Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

first and foremost, the CVR Blog wants to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. I will be taking a couple of days off to enjoy time with my family. Next post will be on Monday the 26th, in the meantime, catch up on some earlier posts!








personally, i love her work and her efforts:

Proceeds from Angelina Jolie's In the Land of Blood and Honey Soundtrack to Benefit SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia

Music from movie will benefit at-risk children through SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Angelina Jolie, Graham King Films and Varese Sarabande Records today announced that a portion of the proceeds from the In the Land of Blood and Honey soundtrack will be donated to SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The donation is given in support of the critically needed programs that SOS Children's Villages provides in Bosnia and Herzegovina to children, youth and families still suffering from lingering effects of the 1990s war in the Balkans. In her directorial debut, Ms. Jolie worked with actors from the region whose personal experiences during the war helped inform and shape the film.

Ms. Jolie stated, "We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film's soundtrack will support SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them."

SOS Children's Villages National Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Amir Omanovic, is grateful for this generous support. He explained, "The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was indeed a horrific event. Every family in Bosnia was affected by the war. Children suffered the most. Many were lost...left without parents and with no system to hold on to. SOS Children's Villages responded by providing family-based care to children who had lost their biological families. Those children are adults now and their SOS Mothers, brothers and sisters have become family through the years of their upbringing. We are thankful that this donation will help us continue to provide healing programs to the next generation of children in Bosnia and Herzegovina.''

Proceeds from the soundtrack will be used to help fund SOS Children's Villages programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In SOS Children's Villages around the world, children who have no family to care for them are raised in a loving, nurturing family with SOS brothers and sisters headed by an SOS Mother. In Bosnia, 280 children and youth are growing up in SOS Children's Villages homes in Sarajevo and Gracanica. Nearly 7,000 more benefit from additional SOS programs in Bosnia including family strengthening, child care, education, vocational training and social services.

The soundtrack from In the Land of Blood and Honey was produced by Angelina Jolie, Robert Townson and Academy Award-winning composer Gabriel Yared. The soundtrack echoes themes from the film and includes a selection of songs from the Balkans. Two featured songs are Miss Sarajevo and When The Heart Dies. First released by U2 in 1995, Miss Sarajevo is performed by Luciano Pavarotti and Passengers. When The Heart Dies, by award winning composer Gabriel Yared is performed by acclaimed singer and actress Natasa Mirkovic-De Ro and also features Rade Serbedzija, Dado Dzihan and BOMBAJ STAMPA. The soundtrack is currently available through iTunes and the CD will be released on January 10, 2012.

About SOS Children's Villages

For over 60 years, SOS Children's Villages has been dedicated to providing family-based, long-term care to children who can no longer grow up with their biological families. They also focus on preventing the conditions that cause children to be orphaned and abandoned. Through its Children's Villages and Family Strengthening Programs, SOS impacts the lives of over 1 million people each year. SOS Children's Villages has received numerous awards including the Save the World Award, the Mother Teresa Gold Medal, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, and the Vietnam Friendship Medal. For more information about SOS Children's Villages or to make a donation, visit www.sos-childrensvillages.org.

SOURCE SOS Children's Villages

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Stars Come Together for Music Video "A Merry Christmas," Proceeds to Benefit Bright Future International Children's Fund

Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Larry King, Ray J and Others Join Together for a Good Cause

CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This holiday season, celebrities and children came together for "A Merry Christmas" music video, which features stars like Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Larry King, Ray J, Jordin Sparks, Jermaine Jackson, Mystery Guitar Man, DeStorm, Irina Slutskaya, the Bolshoi Ballet and others. The music video is set to premiere right before Christmas on Friday, December 23rd, and you can view the teaser video at http://youtu.be/T-vo2wokBRU. Proceeds from single sales will benefit Bright Future International (BFI), a charitable organization that funds programs for underprivileged children around the world.

The music video begins with a little boy and girl communicating with each other from opposite sides of the world. The boy wishes the girl "A Merry Christmas" in the form of song, and despite language barriers and many miles, they are connected through this tune. The song garners attentions from children and celebrities around the world, each of them adding their own special harmony.

Tying in with BFI's mission, the concept of the music video is to promote community and peace by uniting people around the world regardless of race, religion or social status, and to have children play a major role in this.

LINKS

Watch the Teaser Video on YouTube  

Buy The Single on iTunes

ABOUT BRIGHT FUTURE INTERNATIONAL

Bright Future International (BFI) is a charitable organization helping children around the world achieve a better future by promoting compassion, values, hope, knowledge, and a desire to help others. Currently, BFI funds after school programs for underprivileged children in Russia, Panama, Rwanda and Burundi. In 2012, BFI will also be launching programs in Kenya and the U.S.

SOURCE Bright Future International

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this news (and some wicked cover art) from relapse.com

Bolt Thrower

Honour Valour Pride 2xLP 

Release date 1/31/12

The last three albums from British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER "Mercenary" (1998), "Honour-Valour-Pride" (2001) and "Those Once Loyal" (2005) will be reissued on vinyl in the U.S. on January 31st, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. All three albums will be released as gatefold sleeves in black vinyl, limited to 1000 units initial pressing each.

Buy HERE















Pre-Order Spawn of Possession

Incurso CD 3/13/12

The wait is over. ‘Incurso’, Spawn Of Possession’s Relapse debut and first new record in over five years is a headspinning masterpiece of technically brutal death metal. Featuring current and former members of tech-titans Necrophagist and Obscura, Spawn Of Possession absolutely annihilate with ‘Incurso’. Devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex and sophisticated songwriting all combine to create an opus of next level death metal. Spawn Of Possession’s ‘Incurso’ is simultaneously fresh and instantly classic, an immediate landmark in the death metal canon.

Buy HERE













Abysmal Dawn

From Ashes (Reissue) CD

ABYSMAL DAWN’s first album From Ashes was one of the top death metal debuts of the past decade. The Los Angeles quartet's mix of classic death metal brutality, melodic flourishes, and impeccable soloing with a modern delivery made them a must watch band for the next generation of extreme metal connoisseurs. Remastered and featuring three bonus tracks, From Ashes exposes this sorely underrated effort from one of the best new American metal bands.

Buy HERE













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Beyond Terror Beyond Grace Reveal Album Details

Australia's Beyond Terror Beyond Grace has issued an announcement about the band's forthcoming new album:

 "We're proud to unveil the cover art and tracklisting from our forthcoming album 'Nadir'. We again worked with Colin Marks from Rainsong Design for the album artwork and booklet and feel he has done a fantastic job. Expect a label press release along with the official release date next week, and another track available to stream. Not long now folks!"


Tracklist:

1. Dusk
2. Requiem for the Grey (featuring Rob Allen of Encircling Sea, The Abandonment)
3. Throatless Sirens
4. Nadir
5. Embracing Null
6. The Blood of Time (featuring Jason Netherton of Misery Index & Rob Allen)
7. Pathea


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Chiddy Bang Announce Release For Debut Album

Chiddy Bang have revealed the cover art and track list for the new record, due out on February 28th . ‘Breakfast’ will have12 songs including the group’s singles ‘Mind Your Manners’ and ‘Ray Charles’ as well as ‘Baby Roulette’ which features the Grammy-award winning rock-band Train.

Tracklist
1. ‘Breakfast’
2. ‘Handclaps & Guitars’
3. ‘Mind Your Manners’
4. ‘Ray Charles’
5. ‘Does She Love Me’
6. ‘Run It Back’
7. ‘Out 2 Space’
8. ‘Whatever We Want’
9. ‘Talking To Myself’
10. ‘Happening’
11. ‘Baby Roulette’
12. ’4th Quarter’



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interesting story

If CD format is dying, will any music fans mourn their compact discs?

By: Nick Patch, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - It was just over 29 years ago that the compact disc was first made widely available to the public, a much-hyped new format that — we were told — was certain to sound vinyl's death knell with crisp digital clarity.

And in the coming decades, CDs did flourish, with music listeners rushing to clear shelf space for stacks of jewel cases (in hindsight, could they have had a more ridiculous name?). But the second part of that '80s prognostication never really came true. Vinyl only ever died just enough so that it could be revived — with holdout music-loving purists clinging to the old things with such relentless resolve that the format has actually enjoyed a gradual resurgence in recent years.

That growth — marginal as it is — has come at the expense of CDs, now the dinosaur format fading into irrelevance as analysts point to a future that will apparently reside in streams, hard-drives or, perhaps, in the Cloud. According to a report in Side Line Music Magazine that created a stir in October, major labels are even planning to phase the CD out by the end of 2012 in favour of digital-only releases, almost 30 years after Billy Joel's "52nd Street" became the first commercial album to be released on CD in Japan.

So, major labels are reportedly musing on their CD exit strategy, major retailers such as HMV are desperately clearing discs from their shelves and many serious music fans — and stores — have already shifted their focus to vinyl.

Read the rest at brandonsun.com

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as with all 'best of list' there are certainly some of them that wouldn't make my top 100, let alone top 50. check it out at pastemagazine.com

Paste Magazine – 50 Best Album Covers of 2011

paste-magazine-50-best-album-covers-of-2011










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again another list, warning there are some really bad album covers!

Worst album covers of the year | 2011 in review


worst-album-covers-of-the-year-2011

















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Top Albums for 2011: Live and Reissue Edition

by Nick DeRiso

Live albums and reissue projects often do much to shape the broader idea we have about a musical legacy, and this year was no different — with impressive sets devoted to Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings and the Smiths along with key live dates from the Rolling Stones, Freddie Hubbard, Levon Helm and Rockpile, among others.

Here are my Top 10 selections for 2011, along with five key honorable mentions …

See the list at somethingelsereviews.com

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Top Tours of 2011

U2 played to approximately 2.8 million people in the US and Africa during the year. New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi took in more than $192 million on attendance of about 1.8 million fans, British pop vocal group Take That's reunion tour grossed $185 million, and founding Pink Floyd member Roger Waters' "The Wall Live" earned almost $150 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

1. U2, $293 million
2. Bon Jovi, $192 million
3. Take That, $185 million
4. Roger Waters, $150 million
5. Taylor Swift, $97 million
6. Kenny Chesney, $84.5 million
7. Usher, $75 million
8. Lady Gaga, $72 million
9. André Rieu, $67 million
10. Sade, $53 million
11. Michael Bublé, $50 million
12. Eagles, $50 million
13. Katy Perry, $49 million
14. Lil Wayne, $46 million
15. Justin Bieber, $44 million
16. Glee Live! In Concert!, $40 million
17. NKOTBSB, $40 million
18. Journey, $40 million
19. Britney Spears, $37 million
20. Iron Maiden, $33 million
21. Kylie Minogue, $32.5 million
22. Neil Diamond, $31 million
23. Enrique Iglesias, $30 million
24. Jason Aldean, $28 million
25. Toby Keith, $27 million

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never get tired of these videos!

Vinyl Records Making Comeback in Cleveland



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and in music history for december 23rd:

In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the first orchestral concert, the first program of dance music, the first radio talk program, and the first regular bulletin of general news from London, provided by the Reuters news source.

In 1957, the Champs recorded "Tequila." "Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day. The track would be the Champs' only hit song, relegating them to one-hit wonder status.

In 1957, Gene Autry's record label, Challenge Records, signed Dave Burgess (born 1934), a rockabilly singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupree." At the end of 1957, having produced no hits, Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, Cliff Hills on bass guitar, the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce), and Huelyn Duvall contributing backing vocals. They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere," a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock."

The last song recorded was "Tequila," essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. There were three takes, and Daniel Flores (d September 19, 2006), who wrote the song, was also the man who actually spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the song's trademark "dirty sax" solo. The song served as the B-side for "Train to Nowhere," which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in Cleveland played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching #1 on the Billboard chart on March 28, 1958.

Daniel Flores had written "Tequila," but, because he was signed to another label, the song was credited to "Chuck Rio," a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically formed after recording its most famous song.



In 1959, in St. Louis, Chuck Berry was arrested after Janice Norine, a 14-year old Apache girl he'd brought in from Mexico was revealed to be a prostitute. Berry claimed she was hired to be a hatcheck girl at his nightclub. Under the Mann Act in the U.S., which makes it illegal to transport a minor across state lines for immoral purposes, Berry was sentenced to five years in prison. The charges were eventually dropped after the judge allegedly made racist remarks.

In 1964, the Beach Boys performed "Little Saint Nick" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" in their first appearance on ABC-TV's "Shindig!" That night during their flight from Los Angeles to a concert in Houston, Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown which led to his immediate retirement from touring. Studio musician Glen Campbell, who had performed on several Beach Boys recordings, was hired to take his place on stage, and eventually was replaced by Bruce Johnston who became a permanent member of the group.

Also in 1964, pirate radio station Radio London started broadcasting.

In 1966, the UFO club, London's premiere psychedelic hangout, opened with Pink Floyd as the house band.

Also in 1966, in the UK, after it was announced that union rules would be enforced barring lip-syncing by musicians on television, the ITV musical program "Ready Steady Go!" aired its last show, featuring the Who, Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, the Spencer Davis Group, Donovan, and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich.

In 1968, at Apple's Christmas party, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, handed out presents to the children of the staff.

In 1969, for the first time Elton John met with what became his classic behind-the-scenes team – songwriter Bernie Taupin, arranger Paul Buckmaster, and producer Gus Dudgeon – to begin work on his first solo album.

In 1972, John Lennon's film "Imagine" premiered on national TV.

Also in 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York, ex-Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight showed up at the band's scheduled concert with a court order allowing him to seize $1 million in money and/or assets owed to him by Grand Funk. Realizing that the band couldn't get paid if they didn't perform, Knight and deputy sheriffs waited for the end of the concert to impound the band's instruments and equipment.

In 1974, George Harrison released a holiday single, "Ding Dong, Ding Dong."

In 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusef Islam.

In 1978, Rod Stewart gets in on the Disco craze when "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" was released. It would rise to the top of the Billboard chart during an 18 week run. the worst song on the planet.....

In 1985, two Judas Priest fans shot themselves after listening to the album Stained Class.

In 1987, Roger Waters and David Gilmour settled their differences allowing Waters to perform as Pink Floyd and Gilmour to receive royalties.

In 1992, guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Eddie Hazel, lead guitarist of Parliament/Funkadelic, died from internal bleeding and liver failure at 42.

In 1994, singer Dan Hamilton, lead vocalist of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, died after a stroke while being treated for Cushing's syndrome at the age of 48.

In 1997, Jackie Landry of the Chantels died of cancer at the age of 56. The group placed four songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1958 and 1961, including "Maybe" (#15) and "Look In My Eyes" (#14), as well as an answer to Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack" called "Well, I Told You" (#29).

In 1999, unemployed musician Cristin Keleher broke into George Harrison's Maui house and made herself at home, heating a frozen pizza, drinking beer from the refrigerator, doing laundry, and calling her mother in New Jersey, before Hawaiian authorities arrived to arrest her. Convicted of breaking and entering and theft, she served four months in jail.

In 2007, jazz pianist/composer Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure at the age of 82.

In 2008, songwriter (Game Of Love, You're No Good, I'm Alive, Gingerbread, One Of Us, Good Timin') Clint Ballard, Jr., who discovered and managed the Kalin Twins, died at the age of 77.

birthdays today include (among others): Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) (71), Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap) (68), Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly) (66), Luther Grosvenor (Spooky Tooth, Mott the Hoople) (65), Adrian Belew (King Crimson) (62) and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) (47)

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 19, 2011

giant weta

DEAR JERRY: You probably have seen the widely-publicized story (CNN, MSNBC, etc., etc.) about the “world's biggest insect,” the giant weta bug.

Since this species is pretty much confined to New Zealand's Little Barrier Island, I'd not heard of this insect until now. I found several YouTube videos about this bug, including one where a man eats a live weta bug.

All of which brought to mind a record I heard on a local radio station long ago, one that I think is actually titled “Eat a Weta Bug.”

I swear I am not making this up!

Even so, it seems nearly impossible that a song about a weta bug wouldn't have something to do with real weta bugs. Where else did they get the name? It can't be a coincidence, or can it?
—Carmen Brandmeier, Washington D.C.


DEAR CARMEN: And I foolishly thought my study of entomology would never be useful.

The recording now bugging you is a late 1958 release by the Coolbreezers, issued by Bale (No. 100), a D.C. label.

To simply listen to the lyrics, whether spoken or sung, anyone could think they were hearing “eat a weta bug,” especially someone aware of the weta bug, a plentiful source of protein, or so I'm told.

However, the exact title of this up-tempo doo-wop tune is “Eda Weda Bug.”

Against all odds, after several spins of “Eda Weda Bug” on your behalf, I am convinced it is a coincidence. Beyond the homophonic “Eda Weda” and “Eat a Weta,” there is no arthropodal connection.

The “bug” reference is about catching the bug, or being caught up in the eda weda, suggesting a dance craze or music style. This is evident from the very first verse:

The Eda Weda is goin' around
The Eda Weda never lets you down
When it bites you're rhythm bound
Eda Weda has a rock, rock, rock and roll sound


DEAR JERRY: The store where I work plays music from one of the satellite oldies stations, which now includes many Christmas classics, from the 1950s and into the '80s.

One of the most played tunes is “Stop the Cavalry,” by the Cory Band.

Having never heard any other song by the Cory Band, it has me wondering how many of the now-familiar Christmas tunes are by artists who had no other hits, seasonal or otherwise.
—Jackie Padgett, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR JACKIE: Most Christmas-related recordings from the period you specify are by established hit-makers, making for very few one-Christmas-hit wonders. Also, most of those would not likely be regarded as “now-familiar,” having been somewhat popular decades ago but rarely heard since.

For starters, here are five tunes I rate as familiar:

Cory Band and the Gwalia Singers “Stop the Cavalry” (1981)
Elmo & Patsy “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” (1979)
Gayla Peevey “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (Hippo the Hero)” (1953)
Augie Rios “Donde Esta Santa Claus? (Where Is Santa Claus?)” (1958)
Yogi Yorgesson “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” (1949)

Now for 15 likely less familiar releases, ones that still made the Billboard charts, as referenced in Joel Whitburn's “Christmas in the Charts” book:

Art Carney “Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop” (1954)
Dancer, Prancer & Nervous “The Happy Reindeer” (1959)
Michael Holm “When a Child Is Born” (1974)
Johnny Kaye “A Christmas Love” (1963)
Becky Lamb “Little Becky's Christmas Wish” (1967)
Melodeers “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer” (1960)
Lise Miller “Love Is” (1967)
Moonlion “The Little Drummer Boy” (1975)
Derrik Roberts “There Won't Be Any Snow (Christmas in the Jungle)” (1965)
Jack Halloran Singers “The Little Drummer Boy” (1961)
Stan & Doug “Christmas Goose (Snowbird)” 1970
Harvie June Van “Natividad” (1967)
Joe Ward “Nuttin' for Xmas” (1955)
Toni Wine “My Boyfriend's Coming Home for Christmas” (1963)
Ricky Zahnd and the Blue Jeaners “(I'm Gettin') Nuttin' for Christmas” (1955)

Not included are groups assembled for one special cause (e.g., Band Aid), or duets of bona fide stars (e.g., Bobby Rydell & Chubby Checker).


IZ ZAT SO? Knowing most of the top-ranking singles and albums artists made at least one Christmas recording, have you ever wondered who is the biggest name exception?

That distinction goes to the Rolling Stones, but is not without caveats.

In a hidden, half-minute snippet on the December 1967 LP, “Their Satanic Majesties Request,” is the Stone's wish for a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

In 1978, Keith Richards revived Chuck Berry's “Run, Rudolph, Run.”

Then Mick Jagger did a duet with Joss Stone of “Lonely Without You (This Christmas),” which is on the 2004 “Alfie” soundtrack album.

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

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Rare 1978 Captain Beefheart Album to See Official Release

The widely bootlegged Captain Beefheart album, Bat Chain Puller, will finally get an official release in January.

Mike Barnes, who wrote a biography on Beefheart, told the site The Wire "The tape is owned by the Zappa estate and although Don didn't want it released they've been true to the work. Not only that, its availability was announced on the anniversary of Don's death and will be released on his birthday."

Please read the rest at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com






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these sets are great, but who can afford them?

Limited, ultra, uber, deluxe: The box set goes over the top and beyond the basics large

By: Chris Talbott, The Associated Press

Musical box sets, encapsulating a portion or all of an artist's catalogue, are hardly a new trend. They've been around for decades.

But as labels begin to search for more sources of income, they're increasingly using yesterday's hits to help today's bottom line, from multi-disc deluxe editions of your favourite old album to over-the-top collections of obscurities complete with cool little tchotchkes.

And they're also reaching new heights in pricing. Love U2 beyond measure? There's the new "Achtung Baby" uber-deluxe edition, a limited, numbered box set that originally retailed for $650. It includes six CDs, four DVDs, a new documentary, a magnetic puzzle box, five clear 7-inch vinyl singles, 16 art prints, an 84-page book, a sticker sheet and a pair of Bono's bug-eyed sunglasses, among many other things.

Tony Bennett fans can own his entire recorded output — more than 1,000 of his songs spread across 73 discs and three DVDs — in "Tony Bennett: The Complete Collection," original price around $400. Elvis fans willing to pay the $750 list price for "The Complete Elvis Presley Masters" 30-disc set last year took home more than 800 songs — every master released in chronological order plus more than 100 rarities — and a book by Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick.

Read the rest at winnipegfreepress.com


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album cover art of the day:

Blasphemous Creation Cover Art Revealed

Nevada-based death metal outfit Blasphemous Creation have recently signed with Russian record label HeadXplode Records. The group's second album, called 'Battle Of The Ancients,' is scheduled to be released in early 2012. The effort was engineered by Josh Williams at Metal Works Recording Studio in Folsom, CA. The cover art was created by Tony Koehl of Sketch The Soul Studios.

This LP is a follow up to Blasphemous Creation's first album 'Diabolical Kingdom.'

'Battle Of The Ancients' is a concept album based on the ancient Sumerian gods the Anunnaki, who were actually flesh and blood extraterrestrials from a planet called Nibiru. It is a fictional story based on lead guitarist/vocalist Isaac Wilson's own beliefs in ancient astronaut theory, that ancient gods were actually aliens from other planets with superior technology and were able to travel through space. The album tells the story of great battles fought between the Anunnaki and a humanoid race called the Plejaren, who were genetically engineered by the Anunnaki to be used as slaves. After defeating them, the "Gods" came to Earth and once again created human beings to serve them as slaves.

The band is mulling over making a trilogy and carrying on the story.




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Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross, and Gil Scott-Heron Honored With The Recording Academy® Lifetime Achievement Award

DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, STEVE JOBS AND RUDY VAN GELDER HONORED WITH TRUSTEES AWARD CELEMONY AND ROGER NICHOLS TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL GRAMMY AWARD®

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Recording Academy® (www.grammy.com) announced its Special Merit Awards recipients today, and this year's selections are: Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross and Gil Scott-Heron as Lifetime Achievement Award recipients; Dave Bartholomew, Steve Jobs and Rudy

Van Gelder as Trustees Award honorees; and Celemony and Roger Nichols as Technical GRAMMY Award® honorees. The special invitation-only ceremony will be held during GRAMMY® Week on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, and a formal acknowledgment will be made during the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast, which will be held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

"This year's honorees offer a variety of brilliance, contributions and lasting impressions on our culture," said President/CEO of The Recording Academy Neil Portnow. "It is an honor to recognize such a diverse group of individuals whose talents and achievements have had an indelible impact on our industry."

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees as well as The Academy's Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.

About the Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

As pioneers of Southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band created a unique sound blending elements of blues, country, jazz and rock. Known for their outstanding improvisational and jam-style shows, the band's breakthrough album, 1971's At Fillmore East, is a definitive live concert recording. The band has achieved artistic and commercial success with hits such as "Whipping Post," "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica," the latter having earned them a 1995 GRAMMY for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

During his 50-plus years in show business, five-time GRAMMY winner Glen Campbell has released more than 70 albums. In 1967 he won GRAMMYs in both country and pop categories for his hits "Gentle On My Mind" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," respectively. Campbell has three recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame and has also been inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the famed Wrecking Crew, Los Angeles' group of top studio musicians in the '60s. In 2011 he released his farewell album, Ghost On The Canvas, which featured collaborations with Jakob Dylan, Chris Isaak and Billy Corgan, among others.

Widely known as the composer of the GRAMMY-winning "The Girl From Ipanema," arranger, singer and pianist/guitarist Antonio Carlos Jobim* was influential in the creation of the Brazilian bossa nova style and its international popularity. His songs and arrangements have been performed by numerous artists around the world. In 1995 he won a posthumous Best Latin Jazz Performance GRAMMY for his album Antonio Brasileiro.

Trumpeter Wayne Jackson and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love comprise one of the greatest and most recorded horn sections, the Memphis Horns. Early in their career, the duo appeared on nearly every Stax Records recording, helping the label define its sound. Known for their unique funk/soul style, the Musicians Hall of Fame inductees have appeared on recordings for artists such as Al Green, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and U2.

As one of the most prolific country artists in history, George Jones has had more than 150 hits over his half-century career. From honky tonk to country ballads, he has remained at the top of the charts with hits such as "White Lightning," "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "Still Doin' Time." Jones is a two-time GRAMMY winner, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. At 80 years old, he continues to tour, playing more than 60 shows each year.

In the 1960s Diana Ross led Motown act the Supremes, one of America's most successful vocal groups. In the 1970s, Ross began her solo career and had continued success with hits such as "Love Hangover," "Upside Down" and "Missing You." In her nearly 50 years in the entertainment business, she has sold more than 100 million albums and has received a number of accolades for her work, including a Golden Globe and Tony Award and has been a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. Ross recently toured the country with her More Today Than Yesterday tour and will continue touring into 2012.

With his unique fusion of jazz, blues and spoken word, Gil Scott-Heron*'s music influenced the creation of the rap genre. The first artist signed to Arista Records, his recordings such as "Johannesburg" and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" were known for their sharp lyrics that commented on social and political issues. His songs also helped tell stories of African-Americans in the United States. Scott-Heron continued to record up until his death in 2011, releasing his most recent album, I'm New Here, in 2010.

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 12/12 - 12/18, 2011

Vinyl Top 25:

1. My Morning Jacket - Friends Again 7"
2. She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas
3. Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures
4. The Black Keys - Brothers
5. The Beatles - Abbey Road
6. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
7. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
8. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
9. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Drake - Take Care
11. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions
12. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire
13. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow
14. The Head & The Heart - The Head & The Heart
15. Brand New - Your Favorite Weapon
16. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
17. The Black Keys - Rubber Factory
18. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
19. The Louvin Brothers - Satan Is Real
20. Feist - Metals
21. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
22. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel 7"
23. Adele - 21
24. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
25. The Black Keys - Chulahoma

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and in music history for december 21st:

The great Frank Zappa was born on this date in 1940 (died in 1993).

Carl Wilson (Beach Boys) was born today in 1946 (died in 1998).

LaVern Baker recorded "Jim Dandy" in 1955.

In 1966, the Beach Boys received three Gold Record citations for the single "Good Vibrations" and the albums "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Shut Down, Vol. 2".

In 1967, the Beatles had a party in London to preview their new film Magical Mystery Tour.

In 1968, Glen Campbell topped the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with 'Wichita Lineman.' Although the LP would stay on the chart for 46 weeks, it would be Campbell's only number one.

In 1968, Crosby, Stills and Nash performed together in public for the first time.

In 1968, in Memphis, Janis Joplin made her solo stage debut at a Stax/Volt Christmas party that also featured artists from the two labels, including Booker T. & the MG's and Eddie Floyd.

In 1969, Diana Ross gave her last performance as a member of the Supremes on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1970, Elvis Presley's stretch limousine pulled up outside the White House in Washington, D.C. One of his guards handed over a letter from Elvis addressed to President Nixon requesting a meeting to discuss how the King of Rock and Roll could help Nixon fight drugs - including getting credentials as a "federal agent at large." About two hours later, Elvis walked into the Oval Office wearing a flamboyant outfit, oversize sunglasses and two huge medallions. He gives Nixon a chrome-plated Colt .45 while the President agreed to give him a Narcotics Bureau badge - but only after learning that the chief of the narcotics bureau had turned down the same request earlier that day and told Presley the only person who could overrule his decision was the President. At Elvis' request, the meeting remained secret for more than a year, until the Washington Post broke the story on January 27th, 1972.

In 1971, singer/guitarist//Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charlie Fuqua, a founding member of the Ink Spots, died at age 61.

In 1972, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas play their last show together at Cobo Hall, in Detroit, Michigan. Their recording career spanned from 1963 to 1972, charting over two dozen times. Ten of their singles reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B chart and twelve made it into the Top 40 of the Hot 100, including "Dancing in the Street", "Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run" and "Jimmy Mack."

On this day in 1973, "Time In A Bottle" by Jim Croce was the #1 song.

In 1974, Harry Chapin enjoyed his only number one single with "Cat's In The Cradle". The song's theme about a distant father and son relationship was suggested to Harry by his wife, after he expressed disappointment about being on tour instead of attending his son's birth.



In 1979, the Eagles, Chicago and Linda Ronstadt perform at a benefit show for the presidential campaign for California governor Jerry Brown, who also happens to be Ronstadt's boyfriend.

In 1985, Lionel Richie had a number one record for the seventh time when "Say You, Say Me" reached the top of the Billboard Pop chart. He started his string with "Three Times A Lady" and "Still" while he was with The Commodores, before having solo hits with "Endless ove," "Truly," "All Night Long" and "Hello."

In 1985, Bruce Springsteen's album, 'Born in the USA' passed Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' to become the second longest-lasting LP on the Billboard Top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only 'The Sound of Music' with Julie Andrews lasted longer at 109 weeks.

In 1991, “Bohemian Rhapsody”/“These are the Days of Our Lives” by Queen started a five-week run at #1 in the U.K., the 1975 wordwide hit had been re-released following the death of Freddie Mercury.

In 1992, blues guitarist/singer (Cold Feet, As The Years Go Passing By, Crosscut Saw) Albert King died following a heart attack at the age of 69.

In 1993, Shaquille O'Neal's "I Know I Got Skillz" single was certified Gold by the RIAA. yes, music was that bad in '92

In 1990, a concert in memory of John Lennon was held at Japan's Tokyo Dome, featuring Sean Lennon, Hall and Oates, Natalie Cole and Linda Ronstadt.

In 2006, the Beatles' "Love" sat at #1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart. The collection was produced by George Martin and his son Giles Martin and features music compiled and remixed for the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. The disc would quickly be certified Platinum and won Grammys in two categories - Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Surround Sound Album at the 50th annual Grammy awards on February 10th, 2008.

In 2006, Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, performed on stage before a live US audience for the first time in nearly thirty years as he promoted his first Pop album since leaving the music world for life as a devout Muslim. Mixing new songs with such old hits as "Oh Very Young" and "Peace Train," he sang with a gentle voice that had changed little from his heyday in the 1970s.

In 2009, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), released its listing of 2009's most played holiday songs, tracked by radio airplay monitoring service, Mediaguide, from over 2,500 radio stations nationwide.

The top 10 most-played holiday songs in the ASCAP repertory this holiday season are:

1. "Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) - played 118,918 times
2. "Jingle Bell Rock" (Joseph Carleton Beal, James Roth Boothe) - played 118,601 times
3. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Edward Pola, George Wyle) - played 101,614 times
4. "White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) - played 89,348 times
5. "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) - played 77,599 times
6. "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) - played 74,360 times.
7. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (Johnny Marks) - played 57,948 times
8. "Little Drummer Boy" (Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone) - played 55,617 times.
9. "Feliz Navidad" (José Feliciano) - played 51,072 times
10. "Frosty the Snowman" (Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins) - played 51,068 times

Note: The above list represents an aggregation of all different artist versions of each cited holiday song.

In 2010, the Recording Academy that organizes the Grammys announced seven artists to be honoured with lifetime achievement awards next February. The list included The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton and The Ramones.

birthdays today include (among others): Carla Thomas (69), Gabrielle Glasser (Luscious Jackson) (46), Albert Lee (68), Ray Hildebrand (Paul & Paula) (71) and Brett Scallions (Tool) (40)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

today's post is about album cover art, a lost medium of sorts, certainly on its way back!

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nice little article about album cover art, well done!

Real Album Cover Art Remembered!

Written by Alyson Camus

Physical albums may be the endangered species, but with the recent resurrection of the vinyl sales, the cover art is more important than ever because vinyl is kind of big. With vinyl albums being about five times the size of CDs, we are back to the celebration of cover art!

Read the rest at rocknycliveandrecorded.com














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Hellsaw Reveal New Album Artwork

Hellsaw has recently revealed the artwork for the upcoming album called 'Trist, which will be released on February 24th, 2012.

1. The Devil Is Calling My Name
2. Sorrow Is Horror
3. Doom Pervades My Nightmares
4. The Forerunner of the Apocalypse
5. Death Bells
6. Trist
7. A Winter Cold
8. Beldam. 1450
9. Silence










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cool cover art

Vengeance Reveal New Album Details

Dutch metal rockers Vengeance just announced that the new LP 'Crystal Eye' will be released February 24, 2011 (Germany), February 27, 2011 (EU) and a unspecified date in March 2012 for North America on SPV/Steamhammer Records.

Crystal Eye was produced by Michael Voss, who composed the songs with vocalist Goewie. The title track was written by guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Stream of Passion), and Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH) contributed ‘Whole Lotta Metal’ tailor-made for Goewie and Vengeance. The album closes with the instrumental ‘Jan`s End Piece’ which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his unexpected death.












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album cover art of the day:

FREEDOM CALL: New Album Details Revealed

German melodic metallers FREEDOM CALL will release their new album, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn", on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and February 28 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be made available in three versions: as a jewel case featuring 14 songs; as a limited double CD digipak including six additional bonus tracks (versions of popular FREEDOM CALL numbers by POWERWORLD, SECRET SPHERE, DOWNSPIRIT, MANIMAL, NEONFLY and Hannes Braun [KISSIN' DYNAMITE]); and on double colored vinyl LP.

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth













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this is a fantastic, colorful cover from the classic rockers!


UFO: 'Seven Deadly' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

British rock legends UFO will release their new album, "Seven Deadly", on February 28, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort, which was recorded with producer Tommy Newton at his Area 51 studio in Celle, Germany, will be made available as a limited-edition digipack (including two bonus tracks), a double gatefold LP with printed innersleeves and colored vinyl, standard-edition CD and as a digital download.

"Seven Deadly" track listing:

1. Fight Night
2. Wonderland
3. Mojo Town
4. Angel Station
5. Year Of The Gun
6. The Last Stone Rider
7. Steal Yourself
8. Burn Your House Down
9. The Fear
10. Waving Good Bye
11. Other Men's Wives (bonus track)
12. Bag O' Blues (bonus track

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

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Epica Album Artwork Revealed

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA will release their fifth full-length album, 'Requiem For The Indifferent' on March 9, 2012 in Europe and on the 13th in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth.

Tracklist:
1. Karma
2. Monopoly On Truth
3. Storm The Sorrow
4. Delirium
5. Internal Warfare
6. Requiem For The Indifferent
7. Anima
8. Guilty Demeanor
9. Deep Water Horizon
10. Stay The Course
11. Deter The Tyrant
12. Avalanche
13. Serenade Of Self-Destruction



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oh, and this album cover art won't be banned by major retailers....i think some of the shock value that it depicts may take away from the music, will try and learn more about what it is supposed to mean....

Die Antwoord Unveil Cover Art

Here is the bizarre artwork for the sophomore LP 'TEN$ION' from South African shock rappers Die Antwoord. The utterly grotesque and bloody piece of art will arrive on shelves on February 7 via the band's own ZEF Records. The cover shows vocalist Yolandi Visser wearing wings and enjoying lunch....i think.

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and in music history for december 20th:

In 1958, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison appear as The Quarry Men at the wedding reception of George's older brother, Harry. The event was held at the Harrison family home at 25 Upton Green, Speke, Liverpool.

In 1958, the US Army's 32nd Armored unit returns to base after maneuvers and Pvt. Elvis Presley is rewarded for his hard work with a three day pass, which he uses to by himself a BMW sports car.

In 1962, the Osmond Brothers appeared on NBC-TV's "Andy Williams Show" for the first time.

In 1967, singer Jimmie Rodgers required brain surgery after he suffered a fractured skull and a broken wrist, allegedly at the hands of three San Diego police officers. Although he hadn't had a hit record in ten years, he enjoyed a string of Top Ten songs in the 1950's, including, "Honeycomb", "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine", "Oh-Oh I'm Falling in Love Again", and "Are You Really Mine". Rodgers would recover and return to performing a little over a year later.

In 1967, folk singer/activist Joan Baez was sentenced to 45 days in jail after being arrested during an anti-war demonstration.

In 1967, vocalist Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick leave the John Evans Blues Band to form Jethro Tull, naming their group after the 18th century inventor of a number of farm implements. John Evan himself will later join them as Jethro Tull's keyboard player.

In 1969, after scoring a pair of number 2 singles in 1963 with "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Blowin' in the Wind", Peter, Paul and Mary attain their first and only US number one hit with the John Denver written "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

In 1971, in New York, the Main Ingredient (Cuba Gooding, Sr., Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons, Jr.) recorded "Everybody Plays The Fool." The popular song was written by J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Ken Williams. The song rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the fall of 1972 and was certified gold by the RIAA. It also peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B chart and at #25 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. It was the group's highest charting hit single.



In 1973, 37 year-old Bobby Darin died during surgery to repair a heart valve that had been implanted two years earlier. His career started in 1958 with ""Mack the Knife" and continued strong into the early sixties. He was pushed off the charts by the British Invasion, but had a comeback in 1966 with, "If I Were a Carpenter." According to his wishes, Darin's body was donated, without a funeral, to UCLA's medical school.

In 1975, Joe Walsh joined the Eagles, replacing original member Bernie Leadon. Leadon left for a solo career.

In 1980, twelve days after John Lennon was shot dead, "Just Like Starting Over" became his first UK solo #1.

In 1999, singer/songwriter Juno Awards Hall of Famer/Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Snow died of heart failure at the age of 85. "The Singing Ranger" a/k/a "The Yodeling Ranger" released more than 80 albums and placed 85 singles on the Billboard country music chart between 1950 and 1980.

In 1989, a lawsuit was filed against Chuck Berry on behalf of more than seventy women who claimed he had secretly videotaped them while they used restrooms in his home and a restaurant. Although Berry adamantly denied making the tapes or even knowing who did, the cases were settled out of court for more than one million dollars.

It was a very good year for Classic Rockers in 2001. Elton John and Billy Joel toured together and grossed nearly $60 million from just 31 dates, averaging $1.9 million per show. Eric Clapton proved to be a strong draw in international arenas, earning a healthy $43.5 million from 59 shows, racking up 38 complete sell-outs and averaging nearly $750,000 per night.

Money making figures for 2002's top grossing Rock artists were as follows:

Paul McCartney - $126.1 million
The Rolling Stones - $90 million
Cher - $67.6 million
Neil Diamond - $52.2 million
Britney Spears - $43.7 million
Aerosmith - $36.3 million
Eagles - $34.9 million
'N Sync - $33 million

The top grossing country artist was Kenny Chesney at $22.7 million

In 2003, Bruce Springsteen was the top-earning concert attraction in 2003, taking in $115.9 million. That ranks second only to The Rolling Stones for the most money ever earned by a concert act in a year.

In 2006, Matthew Fischer won a court decision that he should share in the profits from Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale. Fischer was the organist who wrote the famous rift in the song.

In 2009, James Gurley, the lead guitarist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, died after suffering a heart attack. He was 69. His distinctive style can be heard on songs such as "Piece of My Heart", "Summertime" and "Ball and Chain."

birthdays today include (among others): Peter Criss (Kiss) (66), Alan Parsons (63), Stevie Wright (Easybeats) (63), Billy Bragg (54), Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose, Stooges) (54) and Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) (45)

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - December 20, 2011

America - History/America's Greatest Hits (vinyl)
Andrew Tosh - Legacy: An Acoustic Tribute to Peter Tosh
Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet (3-LPs) (vinyl)
Blu and Exile - Below The Heavens (reissue) (vinyl)
Boris - New Album
Cecile - Jamaicanization
Chris Forsyth - Dreams (vinyl)
Circle - Prospekt
Circle - Soundcheck
Common - The Dreamer, The Believer
Conan O'Brien and the Legally Prohibited Band - Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (soundtrack)
Crossfade - Secret Love
Everybody - Marooned/Demon Oar (7") (vinyl)
Gary Wilson - Forgotten Lovers (vinyl)
Gruff Rhys - Atheist Xmas (EP)
Happy Jawbone Family Band - Ok Midnight, You Win (vinyl)
Jamie Harrison - Under the Carpet (vinyl)
Jennifer O'Connor - I Want What You Want
Kevin Hearn - Cloud Maintenance
Kim McLean - Sweet Tea: A Southern Soundtrack
Lenny Bruce - Classic Album Collection Plus (3-CDs)
Loren Conners - A Fire (vinyl)
Madlib - Medicine Show 12/13 (vinyl)
Mars - Live At Artists Space (vinyl)
Mick Hucknall - Happy This Christmas
Miles Davis - In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at Blackhawk (reissue) (vinyl)
No UFO's - Soft Coast
Radiohead - King of Limbs: From the Basement (DVD)
Rolling Stones - Some Girls Gift Case Set
Roscoe Dash - J.u.i.c.e.
Rush - Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland (DVD)
Scroobius Pip - Distraction Pieces (vinyl)
Tender Forever - Where Are We From (vinyl)
The Internet - Purple Naked Ladies
Various Artists - I Melt With You (soundtrack)
Various Artists - The Rum Diary (soundtrack)
Whores - Ruiner (12") (vinyl)
William Fitzsimmons - Gold In the Shadow (deluxe edition)
Winged Victory for the Sullen - Winged Victory for the Sullen (vinyl)
Wolf Gang - Suego Faults
Young Jeezy - TM 103 Hustlerz Ambition

 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Still No Bids On Sex Pistols Acetate Still Up For Sale On eBay

in an earlier post i blogged about this acetate up on the blocks at eBay. i see that more than 2,200 visitors have stopped by (the auction ends in 7 days). asking price (i don't believe it will sell at this price) is $18,000 or so.

Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK Original 1976 7“ 1 sided Abbey Road Swirl Acetate is currently up on eBay.

you can watch it at eBay

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KNEW YOU WERE WAITING: THE BEST OF ARETHA FRANKLIN 1980-1998

QUEEN OF SOUL'S 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED WITH 16-SONG COLLECTION SPOTLIGHTING HER FIRST 18 YEARS AS AN ARISTA ARTIST

FROM 1980'S "UNITED TOGETHER" TO 1998'S "ROSE IS STILL A ROSE" - INCLUDING #1 HITS "JUMP TO IT," "GET IT RIGHT," AND GRAMMY AWARD®-WINNING "FREEWAY OF LOVE" (WITH CLARENCE CLEMONS)

Star-powered collaborations with Keith Richards ("Jumpin' Jack Flash"), the Eurythmics ("Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves"), George Benson ("Love All The Hurt Away"), Whitney Houston ("It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be"), George Michael (Grammy Award®-winning "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)") - and more!

Previously unreleased mix of "Ever Changing Times" duet with Michael McDonald, written and produced by Burt Bacharach & Carol Bayer Sager

Available everywhere through Arista/Legacy starting January 31, 2012

Release coincides with observance of Black History Month in February, and Aretha's return to Radio City Music Hall in New York for concerts on February 17 & 18th

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 70th birthday of Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin, winner of 15 Grammy Awards® and the first female ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, will be celebrated on March 25, 2012. In honor of this momentous occasion, and also in advance of Black History Month in February, KNEW YOU WERE WAITING: THE BEST OF ARETHA FRANKLIN 1980-1998 will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting January 31, 2012, through Arista/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

KNEW YOU WERE WAITING puts the spotlight on Aretha's hitmaking years as an Arista Records artist, working closely with Arista founder and president Clive Davis. Davis served as executive producer of KNEW YOU WERE WAITING, which was compiled and produced by Leo Sacks, known for his work on last year's definitive box set, Take A Look: Aretha Franklin Complete on Columbia, as well as scores of historic Soul and R&B projects for Legacy Recordings over the past two decades.

The new chronologically-sequenced, 16-song collection is the first major U.S. release to focus on the nearly two-decades string of hits that marked Aretha's tenure at Arista. These range from her label debut, 1980's #3 comeback R&B smash "United Together" (her first Top 5 hit in over three and a half years), to 1998's iconic #5 R&B entry, "A Rose Is Still A Rose," written, produced and arranged by Lauryn Hill of the Fugees.

"When Aretha Franklin signed to Arista Records in 1980," writes Ernest Hardy in his liner notes to KNEW YOU WERE WAITING, "she had nothing left to prove… She had redefined the terms and reset the boundaries of both R&B and pop. She had sung jazz, gospel and blues, and erased the lines between them. She embodied the beauty that was Blackness while providing a soundtrack to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. She had worked with the very best songwriters, musicians, producers, arrangers and visionaries, and proved herself to be one of the best singers, songwriters, musicians and visionaries the music industry had ever seen." Hardy is an award-winning cultural critic and essayist based in Los Angeles.

Underscoring Hardy's point, Aretha's Arista years were indeed marked by a steady flow of successful collaborations with contemporary music's "very best songwriters, musicians, producers, arrangers and visionaries." Virtually every track on KNEW YOU WERE WAITING supports this, starting with "United Together," which was written and produced by Chuck Jackson (known for his career-making hits with Natalie Cole), and features Aretha's beloved Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals (the 'original' lineup of Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shenwell and Estelle Brown). Likewise, "Love All The Hurt Away," a duet with George Benson, was written by Sam Dees, and produced by the late Arif Mardin, the legendary producer who worked on so many of Aretha's early breakthrough '60s and '70s Atlantic LPs.

Lauryn Hill, Arif Mardin and Chuck Jackson are just three of the important producers with whom Aretha worked at Arista. In addition to tracks produced by Luther Vandross (with arrangements by Marcus Miller), Narada Michael Walden, and Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, KNEW YOU WERE WAITING also includes tracks produced by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.

In addition to the collaborations above, KNEW YOU WERE WAITING contains many more A-list collaborations that have become cornerstones in the Aretha canon:

•"Freeway Of Love" (1985), featuring the late Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band on tenor saxophone, Randy Jackson on bass, and percussion by the Santana rhythm section, was a #1 R&B hit for 5 weeks, and went on to win the Grammy Award® for Best R&B Female Vocal;

•"Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (1985), a Top 20 pop hit with the Eurythmics' Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart (who produced), also features [Tom Petty] Heartbreakers band members Benmont Tench (organ), Stan Lynch (drums), and Mike Campbell (lead guitar);

•"Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986), a Top 20 R&B and pop crossover smash duet with Keith Richards (who produced and played lead guitar, along with fellow Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood), was the title song from the movie Jumpin' Jack Flash starring Whoopi Goldberg;

•"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1986), a duet with George Michael, was another mega-hit, #1 pop for a fortnight and #5 R&B, and winner of the Grammy Award® for Best R&B Vocal Duo;

•"Through The Storm" (1989), a Top 20 R&B and pop crossover hit vocal duet with Elton John, is one of two Albert Hammond/Diane Warren compositions (among many!) that were brought to Aretha by Clive Davis;

•"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" (1989), a #5 R&B hit duet with Whitney Houston, is the other Hammond/Warren composition here, from the same album (Through The Storm); and

•"Ever Changing Times" (1991), a Top 20 R&B hit vocal duet with Michael McDonald, written and produced by the hitmaking duo of Burt Bacharach and Carol Bayer Sager, in a mix previously unreleased on CD.

KNEW YOU WERE WAITING as Hardy concludes, "makes clear that Aretha Franklin was a vibrant, soulful, stretching, creative, forceful artist at Arista Records. She kept her fingers on the pulse of the world around her while sating old fans and scoring new ones. Her music at the label was about a place that exists behind and beyond mere words... No one expresses joy the way she does. No one conveys grief or loss with anywhere near her force or heartbreaking precision. She burns right through the words she sings, taking you straight to the core. That is her unmatched genius."

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

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found this story at themusicvoid.com and thought i'd share (rant) is this really necessary? why in the world would anyone buy such a thing? can't afford a record player? i phones, pads, texting, (we really need to pass laws that prohibit people from doing this...hey idiot, you are DRIVING! watch the road!) blueberries and blackberries and a world full of "apps," i just don't get it.....

Everything Old is New Again: AIR Studios Launches New AirVinyl App

Posted by Laura Grivainis Thorne

London’s iconic AIR Studios launches its first digital app, AirVinyl, today. TMV’s Laura G Thorne talks to pioneering internet developer Paul Myers, whose company Bappz built the app.

AIR approached Bappz to help develop a digital app, brainstorming with the staff for several days. The result is AirVinyl, an iPad app that, in the words of Myers, “recreates and simulates the experience of vinyl”.

The AirVinyl interface cleverly captures this aesthetic. Each of the user’s mp3 or AAC digital music files are represented as a vinyl record on a turntable, with a turntable arm and a stylus. To play the file, one places the virtual arm on the record. The groove between each track is clearly visible, and the arm can be lifted up to listen to the next track or the preceding one. The user’s files are depicted as albums in a wooden crate, with bin cards separating each genre. These files can be ordered and searched by preference including Artist and Album.

Get the full story at themusicvoid.com

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New LP From ORANGE GOBLIN Due In Feb

Heavy-hitting British metal band ORANGE GOBLIN, will release its new studio album called 'A Eulogy For The Damned' on February 14th via Candlelight Records. The ten-track offering was recorded at The Animal Farm studio in South London, produced and engineered by Jamie Dodd and mastered two-time Grammy-nominated PINK FLOYD engineer Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering.

The effort will be released on CD and limited-edition colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve.















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album cover art of the day:

Lyriel To Release New LP In February

German folk metal band Lyriel are scheduled to release the band's fourth LP 'Leverage' on February 24, 2012 via AFM Records. The album marks the follow up to the 2009 release "Paranoid Circus." The band promises an album that is harder and more modern than previous efforts.

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MINISTRY: 'Relapse' Cover Artwork Unveiled

"Relapse", the first MINISTRY album of original material since 2007's "The Last Sucker", will be released on March 30, 2012 via MINISTRY mainman Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records.

In support of the "occupy movement," MINISTRY will release the new song "99 Percenters" via iTunes on December 23 and stream the track on their Facebook site starting Christmas day.

According to Revolver magazine, "99 Percenters" is a rally cry for all of the protesters that have gathered across the country to demonstrate against corporate greed, cutthoat capitalism, and the one percent of Americans who earn millions of dollars a year, but receive substantial tax cuts on their income. Jourgensen said the chorus for the track, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 99 percent" was inspired by COUNTRY JOE AND THE FISH's Vietnam protest song "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag".

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth






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SNOWY SHAW 'Is Alive!'

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw has set "Snowy Shaw Is Alive!" as the title of his new live album, due just a few days before Christmas via iTunes. A "super-deluxe, limited-edition" double vinyl version of the record will be made available in early 2012.

"Snowy Shaw Is Alive!" was recorded at Snowy's concert on May 27, 2011 at the Brew House in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Read more at Blabbermouth













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and in music history for december 19th:

In 1955, Carl Perkins recorded the hit "Blue Suede Shoes."

In 1956, Elvis Presley made US chart history by having 10 songs on Billboard's Top 100.

In 1957, Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the U.S. Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion, Third Armor Corps based in Germany.

On this day in 1958, "The Chipmunk Song" by David Seville & the Chipmunks was the #1 song.

Bobby Darin recorded the immortal cut "Mack The Knife" in 1958.

"Mack the Knife" was introduced to the United States hit parade by Louis Armstrong in 1956, but the song is most closely associated with Bobby Darin, who recorded his version at Fulton Studios on West 40th Street, New York City, on December 19, 1958 (with Tom Dowd engineering the recording). In 1959 Darin's version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Black Singles chart, and earned him a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Dick Clark had advised Darin not to record the song because of the perception that, having come from an opera, it wouldn't appeal to the rock & roll audience. To this day, Clark recounts the story with good humor. Frank Sinatra, who recorded the song with Jimmy Buffett, called Darin's the "definitive" version. Darin's version hit #3 on Billboard's All Time Top 100. In 2003, the Darin version was ranked #251 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list. On BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, pop mogul Simon Cowell named "Mack the Knife" the best song ever written.

In 1960, Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl" was released on RCA Victor Records. The song would climb to #4 on the Hot 100 and become Sedaka's sixth record to make the US charts.

In 1960, Frank Sinatra recorded his first session with his very own record company, Reprise Records. Frank did "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" and "Let’s Fall in Love."

In 1961, after reaching #15 with "Tonight I Fell In Love" earlier in the year, a Brooklyn, New York group called The Tokens scored the top tune in the US with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

In 1964, "Come See About Me", the third release from The Supremes album "Where Did Our Love Go", becomes their third straight US number one single.

In 1964, the Beatles fourth album, 'Beatles For Sale,' started a seven-week run at the top of the UK album chart. It would stay in the Top 20 for an amazing 46 weeks.

In 1968, in Hollywood, Friends Of Distinction recorded "Grazing In The Grass."

In 1970, Elton John's first US hit, "Your Song" enters the Billboard Hot 100, where it will reach number eight. An excellent version of the tune had already been recorded by Three Dog Night for their "It Ain't Easy" album, but they didn't issue it as a single.

In 1970, President Nixon complimented Mike Curb of MGM Records after he dropped a number of artists for supposedly advocating drug use. Among those dropped was Connie Francis.

Ron Woods joined the Rolling Stones in 1974.

In 1975, as if disco wasn't bad enough, the US music scene reaches a new all time low when "Convoy" by C.W. McCall earns a Gold record. It would go on to top the Billboard Pop in early January. The novelty tune tells the story of interstate truck drivers and their run-ins with the law. It reached #2 in the UK.

In 1978, ABC aired the TV special "The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait," with Richard and Karen plus guest stars Gene Kelly, Georgia Engel, and Kristy & Jimmy McNichol.

In 1979, Elvis Presley's personal physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the Rock and Roll star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995.

In 1985, country music singer Johnny Paycheck was arrested for shooting a man during a fight in Hillsboro, Ohio. Paycheck claimed the act was self-defense. After several years spent fighting his conviction and 7-year sentence, in 1989 he began 22 months in prison before being pardoned by Ohio Governor Richard Celeste.

In 1986, a California Superior Court Judge refuses to reinstate a lawsuit brought against Ozzy Osbourne by the parents of a teenager who committed suicide while listening to Osbourne's "Suicide Solution". The judge ruled that Ozzy is protected by The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gives him the right to freedom of speech.

In 1987, the Pet Shop Boys had their third UK #1 single with their version of “Always on My Mind.” The duo had performed a version of “Always on My Mind” on Love Me Tender, a TV special commemorating the 10th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single.

Also in 1987, two girls were crushed to death in the rush in Nashville before a Public Enemy concert.

In 1993, Michael Clarke, drummer with The Byrds, died of liver failure at age 47. He also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall and Jerry Jeff Walker. Before his death, Clarke had expressed a wish of alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism. Following his wishes, Clarke’s girlfriend Susan Paul started a foundation in Clarke’s name, called the Campaign for Alcohol-free Kids. He and the rest of The Byrds were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in January 1991.

In 2000, English singer/songwriter Kirsty MacColl was killed while vacationing in Mexico at the age of 41. She was sccuba diving with her two sons when she was hit by a speedboat.

In 2000, 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck died of liver failure at age 42. He is best known for “Hey Jack Kerouac,” “What’s the Matter Here” and “Candy Everybody Wants.”



Also in 2000, gospel/soul/R&B singer/guitarist Roebuck "Pops" Staples of the Staple Singers died of complications from a concussion at 84.

In 2001, VH1 premiered "Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story."

Also in 2001, Dick Clark filed a $10 million lawsuit against Recording Academy President Michael Greene. The charge was that Greene would bar artists who appear first on Clark's American Music Awards from performing on the Grammy Awards.

In 2002, R&B singer (Love Potion No. 9) Billy Mitchell, lead vocalist of the Clovers on their biggest hit, died of colon cancer at the age of 71.

In 2006, two giant eyeballs donated by Pink Floyd, raised £16,500 for the homeless charity Crisis. The 6 foot-high props, made to promote the Pulse DVD, were on the auction site eBay for a week and attracted 46 bids. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, a vice-president of Crisis, said extra help was needed in the winter months.

In 2008, pianist/singer/arranger Page Cavanaugh died of kidney failure at age 86.

birthdays today include (among others): Kevin Shepard (Tonic) (43), Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) (70), Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) (67) and Doug Johnson (Loverboy) (54)