Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

fantastic article/opinion about the vinyl revivial in the UK

Consumers are moving to the cloud…so why are people still buying vinyl records?

by Richard Preedy

Common opinion generally decrees that, in the future, the majority of consumers will be moving to the cloud to obtain broader access to music. While this is almost certainly true, in the fragmented world of consumer music consumption, a ‘collector’ mentality and desire for personal ownership continue to exist amongst many music fans. The music industry needs to ensure these different needs are addressed, rather than assuming a single model will satisfy all consumers.

Vinyl records not affected by the industry downturn?

Over the last few years a pleasing story has continued to appear like clockwork in the press. Amid general doom and gloom and tales of music industry collapse, we are told, somewhat counter-intuitively, that sales of vinyl records are continuing to increase.

Read the rest at gfktechtalk.com

--------------------

Go-Go's Announce 30th Anniversary Tour

One year ago, the Go-Go's were ready to hang it up after one last tour. Unfortunately, Jane Wiedlin injured her knee in a hiking accident and required surgery, causing the cancellation of the trek.

Jump ahead a year and the girls have done some thinking, deciding that it may not be time to say goodbye just yet. That's why they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary all summer with the Ladies Gone Wild Tour, starting May 29 in Hershey, PA and running through the end of August in Texas (with a break during July).

Read more and get the tour dates at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com

--------------------

Willie Nelson May Get Off From Pot Possession Charges With a Song


Country icon Willie Nelson may have a deal he can't pass up from the man prosecuting his marijuana possession case. Hudspeth (TX) County District Attorney C.R. "Kit" Bramblett said he'd be willing to let Nelson go with a $100 fine and a performance of Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain in the courtroom.

However, the judge is not amused, read the rest at vintagevinylnews.com


--------------------

THE GATES OF SLUMBER To Release New Album "THE WRETCH" On May 10, 2011

NEW SONG "COVEN OF CAIN" PREMIERES VIA DECIBEL


Doom lords THE GATES OF SLUMBER will unleash their hotly-anticipated fifth full-length album The Wretch on May 10, 2011 via Rise Above Records / Metal Blade. Featuring eight slabs of punishing metal, The Wretch boils doom down to its purest form, resulting in the Indianapolis trio's finest work to date.

i like the cover art, read the rest of the story at altsounds.com
















--------------------

nice review of some great music!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Produce Pure Pop

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart -- 'Belong' -- Slumberland -- 4 STARS

By Philip Y Gingerich, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If their breathtaking second LP, “Belong,” is any indication, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are growing up rapidly. In 2009, the young band seared their image onto hipster consciousness with their self-titled debut, a record that sounded as classic as its own cover art looked. The album was a perfect cut of early 90’s indie—the band’s sound inspired by the twee fuzz of bands like Black Tambourine, and hearkening back to the darker, dreamy haze of shoe-gaze monolith My Bloody Valentine. On their new album, The Pains fulfill all the promise of their past work and reveal an inspired and expanded dimension in their sound and song-writing capacity.

Read the rest of the review at thecrimsontide.com

--------------------

HAMMERFALL Releasing Limited Edition Picture Disc


On April 8, Nuclear Blast Records will release a limited-edition picture seven-inch version of "One More Time" from HAMMERFALL's upcoming album "Infected". The vinyl is limited on 500 copies and sold through the Nuclear Blast mailorder only. On the B-side of the single there will be a live version of "Hallowed Be My Name" recorded at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2009. The digital version of the single will contain an additional instrumental version of "One More Time".

Read more at Blabbermouth.com







--------------------

and in music history for the day ( a shortened verison, which will still be here everyday!)

In 1958, Connie Francis enjoys her first chart success as "Who's Sorry Now?" reached Billboard's #4 spot. Over the next ten years she will place 55 more songs on the Billboard hit parade.

In 1973, Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show got their picture on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine after their hit, "The Cover of Rolling Stone" reached number 6 on the US singles chart. According to members of the group, they really did buy five copies for their mothers, just like the song said.

In 1975, Led Zeppelin had all of their six albums (to date) in the Billboard Top 100 chart in the same week with their latest album, Physical Graffiti, hit #1.

In 1980, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon spent its 303rd week on the U.S. album chart, beating the previous record set by Carole King’s Tapestry.

In 1985, Jeanine Deckers, a.k.a. The Singing Nun, died at age 52 after taking an overdose of sleeping pills in a suicide pact with a friend. Her 1963 U.S. #1 (U.K. #7) single “Dominique” sold over 1.5 million copies, winning a Grammy Award for the year’s Best Gospel Song. Deckers wrote about her financial plight in a suicide note. With great irony, on the very day of her death, unbeknownst to her, the Belgian association that collects royalties for songwriters awarded her $300,000

Amazingly in 1986, Beatles records officially went on sale in Russia.

In 2001, Brian Wilson was honored in a three hour tribute at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Guest performances included Billy Joel singing "Don't Worry Baby", while Paul Simon sang an acoustic version of "Surfer Girl". Wilson - Phillips made a rare appearance, as did The Go-Gos and the trio of Carly Simon, David Crosby and Jimmy Webb. Also singing Beach Boy songs were Ann and Nancy Wilson, Elton John and Aimee Mann. Brian Wilson himself joined the fun when he took the stage for the final three songs, "Barbara Ann", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Fun, Fun, Fun".



VinylSearcher.com Rewrites The Goldmine Standard

found this interesting, but i think there should be one standard that everyone goes by.  i still get confused at eBay when someone rates a record vg++ or m- , just what is the difference?  I like a numbering system myself, any other thoughts?

The goldmine standard, who, why and what are we going to do about it?


Ages ago someone decided to invent a standard for grading records, this was called the goldmine standard. The issue is the standard is quite frankly rubbish, let me explain why. Say for example you want to buy a nice quality vinyl record you might pick “good” as the quality, usually in like if something is good quality then its good, oh no, the goldmine standard decided that Good meant rubbish! look:

"Generally worth 10-15 percent of the Near Mint value. Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade. "

Now does that sound good to you ? no. I think not..so lets go up the scale past Good and Very Good to Very Good Plus, surely this must be a nice quality record that you would happily purchase:

"Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. "

Now this sounds a bit better, and yes generally its ok to buy a very good plus. The point is what is a standard if its completely out of date. Why cant people just agree that Good is Rubbish, now VinylSearcher.com has taken a better approach, they have the goldmine standard but they also added there own version so people know what will pop through there mailbox.

So whats does the GoldMine Standard actually mean?

We have written this based on our own vinyl busying experiences, this is only our oppinion. In simple terms if you like records by VG Plus or Mint....then you will be happy!

Mint At VinylSearcher.com we do not classify any 2nd hand records as mint, mint is new, sealed, perfect - Nice if you can find them. -

Near Mint A nearly perfect record. This is the sort of quality we would recommend you buying - "Nice Record". -

Very Good Plus Slight warps, scuffs, sleeve damage, noticeable but only just. Very Good Plus record is highly acceptable - Sounds okayWorth 50% Max of Original value

Very Good Surface noise will be evident upon playing! - If you really want that tune get this one!Worth 25% Max of Original value

Good or Good Plus Significant Surface noise! This is not "good" when buying a tune - Don't Bother!Worth 10% Max of Original value

Poor or Fair "Rubbish record", it's warped, cracked and does'nt play without skipping - Don't Bother unless you need a scratch tool!Worth 5% Max of Original value

At least someone has got it sorted!

www.vinylsearcher.com

i'm still confused!!