The vinyl record collecting blog - with news about new vinyl record releases, vinyl record sales, new music releases, album cover art and weekly features
DEAR JERRY:One of the very first 45s I wanted was Boyd Bennett's “Seventeen,” from the summer of 1955 when rock and roll was new.
As a teen who knew nothing about cover records, I was surprised to find several different versions of that song for sale. That was my introduction to covers.
I later learned how quickly the original versions of most popular songs in the 1950s faced stiff competition from other labels wanting a piece of the sales pie.
Jumping ahead 10 years, it seems cover versions were practically non-existent. Would you agree? —Sandy Stover, Santa Rosa, Calif.
DEAR SANDY: Not exactly, only because covers were still fairly common in the 1960s. There were far fewer then than a decade earlier, and were rarely successful, but not uncommon.
I can quantify this using the Cash Box Top 40 (which routinely listed both originals and covers) for the last week of August 1955 — when you bought “Seventeen” — followed by the Top 40 for the same week of 1965.
In 1955, when covers were the rule rather than the exception, 32 (80%) of the Top 40 were available by more than one artist. And this excludes instrumental versions of songs that by no means competed with the hit vocal, such as the MGM Studio Orchestra's “(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock.”
Note also that only single releases can accurately be considered covers. An LP track can never be a true cover record!
Here then are the eight tunes (20%) of the Top 40, with their position, for which there no qualifying cover versions:
3 “(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” (Bill Haley and His Comets)
5 “Hard to Get” (Gisele MacKenzie)
12 “Tina Marie" (Perry Como)
20 “The Longest Walk” (Jaye P. Morgan)
28 “If I May” (Nat King Cole and the Four Knights)
31 “Pancho Lopez (Davy Crockett)” Lalo Guerrero
34 “My One Sin” (Nat King Cole)
35 “Honey Babe” (Art Mooney and His Orchestra)
Somewhat surprisingly, 10 years later the numbers are almost exactly reversed.
Mid the British Invasion, 33 (82.5%) of the Top 40 were unopposed, with only seven involving a cover record:
4 “Like a Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan), covered by the Soup Greens
15 “All I Really Want to Do” (Cher), covered successfully by the Byrds with both making the Top 40
17 “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” (Mel Carter), covered by Lanny Duncan, and Karen Chandler (who had the true original in 1952)
20 “What's New Pussycat!” (Tom Jones), covered by Burt Bacharach, co-writer of the song
21 “The 'In' Crowd” (Ramsey Lewis Trio). First instrumental issued in mid-'65 is by Gene Barge, making the Lewis version the cover
22 “It Ain't Me Babe” (Turtles), covered by Joe & Eddie, and Vern Swain
27 “Houston” (Dean Martin). First issued that summer by Sanford Clark, making Dino's version the cover
DEAR JERRY:Now that middle-age is in the rear view mirror, I am relating more and more to songs like Roy Clark's “Yesterday, When I Was Young.”
There was another song from those days with a similar theme. It's either Roy Clark or another tenor with a beautiful voice.
I thought the title to be “Minstrel in My Time,” but my searches for those words result in nothing helpful.
What is it, who wrote it, who sings it, and where can I find it? —Clint Yarrow, Salt Lake City
DEAR CLINT: One line in this song is “Minstrel of My Time,” but the title is “I Didn't See the Time Go By.”
You have every reason to associate this poignant ballad with “Yesterday, When I Was Young,” because both express a comparable sentiment, and both are from the pen of the legendary Armenian-French singer-songwriter, Charles Aznavour.
The recording you seek is probably by Glenn Yarbrough, and is easily available on his 1996 CD “Live at Harrah's Reno” (Increase B00003Q07E) — truly a tour de force performance.
IZ ZAT SO? Discussing cover records brings to mind a fascinating trivia tidbit first mentioned here many years ago:
Neither the Beatles nor Elvis Presley ever made a cover record! Never. Not even once.
Both artists recorded lots of other people's songs, but never as a single to compete with someone else's original.
Presley even refused to allow RCA Victor to release a single of his “Blue Suede Shoes” until after the Carl Perkins original ran its course. He didn't want his friend Carl to lose sales. Throughout his life, Perkins often referred to this as one of the kindest things anyone had ever done for him.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2011 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
Andrew Bird's upcoming album 'Break it Yourself,' will be released on March 6 via Mom + Pop Music. Starting on March 15, Bird will be emarking on an extensive spring tour in support of the album.
Tracklist: 1. Desperation Breeds… 2. Polynation 3. Danse Caribe 4. Give it Away 5. Eyeoneye 6. Lazy Projector 7. Near Death Experience Experience 8. Behind the Barn 9. Lusitania 10. Orpheo Looks Back 11. Sifters 12. Fatal Shore 13. Hole in the Ocean Floor 14. Belles
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Woody Guthrie Tribute Album Details
To coincide with the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie, My Morning Jacket’s Yim Yames, Son Volt’s Jay Farrar, Centro-matic’s Will Johnson and Varnaline’s Anders Parker have recorded an album featuring previously unrecorded Guthrie lyrics. 'New Multitudes,' comprises interpretations on 12 Guthrie compositions, most of which were written during his time in Los Angeles.
'New Multitudes' is scheduled for release on February 28th via Rounder Records and as a limited edition which features original Guthrie lyric sheets, the 12 track release, and 12 additional compositions recorded by Farrar and Parker. The album will also be available on vinyl.
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MIKE PORTNOY, STEVE MORSE, NEAL MORSE Unite In FLYING COLORS; Debut Album Details
Mascot Label Group has announced the release of the eponymous debut album from FLYING COLORS — the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/metal rock band formed by drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) and guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE). The CD will be made available via Music Theories Recordings in the U.K. on Monday, March 26, followed by a U.S. release on Tuesday, March 27.
FLYING COLORS is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar).
T.R.A.M. is a new 'supergroup' that features members of The Mars Volta, Animals as Leaders, and Suicidal Tendencies, will be issuing 'Lingua Franca,' their debut album, on February 28th.
Comprised of such renowned musically proficient artists as Adrian Terrazas (The Mars Volta) on saxophone, flute, bass clarinet and percussion, Javier Reyes (Animals as Leaders) on guitars, Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders) on guitars and Eric Moore (Suicidal Tendencies) on drums, the band formed in 2010 and made their live debut at SXSW last year.
Terrazas states: "Tosin Abasi and I were originally introduced by a mutual friend, Raanen Bozzio, last summer. This meeting also served as my first introduction to Animals As Leaders and Javier Reyes. Since then, Abasi, Reyes and I have developed a great relationship. We got together almost every day to try out ideas and after a month we had already formulated a majority of the record. At this point we contacted Eric Moore, an incredible drummer and the most joyful person to be around, and soon everything we had envisioned rhythmically came together on our first meeting/recording session (at the Farias productions studios) on what is now T.R.A.M."
Top 10 Albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of January 3 – January 9, 2012:
1. The Black Keys – The Moan / Have Love Will Travel 7″ 2. The Horrible Crowes – Elsie LP 3. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American 3XLP 4. Bayside – The Walking Wounded LP 5. Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon LP 6. Thrice – At: Guitar Center 7″ 7. Colour Revolt – Colour Revolt LP 8. Matt Pryor – May Day LP 9. Craig Finn – Clear Heart Full Eyes LP 10. Converge – Unloved and Weeded Out LP
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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 1/02 - 1/08, 2012
Vinyl Top 25:
1. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow 2. Bon Iver - Bon Iver 3. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues 4. M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming 5. My Morning Jacket - Friends Again 7" 6. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions 7. Adele - 21 8. Radiohead - In Rainbows 9. The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism 10. Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon 11. The Beatles - Abbey Road 12. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More 13. Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago 14. Mississippi Fred McDowell - The Alan Lomax Recordings 15. Real Estate - Days 16. Brendan Benson - Upstairs At United Vol. 1 12" 17. Cory Chisel - Upstairs At United Vol. 2 12" 18. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow 10" 19. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here 20. My Morning Jacket - Circuital 21. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes 22. Blind Willie McTell - 1927-1935 23. Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue 24. Smashing Pumpkins - Gish 25. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
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say whay you want about heavy metal, the album cover art is some of the best around, take a good look at some of these great pieces of art (some I have not seen before):
Born on this day in 1895, Laurens Hammond, inventor of the Hammond organ. The sound of the Hammond was used by many rock artists including; Procol Harum, Keith Emerson, Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers and the Faces. Hammond died on July 3,1973.
Born on this day in 1924, Slim Harpo, blues musician. Died of a heart attack on January 31,1970 aged 46.
In 1928, Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra, with vocalist Bing Crosby, recorded "Ol' Man River." By spring it was the #1 record in the U.S. and the 26th of the band's 32 chart-toppers between 1920 and 1934.
In 1956, in Nashville, Elvis Presley recorded "I Was the One" and "I'm Counting On You."
Also in 1956, after changing their name from the Robins, the Coasters record their first tracks for Atlantic Records in Hollywood. The L.A. quintet would crack the Hot 100 the following year and place six consecutive hits in the Top Ten.
The now world famous Los Angeles night club, The Whiskey A-Go-Go, opened its doors in 1963. Johnny Rivers, Alice Cooper and Kansas have recorded live albums there. Rivers also recorded two Top 10 singles, "Memphis" and "Seventh Son", live at The Whiskey.
In 1964, "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen was the number one song on the Cash Box music chart. For a while, the record was banned by a handful of US radio stations because of its indecipherable lyrics, which were rumored to contain some naughty words. Even the F.B.I. investigated the song, but finally concluded that they could find nothing wrong.
In 1964, Roger Miller recorded "Dang Me" and "Chug-A-Lug."
In 1965, the Beach Boys recorded "Do You Wanna Dance," which became the highest-charting Beach Boys song featuring Dennis Wilson on lead vocals.
In 1967, Jimi Hendrix started recording "Purple Haze." It was completed on February 3, 1967.
In March 2005, Q magazine ranked "Purple Haze" at number one in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at #17 in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time
In 1967, Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded "Jackson."
Also in 1967, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, the Hollies began recording "On A Carousel." The track was completed two days later.
It was the Hollies first A-side in which Graham Nash sings lead vocals, although only for the first few lines. "On a Carousel" was the Hollies' second-to-last single in the US to be released by Imperial before the band switched to the Epic label. The song was a hit in the UK, peaking at #4 on the single charts. It was also a moderate hit in the United States, peaking at #11 on the Billboard chart.
In 1968, according to London's Daily Mirror newspaper, Jimi Hendrix moved into the townhouse where Handel is believed to have composed his famous works, "Water Music" and "Messiah." Jimi was quoted as saying he "will not let the tradition down," that he planned to compose music in the house also.
In 1977, a London court found Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones guilty of possession of cocaine after it was discovered in his car after a traffic accident. Richards was fined £750.
In 1985, a Brazilian rock Festival held in Rio, claimed to be the biggest ever staged. The festival featured; Queen, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Yes and Iron Maiden.
In 1990, in London, Paul McCartney played the first of 11 sold-out nights at Wembley Arena.
In 1992, Nirvana appeared as the musical guests on NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live," where they performed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Territorial Pissings." Also on this day the group’s 'Nevermind' went to #1 on the US album chart.
In 1999, guitarist/singer Barry Pritchard, a founding member of the Fortunes, died after a heart attack at 54.
In 2000, Richard "Dimples" Fields, an American Soul singer most often remembered for his 1982 hit, "If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another", which reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #47 on the Hot 100, died following a stroke. He was 58.
In 2002, drummer Mickey Finn of T. Rex died of kidney and liver problems at the age of 55.
In 2003, Britain’s oldest rockers came out winners in The Pollstar listing of the Top 10 grossing US tours of 2002: Paul McCartney $68m (£40m), The Rolling Stones $58m (£34m), Elton John $47m (£27.6m), The Who $20m (£11.8m), Ozzy Osbourne $18m (£10.6m), Peter Gabriel $10m (£5.88m), Yes $6m (£3.5m), Elvis Costello $5m (£2.94m), The Moody Blues $4m (£2.35m) and Jethro Tull $3m (£1.76m).
In 2004, Ted Nugent required 40 stitches when a chain saw cut his leg during the filming of his reality TV show.
In 2005, singer/guitarist James Griffin, a founding member of the group Bread, died of lung cancer at the age of 61.
Also in 2005, drummer Spencer Dryden, who played with Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Dinosaurs, and was a nephew of Charlie Chaplin, died of colon cancer at age 66.
In 2006, the Beach Boys filed a law suit seeking millions of dollars in damages from two California men, claiming they stole a collection of photos, recordings and other band memorabilia from a warehouse with the intent of putting the items up for auction.
birthdays today include (among others): Vicki Peterson - Bangles (1958), Mary J. Blige (1971) and Tom Dumont - No Doubt (1968)
On New Year's Day I was crawling into the closet under my mother's staircase to reorganize her Christmas decorations when she pointed out a box that held my father's small collection of vinyl record albums.
"If you want to go through those old records, now's the time," Mom suggested.
Taped shut and shoved up under the lowest two steps was this family time capsule marked "Records." For nearly two decades, we had been stepping over the likes of Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Ray Price, Willie Nelson and "Ain't it funny how time slips away?"
i like to present both sides to the arguement, he brings up some valid points, but he'll never convince me that CDs sound better than vinyl, read on:
Why CDs Sound Better Than Vinyl
by James Cruz
That’s a pretty bold statement, I know, and I can feel the collective shudder of the audio world, so I feel I should back it up by telling you a bit about myself. I’ve been a mastering engineer for 18 years. When I started, everything was on tape, digital workstations were new, and every project I worked on went to vinyl. I started at the Hit Factory, was a senior engineer for Sony Music, and now I own my own mastering lab, Zeitgeist Sound Studios in Long Island City. I’ve cut hip-hop singles for OutKast and The Wu-Tang, dance records for C&C Music Factory and Whitney Houston. I’ve cut rock records for Pearl Jam and Metallica. I’ve cut reissues for The Clash and Sly and the Family Stone. I've even done my share of classical records. It's an incredible process and it amazes me every time I do it.
Now to get into my original statement: “CDs sound better than vinyl." I say it for a couple of reasons. There are sonic limitations to vinyl that do not exist on CD. There are also degradation issues that exist on vinyl. The act of playing a record actually destroys it. The inverse is also true of CDs, but in a different way. That is what I would like to discuss.
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/07/2011
The withdrawn first Sex Pistols single tops the list this week, but selling at several thousand less than its usual closing price. The Elvis 7" is interesting; Compact 33 was an RCA label for jukebox vendors. Typically they were like an EP and had two cuts per side from whatever LP the artist had out at the time. This Elvis Compact 33 has one cut per side, like a regular 45. For only the second time in almost five years of keeping this list, there is a three-way tie. The #4 spot has a Butcher Cover, a rare jazz and a rare classical LP all selling for $2k. Finishing the list is a rare Northern Soul 45.
1. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $11,710.08
2. 7" - Elvis Presley "Good Luck Charm" / "Anything That's Part Of You" Compact 33 Single - $4,995.00
3. LP - Bach Mozart "Violin Concerto" His Masters Voice ASD 429 W/G UK Pressing - $4,050.00
4. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday And Today" 3rd State Butcher Stereo - $2,000.00
4. LP - Kenny Dorham "Quiet Kenny" New Jazz 8225 - $2,000.00
Colour Revolt's debut self-titled EP released in 2006 by Interscope imprint Tiny Evil is being released on Vinyl for the very first time. This is a special limited edition pressing of 1,000 on clear, 180-gram vinyl. The original release was praised by influential publications like Spin, Paste and Stereogum, and led to slots at Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and tours with Manchester Orchestra and The Breeders. Still the best selling release of the band's history (and fan favorite), the release will coincide with select shows in which the band will play the EP in full.
Track Listing Blood In Your Mouth Matresses Underwater A New Family Our Homes Are Graves Change Your Face Or Change Your Name Circus
KISS: Deluxe Edition Of 'Destroyer' Due Next Month
According to the official release schedule of Universal Music in Denmark, the deluxe 25th-anniversary edition of KISS' classic fourth album, 'Destroyer,' will be released in Europe on February 27 (one day later in North America). The two-disc set will feature remixes of the original LP by producer Bob Ezrin, outtakes from the 1976 album sessions as well as the LP's original cover art.
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love the show and sagal, but she'll always be peggy bundy to me!
Sons of Anarchy CD gives Katey Sagal music outlet
By John Carucci / Associated Press / January 10, 2012
NEW YORK—Somebody get Katey Sagal a record deal -- no really.
Although she's happy with her day job on the successful F/X series "Sons of Anarchy," in her heart, she's a singer -- and she gets a chance to show it as part of a new collection of songs from show's first four seasons.
"I love being an actor, but there's something about playing music that's a gift," the 57-year old Sagal admits.
In the past, Sagal recorded on Elektra and Casablanca Records. But times have changed in the music business for her, and she paid to record her last album. Sagal yearns to record again in a more traditional manner.
"I'm still old school. I have to go in the studio with a producer."
"Music From Sons of Anarchy: Season 1-4" features three songs by Sagal, and represents a return to her main love. Though Sagal gained her fame as an actress, her first big break in show business was in music.
Preview the first taster of new album 'Port Of Morrow'.
The Shins have just revealed the first track from their new album 'Port of Morror'
Port of Morrow was recorded in Los Angeles and Portland over the course of 2011 with Mercer as usual handling all songwriting duties, lead vocals and the majority of instrumentation. The record was produced by Greg Kurstin and mixed by Rich Costey. The attached cover art was created by Jacob Escobedo.
The online shop at www.theshins.com is offering an exclusive limited edition lithograph along with physical versions of the album - all of which include an early download of Simple Song. The website is also offering the digital album as a standalone purchase and as a complimentary download with vinyl and reel-to-reel orders. Fans pre-ordering the digital album will receive the download of Simple Song, and iTunes pre-orders will also include the non-LP B-side Pariah King upon album release.
Tracklist: 1. The Rifle's Spiral 2. Simple Song 3. It's Only Life 4. No Way Down 5. September 6. Bait and Switch 7. Fall of '82 8. For A Fool 9. 40 Mark Strasse 10. Port of Morrow
UMe Celebrates the New Year with a Fresh Batch from the Highly Successfull ICON Series Collections from Anthrax, Cinderella, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, BLACKstreet, Dru Hill and Ja Rule
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On January 10, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) celebrates the New Year with the latest set of releases in their highly successful ICON Series. Among the latest batch of ICON collections are Anthrax - ICON, Cinderella - ICON, Deep Purple - ICON, Uriah Heep - ICON, BLACKstreet - ICON, Dru Hill - ICON and both explicit and edited versions of Ja Rule - ICON.
ANTHRAX - ICON
Heavy metal pioneers Anthrax not only helped to create but they helped define thrash metal in the early '80s. With a career that spans over 30 years, the band pushed the rigid boundaries of underground metal, blending many different styles and influences--including punk and rap--with current affairs and pop culture. Anthrax - ICON collects a wide array of songs showing the many facets of the band including "I Am The Law" (their tribute to comic book hero Judge Dredd), MTV staples "Indians" and "Antisocial," the fast and heavy "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" and their cover version of "Bring The Noise" featuring Public Enemy.
Anthrax continue to record and tour, and recently took their rightful place on the historic The Big 4 tour alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth as one of most influential American metal bands whose unique blend of metal, punk and rap helped shape metal as we know it today.
TRACK LISTING: 1) Madhouse 2) A.I.R. 3) Armed And Dangerous 4) I Am The Law 5) Indians 6) Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.) 7) Antisocial
8) Got The Time 9) Belly Of The Beast
10) Bring The Noise 11) I'm The Man '91
CINDERELLA - ICON
Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Cinderella emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum albums and hit singles. Their videos received heavy rotation on MTV and helped propel them to become one of the top bands of the era, making them a household name.
While Cinderella started with the glam metal movement, the band's hard rock/blues-rock core is where they continued to enjoy success into the new decade. This CD gives the perfect snapshot of the legacy of one of the biggest metal bands from that era and features some of the group's greatest hits, including "Shelter Me" which hit No. 5 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, and their top 10 single "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)." Other hits included are "Nobody's Fool" "Gypsy Road" and "The Last Mile."
Cinderella recently finished their 25th Anniversary Tour and will take part in the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in 2012.
TRACK LISTING: 1) Shake Me 2) Gypsy Road 3) Nobody's Fool 4) Somebody Save Me 5) The Last Mile 6) Heartbreak Station 7) Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
8) Shelter Me 9) The More Things Change 10) Bad Attitude Shuffle 11) Coming Home
DEEP PURPLE - ICON
Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, alongside Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Deep Purple uniquely combined progressive rock, hard rock and classical elements, carving their niche in music with a sound all their own. Their 1969 debut album Shades Of Purple put them on the U.S. charts with the hit "Hush" and their 1971 release Fireball, along with their top 10 releases Machine Head (1972) and Burn (1974), helped cement their iconic status in the history of rock.
This compilation features many of Deep Purple's greatest hits including "Nobody's Home," "Knocking At Your Back Door" and "Call Of The Wild." Also included are live versions of classic Deep Purple tracks such as "Smoke On The Water," "Hush" and "Black Knight," highlighting the best of the Brit band's iconic sound.
TRACK LISTING: 1) Smoke On The Water [1987/Live In Oslo, Norway] 2) Hush [Live Version] 3) Woman From Tokyo [Live (1987 / Irvine Meadows, CA)] 4) Knocking At Your Back Door [Album Version] 5) Call Of The Wild 6) Perfect Strangers [Album Version] 7) Bad Attitude 8) Nobody's Home 9) Black Night [Live (1987 / Verona, Italy And Oslo, Norway)] 10) Child In Time [Live (1987 / Phoenix, AZ, and Oslo, Norway)] 11) Strange Kind Of Woman [Live]
URIAH HEEP - ICON
Uriah Heep remains one of British rocks most consistent and long-standing acts with a career spanning over four decades. Their uncompromising blend of progressive rock, and what would later be labeled heavy metal, made them one of the most popular hard rock outfits to come out of the '70s. With album sales over 30 million worldwide and classic rock anthems such as "Easy Livin'," this five-man British band (who took their name from a key character in a classic Charles Dickens's novel) carved a sizable niche in the annals of rock.
To this day, Uriah Heep continues to tour playing to millions of fans across the globe and performing many of the songs featured on this collection.
TRACK LISTING: 1) Easy Livin' 2) July Morning 3) Free Me 4) Gypsy 5) Wonderworld 6) Lady in Black 7) Look At Yourself
8) The Wizard 9) Echoes In The Dark 10) Paradise / The Spell 11) Stealin'
BLACKSTREET - ICON
BLACKstreet is one of the most successful pop and R&B/hip-hop groups of the 1990s. Founded by new jack swing pioneer Teddy Riley after the breakup of his seminal trio Guy, BLACKstreet, also featuring Chauncey Hannibal, Levi Little and Dave Hollister, released their platinum-selling, self-titled debut album in 1994 and it immediately hit top 10. For their second release, 1996's Another Level, Mark Middleton and Eric Williams replaced Hollister and Little and it quickly became their breakthrough release reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200.
This collection features many of their chart-topping singles including the Grammy® Award-winning No. 1 hit "No Diggity" featuring Dr. Dre, "Don't Leave Me," "Joy" (which was co-written with Michael Jackson), "Booti Call," and "Fix" featuring Wu Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard.
TRACK LISTING: 1) No Diggity 2) Booti Call 3) Before I Let You Go 4) Joy 5) Tonight's The Night 6) Never Gonna Let You Go 7) Don't Leave Me
8) I Can't Get You (Out Of My Mind) 9) Fix 10) Coming Home To You 11) The Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal)
Dru Hill - ICON
R&B vocal group Dru Hill, a name derived from a park in an area where they grew up in Baltimore, first hit the charts in 1996 when their self-titled debut album hit No. 5 on the R&B Album chart. They continued to stay on the chart with 1998's double-platinum release Enter The Dru, hitting No. 2 on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts, followed by their 2002 release Dru World Order, which reached the No. 2 position on the R&B Album chart. Led by their charismatic blond-haired lead vocalist Mark Andrews, nicknamed "Sisqo," Dru Hill offered their own take on New Jack Swing blending in elements of hip-hop and combining their R&B and gospel-style singing which appealed to the masses and took them to the top of the charts.
Included on the disc are their No. 1 hits "How Deep Is Your Love" featuring Redman, "In My Bed" and "Never Make A Promise." Also included are "5 Steps," "You Are Everything," "I Should Be..." and the track "These Are The Times" which reached No. 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
TRACK LISTING: 1) In My Bed [Radio Edit] 2) Never Make A Promise [Radio Edit] 3) How Deep Is Your Love [Single Version] 4) These Are The Times [Album Version] 5) 5 Steps 6) I Should Be...[Radio Edit] 7) You Are Everything [Album Edit]
8) No Doubt (Work It) [Radio Edit] 9) I Love You [Radio Edit] 10) Beauty 11) Tell Me
JA RULE - ICON
The platinum-selling New York rapper Ja Rule began his career in the hip-hop group Cash Money Click and in 1994 became the flagship artist for Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. label. His hard-hitting 1999 debut album Venni Vetti Vecci hit No. 1 on the R&B Album chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200. For his next album, 2000's Rule 3:36, Ja Rule began to collaborate with R&B singers for a more radio-friendly formula, and as a result hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts consecutively. On 2001's Pain Is Love he continued to use his successful rap/R&B template and once again shot to No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B Album charts. His 2002 release, The Last Temptation, peaked at No. 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart; Blood In My Eye reached No. 1 and R.U.L.E. went to the No. 3 position also on the R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.
Released in both explicit and edited versions, this collection features Ja Rule's biggest hits, including the No. 1 smash "Always On Time" and the No. 2 charting "Mesmerize" (both featuring Ashanti); "Holla Holla" and "Wonderful," the latter featuring R. Kelly. Other tracks included are "Between Me & You," "Down A** B**ch" and "Livin' It Up," all showcasing why Ja Rule became one of the rap industry's most commercially successful artists during the early 2000s.
TRACK LISTING: ICON (EDITED) 1) Livin' It Up [Album Version (Edited)] 2) Put It On Me [Album Version (Edited)] 3) Wonderful [Album Version (Edited)] 4) Mesmerize [Album Version (Edited)] 5) Holla Holla [Album Version (Edited)] 6) New York [Album Version (Edited)] 7) We Here Now [Album Version (Edited)] 8) Down A** B**ch [Album Version (Edited)] 9) Between Me & You [Album Version (Edited)] 10) Thug Lovin' [Radio Edit] 11) Always On Time [Album Version (Edited)]
TRACK LISTING: ICON (EXPLICIT) 1) Livin' It Up [Album Version (Explicit)] 2) Put It On Me [Album Version (Explicit)] 3) Wonderful [Album Version (Explicit)] 4) Mesmerize [Album Version (Explicit)] 5) Holla Holla [Album Version (Explicit)] 6) New York [Album Version (Explicit)] 7) We Here Now [Album Version (Explicit)] 8) Down A** B**ch [Album Version (Explicit)] 9) Between Me & You [Album Version]
10) Thug Lovin' [Album Version (Explicit)] 11) Always On Time [Album Version (Explicit)]
Universal Music Enterprises' ongoing and highly successful ICON series features greatest hits, signature songs and fan favorites from many of the most influential artists in music history. Each collection is specially priced offering unprecedented value for music fans.
SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises
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from redefinemag.com a really super look and summary of album cover art of 2011!!
2011 Year-End Respect For Album Cover Art : Illustration, Painting & Drawing
Our third-annual album cover art feature uses interviews with artists and musicians to highlight the philosophical, thematic, and conceptual significance of great album cover artwork.
THE BREAKDOWN
12 Collage
+ 14 Digital Illustration, Drawing, Design
+ 19 Illustration, Painting, Drawing
+ 8 Black And White Photography
+ 22 Color Photography
+ 6 Deluxe Packaging
+ 10 Fashion, Sculpture, Installation
_____________________________ 91 Album Covers For 2011
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and in music history for january 10th:
In 1949, RCA Victor announced the creation of a new record format logically nicknamed the "45," since the two-sided seven-inch vinyl discs were designed to play at 45-RPM. There are some contradictions as to when 45s actually started. (for more information go to history-of-rock.com and let the discussion begin!)
In 1955, Alan Freed hosted his first New York stage show, featuring The Clovers, The Drifters and Fats Domino.
In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs as an RCA Victor artist in Nashville. Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Was the One," "I’m Counting On You," "I Got a Woman" and "Money Honey." He was backed by a drummer, D.J. Fontana for the first time, in addition to guitarist Chet Atkins and piano player Floyd Cramer in an eight hour recording session.
In 1959, Jerry Lee Lewis has his only UK #1 single with "Great Balls Of Fire."
In 1964, the first US Beatles album, 'Introducing The Beatles,' was released on Vee-Jay records. The album cover showed John, Paul and George with their now famous "mop top" haircuts, but Ringo had yet to convert. Vee-Jay would be forced to stop selling the disc by the end of the year because of legal complications, but by then over 1.3 million copies had been sold.
Starting in the late 1960s and continuing through the 1990s,' Introducing The Beatles' was frequently counterfeited. These counterfeits can be identified by the cover printing and quality, the label, or the sound quality.
The counterfeits may have some differences from the commercial issue. For example, one common variation has the title of the album and the group's name separated by the center spindle hole, even though all variations legitimately released by Vee-Jay Records have both the title and the group's name above the hole.
On another counterfeit variation, dating from the late 1970s, George Harrison's shadow is not visible on the right side of the cover. However, all legitimate copies of the album and even most counterfeits include his shadow.
Nearly all fakes claim to be in stereo (though the actual sound of the record is often in mono). As legitimate stereo copies of Introducing... The Beatles are rare, the majority of copies with "stereo" or "stereophonic" printed on the cover are counterfeits
In 1964, in London, the Rolling Stones recorded Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away."
In 1969, frustrated at Paul McCartney's dominance during the filming of Let It Be, George Harrison nonchalantly tells the rest of the band that he is quitting immediately and sarcastically says as he walked out, "See you around the clubs." George would later say that while he had a growing backlog of new material, he constantly had to work on Lennon and McCartney's songs before the group would work on his. George was the second Beatle to quit; Ringo had left the group for a brief period a year earlier.
In 1976, the North American fascination with CB radios helped push C.W. McCall's truck driving song, "Convoy" to the top of the Billboard Pop chart. McCall, whose real name is William Dale Fries, Jr., used a pre-Rap vocal technique that wavers between singing and speaking called "sprechgesang" (German for spoken-song and spoken-voice). He would place three more songs on the Hot 100 and a dozen on the Country chart.
In 1976, Foghat's "Slow Ride" becomes the first of their five Billboard chart entries and the only one to crack the Top 20.
Also in 1976, 66 year old Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin' Wolf, passed away at the age of 66. Although he never gained mainstream popularity, the legendary American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine at #51 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
In 1981, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" LP goes Platinum a little over a month after Lennon's assassination. The album would be number one in the US for eight weeks.
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper became the first female recording artist since Bobbie Gentry in 1967 to be nominated for five Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female), Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In 2000, Melissa Etheridge announced that the father of her and Julie Cypher's children was David Crosby.
In 2003, a collection of 500 Beatles tapes known as the 'Get Back sessions', which were stolen in the 1970's, were found after UK police cracked a major bootleg operation in London and Amsterdam. Five men were arrested.
In 2006, the iTunes Music Store reached 850 million songs sold.
In 2007, the iTunes Music Store reached 2 billion songs sold.
In 2007, a fire razed the Clio, Michigan home of ? and The Mysterians leader Rudy Martinez, destroying all of his memorabilia. He did not have insurance on the house and was forced into living in a mobile home nearby.
In 2008, Rod Allen, the last remaining original member of The Fortunes, died of liver cancer at the age of 64. The band scored a trio of Billboard Top 40 hits, including "You've Got Your Troubles" in 1965 and "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" in 1971.
birthdays today include (among others): Don Letts (Big Audio Dynamite) (56), Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) (53), Matt Roberts (3 Doors Down) (34), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) (64), Ronnie Hawkins (77), Scott McKenzie (73), Rod Stewart (67), Bob Lang (Mindbenders) (66), Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions) (57) and Pat Benatar (59)
A Place to Bury Strangers - Onwards to the Wall (EP)
Alex Chilton - Free Again: The 1970 Sessions
Andy Gibb - Greatest Hits
Anthrax - Icon
Barbados! - Adagio For Bones
Cardinal - Hymns
Caspian - Live at Old South Church
Charlie Haden and Hank Jones - Come Sunday
Cinderella - Icon
David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest
Deep Purple - Icon
Giant Sand - Is All Over the Map (remastered with bonus track)
Goldmund - Two Point Discrimination
Gong - Magick Invocations (reissue)
Grand and Noble - Grand and Noble
Johnny Cash - Country Boy (reissue)
Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm (reissue)
Johnny Cash - Train of Love (reissue)
Joshua Bell - French Impressions
Keepaway - Black Flute
Kronos Quartet - The Music of Vladimir Martynov
Kurt Cobain - Collector's Box (3-CD box set)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends (2 CDs)
Lemonheads - Hotel Sessions (vinyl)
MUTEMATH - Odd Soul (vinyl)
Mark Lanegan - Blues Funeral
Mark Lanegan - The Gravedigger's Song (vinyl)
Matt Wertz - Weight & Wings (vinyl)
Michael Giacchino - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Soundtrack
Morphine - Cure for Pain ((reissue) (vinyl)
Nightwish - Imaginaerum
O’Brother - Garden Window
Patti Smith - Live in Germany 1979
Raw Feels - Raw Feels
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (reissue) (vinyl)
Red Wanting Blue - From the Vanishing Point
Run Dan Run - Normal
Safetysuit - These Times
Sharon Van Etten - Tramp
Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires
The Babies - Cry Along With the Babies (12")
The Beautiful View - Life Is Beautiful
The Little Willies - For the Good Times
The Melismatics - Mania!
The Twilight Sad - No One Can Ever Know
Uriah Heep - Icon
Van Morrison - Live On Air
Various Artists - Joyful Noise Soundtrack
Various Artists - We are the Works in Progress
Waylon Jennings - Burning (reissue)
Willie Nelson - Broken Promises (reissue)
Willie Nelson - The Last Letter (reissue)
Young London - Young London
Black Sabbath released a statement on their official Facebook Page:
"With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.
"This comes as Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)--are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available."
We should expect more news on Iommi's condition shortly.
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The White Stripes Release Outtakes 45 RPM
The White Stripes are scheduled to release alternate versions of two classic tracks, neither of which have been available to fans before now. An earlier version of the band's 2003 single "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground," (tilted "Dead Leaves") and an early recording of "Let's Build A Home." The recordings will be sold as part of Jack White's Nashville based label Third Man Recordings' exclusive series of From The Vault releases..
The 1999 versions will be presented on 'White Stripes Outtakes,' a 7-inch record in Vault Package #11, a set which will also include the third and final triple-album volume of the White Stripes’ Singles
Compilation on black, white and yellow vinyl, as well as a fold-out poster integrating with the previous albums and a solar-reactive color-changing Third Man Records T-shirt. Pre-orders start on January 31.
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found this very informative, well worth the read:
2012 Music Guide: 50 Most Anticipated Albums of The Year
50 reasons why 2012 is going to be unforgettable for music.
By Johnny Firecloud
We're all done reflecting on 2011 now, right? No more 'best of' lists and nostalgic reflections? Sure, the year kicked ass, but the past has been milked for all it's worth, and 2012 is absolutely packed with enough new releases to make last year look like a slacker's calendar.
Legendary reunions, promising newcomers and highly anticipated return albums abound, and 2012 is already shaping up to be a kickass year for music. Here's our list of the 50 or so most anticipated albums of 2012!
HALFORD, LEMMY, ALICE COOPER, GLENN HUGHES Set For RONNIE JAMES DIO Tribute Album
JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), Chris Jericho (FOZZY) and Dave Grohl (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) are among the artists who have signed on to be part of the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.
"I'm letting them pick what songs they wanna do in the way they wanna do it," Wendy told Artisan News at last month's Dimebash event in Hollywood, California.
Tentatively due before the end of the year, the Dio tribute album will see Grohl covering BLACK SABBATH's "The Mob Rules" and Halford contributing a version of RAINBOW's "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll".
Ronnie James Dio, best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and his own band DIO, died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.
Dutch doom death metallers ASPHYX have released a special edition seven-inch EP called 'Reign Of The Brute' on CM Distro.
Side A: * Reign Of The Brute (album version) (2:59) Side B: * Der Landser (German version) (6:58)
A total of 500 hand-numbered (in respective color) copies are available in the following quantities/vinyl colors:
* 100 transparent red vinyl
* 100 transparent blue vinyl
* 300 black vinyl
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album cover art of the day:
DESASTER To Release 'The Arts Of Destruction' In February
German black/thrash commando DESASTER has finished recording its new album, "The Arts Of Destruction", for a February 28 release (one day earlier internationally) via Metal Blade Records.
a side note, when i prepared today's post and now looking at it, i wonder if the artwork by both was done by the same artist,.....sure looks that way to me....will research it
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oh, and this cover won't cause some trouble.....
GOATWHORE: New Album Details Revealed
"Blood For The Master", the new studio album from New Orleans, Louisiana's sons of American no-frills-black-metal-meets-death-'n'-roll GOATWHORE, will be released in North America on February 14 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was once again recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan.
The first single off the album, "Collapse In Eternal Worth", along with "In the Studio" video footage, is now available at MetalBlade.com/Goatwhore. Fans can stream or download the single as well as check out the lyric video for the track that incorporates the artwork from both the CD and vinyl versions of the release, each which features different artwork.
Paul McCartney has explained why he has called his upcoming album of covers 'Kisses On The Bottom'. He has taken its name from the lyrics in jazz legend Fats Waller's 1935 hit 'I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter," which McCartney covers on the album. The lyric is:
I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you/I’m gonna write words oh so sweet/They’re gonna knock me off of my feet/A lot of kisses on the bottom/I’ll be glad I got ‘em.
The album was recorded with producer Tommy LiPuma, Diana Krall and her band and also features guest appearances from Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder. 'Kisses On The Bottom' is made up of songs McCartney listened to as a child as well as two new songs, ‘My Valentine’ and ‘Only Our Hearts’.
It is set for release on February 6th. The album artwork was taken by McCartney's daughter, Mary McCartney.
Tracklist: 'I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter' 'Home (When Shadows Fall)' 'It’s Only A Paper Moon' 'More I Cannot Wish You' 'The Glory Of Love' 'We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)' 'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive' 'My Valentine' 'Always' 'My Very Good Friend The Milkman' 'Bye Bye Blackbird' 'Get Yourself Another Fool' 'The Inch Worm' 'Only Our Hearts'
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33 Days Author Bill See On Vinyl Record Talk - Tuesday January 10th, 8pm ET / 5pm PT on Radio Dentata
In 1956, a trio known as Buddy Holly and the Two-Tunes kick off a two week tour of the Southern United States as a supporting act for George Jones and Hank Thompson.
In 1959, Dion and The Belmonts perform their newest recording, "Teenager In Love," on American Bandstand. The song will reach #5 in the US and #28 in the UK.
In 1961, orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert knocked Elvis Presley out of the number one spot on the US charts after six weeks with a sleepy instrumental called "Wonderland By Night". Later in the year, Kaempfert would hire The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on their first commercial recording, "My Bonnie."
Also in 1961, Bob Newhart's comedy LP "The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!" topped the Billboard album chart, just as "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" did the previous year.
In 1962, in Nashville, Roy Orbison recorded "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)."
In 1963, London jazz drummer Charlie Watts left Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated to join a new band called the Rolling Stones.
In 1965, the Beatles started a nine week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with "Beatles 65", the group's fourth US #1 LP. The record jumped from #98 the week before, making the biggest gain in chart history to that point. Also on this date in 65' Sid Bernstein approached Brian Epstein about the Beatles playing Shay Stadium.
In 1965, the UK music show Juke Box Jury, a program where four panelists review new Pop music, turns thumbs down on The Righteous Brothers' latest release, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", calling it "a miss." It will prove to be one of the most talked about miscalculations in the show's history, as the tune would go on to top both the UK and US charts.
In 1973, Mick Jagger was refused a Japanese visa because of a 1969 drug bust. The event halted the Rolling Stones' plan to tour the Orient. Asked by a reporter about his personal drug use, Jagger replied, "I don't take drugs. I don't approve of drugs and I don't approve of people taking drugs...unless they're very careful."
In 1975, after years of delays, The Beatles & Company partnership was formally dissolved in a private hearing at London's High Court. It took effect on April 9.
In 1976, Graham Parker of Graham Parker & the Rumour signed his first recording contract.
In 1979, a benefit concert called A Gift of Song was held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The performers were Olivia Newton-John, Rita Coolidge, the Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer, John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, Abba and Earth, Wind & Fire. The show raised about half a million dollars, but an album of the concert was a flop.
Van Halen's self titled sixth album was released on this date in 1984.
CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:
"Nobody Told Me" by John Lennon (single) was released in the UK in 1984 (the 6th in the US)
Recorded (but uncompleted) shortly before his death in 1980, the song was later completed by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in 1983 and released as the first single from Lennon and Ono's album Milk and Honey in 1984.
"Nobody Told Me" was Lennon's last new single to reach the UK Top 10, peaking at #6 (although a reissue of "Imagine reached #3 in December 1999). The single was also Lennon's last US Top 10 hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was his third single to enter the US Top 10 posthumously. The B-side features Yoko Ono's "O'Sanity", also from the Milk and Honey album.
The lyrics make reference to "a little yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu" which is similar to a line from J. Milton Hayes' poem entitled The Green Eye of the Yellow God. Hayes' line was "There’s a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu".
Another line in the song is "There's UFO's over New York and I ain't too surprised", apparently a reference to a UFO sighting Lennon had back in 1974. He made reference to this in the liner notes to his 1974 album Walls and Bridges with the message: "On the 23rd August 1974 at 9 o'clock I saw a U.F.O. - J.L.".
The line "Nobody told me there'd be days like these..." is in contrast to the old adage "My mother told me there'd be days like this."
The promo video for the single was made up of clips of footage from Lennon's other videos, as are most posthumous Lennon videos.
In 1997, a day after his birthday, David Bowie held his 50th Birthday Bash concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Guest performers included Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of the Cure, the Foo Fighters, and Lou Reed. Proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund.
In 1988, Whitney Houston led the Billboard singles chart with "So Emotional", her sixth consecutive number one song. Up to that point, only The Beatles and The Bee Gees had scored six straight chart toppers.
In 1998, Cher gives an emotional eulogy at Sonny Bono's funeral in Palm Springs, California, where she praised the man who had been a husband, friend, partner, father figure and rival, calling him "the most unforgettable character I've ever met." The event was broadcast live to millions of people on CNN.
In 2003, a grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000. Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio, who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World.
In 2007, Britain's Royal Mail issued a series of Beatles postage stamps.
In 2009, Dave Dee, of the British Pop Rock group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, died following a three year battle with cancer at the age of 67. In the late 60's the band spent more time on the UK charts than The Beatles, scoring a number one single in 1968 with "The Legend of Xanadu".
birthdays today include (among others): David Johansen (New York Dolls) (62), Crystal Gayle (61), Joan Baez (71), Dave Matthews (45), Steven Harwell (Smash Mouth) (45), Carl Bell (Fuel) (45) and the legendary Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) (68)
Vinyl records are top of the pops once more as shop celebrates anniversary
Hull Daily Mail
THE elaborate picture sleeves and crackle as the needle scores the grooves and are just a couple of the reasons why the iPod generation is going crazy for new and second-hand records.
Vinyl is enjoying a huge surge in popularity and one Hull shop is celebrating its 20th year in business by ordering its third batch of new LPs in a month.
Next Saturday will also see the first record fair in Hull in almost two years at the Mercure Hull Royal Hotel in Ferensway.
Spin-it Records in Trinity Market stocks about 8,000 LPs and 4,000 singles as well as rock and pop memorabilia.
It also now sells budget record players and is home to a Hull Wall Of Fame, featuring 160 famous people who have links with the city.
Steve Mathie, 50, who runs the shop, says he now has interest from people across the country and even the likes of David Essex and Suede have paid a visit.
After 58 years of slinging wax and compact discs, Webster Records is closing its doors on January 31.
Owner Jennifer Graves Bellm has been the proprietor for five years, and she said the current climate of the music industry is the impetus for closing the small shop that's been operating at 117 West Lockwood since 1953. The lease is up at the end of the month and she's looking to pursue other opportunities. "I grew up in Memphis and fell in love with the classic record store there -- Poplar Tunes. Webster Records had the same vibe and I wanted to keep that alive as long as I could," said Bellm. She added that it was one of the oldest continuously operating record stores west of the Mississippi.
Bill Wondracek has been behind the counter for the last ten years and says he'll miss the clientele most of all.
i agree with most of the selections (by the way, super list and commentary), interestingly, i have all these on their original vinyl....the 70's had some great rock and roll...
Best live albums of the '70s
If you heard these 12, you'd want to see them, too: A classic collection
By Tom Szaroleta
Here’s how you can tell if a live album is really great: It had to have been first issued on 8-track tape.
That’s not to say that there haven’t been any noteworthy live albums issued since the advent of cassettes, CDs and MP3s. But the real Golden Age of the Live Album clearly was the 1970s, when artists would put out a live record to show fans just how good they sounded on stage. They were typically double albums, on vinyl, that fans could open up to study the trippy artwork while listening.
and i would be silly not to recognize one of rock and roll's most prolific voices without saying something about the King's birthday. i liked the rockin' stuff but never liked some of the crooners. for a white man, he could really sing the blues. every now and then i pull out some of his old vinyl and celebrate his music. this is the true king of rock and roll.....
In 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley was born at his parent's home, a two-room house that was built by his father at 306 Old Saltillo Road, East Tupelo, Mississippi. A twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley is stillborn.
Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family at the age of 13. He began his career there in 1954, working with Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was one of the originators of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for over two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of gs, many from African American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popular—and controversial. In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender.
Conscripted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He staged few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, after seven years away from the stage, he returned to live performance in a celebrated comeback television special that led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of profitable tours. In 1973 Presley staged the first concert broadcast globally via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii, seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 from cardiac arrest at the age of 42.
Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th-century popular culture. He had a versatile voice and unusually wide success encompassing many genres, including country, pop ballads, gospel, and blues. He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music. Nominated for 14 competitive Grammys, he won three, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. He has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
not much more can be added to this wikipedia description.....take it away elvis
In 1945, Elvis Presley receives his first guitar for his tenth birthday. The plain brown, acoustic model cost $12.95 from the Tupelo Hardware Store.
In 1957, Elvis took the US Army pre-induction exam on his 22nd birthday.
In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets started the first ever 'rock & roll tour' of Australia, playing two sold out nights in Sydney.
In 1958, the Everly Brothers kicked off a 17 date North American tour at the Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also on the bill, Buddy Holly, the Rays, Royal Teens, Shepherd Sisters, Paul Anka, Margie Rayburn and Danny & The Juniors.
Born on this day in 1959, Paul Hester, drums, Crowded House. Hester died on 26th March 2005 aged 46, after he "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne, Australia.
In 1960, while stationed in Germany on his 25th birthday, Elvis Presley did a telephone interview with Dick Clark for ABC-TV's "American Bandstand."
In 1960, in Hollywood at his last recording session, Eddie Cochran recorded "Three Steps To Heaven."
In 1961, singer Robert Goulet made his American TV debut on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show," singing "If Ever I Would Leave You." He had already been a successful television presence in Canada where he appeared on various CBC shows throughout the 1950s, including the Canadian version of "Howdy Doody" in which he starred opposite William Shatner.
In 1963, the Beatles appeared live on Scottish TV's Round Up, transmitted live from The Theatre Royal, Glasgow. They mimed to "Please Please Me."
The TV dance show "Hullabaloo" debuted on NBC in 1965.
In 1966, the Beatles started a six week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Rubber Soul' the group's seventh US chart topper, which went on to spend 56 weeks on the chart. i think that the tracklist speaks for itself...one of the best LPs the four ever put out, in my humble opinion
Side one
1. "Drive My Car"
2. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"
3. "You Won't See Me"
4. "Nowhere Man"
5. "Think for Yourself" (George Harrison)
6. "The Word"
7. "Michelle"
Side two
1. "What Goes On"
2. "Girl"
3. "I'm Looking Through You"
4. "In My Life"
5. "Wait"
6. "If I Needed Someone" (Harrison)
7. "Run for Your Life
In 1966, Lou Christie recorded his original version of "Rhapsody In The Rain." After many U.S. radio stations banned the record for its lyric content, a "sanitized" single was issued.
Born on this day in 1966, Andrew Patrick Wood, American musician best known as the lead singer for grunge bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone, cited as "founding fathers" of the Seattle's grunge movement. Wood died on March 19th 1990
Also in 1966, the final episode of "Shindig!" was broadcast on ABC-TV. The show featured the Kinks and the Who.
In 1969, Mike Jagger and Keith Richards were both barred from an exclusive hotel for wearing "op art" pants and nothing else. They were both asked to leave the Hotel Crillen in Lima, Peru after refusing to change clothes.
In 1972, the New Seekers were at #1 on the UK singles chart with 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing, (in Perfect Harmony'). The song started as a Coca Cola TV ad. It originally included the line, 'I'd like to buy the world a Coke.'
In 1973, Yoko Ono released "Approximately Infinite University" as a two record set.
In 1973, Elvis Presley sued Priscilla Presley for a divorce.
Also in 1973, Carly Simon's single, "You're So Vain" was certified Gold.
In 1974, Casablanca Records signed KISS to a recording contract soon after catching their act in New York, along with Blue Oyster Cult and Iggy Pop. The band's first album would be released a few weeks later and would climb to number 87 on the US album chart.
In 1975, three Led Zeppelin concerts and Madison Square Garden sold out in a record four hours.
In 1977, Queen went to #1 on the UK album chart with 'Day At The Races.'
In 1977, taking time out from their group 5th Dimension Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis went to #1 on the US singles chart with "You Don't Have To Be A Star," a #7 hit in the UK.
In 1979, Rush was named the Canada's official "Ambassadors of Music" by the Canadian government.
In 1991, Steve Clark guitarist with Def Leppard, was found dead at his Chelsea flat by his girlfriend, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption combined with prescription drugs. The autopsy revealed he had died from an overdose of codeine and had Valium, morphine and a blood alcohol level of .30, three times the British legal driving limit. In 2007 Clark was ranked No.11 on Classic Rock Magazine's "100 Wildest Guitar Heroes".
In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service released the stamp that won their controversial "thin Elvis" versus "fat Elvis" contest. The 29-cent stamp garnering the most consumer votes showed the likeness of the 1950s era Elvis, and remains the best-selling stamp of all time with more than 500 million sold.
In 1994, singer/actor (The Gene Autry Show, Green Acres, Back To The Future III, The Gatling Gun, Roustabout, Sergeant Dead Head, Wild in the Country, Twilight of Honor, Blue Canadian Rockies, Wagon Team, Barbed Wire, Apache Country, Night Stage to Galveston, The Old West, Valley of Fire, Riders in the Sky, The Strawberry Roan)/cartoon voicist (Garfield and Friends, The Fox and the Hound, The AristoCats, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Rescuers, A Goofy Movie, Robin Hood) Pat Buttram died of kidney failure at the age of 78. i loved mr haney, :O)
In 1996, in a Los Angeles courtroom, Robert Hoskins was found guilty on five counts of stalking, assault and making terrorist threats to Madonna. Hoskins twice scaled the walls of the singer's estate and threatened to slash her throat.
In 2000, Christina Aguilera started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with 'What A Girl Wants.' She ended Santana's 12- week run at #1 with 'Smooth.'
In 2001, a woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her via telepathy was arrested for stalking the Guns N’ Roses singer for a second time. Police detained Karen Jane McNeil after she was spotted loitering outside his house.
In 2001, Laura Webb of The Bobbettes died of cancer at the age of 57. The R&B quintet scored a Billboard number six hit with "Mr. Lee" in 1957. That song was written about one of their high school teachers that they actually dis-liked and the girls were forced to revise the original lyrics before Atlantic Records would record the song.
In 2004, the estate of George Harrison started a $10 million (£5.8 million) legal action against Dr Gilbert Lederman of Staten Island University Hospital, claiming the doctor coerced Harrison to sign souvenirs. The main allegations of the legal action was that Dr Lederman got an extremely sick Harrison to sign his son’s guitar and autographs for his two daughters.
In 2010, Jimmy Page launched a new set of stamps in the UK which featured classic album covers from the last 40 years including Led Zeppelin IV, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Division Bell by Pink Floyd, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Coldplay, Power, Corruption And Lies, New Order, Let It Bleed, The Rolling Stones, London Calling, The Clash, Screamadelica, Primal Scream, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars, David Bowie and Parklife by Blur.
In 2010, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles revealed plans to seek an indictment against Michael Jackson's doctor on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. The L.A. coroner ruled Jackson's death at age 50 a homicide with his passing caused by acute intoxication of the powerful anesthetic propofol with other sedatives a contributing factor.
birthdays today include (among others): Anthony Gourdine - Little Anthony and The Imperials (1941), Terry Sylvester - Swinging Blue Jeans (1945), Robert Krieger - Doors (1946) and the immortal David Jones (David Bowie) (1947)
