Music News & Notes

Mates Of State Tour, Offer Mash Up, Announce Remix Release Details


Mates of State and Black Kids are set to kick off a US trek that runs the length of April. In celebration of the double-barreled coast-to-coast barn burner, DJA of Mad Decent has created a Black Kids vs. Mates of State mash-up, premiered by the folks at RCRD LBL. Mates' "Re-arrange Us" and the Kids' "Look At Me" act as source material for the bass-heavy mixture.

Additionally, The Mates will be releasing "Re-Arranged: Remixes Volume 1" April 14th on Barsuk Records. This limited-edition 12" vinyl features four reinterpretations of tracks from Mates of State's 2008 release, "Re-arrange Us," with contributions from noted remixologists DJ Sega, Flosstradamus, The Mae Shi, and RAC. Packaged in a classic DJ white sleeve, this 12" EP is limited to 1000 copies worldwide and will be available exclusively on vinyl several weeks before hitting digital retailers.

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Montreux Jazz Festival Lineup

The Montreux Jazz Festival has announced their lineup for this year, which includes B.B. King, Bettye LaVette, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Steve Winwood, Grace Jones, Marianne Faithfull, John Fogerty, Jeff Beck, Ray Parker Jr., Donna Summer and many, many more. The festival runs July 3 to 18 on the shores of Switerland's Lake Geneva.

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Ray Charles Goes Digital

The post-1960 Ray Charles catalog of 28 albums is set to go digital next Tuesday thanks to Concord Music. iTunes will have them exclusively for the first two weeks, at which time they will be released to the rest of the digital services.

"Ray Charles was a trailblazer and innovator in his music and the business of music. I am pleased Ray's songs are now available in all current formats. Concord enables the legacy to endure and prosper, " said Valerie Ervin, President of the Ray Charles Foundation.

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Former Genesis Drummer Dead

John Mayhew, the third drummer for Genesis (Phil Collins took his place), died on March 26 from a heart related condition. His only album with the group was Trespass.

Not much is known about Mayhew's lifeafter he left the band. He moved to Australia in the late-70's and worked as a carpenter, coming back just once to his native England. His brother, who had not seen him in 18 years, had started a search just two days before his death.

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Marvin Gaye Reissues


Yesterday would have been Marvin Gaye's 70th birthday. It was 25 years ago that Gaye was tragically killedby his father on the day before his 45th birthday.

Gaye's influence on music is undeniable. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" was Motown's biggest selling single of the 60's and considered an iconic classic. His 1971 album "What's Going On" regularly lands in the lists of the top ten albums ever made and Rolling Stone recently placed him at number six on the list of the greatest singers.

Motown Records, which is celebrating it's own 50th anniversary, is saluting Gaye's birthday with the release of the rarities collection "Now & Then." The 14-track collection is only available digitally and runs from his days with Harvey and the Moonglows (Mama Loocie, Twelve Months of the Year) to a 2009 funk remix of "I Want You." In between are a recently found 1966 recording of a song called "Soulie," the deep vault track "It's Your Party" and tracks from before his hitmaking days (Witchcraft, Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide).

Also coming on April 14 is the vinyl reissue of the album "United" by Gaye and Tammi Terrell. The album includes the hits "If I Could Build My World Around You," "Your Precious Love" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

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Kings, Matthews, No Doubt, Taylor Swift On Today

Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, No Doubt and Taylor Swift will take the stage for The Today Show’s annual summer concert series. Fall Out Boy, Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry and Flo Rida will also join Matt Lauer and Co. Get the complete lineup after the jump.

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Jayhawks Reunite For pair Of Shows

Nineties Americana band the Jayhawks will reunite this summer for a pair of reunion shows, Reuters reports. For the first time in a decade, the band’s two principal members Gary Louris and Mark Olson will perform an American show, booking a date at Minneapolis’ Basilica Block Party on July 10th.

Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History- part six

In our continuing series about “bird” and “animal” groups and names in rock & roll history, let’s explore a unique section dedicated to birds, namely crows.

One of the first in a number of 1950's “bird groups” (including the Flamingos, the Falcons, Cardinals among others) was the Crows, a one hit wonder doo wop group from New York. Discovered in New York’s famous Apollo Theater in 1952, their most successful single was the song “Gee,” an infectious, cheerful vocal and harmony ditty. That song peaked at number fourteen on the pop charts and number two on the R & B charts in 1954.

A Minneapolis rock/blues band called The Crow, released the hard-rockin’, chest thumping anthem “Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me” in late 1969, a song that peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard Top 40. Unfortunately, even with the earnest and engaging vocal theme, the group was unable to hit the charts again.

The Black Crowes are an American, blues-oriented hard-rock jam band that have sold well over 20 million albums. With a vintage Rolling Stones/Faces sound, the Black Crowes emerged from Georgia as brothers Chris and Rich Robinson and the rest of the band achieved national prominence with a cover of an Otis Redding tune called “Hard To Handle” from their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker.” The band also hit the Top 40 with an acoustic ballad from the same LP called “She Talks To Angels.” Their timeless sound and mixing full-throttle rockers with acoustic and soulful ballads served them well as they released several multi platinum albums in the early 1990's. Much as the Stones used Chuck Berry’s influence and sound, the Black Crowes use the Stones, Faces and Humble Pie influences to deliver an eclectic mix of pure, articulated rock and roll.

The Adam Duritz led Counting Crows come in with a different, yet successful level, mixing angst-filled lyrics, twisting melodies and Duritz’s expressive vocals to attain a national following. The band took its name from a divination rhyme about the crow, heard by Duritz in the film Signs of Life. The rhyme is used at the end of the song "A Murder of One" on the album August and Everything After: "Well I dreamt I saw you walking up a hillside in the snow / Casting shadows on the winter sky as you stood there, counting crows / One for sorrow, two for joy / Three for girls and four for boys / Five for silver, six for gold / Seven for a secret never to be told." In the poem, the act of counting crows is particularly useless.

The band's debut album “August and Everything After,” produced by T-Bone Burnett, was released in late 1993. The San Francisco rock group reached the Billboard Top Ten in 1994 with the infectious hit “Mr. Jones” and they continue to have modest success entertaining fans with somber ballads, inventive jangling guitar work and Duritz’s continued lyrical tales of muted joy.


Sheryl Crow came into her own in 1993 after spending years as a backup singer for Don Henley, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson, among others. Working with veteran Los Angles studio musicians, this Missouri native hit the charts running with an exceptional debut album called “Tuesday night Music Club.” The album won Crow the 1994 Best New Artist Grammy Award. The release, a melodic mix of gritty blues rock, not only showcased her song writing abilities with the song “Leaving Las Vegas” and “All I Want To Do,” (which stayed on the Billboard Top 40 for an impressive twenty-seven weeks, peaking at #2 for six weeks) but also Crow’s adventurous, bluesy voice.

In her self-named next release (1996) as well as subsequent releases, Crow relies upon the previous mentioned attributes and mixing playful pop energy, social commentary and friendly roots-rock, she continues to add to her legacy as an inspiring, talented songstress.

In our next article in the series (number seven), we will continue to explore more “bird” and group names and artists in rock & roll history.


The Crows Tidbits

When The Crows started out in 1951, practicing sidewalk harmonies, the original members were: Daniel "Sonny" Norton (lead); William "Bill" Davis (baritone); Harold Major (tenor); Jerry Wittick (tenor); and Gerald Hamilton (bass). In 1952, Wittick left the group and was replaced by Mark Jackson (tenor and guitarist).

They were discovered at Apollo Theater's Wednesday night talent show by talent agent Cliff Martinez, and brought to independent producer George Goldner who had just set up tiny new indepent Rama Records label.

The Crows were the first group signed and the first to record for the small label. The first songs they recorded were as back-up to singer and tenor Watkins. The song "Gee" was the third song recorded during their first recording session, on February 10, 1953.


Crow Tidbits

Crow was formed in 1967 by singer David Wagner, guitarist Dick Wiegand, bassist Larry Wiegand, keyboardist Kink Middlemist, and drummer Harry Nehls under the name South 40, which was used until the group went national.

In 1969, Crow’s debut album Crow Music was recorded. The single "Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me)" made the Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 that fall.


Black Crowes Tidbits

The band has toured with acts such as Aerosmith, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Who, AC/DC, The Grateful Dead, and Neil Young.

The Black Crowes released their first studio album, "Shake Your Money Maker," in 1990. On the strength of singles "Hard to Handle", "She Talks to Angels", "Jealous Again", "Twice as Hard", "Sister Luck", and "Seeing Things", their debut album received multi-platinum certification and eventually sold over three million copies.

Buy Black Crowes Music


Counting Crows Tidbits

Counting Crows, and Adam Duritz in particular, have become renowned for the energetic, passionate nature of their live performances. Duritz frequently extends and rewrites songs live, adding extra verses or alternate middle sections and/or endings, sometimes fitting most of another of the band's other songs into the middle of the first.

The band has drawn deep in covering artists such as Rod Stewart, Fairport Convention, Pure Prairie League, The Rolling Stones, Jackson C. Frank, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Oasis.

The band actively encourages the recording of its concerts and the distribution of the resulting bootleg recordings. The band hosts a trading network on its website to enable fans to swap concert recordings. Sale of fan recordings for profit is prohibited; fans must either trade bootlegs for other bootlegs or pay for blank media, postage, and packaging.

Buy Counting Crows Music


Sheryl Crow Tidbits

After graduating from college, Crow worked as a music teacher at the Kellison elementary school, in Fenton, Missouri.

Crow toured with Michael Jackson as a backup vocalist during his Bad World Tour from 1987-1989.

In 1992, Crow recorded her first attempt at her debut album with Phil Collins' producer Hugh Padgham. The self-titled debut album was slated to be released on September 22, 1992, but was ultimately rejected by her label.

Crow had been involved with the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) since the late 1990s, performing at fund-raisers and befriending Sharon Monsky.

Crow was featured in the February 21, 2008 issue (#1046) of Rolling Stone. The article discusses how the singer beat cancer and returned with Detours. Rolling Stone says "Detours is Crow's most powerful and most personal record yet."

On May 11, 2007, Crow announced on her official website that she had adopted a two-week-old boy named Wyatt Steven Crow.

Buy Sheryl Crow Music

Look for this feature every Tuesday and Thursday!

Glass Houses: Who Wants Vinyl? I Do

Loved this article and want to thank Debbie for allowing me to reprint it:


Vinyl is back. While I might not be able to get every release I want on vinyl, I will be able to get some from most every record label. Why am I happy? My daughter bought an iPod Touch the other day. Now, the wireless network is down in my house, and I don’t know why. It will likely take hours and several phone calls to figure it out. For what? So she can listen to compressed MP3 files? If that’s not bad enough, she’ll have to go on the computer (when it’s finally working again), to find out information on the songs--that is, if she can find the info at all.

Gail Marowitz, who was nominated for a Grammy this year for her art work on Aimee Mann’s @#%&! Smilers (SuperEgo Records) shared with me a recent experience she had. "I was on myspace.com looking at the page of an artist I like. That artist recommended another artist; I went to that artist’s page listened to three songs, liked them, and downloaded them. There’s a duet with a guy … don’t know who he is … no liner notes … no PDF booklet on iTunes. It became a frustrating experience because I liked the music and I couldn’t do what I did my whole childhood which was put a record on a turntable, open the gatefold [or flip to the liner notes side of the sleeve], and read about everyone who played on the album. I couldn’t get the lyrics either. It’s like driving blind. Since I was so interested in the artist, I found the experience frustrating."

I tried to get someone from iTunes to talk to me about this subject, but they said they had no one who could go on record. So, where am I leading with this latest round of MP3-bashing? It’s not that I don’t enjoy the convenience of MP3, but often I want more! I want a choice! Obviously, I’m not alone. According to Billboard, in 2008 there was a record number of vinyl albums sold, with nearly 1.9 million--more than any other year since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. The top-selling vinyl set of 2008 was Radiohead's In Rainbows, with 26,000, but Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III and Coldplay’s Viva La Vida did pretty well too.

Why is vinyl making this unexpected comeback? Admittedly, it can never truly compete with MP3s in a generation born into the portable age, but at least, with the record labels all committing to releasing at least some titles on vinyl, the long-adored physical format is no longer a retro-fad, but rather a formidable niche. Of course, many audiophiles never gave up on vinyl. (There is another group of audiophiles that are looking at high-definition as the future, but that’s another story, as I discussed last month). I’ve sat through many Audio Engineering Show (AES) panels where hatred of not only MP3s, but all things digital, was everywhere. So my true question is, who wants vinyl? Can it just be the audiophiles?

I spoke with Steve Sheldon, president, Rainbo Records, who has been in the media manufacturing business for many years. While Rainbo manufactures CDs, they never stopped pressing vinyl. He says, there is way more to the story than audiophiles. That market never went away, and there has always been the nostalgia market as well: those consumers who have been buying new records and replacements for the LPs they already had. However, real growth in vinyl has been with those aged 18-24 who are buying this "new thing" called the record. "They do play the albums, but I don’t think sound is a big part of why they are buying them. The people I talk to, play the album once, then upload it to their portable players. They like owning and handling the cover," he said.

The growing vinyl business, however, does not mean it is really an opportunity for newcomers wanting to press product. There are nine record pressing plants left. Rainbo is one of the largest along with United Record Pressing. Generally, capacity at those nine plants is enough to handle demand, he said. "Last year was tough. We were running about a 10–week backlog, but that was, in part, because all of the labels jumped on the bandwagon at the same time. That seems to have evened out and I think all of us are now able to keep up with demand as companies reasonably space out releases." Another reason for the backlog this past summer had to do with raw materials shortages. There are only two suppliers of vinyl and they hadn’t ramped up for the surprise demand at that point.

Back in May and June, Sheldon says Rainbo was getting 20 different releases at once from one customer. "Also, at that time, customers were overanxious and probably overpressing as well. Many of the order sizes were up in the 20 or 30,000 piece range. Now, a lot of customers are in the 1-5000 units range. However, it’s not only about limited editions, he says, there are quite a few re-orders.

Despite the steadying growth, unavailability of manufacturing equipment is one deterrent in getting into the vinyl manufacturing business today. Sheldon says Rainbo’s newest press is 32 years old! "We haven’t been able to buy parts since the 1980s. We’ve been making our own parts. If it’s not a part that we can make, then we change it around. It would be expensive to develop a machine. Although the record business is good, I don’t think it would be good enough…it’s not like a company is going to build 1000 presses and then sell them all." Even if you managed to get a press, there is the learning curve, in terms of making the disc. It’s not an exact science like manufacturing a CD or a DVD. It’s more of "craft," he says. Rainbo has trained new workers, but there are people at the plant that have making albums for the last 25 years, Sheldon says.

What is the real issue here? It comes down to choice. David Sidebottom, mobile and music specialist at Futuresource Consulting, told me recently, "It's all about treating every release individually to maximize impact and sales potential, and to satisfy the fan base." When you look at studies from companies like Gartner Consulting who says CD production should stop now! It’s unnerving. Not all consumers are created equal. We all have likes and dislikes and those likes and dislikes change depending on situations. Instead of squelching any format, it’s beneficial to all to see how the formats can work together. Vinyl was killed long before consumers were ready for it to go.

Sheldon shared a story. He said that in the heyday of CDs, people were always amazed that he was still manufacturing vinyl. Now the tables have turned, so to speak. "I recently went to a party and someone asked…what do you do for a living? I said, ‘I make vinyl and CDs.’ His response was…’you still make CDs? I haven’t bought a CD in years!’"

SOURCE
Debbie Galante Block (debgalante at aol.com) is a freelance writer based in Mahopac, N.Y.
http://www.emedialive.com
Reprinted By Permission

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Music News & Notes

Daltry Says Moon Would Have Quit for the Beach Boys

Roger Daltry, who is touring Australia with the Who, told the Courier Mail that Keith Moon would have dropped out of the group in a heartbeat if he could have drummed for the Beach Boys.

"He was a mad Beach Boys fan. He would have left the Who at the drop of a hat to join the Beach Boys. Even at our height, when the Beach Boys were on their way down and the Who were at the top of the world, if the Beach Boys had asked him to drum for them, he would have gone. We used to do Barbara Ann for Keith to keep him happy."

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VAN HALEN's Classic Debut Released On 180-Gram Vinyl - Apr. 1, 2009


As part of their ongoing vinyl reissue series, Warner/Rhino on Tuesday (March 31) quietly released VAN HALEN's groundbreaking self-titled 1978 debut record on 180-gram vinyl.

One of the most explosive and accomplished hard rock albums ever produced, VAN HALEN's 1978 self-titled debut altered perceptions of what the guitar could do and it set the template for the sound of rock and roll for the next decade. From the instrumental blow-out of "Eruption" and the gritty pop of "Feel Your Love Tonight", to the strutting riff of "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" and the grandiose reworking of THE KINKS' "You Really Got Me", VAN HALEN amply demonstrates the drive, showmanship and musicianship that would turn them into rock revolutionaries!

"Van Halen" vinyl reissue details:

* Mastered from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Grey at Acoustech Mastering, using half-speed mastering for superior sound
* Pressed on high-quality 180-gram (180g) weight vinyl for longer life and superior sound
* Features all-original artwork and packaging

Most experts agree that the richness and depth of the original master tapes is truly captured only on vinyl. This should sound better than both the original vinyl, and the remastered CD.

For more information, visit VanHalenStore.com.

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Neil Young To Reissue Time Fades Away

In a stunning decision, Neil Young has announced that he will be re-releasing "Time Fades Away" on June 2. This decision pushes back the release on The Neil Young Archives Volume 1 which had been scheduled for this release date.

The announcement comes after a 4 year campaign by fans to have "Time Fades Away" re-released after being out of print since the mid-1980's. The online petition campaign began in February 2005 and has received over 15,000 signatures thus far.

In a statement, Neil Young said:

"My fans have spoken. They want to hear "Time Fades Away" after being out of print for so long. And in order to satisfy my fans, I'm going to re-release the album in it's original format only -- vinyl.

As far as the Archives go, well they've waited this long, so they can wait a little while later. It was a tough decision because I never really cared that much for the album. But after hearing all the complaints about the Archives Box set and trying to address them, I feel that re-releasing "Time Fades Away" is my only option to placate my fan base."

The statement goes on to say that the vinyl album will also be available as a deluxe version with new music videos for each song. The videos will be included on a VHS tape in the deluxe version along with the original lyrics sheet that the 1973 release contained.

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Holly Golightly reissues on CD and Vinyl


Three classic Holly Golightly albums get the re-issue treatment from Damaged Goods on May 11, 2009 with ‘Painted On’ and the two live albums ‘Down At Ginas At 3′ and ‘Up The Empire’ to be released on digipack CD and 12” vinyl.

PAINTED ON~Release date – May 11th

This is a reissue of Holly Golightly’s third proper album which was originally released in 1997 on the Sympathy label in the USA, now finally available on digipak CD and 12” LP vinyl.

‘Painted On’ is one of Holly’s favourite albums and it features some of her regular live favourites including “A Length Of Pipe” and “I Let My Daddy Do That” which she now plays along with Lawyer Dave in her current incarnation as Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs.

UP THE EMPIRE~Release date – May 11

This is a reissue of Holly Golightly’s first ever live album which was originally released in 1998 on the Sympathy For The Record Industry label in the USA, now finally available on Digipak CD and 12” LP vinyl once again.

‘Up The Empire’ was Holly’s first live albums and it features thirteen tracks that was apparently recorded in the summer of 1997 at Bridgetown’s premier nightspot, The Empire Ballroom and features some of her regular live favourites she’s still playing today including “Won’t Go Out” and “You Ain’t No Big Thing Baby”.

DOWN GINA’S AT 3~Release date – May 11

‘Come on in, put your cigarettes out and have a dance’ kicks off this reissue of Holly Golightly’s second live album which was originally released in 2004 on CD only on the Sympathy For The Record Industry label in the USA, now finally available on a double 12” LP vinyl for the first time and dusted down for a Digipak CD.

‘Down Gina’s At 3’ was recorded at the start of their US tour in 2004 and released by the end of it!

This is pretty much the line-up which recorded Holly’s classic ‘Truly She Is None Other’ album - featuring Bruce Brand on Drums, Eric Stein on lead Guitar and Jack Lawrence on Bass while Ko And The Knockouts appear on the encore tracks.

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Girl In A Coma Music


Girl in a Coma's debut album, Both Before I'm Gone, was released in 2007, but the trio was successful in releasing three hit singles and touring off the 10-track CD through 2009 — they're just that good (and dedicated to fans). They finally took a break to write and record a new album, which now has a title and a release date. Trio B.C. will come out on Blackheart Records on June 2.

Of the title, the band says:

"We chose Trio B.C. as the album title because it was the name of [sisters Phanie and Nina's] grandfather's tejano band way back in the 50s. He was our first musical influence . He would play us guitar and sing and we would love to watch him in the garage with a cold beer in his hand playing his records and sing along like he meant it. His passion is our inspiration. We hope to make people feel that way about our music."
The band stuck with Joan Jett's label for their sophomore release, and even have Jett and her co-hort Kenny Laguna producing tracks for the album. They also worked with Gabe Collins, who has done tracks for Gwen Stefani and U2 and Gabriel Gonzalez, who worked on Both Before I'm Gone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

The album will also include the band's first song in Spanish: “Ven Cerca." The song is a cover a Los Spitfires song.

June may still be months away, but GIAC aren't leaving us high and dry — they are releasing the Hiding My Trail EP on vinyl and digital formats on April 21. Having the two tracks ("Only I" and "A Conversation"), I can vouch that it's not much of a departure from songs like "Say" and "My Cell" — which is a good thing. Girl in a Coma have a great handle on their dark pop-rock style, and it allows them to appeal to all different kinds of crowds, including gay ladies who not only appreciate the basslines from out member Jenn Alva, but the insatiable hooks and layered instrumental that makes them so much more than a Joan Jett pet project or "girl band."

As for Trio B.C., fans will definitely not be disappointed. Punk with tinges of bluegrass, goth-rock and rockabilly, the album is definitely worth the wait.

This Date In Music History-March 2

Birthdays:

Keren Woodward – Bananarama (1961)

Emmylou Harris (1947)

Leon Russel (1941)

Greg Camp- Smash Mouth (1967)

David Robinson- The Cars (1953)

Tony Fredianelli- Third Eye Blind (1969)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1952, Leon Wilkeson, bass, Lynyrd Skynyrd (died on July 27, 2001).

Rob Pilatus, one half of pop duo Milli Vanilli was found dead in a Frankfurt Hotel room in 1998 after taking a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol. Milli Vanilli won the 1989 best new artist Grammy after hits like 'Blame it on the Rain' and 'Girl, You Know It's True,' selling 30 million singles and 14 million albums.

The late Marvin Gaye was born in 1939.

One of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, Buddy Rich died in 1987 (age 69) due to complications caused by a brain tumor. The self-taught prodigy started drumming when he was only 18 months old, and his incredible rhythmic sense influenced just about everyone who picked up a pair of drumsticks afterward. Rich worked with many acts including, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey's band, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson.

Edwin Starr ("War") died of a heart attack in 2003.


History:

The Black Crowes performed in Knoxville, TN in 1999. One of the concertgoers later sued the band for $385,000 in a claim that he had suffered significant hearing loss at the show. Apparently, he couldn’t have just got up and left…..

Janis Joplin was at #1 on the US album charts in 1971 with “Pearl.”

The Beach Boys recorded "I Get Around" in 1964. Brian Wilson got so fed up with his father's criticism that he fired him as their manager.

Freddie & the Dreamers recorded "Do The Freddie" in 1965.

Johnny Cash recorded "I Walk The Line" in 1956.

Frank Sinatra cuts his classic anthem "My Way” in 1969.

Steve Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group to form Traffic in 1967.

In 1967, the Beatles finished recording the legendary album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

John Lennon and Yoko Ono held a news conference in New York in 1972 to discuss their appeal of the Immigration Department's decision to deport John.

Stevie Wonder’s tribute to Duke Ellington, "Sir Duke," was released in 1977.

Ringo Starr released his best solo effort and biggest chart success, “It Don’t Come Easy” in 1971. (Written by Ringo and produced by George Harrison)

Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” was #1 in the U.S. in 1977 (less than two months following its release). The album stayed on the chart for over a year-and-a-half.

In 1978, Cheap Trick performed at Tokyo's Budokan Hall before a wildly enthusiastic audience. “Live at Budokan” eventually sells over three million copies and is Cheap Trick’s best seller.

David Lee Roth left Van Halen in 1985. This is the very definition of a ‘bad move.’ He was replaced by Sammy Hagar who’s actually with the group longer.

U2’s fifth studio album, "The Joshua Tree," makes its debut at #7 on the U.S. album chart in 1987.

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was certified platinum by the record industry in 1992.

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Vinyl Collective News

Here's the latest from Virgil at www.vinylcollective.com:

One of my favorite independent labels just sent us a big box of restocks including a handful of the Lemuria get better vinyl which is nearly out of print (alex from art of the underground is in lemuria in case you don’t know). We also got in a bunch of the AOTU 7″ series which will all soon be out of print. Get yours while you have the chance.

LEMURIA “Get Better” LP pink w/ white vinyl
ALEX KERNS “Single Series Volume 33″ 7″
ARMED WITH INTELLIGENCE / YOUNG ONES “Garbage Pickin Youth” split 7″
CHEEKY “Single Series Volume 29″ 7″
CHINESE TELEPHONES “Single Series Volume 31″ 7″
MALCOLM BAULD “Covered In Dust” LP
SCREAM HELLO “Single Series Volume 35″ 7″
THE CLOSET FAIRIES “Single Series Volume 26″ 7″
THE JETTY BOYS “Single Series Volume 34″ 7″
THE MANGES “Single Series Volume 36″ 7″
TIN ARMOR “Single Series Volume 32″ 7″

Mr. Music

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


DEAR JERRY: After seeing how someone put together an album of all the different versions of “High School U.S.A.,” “Louie Louie,” and “Talkin' Baseball,” it amazes me that RCA Victor never made a long-play album of Jimmie Rodgers' “Blue Yodels.”

The theme itself would have made good sense, but considering there are only a dozen or so songs — perfect for an album — makes it seem like a no-brainer idea.

I know they are all included in some multi-disc CD boxed sets, along with numerous other Rodgers' tracks, but the point is they should all be on a single record or CD.

I'm tired of waiting, so if you'll provide a complete listing I'll create my own compilation. —Arnold Kim, Milwaukee

DEAR ARNOLD: I doubt a better idea for a concept album ever existed, one that inexplicably went unfulfilled.

As you suggest, the baker's dozen of Jimmie's “Blue Yodels” would perfectly fill an LP.

And unlike “High School U.S.A.,” where all 30 tracks are essentially the same song with only slight lyrical variations, each of the 13 “Blue Yodels” is a unique piece of music.

Another bewildering slant to this story is knowing you could own the first 14 RCA Victor LPs (1952-1977) AND all eight Rounder albums (1990-1991), and still not have all 13 “Blue Yodels”!

So here they are, complete with A and B-sides, sub-titles, alternative titles, year recorded, and original Victor-Bluebird 78 rpm numbers:

Victor 21142: “Blue Yodel” (“Blue Yodel No. 1”; “T For Texas”) (1928). Flip: “Away out on the Mountain.”
Victor 21291: “Blue Yodel No. 2” (“My Lovin' Gal Lucille”)” (1928). Flip: “The Brakeman's Blues.”
Victor 21531: “Blue Yodel No. 3” (“Evening Sun Yodel”; “She's Long, She's Tall”) (1928). Flip: “Never No Mo' Blues.”
Victor 40014: “Blue Yodel No. 4” (“California Blues”) (1929). Flip: “Waiting for a Train.”
Victor 22072: “Blue Yodel No. 5” (“It's Raining Here”). Flip: “I'm Sorry We Met.”
Victor 22271: “Blue Yodel No. 6” (“Midnight Turning Day Blues”) (1930). Flip: “Yodeling Cowboy.”
Victor 22488: “Blue Yodel No. 7” (“Anniversary Blue Yodel”) (1930). Flip: “Any Old Time.”
Victor 23503: “Blue Yodel No. 8” (“Mule Skinner Blues”) (1931). Flip: “Jimmie's Mean Mama Blues.”
Victor 23580: “Blue Yodel No. 9” (“Standing on a Corner”) (1931). Flip: Looking for a New Mama.”
Victor 23696: “Blue Yodel No. 10” (“Groundhog Rootin' In My Backyard”) (1932). Flip: “Mississippi Moon.”
Victor 23796: “Blue Yodel No. 11” (“I Got a Gal”) (1929). Flip: “Sweet Mama Hurry Home Or I'll Be Gone.”
Bluebird 5942: “Blue Yodel No. 11” (“I Got a Gal”) (1929). Flip: “My Good Gal's Gone Blues.”
Victor 24456: “Blue Yodel No. 12” (“Barefoot Blues”) (1933). Flip: “Cowhand's Last Ride.”
Bluebird 5281: “Jimmie Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel” (1933). Flip: “Fifteen Years Ago Today.”

For those whose only desire is having all 13 Blue Yodels on one CD, one self-titled 20-tune collection (“Jimmie Rodgers”) plays them in order, but also adds seven other tracks: “Brakeman's Blues (Yodeling The Blues Away)”; “Train Whistle Blues”; “In the Jailhouse Now No 2”; “I'm Lonely and Blue”; “Hobo Bill's Last Ride”; “Whippin' That Old TB”; and “Waiting for a Train.”

However, for the COMPLETE collection of Jimmie Rodgers music, you'll need “The Singing Brakeman,” a lavish 1994 six-CD boxed set from Germany's Bear Family Records.

IZ ZAT SO? The first of Jimmie Rodgers' “Blue Yodels” originally came out without mention of a number. Labels showed the title as “Blue Yodel,” making no reference to the song itself, “T for Texas.”

The recording became a huge hit, selling half-a-million and creating a national sensation.

With subsequent yodels being numbered, reissues of “T for Texas” identified the earlier track as “Blue Yodel No. 1.”

Rodgers eventually earned three completely different and equally appropriate nicknames: “The Blue Yodeler”; “The Singing Brakeman”; and “The Father of Country Music.”

Apart from his many Country-based accolades, Jimmie is also known as the most original American Blues protagonist in the first half of the 20th century — an inspiration to Gene Autry and Ernest Tubb; as well as Howlin' Wolf; Muddy Waters; and Louis Armstrong.

His twang and yodels may scream Country but his compositions and song constructions are pure Beale Street Blues.

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Music News & Notes

Black Sabbath News

NEW HEAVEN & HELL SINGLE BIBLE BLACK NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Exclusive 7" Vinyl Single Available For Record Store Day on April 18
New Album The Devil You Know Available April 28 From Rhino

LOS ANGELES -- "Bible Black," the first single from Heaven & Hell's highly anticipated new album THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, is now available for download from all digital retailers. The epic tale was one of the first songs written for the new album and finds the quartet of Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice in top form. "When you start off with a blockbuster like that, it makes the rest of the album so much easier because it gives you a benchmark to measure the other songs against," says Dio. "Bible Black" begins with Iommi on acoustic guitar behind Dio's plaintive wail before the rhythm shifts to a menacing stomp for the rest of this dark tale about a book of sinister scriptures. The song is also streaming at myspace.com/heavenandhellmusic.

A limited edition 7" vinyl single of "Bible Black" will be available exclusively for this year's Record Store Day on April 18 for a suggested list price of $5.98. The single's B-side features a live version of "Neon Knights" recorded at the band's heralded Radio City Music Hall performance in 2007. The 7" is available only at participating independent music retailers. For a full list of participating stores, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

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Bad Co Tour

Last August, Bad Company reunited for a one-off gig at the Hollywood, Florida Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and the surviving members of the group will return to that venue on June 17 to kick off a 10-date reunion tour.

Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirkes will be on the road to promote their Hard Rock Live DVD, recorded at last year's show, which will be sold at all the shows before being made widely available on August 8.

Rodgers talked to Billboard about the reunion. "It was a really good show. Both the band and the fans were on fire. Queen [Rodgers is their current lead singer] does fantastic versions of my material, but it was very authentic playing with the guys, very much the real deal, I guess."

Joining the trio of original members will be Lynn Sorenson from Rodgers' solo band and Howard Leese, formerly of Heart. The Doobie Brothers will be opening all of the shows except the final one in Atlantic City.

Rodgers did say not to expect additional shows as he will be using the rest of the year to write new material.

The tour dates:

06/19/09 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
06/20/09 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
06/21/09 - Birmingham, AL - Downtown
06/23/09 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
06/24/09 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
06/27/09 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
06/28/09 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
07/01/09 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/02/09 - Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands PAC (CMAC)
07/04/09 - Atlantic City, NJ - Resorts Atlantic City

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Hudson Recovering

Brett Hudson of the 70's group the Hudson Brothers revealed that he has been battling throad cancer for over a year and has beat it using a state-of-the-art treatment not available in the U.S. He was appearing at the NY Metro Fest for Beatles Fans with his brother Mark when he said, "On August 27, 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. My doctors told me to get my affairs in order and that I wouldn't survive six months. I proved them wrong.

"I was headed toward a morbid operation to remove my larynx when my dear friend Cher, whom I've known for 35 years, led me to a doctor in Germany, and today I don't have cancer.

"Bottom line: You go to Germany, they'll cure your cancer. You stay in America, they'll cure you if you survive the treatment."

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Beck Reissuing 1994’s “One Foot in the Grave” on April 14th

Beck will reissue his 1994 slacker folk album One Foot in the Grave on April 14th, with reportedly 16 additional songs tacked onto the original track list. The rocker’s publicists confirmed the release date, which Rock Daily noted on Amazon.com’s preorder page, which also indicates Interscope Records will handle the reissue. The LP was originally distributed by K Records and recorded before — but released after — Beck’s breakthrough major label debut Mellow Gold.

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Devo's Roots

Along with Devo’s recent reunion, founding member Jerry Casale is also working on the first draft of a band biopic.

“It’s about Devo in the sad, sad Akron days beginning in 1974. It shows the truth, which is stranger than fiction, where, against all odds, and totally whacked-out, this art band goes from being this hopeless joke everyone laughs at to synching up with the new wave and punk movements,” Casale told Flavorwire.

Happy Birthday 45 RPM Records!

Happy Birthday and welcome back to an old friend, the 45 rpm record officially turned 60 years old on March 31. British trade journals are reporting that single song 45rpm records are now outselling their CD counterparts and many American bands are now releasing music via this historic audio medium.

The 45rpm record was initially introduced in 1949 by RCA Records as a smaller, more durable replacement for the heavy 78 shellac-based records of the time. The 45 was created by RCA as a competitive move against one their rival record companies, Columbia, which had just introduced the new microgroove 33 1/3 rpm LP. The number 45came from taking 78 and subtracting Columbia's new 33 to equal the 45. Record companies and consumers alike faced an uncertain future as to which format would survive the 78rpm or the 45rpm; in what was known as the “War of the Speeds.” In 1949 Capitol and Decca started issuing the new LP format and RCA relented and issued its first LP in January 1950. But the 45 rpm was gaining in popularity and Columbia issued its first 45s in February 1951. Soon other record companies saw the mass consumer appeal the new format allowed and by 1954 more than 200 million 45s had been sold.

So On March 31, 1949, RCA Victor released "Texarkana Baby" b/w "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold. The first 45rpm record to hit the Billboard charts was "A -- You're Adorable" by Perry Como, listed on the charts on May 7, 1949. The next week, the year's biggest hit appeared on the Billboard charts -- "Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” by Vaughn Monroe. The first 45rpm records were monaural and as stereo sound became more prevalent and popular in the 1960s, almost all 45rpm records were manufactured in stereo.

The historical and commercial significance of the 45rpm record has varied over time, the technological developments in recorded music and according to the audience of the particular artists and musical genres. In general, 45 records were more important to the music acts who sold music to the younger audiences (mostly teenagers) who tend to have limited financial resources and shorter attention spans. That said, the golden age for the 45rpm record was in the 1950s and 1960s in early development of rock music. They were affordable and allowed artists the freedom of releasing a single song as opposed to a whole LP. Conversely, some singles helped to launch the sales of the albums that the musicians were promoting.

The length of the songs also evolved. In the 1950s, it was common for songs to be anywhere from two to two and a half minutes long and in the 1960s; the three minute single became the norm. This length was very convenient and fit the AM radio format very well. Millions of demo records were sent out to radio stations with specific instructions as to which song was supposed to be the ‘hit single,’ although there were some DJs that played the ‘B’ sides and those songs became hits. Elvis Presley was one of the first artists to release the ‘double-sided single’, meaning that both songs would ultimately end up on the charts. The Beatles followed suit and were also one of the first recording artists to push the envelope, so to speak and commonly had songs over the three-minute norm. In fact, there are some singles that had to be edited by radio stations and shortened to fit their particular formats. Don McLean’s 1972 hit “American Pie” is an example, the single was split up into two parts on the 45. The Beatles broke new ground in 1968 with their over seven minute epic “Hey Jude.”

The sales of the 45s were recorded on the record charts in most countries in a Top 40 format and these charts were often published in magazines (Billboard), television shows (American Bandstand) and radio programs often had the Top 40 countdown shows (Casey Kasem).

Nowadays, they still manufacture 45 rpm records, but on a much smaller scale than decades ago. Indie bands, r&b artists and punk bands love the format; it makes the music affordable for their target audience and, after all these years, are still highly sought after by collectors. Happy Birthday to an old friend, here’s for many more!

Sales of 45rpm Records:

Over 11 million copies
“Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight” - Elton John

Over 8 million copies
“We Are the World” - USA for Africa

Over 4 million copies
“Hey Jude” - The Beatles
“Hound Dog"/"Don't Be Cruel" - Elvis Presley
"I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston
"Low" - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
"Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" - Los Del Rio
"Whoomp! (There It Is)" - Tag Team

Over 3 million copies
"Apologize" - Timbaland presents OneRepublic
"Disturbia" - Rihanna
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" - Bryan Adams
"Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
"Gangsta's Paradise" - Coolio featuring L.V.
"Hot N Cold" - Katy Perry
"How Do I Live" - LeAnn Rimes
"I Kissed a Girl" - Katy Perry
"I'll Be Missing You" - Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis
"Live Your Life" - T.I. featuring Rihanna
"Love Me Tender/Any Way You Want Me" - Elvis Presley
"Stronger" - Kanye West
"Viva la Vida" - Coldplay

Classic Rock Videos

Looking Glass - Brandy

Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History- part five

As we continue our series of “bird” and “animal” names in rock & roll history, let’s explore some more famous groups and names that contain “birds.”

In the early 1960's, Missouri native Billy Swan wrote a hit single for Clyde McPhatter called “Lover Please” and spent the rest of the decade working as a roadie, engineer’s assistant and songwriter, writing material for Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings and Mel Tillis.

After moving to Memphis to continue writing songs and later relocating to Nashville, Swan supported himself as a recording assistant, but quit the job during the recording of Bob Dylan’s album “Blonde On Blonde” and gave his job to Kris Kristofferson. Swan went on to produce Tony Joe White’s hit single “Polk Salad Annie.” He also toured and played with Kris Kristofferson.

But Swan’s main claim to fame is his number one hit in 1974 called “I Can Help,” a song he wrote after receiving a little RMI organ as a wedding present from Kristofferson and then wife, Rita Coolidge. It went to number one on both the pop and country charts in 1974, and the accompanying album of the same name also topped the country list. After a few years, Swan returned to Kristofferson’s band and played with them until 1992.

However, taking time out from his still-active career as a session and backup musician, Swan recorded a new album at the original Sun studios, “Like Elvis Used to Do,” in 2000. In 2002, he teamed up with the Eagles’ Randy Meisner and Alan Rich, on a self-titled album from the aptly named Meisner, Swan & Rich.

One of the most successful rock groups of the 70's, the Eagles blended country, folk and rock into a stellar career that produced five number one Billboard hits. The group’s original members, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Don Henley were all session players and group veterans (Leadon had been with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Meisner founded the band Poco) and were assembled as back up musicians for Linda Ronstadt’s album “Silk Purse.”

Signed by Asylum Records, the Eagles released a self-titled album in 1972 which included the hit singles “Take It Easy” (written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey), “Witchy Woman” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and brought the “California sound” to the world. With their passionate, articulate harmonies, superstardom awaited, as fans clamored for more.

The second Eagles album, “Desperado” (1973) emphasized an “outlaw” image, but was not as successful as the first release. They added guitarist Don Felder on the third album, “On The Border” which went gold in three months and produced the number one Billboard hit “Best Of My Love.”

In 1975, the Eagles released “One Of These Nights,” a breakthrough album that mixed sappy, yet fulfilling ballads with pure rock and pop. The public loved the music, evidenced by the hit singles “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It To the Limit” and of course the title track, which peaked at number one on the Billboard charts.

In 1976, the Eagles released a “Greatest Hits” album that has sold well over fifteen million copies, but suffered the loss of guitarist Leadon, who was replaced by former James Gang leader, Joe Walsh. In 1977, the Eagles released the powerful and expressive LP, “Hotel California,” which added the title song as a number one hit to their already impressive resume. In 1977, Meisner left the group and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit, but it took the group almost two years to complete their next album, “The Long Run.” The wait paid off, as the Eagles scored another number one hit, “Heartache Tonight” and top ten hits, the ballad “I Can’t Tell You Why” as well as the title track. They followed this with a live tour and release, but the group disbanded in 1981 and swore they would get back together “when hell freezes over”.

But that is not the end of the story, because hell must have frozen over and the group reformed and released the aptly named LP “Hell Freezes Over” in 1994. The album rehashed all their earlier hits and also included a new song called “Get Over It,” which reached the Billboard Top 40 and was well received by adoring Eagles fans.

In the next article, we will again explore “bird” names, but this time we will focus on the “Crows” of the rock and roll era.

This Date In Music History- March 31

Birthdays:

Pat McGlynn- Bay City Rollers (1958)

Paul Ferguson- Killing Joke (1958)

Mick Ralphs- Bad Company (1948)

Sean Hooper- Huey Lewis and the News (1953)

Thiis Van Leer- organ, flute- Focus (1948)

Al Goodman- The Moments (1947)

Tony Brock- Tubes (1954)

Al Nichol- Turtles ("Happy Together") (1946)

Partridge Family cast member and stepmother of David Cassidy, Shirley Jones was born in Smithton, Pa in 1934. She's named after Shirley Temple, you know.

John D. Loudermilk ("Tobacco Road)("Indian Reservation") (1934)


Herb Alpert, best known for blowing his trumpet and having a woman dressed only in whipped cream on one of his album covers, was born today in Los Angeles in 1935.

AC/DC's Angus Young was born in 1959.


They Are Missed:

The late Jon Jon Poulos of the Buckinghams ("Don't You Care") was born in 1948.

The late, late, late composer Franz Joseph Haydn was born in 1732. He is known for helping to develop the Classical style.

O'Kelly Isley of The Isley Brothers died of a heart attack in 1986 (age 48).

Mexican American singer Selena was murdered in 1995 (age 23) by the president of her fan club Yolanda Saldívar. Warner Brothers made a film based on her life starring Jennifer Lopez in 1997.

Country musician 'Lefty' Frizzell was born in 1928 (died July 19, 1975)


History:

In 2004, Usher's Confessions album went straight into the charts at #1, selling a whopping 1.1 million copies in its first week of release.

Chuck Berry released the seminal single "Johnny B. Goode" in 1958. It became his fifth top 10 single, peaking at #8.

Jimmy Page escaped being knifed when a fan rushed the stage at a Page and Plant gig at Auburn Hills, Michigan in 1995. The fan was stopped by two security guards, who he knifes instead. After his arrest, he told police that he wanted to kill Jimmy Page because of the Satanic music he was playing.

Cher kicked off her Heart of Stone world tour at the Starplex Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas in 1990. The 55-date tour grossed over $70 million.

The Official Beatles Fan Club closed in 1972.


In 1973, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon entered the Billboard albums chart for the very first time. Has it left yet?


Jimi Hendrix set fire to his guitar live on stage for the first time when he was appearing at The Astoria London in 1967. It was the first night of a 24-date tour with The Walker Brothers, Cat Stevens and Engelbert Humperdink.

Kenny Loggins started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Footloose,” the theme from the film with the same name.

Prince's "Sign O' The Times" LP was released in the U.S. in 1987.

Guns N' Roses released their single "Patience" in 1989.

“Human Touch” and “Lucky Day,” both by Bruce Springsteen were released in 1992.

In 2001, Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown were banned for life from Hollywood's Bel Air hotel after wrecking their room. Hotel workers said a TV was smashed, two doors were ripped of their hinges and the walls and carpets were stained by alcohol. It was reported that Whitney called in her lawyers to plead with the hotel management not to call the police. The suite was so badly damaged it had to be shut for five days for repairs. Remember, just say no to drugs….

Music News & Notes

Join A Rock Band

Want to be in Smashing Pumpkins? The band will be holding an open call for drummers on April 10th in Los Angeles. Interested parties should send background info (presumably a brief bio), photographs (presumably of themselves) and performance links via e-mail to pumpkinsdrummer@gmail.com.

The Pumpkins announced the departure of longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin in a late-afternoon press release on Friday, March 20. On the 24th, Chamberlin blogged about the split saying:

“I can no longer commit all of my energy into something that I don’t fully possess. I won’t pretend I’m into something I’m not. I won’t do it to myself, you the fan, or my former partner. I can’t just, ‘Cash the check’ so to speak.’ ”

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Metric Announce US Tour Dates

Metric have announced the first tour dates behind the release of their fourth full-length studio album Fantasies starting with June 4 in Seattle at Showbox. Additionally, the band announces that starting tomorrow, March 31, fans can buy the album via iTunes ahead of the April 14 street date. A full album preview is also available at the band's website.

FantasiesCoverFantasies is already attracting a lot of attention with the first single, "Help I'm Alive," debuting at #1 on the FMQB Top 25 Singles Chart for US Specialty beating out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Decemberists which also impacted the same week. The track, which was a #1 single in Canada, has been receiving accolades from the press world- wide with NME saying it's "A beautifully constructed, shiny, shimmying pop belter - one butterfly that's bound to cause a hurricane", and the Washington Post writing it "is an impossibly infectious exercise in '90's pop nostalgia. Springy, clattery, improbably happy, it's like the best Veruca Salt/Breeders collaboration that never actually happened."

Beyond "Help I'm Alive" Fantasies is loaded with compelling pop songs, with Metric's unique skew and many are finding fans all over a wide array of media. Grey's Anatomy featured the song "Front Row" on an episode earlier this month, and the song "Sick Muse" was heard on KCRW's highly influential "Morning Becomes Eclectic."

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In 2008, Los Angeles based composer and producer Joerg Huettner, who has worked on the soundtracks of such films as "The Ring II" or "Batman Begins" for Hollywood star-composer Hans Zimmer, created exclusive music for the art exhibition “Labyrinth” at Strychnin Gallery Berlin, presenting Canadian artist Richard A. Kirk.

The entrancing ambient-electronica instrumental album that is the soundtrack to the "Labyrinth" exhibition has now been released as a 45 minute-long gapless album that is available as a 6-panel Digipack CD with a 12-page poster-fold booklet through Strychnin Gallery or the usual online download centers (iTunes, Amazon, Magnatune.com).

Besides intruiging down-tempo instrumental music, the digipack is a work of art in and of itself: its cover features Richard A. Kirk's work “The Riddle” and the beautifully designed album also contains additional art work by Kirk, as well as an excerpt from a novel by writer Tim Mizelle, which is based on and inspired by Kirk's art.

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Lucinda's Econ Stimulus Package For Her Fans

Lucinda Williams is giving back to her fans. While she doesn't control the ticket prices for her shows, she is giving everyone who attends a discount at the merchandise table of $7 on clothing and $5 on CDs.

"I understand that this may only be a small gesture and in no way solves the problem long term, but I feel that it is important to try and do something to make it a little easier during this time."