This Date In Music History-August 26

Birthdays:

Nik Turner - Hawkwind (1940)
Vic Dana (1942)
Valerie Simpson - Ashford and Simpson (1948)
Bill and Dick Cowsill - Cowsills (1950)
Billy Rush - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1952)
Jet Black - Stranglers (1958)
Jimmy Olander - Diamond Rio (1961)
Annie Holland - Elastica (1965)
Dan Vickrey - Counting Crows (1966)
Shirley Manson - Garbage (1966)
Jeff Tweedy - Wilco (1967)
Adrian Young - No Doubt (1969)
Allison Richardson - The Donnas (1979)


They Are Missed:

Ronnie White, an original member of The Miracles, died in 1995 at the age of 57.

Gov't Mule and Allman Brothers bassist Allen Woody was found dead in a Queens, NY hotel room in 2000. He was 44.

In 2004, singer Laura Branigan died of a brain aneurysm.

Born today in 1941, Chris Curtis, drums, The Searchers. Died on March 1, 2005 at the age of 63 after a long illness.


History:

In 1964, the Supremes topped the singles chart for the first time with "Where Did Our Love Go?"

Jimi Hendrix's classic cut "Purple Haze" was released in 1967.



Today in 1967 the song "Ode to Billy Joe" by Bobbie Gentry topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

In 1967, the Beatles appeared at a press conference with their new guru, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Maharishi, with the Beatles seated next to him, gave strong and sincere answers to the press' sarcastic and sometimes silly questions. Paul McCartney announced that the bandmates have given up drugs. "It was an experience we went through," he says. "We don't need it anymore. We're finding different ways to get there." For John Lennon, "different ways" would later mean Brandy Alexanders.

In 1968, Apple Corps released its first products: five singles including the Beatles' "Hey Jude" backed by "Revolution." It became the bands biggest hit.

Duane Allman started recording as a member of Eric Clapton's new band, Derek & the Dominoes in 1967. A double album was finished in less than 10 days. Clapton called Allman "the catalyst" of the whole project.

In 1970, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, (his last ever UK appearance), Donovan, Jethro Tull, Miles Davis, Arrival, Cactus, Family, Taste, Mungo Jerry, ELP, The Doors, The Who, Spirit, The Moody Blues, Chicago, Procol Harum, Sly and the Family Stone and Free all appeared over three days at the third Isle Of Wight Festival.

Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" peaked at #5 on the chart in 1972.



Looking Glass started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with 'Brandy You're A Fine Girl."

Aerosmith was featured on the cover of "Rolling Stone" in 1976.

The Pretenders played their first public gig in 1977, opening for Strangeways.

Frankie Valli went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1978 with the Barry Gibb song "Grease." It went on to sell over 2 million copies in the US alone.

Cheap Trick bassist Tom Peterson quit the group in 1980 due to the inevitable "personal and musical differences." He was replaced by Pete Comita. However, he returned to the group in 1988.

In 1987, Sonny Bono announced he was running for mayor of Palm Springs. He won the election in 1988 and went on to win a seat in Congress in 1996.

In 1989, Ringo Starr won a court order to prevent a record producer from releasing material Starr considered to be of inferior quality due to the impaired state Starr was in when it was recorded.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble played Alpine Valley, Wisonsin in 1990. For an encore, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Robert Cray joined the band for a jam. Flying to Chicago the next morning, Vaughan was killed when his helicopter crashed

Seal went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1995 with "Kiss From A Rose," taken from the film Batman Forever.

In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine named Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist in Rock history. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ry Cooder also made the top 10 list.

An "official bootleg, "Live In Paris & Ottawa 1968" from the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was released in 2008. Among the set’s dozen tracks is a cover of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

In 2008, Led Zeppelin issues their "Mothership" retrospective in a vinyl box set with audiophile-quality.

New Music Releases - August 25, 2009

Here is a comprehensive list of the new recordings being released today, August 25, 2009.

Buy Vinyl Records Here: vinyluniverse


16 Horsepower -Secret South (reissue with bonus DVD) (vinyl)
Adam & the Ants - Manners & Physique
Alan Singley & Pants Machine - Feelin' Citrus
Amy Grant - Legacy...Hymns & Faith
Arctic Monkeys – Humbug (vinyl)

Buy Arctic Monkeys New Release


VINYL FORMAT. Humbug, the third album from Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys, finds the band brimming with vim, vigor and new ideas. They brought in a new production accomplice, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), for some of the recording. He generously hosted and produced tracks with them at his Joshua Tree studio. Then they rejoined forces with James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco), producer of the previous two Arctic Monkeys and Last Shadow Puppets albums, in Brooklyn, NY to complete the tracks that became Humbug. The album is a stunning set of songs both heavier and more lush than previous albums, but still full of the Monkeys usual punch and vitality




Asobi Seksu - Transparance (vinyl)
Awaken Demons - The Mirror
Beach Boys - Christmas Harmonies
Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty (reissue)
Bela Fleck - Melody of Rhythm: Triple Concerto and Music for Trio
Biffy Clyro - That Golden Rule
Billy Ocean - Billy Ocean/City Limit (Remastered)
Black Moor - The Conquering
Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer
Bloody Beetroots - Romborama (vinyl)
Bob Dylan - The Best of Bob Dylan (Limited Edition Collector's Crate) (CD & t-shirt)
Bob Dylan - The Essential Bob Dylan (3-CD set)
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Closer to It/Straight Ahead
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Live Oblivion
Brown Recluse - The Soft Skin EP
Casualties - We Are All We Have
Cate Brothers - Fire on The Tracks
Cate Brothers - In One Eye and Out the Other
Cate Brothers - The Cate Brothers
Cheap Trick - Sgt. Pepper Live
Colbie Caillat - Breakthrough
Collective Soul - Collective Soul
Collective Soul - Rabbit
Colosseum - Morituri Te Salutant
Cross Country - Cross Country
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - It Happened One Bite
Datarock - Red (vinyl)
David Bazan - Curse Your Branches
David Guetta - One Love
David Mead - Almost and Always
Dolores O'Riordan - No Baggage
Eric Burdon - Mirage
Felix Da Housecat - He Was King
Fred Eaglesmith - Tinderbox
Fun - Aim and Ignite (vinyl)
George & Gwen McRae - Together
Ghost Brigade - Isolation Songs
Gospel Gossip - Dreamland (vinyl)
Graeme Edge Band - Kick Off Your Muddy Boots
Graeme Edge Band - Paradise Ballroom
Hank Williams - Hank Williams: The Unreleased Recordings (vinyl)
Imogen- Heap Ellipse
Ingrid Michealson - Everybody
Irma Thomas - 50th Anniversary Celebration
Jackie DeShannon - Me About You / To Be Free
Jeff Beck - Beck-Ola
Jeff Beck - Truth
Jeff Healey - Songs from the Road
Jet - Shaka Rock
John Denver - John Denver (5-CDs)
John Fogerty - The Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again
Johnny Cash - Hayride Anthology
Kitty Daisy & Lewis - Kitty Daisy & Lewis
Liturgy - Renihilation
Mama Cass - Cass Elliot / The Road Is No Place For A Lady
Matisyahu - Light (vinyl)
Mellowdrone - Angry Bear
Merrimack - Grey Rigorism
Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 8
Mew - No More Stories
Michael Jackson - Definitive Collection
Michael Jackson - Forever, Michael
Mississippi John Hurt - Stack O' Lee: The Very Best of
Mott the Hoople - Live (Expanded Deluxe Edition)
Municipal Waste - Massive Aggressive
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (remastered)
New Lost City Ramblers - 50 Years: Where Do You Come From? Where Do You Go? (3 CDs)
New Seekers - Together Again/Anthem
Patton Oswalt - My Weakness Is Strong
Paul Revere & the Raiders - Hungry for Kicks Singles & Choice Cuts 1965-69
Pilot - From the Album of the Same Name
Pilot - Morin Heights
Pilot - Second Flight
Pinx - Look What You Made Me Do
Postmarks - Memoirs at the End of the World
Radiohead – Amnesiac-Collectors Edition
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief- Collectors Edition
Radiohead - Kid A- Collectors Edition

Buy Radiohead Music

Radiohead's critically acclaimed Kid A, re-released in an expanded Collector's Edition! Includes the whole, original album plus a second CD of rarities, demos, sessions and live recordings.

"Instead of simply adding club beats or sonic collage techniques, Radiohead strives to incorporate the unsettling 'intelligent techno' sound of Autechre and Aphex Twin, characterized by its skittering beats and stylishly dark sonic surfaces, for Kid A. To their immense credit, Radiohead don't sound like carpetbaggers, because they share the same post-post-modern vantage point as their inspirations. As a result, Kid A is easily the most successful electronica album from a rock band - it doesn't even sound like a rock band, even if it does sound like Radiohead." - All Music Guide

Reigning Sound - Love and Curses (vinyl)
Rory Gallagher - Crest of a Wave: The Best of
Roy Hargrove - Big Band Emergence
Sally Shapiro - My Guilty Pleasure
Salt Water Taffy - Finders Keepers
Sandra Bernhard - Whatever It Takes
Science Fiction Corporation - Science Fiction Dance Party: Dance with Action (vinyl)
Shonen Knife - Super Group
Sic Alps - L Mansion
Smile Empty - Soul Consciousness
Smiths - Meat is Murder (Remastered)
Smiths - Strangeways, Here We Come (Remastered)
Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (Remastered)
Smiths - The Smiths (Remastered)
Smokey Robinson - Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Soulsavers - Broken
Spider Bags - Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World (vinyl)
Still Life Still - Girls Come Too (vinyl)
Strawbs - Dancing to the Devil's Beat
Subnoize - Souljaz Blast From The Past
Sun Ra - The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. 1 (vinyl reissue)
Sweetwater - Sweetwater
Tamar Kaprelian - Delicate Soul
Tenet - Sovereign
Tim Buckley - Live at the Folklore Center, NYC: March 6th, 1967
Trey Songz - Ready
Vandaveer - Divide & Conquer
Various Artists - Karaoke Kings of Leon
Various Artists - Halloween 2 (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Megadeth String Tribute
Various Artists - Taking Woodstock Soundtrack
Various Artists Wayfaring Strangers - Lonesome Heroes
Victims Of Circumstance - Roll The Dice
Vladislav Delay - Tummaa
Wilco - A.M. (Vinyl)
Wilco - Being There (Vinyl)

Buy Wilco Vinyl Albums

Special reissue on double 180 gram vinyl! Comes with a bonus CD of the complete album.

While Wilco's debut, A.M., spread its wings in an expectedly country-rock fashion, their sophomore effort, Being There, is the group's great leap forward, a masterful, wildly eclectic collection shot through with ambitions and ideas. Although a few songs remain rooted in their signature sound, here Jeff Tweedy and band are as fascinated by their music's possibilities as its origins, and they push the songs which make up this sprawling set down consistently surprising paths and byways.

Wilco - Summerteeth (Vinyl)
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake
Will Hoge - The Wreckage (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - American Classic
Willie Nelson - The Essential Willie Nelson (3-CD set)
Woody Guthrie - My Dusty Road (4-CDs
Woody Guthrie - Woody the Agitator (vinyl)
Woody Guthrie - Woody, Cisco and Son (vinyl)
Woody Guthrie - Woody's Greatest Hits (vinyl)
Woody Guthrie - Woody's Roots (vinyl)
Woody Guthrie - My Dusty Road (4-CD box set)
YACHT - See Mystery Lights (vinyl)
Zechs Marquise - Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare

Rock/Pop Tidbits

Helen Reddy's husband, Jeff Wald, was also her manager. He was also the manager for Sylvester Stallone, George Foreman, James Brolin, George Carlin, Elliot Gould, Deep Purple, Donna Summer, Flip Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Chicago and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name only a few.

In 1959, Philadelpia's Overbrook Highschool boys basketball team won their league championship. Members of the team included future NBA stars, Walt Hazzard and Wally Jones, along with Len Borisoff, who would later change his name to Len Barry and become a member of The Dovells, who had a hit with "The Bristol Stomp" as well as having a solo hit with "1-2-3".

Chip Taylor is the stage name of American songwriter James Wesley Voight, brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle of actress Angelina Jolie. Besides writing The Troggs' hit "Wild Thing", he also penned "Angel of the Morning", by both Merrilee Rush and Juice Newton as well as "I Can Make It With You" by The Pozo Seco Singers and many other hit records.

When a poem called "Too Many Teardrops" was put to music, it was re-titled "69 Tears". Knowing that a song with such a name would never get any radio air play, it was re-named "96 Tears" and by October, 1966 became a number one hit for Question Mark and The Mysterians.

Vee Jay Records was the most successful Black owned and operated record company before Motown. The firm was founded in 1953 by Vivian Carter (the "Vee") and her husband, James Bracken (the "Jay").

The first 'live' television satellite program to air worldwide was a two-hour show called Our World, in which The Beatles performed "All You Need is Love" on June 25, 1967.




Brian Jones, the original lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is said to have fathered six illegitimate children before his untimely death on July 3rd, 1969.

Although Ernie K-Doe had a US number one smash with "Mother-in-law" in 1961, he failed to match that song's success with any other release. His career came to a halt in the 70s and 80s and he often wandered the streets singing for spare change. In the mid-90s he turned his fortunes around and opened a successful night club.

The husband and wife song-writing team of Felice and Boudleaux Byant have said that they wrote the Everly Brothers' 1958 number one hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in about 15 minutes.

According to legend, to add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine to The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack", one was driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss scoffed at this story and said that the motorcycle sound was simply taken from an effects record.

Bruce Springsteen was once the opening act for Canadian singer, Anne Murray, of "Snowbird" fame.

The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors' recording of "Road House Blues". He is credited on the album as G. Puglese.

Although AM radio broadcasts were tested in 1906 and used for voice and music broadcasts up until WW1, it wasn't until 1916, when 8XK in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania began regularly scheduled broadcasts.

The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" was included in John Lennon's personal jukebox along with "Do You Believe In Magic?". Paul McCartney later said that "Daydream" was a major influence on his composition "Good Day Sunshine".

Ask Mr. Music- with Jerry Osborne

Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post here at collectingvinylrecords blog. 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.


FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24, 2009


DEAR JERRY: When my family came to America from Denmark, they also brought along their small record collection, mostly by European jazz artists.

Since you recently wrote about Jutta Hipp, the German pianist with high values given for her LPs, I am wondering about two of ours, and if they are of interest to collectors.

One is by Bent Jadig, titled “Danish Jazzman” (Debut Records 1149), and the other is “Shihab Shihab,” “by the Danish Radio Jazz Group (Oktav 111). Neither of these names are the least bit familiar to me, or anyone I know.

Might their obscurity and overseas origin increase their values?
—Eva Hoglund, Solvang, Calif.

DEAR EVA: Ah, picturesque Solvang, the city whose motto is “Velkommen! No passport needed to visit our little Danish replica village.” A village in which its two most valuable record albums are likely to be yours.

Bent Jadig's “Danish Jazzman,” which he definitely is, came out in 1967. The label name is appropriate, since it is indeed his debut album.

The most recent sales of Debut 1149 have seen prices in the $2,000 to $3,000 range paid by eager collectors.

Even a Japanese reissue on CD (Debut/Think THCD-088) sells for around $100.

There is some understandable confusion on your Oktav LP. It is actually a self-titled item, “Sahib Shihab and the Danish Radio Jazz Group,” released in 1965, and only in Scandinavia.

Georgia-born Shihab (nee: Edmund Gregory), left the U.S. in 1959 taking up residence in Copenhagen.

Buyers of this recording have been paying in the $1,500 to $2,500 range.

Selling either of these two LPs would surely keep you in Danishes for quite awhile.


DEAR JERRY: I am looking for the name of the movie that contains the song “If You Were the Only Girl in the World.”

I saw this movie in 1951, about two teenagers who lived next door to each other and fell in love.

It seems to me the male star was Roddy McDowell, but that may be wrong. Can you fill in the blanks for me?
—Alfred Cloum, Evansville, Ind.

DEAR ALFRED: I'm not certain I can, only because I can't match your recollection to any information in my files.

What we do know is “If You Were the Only Girl in the World” is one side of a big hit single for Perry Como (RCA Victor 1857) in the summer of 1946. The reverse side, “They Say It's Wonderful,” was actually the more popular of the two.

The only film from the early '50s with “If You Were the Only Girl in the World” in its soundtrack is “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” but co-stars Doris Day and Gordon MacRae do the singing. Plus, this is a 1953 (not '51) movie in which Roddy McDowell has no part, and the storyline bears no resemblance to your description.

Cross-checking McDowell's acting credits shows nearly all of his roles in the 1950s being for television, and none of those episodes include the song in question. It is likely they contain no singing at all.

In the 1957 biographical film, “The Helen Morgan Story,” star Ann Blyth lip-synchs “If You Were the Only Girl in the World” (vocal provided by Gogi “The Wayward Wind” Grant), but nothing about this movie corresponds to your memories.

Come to think of it, I don't believe I've ever heard Roddy sing, either on records or in films.

Write again if you come up any new clues.

IZ ZAT SO? There may never be a more appropriate opportunity to mention four other European jazz albums from the '60s, all sought-after by collectors and each selling in the $1,500 to $2,500 range. Two more are from Denmark, and two hail from Italy:

Both Danish albums are self-titled “Jazz Quintet 60,” one on Metronome (MLP-15124), the other Fontana (TL687.527). They are completely different collections.

From Italy comes “Franco Cerri International Jazz Meeting” (Columbia 33QPX 8018), and “Peter Pietra and His Orchestra” (Embassy ER8031).

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

R.E.M. Release Date Set

R.E.M. and Warner Brothers Records have announced an October 27 release date for the new 2-CD release Live at the Olympia by R.E.M.

The new album chronicles the band's five night stand at Dublin's Olympia Theatre from July 2007 where they were doing "working rehearsals" prior to recording the Accelerate album. Crowd reaction was especially exuberant as the band was performing for fan-club members, family and friends along with fans from around the world.

The group called the stand and "experiment in terror" as they were trying out many new songs and older material that they hadn't performed in many years. Guitarist Peter Buck said, "We were just trying to do something we hadn't done before which meant there was no relaxing during the set. Every second we were playing something we didn't know all that well. Which was kind of good — there were all kinds of terror elements going on during that show."

======================

Michael Jackson's 'Body Contained Lethal Levels Of Propofol'

Michael Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic propofol in his body when he died, it’s been reported.

The Los Angeles Coroners' findings were revealed in a search warrant affidavit, which was made public today in Houston. Furthermore, the Associated Press claims an unnamed police source has said the coroner ruled the star’s death as homicide.

The drug propofol is normally given to patients ahead of surgery, has come to be the focus of Jackson’s death.

The affidavit also revealed that Jackson’s personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, told police he had been giving the singer the drug for six weeks to treat insomnia.

He said he left the singer to make phone calls and when he returned Jackson was not breathing.

The Jackson family released a statement Monday afternoon commending the authorities on their hard work. "The Jackson family has full confidence in the legal process, and commends the ongoing efforts of the L.A. County Coroner, the L.A. District Attorney and the L.A. Police Department," the statement said. "The family looks forward to the day that justice can be served."


I, along with the rest of the world, cannot figure why he was getting this for insomnia. When you can't sleep, take a sleeping pill, not inject a powerful sedative used in surgery into your body! I mean, who hasn't fallen asleep watching late night TV? I hope they prosecute whoever is responsible and get a handle on the Dr. Feelgood's that surround the LA area. In the end it's all about $$$$ and I guess if you have it, then you can hire the right doctor to get the drug of your choice.

Any thoughts?

======================

Restocks at Vinyl Collective

Stop by www.vinylcollective.com and pick up some great vinyl for your collection!

FLOGGING MOLLY ìWithin A Mile of Homeî LP green vinyl
FUGAZI “3 Songs” 7? reissue
FUGAZI “Red Medicine” LP w/ digital download
FUGAZI “Repeater” LP
FUGAZI “The Argument” LP REISSUE
MAKE UP “Destination Love” LP reissue
MINOR THREAT “First 2 7?s” LP
MINOR THREAT “Out Of Step” LP
MINOR THREAT “Salad Days” 7?
NATHEN MAXWELL & THE ORIGINAL BUNNY GANG “White Rabbit” LP black vinyl
NATHEN MAXWELL & THE ORIGINAL BUNNY GANG “White Rabbit” LP white vinyl
Q AND NOT U “3 Songs” 7?
Q AND NOT U “Different Damage” LP reissue color vinyl
Q AND NOT U “No Kill No Beep Beep” LP clear gold vinyl
RITES OF SPRING “S/T” LP
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “The 59 Sound” 7? (RE-RELEASE)
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “The 59 Sound” LP black vinyl
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM ”The ‘59 Sound” 7”
WAX “Hangin’ On” 7? clear yellow vinyl

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Beatles: Rock Band Creators Bring in Paul and Ringo to Get the Details Right

by Dan Reilly

On Sept. 9, The Beatles: Rock Band will hit shelves after more than two years in development. Josh Randall, the creative director and project leader at Rock Band developer Harmonix, has been at the heart of the game since its inception, and he recently spoke with Spinner about turning the concept into one of the most anticipated video games in recent memory. "It's a stressful thing, trying to re-create someone's loved one or an icon that's important to so many people," he says. Read on to hear how Randall and his colleagues painstakingly researched details about the band, overcame the difficult task of choosing which songs to include and won the approval of Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Dhani Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

What was the process for selecting the songs used in the game?

We worked closely with [producer] Giles Martin, the son of [Beatles producer] Sir George Martin, and our main focus was trying to pick songs that would be fun to play in the game. That was our first criteria, and from there we wanted to get a balance of songs that would spread throughout their entire career. We wanted one of the modes in the game to have a linear campaign through the whole history of the Beatles starting at the Cavern Club [circa 1962] and going up to the Apple Corps rooftop [in 1969], so we wanted to evenly spread it out that way. Then we threw some of our favorite songs in there, as well.

read the rest here:

www.spinner.com

======================

No Guitar Record

James Burton didn't set his record. The Elvis and Ricky Nelson guitarist was attempting to break the record for most guitarist simultaneously playing the same song at his International Guitar Festival this past weekend. Burton was able to assemble 877 guitarists to play That's All Right and Hound Dog. That's far short of the record of 1,802.

Beatles' music crosses generations

Reissues will introduce new generation to tunes

By MARTIN LEWIS


The upcoming and very welcome reissue of the Beatles' canon Sept. 9 in digitally remastered form is an inspiring event -- and, to borrow the words of President Obama, presents us with a "teachable moment" about one of the unspoken prejudices that still plague us. We have rightly refuted racism, sexism and ageism. But still rampant in society is the pointless notion that judges the value of a work by when it was created as distinct from its inherent value. I call this foolishness "dateism."

The entertainment industry's obsession with the youth market and its misperception that the young will only like things that are new can be mostly blamed -- this in the face of overwhelming evidence that what today's savvy kids are drawn to does not necessarily carry an expiration date. Try telling a teenager that he/she shouldn't be listening to Hendrix or Zeppelin. This especially applies to the Fab Four's music.

For the work of the Beatles -- like all great creations from Shakespeare's plays to Dickens' novels to Beethoven's symphonies -- should be appreciated for its intrinsic qualities and not whether it seems "old-fashioned" or mired in "nostalgia."

Read the rest of the article here:

www.variety.com

Classic Rock Videos

ROLLING STONES - Tumblin' Dice

Rock/Pop Tidbits

John Fogerty's comeback album, 1985's "Centerfield", included a couple of songs titled "Zantz Can't Dance" and "Mr. Greed", which were believed to be attacks on Fogerty's former boss at Fantasy Records, Saul Zaentz. Zaentz responded with a lawsuit, which forced Fogerty to issue a revised version of "Zaentz Can't Dance", changing the lead character's name to Vanz.

The Knack's lead vocalist, Doug Fieger, is the older brother of famed attorney Jeffrey Fieger, who defended doctor-assisted suicide advocate, Dr. Jack Kervorkian.

Three Dog Night's 1972, #1 hit "Black And White" was written in the mid-1950s about the 1954 US Supreme Court's landmark decision banning segregation in public schools. Some of the verses were changed in the Three Dog Night version. The original second verse went "Their robes were black, Their heads were white, The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight. Nine judges all set down their names, To end the years and years of shame".

Diane Renay, who was born Renne Diane Kushner, initially wanted to be billed as Renay Diane. She chose the "Renay" spelling to keep it from being mis-pronounced as "Ree-nee". Unfortunately, Atco Records misunderstood and printed early copies of her first recordings that said "Diane Renay". Rather than make an issue out of it, she decided to leave it that way. The record, "Navy Blue", went on to reach #6 in the US in 1964.

Joey Scarbury, who reached #2 on the Billboard chart with "Believe It Or Not" in 1981, was discovered by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb's father, who wandered into a furniture store and heard the 14 year old's mom praising her son's singing ability. His initial recordings were not successful and it took another 12 years for Joey to have his big hit. Although he never cracked the Top 40 again, he did record the soundtracks for ER, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Fahrenheit 9/11.

By 1968, around eighty-five different manufacturers had sold over 2.4 million cassette players world wide and in that year alone, the cassette business was worth about $150 million.

In August, 2008, ABBA's "Gold" compilation rose to #1 on the UK album chart for the fifth time since being released in 1992, making it the oldest ever UK #1 album to return to the top of the chart, 16 years after release.

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield got its title when Stephen Stills first played the song for the group, saying "Here's a new song I wrote, for what it's worth." When he finished playing, he was asked what the title was. Stills said he didn't have one. Someone then replied, "Sure you do. You just said it."

David Rose, who had a Billboard #1 hit in 1962 with an instrumental called "The Stripper", also wrote the theme for the TV show Little House On The Prairie.

In January, 2005, on what would have been Elvis Presley's 70th birthday, "Jailhouse Rock" was re-released in the UK where it went straight to #1. At over 47 years after its original release, it became the oldest recording ever to top the UK charts.

The lightest Elvis ever weighed as a six foot tall adult was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 08/22/2009


1. LP - David Bowie "Ziggy Stardust" Acetate alternate tracks - $4,772.00

2. LP - Velvet Underground & Nico self-titled Mono White Label Promo - $3,119.00

3. 45 - The Suedes "13 Stories High" / "My Girl" Psychedelic - $2,375.00

4. 78 - The New Yorkers "There's A Cradle In Caroline" / "I'm Living On Love" - $2,246.00

5. LP - The Beatles "A Hard Days Night" Record Club Issue - $2,226.99


As always, a special thank you to Norm at http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data. Stop in and listen to their unique radio show Accidental Nostalgia with Norm & Jane On Radio Dentata Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT

This Date In Music History - August 24

Birthdays:

David Freiberg - Quicksilver Messenger Service/Jefferson Starship (1938)
Mason Williams - 1968 hit "Classical Gas" (1938)
Ernest Wright - Little Anthony and the Imperials (1941)
Joe Chambers - Chambers Brothers (1942)
Jimmy Soul - "If You Wanna Be Happy" (1942)



Marshall Thompson - Chi-Lites (1942)
John Cipollina - Quicksilver Messenger (1943)
Jim Brady - Sandpipers (1944)
Ken Hensley - Uriah Heep (1945)
Malcolm Duncan - Average White Band (1945)
Jim Fox - James Gang (1947)
Jean-Michel Jarre - French instrumentalist (1948)
Michael DeRosier - Heart (1951)
Jeffrey Daniel - Shalamar (1955)
Mark Bedford - Madness (1961)
John Bush - Anthrax (1963)
Andreas Kisser - Sepultura (1968)
Kristin Osborn - SheDaisy (1970)


They Are Missed:

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup was born in 1905. The bluesman's "That's All Right Mama" was Elvis Presley's first single. Admirers like Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, and Fleetwood Mac have also covered his songs (died March 28, 1974 - age 69).

Jim Capaldi, drummer for Traffic, was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, England in 1944.

The original swinger, lounge lord Louis Prima died in 1978 (age 66).

81-year old Al Dvorin, the announcer who popularised the phrase "Elvis has left the building," died in a car crash in 2004, on his way home from an Elvis convention in California. Dvorin was in a car driven by Elvis photographer Ed Bonja. Dvorin was never paid for recordings of his words, and was bitter towards the multimillion pound Elvis Presley Enterprises. In the early 1970s, Colonel Parker asked Dvorin to inform fans at a gig that Presley would not be appearing for an encore. He took the stage and announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and goodnight."

Producer Gene Page died in 1998 after a long illness. Worked with Barbra Streisand, Barry White, The Righteous Brothers, Dobie Gray, Bob and Earl. Produced Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All' and Roberta Flack's 'Tonight I Celebrate My Love.'


History:

Buddy Holly was in the audience as Little Richard played Lubbock, Texas' Cotton Club in 1956.

Elvis Presley recorded the classic hit "Love Me Tender" in 1956.



In 1959, a headline in Billboard read, "Rock and Roll Ain't Ready For The Ol' Rockin' Chair Yet." The story said rock & roll was losing popularity a year ago, but the record buyers now like Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and Lloyd Price along with newcomers, the Drifters, Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson.

In 1963, Little Stevie Wonder was the first artist to make the #1 position on the pop single chart, the pop albums chart and the R&B singles chart all at one time. In fact, nobody had made the pop single and album charts at the same time. The album is The Twelve Year-Old-Genius and the single is "Fingertips, Part Two."

The Doors started recording their first album at Sunset Sound Recording Studios, West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California in 1966.

17-year old singer and guitarist Bruce Springsteen joined a group called Earth in 1967.

In 1967, Patti Harrison convinced her husband George and the rest of the Beatles to attend a lecture at the Park Lane Hilton given by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They go and send a note to him requesting a private audience. In the meeting, the Beatles offer themselves as disciples. He accepts and invited them to an indoctrination course for spiritual regeneration two days later. They attended along with Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Marianne Faithfull. Brian Epstein was invited but declines. Afterwards, John Lennon compares the experience as "going somewhere without your trousers."

Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" hits #2 on the pop chart in 1968.

The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, drives a Lincoln into the pool of a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan in 1968.

Iron Butterfly's "Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida" was released in 1968.



Paul Anka with Odia Coates started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with the insipid cut '(You're Having My Baby', Anka's 24th US top 40 hit.

Queen started recording 'Bohemian Rhapsody' at Rockfield studio’s in Monmouth, Wales, in 1975 (the song was recorded over three weeks). Freddie Mercury had mentally prepared the song beforehand and directed the band throughout the sessions. May, Mercury, and Taylor sang their vocal parts continually for ten to twelve hours a day, resulting in 180 separate overdubs.

In 1977, outlaw country crooner Waylon Jennings—not long after being named honorary police chief in Nashville—was arrested on cocaine charges.

"I Wanna Be Your Lover" by Prince was released in 1979. It was his first U.S. hit.

B.B. King celebrated his 30th year in show business at a special celebration held at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, CA in 1979.

The Cars performed at New York's Central Park in 1979 for an audience of a half million people.

John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, was sentenced to prison for 20 years to life in 1981. Over the next few months, Chapman would claim many times to have been beaten by fellow inmates, some of whom allegedly tried to kill him with items like scissors. And we feel bad for you?

Huey Lewis and the News started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "The Power Of Love."

In 1989, the Who performed "Tommy" at the Universal Amphitheatre with special guests Steve Winwood, Elton John, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle and Billy Idol.

In 1990, Sinead O'Connor refused to perform if the United States National Anthem was played before her show at the Garden State Arts Plaza in Homdel, New Jersey, as is custom. A patriotic uproar ensued and several radio stations banned her music.

Also in 1990, Judas Priest successfully defended themselves against a lawsuit, after two fans attempted suicide while listening to the Stained Class album. Both fans eventually died, one immediately from a shotgun blast, and the other on a second attempt three years later by a methadone overdose. The prosecution claimed that there were subliminal messages in the group’s music that caused the two seventeen year olds to carry out the suicide pact in 1985.

Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abruzzese quit the band in 1994 (or was fired, depends on who you ask). He reportedly wanted to study music formally. He was replaced by Jack Irons.

In 1994, Geffen Records announced Nirvana was planning to release a double album—the first since Kurt Cobain's suicide four months earlier. The album was to include previously unreleased live performances recorded between 1989 and '94. However, the remaining bandmembers later decided against releasing such an album for the time being.

Christina Aguilera's self-titled debut album was released in 1999.

Music News & Notes

Larry Knechtel Dead at 69

Larry Knechtel, a keyboardist who won a Grammy for his arrangement of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” has died of an apparent heart attack at age 69. Knechtel was born in Bell, Calif., and performed live and in studio recordings with a wide range of artists, including Neil Diamond, Randy Newman, Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams Jr. and Elvis Costello. He also played keyboard on the Dixie Chicks' Grammy award-winning album "Taking the Long Way" and performed on the Hammond organ for the group's tour of the same name.

In 1971, Knechtel joined Bread with whom he recorded the albums Baby I'm A Want You and Guitar Man and toured as the band's bassist. After the breakup of the group, Larry continued working with leader David Gates.

=================

R.I.P John E. Carter

Lung cancer has claimed the life of two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee John E. Carter at age 75. Carter was the last surviving founding member of the Flamingos, a doo-wop group he left in 1960 to join the Dells, a quintet formed by some of his high school friends from Harvey.

The Dells' 1954 breakout hit, "Oh What A Night," sold more than a million records when it was reissued in 1969 with Carter on falsetto lead.

=================

Steven Tyler News

The Boston Herald and Rock Radio are reporting that Steven Tyler may be back to his hard drinking ways and it could have been a factor in his falling and breaking his shoulder during an Aerosmith show. A source told the paper "Truthfully, he’s a liability for the band. He’s uninsurable because of all the accidents and canceled dates. All of this didn’t happen overnight. The fall was just the final straw. Everyone is very worried about him."

It's also being said that the rest of the band are, in effect, on strike against Tyler until he is once again sober, stopping work on their upcoming album.

=================

Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past week

1 CHUCK RAGAN “Break Our Bread” 7 85 copies
2 CHAD PRICE “Smile Sweet Face? LP Transparent Brown vinyl 56 copies
3 TIM BARRY/ FRANK TURNER split 7″ black vinyl 30 copies
4 7” Record Jacket Sleeves (20) 7-1/4″ x 7-1/4 28 copies
5 EVERY TIME I DIE “New Junk Aesthetic” LP 27 copies
6 TIM BARRY/ FRANK TURNER split 7″ all 3 colors set 26 copies
7 TIM BARRY/ FRANK TURNER split 7″ blue vinyl 23 copies
7 HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW “Turtle Nipple…” LP brown/pink 23 copies
9 MARIACHI EL BRONX “S/T” LP 22 copies
10 BOUNCING SOULS “20th Anniversary Series: Volume Three” 7″ 21 copies
10 CHAD PRICE “Smile Sweet Face” CD 21 copies
11 BOLLWEEVILS “Heavyweight” LP 16 copies
11 BROADWAY CALLS “Good Views, Bad News” LP green vinyl 16 copies
11 NORMA JEAN 4 x LP Vinyl Box Set colored vinyl set B limited to 700 16 copies
11 EVERY TIME I DIE Big Dirty LP purple w/ black splatter 16 copies
11 NINJA GUN “Restless Rubes” LP transparent green vinyl 16 copies

=================

Cooper Making Guest Appearance

Alice Cooper is writing a couple of songs and will sing on Slash's upcoming solo album. Also guesting on the album will be Ozzy Osbourne and Flea.

Classic Rock Videos

rolling stones-beast of burden

Rock/Pop Tidbits

This is a rerun of a popular daily feature here at
CollectingVinylRecords Blog, a feature I call Rock/Pop Tidbits; interesting facts about rock and pop music and artists, some humorous, some informative and some just silly. Long time readers will recognize some of these, but I have written up some new ones, so now you can win at trivial pursuit! Feel free to leave comments or add more of your own:


After Elvis Presley began his meteoric rise to fame in 1956, his father Vernon said to him, "What happened El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck."

Peter Cetera wrote "If You Leave Me Now" about a faltering relationship. Although the song proved to be Chicago's biggest selling record, it didn't help save the union, as the woman involved ended up leaving anyway.

CCR's John Fogerty had a notebook in which he jotted down words and names that he thought would make good song titles. At the top of his list was "Proud Mary", a phrase that brought images of a domestic washerwoman to John's mind. When he got around to putting it to music, the first few chords he used reminded him of a paddle-wheel going around. Instead of Proud Mary being a clean-up lady, she became a boat and the song is a staple at any wedding reception.



Lesley Gore's first album was called "I'll Cry If I Want To" which consisted of songs completely devoted to crying.

"Mack The Knife" was written for the 1928 German play The Threepenny Opera, in which "Mack" is Mackie Messer (Macheath), an amoral, anti-heroic criminal. Although it suffered an initially poor reception, the show went on to run 400 times in the next two years. It was translated into English in 1933 and since that time, at least seven productions have been mounted in New York, on and off Broadway.

It has often been rumored that Billy Joel played piano on The Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack", but this has been denied by one of the song's co-writers, Ellie Greenwich.

The original version of "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen cost just $36 to record, but sold over 12 million copies.

In the 1950s, Paul McCartney's father lead a combo called Jim Mac's Jazz Band, where he played piano and trumpet. When he was a boy, Paul said that someday he hoped to be as good as his dad.

Set to Ronald White's tune, Smokey Robinson was inspired by his wife Claudette to write the lyrics to one of music history's greatest love songs, "My Girl". Smokey's personal problems lead to their divorce in 1986.

From clay tablets and other forms of pictures, historians have determined that stringed musical instruments were developed in ancient Egypt and Rome over 3,300 years ago. The first six string guitar, called a vihuela, was developed in Spain in the 17th century.

In February 1949, after RCA Victor introduced the first 45 rpm phonograph, they put together a promo package of seven 45s that were sent to US disc jockeys and retailers. The records were color coded for classification of music. Popular - Black; Classical - Red; Popular Classical - Midnight blue; Children's - Yellow; Country and Western - Green; Rhythm And Blues - Cerise; International - Sky blue.

Famed L.A. record store Music Man Murray preparing to close

By John Rogers of The Associated Press


LOS ANGELES — The 45s, the 78s, the vinyl LPs, the CDs are all spinning to a halt, and you can push the stop button on those old cylinder recorders.

Music Man Murray — who for almost a half-century has been L.A.'s go-to-guy for that elusive record, the one you spent years searching in vain for until you found Murray — is closing up shop and selling his collection of some 300,000 discs. Everything must go, from the rare 10-inch vinyl LPs, to the even rarer 19th century Edison cylinders. Even that framed, mint-condition “Yesterday and Today” album by the Beatles, the one with the notorious “butcher cover” that makes it worth thousands of dollars, needs a home.

No, says Murray Gershenz, an energetic man of 87, he's not getting too old to run Music Man Murray's. Truth is, he says, his budding career as a character actor is finally taking off and he just can't devote the time anymore that a record collection like his deserves.

So someone else will have to keep watch over those ancient and fragile discs like the 100-year-old 78s recorded by Swedish opera singer Sigrid Onegin.

“Great singer, absolutely phenomenal,” he says, respectfully, holding one lovingly in his hands.

Then there's the priceless Kenny & the Cadets 45 (one of those small plastic records with the big hole in the middle). Only a few copies were pressed in 1962 before the group's core members became much better known as the Beach Boys.

Read the rest here:

LA Store Closing

Bird and Animal Names In Rock And Roll History- part twenty-seven

Written By Robert Benson

Let’s continue our article series about “bird” and “animal” band names in rock and roll history, again focusing on some indie bands.

Taking his inspiration from film, photography, art and the climate in his home country of Finland, Marko Nyberg formed the indie band called Husky Rescue in 2002. Playing a mixture of ambient pop with a hint of country, the band released (with the help of twenty musicians and singers) their debut LP “Country Falls” in 2004. In order to play the compositions live, Nyberg recruited Reeta-Leena Korhola (vocals), Ville Riippa (keyboard), Anssi Sopanen (drums) and Miika Colliander (guitar) to tour and record. Nyberg poetically describes the group’s sound:

"Every track is designed to be a warm breeze to counter the chill of daily life, whether you live in cold climes or not. All moments from life become part of the music. Husky Rescue reflects our background in Helsinki where the winter nights are so cold and long while the summer is hot and short, but oh so sweet. It's melancholic music but there is always hope. Husky Rescue's music is like the first snow on the ground when you can still see the green grass through the snow. It's like spring's sunbeam after the long, dark, sunless winter time."

The group has released a series of singles throughout the years and in 2007 released their second LP “Ghost Is Not Real.” The band continues to tour and record and is gaining a small but loyal fan base.

Noah and the Whale is an Indie folk band from London, England and was formed in 2006. They draw comparisons to other indie bands such as Neutral Milk Honey and Belle & Sebastian and cite both folk and punk rock as major influences to their sound. The group derived their band name from a combination of the title of one of the band's favorite films, The Squid and the Whale, and the director of the film's name, which was Noah Baumbach.

After releasing several singles early on, the band released their debut album, "Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down" in August 2008. The release rose to #5 on the UK Album Chart and has received critical acclaim and support.

Their next release, "The First Days Of Spring" is scheduled for release in the US on October 6, 2009. Singer Charlie Fink is making a film to accompany the LP; which will mark his directorial debut. The new album has been described as more electric than previous releases and there will be a running narrative throughout the album describing the disillusion of a relationship.

The band gained many fans as performers on the Jeremy Warmsley’s internet television show, "Welcome to our TV" show, and have made several appearances at festivals including Leeds, Latitude, SXSW, V Festival and Glastonbury and have tour dates scheduled in Europe well into November of 2009. The band plans to come to the states after the UK touring is finished, confirming a date in Phoenix, Arizona in late November and bringing their unique blend of folk-punk to the music lovers of America.

Neon Horse is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, signed to Tooth and Nail Records with two studio albums to their credit. Their sound has been described as a 'very 80s sound.'

The band remained almost anonymous and did not release any of the band member’s names, the lead singer was known only as "Norman Horse." However after playing a gig on April 10, 2008 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, the secret came out; the band members are now known: Mark Salomon (of Stavesacre) is the singer, Jason Martin (of Starflyer 59) plays guitar, and Steven Dail (of Project 86 and Crash Rickshaw) plays bass. It's rumored that Alex Albert (formerly of Project 86, also of Crash Rickshaw) is Neon Horse's drummer.

On the band's MySpace page, they describe themselves to their music audience:

“From the wreckage of roughly 20 nameless and faceless Los Angeles bands, Neon Horse arose as a collective of session musicians, home studio producers, waiters, postal workers, and bartenders …who found common ground in their music.”

"Citing influences broad in range – from the Rock of AC/DC, Oingo Boingo, and even the Stooges to the Sass of Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, and the Eurythmics – the band set out to make music they could play with a straight face, and that would allow Norman to exhibit his wide range and… personality. Eclectic and manic, Neon Horse is a band of Rock and Roll roots in the purest form: An ever changing, mercurial, addictive – and at times, slightly bizarre – continuation of Rock’s re-inventive nature."

“The band elected to maintain a simple understanding: Beyond the logical necessity of establishing Norman as the face of the group, they simply prefer to be known as: Neon Horse.”

Mixing parts David Bowie with elements of Alice Cooper blended with a grinding rhythm, the cut “Crazy Daisy” is getting major playing time on the band’s MySpace page. Another cut, "Little Lamb," with an infectious beginning riff and again brings the Bowie sound to the forefront. Ok, Neon Horse it is.


Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, The Ponys are an indie rock/garage rock band formed in early 2001. Founder Jered Gummere was in a punk outfit called Guilty Pleasures; a band he subsequently quit to devote his full attention to the Ponys.

He recruited members for the band, the first being his girlfriend, Melissa Elias. They were soon joined by drummer Nathan Jerde and the band began playing the clubs in the Chicago area. Gummere then recruited Happy Supply member Ian Adams to round out the sound, a mix of indie/post punk styles. The band cut a few singles and was signed to Red Records and released their first album, "Laced With Romance" in 2004. The LP met with moderate success and was praised, not only in the local indie papers, but mainstream music publications like Rolling Stone and Spin. The Ponys toured with The Unicorns, The Fall and The Fiery Furnaces in support of the release.

The next LP, "Celebration Castle" was released in May of 2005 despite some band members tiring of the road and the recording schedule. The album had a much more defined sound to it and retained the instantly recognizable live sound that they were known for. Later that year, Ian Adams left the band, tired of touring and was replaced by Brian Case of 90 Day Men.

The Ponys left their record label and signed with the New York-based indie label Matador Records. They recorded their third album, "Turn The Lights Out," in the fall of 2006 and it was released in March of 2007. With their most brilliant batch of songs to date, plus the luxury of being able to take their time in the studio, the group turned in an ambitious, but wholly addictive recording. At heart, the Ponys are and always will be a garage band, with a bright future and new musical boundaries to cross.

Look for more write ups here at the Collecting Vinyl Records Blog, when we continue of look at indie bird and animal band names.


Husky Rescue Tidbits:

The cut "My World" has been used in Hyundai's ‘Think About It’ advertisements and the song "New Light of Tomorrow" was used in a P&O TV commercial.

Buy Husky Rescue Music


Noah and the Whale Tidbits:

The band consists of Charlie Fink (vocals, guitar), Doug Fink (drums), Tom Hobden (fiddle), and Urby Whale (bass). Laura Marling and Emmy The Great sang with the band for a short period; however the band has decided that there will be no female backup vocals on their second LP.

The group are also avid fans of the film director Wes Anderson, who helped produce The Squid and the Whale alongside Baumbach; in fact, the group's e-mails, and many of their MySpace blog posts, are signed "Sic Transit Gloria", a phrase frequently used in Anderson's film Rushmore.

"The First Days of Spring" will be the first single release from the album of the same name and is available for download from the band’s website. Additionally the cut "Blue Skies" will also be released as a single.


Neon Horse Tidbits:

The band has posted a Christmas song on their MySpace page.

On July 27, 2009, their sophomore album titled "Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance, and Delusion" was made available for download on iTunes.

Buy Neon Horse Music


The Ponys Tidbits:

Gummere met his girlfriend Melissa Elias while she was attending Illinois State University in his hometown.

Buy The Ponys Music