The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
DEAR JERRY:Halleluiah! In January, you answered all but one of my eternal questions about “Frim Fram Sauce.”
The one you did not answer is whether or not frim fram, ossenfay, and chifafa really exist.
Even the Indiana lady who sent the question (Donna Dorfman) asked this, but you seemed to side-step that topic. Do you know?
Also, are ossenfay and chifafa really spelled that way?
I am looking to forward to your answers.
—Frank J. Mente, Milwaukee
DEAR FRANK: Had I received more than just one letter (yours) asking why I didn't answer this question, I would suspect the wording of my reply failed to do its job.
Nevertheless, on the chance someone else out there, who didn't write, also misunderstood the implication, here is Frim Fram, Take 2.
Right there in my first paragraph is the answer you seek, which states:
“Unfortunately, not a one of her preferred choices [frim fram sauce, ossenfay, chifafa] are likely to be found on anyone's menu — unless concocted specifically to tie-in with “The Frim Fram Sauce” [song].”
Simply put, I cannot categorically state there isn't a diner somewhere that, inspired by the song, didn't add these items to their menu. To do so would be nothing more than a gimmick to connect with the amusing lyrics.
When written in 1945, by Redd (Louis) Evans and Joseph Ricardel, none of these items existed, and, apart from the possible exception noted above, they still do not exist.
As for the spelling of ossenfay and chifafa, my source is Diana Krall's wonderful “Frim Fram Sauce” video. In it both words appear several times, first on the diner's menu and then on the customer's check.
DEAR JERRY:As you surely know, the last track on Side One of the Beatles “Let It Be” album is “Maggie Mae.” It's a very cute song, and I have grown quite fond of it over the past 40 years.
Much to my dismay, however, it runs only 39 seconds! Since the Beatles wrote it, I doubt they would have created a :39 second song and then called it a wrap.
I've never seen an official explanation, but it stands to reason that if more of “Maggie Mae” existed it would be on “Let It Be.”
Where is the rest of Maggie?
—Margaret Fielding, New York
DEAR MARGARET: Or should I call you Maggie?
“Maggie May,” the usual title of this traditional Liverpoolian folk song, has been around longer than any of the Beatles, or any of their parents. Since the early 1800s, according to most sources.
Need I point out this is a completely different “Maggie May” than the one made famous by Rod Stewart in 1971?
Because this Maggie was in the public domain — not owned or claimed by anyone — the Beatles helped themselves to some writing credit, a wise and ultimately profitable ploy.
Most 20th century, pre-Beatles, versions originated in England circa-1957. The best known of these, and the only one issued in America (Capitol 3711), is by the Viper Skiffle Group.
At that time in Liverpool, John Lennon's first band, the Quarrymen, jumped on the skiffle (folk-rock) craze, and “Maggie May” became one of their staples.
As an homage to those formative Quarrymen days, the Beatles did an impromptu :56 of “Maggie Mae” (now their title) during their Jan. 24, 1969 Abbey Road session.
So what happened to the other 17 seconds?
Who knows? Regardless, the full-length “Maggie Mae,” all:56 worth, eventually came out on the bootleg CD “Artifacts 5: Get Back to Abbey Road, 1969-1970.” On it, after “Maggie Mae,” Paul says “take it, Maggie,” then segues right into “Fancy Me Chances,” a 30-second ditty from their early '60s catalog.
For more on John Lennon, the Quarrymen, and their “Maggie Mae” days, I recommend the 2010 film, “Nowhere Boy.” It's entertaining, informative, and, more importantly, factual.
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 2011 Osborne Enterprises - Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
Alice in Chains' Founding Bassist, Mike Starr, Found Dead in Salt Lake City
The founding and former bassist of Alice in Chains -- Mike Starr -- has been found dead in a home in Salt Lake City, according to a report first filed by TMZ.com. Police were called to the house at 1:42PM on Tuesday and found controlled substances including Xanax and the painkiller Opana, along with the dead body.
In 1987, Starr was friends with guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Starr agreed to join Cantrell's new project with vocalist Layne Staley and drummer Sean Kinney under the name Alice in Chains.
On May 10, Anti- will release Life Fantastic, the new album from Philly spaz kings Man Man. It's the band's first album since 2008's Rabbit Habits. Bright Eyes/Monsters of Folk member Mike Mogis serves as producer, and fellow Bright Eyes member Nate Walcott contributes string arrangements. That image of a homemade critter up above is the cover art. Also above, you can stream album opener "Knuckle Down", and we've got the album's tracklist below.
Erudite rockers Okkervil River will release their new album I Am Very Far on May 10, via Jagjaguwar. Frontman Will Sheff talked to us about the LP here. On their website, the band has posted the album version of "Wake and Be Fine", the song they played on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" a couple of months ago......
Roadrunner Records is pleased to announce the third Black Stone Cherry Album, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, is due out May 31st, 2011.
Kentucky’s Black Stone Cherry, comprised of vocalist Chris Robertson, guitarist Ben Wells, bassist Jon Lawhon and Drummer John Fred Young, is a band adept at creating both timeless rock ‘n roll and new, innovative sounds. While the band’s last record, Folklore and Superstition, was a compelling tribute to brotherhood and history, the new album is the summation of a year in the life of the band—every emotion, triumph, loss, romance and everything in between—it’s all here on Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
This is the first time Black Stone Cherry has not recorded in the South, this time taking up residence in Los Angeles to work with famed producer Howard Benson (Theory of a Deadman, Daughtry, Three Days Grace). The new surroundings allowed them to strengthen their relationships as both band members and friends, ultimately a detail that sets Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea above previous recordings. The raw intensity that pervades the music on this album harkens back to the early days of Black Stone Cherry, when they were a bunch of blue-collar guys just making music together for the hell of it. The band admits “When we first began writing music, we hadn’t traveled very far out of our home state of Kentucky. Now, ten years later, we’ve traveled the world and experienced things we never imagined we would.”
First single “White Trash Millionaire,” set to hit airwaves in April, pairs Robertson’s soulful delivery with the urgent and infectious rhythms of his fellow players. Sure, this is Southern rock at heart; but the concept is universal: just take what the world gives you and make that work. “This album is the culmination of all of the everyday ups and downs life throws at you,” says the band. “Sonically, you’ll hear some of the meanest sounding guitar riffs we’ve ever laid down, and at the same time, you’ll find ballads that will tug on your heartstrings. We wanted the album’s intensity to match that of our live show. We’re very proud of this album and excited for our fans to hear it!”
To celebrate the release of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Black Stone Cherry is participating in an ongoing partnership with Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon. The promotion brings 450,000 Black Stone Cherry branded bottles to shelves nationwide through June, including special mp3 offers and a chance to win a trip to meet the band at one of their shows.
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Bob Dylan "Revealed" To Be Released On DVD On May 1
Highway 61 Entertainment and MVD Visual announce the release of Bob Dylan "Revealed" for worldwide DVD distribution (and VOD) on May 1, 2011, in conjunction with Bob Dylan's 70th birthday. When Bob Dylan turns 70 in May, his iconic career will have spanned five decades. Yet, a true portrait of the reclusive "voice of the generation" has eluded Dylan fans. Through exclusive insider interviews, and never-before-seen photos and footage spanning Dylan's 50-year career, Bob Dylan Revealed offers an intimate biography of who Bob Dylan was, and who he is today.
REM are tip-toeing cautiously into music's social networking era, writes Cameron Adams.
It's an interesting time for REM.
Their 15th album, Collapse Into Now, has just been released.
Bassist Mike Mills is happy, but realistic.
"It's impossible to sell albums these days," Mills says.
"It's too bad. I wish all the people who download music for free would do their work for free. Whatever work they do for a living, I wish they'd stop being paid for it. It'd be great, but that's not going to happen.
ANGELI DI PIETRA: 'Anthems Of Conquest' Cover Artwork Unveiled
Belgian "powerfolk" metallers ANGELI DI PIETRA will release their second album, "Anthems Of Conquest", on May 13 via CCP Records. The CD was recorded and mixed at Excess Studios in Rotterdam, Holland and mastered at Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark.
On June 7, the reissue label High Moon Records are set to release 'Black Beauty,' a lost 1973 album from psych-rock legends Love that was never officially released. High Moon will release the 10-song LP on vinyl, CD, and digital download, with bonus tracks, unreleased photos, and liner notes from writer Ben Edmonds.
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Welcome HVC Records!
A hearty welcome from the CVR Blog to HVC records to our links and buddies list. Went to the site and found all sorts of dance music on vinyl....better yet, I'll let them explain:
We specialise mainly in new and used vinyl across many genres of the dance spectrum. we provide our service worldwide as to the UK. We have been providing our service since 2003, we were formally know as Hardcore Vinyl Community.
A sample of the music they have:
Deep House
Disco
Jungle
Reggae
Techno
Drum N Bass
Electro
Experimental
Stop by and check them out and tell them you saw them on the CVR Blog!
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and in music history for today:
In 1957, Fats Domino had the number 1 record on the Billboard R&B singles chart with "I'm Walkin'", which had just replaced his own, "Blue Monday". Domino would keep the Top 40 hits coming for the next 5 years before fading to the oldies tours.
In 1961, The Beatles make their first of over 300 appearance at Liverpool's Cavern Club. The group had played the venue in the past as The Quarry Men.
Also in 1961 - The Supremes released their first single, "I Want A Guy."
In 1964, Capitol Records releases a song called "Letter To The Beatles" by The Four Preps. The lyrics describe a boy lamenting the fact that he's lost his girlfriend to The Fab Four. On its first day, the record shot to #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it looked like The Preps were going to have another hit on their hands. Unfortunately they had included a few bars from "I Want To Hold Your Hand" without permission and Capitol was forced to withdraw the single to avoid a lawsuit.
The Beach Boys started recording “God Only Knows” (off Pet Sounds) in 1966, which became a U.K. #2 when released as a single with “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
In 1970, having recently changed their name from Earth to Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward make their concert debut at The Roundhouse in the North London district of Camden Town.
In 1976, Keith Moon collapsed onstage at the start of a Who concert in the Boston Garden.
In 1985, REO Speedwagon returned to Billboard's top spot with "Can't Fight This Feeling". The song made #16 in the UK. It had been a little over five years since the band's first number one hit, "Keep On Loving You".
U2 released the album "The Joshua Tree" in 1987.
In 1997, Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down and killed as he left a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles. Born Christopher Wallace, the 24-year-old rapper was pronounced dead on arrival at Cedars Sinai Hospital.
In 2007, Brad Delp, lead singer of Boston, committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning at his home in the New Hampshire town of Atkinson. Boston had a 1976 U.S. #5 single with “More Than a Feeling” and the U.S. #1 single, “Amanda,” 10 years later.
and finally, birthday wishes to Robin Trower (1945), Frank Rodriguez, ? & The Mysterians (1951) and Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & the Raiders (1942)
Highly anticipated albums from Avril Lavigne, with 'Goodbye Lullaby,' R.E.M.'s 'Collapse Into Now,' Carol Bui's 'Red Ship,' Wye Oak's 'Civilianand' and Wires Under Tension with 'Light Science,' are just a few of the choices this week.
Vinyl releases for the week include Beady Eye with 'Different Gear Still Speeding,' Billy Joel's 'Live at Shea Stadium,' the Young Widows with 'Future Heart,' to name a few.
Reissues this week include Little Feat 's 'Waiting for Columbus,' Traffic's 'John Barleycorn Must Die' (remastered with bonus disc), Asia with 'Spirit of the Night: Live (2 CDs) and Sonic Youth's 'Bull in the Heather.'
Also available is the 40th anniversary edition of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' which also includes a DVD of their 1969 television special as well as a documentary about making the album and new interviews.
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - CERVANTINE
Aaron Gillespie - Anthem Song
Agnostic Front - That's Life 7"
Alex Winston - Sister Wife
Alexi Murdoch - Toward The Sun
Ancient Astronauts - Into Bass and Time
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - House Arrest
Asia - Spirit of the Night: Live (2 CDs)
Augury - Concealed
Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby
B Lan 3 - Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Hunting and Mapping
Beach Fossils - What A Pleasure (EP)
Beady Eye - Different Gear Still Speeding (vinyl)
Billy Joel - Live at Shea Stadium (2-CDs & DVD)(vinyl)
Bing Crosby - Join Bing & Sing Along
Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley's Beach Party
Bobby V - Fly on the Wall
Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata - The Hills Are Alive
Brothers Johnson - Winners
Bruce Cockburn - Small Source of Comfort
Buffalo Tom - Skins
Carol Bui - Red Ship
Charlie Pride - Choices
Charlie Rich - It Ain't Gonna Be That Way - The Complete Smash Sessions
Children of Bodom - Relentless Reckless Forever
Christopher Cross - Doctor Faith
Clare Maguire - Light After Dark
Condemned? - Condemned 2
Crass - Penis Envy (remastered with bonus tracks)
Cut Copy - Zonoscope (vinyl)
Dam Mantle - First Wave
Dance Gavin Dance - Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. II
Defeater - Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
Dignan Porch - Deluded
Dinosaur Bones - My Divider
Doug McLeod - Brand New Eyes
Dr. John - Night Rider
Dr. John - Zu Zu Soiree (2 CDs)
EMA - The Grey Ship
Early Winters - Early Winters (EP)
Ellie Goulding - Lights
Elvis Presley - Elvis is Back!: Legacy Edition
Etta James - Who's Blue? Rare Chess Recordings of the 60s & 70s
Evelyn "Champagne" King - I'm in Love
Exene Cervenka - Excitement of Maybe
Frank Sinatra - All Alone
Frank Sinatra - Francis A & Edward K
Frank Sinatra - Man & His Music
Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Sinatra
Frank Sinatra - My Kind of Broadway
Frank Sinatra - Softly As I Leave You
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Liverpool (remastered with bonus tracks)
Geoff Berner - Victory Party
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx - We're New Here (vinyl)
Glen Galaxy - Thankyou
Grails - Deep Politics
Hollies - Bus Stop! / Stop! Stop! Stop!
Jag Panzer - The Scourge Of The Light
Jib Kidder - Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Hypnotized
Jim Norton - Despicable
Jonny Greenwood - Norwegian Wood (soundtrack)
KMFDM - Krank (Single)
Keren Ann - 101
Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo
Los Dug Dug's - Dug Dug's (vinyl)
Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus (vinyl)
Luke Rathborne - Dog Years EP
Lullwater - Silhouette
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Mae - (e)vening
Maruta - Forward Into Regression
Memphis - Here Comes a City
Mighty Clouds of Joy - 50 Year Celebration
Miles Davis - Unissued Japanese Concerts
Morning Teleportation - Expanding Anyway
Neil Diamond - The Bang Years
Nektar - Journey to the Center of the Eye / Boston Tapes (2 CDs)
Nektar - Tab in the Ocean / Sunday: A Night at the London Roundhouse (2 CDs)
New Numbers - Vacationland
OMD - History of Modern (Part 1)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - History of Modern (Part I)(single)
Parts & Labor - Constant Future
Phil Manzanera - Diamond Head
Primal Scream - Screamadelica Collector's Edition
Quiet Sun - Mainstream
R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now
REKS - R.E.K.S (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme)
Raekwon - Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang
Raiders - Country Wine Plus
Rainbow - Down to Earth (2 CDs)
Ray Charles - The Soul Explosion 1954 - 1960
Richard Ashcroft [of The Verve] - The United Nations Of Sound
Riley Etheridge, Jr. - Powder Keg
Ringo Deathstarr - Colour Trip
Rival Schools - Pedals
Sad Cafe - Live
Sara Evans - Stronger
Shotgun Jimmie - Transistor Sister
Sierra Hull - Daybreak
Signal - Glassworks - Signal Live at Le Poisson Rouge
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Waters: 40th Anniversary Edition (CD/DVD)
Sonic Youth - Bull in the Heather (reissue)
Starf*cker - Reptilians
Steve Morse - Southern Steel
Swamp Thing - self-titled 7"
The Blue Van - Love Shot
The Color Morale - My Devil In Your Eyes
The Curious Mystery - We Creeling
The High Kings - Memory Lane
The Human Abstract - Digital Veil
The Megaphonic Thrift - Decay Decoy
The Pauses - A Cautionary Tale
The Sound Of Growing Up - Drifting
Ventures - Hawaii Five-O (reissue)
Tito Puente - Vaya Puente (reissue) (vinyl)
Tommy Bolin - Teaser Deluxe (2 CDs)
Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die (remastered with bonus disc)
Trust Company - Dreaming in Black & White
Typhoon - New Kind of House
UFO - All the Hits & More
Various Artists - Before the Fall - 24 Original Songs As Covered By The Fall
Various Artists - Glee: The Music, Volume 5
Various Artists - Piano Tribute to Mumford & Sons
Various Artists - That'll Flat Git It, Vol. 27 From the Vault of Sage and Sand Records
We Creeling - The Curious Mystery
Wendy & Lisa - Fruit at the Bottom
Western Hymn - Out of the Way EP (vinyl)
Wires Under Tension - Light Science
Wolf People - Silbury Sands/Dry (vinyl)
Wye Oak - Civilian
Young Widows - Future Heart (vinyl)
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.
It's Fat Tuesday and we start out with the Dixie Cups and Professor Longhair - then on to the poll! Inspired in part by Saturday nights CRAGG interview with Night Of The Living Dead's Bill Hinzman and Charlie Sheen's crash and burn decent into the world of internet webcast, we ask just what type of zombie would be Charlie Sheen?
We've got more southern R&B from Rufus Thomas and Esther Phillips, and Mardi Gras seems just the right time to bring back "The Pussycat Song".
In the news we use 21st century technology to evaluate the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's, "the Beatles are more popular than Jesus," comment. Plus the top 5 and why the hell hasn't anyone gotten their grubby hands on our Don Lee Wilson (The Ventures) find.
Three New Hendrix Archive Releases Coming From Experience Hendrix & Legacy
Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings have announced the third wave of releases in their Jimi Hendrix Catalog project. All will be available on April 12.
First up is a reissue of Power Of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix, a collection of sixteen performances covering artists both classic and modern. It is the first tribute album to be curated under Hendrix LLC and they assembled quite the roster from Santana, Eric Clapton and Sting to archive tracks from John Lee Hooker and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. The album was originally released on May 4, 2004.
popmatters.com has a wonderful review of some often overlooked music from one of the best:
In this new Between the Grooves series, George de Stefano digs beneath the nondescript cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Rocking Chair" album -- an urtext for many rock and R&B artists who have been inspired by it or covered its songs -- to examine some of the greatest blues ever recorded.
An acoustic guitar and a rocking chair, set against a green background. You could hardly ask for a more nondescript album cover. But that image has become iconic because of the extraordinary music inside the unremarkable packaging. In fact, the album has come to be known by its cover art. Chess Records titled the disk Howlin’ Wolf when the Chicago-based company released it in 1962. But everyone, or at least every serious blues aficionado, knows this collection of 12 tracks by Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett simply as “the rocking chair album” .
Fearless Records has released the cover art for 'Worst Thing I've Been Cursed With,' the second album from Sparks The Rescue. The new album is scheduled for release on May 10th.
"We are very excited to release our second full-length Worst Thing I've Been Cursed With," states singer Alex Roy. "We wrote this record over the course of the summer into fall in a cabin in Poland Springs, Maine. I feel this record shows how much we've grown as songwriters, musicians and friends. We set out to write a great rock album, and I think we did just that!"
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ALKALINE TRIO Celebrate 15th Anniversary With New Album
In celebration of their 15th year as a band, high energy melodic cult rockers Alkaline Trio have announced they will enter the studio in late February to re-imagine and record a collection of songs from their celebrated catalog for a new album to be released this summer on Epitaph/Heart & Skull.
The threesome will be stripping down fan favorites from their coveted seven studio albums, which include Goddamnit, Maybe I'll Catch Fire, From Here to Infirmary, Good Mourning, Crimson, Agony & Irony and This Addiction, and re-recording the songs under new visions with the accompaniment of a variety of instruments at Hurley Studios in Costa Mesa, California. Additionally, the band will tantalize fans with new tracks as well, making this a must have for both old and new fans alike.
Known for well-crafted hook filled songwriting and poetic tongue-in-cheek lyrics, Alkaline Trio have amassed a diehard cult following around the globe in the last 15 years. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano and drummer Derek Grant, the group has composed some of punk rock's most memorable songs with hits like "Nose Over Tail" from their 1998 debut Goddamnit, "Radio" from 2000's Maybe I'll Catch Fire, "Private Eye" from 2001's From here to Infirmary, "We've Had Enough" from 2003's Good Mourning, "Time to Waste" from 2005's Crimson, "Calling All Skeletons" from 2008's Agony & Irony and the title track from 2010's This Addiction among others. With so many classic tracks to choose from, anticipation for this release amongst the band's fans is sure to be huge!
Alkaline Trio will be hitting the road for a handful of dates this spring leading up to the release. Stay tuned for more information.
Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
4/27 - West Chester, PA - The Note
4/28 - Providence, RI - Lupo's
4/29 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
4/30 - East Rutherford, NJ - Bamboozle
5/1 - Towson, MD - The Recher Theatre
Pop-punkers Valencia will release a 7″ entitled B-Sides and Rarities featuring two never-before-heard songs, “Adrenaline” and “Fight or Flight.” It will be limited to 500 copies, with 50 available March 16th from I Surrender Records. http://www.isurrenderrecords.com/ The remaining available on the band’s upcoming tour.
The band released their latest album “Dancing With A Ghost” last year.
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Arch Enemy Reveal New Album Cover Art
Swedish extreme metal powerhouse, Arch Enemy, has set a late spring/early summer release for its ninth studio album, entitled Khaos Legions, via Century Media. The band tapped artist Brent Elliott White (Megadeth, Death Angel) to design the cover art.
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Found this group Heart Attack Alley online (they are from New Zealand). Love the cut:
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SPOTLIGHT: Vinyl records still cool for some
By JOSH STOCKINGER - The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald
WESTMONT, Ill. -- Not long after Hank Shurba went into business selling records in 1983, the Elmhurst man started to hear buzz of a new media form destined to change music forever.
They were called CDs.
"I opened up and that very first week I heard about them,'" Shurba, 66, recalls. "I thought, 'Oh, my God. What do I do now?'"
In 1962, the Beatles (with Pete Best on drums), appeared on television for the first time when they play Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby" on the BBC program Teenager's Turn. It was reportedly the first time they wore suits onstage.
The Dave Clark 5 made their first appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964.
In 1968, Albert King, Janis Joplin and Tim Buckley appear at the reopened Village Theater in New York, now known as the Fillmore East, promoted by Bill Graham.
In 1969, Small Faces split up after four years when singer Steve Marriott announces he is leaving the band. Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones eventually link up with Ron Wood and Rod Stewart to form The Faces.
Paul McCartney pled guilty to charges of growing marijuana outside of his Scottish countryside farm in 1973. He claimed that a fan had given him the seeds and that he did not know what they would grow. He was fined $240.
Also in 1973, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan of The Grateful Dead, died of a stomach hemorrhage and liver failure, brought on by alcohol poisoning. He was just 27 years old.
In 1974, Bad Company, made up of former members from Free (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke), Mott The Hoople (Mick Ralphs) and King Crimson (Boz Burrell), kicked off their first UK tour at Newcastle City Hall.
In 1976, former Spooky Tooth singer Gary Wright is awarded a Gold record for "Dream Weaver".
In 1993 - "Beavis and Butthead" premiered on MTV as a series.
Birthdays today include Clive Burr of Iron Maiden (1957), Randy Meisner of The Eagles (1946) and
Micky Dolenz from The Monkees (1945)
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?
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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).
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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
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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
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Up north there ay!
Vinyl Thriving In The iPod Age
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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.
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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.
