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DEAR JERRY:I bought a box of records at a tag sale, and discovered a gem I'd never heard before, by a girl group I know nothing about.
It is “Walking in Sunshine,” by Katrina and the Waves. Was their name inspired by Hurricane Katrina?
When did it come out, and was it a hit? —Keith Hopkins, Indio, Calif.
DEAR KEITH: I'm guessing you were not looking at the label as you typed, as the title you give is one preposition off course. It is “Walking on Sunshine” (Capitol 5466).
This tune is the first hit, as well as the biggest, for Katrina Leskanich and her male trio of Waves: Alex Cooper; Vince de la Cruz; and Kimberley Rew. All hail from England.
“Walking on Sunshine” made the Top 10 in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
This breakthrough smash for Katrina and the Waves, along with their Top 40 follow-up, “Do You Want Crying” (Capitol 5450), came along in 1985, exactly 20 years before Hurricane Katrina began wreaking havoc on the Gulf Coast states.
DEAR JERRY:I have a Whirlpool dish washer, and when I load it a line from a 1950s song runs through my mind. The part that haunts me is “I'm in a whirlpool of love, goin' down, down, down.”
I think it might be one of Brenda Lee's records, but no one I ask knows of her, or anyone else for that matter, singing this particular song.
I am aware that Wanda Jackson made a record of “Whirlpool,” but it is a completely different song. —Wilma Gaston, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
DEAR WILMA: Leave it to those darn kitchen appliances to provoke mysterious memories.
The thrush whirling your neurons is Teresa Brewer, not Brenda Lee. Tessie's cute tune is simply “Whirlpool” (Coral 61948), a January 1958 single.
Despite being one of the highest-rated new releases at the time — earning an 80 on Billboard's scale of 100 points — “Whirlpool” failed to make any of the national charts.
DEAR JERRY:I remember when you listed all the No. 1 instrumentals, beginning in 1955.
That reminded of when I lived in southeastern Ohio, circa-1954, and an instrumental played quite often. The title is something like “Skokean,” and I hope you can tell me more about it. —Rosemary Mountain, York, Pa.
DEAR ROSEMARY: You spelled it like it is pronounced, but the correct title is “Skokiaan.”
It originated as an instrumental by the African Dance Band of the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia. Issued in Rhodesia in 1947 (Gallotone/Jive GB-1152), “Skokiaan (Tsaba Tsaba Dance)” didn't become an international sensation for another seven years.
That's when the original Rhodesian label reissued “Skokiaan (Tsaba Tsaba Dance)” in the UK, this time credited to the slightly less wordy Bulawayo Sweet Rhythm Band (Gallotone GE-1152), and no “Jive” on the label.
In mid-1954, London Records issued the Gallotone recording in the U.S. (London 1491), sans the sub-title and with Sweet “Rhythms” (plural) Band.
Along with the African original, five cover versions became quite popular in North America in 1954, including two vocals (lyrics written by Tom Glazer):
Ralph Marterie and His Orchestra (Mercury 70432)
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Capitol 2896)
Perez “Prez” Prado and His Orchestra (RCA Victor 5839)
Four Lads with Neal Hefti and Orchestra (Columbia 40306)
Louis Armstrong with Orchestra Directed by Sy Oliver (Decca 29256)
The Four Lads waxing is a vocal, as is the B-side of Louis Armstrong's record. Louie's A-side is an instrumental. The Columbia and Decca labels both show the full title “Skokiaan (South African Song).”
One or more of these would be what you heard so often in '54.
Skokiaan is an African homemade alcoholic brew, reminiscent of Kentucky moonshine.
IZ ZAT SO? Over 150 “Skokiaan” recordings now exist, though the only post-1954 hit is the 1959 single by Bill Haley and His Comets, also titled “Skokiaan (South African Song)” (Decca 31030).
Somewhat surprising is that singer Bill Haley's rendition is an instrumental.
If it's a great vocal you're wanting, I recommend Paul Anka's. You'll find it on his 1963 concept album, “Our Man Around the World” (RCA Victor 2614).
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
a thank you to all you noticed that I published last year's Record Store Day list, an obvious error on my part, I am so embarrassed. That said, there are some lists out there, and I would trust this source over at our friends at vinylcollective.com Please stop by there and check out what is posted and I again apologize for the error. Also check out the list I posted earlier from KA-CHUNK!! Records or the list HERE (too much morphine for me....)
and on to today's post:
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from our friends at VinylRecordTalk
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 03/10/2012
Oh god! Almost five years now keeping this list and this is the first time anything like this has happened. Four classical records, and one Vogue Picture Record - the only cool thing on this week's list. I meanhow the hell am I going to get through this on the show?
1. LP - Georges Enesco Bach Sonatas Continental - $6,399.99
2. LP - Johanna Martzy "Bach: The unaccompanied Violin Sonatas" Columbia Box set UK - $5,445.00
3. 78 - Jack Heller "Rum And Coca Cola" / Glenn Miller "A Little Street In Singapore" Vogue Picture Record Prototype - $4,500.00
Vinyl Record Talk is Live on Radio Dentata on Tuesdays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT at www.radiodentata.com
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SMASH PALACE RETURNS WITH DO IT AGAIN BAND’S EIGHTH CD OUT ON ZIP RECORDS ON APRIL 24, 2012
“Living It Lonely” First Single Album Release Show Announced
“Smash Palace, a powerpop/rock band with a 28-year pedigree still has the spirit and exuberance necessary for this tough-to-pull-off style.” – USA Today
With their eighth CD, “Do It Again,” Smash Palace delivers the perfect soundtrack for the Spring and Summer of 2012. The ten rock n roll tracks represent the signature Butler brothers' sound – 60’s jangle rock, 70’s rock swagger, 80’s power pop and 90’s Brit rock – but rolled into a contemporary 2012 style of its own. Imagine that you are listening to ten of your favorite songs even though you haven’t heard any of them before! Welcome to “Do It Again.”
Stephen and Brian Butler were first discovered by Hilly Kristal at NYC’s original punk club, CBGB’s. Later, as “Quincy,” they were signed to Columbia Records, and then were reborn as Smash Palace and moved to Epic Records.
“Do It Again” will be Smash Palace’s fourth release for Zip Records, and will be released on April 24, 2012. After playing a show at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, label head Art Herman rediscovered the band and immediately signed Smash Palace to his San Francisco-based indie label.
“…a swath of British invasion verve, an effortless blend moving with a catchy rock swagger that’s infectiousness enough to require Cipro.” – Philadelphia Weekly
“The lion’s share of the credit goes to the Butler brothers’ razor sharp songwriting skills, particularly their ability to meld soaring pop melodies to clever lyrics. – Amplifier Magazine
Smash Palace will play an album-release show on Sunday, April 22nd at The Ritz Theater, as well as several other east-coast area shows
NEW YORK, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records – Ever-evolving and perpetually defying convention, Gossip is back with their fifth studio album, A Joyful Noise, set to be released on May 22. A Joyful Noise was produced by pop genius Brian Higgins (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Girls Aloud). The album's first single, Perfect World, will be released as a digital single today, March 13th (see full track listing below).
A blend of soul, gospel, rock, funk, disco, punk, passion and rebellion, Gossip is comprised of vocalist Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan Howdeshell, and drummer Hannah Blilie. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington in 1999, Gossip first garnered attention in the UK with the release of their 2006 breakthrough album Standing In the Way of Control, and they have been in the spotlight ever since. Their most recent album, 2009's Music For Men, sold over 1 million copies globally and was raved about on both sides of the Atlantic, with Clash declaring it "the most euphoric thing you'll hear this year." Gossip's front woman, the irresistibly bold and challenging Beth Ditto, whose new makeup collaboration with MAC Cosmetics will launch this summer, makes it impossible to not fall for the band. Best captured by Billboard, Ditto "employs all of her hard-edged sexiness and manages to charm with an appealingly intimidating allure," instantly reeling you in.
Recorded in both Xenomania, Higgins' studio in England, and KBC Studios in Portland, Oregon, A Joyful Noise stays true to Gossip's trademark brash and unapologetic nature – that is, as true as possible for a band that is constantly reinventing itself and pushing boundaries. Working with Higgins, Gossip sought to create their own brand of pop. Ditto proclaimed, "I spent the whole year listening to ABBA and not listening to the radio," accounting for the pulsing energy of A Joyful Noise. The album's infectious tracks will certainly be welcomed by fans who are already entranced by Gossip's insanely danceable beats, and will no doubt lure in many more.
Since their previous studio effort, Gossip have toured extensively, covering the major music festival circuits, making appearances at Coachella in the US, Rock am Ring in Germany, and Glastonbury in the UK. Their live shows are touted as one of the best around, with NME dubbing them "The greatest punk rock'n'roll disco soul band on the planet" and insisting "Everyone needs to hear this band and dance like there's no tomorrow." Gossip's performance at SxSW 2012* in Austin, TX will be live-streamed this week on Thursday, March 15th, and the band will kick off a Summer European tour shortly after the release of A Joyful Noise.
The full track listing for A Joyful Noise is as follows: 1.Melody Emergency 2.Perfect World 3.Get A Job 4.Move In The Right Direction 5.Casualties of War 6.Into The Wild 7.Get Lost 8.Involved 9.Horns 10.I Won't Play 11.Love In A Foreign Place
*Gossip will be playing at the "Live From The Lot" event, hosted by Google Music and YouTube, on Thursday, March 15 at Red River Garage and at the Chop Shop Records Showcase later that same night at Maggie Mae's Rooftop. Their "Live From The Lot performance" will be streamed live starting at 6:30PM from http://www.youtube.com/presents.
Tomahawks for Targets - Invasion on a Budget (180 gm limited edition vinyl album with free download)
180 gm limited vinyl edition of Tomahawks For Targets debut album, including free download code (FLAC, MP3 etc).
Drawing inspiration from 1980s King Crimson, XTC, Field Music, Everything, Everything and Foals, Tomahawks For Targets offer a lively fusion of the accessible and the experimental, the classic and the contemporary, the familiar and the strange.
"Fresh melodies and harmonies to burn." - The Crack Magazine "XTC for the digital age." - Dubber.com
Preorder now for 19th March 2012 release
Airbag - All Rights Removed (Double LP preorder)
Airbag returns with its second, highly anticipated, album.
A bigger and bolder variation on the Atmospheric Art Rock of the acclaimed Identity, All Rights Removed once more creatively straddles the middle ground between the Progressive inclinations of Porcupine Tree and Pink Floyd, and the Epic Pop of Talk Talk.
Double 180gm vinyl edition in gatefold artwork featuring an analogue mix.
Krzysztof Penderecki + Jonny GreenwoodThrenody for the Victims of Hiroshima / Popcorn Superhet Receiver / Polymorphia / 48 Responses to Polymorphia
Works by Krzysztof Penderecki—"Poland's godfather of the musical avant-garde" (Independent)—are paired with the works they inspired by composer/guitarist Jonny Greenwood: Penderecki's Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima and Polymorphia (for 48 strings), which inspired Greenwood's Popcorn Superhet Receiver and 48 Responses to Polymorphia, respectively. "The results are ear-tingling," says NPR. "What we hear on this album is a meeting of two artistic visionaries connected in a real dialogue."
On Leaving Eden, the Carolina Chocolate Drops follow their Grammy-winning album Genuine Negro Jig with a record of original compositions, covers, and traditional songs produced by Buddy Miller (Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Patty Griffin, Solomon Burke). They “may take their cues from 1920s string- and jug-band music," says USA Today, "but they're simply a great band.” The Observer calls them "the most electrifying acoustic act around." Rolling Stone gives the album four stars. The CD is out now; the vinyl follows on March 20.
Seatlle’s THE PHARMACY have spent the majority of the last decade touring the US and Europe relentlessly on their infectious brand of pop garage. In between tours they’ve released a slew of singles and three critically acclaimed LPs, cementing them as the current purveyors of the pop garage genre. Frontman SCOTT YODER concocts epic pop gems that aren’t obscured by mountains of fuzz or cliched lyrics—all while staying true to their lo-fi perspective on sound. Four songs in all.
Tank Reveals New Album Release Date, Tracklisting And Artwork
British heavy metal veterans Tank have recently revealed their cover artwork and tracklist for their new studio album called 'War Nation.' The effort is slated for a June 4th release date in Europe and June, 5th in USA via MVD. Speaking about the artwork, guitarist Cliff Evans stated:
"The painting was done by infamous London graffiti artist 'Jay Bryce' exclusively for Tank. We've always admired his work and it's an honour to be the first band to feature his artwork on an album cover."
Tracklist: 1. War Nation 2. Song For The Dead 3. Justice For All 4. Don't Dream In The Dark 5. Grace Of God 6. Wings Of Heaven 7. Hammer And Nails 8. One Good Reason 9. State Of The Union 10. W.M.L.A.
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ENGEL: 'Blood Of Saints' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
Gothenburg, Sweden-based metallers ENGEL will release their third album, "Blood Of Saints", on May 18 via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aabyhøj, Denmark. According to the group, the new album "is going to be a good mixture between both [previous ENGEL efforts] 'Threnody' [2010] and 'Absolute Design' [2007], but with some new angles as well! If you liked 'Threnody', you will LOVE 'Blood Of Saints'!"
Read more and get the tracklist at our friends at Blabbermouth
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as a lover of album cover art, this one is very engaging (as are the comments from the band):
Revelation's Hammer Reveals New Album Artwork
Revelation's Hammer have revealed the artwork for the group's new album. The band commented on the art:
"Hails! It's finally time to reveal the artwork of our coming album in full details.
"It turned out to become a really amazing collection of different paintings put together by Portuguese mastermind Ricardo Fernandes. It reflects the chaos in R.H. and gives a indication upon our symbolic values. You could say that the artwork is like a mirror of the world.
"Do you see the truth upon Earth?"
ummm yeah.....
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Cradle Of Filth Unveils Album Cover Artwork
Cradle of Filth unveiled the album art for the band's orchestral album 'Midnight in the Labyrinth' which reinvents tracks from the band's first four albums. The reworks add choirs, strings and narration by frontman Dani "Filth" Davey. The release is scheduled for April 21, 2012 in participating countries as a limited 2CD edition. Guest vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva will provide additional vocals the first CD. The album promises to be a full-on horror film soundtrack in the vein of Danny Elfman, Christopher Young or Jerry Goldsmith.
The release will consist of ten songs spanning 78 minutes (including the addition of a thirteen minute exclusive aural séance on CD1), and will include reworks of songs such as "Funeral In Carpathia," "The Twisted Nails Of Faith" and "Summer Dying Fast," which appeared as a teaser on the 2011 mini-album "Evermore Darkly"
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The Beatles' Music To Be Released on TouchTunes Interactive Networks
The Legendary Band's First Appearance on Digital Jukeboxes Across North America Debuts April 1, 2012
LAS VEGAS and NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Corps Ltd., EMI Music, and TouchTunes Interactive Networks, the largest out-of-home entertainment network in North America, announced today that the music of The Beatles, the most iconic band of all time, will now be featured across their network of over 50,000 digital jukeboxes. Starting April 1, 2012, TouchTunes will add The Beatles' 13 legendary studio albums to its catalog.
"It is a privilege to partner with EMI and Apple Corps Ltd. to make available the sound recordings of the most celebrated band of all time," said Charles Goldstuck, CEO of TouchTunes Interactive Networks.
"The important addition of The Beatles to our network represents a milestone, not only for our company, but for our industry."
"We are very pleased to make this iconic catalog available on TouchTunes," said Roger Faxon, CEO of EMI Group. "TouchTunes has been a great partner of ours, and their network offers a unique listening experience for fans to enjoy the incredible music of The Beatles together."
In addition to the studio albums, TouchTunes will also make available The Beatles' two-volume 'Past Masters' compilation, the classic 'Red' and 'Blue' collections, the '1' hits collection, and the 'LOVE' album.
SOURCE TouchTunes Interactive Networks
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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 3/05 - 3/11, 2012
Vinyl Top 25:
1. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
2. Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
3. Todd Snider - Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables
4. The Black Keys - El Camino
5. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
6. Paperhead - Pictures Of Her Demise 7"
7. Pink Floyd - The Wall
8. The Men - Open Your Heart
9. The Kills - The Last Goodbye 10"
10. Jack White - Love Interruption 7"
11. Dirtbombs / Fucked Up - Bruise Cruise 7"
12. Adele - 21
13. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
14. The Doors - L.A. Woman: The Workshop Sessions
15. Magnetic Fields - Love At The Bottom Of The Sea
16. Tom Jones - Evil 7"
17. Kurt Wagner & The Altered Statesman - Something Missing 12"
18. Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror
19. Bowerbirds - Clearing
20. Good Old War - Come Back As Rain
21. fun. - Aim & Ignite
22. Miniature Tigers - Mia Pharaoh
23. Ceremony - Zoo
24. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
25. The Beatles - Abbey Road
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and in music history for march 14th:
In 1955, CBS talent scout Arthur Godfrey turned down the chance to sign Elvis Presley. Instead, at the same audition, he signed Pat Boone. oops.....
Also in 1955, on his Washington, DC television show, "Town and Country Time," Jimmy Dean interviewed Elvis Presley. A nervous Presley responded to almost every question with "yep" and "nope."
In 1956, the movie "Rock Around the Clock," starring Bill Haley and His Comets, Alan Freed, the Platters, and Freddie Bell, had its world premiere in Washington, DC.
In 1958, Mick Jagger was in the audience to see Buddy Holly and the Crickets perform at the Granada Theatre in Woolwich, England.
Also in 1958.., the first Gold Record was awarded to Perry Como for his single, "Catch A Falling Star." After Como's million-seller, the next three certified were "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" by
Laurie London, "Patricia," an instrumental by Perez Prado, and "Hard Headed Woman" by Elvis Presley. The first Gold Album certification went to the soundtrack of the motion picture, "Oklahoma!," starring Gordon MacRae.
In 1959, Elvis Presley's "For LP Fans Only" entered the charts as the first album ever issued without the artist's name anywhere on the cover, front or back.
In 1962, Bruce Channel started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Hey! Baby," it made #2 on the UK chart.
In 1963, Cliff Richard And The Shadows were at the top of the UK singles chart with "Summer Holiday," their seventh UK #1 record.
In 1964, Billboard Magazine reports that Beatle records have claimed 60-percent of the US singles market and that the album 'Meet the Beatles' had reached a record 3.5 million copies sold.
Also in 1964, for the first time in British recording history, all Top Ten UK singles were by British acts: "Anyone Who Had A Heart" by Cilla Black, followed by "Bits and Pieces," Dave Clark Five; "Little Children," Billy J Kramer; "Diane," Bachelors; "Not Fade Away," Rolling Stones; "Just One Look," Hollies; "Needles and Pins," Searchers; "I Think Of You," Merseybeats; "Boys Cry," Eden Kane; and "Let Me Go Lover" Kathy Kirby.
In 1965, Petula Clark made her American TV debut on CBS's "The Ed Sullivan Show," singing "Downtown" and "I Know A Place."
In 1968, the promotional film for the Beatles’ “Lady Madonna” was broadcast in black and white on BBC’s Top Of The Pops. The film was shot while the group was recording the track “Hey Bulldog” in Studio 2, EMI Studios.
In 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded a live concert for 'Fan Club', the Dutch TV show in Amsterdam, Holland.
In 1970, singer Mary Ann Ganser of the Shangri-Las died of encephalitis at the age of 22. Some sources claim her cause of death was barbiturate overdose.
In 1972, Carole King's 'Tapestry' LP was named Album Of The Year at the 14th Grammy Awards. The disc had been 1971's best selling record.
In 1972, soul singer Linda Jones, who had a 1967 US #21 single with “Hypnotized,” died at the age of 26 in New York after collapsing into a diabetic coma following a performance at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre.
In 1973, Elton John was at #1 on the US singles chart with "Crocodile Rock."
In 1982, in Anaheim, California, Metallica made their live performance debut at Radio City.
In 1983, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Alec John Such formed Bon Jovi. Their fourth album, New Jersey, released in 1988, is notable for producing five Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 singles, the most top ten hits to date from a hard rock album.
In 1984, Rainbow played their last ever gig as a band when they performed in Japan.
In 1987, Huey Lewis And The News scored their third number one record in the US with a Bruce Hornsby composition, "Jacob's Ladder", one of six singles released from the album "Fore."
In 1991, songwriter Doc Pomus died of lung cancer at the age of 65.. He co-wrote with Mort Shuman many early ’60s hits, including “A Teenager in Love,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Sweets for My Sweet,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” “Little Sister,” “Suspicion,” “Surrender” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
In 1992, about 40,000 people attended "Farm Aid V" at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Performers included Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lorrie Morgan, Ricky Van Shelton, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp.
In 2001, the artist Sir Peter Blake, designer of the album cover for the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' sued the group's record company for more money, arguing that the one-time payment of £200 that he had received for his work, with no subsequent royalties, was insufficient.
In 2005, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a ceremony at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel that saw Bruce Springsteen ushering in U2 and Rod Stewart inducting Soul singer Percy Sledge. Neil Young welcomed the Pretenders into the Hall, while Justin Timberlake introduced The O'Jays.
In 2006, U2 topped Rolling Stone’s annual list of 2005’s biggest money earners with $154.2 million. The top five were rounded out by The Rolling Stones ($92.5 million), The Eagles ($ 63.2 million), Paul McCartney ($56 million) and Elton John ($48.9 million).
In 2011, while reminiscing about his experiences of going to a record store and buying vinyl discs, singer Jon Bon Jovi criticized the co-founder of Apple for introducing iTunes, saying "Steve Jobs is personally responsible for killing the music business."
Also in 2011, singer Ronnie Hammond, former lead vocalist of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, died following a heart attack at age 60.
birthdays today include (among others): Quincy Jones (1933), James O’Rourke - John Fred & His Playboy Band (1945), Jim Pons - Turtles (1946) and Taylor Hanson - Hanson (1983)
DEAR KEITH: I'm guessing you were not looking at the label as you typed, as the title you give is one preposition off course. It is “Walking on Sunshine” (Capitol 5466).
