Artist Pandora Morcas Releases An Eclectic Blend Of Music Through New Album “With Dignity”

Originally from Athens, Greece, Pandora has taken her experience in living all over the world and incorporated it into her. She creates a rich and dynamic sound wich absorbes many different cultures and different styles of music.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 01, 2010 – Paris, France – As a Musician, Pandora Morcas has been on a creative path of refining her own sound. As a singer for a dance band in Athens, Pandora progressed through many different veins of music very quickly. After the dance band she became the singer of an originals Rock band before moving on to singing and playing guitar for trios. Pandora then moved to Paris where she sang in restaurants before writing her own music and singing in a quartet around the hotels of France. The album “With Dignity” is a product of Pandora’s songwriting and her own added lyrics. With up-tempo lyrics that are both deep and meaningful, Pandora’s content is versatile and reflects her diversity as an Artist who has experienced a wide array of cultures.

Pandora's album "With Dignity" was recorded using Pro Tools, for a well engineered and celebratory fusion of Jazz and Folk. The album spans many different cultures and offers a unique sound as well as a glimpse into her personal experiences. Currently in the process of creating a trio, Pandora is aspiring to perform at music festivals around the world. Her latest album shares songs in both French and English. Currently available on CD Baby and her own web site, “With Dignity” is a journey through many different cultures and musical style; a breath of fresh air in an industry largely defined by concrete genres.

Beautifully guitar driven and full of beautiful rhythms and rich harmonies, the diversity of “With Dignity” is the perfect mood album. Energizing melodies and meaningful lyrics take the listener on a journey around different cultures and offer a message of preserving the planet. For more information on Pandora and her unique blend of Jazz and Folk from around the world, check out her site at http://www.pandora-morcas.com.

--

To learn more about Tears visit http://www.pandora-morcas.com/

Music News & Notes

ANTAGONIST reveals cover art for WORLD IN DECLINE

Southern California's ANTAGONIST has unveiled the cover art for their new album, "World In Decline," which has just been confirmed for an August 17th release date on Prosthetic Records. The art was done by Daniel McBride, (Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris) and ties in to the overall theme of the record.

Vocalist/guitarist Carolos Garcia explains the relationship between the cover and album; "'World in Decline' focuses on the downfall of human civilization as a result of our own selfishness, ignorance, and greed. The artwork was handled by our boy Daniel McBride, and the cover art is based on the lyrics for 'Darkest Darkness,' which, is basically, about me going to 'confession' just to realize I'm just as guilty as everyone else in contributing to our decline. We can't wait for Prosthetic to release the album, and we're even more excited to hit the road and play the new songs for everyone! There are definitely tour plans for the end of the summer, we'll keep you posted."








-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Conspiracy To Release Third Full-Length

Dutch extreme metal assault Conspiracy return with their third full-length, "Irremediable." The record offers twelve tracks with artwork inspired by controversial 17th century artist Félicien Rops. "Irremediable" will be released via Pulverised Records later this year. Official street date TBA.

Previously helmed by sole member Carpathian Wolf, aka A' Hazred, best known for his work with Sumerian black metallers Melechesh, Conspiracy now features Wolf alongside German guitarist, composer and orchestrator Aryan Blaze.

Elaborated Wolf on the latest offering: "This time Conspiracy doesn't just spit rage and hatred but presents the symphony of sinister entertainment for the elite black metal consumer. The material on Irremediable ranges from blackened heavy metal with melodic and harmonious guitar solos to black metal with unorthodox elements, which will pleasantly surprise even the most spoilt listeners.

"The cover art is based on the painting by the Belgian Satanist painter Félicien Rops (1833-1898), which goes really fine with the dark poetry of Aleister Crowley, Charles Baudelaire and some other classical masters. As an additional treat, some of the songs that are on Irremediable will feature pre-recorded drum performances by Dirk Verbeuren (Aborted, Soilwork, Scarve etc.) taken from The Library Of The Extreme - Blasts & Fills by Toontrack."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

While Heaven Wept Live Album Details Announces

While Heaven Wept are currently working on the forthcoming release of their new live album "Triumph:Tragedy:Transcendence - Live At The Hammer Of Doom Festival" set for a November 2010 release date.

"Triumph:Tragedy:Transcendence" will be made available as a CD/DVD set courtesy of Cruz Del Sur Music, as well as a 2xLP set via a joint collaboration between Cruz Del Sur Music, Iron Kodex, and High Roller Records. The DVD portion will contain several bonus features that will be detailed after the band will finish the studio work on the masters.

The release is a 24-track audio capture of While Heaven Wept's performance at the Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany on February 6, 2010. The final master will be later synchronized to the multi-camera pro-shot footage, resulting in the band's very first DVD.

The philosophy behind this release is twofold. First, it is an expression of gratitude to everyone who attended the show - who made it such a special, unforgettable experience for the band. Secondly, being that there are so many fans of the band who they've not been able to reach tour-wise, this record should help tide those fans over until While Heaven Wept can make it to their town.

In the words of WHW's Tom Phillips, "The audio quality of this release is incredible - perhaps in some ways better than even Vast Oceans Lachrymose - along with the excellent energy of the performances and the excitement of the improvisations. The video is even more amazing, so expertly filmed and edited by our friends at Streetclip TV in Germany."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Brian Wilson 'Reimagines George Gershwin'

Recently, the L.A. Times broke the news that the estate of composer and songwriter George Gershwin had enlisted Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson to complete unfinished music that Gershwin had left behind when he died in 1937. The resulting album, 'Brian Wilson Reimagines George Gershwin,' is scheduled to hit the stores on August 17 via Disney Pearl (with a vinyl edition coming August 24).

The LP features two songs that Wilson built from Gershwin's unfinished music, "The Like in I Love You" and "Nothing But Love". You can hear "The Like in I Love You" over at Wilson's site for the price of an email address.

It also features Wilson's versions of classic Gershwin compositions like "Summertime", "I've Got Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Someone to Watch Over Me", and "I Loves You Porgy". Wilson's usual band backs him on most of the album, but the whole thing opens and closes with Wilson's a capella version of "Rhapsody in Blue", which whoa.

In a press release, Wilson says, "Along with Irving Berlin, Gershwin basically invented the popular song, but he did something more. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equaled, yet his music is timeless and always accessible. This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on."

Brian Wilson Reimagines George Gershwin:

Album's tracklist:

01 Rhapsody in Blue /Intro
02 The Like in I Love You
03 Summertime
04 I Loves You Porgy
05 I Got Plenty of Nothin
06 It Ain't Necessarily So
07 'S Wonderful
08 They Can't Take That Away from Me
09 Our Love Is Here to Stay
10 I've Got a Crush on You
11 I've Got Rhythm
12 Someone to Watch Over Me
13 Nothing But Love
14 Rhapsody in Blue/Reprise

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEATH ANGEL: New Album Title, Artwork Revealed

San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans DEATH ANGEL have set "Relentless Retribution" as the title of their new album, which is due out on September 3 in Europe and September 14 in the US (via Nuclear Blast Records). The CD was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER). The cover artwork was created by Brent Elliot White (JOB FOR A COWBOY, CARNIFEX, WHITECHAPEL).

Commented DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda: "I haven't been as excited about the cover artwork on any other DEATH ANGEL album as I am for this one! It fits the whole theme of the album! Angry and aggressive! I think what excites me most is that Brent did the artwork based on our lyrics! It wasn't an already finished product.

"When we first saw Brent's work, we were floored by the mixture of fantasy meets reality and we knew we wanted him to do the artwork for this album! In the end he surpassed our expectations with the fiercest DEATH ANGEL album cover to date!"

DEATH ANGEL will team up with Godfathers of Swedish modern metal SOILWORK, Quebec's tech-death masters AUGURY, Roadrunner Records recording artists MUTINY WITHIN, and pirate-themed thrashers SWASHBUCKLE for a North American tour in July/August.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ASPHYX To Release 'Abomination Echoes' 7" Box Set

On July 9, reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX will release the "Abomination Echoes" deluxe seven-inch box set exclusively through CMDistro.com.

Featuring artwork from Ketola (WATAIN, KAAMOS), the set contains six seven-inch EPs, including:

* "Enter The Domain" demo
* "Crush The Cenotaph" demo
* Rehearsals
* "Mutilating Process"
* Promo '91
* Live in Holland '89

Also included is a 20-page booklet with lyrics, introduction by Metalion (Slayer magazine), liner notes by the band, old flyer designs and more. The set also includes a previously unreleased track, "Priest Of Mendes".

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 28, 2010


DEAR JERRY: Over 45 years ago, a group of us teenagers saw “The T.A.M.I. Show” in a theater, though we could never have imagined what a great experience it turned out to be. Never before had a live concert film featured so many top acts.

Decades later, I bought a video of what I thought would be the same show we saw in 1964, but it was a huge disappointment. The quality was terrible, and the Beach Boys, one of the headliners, were missing.

Will the complete film ever be available?
—Dana Gibson, Waukegan, Ill

DEAR DANA: Yes! The 1964 theatrical release of “The Collector's Edition T.A.M.I. Show - Teenage Awards Music International” is now available wherever movies are sold or rented.

In an interview given at the time of its release, earlier this year, director Steve Binder provided the story behind the previously unexplained disappearance of the Beach Boys:

“The missing link in “The T.A.M.I. Show” has always been what happened to the Beach Boys. Now I will tell you what happened to the Beach Boys.

“When we did the movie, Murray Wilson, the father of Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, was the dictatorial manager of the group. He went to producer, Bill Sargent with a demand. I guess somebody told him that when Richard Burton did “Hamlet,” also with Sargent, that Burton's contract called for, once the first run theatrical release was completed, all the negatives or prints were to be destroyed.

“Fortunately, one print was found somewhere in later years, but to everyone's knowledge at the time there were no more prints of the “Hamlet” film. Reportedly, Burton, then married to Elizabeth Taylor, kept one in their garage.

“Murray told Sargent, as soon as “The T.A.M.I. Show” goes out into distribution — there were about 2,200 prints of the movie, I was told — he wanted the Beach Boys removed from the film and from the original print.

“Sargent by that time had lost the rights to the movie, so he really had nothing to say, but somebody made the decision to honor Murray's request to Sargent and took the Beach Boys out.

“There were tons of bootlegs, and I always asked whether or not the Beach Boys were in them, and they never were.

“Then, Quentin Tarantino (I think) gave his bootleg copy to a festival called Don't Knock the Rock, which played in 2006 at the ArcLight Theater on Sunset Boulevard [Los Angeles], to a standing room only audience — and the print was terrible.

“I was told he had the Beach Boys in it, but they were not! I was terribly disappointed.

“Murray had passed on by that time, but somebody told them we not only had no idea this was going to be a cult film but it was gonna cross over into the mainstream — and we'd like the Beach Boys put back in it.

“Sargent said he couldn't do it because he no longer owned the film.

“American International, famous for all those Frankie Avalon/Annette beach films and Vincent Price horror films, controlled the distribution and they didn't want to spend the money to put the Beach Boys back in. Yet, here they are and I am thrilled to death.

“Their's is just a phenomenal performance. It's amazing how their voices blend together, as well as the genius of Brian Wilson in putting the right arrangement together to get that sound.

“Here's a funny thing: It was from Dennis Wilson that I learned about the attraction to drummers from females. When I did the “T.A.M.I. Show,” I didn't know who the stars were, other than whoever was doing the lead on a particular vocal. But there was no question, the star [on stage] of the Beach Boys was not Brian or Carl Wilson. “Not Mike Love or Al Jardine. It was Dennis. The girls were going nuts over him sittin' up there playing his drums.”

Credit the Beach Boys themselves for getting their four-song segment restored for “The Collector's Edition T.A.M.I. Show.”

In 1964, their father demanded they be removed from the print. In 2010, the group asked that Murray's arrangement be set aside, and that they be rightfully included in the film. Their wish was granted.

For assistance with this piece, our gratitude is extended to Lauren Gaffney of Shout! Factory.


IZ ZAT SO? Surprisingly, “The T.A.M.I. Show” was a free concert. Tickets were distributed to local high schools, thus ensuring a full house of screaming teens.

This spectacular event took place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, with concerts filmed on October 28 and 29, 1964. The critically acclaimed film opened two months later.

In order of appearance, here are the T.A.M.I. headliners: Chuck Berry; Gerry and the Pacemakers; Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; Marvin Gaye; Leslie Gore; Jan and Dean; the Beach Boys; Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas; Diana Ross and the Supremes; the Barbarians; James Brown; and the Rolling Stones. Everyone performed live. There was no lip-sync.

If you think the Barbarians are miscast in this otherwise star-studded package, you're right. They are the only act on the bill without a Top 50 hit to their credit.

Their inclusion came about simply because they were a group being promoted by Bill Sargent.


Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.
Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368

E-mail: jpo@olympus.net  
Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Interpol Reveal New Album Cover

Following the announcement that their fourth album is scheduled for release around September, New York indie dignitaries Interpol have now completed the puzzle by unveiling the new album’s cover and tracklist.

The album, simply titled Interpol, will be graced by the cover art above, and will now drop September 7, a week prior to the previously announced date September 14, courtesy of Matador.

Interpol is available now for pre-order. Orders taken at the Matador website will receive a free, Interpol-themed poster and 45 adaptor.






--------------------------------------------------------------------

Behemoth Frontman Cleared of Anti-Religious Charges

Polish black metal scary guys Behemoth have been tearing up bibles onstage for a long time, so it wasn’t too shocking when lead gurgler Adam “Nergal” Darski was formally charged back in March for insulting Roman Catholics.

The band posted the following on their MySpace page on Monday (June 28):

The District Court for Gdynia has dismissed the investigation against Behemoth vocalist/guitarist Adam Darski (pseudonym/nickname Nergal), accused of an offence against religious feelings (sec. 196 of Polish Criminal Code).


During the preparatory proceedings the defender filled the application, which was entirely accepted by the Court. The defendant’s behaviour wasn’t recognized as a crime. Moreover the Court acknowledged no causal connection/cause-and-effect relationship between Adam Darski’s behaviour and the consequence in a form of outrage of religious emotions.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in September of 2007 when Nergal reportedly referred to the Catholic Church as “the most murderous cult on the planet” and tore up a copy of the bible onstage. If found guilty, Nergal would have faced up to two years in prison.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Halcyon Way unveil cover art for “Building The Towers”, designed by Travis Smith

Nightmare Records recording artist Halcyon Way have unveiled the art for their sophomore release, “Building The Towers”. The design was handled by the legendary Travis Smith, known for his work with Opeth, Nevermore, Avenged Sevenfold, Overkill, and many others. The album is due for worldwide release late Summer 2010, and the release date will be announced in the coming days. Two advance tracks from the album can be heard on the band’s MySpace page.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Ozzy Osbourne Enters Billboard Top Five With New Album,"Scream"

Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has entered the Billboard Album Charts at number four with his latest studio album, "Scream." The record sold around 78,000 copies in it's first week of release, ranking Ozzy behind Eminem, Drake and Miley Cyrus in the charts. The album is now available everywhere through Epic Records.

"Scream" is Ozzy's tenth solo ablum and is his first album since 2007's, "Black Rain." He recently released the first music video off the album for the single, "Let Me Hear You Scream."

JOHN LENNON ALBUMS REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MIXES 'Gimme Some Truth' Campaign

JOHN LENNON ALBUMS REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MIXES AND NEW COLLECTIONS COMPILED FOR GLOBAL “GIMME SOME TRUTH” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING IN OCTOBER

THE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING ALBUM 'DOUBLE FANTASY' WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE IN A NEWLY REMIXED 'STRIPPED DOWN' VERSION PRODUCED BY YOKO ONO AND JACK DOUGLAS

Sweeping Catalogue Initiative Overseen by Yoko Ono and EMI Music Commemorates Lennon’s 70th Birthday

Eight of John Lennon’s classic solo albums and other standout recordings have been digitally remastered from his original mixes for a global catalogue initiative commemorating the music legend’s 70th birthday, which falls on October 9.

Overseen by Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” campaign will launch on 4 October (5 October in North America) with the worldwide release of eight remastered studio albums and several newly-compiled titles.

Double Fantasy, 1980’s GRAMMY Award winner for Album of the Year, will be presented in a newly remixed 'Stripped Down' version remixed and produced by Yoko Ono and Jack Douglas, co-producers of the original mix with John Lennon. The new stripped down version of the album comes in an expanded 2CD and digital edition pairing the new version with Lennon’s original mix, remastered.

The campaign’s other new collections include:

• A hits compilation in two editions titled Power To The People: The Hits
• A 4CD set of themed discs titled Gimme Some Truth
• A deluxe 11CD collectors box with the remastered albums, rarities, and non-album singles, titled the John Lennon Signature Box

All of the remastered albums and collections will be available on CD and for download purchase from all major digital service providers

YOKO ONO said: “In this very special year, which would have seen my husband and life partner John reach the age of 70, I hope that this remastering / reissue programme will help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience. By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John’s work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition. His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written and I can think of no more apposite title for this campaign than those simple yet direct words 'Gimme Some Truth'.”




The albums have been digitally remastered from Lennon’s original mixes by Yoko Ono and a team of engineers led by Allan Rouse at EMI Music’s Abbey Road Studios in London and by George Marino at Avatar Studios in New York. All of the remastered titles will be packaged in digisleeves with replicated original album art and booklets with photos and new liner notes by noted British music journalist Paul Du Noyer. The albums to be reissued are:

• John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
• Imagine (1971)
• Some Time In New York City (1972)
• Mind Games (1973)
• Walls and Bridges (1974)
• Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
• Double Fantasy Stripped Down (2010) / Double Fantasy (1980)
• Milk and Honey (1984)

YOKO ONO added: “Double Fantasy Stripped Down really allows us to focus our attention on John’s amazing vocals. Technology has advanced so much that, conversely, I wanted to use new techniques to really frame these amazing songs and John's voice as simply as possible. By stripping down some of the instrumentation the power of the songs shines through with an enhanced clarity. Double Fantasy Stripped Down will be complemented by the original album in the 2CD format. It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing."

Power To The People: The Hits gathers 15 of Lennon’s most popular songs, and will be available as a 15-track single-disc and digital package, and as an Experience Edition with additional content. Both versions will be packaged in digisleeves with booklets including a new liner note essay by Du Noyer.

Gimme Some Truth, to be packaged in a slipcase with rare photos and a new liner notes essays by respected American music journalist and author, Anthony DeCurtis, presents 72 of Lennon’s solo recordings on four themed CDs:

• ‘Roots’ – John’s rock ‘n’ roll roots and influences
• ‘Working Class Hero’ – John’s socio-political songs
• ‘Woman’ – John’s love songs
• ‘Borrowed Time’ – John’s songs about life

The John Lennon Signature Box is a deluxe 11CD and digital collection of the eight remastered albums, a disc of rare and previously unreleased recordings, and an EP of Lennon’s non-album singles. The CDs will be housed in digisleeves within a deluxe box including a collectible limited edition John Lennon art print and a hardbound book featuring rare photos, artwork, collages, poetry, and new liner notes by DeCurtis.

One of the world’s most celebrated songwriters and performers of all time, John Lennon was killed at the age of 40 on December 8, 1980. Lennon has been posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award and two special BRIT Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked him in the Top 5 of the magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers Of All Time” list.

In celebration of his 70th birthday on 9 October, 2010, John Lennon’s life and music will be specially feted with a variety of commemorative releases and events around the world.

This Date In Music History - June 28

Birthdays:

Glenn Shorrock - Little River Band (1944)

Andy Scott - Sweet (1951)



Stanley Clarke (1951)

Hal Lindes - Dire Straits (1953)

Adrian Wright - Human League (1956)

Doug Sampson - Iron Maiden (1957)

Julianne Regan - All About Eve (1962)

Peter James Camell - The La's (1967)

Philip Anselmo - Pantera (1968)

Tom Drummond - Better Than Ezra (1969)

Cheryl Cole - Girls Aloud (1983)

Fantasia Barrino - American Idol winner The first time in US history a debut single had topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. (2004 US #1 single "I Believe") (1984)

T-Pain (Faheem Najm) (1985)


They Are Missed:

The late Lena Horne ("Love Me Or Leave Me") was born in 1917.

Born on this day in 1943, Florence Ballard, vocals, The Supremes. She died February 21, 1976.

Soul singer singer Phyllis Hyman committed suicide in 1995 by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital in her New York City apartment (age 45). She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre, in New York.

In 2001, legendary guitarist and producer Chet Atkins died in Nashville (age 77). Recorded over 100 albums during his career, produced records for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves and Waylon Jennings. Was a major influence on George Harrison and Mark Knopfler.




History:

Twenty-five people were hospitalized after a melee at a Bill Haley concert in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1956.

The Beatles played the first of three concerts at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Japan in 1966. The concert was filmed with The Beatles wearing black suits. The following day's first performance was also filmed; with The Beatles wearing white suits. There was a strict police presence with 3,000 police observing each concert played in front of 10,000 fans.

The Supremes made the studio recording of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1966.



San Francisco's Fillmore West concert hall closed in 1971.

In 1973, George Harrison knocked Paul McCartney from the top of the US singles chart with "Give Me Love, Give Me Peace On Earth" (his second US #1 hit) .

In 1975, Cher married Greg Allman four days after her divorcing Sonny Bono, the couple split after ten days, followed by a three year on and off marriage.

Also in 1975, the Jackson Five announced that they were leaving Motown Records for Epic Records. The brothers were forced to change their name to The Jacksons since Motown owned the other name.

Police raided the home of Neil Diamond in 1976 searching for drugs, however, they found less than one ounce of marijuana. Say it ain't so!

In 1976, Stuart Goddard, (Adam Ant), placed the following ad in the classified section of the Melody Maker, 'Beat on a bass, with the B-Sides.' Andy Warren answered the ad and the pair went on to form Adam and The Ants.

Marvel Comics published a Kiss comic book with a vial of their blood mixed into the ink in 1977.

In 1978, United Artists released The Buzzcocks single "Love You More," at 1 minute 29 seconds it was the second shortest single ever released. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs 1960 hit "Stay" was the shortest hit at one minute 28 seconds. What about "Her Majesty" by the Beatles (not sure if it was released as a single, but I believe it runs for 43 seconds)

One hit wonder Anita Ward started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1979 with "Ring My Bell," also a UK #1.

In 1983, the Everly Brothers announced plans for a reunion tour, ten years after they had split up.

Huey Lewis and the News went to #1 on the US album chart in 1984 with 'Sports'.

Madonna released the album "True Blue" in 1986.

Steve Winwood released "Back in the High Life" in 1986.

New Kids On The Block started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with "Step By Step," the group's third US #1 hit.

In 1990, police raided Chuck Berry's estate and seized homemade porn videos, drugs and guns.

Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam testified at a congressional hearing concerning rising concert ticket prices in 1994.

Neil Young premiered his album, "Broken Arrow" via the Internet in 1996.

An Eric Clapton & Friends concert in 1999 with Sheryl Crow and Bob Dylan at NY's Madison Square Garden raised $1 million for Clapton`s drug rehab clinic in Antiqua.

In 2000, nine people were crushed to death at a Copenhagen Pearl Jam concert. People push forward because they can’t hear due to broken speakers. Vocalist Eddie Vedder tells the audience to move back but to no avail.

In 2001, Beach Boys member Al Jardine went to court in a bid to sue his former band mates, claiming he had been frozen out of the Beach Boys. The $4 million suit was filed against Mike Love, Brian Wilson, the Carl Wilson Trust and Brother Records Incorporated in a New York Superior Court. In 1998 a US judge temporarily barred Jardine from performing under the name “Beach Boys Family And Friends” after representations from Mike Love and Brother Records. Jardine lost the case in 2003.

The Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tennessee opened in 2001.

In 2004, Kinks founder member Dave Davies was left paralysed on the right-hand side of his body after suffering a stroke. The 57-year-old guitarist and brother of fellow Kinks star Ray Davies had been promoting his solo material when he collapsed.

In 2005, the record industry said Led Zeppelin has sold 107.5 million albums in the U.S. That secures the #3 spot on the all-time list. Only The Beatles (168.5 million) and Elvis Presley (116.5 million) have done better.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are honored in an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland in 2006. "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Thirty Years of Rock and Roll," displays the flowered shirt Petty wore for the "Free Fallin'" video and a gray jacket from his time in the Traveling Wilburys.

In 2006, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are on hand for the premiere performance of Love, the Beatles-themed Las Vegas production featuring the Cirque du Soleil troupe. At the end of the show, McCartney takes the stage and declares, "This is for John and George!"

A long lost ’64 interview with John Lennon and Paul McCartney was broadcast on the BBC in 2008. In the interview McCartney expounds on their songwriting technique. “Normally, we sit down and try and bash one out,” says The Beatles' bassist. He adds that sometimes each writes a complete song on his own – though they both take credit for it.

U2’s 2009 worldwide stadium trek in support of "No Line On The Horizon" began in Barcelona, Spain. U2 360° features an innovative in-the-round configuration. The 90,000 in attendance hear a 22-song set that includes a two song-tribute to the recently deceased Michael Jackson. "We wrote this one for Billie Holiday but we are going to play it tonight for Michael Jackson," says Bono before the group performs “Angel Of Harlem.” "Unspeakable talent, that's all there is to say, really," concludes the singer. "Angel" morphs into Jackson hits "Man In The Mirror" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

Music licensing agency, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), determined in 2009 that Queen’s “We Will Rock You” was the most played song at NFL (football), MLB (baseball) and NHL (hockey) games during the previous 12-month period.

Furnace MFG Gets its Mojo Working for Vinyl Release of Tom Petty’s New Album

Furnace MFG was selected by Warner Brothers to press Tom Petty's latest album - "Mojo" on audiophile-quality 180 gram vinyl. The records were pressed at Pallas Group, in Diepolz, Germany and then inspected and assembled at Furnace MFG's Fairfax, VA facility. The two LP set includes a card enabling customers to download the entire album on their choice of digital formats.

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) June 29, 2010 -- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ incendiary performances on the May 15th 2010 Saturday Night Live season finale stoked fan anticipation for the release of “Mojo,” the group’s 12th studio album.

The band scorched the stage with two tunes off the album: “I Should Have Known It” and “Jefferson Jericho Blues,” demonstrating from the first note how to get the job done and in the opinion of many, topping every other act that hit the season 35 stage.

For the much anticipated double vinyl release due June 29th, Warner Brothers chose Furnace MFG to oversee the pressing and production of the follow up to Petty’s monumental 7 LP Live Anthology series that Furnace MFG also produced for the label.

Obtaining pressing perfection on a 7 LP set is a most difficult, some would say impossible task, but Furnace MFG, the exclusive North American partner of Diepolz, Germany based Pallas Group, one of the world’s premier vinyl pressing plants, like Petty on SNL, showed how to get that job done.

“Mojo” was mastered by Chris Bellman at famed Bernie Grundman Mastering in Los Angeles from uncompressed 24 bit 48kHz files and the lacquers were over-nighted to Pallas for plating, stamper preparation and pressing on audiophile-grade 180 gram virgin vinyl.

The records were then sent to Furnace’s Virginia facility for careful inspection before insertion into the gatefold, double pocket “old school” case-wrapped jackets along with a very “new school” extra: a card containing a code for downloading the album at 320Kpbs MP3 resolution, or at higher quality Apple Lossless or full resolution FLAC.

“Furnace MFG has a strong reputation for special edition, multiple component vinyl packaging and for producing the highest quality single and double record sets” says Eric Astor, Furnace MFG’s CEO. “With our exclusive partnerships with world-class vinyl pressing plants and our experience in exacting and difficult assembly and configuration, more and more customers are turning to Furnace MFG for both one of a kind and standard projects produced at the world’s highest quality levels.”

About Furnace MFG: In business since 1996, Furnace MFG (www.furnacemfg.com/vinyl ) is a recognized leader in CD and DVD duplication, replication, and vinyl record manufacturing and packaging.

###

Music News & Notes

THE SWORD: 'Warp Riders' Artwork Unveiled

Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD have released of their highly anticipated third full-length, "Warp Riders" (August 24; Kemado Records). The band has finally revealed the album's artwork and will be releasing additional visual companions in the form of an upcoming picture disc and an epic video trilogy.

Paying homage to authors that inspired the album's lyrics, artist Dan McPharlin created an image in the tradition of classic science fiction book covers. THE SWORD will also release a limited edition hexagon-shaped picture-disc 12-inch single for "(The Night Sky Cried) Tears of Fire".













-----------------------------------------------------------

BAD COMPANY Announces North American Tour

The original, founding members of BAD COMPANY — Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke — have recently announced that they will reunite for a series of North American concerts this summer. Tentatively set to begin July 16, the odessy will include coast-to-coast dates in the U.S. and Canada throughout the summer, with more possible shows to be added.

Having recently completed their first U.K. tour in more than three decades — a sold-out run culminating with a sold-out show at Wembley — BAD COMPANY's concerts in the U.K. often were star-studded affairs, attracting the likes of Sting, Robert Plant, Tony Iommi and former bandmate from THE FIRM, Jimmy Page, who proclaimed, "Paul Rodgers has been, and still is by far, one of the finest talents of our musical genre…absolutely brilliant."

In March, Warner Music released "The Very Best Of Free And Bad Company Featuring Paul Rodgers". The set debuted on the chart at No. 10 and became BAD COMPANY's first Top 10 U.K. chart appearance in over 30 years, and FREE's first since a "best-of" set released in 1991, remaining on the charts for several weeks.

BAD COMPANY confirmed tour dates:

Jul. 16 - Fantasy Springs Casino - Indio, CA
Jul. 17 - Orange County Fair - Costa Mesa, CA
Jul. 22 - The Lakeland Center Jenkins Arena - Lakeland, FL
Jul. 23 - St. Augustine Amphitheatre - St. Augustine, FL
Jul. 25 - Chastain Park Amphitheatre - Atlanta, GA
Jul. 27 - Bank of America Pavilion - Boston, MA
Jul. 30 - Choctaw Resort Casino Event Center - Durant, OK
Aug. 01 - Outlaw Jam/Frederick Co. Fairgrounds - Frederick, MD
Aug. 04 - Casino Rama Entertainment Center - Rama, Ontario
Aug. 14 - Bike Rally - Port Dover, Ontario
Oct. 04 - Potawatomi Casino - Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 05 - Potawatomi Casino - Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 07 - The Joint/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Catoosa, OK (Tulsa)

-----------------------------------------------------------

The White Stripes' Jack White to release Laura Marling single

The White Stripes' Jack White is set to release a single by Laura Marling. White revealed that Marling had recorded in his Nashville studio earlier this year, after "somebody turned me onto her a few months back".

"It was perfect – one take," he told BBC Newsbeat. "She's gorgeous. Gorgeous voice and an incredible person. A wonderful girl."

He added: "If people are coming through town [Nashville] I try to catch up with them and ask them if they want to come by before their show and record something."

A title and release date for the song have yet to be confirmed, but it will be part of White's Third Man Records 'Blue Series' and will be released on seven-inch vinyl.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Prince bypasses record stores again with German magazine dealPrince's new album, 20Ten

Prince's new album may not be available in UK music shops or as a digital download. Although details for only two territories have been released so far, 20Ten, the singer's 27th studio album, will be issued in Germany and Belgium as a magazine cover mount. In Germany at least, 20Ten will not be available in record stores or as a download.

The German edition of Rolling Stone announced details of the album this week, offering the 10-song track-listing and promising a free copy with their August issue. Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad announced the same free album deal to take place 10 July, the date of Prince's gig at the Rock Werchter festival. No details of UK or US distribution have yet been revealed, leaving open the possibility of conventional releases, or similar magazine offers.

Prince's music has been distributed with printed publications before. In 2007, the album Planet Earth was only available in the UK with copies of the Mail on Sunday. Although HMV stocked copies of the newspaper, music retailers were furious. Columbia Records opted not to distribute the physical CD in Britain, and even three years later it is not available on shelves or at iTunes.

In the midst of declining physical album sales, deals with newspapers guarantee major acts a pot of cash for their albums. Since Prince's 2007 experiment, artists such as Paul McCartney and McFly have tried the model out.

-----------------------------------------------------------

CEPHALIC CARNAGE reveal sick cover art for new album

Cephalic Carnage's upcoming release, Misled By Certainty is officially my most anticipated metal release of the summer. I am very very anxious to hear it. The record will be out on August 31st.

Music Legend Brian Wilson Completes Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin a New Disney Pearl CD of George and Ira Gershwin Classics Set for Release August 17 | SYS-CON MEDIA

Music Legend Brian Wilson Completes Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin a New Disney Pearl CD of George and Ira Gershwin Classics Set for Release August 17 SYS-CON MEDIA



BURBANK, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- It's an unprecedented meeting of two legendary musical minds, separated by 70 years. Pioneering musical genius Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, has teamed up with George Gershwin, in Wilson's Disney Pearl debut CD, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. Featuring timeless classics like "Rhapsody in Blue," "I've Got Rhythm" and "Summertime," the album makes history with "The Like in I Love You" and "Nothing But Love," two new songs Wilson crafted from never-before-published music by Gershwin. Wilson Reimagines Gershwin arrives at stores and online retailers on August 17, with a special vinyl edition set for release August 24.

Read the rest here: http://www.sys-con.com/node/1448435

New Music Releases ~ June 29, 2010

We have some KISS promotional picture discs released today and here are this week's new music releases. 

Have news of new music releases (especially vinyl), please email me at rbenson30@wi.rr.com and I can add it to the list!

Please suuport the blog and buy your new vinyl here:



















Released Today June 28, 2010

Peter Criss - Peter Criss (Picture Disc)
Ace Frehley - Ace Frehley (Picture Disc)
Gene Simmons - Gene Simmons (Picture Disc)
Paul Stanley - Paul Stanley (Picture Disc)



New Music Releases ~ June 29, 2010


!!! - AM/FM/the Hammer [vinyl]
3OH!3 - Streets Of Gold
A.R.E. Weapons - Darker Blue
Adam Franklin and the Bolts of Melody - I Could Sleep for a Thousand Years [mp3]
Al Jardine - A Postcard From California
Alasdair Roberts & Friends - Too Long In This Condition [mp3] [vinyl]
Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs Of Love
And Hell Followed With - Proprioception
Angelus Apatrida - Clockwork
Bad Company - Live At Wembley Arena (3 CDs)
Blue Six - Noesis [mp3]
Bonded By Blood - Exiled To Earth
Brock Enright & Kirsten Deirup - Torben [vinyl]
Brock Enright - Good Times Will Never Be The Same [vinyl & dvd]
Cactus - Music (CD/DVD)
Cap'n Jazz - Analphabetapolothology (2-LP vinyl reissue)
Cindy Bullens - Howling Trains & Barking Dogs
Cocteau Twins - Box Set 1 [4-LP vinyl box set]
Cocteau Twins - Treasure [vinyl remaster]
Cold Cave - Life Magazine Remixes (vinyl)
Cream - Disraeli Gears (Picture Disc) (Vinyl)
Cruel Hand - Cruel Hand EP
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles 2 [vinyl]
Dandy Warhols - Best of the Capitol Years: 1995-2007
Delays - Star Tiger Star Ariel [mp3]
Delphic - Acolyte
Dickey Betts & Great Southern - Rockpalast: 30 Years of Southern Rock
Diddy and Dirty Money - Last Train to Paris
Dwele - Wants World Women
Elmore James - Best of Elmore James 2
Emarosa - Emarosa [mp3]
Ernie Halter - Franlin & Vermont
Flock of Seagulls - Listen
Grip Weeds - Strange Change Machine [mp3]
Hamper McBee - The Good Old-Fashioned Way [vinyl]
Haste The Day - Attack Of The Wolf King
Hawkwind - Blood of the Earth (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Health - USA Boys [vinyl]
Hey Marseilles - To Travels & Trunks [mp3] [vinyl]
Howard Shore - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse the Score
Indigo Girls - Staring Down The Brilliant Dream [Live]
Jack Bruce - Things To Do Live In Denver
Jackie Greene - Till The Light Comes [mp3]
Jackson 5 - Live at the Forum (2 CDs) (Preview)
Jandek - Portland Thursday [dvd]
Jimi Hendrix - Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix [mp3]
Jimmy Webb - Just Across the River
John Fogerty - Centerfield: 25th Anniversary Edition
John Zorn - Goddess: Music for the Ancient of Days [mp3]
Judy Collins - Paradise
Katzenjammer - Le Pop
Kenny G - Heart and Soul
Kinks - Preservation Act 2
Knut - Wonder
Lissie - Catching a Tiger
Lou Rawls - Now Is The Time / Close Company
Maps & Atlases - Perch Patchwork [mp3] [vinyl]
Mastodon - Jonah Hex EP
Mike Batt - Caravans / Watership Down Suite (2 CDs)
Motorhead - Ace of Spades (Picture Disc) (Vinyl)
Nat King Cole - Riffin: The Decca Jatp Keynote & Mercury Recording (3 CDs)
Nilsson / John Stewart - Spotlight on Nilsson / Willard
Oasis - Time Flies...1994-2009 (Limited Edition 3 CD/1 DVD Box Set)
Optimo - Fabric 52
Papa Roach - To Be Loved: The Best of Papa Roach
Parkway Drive - Deep Blue
Peter Case - Wig! [mp3] [vinyl]
Pulled Apart By Horses - Pulled Apart By Horses
Robbie Krieger - Singularity
Rush - Beyond the Lighted Stage [dvd]
STS9 - Axe The Cables
Scissor Sisters - Fire with Fire [vinyl]
Scissor Sisters - Night Work
Semi Precious Weapons - You Love You
Smokey Robinson - Solo Albums, Volume 1
Society's Plague - The Human The Canvas
Sons of the Pioneers - Sing the Stephen Foster Songbook
Spinal Tap - Break Like the Wind (Vinyl)
Spiritualized - Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space / Let It Come Down [2-LP vinyl reissue]
Steel Train - Steel Train [mp3]
Suckers - Wild Smile [vinyl]
The-Dream - Love King
The Main Street Gospel - Love Will Have Her Revenge
Three 6 Mafia - Laws Of Power
To Rococo Rot - Speculation [mp3] [vinyl]
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Mojo [2-LP vinyl]
Various Artists - Pink Pounders
Various Artists - Putumayo Kids Presents Rock & Roll Playground
Various Artists - Sleepytime Tunes: Lullaby Tribute to Tom Petty [mp3]
Various Artists - This is the Blues, Volume 1
Various Artists - This is the Blues, Volume 2
Various Artists - Tiny Idols, Vol. 3
Velvet Underground & Nico - Velvet Underground & Nico [vinyl reissue]
Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Retina [vinyl]
Witchery - Witchkrieg
Wolf Parade - Expo 86 [mp3] [vinyl]
XTC - Apple Venus 7" Box Set (13-disc vinyl reissue)
Yes - Yes Album (Mobile Fidelity)


New Jazz Releases ~ June 29, 2010  

Ahmad Jamal - 3 Original Album Classics
Anouar Brahem - Vague
Antoine Silverman - Gypsy Swing
Atomic - Theater Tilters
Audrey Morris - Afterthoughts
Benita Washington - Word Remains
Billy Cobham - Palindrome
Bireli Lagrene - 3 Original Album Classics
Bongo Sketches Express - Bongo Sketches Express
Cannonball Adderley - Things Are Getting Better
Charlie Mariano / Martin Sasse - Good Times
Claudio Villa - Tutto Dixieland
Contact Five On One - Contact 5 On One
Denis Chang - Deeper Than You Think
Didier Lockwood - 3 Original Album Classics
Discotheque Ideale - Discotheque Ideale: 25 Original Jazz Albums
Domenic Landolf - New Brighton
Eiji Taniguchi - Sweet Sound Of Bossa Nova
Eileen Hunter - Eileen Hunter
Eric Darius - On A Mission
Grant Stewart - St. Thomas Plays Sonny Rollins
James Newton Howard - Last Airbender
Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra - Vitoria Suite
John Coltrane - Bags & Trane
Kenny Burrell - Be Yourself
Kenny G - Heart & Soul
Klaus Ignatzek - Trio Songs We Dig 2
Klaus Ignatzek Trio - Songs We Dig Vol 2
Larry Coryell - Prime Picks
Lee Ritenour's 6 String Theory - 6 String Theory
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - Vitoria Suite
Michel Petrucciani - 3 Original Album Classics
Nat "King" Cole - Riffin': The Decca, Jatp, Keynote And Mercury Recordings
Pinky Winters - Pinky
Rafi Malkiel - Water
Ricardo Scales - For The Love In You
Richard Galliano - 3 Original Album Classics
Rick Hollander - What A Time It Was
Steve Grossman - 3 Original Album Classics
Sylvain Luc - 3 Original Album Classics
Urs Bollhalder Trio - Portkey

Reissues
Astrud Gilberto - Shadow of Your Smile

New release information provided by http://www.allaboutjazz.com/  The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet. The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

This Date In Music History - June 28

Birthdays:

Bobby Harrison - Procol Harum (1943)

David Knights - Procol Harum (1945)



Steven J. Morse - Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple since 1994. (1954)

Clint Boon - Inspiral Carpets (1959)

Andy Couson - All About Eve (1963)

Charles Clouser - keyboards, drums, and engineer. Once a member of Nine Inch Nails (1994-2000) Worked with Deftones, White Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Killing Joke and Type O Negative. (1963)

Saul Davis - James (1965)

Mark Stoermer - The Killers (1977)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1948, John Martyn, singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1973 album 'Solid Air'). Died in hospital on Jan 30, 2009 in Ireland at the age of 60. The folk, blues and funk artist was widely regarded as one of the most soulful and innovative singer-songwriters of his generation and had been cited as an influence by artists as varied as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton.


History:

The Drifters recorded "Up On The Roof" in 1962.



DJ Murray-the-K's "It's What's Happening, Baby" TV special aired on CBS in 1965 with the Drifters, the Dave Clark Five, Tom Jones, Gary Lewis, the Supremes and many others.

Dick Clark’s afternoon teen music show, 'Where The Action Is,' made its debut on ABC in 1965. The "house" band was Paul Revere & The Raiders.

Working at Abbey Road studios in 1968, the Beatles recorded "Good Night," John Lennon’s lullaby for his 5-year-old son Julian, with Ringo singing the lead vocal. The track appeared on the White Album.

Aretha Franklin appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1968.

Henry Mancini started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1969 with "Love Theme from Romeo And Juliet."

Neil Young joins Crosby, Stills and Nash on their tour in 1969. Young’s addition comes at the suggestion of Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun. CSN becomes CSN&Y.

The Eagles started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with 'One Of These Nights.'

In 1975, American singer songwriter Tim Buckley completed the last show of a tour in Dallas, Texas, playing to a sold-out crowd of 1,800 people. This was Buckley’s last ever show, he died the following day of a heroin and morphine overdose (age 28).

David Bowie's "Fame" was released in 1975.



Elton John achieved a life long ambition in 1977 when he became the Chairman of Watford Football Club.

Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" became one of the few 'live' recordings to reach the top of Billboard's Hot 100 in 1980. However, American disc jockeys preferred it to the studio version on the flip side of the record.

In 1986, Wham! made their farewell concert appearance at London's Wembley Stadium. Elton John made an appearance in a clown suit to sing a song and then came back later to sing "Candle In The Wind" with George Michael.

Van Halen announce Sammy Hagar has left the group in 1996. The group’s planned recording with original vocalist David Lee Roth is a straw that breaks Hagar. Meanwhile, KISS begin their reunion tour in Detroit. It’s been 15 years since the original line-up performed together.

Radiohead’s landmark “OK Computer” enters the U.K. chart at #1 in 1997.

In 1997, the classic Pink Floyd album ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ spent its 1056th week on the US album chart. It was rumored at the time that if the album was played while watching The Wizard of Oz movie, and started exactly when the MGM lion roared the third time during the movie’s intro, very interesting connections could be made between the two. That is in the eye of the beholder, see for yourself.



George Harrison had an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his neck in 1997.

In 2005, U2 sued Lola Cashman, one of their former stylists, to regain possession of about $6,000 worth of memorabilia, which includes a cowboy hat and a pair of pants worn by Bono. The band claims Cashman wrongly appropriated the items during the band's 1987 Joshua Tree tour. "They sound like trivial items, they're really not," says Bono in a Dublin court. "They are important . . . to the group." The judge rules in U2's favor.

In 2007, "I Don't Wanna Stop" was Ozzy Osbourne's first #1 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song ended an eight-week run by Linkin Park's "What I've Done."

Daughtry's self-titled debut was certified triple platinum (3 million sales) by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2007. Released in November, '06, the album is the #5 all-time best digital seller while the songs, "It's Not Over" and "Home," are downloaded over 1 million times as digital tracks and ringtones.

Also in 2007, Benno Goldewijk, from Holland, and Spaniard Alfredo Pecina Matias were killed and two other men were injured during an accident dismantling the stage after a Rolling Stones concert in Madrid. Three of the workers fell 33ft from a metal structure and landed on a fourth. The Stones were currently on the European leg of their A Bigger Bang world tour.

In 2007, The Spice Girls confirmed they would reform for a world tour to take place in December 2007 and January 2008 with the original line-up who had not performed on stage since Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell quit in May 1998. The 11 dates announced included a London show on 15 December, eight days after the first date in Los Angeles. Other dates included Cologne, Madrid Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town. The tour was being put together by Simon Fuller, whose 19 company masterminded the group's global success more than a decade ago.

Music News & Notes

Arcade Fire’s ‘The Suburbs’ To Feature Eight Different Album Covers

Arcade Fire are set to release their new studio album, ‘The Suburbs‘, later this year. The forthcoming album will reportedly have eight different album covers including the one pictured above.

Although yet to be officially confirmed, a sales catalog distributed by the Alternative Distribution Alliance, one of the companies that distributes the album to retail stores, list eight different album covers for the release.

‘The Suburbs‘, the band’s third studio album, is set for release August 3 (August 2 in the UK/Europe).

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael Jackson Father Sues Over Wrongful Death

Michael Jackson’s father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor charged with administering him a lethal dose of anaesthetic. In papers filed at a federal court in Los Angeles, Joseph Jackson accused Dr Conrad Murray of negligence and secrecy. The lawsuit also claims that clinics the doctor was registered had failed to provide adequete training.

The lawsuit, which is seeking $75,000, was filed exactly one year since Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009.

Dr Murray has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson’s death.

The doctor’s spokesperson told the Press Association defended his client and said they were aware of the wrongful death suit.

Only $75,000?? Something fishy here......

--------------------------------------------------------------------

A bust from the past - Cops raid UK's 'largest' vinyl bootleggers

In a bust from the past, cops have raided a vinyl record forgery factory in West London.

Police and anti-piracy officers from the UK record industry think the fraudsters ran the biggest vinyl copyright theft operation in the country.

200 'stampers', used to press vinyl records, were seized during the raid, including some used to press copies of rare Rolling Stones bootleg recordings. Two German men were apparently at the property when police entered, both of whom were charged with copyright offences. It's been suggested that the plant might have been responsible for producing the majority of illegal vinyl releases in the UK.

It seems that this raid was linked to another that recently took place at Scenario Records in the Ladbroke Grove area of West London, though the exact link isn't clear.

The industry, which had been in terminal decline since the advent of CDs in the mid 80s has seen a major revival as CD users embraced downloads but music lovers craved the nostalgia and technical superiority of the physical format.

--------------------------------------------------------------------


Optional Cover Art of Michael Jackson's Final Album

A never-before-seen picture of Michael Jackson which serves as an optional cover art of his tenth studio album "Invincible" has hit the web. It features the short-haired Michael with a sad expression and a blue glittery ring painted on his left eye.
The picture emerged on the heels of Michael's upcoming one-year death anniversary which will be marked by various tribute shows on June 25. Entitled Michael Jackson's Blue Eye, it was taken by French photographer Arno Bani in 1999.

Along with 11 other never-before-published portraits of the late King of Pop and 50 contact boards, the image will be auctioned by Auctionneers Pierre Berge & Associes in Paris in December this year. Auctioneer Frederic Chambre claimed bidding for each portrait is expected to start at around $1,228.

One would expect lots of bidding......

Indie record stores are keeping vinyl alive

By Kerry Gold

There are dozens of record stores across the country hanging on as chain stores fall all around them. In the vinyl business, it’s survival of the smartest.

Here's the usual scenario. A boomer has a vinyl collection he's amassed over the last 30 years that is so big it takes up a part of his basement. The kids are gone, he and the wife are renovating or downsizing to a condo, and he's discovered there's a whole new generation interested in his collection of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd records. It's time to unload the collection.

It so happens that there are tons of boomers across the country retiring their beloved vinyl, which has enabled used record stores to keep afloat. Add to that the record industry trend toward new vinyl releases, and business gets even better. Not great — but good enough to keep going, which is all that a record store can ask these days.

The independent record store is an ode to rock 'n' roll nostalgia that has somehow managed to survive an obstacle course of new technology, Internet downloading, economic downturns and an aging market.

It's a relic that's seen better days, but there are dozens across the country hanging on. The vinyl record is an important component.

"We have seen an increase in new vinyl sales, absolutely," says Matt Flook, a manager at Toronto's Sonic Boom Music. "We have opened a whole second area of our store, dedicated to vinyl. We are getting new vinyl several times a week, large shipments. I think it's a reaction to the digital age of music — people are getting rid of CDs and making copies of them, but still there is a large portion of music buyers who want to own the record."

In Vancouver, Zulu Records is an institution. Owner Grant McDonagh has made vinyl a bigger priority due to demand.

"We converted our bins around the New Year — as it stands now, half our store is CDs, the other half vinyl, new and used on each side.

"We get tons of old vinyl traded in and we do quite well with it. It just depends on if it is a classic band that younger fans still care about."

The old-time record store, with its collection of vinyl records and rock posters, is one of the few music shrines left for music fans. The only other physical place left would be the burned-out club or venue that is stained and smelly from years of concert debauchery. Most every other place to purchase or learn about music has gone online — which simply doesn't have the same romanticism with everyone in the virtual community hidden behind their keyboards. It's that "music nerds only" feeling of belonging that makes the record store a draw, and successful record store owners know that.

It's also a sanctuary for music nerds who have turned the vinyl record into a pretentious antidote to new music formats like iTunes and file sharing. An MP3 file, they argue, doesn't have the same warm play of a vinyl record. For them, to listen to Pink Floyd's The Wall any way other than as it was intended, on vinyl, is like pouring 25-year-old single malt whiskey over ice cream. You'd be missing the point and losing out on the flavour, big time.

It's this appreciation for the finer things in life that has kept the beleaguered record store hobbling along. Many mom and pop record stores across Canada have definitely lost the good fight and have had to close shop.

"For example, record stores in the suburbs that just focus on used CDs, that would be a tough thing to do," says Flook. "It's tough to expect to float just on that. We wouldn't be able to do that — we need vinyl just to survive."

But others have managed to carve out a niche market and keep afloat, sort of like a Darwinian distillation of the most resourceful, forward thinking and brave. When times get tough, the toughest really do survive. And as we've seen from the fall of the corporate giant record chain, small is sometimes a good thing.

"I think the difference is the smaller store is easier to adapt," says McDonagh. His store even expanded several years ago. "And the people who run these stores know quite a bit about music," he adds. "That's what it's about, the music. That's why a few stores do quite well."

Flook concurs that the independent record store must be staffed with employees who know a lot about music and how to appraise old records. Music knowledge is part of the draw — certainly not a major focus of the corporate record store.

Last year, Virgin Records closed shop, including the one in Manhattan — the highest-volume music store in all of America. Considering that CD sales fell 20 per cent between 2007 and 2008, it's not surprising that the industry would be especially hard hit by the economic downturn that followed in 2008 and 2009.

Flook says that the independent record store industry might have benefited from the fall of the corporate giant.

"A lot of those people are having to come to our stores, and realizing it's a whole different thing than those corporate stores."

And CDs, too, just aren't useful anymore. The compact disc never had that prized authentic quality but it was easier to use than a vinyl LP. By the late '80s, the CD had revolutionized the record market, almost entirely replacing the vinyl record in every major store. The CD had a strange too-perfect sound and was less destructible than the vinyl record, which was always getting scratched or warped. Sure, they all but destroyed the art form that is album cover art, but music fans were willing to make the trade-off for a format that didn't take up so much space on their shelves.

In the last five years, however, CDs have gone the way of the tape cassette. Digital downloading has become the favourite method of obtaining music, not only because it's often free (and often illegal), but because it's just so easy and accessible, and hey who doesn't own an MP3 player?

While the Internet has been the kiss of death for big music retailers, it's no big threat to the vinyl record. The vinyl record has always managed to hold onto its cool, and hipster kids and old boomers both understand that no serious music fan would be without a turntable.

The artists are also getting in on the act. There is even such a thing as Record Store Day to celebrate record store independence. Every year in April, small stores celebrate with in-store performances and the release of special editions, such as this year's cover of Dark Side of the Moon by Flaming Lips, or Neko Case's new album released on clear vinyl.

As these indie stores have proven, diversity is the key to survival. Many of the successful stores have in-store performances, featuring local or visiting artists, usually with a record to promote. Artists love to support indie record stores. Billy Bragg recently played Zulu and stuck around to sign autographs.

"You have to keep people shopping in your store," says Flook. "We have concerts, we carry T-shirts and video games, all kinds of CDs and DVDs, Blue Ray, all that stuff.

"We try to make it a place to come and you can see music, hear music and buy music."

SOURCE: http://money.ca.msn.com

140,000 Vinyl Records Donated to St. Vincent de Paul in Seattle

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Seattle/King County received 140,000 vinyl records donated by Bop Street Records of Ballard. Pacific Logistics, Two Men & a Truck and Rontra Freight Inc. donated five truckloads of service to the charity's warehouse.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 24, 2010 – SEATTLE/BALLARD/GEORGETOWN...Bop Street Records of Ballard donated approximately 140,000 vinyl records and other items to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Seattle/King County today. Five truckloadswith cases of records were transported to St. Vincent de Paul at 5950 4th Ave. S. (Georgetown) throughout the day by Pacific Logistics, Two Men & a Truck and Rontra Freight Inc. An estimated 80,000-Vinyl LPs, 35,000- 45s, and 27,000-78s ranging in genre from Jazz, Country, Folk, Easy Listening, Soundtrack, Opera, Rock and more are among the donations. There are records from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Artists include Styx, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra and countless others.

St. Vincent de Paul is making plans to sell the records with a special Summer Record Sales event in the next month, through its thrift stores and by other means. Proceeds of the sales will help St. Vincent de Paul in its mission to prevent evictions, hunger, utility shut-off and more to neighbors in need in our community.

Bop Street Records is moving from their former 9500 sq ft. location to a 3500 sq. ft new location at 2220 NW Market Street in Ballard. Owner Dave Voorhees has been in the vinyl record business in Ballard for more than 30 years. Bob Jacobs, longtime friend and Wallingford resident, contacted St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director Andre de Klaver to arrange the donation on behalf of Voorhees. St. Vincent de Paul was chosen by Voorhees to receive the record donation because he is impressed with St. Vincent de Paul’s work and has been a long-time shopper at St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores.

The book Vinyl Lives, published by Aventine Press in 2010, portrays 25 leading independent record stores around the country. Bop Street Records was the only Seattle area store featured in the book. An article in Air France Airlines in-flight magazine mentions three places to go in Seattle and one of them is Bop Street Records. Last year there were more vinyl records sold than any time since at1991. The vinyl record market is growing in double digit rates.

“We are overwhelmed with the magnitude of this donation. This is good music. It’s great to recycle useable records and with proceeds from these records we will help many neighbors in need, “ says Andre de Klaver, St. Vincent de Paul Society of King County Executive Director.

St. Vincent de Paul is known for its 101 all-volunteer groups in Western WA who make home visits assess needs and provide aid to the needy, as well as for its thrift stores, food and clothing distribution, and other programs to serve the poor. The 211-Community Information Line refers more people to St. Vincent de Paul than to any other agency in Seattle/King County. This past year, St. Vincent de Paul helped over 220,000 cases of need in Western Washington by preventing eviction, hunger, utility shut-off and more.

Contact: Richard Bray, Donor & Community Relations for St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County at 206-335-3239 (cell) or richardb@svdpseattle.org

# # #


St. Vincent de Paul fosters "Compassion in Action" to help neighbors in need in Seattle/King County. We make home visits to assess needs and prevent eviction, hunger, utility shut-off and more. We run food banks, meal programs, thrift stores and more.

--- end ---

This Date In Music History - June 26

Birthdays:

Georgie Fame - British rhythm and blues and jazz singer (1943)

Billy Davis Jr - 5th Dimension (1940)

Larry Taylor - Canned Heat (1942)



Mick Jones - Clash, Big Audio Dynamite (1955)

Ivan Julian - Richard Hell And The Voidoids (1955)

Chris Isaak (1956)

Patti Smyth (1957)

Terri Nunn - Berlin (1961)

Harriet Wheeler - Sundays (1963)

Colin Greenwood - Radiohead (1969)

Mark Decloedt - EMF (1969)

Country singer, Gretchen Wilson (1973)

Nathan Followill - Kings Of Leon (1979)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1910, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager. Before working in the music business Parker ran a troupe of dancing chickens. He died on January 21st 1997.


History:

"The Kraft Music Hall" debuted on NBC radio in 1933.

In 1955, Elvis Presley (Scotty Moore and Bill Black) played the first of three nights at the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. The local paper ran a preview which read; “A good looking youngster who has become a juke-box favorite with his "That's Alright, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Presley is expected to repeat some of his hit tunes at the Airmen's Club show in addition to mixing up a few country tunes with some "bop" and novelty numbers.”

Egypt banned Rock n’ Roll in 1957, claiming the music is "against public morals" and is an "imperialist plot."

Gary U.S. Bonds started a two-week run at #1 on the US charts in 1961 with "Quarter To Three."

Elvis Presley records "His Latest Flame" and "Little Sister" in 1961.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney compose "She Loves You" in a hotel room in Newcastle, England while on tour there in 1963.



In 1964, during a world tour, The Beatles played two shows at Town Hall, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. The flight from Auckland to Dunedin was tense due the receipt of an anonymous threat that a "germ bomb" had been placed on board the aircraft.

The Rolling Stones released "It's All Over Now" in 1964.

The Byrds went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with their version of Bob Dylan's "Mr Tambourine Man." (Only Roger McGuinn from the band played on the song)



In 1966, during a North American tour, The Rolling Stones played two shows, a matinee show at The Coliseum in Washington DC and an evening show at The Baltimore Civic Centre in Maryland. The McCoys and The Standells were the support acts.

In 1973, Rolling Stone Keith Richards and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg were arrested at their home in Chelsea, London on drugs and gun charges.

Cher divorced Sonny Bono after 10 years of marriage in 1974. Four days later, Cher married guitarist Gregg Allman, the couple split 10 days after that, got back together and split again. They did stay married for three years, producing Elijah Blue Allman.

All members of Roxy Music announced that they were going their separate ways for at least a year in 1976.

Peter Frampton unveils the live version of “Baby I Love Your Way" in 1976.



Elvis Presley made his last ever live stage appearance in 1977 when he appeared at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Presley would die less than two months later. The last two songs he performed were "Hurt" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Before the show Elvis was presented with a plaque commemorating the 2 billionth record to come out of RCA’s pressing plant.

Elvis Presley's father Vernon died in 1979 (age 63).

American singer and one-hit-wonder Charlene was at #1 on the UK singles chart in 1982 with "I've Never Been To Me." The song was recorded in 1976 and was reissued by Motown records in 1982, by which time Charlene had moved to England and was working in a sweet shop in Ilford, east London.

In 1985 - The album, "Big River" became the first soundtrack album to be recorded in Nashville, TN.

Elton John and Eric Clapton teamed up for three sold-out shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1992.

In 1986 - James Hetfield (Metallica) broke his wrist while trying to skateboard down a hill. One show was cancelled and the remainder of dates on the tour James was on vocals only and John Marshall (later with Metal Church) was on guitar.

"Congratulations, I’m Sorry" was a certified platinum album in 1997 (over one million sales). The Gin Blossoms’ album features "Til I Hear It From You" and "Follow You Down."

In 1999, Elton John was reported to be in talks with a City finance house to secure a $42.5 million loan, using his back catalogue of hits as security. It had been reported that Elton had been spending $425,000 a week on credit cards.

In 2000, Britney Spears hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana announced that a new museum, due to open early next year, would include a section including fan mail, platinum records and genuine items of the singers clothing.

In 2004, one of Eric Clapton`s prize guitars, "Blackie," a black-and-white Fender Stratocaster, sells for $959,500 at an auction that raises more than $7.4 million for Crossroads Centre, a drug treatment facility. “Lenny,” the guitar Stevie Ray Vaughan played from the 1970s until his death in 1990, sells for $623,500. The guitar was donated by Vaughan`s estate.

In 2008, Total Guitar magazine voted Celine Dion’s rendition of the AC/DC track "You Shook Me All Night Long" as the world's worst cover version ever, the magazines editor Stephen Lawson said Dion's cover was "sacrilege." In the best cover versions list, Jimi Hendrix was voted into first place with his version of the Bob Dylan song "All Along the Watchtower," The Beatles' rendition of "Twist and Shout," (first recorded by the Top Notes), was in second place, followed by the Guns N' Roses version of the Wings song "Live and Let Die."



Yes and Asia launched a joint North American tour in 2009. Steve Howe performs with both bands. "This is a monumental event and even though it will be a challenge, I am up for it," says the guitarist. Indio, CA, is the first stop.