Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

white is at sxsw and his story continues, i highly recommend reading this wonderful interview in the nytimes blog

Jack White Still Knows How to Grab Attention

By BEN SISARIO

AUSTIN, Tex. — South by Southwest is about music, lots and lots of it: 2,000-plus bands over six days. But partly as a result of there being so much music, the festival is also about attention-getting stunts: bands playing up to a dozen gigs in unusual spaces, announcing last-minute performances on Twitter, teasing crowds with “TBA’s” on schedules.

This year Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes, has one of the better stunts, a yellow and black truck representing his Nashville-based record label and studio, Third Man.

Read the rest at artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com

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great write up in the guardian about a novel concept in the uk:

Needle down, phones off, no talking: Cardiff launches Real Record Club

Steve Shepherd has joined forces with Cardiff's oldest record store Spillers Records to return the vinyl LP to the heart of the listening experience. Here he makes the case for The Real Record Club

Why go to a club to listen to an album all the way through when you could do that at home? It's a good question but here's another: When was the last time you got all the way through a great album at home without being interrupted or distracted?

Be honest, it's virtually impossible in 2011 to focus exclusively on 45 minutes of music in a domestic environment. As a result most of us have taken to listening whilst doing email or surfing the web or cooking or cleaning. This has to stop. There are certain albums that deserve to be given serious undivided attention and the Real Record Club is a place where that can happen.

Read more at guardian.co.uk

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interesting story from southern illinois, wish we had something like this close to home...a great spot for local bands!

For the love of vinyl: A testament to the Fox Valley music scene

By JOHN PUTERBAUGH

Today’s younger music fans may be more likely to put a vinyl record on their bedroom wall than on a record player, but that doesn’t mean this not-so-forgotten medium has fallen completely out of favor.

On April 16, a day dedicated throughout the country as Record Store Day, Kiss the Sky in Geneva will actually release a new original album featuring a lineup of Fox Valley musicians – on vinyl. As cool as it would look on some teenager’s wall, the record, “Made in Aurora,” serves to remind local music fans that records and the stores that sell them still deliver musical satisfaction every day to those who’ve made a point to preserve the medium.

Read the rest at kcchronicle.com

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Primus Announce Summer Tour In Support Of Upcoming Record

Primus have confirmed a headlining tour for this summer, starting on May 19th at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis, IN and wrapping up at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. The tour comes in anticipation of their upcoming album, with a late spring/early summer release on ATO/Prawn Song Records.

Read more at pluginmusic.com

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pitchfork.com has this, i love the cover art for the ep

Italians Do It Better's Mike Simonetti Unveils EP

Hear a cut from the Capricorn Rising EP, "The Third of the Storms"

As co-founder of the Italians Do It Better label, Mike Simonetti has been putting out records from Italo disco-inspired artists for more than a minute now. This April, Simonetti will step out on his own with the Capricorn Rising EP, which will see release on the label.

Read more at pitchfork.com













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Top 10 Selling Vinyl Records March 7-13 (The Groove)

1. The Black Keys - Brothers
2. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX - We’re New Here
3. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
4. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - House Arrest
5. Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows
6. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
7. JEFF The Brotherhood & Best Coast (split 7″)
8. Ty Segall & Thee Oh Sees Bruise Cruise Vol. 1 (split 7″)
9. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead
10. Alexander - Alexander


Top 10 Selling Vinyl Records March 7-13 (Grimey’s)

1. R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now
2. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
3. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
4. Kurt Vile - Smoke Rings For My Halo
5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
6. Drive-By Truckers - Go-Go Boots
7. D. Watusi - Summer Nights 7″
8. The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness 7″
9. Middle Brother - Middle Brother
10. The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

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Nazareth Old Rock Dogs with new tricks Releases Studio Album on CD “BIG DOGZ”

New York, NY(Hollywood Today)3/16/11—Eagle Rock Entertainment, through earMusic, is proud to announce the release of Big Dogz, the new studio album from legendary Scottish rockers Nazareth. The CD hits stores May 10, 2011 [MSRP $13.98].

Produced by guitar player Jimmy Murrison and sound wizard Yann Rouiller, the album’s production avoids the trappings of traditional polish in an effort to capture the challenging edge of classic rock’n’roll.

Obviously, this is one band that has stuck to its guns not giving an inch for trends and fashion. Like Motorhead, AC/DC or The Ramones, their personal vision supercedes any inclination whatsoever to follow the pack. The result of this hard-headed singularity? Sixty million albums sold in a glorious 41-year career.

Nazareth has invested their time in finding the original sound and spirit of the ’70s, when rock bands expressed values and ideas only through their instruments, an amp and a mic. To this end, they’ve completed an album with nearly no overdubs or multiple takes, no vocal lines or solos adjusted through a computer. The new Nazareth album is what the band really is: four men who live rock music, recording together in the same room at the same time, showing what they really are, and what they really want. One of the purest diamonds of Rock music, Big Dogz, will surely join their previous albums No Mean City and Hair Of The Dog in the most representative episodes of a glorious history.

Founder member Pete Agnew says “They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but having recorded the new Nazareth album Big Dogz, I don’t agree. We’ve got some tasty bones here! Our friends at earMusic offered us the opportunity to mark some new territory and the ‘Nazhounds’ are delighted to be back among their pack. We’re straining at the leash to tour this puppy. We reckon it’s bitchin’! So get ready, because in 2011 the Big Dogz gonna howl!!”

Nazareth is:

Dan McCafferty (vocals)
Pete Agnew (bass)
Lee Agnew (drums)
Jimmy Murrison (guitars)

BIG DOGZ Track Listing:

1.) Big Dog’s Gonna Howl
2.) Claimed
3.) When Jesus Comes To Save The World Again
4.) Radio
5.) No Mean Monster
6.) Time And Tide
7.) Lifeboat
8.) The Toast
9.) Watch Your Back
10.) Butterfly
11.) Sleeptalker

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Acid Jazz Great Melvin Sparks Dies

Andrew Vaughan

Melvin Sparks, the legendary acid jazz guitarist, has died of heart failure at his home in Mt. Vernon, New York. He was 64.

Sparks first surfaced in the ’60s and ’70s as a soul-jazz guitarist (famously backing Lou Donaldson on the funk-jazz classics “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky,” “Hot Dog,” “Donkey Walk” and “The Caterpillar.”) and later played a key part on the acid jazz movement of the ’90s.

Read more at Gibson.com

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New David Bowie Live Album to Feature Foo Fighters, Other Guests

Russell Hall

A new live album from David Bowie, featuring a number of high-profile guests, is set for release on April 26. The aptly-titled Birthday Celebration – Live in NYC 1997, features tracks from a show staged at Madison Square Garden on January 9, 1997, to commemorate Bowie’s 50th birthday (which actually occurred the previous day).

Read more at Gibson.com 

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I've been following this site musiconvinyl.com for a while and want to introduce you to them. they release some great, collectible vinyl. first, just who is musiconvinyl.com?

Music on Vinyl is a vinyl only record label that releases high quality 180g LP and 7" vinyl pressings of titles licensed from a wide range of record companies and artists who control their own repertoire.

These will be both re-issues of classic titles, or a simultaneous vinyl release to compliment a CD/DVD release. These will all be marketed under the Music on Vinyl brand, which vinyl lovers worldwide recognize as a trusted name providing a superb LP vinyl product.

Music On Vinyl Mid-March Releases

The following great new titles will be released by Music on Vinyl on the 14th of March and will be available at your local record store:

Nina Simone said that she'd rather have people remember her for her album Nina Simone 'And Piano!' than for her surprise hit 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'. And when you listen to the album, you fully understand why. This is Nina Simone stripped bare; an introspective, intimate album about death, reincarnation, loneliness and love. Be sure to check your favorite shop later this month for another Music On Vinyl beauty of Nina Simone: 'Silk & Soul'.

Sam Duckworth is Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., the Southend-born troubadour who named his solo-project after the solution to an old Batman computer game. We bring you his third and self-titled album that features guest-appearances by Shy FX & Baaba Maal.

Screaming Trees is considered as one of the ''Godfathers of Grunge''. Screaming Trees rose to fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with bands such as Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Nirvana.  We are proud to present you with their 7th and final album "Dust". 'Kerrang!' Magazine selected Dust as the best album of 1996 in their year-end awards.

In the early 1960s, The Chambers Brothers, four brothers from Mississippi, started to venture outside the gospel circuit, playing at coffeehouses that booked folk acts. The group became part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements, spawning a heady mix integrating all these factors. The Chambers Brothers are best known for their 1968 hit record, the 11-minute long epic 'Time Has Come Today'.

Check out their shop at musiconvinyl.com

Reissue summary:

Nina Simone And Piano 1 LP
Screaming Trees Dust 1 LP
Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly. Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly. 1 LP
The Chambers Brothers The Time Has Come 1 LP

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and in music history on this st patty's day:

In 1956, the movie 'Rock Around The Clock' premiered in Washington, DC. The film featured performances by Bill Haley, The Platters and Little Richard.

In 1957, Elvis Presley buys the Graceland mansion from Mrs. Ruth Brown-Moore for $102,500, outbidding the YMCA's offer of $35,000. The 23 room, 10,000 square foot home, sitting on 13.8 acres of land, would be expanded to 17,552 square feet of living space before the king moved in a few weeks later. The original building had at one time been a place of worship, used by the Graceland Christian Church and was named after the builder's daughter, Grace Toof.

In 1958, the Coasters record what will prove to be their only US number one hit, "Yakety Yak". In the UK, it reached #12.

1968 - The Bee Gees made their U.S. television debut on the "Ed Sullivan Show." They performed "To Love Somebody" and "Words."

In 1970, Eddie Holman received a Gold record for the single, "Hey There Lonely Girl", originally recorded by Ruby and the Romantics under the title, "Hey There Lonely Boy" in the 1960s.



In 1973, Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show’s single, “The Cover of the Rolling Stone,” peaked at #6 on the U.S. chart, but was banned in the U.K. by the BBC, due to rules about product placement.

In 1982, Samuel George, Jr., lead singer of The Capitols, who had a U.S. # 7 single with “Cool Jerk” was killed, aged 39, after being stabbed during a family argument.

In 1984, Van Halen's "Jump" peaks at #1 in the US and #7 in the UK. Over the years, David Lee Roth has given various accounts of the meaning behind the lyrics, but most often says they are about a TV news story he saw where a man was about to kill himself by jumping off a building.

In 1996, Terry Stafford, whose Elvis sound-a-like voice helped make the song "Suspicion" a Billboard #3 hit in 1964, died of liver failure at the age of 54.

In 1997 - The RIAA announced that the Eagles' "Greatest Hits" album had tied Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as the all-time best-selling album in the U.S.

In 2010, Alex Chilton, the lead singer for The Box Tops on their Billboard Top Ten hits "The Letter" and "Cry Like A Baby", died following a heart attack. He was 59.



the late great, crooner Nat "King" Cole was born today in 1919. Celebrating birthdays today include Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane/Starship (1941), Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins (1967), Caroline Corr of The Corrs (1973), & John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful (1944), among others.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 14, 2011

DEAR JERRY: In the 1970s, the Osmonds and the Jacksons were the top family singing groups.

Now that it's ancient history, which family had the most members issue solo records?

Also, is Randy Jackson, of American Idol, really one of the Jackson family.
—Gilbert Silva, York, Pa
.

DEAR GILBERT: Interesting questions, so let's first look at both families by the numbers.

By year of birth, here are the seven performing Osmonds: Alan (1949); Wayne (1951); Merrill (1953); Jay (1955); Donny (1957); Marie (1959); and Jimmy (1963). All were born in Ogden, Utah, except Jimmy (Canoga Park, Calif.).

Though Merrill was the lead vocalist, they all sang and played instruments. Still, only Donny, Marie, Donny & Marie (as a duet), and “Little Jimmy” made recordings apart from the group, and only Donnie and Marie became upper echelon stars.

Eventually, Marie ventured outside the family for duet partners, resulting in No. 1 country hits for her and Dan Seals (“Meet Me in Montana”), and then Paul Davis (“You're Still New to Me”).

At one time or another, all nine children performed in the Jacksons: Rebbie (1950); Jackie (1951); Tito (1953); Jermaine (1954); LaToya (1956); Marlon (1957); Michael (1958); Randy (1961); and Janet (1966). All were born in Gary, Ind.

All six boys and three girls (Rebbie, LaToya, and Janet) made the charts as solo artists.

As with Donny and Marie, Michael and Janet turned out to be the superstar Jackson kids.

Yes, Idol judge Randy Jackson (1956) is definitely a member of the Jackson family! However, his Louisiana Jacksons are not at all related to the Jacksons of Indiana, whose Randy is about five years younger.


DEAR JERRY: I know mistakes on records, whether factual flubs or just carelessness, are not rare. But here's one that has my head spinning:

My original 1964 “A Hard Day's Night” LP (UAS-6366), mistakenly shows “I'll Cry Instead” as “I Cry Instead.” Also, both cover and label give 2:06 as the running time.

I didn't notice anything odd about the time until a few years ago when I bought a remastered CD of “A Hard Day's Night.” It has “I'll Cry Instead” (correct title) as running only 1:44.

Curious as to where, and why, they trimmed :22 from the original, I played it. Turns out I couldn't detect anything missing. Sounds exactly like the 2:06 version on my vinyl original.

Why did a huge company like United Artists have so much trouble with one little song?
—Henry McCarthy, Wheeling, W.V.


DEAR HENRY: Size doesn't matter, at least not when it comes to blunders. Every company occasionally slips up. Your “I'll Cry Instead” investigation uncovered only part of this muddled mess.

Having only the stereo soundtrack (UAS-6366) severely limited your research, as you will see.

The story really begins with the monaural “A Hard Day's Night” (UAL-3366), issued simultaneously. First pressings of both formats list “I Cry Instead,” merely a typo which they corrected on subsequent releases.

Unfortunately, especially for those paying a dollar extra for stereo, is that all eight Beatles songs are nothing more than the mono mixes, enhanced to simulate stereo.

The real mystery, however, is a 22-second chunk that's missing from stereo pressings, a complete verse that is heard only on mono copies! Stereo labels and covers do not reflect the difference, as both have the running time of the mono version (2:06).

In another plot twist, the true original (1:44) — as heard in the film — is only on the stereo albums, minus the fake stereo enhancements.

The mono tampering begins at approximately 1:13, when John Lennon repeats the entire first verse (“I got every reason on earth to be sad,” etc.). It is flawlessly edited, then followed by a second chorus (“Don't wanna cry when there's people there,” etc.). For the average listener, detecting this insertion is nearly impossible.


IZ ZAT SO? A few weeks after United Artists issued “A Hard Day's Night,” Capitol released “Something New,” with five “A Hard Day's Night” selections.

Unbelievable though it seems, Capitol repeated most of U.A.'s “I'll Cry Instead” mixing mix-ups, both in the studio and at the typewriter.

“Something New” mono (T-2108) has the same extended track, but now labeled 2:04. The Capitol stereo (ST-2108) plays the 1:44 original, still erroneously listed at 2:04.

One important difference is that “Something New” really offers something new — the first true stereo recordings of those tracks.

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 Exclusive By Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Voivod To Reissue Debut Album On Vinyl

War on Music Records has announced the upcoming LP reissue of "War And Pain", the classic debut album by Canadian metal innovators Voivod. Originally released in 1984, "War And Pain" was reissued by Metal Blade in 2004 as a three-CD box set, but has long remained out of print on vinyl. Due in May, the vinyl reissue has been carefully re-mastered from the original reels, and features the iconic album art of VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin in a full-color gatefold jacket. The pressing is limited to 1,000 copies.

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Piebald 3x12" Vinyl Due on Record Store Day

Rise Records will release a limited edition Piebald triple gatefold 3x12" vinyl on Record Store Day, April 16.

The offering will include three albums from the band -- When Life Hands You Lemons, If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds It Would Be Curtains for Us All, and We Are the Only Friends We Have.

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Grinderman to Release Grinderman 2 Remixes on Record Store Day

Grinderman 2, the second album by the vicious rock force known as Grinderman (comprised of the incomparable Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds partners in crime, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos), will come on strong once again with a set of remixes of the song “Palaces Of Montezuma”. It will be available digitally tomorrow, on March 15th, 2011, and as limited edition colored 12” vinyl on Record Store Day, which takes place April 16th.

PALACES OF MONTEZUMA – 12” vinyl / download

Side A
1. Palaces Of Montezuma – Cenzo remix
2. Palaces Of Montezuma – Barry Adamson remix
Side B
1. Palaces Of Montezuma – Album version
2. When My Baby Comes – Cat’s Eyes w/ Luke Tristram

Also planned for release on Record Store Day this April are remixes of the song “Evil” – available on glamorous 12” red glitter vinyl (with CD insert). This limited edition includes three previously unavailable versions: a remix from Silver Alert (Jim Sclavunos and Peter Mavrogeorgis), featuring lead vocals by The National’s Matt Berninger, ‘The Michael Cliffe House Remix’ by the UK’s Factory Floor and ‘First Evil’, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ early demo from RAK Studios, as well as the original version, from Grinderman 2.

Grinderman – EVIL – 12” vinyl w CD / download

Side A
1. Evil- Album version
2. Evil – Silver Alert Remix
Side B
1. Evil – The Michael Cliffe House Remix by Factory Floor
2. Evil – First Evil

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New Iron Maiden collection set for May

EMI Music is delighted to announce the release of ‘From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010', a brand new collection from Iron Maiden.

The double album, which will be released on May 23, follows the huge success of 2010's studio set ‘The Final Frontier’ which hit number one in 28 countries around the world and the band’s their first Grammy Award which they won last month for Best Metal Performance for ‘El Dorado’ from ‘The Final Frontier’.

The full track listing for the CD album is as follows (the collection will also be available aas a digital download album and as a limited edition triple vinyl picture disc):

Disc 1
1. The Wicker Man
2. Holy Smoke
3. El Dorado
4. Paschendale
5. Different World
6. Man On The Edge (LIVE)
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
8. Blood Brothers
9. Rainmaker
10. Sign of the Cross (LIVE)
11. Brave New World
12. Fear Of The Dark (LIVE) 7.41

Disc 2
1. Be Quick Or Be Dead
2. Tailgunner
3. No More Lies
4. Coming Home
5. The Clansman (LIVE)
6. For the Greater Good of God
7. These Colours Don’t Run)
8. Bring Your Daughter… To The Slaughter
9. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
10. Dance of Death
11. When the Wild Wind Blows

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NEGATIVE PLANE To Release Vinyl Version of 'Stained Glass Revelations' Via Invictus Productions

Stained Glass Relevations, the critically acclaimed and fan-approved sophomore album from New York occultists NEGATIVE PLANE will be getting the vinyl treatment from Ireland's Invictus Productions. The album that Aquarius Records described as "a masterful combination of atmospheric interludes" and "metal onslaughts that emerge intricately from the hissing murk with pounding drums, swarms of guitar, and raw guttural vokills, field recordings, bells, cello, piano, organ, and some female vocals are all woven into the mix, creating something quite unique and effective" will be available as a gorgeously packaged double vinyl LP, complete with a special booklet featuring lyrics and exclusive artwork by Timo Ketola. This loving homage to this iconoclastic collective's most enthralling effort yet will see the light of day this coming April - stay tuned for more details!

Read more at thegauntlet.com


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Hate Eternal Reveals New Album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" Artwork And Tracklisting

American death metal veterans Hate Eternal has revealed the front cover artwork for their forthcoming new studio album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes." You can check it out below. The record will be released through Metal Blade Records on May 10th. The band has also revealed the track listing for the album which is as follows:

1. Rebirth
2. The Eternal Ruler
3. Thorns of Acacia
4. Haunting Abound
5. The Art of Redemption
6. Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
7. Deathveil
8. Hatesworn
9. Lake Ablaze
10. The Fire of Resurrection






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NECROPHAGIA To Release 'Deathtrip 69' In May

Legendary gore metal pioneers NECROPHAGIA will release their new album, "Deathtrip 69", on May 17 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist. The band's fifth official full-length CD, which features guest appearances by Maniac (SKITLIV, ex-MAYHEM) and Casey Chaos (AMEN), was recorded at Last House On The Left Studios in Ohio with vocalist Killjoy and guitarist Boris Randall handling production duties. The cover concept and title track are based on the "Manson family" ordeal of the late 1960s.

Read more gory details at Blabbermouth.com












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FIREWIND: 'Embrace The Sun' Video Released

"Embrace The Sun", the new video from Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND — who feature in their ranks OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. (real name: Kostas Karamitroudis) — can be viewed below. The clip was filmed by acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL and KAMELOT, among many others.

FIREWIND has just released the "Embrace The Sun" single on March 15 featuring a special instrumental mixdown of the song as b-side as well as the video clip for song both in regular and in alternate band-performance-only version.



Read more at Blabbermouth 

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and if you haven't had your fill of alice cooper news at the CVR blog, here's another post

Cooper Boxed Set Due In June

Alice Cooper band box set released in June. Called Old School, it will come in a commemorative 12-inch square “school desk” box and spans the years 1964-1974:

Four CDs from the years 1964-1974.

- Disc 1: Demos, rarities, live material and advertisements

- Disc 2: Demos from Muscle of Love, pre-production versions of songs from School’s Out, 1973 Madison Square Garden live track and advertisements.

- Disc 3: Spoken word material

- Disc 4: Live show of the 1971 Killer tour in St. Louis

DVD (single disc in Amaray case) with three never-before-seen features (more than 2 hours).

A 64-page, full-color, yearbook-style book.

A gatefold folder containing two tour programs, ticket stubs, set list and five prints.

Bootleg Vinyl: 1971 Killer live show in St. Louis.

7” Vinyl: “Wonder Whose Lovin’ Her Now,” “Lay Down & Die” and “Goodbye" from The Nazz.

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Calling all record shops: Join Goldmine’s directory now!

Goldmine is compiling a directory of record stores, it may be a good idea to get listed!

Read more: Calling all record shops: Join Goldmine's store directory now! | Goldmine Magazine

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and in music history for today:

In 1955, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" by Bill Hayes reached the number one spot on the US Pop music charts, where it would stay for five weeks. The song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels worldwide.

Also in 1955, Epic Records releases Roy Hamilton's "Unchained Melody", which will climb to #6. The Righteous Brothers would update the song ten years later and take it to #4.



"Puff The Magic Dragon" was released by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1963. Although banned by some radio stations who thought the song was about drugs, it is really just a story about a little boy growing up, according to its writer, Peter Yarrow.



In 1964, Alan Freed, who helped bring Rock 'n' Roll to the forefront, is charged with tax evasion, a grand jury indictment stemming from the earlier payola investigation which ruined the career of the ex-DJ.

In 1964, the Beatles set a new record for advance sales in the U.S. with 2,100,000 copies of their latest single, “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

In 1968, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding became the number 1 song in the US. The tune was recorded just three days before the plane crash that killed Redding in December, 1967 and was his only Gold record.

In 1970, 24 year old Tammi Terrell, who teamed up with Marvin Gaye for several Motown hits, died at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia. After she had collapsed in Gaye's arms onstage in 1967, it was discovered that she was suffering from a brain tumor.

In 1979, Twisted Sister became the first band to sell out New York City's Palladium without ever releasing a record. The band did not sign a record deal until 3 years later.

In 1983, US radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey died in New York City at the age of 79. His show, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts was a fore runner of Star Search and American Idol on which "scouts" presented their discoveries to perform live before a national radio and television audience.

In 1991, seven members of Country singer Reba McEntire's band and her road manager were among 10 people who were killed when their private jet crashed in California just north of the Mexican border. McEntire, who had given a private concert in San Diego for IBM employees the night before, was not on the plane.

Birthday wishes to 1954, Nancy Wilson of Heart (1954) and Michael Bruce, guitar (Alice Cooper Band)(1948), among others

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

R.I.P. Hallucinogen Pioneer Owsley Stanley: 1935 - 2011

By Tim Cashmere

Augustus Owsley Stanley III, the chemist who made up copious amounts of LSD for musical stars including The Beatles, Hendrix and The Grateful Dead has died in a car accident on Sunday in Australia.

His car swerved off the highway and hit a number of trees in the northern Queensland town of Mareeba, killing him and injuring his wife Sheilah.

Stanley, had worked with a number of artists as their personal chemist, occasional sound engineer and in the case of The Dead, their financial backer.

Read more about it at undercover.fm

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New Song From Eddie Vedder: ‘Longing To Belong’

By Johnny Firecloud

Have a listen to Longing To Belong, the first single from Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder’s forthcoming solo album, reportedly called Uke Songs, which we’re learning is due out this June.

The record, which could very well be an all-ukulele album, is bound to follow the same adventurously introspective spirit that carried the Into The Wild soundtrack to such great heights. It’s likely to also include a few other gems that Vedder’s penned over the years but played only sparingly.

You gotta hear this at antiquiet.com





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Bob Dylan Announces First Ever Vietnam Show

Bob Dylan will play his first ever show in Vietnam next month, it has been announced.

The singer, whose songs such as 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'The Times They Are a-Changin' became important with the anti-Vietnam war movement of the 1960s, will appear in Ho Chi Minh City on April 10.

Dylan will play at the 8,000-plus-capacity university stadium in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City as part of his current Asian tour.

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OPETH, MACHINE HEAD And ROADRUNNER RECORDS Celebrate 'Record Store Day'

Roadrunner Records, along with two of its stellar, standout metal bands, OPETH and MACHINE HEAD, will be participating in Record Store Day this April 16th.

** OPETH - "The Throat of Winter" seven-inch vinyl

Exclusive for Record Store Day 2011, OPETH will release seven-inch vinyl of "The Throat of Winter". The track, which was originally featured on the "God Of War: Blood & Metal" digital EP, will see its first and only physical incarnation with this special release. Side B of the seven-inch is etched with the band's logo and jacket artwork was created by longtime OPETH collaborator Travis Smith, with direction from Mikael Åkerfeldt.

** MACHINE HEAD - "The Black Procession" 10-inch vinyl

Exclusive for Record Store Day 2011, MACHINE HEAD will release 10-inch vinyl, aptly titled "The Black Procession". The set includes three previously unreleased live tracks that were recorded along 2010's Black Procession Tour, in support of the band's last studio effort, "The Blackening".

Side A:
* Beautiful Mourning (live)
* Bite The Bullet (live)

Side B:
* Halo (live)

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Bibio, Flying Lotus & Clark: Record Store Day Vinyl Releases

Flying Lotus - 'Cosmogramma Alt Takes'

In January 2011, Flying Lotus launched the webcam application, Trigger. In a complete first, the application allowed owners of the landmark album Cosmogramma to scan their copy's artwork, and in return receive outtakes and new versions of music from the creation of the record as a thank you.

Flying Lotus said at the time:

"I'm really into old jazz traditions and I felt Cosmogramma was my jazz record in a sense. In that spirit, for anyone who's bought the album, we've made something they can use to get new tracks and alternate takes from the original Cosmogramma sessions as a gift from us."

After launch, social networks were abuzz with fans talking about this never-before-seen interface, discussing the new music and experimenting with secret combinations of images to unlock further, hidden tracks.

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma Alt Takes
12" Vinyl WARP195R
Released on Record Store Day: April 16, 2011.

01. Clock Catcher (Harp Arrangement)
02. Melting3
03. Pickled (Stripped Version feat. MatthewDavid)
04. Drips Mix 3
05. Catacombs (Extended Version)
06. Galaxy in Janaki (2008 Version)
07. Galaxy In Janaki (String Solo)
08. Archway (Teebs Remix)


Bibio / Clark 'Willenhall / Baskerville Grinch'

Friends and labelmates Clark and Bibio have each contributed an unreleased track to a special 12" exclusively for Record Store Day, housed in a classic Warp purple sleeve (the first Warp release to get this treatment in almost four years)

Bibio's new album Mind Bokeh is released on April 4th.

Bibio / Clark - Willenhall / Baskerville Grinch
12" Vinyl, Purple Warp House Sleeve. WAP318
Released on Record Store Day: April 16, 2011.

Bibio 'Willenhall'
Clark 'Baskerville Grinch'

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interesting comments and concept (although I hate the begging for money at the start), check out more at minnesota.publicradio.org

Random Vinyl: Records Sound So Good



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Hüsker Dü Reissue ’86 Single as Split w/Green Day for Record Store Day

Hüsker Dü set to release “Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely” as a 7″ single, which they originally did in the UK in 1986 (in the US the release was on 12″ vinyl and included a cover of “Helter Skelter” as a second track on side A). Only this time, instead of the exclusive non-album B-side “All Work and No Play”, it’s Green Day doing their cover version of the A-side.

“Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely” was the single issued alongside Hüsker Dü’s first major label LP, Candy Apple Grey, which was also their sixth and penultimate LP. Green Day’s contribution to the new product will most likely be their rendition as recorded on the MTV show Influences.

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Eric Clapton Unplugged Vinyl Release For Record Store Day

Warner Brothers Records has confirmed that Eric Clapton's classic 1992 album Eric Clapton Unplugged will be released as a new vinyl edition for Record Store Day on April 16. Record Store Day celebrates independent record stores and the new vinyl pressing will be available in limited quantities.

The new edition of Eric Clapton Unplugged will include two LP's pressed on 180 gram vinyl.

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Death Cab for Cutie Reveal New LP Tracklist, Cover

Here is the tracklist and cover art for Death Cab for Cutie's upcoming LP 'Codes and Keys,' which hits stores on May 31 via Atlantic..

01 Home Is a Fire
02 Codes and Keys
03 Some Boys
04 Doors Unlocked And Open
05 You Are a Tourist
06 Unobstructed Views
07 Monday Morning
08 Portable Television
09 Underneath the Sycamore
10 St. Peter's Cathedral
11 Stay Young, Go Dancing


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Viral Video: Who Is Rebecca Black and Why Is Everyone Calling Her New Video the Worst Ever Made? (or this should be called) This Is Why I Don't Tweet

This is the big 'viral' video on YouTube these days (especially this past weekend) and it maybe a sign of things to come. If this is what 'pop' music sounds like nowadays, I''m afraid that you will have to go on ahead without me. I've seen some very poor YouTube videos, but I can't imagine that there are so many people behind the scenes here who actually think that Rebecca Black is the next Britany Spears or whatever or that this bullshit is even worth listening to. Some actually produced this, somebody actually wrote the song and they had to record it. Imagine the folks out there who like this stuff. This is why I spend my online time far, far away from Twittering, so if you are asking, although I have 'tweeted' before, I will never do it again.....



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and lots of music history for today:

In 1945, Billboard magazine began listing a top albums chart. The first #1 was "The Nat King Cole Trio."

In 1955, Fats Domino recorded "Ain't It A Shame," which will top the US R&B standings and reach #10 on the Pop chart by July. Pat Boone's cover version would rise to #1 on the Pop chart the same month. What a shame.....

Also in 1955, Elvis Presley signed a management contract with “Colonel” Tom Parker, who had previously managed country stars Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow, and also the Great Parker Pony Circus with one of the acts being a troupe of dancing chickens.

Inb 1968, LIFE magazine called Jimi Hendrix "the most spectacular guitarist in the world." that's up to debate.....

In 1969, Tommy Roe started a four-week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Dizzy,” also a chart-topper in the UK.



In 1972, DJ Robert W. Morgan jokingly played Donny Osmond’s “Puppy Love” for 90 minutes on station KHJ in Los Angeles. LAPD mistakenly raid the station studios after receiving numerous calls from listeners but the confused officers leave without making any arrests.

In 1975, the Doobie Brothers have the first of their two Billboard #1 singles with "Black Water", a song that was issued as the "B" side of "Another Park, Another Sunday". actually, my least favorite song from the group, we had a jukebox in the foyer at my high school and some chick would play this constantly, so you might even say I hate this song....

Destroyer' was released by KISS in 1976.

In 1986, the Bangles were at #2 on the U.K. singles chart with “Manic Monday,” a song written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher.

In 1989, The Rolling Stones signed a $70 million contract to play 50 North American dates - the largest contract in rock history.

In 2002, Yoko Ono unveiled a seven-foot bronze statue of John Lennon overlooking the check-in hall of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

In 2002, a rare autographed copy of The Beatles album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' sold at auction for $59,000. Wow, I would imagine it's worth triple that now.....

In 2004, former Crazy Town guitarist, 35-year-old Rust Epique died from an apparent heart attack at his home in Las Vegas. Crazy Town had a 1999 worldwide No. 1 single, “Butterfly.”

Birthday shout outs to Mike Love of The Beach Boys (1941), Ry Cooder (1947), Dee Snider of Twisted Sister (1953), the Dead's Phil Lesh (1940), Bret Michaels (1963), Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray (1968), Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 (1972) and Sly Stone of Sly & the Family Stone (1943)

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - March 15, 2011

Across The Sun - Before The Night Takes Us
Adebisi Shank -This is the Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank (vinyl)
Al Green - Best of the Gospel Sessions
Alan Hampton - The Moving Sidewalk
Alex Turner - Submarine
Andy D - Songs In The Key Of Magic
Antonionian - Antonionian
As Blood Runs Black - Instinct
Assaulter - Boundless!
Black Francis - Abbabubba (b-sides. etc.)
Black Francis - The Golem
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Scandalous (2xLP)(vinyl)
Black Sabbath - We Sold Our Souls for Rock N Roll (reissue)(vinyl)
Blondes - Lover/Hater (7")
Bob Geldof - How to Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Live & In The Studio (3 CDs)
Brave Irene - Brave Irene (EP)
Britney Spears - Femme Fatale
Brown Recluse - Evening Tapestry
Bryan Master - For People Like Us
Bull Moose Jackson - Moose on the Loose (vinyl)
Caitlin Rose - Own Side Now
Cex - Tiny Creature
Chemical Brothers - Hanna (Soundtrack)
Clash - Give Em Enough Rope (reissue)(vinyl)
Colosseum - Lost Broadcasts 2 CDs
Cornershop - Cornershop & The Double ‘O’ Groove
D. Charles Speer - Arghiledes (vinyl)
D. Watusi - Summer Nights 7? (vinyl)
Darlings - Warma (vinyl)
Davila 666 - Tan Bajo (vinyl)
Deadlock - Bizarro World
Dionne Warwick - Only Trust Your Heart
Discharge - Apocalypse Now (vinyl)
Dodos - No Color
Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You (vinyl)
Eartha Kitt - Essential Eartha Kitt 2 CDs
Eksi Ekso - Brown Shark, Red Lion
Elbow - Build a Rocket Boys!
Eleventh Dream Day - Riot Now! (vinyl)
Eric Johnson - AH VIA MUSICOM (180 gram audiophile)
Eternal Tapestry - Beyond the 4th Door (vinyl)
Etta James - Tough Woman - The Early Recordings 1955-60 (2 CDs)
Fenech-Soler - Demons (EP)
Fifth Dimension - Essential Fifth Dimension (2 CDs)
Fleshtones - Brooklyn Sound Solution (vinyl)
Forbidden Friends - Tiny Hands b/w For You (vinyl)
Found - Factorycraft
Funeral For A Friend - Welcome Home Armageddon
Funkystepz - Fuller/Hurricane Riddim 12? single (vinyl)
Giant Hand - Starting as People
Giant Sand - Purge & Slouch: 25th Anniversary Edition (reissue)
Giant Sand - Ramp: 25th Anniversary Edition (reissue)
Grand Lake - Leaves Ellipse
Heart - Dreamboat Annie (180 gram audiophile)(vinyl)
Heidecker & Wood - Starting From Nowhere
Hype Williams - One Nation
J.Mascis - Several Shades of Why (vinyl)
Jad Fair - Beautiful Songs: The Best of Jad Fair (3-CD box set)
James Taylor - Walking Man (Gold CD)
James Wesley - Real
Jules Chaz - Toppings (vinyl)
KEN mode - Venerable
Keith Emerson Band - Moscow (2 CDs)
Lady Gaga - Born This Way (EP) - Single
Laura Jansen - Bells
Laura Nyro - First Songs
Lovett - Highway Collection
Mamiffer Mare Decendriii
Mastodon - Live At The Aragon
Mathew Sawyer and the Ghosts - How Snakes Eat
Matt Wertz - Weights & Wings
Matthew Friedberger - Meet Me in Miramas (vinyl)
Matthews Southern Comfort - Matthews Southern Comfort (vinyl)
Mi Am I - Dolphins (12" EP)(vinyl)
Micachu and the Shapes - Chopped and Screwed
Miranda Cosgrove - High Maintenance
Modern Lovers - 96 Tears (vinyl)
Mother Mother - Eureka (vinyl)
New York Dolls - Dancing Backwards in High Heels
Nick Lowe - Labour of Lust
Nina Simone - Essential Nina Simone (2 CDs)
Noah and the Whale - Last Night On Earth (vinyl)
North Mississippi Allstars - Keys to the Kingdom (vinyl)
Nouvelle Vague - Singers
Oh Land - Oh Land
Owls - S/T (limited edition reissue, 550 copies)(vinyl)
Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong 7" (vinyl)
Paper Tiger - Made Like Us
Pat Benatar - Classic Albums (2 CDs)
Patti Page - Near To You - Celebrating A Career - Defining Class (4 CDs)
Paul Anka - The Story of Love: 21 Early Greatest Hits
Paul Revere & the Raiders - Essential Paul Revere & The Raiders (2 CDs)
Pink Snowflakes - You Don’t Miss Your Planet 7"
Poison Tree - Poison Tree
Rick Springfield - Essential Rick Springfield (2 CDs))
Rilo Kiley - Take Offs and Landings (reissue)(vinyl)
Rise Against - Endgame (vinyl)
Robert Pete Williams - Louisiana Blues
Robotanists - Plans In Progress
Rotten Sound - Cursed
Salt The Wound - Kill the Crown
Screeching Weasel - First World Manifest (vinyl)
Serenity - Death & Legacy
Sin Fang - Summer Echoes
Slash - Slash: Deluxe (2 CDs)
Smoking Popes - This Is Only A Test
Snowblink - Long Live (vinyl)
Starfucker (STRFKR) - Reptilians (vinyl)
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers - Rare Bird Alert (vinyl)
Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra
Steve Miller Band - Italian X-Rays
Steve Vai - Essential Steve Vai 2 CDs
Stevie Nicks - Other Side of the Mirror (reissue)
Stevie Nicks - Rock a Little (reissue)
Stevie Nicks - Street Angel (reissue)
Storms - Lay Your Sea Coat Aside
TIdle Hands - Life Is Beautiful
Tape - Revelationes (vinyl)
Telekinesis -12 Desperate Straight Lines
The Berg Sans Nipple - Build With Erosion (vinyl)
The Boom Bang - World War Fun
The Damnwells - No One Listens to the Band Anymore
The Death Set - Michel Poiccard
The Deer Tracks - The Archer Trilogy Pt. 1 (EP)
The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You (vinyl)
The Pierces - You'll Be Mine
The Wedding Present - Live 1989
Tony Castles - No Service (12" EP) (vinyl)
Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die (remastered with bonus CD)
Trap Them - Darker Handcraft
Travis Barker - Give the Drummer Some (vinyl)
Twisted Sister - Come Out and Play
Twisted Sister - Love is For Suckers
VYGR - Hypersleep
Various Artists - American Idol: 10th Anniversary - The Hits Volume 1
Various Artists - The Lincoln Lawyer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Warrior Soul - REISSUES (vinyl)
Weedeater - Jason the Dragon
Wilson Pickett - The Best of Wilson Pickett (180 gram audiophile)(vinyl)
Withered Hand - Good News
Wolf & Lamb - DJ Kicks (vinyl)
Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting (vinyl)

New Jazz Releases

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

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

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 03/13/2011

Learning Spanish was never so profitable. Since it first showed up on the Top 5 about six weeks ago "Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish" has been popping up on auction and making the list every other week. Andy Warhol provided illustrations for the album cover and the book, but the album is much more rare than original copies of the book. This record was available through mail-order only out the book of the same name.

The rest of this week's list consists of small label and private press funk, psych and rockabilly.

1. LP - Margarita Madrigal "Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish" Warhol Cover - $6,300.00

2. 45 - Andrew Brown "You Made Me Suffer" / "Blue Monday" Brave - $4,370.00

3. EP - The Fringe "self titled" Private Press Canada - $3,993.04

4. LP - Margarita Madrigal "Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish" Warhol Cover - $3,673.00

5. 45 - Larry Brinkley "Move Over Rover" / "I Hate To Leave You" Westwood - $2,705.77


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

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

lots to get to today, let's take a look at some famous independent record stores and see what's selling lately:

Top selling records at Shop Radio Cast from March 7, 2011 to March 14, 2011:

1) The Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits LP

2) Glassjaw – Worship And Tribute LP

3) Less Than Jake – TV EP 7″

4) The Get Up Kids – Four Minute Mile LP

5) Green Day – Awesome As F**k 2XLP

6) Coheed and Cambria – The Second Stage Turbine Blade LP

7) Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes LP (Exclusive)

8) Silverstein – Rescue LP

9) Frank Turner – Rock & Roll EP 10″

10) Rival Schools – Pedals LP

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Origami Vinyl :: Top 10 Records (3/5- 3/11)

1. Dum Dum Girls – He Gets Me High 12″

2. Wye Oak – Civilian

3. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo

4. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

5. Anika – S/T

6. Mogwai – Hardcare Will Never Die But You Will

7. Slang Chickens – My Floor

8. The Dead Trees – Back To LA 7″

9. La Sera – S/T

10. Yuck – Georgia 7″

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Best Sellers at The Groove for the week of 2/28-3/06/2011.

VINYL:

1) Black Lips / The Strange Boys – Bruise Cruise Vol. 4 (7-inch)

2) PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

3) Black Keys – Brothers

4) Those Darlins – Be Your Bro (7-inch)

5) Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine

6) Dum Dum Girls – He Gets Me High EP

7) Vivian Girls / Jacuzzi Boys – Bruise Cruise Vol. 2 (7-inch)

8) Quintron and Miss Pussycat / Turbo Fruits – Bruise Cruse Vol. 3 (7-inch)

9) Ty segall / Thee Oh Sees – Bruise Cruise Vol. 1 (7-inch)

10) Alexander – Alexander

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Grimey’s Vinyl Top 10 Best Sellers 2/28-3/06/2011

1. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More

2. Middle Brother – Middle Brother

3. The Strokes – Under Cover Of Darkness 7″

4. Lucinda Williams – Blessed

5. The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow

6. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

7. Tristen – Charlatans At The Garden Gate

8. Adele – 21

9. Quintron / Turbo Fruits – Bruise Cruise V.3 7″

10. Black Lips / Strange Boys – Bruise Cruise V.4 7″

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The Cult Back in Studio with QOTSA Producer

Michael Wright

The Cult have returned to the studio to record their first album since 2007’s Born into This. The group are joined in the studio by producer Chris Goss (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Mark Lanegan). The band, now featuring singer Ian Astbury, guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Chris Wyse, rhythm guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer John Tempesta, has been releasing mini-album “Capsules” since fall 2010.

Read more at Gibson.com

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any fan of album cover art has got to love this post. I also enjoyed the comments:

The Most Badass Sci-Fi Album Covers

The future has long been a popular subject for album covers - check this awesome gallery of robots, spaceships, and much more.

By K. Thor Jensen

Read the rest and look at some stunning album cover art at: ugo.com
















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Rainbow, Uriah Heep's Mark Clarke Releases Solo Album

(Glass Onyon) Colosseum, Natural Gas, Rainbow, Uriah Heep member Mark Clarke has released his debut solo album, Moving To The Moon, via ItsAboutMusic.com.

Encompassing all the styles of music he has worked with the past 40 years, Mark Clarke's new solo album is a must for collectors and music enthusiasts worldwide. It's a masterful collection of extremely well
recorded and performed tracks that rival any from the bands he's played in.

Read more at antimusic.com

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Porcupine Tree and Zappa Stars Guest on Todd Grubbs' New Album

Todd Grubbs' new CD 'Return of the Worm' features an array of special guest artists including Mike Keneally (Zappa), Blues Saraceno, John Wesley (Porcupine Tree), Sean Malone, Mark Prator, Jerry Outlaw, Pattrick Bettison, Jeff Henry and Alan Tatum.

"I am thrilled to have some great guest artists on this CD," Grubb's exclaims excitedly. "I was very happy to get Mike Keneally to do a solo, he is a huge inspiration to me on a number of levels, number one his talent is huge, but even more important, his true passion for creating pure music for art's sake has moved me to do the same. Blues Saraceno also contributes an excellent solo, he has always been one of my favorite players because he has such a cool feel. Last but not least, my friend John Wesley from Porcupine Tree was nice enough to add a great solo and help me finish my CD with a dual jam as it fades out."

Read more at antimusic.com

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another 'feel good' story about our beloved vinyl!

SUMERIAN RECORDS Creator Launches SOUNDCHECK HOLLYWOOD Record Store

In an age where music retailers are closing at a rapid rate and record labels are going bankrupt due to online piracy and declining sales, Sumerian Records creator Ash Avildsen has taken a stand to prove that there is still an undeniable excitement to buying physical product.

Avildsen has now boldly put his money where his mouth is by announcing the launch of SoundCheck Hollywood (located across from the infamous Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip and a couple doors down from the Viper Room) — a store that harkens back to the days when Tower Records ruled the strip and also served as a place for musicians and music fans to unite.

The official SoundCheck Hollywood grand opening party will take place on Wednesday, March 23 and will feature signings from ASKING ALEXANDRIA, EMMURE, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, THE FACELESS, SUICIDE SILENCE, WINDS OF PLAGUE and many others.

Read more at Blabbermouth.com

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vinyl doing very well in the uk

Ultravinyls are on the right track

Shelina Begum

THE boss of a retro record shop believes HMV’s woes could be music to the ears of vinyl enthusiasts.

Alex Lee said he wants to bring back the ‘old fashioned’ way of buying music instead of downloading through the internet.

His new record shop, Ultravinyls, has opened at the Traders Outlet in Sale, which he describes as ‘a mini Afflecks Palace’.

Mr Lee, 41, who is also a journalist, said: “With HMV closing 60 stores in the UK, and CD sales falling over 12 per cent last year, there will be a need for more independent record shops like Ultravinyls to cater for a market that still enjoys buying records. Although technology has made music more accessible and cheaper, and even I am guilty of owning an iPod, for many music lovers there is still something very exciting about going into a record shop and looking through various collections before buying.

“It’s nice to have something that you can keep.

Read the rest of the story at menmedia.co.uk

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and from southeastern north carolina

Vinyl helps small bands, local stores, and fans

by Brian Tucker

Vinyl is increasingly getting more attention these days (like this humble blog post). Either that or it’s a lazy news cycle capitalizing on a news trend. Rolling Stone ran a story several issues back on the rise of vinyl sales in the music industry. As of late there’s been articles by NPR and USA Today.

Given how much music unsigned bands are giving away as a free download it seems the only way for a band to make money is playing live, its been that way for years now. Selling music is hard and the old format of vinyl may be helping a little, especially for smaller bands.

Read the rest at wae.blogs.starnewsonline.com

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already on my top ten list for album cover art for 2011!

Sky Architect new album coming,Cover art revealed!

here's what the band had to say about the release:

'A Dying Man's Hymn'

Our new record will see its first glimpses of daylight June 6 2011! Galileo-records will again take care of that :)

We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do.

This will be the cover. Art created by the legendary Mark Wilkinson:














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billboard.com has a great interview with alice cooper (yeah, another post about cooper - can you tell i am a big fan?)

Alice Cooper Calls Rock Hall Induction 'A Dream,' Plots 'Nightmare' Sequel

As he prepares for the "dream" of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday (Mar. 14), Alice Cooper is also delivering a nightmare.

Make that another nightmare. This fall, the shock rocker will be releasing "Welcome 2 My Nightmare," a sequel to his 1975 concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" -- his first "solo" release after the break-up of the original Alice Cooper band. Cooper tells Billboard.com that the project grew out of a desire to work again with original "Nightmare" producer Bob Ezrin, but on a sequel to another of his albums.

Read more at Billboard.com





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Beastie Boys Set to Release Hot Sauce

Peter Hodgson

The Beastie Boys will release their long-awaited next album on May 3, the band has confirmed.

Announcing the album on their website, Beastie Adam Yauch wrote, “Since the dawn of time, and perhaps even before, there was a silent order who were tasked with a mission. On May 3rd The Hot Sauce
Committee Part Two will be unleashed on the general public. Hold fast ye heathens.”

Read more at Gibson.com





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an interesting opinion from the uk, it really got people talking (read some of the replies):

Why I frown upon the Beach Boys releasing Smile

Brian Wilson's unfinished opus is the greatest record almost made. It should be left incomplete, leaving us to imagine an album that would have made Sgt Pepper sound 'meh'

Haven't we been here before? News that the the Beach Boys' Smile is to be released later this year is both confusing and something I really wish they wouldn't do.

Every pop fan knows that the greatest record ever made – or rather, the greatest ever record almost made, which would have shown Sgt Pepper to be a bit "meh" – was the the follow-up to Pet Sounds. But then Brian Wilson lost his way in the sandbox and never got round to finishing it, although Good Vibrations and fragments of other songs surfaced on subsequent Beach Boys albums.

Read more at guardian.co.uk

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vinyl doing well in michigan!

Breaking records: Vinyl records making a 21st-century resurgence

By Michael Wayland

BAY CITY — Walk through Reggie’s Amusement & Records in Bay City’s South End and take a stroll through music history.

Thousands of vinyl records — from John Lennon’s 1973 “Mind Games” to Shaquille O’Neal’s 1996 “You Can’t Stop the Reign” — line the walls of the music shop that opened nearly half a century before iPods were invented.

“We were the first ones here and we’re still here,” says owner Reginald Niedzinski, as he gazes around the store filled with music paraphernalia and gaming accessories.

Read more at www.mlive.com

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Interview: Euclid Records New Orleans Manager James Weber Gives a State of the Store

By Diana Benanti

A to Z took an impromptu trip to our sweaty sister in the dirty south for the Mardi Gras festivities, and we were saddened to find the New Orleans outpost of Euclid Records shuttered. "We closed that Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. There was nothing happening," says James Weber, the St. Louis transplant who mans the happy pink and yellow building in the charming, graffiti-splashed Marigny neighborhood. Indeed, all the action was down in the French Quarter, but we caught up with Weber last week to get an update on the the store, the vinyl scene in New Orleans, and his take on St. Louis from 677 miles down I-55.

Read the rest of the interview at blogs.riverfronttimes.com

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and in music history for the day:

In 1955, CBS talent scout Arthur Godfrey turned down the chance to sign Elvis Presley. Instead, at the same audition, he signed Pat Boone. Ooops...

In 1958, Perry Como's "Catch A Falling Star" becomes the first recipient of a Gold record awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America. The achievement represented sales of one million discs. The first known Gold record was presented as a one time award to The Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1942 for "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

In 1959, Elvis Presley led the Billboard album chart with "For LP Fans Only". It was the first LP ever issued without the artist's name to be found anywhere on the cover - front or back.

In 1964, Billboard Magazine reported that Beatle records have claimed 60-percent of the US singles market and that the album "Meet the Beatles" had reached a record 3.5 million copies sold.

1965 - Petula Clark made her American TV debut on CBS' "Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1968, the promotional film for The Beatles’ “Lady Madonna” was broadcast in black and white on BBC’s Top Of The Pops. The film was shot while the group was recording the track “Hey Bulldog” in Studio 2, EMI Studios.



Carole King's "Tapestry" LP was named Album Of The Year at the 14th Grammy Awards in 1972. The disc had been 1971's best selling record.

Jon Bon Jovi formed the band Bon Jovi in 1983.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2005 with a ceremony at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel that saw Bruce Springsteen ushering in U2 and Rod Stewart inducting Soul singer Percy Sledge. Neil Young welcomed the Pretenders into the Hall, while Justin Timberlake introduced The O'Jays.

2006, U2 topped Rolling Stone’s annual list of 2005’s biggest money earners with $154.2 million. The top five were rounded out by The Rolling Stones ($92.5 million), The Eagles ($ 63.2 million), Paul

McCartney ($56 million) and Elton John ($48.9 million).

Birthdays today include producer/music mogul Quincy Jones (1933), "Disco Duck" minion Rick Dees was born in 1950 and Michael Martin Murphey (1945)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Interview: Jack White talks with Mary Lucia

by Mary Lucia, Minnesota Public Radio



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this really, really belongs in the category of you've thought you have seen everything....this is how my grandchildren will play a record? I f**king don't think so. They will inheiret real vinyl and records that you play on a real turntable. This, I guess, is for someone, somewhere, but not in my house and not in my world!



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Anvil Reveals New Album, "Juggernaut Of Justice" Cover Art

Canadian heavy metal legends Anvil have revealed the front cover artwork for their forthcoming new studio album, "Juggernaut Of Justice." You can check it out below. The album is scheduled to be released in North America on May 10th through The End Records.











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Styx’s Tommy Shaw To Drop Bluegrass Debut on March 22nd!

Tommy Shaw, guitarist of legendary rock band Styx, is set to release his debut Bluegrass album, “The Great Divide” on March 22nd, 2011, through Pazzo Music/Fontana Distribution. The album features an impressive roster of guest musicians, including: Alison Krauss, Dwight Yoakam, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Stuart Duncan, Byron House, Gary Burr and many more.

With this album, Shaw, a Montgomery, Alabama native, establishes himself as an authentic addition to the Bluegrass community....

Read more at iconvsicon.com




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Meat Puppets' Curt Kirkwood on Making New Album 'Lollipop' and Their Summer Plans

Read more at rollingstone.com

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Gaggle Record Store Day Release

Gaggle will release a special run of vinyl for Record Store Day on 18th April.

It's called 'The Brilliant and the Dark', and it'll be released through Transgressive as a limited-to-300-copies 12".

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ourvinyl.com has a neat look at some of the recording techniques by the lads from liverpool

The Forgotten Novelty of the Fab Four

Read more ourvinyl.com

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vinyl records still strong in Wyoming

Vinyl records sales see growth

Patrick Cossel

As much of the music industry sees declining or flattening sales, there is one medium bucking the trend.

In 2010 vinyl records saw an increase in sales by 14 percent, according to Neilsen SoundScan, an industry analysis company. According to this report, vinyl was the fastest-growing format with 2.8 million units sold.

But those numbers need to be taken in perspective. Even with this increase, vinyl only accounted for less than one percent of the year’s total album sales.

Still, this format that was once the norm, seems to have remade its mark on the industry.

In Cheyenne, Wyo., Ernie November has been selling records for 15 years.

Located in the heart of Wyoming’s capitol city, the store is a bastion for those who are looking for something interesting and new for their ears.

Read more at westernnebraskaobserver.net


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and vinyl is doing well in the 'show me' state as well!

The rebirth of vinyl

Records stay alive in current age of digital music

Written by Linda Leicht

Retiree Paul Wiesner has been buying vinyl records since he was boy in the 1950s and '60s; 28-year-old Patrick Houtz discovered vinyl seven years ago.

Both agree that the sound, touch and experience of buying a record, taking it home and playing it on a turntable beats digital every time.

In a world of MP3s, CDs, iTunes and Pandora, the two men are among an elite group who love vinyl.

There are growing opportunities to indulge that passion, from Vinyl Revival night at a local bar to an upcoming record convention.

College students buying in

Sebastien Chevrel, one of the owners of Capsule Labs in Los Angeles, has seen business improve slowly but steadily in the past few years.

The small record pressing company sees mostly independent artists who self-finance their release on vinyl

Read more at news-leader.com


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vinyl now getting more sales and interest in India!

For the record

Manoj Sharma , Hindustan Times

About a decade back, Radio & Gramophone House in Connaught Place, one of the oldest music shops in the city, did away with the shelf displaying Long Play (LP) records. About two months back, it restored its exclusive LP shelf, now full with recently released LPs of both western and Hindi film music. “We restored our vinyl shelf because now there is a sudden spurt of interest in LPs. Many of those who approach us are youngsters who have dusted off old LP players bought by their father and grandfathers. In the past month alone, we have sold dozens of LPs and new players,” says Rishi Jain of Radio & Gramophone House, set up in 1951 by his grandfather.

Jain is not exaggerating. Long play records are staging a quiet comeback, with top music shops across the city once again storing and selling them.

Landmark, the largest book and music retailer, has a rack devoted to LPs at both its Delhi and Gurgaon outlets......

Read more at hindustantimes.com


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Bootsy Collins Reveals Limited Edition, Holographic 3d Album Art

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) 'Tha Funk Capital Of The World' Now Available For Pre-Order: http://amzn.to/glwC6r First Single "Don't Take My Funk," Feat. Catfish Collins And Bobby Womack, Now Available On All Digital Retailers

While supplies last, CDs of Bootsy Collins' new album 'Tha Funk Capital of the World' (out 4/26) will be available with eye-popping holographic 3D album art designed by Roy Koch, Mascot Records' in-house artist. Bootsy says, "The album cover art work breathes like it is a living being/city... it's alive."

Read more at top40-charts.com










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Kate Bush releasing new 'Director's Cut' album in May

Kate Bush has re-recorded some of her old material for release on a new album this May. The elusive singer is said to be revisiting a selection of songs from her 1989 album 'The Sensual World' and 1993's 'The Red Shoes'. The new record will be named 'Director's Cut' and will come out on May 16.

The album will be released digitally, on a CD, on vinyl and in a case-bound book.

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WEEDEATER: Killer Album Cover Art

After over two incredibly action/drama/injury/tour-soaked years of constant insanity, North Carolina sludge crusaders WEEDEATER have completed their long-delayed, yet more anticipated-than-ever, fourth full-length release. The intoxicating ten-track brutalizer, dubbed "Jason... The Dragon", has been scheduled for worldwide release on March 15 via Southern Lord Recordings.

The effort is now available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page. (Note: The stream will only be available until March 15.)











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GENE SIMMONS On Original KISS Reunion: 'There Will Be One More Time When We Play Together'

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons spoke with DJ JC Green of Alfa Rock 105.7 FM and Metal Messiah Radio's "Heavy Metal Thunder" program last night (Thursday, March 10) ahead of the band's March 12 concert at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Hato Rey. Excerpts from the chat follow below.

On "Sonic Boom" and its planned follow-up:

Read the interview at Blabbermouth.com


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Foo Fighters releasing covers album for Record Store Day

Foo Fighters are scheduled to release a 'covers' album to help celebrate Record Store Day. The album, 'Medium Rare,' will be released on vinyl in stores for the April 16th celebration. Among the covers on the record are versions of Pink Floyd, Prince and Paul McCartney and Wings tracks that the band have played live previously.

Here is tracklist (with the original artists in brackets):

'Band On The Run' (Paul McCartney and Wings)
'I Feel Free' (Cream)
'Life Of Illusion' (Joe Walsh)
'Young Man Blues' (Mose Allison)
'Bad Reputation' (Thin Lizzy)
'Darling Nikki' (Prince)
'Down In The Park' (Gary Numan)
'Baker Street' (Gerry Rafferty)
'Danny Says' (The Ramones)
'Have A Cigar' (Pink Floyd)
'Never Talking To You Again' (Husker Du)
'Gas Chamber' (Angry Samoans)
'This Will Be Our Year' (The Zombies)

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Steely Dan Announce North American Tour

Russell Hall

Steely Dan have announced the initial North American dates for the duo’s forthcoming “Shuffle Diplomacy Twenty Eleven” tour. The trek kicks off on July 2 at Seattle’s WaMu Theater, and wraps up with a six-night residency at New York’s Beacon Theater. As was the case with the duo’s 2009 “Rent Party Tour,” the forthcoming shows will mix greatest hits with deeper cuts. In addition, in select cities, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and their backing band will perform classic Steely Dan albums in their entirety

Read the rest and get the tour dates at Gibson.com


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the nytimes has a sad story about a very famous music lover and record collector. my thoughts are with the family:

Danny Stiles, Radio Host Who Kept the Oldies New, Is Dead at 87

By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN

Danny Stiles, who brought back the music of yesteryear, spinning records for more than six decades on New York-area radio, died Friday in Manhattan. He was 87 and lived in Short Hills, N.J.

Read the rest of the story at nytimes.com


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and in music history for the day:

Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded "Maybe Baby" in 1957

In 1966, the Levi Strauss Company began selling bell-bottom blue jeans in the US. cool....

In 1969, Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman at Marylebone Register Office, London. They then held a reception lunch at The Ritz Hotel. Paul went to the recording studio in the evening to work. George Harrison and his wife Patti were arrested on the same day and charged with possession of marijuana. The charge was cannabis resin possession after authorities found 120 joints in their house.

In 1974, John Lennon made headlines after an incident at the Troubadour Club, Los Angeles. Out on a drinking binge with Harry Nilsson, Lennon hurled insults at the performing Smothers Brothers before being forcibly removed. Nilsson, a good friend of Tom Smothers, thought he was helping the act because Tom had struggled through weak material at an earlier date.

The R.E.M. album "Out of Time" was released in 1991.



The album "Unplugged" was released by KISS in 1996.

In 2001, Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow” was voted Song of the Century in a poll published in America. Musicians, critics and fans compiled the list by the RIAA. The highest placed U.K. act was The Rolling Stones with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in 16th place. The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” came in at #28.

In 2008, seven years of trying to secure the rights to use the Lennon-McCartney catalog paid off for TV's American Idol, when over 31 million viewers tuned in to the show. The following day, the top five Google searches were also Beatle related.

birthday wishes to singer, songwriter James Taylor (1948) and Graham Coxon from Blur (1969)