The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
“The group could be defined as electro-obscura-shoegazer-rock, while conjuring audio reminders of groups like Silversun Pickups and My Bloody Valentine.” – Antimusic.com
“The Standing Shadows’ genre-intertwining sound comes from using influences from practically all [of their favorite bands]. Rather than coming across as a discontinuous mash-up, the result is a smooth mix of Brit-pop and alternative rock.” – Katie Meschke, UCLA Daily Bruin
New York, NY – LA-based band Standing Shadows is set to host a 7” Vinyl Release Party at the renowned Origami Vinyl Record Shop in Echo Park, CA. The party will celebrate the release of a special edition 7” vinyl, which will feature tracks from the band’s debut full-length album ‘FIVE YEARS OF DARKNESS’. The event will take place on July 23rd, amidst of a series of tour dates that the band will be playing this July and August throughout California. Most recently, Standing Shadows performed for packed audience at one of San Francisco’s premiere music venues, Rockit Room.
Standing Shadows first introduced music listeners to their signature “electro-obscura-shoegazer-rock” sound with the January release of their ‘High Rise’ EP as well the March unveiling of ‘FIVE YEARS OF DARKNESS’. Since then, the band gained further exposure through touring the Southwest region of the US, and having their songs featured on hit television shows such as ‘90210’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Harper’s Island’, and ‘The Cleaner’, and on the popular video game ‘Guitar Hero 5.’ Standing Shadows is definitely a band to keep on your radar this summer as they continue to rise to the top.
STANDING SHADOWS Tour Dates:
July 3 – San Francisco, CA @ Mevio Music
July 3 – San Francisco, CA @ Rockit Room
July 13 – Fullerton, CA @ Continental Room
July 23 – Echo Park, CA @ Origami Vinyl Record Shop (7’’ Vinyl Release Party)
August 17 – Costa Mesa, CA @ La Cave
August 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Molly Malone’s
Standing Shadows
‘FIVE YEARS OF DARKNESS’
Release Date: March 9th
Full Tracklisting
1. High Rise
2. Circus Freak
3. Get Together
4. One Way Ride
5. Human Race
6. If I Could Change The World
7. Be Free
8. I Will Find You
9. Coming Home
10. Desert Rain
11. Nightmares
12. Existence
13. Fade Away
Stone Gossard - Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog (1966)
They Are Missed:
Singer Roy Hamilton died of a stroke in 1969 (age 40).
Gary Kellgren, studio engineer at the Los Angeles Record Plant studio, drowned in a Hollywood Swimming pool in 1977. Worked with Lennon, Harrison, Hendrix, Barbara Streisand and Rod Stewart.
The late Buddy Knox ("Party Doll") is born in 1933. Died February 14, 1999.
The late Dennis Yost ("Traces") was born in 1943. Yost died of respiratory failure, on December 7, 2008, at the age of 65
History:
Billboard's first comprehensive record chart was published in 1940. The magazine had previously published best-seller lists submitted by the individual record companies, but the new chart combined the top sellers from all major labels. Their first number one song was "I'll Never Smile Again" by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
In 1954, The Blue Moon Boys made their live debut appearing on the back of a flatbed truck outside a new drug store in Memphis. The band line up was Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. The name was taken from a song they had recorded just two weeks previously, "Blue Moon of Kentucky."
John Lennon invited Paul McCartney to join the Quarrymen in 1957.
Roy Orbison’s "Only The Lonely" peaked at #2 on the US pop chart in 1960. The song was originally offered to both Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers who passed.
The Beatles signed a German recording contract with producer Bert Kaempfert, as the Beat Brothers, in 1961.
Jan and Dean started a two week run at #1 (two weeks after its release) on the US singles chart in 1963 with "Surf City," written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson, with the Beach Boys on backing vocals.
Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" was released in 1965.
Lovin' Spoonful's first record, "Do You Believe in Magic," was released in 1965.
Cream started a four-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1968 with 'Wheels On Fire.'
Hugh Masekela started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1968 with "Grazing In The Grass."
In 1968, Iron Butterfly’s second album, 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,' entered the US album chart for the first time. The album contained the 17-minute title track that filled the second side of the LP which went on sell over four million copies in the US alone.
Jane Asher called off her engagement to Paul McCartney live on BBC television in 1968.
The Carpenters show 'Make Your Own Kind Of Music', started a six week run on NBC-TV in 1971.
Joey Ramone became the lead vocalist for the Ramones in 1974.
In 1975, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played the opening night on their Born To Run Tour at The Palace Theatre, Providence, Rhode Island. This also saw the live debut of Steven Van Zandt, (Miami Steve) as a member of The E Street Band.
The Buzzcocks made their live debut supporting The Sex Pistols and Slaughter & The Dogs at The Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester in 1976. In the audience (of around 40 people), was, Morrissey, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook (soon to form Joy Division) and Mark E Smith, (The Fall).
The film based on the life of Sex Pistol Sid Vicious, 'Sid And Nancy' premiered in London, England in 1986.
Also in 1986, Carlos Santana celebrated his 39th birthday, and 20th anniversary in the music business, with a concert in San Francisco. Previous group members were assembled for the event, as 17 of them performed together on stage.
In 1990, Madonna played the first of three sold out nights at Wembley Stadium, London, England, on her 57-date Blond Ambition World Tour.
EMF went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Unbelievable." It spent 14 weeks on the chart before reaching the top.
Candlebox released their self-titled debut in 1993. With the singles "Change," "You" and "Far Behind," the set sells more than three million copies.
In 1999, church group's in middle America claimed that pictures of Britney Spears printed in Rolling Stone magazine encouraged child pornography. The shots showed Britney with not many clothes on in her bedroom.
The Rolling Stones reported a gross income of $337 million in 1999, from almost two years of touring from their Bridges to Babylon and No Security tours. The Stones had played to over 5.6 million people, selling out all but 20 shows.
Also in 1999, Paul McCartney had an upcoming single bootlegged when "I Got Stung" was taken from a BBC broadcast and distributed over the Internet. The track was from his forthcoming release ‘Run Devil Run’ album.’
The Evergreen Ballroom in Lacey, Washington was destroyed by a fire in 2000. During the ballroom's heyday in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, many of music's greats played there: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Duke Ellington, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner and Fats Domino. Glen Campbell had lived in the kitchen at the venue for a while before he became famous.
In 2003, a tooth said to have been pulled out of Elvis's mouth after an injury failed to sell on the auction site eBay. The tooth had been put on a 10-day sale with a reserve price of $100,000. Bids had pushed the price up to $2 million but they were later found out to be fraudulent.
Eric Clapton teamed with the Fender Guitar Company in 2007 to design a limited-edition line of guitars and amplifiers to raise money for the Crossroads Centre, the rehab facility he founded in Antigua. An Eric Clapton Crossroads Stratocaster with '57 Twin-Amps sells for $30,000. Without the amp it's 10-grand less.
Paul McCartney performed a free concert in Quebec in 2008 as part of the Canadian city's 400th anniversary celebrations.
A digital EP featuring four versions of David Bowie's seminal ‘69 hit "Space Oddity" was issued through the U.K. iTunes store in 2009. The collection is released in honor of the 40th anniversary of both man's first walk on the moon and the song's original drop date.
“Sweet Home Alabama -- The Country Music Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd” is available exclusively through Wal-Mart in 2010. "It's all these young Country bucks doing Skynyrd songs, which is pretty cool to us," Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant tells Billboard.com. "It gives me great pleasure, because they're doing older stuff."
Today, Sheryl Crow issues her seventh album “100 Miles From Memphis.” She gets help from a diverse collection of performers ranging from the Stones’ Keith Richards to pop singer/actor Justin Timberlake. “Summer Day” is the lead single.
Acacia Strain - Wormwood
Aretha Franklin - 100 Hits Legends (5 CDs)
Art of Noise - Influence: Hits, Singles, Moments, Treasures
Asleep At The Wheel - It's a Good Day [mp3]
Asleep at the Wheel & Leon Rausch - It's a Good Day
Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty [vinyl]
Big Head Todd And The Monsters - Rocksteady
Billie Holiday - 100 Hits Legends (5 CDs)
Bing Crosby - 100 Hits Legends (5 CDs)
Black Veil Brides - We Stitch These Wounds
Blue Things - Let The Blue Things Blow Your Mind (2 CDs)
Books - The Way Out [mp3] [vinyl]
Brian Culbertson - XII
Brian Setzer - Don't Mess With a Big Band
Bruce Springsteen - Live on Air
Burning The Masses - Offspring Of Time
Chimaira - Coming Alive DVD/CD Ferret Music
Coathangers - 143 (Dan Deacon Remix) b/w Arthritis Sux [mp3]
On 140 gram transparent blue colored vinyl, and comes with a CD of the album! More than three decades after the release of its visionary debut, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo, and a full twenty years since its last studio album, Devo is back with the aptly titled Something for Everybody. The long rumored, wildly anticipated album features the band's classic line-up: Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casale - joined by drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns n' Roses). The album also includes contributions from John Hill and Santi White (better known as rising hip-hop star Santigold), John King of the Dust Brothers, and the Teddybears. Though the songs recorded for Something for Everybody are built on Devo's signature mechanized swing, the recording and presentation of the album saw the band experimenting with an entirely new approach. A series of studies were conducted through the www.clubdevo.com site to help the band with its creative decisions, from color selection to song mixes.
Dan Sartain - Doin' Anything I Say [vinyl]
Dan Sartain - Lives
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul (2-CD, 2-LP deluxe edition)
Daniel Johnston - Story of An Artist (6-CD box set) [vinyl]
Darker My Love & Moccasin - Split 12" [vinyl]
Daughters - Hell Songs [vinyl]
David Cassidy - Live In Concert
David Garrett - Rock Symphonies
Delorean - Ayrton Senna EP
Department of Eagles - Archive 2003-2006 [mp3] [vinyl]
Devo - Something for Everybody (2 LPs - Blue Vinyl)
Dirty Three - She Has No Strings Apollo (reissue) [vinyl]
Eliza Doolittle - Eliza Doolittle
Emerson Lake & Palmer - A Time and A Place (4-CD box set)
Ender - This Is Revenge
Endless Boogie - Full House Head [mp3] [vinyl]
Eric Clapton - Journeyman (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Everly Brothers - 100 Hits Legends (5 CDs)
Fabulous Diamonds - Fabulous Diamonds II [mp3]
Flore - Raw
Francis & the Lights - It'll Be Better [mp3]
Frazey Ford - Obadiah
Frontier Ruckus - Deadmalls & Nightfalls [mp3]
Gentle Guest - Cast Off Your Human Form [mp3]
Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle [vinyl]
Goodnight Loving - The Goodnight Loving Supper Club [mp3] [vinyl]
Hate Your Guts - Bastard's Disease
Hawkwind - Hawkwind (Vinyl)
Herbie Hancock - Imagine Project [vinyl]
High Confessions - Turning Lead Into Gold
Honor Bright - Action! Drama! Suspense!
Ian Gillan Band - Scarabus / Clear Air Turbulence
Impending Doom - There Will Be Violence
Instruments of Science & Technology - Music for Paradise Armor [mp3]
Irish Rovers - Still Rovin' After All These Years
JEFF The Brotherhood - Mellow Out b/w Heavy Days [mp3]
Jaga Jazzist - Bananfluer Overalt EP [vinyl]
Jamie Lidell - Wanna Be Your Telephone [vinyl]
Japandroids - Younger Us [mp3 & vinyl] [mp3]
Jimmy Gnecco [OURS] - The Heart
Jimmy Lafave - Favorites 1992-2001 [mp3]
Jo Stafford - Best of
Johnny & Edgar Winter - The Winter Brothers (2 CDs)
Johnny Cash - Rock N Roll (2 CDs)
Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Judas Priest - Painkiller (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Julian Cope - Floored Genius Vol. 2
Kenseth Thibideau - Repetition [mp3]
Kristin Miltner - Music for Dreaming and Playing [vinyl] [mp3]
Lil Joe - Lil Joe High School Dropout
Lillian Axe - Deep Red Shadows
Liverbirds - From Merseyside To Hamburg - The Complete Star-Club Recordings
Louis Armstrong - Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection
Lower Dens Twin-Hand Movement [mp3] [vinyl]
M.I.A. - XXXO: The Remixes EP [mp3]
MFSB - Philadelphia Freedom / Summertime
Mahjongg - The Long Shadow of the Paper Tiger [mp3] [vinyl]
Majeure - Timespan Remixes [vinyl]
Manowar & Friends - MAGIC - A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio
Marc Cohn - Listening Booth: 1970
Matthew Young - Traveler's Advisory (remastered) [vinyl]
Max Richter - Infra [mp3]
Mickey - 12"EP (First pressing limited to 500 copies)
Mirah - Don't/The Tears That Fall [vinyl]
Mose Giganticus - Gift Horse
Mountain Man - Made the Harbor [mp3] [vinyl]
Mozart Season - Nightmares
Nero Order - The Tower
Nirvana - Live on Air
Norfolk & Western - Dinero Severo [mp3] [vinyl]
Nouvelle Vague - Best of: Limited Edition
Otis Redding - 100 Hits Legends (5 CDs)
Pelican & These Arms Are Snakes - Split [vinyl]
Philip Glass - Glass: Orphee (Complete Opera Recording)
Piebald - Volume III
Portland Cello Project - Thousand Words [mp3]
Professor Green - Just Be Good to Green (Feat. Lily Allen)
Propaganda - A Secret Wish
Rachel's Selenography (reissue) [vinyl & mp3]
Rainbow - Difficult to Cure (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Down to Earth (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Final Vinyl (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Long Live Rock N Roll (Vinyl)
Rainbow - On Stage (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Rising (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow (Vinyl)
Rainbow - Straight Between the Eyes (Vinyl)
Rakaa - Crown of Thorns [mp3]
Randy Travis - Top 10
Richard Youngs - 20 Years (remastered) [vinyl]
Richard Youngs - Beyond the Valley of Ultrahits (remastered) [vinyl] [mp3]
Rick Ross - Teflon Don
Rick Wakeman - Cirque Surreal
Sally Shapiro - Jackie Jackie [vinyl]
Secret Cities - Pink Graffiti [mp3] [vinyl]
Shannon Stephens - Shannon Stephens [mp3]
Shawn Colvin - Wichita Skyline
Shellac - Terraform (reissue) [vinyl]
'This Brooklyn act is another male-female duo receiving a lot of buzz, but don't expect the dream-pop vibe of Beach House or the folk-tinged sound of She & Him. Rather, Sleigh Bells make grungy dance pop . . . The group is comprised of guitarist Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss, who ended up working as a duo when former members of the band went on to form another buzz-band, Surfer Blood. This debut was produced by Derek Miller. Stereogum has named them a "Band to Watch" and the New Yorker has given them attention. This release comes out on Mom + Pop Music in special partnership with NEET Recordings, a label run by M.I.A., with whom Krauss has been compared.' - Tony Sclafani / Prefixmag.com
Spur - Of The Moments [vinyl] [mp3]
Steve Poltz - Dreamhouse [mp3]
Strange Attractor - Just looking 7" single
Strawbs - Live At the BBC, Vol. 1
Strawbs - Live At the BBC, Vol. 2
That Petrol Emotion - Babble (remastered with bonus tracks) [mp3]
The High Confessions [Steve Shelley, Chris Connelly] - Turn Lead Into Gold With High Confessions
The National - Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (reissue) [vinyl]
These United States - What Lasts
Toro Y Moi - Leave Everywhere [vinyl] [mp3]
Triffids - Wide Open Road (The Best of the Triffids) [mp3]
Various Artists - Anthology of Noise & Electronic Music 6 [mp3]
Various Artists - Jersey Shore Soundtrack [mp3]
Various Artists - Jonas L.A.
Various Artists - Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities Volume 4
Various Artists - The Ikon Records Story - America's #1 Unsung Garage Label 1964-1966
Various Artists - This Is the Blues, Volume 3
Various Artists - This Is the Blues, Volume 4
Various Artists - Up From The Grave
Various Artists - Where You Gonna Go? Motor City Garage Bands 1965-1969
Various Artists - World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria Part 2 [vinyl]
Various Artists - World Ends: Afro Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria [vinyl] [mp3]
Walter Gibbons Jungle Music - Essential & Unreleased Remixes 1976-1986 [mp3]
War From A Harlots Mouth / Burning Skies - split
Wax - Do You Believe in Magic
Wire - Send Ultimate (remastered with bonus CD)
Women - No Reasons LP
Woom - Muu's Way [vinyl]
Yo-Yo Ma - Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone (remastered) [mp3]
Young Sinclairs - We Spoke Our Minds EP [vinyl]
Zero 7 - Record
Buy All Your New Vinyl Here:
New Jazz Releases - July 20, 2010
Aaltonen / Bjorkenheim / Haarla / Umo - Sky Is Ruby
Adam Schroeder - Handful Of Stars
Ahmed Abdullah - Tara's Song
Andrew Cyrille / Greg Osby - Low Blue Flame
Andrew Cyrille / John Tchicai / Reggie Workman - Witch's Scream
Andrew With Greg Osby Cyrille - Low Blue Flame
Art Tatum Trio - Art Tatum Trio
Artistic Heritage Ensemble / Philip Cohran - Armageddon
Ben Webster - At The Renaissance
Benny Goodman - Afrs Benny Goodman Show, Vol. 1
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra - Goodman,Benny & His Orchestra Vol. 1-Afrs Benny Goodman Show
Bernie Young - Every Saturday Night
Billie Holiday - Lady Day
Billy Bang - Prayer For Peace
Bobby Jackson - Cafe Extra-Ordinaire Story
Brian Culbertson - XII
Brooks / PRASANNA / Smith - Raga Bop Trio
Cecil Taylor - Three Classic Albums
Chet Baker - Heartbreak With Strings
Chloe Feoranzo - Poor Richard's All:Man Act Plus One
Cochemea Gastelum - Electric Sound Of Johnny Arrow
Coleman Hawkins - Sonny Meets Hawk
Count Basie - Count Basie And The Kansas City 7
Creme Anglaise - Creme Anglaise
Dan Gailey - What Did You Dream
Dan Jazz Orc Gailey - What Did You Dream
Dan Jazz Orchestra Gailey - What Did You Dream?
Dave Brubeck - Three Classic Albums
Dave Burrell / Leena Conquest - Plays His Songs
Dave Mihaly - Eastern Accents In The Far East
Dave Mihaly & Shimmering Leaves Ensemble - Eastern Accents In The Far East
Decoy - Oto
Dexter Gordon - Doing Allright
Donald Byrd - Three Classic Albums
Duke Ellington - Duke Ellington And John Coltrane
Eero Ojanen - Short Stories
Eric Dolphy - Unissued German Concerts
Fred Hersch - Whirl
Freddie Hubbard - Body And The Soul
George Brooks / PRASANNA / Steve Smith - Raga Bop Trio
Getz & Gilberto - Stan Getz + Joao Gilberto
Gipsy Kings - Gipsy Kings
Glenn Miller - Garry Stevens Sings Again: 1946-1948
Han Bennink / Mikko Innanen / Jaak Sooaar - Spring Odyssey
Herbie Hancock - Imagine Project
Herbie Mann - Four Classic Albums
Ilmiliekki Quartet - Take It With Me
Iro Haarla - Heart Of A Bird
Iro Haarla - Penguin Beguine
Jay Clayton - In And Out Of Love
Jessica Williams - Touch
Jimmy Heath - Endless Search
Jimmy Heath / Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - Endless Search
Joe Barbieri - Maison Maravilha
John Coltrane / Eric Dolphy - Unissued German Concerts
John Tchicai - Sudden Happiness
John Tchicai & Reggie Workman & Andrew Cyrille - Witch's Scream
Johnny Griffin - Introducing Johnny Griffin
Jon Hammond - Live At Bernies
Juhani Aaltonen - Mother Tongue
Juhani Aaltonen - Strings Revisited
Juhani Aaltonen - Reflections
Juhani Aaltonen - Illusion Of A Ballad
Juhani Aaltonen / Raoul Bjorkenheim / Haarla / Umo - Sky Is Ruby
Juhani Aaltonen Quartet - Conclusions
Kalle Kalima - Some Kubricks Of Blood
Karin Melchert - Jazz Classics N More
Ken Nordine - Nordine,Ken Vol. 2-Three Classic Albums
Lee Morgan - Tomcat
Les Baxter - Four Classic Albums
Lou Donaldson - LD Plus 3
Lou Donaldson / Three Sounds - LD+3
Lou With The 3 Sounds Donaldson - LD+3
Martin Denny - Three Classic Albums
Mike Mainieri - Crescent
Mike Westbrook - Fine N Yellow
Mikko Innanen - Eclexistence
Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio - Paa-Da-Pap
Mikko Innanen & Jaak Sooaar & Han Bennink - Spring Odyssey
Mikko Innanen / Innkvisitio - Paa-Da-Pap
Miles Davis - Live At The Hollywood Bowl 1981
Miles Davis Sextet - Live At The Hollywood Bowl 1981
Moodswing 3 - Wegen Meines Beines
Nadav Snir-Zelniker - Thinking Out Loud
Nick Rosen - Into The Sky
Paul Hardcastle - Jazzmasters, Vol. 6
Philip Cohran & The - Armageddon
Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble - Armageddon
Phillip Cohran - Armageddon
PRASANNA - Raga Bop Trio
Rad - Higher Plane
Raoul Bjorkenheim - Shadowglow
Ray Charles - Four Classic Albums
Salif Keita - Moffou + M'Bemba
Seattle Repertory Ja - Jimmy Heath:Endless Search
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - Jimmy Heath: The Endless Search
Shehasish Mozunder - Shehasish Mozunder And Som
Snehasish Mozunder & Som - Free Jazz & North Indian Fusion
Sonny Clark - Sonny's Crib
Sonny Clark - Three Classic Albums
Sonny Rollins - Three Classic Albums
Sun Ra - Nubians Of Plutonia
Sun Ra & Arkestra - Egypt Strut
Tammy Mccann - Never Let Me Go
Tex Beneke & The Glenn Miller Orchestra - Garry Stevens Sings Again 1946-48
Three Sounds - LD + 3: Lou Donaldson With The Three Sounds
Verneri Pohjola - March Of Alphamales
Wally Schnalle - Out Of The Pan
Will Bradley & His Jazz Octect - Ridin' A Riff
Willie Jones III - Next Phase
Reissues
Dexter gordon - Doin' allright (blue note)
Johnny Coles - Little Johnny C (Blue Note)
Lee Morgan - Tom Cat (Blue Note)
Miles Davis - Seven Steps to Heaven
Special thanks to http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ for New Release information. The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet. The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman
Mightier Than Sword Records Announces In The Hollows/Pala Split 10"/Digital EP
Mightier Than Sword Records has announced the upcoming split 10"/digital EP release from In The Hollows and PALA. The split vinyl is now available in the MTS Webstore and ships immediately. The limited edition vinyl 10" EP is available in three colors: solid black (ltd. 104), maroon with yellow haze (ltd. 199) and brown with black splatter (ltd. 199).
In The Hollows released their debut 7" on Mightier Than Sword in May. PALA's most recent 7" was praised for "[hitting] more styles than your 13-year-old cousin's wardrobe in a year, but rather than sounding forced, it combines into a working amalgamation of heavy and punk-styled music of the last 20 years."
Arcade Fire have revealed their eight different album covers. Featuring the same car, band logo, and slightly different suburban scenes, the covers of The Suburbs have different color schemes, but seem to be saying that everything is pretty much the same in every suburb. Arcade Fire release their album on August 2 (UK) and August 3 (US).
Stockholm death metal act CRUCIFYRE, who recently joined the Pulverised Records roster, are pleased to unveil the cover art of their upcoming debut full-length entitled Infernal Earthly Divine. Conceptualized by the band and brought to life by graphic artist Stefan Hansson, the dramatic illustration compliments what the band describes as, “nine tracks of pure oldschool hell!”
Formed in 2006, CRUCIFYRE features the crushing lineup of vocalist Erik Tormentor Sahlström (General Surgery, Maze Of Torment, Serpent Obscene et al), guitarists TG (The Sun, Morbid) and Urban Skytt (Crematory, Regurgitate, Nasum), bassist Henrik Doltz Nilsson (Dobermann Cult) and drummer Yasin Hillborg (Afflicted).
Here is the cover artwork for "Under A New Sun," the forthcoming fourth full-length album from Melbourne, Australia's dark rockers THE ETERNAL. The band states, "The cover and several images in the booklet are based on photography by fantastic Romanian photographer Felicia Simion. Her photography really touched us and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do."
"Under A New Sun" was recorded at 301 Studios in Byron Bay with acclaimed producer and multi-platinum recording artist Jeff Martin (THE ARMADA, THE TEA PARTY).
According to Forbes, Australian hard rock legends AC/DC made an estimated $114 million between June 2009 and June 2010, landing at position No. 2 on the magazine's list of Top-Earning Musicians of 2010.
Says the magazine: "This Australian heavy metal group has been shaking audiences all night long since 1973 and shows few signs of stopping. Second only to U2 in band tour earnings, AC/DC grossed a staggering $226 million on a worldwide tour that included 99 dates and brought in more than $2 million a night."
Forbes magazine's list of Top-Earning Musicians of 2010:
1. U2 ($130 million)
2. AC/DC ($114 million)
3. BEYONCE ($87 million)
4. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ($70 million)
5. BRITNEY SPEARS ($64 million)
6. JAY-Z ($63 million)
7. LADY GAGA ($62 million)
8. MADONNA ($58 million)
9. KENNY CHESNEY ($50 million)
10. BLACK EYED PEAS, TOBY KEITH and COLDPLAY (tied at $48 million)
Vampire Weekend Sued for Over $2 Million For 'Contra' Cover Art
Aceshowbiz : A cover girl appearing on the front page of Vampire Weekend's latest album "Contra" files lawsuit against the band, alleging them using her image without her consent.
The woman named Ann Kirsten Kennis filed the legal paper at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, July 14. In addition to naming Vampire Weekend, Kennis also mentions photographer Tod Brody on the document.
She believes the band obtained a "photographic release" from Brody and claims it contains her forged signature. She blames the band for not bothering to verify the legitimacy of the release. Kennis had the vintage photo, featuring her wearing a yellow Polo shirt, taken back in 1983 when she worked as "a high-fashion model under contract with prestigious agencies in New York City."
She had no idea it was featured on the cover of "Contra" until the band came out promoting it in November 2009. Now, she is seeking more than $2 million in damages for this alleged misappropriation of identity. She argues that "the album design, in which the Photograph is featured prominently, was a substantial factor in generating recognition and buzz for the Contra album, thus increasing sales and profits."
Back in October last year, bassist Chris Baio admitted they haven't met the cover girl and didn't know who she is when asked by MTV. Frontman Ezra Koenig additionally explained what makes the picture of the girl interesting to them, "We just found it very striking.
And part of it is the look on her face. It's not about the color of her hair, or the fact that she's wearing a Polo shirt. What makes it interesting is her face." As of press time, spokesperson for the band hasn't commented on the issue.
Deerhunter Release Halcyon Digest Track List, Album Cover
Deerhunter is set to release a new album 'Halcyon Digest' on September 28th, via 4AD. The new Deerhunter album is being supported by a grassroots xerox poster effort by the band, in which they'd like people to download the flyer and post copies around their town on kiosks and light poles.
Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox came up with the idea, based on the effect that these posters had on him when he was younger.
He said he was "...always being fascinated with the ephemera of 70's – 80's artrock in record stores like Wuxtry in Athens where I hung out as a kid or Wax 'N Facts in Atlanta. You'd see a photocopied faded B-52's flyer next to a poster for Lou Reed or XTC. It was like an artpunk scrapbook on those walls. It made my head spin. Who are these people? Who are the fucking Residents with these weird-ass eyeball faces?"
The band would very much like it if people would email them with pictures and news of where the posters have been hung. In return, the band will share the album's first single with the poster people before anyone else, giving them the first opportunity to hear the music. They'll also give them an exclusive non-album track.
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest Track List:
01 Earthquake
02 Don't Cry
03 Revival
04 Sailing
05 Memory Boy
06 Desire Lines
07 Basement Scene
08 Helicopter
09 Fountain Stairs
10 Coronado
11 He Would Have Laughed
An artwork to be featured on the front page of Mark Ronson's new studio project "Record Collection" has been revealed. It features several pictures overlapping each other in such a way that they display a close-up shot of the disc jokey wearing thick-framed sunglasses.
Led by Q-Tip and MNDR-featuring single "Bang Bang Bang" which charted well in U.K., the album is expected to make its way out in United States in October this year. He is going to release it under the moniker Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. Other artists making contribution to this fall release include Ghostface Killah and Boy George.
"When Pigs Fly" Album Released Online At Pigsflycd.com
WHEN PIGS FLY: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear, a unique collection of newly recorded covers that mixes both legendary and contemporary artists doing versions of classic hit songs far out of their usual musical genre, will be available online at http://www.pigsflycd.com/ on July 1, 2010 on Xemu Records.
The brainchild of record producer Cevin Soling, WHEN PIGS FLY: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear, was brought to reality to create an "unforgettable" album. The recordings include Ani DiFranco and film star Jackie Chan doing a re-make of the Natalie Cole classic, Unforgettable; new wave icons Devo performing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Ohio; 80's pop stars, The Fixx, creating their own take on the Nancy Sinatra hit, These Boots Are Made For Walkin'; Lesley Gore singing the AC/DC tune, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap; and country music legends, TheOak Ridge Boys, recording the Kansas megahit, Carry On My Wayward Son.
The album also features original 60's pop stars The Box Tops (with Alex Chilton) performing their version of Blondie's Call Me; and Herman's Hermits (with Peter Noone) doing their rendition of Billy Idol's White Wedding. Billy Preston covers Duran Duran's Girls On Film; and, the only track previously released, Roy Clark performs Louis Armstrong's classic What A Wonderful World. The CD also includes recordings by The Connells and The Neanderthal Spongecake; and a unique version of Peter Gabriel's Shock The Monkey by Hawaiian legend, Don Ho. The record has already received tremendous attention appearing in Entertainment Weekly, hundreds of major radio stations, The AP Newswire, CNN, Billboard, and many other media outlets.
THE TRACK LISTING:
1- ANI DI FRANCO & JACKIE CHAN: Nat King Cole's UNFORGETTABLE
2- DEVO: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's OHIO
3- THE BOX TOPS: Blondie's CALL ME
4- THE CONNELLS: Cypress Hill's INSANE IN THE BRAIN
5- DON HO: Peter Gabriel's SHOCK THE MONKEY
6- ROY CLARK: Louis Armstrong's WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
7- BILLY PRESTON: Duran Duran's GIRLS ON FILM
8- THE FIXX: Nancy Sinatra's THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN'
9- THE OAK RIDGE BOYS: Kansas' CARRY ON WAYWARD SON
10- THE NEANDERTHAL SPONGECAKE: T Rex's GET IT ON (BANG A GONG)
11- HERMAN'S HERMITS: Billy Idol's WHITE WEDDING
12- LESLEY GORE: AC/DC's DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP
Renaming Chicago Post Office For Steve Goodman Approved By Congress
The Lakeshore Post Office near Wrigley Field in Chicago will soon be known as the Steve Goodman Post Office after the Senate unanimously approved the resolution. The House had previously voted 371-0 in favor. The bill now goes to President Obama for approval.
Goodman, also known as Chicago Shorty, was a singer/songwriter probably best known for writing The City of New Orleans but endeared himself to his hometown fans with the songs Go Cubs Go and A Dying Cub Fans Last Request. In reality, Goodman was one of the most talented performers and songwriters on the folk scene of the 70's and early-80's, filling his concerts with his own songs and amazing covers of music from the 20's forward. Steve battled leukemia for many years and passed away in 1984.
New Interview, Hiatus Hijinks, Shipping Wisdom & Crabby Customers - New Vinyl Record Talk Next Week July, 20th.
Airs Next Week. Tune in Tuesday July 20, 5pm PDT/ 8pm EDT.
Greg Pennell, Discographer for Vanguard Records will be our guest. Norm & I will share a few hiatus hijinks & play some killer records. There's a lot of Music, Record Collecting News & Top 5 reports to catch up on so the show will packed full o' the good stuff. Don't miss it!
Northern Soul makes its return to the Top of the list, though at $2k less than the last sale of this Walter Wilson record in December of '09. Still, it shows that a nation can't live on Beans On Toast alone (ok, I have no clue if this record sold to a buyer in the UK, but that's the case 90% of the time a Northern Soul record gets big buck). A genuine copy of the most bootlegged record of all time, The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" on VeeJay made the list. This one was the "blank back" version.
1. 45 - Walter Wilson "Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later" Wand - $4,155.00
2. 45 - Elvis Presley / Jaye P Morgan EPA-992 EPA-993 EP - $3,500.00
3. LP - Michele Auclair "JS Bach Sonates pour clavier et violon" Les Discophiles Francais - $3,205.00
4. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay Blank Back - $3,000.00
5. LP - Arthur Grumiaux "Bach 6 Sonaten Un Parttien Fur Violini Alllein" Philips Hi Fi Stereo - $2,856.00
Nine-Time Grammy Award-Winning Artist to Debut Her Much-Anticipated New Album 100 MILES FROM MEMPHIS with Special QVC Performance
WEST CHESTER, Pa., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Who says you can never go home? After conquering the rock and pop worlds with six Top 10 albums, iconic singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow is headed back to her Southern roots with her new album 100 Miles from Memphis. To celebrate the release of what many critics are hailing as "her best album to date," the Missouri native is scheduled to appear on QVC Monday, July 19 at 10 PM (ET) for a special live performance.
During the QVC Presents QSessions Live Featuring Sheryl Crow broadcast, Crow will not only give fans a sneak peek of her highly anticipated new album but also take them behind-the-scenes of the journey that led her back "home." She will offer viewers the opportunity to order the CD, which comes with an additional bonus CD created especially for QVC customers containing 6 previously released hits, before street date.
"100 Miles from Memphis is one of the most exciting releases of the year and marks a pivotal moment in Sheryl's career," said John Kelly, vice president of merchandising for QVC. "We are thrilled that she is debuting this much-talked-about new CD on QVC and that she is bringing our viewers inside her world with a special performance."
100 Miles from Memphis is Crow's seventh album and its title reflects a statement of purpose, both musical and emotional, that marks her long-awaited return to the sounds that first drew her to making music. With the help of critically acclaimed producers Doyle Bramhall II and Justin Stanley, the album features an eclectic mix of songs. Standout tracks include the CD's first single "Summer Day," which is already topping the charts, as well as innovative renditions of classic top hits, including Terence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name" and a special tribute to Michael Jackson with The Jackson Five's "I Want You Back."
"This album was an important project for me because it allowed me to delve back into the music and sounds that I grew up with," said Crow. "I am excited to have the opportunity to share my music, and the story behind this special record, with QVC's viewers. It's going to be an amazing show."
100 Miles from Memphis, with the special bonus CD containing previously released hits (QVC Item #F08971), will be available through QVC starting July 19 at QVC.com or 800.345.1515, while supplies last.
About Sheryl Crow
Since the release of her seven times platinum debut set Tuesday Night Music Club in 1993, which was nominated for five Grammys and won three, Crow has released six studio albums (each charting Top 10, four of them platinum-plus), a quadruple-platinum greatest hits collection, a Christmas album and has performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting, Kid Rock, Mick Jagger and more. She has also been nominated for an additional 27 Grammys, winning six more. Her most recent nomination was for her sixth album, 2008's critically acclaimed Detours. Crow saw the launch of her very own clothing line Bootheel Trading Co., is a cancer survivor and passionate supporter of a variety of environmental and health-related charities, including The NRDC, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The World Food Program. Recently Crow has taken an interest in acting having appeared in a three episode arc of "Cougar Town" and an appearance on her friend Jerry Seinfeld's show "The Marriage Ref." Crow has sold more than 35 million records worldwide.
About QVC
QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Interactive Group (Nasdaq: LINTA), is one of the largest multimedia retailers in the world. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to more than 180 million homes worldwide. The company's Web site, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. With operations in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, and launching in Italy in 2010, West Chester, Pa.-based QVC has shipped more than a billion packages in its 24-year history. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.
Robin McDonald - Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas (1943)
Danny McCullock - Animals (1945)
Tim Lynch - Flamin Groovies (1946)
Phil Harris - Ace (1948)
Wally Bryson - Young Rascals, Raspberries (1949)
Cesar Zuiderwyk - Golden Earring (1950)
Richard Branson - founder of Virgin Records and the Virgin Empire (1950)
Ricky Scaggs (1954)
Terry Chambers - XTC (1955)
Keith Levene - Public Image Ltd (1957)
Nigel Twist - Alarm (1958)
John Herman - Widespread Panic (1962)
Jack Irons - Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers (1962)
Daron Malakian - System of a Down (1975)
Tony Fagenson - Eve 6 (1978)
They Are Missed:
Bobby Fuller, leader of The Bobby Fuller Four, was found dead in his car in Los Angles in 1966 (age 22). Fuller died mysteriously from gasoline asphyxiation, while parked outside his apartment. Police labelled it a suicide, but the possibility of foul play has always been mentioned. Had the 1966 #9 single "I Fought The Law," which was written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets and covered by The Clash.
Born on this day in 1938, Ian Stewart, keyboard player, The Rolling Stones. Died of a heart attack in his doctor's Harley Street waiting room on December 12, 1985.
Born today in 1931, Papa Dee Allen, War. Died from a heart attack while performing on stage on August 30, 1988.
In 1988, Nico (Christa Päffgen) died after suffering a minor heart attack while riding a bicycle on holiday with her son in Ibiza, Spain. The German born singer-songwriter and keyboard player with Velvet Underground, had also worked as a fashion model and actress.
Born on this day in 1929, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, (Jalacy Hawkins), R&B singer. Hawkins died on February 12, 2000.
Born today in 1950, Glenn Hughes, Village People. Hughes died on 4th March 2001.
Born on this day in 1935, Johnny Funches, singer, The Dells. He died on January 23, 1998.
History:
In 1953, Elvis Presley recorded (for a fee of $4) a song ("My Happiness") supposedly for his mother's birthday (which actually was in April) at the Memphis recording service (he is noticed by the secretary there and it eventually leads to a contract). Music history will never be the same.
In 1960, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters released "The Twist." The song didn't become a hit until later in the year when Chubby Checker covered it.
Elvis Presley's "It's Now Or Never" was released in 1960.
In 1963, the Beatles entered the studio to record their second album. Many songs, including "You Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Money (That’s What I Want)" are covers.
The Beatles album "A Hard Days Night" was released in 1964.
The Four Seasons started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1964 with "Rag Doll," the group's fourth #1 hit. Co-writer Bob Gaudio said that he got the inspiration for the song from a young girl in tattered clothes that cleaned his car windows at a stop light.
In 1966, one of the Beach Boys all-time great songs, “God Only Knows,” was released as the B-side of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice."
This week's Top 3 US singles in 1967, #3, "Light My Fire," The Doors, #2, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," Frankie Valli, and #1, The Association "Windy."
Working at Abbey Road studios in 1968, the Beatles recorded "Cry Baby Cry" and "Helter Skelter." One take of "Helter Skelter" lasted 27' 11'', the longest Beatle recording ever.
The Grateful Dead released their 2nd album, "Anthem of the Sun" in 1968.
During sessions at Abbey Road studios in 1969, Ringo Starr recorded his vocal to "Octopus’s Garden."
Pink Floyd and Deep Purple played a free concert at London's Hyde Park in 1970.
In 1974, the U.S. Justice Department ordered John Lennon out of the country by September 10. The Immigration and Naturalization Service denied him an extension of his non-immigrant visa because of his guilty plea in England to a 1968 marijuana possession charge. Further appeals and other legal action transpires. Though it looks bad, Lennon does finally get his “Green Card.”
Members from Sly and the Family Stone were arrested in 1972 after police found two pounds of marijuana in the group's motor home. Ooops.....
In 1973, Bruce Springsteen played the first of four nights at Max's Kansas City in New York City, New York, supported by Bob Marley and The Wailers who were on their first ever North American tour.
In 1978, Def Leppard made their live debut at Westfield School, Sheffield, England in front of 150 students.
Billy Joel held the top position of both the US albums and singles charts in 1980. His album, 'Glass Houses' contained his first and biggest #1 hit, "It’s Still Rock ’n’ Roll to Me."
In 1988, Ike Turner was sentenced in Santa Monica, California to one year in jail for possessing and transporting cocaine. Police had stopped Turner, former husband of Tina Turner, in August 1987 for driving erratically and found about six grams of rock cocaine in his car.
Also in 1988 - A California appeals court upheld a lower courts' decision to dismiss a case against Ozzy Osbourne and CBS Records. In 1984 a teenager allegedly killed himself after listening to Ozzy's "Suicide Solution."
Rage against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). On the Philadelphia stop of the Lollapalooza tour in 1993, Rage Against The Machine appear nude onstage for a 25 minute silent protest (with duct tape across their mouths) of the PMRC’s censorship efforts. PMRC was scrawled across band member’s chests. Nice.
The oldest known musical instrument in the world was found in 1995 in the Indrijca River Valley in Slovenia. The 45,000 year-old relic was a bear bone with four artificial holes along its length.
Selena's "Dreaming of You" was posthumously released in 1995.
Metallica played at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA in 2000. The crowd was 1,000 contest winners of the "Blind Date" competition organized by Miller Genuine Draft.
In 2001 - MTV premiered the original movie "Hysteria - The Def Leppard Story."
Also in 2001, Kiss, added another product to their ever-growing merchandising universe: the "Kiss Kasket." The coffin featured the faces of the four founding members of the band, the Kiss logo and the words "Kiss Forever." Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell was buried in one after he was shot and killed on-stage in Dec 2004.
In 2002, rapper Mystikal and two other men were arrested on suspicion of raping a 40-year-old woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mystikal, (real name Michael Tyler), was charged with the offense as well as one of extortion after giving himself up to police, he was subsequently released on $250,000 bail.
Usher was at #1 on the US singles chart in 2004 with "Confessions Part 2," his third US #1 of 2004.
The iTunes Music Store reached 500 million songs sold in 2005.
The self-titled debut album by Black Stone Cherry was released in 2006. Also, it’s announced that the quartet’s “Lonely Train” has been chosen as the official theme song for World Wrestling Entertainment's Great American Bash pay-per-view event in Indianapolis. The group was honored. "Growing up in South Central Kentucky you either work on the farm, play music or watch wrestling," says BSC drummer John Fred Young. OK ...YOU tell him it's fake......
In 2006, Pollstar releases its list of the Top 100 highest-grossing US tours for the first half of ‘06. The Rolling Stones land at #2 earning $52.5 million with Billy Joel 3rd, making $47.2 million. Madonna tops the list raking in over $54 million.
In 2006, original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Jeremy Spencer released his first solo album, 'Precious Little,' in more than a quarter century. Spencer joined the Fleetwood Mac in ‘67, and exited in ‘71 to join the religious cult Children of God. Spencer's last solo effort, 'Flee,' came out in ‘79.
In 2007, Paul Simon filed a law suit against Rhythm USA Inc. a Georgia-based subsidiary of a Japanese firm, claiming the company never had his permission to sell wall clocks that played "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The suit claimed that as one of the best known songs throughout the world, a proper licensing agreement would earn at least a $1 million licensing fee.
In 2008, Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood was ‘seeking help’ with his battle with alcohol in a rehabilitation centre. The move followed tabloid speculation over the state of his 23-year marriage to former model Jo Wood. Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab,’ his spokeswoman said.
Bon Jovi was named the top-grossing live act in the world according to Billboard Boxscore's midyear report of 2008. The New Jersey group earned approximately $112.4 million in tour revenue from 11/14/07 to 5/13/08. The Police are #3. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Van Halen are also in the Top 10.
The last concert at Shea Stadium was held in 2008. The Billy Joel show features an appearance by Paul McCartney. The two perform renditions of the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Let It Be." The Beatles played Shea in the ‘60s.
And last but not least - In 2008, Ben & Jerry's offered limited-edition ice cream in honor of Elton John called Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road. The flavor's Vermont only introduction coincides with the musician's first concert in the state – at Essex Junction. Proceeds from the week-long promotion benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road has chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate pieces. mmmmm
ALBUM REVIEW: Johnny Hartman (reissue) I Just Dropped By to Say Hello
Impulse/ORG A-57 2 45rpm 180g LPs
Produced by: Bob Thiele Engineered by: Rudy Van Gelder Mixed by: Rudy Van Gelder Mastered by: Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Review by: Michael Fremer 2010-07-01
Perhaps had the dulcet-toned baritone Johnny Hartman lived beyond sixty (he passed away from lung cancer in 1983) he might have experienced a resurgence similar to Tony Bennett’s—not that Hartman was ever as popular as Bennett.
His phrasing was impeccable and his tone gave “the velvet fog” a run for his money and here, backed by jazz greats Hank Jones, Illinois Jacquet, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Milt Hinton and Elvin Jones (sounding more laid-back than you’ve probably ever heard him) Hartman finds the pocket from the first note of “Charade” and doesn’t stray.
The eleven song set doesn’t have a bad moment—unless you’re not enamored of sophisticated, popular balladry. Hartman’s timing and phrasing are exquisite and he plays it close to the vest except for a few brief phrases of “Our Time,” a tune he co-wrote, where he sings with greater fervor and passion than I can recall hearing him on record.
Rudy Van Gelder gets this one, recorded in two sessions fall of 1963, just right including the piano sound. The instruments are panned hard right/left leaving center stage to Hartman and it works fine, though the “instruments in a box” perspective now sounds somewhat dated—as do most recordings of that time, but in terms of timbral accuracy and transparency they can’t be beat.
Hartman recorded a great record for the tiny Evanston, Illinois based Bee Hive label in August of 1980 backed by a small group. While he suffered an occasional lyric lapse, his phrasing, timing and unerringly perfect diction were intact. The recording by the late Ben Rizzi, who went on to own Astoria Studios in Long Island City, is spectacularly intimate and natural, but don’t look for it on reissued vinyl anytime soon.
Clint Eastwood’s Malpaso Productions locked up the rights to the album back in 1995 and some of the tunes were featured on the soundtrack to Eastwood’s movie “Bridges of Madison County.”
I got an advance of the soundtrack CD and was surprised to hear the Beehive songs had been transferree at the wrong speed making Hartman’s voice sound cartoonishly deep.
As I remember it, I contacted Eastwood’s office to alert them to the problem and I was initially told it was impossible but later I received a thank you call for spotting a problem caused by someone playing the digital transfer at the wrong sampling rate! I think they caught it in time to fix it for either the initial release or maybe the second pressing.
Clint, do you want to go into the vinyl record business? Call me!
Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.
Singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, who had success in the ‘70s with "Taxi," "W-O-L-D" and the #1 hit "Cat’s In The Cradle," was killed in 1981 (age 38) after suffering a cardiac arrest while driving on a New York expressway. His car was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer, causing the gas tank to explode.
Latin jazz musician Cal Tjader was born today in 1925. He died on May 5, 1982.
Singer Billy Williams died in 1984 (age 74). Had the 1957 US #3 single "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter)."
In 1988, Steve Cayter, a road crew technician with Def Leppard, died of a brain hemorrhage on stage before an American show at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre.
John Panozzo, drummer with Styx, died from cirrhosis of the liver in 1996 (age 48).
Born on this day in 1940, Tony Jackson, bass, vocals, The Searchers. Jackson died on August 18, 2003.
Born today in 1941, Desmond Dekker, Jamaican singer. Died May 25, 2006.
Jo Stafford ("You Belong To Me") died of congestive heart failure in 2008.
Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon ("A World Without Love") died of a heart attack in 2009.
History:
"Baby Let’s Play House" is the first Elvis Presley song to land on a national chart. But it’s not on pop or even R&B. The track gets listed on the Country survey. 1955
The Coasters recorded "Poison Ivy" in 1959.
The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962, their first hit was in September of the same year with the immortal "Surfin' Safari."
The Beach Boys recorded "In My Room" in 1963.
Tommy James and the Shondells started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "Hanky Panky," a song first recorded by The Raindrops.
The Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer In The City" was released in 1966.
Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton formed Cream in 1966, and although the three piece group only lasted 2 years, they left behind some classic recordings including "Sunshine of Your Love," "Badge," "Strange Brew" and "White Room;" among others.
During recordings at Abbey Road studio’s in London in 1969, the Beatles worked on two new George Harrison songs, "Here Comes The Sun" and "Something."
The Who's "I'm Free" was released in 1969.
Smokey Robinson made his last appearance with The Miracles at a concert in Washington DC in 1972.
Bob Dylan released the soundtrack to "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" in 1973. It contains Bob Dylan’s mournful “Knocking On Heaven’s Door.” The film stars Dylan and Kris Kristofferson.
Loggins and Messina broke up in 1976.
Barry Manilow went to #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'Barry Manilow Live,' the singers only US chart topper.
Shaun Cassidy went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with "Da Doo Ron Ron."
In 1989, Tom Jones lost a paternity suit, and was ordered by Judge Judy Sheindlin to pay $200 a week in child support to 27 year old, Katherine Berkery, of New York. Further terms of the settlement were agreed upon a couple of months later.
The film soundtrack to 'The Lion King' started a nine-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1994.
In 1995, rap singer and actress Queen Latifah was the victim of a car-jacking attempt that went wrong, leaving her bodyguard shot and wounded.
Michael Jackson performed at a birthday party for the Sultan of Brunei in 1996 and receives an estimated 15-20 million dollars.
Matchbox 20 went to #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with "Bent."
In 2003, the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde is detained by police following a PETA (Physicians for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protest outside a Paris KFC. Despite the efforts of Hynde and others, the chickens inside, original recipe and extra crispy, remain dead and tasty.
Pollstar's Top 100 North American Tours list for the first half of 2007 puts Rod Stewart at #1 grossing $48.1 million and the Police's at #3 taking in $41.9 million.
In 2007, three masked men, carrying sledgehammers and crowbars, broke into the home of former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona and escaped with goods including the singers BMW M5 sports car, two laptops, two gaming machines and two televisions. The robbers held a knife to the neck of the former pop star during the raid on her home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Also in 2007, the White Stripes played their 'shortest live show ever' at George Street, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Jack White played a single C# note accompanied by a bass drum/crash cymbal hit from Meg. At the end of the show, Jack announced, "We have now officially played in every province and territory in Canada." They then left the stage and performed a full show later that night in St John's.
In 2008, Rush performed "Tom Sawyer" on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. The Canadian trio's last US television appearance was on a ‘75 episode of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Later, fellow Canadain Neil Young does a turn on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman.
2009 - A stage being built in France for a concert by Madonna collapsed, killing two workers and injuring six others. Technicians had been setting up the stage at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille when the partially-built roof fell in, bringing down a crane. Madonna was performing on her Sticky and Sweet tour in Udine, Italy, when she received news of the incident and was said to be "devastated" by the news.
78 RPM records are continuing to make a stand on the Top 5. Soul has returned with two entries for this week, one of them on the most sought after label in record collecting, Shrine. This copy of The Cairos record sold for a respectable price, but still below the two previous sales of this record.
1. 78 - Willie Harris "Never Drive With A Stranger" / "Lonesome Midnight Dream" Brunswick 7149 - $4,449.99
2. 78 - Dusty Brooks "Tears And Wine" / "Heaven Or Fire" Sun 182 - $3,056.00
3. 45 - The Cairos "Don't Fight It" / "Stop Overlooking Me" Shrine 111 - $2,283.00
4. 45 - High Powered Spirit Band "Be A Winner" / "I Know You Can" Spirit - 2,247.00
According to recent reports, R.E.M have finished recording their new studio album. The alternative radio giants band have been working on the follow-up to 2008's 'Accelerate' alongside producer Jacknife Lee in Berlin, Germany. The group are due to mix the album in the autumn ahead of release in spring 2011.
R.E.M's manager Bertis Downs said: "I will not report on the sound or the dimension of the recordings so far, to my ears it all sounds like quite a wonderful set of songs."
The band's 15th studio release has yet to be given a title.
==========================================
White's Marling single details revealed
Rough Trade has recently announced the details of Laura Marling's upcoming single for Jack White's Third Man Records label. The double A-side 7" features Marling's covers of Jackson C. Frank's "Blues Run The Game" and Neil Young's "The Needle And The Damage Done" and will be released on August 9. The songs were recorded by White at his own Nashville studio. The tracks feature only Marling with an acoustic guitar.
The blue vinyl is limited to 1,500 copies and was laid down in one 25-minute take. It is available to pre-order now.
==========================================
Hill, McGraw flood benefit raises $2 million
It was announced that a benefit concert led by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw reportedly raised more than $2m for theTennessee flood victims. Funds collected at the Nashville Rising event will be distributed through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, reports The AP.
The concert featured performances and appearances by stars like Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Taylor Swift and ZZ Top.
Oscar winner Sandra Bullock also made a surprise appearance on stage. The flooding in May caused more than $2m of damage in the city of Nashville alone.
==========================================
Amy Winehouse Recording Comeback Album
It has been nearly four years since the embroiled British singer released her multi-Grammy Award-winning 'Back to Black' record. During her time off from the music business, Amy has battled drug and alcohol addictions and married and then divorced Blake Fielder-Civil.
Now clean and sober and dating a new man, Amy is preparing to go into the recording studio again (reportedly be released in January). She has reportedly written enough material for “three separate albums” but will choose just 14 tracks for her long-awaited comeback. She has promised her record label the LP will be better than anything she has done before.
"It's been an incredible past few weeks for Amy. She has completely turned her life around,” an insider told British newspaper The Daily Mirror.
==========================================
MORRISSEY TO RE-RELEASE 'BONA DRAG' WITH RARITIES
Morrissey has announced details of the re-release of his 1990 compilation album 'Bona Drag.'
He will release a re-mastered version of the album, featuring six rare and unreleased tracks, on September 27 of this year. The album's release has been overseen by the frontman, who has also directed the artwork. It will come out on Major Minor Records, the first release on the legendary '60s label since 1970.
==========================================
Michael Jackson Dolls Recreate 'Thriller' And 'Billie Jean' Poses
US toymaker Playmates is set to launch a new line of collectable Michael Jackson dolls this fall. The 10” scale figures capture the singer's likeness and fashions. The launch models – which can be viewed below – depict the late King of Pop in his 'Thriller' and 'Billie Jean' videos.
Tom Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of the merchandising company Bravado, said the figures celebrated Jackson's “unmistakable style and irreplaceable talent”.
It’s a scorchingly hot Sunday afternoon in Muncie, Indiana, and several men—young as 20 and old as 60—file in and out of Dan’s Downtown Records. Each pass through the doors with brown cartons, with green and black and pink plastic crates, stacked full with the tens of thousands of articles contained in this building which for 6 years held forth as Muncie’s premier—and, in many ways, only—record store.
“Push!”
“Pull!” …
“What?”
“I said, I pulled the damn thing out.” …
“Grab that one first.”
“Watch your fingers.”
“I got you.”
Everything must go—must be moved. Everything!—the 15,000+ vinyls and cassettes and CDs and VHS tapes and DVDs and Aloha shirts and pin-back buttons and bumper stickers and magazines and Beatles figurines and KISS action figures and cassette shelves and Ozzy and Slipknot concert t-shirts.
Seated side by side at different angles are 18 big arch-shaped wooden record racks—all claiming 15 rectangles: 5 rows per column—within which most of the vinyls and CDs dwell, housing 300-400 vinyls each. But even with such set up, improvisation became necessary to make use of the persistent records which kept finding their way into this store. Below many of the racks can be found vinyls stuffed into box cartons and milk crates. And right on the front counter is a high pile of newly welcomed records.
This house of records which Dan Walter built has fast become solace for customers near and far—some traveling from out of city and state just to visit—who find small business record stores so rare these days that stumbling into one becomes a sort of ritual, to assure the customer all isn’t lost in the bubble of technology closing in on society. And in the middle stands Dan, a music aficionado with hands in the business since ’86. For two years, he managed the late Musicland; and for a decade after he managed Karma Records, another casualty of the anti-record frenzy heaved in—however unintentionally—by internet downloaders at the tip of the new millennium.
November 2003, Karma shut its doors, and 6 months blew by as Dan sought out map lines to a meaningful future. A gig to load supplies overnight at Wal-Mart couldn’t cut it. “I got more talent than that,” he promised himself, even as unemployment checks started running thin.
Gathering $300 from his last check and another $300 in loan from his dad, Dan paid off a month’s rent on a sizeable outlet, knocked down the walls—with crowbars and sledgehammers—of this once-upon-a-time corporate office, hauled in—with a friend’s help—all 18 record racks, installed scraps of vinyls and cassettes and CDs and VHS tapes from personal and professional collections, stuck a banner to the front window, and hoped his bet on music would somehow check out even in front of frightening obstacles.
On June 1, 2004, Dan’s Downtown Records opened.
And even though starting with 1/8th the content and worth his store today boasts stock of, this former farmer—who, for 9 years before Musicland, once fed livestock, drove tractors, picked, and hosed—planted a seed that has blossomed good and well through the last 7 years.
His CDs span great range—from Janet Jackson to The Jets, from Bo Diddley to The Black Crowes, from Lauryn Hill to Lou Reed.
Cassettes come through missing boundaries, as KRS-One, Public Enemy, Paul McCartney, Louis Armstrong, A Tribe Called Quest, and Van Halen all have a say.
Vinyl records (33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm) go with the limitlessness of all from Kraftwerk to Alan Parsons, to Mahalia Jackson, to The Temptations, to Hugh Masekela, to R.E.M., to Nas, to Peter Frampton, to Ray Charles, to Peter Wolf, to Bette Midler, to Sade, to children favorites such as Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins,” “The Night Before Christmas,” and “Pete’s Dragon.” And they stretch in cost just as well—from 49 cents to $49 apiece.
And though financial success has shown around less frequently than hardship and uncertainty, the store has kept spirits up, opening 6 days a week, 11-7, prepared to take some 40- or 50- or 60-year-old back decades to the night when she first heard Smokey Robinson or Bobby Caldwell lament lost love or celebrate commitment. The store has kept open because people need an institution like it in their small and big towns—places where the owners don’t need the resources of computers to register a customer’s desire to be flung back 30 or 40 years in search of one song or one album.
Two months ago, 9 a.m. one morning, the telephone rings in Dan’s home. A man, representing a local community college, greets him in friendly tones, and soon enough business gets personal.
“We purchased your building,” he tells Dan, “and we’ll like to have it cleaned out by July 1st.”
The plan is to raze this building, and build upon its ashes a parking garage, to support the college’s $7 million downtown project constituting new classrooms and labs for nursing, science, physical therapy, and physical technology students—students responsible for the 30% enrollment hike since last year. Dan and his neighbors—Grand Master Jong Woo Kim’s 40-year staple: Mudokwan Martial Arts, USA; the nonprofit Take Five Community Outreach, which provides domestic supplies to many Muncie families—would have to pack up and find other arrangements.
Dan hung up, hopped on his bike, and bolted right into action.
The search for a new home was on, and he combed the city clean. Soon enough, he stumbled upon a spot that would do the trick—house tens of thousands of records but retain enough space to stave off customer congestion, while maintaining the intimate feel a small record store strives to live by. The space, which for years had stayed unoccupied, was perfect; so he stepped up to the lady who owned it and explained the stakes.
“I’ll like to rent this place,” he informed her.
“Fine,” she complied.
“And here’s a $300 deposit to show good faith,” he said, handing her the bills.
The space would be Dan’s if he could provide some character references, proof of financial stability, and few other arbitrary particulars she felt necessary to review before delivering any keys.
6 weeks later, right before eviction date, she calls up to deliver some news, explaining displeasure with his inability to follow given orders, which, she says, have forfeited him any chances of moving in. Even with $900 as financial assurance, she was staying firm.
So, again, the search was on. And again he began scouring the city for unoccupied spaces. This would prove easy. But soon he realized that the absence of traffic within these buildings and offices didn’t seem to bother owners much. Some, it almost seemed, were well happy to keep them unoccupied—as certain tax benefits might come in play. Others demanded twice his current rent rate, willing to pass up on a small business owner who could do wonders with these spaces which for years—some up to a decade—had remained vacant.
The harshness of life was wearing down on Dan. He was losing what little confidence he tried hard to retain—that this store was worth longevity, that 7 years wouldn’t turn to rubble in one week.
“I spent about a week,” he reflects. “I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. You know, you’re talking about your livelihood, here.”
Nothing seemed to connect: all doors were being slammed shut, leaving Dan wondering, “What the hell am I going to do?”
In the background, The Doors sing of breaking on through to the other side—
You know the day destroys the night
Night divides the day
Tried to run
Tried to hide
Break on through to the other side
Break on through to the other side…
Customers felt just as incredulous of survival, though many were quick to lend their guarantee of bluer skies once this storm blew past. One after the other, they shuffled in, heard the same chorus of uncertainty, and maintained strong belief their record store—something that had become part of their identity and being—wouldn’t go the way of many of its kind in cities nationwide. They tried to assure this owner, their champion, the world wasn’t as it was seeming to be—where, in but a matter of days, years of excruciating, and oft unrewarded, service and labor will be excavated and removed, never to be seen again, all remnants arraigned and disposed of. Their messages rang with thin conviction but deep trust:
“Good luck.”
“Everything’s going to work out—one way or the other.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a spot, Dan.”
And then, desperation:
“Please don’t go out of business.”
All the while this champion imagined this The End—the final lap to a 7-year run that was worth it, that for all its imperfections documented the magic of music in binding people across a common purpose. It seemed all hope would inevitably fizzle out, and the sharpest move would be to resolve to that conclusion by immediately calling up his main distributor to see about returning new vinyls and new CDs, to cut part of all losses still lingering. But even in the depth of insecurity, the stubbornness of conviction hung on.
“I was going everywhere: looking at whatever I could look at, scope out; or get a telephone number…”
He eventually made way to the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center, and was introduced to its director.
“Do you know Jay—red hair … he comes to your store?” he was asked immediately.
“I’ll probably know him if I saw him,” Dan replied.
“That’s my son!” the director announced.
Dan then told him of his travails in finding a spot with enough room for his records and a reasonable rental rate to keep the store on its feet. The director was sympathetic to the cause of an hardworking owner who represented the ideals espoused by his organization. Dan kept faith, but kept looking for a few days, until ultimately deciding to take 10 or so steps from his front door across the street, and see about a relatively smaller, but manageable, building owned by a like-minded small business entrepreneur.
“I’m looking for a spot, just in case: Are you interested?” Dan asked.
“Yeah, maybe,” the owner replied.
Before long, a deal was struck to consider this a backup plan, in case expectations with the Small Business Development Center fell short.
Last Monday, paperworks were signed, handshakes exchanged, and a second life christened. And though the new store fails to achieve the luxury of space featured in the old, Dan’s customers are happy and willing to put up with any inconvenience to have this store—this part of their lives—stay alive.
“It’s going to be tight in there,” Dan expects. But it would work “because of what we sell. Music is such a powerful thing that draws people to it. Every record store I’ve ever worked at, people come there—even from long distance—because of the music.”
And this record store is critical to Muncie not only for its richness and dexterity, or for the charismatic and relentless character in the middle, but for the striking quickness with which record stores are losing ground across states and towns, for the growing complacency among music buyers to abandon all sense of it in the physical form for digital downloads which, while gratifying and convenient, tend to rob the listener of the experiences and cultivated curiosities which once stood as requisite for serious listeners. Dan’s Downtown Records has managed a remarkable existence because customers felt it necessary to the social and cultural life of their surroundings.
So, today, Wednesday the 14th, in testament to that conviction, Dan opens in his new location, aware of his responsibility to his community of customers—local and beyond. He also opens with a statement of courage—against glaring possibilities hanging about him like shadows on a sunny day. True enough, he admits, “most towns don’t have one.”
And whether or not this reopening offers fresh perspective on his bold step 7 years ago is a supposition yet to manifest. Either way, he’s at peace, proud without boast.
“I’m still here,” he confirms. “I’ve had to live poor. But I don’t care about that. I mean, I see too many people that don’t have nothing.”
