New Music Releases - January 2013

January 1, 2013

Cam'ron - More Gunz Less Buttah
Dion - Yo Frankie (reissue)
Edgar Winter - Entrance 
Flamin' Groovies - Supersnazz 
Flamin' Groovies - Teenage Head
Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Begins: The Flying Dutchman Masters
Hot Tuna - Live At New Orleans House Berkeley, CA - 9/69
Jackie Ross Jerk & Twine - The Complete Chess Recordings
Jeremy Steig - Wayfaring Stranger
John Cale & Terry Riley - Church of Anthrax
John Cale - Helen of Troy 
Masters Of Reality - Masters Of Reality
Megadeth - Th1rt3en (vinyl)
No Justice - America's Son
Rosanne Cash - The Wheel 
Various Artists - Feeling High - The Psychedelic Sound Of Memphis
January 8
Alice in Chains - Hollow (single)
Big Boi - Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Black Veil Brides - Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones
Broadcast - Berberian Sound Studio 
Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights
Comadre - Comadre
Death Cab For Cutie - The Barsuk Years (box set) (vinyl)
Deftones - Koi No Yokan (vinyl)
Dropkick Murphys - Signed and Sealed in Blood
Ethernet - 144 Pulsations of Light 
Guster - Guster: Live Acoustic
Hollywood Undead - Notes From the Underground
J Dilla - Donuts (7") (box set) 
Jack Jones - I've Got a Lot of Livin to Do / Gift of Love
Jeff Beck - Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop (reissue) (vinyl)
Katalepsy - Autopsychosis
Kontinuum - Earth Blood Magic
Michael Jackson - Bad 25th Anniversary Edition (3 LP set)
Never Shout Never - Indigo
Nine Covens - On The Dawning Of Light
Overcome - No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets.
Pere Ubu - Lady from Shanghai
Phil Anselmo / Warbeast - split
Skinny Molly - Haywire Riot
Solane - True  (vinyl)
The Contortionist - Intrinsic (vinyl)
Thorcraftcobra - Count It In
Touche Amore and Pianos Become The Teeth - Split (7″)
Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
Various Artists - Girls – Volume 1: Music From the HBO Original Series
Watain - Sworn To The Dark (reissue)
Zatokrev - The Bat The Wheel And The Long Road To Nowhere


January 15

2 Cellos - In2ition
A$Ap Rocky - Long.Live.A$Ap
A Faylene Sky - Hell Is Where The Heart Is
Aly Tadros - The Fits
Andre Cymone AC - Expanded Edition
Angela Clemmons - Angela Clemmons - Expanded Edition
Angela Clemmons - This Is Love - Expanded Edition
Ariel + The Undertow - Ariel + The Undertow 
Christopher Owens - Lysandre
Criminal Hygiene - CRMNL HYGNE
Dawn Richard - Goldenheart 
Erin McKeown - Manifestra
Free Energy - Lovesign
Gregg Allman - I’m No Angel: Live on Stage’ (1988) (DVD)
Half Hearted Hero - Whatever
Holopaw - Academy Songs Volume 1
Jamie Woolford - A Framed Life in Charming Light
Jermaine Jackson - Dynamite - Expanded Edition
Jessie Ware - If You’re Never Gonna Move (EP)
Johnny Mathis - A Special Part Of Me - Expanded Edition
Kidz Bop Kids - Kidz ZBop 23
Lee Harvey Osmond - The Folk Sinner
Martha Davis - Policy 
McCrays - Loving Is Living / On The Other Side - Expanded Edition
Midnight Spin - Don’t Let Me Sleep
Mutiny Within - Synchronicity
Mystical Weapons - Mystical Weapons 
Pantha du Prince & the Bell Laboratory - Elements of Light
Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold
Rammstein - Videos 1995-2012 (DVD)
Rolling Stones - Crossfire Hurricane (DVD, Blu-ray)
Sean Lennon - Alter Egos
Seth Glier - Things I Should Let You Know
She and the Sun - She and the Sun 
Silver Snakes / Souvenirs - split (EP)
Teena Marie - Beautiful
The Plot In You - Could You Watch Your Children Burn
The Tenors and The Canadian Tenors - Lead With Your Heart
Various Artists - West of Memphis: Voices For Justice
Various Artists - 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief
Various Artists - Topcat Records 20th Anniversary Extravaganza
Villagers - {Awayland}
Yo La Tengo - Fade Out


January 22

Aaron Neville - My True Story
Bad Religion - True North
Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up (vinyl)
Billy Joel - She’s Got a Way: Love Songs
Blockheads - This World Is Dead
Blue Hawaii - Untogether 
Blue Sky Riders - Finally Home
Brokeback - Brokeback and the Black Rock
Camper Van Beethoven - La Costa Perdida
Cannibal Corpse - Eaten Back To Life (25th anniversary) (vinyl) 
Carrie Rodriguez - Give Me All You Got
Chickenfoot - I + III + LV (box set)
Continents - Idle Hands
Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind (vinyl) 
Daniel Romero - Come Cry with Me 
Darius Rucker - True Believers
dead prez - Information Age 
Dynasty - Beyond Measure 
Elton John - Rock of the Westies (1975) (remastered)
Esben and the Witch - Wash the Sins Not Only the Face
Ex Cops - True Hallucinations 
FIDLAR - FIDLAR
Fall City Fall - Victus
For All I Am - Skinwalker
Four Seasons - Gold Vault of Hits
Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
Gary Allan - Set You Free
Helloween - Straight Out of Hell: Premium Edition
Hilly Eye - Reasons To Live
Holy Grail - Ride The Void
In Solitude - In Solitude (reissue)
Jucifer - Nadir (vinyl) 
Kate Boy - Northern Lights (EP) 
Koldbrann - Vertigo
Kromosom - Live Forever
Lightning Swords of Death - Baphometic Chaosium
Love & Death - Between Here And Lost
Mumford and Sons - Babel – Gentlemen of the Road Edition 
Mumford and Sons - The Road to Red Rocks (DVD/Blu-Ray)
Nails - Obscene Humanity (7")
New Order - Lost Sirens (vinyl)
Nightlands - Oak Island
Nosaj Thing - Home
Otep - Hydra
Pillowfight (Dan the Automator & Emily Wells) – Pillowfight 
Poppy Ackroyd - Escapement
Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love
Randy Houser - How Country Feels
Revenge - Hymns Of Annihilation 
Rotten Sound - Species At War
Say Anything - All My Friends Are Enemies: The Early Raritie
Septicflesh - A Fallen Temple (reissue)
Septicflesh - Esoptron (reissue) 
Septicflesh - Mystic Places Of Dawn (reissue) 
Septicflesh - Ophidian Wheel (reissue)
Septicflesh - Revolution DNA (reissue)
Snowden - No One In Control 
Speck Mountain - Badwater 
Stellar Revival - Love, Lust and Bad Company
Steve Lukather - Transition
The Black Dahlia Murder - Nocturnal (vinyl) 
The Growlers - Hung at Heart 
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Barbed Wire Kisses (B-sides and more) (vinyl) (reissue)
The Jesus and Mary Chain - The Sound of Speed (vinyl) (reissue)
The Joy Formidable - Wolf’s Law
The Last Stand - The Time Is Now
The Night Marchers - Allez Allez
The Secret - Agnus Dei (vinyl) 
The Traditional Fools - The Traditional Fools  (reissue)
The Used - Vulnerable II 
This Town Needs Guns - 13.0.0.0.0
Toro y Moi - Anything In Return
Touche Amore/Pianos Become The Teeth - Split (7")
Trapt - Reborn
Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin - Reverse Shark Attack (reissue) 
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown - Wild Child
Various Artists - Dual Form
Voivod - Target Earth
Wartorn - Iconic Nightmare
Windowspeak - Almanac


January 29

Accept - Playlist: The Very Best Of Accept 
Adam Ant - Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunners Daughter
Aimee Bobruk - /ba.’brook/
Amor de Dias - The House at Sea
Ashanti - BraveHeart
Atoms for Peace - AMOK
Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up! (deluxe edition) (CD/DVD)
Billy Joe Shaver - The Complete Columbia Recordings
Bleeding Rainbow - Yeah Right 
Buke and Gase - General Dome
Charlie Wilson - Love, Charlie
Cleaners From Venus - Sons For a Fallow Land (reissue) 
Cleaners From Venus - The Golden Autumn (reissue)
Cleaners From Venus - Under Wartime Conditions (reissue)
Cult of Luna - Vertikal
Doobie Brothers - Playlist: The Very Best of the Doobie Brothers Live
Ducktails - The Flower Lane
Elin Ruth - Elin Ruth
FaltyDL - Hardcourage
Fiction Family - Fiction Family Reunion
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977) (remastered) (deluxe box set DVD and vinyl)
Funeral for a Friend - Conduit
Hatebreed - The Divinity Of Purpose
Indians - Somewhere Else 
Johnny Winter - Live At The Fillmore East 10-3-70
Kris Kristofferson - Feeling Mortal
Lady Lazarus - All My Love In Half Light 
Lisa Loeb - No Fairy Tale
Local Natives - Hummingbird 
Mice Parade - Candela 
Oh No - Disrupted Ads
On and On - Give In
Patty Duke - Sings Songs from Valley of the Dolls / Sings Folk Songs
Radar Brothers - Eight
Relentless - Turn The Curse
Rick Wakeman - No Earthly Connection (1976) (Remastered)
Sonny Smith - 100 Records: Vol. 3 
Stereo Telescope - On an Running 
Steve Lukeather - Transition
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Texas Flood (30th Anniversary Legacy Edition)
Stratovarius - Unbreakable (EP)
Suidakra - Book Of Dowth 
Tegan and Sara - Heartthrob
The History Of Apple Pie - Out Of View
The Ruby Suns - Christopher 
Tomahawk - Oddfellows
Trixie Whitley - Fourth Corner

 

The Vinyl Pulse

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

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

On December 20, a 'ultra rare' (don't ask me what the difference between rare and ultra rare is) Pink Floyd 'Piper's" LP sold for just about $5,400, so someone is getting a nice stocking stuffer.



Top 10 Items for December 20, 2012

1.  PINK FLOYD '' THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN'' ULTRA RARE UK EXPORT ON ODEON Sold for $5367.47 

2.  THE KNACKS Devil Girl on PAN-VOX Scarce Greek Garage 45 Sold for $2137.00 

3.  ULTRA RARE KILLER NORTHERN SOUL PARIS-SLEEPLESS NIGHTS,MINT UNPLAYED STOCK Sold for $2000.00 

4.  Nat Hall -WHY - MONSTER RARE Northern Soul on Loop  Sold for $1211.00

5.  fun.-Aim and Ignite LP Rainbow Splatter Vinyl RARE UNPLAYED COLOR VINYL - Sold for $985.00 

6.  STEVO musica negra OLIVA CANTU private deep funk / soul LP RARE   Sold for $898.00 

7.  STRAIGHT OUT THE LAB - ULTRA RARE RANDOM PHILLY RAP 12" SEALED! Sold for $761.00

8.  BEATLES PLEASE PLEASE ME LP BLACK GOLD PARLOPHONE 1ST PRESSING DICK JAMES  Sold for $748.42 USD 

9.  BEATLES WHITE ALBUM UK SUPERB MONO # 0145977 TOP LOAD INC POSTER PICS & SPACER  Sold for $733.78 

10.  Original Rare Killer TX Funk Soul 45 CISNEROS & GARZA GROUP on LZE Sold for $720.00  

Please visit CollectorsFrenzy for daily updates!

also did some checking, there are 1,608,015 active listings for the search term LP on eBay today, and this is about the weekly average.  Lots of records for sale on the big vinyl machine.

 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Pre-Order Ltd. Edition Braid/Balance & Composure 7"+MP3

Our friends at No Sleep Records are releasing a brand new 7" featuring Braid along with rising alternative rock band Balance and Composure.

The split features two exclusive tracks from each band and is available on a variety of limited edition colors.

The No Sleep webstore  has teal (500 copies) and gold (700 copies) vinyl available.

Red vinyl (limited to 700) is available at the Polyvinyl E-Store.

Pre-orders ship Feb. 26. White vinyl in stores Feb. 26. 

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sad news

Iron Butterfly's Lee Dorman Passes Away at 70










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simply fantastic write up, cheers to the author (Tim Ghianni) !

Groove me, baby - From The Beatles’ first 45s to Jack White’s latest, one Nashville firm continues to leave its imprint on music history

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another great vinyl story!

For the Record

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17, 2012

DEAR JERRY: For just 50-cents at the Goodwill store I picked up what seems like an unusual LP, possibly from the 1950s.

Credited to Jon Trevanni and His Continental Orchestra, its title is "I'm in the Nude for Love" (Crown 5046).

You would think "I'm in the Mood for Love" would be one of the tracks, but it is not. Seems like they missed an opportunity there for some clever word play.

It contains 12 forgettable instrumentals, but does have an interesting front cover, especially for its time. Pictured is a nude model stretched out in a hammock, strategically positioned so as not to be too revealing.

Any idea who this lady is? Similar to Sophia Loren, but with blonde hair. No mention is made of her anywhere on the cover.

Even so, were there any complaints back then about this cover? Did stores put it in the racks right along with their other inventory?

I recall a similar album, possibly by Joe Houston, with a nude gal on the cover that riled the industry so much it had to be redone.

Thinking that albums with cheesecake covers could be collectible, I figured this one to be worth more than 50-cents.

Did Crown ever have any name acts? Like Jon Trevanni, their other albums are mostly by people I've never heard of.
—Josh Finnegan, Milwaukee

DEAR JOSH: Let's first cover the cover.

The lovely model, while technically nude, reveals nothing more than could be seen on any beach. As you see, she is not credited, though her photographer Ken Whitmore is.

In this Billboard review (Dec. 23, 1957), only brief non-judgmental mention is made about the cover art, but they do comment on the shortcomings of the music:

"Album title is illustrated by provocative photo of a gal in a hammock. Contents establish romantic mood with numbers like "Poinciana," "Reverie," "My Old Flame," and "All Alone." Arrangements attempt polished style but execution is rather crude."

Confusing Joe Houston and Chuck Higgins is understandable. Both H-men are R&B saxophonists and both recorded for Combo in the mid-'50s.

So it is Higgins, not Houston, whose "Pachuko Hop" LP cover (Combo 3000), ruffled more than a few feathers when issued in 1955.

First issues picture a naked model lying on the floor, with only a scarf (more like a necktie) draped over the three triangular points distinctive to the feminine form.

To quell the complaints, mostly from adults of course, Combo went from sexy to saxy, replacing the model with an innocuous shot of Higgins on stage playing his sax.

The average sale price of the original issue is about $500, with those using the second cover going for around $150.

Not all cover models are unknown, especially ones named Jayne Mansfield. Two albums picturing Jayne that are in the $100 range are "Music for Bachelors" (1955: RCA Victor 1046), containing instrumentals by Henri Rene and His Orchestra, and "Jayne Busts Up Las Vegas" (1961: 20th Fox 3049), from her live Vegas show."I'm in the Nude for Love" is a less pricey slice of cheesecake, fetching $30 to $40.

Crown served as a low-priced imprint label for RPM and Modern, and all of their name artists showed up later on Crown LPs.

Jon Trevanni is not the only stranger in the Crown stable. Most of their albums are by folks generally unknown to record buyers. Still, several dozen are by recognizable names whose earlier material was repackaged by Crown. Alphabetically, they are:

Paul Anka; Steve Alaimo; Pearl Bailey; Chet Baker; Jesse Belvin; Brook Benton; Richard Berry; Bobby "Blue" Bland; Dave Brubeck; Cadets; Ray Charles; Dave Clark Five; Nat King Cole; Sonny Criss; Vic Damone; Eddie Dean; Jimmy Dean; Del-Vikings; Ral Donner; Dave Dudley; Eddie Fisher; Pete Fountain; Erroll Garner; Stan Getz; Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs; Roscoe Gordon; Billie Holiday; Chico Hamilton; Coleman Hawkins; Woody Herman; John Lee Hooker; Lightnin' Hopkins; Johnny Horton; Joe Houston; Ink Spots; Isley Brothers; Jacks; Chuck Jackson; Elmore James; Etta James; Sonny James; Jonah Jones; Rusty & Doug Kershaw; B.B. King; King Curtis; Kirby Stone Four; Little Richard; Trini Lopez; Marvin & Johnny; Jimmy McCracklin; Gerry Mulligan; Marvin Rainwater; Johnny Rivers; Tommy Roe; Neil Sedaka; Bud Shank; Ray Smith; Kay Starr; Ray Stevens; Roosevelt Sykes; Teen Queens; Tokens; Ike Turner; Joe Turner; Ritchie Valens; Johnny Guitar Watson; and Jimmy Witherspoon.

In 1958, Crown began a special Christmas series; however, not one of their familiar artists — those named above — appears anywhere in that series.



IZ ZAT SO? From 1957 through 1972, Crown produced approximately 670 albums, most priced at $1.98 for monaural and $2.98 for stereo — a bargain price made possible by making substandard discs and covers.

As indicated by the artists named above, most styles of music were represented. In addition to vocalists, Crown concocted dozens of albums of knockoff show tunes and various artists compilations.

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Welcome to the new look! Please let me know how you like it and bear with me while I get it all sorted out!!

Music History for December 19th











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heard from our friend Jeffrey from The Vinyl Institute, man i'd love to get copies of these LPs!

Beatles Please Please Their Fans and Get Back to Vinyl

written by Jeffrey B. Palmer


ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, December 19, 2012….Fifty years since their Cuban-heeled boots first entered a recording studio, The Beatles are making headlines again with the release last month of their original studio stereo re-masters on 180-gram vinyl, to the “Yeah, yeah, yeah” cheers of Beatle fans worldwide. 

All 14 albums, the 12 original United Kingdom releases, the U.S.-based Magical Mystery Tour, and the 2-LP Past Masters that round up the rest of their songs released during their career, are out, complete with the cut-outs in Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and the poster and glossy portraits from The White Album. 

Each record is sold individually, and are available all together now.  A limited edition box set of 50,000 copies with all the albums has been released with a 252-page coffee table book written by record producer Kevin Howlett and filled with career-spanning rare band photographs.

Many customers have opted for the 22-pound box set.  One customer of an Arlington, Virginia, independent music store immediately ordered three as Christmas gifts.

Its bulk is due to the music being pressed on 180 gram vinyl, which is thicker and heavier than most vinyl records weighing 120-140 grams and often uses virgin vinyl with no recycled material. Records of this weight and quality are less prone to noise and warping. 

Remastered vinyl Beatles records have been coming for a long, long time.  Sixteen years after the Fab Four broke up, their music was released on CD in 1986 to mixed reviews.  Remastered CD’s of better sound quality were released in 2009, and seventeen million were sold within seven months, but vinyl-philes were still left wanting.

The vinyl remasters have been in production for three years, with Abbey Road studio engineers working from the 24-bit remastered tapes developed for the 2009 CD releases, but not truncating them to 16-bit masters required for CD production.

When vinyl is pressed, machines carve grooves that represent actual sound waves in an analog format.  Digital music files do not store sound waves but approximate the analog signal by sampling the sound wave periodically. 

Critics of digitized music complain mid-range sounds are compressed and distorted, while higher frequencies are missing.  Conversely, they claim analog music is “warmer,” “more natural,” “more durable,” and simply “cooler.”  

Nielsen Soundscan continues to rank vinyl as the fastest-growing musical format, with 3.9 million new long-playing vinyl albums sold in the United States.   Fall projections are that 4.7 million new vinyl albums will be sold in the U.S. in 2012, a 20% increase over 2011. 

Many a hard days night was spent by Abbey Road engineers to provide the best and richest sound possible on every song.  And comments on Amazon.com indicated their efforts were appreciated, as buyers of the remastered vinyl releases used phrases like “Nothing short of excellent!,” “Delighted,” “Beautifully quiet and clean,” and “Fantastic!”

Not to be upstaged, other rock veterans are jumping onto the vinyl bandwagon.  The Who recently re-released their studio albums in a box set of 180-gram vinyl, The Velvet Underground and Black Sabbath have just issued vinyl box sets of early albums, The Rolling Stones’ latest anthology is available in a 5-lp box, and rock songstresses from Linda Ronstadt to Marianne Faithfull have recently re-released classic albums on vinyl.

But The Beatles will return for an encore on record shelves and on-line.  Monaural mixes of many of their albums sounded different than the stereo releases, and hardcore fans are eagerly awaiting a mono vinyl box set planned for 2013.

The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC vinyl in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC and vinyl products to society.

For more information, contact:

Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute
571-970-3327
jpalmer@vinylinfo.org

Also go to:  www.vinylindesign.com , www.vinylnewsservice.net , and www.vinylinfo.org.

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from grimeys.com

GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 12/10 - 12/16, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:

1. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale - Buddy & Jim
3. Mumford & Sons - Babel
4. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
5. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
6. D'Angelo - Voodoo
7. JEFF The Brotherhood - Castle Storm
8. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
9. The Avett Brothers - The Carpenter
10. Father John Misty - Fear Fun
11. Paul McCartney - Christmas Kisses 7"
12. The Avett Brothers - Four Thieves Gone
13. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
14. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
15. Various - Death Might Be Your Santa Claus
16. The Beatles - Abbey Road
17. Rodriguez - Cold Fact
18. The Beatles - Revolver
19. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow 10"
20. The Black Keys - El Camino
21. Grizzly Bear - Shields
22. The Rolling Stones - Doom & Gloom 10"
23. Can - The Lost Tapes vinyl box
24. Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights deluxe reissue
25. Tame Impala - Lonerism  

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Rage Against The Machine Picture Disc

The remastered debut from Rage Against The Machine is now available on a limited picture disc.

Order HERE



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cool article from the other side of the world...

Vinyl market still not resurrected in India

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Heavy Metal Gift Guide 2012









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Interesting Kickstarter campaign - An all-analog turntable for today's vinyl listener.






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Depeche Mode to Release New Album













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Yo La Tengo to Sell Hannukah Show Mixes to Benefit Norton Record's Sandy Recovery












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10 Best 2012 New Year’s Eve Concerts for Ringing in 2013








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Forbes 30 Under 30 List Includes Adele, Frank Ocean + Marcus Mumford









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Pitchfork's  Top 100 Tracks of 2012





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Kiss Characters to Star in 2013 Individual Comic Book Issues











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Best of 2012: Billboard Critic's Albums and Songs; Paste Reissues; Soul Tracks Albums

 

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases ~ December 18th, 2012

Alice In Chains - Hollow
Andrew Bird - Hands of Glory (vinyl)
Angels and Airwaves - Stomping The Phantom Brake Pedal
Bell Gardens - Full Sundown Assembly
Big Sean - Hall of Fame: Memoirs of a Detroit Player
Blur - Parklive (4-CD and DVD box set)
Bob Dylan - Oh Mercy (reissue) (vinyl)
Buddy Guy - Live At Legends
Burial - One / Two (vinyl)
Capture The Crown - Til' Death
Chief Keef - Finally Rich
Defeater - Live on BBC Radio 1
Eric Clapton - Slowhand 35th Anniversary (vinyl)
Frank Zappa - Ahead of Their Time (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Baby Snakes (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Finer Moments (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Jazz from Hell (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Lather (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Lost Episodes (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Mystery Disc (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Understanding America (reissue)
Frank Zappa - Yellow Shark (reissue)
In This Moment - Blood (deluxe edition) 
Jay Reatard - Better Than Something (DVD)
Jenni Rivera - La Misma Gran Senora
John Fahey - Transcendental Waterfall: Guitar Excursions 1963 - 1967 (6-LP box set) (vinyl)
Josh Ritter - Joy to You Baby (vinyl)
Mazzy Star - Flowers in December (EP)
Metric - Synthetica (deluxe edition)
Missy Elliott - Block Party
Motörhead - The Complete Early Years (box set)
Muddy Waters - You Shook Me: The Chess Masters, Vol. 3, 1958 To 1963
Of Mice & Men - The Flood  (vinyl)
Pogues - The Pogues In Paris - 30th Anniversary Concert At The Olympia
Red Hot Chili Peppers - TBA (7")
Rolling Stones - Grrr: Greatest Hits (5-LP box set) (vinyl)
Rush - 2112 (CD and audio DVD deluxe edition)
Slowdive - Pygmalion (reissue) (vinyl)
Sully Erna - Avalon  (limited edition box set)
Sun Glitters - Mouth
T.I. - Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Hand
The-Dream - Terius Nash: 1977
The Washingtonians - Rare And Early Duke Ellington Sessions 1924-1928
Tiga - Non Stop
Tom Tom Club - Downtown Rockers
Toots & the Maytals - Live
Various Artists - Django Unchained Soundtrack
Various Artists - Les Miserables: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various Artists - Lullaby Versions of Songs Recorded By Fleetwood Mac
Various Artists - Lullaby Versions of Songs Recorded By Katy Perry
Venom - Fallen Angels (limited edition)
We Came As Romans - Let These Words Last Forever

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Back at it after a short break. 
 
The winner of the George Harrison contest was Dale M.  Thanks to all that entered!

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Music History - December 17th:

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don't have a ipad, blueberry or blackberry, but for those who do..

Vinyl is Back! Turnplay App Brings Classic Turntable to the iPad

App Allows Users to Play Their Music on Most Realistic Virtual Turntable Available

Las Vegas, NV, December 13, 2012 – With vinyl records experiencing a comeback, and music aficionados knowing that the sound off of a classic record produces the experience desired by many artists, Ramotion is proud today to launch Turnplay, the most realistic vinyl turntable for iPad.  The app, available now in the App Store, allows users to take control of their music with a full reproduction of all of the main turntable functions, combined with realistic design and style, bringing the turntable into the 21st century.

Turnplay gives full control of the music to the user, without having to spend money on expensive, and sometimes hard to find, equipment. The app can take any songs available in a users’ iTunes library and instantly create a virtual vinyl record of the song, so that they can slow down and speed up playback, control the record and perform any action as if using a real high-end turntable.  Turnplay is perfect for music fans from professional DJs to casual listeners.

Turnplay is available is the App Store for a limited time for 99 cents HERE.  Shortly after launch, the price of Turnplay will go to the normal price of $1.99.

Created by some of the best visual designers in the mobile industry, Turnplay recreates a real turntable on the iPad.  No other turntable app provides the level of design and realistic physics found on Turnplay.  Turnplay supports the Retina Display and can be used on either iPad or iPad Mini.  Users of Turnplay can play their “virtual records” at either 33 RPM or 45 RPM.

“The turntable available on Turnplay is so realistic that users will feel transported back to the golden age of vinyl,” said Denis Pakhaliuk, president of Ramotion.  “For anyone who loves music, Turnplay is a must-have app to experience music the way that many experts feel is the way it should be heard.”

About Ramotion:
Ramotion was founded to create a software environment where perfection is the norm.  The team at Ramotion has created numerous hit apps including Photo365 and Flashlight.  In addition, Ramotion is
known throughout the app industry as a top-level creator of app icons that create an image for the app.

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Mighty John’s 12 Most Collectible Vinyl Christmas Records

#12. 1961 ATCO 45- Bobby Darin: “O Come All Ye Faithful” with picture sleeve — 125.00

#11. 1953 RCA LP- Jack Webb: “Dragnet- Christmas Story” — $125.00

#10. 1963 Phillies LP-Phil Spector: “A Christmas Gift For You (Ronettes/Crystals,etc) — $125.00

#9. 1974 Reprise EP- Jimi Hendrix: “Silent Night/Little Drummer Boy” — $200.00

#8. 1962 Tamla LP- Smokey Robinson & Miracles: “Christmas with the Miracles” — $200.00

#7. 1961 Colpix 45- The Marcels: “Merry Twist-mas” with picture sleeve — $225.00

#6. 1957 Decca 45- Bobby Helms: “Jingle Bell Rock” with picture sleeve — $225.00

#5. 1974 Apple 45- George Harrison: “Ding Dong Ding Dong” (blue tint photo label) — $250.00

#4. 1971 Apple LP- The Beatles: “The Beatles Christmas Album” — $500.00

#3. 1971 Apple 45- John Lennon: “Happy Christmas” (white label promo/black print) — $750.00

#2. 1957 RCA 45- Elvis Presley: “Blue Christmas” (white label promo) — $3,000.00

#1. 1957 RCA LP- Elvis Presley: “Elvis Christmas Album” (red vinyl) — $18,000.00

Read more HERE

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Vintage Iron Maiden Christmas Card Sells For Hundreds Of Dollars













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as with all lists, the titles are subjective, but I would put “Middle Of The Road” at the top

The Pretenders’ 10 Best Songs



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The Worst Album Covers of 2012











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 The return of vinyl - Despite the arrival of new, easier formats the traditional LP is turning the tables.

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vinyl doing well in Boston

Spin the black circle, records on the rise









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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 12/03 - 12/09, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:

1. Mumford & Sons - Babel
2. Gary Clark Jr - Blak & Blu
3. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness
4. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
5. The Avett Brothers - Four Thieves Gone
6. Taylor Swift - Red
7. Grateful Dead - Live At Winterland 1971
8. The Lumineers - Winter EP
9. The Beatles - Abbey Road
10. Television - Marquee Moon
11. Soundtrack - Moonrise Kingdom 10"
12. Natural Child - Hard In Heaven
13. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
14. Atoms For Peace - Default 12"
15. Tame Impala - Lonerism
16. Jason Isbell & 400 Unit - Live From Alabama
17. The Beatles - The Beatles (White Album)
18. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
19. Arcade Fire - Funeral
20. Dr. Dog - Wild Race EP
21. JEFF The Brotherhood - Dark Energy 7"
22. Tristen - Decks The Halls 7"
23. Phil Spector & Friends - A Christmas Gift For You
24. Sufjan Stevens - Silver & Gold box set
25. She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas

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Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 10, 2012

DEAR JERRY: Novelty collector that I am, I bought Larry Verne's "Mr. Custer" when I first heard it, though I never thought something so offbeat would reach No. 1.

A year or so later, when I upgraded my worn original, I noticed a big difference between the two.

Both have the same black label with silver print (Era 3024), but my first one credits Al Duval, Cal Rogers, and Marc Fredericks as the writers.

The second copy lists F. Darian, A. Delory, and J. VanWinkle as writers.

Why did they completely change the writers? Were they merely correcting a blunder from the first pressings?

Is there a value difference?
—Shawn Dillard, Lancaster, Pa.



DEAR SHAWN: There was no mistake, and the writers didn't change. But their names did.

The switcheroo came about because a BMI executive in their Los Angeles office became curious enough to investigate the matter.

Look again at the two labels and you will see the first issue shows the publisher of "Mr. Custer" as Bamboo Music, Inc., affiliated with BMI. The second one lists Pattern Music, a publisher represented by ASCAP.

Writers and publishers, who are often one and the same, have the option to place a song with either or neither of the collection organizations BMI and ASCAP, but not simultaneously with both.

Unless of course you come up with different names and manage to stay under the radar.

In the 1940s and '50s, quite a few ASCAP members also wrote for BMI under aliases in order to obtain performance fees and sales royalties from both firms — an unethical tactic, but not a criminal offense.

Due to changes in ASCAP's logging system, the appeal for writers to be in two stables at once faded in the early '60s.

In January 1960, ASCAP writers Fred Darian, Al De Lory, and John VanWinkle joined BMI using the names Cal Rogers, Al Duval, and Marc Fredericks.

Not until the release of "Mr. Custer" (August 1960), and its immediate exposure and sales, did BMI learn the truth.

Whether Era Records knew the whole story is not known, but they did switch to the Pattern Music/ASCAP label, the one with the writers' real names.

There is of course a difference in values, with the first Era pressing at about $25 and the second around $15.



DEAR JERRY: After seeing ABBA night on the "X Factor" singing competition show, I started gathering as many of their originals as possible. Though their peak years predate me, I really love ABBA.

Since I can't tell the female voices apart, I'm hoping you can identify which one is singing lead, that is of course when they are not singing together.

Since it's nearly that time, please begin with "Happy New Year."

I recall you once answered this type of question regarding the Beatles.
—Courtney Bellflower, Victoria, B.C.



ABBA in 1974; from left to right Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus
 

DEAR COURTNEY: When it comes to knowing whether it is blonde Agnetha (sounds like Ann-Yetta) or brunette Anni-Frid ("Frida") as the featured soloist, you are not the only flummoxed fan.

The similarities are effectively showcased on "The Way Old Friends Do," a live recording on their "Super Trouper" album, taken from a 1979 London concert.

This poignant ballad begins with Frida singing the first verse and Agnetha taking the second. Still, unless you're watching the video you probably wouldn't realize those lines are not all just one voice.

The girls do harmonize on much of "Happy New Year," but the solo segments are Agnetha's.

One tune without mystery is "Thank You for the Music," wherein Agnetha conveniently identifies herself thusly: "I am the girl with golden hair."

Among others featuring Agnetha are: "The Winner Takes It All"; "Chiquitita"; "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)"; "S.O.S."; "Take a Chance on Me"; "Kisses of Fire"; and the wonderful and often overlooked "Hasta Manana."

Examples of Frida's solos include: "Super Trouper"; "Fernando"; "Knowing Me, Knowing You"; "I Have a Dream"; "I Wonder"; "Money Money Money"; and "Rock'n Roll Band."

According to Frida, she is a mezzo-soprano and Agnetha, with a slightly higher voice, is a soprano.



IZ ZAT SO? Worldwide sales of ABBA (Agnetha - Bjorn - Benny - Anni-Frid) recordings increase by at least a million each year. Current estimates put sales at around 375 million units.

They are easily among the top-selling artists of all time.

The musical "Mamma Mia," based on the songs of ABBA, is the world's most popular stage show, having been seen by over than 42 million people.

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

　

Contests Are Over!

We have our winners in the George Harrison Contest and Rachael Sage Contests:

Michael G, from Burke, VA  is the winner of the Rachael Sage LP contest. 

The winner of the Harrison contest will be posted as soon as I hear back from him.

RACHAEL SAGE LP CONTEST

The folks at THEMUSEBOX have given me one copy of the new Rachael Sage release for a contest.  So the 7th email to rbenson30@wi.rr.com  with the words Rachael Sage Contest in the subject line wins!  One entry per person

RACHAEL SAGE:  AWARD-WINNING SONGSTRESS REVEALS VINYL RELEASE DETAILS OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM HAUNTED BY YOU

Released November 18th, 2012

CREATIVE COLLABORATION WITH ARTIST OLIVER CARTWRIGHT ON LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE

“…her keen ironic sense of humor and quirky sense of the profound is what makes her special as a songwriter…Sage is the stitch between the great rock and pop traditions of the past and what those traditions have wrought in the hypermodern world of the present.”  --- Billboard

"Inspired by…Elvis Costello, and backed by brilliant East Village friends of Rufus, Antony and such, Sage hits somewhere between the bed-sit and the cellarful of noise and it does you good."
--- MOJO (UK) 

MPress Records label founder and singer-songwriter Rachael Sage announces gorgeous new limited edition vinyl package of her milestone 10th studio recording Haunted By You, on November 18, 2012.  In celebration of this vinyl release, Sage haunted New York at a special Halloween show (10/31, City Winery).

Praised by iTunes as a “leap forward in both musical and emotional power,” the short-run vinyl edition of Haunted By You features exclusive artwork by Oliver Cartwright as well as graphic design by Sage. The eye-catching package features tracks mastered specifically for vinyl by Masterdisk, pressed on purple vinyl; a digital download of the full album is also included.

Cartwright, a British fan living in Korea, reached out to Sage on Facebook and sparked a creative collaboration that transformed an image into a multi-media piece of art. Sage, an artist by all definitions, regularly creates her own paintings and showcased this talent with exhibits in NYC's Lower East Side and Tribeca neighborhoods, earlier this year. Fusing together Sage's artful eye with Cartwright's unique process (a combination of ink drawings and digital manipulation), this visually stunning collectors edition package will also be numbered and autographed. For more on Cartwright: www.olivercartwright.com

A landmark album in Sage's career, Haunted By You is a metaphoric tour de force of sophisticated pop, brimming with melodies. Self-produced by Sage and mixed by Grammy® Winner Kevin Killen and Grammy® Nominee John Shyloski, the album features guest performances by Dar Williams, Counting Crows member David Immergluck and actor/director Joshua Leonard.
 

George Harrison: Living in the Material World - Win A Redeemable Code For A FREE Rental Of The Film

You can enter the contest to win the code by emailing rbenson30@wi.rr.com with the words "George Harrison Contest" in the subject line. The winner wil be chosen by random drawing. Linit one entry per person. Contest closes on Friday, December 14th at 6pm.

 

The critically acclaimed documentary is available for rental on Facebook Martin Scorsese's George Harrison: Living in the Material World, the documentary loved by fans and critics alike is now available for rental on Facebook. When fans purchase the film for rental, they will be able to watch the film on Facebook as many times as they want within a 48 hour period.

PRE-ORDER THE FILM HERE

This special edition of the film includes exclusive bonus content, which includes an exclusive Q&A with Olivia Harrison and the producers of the film as well as an exclusive video introduction form Olivia Harrison!

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE SPECIAL EVENT  

The film focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was Harrison's life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.

Academy Award®-winning director Martin Scorsese traces Harrison's life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist, and filmmaker. Scorsese weaves together interviews with Harrison and his closest friends, performances, home movies, and photographs. Much of the material in the film has never been seen (or heard) before. The result is a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and a profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema. The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart.

Thanks to our friends at Sneak Attack Media  for the opportunity to run the contest!!
 

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

coming tomorrow night!

121212 The Concert For Sandy Relief Adds Rolling Stones, Will Be Broadcast on Over 30 Networks

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does anyone still use cassettes?

Putting the cassette to bed: Sony to discontinue handheld tape recorders in 2013






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'Double Fantasy' album signed by John Lennon for his killer up for sale








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Depeche Mode Sign With Columbia Records, Ready New Album for March 2013







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New Music Releases 2013








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Stereogum’s Top 40 Metal Albums Of 2012









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don't own a cell phone (nor do i want one), but for those who do....

Government investigating makers of cellphone apps












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The 50 Best Album Covers of 2012












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The Glide 20: Our Top Albums of 2012








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every now and then i get a song that i can't get out of my head.  so from my head to yours:

Faulkner - Triumph of the Underdogs




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cat goes for a ride on Bob Marley record - even the Marley family got a kick out of this

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases ~ December 11, 2012

AC/DC - Live at River Plate (vinyl)
Acid Mothers Temple - Iao Chant From Melting Paraiso Underground Freak (vinyl)
Beatles - Yesterdays (DVD) 
Big Boi - Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Big Brother & the Holding Company - Cheap Thrills (Gold CD)
Black Sabbath - Album Box Set (10-LP box set) 
Boys Like Girls - Crazy World
Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox
Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale - Buddy and Jim (vinyl) (reissue)
Circle Of Contempt - Entwine The Threads
D’Angelo - Voodoo (vinyl) (reissue)
Ella Fitzgerald - Best of the BBC Vaults (CD/DVD)
Emerson, Lake and Palmer - Live in California ’74'
Eric Clapton - Slowhand 35th Anniversary (remastered) (vinyl)
Green Day - ‘¡Tré!’
Gregg Allman - I’m No Angel (Live on Stage) (DVD)
Heathered Pearls - Loyal
Howard Shore - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (soundtrack)
Ian Kelly - Cut From A Star
Interpol - Turn on The Bright Lights: 10th Anniversary Edition (remastered and expanded)
JK Flesh/Prurient - Worship Is The Cleansing Of The Imagination
Jack Beats - Somebody To Love
James Ferraro - Sushi
Jawbreaker - Bivouac (reissue)
Jawbreaker - Chesterfield King (reissue)
Jim Norton - No Baby For You
Joe Walsh - But Seriously Folks  (Gold CD)
Julia Holter - Ekstasis
Katherin Jenkins - Music From the Movies
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic (40th Anniversary Edition) (remastered and expanded)
Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day (3 LP vinyl package)
Lento - Anxiety Despair Languish
Lifehouse - Almeria
Metallica - Quebec Magnetic (DVD)
Office Romance - I Love the Holidays (EP)
Peaking Lights - Lucifer in Dub
Peter Paul & Mary - Peter, Paul & Mary: Live In Japan, 1967 (2CD) (deluxe edition)
Phish - Star Lake 98 (DVD)  
Rammstein - Mein Herz Brennt (digital)
Rolling Stones - Doom and Gloom (vinyl)
Steve Aoki - It’s the End of the World As We Know It (EP)
Superdrag - Regretfully Yours (reissue)
Swans - Feel Good Now (reissue)
Switchblade - (2012)
The Game - Jesus Piece
The Gypsy Queens - The Gypsy Queens
The Jam - The Gift (remastered and expanded)
The Wonder Revolution - Firefly
The Wurzels - Top Of The Crops
Tony Iommi - Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell with Black Sabbath
Uh Huh Her - EP3
Various Artists - Music of Nashville (soundtrack)
Various Artists - The Man with the Iron Fists (soundtrack)
Various Artists - This is 40
Various Artists - Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Vol. 3
Various Artists - Les Miserables: The Original 1985 London Cast Recording
Various Artists - On the Road (vinyl)
War - The World Is A Ghetto (40th anniversary)
Young Fathers - Tape One (EP)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Necrowretch Album Cover Art

French death metal band Necrowretch have revealed the cover artwork of their debut album called 'Putrid Death Sorcery.' The painting was done by cover artist Milovan Novakovic.
















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for years i have done many posts about album cover art...but this one...

Cemetary Rapists Reveal Album Cover Art

Cemetery Rapists have recently revealed the new album cover art for 'Plundering Into Vaginal Demolition.'  ummmm ok....















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cool story......

'Mellon Collie' Mystery Girl: The Story Behind An Iconic Album Cover








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the lists have started, this one has some cover art i had never seen before, great read!

The Best Album Art of 2012












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Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2012












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Madonna Picks Brazilian Street Artist for Latest Album Cover











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A Guide to Boston’s Record Stores











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record shop in TN a family affair

Record shop brings nostalgia back







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10 Best Heavy Metal Reissues of 2012







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Graham Parker Back With His Band After 3 Decades






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55th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees







 

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 3, 2012

Last week, Marie McDonald of Indianapolis requested a list of the 1961 songs that didn't click nationwide but made the Top 30 in Los Angeles, specifically on KRLA radio.

In part one we made it through the month of May, leaving seven months for this week.

Not a one of these Top 30 hits in L.A. appeared in Billboard's Hot 100:

June: "Dinky Doo" (Eddie Bo); "Beware" (Innocents)

Like many others we've mentioned over the years, "Dinky Doo" (Ric 981) makes us wonder why it wasn't a bigger hit. It has no shortcomings, other than perhaps the title. Maybe that's what held it back. Eight years later, Eddie Bo reached the R&B

Top 15 with "Hook and Sling" (Scram 117), a new funk dance in the "Tighten Up" mode.

The Innocents made this list last week by backing Kathy Young on "Our Parents Talked It Over" (Indigo 121). On "Beware," they may have lost points by what seems like an awkward digression for just the chorus.

July: "Same Thing" (Gino Parks)

Produced by Motown's Berry Gordy Jr., who, a few years earlier, wrote hits for Jackie Wilson. On "Same Thing" (Tamla 54042), and the follow-up, "Fire" (Tamla 54066), Parks sounds like a Jackie Wilson tribute artist. Both of these are well done, but they came along while the real Jackie Wilson was still Mr. Entertainment.

August: "Mr. D.J." (Van McCoy); "Well I Ask You" (Eden Kane)

With the smooth "Mr. D.J." (Rock'n 101), Van McCoy gave dee jays the perfect excuse to play his record. Jocks love to get requests, and McCoy wants to dedicate a song to his sweetie, preferably "Mr. D.J." Van made many records over the next 14 years, but didn't chart until his million-selling disco hit, "The Hustle" (1975).

England's Eden Kane just topped the UK charts for two weeks with "Well I Ask You," and there was reason to expect the U.S. issue (London 1993) to also be a huge hit. Unfortunately, it and "Get Lost" (London 9508), his follow-up that reached No. 8 in the UK, were both lost in America.

September: "Beware Below" (Frogmen); "Without Your Love" (Wendy Hill); 14 "My Girl" (Charles McCullough and the Silks)

From Southern California, the surf music epicenter, came the Frogmen and their sizable instrumental hit, "Underwater" (Candix 314). After that came "Beware Below" (Candix 326) which made a few waves on the West Coast, but not coast-to-coast. Some reviewers even preferred the flip side, "Tioga."

Wendy Hill is remembered for her 1965 answer to Gary Lewis' "This Diamond Ring," titled "(Gary, Please Don't Sell) My Diamond Ring" (Liberty 55771). However, "Without Your Love" (Era 3055) is her very best recording. It deserved to be on all of the Top 40 playlists.

Charles McCullough's "My Girl" (Dooto 462) is a soulful crying song. That it didn't at least hit the R&B/Soul charts was, in fact, a cryin' shame. This is completely different than the "My Girl" that became the Temptations' signature song.

October: "My Special Boy" (Carol Connors)

On "My Special Boy" (Columbia 42155), Carol's intimate style is strikingly similar to that of the Paris Sisters. They spent 20 weeks on the charts in 1961 with the similarly titled "Be My Boy," and their biggest hit, "I Love How You Love Me." Then there was the sensational Ann-Margret, hot on the scene. Perhaps there just wasn't room for another purring kitten.

November: "Trade Winds, Trade Winds" (Aki Aleong)

"Trade Winds, Trade Winds" (Reprise 20,021), blew into the Los Angeles Top 10, and was Aleong's best selling record.

Still, Aki is much better known for his lengthy acting career. From 1956 to 2009, he appeared in more than 250 television shows and over 40 feature films.

December: "I'm a Little Mixed Up" (Betty James); "And Then Came Love" (Ed Townsend)

Though the brand of gritty blues from Betty James is reminiscent of Etta James, they are not related. Betty should have made the R&B charts with this ditty, but didn't. She then tops "I'm a Little Mixed Up" (Chess 1801) with a perfect sequel, "I'm Not Mixed Up Anymore" (Chess 1837). Betty wrote it and delivers it with an attitude.

Wrapping up 1961 is Ed Townsend, whose only bona fide hit is the enchanting "For Your Love," his own composition and a Top 15 smash in 1958. "And Then Came Love" (Challenge 9129) is the beautifully told evolution of love, from the dark ages to the light. This track might have been better suited for release in 1958.



IZ ZAT SO? With "My Diary" and "My Special Boy," Carol Connors is the only artist with two singles on this unique list. Ironically, both were simultaneously issued by Columbia on 45 and as Compact 33 Singles.

We will credit the Innocents with one-and-a-half entries, since they back Kathy Young on "Our Parents Talked It Over," then have their own with "Beware."

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 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission