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DEAR JERRY:I know you've written about “Manhattan” before, but there is one peculiar line in the song that I have never seen explained. My copy is by Dinah Washington, but I imagine other recordings of “Manhattan” are the same.
In the part about going to Yonkers, Dinah sings about how they both will starve in either Childs or Chiles.
Is this an area or community in Yonkers?
New Yorkers no doubt understand the reference, but can you enlighten the rest of us about this place where couples go when starvation is their goal? —Doreen Stanford, Indianapolis
DEAR DOREEN: For those who don't have the tune handy, here is the entire verse in question:
“We'll go to Yonkers
Where true love conquers
In the wilds
And starve together, dear
In Childs”
Richard and Lorenz may have chosen Childs' Restaurant simply because it rhymes with wilds, but the humorous implication refers to their reputation at the time for serving small portions.
Fortunately for the hungry twosome flitting about the Boroughs, inexpensive nutrients awaited them at Coney Island, as told in the next verse:
“We'll go to Coney
And eat baloney
On a roll”
“Manhattan” is loaded with other references known well by locals, among them: The Bronx; Staten Island; the (Central Park) Zoo; Delancey Street; the subway; Mott Street; pushcarts; Central Park; and “My Fair Lady” (Broadway show).
And those are just the ones included in Dinah Washington's 1960 rendition.
As originally written, “Manhattan” contains about twice as many verses, and mentions many more familiar places and things: Niagara (Falls); Greenwich; Bowling Green (Park); Brighton (Beach); Jamaica Bay; Canarsie's Lake; “Abie's Irish Rose” (Broadway show); Fifth Avenue; Bronx Park Express; Flatbush; and Inspiration Point.
It seems as though every recording of “Manhattan” includes some, but not all, of the original lyrics. At least I have not heard one. However, by listening to three different records, by Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Washington, I accounted for all of the original lyrics.
Written in 1925 for the Broadway comedy of the same name, “Manhattan” is the song that paved the road ahead for Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.
When Hart died in 1943, the team had 28 stage shows, some later reborn in Hollywood for the silver screen (“Pal Joey”; “Babes in Arms”; “On Your Toes”; etc.), and over 500 songs to their credit.
Among their memorable milepost standards are: “Dancing on the Ceiling”; “My Romance”; “My Funny Valentine”; “Where Or When”; “The Lady Is a Tramp”; “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered”; “It's Easy to Remember”; “Blue Moon”; “I Could Write a Book”; and “You Took Advantage of Me.” In 1943, Richard and his future partner, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, wrote their first musical, the landmark “Oklahoma.”
Using this blockbuster as a template of sorts, Rodgers & Hammerstein churned out one smash hit Broadway show, and inevitable film, after another: “Carousel”; “South Pacific”; “The King and I”; “The Sound of Music”; etc.
By 1960, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) were the all-time No. 1 musical theater collaboration, and they still are.
DEAR JERRY:There is a piano instrumental the stations in Phoenix played in the 1950s, where the music is occasionally interrupted by a man asking for a match.
Can you tell me anything about this recording? —Marla Gregory, Palm Desert, Calif.
DEAR MARLA: “Got a Match?” came out first in mid-1958 by the Daddy-O's (Cabot 122). Since a piano is prominent in this version, it is probably the one you recall.
ABC-Paramount immediately issued a cover, by Frank Gallup with Don Costa's Orchestra & Chorus (45-9931). With Costa's touch, this track is more orchestrated than the original. It features a harpsichord instead of a piano, and includes lots of “la-la-las” from the chorus, not found on the Cabot single.
Of the two, the original sold a bit better, eventually charting at No. 39. The Gallup disc peaked at No. 57.
The B-side of Frank Gallup's single, “I Beg Your Pardon!,” is practically a carbon copy of “Got a Match?” Instead of asking “Hey there, got a match,” the same voice, in the same way, says “I beg your pardon.”
IZ ZAT SO? Frank Gallop, shown as Frank Gallup on “Got a Match?,” achieved greater success with a comical parody of Lorne Greene's No. 1 hit, the 1964 cowboy gunfighter tale of “Ringo.”
Slightly over a year later, Gallop galloped into the Top 40 with “The Ballad of Irving (The 142nd Fastest Gun in the West).”
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
very busy day at the CVR blog, lots of record store day news (ya think?) starting with the folks in Long Beach, CA who get a special treat!
Foo Fighters To Headline Record Store Day In-Store Rock Show
On Saturday, April 16th, Record Store Day, Fingerprints will play host to one the world's most beloved rock bands, Foo Fighters. "I'm proud to be a part of Record Store Day. I grew up discovering music that changed my life in record stores like Fingerprints and will always do everything I can to keep that experience alive for generations to come," says head Foo Dave Grohl
Holy Ghost And Eskuché Team Up For Record Store Day Release
Lifestyle audio headphone innovator eskuché (es·koo·chay), have announced the release of their third installment of "Obsessive Compulsive Frequency," a series devoted to showcasing exclusive content of emerging and innovative artist who are defining new genres today.
Beginning Record Store Day, Saturday, April 16th, Volume 3 of eskuché's "Obsessive Compulsive Frequency" vinyl series features Brooklyn based DFA recording artist Holy Ghost!, whom are known around the globe for their party starting singles and their unparalleled ability to get bodies moving on the dance floor.
Limited to 50012" vinyl records, the installment features Holy's Ghost's original track "i know, i hear," while filling the grooves on the wax is a remix from label mate Jacques Renault as well as a dub remix from Eric B.
Bad Brains Reissue 'Pay to Cum' Single For Record Store Day
For Record Store Day (April 16th), legendary label ROIR and hardcore godfathers Bad Brains are teaming up to re-release one of the most important pieces of wax in the punk canon: the 'Pay to Cum' 7" vinyl single. The reissue will feature a remastered version of the single, which was originally produced by Jimmy Quidd and released in 1980.
'Pay to Cum' returns to store shelves with its original artwork and lyric sheet insert. The 7" will be available in standard black vinyl, as well as in a limited number of colored vinyl. There will be 250 red and 250 green copies pressed.
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and in the uk,
Sony Music Supports UK Record Store Day 2011
A global event, Record Store Day sees over a thousand record stores taking part across 18 countries and four continents. More than 150 UK indie record stores took part in last year’s event and over 180 are signed up for this year.
Sony Music has lined up its best ever series of releases to support the event. Additionally Columbia Records’ The View have recorded the anthem for the event in the form of their new release 'I Need That Record'.
Mike Smith, Managing Director of Columbia Records, says: “I’m thrilled that once again that Columbia Records and Sony Music have come up with a fantastic selection of bespoke releases for Record Store Day. It’s heartening to see how this event has grown in such a short space of time for independent record stores and it’s now a genuinely exciting day in the music calendar each year. I think The View have perfectly expressed how we all feel about records and music.
Pete Leggatt, VP Of Sales, Sony Music says: “With over twenty very different products & over 20k units manufactured, Sony Music is more committed than ever to ‘Record Store Day’ and the valuable Indie retail sector it represents”
AC/DC – “Shoot To Thrill” - special 7” vinyl b/w “War Machine”.
BETH DITTO – “I Wrote The Book” – Special 4-track EP on CD and vinyl –ltd to 500 copies.
BOB DYLAN –“Subterranean Homesick Blues”Ting Ting Remix – 7” vinyl in customised Tong Tings sleeve
RAY LAMONTAGNE – “Live – Fall 2010” – special vinyl 6 track album.
THE CLASH – “Magnificent Seven”/ “The Cool Out” – Numbered red vinyl and CD single.
THE VACCINES – “LIVE FROM LONDON” – Limited edition bootleg album on CD and 12” vinyl.
THE VIEW – “I Need That Record” - Limited numbered 7”vinyl with etched B-side.
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a big fan, i hope that he adds more shows, i'd love to see him in milwaukee!
Former Yes Frontman Jon Anderson Goes On Acoustic Tour
Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson has announced "An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson" spring tour in support of Anderson's forthcoming solo album 'Survival and Other Stories.'
The tour will feature material from Anderson's prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis as well as classic Yes songs, along with new compositions from his pending CD, and promises a magical and memorable evening of enchanting music for all who attend!
"An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson" tour dates:
4/23/2011 - Somerville Theatre - Somerville, MA
4/26/2011 - Havana New Hope - New Hope, PA
4/28/2011 - Infinity Hall - Norfolk, CT
4/30/2011 - B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill - New York, NY
5/02/2011 - Musikfest Cafe ArtsQuest Center at Steel Slacks - Bethlehem, PA
5/04/2011 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
5/06/2011 - Princeton University - McCarter Theatre - Princeton, NJ
5/07/2011 - New Jersey Performing Arts Center - Victoria Theatre - Newark, NJ
5/09/2011 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
5/11/2011 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
5/12/2011 - Rebecca Cohn Auditorium - Halifax, Nova Scotia
5/13/2011 - The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performing Center - Plymouth, NH
5/15/2011 - Bates College Olin Arts Center - Concert Hall - Lewiston, ME
5/18/2011 - Tupelo Music Hall - Londonderry, NH
5/19/2011 - Tupelo Music Hall - Londonderry, NH
5/21/2011 - Woodstock Town Hall Theatre - Woodstock, VT
5/25/2011 - Ellsworth Grand Auditorium - Ellsworth , ME
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as a fellow collector and thrift store rival, nothing beats finding some great vinyl at a local thrift shop. he had some interesting finds, read about the top ten records he found
Ten choice thrift store album finds
Check out Andy's great music scores
Andrew Merey
Although vinyl records are making a comeback, for many years they weren't in vogue. But one fairly good source for buying them (and very inexpensively at that) was the retail thrift store.
A local Goodwill branch closed a while back, ending my 10-year stretch of frequenting the place, primarily in search of used albums and singles.
There are still other similar outlets around, but Goodwill's donors seem to overall offer better product.
Discovering prized items in good condition involves ingenuity. Since it's a hit-and-miss situation, consistently regular visits are imperative for maximum results. You'd be surprised how many record collectors are in competition.....
Cleveland record shop uses old album covers as flooring
not really sure i like the idea, seems wrong. however, that said, and if you didn't have the vinyl for these albums, what else are you to do with old cardboard?
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and in music history for the day:
In 1956, Paramount Pictures signed Elvis Presley to a three-picture deal just five days after his first screen test in Hollywood. Elvis was to be paid $100,000 for his first movie, $150,000 for the second and $200,000 for the third.
In 1956, Capitol Tower, the home of Capitol Records in Hollywood, CA, was dedicated. It was the first circular office tower designed in America. It is 13 stories tall and 92 feet in diameter.
Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" was released in 1957.
The Kingsmen recorded their version of the song "Louie Louie" in 1963.
The Beach Boys recorded "California Girls" in 1965.
In 1966, the first session for what would become The Beatles’ Revolver album started with the recording of “Tomorrow Never Knows” at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London.
Apple Corps Ltd., the Beatles' record company and management and publishing firm, opened in 1968.
In 1968, it was announced that Pink Floyd founder member Syd Barrett had officially left the group. Barrett suffered from psychiatric disorders compounded by drug use.
The California Jam 1 festival took place in Ontario, California in 1974, featuring the Eagles, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Earth Wind & Fire, ELP, Black Oak Arkansas and Seals & Croft. Over 200,000 attended. man, i'd a been there if i could.....
Also in 1974, a seven piece group called Blue Swede became the first Swedish act to top the US charts when their version of "Hooked On A Feeling" went to number one. Although the arrangement brought a fresh sound to the old B.J. Thomas hit, the single didn't chart at all in the UK. and, no, i won't put a youtube video of this ooga chaka freakin' song!
In 1998, Wendy O. Williams former singer of The Plasmatics, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Williams was known for her wild stage theatrics which included blowing up equipment, near nudity and chain-sawing guitars.
In 1998, the “first lady of country music” Tammy Wynette, who scored 12 hit singles, sold over 30 million records worldwide, married five times and once filed for bankruptcy, died aged 55
In 2004, 66 year old Niki Sullivan, one of the original Crickets, passed away at his home in Independence, Missouri. Sullivan joined up with Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison and Joe Mauldin in 1956 and played on most of the songs the band recorded. The hassle of touring finally forced him to drop out of the group in 1957. He retired from the music business, but occasionally performed at Holly tribute events.
birthdays today include Frank Black of theThe Pixies (1965) & Stan Cullimore of The Housemartins (1962)
heard from the folks at Yardsellr (i had not heard of them) and besides offering everything but the kitchen sink for sale (i bet they have a section for that, i'll have to look!), they have a sprawling 'block' devoted to our beloved vinyl records. so, if eBay is giving you fits (and if it hasn't, it will), try this new site for classic vinyl, you will be surprised at the selection and the method to their madness!
We believe people are natural-born buyers and sellers. In the tradition of neighborhood garage- and yard-sales, we make it easy for you to sell or buy whatever you want. Best of all, the buying and selling is done by regular people like you. That means you get great prices from folks you can trust within your network or within a friend's network.
When you put something up for sale, Yardsellr will spread the word about your item within your online neighborhood: "blocks" of other Yardsellr-s who love what you love, and in the news feeds of millions of Yardsellr fans on Facebook. No matter where they are online, Yardsellr finds other folks who are buying what you are selling.
For the buyer, Yardsellr is just as easy. Sites like Craigslist and eBay have become pretty crowded and hard to use. It's tough to know who you can trust and even harder to find great deals from everyday people. When you join any "block" on Yardsellr -- whether it's Jewelry, Star Wars, Baseball Cards, Scrapbooking, or Hello Kitty, or any of the the other 4,000+ blocks -- you get first crack at buying thousands of items listed by sellers at fantastic Yardsellr prices. Checkout is a breeze -- just pay with any credit card and the seller will send your item directly to you.
Buying and selling is always fun with Yardsellr, but so is the conversation in the blocks. Blocks are loaded with people who love what you love and there are thousands of comments and conversations to join. (To be honest, that's just as important to us as the cash register.) Give it a try!
and some more info about the site:
Yardsellr Is Turning Facebook Into eBay 2.0
BY E.B. Boyd
eBay is a sprawling market today, but when it was founded in 1995, it was based on a simple idea: Collectors love to gather to trade their wares and hobnob about their passions. The Internet, Pierre Omidyar knew, was a way to get those folks out of parking lot flea markets and into a place where they could more efficiently find buyers and sellers, and chat about the items that delighted them.
Yardsellr, which launched earlier this year, is built on the same premise: the Internet can be a way to efficiently connect collectors. But Yardsellr’s big idea is that standalone websites—like eBay—are passé. The best way to connect buyers and sellers today, says founder Danny Leffel, is within their Facebook News Feeds.
“When eBay started, the web was lonely place,” says Leffel, who himself worked at eBay for five years, managing various categories. “If you had time, eBay was a fascinating place to kill time. As the years progressed, as Facebook and Twitter emerged, those became the places where you go to kill time.”
Yardsellr is moving the business of trading to Facebook. It works like this: You go to the Yardsellr website and “Like” the categories of items you’d like to hear about: Purses, Books, or Hello Kitty, for example. When a seller has something to offer in your chosen category, it shows up in your Facebook News Feed. Just as eBay made it possible to trade from within the comfort of your own home, Yardsellr makes it possible to trade from within the comfort of their social network.
The service went live at the beginning of this year. Since then, 1.5 million people have joined, and 20,000 more jump on every day, Leffel says. He won’t divulge how many items have traded hands, saying only that the number is in the “thousands” and that the amount of transactions double every eight weeks. (Leffel says his reticence is due to concern that future reports will cite out-of-date figures.)
The most active categories are Jewelry, Guitars, Quilting, Scrap booking, Knitting, and Star Wars collectibles. That’s because, Leffel says, they play to Yardsellr’s strength: Turning commerce into “content.” Extensive conversations take place among Yardsellr members in the comments below the News Feed posts (as in the image above), giving traders the social connection they thrived on back when eBay started and that still exists today in those parking lot flea markets.
“Traditional retail companies rely on purchase intent,” Leffel says. “They place ads in search engines and try to grab customers who’ve already expressed an intent to buy something.”
“We look for users who have passion around certain things, and then we inspire that intent.”
i received a note from Kurt Spinosa, Sales and Marketing Director at TLSoundco.com and thought i would share it with you. now, being a fan of the 'oldies' (honestly, i wouldn't know a lady gaga song if i heard one) and especially 60's garage rock, this project is a dream come true for music lovers.
Please stop by the TLSound website for more informationwww.tlsoundco.com
I'll let Kurt explain the project:
Finally, the vaults are open....60's Pittsburgh sounds on the Stone Classic Label are now available!
This music was recorded in the 1960’s by the Legendary Pittsburgh Disc Jockey, Band Manager and Record Producer – Terry Lee. I am working in partnership with Terry Lee through the TL Sound Co. to an end goal of releasing everything that he has in his massive master tape vault
As one of the greatest Pittsburgh DJ’s of the 60’s and 70’s, Terry Lee’s mix of Pop songs of the time, Garage Rock music & his famous “ Music for Young Lovers “ ballads is unmatched in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
These records that we will be releasing are coming directly from Terry Lee’s master tape Vault, which is enormous, and will include different versions of the songs ( 12 String Guitar Versions ) and Band Tracks as well. We will be releasing 45's and LP's at first. A lot of these songs will be complete with studio talk, outtakes and direction from Terry Lee, himself. We will also be releasing all of Terry Lee’s “ Music for Young Lovers “ albums on CD and Terry Lee’s Television show he produced for WQED in Pittsburgh.
Most of these Pittsburgh groups and the songs they recorded for Terry Lee have never been released or heard before. We have some of the rarest 60’s garage rock music to offer you. If you are a garage rock enthusiast, you will be amazed and the sound and quality of these recordings. There are thousands of master tapes to look through, and we will be releasing these songs on 45 rpm and in LP format. Records will be pressed in colored wax. Later on we will produce this music on cd’s. We are only pressing 1000 copies of each of these 45’s or LP’s. These records are all going to be Limited Edition 1000 copies. After that we are finished with that one and we will be moving on to release the next one.
During the 60’s & 70’s, Terry Lee wore many hats. Besides being a record producer and disc jockey, Terry Lee was also the band manager of every group that he recorded.
Some of the many groups that Terry Lee recorded are: The Swamp Rats, The Fantastic Dee Jay’s, The Fenways, Trinity Max, Galactus, Lucy Blue, the Chains, Branvatten, Sebastian, Six Av Us, Church Street, Gary Glenn / Bluebird, Timothy, The Chrome Flower, Vulture, Royal Flush, The Arondies and many more.
This garage rock music that Terry Lee brought out of Pittsburgh back in the 60’s needs to be preserved for all time, and that is what Terry Lee and I are going to do within the next few years.
Thank you for your time.
Kurt Spinosa Sales and Marketing Director TLSoundco. com
from the folks at www.groovetownvinyl.com comes this news. another great site selling first class vinyl!
Premiere Online Destination for Bundled Vinyl & Lossless FLAC Products
Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), the award-winning sales, marketing, and distribution arm of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, today announced the launch of Groovetown Vinyl (www.groovetownvinyl.com), an exciting new online storefront specializing in high-quality audio products for the discerning music fan. For the first time, visitors to the site will be able to purchase “lossless” audio FLAC files bundled with collectible high quality vinyl at a discounted price.
“In recent years, there’s been a revolution in sound quality and consumers are clamoring for the richest experience from their audio collection,” stated Mitch Rotter, SVP Marketing & Product Development for UMGD. “Music fans have fallen in love all over again with the vinyl experience, from the packaging to the distinctive sound to the collectability, and the FLAC file provides the ease of digital listening without any of the sacrifice that normally accompanies digitally compressed audio files. Groovetown’s quality audio products will satisfy all types of consumers - the audiophile, the technologist, and the true music aficionado.”
For a limited time, visitors purchasing bundled FLAC and vinyl products will receive a 15% discount on all purchases and free shipping on transactions over $50.00. Visitors can also enter a sweepstakes to win a vinyl starter collection consisting of 1 copy of every LP available on the site. This promotion will run from April 5th to April 19th.
About Groovetown
Groovetown is an online store that specializes in both vintage style vinyl products, as well as FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) music downloads – the “lossless” digital audio compresses music without any compromise to the audio quality of the original recording. Groovetown features recordings from such chart-topping artists as Eminem, Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash, Guns N Roses, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Guns ‘N Roses, and Weezer. Visit us at www.groovetownvinyl.com. Groovetown’s commerce and media delivery is powered by Echospin, a leading technology company whose pioneering solutions enable rights holders to sell and promote digital, physical and mobile goods directly to fans.
About Universal Music Group Distribution
Universal Music Group Distribution is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.
Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Show Dog – Universal Music, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG’s catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.
norm and jane at Vinyl Record Talk have an interesting show (they all are) lined up for today. Stop by and give the program a listen - i dare you!
We brought in several new acquisitions last week, so todays show has lots of music, all of it on vinyl. One purchase we made has a number of UK early punk 7in records. We start off with The Damned and Bauhaus. Think of it as a free preview. These two and many others will be going on auction and sale later in the week.
Plus, Jane picks some surf LPs we currently have, and no spring in California is complete to any vinyl collector without Iron Butterfly, which finds it way into Norms fingers after he pulls randomly from a box.
And we celebrate the 62nd anniversay of the 45 RPM record in the news, plus the Top 5 eBay sales and more.
Thorogood Salutes His Chess Records Heroes, Including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, and More New Album's Featured Guests Include Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On their 17th studio album, George Thorogood and The Destroyers pay tribute to their Chess Records heroes, including many of Thorogood's legendary mentors who helped to launch his career in rock & roll. Titled 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the 13-track album will be released by Capitol/EMI on July 12 on CD, vinyl LP, and digital download. '2120' features Thorogood's raw, rocking turn on classics by a who's-who of the blues, including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and other Chess greats, as well as new original songs written by Thorogood, the album's producer, Tom Hambridge, and Richard Fleming.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been recording and touring for more than 30 years. While in his teens in Delaware, Thorogood was turned on to Chess Records and the label's genre-defining artist roster by the Rolling Stones.
"The first Rolling Stones album I bought, 12x5, included '2120 South Michigan Avenue'," says Thorogood. "I said, 'I know I've heard this somewhere before ...' I wrote to Chess, they sent me a catalog, and my life was changed."
Named for the address of Chess Records' Chicago headquarters, 2120 South Michigan Avenue is produced by musician, songwriter and producer Tom Hambridge, a four-time GRAMMY Award nominee and 2010 GRAMMY winner for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Hambridge produced Buddy Guy's Living Proof) and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award winner. The album's featured guests include 2010 GRAMMY Award winners Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite.
The album opens with "Going Back," a blistering new song written by Hambridge and Thorogood, setting the stage for Thorogood and The Destroyers to rip through classic Chess chestnuts including "High Heel Sneakers" (featuring Buddy Guy, who originally recorded the song for Chess), Willie Dixon's "Seventh Son," Howlin' Wolf's "Spoonful," Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock," Muddy Waters' "Two Trains Running," Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley," J.B. Lenoir's "Mama Talk To Your Daughter," Sonny Boy Williamson's "Help Me," Little Walter's "My Babe" (featuring Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica), and Jimmy Rogers' "Chicago Bound." The album also features another new song by Hambridge and Thorogood, along with Nashville songwriter, Richard Fleming, titled "Willie Dixon's Gone," and the album's closing title track, the Rolling Stones' instrumental, "2120 South Michigan Avenue" (featuring Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica).
George Thorogood forged his signature sound of blues-infused rock & roll with the musical guidance he received from his Chess heroes. The Destroyers fought their way to the top, barging out of Delaware in the '70s as a jarringly high-energy bunch (also featuring drummer Jeff Simon and bassist Billy Blough), playing raucous, slide guitar-stoked, blues-rock takes on tunes by Chuck Berry, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley and others. Soon, they were touring and gigging with many of these statesmen of the blues, and learning invaluable lessons with every encounter.
"We were playing with these tough guys – these legends – away from their mean streets of Chicago. The audiences on the road were a real shift from the rough scene they fought through at home," says Thorogood. "That's the blues. That's the education I got, hanging out day in and day out. There's an incredible story behind the music - they're speaking the truth."
Thorogood is proud to honor Chess Records' architects of modern blues and rock & roll, saying "Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley are religion to me. I know their ears and eyes are on me, so I have to nail it."
2120 South Michigan Avenue producer Tom Hambridge says of Thorogood, "What's makes this album so perfect for George is that he has been doing it authentically all along. He can deliver Howlin' Wolf better than anybody, because he's lived it. He's not going to sing something he doesn't believe in."
The Destroyers have expanded through the years; the band now includes original members Simon and Blough, as well as guitarist Jim Suhler (a Texan who was brought aboard in 1999) and saxophonist Buddy Leach, who joined in 2003. Their latest album, 2009's The Dirty Dozen, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Blues Albums chart, fueled by the album's #1 single, "Tail Dragger." Thorogood is no stranger to ruling Billboard's Blues chart, as 2004's Gold-certified Greatest Hits: 30 Years Of Rock was the magazine's #1 Blues Album for both 2004 and 2005, and the band's 2006 studio album, The Hard Stuff, hit #2 on the chart. The band has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers will include some songs from 2120 South Michigan Avenue in setlists on their North American tour, which kicks off this week and includes stops this summer at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre and South Dakota's Sturgis Rally. Thorogood will debut several songs from the new album at Southern California's Canyon Club on April 13, a concert that will be recorded for Westwood One's "Superstar Concert Series" and later aired by more than 100 of the radio network's affiliate stations across the U.S.
George Thorogood and The Destroyers: 2120 South Michigan Avenue (CD, LP, digital)
1. Going Back (written by Tom Hambridge and George Thorogood)
2. High Heel Sneakers (featuring Buddy Guy)
3. Seventh Son
4. Spoonful
5. Let It Rock
6. Two Trains Running
7. Bo Diddley
8. Mama Talk To Your Daughter
9. Help Me
10. My Babe (featuring Charlie Musselwhite)
11. Willie Dixon's Gone (written by Tom Hambridge, George Thorogood, and Richard Fleming)
12. Chicago Bound
13. 2120 South Michigan Avenue (featuring Charlie Musselwhite)
George Thorogood - Guitars & Vocals
Jeff Simon - Drums
Bill Blough - Bass
Jim Suhler - Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Buddy Leach - Saxophone
Produced by Tom Hambridge
Executive Producer: Mike Donahue
for those looking for the Record Store Day list of releases, i refer you to their pdf file (hopefully they have updated it) and you can see there is a ton of new and limited vinyl being released!
this news from jack white's third man records website:
Jack White Gets Jerry Lee Lewis for Record Store Day Performance, RSD Releases
Rock & Roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis will perform a special one-off live concert on Saturday, April 16th at Jack White’s Third Man Records in Nashville, TN. The show will be recorded direct to analog tape at the Third Man complex in downtown Nashville, with Jack White producing, as with all the Third Man recordings. Lewis’ live show will then be pressed and packaged locally at United Record Pressing just down the street from Third Man and will be sold at the label’s retail outlet within weeks, reminiscent of the spontaneous releases of Lewis’ early career.
It has been over half a century since true American original Jerry Lee Lewis first rocketed to the top of America’s pop, country and R&B charts with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire.” While those iconoclastic performances still define the essence of rock ‘n’ roll for millions, The Killer himself continues to thrill audiences around the world with his unique, scorching blend of rock, blues, country and gospel--and will no doubt do so at Third Man, backed by a stellar band of Steve Cropper (guitarist of Booker T & The MGs and Stax catalogue acclaim), Jim Keltner (drummer for three of the Beatles formative solo efforts, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and more) and Jack Lawrence (bassist for The Raconteurs, Greenhornes, Loretta Lynn and The Dead Weather).
Tickets will be $30 and are on sale tomorrow, 12 noon Tuesday, April 5th, at the Third Man store front at 623 7th Avenue South in Nashville and in our online store. Doors will open 4pm and the show will begin at 5pm on Saturday. April 16th.
Jerry Lee Lewis' sure to be historic set will be the culmination of Third Man's Record Store Day festivities which begin Saturday, April 16th at 11:30am, during which The Third Man Rolling Record Store as well as the label's storefront outlet will be selling the following four incredible Record Store Day vinyl offerings:
Record Store Day Releases
TMR-088 The White Stripes
“Let’s Shake Hands” b/w “Look Me Over Closely”
The much-awaited reissue of the White Stripes first-ever release from 1998. This pressing corrects a channel inversion and audio glitch present in the 2002 reissue by manufacturing from the original pressing plates from 1998. Quantities on Record Store Day will all be on a custom red vinyl with black whisps while subsequent re-pressings will be on black vinyl. Says Jack White, “We finally got the right tone of red on the front cover. I’ve been waiting 13 years for that.”
TMR-089 The White Stripes
“Lafayette Blues” b/w “Sugar Never Tasted So Good”
Unavailable on vinyl since 2001, this is the reissue of the White Stripes 2nd-ever single originally released in 1998. Record Store Day quantities will be on a custom white vinyl with black whisps while subsequent repressings will be on black vinyl.
TMR-090 Karen Elson
“Vicious” b/w “In Trouble With the Lord”
Limited to 1000 copies pressed on clear vinyl with peach-colored rose pedals encased inside the record. Features Elson’s inimitable take on Lou Reed’s solo classic “Vicious” coupled with a captivating outtake from her “The Ghost Who Walks” LP. Copies pressed on black vinyl with a standard picture sleeve will be available at a later date.
TMR-093 Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi present ROME starring Jack White and Norah Jones “Two Against One” b/w “Black”
The debut release from this unprecedented assortment of talent. “Two Against One” features White on lead vocals and Jones takes the lead on “Black.” Both songs will be included on the full-length version of ROME available May 17th worldwide.
All titles will be available for purchase at Third Man Records on Record Store Day, as well as at finer independent record shops the world over.
Finally, anyone who shows up for Third Man's Record Store Day extravaganza will be able to purchase the Jerry Lee Lewis Live at Third Man limited edition black and blue vinyl edition.
in fort wayne, indiana, vinyl seems to be all the rage!
City shops grooving with trend
Rosa Salter Rodriguez | The Journal Gazette
Bob Roets has noticed the surge in popularity of vinyl records among young people.
Including his two sons, Andy and Chris.
Both of the boys, now college students, have large collections of vintage and contemporary vinyl LPs, he says – undoubtedly helped along by the fact that their dad owns Fort Wayne’s three Wooden Nickel independent record shops.
Among them, the stores have thousands of vinyl recordings, the popularity of which Roets credits with helping keep him in business for 30 years.
a very good article from the independent student newspaper of tufts university, well worth reading, the writer certainly has it figured out!
Vinyl recalls the pleasures of pre−digital listening
Matthew Welch on stepping into the vinyl world, and the trade−off between tangibility and convenience
By Matthew Welch
The digital age has changed pretty much everything about music — how we get it, how we store it, how it's recorded. When our parents wanted to listen to music, they had to do more than just push a button. Now, laptops and iPods give us instant access and huge volumes of storage, but they fail to bring us something enjoyed by generations of previous music listeners: tangibility. Listeners of the past had to unearth the record they wanted, take the vinyl out, blow the dust off and put it on a turntable. Even though this process is a relatively simple one, it creates a different experience from the one our generation is used to.
noisecreep.com has a fantastic interview with the band about the new live LP and the new tour:
Def Leppard Guitarist Talks New Live Album and DVD Set, Tour Plans
by Jon Wiederhorn
It's hard to believe that in over 33 years, rock legends Def Leppard have never released an official live album. Instead, they've kept on plugging away through great times (the '80s), hard times ('the '90s) and pretty good times (the '00s). Through it all, they've toured non-stop, whether playing sold-out arenas or amusement parks.
This summer, after playing the Download Festival in England, Def Leppard will hit the road in North America with support from Heart starting June 15 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
rollingstone.com has some great reviews of some of the new music out today
Reviewed: Paul Simon's Best Album in 20 Years; Robbie Robertson's Ambitious New DiscPlus: Stream new music by Death Cab for Cutie, the National, Dr. Dre, Thom Yorke
the vinyl district has added a new record store to their fold, check out their top selling vinyl
Louisville’s finest record shop, earX-tacy
VINYL TOP SELLERS:
1 - Cage The Elephant – Thank You Happy Birthday
2 - Radiohead – King of Limbs
3 - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong
4 - The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
5 - Obits – Moody Standard & Poor
6 - The Strokes – Angles
7 - Softcheque – Misericord (Local Band)
8 - Bobby Long – Stranger
9 - Young Widows – Future Heart (7″)
10 - The Mountain Goats – All Eternals Deck
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20 Awesomely Awkward Album Covers
smosh.com has a post with some of the silliest album cover art they could find,and if the first one is any indication, the rest sure should be interesting!
In 1965, 30 year old Sonny Bono and his 18 year old wife Cher are signed to Atco Records by Ahmet Ertegun. The duo had earlier made a handful of unsuccessful singles as Caesar and Cleo, but over the next seven years they would enjoy eleven Billboard Top 40 hits.
In 1969, "These Eyes" by The Guess Who enters the Billboard chart on its way to #6 a month later. Guitarist Randy Bachman wrote the basic piano chords with an original title of "These Arms". Vocalist Burton Cummings changed the title to "These Eyes" and added the middle eight bars.
Minnie Riperton was at #1 on the U.S. singles chart in 1975 (2 in the U.K.) with the Stevie Wonder produced “Loving You” – her only U.S. chart hit. Riperton died of cancer on 12 July 1979.
Led Zeppelin released their seventh studio album, "Presence" in 1976.
Duran Duran made their live debut at The Lecture Theatre, Birmingham Polytechnic in 1978.
In 1980, R.E.M. played their first ever gig when appearing at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Athens, Georgia.
In 1981, Canned Heat singer and harmonica player, Bob “The Bear” Hite died aged 36 of a heart attack.
In 1983, US Interior Secretary James Watt officially announces that he will not invite The Beach Boys and The Grass Roots to perform at the annual Fourth of July celebration in Washington because they attract "the wrong element of people." His choice of entertainers is Wayne Newton. President Ronald Regan would overturn the decision two days later.
In 1985, an estimated 5,000 radio stations around the world simultaneously played the song "We Are the World".
In 1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide at his Seattle home. Cobain’s body wasn’t discovered until April 8, by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system, who initially believed that Cobain was asleep. A suicide note was found that read; “I haven’t felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing … for too many years now.” A high concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were found in Cobain’s body. His death was officially ruled as suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.
In 1998, British drummer Cozy Powell was killed when his car smashed into crash barriers on a motorway in Bristol, England. Powell had worked with Jeff Beck, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and the ELP spin-off Emerson, Lake, & Powell. The drummer had also played on sessions by Donovan, Roger Daltrey, Jack Bruce, Gary Moore and Brian May
In 2006, Gene Pitney was found dead aged 65 of natural causes in a Cardiff hotel. The American singer was on a U.K. tour and had shown no signs of illness.
birthdays today include: Mike McCready Pearl Jam (1966), Agnetha Faltskog ABBA (1950) and Dave Holland of Judas Priest (1944) among others.
what a troubled man and what a crying shame, however, his music will live on....
13th Floor Elevator - Albums Collection (4 CDs)
13th Floor Elevator - Bull of the Woods (2 CDs)
Acid Mothers Temple - Pink Lady Lemonade: You're From Inner Space
Adam Lambert - Sleepwalker
a-ha - Summer Moved On (single)
Albert King - Definitive
Alela Diane - Alela Diane and Wild Divine
Ambrose Akinmusire - When The Heart Emerges Glistening
Amores Vigilantes - You Can't Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Without Me)
Asking Alexandria - Reckless & Relentless
B.B. King - Icon (2 CDs)
Bill Callahan - Apocalypse
Bill Evans - Definitive Bill Evans on Riverside & Fantasy
Billy Preston - I Wrote a Simple Song / Music Is My Life (2 CDs)
Blood Freak - Mindscraper
Blueprint - Adventures in Counter-Culture (vinyl)
Brian Robertson - Diamonds And Dirt
Burzum - Fallen
Cat Stevens - Icon
Code Pie - Love Meets Rage
Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade (reissue)(vinyl)
Cold Cave - Cherish the Light Years (vinyl)
Crack the Sky - Cut
Crack the Sky - Ghost
Craig Campbell - Craig Campbell
Cute Lepers - Adventure Time
Daft Punk - Tron: Legacy Reconfigured
Dan Milner - Civil War Navy Songs
Daniel Romano - Sleep Beneath The Willow
Dead Can Dance - Spiritchaser (reissue) (vinyl)
Dennis Edwards - Dont Look Any Further Import
Destroyer - Ideas For Songs
Dropkick Murphys - Going Out in Style (vinyl)
Elvis Presley - Walk a Mile in My Shoes-the Essential (5 CDs)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Original Album Classics (3 CDs)
Eric Clapton - Icon (2 CDs)
Etta James - The Essential Modern Records Collection
Ezra Furman & the Harpoons - Mysterious Power
FM Static - My Brain Says Stop But My Head Says Go
Fleshtones - Roman Gods / Up-Front Plus
Four Seasons - Working My Way Back to You (2 CDs)
Freelance Whales and Foals - Split (vinyl)
Gene Vincent - I'm Back & I'm Proud
George Jones - Radio Lover 1980-1989: A Critical Anthology
George Michael - The Lowdown (2 CDs)
Gerry Rafferty - City To City / Night Owl
Glasvegas - Euphoric / Heartbreak
Grateful Dead - Flashback With the Grateful Dead
Gretchen Parlato - The Lost and Found
Ha Ha Tonka - Death of a Decade (vinyl)
Hank Williams, Sr. - Hank Williams: The Complete Mother's Best Recordings...Plus! (16-CD box set)
Henry Mancini - The Complete Peter Gunn (2 CDs)
Hollywood Undead - American Tragedy
Hot Tuna - Steady As She Goes
I'm from Barcelona - Forever Today
INXS - Original Sin
Iggy Pop - Original Album Classics (3 CDs)
Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power Live: In The Hands Of The Fans (vinyl)
Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep: Mounain High
Japan - Original Album Classics (3 CDs)
Jefferson Airplane - Flight Log 1966-1976 (2 CDs)
Jefferson Airplane - Original Album Classics (3 CDs)
Jim Jones - Capo
Jimmy Cliff - Original Album Classics (3 CDs)
Joe Cocker - Icon
John Brodeur - Tiger Pop Ten
John Zorn - Zorn: Nova Express
Judds - I Will Stand By You: Essential Collection
Justice - Civilization
Justin Bieber - X-posed
Kampfar - Mare (Napalm)
Kina Grannis - Stairwells
Kingdom Come - Rendered Waters
Leon Russell -The Best of Leon Russell
Lisa Lampanelli - Tough Love
Local H - Local H: The Island Years
Louise Cordet - Sweet Beat of Louise Cordet: Complete UK Decca Records
Madam Adam - Madam Adam
Mandisa - What If We Were Real
Mansions - Dig Up The Dead
Maritime - Human Hearts (vinyl)
Marshall Tucker Band's Doug Gray - Soul of the South
Marshall Tucker Band - Greatest Hits Expanded
Material Issue - International Pop Overthrow: 20th Anniversary Edition (remastered with bonus tracks)
Matthew Dear - Slowdance (EP)
McFly - Above the Noise
Miles Davis & John Coltrane - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings
Miles Davis - Definitive Miles Davis on Prestige
Mint Condition - 7
Motorhead - No Sleep Til Hammersmith (vinyl)
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Movits! - Out of My Head
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More - Limited Edition (with bonus track, live CD & DVD)
Murder Junkies - Road Killer (vinyl)
Nino Tempo & April Stevens - Hey Baby! The Nino Tempo & April Stevens Anthology
No Man’s Slave / Mass Sterilization - Split 7″
Originals - California Sunset
Outsiders - CQ (vinyl)
Pat Benatar - Classic Albums (2 CDs)
Paul Young - Chronicles
Peter & Gordon - Lady Godiva / Knight in Rusty Armour / In London for Tea
Pharoahe Monch - We Are Renegades (vinyl)
Phil Everly - Phil Everly
Quincy Jones - Icon
Randy Edelman - Pacific Flow to Abbey Road
Raveonettes - Raven In The Grave
Ray Charles - Live in Concert (reissue)
Ray Davies - See My Friends
Ray Thomas - From Mighty Oaks
Ray Thomas - Hopes Wishes & Dreams
Residents - Meet the Residents
Robben Ford - Blue Line in San Francisco
Robbie Robertson - How To Become Clairvoyant
Roger Waters - Roger Waters the Album Collection (7 CDs)
Ronnie Milsap - 20-20 Vision / Night Things
Roy Orbison - Roy Orbison: The Monument Singles Collection
Rush - Moving Pictures: Deluxe Edition CD/DVD Audio
Sammy Davis, Jr. - Mr. Bojangles
Scattered Trees - Sympathy
Sergio Mendes - Celebration: A Musical Journey (2 CDs)
Shannon and the Clams - Sleep Talk
Sharks - The Joys of Living 2008-2010 (vinyl)
Silver Shampoo - Higher & Higher (vinyl)
Smithereens - 2011
Spirit - Potato Land
Spirit Tales - From the West Side (2 CDs)
Surfer Blood - I’m Not Ready (EP)
Tangerine Dream - Ride on the Ray: Blue Years Anthology 1980-1987 (2 CDs)
Tangerine Dream - Sunrise in the 3rd System: Pink Years 1970-1973 (2 CDs)
The Disappearing Act - The Disappearing Act
The Kills - Blood Pressures (vinyl)
The Raveonettes - Raven In The Grave
The Residents - Meet The Residents (reissue)(vinyl)
The Submarines - Love Notes/Letter Bombs
The Who - Icon (2 CDs)
Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On
Tubes - The Completion Backward Principle
Ultravox - Moments From Eden
Uriah Heep - Official Bootleg 3: Live in Kawasaki Japan 2010
Vains of Jenna - Reverse Tripped (vinyl)
Various Artists - Bristol Sessions 1927-1928 (5 CDs)
Various Artists - The Big Beat: The Dave Bartholomew Songbook
Various Artists - The Decline of Western Civilization Part II
Various Artists - The London American Label Year By Year: 1963
Various Artists - Jazz Roots: The Music of the Americas
Various Artists - Late Night Tales - Midlake
Various Artists - Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired By Warriors
Various Artists - Northern Soul's Guilty Secrets
Various Artists - Piano Tribute to R.E.M.
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents Rumba Mambo Cha Cha Cha
Various Artists - Rio: Music From the Motion Picture
Various Artists - Songs for Japan
Various Artists - Tron (soundtrack)
Vicious Rumors - Razorback Killers (vinyl)
Vintersorg - Jordpuls
Wolf Ram Heart - Betrayal of Hearts
Xylos - Xylos
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.
A box set of every Led Zeppelin record on 180gm vinyl makes the top of the list. An acetate from 1951, recorded by the strange poet/jazz musician known as Moondog, gets the #2 spot. Another Madrigal learn Spanish LP makes the list. And Seattle band Fleet Foxes sells a test pressing of their yet to be released new album to help Japan's earthquake relief efforts. This record is by far the most recently recorded (if unreleased) piece of vinyl to make the Top 5.
1. LP - Led Zeppelin "Final Option" Box Set - $5,600.00
2. EP - Moondog "Music and Moondog" Acetate - $4,570.20
found this very interesting. while i don't personally sell records on eBay at this time, i know many who do and the complaints are numerous. not to say there haven't been good times, but lately, from what i have heard and read, ebay is really making vinyl record sellers choose different avenues (www.therecordranch.com, amazon.com, ubid.com and many others or even build their own websites) in which to do business. read on:
eBay Seller Caught in Over-reaching Enforcement of Dupes Policy
By: Ina Steiner
Ebay's number one product? Frustration.
Last year eBay announced that they were going to create an algorithm (computers - no human interaction) that was going to scan all of the listings to assure that people would not be able to gain the system by listing the same product with the same photo in duplicate listings thereby gaining more exposure and cluttering the pages of eBay. Ebay continues to be the leader in irrational reactions and untried policy and procedures.
I am a large seller of vinyl records and it attracts some of the pickiest customers in any business.
great review at blogcritics.org about this classic cut and the story that goes with it....the song was certainly a part of my childhood music, still love the cut, especially the way kay does it:
Steppenwolf Steps Away from the "Wild" Side in 1968's Powerful "The Pusher"
By Kit O'Toole, BLOGCRITICS.ORG
Read the name "Steppenwolf," and one image immediately comes to mind: Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda on motorcycles, cruising to the tune "Born to Be Wild." The emerging rock group gained nationwide fame through the 1969 counterculture classic, Easy Rider, where their hard-driving music perfectly accompanied the film's story of rebellion. In addition, Steppenwolf is commonly credited with inventing the term "heavy metal" through the "Born to Be Wild" lyrics "I like smoke and lightning/Heavy metal thunder." Their other major hit, "Magic Carpet Ride," seamlessly blended harder rock and psychedelia, with lead singer John Kay's gravelly voice adding a dangerous edge to the tune. But another song of their successful 1968 debut album particularly encapsulates their edginess and willingness to take risks: "The Pusher."
if you are a fan of the smithereens (i am), there is a well written article/interview at nj.com
The Smithereens return with '2011'
By Tris McCall/The Star-Ledger
For 12 years, fans of the Smithereens have waited for an album of new material.
They knew frontman Pat DiNizio was a prolific songwriter. They picked up the entertaining covers albums made by the band: one devoted to Beatles songs, a Christmas album, a full-length treatment of “Tommy” by the Who. They caught the group in action at a Garden State bar or at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York. The legendary Jersey rock quartet had never broken up; they hadn’t even taken a break. They sounded as tough and tuneful, and as full of ideas, as they had in the mid-’80s. A follow-up to “God Save the Smithereens,” released in 1999, had to be arriving soon. Right?
“There was simply no demand from record companies for a new Smithereens album,” says DiNizio......
Read the rest of this interesting article at nj.com
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found this post interesting, lots of pr from all the stunts (and of course, the beatles are on the list, however, they do not mention some of the silly quotes by john lennon - who liked to stir up the media every now and then)
Top 10 Band Stunts, Schemes, and Gimmicks of All Time
By Gwendolyn Elliott
With Radiohead giving away copies of their newspaper, The Universal Sigh, in conjunction with their new album The King of Limbs, it seems like an appropriate time to look back on some of the more gimmicky notions bands have had over the years. Publicity stunts, shameless acts of self-promotion, honest attempts to engage their fans: Here are the 10 most memorable stunts our favorite bands made history with.
1.) Dance Gavin Dance – People We Knew 7″
2.) Deftones – Around The Fur LP
3.) Devil Wears Prada – Plagues LP
4.) Fake Problems – Songs For Teenagers 7″
5.) Transit – Something Left Behind
6.) Portugal The Man – Waiter: You Vultures! LP
7.) Fireworks – Gospel
8.) Living With Lions – Honesty, Honestly 7″
9.) Portugal The Man – Church Mouth LP
10.) The Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits LP
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actually saw them on this tour, both put on an amazing show!
Mr. Soul: Social Distortion’s Mike Ness Talks Neil Young
Michael Wright
In a recent interview with RollingStone.com, Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness recalled the group’s early ’90s tours with rock legend Neil Young. Social D first opened for Young in 1991, after the release of their classic self-titled album. The group hit the road again with the guitar great in 1993 in support of their Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell CD.
Elvis Presley recorded "Are You Lonesome Tonight" in 1960.
Also in 1960, RCA Victor Records announced that it will release all Pop singles in mono and stereo simultaneously, the first record company to do so. Elvis Presley's single, "Stuck on You" was RCA's first mono / stereo release.
In 1964, The Beatles held the top five places on the Billboard U.S. singles chart: #1 “Can’t Buy Me Love,” #2 “Love Me Do,” #3 “Roll Over Beethoven,” #4 “I Want to Hold You Hand” and #5 “Please Please Me.” The group also had another nine singles on the chart, bringing their total to 14 singles on the Hot 100.
In 1968, Bobby Goldsboro received a Gold record for the single, "Honey", which had spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart, including five weeks at number one. It remains heavily played on the radio to this day and has been covered many times, although Todd Leopold of CNN named it the "Worst Song of All Time" in April 2006.
After hearing the news of Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joni Mitchell, Al Kooper and Ted Nugent congregated for an all night blues, folk and rock session at The New Generation Club in New York.
In 1983, Danny Rapp of Danny and The Juniors, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His band achieved two classic 1950's hits, "At the Hop" (#1) and "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (#19). He was 41 years old.
In 1996, Jerry Garcia's widow, Deborah, and Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir scatter part of Jerry's ashes in the Ganges River in India.
In 2008, Procol Harum founder Gary Brooker won his court battle over royalty rights to the band's most famous hit, 1967's "A Whiter Shade of Pale". In 2006, London's High Court awarded former keyboard player Matthew Fisher 40 percent of the copyright of the track, which has sold an estimated 10 million copies worldwide, after he successfully argued that he wrote the organ music to the song. Brooker appealed and judge John Mummery said that while Fisher should be credited with co-authorship, the fact that it took him 38 years to take the case to court meant he should not benefit financially.
born today, Dave Hill of Slade (1952) Frank Black of thePixies (1965) and the immortal Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) was born in 1913. (died April 30, 1983)
Bill Evans at The Montreux Jazz Festival (reissue)
Bill Evans
Verve/Speakers Corner V6-8762 180g LP Produced by: Helen Keane Engineered by: Pierre Grandjean and John-Claude Martin Mixed by: Bob Schwartz Mastered by: Maarten De Boer at UMG Berliner
MUSIC
SOUND
Bill Evans 1968 Backed By Gomez and DeJohnette by Michael Fremer April 01, 2011
You could argue the advisability of naming a sophomore effort Everybody Digs Bill Evans but today it’s clear that everybody in fact does, or still does depending on your feelings about that second album’s title.
Evans is still revered by jazz fans generally and jazz fans who are audiophiles in particular, judging by all of the vinyl reissue action.
An enduring live set from The Montreux Jazz Festival recorded June 15th, 1968 has Evans joined in the short-lived trio with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Gomez was with Evans for a decade plus, but Miles Davis wanted DeJohnette.
This is the only recording of DeJohnette playing with Evans and Gomez. The early years of Evan’s post Riverside period were tumultuous with frequency personnel changes as Evans dealt with his drug addiction.
How long ago was 1968? Consider Gene Lee’s liner notes that reference “Lolita” novelist Vladimir Nabakov, Charlie Chaplain and James Mason, all of whom “live” nearby.
This album finds Evans in a more exuberant, less introspective mood. Evan his balladry on “I Love You Porgy” (which inexplicably places Evan’s piano on the opposite side of the stage from where he plays for the rest of the set) starts moving towards a celebratory tone not usually associated with the tender tune.
The almost hour long set includes two Evans originals—“One For Helen” dedicated to his long time manager Helen Keane and “Walkin’ Up” (misnamed “Walking’ Up” on this reissue’s label). Other than a rendering of Miles’ “Nardis” that was a live concert staple for Evans, the rest consists of re-workings of well-known standards, which was an Evans specialty.
Gomez plays aggressively from center stage with greater percussive thrust than did Scott LaFaro and DeJohnette’s playing is endlessly inventive—particularly his brush and cymbal work— without being distracting.
The recording quality is quite good: closely miked and not an attempt to put you at the concert unless you were sitting onstage a few feet from the musicians. DeJohnette’s drum kit occupies the right channel (except on his superb solo on "Nardis" where the engineer wisely gives him more space), Gomez is center stage and Evan’s piano is to his right and spreads convincingly from center-right stage outward.
Original pressings sound messy, boxy and indistinct compared to this Speakers Corner reissue and an earlier, out of print one at 33 1/3 from Classic Records. They don’t sound identical but close enough (Classic no doubt had the original tape, Speakers Corner worked from a copy so the sound isn't quite as dynamic or "present" but it's still very good and far superior to the original pressing), with excellent instrumental timbres, particularly Evans' piano (though it doesn't sound like he was given the grandest grand) and both are well-pressed. Classic’s multi-LP 45rpm edition is something else again, but good luck finding one of those.
Not at the top of the Evans catalog but worthwhile nonetheless particularly since it’s the only recording of this trio with Jack DeJohnette.
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.
before everyone yells, yes, i know this is a vinyl record blog, but i support what they are doing. i mean, whole towns are gone, everyone should help out the japanese any way possible:
Global Music Effort Songs for Japan Available as Two CD Set on April 4
Digital Release Rockets To #1 on iTunes in 18 countries
Over 250,000 Copies Sold In First Week; Raises More Than US $2 Million For Japanese Red Cross Society
NEW YORK, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Songs For Japan, a star-studded album collection benefitting Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief, has been rushed into production as a double CD to be available worldwide April 4 with an official US domestic release on Tuesday, April 5.
Released as a digital album on iTunes on Friday, March 25, Songs For Japan rocketed to #1 on iTunes in 18 countries including the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Sweden and Japan and is debuting in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, based solely on a three-day window of domestic digital sales. Worldwide, music fans have purchased more than 250,000 digital copies of the album in the first week of sales.
Next week, an advance donation of US $2 million – reflecting proceeds from the digital album's global sales – will be made to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support its disaster relief efforts. The artists participating on Songs for Japan, the music labels and music publishers have waived their royalties and proceeds to ensure that the JRCS receives as much support as possible from this initiative. iTunes is also donating its proceeds from the album's worldwide sales to the benefit of the JRCS, and is prominently featuring the project throughout its stores worldwide.
A music industry wide charity initiative, Songs For Japan is an unprecedented compilation of 37 major hits and classic tracks including 21 Billboard Hot 100 hits and five #1's from more than 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music.
The two-disc Songs for Japan collection features an all-star lineup:
1. John Lennon "Imagine"
2. U2 "Walk On"
3. Bob Dylan "Shelter From The Storm"
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Around The World"
5. Lady Gaga "Born This Way"
6. Beyonce "Irreplaceable"
7. Bruno Mars "Talking To The Moon"
8. Katy Perry "Firework"
9. Rihanna "Only Girl (In The World)"
10. Justin Timberlake "Like I Love You"
11. Madonna "Miles Away"
12. Eminem "Love The Way You Lie"
13. Bruce Springsteen "Human Touch"
14. Josh Groban "Awake"
15. Keith Urban "Better Life"
16. Black Eyed Peas "One Tribe"
17. Pink "Sober"
18. Cee Lo Green "It's Ok"
19. Lady Antebellum "I Run To You"
20. Bon Jovi "What Do You Got"
21. Foo Fighters "My Hero"
22. REM "Man On The Moon"
23. Nicki Minaj "Save Me"
24. Sade "By Your Side"
25. Michael Buble "Hold On"
26. Justin Bieber "Pray"
27. Adele "Make You Feel My Love"
28. Enya "If I Could Be Where You Are"
29. Elton John "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"
30. John Mayer "Waiting On The World To Change"
31. Queen "Teo Torriate (Let Us Cling Together)"
32. Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody"
33. Sting "Fragile"
34. Leona Lewis "Better In Time"
35. Ne-Yo "One In A Million"
36. Shakira "Whenever Wherever"
37. Norah Jones "Sunrise"
SOURCE Legacy Recordings
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found this story over at mtv.com amusing:
Hanson Cover Slipknot And More Musical April Fools' Pranks
Experimental Insane Clown Posse LP also announced on a day brimming with bizarre headlines.
AMEBIX To Release 'Knights Of The Black Sun' Single
Cult British underground heavyweights AMEBIX reemerge from the darkness to announce the release of a new single, their first new material for almost 24 years. The song is entitled "Knights Of The Black Sun" and will be made available on June 3. A limited-edition 12-inch vinyl single will be issued on Amebix Records, in conjunction with Profane Existence. The digital download will be available through Amebix Records/Easyaction.
guess these old guys need to do something with their time!
CARMINE And VINNY APPICE To Take Part In First-Ever 'Drum Wars' Battle
Main Street Armory, 900 Main Street in Rochester, NY, is set to host the first Drum Wars battle featuring legendary drummers Carmine and Vinny Appice on Friday, April 22. Brothers and "rivals" Carmine and Vinny Appice are set to battle it out by performing classic hard rock, pop and metal hits that were popular during their long drumming careers.
Tickets are available through Ticketfly for $15 advance and $20 the day of the show.
To highlight the event, The House of Guitars is sponsoring a Drum Wars competition to give fledgling cream-of-the-crop musicians the opportunity to perform with the famous brothers at the Main Street Armory show on April 22.
Albums:
1.Chris Brown : F.A.M.E.
2.Jennifer Hudson : I Remember Me
3.Adele : 21
4.The Strokes : Angles
5.Kirk Franklin : Hello Fear
6.Various : Songs For Japan
7.Panic At The Disco : Vices and Virtues
8.Mumford and Sons : Sigh No More
9.Bobby V : Fly On The Wall
10.Lupe Fiasco : Lasers
Singles:
1.Katy Perry feat. Kanye West : E.T.
2.Rihanna : S&M
3.Cee Lo Green : Fuck You
4.Lady Gaga : Born This Way
5.Black Eyed Peas : Just Can't Get Enough
6.Wiz Khalifa : No Sleep
7.Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes : Look At Me Now
8.Pink : Fucking Perfect
9.Jeremih feat. 50 Cent : Down On Me
10.Jennifer Lopez : On The Floor
UK
Albums:
1.Adele : 21
2.Adele : 19
3.The Strokes : Angles
4.Jessie J. : Who You Are
5.Ronan Keating & Burt Bacharach : When Ronan Met Burt
6.The Overtones : Good Ol' Fashioned Love
7.Rihanna : Loud
8.Nicole Scherzinger : Killer Love
9.Elbow : Build A Rocket Boys
10.Chris Brown : F.A.M.E.
Singles:
1.Adele : Someone Like You
2.Nicole Scherzinger : Don't Hold Your Breath
3.Black Eyed Peas : Just Can't Get Enough
4.Gold Forever : The Wanted
5.Jessie J feat. B.o.B. : Price Tag
6.Rihanna : S&M
7.Wiz Khalifa : Black and Yellow
8.Dr Dre feat. Eminem & Skylar Grey : I Need A Doctor
9.Adele : Rolling In the Deep
10.Lady Gaga : Born This Way
Europe
Albums:
1.Take That : Progress
2.Rihanna : Loud
3.Bruce Springsteen : The Promise
4.Shakira : Sale El Sol
5.Pink : Greatest Hits ... So Far
6.Bon Jovi : Greatest Hits
7.James Blunt : Some Kind Of Trouble
8.Susan Boyle : The Gift
9.Kings Of Leon : Come Around Sundown
10.JLS : Outta This World
Singles:
1.Adele : Rolling In the Deep
2.Bruno Mars : Grenade
3.Lady Gaga : Born This Way
4.Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull : On The Floor
5.Rihanna : S&M
6.Black Eyed Peas : Just Can't Get Enough
7.Taio Cruz : Higher
8.Martin Solveig : Hello
9.Jessie J. feat. B.o.B. : Price Tag
10.David Guetta feat. Rihanna : Who's That Chick
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and in music history for the day:
In 1956, Johnny Cash recorded “I Walk the Line” at Sun Studio. It would spend six weeks at #1 on the U.S. country jukebox charts that summer.
In 1964, The Beach Boys recorded their single, “I Get Around,” which became their first U.S. #1 over the summer.
In 1966, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass become the first act to have four LP's in the Top 10 of the Billboard album chart. No wonder those albums are in every goodwill bin, there's too many of them (and i have them all!)
Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason formed Traffic in 1967.
On this day in 1967 - The Beatles finished recording the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
In 1969, Bruce Springsteen’s group, Child, made their live debut at the Pandemonium Club, Wanamassa, New Jersey.
Janis Joplin was at #1 on the U.S. album charts in 1971 with Pearl.
Also in 1971, Ringo Starr releases "It Don't Come Easy", which will climb to #4 in the US and the UK.
In 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" album went to #1 on the Billboard chart where it stayed for 31 weeks. Worldwide, the LP would sell over 25 million copies.
In 1987, one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, Buddy Rich died from complications caused by a brain tumor, aged 69. Rich worked with many acts, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson and Tommy Dorsey’s band.
And in 2004, Paul Atkinson, guitarist for The Zombies, lost his battle with liver and kidney disease. He was 58. The band's biggest hits included "She's Not There", "Tell Her No" and "Time Of The Season".
