Friday, July 20, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes


Beatles Album Sells For $15,000

A NM copy of the first Beatles album to be released in the US recently sold (July 12th) for almost $15,000 at auction on eBay. A rich record collector paid $14,999 for an "Ad-Back" copy of ‘Introducing … the Beatles.’ What makes the album unique is the back cover of the jacket, which featured a full-page advertisement record company Vee-Jay records used after realizing they had 6K front album covers, but no back cover. The ad has 25 records from their label.

In this world of buyer beware, this particular Beatles LP is one of the most counterfeited records out there (I have a 'bootleg copy myself), so be careful, my friends.....

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Dwight Yoakam to Release First New Studio Album in Seven Years, 3 Pears -- on Warner Bros. Records -- September 18, 2012

NASHVILLE, TN -- (Marketwire) -- 07/19/12 -- On September 18th, 2012, Grammy-Award winner Dwight Yoakam will release his first all new studio album in seven years, 3 Pears (Warner Bros. Records). The 12-track release, his 26th, is produced by Yoakam, along with two songs co-produced with Beck; "A Heart Like Mine" and "Missing Heart" (full track listing below). Fans can hear a teaser of the track, "Trying," now on Yoakam's newly launched website DwightYoakam.com

3 Pears exemplifies Yoakam's ability to incorporate multiple, competing influences into a piece of cohesive art. It balances his country core with a fiercely independent embrace of rock, Americana, pop and soul and builds on his trademark edginess with a notable, growing positivity. 3 Pears contains heartfelt love songs, which showcase Yoakam's authentic country vocals while maintaining his unmistakable classic sound.

One of the most respected singer-songwriters in music, Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums, has 12 gold albums and nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, including the triple platinum "This Time." Five of his albums have topped Billboard's Country Albums chart with another fourteen landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with 22 Top 20 hits, which include "Honky Tonk Man," "Please Please Baby," "Little Ways," "I Sang Dixie," "It Only Hurts When I Cry," "Fast as You" and "Thousand Miles from Nowhere." Yoakam has won two GRAMMY Awards and earned an impressive 21 nominations.

Yoakam will be honored by the Academy of Country Music with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award at the 6th Annual ACM Honors event on September 24th in Nashville. The prestigious Award honors individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Yoakam also recently narrated the current exhibit at The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum; The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California County, showing through the end of next year. The exhibit explores the roots, heyday and impact of the Bakersfield Sound, the loud, stripped-down and radio-ready music most closely identified with the careers of Country Music Hall of Fame members Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

Dwight Yoakam's 3 Pears Track Listing:

1. Take Hold Of My Hand
2. Waterfall
3. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
4. Trying
5. Nothing But Love
6. It's Never Alright
7. A Heart Like Mine
8. Long Way To Go
9. Missing Heart
10. 3 Pears
11. Rock It All Away
12. Long Way To Go (Reprise)

For more information on Dwight Yoakam, please visit www.DwightYoakam.com or facebook.com/dwightyoakam

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DEVIL TO PAY Sign With RIPPLE MUSIC; Enter Studio to Record New Album For Vinyl and CD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIPPLE MUSIC is proud to announce the signing of acclaimed, hard-hitting American Doom rockers, DEVIL TO PAY to their ever-expanding roster!

The band’s fourth, as of yet untitled, album is set for worldwide release on RIPPLE MUSIC in the coming months and the band will subsequently tour to knock the crowds out of their skulls, including appearances in all the major heavy rock/doom festivals.

DEVIL TO PAY commented yesterday upon the new alliance; "We are stoked to be a part of the Ripple family and to work with one of the most genuine heavy rock labels in the world! Having released our first three albums independently, it’s clear that these guys don't compromise in terms of putting out creative music and are the true believers of heavy rock. The variety of bands and the sheer quality of music they’ve released speaks for itself. We are very much honored that our music earned its place among their ranks!"

DEVIL TO PAY was formed in the beginning of the millennia as a doom rock band with metal/stoner and rock tangents, effortlessly crushing skulls while simultaneously coaxing them to sing along. The band hails the almighty riff, but unlike many of their contemporaries, the song is still king. That is what separates the great bands from the shoulda & coulda bands. Now celebrating their 10th year anniversary, DEVIL TO PAY has aged like Kentucky bourbon, distilling a culmination of years of sweat, highway miles, cigarette smoke and hangovers into crushing compositions and bone-jarring, heavy musical moments.

With a catalog of underground releases, DEVIL TO PAY gained accolades, awards and a hard earned cult-like status. They have established themselves as the go-to band for those searching out more than just a few killer riffs; a foundation of heavy that will flourish under the Ripple banner.

For more information on the band, please visit:

www.deviltopay.net
www.ripple-music.com

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this from our friends at themusebox.net

NEO-COUNTRY ROCK SENSATION SHANE GAMBLE SADDLES UP FOR NEW ALBUM RELEASE 9/18/12

RADIANT MUSIC VIDEO FOR HIT SINGLE "TURN MY WAY" EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERES THROUGH BAEBLE MUSIC

"Shane Gamble writes classic, Americana leaning songs, dipping in to pop, country, and dabs of indie rock along the way. Think of it as equal parts Nashville and New York, all tumbling about in songs that are crystal clear in their topical intentions."

"Gamble pens the lyrics to adult alternative tunes, then works through the musical arrangements by blending in aspects of folk, rock, country and Western." --- NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAGAZINE

Shane Gamble, the rugged singer / songwriter with honey-toned vocals and hint of country swag, announces the release of his latest album, on September 18, 2012. Effortlessly yet intricately weaving together Pop, Country, Americana, and Indie Rock, Shane Gamble’s music comes across like a freight train heading full steam on the road less traveled. Propelled by a steady and assured rhythm section, layered guitars, and beautiful vocal harmonies, Shane rhapsodizes about love, adventure, and emotional redemption.

 You take one look at Shane with his short tussled hair, a worn denim shirt, leather boots, and acoustic guitar slung across his shoulders – and you’ll know that this guy believes in what music can do to the mind and the soul. Gamble attacks his acoustic guitar with an energy rarely seen at such events. He tends to lean forward on one foot and face towards the microphone – guitar at a downward angle, singing from the depths of soul with earnest conviction.

This neo-country crooner is sharing 12 sparkling & seductive new songs on his forthcoming full-length self-titled album. Shane Gamble is an album that finds him combining radio-friendly songs, ("Turn My Way" & "One Balloon") resonating distinctly with Nashville cats and New York City hipsters alike. Each track on Shane Gamble pulls at a different heartstring, revealing raw and emotive melodies accentuated by Shane’s mind blowing talents on the harmonica.

The music video for the album’s compelling debut single "Turn My Way" had its exclusive world premiere on Baeble Music. "It’s not necessarily about perfection, I just love capturing music that is honest and real. I want you to hear ‘Turn My Way’ and connect with the lyrics on an emotional level, that’s the only hope a song has to leave a lasting impression," says Shane about his leading track.

To celebrate his upcoming release, Shane Gamble will be performing a series of Mid-Atlantic tour dates. Shane Gamble will be available on Tuesday, September 18.

Shane Gamble Track Listing:
1) Turn My Way
2) Bleeder
3) One Balloon
4) Rosalee
5) Way Back To Town
6) Break Your Fall
7) Wish
8) Kissing You Tomorrow
9) Blue Sky
10) Bounce Back
11) Shelter Me
12) Always Did

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album cover art of the day:

ELVENKING: 'Era' Cover Artwork Unveiled

Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING will release their new album, "Era", on September 14 via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland with producer Nino Laurenne (AMORPHIS, LORDI, SONATA ARCTICA, APOCALYPTICA). Nino previously worked with the band on "The Winter Wake" and "The Scythe" CDs.

Read more at Blabbermouth













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I AM WAR: 'Outlive You All' Cover Artwork Unveiled

I AM WAR, the new Orange County, California-based act featuring Alex Varkatzas (vocals; ATREYU) and Brandan Schieppati (guitar, vocals; BLEEDING THROUGH), will release its debut album, "Outlive You All", on August 28 via Razor & Tie. The CD was produced by Mick Kenney (ANAAL NATHRAKH).

Read more at Blabbermouth

















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TWO GALLANTS RELEASE NEW LP IN SEPTEMBER

'The Bloom and the Blight' is the new album from the San Francisco duo Two Gallants and is now available for pre-order at wwwTwoGallants.com. Those who pre-order will immediately receive a free download of album track "My Love Won't Wait" and those orders will ship a few days before the US release date of Sepember 4.

The LP comes with a bonus 7 inch record that includes our version of "Im So Depressed (Abner Jay) on the A side and on the B side an etched in design drawn by Tyson. All downloads will arrive August 30, one week early from the US street date Sept 4. Each order will include an immediate download of "My Love Won't Wait" as well as you will automatically be submitted to win the one of a kind acetate used to make the bonus 7 inch record.

To celebrate the album release, the band has booked an extensive tour, including over 70 US and European dates, at the beginning of September.

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Matt And Kim Announce New Album

Matt and Kim have recently announced an October 2nd release date for their new album 'Lightning' via the FADER Label. Written and produced by Matt and Kim, the effort was recorded by the Brooklyn duo in their Grand Street apartment and features ten outstanding tracks written in true Matt and Kim fashion.

Drawing from their powerful live shows, while still adhering to their minimal two-person studio approach, Matt and Kim set out to create their most diverse, realized, yet raw release to date with 'Lightning.'














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JUDAS PRIEST: 'Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition' Due In September

A vital part of rock history, British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have spent four decades writing classic songs and putting on spectacular live shows. During this period, the band has sold in excess of 30 million albums, and played to countless millions of fans across the globe. In 1982, they released their eighth studio album, "Screaming For Vengeance", containing their hugely successful "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", the single which proved that metal could get mainstream radio airplay in the U.S. — leading the way for a whole generation of new metal bands.

To celebrate the 30-year anniversary of this epic release, JUDAS PRIEST present you with "Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition", containing not only the remastered original album plus bonus tracks, but also a live DVD from the 1983 US Festival show, filmed in San Bernadino CA on May 29, 1983.

Read more and get the tracklist at Blabbermouth








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WITCHCRAFT: "Legend" Cover Art Revealed!

Swedish doom metal icons WITCHCRAFT have revealed the cover art of the band's forthcoming album, Legend, which marks the bands first after a long 5 year hiatus.

Commented singer/mainman Magnus Pelander: "A friend of mine had an idea about a cover for Legend. I developed the idea and gave it back to my friend who then passed it on to another friend who happened to be a designer. The designer then pushed it in a new direction. The result is already legendary."

Bass player Ola Henriksson adds: "The album cover is meant to reflect the music and I think it does that with its heavy, dark & clean design."

Legend will be released September 21 (Europe) and September 25, 2012 (North America) via Nuclear Blast.

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Iron Maiden's Steve Harris To Release Solo LP

Iron Maiden's Steve Harris just announced he will release a solo album called 'British Lion' via EMI Music on September 24, 2012. The album is comprised of ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and releases.

According to the press release: "With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

"From the growling riffage of opening salvo 'This Is My God' to the heavy forlorn balladry of follow-up Lost Worlds which showcases Richard Taylor’s soaring vocals, it’s clear that ‘British Lion’ is an altogether different beast from Maiden.

" 'Karma Killer', with its dirge-like muscularity, and 'Us Against The World', with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far ‘British Lion’ has flexed Steve Harris’ considerable musical muscle. Dovetailed with guitarist David Hawkins’ positively gargantuan lyrical guitar melodies, it’s a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast of 'The Chosen Ones', with its swaggering bravado.

" 'A World Without Heaven, at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style, there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.

"And as far as the name ‘British Lion’; 'I’ve always been proud to be British,' explains Steve, 'I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be. It’s a massive part of being me. It’s not like I’m flag-waving or trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It’s like supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in with the sound.'

"With Iron Maiden, Steve Harris has become one of the most recognised and successful ambassadors for British music on the world stage. Having released 15 studio albums, sold over 85 million records worldwide and played more than two thousand gigs in 58 countries in the band’s thirty-five year career, his appeal is truly global.

"And now with ‘British Lion’, Steve steps out from Iron Maiden’s illustrious shadow to present a different side of his musical visions."

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1. This Is My God
2. Lost Worlds
3. Karma Killer
4. Us Against The World
5. The Chosen Ones
6. A World Without Heaven
7. Judas
8. Eyes Of The Young
9. These Are The Hands
10. The Lesson

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great post at the huffingtonpost.co.uk, check out some classic rock cover art by one of the best (by the way, zeppelin's houses of the holy gets my vote for album cover art hall of fame)

'The Raging Storm' Exhibition Celebrates Storm Thorgerson's Iconic Album Cover Art


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a slide show from nyc...ever wondered where famous photos were actually taken? if you're even a bit nostalgic, you'll love getting to the bottom of where iconic album art was first photographed...

Iconic rock album art locations revealed

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a campaign at kickstarter, check it out!

A Photography Book About Vinyl Collectors - Dust & Grooves.

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this is cool!

Wedding Wishes on Vinyl Records