Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 28, 2012

DEAR JERRY: My mystery song was played by an urban country station in the Windsor-Detroit area, in the mid-'70s. I am no longer in that area, but have never heard it again anywhere.

It is a beautiful ballad about love grown cold, featuring a great vocalist with simple piano-guitar-drum backing.

Most of the verses end with "there's no sense in living anymore," but it's more about frustration than suicide. Neither Bing nor Google searches even suggest anything with that title.

Can you?
—Marianne Schulte, Oshkosh, Wisc.



DEAR MARIANNE: Sorry to say, I cannot suggest anything with that title.

But the news is not all bad. I can definitely unravel your four-decade-old musical mystery.

The line you recall so well is, as you say, at the end of the chorus. You just need to back up a bit to discover the title. Here's how they fit together:

Seems like I can't live with you
But I can't live without you
I know that time will never change us
So there's just no sense in living anymore

Titled "Seems Like I Can't Live with You, But I Can't Live Without You," this is the flip side of "Dancin' Fool" (RCA Victor 10075), by the Guess Who featuring Burton Cummings.

This 1974 single came out at a time when most country programmers had drifted away from traditional C&W music, while adding pop and soft rock to their playlists. For awhile they called their hybrid format "modern country," or "countrypolitan."

Those stations would not touch the rock-disco "Dancin' Fool," but "Seems Like I Can't Live with You, But I Can't Live Without You" was very countrypolitan.

To cite some of the modern country hits at the time, we can begin right at the top. Billy Swan had the No. 1 song, with "I Can Help."

Other crossover hits that year included: "Back Home Again" and "Annie's Song" (John Denver); "Let Me Be There" and "I Honestly Love You" (Olivia Newton-John); "Sundown" (Gordon Lightfoot), and, perhaps the purest rock and roll record to make the country Top 10, Elvis Presley's "Promised Land."

Though "Seems Like I Can't Live with You, But I Can't Live Without You" didn't make the charts, to have gotten some spins in Windsor is not surprising. The Guess Who is one of Canada's most famous bands.



DEAR JERRY: I am a 15-year-old pianist, who happens to enjoy playing in the ragtime and honky-tonk style.

One of the records my father gave me to learn is "Roulette," by Russ Conway (Cub 9034), and I love it!

Did Conway have other recordings in this style? Was "Roulette" ever a hit?
—Cal Millington, Portsmouth, Ohio



DEAR CAL: Russ made many, all in that style. As for question two, it depends on whether you were east or west of the Azores, in mid-1959.

In the U.S., Russ Conway remained virtually unknown. Not even his two biggest UK hits charted in the U.S., even though both were picked up by American labels, such as Capitol ("Side Saddle") and MGM's Cub imprint ("Roulette").

In his homeland, it was a completely different story for this honky-tonk instrumentalist. Between 1957 and '63, Russ had 20 charted hits. Of those, 17 made the Top 30; seven reached the Top 10; and two even claimed Great Britain's No. 1 position. This is even more impressive when you consider how much their charts were dominated by American rock and roll, and other teen-oriented styles. Neither describe Russ Conway.

His biggest hit, "Side Saddle," topped the New Musical Express for four weeks in the spring of 1959.

Russ finally surrendered the coveted position, but only for the next eight weeks; three for Buddy Holly ("It Doesn't Matter Anymore"), and five for Elvis ("A Fool Such As I"). That's when Conway's "Roulette" returned him to the No. 1 slot.

For three weeks in June and July of '59, the Top 10 included both "Side Saddle" and "Roulette," which is quite remarkable.

I know of no other 1950s or '60s instrumentalist with two separate records in the Top 10, and that goes for the record world on both sides of the Azores.



IZ ZAT SO? In 1959, "Side Saddle" stayed in the UK Top 10 for 18 consecutive weeks! To better appreciate that feat, consider that only one rock era instrumental in U.S., surpassed it, and by only one week!

Perez Prado's "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" remained in our Top 10 for 19 weeks in 1955.

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

this vinyl news from our friends in europe

How vinyl got its groove back

Has digital sound in CD and PC killed the soul of music? Or are there other reasons why vinyl records are experiencing a steady increase in sales?

By: Arlid S. Foss

The record slides out of the sleeve with a whisper and settles on the spindle. You drop the needle gently on the black disc. A few discreet crackles in anticipation of the music – and it begins.

It almost sounds like a religious ritual, and for some it comes pretty close. Enthusiasts claim that nothing beats vinyl records for the warmth and range of sound.

Meanwhile, the digital deluge has arrived. Music is chopped into digital bits and streamed, stored and shared through MP3 players, mobile phones, tablets and PCs.

The 2011 Music Industry Report from the Nielsen Company and Billboard showed that digital music sales last year for the first time overtook sales of physical media, accounting for 50.5 percent of all music purchases.

With a total of 1.27 billion sales the 50 percent mark was conquered. It looks like it's digital from here on in.

Except it's not.

Read the rest at sciencenordic.com

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and another vinyl story from the uk!

Why we are falling in love with vinyl, again

It’s a finger action almost forgotten. But in The Beatles section of vinyl heaven – aka Shrewsbury’s only record store, White Rabbit – Mel Barratt deftly demonstrates that not only is the art of flicking through the racks of vinyl albums still alive, but judging by the number of people doing the same it is a resurgent trend.

“I do love the vinyl format,” says Mel, pulling out a copy of Rubber Soul. “Records are beautiful objects and they are physical objects, and the sound they make, with all their scratches and crackles, is warm and real.”

In an age of digital downloads where instant musical gratification comes at the touch of the dreaded ‘shuffle’ button, the vinyl 33 or 45 is format that demands audience involvement. For a start, enthusiasts have to take the record from its sleeve, cue it up and drop the needle onto the groove before retreating to the sofa to enjoy the fruits of their efforts.

“I have to sit and stay where I am when I am listening to a record,” adds Mel. “I don’t do other things at the same time and I listen to the whole album all the way through.

“I find that with CDs or downloads it’s just background music.” Meaning you turn the playing device on and do the housework, listening with only one ear.

Dave Lamont, who runs White Rabbit at Shrewsbury Indoor Market, says: “I have definitely noticed that interest in vinyl has increased.

Read the rest at shropshirestar.com/

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Eric Burdon Releasing New Album

Rock and roller Eric Burdon (of Animals fame) is set to release a new album called 'Til Your River Runs Dry,' which is slated for a September 18 release via ABKCO.  The album was recorded in New Orleans in 2010 with further work done in California in 2011.

'I started feeling that I needed to use this album as a catharsis, to express my own truth,' Eric said in a statement. 'It took longer than any other album, not because of time spent in the studio, but because of the subject matter of the songs I wanted to put out there,' Eric explains. The result is a deeply intimate, honest self-portrait as well as unsparing look at religion, politics and the environment. 'During the making of this record, we lost Bo Diddley, one of my greatest influences. There were many things I would have said to him, if I'd realized that his time was limited.'

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album cover art of the day:

SYMBOLICA: 'Precession' Cover Artwork Unveiled

The cover artwork of 'Precession,' the debut album from SYMBOLICA  has just been revealed. The effort will be released in the beginning of June.





















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www.punknews.org has a great interview to read:

Interviews: Chris Hansen (No Sleep Records)

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this from our friends at vinylcollective.com

Top 10 Albums – May 29, 2012

Here are the Top 10 Albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of May 22 – May 29th, 2012:

1. The Starting Line – Direction LP
2. Gaslight Anthem – ’45 / You Got Lucky 7?
3. Dave Hause – Time Will Tell 7?
4. The Menzingers – The Obituaries 7?
5. Chuck Ragan – Saw Blade 7?
6. Say Anything – Is A Real Boy 2XLP
7. The Swellers – Vehicle City Blues 7?
8. At The Drive In – Vaya 10?
9. Blink 182 – Dude Ranch LP
10. Staring Back – On 2XLP

Buy these and other releases at ShopRadioCast

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 5/21 - 5/27, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:

1. Spiritualized - Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
2. Beach House - Bloom
3. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
4. Jack White - Blunderbuss
5. Paul McCartney - Ram (Mono white label)
6. Best Coast - The Only Place
7. OFF! - OFF!
8. Paul McCartney - Ram
9. Dr. John - Locked Down
10. Gaslight Anthem - "45" 7"
11. Tortoise - Millions Now Living Will Never Die
12. Death Grips - Money Store
13. Heavy Cream - Super Treatment
14. Father John Misty - Fear Fun
15. The Black Keys - El Camino
16. Beach House - Teen Dream
17. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
18. Counting Crows - Underwater Sunshine
19. Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream
20. White Fence - Family Perfume 2
21. JEFF The Brotherhood - Live At Third Man
22. Of Monsters & Men - My Head Is An Animal
23. Mynahbirds - It's My Time 7"
24. Nobunny - La La La La Love You 7"
25. Bad Sports - Red Overlay 7"

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - May 29, 2012

2:54 - 2:54
Airbird - Trust (EP)
Amore - Stand Together
Architects - Daybreaker
Azealia Banks - 1991 (EP)  
Bachman & Turner - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC (2 CDs)
Beck - I Just Starting Hating Some People Today/Blue Randy (7") 
Beg for Life - Mare Miseria
Broken Water - Tempest
Candence Weapon - Hope in Dirt City
Chuuwee - Wild Style 
Citizens - Here We Are
Colourbox - Colourbox
Crystal Bowersox - Once Upon A Time...
Dala - Best Day
Danny Elfman - Men in Black 3 (soundtrack)
David Ramos - Sento La Tua Mancanza
Doseone - G is for Deep 
Duchess Says - Anthologie Des 3 Perchoirs (vinyl reissue) 
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here
El-P - Cancer For Cure
Exlovers - Moth
For Today - Immortal 
Gemma Ray - Island Fire
Grand Magus - The Hunt
Grass Widow - Internal Logic
Howse - Law Hollow (EP) 
I-Exit - Humanity
Ian Tyson - Raven Singer
Insane Clown Posse - The Mighty Death Pop!
JD McPherson - Signs and Signifiers (vinyl)
Joan Armatrading - Starlight
Jody Wisternoff - Trails We Blaze 
Julia Stone - By the Horns
Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill
King Tuff - King Tuff
Ladyhawke - Anxiety
Laurel Halo - Quarantine 
Lemonade - Diver (vinyl)
Many Places - Another Oath
Marcus Millar - Renaissance
Marissa Nadler - The Sister
Melody Gardot - The Absence
Mick Fleetwood's Zoo - I'm Not Me (reissue)
Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace
Peter Hammill - Consequences
Phantom Rocker & Slick - Phantom Rocker & Slick
Portland Cello Project - Homage
Preteen Zenith - Rubble Guts and BB Eye
Prong - Playlist: The Very Best Of Prong 
Public Image Ltd. - This Is Pil
Rebecca Ferguson - Heaven
Regina Spektor - What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
Rory Block - I Belong to the Band: A Tribute to Rev. Gary Davis
Rumer - Boys Don't Cry
Saint Etienne - Words and Music by Saint Etienne
Scissor Sisters - Magic Hour (deluxe edition)
Sigur Ros - Valtari
Simian Mobile Disco - Unpatterns
Sirens & Sailors - Wasteland 
Stop Breathing - s/t
Sun Kil Moon - Among The Leaves
Supremes - At the Copa: Expanded Edition (2 CDs)
Swans - We Rose from Your Bed With the Sun in Our Head
Tassels - Pressure Mounts
The Cranberries - Roses (vinyl)
The Dig - Midnight Flowers
The Intelligence - Everybody's Got It Easy But Me
The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet (vinyl)
The Medullary Paralysis - You Need Leaders 
The Murder Of My Sweet - Bye Bye Lullaby
The Pond - The Pond
The Static Sea - Third Parties
The Toxic Avenger - Angst
The Walkmen - Heaven
Thomas Gold - Axtone Presents Thomas Gold
Travis Porter - From Day 1
Truth and Its Burden - Choices
Ultravox - Brilliant
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Foo Fighters
Various Artists - Spirit of Talk Talk 
Various Artists - The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore
Viking Skull - Cursed By The Sword
Wade Bowen - The Given
White Lung - Sorry

The Vinyl Pulse

The Vinyl Pulse, is a weekly snapshot of what is selling on the big vinyl machine called eBay. This is a great way to keep your eyes peeled for a specific record and what you might have to pay for it to obtain it.

CollectorsFrenzy lists the top 25 real time ended auctions and the selling price for the collectible vinyl and is updated daily.






Top 25 Items for 05/25/2012

1.  BEETHOVEN VIOLIN CONC. LP KOGAN COLUMBIA SAX 2386 T/S NM
Sold Price:$6431.19 USD End Time:05/25/2012

2.  BEATLES McCARTNEY RARE UK UNRELEASED DEMO ' LOVE IS STRANGE'
Sold Price:$3920.50 USD End Time:05/25/2012

3.  BRAHMS VIOLIN CONC. LP KOGAN COLUMBIA SAX 2307 T/S NM
Sold Price:$2369.55 USD End Time:05/25/2012

4.  BEATLES:PLEASE PLEASE ME BLACK/GOLD 1st PRESS UK MONO EX+! 1A / 1T STAMPERS!!
Sold Price:$1709.34 USD End Time:05/25/2012

5.  ERALDO VOLONTE MY POINT OF VIEW ON DURIUM RARE ITALIAN ORIGINAL
Sold Price:$1470.00 USD End Time:05/25/2012

6.  RARE DEMO. THE BEATLES. HELLO, GOODBYE. ONE OF THE VERY 1ST PRESSING'S.
Sold Price:$1129.10 USD End Time:05/25/2012

7.  UK X-POSE 7" MARQUIS DE SADE- SOMEWHERE UP IN THE MOUNTAINS- NWOBHM
Sold Price:$1019.33 USD End Time:05/25/2012

8.  yuri REENTOVICH - Serenade melancolique / St. George 4tette
Sold Price:$666.49 USD End Time:05/25/2012

9.  MAR-KEYS--HEAVENLY THING / HEAVENLY THING PART 2--MAR-KEYS RECORDS
Sold Price:$635.00 USD End Time:05/25/2012

10.  Jula De Palma In Jazz RARE 1958 E.P. Lelio Luttazzi GREAT CONDITIONS!
Sold Price:$623.00 USD End Time:05/25/2012


Please visit CollectorsFrenzy.com everyday for the top 25 daily sellers!!

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Aerosmith New Album Slated For August Release

Veteran rockers Aerosmith's 15th studio album will be called 'Music From Another Dimension' and is scheduled for release on  Aug. 28th.  The album's first single, a new version of a song the band wrote in the early '90s called "Legendary Child."

Aerosmith are a living piece of American music history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of countless awards including four GRAMMYs, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards among many other honors. Proving that they can cross genre-boundaries with ease, these rock legends have even taken home a Soul Train Award for Best Rap Single for their remix of Run DMC's "Walk This Way." With scores of multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith continues to inspire generations to get their wings, get a grip and just push play. It is no wonder why they are one of the most beloved bands of all time.

Tracklist:
1. What Could Have Been Love
2. Beautiful
3. Street Jesus
4. Legendary Child
5. Oh Yeah
6. We All Fall Down
7. Another Last Goodbye
8. Out Go the Lights
9. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain

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Beck Releases Single On Third Man Records

Beck is scheduled to release a very special, limited edition single on Jack White's Third Man Records label.  The single, called "I Just Started Hating Some People Today"/"Blue Randy" is scheduled for release on May 28 as a limited run of colored 7" vinyl records, with 100 tri-color versions of the track going on sale exclusively at Randy's Records, a store in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 2nd.

The two tracks were recorded last year at the Third Man studio in Nashville, when Beck was in the Tennessee city recording the follow-up to 2008's 'Modern Guilt' reported Rolling Stone.

One hundred of the records will be available exclusively at Randy’s Records in Salt Lake City on June 2, and an additional color pressing will be sold as mail order copies purchased directly from Third Man.

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lovely vinyl record article from The Sag Harbor Express about our beloved format!


Tables Turn Again For Vinyl

By Claire Walla

A record store? On the East End?

It started with the Japanese.

Record collector and East Hampton native Craig Wright had been running a successful music business on eBay for five years, regularly sending used records to buyers both locally and internationally. But, last year he suddenly began receiving visits from music store owners on record-buying missions from half-way around the world.

“I had at least six or seven guys from Japan looking through my storage facility over the last year,” Wright exclaimed. “And I thought, this isn’t the way to do it. I’ve gotta make this available to everyone.”

The result is Inner Sleeve Music, a full-blown record store in the heart of Amagansett, which sells everything from rock and jazz (which happens to be the favored genre among Japanese buyers), to new releases, reggae and even spoken word.

Please read the rest at sagharboronline.com

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and more vinyl record news from Candice Aman at neontommy

The Origami Vinyl Effect: How Record Stores Are Changing The Music Industry

Candice Aman

After being laid off from heading the licensing department at CONNECT, Sony’s digital music service that ultimately failed against iTunes, Neil Shield went through a brief period of soul searching.

He started by taking a box of his parents’ unused vinyl records and attempted to sell them at a yard sale. Within just a matter of hours, Schield managed to sell about 40 records, a surprisingly high number, and unbeknownst to him, a childhood passion re-emerged.

“I was shocked by the number I sold,” Schield said on a balmy afternoon, perched behind a cash register and a stack of newly released records.

Read the rest at neontommy.com

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very nice story about an iconic album cover

NYC Album Art Revisted: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Read the article at gothamist.com

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interesting read about a man in-the-know:

Why Does Vinyl Sound The Best? A Chat With A Musician Who Knows

 By Seth Colter Walls

Read the article at theawl.com

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great story from ultimateclassicrock.com can relate to it, maybe i told this story before on the CVR Blog, but anyway......flash back to Easter weekend1985, i am unemployed (i did have a paper route) and a buddy calles me (miss ya puff) and says we have a gig (used to 'roadie a lot for local chicago bands - i had a van...shag carpet and all the trimmings), but on this day; the van was not needed.  he says we can roadie for KISS, a one time gig because the regular crew was given the day off.  they played a small gig in hammond, indiana, maybe 2,500 tops in the place.  well we arrived, and saw six semi trailers and a couple of rad tour buses.  We checked in, (pay was $100 for the job, we started at 10 am) and were quickly introduced to the bosses.  We went to work, many trunks, many speakers and a KISS sign.  we got done around 4pm and were told we could go home and come back at 10pm or stay for the show........we stayed, and what a time.  eveyone was professional, heck they even had a catered dinner (all the fixings) and that's where i met paul stanley.  we were told not to bother them, but he sat right next to me and my buddy and asked how we were (we were obviously a bit dirty)   stanely was very approachable and we chatted for some twenty minutes as we ate.  i really can't recall the specifics, but i was impressed with his wit and banter.  we stayed for the show and there is only one way to say this....KISS ROCKED!   sir, you will have the time of your life!

Kiss Hires War Veteran For Road Crew

by: Billy Dukes

After a two months search that included over 1900 applicants, Gene Simmons and Kiss have their hero. As part of the Hiring Our Heroes campaign, the band hired Paul Jordan, a 27-year military veteran, to work on their road crew this summer, surprising him with the news on yesterday’s ‘Today’ show.

Read the rest at ultimateclassicrock.com

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 21, 2012

DEAR JERRY: I often listen to a weekend oldies radio show, where the host likes to come up with little-known trivia tidbits.

But I do question a comment made after playing Barbra Streisand's "People."

He said that the 45 years between her first No. 1 LP (1964), and her last (2009), is the most of anyone. Then he added that Madonna has the second longest span, with 23 years between her No. 1 albums.

Streisand's span might be longer than Elvis Presley's, but I am positive Madonna's can't be.

Do you share my doubts?
—Joanne Gibbons, York, Pa.

DEAR JOANNE: You are definitely right to question this information, especially having Madonna at No. 2 — unless he was referring only to female singers. Either way, these are the facts:

From his debut LP, "Elvis Presley" (May 5, 1956) to "30 No. 1 Hits" (October 12, 2002) is 46 years, five months, and one week.

Then comes Barbra: From "People" (October 31, 1964) to "Love Is the Answer" (October 17, 2009) is 44 years, 11 months, and two weeks.

From "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" (August 23, 1969) to "American V: A Hundred Highways" (July 22, 2006) is 36 years and eleven months.

Bob Dylan: From "Planet Waves" (February 16, 1974) to "Together Through Life" (May 16, 2009) is 35 years and three months.

Bruce Springsteen: From "The River" (November 8, 1980) to "Wrecking Ball" (March 24, 2012) is 31 years, four months, and 16 days.

Rod Stewart: From "Every Picture Tells a Story" (October 2, 1971) to "Still the Same — Great Rock Classics of Our Time" (October 28, 2006) is 35 years and 26 days.

From "Barry Manilow Live" (July 16, 1977) to "Greatest Songs of the Fifties" (February 18, 2006) is 28 years, seven months, and two days.

Lionel Richie: From "Can't Slow Down" (December 3, 1983) to "Tuskegee" (April 28, 2012) is 28 years, four months, and 25 days.

Finally comes Madonna: From "Like a Virgin" (February 9, 1985) to "MDNA" (April 14, 2012) is 27 years, two months, and five days.

Lastly, Michael Jackson: From "Thriller" (February 26, 1983) to "This Is It" (November 14, 2009) is 26 years, nine months, and 16 days.



IZ ZAT SO? Later this year, Barbra Streisand will celebrate her 50th year as a recording artist, as well as her golden anniversary with Columbia Records.

How's that working out so far?

Depending on the source, and how the numbers are crunched (albums in the Top 100; Top 50; Top 10; No. 1; million-sellers; etc., etc.), Barbra is among the Top 5. She's right there with Presley, Sinatra, Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. And she is always far ahead of the other females.

We did, however, discover one quirky little niche where Streisand stands completely alone. She is the only person ever with at least one No. 1 album in five consecutive decades. Overall, Queen Barbra has nine:

1964: "People"
1974: "The Way We Were"
1977: "A Star Is Born" (Soundtrack)
1979: "Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Volume 2"
1980: "Guilty"
1986: "The Broadway Album"
1993: "Back to Broadway"
1997: "Higher Ground"
2009: "Love Is the Answer"

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Beatles Outtake Photo from ‘Abbey Road’ Sells for $25,000

We all know that the album cover art of the Beatles‘ ‘Abbey Road’ album is one of the most copied in rock history.  Now a print of an outtake from that photo shoot by Ian Macmillian of August 8, 1969 sold yesterday for close to $25,000 (16,000 pounds) at an auction.

Beatles Photo Goes Up for Auction

want even more information about the photo(s) visit HERE

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cool album cover art:

KORPIKLAANI: New Album Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

Finnish traditional folk metal pioneers KORPIKLAANI will release their eighth studio album, "Manala", on August 3 via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork was created by Finnish artist Jan Yrlund 

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

















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album cover art of the day:

SACRED GATE: Debut Album Out Now

Mönchengladbach, Germany-based traditional heavy metal band SACRED GATE released its full-length debut, "When Eternity Ends", on April 27 via Metal On Metal Records.

Read the rest at Blabbermouth


















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The Gates Of Slumber Reissuing Debut Album

Abyss Records is scheduled to reissue the out-of-print The Gates Of Slumber debut effort called 'The Awakening' on CD this fall.  Originally released in 2004, the Abyss Records reissue will feature cover art (from the limited-edition double vinyl edition) painted by Ken Kelly (Manowar, Kiss, Conan) along with an exclusive bonus track.

Tracklist:
Resurrection from the Underworld
The Awakening (Interpolating the Wrath of the Undead)
The Judge
The Jury
Broken On the Wheel
The Executioner
Blessed Pathway To the Celestial Kingdom
The Burial
The Cloaked Figure (Bonus Track)



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Robert Nix, Founding Drummer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Passes Away

Robert Nix, who played with such greats as Roy Orbison and was the founding drummer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, passed away in Memphis, TN on Sunday at the age of 67.

Read the rest at our friends at VintageVinylNews

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this from our friends at shopradiocast.com

Top 10 Albums – May 21, 2012

Here are the Top 10 Albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of May 14 – May 21, 2012:

1. Gaslight Anthem – 45 / You Got Lucky 7"
2. At The Drive In – Vaya 10"
3. Say Anything – Is A Real Boy 2XLP
4. Staring Back – On 2XLP
5. The Swellers – Vehicle City Blues 7"
6. The Menzingers – The Obituaries 7"
7. Park – It Won’t Snow Where You’re Going LP
8. Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends LP
9. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American 3XLP
10. Park – No Signal 2XLP

Pick up these releases and more at ShopRadioCast

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 5/14 - 5/20, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:

1. Beach House - Bloom
2. Best Coast - The Only Place
3. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
4. Jack White - Blunderbuss
5. Sugarman 3 - What The World Needs Now
6. Alabama Shakes - Live At Third Man 7"
7. Heavy Cream - Super Treatment
8. Of Monsters & Men - My Head Is An Animal
9. White Fence - Family Perfume 2
10. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
11. Lambchop - Mr. M
12. Tenacious D - Rize Of The Fenix
13. Dr. John - Locked Down
14. Karen Elson - Milk & Honey 7"
15. Abba - Voulez-Vous (remix) 12"
16. Brian Eno - Another Green World
17. George Harrison - Early Takes 1
18. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
19. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
20. Nobunny - La La La La Love You 7"
21. Richard Hawley - Standing At The Sky's Edge
22. Arcade Fire - The Sprawl II 12"
23. The Black Keys - El Camino
24. Kurt Wagner & Altered Statesman - Something Missing 12"
25. Brian Eno - Taking Tiger Mountain

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - May 22, 2012

12 Stones - Beneath The Scars
Admiral Fallow - Tree Bursts In Snow
Affector - Harmagedon
Albert King - I'll Play the Blues for You (remastered)
Amateur Love - It’s All Aquatic (reissue)
Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin (box set)
Aretha Franklin - Get It Right
Aretha Franklin - Jump to It
Aziz Ansari - Aziz Ansari: Dangerously Delicious
Baio (of Vampire Weekend) - Sunburn EP
Bam Spacey - Land (EP)
Blue Foundation - In My Mind I Am Free
Bob Wayne - Till the Wheels Fall Off
Burzum - Umskiptar
Calexico - 98-99 Road Map (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Aerocalexico (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Ancienne Belgique: Live in Brussels (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Circo (soundtrack) (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Scraping (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Tell All (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - The Book and The Canal (reissue) (vinyl)
Calexico - Travelall (reissue) (vinyl)
Children of Bodom - Holiday at Lake Bodom
Chris Baio (of Vampire Weekend) - Sunburn (EP)
Chubby Checker - It's Pony Time/ Let's Twist Again
Cold Specks - I Predict A Graceful Expulsion
Cory Branan - Mutt
Craft Spells - Gallery
Create Avoid - Pastime
Curren$y - The Stoned Immaculate
Dan Fogelberg - Windows & Walls/Wild Places
Dan Sartain - Too Tough to Live
Danks - Are you Afraid of the Danks
Death Grips - Money Store (vinyl)
Delta Moon - Black Cat Oil
Dope Body - Natural History
El-P - Cancer For Cure
Electric Wizard - Black Masses (vinyl)
Emily Jane White - Ode to Sentience
Enchantment - Enchantment: Expanded Edition
Eric Prydz - Eric Prydz Presents Pryda
Exitmusic - Passage
Expire - Pendulum Swings
Father Yod - The Thought Adjusters
Faulkner Detectives - Modern Handshake
Firewind - Few Against Many
Fixers - We'll Be The Moon
For Today - Immortal
Fun - Some Nights
Garbage - Not Your Kind of People
Gaz Coombes - Here Come The Bombs
Girls - My Ma/Love Life (7")
Gossip - A Joyful Noise
Great White - Elation
Haley Reinhart - Listen Up!
Hallelujah the Hills - No One Knows What Happens Next
Hannibal Buress - Hannibal Buress: Animal Furnace
Hardline - Danger Zone
Havok - The Point Of No Return
Headspace - I Am Anonymous
Heather Pearce - Fairy Tale
Hi-Fi - The Complete Collection
Hilary Hahn and Hauschka - Silfra
Iggy Pop - Raw Power (reissue) (vinyl)
JBM - Stray Ashes
JEFF the Brotherhood - Hypnotic Knights (EP)
Jermaine Jackson - Don't Take It Personal (expanded edition)
Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight
Joey Ramone - Ya Know
John Mayer - Born And Raised
John Zorn - Templars: In Sacred Blood
Jon McLaughlin - Promising Promises
Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill
Kimbra - Vows
Knack - Havin a Rave Up: Live in Los Angeles 1978
Kris Allen - Thank You Camellia
Laid Back - Cosyland
Local H - Alive '05
Lou Reed - Rock and Roll Animal (reissue) (vinyl)
Lou Reed - Transformer (reissue) (vinyl)
MF Doom - Operation Doomsday (reissue) (vinyl)
Mdern Time Machines - Continuity Girl
MercyMe - Hurt & The Healer
Mike Bloomfield & Nick Graventes - Blues at the Fillmore 1968-1969
Mount Eerie - Clear Moon
Mutilation Rites - Empyrean
Oak Ridge Boys - Back Home Again
Obey The Brave - Ups and Downs
Patti Smith - Horses (reissue) (vinyl)
Paul Buchanan - Mid Air
Paul McCartney - Ram (remastered with bonus CD)
Pelican - Ataraxia / Taraxis (vinyl)
Rec Center - Tin Year
Riverboat Gamblers - The Wolf You Feed
Robert Francis - Strangers in the First Place
Royal Thunder - CVI
Sade - Bring Me Home - Live 2011
Saint Etienne - Words And Music By Saint Etienne
Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65
Sandy Denny - Like an Old Fashioned Waltz (2 CDs)
Sandy Denny - Rendezvous (2 CDs)
Sandy Denny - Sandy (2 CDs)
Scum Of The Earth - The Devil Made Me Do It 3
Shannon Stephens - Pull It Together
Shit Robot - Teenage Bass/Space Race (12")
Sister Sin - Now And Forever
Six Feet Under - Undead
Slash - Apocalyptic Love (vinyl preorder)
Smoke Fairies - Blood Speaks
Sonata Arctica - Stones Grow Her Name
Sonny Landreth - Elemental Journey
Soulsavers - The Light of the Dead See (vinyl)
Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet Light (vinyl)
Still Flyin' - On a Bedroom Wall
Tedeschi Trucks Band - Everybody's Talkin' (vinyl)
Teen Daze - All Of Us, Together
Terry Knight & the Pack - Terry Knight and The Pack/Reflections
TesseracT - Perspective
The Brothers Comatose - Respect The Van
The Bunny The Bear - The Stomach For It
The Cult - Choice of Weapon (vinyl)
The Enemy - Streets In The Sky
The Great Commission - Firework
The Hand to Man Band - You Are Always on Our Minds
The Last of Our Kind - A Diamond In The Rough
The Monochrome Set - Love Zombies
The Temper Trap - The Temper Trap
To Speak Of Wolves - Find Your Worth, Come Home (vinyl)
Tom Jones - The Spirit Room
Truth And Its Burden - Choices
Uncle Tupelo - March 16-20, 1992 (reissue) (vinyl)
Uncle Tupelo - No Depression (reissue) (vinyl)
Uncle Tupelo - Still Feel Gone (reissue) (vinyl)
Unsprung - Unsprung
Various Artists - Kitsuné America
Various Artists - Come Back In Black: Punk Rock Tribute To AC/DC
Various Artists - Puytumayo Presents: Bluegrass
Various Artists - Moonrise Kingdom (soundtrack)
Virals - Coming Up With the Sun (EP)
Vorkreist - Sigil Whore Christ
Wisdom In Chains - Class War/Die Young
Young Man - Vol. 1

Zulu Winter - Language

 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

this from relapse.com

Toxic Holocaust/Municipal Waste
 

MUNICIPAL WASTE and TOXIC HOLOCAUST, the two bands that brought Thrash back from the punk basements to the big stage, together on one record! Two tracks each, exclusive to this vinyl split and amazing cover art by Andrei Bouzikov

Pre-order HERE

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this from our friends at www.polyvinylrecords.com

Birthmark Antibodies CD/White LP+MP3 Out Now  

New full-length from Nate Kinsella (Make Believe, Joan of Arc).

On Birthmark's third full-length Antibodies, Nate Kinsella (Make Believe, Joan of Arc) beautifully blends organic instrumentation and deeply personal lyrics to create his most compelling album to date.

White vinyl is limited to 1000.

Order your vinyl copy HERE






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Feist Reissuing First Album On Vinyl

Feist has recently reissued her first album called, 'Monarch: Lay Your Jeweled Head Down,' in a limited vinyl edition.

"Found some Monarch on vinyl if you want it. =)," she tweeted, before linking back to her online store.

The ten-track repackaged version will be reissued on her own label, Feist Music.

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‘BAD 25′ To Include DVD

Press Release:

25th ANNIVERSARY OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S LANDMARK ALBUM BAD CELEBRATED WITH SEPTEMBER 18 RELEASE OF NEW BAD 25 PACKAGES MICHAEL’S PERSONAL VHS COPY OF HIS JULY 16, 1988 PERFORMANCE AT WEMBLEY STADIUM UNEARTHED FOR THE RELEASE NEWLY DISCOVERED OUTTAKES AND DEMOS FROM BAD ALBUM RECORDING SESSIONS TO BE RELEASED


New York, NY – Twenty-five years after the phrase “Who’s Bad” became a generation’s cultural catchphrase, Epic/Legacy Recordings, in collaboration with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will celebrate the legendary album and record breaking BAD tour on September 18, 2012 with the release of a deluxe package, BAD 25, which includes three CDs, two collectible booklets, and features the first ever authorized DVD release of a concert from the record breaking BAD tour.

“The era of BAD represented Michael’s creative ‘coming of age’ as a solo artist in charge of every aspect of his career – from recording to touring to endorsements to merchandising. This was the first album on which nearly all of the songs were written by Michael. It was also was the first album in history to produce five consecutive #1 singles and it took 2 ½ decades for another artist to match that success. It was also the first time Michael would tour as a solo artist - his vision, his decisions on what the show would be. The enormous success of the BAD album and tour was a pivotal moment in Michael’s growth as a composer, performer and producer cementing his role as the King of Pop. We are thrilled to celebrate such an historic era in Michael’s career with this release”, stated John Branca and John McClain, Co-Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson.

The BAD 25 anniversary deluxe edition will feature three CDs and 1 DVD as follows:

 • The highlight of the package is the DVD of Michael’s legendary July 16, 1988 concert at Wembley Stadium. The concert is not a compilation of performances, but rather one complete show, exactly as Michael performed it for Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the 72,000 fans who were in the audience for that night’s sold out show. This show was one of the record-breaking seven nights played at the venue attended by more than half a million people – three times that many people tried to purchase tickets. The DVD was sourced from Michael Jackson’s personal VHS copy of the performance as shown on the JumboTrons during the concert. This footage was only recently unearthed and is the only known copy of the show to exist. The visuals have been restored and the audio quality enhanced so that fans can share in the excitement of that famous night

 • A CD of the re-mastered original BAD album

 • A CD containing previously unreleased material recorded in Michael’s personal studio at Hayvenhurst. This material includes early demo versions of songs from the album as well as demos for songs not included on the final album. All of this material is being released as it was recorded during the BAD sessions. Nothing has been added. In addition, this CD will also include new remixes from internationally renowned DJ/producers

 • A CD showcasing the audio from the sound truck recordings of the July 16th Wembley performance. The first-ever live Michael Jackson CD to be released, this is the only concert from the BAD Tour known to exist on multitracks


This magnificent 3 CD/1 DVD box set will also include two extensive booklets with yet unseen photos from the recording sessions, video sets and the concert tour, the original BAD cover art, a two-sided poster and more. A BAD 25 two CD standard edition featuring the original album plus the CD of demos and new remixes will also be made available as will a stand alone edition of the DVD and a picture disc of the original album.

On June 5 in the U.S. (June 4th ex-U.S.), Epic / Legacy Recordings will re-release the original first single from the album “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” as a CD Single with a previously unreleased bonus track from the BAD sessions, “Don’t Be Messin’ ‘Round (demo).” This is a Wal-Mart exclusive CD single in the U.S. and will not be available digitally.

On June 26 a replica edition of the original 7″ vinyl of this single with the original B-side “Baby Be Mine” will be made available to the world. The first single for BAD, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” was originally released on 7″ vinyl in 1987. The 7″ single edit of the song has only been available on that original 7″ vinyl until now.


Recently, Pepsi announced an exclusive global partnership with the Estate of Michael Jackson as part of its new “Live for Now” campaign. Starting this month, Michael Jackson and Pepsi fans in more than 20 countries around the world will experience this partnership in a variety of ways, including a retail campaign featuring one billion special edition Michael Jackson Bad 25 Pepsi cans, live events, and opportunities for fans to access special edition merchandise and new music from BAD 25.

The BAD album was the third Michael Jackson album produced by Quincy Jones and was originally released on August 31, 1987. It was monumental in many ways; Michael wrote nine of the album’s eleven tracks and received co-producer credit for the entire album. The album was #1 around the world, made history with five consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard chart, produced ten chart-topping singles, nine ground breaking short films and to date, the Bad album has generated over 45 Million units in sales. BAD was nominated for six Grammys and won two; the album earned Michael the first-ever Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMA Awards. Songs on the original album are: “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Speed Demon,” “Liberian Girl,” “Just Good Friends” featuring Stevie Wonder, “Another Part of Me,” “Man in the Mirror,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Dirty Diana,” “Smooth Criminal,” with “Leave Me Alone” added to the album once released. The BAD World Tour was Michael’s first concert tour as a solo artist. The legendary tour included 123 concerts attended by more than 4.4 million fans over sixteen months. When it concluded, the tour had shattered all previous touring records for attendance and total gross revenue adding three new entries in the Guinness World Records for the largest grossing tour in history, the tour with the largest attended audience and the most sold out shows at Wembley Stadium.

More details on this and other exciting projects relating to BAD’s 25th anniversary will be announced soon.

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album cover art of the day:

Eyefear Reveals Album Cover Artwork

Australia's Eyefear have just revealed the cover artwork for the band's upcoming new album 'The Inception of Darkness.'





















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a couple of music stories caught my eye, hope they interest you as well:

Author David Chiu at Spinner.com has a fantastic read called "Donovan Q&A, on Dylan Rivalry, Helping Paul McCartney Write 'Yellow Submarine'"

Forty-seven years after the release of his first single, "Catch the Wind," Donovan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Coinciding with the honor was the release of a double-disc compilation of his music, The Essential Donovan, which covers the years 1965 to 1973, and contains four songs that had either not been issued in the U.S. or available in the U.S. in CD form.

Donovan, who turned 66 on May 10, says that he has been inspired him to perform live again, which he'll be doing this summer and in the fall. During a visit to New York, he spoke to Spinner about being inducted into the Rock Hall, the new anthology set, the early days with Bob Dylan, his friendship with the Beatles, and his involvement with the David Lynch Foundation, which promotes Transcendental Meditation.

Read the interview at spinner.com


Author Dale Kawashima has a "Special Interview with Craig Kallman, Chairman & CEO of Atlantic Records," well worth the read, check it out at songwriteruniverse.com

Robin Gibb Dies At Age 62

Robin Gibb died Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

"The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announced with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," says a statement. "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."



R.I.P Mr. Gibb......

Michael Fremer Album Review

Is the brightness back?

Gasoline Alley(reissue)

Rod Stewart

Mercury/Mobile Fidelity MOFI 1-016 "silver label series" LP

Produced by: Rod Stewart and Lou Reizner

Engineered by: N/A

Mixed by: N/A

Mastered by: Krieg Wunderlich

Mo-Fi Reissues Peak, Sentimental Rod

MUSIC

SOUND





by Michael Fremer
April 01, 2012

While still with The Jeff Beck Group, Rod Stewart signed as a solo artist with Lou Reizner, an American Mercury Records producer living in the UK at the time, who had his ear to the musical firmament.

An Old Raincoat Will Never Let You Down (VO4) on the now highly collectible Vertigo label was issued first in America in late 1969 as The Rod Stewart Album on Mercury, with lame "invitation" cover art similar to what The Rolling Stones were forced into on Beggar's Banquet. The UK version came winter of 1970 with far more eclectic and interesting cover art.

Perhaps the old guy on the cover and in the gatefold was felt to be a "turn-off" for the youth crowd, but the music wasn't, though it wasn't a big seller at the time.

Gasoline Alley, the second album produced by Stewart and Reizner was the one that really jump started Rod's solo career (the first album has more Rod originals and is also worthy of a reissue).

Again, it was felt that the original album art was not suitable for American kids, but it was so far superior and more evocative of the album title (you be the judge):

You can't feel the pebbled, textured cover, but trust me as a "thing" to have and hold it beats the American edition.

For some reason American Mercury dug showing Rod as snookered. He looks out of it on the back of the American version of Gasoline Alley and on the inside too. And check out his out of it look on his fourth Merc solo album Never a Dull Moment. The inside of the UK gatefold features a handsome shot of Rod reclining in some hot red slacks. Don't ask me why American Mercury chose to show Stewart as a drunk. Maybe Mercury was pushing a Dean Martin vibe for Rod?

Forgive the artwork digression: this album shows off both Stewart's prodigious and original singing talent, drawn from but not imitative of Sam Cooke, and Mr. Reizner's A&R talents. The song choices were superb for an album designed to be an intimate, folky showcase for the singer and the backup band, the core of which was The Small Faces without Steve Marriott (my favorite rock singer of all time with Paul Rodgers second) who had quit to form Humble Pie with Peter Frampton, plus from The Jeff Beck group, Ron Wood, who would later join up to form Faces fronted by Stewart and on some tracks the late drummer Mikey Waller.

So you could look at this as the Faces audition tape and what an audition! Reizner and Stewart went for a countrified rock sound, adding mandolin on the title track and violin on some others. The Stewart originals, "Gasoline Alley," "Lady Day," and "Jo's Lament" fit the scene as do the smartly chosen covers, including Bobby Womack's "It's All Over Now" best known to the rock audience from The Rolling Stones cover. Here it's delivered as a folksy, syncopated celebration more than as an F.U. song and so dilutes the message.

"Only a Hobo" was a cast off from Dylan's 1963 recordings for The Times They Are a-Changin' album (it was originally one of the Witmark demo songs that probably circulated among A&R guys like Reizner) and though Dylan later recorded it again, Stewart's version is definitive. His performance here alone makes this album worth owning.

The side ends with a cover of The Small Faces' Marriott-Lane composition "My Way of Giving" and while it doesn't hold a candle to Marriott's impassioned, high energy original, it has its own charms and with the back up of Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones joined by Wood, was really the first song released by Faces. What a side!

Side two opens with "Country Comfort,"  the John/Taupin song that probably inspired the album's musical concept. While it is enjoyable, the message it sends is: "don't cover Elton because he does it better."  "Cut Across Shorty" was the rocking "B" side of the Eddie Cochran #1 single in the UK "Three Steps to Heaven" and could have been suggested for inclusion on the album by either Stewart or Reizner or both since Cochran was a big star in the UK.

Stewart's "Lady Day" (not about Billie Holiday) presages the theme of "Maggie May" as do elements of "Jo's Lament." The two show Rod's soggy sentimental side to great effect.

The album ends with the only rocker, the oft-covered one chord riffer "You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Discuss It)" highlighted by Ron Wood's soft/slash rhythm guitar.

There's not a musical dud on the record and with that back up band so cleanly and elegantly arranged, there's more to hear and appreciate with each play as your ear digs into the backdrop nooks and crannies.

The musical intimacy and comraderie intended by the producers is amplified by the recorded sound. The miking is close and free of processing. It's an honest, you might say somewhat primitive "what you tape is what you get" recording that's appealing in today's overprocessed world, but it's also not without its problems.

For one thing, there's little in the way of a bottom end foundation. It will not rock your world sonically. You have to draw yourself into the picture because it's not coming looking for you. The drums and bass have a slightly cardboardy sound, but that's kind of the way Kenney Jones tunes his kit. However the same kit recorded by Glynn Johns on Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (the round tobacco tin album) is mind-blowingly well recorded and will knock you on your butt. That album has some of the deepest bass ever put in a rock record's grooves ( but only on an original UK Immediate pressing). But I digress again!

Most importantly, Rod's voice is intimate and in the room. You'll hear every rasp-inducing node on his vocal cords and that's a good thing. Mo-Fi's mastering from a non-original source (hence the silver edition) is very, very good with one exception: there are a few really smeary sibilents, particularly on "Only a Hobo." I don't hear them on the original. One is really bad. I can't track it on my turntable, which is "pretty good" so I don't expect yours will fare much better. Deal with it, though I suggest Mo-Fi consider a "de-esser" in the future for highly sibilent vocals.

Since there isn't a great deal of bottom end on the record, I find that mid-level listening produces the best sonic results. If you play it too loud it can sound thin. Too soft and the Fletcher-Munson curve robs it of any bottom (unless you have a "loudness" button). Mid-level sounds best.

Still, compared to the UK original, this reissue is a bit thin and lacking in warmth the original has. It's kind of a trade off: the original is more inviting and "of a whole" and this reissue provides more detail, greater instrumental and vocal separation (the background vocal on "Country Comfort" has never sounded so distinct and separated in space, for instance). Considering the original tape wasn't available, it's a very good mastering job overall (other than the difficult sibilents).

Mo-Fi went with the original American artwork that doesn't hold up to the UK Vertigo outside and particularly on the inside, which is incredibly ugly, though there are a few good studio shots.

While the guy soiled himself later to become a pop star with junk like "Hot Legs" and the rest, this album shows Rod Stewart at his most sincere.

Second irrelevant aside: co-producer Reizner was also responsible for a bizarre 1976 debacle called "All This and World War II" a grotesque film that combined stock WW III footage with songs by The Beatles interpreted by others including Elton John (with John Lennon using a pseudonym), The Bee Gees, Rod Stewart (not surprisingly), Jeff Lynne, The Four Seasons and Helen Reddy (!), Peter Gabriel Roy Wood and The London Symphony Orchestra (which did "The End"), among others.

So I got invited to the Boston premier and a group of us figured this would be great to see on acid. So we dropped and went. Well, on acid every molecule had meaning and brilliance. After all, when you're seeing the entire universe and God and hearing Beatles songs while watching things being blown up (including your mind), how could it not be the most meaningful film ever?

So the next day I told every movie and film critic in town that I knew, and I knew many, that they must go see it! So I went again and sat behind them, this time sober.

It took about about five minutes to realize what a big mistake I'd made. Ten minutes in they began turning around and asking me as if I was out of my mind. "That was last night!" I told them and we all got up and walked out, me really embarrassed, they really pissed!

Anyway, the Rod album is great and I promise I didn't listen or write this review on acid!

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

©2012 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - - All rights reserved

Reprinted by Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Donna Summer Dead at 63

Legendary disco diva Donna Summer has died.  In a statement, Summer's family praise the singer's religious faith.

"While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy," the statement reads. "Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."

Summer gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s, and released a number of albums that have reach gold or platinum status, including the multiplatinum "Bad Girls" and "On the Radio, Volume I & II."  Her #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits included "Hot Stuff" and "MacArthur Park."

Summer won five Grammy Awards and became a member of the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2004. She has been nominated for inclusion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.





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Exclusive Davy Jones 7 inch From Rhino

A Rhino.com exclusive, we've teamed Davy Jones' immortal solo single "Girl" (made famous worldwide by its inclusion in an unforgettable episode of "The Brady Bunch") with his 1971 Hot 100 hit "Rainy Jane" for a double-A side 7" single on green vinyl. Shipping late May, this collector's item is strictly limited to 1,000 copies and is not available in stores or from any other online retailer!

Buy it HERE

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Pink Floyd - London 1966 -1967 - white vinyl edition (white 180g vinyl)

The classic Syd Barrett-era Floyd at their most adventurous and exploratory, 'London 1966/1967' features two rare performances, including an explosive 17 minute version of 'Interstellar Overdrive', recorded at the legendary Sound Techniques studio in early 1967.

These first ever studio recordings from the classic 1960?s Pink Floyd line-up are now available on a limited edition 180 gram white vinyl version in a gatefold cover, with printed inner sleeve.

Buy your copy at the Burning Shed








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Sodom Announces "30 Years Sodomized - 1982-2012"

German thrash legends Sodom will celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. On July 17th a limited edition deluxe box set entitled "30 Years Sodomized - 1982-2012" will be released in North America. There will only be 300 copies made available and it features the following content:

 - 2 LPs Official Bootleg - The Witchunter Decade, colored vinyl
- 1 CD Official Bootleg - The Witchhunter Decade
- 2CD Thirty Years War best of compiled by Tom Angelripper
- 30th Anniversary poster
- Postcard
- Sticker
- 32 page book in LP format about the history of the band incl. unseen photos
- Size: 35 x 35 cm, hard cardboard material with top

In addition to the box set, the double gatefold LP "Official Bootleg - The Witchhunter Decade" (incl. printed inner sleeves and colored vinyl) will also be released on July 17th in a limited edition of 250 copies in North America to commemorate the death of cult drummer Chris Witchunter, who died four years ago.

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ANIMAL COLLECTIVE ANNOUNCE NEW 7INCH HONEYCOMB / GOTHAM

Animal Collective are back with a new 7inch single titled 'Honeycomb / Gotham' featuring two brand new songs. The 'Honeycomb / Gotham' digital bundle is available NOW and the physical 7inch is available to pre-order now on the Domino Store with instant MP3 gratification of both tracks.

Pre-order the single  HERE.

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interesting article out of the uk:

Bristol Business Profile: eBay in a spin with Jamesboy Records


 Jamie Reid-Sinclair’s home firm Jamesboy Records sells rare and collectible vinyl records online. Here he shares tips on surviving as an eBay trader

By Mick Dickinson

Jamie Reid-Sinclair’s home-based Bristol business, Jamesboy Records, sells rare and collectible vinyl records on eBay. Starting in 2005, Jamie has carved out a great reputation in a busy niche – ‘High Fidelity’ anyone? Here he shares some tips and advice on how to survive as an eBay trader.

Read the interview at bristol247.com

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 12, 2012

DEAR JERRY: I just realized an interesting connection between my two favorites, Norah Jones and Adele. Other than their wonderful jazzy-bluesy throwback approach to music, that is.

They each had one big year of domination at the Grammys, and both have incredibly successful albums to their credit; in particular Norah's "Come Fly with Me," and Adele's "21."

We know Adele is far and away the hottest thing of the current decade, but could that also be said about Norah Jones in the 2000s?
—Bonnie Mills, Seattle

DEAR BONNIE: Yes it could, and should, be said. So let's say it together.

Norah's sensational night came at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards (February 2003), honoring music issued in 2002. By the time they brought down the curtain, Jones owned Grammys in five key categories:

1. Best New Artist
2. Record of the Year: "Don't Know Why"
3. Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Don't Know Why"
4. Album of the Year: "Come Away with Me"
5. Best Pop Vocal Album: "Come Away with Me"

In the next few years, Norah ran her Grammy total to nine, with four more wins:

6. Record of the Year (for 2004): "Here We Go Again" (duet with Ray Charles)

For some industry observers, choosing "Here We Go Again" for Record of the Year was mind-boggling, strictly because, as a single release it didn't even make the nation's top 100 list.

Yes, it is the most-played track on the hugely successful "Genius Loves Company" album, but the Record of the Year is, with only one other exception, traditionally among a year's most popular singles. U2's "Walk On" (2001) is the other non-hit Record of the Year.

7. Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (for 2004): "Here We Go Again" (duet with Ray Charles)
Now this is a more appropriate category, where sales of a single are inconsequential.

8. Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for 2004): "Sunrise"
9. Album of the Year (for 2007): "River - The Joni Letters"

This jazz collection is actually Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell. Norah may sing only the lead track, "Court and Spark," but still shares in the Grammy gold.

Did you know "River - The Joni Letters" is one of only two jazz recordings to win Album of the Year?

This first happened 47 years earlier, with the sensational "Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto (Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim)." Highlighting this superb collection is "The Girl from Ipanema," itself a Grammy winner as Record of the Year for 1964.

Geethali Norah Jones Shankar was born March 30, 1979, the daughter of classical sitarist Ravi Shankar and Susan Jones, a concert producer with whom shared a home at the time.

When she turned 16, Geethali legally reduced her name to the more user-friendly Norah Jones.



IZ ZAT SO? The all-time No. 1 album by a female is Shania Twain's "Come On Over" (1997), now with worldwide sales in excess of 40 million units.

"Come On Over" is also the top-selling album by any Canadian artist, as well as any so-called country music album, regardless of the performer's gender.

Thanks to some technical wizardry, all but one of its 16 songs came out not only with the original country sound, but remixed to appeal to "pop and international" buyers.

The only track that remained the same on the international version is "Rock This Country."

Other edits, remixes, and even bonus tunes were added to some repackaged discs, motivating Twain's fans to buy several editions of this blockbuster.

Oh yes, Shania co-wrote, with her producer, Robert John Lange, all of the "Come On Over" music.

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission