Chrissie Hynde - Talk of the town
Monday, July 6, 2009
Album Cover Artist Tom Wilkes Dies Unexpectedly at Home in California
Award winning artist and designer Tom Wilkes died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 28 at his home in Pioneertown, CA at the age of 69. Wilkes was the art director of the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. He designed many classic album covers like Rolling Stones' "Beggars Banquet" and Neil Young's "Harvest." He was awarded a Grammy in 1974 for Best Recording Package for "Tommy" as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
Pioneertown, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB ) July 5, 2009 -- Renowned album cover artist and designer Tom Wilkes died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 28, at his home in Pioneertown, California. He was 69.
Thomas E. Wilkes was born July 30, 1939 in Long Beach, California and was raised in southern California. He attended Long Beach City College, UCLA and the Art Center College of Design in the 1950's and 1960's.
In 1967 Wilkes was the art director of the Monterey International Pop Festival. He created all graphics and printed materials for Monterey Pop, including the program book and the festival's psychedelic and iconic foil poster.
From 1967 through 1969, Wilkes was the art director of A&M Records. He was partner with Barry Feinstein from 1970 through 1973 in Camouflage Productions, which became record label Blue Thumb's house art department.
He was partner in Wilkes & Braun, Inc. from 1973 through 1974, and art director of ABC Records from 1975 through 1977. In 1978 he started Tom Wilkes Productions and became President of Project Interspeak, a not-for-profit environmental and human rights organization devoted to planetary enhancement programs.
Wilkes designed and directed such hit record covers as Rolling Stones' "Flowers" and "Beggars Banquet", Neil Young's "Harvest", and George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" and "All Things Must Pass."
He received a Grammy Award in 1974 for Best Recording Package for The Who's rock opera "Tommy," as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra & Choir.
Among his many album cover credits:
Janis Joplin - "Pearl"
Ike & Tina Turner - "Outta Season"
Eric Clapton - "Eric Clapton"
Dave Mason - "Alone Together"
Joe Cocker - "Mad Dogs & Englishmen"
Flying Burrito Brothers - "Gilded Palace of Sin"
John Prine - "John Prine"
Emmylou Harris - "Blue Kentucky Girl" and "Elite Hotel"
Leon Russell - "Stop All That Jazz"
REO Speedwagon - "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish"
In addition to creating hundreds of posters, logos, books, trade ads and illustrations, Wilkes produced and directed TV and radio spots, music videos, films, mixed media presentations and special events.
He recently completed a book of his artwork and memoirs, called "Tommy Geeked a Chicken," and was negotiating publishing arrangements. At this time, plans are being made to proceed with publication of the book.
A memorial service will be held for Wilkes on Saturday, July 11th, in Orange, CA.
Read More about Tom Wilkes
Contact:
Carey Hays, Marketing Manager
The Allan Hays Company, LLC
405 S. Walnut, Suite 206, Muncie IN 47305
Cell: 765-760-3187 Main Office: 1-800-284-8745
###
Former Beatles/Rolling Stones Manager Allen Klein Passes at 77
Allen Klein, the powerful and controversial manager and record label owner, passed away on Saturday in New York at age 77. He had been fighting Alzheimer's disease.
Klein began his career in the late-50's and quickly became known as the "go to" guy when an artist wanted to get tough with a record company. He extracted $100,000 from Atco Records for Bobby Darin in unpaid royalties and helped Sam Cooke dissolve existing contracts and start his own Tracey Records, regain ownership of his songs and receive payment of back royalties.
In 1965, Klein became co-manager of the Rolling Stones, a position that initially drew great praise; however, by the end of the decade, Mick Jaggar suspected some of Klein's business practices and ended up firing him. Klein sued with the result being that the Stones gave up the rights to most of their pre-1971 recordings to Klein.
Klein, ever the savvy business owner, formed ABKCO Industries in 1968 when he purchased the catalog of Cameo-Parkway, putting his company in charge of the recorded output of artists like Chubby Checker, the Animals, Herman's Hermits, Bobby Rydell and many others. Later in his career, he also acquired the back catalog of Phil Spector's Philles Records, giving them the output of artists like the Righteous Brothers, the Crystals and the Ronettes.
During one of his last sessions with the Stones, Rock and Roll Circus, Klein met John Lennon. The Beatles had not had a manager since the 1967 death of Brian Epstein and their Apple Industries was in a bit of disarray as was the group who fought over business decisions. Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr agreed to let Klein take over business matters while Paul McCartney abstained from signing any contracts.
Klein negotiated a new royalty rate with EMI, allowed them to release a Beatles compilation album and was responsible for the release of Something/Come Together as a way to stave off looming financial disaster. He also arranged for Phil Spector to come in and save the Get Back sessions, which eventually became the group's last album, Let It Be.
Upon the split of the Beatles, McCartney chose to sue the rest of the group for a "divorce," breaking up the group as a business entity. He later stated that he did so to keep Klein's hands off their legacy.
Klein went on to work with both Lennon and Harrison on their early solo efforts, but a number of misjudgments around the Concert for Bangladesh led to both artists breaking off their relationship with him. At one particularly contentious moment, Harrison came up against Klein during the My Sweet Lord plagiarism lawsuit. Klein advised Harrison during the first part of the proceedings, but then bought Bright Tunes and obtained ownership of He's So Fine, basically putting him on both sides of the case. The maneuver backfired against Klein and Harrison eventually ended up owning both songs.
Later in his career, Klein got into producing films but had one last major lawsuit against the British group The Verve who had sampled part of the Rolling Stones' The Last Time in their song Bittersweet Symphony. Even though their had been a contract before the recording of the song, Klein sued the group and received 100% of the royalties after saying that too much had been sampled. He turned around and licensed Bittersweet Symphony to Nike for use in their advertisements and changed the writers of the song to Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards.
SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com/
Klein began his career in the late-50's and quickly became known as the "go to" guy when an artist wanted to get tough with a record company. He extracted $100,000 from Atco Records for Bobby Darin in unpaid royalties and helped Sam Cooke dissolve existing contracts and start his own Tracey Records, regain ownership of his songs and receive payment of back royalties.
In 1965, Klein became co-manager of the Rolling Stones, a position that initially drew great praise; however, by the end of the decade, Mick Jaggar suspected some of Klein's business practices and ended up firing him. Klein sued with the result being that the Stones gave up the rights to most of their pre-1971 recordings to Klein.
Klein, ever the savvy business owner, formed ABKCO Industries in 1968 when he purchased the catalog of Cameo-Parkway, putting his company in charge of the recorded output of artists like Chubby Checker, the Animals, Herman's Hermits, Bobby Rydell and many others. Later in his career, he also acquired the back catalog of Phil Spector's Philles Records, giving them the output of artists like the Righteous Brothers, the Crystals and the Ronettes.
During one of his last sessions with the Stones, Rock and Roll Circus, Klein met John Lennon. The Beatles had not had a manager since the 1967 death of Brian Epstein and their Apple Industries was in a bit of disarray as was the group who fought over business decisions. Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr agreed to let Klein take over business matters while Paul McCartney abstained from signing any contracts.
Klein negotiated a new royalty rate with EMI, allowed them to release a Beatles compilation album and was responsible for the release of Something/Come Together as a way to stave off looming financial disaster. He also arranged for Phil Spector to come in and save the Get Back sessions, which eventually became the group's last album, Let It Be.
Upon the split of the Beatles, McCartney chose to sue the rest of the group for a "divorce," breaking up the group as a business entity. He later stated that he did so to keep Klein's hands off their legacy.
Klein went on to work with both Lennon and Harrison on their early solo efforts, but a number of misjudgments around the Concert for Bangladesh led to both artists breaking off their relationship with him. At one particularly contentious moment, Harrison came up against Klein during the My Sweet Lord plagiarism lawsuit. Klein advised Harrison during the first part of the proceedings, but then bought Bright Tunes and obtained ownership of He's So Fine, basically putting him on both sides of the case. The maneuver backfired against Klein and Harrison eventually ended up owning both songs.
Later in his career, Klein got into producing films but had one last major lawsuit against the British group The Verve who had sampled part of the Rolling Stones' The Last Time in their song Bittersweet Symphony. Even though their had been a contract before the recording of the song, Klein sued the group and received 100% of the royalties after saying that too much had been sampled. He turned around and licensed Bittersweet Symphony to Nike for use in their advertisements and changed the writers of the song to Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards.
SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sir Paul & Neil
As Neil Young brought his set at Saturday’s Hard Rock Calling concert in London’s Hyde Park to a close by covering The Beatles’ A Day In The Life, a shadowy figure emerged from the wings to sing harmony.....Now if only Neil Young could carry a tune....
This Date In Music History-July 5
Birthdays:
Robbie Robertson - Band (1943)
Michael Monarch – Steppenwolf (1946)
Huey Lewis - Huey Lewis and the News (1950)
Marc Cohn - singer/songwriter (1959)
Bengt Lagerberg - The Cardigans (1973)
Jason Wade - Lifehouse (1980)
Nick O'Malley - Arctic Monkeys (1985)
Producer Thomas "Snuff" Garrett (Bobby Vee, Gary Lewis, Cher and many other artists) turns 71.
Terry Cashman of Cashman & West ("American City Suite") is 68.
Jason Bonham - son of Led Zeppelin drummer John (1966)
They Are Missed:
Born today in 1920, Smiley Lewis, R&B singer who wrote “I Hear You Knocking” (US #2 & UK #1 for Dave Edmunds). Lewis died on October 20, 1966.
Cassie Gaines, backing singer with Lynyrd Skynyrd was born in 1948. Gaines was killed in a plane crash on October 20, 1977 with two other members of the band.
Sun records musical director Bill Justis died of cancer in 1982 (age 55). He worked with Sam Phillips at Sun Records, worked with also worked with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis. Had the 1957 hit “Raunchy” (the first Rock and Roll instrumental hit)
Michael "Cub" Koda, founder member of Brownsville Station died of complications from kidney failure in 2000. Wrote the 2 million selling 1974 hit “Smokin' In The Boys Room.” He took his nickname from Cubby on television's Mickey Mouse Club.
Ernie K-Doe ("Mother-In'Law") died of liver failure in 2001.
Lyricist Hy Zaret, who wrote the words for the song “Unchained Melody” died in 2007 (age 99). The song (which does not feature the word "unchained"), has been recorded over 300 times. Zaret co-wrote the song with film composer Alex North for the 1955 prison film Unchained. The Righteous Brothers' 1965 version was produced by Phil Spector.
History:
In 1954, while working together for the first time in a recording studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, Elvis Presley fooled around during a break with an up-tempo version of “That's All Right.” Producer Sam Phillips had them repeat the jam and recorded it. It became Presley's first release on Sun Records. Scotty Moore remembered, "When we heard a playback, we knew we had some kind of rhythm, a little different rhythm, but none of us knew what to call it."
In 2004, Elvis Presley`s "That`s All Right" was played simultaneously on radio stations around the world to mark the 50th anniversary of The King's first professional record. Scotty Moore, Presley's first guitarist, hits the button on a control board at Sun Studios to begin the satellite broadcast to over 1,200 stations.
Ray Charles recorded "Hit The Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart" in 1961.
In 1964, the Irish band Them, featuring Van Morrison, recorded "Gloria."
On the recommendation of Rolling Stone Keith Richards girlfriend, Chas Chandler from the Animals went to see Jimi Hendrix play at The Cafe Wha in New York City in 1966. Chandler suggested that Hendrix should come to England, which he did and Chandler became his manager.
Promoter Bill Graham opened The Fillmore West in San Francisco in 1968.
In 1969, the Rolling Stones gave a free concert in London's Hyde Park before an audience of 250,000, as a tribute to Brian Jones who had died two days earlier. Mick Jagger read an extract from Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Adonais' and released 3,500 butterflies; it was also guitarist's Mick Taylor's debut with the Stones.
A Led Zeppelin gig in Milan in 1971 turned violent when police fired tear gas at the crowd. The band escaped unharmed, but numerous arrests were made and a roadie was hit in the head with a bottle.
Bad Company's "Feel Like Making Love" was released in 1975.
In 1978, the manufacturing of “Some Girls,” the new album by the Rolling Stones, was halted after complaints from celebrities including Lucille Ball who were featured in mock advertisements on the album sleeve.
In 1999, the Eurythmics announced their first world tour for more than 10 years and that all profits would be given to charity.
Robbie Robertson - Band (1943)
Michael Monarch – Steppenwolf (1946)
Huey Lewis - Huey Lewis and the News (1950)
Marc Cohn - singer/songwriter (1959)
Bengt Lagerberg - The Cardigans (1973)
Jason Wade - Lifehouse (1980)
Nick O'Malley - Arctic Monkeys (1985)
Producer Thomas "Snuff" Garrett (Bobby Vee, Gary Lewis, Cher and many other artists) turns 71.
Terry Cashman of Cashman & West ("American City Suite") is 68.
Jason Bonham - son of Led Zeppelin drummer John (1966)
They Are Missed:
Born today in 1920, Smiley Lewis, R&B singer who wrote “I Hear You Knocking” (US #2 & UK #1 for Dave Edmunds). Lewis died on October 20, 1966.
Cassie Gaines, backing singer with Lynyrd Skynyrd was born in 1948. Gaines was killed in a plane crash on October 20, 1977 with two other members of the band.
Sun records musical director Bill Justis died of cancer in 1982 (age 55). He worked with Sam Phillips at Sun Records, worked with also worked with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and Jerry Lee Lewis. Had the 1957 hit “Raunchy” (the first Rock and Roll instrumental hit)
Michael "Cub" Koda, founder member of Brownsville Station died of complications from kidney failure in 2000. Wrote the 2 million selling 1974 hit “Smokin' In The Boys Room.” He took his nickname from Cubby on television's Mickey Mouse Club.
Ernie K-Doe ("Mother-In'Law") died of liver failure in 2001.
Lyricist Hy Zaret, who wrote the words for the song “Unchained Melody” died in 2007 (age 99). The song (which does not feature the word "unchained"), has been recorded over 300 times. Zaret co-wrote the song with film composer Alex North for the 1955 prison film Unchained. The Righteous Brothers' 1965 version was produced by Phil Spector.
History:
In 1954, while working together for the first time in a recording studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, Elvis Presley fooled around during a break with an up-tempo version of “That's All Right.” Producer Sam Phillips had them repeat the jam and recorded it. It became Presley's first release on Sun Records. Scotty Moore remembered, "When we heard a playback, we knew we had some kind of rhythm, a little different rhythm, but none of us knew what to call it."
In 2004, Elvis Presley`s "That`s All Right" was played simultaneously on radio stations around the world to mark the 50th anniversary of The King's first professional record. Scotty Moore, Presley's first guitarist, hits the button on a control board at Sun Studios to begin the satellite broadcast to over 1,200 stations.
Ray Charles recorded "Hit The Road Jack" and "Unchain My Heart" in 1961.
In 1964, the Irish band Them, featuring Van Morrison, recorded "Gloria."
On the recommendation of Rolling Stone Keith Richards girlfriend, Chas Chandler from the Animals went to see Jimi Hendrix play at The Cafe Wha in New York City in 1966. Chandler suggested that Hendrix should come to England, which he did and Chandler became his manager.
Promoter Bill Graham opened The Fillmore West in San Francisco in 1968.
In 1969, the Rolling Stones gave a free concert in London's Hyde Park before an audience of 250,000, as a tribute to Brian Jones who had died two days earlier. Mick Jagger read an extract from Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Adonais' and released 3,500 butterflies; it was also guitarist's Mick Taylor's debut with the Stones.
A Led Zeppelin gig in Milan in 1971 turned violent when police fired tear gas at the crowd. The band escaped unharmed, but numerous arrests were made and a roadie was hit in the head with a bottle.
Bad Company's "Feel Like Making Love" was released in 1975.
In 1978, the manufacturing of “Some Girls,” the new album by the Rolling Stones, was halted after complaints from celebrities including Lucille Ball who were featured in mock advertisements on the album sleeve.
In 1999, the Eurythmics announced their first world tour for more than 10 years and that all profits would be given to charity.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Vinyl Articles of Interest
The Record Exchange keeps independent music alive
Chris Bodovinitz
Independently owned record stores seem to be a dying breed. Many are closing their doors in response to the current economy and the music industry's battle with Internet downloads. Boise's Record Exchange, however, remains strong. The store not only carries an endless supply of music, it also hosts many community events to help keep the music alive.
The Record Exchange, known to regulars as The RX, opened its doors in 1977, making it Idaho's oldest and largest independently owned record store. Its shelves are packed with new and used CDs and DVDs, its walls with cassette tapes and vinyl records. There are also a coffee shop and novelty section located inside the building that adds to the store's wide variety of merchandise.
Free in-store concerts are another great attraction that keeps The Record Exchange in the community's musical spotlight. Often times, popular bands travel through Idaho on tour but aren't scheduled to play in any local venues. The store will sometimes catch these acts and ask them to play a smaller show in the area. Most of the time, the concert is held in the store itself.
Read the rest here:
www.idahopress.com
===========================
SPINNING AGAIN: Newly pressed vinyl records making a comeback
Many of today's artists are producing LPs
By JOHN PRZYBYS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
To oldsters, and not-quite-oldsters, it's like seeing an old friend you had thought to be long dead.
Vinyl LPs, in all their shrink-wrapped newness, in cardboard sleeves bearing artwork visible without a magnifying glass and liner notes that don't look like the small print on a mortgage contract, sitting, right out there in the open, on the racks of your neighborhood mass-market retailer.
Just like they used to, so many years ago.
Vinyl records -- newly pressed ones, not vintage or pre-owned albums -- are making a comeback. A small comeback, a minor comeback., but a comeback nonetheless.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America -- the trade group whose members include record manufacturers -- about 2.9 million LPs and EPs were shipped in 2008.
In comparison, about 385 million CDs were shipped and consumers downloaded more than a billion singles and about 57 million albums that same year. But, for a recorded medium that has spent most of the past decade on life support, last year's 2.9 million isn't bad.
Again, according to the association: In the years after 1998, when about 3.4 million LPs and EPs were shipped, LP/EP shipments went into a steady free fall until 2006, when fewer than a million were shipped.
Then came 2007, when LP/EP shipments jumped to about 1.3 million, setting the stage for last year's 2.9 million. The bottom line: Last year brought shipments of vinyl records back to where they were 10 years ago.
Read the rest here:
SPINNING AGAIN
Chris Bodovinitz
Independently owned record stores seem to be a dying breed. Many are closing their doors in response to the current economy and the music industry's battle with Internet downloads. Boise's Record Exchange, however, remains strong. The store not only carries an endless supply of music, it also hosts many community events to help keep the music alive.
The Record Exchange, known to regulars as The RX, opened its doors in 1977, making it Idaho's oldest and largest independently owned record store. Its shelves are packed with new and used CDs and DVDs, its walls with cassette tapes and vinyl records. There are also a coffee shop and novelty section located inside the building that adds to the store's wide variety of merchandise.
Free in-store concerts are another great attraction that keeps The Record Exchange in the community's musical spotlight. Often times, popular bands travel through Idaho on tour but aren't scheduled to play in any local venues. The store will sometimes catch these acts and ask them to play a smaller show in the area. Most of the time, the concert is held in the store itself.
Read the rest here:
www.idahopress.com
===========================
SPINNING AGAIN: Newly pressed vinyl records making a comeback
Many of today's artists are producing LPs
By JOHN PRZYBYS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
To oldsters, and not-quite-oldsters, it's like seeing an old friend you had thought to be long dead.
Vinyl LPs, in all their shrink-wrapped newness, in cardboard sleeves bearing artwork visible without a magnifying glass and liner notes that don't look like the small print on a mortgage contract, sitting, right out there in the open, on the racks of your neighborhood mass-market retailer.
Just like they used to, so many years ago.
Vinyl records -- newly pressed ones, not vintage or pre-owned albums -- are making a comeback. A small comeback, a minor comeback., but a comeback nonetheless.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America -- the trade group whose members include record manufacturers -- about 2.9 million LPs and EPs were shipped in 2008.
In comparison, about 385 million CDs were shipped and consumers downloaded more than a billion singles and about 57 million albums that same year. But, for a recorded medium that has spent most of the past decade on life support, last year's 2.9 million isn't bad.
Again, according to the association: In the years after 1998, when about 3.4 million LPs and EPs were shipped, LP/EP shipments went into a steady free fall until 2006, when fewer than a million were shipped.
Then came 2007, when LP/EP shipments jumped to about 1.3 million, setting the stage for last year's 2.9 million. The bottom line: Last year brought shipments of vinyl records back to where they were 10 years ago.
Read the rest here:
SPINNING AGAIN
Lennon Collectibles Sell Well At Auction
On July 1st, a Pop & Rock Memorabilla auction at Christie's in London netted some huge amounts for some one-of-a-kind items:
The top selling lots:
•John Lennon's 1958 Hofner Senator acoustic guitar - $337, 226
•Brian Jones' Harmony Stratotone electric guitar - $130,208
•John Lennon's hand drawn placard from the 1969 Monteal bed-in, signed by Lennon and Yoko Ono - $120,350
•John Lennon's photocopied and hand annotated lyric sheets (10) for the Imagine album - $41,075
•John Lennon's handwritten prose and poetry c.1964 - $26,699
•Beatles unpublished photographs (about 800) taken from 1968 forward by several fans - $26,699
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Randolph's Party - $24,645
•Beatles 45 of Hey Jude/Revolution from the Our First Four promotional single
presentation pack with photo signed by all four - $22,591
•Beatles Please Please Me mono LP signed by all four - $22,591
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Figures Involved in a Meeting Around a Table - $20,538
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Liddypool - $19,511
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Sad Michael - $18,484
•Paul McCartney's 1970's Hofner 5000/1 Bass, signed by McCartney - $17,457
•John Lennon & Yoko Ono interview reel-to-reel tape with John Peel - $16,430
•Metallica's original artwork for their Ride the Lightning album - $15,403
The top selling lots:
•John Lennon's 1958 Hofner Senator acoustic guitar - $337, 226
•Brian Jones' Harmony Stratotone electric guitar - $130,208
•John Lennon's hand drawn placard from the 1969 Monteal bed-in, signed by Lennon and Yoko Ono - $120,350
•John Lennon's photocopied and hand annotated lyric sheets (10) for the Imagine album - $41,075
•John Lennon's handwritten prose and poetry c.1964 - $26,699
•Beatles unpublished photographs (about 800) taken from 1968 forward by several fans - $26,699
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Randolph's Party - $24,645
•Beatles 45 of Hey Jude/Revolution from the Our First Four promotional single
presentation pack with photo signed by all four - $22,591
•Beatles Please Please Me mono LP signed by all four - $22,591
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Figures Involved in a Meeting Around a Table - $20,538
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Liddypool - $19,511
•John Lennon pen and ink drawing, Sad Michael - $18,484
•Paul McCartney's 1970's Hofner 5000/1 Bass, signed by McCartney - $17,457
•John Lennon & Yoko Ono interview reel-to-reel tape with John Peel - $16,430
•Metallica's original artwork for their Ride the Lightning album - $15,403
Friday, July 3, 2009
Michael Fremer Review
I am very proud to continue our new feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. In fact, his new DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" has hit the shelves and is selling out very quickly. This is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl, it is a true masterpiece.
Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
ALBUM REVIEW:
Gil Melle (reissue)
Patterns In Jazz
Blue Note/Music Matters MMBNLP 1517 2 180g 45 rpm mono LPs
Produced by: Alfred Lion
Engineered by: Rudy Van Gelder
Mixed by: Rudy Van Gelder
Mastered by: Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech
Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-07-01
The Modern Jazz Quartet would never have been signed to Blue Note. The group’s Bach-influenced button-down counterpoint was a bad fit with Blue Note’s gospel and blues influenced soul-jazz.
This unusually cool, reserved, Blue Note odd-lot created by the late musician, artist and electronic instrument builder Gil Mellé, has more in common with The MJQ, something Bill Evans and Jim Hall might have conjured up, or a dry martini ala Paul Desmond than a wailing Blue Note.
The deliberate, mathematical arrangements built around mellow, introspective but swinging duets mostly for the upper registers of the baritone sax and a hollow bodied electric guitar exude ‘60s intellectual cool and the smug self-satisfaction espoused by Playboy in its newness, which not coincidentally, was its status when this album was recorded in 1956.
Mellé on baritone sax, chases Joe Cinderella’s guitar, backed by drummer Ed Thigpen and bassist Oscar Pettiford, plus occasional trombone interludes from Eddie Bert on what is easily one of the most appropriately named albums you’ll ever hear.
The vibe sometimes veers beyond the boundary of accessibility and into game show theme territory but that’s part of the charm, and mostly it’s a charmingly ‘50’s-hip affair.
Van Gelder’s mono production is easily among his best, especially his capture of Mellé’s big, wet, sax and Cinderella’s guitar. Drummer Thigpen, three years away from joining the Oscar Peterson Trio. is miked distantly and mixed well back in space. Both Mellé and Cinderella get forward, three dimensional and superbly well-textured billing as do Bert’s infrequent but welcome trombone parts. You’ll feel the guitar strings being struck.
Joe Harley told me he and Ron Rambach had found this “oddball” Blue Note and fallen for it. I have fallen as well, but I’d say calling it “oddball” is kind of misleading. For a Blue Note it’s an “oddball,” but in the context of the MJQ, Paul Desmond and Bill Evans and Jim Hall, it’s familiar, almost easy listening.
If you have a good mono setup, especially a mono cartridge, this is a no-brainer. If you don’t, it’s a no-brainer.
Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
ALBUM REVIEW:
Gil Melle (reissue)
Patterns In Jazz
Blue Note/Music Matters MMBNLP 1517 2 180g 45 rpm mono LPs
Produced by: Alfred Lion
Engineered by: Rudy Van Gelder
Mixed by: Rudy Van Gelder
Mastered by: Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech
Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-07-01
The Modern Jazz Quartet would never have been signed to Blue Note. The group’s Bach-influenced button-down counterpoint was a bad fit with Blue Note’s gospel and blues influenced soul-jazz.
This unusually cool, reserved, Blue Note odd-lot created by the late musician, artist and electronic instrument builder Gil Mellé, has more in common with The MJQ, something Bill Evans and Jim Hall might have conjured up, or a dry martini ala Paul Desmond than a wailing Blue Note.
The deliberate, mathematical arrangements built around mellow, introspective but swinging duets mostly for the upper registers of the baritone sax and a hollow bodied electric guitar exude ‘60s intellectual cool and the smug self-satisfaction espoused by Playboy in its newness, which not coincidentally, was its status when this album was recorded in 1956.
Mellé on baritone sax, chases Joe Cinderella’s guitar, backed by drummer Ed Thigpen and bassist Oscar Pettiford, plus occasional trombone interludes from Eddie Bert on what is easily one of the most appropriately named albums you’ll ever hear.
The vibe sometimes veers beyond the boundary of accessibility and into game show theme territory but that’s part of the charm, and mostly it’s a charmingly ‘50’s-hip affair.
Van Gelder’s mono production is easily among his best, especially his capture of Mellé’s big, wet, sax and Cinderella’s guitar. Drummer Thigpen, three years away from joining the Oscar Peterson Trio. is miked distantly and mixed well back in space. Both Mellé and Cinderella get forward, three dimensional and superbly well-textured billing as do Bert’s infrequent but welcome trombone parts. You’ll feel the guitar strings being struck.
Joe Harley told me he and Ron Rambach had found this “oddball” Blue Note and fallen for it. I have fallen as well, but I’d say calling it “oddball” is kind of misleading. For a Blue Note it’s an “oddball,” but in the context of the MJQ, Paul Desmond and Bill Evans and Jim Hall, it’s familiar, almost easy listening.
If you have a good mono setup, especially a mono cartridge, this is a no-brainer. If you don’t, it’s a no-brainer.
Music News & Notes
AEG Live has released this short clip of Michael Jackson's final rehearsal for the This Is It tour.Michael Jackson "This is It" Rehearsals June 23- "They Don't Care About Us." What a very sad ending to a very talented human being.
-------------------------------------------------
RAVENS CREED: Debut Album Release Date Announced
RAVENS CREED, the "VENOM-worshipping scumbags" featuring ORANGE GOBLIN's Ben Ward, as well as Steve Watson (ex-IRON MONKEY), Jason Graham, and former SABBAT bassist Frazer Craske, will release their debut album, "Albion Thunder", on July 15 via Doomentia Records.
RAVENS CREED last year posted four new songs on its MySpace page. The tracks "Five Witches of Nine" and "Hearse Fokker" appeared on the band's EP on Land o'Smiles Records as part of the label's "Black Lodge" series, a collection of one-sided 12-inch vinyl EPs, each one unique and limited to only 100 copies and intended to represent no more that 11 minutes of material that is exclusive to this format; "Neon Parasite" and "Diabolical Genesis Reduction" are on the seven-inch picture disc that was released on Doomentia Records.
-------------------------------------------------
MERCYFUL FATE To Release New Versions Of 'Evil' And 'Curse Of The Pharaohs' On iTunes
As many fans already know, MERCYFUL FATE's "Evil" is featured as a playable track on "Guitar Hero: Metallica". The band re-recorded "Evil" and "Curse Of The Pharaohs" specifically for the game because the original masters no longer exist. Now the group is making both cuts available to fans to purchase on iTunes!
These versions feature four of the five original MERCYFUL FATE members (vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Hank Shermann, guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen) along with the band's current drummer, Bjarne T. Holm. The recording session was overseen by Hank Shermann at Earplug Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark; after which King Diamond laid down his vocals at Nomad Recording Studio in Dallas, Texas, and mixed the song with J.T. Longoria.
"Evil" and "Curse Of The Pharaohs" will be available for fans to purchase digitally on July 14. A special edition picture disc vinyl single will be available on September 1.
-------------------------------------------------
Skindred Reveals Release Date For New Album, "Shark Bites and Dog Fights"
Skindred has announced a September 1, 2009 street date for their upcoming new release, "Shark Bites and Dog Fights." The album was produced by Matt LaPlant (Sikth) at Bieler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The cover art for the record can be found here. More information as well as the first taste of the new material will be released soon.
-------------------------------------------------
SAVAGE BLADE Signs With PURE STEEL RECORDS
Canadian power metal warriors SAVAGE BLADE have inked a deal with Germany's Pure Steel Records for the worldwide release of their critically acclaimed debut album, "We Are The Hammer".
"SAVAGE BLADE have kicked out a massive debut album", says Andreas Lorenz of Pure Steel Records. "From first note to last, this album breathes the true spirit of classic heavy metal, with playing and songwriting skills that stand on the same level as many legendary '80s metal bands. We see a bright future with SAVAGE BLADE, and look forward to forging a successful partnership, and delivering their premium brand of vintage-style metal to the masses".
Although Pure Steel have yet to announce an official date for the CD, a mid-summer release is expected.
SAVAGE BLADE is:
Nikko Forsberg - Lead Vocals
Eric Hoodicoff - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Drums, Bass, Background Vocals
Chris Rand - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals
-------------------------------------------------
RAVENS CREED: Debut Album Release Date Announced
RAVENS CREED, the "VENOM-worshipping scumbags" featuring ORANGE GOBLIN's Ben Ward, as well as Steve Watson (ex-IRON MONKEY), Jason Graham, and former SABBAT bassist Frazer Craske, will release their debut album, "Albion Thunder", on July 15 via Doomentia Records.
RAVENS CREED last year posted four new songs on its MySpace page. The tracks "Five Witches of Nine" and "Hearse Fokker" appeared on the band's EP on Land o'Smiles Records as part of the label's "Black Lodge" series, a collection of one-sided 12-inch vinyl EPs, each one unique and limited to only 100 copies and intended to represent no more that 11 minutes of material that is exclusive to this format; "Neon Parasite" and "Diabolical Genesis Reduction" are on the seven-inch picture disc that was released on Doomentia Records.
-------------------------------------------------
MERCYFUL FATE To Release New Versions Of 'Evil' And 'Curse Of The Pharaohs' On iTunes
As many fans already know, MERCYFUL FATE's "Evil" is featured as a playable track on "Guitar Hero: Metallica". The band re-recorded "Evil" and "Curse Of The Pharaohs" specifically for the game because the original masters no longer exist. Now the group is making both cuts available to fans to purchase on iTunes!
These versions feature four of the five original MERCYFUL FATE members (vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Hank Shermann, guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen) along with the band's current drummer, Bjarne T. Holm. The recording session was overseen by Hank Shermann at Earplug Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark; after which King Diamond laid down his vocals at Nomad Recording Studio in Dallas, Texas, and mixed the song with J.T. Longoria.
"Evil" and "Curse Of The Pharaohs" will be available for fans to purchase digitally on July 14. A special edition picture disc vinyl single will be available on September 1.
-------------------------------------------------
Skindred Reveals Release Date For New Album, "Shark Bites and Dog Fights"
Skindred has announced a September 1, 2009 street date for their upcoming new release, "Shark Bites and Dog Fights." The album was produced by Matt LaPlant (Sikth) at Bieler Bros. Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The cover art for the record can be found here. More information as well as the first taste of the new material will be released soon.
-------------------------------------------------
SAVAGE BLADE Signs With PURE STEEL RECORDS
Canadian power metal warriors SAVAGE BLADE have inked a deal with Germany's Pure Steel Records for the worldwide release of their critically acclaimed debut album, "We Are The Hammer".
"SAVAGE BLADE have kicked out a massive debut album", says Andreas Lorenz of Pure Steel Records. "From first note to last, this album breathes the true spirit of classic heavy metal, with playing and songwriting skills that stand on the same level as many legendary '80s metal bands. We see a bright future with SAVAGE BLADE, and look forward to forging a successful partnership, and delivering their premium brand of vintage-style metal to the masses".
Although Pure Steel have yet to announce an official date for the CD, a mid-summer release is expected.
SAVAGE BLADE is:
Nikko Forsberg - Lead Vocals
Eric Hoodicoff - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Drums, Bass, Background Vocals
Chris Rand - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals
This Date In Music History-July 3
Birthdays:
Kevin Hearn - Barenaked Ladies (1969)
Martyn Walsh - Inspiral Carpets (1968)
Taylor Dayne (1962)
Vince Clarke - Depeche Mode (1960)
Stephen Pearcy – Ratt (1956)
Mike Corby – Babys (1955)
Damon Harris – Temptations (1950)
Paul Barrere - Little Feat (1948)
Country singer Johnny Lee (1946)
Judith Durham – Seekers (1943)
Fontella Bass (1940)
Clarinetist Pete Fountain was born in 1930.
They Are Missed:
In 1969, Brian Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool (age 27). The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure,” and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse. Jones was one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones.
Born on this day in 1930, Tommy Tedesco, American session guitarist. Described by "Guitar Player" magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history recording with The Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, The Supremes, The Monkees, The Association, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Cher, and Nancy and Frank Sinatra. Died on Nov 10, 1997.
Singer, songwriter and poet, Jim Morrison of The Doors was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, France in 1971, the cause of death was given as a heart attack. He co-wrote some of the group's biggest hits, including “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” and “Love Her Madly.”
Blues singer, guitarist Mississippi Fred McDowell died of cancer in 1972 (age 68). He coached Bonnie Raitt on slide guitar technique.
Born today in 1929, David Lynch, The Platters (died of cancer on January 2, 1981).
Singer, songwriter Johnny Russell died in 2001 (age 61). Wrote “Act Naturally” covered by The Beatles and Buck Owens. Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt all covered his songs.
Born on this day in 1957, Laura Branigan, US singer, died of a brain aneurysm Aug 26, 2004.
Boots Randolph ("Yakety Sax") died in 2007.
Colin Cooper, lead singer of the Climax Blues Band, died of cancer in 2008.
History:
In 1952, The Flamingos formed in Chicago as a quintet comprising cousins Jake and Zeke Carey (who sing bass and tenor, respectively), Paul Wilson (baritone), Johnny Carter (tenor) and lead singer Earl Lewis (who was quickly replaced by Sollie McElroy).
In 1955, Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" reached #1 on the Billboard charts and the rock era began in earnest.
A private party was held at the Speakeasy Club in London in 1967 for the Monkees. Guests included: John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield, Eric Clapton, Lulu and all the members from Manfred Mann, The Who and Procol Harum.
In 1969, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Sly and the Family Stone, Jeff Beck, Savoy Brown, Johnny Winter, Jethro Tull, Buddy Guy Blues Band, Mothers Of Invention and Ten Years After all appeared at the four day US Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island.
The three-day Atlanta Pop Festival took place in 1970, featuring The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Johnny Winter, Mountain, Procol Harum and Rare Earth. The crowd of 200,000 heard Jimi Hendrix play his version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Two days later, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox said he would seek legislation banning rock festivals in the state.
Wrapping up a sixty-show tour at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theater in 1973, David Bowie announced his retirement. Later he amends that saying the Ziggy Stardust persona has been retired, not Bowie. He’s back in action in less than a year.
Brian Wilson played his first live show with The Beach Boys in seven years when they appeared at the Anaheim Stadium, California in 1976.
The Human League started a three week run at #1 on the US singles charts in 1982 with “Don't You Want Me,” also a UK #1.
The Stray Cats “Built for Speed” and Men at Work's “Business as Usual” entered the album charts in 1982. The albums became two of the biggest selling albums of that year. The Stray Cats have 2 big hits, "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" while Men at Work hit with "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under."
In 1995, Courtney Love's request to spread the ashes of late husband Kurt Cobain was rejected by Seattle's Lake View Cemetery, who say they've already got their hands full with people wanting to see Bruce and Brandon Lee's gravesites.
Kevin Hearn - Barenaked Ladies (1969)
Martyn Walsh - Inspiral Carpets (1968)
Taylor Dayne (1962)
Vince Clarke - Depeche Mode (1960)
Stephen Pearcy – Ratt (1956)
Mike Corby – Babys (1955)
Damon Harris – Temptations (1950)
Paul Barrere - Little Feat (1948)
Country singer Johnny Lee (1946)
Judith Durham – Seekers (1943)
Fontella Bass (1940)
Clarinetist Pete Fountain was born in 1930.
They Are Missed:
In 1969, Brian Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool (age 27). The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure,” and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse. Jones was one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones.
Born on this day in 1930, Tommy Tedesco, American session guitarist. Described by "Guitar Player" magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history recording with The Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, The Supremes, The Monkees, The Association, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Cher, and Nancy and Frank Sinatra. Died on Nov 10, 1997.
Singer, songwriter and poet, Jim Morrison of The Doors was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, France in 1971, the cause of death was given as a heart attack. He co-wrote some of the group's biggest hits, including “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” and “Love Her Madly.”
Blues singer, guitarist Mississippi Fred McDowell died of cancer in 1972 (age 68). He coached Bonnie Raitt on slide guitar technique.
Born today in 1929, David Lynch, The Platters (died of cancer on January 2, 1981).
Singer, songwriter Johnny Russell died in 2001 (age 61). Wrote “Act Naturally” covered by The Beatles and Buck Owens. Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt all covered his songs.
Born on this day in 1957, Laura Branigan, US singer, died of a brain aneurysm Aug 26, 2004.
Boots Randolph ("Yakety Sax") died in 2007.
Colin Cooper, lead singer of the Climax Blues Band, died of cancer in 2008.
History:
In 1952, The Flamingos formed in Chicago as a quintet comprising cousins Jake and Zeke Carey (who sing bass and tenor, respectively), Paul Wilson (baritone), Johnny Carter (tenor) and lead singer Earl Lewis (who was quickly replaced by Sollie McElroy).
In 1955, Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" reached #1 on the Billboard charts and the rock era began in earnest.
A private party was held at the Speakeasy Club in London in 1967 for the Monkees. Guests included: John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield, Eric Clapton, Lulu and all the members from Manfred Mann, The Who and Procol Harum.
In 1969, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Sly and the Family Stone, Jeff Beck, Savoy Brown, Johnny Winter, Jethro Tull, Buddy Guy Blues Band, Mothers Of Invention and Ten Years After all appeared at the four day US Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island.
The three-day Atlanta Pop Festival took place in 1970, featuring The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Johnny Winter, Mountain, Procol Harum and Rare Earth. The crowd of 200,000 heard Jimi Hendrix play his version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Two days later, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox said he would seek legislation banning rock festivals in the state.
Wrapping up a sixty-show tour at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theater in 1973, David Bowie announced his retirement. Later he amends that saying the Ziggy Stardust persona has been retired, not Bowie. He’s back in action in less than a year.
Brian Wilson played his first live show with The Beach Boys in seven years when they appeared at the Anaheim Stadium, California in 1976.
The Human League started a three week run at #1 on the US singles charts in 1982 with “Don't You Want Me,” also a UK #1.
The Stray Cats “Built for Speed” and Men at Work's “Business as Usual” entered the album charts in 1982. The albums became two of the biggest selling albums of that year. The Stray Cats have 2 big hits, "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" while Men at Work hit with "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under."
In 1995, Courtney Love's request to spread the ashes of late husband Kurt Cobain was rejected by Seattle's Lake View Cemetery, who say they've already got their hands full with people wanting to see Bruce and Brandon Lee's gravesites.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Bird & Animal Names - part nineteen
As we continue our article series about “bird” and “animal” band names and individuals in rock and roll history, let’s again focus on the dog’ names.
One of the most peculiar sounding band names of the 1960s psychedelic era was the Texas group called Bubble Puppy. The band was formed in 1966 in San Antonio, Texas by Rod prince and Roy Cox on the concept of dual lead guitars that would dominate the music. After a few line up changes, the final crew was a settled with Prince and Todd Potter on lead guitars, Cox on the bass and David Fore on the drums. The band signed a recording contract with the Houston-based International Artists record label and the group’s live debut was as the opening act for the Who.
The band’s odd name is supposedly taken from a fictitious children’s game in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. The acid-flavored group charted one song, the rousing psychedelic cut called “Hot Smoke & Sassafras,” (#14 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1969) which is reported to be a misheard line borrowed from an episode of the popular television series The Beverly Hillbillies. The band also released their only full-length album “A Gathering Of Promises” in 1969 (worth $100-200 to record collectors according to record price guides).
However, the group has internal conflicts with their record label and they dissolved their relationship in 1970. The band signed with Nick St. Nicholas of Steppenwolf as their manager and moved to Los Angeles. Their name was changed to Demian (after Herman Hesse's 1919 novel, at the suggestion of their manager's wife); this was to avoid contractual difficulties with their previous record company but also because the former name appeared to link them with bubblegum music. The group released one self-titled album in 1971 on the ABC-Dunhill record label. The album flopped leading to financial difficulties and ultimately the demise of the band.
Born in Long Beach, California in 1971, Snoop Doggy Dogg (his mother nicknamed him Snoopy due to his love of the comic strip Peanuts) is one of the most successful rap artists in history. In and out of prison after high school and a member of a local Crips gang, he was convicted of cocaine trafficking and also was arrested on charges of being an accomplice to murder. These charges, his lifestyle and the violence that his lyrics implied certainly strengthened the release of his debut album“Doggystyle.”
The album “Doggystyle” entered the charts at the number one position, partly fueled by Snoop’s relationship and collaboration with fellow rapper/producer Dr. Dre (they had rapped together for the film “Deep Cover”) and the high anticipation of the work (it is the first debut album ever to enter the charts at number one). But Snoop was no stranger to the rap crowd, having played a significant role in Dr. Dre’s album “The Chronic” (Death Row Records 1992). The album (Doggystyle) also bore a resemblance to Dre’s release, but proved to be popular despite the similarities, both musically and production wise. Songs like the single “Who Am I (What’s My Name),” use nearly the same samples and bass lines as “Dre Day” and the single “Gin And Juice” helped keep the album at the top of the charts with its dynamic mix of “gangsta rap,” violent lyrics and west coast g-funk.
However, Snoop Dogg’s arrest on murder charges help fuel the popularity of the “gangsta rap” boon and its consequent lifestyle. That is up for debate, but it sure did not hurt his cause, with the rapper exploiting his impending trial by releasing a short film (directed by Dr. Dre) based on the “Doggystyle” song “Murder Was The Case.” The soundtrack debuted at the number one position in 1994. In February of 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of all charges and began working on his sophomore release.
The album “Doggfather” took three years to produce and during that time the lifestyle of “gangsta” life was a whirlwind of controversy, from the violent lyrics, disrespect of women, to the lifestyle itself, with many notable rap industry deaths (including Snoop’s friend Tupac Shakur) and the indictment of Death Row Records cofounder Suge Knight (racketeering charges). Dr. Dre also left in 1996 due to a contract dispute. But this release was not as successful as the debut, the album “Doggfather” was very successful in its own write. Working with the same g-funk territory, colossal rhythmic funk and soul as well as Snoop Dogg’s continuing improvement in his rapping and rhyming, the album exemplified Snoop’s maturation as one of rap music’s finest artists.
Snoop Dogg left Death Row records, dropped the “Doggy” from his name and moved over to Master P’s No Limit Imprint label. His next two releases “Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told” (number one pop record and R & B record in 1998) and “No Limit Top Dogg (number two pop and number one R & B record in 1999) showed Snoop’s maturation and skill as a music maker and producer. Snopp Dogg had continued success with his subsequent releases, 2000's “Tha Last Meal” and the albums “Paid the Cost to be da Bo$$” “R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta)”- The Masterpiece and 2006's “Tha Blue Carpet Treatment” proved that Snoop Dogg belongs with the elite in the rap industry.
In late 2007 he recruited two hip-hop veterans — New Jack Swing legend Teddy Riley and West Coast hero DJ Quik - and formed the production team QDT Muzic. The team oversaw Snoop's 2008 album Ego Trippin' which included the single "Sensual Seduction". He has formed his own production company, produced an x-rated film and despite a myriad of legal issues, stays very active in the rap and film industries.
Bubble Puppy Tidbits:
The members of Bubble Puppy continued to be active in the music industry after the band's demise. Potter and Prince played with the band Sirius through the late 1970s, and Fore drummed with the Texas punk rock band, D-Day, co-writing their cult hit, "Too Young to Date.”
In 1984, the original Bubble Puppy lineup reunited for performances and recordings, released as the LP, “Wheels Go Round.”
Roy Cox founded The Blues Knights and issued a CD "Before I Go" in 1999. He also formed the NYC Outlaws in September 2007.
Snoop Dogg Tidbits:
In July 2007, Snoop Dogg also made history by becoming the first artist to release a track as a ringtone prior to its release as a single, "It's the D.O.G."
In February of 2009, Snoop Dogg announced a first-of-its kind global deal that will bring the entertainers’ personality to television in a new variety talk show, “Dogg After Dark,” and his music to fans with a new album release and into the best-selling music video game Rock Band®.
In 2004, Snoop appeared on the Showtime series The L Word as the character "Slim Daddy", a combination of Slim Shady and Puff Daddy.
Snoop Dogg also played the drug dealer-turned-informant character of Huggy Bear, in the 2004 remake film of the 1970s TV-series of the same name, Starsky & Hutch.
He has appeared as himself in an episode of the Showtime series "Weeds," and made an appearance on the hit TV shows Entourage and Monk, for which he recorded a version of the theme, in July 2007.
In December 2007, his reality show Snoop Dogg's Father Hood premiered on the E! Channel. Snoop Dogg joined the NBA's Entertainment League.
Snoop was filmed for a brief cameo appearance in the television movie “It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” (2002), but his performance was omitted from the final cut of the movie.
Snoop founded his own production company, Snoopadelic Films, in 2005. Their debut film was “Boss'n Up,” a film inspired by R&G starring Lil Jon and Trina.
Copyright Robert Benson 2009
One of the most peculiar sounding band names of the 1960s psychedelic era was the Texas group called Bubble Puppy. The band was formed in 1966 in San Antonio, Texas by Rod prince and Roy Cox on the concept of dual lead guitars that would dominate the music. After a few line up changes, the final crew was a settled with Prince and Todd Potter on lead guitars, Cox on the bass and David Fore on the drums. The band signed a recording contract with the Houston-based International Artists record label and the group’s live debut was as the opening act for the Who.
The band’s odd name is supposedly taken from a fictitious children’s game in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. The acid-flavored group charted one song, the rousing psychedelic cut called “Hot Smoke & Sassafras,” (#14 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1969) which is reported to be a misheard line borrowed from an episode of the popular television series The Beverly Hillbillies. The band also released their only full-length album “A Gathering Of Promises” in 1969 (worth $100-200 to record collectors according to record price guides).
However, the group has internal conflicts with their record label and they dissolved their relationship in 1970. The band signed with Nick St. Nicholas of Steppenwolf as their manager and moved to Los Angeles. Their name was changed to Demian (after Herman Hesse's 1919 novel, at the suggestion of their manager's wife); this was to avoid contractual difficulties with their previous record company but also because the former name appeared to link them with bubblegum music. The group released one self-titled album in 1971 on the ABC-Dunhill record label. The album flopped leading to financial difficulties and ultimately the demise of the band.
Born in Long Beach, California in 1971, Snoop Doggy Dogg (his mother nicknamed him Snoopy due to his love of the comic strip Peanuts) is one of the most successful rap artists in history. In and out of prison after high school and a member of a local Crips gang, he was convicted of cocaine trafficking and also was arrested on charges of being an accomplice to murder. These charges, his lifestyle and the violence that his lyrics implied certainly strengthened the release of his debut album“Doggystyle.”
The album “Doggystyle” entered the charts at the number one position, partly fueled by Snoop’s relationship and collaboration with fellow rapper/producer Dr. Dre (they had rapped together for the film “Deep Cover”) and the high anticipation of the work (it is the first debut album ever to enter the charts at number one). But Snoop was no stranger to the rap crowd, having played a significant role in Dr. Dre’s album “The Chronic” (Death Row Records 1992). The album (Doggystyle) also bore a resemblance to Dre’s release, but proved to be popular despite the similarities, both musically and production wise. Songs like the single “Who Am I (What’s My Name),” use nearly the same samples and bass lines as “Dre Day” and the single “Gin And Juice” helped keep the album at the top of the charts with its dynamic mix of “gangsta rap,” violent lyrics and west coast g-funk.
However, Snoop Dogg’s arrest on murder charges help fuel the popularity of the “gangsta rap” boon and its consequent lifestyle. That is up for debate, but it sure did not hurt his cause, with the rapper exploiting his impending trial by releasing a short film (directed by Dr. Dre) based on the “Doggystyle” song “Murder Was The Case.” The soundtrack debuted at the number one position in 1994. In February of 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of all charges and began working on his sophomore release.
The album “Doggfather” took three years to produce and during that time the lifestyle of “gangsta” life was a whirlwind of controversy, from the violent lyrics, disrespect of women, to the lifestyle itself, with many notable rap industry deaths (including Snoop’s friend Tupac Shakur) and the indictment of Death Row Records cofounder Suge Knight (racketeering charges). Dr. Dre also left in 1996 due to a contract dispute. But this release was not as successful as the debut, the album “Doggfather” was very successful in its own write. Working with the same g-funk territory, colossal rhythmic funk and soul as well as Snoop Dogg’s continuing improvement in his rapping and rhyming, the album exemplified Snoop’s maturation as one of rap music’s finest artists.
Snoop Dogg left Death Row records, dropped the “Doggy” from his name and moved over to Master P’s No Limit Imprint label. His next two releases “Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told” (number one pop record and R & B record in 1998) and “No Limit Top Dogg (number two pop and number one R & B record in 1999) showed Snoop’s maturation and skill as a music maker and producer. Snopp Dogg had continued success with his subsequent releases, 2000's “Tha Last Meal” and the albums “Paid the Cost to be da Bo$$” “R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta)”- The Masterpiece and 2006's “Tha Blue Carpet Treatment” proved that Snoop Dogg belongs with the elite in the rap industry.
In late 2007 he recruited two hip-hop veterans — New Jack Swing legend Teddy Riley and West Coast hero DJ Quik - and formed the production team QDT Muzic. The team oversaw Snoop's 2008 album Ego Trippin' which included the single "Sensual Seduction". He has formed his own production company, produced an x-rated film and despite a myriad of legal issues, stays very active in the rap and film industries.
Bubble Puppy Tidbits:
The members of Bubble Puppy continued to be active in the music industry after the band's demise. Potter and Prince played with the band Sirius through the late 1970s, and Fore drummed with the Texas punk rock band, D-Day, co-writing their cult hit, "Too Young to Date.”
In 1984, the original Bubble Puppy lineup reunited for performances and recordings, released as the LP, “Wheels Go Round.”
Roy Cox founded The Blues Knights and issued a CD "Before I Go" in 1999. He also formed the NYC Outlaws in September 2007.
Snoop Dogg Tidbits:
In July 2007, Snoop Dogg also made history by becoming the first artist to release a track as a ringtone prior to its release as a single, "It's the D.O.G."
In February of 2009, Snoop Dogg announced a first-of-its kind global deal that will bring the entertainers’ personality to television in a new variety talk show, “Dogg After Dark,” and his music to fans with a new album release and into the best-selling music video game Rock Band®.
In 2004, Snoop appeared on the Showtime series The L Word as the character "Slim Daddy", a combination of Slim Shady and Puff Daddy.
Snoop Dogg also played the drug dealer-turned-informant character of Huggy Bear, in the 2004 remake film of the 1970s TV-series of the same name, Starsky & Hutch.
He has appeared as himself in an episode of the Showtime series "Weeds," and made an appearance on the hit TV shows Entourage and Monk, for which he recorded a version of the theme, in July 2007.
In December 2007, his reality show Snoop Dogg's Father Hood premiered on the E! Channel. Snoop Dogg joined the NBA's Entertainment League.
Snoop was filmed for a brief cameo appearance in the television movie “It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” (2002), but his performance was omitted from the final cut of the movie.
Snoop founded his own production company, Snoopadelic Films, in 2005. Their debut film was “Boss'n Up,” a film inspired by R&G starring Lil Jon and Trina.
Copyright Robert Benson 2009
Music News & Notes
Arctic Monkeys Unveil Flesh-Flashing Artwork
Arctic Monkeys have unveiled the controversial artwork to their upcoming new single 'Crying Lightning'.
Released as an iTunes download next Monday, July 6, and physically on August 17, the single cover features semi-naked (nipples and all), ultra-flexible girls balanced on a drum.
---------------------------------------------
Brooks & Dunn Releasing Hits
Brooks & Dunn, the most awarded duo in country music, are set to release their third greatest-hits compilation late this summer.
GAC reports that the career-spanning '#1s ... and then some' will be released on September 8 and will feature a whopping 30 tracks, 23 of which have topped the country charts. The duo's first four singles, taken from their debut album 'Neon Moon' are featured on the new collection as well. All four of those singles reached No. 1 on the country chart.
In addition to previous hits, the album will also feature two new tracks, 'Indian Summer' and 'Honky Tonk Stomp.'
---------------------------------------------
New Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Album
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will release their first new album in five years on September 22 via NGDB Records. Speed of Life features the core band of Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter and John McEuen.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were Americana long before anyone knew what roots music was. They formed in 1965 in southern California when the duo of Hanna and Bruce Kunkel hooked up with Les Thompson, Fadden and Jackson Browne at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Los Angeles. They played folk and jug-band music in the area for a few months until Browne left and McEuen joined the group.
In early-1967, the group signed with Liberty Records and released their self-titled debut. The single Buy For Me the Rain reached number 45 nationally and the album charted in the lower regions of the top 200.
Their followup albums, Richochet and Rare Junk did not do well and personel changes led to their demise in mid-1969. McKuen, Fadden, Hanna., Thompson and Jim Ibbotson reformed the group less than a year later and put out what would become their breakthrough album, Uncle Charlie and His Song Teddy. The lead-off song, Mr. Bojangles, sped up the charts to number 9, becoming their biggest pop hit.
Jackson Breaking Music Sales Records
Since Michael Jackon's untimely death, his music is setting all-time sales records, whether it be a physical format or a download. Check out these stats:
Three of his collections - “Number Ones,” “Essential Michael Jackson” and “Thriller” - are the three top-selling albums in the US, according to figures released yesterday by Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks record sales. For the week ending Sunday, Jackson sold a combined 415,000 albums. It’s an impressive number considering he sold only 10,000 records the week before. All three outsold what will be the number one album on the regular album chart, the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. It sold only 88,000 copies. This is the first time a catalog album has outsold the top album on the regular Top 200.
Jackson’s “Number Ones” set - which is a half-decade old - sold 108,000 copies. At Amazon.com, Jackson holds the top 10 spots for CD sales - with indie rock kings Wilco’s new “Wilco (the Album)” coming in at a lowly 11th. On eBay, copies of “Thriller” on vinyl run from $10 to $999.99
Since Jackson’s death, 2.3 million tracks have been downloaded in the US, dominating both iTunes and Amazon mp3 sales. The downloads were enough to break records on Billboard’s digital album chart, where Jackson currently holds six of the Top 10 slots with 167,000 downloads of “Thriller,” 165,000 of “Man in the Mirror” and 158,000 of “Billie Jean.” No artist before had ever sold over 1 million.
Unbelievable, but this shows his music is legendary and stands the test of time as older fans relive their past and new fans get a taste of the "King of Pop" for the first time.
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Jackson left an ‘endless’ supply of music that could be released for years
Michael Jackson had a mountain of unreleased recordings in the vault when he died — music that is almost certain to be packaged and repackaged for his fans in the years to come.
The material includes unused tracks from studio sessions of some of Jackson’s best albums, as well as more recently recorded songs made with Senegalese R&B singer and producer Akon and Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.
“There are dozens and dozens of songs that did not end up on his albums,” said Tommy Mottola, who from 1998 to 2003 was chairman and CEO of Sony Music, which owns the distribution rights to Jackson’s music. “People will be hearing a lot of that unreleased material for the first time ever. There’s just some genius and brilliance in there.”
The details of who owns Jackson’s unreleased music and concert footage are not entirely clear. Sony Music declined to comment. A person involved with the label who requested anonymity said no new projects or compilations are being planned yet.
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Top Selling Albums of All Time
•Michael Jackson - Thriller - 100 –109 million
•AC/DC - Back in Black - 45 million
•Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon - 45 million
•Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell - 43 million
•Eagles - Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) - 42 million
•Various artists - Dirty Dancing - 42 million
•Whitney Houston / Various artists - The Bodyguard - 42 million
•Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom of the Opera - 40 million
•Backstreet Boys - Millennium - 40 million
•Bee Gees / Various artists - Saturday Night Fever - 40 million
•Fleetwood Mac - Rumours - 40 million
•Shania Twain - Come on Over - 39 million
•Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV - 37 million
•Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - 33 million
•The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 32 million
•Céline Dion - Falling into You - 32 million
•Mariah Carey - Music Box - 32 million
•Michael Jackson - Dangerous - 32 million
•The Beatles - 1 - 31 million
•Celine Dion - Let's Talk About Love - 31 million
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