Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound (Monterey 1967)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Music News & Notes
Top selling vinyl for 2008
From Nielsen Soundscan, here are the top 10 vinyl sellers in 2008. I find it amazing that the legendary Beatles' LP "Abbey Road" is included, it says a lot for their music.
10. Radiohead, OK Computer, 1997.
9. Metallica, Death Magnetic, 2008.
8. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes, 2008.
7. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, 1973.
6. Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, 1998.
5. Portishead, Third, 2008. See number 8.
4. B-52s, Funplex, 2008.
3. Guns 'n' Roses, Chinese Democracy, 2008.
2. The Beatles, Abbey Road, 1969.
1. Radiohead, In Rainbows, 2008.
-----------------------------------
Autopsy Records Two New Songs For New Vinyl 7" and "Severed Survival" Reissue
Autopsy has been "dragged from the grave and vomited out 2 brand new tracks" (according to the press release), their first in nearly 15 years. This will make up the new extremely limited vinyl single release of "Horrific Obsession" in January. "Horrific Obsession" will be limited to only 1000 units and will be available exclusively from peaceville.com on January 26, 2009, with pre-orders available now.
The two tracks will also be included on a special 2-disc 20th anniversary edition of the classic 1989 debut album, "Severed Survival," coming in March. The release includes a second disc of previously unheard rehearsal and live rarities, including two songs originally intended for "Severed Survival." The package also includes a booklet detailing the early history of the band, as documented by the guys themselves, plus unseen photos. This special 2-disc edition of "Severed Survival" will be available on February 23, 2009.
-----------------------------------
Southern Lord vinyl release
In February, Southern Lord will release the vinyl-only version of the new WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM EP entitled "Malevolent Grain", featuring two brand new tracks from the Pacific Northwest organic black metallers. Conspiracy Records will offer a limited-edition picture disc of the 12" for Europe, while Southern Lord will release a black 180-gram version worldwide. Additionally, the band will press a limited CD version for tour purposes only. The EP features the band's newly designed logo (see below) crafted by renowned artist Christophe Szpajdel, designer of black metal band logos for KULT OV AZAZEL, EMPEROR, MOONSPELL and other international acts.
The third WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM full-length, "Black Cascade" will follow on March 31 via Southern Lord. Both the EP and the full-length were recorded to 2-inch tape by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer in Seattle this winter. The new recordings are the first to feature the band's new guitar player Will Lindsay (MIDDIAN) who had previously served as the band's touring bass player, in addition to longtime members, brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver.
The band will tour Europe beginning in late January.
-----------------------------------
Queen: More Details Revealed On Upcoming Vinyl Reissues
EMI Music and Queen are announcing the re-release over two years of the entire Queen studio album catalogue on long playing vinyl albums. The album packaging will include every detail of the original releases in their original 12” format. Bonus posters, extra pictures, and all the unique content of the original albums will be faithfully reproduced.
The first group of releases, out March 16th, will consist of four classic Queen albums Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races.
Following in May 2009 will be come five further albums including the very first album, Queen, along with News Of The World, Flash Gordon, A Kind Of Magic and Innuendo, with successive releases coming approximately every 6 months.
In a deliberate move, the albums are not being released chronologically but instead sequenced over the twenty-two year period of release allowing buyers wider choice with each new batch of releases.
Queen’s original studio albums: Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races, News Of The World, Jazz, The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space, The Works, A Kind Of Magic, The Miracle, Innuendo, Made In Heaven.
-----------------------------------
Stax Reissuing Two Isaac Hayes Classics
Stax Records, now part of the Concord Group, will be reissuing two of Isaac Hayes' classic 70's album on February 24.
Up first is Black Moses, originally issued in 1971. This double-CD of Hayes' most critically acclaimed album includes a complete replication of the original album cover which folds out into a cross-shaped image of the artist. New to the set is liner notes by Rob Bowman who wrote Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.
The album was notable for the fact that so many of the tracks were covers, including the Jackson 5's Never Can Say Goodbye, the Carpenters Close to You, and Kris Kristofferson's For the Good Times. Hayes took the songs and crafted soulful versions that, at times, ran upwards of ten minutes in length. The singer noted that the album came out of the pain of a divorce. Bowman says "Isaac's ability to take other people's material and make it so deeply personal is nothing short of brilliant."
The album went to number one on the R&B, number two on the Jazz and number ten on the Pop Album charts while Never Can Say Goodbye was a number five R&B and number 22 Pop single. It won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Also being released is 1976's Juicy Fruit (Disco Heat). The album was nowhere near as good or as big as most of his previous works, mostly attempting to tap into the current disco trend. It was also his third release of that year for his new label, ABC, and was one of his few albums on which he wrote all of the songs. The combination proved problematic with the songs being formulaic and non-descript.
The album peaked at 18 on the R&B and 124 on the Pop charts and didn't produce any hit singles.
-----------------------------------
Loretta Lynn Busy With Two New Albums
Country legend Loretta Lynn is preparing two projects this year to follow up her 2004 crossover hit, "Van Lear Rose."
Lynn, 74, is working on an album of new material that she says could be ready by late spring. The album will be in her traditional country style but will deal with modern issues. "(A friend) told me: 'Loretta, don't quit writing, because if you do, no one in Nashville is writing songs,'" Lynn tells Billboard. "I write about what's happening today and how I feel."
The second project, an album of re-recorded versions of her No. 1 hits from the past four decades, is being produced by John Carter Cash and could hit stores this summer.
From Nielsen Soundscan, here are the top 10 vinyl sellers in 2008. I find it amazing that the legendary Beatles' LP "Abbey Road" is included, it says a lot for their music.10. Radiohead, OK Computer, 1997.
9. Metallica, Death Magnetic, 2008.
8. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes, 2008.
7. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, 1973.
6. Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, 1998.
5. Portishead, Third, 2008. See number 8.
4. B-52s, Funplex, 2008.
3. Guns 'n' Roses, Chinese Democracy, 2008.
2. The Beatles, Abbey Road, 1969.
1. Radiohead, In Rainbows, 2008.
-----------------------------------
Autopsy Records Two New Songs For New Vinyl 7" and "Severed Survival" Reissue
Autopsy has been "dragged from the grave and vomited out 2 brand new tracks" (according to the press release), their first in nearly 15 years. This will make up the new extremely limited vinyl single release of "Horrific Obsession" in January. "Horrific Obsession" will be limited to only 1000 units and will be available exclusively from peaceville.com on January 26, 2009, with pre-orders available now.
The two tracks will also be included on a special 2-disc 20th anniversary edition of the classic 1989 debut album, "Severed Survival," coming in March. The release includes a second disc of previously unheard rehearsal and live rarities, including two songs originally intended for "Severed Survival." The package also includes a booklet detailing the early history of the band, as documented by the guys themselves, plus unseen photos. This special 2-disc edition of "Severed Survival" will be available on February 23, 2009.
-----------------------------------
Southern Lord vinyl release
In February, Southern Lord will release the vinyl-only version of the new WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM EP entitled "Malevolent Grain", featuring two brand new tracks from the Pacific Northwest organic black metallers. Conspiracy Records will offer a limited-edition picture disc of the 12" for Europe, while Southern Lord will release a black 180-gram version worldwide. Additionally, the band will press a limited CD version for tour purposes only. The EP features the band's newly designed logo (see below) crafted by renowned artist Christophe Szpajdel, designer of black metal band logos for KULT OV AZAZEL, EMPEROR, MOONSPELL and other international acts.
The third WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM full-length, "Black Cascade" will follow on March 31 via Southern Lord. Both the EP and the full-length were recorded to 2-inch tape by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer in Seattle this winter. The new recordings are the first to feature the band's new guitar player Will Lindsay (MIDDIAN) who had previously served as the band's touring bass player, in addition to longtime members, brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver.
The band will tour Europe beginning in late January.
-----------------------------------
Queen: More Details Revealed On Upcoming Vinyl Reissues
EMI Music and Queen are announcing the re-release over two years of the entire Queen studio album catalogue on long playing vinyl albums. The album packaging will include every detail of the original releases in their original 12” format. Bonus posters, extra pictures, and all the unique content of the original albums will be faithfully reproduced.
The first group of releases, out March 16th, will consist of four classic Queen albums Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races.
Following in May 2009 will be come five further albums including the very first album, Queen, along with News Of The World, Flash Gordon, A Kind Of Magic and Innuendo, with successive releases coming approximately every 6 months.
In a deliberate move, the albums are not being released chronologically but instead sequenced over the twenty-two year period of release allowing buyers wider choice with each new batch of releases.
Queen’s original studio albums: Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At The Opera, A Day At The Races, News Of The World, Jazz, The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space, The Works, A Kind Of Magic, The Miracle, Innuendo, Made In Heaven.
-----------------------------------
Stax Reissuing Two Isaac Hayes Classics
Stax Records, now part of the Concord Group, will be reissuing two of Isaac Hayes' classic 70's album on February 24.
Up first is Black Moses, originally issued in 1971. This double-CD of Hayes' most critically acclaimed album includes a complete replication of the original album cover which folds out into a cross-shaped image of the artist. New to the set is liner notes by Rob Bowman who wrote Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.
The album was notable for the fact that so many of the tracks were covers, including the Jackson 5's Never Can Say Goodbye, the Carpenters Close to You, and Kris Kristofferson's For the Good Times. Hayes took the songs and crafted soulful versions that, at times, ran upwards of ten minutes in length. The singer noted that the album came out of the pain of a divorce. Bowman says "Isaac's ability to take other people's material and make it so deeply personal is nothing short of brilliant."
The album went to number one on the R&B, number two on the Jazz and number ten on the Pop Album charts while Never Can Say Goodbye was a number five R&B and number 22 Pop single. It won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Also being released is 1976's Juicy Fruit (Disco Heat). The album was nowhere near as good or as big as most of his previous works, mostly attempting to tap into the current disco trend. It was also his third release of that year for his new label, ABC, and was one of his few albums on which he wrote all of the songs. The combination proved problematic with the songs being formulaic and non-descript.
The album peaked at 18 on the R&B and 124 on the Pop charts and didn't produce any hit singles.
-----------------------------------
Loretta Lynn Busy With Two New Albums
Country legend Loretta Lynn is preparing two projects this year to follow up her 2004 crossover hit, "Van Lear Rose."
Lynn, 74, is working on an album of new material that she says could be ready by late spring. The album will be in her traditional country style but will deal with modern issues. "(A friend) told me: 'Loretta, don't quit writing, because if you do, no one in Nashville is writing songs,'" Lynn tells Billboard. "I write about what's happening today and how I feel."
The second project, an album of re-recorded versions of her No. 1 hits from the past four decades, is being produced by John Carter Cash and could hit stores this summer.
Rock & Roll Tidbits
Brian Jones, the original lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is said to have fathered six illegitimate children before his untimely death on July 3rd, 1969.
Although Ernie K-Doe had a US number one smash with "Mother-in-law" in 1961, he failed to match that song's success with any other release. His career came to a halt in the 70s and 80s and he often wandered the streets singing for spare change. In the mid-90s he turned his fortunes around and opened a successful night club.
The husband and wife song-writing team of Felice and Boudleaux Byant have said that they wrote the Everly Brothers' 1958 number one hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in about 15 minutes.
According to legend, to add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine to The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack", one was driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss scoffed at this story and said that the motorcycle sound was simply taken from an effects record.
Bruce Springsteen was once the opening act for Canadian singer, Anne Murray, of "Snowbird" fame.
The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors' recording of "Road House Blues". He is credited on the album as G. Puglese.
Although AM radio broadcasts were tested in 1906 and used for voice and music broadcasts up until WW1, it wasn't until 1916, when 8XK in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania began regularly scheduled broadcasts.
The first 'live' television satellite program to air worldwide was a two-hour show called Our World, in which The Beatles performed "All You Need is Love" on June 25, 1967.
The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" was included in John Lennon's personal jukebox along with "Do You Believe In Magic?". Paul McCartney later said that "Daydream" was a major influence on his composition "Good Day Sunshine".
Sam and Dave were a Soul singing duo who scored a half dozen hits on the US pop and R&B charts in the mid 1960s, including "Hold On, I'm Comin'". The two didn't get along very well and seldom spoke to each other off stage. Sam Moore said he lost all respect for his partner Dave Prater after Prater shot his own wife during a 1968 domsestic dispute, an incident for which he was never prosecuted.
There have been over 30 different members of The Drifters and two entirley seperate sets of singers known by that name. The first group of Drifters had a couple of hits on the R&B chart in the mid-fifties, but after Clyde McPhatter left in 1956, the remaining members had a falling out with their manager and were all fired. A new version of the Drifters featured Ben E. King on "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" before he quit. Rudy Lewis replaced King as lead vocalist for "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway", but he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1964. Johnny Moore, from the original set of Drifters then re-joined to sing "Under The Boardwalk", as well as a series of moderate British hits.
Even though the members of the three piece band called America are all from the US, they actually met and formed the group while they were living in the UK.
Diana Ross has recorded 18 US number one songs, but has never won a Grammy Award.
Although Ernie K-Doe had a US number one smash with "Mother-in-law" in 1961, he failed to match that song's success with any other release. His career came to a halt in the 70s and 80s and he often wandered the streets singing for spare change. In the mid-90s he turned his fortunes around and opened a successful night club.
The husband and wife song-writing team of Felice and Boudleaux Byant have said that they wrote the Everly Brothers' 1958 number one hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in about 15 minutes.
According to legend, to add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine to The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack", one was driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss scoffed at this story and said that the motorcycle sound was simply taken from an effects record.
Bruce Springsteen was once the opening act for Canadian singer, Anne Murray, of "Snowbird" fame.
The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors' recording of "Road House Blues". He is credited on the album as G. Puglese.
Although AM radio broadcasts were tested in 1906 and used for voice and music broadcasts up until WW1, it wasn't until 1916, when 8XK in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania began regularly scheduled broadcasts.
The first 'live' television satellite program to air worldwide was a two-hour show called Our World, in which The Beatles performed "All You Need is Love" on June 25, 1967.
The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" was included in John Lennon's personal jukebox along with "Do You Believe In Magic?". Paul McCartney later said that "Daydream" was a major influence on his composition "Good Day Sunshine".
Sam and Dave were a Soul singing duo who scored a half dozen hits on the US pop and R&B charts in the mid 1960s, including "Hold On, I'm Comin'". The two didn't get along very well and seldom spoke to each other off stage. Sam Moore said he lost all respect for his partner Dave Prater after Prater shot his own wife during a 1968 domsestic dispute, an incident for which he was never prosecuted.
There have been over 30 different members of The Drifters and two entirley seperate sets of singers known by that name. The first group of Drifters had a couple of hits on the R&B chart in the mid-fifties, but after Clyde McPhatter left in 1956, the remaining members had a falling out with their manager and were all fired. A new version of the Drifters featured Ben E. King on "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" before he quit. Rudy Lewis replaced King as lead vocalist for "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway", but he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1964. Johnny Moore, from the original set of Drifters then re-joined to sing "Under The Boardwalk", as well as a series of moderate British hits.
Even though the members of the three piece band called America are all from the US, they actually met and formed the group while they were living in the UK.
Diana Ross has recorded 18 US number one songs, but has never won a Grammy Award.
This Date In Music History-January 10
Birthdays:
Michel Schenker (Scorpions) 1955
Pat Benatar (1953)
Cyril Neville -The Neville Brothers (1948)
Rod Stewart was born in London in 1945.
Scott McKenzie ("San Francisco") turns 70.
Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is 61.
Ronnie Hawkins is 74.
Drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who has played with Journey and Jefferson Starship, was born in Liverpool in 1946.
Brad Roberts- Crash Test Dummies (1964)
Matt Roberts- 3 Doors Down (1978)
Singer Shawn Colvin (1958)
They Are Missed:
In 2008, Rod Allen, the last remaining original member of The Fortunes, died of liver cancer at the age of 64.
Jim Croce was born in 1943.
Johnnie Ray ("Cry") was born in 1927.
Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler (worked with Ray Charles and many others) was born in 1917.
In 2001, Bryan Gregory, founding guitarist with the Cramps, passed away. He had suffered a heart attack weeks earlier and never fully recovered.
Delta bluesman Howlin' Wolf died at the age of 66 in 1976.
History:
In 1981, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" LP goes Platinum, a little over a month after Lennon's assassination. The album would be #1 in the US for eight weeks.
Vinyl records were introduced by RCA (45 rpm) and Columbia (33.3 rpm) in 1949.
In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs as an RCA Victor artist in Nashville. Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel," "Money Honey," among others. Along with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, guitar-great Chet Atkins participated in the Nashville session. Floyd Cramer was on piano.
In 2003, a collection of 500 Beatles tapes known as the 'Get Back sessions', which were stolen in the 1970's, were found after UK police cracked a major bootleg operation in London and Amsterdam.
The first American Beatles' album, "Introducing The Beatles" was released in 1964 by Chicago's Vee-Jay Records.
In 1965, American promoter Sid Bernstein telephoned Beatles manager Brian Epstein to propose the Fab Four play Shea Stadium.
The trial over Paul McCartney's move to dissolve the Beatles partnership began today in 1971, in London's High Court. Ringo testified, "Paul behaved like a spoilt child."
In 1969, frustrated at Paul McCartney's dominance during the filming of Let It Be, George Harrison nonchalantly tells the rest of the band that he is quitting immediately and sarcastically says as he walked out, "See you around the clubs." George would later say that while he had a growing backlog of new material, he constantly had to work on Lennon and McCartney's songs before the group would work on his. John Lennon suggested getting Eric Clapton as Harrison’s replacement.
In 1955, Alan Freed hosted his first New York stage show, featuring The Clovers, The Drifters and Fats Domino.
In 1976, Foghat's "Slow Ride" became the first of their five Billboard chart entries and the only one to crack the Top 20.
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper became the first female recording artist since Bobbie Gentry in 1967, to be nominated for five Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female), Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In 2007, the Recording Academy announced the year's additions to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Albums inducted are "Who's Next" by the Who, "London Calling" by the Clash and "Cheap Thrills" by Big Brother & the Holding Company. Singles getting the nod are Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl."
Michel Schenker (Scorpions) 1955
Pat Benatar (1953)
Cyril Neville -The Neville Brothers (1948)
Rod Stewart was born in London in 1945.
Scott McKenzie ("San Francisco") turns 70.
Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is 61.
Ronnie Hawkins is 74.
Drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who has played with Journey and Jefferson Starship, was born in Liverpool in 1946.
Brad Roberts- Crash Test Dummies (1964)
Matt Roberts- 3 Doors Down (1978)
Singer Shawn Colvin (1958)
They Are Missed:
In 2008, Rod Allen, the last remaining original member of The Fortunes, died of liver cancer at the age of 64.
Jim Croce was born in 1943.
Johnnie Ray ("Cry") was born in 1927.
Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler (worked with Ray Charles and many others) was born in 1917.
In 2001, Bryan Gregory, founding guitarist with the Cramps, passed away. He had suffered a heart attack weeks earlier and never fully recovered.
Delta bluesman Howlin' Wolf died at the age of 66 in 1976.
History:
In 1981, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Double Fantasy" LP goes Platinum, a little over a month after Lennon's assassination. The album would be #1 in the US for eight weeks.
Vinyl records were introduced by RCA (45 rpm) and Columbia (33.3 rpm) in 1949.
In 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs as an RCA Victor artist in Nashville. Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel," "Money Honey," among others. Along with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, guitar-great Chet Atkins participated in the Nashville session. Floyd Cramer was on piano.
In 2003, a collection of 500 Beatles tapes known as the 'Get Back sessions', which were stolen in the 1970's, were found after UK police cracked a major bootleg operation in London and Amsterdam.
The first American Beatles' album, "Introducing The Beatles" was released in 1964 by Chicago's Vee-Jay Records.
In 1965, American promoter Sid Bernstein telephoned Beatles manager Brian Epstein to propose the Fab Four play Shea Stadium.
The trial over Paul McCartney's move to dissolve the Beatles partnership began today in 1971, in London's High Court. Ringo testified, "Paul behaved like a spoilt child."
In 1969, frustrated at Paul McCartney's dominance during the filming of Let It Be, George Harrison nonchalantly tells the rest of the band that he is quitting immediately and sarcastically says as he walked out, "See you around the clubs." George would later say that while he had a growing backlog of new material, he constantly had to work on Lennon and McCartney's songs before the group would work on his. John Lennon suggested getting Eric Clapton as Harrison’s replacement.
In 1955, Alan Freed hosted his first New York stage show, featuring The Clovers, The Drifters and Fats Domino.
In 1976, Foghat's "Slow Ride" became the first of their five Billboard chart entries and the only one to crack the Top 20.
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper became the first female recording artist since Bobbie Gentry in 1967, to be nominated for five Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female), Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In 2007, the Recording Academy announced the year's additions to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Albums inducted are "Who's Next" by the Who, "London Calling" by the Clash and "Cheap Thrills" by Big Brother & the Holding Company. Singles getting the nod are Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl."