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Baroness - Yellow & Green Deluxe Hardbound Book 2xLP (Yellow - Opaque)7/17/12
Baroness' Yellow & Green finds a band that has developed into more than just giants of the metal underground, they are now fully formed hard rock titans.
These are one time deluxe pressings of 2CD and 2LP sets with expanded artwork. The deluxe 2CD and 2LP sets will each be housed in a heavy duty 28+ page perfect-bound hard covered book set, of course featuring the art of frontman John Baizley.
Pressing Info: First Pressing Deluxe Hardbound Book (2xLP)
1500 x Yellow Opaque 500 x Orange Cream (Sold Out from Relapse.com) 500 x Dark Green (Sold Out from Relapse.com) 500 x Yellow/Green Split (Sold Out from Relapse.com)
Before he began recording as STRFKR, Josh Hodges was asked by a friend to quit his job and record a covers album. From that request came Sexton Blake Plays The Hits.
With covers ranging from Elton John to LL Cool J, ELO to Milli Vanilli, the album is a perfect snapshot in time showing how Hodges would go on to approach his own songs under the STRFKR moniker. Josh Hodges' pre-STRFKR album now on vinyl for the first time!
Limited edition of 1000 on 180-gram clear gold vinyl.
INSTANT MP3 album download at checkout.
Features unique covers of Bruce Springsteen, Milli Vanilli, Elton John, LL Cool J, Michael Jackson, and many more.
Stagnant Pools is a sibling duo from Bloomington, IN.
Pitchfork raves that first single "Dead Sailor" is "a tar-thick mix of Joy Division moroseness, Sonic Youth squall," while others have invoked The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Strokes to describe the record's sound.
Temporary Room is available on CD, black vinyl, and white vinyl (limited to 300).
Pre-order now and receive an INSTANT MP3 download at checkout.
Yoko Ono is set to release a collaborative album with Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore on September 25 through Chimera Music. The six-track album, called 'YOKOKIMTHURSTON,' comes following last October’s news that Gordon and Moore were calling an end to their 27-year marriage, putting Sonic Youth on indefinite hiatus. The first song off the album, a new 14-minute track called "Early in the Morning," can now be heard via Chimera Music. Tracklist:
1. I Missed You Listening
2 Running the Risk
3. I Never Told You, Did I?
4. Mirror Mirror
5. Let’s Get There 6. Early in the Morning ============= Heart Reveals Cover Art and Details for New Album
The Wilson sisters are calling their new effort and the band’s 14th studio album ‘Fanatic,’ which is slated for an October 2nd release via Legacy. The album was produced by Ben Mink and the 10-song album was recorded "in hotel rooms and studios up and down the West Coast." The song ‘Walkin’ Good’ is a duet with pop singer Sarah McLachlan. "What a crazy year we are having," Ann Wilson said. "Our box set, ‘Strange Euphoria’ and our book, ‘Kicking and Dreaming’ each tell the story of our lives so far, personally and musically. Our new album, ‘Fanatic,’ tells our story as it is now and brings it all up-to-the-minute." Tracklist:
1. Fanatic
2. Dear Old America
3. Walkin’ Good
4. Skin and Bones
5. Million Miles
6. Pennsylvania
7. Mashallah
8. Rock Deep (Vancouver)
9. ‘59 Crunch
10. Corduroy Road ============= STRFKR Fall Tour Dates Announced STRFKR have recently announced a North American tour which kicks off in the fall. The music begins in Santa Barbara, CA and goes up the West Coast & throughout the Midwest. The band will also be playing Fun Fun Fun Fest in Texas. STRFKR Fall Tour Sep 8, 2012 - Pioneer Courthouse Square (Musicfest NW), Portland, OR Oct 15, 2012 - Soho Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara, CA Oct 16, 2012 - SLO Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA Oct 17, 2012 - Harlow's, Sacramento, CA Oct 19, 2012 - Wow Hall, Eugene, OR Oct 20, 2012 - The Wild Buffalo, Bellingham , WA Oct 21, 2012 - A Club, Spokane, WA Oct 22, 2012 - Belltower, Pullman, WA Oct 23, 2012 - The Reef, Boise, ID Oct 25, 2012 - Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT Oct 25, 2012 - Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT Oct 27, 2012 - Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO Oct 29, 2012 - Granada Theater, Lawrence, KS Oct 30, 2012 - The Blue Note, Columbia, MO Oct 31, 2012 - Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, OK Nov 1, 2012 - Revolution Music Room, Little Rock, AR Nov 2, 2012 - Trees, Dallas, TX Nov 3, 2012 - Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin, TX Nov 5, 2012 - Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX Nov 6, 2012 - Sol Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM Nov 7, 2012 - The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ Nov 8, 2012 - The Green Room, Flagstaff, AZ ============= The Raveonettes Announce Autumn Tour Dates 2012 The Raveonettes Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner are excited to announce the release of their new album 'Observator,' out September 11th via Vice Records. Throughout their impressive career the Danish duo has explored sonic territories ranging from lush pop songs to reverb drenched soundscapes and continually celebrated life through songwriting. All of these forms are evident in "Observator," sumptuous and beautiful in its sound, but bleak and sad at its heart. Tour Dates (more to be announced): June 23 Subterranean Chicago, IL June 24 Green Music Fest Chicago, IL September 21 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR September 22 Neumo's Seattle, WA September 23 Venue Vancouver, BC September 26 Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN September 27 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL September 28 The Firebird St. Louis, MO September 29 A&R Bar Columbus, OH September 30 Magic Stick Detroit, MI October 2 Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON October 5 Webster Hall New York, NY October 6 Black Cat Washington, DC October 7 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA October 8 El Ray Theatre Los Angeles, CA October 11 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA October 12 Bombo's 365 Club San Francisco, CA MORE INFORMATION: http://www.theraveonettes.com ============= from our friends at www.vinylcollective.com Pre Order Gaslight Anthem "Handwritten" on Blue Vinyl
The pre orders have been launched for the highly anticipated new Gaslight Anthem album, "Handwritten" on vinyl and CD. The bands debut major label release will be pressed on blue vinyl and is available now for pre order at Shop Radio Cast
============= GRAVE: New Album Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
Swedish death metal veterans GRAVE will release their 10th studio album, "Endless Procession Of Souls", on August 27 in Europe via Century Media Records. The cover artwork for the CD was once again created by Costin Chioreanu, who also worked with GRAVE on the previous two studio albums. In addition to designing the cover artwork, Costin was responsible for some of the extra art for the inside of the CD booklet and the vinyl. Read the rest at Blabbermouth
============= Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti New Artwork Revealed
Ariel Pink has recently revealed the cover art and tracklisting for their new album 'Mature Themes,' slated for release on August 20th. Additionally, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti will release a single from the album next month. "Baby" is a cover of Donnie and Joe Emerson's classic and will be available on one sided 12 inch vinyl on July 9th.
Tracklist
1. Kinski Assasin
2. Is This the Best Spot?
3. Mature Themes
4. Only in My Dreams
5. Driftwood
6. Early Birds of Babylon
7. Schnitzel Boogie
8. Symphony of the Nymph
9. Pink Slime
10. Farewell American Primitive
11. Live It Up
12. Nostradomus & Me
13. Baby ============= GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 6/11 - 6/17, 2012 Vinyl Top 25:
1. Tallest Man On Earth - There's No Leaving Now 2. John Mayer - Born & Raised 3. Beach House - Bloom 4. Rush - Clockwork Angels 5. The Walkmen - Heaven 6. Jack White - Freedom At 21 7" 7. PUJOL - United States Of Being 8. William Tyler - Oahspe 7" 9. Natural Child - For The Love Of The Game 10. Sigur Ros - Valtari 11. Beck - I Just Started Hating People Today 7" 12. The Lumineers - The Lumineers 13. Metric - Synthetica 14. Bobby Womack - The Bravest Man In The Universe 15. White Fence - Green Balloon 7" 16. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here 17. Japandroids - Celebration Rock 18. Tedeschi Trucks Band - Live: Everybody's Talkin' 19. The Band - Music From Big Pink (MFSL half-speed version) 20. The Shins - Port Of Morrow 21. Various - Put No Blame On The Master: Jamaican Gospel Vol. 2 22. Lee Hazlewood - Dark In My Heart 23. Lee Hazlewood - Cold Hard World 24. Guided By Voices - Class Clown Spots A UFO 25. Superchunk - This Summer 7" ============= and for shits and giggles, check out
The Vinyl Pulse, is a weekly snapshot of what is selling on the big vinyl machine called eBay. This is a great way to keep your eyes peeled for a specific record and what you might have to pay for it to obtain it.
CollectorsFrenzy lists the top 25 real time ended auctions and the selling price for the collectible vinyl and is updated daily.
Top 10 Items for 06/19/2012
1. 45 NORTHERN SOUL--> THE PARLIAMENTS THIS IS MY RAINY DAY Cabell#115
Sold Price:$6405.00 USD End Time:06/19/2012
2. WARHOL "HOLY GRAIL" - STRAUSS WALTZES EP (RCA Camden CAE 158)
Sold Price:$5300.00 USD End Time:06/19/2012
3. U2 Acthung Baby Made In Venezuela SONORODVEN LP - VERY VERY RARE - Excellent
Sold Price:$3749.00 USD End Time:06/19/2012
4. THE NORMAN HAINES BAND - "DEN OF INIQUITY" MEGA RARE PROG. UK PARLOPHONE EX+!
Sold Price:$1653.00 USD End Time:06/19/2012
5. Harry Nilsson/Unknown - Without You UK 45 APPLE ACETATE
Sold Price:$1075.93 USD End Time:06/19/2012
6. ROLLING STONES Let It Bleed RARE MINT 1st Ever MONO Press TOP AUDIO Inner POSTER
Sold Price:$1027.18 USD End Time:06/19/2012
7. private DG EPPSTEINER ADVENTSKONZERT 1966 PROF. MAINARDI CELLO MARTZY VIOLIN NM-
Sold Price:$1000.00 USD End Time:06/19/2012
8. ITALIAN JAZZ " HELEN MERRILL / UMILIANI " Parole e musica Top Rare RCA Lp
Sold Price:$942.52 USD End Time:06/19/2012
9. T Rex Marc Bolan ELECTRIC WARRIOR UK LP 1ST PRESS WITH POSTER & STICKER NMINT!!!
Sold Price:$940.45 USD End Time:06/19/2012
10. MILES DAVIS QUINTET "RELAXIN' " ORIG. PRESTIGE W.50TH MINT!!
Sold Price:$799.10 USD End Time:06/19/2012
DEAR JERRY: One of the music trivia blogs I read talked about Phillip Phillips, the 2012 American Idol winner, and that his new single, "Home," just debuted on Billboard at No. 10.
They also state that the nine songs above him are all in the same position as last week, but they don't say how unusual that is.
They also didn't say if the entire Top 10 ever remained exactly the same for two consecutive weeks.
This information does not seem to exist anywhere.
—Jennett Swanson, Blaine, Wash.
DEAR JENNETT: Actually it does, but only for someone curious and determined enough to pour over each individual weekly survey — which is exactly what I did for you, and for future generations.
Beginning with the first week of January 1950, I reviewed the Top 10 singles on every week's chart up to now (June 9, 2012), bringing to 3,195 the total number of surveys reviewed!
Having trudged through more than 1,600 charts without an unchanged Top 10 got me thinking it probably never happened. A few pages later I finally got a bite.
The Top 10 hits for August 28, 1982 are precisely the same as the week before (Aug. 21):
1. "Eye of the Tiger" (Survivor)
2. "Hurts So Good" (John Cougar)
3. "Abracadabra" (Steve Miller Band)
4. "Hold Me" (Fleetwood Mac)
5. "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chicago)
6. "Even the Nights Are Better" (Air Supply)
7. "Keep the Fire Burnin'" (REO Speedwagon)
8. "Vacation" (Go-Go's)
9. "Wasted on the Way" (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
10. "Take It Away" (Paul McCartney)
Then, against even greater odds, I noticed that numbers 11 and 12 were also unchanged from the week before:
11. "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" (Melissa Manchester)
12. "Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)" (Donna Summer)
Moving forward just seven months (April 2, 1983), I found not 10 or 12, but an unchanged Top 11:
1. "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)
2. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" (Culture Club)
3. "Hungry Like the Wolf" (Duran Duran)
4. "You Are" (Lionel Richie)
5. "Back on the Chain Gang" (Pretenders)
6. "We've Got Tonight" (Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton)
7. "Mr. Roboto" (Styx)
8. "Separate Ways" (World's Apart) (Journey)
9. "One on One" (Daryl Hall & John Oates)
10. "Twilight Zone" (Golden Earring)
11. "Come On Eileen" (Dexy's Midnight Runners)
Nearly 21 years later (January 10, 2004), and now in the digital era, we find the last of these rare occurrences, once again with 12 titles:
1. "Hey Ya!" (OutKast)
2. "The Way You Move" (OutKast & Sleepy Brown)
3. "Milkshake" (Kelis)
4. "You Don't Know My Name" (Alicia Keys)
5. "Stand Up" (Ludacris & Shawnna)
6. "Walked Outta Heaven" (Jagged Edge)
7. "Suga Suga" (Baby Bash & Frankie J)
8. "Here Without You" (3 Doors Down)
9. "Slow Jamz" (Twista, Kanye West & Jamie Foxx)
10. "Me, Myself and I" (Beyonce)
11. "It's My Life" (No Doubt)
12. "Someday" (Nickleback)
In the midst of this research, I discovered three additional weeks when the Top 10 songs did not change, although two positions flip-flopped (Feb. 16, 1959; Dec. 19, 1992; and July 5, 1997). Then, in addition to the recent week you reference (June 9, 2012), there are three other weeks when positions one through nine stayed the same (Feb. 23, 1957; Jan. 17, 1981; and Jan. 25, 1997).
After all of the above was written, Mike Stenz (Riverside, Calif.) provided an accurate list of an unchanged Top 14, and one that I missed in my original research. Funny thing is, it is for the week of Aug. 19, 1978 ... and Aug. 19 is my birthday. Thank you, Mike!
1. "Three Times a Lady" (Commodores)
2. "Grease" (Frankie Valli)
3. "Last Dance" (Donna Summer)
4. "Miss You" (Rolling Stones)
5. "Hot Blooded" (Foreigner)
6. "Boogie Oogie Oogie" (A Taste of Honey)
7. "Love Will Find a Way" (Pablo Cruise)
8. "Copacabana" (Barry Manilow)
9. "Magnet and Steel" (Walter Egan)
10. "An Everlasting Love" (Andy Gibb)
11. "Hopelessly Devoted to You" (Olivia Newton-John)
12. "Life's Been Good" (Joe Walsh)
13. "My Angel Baby" (Toby Beau)
14. "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" (Atlanta Rhythm Section)
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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
Red Hot Chili Pepper Announce Vinyl Singles The Red Hot Chili Peppers just announced a special vinyl release of nine 45's comprised of 18 new tracks from the 'I’m With You' sessions.. The sleeve artwork is being done by Kelsey Brookes, all of which will be able to be combined to form a larger piece of art. Schedule for the nine releases: 1. August 14, 2012 - Strange Man / Long Progression 2. September 11, 2012 - Magpies / Victorian Machinery 3. October 2, 2012 - Never Is A Long Time / Love Of Your Life 4. November 6, 2012 - TBA 5. December 4, 2012 - TBA 6. December 18, 2012 - TBA 7. Early 2013 - TBA 8. Early 2013 - TBA 9. Early 2013 - TBA =============
freaky album cover art: Decades Of Despair Reveals Album Cover Art
France's metal outfit Decades of Despair has recently revealed the cover artwork for the band's new album called 'Alive,' with artwork by Grindesign.
============= Threshold Release Details For New Album
UK based progressive metal band Threshold are set to release their new album called 'March of Progress' on August 31, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Thin Ice Studios by Karl Groom and Richard West. The album marks the studio return of original vocalist Damian Wilson, who rejoined the band after the passing of Andrew McDermott last year. Tracklist:
1. Ashes
2. Return Of The Thought Police
3. Staring At The Sun
4. Liberty Complacency Dependency
5. Colophon
6. The Hours
7. That's Why We Came
8. Don't Look Down
9. Coda
10. Rubicon
11. Divinity (Bonus Track)
============= Animal Collective Reveal Album Cover Art, Tracklist
The album called 'Centipede Hz' is scheduled for release on September 4 via Domino Records. It will feature more of a traditional rock band sound according to Brian "Geologist" Weitz. "We got a little practice space in this barn on Josh [Dibb]'s mom's property and it was basically like being a garage band again," he recently told BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe. "This one we wrote more as a rock band in a room and we wanted to record it that way as well." Tracklist:
1. Moonjock
2. Today's Supernatural
3. Rosie Oh
4. Applesauce
5. Wide Eyed
6. Father Time
7. New Town Burnout
8. Monkey Riches
9. Mercury Man
10. Pulleys
11. Amanita
============= from our friends at vinylcollective.com Top 10 Albums – June 18, 2012 Here are the Top 10 Albums for the week of June 11 – June 18, 2012:
1. Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten LP 2. The Starting Line – Direction LP 3. At The Drive In – Vaya 10″ 4. Gaslight Anthem – ’45 / You Got Lucky 7″ 5. The Swellers – Vehicle City Blues 7″ 6. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American 3XLP 7. The Menzingers – The Obituaries 7″ 8. Turbonegro – Sexual Harassment LP 9. The Get Up Kids – Woodson 7″ 10. We Came As Romans – To Plant A Seed LP You can purchase these and other releases at ShopRadioCast ============= from our friends at relapse.com Relapse Top Ten Best Sellers
1. Death - Individual Thought Patterns (3CD Deluxe Reissue) 2. Baroness - Yellow & Green Deluxe Digi Book 2xCD 3. Baroness - Yellow & Green Deluxe Hardbound Book 2xLP (Yellow - Opaque) 4. Baroness - Yellow & Green Standard 2xLP (Yellow A/B Green D/C) 5. Spawn of Possession -Incurso CD 6. Toxic Holocaust/Midnight - Japanese Benefit 7" 7. Death - Human (3CD Deluxe Reissue) 8. Neurosis - Enemy Of The Sun - Deluxe 2xLP 180 Gram (Red/Black Marble) 9. Repulsion - Horrified 10. Dying Fetus -Reign Supreme CD (Limited Deluxe) ============= Sandi Thom to release new album "Flesh and Blood" on August 14th Produced by Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes, Featuring duet with the iconic Buffy Sainte-Marie, LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sandi Thom, best known for her No.1 platinum album Smile... It Confuses People and hit single I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair), is pleased to confirm the August 14th release of her fourth studio album Flesh and Blood. Produced by the Black Crowes' Rich Robinson, and featuring a rare duet with Buffy Sainte-Marie, the album was recorded at 16 Tons studio in Nashville, Tennessee. It is Sandi's fourth album following 2010's critically acclaimed Merchants and Thieves, which won Album of the Year at the Scottish Music Awards. The first single, Sun Comes Crashing Down is available as a free download on www.sandithom.com. It's currently No. 2 on the UK's Amazon Free Download chart.
Pre-order Flesh and Blood Flesh and Blood is Sandi's second release on the independent label she founded and heads as CEO, Guardian Angels Records (distributed by Fontana, Universal). The highly anticipated new album radiates the raunchy blues rock bravado of the opening track Help Me, followed by the country-flavored Leadbelly classic In The Pines. The album also features the strutting, clavinet-led Stormy Weather; and the emotionally compelling finale Lay Your Burden Down. It features an all-star ensemble led by Black Crowes Rich Robinson, drummer Steve Gorman and fellow Black Crowes member and widely travelled session guitarist Audley Freed; respected Nashville stars Mike Webb (keys/Dobro) and James Haggerty (bass) complete the line-up with special guest performances from Rolling Stones collaborator, saxophonist Bobby Keys, and a stunning duet with the legendary singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie on her 1992 classic The Big Ones Get Away. "Sandi really stretched herself and made a bold new album," reflects Rich Robinson, "Her songs are honest, vulnerable and very strong. Her vocal abilities are showcased really well, as is her guitar work, and harp playing. I think Sandi's made a great record. It was a joy to work with her." Legendary classic rock producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa) also mixed two tracks, Sun Comes Crashing Down and the duet with Buffy Sainte Marie on Big Ones Get Away. "Sandi's writing is fantastic," says Shirley, "and her singing is wonderful. Sun Comes Crashing Down has all the right ingredients to be a hit." The intriguingly titled I Love You Like A Lunatic, is based on her "life-changing" love affair with superstar blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. The couple has been together three years now, living and loving on and off the road. Sandi likens it to a modern-day Johnny Cash and June Carter fairy-tale. "My life just turned crazy," says Sandi. "Yet that's what everybody wants, that insane kind of love that utterly consumes you." Sandi feels that Flesh and Blood is her coming of age album. "All I ever want to do is write songs that connect with people," says Sandi. "With this album I've finally found a place where I can make the very best music I can achieve. The people that only know me from Punk Rocker won't recognize me on this album. But they are going to find out another side of me."
Sandi first gained widespread attention from a series of webcasts she staged from her London apartment which caught the attention of RCA Records, who released her debut album Smile... It Confuses People. With supporters such as Paul McCartney, it entered the UK album sales chart at #1 fueled by the popularity of single Punk Rocker, which won an Ivor Novello award; it was also nominated for a BRIT award and a Digital Music Award. Sandi has sold over 2 million records worldwide, reaching No. 1's in UK, Ireland, Sweden and Australia, and has headlined world-renowned festivals such as Glastonbury and the Fuji Rock Festival. In keeping with her webcast roots, Sandi currently releases a new cover song performance each week via Facebook and Youtube. She has 5 million Youtube views and counting... Sandi will embark on a world tour this year, visiting the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Tracklist:
1. Help Me (4:34)
2. I Owe You Zero (3:24)
3. Flesh And Blood (4:28)
4. Sun Comes Crashing Down (4:03)
5. In The Pines (4:59)
6. The Big Ones Get Away (4:05)
7. Stormy Weather (4:31)
8. I See The Devil In You (3:55)
9. Rise As One (3:06)
10. I Love You Like A Lunatic (4:52)
11. Save Some Mercy For Me (4:37)
12. Lay Your Burden Down (5:40)
2:54 - 2:54
Aesop Rock - Float (reissue)
Al Green - Gets Next to You (reissue) (vinyl)
Amanda Mair - Amanda Mair (vinyl)
Ambassador Gun - Golden Eagle
Amy Saraiya - Soundproof Box
Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound - Manzanita
Beat Connection - The Palace Garden
Bermuda - The Wandering
Big K.R.I.T. - Live From The Underground
Blood On The Dance Floor - Evolution
Blues Control - Valley Tangents
Bon Iver - iTunes Session
Bouncing Souls - Comet
Boy - Mutual Friends
Brandi Carlile - Bear Creek (2-LP and CD) (vinyl)
Burning Love - Rotten Thing To Say
Can - The Lost Tapes (box set)
Chelsea Grin - Evolve
Cheryl - A Million Lights
Chester French - Music 4
Chet Faker - Thinking in Textures (vinyl)
Clutch - Pigtown Blues (vinyl)
Codeine - When I See the Sun (6-LP box set) (limited edition - 1,000 copies)
Constants - Pasiflora
Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual (reissue) (vinyl)
Del Tha Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought - Attractive Sin
Delta Rae - Carry the Fire
Devin Townsend Project - By A Thread - Live in London 2011 (4 DVDs and 5 CDs)
Dirty Heads - Cabin By The Sea
Don Williams - And So It Goes
Dr. Acula - Nation
Dr. Michael White - Adventures In New Orleans Jazz Part 2
Drug Cabin - Drug Cabin (EP)
Dying Fetus - Reign Supreme
Efren - Write a New Song
Exotic Animal Petting Zoo - Tree Of Tongues
FM - Indiscree
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver .....
Fixers - We'll Be The Moon
For All Those Sleeping - Outspoken
Glen Hansard - Rhythm and Repose
Godflesh - Hymns (reissue)
Grace Potter - The Lion The Beast The Beat
Hacienda - Shakedown
Hard Drugs - Party Foreverer
Harry Nilsson - The Point! (resissue) (vinyl)
House Shows - Let It Go
Iggy Pop - Apres
Ihsahn - Eremita
John Zorn - Hermetic Organ
Justin Bieber - Believe
Kataklysm - The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined (DVD/CD)
Kate Miller-Heidke - Nightflight
Kenny Chesney - Welcome to the Fishbowl
Kylie Minogue - The Best of Kylie Minogue
Ladyhawke - Anxiety (vinyl)
Lifeforms - TBA
Lions Lions - To Carve Our Names
Lit - View From the Bottom
Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway (preorder) (vinyl)
Lorn - Ask The Dust
Lostprophets - Weapons
MC Yogi - Pilgrimage
Make Do And Mend - Everything You Ever Loved
Mantas - Death By Metal
Marconi Union - Different Colours
Maren Parusel - Tightrope Walker
Men Without Hats - Love In The Age Of War
Mnemic - Mnemesis
Moby - Destroyed Remix
Morning Parade - Morning Parade
My Dynamite - My Dynamite
Neil Young - DVD Collector's Box
Neneh Cherry - The Cherry Thing
No Joy - Negaverse (EP)
Peaking Lights - Lucifer
R. Kelly - Write Me Back
Ramin Djawadi - Game Of Thrones: Season Two (soundtrack)
Ravi Coltrane - Spirit Fiction
Return to Forever - The Mothership Returns
Reverend And The Makers - @reverend_makers
Richard Thompson - Live from Austin, TX (reissue) (vinyl)
Rumpelstiltskin Grinder - Ghostmaker
Sam Densmore - Ku-Thar'-Tik
Sam Sparro - Return To Paradise
Saxon - EMI Years (1985-1988) (4 CDs)
Senses Fail - Follow Your Bliss: The Best Of Senses Fail
Silver Jews - Early Times
Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania (vinyl)
Sophie B. Hawkins - The Crossing
Spineshank - Anger Denial Acceptance
Squarepusher - Ufabulum (vinyl)
Steve Roach - Day Out of Time
Stooshe - Black Heart
The Corduroy Road - Two Step Silhouette
The Dirty Heads - Cabin By The Sea
The Ghost Inside - Get What You Give
The Grip Weeds - Speed of Live
The Intelligence - Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me
The Marble Vanity - The Marble Vanity
The Overseer - We Search, We Dig
The Wretched End - Inroads
Thrice - The Illusion Of Safety (deluxe anniversary edition) (vinyl) (reissue)
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Live Anthology, Playback
U.F.O - Celebrator: Rare Tracks
Various Artists - Dreamboats and Petticoats: Three Steps to Heaven
Various Artists - People Like Us (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Project X (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Official Rock Of Ages (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Brave (soundtrack)
Vaux - There Must Be Someway To Stop Them (reissue)
Vicci Martinez - Vicci
Walk the Moon - Walk the Moon
We Came As Romans - To Plant A Seed (vinyl)
White Arrows - Dry Land is Not a Myth
White Fang - Positive Feedback
Whitechapel - Whitechapel
Within The Ruins - TBA
YAWN - Happy Tears (EP)
xLooking Forwardx - Down With The Ship
Zulu Winter - Language
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lots of vinyl to be had at InSound!
POWERPOP BY 20/20, COUNTRY-PSYCH FROM CLOVER, BEAT POETRY WITH CHARLES BUKOWSKI AND SMOKE AND FIRE FROM SANFORD & TOWNSEND
Rounding out an eclectic month’s releases are Jackie Gleason and Bread’s Jimmy Griffin.
You probably realize by now that Real Gone Music possesses a degree of clairvoyance when it comes to picking albums that are ripe for rediscovery. At the same time, the label has already established itself as the most eclectic reissue label on the planet. But their next round of releases are wide-ranging even for this outfit— everything from the Tulsa new wave of 20/20 (20/20 and Look Out!) to the explicit spoken beat poetry of Charles Bukowski (Reads His Poetry), from the Bay Area Creedence-esque country-rock of Clover (Clover/Fourty Niner) to the lush mood music of Jackie Gleason (Music for Lovers Only). From “square” to squalid, pop standards to power pop, Real Gone goes there on July 31.
Steve Allen and Ron Flynt followed the power pop path blazed by fellow Tulsa natives Phil Seymour and Dwight Twilley when they moved in 1977 to Los Angeles, where they formed (with Mike Gallo) what has universally become one of the most highly regarded power pop/new wave outfits of the era, 20/20. How highly regarded? The long out-of-print CD reissue of their two albums (20/20 and Look Out!) on the Portrait label sells for over $50 — and that’s for a used copy. Real Gone Music has gone two better with the addition of a pair of non-LP single sides, “Child’s Play” and “People in Your Life,” which have never been on CD. So in effect, this twofer presents 20/20’s complete Portrait recordings. New liner notes featuring interviews with the band members, photos and a fresh remastering by Maria Triana at Battery Studios add to this collection’s 20/20 “vision.”
Clover is one of the most famous bands you have never heard of. They were the backing band on Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True and a later incarnation of the group morphed into Huey Lewis & the News.
Among the founding members, John McFee became a Doobie Brother, Alex Call wrote hits for Lewis and many other artists (including Tommy Tutone’s “867-5309/Jenny”) and bassist Dr. John Ciambotti played on sessions for everybody from John Prine to Lucinda Williams. Given that pedigree, it’s rather astonishing that their first two records (Clover and Fourty Niner), cut for Fantasy in 1970 and ’71, respectively, have never been reissued. It’s no accident they were on Fantasy, either; not only did Clover hail from the Bay Area (Mill Valley), but they had a rootsy, early alt-country sound not unlike their more famous label-mate, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Alex Call himself supplies the liner notes to this overdue reissue, with added photos.
“This is Charles Bukowski. Well, let me just sit here and drink beer.” Thus begins the September 14, 1972 poetry reading from which his 1980 release on John Fahey’s Takoma label is drawn. Charles Bukowski Reads His Poetry is quintessential Bukowski, from the rude ’n’ crude drawing that adorns the front cover to the belches that punctuate the poems. As for the work itself, it’s not really what one might commonly conceive of as poetry, but rather observations and vignettes drawn from life’s darker side, focusing on perversions, poverty, drunkenness, gambling, and bodily functions. But Bukowski’s bemused air and self-deprecating humor blunt the shock value of the words and emphasize the universality of the themes. “I want you to hate me,” he says to the audience, but it’s hopeless — he is one of us. Real Gone has rescued this recording from the clinical, digital world of the CD, restoring it to a proper vinyl format. The album contains explicit material.
Is there any song that sums up the late ’70s pop radio like Sanford & Townsend’s “Smoke From a Distant Fire?” It had that blue-eyed soul, high-gloss L.A. production sound of the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins and other superstars of the era, with the kind of hook only genuine pros could create. For, as is often the case with so-called “overnight sensations,” Ed Sanford and John Townsend had spent years in the music business before hitting it big with “Smoke.” Indeed, the sound of the Smoke From a Distant Fire album was no accident: the duo had worked with both Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins (who repays the favor with a great vocal on “Oriental Gate”) before cutting this 1977 release, whose sound also benefited from the nonpareil production skills of the great Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. Real Gone has paired it with their 1979 album Nail Me to the Wall, which was released under the name Sanford & Townsend Band and makes its CD debut here; their final release, it didn’t enjoy the same chart success as its predecessor but does offer the same studio-perfect, West Coast ’70s pop. The Smoke From a Distant Fire/Nail Me to the Wall twofer CD features liner notes by Gene Sculatti containing an interview with John Townsend.
Bread fans might know him better as James Griffin, but back in 1963 Jimmy Griffin was one of the up-and-comers on the artist roster of Frank Sinatra’s Reprise label. So up-and-coming, in fact, that the label’s newly hired head of A&R, Jimmy Bowen, elected to produce his debut record himself and bring in Jack Nitzsche to arrange. The result was one of those great, early-’60s productions that was a little bit pop, a little bit country and a little bit rock, with backing by the vaunted Wrecking Crew of Leon Russell, Hal Blaine, Glen Campbell et al. (Campbell contributes a couple of tunes to the album). Summer Holiday makes its CD debut here, augmented by all of Jimmy’s non-LP Reprise singles, with notes by musician friend Brian Gari and photos. The result is classic pop from the future Bread singing/songwriting stalwart.
Probably the most popular, iconic mood music album ever made, Jackie Gleason’s Music for Lovers Only set the stage for untold imitators to come with its evocative album artwork and lush, sweeping soundscapes. Released as a 10” LP in 1952, it set the record — which still stands — for most weeks in the Top 10 Album charts at 153, and hit the charts yet again in 1955 when it was released as a 12” LP.
But here is where the history of Music for Lovers Only becomes, like most romances, complicated. The original 10” included only eight tracks, but Capitol’s first 12” issue of the album added eight more for a total of 16; subsequently, however, the album was reissued on LP with 12 tracks, and the out-of-print sole CD release of Music for Lovers Only featured just the eight tracks from the original 10” release. Now, for the first time ever on CD, Real Gone Music is restoring this classic album to its full 16-track length, with its glorious, original artwork intact — another first — and in its original mono. As for those wondering what musical contribution Mr. Gleason made to the album, some say he conceived of melodies in his head and described them vocally to his assistants. But when Bobby Hackett, whose wistful trumpet lines were the focal point of the Gleason sound and of this album, was asked what Jackie contributed to the recordings, he replied: “He brought the checks.” Either way, Music for Lovers Only stands as The Great One’s greatest musical achievement.
Street date July 31, 2012:
20/20: 20/20 and Look Out Charles Bukowski: Charles Bukowski Reads His Poetry Clover: Clover/Fourty Niner Jackie Gleason: Music for Lovers Only Sanford & Townsend: The Smoke From A Distant Fire/Nail Me to the Wall Jimmy Griffin: Summer Holiday
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lots of great music coming up this summer, including some DVDs, here's just a few releases to look forward to!
New Music Releases July 2012
July 3
Abandon All Ships - Infamous
Mike Patton - Laborintus II
Mum - Early Birds
Asia - XXX
July 10
Brendan James - Hope in Transition
Clare and the Reasons - KR-51
Delicate Steve - Positive Force
Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan
Husky - Forever So
Mission of Burma - Unsound
The Early November - n Currents
Twin Shadow - Confess
Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Plays Berkley (Blu-ray, vinyl, CD)
Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child (documentary blu-ray)
Robert Plant & the Band of Joy - Live from the Artists’ Den (Live DVD)
The Rolling Stones / Muddy Waters - Live at the Checkerboard Lounge Chicago 1981
July 17
Baroness - Yellow and Green
Belle Histoire - Dreamers
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders - Hurtsville
Matisyahu - Spark Seeker
Shintaro Sakamoto - How to Live With a Phantom
Soul Asylum - Delayed Reaction
Crosby, Stills & Nash - CSN 2012 (DVD)
Ozzy Osbourne - Speak of the Devil (DVD)
Various Artists - Black on Blues (Black Keys tribute with Ginger Baker, Leslie West + more)
July 24
Eternal Summers - Correct Behavior
Laetitia Sadier - Silencio
Micachu and the Shapes - Never
Passion Pit - Gossamer
The Antlers - Undersea
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Peter Gabriel - Secret World (DVD, Blu-ray)
July 30
Blur - Blur 21
July 31
thenewno2 - thefearofmissingout
Toadies - Play.Rock.Music
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awesome cover art!
IN THIS MOMENT: 'Blood' Album Cover Artwork, Track Listing Unveiled
Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT will release its fourth album, "Blood", on August 14 via longtime label Century Media Records. The CD was once again produced by Kevin Churko, who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, among others.
Read more and get the tracklist at our friends at Blabbermouth
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album cover art of the day (i like skulls for some reason....):
GRAVE DIGGER: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Unveiled
German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER will release their new album, "Clash Of The Gods", on August 31 in Europe and September 4 in North America via Napalm Records. A six-song mini-CD, "Home At Last", will precede the full-length effort on July 27 in Europe and August 7 in North America.
THE KING BLUES ALBUM: ‘LONG LIVE THE STRUGGLE’ LABEL: TRANSMISSION RECORDINGS RELEASED: 2 JULY 2012
The news earlier this spring that The King Blues had disbanded sent ripples of confusion through the industry and created no small amount of distress among the group’s fans. Within minutes of the announcement, the news had trended world wide on Twitter and appeared on hundreds of social networking platforms and websites. Every platform from Radio 1 to The Guardian bemoaned the band’s passing and asked simply, why?
While the band’s demise is quite clearly a tragedy for music (who else fused the melodic touch of Bob Marley with the polemic of Joe Strummer?), the one ray of hope is that the band who went from week night support slots at Camden’s Purple Turtle to selling out the Roundhouse (also in Camden for all you geography nuts) have left us with quite possibly their finest work to date.
Long Live The Struggle released on 2 July through Transmission Recordings is the follow up to 2011’s critically acclaimed Punk & Poetry album and is a giant step forward in terms of the band’s sound, song writing and general approach. And while it retains the characteristics that have made The King Blues one of the most vital bands to come out of the UK in many a year, there is a newfound maturity and depth.
Tracks such as ‘We Are The Future’ and ‘Modern Life Has Let Me Down’ (released as a free download in May) still scream like the King Blues of old. Frontman Itch Fox spits out his lyrics with an anger last heard on early Rage Against The Machine albums. Lines such as Remind yourself your tie is not a noose and You can take this job and shove it are certainly not the musings of a man content with his or indeed, society’s lot. Elsewhere however, there are gentler, subtler outings such as ‘Walking Away’, ‘Tear Us Apart’ and the tearjerker, ‘Wasted Words’.
Part of this more mature sound is in part down to the efforts of producer John Feldmann. The LA-based sonic arranger who has brought his magic touch to artists such as Good Charlotte, The Used and Panic! At The Disco among others, had been eager to work with the band for a number of years. His keenness is evident throughout Long Live The Struggle, employing different genres and musical textures throughout its 12 tracks. There are special guests on the record too. ‘Can’t Bring Me Down’ features Jason Butler, while Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong guests on ‘Booted Out of Hell’.
Even posthumously the King Blues still do what they always did best: producing a rallying cry that sounds neither pompous nor judgemental. This time they’ve gone and done it with a bit more flair. They were never going to go out with a whimper, let’s face it.
The King is dead. Long live the King Blues. And the struggle.
Tracklist 1. We Are What We Own 2. We Are The Future 3. Modern Life Has Let Me Down 4. Wasted Words 5. Can’t Bring Me Down (Feat. Jason Butler) 6. Tear Us Apart 7. This Is My Home 8. Booted Out Of Hell (Feat. Tim Armstrong) 9. Power To The People 10. Walking Away 11. When The Revolution Comes 12. Keep The Faith The King Blues - Long Live The Struggle
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Tantara To Release New Album
Tantara are scheduled to release their new album 'Based On Evil' on August 24th via Indie Records. The band will also release a 7" vinyl for the "Based On Evil" single on June 29th.
1. Based On Evil 2. Mass Murder 3. Negligible Souls 4. The Debate 5. Human Mutation 6. Trapped In Bodies 7. Prejudice Of Violence 8. Killing Of Mother Earth
According to a press release:
"The plans to make a full-length record began right after the release of the EP 'Human Mutation' in 2010 and the band started the search for the right producer. Tantara entered the studio again in July 2011 to record their long anticipated debut album with the legendary producer Flemming Rasmussen. The band chose Rasmussen because of his background of producing records for bands like Rainbow, Metallica, Blind Guardian and Morbid Angel. The album 'Based On Evil' was recorded during four weeks in July 2011 in the studios ARK Recording Studios and Sweet Silence Mix Suite in Copenhagen, Denmark.
"Based On Evil is filled with fast, mind-boggling riffs, aggressive vocals and impeccable drumming. In addition to the melodic and masterly conducted solos one can find progressive elements in Tantara’s music. Their songs might be longer than normal in the genre, but they possess a unique song-writing talent that keep the listener engaged throughout the whole album. Tantara draws inspiration from bands such as Heathen, Anthrax, Exodus, Megadeth, Slayer, Nuclear Assault, Vio-lence and Metallica."
BOSCO DELREY (MAD DECENT) COVERS PAUL SIMON'S "I KNOW WHAT I KNOW" FOR GRACELAND'S 25TH
In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Paul Simon's classic Graceland album, bands have been submiting cover videos. Two weeks ago Louisiana's GIVERS covered That Was Your Mother and last week folk singer/songwriter Brett Dennen took on Crazy Love Vol. II.
Today, we're excited to share an amazing rendition of "I Know What I Know," courtesy of Mad Decent's Bosco Delrey.
Bosco Delrey 'I Know What I Know'
The Graceland 25th Anniversary CD/DVD/LP and box set is out now on Sony Legacy.
For additional information about the 25th anniversary of Graceland, related programming and products, please visit www.graceland25.com
============= interesting read, i love his work, had the opportunity to speak with roger a few years ago and found him quite friendly, like his legendary artwork!
Green Day have recently unveiled the artwork for their upcoming album 'iUno!.' The pop-punk trio debuted the new cover, which features singer Bille Joe Armstrong's face, with his eyes crossed out, against a swamp green background, via a new YouTube clip.
Watch the official album trailer for Uno! Dos! Tre! by Green Day
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Dinosaur Jr. Announces New Album Artwork, Tracklist
Dinosaur Jr. are set to release their new album called, 'I Bet on Sky,' on September 18 via Jagjaguarwar. The 10-track effort marks the band’s 10th album to date and their third since reforming in 2005. In support of the release, the band will embark on an extensive North American tour starting September 24th in Toronto.
Tracklist: 1. Don’t Pretend You Didn’t Know 2. Watch the Corners 3. Almost Fare 4. Stick a Toe In 5. Rude 6. I Know It Oh So Well 7. Pierce the Morning Rain 8. What Was That 9. Recognition 10. See It on Your Side
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Xibalba Reveals Album Cover Art, Tracklist
Southern California’s hardcore outfit Xibalba have recently confirmed the details of their sophomore album, 'Hasta La Muerte.' The following press release was issued:
"Xibalba’s debut LP Madre Mia Gracias Por Los Dias — released in 2011 via LP by A389 Records and later on CD by Southern Lord — combined with a relentless touring schedule for the past two years, have earned Xibalba the utmost respect from hardcore and metal fans worldwide. After officially signing with Southern Lord late last year, the time for the band’s first official release for the label to be unleashed grows near.
"Taking their down-tuned assault to iniquitous new dimensions, Xibalba’s ravenous breakdowns hit with the force of tsunamis and their riffs like mires of quicksand on Hasta La Muerte, showcasing more than ever how well the unit delivers such low-end savagery while remaining resilient, undeviating from their course of destruction. The album now confirmed for North American release on August 14th, the band recorded with Taylor Young (Nails), and outsourced the album’s powerful cover art concept to renowned death metal artist Dan Seagrave (Dismember, Entombed, Morbid Angel, Suffocation, etc.)."
Tracklist 1. No Serenity 2. Soledad 3. Laid to Rest 4. Burn 5. Sentenced 6. The Flood 7. Hasta La Muerte 8. Mala Mujer 9. Stoneheart 10. Lujuria 11. Cold
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album cover art of the day:
Frosttide Reveals Artwork & Track List
Finnish folk metal band Frosttide recently unveiled the album art and track listing for their new EP 'Our Journey,' which is slated for release at the end of the summer.
Tracklist: 1. Enemy Is Back 2. Carefree Village 3. Face Your Demons 4. Assault (check out stream below) 5. No Turning Back
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Asia To Release New Album
ASIA, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (lead vocals and bass) celebrate their 30th anniversary (1982-2012) by
releasing their new album 'XXX' on July 2nd. Featuring artwork by Roger Dean, 'XXX' dovetails ASIA’s 30th Anniversary World Tour and the collectors box set edition of their eponymous debut album.
Their current single "Face On The Bridge," now in its sixth straight week on the A-list at Planet Rock; the UK’s premiere classic rock radio station, is also proving hugely popular on YouTube.
In 1982 their debut album topped The Billboard Top 100 Chart for nine weeks, and went on to become the biggest selling album of the year. The album spawned the hits "Heat Of The Moment," "Only Time Will Tell," and four other radio hits. The new album,' XXX,' produced by Mike Paxman, has been hailed ASIA’s best album since their classic early 80s releases. 'XXX' is released by Frontiers Records on Monday July 2nd on CD, special edition CD/DVD (featuring music videos, behind the scenes footage), and limited edition vinyl.
“We wanted to recapture the energy of the first album,” says ASIA’s guitarist, Steve Howe. “ASIA has always been about great songs, fantastic musicianship. Fans of the first album will fall in love with XXX.”
There are some album covers that are just iconic (Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and U2′s ‘Boy’ are two that come to mind). Because the album art is the first part of the album to reach consumers, and is the visual representation of the band, artists are usually picky about what graces the cover of their album. Many times it’s a picture of the musicians themselves that is featured on the cover, or a piece of artwork.
But sometimes the band chooses a photograph that represents their sound or their image indirectly. They stage photo shoots with models, snap photos of people on the street, or choose from an old portfolio of photographs.
So whatever happened to the stars of these iconic covers?
Read the rest and see the updated images at thefw.com
DEAR JERRY: Just for fun, I did an online search for "The You Know Who Group," of which I was a member. That's how I found one of your columns about them.
It seems that no one, including Bob Gallo, our producer that you interviewed, knows who was in our group. Well, I definitely can tell you who was You Know Who.
If you have our album, or the image of the masked foursome from the front cover, grab it. Here's the lineup moving from left to right:
Yours truly (John Piemonte) is on the far left, and I played bass guitar. Second is Vinny Pollimini (not sure about the spelling), our lead guitarist. Third is Robert "Bobby" Esposito, drummer and our only singer. Last is rhythm guitarist Frank d'Avino.
We may have sounded British, but were really just four Italians from Brooklyn. Two of us grew up right down the block from Bob Gallo.
As for the costumes we're wearing on the cover, Frank d'Avino's mother, an experienced seamstress, made those capes and masks for us.
Much of the music was written and arranged by Bob Gallo, an accomplished musician and A/R man.
I even wrote one song but, silly as this sounds, I don't recall its title.
I think Frank is still in Brooklyn but have no idea where Bob and Vinny are. I am now 70 and living in Florida.
Hope this information helps!
—John Piemonte, Clearwater, Fla.
DEAR JOHN: It more than helps. For those immersed in the music world as much as I, this is front page news. I can see the headline now: YOU KNOW WHO GROUP FINALLY UNMASKED!
Your information perfectly matches what Bob Gallo told us last summer, even if he remembered only your vocalist.
Here is an excerpt of that interview:
"From their home base in Brooklyn, they came to my Manhattan studio, Talent Masters, wanting to record two original songs: "Roses Are Red My Love" and "Playboy." Both were written by Robert Esposito, their leader and also their lead singer.
"Other than Esposito, I don't recall the names of any of the other "Boys with That Great New English Sound."
As part of my reply to Gallo, knowing I had exhausted all known sources, I reluctantly admitted: "Unless we hear from Robert Esposito, or another member of the You Know Who Group, it is very unlikely we'll ever learn the names behind the other three masks."
Now my wish is granted, as you suddenly appear and clear up a 48-year-old musical mystery.
Thank you, John!
DEAR JERRY: A friend who knows I like Jo Stafford sent me a photocopy of a song folio, titled "Home & Hill Country Ballads (20 New Songs, Complete with Words & Music: Guitar, Ukulele, and Banjo Chords)."
When I saw it, I almost fell over backwards. Pictured on the front cover are the Stafford Sisters, with the caption: "Featured Trio on the Saturday Night Shindig." Neither Jo nor the other two are individually identified.
I have never heard of this trio. Were they really sisters? Did they ever record as the Stafford Sisters? When did Jo's solo career begin?
—Patrick Farrell, Milwaukee
DEAR PATRICK: First your friend, then you, set in motion one of the most important musical discoveries since … well … since we learned the names of the You Know Who Group.
Yes, at just 18, Jo teamed with her sisters Pauline and Christine. Right out of high school, the Stafford Sisters found work singing on KNX radio in Los Angeles.
The following year, 1937, they teamed with the No. 1 western music group, the Sons of the Pioneers, and announcer, Harry Hall, for a pilot performance on KHJ, and the American Broadcast System.
Specifically for this 15-minute program, titled "The Open Spaces," the Stafford Sisters were billed as the Daughters of the Pioneers.
The girls fit beautifully into the show, providing harmony and backing vocals for the Sons of the Pioneers on four of their tunes, "Tumbling Tumblweeds"; "Cool Water" (featuring Roy Rogers); "Chant of the Plains (I Need You)"; and "Blue Prairie."
They even get a song by themselves, "Ridin' Down the Canyon," prominently featuring Jo on lead.
At no time are they mentioned by name, only as the Daughters of the Pioneers.
Jo Stafford's first solo single, "Old Acquaintance" backed with "How Sweet You Are" (Capitol 142), came out over six years later, in December 1943.
Finally, thank you for sending the lovely greeting and postcards of your art.
IZ ZAT SO? Fortunately, someone in the booth at KHJ in 1937 preserved on a transcription disc the debut "Open Spaces" broadcast, especially vital because it was not picked up by the network, and there were no future episodes.
As there are also no known records by the Stafford Sisters, this historic recording must be the earliest example of Jo Stafford's singing.
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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
