J P Corwyn
On their first full-length disc, J P Corwyn and company explode onto the modern rock scene with a refreshing, inventive and a unique sound that will have the rock and roll world standing up to hear more.
With an articulate, passionate and engaging voice, J P’s instrument is thrust upon the listener without destroying the song structure and flows cohesively from one verse to the next. The rootsy honest and sincerity cannot only be heard in this voice, it can be felt. That is all any musician can hope for.
But J P Corwyn does not rest with just that attribute, instead the Washington DC-based rock and roll band led by front man J P Corwyn, bring an intoxicating music pallette into the mix, sung and played from the heart. The cut, “Dire” is a very accessible tune, with Pearl Jam like qualities and an unbridled acoustic guitar layered beneath the smooth rocking riffs and chords, to create their own distinctive stamp and a sound that they can call their own.
The songs on this release ooze with stalwart musicianship that not only should be played on today’s FM modern rock radio, but should be dominating the airwaves. Kudos to this consistently inventive and meat-and-potatoes rock and roll band....let’s hope that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Historic and Controversial Album Covers-part Three
In our last of a three-part series about album cover art, let’s again examine a few controversial album covers.
It seems that a major retailer in the U.S. wields a lot of power and influence. When “John Cougar Mellencamp” released his 1996 album called “Mr. Happy Go Lucky,” a picture on the cover of Jesus and the devil had to be changed. Since it did not affect the music and he did not design the cover, Mellencamp obliged and changed the cover to appease the previously named major retailer. mellencamp
Rapper “Ice-T” joined the foray with his critically acclaimed 1991 album release called “Death Certificate.” It seems an album cover showing “Uncle Sam” on a mortuary slab as well as Ice-T’s violent lyrics, prompted one state (Oregon) to enforce a statewide ban on displaying the rapper’s image in retail stores.ice-t
Alternative rockers’ “Jane’s Addiction” singer Perry Farrell caused quite a stir in 1991 as well. When he submitted his original artwork for the band’s sophomore album, “Ritual de lo Habitual,” to his record label (Warner Brothers), they were not pleased. They released it and the sparks flew, and under corporate pressure, the group relented and replaced Farrell’s artwork with a plain white cover and text from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech. jane’s addiction
In 1997, “Aerosmith” released their new album titled “Nine Lives” which featured a dancing figure with a cat’s head. The artwork, taken from Hindu imagery, aroused the anger of some Hindus and the band and record company apologized, and then changed the artwork. aerosmith
Alternative grunge giants, “Nirvana” raised the ire of two retail giants (Wal Mart and K Mart) in 1993 with their album cover art and a song on their album “In Utero.” The back cover of the release was changed to read “Waif Me,” instead of the real title of the song “Rape Me.” Despite the band’s insistence that the lyrics for the song were, in fact anti-rape, these aforementioned retail giants insisted on the wording change. The retail giants also refused to stock the album because of its artwork (which featured an anatomical figure and model fetuses), so a “doctored” version of the back cover was made for them. nirvana
The band “Beautiful South” released an album in 1989 called “Welcome To The Beautiful South,” and the original release pictured an image of a woman with a gun in her mouth and a picture of a man who was smoking a cigarette. This album cover was banned by the retailer Woolworth’s because, in their reasoning, it might cause people to start smoking. The album cover was replaced by pictures of a rabbit and a teddy bear. beautiful south
Smoking also got the band the “Arctic Monkeys” in trouble with the “censors” in 2006, because of the cover for their release “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.” The cover sleeve depicting a friend of the band smoking a cigarette was criticized by the NHS in Scotland. They claimed that the band was “reinforcing the idea that smoking is OK,” a charge that the band disputed. In fact, the image on the CD itself is a shot of a full ashtray and the band’s product manger declared, “You can see from the image smoking is not doing him the world of good.”arctic monkeys
In a sad tale of irony, the band “Lynyrd Skynrd” had their album called “Street Survivors” (1977) pulled by executives after three band members were tragically killed in a plane crash. You see, the first album cover featured a picture of the band surrounded by flames. The album was released a week before the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and back up vocalist Cassie Gaines. The cover was quickly pulled and the replacement cover, a picture of the band without the flames, was quickly introduced. CD reissues have restored the original cover. lynyrd skynrd
With an increase in the sales of vinyl record albums and a renewed interest in album cover art, we should, and can expect more censorship, controversial album cover art as well as legendary album cover art to again become part of rock and roll lore.
It seems that a major retailer in the U.S. wields a lot of power and influence. When “John Cougar Mellencamp” released his 1996 album called “Mr. Happy Go Lucky,” a picture on the cover of Jesus and the devil had to be changed. Since it did not affect the music and he did not design the cover, Mellencamp obliged and changed the cover to appease the previously named major retailer. mellencamp
Rapper “Ice-T” joined the foray with his critically acclaimed 1991 album release called “Death Certificate.” It seems an album cover showing “Uncle Sam” on a mortuary slab as well as Ice-T’s violent lyrics, prompted one state (Oregon) to enforce a statewide ban on displaying the rapper’s image in retail stores.ice-t
Alternative rockers’ “Jane’s Addiction” singer Perry Farrell caused quite a stir in 1991 as well. When he submitted his original artwork for the band’s sophomore album, “Ritual de lo Habitual,” to his record label (Warner Brothers), they were not pleased. They released it and the sparks flew, and under corporate pressure, the group relented and replaced Farrell’s artwork with a plain white cover and text from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech. jane’s addiction
In 1997, “Aerosmith” released their new album titled “Nine Lives” which featured a dancing figure with a cat’s head. The artwork, taken from Hindu imagery, aroused the anger of some Hindus and the band and record company apologized, and then changed the artwork. aerosmith
Alternative grunge giants, “Nirvana” raised the ire of two retail giants (Wal Mart and K Mart) in 1993 with their album cover art and a song on their album “In Utero.” The back cover of the release was changed to read “Waif Me,” instead of the real title of the song “Rape Me.” Despite the band’s insistence that the lyrics for the song were, in fact anti-rape, these aforementioned retail giants insisted on the wording change. The retail giants also refused to stock the album because of its artwork (which featured an anatomical figure and model fetuses), so a “doctored” version of the back cover was made for them. nirvana
The band “Beautiful South” released an album in 1989 called “Welcome To The Beautiful South,” and the original release pictured an image of a woman with a gun in her mouth and a picture of a man who was smoking a cigarette. This album cover was banned by the retailer Woolworth’s because, in their reasoning, it might cause people to start smoking. The album cover was replaced by pictures of a rabbit and a teddy bear. beautiful south
Smoking also got the band the “Arctic Monkeys” in trouble with the “censors” in 2006, because of the cover for their release “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.” The cover sleeve depicting a friend of the band smoking a cigarette was criticized by the NHS in Scotland. They claimed that the band was “reinforcing the idea that smoking is OK,” a charge that the band disputed. In fact, the image on the CD itself is a shot of a full ashtray and the band’s product manger declared, “You can see from the image smoking is not doing him the world of good.”arctic monkeys
In a sad tale of irony, the band “Lynyrd Skynrd” had their album called “Street Survivors” (1977) pulled by executives after three band members were tragically killed in a plane crash. You see, the first album cover featured a picture of the band surrounded by flames. The album was released a week before the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and back up vocalist Cassie Gaines. The cover was quickly pulled and the replacement cover, a picture of the band without the flames, was quickly introduced. CD reissues have restored the original cover. lynyrd skynrd
With an increase in the sales of vinyl record albums and a renewed interest in album cover art, we should, and can expect more censorship, controversial album cover art as well as legendary album cover art to again become part of rock and roll lore.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Historic and Controversial Album Covers-part two
Here is part two of the album cover art series:
In part one of our article series (one of three) about famous album cover art, we discussed a couple of iconic Beatle album covers and some controversial album covers by other artists. Let’s continue our discussion with part two of our series.
The Rolling Stones make our list for their 1968 album called “Beggars Banquet.” It was the first cover not to feature a band photograph; instead the Stones’ decided to use a picture of an unsightly, filthy bathroom with graffiti-laced walls. The record label in the U.K. (Decca) and the U.S. label, London Records, both balked at the cover (it was considered to be in poor taste) and a bitter three-month legal battle began. The Rolling Stones lost the battle and the album was replaced with an elegant formal party invitation (but the cover was restored for CD pressings in the mid 80's). rolling stones
Naughty “bathroom behavior” album cover first surfaced in 1966, when the “Mama’s & the Papa’s” released their LP called “If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears.” The cover, a picture of the “flower power” quartet squeezed into an old bathtub next to a toilet, apparently received so many complaints that the record company (Dunhill) was compelled to rush out a replacement cover, with graphics that promoted the group’s hit singles blocking the offending toilet. They even went so far as to issue yet another cover, this time removing the toilet completely. mama's & the papa's
Middle fingers have always been taboo on album covers and the outrage began in 1957 when Capitol Records released an album by the doo wop group the “Five Keys.” An innocent cover, it pictured the vocal group posing together in snazzy suits. But it seems that lead singer Rudy West’s forefinger was imagined by some to be a specific part of the male anatomy. So a decision was made for subsequent issues to have the finger in question airbrushed out. five keys
“Moby Grape’s” self-titled release in 1967, also had a finger of prominence displayed incorrectly, but the album cover was quickly airbrushed by Columbia Records. moby grape
A misplaced(?) finger/thumb caused another uproar in 1971 when Warner Brothers released “Alice Cooper’s” new album called “Love It To Death.” His “gesture” was not taken too well and was censored, the middle finger being airbrushed away. In fact, four different versions of the front cover exist, apparently in the picture his thumb could possibly be mistaken for a specific part of the male anatomy. alice cooper
“David Bowie’s” cover art featuring a half-dog, half-Bowie figure (painted by Guy Peellaert) for his 1974 album called “Diamond Dogs,” caused quite a stir. Apparently, the record company (RCA) did not like the fact that the “Bowie-dog” was anatomically correct and had the offending appendage airbrushed out on subsequent releases. david bowie
Apparently, pulling bubble gum off of a woman’s exposed breast is a major crime, or at the very least, a reason to reissue an album cover. Or so, that is what the German heavy metal band the “Scorpions” found out in 1979 with their album release called “Loverdrive.” The album cover features a man and a woman sitting in the backseat of a car, with the man removing the scandalous bubble gum from her breast. It was subsequently reissued with a black cover with a blue scorpion on it (thankfully the scorpion was fully-clothed). The band had another album (“Virgin Killer”) cover nixed because of a nude cover of a young girl. scorpions
In 1994, scandal found the rock group called the “Black Crowes,” because their album cover “Amorica” showed pubic hair from a Hustler magazine photograph. The close-up of a woman’s “mid-section” in a bikini, apparently exhibits too much hair and made the public uncomfortable. Pressured by powerful conservative retail chains, the record company (Universal) had to reissue an alternative cover, just a bikini over a black background (sans the offending hair). black crowes
In our third part of our series about controversial album cover art, we will again turn our focus to offensive album covers.
In part one of our article series (one of three) about famous album cover art, we discussed a couple of iconic Beatle album covers and some controversial album covers by other artists. Let’s continue our discussion with part two of our series.
The Rolling Stones make our list for their 1968 album called “Beggars Banquet.” It was the first cover not to feature a band photograph; instead the Stones’ decided to use a picture of an unsightly, filthy bathroom with graffiti-laced walls. The record label in the U.K. (Decca) and the U.S. label, London Records, both balked at the cover (it was considered to be in poor taste) and a bitter three-month legal battle began. The Rolling Stones lost the battle and the album was replaced with an elegant formal party invitation (but the cover was restored for CD pressings in the mid 80's). rolling stones
Naughty “bathroom behavior” album cover first surfaced in 1966, when the “Mama’s & the Papa’s” released their LP called “If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears.” The cover, a picture of the “flower power” quartet squeezed into an old bathtub next to a toilet, apparently received so many complaints that the record company (Dunhill) was compelled to rush out a replacement cover, with graphics that promoted the group’s hit singles blocking the offending toilet. They even went so far as to issue yet another cover, this time removing the toilet completely. mama's & the papa'sMiddle fingers have always been taboo on album covers and the outrage began in 1957 when Capitol Records released an album by the doo wop group the “Five Keys.” An innocent cover, it pictured the vocal group posing together in snazzy suits. But it seems that lead singer Rudy West’s forefinger was imagined by some to be a specific part of the male anatomy. So a decision was made for subsequent issues to have the finger in question airbrushed out. five keys
“Moby Grape’s” self-titled release in 1967, also had a finger of prominence displayed incorrectly, but the album cover was quickly airbrushed by Columbia Records. moby grape
A misplaced(?) finger/thumb caused another uproar in 1971 when Warner Brothers released “Alice Cooper’s” new album called “Love It To Death.” His “gesture” was not taken too well and was censored, the middle finger being airbrushed away. In fact, four different versions of the front cover exist, apparently in the picture his thumb could possibly be mistaken for a specific part of the male anatomy. alice cooper
“David Bowie’s” cover art featuring a half-dog, half-Bowie figure (painted by Guy Peellaert) for his 1974 album called “Diamond Dogs,” caused quite a stir. Apparently, the record company (RCA) did not like the fact that the “Bowie-dog” was anatomically correct and had the offending appendage airbrushed out on subsequent releases. david bowie
Apparently, pulling bubble gum off of a woman’s exposed breast is a major crime, or at the very least, a reason to reissue an album cover. Or so, that is what the German heavy metal band the “Scorpions” found out in 1979 with their album release called “Loverdrive.” The album cover features a man and a woman sitting in the backseat of a car, with the man removing the scandalous bubble gum from her breast. It was subsequently reissued with a black cover with a blue scorpion on it (thankfully the scorpion was fully-clothed). The band had another album (“Virgin Killer”) cover nixed because of a nude cover of a young girl. scorpions 
In 1994, scandal found the rock group called the “Black Crowes,” because their album cover “Amorica” showed pubic hair from a Hustler magazine photograph. The close-up of a woman’s “mid-section” in a bikini, apparently exhibits too much hair and made the public uncomfortable. Pressured by powerful conservative retail chains, the record company (Universal) had to reissue an alternative cover, just a bikini over a black background (sans the offending hair). black crowes In our third part of our series about controversial album cover art, we will again turn our focus to offensive album covers.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Historic and Controversial Album Covers-part one
I have just written a three part article series about historic and controversial album covers. Here is part one (all three are also posted on my web site www.collectingvinylrecords.com)
As you know, album cover art is just that....art. Many famous artists have been commissioned by rock bands to design their album cover art. I will be writing more about that (and include some of the most famous artists), but first, please enjoy the first part of my three part series about historical and controversial album covers.
Historic and Controversial Album Covers
part one
When CD’s were first introduced in the early 80's, they were the “next best thing” in the music world. Certainly an upgrade from cassette tapes, CD’s conveniently packed the music and artwork into a neat, small package. But one of the major flaws is the lack of cover art you get with a CD, especially when you compare it to the vibrant, lifelike album cover art you get with vinyl records.
In this three part series about album cover art, we will explore some of the most legendary album covers of all time, look at some of the most controversial album covers as well as gauge the impact that major retailers have on cover art. Let’s start with a band that broke the ground for many of their other fellow musicians.
One of the pioneering bands to take advantage of album cover art and its power of marketability were, of course, one of the most famous groups of all time, the “Beatles.” From such famous album covers as “Yesterday and Today” (1966), “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967) and even including the simplicity of the “White Album”, the Beatles certainly took full advantage of the allure of a great album cover (it didn’t hurt that the music is legendary).
In fact, their album “Yesterday and Today” (also known as the “butcher album”) is highly collectible and, if you have an original, highly priced and is one of the holy grails of record collecting. Although Capitol Records recalled the album, many were released as promotional material to DJ’s and critics. Only then did the uproar ensue. You see, the Beatles were tired of Capitol Records chopping up their albums and repackaging them (the songs on this particular release are album cuts from previous Beatles’ albums including “Help!” and “Revolver”), so they posed with decapitated baby dolls, slabs of meat and fake blood as kind of a quasi protest, not ever thinking it would go out to the public. Capitol Records quickly intervened and recalled thousands of record albums and pasted over the “butcher cover” with what is now known as the “trunk cover” (just a picture of the fab four with a large trunk).
The Beatles also have one of the greatest album covers of all time (it was selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best) and the group won a Grammy Award (for Best Album Cover) in 1968 for the legendary album cover for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Created and designed by Jan Haworth and Peter Blake, the cover features the group posing with a collage of famous singers, composers, comedians and other worldly figures including Lenny Bruce (comic), Edgar Allen Poe (writer), W.C. Fields (comic), Fred Astaire (actor), Bob Dylan (musician), Marlon Brando (actor), Marilyn Monroe (actress) and Karl Marx (philosopher/socialist), among many others.Beatles
But there were a few people that were originally intended for the front cover, but were excluded, for a variety of reasons. For instance, Jesus Christ was omitted because the album was released just a few months after John Lennon had declared that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Adolf Hitler was removed at the insistence of Parlophone Records. EMI requested that the image of Mahatma Ghandi be removed fearing his presence on the cover would offend the Indian Market. Legendary actress Mae West initially refused, but relented after the Beatles sent her a personal letter. Additionally, an image of Leo Gorcey was omitted because he had requested a fee for the use of his likeness. (For a complete list of exactly who is on the cover, please visit: http://math.mercyhurst.edu/~griff/sgtpepper/people.html)
Moreover, these two Beatles’ albums exemplify the power of a great album cover (and in the Beatles case, great music). The albums also bring to the forefront the power that record companies have and the restraints that they can utilize to control the overall album cover package. With this in mind, let’s explore some banned and controversial album covers.
One of the most notorious and controversial albums of all time is “Two Virgins,” which was released in 1968 by “John Lennon and Yoko Ono.” On the front cover was a full frontal picture of both, completely nude, and on the back was a nude picture from the behind. Paul McCartney had tried to convince Lennon not to release the cover because of the controversy it would certainly create. In some jurisdictions, the albums were impounded as obscenity and distributors were forced to sell the release in plain brown wrap wrappers. Incidentally, even with this provocative and disturbing cover, the album was not a best seller, as it lacked significant content (it was full of bird noises, tape loops, misplayed organ snippets and other assorted sound effects).
Two Virgins
In that same year, “Jimi Hendrix” released “Electric Ladyland,” which featured him with a harem of naked women. The album created massive controversy and was ultimately banned in the U.S. But, it seems that the re-done artwork for the U.K. version did not arrive in time, so Jimi and the girls are available in the U.K. version. The cover was not banned in Europe and import copies of the album have always been the most sought after imported record in the U.S. The album was reissued in the U.S. with a picture of Jimi’s face (minus his ladies of course).Hendrix
In 1969, the super group “Blind Faith” (members Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood) released their lone album together, appropriately entitled, “Blind Faith.” What wasn’t appropriate was photographer Bob Seidemann’s picture of a topless pre-pubescent girl holding a silver space ship. The album was then reissued with an alternate cover which showed a photograph of the band. According to Seidemann, her fee for the picture was a “young horse” which was purchased for her by Blind Faith’s band manager Robert Stigwood.blind faith
In part two of our series, we will again explore some famous and controversial album cover art.
As you know, album cover art is just that....art. Many famous artists have been commissioned by rock bands to design their album cover art. I will be writing more about that (and include some of the most famous artists), but first, please enjoy the first part of my three part series about historical and controversial album covers.
Historic and Controversial Album Covers
part one
When CD’s were first introduced in the early 80's, they were the “next best thing” in the music world. Certainly an upgrade from cassette tapes, CD’s conveniently packed the music and artwork into a neat, small package. But one of the major flaws is the lack of cover art you get with a CD, especially when you compare it to the vibrant, lifelike album cover art you get with vinyl records.
In this three part series about album cover art, we will explore some of the most legendary album covers of all time, look at some of the most controversial album covers as well as gauge the impact that major retailers have on cover art. Let’s start with a band that broke the ground for many of their other fellow musicians.
One of the pioneering bands to take advantage of album cover art and its power of marketability were, of course, one of the most famous groups of all time, the “Beatles.” From such famous album covers as “Yesterday and Today” (1966), “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967) and even including the simplicity of the “White Album”, the Beatles certainly took full advantage of the allure of a great album cover (it didn’t hurt that the music is legendary).
In fact, their album “Yesterday and Today” (also known as the “butcher album”) is highly collectible and, if you have an original, highly priced and is one of the holy grails of record collecting. Although Capitol Records recalled the album, many were released as promotional material to DJ’s and critics. Only then did the uproar ensue. You see, the Beatles were tired of Capitol Records chopping up their albums and repackaging them (the songs on this particular release are album cuts from previous Beatles’ albums including “Help!” and “Revolver”), so they posed with decapitated baby dolls, slabs of meat and fake blood as kind of a quasi protest, not ever thinking it would go out to the public. Capitol Records quickly intervened and recalled thousands of record albums and pasted over the “butcher cover” with what is now known as the “trunk cover” (just a picture of the fab four with a large trunk).
The Beatles also have one of the greatest album covers of all time (it was selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best) and the group won a Grammy Award (for Best Album Cover) in 1968 for the legendary album cover for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Created and designed by Jan Haworth and Peter Blake, the cover features the group posing with a collage of famous singers, composers, comedians and other worldly figures including Lenny Bruce (comic), Edgar Allen Poe (writer), W.C. Fields (comic), Fred Astaire (actor), Bob Dylan (musician), Marlon Brando (actor), Marilyn Monroe (actress) and Karl Marx (philosopher/socialist), among many others.Beatles
But there were a few people that were originally intended for the front cover, but were excluded, for a variety of reasons. For instance, Jesus Christ was omitted because the album was released just a few months after John Lennon had declared that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Adolf Hitler was removed at the insistence of Parlophone Records. EMI requested that the image of Mahatma Ghandi be removed fearing his presence on the cover would offend the Indian Market. Legendary actress Mae West initially refused, but relented after the Beatles sent her a personal letter. Additionally, an image of Leo Gorcey was omitted because he had requested a fee for the use of his likeness. (For a complete list of exactly who is on the cover, please visit: http://math.mercyhurst.edu/~griff/sgtpepper/people.html)
Moreover, these two Beatles’ albums exemplify the power of a great album cover (and in the Beatles case, great music). The albums also bring to the forefront the power that record companies have and the restraints that they can utilize to control the overall album cover package. With this in mind, let’s explore some banned and controversial album covers.
One of the most notorious and controversial albums of all time is “Two Virgins,” which was released in 1968 by “John Lennon and Yoko Ono.” On the front cover was a full frontal picture of both, completely nude, and on the back was a nude picture from the behind. Paul McCartney had tried to convince Lennon not to release the cover because of the controversy it would certainly create. In some jurisdictions, the albums were impounded as obscenity and distributors were forced to sell the release in plain brown wrap wrappers. Incidentally, even with this provocative and disturbing cover, the album was not a best seller, as it lacked significant content (it was full of bird noises, tape loops, misplayed organ snippets and other assorted sound effects).
Two VirginsIn that same year, “Jimi Hendrix” released “Electric Ladyland,” which featured him with a harem of naked women. The album created massive controversy and was ultimately banned in the U.S. But, it seems that the re-done artwork for the U.K. version did not arrive in time, so Jimi and the girls are available in the U.K. version. The cover was not banned in Europe and import copies of the album have always been the most sought after imported record in the U.S. The album was reissued in the U.S. with a picture of Jimi’s face (minus his ladies of course).Hendrix
In 1969, the super group “Blind Faith” (members Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood) released their lone album together, appropriately entitled, “Blind Faith.” What wasn’t appropriate was photographer Bob Seidemann’s picture of a topless pre-pubescent girl holding a silver space ship. The album was then reissued with an alternate cover which showed a photograph of the band. According to Seidemann, her fee for the picture was a “young horse” which was purchased for her by Blind Faith’s band manager Robert Stigwood.blind faith
In part two of our series, we will again explore some famous and controversial album cover art.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Iwori-a perfect blend of classic and progressive rock
IWORI
Hailing from Richmond, California, is the constantly inventive rock and roll band called IWORI (IWORI- (ee-war-ee is a Nigerian word which loosely translated means, the fire at the center of the Earth). The band’s CD, entitled “Abandon All Plans,” is an innovative and refreshing mix of sounds influenced by iconic music artists such as Led Zeppelin, Santana, Leslie West, Hendrix, Wishbone Ash, Neil Young and Thin Lizzy, among many others.
What IWORI does so elegantly, is to take all these influences and meld them together to create a distinct sound of their own. With crunching guitars, unbridled rock riffs, inventive bass lines, stellar keyboards, poignant lyrics and stalwart drumming, IWORI creates an intoxicating palette of sound that is progressive as well as classic.
IWORI was conceived in 2006 by singer/song writer and guitarist Micah Charlot, whose vision is to write rock songs with a classic feel and meaningful lyrics. Charlot adroitly integrates into his music his ongoing love for African based rhythms as well as his deep admiration of the guitar tones of the golden era of rock and roll. Charlot is a San Francisco Bay Area native and has been exposed to and played an eclectic array of musical styles throughout his career. He has also studied guitar with Joe Satriani, spent many years studying and performing Afro Cuban percussion with great artists such as Changuito of Cuba, Mingo Lewis of Santana and Al Di Meola and has performed many styles of music, from punk and heavy metal to reggae.
One of the singles, the dynamic cut “Sirens,” may remind some of Grand Funk Railroad, yet to others, it may sound like vintage Traffic, but that is the beauty of their music. The song flows seamlessly into a seductive rocker, filled with imaginative guitar licks, echoing organ riffs, snappy drum work and it exudes phenomenal creativity. Another song, the Hendrix-like guitar work of “River Song,” is a march-like progression oozing with deft bass lines and passionate lyrics that all lead to an intense refrain.
All in all, the CD “Abandon All Plans” is a masterpiece of striking, well articulated music filled with disciplined and engaging rock and roll that will have an overpowering impact, as Iwori captures the essence of musical passion.
Visit the band and support them at http://www.ilike2rock.net/bands/i/iwori.html
Monday, September 3, 2007
Basic Rock Outfit-a powerful debut release
A new band review from one of the Internet's best independent radio stations www.ilike2rock.net
Basic Rock Outfit
When famed producer Sylvia Massy Shivy (Tool, Dishwalla, Johnny Cash) called on the band “Basic Rock Outfit” to deliver a project that is “retro and really classic,” the veteran Florida rockers, Jeremy Thomas (Vocalist, Songwriter, Guitarist), Jason Alfano (Drummer), Jason Gaines (Bass) and Joe Sanders (Guitar) took her to heart.
With the debut CD from the band called “Thank You for the Pain,” the band proves that they belong with rock’s elite. Using vintage equipment, their sound is captured in a collection of well-articulated power rock, with fresh melodies and refined acoustics.
With the four expert musicians that make up the band and using the years of musical experience loving the music that they play, it is impossible to not only hear the passion in which they play, but to actually feel it as well.
“Every song has a life of its own,” explains Jeremy, the main song writer of the band. “I had so many co-writers on this CD and it makes it really special to give so many different people in my life credit for helping make this project a reality.”
And the cumulative reality of all these “helping hands” is exemplified by the stories in the songs, stories of love, passion, loss and rebuilding, stories of the life we all live and the journeys we all take.
Listening to the cut “Alabama,” with its melodic, sweet haziness and heartfelt lyrics of a love that didn’t last, is so brilliantly articulated that you can feel the hurt. It becomes an intrinsic part of the musical experience. The band changes gears on the start and stop rocker, “Shell,” with its infectious tempo, addictive hooks and energetic refrain, the song is burning up Internet radio and belongs (and would be right at home) on any rock station in the land.
While staying well within the wheelhouse of guitar pop, the band exhibits impressive range, from the driving rocker "Alive" to the broodingly and bluesy "Broken Man" to the ballad "Flowers & Champagne," with its sublime ascent to crescendo. Thomas' singing masterfully brings the best out in each song, on the full-throated belting (with just the right dash of rasp) on the title track and other up-tempo numbers. From beginning to end, "Thank You for the Pain" delivers music that is at once modern and classic. Simply put, Basic Rock Outfit's sound will never go out of fashion. Believe it: Its Basic Rock Outfit's time.
Visit and support the band at http://www.ilike2rock.net/bands/b/basic_rock_outfit.html
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I found this very interesting and I thought I would pass it along. It is an explanation of how a record works (or plays)
Visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjbIC93mb0
Visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjbIC93mb0
Monday, August 27, 2007
Album Cover Art
In 1939, Alex Steinweiss was employed at Columbia Records as the first art director for the company and decided to spruce up and repackage vinyl records. We all know the result, album cover art has become an important part of music and pop culture. Many prominent artists have been commissioned to add their expertise and ideas for album covers. (Prior to Steinweiss’s creative influences, records were generally stored in plain, undecorated packaging).
For collectors, album cover art can sometimes be as valuable as the vinyl record it holds. For instance, one of the most famous album covers of all time, the Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” cover was one of the most inventive at the time and included cut out inserts and lyrics. The price one would pay for a copy of this album is influenced by whether or not it has the original contents and they are intact. There are many album covers that included posters of the band as well and other “perks” for the buyer and all these elements factor into the resale price and collectiblity.
There have been many dynamic and world-famous album covers. Consider the Beatles’ album “Yesterday...and Today” (1966), also called the “butcher block album” because the Beatles were pictured on the front cover wearing white butcher coats surrounded by bloody meat and cut up dolls. The album was quickly pulled by Capitol Records after the company received numerous complaints from reviewers and DJ’s. The company recalled the issue and ordered a new cover but did not want to waste the several hundred thousand that had already been printed. Capitol then hired part-time helpers to remove that photo from the cover and paste on the new photo for the cover. But, it seems that there were many lazy employees and to save time, they just pasted the new cover on top of the old cover and the one that was supposed to be removed. The result is three different versions of that particular album and a collector’s dream, the different versions of the album are worth several thousand dollars (prices vary-check a record price guide to ascertain exactly what album you may have to get the exact price).
Album cover art has also spawned numerous web sites in which to view famous covers and designs, readers’ favorites and top ten lists. One such site, www.superseventies.com offers a comprehensive look at some of the most famous covers from the 1970's including the Sex Pistols “Never Mind The Bollocks,” the Eagles “Hotel California,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” and the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” among others. Additionally, www.superseventies.com offers their reader’s favorite seventies album covers (more than 300) with detailed descriptions and reviews of each specific release. This is a great way to spend a rainy day, as you discover some of the best album cover art of the 70's.
Album cover design is an art form and allows the musicians greater control over the content and another important avenue in which to express themselves. In my humble opinion (and I share this opinion with countless others), with the advent of the CD, the music buying public lost a national treasure, album cover art. It is part of pop culture and recorded music in general. Sure, Cd’s offer you a “stripped down” version of the original cover art, but it certainly pales in comparison to the real thing. I am sure Mr. Steinweiss would totally agree with me.
As I stated previously, many famous artists have been commissioned to design and produce album covers. For example, the Rolling Stones and pop artist Andy Warhol are famous for the cover art on the Stones’ album “Sticky Fingers.” As the story goes, at a party in 1969, Andy Warhol casually mentioned to Mick Jagger that it would be amusing to have a real zipper on an album cover. A year later, Jagger proposed the idea for “Sticky Fingers.” But, there was a flaw in the shipping process, the zipper would press onto the album stacked on top of it, causing damage to the vinyl record. The solution? The zipper had to be pulled down before the album was shipped, then it would only dent the album covers. However, they never figured out how to keep the zipper from scratching the other album covers. Additionally, some department stores refused to display the album, feeling it was risque and not family oriented because of the model’s snug jeans and the zipper display. But this album is historic because it broke new ground and also saw the debut of the now famous Stones logo: a caricature of Jagger’s lips and tongue.
If you are a Janis Joplin fan, then you would probably know that the famed cartoonist Robert Crumb designed the cover for Joplin’s album “Cheap Thrills.” This revered, yet misunderstood artist, drew the cover as a favor to Joplin, who he befriended in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood where they both resided. He was paid $600 for his work by Columbia Records, which later sold the artwork. Crumb was asked to do a cover for the Rolling Stones, but refused because he did not like their music. Crumb is also the artist for the “Keep On Truckin’” poster and “Fritz The Cat,” and has more than seventy covers to his credit.
The Internet is full of sites related to album cover art and is just too numerous to list. There are sites devoted to fan favorites, the weird and unusual, particular decades and so on. Many users have turned to ebay to find lost art treasures from their childhood. But I want to share a website and album cover artwork finder that is not only convenient, but a must have for any art lover.
I recently spoke with Richard Nicol, the program designer and owner of “Album Cover Finder.” (www.albumcoverfinder.com) The program has been available for more than two years and is a godsend for anyone interested in album cover art. “Album Cover Finder” allows the user to not only find specific searches for interesting album cover art, but also allows the user to download selected songs from the release. I asked Richard about his fascination with album cover art.
“I’ve always been interested and loved album cover art and wanted to create a database where the users could not only look at album cover art, but experience it as well. The program allows the user to browse through the cover art of a particular band and also lets the user to download particular songs through iTunes as well. The main feature is convenience, you can utilize iTunes and not only get more of an experience for the music, but the great artwork involved with the music and artists.”
But, “Album Cover Finder” is more than just iTunes and album cover art. The program allows users to look at different art work from different countries as well. Some of the art work involved in a US release may be different from that of a UK release or German release, only adding to the experience. The program also allows users to review artist biographies, read reviews of a particular release and add the artwork to their iTunes library and an iPod. “Album Cover Finder” also allows users to find additional cover art from a particular artist or band, copy the artwork to a clipboard and has artist videos and applicable tour information. “Album Cover Finder” is a fully functional way to search for album artwork and includes free updates for registered users and is available at www.albumcoverfinder.com.
Now, I have only had the program about a week, but I have to admit spending literally half a day looking at historic artwork and listening to the songs associated with the acts. This software gets a hardy “thumbs-up” and is a “must have,” affordable program for album cover art connoisseurs and anyone with a fascination with art and music.
Needless to say, there can be a lot more written about album cover art and the impact it has had upon music and pop culture and cannot be summarized in an article. There are countless books, (I actually own one that talks about and illustrates naked vinyl and the images used to try and sell albums!) That detail album covers and the impact upon pop culture and music. I have a short list below for you to explore:
www.albumcovers.net
www.annexus.homestead.com
www.zubeworld.com
www.superseventies.com
www.popcultmag.com/oddglimpses/albumcovers/albumsdefault.html
Additionally, there are so many web sites and blogs associated with album cover art, they are to numerous to list. Why there are even web sites devoted to preserving this treasured art and frame it for display. Do you know what album cover is the favorite of all time?
I spoke with Gary Freiberg, owner and operator of www.rockartpictureshow.com, a site famous for it's framing of album cover art. We also spoke about the “Sgt. Pepper” cover and Gary related to me that the album “broke new ground and challenged the industry.” Gary and I talked about album cover art and the influences it has had on our culture. He also told me of a recent poll conducted by www.vinylrecordday.org that voted the “Sgt. Pepper” album cover the favorite album cover of all time.
Gary is world renowned for his work in the album cover art industry with his patented record album frame and his work has been cited and used by the Smithsonian, Home & Garden TV, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and thousands of satisfied Internet customers. And if you are interested in getting your great album art framed, you may visit www.rockartpictureshow.com and tell Gary you heard about him from Robert at www.collectingvinylrecords.com
For collectors, album cover art can sometimes be as valuable as the vinyl record it holds. For instance, one of the most famous album covers of all time, the Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” cover was one of the most inventive at the time and included cut out inserts and lyrics. The price one would pay for a copy of this album is influenced by whether or not it has the original contents and they are intact. There are many album covers that included posters of the band as well and other “perks” for the buyer and all these elements factor into the resale price and collectiblity.
There have been many dynamic and world-famous album covers. Consider the Beatles’ album “Yesterday...and Today” (1966), also called the “butcher block album” because the Beatles were pictured on the front cover wearing white butcher coats surrounded by bloody meat and cut up dolls. The album was quickly pulled by Capitol Records after the company received numerous complaints from reviewers and DJ’s. The company recalled the issue and ordered a new cover but did not want to waste the several hundred thousand that had already been printed. Capitol then hired part-time helpers to remove that photo from the cover and paste on the new photo for the cover. But, it seems that there were many lazy employees and to save time, they just pasted the new cover on top of the old cover and the one that was supposed to be removed. The result is three different versions of that particular album and a collector’s dream, the different versions of the album are worth several thousand dollars (prices vary-check a record price guide to ascertain exactly what album you may have to get the exact price).
Album cover art has also spawned numerous web sites in which to view famous covers and designs, readers’ favorites and top ten lists. One such site, www.superseventies.com offers a comprehensive look at some of the most famous covers from the 1970's including the Sex Pistols “Never Mind The Bollocks,” the Eagles “Hotel California,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” and the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” among others. Additionally, www.superseventies.com offers their reader’s favorite seventies album covers (more than 300) with detailed descriptions and reviews of each specific release. This is a great way to spend a rainy day, as you discover some of the best album cover art of the 70's.
Album cover design is an art form and allows the musicians greater control over the content and another important avenue in which to express themselves. In my humble opinion (and I share this opinion with countless others), with the advent of the CD, the music buying public lost a national treasure, album cover art. It is part of pop culture and recorded music in general. Sure, Cd’s offer you a “stripped down” version of the original cover art, but it certainly pales in comparison to the real thing. I am sure Mr. Steinweiss would totally agree with me.
As I stated previously, many famous artists have been commissioned to design and produce album covers. For example, the Rolling Stones and pop artist Andy Warhol are famous for the cover art on the Stones’ album “Sticky Fingers.” As the story goes, at a party in 1969, Andy Warhol casually mentioned to Mick Jagger that it would be amusing to have a real zipper on an album cover. A year later, Jagger proposed the idea for “Sticky Fingers.” But, there was a flaw in the shipping process, the zipper would press onto the album stacked on top of it, causing damage to the vinyl record. The solution? The zipper had to be pulled down before the album was shipped, then it would only dent the album covers. However, they never figured out how to keep the zipper from scratching the other album covers. Additionally, some department stores refused to display the album, feeling it was risque and not family oriented because of the model’s snug jeans and the zipper display. But this album is historic because it broke new ground and also saw the debut of the now famous Stones logo: a caricature of Jagger’s lips and tongue.
If you are a Janis Joplin fan, then you would probably know that the famed cartoonist Robert Crumb designed the cover for Joplin’s album “Cheap Thrills.” This revered, yet misunderstood artist, drew the cover as a favor to Joplin, who he befriended in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood where they both resided. He was paid $600 for his work by Columbia Records, which later sold the artwork. Crumb was asked to do a cover for the Rolling Stones, but refused because he did not like their music. Crumb is also the artist for the “Keep On Truckin’” poster and “Fritz The Cat,” and has more than seventy covers to his credit.
The Internet is full of sites related to album cover art and is just too numerous to list. There are sites devoted to fan favorites, the weird and unusual, particular decades and so on. Many users have turned to ebay to find lost art treasures from their childhood. But I want to share a website and album cover artwork finder that is not only convenient, but a must have for any art lover.
I recently spoke with Richard Nicol, the program designer and owner of “Album Cover Finder.” (www.albumcoverfinder.com) The program has been available for more than two years and is a godsend for anyone interested in album cover art. “Album Cover Finder” allows the user to not only find specific searches for interesting album cover art, but also allows the user to download selected songs from the release. I asked Richard about his fascination with album cover art.
“I’ve always been interested and loved album cover art and wanted to create a database where the users could not only look at album cover art, but experience it as well. The program allows the user to browse through the cover art of a particular band and also lets the user to download particular songs through iTunes as well. The main feature is convenience, you can utilize iTunes and not only get more of an experience for the music, but the great artwork involved with the music and artists.”
But, “Album Cover Finder” is more than just iTunes and album cover art. The program allows users to look at different art work from different countries as well. Some of the art work involved in a US release may be different from that of a UK release or German release, only adding to the experience. The program also allows users to review artist biographies, read reviews of a particular release and add the artwork to their iTunes library and an iPod. “Album Cover Finder” also allows users to find additional cover art from a particular artist or band, copy the artwork to a clipboard and has artist videos and applicable tour information. “Album Cover Finder” is a fully functional way to search for album artwork and includes free updates for registered users and is available at www.albumcoverfinder.com.
Now, I have only had the program about a week, but I have to admit spending literally half a day looking at historic artwork and listening to the songs associated with the acts. This software gets a hardy “thumbs-up” and is a “must have,” affordable program for album cover art connoisseurs and anyone with a fascination with art and music.
Needless to say, there can be a lot more written about album cover art and the impact it has had upon music and pop culture and cannot be summarized in an article. There are countless books, (I actually own one that talks about and illustrates naked vinyl and the images used to try and sell albums!) That detail album covers and the impact upon pop culture and music. I have a short list below for you to explore:
www.albumcovers.net
www.annexus.homestead.com
www.zubeworld.com
www.superseventies.com
www.popcultmag.com/oddglimpses/albumcovers/albumsdefault.html
Additionally, there are so many web sites and blogs associated with album cover art, they are to numerous to list. Why there are even web sites devoted to preserving this treasured art and frame it for display. Do you know what album cover is the favorite of all time?
I spoke with Gary Freiberg, owner and operator of www.rockartpictureshow.com, a site famous for it's framing of album cover art. We also spoke about the “Sgt. Pepper” cover and Gary related to me that the album “broke new ground and challenged the industry.” Gary and I talked about album cover art and the influences it has had on our culture. He also told me of a recent poll conducted by www.vinylrecordday.org that voted the “Sgt. Pepper” album cover the favorite album cover of all time.
Gary is world renowned for his work in the album cover art industry with his patented record album frame and his work has been cited and used by the Smithsonian, Home & Garden TV, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and thousands of satisfied Internet customers. And if you are interested in getting your great album art framed, you may visit www.rockartpictureshow.com and tell Gary you heard about him from Robert at www.collectingvinylrecords.com
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Find Your Vinyl Here!
Looking for vinyl records to buy? I have a new resource to tell you about and one I am sure will help out anyone who is a serious vinyl record collector. They are reputable, take PayPal, and grade their records according to the Goldmine Grading System (which is perfect!). For quality vinyl, you will be pleasantly surprised at the vast selection including thousands of vintage vinyl records at great prices. All your favorites. Funky, Jazz, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll.
recordsontheweb.net/index.php
Check them out today!
recordsontheweb.net/index.php
Check them out today!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
TEAC Multi Music Player/CD Recorder
As I discussed yesterday, I convert my vinyl to CD in two ways. We discussed the program "Spin It Again" and now I want to discuss a unit (TEAC Multi Music Player/CD Recorder) that I purchased that also converts your record albums to CD format. Here is the unit:
TEAC Phono CD Recorder
I have coverted over sixty albums to CD so far, and I must say that this is an easy machine to operate. There is no set up involved, just take it out of the box, plug it in, add a vinyl record on the turntable, add a CD to record on and press the appropriate button. This unit is very user friendly and anyone could operate it. It more than pays for itself, as you convert your precious vinyl records to CD!
TEAC Phono CD Recorder
I have coverted over sixty albums to CD so far, and I must say that this is an easy machine to operate. There is no set up involved, just take it out of the box, plug it in, add a vinyl record on the turntable, add a CD to record on and press the appropriate button. This unit is very user friendly and anyone could operate it. It more than pays for itself, as you convert your precious vinyl records to CD!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Convert Your Vinyl Records To CD
I have been asked about converting vinyl records to CD and what is the best way to go about doing this. There are two ways that I do it. I recently bought a great program called "Spin It Again." This computer application works wonderful and it is very easy to set up, is user friendly and menu-driven. Here is a snapshot of the program in action:
The program allows you to "edit" and remove unwanted hiss and crackle
Here is the sales copy that the company uses:
Transfer your old 45's and 33's to CD or to your new MP3 player or iPod(tm)! This dedicated record and tape conversion software makes it child's play to record and edit your old albums. The wizard driven process guides you through connecting your hardware, getting the correct recording level, and splitting your recording into multiple tracks. The software automatically removes clicks and pops and that unwanted tape hum and hiss. Convert your recordings to MP3s or burn them on to an audio CD! Spin It Again is a dedicated LP and tape recording conversion software application designed to make the process as simple as possible.
Buy Spin It Again
Now, some may wonder, if you are a vinyl record collector and love vinyl so much, then why would you "convert" your vinyl to the dreaded CD? Fair question. I convert my vinyl for several reasons. CD's are certainly more portable than records (you can't play a record in your car!) and this allows you to take your vinyl records anywhere, without really taking them out of your house.
Another reason I convert my vinyl to CD is to safeguard my records. Let me explain. If, for instance, I am invited to a party and they want to hear some of my "rare" vinyl, I can just make a recording of the particular record and take that instead of the record. This saves it from being lost or stolen, or anyone asking to "borrow" a valuable record. I can rest easy because I know where the record is at (in it's respective sleeve locked up at home!)
Then there is the damage factor. There is an issue of over use, but from what I have read, it is almost impossible to "wear out a vinyl record". Now, I suppose if you just played it over and over again for a year, you could do some damage, but you don't wear out a record just by using it. (obviously make sure to take very good care of your stylus) But, having a record on CD will save the record from the possibility of being damaged and getting dirty. (via fingerprints, dust or the occasional beer spill)
And by converting your vinyl to CD, you help to preserve the record, remember, vinyl records are historical audio documents. (An interesting fact is that only 5% of music on vinyl has been transferred to CD...that is an awful lot of music out there in the world that is only available via the vinyl record!)
So pick up your copy of this marvelous software and start converting right away!
Buy Spin It Again
Tomorrow I will discuss another way that I convert my records to CD!
The program allows you to "edit" and remove unwanted hiss and crackle
Here is the sales copy that the company uses:
Transfer your old 45's and 33's to CD or to your new MP3 player or iPod(tm)! This dedicated record and tape conversion software makes it child's play to record and edit your old albums. The wizard driven process guides you through connecting your hardware, getting the correct recording level, and splitting your recording into multiple tracks. The software automatically removes clicks and pops and that unwanted tape hum and hiss. Convert your recordings to MP3s or burn them on to an audio CD! Spin It Again is a dedicated LP and tape recording conversion software application designed to make the process as simple as possible.
Buy Spin It Again
Now, some may wonder, if you are a vinyl record collector and love vinyl so much, then why would you "convert" your vinyl to the dreaded CD? Fair question. I convert my vinyl for several reasons. CD's are certainly more portable than records (you can't play a record in your car!) and this allows you to take your vinyl records anywhere, without really taking them out of your house.
Another reason I convert my vinyl to CD is to safeguard my records. Let me explain. If, for instance, I am invited to a party and they want to hear some of my "rare" vinyl, I can just make a recording of the particular record and take that instead of the record. This saves it from being lost or stolen, or anyone asking to "borrow" a valuable record. I can rest easy because I know where the record is at (in it's respective sleeve locked up at home!)
Then there is the damage factor. There is an issue of over use, but from what I have read, it is almost impossible to "wear out a vinyl record". Now, I suppose if you just played it over and over again for a year, you could do some damage, but you don't wear out a record just by using it. (obviously make sure to take very good care of your stylus) But, having a record on CD will save the record from the possibility of being damaged and getting dirty. (via fingerprints, dust or the occasional beer spill)
And by converting your vinyl to CD, you help to preserve the record, remember, vinyl records are historical audio documents. (An interesting fact is that only 5% of music on vinyl has been transferred to CD...that is an awful lot of music out there in the world that is only available via the vinyl record!)
So pick up your copy of this marvelous software and start converting right away!
Buy Spin It Again
Tomorrow I will discuss another way that I convert my records to CD!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Mr. Completely .....complete mastery!
As previously mentioned, I write band bio's for indie bands for http://www.ilike2rock.net and I have hit the jackpot...I actually have spent a very enjoyable afternoon with a splendid band from Canada called Mr. Completely. Check them out ASAP at: http://www.ilike2rock.net/bands/m/mr_completely.html
Mr. Completely
Hailing from Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada, the aptly named dynamic rock and roll band, Mr. Completely adeptly mix classic rock/pop sounds with a blues swagger on their consistently inventive CD “Twice On Sundays.”
With songs like the classic rock sound of “Walk Away,” an everyman song of love gone bad that anyone can relate to (blended with a rootsy refrain we have all felt) that is set smartly to a melodic accompaniment, a funky riff and lead singer’s Jamie Robertson’s distinctive voice, the cut has all the elements of a hit single.
Another moving cut is the stripped down acoustics that evolve with musical emotion as the lyrics tell the story of the song “Without Warning.” The authorative singing of “Never Be The One,” with its wish-like lyrics echoed by emotional guitar work, is powerful and expressive.
Robertson is quoted as saying, “music fills my soul with energy” and he proves this with the slowed down acoustic precision of the cut, “Before Too Long,” an expressive song that says all the things you wish you could say-or should have said, accompanied by an intoxicating melody and a lead guitar that expresses the lyrics elegantly and with a keen passion.
Other cuts like “Rich Man Poor Man,” a heavy blues-rocker with sophisticated guitar work reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan (funky, rhythmic and lead). The straight up, no frills harmonic sound of “Never See You Again,” only tells you that the best is yet to come from Mr. Completely, because as the name implies, all four members are complete musicians and play not only from the heart and soul, but with immeasurable passion that a listener can actually feel within their music. That means, they get it, and are experts at passing it along (the music can give the chills). It would be a shame for you to miss out on their musical mastery.
Mr. Completely are:
Jamie Robertson - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Richard Spencer - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Rod Campbell - Drums/Vocals
George Milutinovic - Bass
Stop By For A Visit: http://www.mrcompletely.ca/
Friday, August 3, 2007
National Record Show
National Record Show heads to Rock Hall Hall Of Fame
The sixth annual National Record Show will be this weekend August 4-5 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland Ohio. Dealers from around the country will appraise, buy and sell vinyl records, CDs and other rock memorabilia.
Co-presented by
Admission is free. Festivities include performances by Poobah, Liecus, Greyface, the Deadbeat Poets and Joe Bouchard, formerly of Blue Oyster Cult.
The sixth annual National Record Show will be this weekend August 4-5 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland Ohio. Dealers from around the country will appraise, buy and sell vinyl records, CDs and other rock memorabilia.
Co-presented by
Goldmine magazinethe event runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is free. Festivities include performances by Poobah, Liecus, Greyface, the Deadbeat Poets and Joe Bouchard, formerly of Blue Oyster Cult.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
As I stated in an earlier post, I am enjoying writing band bio's for bands for the Internet Radio station www.ilike2rock.net and I want to tell you about a couple of new bands that I see a bright future for. Here are the band bio's:
Hyske
Saara Jarvinen’s influences can be heard in the song “I Remember You,” (The Cranberries) and Deborah Harry (in the song “You Should Have Seen”) as band mate Dean Belcastro (and many friends) combine the elements of transcendent and lucid guitar work with a mixture of ambient synth-folk rock and sensible backing instruments to create their distinctive sound.
With intelligent lyrics, the music weaves through life’s journeys with flawless instrumentation to accompany them. Angel-like vocals with sweet emotion gain steam in the song “Universe Inside” and the dreamy beat and perfectly placed vocals accompany the song “Apathy.” “All Of The World” evokes an acoustic-laden dreamy pop sound that is as infectious as it is intellectually stimulating. One can actually feel what Saara is singing, an intrinsic trait that only brings her music to the forefront and a gift not many song writers possess.
Although the band has persevered through many line-up changes, the core of the group, the duo of Saara and Dean created a masterpiece with their debut CD “Luna.” Put your ear to the ground and remember the name Hyske (pronounced High-Sk), as the sky is the limit for this angel of songs.
For more information please visit: http://www.hyske.com/
Jeriko
A new artist out of L.A. named Jeriko brings a refreshing sound and a sweet attitude to match her catchy pop-rock melodies in her new EP “From Me To You.” Finding her inspiration on an extended trip to Europe, she has hooked up with the Swedish brother team “The K-Bros” and has produced an EP that is quickly turning heads.
The hit single and title track, “From Me To You” is a hard edged, Debbie Harry-like track that probably has her giving a wink to everyone as she sings the retaliatory lyrics. “All Thumbs Up” is a song with a quirky Lou Reed-like riff and is something that Pat Benatar could have easily released in her prime. The tune “Happy” is pure, seductive pop complete with reflective lyrics and infectious rock riffs.
Internet Radio is blasting this sultry pop-rock goddess’ music at full-throttle and MTV has licensed the entire release for their catalog and it is just a matter of time before Jeriko and her masterful music is a household name.
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/jerikozone
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Beatles Story LP
I recently answered an email question as to the worth of the album called "The Beatles Story" from 1964. Apparently this record album set is still sealed. There are a few versions of this album (2-album set) and the one in question was STBO-2222. Now if you have this set in "monaural" it could be worth from $300-500 depending on condition. But if you have STBO-2222 in stereo/black label and it does NOT have "Subsidary of Capitol Industries" at the bottom, the set could be worth from $800-$1,200 again depending on the condition.
The Beatles have so many variables when trying to ascertain a price, it is best to make sure you check all of these (i.e.- color of label, year of release, record label, specific writing on the record label, and other factors) before putting a price on your record(s).
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