The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
Another contest for CVR blog readers, the first two who email me with the words "Langhorne Slim" will win a free copy of his new record 'Be Set Free.' Email me at rbenson30@wi.rr.com (note the new email address)
Please check out the videos for "Cinderella" and "I Love You, But Goodbye" off of his recent record, Be Set Free. Langhorne Slim was just added to BOTH the Sasquatch Music Festival on May 30th as well as Bonnaroo on June 12th
Jerry Leiber - songwriter and producer for Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly. The Monkees, Cliff Richard (1933)
Tony Christie - UK singer (1943)
Bjorn Ulvaeus - Abba (1945)
Stu Cook - Creedence Clearwater Revival (1945)
Michael Kogel - Los Bravos First Spanish rock band to have a UK & US hit single (1945)
Ronnie Gilbert - Blue Magoos (1946)
Michael Brown - Stories (1949)
Michael Brown - Left Banke (1949)
Steve Ferrone - Average White Band (1950)
Fish, (Derek Dick) - Marillion (1958)
Les Pattinson - Echo & the Bunnymen (1958)
Andy Bell - Erasure (1964)
Eric Avery - Jane's Addiction (1965)
Jacob Underwood - O-Town (1980)
They Are Missed:
In 1974, Pamela Courson the long-term companion of the late Jim Morrison died of a drug overdose. It was Courson who found the Doors singer dead on July 3, 1971 in the bathtub of their apartment in Paris, France.
American jazz tenor saxophonist.Willis "Gator" Jackson (April 25, 1932 - October 25, 1987).
Born on this day in 1918, Ella Fitzgerald, US jazz singer, died 15th June 1996.
Born today in 1923, Albert King, US blues guitarist. Died December 20, 1992.
In 2002, TLC member Lisa Lopes was killed in a car accident in La Ceiba, Honduras, (age 30). Seven other people, including Lopes' brother and sister, who were in the Mitsubishi Montero sports utility vehicle when the crash happened, were taken to a hospital. Lopes who was driving the car when it crashed had spent the past month in Honduras working on various projects including a clothing line, a new solo project and a book.
In 2007, American singer Bobby "Boris" Pickett died of leukemia at the age of 69. Scored the Halloween anthem "The Monster Mash" in 1962. The song had been banned by The BBC in the UK, deemed offensive and wasn’t a hit until 1973. It was a spoof on the dance crazes popular at the time, including the Twist and the Mashed Potato.
History:
Elvis Presley started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1960 with "Stuck On You."
Just days after the completion of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, the Beatles embarked upon their next project, recording the theme to 'Magical Mystery Tour' at Abbey Road studios in London.
The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" during a British TV broadcast in 1967. Marianne Faithfull sang in the chorus.
The Jackson Five started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1970 with "ABC." It was the group's second #1 hit.
Elvis Presley made the last recordings of his life during a concert at the Saginaw, Michigan Civic Centre in 1977. Three songs from the show appeared on the posthumously released Presley album, 'Moody Blue'.
In 1979, The Police made their debut on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops' performing 'Roxanne'.
The film "Rock & Roll High School" starring the Ramones premiered in 1979.
Paul McCartney disbanded Wings in 1981.
In 1982, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Ebony And Ivory." This was McCartney's 24th #1 hit single as a songwriter. The title was inspired by McCartney hearing Spike Milligan say "black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony folks!".
U2 started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1987 with 'The Joshua Tree.'
In 1988, Bon Jovi's manager Doc Mcgee was convicted on drug offences arising from the 1982 seizure of 40,000lb of marijuana smuggled into north Carolina from Colombia. McGee was sentenced to a five year suspended prison term and a $15,000 fine.
The Fender Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix played at the Woodstock festival was auctioned off for a record $295,000 in 1990.
Kris Kross started an eight week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1992 with "Jump." The duo of Chris Smith and Chris Kelly were 12 and 13 when they recorded the song.
In 1994, the Eagles played the first of two shows where they recorded their ‘Hell Freezes Over’ album. Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Timothy B. Schmit first got back together the previous December for the making of a Travis Tritt video of their song, "Take It Easy." The name of the album was taken from an earlier quote by Glen Frey, who responded to the question "When will the Eagles get back together?"
In 1997, U2's 'Pop Mart' world tour kicked off at The Las Vegas San Boyd Stadium in front of 35,000 fans. The tour featured the largest video screen in the world and would visit 80 cities around the planet.
Next started a four-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1998 with "Too Close."
Nas was at #1 on the US album chart in 1999 with ‘I Am...’ the rappers second US #1 album.
In 2003, Sinead O'Connor announced on her Web site that she was going to retire. Good....
Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" was released in 2006. The album featured 13 tracks associated with folk singer Pete Seeger.
Rascal Flatts went to #1 on the US album charts in 2009 with ‘Unstoppable’, the American country pop acts sixth studio album.
DEAR JERRY:A friend sent me a YouTube link that features Frank Sinatra; Dean Martin; Sammy Davis Jr.; and Johnny Carson in concert, in front of a packed house, singing “The Start of the Blues.” Yes, Johnny Carson does sing!
All four are wearing tuxedos, appearing in what appears to be a New York Broadway Theater.
What can you tell me about this event? Perhaps your friend Deana Martin knows how this came about.
—Mike Bell, Philadelphia
DEAR MIKE: No need to drag Deana in on this, though there is a connection not widely known in the U.S. She recently headlined “Deana Martin and the Rat Pack,” a successful stage show in London that may soon play other European cities.
Still, I did call her just to say she's being mentioned in my column again.
Originally titled “Frank Sinatra Spectacular,” four famous Rat Packers — Frank, Dean, Sammy, and Joey Bishop (with the Count Basie and Quincy Jones bands) — gave a benefit concert at the Keil Opera House in downtown St. Louis, the proceeds of which supported the local Dismas House.
Founded in 1959 by Jesuit Father Charles “Dismas” Clark, the halfway houses that bear his name provide a place where men recently released from prison live rent free until they can manage on their own. Most guests stay for a few days, weeks, or months, depending on their needs as well as input from the referring authorities.
It all came together in 1965, on June 20th — both Father's Day and Christina Sinatra's birthday. Frank even introduced “Tina,” his youngest daughter, and everyone in the building sang “Happy Birthday.”
That any video exists of this concert is thanks to it being a closed-circuit broadcast, meaning simultaneously aired by affiliate stations. From that small network, one black-and-white print survived, though not discovered until 1995. For the 32nd anniversary of the Spectacular (1997), the video finally became commercially available, thanks to the Museum of Television & Radio.
Until a few hours before the show, Johnny Carson could not have imagined himself spending Father's Day in St. Louis, on stage as a replacement Rat. Yet, when regular rodent Joey Bishop injured his back, and could not perform, Frank asked Johnny to fly in and fill in … as emcee and comedian.
Some memorable moments include:
Tongue-in-cheek, Carson opens with a news flash: “I read that the birth rate has dropped appreciably in the United States, and I'd like to feel that my show [“Tonight Show”] is partly responsible for this decline.”
Referring to Dean, Johnny says: “The only reason he's got a good tan is he found a bar with a skylight.”
In “Everybody Loves Somebody,” Dino replaces “if I had it in my power” with “if I had you in my shower.”
Sammy credits Sinatra's persuasive method for putting on such a substantial event: “He just picks up the phone and says be there!” Davis adds “My mother, Alvera Sanchez, is a Puerto Rican, which means I'm Colored, Jewish and Puerto Rican. When I move into a neighborhood, I wipe it out! There ain't nobody left.”
Frankie thrills the hometown crowd with “My Kind of Town,” predictably making the lyrics about St. Louis instead of Chicago.
The unplanned, and somewhat unrehearsed, gathering of this legendary foursome is made even more special with their finale, “Birth of the Blues,” sung individually and collectively.
A jazz and big band standard, “Birth of the Blues” (not “Start of,” though that line is in the lyrics) became a Top 20 hit for Paul Whiteman (1926); Harry Richman (1926); Revelers (1926); and Frank Sinatra (1952).
Not released as a single but equally noteworthy is Dinah Washington's marvelous “Birth of the Blues,” which she commingles with “I Don't Hurt Anymore” crafting an outstanding medley.
IZ ZAT SO? The Museum of Television & Radio's video release of this show, now titled “The Rat Pack Live in Saint Louis 1965 (With the Count Basie Band),” provides “the only recorded complete performance of the legendary Rat Pack.”
Despite their countless live appearances in the '60s, that June night in St. Louis stands as the Pack's only televised concert together.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.
Well, it appears all is well and the blog will get back to action. I guess the reason that I do not see the migration button to change formats is because I don't have to change, I am already migrated. Hopefully, this is true and the blog continues past May 1st (still a bit worried).
So, starting today, I will start the blog back up and hope to continue to be an interesting and informative site to visit. Let's start today with an interesting Mr. Music feature by Jerry Osborne.
Well I am back online and the move was a tough one, we still have lots to do around the new house. But, 5 acres in the country sure beats living in the city and we are very happy with the move.
I am not sure if anyone else uses Blogger, but they are discontinuing the FTP publishing process (which I use) and ask that we (those who use Blogger) migrate to a new format. That is where the trouble is for me. I have watched the YouTube videos to start the process, but when I hit the 'start migration' button in my dashboard, I do not get the button to click on to start the migration or even backup the blog. I have contacted Blogger, but have had no results. So, what does this mean?
I am afraid that without the opportunity to migrate my blog into their new system, as of May 1st 2010, this blog will cease to exist. This is very frustrating and very sad for me, as I have tried to keep the blog updated with interesting news and features on a daily basis for over two years. It is a shame that all this information will be lost, but this is beyond my control.
I will keep trying to correct the problem, but when no one answers emails at Blogger and does not explain how to fix the problem, we are left with this result - no more CollectingVinylRecords.com blog. I may decide to use a different format (maybe wordpress), but I am very discouraged by this whole mess and am debating on whether to continue.......
I will be off line for the next week or so and hope that you come back to the blog and keep reading about music and vinyl records. We are relocating again and hopefuly I can be back at it by next Saturday. Have a safe and happy week!
Dokken has announced a new release package, “Greatest Hits 2.” It will contain all new versions of many classics and two new tracks, “Almost Over” and “Magic Man,”and two newly recorded covers. Those covers are “Bus Stop,” originally recorded by the Hollies and “Lies,” first done by The Knickerbockers. King Records will release the album in Japan on April 21st and be available to the US on Cleopatra's Deadline Records.
Dokken live on June 21, 2008 in West Fargo, ND. Photo by Matt Becker"Greatest Hits 2" track listing:
01. Just Got Lucky
02. Breaking The Chains
03. Into The Fire
04. The Hunter
05. In My Dreams
06. It's Not Love
07. Alone Again
08. Dream Warrior
09. Unchain The Night
10. Tooth And Nail
11. Almost Over (new song)
12. Magic Man (new song)
13. Bus Stop (the HOLLIES cover)
14. Lies (THE KNICKERBOCKERS cover)
Tour footage of Dokken recently performing the song “Dream Warriors” on March 27, 2010 at GB Leighton's Pickle Park in Fridley, Minnesota can be viewed below.
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Misfits Records To Release New Music From JuiceheaD On April 13, 2010
As if Record Store Day (http://www.recordstoreday.com/) couldn't get any bigger, it does! Misfits Records is proud to announce two new tracks from the Chicago power-punk trio JuiceheaD will be available as a Limited Edition 7-inch colored vinyl for Record Store Day! The two brand new tracks come from JuiceheaD's forthcoming studio album, How to Sail A Sinking Ship. The vinyl's first pressing will be a Record Store Day exclusive!
There will be a pressing of 500, Limited Edition pieces worldwide that will feature an amazing color mix of gold and oil spill inflected deep ruby swirled vinyl to match the foreboding stormy skyline in the sleeve art.
The label is issuing a warning, if you want the record, snatch it while you can because of the limited amount pressed. The 7-inch single comes with a FREE Digital Download card redeemable anywhere for MP3s of both new songs: 'Rotting from the Inside' (Side A) and 'Death of Democracy' (Side B).
The tracks and forthcoming LP How To Sail A Sinking Ship were produced by longtime Misfits & Ramones collaborator John Cafiero. The producer and Osaka Popstar frontman also guests on backing vocals for the track "Rotting From The Inside."
The 7-inch sleeve features an illustration by artist Joe King (Crooks N Castles, Billabong, and Obey Giant). Iconic artist Shepard Fairey personally recommended King for the project to Cafiero.
JuiceheaD have also lined up a special in-store FREE live performance and record signing in their hometown of Chicago for Record Store Day weekend!
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EMPIRES OF EDEN: 'Reborn In Fire' Artwork Unveiled
The cover artwork for "Reborn in Fire" — the upcoming album from EMPIRES OF EDEN, the brainchild of PAINDIVISION/ex-DUNGEON guitarist Stu Marshall — can be viewed below. The artwork was created by U.S.-based artist Alex Ruiz.
Due in early June via 7Hard Records, "Reborn in Fire" will feature "some of the world's most respected heavy metal voices," including American vocalist Mike Vescera (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, LOUDNESS, OBSESSION). It "delivers an epic and aggressive power metal assault in the style of AVANTASIA and the collaborative genius of AYREON," according to a press release.
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MASTODON Schedules Raleigh In-Store Appearance
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will appear inside Schoolkids Records in Raleigh, North Carolina at 4 p.m. on "Record Store Day" (April 17) to celebrate the vinyl release of their "Blood Mountain" album.
The vinyl reissue of "Blood Mountain" will be available in both standard and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition of "Blood Mountain" will be pressed on double 45 RPM discs on super-heavy 180-gram vinyl housed in a grand gatefold sleeve that will feature new custom art from Paul Romano.
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R.E.M. fans have the chance to pick up a vinyl copy of their debut EP, Chronic Town, at some participating stores during next Saturday's Record Store Day. The copies will be pressed in blue vinyl.
Born on this day in 1958, Stuart Adamson, guitarist and vocalist with Skids and Big Country, who had a 1983 UK #10 single with "Fields Of Fire" plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles. Adamson died on December 16, 2001.
June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters ("Yes We Can Can") died of cancer in 2006.
History:
The SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America) was founded in 1936.
James Brown debuts on the R&B charts in 1956 with "Please, Please, Please."
Travelling from Amarillo to Nashville in 1956, the plane that Elvis Presley was flying on developed engine trouble and was forced to make an emergency landing. The incident created a fear of flying for Presley.
In 1961, Bob Dylan played his first live gig in New York City at Gerde's Folk City, opening for John Lee Hooker.
The Beatles set a new chart record in 1964 when they had 14 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs ranged from "Can't Buy Me Love" at #1 to "Love Me Do" at #81.
In a rare joint appearance both The Beatles and Rolling Stones performed at the New Musical Express concert in 1965. The show features the magazine’s poll winners. Also on the bill are the Animals and Kinks, along with numerous pop acts.
Frank Sinatra recorded "Strangers In The Night" in 1966.
Big Brother & the Holding Company make their national TV debut on ABC's "Hollywood Palace" in 1968.
Peter Green quit Fleetwood Mac while on tour in Germany in 1970, to avoid breach of contract he agreed to finish the current tour.
The Beatles started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1970 with "Let It Be." It became the group's 19th US #1 in 6 years.
In 1973, the Beach Boys appeared at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. The Beach Boys were at a very low ebb in popularity in America and this show proved a financial disaster for the promoter, with less than 3,000 tickets sold for the 16,000 capacity venue. Opening act was Mothers Finest and middle of the bill was Bruce Springsteen who played a 60-minute set.
In 1977, Alice Cooper played to an audience of 40,000 in Sydney, Australia, the largest crowd to attend a rock concert in the country's history. After the show Cooper was placed under house arrest at his hotel until he posted a bond for $59,632. That amount was the sum that a promoter claimed to have paid Cooper for a 1975 Australia tour he never made. The two settled when it was found that the promoter did not fulfill his part of the agreement either.
In 1981, Eddie Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli, co-star of the 1980's television hit, One Day at a Time. The two had met eight months earlier when Bertinelli's brother took her to a Van Halen concert in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Hall and Oates started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Kiss On My List," the duo's second US #1 hit.
Cliff Richard starred in the Dave Clark-produced stage musical, "Time" in 1986 (also featuring Dione Warwick, Leo Sayer and Queen's Freddie Mercury).
Cher won an Academy Award in 1988 for best actress for her work in 'Moonstruck.'
Elton John sang at the funeral of AIDS victim Ryan White in 1990.
Oasis released their first single "Supersonic" in 1994.
Nirvana's album 'In Utero' was certified double-platinum in 1994.
Peter, Paul and Mary released their 17th album, 'LifeLines' in 1995.
Paul McCartney gave a twenty-minute concert from the roof of a building he owns in London in 1997.
In 2006, 10,000 Elton John related items, including clothing and accessories, went on sale to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation. The event, dubbed Elton's Closet, was held in New York's Rockefeller Center.
The Doors' spin-off group, Riders On The Storm, with original members keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger, launched a European tour in Dublin in 2006.
Produced by: Nick Lowe Engineered by: Bazza Mixed by: N/A Mastered by: Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
Review by: Michael Fremer 2010-04-01
Though it was probably one of the most audacious debuts in rock history and quickly established him as one of the premier songwriters of his generation, Elvis Costello’s My Aim is True has always felt more like a publisher’s demo reel than as a recording intended for commercial release.
Backed up by members of the Bay area group Clover who were then living in the U.K. and recorded in a 24 hour hurry at a small suburban London studio for around $1500 My Aim is True still managed to capture the D.I.Y. spirit of the time so its sparse esthetic resonated with the intended audience.
Though Costello had toiled for almost a decade, his success was deemed “overnight” because the album seemed to take off as quickly as it had been recorded. In short order, thanks to My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello became a major rock star.
While the quality of the songs like “Alison” and “The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes” trumped the glazed, often distant, indistinct sound (not to mention the outlandish Buddy Holly meets cerebral palsy cover pose and the cartoonish name Declan McManus chose for himself), My Aim is True has always been difficult to listen to, especially on a good audio system—until now.
I’ve got an original UK Stiff pressing (that omits the single “Watching the Detectives” only found on the American Columbia issue) mastered by the great George “Porky” Peckham and I would never bet against any “Porky Prime Cut,” but in this case, the guys at Mobile Fidelity have not only beat Porky, they’ve produced a near miracle!
Heretofore buried in the glaze instruments now appear with utter clarity thanks to the timbral honesty and transparency of the new transfer from the original master tape. While the tracks are still raw and basic, they have newfound polish, body and three-diimensionality. If you’re a fan of this pre-Attractions album, I think you’ll be absolutely astonished by what Mobile Fidelity has done here.
You know the old expression “you can’t polish a turd?” Well as great as the music is here, the album has always been a sonic turd on vinyl (the Columbia original is markedly inferior to the Stiff “Porky” pressing) and on any of the multiple CD reissues from Ryko to Rhino to UMG. Not so on this reissue.
Somehow Mobile Fidelity has removed the edge and glaze and not by smothering and softening, but rather by stripping away the unpleasantness to reveal an honest, supple, remarkably three-dimensional and immediate recording. I don’t know how they did it or why no one else who tried managed, but they did.
The gatefold incorporates lyrics and images of the master tape boxes and Mobile Fidelity has generously and wisely included “Watching the Detectives.” Add a fine 180 RTI pressing and you have one of Mobile Fidelity’s most significant reissues. “Resurrection” might be a more appropriate word for what’s been done.
I’m not saying Mobile Fidelity has turned My Aim is True into an audiophile sonic spectacular, but if you’re a long time fan of this album, when you hear the details that have been uncovered, along with the rhythmic clarity and certainty that’s been previously missing on every other issue, you may conclude they have.
Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.
Blur are set to release a new single for the first time in seven years.
It is thought that just 1,000 copies of the record will be issued to highlight Record Store Day, supporting independently-owned music shops. A title for the new material is yet to be revealed and its release will mark the first single from Damon Albarn, Alex James, Graham Coxon, and Dave Rowntree since Good Song in 2003.
It is understood the single will contain two brand new tracks, and further details are likely to be revealed next week.
The foursome reunited for a string of gigs last summer and featured in the documentary No Distance Left To Run. Albarn said in a statement: ''We want independent record stores to continue - they're an important part of our musical culture. Music is a simple way for Blur to show our support and we hope people like it.''
Although sources say the single is a one-off, it is likely to fuel hopes among the Britpop heroes' fans that further new material could be in the pipeline.
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Mates Of State Announce Covers Album Details
Mates of State have revealed a few details about their forthcoming covers album, ‘Crushes‘. The album, which will feature covers of 10 various artists, is set for release this summer. The album features covers from artists including The Mars Volta, Death Cab For Cutie, and Belle & Sebastian.
The forthcoming album is the duo’s first full length release and was recorded and produced by Mates Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner themselves.
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Beatles and Lily Allen go vinyl for Record Store Day
The Rolling Stones, The Flaming Lips and Bat For Lashes are some of the other big names participating in the festivities courtesy of the Parlophone label. Each release will be limited to 1,000 copies and come in a vintage-style paper Parlophone house bag, available exclusively from independent record stores taking part in the event.
"Parlophone and our artists recognise the importance of our indie stores and their contribution to not only our new and developing artists but to our catalogue as a whole," said Parlophone president Miles Leonard of the limited-edition releases. Being able to support this campaign with some great seven-inch releases from the Beatles to Bat for Lashes is our way of thanking them for their continued support."
The full list of Record Store Day releases:
The Beatles: Paperback Writer/Rain
Lily Allen: Back To The Start/Kabul Shit
Babyshambles: Side Of The Road/UnBiloTitled
Bat For Lashes: Howl! (live at De La Warr Pavillion)/Wild Is The Wind (live at Grove Music Studios)
Tinie Tempah: Pass Out/Pass Out (SBTRKT Remix)
Chiddy Bang: Opposite Of Adults/Sooner Or Later
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse: Just War (featuring Gruff Rhys)/Just War (instrumental)
Eliza Doolittle: Pack Up/Rollerblades
Hot Chip: I Feel Bonnie (featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billie)/Bear Witness
Jónsi: Do Do/Boy Lilikoi
Pet Shop Boys: Love Life/A Powerful Friend
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TWIN TIGERS ON TOUR--Select Dates with The Hold Steady*
April 17--Give It Up State! Festival--Clemson, SC
April 20--Tin Roof--Charleston, SC
April 29--Neighborhood Theatre--Charlotte, NC
April 30--Nightlight--Chapel Hill, NC
May 1--The Fire--Philadelphia, PA
May 3--Cameo Gallery--Brooklyn, NY
May 4--Pianos--New York, NY
May 6--Garfield Artworks--Pittsburg, PA
May 7--The Red and Black Room--Washington, DC
**May 22 & May 23--The Social--Orlando, FL**
**May 25--Live Wire Music Hall--Savannah, GA**
** May 26--40 Watt Club--Athens, GA**
**May 27--Variety Playhouse--Atlanta, GA**
::WATCH Twin Tigers Video - "Red Fox Run"::
~~Directed by Robert U. Thomason~~
Terry Knight- Terry Knight and the Pack , Grand Funk Railroad (1943)
Gene Parsons - Byrds (1944)
Les Gray - Mud (1946)
Phillip Wright - Paper Lace (1948)
Hal Ketchum (1953)
Mark Kelly - Marillion (1961)
Joe Peters - Grant Lee Buffalo (1965)
Kevin Martin - Candlebox (1969)
Gerard Way - My Chemical Romance (1977)
Rachel Stevens - S Club 7 (1978)
Albert Hammond Jr - Strokes (1980)
Jesse McCartney (1987)
They Are Missed:
In 1976, American folk singer songwriter Phil Ochs, hung himself at his sister's home in Queens, New York. Wrote "There But A Fortune," a hit for Joan Baez.
Dave Prater of soul duo Sam & Dave was killed in 1988 when his car left the road and hit a tree in Syracuse, Georgia, on his way to his mother's house in Ocilla. He was 50. Recorded for Stax Records from 1965 - 1968, hits included "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming."
Singer and songwriter Brook Benton died in 1988 (age 56). Scored over 20 US top 40 singles, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly" and made a comeback in 1974 when he had the #4 hit "Rainy Night In Georgia."
Songwriter Mae Boren Axton died in 1997 (age 82) after drowning in her bath at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee after an apparent heart attack. Known as the 'Queen Mother of Nashville' she wrote over 200 songs including a co-writing credit on the Elvis Presley hit "Heartbreak Hotel." Mother of country singer, songwriter Hoyt Axton.
Born on this day in 1932, Carl Perkins, American singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1956 US #2 & single "Blue Suede Shoes"). Perkins' songs were recorded by artists Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Johnny Cash. Perkins died on 19th Jan 1998 (age 65).
In 2009, Randy Cain, a founding member of US soul group The Delfonics died at his home in Maple Shade, New Jersey at the age of 63. The Philadelphia group, whose hits include "La-La (Means I Love You)," won an R&B Grammy in 1970 for their song "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time."
History:
Elvis Presley performed at the L.C. Humes High School talent contest in 1953, singing "Keep Them Cold, Icy Fingers Off Of Me" (he gets the most applause and is allowed to sing an encore of "Til I Waltz Again With You").
Gene Vincent recorded the classic rock 'n roll song "Be Bop-A-Lula" in 1956, which went on to be a US & UK Top 20 hit in this year.
In 1963, the Beatles appeared live on the ITV show Tuesday Rendezvous, miming "From Me to You" and "Please Please Me" (during the closing credits). In the evening The Beatles played live at the Gaumont State Cinema, Kilburn, London.
In 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys as the permanent replacement for Brian Wilson.
The Rolling Stones made their first live appearance on British TV's "Ready Steady Go!" in 1965.
Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" was released in 1966.
The Righteous Brothers started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "You're My Soul And Inspiration."
The Doors and The Jefferson Airplane appeared at Cheetah, Santa Monica Pier, Venice, California in 1967. This was the largest show The Doors had played to date with a crowd of over 3,000
Paul McCartney quits the Beatles in 1970 (the group's breakup is announced to the press the next day).
Paul McCartney released the song "My Love" in 1973.
The Jackson 5 played the first of 15 shows at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in 1974.
Abba went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with "Dancing Queen," the group's 7th US Top 40 hit and first #1.
Billy Ocean started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car."
In 1992, Fort Smith, AR resident Sean Pierce is walking home wearing a T-shirt he purchased the day before at a Van Halen concert when he’s arrested for “violating a statute against wearing a smutty shirt.” The shirt has the title of one of the group's albums printed on it: "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.” How could anyone have a problem with that? Van Halen offers to pay Pierce's fine.
Pantera entered the US album chart at #1 in 1994 with 'Far Beyond Driven.'
R. Kelly started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "Bump N' Grind," his first US #1 hit.
Soundgarden officially disbanded in 1997.
NSYNC started a seven week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with ‘No Strings Attached.’
In 2008, R.E.M.'s "Accelerate" sells 115,000 copies in its first week to land at #2 on the Billboard 200 (U.S.). The album makes its debut at #1 in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and the Czech Republic and #2 in Germany, Italy, Holland and Austria.
Also in 2008, Green Day admitted (in an email to MTV) that they are also the Garage Rock band Foxboro Hot Tubs. The group posted a downloadable EP titled "Stop Drop and Roll!!!" for free a couple months earlier.
When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors is released in select US theaters in 2010. The biographical film, charting the group’s rise and fall, is narrated by actor Johnny Depp.
WARNER BROS. RECORDS AND AFFILIATED LABELS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE VINYL RELEASES FOR NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY ON APRIL 17TH
Burbank, CA – Warner Bros. Records has announced that it will make a series of vinyl albums and singles available on April 17th exclusively in honor of Record Store Day — a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.
These very special exclusive releases are as follows:
The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches: Dark Side of the Moon (Warner Bros. Records)
The Flaming Lips, have teamed up with their Oklahoma City brethren, Stardeath And White Dwarfs to record their own unique take of Pink Floyd’s 1973 classic album The Dark Side Of The Moon, under the title of The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches. The collaborative project was recorded after several weeks of both bands touring the world together and mutually citing Pink Floyd as one of their favorite bands of all time and The Dark Side Of the Moon as one of their primary influences. Vinyl package marks the first physical exclusive release of this special collaboration.
Devo: Duty Now For The Future (Warner Bros. Records) Devo’s second album, captures the group in the midst of a significant stylistic shift, finding them bringing the keyboards that were used as punctuation on their earlier material into the forefront, adding a new level of irony to their “little minds through big technology” philosophy. Remastered and restored from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman Mastering on regular-weight, 140-gram color vinyl.
Mastodon: Blood Mountain (Reprise Records)
Mastodon’s third album and their first for Reprise Records, Blood Mountain isn’t just unconventional, it’s surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Instead of writing songs for rock radio, Mastodon drew inspiration from within, combining their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing. Released in two editions: one single regular-weight 140-gram colored vinyl disc in a mixed batch of three colors; deluxe edition features two heavyweight, 180-gram black vinyl 45 RPM discs.
Wilco: Kicking Television (Nonesuch Records)
Kicking Television–Live in Chicago, recorded over four nights in May 2005 at The Vic Theatre. “It’s really the best it’s ever felt,” Jeff Tweedy told the Detroit Free Press earlier this year. “I would say at this point, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a band that’s felt this connected and unified with this collective vision.” To document that collective vision that band called upon veteran mixing engineer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash) to capture the energy, excitement, clarity and musicality that has earned Wilco continued praise for their live shows around the world. This deluxe vinyl package features four heavyweight (180g) black vinyl discs in poly-lined sleeves, pressed at Pallas. Disc 4 features 8 previously unreleased tracks.
The Velvet Underground: Live 1969, Vol. 1 & 2 (Original Recordings Group)
In 1969, The Velvet Underground toured the United States and Canada, playing over 70 dates. While many of the shows were recorded in part or whole by their new and growing fan base with the handheld consumer equipment of the day, two of the shows were recorded in decent quality.
The first being a live performance, at the End of Cole Ave. Club in Dallas, Texas in October. This show was recorded on tape by a fan who that an engineer and brought his own equipment. The second show to be recorded happened the following month in November, at The Matrix in San Francisco. The first release of The Velvet Underground Live 1969, came out on Mercury Records in September, 1974. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in more than 20 years by Bernie Grundman Mastering on heavy-weight, 180-gram vinyl.
Sonic Youth: EVOL (Original Recordings Group)
EVOL is the third studio album from Sonic Youth, originally released in 1986
on SST Records. The album is notable for being the first with new drummer Steve Shelley, replacing Bob Bert, and for showing signs of the band transitioning away from their noise-rock past and toward a greater rock sensibility. The record marks the second album for the band in which it had worked with New York singer/performance artist Lydia Lunch. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in over 20 years by John Golden at Golden Mastering, pressed at RTI on heavyweight (180 gram) pink vinyl.
Sonic Youth: Confusion is Sex (Original Recordings Group)
Confusion Is Sex, the debut album from Sonic Youth, was originally released in 1983 on Glenn Branca’s label Neutral Records label. In 1995, it was reissued on CD from DGC Records, with the extra tracks from the Kill Your Idols EP. Confusion Is Sex remains one of the most important and influential records to emerge from the American No Wave, post-punk scene which thrived through the late 1970s and early 1980s in the lower east side of New York, with bands like The Contortions, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Mars, and DNA. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in over 20 years by John Golden at Golden
Mastering, pressed at RTI on heavyweight (180 gram) white vinyl.
Warner Bros. Records is proud to present our newest signing, EVEREST, just in time for Record Store Day. EVEREST formed in Los Angeles in 2007, and is comprised of Russell Pollard (vocals, guitar, drums, lyricist), Jason Soda (guitar, keys, vocals), Joel Graves (guitar, keys, vocals), Elijah Thomson (bass, vocals) and Davey Latter (drums, percussion). Their 2008 debut, Ghost Notes, drew strong critical marks and comparisons to primo Topanga Canyon, California country rock. However, none of this quite prepares one for their WB debut album, On Approach, available May 11, 2010, which finds the group in a full-tilt creative charge.
Warner Bros. Records will also release the following vinyl singles on April 17th exclusively for National Record Store Day:
Everest: Let Go (from the forthcoming LP) b/w By The Morning (previously unreleased) 7” Black Keys: “Tighten Up” b/w “Howlin’ For You” 12” Against Me!: “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” (Album version) b/w “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” (Acoustic Version) 7” Built To Spill: “Water Sleepers” b/w “Linus and Lucy Live” 7” Devo: “Fresh” b/w “What We Do” 12’ Tegan And Sara: “Alligator,” “Hell” b/w “The Cure,” “On Direction” (All AOL Sessions Versions) 7” Deftones: “Rocket Skates” (Album Version) b/w “Rocket Skates” (MB3 Remix) Muse: Exogenesis Symphony (Parts 1-3) 12”
Lastly, please come on out to say hello to your favorite Warner Bros. Records and related artists on Record Store Day at a record store near you!
American Band Grimey’s Nashville, TN Performance / Signing
Mastodon Schoolkids Raleigh, NC Signing
Against Me! Plan 9 Richmond, VA Performance / Signing
Carolina Chocolate Drops Criminal Atlanta, GA Performance
Jason Derulo J & R New York, NY Signing
New Boyz J & R New York, NY Signing
HIM Silver Platters Seattle, WA Signing
DEVO Zia Indio, CA Signing
MUTEMATH Zia Indio, CA Signing
The Cribs Zia Indio, CA Signing
About Record Store Day:
Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale on Saturday, April 17, 2010.
Record Store Day Contact: Perry Serpa at Good Cop Public Relations, Phone (718) 846-0518 or perry@goodcoppr.com or Cristina Parker at NoiseNY Public Relations. Phone (917) 684-0452 or email: cristina@noiseny.com
About Original Recordings Group:
ORG is an independent special projects label dedicated to the record collector experience. High quality and restored vinyl reissues from the best catalogs in the world. Focusing on classic alternative, rock, pop and jazz. Distributed by WBR available on Becausesoundmatters.com
DEAR JERRY:I just noticed something odd in the Captain & Tennille's “Love Will Keep Us Together” that I never noticed in over 30 years of hearing the song.
Near the end, as the music begins fading, Toni Tennille kind of half-sings and half-speaks something that sounds to me like “my daddy is bad,” or my daddy is back.”
She seems to be off-mike, which, coupled with the relative volume of the music, makes it difficult to decipher.
What is she saying? Could this just be an inside joke between Toni and the Captain? —Darcy Garza, Hampton Roads, Va.
DEAR DARCY: It could be, but it isn't.
Toni's mysterious line, in the coda about 15 seconds before the audio ends, is an acknowledgment to the writer of “Love Will Keep Us Together,” the legendary Neil Sedaka.
After 11 years without a Top 40 hit, Neil stormed back in late 1974 and '75 with the No. 1 hits, “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood,” along with writing “Love Will Keep Us Together,” also a No. 1.
That is why, near the end of the track, Toni proudly declares “Sedaka is back!”
Coincidentally, Neil is set to make yet another return. Read on:
DEAR JERRY:Years ago, you wrote about what a surprise it was that Neil Sedaka's “Same Old Fool,” a traditional country song, came out in 1960 right in the midst of all those huge teener hits: “Oh Carol”; “Calendar Girl”; “Little Devil”; “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen,” “Stairway to Heaven;” etc.
When I finally found this single, oddly enough on the flip side of “Calendar Girl,” I couldn't believe how very country it is, complete with Nashville twang and a steel guitar.
Is there another hit song that surprised you more, in terms of being something you would never imagine being recording by that particular artist? For me, “The Same Old Fool” is the biggest shocker? —Ronnie Whitcomb, Dallas, Texas
DEAR RONNIE: Only because I have yet to hear a Led Zeppelin remake of “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” my most memorable surprise in this category came when I first heard the Mills Brothers cover record of “Get a Job” (Dot 15695).
Issued in mid-January 1958, with the Silhouettes' waxing already in the Top 10 and headed for No. 1, the Mills Brothers stood no chance of overtaking the original.
This unanticipated song choice, their first release for Dot after 26 years with Brunswick and Decca, still managed to spend a couple of weeks in the Top 25 tunes, according to disc jockeys.
For those who haven't heard the short-lived doo-wop side of the Mills Brothers — likely about 99% of readers — their version is nearly identical to the Silhouettes, right down to all the yip-yip-yips and mum-mum-mums.
IZ ZAT SO? From “Tiger Rag” (1931) to “The Jimtown Road” (1969) the Mills Brothers chalked up over 70 hit records — an impressive output made even more so by the 38-year span covered, the most ever by any Pre-Rock Era vocal group. No other groups are even close.
One novelty part of their act was surprising listeners who thought the boys were accompanied by a guitar, trumpet, saxophone, and string bass. Those folks would later discover the only real instrument to be a single acoustic guitar, with all those other sounds convincingly produced vocally by the brothers.
Not many singers were so well-equipped to subsist during a musician's strike.
For the non believers, each of the Mills Brothers 78s on Brunswick prominently displayed this statement on the label: “No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.”
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.
Born on this day in 1915, Billie Holiday, (Elinore Harris), the greatest female jazz singer of all time. Made over 100 records, worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, numerous arrests for drugs possession. Died on 17th July 1959 from liver failure, aged 44.
The late Percy Faith ("Theme From A Summer Place") was born in 1908. He died on February 9, 1976
In 1981, producer and manager, Kit Lambert died of a cerebral hemorrhage after falling down a flight of stairs at his mother's home in London, England. Lambert managed The Who from 1964-1967 and produced the 'Tommy' album. Also produced Arthur Brown's 1968 hit 'Fire'.
Plasmatics’ lead singer and guiding force, Wendy O. Williams, commited suicide in 1998.
In 2000, Heinz, bass player and singer with The Tornadoes died (age 57). The group had the Joe Meek produced 1962 UK & US #1 single "Telstar," making them the first UK group to score a US #1 single. Heinz had the 1963 solo hit "Just Like Eddie," a tribute to Eddie Cochran, (which featured future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore).
Born today in 1938, Spencer Dryden, drums, Jefferson Airplane. Died of cancer on January 10, 2005.
Born today in 1952, Bruce Gary, The Knack. Was best known as the drummer for the music group The Knack. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards as a stage performer, producer, and recording artist. He died on August 22, 2006 at the age of 55 at the Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Tarzana, California of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.)
History:
The musical "South Pacific" by Rogers and Hammerstein debuted on Broadway in 1949.
In 1956, The CBS Radio Network premiered the first regularly scheduled national broadcast rock & roll show, Alan Freed's 'Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party.'
Little Richard’s classic “Long Tall Sally” was released in 1956.
In 1958, the Alan Freed’s Big Beat Show played two shows at the Memorial Hall in Canton, Ohio, featuring, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, The Diamonds, Billy Ford, Danny & The Juniors, The Chantels, Larry Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Pastels and Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
Marty Robbins recorded "El Paso" in 1959.
Shelley Fabares started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1962 with "Johnny Angel."
While at Ealing Jazz Club in 1962, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Brian Jones for the first time. Jones was calling himself Elmo Lewis and was playing guitar with Paul Jones.
The Beatles played at the Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool in 1962, without George Harrison who was ill. This was the group’s last performance before leaving for their third extended engagement in Hamburg, West Germany.
Working at Abbey Road studio’s in London in 1966, the Beatles recorded overdubs on the new John Lennon song "Tomorrow Never Knows" and the new Paul McCartney song "Got to Get You Into My Life" for the forthcoming 'Revolver' album.
This week's US Top 5 singles chart in 1970; #5, "Bridge Over Trouble Water" by Simon and Garfunkel, #4, "Spirit In The Sky," Norman Greenbaum, #3, "Instant Karma" by John Lennon, #2, "ABC" The Jackson Five and at #1, "Let It Be," The Beatles.
"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" from "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1970.
Vicki Lawrence started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia."
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form his own band Rainbow. Tommy Bolin replaced Blackmore.
Aerosmith, Van Halen, Cheap Trick, The Boomtown Rats and Ted Nugent all appeared at the California Music Festival in 1979.
The Doobie Brothers went to #1 on the US album chart in 1979 with 'Minute By Minute', the group's only US chart topper.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their first full-scale tour in Hamburg, Germany in 1981. This was Springsteen's first tour outside North America, which would take in 10 countries.
In 1984, a record 40 British acts appeared on the US top 100 singles chart.
In 1985, Wham! became the first western pop group to perform live in China, when they played at the workers gymnasium in Beijing.
During a European tour in 1988, Alice Cooper accidentally hung himself in a rehearsal when a safety rope snapped; he dangled for several seconds before a roadie saved him.
Farm Aid IV in Indianapolis in 1990 had Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Don Henley, Guns N’ Roses, John Mellencamp and the ever crusty Willie Nelson. There's even a surprise performance by Elton John.
Bonnie Raitt started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1990 with 'Nick Of Time.'
Taylor Dayne went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with the Diane Warren song "Love Will Lead You Back."
In 1994, Courtney Love was arrested on drugs and theft charges after a reported overdose. At this time, Love was unaware that her husband Kurt Cobain was dead at their home, (his body wasn’t discovered until April 8, by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system at their house).
In 1997, an Amsterdam university began offering a course entitled "Madonna 101."
Panic At The Disco were at #1 on the Australian album chartin 2008 with their second album ‘Pretty Odd.’
Neil Young's “Fork In The Road” was released in 2009.
Green Day perform their "21st Century Breakdown" album in its entirety at a 500-capacity club in San Francisco in 2009. The trio is augmented by two extra guitarists and a keyboardist at the surprise show.
