SAN FRANCISCO – Merl Saunders, a jazz and rock keyboardist who collaborated with iconic acts including Miles Davis and the Grateful Dead, has died. He was 74.
Saunders died Friday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco of complications due to a stroke, said his son, Merl Saunders Jr.
"We loved him very much — and we know that you, his fans, did too," his family said in a statement posted on Saunders' Web site. "He was a special man, a beautiful companion, father, grandfather, and family patriarch, and the proof of that spirit is in the way you've reached out to us at his passing."
Born in San Mateo, Calif., Saunders attended high school with Johnny Mathis in San Francisco. One of Saunders' very first performances was a high school event with Mathis, Saunders Jr. said.
Some of Saunders' most famous music was made in the 1960s and 1970s when he teamed up with the Grateful Dead's lead guitarist and singer, Jerry Garcia. The Saunders-Garcia Band recorded two records in the 1970s and the two would play together on an array of projects until Garcia's death in 1995.
In 1990 Saunders and Garcia released the album "Blues from the Rainforest" that achieved success on the new age music charts.
Saunders is survived by his longtime companion, his two sons and a daughter.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Album Cover Art
Let's continue our look at Gigwise.com's look at controversial, weird, best and worst album covers (as compiled by their crack staff):
Controversial
3. Type O Negative: ‘The Origin’ – Brooklyn band Type O Negative were forced to change their album artwork to a green and black image of dancing skeletons after the close-up of a sphincter, reportedly that of lead singer Peter Steele, unsurprisingly caused controversy. Gee you think that an image of someone's ass is the best way to sell and promote your music? Assholes.
alternate cover
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Weird
3. Butthole Surfers: 'Double Live' – Oh, these wise guys again. They have certainly made the Gigwise list several times and I think that goofy album cover art (like this alien baby/alien dinosaur shaking hands while onstage) is just a precursoor to their weird music. This live album, released in 1989, was given an extremely limited run - 10,000 vinyl printings, 7,500 cassettes, and 4,750 CDs to be precise.
The band did not begin as the Butthole Surfers, although they did have a song of that title, possibly an early version of 1984's "Butthole Surfer". This changed at their first paid concert, when an announcer forgot what the band was called and used the song title for the group’s name. They decided to keep the moniker, and have largely been billed as such ever since. Prior to that, the Surfers performed under a different name at every live show. Early aliases included the Dick Clark Five, Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food, the Vodka Family Winstons, and many others.
The name has long been a source of trouble for the band. Many clubs, newspapers, radio, and TV stations refuse to print or mention their full name, and instead opted to use "B.H. Surfers", or other abbreviations.
I'm not sure, but will we see them again on the Gigwise list?
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Worst
3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – ‘Unfinished Music No 1: Two Virgins’: We have already seen this 'great' cover on the Gigwise list, someone must be obsessed with it.
Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins is a noise music album released by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1968. The result of an all-night session of musical experimentation in Lennon's home studio at Kenwood, John and Yoko's debut album is known not only for its avant garde content, but also for its cover. The album's title came from the couple's feeling that they were "two innocents, lost in a world gone mad", and because after making the recording, the two consummated their relationship for the first time.
The recording consists largely of tape loops, playing while Lennon tries out different instruments (piano, organ, drums) and sound effects (including reverb, delay and distortion), changes tapes and plays other recordings, and converses with Ono, who vocalises ad-lib in response to the sounds. Lennon's longtime friend Peter Shotton remembered later in his memoir (The Beatles, Lennon and Me) that many of the loops were made by Lennon and himself, in the days before the recording. Lennon recorded directly to two-track stereo, but much of the source material was monophonic.
The couple used a time-delay camera to take nude photographs of themselves, for the album's cover; the front showed them frontally nude, while the rear showed them from behind. (The photos were taken not at Kenwood, but at Ringo Starr's basement apartment at Montagu Square, where Lennon and Ono stayed later that year.) The cover provoked an outrage, prompting distributors to sell the album in a plain brown wrapper. Copies of the album were impounded as obscene in several jurisdictions (including 30,000 copies in New Jersey). Lennon wryly commented that the uproar seemed to have less to do with the explicit nudity, and more to do with the fact that the pair were rather unattractive (and the photo unflattering; Lennon described it later as a picture of "two slightly overweight ex-junkies." Nevertheless, the taboo-breaking album cover was perhaps the first time that a male celebrity of any consequence had exposed himself so thoroughly to the public.
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Best
3. The Sex Pistols: ‘Never Mind the Bollocks' - This cover shows up on many 'best of' lists and I cannot see why. It is the name of the group and the name of the album. Yes, I like the yellow and purple mix, but that is about it for me.
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols is the first and only album recorded by the Sex Pistols, a highly influential and controversial English punk band. Fans and critics alike generally regard the album as an extremely important record in the history of rock music, citing the lasting influence it has had on subsequent punk musicians and other musical genres that were influenced by such punk rock artists.
The album was released on October 28, 1977 on the Virgin Records label, amid controversy arising from the use of the obscenity (in British English) "bollocks" in its title.
Ok, now that explains it, apparently "bullocks" is a dirty word.
Controversial
3. Type O Negative: ‘The Origin’ – Brooklyn band Type O Negative were forced to change their album artwork to a green and black image of dancing skeletons after the close-up of a sphincter, reportedly that of lead singer Peter Steele, unsurprisingly caused controversy. Gee you think that an image of someone's ass is the best way to sell and promote your music? Assholes.
alternate cover
------------------------------------
Weird
3. Butthole Surfers: 'Double Live' – Oh, these wise guys again. They have certainly made the Gigwise list several times and I think that goofy album cover art (like this alien baby/alien dinosaur shaking hands while onstage) is just a precursoor to their weird music. This live album, released in 1989, was given an extremely limited run - 10,000 vinyl printings, 7,500 cassettes, and 4,750 CDs to be precise.
The band did not begin as the Butthole Surfers, although they did have a song of that title, possibly an early version of 1984's "Butthole Surfer". This changed at their first paid concert, when an announcer forgot what the band was called and used the song title for the group’s name. They decided to keep the moniker, and have largely been billed as such ever since. Prior to that, the Surfers performed under a different name at every live show. Early aliases included the Dick Clark Five, Nine Foot Worm Makes Own Food, the Vodka Family Winstons, and many others.
The name has long been a source of trouble for the band. Many clubs, newspapers, radio, and TV stations refuse to print or mention their full name, and instead opted to use "B.H. Surfers", or other abbreviations.
I'm not sure, but will we see them again on the Gigwise list?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worst
3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – ‘Unfinished Music No 1: Two Virgins’: We have already seen this 'great' cover on the Gigwise list, someone must be obsessed with it.
Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins is a noise music album released by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1968. The result of an all-night session of musical experimentation in Lennon's home studio at Kenwood, John and Yoko's debut album is known not only for its avant garde content, but also for its cover. The album's title came from the couple's feeling that they were "two innocents, lost in a world gone mad", and because after making the recording, the two consummated their relationship for the first time.
The recording consists largely of tape loops, playing while Lennon tries out different instruments (piano, organ, drums) and sound effects (including reverb, delay and distortion), changes tapes and plays other recordings, and converses with Ono, who vocalises ad-lib in response to the sounds. Lennon's longtime friend Peter Shotton remembered later in his memoir (The Beatles, Lennon and Me) that many of the loops were made by Lennon and himself, in the days before the recording. Lennon recorded directly to two-track stereo, but much of the source material was monophonic.
The couple used a time-delay camera to take nude photographs of themselves, for the album's cover; the front showed them frontally nude, while the rear showed them from behind. (The photos were taken not at Kenwood, but at Ringo Starr's basement apartment at Montagu Square, where Lennon and Ono stayed later that year.) The cover provoked an outrage, prompting distributors to sell the album in a plain brown wrapper. Copies of the album were impounded as obscene in several jurisdictions (including 30,000 copies in New Jersey). Lennon wryly commented that the uproar seemed to have less to do with the explicit nudity, and more to do with the fact that the pair were rather unattractive (and the photo unflattering; Lennon described it later as a picture of "two slightly overweight ex-junkies." Nevertheless, the taboo-breaking album cover was perhaps the first time that a male celebrity of any consequence had exposed himself so thoroughly to the public.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
3. The Sex Pistols: ‘Never Mind the Bollocks' - This cover shows up on many 'best of' lists and I cannot see why. It is the name of the group and the name of the album. Yes, I like the yellow and purple mix, but that is about it for me.
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols is the first and only album recorded by the Sex Pistols, a highly influential and controversial English punk band. Fans and critics alike generally regard the album as an extremely important record in the history of rock music, citing the lasting influence it has had on subsequent punk musicians and other musical genres that were influenced by such punk rock artists.
The album was released on October 28, 1977 on the Virgin Records label, amid controversy arising from the use of the obscenity (in British English) "bollocks" in its title.
Ok, now that explains it, apparently "bullocks" is a dirty word.
This Date In Music History- October 26
Birthdays:
Birthday wishes to Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs.
Born on this day in 1951, Bootsy Collins, bass player.
David Was of Was Not Was, was born in 1952. (that’s a lot of was’s).
Maggie Roche of the folk trio the Roches was born in 1951. You can hear her backing vocals on Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon.
History:
In 1984, 19-year-old John D. McCollum killed himself with a .22 caliber handgun after spending the day listening to Ozzy Osbourne records. One year later, McCollum's parents took court action against Ozzy and CBS Records, alleging that the song "Suicide Solution" from the album Blizzard of Ozz contributed to their son's death. The case was eventually thrown out of court.
The Beatles' debut single, "Love Me Do," entered the English chart in 1962.
A She Devil: In 1993, Catholic churches in San Juan, Puerto Rico asked residents to tie black ribbons on trees in protest against Madonna's first live appearance in the country.
In 1991, legendary Rock concert promoter Bill Graham was killed when the Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopter he was riding in struck the top of a Pacific Gas & Electric transmission tower near Sears Point, northwest of Vallejo, and exploded. The fiery crash, which left the helicopter's wreckage dangling near the top of the towering structure, killed Graham (age 60); his girlfriend Melissa Gold (age 47); and pilot Steve Kahn. Graham had founded the Fillmore theaters in San Francisco and New York and had played key roles in supporting such bands as the Who, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Janis Joplin, The Band, Bob Dylan, the J. Geils Band, the Allman Brothers Band and the Rolling Stones.
Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with 'Saving All My Love For You', also a No.1 hit in the UK.
Queen Elizabeth II presented The Beatles with their MBE's at Buckingham Palace, England in 1965. According to John Lennon, The Beatles smoked marijuana in one of the palace bathrooms to calm their nerves. Is this a myth or Beatle magic to sell records?
Bill Haley and his Comets played the first rock 'n' roll concert in Germany in 1958. Over 7,000 rock 'n' roll fans turned the show into a riot. 20 policemen were injured and one permanently blinded as teens from East and West Berlin skirmish.
In 1961, Bob Dylan signed his first recording contract with Columbia Records.
In 1992, Pearl Jam sets a new record for first week sales when the LP "Vs." sold 950,000 copies. It’s a record later broken by less notable performers (Garth Brooks and the Backstreet Boys).
In 1991, singer / songwriter Hoyt Axton, who wrote Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World", died peacefully at his ranch at the age of 61. His mother, Mae Buran Axton wrote Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel".
Forbes.com compiled a list of the top earning dead celebrities in 2004 and to no one's surprise, Elvis Presley came out on top. 27 years after his death, fans were still buying his music and collecting memorabilia to the tune of $40 million a year. Beatle John Lennon was number four on the list with earnings of $21 million, while his former band mate George Harrison was number 7, bringing in $7 million.
Birthday wishes to Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs.
Born on this day in 1951, Bootsy Collins, bass player.
David Was of Was Not Was, was born in 1952. (that’s a lot of was’s).
Maggie Roche of the folk trio the Roches was born in 1951. You can hear her backing vocals on Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon.
History:
In 1984, 19-year-old John D. McCollum killed himself with a .22 caliber handgun after spending the day listening to Ozzy Osbourne records. One year later, McCollum's parents took court action against Ozzy and CBS Records, alleging that the song "Suicide Solution" from the album Blizzard of Ozz contributed to their son's death. The case was eventually thrown out of court.
The Beatles' debut single, "Love Me Do," entered the English chart in 1962.
A She Devil: In 1993, Catholic churches in San Juan, Puerto Rico asked residents to tie black ribbons on trees in protest against Madonna's first live appearance in the country.
In 1991, legendary Rock concert promoter Bill Graham was killed when the Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopter he was riding in struck the top of a Pacific Gas & Electric transmission tower near Sears Point, northwest of Vallejo, and exploded. The fiery crash, which left the helicopter's wreckage dangling near the top of the towering structure, killed Graham (age 60); his girlfriend Melissa Gold (age 47); and pilot Steve Kahn. Graham had founded the Fillmore theaters in San Francisco and New York and had played key roles in supporting such bands as the Who, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Janis Joplin, The Band, Bob Dylan, the J. Geils Band, the Allman Brothers Band and the Rolling Stones.
Whitney Houston went to No.1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with 'Saving All My Love For You', also a No.1 hit in the UK.
Queen Elizabeth II presented The Beatles with their MBE's at Buckingham Palace, England in 1965. According to John Lennon, The Beatles smoked marijuana in one of the palace bathrooms to calm their nerves. Is this a myth or Beatle magic to sell records?
Bill Haley and his Comets played the first rock 'n' roll concert in Germany in 1958. Over 7,000 rock 'n' roll fans turned the show into a riot. 20 policemen were injured and one permanently blinded as teens from East and West Berlin skirmish.
In 1961, Bob Dylan signed his first recording contract with Columbia Records.
In 1992, Pearl Jam sets a new record for first week sales when the LP "Vs." sold 950,000 copies. It’s a record later broken by less notable performers (Garth Brooks and the Backstreet Boys).
In 1991, singer / songwriter Hoyt Axton, who wrote Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World", died peacefully at his ranch at the age of 61. His mother, Mae Buran Axton wrote Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel".
Forbes.com compiled a list of the top earning dead celebrities in 2004 and to no one's surprise, Elvis Presley came out on top. 27 years after his death, fans were still buying his music and collecting memorabilia to the tune of $40 million a year. Beatle John Lennon was number four on the list with earnings of $21 million, while his former band mate George Harrison was number 7, bringing in $7 million.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Best Vinyl: 180g and 200g Virgin Vinyl…
Written by By Alan Bayer
All vinyl records are not created equal. It turns out that the type of vinyl used to make the actual record, as well as the weight of that vinyl have a huge impact on the ultimate sound of that record.
Let's back up.
In the old days, many vinyl records that were released were made on cheaper, low quality vinyl that was often recycled and usually contains impurities. These impurities make it more difficult for the sound to be accurately transferred to the record. For example, if 95% of the record is made of pure vinyl, 5% of the record is made of impurities. These impurities could be metals or plastics, or something else that does not have the exact chemical properties of vinyl. When the record is pressed (the process in which the grooves are imprinted onto the record), these impurities can interfere with the pressing, resulting in a record that contains bits of distortion and less precise musical data.
Also in the old days, many LPs were pressed onto thinner, lightweight vinyl. Thinner, lightweight vinyl was cheaper to manufacture, and it allowed music to remain more affordable for the masses. However, as you can imagine, thinner vinyl records are more fragile, get damaged easier, and wear out sooner. It is also true that thinner vinyl records produce a sound that is less pure.
So...what to do? Well, fortunately due to the re-emergence of vinyl as a serious medium in which to play music back, most of the vinyl that is released today is pressed on heavier records made of "virgin" vinyl. Virgin vinyl simply means that the vinyl used to make the record is pure vinyl, and virtually free of impurities. The lack of impurities creates a more pure pressing of the vinyl, resulting in a better sound.
In addition to the high-quality, virgin vinyl used, many records are pressed on heavier platters of vinyl. Usually this is advertised on the packaging as a "180g" or "200g" pressing. The 180g or 200g is just the weight of the record in grams. So, a 180g record weighs 180 grams. These heavier records are noticeably heavier, thicker and stiffer than lightweight records. As you can imagine, the grooves retain their shape better, even with repeated plays. Some even claim that the stiffer vinyl produces a more realistic sound with less distortion than a standard record.
Most so-called "audiophile" records are pressed on heavy, virgin vinyl, and the experts pretty much agree: These records truly do sound better than the standard, lightweight records of yesteryear. Plenty of jazz, classical and rock selections are available in this heavier format, and it is always recommended that you seek these out when shopping for vinyl.
Just for fun, I am currently listening the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack in my car, Miles Davis' "On The Corner" on my iPod, and The Beatles' White Album on my turntable.
Enjoy the music!
Author Alan E Bayer is a jazz lover and vinyl record enthusiast who operates http://www.vinylrevinyl.com, a site where one can find collectible vinyl records, turntables and vinyl accessories. Enjoy the site, and enjoy the sound of music on vinyl.
All vinyl records are not created equal. It turns out that the type of vinyl used to make the actual record, as well as the weight of that vinyl have a huge impact on the ultimate sound of that record.
Let's back up.
In the old days, many vinyl records that were released were made on cheaper, low quality vinyl that was often recycled and usually contains impurities. These impurities make it more difficult for the sound to be accurately transferred to the record. For example, if 95% of the record is made of pure vinyl, 5% of the record is made of impurities. These impurities could be metals or plastics, or something else that does not have the exact chemical properties of vinyl. When the record is pressed (the process in which the grooves are imprinted onto the record), these impurities can interfere with the pressing, resulting in a record that contains bits of distortion and less precise musical data.
Also in the old days, many LPs were pressed onto thinner, lightweight vinyl. Thinner, lightweight vinyl was cheaper to manufacture, and it allowed music to remain more affordable for the masses. However, as you can imagine, thinner vinyl records are more fragile, get damaged easier, and wear out sooner. It is also true that thinner vinyl records produce a sound that is less pure.
So...what to do? Well, fortunately due to the re-emergence of vinyl as a serious medium in which to play music back, most of the vinyl that is released today is pressed on heavier records made of "virgin" vinyl. Virgin vinyl simply means that the vinyl used to make the record is pure vinyl, and virtually free of impurities. The lack of impurities creates a more pure pressing of the vinyl, resulting in a better sound.
In addition to the high-quality, virgin vinyl used, many records are pressed on heavier platters of vinyl. Usually this is advertised on the packaging as a "180g" or "200g" pressing. The 180g or 200g is just the weight of the record in grams. So, a 180g record weighs 180 grams. These heavier records are noticeably heavier, thicker and stiffer than lightweight records. As you can imagine, the grooves retain their shape better, even with repeated plays. Some even claim that the stiffer vinyl produces a more realistic sound with less distortion than a standard record.
Most so-called "audiophile" records are pressed on heavy, virgin vinyl, and the experts pretty much agree: These records truly do sound better than the standard, lightweight records of yesteryear. Plenty of jazz, classical and rock selections are available in this heavier format, and it is always recommended that you seek these out when shopping for vinyl.
Just for fun, I am currently listening the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack in my car, Miles Davis' "On The Corner" on my iPod, and The Beatles' White Album on my turntable.
Enjoy the music!
Author Alan E Bayer is a jazz lover and vinyl record enthusiast who operates http://www.vinylrevinyl.com, a site where one can find collectible vinyl records, turntables and vinyl accessories. Enjoy the site, and enjoy the sound of music on vinyl.
Album Cover Art
Here we are at #4 on the Gigwise.com album cover series. Let's take a look at what made their list as the most controversial, weirdest, best and worst (warning- some may find the images offensive)
4. Chumbawamba: ‘Anarchy’ - Was this image totally necessary to help sell a record? This is not only offensive, but in my opinion does not belong on a record cover. They were initailly sold in a brown paper wrapper, although it appreared on some shelves uncensored.
Anarchy is a 1994 album by anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba. Many of the tracks address specific social problems, such as homophobia, strikes or fascism.
From what I have read, the music is actually quite good, but for me, this image belongs...well...in the delivery room.
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Weird
4. Little Richard Miller: 'Born Without Arms and Legs' This is just one odd little man. Sure, Richard Millar was a devout Christian who could play the organ and guitar with his partially formed appendages. But why is a giant Jesus in the sky is anyone's guess. My guess is that he is being held up by the water fountain. I wonder if he drives the bus as well? And the title? I think Jesus knew he was born with no arms or legs, but for some reason gave the man musical talent, which is a bit disturbing to me.
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Worst
Various Artists: My Pussy Belongs To Daddy’ Uh, eewww. I guess they mean the cat. Not much information, but here is what I found: Released in 1957. For Adults Only. Spicy Songs Sung By Outstanding Artists here is a short review: "a record chockful o' songs with eye-rolling double-entendre titles like, "Things Are Soft For Grandma", "Tony's Hot Nuts", and "She Sits Among the Cabbages and Peas". Despite the ridiculous titles, the songs are actually pretty decent; most are done in a smoky nightclub jazz style, and sung by naughty-record vet, Fay Richmonde (among others). ..."
Sometimes the less said, the better.....
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Best
4. The Clash: ‘London Calling’ - London Calling is the third album by English punk rock band The Clash, released December 14, 1979, on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 on Epic Records in the United States. The album represented a change in The Clash's musical style, and featured elements of ska, pop, soul, rockabilly and reggae music. The album's subject matter included unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood.
The album received positive reviews and was ranked at number eight on Rolling Stone' list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003. London Calling was a top ten album in the UK, and its lead single "London Calling" was a top twenty single. It has sold over two million copies worldwide, and was certified platinum in the United States.
The album's cover features a photograph of Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on September 21, 1979 during the "Clash Take the Fifth" US tour. Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, (she was moving for cover as shards of the bass flew at her when she took it), but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover. In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control".
Uh, cool out, it's just a musician smashing a guitar- ever heard of the Who?
4. Chumbawamba: ‘Anarchy’ - Was this image totally necessary to help sell a record? This is not only offensive, but in my opinion does not belong on a record cover. They were initailly sold in a brown paper wrapper, although it appreared on some shelves uncensored.
Anarchy is a 1994 album by anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba. Many of the tracks address specific social problems, such as homophobia, strikes or fascism.
From what I have read, the music is actually quite good, but for me, this image belongs...well...in the delivery room.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weird
4. Little Richard Miller: 'Born Without Arms and Legs' This is just one odd little man. Sure, Richard Millar was a devout Christian who could play the organ and guitar with his partially formed appendages. But why is a giant Jesus in the sky is anyone's guess. My guess is that he is being held up by the water fountain. I wonder if he drives the bus as well? And the title? I think Jesus knew he was born with no arms or legs, but for some reason gave the man musical talent, which is a bit disturbing to me.
-----------------------------------------------------
Worst
Various Artists: My Pussy Belongs To Daddy’ Uh, eewww. I guess they mean the cat. Not much information, but here is what I found: Released in 1957. For Adults Only. Spicy Songs Sung By Outstanding Artists here is a short review: "a record chockful o' songs with eye-rolling double-entendre titles like, "Things Are Soft For Grandma", "Tony's Hot Nuts", and "She Sits Among the Cabbages and Peas". Despite the ridiculous titles, the songs are actually pretty decent; most are done in a smoky nightclub jazz style, and sung by naughty-record vet, Fay Richmonde (among others). ..."
Sometimes the less said, the better.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
4. The Clash: ‘London Calling’ - London Calling is the third album by English punk rock band The Clash, released December 14, 1979, on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 on Epic Records in the United States. The album represented a change in The Clash's musical style, and featured elements of ska, pop, soul, rockabilly and reggae music. The album's subject matter included unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood.
The album received positive reviews and was ranked at number eight on Rolling Stone' list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003. London Calling was a top ten album in the UK, and its lead single "London Calling" was a top twenty single. It has sold over two million copies worldwide, and was certified platinum in the United States.
The album's cover features a photograph of Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on September 21, 1979 during the "Clash Take the Fifth" US tour. Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, (she was moving for cover as shards of the bass flew at her when she took it), but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover. In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control".
Uh, cool out, it's just a musician smashing a guitar- ever heard of the Who?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Indie Record Store Saga
An interesting article and a sign of the times:
As part of our ongoing Navigating Tough Times coverage, the Business Times asked a handful of small business owners to talk about how they are coping with the volatile economy.
Navigating Tough Times: Jerry Weber struggles to keep sales spinning in tough times
Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley
SOURCE: http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/
Jerry Weber’s Squirrel Hill business has 1 million to 2 million albums for sale. He says the future of his business is online.
It’s an ongoing economic indicator about as subtle as a long, grinding scratch across pressed vinyl.
Jerry Weber is used to seeing people come to his Jerry’s Fine Used Records store on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill looking to make a customer out of him rather than vice versa.
“Not only are they not buying records off me, but they want me to buy records,” he said, of the 10 calls or more he gets each day. “I hear this a lot: ‘I’m streamlining, Jerry. I’m cutting back.’”
Such is life for Jerry’s these days.
Weber’s business has accumulated between 1 million and 2 million records, many of which are stacked floor to ceiling at his 13,000-square-foot retail store.
Now in business for “33 and a third” years and decades after LPs were replaced as a standard music medium, Weber recently turned 60.
He understands that many of his customers are his age and have bought all the records they’re likely to buy, and that his business model of buying 2,000 records each week and selling 200 to 300 would make any business major wince.
Last year, Weber grossed between $170,000 and $200,000. This year, he expects about $20,000 less.
More than the record owners looking to empty their attics, Weber is concerned about buyers from overseas, who visit his store to buy large quantities of records to take home to Europe and Asia and resell.
Those foreign buyers have been cancelling their trips lately because of the economy. He received a fax just the other day from a buyer from Europe cancelling a trip.
“This is a guy that would come over and spend $200, $300 or $400 dollars, it hurts losing him,” Weber said.
He sees limits to the adjustments he can make. Jerry’s already operates with only a few people. Running discount sales only prompts existing customers to come back for lower prices.
Last year, Jerry’s devised a plan to bring two other businesses — Dave’s Music Mine and Heads Together, an independent DVD rental shop — in to his store to share his space, reducing costs for all of them.
Yet Dave’s dropped out, unable to support a single employee, and Heads Together is struggling, Weber said.
Weber plans to work for a few more years and then turn the business over to his son, Willie. He expects the future of Jerry’s Fine Used Records to come from pursuing demand for its product on the Internet, selling to buyers throughout the world.
“That’s the only way I’ll be able to pay all the bills,” he said. “I have to change my whole outlook, and I’m not really looking forward to it.”
As part of our ongoing Navigating Tough Times coverage, the Business Times asked a handful of small business owners to talk about how they are coping with the volatile economy.
Navigating Tough Times: Jerry Weber struggles to keep sales spinning in tough times
Pittsburgh Business Times - by Tim Schooley
SOURCE: http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/
Jerry Weber’s Squirrel Hill business has 1 million to 2 million albums for sale. He says the future of his business is online.
It’s an ongoing economic indicator about as subtle as a long, grinding scratch across pressed vinyl.
Jerry Weber is used to seeing people come to his Jerry’s Fine Used Records store on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill looking to make a customer out of him rather than vice versa.
“Not only are they not buying records off me, but they want me to buy records,” he said, of the 10 calls or more he gets each day. “I hear this a lot: ‘I’m streamlining, Jerry. I’m cutting back.’”
Such is life for Jerry’s these days.
Weber’s business has accumulated between 1 million and 2 million records, many of which are stacked floor to ceiling at his 13,000-square-foot retail store.
Now in business for “33 and a third” years and decades after LPs were replaced as a standard music medium, Weber recently turned 60.
He understands that many of his customers are his age and have bought all the records they’re likely to buy, and that his business model of buying 2,000 records each week and selling 200 to 300 would make any business major wince.
Last year, Weber grossed between $170,000 and $200,000. This year, he expects about $20,000 less.
More than the record owners looking to empty their attics, Weber is concerned about buyers from overseas, who visit his store to buy large quantities of records to take home to Europe and Asia and resell.
Those foreign buyers have been cancelling their trips lately because of the economy. He received a fax just the other day from a buyer from Europe cancelling a trip.
“This is a guy that would come over and spend $200, $300 or $400 dollars, it hurts losing him,” Weber said.
He sees limits to the adjustments he can make. Jerry’s already operates with only a few people. Running discount sales only prompts existing customers to come back for lower prices.
Last year, Jerry’s devised a plan to bring two other businesses — Dave’s Music Mine and Heads Together, an independent DVD rental shop — in to his store to share his space, reducing costs for all of them.
Yet Dave’s dropped out, unable to support a single employee, and Heads Together is struggling, Weber said.
Weber plans to work for a few more years and then turn the business over to his son, Willie. He expects the future of Jerry’s Fine Used Records to come from pursuing demand for its product on the Internet, selling to buyers throughout the world.
“That’s the only way I’ll be able to pay all the bills,” he said. “I have to change my whole outlook, and I’m not really looking forward to it.”
This Date In Music History- October 24
Birthdays:
Birthday wishes to Rock producer Ted Templeman (Van Halen, Doobie Brothers, Captain Beefheart).
Edgar Broughton, the blues guitarist who led the band that bore his name, was born in England in 1947.
Bill Wyman, bassist of the Rolling Stones ("Brown Sugar") turns 72.
Santo Farina of Santo & Johnny ("Sleep Walk") is 71.
History:
The late J. P. Richardson (AKA the Big Bopper-- "Chantilly Lace") was born in 1930.
The "TAMI (TeenAge Music International) Show" was filmed at the Santa Barbara, California Civic Center in 1964 with Jan & Dean, the Rolling Stones, Lesley Gore, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys and many others.
John Lennon sued the U.S. government in 1973, accusing it of tapping his phone and that he was under constant surveillance.
Maybe they should have called it Earth Day- In 1975, at Long Island, N.Y.'s Nassau Coliseum, James Taylor, Pete Seeger, and John McLaughlin performed at the First Planetary Celebration to promote awareness of global responsibility. The gig attracted only 4,500 people.
Bob Dylan re-recorded "Hurricane" in 1975, after earlier versions of his song about the imprisoned boxer misidentified a bystander in the bar where Hurricane Carter was alleged to have shot two men. It's his final session for the Desire album.
The British government presented Paul McCartney with a rhodium-plated medallion in 1980 for being named "the best selling songwriter and recording artist in history", by The Guinness Book of Records. Since 1962, McCartney wrote or co-wrote 43 million-selling songs and sold over 100 million records.
This silly music business- In 1988, opening arguments were heard in the case of Fantasy Records vs. John Fogerty. The label claimed Fogerty's solo recording "The Old Man Down the Road" sounded a little too much like his Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Run Through the Jungle," for which it owned the copyright. Fogarty eventually won.
The Beatles left Great Britain in 1963 for their first tour outside of their homeland. The Beatles leave for their first tour outside of England.
In 1970, U.S. President Richard Nixon appealed to radio broadcasters to screen songs with lyrics that urge drug use. It’s called censorship.
Madonna's album "Erotica" was released in 1992.
Elvis received his first letter from the local draft board in 1956 concerning his draft status.
Neil Sedaka recorded "Calendar Girl" in 1960, which will reach #4 in the US early the following year.
Brenda Lee reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time in 1960 with "I Want To Be Wanted". It was her fourth US Top Ten hit of the year, but only reached #31 in the UK.
Frank Sinatra had the #1 LP on the US album chart in 1960 with "Nice 'n' Easy".
In 1962, James Brown's appearance at the Apollo Theatre in New York was recorded for a live album called "Live At the Apollo". The LP would go on to sell over a million copies and earn a reputation for being one of the finest concert albums ever made and was listed at #24 in Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Pink Floyd were at the top of the UK album chart in 1970 with "Atom Heart Mother", the group's first #1 LP.
'Abraxas', Santana's second album, topped the album chart in 1970. Although it is a favorite of FM rock stations, it also yields a pair of AM hits in "Black Magic Woman" (#4) and "Oye Como Va" (#13).
Birthday wishes to Rock producer Ted Templeman (Van Halen, Doobie Brothers, Captain Beefheart).
Edgar Broughton, the blues guitarist who led the band that bore his name, was born in England in 1947.
Bill Wyman, bassist of the Rolling Stones ("Brown Sugar") turns 72.
Santo Farina of Santo & Johnny ("Sleep Walk") is 71.
History:
The late J. P. Richardson (AKA the Big Bopper-- "Chantilly Lace") was born in 1930.
The "TAMI (TeenAge Music International) Show" was filmed at the Santa Barbara, California Civic Center in 1964 with Jan & Dean, the Rolling Stones, Lesley Gore, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys and many others.
John Lennon sued the U.S. government in 1973, accusing it of tapping his phone and that he was under constant surveillance.
Maybe they should have called it Earth Day- In 1975, at Long Island, N.Y.'s Nassau Coliseum, James Taylor, Pete Seeger, and John McLaughlin performed at the First Planetary Celebration to promote awareness of global responsibility. The gig attracted only 4,500 people.
Bob Dylan re-recorded "Hurricane" in 1975, after earlier versions of his song about the imprisoned boxer misidentified a bystander in the bar where Hurricane Carter was alleged to have shot two men. It's his final session for the Desire album.
The British government presented Paul McCartney with a rhodium-plated medallion in 1980 for being named "the best selling songwriter and recording artist in history", by The Guinness Book of Records. Since 1962, McCartney wrote or co-wrote 43 million-selling songs and sold over 100 million records.
This silly music business- In 1988, opening arguments were heard in the case of Fantasy Records vs. John Fogerty. The label claimed Fogerty's solo recording "The Old Man Down the Road" sounded a little too much like his Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Run Through the Jungle," for which it owned the copyright. Fogarty eventually won.
The Beatles left Great Britain in 1963 for their first tour outside of their homeland. The Beatles leave for their first tour outside of England.
In 1970, U.S. President Richard Nixon appealed to radio broadcasters to screen songs with lyrics that urge drug use. It’s called censorship.
Madonna's album "Erotica" was released in 1992.
Elvis received his first letter from the local draft board in 1956 concerning his draft status.
Neil Sedaka recorded "Calendar Girl" in 1960, which will reach #4 in the US early the following year.
Brenda Lee reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time in 1960 with "I Want To Be Wanted". It was her fourth US Top Ten hit of the year, but only reached #31 in the UK.
Frank Sinatra had the #1 LP on the US album chart in 1960 with "Nice 'n' Easy".
In 1962, James Brown's appearance at the Apollo Theatre in New York was recorded for a live album called "Live At the Apollo". The LP would go on to sell over a million copies and earn a reputation for being one of the finest concert albums ever made and was listed at #24 in Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Pink Floyd were at the top of the UK album chart in 1970 with "Atom Heart Mother", the group's first #1 LP.
'Abraxas', Santana's second album, topped the album chart in 1970. Although it is a favorite of FM rock stations, it also yields a pair of AM hits in "Black Magic Woman" (#4) and "Oye Como Va" (#13).
Album Cover Art
Continuing our look at Gigwise.com's list of the most controversial, weirdest, best and worst album covers (as put together by their staff), we are now in the top 5!
Controversial
5. Brujeria: ‘Matando Gueros’ – The debut album from this Mexican heavy metal crew shows a hand holding up mutilated, decapitated head against a white background. Add to this content that talked mostly of killing white Americans and crossing the border, resulted in the album being banned in many stores. Gee, I wonder why.
------------------------------------------
Weird
5. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: 'Trout Mask Replica' (1969) The third studio album by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. The album was produced by Frank Zappa, a friend and former schoolmate of Beefheart (also known as Don Van Vliet), and was originally released on Zappa's own Straight Records imprint in 1969. Combining blues-rock, psychedelic rock, free jazz, and other apparently disparate genres of American music, it is regarded as an important work of experimental music and appears at number 58 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Schenkel created the artwork and design for Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica, described by the BBC's DJ John Peel in these terms:
"If there has been anything in the history of popular music which could be described as a work of art in a way that people who are involved in other areas of art would understand, then Trout Mask Replica is probably that work."
And the critic Steve Huey wrote that the album's influence "was felt more in spirit ...as a catalyst rather than a literal musical starting point. However, its inspiring reimagining of what was possible in a rock context laid the groundwork for countless experiments in rock surrealism to follow, especially during the punk/new wave era."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worst
5. Europe – ‘The Final Countdown’: As Gigwise wisely states: "Everything about this cover wreaks of Eighties cheese and tackiness. The Swedish hair rockers may have produced one of the songs of the decade, but their artwork left a lot to be desired."
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements. Since its formation, Europe has released seven studio albums, three live albums, three compilations and seven videos.
Europe rose to international fame in the 1980s with its third album The Final Countdown, which became a high commercial success and sold over three million copies in the United States. Europe was one of the most successful rock acts of the 80's and sold over four million albums in the United States alone and over 10 million albums worldwide. The band has achieved two top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart (The Final Countdown and Out of This World) and two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ("The Final Countdown" and "Carrie"). From 1986 to 1992 Europe sold over 20 million records worldwide, making them the 4th most successful act from Sweden in history.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
5. The Strokes: ‘Is This It’ – The album that has probably defined indie music since the turn of the millennium more than any other sports a cover of simple cheekiness.
Is This It is the debut album by the American alternative rock band The Strokes, released in 2001. The Strokes were the first band to break into the mainstream as part of the turn-of-the-millennium garage rock trend. After signing with RCA, the band went on the opposite way of recording adopted by traditional rock bands. Instead of doing their full-length debut in a professional studio, the Strokes instead opted to record in a basement on Manhattan's Lower East Side, to which they put the name Transporter Raum Studio.
Is This It is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 2000s. It was ranked 89th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 367 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In June 2005, the album was ranked number 100 on Spin's list of the "100 Greatest Albums, 1985-2005". In July 2006, the album was ranked 48 on The Observer's list of 'The 50 Albums That Changed Music.' In November 2007 Q magazine rated it at 21 in "21 albums that changed music" In addition to being ranked among the greatest albums of all time, the non-U.S. version of the album cover has been ranked as one of the greatest album covers of all time. The U.S. cover is different; it features a photo of particle collisions in the Big European Bubble Chamber.
We have seen this cover before, why they (Gigwise) choose to 'recycle' covers for their list, is beyond me, I can think of a hundred covers better than this one.
Controversial
5. Brujeria: ‘Matando Gueros’ – The debut album from this Mexican heavy metal crew shows a hand holding up mutilated, decapitated head against a white background. Add to this content that talked mostly of killing white Americans and crossing the border, resulted in the album being banned in many stores. Gee, I wonder why.
------------------------------------------
Weird
5. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band: 'Trout Mask Replica' (1969) The third studio album by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. The album was produced by Frank Zappa, a friend and former schoolmate of Beefheart (also known as Don Van Vliet), and was originally released on Zappa's own Straight Records imprint in 1969. Combining blues-rock, psychedelic rock, free jazz, and other apparently disparate genres of American music, it is regarded as an important work of experimental music and appears at number 58 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Schenkel created the artwork and design for Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica, described by the BBC's DJ John Peel in these terms:
"If there has been anything in the history of popular music which could be described as a work of art in a way that people who are involved in other areas of art would understand, then Trout Mask Replica is probably that work."
And the critic Steve Huey wrote that the album's influence "was felt more in spirit ...as a catalyst rather than a literal musical starting point. However, its inspiring reimagining of what was possible in a rock context laid the groundwork for countless experiments in rock surrealism to follow, especially during the punk/new wave era."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worst
5. Europe – ‘The Final Countdown’: As Gigwise wisely states: "Everything about this cover wreaks of Eighties cheese and tackiness. The Swedish hair rockers may have produced one of the songs of the decade, but their artwork left a lot to be desired."
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements. Since its formation, Europe has released seven studio albums, three live albums, three compilations and seven videos.
Europe rose to international fame in the 1980s with its third album The Final Countdown, which became a high commercial success and sold over three million copies in the United States. Europe was one of the most successful rock acts of the 80's and sold over four million albums in the United States alone and over 10 million albums worldwide. The band has achieved two top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart (The Final Countdown and Out of This World) and two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ("The Final Countdown" and "Carrie"). From 1986 to 1992 Europe sold over 20 million records worldwide, making them the 4th most successful act from Sweden in history.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
5. The Strokes: ‘Is This It’ – The album that has probably defined indie music since the turn of the millennium more than any other sports a cover of simple cheekiness.
Is This It is the debut album by the American alternative rock band The Strokes, released in 2001. The Strokes were the first band to break into the mainstream as part of the turn-of-the-millennium garage rock trend. After signing with RCA, the band went on the opposite way of recording adopted by traditional rock bands. Instead of doing their full-length debut in a professional studio, the Strokes instead opted to record in a basement on Manhattan's Lower East Side, to which they put the name Transporter Raum Studio.
Is This It is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 2000s. It was ranked 89th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 367 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In June 2005, the album was ranked number 100 on Spin's list of the "100 Greatest Albums, 1985-2005". In July 2006, the album was ranked 48 on The Observer's list of 'The 50 Albums That Changed Music.' In November 2007 Q magazine rated it at 21 in "21 albums that changed music" In addition to being ranked among the greatest albums of all time, the non-U.S. version of the album cover has been ranked as one of the greatest album covers of all time. The U.S. cover is different; it features a photo of particle collisions in the Big European Bubble Chamber.
We have seen this cover before, why they (Gigwise) choose to 'recycle' covers for their list, is beyond me, I can think of a hundred covers better than this one.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New Book from Roger Dean Available Oct. 28!
Album Cover Album book
Do you love album cover art? If you are a reader of my blog, you know that it is a favorite topic of mine. I would hope that any album cover lover knows who Roger Dean is. For those who don't, Roger Dean's artwork has graced the covers of albums by many rock, motown or progressive rock bands and posters of the Roger Dean's cover art were published both in the seventies and eighties and he continues to do amazing work now.
New Book from Roger Dean Available Oct. 28!
It's been over 20 years since legendary artist, Roger Dean, publised Magnetic Storm, the followup book to the enormously successful VIEWS (published in the mid 70s.) The wait is over and the magnificent new book, Dragon's Dream is available as of Oct. 28!
This book contains plenty of new stuff as well as a review of some of Roger's earlier work and introduces art and design work by Roger's daughter, Freyja. Furthermore, this book comes in Hardback! And, to top it off, Roger has re-issued the original Album Cover Album book, also in Hardback format. These books retail for only $29.95 (U.S. Dollars.) You order one from Kreative Concepts by following the link below. It is also possible to add to your order a request for a special signed and embossed insert. This is an acid free sheet onto which Roger has signed his name and embossed the sheet with his unique initial embosser. Add $10.00 for this insert. Add $5.95 for shipping of the first book and $4.00 for each additional book. The link for ordering is:
http://www.kkllc.com/ddaca.htm
(new book cover)
Dragon's Dream and Album Cover Album
Available Oct. 28, 2008!
Cool Hardback Formats of the Brand New Dragon's Dream and the Re-Issued Album Cover Album. Only $29.95 ea. Shipping for 1st book is $5.95 and $4.00 for each additional book.
Order Your copy today at:
http://www.kkllc.com/ddaca.htm
Let them know you heard about the book from collectingvinylrecords.com!!
Do you love album cover art? If you are a reader of my blog, you know that it is a favorite topic of mine. I would hope that any album cover lover knows who Roger Dean is. For those who don't, Roger Dean's artwork has graced the covers of albums by many rock, motown or progressive rock bands and posters of the Roger Dean's cover art were published both in the seventies and eighties and he continues to do amazing work now.
New Book from Roger Dean Available Oct. 28!
It's been over 20 years since legendary artist, Roger Dean, publised Magnetic Storm, the followup book to the enormously successful VIEWS (published in the mid 70s.) The wait is over and the magnificent new book, Dragon's Dream is available as of Oct. 28!
This book contains plenty of new stuff as well as a review of some of Roger's earlier work and introduces art and design work by Roger's daughter, Freyja. Furthermore, this book comes in Hardback! And, to top it off, Roger has re-issued the original Album Cover Album book, also in Hardback format. These books retail for only $29.95 (U.S. Dollars.) You order one from Kreative Concepts by following the link below. It is also possible to add to your order a request for a special signed and embossed insert. This is an acid free sheet onto which Roger has signed his name and embossed the sheet with his unique initial embosser. Add $10.00 for this insert. Add $5.95 for shipping of the first book and $4.00 for each additional book. The link for ordering is:
http://www.kkllc.com/ddaca.htm
(new book cover)
Dragon's Dream and Album Cover Album
Available Oct. 28, 2008!
Cool Hardback Formats of the Brand New Dragon's Dream and the Re-Issued Album Cover Album. Only $29.95 ea. Shipping for 1st book is $5.95 and $4.00 for each additional book.
Order Your copy today at:
http://www.kkllc.com/ddaca.htm
Let them know you heard about the book from collectingvinylrecords.com!!
Music News
AC/DC Sales Explosion
The new AC/DC album, Black Ice, is looking to be a major blockbuster, even though sales are limited to Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores in the U.S.Early word from Wal-Mart is that the album moved 193,000 copies the first day and is projected to possibly hit the 800,000 mark before the end of the week.
To boost AC/DC sales, the retail giant also opened band "stores-within-a-store" in their retail outlest with the band's catalog and other merchandise, along with "pop-up" stores in New York and Los Angeles totally dedicated to the band.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guns N' Roses to Release New Album After 15-Year Wait
By Mark Beech
Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Guns N' Roses released a new single today as a preview to the album ``Chinese Democracy,'' ending a 15-year wait for fans of the U.S. rock band.
The title track is available for streaming on Internet sites such as www.q1043.com. Best Buy Co. and Geffen Records said in an e-mailed release that the album will be available beginning Nov. 23 at Best Buy, the world's largest electronic retailer, and www.bestbuycom on CD, vinyl, and digital downloads.
Guns N' Roses has sold more than 90 million albums. The last original releases were ``Use Your Illusion I'' and ``Use Your Illusion II'' in 1991. (``The Spaghetti Incident?'' of 1993 was a covers collection.)
```Chinese Democracy' is one of the most highly anticipated albums in music history,'' Gary Arnold, senior entertainment officer for Best Buy, said in the e-mailed release.
Produced by singer Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, the album, which will be released on Black Frog/Geffen Records, includes 14 tracks. Billboard said the album's production cost was $13 million.
The Guns N' Roses Web site has carried statements from Rose before saying the record is near release.
A California man has been charged with posting nine songs from the unreleased album on his own site.
SOURCE: http://www.bloomberg.com/
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MUDCRUTCH TO RELEASE LIVE EP NOVEMBER 11th
Mudcrutch , the legendary Florida band featuring Tom Petty, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, and Benmont Tench, will release a live EP entitled Extended Play Live on Reprise Records November 11, 2008. Extended Play Live will be released digitally, on compact disc, and on 180 Gram High Performance Vinyl. The vinyl edition includes a full dynamic range audiophile CD.
The band undertook a short but wildly popular tour of intimate California venues last April, including six sold-out nights at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Extended Play Live features four tracks recorded during the tour–including a dramatic fifteen-minute version of the band’s masterpiece, “Crystal River,” recorded live at the Troubadour. All four tracks on the EP are currently streaming in their entirety at www.mudcrutchmusic.com.
Extended Play Live TRACK LISTING:
The Wrong Thing To Do (Live At The Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA, April 20, 2008)
Bootleg Flyer (Live At The Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA, April 20, 2008)
Crystal River (Live At The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, April 28, 2008)
High School Confidential (Live At The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, May 2, 2008)
The new AC/DC album, Black Ice, is looking to be a major blockbuster, even though sales are limited to Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores in the U.S.Early word from Wal-Mart is that the album moved 193,000 copies the first day and is projected to possibly hit the 800,000 mark before the end of the week.
To boost AC/DC sales, the retail giant also opened band "stores-within-a-store" in their retail outlest with the band's catalog and other merchandise, along with "pop-up" stores in New York and Los Angeles totally dedicated to the band.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guns N' Roses to Release New Album After 15-Year Wait
By Mark Beech
Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Guns N' Roses released a new single today as a preview to the album ``Chinese Democracy,'' ending a 15-year wait for fans of the U.S. rock band.
The title track is available for streaming on Internet sites such as www.q1043.com. Best Buy Co. and Geffen Records said in an e-mailed release that the album will be available beginning Nov. 23 at Best Buy, the world's largest electronic retailer, and www.bestbuycom on CD, vinyl, and digital downloads.
Guns N' Roses has sold more than 90 million albums. The last original releases were ``Use Your Illusion I'' and ``Use Your Illusion II'' in 1991. (``The Spaghetti Incident?'' of 1993 was a covers collection.)
```Chinese Democracy' is one of the most highly anticipated albums in music history,'' Gary Arnold, senior entertainment officer for Best Buy, said in the e-mailed release.
Produced by singer Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, the album, which will be released on Black Frog/Geffen Records, includes 14 tracks. Billboard said the album's production cost was $13 million.
The Guns N' Roses Web site has carried statements from Rose before saying the record is near release.
A California man has been charged with posting nine songs from the unreleased album on his own site.
SOURCE: http://www.bloomberg.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUDCRUTCH TO RELEASE LIVE EP NOVEMBER 11th
Mudcrutch , the legendary Florida band featuring Tom Petty, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, and Benmont Tench, will release a live EP entitled Extended Play Live on Reprise Records November 11, 2008. Extended Play Live will be released digitally, on compact disc, and on 180 Gram High Performance Vinyl. The vinyl edition includes a full dynamic range audiophile CD.
The band undertook a short but wildly popular tour of intimate California venues last April, including six sold-out nights at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Extended Play Live features four tracks recorded during the tour–including a dramatic fifteen-minute version of the band’s masterpiece, “Crystal River,” recorded live at the Troubadour. All four tracks on the EP are currently streaming in their entirety at www.mudcrutchmusic.com.
Extended Play Live TRACK LISTING:
The Wrong Thing To Do (Live At The Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA, April 20, 2008)
Bootleg Flyer (Live At The Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA, April 20, 2008)
Crystal River (Live At The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, April 28, 2008)
High School Confidential (Live At The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA, May 2, 2008)
Album Cover Art
On to #6 on the Gigwise.com list of the most controversial, weirdest, best and worst album covers of all time as compiled by their staff.
Controversial
6. Mom’s Apple Pie: ‘Mom’s Apple Pie’ -Mom's Apple Pie was a ten-member American rock band from Warren, Ohio. They were best known for their album cover but also for the voice of the lead singer Bob Fiorino. The band released two albums: Mom's Apple Pie in 1971 and Mom's Apple Pie II in 1973. A third album was recorded but never released. Their manager was Larry Patterson and they recorded on a label owned by Terry Knight, Brown Bag Records. The band enjoyed a successful career nationally and toured extensively across the U.S. Venues included a wide array of college campuses, clubs, concert halls, the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden. They performed with such artists as the Doobie Brothers and David Bowie. Larry Patterson, the manager of Mom's Apple Pie, booked the demo session with producer Kenny Hamann at the Cleveland Recording Company and signed the group with Terry Knight.
Both albums have become favorites among collectors, due in part to the self-titled first album's risque cover artwork. The cover was banned shortly upon the album's release and an alternate cover was released, making both versions highly sought-after among collectors.[citation needed] Their musicianship and overall sound have been compared to such bands as Blood Sweat and Tears and Chicago.
I love apple pie, especially with blood in it.
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Weird
6. Cattle Decapitation: 'Humanure' How freaking lovely, a cow passing human remains.
Cattle Decapitation's second full length album on Metal Blade Records and first with drummer Michael Laughlin (ex-Creation Is Crucifixion). Features guest appearances by ex-member Gabe Serbian as well as Justin Pearson and Robert Bray from Gabe's band The Locust. Also a special guest appearance by Scott Miller, first time Cattle Decapitation member.
-----------------------------------------------
Worst
6. Kevin Rowland – ‘My Beauty’ Apparently, they loved this LP cover so much, they have included it again. (it was at #9 of their weirdest)I still don't like it.
-------------------------------------------
Best
6. Beastie Boys: ‘License To III’ Licensed to Ill is the debut album by the Beastie Boys, released in 1986.
It was the first rap LP to top Billboard's Pop Albums chart. It also peaked at #2 on the Top Hip Hop/R&B Albums chart. It is Columbia Records' fastest selling debut record to date and sold over five million copies.
The full album cover, front to back, features a Boeing 727 — with "Beastie Boys" emblazoned on the tail — crashing head-on into the side of a mountain. The tail of the plane has the Def Jam logo and the legend '3MTA3' which spells 'EATME' when viewed in a mirror.
The original title for this album was Don't Be a Faggot but Columbia Records flatly refused to release the album with this title and pressured Russell Simmons (their manager and label Def Jam head) into having the Beastie Boys to come up with another name. Adam Horovitz has since apologized for the band's earlier title.
Controversial
6. Mom’s Apple Pie: ‘Mom’s Apple Pie’ -Mom's Apple Pie was a ten-member American rock band from Warren, Ohio. They were best known for their album cover but also for the voice of the lead singer Bob Fiorino. The band released two albums: Mom's Apple Pie in 1971 and Mom's Apple Pie II in 1973. A third album was recorded but never released. Their manager was Larry Patterson and they recorded on a label owned by Terry Knight, Brown Bag Records. The band enjoyed a successful career nationally and toured extensively across the U.S. Venues included a wide array of college campuses, clubs, concert halls, the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles and Madison Square Garden. They performed with such artists as the Doobie Brothers and David Bowie. Larry Patterson, the manager of Mom's Apple Pie, booked the demo session with producer Kenny Hamann at the Cleveland Recording Company and signed the group with Terry Knight.
Both albums have become favorites among collectors, due in part to the self-titled first album's risque cover artwork. The cover was banned shortly upon the album's release and an alternate cover was released, making both versions highly sought-after among collectors.[citation needed] Their musicianship and overall sound have been compared to such bands as Blood Sweat and Tears and Chicago.
I love apple pie, especially with blood in it.
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Weird
6. Cattle Decapitation: 'Humanure' How freaking lovely, a cow passing human remains.
Cattle Decapitation's second full length album on Metal Blade Records and first with drummer Michael Laughlin (ex-Creation Is Crucifixion). Features guest appearances by ex-member Gabe Serbian as well as Justin Pearson and Robert Bray from Gabe's band The Locust. Also a special guest appearance by Scott Miller, first time Cattle Decapitation member.
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Worst
6. Kevin Rowland – ‘My Beauty’ Apparently, they loved this LP cover so much, they have included it again. (it was at #9 of their weirdest)I still don't like it.
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Best
6. Beastie Boys: ‘License To III’ Licensed to Ill is the debut album by the Beastie Boys, released in 1986.
It was the first rap LP to top Billboard's Pop Albums chart. It also peaked at #2 on the Top Hip Hop/R&B Albums chart. It is Columbia Records' fastest selling debut record to date and sold over five million copies.
The full album cover, front to back, features a Boeing 727 — with "Beastie Boys" emblazoned on the tail — crashing head-on into the side of a mountain. The tail of the plane has the Def Jam logo and the legend '3MTA3' which spells 'EATME' when viewed in a mirror.
The original title for this album was Don't Be a Faggot but Columbia Records flatly refused to release the album with this title and pressured Russell Simmons (their manager and label Def Jam head) into having the Beastie Boys to come up with another name. Adam Horovitz has since apologized for the band's earlier title.
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