Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA ("SOS") turns 63.
The late Jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Va. in 1913. Her incredible interpretative ability makes her one of the most influential singers in America.
Songwriter Jerry Leiber (wrote "Hound Dog", "Stand By Me", "Charlie Brown" "Yakety Yak" and "Jailhouse Rock" and many other tunes with his partner, Mike Stoller) is 75.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett ("Monster Mash") died of leukemia in 2007.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s bassist, Stu Cook, was born “down on the corner” in Stanton, CA. in 1945.
In 1999, "Joe DiMaggio Day" is held at New York's Yankee Stadium and Paul Simon sang "Mrs. Robinson" in his honor.
The Ramones' movie, "Rock & Roll High School" opened in 1979.
Blues guitarist Albert King was born in Indianola, Miss in 1923. Guitarists like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan have spent their lives searching for his unique expressive tone.
In 1964, the Beatles have an amazing 14 singles on the American chart.
Also in 1964, in England, Peter & Gordon take the Lennon/McCartney song "World Without Love" to the top of the singles chart, where it knocks off the Beatles' own "Can't Buy Me Love."
In 1974, Rolling Stone reported that concerts by Yes and Gregg Allman, were hit by streakers, no doubt inspired by Ray Stevens' No. 1 hit "The Streak." In a related story The Beach Boys are streaked by members of their own road crew, during a concert in 1974.
In 1977, Elvis Presley made his last-known recordings during a live concert at the Saginaw (Mich.) Civic Center. The tracks will turn up on the posthumous album Moody Blue.
In 1990, the Fender Stratocaster on which Jimi Hendrix played "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock sold at a London auction for $295,000.
The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" during a British TV broadcast in 1967. Marianne Faithfull sang in the chorus.
1955- John Walker, the British delegate on the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs announced that there is a "definite connection between increased marijuana smoking and that form of entertainment known as bebop and rebop."
On this date in 1968, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed that listening on the job to Radio 1, the major Pop and Rock station of the BBC, made workers less productive. (maybe they were listening to bebop!)
Elvis Presley's first release since leaving the US Army, "Stuck On You" topped the Billboard chart in 1964. The record had been so highly anticipated, it sold over one million copies before it was even recorded. It reached #3 in the UK.
The Eagles performed their first reunion concert in 1994. Though having previously said it would never happen, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Timothy B. Schmitt, play for an invited audience at Warner Burbank (CA) Studios. The concert was taped and shown on MTV later in the year.
Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" was released in 2006. The album features 13 tracks associated with Folk singer Pete Seeger.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
This Date In Music History- April 23
In 1949, "Tell Me So," by the Orioles, entered the R&B chart. It will be their second #1 hit in less than a year.
'Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie Together in Concert,' a live collaboration between two generations of folk-music legends, was released in 1975. It will be followed by another, 'Precious Friends,' in 1982.
The late Roy Orbison ("Oh, Pretty Woman") was born in 1936. His haunting voice has graced some of the most extraordinary songs of the rock era, including the 1961 No. 1 "Running Scared."
The late Ray Peterson ("Tell Laura I Love Her") was born in 1935.
Peter Ham of Badfinger ("Baby Blue") committed suicide in London in 1975. He wrote the classic song "Without You" with 'finger bassist Tom Evans. Evans also took his life after becoming frustrated with his career.
Cass Elliot collapses before a scheduled performance on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show", 1974
In 1956, Elvis Presley, accompanied by Bill Black and Scotty Moore, made his Las Vegas debut at the New Frontier Hotel when he opened for the Freddie Martin Orchestra and comedian Shecky Greene. Despite having "Heartbreak Hotel" at the top of the charts, Elvis was not well-received by the middle-aged audience. Management of the Frontier was so unimpressed, they gave Elvis his walking papers after one week of a two-week engagement. Presley wouldn't play Las Vegas again for almost 13 years.
Jan & Dean recorded their No. 1 "Surf City" in 1963. Brian Wilson appears on backing vocals.
Bruce Springsteen defends the beleaguered Dixie Chicks in 2003, who suffered a backlash after criticizing George W. Bush. In a statement, he declared, "To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American."
Harold Arlen died at age 81 in 1986. The pianist wrote pop standards like "Get Happy," and "Stormy Weather" with lyricist Ted Koehler. He also penned the song "Over the Rainbow."
A song called "My Bonnie" by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles was released in America on the Decca label in 1962. It was the first commercial release anywhere in the world to carry The Beatles name. John Lennon would later say "It's just Tony Sheridan singing with us banging in the background. They're flogging it, but I wish they'd just shut up! It's terrible! It could be anybody." The mono 45 failed to chart on Billboard or Cashbox.
In 1960, in Caversham, England, a very young John Lennon and Paul McCartney performed together as the Nerk Twins.
In 1995, the Sunday Times of London reported that a Liverpool man, Peter Hodgson, had found a tape in his attic containing 16 of The Beatles' earliest recordings made in 1959. The session included "Hello Little Girl", a Lennon-McCartney composition that the Beatles never recorded commercially and Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Love Her So". The tape had been made on a reel-to-reel recorder that Hodgson's father had lent to Paul McCartney.
'Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie Together in Concert,' a live collaboration between two generations of folk-music legends, was released in 1975. It will be followed by another, 'Precious Friends,' in 1982.
The late Roy Orbison ("Oh, Pretty Woman") was born in 1936. His haunting voice has graced some of the most extraordinary songs of the rock era, including the 1961 No. 1 "Running Scared."
The late Ray Peterson ("Tell Laura I Love Her") was born in 1935.
Peter Ham of Badfinger ("Baby Blue") committed suicide in London in 1975. He wrote the classic song "Without You" with 'finger bassist Tom Evans. Evans also took his life after becoming frustrated with his career.
Cass Elliot collapses before a scheduled performance on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show", 1974
In 1956, Elvis Presley, accompanied by Bill Black and Scotty Moore, made his Las Vegas debut at the New Frontier Hotel when he opened for the Freddie Martin Orchestra and comedian Shecky Greene. Despite having "Heartbreak Hotel" at the top of the charts, Elvis was not well-received by the middle-aged audience. Management of the Frontier was so unimpressed, they gave Elvis his walking papers after one week of a two-week engagement. Presley wouldn't play Las Vegas again for almost 13 years.
Jan & Dean recorded their No. 1 "Surf City" in 1963. Brian Wilson appears on backing vocals.
Bruce Springsteen defends the beleaguered Dixie Chicks in 2003, who suffered a backlash after criticizing George W. Bush. In a statement, he declared, "To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American."
Harold Arlen died at age 81 in 1986. The pianist wrote pop standards like "Get Happy," and "Stormy Weather" with lyricist Ted Koehler. He also penned the song "Over the Rainbow."
A song called "My Bonnie" by Tony Sheridan and The Beatles was released in America on the Decca label in 1962. It was the first commercial release anywhere in the world to carry The Beatles name. John Lennon would later say "It's just Tony Sheridan singing with us banging in the background. They're flogging it, but I wish they'd just shut up! It's terrible! It could be anybody." The mono 45 failed to chart on Billboard or Cashbox.
In 1960, in Caversham, England, a very young John Lennon and Paul McCartney performed together as the Nerk Twins.
In 1995, the Sunday Times of London reported that a Liverpool man, Peter Hodgson, had found a tape in his attic containing 16 of The Beatles' earliest recordings made in 1959. The session included "Hello Little Girl", a Lennon-McCartney composition that the Beatles never recorded commercially and Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Love Her So". The tape had been made on a reel-to-reel recorder that Hodgson's father had lent to Paul McCartney.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Back to basics: A visit to vinyl
By Jim Downing, Musician and Writer
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Reprinted by permission from http://www.tulsatoday.com/
The counter-revolution has been on for some time now, as I’m shopping for a new cartridge for my turntable.
I’m not much of a casual music listener anymore; I don’t have an iPod and don’t particularly want one. I didn’t even use my Walkman very often. When I listen to something, I pay attention, and I want good sound.
You may disbelieve, but nothing sounds as good as a vinyl record. That’s not an opinion; it’s a fact. That’s why some records were cut direct-to-disk, bypassing analog tape with 1/8” track widths. By comparison, a cassette is just a little wider with four tracks on it, and those awful 8-track tapes had one-fourth of that track width.
Audio quality has gone steadily downhill since the ‘70s. Studios used tube amps until the manufacturers sold them a bill of goods that transistors were the way to go. The studios then bought tube pre-amps to regain some of the lost quality. With CDs, they lopped off the highs and lows and were able to get more than twice the time on one disk. MP3s subtract even more signal. We may be headed toward the tinny AM pocket radios of the fifties; why not – who cares?
On the other hand, you have the car stereos with grossly disproportionate low frequencies that amount to scrotal massage – nothing at all like music is supposed to sound.
Donald Fagen made the first digitally recorded hit album 25 years ago. He complained then about the dullness of the sound and digital’s deafness to nuance and dynamics. The good part is that there is no extraneous noise from tape hiss or a speck of dust in a groove.
The four-track that the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ was recorded on was bigger than your dishwasher. They tediously spliced different tapes together with a razor blade and tape. Now you can put a decent four-track in a briefcase. That certainly makes it a lot easier to record a gig.
Digital recording has made many amazing things possible. One unit has so much RAM that you can record 256 tracks for 40 hours before dumping to a hard drive. There is even software that composes music. You can cut out one measure of a guitar lick and paste it into another spot. This would be like cutting windows in tapes: nearly impossible. You can alter the sounds into digital samples of other instruments, turn a wobbly drummer into a human clock and even make a tone-deaf banshee sing on pitch. In short, bad musicians can be made to sound almost talented. Is this a good idea?
These capabilities are wonderful and can be very useful. But a perfectionist can also get bogged down in the details and literally tweeze something to death, not to mention spend far too much time in the studio reinventing the wheel.
Artists and engineers are rebelling. One Los Angeles mixing engineer even wrote a hilarious book about a crappy band with a ridiculous budget that he was recording for a major label. He could make a bad band sound good even without using all the tricks he could have used, but why? It was an epiphany for him; he now produces music he actually cares about.
Some of the biggest names in music are returning to the old method: rehearse the songs and then go in and record them live, maybe overdubbing only the solos and vocal harmonies. After all, some of the biggest sounding records ever made were recorded on one track. The first Beatles tracks are just what they sounded like in the studio. Creativity, talent and passion cannot be synthesized and never will be.
A factory in Nashville still produces vinyl recordsMixing is an art in itself now, and good mixers command high salaries. That’s just the way it’s done. But, as one said, “We can give you all kinds of haircuts, but it won’t matter if you’re just ugly.”
I’m looking for a stereo tube amp, maybe even a Heathkit, to go with these nice Bozak speakers.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Reprinted by permission from http://www.tulsatoday.com/
The counter-revolution has been on for some time now, as I’m shopping for a new cartridge for my turntable.
I’m not much of a casual music listener anymore; I don’t have an iPod and don’t particularly want one. I didn’t even use my Walkman very often. When I listen to something, I pay attention, and I want good sound.
You may disbelieve, but nothing sounds as good as a vinyl record. That’s not an opinion; it’s a fact. That’s why some records were cut direct-to-disk, bypassing analog tape with 1/8” track widths. By comparison, a cassette is just a little wider with four tracks on it, and those awful 8-track tapes had one-fourth of that track width.
Audio quality has gone steadily downhill since the ‘70s. Studios used tube amps until the manufacturers sold them a bill of goods that transistors were the way to go. The studios then bought tube pre-amps to regain some of the lost quality. With CDs, they lopped off the highs and lows and were able to get more than twice the time on one disk. MP3s subtract even more signal. We may be headed toward the tinny AM pocket radios of the fifties; why not – who cares?
On the other hand, you have the car stereos with grossly disproportionate low frequencies that amount to scrotal massage – nothing at all like music is supposed to sound.
Donald Fagen made the first digitally recorded hit album 25 years ago. He complained then about the dullness of the sound and digital’s deafness to nuance and dynamics. The good part is that there is no extraneous noise from tape hiss or a speck of dust in a groove.
The four-track that the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ was recorded on was bigger than your dishwasher. They tediously spliced different tapes together with a razor blade and tape. Now you can put a decent four-track in a briefcase. That certainly makes it a lot easier to record a gig.
Digital recording has made many amazing things possible. One unit has so much RAM that you can record 256 tracks for 40 hours before dumping to a hard drive. There is even software that composes music. You can cut out one measure of a guitar lick and paste it into another spot. This would be like cutting windows in tapes: nearly impossible. You can alter the sounds into digital samples of other instruments, turn a wobbly drummer into a human clock and even make a tone-deaf banshee sing on pitch. In short, bad musicians can be made to sound almost talented. Is this a good idea?
These capabilities are wonderful and can be very useful. But a perfectionist can also get bogged down in the details and literally tweeze something to death, not to mention spend far too much time in the studio reinventing the wheel.
Artists and engineers are rebelling. One Los Angeles mixing engineer even wrote a hilarious book about a crappy band with a ridiculous budget that he was recording for a major label. He could make a bad band sound good even without using all the tricks he could have used, but why? It was an epiphany for him; he now produces music he actually cares about.
Some of the biggest names in music are returning to the old method: rehearse the songs and then go in and record them live, maybe overdubbing only the solos and vocal harmonies. After all, some of the biggest sounding records ever made were recorded on one track. The first Beatles tracks are just what they sounded like in the studio. Creativity, talent and passion cannot be synthesized and never will be.
A factory in Nashville still produces vinyl recordsMixing is an art in itself now, and good mixers command high salaries. That’s just the way it’s done. But, as one said, “We can give you all kinds of haircuts, but it won’t matter if you’re just ugly.”
I’m looking for a stereo tube amp, maybe even a Heathkit, to go with these nice Bozak speakers.
Monthly Ebay Record Sales
April 2007 - March 2008
April 2007 / 45rpm - Rolling Stones "Street Fighting Man" Pulled 45 w picture sleeve - $15,200.00
May 2007 / LP - Mozart Oubradous Pathe Box Set - $11,300.00
June 2007 / LP - Beatles "White Album" #0000006 - $21,411.00
July 2007 / 45 - The Counts "Peaches Baby" / "My Only Love" - $6,776.00
August 2007 / LP - The Beatles White Album Acetate - $5,478.00
Sept 2007 / 45rpm - The Five Crowns "I Want You" / "Hillum Bay" De'Besth - $5,900.00
Oct 2007 / LP - Beatles - Yesterday and Today Butcher - $10,000.00
Nov 2007 / LP - Bach Cello Suites, Andre Levy Box Set - $20,000.00
Dec 2007 / LP - Mozart a Paris Oubradous Pathe 7 LP Box Set - $7,230.00
Jan 2008 / 45rpm - The Misfits "Horror Business" (Signed) - $14,301.38
Feb 2008 / 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $5,100.00
March 2008 / 45rpm - The Limelights "Don't Leave Me Baby" / "(Time Has Passed) You Don't Love Me Anymore" Uncle - $6,889.10
April 2007 / 45rpm - Rolling Stones "Street Fighting Man" Pulled 45 w picture sleeve - $15,200.00
May 2007 / LP - Mozart Oubradous Pathe Box Set - $11,300.00
June 2007 / LP - Beatles "White Album" #0000006 - $21,411.00
July 2007 / 45 - The Counts "Peaches Baby" / "My Only Love" - $6,776.00
August 2007 / LP - The Beatles White Album Acetate - $5,478.00
Sept 2007 / 45rpm - The Five Crowns "I Want You" / "Hillum Bay" De'Besth - $5,900.00
Oct 2007 / LP - Beatles - Yesterday and Today Butcher - $10,000.00
Nov 2007 / LP - Bach Cello Suites, Andre Levy Box Set - $20,000.00
Dec 2007 / LP - Mozart a Paris Oubradous Pathe 7 LP Box Set - $7,230.00
Jan 2008 / 45rpm - The Misfits "Horror Business" (Signed) - $14,301.38
Feb 2008 / 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $5,100.00
March 2008 / 45rpm - The Limelights "Don't Leave Me Baby" / "(Time Has Passed) You Don't Love Me Anymore" Uncle - $6,889.10
This Date In Music History- April 21
The Cure's Robert Smith was born in Sussex, England in 1959.
Guitarist Michael Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies was born today in 1959.
Ernie Maresca ("Shout! Shout! Knock Yourself Out") turns 69.
In 2003, legendary vocalist/pianist Nina Simone died at age 70 at her home in France. Her biggest hit was the smoky "My Baby Just Cares For Me."
Elton John made his solo concert debut in 1970, opening for T. Rex in London, England.
R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and avid vinyl record collector was arrested at Heathrow Airport in 2001 after allegedly causing a drunken ruckus during a flight from Seattle to London. He was later found innocent of all charges.
In 1993, Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann saved a young surfer from a California riptide.
Folk singer Sandy Denny died in 1978 at age 31 after falling down a flight of stairs. You can hear her on Led Zeppelin IV's "Battle of Nevermore" and with her band Fairport Convention on albums like 1969's Unhalfbricking.
In 1973, Alice Cooper had the #1 album in the US with "Billion Dollar Babies.” The LP also topped the chart in the UK.
Legendary Skatalites trombonist Don Drummond, who wrote and arranged hundreds of ska hits, died in Bellevue Hospital in New York in 1971. He had been committed to the institution after his girlfriend was found stabbed to death in his home in 1965.
In 1970, Chicago slide guitarist Earl Hooker died from tuberculosis at age 41.
In 1961, Folk singer Cisco Houston died of cancer in San Bernardino, Calif. The influential troubadour traveled America with Woody Guthrie and was Leadbelly's houseguest.
In 1960, Dick Clark admitted that he had a financial stake in more than a quarter of the records that were played on American Bandstand. The congressional committee investigating payola orders him to sell off several of his holdings.
1947- Rock's wondrous front man, Iggy Pop, was born today in Michigan as James Osterberg. He's led the wild and wildly influential band, The Stooges, and recorded a string of solo albums.
The Bihari brothers founded Modern Records in 1945. Over the years, the label will become an R&B powerhouse, releasing discs by John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Etta James among others.
In 1963, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones met for the first time during a Stones performance at the Crawdaddy Club. 'We got all nervous', said Bill Wyman, “but then we had a chat with them afterwards and stayed up all night rapping and became really good mates.”
In 1969, Janis Joplin made her first London concert appearance at Royal Albert Hall, a performance considered by many to be one of the best of her career.
In 2000, Neal Matthews of the Jordanaires died of a heart attack. He sang back-up on Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" and also worked with Ricky Nelson, Marie Osmond, Tom Jones and Merle Haggard.
Guitarist Michael Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies was born today in 1959.
Ernie Maresca ("Shout! Shout! Knock Yourself Out") turns 69.
In 2003, legendary vocalist/pianist Nina Simone died at age 70 at her home in France. Her biggest hit was the smoky "My Baby Just Cares For Me."
Elton John made his solo concert debut in 1970, opening for T. Rex in London, England.
R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and avid vinyl record collector was arrested at Heathrow Airport in 2001 after allegedly causing a drunken ruckus during a flight from Seattle to London. He was later found innocent of all charges.
In 1993, Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann saved a young surfer from a California riptide.
Folk singer Sandy Denny died in 1978 at age 31 after falling down a flight of stairs. You can hear her on Led Zeppelin IV's "Battle of Nevermore" and with her band Fairport Convention on albums like 1969's Unhalfbricking.
In 1973, Alice Cooper had the #1 album in the US with "Billion Dollar Babies.” The LP also topped the chart in the UK.
Legendary Skatalites trombonist Don Drummond, who wrote and arranged hundreds of ska hits, died in Bellevue Hospital in New York in 1971. He had been committed to the institution after his girlfriend was found stabbed to death in his home in 1965.
In 1970, Chicago slide guitarist Earl Hooker died from tuberculosis at age 41.
In 1961, Folk singer Cisco Houston died of cancer in San Bernardino, Calif. The influential troubadour traveled America with Woody Guthrie and was Leadbelly's houseguest.
In 1960, Dick Clark admitted that he had a financial stake in more than a quarter of the records that were played on American Bandstand. The congressional committee investigating payola orders him to sell off several of his holdings.
1947- Rock's wondrous front man, Iggy Pop, was born today in Michigan as James Osterberg. He's led the wild and wildly influential band, The Stooges, and recorded a string of solo albums.
The Bihari brothers founded Modern Records in 1945. Over the years, the label will become an R&B powerhouse, releasing discs by John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Etta James among others.
In 1963, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones met for the first time during a Stones performance at the Crawdaddy Club. 'We got all nervous', said Bill Wyman, “but then we had a chat with them afterwards and stayed up all night rapping and became really good mates.”
In 1969, Janis Joplin made her first London concert appearance at Royal Albert Hall, a performance considered by many to be one of the best of her career.
In 2000, Neal Matthews of the Jordanaires died of a heart attack. He sang back-up on Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" and also worked with Ricky Nelson, Marie Osmond, Tom Jones and Merle Haggard.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Record Store Day
I hope everyone had a chance to get out and visit their local record store yesterday (Saturday, April 19) and joined in the celebration of the first annual Record Store Day.
Nationally, hundreds of independent record stores celebrated the event with sidewalk sales, live music, refreshments, in-store specials and what I think is the best part of it all- actually using the 'old fashioned' way to obtain vinyl, by physically flipping through bins of records to add to a collection.
I made the forty-mile trek into the east side of Milwaukee to visit Atomic Records, who had a full day of events planned. Local bands were entertaining the crowded store while customers enthusiastically shopped for music.
What struck me the most were the people, all ages and races, happily celebrating this historic day. I saw many customers with their arms full of vinyl records, from the classic like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, to the obscure punk and alternative musical genres.
I spoke with Kevin, who had also made a long 'road trip' to get to Atomic Records.
"I do a lot of my vinyl shopping online nowadays because we don't have a record store close by, but I am here to lend my support," related Kevin. "Vinyl records are a part of the music culture and so are record stores, and this is a wonderful way to draw attention to the record stores that are still open."
Since 2003, over 3,100 record stores have shut down, making vinyl lovers have to scramble to find records. But there was something very special in the air on this springtime afternoon in Milwaukee. I can remember all the great times I had as a youth at Insound & Stereo in Indiana (where I used to obtain vinyl records), the people I met, the music I heard, why, even the smell of that old record store. I don't get back to Indiana much and I wonder if the store is even open anymore.
But, this Saturday afternoon, I would suppose there were a lot of memories made. I saw the excitement on people's faces, heard the laughter, listened in on some vinyl vs. CD debates and heard some fantastic local music, and, by the way, also added several nice gems to my own record collection. I can only hope that this celebration can be duplicated, it truly was a marvelous day.
Do you have any Record Store Day experiences? Please share them; we would love to hear your thoughts and comments!
Nationally, hundreds of independent record stores celebrated the event with sidewalk sales, live music, refreshments, in-store specials and what I think is the best part of it all- actually using the 'old fashioned' way to obtain vinyl, by physically flipping through bins of records to add to a collection.
I made the forty-mile trek into the east side of Milwaukee to visit Atomic Records, who had a full day of events planned. Local bands were entertaining the crowded store while customers enthusiastically shopped for music.
What struck me the most were the people, all ages and races, happily celebrating this historic day. I saw many customers with their arms full of vinyl records, from the classic like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, to the obscure punk and alternative musical genres.
I spoke with Kevin, who had also made a long 'road trip' to get to Atomic Records.
"I do a lot of my vinyl shopping online nowadays because we don't have a record store close by, but I am here to lend my support," related Kevin. "Vinyl records are a part of the music culture and so are record stores, and this is a wonderful way to draw attention to the record stores that are still open."
Since 2003, over 3,100 record stores have shut down, making vinyl lovers have to scramble to find records. But there was something very special in the air on this springtime afternoon in Milwaukee. I can remember all the great times I had as a youth at Insound & Stereo in Indiana (where I used to obtain vinyl records), the people I met, the music I heard, why, even the smell of that old record store. I don't get back to Indiana much and I wonder if the store is even open anymore.
But, this Saturday afternoon, I would suppose there were a lot of memories made. I saw the excitement on people's faces, heard the laughter, listened in on some vinyl vs. CD debates and heard some fantastic local music, and, by the way, also added several nice gems to my own record collection. I can only hope that this celebration can be duplicated, it truly was a marvelous day.
Do you have any Record Store Day experiences? Please share them; we would love to hear your thoughts and comments!
David Bowie to release 'Ziggy Stardust' live album
David Bowie will release a live album, 'David Bowie, Live Santa Monica '72' on June 30 on CD and double vinyl.
The album is a recording from Bowie's gig at the Los Angeles Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 20, 1972. The gig was part of Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' US tour.
In a statement to NME.COM, Bowie said of the recording: "I can tell that I'm totally into being Ziggy by this stage of our touring. It's no longer an act; I am him.
"This would be around the tenth American show for us and you can hear that we are all pretty high on ourselves. We train wreck a couple of things, I miss some words and sometimes you wouldn’t know that pianist Mike Garson was onstage with us but overall I really treasure this bootleg. Mick Ronson is at his blistering best."
The track-listing for 'David Bowie, Live Santa Monica '72':
'Introduction'
'Hang On To Yourself'
'Ziggy Stardust'
'Changes'
'The Supermen'
'Life On Mars?'
'Five Years'
'Space Oddity'
'Andy Warhol'
'My Death'
'The Width Of A Circle'
'Queen Bitch'
'Moonage Daydream'
'John, I'm Only Dancing'
'I'm Waiting For The Man'
'The Jean Genie'
'Suffragette City'
'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide'
The album is a recording from Bowie's gig at the Los Angeles Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 20, 1972. The gig was part of Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' US tour.
In a statement to NME.COM, Bowie said of the recording: "I can tell that I'm totally into being Ziggy by this stage of our touring. It's no longer an act; I am him.
"This would be around the tenth American show for us and you can hear that we are all pretty high on ourselves. We train wreck a couple of things, I miss some words and sometimes you wouldn’t know that pianist Mike Garson was onstage with us but overall I really treasure this bootleg. Mick Ronson is at his blistering best."
The track-listing for 'David Bowie, Live Santa Monica '72':
'Introduction'
'Hang On To Yourself'
'Ziggy Stardust'
'Changes'
'The Supermen'
'Life On Mars?'
'Five Years'
'Space Oddity'
'Andy Warhol'
'My Death'
'The Width Of A Circle'
'Queen Bitch'
'Moonage Daydream'
'John, I'm Only Dancing'
'I'm Waiting For The Man'
'The Jean Genie'
'Suffragette City'
'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide'
Saturday, April 19, 2008
This Date In Music History- April 19
Happy Record Store Day!!
In 2003, Madonna's Web site Madonna.com was hacked, with the hacker making her entire new album American Life available as free MP3 downloads.
Mark Volman (Flo of the Turtles-- "Happy Together") turns 61.
The late Bobby Russell (sang "Saturday Morning Confusion" and wrote songs like "Honey" and "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia") was born in 1941.
Jackie Wilson made his debut at the Copacabana in New York in 1962.
In 1993, saxophonist Steve Douglas, 55, died of heart failure while in a recording session with guitarist Ry Cooder. He played on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Be My Baby," produced by his school chum Phil Spector.
1980- Women hold the top five positions on the country music chart for the first time ever: Crystal Gayle heads the list, followed by Dottie West, Debby Boone, Emmylou Harris, and Tammy Wynette (with George Jones).
In 1968, John and George follow Paul and Ringo's lead and leave the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh, India, two weeks before their studies are complete. Lennon later wrote "Sexy Sadie" about the yogi's attraction to fellow acolyte Mia Farrow. All four Beatles will later renounce their association with the Maharishi.
Animal’s organist Alan Price was born in County Durham, England in 1941. In addition to being an early advocate of Randy Newman, Price had a solo career that included writing the songs for O Lucky Man!
1986 - Prince became only the 5th songwriter to have two top ten hits at the same time. The songs were "Kiss" (Prince and the Revolution) and "Manic Monday" (Bangles).
Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) was found dead in his apartment in 2002. Drug overdose is listed as the probable cause. Coroner says he may have been dead for up to two weeks before his body was discovered.
In 1958, a 13 year old British teen named Laurie London had the best selling song in the US with an up-tempo version of the gospel song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands". Although the song was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, none of London's follow-up releases cracked the US top 100.
In 1965, the film T.A.M.I. (Teen-Age Music International) Show featuring the Rolling Stones, the Supremes, the Four Tops, James Brown, The Beach Boys and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles opened in London under the title Teenage Command Performance.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for a European tour in 1982 after the success of their New York Central Park concert the year before. Tensions between the pair cause them to split again before they can tour the US and by the time the album they were working on came out 18 months later, all traces of Garfunkel's contributions had been electronically removed. Now that is payback.
Pete Seeger left the Weavers in 1959 after they record a commercial for Lucky Strikes cigarettes over his objections.
Today in 1980, the song "Call Me" by Blondie topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
Also in 1980, Brian Johnson is now AC/DC’s new lead singer, replacing the deceased Bon Scott. “Back In Black” is the first album with Johnson.
In 2003, Madonna's Web site Madonna.com was hacked, with the hacker making her entire new album American Life available as free MP3 downloads.
Mark Volman (Flo of the Turtles-- "Happy Together") turns 61.
The late Bobby Russell (sang "Saturday Morning Confusion" and wrote songs like "Honey" and "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia") was born in 1941.
Jackie Wilson made his debut at the Copacabana in New York in 1962.
In 1993, saxophonist Steve Douglas, 55, died of heart failure while in a recording session with guitarist Ry Cooder. He played on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Be My Baby," produced by his school chum Phil Spector.
1980- Women hold the top five positions on the country music chart for the first time ever: Crystal Gayle heads the list, followed by Dottie West, Debby Boone, Emmylou Harris, and Tammy Wynette (with George Jones).
In 1968, John and George follow Paul and Ringo's lead and leave the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh, India, two weeks before their studies are complete. Lennon later wrote "Sexy Sadie" about the yogi's attraction to fellow acolyte Mia Farrow. All four Beatles will later renounce their association with the Maharishi.
Animal’s organist Alan Price was born in County Durham, England in 1941. In addition to being an early advocate of Randy Newman, Price had a solo career that included writing the songs for O Lucky Man!
1986 - Prince became only the 5th songwriter to have two top ten hits at the same time. The songs were "Kiss" (Prince and the Revolution) and "Manic Monday" (Bangles).
Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) was found dead in his apartment in 2002. Drug overdose is listed as the probable cause. Coroner says he may have been dead for up to two weeks before his body was discovered.
In 1958, a 13 year old British teen named Laurie London had the best selling song in the US with an up-tempo version of the gospel song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands". Although the song was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, none of London's follow-up releases cracked the US top 100.
In 1965, the film T.A.M.I. (Teen-Age Music International) Show featuring the Rolling Stones, the Supremes, the Four Tops, James Brown, The Beach Boys and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles opened in London under the title Teenage Command Performance.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for a European tour in 1982 after the success of their New York Central Park concert the year before. Tensions between the pair cause them to split again before they can tour the US and by the time the album they were working on came out 18 months later, all traces of Garfunkel's contributions had been electronically removed. Now that is payback.
Pete Seeger left the Weavers in 1959 after they record a commercial for Lucky Strikes cigarettes over his objections.
Today in 1980, the song "Call Me" by Blondie topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
Also in 1980, Brian Johnson is now AC/DC’s new lead singer, replacing the deceased Bon Scott. “Back In Black” is the first album with Johnson.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Indie stores are alive and spinning
I asked for and recieved permission to reprint this wonderful article about Record Store Day; on April 19th. I want to thank the author and publication www.statehornet.com for allowing me this reprint.
Indie stores are alive and spinning
written by Jake Corbin
The experience of combing through stacks of records, searching for that one vinyl treasure sandwiched between decades of forgotten music may soon be a thing of the past.
As more and more consumers turn to their computers for new music - both legally and illegally - even the rhythmic sound of plastic CD covers being shuffled is disappearing.
Big-box retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart have taken a hit, but it's the independent music stores that are being driven to the brink of extinction.
The "indies," however, are not going down without a fight.
This Saturday marks the first ever "Record Store Day," an event that will unite hundreds of independently owned record stores across the country, all joining to celebrate their love of music and giving back to the community.
Part of the celebration includes merchandise that will be sold only at participating stores, including 7" releases from newcomers Vampire Weekend and blues-rockers the Black Keys. R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are also releasing limited edition discs.
The other part of the celebration involves live, in-store performances and tons of free giveaways.
"I think they should just come in and get the free stuff," said Dilyn Radakovitz, sales coordinator for Dimple Records. "Everybody will get the T-shirts and samplers; it's going to be really cool."
All six Dimple Records locations are participating in "Record Store Day," with each planning to hand out a plethora of goodies - ranging from magazines to CD box sets. Each store is also having a "Guess how many broken records" contest; winners will be awarded a $100 gift certificate.
Dimple isn't the only local shop getting in on the action.
R5 Records, owned by Russ Solomon of Tower Records fame, is planning a day full of events, including a rock 'n' roll garage sale in the parking lot, a record swap, free baked goods, live music and free goodie bags. Sacramento artist Paul Imagine will also be selling limited edition T-shirts.
While free swag and rare music is great, KSSU Station Manager Robert Young sees a larger issue at hand.
"The music industry, and art in general, thrives in free thought and independence," said Young. "You don't really get to see that with mainstream stores, because the music there is streamlined; it's limited."
Young says local indie stores are the place to go to break away from what the radio is playing and tap into different types of music. He is excited "that every independent store in the nation gets to showcase that" by participating in "Record Store Day."
"Independent record stores have stuff you can't find at regular music outlets," said Young. "When you go to a record store, it's like hitting a gold mine."
Radakovitz also sees local record stores as a convenient place to fulfill one's music shopping needs.
"Indies are on top of new things that are coming out and they have the information for customers," Radakovitz said. "I think people are going to find more in their local store just because they aren't going to find it on the radio."
Helping people realize the musical possibilities they are missing out on is one goal "Record Store Day" is hoping to accomplish; for Rob Fauble, however, he's hoping to catch the eye of the record labels.
"We would love not only the public to enjoy the physical product of the music, but to get the attention of record companies to show them this is what we should be doing," said Fauble, owner of The Beat in downtown Sacramento.
He admits record sales have been down in the last couple years, but he is growing tired of being written off by the major record labels.
"(Selling records) is our livelihood," said Fauble. "Most of us got into this...for the love of music."
Major label politics aside, "Record Store Day" participants are hoping the day's events will help consumers recapture the special feeling they once got at record stores; that feeling of wandering around, aisle after aisle, until they stumbled upon their new favorite CD.
Indie stores are alive and spinning
written by Jake Corbin
The experience of combing through stacks of records, searching for that one vinyl treasure sandwiched between decades of forgotten music may soon be a thing of the past.
As more and more consumers turn to their computers for new music - both legally and illegally - even the rhythmic sound of plastic CD covers being shuffled is disappearing.
Big-box retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart have taken a hit, but it's the independent music stores that are being driven to the brink of extinction.
The "indies," however, are not going down without a fight.
This Saturday marks the first ever "Record Store Day," an event that will unite hundreds of independently owned record stores across the country, all joining to celebrate their love of music and giving back to the community.
Part of the celebration includes merchandise that will be sold only at participating stores, including 7" releases from newcomers Vampire Weekend and blues-rockers the Black Keys. R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are also releasing limited edition discs.
The other part of the celebration involves live, in-store performances and tons of free giveaways.
"I think they should just come in and get the free stuff," said Dilyn Radakovitz, sales coordinator for Dimple Records. "Everybody will get the T-shirts and samplers; it's going to be really cool."
All six Dimple Records locations are participating in "Record Store Day," with each planning to hand out a plethora of goodies - ranging from magazines to CD box sets. Each store is also having a "Guess how many broken records" contest; winners will be awarded a $100 gift certificate.
Dimple isn't the only local shop getting in on the action.
R5 Records, owned by Russ Solomon of Tower Records fame, is planning a day full of events, including a rock 'n' roll garage sale in the parking lot, a record swap, free baked goods, live music and free goodie bags. Sacramento artist Paul Imagine will also be selling limited edition T-shirts.
While free swag and rare music is great, KSSU Station Manager Robert Young sees a larger issue at hand.
"The music industry, and art in general, thrives in free thought and independence," said Young. "You don't really get to see that with mainstream stores, because the music there is streamlined; it's limited."
Young says local indie stores are the place to go to break away from what the radio is playing and tap into different types of music. He is excited "that every independent store in the nation gets to showcase that" by participating in "Record Store Day."
"Independent record stores have stuff you can't find at regular music outlets," said Young. "When you go to a record store, it's like hitting a gold mine."
Radakovitz also sees local record stores as a convenient place to fulfill one's music shopping needs.
"Indies are on top of new things that are coming out and they have the information for customers," Radakovitz said. "I think people are going to find more in their local store just because they aren't going to find it on the radio."
Helping people realize the musical possibilities they are missing out on is one goal "Record Store Day" is hoping to accomplish; for Rob Fauble, however, he's hoping to catch the eye of the record labels.
"We would love not only the public to enjoy the physical product of the music, but to get the attention of record companies to show them this is what we should be doing," said Fauble, owner of The Beat in downtown Sacramento.
He admits record sales have been down in the last couple years, but he is growing tired of being written off by the major record labels.
"(Selling records) is our livelihood," said Fauble. "Most of us got into this...for the love of music."
Major label politics aside, "Record Store Day" participants are hoping the day's events will help consumers recapture the special feeling they once got at record stores; that feeling of wandering around, aisle after aisle, until they stumbled upon their new favorite CD.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Records Sales
Week Ending 04/12/2008
1) 45rpm - Ty Karim "You Just Don't Know" / "All In Vain" Romark - $4,300.00
2) 45rpm - Tolbert Rojac "Lucky Man" / "I've Got It" Rojac - $3,250.00
3) LP - The Beatles "White Album" Parlophone - $3,050.00
4) 45rpm - Nirvana "Love Buzz" Sub Pop - $2,901.50
5) 45rpm - Eddie Whitehead "Just Your Fool" / "Give This Fool Another Chance" Black Jack - $2,684.00
1) 45rpm - Ty Karim "You Just Don't Know" / "All In Vain" Romark - $4,300.00
2) 45rpm - Tolbert Rojac "Lucky Man" / "I've Got It" Rojac - $3,250.00
3) LP - The Beatles "White Album" Parlophone - $3,050.00
4) 45rpm - Nirvana "Love Buzz" Sub Pop - $2,901.50
5) 45rpm - Eddie Whitehead "Just Your Fool" / "Give This Fool Another Chance" Black Jack - $2,684.00
This Date In Music History- April 17
Producer Don Kirschner (who gave us the Monkees and TV's "Rock Concert") turns 73.
Rock and Roll pioneer Eddie Cochran was just 21 years old when he was killed in Bath, England; after the car in which he was riding blew a tire, then hit a lamp post on April 17th 1960. Cochran enjoyed hits with "Summertime Blues,” "C'mon Everybody" and "Sittin' in the Balcony.” Gene Vincent, who recorded "Be Bop A Lula" in 1956, and Cochran's fiancée, Sharon Sheeley survived the crash.
In 1998, Linda Eastman, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, died while vacationing with her family near Tucson, AZ. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. Paul was at her bedside when she passed away.
In 1964, Washington's FBI lab reported it couldn’t determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie.” They remain a mystery to me as well.
The first solo concert by the Band was held in San Francisco in 1969.
Them (with Van Morrison) made their first concert appearance, at Belfast's Maritime Hotel in 1964.
In 1970, Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatles solo album appropriately named, “McCartney.” The versatile musician played every instrument of the wondrous lo-fi recording.
2004- Kurt Cobain's right-handed 1960's Mosrite Gospel Mark IV guitar sold at an auction for $117,500. At the same sale, the piano on which Elton John wrote "Your Song" sold for $164,500. I made a few bids.
In 2003, a British fan who claimed he caught the flu off of Beatle Paul McCartney, attempted to auction off the germ on eBay. I did not bid on that one.
In 1983, Felix Pappalardi died after being shot by his wife in their New York apartment. The producer worked on records by Cream, Hot Tuna, Mountain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was 41.
Liz Phair was born in 1967. Her extraordinary Exile in Guyville album is one of the most celebrated indie rock discs of the nineties.
Jan Hammer was born in Prague in 1948. The keyboardist performed with Santana and Jeff Beck, but we love him for his immortal "Miami Vice Theme."
Billy Fury was born in Liverpool, England in 1941. Molded by his manager as a British Elvis, Fury, with his suggestive stage presence and raw delivery, he was an immeasurable influence on groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
In 1965, RCA and Lear Jet Corporation announced the development of the combination 8 track tape player and car radio that will be available in new cars the next fall. All hail the 8-track!
All four former Beatles had solo singles on the UK chart in 1971: Paul McCartney: "Another Day,” Ringo Starr: "It Don't Come Easy,” John Lennon, "Power To The People" and George Harrison: "My Sweet Lord.”
In 1973, Pink Floyd received a gold album for "The Dark Side of the Moon," one of Rock's landmark albums. The LP would remain on the charts for more than ten years and become the longest charting Rock record of all time.
Rock and Roll pioneer Eddie Cochran was just 21 years old when he was killed in Bath, England; after the car in which he was riding blew a tire, then hit a lamp post on April 17th 1960. Cochran enjoyed hits with "Summertime Blues,” "C'mon Everybody" and "Sittin' in the Balcony.” Gene Vincent, who recorded "Be Bop A Lula" in 1956, and Cochran's fiancée, Sharon Sheeley survived the crash.
In 1998, Linda Eastman, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, died while vacationing with her family near Tucson, AZ. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. Paul was at her bedside when she passed away.
In 1964, Washington's FBI lab reported it couldn’t determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie.” They remain a mystery to me as well.
The first solo concert by the Band was held in San Francisco in 1969.
Them (with Van Morrison) made their first concert appearance, at Belfast's Maritime Hotel in 1964.
In 1970, Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatles solo album appropriately named, “McCartney.” The versatile musician played every instrument of the wondrous lo-fi recording.
2004- Kurt Cobain's right-handed 1960's Mosrite Gospel Mark IV guitar sold at an auction for $117,500. At the same sale, the piano on which Elton John wrote "Your Song" sold for $164,500. I made a few bids.
In 2003, a British fan who claimed he caught the flu off of Beatle Paul McCartney, attempted to auction off the germ on eBay. I did not bid on that one.
In 1983, Felix Pappalardi died after being shot by his wife in their New York apartment. The producer worked on records by Cream, Hot Tuna, Mountain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was 41.
Liz Phair was born in 1967. Her extraordinary Exile in Guyville album is one of the most celebrated indie rock discs of the nineties.
Jan Hammer was born in Prague in 1948. The keyboardist performed with Santana and Jeff Beck, but we love him for his immortal "Miami Vice Theme."
Billy Fury was born in Liverpool, England in 1941. Molded by his manager as a British Elvis, Fury, with his suggestive stage presence and raw delivery, he was an immeasurable influence on groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
In 1965, RCA and Lear Jet Corporation announced the development of the combination 8 track tape player and car radio that will be available in new cars the next fall. All hail the 8-track!
All four former Beatles had solo singles on the UK chart in 1971: Paul McCartney: "Another Day,” Ringo Starr: "It Don't Come Easy,” John Lennon, "Power To The People" and George Harrison: "My Sweet Lord.”
In 1973, Pink Floyd received a gold album for "The Dark Side of the Moon," one of Rock's landmark albums. The LP would remain on the charts for more than ten years and become the longest charting Rock record of all time.
Celebrate Record Store Day
This is a repost of an article I wrote several weeks ago and I wanted to remind everyone about this very unique and special day. Many music artists have signed on to help promote this and many record stores are also celebrating this day. Check with your local record store to see what kind of promotion they have!
Celebrate Record Store Day- April 19, 2008
By Robert Benson
When Neilsen Soundscan releases their sales data regarding vinyl records, did you know that they do not count hundreds of ‘indie’ vinyl record shops in their totals? So when you read ‘vinyl sales have risen….such and such a percentage,’ that these numbers woefully underestimate the true sales of vinyl.
But local independent and national record stores want to be counted and included in the vinyl sales figures because it is at these smaller record stores where vinyl records are selling the best.
So to help bring attention to this dilemma and to help celebrate the record store culture, hundreds of independently owned music stores across the country will celebrate the first annual “Record Store Day” on April 19th.
I spoke with Eric Levin, who owns Criminal Records (www.criminal.com) a independent record store in Atlanta about the concept and celebratory plans of Record Store Day (www.recordstoreday.com).
“We came up with the concept at the annual Noise in the Basement convention in Baltimore, a gathering of independent record stores hosted by the Music Monitor Network (www.monitorthis.com). It is similar to “Free Comic Book Day (www.freecomicbookday.com), in that we decided to help bring attention to our stores by saying- we are out here, enjoy what we have to offer,” said Eric. “So on this day, all of the stores that choose to participate will simultaneously link together and act as one with the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that they occupy both in their local communities and nationally.”
“We have over 200 independent record stores that have signed up for the event, with more signing on each day. Each store will be doing something different to celebrate Record Store Day. Some stores may opt to have an ‘in store’ performance, special sale events, demonstrations, dances, swap meets or ‘an afternoon at a record store’ promotion as well as provide a ‘goodie bag’ that promotes new formats, new releases and exciting information about music, theatrical and gaming releases. Everything that makes an indie store unique should be on display,” related Eric.
Music stores have been part of our culture for decades and it is important to note that, while there may not be as many of them as there used to be, there are still those unique music shops that continue to thrive and are still part of our local and national music culture.
In fact, many music related entities have signed on to be part of Record Store Day as Eric explains:
“We have many groups involved including the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (www.cimsmusic.com), the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (www.thealliancerocks.com), Newbury Comics (www.newburycomics.com) & The Music Monitor Network (www.monitorthis.com), where one can find links to some of the best indie record shops around the country; with many more organizations signing up each day.”
“In fact, all indie record stores are invited to participate by making April 19th, 2008 a day of celebration at their place of business. Some music labels are getting involved as well by releasing special editions marking the day and the celebration of the music and the record store,” said Eric.
Moreover, many famous musicians are chiming in and doing their best to, not only promote Record Store Day, but the culture that encompasses it. Here are a few quotes:
Paul McCartney - “There’s nothing as glamorous to me as a record store. When I recently played Amoeba in LA, I realised what fantastic memories such a collection of music brings back when you see it all in one place. This is why I’m more than happy to support Record Store Day and I hope that these kinds of stores will be there for us all for many years to come. Cheers!"
Norah Jones - “It’s important to keep indie record stores alive because their unique environments introduce music lovers to things in a very personal way.”
John Doe - “The physical act of picking up a recording (CD, vinyl, cassette), checking it out, finding something unavailable, etc.; is an experience you will NEVER get online. And now it's becoming common knowledge that CDs have more digital information than most files, so they sound better. A great or even good record store is like no other."
Chuck Berry - "Music is an important part of our culture and record stores play a vital part in keeping the power of music alive."
Joan Jett - “The indie record stores are the backbone of the recorded music culture. It's where we go to network, browse around, and find new songs to love. The stores whose owners and staff live for music have spread the word about exciting new things faster and with more essence than either radio or the press. Any artist that doesn't support the wonderful ma and pa record stores across America is contributing to our own extinction.”
Ziggy Marley - "Record stores keep the human social contact alive it brings people together. Without the independent record stores the community breaks down with everyone sitting in front of their computers"
Ben Watt (Everything But The Girl) - "It is hard to underestimate the role of independent retail in the music industry. As the world continues to try and cram every purchase they make onto their computer, turning music into binary digits and artwork into pixelated packshots, we can only sit and wait for them to wake up from their dream and realize that ultimately human interaction in shops, with informed good people, handling cherishable artefacts is good for the soul. In the meantime we need to support the people who keep this world alive for the moment we all realize we need it again."
Sam Phillips (A&R/producer for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and many others) - “There would be no Elvis. There would be no Johnny Cash. There’d be no B.B King. There’d be no Roscoe Gordon. There’d be no Carl Perkins. There would be no Jerry Lee Lewis. There would be no Roy Orbison. I can just tell you. We owe all of that to the independents and the independent people that work so hard for us to have something that could be accepted through their efforts,hard work, and desire to keep a personal feeling in every record..”
Dean Wareham (Luna) - “We are drowning in a sea of Myspace, blather, and too much information. Music is everywhere and nowhere. The independent record store is the solution, a place staffed by friendly (or not) people who are actually paid to weed through this crap and help you find the good stuff.”
G. Love- “Independent record stores are where kids like me learned about the music that made them the musicians they are today. Independent record stores are about the love of records not the love of money!”
So as you have just read, the passion that these musicians have for the independent record shops is immeasurable. These are the professionals who know a little something about the music industry and embrace the concepts, culture and meaning of Record Store Day. Let’s make Record Store Day a national celebration of the independent record store, the musicians who love them and the historical culture that each individual store brings to each and every one of us.
Top 5 Vinyl Records eBay Sales
Week Ending 04/05/2008
1) 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $4,000.00
2) LP - Stephen David Heitkotter (self titled) Private Press - $2,999.99
3) LP - Frank Ballard "Rhythm & Blues Party" Phillips - $2,950.00
4) 78rpm - Louie Bluie and Ted Bogan "State Street Blues" / "Ted's Stomp" Bluebird - $2,946.00
5) 45rpm - Hayes Cotton "Black Wing's Have My Angel" / "I'll Be Waiting" Resist - $2,750.00
1) 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $4,000.00
2) LP - Stephen David Heitkotter (self titled) Private Press - $2,999.99
3) LP - Frank Ballard "Rhythm & Blues Party" Phillips - $2,950.00
4) 78rpm - Louie Bluie and Ted Bogan "State Street Blues" / "Ted's Stomp" Bluebird - $2,946.00
5) 45rpm - Hayes Cotton "Black Wing's Have My Angel" / "I'll Be Waiting" Resist - $2,750.00
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Vinyl Revival !
Compact Disk Market Shrinks as Listeners Want the Soulful Sound of Vinyl Recordings
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vinyl records and turntables, once relegated to garage storage boxes are enjoying a strong resurgence according to online vinyl record seller, GEMM. “Sales of vinyl records have increased 20% since 2005,” said Roger Raffee, co-founder and company CEO. GEMM (Global E-commerce Mega Marketplace) began selling vinyl records online in 1994. Today GEMM’s consortium of sellers has over 20 million vinyl records available for sale. Considered by music aficionados to be the grandfather of online music sales, GEMM, functions purely as a marketplace where buyers and sellers transact deals for everything from classic rock albums to recordings from current indie bands. The site also offers CDs, DVDs, books, videos, turntables, musical instruments, collectibles and computer supplies. Unlike online auction sites, pricing is set by sellers, i.e., no bidding wars. Satisfied buyers complete performance ratings to assure reliability in dealings with online sellers. GEMM takes a small percentage of the final sales price. GEMM charges no set-up or maintenance fees and operates its own e-commerce and security assurance program entitled Green Shield.
Some suggest renewed interest in album sales is driven by the dance club DJ craze. Audiophiles claim that vinyl records produce a warmer, richer sound. Whatever the case, CD sales dropped 10% in 2006 and 20% in 2007 while sales of vinyl records have increased nearly 10% a year since the late nineties. Not just classic recordings, either. Elvis Costello recently announced that his new recording, Mokofuku set for release on April 22nd will only be available on vinyl and through digital download. Online purchasers, many, classic recording collectors from as far away as Great Britain and Asia, appreciate the depth of inventory found at GEMM as well as its ease of use. GEMM provides a look-back at previous searches and a filtering feature to help users refine their search. If a search is made for the early Fleetwood Mac LP, Bare Trees, “Fleetwood Mac” is the search query with a filter for “Vinyl Only.” Within seconds, several listings popped up on the screen. And just what are those Japanese collectors buying through GEMM? Remarkably, some of the popular vinyl LPs shipped to Japan by GEMM sellers include recordings by Telly Savalas, Andy Griffith and Ann Margaret.
Visit GEMM at http://ROBCOLLECTVINYL.gemm.com
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vinyl records and turntables, once relegated to garage storage boxes are enjoying a strong resurgence according to online vinyl record seller, GEMM. “Sales of vinyl records have increased 20% since 2005,” said Roger Raffee, co-founder and company CEO. GEMM (Global E-commerce Mega Marketplace) began selling vinyl records online in 1994. Today GEMM’s consortium of sellers has over 20 million vinyl records available for sale. Considered by music aficionados to be the grandfather of online music sales, GEMM, functions purely as a marketplace where buyers and sellers transact deals for everything from classic rock albums to recordings from current indie bands. The site also offers CDs, DVDs, books, videos, turntables, musical instruments, collectibles and computer supplies. Unlike online auction sites, pricing is set by sellers, i.e., no bidding wars. Satisfied buyers complete performance ratings to assure reliability in dealings with online sellers. GEMM takes a small percentage of the final sales price. GEMM charges no set-up or maintenance fees and operates its own e-commerce and security assurance program entitled Green Shield.
Some suggest renewed interest in album sales is driven by the dance club DJ craze. Audiophiles claim that vinyl records produce a warmer, richer sound. Whatever the case, CD sales dropped 10% in 2006 and 20% in 2007 while sales of vinyl records have increased nearly 10% a year since the late nineties. Not just classic recordings, either. Elvis Costello recently announced that his new recording, Mokofuku set for release on April 22nd will only be available on vinyl and through digital download. Online purchasers, many, classic recording collectors from as far away as Great Britain and Asia, appreciate the depth of inventory found at GEMM as well as its ease of use. GEMM provides a look-back at previous searches and a filtering feature to help users refine their search. If a search is made for the early Fleetwood Mac LP, Bare Trees, “Fleetwood Mac” is the search query with a filter for “Vinyl Only.” Within seconds, several listings popped up on the screen. And just what are those Japanese collectors buying through GEMM? Remarkably, some of the popular vinyl LPs shipped to Japan by GEMM sellers include recordings by Telly Savalas, Andy Griffith and Ann Margaret.
Visit GEMM at http://ROBCOLLECTVINYL.gemm.com
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