Vinyl Record News

KING DIAMOND Albums To Be Reissued On Colored Vinyl

Massacre Records will release new vinyl versions of six KING DIAMOND albums on March 26:

* The Spider's Lullabye (1995)
* The Graveyard (1996)
* Voodoo (1998)
* House Of God (2000)
* The Puppet Master (2003)
* Give Me Your Soul ... Please (2007)

These gatefold LPs are strictly limited and handnumbered. The six vinyls will be in different vinyl colors.

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The Fall Readies its 28th Studio Album

Good news for the fans of Mr. Grumpy: Mark E. Smith and The Fall are ready to release a new album.

The British O.G. post-punk outfit returns with Your Future Is Our Clutter April 27 from Domino Records. The album's set to be released only digitally and on vinyl, and is their 28th studio album.

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Minus the Bear Inks with Dangerbird

Minus The Bear is now kicking it like a wild donkey with Dangerbird Records.

The post-hardcore act inked a deal with the Silver Lake, Calif. label, and will release its still untitled album sometime this spring. The label debut, the act's fourth LP, follows up 2008's Planet of Ice.

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Against Me Unveils Cover, Vague Release Date

Against Me has a cover completed and a vague indication of when its next album will turn up in stores.

Tom Gabel unveiled the cover to the band's upcoming White Crosses on his blog yesterday, and indicated that the act hopes to see the album in stores in early June. He didn't nail down a specific release date, nor did he unveil a track listing. White Crosses follows up 2008's New Wave (Sire).







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US release date for Peter Gabriel

It's being reported that Peter Gabriel has recently announced that he will be releasing his new album project, 'Scratch My Back', via EMI Label Services in the US on the March 2, 2010 .

'Scratch My Back' is the first part of a series of song exchanges in which Gabriel and other leading artists reinterpret each other's songs. The album contains interpretations of songs originally by artists such as Radiohead, Neil Young, Arcade Fire, Lou Reed, Talking Heads, Bon Iver and many more.

Gabriel describes this as a very personal record, with twelve songs performed only with orchestral instruments and voice. He made the choice not to include guitar or drums on the album.

In addition, EMI Label Services will make an exclusive 7" AA vinyl release available at independent retailers to celebrate Record Store Day in the US on April 17th. The 7" features Peter Gabriel's "The Book of Love" and "Not One of Us"; a track written by Gabriel and performed by Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields.

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Cracker marks 20th year with tour as acoustic duo

In the early '90s the alternative-rock country group Cracker broke through with hits like "Low" and "Teen Angst" off their self-titled debut and the platinum-selling "Kerosene Hat." The band is currently in its 20th year together, and singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman are marking the anniversary with an acoustic tour.

Lowery got his start in the '80s with the alternative group Camper Van Beethoven, which sometimes tours with Cracker. The two groups have also shared members, like bassist Victor Krummenacher. Cracker explored multiple genres, including a Lowery and Hickman teaming up with the bluegrass group Leftover Salmon for bluegrass takes on Cracker songs with "O' Cracker Where Art Thou?" Earlier in the decade Cracker toured dive bars under the name "Ironic Mullet," performing country covers by Dwight Yokam, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Jr. These songs became the basis for 2003's "Countrysides."

Last year Cracker released its 10th studio album, "Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey." The album includes the single "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me."

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RECORD CRACK: New Massachusetts label unleash their first vinyl release

Breakfast Of Champs Records are a new label out of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts who have a small handful of CD’s under their belt, but they’re about to release their first piece of vinyl with two local indie rock/pop bands: Truman Peyote and Turtle Ambulance.

Each band has a side to themselves, two songs each. The record comes out on March 2nd, you can pre-order the record by going to the Breakfast Of Champs store.

http://bocrecords.bigcartel.com/


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WHITESNAKE Signs With FRONTIERS RECORDS

Frontiers Records has announced the signing of legendary rock band WHITESNAKE.

Singer David Coverdale and the rest of the group have already started composing new material that promises to deliver one of the finest chapters in WHITESNAKE's career. "We are off to a very good start, with the new songs taking positive shape. It feels good, fresh and exciting," explains Coverdale.

A February 2010 interview posted on WHITESNAKE's official web site, Coverdale stated:

 "My health and my voice have never been better. I am pleased with how I'm sounding on the demos of the new songs. Very secure, good tone, very powerful. No worries, baby. None whatsoever. I am so disappointed that I had to cancel the show and the U.S. tour, but these things happen. Fortunately, it doesn't happen a lot to me and the problem I had is not something that is ongoing. It was a one-time problem, some kind of blister on one of my vocal cords, and it hurt. The cure was simple — rest. I would have been able to tour again had there been an opportunity six weeks later. The human voice is a very fragile instrument, no matter how well you take care of it, and I assure you I invest in every vocal protocol you can possibly imagine. Ask any of my throat specialists. It was just one of those things."

WHITESNAKE's appearance at U.K.'s Download festival in June 2009 coincided with action-packed re-releases of the multi-platinum albums "Slip Of The Tongue", marking its 20th anniversary, and "Slide It In", which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

WHITESNAKE's latest album, "Good To Be Bad", was released through SPV/Steamhammer in April 2008. In addition to the regular jewel-case version, a limited-edition two-disc set contains an extra CD in a cardboard sleeve, as well as a poster, photocard and sticker.

New Album Cover Art

MGMT reveal cover art for new album 'Congratulations' Cosmic duo get surfy for their new album art

MGMT have revealed the cover art for their forthcoming new album 'Congratulations' (pictured).

The Brooklyn duo have teamed up with cartoonist Anthony Ausgang for the surreal cover, which depicts a surfing cat set to be swallowed up by a giant cat-shaped wave.

The band joined forces with Ausgang after they met through experimental musician Pete 'Sonic Boom' Kember of Spacemen 3 and Spectrum, who helped produce 'Congratulations'.

Ausgang also praised the pair for being direct about the cover art. "The most important thing was that MGMT wanted the 'look' of my style of painting and gave me only a few points that I had to hit," he said. "Naturally, the process took some time but they were always cool with the criticisms. A lot of people who commission a painting only know what they don't want; fortunately MGMT knew what they wanted and let me do it my way."

'Congratulations' is due for release on April 12.

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Lady Gaga Unveils Cover Art for “Telephone” Remixes, Featuring Beyonce

On Tuesday, Lady Gaga released the cover art for her upcoming “Telephone” remix album, featuring Beyonce. The album drops on March 2 and, against my better judgment, I’m semi-excited to hear the Passion Pit remix.

“Telephone” is the upcoming single from Gaga’s second album, The Fame Monster, and features R&B diva Beyonce. If you remember, Lady Gaga also guested on the Beyonce’s track “Video Phone.”

This Date In Music History - February 18

Birthdays:

Yoko Ono (1933)

Bobby Hart - singer/songwriter (wrote "Last Train To Clarksville," "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" and "Scooby Doo Where Are You"). Sold over 40m records (1939)

Herman Santigo - Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers (1941)

Dennis Deyoung - Styx (1947)

Juice Newton (1952)

Robbie Bachman - Bachman Turner Overdrive (1953)

John Travolta - actor, singer, (1978 US & UK #1 single with Olivia Newton John, "You're The One That I Want") (1954)

Brian James - The Damned (1955)

Dr Dre - NWA (1965)


They Are Missed:

Guitarist Bob Stinson from The Replacements died from a drug overdose in 1995, his body was found in his Uptown, Minneapolis apartment. Founding member of The Replacements, was also a member of Static Taxi.


History:

In a low point not only for Rock ‘n’ Roll but music in general, Pat Boone’s white-bread cover of “Tutti Frutti” hit #12 on the pop charts in 1956. Little Richard’s original didn’t make a dent though it is infinitely superior. This is nothing less than a crime. But it does shows the power of segregation in the ‘50s.



The Platters' classic cut "The Great Pretender," started a two-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1956.

The Everly Brothers recorded "When Will I Be Loved" and "Let It Be Me" in 1959.

Also in 1959, Elvis Presley went to the Lido Club in Paris while on leave from the US Army, eventually singing a song after-hours for the employees.

Ray Charles recorded "What'd I Say" in New York City in 1959. The song had evolved in concert as a call-and-response between Charles and his female back-up singers. It became Charles' biggest hit to date, reaching #1 on the R&B and #6 on the pop charts.

The Beatles saw the Elvis Presley film, "Fun In Acapulco" at a Miami drive-in in 1964.

Working at Abbey Road studio’s in London in 1965, the Beatles recorded two new songs: John Lennon's "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and a new Paul McCartney song "Tell Me What You See."

In 1966, Beach Boy Brian Wilson recorded the future classic song "Good Vibrations," which went on to become the band's third US number-one hit. As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.



Today in 1967, the song "Kind of a Drag" by the Buckinghams topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

David Gimour replaced Syd Barrett in Pink Floyd in 1968. Barret had gone checked himself into a psychiatric hospital and then gone into seclusion.

Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees married Lulu in London in 1969 (Robin Gibb was the Best Man-- the marriage lasts four years).

The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1969.

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band made their New York debut at Unganos in 1971.

In 1974, KISS released their first album "KISS."

Yes played their first show at Madison Square Garden in 1974.

In 1978, winners at this years Grammy Awards included Fleetwood Mac, Album of the year for 'Rumours', The Eagles, Record of the year for "Hotel California" and Best pop vocal performance, The Bee Gees for "How Deep Is Your Love."

The song "Sign O' The Times" was released by Prince in 1987.

Debbie Gibson started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1989 with 'Electric Youth.'

Vince Neil quit as lead singer of Motley Crue in 1992. After 11 years with the group he says he wants to spend more time on his career as a race car driver. The band reunited on the "American Music Awards" 5 years later

In 2000, an American court ordered the release of FBI files relating to John Lennon's interests and activities including his support for the Irish Republican cause and the Workers Revolutionary Party. The British Government told the US that it wanted the files to remain secret. MI5 also had files on Lennon, which they had passed on the FBI during the 70's.

In 2005, the three surviving members of Alice In Chains perform at a tsunami-relief benefit concert in Seattle and raise over $100,000. Filling in for the late Layne Stayley are Tool/A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan, Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin and Damageplan's Pat Lachman. Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic hosted the event.

In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2006, the Rolling Stones gave a free concert before a crowd of over 1 million people at Copacabana Beach.

‘The Greatest Songs of the Fifties’ by Barry Manilow was at #1 on the US album chart in 2006.

Norah Jones scored her third US #1 album in 2007 with 'Not Too Late,' also a #1 in the UK and over 20 other countries.

In 2008, Carpenters fans were objecting to plans to have pop duo's former family home in Downey, south of Los Angeles knocked down. The current owners of the house, said they objected to fans looking in the windows and leaving floral tributes. The five-bedroom house was immortalised when it featured on the cover of The Carpenters' 1973 hit album Now & Then.

Vinyl record sales are surging | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Life/Travel

Vinyl record sales are surging | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Life/Travel

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The return of vinyl

Photo by Jim Hannon

Chris James puts a vinyl recording onto a USB turntable that is connected to his computer.

I would like to thank the TimesDaily newspaper (Florence, Ala. http://www.timesdaily.com/) and the author Russ Corey for the exclusive rights to republish this interesting article:

The return of vinyl

Vinyl records see re-emergence in Shoals

By Russ Corey

Staff Writer

Chris James may have grown up during a time when the vinyl record was being replaced by the CD, but like a lot of young people, he's rediscovering why vinyl records were so popular in the first place.

There are numerous articles on the Internet trumpeting the return of the vinyl record and how it continues to increase in popularity even as overall album sales, mainly CDs, continue to slip.

James was first introduced to vinyl records by his parents, who had a collection that included The Doors and Three Dog Night.

"That's really how I started liking music in general," said James, bass player for the local alt-rock band Lauderdale.

Vinyl records have a more natural sound and more room to provide listeners with liner notes and album artwork. While they might not be as prevalent in record stores as they once were, you can find vinyl records in used record stores, flea markets, junk stores, online and at live shows.

"You can get into different kinds of music that way, too," James said.

Shoals-based recording artist Jason Isbell said he insists a new album includes a run of vinyl records when he's negotiating a record contract.

"Listening to vinyl as a kid was such a ritual," Isbell said. "You had to actually physically maintain your record player; you had to flip (the record) over from side A to side B."

Even though there's only one side to a CD, Isbell said he arranges the tracks on his albums with an ending to what would be side A and the beginning of side B.

Many say the sound of a vinyl album has a warm sound as opposed to the sometimes "brittle" sound of a CD.

Patterson Hood, a former Shoals resident and founder of the rock band Drive-By Truckers, also is a fan of vinyl because it provides the best sounding and best looking way to own music, he said.

"It sounds better than CDs or MP3s," Hood said. "While it doesn't have the convenience of the MP3, some people still like to listen at home and have a physical format."

Most of the Truckers' catalog is available on vinyl, and the vinyl version of their upcoming release, "The Big To Do," will include an extra track that will not be included on the compact disc version.

"It's a good one, too," Hood said. "I included three extra tracks on the vinyl version of my last solo album this past year."

And like many artists, the new album will include a CD version of the album so it can be downloaded to an MP3 player or listened to in a car CD player. Vinyl albums also provide a larger medium for artwork than a CD.

"There's just the aesthetic aspect to it," Isbell said. "You can hang a record on your wall; you can put them on display in your house. I believe in quality artwork on record covers."

Jamie Barrier, songwriter and guitarist for the Pine Hill Haints, Rise Up Howling Werewolf and The Wednesdays, has released his bands' music on vinyl for years, on both 12-inch LPs and 7-inch discs.

Barrier's Arkam Records has 40 releases, 80 percent of which were 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl records. "I sell more of it every year," Barrier said. "There's a certain type of market of people that never quit listening to it."

Even when vinyl lost its mass appeal, fans of punk and alternative music expected vinyl releases.

Barrier agrees that in many cases, people want something tangible to complement their digital downloads.

Logan Rogers, president of Lightning Rod Records in Nashville, said care has to go into estimating how many vinyl records an artist might sell. "It's a more expensive process, so we definitely have to be fairly realistic about what you can sell," Rogers said. "You don't want to manufacture too many."

Lightning Rod released "Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit" on CD and vinyl. Rogers said the vinyl version is a double-LP that includes a copy of the CD.

"If you pick up the LP at the store or at the concert, you can immediately stick the CD in your car and listen to it," he said.

Eli Flippen, owner of Pegasus Records, Tapes and CDs in Florence, has been selling new and used vinyl records for years. Flippen said he stocks as many LP versions of new releases as he can.

Used record sales have been strong, especially classic rock from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles are some of the most popular, he said. High school and college students hearing vinyl for the first time are detecting differences between the LP and MP3 versions of the songs.

"People kind of realize that the old analog warmth is more pleasing," he said.

SOURCE:  http://www.timesdaily.com/

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15, 2010


DEAR JERRY: A friend told me that my copy of “Introducing the Beatles,” which I bought in the mid-'60s, might be a very valuable original, or just as likely could be a fake.

What is the current value of an original? How do I know if it's real or a not?
—Shannon Houseman, Milwaukee

DEAR SHANNON: I'll tackle the first question, which is somewhat complex, then tell you what you need to know to determine if anything in the first part matters.

First is the near-mint price range, followed by the essential identification details:

$20,000 to $30,000: “Introducing the Beatles” STEREO (Vee-Jay VJLP 1062).

Front cover reads “Englands (sic) No. 1 Vocal Group,” though back cover neither mentions nor pictures the Beatles.

Instead, back has photos and publicity for 25 “Other Fine Albums of Significant Interest,” a subjective mix of earlier Vee Jay LPs by Jerry Butler; Jimmy Reed; 4 Seasons; Frank Ifield; John Lee Hooker; Eddie Harris; and others. Collectors refer to this as the “ad back” cover.

Reportedly, Vee Jay was at the time embroiled in a dispute over song licensing rights, and not wanting to further fan the litigious flames, decided against calling attention to the tracks on the album r— especially “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.” Notification to cease issuing these two songs had already been sent to Vee Jay.

On subsequent pressings, Vee Jay replaced those two tracks with “Ask Me Why” and “Please Please Me,” along with a listing of all 12 tunes on the back cover.

Interestingly, labels for stereo discs show the selection prefix/number as VJLP 1062, yet front cover has only “SR-1062.”

$8,000 to $12,000: “Introducing the Beatles” MONO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Same as above for stereo ad back, but with monaural sound and without SR-1062 on the cover.

$8,000 to $12,000: “Introducing the Beatles” STEREO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Variation of above issue, using the same front cover. Back cover, however, has no printing whatsoever. Whether caused by a production error, or intentionally left blank so as to have product for sale during the changeover from ad back to column back covers, we do not yet know. Appropriately known as the “blank back” cover.

$5,000 to $7,500: “Introducing the Beatles” MONO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Same as above for stereo blank back, but with monaural sound and without SR-1062 on the cover.

$15,000 to $20,000: “Introducing the Beatles” STEREO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Second issue. Front cover is the same as first stereo issue. Back cover lists contents in two columns; six titles on Side One, the last of which is “Love Me Do,” and six on Side Two, the first being “P.S. I Love You.”

Later pressings replaced “Love Me Do” with “Ask Me Why” and “P.S. I Love You” with “Please Please Me.”

This and future versions all have the column back cover.

$4,000 to $6,000: “Introducing the Beatles” MONO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Same as above for second issue stereo column back, but with monaural sound and without SR-1062 on the cover.

$4,000 to $6,000: “Introducing the Beatles” STEREO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Third issue. Stereo records can be found in stereo covers, though many came out in mono covers with “Stereo” or “Stereophonic” stickers affixed. Record labels and column back cover reflect the inclusion of “Ask Me Why” and “Please Please Me” instead of “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.”

$800 to $1,200: “Introducing the Beatles” MONO (Vee-Jay VJLP-1062).

Record labels and column back cover reflect the inclusion of “Ask Me Why” and “Please Please Me”

As we are so fond of pointing out, the price ranges stated are ONLY applicable to copies with both the cover and the record in at least near-mint condition.

Damaged goods, or even those showing slight wear and tear, will have values lowered by an amount commensurate with their flaws.


IZ ZAT SO? Unfortunately, many mono copies and nearly every stereo “Introducing the Beatles” in captivity is a five dollar counterfeit. Authentic stereo copies, of any of the three versions, are extremely rare, as evidenced by their grandiose values. Most folks will never even see one in person.

There is a lengthy checklist collectors use to spot a fake LP, but one quick and reliable test is to look at the record label.

Originals have both the LP title, “Introducing the Beatles,” and the artist credit, “The Beatles,” ABOVE the center hole.

This is true no matter which version you have, and applies to both mono and stereo.

Counterfeits have only the LP title, “Introducing the Beatles,” above the center hole, and place the artist credit, “The Beatles,” below the center hole.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.

Jerry's Question page: Ask your question here.

Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368

E-mail: jpo@olympus.net

Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

2010 Blues Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Blues Foundation has announced the inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010, including Louisiana-born, Chicago-based bluesman Lonnie Brooks, highly-esteemed blues singer and harpist Charlie Musselwhite and singer, songwriter, guitarist and social activist Bonnie Raitt.

Among the other individuals that are being recognized by the Foundation this year include "The Father of the Blues" W.C. Handy, jug band pioneer Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers, and the writer of many great "drinking songs," including "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer," Amos Milburn.

American roots music writer Peter Guralnick and the legendary host of the King Biscuit Time program on KFFA radio in Helena, Arkansas Sonny Payne, are the non-performers being inducted this year. Sam Charters' groundbreaking research on the blues in the 1950s and '60s resulted in several books including this year's Classics of Blues Literature inductee - The Bluesmen.

The following singles or album tracks will be inducted during the ceremony: "All Your Love (I Miss Loving)" by Otis Rush, "Fever" by Little Willie John, "Key to the Highway' by Big Bill Broonzy, "Match Box Blues" by Blind Lemon Jefferson and "Spoonful" by Howlin' Wolf. These albums are also being honored: Strong Persuader by Robert Cray, Hung Down Head by Lowell Fulson and I Hear Some Blues Downstairs by Fenton Robinson.

The induction ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 31st Blues Music Awards. Plans are underway now individually honor each of the inductees that night.

The Hall of Fame committee, consisting of scholars, record producers, radio programmers, and historians, is chaired by Jim O'Neal, founding editor of Living Blues.

On May 6, the night after the Blues Hall of Fame inductions, The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Music Awards for the 31st time. Performers, industry representatives, and fans from around the world will celebrate the best in Blues recording, songwriting and performance from the previous year at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.

The presenting sponsors are The Gibson Foundation and BMI. ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Casey Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, I 55 Productions, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Tennessee Arts Commission and Vividpix and Design also sponsor the Blues Music Awards.

The following are the new inductees in each of the categories:

Performers

•Lonnie Brooks - One of Chicago's top blues performers, Brooks plays a unique combination of Louisiana and Chicago blues. The singer/guitarist started his career in the in the mid-50's with zydeco's Clifton Chenier and soon had a couple of regional hits on Goldband Records. After moving to Chicago, he started doing session work (Jimmy Reed's Big Boss Man) but it wasn't until the late-70's that he came into his own as a performing artist, recording a series of albums for Alligator Records.

•Charlie Musselwhite - A firm member of the San Francisco club scene in the 70's, Musselwhite actually started his career in Chicago sitting in with greatest such as Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson. After his first album, Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band, became popular on San Francisco radio, he moved west and worked with Harvey Mandel, Robben Ford and Luther Tucker, among others. It wasn't until the late-80's that Charlie ventured out to tour worldwide, causing his career to finally take off.

•Bonnie Raitt - In a career that has seen numerous changes in style, Raitt has always held her commitment to the blues and has been one of the most vocal supporters for organizations and charities that provide services for older blues performers. Her earlier albums contained a good portion of blues music and critics applauded both her soulful voice and her superb guitar playing. Even after becoming a mainstay of rock and pop radio with her 1989 album Nick of Time, Raitt continued to insist on taking some of the great names in blues on tour with her.

•W.C. Handy - Known as the Father of the Blues, Handy brought the traditional music of the rural south into the mainstream, popularizing existing songs and writing new ones in the style. In 1914, he started his own publishing company in Memphis and began writing songs that would go on to become classics such as The St. Louis Blues, Beale Street Blues and Crazy Blues.

•Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers - Cannon, a banjo player, along with his group the Jug Stompers, recorded for Victor between 1928 and 1930. Those records were not only popular in their original day but also were big among folk and rock artists of the 60's who turned out covers of his songs (Walk Right In by the Rooftop Singers, Viola Lee Blues by the Grateful Dead and Prison Wall Blues by the Lovin' Spoonful who revamped the song into Younger Girl).

•Amos Milburn - Milburn was famous for his driving boogie piano playing which he recorded for Aladdin Records in the late-40's and 50's. Among his 19 top ten R&B hits were Chicken Shack Boogie, Bewildered, Hold Me Baby, Roomin' House Boogie and Bad, Bad Whiskey. He also worked frequently with Charles Brown.





Non-Performers

•Peter Guralnick - One of great music writers, Guralnick has had three of his books inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Feel Like Going Home, Searching for Robert Johnson and Sweet Soul Music. He also worked with Martin Scorsese on his Blues series for PBS.

•Sonny Payne - Payne has been the host of King Biscuit Time on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas since 1951 and still broadcasts the show today, racking up over 14,000 broadcasts. The show, which actually started in 1941, is the longest running regularly scheduled blues program in the world.

Classics of Blues Literature

•The Bluesmen by Sam Charters

Classics of Blues Recording: Singles and Album Tracks

•All Your Love (I Miss Loving) by Otis Rush
•Fever by Little Willie John
•Key to the Highway by Big Bill Broonzy
•Matchbox Blues by Blind Lemon Jefferson
•Spoonful by Howlin' Wolf

Classics of Blues Recording: Albums

•Strong Persuader by Robert Cray
•Hung Down Low by Lowell Fulson
•I Hear Some Blues Downstairs by Fenton Robinson

Music News & Notes

Gold Million Records - Where vinyl is king



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Fontana Partners With Psychopathic Records

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Fontana, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Psychopathic Records, it was announced today by Ron Spaulding, President of Fontana, and Bill Dail, President of Psychopathic Records.

"Under Bill's leadership, Psychopathic Records has emerged as a truly innovative and successful entertainment company, and is exactly the type of entrepreneurial label that we like to be partners with," stated Mr. Spaulding. "We are looking forward to combining our expertise in sales, marketing, digital and distribution to help further develop their roster of artists."

"Psychopathic Records cannot state words that describe the excitement felt and portrayed around the company for our highly anticipated partnership with Fontana," commented Mr. Dail. "2010 marks the beginning of a successful, new era for Psychopathic Records."

Psychopathic Records, Inc., formed in Michigan in 1990, is home to the Insane Clown Posse (ICP), who debuted as Psychopathic Records' first artist with the Carnival of Carnage album in 1992 (up for Gold certification). ICP continues to be the highest grossing artist on the label, releasing many projects, including The Ringmaster (1994; Gold certified), Forgotten Freshness (1995; Gold certified), The Great Milenko (1996; Platinum certified), The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (1999; Platinum certified), The Wraith: Shangri-La (debuted at #15 on the Billboard Top 200, approaching Gold certification) The Wraith: Hell's Pit (debuted at #12 on Billboard Top 200, #1 Independent, 75,000 copies sold at debut), and most recently, Bang Pow Boom on September 1, 2009, which debuted at #4 on Billboard Top 200, #1 on Independent Chart, and has sold well over 100,000 copies to date.

Psychopathic Records also boasts a number of other cutting-edge artists including Twiztid, Blaze, ABK, Boondox and Mike E. Clark, while DJ Clay and AMB are signed to Hatchet House, Psychopathic's sub-label.

In addition to music, Psychopathic Records is also involved in sports, film and concert/video compilation DVDs. Psychopathic Records' Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) was created in 1997, with several JCW tours and shows, as well as the release of two JCW DVDs: Slam TV! EPS 1-9 featuring West Side Wars and Slam TV! EPS 10-15 featuring Bloodymania. Film-wise, the company's first documentary, Shockumentary (1998; Platinum certified), tells the story of ICP and the Dark Carnival. The second documentary, A Family Underground (2009), gives viewers an inside look at the Juggalo subculture and their annual meeting, The Gathering of the Juggalos. Video and concert compilations include Insane Clown Posse: Bootlegged in LA DVD (2003; released/shipped out as Gold certified during debut week), and Psychopathic: The Videos (2007; Gold certified). Psychopathic Records first major motion picture, Big Money Hustlas was released in 1997, and its prequel, Big Money Rustlas, is planned for release sometime in 2010.

Coming up for 2010 is a special vinyl edition and gold edition of ICP's Bang Pow Boom, releases from DJ Clay, Boondox, Blaze, Twiztid and ABK, and the feature film Big Money Rustlas, the prequel to 1997's Big Money Hustlas.

ABOUT FONTANA

Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of UMGD, provides unparalleled sales and marketing support, as well as back office services, for a diverse roster of labels and their artists. Fontana distributes more than 80 labels including Eagle Rock, Downtown, Vagrant Records, American Gramophone, Kedar Entertainment, Last Gang, Savoy Label Group, ESL, Music World, Delicious Vinyl, Ipecac, Six Degrees, SMC, Upstairs Records, VP Records, and many others. In addition, Fontana distributes select projects from UMG labels worldwide.


SOURCE Universal Music Group

RELATED LINKS
http://new.umusic.com/
http://www.fontanadistribution.com/
http://www.psychopathicrecords.com/

Music News & Notes

Blue Rodeo release new record to rave reviews

Canada’s multi-platinum selling band Blue Rodeo releases 'The Things We Left Behind' in the US. this week. This is the band’s 12th studio record and the most ambitious to date. In a time where bands are posting “tweet songs,” Blue Rodeo is releasing an old-fashioned 16-song double record on CD and vinyl, and garnering attention from a new generation of fans who are discovering the band for the first time. Here's a couple of early reviews:

“Blue Rodeo has the Americana earnestness of Gram Parsons with a generous touch of British Invasion pop... leading the pack is One More Night, a shuffle sung by Cuddy and propelled by soul-savvy electric piano, a chorus full of killer hooks, beefy guitar twang,... and lyrics full of the sort of dark wanderlust that would make Hank Williams proud.”
LEXINGTON-HERALD LEADER

“Cuddy and Keelor both seem to be taking stock, reflecting on the passage of time and the state of the heart with penetrating but poetic insight... An absolutely stellar outing, this is unquestionably the strongest statement yet from a band that continues to set new standards with each release. Highly recommended!”
BLOGCRITICS

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JIMI HENDRIX 'Rock Band' Game Due Out Later This Year

According to Billboard.com, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix will soon have his own "Rock Band" video game. Jimi Hendrix's stepsister, Janie Hendrix, who controls the late axeman's estate, let it slip during an Los Angeles Times interview that a Hendrix edition of "Rock Band" will be coming before the end of the year.

Read the entire report from Billboard.com.

http://www.billboard.com/

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WOE OF TYRANTS: 'Threnody' Artwork Unveiled  (I love heavy metal artwork!)

Ohio's WOE OF TYRANTS will release its third album, "Threnody", on April 13 via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release from the label, "This time around, the guys have seriously turned up the shred-knob and churned out some of the most exciting songs we've heard swirling around the Metal Blade offices in quite some time. On this record, you'll find equal parts speed, groove and over-the-top guitar soloing. Headbanging will be mandatory."

Commented vocalist Chris Catanzaro: "We have a brand-baby-spankin'-new record that we finished recording at the end of 2009 with Jamie King producing, and to embrace the cliché, 'This is the most epic brutal stuff we've ever done and we're stoked on it!'

WOE OF TYRANTS will support OVERKILL on the band's 25th anniversary North American tour, dubbed Killfest 2010, in April/May 2010. The trek will span the length of the U.S., hitting spots in Canada, with one final show at New York City's Nokia Theater. Additional support on the tour will come from VADER, GOD DETHRONED, WARBRINGER and EVILE.

WOE OF TYRANTS' second album, "Kingdom Of Might", was released in January 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was engineered in its entirety by Joey Sturgis of Foundation Studios (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, GWEN STACY, BROTHER VON DOOM).

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/wot

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SOUNDGARDEN To Co-Headline This Year's LOLLAPALOOZA?

According to The Daily Swarm, the reunited SOUNDGARDEN is expected to co-headline the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Although promoters do not traditionally announce the lineup until spring, multiple industry sources have told The Daily Swarm that SOUNDGARDEN, GREEN DAY and LADY GAGA are locked in for the Aug 6–8 weekend event. Three more headliners are expected to be included when the complete lineup is announced.

The music world was rocked on New Year's Day (January 1) by the news — posted at singer Chris Cornell's web site and Twitter page, plus a new site called Soundgarden World — that grunge gods SOUNDGARDEN would reportedly reunite in 2010 after a 12-year absence. Rumors of a SOUNDGARDEN reunion have picked up steam in the last year, possibly because the band members are known to have gotten together to talk and three of them — all but Cornell — jammed together last March at a Seattle club.

Billboard.com, after the New Year's Day announcement was posted, reported that the band was in negotiations with several festivals, but that has yet to be officially confirmed or denied.

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Bear Hands Debut US Release This Week

Just when all the fuss is exploding on the Brooklyn indie art and pop rock scene, Cantora Records are ready to unleash Brooklyn's Bear Hands US debut single "What A Drag" on February 16th.

But this band doesn't sound like they are remotely influenced in the least by what's going on musically around them. They're breaking the mold making them a truly refreshing and stand out group, opening their own rift, letting everyone know there's a new sheriff in town. "What A Drag" will be available digitally, in addition to a 1000 limited run pressing of white vinyl.

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COVERDALE/PAGE - Special Edition On The Horizon?

In 1993, WHITESNAKE vocalist David Coverdale and LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page joined forces under the moniker COVERDALE/PAGE and released a self-titled album.

Although there are no plans for the pair to record any new material or reunite for any shows, Coverdale reveals that "EMI have recently been making overtures to me about putting a 'special edition' together after they heard there were several unreleased tracks... but, time & resource is the problem...

We've been archiving lots of tapes, cassettes & videos at home recently & we have discovered a ton of the demos Jimmy & I made which could be very interesting for some people to hear...

We also filmed a lot of our writing & recording sessions... so, I feel we could put a terrific 'special' together that would be a treat to have... but, in reality, JP & I have never discussed re-issuing, or making another CP album... There is always the possibility of something happening... I just can't see it in the forseeable future as I am busy with 'all things Whitesnake'...

Personally, I am thrilled I had the opportunity to work with one of my musical heroes... & to maintain a healthy, loving friendship with him...

At times, I feel some people don't understand that Whitesnake is my passion... I don't really look beyond what is possible outside... It's a very broad canvas for me to paint on... no boundaries... no restrictions... Oh... & I'm my own boss... Not too shabby..."

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Robert Plant Working On New Solo Album

Robert Plant is apparently in the midst of recording a new solo album entitled 'It�s Rude To Say No'. Zeppelin fansite Lemon Squeezings reports that Plant has been in Nashville working on the new record with producer Buddy Miller and that the new album will be released later this year.

The news comes via a reporter for the Herald Courier who was doing a piece on musician Darrell Scott, who apparently appears on the new record.

Scott is quoted as saying "Those two-plus weeks were some of the most memorable times I've ever had in the studio. ... The number-one thing is that Robert loves music. You think they're posing and just getting through it, but I was humbled with how Robert Plant loved the music -- old country, blues, rockabilly."

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ELP News

Emerson, Lake and Palmer are playing a high profile reunion gig this summer but before that gets started, two of the band's principles will treat lucky North American fans to a special unplugged tour. Here is the official Announcement: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake to tour USA in an exclusive intimate evening of musical retrospective highlighting the iconic music of Emerson Lake and Palmer, the Nice and King Crimson:

The two man show with keyboard legend Keith Emerson and the famed voice and guitars of Greg Lake is an intimate "unplugged" prelude to the highly anticipated reunion of Emerson Lake and Palmer at the High Voltage Festival in July, 2010 in the UK. It is unlike any show either of the two have performed before.

The fabric of the show is the iconic music composed by Emerson and Lake throughout their careers and audiences can expect new perspectives as well as new arrangements of classic favorites as Keith and Greg relate the stories of their songs and discuss the compositions and people that influenced the celebrated music the two created with the progressive rock bands that went down in history as the super groups that began a rock and roll era: King Crimson, the Nice, and Emerson Lake and Palmer. The show is completely new – the two have never performed together in this personal setting and audiences will be treated to an emotional perspective and a rare and personal insight into the music they love during an evening they won't forget, in an intimate theatrical setting far different from the theatrics of Emerson Lake and Palmer. - Dates and ticket info here:

http://www.keithemerson.com/

Beatles' Abbey Road studios up for sale

This article caught my eye:

Beatles' Abbey Road studios up for sale
By Tina Miles


THE Abbey Road studios – where The Beatles recorded most of their albums – is up for sale, it was reported.

The world-famous studios are to be sold by cash-strapped music group EMI.

EMI’s private equity parent Terra Firma is said to be hoping a sale of the studios – made famous by the 1969 Beatles album and zebra crossing cover shot – could raise tens of millions of pounds.

It is not clear if the sale plans would also include the Abbey Road brand as well as the property.

The move would help EMI to pay down some of the mammoth debts it was saddled with after Terra Firma’s highly-leveraged 2007 takeover.

Abbey Road has hosted artists including Liverpool singer Cilla Black.

Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded You’ll Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross the Mersey at the studios.

The Beatles used Abbey Road for 90% of their recordings, naming their final album after the studios in 1969.

The world-famous album cover features the celebrated photo, taken by Iain Macmillan, of the band wandering across the pedestrian crossing in the road outside the studios.

It became one of the most copied album covers in history – with hundreds of Beatles fans visiting the site to re-create the famous cover. There were calls for the crossing to be moved over fears fans flocking to be snapped on the road were causing crashes. EMI used the studios for last year’s release of remastered Beatles albums.

However in recent years the studios have faced cheaper competition from recording facilities in other countries.

Recent recording advances have also added pressure to Abbey Road.

But it is one of the few venues able to accommodate a full orchestra, which has allowed producers to record scores there for films including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Lord of the Rings.

A sale of the studios would raise much needed cash for its owner.

EMI, which counts Robbie Williams among its artists, posted a £1.75 billion loss for the year to March 2009 in accounts earlier this month.

EMI was touting for interested buyers to acquire the studios at number 3 Abbey Road in St John’s Wood, according to the Financial Times.

The group today remained tight-lipped on any sale of Abbey Road or if it was part of a wider asset sale.


SOURCE: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces 2010 Inductees

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced today that their 2010 inductees will include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, Johnny Mandel and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Hall of Fame Chairman and CEO Hal David said:

“We are looking forward to another memorable evening where we honor their extraordinary accomplishments.” The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 17 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

DeShannon, Foster and Mandel made the cut from the non-performing songwriter(s) ballot. Failing to be elected were nominees Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Luther Dixon, Mark James, Mutt Lange, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, Jerry Rogovoy and Bert Berns, Billy Sherrill, Joe South and Paul Vance and Neil Pockriss.

Cohen and Earth Wind and Fire are coming in from the Performer/Songwriter ballot. Those nominated and failing to be inducted were Garth Brooks, Elvis Costello, Dion DiMucci, David Gates, Tommy James, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, U2 and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens).

The following are the biographies of each of the inductees from the Songwriters Hall of Fame Press Release:

Leonard Cohen:

Leonard Cohen received the Grammy 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his legendary career of artistic accomplishments in songwriting and performing. Over 2,000 covers of Cohen’s songs have been recorded by artists such as R.E.M., Bob Dylan, Elton John, Judy Collins, Willie Nelson and most recently, Justin Timberlake’s rendition of “Hallelujah” that appeared on Cohen’s 1984 Various Positions album. Cohen always had an interest in music, but it wasn’t until 1966 that his focus turned to songwriting after gaining international recognition for his poetry. Before he released a single song, Cohen sold the highly successful “Suzanne” to Judy Collins which later was included on his debut album, The Songs of Leonard Cohen in 1967 along with “Sisters of Mercy,” and “So Long, Marianne.” His next two albums, Songs from a Room and Songs of Love and Hate solidified Cohen’s iconic status with “Bird on a Wire” and “Famous Blue Raincoat.” His multidimensional lyrics have captured fans spanning generations and nationalities for decades. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2008) for his outstanding work. Cohen’s world tour, which inaugurated in May 2008, is still playing to sold-out crowds.

Jackie DeShannon:

Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon is best known as the soulful voice behind two of the 1960s most enduring, era-defining anthems – Burt Bacharach & Hal David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and DeShannon’s own “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” Her songs have been performed by such artists as Al Green, Annie Lennox, Van Morrison, Brenda Lee, The Carpenters, The Temptations, Marianne Faithfull, The Searchers, Ella Fitzgerald and Bruce Springsteen. In the early 1960s, Jackie partnered with Sharon Sheeley on dozens of songs (“Dum Dum,” “The Great Imposter,” “Breakaway,” “You Won’t Forget Me”). Collaborations followed with Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Jimmy Page and John Bettis. In 1964, Jackie toured as an opening act for the Beatles. Writing solo, she composed the hits “When You Walk In The Room” and “Come And Stay With Me.” She earned a million-seller in 1969 with “Put A Little Love In Your Heart,” written with Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday. DeShannon won a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1982 for “Bette Davis Eyes” with writing partner Donna Weiss.

David Foster:

To say that everything David Foster touches turns to gold—and usually platinum—would be an understatement. This stunningly talented songwriter is a 15-time Grammy Award winner with an unprecedented 46 nominations, a recipient of seven Juno Awards, an Emmy Award in 2004 and a three-time Oscar nominee, all over the course of four extraordinarily successful decades. Foster’s career path soared in the 1980’s as he produced and wrote an extraordinary lineup of No. 1 singles, including Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” Peter Cetera’s “The Glory of Love,” and John Parr’s “Man in Motion” (St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack). In 2007 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Foster has worked with the biggest and best talents in the music industry, including Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble’, Seal, Earth, Wind & Fire, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston and many more. Iconic songs in the Foster catalog include “After The Love Is Gone,” “I Have Nothing,” “Look What You’ve Done To Me,” “The Prayer” and “You’re The Inspiration.” Foster recently produced two top ten albums on the Billboard Top 200 Chart - Michael Buble’ (“Crazy Love”) and Andrea Bocelli (“My Christmas).


Johnny Mandel:

Johnny Mandel, the five-time Grammy recipient and Oscar and Emmy Award winner is a composer, arranger, instrumentalist and record producer living a life totally steeped in musical achievement. As a teenager, Mandel was a member of Joe Venuti’s orchestra, followed by employment as a player and/or arranger in bands led by Henry Jerome, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Artie Shaw. In the late 1940s and early 50s, Mandel was an arranger and composer for radio and the new medium of TV. At the same time, he played trombone and wrote arrangements for the Count Basie Orchestra. The West Coast recording scene beckoned Johnny in 1954 where he began arranging sessions for stars like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Jo Stafford, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker and Andy Williams. Hollywood film assignments began coming in for Mandel as well, beginning with the all-Jazz score he composed for I Want to Live in 1958. Many Mandel film scores have followed, among them The Americanization of Emily, The Sandpiper, M*A*S*H*, Being There and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. Mandel-composed standards include “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Emily,” “Where Do You Start?” and “Close Enough for Love.” In recent years, Mandel’s career has continued to flourish as he has remained busy producing and arranging recordings for Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and, most recently, for Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson, among many others.

Earth, Wind & Fire:

Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most innovative and commercially invincible contemporary Pop / R&B music forces of the 20th century. Members Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay are known for their signature sound of fusing Pop, R&B, Rock, Latin, Funk, Jazz and African Music to win numerous awards. Earth, Wind & Fire has received 20 Grammy nominations; winning six as a group and its founding members, Maurice White and Philip Bailey, winning two awards each. The band was also awarded the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Signature Governor’s Award. Earth, Wind & Fire have earned more than 50 Gold and Platinum albums and have sold over 90 million albums worldwide. They have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2000) and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1995). The music industry and fans have bestowed Lifetime Achievement honors from ASCAP (Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award - 2002), NAACP (Hall of Fame - 1994) and the BET Awards (Life Time Achievement Award 2002). Two Earth, Wind & Fire classic songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: “That’s The Way of The World” (2004) and “Shining Star” (2007). Earth, Wind & Fire have 12 American Music Awards nominations and four awards. The band is also known as having been the first African-American performers to sell out Madison Square Garden and to receive the MSG Gold Ticket Award. President Obama invited the band to perform at the White House for the first social event of the new administration. Through the decades their songs have been covered by recording artists such as Jerry Garcia Band, D’Angelo, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and many others.

Music News & Notes

Found this interesting read:

Stuff happens in record shop afterlife

By Robert Plummer
Business reporter, BBC News

What happens to record shops after they die?

We all know how downloads, supermarket CD offers and online shopping are making life tough for music retailers.

But every independent store is a small business in its own right, with a long-suffering owner, knowledgeable staff and a diehard band of loyal customers.

In times past, a good record shop was also a hangout for an entire generation and a focal point for fans' passions, as well as a place to hear the latest music and a barometer of new trends.

So can any of that be preserved when the shop closes down?

And do the owners keep trading in music by other means or do they find something else to do?

Read the rest here:   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8507703.stm

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New Beach House EP

Beach House are looking to capitalize on their success, releasing a new EP to celebrate Record Store Day on April 17. It's entitled Zebra, and is essentially a single for the Teen Dream song of the same name. As well as a radio edit of the title track, it features two brand new songs plus a remix of the blissed-out, slow-burning "10 Mile Stereo."

Zebra will be released on twelve-inch vinyl via Sub Pop. It will only be available at retailers involved in Record Store Day.

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Alkaline Trio Announces New Album This Addiction and Tour

Recorded and produced by the band with help from longtime cohort Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, This Addiction marks Alkaline Trio's first release on their imprint label Heart & Skull and first with their parent label Epitaph Records. The album also finds the Trio revisiting their punk roots while moving forward creatively.

The band's seventh studio album, This Addiction, will be available as a standard CD, a limited Deluxe CD/DVD edition (containing two bonus songs, four acoustic tracks and a full length concert DVD), as well as Gatefold LP vinyl.

Epitaph will also have exclusive items signed by the band, rare vinyl and Limited Collector’s bundles - all with a standard digital download or a Deluxe Digital Download.

Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House (SOLD OUT)
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues
April 3 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

http://www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio

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Ray Charles Foundation Reveals the Ray 80 Celebration Logo

Ray Charles was born September 23, 1930 and the Ray Charles Foundation and Concord Records are celebrating what would have been his 80th birthday with a brand new website at raycharles.com. On it, you'll find updated news on all of the planned events, a thorough album and singles discography and a treasure trove of videos and photos.

The Ray Charles Marketing Group has also just unveiled their special Ray 80 logo (right). Janet Macoska, Brand Manager, stated "We’ve planned a series of events and a rollout of new products designed to draw attention to, and celebrate, this historic anniversary. The Ray 80 logo will be used on all product packaging and at all authorized Ray Charles 80th Birthday Celebration events. The RAY 80 campaign is about us connecting to Ray’s worldwide legion of fans and creating opportunities for them to connect to each other."

New Music Releases - Febraury 16, 2010

Adam Green - Minor Love
Aeternam - Disciples of the Unseen
Alkaline Trio - This Addiction (vinyl)
Art Museums - Rough Frame (vinyl)
Backyard Tire Fire - Good to Be
Barn Burner - Bangers
Bear Hands - What a Drag/Can't Stick Em (vinyl)
Bee Gees - Mythology (4 CD)
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore - Dear Companion
Bill Withers - + 'Justments (remastered)
Black Crowes - Warpaint Live (vinyl)
Bob Blank - Blank Generation Blank Tapes NYC 1975-1985 (vinyl)
Bob Mould Band - Live at ATP 2008
Boy Eats Drum Machine - Hoop + Wire
Brigitte Bardot - Musiques De Films (12-disc vinyl box set)
Carnifex - Hell Choose Me
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig
Charlie Alex March - Home/Hidden
Chelsea Grin - Desolation of Eden
Close Your Eyes - We Will Overcome
Courteeners - You Overdid It Doll Pt. 1 (vinyl)
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
DJ Shadow - In LA 10/31/09
Dan Black - Un
Dan Reeder - This New Century
Drive By Truckers - Vol. 2 - Dangerous Highway (vinyl)
Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La (vinyl)
Ellen Allien - Watergate 5
Everybody Was in the French Resistance Now - Fixin the Charts 1
Ewan MacColl - Ballads - Murder Intrigue Love Discord
Ewan Pearson - We Are Proud of Our Choices
Excepter - Presidence
Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins/Comets
Fela Kuti - Gentleman / Confusion (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Koola Lobitos 1964-1968 / The 69 La Sessions (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Open & Close / Afrodisiac (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight + 2 Singles (reissue)
Field Music - Measure (vinyl)
Freeway and Jake One - The Stimulus Package
Gentle Friendly - Ride Slow (vinyl)
Giant Drag - Swan Song
Gil Scott-Heron - Storm Music: The Best Of
Greg Dulli: Vol. 1 - Dangerous Highway (vinyl)
HIM - Screamworks: Love in Theory & Practice (vinyl with CD)
Heathen - Evolution of Chaos
Ike Reilly - Hard Luck Stories
James Otto - James Otto
Jamie Cullum - Devil May Care
Jason Falkner - I'm OK, You're OK (vinyl)
Jason Urick - Husbands
Jedi Mind Tricks - Army of the Pharaohs: The Unholy Terror
Jenny Whiteley - Forgive or Forget
Jessica Harp - A Woman Needs
Joe Pug - Messenger
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young (2-CD & DVD & LP luxury edition box set)
Juliana Hatfield - Peace And Love
Karnivool - Sound Awake
Lightspeed Champion - Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You
Lightspeed Champion - Marlene (vinyl)
Lisa Hannigan - Live at Fingerprints
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor (vinyl)
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring (vinyl)
Lusine - Twilight
MC Chris - Knowing's Half the Hassle (reissue)
Madonna - Revolver (Mixes)
Mako Sica - Dual Horizon (vinyl)
Marina & The Diamonds - Family Jewels
Mark Matos - Words of the Knife (vinyl)
Matthew Ryan - Dear Lover
Middle Class Rut - 25 Years EP (vinyl)
Miracle Condition - Miracle Condition
Moon Duo - Escape (vinyl)
Mott The Hoople - Live at the Hammersmith Apollo 2009 (3-CD box set)
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Nick Curran - Reform School Girl
Overnight Lows - City Of Rotten Eyes (vinyl)
Over the Rhine - Besides (reissue)
Patton Oswalt - 222
Patton Oswalt - Patton Vs. Alcohol Vs. Zach Vs. Patton EP
Perfect - French Connection
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back
Pixies - Pixies (vinyl reissue)
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three - Riverboat Soul
Puerto Muerto - Drumming for Pistols
Raheem DeVaughn - The Love & War Masterpeace
Randy Newman - 12 Songs (reissue)
Robert Pollard - We All Got Out of the Army (vinyl)
Sam Weiser - Sam I Am
Santana - Supernatural (Legacy Edition)
Saxon - Innocence Is No Excuse (remastered with bonus tracks)
Scanners - Submarine
Seven Fields of Aphelion - Periphery
Shirley Bassey - EMI/UA Years 1959-1979 (5-CD box set)
Shout Out Louds - Oh Sweetheart
Smoking Popes - It's Been a Long Day (vinyl)
Soft Pack - The Soft Pack (vinyl)
Solas - Turning Tide
Sole - Vol. 1-Nuclear Winter
Son Lux - Weapons EP
Sonic Youth - Eternal (2-LP vinyl)
Story of the Year - The Constant
Tangerine Dream - Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares (vinyl reissue)
The Game - The R.E.D. Album
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Preservation (vinyl)
The Real Tuesday Weld - Ruth Roses & Revolvers (vinyl)
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - Kollaps Tradixionales (vinyl with CD)
Tindersticks - Falling Down a Mountain (vinyl with CD)
Usher - Raymond v. Raymond
Various Artists - Classic Appalachian Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
Various Artists - Helping Haiti: Everybody Hurts
Various Artists - More Psychedelic Guitars / Psychedelic Visions
Various Artists - My Name Is Khan (soundtrack)
Will Hoge - Again Somewhere Tomorrow
Wu-Tang - Return of the & Friends

This Date In Music History - February 16

Birthdays:

Lynn Paul - New Seekers (1949)

James Ingram (1956)

Andy Taylor - Duran Duran (1961)

Tony Kylie - Blow Monkeys (1962)

Dave Lombardo - Slayer (1965)

Taylor Hawkins - Foo Fighters (1972)

Bradley "Brad" Walst - Three Days Grace (1977)


They Are Missed:

The late Bill Doggett ("Honky Tonk") was born in 1916.

Born on this day in 1932, Otis Blackwell, songwriter and producer, wrote "All Shook Up," "Return To Sender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Great Balls Of Fire" and "Fever." Died from a heart attack on May 6, 2002.

Born today in 1935, Sonny Bono, singer, (1965 #1 single "I Got You Babe," with Cher). Became a US Congressman. Killed on 5th January 1997, (age 62), in a skiing accident.



Billy Ward ("Deep Purple" with his Dominoes) died in 2002.

Singer Doris Troy died in 2004. She had been a session singer with Dionne Warwick, sang on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and released an album on The Beatles’ Apple label.

Charlie Ryan ("Hot Rod Lincoln") died of heart disease in 2008.


History:

Today in 1957 the song "Young Love" by Tab Hunter topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.

In 1964, The Beatles made their second live appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, exactly one week after the first. Before an audience of 3,500 at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, The Beatles performed "She Loves You," "This Boy," "All My Loving," "I Saw Her Standing There," "From Me to You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Alan David Pasaro sued the Rolling Stones in 1971 charging them with invasion of privacy. The charge stemmed from the footage of a stabbing in the film "Gimme Shelter." Pasaro was tried and acquitted for the stabbing death.

Ricky Nelson began his first British tour in 1972.

Bob Dylan started a four-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1974 with 'Planet Waves', his first US #1.

During a tour of America in 1974, the members of Emerson, Lake & Palmer were arrested in Salt Lake City after swimming naked in the hotel pool. They were each fined $75.

Cher started her own weekly hour of a music and comedy show on CBS-TV in 1975. The singer had co-presented The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour with her former husband. Cher's new show featured a female guest each week.

Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” was #1 in 1975.

Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the UK album chart in 1985 with 'Born In The USA', his first UK #1 album.

"Careless Whisper" started a three-week run at #1 in the US charts in 1985, credited to Wham! Featuring George Michael, this was the duos second US #1.

In 1999 - Rap star Ol' Dirty Bastard was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly wearing body armor, a forbidden garment because of his previous arrests. ODB was initially pulled over for driving eratically.

In 2002, thieves broke into George Michael’s London home and stole over £100,000 ($170,000) worth of paintings, jewellery and designer clothes and drove off in his £80,000 ($136,000) Aston Martin DB7. They also caused £200,000 ($340,000) worth of damage to his home.

50 Cent was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with his debut album ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin,'

Jack White appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes Wednesday in 2005. The White Stripes frontman claims he almost gave up Rock & Roll to become a priest. He was accepted by a seminary but decided to go to public school instead. "I had just gotten a new amplifier… and I didn't think I was allowed to take it with me," says White. 2005

In 2005, Jimi Hendrix memorabila went up for sale with a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar fetching nearly $190,000. The London auction also features a poem written by Hendrix in 1967 and an autographed copy of the Experience's first single, "Hey Joe."

Britney Spears shaved her head in 2007 (slow news day).

In 2009, Elton John’s songwriting skills are auctioned off to benefit Vancouver General Hospital’s effort to help patients with blood cancer. Two people pay $200,000 each to have John write music to their lyrics and record the finished song. The gala raises over $2 million.

Music News

Rock Pioneer Dale Hawkins Dies

Seminal rocker Dale Hawkins passed away Saturday in Little Rock, Arkansas from colon cancer at the age of 73.

Hawkins was discovered while playing a Shreveport, Louisiana club in 1957 with his group that also included guitarist James Burton and drummer A.J. Tuminello. While his style had elements of the burgeoning rock and roll, he mixed it with a heavy blues sound that created a unique sound eventually called Swamp Rock.

Dale originally shopped around a record that he had made called See You Soon, Baboon which was picked up for national release by Chess Records on its subsidiary Checker. The group's second record, Suzie Q, broke Hawkins nationally, going to number 7 on the R&B and 27 on the Singles charts.

Hawkins went on to record a mix of his bluesy rock and more pop oriented material for the label over the next few years. He also was becoming well versed in producing and finding talented guitarists. Not only would his sideman James Burton go on to play with Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley, but he would also help launch the careers of Roy Buchannen, who played with Dale's cousin Ronnie Hawkins, and Kenny Paulsen.

In 1960, he was released from Chess and, although he would record for a number of labels in the subsequent years, he never exceeded the success of Suzie Q. The early-60's also found him hosting his own television show on WCAU in Philadelphia.

When Hawkin's wife became pregnant in 1964, he returned home where he became a talent finder and producer for Paula records, bringing them country artist Joe Stampley and rocker John Fred. His productions included Fred's Judy in Disguise and the Five American's Western Union. He became head of A&R for RCA's west coast division in 1970 where he worked with Harry Nilsson, Michael Nesmith and many more.

After a 1981 stint in rehab, Hawkins started a crisis intervention center for wayward teens in Louisiana that he ran for five years. By that time, the music bug had bit him again and he spent the rest of his life recording and performing.

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Balance And Composure & Tigers Jaw announce split
Fellow Pennsylvanians Balance And Composure (Doylestown) and Tigers Jaw (Scranton) have each contributed a handful of brand new songs for an upcoming split release on No Sleep and Run For Cover Records, the former handling the CD version while the latter takes on vinyl duties.

Featuring four new tracks from each band, plus a bonus digital-only offering from Balance And Composure, the split was recorded by Vince Ratti (The Wonder Years, Circa Survive, Valencia) and will be released by the labels in CD and 12" formats on May 11, 2010. A track list an be found below and both bands are currently streaming songs from the album on their respective myspace pages.

http://www.myspace.com/balanceandcomposure

http://www.myspace.com/tigersjaw

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Knack Lead Singer Doug Fieger Passes Away

Doug Fieger, the lead singer for the 70's group the Knack, has passed away after battling lung and brain cancer. He was 57.

Feiger's earliest ambition was to work in the theater and was acting professionally by the time he was 12. One year later, he and John Courey would form the group Sky who opened for acts such as Traffic and it was their relationship with Steve Winwood that would put them in contact with British producer Jimmy Miller. Miller signed the group to a contract and, once Fieger graduated from High School, the group moved to England to record their first album.

Courey and Feiger became fixtures in the London music scene, recording their second album at Mick Jagger's house, but by the end of 1971, the group had broken up and Fieger moved to Los Angeles.

In L.A., Fieger met Bruce Gary and Berton Averre who formed a group to play area clubs. Word of mouth spread, especially after a number of high profile jam sessions and the group was signed to a management contract. The three added Prescott Niles and named their group The Knack who were the subject of a major label bidding war that was eventually won by Capitol.

In 1979, the group released the album Get the Knack which contained their signature song "My Sharona." Both hit #1 on the charts, but the group never managed to hit such heights again. The followup single, Good Girls Don't made it to #11 and their second album, But the Little Girls Understand got to #15 but it was mostly downhill from there. They split up right after the release of their third album, Round Trip.

In 1991, the original group minus Gary reformed and recorded Serious Fun which included the Mainstream Rock hit Rocket O' Love. They followed in 1998 with Zoom and 2001 with Normal As the Next Guy, neither of which found much success.