Music News & Notes

Carly Simon To Tour

Carly Simon has never been one to play to the masses, especially when it includes long plane flights over large bodies of water. The singer suffers both stage freight and fear of flying, so Europe has always been out of the question.

Simon told Reuters on Thursday that she's putting that behind her and will play a tour of small venues in Europe starting in January. She told reporters "I like to play small places, because I'm much better in an intimate setting than I am in a large hall where I can't see everybody. I really like to see the people that I'm singing to."



Also look for her on everything from the Today Show and Good Morning America to David Letterman and the Colbert Report promoting her new album Never Been Gone. The LP will be out October 27.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City will be free on October 9 and 10 as a tribute to what would have been John Lennon's 69th birthday. Included in the Annex is a Lennon exhibit, put together with the cooperation of Yoko Ono, which includes rare artifacts and New York based items related to Lennon.

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NRBQ Founder Dies

Steve Ferguson, one of the founding members of NRBQ, passed away Wednesday after a long battle with cancer at the age of 60. Ferguson was with the group for their first two albums, NRBQ and Boppin' the Blues, before going off to other projects.

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Queen - Absolute Greatest

Preview: Queen - Absolute Greatest
Artist: Queen
Title: Absolute Greatest
Release Date: November 16, 2009 (Europe), November 17, 2009 (U.S.)
Label: Hollywood Records
Format(s):

•1-CD
•2-CDs with audio commentary by Brian May and Roger Taylor
•Limited Edition Book Version with 2-CD set, 52-page book with unseen photos, memorabilia and handwritten lyrics, access to streaming of 20 live performances
•LP Box Set with 3 LP's, 16-page soft photo book, access to streaming live performances
•1-CD downloadable version
•2-CD downloadable version

Track List:

•We Will Rock You
•We Are The Champions
•Radio Ga Ga
•Another One Bites The Dust
•I Want It All
•Crazy Little Thing Called Love
•A Kind Of Magic
•Under Pressure (with David Bowie)
•One Vision
•You’re My Best Friend
•Don’t Stop Me Now
•Killer Queen
•These Are The Days Of Our Lives
•Who Wants To Live Forever
•Seven Seas Of Rhye
•Heaven For Everyone
•Somebody To Love
•I Want To Break Free)
•The Show Must Go On
•Bohemian Rhapsody

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Vinyl Collective Restocks

Stop by www.vinylcollective.com for some great, collectible vinyl!

A LIFE ONCE LOST “A Great Artist” picture disc LP
BLACKLISTED “Heavier Than Heaven” LP blue/white burst vinyl
BOILING OVER “Trash City” 7″ clear vinyl
CEREMONY “Still, Nothing Moves You” LP grey/black marble vinyl
CEREMONY “Violence Violence” LP white/black splatter vinyl
CHINESE TELEPHONES “Single Series Volume 31″ 7″
COLISEUM “No Salvation” LP yellow w/ red splatter vinyl
CRIME IN STEREO “Is Dead” LP blue/white marble vinyl
DEAD SWANS “Sleepwalkers” LP purple vinyl
ELLIOTT “Song In The Air” LP
ELLIOTT “U.S. Songs” LP
ENSIGN Direction Of Things To Come LP
FARSIDE “Monroe Doctrine” LP clear yellow vinyl
FLIPPER “Fight: Live” LP
GLOS “Harmonium” LP grey vinyl
GORILLA BISCUITS “S/T” 7″
GORILLA BISCUITS “Start Today” LP
IGNITE “Our Darkest Days” LP white w/ black vinyl
IWRESTLEDABEARONCE “Itís All Happening” LP
KEPI GHOULIE “Single Series Volume 38″ 7″
KILLING THE DREAM “Fractures” LP coke bottle vinyl
LA DISPUTE “Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River” dbl LP
MISCHIEF BREW / ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD: Split 8″ clear vinyl
MODERN LIFE IS WAR “S/T” 7″ white vinyl
MODERN LIFE IS WAR Witness LP
NATIONS AFIRE “The Uprising” 7″ clear vinyl
NEW FOUND GLORY “Tip Of The Iceberg” picture disc 7″
NO DOUBT “Tragic Kingdom” LP green vinyl
NORMAN BRANNON “The Anti-Matter Anthology” BOOK
PLASMATICS “Beyond The Valley Of 1984″ LP
POLAR BEAR CLUB “Chasing Hamburg” LP yellow vinyl
POLAR BEAR CLUB “The Redder, The Better” LP
RADIO FACES “Party at the Bushwick Hotel” LP
RUINER “Dead Weight” 7
RUINER “Hell Is Empty” LP
RUINER “Prepare To Be Let Down” LP orange/white/blue vinyl
SET YOUR GOALS “Mutiny” LP brown vinyl
SHAI HULUD “A Profound Hatred Of Man” LP pic disc
SHAI HULUD “That Within Blood/ Ill-Tempered” LP
SLEEPING GIANT “Sons Of Thunder” LP
SLOPPY SECONDS “Endless Bummer” LP green vinyl
SOUL CONTROL “Silent Reality” 7
STRIKE ANYWHERE “Iron Front EP” 7″ green vinyl
TEXAS IS THE REASON “Do Yo Know Who You Are?” LP
TEXAS IS THE REASON “S/T” 7″
THE HOPE CONSPIRACY “True Nihilist” 7
THE MEASURE (SA) “Single Series Volume 37″ 7″
TOUCHE AMORE “S/T” 7″ red vinyl
TRAP THEM “Sleepwell Deconstructor” LP
TRASH TALK “Plagues” 7″ grey vinyl
YOUTH OF TODAY “Canít Close My Eyes” LP
YOUTH OF TODAY “We’re Not In This Alone” LP


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Cold Cave To Release New Limited Edition 12" Vinyl

Leading up to the release of their debut album Love Comes Close, Cold Cave are set to release a limited edition 12? entitled ‘Death Comes Close’ on October 19th (20th in N. America) through Matador Records.

Limited to a pressing of 2,000, ‘Death Comes Close’ features the LP’s title track as well as three brand new and hitherto unreleased tracks.

Led by Wesley Eisold (publishing house head, esteemed poet and former frontman for eminent hardcore bands Some Girls, American Nightmare and Give Up The Ghost) and ably aided by ex-Xiu Xiu member Caralee McElroy and Dominick Fernow (aka influential noise artist Prurient), Cold Cave deliver the dark and discordant synthesized bleats of Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing Gristle with a glossy pop sheen reminiscent of New Order and early Human League.

Cold Cave’s debut album Love Comes Close is out on November 2nd. To coincide the band will tour the UK in late October/early November.

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Paul McCartney releases new concert CD/DVD artwork


Paul McCartney has released the artwork for the soon to be in stores Good Evening New York City CD/DVD on his official web site.

Taking Care Of The Music

This Date In Music History-October 9

Birthdays:

Pat Burke - Foundations (1937)
Jackson Browne (1948)
Rock and Roll entrepreneur Sharon Osbourne (1952)
James Fearnley - Pogues (1954)
Thomas Wydler - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds (1959)
Kurt Neumann - BoDeans (1961)
Mat Osman - Suede (1967)
Polly Harvey - PJ Harvey (1970)
Terry Balsamo - Limp Bizkit/Evanescence (1973)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1940, John Lennon, singer, songwriter, guitarist, The Beatles who sold over 20m singles worldwide, (1962-1970), and scored more UK & US #1 albums than any other group. 1967 'Sgt. Pepper's' is the UK's biggest selling album ever. He was shot dead in New York by Mark Chapman on December 8, 1980.

Born today in 1944, John Entwistle, bass, The Who. Entwistle died in Las Vegas on June 27, 2002.

Belgian singer songwriter Jacques Brel died of cancer in 1978 (age49). Artists who recorded his songs include, Ray Charles, Scott Walker, Alex Harvey, Frank Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, David Bowie, Nina Simone and Terry Jacks.


History:

Eddie Cochran recorded "C'mon Everybody" in 1958.

Roy Orbison's "Crying" peaked at #2 on the pop singles chart in 1961.

Ray Charles started a two week run at #1 in 1961 with "Hit The Road Jack."

The Beach Boys recorded ‘Dance Dance Dance’ in 1964 with Glen Campbell playing the lead guitar intro. It would go on to become their twelfth US Top 40 hit.

In 1965, The Beatles started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart with the Paul McCartney ballad "Yesterday," giving the group their tenth US #1.

John Lennon met Yoko Ono at a showing of her avant-garde art at a gallery in London's West End in 1966.

Van Morrison's "Wild Night" was released in 1971.

In 1971, Rod Stewart’s “Every Picture Tells A Story” is the #1 album in the U.S. and U.K. Simultaneously, the single “Maggie May” is also at the top in the U.S. and U.K.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla divorced in 1973 after six years of marriage. Priscilla was awarded property, $725,000 cash and $4,200 a month support.

In 1970, John Lennon completed recording his album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

In 1975, Sean Taro Ono Lennon was born, the only child of John Lennon by Yoko Ono. John Lennon retired from music for five years to become a house-husband. Sean went on to become a singer, songwriter, musician and actor.

John Lennon celebrated his 40th birthday in 1980 by releasing "Starting Over," his first record in five years. His wife, Yoko Ono commissions a sky writer to etch him a "Happy Birthday" message over New York City's skyline.

During a North American tour in 1981, the Rolling Stones played the first of two nights at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Support act was Prince, who dressed in his controversial bikini briefs and trench coat ran off stage after 15 minutes due to the crowd booing and throwing beer cans at him.

The Strawberry Fields garden portion of New York's Central Park was dedicated to the memory of slain ex-Beatle John Lennon in 1985.

In 1990, on what would have been John Lennon’s 50th birthday, "Imagine," was broadcast simultaneously in 130 countries.



Nirvana entered the US album chart in 1993 at #1 with 'In Utero.'

in 1999, Mariah Carey featuring Jay-Z were at #1 on the US singles chart with 'Heartbreaker.'

Also in 1999, Eurythmics, George Michael, David Bowie, Robbie Williams and Bono all appeared at 'Netaid' an event to raise money for global poverty. The concerts in London, New York and Geneva were all broadcast live on the internet.

In 2000, on what would have been John Lennon's 60th birthday is celebrated with a new museum dedicated to him opening in Tokyo, reissues of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Double Fantasy, and the publication of the Beatles Anthology book.

Imagine Peace Tower was dedicated in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2007. Built in honor of John Lennon, it's unveiled on what would have been the late Beatle's 67th birthday. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr attend the ceremony. "I hope Imagine Peace Tower will give light to the strong wishes of world peace from all corners of the planet and give encouragement . . . in a world filled with fear and confusion," says Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow. The tower of light is illuminated through December 8th, the 27th anniversary of Lennon's death.

George Harrison's solo catalog was available via iTunes in 2007. He's the final member of The Beatles to have his music go on sale digitally.

Ebay Top Vinyl Record Sales for September 2009

The results have been compiled and we have the top selling vinyl records sold at eBay during the month of September of 2009, sorted by week. There are some interesting sales for the month including the top money sale going to the Beatles LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" (Stereo Parlophone Gold UK First Press) coming in at just below $8,700, a Beatles "Yesterday and Today" First State Butcher Mono sold for $2,600.00, and an 45rpm record from Elvis Presley, "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" (Sun 209) which sold for $2,999.99. Other interesting sellers included a number of jazz recordings including: Lee Morgan "City Lights" on the Blue Note record label which sold for $2,655, two Sonny Clark LPs, "Cool Struttin," also on Bluenote Blue Note, which sold for $2,940 and "Sonny's Crib" (Blue Note) which sold for $1,691. Another jazz classic Dexter Gordon’s LP "Blows Hot And Cold" on red vinyl sold for $2,866.

Here are the weekly results:

Week Ending 09/05/2009

1. 45 - The Crystals "The Screw Pt 1" / "The Screw Pt 2" Philles - $3,499.99
2. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday and Today" First State Butcher Mono - $2,600.00
3. 45 - Nirvana "Love Buzz" 243/1000 Sub Pop - $2,499.00
4. 45 - David Bowie "Space Oddity" / "Starman" RCA Mexico Picture Sleeve - $2,333.00
5. LP - Led Zeppelin "I" Atlantic UK Turquoise 1st Press - $2,244.31


Week Ending 09/12/2009

1. 45 - Pink Floyd "See Emily Play" / "Scarecrow" Odeon Japan WLP Red Wax - $4,716.00
2. LP - Barney Wilen "Tilt" Swing France - $2,250.00
3. 45 - Gene Toones "What More Do You Want" / "How It Feels" Simco - $2,175.00
4. LP - Jimi Hendrix "Axis: Bold As Love" White Label Promo - $2,000.00
4. 45 - The Rolling Stones "Stoned" / "Wanna Be Your Man" London Canada - $2,000.00
5. 45 - Bob & Fred "I'll Be On My Way" / "I'll Be On My Way Instr" Big Mac - $1,947.00


Week Ending 09/19/2009

1. LP - Lee Morgan "City Lights" Blue Note BLP 1575 - $2,655.00
2. LP - Pink Floyd "More" Odeon Japan Red Wax - $2,500.00
3. World's Experience Orchestra - The Beginning Of A New Birth - $2,127.00
4. 45 - Necros "Sex Drive" w/ Inserts KBD - $1,975.00
5. LP - Sonny Clark "Sonny's Crib" Blue Note BLP 1576 - $1,691.00


Week Ending 09/26/2009

1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Stereo Parlophone Gold UK First Press - $8,689.75
2. 45 - Larry Clinton "She's Wanted" / "If I Knew" Dynamo - $3,188.88
3. 45 - Bob Dylan "Like A Rolling Stone" / "Gates Of Eden" CBS Mayalysia w/ Picture Sleeve - $3,063.00
4. 45 - Elvis Presley "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" Sun 209 - $2,999.99
5. 45 - Slayer "25 Years Of Showing No Mercy" Fan Club Issue - $2,700.00


Week Ending 10/03/2009

1. 45 - Beer "Some Kind Of Rich Girl" / "Anymore" Sgt. Golden - $4,929.98
2. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $4,605.00
3. LP - Sonny Clark "Cool Struttin" Blue Note - $2,940.00
4. LP - Led Zeppelin "I" Atlantic UK Turquoise 1st Press - $2,903.83
5. LP - Dexter Gordon "Blows Hot And Cold" Dootone DL-207 Red Vinyl - $2,866.00


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 - 60 minutes of rare records and nugatory narration. Every Tuesday 4PM PT/7PM ET, Sunday 9AM PT/12PM ET & Monday 12AM PT/3AM ET

Music News & Notes

Genitorturers Ready New Album, "Blackheart Revolution"

Renowned for their status as agents provocateur of the underground hard rock and industrial metal scenes, the Genitorturers return with the November 3rd release of "Blackheart Revolution" [G-Force/MVD Entertainment]. The album was co-produced by David “Evil D” Vincent [Morbid Angel] and Scott Humphrey [Motley Crue, Rob Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne], the album is a roller coaster ride of musical twists, sonic turns and reckless abandon.

“We wanted to make a big rock record that translates the same excitement I felt when I heard AC/DC’s Highway to Hell for the first time, combined with the dark intrigue of Alice Cooper’s Welcome to My Nightmare,” says Gen of the new release. “We wanted something that shakes the walls, grabs you by the balls, and scares you a bit in the process!”

The lead single from Blackheart Revolution, “Cum Junkie,” is currently available via digital release, as well as in limited-edition, 7-inch vinyl. The collectible physical release will be the first in a series of vinyl singles to be released from the album, each complete with expansive packaging and uncensored artistic detail.

The Genitorturers live spectacle returns to the road October 24, with the first leg of dates running through November

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IN MOURNING's 'Shrouded Divine' To Be Released On Vinyl With New Artwork

"Shrouded Divine", the 2008 debut album from Swedish melancholic metallers IN MOURNING, will be released on vinyl on November 20 via Kolony Records. Limited to 500copies worldwide, it will come with new exclusive artwork for this version only and inner sleeve containing all lyrics and info.

The album is available for pre-order at this location.

http://www.kolonyrecords.com/shop/index.php

The band will present the LP in advance during their show at Kolony Metal Fest in Lonato del Garda (BS), Italy on November 28.

IN MOURNING recently entered Black Lounge Studio (SCAR SYMMETRY, CARNAL FORGE, STEEL ATTACK, etc.) with producer/engineer Jonas Kjellgren to begin recording its second album for an early 2010 release via Pulverised Records.

"Shrouded Divine" gained a massive amount of attention and also very positive responses worldwide with the band's brand of heart-wrenching melodic passages entwined with progressive elements but yet still retaining all the brutality of death metal aggression.

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MONSTERS OF FOLK REVEAL ALBUM ARTWORK


Indie-folk all-stars Monsters of Folk sat down with AOL Spinner to discuss the highly anticipated new material. Rather than merely talk about their individual efforts, the interview became a showcase for their camaraderie and mutual respect for each other’s music. In addition to the interview, the band has revealed the album cover art- a painting-like rendition of each of the members, with a whimsical feel.

3 full songs are already available, from the soon to be released self-titled debut. “Say Please,” “Dear God (Sincerely MOF),” and “The Sandman, The Brakeman, and Me” can be heard on the band’s Myspace page at: www.myspace.com/monstersoffolk

WATCH THE FULL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HERE: http://video.aol.com



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Hope's First Beatles MA Students Get Ticket to Ride

Fourteen new students from countries around the world including USA, Canada, Belgium, Venezuela and the UK arrived at Liverpool Hope University this week to begin their studies on the worlds first ever MA in The Beatles.

The brand new MA in The Beatles, Popular Music and Society is the only one of its kind in the world and since being launched earlier this year has attracted an unprecedented amount of interest and enquiries from around the world.

During the first few days of the course, a television crew from Japan was on hand to record students' initial experiences for a report covering the course, taking in a visit to the Beatles Experience exhibition, as well as a trip to the gates of Strawberry Fields (pictured).

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Animal Collective to release new EP Fall Be Kind?

According to Amazon.com, Animal Collective will be releasing a new record on December 8th. Visits to Domino’s US site have turned up devoid of any information… so far. Presumably, this will end up as an E.P., given Amazon’s $11.38 and $9.98 price tags for vinyl and C.D. respectively.

Back in August, fan site Collected Animals posted that a new EP would be coming sometime this year with live tracks “From a Beach” and “Grace” making appearances on the EP. It’s safe to assume that a new song “Fall Be Kind” could appear on this new recording, given the band’s penchant for naming EPs after previously unheard material.

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Death Cab Video

Death Cab for Cutie’s video for “Meet Me on the Equinox,” premiered last night at MTV. It's the first single from the soundtrack for Twilight sequel New Moon, check it out:

Death Cab For Cutie |MTV Music

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New Kraftwerk Album For 2010

Space rockers Kraftwerk, who are currently re-releasing their catalog in single albums, vinyl and as a box set, are planning to go into the studio over the winter to record a new album, which should be out in 2010. Ralf Hutter told Billboard that he is also looking at upgrading the three pre-Autobahn albums not included in the new box.

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KISS Sonic Boom LP

In the 35 years that they've been together, KISS has never had a #1 album. Their best showing ever was 1998's Psycho Circus which got to #3 (Alive! peaked at #9).

It's still early to tell, but Hits Daily Double is reporting that, after one day of sales, their new Sonic Boom album is tracking towards first week sales of 150 to 170,000. However, there is a new release that could give them trouble, the new one from Michael Buble which comes out Friday, the same day he does an interview on Oprah.

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BMI London Awards

The BMI London Awards were held on Tuesday at London's Dorchester Hotel, honoring the most performed songs on U.S. radio and television stations over the last year. Those being honored are members of PRS for Music, the U.K.'s performing rights society, who are also represented by BMI in the United States.

The Icon Award went to Donovan as an artist who has had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” From a BMI press release:

Donovan transformed popular music in the 1960s, earning 12 consecutive Top 40 hits, including Mellow Yellow, Sunshine Superman, Wear Your Love Like Heaven, There Is a Mountain, Lalena, Epistle to Dippy, Atlantis, Hurdy Gurdy Man, and Jennifer Juniper, all of which he wrote alone. His compositions have also resurfaced in hit films and television series, as well as various advertising campaigns. In 1965, Catch the Wind earned an Ivor Novello Award for best contemporary folk song, marking the first time the honor was bestowed on an artist’s debut single. Donovan received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Hertfordshire in 2003, and in 2009, he became Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters from the Minister of Culture, France, and garnered the American Visionary Art Museum Baltimore’s prestigious Grand Visionary Award. A man not only of unfathomable talent but of rare conviction as well, he is a well-known proponent and student of Transcendental Meditation and leads the musical wing of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Hard at work on a new album entitled Ritual Groove, Donovan plans to tour continuously through 2010.



Pete Townshend once again received three awards in the field of TV Music Awards for the Who songs used as themes for CSI, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York.

The Robert S. Musel Award for Song of the Year went to Pocketful of Sunshine which was written by the original singer, Natasha Beddingfield and songwriter Danielle Brisebois. Now, Brisebois does not qualify as a veteran musician, but she is a veteran of the entertainment business, having cut her teeth playing the Bunker's niece Stephanie on the TV series All in the Family for a number of seasons. The song also won College Song of the Year.

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New Radiohead Album In 2010

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien said in a recent interview (with NME) that Radiohead will definitely be releasing a new album in 2010 in CD, vinyl, and (of course) download formats.

This contradicts an interview that Thom Yorke gave a couple of months ago where he indicated that Radiohead wasn’t planning on recording another album any time soon.

O’Brien said they planned on recording the new album this winter but he wouldn’t give any details on what songs would be on the album or what direction they were taking except to say that recent (free, download only) Radiohead release “These Are My Twisted Words” was a “one off” rather than an indicator of what the next album would sound like.

Radiohead’s last album was 2007’s In Rainbows which was their 7th studio album to date. All anyone can say is who knows?

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U2 Want Their Own Version Of 'Rock Band', Just Like The Beatles

U2 say that they would love their own version of the video game Rock Band, just like The Beatles.

Bassist Adam Clayton explained that the Irish group previously held talks with Rock Band game makers MTV Games and Electronic Arts but a deal couldn't be reached.

However, speaking to USA Today, the 49-year-old said he was optimistic they could forge a deal in the future.

He said: "We definitely would like to be in there, but we felt some of the compromises weren't what we wanted.

“That could change. I love the idea that that's where people are getting music and we'd love to be in that world. We'll figure something out."

Clayton said they had a change of heart as soon as they saw The Beatles Rock Band.

"What The Beatles have done, where the animation is much more representative of them, is what we’re interested in, rather than the one-size-fits-all animation. We didn't want to be caricatured," he added.

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Tyler Getting Healthy - Aerosmith To Return

Aerosmith will return to the stage next week for the first time since singer Steve Tyler broke his shoulder in August.

The US band will play a private gig for the software company Oracle Corp, which is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison.

A spokeswoman for the company told Reuters: “Aerosmith is a go.”

The concert comes just two months after Tyler was injured when he fell off stage during a gig in South Dakota.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

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.


FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 5, 2009


DEAR JERRY: Several years ago after Ray Charles died, one of his albums reached No. 1on the national charts.

Somewhere along the way, I heard or read that if Ray had lived to see his LP hit No. 1 he would have been the oldest living person to accomplish that.

Since Brother Ray didn't quite make it, who is the artist holding this distinction?
—Richie Johansson, York, Pa.

DEAR RICHIE: Yours is an interesting question; however, in Ray's case the scenario you suggest may not have occurred had he lived.

Charles died of liver failure, June 10, 2004, and in a little less than three months “Genius Loves Company” (Concord 2248) entered the charts.

Had Ray lived at least until March 5, 2005, when this collection of a dozen duets reached No. 1, he would have been 74 — and the oldest living artist topping the album charts.

Still, sales of “Genius Loves Company,” as well as two other Top 10 compilations: “The Very Best of Ray Charles” (Rhino 79822) and “Ray Charles Anthology” (Rhino 75759), were clearly fueled by Ray's passing.

So the reigning chart-topping senior citizen is Bob Dylan, who, for one week earlier this year (May 9-16), held the No. 1 position with “Together Through Life” — not just in the U.S., but in at least 18 countries spanning the globe.

Dylan was 67 during his week at the top, though he turned 68 a mere eight days later (May 24). By then, his album dropped to No. 5 after holding the top spot for just one week.

Bob Dylan has many enduring claims to fame; however, he wore this fleeting crown for just four months.

On September 19, in a surprise as shocking as anything the music world has seen, “We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn” took over the No. 1 spot in the UK.

Though a British icon, Vera Lynn is also well known in the USA, with several stateside hits to her credit, from as early as 1948 (“You Can't Be True Dear”) through '67 (“It Hurts to Say Goodbye”), including the top-selling record of the summer of 1952, “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart.”

Inconceivably, the 23-track “We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn” CD does not include her worldwide smash, “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart.” Arrgh! How is her most famous song not among her “very best”?

Oh yeah, my favorite Vera Lynn tune, “It Hurts to Say Goodbye” isn't on that “Best Of” album either.

To be clear, I am not confusing “We'll Meet Again” with “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart,” simply because the latter makes prominent use of the line “we'll meet again.” They are two completely different recordings.

Born March 20, 1917, this spry 92-year-old sitting atop the albums chart could easily have a son older than Bob Dylan, now with runner-up status in Britain, but not the U.S. Vera's album has yet to be issued here.

In 1975, long before compact discs and a return to chart supremacy, knighthood called and Vera was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, by Sovereign of the Order, Queen Elizabeth II.

As for Dame Vera Lynn's recent sales achievement, it is not likely to be topped by anyone, unless Bob Dylan is both alive and on the charts in 2033, or later.


IZ ZAT SO? In 1952, Vera Lynn's “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart” made history on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here, Vera became the first British born singer to top the American charts. Meanwhile, in her homeland, she was the only Brit in Britain's Top 10!

Lynn is also the first person ever to have more than one single in the UK Top 10, a somewhat common event years later for acts like Elvis and the Beatles.

Vera's 57-year chart span (1952-2009), from first appearance to most recent, is one more accomplishment not likely to ever be equaled.

Considering Vera's popularity began in 1935, the only reason Lynn's span isn't 74 years is that Britain did not have a top hits survey until the New Musical Express debuted, November 12, 1952

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Arctic Monkeys release ‘Cornerstone’

Arctic Monkeys will release "Cornerstone," the second single from their recent, #1 album 'Humbug’ on Monday the 16th of November 2009.

After the great success of the 'Crying Lightning’ Oxfam collaboration, we are pleased to announce that we will be joining forces once again with Oxfam on this release. The single will be backed with 3 brand new b-sides – "Catapult," "Sketchead," and "Fright Lined Dining Room."

Currently on tour in America, Arctic Monkeys will be return to the UK and Ireland in November for a sold out arena tour.

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Neil Diamond holiday collection to be released

Columbia Records announced the release of "A Cherry Cherry Christmas," the new Neil Diamond holiday collection, available in stores and online Tuesday, October 13.

The title song, "Cherry Cherry Christmas," is filled with references to many of Diamond's greatest hits. Newly written and recorded by Neil Diamond for Christmas 2009, it is destined to become a new Christmas standard.

Newly included with the re-mastered classics are a transcendent "Amazing Grace"; another new Neil Diamond original, "Christmas Dream"; and a party-time version of Adam Sandler's comedic "The Chanukah Song," produced by DJ Ashba (Guns N' Roses).

Neil Diamond – A Cherry Cherry Christmas
Tracklisting:

Cherry Cherry Christmas
Sleigh Ride
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
White Christmas
Christmas Dream
The Christmas Song
Deck The Halls / We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Winter Wonderland
Joy To The World
Amazing Grace
Meditations On A Winter Night (Instrumental)
The Chanukah Song

Across a musical career spanning nearly five decades, Neil Diamond has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide.

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Metallica to offer live downloads

Metallica will make available single song downloads from every show on their upcoming North American tour.

Full shows can also be downloaded within hours of each show ending and single songs from each show will also be able to be downloaded for 99c a track.

"This is the next logical step in a process that began back in 1991 when we first implemented the 'Taper Section' at our shows, where our fans were encouraged to bring in their own gear to record the show, and then take home their very own 'bootleg’ of the concert they had just seen," stated Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. "This technology will enable our fans to get the best possible recording of the show, without having to hold a microphone in the air for the entire night!"

This next leg of touring will see Metallica heading outside North America to perform the songs from Death Magnetic.

The North American dates started on October 3rd in Tampa, Florida.

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Weird Al Children's Book?

HarperCollins Children's Books has acquired "When I Grow Up," the first book by Weird Al Yankovic. Per the press release, "With gleefully dizzying wordplay, an exuberant eight-year-old tells his patient teacher and amazed classmates about the astonishing variety of humorous and inventive careers he plans to pursue when he grows up." The book will be out in the Winter of 2011.

"Al is a brilliant writer with proven cross-generational appeal and marked staying power," said Anne Hoppe. "I’ve been a fan of his fresh, funny, carefully-crafted work for decades, and am thrilled to see him bring his considerable authorial and comedic resources to bear on this new venture."

"I’ve always wanted to write children's books," said Yankovic. "And now, it’s not only a goal, it’s a contractual obligation.”

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Rolling Stones To Reissue Five Live Albums In November

The Rolling Stones are set to reissue five live albums recorded between 1975 and 2002. The albums - 'Love You Live', 'Still Life', 'Flashpoint', 'Stripped' and 'Live Licks' – will be released on November 9.

They include some of the band's biggest hits – "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Start Me Up" and "Brown Sugar" – as well as covers. Each album will retain its original tracklisting and artwork.

The tracklistings are as follows:

'Love You Live'
Disc 1

'Intro: Fanfare For The Common Man'
'Honky Tonk Woman (Live)'
'If You Can't Rock Me/ Get Off of My Cloud'
'Happy'
'Hot Stuff'
'Star, Star'
'Tumbling Dice'
'Fingerprint File'
'You Gotta Move'
'You Can't Always Get What You Want'

Disc 2
'Mannish Boy'
'Crackin' Up''
'Little Red Rooster'
'Around And Around'
'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll'
'Brown Sugar'
'Jumpin' Jack Flash'
'Sympathy For The Devil'


'Still Life'

'Take The A Train'
'Under My Thumb'
'Let's Spend The Night Together'
'Shattered'
'Twenty Flight Rock'
'Going To A Go-Go'
'Let Me Go'
'Time Is On My Side'
'Just My Imagination'
'Start Me Up'
'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'


'Flashpoint'

'Continental Drift (Intro)'
'Start Me Up'
'Sad Sad Sad'
'Miss You'
'Rock And A Hard Place'
'Ruby Tuesday'
'You Can't Always Get What You Want'
'Factory Girl'
'Can't Be Seen'
'Little Red Rooster'
'Paint It, Black'
'Sympathy For The Devil'
'Brown Sugar'
'Jumping Jack Flash'
'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'
'Highwire'
'Sex Drive'


'Stripped'

'Street Fighting Man'
'Like A Rolling Stone'
'Not Fade Away'
'Shine A Light'
'The Spider And The Fly'
'I'm Free'
'Wild Horses'
'Let It Bleed'
'Dead Flowers'
'Slipping Away'
'Angie'
'Love In Vain'
'Sweet Virginia'
'Little Baby'


'Live Licks'
Disc 1

'Brown Sugar'
'Street Fighting Man'
'Paint It Black'
'You Can't Always Get What You Want'
'Start Me Up'
'It's Only Rock N' Roll'
'Angie'
'Honky Tonk Women'
'Happy'
'Gimme Shelter'
'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'

Disc 2
'Neighbours'
'Monkey Man'
'Rocks Off'
'Can't You Hear Me Knocking'
'That's How Strong My Love Is'
'The Nearness Of You'
'Beast Of Burden'
'When The Whip Comes Down'
'Rock Me, Baby'
'You Don't Have To Mean It'
'Worried About You'
'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love'

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

Previously Unheard Jackson 5 Song Released On iTunes

A previously unreleased Jackson 5 song is now available to download from iTunes.

The track, "That's How Love Is," is lifted from an upcoming rarities album 'I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters' released on November 10 to celebrate the Jackson 5's 40th anniversary.

The family group made their Motown chart debut 40 years ago this week with the smash hit "I Want You Back."

Bruce Resnikoff of Universal Music Enterprises said of the album: "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to bring these exciting recordings to the public in such a special package.

"We are amazed by the quality, and we know the many Michael Jackson fans all over the world will be too."

This Date In Music History-October 7

Birthdays:

Crooner Al Martino (1927)

Colin Cooper - Climax Blues Band (1939)

Martin Murray - Honeycombs (1941)

Tony Silvester - Main Ingredient (1941)

Kevin Godley - 10CC (1945)

David Hope - Kansas 1949)

Rocker John Mellencamp (1951)



Ricky Phillips - Bad English/Styx (1951)

Tico Torres - Bon Jovi (1953)

Yo-Yo Ma (1955)

David Taylor - Edison Lighthouse (1959)

Simon Cowell (1959)

Toni Braxton (1967)

Thom York - Radiohead (1968)

Taylor Hicks - 2006 American Idol winner (1976)


They Are Missed:

Early British rocker Johnny Kidd was killed in a car accident in Lancashire, England in 1966. He led the Pirates, the first truly raunchy band in British rock history. Their big hit was 1960's "Shakin' All Over."

Operatic pop vocalist Mario Lanza die in 1959 (age 38).

Smiley Lewis, New Orleans R&B singer, died of stomach cancer in 1966. Wrote "I Hear You Knocking" (covered by Dave Edmunds).


History:

In 1954, Marian Anderson became the first black singer to be hired by New York's Metropolitan Opera Company.

RCA Victor had all ready received a half-million advanced orders for Elvis Presley's Christmas album in 1957. So far only 200,000 copies had been pressed.

The Rolling Stones recorded the Lennon/McCartney penned song "I Wanna Be Your Man" at De Lane Lea Studios in London in 1963.

In 1964, the Beatles appeared on an episode of "Shindig!" taped on location in London. They perform "I'm a Loser," "Kansas City" and "Boys."

Cass Elliot of the Mama's & Papa's spent the night in a London jail in 1967 after a dispute over a hotel bill.

In 1967, the Beatles rejected an offer of $1 million to play Shea Stadium from promoter Sid Bernstein. He orginally brought the group to Shea in August 1965.

In 1975, John Lennon won his lengthy fight to stay in the US when the three judge US Court of Appeals in New York ruled that his 1968 arrest in Britain for possession of marijuana was contrary to US ideas of due process and is invalid as a means of banishing the former Beatle from America.

Toto's "Hold The Line" was released in 1978.



Janet Jackson scored her second #1 single in 1989 with "Miss You Much."

Jefferson Airplane played a concert in 1989 where admission was a can of food for the San Francisco Food Bank.

"Brave And Crazy," from Melissa Etheridge, entered the US album chart in 1989. It stays on the survey for 58 weeks.

Alanis Morissette went to #1 on the US album chart in 1995 with "Jagged Little Pill." The album went on to become the biggest selling album ever by a female artist with sales over 30 million.

Ja Rule started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2001 with "Pain Is Love."

Faith Hill was at #1 on the US album chart in 2002 with "Cry."

In 2004, it was announced that Melissa Etheridge had cancelled her tour and would undergo surgery and treatment for breast cancer.

In 2006, Lynyrd Skynyrd shared the stage with several Country acts at a fund-raising concert in Atlanta. Proceeds go toward a memorial at Fort Benning, GA, honoring the 173rd Airborne Brigade. "It's the least we can do to help build a memorial for the 173rd Airborne who have lost so many and helped protect this country," says Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant. Brigade soldiers fought in World War II and Vietnam. 2006

Rascal Flatts were at #1 on the US album chart in 2007 with "Still Feels Good" the American country pop bands fifth studio album and third #1.

New Music Releases October 6th, 2009

Lots and lots of interesting releases this week including the new album from KISS, a solo effort from Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, boxed sets from Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and The Motown Collection. Also on the bill are reissues of classic music with New Order, Black Sabbath, Jesus Lizard and Kraftwerk joining in. There are many vinyl releases as well including records from A Place to Bury Strangers, Built To Spill, Willie Nelson, Me'Shell NdegeOcello and Sufjan Stevens & Osso, just to name a few. Remember – music makes the perfect gift, make someone happy today and give the gift of music!

Buy Vinyl Records Here

A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head (vinyl)
Air - Love 2
Alela Diane - Alela and Alina
Aliens - Luna
Ams - The Release Of An American Soul
Ancestors - Of Sound Mind (vinyl)
Apathy - Wanna Struggle?
Aqua - Greatest Hits
Arch Enemy - The Root of All Evil
Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Fruit
Asylum Street Spankers - God's Favorite Band
Backstreet Boys - This is Us
BeBe & CeCe Winans - Still
Bellini - Precious Prize of Gravity
Betty Davis - Is This Love or Desire (Vinyl)
Betty Davis - Nasty Gal (remastered)
Big Kenny - The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farmboy
Bill Engvall - Aged and Confused
Billie Holiday - Lady Day: The Complete Columbia Golden Years (10-CD box set)
BK-One & Benzilla - Radio Do Canibal
Black Heart Procession - Six
Black Hollies - Softly Towards the Light
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 (remastered)
Black Sabbath - Never Say Die! (remastered)
Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (remastered)
Blake Lewis - Heartbreak On Vinyl
blessthefall - Witness
Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer EP (vinyl)
Boston Spaceships - Zero to 99
brakesbrakesbrakes - Rock Is Dodelijk
Brandi Carlile- Give Up the Ghost
Brenda Holloway - Early Years-Rare Recordings 1962-1963
Built To Spill - There Is No Enemy (2-LP vinyl & CD)
Califone: -All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend
Candace Brooks Band - The Chase
Cerys Matthews - Don't Look Down
Cheap Girls - My Roaring 20's
Christmas Island - Blackout Summer
Cinematics - Love And Terror
Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath (vinyl)
Conway Twitty - 12 Number One Hits
Daniel Johnston - Is And Always Was
Daniel Merriweather - Love & War
Dappled Cities - Zounds (vinyl)
Darrin James Band - The Lovely Ugly Truth
Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
Dean Martin - My Kind Of Christmas
Destino3 - Forte
DJ Spooky - The Secret Song
DJ Tiesto - Kaleidoscope
Dr. Hook - Pleasure & Pain/Sometimes You Win ...
Duran Duran - Live at Hammersmith 82
Duran Duran - Rio (remastered with bonus disc)
Dutchess & the Duke - Sunset/ Sunrise (vinyl)
Eddie and the Hot Rods - The Singles Collection
Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows
Emily Rodgers - Bright Day
Etienne Jaumet - Night Music
Eugene Mirman - God is a 12 Year Old Boy…
Evangelista - Prince of Truth
Everclear - In A Different Light
Exene Cervenka - Somewhere Gone
Fat Joe - J.O.S.E. 2
Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold'
Frank Sinatra - Christmas with Sinatra and Friends
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport
Glorytellers - Atone
Gogol Bordello - Live From Axis Mundi (CD & DVD)
Gossip - Music for Men
Grant Hart - Hot Wax
Greg Laswell - Covers EP
Happy Hollows - Spells
Harmonia - Tracks & Traces
Hawk Nelson - Live Life Loud
Headlights - Wildlife (vinyl)
Heart - Baby Guitars
Hockey - Mind Chaos (vinyl)
HORSE the Band - Desperate Living
Hush Arbors - Yankee Reality
Idlewild - Post Electric Blues
Inhale, Exhale - Bury Me Alive
Irish Tenors - The Irish Tenors Christmas
Jamie T - Kings & Queens
Jason Yates - Jason Yates
Jemina Pearl - Break It Up
Jesus Lizard - Down (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Jesus Lizard - Goat (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Jesus Lizard - Head (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Jesus Lizard - Liar (remastered with bonus tracks)
Jesus Lizard - Pure (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Jim Jones & Webstar - The Rooftop
Joe Budden - The Great Escape
Joe Cocker - Live at Woodstock
Joe Perry - Have Guitar, Will Travel
John Coltrane - Side Steps (5-CD box set)
John Denver - Live in the USSR
John Vanderslice - Too Much Time b/w Moon Rocks 7" (vinyl)
Karl Blau - Zebra (vinyl)

Buy Vinyl Here

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
Kirsten DeHaan - Thorns On a Crown
Kiss Sonic - Boom (Walmart/Sam's Club exclusive)
Kraftwerk - Autobahn (remastered)
Kraftwerk - Radio-Activity (remastered)
Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine (remastered)
Kraftwerk - Trans Europa Express (remastered)
Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy (vinyl)
La Roux - La Roux (vinyl)
Ladytron - Light & Magic (reissue)
Ladytron - Live At The London Astoria
Lake - Let's Build a Roof (vinyl)
Langhorne Slim - Be Set Free (vinyl)
Leisure Society - Sleeper & A Product Of The Ego Drain
Lethal Bizzle - Go Hard
Lights, Lights - The Listening
Lita Ford - Wicked Wonderland
Lotus - Feather On Wood (EP)
Lotus - Oil On Glass (EP)
Lou Barlo - Goodnight Unknown (vinyl)
Lucero - 1372 Overton Park (vinyl)
Luke Bryan - Doin' My Thing
Luke Ford - Doin' My Thing
Madonna - Celebration (Single Remixes) (vinyl)
Maria Muldaur - Maria Muldaur & Her Garden of Joy
Mark Knopfler - Get Lucky (CD & DVD)
Massive Attack - Splitting the Atom EP
Matthew Good - Vancouver
Mayday Parade - Anywhere But Here
Meaghan Smith - The Cricket's Orchestra
Me'Shell NdegeOcello - Devil's Halo (vinyl)
Micah P. Hinson - All Dressed Up & Smelling of Strangers
Michael Jackson - In Memory of Michael Jackson- 1958-2009
Mike Doughty - Sad Man Happy Man
Mission of Burma - The Sound, the Speed, the Light
Morphine - At Your Service
Mountain Goats - The Life of the World to Come
Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser
Mumford And Sons - Sigh No More
Music Go Music - Expressions
N'dambi - Pink Elephant
New Order - Brotherhood (vinyl reissue)
New Order - Low-Life (vinyl reissue)
New Order - Movement (vinyl reissue)
New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies (vinyl reissue)
New Order - Technique (vinyl reissue)
Nick Oliveri - Death Acoustic
No Age - Losing Feeling EP (vinyl)
Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
Nothington - Roads, Bridges & Ruins
Nova Social - Nova Social
Octoberman - Fortresses
Orenda Fink - Ask The Night (vinyl)
Osso - Run Rabbit Run
Phish - Joy (vinyl)
Port O'Brien - Threadbare (vinyl)
Powerman 5000 - Somewhere on the Otherside of Nowhere
RASCAL FLATTS - Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Raveonettes - In and Out of Control (vinyl)
Ray Charles - The Spirit of Christmas
Redemption - Snowfall on Judgment Day
Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down
Roseanne Cash - The List
Rusty Anderson - Born on Earth
Saigon - Warning Shots 2
Santana – Marathon- 30th Anniversary Edition
Scorpions - Pure Instinct
Shudder To Think - Live From Home (vinyl)
Simple Minds - Graffiti Soul
Slade - Live at the BBC
Slits - Trapped Animal
Smoke Dza - Substance Abuse
Soulico - Exotic On The Speaker
Spandau Ballet – Gold - The Best of Spandau Ballet
Spinto Band - Slim & Slender EP (vinyl)
Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us
Steel Panther - Feel the Steel
Sufjan Stevens & Osso - Run Rabbit Run (vinyl)
Supercluster - Waves
Switchfoot - Hello Huricane
Terri Clark - The Long Way Home
The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love (vinyl)
The Fall Of Troy - In The Unlikely Event
The Gossip - Music For Men
The xx - xx
Three Mile Pilot - Planets / Grey Clouds (vinyl)
Tiësto - Kaleidoscope
Tinsley Ellis - Speak No Evil
Toby Keith - American Ride
Todd Agnew - Need
Tokio Hotel - Humanoid
Toro y Moi - Blessa b/w 109 7" (vinyl)
Toto - Fahrenheit (Remastered)
Tre Williams & The Revelations - The Bleeding Edge
Ultra Naté - Things Happen At Night
Uriah Heep - The Early Years
Various Artists - Dance The Definitive Collection 1978-1995
Various Artists - Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Various Artists - Halloween's Gravest Hits
Various Artists - The Motown Collection (Box Set)
Various Artists - WOW Hits 2010
Various Artists - Christmas on the Range- Cowboy Classics from Capitol Records
Ventana - American Survival Guide Vol. 1
Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
Vic Chesnutt - Skitter On Take Off
Vince Guaraldi - The Definitive Vince Guaraldi
Vinyl Life - Vinyl Life
Vonda Shepard- Best of Ally McBeal-Songs of Vonda Shepard
We Shot the Moon - Silver Lining
Ween - The Pod (reissue)
Willie Nelson - Shotgun Willie (Vinyl)
Willie Nelson – Souvenirs

Buy Music Here

Music News & Notes

Landmine Marathon Reveals New Album Details

Phoenix metal band LANDMINE MARATHON has announced details of their forthcoming release on Prosthetic Records. The new album, entitled "Sovereign Descent," was recorded at guitarist Ryan Butler's Arcane Digital Recording Studios, where he's recorded past efforts from the band, as well as Misery Index, Phobia, The Funeral Pyre and others. The album will be mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (Converge, Hatebreed, Dillinger Escape Plan). The cover art is being handled by Dan Seagrave (Entombed, Dismember, Morbid Angel, Suffocation). "Sovereign Descent" will be released in early 2010.

The band commented, "We are really excited to be able to announce some more details about our next album, including the title, 'Sovereign Descent.' We have put a lot of hard work into writing and recording this album. We all agree that it is some of Landmine's strongest material so far, both musically and lyrically. Ryan really went above and beyond with the recording and mixing process. Having the opportunity to work with two people who we feel are legends; Dan Seagrave and Alan Douches is a huge honor. We look forward to sharing some of the final results soon and even more so playing these songs live on the road!"

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The Gates Of Slumber To Release New Album "Hymns Of Blood And Thunder" On Vinyl

Rise Above Records will be releasing a limited edition vinyl version of the new album "Hymns of Blood and Thunder" by The Gates of Slumber on October 12th.

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DEAD TO THIS WORLD To Record New EP

DEAD TO THIS WORLD — the speed/thrash/black metal project led by former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah — has issued the following update:

"Recordings for our forthcoming MCD/MLP will start in two weeks' time. It will contain five songs with a playing time close to 30 minutes. This will be released through Vàn Records on both CD and vinyl format sometime during start of 2010.

"Work on the second full-length is already in progress, but details for this will follow at a later time.

"We do now have a limited re-stock of our 'Dominions of Hell' shirt available. Also LP versions of the debut album which is also strictly limited."

DEAD TO THIS WORLD's debut album, "First Strike for Spiritual Renewance", was released in November 2007 via Dark Essence Records. The CD was produced by Bjørnar E Nielsen at Nielsen's Conclave Media Studios in Bergen.

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Gretchen Wilson Creates New Label, Redneck Records

Gretchen Wilson has launched own record label, Redneck Records, based near Nashville in Lebanon, Tenn. Her first single for the label, "Work Hard, Play Harder," was written by Wilson, John Rich and Vicky McGehee and will be delivered to country radio later this month. As president of the independent label, Wilson will oversee virtually all of the company's operations. Redneck Records will be distributed by RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. In July, Sony Music Nashville announced that Wilson was no longer on its Epic Records roster but that Sony's country division would work with her on future releases from her existing music catalog.

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Chester Bennington of Linkin Park releases new album October 13

I Chester Bennington of Linkin Park fame is releasing an album October 13 with his "other" band Dead by Sunrise.

Orgy's Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck along with Bennington will release "Out of Ashes" this month and the band hopes to tour in small venues in order to build a following.

Bennington says that the music is "grungy, punky, straightforward rock elements mixed with alternative rock, melodic sensibility, as well as some electro-alternative pop stuff." He adds that some Linkin Park fans may like the music; yet some people who do not like Linkin Park nor Orgy may appreciate Dead by Sunrise's approach to music.

The name of the band is personal to Bennington, who admits that he did not know if he would make it to the next sunrise due to partying, which included many illegal substances combined with alcohol. Bennington reflects, " the name of the band comes from that feeling of literally not knowing if you're going to make it to the next day."

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Slumping Music Sales Continue

It was revealed that album sales are down 11.1 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year, Reuters reported based on figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. That decline comes evenwith the surge in of sales after Michael Jackson’s death and the re-release of the Beatles remasters, as both artists’ respective catalogs have combined for about 6.3 million in sales this quarter. Even with the unexpected push from the catalog albums, total sales are still down 13.9 percent from 2008, a year which itself saw its sales drop 14 percent compared to 2007. If the trend continues, this will mark the eighth time in nine years that the record industry has seen a decline.

According to Reuters, 2009’s biggest seller so far has been Michael Jackson’s Number Ones compilation, which sold 1.8 million copies since the King of Pop’s death on June 25th. Sluggish sales can’t be blamed on a lack of marquee releases, though, as artists who have generally gone multiplatinum in the past — like Green Day, Eminem, Dave Matthews Band and U2 — have all put out high-profile releases this year. Eminem’s Relapse has lead the charge with 1.4 million copies since its release in May. After 30 weeks on the Billboard chart, U2’s No Line on the Horizon reached platinum two weeks ago, while Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown and DMB’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King have yet to pass the million copies sold mark. Lets' hope that the Christmas sales figures help the trend turn upward.

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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Gets Surprise Visit

The big festival news may have revolved around the muddy Austin City Limits, but there was another little show that drew a number of high profile veteran artists in San Francisco. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is put on every year in Golden Gate Park, for FREE, by billionaire investment banker Warren Hellman. An estimated 500,000 attended this year to watch music on six stages over three days from artists like John Prine, Steve Martin, Ricky Skaggs, Boz Scaggs (with a band of James Cotton, Nick Lowe, Buddy Miller, Jimmy Vaughan and more), Richie Havens, Marianne Faithfull, Mavis Staples and the traditional closer, Emmylou Harris.

The big surprise of the weekend came early Saturday when Buddy Miller opened the day on one of the satellite stages. He brought out a surprise guest, Mr. Robert Plant, to join him on Hank Snow's I'm Movin' On.

In a digital age, there is still romance in music stores

Here's an interesting look at the music culture down under:

Defying international trends, Australians are buying albums in shops - especially when retailers make an effort, writes Bernard Zuel.

"We are social creatures, we are tactile creatures. People love to see, hear, feel, taste, listen to and they like a place that gives all that to them. A computer doesn't do that.”

Steve Kulak, the owner of a small chain of independent music retailers called Title Music Film Books, is a businessman and self-styled, if mockingly so, visionary guru. Ask him if we're witnessing the end of the music retailer as the digital world expands and, after laughing at the absurdity of the question, he gets a little mystical.

“Most people don't come in here for anything specific; it's the beauty of the journey," he says. "It's like travelling; you don't necessarily know what you're going to get but you leave yourself open to the idea. That's what music is all about."

Chances are Kulak is right. Defying the international trends and confident predictions that they would be gone within a matter of years, many Australian music stores are alive and even thriving.

Title is about to open a North Coast store to add to its Crows Nest, Surry Hills, Fitzroy and Adelaide set. Meanwhile, Gavin Ward, executive director of the Leading Edge Group, which owns or represents 170 independent stores in Australia, estimates that while his group has lost about 10 stores in the past two years, that figure is "not significantly higher" than the average closure of stores historically.

Some stores are in trouble, but most are doing well and others are making up to $3 million a year as independent traders.

One reason is that, going against international trends, Australians are still buying music. According to statistics released by the peak industry body ARIA, while the Australian music industry has continued to leak away sales of recorded music in the first six months of this year, the 8 per cent drop in physical sales (of CDs, DVDs and vinyl) was more than made up for by the surge in sales of downloads.

Even the drop in physical sales is small compared with overseas markets, which continue to show double-digit declines. Or, as in the case of Spain, a fall of 30 per cent last year.

ARIA is even predicting a greater increase in the second half of the year with albums from big names such as Robbie Williams, Powderfinger, Pearl Jam and Madonna.

When Australians buy music, they overwhelmingly prefer to buy their albums in bricks-and-mortar stores rather than by downloading. Digital downloads of single tracks – what used to be called singles – have all but obliterated the physical market (90 per cent of individual track sales now are digital).

But when it comes to albums, the situation is reversed. Australians buy more than 90 per cent of their albums by paying money over the counter to a human being and walking away with a plastic/cardboard package holding a silver compact disc. Old school!

Why? Kulak is right, according to Stephen Peach, ARIA's chief executive. "It does seem that when you make a decision to buy an album, when you like something enough to buy the whole album's worth of music, people still like the concept of the physical thing in the ownership," he says.

But this is hardly a blank cheque for retailers. Earlier this decade the big department stores were moving to widespread music retailing, taking up to 15 per cent of the market – but now they have been steadily cutting back the space for CDs and watching their share of CD sales drop to nearer 5 per cent.

Many suburban shopping centre stores have been squeezed by the bulk, variety and discount prices of the market leader JB Hi-Fi. It has 40 per cent of the $360 million Australian market and uses its size to extract better deals from the record companies than smaller traders can manage.

Those stores in trouble or dead haven't adapted to the modern reality, says Geoff Bonouvrie, owner of Mall Music in Brookvale and the chairman of the Australian Music Retailers Association. He has seen a 50 per cent turnaround in his CD sales in the past 2 years from the low point of early this decade.

It's not enough to just "rack it and hope that people walk in and buy it", as Stephen Peach put it. The stores doing well, whether large generalist ones like Mall Music, tiny specialists such as Mojo Music in the CBD or those in between including So Music in Newtown, are offering extra value – whether it is larger and more varied stock, the willingness to order in albums not in the store (something Herald readers have consistently reported is not a given), knowledgeable staff or other music products. What the marketers call multiple entry points.

"It takes work; you just can't offer CDs. I call it event retailing,” Bonouvrie explains, pointing to his large classical section, a department selling musical instruments, frequent in-store performances and a close eye on newspaper reviews and features to predict the albums people will come in asking for.

And it's not just the fortysomethings and older who can't let go of their old buying ways. "I see it across the board, from the hard-core kids to Beethoven's piano sonatas,” says Bonouvrie. "The type of person coming into our store is the avid music fans who love music and identify with it and go to see it, whether it's Andre Rieu or Beyonce or a band playing in an inner-city pub somewhere. Music is very much part of their life."

Which is where Kulak came in, standing in his store selling books, DVDs, T-shirts and anything related to the experience of culture, particularly music.

"The traditional monoculture business model in the arts is dead, finished. But that's good, it's gone back to what it should be – an experience,” he says. "People still love to buy music. People haven't forgotten what gave them a thrill, what gave them a real sense of being alive . . . and it was a bookshop, a record store, going to a midnight movie. All that kind of romance.

"The iPod spinners tell you the world is engaged with it and everyone's doing it – but it's like marriage, it's all coming back again: commitment, passion, love.”

SOURCE: http://www.smh.com.au

Amazon: The Beatles Box Sets Back In Stock

Amazon.com has updated it’s pages for The Beatles In Stereo Box Set & The Beatles In Mono Box Set. Both remastered Beatles box sets were back in stock as of November 1st.

Of course, there’s no way of telling whether they will go out of stock again quickly Remember the first batch of box sets sold out before they even officially went on sale (on 9/9/9) due to pre-orders.

So if you really want to make sure you get your hands on the box sets this time around, you should order as soon as possible to mark your place in line.

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 10/03/2009

1. 45 - Beer "Some Kind Of Rich Girl" / "Anymore" Sgt. Golden - $4,929.98

2. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $4,605.00

3. LP - Sonny Clark "Cool Struttin" Blue Note - $2,940.00

4. LP - Led Zeppelin "I" Atlantic UK Turquoise 1st Press - $2,903.83

5. LP - Dexter Gordon "Blows Hot And Cold" Dootone DL-207 Red Vinyl - $2,866.00

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 - 60 minutes of rare records and nugatory narration. Every Tuesday 4PM PT/7PM ET, Sunday 9AM PT/12PM ET & Monday 12AM PT/3AM ET

Canada music labels combine to take on U.S. market

By Robert Thompson

TORONTO (Billboard) - Several Canadian indie labels have formed a new label services company, Rock Steady, which aims to help independent artists crack the American market.

The brainchild of Toronto-based Last Gang Records founder Chris Taylor, Rock Steady is headquartered in Los Angeles and offers marketing, PR, sales and radio promotion services under one roof, although labels need their own U.S. distribution.

The other partners in the company are Hamilton, Ontario-based Sonic Unyon Records and Toronto-based labels Dine Alone Records, Paper Bag Records and Underground Operations.

Read the rest here: www.reuters.com

This Date In Music History-October 5

Birthdays:

Bill Dana (better known as Jose Jimenez-"The Astronaut") (1924)
Carlo Mastrangelo - Dion and the Belmonts (1938)
Arlene Smith - Chantels (1941)
Richard Street - Temptations (1942)
Steve Miller (1943)
Richard Kermode - keyboardist for Janis Joplin (1946)
Brian Johnson - Joined AC/DC in 1980, after the death of Bon Scott (1947)



Reggae vocalist Delroy Wilson (1948)
Lucius Ross - Funkadelic (1948)
Brian Connolly - Sweet (1949)
"Fast" Eddie Clarke - Motorhead (1950)
Bob Geldof - ex-Boomtown Rats (1954)
Leo Barnes - Hothouse Flowers (1955)
Lee Thompson - Madness (1957)
David Bryson - Counting Crows (1961)
Dave Dederer - Presidents of the U.S.A. (1964)
Brian Mashburn - Save Ferris (1975)
James Burgon Valentine - Maroon 5 (1978)
Paul Thomas - Good Charlotte (1980)


They Are Missed:

Former Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations died in 1992 (age 52) of lung cancer. His was the lead voice on "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Get Ready," and "Just My Imagination." As a solo artist, Kendricks recorded several hits of his own during the 1970s, including the #1 single "Keep On Truckin'."

The late B.W. Stevenson ("My Maria") was born in 1949.

Billy Lee Riley (October 5, 1933 - August 2, 2009) For a while, this multi-instrumentalist led the house band at Sun Records.


History:

Elvis Presley's "I Forgot to Remember to Forget Her," hits #2 on the Memphis charts in 1955. The #1 song is Johnny Cash's "Cry, Cry, Cry."

Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" hits #1 on the pop chart in 1959.

"Love Me Do", backed with "P.S. I Love You," the Beatles' first single, was released in the UK in 1962. It's out on the Parlophone label and gets its first radio play that evening on the EMI-owned Radio Luxembourg.

In 1965, Johnny Cash was arrested crossing the Mexican border into El Paso, Texas after customs officials found 100’s of pills in his guitar case. He received a suspended jail sentence and a $1,000 fine.

Jimi Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding played together for the first time in 1966 and the Jimi Hendrix Experience were formed.

Two rock classics - Cream's "White Room" and Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" were released in 1968.



Cream began its farewell tour of the US in 1968, with a concert in Oakland, California.

In 1968, the Rolling Stone’s “Street Fighting Man” peaks without reaching the Top 40. It is banned in some cities out of fear the song might incite riots or civil unrest.

The Who performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1969.

Papa John Creach joined Jefferson Airplane in 1970.

After one year and 83 days on Billboard's Top-200 album chart, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells finally reached the #1 position in 1974. It went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide.

Olivia Newton-John started a two week run at #1 with "I Honestly Love You," the singers first of five chart toppers

The Beach Boys went to #1 on the album charts in 1974 with "Endless Summer," the group's second #1 album.

Harry Chapin's epic "Cats in the Cradle" was released in 1975.

The soundtrack to the Who's "The Kids Are Alright," a loving history of the band, went platinum in 1979. It's a little more than a year after the death of drummer Keith Moon.

Two albums by Guns n' Roses debut in the top two positions on the Billboard LP chart in 1991. "Use Your Illusion II" debuts at #1, while "Use Your Illusion I" hits #2.

Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch went to #1 in 1991 with "Good Vibrations," also featuring Loleatta Holloway.

The Beatles' 1962-1966 (The Red Album) and 1967-1970 (The Blue Album) were released on CD in 1993.

In 1999, Roger Daltrey announced that The Who were reforming, making their first performance in Las Vegas on Oct 29th. The show was also to be broadcast live on the Internet.

Also in 1999, Paul McCartney released his first album since the death of his wife Linda in April 1998. Entitled "Run Devil Run," the CD is a collection of rare rock oldies with new McCartney songs.

Michael Jackson gave a 30-year career anniversary concert in 2001. A second show was held on October 8th and was planned to be aired on CBS later in the year.

Beyonce started a nine week run at #1 on the singles chart in 2003 with "Baby Boy." Outkast were at #1 on the US album chart with"Speakerboxxx / The Love Below."