Week Ending 08/29/2009
1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Stereo Parlophone Gold UK First Press - $36,409.41
2. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $13,211.91
3. 45 - Narbay "Believe It Or Not" / "Believe It Or Not" Impact - $3050.00
4. LP - Stack "Above All" Charisma - $2,949.99
5. LP - Judge "Chung King Can Suck It Up" Revelation white vinyl - $2,905.55
As always, a special thank you to Norm at http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data. Stop in and listen to their unique radio show Accidental Nostalgia with Norm & Jane On Radio Dentata Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT
Monday, August 31, 2009
Rock/Pop Tidbits
The first recording that Ray Charles made was called "Confession Blues", but at the time of the session, the American Federation Of Musicians was on strike. The violation cost Ray $600 and left him penniless.
For their first two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles were paid just $3500 per show. The expenses alone to bring them to America totaled over $50,000, which was paid for by their manager, Brian Epstein.
When record executives at RCA gave a song called "Rock and Roll Waltz" to Kay Starr, she thought they must have been kidding, as rock and roll was still frowned upon by serious musicians. After many arguments, RCA still insisted that she record the song. Their hunch proved to be a good one as the record went to number 1 in the US in February, 1956.
Carl Perkins, the rockabilly pioneer who wrote Elvis Presley's hit, "Blue Suede Shoes", was a sharecropper's son who learned to play music on a guitar fashioned from a cigar box and broomstick.
In the late 70’s, while at a stadium show in Toronto, the members of Aerosmith actually boarded limousines to travel the one hundred yards from their dressing rooms to the stage.
Beach Boy Carl Wilson got so excited the first time one of their songs was played on the radio-that he threw up when he heard the song.
The Odeon label was created in Germany in 1904 by the International Talking Machine Company. Odeon pioneered something they called the "album" in 1909 when it released the "Nutcracker Suite" by Tchaikovsky on four double-sided discs in a specially designed package.
Dion DiMucci of Dion and The Belmonts was a part of 1959's Winter Dance Party with Buddy Holly. When Buddy suggested that Dion fly with him after their show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 2nd, Dion declined because he didn't want to spend the extra money. It was a decision that saved his life.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets recorded their hit "Maybe Baby" in the officer's club at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
The publishing rights to most of Buddy Holly's songs are owned by Paul McCartney.
The first time that Don McLean performed "American Pie" on stage, it didn't get a very good response from the audience. McLean would later remark that "People didn't know what the hell I was singing about."
Jimmy Hart, one of the original members of The Gentrys, who scored a US number 4 hit with "Keep On Dancin" in 1965, went on to become a popular wrestling character in the WWF, calling himself the "Mouth of the South".
The popular 1970s group, Super Tramp, turned down a five million dollar offer from the Greyhound corporation to use their song "Take The Long Way Home" in bus commercials.
Including Ringo, there have been at least five drummers for The Beatles. Norman Chapman (for the Silver Beatles), Tommy Moore, Pete Best and Jimmy Nichol.
While the Beatles were still struggling to establish themselves, they were turned down by five different British record companies.
Rock and roll fakers Milli Vanilli had a problem during one of their “live” performances. Apparently, the tape-loop jammed and kept repeating the same line over and over again. The boys danced a few steps and then both bolted from the stage to fix the malfunctioning equipment.
Cher was a background vocalist on the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling".
For their first two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles were paid just $3500 per show. The expenses alone to bring them to America totaled over $50,000, which was paid for by their manager, Brian Epstein.
When record executives at RCA gave a song called "Rock and Roll Waltz" to Kay Starr, she thought they must have been kidding, as rock and roll was still frowned upon by serious musicians. After many arguments, RCA still insisted that she record the song. Their hunch proved to be a good one as the record went to number 1 in the US in February, 1956.
Carl Perkins, the rockabilly pioneer who wrote Elvis Presley's hit, "Blue Suede Shoes", was a sharecropper's son who learned to play music on a guitar fashioned from a cigar box and broomstick.
In the late 70’s, while at a stadium show in Toronto, the members of Aerosmith actually boarded limousines to travel the one hundred yards from their dressing rooms to the stage.
Beach Boy Carl Wilson got so excited the first time one of their songs was played on the radio-that he threw up when he heard the song.
The Odeon label was created in Germany in 1904 by the International Talking Machine Company. Odeon pioneered something they called the "album" in 1909 when it released the "Nutcracker Suite" by Tchaikovsky on four double-sided discs in a specially designed package.
Dion DiMucci of Dion and The Belmonts was a part of 1959's Winter Dance Party with Buddy Holly. When Buddy suggested that Dion fly with him after their show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 2nd, Dion declined because he didn't want to spend the extra money. It was a decision that saved his life.
Buddy Holly and The Crickets recorded their hit "Maybe Baby" in the officer's club at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
The publishing rights to most of Buddy Holly's songs are owned by Paul McCartney.
The first time that Don McLean performed "American Pie" on stage, it didn't get a very good response from the audience. McLean would later remark that "People didn't know what the hell I was singing about."
Jimmy Hart, one of the original members of The Gentrys, who scored a US number 4 hit with "Keep On Dancin" in 1965, went on to become a popular wrestling character in the WWF, calling himself the "Mouth of the South".
The popular 1970s group, Super Tramp, turned down a five million dollar offer from the Greyhound corporation to use their song "Take The Long Way Home" in bus commercials.
Including Ringo, there have been at least five drummers for The Beatles. Norman Chapman (for the Silver Beatles), Tommy Moore, Pete Best and Jimmy Nichol.
While the Beatles were still struggling to establish themselves, they were turned down by five different British record companies.
Rock and roll fakers Milli Vanilli had a problem during one of their “live” performances. Apparently, the tape-loop jammed and kept repeating the same line over and over again. The boys danced a few steps and then both bolted from the stage to fix the malfunctioning equipment.
Cher was a background vocalist on the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling".
Bird and Animal Names In Rock And Roll History- part twenty-eight
Let’s continue our article series about “bird” and “animal” band names and individuals in rock and roll history, again focusing our attention to ‘indie’ bands; specifically with the name wolf.
Sea Wolf is a Los Angles-based band led by singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church. He attended the prestigious NYU film school and then started playing with a group called Irving. However as one of three songwriters in Irving, Church soon found himself with of songs that didn't fit the band's dreamy '60s-inspired psych-pop, so he began performing as Sea Wolf with a rotating ensemble of backing musicians, playing locally in Los Angeles and recording demos in Seattle.
Church always had a boyhood fascination with wolves. So it stands to reason that the band he is associated with is called Sea Wolf, which is named after 1904 Jack London novel The Sea Wolf. Church's list of influences is like looking at a who's who among 'wolf' band names including: Wolf Eyes, Wolf Parade, We Are Wolves, AIDS Wolf, Wolfie, Wolf Colonel, Patrick Wolf, WolfMother, Howlin' Wolf, Superwolf, White Wolf, Seasons of the Wolf, Wolf & Cub, Peanut Butter Wolf, Peter Wolf and even more wolf inspirations that we could imagine.
After signing with the indie label Dangerbird Records in 2007, Sea Wolf released their debut EP, “Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low,” in the spring of 2007, with a full-length album following. To tour behind the record, Church assembled a stable lineup with himself on vocals and guitar, Aaron Robinson on guitar, Lisa Fendelander on keyboards, Theodore Liscinski on bass, Aniela Perry on cello and Byron Reynolds on drums.
In anticipation of Sea Wolf’s forthcoming sophomore album, ‘White Water, White Bloom,” the band is releasing a free download online. Fans can download the track, ‘Stanislau‘, online now at www.dangerbirdrecords.com/whitewaterwhitebloom. The song will be a bonus track on the vinyl version of the new album, due out September 22 via Dangerbird Records.
The Montreal-Canada indie rock outfit Wolf Parade formed in 2003 when former Frog Eyes member Spencer Krug was offered a gig by Grenadine Records' Alex Megelas. With only a 3-week deadline to form a band, Krug contacted a fellow Canadian guitarist Dan Boeckner and the duo began writing songs in Krug's apartment. Initially using a drum machine for their rhythm section, they later invited Arlen Thompson to the lineup as the drummer; and the band's first show saw them opening for Arcade Fire. During the tour, Wolf Parade recorded and released their self-titled debut EP (referred to as the “4 Song EP”).
In September 2003, Hadji Bakara was invited to join the band, contributing his stellar synthesizer work and sound manipulation skills to the lineup. By the summer of 2004 the band released its second independent, self-titled EP, commonly referred to as the "6 Song EP."
Wolf Parade eventually gained the attention of songwriter Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse fame) who was also an A&R rep for Sub Pop Records. Brock helped the band secure a deal with Sub Pop and helped the band refine and define their indie-prog-rock sound. The band worked feverishly on a new LP and after some remixing, the band returned to Montreal to finish recording. The album was scheduled for a May release, but then pushed back, however Sub Pop released its first widely-distributed EP, “Wolf Parade,” in July 2005.
One of the fall's most anticipated releases, the band's debut album "Apologies to the Queen Mary" (the album is named after an incident in which the band was removed from the ocean liner Queen Mary for breaking down the door of a ballroom and staging a violent séance) was released in September 2005, to critical acclaim and admiration. A Rolling Stone review (as were most of the reviews for this LP) is very positive, some reviewers calling it the album of the decade so far:
"I'll Believe in Anything," the best cut on Wolf Parade's excellently shambling debut, may be the indie-rock song of the year. Overflowing with desperate, Brit-inflected yelping, a heartstring-tugging chorus and a clamorous racket that could have come from a drunken bagpipe troupe, "Anything" shows off Wolf Parade's twin strengths: the mock-orchestral grandeur of their Montreal buddies the Arcade Fire and the weirdo pop sensibility of their producer, Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock."
After considering the title “Kissing the Beehive” for their follow-up (ultimately dismissed for fear of copyright infringement due to a Jonathan Carroll book by the same name), Wolf Parade issued their sophomore effort "At Mount Zoomer," in June 2008.
The LP grew from jams in a Montreal church owned by Arcade Fire and building prog-rock brainteasers out of waves of viscous keyboard drones and ambling guitar sting, Wolf Parade mirror their landlords’ knack for grand music adventures, all the while capturing their unique sound in an orderly chaotic way.
According to AllMusic:
“At Mount Zoomer proves Wolf Parade to be much more than the one-trick pony of their peers. And it's no surprise — both of the band's primary songwriters have established themselves as two of the most exciting and consistent songwriters in indie rock, coming off of great records in their own right: Spencer Krug's Random Spirit Lover with Sunset Rubdown (not to mention the Swan Lake record), and Dan Boeckner's Plague Park with his Handsome Furs project. But even after three years away from the Parade, they come to Mount Zoomer with a fresh reel of tape, and are back with a more mature and confident approach….. All in all, At Mount Zoomer is a remarkable achievement, and another soon-to-be classic from Wolf Parade.”
The band is planning to get together to record new music for their third album in October of 2009. And if the first two efforts are any indication of the endless talent the group possesses, this should be an album worth waiting for.
AIDS Wolf is a Canadian noise rock band who, quoting Captain Beefheart, describes their sound as that of "a squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag." They have earned a loyal fan base playing with the Unicorns, Wolf Parade, and others in the Montreal indie scene.
Their unique band name, "AIDS Wolf," comes from an urban legend wherein wolves carry AIDS and pass it to house pets that then pass it on to people:
"We didn’t come up with AIDS Wolf as a concept. The idea has been floating around in the public psyche for a while. In urban legend, wolves transmit AIDS instead of rabies; in depressing college towns, street gangs spray-paint ‘AIDS Wolf’ on the side of buildings" according to singer Special Deluxe. "It fits, because we're a little bit no–wave and a little bit hardcore, like each of those bands. It's also a message that we as humans must take care for our animal siblings as their health is a barometer of our own survival."
After touring their native Canada, AIDS Wolf kicked off their first European tour in early 2006 as their debut album, "The Lovvers LP," was being released. Next, they challenged members of Athletic Automaton to a "versus" record and the result, "Clash of the Life-Force Warriors," landed the band on Skin Graft label in early 2007. The band has had a series of splits and singles; a 2008 LP called "Cities of Glass," a self-release and continues to work on numerous collaborations with a number of record labels and bands.
We will continue looking at ‘indie’ wolf bands in our next article of this continuing series.
Sea Wolf Tidbits:
Sea Wolf contributed the song “Song of the Magpie” to the audio book for Augusten Burroughs’ book “A Wolf at the Table.” Burroughs had asked Church to read the book and respond with an original song.
Sea Wolf gained popularity when their song "You're a Wolf" was featured in a General Motors ad for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid during the Beijing Olympic Games.
Another of the band's songs, "Sea Monuments" was also featured in a Radio Shack holiday ad campaign in 2007.
Buy Sea Wolf Music
Wolf Parade Tidbits:
The band's debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary earned a 2006 Polaris Music Prize nomination.
Spencer Krug is also the lead singer of the indie rock band Sunset Rubdown. Other bands Krug has belonged to include Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Swan Lake.
Dan Boeckner is also a member of the indie rock duo Handsome Furs which he formed with his wife Alexei Perry. Before joining Wolf Parade, Boeckner played in Atlas Strategic.
Dante DeCaro is currently fronting a project called Johnny and the Moon. Prior to Wolf Parade, DeCaro played in Hot Hot Heat.
Arlen Thompson played drums on the Arcade Fire song "Wake Up". He also helped produce both Handsome Furs albums.
Hadji Bakara is a member of the dance DJ crew Megasoid, along with Sixtoo and Subtitle (Giovanni Marks).
Buy Wolf Parade Music
AIDS Wolf Tidbits:
Current band members: Myles Broscoe, Yannick Desranleau (Hiroshima Thunder)
Chloe Lum (Special Deluxe), Alexander Moskos
Members Chloe Lum and Yannick Desranleau also run the printing/design studio Seripop (aka Serigraphie Populaire), which has been designing gig posters for Montreal's indie scene since 2001.
Record labels the band has worked with include: Lovepump United, Skin Graft Records, Blood of the Drash, Pasalymany Tapes, Kitty Play Records.
Buy AIDS Wolf Music
Sea Wolf is a Los Angles-based band led by singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church. He attended the prestigious NYU film school and then started playing with a group called Irving. However as one of three songwriters in Irving, Church soon found himself with of songs that didn't fit the band's dreamy '60s-inspired psych-pop, so he began performing as Sea Wolf with a rotating ensemble of backing musicians, playing locally in Los Angeles and recording demos in Seattle.
Church always had a boyhood fascination with wolves. So it stands to reason that the band he is associated with is called Sea Wolf, which is named after 1904 Jack London novel The Sea Wolf. Church's list of influences is like looking at a who's who among 'wolf' band names including: Wolf Eyes, Wolf Parade, We Are Wolves, AIDS Wolf, Wolfie, Wolf Colonel, Patrick Wolf, WolfMother, Howlin' Wolf, Superwolf, White Wolf, Seasons of the Wolf, Wolf & Cub, Peanut Butter Wolf, Peter Wolf and even more wolf inspirations that we could imagine.
After signing with the indie label Dangerbird Records in 2007, Sea Wolf released their debut EP, “Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low,” in the spring of 2007, with a full-length album following. To tour behind the record, Church assembled a stable lineup with himself on vocals and guitar, Aaron Robinson on guitar, Lisa Fendelander on keyboards, Theodore Liscinski on bass, Aniela Perry on cello and Byron Reynolds on drums.
In anticipation of Sea Wolf’s forthcoming sophomore album, ‘White Water, White Bloom,” the band is releasing a free download online. Fans can download the track, ‘Stanislau‘, online now at www.dangerbirdrecords.com/whitewaterwhitebloom. The song will be a bonus track on the vinyl version of the new album, due out September 22 via Dangerbird Records.
The Montreal-Canada indie rock outfit Wolf Parade formed in 2003 when former Frog Eyes member Spencer Krug was offered a gig by Grenadine Records' Alex Megelas. With only a 3-week deadline to form a band, Krug contacted a fellow Canadian guitarist Dan Boeckner and the duo began writing songs in Krug's apartment. Initially using a drum machine for their rhythm section, they later invited Arlen Thompson to the lineup as the drummer; and the band's first show saw them opening for Arcade Fire. During the tour, Wolf Parade recorded and released their self-titled debut EP (referred to as the “4 Song EP”).
In September 2003, Hadji Bakara was invited to join the band, contributing his stellar synthesizer work and sound manipulation skills to the lineup. By the summer of 2004 the band released its second independent, self-titled EP, commonly referred to as the "6 Song EP."
Wolf Parade eventually gained the attention of songwriter Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse fame) who was also an A&R rep for Sub Pop Records. Brock helped the band secure a deal with Sub Pop and helped the band refine and define their indie-prog-rock sound. The band worked feverishly on a new LP and after some remixing, the band returned to Montreal to finish recording. The album was scheduled for a May release, but then pushed back, however Sub Pop released its first widely-distributed EP, “Wolf Parade,” in July 2005.
One of the fall's most anticipated releases, the band's debut album "Apologies to the Queen Mary" (the album is named after an incident in which the band was removed from the ocean liner Queen Mary for breaking down the door of a ballroom and staging a violent séance) was released in September 2005, to critical acclaim and admiration. A Rolling Stone review (as were most of the reviews for this LP) is very positive, some reviewers calling it the album of the decade so far:
"I'll Believe in Anything," the best cut on Wolf Parade's excellently shambling debut, may be the indie-rock song of the year. Overflowing with desperate, Brit-inflected yelping, a heartstring-tugging chorus and a clamorous racket that could have come from a drunken bagpipe troupe, "Anything" shows off Wolf Parade's twin strengths: the mock-orchestral grandeur of their Montreal buddies the Arcade Fire and the weirdo pop sensibility of their producer, Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock."
After considering the title “Kissing the Beehive” for their follow-up (ultimately dismissed for fear of copyright infringement due to a Jonathan Carroll book by the same name), Wolf Parade issued their sophomore effort "At Mount Zoomer," in June 2008.
The LP grew from jams in a Montreal church owned by Arcade Fire and building prog-rock brainteasers out of waves of viscous keyboard drones and ambling guitar sting, Wolf Parade mirror their landlords’ knack for grand music adventures, all the while capturing their unique sound in an orderly chaotic way.
According to AllMusic:
“At Mount Zoomer proves Wolf Parade to be much more than the one-trick pony of their peers. And it's no surprise — both of the band's primary songwriters have established themselves as two of the most exciting and consistent songwriters in indie rock, coming off of great records in their own right: Spencer Krug's Random Spirit Lover with Sunset Rubdown (not to mention the Swan Lake record), and Dan Boeckner's Plague Park with his Handsome Furs project. But even after three years away from the Parade, they come to Mount Zoomer with a fresh reel of tape, and are back with a more mature and confident approach….. All in all, At Mount Zoomer is a remarkable achievement, and another soon-to-be classic from Wolf Parade.”
The band is planning to get together to record new music for their third album in October of 2009. And if the first two efforts are any indication of the endless talent the group possesses, this should be an album worth waiting for.
AIDS Wolf is a Canadian noise rock band who, quoting Captain Beefheart, describes their sound as that of "a squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag." They have earned a loyal fan base playing with the Unicorns, Wolf Parade, and others in the Montreal indie scene.
Their unique band name, "AIDS Wolf," comes from an urban legend wherein wolves carry AIDS and pass it to house pets that then pass it on to people:
"We didn’t come up with AIDS Wolf as a concept. The idea has been floating around in the public psyche for a while. In urban legend, wolves transmit AIDS instead of rabies; in depressing college towns, street gangs spray-paint ‘AIDS Wolf’ on the side of buildings" according to singer Special Deluxe. "It fits, because we're a little bit no–wave and a little bit hardcore, like each of those bands. It's also a message that we as humans must take care for our animal siblings as their health is a barometer of our own survival."
After touring their native Canada, AIDS Wolf kicked off their first European tour in early 2006 as their debut album, "The Lovvers LP," was being released. Next, they challenged members of Athletic Automaton to a "versus" record and the result, "Clash of the Life-Force Warriors," landed the band on Skin Graft label in early 2007. The band has had a series of splits and singles; a 2008 LP called "Cities of Glass," a self-release and continues to work on numerous collaborations with a number of record labels and bands.
We will continue looking at ‘indie’ wolf bands in our next article of this continuing series.
Sea Wolf Tidbits:
Sea Wolf contributed the song “Song of the Magpie” to the audio book for Augusten Burroughs’ book “A Wolf at the Table.” Burroughs had asked Church to read the book and respond with an original song.
Sea Wolf gained popularity when their song "You're a Wolf" was featured in a General Motors ad for the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid during the Beijing Olympic Games.
Another of the band's songs, "Sea Monuments" was also featured in a Radio Shack holiday ad campaign in 2007.
Buy Sea Wolf Music
Wolf Parade Tidbits:
The band's debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary earned a 2006 Polaris Music Prize nomination.
Spencer Krug is also the lead singer of the indie rock band Sunset Rubdown. Other bands Krug has belonged to include Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Swan Lake.
Dan Boeckner is also a member of the indie rock duo Handsome Furs which he formed with his wife Alexei Perry. Before joining Wolf Parade, Boeckner played in Atlas Strategic.
Dante DeCaro is currently fronting a project called Johnny and the Moon. Prior to Wolf Parade, DeCaro played in Hot Hot Heat.
Arlen Thompson played drums on the Arcade Fire song "Wake Up". He also helped produce both Handsome Furs albums.
Hadji Bakara is a member of the dance DJ crew Megasoid, along with Sixtoo and Subtitle (Giovanni Marks).
Buy Wolf Parade Music
AIDS Wolf Tidbits:
Current band members: Myles Broscoe, Yannick Desranleau (Hiroshima Thunder)
Chloe Lum (Special Deluxe), Alexander Moskos
Members Chloe Lum and Yannick Desranleau also run the printing/design studio Seripop (aka Serigraphie Populaire), which has been designing gig posters for Montreal's indie scene since 2001.
Record labels the band has worked with include: Lovepump United, Skin Graft Records, Blood of the Drash, Pasalymany Tapes, Kitty Play Records.
Buy AIDS Wolf Music
Music News & Notes
It's KISS again
The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are developing a $40 to $50 million Cirque du Soleil-style show under the name Kiss: Carnival of Souls for a possible 2011 opening. Barry Levine, co-founder of Radical, told the paper "It involves every aspect of music, movement, lighting, stage design and special effects. Since Kiss is the epitome of theatrical rock, we need to make sure it represents the Kiss brand. The Kiss brand has endured and sustained itself like no other group for the past 35 years."
==========================
Doors CD Set
Rhino and Bright Midnight Archives have announced a November 10 release date for The Doors: Live in New York, a 6-CD collection chronicling the January 17 and 18, 1970 shows from The Felt Forum.
The shows are a mix of music from their albums along with a few covers such as Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love, Howlin' Wolf's Back Door Man and John Lee Hooker's Crawling King Snake. “Those were the bluesy songs we always used to do,” Robbie Krieger said. “We probably hadn’t done them in years, but we resurrected them for these shows.”
The six-CD's include all four shows from the stand in their entirety. Although the press release for the set does not give any details, it appears that there will also be a book with historical information.
==========================
Beatles Tees Available
Beatles T-Shirts
The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are developing a $40 to $50 million Cirque du Soleil-style show under the name Kiss: Carnival of Souls for a possible 2011 opening. Barry Levine, co-founder of Radical, told the paper "It involves every aspect of music, movement, lighting, stage design and special effects. Since Kiss is the epitome of theatrical rock, we need to make sure it represents the Kiss brand. The Kiss brand has endured and sustained itself like no other group for the past 35 years."
==========================
Doors CD Set
Rhino and Bright Midnight Archives have announced a November 10 release date for The Doors: Live in New York, a 6-CD collection chronicling the January 17 and 18, 1970 shows from The Felt Forum.
The shows are a mix of music from their albums along with a few covers such as Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love, Howlin' Wolf's Back Door Man and John Lee Hooker's Crawling King Snake. “Those were the bluesy songs we always used to do,” Robbie Krieger said. “We probably hadn’t done them in years, but we resurrected them for these shows.”
The six-CD's include all four shows from the stand in their entirety. Although the press release for the set does not give any details, it appears that there will also be a book with historical information.
==========================
Beatles Tees Available
Beatles T-Shirts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Rock/Pop Tidbits
Elvis Presley was a devoted animal lover. He owned dogs, mules, horses, peacocks, chickens, a turkey and had a silly mynah bird that said, “Elvis! Go to hell!”
We all know that Elvis loved his food. “I like it well-done,” the legendary icon stated. “I ain’t ordering a pet.”
While we are on the subject, it seems that rowdy Allman Brother Dickey Betts was out riding his motorcycle one day and he was hungry. So he stopped his machine, jumped a fence and killed a cow. As he was butchering the animal, a cop passed by and quickly arrested the bloody Brother.
The first known million selling recording was by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra. It was a two sided hit featuring "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Darandella," recorded in 1919.
Guitarist Henry Gross, who hit the US charts in 1976 with "Shannon", was one of the founding members of the rock and roll revival group, Sha Na Na.
For the year 2005, the top earning dead celebrity in the US was Elvis Presley, who still generated $45 million worth of business. John Lennon was third with $22 million.
The Beatles 4th UK #1 single, "Can't Buy Me Love", had advanced sales of over 2.1 million, setting the record for the greatest advanced orders in the UK.
The most expensive guitar in the world is a Fender Stratocaster once owned by Eric Clapton. Nicknamed "Blackie", it sold at auction for $959,500. on June 25th, 2004.
In early 1957, RCA Records released two versions of a song called "Young Love", one by Tab Hunter, the other by Sonny James. Both records caught on and by the first week of March, Hunter's rendition was number one in the US, while James' version was number 4.
When Cher topped the Billboard Hot 100 with "Believe" in March, 1999, she became the first female over the age of 50 to have a chart topping record.
When Elvis was drafted into the US Army in March, 1958, his monthly pay went from $100,000 to $78.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett, who topped the Billboard Pop chart in 1962 with "The Monster Mash", once had his tour bus break down outside of a town called Frankenstein, Missouri.
When asked about their controversial hit song "One Toke Over The Line" during an interview with Brewer and Shipley, they said that "toke" had nothing to do with marijuana, but meant token or ticket. Hence the line about "sittin' downtown in a railway station."
When The Beatles' single "Ticket To Ride" was first issued, the fine print under the title said "From the United Artists Release Eight Arms To Hold You", which was the original name for the film Help!
The bass drum head with the Beatles logo that Ringo Starr used during the band's first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was bought by a memorabilia collector in the mid-1990s for around $50,000. By 2006, it's estimated value had risen to half-a-million dollars.
Jethro Tull's 1968 debut single, "Sunshine Day" was erroneously credited to Jethro Toe.
When Roberta Flack was awarded a gold record for her 1973, number one hit, "Killing Me Softly With His Song", she wanted to listen to her song etched in gold. She removed the disc from its frame and placed it on a turntable, only to hear "Come Softly to Me" by The Fleetwoods.
The studio musicians who recorded the music for many "bubblegum" hits credited to The 1910 Fruitgum Company, The Ohio Express and many others, were actually former members of The Shadows of Knight, who had a hit of their own with "Gloria".
In February and March, 1964, The Beatles sold 60% of all the records sold in the U.S.
This Date In Music History-August 30
Birthdays:
Singer Kitty Wells, later dubbed the Queen of Country Music, was born in Nashville in 1919. She's best remembered for "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," which became the first single by a woman to top the country charts.
Rockabilly star Dale Hawkins, who recorded the immortal hit "Suzie Q," was born in 1938
John McNally - Searchers (1941)
Charles Colbert - American Breed (1944)
Mick Moody - Whitesnake (1950)
Ronald Beitle - Wild Cherry (1954)
Martin Jackson - Magazine (1958)
Aaron Barrett - Reel Big Fish (1980)
George Ryan Ross III - Panic at the Disco (1986)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1935, John Phillips, The Mamas and the Papas. Phillips died of heart failure (age 65) on March 18, 2001.
Born today in 1939, John Peel, BBC radio DJ and TV presenter. Longest running BBC Radio 1 and most influential British DJ ever. Died in Cuzco, Peru of a heart attack on October 25, 2004 (age 65).
In 1995, Sterling Morrison founder member of the Velvet Underground died of cancer at his home in New York City two days after his 53rd birthday. The guitarist left the group in August 1971 and re-joined in 1992 for a European tour. During the 80’s he became the Captain of a Houston tugboat.
History:
Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" debuts on the pop charts in 1959. The song from the "Three Penny Opera" will be Darin's biggest hit.
The Beatles appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California in 1965. Tickets cost $3.00.
The Beatles' "Hey Jude" was released in 1968.
The three day Texas Pop Festival took place in 1969 featuring Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Sam & Dave, Santana, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, Nazz, Spirit, BB King, Canned Heat and Chicago. Over 120,000 fans attended the festival.
Two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle of Wight festival took place in 1969. Over 150,000 turned up over the two days to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who.
In 1969, one hit wonders Zager and Evans started a six week run at #1 with "In The Year 2525." The song that was written by Rick Evens in 1964.
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono played Madison Square Gardens to raise money for the One to One charity. Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na and Roberta Flack also appeared at the event. Lennon personally bought $60,000 worth of tickets which were given to volunteer fund-raisers. Several of the performances were later included on Lennon’s, Live in New York City album.
After two so-so albums, the post Jim Morrison Doors broke up in 1973.
KC and the Sunshine Band went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with, "Get Down Tonight," the group's first of five #1 hits.
Cher mades one of her unannounced visits in 1980. This time it's as lead singer with Black Rose, the band led by her former love, guitarist Les Dudek. It happened at a show in New York's Central Park.
The Rolling Stones released their "Tattoo You" album in 1981. From the album, "Start Me Up," is driven into the ground at professional sporting events, especially football, before becoming a Microsoft theme song. Who can say "no" to $12 million?
Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" hit #1 on the singles chart in 1986.
In 1988, John Denver, who wants to ride on a Soviet spaceship, undergoes an astronaut-style physical at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Rapper Dr. Dre (real name Andre Young) was sentenced to 8 months in jail in 1994 after he pleads no contest to drunk driving charges. Young had been arrested in January following a high-speed chase through Beverly Hills, CA.
James Taylor and ex-wife Carly Simon reunited in 1995 for their first concert together in 16 years on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Today in 1997 the song "Mo Money Mo Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G. topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
Singer Kitty Wells, later dubbed the Queen of Country Music, was born in Nashville in 1919. She's best remembered for "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," which became the first single by a woman to top the country charts.
Rockabilly star Dale Hawkins, who recorded the immortal hit "Suzie Q," was born in 1938
John McNally - Searchers (1941)
Charles Colbert - American Breed (1944)
Mick Moody - Whitesnake (1950)
Ronald Beitle - Wild Cherry (1954)
Martin Jackson - Magazine (1958)
Aaron Barrett - Reel Big Fish (1980)
George Ryan Ross III - Panic at the Disco (1986)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1935, John Phillips, The Mamas and the Papas. Phillips died of heart failure (age 65) on March 18, 2001.
Born today in 1939, John Peel, BBC radio DJ and TV presenter. Longest running BBC Radio 1 and most influential British DJ ever. Died in Cuzco, Peru of a heart attack on October 25, 2004 (age 65).
In 1995, Sterling Morrison founder member of the Velvet Underground died of cancer at his home in New York City two days after his 53rd birthday. The guitarist left the group in August 1971 and re-joined in 1992 for a European tour. During the 80’s he became the Captain of a Houston tugboat.
History:
Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" debuts on the pop charts in 1959. The song from the "Three Penny Opera" will be Darin's biggest hit.
The Beatles appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California in 1965. Tickets cost $3.00.
The Beatles' "Hey Jude" was released in 1968.
The three day Texas Pop Festival took place in 1969 featuring Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Sam & Dave, Santana, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, Nazz, Spirit, BB King, Canned Heat and Chicago. Over 120,000 fans attended the festival.
Two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle of Wight festival took place in 1969. Over 150,000 turned up over the two days to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who.
In 1969, one hit wonders Zager and Evans started a six week run at #1 with "In The Year 2525." The song that was written by Rick Evens in 1964.
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono played Madison Square Gardens to raise money for the One to One charity. Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na and Roberta Flack also appeared at the event. Lennon personally bought $60,000 worth of tickets which were given to volunteer fund-raisers. Several of the performances were later included on Lennon’s, Live in New York City album.
After two so-so albums, the post Jim Morrison Doors broke up in 1973.
KC and the Sunshine Band went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with, "Get Down Tonight," the group's first of five #1 hits.
Cher mades one of her unannounced visits in 1980. This time it's as lead singer with Black Rose, the band led by her former love, guitarist Les Dudek. It happened at a show in New York's Central Park.
The Rolling Stones released their "Tattoo You" album in 1981. From the album, "Start Me Up," is driven into the ground at professional sporting events, especially football, before becoming a Microsoft theme song. Who can say "no" to $12 million?
Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" hit #1 on the singles chart in 1986.
In 1988, John Denver, who wants to ride on a Soviet spaceship, undergoes an astronaut-style physical at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Rapper Dr. Dre (real name Andre Young) was sentenced to 8 months in jail in 1994 after he pleads no contest to drunk driving charges. Young had been arrested in January following a high-speed chase through Beverly Hills, CA.
James Taylor and ex-wife Carly Simon reunited in 1995 for their first concert together in 16 years on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Today in 1997 the song "Mo Money Mo Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G. topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
Music News & Notes
KISS: New Commercial For Upcoming Album, Tour Posted Online
A 30-second commercial promoting KISS' upcoming album, "Sonic Boom", and the Alive 35 Tour can be viewed below.
"Sonic Boom" will be released in Europe on October 5 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. The CD will be made available on October 6 in the U.S. and Canada exclusively via Wal-Mart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.
"Sonic Boom", produced by Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, is the centerpiece of a three-disc set that also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD (previously available in Japan) as well as a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band's recent, record-breaking KISS Alive 35 South American tour. The CD set will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons says, "'Sonic Boom' may be the best new record we've done since 'Destroyer'! It is 'Rock And Roll Over' meets 'Love Gun'. The world's biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6!"
Stanley adds, "Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides our making the best KISS album in decades, Wal-Mart has made it possible for us to include a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, 'Sonic Boom' is the ultimate return to classic KISS form. You wanted the best, you got the best!"
Wal-Mart, one of America's largest music retailers, is finalizing its exciting plans now for its in-store and online destinations for KISS fans surrounding the launch of the new album and tour, and will host various KISS products in addition to their music in its stores this fall. More details on Wal-Mart KISS activity, announcements regarding album pre-sales, sweepstakes and KISS appearances will be shared shortly.
"Sonic Boom" track listing:
01. Modern Day Delilah
02. Russian Roulette
03. Never Enough
04. Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)
05. Stand
06. Hot And Cold
07. All For The Glory
08. Danger Us
09. I'm An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yeah
Re-recorded KISS classics:
01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. Shout It Out Loud
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Calling Dr. Love
06. Love Gun
07. I Was Made For Lovin' You
08. Heaven's On Fire
09. Lick It Up
10. I Love It Loud
11. Forever
12. Christine Sixteen
13. Do You Love Me?
14. Black Diamond
15. Rock And Roll All Nite
KISS bonus live DVD track listing:
01. Deuce
02. Hotter Than Hell
03. C'mon And Love Me
04. Watchin' You
05. 100,000 Years
06. Rock & Roll All Nite
======================
SYCRONOMICA: 'Sycroscope' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
Munich, Germany-based "epic black metal" band SYCRONOMICA will release its third album, "Sycroscope", on October 23 via the Bavarian label Silverwolf Productions. The CD was recorded at Munich's Helion Studios, where both of SYCRONOMICA's previous albums — "Paths" (2004) and "Gate" (2006) — were tracked. The cover artwork was created by drummer Michael Bayer.
A special CD-release show will be held at the Helion Festival II in Munich on October 24 (alongside such acts as EQUILIBRIUM, DEBAUCHERY, SUIDAKRA, DARK FORTRESS, RIGER).
======================
DARZAMAT: New Song Posted Online
Polish dark metallers DARZAMAT are streaming a brand new track, "Chimera", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the band's fifth full-length studio album, "Solfernus' Path", which is scheduled for release on August 28 in Europe via Massacre Records and in Japan through Spiritual Beast Records. The CD was recorded in Poland under the supervision of Jaroslaw Toifl, with whom the band had previously worked on 2005's "Transkarpatia" (Metal Mind Productions in Europe, MVD in the USA). There are two great guests on the album: KING DIAMOND's Andy La Rocque (guitar solo in "King of the Burning Anthems") and STONE SOUR's Roy Mayorga (opening intro). The artwork for the new CD was created by MentalPorn.com Agency, which has previously worked with such bands as DEATHSTARS and BEHEMOTH. The album was mixed by Jonas Kljellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY guitarist) of Black Lounge Studios in Avesta, Sweden.
======================
ARKONA: New Album Details Revealed
Moscow, Russia-based "Slavic pagan metal" band ARKONA will release its new album, "Goi, Rode, Goi!", via Napalm Records on the following dates:
Oct. 28 - Finland, Spain
Oct. 30 - GAS, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden
Nov. 02 - Rest of Europe
Nov. 03 - USA, Canada
The CD was recorded at CDM Records studio between October 2008 and May 2009 except the drums, which were recorded at Gigant studio, and the guitars, which were recorded at Astia studio.
"Goi, Rode, Goi!" contains a 15-minute song called "Na Moey Zemle" ("In My Land"), which is being described as "a kind of pagan metal opera about the travelling of Slav around countries of Europe." The CD artwork was created by Kris Verwimp (THYRFING, MÅNEGARM).
A 30-second commercial promoting KISS' upcoming album, "Sonic Boom", and the Alive 35 Tour can be viewed below.
"Sonic Boom" will be released in Europe on October 5 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. The CD will be made available on October 6 in the U.S. and Canada exclusively via Wal-Mart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.
"Sonic Boom", produced by Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, is the centerpiece of a three-disc set that also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD (previously available in Japan) as well as a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band's recent, record-breaking KISS Alive 35 South American tour. The CD set will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons says, "'Sonic Boom' may be the best new record we've done since 'Destroyer'! It is 'Rock And Roll Over' meets 'Love Gun'. The world's biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6!"
Stanley adds, "Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides our making the best KISS album in decades, Wal-Mart has made it possible for us to include a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, 'Sonic Boom' is the ultimate return to classic KISS form. You wanted the best, you got the best!"
Wal-Mart, one of America's largest music retailers, is finalizing its exciting plans now for its in-store and online destinations for KISS fans surrounding the launch of the new album and tour, and will host various KISS products in addition to their music in its stores this fall. More details on Wal-Mart KISS activity, announcements regarding album pre-sales, sweepstakes and KISS appearances will be shared shortly.
"Sonic Boom" track listing:
01. Modern Day Delilah
02. Russian Roulette
03. Never Enough
04. Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)
05. Stand
06. Hot And Cold
07. All For The Glory
08. Danger Us
09. I'm An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yeah
Re-recorded KISS classics:
01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. Shout It Out Loud
04. Hotter Than Hell
05. Calling Dr. Love
06. Love Gun
07. I Was Made For Lovin' You
08. Heaven's On Fire
09. Lick It Up
10. I Love It Loud
11. Forever
12. Christine Sixteen
13. Do You Love Me?
14. Black Diamond
15. Rock And Roll All Nite
KISS bonus live DVD track listing:
01. Deuce
02. Hotter Than Hell
03. C'mon And Love Me
04. Watchin' You
05. 100,000 Years
06. Rock & Roll All Nite
======================
SYCRONOMICA: 'Sycroscope' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed
Munich, Germany-based "epic black metal" band SYCRONOMICA will release its third album, "Sycroscope", on October 23 via the Bavarian label Silverwolf Productions. The CD was recorded at Munich's Helion Studios, where both of SYCRONOMICA's previous albums — "Paths" (2004) and "Gate" (2006) — were tracked. The cover artwork was created by drummer Michael Bayer.
A special CD-release show will be held at the Helion Festival II in Munich on October 24 (alongside such acts as EQUILIBRIUM, DEBAUCHERY, SUIDAKRA, DARK FORTRESS, RIGER).
======================
DARZAMAT: New Song Posted Online
Polish dark metallers DARZAMAT are streaming a brand new track, "Chimera", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the band's fifth full-length studio album, "Solfernus' Path", which is scheduled for release on August 28 in Europe via Massacre Records and in Japan through Spiritual Beast Records. The CD was recorded in Poland under the supervision of Jaroslaw Toifl, with whom the band had previously worked on 2005's "Transkarpatia" (Metal Mind Productions in Europe, MVD in the USA). There are two great guests on the album: KING DIAMOND's Andy La Rocque (guitar solo in "King of the Burning Anthems") and STONE SOUR's Roy Mayorga (opening intro). The artwork for the new CD was created by MentalPorn.com Agency, which has previously worked with such bands as DEATHSTARS and BEHEMOTH. The album was mixed by Jonas Kljellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY guitarist) of Black Lounge Studios in Avesta, Sweden.
======================
ARKONA: New Album Details Revealed
Moscow, Russia-based "Slavic pagan metal" band ARKONA will release its new album, "Goi, Rode, Goi!", via Napalm Records on the following dates:
Oct. 28 - Finland, Spain
Oct. 30 - GAS, Benelux, France, Italy, Sweden
Nov. 02 - Rest of Europe
Nov. 03 - USA, Canada
The CD was recorded at CDM Records studio between October 2008 and May 2009 except the drums, which were recorded at Gigant studio, and the guitars, which were recorded at Astia studio.
"Goi, Rode, Goi!" contains a 15-minute song called "Na Moey Zemle" ("In My Land"), which is being described as "a kind of pagan metal opera about the travelling of Slav around countries of Europe." The CD artwork was created by Kris Verwimp (THYRFING, MÅNEGARM).
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Rock/Pop Tidbits
In December of 1969, Mick Jagger was quoted saying "I don't really like singing very much, I enjoy playing the guitar more than I enjoy singing and I can't play the guitar either."
Ross Bagdasarian (Davis Seville) named The Chipmunks after executives at Liberty records. Alvin was named for Al Bennett, president of the company, Simon was named after Bennett's partner, Si Waronker and Theodore was named for Ted Keep, a recording engineer.
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Although Decca released it in both that year and again in 1959, it did not catch on until Lee rose to stardom in 1960. That Christmas season, it reached #16 on the Billboard Pop chart and has since become a perennial holiday favourite. The song continues to sell well during the holiday season and rose to #5 on the Christmas chart in 1984.
One of the strangest moments in Pop music history took place on September 11, 1977, when two stars from different generations, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, got together to tape "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace On Earth" for Bing's upcoming Christmas TV special. The pair rehearsed for an hour and finished their duet in only three takes, but Bing died a month later having never seen the video.
In October, 2000, George Michael paid over $2 million for the piano that John Lennon used to write "Imagine". It is a simple upright model and not the white piano that appeared on the album cover.
John Lennon often expressed his dislike for Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister that he was named after. He felt so strongly that he had his middle name changed from Winston to Ono after he married Yoko.
Andy White, who played drums on The Beatles' track "Love Me Do", which was included on the Beatles Greatest Hits album, did not earn any money in royalties from it. He only received his original session fee of £7 ($14 US), which is not even enough for him to buy his own copy of the album.
Gloucestershire airport in England used to blast Tina Turner songs on its runways to scare birds away.
The much publicized Jerry Lee Lewis pistol-waving episode outside Graceland in 1976 is said to be a misunderstanding. Jerry and Elvis were long time friends and he had been invited to visit. A pistol on the dashboard of Jerry’s car had been given to him earlier that evening as a present and when security guards at the Gracelands gates saw the pistol and asked Jerry if he’d come to shoot Elvis, Jerry just joked: "Sure I have." This led to the arrest and the subsequent press stories.
After Sam Cooke turned down "Travelin' Man", Ricky Nelson recorded the song and had a Billboard chart topping single with it in 1961.
Before assembling AC/DC, Malcolm Young played with the Velvet Underground- not THE Velvet Underground; Young’s band mates were Australians who simply stole the name.
One of Motley Crue’s earliest stage gimmicks was to light their pants on fire. Brings new meaning to the term- ‘liar, liar-pants on fire.’
In 1963, the brother and sister team of Nino Tempo and April Stevens took "Deep Purple" to Billboard's number one position. The same song had topped the charts for Larry McClinton in 1939 and would become a #14 hit for Donny and Marie Osmond in 1976.
1950s crooner Perry Como, who scored many hits including "Round and Round", "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "Hot Diggity", was the seventh son of a seventh son.
The Righteous Brothers' hit "Unchained Melody" was never intended to be a single. It was recorded as an album cut and later pressed on the "B" side of the 45 "Hung On You". When it was released, DJs flipped the disc over and "Unchained Melody" quickly rose to #4 in the US and #1 in the UK.
Barry Manilow recorded his vocal and piano parts for "Mandy" in just one take.
Ross Bagdasarian (Davis Seville) named The Chipmunks after executives at Liberty records. Alvin was named for Al Bennett, president of the company, Simon was named after Bennett's partner, Si Waronker and Theodore was named for Ted Keep, a recording engineer.
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Although Decca released it in both that year and again in 1959, it did not catch on until Lee rose to stardom in 1960. That Christmas season, it reached #16 on the Billboard Pop chart and has since become a perennial holiday favourite. The song continues to sell well during the holiday season and rose to #5 on the Christmas chart in 1984.
One of the strangest moments in Pop music history took place on September 11, 1977, when two stars from different generations, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, got together to tape "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace On Earth" for Bing's upcoming Christmas TV special. The pair rehearsed for an hour and finished their duet in only three takes, but Bing died a month later having never seen the video.
In October, 2000, George Michael paid over $2 million for the piano that John Lennon used to write "Imagine". It is a simple upright model and not the white piano that appeared on the album cover.
John Lennon often expressed his dislike for Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister that he was named after. He felt so strongly that he had his middle name changed from Winston to Ono after he married Yoko.
Andy White, who played drums on The Beatles' track "Love Me Do", which was included on the Beatles Greatest Hits album, did not earn any money in royalties from it. He only received his original session fee of £7 ($14 US), which is not even enough for him to buy his own copy of the album.
Gloucestershire airport in England used to blast Tina Turner songs on its runways to scare birds away.
The much publicized Jerry Lee Lewis pistol-waving episode outside Graceland in 1976 is said to be a misunderstanding. Jerry and Elvis were long time friends and he had been invited to visit. A pistol on the dashboard of Jerry’s car had been given to him earlier that evening as a present and when security guards at the Gracelands gates saw the pistol and asked Jerry if he’d come to shoot Elvis, Jerry just joked: "Sure I have." This led to the arrest and the subsequent press stories.
After Sam Cooke turned down "Travelin' Man", Ricky Nelson recorded the song and had a Billboard chart topping single with it in 1961.
Before assembling AC/DC, Malcolm Young played with the Velvet Underground- not THE Velvet Underground; Young’s band mates were Australians who simply stole the name.
One of Motley Crue’s earliest stage gimmicks was to light their pants on fire. Brings new meaning to the term- ‘liar, liar-pants on fire.’
In 1963, the brother and sister team of Nino Tempo and April Stevens took "Deep Purple" to Billboard's number one position. The same song had topped the charts for Larry McClinton in 1939 and would become a #14 hit for Donny and Marie Osmond in 1976.
1950s crooner Perry Como, who scored many hits including "Round and Round", "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "Hot Diggity", was the seventh son of a seventh son.
The Righteous Brothers' hit "Unchained Melody" was never intended to be a single. It was recorded as an album cut and later pressed on the "B" side of the 45 "Hung On You". When it was released, DJs flipped the disc over and "Unchained Melody" quickly rose to #4 in the US and #1 in the UK.
Barry Manilow recorded his vocal and piano parts for "Mandy" in just one take.
Audiophile Audition Review
I want to thank John over at http://www.audaud.com/index.php for the exclusive rights to reprint this great review!
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION focuses on recordings of interest to audiophiles and collectors, with an accent on surround sound for music, and on all hi-res disc formats. Over 100SACD, DVD Video/Audio and standard CD reviews are published during each month, and our archives go back to January 2001.
Grado Reference 1 Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
You shouldn't count out MM cartridges; this one is superb and has a number of advantages.
Grado Reference 1 Moving
Magnet Phono Cartridge
SRP: $1500
SPECS:
Hand-fashioned mahogany body
Freq. response: beyond 50 kHz
Output: 5mv (optional LO model: .5mv)
Load setting: 47 K
Tracking force: 1 to 2 grams
Mounting: 1/2”
Stylus not removable, may be retipped by Grado
Grado Laboratories
4614 Seventh Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-435-5340
www.gradolabs.com
Intro
Ever since I graduated from an earlier Shure VR-15 many, many years ago I have been one of those typical analog audiophiles only into moving coil cartridges. I had thought they were the only truly high fidelity choice for a quality tone arm in a good turntable system, and feared problems of hum with moving magnet cartridges. Well, recently my longtime MC cartridge gave up the ghost after many years by suddenly reducing its right channel to less than half the level of the left. Research proved it not repairable and so a similar price-range cartridge to the Grado being reviewed went painfully to the trash heap.
Grado Technology
I shouldn’t have had any qualms whatever about moving magnets! I am even more pleased with this flagship Grado MM cartridge than I ever was with my moving coil. There were no hum problems whatever, and the cartridge was much easier to install in my SME-V arm than I had expected. It lined up perfectly in all the parameters that are so important in setting up a phono cartridge, and I didn’t need the little aluminum shim that had been required with my MC cartridge due to its smaller size. The clean flat sides and bottom of the Grado are much easier to line up properly in the arm and on the disc than was the MC cartridge. And I could now sell off my Sumiko Flux Buster demagnetizer, since moving magnets not only don’t need demagnetization, but are moreover completely ruined by it! I frankly had the shakes about this whole switchover, because it had been about 15 years since I had carried out any sort of cartridge mounting or turntable setup and had forgotten most of what was involved. My concerns were of no concern with the Grado.
Grado has two lines of cartridges. The Prestige Series are the affordable designs, with a combination of metal and plastic materials plus replaceable styli. They have a grading system consisting of different colors running from Black to Gold. Grado entered the world of high-end audio with the Reference Series of wood-body MM cartridges, which like the Prestige series, have a similar grading scale for the user to select the best value for their budget and application. Each cartridge has a high tolerance nude magnet and coil assembly which is isolated from the structure. The styli cannot be replaced but can be sent in to Grado for retipping. Some of the many Reference Series cartridges are now available in either a high or low output version. The low output model would require a MC-type phono preamp to step up the voltage for a high-end line level preamp. In the case of the Reference 1 the low-output version at the same price was only .5mv whereas the high-output provided for review was 5mv. I was very thankful for Grado’s choice of the high output version; I have a very long though high quality RCA cable going from my SOTA TT to my Sunfire AV preamp, and previously I had a problem of very low level interference from a local rock FM station. Now not only is the interference completely gone but the level at the AV preamp is about double what it formerly was - so much so that I need to lower levels when I am doing a comparison between a vinyl and CD/SACD version of the same recording, whereas it used to require raising the level considerably to match the digital sources.
All of Grado’s cartridges use a derivation of the moving iron principle in three proprietary areas: Optimized Transmission Line cantilever technology, the Pivoted Fixed Axial Stylus-Generator Module, and the Flux-Bridger Generator System. The OTL stylus cantilever design eliminates resonances at the key junctions. All the separate sections are telescoped into one another, made of different alloys - some solid and some hollow - and then bonded together with a black material which controls and absorbs resonances that travel on the surface of the cantilever. This design makes records sound quieter and improves soundstaging and detail.
The Stylus-Generator Module brings the OTL cantilever shaft to a fixed axial pivot supporting the entire cantilever assembly. This type of support if more linear than conventional “teeter-totter” designs that balance the cantilever’s mass with an iron armature. It has a very low tip mass, lowering distortion and giving longer vinyl life, and this system allows for implementing the Flux-Bridger Generator System. The latter uses four separate magnetic gaps between which the miniature element of the cantilever moves - creating an increase in flux in one gap while reducing it in the other. This highly efficient and perfectly balanced system requires fewer turns of coil than conventional designs, giving Grado cartridges lower mass and lower electrical inductance and making them insensitive to tone arm cable capacitance. Probably not many phono cartridges are actually made in the U.S. anymore, but all Grado cartridges are. They are each hand assembled and tested for frequency response, channel output, balance, phase linearity, inductance and resistance.
Listening Tests
The very first thing I noted after the much higher volume level compared to my previous MC cartridge was the reduction of LP surface noise. Even though I use a VPI LP cleaning machine and different liquid treatments, plus zapping with a MapleShade Ionoclast ion generator and treating the stylus with Last’s Stylast, and even though my high-end hearing is somewhat rolled off from what it was years ago, the surface noise on certain of my older LPs has still been annoying. In setting up the VTA of the Grado cartridge I used my old standby vinyl, the original Proprius Jazz at the Pawnshop, and in particular the track Lady Be Good. There is a section near the end where when VTA is perfect the sax jumps right out at you and a “ding” that is either a cymbal or cash register rings rather than sounding damped. I’ve used that track a lot and it has become scratchy. With the Reference 1 it didn’t sound any different from the rest of the LP - yet there was no noticeable rolling off of the extreme high end.
The third attribute of the Grado I noticed was more weight and color in the sound than I was getting with my old MC cartridge. I tried a couple A/B disc comparisons again in which I had found the audiophile CD or SACD had somewhat superior bass end support than the identical recording on vinyl. Now they matched almost perfectly with the Grado, once I adjusted levels to match. This sort of improvement makes jazz recordings sound more rhythmic and exciting. One of the comparisons I made again was the recent F.I.M. K2HD mastered directly from the Toshiba direct disc of pianist Jun Fukamachi “at Steinway.” Before the two sources had sounded amazingly identical. Now my actual direct disc, playing on my SOTA turntable with the Grado, pulled slightly ahead sonically, which seems to be more logical all around.
Some of the “deep mono” audiophile reissues on vinyl from Pure Pleasure sounded more realistic and involving than they ever had before, especially when I made use of the handy mono option on my Sunfire preamp - a useful feature that was missing on the previous preamp. I also really dug an old LP with Slam Stewart and Major Holley playing their doublebasses along with their vocalizations - one one each of the front channels. These basses were walkin’ AND talkin’! (One of them sang in unison with his bass and the other one octave higher - I forget which is which - but there’s absolutely no doubt listening to them.)
Other attributes I felt to be part of the Reference 1’s sound were its highly detailed resolution and its outstandingly low distortion. In other comparisons I had made with identical recordings on CD or SACD there was often a high degree of similarity with the vinyl on the turntable, with perhaps a touch more “air” around the instruments in the vinyl reproduction vs. the optical disc. Now that air was still there, but in addition I was often hearing tiny details in the sound that were either not audible on the digital copy or reduced in clarity.
Summary
I have heard that some audiophiles are simply turned off by the so-called signature sound of moving magnet cartridges. After my experience with the Grado MM I don’t know what they are talking about. The Reference 1 has a highly detailed, hi-res sound that is never metallic or annoying, even with poorer recordings. Neither is there the unnaturally rising high end slope of many MC cartridges. I can’t imagine anyone being displeased with the sweet sound of this lovely cartridge. If you are looking for a quality cartridge, don’t count out MM designs, especially this one. If your turntable system isn’t quite at the level of my vacuum SOTA/SME/MapleShade-supported system, check out some of the other Reference Series models, at prices down to around $300, or the Prestige Series, running from about $60 to $220.
- John Sunier
Copyright © 2009 Audiophile Audition All rights Reserved Reprinted by permission
AUDIOPHILE AUDITION focuses on recordings of interest to audiophiles and collectors, with an accent on surround sound for music, and on all hi-res disc formats. Over 100SACD, DVD Video/Audio and standard CD reviews are published during each month, and our archives go back to January 2001.
Grado Reference 1 Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
You shouldn't count out MM cartridges; this one is superb and has a number of advantages.
Grado Reference 1 Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
SRP: $1500
SPECS:
Hand-fashioned mahogany body
Freq. response: beyond 50 kHz
Output: 5mv (optional LO model: .5mv)
Load setting: 47 K
Tracking force: 1 to 2 grams
Mounting: 1/2”
Stylus not removable, may be retipped by Grado
Grado Laboratories
4614 Seventh Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-435-5340
www.gradolabs.com
Intro
Ever since I graduated from an earlier Shure VR-15 many, many years ago I have been one of those typical analog audiophiles only into moving coil cartridges. I had thought they were the only truly high fidelity choice for a quality tone arm in a good turntable system, and feared problems of hum with moving magnet cartridges. Well, recently my longtime MC cartridge gave up the ghost after many years by suddenly reducing its right channel to less than half the level of the left. Research proved it not repairable and so a similar price-range cartridge to the Grado being reviewed went painfully to the trash heap.
Grado Technology
I shouldn’t have had any qualms whatever about moving magnets! I am even more pleased with this flagship Grado MM cartridge than I ever was with my moving coil. There were no hum problems whatever, and the cartridge was much easier to install in my SME-V arm than I had expected. It lined up perfectly in all the parameters that are so important in setting up a phono cartridge, and I didn’t need the little aluminum shim that had been required with my MC cartridge due to its smaller size. The clean flat sides and bottom of the Grado are much easier to line up properly in the arm and on the disc than was the MC cartridge. And I could now sell off my Sumiko Flux Buster demagnetizer, since moving magnets not only don’t need demagnetization, but are moreover completely ruined by it! I frankly had the shakes about this whole switchover, because it had been about 15 years since I had carried out any sort of cartridge mounting or turntable setup and had forgotten most of what was involved. My concerns were of no concern with the Grado.
Grado has two lines of cartridges. The Prestige Series are the affordable designs, with a combination of metal and plastic materials plus replaceable styli. They have a grading system consisting of different colors running from Black to Gold. Grado entered the world of high-end audio with the Reference Series of wood-body MM cartridges, which like the Prestige series, have a similar grading scale for the user to select the best value for their budget and application. Each cartridge has a high tolerance nude magnet and coil assembly which is isolated from the structure. The styli cannot be replaced but can be sent in to Grado for retipping. Some of the many Reference Series cartridges are now available in either a high or low output version. The low output model would require a MC-type phono preamp to step up the voltage for a high-end line level preamp. In the case of the Reference 1 the low-output version at the same price was only .5mv whereas the high-output provided for review was 5mv. I was very thankful for Grado’s choice of the high output version; I have a very long though high quality RCA cable going from my SOTA TT to my Sunfire AV preamp, and previously I had a problem of very low level interference from a local rock FM station. Now not only is the interference completely gone but the level at the AV preamp is about double what it formerly was - so much so that I need to lower levels when I am doing a comparison between a vinyl and CD/SACD version of the same recording, whereas it used to require raising the level considerably to match the digital sources.
All of Grado’s cartridges use a derivation of the moving iron principle in three proprietary areas: Optimized Transmission Line cantilever technology, the Pivoted Fixed Axial Stylus-Generator Module, and the Flux-Bridger Generator System. The OTL stylus cantilever design eliminates resonances at the key junctions. All the separate sections are telescoped into one another, made of different alloys - some solid and some hollow - and then bonded together with a black material which controls and absorbs resonances that travel on the surface of the cantilever. This design makes records sound quieter and improves soundstaging and detail.
The Stylus-Generator Module brings the OTL cantilever shaft to a fixed axial pivot supporting the entire cantilever assembly. This type of support if more linear than conventional “teeter-totter” designs that balance the cantilever’s mass with an iron armature. It has a very low tip mass, lowering distortion and giving longer vinyl life, and this system allows for implementing the Flux-Bridger Generator System. The latter uses four separate magnetic gaps between which the miniature element of the cantilever moves - creating an increase in flux in one gap while reducing it in the other. This highly efficient and perfectly balanced system requires fewer turns of coil than conventional designs, giving Grado cartridges lower mass and lower electrical inductance and making them insensitive to tone arm cable capacitance. Probably not many phono cartridges are actually made in the U.S. anymore, but all Grado cartridges are. They are each hand assembled and tested for frequency response, channel output, balance, phase linearity, inductance and resistance.
Listening Tests
The very first thing I noted after the much higher volume level compared to my previous MC cartridge was the reduction of LP surface noise. Even though I use a VPI LP cleaning machine and different liquid treatments, plus zapping with a MapleShade Ionoclast ion generator and treating the stylus with Last’s Stylast, and even though my high-end hearing is somewhat rolled off from what it was years ago, the surface noise on certain of my older LPs has still been annoying. In setting up the VTA of the Grado cartridge I used my old standby vinyl, the original Proprius Jazz at the Pawnshop, and in particular the track Lady Be Good. There is a section near the end where when VTA is perfect the sax jumps right out at you and a “ding” that is either a cymbal or cash register rings rather than sounding damped. I’ve used that track a lot and it has become scratchy. With the Reference 1 it didn’t sound any different from the rest of the LP - yet there was no noticeable rolling off of the extreme high end.
The third attribute of the Grado I noticed was more weight and color in the sound than I was getting with my old MC cartridge. I tried a couple A/B disc comparisons again in which I had found the audiophile CD or SACD had somewhat superior bass end support than the identical recording on vinyl. Now they matched almost perfectly with the Grado, once I adjusted levels to match. This sort of improvement makes jazz recordings sound more rhythmic and exciting. One of the comparisons I made again was the recent F.I.M. K2HD mastered directly from the Toshiba direct disc of pianist Jun Fukamachi “at Steinway.” Before the two sources had sounded amazingly identical. Now my actual direct disc, playing on my SOTA turntable with the Grado, pulled slightly ahead sonically, which seems to be more logical all around.
Some of the “deep mono” audiophile reissues on vinyl from Pure Pleasure sounded more realistic and involving than they ever had before, especially when I made use of the handy mono option on my Sunfire preamp - a useful feature that was missing on the previous preamp. I also really dug an old LP with Slam Stewart and Major Holley playing their doublebasses along with their vocalizations - one one each of the front channels. These basses were walkin’ AND talkin’! (One of them sang in unison with his bass and the other one octave higher - I forget which is which - but there’s absolutely no doubt listening to them.)
Other attributes I felt to be part of the Reference 1’s sound were its highly detailed resolution and its outstandingly low distortion. In other comparisons I had made with identical recordings on CD or SACD there was often a high degree of similarity with the vinyl on the turntable, with perhaps a touch more “air” around the instruments in the vinyl reproduction vs. the optical disc. Now that air was still there, but in addition I was often hearing tiny details in the sound that were either not audible on the digital copy or reduced in clarity.
Summary
I have heard that some audiophiles are simply turned off by the so-called signature sound of moving magnet cartridges. After my experience with the Grado MM I don’t know what they are talking about. The Reference 1 has a highly detailed, hi-res sound that is never metallic or annoying, even with poorer recordings. Neither is there the unnaturally rising high end slope of many MC cartridges. I can’t imagine anyone being displeased with the sweet sound of this lovely cartridge. If you are looking for a quality cartridge, don’t count out MM designs, especially this one. If your turntable system isn’t quite at the level of my vacuum SOTA/SME/MapleShade-supported system, check out some of the other Reference Series models, at prices down to around $300, or the Prestige Series, running from about $60 to $220.
- John Sunier
Copyright © 2009 Audiophile Audition All rights Reserved Reprinted by permission
Music News & Notes
Oasis Disolves (Again)
Oasis canceled an appearance at a French music festival last night after a fight between the Gallagher brothers and it's reported that guitarist Noel Gallagher has quit the band he helped form in 1991 — again.
Before the band’s scheduled set time, one of the festival’s organizers announced to the crowd that Liam and his sibling had “had a fight backstage,” and, according to reports, that “the group no longer exists. They will not play tonight and they are canceling the rest of their European tour.”
The BBC is reporting the split as official on their Website, and that it was Noel who indeed left. In a statement posted to the band’s MySpace page, Noel says he could no longer work with his brother.
“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight,” the statement reads. “People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer. Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz, and Milan,” he added, referring to the remaining stops on the band’s trek.
Idiots.
===================
NIGHTMARE: New Song To Debut This Saturday
The first song from "Insurrection", the seventh album from French power metallers NIGHTMARE, will make its online debut this Saturday, August 29 via the band's MySpace page.
"Insurrection" is scheduled for release on September 11 via Germany's AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Peek studio in France with Patrick Liotard and at U3multimedia and Indiscreet Studios in Stuttgart, Germany with Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The follow-up to 2007's "Genetic Disorder" will contain nine tracks, including a two-part concept song. Part II of the track, entitled "Cosa Nostra..." , will be featured as a bonus cut for Japan and limited editions along with one other song. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Insurrection", "Three Mile Island", "The Gospel Of Judas", "Decameron", "Angels Of Glass" and "Legions Of The Rising Sun".
The "Insurrection" cover art (see below) was created by Swedish artist Pär Olofsson who previously worked on "Genetic Disorder".
Special guest vocalist on the album is Fabrice Emmanuelsson from ELLIPSIS.
===================
Indie Record Stores Show Their Love To Brandi Shearer With The First Ever Record Store Day Sponsored Tour
Beginning in mid-September, Brandi Shearer launches an exclusive "Shore To Shore In-Store Tour" across the US with free concerts at independent record stores. This is the first time the independent coalitions (CIMS, AIM and Music Monitor Network, banded under the Recordstoreday.com moniker) have sponsored an artists' tour. The tour coincides with the release of her new album, "Love Don't Make You Juliet," out September 1 on Vinyl Tiger Records. In addition to the release of her full length album, Shearer is selling a 4 song EP, "Live At The Soiled Dove" exclusively at indie stores.
The inspiration for the tour was Shearer's. "The more impersonal buying music digitally becomes, the more I crave talking to an actual human - there is no replacement for someone sizing you up and putting a record in your hands that they know you'll love," says Shearer.
"I don't believe that can ever be duplicated, and somehow having those spaces becomes more & more special to me."
Check out what else Shearer has to say on this Vlog entry on the tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FipKnkboCLw
"Record Store Day could not be more thrilled to have Brandi Shearer be the first artist we've ever sponsored to do a tour of indie stores across the country," says Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz. "Having an artist of Brandi's quality provide in-store performances for indie-record store customers gives her a tight connection to the hub of local music communities and gives the music fans who shop indie a special intimate no cost experience. She's a wonderful performer and we are confident that, together with the indie stores, we are going to create a bit of magic."
===================
Rehasher (featuring Roger of Less Than Jake) releases new album on Paper + Plastick?
Paper + Plastick Records is proud to announce that the new Rehasher album will be added to the labels growing catalog of vinyl. High Speed Access To My Brain can be pre-ordered beginning today exclusively at www.paperandplastick.com, where fans can also get a taste of the new album by downloading the recently released P+P summer sampler, containing the track “Turn Around.”
The Gainesville punk band is lead by guitarist/vocalist Roger Manganelli, P+P label owner Vinnie Fiorello’s band mate in Less Than Jake, and boasts members from local punk bands Army of Ponch, Bullets To Broadway and Savage Brewtality. The band self-recorded their sophomore album at Manganelli’s own Moathouse Studios, and self-released the CD on their Moathouse Records, which will be released on vinyl via Paper + Plastick on September 11th.
“Rehasher are a group of friends of mine from Gainesville that happen to also make great melodic punk,” says Fiorello. “This record is them on their ‘A’ game and is hands down, flat-out amazing… and I’m not just saying that because one of the dudes sleeps 15 feet away from me six months a year.”
The band formed in 2002 as an excuse for a group of friends to hang out and play music, and resulted in the 2004 release of Off Key Melodies via No Idea Records. PunkNews.org lauded the album, and stated “The all-star lineup comes through and ignites simplistic three-chord punk rock via a vigorous charge,” and AbsolutePunk, which commented, “ brings back the days of Lagwagon and NOFX-style punk.”
===================
Experience Hendrix and Sony Sign Major Deal
Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Sony Music Entertainment have signed a major deal to bring the music of Jimi Hendrix, both catalog and new, to all forms of media.
Included in the deal is:
•The reissue of Hendrix' catalog in deluxe editions (Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love, Electric Ladyland, Band of Gypsies)
•Reissues of compilations produced by Experience Hendrix
•Filmed concerts.
•Releases from Dagger Records, Experience Hendrix' "official bootleg" label for Hendrix recordings of significant interest.
•The yearly Experience Hendrix tours
•Other Hendrix-related business
The deal covers both physical product and digital services.
"Jimi's legacy and vision were unique and there will never be another that reaches his unparalleled genius. He was the greatest guitarist ever," said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix. "We are confident that our new relationship with Sony Music will honor my beloved brother's legacy and will deliver Jimi's special 'Message Of Love' across the globe. We look forward to the creative partnership and ground breaking releases that this new relationship will engender to bring Jimi's music to successive generations of fans."
"No artist has ever transformed the pop music landscape as profoundly or as permanently as Jimi Hendrix," said Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings. "We are proud to be partnering with Experience Hendrix, keeping the sound and spirit of Jimi's music alive for future generations around the world."
===================
Los Angeles Coroner's Office Official Statement On Michael Jackson
The Los Angeles Coroner's Office has released a statement confirming that Michael Jackson died of high levels of Propofol along with other drugs that suppress the bodies function.
The following is the coroner's statement:
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner completed its investigation into the death of Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50, who died on June 25, 2009.
The cause of death was established as:
—ACUTE PROPOFOL INTOXICATION
—OTHER CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO DEATH: BENZODIAZEPINE EFFECT
The manner of death has been ruled: HOMICIDE
The drugs Propofol and Lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson's death. Other drugs detected were: Midazolam, Diazepam, Lidocaine and Ephedrine.
The final coroner's report, including the complete toxicology report will remain on security hold at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.
Like, we all knew that. How freaking sad....
Oasis canceled an appearance at a French music festival last night after a fight between the Gallagher brothers and it's reported that guitarist Noel Gallagher has quit the band he helped form in 1991 — again.
Before the band’s scheduled set time, one of the festival’s organizers announced to the crowd that Liam and his sibling had “had a fight backstage,” and, according to reports, that “the group no longer exists. They will not play tonight and they are canceling the rest of their European tour.”
The BBC is reporting the split as official on their Website, and that it was Noel who indeed left. In a statement posted to the band’s MySpace page, Noel says he could no longer work with his brother.
“It’s with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight,” the statement reads. “People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer. Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz, and Milan,” he added, referring to the remaining stops on the band’s trek.
Idiots.
===================
NIGHTMARE: New Song To Debut This Saturday
The first song from "Insurrection", the seventh album from French power metallers NIGHTMARE, will make its online debut this Saturday, August 29 via the band's MySpace page.
"Insurrection" is scheduled for release on September 11 via Germany's AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Peek studio in France with Patrick Liotard and at U3multimedia and Indiscreet Studios in Stuttgart, Germany with Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN). The follow-up to 2007's "Genetic Disorder" will contain nine tracks, including a two-part concept song. Part II of the track, entitled "Cosa Nostra..." , will be featured as a bonus cut for Japan and limited editions along with one other song. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Insurrection", "Three Mile Island", "The Gospel Of Judas", "Decameron", "Angels Of Glass" and "Legions Of The Rising Sun".
The "Insurrection" cover art (see below) was created by Swedish artist Pär Olofsson who previously worked on "Genetic Disorder".
Special guest vocalist on the album is Fabrice Emmanuelsson from ELLIPSIS.
===================
Indie Record Stores Show Their Love To Brandi Shearer With The First Ever Record Store Day Sponsored Tour
Beginning in mid-September, Brandi Shearer launches an exclusive "Shore To Shore In-Store Tour" across the US with free concerts at independent record stores. This is the first time the independent coalitions (CIMS, AIM and Music Monitor Network, banded under the Recordstoreday.com moniker) have sponsored an artists' tour. The tour coincides with the release of her new album, "Love Don't Make You Juliet," out September 1 on Vinyl Tiger Records. In addition to the release of her full length album, Shearer is selling a 4 song EP, "Live At The Soiled Dove" exclusively at indie stores.
The inspiration for the tour was Shearer's. "The more impersonal buying music digitally becomes, the more I crave talking to an actual human - there is no replacement for someone sizing you up and putting a record in your hands that they know you'll love," says Shearer.
"I don't believe that can ever be duplicated, and somehow having those spaces becomes more & more special to me."
Check out what else Shearer has to say on this Vlog entry on the tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FipKnkboCLw
"Record Store Day could not be more thrilled to have Brandi Shearer be the first artist we've ever sponsored to do a tour of indie stores across the country," says Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz. "Having an artist of Brandi's quality provide in-store performances for indie-record store customers gives her a tight connection to the hub of local music communities and gives the music fans who shop indie a special intimate no cost experience. She's a wonderful performer and we are confident that, together with the indie stores, we are going to create a bit of magic."
===================
Rehasher (featuring Roger of Less Than Jake) releases new album on Paper + Plastick?
Paper + Plastick Records is proud to announce that the new Rehasher album will be added to the labels growing catalog of vinyl. High Speed Access To My Brain can be pre-ordered beginning today exclusively at www.paperandplastick.com, where fans can also get a taste of the new album by downloading the recently released P+P summer sampler, containing the track “Turn Around.”
The Gainesville punk band is lead by guitarist/vocalist Roger Manganelli, P+P label owner Vinnie Fiorello’s band mate in Less Than Jake, and boasts members from local punk bands Army of Ponch, Bullets To Broadway and Savage Brewtality. The band self-recorded their sophomore album at Manganelli’s own Moathouse Studios, and self-released the CD on their Moathouse Records, which will be released on vinyl via Paper + Plastick on September 11th.
“Rehasher are a group of friends of mine from Gainesville that happen to also make great melodic punk,” says Fiorello. “This record is them on their ‘A’ game and is hands down, flat-out amazing… and I’m not just saying that because one of the dudes sleeps 15 feet away from me six months a year.”
The band formed in 2002 as an excuse for a group of friends to hang out and play music, and resulted in the 2004 release of Off Key Melodies via No Idea Records. PunkNews.org lauded the album, and stated “The all-star lineup comes through and ignites simplistic three-chord punk rock via a vigorous charge,” and AbsolutePunk, which commented, “ brings back the days of Lagwagon and NOFX-style punk.”
===================
Experience Hendrix and Sony Sign Major Deal
Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Sony Music Entertainment have signed a major deal to bring the music of Jimi Hendrix, both catalog and new, to all forms of media.
Included in the deal is:
•The reissue of Hendrix' catalog in deluxe editions (Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love, Electric Ladyland, Band of Gypsies)
•Reissues of compilations produced by Experience Hendrix
•Filmed concerts.
•Releases from Dagger Records, Experience Hendrix' "official bootleg" label for Hendrix recordings of significant interest.
•The yearly Experience Hendrix tours
•Other Hendrix-related business
The deal covers both physical product and digital services.
"Jimi's legacy and vision were unique and there will never be another that reaches his unparalleled genius. He was the greatest guitarist ever," said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix. "We are confident that our new relationship with Sony Music will honor my beloved brother's legacy and will deliver Jimi's special 'Message Of Love' across the globe. We look forward to the creative partnership and ground breaking releases that this new relationship will engender to bring Jimi's music to successive generations of fans."
"No artist has ever transformed the pop music landscape as profoundly or as permanently as Jimi Hendrix," said Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings. "We are proud to be partnering with Experience Hendrix, keeping the sound and spirit of Jimi's music alive for future generations around the world."
===================
Los Angeles Coroner's Office Official Statement On Michael Jackson
The Los Angeles Coroner's Office has released a statement confirming that Michael Jackson died of high levels of Propofol along with other drugs that suppress the bodies function.
The following is the coroner's statement:
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner completed its investigation into the death of Michael Joseph Jackson, age 50, who died on June 25, 2009.
The cause of death was established as:
—ACUTE PROPOFOL INTOXICATION
—OTHER CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO DEATH: BENZODIAZEPINE EFFECT
The manner of death has been ruled: HOMICIDE
The drugs Propofol and Lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson's death. Other drugs detected were: Midazolam, Diazepam, Lidocaine and Ephedrine.
The final coroner's report, including the complete toxicology report will remain on security hold at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney. In accordance with this request, the Department of Coroner will not comment on its completed investigation.
Like, we all knew that. How freaking sad....
Friday, August 28, 2009
Can Vinyl Last Forever?
Tips On The Care Of Vinyl Records
Written By Robert Benson
Ahhh, the sweet sound of a vinyl record playing your favorite music. Some say that there is no better way to listen to their music. Yes, vinyl records have made a triumphant return to the music arena, with sales over the last few years on a steady increase.
However, opponents of the format may point to the delicate nature of vinyl, records do require due diligence and upkeep in order to keep them sounding their best. But if you maintain a vigilant ritual, vinyl records can last many decades, so the records that you own right now can conceivably be passed down through generations of music lovers. And the bonus for properly maintaining your records is enjoying a crisp, clear playback each time you spin your turntable.
Let’s explore some relatively easy ways to properly care and maintain vinyl records so they can be listened to and enjoyed and also to help preserve their resale value for years to come:
Never touch the grooves
When handling records, treat them with loving care, hold them with two hands around the outer edges of the record; never allowing your fingers to touch the grooves. A simple method to alleviate this potential problem area would be to invest in some disposable plastic gloves, like the ones used in food preparation. Then, one can easily manipulate the record playing process and take the fear out of handling records.
Know the enemies of vinyl
The environment in which your records are stored is very important to a long shelf life. If you want a long shelf life for your prized recordings, keep the records away from dirt, dust, smoke, fingerprints, and oils from human skin as well as faulty phonograph needles. Never stack your records on top of each other, albums should be stored vertically. Avoid storing them too tight as it can lead to ring wear on the cover or sleeve and cause unnecessary stress to the record's materials, surface and label, often resulting in warps and contact damage. Additionally, the records should be stored in a low humidity setting with a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees if possible. Obviously, it is imperative to keep your treasured vinyl away form heat sources such as sunlight, heater vents and even lighting. Avoid dusty environments and if possible store the records in a relatively airtight container such as a cabinet with doors or sealable boxes or bins.
Protecting your records and LP jackets
There are different opinions on this, but it is recommended by most to remove the original wrapping from the manufacturer, the dreaded shrink wrap, as this may shrink over time; eventually warping the jacket or possibly the record. A note of caution, however, some of the stickers or promotional information on this shrink wrap may actually make the album more valuable if left on; so use discretion when removing the shrink wrap. It is recommended to replace this wrapping with a high density polyethylene outer protective sleeve.
There are several vendors where one can buy these protective outer sleeves, but one that offers many different options for record collectors is a well-respected vendor www.bagsunlimited.com. Bags Unlimited has been in the collection protection business since 1975 and are the #1 choice of collectors for storage, display and shipping products for their collectibles.
BagsUnlimted.com stocks record bags made out of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester (Mylar). All three of these materials have passed the Photo Activity Test (P.A.T.) certifying that they are safe for long-term storage and protect them from dust, dirt, finger oils, and other airborne pollutants.
“We carry multiple types of poly sleeves, varying in thickness and record jacket sleeves that come with a re-sealable flap, depending on the collector's choice,” explained David Street of BagsUnlimited.com. “We also stock 2 mil and 4 mil sleeves that are manufactured of archival polyester (Mylar), an inert material of the highest clarity. Mylar is extremely clear, inert, 100% acid-free and considered to be the most archival of all protective sleeves. Polyester will not discolor, damage or adhere to items placed inside it. This material has passed the Photo Activity Test and Polyester is used worldwide in museums, libraries and archives. Our polyester material has been approved by the Library of Congress for archival storage.”
It is also very important to have clean, acid free inner sleeves to protect your records with paper sleeves being the most practical. Some recordings were issued with inner sleeves that have acidity issues, which over time, could damage the vinyl records that they hold. Additionally, some sleeves may be viewed as collectible, so it’s best to save them as part of the album package.
"We are the manufacturers of our paper sleeves and therefore have control over the sizes and materials used. Being the manufacturers also insures that the sizes are true, the holes are centered, and the seams are well-glued,” stressed Street. “Investing in quality sleeves for your records is one of the most important care tips for long lasting vinyl.”
Storing your records in boxes can also add to the preservation process in many ways according to Street:
“Bags Unlimited boxes are the Standard of the Industry. Storing your records in our boxes keeps them in an environment that will protect the corners, edges, and flat surfaces. It also keeps them away from ultraviolet light, dust and other airborne pollutants that can destroy or damage them,” Street stated. “Our boxes are super strong, properly sized and stackable. They come with 3" deep sturdy covers and die-cut handles that can be in the open position for carrying or closed position for storing.
Cleaning and maintaining vinyl records
The most important aspect of owning and playing vinyl records is to keep the records clean. Due to the chemical nature of vinyl, they attract dust and dirt. This is caused by vinyl's tendency to build up static electrical charges which attract small particles of dust which land in the grooves. These particles will cause "pops" and "clicks" as the record plays.
The cleaning of records should be performed before and after playing. This will ensure the best possible playback, and also prepares the record for "dust free" storage. It's highly recommended that a record collector have on hand some sort of carbon fiber brush (there are many varieties of brushes available). Carbon fibers are used to help disrupt static buildup while brushing relies on the vibration of the almost microscopic carbon fibers to clean the grooves and remove dust and dirt. It's recommended that the turntable be running while brushing rather than holding the record in your hands because this will result in a smoother, more consistent cleaning motion.
Some people get so intensely careful about cleaning their vinyl records, they often forget about keeping the needle clean. Since the needle is constantly tracking in the groove of the records, it attracts large amounts of dirt and dust particles and must be cleaned. When not properly maintained, the needle may not vibrate fully and may not rest in the bottom of the record groove; resulting in decreased sound quality and other audio problems. Needle maintenance supplies are easily obtained, for instance, the aforementioned BagsUnlimited.com sells an inexpensive "Stylus Care System" which includes a special cleaning fluid and a dense nylon brush to maintain a clean needle.
Obviously the turntable surface should be kept clean of dust and static. Most newer turntables come equipped with a rubber or antistatic felt surface. A great way to clean both the needle and the turntable area and also keep the carbon fiber brush clean is with condensed air in a can, which is available at any electronics retailer; just spray the area before and after playing your records for a continued dust free environment for your audio treasures. Taking this one step further, BagsUnlimted has in stock a unique antistatic solution, as Dave Street explains:
“We carry a portable antistatic, ionizing air gun to use with the condensed air dust remover and it will significantly boost the ability of canned air to remove dust from static-prone areas. This ionizing gun effectively neutralizes static charges in vinyl, plastics, glass, films, Mylar and other items that hold static charges by creating a flow of ions that neutralizes static charges and releases clinging dust. The gun easily snaps onto any type of nonflammable canned air,” explained Street.
There are many cleaning solutions that can be used to ‘wet’ wash a record and it really is a matter of personal preference as to which one to employ. In the old days, when record were made of shellac, they could be cleaned with a mild solution of regular soap and water (always use distilled water as tap water often contains too many contaminants) and this was the preferred way to maintain the old 78 rpm records. Never use the new cleaning solutions on 78’s because they are alcohol-based and can dissolve shellac recordings and will ruin these types of records.
Speaking with Dave Street again, they sell several kits of various sizes to help keep record clean.
“We recommend the 'Groovy Record Cleaning Kit' and each kit comes with micro bristled cleaning brush; cotton cleaning cloth, various sized bottles of GROOVY Cleaning Fluid which is Bags Unlimited's own Record Cleaning Fluid, and is specially formulated for its deep cleaning, antistatic, residue-free properties."
It's also recommend not storing the vinyl inside the record cover but instead slip the vinyl (protected by the inner sleeve) behind the cover with both protected by the outer sleeve, because storing the vinyl inside the cover may eventually create seam and/or spine splits. Over time the weight of the record could possibly cut through the binding.
The reward
This article was not written to exemplify how hard it is to maintain vinyl records; on the contrary, these are very simple tasks and often become mundane and second nature after time. But the reward is so great-the preservation of your prized collection and the coupdeville- the best possible sound reproduction that is humanly possible. With proper care and diligence, these historic audio treasures will last a lifetime or two, giving vinyl record owners many hours of listening bliss.
Copyright 2009 Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com
Written By Robert Benson
Ahhh, the sweet sound of a vinyl record playing your favorite music. Some say that there is no better way to listen to their music. Yes, vinyl records have made a triumphant return to the music arena, with sales over the last few years on a steady increase.
However, opponents of the format may point to the delicate nature of vinyl, records do require due diligence and upkeep in order to keep them sounding their best. But if you maintain a vigilant ritual, vinyl records can last many decades, so the records that you own right now can conceivably be passed down through generations of music lovers. And the bonus for properly maintaining your records is enjoying a crisp, clear playback each time you spin your turntable.
Let’s explore some relatively easy ways to properly care and maintain vinyl records so they can be listened to and enjoyed and also to help preserve their resale value for years to come:
Never touch the grooves
When handling records, treat them with loving care, hold them with two hands around the outer edges of the record; never allowing your fingers to touch the grooves. A simple method to alleviate this potential problem area would be to invest in some disposable plastic gloves, like the ones used in food preparation. Then, one can easily manipulate the record playing process and take the fear out of handling records.
Know the enemies of vinyl
The environment in which your records are stored is very important to a long shelf life. If you want a long shelf life for your prized recordings, keep the records away from dirt, dust, smoke, fingerprints, and oils from human skin as well as faulty phonograph needles. Never stack your records on top of each other, albums should be stored vertically. Avoid storing them too tight as it can lead to ring wear on the cover or sleeve and cause unnecessary stress to the record's materials, surface and label, often resulting in warps and contact damage. Additionally, the records should be stored in a low humidity setting with a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees if possible. Obviously, it is imperative to keep your treasured vinyl away form heat sources such as sunlight, heater vents and even lighting. Avoid dusty environments and if possible store the records in a relatively airtight container such as a cabinet with doors or sealable boxes or bins.
Protecting your records and LP jackets
There are different opinions on this, but it is recommended by most to remove the original wrapping from the manufacturer, the dreaded shrink wrap, as this may shrink over time; eventually warping the jacket or possibly the record. A note of caution, however, some of the stickers or promotional information on this shrink wrap may actually make the album more valuable if left on; so use discretion when removing the shrink wrap. It is recommended to replace this wrapping with a high density polyethylene outer protective sleeve.
There are several vendors where one can buy these protective outer sleeves, but one that offers many different options for record collectors is a well-respected vendor www.bagsunlimited.com. Bags Unlimited has been in the collection protection business since 1975 and are the #1 choice of collectors for storage, display and shipping products for their collectibles.
BagsUnlimted.com stocks record bags made out of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester (Mylar). All three of these materials have passed the Photo Activity Test (P.A.T.) certifying that they are safe for long-term storage and protect them from dust, dirt, finger oils, and other airborne pollutants.
“We carry multiple types of poly sleeves, varying in thickness and record jacket sleeves that come with a re-sealable flap, depending on the collector's choice,” explained David Street of BagsUnlimited.com. “We also stock 2 mil and 4 mil sleeves that are manufactured of archival polyester (Mylar), an inert material of the highest clarity. Mylar is extremely clear, inert, 100% acid-free and considered to be the most archival of all protective sleeves. Polyester will not discolor, damage or adhere to items placed inside it. This material has passed the Photo Activity Test and Polyester is used worldwide in museums, libraries and archives. Our polyester material has been approved by the Library of Congress for archival storage.”
It is also very important to have clean, acid free inner sleeves to protect your records with paper sleeves being the most practical. Some recordings were issued with inner sleeves that have acidity issues, which over time, could damage the vinyl records that they hold. Additionally, some sleeves may be viewed as collectible, so it’s best to save them as part of the album package.
"We are the manufacturers of our paper sleeves and therefore have control over the sizes and materials used. Being the manufacturers also insures that the sizes are true, the holes are centered, and the seams are well-glued,” stressed Street. “Investing in quality sleeves for your records is one of the most important care tips for long lasting vinyl.”
Storing your records in boxes can also add to the preservation process in many ways according to Street:
“Bags Unlimited boxes are the Standard of the Industry. Storing your records in our boxes keeps them in an environment that will protect the corners, edges, and flat surfaces. It also keeps them away from ultraviolet light, dust and other airborne pollutants that can destroy or damage them,” Street stated. “Our boxes are super strong, properly sized and stackable. They come with 3" deep sturdy covers and die-cut handles that can be in the open position for carrying or closed position for storing.
Cleaning and maintaining vinyl records
The most important aspect of owning and playing vinyl records is to keep the records clean. Due to the chemical nature of vinyl, they attract dust and dirt. This is caused by vinyl's tendency to build up static electrical charges which attract small particles of dust which land in the grooves. These particles will cause "pops" and "clicks" as the record plays.
The cleaning of records should be performed before and after playing. This will ensure the best possible playback, and also prepares the record for "dust free" storage. It's highly recommended that a record collector have on hand some sort of carbon fiber brush (there are many varieties of brushes available). Carbon fibers are used to help disrupt static buildup while brushing relies on the vibration of the almost microscopic carbon fibers to clean the grooves and remove dust and dirt. It's recommended that the turntable be running while brushing rather than holding the record in your hands because this will result in a smoother, more consistent cleaning motion.
Some people get so intensely careful about cleaning their vinyl records, they often forget about keeping the needle clean. Since the needle is constantly tracking in the groove of the records, it attracts large amounts of dirt and dust particles and must be cleaned. When not properly maintained, the needle may not vibrate fully and may not rest in the bottom of the record groove; resulting in decreased sound quality and other audio problems. Needle maintenance supplies are easily obtained, for instance, the aforementioned BagsUnlimited.com sells an inexpensive "Stylus Care System" which includes a special cleaning fluid and a dense nylon brush to maintain a clean needle.
Obviously the turntable surface should be kept clean of dust and static. Most newer turntables come equipped with a rubber or antistatic felt surface. A great way to clean both the needle and the turntable area and also keep the carbon fiber brush clean is with condensed air in a can, which is available at any electronics retailer; just spray the area before and after playing your records for a continued dust free environment for your audio treasures. Taking this one step further, BagsUnlimted has in stock a unique antistatic solution, as Dave Street explains:
“We carry a portable antistatic, ionizing air gun to use with the condensed air dust remover and it will significantly boost the ability of canned air to remove dust from static-prone areas. This ionizing gun effectively neutralizes static charges in vinyl, plastics, glass, films, Mylar and other items that hold static charges by creating a flow of ions that neutralizes static charges and releases clinging dust. The gun easily snaps onto any type of nonflammable canned air,” explained Street.
There are many cleaning solutions that can be used to ‘wet’ wash a record and it really is a matter of personal preference as to which one to employ. In the old days, when record were made of shellac, they could be cleaned with a mild solution of regular soap and water (always use distilled water as tap water often contains too many contaminants) and this was the preferred way to maintain the old 78 rpm records. Never use the new cleaning solutions on 78’s because they are alcohol-based and can dissolve shellac recordings and will ruin these types of records.
Speaking with Dave Street again, they sell several kits of various sizes to help keep record clean.
“We recommend the 'Groovy Record Cleaning Kit' and each kit comes with micro bristled cleaning brush; cotton cleaning cloth, various sized bottles of GROOVY Cleaning Fluid which is Bags Unlimited's own Record Cleaning Fluid, and is specially formulated for its deep cleaning, antistatic, residue-free properties."
It's also recommend not storing the vinyl inside the record cover but instead slip the vinyl (protected by the inner sleeve) behind the cover with both protected by the outer sleeve, because storing the vinyl inside the cover may eventually create seam and/or spine splits. Over time the weight of the record could possibly cut through the binding.
The reward
This article was not written to exemplify how hard it is to maintain vinyl records; on the contrary, these are very simple tasks and often become mundane and second nature after time. But the reward is so great-the preservation of your prized collection and the coupdeville- the best possible sound reproduction that is humanly possible. With proper care and diligence, these historic audio treasures will last a lifetime or two, giving vinyl record owners many hours of listening bliss.
Copyright 2009 Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com
Rock/Pop Tidbits
The song "Summertime Blues" was a US Top 40 hit in three different decades - in the fifties by Eddie Cochran (#8), the sixties by Blue Cheer (#14) and the seventies by The Who (#27).
The Mothers Of Invention are believed to have released the first double album with "Freak Out!" in early 1967.
In 1962, Gene Pitney recorded "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" for the movie of the same name, starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. Although the song reached #4 on the Billboard singles chart, it was never included in the film.
When the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964, producers received over 50,000 applications for the 728 seats in the TV studio.
Alan Gordon, the co-writer of The Turtles' hit "Happy Together" said that he wrote the melody to the song based on an open string pattern used by a bandmate to tune his guitar.
Jerry Lee Lewis' parents mortgaged their house in order to buy him a piano.
Johnny Preston's 1960 number one hit, "Running Bear" was written by J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper.
The double entendre title of the Bellamy Brother's hit "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me" was derived from a quote by Groucho Marx.
With some left over studio time on their hands, a group of musicians recorded an instrumental intended to be a throw-a-way album track. The song ended up on the flip side of a single release called "Train To Nowhere", which was virtually ignored by US radio stations. Finally, someone flipped the disc over and discovered "Tequila", which went to number one on both the Pop and R&B charts for The Champs.
Kenny Loggins joined The Electric Prunes during their final tour in 1969, two years after the band had scored a hit with "I Had Too Much Too Dream". When the tour was over, the band split up for good and Loggins went on to team up with Jim Messina in 1971 and later had several solo hits.
The distinct horse logo that appeared on most of Poco's albums was designed by Saturday Night Live star, Phil Hartman.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the basement of Jane Asher's house. She was Paul's girlfriend, to whom he would later become engaged to, but never married.
One day while out riding with her dad, Stella McCartney stopped to stare at him. It had just come to her at that moment. She said, "You're Paul McCartney."
While the title of the song is often shown with a comma ("Louie, Louie"), writer Richard Berry told Esquire magazine in 1988 that the correct title of the song was "Louie Louie", with no comma.
When The Supremes' Mary Wilson was contacted for an interview by the television show Romance of The Rich and Famous, she moved some of her personal belongings into a friends' mansion and let on it was hers, instead of revealing her true residence, a tiny, two bedroom bungalow in Studio City, California.
Little Richard's recording career had just gotten off the ground when his father was murdered in the winter of 1952. To support his family, Richard took a job washing dishes at a Greyhound bus station in Macon, Georgia.
Reginald Kenneth Dwight changed his stage name to Elton John, taking his first name from Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and his last from bluesman, Long John Baldry.
When Decca Records first released "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley And His Comets in the Spring of 1954, most people had never heard of Rock And Roll and the company had a hard time describing the song. The label on the single called it a "Novelty Foxtrot."
On December 17th, 1977, David Ackroyd became the first record buyer to receive a Gold Disc when he purchased the one-millionth copy of "Mull Of Kintyre" by Wings.
The Mothers Of Invention are believed to have released the first double album with "Freak Out!" in early 1967.
In 1962, Gene Pitney recorded "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" for the movie of the same name, starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. Although the song reached #4 on the Billboard singles chart, it was never included in the film.
When the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964, producers received over 50,000 applications for the 728 seats in the TV studio.
Alan Gordon, the co-writer of The Turtles' hit "Happy Together" said that he wrote the melody to the song based on an open string pattern used by a bandmate to tune his guitar.
Jerry Lee Lewis' parents mortgaged their house in order to buy him a piano.
Johnny Preston's 1960 number one hit, "Running Bear" was written by J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper.
The double entendre title of the Bellamy Brother's hit "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me" was derived from a quote by Groucho Marx.
With some left over studio time on their hands, a group of musicians recorded an instrumental intended to be a throw-a-way album track. The song ended up on the flip side of a single release called "Train To Nowhere", which was virtually ignored by US radio stations. Finally, someone flipped the disc over and discovered "Tequila", which went to number one on both the Pop and R&B charts for The Champs.
Kenny Loggins joined The Electric Prunes during their final tour in 1969, two years after the band had scored a hit with "I Had Too Much Too Dream". When the tour was over, the band split up for good and Loggins went on to team up with Jim Messina in 1971 and later had several solo hits.
The distinct horse logo that appeared on most of Poco's albums was designed by Saturday Night Live star, Phil Hartman.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the basement of Jane Asher's house. She was Paul's girlfriend, to whom he would later become engaged to, but never married.
One day while out riding with her dad, Stella McCartney stopped to stare at him. It had just come to her at that moment. She said, "You're Paul McCartney."
While the title of the song is often shown with a comma ("Louie, Louie"), writer Richard Berry told Esquire magazine in 1988 that the correct title of the song was "Louie Louie", with no comma.
When The Supremes' Mary Wilson was contacted for an interview by the television show Romance of The Rich and Famous, she moved some of her personal belongings into a friends' mansion and let on it was hers, instead of revealing her true residence, a tiny, two bedroom bungalow in Studio City, California.
Little Richard's recording career had just gotten off the ground when his father was murdered in the winter of 1952. To support his family, Richard took a job washing dishes at a Greyhound bus station in Macon, Georgia.
Reginald Kenneth Dwight changed his stage name to Elton John, taking his first name from Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and his last from bluesman, Long John Baldry.
When Decca Records first released "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley And His Comets in the Spring of 1954, most people had never heard of Rock And Roll and the company had a hard time describing the song. The label on the single called it a "Novelty Foxtrot."
On December 17th, 1977, David Ackroyd became the first record buyer to receive a Gold Disc when he purchased the one-millionth copy of "Mull Of Kintyre" by Wings.
This Date In Music History- August 28
Birthdays:
Clem Cattini - Tornadoes (1938)
Joseph Shabalala, founder of the popular world vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1941)
Ann "Honey" Lantree - Honeycombs (1943)
Daniel Seraphine - Chicago (1948)
Dave Hlubek - Molly Hatchet (1949)
Hugh Cornwell - Stranglers (1949)
Wayne Osmond - Osmonds (1951)
Shania Twain (1965)
Jack Black - Tenacious D (1969)
Max Collins - Eve 6 (1978)
They Are Missed:
Producer Guy Stevens died at the age of 38 in 1981, having overdosed on prescription drugs he was taking to reduce his alcohol dependency. Worked with Mott The Hoople, Free and The Clash. He was the president of the Chuck Berry Appreciation Society and it was Stevens who brought Berry to the UK for his first tour. He gave Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names.
Gilbert Moorer, lead singer of the Esquires ("Get On Up") died of throat cancer in 2008.
History:
Motown's Tamla Records released the Marvelettes first single, "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961. The song will be a million seller and the groups biggest hit, reaching the top of both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts.
The Rolling Stones made their first appearance on the British TV show Ready Steady Go! in 1963.
Peter, Paul & Mary performed, "Blowin' In The Wind" in 1963 before Civil Rights marchers who had gathered in Washington to hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak.
In 1964, the Beatles played the first of two concerts at New York's Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. 15,000 attended each performance and show their affection by tossing jellybeans, the bands favorite candy, onto the stage. The fans screamed so loud, it's almost impossible to hear the music. It is also after this show that the Beatles met Bob Dylan, who reportedly introduced them to marijuana in a hotel.
The Beatles appeared on the cover of "LIFE" magazine in 1964.
The Beach Boys' "California Girls" peaks at #3 on the chart in 1965.
The Rolling Stones announced in 1965 that Allen Klein, who they met three days ago, will co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, they sign a five year recording deal with Decca Records.
In 1966, nearing the end of their final tour of America, the Beatles performed one show at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, before a crowd of 45,000. The Beatles' attempt to escape from the stadium in an armored truck was thwarted when the main gate was found to be locked, and The Beatles had to spend two hours in the back of the truck before they can leave the stadium.
In 1967, the Grateful Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company play at the wake of a Hell's Angels member who was struck by a car in San Francisco.
In 1968, the Doors "Hello, I Love You" sold a million copies. The song, which did not have the sinister qualities of the first million seller, "Light My Fire," marked the groups move into more of a mainstream rock sound.
Working at Trident Studios, London, in 1968, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Dear Prudence." They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul plays drums to compensate for Ringo, who had quit The Beatles on August 22.
During a four-week engagement at The International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1970, a security guard at the hotel received a phone call in which he was told Elvis Presley would be shot during his last show. The person demanded $50,000 to reveal the name of the potential killer. Later that day a menu was found in Elvis’ mail at the hotel on which Elvis’ face was destroyed and a gun had been drawn pointing to his heart. The threats were taken very seriously. Elvis played his last show without any incident.
The Five Man Electrical Band's "Signs" peaked at #3 on the pop singles chart in 1971.
David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars made their debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1972. Bowie gives the performance while he was sick with the flu.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett's novelty tune, "Monster Mash" made the charts in 1973 for the third time. It was originally released and went to #1 in 1962. It hit the charts again in 1970 and remains a perennial halloween favorite.
Devo released their classic Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo LP in 1978.
Men At Work's "Business As Usual" entered the album charts in 1982. The LP will eventually hit #1, a position it will hold for 15 weeks.
Thin Lizzy played its farewell gig in Reading, England in 1983.
In 1984, the Jacksons' Victory Tour broke the record for concert ticket sales after they surpassed the 1.1 million mark in two months.
In 1986, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Neil Young perform in a show that's billed as, "Get Tough On Toxics" in Long Beach, California to raise lobbying money for a law targeting polluters.
Charlie Daniels and several band members escaped injury in 1988 when their motor home burst into flames on the Ventura Freeway in Southern California.
Billy Joel started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with 'River Of Dreams.' Joel claimed most of the music came to him in his sleep, hence the title. The singers second wife, one time model Christie Brinkley, painted the album cover which was later voted worst album cover of the year.
In 2007, Pink Floyd's '67 debut album, "Pipers At The Gates of Dawn," was reissued to mark the LP's 40th anniversary. The three-disc package contains stereo and mono versions as well as B-sides, alternate takes and non-album singles "Arnold Layne," "See Emily Play" and "Apples And Oranges."
Clem Cattini - Tornadoes (1938)
Joseph Shabalala, founder of the popular world vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1941)
Ann "Honey" Lantree - Honeycombs (1943)
Daniel Seraphine - Chicago (1948)
Dave Hlubek - Molly Hatchet (1949)
Hugh Cornwell - Stranglers (1949)
Wayne Osmond - Osmonds (1951)
Shania Twain (1965)
Jack Black - Tenacious D (1969)
Max Collins - Eve 6 (1978)
They Are Missed:
Producer Guy Stevens died at the age of 38 in 1981, having overdosed on prescription drugs he was taking to reduce his alcohol dependency. Worked with Mott The Hoople, Free and The Clash. He was the president of the Chuck Berry Appreciation Society and it was Stevens who brought Berry to the UK for his first tour. He gave Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names.
Gilbert Moorer, lead singer of the Esquires ("Get On Up") died of throat cancer in 2008.
History:
Motown's Tamla Records released the Marvelettes first single, "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961. The song will be a million seller and the groups biggest hit, reaching the top of both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts.
The Rolling Stones made their first appearance on the British TV show Ready Steady Go! in 1963.
Peter, Paul & Mary performed, "Blowin' In The Wind" in 1963 before Civil Rights marchers who had gathered in Washington to hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak.
In 1964, the Beatles played the first of two concerts at New York's Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. 15,000 attended each performance and show their affection by tossing jellybeans, the bands favorite candy, onto the stage. The fans screamed so loud, it's almost impossible to hear the music. It is also after this show that the Beatles met Bob Dylan, who reportedly introduced them to marijuana in a hotel.
The Beatles appeared on the cover of "LIFE" magazine in 1964.
The Beach Boys' "California Girls" peaks at #3 on the chart in 1965.
The Rolling Stones announced in 1965 that Allen Klein, who they met three days ago, will co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, they sign a five year recording deal with Decca Records.
In 1966, nearing the end of their final tour of America, the Beatles performed one show at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, before a crowd of 45,000. The Beatles' attempt to escape from the stadium in an armored truck was thwarted when the main gate was found to be locked, and The Beatles had to spend two hours in the back of the truck before they can leave the stadium.
In 1967, the Grateful Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company play at the wake of a Hell's Angels member who was struck by a car in San Francisco.
In 1968, the Doors "Hello, I Love You" sold a million copies. The song, which did not have the sinister qualities of the first million seller, "Light My Fire," marked the groups move into more of a mainstream rock sound.
Working at Trident Studios, London, in 1968, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Dear Prudence." They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul plays drums to compensate for Ringo, who had quit The Beatles on August 22.
During a four-week engagement at The International Hotel in Las Vegas in 1970, a security guard at the hotel received a phone call in which he was told Elvis Presley would be shot during his last show. The person demanded $50,000 to reveal the name of the potential killer. Later that day a menu was found in Elvis’ mail at the hotel on which Elvis’ face was destroyed and a gun had been drawn pointing to his heart. The threats were taken very seriously. Elvis played his last show without any incident.
The Five Man Electrical Band's "Signs" peaked at #3 on the pop singles chart in 1971.
David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars made their debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1972. Bowie gives the performance while he was sick with the flu.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett's novelty tune, "Monster Mash" made the charts in 1973 for the third time. It was originally released and went to #1 in 1962. It hit the charts again in 1970 and remains a perennial halloween favorite.
Devo released their classic Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo LP in 1978.
Men At Work's "Business As Usual" entered the album charts in 1982. The LP will eventually hit #1, a position it will hold for 15 weeks.
Thin Lizzy played its farewell gig in Reading, England in 1983.
In 1984, the Jacksons' Victory Tour broke the record for concert ticket sales after they surpassed the 1.1 million mark in two months.
In 1986, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Neil Young perform in a show that's billed as, "Get Tough On Toxics" in Long Beach, California to raise lobbying money for a law targeting polluters.
Charlie Daniels and several band members escaped injury in 1988 when their motor home burst into flames on the Ventura Freeway in Southern California.
Billy Joel started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with 'River Of Dreams.' Joel claimed most of the music came to him in his sleep, hence the title. The singers second wife, one time model Christie Brinkley, painted the album cover which was later voted worst album cover of the year.
In 2007, Pink Floyd's '67 debut album, "Pipers At The Gates of Dawn," was reissued to mark the LP's 40th anniversary. The three-disc package contains stereo and mono versions as well as B-sides, alternate takes and non-album singles "Arnold Layne," "See Emily Play" and "Apples And Oranges."
Beatles 09/09/09
Honestly, I am not a gamer and wouldn't know a x-box from a wi. But the Beatles Rock Band looks like an interesting piece of software and from what I have been reading, I doubt that they will be able to keep the store shelves stocked- everyone will want one. Here's a clip:
www.thebeatlesrockband.com
And to coincide with the release on September 9 - how clever 09/09/2009 (remember #9?), the band has another little thing going on:
The Beatles - The Complete Catalog Remastered
The Beatles broke up around 40 years ago, however, the Beatles are still one of the strongest forces in popular music and will be for many years to come. On September 9, 2009, the Beatles will once again amaze their fans and critics alike, with the much anticipated releases of The Beatles: Rock Band, and more importantly the digitally remastered catalog.
Each digitally remastered studio album features the original UK release track listing and artwork. In addition each album includes extended and updated liner notes, rare photos, and an embedded documentary on the making of the album.
All 14 albums will be available as one in a stereo box set, which also includes the documentaries on separate DVDs. Finally for the more serious collectors and audiophiles a 10-disc box set entitled The Beatles in Mono will also be released on September 9, 2009. This set includes the mono remasters of 10-studio albums. Limited copies were produced, and the set has already sold out until further notice on amazon.com.
Robert Levine, Executive Editor for Billboard: “Most bands, when they do a big project like this they pay for publicity. The Beatles got paid for Rock Band and then they are using that for publicity to re-release a catalog. It’s pretty amazing.” (CNN, April 7, 2009)
www.thebeatlesrockband.com
And to coincide with the release on September 9 - how clever 09/09/2009 (remember #9?), the band has another little thing going on:
The Beatles - The Complete Catalog Remastered
The Beatles broke up around 40 years ago, however, the Beatles are still one of the strongest forces in popular music and will be for many years to come. On September 9, 2009, the Beatles will once again amaze their fans and critics alike, with the much anticipated releases of The Beatles: Rock Band, and more importantly the digitally remastered catalog.
Each digitally remastered studio album features the original UK release track listing and artwork. In addition each album includes extended and updated liner notes, rare photos, and an embedded documentary on the making of the album.
All 14 albums will be available as one in a stereo box set, which also includes the documentaries on separate DVDs. Finally for the more serious collectors and audiophiles a 10-disc box set entitled The Beatles in Mono will also be released on September 9, 2009. This set includes the mono remasters of 10-studio albums. Limited copies were produced, and the set has already sold out until further notice on amazon.com.
Robert Levine, Executive Editor for Billboard: “Most bands, when they do a big project like this they pay for publicity. The Beatles got paid for Rock Band and then they are using that for publicity to re-release a catalog. It’s pretty amazing.” (CNN, April 7, 2009)
Music News & Notes
MEGADETH Mainman Talks About His Record Collection, Love Of Vinyl
Germany's Plattenladenwoche web site recently spoke to MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine about his record collection and love of vinyl. Watch the five-minute chat below.
MEGADETH's new album, "Endgame", is due on September 15 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.
"Endgame" was helmed by Mustaine and acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD). Sneap also manned the boards for 2007's "United Abominations".
========================
Death Cab For Cutie Lead Soundtrack For Twilight New Moon
Death Cab For Cutie have spoken about their contribution to the soundtrack for New Moon, the sequel to Twilight.
The cut "Meet Me On The Equinox" has been chosen as the lead single for the score, which will accompany the film's release in November. In an interview with MTV, Death Cab For Cutie's bassist Nick Harmer said the group had “no idea” the song would prove so popular with producers.
“It's been an exciting process, because we've been so removed from it,” he said. “We were in LA for a week and we went into the studio and wrote and recorded the song and submitted it. We didn't know where anything stood, and then we just got a call last week like, 'Guess what — your song has been chosen as the first single'."
Harmer added that it was a coincidence that the band's lyrical influences suited the vampire film, which stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, so well.
“Basically the Twilight series is about love, and that's a major theme for us,” he added. “So, it wasn't difficult for us at all."
========================
Marilyn Manson Concert Besieged By Christian Protesters
Christians came out in their droves to protest outside a Marilyn Manson concert in California on Tuesday night. Demonstrators gathered outside the recently re-opened Pomona Fox Theater in Los Angeles County waiving placards and chanting pro-Christian messages.
One of the protesters, 65-year-old Rod Warner, told the San Bernardino Sun: "The only thing I'm out here to accomplish is what the lord, Jesus Christ, through my belief, tells me to accomplish. And that's take his gospel to the lost.
"Every shirt you see here depicts nothing but death. They can say they're Christians if they want to, but the Lord says worship me with your heart not your mouth."
Funny, in 1985, I did a gig with KISS in the city of Hammond, Indiana. A friend of mine said he got us a gig with the band, they needed some extra roadies. So we went to the arena and helped unload the semi's, lots of work, but we did get to meet the band and hang out at the concert backstage. What an amazing show and something I will never forget. And the "God" people were there too, almost 25 years ago. Why do these people insist on protesting at concerts? I say get a life, go volunteer at an old folks home or do something constructive with your time. You have not changed anything and you never will.....Rock and roll will continue with or without your silly get togethers..
========================
Leona Lewis releases her highly anticipated new album Echo - November 16th
Leona Lewis has announced her second album entitled "ECHO" will be released on November 16th on Syco Music. Lewis took the music world by storm with the release of her 2007 debut album Spirit selling over 6 million copies worldwide - It earned four Brit Award nominations and three Grammy nominations, making it the best selling album of 2007 and 2008 in the UK and the US respectively.
Leona’s debut album Spirit entered the UK album chart at #1 and became Britain’s fastest-selling debut of all time selling over 1 million copies in the UK in its first 5 weeks. Spirit’s first single Bleeding Love claimed the #1 chart spot for seven weeks and became the best selling single of 2007 in the UK and of 2008 in the US and iTunes top selling single of 2008. A special edition of Spirit was re-released in November 2008 in Europe, including the song "Run". The album again went to number one in the UK Album Chart. Run was released as a download-only single in the UK, reaching #1 and becoming the UK's fastest-selling download-only single In the US Spirit debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart, the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.
Album track listing and more information to be announced soon.
Leona’s debut single A Moment Like This was released on 20 December 2006 breaking a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in thirty minutes becoming the most downloaded song in 2006 and going on to sell over a million copies.
Visit www.leonalewismusic.com for news, updates and more.
=======================
Jay-Z releases new song 'Venus vs. Mars'
With his album release date slowly approaching, tracks from Jay-Z’s album Blueprint 3 have been experiencing some serious 'leakage.'
A new track titled “Venus vs. Mars” from the rapper has been added into the leaked equation and it might be a track that the female demographic may find appealing.
The song plays on Jay-Z being the narrator to a “his and her” story. In the track, he elaborates on his possessions and what his prospective mystery "shorty" has to offer.
Jay-Z will not have to worry about promoting his album to his conservative audience because he has Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh doing it for free. In a verse from Jay’s song“Off That” that features Drake, the rapper takes a lyrical jab at Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh by rapping “Please tell Bill O'Reilly to fall back/ Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my b---s/ It's 2010, not 1864."
In response to the mentions, O’Reilly rolled his eyes on his nightly Fox news program and compared Jay to Otis Redding (a black rhythm and blues soul singer that transformed his less than perfect experience in America into hit music). Rush did Jay one better; he played the song on the air during his radio show and responded to it by saying “I have been mentioned in a rap song by the rapper Jay-Z. As far as I know, I have never been mentioned in a rap song by anybody. It means I've made it. I'm now on a rap tune by the famous rapper Jay-Z."
Face it, the man is a professional pitchman, Jay-Z knows exactly what he is doing, his marketing skills have no peers, although Madonna is pretty good as well. Watch this album shoot right to the top.
=======================
HATEBREED: New Album Artwork Unveiled
The cover artwork for the forthcoming self-titled album from Connecticut hardcore/metal masters HATEBREED can be viewed below. The LP is scheduled for release in North America on September 29 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The effort will be available on CD, digital download, vinyl and special edition with a bonus 65-minute DVD. The follow-up to 2006's "Supremacy" will be issued on Roadrunner in all other territories.
Commented HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta: "This is our fifth studio album and it's a monster! We've survived some pretty rough times and the music shows it. There was no reason to change the recipe that our fans know and love but we added a few brutal new ingredients and we're more than amped on the results. Violence is a given!"
Germany's Plattenladenwoche web site recently spoke to MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine about his record collection and love of vinyl. Watch the five-minute chat below.
MEGADETH's new album, "Endgame", is due on September 15 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.
"Endgame" was helmed by Mustaine and acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD). Sneap also manned the boards for 2007's "United Abominations".
========================
Death Cab For Cutie Lead Soundtrack For Twilight New Moon
Death Cab For Cutie have spoken about their contribution to the soundtrack for New Moon, the sequel to Twilight.
The cut "Meet Me On The Equinox" has been chosen as the lead single for the score, which will accompany the film's release in November. In an interview with MTV, Death Cab For Cutie's bassist Nick Harmer said the group had “no idea” the song would prove so popular with producers.
“It's been an exciting process, because we've been so removed from it,” he said. “We were in LA for a week and we went into the studio and wrote and recorded the song and submitted it. We didn't know where anything stood, and then we just got a call last week like, 'Guess what — your song has been chosen as the first single'."
Harmer added that it was a coincidence that the band's lyrical influences suited the vampire film, which stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, so well.
“Basically the Twilight series is about love, and that's a major theme for us,” he added. “So, it wasn't difficult for us at all."
========================
Marilyn Manson Concert Besieged By Christian Protesters
Christians came out in their droves to protest outside a Marilyn Manson concert in California on Tuesday night. Demonstrators gathered outside the recently re-opened Pomona Fox Theater in Los Angeles County waiving placards and chanting pro-Christian messages.
One of the protesters, 65-year-old Rod Warner, told the San Bernardino Sun: "The only thing I'm out here to accomplish is what the lord, Jesus Christ, through my belief, tells me to accomplish. And that's take his gospel to the lost.
"Every shirt you see here depicts nothing but death. They can say they're Christians if they want to, but the Lord says worship me with your heart not your mouth."
Funny, in 1985, I did a gig with KISS in the city of Hammond, Indiana. A friend of mine said he got us a gig with the band, they needed some extra roadies. So we went to the arena and helped unload the semi's, lots of work, but we did get to meet the band and hang out at the concert backstage. What an amazing show and something I will never forget. And the "God" people were there too, almost 25 years ago. Why do these people insist on protesting at concerts? I say get a life, go volunteer at an old folks home or do something constructive with your time. You have not changed anything and you never will.....Rock and roll will continue with or without your silly get togethers..
========================
Leona Lewis releases her highly anticipated new album Echo - November 16th
Leona Lewis has announced her second album entitled "ECHO" will be released on November 16th on Syco Music. Lewis took the music world by storm with the release of her 2007 debut album Spirit selling over 6 million copies worldwide - It earned four Brit Award nominations and three Grammy nominations, making it the best selling album of 2007 and 2008 in the UK and the US respectively.
Leona’s debut album Spirit entered the UK album chart at #1 and became Britain’s fastest-selling debut of all time selling over 1 million copies in the UK in its first 5 weeks. Spirit’s first single Bleeding Love claimed the #1 chart spot for seven weeks and became the best selling single of 2007 in the UK and of 2008 in the US and iTunes top selling single of 2008. A special edition of Spirit was re-released in November 2008 in Europe, including the song "Run". The album again went to number one in the UK Album Chart. Run was released as a download-only single in the UK, reaching #1 and becoming the UK's fastest-selling download-only single In the US Spirit debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart, the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.
Album track listing and more information to be announced soon.
Leona’s debut single A Moment Like This was released on 20 December 2006 breaking a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in thirty minutes becoming the most downloaded song in 2006 and going on to sell over a million copies.
Visit www.leonalewismusic.com for news, updates and more.
=======================
Jay-Z releases new song 'Venus vs. Mars'
With his album release date slowly approaching, tracks from Jay-Z’s album Blueprint 3 have been experiencing some serious 'leakage.'
A new track titled “Venus vs. Mars” from the rapper has been added into the leaked equation and it might be a track that the female demographic may find appealing.
The song plays on Jay-Z being the narrator to a “his and her” story. In the track, he elaborates on his possessions and what his prospective mystery "shorty" has to offer.
Jay-Z will not have to worry about promoting his album to his conservative audience because he has Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh doing it for free. In a verse from Jay’s song“Off That” that features Drake, the rapper takes a lyrical jab at Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh by rapping “Please tell Bill O'Reilly to fall back/ Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my b---s/ It's 2010, not 1864."
In response to the mentions, O’Reilly rolled his eyes on his nightly Fox news program and compared Jay to Otis Redding (a black rhythm and blues soul singer that transformed his less than perfect experience in America into hit music). Rush did Jay one better; he played the song on the air during his radio show and responded to it by saying “I have been mentioned in a rap song by the rapper Jay-Z. As far as I know, I have never been mentioned in a rap song by anybody. It means I've made it. I'm now on a rap tune by the famous rapper Jay-Z."
Face it, the man is a professional pitchman, Jay-Z knows exactly what he is doing, his marketing skills have no peers, although Madonna is pretty good as well. Watch this album shoot right to the top.
=======================
HATEBREED: New Album Artwork Unveiled
The cover artwork for the forthcoming self-titled album from Connecticut hardcore/metal masters HATEBREED can be viewed below. The LP is scheduled for release in North America on September 29 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The effort will be available on CD, digital download, vinyl and special edition with a bonus 65-minute DVD. The follow-up to 2006's "Supremacy" will be issued on Roadrunner in all other territories.
Commented HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta: "This is our fifth studio album and it's a monster! We've survived some pretty rough times and the music shows it. There was no reason to change the recipe that our fans know and love but we added a few brutal new ingredients and we're more than amped on the results. Violence is a given!"
