The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
DEAR JERRY:A friend stunned me recently by saying that before 1964, and the first U.S. Beatles album, no rock group had a No. 1 album.
Is this accurate? If so, then how close did the Beach Boys and 4 Seasons come?
How many solo artists, either male, female, or mixed, did so during the pre-Beatles years? —Howard Newton, Honolulu
DEAR HOWARD: Your friend is telling it like it is, making album sales by groups just one more example of how the Beatles changed everything.
Before “Meet the Beatles” zoomed to the top of the LP charts, the only vocal groups to accomplish that were either folk music or adult-oriented pop acts; five by the Kingston Trio; two by Peter, Paul and Mary; and three by Mitch Miller and the Gang.
As for the Beach Boys, “Surfin' U.S.A.” (1963) reached No. 2, and “Sherry & 11 Others,” by the 4 Seasons (1962) peaked at No. 6.
Then came the British Invasion, bringing instant and remarkable consequences.
Of the 53 No. 1 albums between “Meet the Beatles” and the end of the decade, only these nine are by solo singers:
1964: “Hello Dolly” (Louis Armstrong); “People” (Barbra Streisand)
1965: “Roustabout” (Elvis Presley)
1966: “Ballads of the Green Berets” (SSgt Barry Sadler); “Strangers in the Night” (Frank Sinatra)
1967: “Ode to Billie Joe” (Bobby Gentry)
1968: “Electric Ladyland” (Jimi Hendrix Experience); “Wichita Lineman” (Glen Campbell)
1969: “Johnny Cash at San Quentin” (Johnny Cash)
The remaining 44 are by something other than a solo singer, comprising soundtracks (4), original casts (2), and vocal (32) or instrumental (6) groups.
We have written before about Elvis (7); Ricky Nelson (1); Ray Charles (1); and Little Stevie Wonder (1), being the only rock or soul artists — regardless of gender makeup — with No. 1 LPs before “Meet the Beatles.”
Perhaps even more mind-boggling is that the first solo rock female in history to top the album charts is Janis Joplin, which did not happen until February 1971, with “Pearl.”
Before going solo, Joplin sang lead for Big Brother and the Holding Company, and their “Cheap Thrills” hit No. 1 in October 1968.
Wondering about the two top first generation rock and roll gals? The highest LP chart position for Connie Francis and Brenda Lee is No. 4, and both of them reached it in the same year, 1960.
Before “Pearl,” four non-rock females peaked at No. 1: Doris Day (1955); Judy Garland (1961); the Singing Nun (1963); and Bobbie Gentry (1967).
Not until the end of 1976 were there two consecutive No. 1 albums by females: “Living in the USA” (Linda Ronstadt) and “Live and More” (Donna Summer).
DEAR JERRY:Most popular recordings are eventually forgotten and rarely heard in years ahead.
Not so with Christmas songs.
Once one becomes a hit, it can be played and sold every year around this time, seemingly forever. It's hard to know exactly how old some of them are.
Here are five I have heard every year for all of my life, but would like to know when they were first issued, and which is the original version:
“Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree”: Many versions of this, but my favorites are by Brenda Lee, and the duet by Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love.
“Blue Christmas”: Obviously Elvis owns this tune, but Brian Wilson has a really beautiful ballad version.
“Jingle Bell Rock”: Dozens exist, but Bobby Helms seems to be the main one. A duet by Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker also gets played a lot.
“Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town”: I first heard it by the 4 Seasons, then years later by Bruce Springsteen.
“Sleigh Ride”: Issued in every conceivable style, from the Boston Pops to the fabulous version by the Ronettes. —Thelma Hawkins, Jefferson, Wisc.
DEAR THELMA: Here is the year and original single release for each:
“Blue Christmas”: 1948 by Doye O'Dell (Exclusive 65, mistakenly titled “Blues Christmas”)
“Jingle Bell Rock”: 1957 by Bobby Helms (Decca 30513)
“Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree”: 1958 by Brenda Lee (Decca 30776)
“Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town”: 1934 by Harry Reser and His Orchestra (Decca 264)
“Sleigh Ride”: 1949 by the Boston Pops (RCA Victor 10-1484)
IZ ZAT SO? Leroy Anderson composed the music for “Sleigh Ride” in 1948, though his instrumental arrangement didn't come out on record until late '49 (Boston Pops).
In 1950, Mitchell Parish wrote the now-familiar lyrics to go with Anderson's work, making for a magnum opus.
Each year, “Sleigh Ride” is either at or near the top of America's most-played Holiday songs.
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
a short follow up from yesterday's post about 70's rockers Jethro Tull, vinyl buddy DJ Shawn weighed in:
They're still gigging! They're doing THICK AS A BRICK in concert in it's entirety. The last recorded studio album was THE JETRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM. The songs are a mix of new material, re-recordings of Tull's own suitably themed material and arrangements of traditional Christmas music. In 2009, the live album Christmas at St Bride's 2008 was included with the original album on CD.
Shawn Foxx On-air Personality COOL 105.7 KOKZ-FM Waterloo, IA www.cool1057.com
(thanks DJ!)
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not a big fan of digital music, however, others may be interested in the 'new' metallica music:
Metallica Release New EP
Yesterday, Metallica released an EP (exclusively to iTunes) of previously unreleased songs. 'Beyond Magnetic' consists of four songs that are 'leftovers' from their 'Death Magnetic' sessions and were recorded between 2007 and 2008. Metallica stated:
"We kept them in the vault and decided to pull them just for this special celebration, so here are the four leftover tracks from the Death Magnetic sessions. They are ROUGH mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March '08. These four songs were released as gift to our closest fans, the members of our Fan Club, to enjoy. Now they're being made available to you,"
Additionally, the cuts, "Hate Train," "Just A Bullet Away," "Hell and Back" and "Rebel of Babylon" were all performed live for the first time last week, during Metallica's four-night stand at the Fillmore in San Francisco in celebration of their 30th anniversary. And to top this all off, Lars Ulrich told fans "to listen for news to come in mid-January 2012 about something very special coming in June."
cool....
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Shins Reveal New Album Details
The Shins have just revealed the album cover art and a tentative release date for their fourth album called 'Port Of Morrow.' Thier first album since 2007′s Wincing the Night Away, is scheduled for release sometime in March 2012 via Aural Apothecary label and Columbia Records. The effort was was recorded in Los Angeles and Portland and was produced by Greg Kurstin and mixed by Rich Costey.
An exact release date and upcoming tour dates will be announced in the near future.
Tracklist 1. The Rifle’s Spiral 2. Simple Song 3. It’s Only Life 4. No Way Down 5. September 6. Bait and Switch 7. Fall of ’82 8. For A Fool 9. 40 Mark Strasse 10. Port of Morrow
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Reunited TRIXTER To Release New Studio Album
Frontiers Records has announced the signing of TRIXTER for the worldwide release of the band's reunion album in the spring of 2012.
Formed in Paramus, New Jersey in 1984, TRIXTER's self-titled debut album attained gold status (reaching #28 on The Billboard 200 in 1990), and spawned three minor hit singles: "Surrender" (#72), "One In A Million" (#75), and "Give It To Me Good" (#65). Despite the fact that none of the singles made the Top 40 or garnered much radio airplay, the videos for all three tunes were in heavy rotation on MTV (especially "Give It To Me Good", which was #1 on the channel for several weeks).
Great White Singer Jack Russell To Form New Version Of The Band
Great White vocalist Jack Russell, who has been absent from the band since last year for numerous reasons including substance abuse and a perforated bowel, recently announced that he will be forming his own version of the band, which will include past Great White members. A statement from Russell reads:
"Just wanted to announce that I will be coming back with my band Great White and a brand new lineup. My new bandmates are some of the most incredible musicians I have ever had the privilege to play with: Matthew Johnson - former guitarist for Great White, Derrick Pontier - former drummer for Great White, Dario Seixas - former bassist for Firehouse and the Stephen Pearcy band, and Robby Lochner - former guitarist for Rob Halford's band and Cherie Currie."
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Announce 2012 Tour
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers have recently announced some of their 2012 North American tour dates. The tour will start April 19th in Broomfield, Colorado and also includes the band’s first ever show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; where they will headline act the first weekend on Saturday, April 28. The band will also be touring in Europe for the first time in 20 years, heading there on June 3rd.
Tour Dates
April 19 1st Bank Center, Broomfield, CO April 21 Verizon Arena, Little Rock, AR April 24 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM April 26 INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS April 28 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA April 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA May 1 Germain Arena, Estero, FL May 3 Amway Center, Orlando, FL May 5 Frank Irwin Center, Austin, TX June 3 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL June 7 02 Arena, Dublin, IR June 8 The Marquee, Cork, IR June 10 02 World, Hamburg, GER June 12 Open Air, Horsens, DK June 14 The Globe, Stockholm, SWE June 15 Norwegian Wood Festival, Oslo, NO June 22 Isle of Wight Festival, UK June 24 Hallenstadion, Zurich, SWI June 25 Lanxess Arena, Cologne, GER June 27 Grand Rex, Paris, FR June 29 Piazza Napoleone, Lucca, IT June 30 SAP Arena, Mannheim, GER
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Tool Reveal 2012 Tour Dates
Ticketmaster recently posted a slew of Tool tour dates, commencing on January 14 in Reno, Nevada at the approprietly named Reno Events Center. Here's what we know so far:
Tool tour dates:
Jan. 14 - Reno, NV - Reno Events Center Jan. 15 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center Jan. 17 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Arena Jan. 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Tingley Coliseum Jan. 20 - Grand Prairie, TX - Verizon Theatre Jan. 24 - Toledo, OH - Huntington Center Jan. 25 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre Jan. 26 - London, ON - John Labatt Centre Jan. 28 - Boston, MA - TD Garden Jan. 29 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center Jan. 31 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena Feb. 08 - Duluth, GA - Gwinnett Arena
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don't usually get political, but this caught my eyes and ears:
Graham Nash and James Raymond Release a New Song in Support of Whistleblower Bradley Manning
INTERNET VIDEO SPOTLIGHTS MANNING'S HEARING ON DEC. 16 AND INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY ON DEC. 17
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A companion video for "Almost Gone" – a new song by legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash and musician James Raymond (son of David Crosby) – is being released today in support of accused U.S. Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. The free download is available on Nash's website (www.grahamnash.com) and the Bradley Manning Support Network site www.bradleymanning.org.
The release is timed to Manning's first judicial hearing scheduled for December 16th, following more than 17-months in custody, including a year in solitary confinement that Amnesty International has
characterized as "harsh and punitive."
Visually, the Almost Gone video is punctuated with bold graphics, disturbing images and harsh facts. Its release is scheduled to precede Manning's pre-trial hearing on December 16, which is the day before his 24th birthday. The Bradley Manning Support Network has named the following day, December 17, its International Day of Solidarity (http://events.bradleymanning.org/). PFC Manning, an Army intelligence analyst who had been stationed near Baghdad, was arrested in May 2010 under suspicion of leaking classified information, including a video showing the killing of civilians, to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.
Nash and Raymond composed the song "Almost Gone (The Ballad of Bradley Manning)" during this spring's US tour of Crosby-Nash, and the new recording serves as the music bed for the video; it features an impassioned lead vocal by Nash, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (Crosby, Stills & Nash, and The Hollies). "Bradley Manning is a hero to me," he sings, acknowledging Manning's role in making public videos and documents that shed light on such issues as the true number and cause of civilian casualties in Iraq, human rights abuses by U.S.-funded contractors and foreign militaries, and the role that spying and bribes play in international diplomacy.
The Lemonheads are set to release, “Hotel Sessions” a recording documenting a Sunday night that Evan Dando spent recording with just an acoustic guitarin a hotel room in Bondi Beach, Australia. The
album include some that never made it to an official Lemonheads album. Dando also stated, “the “Into Your Arms” I did here is better than the one on the album (I like it anyway).”
Tracklist:
Big Gay Heart The Great Big No Paid To Smile It's About Time Style I'll Do It Anyway Rest Assured You Can Take It With You (prt.2) Down About It Into Your Arms Superhero And So The Story Goes Being Around You Can Take It With You (prt.1)
1. The Black Keys - El Camino
2. She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas
3. Guided By Voices - Doughnut For A Snowman 7"
4. The White Stripes - Merry Christmas From The White Stripes 7"
5. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
6. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
7. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow 10"
8. Gorillaz - Singles Collection 2001-2011
9. Talk Talk - Spirit Of Eden (LP reissue)
10. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
11. The Black Keys - Brothers
12. The White Stripes - Hello Operator 7"
13. Becky & John (C. Reilly) - I'll Be There If You Ever Want 7"
14. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Soul Time!
15. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
16. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire
17. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions
18. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
19. War On Drugs - Slave Ambient
20. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong
21. St Vincent - Strange Mercy
22. The Postal Service - Give Up
23. Radiohead - In Rainbows
24. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
25. Amos Lee - Live At Grimey's 7"
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interesting reviews of vinyl from hometheaterhifi.com
In 1953, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas", recorded earlier in the year by 10 year old Gayla Peevey, inspired an Oklahoma City fund-raising effort to buy a hippopotamus for the Oklahoma City Zoo. Oklahomans raised $4,000 for the cause, with much of the money coming from children. The zoo bought a 3-year-old hippo named Matilda who had eight offspring and died in 1998.
In 1956, disc jockey Alan Freed's second film, "Don't Knock The Rock," starring Freed, Alan Dale and Patricia Hardy, with performances by Little Richard, Bill Haley and His Comets, Dave Appell and the Applejacks, and the Treniers, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.
In 1959, Billboard Magazine reported that in the wake of the government's payola investigations, the pay-for-play phenomenon has all but ceased. One Philadelphia record distributor complained, "You can't even buy the disc jockeys lunch."
In 1959, the Ohio State University Research Center finds that although Rock 'n' Roll is the overwhelming favorite of kids aged 14 to 18, adults aged 19 to 70 list it as their least favorite form of music.
Also in 1959, "First Name Initial" by seventeen year old Annette Funicello entered the Billboard chart, where it eventually reached #20.
And one more for 1959, the Kingston Trio started an eight-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Here We Go Again!'
In 1962, Bob Dylan's first single, "Mixed Up Confusion" b/w "Corrina, Corrina," was released. According to legend, Dylan wrote "Mixed Up Confusion" in a cab on the way to the Columbia Studios for the recording session.
In 1962, Bill Wyman made his live debut with The Rollin’ Stones at the Ricky Tick Club, Star and Garter Hotel in Windsor, England. The group were known as The Rollin' Stones during this period.
In 1963, blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington died at age 39. Known as the Queen of the Blues, she scored the 1959 U.S. #8 Grammy Award-winning single “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” and the 1961 hit “September in the Rain.”
The Elvis Presley film "Spinout" premiered in 1966.
In 1968, Iron Butterfly's classic album, 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' was certified Gold. Today it is a multi-platinum album with sales of over 25 million copies.
Also in 1968, Marvin Gaye scored his first US #1 single when “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” started a five-week run at the top. It was Gaye’s 15th solo hit and also his first UK #1 single in March 1969.
In 1968, Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson and Clover" entered the charts in the US, where it stayed for 16 weeks on Billboard Hot 100 and 15 weeks on Cash Box Top 100. Following a
performance of the song on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 26, it became number one on February 1, 1969, a position held for one week on Cash Box Top 100 and two weeks on both Billboard Hot 100 and Record World 100 Top Pops. Internationally, the song reached number one in Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Switzerland. It also charted in Austria, Brazil, France, Holland, Italy, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines and Puerto Rico. Despite this, the song did not chart in the United Kingdom. In mid-1969, Billboard reported that the single had sold 2.5 million copies in the United States. By 1971, Roulette Records claimed that sales stood at 5.5 million, the group's best-seller.
I met James in Chicago around 1979, very cordial and easy to talk to. He was appearing at the new indoor theme park (i forgot the name) and did a number of his old hits and some new material.
In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono demonstrated "Bagism" by arriving at London's Hyde Park inside a white bag located in a white Rolls Royce, and then giving a protest speech from inside the bag. The intent of bagism was to satirize prejudice and stereotyping. Bagism involved literally wearing a bag over one's entire body. According to John and Yoko, by living in a bag, a person could not be judged by others on the basis of skin color, gender, hair length, attire, age, or any other such attributes. It was presented as a form of total communication. Instead of focusing on outward appearance, the listener would hear only the bagist's message. ummm i'll have what their smoking
In 1972, in New York City, Alexander's department store stayed open late so that Alice Cooper, who was wearing silver pants and a "Paul Lives" button, could do his Christmas shopping.
In 1974, Styx' "Lady" was released. The single was first released on Styx II and was a local hit in the band's native Chicago, but initially failed to chart nationally. The song gained success shortly after Styx left Wooden Nickel Records to move to A&M Records in 1974 as it began picking up airplay nationwide, eventually peaking at #6 on the Billboard Top 40. The track was later re-recorded for the 1995 Styx compilation Styx Greatest Hits due to a contractual dispute between A&M and Wooden Nickel.
"Lady" was written by then-Styx keyboardist and founding member Dennis DeYoung for his wife, Suzanne Feusi, the first song he ever wrote for her. DeYoung recounted to Contemporary Keyboard magazine for the January 1981 issue that the first time he ever played acoustic piano was when the band arrived at the recording studio to record "Lady" and saw the piano in the studio; DeYoung had written the song on synthesizer, but decided to try it out on the piano instead, and liked the sound so much that he switched to the piano for the recorded version.
In 1969, the Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the U.S. when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
In 1973, Bruce Springsteen appeared at the Pinecrest Country Club, Shelton, Connecticut. Only 200 tickets were sold for the show.
In 1977, the movie, Saturday Night Fever premieres in New York City and is instrumental in spreading the Disco craze throughout the country. The soundtrack will go on to be one of the biggest-selling albums of all time, racking up over 15 million in sales. and music has never been the same since.....
In 1980, Yoko Ono called for a 10-minute silent vigil around the world for John Lennon, her husband, who was shot to death six days earlier. Over 100,000 people went to Central Park in New York to honor the request.
In 1991, Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' debuts at #1 on Billboard's pop albums chart.
In 1995, classified documents from the White House were released that revealed the FBI had spied on John Lennon and his anti-war activities during the early '70s in a possible attempt to have Lennon deported.
In 1995, "Frank Sinatra: 80 Years My Way" aired on ABC-TV. Little Richard, along with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were among those who performed.
In 1997, Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana, "Candle in the Wind 1997", was at its ninth week at number 1 on the Billboard chart. The record would eventually pass Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" to become the largest selling single of all time.
In 1997, guitarist/songwriter Kurt Winter, a former member (1970-1974) of the Guess Who, died of kidney failure at 51.
In 1999, Paul McCartney played The New Cavern Club in Liverpool, 35 years after his last appearance at the original venue. The concert is broadcast live over the Internet and attracts 50 million visits. A young fan, who changed his name to John Lennon, won a ticket to the show. The original Cavern Club closed in 1973 and was demolished to enable an underground railway to be constructed. In 1984 the present building, known as Cavern Walks, was opened on the site and contains a rebuilding of the original Cavern Club in the basement, as well as shops, offices and an internal nine-storey atrium. The edifice also includes statues of The Fab Four on the outside walls.
In 2003, Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne went to #1 on the UK singles chart with “Changes,” a remake of a track first sung by Ozzy on the Black Sabbath album Volume IV in 1972. It was the first father-and-daughter chart topper since Frank and Nancy Sinatra in 1967.
In 2004, the funeral took place in Arlington, Texas, for Damageplan and Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Eddie Van Halen placed Darrell’s original black and yellow striped guitar into the KISS Kasket he was buried in. Several thousand fans and friends gathered at the Arlington Convention Center to mourn the guitarist’s death. Darrell was shot five times in the back of the head during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus on December 8 by a mentally ill former U.S. Marine. Damageplan's drum technician, John Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were both injured in the incident.
In 2006, co-founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun died after a fall at age 83.
birthdays today include (among others): Jackie McCauley (Them) 1946, Joyce Vincent-Wilson (Tony Orlando, Dawn) 1946, Mike Scott (The Waterboys) 1958, Peter "Spider" Stacy (The Pogues) 1958 and Cliff Williams (AC/DC) 1949
wasn't even sure if they were still together after all these years....
Could it really be the end for Jethro Tull?
By Steve Smith
Martin Barre, the 65-year-old guitarist for legendary British band Jethro Tull, said that the group will never record another album.
In a telephone interview with the online Kinston Free Press Daily Podcast that was set up primarily to discuss the 40th anniversary of the band's triple-platinum LP, "Aqualung," Barre was asked about whether there will be a new Jethro Tull studio album, Barre didn't hesitate. "No, there won't be," he immediately answered. When asked for a reason, he said, "Jethro Tull is on ice."
One of rock music's great guitarists, the man, who joined Tull in 1969 and has played on every one of the group's 21 studio albums except its 1968 debut album, "This Was," noted that group leader Ian Anderson is booked with solo projects for the next two years. He then added that he also has solo projects planned during that time. He said he and Anderson will tour the world separately, each playing the music of Jethro Tull.
The Magnetic Fields have recently announced that their 10th studio album 'Love at the Bottom of the Sea,' will be released on March 6, 2012 via Merge. The 15-track effort was recorded in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York by mastermind Stephin Merritt and frequent collaborators Claudia Gonson, Sam Davol, John Woo, Shirley Simms, Johny Blood, and Daniel Handle. According to Merge, the end result hears the band returning to their “signature mix of synth and acoustic sounds” and no one song spans over three minutes in length.
Additionally, a limited-edition eggshell-colored vinyl will be available exclusively to those who pre-order the album at the Merge Records store. The first 100 people who order the album from Merge will receive a free signed poster and a Magnetic Fields button, as well.
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cool cover art
Pythia's Cover Art For New Album
Pythia's upcoming new album 'The Serpent's Curse' is currently scheduled for release on February 27th, 2012.
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'100 Greatest Living Rock Stars' Spotlighted In New Issue Of REVOLVER Magazine
Revolver magazine is celebrating the release of its "Mega 100th Issue" by spotlighting the "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars." From Ozzy to Axl to Lemmy, the issue features those who have rocked the hardest and lived to tell about the issue also features Revolver's Top 20 albums of 2011, which crowns KORN's controversial dubstep-infused record, "The Path Of Totality", with top honors.
The "100 Greatest Living Rock Stars" list takes a no-holds-barred look at the rock arena and highlights those artists who embody rock and roll's rebel attitude. Whether it's the well-chronicled debauched exploits OF MÖTLEY CRÜE or newcomer James Durbin bringing metal to pop's biggest forum, "American Idol", these artists have what it takes to stand out from the pack. Included in the feature are rock star tips and tales from Gene Simmons, Chris Cornell, Bret Michaels and Dave Navarro, among others.
Here are the Top 10 Albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of December 6 – 12, 2011:
1. Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon LP 2. Deftones – Deftones LP 3. Saves The Day Daybreak LP (White) 4. Hit The Lights – Invicta LP 5. Alkaline Trio – From Here To Infirmary LP 6. Blink 182 – Neighborhoods LP (Blue/White) 7. Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dreams 2XLP 8. Boris – New Album 2XLP 9. Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics LP 10. Thursday – Full Collapse LP
and from their store:
Fucked Up – Year Of The Tiger
Since 2006, Fucked Up have been releasing an annual 12" single on each Chinese New Year. Year Of The Tiger is an anthemic progressive rock masterpiece featuring guests Jim Jarmusch, Annie-Claude Deschênes and Austra. The 15-minute long track features the band's familiar layers of guitar and roaring vocals, taken to a new level with the addition of piano, Jarmusch's dark recitations and Deschênes's gorgeous crescendos, in this menacing but uplifting story about the predation of predators. $1 from the sale of each record donated to the Save The Tiger fund.
Deftones have never been your average hard rock band. As kids, the Sacramento band cut its teeth on Anthrax and The Smiths, Pantera and The Cure, skateboarding and "The Smurfs." As a band out of high school, Deftones mixed trip hop with thrash, melodic vocals with crushing reverb, and yes, pretty with ugly. As chart-toppers and headliners, they've crossed over genres, defied categorization and confused the hell out of your iPod ("Heavy Metal?" "Hard Rock?" "Alternative?")
Finnish dark metallers SOULFALLEN will release their third album, "The Promise Of Hell", on January 18, 2012 via the band's own label, Grave New Music, with distribution from Inverse Records/Supersounds (Finland), Plastic Head (U.K.), Bertus (Holland), Sound Pollution (Sweden), Disk Union (Japan), The End Records (USA), Rebeat (Austria), Non Stop (Switzerland), and LSP/MetalZone (Belgium). The cover artwork was created by Maija Ranka.
ummm. people, it's a stack of old records,....but furniture? i don't think so....this from retrotogo.com
Vinyl Record Table Tower
Over the years, we’ve featured a lot of products made from old records, but I think this Vinyl Record Table Tower is the first piece of furniture.
The table is handmade with over 200 LP's and topped with the record of your choice. There is a choice of two styles, straight or curved. The table is finished with a thick edged polished toughened glass top to protect and add shine to your favourite record.
The table costs £161.50 from Shop on Your Doorstep.
and for you shoppers out there (you can also get the selections from theCVR Blog HERE)
Sony Music & Legacy Recordings Bringing the Ultimate Box Set Experience to Music Lovers of All Ages for the 2011 Holiday Season
THE COLLECTION Series -- Specially Created Digital Box Sets Offering Complete Album Catalogs of World's Top Artists at Holiday-Only Prices -- Now Available On The iTunes Store
NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is bringing the box set experience to music lovers of all ages and tastes this holiday season with the release of incredible value-packed career-spanning collections available in both the physical and digital realms at special holiday-only prices.
SME/Legacy, the world's foremost catalog music label, has long pioneered and championed the box set concept with Grammy Award-winning releases and ongoing popular and critical successes. Whether a simple collection of career-encompassing album titles or a specifically curated selection of tracks, the box set offers listeners a chance to evaluate the depth and complexity of an artist's output, presenting an experience which amplifies and extends the thrill and immediacy of the latest single. For artists who've created a lasting body of work, a well-designed box set is an invaluable experience, for old and new fans alike.
This holiday season, SME/Legacy is bringing the box set to the digital realm with THE COLLECTION available on the iTunes Store, a "multi-disc" one-click digital bundle of albums presenting an artist's album catalog at an incredible holiday-only price. Artists in THE COLLECTION include Alicia Keys (5 titles), Billy Joel (15 titles), Brad Paisley (9 titles), Britney Spears (7 titles), Chevelle (4 titles), Christina Aguilera (6 titles) , Foo Fighters (7 titles), Incubus (6 titles), John Mayer (5 titles), Kings Of Leon (5 titles), Leonard Cohen (11 titles), Sarah McLachlan (8 titles) and Three Days Grace (3 titles).
THE COLLECTION series will include iTunes LPs containing the original artwork and liner notes for each album. Offering new value and convenience to the box set experience, THE COLLECTION will be available online on iTunes beginning Tuesday, December 13.
In addition to THE COLLECTION digital offerings, Legacy Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment is offering great holiday music values in the physical realm with box sets from the world's most iconic and enduring artists.
As digital technology helps restore and archive larger portions of the catalogs of Sony Music's artists, it becomes possible to release rare and previously unreleased material from long-established artists.
Among this season's most luxurious must-have box sets from SME/Legacy:
Tony Bennett - The Complete Collection chronicles the entire career of the great American pop vocalist as documented in the albums and singles he's made for Columbia Records (beginning in 1952 through the present), as well as his recordings for Roulette (an historic encounter with Count Basie and Orchestra in 1959), MGM (1972-73), Improv (Bennett's own label from 1973-76) and Fantasy (a pair of sublime titles with pianist Bill Evans, released in 1975-76) on 73 CDs and 3 DVDs.
Elvis Presley - Young Man with the Big Beat - The Complete '56 Elvis Presley Recordings is a super deluxe 5-CD, 12-inch square box set (with an amazing 80-page book with timeline) focusing on Elvis's studio recordings, from hits to outtakes, alongside live performances and interviews from 1956, the year Elvis (and Rock itself) broke into the pop mainstream. The collection was recently nominated for the year's Best Historical Album Grammy Award.
Jimi Hendrix - Live at Winterland, a four-disc set drawn from six stellar shows recorded over three days (October 10, 11 and 12, 1968) at San Francisco's historic Winterland Ballroom. "Hendrix was a casual slash-and-burn bluesman, a shredder, a gunner, a riffer, a slinger of elevated sustained lines, a feedback screamer and a rhythm guitarist whose chords sang on their own," wrote Jon Pareles in The New York Times 2011 holiday box set round-up. "These are prime performances, spontaneous and searing."
Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1, a 3 CD + DVD set culled from original state-owned television and radio sources in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, spanning five northern European festival performances over the course of nine days in October-November 1967. The audio shows consist entirely of previously unreleased or previously only bootlegged material.
Phil Spector Presents The Philles Album Collection, a 7 CD box set representing the most expansive collection ever to celebrate Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound productions, "Tomorrow's Sound Today." Released in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Philles Records label (1961-2011), this new box set eclipses all previous collections in its scope, gathering in mini-replica LP sleeves the first six original Philles albums from 1962-1964 (five by the Crystals, the Ronettes, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, plus the timeless Today's Hits), and a brand-new CD of Spector's never-before-collected instrumental B-sides. Legacy Recordings has also released The Essential Phil Spector, a brand-new 35-song, double-CD collection gathering Spector's game-changing recordings from his peak hit-making years from the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is to Love Him" through the litany of 23 hits on the Philles label.
Other SME/Legacy Recordings Box Sets for 2011 include:
WYNTON MARSALIS - Swinging Into The 21st
11-Disc set / Price: $ 79.99
Columbia / Legacy
Available at Popmarket.com
and WyntonMarsalis.org
LEONARD COHEN - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection
17-Disc set / Price: $ 139.99
Columbia / Legacy
Available Exclusively at Popmarket.com
VARIOUS ARTISTS - 15 Minutes: Homage to Andy Warhol
3-CD, 4-LP + 17 12"X12" art prints / Price: $600
(Standard Edition) and $20,000 (Deluxe Edition)
Legacy Recordings
Available at Fifteenminutesonline.com
BEN FOLDS - The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
3-CD set / Price: $22.98
Epic/Legacy
ALICIA KEYS - songs in A minor: 10th Anniversary Edition
2-CD, 1-DVD set / Price: $29.99
MBK / J Records / Legacy
OZZY OSBOURNE - Blizzard of Ozz & Diary of a Madman: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Collector's Box
3-CD, 2-LP, 1-DVD set / Price: $149.99
Epic / Legacy
Available at Ozzy.com
ROBERT JOHNSON - The Complete Original Masters: Centennial Edition
12-Vinyl, 4-CD, 1-DVD + book / Price: $349.00
Columbia/ Legacy
Available at TheCompleteRobertJohnson.com
ROY ORBISON - The Monument Singles Collection (1960-1964)
2-CD, 1-DVD set / Price: $29.98
Monument / Orbison Records / Legacy
PEARL JAM - vs. and Vitalogy: Limited Edition Collector's Box Set
5-LP, 3-CD, 1-Cassette / Price: $150.00
Epic / Legacy
Available at PearlJam.com
ARETHA FRANKLIN - Take A Look: Aretha Franklin Complete on Columbia
11-CD, 1-DVD set / Price: $129.99
Columbia / Legacy
Available at ArethaFranklin.net
GEORGE MICHAEL - Faith: Deluxe Edition
2-CD, 1-LP, 1-DVD set / Price: $173.92 (Amazon)
Epic / Legacy
Available at Amazon.com
Special edition also available at Amazon.com
SOURCE Legacy Recordings
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in music history for december 13th:
In 1928, George Gershwin's musical work "An American in Paris" was given its premiere by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 1960, Elvis Presley's "It's Now Or Never" sets a new record in the UK for achieving one million sales just six weeks after its release.
In 1961, the Beatles performed at the Cavern Club, Liverpool, playing two shows at lunchtime and then again at night. Decca Records’ Mike Smith attended the night performance with a view to offering The Beatles a recording contract.
In 1962, Elvis Presley had his 13th UK #1 single with "Return To Sender."
In 1962, after scoring a US Top 20 hit with "She Can't Find Her Keys" earlier in the year, 17 year old Paul Peterson re-entered the charts with "My Dad", which would reach #6. The former Disney Mouseketeer and cast member of the TV's Donna Reed Show would go on to found A Minor Consideration, an organization committed to changing the working conditions for child performers.
In 1966, Jimi Hendrix made his TV debut on ITV’s Ready Steady Go! (Marc Bolan was also on the show).
On the same day, Jimi Hendrix recorded "Foxy Lady." The title of this song has two alternate spellings: "Foxey Lady" (for release in America) and "Foxy Lady" (for release in the UK).
"Foxy Lady" was released as a single in the United States on November 27th, 1967, and was backed with "Hey Joe."
Throughout Hendrix's career "Foxy Lady" was one of the most frequently played songs, appearing in the majority of his live set lists. It was first performed as early as January 1967, appeared in the middle of Hendrix's last ever performance on September 6th, 1970 and was one of only eight songs to have been performed by all four of Jimi's main bands.
The single is from their 1967 album 'Are You Experienced.' It can also be found on a number of Hendrix's greatest hits compilations, including Smash Hits (1968/1969) and Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix (1997). Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at #152 in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
In 1969, Bob Dylan was pictured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
In 1974, George Harrison had lunch with U.S. President Gerald Ford at the White House. They exchanged buttons: Ford gave George a WIN (Whip Inflation Now) pin and Harrison gave the president an OM (Hindu mantra word expressing creation) button. Later in the day, Ford met with Peter Frampton.
In 1975, the Rolling Stones' request to stage a three-day show on Easter Island for 100,000 fans was denied by the government of Chile which claimed "the whole future of the island" would be damaged by such an event.
David Bowie's "Golden Years" was released in 1975.
In 1975, Foghat's "Slow Ride" was released.
In 1985, Phil Collins made his U.S. TV acting debut on Miami Vice playing a drug dealer.
In 1986, Bruce Hornsby and The Range went to #1 on the US singles chart with “The Way it Is,” a #15 hit in the UK.
In 1999, the performing rights organization Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) declared "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" the most played song of the century on American radio and television, with more than eight million airings. The original and most famous recording of the song is by the Righteous Brothers. "Never My Love" was the second most-played song, followed by "Yesterday," "Stand By Me," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." Rounding out the Top Ten were "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay," "Mrs. Robinson," "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Rhythm Of The Rain," and "Georgia On My Mind."
In 2000, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Aerosmith, Queen, Steely Dan, Solomon Burke, Richie Valens and the Flamingos would be inducted in 2001.
In 2001, the two surviving members of Nirvana, Krist Novoselic and David Grohl, filed a countersuit against Courtney Love. The charge was that she has manipulated the memory and work of her dead husband, Kirk Cobain, for the benefit of her own career.
In 2002, guitarist and singer Zal Yanovsky of The Lovin’ Spoonful died of a heart attack. He was a member of The Mugwumps with Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot. He formed The Lovin’ Spoonful with John Sebastian in 1964. They scored the 1966 US #1 and UK #8 single “Summer in the City.”
In 2004, ABC-TV announced that Dick Clark would not be able to host his annual "Rockin' New Year's Eve" broadcast due to a stroke he suffered on December 8th.
In 2005, a check signed by John Lennon made out to the Inland Revenue sold for £2,000 at a U.K. auction. It was sold by former madam Lindi St. Clair, (formerly known as Miss Whiplash), after she decided she had no use for it. St. Clair, who now runs a duck farm in Herefordshire, had bought the check for £4,000 in 1988. It was signed by Lennon on January 23, 1968 on a District Bank Limited form and made out for £6,946.
In 2006, in New York City, police arrested Koral Karsan and charged him with attempted first-degree grand larceny for allegedly trying to extort $2 million from John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The 50-year-old Karsan had been Ono's chauffeur for more than six years.
In 2010, also in New York, Paul McCartney performed an intimate concert for 1,400 people at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, as part of Sirius XM Radio's celebrations on acquiring 20 million subscribers. The planned 22-song set was followed by two encores of three songs each. Celebrities in attendance included Keith Richards, Jerry Seinfeld, Simon Le Bon, Kevin Bacon, Tony Bennett, Alec Baldwin, John McEnroe and Howard Stern. McCartney told the audience, "I just want to just soak in the Apollo. I've dreamed of playing here for many a year. This is very special for us British boys. The holy grail."
birthdays today include (among others): Robert Martinez (? & the Mysterians) (66), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers) (63), Berton Averre (Knack) (58), John Anderson (57), Steve Forbert (57), Morris Day (The Time) (54), Dana Strum (Slaughter) (53), Nick McCarthy (Franz Ferdinand) (37), Tom DeLonge (Blink-182) (36), Amy Lee (Evanescence) (30) and the one and only Ted Nugent (63)
Slow music release week this week, although I wouldn't mind picking up two Captain Beefheart vinyl reissues (Doc at the Radar Station and Ice Cream for Crow), a vinyl reissue by the Grateful Dead (Built to Last) or the Monkees vinyl reissue of their Greatest Hits
On my vinyl radar are vinyl record releases from Pete Shelley with Sky Yen, a double LP set from Sunn O))) Meets Nurse With Wound (The Iron Soul of Nothing), Amy Winehouse's double LP called Hidden Treasures, Lou Reed and Metallica 's Lulu (180 gram vinyl), Sally Smmit and Her Musicians with Hangahar and Birds of Passage with Winter Lady.
Looking for new and reissued vinyl? Please support the CVR Blog and buy it at insound!
1000Names - Invisible Architect (2-LPs) (vinyl)
Air Cav - Don't Look Indoors
Amy Winehouse - Hidden Treasures (2-LPs) (vinyl)
Anarchist Republic of Bzzz - Anarchistic Republic of Bzzz
Anthony Hamilton - Back To Love
AraabMuzik - Electronic Dream (deluxe edition)
Benni Hemm Hemm - Ff Ekki Cc (vinyl)
Bill Wells - Lemondale (vinyl)
Birds of Passage - Winter Lady (vinyl)
Bowling For Soup - Merry Flippin' Christmas Volumes 1 & 2
Brand New - Your Favorite Weapon (vinyl)
C Joynes - Congo
Captain Beefheart - Doc at the Radar Station (reissue) (vinyl)
Captain Beefheart - Ice Cream for Crow (reissue) (vinyl)
Carl Perkins - Dance Album/Whole Lotta Shakin'
Carter Burwell - The Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn - Part 1, The Score
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Stage Whisper
Crosby Stills & Nash - Crosby, Stills & Nash (Gold CD)
Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune (vinyl)
Daphne Oram - The Oram Tapes Volume One (4-LPs) (vinyl)
Dome - 1-4+5 (5-LPs) (vinyl)
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - So Many Things
Elektro Guzzi - Parquet
Esperanza - Esperanza
Eyvind Kang - Visible Breath (vinyl)
Fairewell - Poor, Poor Grendel
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Thuggin (EP)
Fruit Bats - Echolocation (vinyl)
Gaiser Presents Void - No Sudden Movements
Gallows - Birth Is Death (EP)
Gary Numan -1980-81 (5-LPs) (vinyl)
Gary Wright - The Dream Weaver (Gold CD)
George Jackson - Don't Count Me Out: The Fame Recordings Volume 1
Giant Sand - Chore of Enchantment (remastered) (vinyl)
Gnaw Their Tongues - Per Flagellum Sanguemque, Tenebras Veneramus
Graham Repulski - My Color Is Red
Grateful Dead - Built to Last (reissue) (vinyl)
Gregory Isaacs - Mr. Brown
Gucci Mane & V-Nasty - BAYTL
Hans Zimmer - Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (soundtrack)
Hundreds - Hundreds (vinyl)
Jai McDowall - Believe
Jimmy Donley - In The Key Of Heartbreak: The Complete Tear Drop Singles And More (2 CDs)
Jonsi - We Bought A Zoo (soundtrack)
Josh Ritter - Live At The Iveagh Gardens
Keepaway - Black Flute
Kool & the Gang - Hits: Reloaded
Kurt Von Stetten - Cyclops
La Vampires Ft. Matrix Metals - So Unreal
Laura Gibson - La Grande (vinyl)
Lemonheads - Laughing All The Way To The Cleaners
Lou Reed and Metallica - Lulu (vinyl)
Mark Fell - Periodic Orbits of A Dynamic System Related to a Knot (vinyl)
Marvelettes - Forever More: Complete Motown Albums, Volume 2
Mastodon - Remission
Michael Martin Murphey - America's Horses
Moby - Destroyed (deluxe edition)
Monkees - Greatest Hits (vinyl)
Morphine - Cure For Pain (vinyl)
Muslimgauze - Souk Bou Saad
Nat King Cole - Best of
Naughty By Nature - Anthem Inc
Nero - Welcome Reality
Omar Souleyman - Leh Jani (2-LPs) (vinyl)
Othin Spake - The Nethack Dictionary (vinyl)
Paper Dollhouse - A Box Painted Black (vinyl)
Pete Shelley - Sky Yen (vinyl)
Queen - Royal Orb USB Limited Edition Premium Box Set
Rainer Maria - Rainer Maria (box set)
Raleigh Moncriff - Watered Lawn (vinyl)
Rammstein - Made In Germany, 1995-2011
Rapper Big Pooh - Dirty Pretty Things
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (2 LPs) (vinyl)
Rodney Crowell - But What Will the Neighbors Think
Sally Smmit and Her Musicians - Hangahar (vinyl)
Scala & Kolcany Brothers - Scala & Kolcany Brothers
Slow Moving Millie - Renditions
Smokey Robinson - Solo Albums, Volume 6
Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - Mac and Devin Go to High School (soundtrack)
Souvaris - Souvaris
Strange Men in Sheds With Spanners - Strange Men in Sheds With Spanners (vinyl)
Sunn O))) Meets Nurse With Wound - The Iron Soul of Nothing (2-LPs) (vinyl)
Swahili Blonde - Psycho Tropical Ballet Pink (vinyl)
Swod - Drei
The Callas - Objekt (vinyl)
The Howling Hex - Wilson Semiconductors (vinyl)
The Thirteenth Assembly - Station Direct
Thee American Revolution - Buddha Electrostorm (vinyl)
Tori Amos - Sin Palabras
Travis Tritt - Ten Feet Tall & Bulletproof
Various Artists - The Original Sounds of Cumbia (2 CDs)
Various Artists - Please, Please, Please: A Tribute to the Smiths
Various Artists - Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party
Wives - Roy Tapes (vinyl)
Wold - Freermasonry
Yui Onodera & The Beautiful - Schizophrenic
Zomby - Nothing
Jason Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem" The Most-Played Song of the Year, 900 Million Songs Played in 2011
NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TouchTunes Interactive Networks, the largest interactive in-venue entertainment network in North America, today released its top songs and artists of 2011. The results, based on an analysis of over 900 million songs played across TouchTunes' network of 50,000 in-venue music systems, revealed that consumers choose a mix of newly released and classic songs to listen to when they're out in a social setting.
TouchTunes' top played song of the year across every genre was country superstar Jason Aldean's hit single "Dirt Road Anthem." Other notable songs to make TouchTunes' 2011 Top 10 most played list includes Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," Eric Church's "Smoke a Little Smoke" and Kid Rock's "All Summer Long."
"Having the #1 song of the year running on TouchTunes jukeboxes is a cool thing for me. It means my songs are being played in most every bar and honky tonk in the country," stated Jason Aldean. "Those are the kinds of places I used to have gigs when I was a teenager down in Georgia. It's a really cool full circle kind of moment."
Jason Aldean was also the third most played artist on the network, surpassed only by long time fan favorites AC/DC, who was the second most played, and Kid Rock, who was the most played overall. Other top artists on TouchTunes in 2011 include Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
"It's always fun to look at the most played songs and artists on our network," said Vicki Saunders, TouchTunes Vice President, Music Marketing. "TouchTunes provides fans with a unique listening experience, and gives them a chance to find that one perfect song that will set the mood for their night out. For many this year, Jason Aldean did just that."
More information on TouchTunes top music plays of 2011 is available here: www.touchtunes.com
2011 Top 10 Played Songs:
1. Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
2. Rolling in the Deep – Adele
3. Smoke A Little Smoke – Eric Church
4. All Summer Long – Kid Rock
5. Chicken Fried- Zac Brown Band
6. Down On Me (ft. 50 Cent) – Jeremih
7. Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
8. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan
9. Somewhere With You – Kenny Chesney
10. Rockstar – Nickelback
2011 Top 10 Artists
1. Kid Rock
2. AC/DC
3. Jason Aldean
4. Toby Keith
5. Johnny Cash
6. Nickelback
7. Zac Brown Band
8. Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Rolling Stones
10. Metallica
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DEEP PURPLE, EDGUY, HELLOWEEN, KROKUS Members Featured On 'Help! For Japan' Charity EP
Some of Europe's leading rock artists — including current and former members of DEEP PURPLE, EDGUY, HELLOWEEN, GOTTHARD, MAGNUM, KROKUS and TNT — have joined a campaign initiated by singer Tommy Heart (SOUL DOCTOR, FAIR WARNING) to raise money for the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated Japan's northeast coast this past March. The musicians have recorded a cover version of the classic THE BEATLES song "Help" for an EP entitled "Help! For Japan", which will be released in Europe on the German label Avenue Of Allies in early March 2012. All proceeds from the sales of this project will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.
In 1896, Guglielmo Marconi gave the first public demonstration of radio at Toynbee Hall, London
In 1901, Marconi's first transatlantic radio signal, sent from Cornwall, England, was received by Percy Paget in St. John's, Newfoundland.
The immortal Frank Sinatra was born on this date in 1915 (died May 14, 1998)
In 1955, in New York, Bill Haley And His Comets recorded "See You Later, Alligator," popularizing a catchphrase already in use at the time. It became Haley's third and final million-selling single.
In 1957, disc Jockey Al Priddy of KEX, Portland, Oregon, was fired for playing Elvis Presley's rendition of "White Christmas." He had violated the radio station's ban against the song.
In 1959, after being overtaken as the best selling record in the US for a couple of weeks, Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" returned to the top spot on the Cashbox chart. It is a feat that is seldom duplicated.
In 1963, 'John Fitzgerald Kennedy - A Memorial Album' became the fastest-selling album in history, selling four million copies at 99 cents each in six days. The tribute was recorded on the day of President Kennedy's assassination.
In 1964, Bobby Vinton scored his fourth Billboard chart topper with "Mr. Lonely." It was a song that Bobby co-wrote and had added to his Greatest Hits album as a filler, but the track was quickly released as a single when it started to get airplay.
Also in 1964, the Zombies reached their highest point on the Billboard Pop chart when "She's Not There" topped out at #2. Although they recorded the track in just one take, it would stay on the Hot 100 for 3 months and climbed to #12 in the UK.
"Love the One You're With" by Steven Stills was released in 1970. Stills wrote the song after being inspired by the tag line -- "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" which was a frequent remark by musician Billy Preston. Stills asked him for permission to use the line in a song which Preston immediately agreed to.
In 1970, the Doors played their last concert with Jim Morrison as lead singer, at the Warehouse in New Orleans. Band members Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger and John Densmore would later recall watching Jim Morrison lose "all his energy" as the show came to a close.
In 1970, although they had enjoyed 26 previous Top 40 Hits, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles reached number one on the Billboard Pop chart for the first time with "The Tears Of A Clown". It was also a #1 in the UK.
In 1971, filming began on the Diana Ross movie, 'Lady Sings the Blues.'
In 1974, saying that he felt that now was the time to move on and do something new, Mick Taylor quit The Rolling Stones 5½ years after replacing Brian Jones as lead guitarist. Former Faces member, Ron Wood would be named to take his place.
In 1982, Karen Carpenter made her last public appearance, singing Christmas carols at Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California.
In 1985, Ian Stewart, the "Pete Best" of The Rolling Stones, died of a heart attack in his doctor's waiting room. He left the band in May of 1963 when manager Andrew Loog Oldham felt that he didn't fit the bad boy image of the group, but continued to work with them as a road manager and played keyboards on most of The Stones' essential albums from the 1960s until the 1980s.
On this day in 1986, "Walk Like An Egyptian" by the Bangles was the #1 song.
In 1991, Cynthia Lennon, as well as Sean and Yoko Ono attended the funeral of John Lennon's Aunt Mimi. Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all sent floral arrangements. During the service, the funeral home played "Imagine".
In 1998, a seven inch single by The Quarry Men featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison was named as the rarest record of all time. Only 50 copies were made with each one being valued at £10,000 ($20,500).
In 2000, Tony Bennett commemorated the birthday of the late-Frank Sinatra by announcing the September 2001 opening of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
In 2001, Arthur Lee of Love was released from prison after serving six years of an eleven-year sentence for possession of a firearm and firing it in the air in a dispute with his neighbor.
In 2001, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic countersue Courtney Love who had previously sued Universal Music Group saying all of Nirvanna's rights reverted to her after the death of Kurt Cobain.
In 2002, Les Paul announced he would be donating 2,000 records and pieces of sheet music along with other memorabilia for an exhibit in his hometown of Waukesha, WI.
In 2003, Mick Jagger was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Jagger's 92 year-old father was in attendance to see his son receive the award.
In 2007, a copy of John Lennon's book, 'A Spaniard in the Works,' which contained a lock of Lennon's hair, sold at Gorringes Auction House for $48,000. Lennon gave the book and the hair to Betty Glasow, the Fab Four's hairdresser during their heyday. He wrote in the book, "To Betty, Lots of Love and Hair, John Lennon xx."
Also in 2007, Ike Turner, whose role as one of Rock and Roll's most innovative architects was overshadowed by his image as the man who abused his former wife and singing partner Tina Turner, suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 76.
birthdays today include (among others): Connie Francis (73), Eric Schenkman (Spin Doctors) (48), Terry Kirkman (Association) (72), Dionne Warwick (71), Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) (68), Ralph Scala (Blues Magoos) (64), Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne) (63), Sheila E. (born Sheila Escovedo) (54) and Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull) (65)
Here is the month in review of the top selling ebay vinyl record sales, on a weekly basis, for November 2011. First and foremost, a special thank you to Norm and Jane at Vinyl Record Talk. Be sure to listen to their popular radio show Vinyl Record Talk for more information about the weekly top 5, vinyl record news and as well as weekly guests.
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/05/2011
It's a Cure sandwich this week with a Cure acetate getting the #1 spot and a French 45 getting the #5. Inbetween are all LPs. "Please Please Me" is hardly a suprise anymore. The Captain Marryat record has shown up on the Top 5 twice before, once in '08 and again in '09, where each time it sold for around $4k. It's a rare Prog record out of Scotland from the early 70s.
1. 45 - The Cure "Killing An Arab" Acetate single-sided - $4,006.48
2. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone 3rd Stereo Pressing - $3,677.97
3. LP - Juta Hipp "self titled" Blue Note 1530 - $2,678.00
5. 45 - The Cure "Foxy Lady" / "Saturday Night" Polydor French Pressing - $2,151.77
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/12/2011
All 45s this week and the top three are soul or funk 45s, and the bottom two are KBD punk records. Seems the Chicago discovery from the previous week has woken up bidders.
1. 45 - Two Plus Two "I'm Sure" / "Look Around" Velgo - $4,550.00
2. 45 - Sandi & Matues "The World, Part 1" / "The World, Part 2" Matues - $3,383.00
4. EP - The Necros "Sex Drive" Touch and Go - $3,650.00
5. 45 - The Fix "Vengence" / "In This Town" Touch and Go - $3,516.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/19/2011
The #1 record this week is a known entity that first sold at Christie's in London in 2002. It was signed at Brian Epstein's NEMS record store in 1963, at one of only three Beatles record store signings, and included an original bag from NEMS. The Beatles also take the next two spots, before an African pressing of the Sex Pistols most famous single and 78 from Robert Johnson finish out the list.
1. 45 - The Beatles "Please Please Me" / "Ask Me Why" Parlophone UK Signed Authenticated - $12,631.20
2. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Stereo Pressing - $5,183.53
3. LP - The Beatles MFSL Box Set - $4,149.99
4. 45 - The Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "Did You No Wrong" Gallo Zimbabwe - $3,947.25
5. 78 - Robert Johnson "Walking Blues" / "Sweet Home Chicago" Vocalion - $3,550.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/26/2011
Santa always takes care of The Beatles and Elvis during the holidays. But this week's list also has some odd treasures. The D A Hunt blues 78 topped the list back in August of '09 selling for over $10k. Mellow Candle and The Churchills are two psychedelic holy grails.
1. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay Adback - $5,000.00
2. 78 - D A Hunt "Greyhound Blues" / "Lonesome Old Jail" Sun 183 - $4,500.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales ~ Week Ending 12/03/2011
Beatlemania is re-surging in auctions all over. The Beatles take three of five spots this week, with two "Please Please Me" records and an export "White Album".
1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone Stereo UK 2nd Pressing - $5,146.50
DEAR HOWARD: Your friend is telling it like it is, making album sales by groups just one more example of how the Beatles changed everything.
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