Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals
Astra - The Weirding
The Bats - The Guilty Office
Bjork - Voltaic (CD/DVD)
Jay Brannan - In Living Cover
Tom Brosseau - Posthumous Success
Chase Long Beach - Gravity Is What You Make It
Cheap Trick - The Latest
Cher - 3614 Jackson Highway
Climax Blues Band - Back to Back: Sense of Direction/Stamp Album (Bonus Tracks)
Al Cohn/Joe Newman/Freddie Green - Mosaic Select: Al Cohn, Joe Newman & Freddie Green
Shawn Colvin - Live
Christina Courtin - Christina Courtin
Def Leppard - Adrenalize (Deluxe Edition)
Def Leppard - Pyromania (Deluxe Edition)
Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Kurt Elling - Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman
Eryn Non Dae - Hydra Lernaïa
Fast Life Youngstaz - Jamboree
David Frizzell/Shelly West - The Very Best of David Frizzell & Shelly West
Future of the Left - Travels with Myself and Another
Girls at Our Best - Pleasure
Goatwhore - Carving out the Eyes of God
God Help the Girl - God Help the Girl
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul (Bonus Tracks)
Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
Hot Chocolate - Every 1’s a Winner
Jets Overhead - No Nations
Michael Johns - Hold Back My Heart
The Lemonheads - Varshons
Love Is All - Last Choice
The Marvelettes - Forever: The Complete Motown Albums, Vol. 1 Mars Volta - Octahedron
Eugene McGuinness - Eugene McGuinness
Tift Merritt - Buckingham Solo
Mount Eerie - Dawn
Alexi Murdoch - Away We Go
Laura Nyro - Mother’s Spiritual
Brian Olive - Brian Olive
John Powell - Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Score)
Regina Spektor - Far
Royal City - Royal City
The Sa-Ra Creative Partners - Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love
Spooky Tooth - Lost in My Dream: An Anthology 1968-1974
Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Al B. Sure! - Honey I’m Home
Otis Taylor - Pentatonic Wars and Love Songs
Pete Yorn - Back & Fourth
Tonic - A Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic
The Woggles - Tempo Tantrum
Original Soundtrack - I Love You, Beth Cooper
Original Soundtrack - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Original Soundtrack)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New Vinyl Releases- June 23
Acid Mothers Temple: Dark Side of the Black Moon: What Planet Are We On? (vinyl)
The Aggrolites: IV (vinyl)
Al Green: Greatest Hits (vinyl reissue)
Al Green: I'm Still in Love with You (vinyl reissue)
Al Green: Let's Stay Together (vinyl reissue)
Au Revoir Simone: Still Night, Still Light (vinyl)
Bibio: Ambivalence Avenue (vinyl)
Black Meteoric Star: Dominatron/Anthem (vinyl)
Brian Olive: Brian Olive (vinyl)
Busdriver: Jhelli Beam (vinyl)
The Church: Untitled #23 (vinyl)
Death Cab for Cutie: Something About Airplanes (remastered vinyl)
Deer Tick: Born On Flag Day (vinyl)
Deerhunter: Rainwater Cassette Exchange (vinyl)
Dinosaur Jr.: Farm (deluxe edition) (vinyl)
Dream Theater: Black Clouds & Silver Linings (3-CD edition) (2-LP vinyl)
Eprhyme: Shomer Salaam b/w My Mouth Is A House Of Prayer (vinyl)
Foreign Born: Person To Person (vinyl)
Future of the Left: Travels With Myself And Another (vinyl)
God Help The Girl: God Help The Girl (vinyl)
Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown (vinyl)
A Hawk and a Hacksaw: Delivrance (vinyl)
Larry Jon Wilson: Larry Jon Wilson (vinyl)
Love Is All: Last Choice EP
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone (vinyl)
of Montreal: For Our Elegante Caste (vinyl)
Pavement: Brighten The Corners: Nicene Creedence Ed. (remastered 4-LP vinyl box set)
R.E.M.: Murmur (remastered vinyl)
R.E.M.: Reckoning (remastered with bonus disc) (vinyl)
Royal City: Royal City (vinyl)
Spinnerette: Spinnerette (vinyl)
Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer (vinyl)
Tom Waits: Swordfishtrombones (vinyl reissue)
Tortoise: Beacons of Ancestorship (vinyl)
Venetian Snares: Horsey Noises EP (vinyl)
Wolves in the Throne Room: Black Cascade (vinyl)
Wooden Shjips: Contact EP (vinyl)
Ya Ho Wha 13: Magnificence in the Memory (vinyl)
Young Widows / Pelican: Young Widows Split Series Vol. 3 (vinyl)
Other notable releases:
John Mellencamp: Life Death Live & Freedom (2-CD & DVD edition)
George Jones: A Good Year For The Roses - The Complete Musicor Recordings 1965-1971 Part 2 (4-CD box set)
Creedence Clearwater Revival: 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set (7-CD box set) Buy CCR Music
Neil Young: Rock At The Beach - Live 1989 (dvd)
John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band: Live in Toronto '69 (dvd)
Merchants see vinyl revival
By Kathleen Moore
Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — Vinyl is making a comeback.
The foot-wide records, which had to be carefully handled and could only be played with precisely placed needles, were long ago replaced by cassettes and later smooth-sounding, hand-sized compact discs.
But now vinyl is back, embraced by teenagers who beg for a record player as a birthday present. Local vinyl store owners say their sales are so strong that they’ve kept pace even in the recession.
The resurgence led Niskayuna resident Bruce Northrup to open what may be Schenectady’s only vinyl record store. He sells used books and records at The Old Book Surfer at 2334 Guilderland Ave.
He’s aiming mostly for the adult crowd — “the collector population that are looking for memories of the past” — but other store owners say the real market is children.
Read the rest here: dailygazette.com
Gazette Reporter
SCHENECTADY — Vinyl is making a comeback.
The foot-wide records, which had to be carefully handled and could only be played with precisely placed needles, were long ago replaced by cassettes and later smooth-sounding, hand-sized compact discs.
But now vinyl is back, embraced by teenagers who beg for a record player as a birthday present. Local vinyl store owners say their sales are so strong that they’ve kept pace even in the recession.
The resurgence led Niskayuna resident Bruce Northrup to open what may be Schenectady’s only vinyl record store. He sells used books and records at The Old Book Surfer at 2334 Guilderland Ave.
He’s aiming mostly for the adult crowd — “the collector population that are looking for memories of the past” — but other store owners say the real market is children.
Read the rest here: dailygazette.com
Music News & Notes
New KISS Album Almost Done, Most Likely Exclusive to Wal-Mart
Paul Stanley sent a note over to kissonline.com talking about the new KISS album.
"We're about four days from finishing the new KISS album. Eleven tracks, and it IS everything I've told you. It IS classic. It IS all written within the band. And IT ROCKS BIG TIME! Tommy and Eric both handle lead vocals. The songs, sound and playing will knock your socks off. You will all be as proud and excited as we all are. Oh...and WAIT till you see the cover!"
We ARE just getting started!
The album is, from all indications, going to be another Wal-Mart exclusive. The first clue is a little information that Gene Simmons let drop accidentally (or, knowing Gene, accidentally on-purpose) during an in-studio meet-up with none other than Denise Richards during a guest stint she did on Sirius/XM Radio. In the clip, Gene can be seen talking about how he is going to visit with the CEO of Wal-Mart and they will be dedicating an entire section of their store to the band.
The other clue is that Simmons and Stanley made an appearance at the Wal-Mart shareholder's meeting on June 5.
No release date has been set for the album.
=======================
Monkee Ill Again
The Monkees' Peter Tork has confirmed on Twitter that he has had a re-occurance of the head and neck cancer that was originally found in March. He is currently undergoing radition treatment while still out playing shows.
He wrote on his Facebook page:
...weds I was greeted by the good doctor (may his tribe increase), with the stunning news that 10 weeks after my surgery, the cancer is back. I was so taken aback by the news that I wasn't able to ask much. dr did say that the chance is about 80% that they will "get ahead" of the growth, and be able to control and shrink it...didn't feel a thing during radiation...i thank you for your attention and concern.
========================
Play The Real Thing Kids
So, what do real guitarists think of Guitar Hero and Rock Band? Jimmy Page and Jack White talked about it during a press conference promoting their movie It Might Get Loud.
White said, "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music."
Page added that he didn't think much could really be learned from the games.
"You think of the drum part that John Bonahm did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, Good Times Bad Times. How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?"
Amen, Mr. Page.
===========================
Antony And The Johnsons To Release "Aeon"/"Crazy In Love" Single
Antony and the Johnsons will release the "Aeon"/"Crazy in Love" double A-side single in the US on August 4th on CD and 7" through Secretly Canadian and on August 3rd in Europe and UK on 7" through Rough Trade. The band appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman for the song's television debut. Antony and the Johnsons' earnest and impassioned cover of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love," a long time live favorite, is being released officially for the first time.
===========================
Jackson's Jewels
Michael Jackson will wear costumes embossed with over 300,000 Swarovski crystals at his comeback gigs in London.
The crystalised elements on the singer's stage outfits will feature 53 different shapes, 40 different sizes and 27 different colours. How Freaking cute, grab man.
Jackson's dance collaborator Kenny Ortega said the partnership had “inspired our fashion and scenic elements to a new state of the art”.
The announcement comes as Jackson prepares to release extra production seats for the gigs at London's O2 Arena, which get under way on July 13.
===========================
R.I.P Jeff Winfield (Left Banke)
Jeff Winfield, the original guitarist for the Left Banke, passed away back on June 11from pneumonia. He played on the group's first album and, later, with the group Birth of Spring who recorded for Mercury.
Walk Away Renee by Dawn Eden
The first hint of industry recognition came from Harry Lookofsky himself. "Mike's father used to come in late at night, on and off," says Cameron, "to check up on the boys and see what they were doing." The boys were doing a lot besides playing, I'll tell you that much! Mike went down one night and introduced 'Walk Away Renee' to us. Steve hated the song, of course. Tom and I thought it had possibilities. We played it and had Steve sing lead on it, and it started coming out pretty good. Mike's father heard it and said, 'Let's try to record it.' And bingo.
The song was inspired by Renee Fladen, a platinum blonde vision. Cameron: "Renee was Mike Brown's big love, and Tommy liked her a lot too. Tall, blonde, and quiet. Mike was like a little kid around her. He'd bring her up to the studio to hear his latest songs, and then we'd all come out and sing. She'd just sit there and listen and smile a lot."
Finn: "Most of the kids were half-runaways in those days. A bunch of teenagers got an apartment together- a crash pad- in Tin Pan Alley, around the Broadway area. Renee lived there part- time when she didn't live with her mother."
"I brought her over to the studio. For a kid of 16, or 17, she was free, liberal, open- minded, sexy- everything. She was just very different for that time, so she bowled Mike over."
Brown: "I met her through the newly formed Left Banke. They would run around, so to speak, because they knew a lot of people. I was hanging around with the group, and it was just in one of those chance encounters that I met her."
Discussing Renee, Brown refers to her in free-spirited terms like those used by Finn: "What people forget is that the main thing that was happening with everybody I was hanging around with- was a new era. That didn't last very long. The reich was supposed to go for a thousand years, and this couldn't last 10. But whether you fell in love or anything else, everybody just sort of floated around."
Brown says that he wrote "Walk Away Renee" one month after he met Renee, in the winter of '65. He then wrote what became the Left Banke's second hit, "Pretty Ballerina" and "She May Call You Up Tonight" (on the Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina LP), both about the very same young woman.
Renee never went out with Brown, dated Finn briefly, and later went out with the group's original drummer, Warren David. "After that," says Finn, "using 60's lingo, she 'split the scene' because of all the different guys liking her. She felt very uncomfortable."
Brown describes his unrequited feelings for Renee: "I was just sort of mythologically in love, if you know what I mean," he says, "without having evidence in fact or in deed." As Brown says this he laughs softly. His laugh sounds like that of one who would rather laugh than cry.
"But I was as close as anybody could be to the real thing," he adds. "As a matter of fact, like in the Twilight Zone or something, if you cross over, you lose what you have. It's only because you're away from it that you can appreciate the beauty of it. Once you've become immersed in it, you can't see the sunlight coming through the window, because you're no longer doing that. You're in that light."
This Date In Music History-June23
Birthdays:
Aimee Anne Duffy - (Duffy) Welsh singer-songwriter (1984)
James MacPherson - Breeders (1966)
Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs - Oasis (1965) Quit the band in Aug 1999.
Rosetta Hightower - The Orlons (1944)
Steve Shelley - Sonic Youth (1962)
Randy Jackson - American musician and record producer, judge on American Idol (1956)
Robert Hunter - lyricist for the Grateful Dead (1941)
They Are Missed:
Born in 1940, Adam Faith, singer and actor. Faith died on March 8, 2003.
Also born on this day in 1940, Stuart Sutcliffe, original bassist of The Beatles for eighteen months (January 1960 - June 1961). Died of a brain hemorrhage on April 10, 1962 (age) 22.
Born today in 1937, Niki Sullivan, guitarist, singer, one of the three original members of Buddy Holly's backing group, The Crickets. He co-wrote a number of his hit songs and sang back-up vocals on 27 of the 32 songs Buddy recorded over his brief career. Sullivan died suddenly of a heart attack on April 6, 2004 (age 66).
Born on this day in 1929, June Carter Cash, country singer, wife of Johnny Cash. Died May 15, 2003 (age 73).
History:
In 1814, Adolphe (Antoine Joseph) Sax was born. He was the inventor of the saxophone.
Ray Charles started a 14-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1962 with “Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music.”
In 2007, 1,800 guitarists in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, set a world record for a mass guitar performance of Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water." This effort breaks the mark set just three weeks earlier in Kansas City, KS, when over 1,600 played the riff.
In 1965, Motown Records released "Tracks Of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. The same song will be a hit for Linda Ronstadt in 1976.
In 1977, a very inebriated Keith Moon joined Led Zeppelin onstage in Los Angeles. He belts seven shades of sh*t out of a tympani on "Moby Dick" and "Rock and Roll," then proceeded to call John Bonham the best living rock drummer in the world today.
The Knack released "My Sharona” in 1979.
The #1 album in the US in 1979 was Supertramp's "Breakfast in America."
In 1975, during his “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Vancouver, Canada, Alice Cooper fell from the stage and broke six ribs.
George Harrison started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with “Living In The Material World.”
Pink Floyd made their US Top Forty debut in 1973 with "Money." It reached #13.
In 1990, Buddy Holly’s Gibson acoustic guitar sold for $237,419 in a Sotheby's auction. The guitar was in a tooled leather case made by Holly himself.
13-year-old Keith Sorrentino filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Madonna in 1990, claiming he suffered nightmares and bed-wetting problems after an incident outside Madonna’s home when she allegedly flung him to the ground. Temper, temper Midge.
Nelly started a seven week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2002 with “Hot In Here.”
In London in 2003, Eminem gave a $450,000 necklace to a fan in the front row of a concert. He had announced while from the stage that "I'm going to give this to the sexiest woman I see.
In 1976, Paul McCartney & Wings wrapped up their tour at Inglewood, Calif.'s Forum. Sir Paul wouldn't tour the US for another 13 years.
In 1963, Del Shannon charts with "From Me To You, which becomes the first Lennon & McCartney composition to make the Billboard Hot 100.
B.W. Stevenson recorded "My Maria" in 1973.
Elvis Presley cuts "If I Can Dream" in 1968
In 1995, CBS News anchor Dan Rather joins R.E.M. onstage at Madison Square Garden during a soundcheck to perform "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" which referred to a bizarre incident years before when Rather was beaten up by thugs demanding the answer to the question. The performance was shown on David Letterman's "The Late Show."
In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to one count of assault on his former girlfriend, Rihanna. The 19 year-old R&B singer was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to do six months community service. Brown had faced charges of assaulting Rihanna, 21, during a row in February. The last-minute plea deal came before a hearing at a Los Angeles court at which Rihanna was due to give evidence. The Los Angeles County Superior Court judge also ordered Brown and Rihanna to stay at least 50 yards from each other, except at entertainment industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards. Good, never hit a woman.....
Duran Duran started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1984 with “The Reflex,” the group's first US #1, also a UK #1.
Aimee Anne Duffy - (Duffy) Welsh singer-songwriter (1984)
James MacPherson - Breeders (1966)
Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs - Oasis (1965) Quit the band in Aug 1999.
Rosetta Hightower - The Orlons (1944)
Steve Shelley - Sonic Youth (1962)
Randy Jackson - American musician and record producer, judge on American Idol (1956)
Robert Hunter - lyricist for the Grateful Dead (1941)
They Are Missed:
Born in 1940, Adam Faith, singer and actor. Faith died on March 8, 2003.
Also born on this day in 1940, Stuart Sutcliffe, original bassist of The Beatles for eighteen months (January 1960 - June 1961). Died of a brain hemorrhage on April 10, 1962 (age) 22.
Born today in 1937, Niki Sullivan, guitarist, singer, one of the three original members of Buddy Holly's backing group, The Crickets. He co-wrote a number of his hit songs and sang back-up vocals on 27 of the 32 songs Buddy recorded over his brief career. Sullivan died suddenly of a heart attack on April 6, 2004 (age 66).
Born on this day in 1929, June Carter Cash, country singer, wife of Johnny Cash. Died May 15, 2003 (age 73).
History:
In 1814, Adolphe (Antoine Joseph) Sax was born. He was the inventor of the saxophone.
Ray Charles started a 14-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1962 with “Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music.”
In 2007, 1,800 guitarists in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, set a world record for a mass guitar performance of Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water." This effort breaks the mark set just three weeks earlier in Kansas City, KS, when over 1,600 played the riff.
In 1965, Motown Records released "Tracks Of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. The same song will be a hit for Linda Ronstadt in 1976.
In 1977, a very inebriated Keith Moon joined Led Zeppelin onstage in Los Angeles. He belts seven shades of sh*t out of a tympani on "Moby Dick" and "Rock and Roll," then proceeded to call John Bonham the best living rock drummer in the world today.
The Knack released "My Sharona” in 1979.
The #1 album in the US in 1979 was Supertramp's "Breakfast in America."
In 1975, during his “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Vancouver, Canada, Alice Cooper fell from the stage and broke six ribs.
George Harrison started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with “Living In The Material World.”
Pink Floyd made their US Top Forty debut in 1973 with "Money." It reached #13.
In 1990, Buddy Holly’s Gibson acoustic guitar sold for $237,419 in a Sotheby's auction. The guitar was in a tooled leather case made by Holly himself.
13-year-old Keith Sorrentino filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Madonna in 1990, claiming he suffered nightmares and bed-wetting problems after an incident outside Madonna’s home when she allegedly flung him to the ground. Temper, temper Midge.
Nelly started a seven week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2002 with “Hot In Here.”
In London in 2003, Eminem gave a $450,000 necklace to a fan in the front row of a concert. He had announced while from the stage that "I'm going to give this to the sexiest woman I see.
In 1976, Paul McCartney & Wings wrapped up their tour at Inglewood, Calif.'s Forum. Sir Paul wouldn't tour the US for another 13 years.
In 1963, Del Shannon charts with "From Me To You, which becomes the first Lennon & McCartney composition to make the Billboard Hot 100.
B.W. Stevenson recorded "My Maria" in 1973.
Elvis Presley cuts "If I Can Dream" in 1968
In 1995, CBS News anchor Dan Rather joins R.E.M. onstage at Madison Square Garden during a soundcheck to perform "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" which referred to a bizarre incident years before when Rather was beaten up by thugs demanding the answer to the question. The performance was shown on David Letterman's "The Late Show."
In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to one count of assault on his former girlfriend, Rihanna. The 19 year-old R&B singer was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to do six months community service. Brown had faced charges of assaulting Rihanna, 21, during a row in February. The last-minute plea deal came before a hearing at a Los Angeles court at which Rihanna was due to give evidence. The Los Angeles County Superior Court judge also ordered Brown and Rihanna to stay at least 50 yards from each other, except at entertainment industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards. Good, never hit a woman.....
Duran Duran started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1984 with “The Reflex,” the group's first US #1, also a UK #1.
'Perfecting Sound Forever': A History Of Audio
Talk of the Nation, June 22, 2009 - In his book, Perfecting Sound Forever, Greg Milner explores the evolution of sound. His history covers the analog days of Thomas Edison through the present day of digital recordings, and the quest for sonic perfection.
Technological advances have complicated the debate about the value of the most accurate reproduction of a sound, versus the most enhanced. Whereas Edison set out to perfectly capture a live performance, today's sound engineers have the ability to create recordings from musicians who aren't in the same room — or aren't even alive at the same time.
Milner takes the reader through major breakthroughs and massive failures in recording history. He also digs into specific recordings from Lead Belly, the Beatles, Mission of Burma, Steve Albini and Massive Attack.
Excerpt: 'Perfecting Sound Forever'By Greg Milner
NPR.org, June 22, 2009 - When a sound wave is generated, the mass is the air itself — or rather, the billions of particles that comprise the air — and the elasticity is the natural tendency of the particles to return to a stable position. These are the characteristics of any sound wave, whether caused by the big bang or by John Bonham's drum intro to Led Zeppelin's version of Memphis Minnie's "When the Levee Breaks." Those two particular sounds are alike in other ways: they are both epic and epochal, and each has been cited as evidence of the hand of God (and in Bonham's case, also His right foot). The latter is easier for us to conceive (though nearly as unlikely to ever be repeated), so let's examine the work performed by Bonham, and its effect on us.
You are very lucky. It is sometime in the early seventies, and you are at a mansion in the English village of Headley. The members of Led Zeppelin are here to make their fourth album, and they have invited you along to watch. Today they will record Bonham's drum part for "When the Levee Breaks." The band wants Bonham's drums to have a booming, reverb-heavy sound. (This is an unusual choice for the time, since the trend in records is toward drums that sound dry, with little resonance.) To achieve the desired effect, they place the drums at the bottom of a stairwell, with the microphone hanging three stories up. You are in the stairwell, a few feet away from the drums. The only person who will be closer to the sound is Bonham.
The engineer announces that the tape is rolling. Bonham counts off the rhythm and then slams his foot down on his kick drum's pedal to begin the beat.......
Read the rest of this intriguing article here: NPR.org
Technological advances have complicated the debate about the value of the most accurate reproduction of a sound, versus the most enhanced. Whereas Edison set out to perfectly capture a live performance, today's sound engineers have the ability to create recordings from musicians who aren't in the same room — or aren't even alive at the same time.
Milner takes the reader through major breakthroughs and massive failures in recording history. He also digs into specific recordings from Lead Belly, the Beatles, Mission of Burma, Steve Albini and Massive Attack.
Excerpt: 'Perfecting Sound Forever'By Greg Milner
NPR.org, June 22, 2009 - When a sound wave is generated, the mass is the air itself — or rather, the billions of particles that comprise the air — and the elasticity is the natural tendency of the particles to return to a stable position. These are the characteristics of any sound wave, whether caused by the big bang or by John Bonham's drum intro to Led Zeppelin's version of Memphis Minnie's "When the Levee Breaks." Those two particular sounds are alike in other ways: they are both epic and epochal, and each has been cited as evidence of the hand of God (and in Bonham's case, also His right foot). The latter is easier for us to conceive (though nearly as unlikely to ever be repeated), so let's examine the work performed by Bonham, and its effect on us.
You are very lucky. It is sometime in the early seventies, and you are at a mansion in the English village of Headley. The members of Led Zeppelin are here to make their fourth album, and they have invited you along to watch. Today they will record Bonham's drum part for "When the Levee Breaks." The band wants Bonham's drums to have a booming, reverb-heavy sound. (This is an unusual choice for the time, since the trend in records is toward drums that sound dry, with little resonance.) To achieve the desired effect, they place the drums at the bottom of a stairwell, with the microphone hanging three stories up. You are in the stairwell, a few feet away from the drums. The only person who will be closer to the sound is Bonham.
The engineer announces that the tape is rolling. Bonham counts off the rhythm and then slams his foot down on his kick drum's pedal to begin the beat.......
Read the rest of this intriguing article here: NPR.org
Monday, June 22, 2009
Bringing Back the Old School just in time for the 21st Century
By: Alex Young
For children growing up in a digital age, it’s wild to think that some kids’ entire music collection will be a collection of digital memories on their computer. In the current climate of unrest within the music industry because of Internet piracy, there’s a revolution that’s coming back to shine in the spotlight once again – the return of the vinyl record. December 2008’s issue of Rolling Stone revealed vinyl sales are up 60 per cent from 2007 in the United States alone. With the re-release of essential rock albums like LA Woman by the Doors and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, all kinds of classics are getting a brand new life on vinyl. Whatever your taste may be, there’s an album waiting for you to rediscover it in a way you’ve never heard before and it’s like listening to your favorite albums for the first time all over again. For all of you that have been keeping their loyalty to vinyl strong throughout the years, now you too no longer have to feel like the only analogue dude in a digital world. The influence of the vinyl is anything but forgotten and there are a few characters that have stuck around including like the old school sound technicians, the record storeowners and the collectors. Today you’ll get to hear from each of them and their take on vinyl getting another spin.
There are a lot of differences between vinyl and any other medium but the biggest one is the quality of the recordings themselves. No one can make this any clearer than someone who has been drowning themselves in sound on a daily basis for most of their lives as they know it. This crafty character in the vinyl revolution is like a sergeant sending his troops into battle by telling them what they’re fighting for. This is what the sergeant had to offer the troops to explain to rally the troops in today’s music market. When you are listening to vinyl you are getting a much more intimate experience with the music itself because there’s literally nothing else on the album beyond the musicians.
Analog recording captures a live musician on their own as well as capturing the natural distance and depth within the room. When artists record digitally, the files themselves are already programmed to sound like analog recordings with effects but are actually of a lower fidelity. Mike Trimmer, head of the PA and Live Sound Department at Toronto’s infamous shop Steve’s Music, has worked on the road as a sound and recording engineer for over 20 years. Trimmer took some time to discuss the difference between vinyl and digital sound recordings by pointing out “If you’re working with high end of analog equipment there’s a high fidelity difference. Meaning digital recordings are programmed to sound like live recordings but the quality is a lot thinner which makes some recordings sound more harsh or hollow.” The difference between the quality of vinyl and digital recordings also lies in how the music itself is recorded. Trimmer also said “When you use digital processing, it uses high end modeling equipment that is meant to simulate an analog recording. But when you listen to an analog recording it is just a recording of a live musician and there’s nothing coming between that. The difference is in the detail of the harmonics and textures. Digital recordings are upgraded into a resolution into the 96 range, which is what makes it popular on a recording level. But a CD is still 44.1, which makes it harsher to listen to at high volumes.”
Anyone comparing vinyl to any other medium for music has to keep in mind that vinyl provides a personal experience for its listener. Another character in the audio army breathing new air into the lungs of vinyl is the record storeowner that can speak with technical prowess of someone like the sergeant and the elite lingo of music geeks alike. This character is the record storeowner, who has both a stake in the business and an undying passion that can challenge even the most elite music geeks. Of all the time spent cleaning out your garage rooting through all your parents’ old records from high school it’s only natural to see a flush of memories come back to them all at once. One of vinyl’s biggest appeals is that it provides a truly unique connection between the listener and the music because even there might be 7 trillion copies of Led Zeppelin IV and Sticky Fingers floating around the world, that the copy in your collection was printed just for you.
The grandiose artwork that accompanies every record could be big enough to become a poster and the liner notes could be a novel; these recognizable characteristics allow listeners to identify with their favourite albums in a way that is unheard of anywhere else. Roozbeh Showoeh is the manager of Slinky’s Music in Toronto that sells CD’s, vinyl, and DJ Equipment. Showoeh discussed the personal experience vinyl has to offer anyone that’s willing to listen by saying “It’s interesting to see what an attractive product they’ve become. They’re almost like a fashion statement. Obviously you buy a record for the music but it’s interesting to see people get vinyl for the artwork. I’ve seen all kinds of people frame vinyl, hang it on their walls, use it like a poster and it’s like them using everything that came with the record itself to show their love for the music.”
With vinyl breaking its way back into the mainstream after spending decades in dusty attics and burnt out basements, not everything is perfect for the vintage revival. These are the people who do strive for a more mature quality from their music collection and the people at the heart of vinyl’s survival: the foot soldier that keeps their affection flowing from the heart of music into their inner fanatic. Justin Chard is a first-year Humber College Radio student that interns at Toronto’s heartbeat for modern rock, 102.1 the Edge, and is an absolute vinyl fanatic. Chard owns over three hundred vinyl discs and loves all of them to death, claiming he doesn’t “have the heart” to throw out his albums that are beyond repair. It’s for that reason that Chard finds himself at a crossroads as a modern vinyl collector. “The real bitch is that when you love an album on vinyl to death, it actually dies.” Chard says with a chuckle. “Because of the actual physical contact with the needle, if you’re spinning an album for years on end, it’s obviously not going to last forever. If you break a CD you can just burn another copy, if you lose a tape or hear something on the radio, you can just download it. If you carve one of your vinyl’s to death, it’s great to see how much you can love something like music, but you have to go out and buy a brand new disc.”
It’s interesting to see records get another spin after they were presumed dead for decades. After hearing so many classic cuts such as “Straight to Hell” by the Clash become morphed into MIA’s hit single “Paper Planes” last year, artists that got their start in the vinyl era are clearly not going anywhere. Although vinyl doesn’t have the same pull in the music industry it’s amazing to see that it still has a place in the hearts of music lovers in the twenty-first century even in an age when anyone can practically pull mp3’s out of thin air on the internet. The timeless qualities that come with a vinyl resurrect a connection between a fan and their favorite tunes that the world once thought was extinct with the emergence of tapes and CD’s. It was Bob Dylan that said “the times they are a-changing” but it’s nice to know that the world didn’t forget that, some things will stay golden for a little bit longer.
Source: http://kakonged.wordpress.com
Vinyl Cut-Outs
I know, I know, this isn't what records are supposed to be used for. But when you have vinyl that is so beat up and can't be played, I say why not do something creative with it. Here are some cool examples:
Music News & Notes
Athens Landmark Destroyed By Fire
The theater that hosted the first concerts by R.E.M. along with early shows by the B-52s and the Indigo Girls has burned to the ground. The Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia was destroyed on Friday. A statement from R.E.M. read "All of us here certainly wish Wilmont Greene and his staff the best of luck and Godspeed in their efforts to rebuild the Athens landmark."
============================
Coffins To Release Split With Spun In Darkness
Spun in Darkness has announced that they will be releasing a split album with Coffins in September. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions issued the following statement about the split:
"Raw and putrid old school Death Metal! Horror Pain Gore Death Productions has brought together a match made in Hell for this 7-Inch record: Coffins and Spun In Darkness. Japan's Coffins are firmly established as the new leaders of the underground with their horrific style of bonecrushing Doom infested Death Metal that is reminiscent of Autopsy and Winter, with elements of Hellhammer/Celtic Frost. Las Vegas' Spun In Darkness feature ex-members of Goatlord and bleed old school with their destructive, morbid style of pure Death Metal that is simply devastating. This release is strictly limited to 500 copies pressed on White vinyl and features deadly artwork from the legendary Chris Moyen. Essential release for fans of Asphyx, Autopsy, Carnage, Cianide, Divine Eve, Grave, Hooded Menace and Winter!"
============================
Lamb Of God To Support Metallica On U.S. Tour
Popular American metal outfit Lamb Of God has announced in a message to their fan club that they will be supporting Metallica on their tour of the United States from September to December. The message reads as follows:
"So here is some breaking news for you members of the fanclub only! We will announce this soon on the main site, but you hear it first!
"We will be main support on the METALLICA tour of the US from September 14th - end of November. We will be doing a considerable amount of headline shows throughout this tour as well.
"This will be our final US tour of 2009."
============================
dio 1 dio 2 dio3
Dio To Reissue "Killing The Dragon" On Vinyl
Dio has announced that the album 2002's "Killing The Dragon" will be re-issued on vinyl. The album cover is an intriguing 'pop up' type cover than I haven't seen done in a long time. Only 500 hand-numbered copies are being manufactured
DIO's "The Very Beast of Dio" was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 11, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of 500,000 copies.
Issued in October 2000, "The Very Beast of Dio" is the second greatest-hits collection CD — and the first to be released in the U.S. — from the Ronnie James Dio-fronted band.
DIO's last release was the "Holy Diver Live" CD, featuring a performance of the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd. It also includes, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from vocalist Ronnie James Dio's BLACK SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.
============================
Slayer Delays New Album, "World Painted Blood" Release Date
American thrash metal legends Slayer have been forced to delay their new studio album, "World Painted Blood" until the late summer period, guitarist Kerry King revealed.
"I stopped worrying about that stuff years ago," King chuckles. "Somebody will tell me a date and then I'll say, 'All right, probably two months after that.' If I don't sit and expect things to come out, I can't be disappointed when it gets delayed."
The theater that hosted the first concerts by R.E.M. along with early shows by the B-52s and the Indigo Girls has burned to the ground. The Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia was destroyed on Friday. A statement from R.E.M. read "All of us here certainly wish Wilmont Greene and his staff the best of luck and Godspeed in their efforts to rebuild the Athens landmark."
============================
Coffins To Release Split With Spun In Darkness
Spun in Darkness has announced that they will be releasing a split album with Coffins in September. Horror Pain Gore Death Productions issued the following statement about the split:
"Raw and putrid old school Death Metal! Horror Pain Gore Death Productions has brought together a match made in Hell for this 7-Inch record: Coffins and Spun In Darkness. Japan's Coffins are firmly established as the new leaders of the underground with their horrific style of bonecrushing Doom infested Death Metal that is reminiscent of Autopsy and Winter, with elements of Hellhammer/Celtic Frost. Las Vegas' Spun In Darkness feature ex-members of Goatlord and bleed old school with their destructive, morbid style of pure Death Metal that is simply devastating. This release is strictly limited to 500 copies pressed on White vinyl and features deadly artwork from the legendary Chris Moyen. Essential release for fans of Asphyx, Autopsy, Carnage, Cianide, Divine Eve, Grave, Hooded Menace and Winter!"
============================
Lamb Of God To Support Metallica On U.S. Tour
Popular American metal outfit Lamb Of God has announced in a message to their fan club that they will be supporting Metallica on their tour of the United States from September to December. The message reads as follows:
"So here is some breaking news for you members of the fanclub only! We will announce this soon on the main site, but you hear it first!
"We will be main support on the METALLICA tour of the US from September 14th - end of November. We will be doing a considerable amount of headline shows throughout this tour as well.
"This will be our final US tour of 2009."
============================
dio 1 dio 2 dio3
Dio To Reissue "Killing The Dragon" On Vinyl
Dio has announced that the album 2002's "Killing The Dragon" will be re-issued on vinyl. The album cover is an intriguing 'pop up' type cover than I haven't seen done in a long time. Only 500 hand-numbered copies are being manufactured
DIO's "The Very Beast of Dio" was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 11, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of 500,000 copies.
Issued in October 2000, "The Very Beast of Dio" is the second greatest-hits collection CD — and the first to be released in the U.S. — from the Ronnie James Dio-fronted band.
DIO's last release was the "Holy Diver Live" CD, featuring a performance of the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd. It also includes, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from vocalist Ronnie James Dio's BLACK SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.
============================
Slayer Delays New Album, "World Painted Blood" Release Date
American thrash metal legends Slayer have been forced to delay their new studio album, "World Painted Blood" until the late summer period, guitarist Kerry King revealed.
"I stopped worrying about that stuff years ago," King chuckles. "Somebody will tell me a date and then I'll say, 'All right, probably two months after that.' If I don't sit and expect things to come out, I can't be disappointed when it gets delayed."
RECORD CLEANING MACHINE
An informed reader led me to the PHK record cleaning machine. Personally, I have not tried the system, but it sure looks good. And, what is most important about this machine is that it is affordable (under $200) for most vinyl record collectors. I plan on buying one asap and will report more about it later. here are the details:
PHK Record Cleaning Machines are carefully handmade and use the vacuuming method to clean records.
Designed to work with household vacuum cleaners, combines efficience, compact size, beautiful finishing and very affordable price.
Go on to understand why the effectiveness, practicality and safety of this system is used and recommended by the most demanding collectors, archivists and audiophiles worldwide.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Motown Opens the Voting in the U.S.A. for the Motown 50
Celebrate Motown's 50th anniversary by choosing YOUR top 5 favorites from a selection of the greatest Motown tracks!
Motown has been asking fans to vote for their five favorite songs from the label's first 50 years so that it could be compiled onto a new compilation album. The voting was completed in a number of other countries and releases have been made (Canada's album is riding high on the charts), but the U.S. release's track list has not been determined.
Between now and July 15, you can vote for your favorites over at the Motown 50 site. There are currently 115 tracks specifically listed, but you have the opportunity to write in an unlisted favorite while voting. The U.S. version of the album is due in September.
Based on the fact that Motown has had literally hundreds of songs on the charts over the years, it would seem that it would be necessary to allow write-ins or expand the available list. For example, Stevie Wonder has had almost 50 top forty hits in his career, but the only ones for which you can select on the site are For Once in My Life, I Just Called to Say I Love You, I Wish, Master Blaster, My Cherie Amour, Sir Duke, Superstition, Uptight and You Are the Sunshine of My Life.
The first 50 voters will get a credit on the album and the first 500 will receive a "I Voted! Motown 50" bumper sticker. All voters will be entered into a drawing for a trip to Detroit to visit the Hitsville U.S.A. Motown Museum.
Vote Here!
This Date In Music History-June 21
Birthdays:
Nick Noble ("The Bible Tells Me So") is 73
Brandon Flowers - The Killers (1981)
Michael Einziger – Incubus (1976)
Lee Gaze – Lostprophets (1975)
Ray Davies - The Kinks (1944)
Mark Brzezicki - Big Country (1957)
Born today in 1953, Nils Lofgren, guitar, piano, vocals. He joined Neil Young's band at age 17, playing piano on the album After the Gold Rush. From 1971 to 1974 recorded four albums with his band, Grin. Joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band in 1984. And member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band.
Joey Kramer – Aerosmith (1950)
Greg Munford - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1949)
Joey Molland – Badfinger (1948)
Chris Britton - The Troggs (1945)
Miguel Vicens - Los Bravos (1944)
Porter Howell - Little Texas (1964)
They Are Missed:
In 1980, German orchestra leader and songwriter Bert Kaempfert died (born October 16, 1923). Both Frank Sinatra (“Strangers In The Night”) and Elvis Presley (“Wooden Heart”) covered his songs. Kaempfert released over 50 albums. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on recording sessions for Polydor, (these were the Beatles' first commercial recordings).
Born today in 1936, O.C. Smith, who had 1968 #1 single “Little Green Apples.” He died on November 23, 2001.
John Lee Hooker, legendary blues singer and guitarist died in his sleep in 2001 at the age of 83. His songs have been covered by many artists including Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, The Yardbirds, The Doors and The White Stripes. He appeared and sang in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.
History:
Columbia Records began the first mass production of the 33 1/3 RPM LP in 1948.
Jimmy Page made his live debut with The Yardbirds at the Marquee Club, London in 1966.
In 1966, the Beatles recorded from start to finish, a new John Lennon song “She Said She Said.” The song was reportedly based on a bizarre conversation that Lennon had with Peter Fonda while John and George Harrison were tripping on LSD.
In 1955, Johnny Cash released his first single, "Hey Porter/Cry Cry Cry" which went on to sell 100,000 copies.
Bobby Darin recorded "Splish Splash" in 1958. Darin claimed he wrote the ditty in 10minutes.
In 1970, Pete Townshend bad timing of the use of the British slang term, "bomb" drew police and FBI action at the Memphis International Airport. He was overheard saying "'Tommy" seems to be "going down a bomb." That meant it was a hit. Officials, however, only heard the term "bomb" and reacted.
Better late than never - Four and a half years after leaving The Rolling Stones, guitarist Mick Taylor released his first solo LP in 1979.
Soft-rockers Bread played their last show in Salt Lake City in 1973. The band decided to quit after their equipment truck flipped over earlier in the day, destroying over $30,000 worth of gear.
The Beatles opened for Bruce Channel in concert near Liverpool in 1962 (and Bruce's harmonica player, Delbert McLinton, gave John Lennon tips that serve John well later on "Love Me Do").
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker announced the dissolution of Steely Dan in 1981. Of course, Fagen and Becker later re-form the group and even win a Grammy.
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form his own group Rainbow.
In 1952, "Goin' Home" became the first of nine #1 hits for Fats Domino. It was released on Imperial records. Those nine singles will top the R&B charts for a combined 51 weeks between 1952-59.
Bobby Vee recorded his #1 hit "Take Good Care of My Baby."
Nick Noble ("The Bible Tells Me So") is 73
Brandon Flowers - The Killers (1981)
Michael Einziger – Incubus (1976)
Lee Gaze – Lostprophets (1975)
Ray Davies - The Kinks (1944)
Mark Brzezicki - Big Country (1957)
Born today in 1953, Nils Lofgren, guitar, piano, vocals. He joined Neil Young's band at age 17, playing piano on the album After the Gold Rush. From 1971 to 1974 recorded four albums with his band, Grin. Joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band in 1984. And member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band.
Joey Kramer – Aerosmith (1950)
Greg Munford - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1949)
Joey Molland – Badfinger (1948)
Chris Britton - The Troggs (1945)
Miguel Vicens - Los Bravos (1944)
Porter Howell - Little Texas (1964)
They Are Missed:
In 1980, German orchestra leader and songwriter Bert Kaempfert died (born October 16, 1923). Both Frank Sinatra (“Strangers In The Night”) and Elvis Presley (“Wooden Heart”) covered his songs. Kaempfert released over 50 albums. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on recording sessions for Polydor, (these were the Beatles' first commercial recordings).
Born today in 1936, O.C. Smith, who had 1968 #1 single “Little Green Apples.” He died on November 23, 2001.
John Lee Hooker, legendary blues singer and guitarist died in his sleep in 2001 at the age of 83. His songs have been covered by many artists including Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, The Yardbirds, The Doors and The White Stripes. He appeared and sang in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.
History:
Columbia Records began the first mass production of the 33 1/3 RPM LP in 1948.
Jimmy Page made his live debut with The Yardbirds at the Marquee Club, London in 1966.
In 1966, the Beatles recorded from start to finish, a new John Lennon song “She Said She Said.” The song was reportedly based on a bizarre conversation that Lennon had with Peter Fonda while John and George Harrison were tripping on LSD.
In 1955, Johnny Cash released his first single, "Hey Porter/Cry Cry Cry" which went on to sell 100,000 copies.
Bobby Darin recorded "Splish Splash" in 1958. Darin claimed he wrote the ditty in 10minutes.
In 1970, Pete Townshend bad timing of the use of the British slang term, "bomb" drew police and FBI action at the Memphis International Airport. He was overheard saying "'Tommy" seems to be "going down a bomb." That meant it was a hit. Officials, however, only heard the term "bomb" and reacted.
Better late than never - Four and a half years after leaving The Rolling Stones, guitarist Mick Taylor released his first solo LP in 1979.
Soft-rockers Bread played their last show in Salt Lake City in 1973. The band decided to quit after their equipment truck flipped over earlier in the day, destroying over $30,000 worth of gear.
The Beatles opened for Bruce Channel in concert near Liverpool in 1962 (and Bruce's harmonica player, Delbert McLinton, gave John Lennon tips that serve John well later on "Love Me Do").
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker announced the dissolution of Steely Dan in 1981. Of course, Fagen and Becker later re-form the group and even win a Grammy.
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form his own group Rainbow.
In 1952, "Goin' Home" became the first of nine #1 hits for Fats Domino. It was released on Imperial records. Those nine singles will top the R&B charts for a combined 51 weeks between 1952-59.
Bobby Vee recorded his #1 hit "Take Good Care of My Baby."
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