Music News, Notes & Did You Know?

Yes, vinyl is a happening thing in smalltown America:

Blast from the past: Vinyl returns to Grandview library

Library responds as nostalgic format draws young listeners

By MARK DUBOVEC

The Grandview Heights Public Library is known for its digital music collection, but now an older format is making a comeback. On Friday, Jan. 21, the library began loaning out a collection of 30 vinyl records to patrons.

"It's kind of funny because we're offering a throwback format ... while moving forward with digital," said Canaan Faulkner, coordinator of adult programs and web content at the library. "We're responding to what our patrons are using."

Read the rest HERE

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The Examiner has a great write up about an often unheralded band:

The Smoking Popes announce new album, tour...

Frank Krolicki
Chicago Rock Music Examiner

Chicago rock vets The Smoking Popes announced this week details of their sixth studio album, This Is Only a Test, due out March 15th on Asian Man Records. To coincide with the release they will embark on a spring tour that wraps up with a home city show at Double Door on Sunday, April 3 (tickets are currently on sale here). The band also have two other Chicago area shows lined up: February 19th at Montrose Room in Rosemont and February 25th at Mojoes in Joliet.

Recorded last year at the Windy City's own Atlas Studios.........

Read the rest HERE

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Isis “Oceanic” 2xLP Repress

Isis reissue

•100 on Seaweed (translucent green w/ black streaks)

•200 on Gyre (opaque olive)

•300 on Brine (swamp green/clear swirl)

•1400 on Black

Information from OMGvinyl.com

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Album Covers of Regret

As you will soon see (and I bet you have seen at least a few of these), album cover art can be humorous and dare I say it: stupid.....

Regretable Album Covers

Here's what I dug up at Wikipedia:

 Steel Panther are a glam metal band from Los Angeles, California and are mostly known for their profane and humorous lyrics. Formed in 2000, the band has formerly been known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool.

The Aldo Nova song "Fantasy" was remade by the band into a faster paced song for the MTV original series Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. The remake was released on iTunes on December 8, 2009 and their album Feel the Steel was released in June of 2009.

Michael Starr (Ralph Saenz) - vocals
Satchel (Russ Parrish) - guitar, vocals
Lexxi Foxxx (Travis Haley) - bass guitar, vocals
Stix Zadinia (Darren Leader) - drums, percussion, vocals

In December 2010 their website offered a free download of their new Christmas song "Sexy Santa".

In January 2011 Michael Starr confirmed the songs, "Tigerwoods", "Summertime", "Fuck I Like Drugs", "Supersonic Sex Machine", and "17 Girls In A Row" for the new album in 2011.

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Gibson.com has a wonderful write-up, check it out:

On the Road Again: Why Bands Play Classic Albums Live

By Peter Hodgson

Is it a coincidence that as album sales decline, more bands seem to be playing more concerts in more markets than ever before? Musicians are becoming hip to the fact that their new albums aren’t exactly burning up the charts like they used to, and that, perhaps, their back catalog is worth re-examining. Often this is in the form of a greatest hits tour, but more and more often, popular acts with a decent history under their belts are choosing to play entire classic albums every night, sometimes to mark an anniversary, and sometimes just for the fun of it.

Recent album-oriented tours include Mötley Crüe playing Dr. Feelgood, The Cult playing Love......

Read the rest here: Gibson.com




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GORGUTS: 'From Wisdom To Hate', 'Obscura' Albums To Be Released On Vinyl 

War On Music Records has announced the upcoming vinyl release of the GORGUTS albums "From Wisdom To Hate" (2001) and "Obscura" (1998). These records were largely regarded as pioneering works in the technical death metal genre, and set the standard for the decade to follow.

"From Wisdom To Hate" will be made available on LP for the first time ever, limited to 1,000 copies and coming in April. "Obscura" will be issued as a double LP several months later, coinciding with the upcoming CD reissue of the long-out-of-print album.


Read more HERE




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TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK - New Album Tracklist, Final Cover Art Revealed

Norwegian metallers TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK have revealed the tracklist and the final cover art, for their upcoming debut album, '34613.'

The band have released the following statement:

"34613 has been in the works for the past two and a half years, so it feels real good to complete the tracklist with a new song called 'Ice Mountain'. Ice Mountain is about one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. It's about how the largest passenger steamship in the world at the time (1912), struck an iceberg and sank, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people. I guess you've all figured by now the song is about The RMS Titanic. Graham Bonnet (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ALCATRAZZ, RAINBOW) is upon our request writing the lyrics and he will also handle all vocals. Ice Mountain will not sound that far off something he did back in the days with Alcatrazz and IMPELLITTERI, and it will definitely be one of the highlights on the album. We are really overwhelmed working with one of our all-time favourite singers. Well, while we are waiting for Graham Bonnet to finish this last song, we are putting the final touches on the rest of the album. Right now we're recording some additional vocal harmonies and some additional guitarparts for a few songs. We're getting there, slowly but surely, just like good wine! We will start shopping for labels real soon so stay tuned for more news coming up shortly!"

34613 was recorded on a song-by-song basis (mid 2007 through mid 2010). It was recorded in different locations around the world (Norway, USA, Finland and Germany). All the mixing and mastering was handled by Colin Davis at Imperial Mastering (Pacheco, California).

Gotta love the cover art!

34613 tracklisting:

'As Darkness Falls (Intro)'
'Gate To Freedom'
'Glass Mountain'
'A Song For You'
'Doubt'
'The Ethereal Dream'
'34613 (Instr.)'
'White Lightning'
'Liquid Scream '
'Kill Again '
'March Of The Demons'
'Red Rum' (LIZZY BORDEN cover)
'The Ethereal Dream' (feat. Michael Kiske)

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My favorite over 60 band:

KISS Begin Working on New Album

Bryan Wawzenek

KISS have plans to enter the studio in March to begin work on a new album that they hope to have out by the end of the year. Guitarist Tommy Thayer spoke to BackstageAxxess.com about the plans during the recent NAMM convention.

Read more at Gibson.com

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$125,000 Paid For Beatles Album

Goldmine Magazine is reporting that a record has sold for $125,000.  The valuable record?  None other than The Beatles, 'Introducing The Beatles,' LP, still sealed.

This was listed as a factory-sealed copy of The Beatles’ 'Introducing The Beatles' first stereo release on Vee-Jay (VGLP 1062), complete with the original $1.99 Alexander’s store label and supposedly the only version like it known to exist.

This is also the most counterfeited record in the business, however, I highly doubt that this is a fake, given the provanance.

But, that is an aweful lot of money, my feeling is that two bidders got way over their heads on this deal and
whether the sale will ultimately go through remains to be seen.

Read more about this sale at GoldmineMag.com




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Did You Know?

A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.
 
A donkey will sink in quicksand but a mule won't.

John Lennon's first girlfriend was named Thelma Pickles.
 
enough of that...
 
In 1956, Elvis Presley's smash single, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley's contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies the first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis' first Gold record.
 
On this date in 1967, General Motors began offering an eight-track tape player as an option in their Buick line.
 
In 1958, Little Richard left Rock and Roll and enrolled in bible school at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard explained that while flying over the Philippines on tour, the wing of his plane caught fire and his prayers that the flames go out were answered, so he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God. During his four years in school, he still had hit records with previously recorded material like "Good Golly Miss Molly". By the time he returned to music in 1962, the British Invasion had started and the best Richard could do was a minor UK hit, "He Got What He Wanted". In 1965, Jimi Hendrix backed him on "I Don't Know What You've Got, But It's Got Me", but the song barely cracked the US Hot 100, topping out at number 92.
 
Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" was released in 1968. The release came 6 weeks after he was killed in a plane crash.
 

 
In 1973, Stevie Wonder scores his second US number one with his twenty-third Top 40 hit, "Superstition."

In 1993, Warner Brothers Records announces that it is releasing rapper Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) from his contract due to "creative differences." The previous summer the record company found itself in the middle of controversy over Ice-T's song, "Cop Killer". Marrow would go on to co-star in the police drama, Law and Order in 1999.
 
CVR Blog Spotlight - Sunshine by Jonathan Edwards

Edwards was forced to record this 1971 hit when one of the tracks recorded near the end of the 1970 sessions, "Please Find Me," was accidentally erased. Instead of redoing that song, he wrote a new one, which was "Sunshine." It was released as a single the following year and quickly became a hit.

There was a lot of controversy about this song when it came out. It was taken by many to be a repudiation of Christianity (check out the lyrics) and a lot of radio stations at the time wouldn't play it.
 

 

And Happy Birthday to Mike Patton (Faith No More) 1968 and Nedra Talley (The Ronettes) 1947

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 24, 2011


DEAR JERRY: I grew up in Chester Heights, Pa., but the Top 40 station we listened to was WAMS 1380, from Wilmington, Del.

One instrumental on their early '60s playlist was referred to as “Let's Go Down the River Nile.”

I am trying to put together a collection of tunes from those days, but this “Nile” one has me stumped.

Can you help?
—Mike Scarpini, Philadelphia

DEAR MIKE: You have the right river, but the title has neither invitation nor navigational details. It is simply “River Nile,” by LEROY and His Rockin' Fellers (Cameo 194).

This fine instrumental, “River Nile,” definitely got some spins in the tri-state area where you lived, though it did not make the national charts.

Still, it didn't go completely unnoticed by Billboard. They awarded it three stars, out of a possible four, in their New Singles Reviews for the week October 9, 1961, adding it had “moderate sales potential.”

Surprising to collectors is how rare this recording is, in any configuration, and that no one has seen a commercial Cameo (red and black label) copy, despite being a regional hit in a populous area. Only black-and-white (promotional) copies are known.

Curious about the story behind this, I wanted to locate either LeRoy or one of his Rockin' Fellers.

Thanks to some fortuitous events, plus valuable assistance from David Tourison, we eventually heard from LeRoy (Lee Schappell).

Not only does Lee answer my long-standing Cameo label question, but he reminisces fondly about the ups and downs typical of a teenage band pursuing their passion:

DEAR JERRY: Wyoming cowpoke Dave Tourison informs me you been looking for information about our band.

LEROY and His Rockin' Fellers recorded both sides of Cameo 194 in the Spring of 1961: “River Nile” and “The Unfinished Fifth.”

I played lead guitar; George Biddle played rhythm guitar; Bill Dougherty was our drummer, and Ken Hipple played alto sax.

Our manager, Jimmy Myers (a.k.a. Jimmy DeKnight), previously managed Bill Haley and His Comets, but we unfortunately entered the picture a few years too late to be a part of that scene.

As for the record, Cameo only pressed them with black-and-white labels, ones customarily made for dee jays and promotional purposes. Ours were indeed used as promos, but because they were not marked as “For Promotional Use Only” Cameo also distributed them to retail stores.

We never knew how many they pressed, but none had Cameo's normal black-and-red commercial label. We soon learned why.

“River Nile” got decent exposure in eastern Pennsylvania, south Jersey, and Delaware. We did a lot of radio station events and record hops to promote our record.

Regrettably, we never got a cent from Cameo-Parkway. When royalties were due, they said “no records were sold.”

Here's the catch: black-and-white issues never earned royalties because they were supposed to be used only for promotion, and since Cameo didn't make any with red-and-black labels, they claimed no sales for them and no royalties for us.

We were just 17, and excited beyond description. We trusted far too much and in the end got squat. In that regard, we were neither the first band nor the last.

“River Nile” did make the charts on a few radio stations in the area, including WMLP (Milton-Lewisburg, Pa.); WRAW (Reading, Pa.); and WAMS (Wilmington, Del.). Seems it was a dee jay favorite when they needed music to fill in until “news at the top of the hour.” They preferred instrumentals for this purpose because, unlike vocals, they can be faded-out when necessary.

We also appeared live on a Bandstand-type show on WNEP-TV in northeastern Pa.

Overall, it was a real blast for four kids fresh from 11 years in a boys' home. Suddenly we were on the road for that whole summer, playing rock and roll. We were living the “American Graffiti” life. What wonderful innocence!
— Lee Schappell, Reading, Pa.


IZ ZAT SO? So where are His Rockin' Fellers now? LeRoy knows:

“I believe Bill is still in North Philly, probably retired by now; George builds and repairs boats in Marina Del Rey, Calif.; Ken is probably somewhere in Florida; and I'm still here in Reading. Now I'm with the New Earth Band, making rough-cut, organic country gospel music.

“Oh yes, Cameo's studio bassist laid down the bottom on our sessions because our bassist, Ted Wolff, headed west. I have not seen Dr. Wolff in 45 years, but I know he is a college professor.”

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

Music News, Notes & Did You Know?

Modern Radio's co-owners talk about the ever-changing record industry

By Loren Green

In 1999, Tom Loftus quietly released the Misfires' Dead End Expressway on CD and vinyl. Over 11 years and 52 releases later, Modern Radio Records is still rolling, with 45 of those 52 releases still in print.

The industry has changed since the label first started. Major labels have lost status, CDs are becoming relics, and music sales as a whole have tumbled, but Loftus and label partner Peter Mielech have only made Modern Radio stronger.

For Loftus and Mielech, Modern Radio is a labor of love.

Read more Modern Radio



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PANIC! AT THE DISCO reveal cover art for upcoming VICES & VIRTUES

PANIC! AT THE DISCO have unveiled the cover art for their March 29th release of VICES & VIRTUES.













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Steve Miller Band Announce First Austin City Limits Taping

Austin City Limits recently announced the first taping in its new state-of-the-art home at The Moody Theater with a special performance by Steve Miller Band including material from his soon-to-be-released new Blues Rock album 'Let Your Hair Down.'   Preceding the taping there will be a free party with music, events and more in downtown Austin on Saturday, February 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. sponsored in part by Cirrus Logic, The 2nd Street District and The Moody Foundation.

“This is a dream come true for ACL – a new home in downtown Austin that will be an amazing world-class music venue and studio soundstage combined,” said Austin City Limits Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “After 36 years, we have big plans for the future, and that future begins on February 26th. The best is yet to come!”

Lauded rock guitarist Steve Miller and his band (Roadrunner/Loud & Proud) have been inspiring fans for more than four decades with Miller’s unique brand of rousing American rock ‘n’ roll. His catalog includes 17 studio albums and multiple hit singles including “The Joker,” “Take The Money and Run,” “Jet Airliner,” “Abracadabra” and more.

To help celebrate this iconic singer, ACL will be giving away a limited number of Space Available tickets to this taping. Click on this link below to enter your name and email address here by noon Friday, February 18. Recipients will receive 2 tickets each and be chosen at random. (Please be in Austin or the surrounding community).

Austin City Limits Contest

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Devolved New Album Details Revealed

Australian/Los Angeles tech-metal masters Devolved will release their new full-length album, 'Oblivion,' on May 24 via Unique Leader Records. According to a press release, the effort will contain "10 songs of unrelenting modern metal which combines uncompromising intensity, chaotic timing signitures, insane musicianship and a futuristic soundscape blended to create an epic and totally crushing listening experience from start to stop!









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MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ: New Album Title, Artwork, Release Date

MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ, the new project led by WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp, will release its second album, "Stand Your Ground", on March 28. Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Gotta Get Away", "Alright By Me" and "Don't Let Them Put It On You". The album's cover artwork was created by Karsten Sand.










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Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Alison Krauss Working on New Don Henley Album

Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn has said that he is singing on the new Don Henley country-flavored album.

“Sang on the new Don Henley record, Friday. Don, Allison Krauss and my unqualified self. I was in WAY over my head in that talent pool. Hope it came off to good. Also, Stan Lynch (Google that name...) another hero, was involved. Lucky me!,” Dunn wrote on Facebook.

Read More at VintageVinylNews

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Did You Know?

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.

In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on watch is 10:10. Or is it ten to two?

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.

In 1956 - Buddy Holly made his first recordings for Decca. Backing Buddy on four songs are Grady Martin on guitar and Doug Kirkham on drums.

In 1962, Bishop Burke of the Buffalo, New York Catholic Diocese bans the Twist, in any form, from all of his school's functions.

In 1970 - John Lennon wrote and recorded "Instant Karma."



Ringo Starr went to #1 on the Billboard singles chart in 1974 with his version of Johnny Burnette's 1960 #8 hit "Your Sixteen". The track featured Paul McCartney on kazoo and Harry Nilsson on background vocals.

In 1984 - Michael Jackson was hospitalized with burns to his scalp after his hair catches fire while shooting a Pepsi commercial.

Celebrating birthdays today - Eddie Van Halen (54), Lucinda Williams (58), Anita Baker (53) among others.

And in 1999, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that John Denver died in a 1997 airplane crash because he took off with too little fuel in one tank, had trouble switching to his backup tank and inadvertently put his plane into a roll while his attention was diverted.

And remember - AMOS LEE on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno  tonight!!

AMOS LEE on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on January 26th

AMOS LEE TO MAKE SEVERAL TV AND RADIO APPEARANCES IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM MISSION BELL — OUT TODAY ON BLUE NOTE RECORDS

PERFORMANCES INCLUDE THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, ELLEN, NPR’S “ALL THINGS CONSIDERED,” AND “WORLD CAFÉ” THIS WEEK AND TAVIS SMILEY, THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, AND THE EARLY SHOW IN FEBRUARY AFTER WRAPPING UP U.S. HEADLINING TOUR, LEE WILL PERFORM AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL ON APRIL 30TH

January 25th, 2011 — New York, NY — Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Amos Lee will make a series of upcoming television and radio appearances over the next month as he rides a wave of critical praise for his brand-new album Mission Bell, which is out today on Blue Note Records. Lee will appear on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on January 26th and The Ellen DeGeneres Show on January 28th. Also on the 28th, Lee will be featured on NPR’s “World Café” program, which will broadcast a performance by and interview with Lee that can be heard on more than 200 stations nationwide. Additionally, Lee will appear on PBS’s Tavis Smiley on February 1st, The Late Show With David Letterman on February 16th, and The Early Show on February 18th. Yesterday, Lee was featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

Purchase his new album here amoslee.com

Mission Bell, the highly anticipated fourth album from the Philadelphia-based singer and songwriter, has already spawned a radio hit, “Windows Are Rolled Down,” which was released digitally in November. The track is currently No. 11 at AAA radio and has remained on the chart for nine weeks with airplay on more than 75 stations.

Three tracks from Mission Bell will be made available as free downloads this week. “Windows Are Rolled Down” will be available at more than 8,000 U.S. stores as a Starbucks Pick of the Week iTunes download beginning January 26th, iTunes will feature “Violin” as their free “Discovery Download” selection for the week of January 25th through the 31st, and “El Camino” will be Amazon MP3’s “Free Country Song of Week” beginning January 25th.

Lee is currently on the road for his 2011 U.S. headlining tour in support of Mission Bell, which includes a performance for NPR’s Mountain Stage live music program, broadcast from Charleston, West Virginia, on April 24th. (Please visit Amos Lee’s show page for tour dates). When the tour concludes on April 29th, Lee will travel to Louisiana to perform on the Gentilly Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30th. Please visit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival page for more information.

Produced by Calexico’s Joey Burns, Mission Bell is Lee’s richest and most fully formed recording to date, displaying an array of emotions unified by his eclectic taste and distinctive vocals. With a remarkable set of guests — including Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, and James Gadson — and the musical backing of Calexico, the album marks the arrival of Lee as a mature artist who continues to explore his musical and thematic interests.

New Music Releases - January 25, 2011

Wow! Here we have biggest music release in months with many fantastic reissues and vinyl record releases. I highly recommend Wanda Jackson's Jack White produced covers album, Iron & Wine's' Kiss Each Other Clean,' Deerhoof's 'Deerhoof Vs. Evil' and Amos Lee's 'Mission Bell'; just for starters.

As always, CVR Blog picks are in red:

13th Floor Elevators - Easter Everywhere (2 CDs)
Acrylics - Lives and Treasure
Alex Nackman - This Revolution
Aloha - The Great Communicators, The Interpreters, The Nonbelievers (reissue) (vinyl)
Amos Lee - Mission Bell (vinyl)
Andre Afram Asmar - Harmonic Emergency
Annie Haslam - Annie in Wonderland (Remastered & Bonus Tracks)
Apex Manor - Year of Magical Drinking
Architects UK - Here & Now
Ben + Vespers - Honors
Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney - Radio Sessions (2 CDs)
Bing Crosby - Bing Sings the Sinatra Songbook
Bing Crosby - Essential Early Recordings
Bing Crosby - Southern Memoir
Blaqstarr - The Divine
Bob Wayne - Outlaw Carnie
Bobby Darin - Mighty Mighty Man (2 CDs)
Boz Scaggs - Playlist: The Very Best of
Break Science - Further Than Our Eyes Can See
Bridget St. John - Ask Me No Questions (vinyl)
Brown Recluse - Evening Tapestry
Bruce Lamont - Feral Songs For The Epic Decline
Bruekke - The Loft
Bull Thieves - Bull Thieves
CREEP - “Days” 12" (vinyl)
Canned Heat - Canned Heat (vinyl)
Caroline - Verdugo Hills
Carrie Elkin - Call It My Garden
Chain and the Gang - "Cry, Cry, Cry Over You" b/w "Snakes on a Plane" 7''
Charles Bradley - No Time for Dreaming (vinyl)
Chikita Violenta - Tre3s
Cleared - Cleared (vinyl)
Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings (vinyl)
Cold Snap - Perfection
Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours (vinyl)
Com Truise - Cyanide Sisters EP
Corinne Bailey Rae - The Love [EP]
Crass - Feeding of the 5000 (remastered with bonus tracks)
Crass - Stations of the Crass (remastered with bonus tracks)
Dala - Everyone Is Someone
David Berkeley - Some Kind of Cure
David Guetta - One More Love
Death - Spiritual, Mental, Physical
Deerhoof & Physical Forms - Hoofdriver (vinyl)
Deerhoof - Deerhoof vs. Evil (vinyl)|
Defiled - In Crisis
Deitrick Haddon - Church On The Moon
Delicate Steve - Wondervisions
Destroyer - Kaputt (vinyl)
Duchess Leo – Golden Gray
Duke Garwood: Dreamboatsafari
Dustin Edge - Calm [EP]
Edwin Starr - Clean
Ensemble - Excerpts
Epstein - Sealess See (vinyl)|
Eric & Magill - All Those I Know
Esther Phillips - Here's Esther Are You Ready / Good Black Is Hard
Esther Phillips - You've Come a Long Way Baby / All About Esther
Eva Cassidy - Simply Eva
Exray’s - Exray’s
Feed Me - Big Adventure
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. - Very Best of Rat Pack
Frankie Laine - I Believe (2 CDs)
Freddie King - Bonanza of Instrumentals (vinyl)
Freddie King - Let's Hide Away / Dance Away With Freddie King (vinyl)
Fujiya & Miyagi - Ventriloquizzing (vinyl)
Funeral Party - Golden Age of Knowhere
Funeral Party - Live at the BBC
Gaddabouts - The Gaddabouts
Gang Gang Dance - Kamakura
Gang of Four - Content (vinyl)
Gaslight Anthem - Tumbling Dice / She Loves You (vinyl)
Get Up Kids - There Are Rules (vinyl)
Ghost Heart - The Tunnel
Grand Magus - Hammer of the North
Greater Pacific - Rainfall
Grouplove - Grouplove
Harvey Milk - Small Turn of Human Kindness
I Was a King - Old Friends
Ike Turner - Rock-a-Bucket (2 CDs)
Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean
James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning
Joe Nichols - Greatest Hits
John Renbourn - Palermo Snow
John Vanderslice - White Wilderness (vinyl)|
Johnny McEvoy - The Story: Definitive Collection (2 CDs)
Jon Anderson & Rick Wakeman - Living Tree
Josh Ritter - The Animal Years (reissue)
LCD Soundsystem: London Sessions
Lake - "You Are Alone" b/w "Higher Than Merry" 7''
Lake - 2 Songs (vinyl)
Led Bib - Bring Your Own | CD MP3
Leroy Carr - When Sun Goes Down 1934-41 With Scrapper Blackwell (4 CDs)
Lia Ices - Grown Unknown (vinyl)|
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Spanish Fly (reissue)(vinyl)
Little Comets - In Search of Elusive Little Comets
Lori McKenna - Lorraine
Los Chicharrons - Roots Of Life
Lou Rawls - Playlist: THe Very Best of
Louis Prima - Rarities & Hits! a Centennial Celebration
Lynn Miles - Fall for Beauty
Mangum - The Visitation
Marlena Shaw - Take a Bite
Matthew Friedberger - Napoleonette (vinyl)
Mean Creek - Hemophiliac [EP]
Metal Mountains - Golden Trees
Michael Chapman - Trainsong - Guitar Compositions, 1967-2010
Mike Adams At His Honest Weight - Oscillate Wisely
Monotonix - Not Yet (vinyl)
Mother of Mercy - IV: Symptoms of Existence
Motorhead - World Is Yours (vinyl)
Motorhead - World Is Yours: Limited Edition (2 CDs)
Mount Eerie - Black Wooden
Mr. Mister - Playlist: The Very Best of
My Disco - Little Joy (vinyl)
Nicole Atkins - Mondo Amore
Olivia Newton-John - A Celebration In Song
Outfield - Playlist: The Very Best of
Paper Diamond – Levitate [EP]
Papercranes - Let's Make Babies in the Woods
Patti Austin - Sound Advice
Patti Page - Singles 1946 -1952 (3 CDs)
Paul Wall - Politics as Usual
Pendulum - Immersion
Phil Manley - Life Coach (vinyl)
Popul Vuh - Werner Herzog Soundtracks (5-CD box set)
Praxis - Profanation: Preparation For A Coming Darkness
Quiet Life – Big Green
Radio Dept - Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010
Rain Phoenix - Let’s Make Babies in the Woods
Ransom - Ransom (25th Anniversary Edition)
Ringside - Lost Days
Roger Miret and The Disasters - Gotta Get Up Now
Romantics - Playlists: The Very Best of
Runner Runner - Runner Runner
Ryan Adams - Gold (reissue)(vinyl)
Same Sneed - Street Scholars
Santana - Shango: 30th Anniversary Edition
Santana - The Swing of Delight: 30th Anniversary Edition
Santana - Zebop!: 30th Anniversary Edition
Say Hi - Um, Uh Oh
Seryn -This Is Where We Are
Sic Alps - Napa Asylum (vinyl)
Sidi Touré – Sahel Folk (vinyl)|
Silent Stream of Godless Elegy - Návaz
Sonny Smith - 100 Records Volume 2: I Miss the Jams
Spacemen 3 - DJ Tones
Spike Jones - Absolutely Essential (3 CDs)
T Bone Burnett - Playlist: The Very Best of
Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows
Thank You - Golden Worry (vinyl)
The Books - Thought For Food (remastered)
The Ex - Catch My Shoe
The Holydrug Couple - Ancient Land EP 12''
The Muffs - Kaboodle (reissue with bonus tracks)
The Queers - Live In Philly 2006 (vinyl)
The Radio Dept. - Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010 [2xCD]
The Shadow Theory - Behind The Black Veil
The Very End - Mercy and Misery
Twisted Sister - Club Daze Vol. 1: The Studio Sessions
Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll
U.S. Royalty - Mirrors
Ulcerate - The Destroyers of All
Until Your Heart Stops - Errors Creator
VYGR - Hypersleep
Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend 1965-1968
Various Artists - 2011 Grammy Nominees
Various Artists - Absolutely Essential (3 CDs)
Various Artists - Hear Me Howling! Blues, Ballads, & Beyond: The Arhoolie 50th Anniversary Boxset (4 CDs)
Various Artists - O Brother Where Art Thou (2 LPs) (vinyl)
Various Artists - Friday Night Lights: Original Television Soundtrack
Various Artists - Norwegian Wood (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Piano Tribute to John Lennon
Various Artists - Piano Tribute to Radiohead
Various Artists Smooth Jazz Tribute to the Beatles
Vinicius Cactuaria & Bill Frisell - Lagrimas Mexicanas
Volture - Shocking Its Prey
Wanda Jackson - Party Ain't Over (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - Playlist: The Very Best Gospel of
Winsin & Yandel - Los Vaqueros: El Reseo
Wire - Red Barked Tree (vinyl)
Woodsman - Rare Forms
Woven Hand - Threshing Floor (vinyl)
Young Prisms - Friends For Now
Young The Giant
Young the Giant – Young the Giant | CD MP3
Zs - New Slaves Part II: Essence Implosion! (vinyl)

New Jazz Releases

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.

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

Music News, Notes & Did You Know?

alarmpress.com/  has a enjoyable look at a vinyl record store in LA

Behind the Counter: POPshop & Spazz Records (West Monroe, LA)

Posted by Kyle Gilkeson

Each week, Behind the Counter speaks to an independent record store to ask about its recent favorites, best sellers, and noteworthy trends.

POPshop & Spazz Records in West Monroe, Louisiana, is a record store and art boutique run by Brad and Leslie Richman. With a focus on metal and punk, the dual-purpose storefront is, according to its owners, the only store in the area to carry new vinyl releases. For its favorite-record photos, Brad, Leslie, and employee Erica Hijazi went all out, coordinating their clothing (and beverages) with their picks. It's that attention to detail that makes POPshop & Spazz the focus of this week's column.

alarmpress.com

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Funeral Party Release Live at the BBC EP, Promise LP in March

LA based Funeral Party have released an EP titled 'Live at the BBC' today. The EP features several tracks recorded late last summer when the band was invited into the studio for a special live session after BBC Radio’s Zane Lowe added multiple Funeral Party tracks to his “Hottest Record in the World” playlist.

The band is readying their debut album release in Golden Age of Knowhere, produced by Lars Stalfors (Matt & Kim, The Mars Volta) and mixed by Dave Sardy (Band of Horses, LCD Soundsystem, Oasis). Golden Age of Knowhere will be released via CD and digitally on March 29th, while vinyl will be available on February 15th.

Live at the BBC Tracklist:

1. Just Because (Live At The BBC)
2. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Live At The BBC)
3. Finale (Live At The BBC)
4. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Dave Sitek Remix)
5. Just Because (Kids Of 88 Remix)
6. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Mike Relm Remix)

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My Chemical Romance Release Limited Edition Vinyl

A limited edition vinyl format of My Chemical Romance's widely-acclaimed new album 'Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys' is now available exclusively through UK Undercurrent at ukundercurrent.com .

This format is issued on black vinyl and will be limited to 2500 copies worldwide. An even more limited run of 500 coloured vinyl records is also available from http://www.mychemicalromance.com/ .

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Here's an interesting concept, although artist Daniel Edlen gets my vote:

spraygraphic.com

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Did You Know?

Charlie Brown's father was a barber.

Of the six men who made up the Three Stooges, three of them were real brothers (Moe, Curly and Shemp.) Hey Moe!

Pulp Fiction cost $8 million to make - $5 million going to actor's salaries.

A full seven percent of the entire Irish barley crop goes to the production of Guinness beer. Hail ale!

In 1964, The Beatles scored their first number one best seller in the US when "I Want To Hold Your Hand" reached the top of the Cash Box Magazine music chart. The Fab Four would eventually rack up 25 number ones in America.



In 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival released the "Proud Mary" LP.

In 1975, "Please Mr. Postman" became a US number one for the second time when The Carpenters took it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The Marvelettes version led the hit parade in January, 1961. Although the Beatles also recorded a popular version of the song, it didn't make the American Top 40.

In 1978, Randy Newman had a lot of people upset when his song "Short People" hit the top of the Cash Box best sellers list. The song was meant to poke fun at all prejudice and did just that with the line "short people got no reason to live". Before "Short People", Newman was most noted for writing Three Dog Night's 1970 chart topper, "Mama Told Me Not To Come". These days, he can be heard singing "It's a Jungle Out There", the theme to the US TV show Monk.



Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins died of pneumonia in 1990 after being ill for several months. He was 37. Collins had survived a plane crash in 1977 that killed three other band members.

"Good Day Sunshine" - Paul McCartney wrote this on a sunny day at John Lennon's house. It was influenced by the Lovin' Spoonful, who had a happy hit with "Do You Believe In Magic?"

If you see her today, wish Alicia Keys a Happy Birthday!

and in 2010, KISS rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Is there anything they haven't done??

Derek and the Dominos' 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' Turns 40!

One of Eric Clapton's Defining Albums Marks its 40th Anniversary on March 29th With Deluxe Multi-format Edition Featuring New and Long-Unavailable Music and Never-Seen Photos

In the world of rock there are recordings that truly resonate in historical importance and continue to cast an enduring shadow of influence. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the most steadfastly revered musical treasures of its era. Its famous title track is still hailed as an essential rock guitar anthem, a signature tune of rock's leading guitar hero, Eric Clapton.

Recorded in 1970 by Derek and the Dominos, the group was comprised of Clapton and top American session musicians. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs music offers a timeless blend of rock, electric blues and Southern gospel influences that has shaped generations of roots-oriented musicians.

Derek and the Dominos came together at a very special time and place – riding a late '60s wave of interest in roots music and blues-based rock and roll. In 1969, Clapton found inspiration playing in the loose, family-like structure of Delaney and Bonnie and Friends – an American, R&B-influenced entourage whose 1969 U.K. tour hit the British music scene with seismic proportion.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek, spontaneously chosen name, Derek and the Dominos represented a sincere effort to recreate the friendly, leaderless vibe and easy, groove-driven sound Clapton had enjoyed in '69. The foursome originally featured Delaney and Bonnie's rhythm section – keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon – plus Clapton on voice and guitars. They first came together in late spring of 1970, developing their sound while performing on George Harrison's breakthrough solo album, All Things Must Pass (their studio jams pushed the album to a three-disc package.) That June, Derek and the Dominos premiered publicly in London. By August they began recording their debut album at Criteria Studios in Miami, with legendary producer Tom Dowd in the control room.

Layla and Other Love Songs – the double-album that Derek and the Dominos recorded over the next 6 weeks showcased the creative singing and songwriting axis formed by Clapton and the Memphis-born Bobby Whitlock, who had grown up around the city's legendary Stax Studios. The confluence of their respective experiences – British blues-rock and Southern American R&B – generated a number of gospel-inflected tunes that featured their intertwined voices harmonizing much in the fashion of a rock-world Sam & Dave, and are among the most representative and covered tunes of that era: "Anyday," "Keep On Growing," "Tell the Truth," "I Looked Away" and "Why Does Love Got To Be So Bad."

The sessions also saw the rare coming together of Clapton and Duane Allman: two blues-rock specialists from different sides of the Atlantic. That happened when the Allman Brothers Band – then just breaking into mainstream popularity – performed in Miami on the second night of the recording sessions. The musical encounter resulted in a night full of studio jams, followed by the inclusion of Allman's guitar on most of the album, including standout duels on such blues numbers as "Key To The Highway" and "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?" and the double slide-guitar workout that defines the famous piano coda section of "Layla." Allman died only a few months later in a motorcycle accident.

Clapton's profound adoration of the American blues tradition – in all of its forms and styles – is one of the most prominent threads in the musical tapestry that is Layla and Other Love Songs. His choice of blues-based tunes to cover on the album stretches from "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (made famous by Bessie Smith in 1923) and "Key to the Highway" (associated with Big Bill Broonzy, from 1940) to Chuck Willis's plaintive R&B ballad "It's Too Late" (1956), Freddie King's "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" (1960), and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" (1967).

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs achieved gold-album status within months of its release in late 1970, was entered into the Grammy® Hall of Fame in 2000, and today remains a ubiquitous entry in various "Top 100" and "All-Time Greatest" polls, and "Must Hear" lists. To be released March 29, 2011, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is a multi-format collection offering an appropriately comprehensive salute to this iconic album and the band that created it. The set will feature the original double-disc album in both digital and vinyl formats, expanded to include newly remastered tracks, and a treasure trove of music.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition stands as the centerpiece of a series of releases paying tribute to the historic album. Many of the elements within the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions will be available separately, and in various formats – including a single-disc edition of the remastered Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs; a 2-LP remastered vinyl edition of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs; a 2-CD edition of Derek and the Dominos: In Concert; and downloadable editions of all configurations on iTunes. A full list of each configuration with respective release numbers follows:

1. Single-Disc Version/Digital Equivalent
2. 2CD Deluxe/Digital Equivalent
3. 4-CD / DVD / 2-LP Super Deluxe Edition
4. 2-LP Vinyl Reissue
5. Digital exclusive
6. iTunes LP
7. 7-inch vinyl single/Digital equivalent "Got To Get Better In A Little While" b/w "Layla"

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

Music News, Notes & Did You Know?

a very detailed account of some great album cover art No Limit Records

The Irrepressible Album Art of No Limit Records

In the world of late-1990s rap music, few figures could boast the success and popularity of Percy Miller, a.k.a. Master P. The New Orleans native began small, running his fledgling No Limit Records label out of a San Francisco suburb.


Read the rest HERE








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Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt of Iron Butterfly & Captain Beyond Joins Forces With Great Southern

Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt has had a long history in rock music. He first recorded with the Georgia based bands The Load (1967-69) and The Second Coming (1969-70, with Dickey Betts & Berry Oakley) before joining Iron Butterfly to record their album Metamorphasis.



Read more: VintageVinylNews.com






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SONS OF SEASONS: New Album Details Revealed 

SONS OF SEASONS — the new progressive/symphonic metal band led by keyboardist/guitarist Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, DORO) — has set "Magnisphyricon" as the title of its second album, due on April 1 via Napalm Records.

According to a press release, SONS OF SEASONS steps into the limelight once again to deliver a second album that is even more impressive than their debut. 'Magnisphyricon' is not a mere continuation of their chosen path, but rather a bold step into unexplored musical territories. Led by mastermind Oliver Palotai, the band performs the difficult feat of balancing technical prowess with memorable melodies. Some of the best examples of this gripping mix of musical complexity and headbanging quality are 'Soul Symmetry' and 'Tales of Greed'. The new songs also provide Henning Basse (METALIUM) a forum in which to prove his vocal talents and ennoble the album with sweeping renditions. Simone Simons (EPICA) again lends her captivating voice, making the track 'Sanctuary' one of the album's undisputed highlights. The powerful and lively production completes the listening experience and gives the tracks their crystal-clear quality. 'Magnisphyricon' is a profound and multifaceted melodic symphonic metal album that will whisk you away to a breathtaking sound universe."

Read more HERE

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AGNOSTIC FRONT: 'My Life My Way' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Unveiled

"My Life My Way", the new album from New York hardcore legends AGNOSTIC FRONT, will be released on March 4 in Europe and March 22 in North America on Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida for a March 4 European and March 22 North American release via Nuclear Blast Records. The album features 13 new powerful and anthemic songs laid down by Erik Rutan (MADBALL, GOATWHORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, etc.) under the watchful guide of producer Freddy Cricien of MADBALL. The record was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.

The "My Life My Way" cover artwork was brought to life this time by artist Todd Hubber, who also works with vocalist Roger Miret on designing his street wear clothing line American Made Kustom.

Read more HERE



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METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX: 'Big Four' U.S. Dates To Be Announced Tomorrow


The dates for the U.S. leg of the touring rock festival featuring the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — will be announced on Tuesday, January 25 at 8 a.m. PST.

The two-disc DVD release of "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria", containing footage of the June 22, 2010 Sonisphere cinecast from the Sofia, Bulgaria leg of the "Big Four" tour has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. (Note: Due to the fact that the set consists of two discs, it was eligible for platinum certification after shipping 50,000 copies; platinum certification for a single-disc release is 100,000 copies.)

Read more HERE










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BRET MICHAELS' 1969 Camaro Sold For $200,000 At 40th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

According to FoxNews.com, POISON frontman Bret Michaels's personal 1969 Camaro snagged a whopping $200,000 — with a signature guitar and lifetime backstage pass to his concerts thrown in for good measure — at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on Saturday, January 22 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

An avid car and motorcycle enthusiast, Michaels was recently named People magazine's "Survivor of the Year" and Fox411's "Celebrity of the Year." In May 2010, he was hand-picked as Donald Trump's Season 3 winner on "The Celebrity Apprentice".

Read more HERE

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Travis Barker reveals album cover

Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has revealed the cover art for his upcoming solo album

The illustration is by Pushead (Brian Schroeder), an artist and record label owner who specializes in the hardcore punk and heavy metal genres. In the past, he has created artwork for Metallica and The Misfits.










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a wonderful post over at the vinyl district: 

Record Store Spotlight: Origami Vinyl

By ashleyeliot | Published: January 24, 2011

In April of 2009, Echo Park encountered an incredible addition to the area: a vinyl record store that would feed the neighborhood with music knowledge and keep it hip. Origami Vinyl, founded by Neil Schield, is where you will find the best and latest local finds plus weekly live in-store shows and record release parties. If I lived close by, which might happen soon, I would probably camp out there every day, going back and forth between there and Two Boots, and then over to The Echo once the shop closes. That sounds beautiful. Anyway, the store just launched OnTheRecord.TV, which has videos of the in-store shows, and will present the Monday night residencies at The Echo starting in February.

I caught up with Schield and the store’s manager Sean Stentz. Here’s what they had to say…

Read the rest at TheVinylDistrict.com

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and even in the desert, vinyl continues to thrive:

Local record shops surviving in digital download age

By Kortney Tenaglia

The age of digital downloading has caused CD sales to sink, but despite the hardship, some local vinyl record and CD enthusiasts are keeping music appreciation afloat.

Revolver Records in downtown Phoenix has felt the impact of digital downloading, but isn’t ready to turn off the music just yet, said shop owner T.J. Jordan.

“It definitely affects us,” Jordan said. “Digital downloads and piracy have affected record shops as a whole.”

2010 marked the fourth consecutive year of CD sales falling nearly 20 percent, according to a Nielsen SoundScan report on music sales. In this same time, digital album downloads increased 13 percent.

Revolver Records, located on Second and Roosevelt streets, offers used and new vinyl records. The shop has become a jewel among those who still treasure traditional ways of listening to music.

Read more at Desert Vinyl

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and in the UK:

Vinyl junkies - the new generation keeping the record player alive

Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor

Vinyl was supposed to have died long ago, killed by the incredible march of the iPod and digital music. Yet in living rooms across London, the record player is fighting back as a new generation of music fans and musicians discover that vinyl really does sound better.

To prove the point, I've been promised a rare treat - a listen to one of the best recorded pieces of music in existence, on one of London's top hi-fi systems

Vinyl in the UK

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Did You Know?

Elvis Presley recorded "Teddy Bear" in 1957

The blistering guitar lead in George Harrison's song, "Taxman" is the exact same guitar part heard at the ending fade of the song. It was copied and re-recorded onto the end.

The song "Summertime Blues" was a US Top 40 hit in three different decades - in the fifties by Eddie Cochran (#8), the sixties by Blue Cheer (#14) and the seventies by The Who (#27).



Also in 1962 - Chubby Checker had four albums in the Top Ten of the Billboard LP chart. They were "For Twisters Only", "Your Twist Party", "Bobby Rydell / Chubby Checker" and "Let's Twist Again". The single, "The Twist" sat at the top of Cashbox Best Sellers chart.   Not sure if that has been duplicated...any thoughts?

All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.  I wonder why...... (psst I know, do you?)

Almonds are members of the peach family.

The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe.

In 1969, New Jersey state prosecutors issue a warning to record dealers that they will be charged with distributing pornography if they are caught selling the John Lennon / Yoko Ono LP "Two Virgins". The front cover of the album showed the pair frontally nude, while the back cover showed them from behind. The rather unflattering photo would later be described by Lennon as a picture of "two slightly overweight ex-junkies". Somehow "Two Virgins" still managed to reach #124 in the US, but failed to chart at all in the UK, where only 5,000 copies were ever pressed.

A Happy Birthday to Ray Stevens (72)

And in 1979 - The Clash released their first US single, an excellent cover of the Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought the Law."

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/22/2011

Ignoring the sealed Introducing The Beatles that showed as having sold for $125,000, reality did bring the Beatles to the top spot, with a Butcher album with Perry Cox authentication. If I've noticed anything doing the Top 5 for going on four years now, it's that Perry Cox's signature adds about $2k to any Beatles "Yesterday and Today". It's just an observation. I don't know Mr. Cox; met him a few times long before I started dealing records and I'm sure he wouldn't remember me. One purpose of this weekly snapshot is to pick out trends and patterns that may not be so easy to discern at sites like Popsike.

And in case you don't know, The Squires 45 is from Neil Young's first band!


1. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday and Today" Butcher First State Stereo Perry Cox COA - $7,195.95

2. 45 - Scorpio and His People "The Unforgiven" / "Theme From The Movietown Sound" International Hits - $4,398.00

3. 78 - Robert Johnson "Sweet Home Chicago" / "Walkin' Blues" Vocalion 03601 - $3,575.00

4. 45 - The Squires "The Sultan" / "Aurora" V - $3,427.00

5. LP - Led Zeppelin "I" Atlantic UK Turquoise 1st - $3,200.00


More on this week's top 5 on , Vinyl Record Talk Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata 

Michael Fremer Album Review

Emotion and Commotion
(Recent release)

Jeff Beck
Atco R1 523695 180g LP
Produced by: Steve Lipson
Engineered by: Steve Lipson
Mixed by: Steve Lipson
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Lacquer cut by: N/A at GZ Digital Media

MUSIC

SOUND





 Beck's Back On Album Meant For Light's Off Listening

by Michael Fremer
January 01, 2011

Clearly a fan, producer Steve Lipson places Jeff Beck's guitar in a distant reverberant space that decreases its solidity but increases both its size and its mystery, evoking a God-like presence hovering above a lush, string-drenched orchestra. Or you could see Beck playing perched on a craggy, windswept rock surrounded by white-capped water. The album very much has a Pacific Ocean vibe.

What to do with a guitarist who doesn't sing? Beck and the producers brought in guest vocalists Joss Stone, Olivia Safe and Imelda May for five of the album's ten songs. The others mostly luxuriate Beck in a foamy orchestral sea in which slow ballads allow Beck to linger and then tug on long, delicate feedback drenched lines. The ethereal, feedback laden guitar sound Beck and the producer create is bubble-like, delicate and soft on the ears, even on the edgy Joss Stone take of "I Put a Spell on You."

Side One opens with Britten's Corpus Christi Carol that many may have first encountered on Jeff Buckley's Grace album and ends with a dramatic reading of "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's opera "Turandot." Even your dog is familiar with the theme by now. The heavily orchestrated version here is just on the non-kitsch side of Liberace and I say that as a compliment. An "Over the Rainbow" gets the same treatment and it's equally effective.

Side One's upbeat instrumentals "Hammerhead" add buoyancy. "Hammerhead" leads with wah-wah and breaks into a huge synth string section then evolves into something that would fit nicely on Blow By Blow. That's followed by "Never Alone" a gorgeous ballad co-written with keyboardist Jason Rubello. It's got a heavy longing of a gorgeous melodic line.

Side two continues where side one left off. It opens with "Serene" and closes with "Elegy For Dunkirk"—not exactly "Celebrate Good Times." "Serene" is a Bolero-like piece reminiscent of you know what from way back, but of course mellower, with Olivia Safe's operatic voice dancing in the backdrop. Jeff Buckley's "Lilac Wine" sung by Imelda May tacks into the same slowing headwind but the take maintains deliberate momentum and Beck delivers yet another stunning series of perfectly drawn lines.

Joss Stone ramps up "There's No Other Me", which yields the album's most glass shards. It's the only explosion to be found on the album and that's fine. The album ends with Dario Marianelli's "Elegy For Dunkirk" from the "Atonement" soundtrack, with Olivia Safe adding operatic vocal backdrops. Beck makes the guitar sound like a duduk, which is about as mournful as an instrument can sound.

Lawson and Beck have made a deep, reflective and daring album that skirts dangerously around kitsch but never falls in.

This album would have to deliver the sonics goods to work effectively and it does. It's very well recorded, with rich orchestral staging, dramatic imaging, particularly on Beck's guitar and wide dynamics and bandwidth. It's meant to be enveloping in every way and it certainly succeeds at that!

Surely this is a digital recording but not because it sounds like one.

The vinyl is nicely packaged and reasonably well pressed but what I don't like is that while the mastering credit goes to Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman's, clearly the producer didn't want to pay Grundman's going rate for cutting because the vinyl was clearly cut elsewhere. There's no CB identifying scribe on the lead out groove area, so the odds of a high resolution file having been used for the cut is low and whoever did it, didn't check for serious sibilant overloads in a few places—trust me it's not my cartridge that's the problem.

Chris Bellman should have cut it. He mastered the thing in the first place. That tells you the vinyl was probably just a "throw away" despite the nice packaging. Still, this is highly recommended musically and sonically in whatever format you choose. A hi-rez download would be nice.

Thanks to Michael over at 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

Music News, Notes & Did You Know?

We all know about the vinyl record revival.  To me, it's interesting to read about the vinyl resurgence in other parts of the world.  We are not the only ones bitten by the vinyl bug....

The beat of our beloved vinyl is still going strong down under:

Vinyl's superiority is a matter of record

John Mangan

THEY scratch, they hiss, they warp and break, but for all their faults vinyl records refuse to go quietly into the night. Two decades after compact discs and their digital offspring threatened to consign vinyl to the vaults of history, records are still in demand.

The Agraba bar in Errol Street, North Melbourne, has a blackboard out front inviting patrons to bring their own records. ''If we dig it, we'll spin it,'' the sign says.

Vinyl down under

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and in the UK, vinyl has become mainstream (with a great video to boot)

Are record clubs the new book clubs?

By David Sillito
BBC arts correspondent

A growing number of music-lovers unhappy about the way album tracks are enjoyed in a pick-and-mix fashion have decided to take action.

The rules are strict. No talking. No texting. You must listen to every song on the album.

Classic Album Sundays treat our best-loved records like great symphonies and are being set up in London, Scotland and Wales.

Groups of music fans sit in front of a vinyl turntable, with the best speakers they can afford, dim the lights and listen to a classic album all the way through.

Vinyl in the UK

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And in the good ole USA 5 record stores for your pleasure

Vinyl records: Five places to get into the groove

Audrey Medina, Special to The Chronicle

Purists claim it's the sound quality of vinyl records that makes them superior to tape and CDs. For those of us with impaired hearing from cranking the stereo up way too loud, it's the cover art, the liner notes, the history, or watching a club DJ that makes vinyl records more than just a listening experience. Here are hot spots where vinyl is still groovy

Vinyl in the US

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Even more from the NY Times about Wanda Jackson

Rockabilly Queen Prolongs Her Party

By Melena Ryzik

THE crowd was rockabilly through and through: girls in pegged jeans and crimson lipstick, boys in flattops and pompadours, shrunken leather jackets. When Wanda Jackson, 73, took the stage with her guitar for a sold-out show at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn recently, it was all cat growls, howls and hip swivels — and that was from Ms. Jackson herself. The audience followed suit, with a chorus of fans joining in on her song “I Gotta Know.” She first recorded it in 1956, not long after she met and began dating Elvis Presley.

NYTimes.com

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Screeching Weasel Release Album Cover Art & Track List

Chicago punk rockers Screeching Weasel have just released the album cover and track listing for their first new album in more than 11 years, 'First World Manifesto,' which is due out March 15th on Fat Wreck Chords.

The band will then embark on a short tour immediately following the release.

1. Follow Your Leaders
2. Frankengirl
3. Beginningless Vacation
4. Dry Is The Desert
5. Totem Pole
6. Creepy Crawl
7. Three Lonely Days
8. Friday Night Nation
9. All Over Town
10. Fortune Cookie
11. Baby Talk
12. Come And See The Violence Inherent In The System
13. Bite Marks
14. Little Big Man

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Green Day Side Project The Frustrators To Release EP 'Grillers' In February

The Frustrators, an outfit that features Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt, is set to release an EP 'Grillers' on February 18th. The band previously released the album 'Achtung JAackass' way back in 2002. For this release, Dr. Strange Records will be handing 7" vinyl, while Adeline Records will handle digital and CD formats. Check out The Frustrators Facebook Facebook  account for more details.











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Yes, the 2011 edition of Record Store Day  is quickly approaching. I wonder what kind of goodies we will see and if the past is any indication, this year's Record Store day will continue to build upon the others and be a pivotal event for collectors worldwide!


 this courtesy of GottaGrooveRecords.com

Record Store Day 2011 Vinyl Pressing Info

The folks at Record Store Day have set a deadline of February 1, 2011 to provide them with information on the commercial vinyl pieces that you would like to release. You can contact Carrie Colliton at carriecolliton@earthlink.net  with such information, or if you have questions.

We would love to press your vinyl releases for RSD, so here is a general timeline of when you need to order from us to have product in time for your distributor, or for directly to retailers:

RSD Vinyl Pressing Orders submitted 2/1 should ship by 3/15

RSD Vinyl Pressing Orders submitted by 2/7 should ship by 3/22

RSD Vinyl Pressing Orders submitted by 2/14 should ship by 3/29

RSD Vinyl Pressing Orders submitted by 2/21 should ship by 4/5

RSD Vinyl Pressing Orders submitted by 2/28 should ship by 4/12

* Please note that delays in test pressing/art approvals/other circumstances can alter these timelines.

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Did You Know?

On this date in 1959, Buddy Holly made his last recordings alone with an acoustic guitar and tape recorder. The songs were released posthumously.

The Beach Boys recorded "Wouldn't It Be Nice" in 1966.

That in 1969, the Beatles entered Apple studios in London to record the 'Get Back' album.

The late Michael Hutchence (INXS) was born in 1960.



Steve Perry, of glam rockers Journey, has a birthday today.

The term "rhythm & blues" was coined in 1948 by a young Billboard reporter and future Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler, to replace the negative term "Race Records".

In 1977, Peter Green, who had earlier left Fleetwood Mac, was institutionalized after firing a pistol in the general direction of a delivery boy who was attempting to deliver a $30,000 royalty check. Green had renounced Rock and Roll in 1970 and didn't want the money. He later worked as a hospital porter and a gravedigger, but came back in 1979 to record "In the Skies", which did manage some moderate success.   Worked out well for Fleetwood Mac as well....

Interestingly, the term "rock and roll," which was black slang for sexual intercourse, appeared on record for the first time in 1922 on Trixie Smith's "My Baby Rocks Me With One Steady Roll."  I looked in the Jerry Osborne Rockin Records price guide and see that she has a couple of 78 rpm records that are worth a couple of hundred.

And in 1991, twenty-three years after it was released in America, the LP 'Elvis' Gold Records'  was made available in China on cassette only. 

On his 25th birthday, Sam Cooke switched record labels from Keen Records to RCA, even though he had a string of hits with Keen that included "You Send Me," "Only Sixteen," "Everybody Likes to Cha Cha Cha" and "Wonderful World." The switch was beneficial to all as Sam continued to crank out the chart busters until his death in 1964 (he was born in 1935).