Vinyl Record News & Notes

Atheist 'Jupiter'  Album Cover Art

Legendary progressive death metallers Atheist make their comeback with their fourth album, 'Jupiter.'  The cover -- reminiscent of their past album covers which feature strong circular elements -- was done by Eliran Kantor.










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FIREBALL MINISTRY Releasing First Full Length Vinyl Record Of Self-Titled Album

Hard rock foursome Fireball Ministry is releasing the 180 gram white vinyl pressing of their March 2010 self-titled album FIREBALL MINISTRY (Restricted Release) on December 22, 2010 also via Restricted Release.

“We are very excited to have a release on vinyl—it’s the way nature intended music to be heard,” says front-man Rev. James A. Rota II.

Recorded at Grandmaster in Hollywood, with additional vocals tracked at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studio, Fireball Ministry’s ten-track, collector’s edition LP has a limited run of 1,000 copies and is the band’s second release without a traditional label. The FIREBALL MINISTRY vinyl pressing is currently available for pre-order at www.FireballMinistry.com and includes the full album digital download and bonus video for “Butcher, Faker, Policy Maker.”

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The Decemberists Ready Deluxe Box Set

'The King Is Dead,' the title of the Decemberists' stripped-down new album, will arrive January 18 in North America via Capitol Records (a day earlier in Europe via Rough Trade). The album will be available in all the usual formats as well as a deluxe limited-edition box set, which will feature the album on CD and 180-gram white vinyl, as well as a DVD, a unique Polaroid photo, a hardcover book, and an art print-- all in a linen-wrapped clamshell box with a foil-stamped cover.

However, only 2,500 of these boxes will be available. For the box, the band teamed up with the Polaroid film manufacturers the Impossible Project and the photographer Autumn de Wilde. De Wilde took photos of the band's recording sessions in rural Oregon and L.A., and each box will come with a unique photo. The DVD contains Pendarvia, a 30-minute documentary about the making of the album by filmmaker Aaron Rose. The 72-page hardcover book features photos from de Wilde and illustrations from Carson Ellis, and the Giclée print is of an Ellis illustration and signed by Ellis herself.

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Metallica: 'Live At Grimey's' First-Week Sales Revealed

Metallica's new live album 'Live At Grimey's' sold about 3,000 copies in the US in just a three-day sales window (Friday-Sunday). The effort is being sold as a standard CD and as a limited-edition two-disc vinyl set in a gatefold sleeve.

Released on Friday, November 26, "Live At Grimey's" is available only at the approximately 700 independent record stores that support the annual Record Store Day, held each year in April. The set was recorded on June 12, 2008 at the tiny 150-capacity venue The Basement, located below the Grimey's New & Preloved Music record store in Nashville.

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Bright Eyes to Release Album Next Year

On Februrary 15, Bright Eyes is scheduled to release a new album, 'The People's Key,' which will be the band's first album since 2007's 'Cassadaga.' 'The People's Key' was produced by Mogis and features contributions from members of Cursive, the Faint, Now It's Overhead, Autolux, the Mynabirds, and the Berg Sans Nipple.

The band has also announced two tour dates next year, one at New York's Radio City Music Hall on March 9 and one at London's Royal Albert Hall on June 23.

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New record store ready to defy odds

By Sandra Sperounes

Two vinyl records, Led Zeppelin's I and Bruce Springsteen's The Promise, hang on the wall. Unopened boxes of CDs sit on the floor. Clint Anderson quietly prints out labels with band names on them while his friend and business partner, Mike McDonald, stands on a ladder, installing a speaker, at the back of Permanent Records.

It's Monday afternoon, four days before the opening of Edmonton's newest record store, located at 8126 Gateway Blvd. "There's going to be some long nights before we open on Friday," says co-owner Dave Gawdunyk. "There's a lot of receiving (of stock) to do, getting art on the walls, setting up the sections. ..."

Call them crazy -- McDonald's brother-in-law does.

Who opens a record store at a time when album sales are dropping and outlets across North America are shutting their doors?

Read more: Here

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In midtown Sacramento, two stores sell music on vinyl

by Carla Meyer

Two new midtown Sacramento businesses put the "record" back in record store.

Music boutique Phono Select and vintage-album seller Medium Rare emphasize vinyl over MP3s and in-person expertise over user comments.

The stores feature carefully curated LP selections drawn from their music business-savvy proprietors' own collections and aimed at the same diehard music fans who have inspired a surge in vinyl sales over the past few years.

"I think it is just a reaction to everything being so fast-foodish," Phono Select co-owner and longtime professional music buyer Dal Basi, 43, said of the revived interest in vinyl.

"The sound of vinyl is truly warmer than a CD," said Marty DeAnda, 58, an artist manager, record-label owner and proprietor of the baby boomer-centric Medium Rare. And his customers can actually make out the art – and read liner notes – on a 12-inch album cover.

Read more: Here

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Throwback Products We Love: Vinyl Records

By Diane Bullock

The record spins again: Sales are up, bands are pressing new music, and players are back on the shelves.

The LP record. Those clunky, 12-inch discs of vinyl have inspired a god-like worship by audiophiles -- from John Cusak’s character in High Fidelity who organized his music collection not alphabetically, not chronologically, but autobiographically to Stanley Goodspeed in The Rock who shelled out $600 for a Beatles LP, rather than a $13 CD because they “sound better” to the characterization of Lester Bangs in Almost Famous, whose radio station studio and bedroom/home office were clogged, floor to ceiling, with the last ‘real’ records before the impending “death rattle, the last gasp, the last grope” of rock and roll music.

Four decades before Cameron Crowe had Bangs putting a nail in the coffin his record acquiring habit, RCA Victor was introducing the very first commercial vinyl record to the market. But the listening medium didn’t catch on until with the public until Columbia Records pioneered cost effective playback equipment and unveiled the 12-inch Long Play 33 1/3 RPM microgroove polyvinyl chloride record at a New York press conference in 1948.

The vinyl record would be the dominant mass market music medium for the next three-plus decades until the 1980s when cassette tapes started filling the shelves. But vinyl’s major popularity plunge came courtesy of Sony (SNE) and Philips’ (PHG) digitally recorded compact disc which proved far more portable, far less vulnerable to damage and, according to some, provided better fidelity. Vinyl records were officially ushered out of the marketplace by 1991 when the vast majority of copies of U2’s Achtung Baby were purchased on CD and Tower Records stores were holding final clearance sales on all vinyl merchandise, which comprised only 15 percent of total sales.

Read more: Here

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Amoeba has good Friday

Music retailers amp up for Record Store Day

By Christopher Morris

Aisles were teeming with shoppers at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on Friday -- "Black Friday," traditionally the biggest retail day of the year -- as the store joined other indie retailers in pulling out the stops to drive up their pre-Christmas business.

Amoeba was participating in a special pre-holiday promotion, mounted for the first time by the organizers of April's annual Record Store Day, that placed exclusive product (much of it vinyl-only) in indie store racks, hoping to reverse the double-digit downturn in record sales this year.

"There was a real good feel to it," said Amoeba co-owner Karen Pearson. "It was a really great energy … It sure seemed busier."

There was a sense of some urgency in this second Record Store Day event of the year.

Read more: Here

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Jack White defends Third Man Records eBay auctions

Singer dismisses complaints of fan exploitation, saying his decision to sell limited-edition vinyl to the highest bidder cuts out opportunists who profit from secondary sales

Sean Michaels

There is a rebellion brewing among fans of Jack White's label, Third Man Records, over the company's decision to auction limited-edition releases to the highest bidder. After admitting that Third Man was inspired by profiteers who "flipped" the label's releases on eBay, White has waded into the debate, telling critics to "stop all of the whining". "We didn't do anything to you but give you what you want," he wrote. "Don't want them to be expensive? Then guess what? Don't WANT them."

Since 2009, White has been issuing limited-edition records on his Third Man imprint, including releases by the Dead Weather, Conan O'Brien and the White Stripes. Many of these are released in runs of 100 or 300 copies, with tri-colour, glow-in-the-dark or oddly sized vinyl. Although these limited editions often resell for hundreds of pounds, Third Man sold them on a first-come, first-served basis through its Nashville headquarters, "pop-up shops" and a paid members' service, the Vault. With the label's rising profile, and its releases' rising values, Third Man has attracted "flippers", who buy limited records purely sell online.

This week, Third Man Records decided to beat the flippers at their own game,

Read more: Here

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 29, 2010


DEAR JERRY: I think my question is one you have never been asked.

I have many of the picture sleeves that accompanied hit singles by vinyl era (1949-'89) stars, mostly the Beatles; Beach Boys; 4 Seasons; Prince; Ricky Nelson; Connie Francis; and Elvis Presley.

I know you have talked about consecutive streaks, like No. 1s and Top 10s, etc., but among this group, who had the most consecutive single releases originally issued with picture sleeves?
—Fred Simon, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR FRED: Not only has your question never been submitted for the column, I don't recall it ever coming up in any correspondence or conversation. I like it!

As you know, the number of picture sleeves made for a given artist is not necessarily proportional to the number of singles issued.

For example, Glen Campbell charted with over 55 singles (1961-'81), only one of which had a special sleeve (“Hey Little One”).

James Brown and Ray Charles each topped 100 single hits, yet only eight of Brown's came with a custom sleeve, and just one of Brother Ray's (“That's a Lie”).

Among other influential factors is the record company. Some labels felt the added expense, nearly double, of producing a nice picture sleeve was worth it. Others, especially those on shoestring budgets, did not, knowing the added cost could not passed be on to their customers. Records with gorgeous, full-color coated-stock sleeves sold for the same prices as ones with plain white or brown, low-grade paper wrappers.

In the order you list them, we begin with the Beatles and the Beach Boys. During their most significant years, both groups recorded for Capitol, at times a picture sleeve-oriented label.

From 1964 to 1982, Capitol produced 23 consecutive Beatles singles with picture sleeves. Mixed in with the Capitol product in 1964 are five other labels who provided custom sleeves with their singles: Vee-Jay (“Please, Please Me” and “Do You Want to Know a Secret”); Swan (“She Loves You”); MGM (“My Bonnie” and “Why”); Atco (“Ain't She Sweet”); Tollie (“Love Me Do”).

In the throes of Beatlemania, these other records came flying in from all directions, but none affect the streak by Capitol, their official U.S. label at the time.

During the same period, Capitol printed sleeves for 10 consecutive Beach Boys hits (1964-'66). Over their entire career, the California boys have 20 picture sleeves.

The 4 Seasons also have 20 total, but only six are for consecutive hits (1966-'67).

Like the Beatles, Prince's successive streak (1982-'89) reached 23.

Ricky Nelson is an interesting case in point. Imperial shipped 11 of his first 12 singles in color sleeves (1957-'62), then inexplicably did not make one for his best seller to date, and first No. 1 hit, “Poor Little Fool.” By skipping it, what would have been a streak of 16 is reduced to 12.

In the mid-'60s, for Imperial as well as Decca, Rick (no longer Ricky) enjoyed another run of 10 straight sleeved hits (1963-'66).

The MGM cameras loved Connie Francis, and showed it by doing sleeves for 31 of her hits. Of those, they put together an uninterrupted streak of 25 (1960-'65), making her the runner-up in this sheathing event.

All of which means Elvis is alone at the top, and the King of Rock & Roll is also the King of Picture Sleeves.

Having 90 consecutive RCA Victor hits encased in collectible picture sleeves is downright remarkable.


IZ ZAT SO? Though not mentioned in today's question, the Rolling Stones certainly have a significant place in picture sleeve history.

Of all the top vinyl era stars — limited to ones with over a dozen hits — the Stones are the act with the most consecutive picture sleeves, beginning with that artist's debut hit. In their case that would be “Not Fade Away.”

They followed this 1964 single and sleeve with 18 more on London, concluding with “Honky Tonk Women,” in 1969. They are also the only artist in this class whose label (London) did not produce even one hit single without a custom sleeve.

Lesley Gore (13) and Janet Jackson (10) notwithstanding, it is quite rare for any of the vinyl era's top stars to have custom sleeves for their earliest singles. Elvis didn't get a special sleeve until his 10th release (“Don't Be Cruel”/“Hound Dog”).

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.

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

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

This Date In Music History - December 1

Birthdays:

Billy Paul (1934)

Sandy Nelson (1938)

Dianne Lennon - Lennon Sisters (1939)

Bette Midler (1944)

Eric Bloom - Blue Oyster Cult (1944)

John Densmore - Doors (1944)

Gilbert O'Sullivan (1946)

Sam Reid - Glass Tiger (1963)

Greg Upchurch - 3 Doors Down (1971)

Brad Delson - Linkin Park (1977)


They Are Missed:

Lee Dorsey, who had two US Top Ten hits with "Ya Ya" (#7 in 1961) and "Working In A Coal Mine" (#8 in 1966), died of emphysema in 1986, just three days shy of his 60th birthday.

Born on this day in 1951, Jaco Pastorius, jazz bass player, (1976 hit with Weather Report, "Birdland"). Also worked with Joni Mitchell and Pat Metheny. Died on September 21,1987 (age 35). He suffered irreversible brain damage after being beaten into a coma after an altercation with a bouncer at the Midnight Club in Fort Lauderdale.

William Smith, vocalist and keyboard player for Motherlode, suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 53 in 1997. The Canadian group hit #18 on the Billboard Pop chart in 1969 with "When I Die."

Born on this day in 1936, Lou Rawls. Rawls died from lung cancer on January 6, 2006 (age 72).




History:

The rock and roll film "Shake, Rattle and Roll" opened in 1956.

Buddy Holly and the Crickets appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1957, performing "That'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue." Sam Cooke was also a guest on the same show performing "You Send Me."

In 1958, Ricky Nelson became the first 'rock and roller' to appear on the cover of Life magazine.

The Teddy Bears were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1958 with "To Know Him is to Love Him." The trio consisted of Spector along with two friends, Marshall Leib and Annette Kleinbard. The title of the Phil Spector song came from words on his father’s tombstone.

A San Diego, California quintet called Rosie And The Originals reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 with a loosely recorded ballad called "Angel Baby." Written by the group's 14 year old singer, Rosie Hamlin, the song held the position for six weeks and stayed on the chart for three months.



The Beatles performed a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961. That night they headlined a six-group Big Beat Session at the Tower Ballroom, New Brighton in Wallasey.

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr booked into University College Hospital to have his tonsils removed in 1964. Big news back then....

Also in 1964, the Who played the first of 22 consecutive Tuesday night gigs at The Marquee Club in London, the band were paid $75 for each gig.

The Mamas and the Papas earned their fourth Gold record in 1966 for their album, 'Cass, John, Michelle and Denny.'

In 1966, Tom Jones' cover version of Porter Wagoner's "Green, Green Grass of Home" tops the UK charts for the first of a seven week stay. It will become his biggest hit, selling over 1.2 million copies in Britain alone. The record reached #11 in the US.

Janis Joplin made her final appearance with Big Brother & the Holding Company in 1968.

Martha & the Vandellas gave their farewell performance in Detroit, MI in 1972.

Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" was released in the US in 1972, where it will reach #1. The tune caused much speculation about who Carly was singing about, with popular guesses that included Mick Jagger (who sang unaccredited backing vocals on the song), Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson (with whom she had had brief relationships), her unfaithful fiancé William Donaldson, and her ex-husband, James Taylor. Here we are almost 40 years later and we still are not sure who the song was about....



Aerosmith’s “Dream On” can only make it to #59 on the pop chart in 1973. However, when it’s re-released three years later it lands in the Top 10.

The Carpenters went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1973 with "Top Of The World," their second US #1. An earlier version by Lynn Anderson had already topped the US Country chart.

In 1976, the Sex Pistols, who have just released their first single, "Anarchy in the UK," appeared on British TV's Today Show as a last-minute replacement for Queen. After interviewer Bill Grundy asks them about their "nasty reputation," bass player Glenn Matlock uttered a four letter word on the air. In the resulting uproar, The Sex Pistols were banned from appearing in all but five cities that were booked for their first UK tour. By next month, no club or concert hall in Great Britain will book the group. It's all about the image....

During a North American tour in 1977, Queen appeared at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

After nearly eight months in production, Michael Jackson's milestone album "Thriller" was released in 1982. Seven of the album's nine songs were released as singles and all reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The LP won a record-breaking eight awards at the 1984 Grammys and would become the largest selling album of all time, worldwide.

In 1983, Neil Young was sued by Geffen Records because his new music for the label was “not commercial in nature and musically uncharacteristic of his previous albums.”

Jim Diamond was at #1 in the UK singles chart in 1984 with "I Should Have Known Better." The song was displaced after one week by Band Aid's charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Diamond publicly requested that people not buy his single, but instead buy "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Interesting....

A Kentucky teacher lost her appeal in the US Supreme Court in 1987 over her firing after showing Pink Floyd's film 'The Wall' to her class. The court decided that the film was not suitable for minors with its bad language and sexual content. Teacher, leave those kids alone....

Whitney Houston went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with "I'm Your Baby Tonight," her 8th US #1 and the first for writers and producers Reid and Babyface.

The Band’s self-titled sophomore album with "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," was certified a platinum selling album (over one million sales) in 1991. It only took 22 years.

Pearl Jam’s classic album “Ten,” containing “Jeremy,” passed the 6 million sales mark in 1992.

In 1993, Elton John suffered a rare flop when his album 'Duets' failed to crack the top twenty-five on the US album chart. The effort, which featured Don Henley, Chris Rea, kd lang, Little Richard, Kiki Dee, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt and Leonard Cohen, was received much better in the UK, topping out at number 5.

In 1995, an auction of Frank Sinatra's possessions earned him $2,072,000.

In 1997, Kenny G set a new world record when he held a note on his saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. (The record has since been broken by Geovanny Escalante, who held a note for 1 hour, 30 minutes and 45 seconds, using a technique that allows him to blow and breathe at the same time). Blowharts....

The first night of a US tour with *NSYNC, Britney Spears and B*Witched opened in Columbus, Ohio in 1998. *I was unable to *at*tend....

Shania Twain started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2002 with ‘Up!'

After much haggling, Pearl Jam played the first of two shows at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo in 2005. Mayor Jose Serra had suspended the shows after complaints from nearby wealthy residents about the noise and mess. He later reversed his decision when the group complied with some ground rules. The shows marked Pearl Jam's Brazilian debut.

Memories Of John Lennon was in bookstores in 2005. The 300-plus page book, compiled by Yoko, contains prose, poetry and drawings from Lennon's friends, associates and admirers, including the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, the Who's Pete Townshend, U2's Bono, Carlos Santana and Elton John.

In 2006, an Oasis fan enjoyed "the best day of his life" when Noel Gallagher popped round to his house in Poynton, Cheshire to play an intimate gig. Ben Hayes had won a BBC Radio 1 competition to have the star play in his front room as part of a week of gigs compered by DJ Jo Whiley. 15 people packed into his lounge for the tiny gig - with his mother on hand making cups of tea for the crew.

In 2008, Wham's "Last Christmas" was the most played festive track of the last five years. The Performing Right Society put the 1984 hit at the top of their chart of seasonal songs, just ahead of Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas." The Pogues came third with "Fairytale of New York," recorded with the late Kirsty MacColl and first released in 1987. Other featured artists include Slade, Mariah Carey and Bruce Springsteen.

Also in 2008, U2, Elton John, the Police, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. contributed music to (RED)WIRE, a subscription-based music-download service launched in conjunction with U2 singer Bono's Product Red initiative. Funds raised combat HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The Lennon Prophecy was in bookstores in 2008. Joseph Niezgoda claimed the Beatles’ popularity and John Lennon’s death were the result of a 20-year pack Lennon made with the devil in December, ’60 – well before the Beatles were international stars. The author cites historical events and hidden messages (in songs, album art, etc. – here we go again) as proof.

In 2009, Little Richard asked fans to pray for his speedy recovery after undergoing hip surgery at a Tennessee hospital. The 76-year-old Rock 'n' Roll pioneer asked family friend Rev. Bill Minson to tell fans "to get ready to rock 'n' roll with him in the new year because he's coming back strong."

New Music Releases - November 30, 2010

Short list this week, as always, CVR picks in red:

Abby Gogo - Abby Gogo
Adam Lambert - Take Two
Affiance - No Secret Revealed
Bette Midler - Memories of You
Beyonce - I Am... World Tour (CD & DVD)
Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning & The Best of The E.N.D. (Combo Deluxe Edition)
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (12 CDs)
Brian Jonestown Massacre - If I Love You EP (vinyl)
Bryan Adams - Bare Bones (Deluxe Edition)
Chrisette Michele - Let Freedom Reign
Conway Twitty - Conway Twitty Country / Heres Conway Twitty
Conway Twitty - Conway Twitty Sings / Look Into My Teardrops
Dave Berry - Picture Me Gone: Decca Sessions 1966-1974
Death in June - Peaceful Snow / Lounge Corps
Dinah Washington - Fabulous Miss D the Keynote Decca & Mercury Single (4 CDs)
Duffy - Well Well Well (2-Track)
El DeBarge - Second Chance
Eric Benet - Lost In Time
Fefe Dobson - Joy
Flo Rida - Only One Flo (Part 1)
Florence and the Machine - KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic (vinyl)
Flying Lizards - Flying Lizards / Fourth Wall (2 CDs)
Fugs - Tenderness Junction / It Crawled Into My Hand
Glee Cast - Glee: The Music, Volume 4
Gorillaz - Doncamatic
Graham Parker - Box of Bootlegs (6 CDs)
Graham Parker - Carp Fishing on Valium: Songs (reissue)
Grouper - Hold/Sick (vinyl)
Hank Marvin - Words And Music: All Alone With Friends
Heaven 17 - Penthouse & Pavement (3 CDs)
How to Dreess Well - Love Remains (vinyl)
Human League - Things That Dreams Are: Remixes
Jackson 5 - Compact Christmas
James Taylor - One Man Dog (Audio Fidelity)
Jazmine Sullivan - Love Me Back
Ladytron - Ace of Hz
Lambchop - Tour Box (10-CD box set)
Laurel Halo - King Felix
My Morning Jacket - Does Xmas Fiasco Style (reissue) (vinyl)
N.E.R.D - Nothing (vinyl)
Nick Gervanites & Mike Bloomfield - My Labors & More

Nilsson - Little Touch of Scmilsson in Night







OMD - Sister Marie Says
Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD) - Sister Marie Says (Single)
Phil Collins - Face Value (Audio Fidelity)
Pointer Sisters - So Excited
Pointer Sisters - Special Things
Refugee - Refugee / Live in Newcastle
Ron Isley - Mr I
Russian Futurists - Weight's on the Wheels
Rye Rye - Sunshine (vinyl)

Sandy Denny -Deluxe Boxset 





Simian Mobile Disco - Delicacies
Sleeping in the Aviary - Great Vacation!
Solvents - Forgive Yr. Blood
Soulja Boy - The DeAndre Way
Steve Wynn - Northern Aggression
Steven Tyler - Love Lives
The Boy Least Likely To - Christmas Special
Tim McGraw - Number One Hits
Tristeza - Paisajes
Various Artists - Black Swan (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Glee: The Music, Volume 4
Various Artists - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (vinyl)
White Stripes - The White Stripes (2-LP vinyl reissue) (vinyl)
Yaz - You And Me Both



JAZZ  Find Latest Jazz Releases Here


The Bad Penny New Music Releases Schedule Find The Bad Penny Blog Here

Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly (previously available digitally; features vocals by Au Revoir Simone, Sky Ferreira)
Ane Brun – Live at Stockholm Concert Hall (iTunes release)
Ron Isley – Mr. I
Oberhofer – “Away Frm U” 7-inch
Terry Ohms (Vulture Whales frontman) – What Do You Mean, What Do I Mean?
Sleeping in the Aviary – Great Vacation
Solvents – Forgive Yr Blood
Sonny Smith – 100 Records Volume 2: I Miss the Jams (five-CD box set version; LP edition previously available)
Surf City – Kudos
Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3 – Northern Aggression

Remember, if you are a record company and have new releases or know of any I missed (especially vinyl), please email me and I will add your music to the list. I also do reviews of new vinyl, email me for more information.

New Music Releases are put together from a variety of sources by blog owner Robert Benson

Have new music for the list? Email me at rbenson30@wi.rr.com  

This Date In Music History - November 29

Birthdays:

John Mayall - father of the UK blues movement, his Bluesbreakers Band has featured Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Jack Bruce, Peter Green and Jimmy McCulloch (1933)

Meco Monardo (1939)

Chuck Mangione (1940)

Felix Cavaliere - Young Rascals (1944)

Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group (1947)

Barry Goudreau - Boston (1951)

Michael Dempsey - Cure (1958)

Wallis Buchanan - Jamiroquai (1965)

Jonathan Knight - New Kids on the Block (1968)

Martin Carr - Boo Radleys (1968)

Apl.De.Ap - Black Eyed Peas (1974)

The Game (Jayceon Terrell Taylor) (1979)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1917, country singer, songwriter Merle Travis. Invented the first solid body electric guitar. Wrote "Sixteen Tons" for Ernie Ford. Travis died October 20, 1983.

In 1996, singer and ukulele player Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury) died from a heart attack on stage while playing his hit "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" at a club in Minneapolis. On December 17, 1969, he married Victoria Mae Budinger on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a publicity stunt that attracted over 40 million viewers. (they had a daughter, Tulip Victoria).

Butch McDade, drummer for The Amazing Rhythm Aces on their 1975 hit "Third Rate Romance," died of cancer in 1998 (age 52).

Singer and bandleader Curtis Knight died in 1999 (age 54). Jimi Hendrix had been a member of his band in the 60's. Though Hendrix wasn't in the group very long, he was featured on over 60 songs, 26 studio and 35 live recordings some of which have been released on record.

In 2001, former Beatles guitarist George Harrison died in Los Angeles of lung cancer (age 58). The news came as a shock to the world, despite Harrison's much-chronicled cancer treatments. Speaking outside his home in St John's Wood, north west London, Paul McCartney said: "I am devastated and very, very sad." Ringo Starr, speaking from Vancouver, Canada said: "We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of laughter." Following the breakup of the Beatles, Harrison had a successful career as a solo artist and later as part of the Traveling Wilburys. The youngest member of the Beatles, (aged 16 when he joined), his compositions include "Taxman," "Here Comes the Sun," "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Harrison released the acclaimed triple album, 'All Things Must Pass,' in 1970, from which came the worldwide #1 single "My Sweet Lord." He was the co-founder of Handmade Films, collaborated with Madonna and the members of Monty Python. An accomplished gardener, Harrison restored the grounds of his 120 roomed English home Friar Park.





Born today in 1941, Denny Doherty, singer, songwriter, The Mamas And The Papas. Doherty died Jan 19, 2007 at the age of 66 after a short illness.


History:

At the 1959 Grammy Awards, held just six months after a similar award show, Bobby Darin won Record of the Year for "Mack the Knife" as well as the Best New Artist of the Year. Song of the Year was awarded to Jimmy Driftwood, writer of Johnny Horton's hit, "The Battle Of New Orleans."

In 1960, Paul McCartney and Pete Best were deported from West Germany after being arrested on suspicion of arson after the hotel room they were staying in mysteriously caught fire. They were released and deported the next day.

The Beatles recorded their first U.K. #1 (on some charts it only reached #2), "Please Please Me" at Abbey Road Studios in London in 1962.

The Beatles' fifth British single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in 1963. Advance orders exceed 700,000 and within three days the record will have sold one million copies, making it their second million seller. It was released in the US on December 26th and spent seven weeks at #1.

In 1966, after four weeks of work, the Beatles finally finished recording the epic cut "Strawberry Fields Forever."

The Who released their first concert record, "The Who Sell Out" in 1968.

In 1969, John Lennon was convicted of possession of cannabis and fined $360 in London. Yoko Ono, who was arrested with Lennon on October 18, was cleared of charges. The conviction played a large role in his later attempts to win US residency status. The drug bust makes him an "undesirable" even though his political beliefs/activities were the real issue.

The Beatles score a two-sided #1 hit in 1969 with John Lennon’s “Come Together” and George Harrison’s “Something.” Both songs are on 'Abbey Road.'

Elvis Presley's LP 'From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis' reached the Billboard album chart in 1969, where it would stay for the next 24 weeks, climbing as high as #12.

German trio Silver Convention started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with "Fly Robin Fly."



In 1976, Lancaster local council cancelled the Sex Pistols gig at Lancaster Poly, England. The reason was given in a statement by the council saying: 'We don't want that sort of filth (The Sex Pistols) in the town limits.' Prudes....

In 1976, Jerry Lee Lewis accidentally shot his bass player, Norman "Butch" Owens, twice in the chest while trying to hit a soda bottle. Lewis was charged with shooting a firearm within the city limits.

'Alive II' was released by KISS in 1977.

Kansas goes platinum with their LP 'Point Of No Return' in 1977. The album contains one of their best songs “Carry On Wayward Son.”



In 1979, Anita Pallenburg, the common-law wife of Rolling Stone Keith Richards, was cleared of murder charges in the shooting death of her young male companion, whose body had been found in her New York state home.

Also in 1979 - The four original members of KISS performed for what they say will be the last time. However, they would reunite in 1996 for a tour in full makeup.

Metallica played their first headlining show in 1982. They played the song "Whiplash" for the first time. Exodus was the opening act.

In 1985, Kiss played the first night on their 91-date North American Asylum Tour at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas.

'Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Live / 1975-85' started a seven week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1986.

Also in 1986, Bon Jovi’s hit “You Give Love A Bad Name” topped the US pop chart.

U2's first TV special, called "U2's Zoo TV Outside Broadcast," aired on Fox-TV in 1992.

Mary J. Blige's second album, "My Life", was released in 1994.

In 1997, Whitney Houston pulled out of a concert sponsored by the Moonies two hours before she was due on stage after finding out the event was a mass wedding for over 1,000 Moonie couple's. The religious group said they had no intention of suing providing the singer returned the $1m fee she had received.

In 2002, three paintings by Sir Paul McCartney were bought for just $50 each at the Secrets Postcard Sale at London's Royal College of Art. Members of the public gambled on whether they were buying works by celebrity artists at a fraction of their value, as a picture's creator was only made known after it has sold.

A five-hour charity show, to boost the fight against Aids, was held at the Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town in 2003. Acts who appeared included, Bono, Queen, Ms Dynamite, Peter Gabriel, Eurythmics, Beyonce, Youssou N'Dour, Anastacia, The Corrs, Jimmy Cliff and Chaka Chaka. The show was also broadcast live on the internet.

Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Queen's Brian May and ex-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, autographed playing cards in 2005 for an auction to raise funds for the London-based Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong posted an open letter in 2006 urging fans to write President George W. Bush regarding the United States' growing energy crisis. Green Day and the Natural Resources Defense Council launch the Move America Beyond Oil campaign, that promotes clean, renewable energy.

In 2007, former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, a convicted sex offender, was arrested for failing to properly register a new permanent address. The 59-year-old had pleaded guilty in 1993 to charges of attempted capital sexual battery by an adult on a victim younger than 12 and being principal to lewd and lascivious behavior on a child younger than 16. He was sentenced to eight years of probation.

John Fogerty taped an episode of the PBS series Soundstage in Chicago in 2007. The program aired two months later.

Taylor Swift went to #1 on the US album chart in 2008 with ‘Fearless’, the country singers second studio album.

In 2009, Susan Boyle's album became the best-selling debut in UK chart history when it went to #1 on the UK chart. The 48 year-old runner-up in ITV's Britain's Got Talent, sold 410,000 copies of "I Dreamed a Dream." Boyle also topped the US charts, setting a first-week sales record for a female debut album with 701,000 copies sold in its first week.

Music News & Notes

Willie Nelson Arrested (Again) For Pot Possession

Willie Nelson was charged with marijuana possession in Texas yesterday (November 26) during a stop by Border Patrol agents in Sierra Blanca, Texas. An officer had searched the vehicle after smelling the substance and Border Agents found the marijuana on the bus, with Nelson taking responsibility for it. The country singing outlaw was taken to Hudspeth County Jail where he was booked on a misdemeanor and released on $2,500 bail.

Rock on, ya old pothead....



-----------------------------

Editors To Release Career-Spanning Box Set

Editors have announced that they are releasing a career-spanning box set, approprietly called 'Editors: The Complete Collection.' It is due out in February 2011 and will include B-sides, rarities and previously unreleased material. The set includes seven 12-inch vinyl records, seven CDs, a download card for all of the audio and an accompanying book.

Pre-orders will begin on December 2, with the first 200 box sets sold also set to receive a special personalized surprise from frontman Tom Smith.

For more information, visit EditorsOfficial.com.

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Beatles Figures From Yellow Submarine Coming From KnuckleBonz

It was announced that a new group of figurines is being released in KnuckleBonz' Rock Iconz limited edition series depicting characters from the 1968 Beatles' film 'Yellow Submarine.' They are licensed and approved by Apple Corps, Ltd and Live Nation Merchandise, Inc and the figures are at 1/9 scale, standing about nine-inches high, are hand-painted, individually numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity.

Shipping will begin on November 29 and the first figure is the film's villain, the 'Blue Meanie.' This figure is limited to 1,968 pieces in salute to the year that the movie was released.







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Jamie Foxx Reveals New Album Cover

Jamie Foxx is ready to debut his 4th studio album, 'Best Night Of My Life' on December 21st. The album will include the hit single "Fall For My Type" featuring Drake, along with "Living Better Now" featuring Rick Ross, and "Winner" featuring T.I. & Justin Timberlake.











-----------------------------

Burns & Poe Offer Fans Limited Edition Album and Holiday Single

Country specialists Burns & Poe are offering fans a special treat just in time for the holidays. The duo has pressed a limited number of vinyl records of their new self-titled debut album and are offering it exclusively through their website.

http://www.burnsandpoe.com/

When placing your order, you will also receive a copy of the album on CD, which will be autographed by the duo -- Keith Burns and Michelle Poe, as well as a digital download of their new Christmas song, 'Hear the Angels Singing.' The first 100 pre-orders made online will also receive 'Hear the Angels Singing' on CD.

"Our fans have been waiting for our music for a long time," Keith tells The Boot. "So we wanted to put it out and have it be something extra special. The LP is going to be a collector's item and something cool for them to have."

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Marduk To Release 20th-Anniversary Box Set

Swedish black metallers MARDUK are celebrating their 20th anniversary by releasing a strictly limited-edition box set in early 2011. According to the band, "This fabulous release will be a monument of the first two decades of MARDUK."

The vinyl edition of 'Wormwood,' the latest album from MARDUK, was released this past spring. The effort was available as a regular black vinyl with a gatefold sleeve (700 copies), picture disc (333 copies) and also as a gatefold deluxe edition with a 32-page booklet with lyrics on red vinyl (500 copies). Also newly released are the remastered versions on vinyl of MARDUK's "Germania", "Nightwing" and "Panzer Division Marduk" (available on regular vinyl and picture disc).

-----------------------------

STRATOVARIUS: 'Elysium' Collector's Edition Detailed

Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS are set to release their thirteenth full-length studio album, 'Elysium' on January 14, 2011. A single with two new songs has been released on November 26 to coincide with the start of the "7 Sinners World Tour." STRATOVARIUS will join HELLOWEEN, as very special guests, kicking off the same day at the Szene in Vienna, Austria.

The following tracks will be part of the single:

* Darkest Hours (from the upcoming album "Elysium")
* Infernal Maze (from the upcoming album "Elysium")
* Darkest Hours (demo version)
* Against The Wind (live recording, Sofia, Bulgaria)
* Black Diamond (live recording, Göteborg, Sweden)

"Elysium" will be released as a regular CD; a deluxe digipak edition with bonus track; a "collector's edition" (featuring two exclusive bonus tracks on a seven-inch single); and on vinyl.
The cover artwork was created by Gyula Havancsák.

-----------------------------

R.E.M Anounce New Album 'Collapse Into Now' Tracklisting

80's college radio darlings R.E.M have recently announced the tracklisting for their upcoming album called 'Collapse Into Now.' The album is due out early 2011 and features collaborations with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Patti Smith and Peaches. In an interview with Spin, Mike Mills said the album was “more expansive” than its predecessor, 2008's 'Accelerate.' I am excited, hopefully they rock out with this one...

The tracklisting for 'Collapse Into Now':

'Discoverer'
'All The Best'
'Uberlin'
'Oh My Heart'
'It Happened Today' (featuring Eddie Vedder)
'Every Day Is Yours To Win'
'Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter' (featuring Peaches and Lenny Kaye)
'Walk It Back'
'Mine Smell Like Honey'
'That Someone Is You'
'Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I'

-----------------------------

Limp Bizkit Team Up With Wu Tang Clan, KISS For New Album

Limp Bizkit's new album is scheduled to feature a guest collaboration with Wu Tang Clan rapper Raekwon. Singer Fred Durst previewed a number of songs from the album during an impromptu live web chat with fans on November 24.

Limp Bizkit's new album, 'Gold Cobra,' includes an introduction which was written by Durst and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons.

The album will mark the band's first full-length record in their original line-up since 2000's 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.'

-----------------------------

The Futureheads To Release Christmas Single

As part of their 10th birthday celebrations, pop rockers the Futureheads have decided to dip their toes in the dangerous waters with a new Christmas release.

The new single "Christmas Was Better In The 80s" will be released on 19th December 2010 through their own Null Records.

To celebrate their 10th birthday The Futureheads also collaborated with iconic artists including David Shrigley and Stuart Semple to create a series of limited edition prints, raising money for Newcastle based charities with all of the artists generously giving their time for free. For the FH10 project the band sent each one of the artists an album, and asked them to respond to its music as if creating the album cover for the first ever time.

-----------------------------

New Releases On Third Man Records

Third Man Records is scheduled to release two new singles on November 29th, with the first being the next episode in the labels Blue Series of 7" vinyl releases, featuring The Thornbills.

Michigan cousins Jim Wigand III and Tamara Finlay (The Thornbills) have chosen two Jack White produced songs, "Uncle Andrei" is a mysterious ode, reminiscent of a Russian waltz while "Square Peg" is a driving and charming tune layered with the strum of the guitar and wail of the violin.

Third Man and Nonsuch Records also are proud to produce the latest single from the Queen of Rock and First Lady of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, who brings the latest taste of her signature style to the label.

On the tracks "Thunder on the Mountain" and "Dust on the Bible," Jackson is joined by new friend, producer and Third Man Records founder Jack White, along with help from Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather/Raconteurs), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs), Ashley Monroe, Jackson Smith and Karen Elson, to name a few.

Thunder On The Mountain is a particularly exceptional track. Originally penned by Bob Dylan and chosen for Mrs. Jackson by the poet himself – his rockabilly fever dream is given new life by the songstress.

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Primal Scream to Release Box Set

Next year, Primal Scream’s LP 'Screamadelica' will have been around for 20 years and the band will be issiung a huge box set next March to commemorate the anniversary. The set will include four CDs, one DVD, and two vinyl records.

The rest of the set called 'Screamadelica: Collector’s Edition,' will consist of a new live album called 'Live in L.A., 1991,' a remastered edition of the band’s 1992 four-track EP 'Dixie-Narco,' and a remix CD featuring cuts by Andrew Weatherall and The Orb, among others. Also included is a double-vinyl version of Screamadelica, a DVD of the 30-minute documentary 'The Making of Screamadelica,' bonus footage from the original “Screamadelica” VHS release, and more.

Just to make 500 people feel even more super exclusive, the band will put out a limited “white” edition of the set. Just to make 20% of those super exclusive people feel super extra exclusive, Primal Scream will sign 100 copies of the “white” sets.

Screamadelica: The Collector’s Edition

CD1: Remastered Album
Remastered by Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes and Kevin Shields

01. Movin’ on Up
02. Slip Inside This House
03. Don’t Fight It, Feel It
04. Higher Than the Sun
05. Inner Flight
06. Come Together
07. Loaded
08. Damaged
09. I’m Comin’ Down
10. Higher Than the Sun [A Dub Symphony in Two Parts]
11. Shine Like Stars

CD2: Live In L.A., 1991
Mixed by Andrew Innes

CD3: Screamadelica Remixes
“Loaded”
01. Farley Mix 7? (5:59)
02. Loaded 7? (4:19)

“Come Together”
03. Farley 7? (4:23)
04. 7? Mix (Wetherall (4:45)
05. Terry Farley Extended 12? Mix (08:02)
06. Hypnotone Brain machine Mix (5:14)
07. BBG Mix (6:27)

“Higher Than The Sun”
08. Higher Than The Orb (5:00)
09. Higher Than The Sun 12? (6:43)
10. American Spring Mix (6:20)

“Don’t Fight It”
11. 7? Edit (4:10)
12. Graham Massey Mix (4:53)
13. Scat Mix (8:07)
14. High, High, High (Massey) (5:54)

Bonus
01. “I’m Losing More Than I Ever Had” (4:48)
02. “Ramblin Rose” (2:27)

CD4: Dixie-Narco EP (Remastered)
01. “Movin’ On Up”
02. “Stone My Soul”
03. “Carry Me Home”
04. “Screamadelica”

DVD: Classic Album Documentary
“The Making of Screamadelica” – 30 mins
01. “Screamadelica”
02. “Movin’ On Up”
03. “Slip Inside This House”
04. “Don’t Fight It, Feel It”
05. “Higher Than The Sun”
06. “Come Together”
07. “Damaged”
08. “Loaded”
09. “Shine Like Stars”
10. “Inner Flight”

LP: Remastered Album – Gatefold 2LP
A1. “Movin’ On Up”
A2. “Slip Inside This House”
A3. “Don’t Fight It, Feel It”

B1. “Higher Than The Sun”
B2. “Inner Flight”
B3. “Come Together”

C1. “Loaded”
C2. “Damaged”
C3. “I’m Comin’ Down”

D1. “Higher Than The Sun (A Dub Symphony in Two Parts)”
D2. “Shine Like Stars”

This Date In Music History - November 27

Birthdays:

Dave Winthrop - Supertramp (1944)

Randy Brecker - Blood Sweat & Tears (1945)

Charlie Burchill - Simple Minds (1957)

Lori Barbero - Babes in Toyland (1960)

Charlie Benante - Anthrax (1962)

Mike Bordin - Faith No More (1962)

Fiachna O'Braonain, Hothouse Flowers (1965)

Wallis Buchannan - Jamiroquai (1965)

Terry Corso - Alien Ant Farm (1971)

Twista, (a.k.a Tung Twista, born Carl Terrell Mitchell) (1973)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1935, Al Jackson, drummer, Booker T and the MG's. Shot dead by burglars at his home October 1, 1975.

42 year old Allan Ramsay, the original bassist for Gary Lewis and The Playboys, was killed in a light plane crash in 1985.

Born today in 1941, Eddie Rabbitt, singer, songwriter. Elvis, Dr Hook and Tom Jones all recorded his songs. He died of cancer on May 7, 1998.

Born on this day in 1942, Jimi Hendrix, guitarist, singer. He is widely considered the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music, and one of the most influential musicians of his era across a range of genres. Hendrix died on September 18, 1970.



Tony Meehan drummer with The Shadows died in 2005 from head injuries sustained in a fall at his London flat in Maida Vale (age 62).

Joe Jones, a musician-turned producer who sang the 1961 Billboard #3 hit "You Talk Too Much" and went on to become an independent music publisher and advocate for Black artists' rights, died on November 27, 2005. He was 79.


History:

Elvis Presley was promoted to Private First Class in the US Army in 1958. His rank would rise to Specialist Fourth Class on June 1, 1959 and to Sergeant on January 20, 1960.

The Beatles recorded their first BBC radio session at the BBC Paris studio on Regent Street in London in 1962. They played "Twist and Shout," "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You." The tracks were aired on the BBC Light Program 'Talent Spot.'

Elvis' movie Fun in Acapulco, co-starring Ursula Andress, was released in the US in 1963. While some exterior scenes were filmed on location, Elvis' scenes were all shot in Hollywood. The King never set foot in Acapulco, Mexico in his life.

In 1965, the Lovin' Spoonful's "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" and The Vogues' "5 O'clock World" entered the US record charts.

Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass went to #1 on the US album chart in 1965 with 'Whipped Cream & Other Delights.'

The New Vaudeville Band were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "Winchester Cathedral."

In 1967, Capitol Records released The Beatles' 'Magical Mystery Tour' LP in the US. It would rise to number one on the Billboard chart, where it would stay for eight weeks and be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Album in 1968. (It lost to Glen Campbell's 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix')

Also in 1967, the Association were presented with a Gold record for their hit, "Never My Love", which had risen to #2 in the US.

Steppenwolf's first album, which includes their biggest hits, "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride" was certified Gold in 1968.

During a North American tour in 1969, the Rolling Stones played the first of four shows at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The group played to 55,000 fans over the four nights grossing over $100,000. (big money back then)

In 1970, George Harrison released his first post-Beatles album, 'All Things Must Pass,' produced by Phil Spector and featuring Eric Clapton, Dave Mason, Ringo Starr and Jim Gordon. The triple disc set would go on to be certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA, making it the best selling album by a solo Beatle. I did not know that....

Also in 1970, Black Sabbath, Cactus and Steel Mill, (featuring Bruce Springsteen) all appeared at the Sunshine In, Asbury Park in New Jersey. All three acts played two shows, tickets cost $5.00.

Brian Wilson appeared on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live in 1976.

Queen's "Somebody To Love" was released in 1976.



In 1981, the British Phonographic industry placed advertisements in the press claiming that 'home taping was wiping out music'. The Boomtown Rats, 10cc, Elton John and Cliff Richard all backed the campaign.

Also in 1981, a concert by the Allman Brothers Band and The Grateful Dead, scheduled at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida, was cancelled because only 10,000 of 60,000 tickets had been sold. When the two groups played together in New York eight years earlier, they drew over 600,000. Go figure....

Two extremes of the California music scene, the Grateful Dead and the Beach Boys played the Jamaica World Music Festival in Montego Bay in 1982.

Lionel Richie was #1 in the US in 1982 with "Truly." Richie achieved a #1 hit each year from 78-86 as a writer, "Three Times A Lady," "Still," "Lady "(Kenny Rodgers), "Endless Love," (Diana Ross), "All Night Long," "Hello," "Say 'You Say Me" and as co-writer of "We Are The World."

Bon Jovi were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1986 with "You Give Love A Bad Name."

Nirvana’s “Nevermind” LP went platinum in 1991.

In 1992, Neil Diamond's Christmas Special debuts on HBO. The one-hour show featured Diamond performing many of the favorites heard on "The Christmas Album" while joined by such diverse vocal ensembles as a doo-wop group, a children's choir and a mixed chorale. The LP became a Top 10 Platinum best-seller.

In 1994, Rod Stewart and the Faces appeared at The Odeon, Lewisham, London, England. Paul and Linda McCartney both joined the band on stage for a few numbers.

A disturbed rock fan brought the 1997 funeral of Michael Hutchence to a standstill when he tried to launch himself from a 20 ft high balcony with a cord around his neck. He was removed by police and taken away to a psychiatric unit. Ya think?

Elvis Presley was inducted into The Gospel Association Hall Of Fame in 2001, an organization dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals in all forms of Gospel music. Other notable inductees are Pat Boone, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Al Green.

Figures released by the Rolling Stones showed that the band had grossed 175m from their 2002 '40 Licks World Tour.' The report also showed they had made over $1billion from 1989-2002 from royalties, album sales and tour revenue.

In 2005, multimillionaire defence contractor David H. Brooks booked New York’s Rainbow Rooms and his daughter Elizabeth’s favourite acts for her ‘bat mitzvah’ coming-of-age celebration. The stars who appeared included 50 Cent, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Stevie Nicks. 50 Cent who was paid $500,000 to appear performed only four songs but he did manage to work in the lyric, "Go shorty, it's your bat miztvah, we gonna party like it's your bat mitzvah". The party cost an estimated $10 million, including the price of corporate jets to ferry the performers to and from the venue.

The Rolling Stones' 'A Bigger Bang' world tour is #1 all-time, according to the 2006 Billboard magazine Boxscore monitor. The jaunt grossed $437 million putting ahead of U2's Vertigo tour, which earned approximately $377 million.

In 2007, David Bowie's "Outside"('95), "Earthling" ('97), "Hours" ('99), "Heathen" ('02) and "Reality" ('03) albums are released as a box set. There's also a bonus disc of rarities (like a cover of the Kinks "Waterloo Sunset"), B-sides and remixes.

Linkin Park was selling their rarities collection "Songs From The Underground" exclusively through Best Buy outlets in 2008. The limited-edition CD, previously available only to members of the LP Underground fan club, includes a live version of frontman Chester Bennington singing the Temple Of The Dog classic "Hunger Strike" with Chris Cornell.

Michael Fremer Album Review

Damn the Torpedoes
(reissue)


Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers


ORG Music/Backstreet 7007 2 180g LPs
Produced by: Tom Petty and Jimmy Iovine
Engineered by: Shelly Yakus
Mixed by: Shelly Yakus
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering

MUSIC



SOUND






Sneak Peak: ORG Music's Damn the Torpedoes

by Michael Fremer
October 30, 2010

ORG Music is a new division of ORG, the label that's been reissuing mostly classic jazz titles over the past few years along with the heart of Nirvana's catalog. ORG Music will specialize in classic rock reissues, with an enhanced, extra track edition of this Tom Petty breakthrough album coming first.

The $50 deluxe double red 180 gram version includes a heavy gatefold jacket, 12 page booklet and a digital download card offering your choice of MP3 or CD resolution FLAC download. It's only available at the Because Sound Matters website. The black vinyl edition is sold everywhere else.

The first of the two records, pressed at Pallas in Germany, contains the original 1979 release. The second features nine bonus tracks including seven unreleased tunes, three of which are live, plus demo tracks including terrific live in the studio "Refugee" and "Nowhere" demos. The live tracks come from a March 6, 1980 concert at London's famed Hammersmith Odeon.

I was sent Pallas test pressings on black vinyl that sounded absolutely spectacular. In fact, when "Refugee" started I didn't recognize it at first! I thought they'd sent me the wrong record—not that the original mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound is bad.

Originally issued in 1979 on Petty's Backstreet Records, a division of MCA created following a hard fought battle with the label after his original label, Shelter had been sold to MCA, Damn the Torpedoes was Petty's "breakthrough" album, with "Refugee" "Here Comes My Girl," "Even the Losers" and "Don't Do Me Like That" achieving "classic" status among rock enthusiasts.

The late '70s was a great time for L.A. rock productions and this one recorded by Shelly Yakus at Sound City in Van Nuys and Cherokee in Hollywood as the L.A. recording scene was peaking is a gem with a spectacularly punchy drum track and ringing electric guitars arrayed on a tightly focused, well defined artificial soundstage. The snare and cymbal sound is addictive and the kick drum isn't half bad either!

The louder you crank this the better it gets! There's not a digital recording made that can come close to the magnificently open, airy and extended top end of this recording.

Damn the Torpedoes captures the essence of American rock and TP and the Heartbreakers at a young peak. The album has aged extremely well and has never sounded as good as this reissue.

If you like the album, you'll love this version. The bonus tracks, particularly the live stuff including a great cover of U.K. fave Eddie Cochrane's "Somethin' Else" and the studio demo of "Refugee" add luster to an already outstanding album.

The red vinyl version is limited to 500 copies. I'm sure they'll press as many copies on black vinyl as Petty fans wish to buy.

Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/  for the exclusive rights to reprint this material. Stop by MusicAngle.com for more reviews and features.

Copyright © 2008 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved Reprinted by Permission

Vinyl Records Rule On Black Friday

I have more information for those who choose to enjoy 'Black Friday' shopping at their local record store. Here is how the people at Record Store Day put it:

"Word is out that your local indie record store may just be the place to be this Post-Thanksgiving-Shopping-Melee-Day. And that’s because indie stores across the country will be the place to get special releases created just for you, for giving and getting this holiday season, and they’re scheduled for release on Black Friday.

Now, this is not Record Store Day, Jr. or RSD 2 or Son of the Return of Record Store Day. This is just a group of special releases that you can only find at record stores. Some of them are uber-limited, some of them are available at record stores before they’re available anywhere else."

So shake that turkey hangover and get out to your local record store for some great collectible vinyl record releases!!


Here is some more detailed information of some of the vinyl record releases for Black Friday:
 (these are availabe in limited quantities and the number at the end of each description is the number being made available for record lovers)


Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent (Deluxe Edition) 2 CD set Deluxe version of new album, includes extra disc with bands like Metallica, Helmet, Foo Fighters and Fear Factory covering Killing Joke songs 1,000

Black Crowes “Say Goodnight to The Bad Guys”/”Remedy” (acoustic live) (RED) 10" vinyl picture disc w/download card One live track from each set (electric and acoustic) of the Black Crowes recent “farewelltour." “Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys”(electric live)/”Remedy” (acoustic live) 1500 
 
Drive By Truckers “The Thanksgiving Filter” (RED) 10" Vinyl w/download card New holiday-themed Truckers song. B-side “Used to Be A Cop” Both from Feb 2011 Album. 2500

Cage The Elephant “Shake Me Down” (RED) 7" Vinyl w/download card “Shake Me Down” b/w “Aberdeen” (both from forthcoming album 1/11/2011) 2500

Black Keys - Brothers  Double 12" vinyl (45 RPM) + 10" w/6 Bonus Tracks, CD, Poster The six tracks on the 10" are live tracks, all performed by the quartet: Side A:” Everlasting Light,” “Next Girl,” “Tighten Up” Side B: “Howlin’ For You”, “She’s Long Gone”, “Too Afraid To Love You”

Iron & Wine - Walking Far From Home 12" vinyl Both formats exclusive to indies (digital goes up 11/30). Both The 12" Single and the CD Maxi Single track listing: “Walking Far From Home,” “Summer In Savannah,” “Biting Your Tail” 2,500

Cee Lo Green “Fuck You”/”Fuck You (Instrumental)” Colored Vinyl 12" Maxi Colored Vinyl is exclusive format. “Fuck You” is up digitally, but there is no other place that the you can get the instrumental version. 2,500

The Doors - The Doors (Mono) 180 Gram 12" Vinyl As a stand alone LP, this is EXCLUSIVE to indies and will not be available anywhere else. The Mono release was previously available in the Doors LP Box Set, sold out for over a year. 3,000

Metallica Live @ Grimey’s CD The only physical release of Metallica’s pre-Bonnaroo show, insanely intimate secret show at The Basement below Nashville record store Grimey’s in June 2008.

Metalica Live @ Grimey’s Double 10" vinyl The only physical release of Metallica’s pre-Bonnaroo show, insanely intimate secret show at The Basement below Nashville record store Grimey’s in June 2008.

Scala & Kolacny Brothers Dawn EP A Belgian girls’ choir, conducted, arranged and accompanied by Stijn and Steven Kolzcny whose the Radiohead cover was used in the trailer for The Social Network, appears on this special EP, their first release in the United States, along with four other songs, including their covers of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” 3000

Dr. Dog - Double 7" double 7" vinyl NEW TRACKS EXCLUSIVE TO THIS RELEASE Disc 1/Side A: “Take Me Into Town”; Disc 1/Side B: “Black-Red”; Disc 2/Side A: “Nobody Knows Who You Are”; Disc 2/Side B: “The Sound” 900

Grinderman - Heathen Child 12" vinyl Includes a 6" x 5" card by Ilinca Hopfner, the same artist who did all the artwork in the Grinderman CD booklet. Ultra-limited 12' single with non-album B-side remix featuring guitar legend Robert Fripp. Side A: Heathen Child; Side B: Heathen Child w/ Robert Fripp) 500

Gaslight Anthem - Tumblin’ Dice b/w She Loves You 7" vinyl Never before released cover of Rolling Stones song. B-side is NOT the Beatles song, it’s an original Gaslight anthem song. Four colors of vinyl; cover art matches vinyl color. Randomly distributed.

George Harrison - All Things Must Past reissue on vinyl, numbered and featuring RSD logo 3 LP vinyl box set Harrison’s 1970 solo debut, released in a limited edition, numbered 180-gram vinyl set, with faithfully replicated monochromic album art, poster and lift-top box packaging. Newly remastered to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the release. 5000

Various artists 7" Record Store Day UK boxset 7" vinyl box set (5 singles) set of singles released for Record Store Day 2010 in the UK only. Blur- “Fool’s Day” first new material in 8 years; Eliza Doolittle- “Pack Up”/”Rollerblades” current UK breakthrough single: Hot Chip–”I Feel Bonnie” (feat. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy)/”Bear Witness (b-side unreleased); Kylie Minogue–”All The Lovers”/”Los Amores”; Tinie Tempah–”Pass Out/”Pass Out (SBTRKT Remix)” The ONLY physical release of the biggest single from the UK’s biggest breakthrough artist of 2010 3000

Sick Puppies 7" Side A: That Time of Year Again Side B: Odd One (Acoustic) 7" vinyl A previously unreleased Christmas track 500

Frank Sinatra - Jolly Christmas LP 180 gram 12" vinyl Originally released in 1957, Frank’s first holiday release has been certified platinum, and is released for the first time in 40 years on vinyl, exclusively to indie stores. 1500

KT Tunstall - Have Yourself A Very KT Christmas CD EP this reissue includes fairly modern Christmas songs like “2000 Miles”, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, “Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas in Hawaii)”, “Sleigh Ride”, “Fairytale of New York”, “Lonely This Christmas” 2000

MGMT - “Congratulations” Gatefold 7? Vinyl with 4 color uncoated art sleeve and 20 page illustrated storybook “Congratulations”/”Congratulations” (previously unreleased Erol Alkan Remix) 3500

Bob Dylan - “The Times They Are A Changin”/”Like A Rolling Stone” 7" Translucent Red Vinyl with 4 color uncoated stock art sleeve “The Times They Are A-Changin’” from the Whitmark Demos release /”Like a Rolling Stone” (2010 mono version) From the Legacy Mono Box release 5000

Bruce Springsteen - Save My Love 7" Vinyl with with 4 color art sleeve “Save My Love”/”Because The Night” “Save My Love” is the focus track from The Promise 5000

The Ting Tings - “Hands” Columbia 7" Custom Orange/White Mix Vinyl with 4 color art sleeve “Hands”/”Hands” (Passion Pit Remix) First US release of tracks from their upcoming album 2500

Jimi Hendrix - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year   10" green vinyl, exclusive artwork features” Little Drummer Boy,” “Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne” 5000

George Benson - White Rabbit 12" 180 gram vinyl classic CTI title remastered using the original two-track analog tapes in 40th Anniversary edition. indie exclusive from 11/26 through 12/6.

Deodato - Prelude  12" 180 gram vinyl classic CTI title remastered using the original two-track analog tapes in 40th Anniversary edition. indie exclusive from 11/26 through 12/6.

Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay 12" 180 gram vinyl classic CTI title remastered using the original two-track analog tapes in 40th Anniversary edition. indie exclusive from 11/26 through 12/6.

Stanley Turrentine - Sugar 12" 180 gram vinyl classic CTI title remastered using the original two-track analog tapes in 40th Anniversary edition. indie exclusive from 11/26 through 12/6.

U2 - Wide Awake In Europe 12" vinyl 12? vinyl,limited, numbered, 3 live tracks from European 360 tour, A side is a song called “Mercy” recorded live in Brussels on Sept 21st. New song, never before released. B side two live songs: “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight,” (recorded in Dublin, July 27, 2009), “Moment of Surrender,” (from Sept 18, 2010 recorded live in Paris) 5,000


Also at Metal Club Stores:

Anthrax - Live at the Sonisphere 10" Picture Disc
The Damned Things - "We've Got A Situation Here/Ironiclast" CD/7"
Job For A Cowboy - Ruination 3x10" Colored Vinyl/CD Box Set
Pantera - Cowboys From Hell: The Demos Vinyl
Slayer - "World Painted Blood/Atrocity Vendor" 7" 2500
Monster Magnet - Mastermind Special Edition Box Set
The Sword - "(The Night The Sky Cried) Tears of Fire" 12" Hexagonal Picture Disc