Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28, 2011


DEAR JERRY: Frankie Avalon and Bobby Vinton are two pop stars of my youth whose records I bought plenty of.

Looking back, it seems their careers share many similarities, with both starting out in their teens as instrumentalists, then successfully switching to singing, and both are still alive and performing.

Can you elaborate further on how similar their paths have been?
—Jan Mueller, Hanover, Pa.


frankie avalon
DEAR JAN: Gladly, and I think you will enjoy the journey.

Both were born in the 1930s, in Pennsylvania; Bobby in Canonsburg (1935), and Frankie in Philadelphia (1939).

Both began working professionally as teen-age instrumentalists in the 1950s, and both played a horn; Bobby a clarinet, and Frankie a trumpet.

Both achieved only a modicum of fame after signing their first recording contracts, but each began by making two unsuccessful records; Avalon for the “X” label in 1954, and Vinton for Alpine in 1959 and '60.

Next they both moved to the labels that would soon sell millions of their discs; however, both watched as their earliest recordings for the new label flopped — Frankie with two on Chancellor (1957), and Bobby with three on Epic (1960-'61).

Once past the grueling years, both began a very impressive string of hits.

With Elvis spending all of 1959 in Germany, serving in the U.S. Army, Frankie Avalon elevated to the top male singles artist of the year. From 1956 through '62, this would be the only time someone other than Presley wore that crown.

In that magical year, Avalon had five consecutive Top 10 hits, two of which reached No. 1 (“Venus” and “Why”).

In 1962, Bobby Vinton's “Roses Are Red (My Love)” became the first of his four No. 1 hits (“Blue Velvet”; “There I've Said It Again”; and “Mr. Lonely”), and first of nine songs in the Top 10.

For his first 15 years (1962-1976), Bobby rang up 30 Top 40 hits, making him 10th among solo artists in that prestigious category.

Here are the other nine, whose first pop hit came in the 1950s or '60s. They are listed in order of total number of Top 40 songs during their first 15 years on the pop charts:

93: Elvis Presley (1956-1970)
39: James Brown (1958-1972)
38: Pat Boone (1955-1969)
37: Fats Domino (1955-1969)
34: Rick Nelson (1957-1971)
34: Aretha Franklin (1961-1975)
33: Stevie Wonder (1963-1977)
32: Ray Charles (1957-1971)
31: Marvin Gaye (includes three duets) (1962-1976)

Finally, both Avalon and Vinton appeared many, many times in films and on television, which leads right into our next question:


DEAR JERRY: When Frankie Avalon hit it big with songs like “Just Ask Your Heart,” I remember flashing back to seeing him several years earlier doing a comedy skit on TV with Jackie Gleason.

He was quite young, and played his trumpet, while Jackie Gleason stood by in disbelief at how good he was. I don't know the name of the song.

I checked IMDb and the only appearances they have for him with Gleason are 1967-'68. In fact, they don't credit him as being on any TV shows until 1958 (“American Bandstand”).

I'd like your thoughts on this, as I recall it too well for it not to be true.
—Ralph McGuinn, Spokane, Wash.


DEAR RALPH: I have seen video of Frankie's appearance on the Jackie Gleason Show, and can tell you the tune he plays on the trumpet, live and with very little accompaniment, is “Tenderly.”

Taking into consideration that “Tenderly” was one of the top hits of 1952 (Rosemary Clooney), and that Frankie had probably not yet recorded (early 1954), I believe he first appeared on Jackie Gleason's show in either 1952 or '53.

Your recollection is excellent, and IMDb should add this significant performance, surely his first on network TV, to Frankie's credits.


IZ ZAT SO? In a 2009 column, we discussed how Brenda Lee's first two Decca singles (1956) intentionally credit her as “Little Brenda Lee (9 Years Old),” though she actually turned 12 that year (December 11).

But Decca was not the first label to shave two years off someone's true age.

Two years earlier, “X” Records chose to credit Frankie's first two records thusly: “Trumpet Solo By Eleven Year Old Frankie Avalon.”

Born Sept. 18, 1939, when he recorded “Trumpet Sorrento” and “Trumpet Tarantella” (1954), Avalon was between 13 and 14.


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





 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Record Store Day Specials Fuel Music Sales

Although all the numbers are not officially in, indie merchants who had exclusives that the labels issued as part of Record Store Day's "Back To Black Friday," say that music sales were great over the weekend. Newbury Comics CEO Mike Dreese says music sales were up 12%-14% on Friday and Saturday, thanks to Record Store Day vinyl !!

Hail vinyl!

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Deerhoof Vinyl Reissue And New 7-Inch Single

Deerhoof has recently announced the upcoming release of a very limited-edition clear blue vinyl 7-inch collaboration with David Bazan, properly titled DeerBazan. The record will include David Bazan-penned lyrics sung over instrumentation by Deerhoof, and will be released via Polyvinyl Records on January 17, 2012. It is limited to just 2,000 copies.

Deerhoof’s seminal album 'Reveille' will be released on 180 gram light blue vinyl, also on Polyvinyl. The 7-inch and the reissue are available for pre-order now








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holy crap, it's december tomorrow!

Marshall Tucker Band Releases New Holiday Album ‘Carolina Christmas’

by Alanna Conaway

The Marshall Tucker Band wants their fans to get in the Christmas spirit! The legendary rockers have released their new holiday-infused album, ‘Carolina Christmas.’

Rather than just an album of Christmas classics, the band has also included a handful of originals that will be sure to put a smile on your face as you decorate your tree this year!

“It’s got a song on here that I know a lot of people will appreciate,” MTB’s frontman, Doug Gray, tells Ultimate Classic Rock with a grin.

Read the rest at ultimateclassicrock.com




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Amy Winehouse's 'Back To Black' Dress Sells At Auction

The dress that Amy Winehouse wore on the front cover of her 'Back To Black' album has been sold for more than $67,000 at an auction in London.

The BBC reported that the printed chiffon dress, which was made by fashion designer Disaya Sorakraikitikul, was purchased by the Chilean fashion museum Museo de la Moda at La Galleria yesterday for more than twice what it was expected to fetch. Sorakraikitikul donated the proceeds of the sale to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, the charity set up by the late singer's family in July to honor her memory.

Winehouse's father Mitch Winehouse, who was present at the auction, stated: "We are just over the moon and we owe a great debt to the designer, Disaya, who donated the proceeds from the sale."




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i know, i know, this is a vinyl record blog. however, there is so much great music that was recorded, i will bet there will be vinyl issues at some point...

Deluxe to Digitize 36 Years of Austin City Limits for KLRU-TV

Deluxe's MediaRecall platform will enable instant search and retrieval

CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Deluxe Media Services and MediaRecall, subsidiaries of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., have been engaged by Austin, Texas, PBS Station KLRU, to digitize and archive its legendary music program, Austin City Limits. Distinguished as the longest running music program in television history, Austin City Limits exists on more than 8,000 hours of tape featuring 450 finished programs and over 5,400 individual songs by many of the world's best known artists.

For 36 years, Austin City Limits has showcased popular music legends and innovators from every genre. In addition to being honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Austin City Limits is the only television program ever to receive the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest award for artistic excellence.

"The Austin City Limits collection is one of the most significant music catalogs anywhere," said Bill Stotesbery, General Manager of KLRU-TV. "Digitizing this incredible archive before time and other threats take it away from us is our highest priority. We are happy to be in good hands with Deluxe."

In addition to digitizing the program's performances, Deluxe is writing metadata for each song, including title, composer, musicians, soloist names and instruments played, among other information. Once the project is completed, all of the Austin City Limits will be searchable on Deluxe's powerful MediaRecall online asset management platform.

"Deluxe is honored to be working with the visionary staff at KLRU to archive Austin City Limits," said Robin Rutledge, V.P. & General Manager, for MediaRecall. "Not only will we be preserving the media's original quality, but detailed metadata for every song in every program will allow for unprecedented search and retrieval of virtually any performance in the archive," Rutledge added.

From Coldplay to Foo Fighters to Robert Plant to The Dirt Band, over 800 musical artists have performed on Austin City Limits since its first show in 1974. The program reaches approximately 1.8 million households and it is carried globally on the Armed Forces Network. Austin City Limits has helped Austin, TX, to become widely known as the "Live Music Capital of the World."

Deluxe and its MediaRecall platform has provided digital services for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Oprah Winfrey Show, National Geographic, Martha Stewart, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, and Getty Images, among others.

SOURCE Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc.

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album cover art of the day:

ASPHYX: 'Deathhammer' Cover Artwork Unveiled

Dutch doom death metal legends ASPHYX have completed work on their new studio album, "Deathhammer", for a February 27, 2012 release in Europe and February 28, 2012 in North America via Century Media Records.

The cover artwork for "Deathhammer" was created by ASPHYX's longtime partner in designs, Axel Hermann. Hermann not only worked on all of the early ASPHYX artworks and most recently on their "Live Death Doom" release, but is also responsible for many of the classic Century Media artworks by bands like MORGOTH, UNLEASHED, SAMAEL and GRAVE.

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth












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album cover art, part two:

GOD SEED's 'Live At Wacken' To Be Released In January

GOD SEED's "Live At Wacken" DVD and CD will be released on January 27 in Europe and January 31 in North America via Indie Recordings.

The number of tracks on the "Live At Wacken" DVD was recently reduced to nine from the previously announced 13.

GOD SEED was the Norwegian band featuring former GORGOROTH members King (bass; real name: Tom Cato Visnes) and Gaahl (vocals; real name: Kristian Espedal).

"Live At Wacken" will include footage of the group's infamous live show from the 2008 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany where they performed on the main stage in front of 75,000 screaming fans.

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth








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Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/26/2011

Santa always takes care of The Beatles and Elvis during the holidays. But this week's list also has some odd treasures. The D A Hunt blues 78 topped the list back in August of '09 selling for over $10k. Mellow Candle and The Churchills are two psychedelic holy grails.




1. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay Adback - $5,000.00

2. 78 - D A Hunt "Greyhound Blues" / "Lonesome Old Jail" Sun 183 - $4,500.00

3. LP - Mellow Candle "Swaddling Songs" Deram UK Pressing - $3,194.70

4. 7" - Elvis Presley "Good Luck Charm" / "Anything That's Part Of You" RCA Compact 33 Jukebox - $3,161.00

5. LP - The Churchills "self titled" Hed Arzi Israeli Pressing Promo - $3,000.00


More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.











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FRESHMAN 15 Reveal New Album And Cover Art

Freshman 15 return with their brand new album 'Here’s To Feeling Good' on March 13th, 2012. The album is loaded full of tasty songs about embracing life and living in the the moment. This album takes a huge leap forward on all levels, showcasing the bands stronger musicianship and a bolder, more creative lyrical flair.

Freshman 15's “Here’s To Feeling Good” will be available on March 13th, 2012 on Standby Records. For more information on Freshman 15, visit them at www.facebook.com/freshman15rock, or on their label home at www.standbyrecords.net.






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GRIMEY'S BEST-SELLING VINYL 11/21 - 11/27, 2011

1. Wilco - Speak Into The Rose 10"
2. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy 12"
3. Ryan Adams - Do I Wait 7"
4. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow 10"
5. Brendan Benson - Upstairs At United 12"
6. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Soul Time! LP
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magic LP
8. Miles Davis - Prestige LP 161 10"
9. Phish - The White Tape LP
10. The Beatles - RSD 7" Box
11. Dr. Dog - Warrior Man 7"
12. Justin Townes Earle - Slippin' & Slidin' 7"
13. Bob Dylan - Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window 7" box
14. Tom Petty - Kiss My Amps Live LP
15. Amos Lee - Live At Grimey's 7"
16. Nirvana - Nevermind: The Singles 10" box
17. Pink Floyd - The Wall 7" box
18. The Grateful Dead - Europe '72 Vol. 2 LP
19. Guided By Voices - We Won't Apologize For The Human Race 7"
20. Phish - Party Time LP
21. The Byrds - Eight Miles High 7"
22. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions LP
23. John Lennon - Imagine: 40th Anniversary LP box set
24. Pinback - Information Retrieved A 7"
25. The Yardbirds - Ten Little Indians 7"
26. Silversun Pickups - Seasick 10"
27. Cory Chisel - Upstairs At United 12"
28. She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas LP
29. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow LP
30. Kings Of Leon - Early Albums LP box set
31. The Byrds - The Times They Are A-Changing 7"
32. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel 7"
33. The Rolling Stones - Some Girls LP
34. Warren Haynes - River's Gonna Rise 12"
35. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials LP
36. Syd Barrett - Mick Rock Tin 7"
37. Craig Finn - Honolulu Blues 7"
38. Nick Lowe - Go 'Way Hound Dog 7"
39. Pete Townshend - Quadrophenia Demos Vol. 1 10"
40. Iron & Wine - Morning Becomes Eclectic LP
41. Tom Waits - Bad As Me LP
42. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire LP
43. PUJOL - Nasty Brutish & Short 10"
44. The Doors - L.A. Woman 7" box set
45. Fear - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 7"
46. Kate Bush - 50 Words For Snow LP
47. Chris Cornell - Songbook LP
48. Jimmy Cliff - Sacred Fire 12"
49. Mastodon - The Hunter LP
50. Wilco - The Whole Love LP

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and in music history for the day (november 30th):

In 1954, in New York City, Nat "King" Cole played the first of six nights at Harlem's Apollo Theatre.

In 1956, "Shake, Rattle & Rock!," starring (Mike) "Touch" Connors, Lisa Gaye, Sterling Holloway and Margaret Dumont, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters. Reflecting a real-life parental concern at the time, the plot involved adults trying to ban rock 'n' roll music in their town because they thought the music promoted juvenile delinquency. The movie included performances by Fats Domino (I'm In Love Again, Honey Chile, Ain't It A Shame) and Big Joe Turner (Feelin' Happy, Lipstick Powder & Paint).

In 1958, Coed Records released "16 Candles" by the Crests. The classic doo wop single would go on to reach number 2 on Billboard's Pop chart and number 4 on the R&B chart, and earned the New York quintet a Gold record. The original recording by the Crests features in the film American Graffiti (1973).



In 1959, in a Billboard magazine article, disc jockey Alan Freed said his career had gone "down the drain" due to the recent "payola" scandal. In their story, Billboard claimed the scandal "will substantially damage the careers of at least twenty-five DJs."

In 1963, 'With the Beatles,' the second album by the Fab Four, became the first million-selling album by a group in the UK.

Sly & The Family Stone's "Everyday People" was released in 1968. Sly Stone wrote this about how everyone is essentially the same, regardless of race or background. Sly and the Family Stone was a mash up of musical styles with band members of different genders and ethnic backgrounds. Billy Preston played organ the recording.



In 1969, Simon & Garfunkel's first TV special, "Songs of America," aired on NBC, even though their sponsor, AT&T, had backed out when they learned that during the special the duo planned to show footage of Bobby Kennedy's funeral march and clips of the Vietnam War.

Also in 1969, the Monkees made their final live appearance at a show in Oakland, California. Mike Nesmith announced plans for a new band, while Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz said they would continue to perform as the Monkees. It was fifteen years before the original four played together live again.

In 1972, Paul McCartney and Wings release "Hi, Hi, Hi" which is promptly banned from the BBC because of its "unsuitable lyrics." The song still managed to be a hit, reaching #5 in the UK and #10 in the US early the next year.

In 1977, on CBS-TV, David Bowie appeared on Bing Crosby's 42nd Christmas special, taped shortly before Crosby's death six weeks earlier. The two sang the medley "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy."

In 1979, Pink Floyd released the album "The Wall" in the UK. It was issued in the US a week later. It sold six million copies in the first two weeks of its release.

In 1982, after nearly eight months in production, Michael Jackson released the album 'Thriller.' Seven of the album's nine songs were issued as singles and all reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones.

Thriller enabled Jackson to break down racial barriers via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools—the videos for "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" all received regular rotation on MTV.

Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time, with 110 million copies sold worldwide, and is also tied for the best-selling album in the United States. The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys.

In 1988, LL Cool J performed the first rap concert held in Africa.

In 1996, novelty singer (Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me) Tiny Tim died after a heart attack at the age of 64.

In 1999, jazz guitarist (Desafinado w/ Stan Getz) Charlie Byrd died of lung cancer at the age of 74.

In 2000, Scott Smith, bassist for Loverboy, died at the age of 45 after a 26-foot wave swept him overboard in shark infested waters off the coast of San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge. Loverboy reached the Billboard Top 40 ten times, including two Top 10 hits, "Almost Paradise" and "Lovin' Every Minute Of It".

In 2003, in New York, a block of East 2nd Street was officially renamed Joey Ramone Place.

In 2005, police were said to be investigating claims that Michael Jackson was trafficking drugs to feed his 40 pills-a-day habit. The singer was suspected of having antidepressants and painkillers flown from the U.S. to his current home in Bahrain.

In 2007, during a Christie's rock 'n' roll auction at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, a collection of 276 ticket stubs, saved by a rock journalist who covered many of the greatest rock concerts at New York City venues from the late 1960s to the 1990s, sold for $2,000.

birthdays today include (among others): Dick Clark (82), Frank Ifield (74), Leo Lyons (Ten Years After) (68), J.J. Barnes (68), Billy Idol (56), John Ashton (Psychedelic Furs) (54), John Moyer (Disturbed) (38) and Roger Glover (Deep Purple) (66)













Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

got an email from a gent named James and he brought this to my attention (thanks again!):

Sex Pistols Acetate Up For Sale On eBay

Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK Original 1976 7“ 1 sided Abbey Road Swirl Acetate is currently up on eBay. Got a spare 20 grand? Me neither. Here is the listing along with a link so you can watch the bidding:

TO CELEBRATE 35 YEARS SINCE ITS ORIGINAL RELEASE, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND RAREST RECORDS EVER OFFERED FOR SALE

Asking Price - Approximately US $18,655.20

The Details:

SEX PISTOLS Anarchy In The UK (Abbey Road EMI Studios 1976 UK 1-sided 7" acetate cut with original blue & gold 'pyschedelic' label

History

One simply cannot deny the importance of The Sex Pistols to the birth of punk rock, as well as many of the other new genres that followed. With an attitude and sound that was pure musical chaos, their music continues to set them far apart from their peers, as well as most of the bands that attempted to follow in their footsteps. Lasting only a few years before a wide range of issues tore the band apart, the few songs they did release forever changed modern music. One cannot overstate the importance and impact of The Sex Pistols legendary 1976 debut single, "Anarchy In The UK."

The moment the song begins, with the opening chords from guitarist Steve Jones few songs have better "announced" the presence of a new band and sound in the way that is found on "Anarchy In The UK," Johnny Rotten introduces the world to his trademark snarl and there are few lyrics from any point in history that have become as memorable as the opening lines when Rotten rants, "...I am an anti-christ, I am an anarchist, don't know what I want but, I know how to get it..." These words in many ways defined both the attitude and perception of punk and remain so iconic thirty five years later.

The Sex Pistols' monumental 1976 single, "Anarchy In The UK," is such an unforgettable moment in music history and defined what it meant to be punk.

Legendary Chris Thomas recollects his recording of Anarchy…..

"Anarchy" has something like a dozen guitars on it; I sort of orchestrated it, double-tracking some bits and separating the parts and adding them, et cetera. We did the backing track without John being there. John was being kept in the dark by Malcolm the whole time. He didn't even know they were in the studio...then it came time to do the vocal and John appeared in the control room. He had this amazing presence to him. So he went in to sing "Anarchy," and he basically just screamed into the microphone. So I went in to speak to him, and I tried to explain to him that I didn't think it was going to work like that. And he said, "Well, what should I do? You're the one with the track record." I said, "Let's go down to the pub." He was nervous and I probably looked straight and old to him. He was about 20; I was probably 30, which was a gap, especially then. But bit by bit we worked on it and it came together. And the reason it did come together as well as it did is they were serious. The publicity line is that Malcolm got these four no-no's and invented the whole thing, which is obviously not the case. John was quite brilliant. I remember when we mixed it, the others were asleep but John was sitting right behind me and he was really enthusiastic about it….”

Providence

Showing authenticity is everything with a record of this importance so I am happy to say the providence is excellent with this disc. I have had it for 5 years and i purchased it from well renown Pistols collector/expert and Goldie’s manager, Eddie Lock. I’ll include the history of the acetate which originated from the son of the Manager of HMV It also comes with a compliments slip from EG in the kings road, a letter of providence and authenticity from Eddie valuing the acetate for £12,000 back in 2006 for insurance purposes as well as a detailed history of Anarchy In The UK Abbey Road Swirl acetates.

This is a once in a lifetime oppertunity to aquire an historic piece of Pop Culture and one that will rise considerably over years to come. Sex Pistols are fast becoming the most collectable band in history behind the Beatles which is shown in rapid increases in top end memorabilia sales. The last 2 genuine Sex Pistols acetates sold for £14,600 and £10,800 (see popsike.com) and were in relatively poor condition compared to this one. I think this is the first time a genuine UK Anarchy acetate has ever appeared on ebay, unlike other Pistols gems like the God Save The Queen A&M which commands a huge price but will appear fairly regularly. Genuine acetates rarely surface on the open market as the few collectors that have them know their values will continue to rise. This acetate can also be viewed on the God Save The Sex Pistols and Helen Hall websites. For more information about Sex Pistols acetates the excellent book 'Gavin Walsh - Sex Pistols A Collectors Guide...' provides a good background

Condition

The record has been stored in a temperature controlled, smoke and pet free enviroment and has only been played once for me to put onto cd and check the condition. I'm delighted to say it played through perfectly with no skips or jumps. Acetates should only be played to a minimum so i'll include the cd of the acetate in the sale. The acetate is graded as excellent, remarkable for a record that is 35 years old and it's amazing to think that the band, manager, producer and engineer probably were sat in the studio listening to this very disc. The label is also in beautiful condition, dispaying only normal aging you would expect after all these years

Follow The Bidding Here

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A Remembrance of George Harrison on the Tenth Anniversary of His Passing

Ten years ago today, George Harrison passed away at the age of 58. Noise11.com's Tim Cashmere has written the following remembrance of his life.

Harrison gained a reputation for himself as “the quiet Beatle”, often preferring to leave the spotlight to his more vocal band mates. During this time, however, he was the songwriting master behind some of the most highly regarded songs of the band’s career including While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes The Sun and the cheeky stab at the tax department who were, at the time, taxing the band 95% because they found themselves in the top earners in the country, Taxman.

Read the rest at our friends at vintagevinylnews

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interesting read!

Elvis Costello to Fans: "Don't Buy My Overpriced Record"

By Jeff Balke

In a recession, particularly one as deep and annoyingly persistent as the one we currently find ourselves in, it is tough to justify larger purchases, particularly for things that aren't necessities. As much as we love music here at Rocks Off, we too are often shocked at the price of boxed sets and special limited releases that come out around the holidays. While some of them are worth it, many are just garbage wrapped up to look like a Christmas present.

Well, we aren't alone. Apparently, Elvis Costello also thinks some of these are too expensive, namely, his own limited edition release of The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook. No, seriously. The release, which includes the CD, the DVD and a limited vinyl pressing (only 1500 of the entire set are available, but each piece will sell separately after the first of the year) sells for over $200 on Amazon, but you're eligible for free shipping, so that's something.

Read the rest at blogs.houstonpress.com

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i was surprised to read this, i guess cause i didn't know 87 year old ladies make records! this from CBS:

Doris Day to release first new album in 17 years

(CBS/AP) Doris Day doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The 87-year-old singer/actress will release a new album -- her first in 17 years, on Dec. 2.

The set, called "My Heart," features 13 previously unreleased songs recorded over 40 years, including covers of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful," the Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" and a batch of standards.

Read more at cbsnews.com




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don't usually promote free downloads, but i love this band!

Okkervil River Release Free Covers EP

Texas band Okkervil River have released a covers album as a free download on their official website.

The second volume of their ‘Golden Opportunities‘ EPs, the first of which came in 2007, the collection features Okkervil River’s takes on tracks from Ted Lucas, Jim Sullivan, The Triffids and Bill Fay, as well as their rendition of the traditional arrangement ‘Dry Bones‘. The EP was “recorded live to tape during a one-day studio session in Austin, Texas,” reports their label Jagjaguar.

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Arctic Monkeys Releasing Seven Inch Single

The Arctic Monkeys are set to finish off 2011 in style and will open the New Year with a flourish. The Sheffield indie titans are planning to release their new single "Black Treacle" via Domino on January 23rd.

The latest single to be lifted from 'Suck It And See', "Black Treacle" will be released as a digital download and on seven inch vinyl.

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this from our friends at vinylcollective.com

Top 10 Albums – November 28, 2011

Here are the Top 10 albums at Shop Radio Cast for the week of November 21 – November 28, 2011:

1. Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon LP
2. Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire LP
3. Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dreams 2XLP
4. Smashing Pumpkins – Gish LP
5. Foo Fighters – Color and Shape 2XLP
6. Saves The Day Daybreak LP (White)
7. Mastodon – The Hunter 2XLP (Deluxe)
8. Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics LP
9. 311 – Grassroots LP
10. Deftones – White Pony (2XLP)

ShopRadioCast Today!

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Vinyl Record Talk Show - Live - Tuesday November 29th 8pm ET / 5pm PT on Radio Dentata

Shhhhhhh. No one will say so publically, but it looks like 2012 will be the end of the compact disc. Details on that story and how vinyl is coping in comparison.

Jane found a really sweet Elvis tribute 45, sort of like Orion but more rockabilly. You'll have to catch the show to find out what other music we'll be playing, cause right now we don't know. It'll be another out of the box show. We've got a half dozen boxes of 45s that will be picked through before the show.

So join us live once again, for all of the above, plus the Top 5 auction sales.

Listen To Vinyl Record Talk Here

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music history for the 29th of november:

In 1959, at the 1959 Grammy Awards, held just six months after a similar award show, Bobby Darin wins Record of the Year for "Mack the Knife" as well as the Best New Artist of the Year. Song of the Year is awarded to Jimmy Driftwood, writer of Johnny Horton's hit, "The Battle Of New Orleans".

In 1960, Paul McCartney and Pete Best are deported from West Germany after being arrested on suspicion of arson. The hotel room they were staying in mysteriously caught fire.

In 1963, the Beatles' fifth single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in Britain. Advance orders exceed 700,000 and within three days the record will have sold one million copies, making it their second million seller. It was released in the US on December 26th and spent seven weeks at #1.

In 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released their new album "Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins" with a cover showing the two of them in full-frontal nudity. They took the photo themselves using a time-delay camera while staying at Ringo Starr's basement apartment at Montagu Square. The album was distributed by Tetragrammaton Records in the US, after Capitol Records refused to handle it because of the cover photo. Record stores eventually carried the album in a brown paper wrapper.

The recording consists largely of tape loops, playing while Lennon tries out different instruments (piano, organ, drums) and sound effects (including reverb, delay and distortion), changes tapes and plays other recordings, and converses with Ono, who vocalises ad-lib in response to the sounds. Lennon's longtime friend Peter Shotton remembered later in his memoir (The Beatles, Lennon and Me) that many of the loops were made by Lennon and himself, in the days before the recording. Lennon recorded directly to two-track stereophonic, but much of the source material was monophonic.

In 1968, the Who released their first concert record, "The Who Sell Out."

In 1969, Elvis Presley's LP "From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis" reaches the Billboard album chart, where it will stay for the next 24 weeks, climbing as high as #12.

Also in 1969, the Beatles scored their 18th Billboard chart topper with the double-sided hit, "Come Together / Something."

In 1976, Jerry Lee Lewis shot his bass player, Norman "Butch" Owens, twice in the chest while trying to hit a soda bottle. Lewis was charged with shooting a firearm within the city limits.

'Alive II' was released by KISS in 1977.

In 1977, Kansas' "Point Of Know Return" album was certified Platinum.

In 1979, the original four members of KISS performed their last show together until 1996 when they reunited for a makeup tour. However, they would reunite in 1996 for a tour in full makeup.

In 1992, U2's first TV special, called "U2's Zoo TV Outside Broadcast," aired on Fox-TV.

Mary J. Blige's second album, "My Life", was released in 1994.

In 1997, Whitney Houston backs out of a slated one million dollar performance at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC after finding out the event was a mass wedding for over 1,000 Moonie couples.

In 1998, Butch McDade, drummer for The Amazing Rhythm Aces on their 1975 hit "Third Rate Romance", died of cancer at the age of 52.

In 2000, the Backstreet Boys album 'Black & Blue' sold 1.59 million copies in its first week according to Soundscan.

In 2001, Beatles' guitarist George Harrison passed away at the age of 58, while resting at a friend's home in Los Angeles. The news came as a shock to the world, despite Harrison's much-chronicled cancer treatments. Speaking outside his home in St John's Wood, north west London, Paul McCartney said: 'I am devastated and very, very sad'. Ringo Starr, speaking from Vancouver, Canada said: 'We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter.'

Although most of The Beatles' songs were written by Lennon and McCartney, Beatle albums generally included one or two of Harrison's own songs, from With The Beatles onwards. His later compositions with The Beatles include "Here Comes the Sun", "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". By the time of the band's break-up, Harrison had accumulated a backlog of material, which he then released as the triple album All Things Must Pass in 1970, from which two hit singles originated: a double A-side single, "My Sweet Lord" backed with "Isn't It a Pity", and "What Is Life". In addition to his solo work, Harrison co-wrote two hits for former Beatle Ringo Starr, as well as songs for the Traveling Wilburys—the supergroup he formed in 1988 with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison.



In 2003, an AIDS charity show was held in Cape Town, South Africa with Bono, Queen, Peter Gabriel, Beyonce, Eurythmics, Anastacia, the Coors, Jimmy Cliff, Chaka Khan and more.

In 2010, Sotheby's of New York announced that Bob Dylan's hand-written lyrics to the 1960s anthem "The Times They Are A-Changin" would hit the auction block. When they did in early December, handwritten notes were bought by hedge fund manager Adam Sender, who placed the winning bid at $422,500.

Also in 2010, Billboard.com introduced a new chart called The Social 50, which ranks the most active artists on the world's leading social networking sites. The chart will follow artists' popularity using a formula blending weekly additions of friends / fans / followers, along with weekly artist page views and weekly song plays on MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and iLike.

birthdays today (among many others) include: Michael Dempsey (Cure) (53), John Mayall (78), Joel Whitburn (72), Chuck Mangione (71), Felix Cavaliere (Rascals) (69), Barry Goudreau (Boston) (60), Ringo Garza (Los Lonely Boys) (30) and Ronny Montrose (64)













Monday, November 28, 2011

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - November 29, 2011



AA Bondy - Believers (vinyl)
Adele - Adele Live At The Royal Albert Hall (DVD/CD)
Admiral Black - Phantasmagoric (vinyl)
Andrew Pekler - Sentimental Favourites (vinyl)

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2(12" vinyl)(Deluxe Edition)

Beatles - The Singles (7" Box Set)




Beau Brummels - Bradley's Barn

Beyonce - Beyoncé Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)
Black Belles - Black Belles (vinyl)
Black Keys - Lonely Boy (12") (vinyl)
Blackface - I Want to Kill You (7") (vinyl)
Blind Willie McTell - Blind Willie McTell 1949: Trying To Get Home (vinyl)

Bon Iver - Bon Iver (deluxe edition)
Boris - New Album (vinyl)
Boyz Noize - The Remixes 2004-2011
Brand New - Your Favorite Weapon
Brendan Benson - Upstairs at United, Vol. 1
Byrds - Eight Miles High (7")
Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band - Doc at the Radar Station (vinyl)
Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band - Ice Cream for Crow (vinyl)
Carlton Livingston - Rocking Steady Part 1 (vinyl)
Chadwick Stokes & Friends - Live At the Armory
Cloud Control - Bliss Release
Craig Finn - Honolulu Blues (vinyl)
Daniel Padden - Ship Chop (vinyl)
Das Racist - Relax (vinyl)
Dave Clarke - Fabric 60
deardarkhead - Oceanside, 1991-1993
Devin Townsend Project - Contain Us: Deluxe Box Set
Don Carlos & the Gladiators - Volume 3: Showdown (vinyl)
Eddy Arnold - Best of
Ensemble Economique - Crossing the Pass, By Torchlight (vinyl)
From Atlantis - Echoes & Answers InVogue Records
George Jones - Best of
Gorillaz - The Singles Collection: 2001-2011

Grateful Dead - Built to Last (reissue) (vinyl)

H20 - Don't Forget Your Roots (vinyl)
Hank Williams - Best of
Happy Refugees - Return To Last Chance Saloon
Hawks and Doves - Year One
Heart - Triple Feature (3 CDs)
Holy Shit - Stranded At Two Harbors
Hot Chelle Rae - Whatever
Imaginary Forces - Uppstigande
Incredible String Band - 5000 Spirits / The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
Jacaszek - Glimmer (vinyl)

Jane's Addiction - Great Escape Artist (vinyl)

Jim Reeves - Best of
Jimmy Barnes - Hits
Jimmy Cliff - Sacred Fire (EP)
John Fahey - Transcendental Waterfall: Guitar Excursions 1963 - 1967 (6 LPs) (vinyl)

John Lennon - Imagine 40th Anniversary Special Edition

Joker - On My Mind
KC & the Sunshine Band - Do You Wanna Go Party
KC & the Sunshine Band - KC & The Sunshine Band
KC & the Sunshine Band - Part 3
KC & the Sunshine Band - Who Do Ya (Love)
Kings of Leon - Early Albums (box set)
Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite: Les Folies (2 CD + DVD)


Lemonheads - Hotel Sessions (vinyl)


Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness (vinyl)
Low - I Could Live in Hope (reissue) (vinyl)
Mannheim Steamroller - Mannheim Ultimate Christmas Collection [Amazon.com Exclusive] (8 CDS)
Mark Fell - Periodic Orbits of a Dynamic System Related to a Knot
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine  (reissue) (vinyl)

Matt Elliott - Drinking Songs (2 LPs) (vinyl)

Miles Davis - Agharta (reissue) (vinyl)
Miles Davis - Dark Magus  (reissue) (vinyl)
Misfits - The Devil's Rain (12") (vinyl)
Moon Pool & Dead Band - Moon Pool & Dead Band (vinyl)
Mr. Oizo - Stade 2
Mungolian Jet Set - Schlungs
Nirvana - Nevermind - The Singles (10")(vinyl)
Nurse With Wound - Iron Soul of Nothing
Old Man Gloom - Christmas Eve I, II, and VI, + Live In NYC 12"
Oval - OvalDNA
Papir - Stundum (2 LPs) (vinyl)
Peepholes - Caligula (vinyl)
Peggy Lee - Best of
Pete TownshendThe Quadrophenia Demos(10") (vinyl)
Phish - Party Time (12") (vinyl)
Phish - The White Tape
Pinback - Information Retrieved, Pt. B (7")
Pink Floyd - Pink Floyd - The Wall (Singles Box Set) (7")
Pink Martini - A Retrospective
Pyramids/Horseback - A Throne Without A King Split (12") 
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (reissue) (vinyl)
Reverend Gary Davis - New Blues & Gospel (vinyl)
Richard Thompson - Strict Tempo
Roger Whittaker - Best of
Sacred Harp - Window's A Fall
Schecter - 13 Perspectives
Shazalakazoo - Karton City Boom
Should - A Folding Sleeve (vinyl)


Smashing Pumpkins - Gish (reissue) (vinyl)

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dreams (reissue) (vinyl)
Stranger Son - Luna Marseille
The American Scene / Daybreaker - split (7") (vinyl)
The Apples In Stereo - Funtrick Noisemaker (vinyl)
Tony Bennett - Best of
Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart in San Francisco (vinyl)
Trey Songz - Inevitable
Type O Negative - Type O Negative (box set)
Van Der Graff Generator - H to He Who Am the Only One (vinyl)
Van Der Graff Generator - Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (vinyl)
Van Der Graff Generator - Pawn Hearts (vinyl)
Various Artists - Beat LA
Various Artists - Country Legends: Best of
Various Artists - Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-4
Various Artists - The Inbetweeners Movie (soundtrack)
Vildhjarta - Masstaden
Warren Haynes - Rivers Gonna Rise
Wilco - Speak Into The Rose
William Fowler Collins - The Resurrections Unseen (vinyl)

Yes - In the Present-Live from Lyon (2 CDs, DVD)

Young Antiques - A Man, Not A Biography



Buy Vinyl HERE