The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
A 70's re-release on an RCA red label with a mis-spelling of Elvis Presley tops the list this week. Two classical records make the list, one an artifact from the CCCP comrade. A Diamond Dogs with the dirty doggie parts makes the list, along with another Dead Weather 7" from the opening night of Third Man Records.
1. 45 rpm - Elvis Presley "That's All Right Mama" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucy" RCA 447-0601 (Misspelled Preseley) - $6,000.00
2. LP - Wilhelm Furtwangler "Beethoven 9th Symphony" Soviet Union Pressing - $5,300.00
3. LP - Gioconda De Vito "Mozart Violin Concerto No 3 and the Bach Violin Concerto in E Major" His Masters Voice 429 - $3,618.20
LOS ANGELES, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In every single way, The Rolling Stones are the Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band In The World. They created the blueprint for guitar groups. They took rock'n'roll rebellion to new heights. They were the first band to master the art of playing arenas and effortlessly move into stadiums, and have remained the world's top concert attraction with every successive record-breaking tour. They made some of the most influential albums of the late sixties and early seventies.
But, above all, they have consistently recorded the most exciting singles made by any artist. Not in any era, but in every era.
Lavishly packaged and released both as a physical and digital set, The Rolling Stones Singles (1971-2006) box set collects the amazing run of forty-five 45s the group has issued over the last four decades. Amongst many gems, it includes US chart-toppers such as the irresistible 'Brown Sugar', the beautiful ballad 'Angie' and the floor-filler par excellence 'Miss You', as well as the infectious rockers 'Mixed Emotions' and 'Don't Stop'.
The new box set also highlights the band's rock and roll and rhythm'n'blues roots, and showcases their wonderful cover versions of Chuck Berry's 'Let It Rock', the Temptations' 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg', Smokey Robinson and The Miracles' 'Going to a Go-Go', Bob & Earl's 'Harlem Shuffle' and Bob Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone'. And it brings the group's compelling story up to date with the soulful 'Streets Of Love', 'Rain Fall Down' and 'Biggest Mistake', their most recent studio recordings.
Time and again, The Rolling Stones Singles (1971-2006) demonstrates why they are the ultimate singles band. More than any other act, The Rolling Stones understand the immediacy and the potency of the format. Their timeless music has often been at its most exhilarating blaring out of juke-boxes or car radios, or booming out of nightclubs speakers, but it has also sound-tracked many a slow dance or first kiss and still adds drama and layers of meaning to a myriad films and TV programs.
By 1971, The Rolling Stones had topped the UK singles charts eight times and established themselves as the 'enfants terribles' of the rock generation. Leaving Britain that year, they became the modern equivalent of wandering minstrels, free to record wherever the fancy took them, from the French Riviera to California via Jamaica, New York and Montserrat. Every single time, the results were astonishing. The rolling groove of 'Tumbling Dice', the garage rock of 'Happy', the anthemic cry of 'It's Only Rock'n'Roll', the falsetto soul of 'Fool To Cry', the sweaty funk of 'Hot Stuff', the heartfelt fluidity of 'Beast Of Burden', the snarling urgency of 'Respectable' and 'Shattered' sound-tracked the seventies.
The group grew ever more versatile in the eighties, changing mood and tack and excelling in every genre with every single release. 'Emotional Rescue' bossed the dance-floors, 'Start Me Up' exemplified Keith Richards' on-going mastery of the riff, and, not for the first time, Mick Jagger came over all sensitive on 'Waiting On A Friend' and 'Almost Hear You Sigh'. The Glimmer Twins pulled no punches on 'Undercover Of The Night', 'One Hit (To The Body)' and 'Highwire', their 1991 single, and the singer's most controversial lyric in two decades.
In the nineties, The Rolling Stones kept their sticky fingers on the pulse of popular culture. They let remixers Teddy Riley, Deep Dish and Todd Terry loose on the likes of 'Love Is Strong', 'Saint Of Me' and 'Out Of Control', and they featured rapper Biz Markie on the incredibly catchy 'Anybody Seen My Baby?'.
And we haven't even mentioned the deep cuts that were singles in the US or Continental Europe only, like the much covered 'Wild Horses', 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)', 'She's So Cold', 'Hang Fire', 'Rock And A Hard Place', 'Terrifying' and 'Sex Drive', or the live versions of their sixties hits 'Time Is On My Side' and 'Ruby Tuesday', concert staples issued as A-sides in the eighties and nineties.
The set comes in a striking pink box featuring the band's trademark tongue design, styled on the original 7" 'house-sleeves'. It's overflowing with all-time classic hits, collectable B-sides and hidden gems. Across 45 CDs, lovingly recreating the original releases in miniature picture sleeves, it contains 173 tracks, 80 of which are not currently available officially.
The box also houses a 32-page hardback book packed with memorabilia, period photos and a new essay by renowned journalist, broadcaster and Rolling Stones expert Paul Sexton, as well as an exclusive new interview with Bill Wyman, the band's former bassist and on-going archivist.
Many people have specific memories attached to certain Rolling Stones singles and will enjoy reliving them all over again. Many music fans have been trying to replace dog-eared copies of the original 7" and 12" vinyl singles and will love reconnecting with old friends. Many collectors will relish the opportunity to have every single mix and permutation of tracks released on various formats throughout the heady days of the seventies, eighties, nineties and noughties readily available in this sumptuous package.
Everyone will want The Rolling Stones Singles (1971-2006). Brown Sugar
To celebrate this release, The Rolling Stones will be releasing a strictly limited edition 7" picture sleeve vinyl of 'Brown Sugar' as part of Record Store Day, which takes place on April 16. The heavyweight vinyl will include the B-sides from the original UK and US single – 'Bitch' and 'Let It Rock'.
serves me right for taking a day off, lots to get to today!
AC/DC To Release New Concert DVD In May
According to ACDCZone.com and Amazon.com, AC/DC will release a new concert DVD, tentatively titled "Live At River Plate", documenting the band's massive "Black Ice" world tour. Shot with 32 cameras entirely in HD in December of 2009, the set marks AC/DC's triumphant return to Buenos Aires where nearly 200,000 fans, and three sold-out shows in December 2009, welcomed the band back after a 13-year absence from Argentina. This stunning live footage of AC/DC underscores what Argentina's Pagina 12 newspaper reported by saying "no one is on the same level when it comes to pure and clear rock and roll." Additionally, the DVD contains a bonus feature titled "The Fan, The Roadie, The Guitar Tech & The Meat", featuring interviews with AC/DC, their crew and fans among the excitement of the creation of the concerts and the city of Buenos Aires.
1. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine
2. Warpaint – Shadows EP
3. Serge Gainsbourg – Histoire de Melody Nelson
4. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will
5. La Sera – S/T
6. Slang Chickens – S/T
7. Zola Jesus – Soeur Sewer 7?
8. OFF! – First Four EPs 7? Box
9. Sonny & The Sandwitches – Throw My Ashes Off The Pier When I Die
10. Glasser – Tremel 12?
-----------------------
Go Coop! ALICE COOPER To Guest On 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno'
Legendary rocker Alice Cooper will guest on the March 18 edition of NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno".
"The Tonight Show" airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EST. Check local listings for details.
The four surviving ALICE COOPER band members — Alice Cooper (vocals), Neal Smith (drums), Michael Bruce (rhythm guitar), Dennis Dunaway (bass) — will perform at their Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 14 in New York City, and again at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards show in on April 20 in Los Angeles, California. Guitarist Steve Hunter, who played in Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare" band, will fill in for the late Glen Buxton.
Cooper recently told Billboard.com that he would not have accepted the Rock Hall induction if it wasn't for the entire band.
Sammy Hagar recently spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about his new book, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock (out on March 15) and his history with Van Halen. In the interview, Hagar assessed the chance of him getting back together with Eddie and company as pretty likely.
“I'd say it’s up there around 90 percent. I would love to make another record with Van Halen,” he said. “If Eddie really got his life together, which it seems he has judging by the pictures I’ve seen, then definitely.”
Yet, he quickly made a point of saying that there was no chance of it happening anytime soon (especially with Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen currently working with David Lee Roth).
The Wombats New Album Art Done By Pink Floyd Artist
The Wombats will release their sophomore album, The Wombats proudly present ... This Modern Glitch, on April 26, 2011, via Bright Antenna/ILG/Warners. Set to conquer the States, the band delivers 10 tracks that retain the immediacy and hook-filled sensibility of their stunning UK platinum-selling debut, 2007’s The Wombats proudly present … Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation, while introducing aggressive dance elements and a heavier, wryer lyrical bent to their infectious alt-pop. The album art was done by legendary surrealist artist Storm Thorgerson, known for his iconic Pink Floyd album covers.
Recorded at NRG Recording Studios in Los Angeles, This Modern Glitch was produced with Rich Costey (Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party) and Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Lostprophets), with additional production prowess contributed by super-producers Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow Patrol, R.E.M.), Butch Walker (Fall Out Boy, The Donnas, Weezer).
-----------------------
Booker T Jones Charts A Historic Life In Music On New Album 'The Road From Memphis' Out May 10 On Anti- Records
Booker T. Jones' historic life in music has brought him international fame, awards (he's a three-time Grammy winner and Rock Roll Hall of Famer), and iconic status as one of the architects of American soul music. With his new album 'The Road From Memphis,' due May 10 on Anti- Records, Jones traces his journey from his hometown of Memphis, TN to the world stage. The album follows Jones' 2009 Anti- release 'Potato Hole' which won the Grammy for "Best Pop Instrumental Album."
Produced by Jones with The Roots' ?uestlove and Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliot Smith), 'Memphis' was recorded by Daptone Records mastermind Gabriel Roth with backing by The Roots.
The Sacramento Bee (evidently via the Philadelphia Inquirer) has some fresh reviews of new music, check it out:
Reviews of new pop, country/roots, jazz and classical releases
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Pop:
LYKKE LI "Wounded Rhymes" (Atlantic, 3 1/2 stars)
Swedish songstress Lykke Li toughens up her 21st- century girl-group sound on "Wounded Rhymes," an aggressively emotional 10-song set likely to make her one of the breakout stars of 2011.
Read more reviews including Memphis, Beady Eye, Buddy Miller and more at the Sacramento Bee
-----------------------
a vinyl story posted by Rachel Hurley at the vinylldistrict.com from Nancy Apple, (who is a longtime Memphis Musician, band leader, back up singer, songwriter, producer, record label head honcho, DJ for WEVL Memphis, actress and pet wrangler). Well worth the read, I got chills, as we can all remember the first time we decided our hard earned money would be spent on something (music and specifically vinyl) other than candy....(but I am a self proclaimed vinyl nut!)
My First Record: Nancy Apple
I miss the days of vinyl. I know, the hippest of the uber-cool bands with budgets might throw out a bone every now and then – new vinyl “product” – but it’s not like the olden days when there was no choice; all we had were records. Yup – records, those cold black round 45s, 33s and if you were lucky even a few rare old 78s! For those of you not in the know, a little needle on the vinyl makes the sound.
VintageVinylNews.com posted this over the weekend, reminds me of some of Cat Stevens' earlier work:
Listen: My People by Yusuf With Voices Submitted By His Facebook Followers
Yusuf Islam (the former Cat Stevens) has released a new song that was initially for the people of Egypt but now applies to all of the country's of the Middle East. My People is a new homage to peace, much like his 70's classic Peace Train, and to give voice to all of his fans and supporters, he posted a backing track on his Facebook page. People were then asked to sing along with the chorus of the song and submit the files for inclusion on the record.
a very well-written opinion about the evolution of vinyl and maybe where we are headed:
Vinyl, the once and future music format
Graeme Thomson
Summary:
Vinyl is the medium that refuses to retire gracefully. A working tool for DJs and regarded as inherently superior to digital formats by many, it is now being used by musicians to 'add value' and set themselves apart.
Radiohead’s new album The King of Limbs may well be a bold snapshot of the future, but not necessarily in the ways you would imagine. Setting aside the thrilling subterfuge surrounding its surprise arrival and the sound of a band continually refusing to echo past glories, the lasting significance of The King of Limbs may lie in defining the ever more polarised ways in which albums are being released.
As the music-buying experience becomes increasingly functional – click, use, dispose – at the opposite extreme, the vinyl album is carving out an identity as a deluxe artefact. Radiohead not only released The King of Limbs last month as an MP3 download, the ruthlessly convenient budget option that has reshaped the music industry, but also as the world’s first “newspaper album”. This comprised two clear 10in vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve, several large works of art alongside 625 minuscule pieces, and a full-colour piece of “oxo-degradable plastic” to keep it all together.
Read the rest of this very interesting article at thenational.ae
-----------------------
Up north there ay!
Vinyl Thriving In The iPod Age
------------------------
hey, they love them too!
Beatles Abbey Road Statue To Be Built In Siberia
A statue of The Beatles is set to be built in the Siberian city of Tomsk, it’s been announced.
The $200,000 life size statue will depict the band’s four members in their infamous pose on Abbey Road.
Nikolai Nikolaychuk, the major of Tomsk, told the local media RIA Novosti that he was looking for fans to invest in the project, which will be created by local sculptors Nikolai and Anton Gnedyh.
"We've got a lot of music fans and those brought up on Beatles music. Many of them are wealthy people. And I'm sure they could invest in this idea," he said.
-----------------------
Rush’s Moving Pictures Re-Release Features Videos, Rare Photos
Ellen Barnes
Rush’s definitive album, Moving Pictures, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year with the release of Moving Pictures – Deluxe Edition.
Out on April 5, the package will hit stores in two different formats: a digitally remastered CD and DVD combo and a digitally remastered CD and Blu-ray combo.
Former Megadeth Shredder Releases Jazz-Metal Album
Peter Hodgson
Former Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover will soon release Metalusion, an instrumental album designed to showcase his jazz-rock skills alongside his metal talents.
Featuring Jim Gilmour on keyboards, Paul Yee on bass and Chris Sutherland on drums, Metalusion features 10 tracks, including five original compositions and five covers of material by Frank Zappa, Al Di Meola and Jean-Luc Ponty
Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians recorded "Auld Lang Syne" in 1939.
In 1955, Carl Perkins became the first country artist to have a hit on the Billboard R&B chart when his "Blue Suede Shoes" made the list.
The Beatles recorded their first ever radio appearance in 1962, at the Playhouse Theatre, Hulme, Manchester, for the BBC radio program Teenagers’ Turn. After a rehearsal, The Beatles put on suits for the first time and, along with the other artists appearing, recorded the show in front of a live audience, some who had travelled from Liverpool.
In 1966, Tina Turner recorded her vocal part on the Phil Spector produced “River Deep, Mountain High.” This classic milestone reached #3 in the U.K. but only #88 on the U.S. chart due to Spector’s refusal to pay bribes that would ensure airplay.
While working on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, The Beatles recorded additional overdubs for “Lovely Rita,” including harmony vocals, effects, and the percussive sound of comb and paper.
In 1969, Tommy's Roe's single, "Dizzy" earns a Gold record for sales of over one million. I have one of the million and have heard this song waaayyy to many times :O)
A song from the movie Deliverance called "Dueling Banjos" by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandel becomes one of the few 1970s instrumentals to be awarded a Gold record. The record had topped the Cash Box Magazine Best Sellers list and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. song still gives me the creeps...
In 1987, the Beastie Boys became the first rap inspired act to have a #1 album in the U.S. with their debut Licensed To Ill.
In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that parodies that poke fun at an original work can be considered "fair use" that does not require permission from the copyright holder. great ruling for Weird Al" Yankovic!
In 2001, the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts announced that Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow" had been selected as their "song of the century". Rounding out their Top Ten were (#2) "White Christmas by Bing Crosby, (#3) "This Land Is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie, (#4) "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, (#5) "American Pie" by Don McLean, (#6) "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by The Andrews Sisters, (#7) "West Side Story" (album) by the original cast, (#8) "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" by Billy Murray, (#9) "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers, and (#10) "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin. What, not one Beatles' song? that's just stupid....
and in 2009, Jimmy Boyd, the child vocalist best known for singing the 1952, Christmas novelty hit "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," died at age 70.
Birthday wishes to underrated songwriter Jules Shear (1953) and to Peter Wolf of The J. Geils Band (1946)
As always, a special thank you to Norm and Jane at Vinyl Record Talk for this great data. Stop by and listen to the radio show!!
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/01/2011
A dull week between Christmas and New Years where no one wants to spend any money gave someone lucky buyer a sweet deal on a Parlophone "White Album" pressing. The rest of the list is full of obscurities this week, with private press Psych, blank label Jamacian Reggae and rare Rockabilly 45's.
1. LP - The Beatles "White Album" Parlophone UK Export Pressing - $2,750.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/08/2011
An unreleased acetate from an Ohio funk band makes the top of the list this week, and is one of three soul related gems - the others being the very rare Northern 45 from Bobby Rich, and a Modern Soul 45 that is one to watch. Split Descision Band's "Watchin Out" single has been on the rise for several years, and this week's sale price is it's peak. It's also one that teaches looks can be deceiving. As a good friend and fellow dealer says, "No one knows every record", and he came close to passing this one up a year back because from the label style and font used for the band name it looked like just another lost country 45. Fortunately for his bottom line, he dropped a needle on it.
1. LP - The Crowd Pleasers unreleased acetate - $3,939.89
2. LP - The Beatles "The Beatles Collection" MFSL Japan Box Set - $3,599.99
3. 45 - Bobby Rich "There's A Girl Somewhere (For Me)" / "I Can't Help Myself" Sambea 101 - $3,000.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/15/2011
The first three entries this week look like they're off the covers of the Goldmine Record Guide. Those are followed up by two Northern Soul 45s. Ok, I'm calling it - the economy is improving, at least in the UK, Northern Soul records have been making the list every week.
1. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" Vee Jay Rainbow Label Stereo - $4,162.00
2. 45 - The Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "Did You No Wrong" South Africa Pic Sleeve - $3,716.00
3. LP - The Velvet Underground "The Velvet Underground & Nico" Yellow Label Promo Mono - $3,506.00
4. 45 - Charles Johnson & Orchestra "You Made A Mistake" / "I'll Keep Loving You" Rainbow - $3,383.33
5. 45 - John Harris & Soul Sayers "Hangin' In" / "What Can I Do" Kerston - $2,916.00
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
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/29/2011
A first press of "Please Please Me" shot to the top of the list, this one with matrix numbers that indicate it was pressed with the first stampers. Two modern soul 45's make the list this week. The self-titled David Bowie test pressing at the #3 spot is an approval copy of the US release that was for producer Mike Vernon.
1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $8,238.88
2. 45 - The Darling Dears "And I Love You" / "I Don't Think I'll Ever Love Another" Flower city - $3,050.00
3. LP - David Bowie "self-titled" Deram Test Pressing - $2,894.70
4. 45 - The Mark IV "Take This Love" / "If You Can't Tell Me Something Good" Brite Lite - $2,620.00
New Label High Moon Records To Launch With Never-before-released Masterpiece By The Legendary Rock Band Love
On June 7, High Moon Records-the new boutique reissue label-will launch with 'Black Beauty,' the never-before-released masterpiece by Arthur Lee's legendary psychedelic rock band Love. Set for release on CD, vinyl, and digitally, 'Black Beauty' contains all ten original songs recorded in 1973 as well as rare bonus tracks, beautiful packaging with detailed liner notes by Ben Edmonds and never-before-seen photographs. The album was re-mastered by GRAMMY-winner Dan Hersch (Ramones, Alice Cooper).
Urge Overkill Announce New Album: Rock&roll Submarine
Over 15 years since their last album, the two-headed rock 'n roll behemoth that is Urge Overkill, will finally make its return. Their new album, Rock&Roll Submarine, is out May 10th on their own label UO Records. The band's mixture of arena-ready hooks with punk rock ferocity is as potent as ever, as apparent on the rip-roaring new track, "Effigy." As fans who crowded NYC's Mercury Lounge this past October to witness the reunited group can attest, UO's live show is in top form as well. The guys kick off a brief US tour in May, where they will be tearing through their new and classic material.
an interesting read from our friends in India, who have caught the vinyl fever as well!!
Black is Back
Indrajit Hazra, Hindustan Times
I’m inside a small room at the old Gramophone Company of India factory on the outskirts of Kolkata being made to listen to a rather sonorous voice coming out of a spinning plate. The rotating metal disc has been lovingly taken out of a cardboard box and I’m told by the gentleman fondly looking at the contraption that the voice belongs to Razia Begum.
Mentally, I draw a blank. But not wanting to be impolite, I manufacture excitement. The voice, clean as a whistle and earthy as a pot, is singing Launda badnaam hua... Natija tere liye with an open voice and minimal music. “It’s a traditional Bhojpuri track that was cut in 1983. This is the mastertrack,” recording engineer Sujan Chakrabarty tells me, adding how the film Dabangg has “done a copy of the song without giving any credit.” But that there’s some confusion about whether anyone can file a case as the song is ‘a traditional,’ so.... The machine is a Garrard 401 player and the ‘metal plate’ is a ‘mother cell’ with not a scratch on it. It’s the master disc, you see, from which vinyl records of the recording were once produced.
In 1951, Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm record "Rocket 88" with producer Sam Phillips at his Memphis Recording Service. When the up-tempo combination of Swing and Jazz is released, it is credited to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats and is now said by many music historians to be the first true Rock 'n' Roll record.
In 1959, Bobby Darin recorded "Dream Lover," which would reach #2 in the US the following summer.
Country singer Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee in 1963. Most often remembered for her hits, "Crazy", "Walkin' After Midnight", "I Fall To Pieces" and "She's Got You", Cline's Greatest Hits L.P. has sold over eight million copies, making it the largest selling female Country album of all time, until Shania Twain came along.
In 1963, The Beatles recorded "From Me To You" at Abbey Road Studios in London. The song had just been written by John and Paul a few days earlier while riding a train during a tour with Helen Shapiro and was one of the last to be credited to McCartney / Lennon. Nine days later it will reach number one in the UK and stay on the chart for twenty-one weeks.
In 1966, Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler's "The Ballad of the Green Berets" topped the Hot 100, selling more than two million copies in the first two weeks after its release.
Led Zeppelin started a twelve-date Return to the Clubs tour at the Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1971 as a way of thanking British fans who had supported them from the early days. The band played for their original fees and fans got in for the original admission price.
In 1982, actor, comedian and singer, John Belushi, died from an overdose of cocaine and heroin. He and Dan Aykroyd had a hit record as The Blues Brothers in 1978 with a remake of the Sam and Dave classic, "Soul Man", while their album "Briefcase Full of Blues" reached #1 on the Billboard 200, going double Platinum. Belushi was one of the original cast members on Saturday Night Live, played “Joliet” Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers movie and also appeared in the film Animal House. His tombstone reads, “I may be gone, but rock ‘n’ roll lives on.”
Wham! made their U.S. television debut in 1983 when they appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
The first episode of The Osbournes reality show was aired on MTV in America in 2002, focusing on the everyday exploits of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and two of their children, Jack and Kelly.
In 2007, records by Paul Simon and The Rolling Stones were chosen for preservation by the US Library of Congress. The Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and Simon’s Graceland album entered the National Recordings Registry, which preserves historic works for future generations. Other recordings chosen this year included Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke and the album The Velvet Underground and Nico.
Birthday wishes to Craig and Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers (1962)
Produced by: Roy Thomas Baker Engineered by: Geoff Workman Mixed by: Roy Thomas Baker Mastered by: Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
MUSIC
SOUND
Mo-Fi Gives The Cars Just What It Needed! by Michael Fremer February 01, 2010
(Corrected version: Elliot Easton is still with us. Ben Orr, unfortunately, passed away in 2000. I mistakenly said "the late Elliot Easton" in the original review. My apologies!) The Cars didn’t swing but that was the point. Rick Ocasek didn’t emote much, but that too was the point. The Cars were all about gleaming chrome, hard edges, not too glam-rock and taking Roxy Music to its logical, stripped down conclusion. The musical and cultural concept was modern yet retro. It was an American band, after all.
It was 1978 and The Cars helped usher in and would eventually be overtaken by the synth disco hair bands. Despite the trappings, The Cars were very conservative, from David Robinson’s tidy on-the-beat drumming to Greg Hawkes’ orderly synth lines. No raucous Eno squealing for him.
Even when allowed to predominate, on the final tune “All Mixed Up,” the synth parts are neat and punctual. Elliot Easton’s guitar lines were dazzlingly understated, serving to fill more than to puncture. Ric Ocasek’s vocals were cool and detached but hardly campy.
What made the debut click with the American public almost immediately were Ocasek’s songs: familiar enough and tuneful at their core but sufficiently alienated and alienating to effectively counterbalance the then dominant California culture.
Look at the pictures on the inner sleeve of the gatefold reissue and you see, despite the leopard skin tights, suspenders and the rest of the modestly hip get ups, more beantown working class earnestness than rock and roll outrageousness.
The album opens with “Good Times Roll,” a concept that usually produces musical and lyrical abandon but here, not so much. Over a stiff beat Ocasek makes it almost painful: “let them knock you around,” “let the stories be cold,” “let them make you a clown.” Sure, the idea is sort of roll with it but not comfortably or with abandon.
While “My Best Friend’s Girl” hints at a well-worn theme of longing and possessiveness, Ocasek flips it brilliantly at the end with “and she used to be mine.” The dismissive obsessiveness and cool cruelty of “Just What I Needed,” written by Ocasek but sung by bassist Benjamin Orr remains one of the great lyrical coups of modern rock. Combined with a brilliant opening, a tightly wound center and non-resolved ending, the tune’s demo version was much requested on WBCN-FM and helped signal the station’s paradigm shift from hippiedom to the “new wave” led by the program director Oedipus.
Over the decades, Ocasek’s spare, cool lyrics, filled with desire and ambivalence, only gleam brighter. There’s not a bad tune on this debut and the arrangements, though now familiar, are spare works that craftily whip rock guitar and new synth into candy gloss, carousel perfection. You could say some of it is too cute by half and accuse the beat of plodding now, but it did back then too. In fact, the deliberativeness of Robinson’s mechanical sounding rhythm tracks was and remains one of the album’s core strengths even as you will them to break free.
Recorded at AIR Studios in the UK and produced by Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker and originally mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, the album has always had a cool crunchiness that may have been intentional both to mirror the musical intent and to make it “pop” more on the radio but it never made for a great listen on a high performance audio system.
The original pressing has both a Sterling stamp on the lead out groove area and the initials “RTB” (scribed in the plastic), which probably means he was involved in the original cut. Clearly RTB wanted it cool and somewhat crunchy because the original Japanese pressing (Elektra Warner-Pioneer P-10552E) is more dynamic, more bass-intense and produces far more depth than does the original American issue.
Mo-Fi’s new gatefold edition sounds closer to the Japanese than to the original but it’s even better in most ways and as good in others. The Mo-fi is just crunchy enough, but not too crunchy and has excellent bottom end extension and definition. It also produces more depth and width than does the original and it doesn’t push the vocal harmonies up against a glass wall, which is something the others do.
If this is one of your ‘go to’ albums, go to your favorite records store, virtual or brick and mortar, and get this. It’s just what you’re needing.
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.
pitchfork.com has this news about one of my favorite bands:
Arcade Fire Announce World Tour
Award-winning Canadians make cross-continental victory lap
Less than a week after they unexpectedly, awesomely took home the Grammy for Album of the Year, Arcade Fire have announced a massive world tour. Along the way, they'll play a few giant festivals, as well as their own headlining shows with some choice openers: the National, Explosions in the Sky, Local Natives, Okkervil River. When that's done, they'll hit Europe, head back to Canada for one show with U2, and wrap it with two more gigs in the UK.
Get the rest of the story and tour dates at Pitchfork.com
After a week’s absence online, we figured we’d give you a double-shot of our Market Watch countdown. We just didn’t realize quite so many online auctions would unwittingly embrace the two-by-two theme,
as multiple artists and genres have such similar entries, it’s almost kind of eerie.
Earning honorable mention is a Second-State copy of The Beatles’ “Yesterday and Today,” which narrowly missed making the countdown when it sold for $2,025. This stereo copy clocked in at VG++ for the vinyl. The cover, which comes with its original shrink wrap, earns a strong E++, according to the seller. See if you can find its partner further down in the countdown.
A new museum exhibit in Ireland is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the death of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott. On the eve of the exhibit opening (it runs March 4 through April 3 at Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre in Dublin City Centre), Neil McCormick of The Telegraph has written a piece about the legacy of Lynott and his band – which includes some high praise from Metallica’s James Hetfield and U2’s Bono.
Highly anticipated song title: "Holdin' On to Black Metal"
Kentucky classic-rock explorers My Morning Jacket are festival mainstays with a rich and busy side-project schedule, but they haven't released a new album since 2008's Evil Urges. This spring, they'll finally return in full force when they release the new album Circuital, as Rolling Stone reports. Talking to the band, RS learned a few key details about the album-- like the fact that it includes a song with the awesome title "Holdin' On to Black Metal". And that the genesis of the album belongs to Muppets.
French legends Daft Punk (Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter) are releasing a remix album of their acclaimed original score to last year’s Tron: Legacy. The album is approprietly titled Tron: Legacy R3CONFIGUR3D and will be in record stores April 15th on both CD and boxed set vinyl.
The new record will feature contributions from M83, The Crystal Method, Moby, Paul Oakenfold, and plenty of others.
--------------------------
lovely story about a man on a mission (and, yes, vinyl is involved!)
Tankcrimes Founder Runs Mini Punk Empire Out of His Garage
People in the music industry love to throw around the term "DIY," but few people live by its credo as much as Scotty Heath. The Bay Area resident's Tankcrimes is one of the most vital record labels in the underground scene today, and he's done it all on his own. Working out of his Oakland, CA garage, Heath has released records by the cream of the crop of the punk and death metal scene. Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Municipal Waste, and Toxic Holocaust are just a few of the killer acts Tankcrimes has unleashed during its run as a label.
Members Of Wilco, Cheap Trick, Eleventh Dream Day, NTO Form Band
With more than 100 years of accumulated rock ‘n' roll history as a foundation, Candy Golde is the Midwestern musical collaboration of Nicholas Tremulis, Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) John Stiratt (Wilco) and Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day). The distinctive blend of blues groove, power pop, Americana and alternative shows itself in the self-titled 5-song Candy Golde EP, to be released by Ten O Nine Records on May 11.
South American rock band Seether have announced tour dates in support of their upcoming album, Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray, which is slated to drop May 24 on Wind-Up Records. The first single, a country-rock track called “Country Song,” is set to hit iTunes March 8.
Two Taylors: James Taylor and Son Ben Hit the Road
Anne Erickson
Ben Taylor has toured alongside Sheryl Crow and Blues Traveler, but never his own father. Until now, that is.
The son of James Taylor and Carly Simon kicks off on a North American tour with his dad this week in support of his upcoming release, Listening, out later this year. Ben and his father will perform each show side by side, the two playing each other’s songs.
Who needs dinnerware or a blender when you can have a record store?
One Lucky record store
Gayngs' keyboardist and his wife are enjoying being newly wed to Yeti Records in south Minneapolis.
By CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune
Instead of a matching dinnerware set, a breadmaker or a honeymoon, Lisa and Jake Luck got something they really wanted for a wedding present: their own record store.
"We signed the lease two days after our wedding," Lisa recalled......
Great to see this fun and enjoyable event being successful!
Collect-i-Bowl Strikes Again
by Kylie Jane Wakefield
This past Sunday, February 27th, Brooklyn Bowl played host to Collect-i-Bowl, an event that featured over 25 vinyl record dealers showcasing their thousands of records to prospective collectors.
Mike Schnapp, aka DJ Uncle Mike, organized Collect-i-Bowl and spun records for the event, which included free bowling and lasted from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Schnapp, who DJs at Brooklyn Bowl every Saturday, said that compared to the other two shows held in spring and fall of 2010, this one was the best yet. “People are happy because it works,” he said.
For the record dealers, the shows are a useful way to set up connections and browse one another’s collections. “We are a tight knit group, and we’re all looking out for each other,” Schnapp said. “There’s a network of people who go around. They used to have stores but they became a burden so now their records are in storage. People drove here from everywhere in the North East area.”
Review: Labour of Lust: Deluxe Edition - Nick Lowe
by Andy Snipper
Originally released in 1979 and sounding as fresh as a daisy today, Labour Of Lust was actually a Rockpile album but had to be released as a Nick Lowe solo effort because of the contractual silliness of the times.
No matter who or what it was recorded by, this is 12 tracks of pop brilliance and most of the tracks could be handed to Westblue or any of the other boy bands without any worries at all
The Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" debuted in 1977.
In 1959, the winners of the first Grammy Awards were announced. Domenico Modugno's "Volare" was named Record of the Year; Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" was Album of the Year and The Champs
"Tequila" won best R&B performance. Variety magazine seemed to take great delight when it later reported - "The record academy has snubbed the Rock. Not one Rock 'n' Roll record was nominated."
John Lennon caused a major stir in the United States in 1966 when London's Evening Standard newspaper published an interview with him in which he remarked, "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue that. I'm right and will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus right now." Lennon would later apologize, explaining that what he meant was "the way some people carry on, (screaming at their concerts) you'd think we were more popular than Jesus Christ". Thousands of Beatle records were smashed at mass rallies and some radio stations quit playing their songs altogether. John's apology was eventually accepted by most and time has healed most wounds.
In 1967, the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" sat atop the Billboard singles chart after American disc jockeys shied away from playing the flip side, "Let's Spend The Night Together".
In 1970, Janis Joplin was fined $200 for using obscene language onstage in Tampa, Florida.
In 1972, Badfinger receive a Gold record for the Billboard #4 hit, "Day After Day". The song featured George Harrison on guitar and Leon Russell on piano.
In 1977, CBS released The Clash’s self-titled debut album in the U.K. CBS in the U.S. eventually released their own version in 1979, after over 100,000 imported copies of the record made the LP one of the biggest-selling imports of all time.
In 1978, the Bee Gees were the hottest act around when they helped their younger brother Andy to the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 by writing his hit, "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water". Their own tune,
"Stayin' Alive" was pushed back to number 2, while another of their compositions, "Emotion" by Samantha Sang sat at number 4 and "Night Fever" was number 5.
Also in 1978, the US internal Revenue Service carried out a dawn raid at the home of Jerry Lee Lewis and removed cars worth over $170,000, to pay off his back taxes.
In 1986, after just completing a two set show with The Band in Winter Park, Florida, 41 year-old Richard Manuel committed suicide by hanging himself. His band mate, Robbie Robertson honored his friend with the song, "Fallen Angel" in 1987.
After Madonna's "Like A Prayer" debuts in a Pepsi commercial on US television in 1989, Roman Catholic groups around the world protest, calling the video, which contains both religious and sexual imagery, "blasphemy".
Raymond Edwards of the vocal group The Silhouettes, died in 1997 at the age of 74. The Philadelphia quartet topped the Billboard chart in 1958 with "Get A Job".
In 1999, Cher had her first Billboard number one single in 25 years with "Believe." The last time she topped the chart was with 1974's "Dark Lady."
In 2001, Glenn Hughes of Village People died of lung cancer at the age of 50. He was buried in his leather biker outfit.
Birthday wishes to Evan Dando of the Lemonheads (1967) and Chris Squire of Yes, who turns a young 63 years old!
After reuniting and playing a bunch of shows last year, Soundgarden said their goal for 2011 was to make a new album. According to frontman Chris Cornell, that process begins next week.
“We start recording in about a week in Seattle,” he told Spin.com. He said that Adam Kasper – who produced the band’s last studio album, 1996’s Down on the Upside – will return to helm this project.
Danzig has announced the Deth Red Sabaoth Tour this Spring with special guests Devildriver and 2Cents. The month-long, 22-city trek beings in Las Vegas on April 29th, hitting all regions of the US, and ends May 28th in Tempe, AZ. This comes on the heels of Danzig's recent nomination for best vocalist at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. Tickets go on sale to the general public this weekend, March 4-5th.
Whether you're a seasoned listener or a heavy music neophyte, if you see some kind of mythological winged creature or a 'Masters of the Universe'-inspired landscape on an album cover, chances are it's from a power metal band. While this over-the-top brand of artwork is definitely an acquired taste (as is the genre itself), we hope you enjoy this list of our 10 favorite power metal album covers.
An Evening with The Monkees – The 45th Anniversary Tour will begin on June 4 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. The three Monkees – Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork will play 27 cities before winding up the tour in Los Angeles in July.
Aside from the hits like “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” The Monkees will perform album tracks including songs from their cult movie, Head.
some of these I have already listed, here but there are some new ones here and more info on some special Record Store Day releases:
Polyvinyl Records unveils eleven limited edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2011
This year Polyvinyl will be producing 11 limited edition records for sale on Record Store Day, the most ever on a single day in the label’s 15-year history. Here’s the line-up for Polyvinyl’s releases:
Deerhoof – Friend Opportunity (LP, with MP3)
Limited to 1000 copies and pressed on 180-gram translucent green vinyl. The album has been out of print on vinyl for years and is under exclusive license through Kill Rock Stars. In addition to the original album it includes ‘Makko Shobu’ and a new mix for ‘Matchbook Seeks Maniac’.
Mighty Clouds – Mighty Clouds (LP with MP3)
Limited to 500 on 180-gram black vinyl. Mighty Clouds is the new project from Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good to Me, City Center) and Betty Marie Barnes (SLGTM). Their self-titled debut is a split release between Polyvinyl and Life Like.
Owen – O, Evelyn (7″ with MP3)
Limited to 2000 on black vinyl. O, Evelyn is a new 7″ from Mike Kinsella (American Football, Cap’n Jazz) recorded and released specifically for Record Store Day and limited to 2000 copies. The A-side features the title track, while the B-side is a cover of The Smiths ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’.
of Montreal – The Past Is A Grotesque Animal (12″ with MP3)
Limited to 1,000 on 180-gram black vinyl. Packaged in a hand screenprinted jacket, the A-side features the album version of ‘The Past Is A Grotesque Animal’ from 2007′s Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? The B-side is a new version of ‘The Past Is A Grotesque Animal’ that was made for the Spike Jonze short film I’m Here, in which a fake robot band called The Lost Trees perform the song. The song was re-envisioned by of Montreal chief musician Kevin Barnes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist Nick Zinner, and members of the Moonrats.
Architecture in Helsinki – Places Like This Special Edition (LP with MP3)
Architecture in Helsinki’s Places Like This is being reissued as a limited edition run of 500 copies on 180-gram pink vinyl. Places Like This is one of the the band’s highest selling albums to date and has been unavailable through retailers for close to a year.
Joan of Arc – Joan of Arc Presents: Don’t Mind Control Special Edition (LP with MP3)
Limited to 500 on 180-gram blue vinyl. Joan of Arc Presents: Don’t Mind Control features new songs by Tim Kinsella, Owen, Cale Parks (Aloha), Vacations (ex-Chin Up Chin Up), Ghosts and Vodka (ex-Cap’n Jazz), Euphone, The Cairo Gang, and many more. This release will be a super deluxe edition with 18×24 poster, gatefold jacket and bonus 24-song download of the soundboard recording of the Don’t Mind Control Variety Show.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Broom Special Edition (LP with MP3)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s debut album Broom is being reissued as a limited edition run of 500 copies on 180-gram white vinyl. Never before on colored vinyl, the super deluxe edition of this LP features three songs not found on the CD along with a download code that includes two digital bonus tracks. It also includes an exclusive poster.
Deerhoof / XIU XIU – Almost Xiu Xiu, Almost Deerhoof (Split 7″ with MP3)
Almost Xiu Xiu, Almost Deerhoof is the latest in a series of collaborative 7″ singles, featuring guest vocalists singing self-composed lyrics and vocal melodies over a Deerhoof instrumental track. Side-A features Xiu Xiu vocalist Jamie Stewart as well as added instrumentation on Deerhoof’s ‘Almost Everyone, Almost Always’, which is featured on Deerhoof’s latest album, Deerhoof vs. Evil. Side-B features Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier returning the favor for a track that appears in its original state on Xiu Xiu’s Dear God, I Hate Myself.
Vivian Girls – I Heard You Say (7″ with MP3)
Limited to 2000 on black vinyl. Vivian Girls’ I Heard You Say 7″ features their brand new single on Side-A, taken from the upcoming full-length album and Polyvinyl debut, Share the Joy. Side-B, ‘I Won’t Be Long’, is exclusive to this release.
Mates of State – Team Boo Special Edition (LP with MP3)
Limited to 500 on 180-gram red vinyl. Team Boo is Mates of State’s classic 3rd full-length and one of their best selling to date. Team Boo was engineered by Jim Eno (of Spoon) and John Croslin (who recorded albums for Spoon, Guided By Voices, Beulah and countless others). This special Record Store Day edition includes five digital bonus tracks.
Busdriver – ATM (7″ with MP3)
Limited to 1,000 on baby blue vinyl. Ass to Mouth b/w ‘Colour Wheel’ is the first offering from Busdriver’s highly anticipated untitled full-length.
-------------------------
NPR.com has a lengthy story about vinyl, well worth checking out!
Slow And Steady: Vinyl Survives
by Jacob Ganz
In recent years some headlines have cast an increase in sales for vinyl LPs — once considered a casualty of the CD era — as something like a beacon of hope for the struggling music industry. The reality isn't all that rosy. Though vinyl sales grew by 14% in 2010, according to Nielsen SoundScan, they still counted for less than one percent of the year's total album sales.
a great story at boston.com about a medium that has been part of our music culture for many years
Post master
He may not be a rock star, but graphic artist Nate Duval gets to work closely with some of the best
By Christopher Muther
Artist Nate Duval could give any number of reasons for pursuing his current vocation, which involves creating limited edition posters for bands ranging from Phish to the Decemberists. He could explain that the business of making gig posters for bands has exploded in the past five years, or that, as a major music fan, this kind of work is a natural fit for him. He could also say it has opened several important doors for his career, and all of these explanations would be correct.
In 1931, the first jazz album to sell a million copies was recorded. It was "Minnie The Moocher" by Cab Calloway.
In 1956, Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on the Billboard charts when "Heartbreak Hotel" debuts at #68. Although many staff members at RCA Victor believed that the release was a mistake, the song would rise to #1 on the US Pop chart for 8 weeks and spend 17 weeks at the top of the Country chart. Many years later, "Heartbreak Hotel" would be ranked #45 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In 1957, the head of the Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, Samuel Cardinal Strich, bans Rock and Roll from Catholic schools in his district.
In 1966, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin created the group, Buffalo Springfield. Their stay on the Rock music scene would only last a couple of years before the group would fragment. Stills teamed up with David Crosby of The Byrds and Graham Nash of The Hollies to form Crosby, Stills and Nash, while Young released several solo projects before joining them. Furay got together with Jim Messina and Randy Meisner to create Poco in 1968. Palmer dropped out of the lime light while Martin toured as Buffalo Springfield with fill-in musicians.
In 1967, The Jeff Beck group, featuring a virtually unknown singer named Rod Stewart, along with bass player Ron Wood and drummer Aynsley Dunbar, make their debut in London, England.
In 1971, South African radio lifts its five-year ban on Beatles' music.
In 1980, London auction house Sotheby's holds its first ever auction of Rock memorabilia. Among the notable items sold were four US dollar bills signed by The Beatles that went for £220 ($528).
In 1983, a member of a motorcycle gang tells a US Senate Judiciary hearing that his friends have a contract out on The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and that two assassination attempts have already failed.
In 1984, one-hit wonders Nena start a three-week run on top of the U.K. singles chart with “99 Red Balloons.” Originally sung in their native German, “99 Luftballons” was re-recorded in English. The original version went on to become a #2 hit in the U.S.
In 2008, Norman Smith, who was the chief engineer on Beatles recording sessions between 1962-65, dies at the age of 85. Nicknamed “Normal Norman” by John Lennon, he recorded the early Pink Floyd. As Hurricane Smith he had unexpected Top 5 U.K. hits in 1971 with “Don’t Let It Die”and “Oh Babe, What Would You Say” the following year
If you see them, wish them a happy birthday today! Robyn Hitchcock (1953) and Jennifer Warnes (1947)
DEAR JERRY:I know the peak time for quadraphonic albums is around 1975. However, the first quad LP I bought was “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite,” the soundtrack of Elvis Presley's 1973 Honolulu concert.
Since this came out before quad's heyday, might it be the very first quad album?
I'll bet it is the top-selling quad release.
Also, did anyone ever make quad singles?
—Jeremy Norbert, Milwaukee
DEAR JEREMY: There are many firsts associated with “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite,” such as:
This January 14, 1973 event is the first entertainment show of any type broadcast worldwide via satellite. Though not all countries caught it at the same time, over 1.5 billion — then about a third of the world's population — watched a 1973 first-run telecast. Since then, millions more viewed the DVDs and TV replays.
When the two-disc soundtrack album (RCA VPSX-6089) topped the nation's LP charts (May 5, 1973), it became the first quadraphonic album reaching No. 1.
With nearly six million units sold (platinum to the sixth degree) it remains history's top-selling quad LP, by a distance wider than from Honolulu to the mainland.
Noteworthy too is there was no set ticket price. Concert-goers simply made a donation, with 100% of the amount of ticket and souvenir sales going to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund. Elvis proudly announced the total raised as $75,000.
It is one of very few albums in general distribution made exclusively in the quad — RCA named it QuadraDisc — format, at least until 1976. By then, the industry began phasing out the quad experiment. This and other former quad product then came out in ordinary stereo.
Inexplicably, all 1973 versions of “Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite” made specifically for the RCA Record Club (RCA R2-213736) are standard two-channel stereo, not QuadraDisc.
In May 1974, RCA issued a special 7-inch EP (DTF0-2006) just for juke box operators. This oddity was not made in quad because they created it strictly for stereo juke boxes.
Meanwhile, back on the LP front, Columbia announced in November 1973 some early yet impressive numbers for quad album sales: “Abaraxas” (Santana) 90,000; “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Simon & Garfunkel) 62,500; “Greatest Hits” (Sly and the Family Stone) 62,300; “Pearl” (Janis Joplin) 55,400; “Summer of '42” (Peter Nero) 40,200; and “Loggins & Messina” (Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina) 30,800.
Fueled by such encouraging sales, Columbia quickly began production of quad singles, the first of which was Art Garfunkel's Top 10 hit at the time, “All I Know” (Columbia 45926).
Made exclusively for radio stations, its custom sleeve explains itself:
SPECIAL NOTICE … COLUMBIA'S FIRST SQ QUADRAPHONIC SINGLE
Dear Broadcaster:
Because of the enormous demand for Quadraphonic sound, Columbia is proud to release its first SQ Quadraphonic single, featuring the renowned artist, Art Garfunkel.
If you transmit in FM-stereo, you may now broadcast Columbia SQ Quadraphonic discs, both singles and albums, or your own stereo tape cartridges recorded from these discs, with no modifications to your present equipment.
SQ, or Stereo Quadraphonic, is the matrix encoding technology developed by CBS in 1970. In December that year, “The Flame,” a self-titled collection of songs written by Flame co-founders Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin, came out labeled as “Compatible Quadraphonic Sound.”
Produced by Carl Wilson, of the Beach Boys, and on their personal label (Brother BR-2500), “The Flame” is widely-regarded as the first quad LP.
SQ did have its audio shortcomings, so along came Japan's Sansui and their QS (Quadraphonic Stereo), an improved and competing technology.
In July 1972, at a London expo, RCA unveiled its QS encoded system, and promised about 15 QuadraDiscs by the end of the year.
Much like the famous Betamax vs. VHS video tape battle that lay ahead, SQ (Sony/CBS/Columbia) and QS (RCA/Sansui/JVC/Panasonic) were completely incompatible, creating a nightmare for consumers. No matter which decoder they owned, many fine quad LPs existed that their system could not properly play.
This boondoggle is the main reason cited for the death of quadraphonic recordings, although the basic four-channel system, with a center speaker added, returned successfully in the '80s as home theater, otherwise known as surround sound.
IZ ZAT SO? Quad devotees in the '70s wanted either long-playing albums or pre-recorded tapes, not singles. Accordingly, Columbia, and later other labels, produced quad singles for two purposes: first for FM radio, then for quadraphonic juke boxes.
In 1974, right after Columbia's first batch of quad singles for radio, Seeburg wanted in on the new craze. They modified their 80-disc STD-160 and came up with the SQS-160. Unfortunately, with CBS's SQ encoding, the result was a simulated version of quad.
Chances are the patrons in noisy bars and restaurants never knew the difference.
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
