Barenaked Ladies Assembling Boxed Set

Has it really been that long? In 2009, the quirky Canadian rockers Barenaked ladies will celebrate the 20th anniversary- with plans for a boxed set of old and new music and possibly a tour.


It has been a tumultuous year for the band’s two lead singers. Steven Page is on six months probation after being arrested and charged with cocaine possession in Fayetteville, NY. Singer Ed Robertson has had his troubles as well, in August he survived a float plane crash as well as losing his mother to cancer on December 13.

Drummer Tyler Stewart admits that the quintet is looking forward to the end of 2008 and hopes the New Year will be better.

“Adversity, if it doesn’t kill you it makes you strong, I guess,” Stewart recently explained to Billboard.com. “We’ve rallied through adversity before. In some ways I’m looking forward to getting together and making some great music based on all these intense and emotional experiences. That’s when we feel the most alive, the most energetic.”

Stewart goes on to say, “The guys have been working individually on stuff, and together,” and expects an early summer return to the studio, maybe in early summer, but adds that “Maybe we’ll get some inspiration and jump in before that.”

In the meantime, BNL have been immersed in preparing the 20th anniversary boxed set that will include rarities, demos and unreleased material and some “really complex stuff” that was written by former keyboardist Andy Creegan.

“It’s a bit of a pat on the back,” Stewart says. “Like, hey you’ve done a lot. But is also, OK, now what else can we do? How can we move forward from here, because we feel like we’re not done yet by any means.”

The band is planning a 20th anniversary tour, likely to kick off in May of 2009.

Discography

• Gordon (1992)
• Maybe You Should Drive (1994)
• Born on a Pirate Ship (1996)
• Rock Spectacle (1996).
• Stunt (1998)
• Maroon (2000)
• Everything to Everyone (2003)
• Barenaked for the Holidays (2004)
• Barenaked Ladies Are Me (2006)
• Barenaked Ladies Are Men (2007)
• Snacktime! (2008)

Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson

Classic Rock Videos

The Moody Blues - Nights in White satin´67

Sultry `Santa Baby' singer Eartha Kitt dies at 81

Eartha Kitt



Eartha Kitt was daringly sexy and always flirtatious onstage, but, offstage Kitt described herself as shy and almost reclusive. This sultry vixen passed away after a long battle against colon cancer on December 25 (Christmas Day), 2008. She was 81.

EARTHA KITT was an international star who gives new meaning to the word versatile. She has distinguished herself in film, theater, cabaret, music and on television. Miss Kitt is one of only a handful of performers to be nominated for a Tony (three times), the Grammy (twice), and Emmy Award (twice). She regularly enthralls New York nightclub audiences during her extended stays at THE CAFÉ CARLYLE and these intimate performances have been captured in her newest recording, Eartha Kitt, Live at The Carlyle.

Miss Kitt's distinctive voice has enthralled an entirely new generation of fans. Young fans loved her as YZMA, the villain, in Disney's animated feature THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE, (2001 Annie Award for Best Vocal Performance / Animated Feature). Miss Kitt was also featured in the sequel, THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE II and reprised the role in the popular Saturday morning animated series THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL for which she received a 2007 and 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program and a 2007 and 2008 Annie Award for Best Vocal Performance in an Animated Television Production.

Eartha Mae Kitt was ostracized at an early age because of her mixed-race heritage. At eight years old, she was given away by her mother and sent from the South Carolina cotton fields to live with an aunt in Harlem. In New York her distinct individuality and flair for show business manifested itself, and on a friend's dare, the shy teen auditioned for the famed KATHERINE DUNHAM DANCE TROUPE. She won a spot as a featured dancer and vocalist and before the age of twenty, toured worldwide with the company. During a performance in Paris, Miss Kitt was spotted by a nightclub owner and booked as a featured singer at his club. Her unique persona earned her fans and fame quickly, including Orson Welles, who called her "the most exciting woman in the world". Welles was so taken with her talent that he cast her as Helen of Troy in his fabled production of DR. FAUST.

Back in New York, Miss Kitt was booked at The Village Vanguard, and soon spotted by a Broadway producer who put her in NEW FACES OF 1952 where every night she transfixed audiences with her sultry rendition of Monotonous. Her show stopping performance in NEW FACES, which ran for a year, led to a national tour and a Twentieth Century Fox film version.

Broadway stardom led to a recording contract and a succession of best-selling records including Love for Sale, I Want to Be Evil, Santa Baby and Folk Tales of the Tribes of Africa, which earned her a Grammy nomination. During this period, she published her first autobiography, THURSDAY'S CHILD. Miss Kitt then returned to Broadway in the dramatic play MRS. PATTERSON, and received her first Tony nomination. Other stage appearances followed, as did films including THE MARK OF The HAWK with Sidney Poitier, ANNA LUCASTA with Sammy Davis, Jr. and ST LOUIS BLUES with Nat King Cole.


In 1967, Miss Kitt made an indelible mark on pop culture as the infamous CATWOMAN in the television series, BATMAN. She immediately became synonymous with the role and her trademark growl became imitated worldwide.

Singing in ten different languages, Miss Kitt has performed in over 100 countries and was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. In 1966, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the series, I SPY. In 1968, Miss Kitt's career took a sudden turn when, at a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson, she spoke out against the Vietnam War. For years afterward, Miss Kitt was blacklisted in the U.S. and was forced to work abroad where her status remained undiminished. In December 2006 she returned to Washington and lit the National Christmas Tree alongside President and Mrs. George W. Bush

In 1974, Miss Kitt returned to the United States, with a triumphant Carnegie Hall concert and, in 1978, received a second Tony nomination for her starring role in the musical, TIMBUKTU. Miss Kitt's second autobiography, ALONE WITH ME, was published in 1976 and I'M STILL HERE: CONFESSIONS OF A SEX KITTEN was released in 1989. Her best-selling book on fitness and positive attitude, REJUVENATE! (IT'S NEVER TOO LATE), was released by Scribner in May 2001.

Live theater is Miss Kitt's passion. In 2001, Broadway critics singled her out with a Tony and Drama Desk nomination for her role as Dolores in George Wolfe's THE WILD PARTY. Over the last few years, she has starred in National Tours of THE WIZARD OF OZ and Rogers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. In December 2003, Miss Kitt dazzled Broadway audiences as Liliane Le Fleur in the revival of NINE, THE MUSICAL. In December 2004, she appeared as The Fairy Godmother in The New York City Opera production (Lincoln Center) of CINDERELLA. She also starred in the off-Broadway production of MIMI LE DUCK (2006) and The Westport County Playhouse production of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH (2007).

Miss Kitt remained devoted to performing in front of live audiences, from intimate cabarets to concert halls with local symphonies. Recent engagements include appearances with The Atlanta Symphony, The Portland Symphony, Detroit's Music Hall, D.C.'s Blues Alley, Seattle's Jazz Alley, Palm Beach's Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, The Mohegan Sun, Sarasota's Van Wetzel Center for the Performing Arts Festival. She was especially proud to have brought her one-woman show to the 51st Annual JVC Newport Jazz Festival and the Miami Beach JVC Jazz Festival.

In February 2007, Miss Kitt returned to London after a 15 year absence for a remarkable series of sold-out performances at The Shaw Theater. She returned to Great Britain in 2008 to critical raves at London’s Place Pigalle and to headline the prestigious Cheltenham Jazz Festival .

On January 17 2007, Miss Kitt turned eighty years old and marked the occasion at Carnegie Hall with a celebratory concert, JVC Jazz presents EARTHA KITT AND FRIENDS.



SOURCE: http://www.earthakitt.com/

Six Alan Parsons Project Albums Getting Extended Editions

Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson are personally overseeing production of six of the Alan Parsons Project's albums for release on January 27 through Arista/Legacy. The releases follow up the March 2007 updates of I Robot and Eye in the Sky, completing the restoration project of all Arista issued titles (Tales of Mystery & Imagination was issued on Mercury).

Between the six albums, there are over forty previously unreleased tracks that include demos, instrumental versions, rough mixes and variations on the arrangements. Each release will also include an essay by Jerry Ewing of Classic Rock magazine and annotations of the bonus tracks by Parsons and Woolfson.

The track lists:



Pyramid (1978)
• Voyager
• What Goes Up
• The Eagle Will Rise Again
• One More River
• Can't Take It With You
• In The Lap Of The Gods
• Pyramania
• Hyper-Gamma-Spaces
• Shadow Of A Lonely Man
• Voyager / What Goes Up / The Eagle Will Rise Again (Instrumental Version)
• What Goes Up/Little Voice (Early Version Demo)
• Can't Take It With You (Early Version Demo)
• Hyper-Gamma-Spaces (Demo)
• The Eagle Will Rise Again (Alternate Version - Backing Track)
• In The Lap Of The Gods (Part 1 - Demo)
• In The Lap Of The Gods (Part 2 - Backing Track Rough Mix)





Eve (1979)
• Lucifer
• You Lie Down With Dogs
• I'd Rather Be A Man
• You Won't Be There
• Winding Me Up
• Damned If I Do
• Don't Hold Back
• Secret Garden
• If I Could Change Your Mind
• Elsie's Theme from The Sicilian Defence (The Project That Never Was)
• Lucifer (Demo)
• Secret Garden (Rough Mix)
• Damned If I Do (Rough Mix)
• Don't Hold Back (Vocal Rehearsal Rough Mix)
• Lucifer (Early Rough Mix)
• If I Could Change Your Mind (Rough Mix)



The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980)
• May Be A Price To Pay
• Games People Play
• Time
• I Don't Wanna Go Home
• The Gold Bug
• The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part One)
• Snake Eyes
• The Ace Of Swords
• Nothing Left To Lose
• The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part Two)
• May Be A Price To Pay (Intro - Demo)
• Nothing Left To Lose (Basic Backing Track)
• Nothing Left To Lose (Chris Rainbow Overdub Vocal Compilation)
• Nothing Left To Lose (Early Studio Version with Eric's Guide Vocal)
• Time (Early Studio Attempt)
• Games People Play (Rough Mix)
• The Gold Bug (Demo)



Ammonia Avenue (1984)
• Prime Time
• Let Me Go Home
• One Good Reason
• Since The Last Goodbye
• Don't Answer Me
• Dancing On A Highwire
• You Don't Believe
• Pipeline
• Ammonia Avenue
• Don't Answer Me (Early Rough Mix)
• You Don't Believe (Demo)
• Since The Last Goodbye (Chris Rainbow Vocal Overdubs)
• Since The Last Goodbye (Eric Guide Vocal - Rough Mix)
• You Don't Believe (Instrumental Tribute To The Shadows)
• Dancing On A Highwire/Spotlight (Work In Progress)
• Ammonia Avenue Part 1 (Eric Demo Vocal - Rough Mix)
• Ammonia Avenue (Orchestral Overdub)



Sterotomy (1985)
• Stereotomy
• Beaujolais
• Urbania
• Limelight
• In The Real World
• Where's The Walrus?
• Light Of The World
• Chinese Whispers
• Stereotomy Two
• Light Of The World (Instrumental)
• Rumour Goin' Round (Demo)
• Stereotomy (Guide Vocal)
• Stereotomy (Reprise)



Gaudi (1987)
• La Sagrada Familia
• Too Late
• Closer To Heaven
• Standing On Higher Ground
• Money Talks
• Inside Looking Out
• Paseo de Gracia
• Too Late (Eric Woolfson Rough Guide Vocal)
• Standing On Higher Ground/Losing Proposition (Vocal Experiments)
• Money Talks (Chris Rainbow/Percussion Overdubs)
• Money Talks (Rough Mix Backing Track)
• Closer To Heaven (Sax/Chris Rainbow Overdub section)
• Paseo de Gracia (Rough Mix)
• La Sagrada Familia (Rough Mix)

SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com

Music News & Notes

Zombi Posts Two Preview Tracks from Upcoming Album Spirit Animal


Ambient, cinematic acoustic/electronic duo Zombi has pair of preview tracks from Spirit Animal, its new album set for a February 3 North American release via Relapse.

True to form, the tunes — “Spirit Animal” and “Spirit Warrior” — showcase a sound that fits horror films and any number of other retro soundtracks. The songs are a bit more focused on modern rock sounds than the older material, and they certainly pack a punch.

Head to the duo’s MySpace page to hear the new songs.
http://www.myspace.com/Zombi

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Best of 2008: Rolling Stone's Reissues


David Fricke of Rolling Stone Magazine has released his list of 2008’s best reissues. This proves to be a very eclectic list including the legendary country star Hank Williams, alt-rocker Robyn Hitchcock, rock gods U2, an album of Boogie Woogie & Blues Piano featuring Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Cripple Clarence Lofton among others, reggae’s Augustus Pablo, jazz singer Nina Simone as well as the late Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. Here is the top ten:


1. Pacific Ocean Blue - Dennis Wilson

2. The Unreleased Recordings - Hank Williams

3. Let Me Be Your Sidekick: The Influence of Jimmie Rodgers - Various Artists (including Rick Nelson, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and more)

4. Boy - U2

5. Luminous Groove - Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians

6. Boogie Woogie & Blues Piano - Various Artists (including Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, Cripple Clarence Lofton, more)

7. To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story - Nina Simone

8. The Jerry Ragovoy Story: Time is On My Side 1953-2003 - Various Artists (including Dusty Springfield, Miriam Makeba, Garnet Mimms, more)

9. Cold Fact - Rodriguez

10. The Mystic World of Augustus Pablo: The Rockers Story - Augustus Pablo

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Top 5 lists in Music this week:

HOT FIVE


1. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," Beyonce. Music World/Columbia.
2. "Live Your Life," T.I. feat. Rihanna. Def Jam/Grand Hustle/IDJMG/Atlantic. (Platinum)
3. "Just Dance," Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis. Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope.
4. "Heartless," Kanye West. Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG.
5. "Womanizer," Britney Spears. Jive/Zomba.
(From Billboard magazine)

ALBUMS

1. "Fearless," Taylor Swift. Big Machine.
2. "A Different Me," Keyshia Cole. Imani/Geffen/IGA.
3. "Intuition," Jamie Foxx. J/RMG.
4. "Circus," Britney Spears. Jive/Zomba.
5. "I Am Sasha Fierce," Beyonce. Music World/Columbia/Sony Music. (Platinum)
(From Billboard magazine)

CONCERT TOURS

1. Madonna
2. Celine Dion
3. Tina Turner
4. AC/DC
5. Coldplay
(From Pollstar)

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Happy Xmas

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon
(warning, Yoko sings)

This Date In Music History-December 25

While I enjoy Christmas with my family, here is "This Date In Music History" (an expanded version) a bit early. In fact, I have decided not even to turn my computer on tomorrow. May all my faithful readers have a safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Birthdays:

Robin Campbell (UB40-1954)

Jimmy Buffett ("Margaritaville”-1946)

Country singer Barbara Mandrell (1948). She was named Country Music Association entertainer of the year in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Annie Lennox (Eurythmics-1954)

Shane MacGowan (The Pogues-1957)

Alannah Myles, (Canadian singer-1958) 1990 US #1 and UK #2 single “Black Velvet.”

Dido, singer, songwriter (1971)

Pete Brown, lyricist, poet, singer, producer, Cream (1940). Also worked with Jack Bruce, Graham Bond, Mick Jagger and Peter Green.


They Are Missed:

Swing icon Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994)

Born on this day in 1937, O'Kelly Isley, of The Isley Brothers. Died on March 31, 1986.

Born on this day Noel Redding, bass, Jimi Hendrix Experience, (1945-2003)

Born on this day in 1944, Henry Vestine, guitar, Canned Heat. Died on October 20, 1997.

Dean Martin, US actor and singer, died in 1995. Had the 1956 UK & US #1 single “Memories Are Made Of This,” plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

In 1998, Bryan MacLean, guitarist with Love, died of a heart attack (age 62) while having Christmas dinner with a young fan who was researching a book about the band.

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul", died in 2006 (age of 73), after being diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Brown went to his dentist in Atlanta the previous day who told him something was wrong, and he sent him to a doctor immediately.

Trumpeter Gene Miller, who played with Otis Redding and Etta James among others, died in Memphis in 1987.


History:

"Silent Night" was performed for the first time in 1818, at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria.

In 1960, 17 year-old Mary Wells made her debut on the US charts with her first release, "Bye Bye Baby.” The record would make the R&B Top Ten and the Pop Top Fifty. Over the next five years, she would provide Motown with eleven Top Forty hits.

Bing Crosby's “White Christmas” entered the Billboard Pop chart for the first time in 1954, seven years after it was recorded. Bing's rendition has sold over 100 million copies around the world, with at least 50 million sales as singles. It was the largest selling single in music history until it was surpassed by Elton John's “Candle in the Wind 1997.”

Melanie started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1971 with “Brand New Key,” the first release on her new label Neighborhood Records (a song that she would later say took her only fifteen minutes to write).

The Eagles started a eight-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1976 with “Hotel California.”

Dave Clark Five went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with “Over And Over.” They became the 7th UK act of 1965 to score a US #1 single.

The Beatles 6th album “Rubber Soul” started a nine-week run at #1 on the UK chart in 1965. It spent a total of 42 week's on the UK chart and was also a #1 in the US.

Appearing at The Fox Theatre, Brooklyn, New York in 1964 were The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder and The Marvelettes. What a line-up!

In 1964, The Beatles, recorded six songs for the BBC radio program Saturday Club in London: “Rock and Roll Music,” “I'm a Loser,” “Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby,””I Feel Fine,” “Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey” and “She's a Woman.”

David Bowie had a #3 UK hit in 1982 with a duet with Bing Crosby, “Peace On Earth - Little Drummer Boy.”

In 1993, Mariah Carey started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Hero,” a #7 hit in the UK. Also on this day Mariah went to #1 on the US album chart with “Music Box.”

James Taylor received his first guitar for Christmas in 1960, at the age of 12.

In 1958, Alan Freed organized quite a Christmas Rock & Roll Spectacular at Manhattan's Loew's State Theatre. Among the 17 acts on the bill were: Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, the Moonglows, Jackie Wilson, Frankie Avalon, the Everly Brothers and headliner Johnnie Ray.

On Christmas morning in 1959, a young Richard Starkey received his first drum set for Christmas. The 18-year-old apprentice/engineer later become world famous as Ringo Starr, drummer for the Beatles.

In 1964, female fans of George Harrison attacked his girlfriend, Patti Boyd at one of The Beatles' Christmas shows in London. It seems the girls were resentful of Patti's place in George's life.

In 1981, Michael Jackson called Paul McCartney and suggested they write and record together. Their first effort would result in a US #2 and UK #8 hit, "The Girl Is Mine" in late 1982.

Lou Christie's biggest song, "Lightning Strikes" enters Billboard's Hot 100 in 1965 for a 15-week stay. Although he would have many other hits, this would be Christie's only number one.

The Young Rascals entered the Hot 100 in 1965 for the first time with "I Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore", which peaked at #52.

On Christmas Day in 1967, Paul McCartney became engaged to Jane Asher, but they would never marry.

Happy Holidays!

Bing Crosby "White Christmas"




Bowie Meets Crosby




Elvis Presley

Music News & Notes

U2 planning five different versions of new album U2

Extras include an exclusive magazine, book and Anton Corbijn film


U2 are set to release five different versions of new album 'No Line On The Horizon', with a host of extras including a new film by Anton Corbijn available to fans.

As well as a standard CD and vinyl issue, 'No Line On The Horizon' will be released in three limited editions, reports Billboard.

The digi-pack version offers the full album along with a 36-page booklet, a fold-out poster and a downloadable film by Corbijn, featuring the music of U2.

A magazine version of the album comes with a 60-page soft cover magazine-style book, along with the Corbijn film as a download.

The most excessive of the five releases is the box set, which features a 60-page hardback book, a second poster and a DVD version of Corbijn's film.

As NME.COM previous reported, U2 are set to release 'No Line On The Horizon' in the UK on March 2.

SOURCE: http://www.nme.com

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New Kelly Clarkson Single Due Next Month

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.


Kelly Clarkson's new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," will hit U.S. radio outlets Jan. 19. The track will introduce her fourth, as-yet-untitled studio album, due March 17 from RCA.

Although a track list has yet to be announced, Clarkson has worked with producer/songwriter Dr. Luke and OneRepublic leader Ryan Tedder on new material.

The album will be the follow-up to 2007's "My December," which has sold 780,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Clarkson feuded with RCA exec Clive Davis over her desire to write her own material for the album, on the heels of her smash 2004 album "Breakaway," which featured a number of co-writes with experienced songwriters.

A planned arena tour was scrapped just before "My December" came out due to lower-than-expected ticket sales, and was reconfigured for smaller venues a few months later.

Last fall, Clarkson signed with manager Narvel Blackstock, who paired her with his wife, Reba McEntire, for a successful co-headlining tour in early 2008.

SOURCE: http://www.billboard.com

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Wal-Mart Snags Exclusive Springsteen Hits Set

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.


Wal-Mart will be the exclusive U.S. retailer for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's "Greatest Hits," which will arrive Jan. 13, two weeks prior to the group's new Columbia studio album, "Working on a Dream."

The 12-track set omits material from Springsteen's albums without the E Street Band to round up classics such as "Born To Run," "Thunder Road," "Born in the U.S.A." and "Darkness on the Edge of Town."

Both "Greatest Hits" and "Working on a Dream" will be in stores when Springsteen and company perform at the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla.

Like last year's "Magic," the new album was produced by Brendan O'Brien. Springsteen began writing material before "Magic" was even complete, and "agreed we'd somehow find time during the touring year to get this record made," the Boss writes on his Web site.

Indeed, O'Brien's ability to help Springsteen and the band multitask "has allowed us to get a steadier stream of our best music out to our fans," the artist says. "This is something I've always wanted to do. We found time to book sessions, get the band while it was hot off the road, write and record a new record, while giving our audience what I hope was some of the best E Street shows we've ever done."

Meanwhile, Springsteen made a surprise appearance last night (Dec. 22) at the fourth Hope Concert in Red Bank, N.J., which also featured Jon Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny. The Boss performed "Run Run Rudolph" with Bon Jovi and then played "Merry Christmas Baby," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "634-5789," "10th Avenune Freeze-Out" and "Having a Party" with the house band.

Here is the track list for "Greatest Hits":

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
"Born To Run"
"Thunder Road"
"Darkness on the Edge of Town"
"Badlands"
"Hungry Heart"
"Glory Days"
"Dancing in the Dark"
"Born in the U.S.A."
"The Rising"
"Lonesome Day"
"Radio Nowhere"

SOURCE: http://www.billboard.com

Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Christmas Song

Twisted Sister - Oh Come All Ye Faithful (I love f**king Christmas Music)

Turn, turn, turn: Music lovers young and old rediscovering the beauty of vinyl

Music lovers young and old rediscovering vinyl

By MARC CABRERA


Where once Goliath record chains such as The Warehouse and Sam Goody have folded, small-fry Mike Lunt, owner of Recycled Records in Monterey, still stands with a vinyl record in hand and a slingshot in his back pocket.

That's because while the CD has slowly faded into the background due to the popularity of digital downloading, vinyl records have reclaimed their relevance among music listeners, locally and nationally.


According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, while CD sales continue a double-digit decline, sales of vinyl albums have doubled in the last year to 6 million, and turntable sales increased 80 percent over the same period. The resurgence is being led not just by baby boomer nostalgia for gatefold album sleeves and those pops and scratches on favorite records, but by college-age consumers discovering the elaborate artwork of vinyl-album packaging for the first time — and entranced by the grittier, less-artificial sound quality.

Lunt and his fellow record store owner, Bob Gamber, owner of The Vinyl Revolution down the street on Lighthouse Avenue, each acknowledge the bump in business at their shops.

The reason is simple: In the digital download age, people still long for both a physical product and quality sound. Vinyl fulfills both needs.

"Records sound so much better," said Lunt, working in the cramped booth at the end of his store, surrounded by stacks of used vinyl records he carefully rubbed with D4+ fluid to remove smears and fingerprints.

"(With records) you're actually buying something. A lot of the download stigma is you don't actually get anything for your money. Sure, you get the song, but there's nothing there to show for it."

It's gratifying for Lunt and Recycled Records, which marked its 33rd anniversary this year. Lunt plans on celebrating the anniversary in February to honor 331/3 years, a nod to the revolutions per minute setting on some older record players.

At his store, business has steadily improved over the past couple years, although he and Gamber both said the recession has slowed some of the momentum.

A lot of Lunt's customers come in looking for special orders, but a significant portion of his product has included new releases.

Major label recording artists such as Metallica, Radiohead and Wilco have recently issued special vinyl editions of their latest releases and include bonus download codes.

"It's the best of both worlds," said Lunt.

Down the road at Vinyl Rev, Gamber's been busy stocking his shelves with new vinyl releases as well as major record label re-issues. Album re-issues from classic rock artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are plenty popular.

"You can't keep them on the shelves," said Gamber.

The 51-year-old Gamber is a classic rock relic of sorts, albeit a heavy metal rocker. A former Metallica roadie before the band hit it big, Gamber has owned stores in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. He opened Vinyl Rev in 1994, drawn to the ocean and quiet community.

"When I opened up in 1994, people thought I was nuts," said Gamber. "They said 'What are you doing? CDs are the future. Nobody wants records.'"

He's seen vinyl go through different stages of popularity, from mostly the realm of hip-hop DJs during the mid-'90s to dance music DJs seeking drum-'n'-bass, jungle and acid jazz records during the latter-portion of the decade and into the 2000s.

The sales log at Gamber's shop recently offered a varied array of artists, from experimental rockers Mars Volta to hardcore band Leftover Crack to rap icon Tupac Shakur.

Likewise, Gamber's customer base is varied. From punk rock 'tweens looking for classic black metal re-issues to older heads marvelling over the original MC5 pressing.

"The younger kids are getting into vinyl. They know this format sounds the best because it is the best," he said. "The older guys, they know what's on those old records so they're looking for that stuff they grew up on."

Lunt sees some business from tourists as well, particularly business travelers who have discovered his shop while in town.

Michael Calvert, a 29-year-old Web designer from Portland, Ore., was sifting through the shelves at Recycled Records one December afternoon. A former Santa Cruz resident, he picked up the hobby from his older brother, who was a punk and heavy metal fan. He was drawn to the sound quality.

"Vinyl has a more natural sound," he said. "Plus, having a record is a lot cooler than having a CD."

Alex Griffin, 36, of London, was also digging around at Recycled Records. His collection dates back to the early 1980s, and includes originals from The Doors and The Moody Blues.

His prized possession: a collection of original Bob Marley pressings he picked up on a trip to Jamaica. The albums cost him a few hundred dollars.

"If I like it, I buy it," he said.

While the popularity surge has lifted Lunt's spirits, his bottom line is simple — enjoy the music.

"It's the music that really matters, not the format," he said. "Obviously, I'm pro vinyl. But in the end, whatever you enjoy listening to music on is the most important thing."


SOURCE: http://www.montereyherald.com
Reprinted By Permission

The Format That Refuses To Die; Vinyl Records Alive And Well

Written by Mike Duffy


Even with all the advances in audio technology and the digital craze, one format has withstood the test of time: vinyl records.

The evolution of personal audio playback is an interesting tale: from paper cylinders to records, records to 8-tracks, 8-tracks to cassettes, cassettes to CDs, and finally, CDs to digital MP3s, only one "primitive" format has managed to not fade away into history. Records were introduced way back in 1877 and are still being widely used across the world, and it's not just DJs who are using them.

Thanks in part to high school children who are just discovering vinyl records for the first time, and baby boomers who are looking for a taste of nostalgia, the vinyl record market has exploded in recent years, with sales increasing about 35 percent in 2007, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. People are once again snatching up vinyl records as quickly as they are produced, and record label executives are taking notice.

As a result, more and more labels are choosing to press their new releases on the format they once considered obsolete, even going into their catalog and re-pressing some of their older albums. Labels are still catering to digital savvy consumers though, as many new vinyl releases often come with download cards, which can be redeemed online to receive MP3's of the album. Online retailers have also taken note, and are now offering more vinyl records for sale. An influx of new websites specifically catering to vinyl enthusiasts have also been popping up, selling vinyl and record accessories.

There are several reasons why vinyl sales have taken off in recent years. Any purist (or audiophile) will tell you that vinyl sounds better than any other format available today. You will hear things playing a record that you won't be able to pick up on when playing that same album in CD or MP3 format. Vinyl also comes in different weights, which is measured in grams, and ranges from the standard 140 grams all the way up to 220 grams. The heavier a record is, the better sound quality you will get. Some people will only settle for the best, and some younger folks are tired of the high compression rates found in CDs and MP3s, which steals the quality of the music. And some have sought out alternative methods of listening to their favorite albums.

Most records released today come in elaborate packaging that features liner notes and larger artwork than their CD counterparts. Vinyl now comes in various colors, patterns, shapes and styles. There's the standard 12 inch LP, which supports full length albums; seven inch singles, which are often used for only one or two songs; and all sizes in between. Records have also strayed from the standard black vinyl circle into elaborate shapes and bright colors. Records are being pressed on every color found in the rainbow and then some, as well as almost every shape known to man. The variety and bigger size attracts many buyers.

One more reason why vinyl sales have taken off is their collectability. The market has never been better for someone who is in possession of an original Beatles or Led Zeppelin LP. These days vinyl is often pressed in one time limited runs, or presses, compared to an almost infinite amount when records were the dominant format. This makes some records highly sought after. Multiple colors are also pressed, leading to many variations of a single record, which also leads to collectability. Some records released for the first time in 10 years can fetch as much as $200 once they go out of print. For example, a record of only 1,000 total copies were pressed: out of that 1,000, only 100 were pressed on red vinyl, and 500 were pressed on blue. A red record would be worth more to collectors than the blue record, and could fetch a hefty sum on eBay and other online outlets.

For whatever reason - whether it be for their superior sound quality, the larger and more detailed artwork and packaging, or just for old time's sake - vinyl records are here to stay. And they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.


SOURCE: http://media.www.pioneertimeswpu.com/

Music News & Notes

Plant Says No One More Time

Robert Plant told Britain's BBC Radio Wales that he will not be doing a Led Zeppelin tour. Among other things, he said that he was getting too old to to perform in two-hour rock shows all over the world.

"I'm doing very well with Alison and I'm enjoying that.

"I still see Jimmy quite a lot and he's very complimentary and supportive of what I'm doing, but we are in different places now and you have to go on to do different things."

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Rick Wakeman Reviving Six Wives of Henry VIII

Rick Wakeman is in the process of reviving his 1973 album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and will perform it in its entirety this spring in London.

The May 1 and 2 shows will be at Hampton Court Palace's West Front for an audience of 5,000 each night. Joining him on the dates will be the English Chamber Choir, a full orchestra and a guest narrator.

The Six Wives album was Wakeman's first solo project outside of Yes and is heralded as one of the forerunners of progressive rock. The album was totally instrumental with Wakeman playing the Moog, Organ and Mellotron. He studied the personalities of each of the wives and wrote a separate piece to try and capture each of their spirits. Joining him on the album were Yes members Chris Squire, Bill Bruford and Steve Howe along with the Strawbs' Dave Cousins.

In the U.S., the album peaked at number 30 on the album chart. The press release for the London shows claims that, over the years, the album has sold 15 million copies around the world.

Wakeman has also written three new pieces for the performances, Tudor Overture, Defender of the Faith and Tudor Rock.

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Count Five Singer Dead

John "Sean" Burne, the lead singer and guitarist for the Count Five (Psychotic Reaction), passed away last Monday (December 15) from cirrhosis of the liver.

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Drunk Lennon Recording Sold For Big Bucks

A recording of John Lennon performing Lloyd Price's Just Because was sold at auction on Monday for $30,000. The recording, made in 1973, includes some improvised lyrics and was, reportedly, made while Lennon was drunk.

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Jacko Not Sicko

Michael Jackson's spokesperson has denied claims that the singer is in ill health.

Dr. Tohme Tohme (really!) said, "Concerning this author's allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorized 'biography.' The writer's wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson's health are a total fabrication."

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