :Party Rock Anthem
5. Alexandra Stan :Mr Saxobeat
6. Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi :Beautiful People
7. Snoop Dogg Vs. David Guetta :Sweat
8. The Saturdays :Notorious
9. Lady Gaga :Judas
10. Swedish House Mafia :Save The World
Europe
Albums:
1. Take That :Progress
2. Rihanna :Loud
3. Bruce Springsteen :The Promise
4. Shakira :Sale El Sol
5. Pink :Greatest Hits ... So Far
6. Bon Jovi :Greatest Hits
7. James Blunt :Some Kind Of Trouble
8. Susan Boyle :The Gift
9. Kings Of Leon :Come Around Sundown
10. JLS :Outta This World
Singles:
1. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull :On The Floor
2. Rihanna :S&M
3. Adele :Rolling In the Deep
4. Lady Gaga :Born This Way
5. Black Eyed Peas :Just Can't Get Enough
6. Jessie J. feat. B.o.B. :Price Tag
7. Katy Perry :E.T.
8. Snoop Dogg Vs. David Guetta :Sweat
9. LMFAO :Party Rock Anthem
10. Bruno Mars :Grenade
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Put Your Records on Your Wall with the Vertical Vinyl Record Player
they (ionaudio) claim it saves 'space', however, how much room does a turntable take up? they also say: A fun, new way to experience your records, VERTICAL VINYL will also impress your friends and guests by defying gravity when playing records sideways!
i guess, to each his or her own.....
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and in music history for today:
In 1956, Buddy Holly sees the John Wayne movie The Searchers and gains some song writing inspiration when Wayne utters the line "that'll be the day."
Dick Dale performed Let's Go Trippin' for the first time in 1958, possibly signaling the start of surf music.
In 1964, The Dave Clark Five appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first of 11 appearances.
The Monkees began filming their TV series in 1966.
In 1968, working on what will become 'The White' album. The Beatles added overdubs of bass and vocals on “Revolution.” After numerous overdubs have been added, the final six minutes of the song evolved into chaotic, jamming, with Lennon repeatedly shouting "alright” and Yoko Ono speaking random phrases. The jam becomes the basis for “Revolution 9,” and this session was the first that Yoko attends.
In 1975, 17 weeks after entering the Billboard Pop chart, Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" made it all the way to number one. The song was written in the late 1960s and had already been recorded more than two dozen times. Fender would later recall "The recording only took a few minutes. I was glad to get it over with and I thought that would be the last of it."
Also in 1975, the Rolling Stones kicked off a New York City press conference on their next tour by playing on the streets in the back of a flatbed truck.
In 1976, the Who appear at the Charlton Athletic Grounds in England and put their name into the Guinness Book of World Records as the loudest rock band ever when their set measures at 120 decibels. That record has since been surpassed.
In 1977, Britain's BBC announced a ban on the Sex Pistols' anti-royalist song "God Save The Queen", saying it is 'in gross bad taste'. The cover of the single showed a picture of The Queen with a safety pin through her lip. Shops and pressing plant workers refused to handle the record, but it still managed to reach #2 on the UK chart.
In 1980, although the Disco craze was running out of steam, a group from Minneapolis, Minnesota called Lipps, Inc., that featured Cynthia Johnson on vocals, reached the top of the US charts with a tune called "Funkytown". It was a UK #2 hit. The record would be certified Platinum, but the group's only other Hot 100 entry would stall at number 64.
In 1999, Phil Kramer, who took Lee Dorman's place when Iron Butterfly re-formed in 1975, was found in a canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, over four years after he called a police to say he was going to commit suicide. At the time of his death, he was 42.
In 2000, Johnnie Taylor, best remembered for 1968's "Who's Making Love" and 1976's "Disco Lady", died following a heart attack in a Texas hospital. He was 62 years old.
In 2010, Ali-Ollie Woodson, who led The Temptations in the 1980s and '90s and helped restore them to their hit-making glory with songs including "Treat Her Like A Lady", "Sail Away" and "Lady Soul", died of cancer at the age of 58.
celebrating birthdays today (among many others) are Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary) (73) and Augie Meyers (Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornadoes (71)
Definitive Editions of Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon In Concert: Live Rhymin', and Still Crazy After All These Years, Available Everywhere Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Columbia/Legacy Recordings announces the first round of releases in the Paul Simon catalog project with definitive editions of four of the artist's essential solo albums -- Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon In Concert: Live Rhymin' and Still Crazy After All These Years -- available everywhere Tuesday, June 7.
News of the Paul Simon catalog releases arrives as Simon, the quintessential American singer-songwriter-performer, tours the United States in May and Europe this summer with an eight-piece band in support of his recently-released critically-acclaimed new album, So Beautiful Or So What on Hear Music.
The new Columbia/Legacy editions of four classic Paul Simon catalog titles marks the first set of releases since last year's historic licensing agreement between the artist and Sony Music Entertainment brought Simon's entire catalog of recordings together under the one roof for the first time since the 1970s.
Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon In Concert: Live Rhymin' and Still Crazy After All These Years have returned to the Columbia imprint for the first time since their original vinyl releases.
While all the titles feature the remastered sound, bonus tracks and expanded packaging from their first CD incarnations, Paul Simon In Concert: Live Rhymin', a Columbia Records release in 1974, has been newly remastered for this Columbia/Legacy edition. Recorded during Simon's groundbreaking tours with Urubamba and the Jessy Dixon Singers in 1973-74, Live Rhymin' includes two previously unavailable live tracks -- "Kodachrome" and "Something So Right" -- which have never appeared on the vinyl or CD editions of the album.
Originally released on Columbia Records in 1972, Paul Simon, the artist's first solo studio album without Art Garfunkel, peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 while generating the signature hits "Mother and Child Reunion" (#4 Hot 100) and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" (#22) and other classic tracks. CD bonus cuts include demos of "Duncan" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and an unreleased "Paranoia Blues."
There Goes Rhymin' Simon, a 1973 Columbia Records release, showcased a pair of timeless summer car radio anthems -- "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock" -- and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. The CD features non-album bonus tracks including work-in-progress "Let Me Live in Your City," acoustic demos of "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" and "Loves Me Like a Rock," topped off by an unfinished demo of "American Tune."
1975's Grammy-winning Album of the Year, Still Crazy After All These Years rocketed to #1 with a hit-packed tracklist that included "My Little Town" (a one-track "reunion" with Art Garfunkel) and the #1 smash "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Bonus cuts on the CD include demos of "Slip Slidin' Away" and "Gone At Last" (with The Jessy Dixon Singers).
During his distinguished career Paul Simon has been the recipient of many honors and awards A recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Simon has won 12 Grammys including three Albums of the Year: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970), "Still Crazy After All These Years" (1976) and "Graceland" (1986). 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee. Simon has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a member of Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist.
About Legacy Recordings
The multiple Grammy-winning Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division, produces and maintains the world's foremost catalog of historic reissues, an unparalleled compendium of thousands of digitally re-mastered archival titles representing virtually every musical genre including popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country, gospel, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, ethnic, world music, classical, comedy, and more.
The week's vinyl reissue include two LPs from Ozzy Osbourne, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, the B-52's with Wild Planet, UFO with three stellar LPs from the past with Lights Out, No Heavy Petting and Obsession (all imports) and Elvis Costello's Get Happy, to name a few.
Other CVR Blog picks include Flogging Molly's Speed Of Darkness, Death Cab for Cutie with Codes and Keys, Kate Bush's Director's Cut, My Morning Jacket with Circuital and Fleetwood Mac with Black Magic: Best of the Early Years.
Alex Turner - Submarine
Alina Simone - Make Your Own Danger
Autopsy - Macabre Eternal
B-52's - Wild Planet (reissue)(vinyl)
Billy Vera - Billy Vera Story
Black Stone Cherry - Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
Blasters - Live 1986
Blouse - Shadow
Cheer-Accident - No Ifs Ands Or Dogs
Cliff Richard - Anthology (3 CDs)
Cola Freaks - Cola Freaks
Curren$y - This Ain't No Mixtape (reissue)
Dave Brubeck - Dave Digs Disney: Legacy Edition (2 CDs)
Dave Edmunds - Rockpile
Dave Matthews Band - Live at Wrigley Field
David Sylvian - Died in the Wool
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys
Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs
Egypt Central - White Rabbit
Elvis Costello - Get Happy (reissue) (vinyl)
Farewell Continental - Hey Hey Pioneers
Fleetwood Mac - Black Magic: Best of the Early Years
Flogging Molly - Speed Of Darkness
Frank Sinatra - Concert Sinatra (vinyl)
Gene Watson - Memories to Burn / Starting New Memories
Ginger Baker - Live in Milan 1981 (2 CDs)
Guess Who - Flavours
ISIS - ISIS Live I 9.23.03
J.D. Souther - Natural History
Jakszyk, Fripp & Collins - Scarcity of Miracles: A King Crimson Projekct
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine - Enhanced Methods of Questioning
Jordan Knight - Unfinished
Kate Bush - Director's Cut (2 LPs)(vinyl)
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
Kids on a Crime Spree - We Love You So Bad
Klaus Schulze - La Vie Electronique Vol. 9
Mando Diao - Give Me Fire
Marduk - Iron Dawn
Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On (box set)
Matthew Good - Lights of Endangered Species
Melvins - Sugar Daddy Live
Miles Davis - Tutu (remastered with bonus live CD)
Miwa Gemini - Fantastic Lies of Grizzly Rose
My Morning Jacket - Circuital
O'Jays - Back Stabbers
Ocote Soul Sounds: Taurus
Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard Of Oz: Expanded Edition
Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard of Oz (vinyl)
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary Of A Madman: Legacy Edition (2 CDs)
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman (vinyl)
Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstacy
Panther Style - Emergencia!
Papa John Creach - Long Branch Park 1983 (2 CDs)
Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
Peter Hook & the Light - Unknown Pleasures: Live in Oz (vinyl)
Playing for Change - PFC 2: Songs Around The World
Processory - Change Is Gradual
Reatards - Teenage Hate/F**k Elvis Heres the Reatards (reissue)
Richard Pinhas & Merzbow - Rhizome
Rick Danko, Richard Manuel & Paul Butterfield - Live at the Lone Star 1984
Rick Danko - Tin Angel (2 CDs)
Robert Pollard - Lord of the Birdcage (vinyl)
Seapony - Go With Me
Seasick Steve - You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
SebastiAn - Total
Sennen - Age of Denial
Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
Soema Montenegro - Passionaria
Son Lux - We Are Rising
Suede - Sueded (reissue)
The Black Swans - Don’t Blame The Stars
The Melvins - Sugar Daddy Live
The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Twisted Sister - Under the Blade (2 CDs)
U.S. Christmas - Valley Path
UFO - Lights Out (vinyl)(import)
UFO - No Heavy Petting (vinyl)(import)
UFO - Obsession (vinyl)(import)
USX - The Valley Path
Various Artists - All Blues'd Up: Songs of Eric Clapton
Various Artists - Ministry of Sound: Anthems Indie
Various Artists - PFC 2: Songs Around The World
Vast Aire - Ox 2010: A Street Odyssey
Vatsum - Carnal Law
Warren Haynes - Man in Motion (2 LPs)(vinyl)
Wharf Rats - 7"
Remember, if you are a record company and have new releases or know of any I missed (especially vinyl), please email me and I will add your music to the list. I also do reviews of new vinyl, email me for more information.
Dave Record was aptly renamed by a friend when he was 18 because of the thousands of vinyl records he owned.
Mr Record, from New Plymouth, was one of the traders in Wanganui yesterday at a record fair in the Rock'n' Roll Clubrooms.
He described the event as a fair for like-minded souls who did not attend church.
Mr Record said that, as a young person, he did not know what he wanted to be when he grew up.
He had started out as a punk rocker, his next phase was the Nik Kershaw new romantic, then Duran Duran, but that did not do it for him.
Next there was Twisted Sister, and then his epiphany - the Sex Pistols.
Vinyl had taken over and it was time to look for a career, so Mr Record did his apprenticeship as a carpenter.
But when you have 10,000 LPs and 10,000 45s, you use your skills to build record shelves - big steel frames to accommodate the collection that is carefully catalogued in alphabetical order in various genres.
a wonderfully crafted article from the san diego union-tribune, well worth the read:
A librarian's many, many records
Brian Schottlaender's life of a million cuts
By Peter Rowe
Brian Schottlaender’s Lonely Arts Club Band: Six Tracks on A Fading Theme
1. Yesterday
At 58, Brian Schottlaender is the very model of a modern major league librarian. He has an impressive title, “Audrey Geisel University Librarian,” and a massive task, overseeing all libraries on the UCSD campus. Last year, he won the American Library Association’s most prestigious prize, the Melvil Dewey Medal.
But he suffers from an incurable fever, one that compels him to chase albums by obscure industrial rock bands like Current 93 (“Christ and the Pale Queens Mighty in Sorrow”). This is an illness, one that may have begun with his childhood exposure to one of the most popular groups in history.
“My mother is British,” he explained, “so the Beatles were a big deal in our family.”
In 1956, Time Magazine prints an article entitled Teener's Hero, which tries to explain Elvis Presley's mystique. After a drawn-out description of his singing style, the writer says of Presley's appeal: "his movements suggest, in a word, sex."
In 1962, Benny Goodman (on his birthday, no less!) led the first American jazz band to play in the Soviet Union.
In 1964, "Love Me Do" became the Beatles fourth US number one hit. The version released in America is one that had Andy White playing drums while Ringo played the tambourine. The British single was a take on which Ringo played the drums.
In San Francisco, CA in 1966, Jefferson Airplane performed at a benefit for the Haight-Ashbury Legal Organization.
The Beatles began recording the "White Album" in 1968. The first track they lay down is "Revolution".
In 1972, John Ryanes of The Monotones passed away. The group had one big hit, "Book Of Love", which reached number 5 in the US in 1958.
Led Zeppelin began recording "In Through the Out Door" in 1978.
In 1980, Carl Radle, bass guitarist for Derek and The Dominos, died of kidney failure partially caused by his drug abuse in the seventies. After The Dominos split, he continued to work with other artists such as George Harrison, Joe Cocker and J.J. Cale. He was just 37 years old.
In 1990, Midnight Oil closed down 6th Avenue in New York City as they played a protest concert in front of Exxon's offices. The protest was in reaction to the Exxon Valdez disaster.
Neil Young had to cancel his European tour in 1997 because he had cut his finger while slicing a ham sandwich. oops....
In 1999, in New Jersey, Lenny Kravitz walked off stage after 40 minutes and collapsed from heat exhaustion. He had been performing in a fur coat. ummm, no need to comment....
Also in 1999, Tim McGraw made an unannounced appearance to open a concert for his wife, Faith Hill. awwww.....
In 2003, British record producer Mickie Most, who is credited with producing more number one hits world-wide than any other producer, died of a rare form of cancer. He was 64. During a long career he recorded with the Animals, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Lulu, The Yardbirds, The Nashville Teens, Hot Chocolate, Kim Wilde and many others.
birthday wishes to Nicky "Topper" Headon of The Clash (1955), Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine (1964) and Patrick Dahlheimer from Live (1971), to name a few....
Elusive Records is back with two slices of dubby electronic pleasure served by label’s head Slavaki, supported by deep atmospheric musical mindtrip on the flip side delivered by the master of funk and atmosphere himself, Mr. Yapacc.
PRLog (Press Release) – May 30, 2011 – With this record, we continue to bring joy to all of you, true lovers of subtle groove and electronic music with soul. First limited number of copies comes on beautifully designed clear marbled 12”.
Already enjoying great support from friends and well known artists around the world, such as Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Silicone Soul, Slam, Paco Osuna, Nooncat, Tom Dazing, Andrew Grant, Martin Eyerer, Randall Jones, Brothers' Vibe, Franco Bianco, Reynold, Alland Byallo and many others!
This record is simply set to become a timeless classic. From now on, you can finally get your copy at djshop.de, decks.de and all your favourite vinyl and digital stores!
Here more information:
LABEL: ELUSIVE RECORDS
ARTIST: SLAVAKI
REMIXER: YAPACC
TITLE: SKUNKIE’S BACK
FORMAT: VINYL & DIGITAL
CAT. NUMBER: ELSVREC010
RELEASE DATE VINYL: 27.05.11
RELEASE DATE DIGITAL: 20.06.11
Seasick Steve readies new album on Third Man Records
By Chris Coplan
Prior to this year’s South by Southwest, most U.S. music fans were likely unfamiliar with the name Seasick Steve. But after an impressive parking lot performance, one which saw Jack White as an opener of all things, we’ve gotten ourselves more well-versed with the former hobo’s musical outings. Now, a few months after his grand debut with White, Seasick Steve (born Steve Wold) is preparing to release his latest full-length album, You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, this June via White’s Third Man Records.
For those still unfamiliar with Seasick Steve, besides from being prone to nausea whilst on aquatic vessels, he’s a bluesman who plays a mean three-string guitar.
i guess, in this age of the internet, someone, somewhere was bound to put this list togther. for shits and giggle, check it out at chartattack.com
20 Amazing Album Covers With Boobies On Them
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a rather lengthy and interesting post, worth the read, it is the age we live in.....
File Sharing and the Canadian Indie Musician
here's an excerpt:
Matyas says that CDs are dying fast, but “vinyls (sic) are definitely making a comeback.” Carroll says that certain dedicated fans buy vinyl records. He estimates that about 10 per cent of their overall sales are vinyl, and while that number is on a steady rise, it’s done almost nothing to combat the rapidly declining overall sales.
Concord Music Group will release six new titles in the Original Jazz Classics Remasters series on June 14, 2011. Enhanced by 24-bit remastering by Joe Tarantino, generous helpings of bonus tracks (many of them previously unreleased), and new liner notes that provide historical and technical context, the series showcases some of the most pivotal recordings of the past several decades by artists whose influences on the jazz tradition is beyond measure.
The six new titles in the series are:
Chet Baker: In New York
Ornette Coleman: Something Else!!!
Thelonious Monk: Thelonious Alone in San Francisco
Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans: Know What I Mean?
Bill Evans Trio: Explorations
Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass: Easy Living
"These six releases bring us to 20 titles altogether since the launch of the series in March 2010, " says Nick Phillips, Vice President of Catalog and Jazz A&R at Concord Music Group and producer of the series. "Each occupies an important place in any quality jazz collection."
Chet Baker: In New York
Recorded in September 1958 for Riverside, Chet Baker's In New York features saxophonist Johnny Griffin, pianist Al Haig, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. In addition to the half-dozen tracks from the original album, the reissue includes a bonus seventh track — "Soft Winds, " a blues composition written by Benny Goodman and Fletcher Henderson.
The recording provides a glimpse of the trumpeter "coming off a run of popularity, critical praise, and commercial success the likes of which few musicians have known, " according to the new liner notes by Doug Ramsey. By the late '50s, Baker had won numerous awards throughout the decade for his instrumental work, and was even regarded as a romantic idol for his singing.
"Baker had been somewhat pigeonholed as a West Coast cool jazz artist, " says Phillips, "but this recording illustrates that he was right at home playing with New York musicians — who dealt with their own stereotype of being harder edged and more aggressive. On this recording, they all seem to meet effortlessly somewhere in the middle."
Of the ongoing tug-of-war between Baker's artistic successes and his personal battles with substance abuse, Ramsey adds: "It will be a long time before Chet's struggles with his demon are forgotten, but one day when the headlines have finally disappeared, the beauty of his music will still be shimmering in the air."
Ornette Coleman: Something Else!!!
Recorded at Contemporary's studios in Los Angeles in February and March 1958, Ornette Coleman's Something Else!!! features Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Walter Norris on piano, Don Payne on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The first of two albums that Coleman recorded for Contemporary, Something Else!!! marks the saxophonist's debut as a leader. "He was a very influential but at times controversial artist, " says Phillips. "Right out of the gate he was doing something that was just so different from what people were used to hearing, " says Phillips. "Although structurally-speaking, the music in this recording is based on established song forms, you can hear very clearly that Coleman is starting to break free of the limitations of conventional harmony."
Neil Tesser writes in his new liner notes that Coleman traced jazz back to its roots to rid the music of its increasingly elaborate harmonic structures and other constraints. "Without the limitations imposed by such harmonic patterns, his band would freely travel into, out of, and between musical keys, " says Tesser. "As Ornette said in the original notes, 'I think one day music will be a lot freer. The pattern for a tune, for instance, will be forgotten and the tune itself will be the pattern . . .' When he recorded Something Else!!! that day was still a little ways off. In these performances, you hear him in the last throes of unshackling the past."
Thelonious Monk: Thelonious Alone in San Francisco
Recorded on Riverside in October 1959, Thelonious Alone in San Francisco was a sequel of sorts to Thelonious Himself, recorded two years earlier. In addition to the album's 10 original tracks, the reissue includes an alternate take of "There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie."
"With Thelonious Alone in San Francisco, Monk proved that his earlier success as a solo artist was not a fluke, " says Tesser in his liner notes for the reissue. "And in rejecting all the 'rules' for playing without accompaniment — as he'd rejected so many rules before — Monk expanded the entire concept of the solo piano idiom. Without Monk's recordings as bedrock, it's hard to imagine similarly intimate (though otherwise quite different) solo albums that would eventually come from Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea or even McCoy Tyner."
For as unique as Monk's style was, "he stayed pretty consistently within that style throughout the remainder of his career, " says Phillips. "That's not to imply that there was any lack of creativity on his part. Within the unique style that he established, there was so much to explore and develop. But he still sounds unmistakably like Thelonious Monk, no matter what chapter of his career you listen to."
Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans: Know What I Mean?
Know What I Mean? was recorded between January and March 1961, with bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay supporting the saxophonist and pianist. The reissue includes three bonus tracks that are alternate takes of "Who Cares?, " "Toy" (previously unreleased), and "Know What I Mean?".
"This album takes two artists who were part of the legendary, historic 1958 Miles Davis Sextet and pairs them together, " says Phillips. "The modal approach that Evans was pioneering in the context of that 1958 group reveals itself in some of the material that he and Cannonball are playing on this album."
Orrin Keepnews, who produced the original recording sessions, writes in his new liner notes for this OJC Remasters reissue, "One of the many advantages of working with a man like Julian Adderley was that he was totally stubborn about pursuing an idea he believed in. And, quite simply, he thoroughly believed in the validity of an album based on his moving very much in a Bill Evans–influenced direction."
In his liner notes to the original recording, Joe Goldberg observes that while not all of the selections are ballads, an "aura of relaxation" permeates the recording. "In this instance it can be recognized as simply a matter of four highly skilled artists away from their usual tasks and delighting in one another's musical company, " he says. "Nothing more really need be said about the results of their meeting than that the feeling of delight comes through."
Bill Evans Trio: Explorations
Recorded in New York in February 1961 for Riverside, Explorations was the last album this version of the Evans trio would make in a recording studio. Bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian also appear on Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby — both live recordings, released later in 1961 — but LaFaro died in a car accident shortly after the live sessions. This reissue features four bonus tracks, including previously unreleased alternate takes of "How Deep Is the Ocean?" and "I Wish I Knew."
“Evans’ sound and approach was his own by ’61, ” says Ashley Kahn in his new liner notes. “His piano style had fully matured, as had the interplay of the trio . . . Upon entering Bell Sound’s studio on February 2, 1961, producer Orrin Keepnews immediately noted the three had ‘made giant strides towards the goal of becoming a three-voice unit rather than a piano player and his accompanists.’”
What’s more, the disparity of styles between the unreleased alternate takes and their counterparts that made the final cut on the original record “illustrates that jazz masters like these are real improvisers, ” says Phillips, “and no two takes are ever going to sound the same — because no two moments in jazz are ever the same.”
Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass: Easy Living
Recorded in Los Angeles in 1983 and 1986, Easy Living was one of a series of Ella Fitzgerald–Joe Pass collaborations on Pablo throughout the ’80s. In addition to the original album’s 15 tracks, the reissue also includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks — alternate takes of “Don’t Be that Way” and “Love for Sale.”
Easy Living and the other collaborations between these two veterans “worked on many levels, ” says Tad Hershorn in his liner notes for the reissue. “As her voice aged and deepened, Fitzgerald discovered partial remedies in her phrasing, choices of keys and the pleasing maturity that now enveloped her still youthful voice. Pass was the perfect foil to display her diminishing resources to their best and most emotive advantage. Ella was known to incessantly toy with songs in her restless artistic striving, so one can perceive the music she made with Pass as a direct extension of her creative method. The leanness of their music underscores that even this late in her career, Ella Fitzgerald retained her bonafides as a singer for whom words did matter: not every song was merely a vehicle for her to bat notes out of the park. The allure was in the quiet majestic intimacy that focused an audience’s attention on full absorption of the musings of joy, wistfulness, and melody.”
The level of confidence with which each of these two musicians performs on this recording is hard to miss. “The fact that Ella could walk into the studio with a bunch of lead sheets, ” says Phillips, “and they could do a little rehearsal on the spot, figure out the best key for her, and he could just play it in any key behind her — all of that takes some phenomenal musicianship . . . They have a very conversational, relaxed sensibility about them, and both musicians seem very much at ease performing together and recording together in the studio.”
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Bob Dylan Album Covers
One of rock & roll’s most prolific songwriters, Bob Dylan has released a staggering 34 album covers over the course of his career. Here’s the original cover for each and every classic record Dylan has put out to date.
In 1955, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" was the most popular song in the United States. Billboard reported that if the sales of all versions of the song were all added up, including the original by Fess Parker, more than 18 million copies had been bought in six months.
In 1966, Percy Sledge hit the top of the US charts with "When A Man Loves A Woman", a song that he improvised with his band one night when he was upset over a failed romance. A more polished version of the song was released in early April and became Percy's only US Top Ten hit.
In 1966, Ike & Tina Turner released "River Deep, Mountain, High." The record will stay on the chart for just four weeks and stall at #88. Producer Phil Spector considered the song the high point of his production career and was so disappointed by its poor performance that he would go into seclusion for two years.
Also in 1966, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass went to #1 on the U.S. album chart with What Now My Love, setting a new American record with four albums in the U.S. Top 10. The other three were South of the Border, Going Places and Whipped Cream and Other Delights.
In 1976, the Allman Brothers Band temporarily disbanded after Greg Allman testified against Scooter Herring, his personal road manager, who was charged with drug trafficking. Herring was subsequently sentenced to 75 years in prison. An album of previously unreleased live material was issued later in the year under the title "Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas". In the two years that the band was apart, Gregg Allman married Cher, while Dickey Betts formed his Great Southern band.
The song "Barracuda" was released by Heart in 1977.
In 1983, actress and singer Irene Cara started a six-week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Flashdance... What a Feeling,” taken from the film Flashdance, and a #2 hit in the U.K.
Also in 1983, the four-day US Festival ’83 took place in California, featuring The Clash, U2, David Bowie, The Pretenders, Van Halen, Stray Cats, Men at Work, Judas Priest, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, INXS, Joe Walsh, Motley Crue and Ozzy Osbourne. Over 750,000 fans attended the festival.
In 1995, 1995, Hootie and the Blowfish started a four-week run at #1 on the U.S. album charts with Cracked Rear View. The album went on to sell over 15 million copies.
birthday wishes to Gladys Knight (1944), Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals fame (1952) and the peerless, John Fogerty of CCR (and solo) (1945), just to name a few....
Magnetic Fields Frontman Stephin Merritt to Release Obscurities
The Magnetic Fields frontman Stephin Merritt is set to release 'Obscurities' on Aug. 23 on Merge Records. The release will focus on rare and hard to find Stephin Merritt tracks and will be released on CD, LP and download.
Merritt fans will be glad to hear that Obscurities contains five previously unreleased songs, some of which are taken from a never-finished sci-fi musical called The Song From Venus. Also included are songs from Neil Gaiman’s audiobook Coraline and outakes from The Magnetic Fields’ 69 Love Songs album. B-sides from various vinyl singles from The Magnetic Fields round out the track list.
Obscurities Track List
1. Forever and a Day (previously unreleased)
2. Rats in the Garbage of the Western World (The Magnetic Fields)
3. I Don’t Believe You (The Magnetic Fields)
4. Plant White Roses (Buffalo Rome)
5. Rot in the Sun (the 6ths)
6. The Sun and the Sea and the Sky (previously unreleased)
7. Yet Another Girl (the 6ths)
8. Scream (Till you Make the Scene) (previously unreleased)
9. The Song from Venus (previously unreleased)
10. Beach-A-Boop-Boop (The Magnetic Fields)
11. When I’m Not Looking, You’re Not There (The Magnetic Fields)
12. Take Ecstasy with Me (The Magnetic Fields)
13. When You’re Young and In Love (previously unreleased)
14. You Are Not My Mother and I Want to Go Home (The Gothic Archies)
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in North Carolina High Country, vinyl doing well!
641rpm Goes All Vinyl in a Digital Age
Story by Jesse Wood
641rpm, a record store on King Street in Boone, has sold off nearly all of its CD stock and will now strictly sell vinyl records.
In a digital age, a record store solely selling vinyl isn’t as bizarre as it seems. Though digital music dominates album sales, vinyl record sales have increased since 1991. In 2010, the Nielsen Company reported that vinyl record sales increased 14 percent from the previous year with 2.8 million units sold, and in 2011, vinyl record sales are up 37 percent from the same period last year. The top selling artists for vinyl in 2010 included older artists such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan, as well as newer artists such as The Black Keys.
For 641rpm, last month’s national Record Store Day was a turning point.
Deep Purple is scheduled to embark on a short North American tour next month and will be accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The band will also play one show without the orchestra in San Francisco. Deep Purple have already been offering up their symphonic presentation in Europe to great success and acclaim.
The band -- featuring classic-era members Ian Gillan (vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums, percussion) and rounded out by Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards) -- will begin their US tour on June 3rd. Dubbled Deep Purple: The Songs That Built Rock, the tour runs through June 25th. By utilizing strings and a symphony, Deep Purple favorites like 'Smoke on the Water' will be elevated to a whole other level.
Deep Purple tour dates:
Fri 6/3 - Orillia, ON Casino Rama
Sat 6/4 - Quebec City, QC Agora
Mon 6/6 - Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Tue 6/7 - Boston, MA Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre
Wed 6/8 - Hartford, CT Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell
Fri 6/10 - Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 6/11 - Atlantic City, NJ Tropicana
Sun 6/12 - Bethel Woods, NY Bethel Performing Arts Center
Tue 6/14 - New York, NY Beacon Theater
Wed 6/15 - New York, NY Beacon Theater
Fri 6/17 - Detroit, MI Fox Theater
Sat 6/18 - Highland Park, IL Ravinia
Sun 6/19 - Minneapolis, MN Orpheum
Thu 6/23 - Las Vegas, NV The Pearl at the Palms Casino
Fri 6/24 - Los Angeles, CA Greek Theater
Sat 6/25 - Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheater
In 1933, country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers died at the Taft Hotel in New York City from complications due to tuberculosis. The Singing Brakeman—often hailed as The Father of Country Music—was only 35 at the time of his death.
In 1953, after hitchhiking to the event, Elvis Presley won second prize in a Meridian, Mississippi talent show.
In 1962, the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout" was released on Wand Records. It will rise to #17 on the US Pop chart and will be covered two years later by The Beatles, whose version rose to #2.
In 1963, Elvis Presley recorded "(You're The) Devil In Disguise", which will peak at #3 on the Billboard chart and #1 in the UK by next August and be certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units in the US.
In 1964, Marianne Faithfull recorded the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Andrew Loog Oldham song, “As Tears Go By,” accompanied by future Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass.
In 1966, the Beatles began recording “Yellow Submarine” at EMI Studios on Abbey Road in London. The Ringo-sung track would go to #1 in the U.K. after its release in August of that year.
In 1968, American R&B artist Little Willie John died of a heart attack in prison after being convicted of manslaughter. The artist, born William Edward John, was the first to record Eddie Cooley and John Davenport’s “Fever” (also covered by Peggy Lee in 1958) and Mertis John, Jr.’s “Need Your Love So Bad” (later covered by Fleetwood Mac). James Brown recorded a tribute album the same year, titled Thinking about Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things.
In 1969, John and Yoko began a seven-day “bed-in” in room 1742 of the hotel La Reine Elizabeth in Montreal, Canada to promote world peace. John Lennon recorded "Give Peace a Chance" in a room at Hotel La Reine Elizabeth in Montreal, Canada. The voices of Tommy Smothers and Petula Clark can be heard on the chorus. The song was credited to Lennon / McCartney, even though Paul had nothing to do with the record. Lennon may have been showing his appreciation for McCartney's help on "The Ballad of John and Yoko" single, which the two of them recorded without George and Ringo.
In 1971, Don McLean recorded the epic track, “American Pie.” The song, which obliquely recounts the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, hit #1 in the U.S.
In 1972, just when Mott the Hoople were on the brink of breaking up, David Bowie offered the group two of his new songs: “Suffragette City,” which they turned down, and “All the Young Dudes,” which they recorded. The song gave the group a #3 hit in the U.K. and made the Top 40 in the U.S.
In 1973, the Edgar Winter Group went to #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Frankenstein.” The instrumental was the band’s only U.S. #1 (it reached #18 in the U.K.). In addition to Winter’s wild keyboards, the song also featured ex-McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer.
In 1973, Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" was released. The song is based on the true story of how someone had fired a flare gun into the ceiling of the Casino in Montreux, Switzerland, during a concert by Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention. The resulting fire destroyed the building where Deep Purple was set to record a live album the next day. The single will reach #5 in the US and #21 in the UK.
In 1974, 14-year old Bernadette Whelan was crushed by the crowd at a London concert of teen idol David Cassidy. She would die four days later. Cassidy is so shaken by the incident, he wouldn't tour again for 11 years.
In 1977, KISS provided a vial of their blood to Marvel Comics to be mixed with the ink in a KISS comic book.
In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in the Dominican Republic. They were divorced in January of 1996.
In 2006, Desmond Dekker, a Jamaican reggae pioneer famed for his worldwide hit "The Israelites", died of a heart attack at his home in England. He was 64.
birthday wishes to Levon Helm (Band) (71), Garry Peterson (Guess Who) (66), and the great Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) (63)
FEATURED ARTISTS INCLUDE RICKY MARTIN, ADAM LAMBERT, MARY J. BLIGE, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, MIRANDA LAMBERT, MISSY ELLIOTT AND ICE CUBE
"Behind The Music: Missy Elliott" Kicks Off The Season on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 PM ET/PT
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1's most celebrated music documentary series "Behind The Music" returns with seven of today's most successful and celebrated artists. The five-time Emmy® Award-nominated series gives viewers a front row seat to the most exclusive and intimate interviews with the artists as well as their families, friends and colleagues. Featured this season are Missy Elliott, Ice Cube, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, Adam Lambert and Ricky Martin. Beginning on Wednesday, June 29 at 9 PM ET/PT with "Behind The Music: Missy Elliott," the series will bring viewers never-before-seen footage of these talented musicians and the people who know them best.
"Behind The Music: Missy Elliott" Premieres Wednesday, June 29 at 10 PM ET/PT
Becoming the most successful female writer-producer-artist the hip hop world has ever seen was not easy for Missy Elliott. Born in Virginia, Missy was faced with the hardships of poverty at the age of eight. Surrounded by abuse and horror, Missy used her passion for music to escape from it all, landing a record deal at the age of 19 with DeVante Swing of Jodeci. For the first time, Missy breaks her silence about why she had to walk away from DeVante and her first group "Da Bassment." Not letting her past bring her down, Missy surpassed her demons and rose to fame with her groundbreaking debut album "Supa Dupa Fly." Working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, from Diddy to Mariah Carey to Janet Jackson and with her daring lyrics, Missy Elliott was able to take over the hip hop world and become a millionaire by the age of 25. After years away from the spotlight, Missy Elliott is opening up publicly for the first time in this "Behind The Music." Viewers will watch as Missy talks about her near-fatal battle with Graves disease, address rumors about her weight and opens up about being sexually molested as a young child, a subject she rarely discusses. Catch interviews with Timbaland, Ciara and Mary J. Blige as they contribute personal stories about the gifted Missy Elliott who changed the face of hip hop music forever.
"Behind The Music: Ice Cube" Premieres Wednesday, July 6 at 10 PM ET/PT
This episode of "Behind the Music" follows the three-decade-long career of legendary rapper Ice Cube from his journey as a founding member of the notorious rap group NWA to a blockbuster movie star. The extraordinary career of Ice Cube begins with his upbringing in South Central Los Angeles where he faced gang violence and drug dealers on a daily basis. Finding refuge in music, Ice Cube and his neighborhood friends formed NWA to speak out about the harsh reality of growing up in the ghetto. Years and many hits later, the group dismantled sparking a bitter feud between Ice Cube and his former band members and manager Jerry Heller, which lead to Ice Cube's decision to embark on a solo career. In an unexpected move, Ice Cube took a movie role in John Singleton's critically-acclaimed movie "Boyz N The Hood." The role of Darrin "Doughboy" Baker would give Ice Cube not only the credibility in the movie industry but the confidence to continue to pursue acting roles as well writing and directing jobs. Since then, Ice Cube has produced and starred in a slew of blockbuster movies and TV shows such as "Friday," "Barbershop," "Three Kings" and "Are We There Yet?" At home, Ice Cube is the father of four children with long-time wife Kim and explains how he now shares the stage with two of his sons, Doughboy and OMG, who hope to follow in his rapping footsteps. Viewers will watch as friends Snoop Dogg, DJ Yella from NWA and actress Nia Long discuss how Ice Cube has become a modern day Renaissance man, transforming from a South Central street kid to a major force in music, movies and television today.
"Behind The Music: Miranda Lambert" Premieres Wednesday, July 13 at 10 PM ET/PT
Twenty seven year-old Grammy Award-winning artist, Miranda Lambert fell in love with music at a young age and was determined to one day be a part of the country music world. Growing up in rural Texas, Miranda watched her parents lose everything when their private investigation business went under, causing the Lamberts to live completely off their land. Starting out just shy of 18, Miranda hit the East Texas bar scene playing gigs at a variety of rough and tumble watering holes. Having to deal with local drunks and barely making ends meet, Miranda was determined to make her mark in a "man's world." But in 2003, her big break came when she tried out for the new reality TV series "Nashville Star," landing third place and a potential record deal. With the possibility of stardom so close, Miranda kept her tough Texan attitude as she rose to the top, demanding artistic control of her debut album "Kerosene." Miranda delivered the label what she promised, hitting the country music charts at #1 and followed that success with a second album that did exactly the same thing, all by the age of 25. Even with her fast-paced rise to the top, Miranda found time to fall in love with fellow country star, Blake Shelton. In February 2011, the country music couple celebrated Miranda's success as she received her first Grammy Award for "Best Female Country Vocal Performance" for "The House That Built Me" off her third and must successful album to date "Revolution." Viewers watching this episode of "Behind The Music" will get the exclusive first look at interviews with loving husband, Blake Shelton, Miranda's parents Rick and Bev, "Nashville Star" judge Tracy Gershon, former Sony Nashville head Joe Galante, music legend Loretta Lynn and fellow country music stars Sheryl Crow, Kenny Chesney and Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum.
"Behind The Music: Nelly" (Repeat) Airs Wednesday, July 20 at 10 PM ET/PT
Growing up in St. Louis, MO, Nelly spent most of his childhood bouncing from home to home, sleeping on couches and changing schools with alarming regularity. The lack of parental supervision quickly led him to a life of crime. Years later, he joined a rap group called the St. Lunatics and finally found the family he'd been lacking. However, his loyalty to that family was tested when record labels came calling, saying, "We want you—not them." With his group's blessing, Nelly signed to Universal Records and released "Country Grammar." The album sold nearly 10 million copies and forever changed the face of hip hop. Since then, life has hardly been easy for Nelly. From a decline in album sales and controversial music videos to his best friend's incarceration and his sister's tragic death from leukemia, Nelly has battled plenty of demons. In this episode of "Behind The Music," Nelly candidly opens up about his life as a musician, actor and businessman. For the first time, Nelly publicly addresses the death of his sister and his relationship with singer Ashanti, who is also interviewed for the special. Hear the poignant tale of Nelly's life through in-depth interviews with his closest friends, family, and the person who knows it best — Nelly himself.
"Behind The Music: Mary J. Blige" Premieres Wednesday, July 27 at 10 PM ET/PT
This episode of "Behind The Music" will take a look inside the life and outstanding career of Mary J. Blige, the reigning Queen of R&B. Watch as VH1 captures the story of how faith, courage and a never-ending search for love and contentment helped one of the world's most talented musicians survive a tumultuous past. After her soulful remake of Anita Baker's "Caught Up In A Rapture" was heard by Uptown Records President Andre Harrell, Mary was signed instantly, changing her life forever. She then joined forces with soon-to-be music legend, Sean "Diddy" Combs and together they changed the music world with her honest and heartfelt debut album "What's The 411?" Although Mary's professional life was flourishing, at home she was dealing with a volatile relationship and hit her lowest moment. Mary needed to make a change and she did. She was ready to better herself. Mary lifted herself out of her hole by praying and keeping the faith that things would change, and they soon did. Mary's prayers were answered and she fell in love with Kendu Isaacs, who would later become her very supportive husband, friend, and manager. He helped and encouraged her on her road to greatness. With Kendu's love, help and guidance, Mary found a new happiness which was reflected in her top selling albums such as "No More Drama" and "The Breakthrough" which won three Grammy Awards. By the time Mary sang for President Obama at the Inauguration Day ceremony in 2009, her world had taken a 180 degree turn and she describes the experience as one of the most meaningful moments of her career. Now, Mary is set to release "My Life Too, The Journey Continues" on September 20 where she continues to deliver timeless hits while discussing her never ending journey. Catch candid interviews with husband Kendu Isaacs, sister LaTonya Blige Dacosta, Diddy, Nas, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Mary J. Blige herself.
"Behind The Music: Enrique Iglesias" Premieres Wednesday, August 3 at 10 PM ET/PT
Enrique Iglesias is the son of a legendary musical family and one of few artists who can legitimately be called a "global sensation." Beginning his career by singing Spanish love songs, Enrique soon conquered the Latin music market and was a breakout star leading the charge of the Latin music explosion into the mainstream pop market in 1999. With more than 58 million records sold worldwide, he's already outlasted many of the artists that followed in his wake and continues to sell out concerts across five continents and top the charts all over the world. In this "Behind The Music," the notoriously private singer will discuss how he got to be the man he is today, what the people in his life mean to him and reveal his inner-most thoughts on rumors and issues that have plagued his career, as well as his ten-year-relationship with tennis superstar Anna Kournikova. Starting out with a $48 million recording contract, Enrique has experienced both highs and lows in his career but now finds himself at the top of his game. Viewers will watch as Enrique Iglesias, a man who has successfully crossed over to both Latin and English music for over a decade and whose 2001 song "Hero" helped a nation through one of the most horrific times in its history, finally feels the success and joy that his life has to offer. In this episode viewers will hear from childhood friend Andres Restrepo, musical artist Pitbull, President and CEO Universal Republic Records Monte Lipman and Enrique himself.
"Behind The Music: Adam Lambert" Premieres Wednesday, August 10 at 10 PM ET/PT
Glam-rock powerhouse, Adam Lambert has taken pop music by storm with his handsome looks, electrifying stage theatrics and jaw-dropping vocal acrobatics. In this episode of "Behind the Music" Adam Lambert opens up to VH1 about the challenges he faced during his childhood including realizing he was gay in 6th grade. After finally coping with his identity, Adam freed himself at the age of 18, coming out to his family and moving to Hollywood, CA to pursue his dream of being an entertainer. Struggling to make ends meet, Lambert received his first big break when he landed a part in the European tour of "Hair" at age 19. The excitement of his first role brought out Adam's wild side as he began to experiment with sex, drugs and rock n' roll. For the next eight years Adam was continually cast in various stage productions including "Wicked." At age 27 and without a record deal, Adam had a realization during a psychedelic experience at the Burning Man festival that if he wanted fame he would have to take control and make it happen. In turn, Adam decided to audition for the iconic TV show, "American Idol." Making the top 13, Adam was poised to go far in the competition until scandalous photos of him dressed in drag and kissing another man leaked on the Internet. Adam remained tight-lipped about the photos to the press, determined to keep the focus on his talent. As he advanced to the final round of the competition, the media began to debate whether America would elect a gay Idol. Placing second, Adam quickly landed a record deal with RCA and 19 Recordings, taking the opportunity to come out about his sexuality in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. However, Adam wasn't done shocking the world, and during his debut television performance at the "American Music Awards" he stunned audiences by kissing his male bassist onstage. Following a huge backlash from viewers, Adam released his debut album "For Your Entertainment," which skyrocketed to #3 on the Billboard chart in its first week. Viewers of this episode of "Behind the Music" will see never-before-seen home video footage, interviews with family, friends, industry experts and musical luminaries including Barry Weiss and "American Idol" Season 8 winner Kris Allen. With constant criticism about being too bold, too offensive and too gay, Adam Lambert comes clean to VH1 about who he really is and the obstacles he has overcome to get where he is today.
"Behind The Music: Ricky Martin" Premieres Wednesday, August 17 at 10 PM ET/PT
Nobody's got female fans' hearts fluttering more than Ricky Martin with his sexy dance moves and sultry voice. As one of the most successful crossover singers in history, Ricky sold upwards of 60 million albums with global chart toppers like "Living La Vida Loca," "She Bangs" and "La Copa de la Vida." In this "Behind the Music," Ricky Martin recounts his career from his early days with the Latin pop group Menudo through his days as a soap opera star and finally to his career as a music phenomenon. Viewers will watch as Ricky opens up to "Behind the Music" for the second time, including discussing his decision to come out a gay man, a topic he first revealed in his 2010 autobiography "Me." Finally, Ricky reflects on his 20-year career and how he balances his life as a father of twin boys and as an international performer.
Select full episodes of "Behind The Music," as well as extended interviews and footage will be available at BehindTheMusic.VH1.com.
The series debuted on VH1 in August of 1997 and was originally created and produced for VH1 by Gay Rosenthal, George Moll and Jeff Gaspin who were responsible for many of the channels 200+ episodes of the series.
The current series is executive produced by Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Stephen Mintz and Jeff Olde for VH1. Executives in charge of music talent are Rick Krim and Leah Horwitz. The Ice Cube and Ricky Martin episodes were executive produced by Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez for Creature Films.
*All times are ET/PT
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 98 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit VH1's press-only Web site at VH1Press.com
FIRST 4 BOX SETS INCLUDE THE BYRDS, SAM COOKE, STAN GETZ, AND RETURN TO FOREVER
NEW YORK, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, announces the first four artists to be featured in The Complete Albums Collection, a new product line for serious music fans and enthusiasts, available exclusively through PopMarket.com beginning Tuesday, May 24.
Launching with comprehensive boxed sets of original album catalogs by The Byrds, Sam Cooke, Stan Getz and Return To Forever, The Complete Albums Collection series will showcase new releases throughout the year, offering music fans and collectors the chance to own classic discographies on CD (with many out of print and rare titles) in 5x5 minijacket reproductions of the original album cover art, a stand-alone booklet with discographical information and photos, all housed in a beautifully packaged clamshell box.
Upcoming artists in The Complete Albums Collection will include some of Sony Music's most notable artists and many their most pivotal recordings.
The Byrds - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (13 CDs)
(MSRP - $99.98 // D2C - $79.99)
1. Mr. Tambourine Man
2. Turn! Turn! Turn!
3. Fifth Dimension
4. Younger Than Yesterday
5. The Notorious Byrd Brothers
6. Sweetheart of the Rodeo (2 CD Legacy Edition)
7. Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde
8. Ballad of Easy Rider
9. (Untitled)/(Unissued) (2CDs)
10. Byrdmaniax
11. Farther Along
During their original 1965–1971 lifespan, the Byrds were one of rock's most consistently inventive and influential bands, embodying the '60s ideals of restless experimentation and creative risk-taking. Through a lengthy series of artistic evolutions and personnel shifts, the Byrds maintained their place on rock's cutting edge, with founding visionary Roger McGuinn joined over the years by such legendary figures as Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons and Clarence White. The musicians' diverse talents combined to produce one of rock's richest and most rewarding album catalogs. The Complete Columbia Albums Collection includes CD expanded edition versions of all 11 original Columbia albums released by the Byrds between 1965 and 1971, including numerous rarities and unreleased tracks, each individual album packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that album's original cover art and a booklet containing historic photos and track-by-track annotation by veteran journalist Johnny Rogan, author of the definitive Byrds biography Timeless Flight.
Sam Cooke - The RCA Albums Collection (8 CDs)
(MSRP - $89.98 // D2C - $71.99)
1. Cooke's Tour
2. Hits of the '50s
3. Swing Low
4. My Kind of Blues
5. Twistin' the Night Away
6. Mr. Soul
7. Night Beat
8. One Night Stand
Sam Cooke is widely regarded as the first and greatest soul singer, and as one of the most important figures in modern American music. His good looks, personal charisma and golden voice made him a superstar in the 1950s, winning him an unprecedented crossover appeal. Although he died in 1964 at the age of 33, Sam Cooke produced a remarkably accomplished body of work in his short life. This box set celebrates that rich musical legacy, collecting eight of his greatest albums, six of which have never before been released on CD in the United States. This collection charts Sam Cooke's remarkable musical evolution, and stands as a powerful testament to his timeless talent. The RCA Albums Collection includes the most complete package to date of Sam Cooke's '60s albums: Six of the eight albums in this set have never been released on CD in the U.S. and each individual album is packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that album's original cover art.
Return To Forever - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (5 CDs)
(MSRP - $59.98 // D2C - $44.99)
1. Romantic Warrior (1976)
2. Musicmagic (1977)
3-5. Return To Forever Live (1977) [3 CDs]
Founded by jazz keyboardist Chick Corea, Return To Forever was one of the prime movers of the electric fusion that literally rocked the jazz world in the 1970s. With Corea, who'd played with Miles Davis on In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, and bassist Stanley Clarke at its core, Return To Forever hit its commercial zenith with Romantic Warrior, the group's Columbia Records debut, and sustained an aesthetic peak through the under-rated Musicmagic and the epic swan song Return To Forever Live.
Stan Getz - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (8 CDs)
(MSRP - $89.98 // D2C - $71.99)
1. Captain Marvel (1972) w/ Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Tony Williams
2. Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto: The Best Of Two Worlds (1975)
3. The Master (1975)
4. Stan Getz/ Jimmy Rowles: The Peacocks (1975)
5. Another World JG 35513
6. Children Of The World
7. Forest Eyes (music composed, arranged & conducted by Jurre Haanstra) CBS (Holland)
8. Bonus Disc (U.S. Only): includes selections from Woody Herman Carnegie
Carnegie Hall 40th Anniversary Concert, Montreux Summit, and Havana Jam.
Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz rose to renown in the late 1940s, dubbed "The Sound" for the warmth of his tone and phrasing before blowing up in '64 with his musical championing of the bossa nova, "The Girl From Ipanema." Getz made some of his most avant-garde fusion recordings for Columbia Records, beginning with Captain Marvel in 1972.
For a limited time, The Complete Album Collection line will also be available at the PopMarket Pop-Up retail store, located in Manhattan on the former site of mythic rock club CBGB's at 313 Bowery. The Pop-Up store will feature the same great daily deals as the PopMarket.com website, plus a weekly series of music-related speakers, movie screenings and in-store events throughout the month of June. Store hours: Wednesday and Friday from 12pm-8pm, Thursday and Saturday from 12pm-7pm; Sunday from 12pm-6pm.
PopMarket.com, the online daily deals site exclusively for music fans recently launched by Sony Music Entertainment, offers the hottest daily deals on premium music and rare, collectible albums, boxed sets and memorabilia. Free PopMarket.com membership gives music fans unprecedented access to the hottest deals on the coolest music on the planet.
DEAR JERRY:Our local paper (Los Angeles Times) ran a list of the most popular American Idol contestants of all time — the key word here being “popular.”
This particular survey reflects who the voters liked the most, and not directly based on their history of show business success or album sales.
Here is their Top 10:
1. Kelly Clarkson; 2. Carrie Underwood; 3. Jennifer Hudson; 4. David Cook; 5. Adam Lambert; 6. Fantasia Barrino; 7. Constantine Maroulis; 8. Kris Allen; 9. Clay Aiken; 10. Chris Daughtry.
It's interesting having three women at the top, but even more so seeing six of the 10 who were not the winner in their particular season. Only Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Kris Allen actually won.
Now I would like to see the Top 10 based strictly on sales figures, and a comparison of the two lists.
—Lara Torrent, Burbank, Calif.
DEAR LARA: It comes as no shock finding that personal popularity and the capacity to create sales are not always directly proportional. Four names — including one winner (Kris Allen) — in the Times' Top 10 are not among the 10 top album sellers (U.S. sales only). Note that the top two gals on this list are flip-flopped:
Neither Daughtry, Aiken, nor Pickler won the competition, yet each outsold the Idol winner for their season, some by a wide margin.
None of the three top vote-getters in Season 5, Taylor Hicks (1), Katharine McPhee (2), and Elliott Yamin (3), are among the Top 10 in sales. Daughtry came in fourth that year, and Pickler sixth.
In Season 2, Ruben Studdard's Idol vote total barely exceeded runner-up Clay Aiken's, but at the cash register, Clay's 4.9 million albums sold is about double Ruben's.
Besides Taylor Hicks, other winners and runners-up whose sales do not yet qualify them for a Top 10 slot are: (Season 7) David Archuleta (2nd); (Season 8) Kris Allen (1st) and Adam Lambert (2nd); (Season 9); Lee DeWyze (1st) and Crystal Bowersox (2nd).
A rare and quirky chart event, involving the Season 4 winner and runner-up, occurred in 2005.
Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice both recorded versions of “Inside Your Heaven,” and the two records made their chart debut one week apart.
On Billboard's Hot 100 Singles for the week of July 9, Carrie's version held the No. 3 position and Bo's was No. 2.
Not since early 1957 (Sonny James and Tab Hunter with “Young Love”) do I recall two different recordings of the same song being in Billboard's Top 3 at the exact same time.
IZ ZAT SO? Countless times over Idol's 10 seasons, we've heard the judges refer to when the contestants “make a record.”
Truth is, very few of them make records. CDs and digital files for downloading, yes, and those are recordings, but they are not records.
Of those who do have their name on an actual record, nearly all are promotional pressings made either for juke boxes or 12-inch disco singles for club play.
Mostly from the singers mentioned above, here are those who can honestly say they made a record:
Clay Aiken: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (2003); “Invisible” (2004).
Fantasia Barrino: “Truth Is” (2004); “Baby Mama” (2005); “Hood Boy” (2006).
Bo Bice: “Inside Your Heaven” (2005).
Kelly Clarkson: “A Moment Like This” (2002); “Miss Independent” (2003); “Since U Been Gone” (2004); “Behind These Hazel Eyes” (2005); “Because of You” (2005); “Walk Away” (2006).
Justin Guarini: “Unchained Melody” (2003).
Taylor Hicks: “Do I Make You Proud” (2006).
Katharine McPhee: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (2006).
Kellie Pickler: “Don't You Know You're Beautiful” (2008); “Makin' Me Fall in Love Again” (2008).
Jordin Sparks: “Tattoo Remixes” (2007).
Ruben Studdard: “Flying Without Wings” (2003); “Sorry 2004” (2003); “What If” (2004); “What Is Sexy” (2004).
Carrie Underwood: “Inside Your Heaven” (2005).
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 Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2011 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
Anniversary Package To Include Previously-Unreleased Demos of Nine Songs and Liner Notes From Frontman Kevin Cronin
NEW YORK, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The year 1981 marks the debut of the groundbreaking MTV Networks and, simultaneously, as MTV was hitting the airwaves, REO Speedwagon held the #1 album spot with their multi-platinum Hi Infidelity, making an impression that has also come to last decades. Now, marking its 30th Anniversary, the highest-selling rock LP of 1981 is being commemorated with HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, with special, never-before-released demos and more. The double-CD set will be released at all physical and digital retail outlets on July 19th through Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.
Hi Infidelity was a career-changing album for REO Speedwagon, achieving a staggering number of accolades, chart positions and sales, among them:
•Highest-selling rock LP of 1981
•Has sold close to 10 million copies in the US
•February 21, 1981; the album hit #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and remained at #1 for 15 weeks straight; taking over John Lennon & Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy," which previously held the spot for eight weeks
•Remained on Billboard 200 album chart for 101 weeks, unprecedented for an American rock band at the time
•Album certified RIAA Gold and Platinum on February 2, 1981; since been 10x Platinum certified
•Single "Keep on Loving You," certified RIAA gold on March 4th, replaced Eddie Rabbitt's "I Love a Rainy Night" at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 on March 21, 1981
•March 21st, 1981, the first week of Billboard's then new "Top Tracks" chart (now known as the Mainstream Rock Chart) boasted four songs from Hi Infidelity: "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It On the Run," which both hit the top 10; and "Don't Let Him Go"(#11) and "Tough Guys" (#25); "Out of Season," joined those four a week later
•"Take It On the Run" was the 9th music video ever to be played on MTV
HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION will pair the original album with a second CD of previously unreleased 'Crystal Demos' of nine of the album's 10 songs. Additionally, the album packaging will include new liner notes by lead singer Kevin Cronin, as well as original lead guitarist Gary Richrath. Cronin's essay takes the reader on a trip behind the curtain to the roots of many of the songs: "I remember writing the verses to piano, after sleepwalking into my home studio around 4:00 a.m.... A long simmering response to the bullies of my youth came in the form of 'Tough Guys'... Bruce wrote and sang 'Someone Tonight,' which is one of the gems from the Crystal Demos... 'I wish You Were There' [was] a little gospel thing that I had written in the house where I grew up in suburban Chicago."
Originally formed in Champaign, Illinois, REO Speedwagon is still led today by keyboardist Neal Doughty (founding member since 1967), Kevin Cronin (who has fronted the band since 1972 on lead vocals and guitar), and bassist Bruce Hall (who joined in 1977) – along with lead guitarist Dave Amato (member since 1989) and drummer Bryan Hitt (since 1990). Together, REO continues to define the essence of two enduring genres, arena rock on the performance side, and classic rock on the audio and video side. Summer tour dates begin at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on June 4th and take the band through more than 40 shows where they'll showcase the best of Hi Infidelity with the live performances that audiences have grown to love over the last three decades and continue to sell out time and time again.
As Cronin writes, "Hi Infidelity was a major life changer for all of us. On our eleventh album, we went from being the perennial Midwestern underdog, to at last hitting the global big time. Suddenly, the world was listening, and watching... But the truth is, it all still boiled down to the music, the songs, some inspired performances, and a great deal of good fortune. We were a tight knit, dedicated group of individuals, with a dream, a purpose, and no doubt that we would pull it all off."
HI INFIDELITY: 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by REO SPEEDWAGON (Epic/Legacy 88697 69579 2, originally issued November 1980, as Epic 36844)
Disc One – Selections: 1. Don't Let Him Go 2. Keep On Loving You 3. Follow My Heart 4. In Your Letter 5. Take It On The Run 6. Tough Guys 7. Out Of Season 8. Shakin' It Loose 9. Someone Tonight 10. I Wish You Were There.
Disc Two: The Crystal Demos – Selections: 1. Someone Tonight 2. Tough Guys 3. In Your Letter 4. Follow My Heart 5. Take It On The Run 6. Don't Let Him Go 7. Keep On Loving You 8. Shakin' It Loose (Instrumental) 9. I Wish You Were There. (All tracks previously unreleased.)
"The heavens, our emotions, the music business, and REO fans all over the world, were all perfectly aligned. There was a common sense of purpose, of longing and loss, within the band members' collective psyche, that erupted with a burst of creativity, and resulted in the music of Hi Infidelity."
– from the liner notes written by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon
"Kevin and I go way back, having met right about the time I joined Styx. There was probably no one more keenly aware of their chart positions than we were for all those weeks back in 1981. Most exciting days indeed!" – Tommy Shaw of Styx
