Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

not much happening today, although jack white is up to his tricks at ThirdManRecords with in my opinion, a silly release, an unplayable record....and in my never ending search for awesome album cover art, i have found a couple of gems.....

Jack White Releases 3 RPM Record Pitchfork article

i am also posting a new feature on the CVR blog called The Vinyl Pulse, a weekly snapshot of what is selling on the big vinyl machine called eBay. This is a great way to keep your eyes peeled for a specific record and what you might have to pay for it to obtain it.

The Vinyl Pulse

CollectorsFrenzy lists the top 25 real time ended auctions and the selling price for the collectible vinyl and is updated daily.





Top 10 Items for 03/28/2012

1. Beatles PLEASE PLEASE ME 1963 UK 1ST ISSUE BLACK & GOLD PARLOPHONE MONO LP. Sold Price:$2474.89 USD End Time:03/28/2012

2. Beatles:PLEASE PLEASE ME 1st UK BLACK/GOLD MONO**1G 1G**MOTHERS!! EX/EX
Sold Price:$2187.48 USD End Time:03/28/2012

3. Rolling Stones Promotional Album 1969 U.S. London - Beautiful NM - MEGA RARE
Sold Price:$1895.00 USD End Time:03/28/2012

4. Queen"45t vinyle"Bohemian Rhapsody"Original Promo Radio France SP-621 Ultra Rare
Sold Price:$1405.47 USD End Time:03/28/2012

5. LP ITALIAN PROG QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA - IL TEMPO DELLA TEMPO GIOIA - ORIGINALE
Sold Price:$1218.96 USD End Time:03/28/2012

6. JUTTA HIPP~BLUE NOTE 5056~FIRST ALBUM~INSANELY RARE ORIG 1954 10-INCH LP~NR MINT
Sold Price:$1125.00 USD End Time:03/28/2012

7. THE ROULETTES STAKES AND CHIPS LP ORIG UK 1965 N.MINT MONO Y/B PARLOPHONE
Sold Price:$1106.51 USD End Time:03/28/2012

8. THE END INTROSPECTION LP ORIG UK 1969 N.MINT MONO DECCA KILLER PSYCH PROG
Sold Price:$1099.41 USD End Time:03/28/2012

9. ZARATHUSTRA SAME LP ORIG 1972 MINT KRAUTROCK PROG MONSTER
Sold Price:$1053.82 USD End Time:03/28/2012

10.  SOUL DYNAMICS Stay in the Groove 45 rpm Original Promo - Mega Rare!
Sold Price:$860.00 USD End Time:03/28/2012

this site MusicPriceGuide lists the Top Ten per dollar sold for, an interesting site with all the bells and whistles






1. SEX PISTOLS.GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.ORIGINAL A&M ams7284.100%genuine.
USD 11.710,08 2012-01-03

2. Elvis Presley Compact 33 Single "Good Luck Charm/Anything That's Part of You" NM
USD 4.995,00 2012-01-02

3. HANK MOBLEY-BLP-1568-ORIG-BLUE NOTE- MONO D.G (LP) - NM!
USD 4.600,00 2012-01-09

4. ASD 429 W/G UK GIOCONDA DE VITO - BACH & MOZART VIOLIN CONCERTOS
USD 4.050,00 2012-01-03

5. RARE* Beatles Brute Force king of Fuh on the APPLE Label
USD 3.536,14 2011-12-29

6. JOHN HEARTSMAN & CIRCLES Music Of My Heart ORIGINAL 2-LP
USD 3.250,00 2011-12-29

7. RARE NORTHERN 45-JIMMY BURNS-I REALLY LOVE YOU-ERICA
USD 3.107,57 2012-01-08

8. HOLY GRAIL ULTRA RARE R&B SOUL 45 RECORD The PEACHEROOS on EXCELLO VINTAGE
USD 3.000,00 2012-01-03

9. U2 Special Collection 1980 -1987 CD Mega Rare Promo Japan TOP RARITY
USD 2.999,99 2012-01-05

10. TY KARIM- ROMARK-113- YOU JUST DON'T KNOW/ALL IN VAIN- NORTHERN SOUL (RARE)
USD 2.749,99 2012-01-03

look for this feature every thursday !!

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AEROSMITH: More New Album Details Revealed

Four members of AEROSMITH (everyone but guitarist Brad Whitford who was on the road with the "Experience Hendrix" tour) took part in a press conference at The Grove in Los Angeles on March 28 to announce their new album and upcoming tour. Introduced by Jimmy Kimmel, the musicians — including singer Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton and guitarist Joe Perry — spoke to the media about their upcoming "The Global Warming" tour with CHEAP TRICK and their long-awaited new studio album, which is due this summer.

"We've been underground for four months, doing what we do the best. We've been known to set the world on fire," Steven said. "We haven't been played any music for the last couple years, at least, so we decided to do 'The Global Warming' tour and come out from under the hood, so to speak. We've got a new album, we've got a new tour."

Read much more at our friends at Blabbermouth









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SMILE EMPTY SOUL: New Album Track Listing, Cover Artwork Revealed

Los Angeles-based rock trio SMILE EMPTY SOUL has revealed the album cover and track listing for its upcoming album, "3's", due on May 22 via eOne Music.

Read the rest at Blabbermouth



















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Cadaveric Crematorium Reveals Cover Art New LP

Italian grindcore oufit Cadaveric Crematorium have revealed the album cover art for their newest effort called 'One of Them,' which is scheduled for a summer release.

Tracklist:
1. Smiling And Farting ("Alfa")
2. Sun Supercharged ("Alfa")
3. The Protected ("Beta")
4. WWIII ("Gamma")
5. The Mutant ("Gamma")
6. Genetic Corruption ("Gamma")
7. They Back ("Delta")
8. That's Enough ("Delta")
9. Infected Scientist ("Delta")
10. Zombies Will Dominate ("Epsilon")








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Earl Scruggs (1924 - 2012)

Country and bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs has passed away in a Nashville hospital at the age of 88.

Scruggs was born in Shelby, NC and started playing the banjo at the age of four, an instrument that would fill his days during the depression and after his father died. Originally, he played using two fingers but, by the age of ten, he had evolved to a three-finger style that would eventually revolutionize bluegrass music and become known as "Scruggs Style Picking."

Please read the rest at our friends at VintageVinylNews

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and in music history for march 29th:

In 1958, Connie Francis enjoys her first chart success as "Who's Sorry Now?" reached Billboard's #4 spot. Over the next ten years she will place 55 more songs on the Billboard hit parade.

In 1962, Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" was certified Gold.

In 1966, Mick Jagger was injured when a fan threw a chair on the stage during a show in Marseilles.

In 1966, two members of the Walker Brothers were given concussions when fans mobbed them in Cheshire, U.K.

"With a Little Help From My Friends" was recorded by the Beatles in 1967. The band started recording the song the day before they posed for the Sgt. Pepper album cover (29 March 1967), wrapping up the session at 5:45 in the morning.

In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Black Sabbath, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Curved Air, J.J. Jackson’s Dilemma, Shy Limbs, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Sunflower Brass Band and Toe Fat all appeared at the London Free Easter Festival in Bethnal Green, London, England.

In 1973, Dr. Hook got its wish and appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone. The group's recording, "The Cover of Rolling Stone," reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to members of the group, they really did buy five copies for their mothers, just like the song said.

In 1975, Led Zeppelin had all six of their albums in the US Top 100.

In 1980, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon had its 303rd week on the Billboard Albums, pushing it past Carole King's Tapestry for the longest run on the chart.

Also in 1980, Ronald Selle, a Chicago antique dealer and part-time musician and songwriter files suit against The Bee Gees, Paramount Pictures and Polygram Records. Selle alleged The Bee Gees' "How Deep is Your Love" plagiarized two sections of a song he wrote called "Let it End". Selle won the case even though the Bee Gees claim they never heard Selle's song and the whole thing was a coincidence. The group would successfully appeal the decision in 1983.

In 1982, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney released their duet single "Ebony and Ivory."

In 1985, Dominican nun/singer (Dominique) Jeanine Deckers, who had a recording career as the Singing Nun, committed suicide at age 51 after the center for autistic children in Belgium that she helped to found closed due to lack of funds. She was unaware that on the day of her suicide, the Belgian association that collects royalties for songwriters awarded her $300,000.

In 1986, Austrian singer Falco started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Rock Me Amadeus,” also a #1 in the UK. Falco became the first German-speaking artist to achieve a #1 on the US charts.

In 1986, the Beatles albums become officially available for the first time in Russia.

In 1996, Carol Connors and Marshall Lieb, former members of the Teddy Bears, sued third member Phil Spector and a number of labels saying they had not received royalties for the record To Know Him Is to Love Him.

In 2000, 'N Sync's album 'No Strings Attached' set a new all-time record for first-week sales with 2.4 million copies.

In 2001, a three-hour show honoring Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson was held at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. There were vocal tributes by Paul Simon (Surfer Girl), Elton John (God Only Knows), and Billy Joel (Don't Worry Baby). Wilson himself performed "Barbara Ann," "Fun, Fun, Fun," and "Surfin' U.S.A." Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, the Go-Go's, David Crosby, Carly Simon, Wilson Phillips, Aimee Mann, and songwriter Jimmy Webb also appeared.

In 2001, jazz pianist/composer John Lewis, who spent 45 years as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet, died of prostate cancer at age 80.

In 2001, Brian Wilson was honored at New York's Radio City Music Hall by Billy Joe, Paul Simon, The Go-Gos, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Jimmy Webb, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Elton John and Aimee Mann.

In 2005, Neil Young was treated for a brain aneurysm at a hospital in New York. Doctors expected the 59-year-old to make a full recovery. The aneurysm was discovered when Young’s vision became blurred after the induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the previous month.

In 2007, U2 singer Bono accepted an honorary knighthood at a ceremony in Dublin. Fellow band members The Edge and Adam Clayton joined the frontman’s wife and four children at the British ambassador David Reddaway’s official residence. The rock star and campaigner, 46, was not entitled to be called “Sir” because he is not a British citizen. The U2 singer’s new title is Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).

In 2011, Robbie Robertson released 'How to Become Clairvoyant,"'his first CD in 13 years. Eric Clapton co-wrote three of the tracks and played on seven of them.

birthdays today include (among others): Chad Allan (born Allan Kowbel) (Guess Who) (69), Terry Jacks (68), Bobby Kimball (Toto) (65), Barry Goudreau (Boston) (61), Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros) (53) and John Popper (Blues Traveler) (45)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

this is just sweet news to any vinyl lover!

US-Based Sales Of 45 RPM Records Skyrockets!

According to new data released by the Recording Industry Association of America, the US-based sales of 45s - called "vinyl singles" have skyrocketed 99.6 percent in 2011. This is based on the retail price of units shipped, which means this only includes new discs, not used 45s.

It is also being reported that people spent more than $100 million on vinyl records last year. Unit sales and revenues were both up over 30%.

Also announced is that there may be a resurgence in 78s, or 10-inch vinyl records - recently released by artists such as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe.

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Record Store Day News & Notes:

Here are some on my radar (the ones I would buy if I could afford it):

The Kinks Repress Classic Albums

The Kinks will re-issue three classic albums on vinyl as part of this year’s Record Store Day celebration. The band will release ‘Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire),' ‘Face To Face’ and ‘Something Else’ on April 21st.

‘Arthur…’ will be a 2-LP edition on white coloured vinyl, 1966's ‘Face To Face’ will also be a 2-LP edition and will come on blue coloured vinyl, while ‘Something Else’ will be available on red coloured vinyl.

The three vinyl reissues come with deluxe packaging in both Mono and Stereo mixes, and will be released with booklets designed by award winning art director Phil Smee, packed with rare and unreleased images from the era. Each reissue was re-mastered from original tapes by Kinks archivist Andrew Sandoval and is limited to 500 copies in the UK, all of which are individually numbered.

Paul McCartney: "Another Day"/"Oh Woman, Oh Why" (7")

Concord Music Group will be releasing a Paul McCartney: "Another Day"/"Oh Woman, Oh Why" [7" vinyl single/ RSD exclusive / limited edition]: A classic McCartney vinyl single "Another Day" was first recorded in 1970, during the sessions for the album Ram. It was the first single of his solo career, originally released February 19, 1971 with "Oh Woman, Oh Why" as the B-side. Upon its initial release "Another Day"/"Oh Woman, Oh Why" sold over a million copies worldwide. It was a #1 hit in France and Australia, in the U.K. it reached #2, in the U.S. it reached #5. This exclusive reissue single is featured on the forthcoming Paul McCartney Archive Collection edition of Ram coming this spring.

Little Richard: Here's Little Richard (red vinyl reissue)

A limited edition Record Store Day exclusive red vinyl 12" LP reissue of Little Richard's 1957 Specialty Records classic, ranked by Rolling Stone as #50 in "The Greatest 500 Albums of All Time." Remastered from the original analog tapes, this LP includes such immortal classics as "Tutti Frutti," "Rip It Up," "Slipin' & Slidin'," and "Jenny Jenny."

Devo - Live in Seattle 1981

This 2 LP set was cut from a cassette recording of DEVO’s show in Seattle, WA show in November ‘81. DEVO archivist Michael Pilmer (aka Devo-Obsesso), found the tape in a shoebox full of cassettes in Bob No 2’s home fifteen years ago, which he immediately transferred it to DAT. Afterward it promptly disappeared in the flotsam of Devo history. Here resurrected it stands as a testament to Prince’s claim “Devo, you guys are crazy!” Yes, crazy tight and relentless like Caucasian James Browns on marching powder. Enjoy.

Misfits - Walk Among Us (7")

Paul Simon's Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Vinyl – Remastered on 180-gram 12" vinyl and includes an art-quality collectible Graceland poster and a download card with the full album plus three bonus tracks. Red, Blue and Clear vinyl. Randomly packed and shipped.

Arcade Fire - a 12" version of "Sprawl II" from their Grammy winning album 'The Suburbs.' Limited to 3000 pressings.

David Bowie - 7" picture disc of two versions of Starman, the original and a Top of the Pops live edition.

Social Distortion - Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes (Limited Edition Colored LP)

The Civil Wars - Billie Jean/Sour Times

See the extensive list of Record Store Day releases at of all things recordstoreday.com

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ran into this very interesting article....

Color Collection: Behind Music Fans' Growing Obsession with Colored Vinyl

The recent surge in popularity of vinyl records has given production companies a unique opportunity to make them even more rare and collectible.

Wesley Fenlon

Making Vinyl Colorful

All vinyl records are born from a master disc that's coated in a smooth lacquer and placed on a machine called a lathe. The lathe cuts a groove in the lacquer that corresponds to the music being recorded.

Once the lathe is finished cutting, the disc is covered in a layer of silver to form a hardened metal stamper that will be used to press the grooves into the vinyl albums.

Enter the vinyl material: little vinyl pellets are poured into a hopper, or chute, which feeds them into an extruder. The extruder melts the vinyl down into thick hockey puck-esque patties often called cakes or biscuits. Typically those pellets are black, but different chemical compounds can produce unique colors (like Pepto Bismol pink) or even transparent vinyl. Solid colors or pellet mixes can be tossed into a hopper and extruded into biscuits just like black vinyl.

Read the rest of this fascinating article at tested.com

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lovely story from the other side of the world.....

Record store striking a chord

KERRY MCBRIDE

Plenty of Wellingtonians may not know it exists, but that hasn't stopped Lo-Cost Records in Petone from attracting customers from around the world.

The unassuming record store at 147 Jackson St may not look like much from the outside, but inside is an enviable collection of more than 25,000 vinyl records collected during 20 years of business.

Lo-Cost owner Murray Shaw and his business partner, Chas Mannell, have made a name for themselves in international record collecting circles thanks to their personal approach and unique finds.

With the Lo-Cost collection advertised on Mr Mannell's website, Moonhop Records, their collection has been opened up to customers as far away as Europe and Asia.

Read the rest at stuff.co.nz

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Shape Shifter, The New Album From Santana, Is Set For Release May 15

CARLOS SANTANA BEGINS TWO-YEAR RESIDENCY AT HOUSE OF BLUES AT MANDALAY BAY IN LAS VEGAS ON MAY 2

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Shape Shifter is Carlos Santana's 36th album, and the first for his new label, Starfaith Records. Set for release May 15, the 13-song set is an instrumental tour de force featuring tracks spanning from the late 1990's to the present. It's powered throughout by Carlos' instantly recognizable virtuoso lead guitar and the Santana Band's world-class musicianship (only one song features vocals from Santana's lead vocalists Andy Vargas and Tony Lindsay). Pre-sale of Shape Shifter begins today, March 27, at all major online outlets including iTunes, Amazon and more. Starfaith Records is distributed and marketed in conjunction with RED Distribution.

Carlos dedicated the album to Native American Indians, acknowledging Australia's 2008 apology to the Aborigines, and President Obama's signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution. He says, "I encourage any and all countries (that have not as yet done so) to acknowledge the first people of their land, and make this a collective global effort."

Shape Shifter comprises mostly original compositions that Carlos has been stashing away for such an instrumental project—long awaited by fans—and he conceived the album's sequence as thoughtfully as its track selection. The songs flow together as the magical sustain of Carlos' guitar—and the spirit behind every note—makes music that breaks through all cultural and language barriers, the music of Santana.

The title track opens the album, beginning as a mellow acoustic groove, with Carlos channeling Native American spirits through chanting. The track builds to soaring heights—in addition to Carlos' driving lead, the song features Dennis Chambers on drums, Chester Thompson on keyboards, and Benny Rietveld on bass (they are the musical foundation on many of the tracks).

Other highlights include a mid-tempo cover of Toure Kunda's "Dom" —Carlos and the Toure brothers' collaborations have also included "Africa Bamba" from the GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural.

"Angelica Faith," which Carlos co-wrote with Thompson, is a signature Santana ballad in the tradition of "Samba Pa Ti" and "Europa." With "Mr. Szabo," Carlos pays homage to Gabor Szabo, whose music he brought to the fore in 1970, when he fused the Hungarian jazz guitarist and composer's "Gypsy Queen" with Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman" on Abraxas.

Collaborations include "Never the Same Again," which Carlos wrote with producer Eric Bazilian, and "In the Light of a New Day," which began as a demo that Narada Michael Walden shared with Carlos. "Spark of the Divine"—often played on tour to introduce songs including "Black Magic Woman"—leads in to "Macumba in Budapest," the first of two songs Carlos co-wrote and produced with Walter Afanasieff—the song vamps into a classic Santana Latin jam featuring Raul Rekow on congas and Karl Perazzo on percussion. The second, "Eres La Luz," the only track featuring vocals, highlights the irresistible Latin groove that embodies the world music essence of Santana.

Shape Shifter closes with two songs that are collaborations between Carlos and his son, musician Salvador Santana—who plays piano on both—including the rousing "Canela." The final track, "Ah, Sweet Dancer," is a song Carlos first heard in a taxicab in Germany—he tracked it down in a local record store and began performing it regularly on tour. The recording features only soulful solos from father and son, offering elegant closure to Shape Shifter.

Since Santana emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area music scene in the 1960s, the group has sold more than 100 million records, reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Santana has won 10 GRAMMYs, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural. With the 2010 release of Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time­, Santana joined the Rolling Stones as one of only two music acts in Billboard history to score at least one Top Ten album in each decade from the 1960s on. Among other honors, Carlos Santana is #20 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

For more information: www.santana.com

SOURCE Santana

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25th Anniversary of Paul Simon's Graceland Celebrated with Theatrical Screenings and Primetime Television Special of "Under African Skies" Documentary; Release of 25th Anniversary Editions: CD/DVD, Box Set, Vinyl and Blu-ray Disc

"Under African Skies," New Documentary About Graceland From Two-Time Emmy, Peabody Award Winner And Oscar Nominated Filmmaker Joe Berlinger, A Premiere Television Event on A&E Following Limited Theatrical Run

Graceland 25th Anniversary Editions on Legacy Recordings To Be Released June 5th

NEW YORK, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 25th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon's groundbreaking album that continues to influence and inspire generations, will be commemorated with musical and film celebrations stretching into the summer. Following its Sundance Film Festival premiere, the Joe Berlinger-directed documentary "Under African Skies," chronicling the creation and lasting influence of Graceland, will have its US television premiere on A & E this spring. The documentary has been garnering critical acclaim on the film festival circuit with screenings at SXSW 2012, where it received an Audience Award, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival. The film is slated for variety of screenings this spring and summer including showings at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Florida Film Festival and the RiverRun Film Festival. In May, "Under African Skies" will screen at the Seattle International Film Festival and Sundance UK as well as other festivals worldwide. The film will enjoy a limited theatrical engagement in New York and Los Angeles, beginning May 11th (check local listings for screening times).

To help commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the indelible musical legacy of Graceland, Legacy Recordings will be offering several 25th Anniversary versions of Paul Simon's Graceland on June 5th:  Special Graceland 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition Box Set – a 2 CD/2 DVD set which including the remastered original album, the "Under African Skies" documentary film extended interviews, the original 1987 "African Concert" from Zimbabwe, three original music videos and the iconic "Saturday Night Live" performance of "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes." The box set also features the audio narrative "The Story of 'Graceland'" as told by Paul Simon, replicas of an original Graceland poster and a handwritten lyrics pad, plus a deluxe 80-page book featuring new and archival photos and interviews with Paul Simon. The box set also includes a special short audio documentary of Simon discussing the making of the record.

The official Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD – an exclusive two disc set featuring the remastered original album with five bonus tracks and audio documentary, and "Under African Skies" film with bonus features, three original music videos and "Saturday Night Live" performance of "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes."

"Under African Skies" Blu-ray Disc – the feature documentary in state-of-the-art 5.1 sound with bonus extended interviews.

Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Vinyl – This audiophile edition is remastered on 180-gram 12" vinyl and includes an art-quality collectible Graceland poster and a download card with the full album plus three bonus tracks. It will be available beginning Saturday, April 21 at independent retailers worldwide participating in Record Store Day.

An ultra-deluxe Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set package - The ultimate Graceland set includes the boxed set, the 180-gram 12" vinyl and a signed and numbered autographed commemorative poster--will be available direct-to-consumers during a limited time exclusive offer on the official Paul Simon website (www.paulsimon.com).

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

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GANG OF OUTLAWS TOUR ANNOUNCED STARRING ZZ TOP...

Sure to be one of this touring season’s hottest packages, The Gang of Outlaws Tour, brings three leaders of their respective genres together for six weeks of performances this May and June. Joining the legendary ZZ Top are 3 Doors Down and, on most of the dates, Gretchen Wilson. The tour will alight at select eastern, southern and mid western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.

ZZ Top, “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” will be topping the bill and playing the songs that have made the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers American music icons in the forefront of blues-based rock for more than forty years. The band’s line-up of Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has been intact all that time – a feat unequalled in the annals of music history. Their catalog of massive hits includes “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” “Tush,” “LaGrange” and more. It is expected they’ll preview new material from their forthcoming release over the course of The Gang of Outlaws” Tour.

Notes Gibbons, “We’re really looking forward to working with the guys from 3 Doors Down and Gretchen too, if we may borrow from the late, great Robert Johnson, clear those stones from the pass way on this phenomenal tour. The Gang of Outlaws is ready to ride!”

ZZ Top will be partnering up with southern alternative rock’s hugely successful 3 Doors Down, straight out of Escatawpa, Mississippi. The group -- Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Greg Upchurch-- brings its multi-platinum catalog of hits and album tracks to the tour including their #1 smash hits “Kryptonite,” “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” and their latest chart topper “It’s Not My Time.” Says lead singer Brad Arnold of Gang of Outlaws, “The tour is huge! We have the honor to share the stage with some amazing artists, including one of my favorite bands, ZZ Top! We can’t wait to bring Gang Of Outlaws to your town.”

Rounding out the bill in style is Gretchen Wilson, representing the distaff side of the Gang of Outlaws. Her breakthrough hit, “Redneck Woman” is well known as the anthem of southern sass and femininity.  Her catalog of rock-inspired country hits includes multiple platinum albums and such single smashes as “Here For The Party,” “When I Think About Cheatin’,” “Homewrecker,” “All Jacked Up” and more. She expressed her feelings about her participation in a no uncertain terms: “Obviously I couldn’t be more excited that I am to be part of this tour… Fabulous guys, fabulous musicians!”

Gang of Outlaws Tour tickets and information available at GangOfOutlaws.com

May 25 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Arena*
26 - Atlantic City, NJ – Trump Taj Mahal/Etess Arena*
27 -Mashantucket, CT – MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods*
30 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion**

June 1 - Winston Salem, NC - Joel Coliseum*
2 - Fayetteville, NC - Fort Bragg*
3 - Fredericksburg, VA - Celebrate Virginia Live!*
5 - Richmond, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion*
6 - Simpsonville, SC - Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*
8 - St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
9 - Atmore, AL – Wind Creek Hotel & Casino Amphitheater**
10 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*
12 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel**
15 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena*
16 - Orlando, FL - Universal Orlando Resort Music Plaza Stage**
17 - Clearwater, FL - Tropicana Field*
19 - Southaven, MS - Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater*
20 - Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena*
22 - Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge River Center*
23 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
24 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion*
26 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena*
27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
29 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Amphitheatre*

*ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson
** ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down

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album cover art of the day:

Grand Magus Reveals Album Artwork

Swedish metallars Grand Magus recently revealed the album artwork for their uprcoming album called 'The Hunt.' The album is scheduled for release on May 25, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork was created by artist Arik Roper, who also created the artwork for the "Iron Will" album (2008).

Guitarist/vocalist JB Christoffersson commented on the cover:

"Arik Roper is a super-talented artist and we've had the pleasure of working with him before when he did the cover art for our album Iron Will. This time around with the overall feel and yrical themes of our new album THE HUNT, Arik was the perfect choice once again. We basicallly just gave him the title and he created one of the most haunting and suggestive images ever seen. He totally nailed what the album is all about. To say we are pleased is a gigantic understatement! This piece of art will stand the test of time and become classic."

GRAND MAGUS's last album, "Hammer Of The North", was released digitally in North America in January 2011 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at 301 studios outside of Stockholm and features artwork by Necrolord.




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this from www.nonesuch.com

Pre-Order Sara Watkins' Second Solo Album, "Sun Midnight Sun

Sara Watkins' Second Solo Album, "Sun Midnight Sun," Produced by Blake Mills, Out May 8 on Nonesuch; Pre-Order with Signed Print

Sun Midnight Sun, the second solo album from acclaimed singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Sara Watkins, will be released May 8 on Nonesuch Records in North America, and May 28 outside North America. Produced by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Blake Mills, co-founder of the band Simon Dawes, the album features special guest appearances by Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Benmont Tench, and Sean Watkins. The album is available to pre-order on in the Nonesuch Store with an exclusive 9x12” print signed by Watkins.

Sun Midnight Sun follows Sara Watkins’ critically acclaimed 2009 self-titled solo debut produced by John Paul Jones. NPR said Sara Watkins “puts her great instrumental breadth on display as she plays the guitar, ukulele and fiddle in addition to her sweet-voiced singing,” and the Kansas City Star called it a record “for anyone who likes the sound of a good singer and a good band hammering out good music.”

In celebration of the release of Sun Midnight Sun, Watkins will embark on a nationwide tour this spring and summer, including a series of special tour dates with Dawes. See below for all of the currently scheduled dates; for additional details and ticket links, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.

In the three years since her last release, Watkins has been busy touring the world as guest fiddle player and vocalist with the Decemberists and joining Garrison Keillor on his nationwide Summer Love performance tours, as well as acting as his first and only guest host for A Prairie Home Companion broadcasts.

Sun Midnight Sun was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Shawn Everett at Zeitgeist Studio, Los Angeles, and includes songs written by Watkins (“You and Me,” “Take Up Your Spade”) as well as several collaborations with Mills (“The Foothills,” “Be There,” “The Accord,” “Impossible,” and “Lock and Key”). It also features songs by Dan Wilson (“When It Pleases You”) and Willie Nelson (“I’m a Memory”), and a rendition of The Everly Brothers classic “You’re the One I Love,” on which Fiona Apple duets with Watkins. A limited-edition 7” of “You’re the One I Love” will be made available Saturday, April 21, as part of the fifth-annual Record Store Day. Paste has premiered "When It Pleases You"; listen at pastemagazine.com.

Watkins first gained recognition as a founding member of the Grammy Award–winning, platinum-selling trio Nickel Creek. When not on the road or in the studio, Watkins has guest-starred as fiddler and/or harmony vocalist on albums by Béla Fleck, the Chieftains, Ray LaMontagne, Ben Lee, Dan Wilson, Richard Thompson, and Alex Woodward, among others. Additionally, Watkins and her brother Sean continue an informal residency called the Watkins Family Hour at the L.A. club Largo, which often includes surprise cameos from friends and colleagues; free podcasts from the series are also available.

Pre-order from NoneSuch.com

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from the folks at Vinyl Record Talk

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 03/24/2012

All singles this week, with four 45's and one 78. Two Northern's on the Kellmac label made the top of the list both nicely going over $8k. Hot Shot Love's 45 is a very rare blues record. The #4 spot goes to a Brazilian 60s psych treasure.

1. 45 - The Combinations "What 'Cha Gonna Do" / "Good Bye" Kellmac - $8,500.00

2. 45 - The C.O.D.s "She's Fire" / "Must Be Love" Kellmac - $8,100.00

3. 45 - Hot Shot Love "Wolf Call Boogie" / "Harmonica Jam" Sun 196 - $7,726.00

4. 45 - O'Seis "Suicida" / "Apocalipse" Continental Brazilian pressing - $4,150.00

5. 78 - Klinger Quartett "Beethoven Quartett in Es-dur Op. 127" Electrola German Pressing - $3,328.00

Vinyl Record Talk is Live on Radio Dentata on Tuesdays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT at RadioDentata.com

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 3/19 - 3/25, 2012








Vinyl Top 25:

1. The Shins - Port Of Morrow
2. Alabama Shakes - Live At Third Man 7"
3. Punch Brothers - Who's Feeling Young Now?
4. Jack White - Sixteen Saltines 7"
5. Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit
6. Lucero - Women & Work
7. Lee Ranaldo - Between The Times & The Tides
8. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
9. Isis - Live VI: 11.16.07
10. Adele - 21
11. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
12. Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
13. Lambchop - Mr. M
14. The Men - Open Your Heart
15. The Black Keys - El Camino
16. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
17. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
18. The Black Keys - Brothers
19. Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place
20. My Morning Jacket - Acoustic Citsuoca
21. Useless Eaters - Moves 7"
22. Natural Child/Liquor Store - split 7"
23. Pink Floyd - The Wall
24. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions
25. The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin

Grimeys

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and in music history for march 28th:

Released in 1956: "In the Still of the Night" by the Five Satins.

In 1958, Eddie Cochran recorded "Summertime Blues." The song is ranked #73 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.



Also in 1958, blues musician/bandleader/composer (St. Louis Blues, Yellow Dog Blues, Memphis Blues, Beale Street Blues, Ole Miss Rag) W.C. Handy, "The Father of the Blues," died of bronchial pneumonia at 84.

In 1958, Buddy Holly started a 43 date tour in Brooklyn, NY at the Alan Freed Big Beat Show. Also on the bill were Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, The Diamonds, Billy Ford, Danny & The Juniors, The Chantels, Larry Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Pastels, Jo-Ann Campbell and Ed Townsend.

In 1960, at Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut studio in Nashville, Brenda Lee recorded "I'm Sorry."

In 1964, the Beatles became the first pop stars to have figures in Madame Tussauds in London.

Also in 1964, Radio Caroline, the first of the pirate radio stations, began broadcasting from a Danish Ferry in the North Sea off of England.

The instantly recognizable cut "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison was recorded on this date in 1967.

"Brown Eyed Girl" has remained a popular classic pop song that continues to be played regularly on many radio stations and is featured on the top ten list as one of the most played songs by DJs. It appeared at No. 4 on the top 200 in 2011. It has been covered by hundreds of bands over the years and has earned many awards for Morrison, most prominently when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007 and in 2003, when it was listed as one of the The 365 Top Selling Songs of the 20th Century by RIAA.

Also in 1967, working on a session for the new Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band' at Abbey Road studios in London, John Lennon recorded his lead vocal for “Good Morning Good Morning,” and Paul McCartney added a lead guitar solo to the track. Lennon had decided he wanted to end the song with animal sound effects, and asked that they be sequenced in such a way that each successive animal was capable of scaring or eating the preceding one.

In 1968, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell released the single "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing."

In 1969, Joe Cocker played his first US concert.

In 1970, "Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was released.

In 1973, Led Zeppelin released their 'Houses Of The Holy' album.

The cover art for Houses of the Holy was inspired by the ending of Arthur C. Clarke's novel Childhood's End. (The ending involves several hundred million naked children, only slightly and physically resembling the human race in basic forms.) It is a collage of several photographs which were taken at the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland, by Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis. This location was chosen ahead of an alternative one in Peru which was being considered.

The two children who modelled for the cover were siblings Stefan and Samanatha Gates. The photoshoot was a frustrating affair over the course of ten days. Shooting was done first thing in the morning and at sunset in order to capture the light at dawn and dusk, but the desired effect was never achieved due to constant rain and clouds. The photos of the two children were taken in black and white and were multi-printed to create the effect of 11 individuals that can be seen on the album cover. The results of the shoot were less than satisfactory, but some accidental tinting effects in post-production created an unexpectedly striking album cover. The inner sleeve photograph was taken at Dunluce Castle near to the Causeway.

In 2003, Houses of the Holy was ranked number 149 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time

The Raspberries broke up in 1974.

In 1974, delta blues singer and guitarist Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup died of a stroke at the age of 69. He wrote “That’s All Right (Mama),” covered by Elvis Presley, and “My Baby Left Me.”

In 1976, in Buffalo, New York, Genesis began their first North American tour since Peter Gabriel's departure. Phil Collins was the new lead singer.

In 1982, in San Diego, David Crosby was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of Quaaludes, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and an unlicensed .45 pistol. When the police asked Crosby why he was carrying the gun, he replied, "John Lennon."

In 1985, more than 6,000 radio stations played "We are the World" simultaneously at 10:15 a.m., ET.

In 1992, Ozzy Osbourne caused over $100,000 in damage to the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in California when he invited the first two rows on stage and many more join them.

In 1996, Phil Collins announced he was leaving Genesis for his solo career.

In 2000, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin won his libel lawsuit against Ministry, a UK magazine that had claimed Page watched bandmate John Bonham choke to death while trying to revive him with Satanic spells. The magazine also apologized and offered to pay Page's legal bills. The money awarded to Page was donated to the Action for Brazil's Children Trust.

In 2001, jazz flutist/saxophonist/Canadian Music Hall of Famer Moe Koffman died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 72.

In 2003, singer Rusty Draper died at the age of 80.

In 2005, at San Diego's iPay One Center, U2 began their four continent, 131-date Vertigo world tour.

In 2010, jazz guitarist Herb Ellis died of Alzheimer's disease at age 88.

birthdays today include (among others): Steve Turner (Mudhoney) (47), Reba McEntire (57), David Keuning (Killers) (36), Lady Gaga (26) and John Evan (Jethro Tull) (64)

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - March 27, 2012

3 Inches Of Blood - Long Live Heavy Metal
A Sound of Thunder - Out of the Darkness
Adam & The Amethysts - Flickering Flashlight
Adestria - Chapters
All American Rejects - Kids In The Street
Alter Bridge - Live At Wembley
Amadou & Mariam - Folila
Anberlin - Dancing Between the Fibers of Time
Angel Witch - As Above, So Below
Armin Van Burren - State Of Trance 2012
Astra - The Black Chord
Aura Noir - Out To Die
Badly Drawn Boy - Being Flynn (soundtrack)
Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour (vinyl)
Before Their Eyes - Redemption
Behemoth - Evangelia Heretika (vinyl)
Big Brother & the Holding Company & Janis Joplin - Live at the Carousel Ballroom 1968 (2 LPs)
Bill Callahan/Mickey Newbury - Heaven Help the Child (7")
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions
Black Breath - Sentenced To Life
Blood Red Shoes - In Time To Voices
Borknagar - Urd
Breton - Other People's Problems
Burial - Lights and Perfections
Cains & Abels - My Life is Easy
Cats on Fire - All Blackshirts to Me
Caveman - CoCo Beware
Chicago - Hot Streets: Expanded Edition
Child Bite – Monomania
Civil Twilight - Holy Weather
Clay Aiken - Steadfast
Clint Eastwood - Rawhide's Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites (reissue)
Clint Mansell - Last Night (soundtrack)
Cowboy Junkies - Wilderness
Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands - Muses & Bones
Curtis Stigers - Let's Go Out Tonight
Cynic - The Portal Tapes
Damon Albarn - Rocket Juice and the Moon
Dark Empire - From Refuge to Ruin
Dev - The Night the Sun Came Up
Elvis Costello - Almost Blue (reissue) (vinyl)
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom (reissue) (vinyl)
Felix Cartal - Different Faces
Flying Colors - Flying Colors
Frankie Avalon - Muscle Beach Party: The United Artists Sessions
Furyon - Gravitas
General Surgery - A Collection of Depravation
Georgia Anne Mudrow - Seeds
Gift Of Gab - Next Logical Progression
God Forbid - Equilibrium
Hills Like Elephants - The Endless Charade
Hour of Penance - Sedition
Hurt - The Crux
In Solitude - The World.The Flesh.The Devil (vinyl)
Iron Maiden - En Vivo! (2 CDs)
It Bites - Map Of The Past
Jack Blades - Rock N’ Roll Ride
James Newton Howard - The Hunger Games: The Original Motion Picture Score
Janus - Nox Aeris
Jay Brannan - Rob Me Blind
Joan Osborne - Bring It On Home
Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Going to Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection
La Sera - Sees the Light
Ladyhawke - Anxiety
Leaders - Now We Are Free
Legacy - With Peace In Mind
Lindsay Fuller - You, Anniversary
Lionel Richie - Tuskegee
Lower Dens - Brains (10")
Mac Demarco - Rock and Roll Nightclub
Macy Gray - Covered
Madlib - The Brick (box set)
Madonna - MDNA: Deluxe Edition
Mairi Morrison and Alasdair Roberts - Urstan
Marisa Monte - O Que Você Quer Saber De Verdade
Mark Stewart - Politics Of Envy
Mati Zundel - Amazonico Gravitante
Mencea - Pyrophoric
Meshuggah - Koloss
Miike Snow - Happy to You
Mike Armine - Verse & The Cleansing Undertones Of Wake/Lift
Ministry - Relapse
Mirel Wagner - Mirel Wagner
Modern Day Escape - Under The Gun
Moe Tucker - I Feel So Far Away: Anthology 1974-1998 (2 CDs)
Naglfar - Téras
Neon Trees - Picture Show
Noah Stewart - Noah
OSI - Fire Make Thunder
Oberhofer - Time Capsules II
Olafur Arnalds - Another Happy Day (soundtrack)
Overkill - The Electric Age
Papa Grows - Need In The Groove
Paul Weller - Sonik Kicks
Pinkunoizu - Free Time!
Poor Moon - Illusion (EP)
Quakers - Quakers
RACES - Year of the Witch
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Grifter's Hymnal
Real Boys - Real Boys (EP)
Retribution Gospel Choir - Revolution (EP)
Rick Springfield - Beginnings...
Rocket Juice & The Moon - Rocket Juice & The Moon
Romeo's Daughter - Rapture
Rusko - Songs
Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65
Sandy Bull - Sandy Bull & The Rhythm Ace, Live 1976
Say Yes - Walkability (EP)
Shinedown - Amaryllis
Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That
Sons of Bill - Sirens
Stick To Your Guns - Diamond
THEESatisfaction - awE naturalE
The Alligators - Time's Up, You're Dead
The Big Sleep - Nature Experiments
The Burial - Lights and Perfections
The Chemical Brothers - Don't Think (DVD/CD/Book)
The Devil's Blood - The Thousandfold Epicentre (vinyl)
The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet
The Pierces - You and I
The Used - Vulnerable
Tommy Bolin & Friends - Great Gypsy Soul
Tubes - Young & Rich / Now (2 CDs)
Tyburn Saints - You and I in Heaven
Van Halen - Different Kind of Truth (2 LPs)
Various Artists - LateNightTales - Belle and Sebastian Vol. 2
Wave Sleep Wave - Wave Sleep Wave
Way Yes - Walkability
Wretched - Dilated Disappointment
Wretched - Son of Perdition
Young Prisms - In Between
Your Demise - The Golden Age
Zeus - Busting Visions

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

our friends at VintageVinylNews have a great interview with a 60's pop star, check it out.....

Interview: Tommy Roe on His Career and New Record and Tour

Throughout the 60's and early 70's, Tommy Roe lit up the radio with some of the most infectious songs of the time. Starting with his Buddy Holly tribute, Sheila, in 1962, Roe had a string of hits that went through the entire decade including Everybody, Sweet Pea, Hooray for Hazel, Dizzy and Jam Up and Jelly Tight. Both Sheila and Dizzy topped the American charts and he totaled 22 songs that made it to the Billboard Hot 100.

VVN Music recently had the chance to talk at length with Roe about his career and his latest endeavors.

Read the interview at VintageVinylNews.com






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Aerosmith Announces The Global Warming North American Summer Tour

Tour Kicks-Off June 16 in Minneapolis, MN

Tickets on Sale March 30 & 31

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerosmith, America's greatest rock and roll band, will start your summer sizzling and have you dancing around the fires of rock n' roll again. After blowing away audiences in South America and Japan, the Bad Boys from Boston are back to rock America's soul, with The Global Warming Tour playing 18 markets beginning on June 16 in Minneapolis, MN.

"The old Aerosmith is back with a new vengeance and we will kick your ass and make out with yur mothers," says Steven Tyler.

Joe Perry adds, "Can't wait to bring this band back home. It feels like we've been away too long."

Live Nation is the national tour promoter for Aerosmith's North American tour. This summer's hottest ticket will go on sale March 30 and 31 at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. The first round of tour dates are below with additional dates for a second leg to be announced shortly. Beginning on Thursday, March 29, fans that visit www.livenation.com/aerosmith and RSVP to the presale will have early access to tickets.

The band celebrated their fortieth anniversary in 2010 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. This quintessential live act truly defined rock and roll as we know it, bringing their heart-pounding sound and millions of fans to their feet over the past four decades. Never succumbing to the trends and fads in music, Aerosmith blazes their own path and remains as ground-breaking as they were when they first formed in 1970.

Bassist Tom Hamilton says, "After touring Japan and South America last year we're psyched about bringing it all back for the hometown fans. We're going to break out the classics, the hits and maybe even some of the new ones we've been banging out in the studio. Can't wait to get to Minneapolis!"

Aerosmith are a living piece of American music history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of countless awards including four GRAMMYs, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards among many other honors. Proving that they can cross genre-boundaries with ease, these rock legends have even taken home a Soul Train Award for Best Rap Single for their remix of Run DMC's "Walk This Way." With scores of multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith continues to inspire generations to get their wings, get a grip and just push play. It is no wonder why they are one of the most beloved bands of all time.

American rock band and musical institution Cheap Trick will open the announced shows.

For VIP ticket packages, including opportunities to meet band members, backstage tours, great tickets and more, visit www.Aeroforceone.com

Aerosmith + Cheap Trick 2012 Tour Dates:

6/16 — Minneapolis, Minn.
6/19 — Cleveland, Ohio
6/22 — Chicago, Ill.
6/27 — Toronto, Ontario
7/1 — Uniondale, N.Y.
7/3 — Bristow, Va.
7/5 — Detroit, Mich.
7/7 — Milwaukee, Wis.
7/10 — Laval, Canada
7/12 — Quebec City, Canada
7/14 — Grand Falls, Newfoundland
7/17 — Boston, Mass.
7/19 — TBA
7/21 — Philadelphia, Pa
7/24 — East Rutherford, N.J.
7/26 — Atlanta, Ga.
7/28 — Dallas, Texas
7/30 — Houston, Texas
8/1 — Denver, Colo.
8/4 — Oakland, Calif.
8/6 — Los Angeles, Calif.
8/8 — Tacoma, Wash.

SOURCE Live Nation

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love to get my hands on this vinyl....

GEORGE HARRISON - EARLY TAKES VOL. 1 (LP)

Availability: MAY 1, 2012

Early Takes Vol. 1 features music from Martin Scorsese's acclaimed 2011 documentary on George Harrison entitled Living in the Material World. The 10-song set consists of Harrison's rare demos and early takes on such classic material as Bob Dylan's "Mama You Been On My Mind" and many songs that would appear on his solo 1970 masterpiece All Things Pass including "My Sweet Lord," the Dylan/Harrison composition, "I'd Have You Any Time," "Awaiting On You All," "Behind That Locked Door" and the album's title track.

George Harrison Early Takes Vol. 1 Track Listing:

1. My Sweet Lord (demo)
2. Run Of The Mill (demo)
3. I'd Have You Any Time (early take)
4. Mama You've Been On My Mind (demo)
5. Let It Be Me (demo)
6. Woman Don't You Cry For Me (early take)
7. Awaiting On You All (early take)
8. Behind That Locked Door (demo)
9. All Things Must Pass (demo)
10. The Light That Has Lighted The World (demo)

Get your copy HERE

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album cover art of the day:

Shadows Fall Reveals Cover Art For New LP

Boston based metalcore outfit Shadows Fall recently unveiled the album cover artwork for their forthcoming LP 'Fire From the Sky.' The album is scheduled for release on May 15, 2012 via Razor & Tie.

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and in an expanded music history for march 26th:

Pendergrass in 1977
Born on this day in 1950, Teddy Pendergrass, soul singer. One time member of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. Died on Jan13, 2010 at the age of 59 following a difficult recovery from colon cancer surgery.

In 1956, after Bob Neal's management contract with Elvis Presley expired on March 15th, Colonel Tom Parker takes over. His position of personal representative and manager will pay him 25 percent of Presley's earnings.

Also in 1956, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Elvis Presley began three days of screen tests that included lip-syncing to his recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" and performing two scenes from "The Rainmaker," a movie then in production. Elvis was not chosen for that film, but because they were impressed with his screen presence, Paramount and director Hal Wallis signed Presley to a seven-year movie contract on April 25.

In 1957, Ricky Nelson records his first tunes for the Verve label. "A Teenager's Romance" will climb to #2 on the Billboard chart and "I'm Walkin'" which will reach #4. Over his fifteen year recording career, Rick will place 36 songs in the US Top 40.

In 1958, Dee Clark recorded "Hey Little Girl."

In 1958, Eddie Cochran records his only US Top Ten hit, "Summertime Blues", which will rise to #8 in the US next Fall. It reached #18 in the UK.

In 1961, the Beatles performed at the Casbah Coffee Club, West Derby, Liverpool, their last performance before traveling to Hamburg, West Germany, for their second visit.

In 1962, Elvis Presley began work on his 11th feature film, "Girls! Girls! Girls!," co-starring Stella Stevens, Jeremy Slate, Laurel Goodwin, Robert Strauss, and Benson Fong.

In 1964, former Beatles drummer Pete Best appears on US TV's I've Got A Secret. It only took a handful of questions before the panel guessed his former occupation and when host Gary Moore asked him why he left the group, he said "I thought I'd like to start of group of my own and I thought at that time they weren't going to go as big as they are now."

In 1964, Brenda Holloway released the single "Every Little Bit Hurts."

Also in 1964, the original Broadway production of the musical "Funny Girl," starring Barbra Streisand, Sydney Chaplin, Jean Stapleton, Roger De Koven, and Kay Medford, opened at New York's Winter Garden Theatre for 1,348 performances.

In 1965, it was announced that Jeff Beck would take Eric Clapton's place in the Yardbirds.

In 1965, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman all received electric shocks from a faulty microphone on stage during a Rolling Stones show in Denmark. Bill Wyman was knocked unconscious for several minutes.

In 1968, blues artist Little Willie John died in prison under mysterious circumstances after being convicted of manslaughter two years earlier. He had fourteen hits on the US R&B charts and the same number on the Pop charts, including "Fever", "Sleep", and "Talk To Me, Talk To Me".

In 1970, "Woodstock" opened in movie theaters throughout North America.

In 1972, members of Mott The Hoople were ready to call it quits when friend of the band David Bowie offered to produce their next album, even offered them two new songs he'd written: "Suffragette City," which the band turned down, and "All The Young Dudes," the song that provided them with their breakthrough.

In 1974, David Essex received a Gold record for the hit "Rock On", which made #5 in the US and #3 in the UK.

In 1975, the movie musical "Tommy," directed by Ken Russell and based on the Who album of the same name, premiered in London, starring Who lead singer Roger Daltrey in the title role, Ann-Margret, Jack Nicholson, Elton John, and Tina Turner.

In 1976, one-man blues band Duster Bennett was killed in a car accident. 1970 album 'Smiling Like I'm Happy.' Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and B.B. King.

In 1976, Wings released the "Wings at the Speed of Sound" album.

In 1977, Foreigner released what became their first hit single, "Feels Like the First Time,'' the first of their eight consecutive Top 20 singles.

In 1977, Daryl Hall And John Oates score the first of their six Billboard number one hits when "Rich Girl" reached the top. The song was not a hit in the UK.

In 1980, seven years after its release, Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" breaks the record for the longest-charting Pop album, previously held by Carole King's "Tapestry". At the same time, their latest single "Another Brick In The Wall" was topping both the Cashbox Best Sellers chart and the Billboard Hot 100.

Also in 1980, Jon Paulos, drummer for The Buckinghams on their string of 1967 hits, including "Kind Of A Drag" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", died of a drug overdose. He was 32.

In 1985, radio stations in South Africa banned all of Stevie Wonder's records after he dedicated the Oscar he had won the night before at The Academy Awards to Nelson Mandela.

In 1986, Guns N' Roses was signed to Geffen Records.

In 1986, '5150' by Van Halen was released.

In 1988, Michael Jackson squeezed a fourth, US number one single out of his album "Bad" with "Man In The Mirror". It was a #21 hit in the UK.

In 1994, Soundgarden entered the US album chart at #1 with 'Superunknown.'

In 1995, London's Sunday Times reported that Yoko Ono and her son, Sean Lennon, visited Paul McCartney's recording studio during their weekend stay with the McCartney family. The newspaper suggested that the visit signified an end to decades of hostility between McCartney and Ono.

In 1998, Chuck Negron filed a suit against his former Three Dog Night bandmates, alleging they had breached a 1990 settlement agreement and interfered with his career.

In 2000, Santana started a two-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with 'Supernatural.'

In 2001, the toy figure of Eminem was facing a ban from UK shops. Woolworth's and Hamleys were refusing to stock the dolls. Psychologists warned parents who buy the dolls for children will be inadvertently giving their approval to bad language.

In 2002, Randy Castillo drummer with the Ozzy Osbourne band died of cancer aged 51. Worked with Osbourne during the 1980s and early 1990s. Also worked with Lita Ford and Motley Crue.

In 2002, Three Dog Night's original bass player, Joe Schermie, Jr., who played with the group from 1968-1973, died of a heart attack. He had just turned 55 a month earlier.

In 2004, Jan Berry, one-half of the duo of Jan and Dean, died after suffering a seizure at his home. Together, the pair sold more than 10 million records and placed 14 hits in the US Top 40. Jan was a week away from his 63rd birthday.

In 2005, CBC Radio One named Ian and Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds" the greatest Canadian song of all time.

In 2005, Australian drummer Paul Hester died aged 46, after he "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne. He had been a member of Crowded House, Split Enz and Largest Living Things. After leaving Crowded House in 1994 Hester appeared on many TV and radio shows in Australia.



In 2006, readers of Total Guitar magazine voted the guitar solo by Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven' as the greatest guitar solo of all time. The 1971 track was voted ahead of tracks by Van Halen, Queen, Jimi Hendrix and The Eagles. On the 20th anniversary of the original release of the song, it was announced via US radio sources that the song had logged up an estimated 2,874,000 radio plays - back to back, that would run for 44 years solid.

In 2009, a jumpsuit that Elvis Presley wore at a concert at New York's Madison Square Garden sold at an auction for $212,588.

In 2011, Carl Bunch, the drummer for Buddy Holly who was in the hospital with frostbite when Holly and other members of the Winter Dance Party Tour were killed in a 1959 plane crash, died of complications from diabetes at age 71.

birthdays today include (among others): Diana Ross (68), Richard Tandy (Electric Light Orchestra) (64), Fran Sheehan (Boston) (63), Kenny Chesney (44), James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) (44) and the immortal Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) (64)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Record Store Day US Releases Announced

The folks at Record Store Day have just released their US list of exclusive releases for this year's event; being held on April 21st. Here are some on my radar (the ones I would buy if I could afford it, maybe I will go on eBay the next day and get a few, cause that's where most of them wind up anyway) Maybe we should call it eBay Vinyl Day. The folks at Record Store Day (which by the way have my support) don't include online retailers, which, in my humble opinion, they should. Online is where most vinyl changes hands anyway, so why not include folks like SoundStageDirect, music direct, heck even amazon!and many others who aid in the distribution of our beloved vinyl!  Like last year, let's watch these puppies all over eBay atfer april 21st..........

Flogging Molly will release an exclusive 7" vinyl single of "Drunken Lullabies" with a B-side of "A Prayer for Me in Silence".

Ozzy Osbourne will release a 4400 press limited edition Randy Rhodes tribute polka dot vinyl of "Believer" and "Goodbye to Romance", both live.

Pete Townshend will release a 10" vinyl pressing of Quadrophenia Demos Part 2.

The Civil Wars will release a 7" vinyl of their acclaimed cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", limited to 1000 presses.

The Grateful Dead will release a 4200 press limited edition LP of Dark Star: Europe 72 Olympic Theater- Paris France 5/4/72 containing the previously unavailable longest version of "Dark Star".

Bruce Springsteen will release a 7" 45 of "Rocky Ground" from his new album Wrecking Ball along with a B side of "The Promise" Live from the Carousel, Asbury Park.

Kasabian will release their covers of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games" and Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape" on 7-inch vinyl.

The Clash will release a newly digitally remastered version of "London Calling" on vinyl.

get all the details at Record Store Day (it's quite the list !!!) RecordStoreDay.com

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great story out of the UK:

The world's oldest record shop: on the vinyl frontier since 1894

Spillers Records in Cardiff has served music lovers for nearly 120 years, but competition from the internet makes its future far from certain. We spent a day there meeting staff and customers

Tom Lamont The Observer,

The light-up sign in the window of Spillers Records, a suitcase-sized chock of blue and white acrylic, is off. The doors are locked. Outside, a man wearing a woolly hat and headphones checks the time: 20 past. He checks again. Still that.

Spillers opens at 9.30am, and it may be to divert the over-eager morning customer that some window space has been turned into a small exhibit, celebrating the shop's rich history in Cardiff. There are record sleeves from its days as a "phono exchange", run by the Spiller family from 1894 to the 1940s. There are 7-inch single bags – relics, like the light-up sign, of the 1970s, when the shop was run by a local man called Nick Todd. A cardboard replica of Tom Jones invokes history more recent, the cut-out draped in branded Spillers T-shirts that were must-buys for loyal customers when the shop faced closure in 2010.

It has been a difficult decade for record shops like this. Streaming, downloading, home shopping, pirating – the internet-inspired woes of the music industry have been disruptive from the perk-denied pop star down, but effects at the retail end have been particularly severe. Robust-seeming chains have folded, and of the 900-odd independent record shops that were in business in the UK six years ago, fewer than 300 are trading now. The downturn was part of the spur behind International Record Store Day (21 April), an event thought up in 2007 and officially launched the following year to say, essentially, support these places now or one-click-buy on Amazon forever more.

Read the rest at guardian.co.uk

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Steve Miller Band Announce Tour Dates

The Steve Miller Band announced their latest trek, which will take the group through 10 countries in seven months and starts May 20th at the Doheny Blues Festival in California and ends in Vienna, Austria on November 4th.

Steve Miller Band 2012 Tour Dates:

5/20 - Dana Point, Calif.
6/16 - LaCross, Wis.
6/19 - Englewood, N.J
6/20 - Red Bank, N.J.
6/21 - Morristown, N.J.
6/23 - Cleveland, Ohio
6/27 - Milwaukee, Wis.
6/28 - South Bend, Ind.
6/29 - Naperville, Ill.
6/30 - Morton, Minn.
7/7 - Seattle, Wash.
7/8 - Portland, Ore.
7/10 - Fresno, Calif.
7/14 - Mountainview, Calif.
7/23 - Oskosh, Wis.
7/25 - Cincinnati, Ohio
7/27 - London, Ont.
7/28 - Belleville, Ont.
7/31 - Buffalo, N.Y.
8/3 - Mashantucket,Ct.
8/4 - Hyannis, Mass.
8/5 - Gilford, N.H.
8/8 - Glen Allen, Va.
8/10 - Vienna, Va.
8/11 - Vienna, Va.
8/30 - Pueblo, Colo.
9/1 - Huron, SD
9/2 - Grand Island, Ne
9/28 - Tulsa, Okla.
9/30 - Austin, Tx
10/20 - London, UK
10/21 - Glasgow, Scotland
10/23 - Brussels, Belgium
10/24 - Tilburg, Holland
10/25 - Groningen, Holland
10/29 - Frankfurt, DE
10/30 - Munich, DE
10/31 - Berlin, DE
11/2 - Paris, France
1/4 - Vienna, Austria

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and in music history for march 25th

In 1955, "Blackboard Jungle," starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Richard Kiley, Margaret Hayes, Sidney Portier, and Vic Morrow, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters. While it is a solid drama, the movie is mostly remembered for prominently featuring Bill Haley and His Comets' recording of "Rock Around The Clock." With its new soundtrack exposure, the single, which had been released a full year earlier to little fanfare, rocketed back onto the charts and straight to #1, kicking off the rock 'n' roll era in earnest.

In 1958, Elvis Presley's ducktail hairstyle and famous sideburns are removed as he received the regulation short haircut from US Army barber James Peterson. The King would never go back to wearing a DA.

In 1959, in New Orleans, Lloyd Price recorded "Personality."

In 1960, in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "Only the Lonely."

In 1960, Ray Charles updates Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind", a song that first became a #10 hit for Frankie Trumbauer in 1931. Charles' version will become his fifth Billboard Pop chart hit and his first #1 next November.

In 1963, Johnny Cash records one of his biggest Pop hits, "Ring Of Fire", which will climb to #17 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. The song was written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore and was originally recorded by June's sister, Anita Carter. When her version failed to become a hit, Johnny added the mariachi-style horns and changed a few of the words. Four years later, Johnny and June were married.

In 1963, the Beach Boys released the album 'Surfin' U.S.A.'

In 1965, Jeff Beck joined the Yardbirds and would later help record the hits, "Heart Full of Soul" and "Shapes of Things" before leaving in the Fall of 1966. Jimmy Page had also joined the band, but The Yardbirds would split up in 1968. Page then re-shaped the group to form The New Yardbirds, later renaming them Led Zeppelin.

In 1966, at Bob Whitaker's photo studio in London, the Beatles posed in white coats using sides of beef, mutilated dolls and butchered meat for the cover of their "Yesterday and Today" album. After public outcry following its release, the album was quickly withdrawn in favor of one with a cover that was less provocative.

In 1967, the Doors debut album, featuring "Light My Fire", enters the Billboard Hot 200 chart. The LP had been released during the first week of January and would end up leading Billboard for three weeks and Cashbox for a week.

Also in 1967, although they had cracked the Top 40 on three previous occasions, The Turtles enjoyed their first and only Billboard number one hit with "Happy Together". It made #12 in the UK.

In 1968, the Monkees 58th and final TV episode was broadcast, ending a two year run. The Fabricated Four would soon start to dissolve as Peter Tork left the group later that year, leaving just Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones on the cover of the group's next album, "Instant Replay".

In 1971, New York radio station WNBC banned the song "One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer and Shipley because of its alleged drug references. Other stations around the country follow suit, but the record still makes it to Billboard's #10.

In 1972, the trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek, collectively known as America, reached the top spot on The Hot 100 and The Cashbox Best Sellers chart with "A Horse With No Name". The tune, which reached #3 in the UK, was originally titled "Desert Song".

In 1976, Jackson Browne's wife, Phyllis Major, committed suicide. Much of the music on Browne's album, "The Pretender" displays the sense of despair at her death. The recording became the first of Browne's LP's to sell a million copies.

In 1977, after a decade of having only local success in the Michigan area, 33 year old Bob Seger gets his big break. His 7th album, "Night Moves" goes Platinum on the strength of three Top Forty hits: "Night Moves", "Mainstreet" and "Rock and Roll Never Forgets".

The first single by Elvis Costello, "Less Than Zero," was released in 1977.

In 1978, a Philadelphia R&B / Disco group called The Trammps enter the Billboard Top 40 for the third and final time with "Disco Inferno", which will climb to #11 during its thirteen week stay.

In 1983, in Pasadena, California, Motown taped an all-star concert at the Civic Auditorium to celebrate the label's 25th anniversary. Performers included Smokey Robinson, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Commodores, Martha Reeves, Jr. Walker and, in what turned out to be his last network television appearance, Marvin Gaye. A brief Supremes reunion and a Jackson 5 performance seemed to top off the night, but when the show was broadcast on May 16, 1983, it was Michael Jackson's solo performance of his new single "Billie Jean" and his "moonwalk" that stole the show, turning him from superstar to megastar overnight.

In 1985, at the 57th annual Academy Awards, Prince wins the Best Original Song Score Oscar for "Purple Rain" and Stevie Wonder is awarded Best Original Song for "I Just Called To Say I Love You".

In 1989, fire destroyed a recording studio on Chuck Berry's farm at Wentzville, Missouri. Among the items lost was a tape containing 13 unreleased Berry songs.

In 2006, country music songwriter/singer and TV show host (Hee Haw) Buck Owens died of a heart attack at age 76.

In 2009, Dan Seals, of the 1970s duo England Dan And John Ford Coley, died of cancer at the age of 61. After scoring several Billboard Pop chart hits, including "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight", "Nights are Forever" and "Love Is The Answer", Seals went on to have a solid career in Country music during the 1980s and early '90s.

birthdays today include (among others): Aretha Franklin (1942), Elton John (1947) and Nick Lowe (1949)