Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

fantastic story of vinyl and family!

Rutledge: For 'the record' and Dad

By MARK RUTLEDGE, Guest Columnist

On New Year's Day I was crawling into the closet under my mother's staircase to reorganize her Christmas decorations when she pointed out a box that held my father's small collection of vinyl record albums.

"If you want to go through those old records, now's the time," Mom suggested.

Taped shut and shoved up under the lowest two steps was this family time capsule marked "Records." For nearly two decades, we had been stepping over the likes of Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Ray Price, Willie Nelson and "Ain't it funny how time slips away?"

Read the rest of this wonderful article at heraldtribune.com

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i like to present both sides to the arguement, he brings up some valid points, but he'll never convince me that CDs sound better than vinyl, read on:

Why CDs Sound Better Than Vinyl

by James Cruz

That’s a pretty bold statement, I know, and I can feel the collective shudder of the audio world, so I feel I should back it up by telling you a bit about myself. I’ve been a mastering engineer for 18 years. When I started, everything was on tape, digital workstations were new, and every project I worked on went to vinyl. I started at the Hit Factory, was a senior engineer for Sony Music, and now I own my own mastering lab, Zeitgeist Sound Studios in Long Island City. I’ve cut hip-hop singles for OutKast and The Wu-Tang, dance records for C&C Music Factory and Whitney Houston. I’ve cut rock records for Pearl Jam and Metallica. I’ve cut reissues for The Clash and Sly and the Family Stone. I've even done my share of classical records. It's an incredible process and it amazes me every time I do it.

Now to get into my original statement: “CDs sound better than vinyl." I say it for a couple of reasons. There are sonic limitations to vinyl that do not exist on CD. There are also degradation issues that exist on vinyl. The act of playing a record actually destroys it. The inverse is also true of CDs, but in a different way. That is what I would like to discuss.

Read the rest at rockedition.com

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Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/07/2011

The withdrawn first Sex Pistols single tops the list this week, but selling at several thousand less than its usual closing price. The Elvis 7" is interesting; Compact 33 was an RCA label for jukebox vendors. Typically they were like an EP and had two cuts per side from whatever LP the artist had out at the time. This Elvis Compact 33 has one cut per side, like a regular 45. For only the second time in almost five years of keeping this list, there is a three-way tie. The #4 spot has a Butcher Cover, a rare jazz and a rare classical LP all selling for $2k. Finishing the list is a rare Northern Soul 45.



1. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $11,710.08

2. 7" - Elvis Presley "Good Luck Charm" / "Anything That's Part Of You" Compact 33 Single - $4,995.00

3. LP - Bach Mozart "Violin Concerto" His Masters Voice ASD 429 W/G UK Pressing - $4,050.00

4. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday And Today" 3rd State Butcher Stereo - $2,000.00

4. LP - Kenny Dorham "Quiet Kenny" New Jazz 8225 - $2,000.00

4. LP - Beethoven "Symphony #9" Furtwangler Akkord D-010851 - $2,000.00

5. 45 - Mac Staten "There She Goes" / "Do The Freeze" Prelude - $1,951.00

Vinyl Record Talk is Live on Radio Dentata on Tuesday, January 10th 2012, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT

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this from our friends at vinylcollective.com

Pre Order Limited Colour Revolt EP

Colour Revolt's debut self-titled EP released in 2006 by Interscope imprint Tiny Evil is being released on Vinyl for the very first time. This is a special limited edition pressing of 1,000 on clear, 180-gram vinyl. The original release was praised by influential publications like Spin, Paste and Stereogum, and led to slots at Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and tours with Manchester Orchestra and The Breeders. Still the best selling release of the band's history (and fan favorite), the release will coincide with select shows in which the band will play the EP in full.
Track Listing
Blood In Your Mouth
Matresses Underwater
A New Family
Our Homes Are Graves
Change Your Face Or Change Your Name
Circus

Buy it at shopradiocast.com

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KISS: Deluxe Edition Of 'Destroyer' Due Next Month

According to the official release schedule of Universal Music in Denmark, the deluxe 25th-anniversary edition of KISS' classic fourth album, 'Destroyer,' will be released in Europe on February 27 (one day later in North America). The two-disc set will feature remixes of the original LP by producer Bob Ezrin, outtakes from the 1976 album sessions as well as the LP's original cover art.











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love the show and sagal, but she'll always be peggy bundy to me!

Sons of Anarchy CD gives Katey Sagal music outlet

By John Carucci / Associated Press / January 10, 2012

NEW YORK—Somebody get Katey Sagal a record deal -- no really.

Although she's happy with her day job on the successful F/X series "Sons of Anarchy," in her heart, she's a singer -- and she gets a chance to show it as part of a new collection of songs from show's first four seasons.

"I love being an actor, but there's something about playing music that's a gift," the 57-year old Sagal admits.

In the past, Sagal recorded on Elektra and Casablanca Records. But times have changed in the music business for her, and she paid to record her last album. Sagal yearns to record again in a more traditional manner.

"I'm still old school. I have to go in the studio with a producer."

"Music From Sons of Anarchy: Season 1-4" features three songs by Sagal, and represents a return to her main love. Though Sagal gained her fame as an actress, her first big break in show business was in music.

Read the rest at boston.com

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The Shins - Simple Song

Preview the first taster of new album 'Port Of Morrow'.

The Shins have just revealed the first track from their new album 'Port of Morror'

Port of Morrow was recorded in Los Angeles and Portland over the course of 2011 with Mercer as usual handling all songwriting duties, lead vocals and the majority of instrumentation. The record was produced by Greg Kurstin and mixed by Rich Costey. The attached cover art was created by Jacob Escobedo.

The online shop at www.theshins.com is offering an exclusive limited edition lithograph along with physical versions of the album - all of which include an early download of Simple Song. The website is also offering the digital album as a standalone purchase and as a complimentary download with vinyl and reel-to-reel orders. Fans pre-ordering the digital album will receive the download of Simple Song, and iTunes pre-orders will also include the non-LP B-side Pariah King upon album release.




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

Simple Song by theshins

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UMe Celebrates the New Year with a Fresh Batch from the Highly Successfull ICON Series Collections from Anthrax, Cinderella, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, BLACKstreet, Dru Hill and Ja Rule

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On January 10, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) celebrates the New Year with the latest set of releases in their highly successful ICON Series. Among the latest batch of ICON collections are Anthrax - ICON, Cinderella - ICON, Deep Purple - ICON, Uriah Heep - ICON, BLACKstreet - ICON, Dru Hill - ICON and both explicit and edited versions of Ja Rule - ICON.

ANTHRAX - ICON

Heavy metal pioneers Anthrax not only helped to create but they helped define thrash metal in the early '80s. With a career that spans over 30 years, the band pushed the rigid boundaries of underground metal, blending many different styles and influences--including punk and rap--with current affairs and pop culture. Anthrax - ICON collects a wide array of songs showing the many facets of the band including "I Am The Law" (their tribute to comic book hero Judge Dredd), MTV staples "Indians" and "Antisocial," the fast and heavy "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" and their cover version of "Bring The Noise" featuring Public Enemy.

Anthrax continue to record and tour, and recently took their rightful place on the historic The Big 4 tour alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth as one of most influential American metal bands whose unique blend of metal, punk and rap helped shape metal as we know it today.

TRACK LISTING:
1) Madhouse              
2) A.I.R.                
3) Armed And Dangerous   
4) I Am The Law          
5) Indians               
6) Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
7) Antisocial
8) Got The Time

9) Belly Of The Beast
10) Bring The Noise

11) I'm The Man '91


CINDERELLA - ICON

Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Cinderella emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles. Their videos received heavy rotation on MTV and helped propel them to become one of the top bands of the era, making them a household name.

While Cinderella started with the glam metal movement, the band's hard rock/blues-rock core is where they continued to enjoy success into the new decade. This CD gives the perfect snapshot of the legacy of one of the biggest metal bands from that era and features some of the group's greatest hits, including "Shelter Me" which hit No. 5 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, and their top 10 single "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)." Other hits included are "Nobody's Fool" "Gypsy Road" and "The Last Mile."

Cinderella recently finished their 25th Anniversary Tour and will take part in the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in 2012.

TRACK LISTING:
1) Shake Me          
2) Gypsy Road        
3) Nobody's Fool     
4) Somebody Save Me  
5) The Last Mile     
6) Heartbreak Station
7) Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
8) Shelter Me

9) The More Things Change
10) Bad Attitude Shuffle
11) Coming Home


DEEP PURPLE - ICON

Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple uniquely combined progressive rock, hard rock and classical elements, carving their niche in music with a sound all their own. Their 1969 debut album Shades Of Purple put them on the U.S. charts with the hit "Hush" and their 1971 release Fireball, along with their top 10 releases Machine Head (1972) and Burn (1974), helped cement their iconic status in the history of rock.

This compilation features many of Deep Purple's greatest hits including "Nobody's Home," "Knocking At Your Back Door" and "Call Of The Wild." Also included are live versions of classic Deep Purple tracks such as "Smoke On The Water," "Hush" and "Black Knight," highlighting the best of the Brit band's iconic sound.

TRACK LISTING:
1) Smoke On The Water [1987/Live In Oslo, Norway]     
2) Hush [Live Version]                                
3) Woman From Tokyo [Live (1987 / Irvine Meadows, CA)]
4) Knocking At Your Back Door [Album Version]         
5) Call Of The Wild
6) Perfect Strangers [Album Version]
7) Bad Attitude
8) Nobody's Home
9) Black Night [Live (1987 / Verona, Italy And Oslo, Norway)]
10) Child In Time [Live (1987 / Phoenix, AZ, and Oslo, Norway)]
11) Strange Kind Of Woman [Live]


URIAH HEEP - ICON

Uriah Heep remains one of British rocks most consistent and long-standing acts with a career spanning over four decades. Their uncompromising blend of progressive rock, and what would later be labeled heavy metal, made them one of the most popular hard rock outfits to come out of the '70s. With album sales over 30 million worldwide and classic rock anthems such as "Easy Livin'," this five-man British band (who took their name from a key character in a classic Charles Dickens's novel) carved a sizable niche in the annals of rock.

To this day, Uriah Heep continues to tour playing to millions of fans across the globe and performing many of the songs featured on this collection.

TRACK LISTING:
1) Easy Livin'  
2) July Morning 
3) Free Me      
4) Gypsy        
5) Wonderworld  
6) Lady in Black
7) Look At Yourself
8) The Wizard

9) Echoes In The Dark
10) Paradise / The Spell
11) Stealin'


BLACKSTREET - ICON

BLACKstreet is one of the most successful pop and R&B/hip-hop groups of the 1990s. Founded by new jack swing pioneer Teddy Riley after the breakup of his seminal trio Guy, BLACKstreet, also featuring Chauncey Hannibal, Levi Little and Dave Hollister, released their platinum-selling, self-titled debut album in 1994 and it immediately hit top 10. For their second release, 1996's Another Level, Mark Middleton and Eric Williams replaced Hollister and Little and it quickly became their breakthrough release reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200.

This collection features many of their chart-topping singles including the Grammy® Award-winning No. 1 hit "No Diggity" featuring Dr. Dre, "Don't Leave Me," "Joy" (which was co-written with Michael Jackson), "Booti Call," and "Fix" featuring Wu Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard.

TRACK LISTING:
1) No Diggity            
2) Booti Call            
3) Before I Let You Go
4) Joy                   
5) Tonight's The Night   
6) Never Gonna Let You Go
7) Don't Leave Me
8) I Can't Get You (Out Of My Mind)

9) Fix
10) Coming Home To You
11) The Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal)



Dru Hill - ICON

R&B vocal group Dru Hill, a name derived from a park in an area where they grew up in Baltimore, first hit the charts in 1996 when their self-titled debut album hit No. 5 on the R&B Album chart. They continued to stay on the chart with 1998's double-platinum release Enter The Dru, hitting No. 2 on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts, followed by their 2002 release Dru World Order, which reached the No. 2 position on the R&B Album chart. Led by their charismatic blond-haired lead vocalist Mark Andrews, nicknamed "Sisqo," Dru Hill offered their own take on New Jack Swing blending in elements of hip-hop and combining their R&B and gospel-style singing which appealed to the masses and took them to the top of the charts.

Included on the disc are their No. 1 hits "How Deep Is Your Love" featuring Redman, "In My Bed" and "Never Make A Promise." Also included are "5 Steps," "You Are Everything," "I Should Be..." and the track "These Are The Times" which reached No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

TRACK LISTING:
1) In My Bed [Radio Edit]                
2) Never Make A Promise [Radio Edit]
3) How Deep Is Your Love [Single Version]
4) These Are The Times [Album Version]   
5) 5 Steps                               
6) I Should Be...[Radio Edit]
7) You Are Everything [Album Edit]
8) No Doubt (Work It) [Radio Edit]

9) I Love You [Radio Edit]
10) Beauty
11) Tell Me


JA RULE - ICON

The platinum-selling New York rapper Ja Rule began his career in the hip-hop group Cash Money Click and in 1994 became the flagship artist for Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. label. His hard-hitting 1999 debut album Venni Vetti Vecci hit No. 1 on the R&B Album chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200. For his next album, 2000's Rule 3:36, Ja Rule began to collaborate with R&B singers for a more radio-friendly formula, and as a result hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts consecutively. On 2001's Pain Is Love he continued to use his successful rap/R&B template and once again shot to No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts. His 2002 release, The Last Temptation, peaked at No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart; Blood In My Eye reached No. 1 and R.U.L.E. went to the No. 3 position also on the R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.

Released in both explicit and edited versions, this collection features Ja Rule's biggest hits, including the No. 1 smash "Always On Time" and the No. 2 charting "Mesmerize" (both featuring Ashanti); "Holla Holla" and "Wonderful," the latter featuring R. Kelly. Other tracks included are "Between Me & You," "Down A** B**ch" and "Livin' It Up," all showcasing why Ja Rule became one of the rap industry's most commercially successful artists during the early 2000s.

TRACK LISTING: ICON (EDITED)
1) Livin' It Up [Album Version (Edited)]
2) Put It On Me [Album Version (Edited)]
3) Wonderful [Album Version (Edited)]   
4) Mesmerize [Album Version (Edited)]   
5) Holla Holla [Album Version (Edited)] 
6) New York [Album Version (Edited)]
7) We Here Now [Album Version (Edited)]
8) Down A** B**ch [Album Version (Edited)]
9) Between Me & You [Album Version (Edited)]
10) Thug Lovin' [Radio Edit]
11) Always On Time [Album Version (Edited)]

TRACK LISTING: ICON (EXPLICIT)
1) Livin' It Up [Album Version (Explicit)]
2) Put It On Me [Album Version (Explicit)]
3) Wonderful [Album Version (Explicit)]
4) Mesmerize [Album Version (Explicit)]   
5) Holla Holla [Album Version (Explicit)] 
6) New York [Album Version (Explicit)]
7) We Here Now [Album Version (Explicit)]
8) Down A** B**ch [Album Version (Explicit)]
9) Between Me & You [Album Version]
10) Thug Lovin' [Album Version (Explicit)]

11) Always On Time [Album Version (Explicit)]

Universal Music Enterprises' ongoing and highly successful ICON series features greatest hits, signature songs and fan favorites from many of the most influential artists in music history. Each collection is specially priced offering unprecedented value for music fans.

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

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from redefinemag.com a really super look and summary of album cover art of 2011!!

2011 Year-End Respect For Album Cover Art : Illustration, Painting & Drawing

Our third-annual album cover art feature uses interviews with artists and musicians to highlight the philosophical, thematic, and conceptual significance of great album cover artwork.

THE BREAKDOWN

12 Collage
+ 14 Digital Illustration, Drawing, Design
+ 19 Illustration, Painting, Drawing
+ 8 Black And White Photography
+ 22 Color Photography
+ 6 Deluxe Packaging
+ 10 Fashion, Sculpture, Installation
_____________________________
91 Album Covers For 2011

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and in music history for january 10th:

In 1949, RCA Victor announced the creation of a new record format logically nicknamed the "45," since the two-sided seven-inch vinyl discs were designed to play at 45-RPM. There are some contradictions as to when 45s actually started. 
(for more information go to history-of-rock.com  and let the discussion begin!)

In 1955, Alan Freed hosted his first New York stage show, featuring The Clovers, The Drifters and Fats Domino.

In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs as an RCA Victor artist in Nashville. Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Was the One," "I’m Counting On You," "I Got a Woman" and "Money Honey." He was backed by a drummer, D.J. Fontana for the first time, in addition to guitarist Chet Atkins and piano player Floyd Cramer in an eight hour recording session.

In 1959, Jerry Lee Lewis has his only UK #1 single with "Great Balls Of Fire."

In 1964, the first US Beatles album, 'Introducing The Beatles,' was released on Vee-Jay records. The album cover showed John, Paul and George with their now famous "mop top" haircuts, but Ringo had yet to convert. Vee-Jay would be forced to stop selling the disc by the end of the year because of legal complications, but by then over 1.3 million copies had been sold.

Starting in the late 1960s and continuing through the 1990s,' Introducing The Beatles' was frequently counterfeited. These counterfeits can be identified by the cover printing and quality, the label, or the sound quality.

The counterfeits may have some differences from the commercial issue. For example, one common variation has the title of the album and the group's name separated by the center spindle hole, even though all variations legitimately released by Vee-Jay Records have both the title and the group's name above the hole.

On another counterfeit variation, dating from the late 1970s, George Harrison's shadow is not visible on the right side of the cover. However, all legitimate copies of the album and even most counterfeits include his shadow.

Nearly all fakes claim to be in stereo (though the actual sound of the record is often in mono). As legitimate stereo copies of Introducing... The Beatles are rare, the majority of copies with "stereo" or "stereophonic" printed on the cover are counterfeits

In 1964, in London, the Rolling Stones recorded Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away."



In 1969, frustrated at Paul McCartney's dominance during the filming of Let It Be, George Harrison nonchalantly tells the rest of the band that he is quitting immediately and sarcastically says as he walked out, "See you around the clubs." George would later say that while he had a growing backlog of new material, he constantly had to work on Lennon and McCartney's songs before the group would work on his. George was the second Beatle to quit; Ringo had left the group for a brief period a year earlier.

In 1976, the North American fascination with CB radios helped push C.W. McCall's truck driving song, "Convoy" to the top of the Billboard Pop chart. McCall, whose real name is William Dale Fries, Jr., used a pre-Rap vocal technique that wavers between singing and speaking called "sprechgesang" (German for spoken-song and spoken-voice). He would place three more songs on the Hot 100 and a dozen on the Country chart.

In 1976, Foghat's "Slow Ride" becomes the first of their five Billboard chart entries and the only one to crack the Top 20.

Also in 1976, 66 year old Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin' Wolf, passed away at the age of 66. Although he never gained mainstream popularity, the legendary American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine at #51 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In 1981, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" LP goes Platinum a little over a month after Lennon's assassination. The album would be number one in the US for eight weeks.

In 1984, Cyndi Lauper became the first female recording artist since Bobbie Gentry in 1967 to be nominated for five Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female), Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

In 2000, Melissa Etheridge announced that the father of her and Julie Cypher's children was David Crosby.

In 2003, a collection of 500 Beatles tapes known as the 'Get Back sessions', which were stolen in the 1970's, were found after UK police cracked a major bootleg operation in London and Amsterdam. Five men were arrested.

In 2006, the iTunes Music Store reached 850 million songs sold.

In 2007, the iTunes Music Store reached 2 billion songs sold.

In 2007, a fire razed the Clio, Michigan home of ? and The Mysterians leader Rudy Martinez, destroying all of his memorabilia. He did not have insurance on the house and was forced into living in a mobile home nearby.

In 2008, Rod Allen, the last remaining original member of The Fortunes, died of liver cancer at the age of 64. The band scored a trio of Billboard Top 40 hits, including "You've Got Your Troubles" in 1965 and "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" in 1971.

birthdays today include (among others): Don Letts (Big Audio Dynamite) (56), Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) (53), Matt Roberts (3 Doors Down) (34), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) (64), Ronnie Hawkins (77), Scott McKenzie (73), Rod Stewart (67), Bob Lang (Mindbenders) (66), Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions) (57) and Pat Benatar (59)

Monday, January 9, 2012

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases ~ January 10, 2012






A Place to Bury Strangers - Onwards to the Wall (EP)
Alex Chilton - Free Again: The 1970 Sessions
Andy Gibb - Greatest Hits
Anthrax - Icon
Barbados! - Adagio For Bones
Cardinal - Hymns
Caspian - Live at Old South Church
Charlie Haden and Hank Jones - Come Sunday
Cinderella - Icon
David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest
Deep Purple - Icon
Giant Sand - Is All Over the Map (remastered with bonus track)
Goldmund - Two Point Discrimination
Gong - Magick Invocations (reissue)
Grand and Noble - Grand and Noble
Johnny Cash - Country Boy (reissue)
Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm (reissue)
Johnny Cash - Train of Love (reissue)
Joshua Bell - French Impressions
Keepaway - Black Flute
Kronos Quartet - The Music of Vladimir Martynov
Kurt Cobain - Collector's Box (3-CD box set)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends (2 CDs)
Lemonheads - Hotel Sessions (vinyl)
MUTEMATH - Odd Soul (vinyl)
Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral
Mark Lanegan - The Gravedigger's Song (vinyl)
Matt Wertz - Weight & Wings (vinyl)
Michael Giacchino - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Soundtrack
Morphine - Cure for Pain ((reissue) (vinyl)
Nightwish - Imaginaerum
O’Brother - Garden Window
Patti Smith - Live in Germany 1979
Raw Feels - Raw Feels
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (reissue) (vinyl)
Red Wanting Blue - From the Vanishing Point
Run Dan Run - Normal
Safetysuit - These Times
Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires
The Babies - Cry Along With the Babies (12")
The Beautiful View - Life Is Beautiful
The Little Willies - For the Good Times
The Melismatics - Mania!
The Twilight Sad - No One Can Ever Know
Uriah Heep - Icon
Van Morrison - Live On Air
Various Artists - Joyful Noise Soundtrack
Various Artists - We are the Works in Progress
Waylon Jennings - Burning (reissue)
Willie Nelson - Broken Promises (reissue)
Willie Nelson - The Last Letter (reissue)
Young London - Young London


Vinyl Record News & Music Notes


Tony Iommi Diagnosed With Lymphoma

Black Sabbath released a statement on their official Facebook Page:

"With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

"This comes as Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)--are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available."

We should expect more news on Iommi's condition shortly.

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The White Stripes Release Outtakes 45 RPM

The White Stripes are scheduled to release alternate versions of two classic tracks, neither of which have been available to fans before now. An earlier version of the band's 2003 single "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground," (tilted "Dead Leaves") and an early recording of "Let's Build A Home." The recordings will be sold as part of Jack White's Nashville based label Third Man Recordings' exclusive series of From The Vault releases..

The 1999 versions will be presented on 'White Stripes Outtakes,' a 7-inch record in Vault Package #11, a set which will also include the third and final triple-album volume of the White Stripes’ Singles

Compilation on black, white and yellow vinyl, as well as a fold-out poster integrating with the previous albums and a solar-reactive color-changing Third Man Records T-shirt. Pre-orders start on January 31.

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found this very informative, well worth the read:

2012 Music Guide: 50 Most Anticipated Albums of The Year

50 reasons why 2012 is going to be unforgettable for music.

By Johnny Firecloud

We're all done reflecting on 2011 now, right? No more 'best of' lists and nostalgic reflections? Sure, the year kicked ass, but the past has been milked for all it's worth, and 2012 is absolutely packed with enough new releases to make last year look like a slacker's calendar.

Legendary reunions, promising newcomers and highly anticipated return albums abound, and 2012 is already shaping up to be a kickass year for music. Here's our list of the 50 or so most anticipated albums of 2012!

Read more about the Top 50 at craveonline.com

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HALFORD, LEMMY, ALICE COOPER, GLENN HUGHES Set For RONNIE JAMES DIO Tribute Album

JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), Chris Jericho (FOZZY) and Dave Grohl (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) are among the artists who have signed on to be part of the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.

"I'm letting them pick what songs they wanna do in the way they wanna do it," Wendy told Artisan News at last month's Dimebash event in Hollywood, California.

Tentatively due before the end of the year, the Dio tribute album will see Grohl covering BLACK SABBATH's "The Mob Rules" and Halford contributing a version of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll".

Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and his own band DIO, died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

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i'd buy it just for the cover...

ASPHYX 7" EP Released

Dutch doom death metallers ASPHYX have released a special edition seven-inch EP called 'Reign Of The Brute' on CM Distro.

Side A:
* Reign Of The Brute (album version) (2:59)
Side B:
* Der Landser (German version) (6:58)

A total of 500 hand-numbered (in respective color) copies are available in the following quantities/vinyl colors:

* 100 transparent red vinyl
* 100 transparent blue vinyl
* 300 black vinyl









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album cover art of the day:

DESASTER To Release 'The Arts Of Destruction' In February

German black/thrash commando DESASTER has finished recording its new album, "The Arts Of Destruction", for a February 28 release (one day earlier internationally) via Metal Blade Records.

Read more at Blabbermouth












a side note, when i prepared today's post and now looking at it, i wonder if the artwork by both was done by the same artist,.....sure looks that way to me....will research it


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oh, and this cover won't cause some trouble.....

GOATWHORE: New Album Details Revealed

"Blood For The Master", the new studio album from New Orleans, Louisiana's sons of American no-frills-black-metal-meets-death-'n'-roll GOATWHORE, will be released in North America on February 14 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was once again recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan.

The first single off the album, "Collapse In Eternal Worth", along with "In the Studio" video footage, is now available at MetalBlade.com/Goatwhore. Fans can stream or download the single as well as check out the lyric video for the track that incorporates the artwork from both the CD and vinyl versions of the release, each which features different artwork.

Read the rest at Blabbermouth










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Paul McCartney New Album Details

Paul McCartney has explained why he has called his upcoming album of covers 'Kisses On The Bottom'. He has taken its name from the lyrics in jazz legend Fats Waller's 1935 hit 'I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter," which McCartney covers on the album. The lyric is:

I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you/I’m gonna write words oh so sweet/They’re gonna knock me off of my feet/A lot of kisses on the bottom/I’ll be glad I got ‘em.

The album was recorded with producer Tommy LiPuma, Diana Krall and her band and also features guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder. 'Kisses On The Bottom' is made up of songs McCartney listened to as a child as well as two new songs, ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’.

It is set for release on February 6th. The album artwork was taken by McCartney's daughter, Mary McCartney.






Tracklist:
'I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter'
'Home (When Shadows Fall)'
'It’s Only A Paper Moon'
'More I Cannot Wish You'
'The Glory Of Love'
'We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)'
'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive'
'My Valentine'
'Always'
'My Very Good Friend The Milkman'
'Bye Bye Blackbird'
'Get Yourself Another Fool'
'The Inch Worm'
'Only Our Hearts'

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33 Days Author Bill See On Vinyl Record Talk - Tuesday January 10th, 8pm ET / 5pm PT on Radio Dentata

Click Here for Vinyl Record Talk

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and in music history for the today, january 9th:

In 1956, a trio known as Buddy Holly and the Two-Tunes kick off a two week tour of the Southern United States as a supporting act for George Jones and Hank Thompson.

In 1959, Dion and The Belmonts perform their newest recording, "Teenager In Love," on American Bandstand. The song will reach #5 in the US and #28 in the UK.

In 1961, orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert knocked Elvis Presley out of the number one spot on the US charts after six weeks with a sleepy instrumental called "Wonderland By Night". Later in the year, Kaempfert would hire The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on their first commercial recording, "My Bonnie."

Also in 1961, Bob Newhart's comedy LP "The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!" topped the Billboard album chart, just as "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" did the previous year.

In 1962, in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)."

In 1963, London jazz drummer Charlie Watts left Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated to join a new band called the Rolling Stones.

In 1965, the Beatles started a nine week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with "Beatles 65", the group's fourth US #1 LP. The record jumped from #98 the week before, making the biggest gain in chart history to that point. Also on this date in 65' Sid Bernstein approached Brian Epstein about the Beatles playing Shay Stadium.

In 1965, the UK music show Juke Box Jury, a program where four panelists review new Pop music, turns thumbs down on The Righteous Brothers' latest release, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", calling it "a miss." It will prove to be one of the most talked about miscalculations in the show's history, as the tune would go on to top both the UK and US charts.

In 1973, Mick Jagger was refused a Japanese visa because of a 1969 drug bust. The event halted the Rolling Stones' plan to tour the Orient. Asked by a reporter about his personal drug use, Jagger replied, "I don't take drugs. I don't approve of drugs and I don't approve of people taking drugs...unless they're very careful."

In 1975, after years of delays, The Beatles & Company partnership was formally dissolved in a private hearing at London's High Court. It took effect on April 9.

In 1976, Graham Parker of Graham Parker & the Rumour signed his first recording contract.

In 1979, a benefit concert called A Gift of Song was held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The performers were Olivia Newton-John, Rita Coolidge, the Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer, John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, Abba and Earth, Wind & Fire. The show raised about half a million dollars, but an album of the concert was a flop.

Van Halen's self titled sixth album was released on this date in 1984.

CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:

"Nobody Told Me" by John Lennon (single) was released in the UK in 1984 (the 6th in the US)

Recorded (but uncompleted) shortly before his death in 1980, the song was later completed by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in 1983 and released as the first single from Lennon and Ono's album Milk and Honey in 1984.

"Nobody Told Me" was Lennon's last new single to reach the UK Top 10, peaking at #6 (although a reissue of "Imagine reached #3 in December 1999). The single was also Lennon's last US Top 10 hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was his third single to enter the US Top 10 posthumouslyThe B-side features Yoko Ono's "O'Sanity", also from the Milk and Honey album.

The lyrics make reference to "a little yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu" which is similar to a line from J. Milton Hayes' poem entitled The Green Eye of the Yellow God. Hayes' line was "There’s a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu".

Another line in the song is "There's UFO's over New York and I ain't too surprised", apparently a reference to a UFO sighting Lennon had back in 1974. He made reference to this in the liner notes to his 1974 album Walls and Bridges with the message: "On the 23rd August 1974 at 9 o'clock I saw a U.F.O. - J.L.".

The line "Nobody told me there'd be days like these..." is in contrast to the old adage "My mother told me there'd be days like this."

The promo video for the single was made up of clips of footage from Lennon's other videos, as are most posthumous Lennon videos.



In 1997, a day after his birthday, David Bowie held his 50th Birthday Bash concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Guest performers included Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of the Cure, the Foo Fighters, and Lou Reed. Proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund.

In 1988, Whitney Houston led the Billboard singles chart with "So Emotional", her sixth consecutive number one song. Up to that point, only The Beatles and The Bee Gees had scored six straight chart toppers.

In 1998, Cher gives an emotional eulogy at Sonny Bono's funeral in Palm Springs, California, where she praised the man who had been a husband, friend, partner, father figure and rival, calling him "the most unforgettable character I've ever met." The event was broadcast live to millions of people on CNN.

In 2003, a grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000. Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio, who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World.

In 2007, Britain's Royal Mail issued a series of Beatles postage stamps.

In 2009, Dave Dee, of the British Pop Rock group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, died following a three year battle with cancer at the age of 67. In the late 60's the band spent more time on the UK charts than The Beatles, scoring a number one single in 1968 with "The Legend of Xanadu".

birthdays today include (among others): David Johansen (New York Dolls) (62), Crystal Gayle (61), Joan Baez (71), Dave Matthews (45), Steven Harwell (Smash Mouth) (45), Carl Bell (Fuel) (45) and the legendary Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) (68)



Sunday, January 8, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

this vinyl record story out of the uk:

Vinyl records are top of the pops once more as shop celebrates anniversary

Hull Daily Mail

THE elaborate picture sleeves and crackle as the needle scores the grooves and are just a couple of the reasons why the iPod generation is going crazy for new and second-hand records.

Vinyl is enjoying a huge surge in popularity and one Hull shop is celebrating its 20th year in business by ordering its third batch of new LPs in a month.

Next Saturday will also see the first record fair in Hull in almost two years at the Mercure Hull Royal Hotel in Ferensway.

Spin-it Records in Trinity Market stocks about 8,000 LPs and 4,000 singles as well as rock and pop memorabilia.

It also now sells budget record players and is home to a Hull Wall Of Fame, featuring 160 famous people who have links with the city.

Steve Mathie, 50, who runs the shop, says he now has interest from people across the country and even the likes of David Essex and Suede have paid a visit.

Read the rest at thisishullandeastriding.co.uk

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sad but enlightening story of a record store:

Webster Records Shutters After 58 Years

By Diana Benanti

After 58 years of slinging wax and compact discs, Webster Records is closing its doors on January 31.

Owner Jennifer Graves Bellm has been the proprietor for five years, and she said the current climate of the music industry is the impetus for closing the small shop that's been operating at 117 West Lockwood since 1953. The lease is up at the end of the month and she's looking to pursue other opportunities. "I grew up in Memphis and fell in love with the classic record store there -- Poplar Tunes. Webster Records had the same vibe and I wanted to keep that alive as long as I could," said Bellm. She added that it was one of the oldest continuously operating record stores west of the Mississippi.

Bill Wondracek has been behind the counter for the last ten years and says he'll miss the clientele most of all.

Read the rest at blogs.riverfronttimes.com

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i agree with most of the selections (by the way, super list and commentary), interestingly, i have all these on their original vinyl....the 70's had some great rock and roll...

Best live albums of the '70s

If you heard these 12, you'd want to see them, too: A classic collection

By Tom Szaroleta

Here’s how you can tell if a live album is really great: It had to have been first issued on 8-track tape.

That’s not to say that there haven’t been any noteworthy live albums issued since the advent of cassettes, CDs and MP3s. But the real Golden Age of the Live Album clearly was the 1970s, when artists would put out a live record to show fans just how good they sounded on stage. They were typically double albums, on vinyl, that fans could open up to study the trippy artwork while listening.

Read more at Jacksonville.com




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and in music history for today, january 8th:

and i would be silly not to recognize one of rock and roll's most prolific voices without saying something about the King's birthday. i liked the rockin' stuff but never liked some of the crooners. for a white man, he could really sing the blues. every now and then i pull out some of his old vinyl and celebrate his music. this is the true king of rock and roll.....

In 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley was born at his parent's home, a two-room house that was built by his father at 306 Old Saltillo Road, East Tupelo, Mississippi. A twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley is stillborn.

Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family at the age of 13. He began his career there in 1954, working with Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was one of the originators of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for over two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of gs, many from African American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popular—and controversial. In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender.

Conscripted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He staged few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, after seven years away from the stage, he returned to live performance in a celebrated comeback television special that led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of profitable tours. In 1973 Presley staged the first concert broadcast globally via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii, seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 from cardiac arrest at the age of 42.

Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th-century popular culture. He had a versatile voice and unusually wide success encompassing many genres, including country, pop ballads, gospel, and blues. He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music. Nominated for 14 competitive Grammys, he won three, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. He has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

not much more can be added to this wikipedia description.....take it away elvis



In 1945, Elvis Presley receives his first guitar for his tenth birthday. The plain brown, acoustic model cost $12.95 from the Tupelo Hardware Store.

In 1957, Elvis took the US Army pre-induction exam on his 22nd birthday.

In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets started the first ever 'rock & roll tour' of Australia, playing two sold out nights in Sydney.

In 1958, the Everly Brothers kicked off a 17 date North American tour at the Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also on the bill, Buddy Holly, the Rays, Royal Teens, Shepherd Sisters, Paul Anka, Margie Rayburn and Danny & The Juniors.

Born on this day in 1959, Paul Hester, drums, Crowded House. Hester died on 26th March 2005 aged 46, after he "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne, Australia.

In 1960, while stationed in Germany on his 25th birthday, Elvis Presley did a telephone interview with Dick Clark for ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."

In 1960, in Hollywood at his last recording session, Eddie Cochran recorded "Three Steps To Heaven."

In 1961, singer Robert Goulet made his American TV debut on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show," singing "If Ever I Would Leave You." He had already been a successful television presence in Canada where he appeared on various CBC shows throughout the 1950s, including the Canadian version of "Howdy Doody" in which he starred opposite William Shatner.

In 1963, the Beatles appeared live on Scottish TV's Round Up, transmitted live from The Theatre Royal, Glasgow. They mimed to "Please Please Me."

The TV dance show "Hullabaloo" debuted on NBC in 1965.

In 1966, the Beatles started a six week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Rubber Soul' the group's seventh US chart topper, which went on to spend 56 weeks on the chart. i think that the tracklist speaks for itself...one of the best LPs the four ever put out, in my humble opinion

Side one
1. "Drive My Car"
2. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"
3. "You Won't See Me"
4. "Nowhere Man"
5. "Think for Yourself" (George Harrison)
6. "The Word"
7. "Michelle"



Side two
1. "What Goes On"
2. "Girl"
3. "I'm Looking Through You"
4. "In My Life"
5. "Wait"
6. "If I Needed Someone" (Harrison)
7. "Run for Your Life





In 1966, Lou Christie recorded his original version of "Rhapsody In The Rain." After many U.S. radio stations banned the record for its lyric content, a "sanitized" single was issued.

Born on this day in 1966, Andrew Patrick Wood, American musician best known as the lead singer for grunge bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone, cited as "founding fathers" of the Seattle's grunge movement. Wood died on March 19th 1990

Also in 1966, the final episode of "Shindig!" was broadcast on ABC-TV. The show featured the Kinks and the Who.

In 1969, Mike Jagger and Keith Richards were both barred from an exclusive hotel for wearing "op art" pants and nothing else. They were both asked to leave the Hotel Crillen in Lima, Peru after refusing to change clothes.

In 1972, the New Seekers were at #1 on the UK singles chart with 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing, (in Perfect Harmony'). The song started as a Coca Cola TV ad. It originally included the line, 'I'd like to buy the world a Coke.'

In 1973, Yoko Ono released "Approximately Infinite University" as a two record set.

In 1973, Elvis Presley sued Priscilla Presley for a divorce.

Also in 1973, Carly Simon's single, "You're So Vain" was certified Gold.

In 1974, Casablanca Records signed KISS to a recording contract soon after catching their act in New York, along with Blue Oyster Cult and Iggy Pop. The band's first album would be released a few weeks later and would climb to number 87 on the US album chart.

In 1975, three Led Zeppelin concerts and Madison Square Garden sold out in a record four hours.

In 1977, Queen went to #1 on the UK album chart with 'Day At The Races.'

In 1977, taking time out from their group 5th Dimension Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis went to #1 on the US singles chart with "You Don't Have To Be A Star," a #7 hit in the UK.

In 1979, Rush was named the Canada's official "Ambassadors of Music" by the Canadian government.

In 1991, Steve Clark guitarist with Def Leppard, was found dead at his Chelsea flat by his girlfriend, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption combined with prescription drugs. The autopsy revealed he had died from an overdose of codeine and had Valium, morphine and a blood alcohol level of .30, three times the British legal driving limit. In 2007 Clark was ranked No.11 on Classic Rock Magazine's "100 Wildest Guitar Heroes".

In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service released the stamp that won their controversial "thin Elvis" versus "fat Elvis" contest. The 29-cent stamp garnering the most consumer votes showed the likeness of the 1950s era Elvis, and remains the best-selling stamp of all time with more than 500 million sold.

In 1994, singer/actor (The Gene Autry Show, Green Acres, Back To The Future III, The Gatling Gun, Roustabout, Sergeant Dead Head, Wild in the Country, Twilight of Honor, Blue Canadian Rockies, Wagon Team, Barbed Wire, Apache Country, Night Stage to Galveston, The Old West, Valley of Fire, Riders in the Sky, The Strawberry Roan)/cartoon voicist (Garfield and Friends, The Fox and the Hound, The AristoCats, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Rescuers, A Goofy Movie, Robin Hood) Pat Buttram died of kidney failure at the age of 78.   i loved mr haney,  :O)

In 1996, in a Los Angeles courtroom, Robert Hoskins was found guilty on five counts of stalking, assault and making terrorist threats to Madonna. Hoskins twice scaled the walls of the singer's estate and threatened to slash her throat.

In 2000, Christina Aguilera started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with 'What A Girl Wants.' She ended Santana's 12- week run at #1 with 'Smooth.'

In 2001, a woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her via telepathy was arrested for stalking the Guns N’ Roses singer for a second time. Police detained Karen Jane McNeil after she was spotted loitering outside his house.

In 2001, Laura Webb of The Bobbettes died of cancer at the age of 57. The R&B quintet scored a Billboard number six hit with "Mr. Lee" in 1957. That song was written about one of their high school teachers that they actually dis-liked and the girls were forced to revise the original lyrics before Atlantic Records would record the song.

In 2004, the estate of George Harrison started a $10 million (£5.8 million) legal action against Dr Gilbert Lederman of Staten Island University Hospital, claiming the doctor coerced Harrison to sign souvenirs. The main allegations of the legal action was that Dr Lederman got an extremely sick Harrison to sign his son’s guitar and autographs for his two daughters.

In 2010, Jimmy Page launched a new set of stamps in the UK which featured classic album covers from the last 40 years including Led Zeppelin IV, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Division Bell by Pink Floyd, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Coldplay, Power, Corruption And Lies, New Order, Let It Bleed, The Rolling Stones, London Calling, The Clash, Screamadelica, Primal Scream, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, David Bowie and Parklife by Blur.

In 2010, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles revealed plans to seek an indictment against Michael Jackson's doctor on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. The L.A. coroner ruled Jackson's death at age 50 a homicide with his passing caused by acute intoxication of the powerful anesthetic propofol with other sedatives a contributing factor.

birthdays today include (among others): Anthony Gourdine - Little Anthony and The Imperials (1941), Terry Sylvester - Swinging Blue Jeans (1945), Robert Krieger - Doors (1946) and the immortal David Jones (David Bowie) (1947)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

very interesting comparison by the author, he brings up valid points for each side, read on (you'll never take the vinyl lover out of me!):

Vinyl vs. Digital, a Side-by-Side Face Off

By Jeff Balke

With all due respect to my audiophile friends, the end-of-year sales numbers for vinyl albums (up 39 percent from last year) are still just a blip on the radar. Vinyl sold 3.9 million copies according to SoundScan and that is a formidable number considering it is quadruple over what it was just five years ago. But, by comparison, Adele's 21 sold 5.8 million CDs, substantially more than the total number of vinyl records sold by everyone. It's pointless to even discuss the billions of tracks sold, so I won't even go there.

But, vinyl has become a viable option for artist trying to avoid piracy and provide a collectible option to fans. And the nerds love it!

I grew up with vinyl and, at one time, had a massive collection. I still love its warmth and the nostalgia I feel when picking up old records, but I have long since moved on to the convenience of digital, which got me to thinking what it would be like if I compared the two, so I did.

Read the rest and make your own judgements about both formats at blogs.houstonpress.com

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great vinyl article!:

What’s old is cool again

By: TRAVIS SWANN

“See this needle, a see my hand,
Drop, drop, dropping it down, oh so gently,
Well here it comes, I touch the plane,
Turn me up, won’t turn you away,
Spin, spin, spin the black circle.”

The words from the Eddie Vedder penned, “Spin the Black Circle” from Vitalogy not only gave the group Grammy cred in the early-1990s, but it also exemplified the singer’s affinity for vinyl records.

Such an affinity has been strengthened among music enthusiasts over the last 10 years, but the last few years have showed gains among the vinyl category – all the while proving that what was once old can
always be cool again.

Although vinyl records only account for a small percentage of album sales, the format has been a popular one of late because of several different reasons.

“Vinyl offers such a dynamic range. There’s more stereo and left and right effect,” said Toney Rounsaville, store manager of Audiomasters.

Read the rest at murfreesboropost.com

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New of Montreal Single Premieres -- "Dour Percentage"

The first official single from of Montreal's upcoming album Paralytic Stalks debuted on Pitchfork recently.

Pre-order the album in a variety of options:

CD
180-gram black vinyl (includes 2-sided 12" x 24" poster)
Limited edition 180-gram fuchsia vinyl (1500 copies, includes 2-sided poster)
Cassette (limited to 500 on purple tape)
T-Shirt + MP3 (new design by David Barnes)
Sweatshirt + MP3 (each size is limited to 50)
All pre-orders include a FREE sticker and ship Jan. 30. In stores Feb. 7.



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i love this! if i only had the money.....this from relapse.com


Deluxe Sawblade-Shaped 2xLPGatefold Jacket with InsertPressing Info:  554 x Blood Red *Sawblade Shaped

Relapse Store: A huge selection of underground music and merchandise from labels and bands from around the world.
















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this from noisecreep (nifty cover art!)

Adrenaline Mob Reveal Debut Album Title, Release Date

Hot on the heels of their self-titled EP released last August, Adrenaline Mob returns with their debut full length album, 'Omertá.

The album is slated for release on March 13 and will be released by the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services

Adrenaline Mob features the powerhouse vocals of Russell Allen (Symphony X), the shredding guitar attack of Mike Orlando and the drumming virtuosity of Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater). The album builds upon the sound developed on the EP with 11 crushing tracks including tracks such as 'Indifferent,' 'All on the Line' and 'Angel Sky,' showcase the evolution of Adrenaline Mob in their sound and songwriting.

'Omertá' also features a blistering reinterpretation of Duran Duran's classic 'Come Undone' featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. The album was produced by Adrenaline Mob and mixed by Jay Ruston known for his work on Anthrax's 'Worship Music' and Steel Panther's 'Balls Out.'

Read the rest at noisecreep.com

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warning, don't stare at the cover art...

CARTER TUTTI VOID

CHRIS CARTER / COSEY FANNI TUTTI / NIK VOID

TRANSVERSE – OUT MARCH 27, 2012  VINYL, CD, & DOWNLOAD

Mute is pleased to announce the release of CARTER TUTTI VOID’s Transverse, a unique collaboration from Chris Carter & Cosey Fanni Tutti (Throbbing Gristle) and Nik Void (Factory Floor), out on vinyl, CD and download on March 27, 2012.

Transverse is a unique collaboration, created especially for the legendary Short Circuit presents Mute festival at the Roundhouse, London in 2011.

The tracks were prepared in the studio and then performed and recorded live in front of an audience. Outside of the trio, these recordings were unheard prior to the festival and the popularity of the performance left many being turned away at the door. Mute is proud to make this groundbreaking recording available and to be working again with two of electronic music’s true pioneers and one of its new trail blazers.

Said The Quietus (UK) of the performance: “…a warm embrace, creating a deep connection… Carter at the back manipulates the electronics while on either flank, Void scratches noise with bowed guitar and Tutti plays while singing vocals that she mangles and distorts… there is no nihilism in this noise, nothing but a deep and wonderful sense of love.”

TRACKLIST:
The album is made up of 4 parts:
V1 (10:04)
V2 (10:05)
V3 (09:06)
V4 (10:08)

Mute plan a series of releases from Short Circuit presents Mute at the Roundhouse in the near future.

facebook.com/muterecords  | twitter.com/muteUSA

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cool a 'battle of the bands,' should prove interesting

Hard Rock Rising Gives Up-and-coming Bands The Chance to Take the Stage at Hard Rock Calling 2012

Announcing Call for Entries in Global Battle of the Bands Competition

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock is on the hunt for rock stars on the rise to take the stage at the 2012 Hard Rock Calling music festival in London's Hyde Park. Hard Rock Rising, the global battle of the bands, will give one local band from this international competition the chance of a lifetime – to be on the bill with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at one of the world's most-anticipated concert events.

Rising to the Occasion – the Road to Hard Rock's Main Stage

Hard Rock, in a partnership with online music services company ReverbNation, will host an open registration for bands wishing to participate in the global battle from Friday, January 6, 2012 through
Tuesday, January 17, 2012. The combination of Hard Rock's iconic brand and ReverbNation's extensive network of over 1.8 million artists around the world, will give great undiscovered bands an international stage to jumpstart their careers.

"Hard Rock believes it is critical to support emerging artists and discover new musical talent through the Hard Rock Rising program," said John Galloway, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Hard Rock International. "We are confident our partnership with ReverbNation will help us secure world-class talent that we can showcase to the international music community at this year's Hard Rock Calling festival."

"Hard Rock is a worldwide icon of music, the perfect brand to provide this opportunity to deserving artists," added Mike Doernberg, ReverbNation CEO and Co-founder. "From day one here at Reverb, we've been all about the artist and opportunities like Hard Rock Rising extend that mission exponentially."

To register future rock stars can visit one of eighty-six participating Hard Rock Cafe Facebook pages. Following open registration, fans decide who moves on to the live performance phase of the program and can vote on any Hard Rock's city-specific, Facebook page by downloading free tracks from bands of their choice. For full rules and a list of participating locations visit hardrock.com

After fans choose their favorites, participating Hard Rock Cafe locations around the world will host a series of live competitions featuring these local bands. One winner will be selected from each location by the other participating bands. These local winners will be narrowed down to the top ten bands worldwide via fan voting on participating Hard Rock Facebook fan pages. Finally a panel of celebrity judges and music industry professionals will select the top three winners.

The first place winner will be flown to London for the ultimate rock star treatment, including a spot on the bill at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Second and third prize winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, in ReverbNation PROMOTE IT credits, a revolutionary tool that creates targeted, highly effective Facebook advertising campaigns for musicians and venues promoting songs, Facebook pages and concerts.

Greetings From Hyde Park - Hard Rock Calling 2012

Hard Rock Calling, an iconic festival now in its seventh consecutive year, has established itself as one of the UK's premier outdoor music events. The 2012 festival will take place from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15 in London's Hyde Park. Headliners for the festival will include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who will take the Main Stage for their second Hard Rock Calling performance. Hard Rock Calling 2012's performers will join a long line of rock 'n' roll greats who have taken the stage at this iconic festival including: Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, The Killers, The Police, Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. Hard Rock Calling, produced by Live Nation and presented by Hard Rock International, is a unique and historic musical event with a main stage, second stage, renowned bands, on-site Hard Rock Cafe, as well as a variety of additional attractions. For further information on the 2012 artist lineup and ticket details, visit hardrockcalling.co.uk.

Visit www.hardrock.com for details on event dates and times, and head to a Hard Rock Cafe location in your city to watch your favorite local bands battle for the opportunity of a lifetime!

SOURCE Hard Rock International

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Van Halen Announces 2012 North American Tour and the February 7, 2012 Release of Their New Album, A Different Kind of Truth

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Van Halen, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees and one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time, announced their return to the live stage with an extraordinary 2012 North American tour. The announcement was made late last night, during a once-in-a-lifetime performance, at the intimate Cafe Wha? in New York City. Known around the world for some of the most iconic live performances in music history, the legendary rock band will begin their tour on February 18. Kool & The Gang will join Van Halen for select tour dates.

Tickets for the Live Nation-promoted tour go on sale beginning January 14 at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

In addition, Van Halen confirmed their new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, will be released in the U.S. by Interscope Records on February 7. The first single from the album, "Tattoo", and its accompanying video will be debut simultaneously on Tuesday, January 10th, with album pre-orders starting that day. A Different Kind Of Truth is Van Halen's first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the band's classic multi-platinum album 1984.

Fans can expect Van Halen to perform selections from A Different Kind Of Truth alongside songs from their arsenal of epic hits that include: "Eruption," "Running with the Devil," "Jamie's Cryin'," "You Really Got Me," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Everybody Wants "Some," "Unchained," "And The Cradle Will Rock," "Beautiful Girls," "Mean Street," "Somebody Get Me A Doctor," "Jump," "Panama," "Hot For Teacher," "I'll Wait," and more from their classic albums Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down and 1984.

Van Halen – who the Los Angeles Times recently called "a force of nature" and "one of the flat-out greatest rock bands on the planet" – was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2007.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1974, Van Halen changed the rock and roll landscape forever with the release of their self-titled, 1978 debut album displaying unparalleled stage presence, revolutionary musicianship, and extraordinary songwriting abilities. With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, the band's record of achievement is hard to top. Among a long list of awards, recognition and accolades, Van Halen joins an elite short list of two time Diamond Award honorees in the history of the music industry. Presented with two Diamond Award RIAA Certified Status' for their albums Van Halen and 1984, the band has produced a repertoire of hits that remain some of the strongest and most influential rock songs ever written that fans will admire for decades to come.

Kool & The Gang found a special sound at the unique intersection of jazz, R&B, funk and pop. Their music has been created by the same core of players for over thirty years: Robert "Kool" Bell, his brother Khalis Bayyan, their longtime friends Dennis "DT" Thomas and George "Funky" Brown.  VIP Packages will also be available through VIP Nation, including premium seats, exclusive merchandise and more. For more information please visit: www.VIPNation.com

VAN HALEN 2012 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

Date City Venue

2/18/12 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
2/20/12 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/22/12 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse
2/24/12 Chicago, IL United Center
2/28/12 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
3/1/12 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
3/3/12 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
3/5/12 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
3/9/12 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
3/11/12 Boston, MA TD Garden
3/15/12 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
3/17/12 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
3/21/12 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
3/24/12 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall
3/28/12 Washington, DC Verizon Center
3/30/12 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
4/1/12 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
4/10/12 Fort Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center
4/12/12 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
4/14/12 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
4/16/12 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Arena
4/19/12 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
4/21/12 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
4/25/12 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
4/27/12 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
5/1/12 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
5/5/12 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
5/7/12 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
5/9/12 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
5/11/12 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
5/17/12 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
5/19/12 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
5/22/12 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
5/24/12 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
5/27/12 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
6/1/12 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
6/3/12 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
6/5/12 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
6/12/12 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
6/14/12 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
6/16/12 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
6/20/12 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
6/22/12 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
6/24/12 Houston, TX Toyota Center
6/26/12 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena

SOURCE Live Nation Entertainment

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Alice Cooper Releasing Live CD Set

Concert Live will be releasing a 2 CD remixed version of the London Alexandra Place show on October 29th 2011 under the title 'No More Mr Nice Guy Live,' on February 13th

Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. The Black Widow
2. Brutal Planet
3. I'm Eighteen
4. Under My Wheels
5. Billion Dollar Babies
6. No More Mr Nice Guy
7. Hey Stoopid
8. Is It My Body?
9. Halo Of Flies





Disc 2
1. I'll Bite Your Face Off
2. Muscle Of Love
3. Only Women Bleed
4. Cold Ethyl
5. Feed My Frankenstein
6. Clones (We're All)
7. Poison
8. Wicked Young Man
9. I Love The Dead
10. Schools Out
11. Elected
12. Fire (with Arthur Brown)

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Matador Records to Release $2 Compilation LP

Matador Records & True Panther Sounds are releasing a compilation called '2012 Intended Play Sampler' on Jan. 14, with music from Kurt Vile, Lee Ranaldo, Esben & the Witch, Cold Cave, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and more. Vinyl lovers can pick it up on Jan. 17 for the two bucks!

"This (insanely) budget-priced vinyl sampler showcases new tracks and now-classics from the Matador/True Panther syndicate circa 2011-2012, and much like the Cherry Red sampler from which this LP finds inspiration, is destined to rank at #1 on all music retail charts," stated Matador about the release.

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this album cover scares me, not a fan of clowns :O)

Xray Eyeballs New Album

Xray Eyballs have announced their new album called 'Splendor Squalor,' will be released on Feb. 28, 2012 via Kanine Records. The fuzzy, post-punk band from Brooklyn cites comparisons to The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Velvet Underground, while also appealing to lighter, sweeter sounds: the marriage of the dark side and the light side. It's garage rock on darkness overdrive, jangly and lively, reminiscent of the rhythm of Misfits-style rockabilly while staying true to the roots of garage.   “I just wanted to make every song sound like a lullaby. To me, lullabies are the most memorable kind of songs; everyone remembers them from when they’re babies. They’re not all happy lullabies either. I think people like songs they can relate to, with things like love, loss, dark vices, and sex,” said O.J. San Felipe.
Tracklist:
1. Four
2. Die Little Love (Menthol 100′s Version)
3. X
4. Blue
5. Syrup
6. Gator
7. Pill Riders
8. Cold Bones (Golden Triangle cover)
9. Scorpio
10. Gotham Low Lifes
11. Summer Daze

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Jack White Collaborates With Tom Jones On New 45 rpm Record

Jack White has revealed he has collaborated with Tom Jones for a one-off release on his Third Man Records label. Jones recorded a version of his 2002 track "Jezebel" and a cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Evil" for the release, which is set to be the latest in the label's 'Blues Series.' No release date has yet been confirmed for the tracks.

The 'Blues Series' has previously featured artists such as Stephen Colbert and Insane Clown Posse, who put out their track 'Leck Mich Im Arsch' as an exclusive seven-inch and download last September.

White has also revealed that Third Man has reached an agreement with the blues label, Document Records, to reissue a number of that label’s albums on high-quality vinyl. The first release will be a compilation album featuring early 20th century blues artists such as Charlie Patton and Blind Willie McTell.

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Abbey Road Opens Doors For 80th Anniversary

Abbey Road Studios is opening its doors to the public in March as part of its 80th Anniversary celebrations. The legendary studio released tickets this week for presentations from the authors of the critically-acclaimed book ‘Recording the Beatles’ to be held in Abbey Road’s Studio Two on March 10. The event sold out in less than 24-hours, leading to two extra sessions being announced for March 11.

Alongside the talks, attendees will get the opportunity to see rare and unseen photographs, films and recordings from the archives of EMI and Abbey Road Studios, an exhibition of vintage photos and recording equipment. They’ll also, of course, be able to bask in the home of iconic records from the likes of The Beatles and Pink Floyd.



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Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Bob Weston Passes Away

Bob Weston, a British guitarist best-known for his tenure with Fleetwood Mac in the early ’70s, has died (age 64). Weston died at his London home on Tuesday (January 3) from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage brought on by cirrhosis of the liver.

Weston joined Fleetwood Mac in late 1972 as a replacement for troubled guitarist Danny Kirwan. His contributions to the band’s 1973 albums, Penguin and Mystery to Me, were formidable, featuring outstanding slide guitar as well as accomplished harmonic playing and banjo work.

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album cover art of the day:

Rizon To Release New Album

Swiss melodic metal band Rizon are scheduled to release the band's third LP 'Masquerade' on February 24, 2012 via Karthago Records. The album was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland and mixed by Nino Laurenne. The album is the follow up to the 2008 release 'Sudden Life.'

Tracklist:
1. High Flyer
2. Sigh From Eternity
3. Masquerade
4. Tears of the Sun
5. Remotion
6. Same Same
7. Rise On
8. El Dios
9. Out of Nowhere
10. Cold Winters Night
11. Time After Time
12. Lost In Silence
13. Bells



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love this cover for some reason....

DISGUISE Release New Album

Italian black/death metal band DISGUISE are set to release their new album, 'Second Coming' on January 16 via My Kingdom Music. According to a press release, DISGUISE "come back after four years of apparent silence, giving life, after 13 years of career, to their most mature, complete and personal creature. 'Second Coming' reaches the highest levels of aggressivity revealing the most hateful and insane feelings of the human sickness. Perverse vocals and sorrowful atmospheres in the old MAYHEM style are the frame for a violent black metal with shades of modern metal, enriched by the assault of the death as only SATYRICON, DARK FUNERAL and MARDUK have been able to performing during the last years."

Tracklist:
1. Fragile Certain Death
2. I Am Alone
3. The Origin Of The Unknown
4. Eclipse
5. Repressed Rage
6. To Dominate
7. Claustrophobic Fate
8. Second Coming



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LEGACY Unveil Cover Art for New Album

Legacy has recently announced their debut album called 'With Peace In Mind' will be released March 27th, 2012 via InVogue Records. The Toledo, OH based band's album was produced by Landon Tewers (The Plot In You).



















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amazing slideshow by Complex Magazineof some great cover art and some not so great cover art.....


The 100 Sexiest Album Covers of All Time












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a record store out of Seattle, WA called Easy Street Records has this info for us:

TOP 10 BEST SELLING VINYL OF 2011

1. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
2. Head & the Heart - Head & the Heart
3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
4. Pearl Jam - Live on Ten Legs
5. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
6. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
7. Cave Singers - No Witch
8. Foo Fighters - Medium Rare
9. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
10. Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

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and in an expanded music history feature for today, january 7th:

In 1941, "Good-for-Nothin’-Joe" was recorded by the sultry Lena Horne with Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra on Bluebird Records.

In 1946, on the day before his 11th birthday, Elvis Presley and his mother were forced to seek refuge in the cellar of the family home as a tornado ripped through Tupelo, Mississippi.

In 1952, the BBC introduced its first Pop music program, Hit Parade with host Victor Barnard playing the eight most popular songs in the UK.

In 1954, in Chicago, Muddy Waters recorded "Hoochie Coochie Man." The Hoochie Coochie was a sexually provocative dance that became wildly popular during and after the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Since the dance was performed by women, a "hoochie coochie man" either watched them or ran the show.

In 1956, production began on the movie "Rock Around The Clock," featuring Bill Haley And His Comets, Alan Freed, the Platters, and Freddie Bell.

In 1958, Sarah Vaughan recorded "Broken-Hearted Melody."

In 1961, Johnny Tillotson held down the top spot on the UK singles chart with "Poetry In Motion." Songwriters Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony later said that their inspiration came from seeing a procession of young ladies from a nearby school pass by on the sidewalk each afternoon.

In 1963, in New York, Little Peggy March recorded "I Will Follow Him."

Also in 1963, Gary "U.S." Bonds filed a $100,000 suit against Chubby Checker. The charge was that Checker "stole" "Quarter to Three" and turned it into the song "Dancin' Party." The case was settled out of court.

In 1964, Long John Baldry formed Hoochie Coochie Men.

In 1964, harmonica player Cyril Davies died of leukemia at age 32. Davies was a driving force in the early ’60s blues movement, forming Blues Incorporated with Alexis Korner.

Also in 1964, the Beatles recorded a seven-song performance for the BBC Radio program "Saturday Club." They played "All My Loving," "Money," "I Wanna Be Your Man," "The Hippy Hippy Shake," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Johnny B. Goode," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The show aired in mid-February while the Beatles were in the US.

In 1969, the music / comedy trio, Scaffold, which included Paul McCartney's younger brother Mike, led the UK singles chart with a novelty tune called "Lily The Pink". Elton John, along with Graham Nash of The Hollies, contributed backing vocals and Jack Bruce of Cream played bass guitar

In 1970, neighbors of Max Yasgur sued him for property damage caused by the more than 450,000 people who attended the three-day 1969 Woodstock Festival on his farm.

Also in 1970, in Hollywood, Friends Of Distinction began recording "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely." The track was completed nine days later.

In 1971, 'Paranoid' by Black Sabbath was released in the US.

In the decades succeeding its initial distribution, Paranoid has been regarded by many as Black Sabbath's best album, and by some the best heavy metal album of all time. The "Paranoid" single, released before the album, reached number four in the UK. Pushed by its success, the album hit number one in the UK, and is the only Black Sabbath album to have done so. The US release was held until January 1971, as the Black Sabbath album was still on the charts at the time of Paranoid's UK release. The album broke into the top twenty in the US in March 1971, and would go on to sell four million copies in the US alone. Paranoid's chart success in the US allowed the band to tour there for the first time in October 1970. This spawned the release of the album's second single "Iron Man", and although it failed to reach the top 40, "Iron Man" remains one of Black Sabbath's most popular songs. Paranoid has been certified four times platinum by the RIAA.



In 1978, the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever enters the US album charts where it will eventually hit number one and stay there for six weeks starting February 18. The album had a chart stay of 39 weeks and to this date has sold over 15 million copies.

In 1980, singer Larry Williams was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in his Los Angeles, California, home at age 45. Williams had the 1957 U.S. #5 and U.K. #21 single “Short Fat Fannie.” He also is known for “Bony Moronie” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy.” The case has never been solved.

Also in 1980, Led Zeppelin's 'In Through The Out Door' album was certified Platinum. It's the last album issued before the September 25th death of drummer John Bonham.

In 1980, R&B singer Carl White, lead vocalist of the Rivingtons, died of acute tonsillitis at age 47.

In 1981, the Police played the first night of a North American tour at The University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, during their Zenyatta Mondatta World Tour.

In 1993, R.E.M. played a Greenpeace Benefit show at the 40 Watt Club, Athens, Georgia, for 500 people. The show was recorded on a solar-powered mobile recording studio.

In 1994, Oasis started recording their debut album 'Definitely Maybe' at Monrow Studios in South Wales.

In 1994, Nirvana played their last U.S. show in hometown Seattle.

In 1998, combo leader/musician/songwriter/record producer (Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Burl Ives, Red Foley, Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells)/record label executive (MCA)/Country Music Hall of Famer Owen Bradley died at the age of 82.

In 2000, singer/novelty record artist (The Mummy w/ Rod McKuen as 'Dor')/cartoon voicist (Milton the Monster, Cool McCool) Bob McFadden died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 76.

In 2003, the Beatles Book Monthly closed down after 40 years. Author Sean O’Mahony, who set up the magazine in 1963, said there was nothing more to say as the number of things the former Beatles were doing got to be less and less as the years went on.

In 2004, drummer John Guerin died of pneumonia at age 64. He worked with Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Linda Rondstadt, Gram Parsons, Todd Rundgren. He also played on the original title tune for the television series Hawaii Five-O.

In 2006, Mary J. Blige was at #1 on the US album chart with ‘The Breakthrough’ the R&B singer’s third US #1 album.

In 2010, according to Nielsen SoundScan's final 2009 figures, Michael Jackson was the best selling artist of 2009, moving 8,286,000 units. 40 years after their break-up, The Beatles were still the best
selling group, thanks to their remastered catalog which sold 3,282,000 copies. Digital downloads however, were a different story. Lady Gaga was the queen of the downloads, selling 15,297,000 digital tracks. The Black Eyed Peas, Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift all finished in the vicinity of 12 million digital units.

birthdays today include (among others): Robert Hicks (Paul Butterfield Blues Band) (71), James West (Kathy Young & the Innocents) (71), Dave Cousins (Strawbs) (67), Jann Wenner (publisher of Rolling Stone) (66), Andy Brown (Fortunes) (66), Kenny Loggins (64), Marshall Chapman (63), Earl Lindo (Wailers) (59) and Paul Revere (& the Raiders) (74)