Thursday, April 14, 2011

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Guess what? Record Store Day is in the news, let's have a look!



Download The List Of Record Store Day Releases
recordstoreday.com

find a participating store in your area with the complete list of stores
Record Store Directory

Record Store Day 2011 – Comprehensive Release Guide Part 1
thevinyldistrict.com-part-1

Record Store Day 2011 – Comprehensive Release Guide Part 2
thevinyldistrict.com-part-2

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in my area (actually about 40 miles from my house), RSD is a celebration of vinyl!

Spin on record day is that vinyl is still vital

Record Store Day will celebrate at 700-plus independent record stores across the country, including Milwaukee area

By Piet Levy, Special to the Journal Sentinel

It's no secret that music sales are struggling: The digital revolution has shaken the foundations of the music industry. According to Nielsen SoundScan, album revenue for the year ending Jan. 2 dropped 12.8%.

Yet brick-and-mortar record stores haven't completely lost relevance. Vinyl sales increased by 14% last year.

And national Record Store Day, which celebrates its fourth consecutive year on Saturday, will draw music aficionados to 700-plus independent record stores across the country, enticed by hundreds of events and exclusive releases of singles, albums, DVDs from cult favorites to chart-topping artists.

"It brings record stores to the front of people's minds," said Stephanie Huff, general manager of the Exclusive Company, an eight-unit record store chain with three area locations. "It's actually bigger than any day prior to Christmas for our chain."

Read more at jsonline.com

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RSD in the nj area

Record store prepared for biggest day of the year

BY VINCE BAGLIVO

The event began in 2007 as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding more than 700 independently owned record stores in the United States and hundreds of similar stores internationally. For Irv Lukin, the owner of EZ2 Collect, 35-10 Broadway, Fair Lawn, it represents the single biggest day of sales for the entire year.

"I have accumulated records over the course of 40 years," said Lukin. "If you are looking for something special, you're not going to find the treasures in my collection at Best Buy or anywhere else."

Read more at northjersey.com

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and in the nw corner of our land, RSD newbie talks about vinyl

Another Seattle Record (Store)

Love and idealism have kept Mossy Bottom afloat long enough to see its first Record Store Day.

By Andrew Gospe

With physical sales of albums declining as fast as ever, opening a new record store these days makes about as much sense as trying to soak up some rare rays of Seattle sunshine to power your house. So it's only fitting that when Nick Gorfkle was searching for a space for Mossy Bottom Records, he decided to move next to a start-up company in the U District that sells solar panels.

If it seems like a bad omen, Gorfkle begs to differ. A longtime Seattleite and veteran of record stores like Golden Oldies and Neptune, Gorfkle, 27, subscribes to the ethos that selling vinyl is about far more than profits, an attitude forged from both nostalgia and necessity.

Read more at seattleweekly.com

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and in the chicago area:

Record Store Day preview: Bloodshot Records' Rob Miller

by Marah Eakin

It should come as no surprise to most music consumers—or at least to the hip ones—that Record Store Day is kind of a big deal. With over 300 exclusive releases, countless in-store performances nation-wide, and tons of stickers and swag dumped on checkout counters, there’s a lot of money invested in this once a year event, if nothing else. For indie retailers and labels, though, it can make a big difference in their bottom line.

As Record Store Day looms—Saturday, April 16 this year—The A.V. Club thought it wise to check in with local labels and retailers to find out what they’re planning for this special event. Next up, Rob Miller, co-owner of Bloodshot Records.

Read the rest at avclub.com

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and in the land down under, vinyl is a hit all year round!

Viva la vinyl purveyors

Mary Mihelakos

MUSICIANS will play free, in-stores, exclusive releases will be available, there will be store-wide discounts and celebrities will work behind counters tomorrow to celebrate Record Store Day.

It started in the US in 2007 and Australian stores have been participating since 2008. Record Store Day falls on the third Saturday in April and music outlets around the world take part (Ozzy Osbourne is this year's event ambassador).

More than a decade ago, it looked as though vinyl had been superseded by the compact disc but the format is enjoying a renewed popularity. The vinyl revival has undoubtedly been inspired by the dullness of downloading and the facelessness and disconnection of listening to music on an MP3 player.

Melbourne boasts one of the highest numbers of record stores per head of population worldwide.

Read the rest at theage.com.au

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in tennessee, vinyl doing well

Record Store Day celebrates unique culture of independent shops

by Dave Paulson

They still make records? Why?”

Doyle Davis, co-owner of Grimey’s New and Preloved Music, says people who stumble upon his Nashville record store ask that question all the time. On Saturday, April 16, four Nashville record stores aim to provide the answer as they take part in the fourth annual Record Store Day, which celebrates more than 700 independent record stores operating in the U.S. with in-store concerts, sales and limited-edition music releases.

“In the age of digital downloads, it’s good to remind people that we still exist,” says John Moore, who runs the Groove in East Nashville with Louis Charette

Read the rest at blogs.tennessean.com

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vinyl celebration in indiana!

National Record Store Day gets local play at Village Green Records

VGR to host concert with area bands, musicians

By Seth Johnson

Celebrating independent record stores throughout the nation, Muncie's Village Green Records will join in the National Record Store Day festivities, welcoming In the Face of War for its final Muncie performance.

Chad Kelham, a 2005 Ball State sociology and history graduate, is thankful for the enriching opportunities that stores such as VGR have offered him.

"Nothing compares to the thrill of going to any given independent record store and discovering some truly amazing and life-changing music," he said. "If it weren't for my favorite independent record stores, Village Green Records, Indy CD & Vinyl and any of the Wooden Nickel record stores in Fort Wayne, I wouldn't have become the dedicated and adventurous music lover that I am today, that's for sure."

On Saturday, record stores will celebrate their independence, offering customers free performances and exclusive music releases. In its third year of celebration, Village Green Records has organized a full slate of local performers

Read more at bsudailynews.com

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and in pennsylvania, bring in an iconic album cover artist can't hurt!

The Art of Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa record cover artist Cal Schenkel joins the Record Store Day celebrations at Gold Million Records, in Bryn Mawr, Pa. on Saturday April 16, 2011, with a unique gallery exhibit.

Meet and greet Frank Zappa artist extraordinaire Cal Schenkel. The renowned designer of album covers for Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits will be exhibiting at Gold Million Records in Bryn Mawr, Pa. from 12:00PM to 4:00PM on Record Store Day, Saturday April 16, 2011. Cal will be signing LP records, giclée prints, and original art works featuring:

☞ Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Trout Mask Replica
The Grand Wazoo
Just Another Band From L.A.
Uncle Meat
One Size Fits All

Record Store Day, now in its fourth year, celebrates the art of music with special appearances, performances, meet and greets, art exhibits, and special vinyl releases for the nearly 1000 independently owned record stores around the world.

Gold Million Records (formerly Plastic Fantastic since 1976) is Philadelphia magazine’s Best of Philly® 2010 - Best Store for Music Lovers. Part gallery, part museum, and part record store, the unique Gold Million emporium features Records, Record Players, and Cool Stuff Made From Records.

So come celebrate and support Record Store Day at Gold Million Records, where Rock 'n Roll meets Louis XIV. Buy some records to play or buy some to display, and get a free record frame with any FZ LP purchase.

And don't forget that Burnt Weeny Sandwich!

Gold Million Records
851 Lancaster Ave
Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010
goldmillionrecords.com

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and in the usa today:

Ozzy Osbourne spins a case for vinyl on Record Store Day

By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY

Since 1970, Ozzy Osbourne has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, roughly half with heavy metal's pioneering Black Sabbath and the rest as a solo artist. Loads of those early headbanger discs were vinyl, a format Osbourne still favors.

So he's an appropriate choice for Record Store Day ambassador, even if he's unsure of the title's obligations.

"I'm very honored," he says. "I just wish I could find a record store."

Read the rest at usatoday.com

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vinyl event in alabama:

Vintage vinyl revival

Eastbrook Flea Market to hold inaugural 'Record Store Day'

Written by Teri Greene

Vinyl is making a big-time comeback, and nobody knows that more than Jim Pruett, who has sold thou­sands of records from his booth at Eastbrook Flea Market and Antique Mall on Coliseum Boulevard.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat­urday inside Eastbrook, Pruett, along with a group of fellow record enthusiasts, will host Montgomery's first "Record Store Day," a day set aside nationally to cele­brate the glory of vinyl re­cords.

Pruett said since he began selling records five years ago, he's witnessed vinyl's resurgence firsthand. And the fans are coming from un­expected places

Read the rest at montgomeryadvertiser.com

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vinyl being celebrated in the uk

Getting into the groove

WHILE downloading is a very ‘now’ thing to do, there are legions of music buyers who will still say that there is nothing like queuing up on the day of release, with a brand new vinyl disc clutched in hand.

They sound better and they look better than their smaller CD counterparts too...

And on Saturday, Record Store Day once again celebrates the beauty of the groove...

How sad that in a city the size of Milton Keynes, there is no dedicated vinyl store. But in Northampton, Spunout will be flying the flag for vinyl, and partaking in the special day.

Read more at miltonkeynes.co.uk

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and they love their vinyl in st. louis!

A new spin on vinyl

Kari Williams

"…And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends," Almost Famous' Penny Lane said. For years, records had been the foundation of music present in pop culture and teens' bedrooms. As of present day, they have been drowned out as a museum idea with a vintage stigma.

Record Store Day, which has been going on since 2007, is a way for independent record stores across the country to come together. Eric Levin, a founder of RSD and owner of Criminal Records in Georgia, said the idea for RSD came from a convention in Baltimore, Md. called Noise in the Basement.

"We grew tired of constantly being the butt of the joke, know-nothing editors reporting from their ivory towers that the death of the record store was imminent," Levin said. "We kind of asked each other, 'How you doing? Is your death imminent?' Since we all had kind of super awesome record stores, centers of our communities, paying taxes, hiring and insuring musicians, we felt like we had to stand up for ourselves."

Local stores like Slackers in Glen Carbon and Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis are participating in the newfound tradition.

Read the rest at alestlelive.com

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SALEM: 'Kaddish' Reissue Artwork Unveiled

The front cover of the upcoming reissue of "Kaddish", the cult 1994 album from Israeli death metal pioneers SALEM, can be viewed below. Due next week via Raven Music, the cover art and design was handled by the band's guitarist, Nir Gutraiman. The effort was remastered by UE Nastasi at Sterling Sound in New York City.

Originally released through Germany's Morbid Records and was distributed worldwide via SPV, "Kaddish" represents SALEM's personal dirge for the victims of the Holocaust during World War II.

Read the rest at blabbermouth.com 













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William Shatner's new album a nod to Capt. Kirk

WILLIAM Shatner's new album is a return to his Star Trek roots, featuring nineteen space-themed tracks on the metal covers album.

The actor's latest musical project, Searching For Major Tom, will include covers of songs by Deep Purple, U2, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, David Bowie, Queen, Pink Floyd, Duran Duran and The Police.

The album will be comprised of 'interpretations' of the intergalactic-themed rock anthems including Rocket Man, Space Oddity, Walking on The Moon and Lost in The Stars.

Read more and get the tracklist at news.com.au

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Original Lucy in the Sky Lyrics to Be Auctioned

Have a couple hundred grand sitting around? You could own a piece of history as the original handwritten lyrics of The Beatles Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, written by John Lennon, will be auctioned next month.

Read more: vintagevinylnews.com

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A younger generation of vinyl

Record sales increasing despite technology

By Lindsey Gelwicks

Sam Roderick remembers the first time she became interested in vinyl records.

She was 12 years old, and her mother missed the vinyl collection she had replaced with cassette tapes years earlier. Every so often, the two would go to flea markets, scouring the aisles of furniture and tables of books, jewelry and other odds and ends, searching for musical treasures.

Eventually Roderick bought a record of her own ­— Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues."

Now, the sophomore and Japanese major has more than 100 records in her collection.

Read the rest at bsudailynews.com

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Tom Hanks to Produce Green Day’s American Idiot Movie

Anne Erickson

After months of rumors and speculation, Green Day’s 2004 album, American Idiot, has been given the go-ahead to be made into a big-screen, feature film.

Universal has officially signed Tom Hanks to produce the upcoming adaptation in partnership with Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool, said Reuters.

Read the rest at Gibson.com

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and in music history for today:

In 1966, the Beatles recorded "Paperback Writer" and the vocals for "Eleanor Rigby."

In 1967, Polydor Records released the Bee Gees’ “New York Mining Disaster 1941” with a promotional slogan declaring them “the most significant talent since The Beatles.” The record became a Top 20 hit in the U.K. and U.S.



The final "Where the Action Is" aired on ABC-TV in 1967.

In 1969, The Beatles’ recording of “The Ballad of John and Yoko” took place with just two members, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Paul played bass, drums and piano with John on guitars and lead vocals. The song was banned from many radio stations as being blasphemous on account of the use of the word, “Christ.”

In 1971, the Illinois Crime Commission issued a list of “drug-oriented records,” including “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum and The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

In 1973, Led Zeppelin started a two-week run on the top of the U.K. album chart with Houses of the Holy, also a #1 in the U.S. The young girl, featured on the cover of the album climbing naked up Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, was six-year-old Samantha Gates.

Iron Maiden's self-titled debut album was released in 1980.

In 1986, at the height of the backwards-masking hysteria, evangelist Jim Brown claimed that the theme to the children’s TV show, Mr. Ed, contained hidden Satanic messages.

In 1994, Kurt Cobain was cremated at the Bleitz Funeral Home in Seattle. The death certificate listed Cobain’s occupation as “Poet/Musician” and his type of business as “Punk Rock.”

In 1995, Burl Ives, who reached the US Top 40 with "Little Bitty Tear" (#9), "Funny Way Of Laughing" (#10) and "Call Me Mr. In-Between" (#19) as well as recording the Christmas classic "Holly, Jolly Christmas", died of cancer at the age of 85.

In 2005, Steve Jablecki, singer and guitarist for the L.A. group, Wadsworth Mansion, who reached #7 in the US with "Sweet Mary" in 1971, died at the age of 59.



happy birthday to Ritchie Blackmore, guitarist, Deep Purple, Rainbow (1945)