Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 11, 2012



DEAR JERRY: Just for fun, I did an online search for "The You Know Who Group," of which I was a member. That's how I found one of your columns about them.

It seems that no one, including Bob Gallo, our producer that you interviewed, knows who was in our group. Well, I definitely can tell you who was You Know Who.

If you have our album, or the image of the masked foursome from the front cover, grab it. Here's the lineup moving from left to right:

Yours truly (John Piemonte) is on the far left, and I played bass guitar. Second is Vinny Pollimini (not sure about the spelling), our lead guitarist. Third is Robert "Bobby" Esposito, drummer and our only singer. Last is rhythm guitarist Frank d'Avino.

We may have sounded British, but were really just four Italians from Brooklyn. Two of us grew up right down the block from Bob Gallo.

As for the costumes we're wearing on the cover, Frank d'Avino's mother, an experienced seamstress, made those capes and masks for us.

Much of the music was written and arranged by Bob Gallo, an accomplished musician and A/R man.

I even wrote one song but, silly as this sounds, I don't recall its title.

I think Frank is still in Brooklyn but have no idea where Bob and Vinny are. I am now 70 and living in Florida.

Hope this information helps!
—John Piemonte, Clearwater, Fla.




DEAR JOHN: It more than helps. For those immersed in the music world as much as I, this is front page news. I can see the headline now: YOU KNOW WHO GROUP FINALLY UNMASKED!

Your information perfectly matches what Bob Gallo told us last summer, even if he remembered only your vocalist.

Here is an excerpt of that interview:

"From their home base in Brooklyn, they came to my Manhattan studio, Talent Masters, wanting to record two original songs: "Roses Are Red My Love" and "Playboy." Both were written by Robert Esposito, their leader and also their lead singer.

"Other than Esposito, I don't recall the names of any of the other "Boys with That Great New English Sound."

As part of my reply to Gallo, knowing I had exhausted all known sources, I reluctantly admitted: "Unless we hear from Robert Esposito, or another member of the You Know Who Group, it is very unlikely we'll ever learn the names behind the other three masks."

Now my wish is granted, as you suddenly appear and clear up a 48-year-old musical mystery.

Thank you, John!



DEAR JERRY: A friend who knows I like Jo Stafford sent me a photocopy of a song folio, titled "Home & Hill Country Ballads (20 New Songs, Complete with Words & Music: Guitar, Ukulele, and Banjo Chords)."

When I saw it, I almost fell over backwards. Pictured on the front cover are the Stafford Sisters, with the caption: "Featured Trio on the Saturday Night Shindig." Neither Jo nor the other two are individually identified.

I have never heard of this trio. Were they really sisters? Did they ever record as the Stafford Sisters? When did Jo's solo career begin?
—Patrick Farrell, Milwaukee




DEAR PATRICK: First your friend, then you, set in motion one of the most important musical discoveries since … well … since we learned the names of the You Know Who Group.

Yes, at just 18, Jo teamed with her sisters Pauline and Christine. Right out of high school, the Stafford Sisters found work singing on KNX radio in Los Angeles.

The following year, 1937, they teamed with the No. 1 western music group, the Sons of the Pioneers, and announcer, Harry Hall, for a pilot performance on KHJ, and the American Broadcast System.

Specifically for this 15-minute program, titled "The Open Spaces," the Stafford Sisters were billed as the Daughters of the Pioneers.

The girls fit beautifully into the show, providing harmony and backing vocals for the Sons of the Pioneers on four of their tunes, "Tumbling Tumblweeds"; "Cool Water" (featuring Roy Rogers); "Chant of the Plains (I Need You)"; and "Blue Prairie."

They even get a song by themselves, "Ridin' Down the Canyon," prominently featuring Jo on lead.

At no time are they mentioned by name, only as the Daughters of the Pioneers.

Jo Stafford's first solo single, "Old Acquaintance" backed with "How Sweet You Are" (Capitol 142), came out over six years later, in December 1943.

Finally, thank you for sending the lovely greeting and postcards of your art.



IZ ZAT SO? Fortunately, someone in the booth at KHJ in 1937 preserved on a transcription disc the debut "Open Spaces" broadcast, especially vital because it was not picked up by the network, and there were no future episodes.

As there are also no known records by the Stafford Sisters, this historic recording must be the earliest example of Jo Stafford's singing.



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


Frank Zappa Reissues Coming Soon

Universal Music Enterprise and the Zappa Family Trust have partnered up to reissue the back catalog of Frank Zappa. To celebrate this, the estate has signed a global license and distribution deal with UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES to release 60 of the iconic composer’s recordings. The roll-out kicks off July 31 with 12 recordings, with another dozen recordings to be released monthly through the end of 2012.

“The ink is not yet dry on The Zappa Family Trust's worldwide deal with Universal Music Enterprises,” says Gail Zappa. “They made us the offer we couldn't refuse—for all the right reasons. It is a win-win for all of us, but mostly for Frank Zappa. Long may his baton wave. We are so ready to go.”

“The artist and composer, Frank Zappa, is one of the most important and influential artists in music history with his prolific body of work, including his breakthrough rock ‘n roll concept albums. We are honored that Gail Zappa and the Zappa Family Trust have entrusted us with his legacy. We intend to honor him and bring high quality releases, digital and physical, for his new and longtime fans,” said Bruce Resnikoff, President/CEO, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).

The first 12:

•Freak Out! (1966)
•Absolutely Free (1967)
•Lumpy Gravy (1968)
•We’re Only In It For The Money (1968)
•Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1968)
•Uncle Meat (1969)
•Hot Rats (1969)
•Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
•Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
•Chunga’s Revenge (1970)
•Fillmore East, June 1971 (1971)
•Just Another Band From L.A. (1972)

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did an interview with Mighty John Marshall several years ago, quite an engaging gentleman and very friendly, he knows his records!!  check out his new and improved site at MoneyMusic.com  a great new feature is Record of the Day i love it!


Mighty John’s Top 10 Records Worth $1000

10. The Supremes: Meet The Supremes
•Mighty John tells us Motown is very collectable, and if you find The Supremes’ first album, Meet The Supremes, it can very easily be worth $1,000.

9. Jimi Hendrix: Axis: Bold As Love
 •If you find the mono copy of this album, it can be worth around $2,000.

8. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Michelle
•The very first 45 these Southern rockers put out was called “Michelle” and just the 45 without the picture sleeve currently goes up to $2,000.

7. The Beatles: Can’t Buy Me Love
 •You do need the picture sleeve for this one. The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” goes up to $2,500.

6. The Byrds: Times They Are A Changin
 •Look for The Byrds’ 45 Times They Are A Changin’ with the picture sleeve that could score you up to $2,500.

5. Bruce Springsteen: Spirit In The Night
 •The Boss’ first 45 on Columbia Records titled “Spirit In The Night” goes for a whopping $5,000.

4. The Caine Mutiny soundtrack
 •Soundtracks are also prized finds, and if you have the RCA soundtrack from Humphrey Bogart’s 1954 WWII film The Caine Mutiny, it could be worth up to $10,000!

3. Elvis Presley: Elvis’ Christmas Album
 •The King’s very first of two Christmas albums released in 1957 features a specialty red vinyl record and can be worth up to $18,000.

2. The Rolling Stones: Street Fighting Man
 •The 45 with the picture sleeve for The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” can be worth up to $18,000.

1. Bob Dylan: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
•If you have a copy of Bob Dylan’s 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, take a look at the tracks and see if yours has the song “Talkin John Birch Society Blues” then that record could be worth up to $20,000.

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lovely album cover art!

ICARUS WITCH To Release 'Rise' In July


On July 3, Cleopatra Records will release the fifth studio record from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based melodic metallers ICARUS WITCH. "Rise" is an epic twelve-track display of songwriting and musicianship from one of the most-watched heavy music bands of the decade. From the driving, anthemic "(We Are) The New Revolution" to the equally commanding title track, "Rise", ICARUS WITCH demonstrates impeccable harmonies, head-spinning dual guitar work, and hammering rhythm. Lyrically, the band is digging deep into themes of control (loss of, and taking it back), empowerment (within and without), and faith (and keeping it). The CD was produced by Dave Watson (MANTIC RITUAL, ARGUS) and mastered by Mark Richardson (BARONESS, THE BLACK KEYS).

Read the rest at Blabbermouth









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Pat Metheny's "Unity Band" Out Now

All About Jazz says Unity Band is "unequivocally one of Metheny's finest—an album that's sure to find its way to 'best of' lists for 2012."

For the first time since his 1980 release 80/81, guitarist Pat Metheny has recorded with a band that features tenor saxophone. Unity Band, due from Nonesuch on June 12, 2012, introduces a new Metheny ensemble with Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, longtime collaborator Antonio Sanchez on drums, and the up-and-coming Ben Williams on bass. The album features nine new Metheny compositions.

Metheny says of the three-decade gap since his last project to feature saxophonists (the late great Dewey Redman and Michael Brecker): “In many ways my bands were envisioned as an alternative to the more conventional kinds that I had come up playing in. The fact that it has taken another 30 years to get to it again is kind of a testament to how busy those ‘alternative’ ways of thinking have kept me.

“We all always talked about revisiting that band at some point, but with both Mike and Dewey gone now, that will never happen,” he continues. “But then Chris Potter came along. As a fan, I have watched as he has become one of the greatest musicians of our time, and when we were both invited to play on Antonio Sanchez’s debut record, I immediately saw that we had a natural way of playing and phrasing that suggested something more. I started thinking right then of somehow building a project around that.”

For the rhythm section, Metheny explains, “Antonio was kind of an obvious choice; he has been one of my closest associates over the past ten years and has also played a lot with Chris. He is such a special musician. There was a certain kind of power I knew that Chris and I would be getting to and I can’t think of anyone who could take us to that place better than Antonio.” He continues, “A few years ago, Christian McBride invited me to an event that he was leading with the jazz students at Juilliard. Ben Williams was featured on a few tunes and his playing spoke to me immediately. I used Ben a few times to sub for Christian with the trio and found him to be a great playing partner and a great person too. He and Antonio had an instantly effortless rapport.”

Once he had assembled this stellar band, Metheny wrote a considerable amount of new material for them. Through rehearsals, they winnowed the music down to the nine tunes on the Unity Band album. “It’s funny, I have heard so many guitar/tenor records that have been clearly influenced by that 80/81 sound, and yet I really wanted to try to take it to a different place this time, even though that record was certain to be a reference point along the way,” Metheny says. “One of Antonio’s specialties is this even eighth-note thing he does, and in a lot of ways that set a direction for the writing. But still, this is a group of musicians who can do just about anything.”

Over the course of more than three decades, guitarist Pat Metheny has set himself apart from the jazz mainstream, expanding and blurring boundaries and musical styles. His record-setting body of work includes 19 Grammy Awards in 12 separate categories; a series of influential trio recordings; award-winning solo albums; scores for hit Hollywood motion pictures; and collaborations and duets with major artists such as Ornette Coleman, Steve Reich, Charlie Haden, Brad Mehldau, and many others. His band the Pat Metheny Group, founded in 1977, is the only ensemble in history to win Grammys for seven consecutive releases.

Buy it at the Nonsuch Store

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album cover art of the day:

The Order Reveals New Album "1986" Artwork

Swiss rockers The Order has recently revealed the album cover artwork for the band's new album called '1986,' which is scheduled for release on July 27th, 2012.




















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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 6/04 - 6/10, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:
1. The Walkmen - Heaven
2. PUJOL - United States Of Being
3. Langhorne Slim & The Law - The Way We Move
4. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
5. David Bowie & The Spiders From Mars - Ziggy Stardust
6. At The Drive-In - Vaya 10"
7. Liars - WIXIW
8. Sigur Ros - Valtari
9. Beach House - Bloom
10. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
11. King Tuff - King Tuff
12. The Hives - Lex Hives
13. Mount Eerie - Clear Moon
14. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here
15. Brendan Benson - What Kind Of World
16. Jack White - Blunderbuss
17. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
18. Beck - I Just Started Hating People Today 7"
19. Best Coast - The Only Place
20. JD McPherson - Signs & Signifiers
21. The Mars Volta - Notourniquet
22. Paul Simon - Graceland
23. Dr. John - Locked Down
24. Ty Segall & White Fence - Hair
25. The Black Keys - El Camino

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 10 Items for 06/12/2012

1. BEATLES & DICK JAMES "PLEASE, PLEASE ME"
Sold Price:$3938.00 USD End Time:06/12/2012

2. MEGA RARE 999/NINE NINE NINE. "NASTY NASTY" 78 RPM PUNK PROMO!!!! 1 OF 50
Sold Price:$1389.79 USD End Time:06/12/2012

3. Rare Beatles LP "Beatles Vs The Four Seasons" VJ VeeJay Records Original STEREO
Sold Price:$1325.00 USD End Time:06/12/2012

4. Fraction Moonblood - Psych Monster ORIGINAL LP 1971 Angelus WR 5005 1 of 200
Sold Price:$1180.00 USD End Time:06/12/2012

5. Wurlitzer Jukebox
Sold Price:$1070.26 USD  End Time:06/12/2012

6. Full DJ Set up & Happy Hardcore Vinyl Collection worth over £1k **Price drop**
Sold Price:$1039.24 USD End Time:06/12/2012

7. SAINTE ANTHONY'S FYRE Original Pressing ZONK STEREO-001 LP Vinyl Record RARE!!!!
Sold Price:$928.55 USD End Time:06/12/2012

8. 45 Northern Soul GEORGE BLACKWELL Can't Lose My Head 1966 Smoke 200 Original!
Sold Price:$898.77 USD End Time:06/12/2012

9. KAK 1969 STILL SEALED RARE PSYCH LP(EPIC 26429 STEREO)
Sold Price:$835.28 USD End Time:06/12/2012

10. PINK FLOYD THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, SOLID BLUE TRIANGLE, ORIGINAL RELEASE Sold Price:$832.57 USD End Time:06/12/2012

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