We will be posting two weeks worth, as Norm & Jane at counterclockrecords.com have been working to acquire a new stash of vinyl and working on the radio show.
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/05/2009
1. 45 - J.D. Bryant "Walk On In" / "I Won't Be Coming Back" Shrine - $10,223.00
2. 45 - Magnetics "Count The Days" / "When I'm With My Baby" Sable - $4,938.00
3. 45 - The Factory "Try A Little Sunshine" / "Red Chalk Hill" CBD Demo UK Pressing - $3,652.31
4. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $3,416.00
5. LP - Dexter Gordon "Blows Hot and Cold" Dootone Red Vinyl - $3,371.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/12/2009
1. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $10,266.48
2. LP - Can "Monster Movie" Music Factory German Pressing - $6,295.00
3. 45 - Walter Wilson "Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later" Wand - $6,149.00
4. LP - Calvin Johnson "What Was Me" K Records Test Pressing - $3,999.99
5. LP - Derek and the Dominos "Layla" DJ Mono WLP - $3,050.00
As always, thanks 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 - 60 minutes of rare records and nugatory narration. Every Tuesday 4PM PT/7PM ET, Sunday 9AM PT/12PM ET & Monday 12AM PT/3AM ET
Monday, December 14, 2009
This Date In Music History-December 14
Birthdays:
Frank Allen - Searchers (1943)
Jackie McCauley - Them (1946)
Joyce Vincent-Wilson - Tony Orlando and Dawn (1946)
Cliff Williams - AC/DC (1949)
Mike Scott - Waterboys (1958)
Peter "Spider" Stacy - Pogues (1958)
Tim Skold - Marilyn Manson (1966)
They Are Missed:
American blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington died from of an overdose of brandy and diet pills in 1963 (age 39). Known as the ‘Queen of the Blues’ she scored the 1959 #8 Grammy Award wining single "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" and the 1961 hit "September In The Rain." From the late '40s and into the '60s, she sang a wide variety of music, from blues to country to pop, in a rich elegant voice.
The late Spike Jones ("All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth") was born in 1911 (died May 1, 1965).
Born today in 1938, Gary Usher, producer, songwriter. Worked with The Byrds, co-wrote The Beach Boys "In My Room." Died on 25th May 1990.
The late Charlie Rich ("Behind Closed Doors") was born in 1932. He died July 25, 1995.
In 2006, Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records, died at age 83 after injuries sustained in a fall while attending the Rolling Stones show six weeks earlier at New York's Beacon Theatre. Atlantic Records and subsidiary label, ATCO, were instrumental in ushering in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Their artists included Cream, Led Zeppelin and the Iron Butterfly.
History:
The Kingston Trio started an eight-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1959 with 'Here We Go Again!'
Billboard reported in 1959, in the wake of the government's payola investigations, the pay-for-play phenomenon has all but ceased in Philadelphia, to name a major U.S. city. "You can't even buy the disc jockeys lunch," complained one disgruntled Philadelphia record distributor.
Bob Dylan released his first single "Mixed Up Confusion/Corrina Corrina" in 1962. However, his record label quickly withdraws the single.
"Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen peaked on the charts at #6 in 1963.
In the United Kingdom in 1963, The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" goes to #1, where it stayed for five weeks. In so doing, it knocked off the Beatles' previous single "She Loves You." It's the first time in Britain that a band has replaced itself at #1.
Chad & Jeremy (Catwoman steals their voices) and Don Ho guest on ABC-TV's "Batman" in 1966.
The Elvis Presley film "Spinout" premiered in 1966.
In 1967, Dick Clark announced that he was making a film about hippies, "The Love Children," which starred Jack Nicholson, Dean Stockwell and Susan Strasberg and featured the music of Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Seeds.
With the title track clocking in at 17:05, the Iron Butterfly’s epic “In-A-Gadda-Da Vida” went gold in 1968. The album sells three million copies as it stays on the album chart for nearly three years.
Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson & Clover" was released in 1968.
Marvin Gaye scored his first #1 single in 1968 when "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" started a five-week run at the top. It was Marvin's 15th solo hit.
In 1969, the Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Also in 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono continued to protest the innocence of James Hanratty, one of the last people executed in Britain for murder, with their wacky antics. The couple turned up at London's Hyde Park covered with a giant white bag to hear Hanratty's father address a crowd. Hanratty and the Lennons later present a petition at No. 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lived.
The MC5's manager John Sinclair was released from prison in 1971 after Michigan relaxes its drug penalties. Sinclair had been sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of two marijuana joints.
In 1972, Alexander's department store in New York stays open especially late so shock rocker Alice Cooper, wearing silver pants and a "Paul Lives" button, can do his Christmas shopping.
The documentary film about T. Rex, "Born To Boogie" (directed by Ringo Starr and featuring Elton John) premiered in London in 1972.
Styx' "Lady" was released in 1974.
"Saturday Night Fever" premiered in New York City in 1977. The flick was instrumental in spreading the disco craze throughout the country. The soundtrack was full of recent and soon-to-be dance hits by the Bee Gees, the Trammps, Kool & the Gang, MFSB, K.C. & the Sunshine Band and Yvonne Elliman. It would go on to be one of the biggest-selling albums of all time.
In 1980, at Yoko Ono's request, at 2 p.m. EST, John Lennon fans around the world mourn him with ten minutes of silent prayer. In New York over 100,000 people converge in Central Park in tribute and in Liverpool, a crowd of 30,000 gatherers outside of St. George's Hall on Lime Street.
Elton John recorded a live version of "Candle in the Wind" in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1986. The song was released as a single and hits #6 on the chart.
"Walk Like An Egyptian" (The Bangles) was a hit in 1986.
Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" debuts at #1 on Billboard's pop albums chart in 1991.
Classified documents from the White House were released in 1995 and revealed that the FBI had spied on John Lennon and his anti-war activities during the early '70s in a possible attempt to have Lennon deported.
Little Richard, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are among those who performed at a tribute to Frank Sinatra on "Sinatra: 80 Years My Way" on ABC-TV in 1995.
Garth Brooks was at #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with ‘Sevens’ his fourth US #1 album.
Paul McCartney played a show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1999. It was the first time that McCartney had played at the club since 1963. The show was filmed for TV and also went out live on the Internet.
Alicia Keys was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with "The Diary Of Alicia Keys," the singer's second US #1.
The funeral took place in Arlington, Texas in 2004 for Damageplan and Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Eddie Van Halen placed Darrell’s original black and yellow stripes guitar into the Kiss Kasket he was buried in. Several thousand fans and friends gathered at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, to mourn the guitarist’s death. Darrell was shot five times in the back of the head during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus on 8th Dec 04 by a mentally ill former US Marine. Damageplan's drum technician, John Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were both injured in the incident.
A lawsuit was filed in L.A. Superior Court in 2004 claiming that a soccer ball kicked from the stage during an August 31st Rod Stewart concert at the Hollywood Bowl caused a concertgoer "personal injuries, physical disability and physical and emotional distress, pain and suffering. Wow, here's an idea - duck next time - or pay attention. Stewart, a one-time aspiring soccer player, ceased kicking soccer balls into the audience when similar suits mounted in the ‘80s.
In 2007, Billboard magazine says the Police's reunion tour, which earned more than $210 million, is the highest-grossing tour of ‘07. Another reunion trek, this one by Genesis, netted approximately $129 million to land at #2 on the list. Billboard also names Daughtry's self-titled debut the top-selling album of the year.
In ’04, The Clash issued a 25th Anniversary Edition of their classic album “London Calling. Now, in 2009, they release "London Calling: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition." This time around there’s a DVD featuring Don Letts' documentary on the making of the album.
Frank Allen - Searchers (1943)
Jackie McCauley - Them (1946)
Joyce Vincent-Wilson - Tony Orlando and Dawn (1946)
Cliff Williams - AC/DC (1949)
Mike Scott - Waterboys (1958)
Peter "Spider" Stacy - Pogues (1958)
Tim Skold - Marilyn Manson (1966)
They Are Missed:
American blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington died from of an overdose of brandy and diet pills in 1963 (age 39). Known as the ‘Queen of the Blues’ she scored the 1959 #8 Grammy Award wining single "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" and the 1961 hit "September In The Rain." From the late '40s and into the '60s, she sang a wide variety of music, from blues to country to pop, in a rich elegant voice.
The late Spike Jones ("All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth") was born in 1911 (died May 1, 1965).
Born today in 1938, Gary Usher, producer, songwriter. Worked with The Byrds, co-wrote The Beach Boys "In My Room." Died on 25th May 1990.
The late Charlie Rich ("Behind Closed Doors") was born in 1932. He died July 25, 1995.
In 2006, Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records, died at age 83 after injuries sustained in a fall while attending the Rolling Stones show six weeks earlier at New York's Beacon Theatre. Atlantic Records and subsidiary label, ATCO, were instrumental in ushering in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Their artists included Cream, Led Zeppelin and the Iron Butterfly.
History:
The Kingston Trio started an eight-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1959 with 'Here We Go Again!'
Billboard reported in 1959, in the wake of the government's payola investigations, the pay-for-play phenomenon has all but ceased in Philadelphia, to name a major U.S. city. "You can't even buy the disc jockeys lunch," complained one disgruntled Philadelphia record distributor.
Bob Dylan released his first single "Mixed Up Confusion/Corrina Corrina" in 1962. However, his record label quickly withdraws the single.
"Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen peaked on the charts at #6 in 1963.
In the United Kingdom in 1963, The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" goes to #1, where it stayed for five weeks. In so doing, it knocked off the Beatles' previous single "She Loves You." It's the first time in Britain that a band has replaced itself at #1.
Chad & Jeremy (Catwoman steals their voices) and Don Ho guest on ABC-TV's "Batman" in 1966.
The Elvis Presley film "Spinout" premiered in 1966.
In 1967, Dick Clark announced that he was making a film about hippies, "The Love Children," which starred Jack Nicholson, Dean Stockwell and Susan Strasberg and featured the music of Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Seeds.
With the title track clocking in at 17:05, the Iron Butterfly’s epic “In-A-Gadda-Da Vida” went gold in 1968. The album sells three million copies as it stays on the album chart for nearly three years.
Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson & Clover" was released in 1968.
Marvin Gaye scored his first #1 single in 1968 when "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" started a five-week run at the top. It was Marvin's 15th solo hit.
In 1969, the Jackson Five made their first network television appearance in the US when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Also in 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono continued to protest the innocence of James Hanratty, one of the last people executed in Britain for murder, with their wacky antics. The couple turned up at London's Hyde Park covered with a giant white bag to hear Hanratty's father address a crowd. Hanratty and the Lennons later present a petition at No. 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lived.
The MC5's manager John Sinclair was released from prison in 1971 after Michigan relaxes its drug penalties. Sinclair had been sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of two marijuana joints.
In 1972, Alexander's department store in New York stays open especially late so shock rocker Alice Cooper, wearing silver pants and a "Paul Lives" button, can do his Christmas shopping.
The documentary film about T. Rex, "Born To Boogie" (directed by Ringo Starr and featuring Elton John) premiered in London in 1972.
Styx' "Lady" was released in 1974.
"Saturday Night Fever" premiered in New York City in 1977. The flick was instrumental in spreading the disco craze throughout the country. The soundtrack was full of recent and soon-to-be dance hits by the Bee Gees, the Trammps, Kool & the Gang, MFSB, K.C. & the Sunshine Band and Yvonne Elliman. It would go on to be one of the biggest-selling albums of all time.
In 1980, at Yoko Ono's request, at 2 p.m. EST, John Lennon fans around the world mourn him with ten minutes of silent prayer. In New York over 100,000 people converge in Central Park in tribute and in Liverpool, a crowd of 30,000 gatherers outside of St. George's Hall on Lime Street.
Elton John recorded a live version of "Candle in the Wind" in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1986. The song was released as a single and hits #6 on the chart.
"Walk Like An Egyptian" (The Bangles) was a hit in 1986.
Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" debuts at #1 on Billboard's pop albums chart in 1991.
Classified documents from the White House were released in 1995 and revealed that the FBI had spied on John Lennon and his anti-war activities during the early '70s in a possible attempt to have Lennon deported.
Little Richard, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are among those who performed at a tribute to Frank Sinatra on "Sinatra: 80 Years My Way" on ABC-TV in 1995.
Garth Brooks was at #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with ‘Sevens’ his fourth US #1 album.
Paul McCartney played a show at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1999. It was the first time that McCartney had played at the club since 1963. The show was filmed for TV and also went out live on the Internet.
Alicia Keys was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with "The Diary Of Alicia Keys," the singer's second US #1.
The funeral took place in Arlington, Texas in 2004 for Damageplan and Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Eddie Van Halen placed Darrell’s original black and yellow stripes guitar into the Kiss Kasket he was buried in. Several thousand fans and friends gathered at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, to mourn the guitarist’s death. Darrell was shot five times in the back of the head during a gig at the Alrosa Villa Club in Columbus on 8th Dec 04 by a mentally ill former US Marine. Damageplan's drum technician, John Brooks, and tour manager, Chris Paluska, were both injured in the incident.
A lawsuit was filed in L.A. Superior Court in 2004 claiming that a soccer ball kicked from the stage during an August 31st Rod Stewart concert at the Hollywood Bowl caused a concertgoer "personal injuries, physical disability and physical and emotional distress, pain and suffering. Wow, here's an idea - duck next time - or pay attention. Stewart, a one-time aspiring soccer player, ceased kicking soccer balls into the audience when similar suits mounted in the ‘80s.
In 2007, Billboard magazine says the Police's reunion tour, which earned more than $210 million, is the highest-grossing tour of ‘07. Another reunion trek, this one by Genesis, netted approximately $129 million to land at #2 on the list. Billboard also names Daughtry's self-titled debut the top-selling album of the year.
In ’04, The Clash issued a 25th Anniversary Edition of their classic album “London Calling. Now, in 2009, they release "London Calling: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition." This time around there’s a DVD featuring Don Letts' documentary on the making of the album.
Music News & Notes
Jimi Hendrix live 1967/1968 albums to be released CD and vinyl package set for release next month
Previuosly unreleased recordings of Jimi Hendrix gigs from way back in 1967-1968 and performed in Paris and Ottowa are set to be released as part of a limited edition CD and vinyl package on January 25. Recordings of his show in the Paris L'Olympia Theatre from January 29, 1968 and his gig at the Ottawa show at the Capitol Theater from March 19 of that year will feature on the CD in the package.
A recording of his show at the L'Olympia on October 9, 1967 will also feature. It was recorded for French radio and has not been released previously. Also included in the set will be a poster and postcard set, badges, an iPod skin, guitar picks and a T-shirt.
==========================
THE WHITE STRIPES ANNOUNCE DELUXE DVD BOX-SET
The White Stripes are to release a deluxe box set edition of their 'The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights' DVD.
The package, which is available to buy from Whitestripes.com, features two DVD's, a live album on CD and 180 gram vinyl, a silk screen print and a 208-page photo book with foreword by Jim Jarmusch.
Initially, the package will cost $179 (£110), though the price will rise to $229 (£140) in 2010.
'The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights' box-set features the following:
A DVD of 'Under Great White Northern Lights'
A DVD of The White Stripes 10th anniversary show
A 16-track live album on CD and 180 gram vinyl
A live 7-inch vinyl (featuring 'Icky Thump' and 'The Wheels on the Bus')
A 208-page photo book by Autumn de Wilde (foreword by Jim Jarmusch)
A silk screen print by Rob Jones
==========================
KISS: Limited-Edition Art Prints Of 'Sonic Boom', 'Rock And Roll Over' Artwork Available
Michael Doret, designer of the KISS "Sonic Boom" and "Rock And Roll Over" album covers, is offering signed limited edition art prints of both pieces via the official KISS online store. He writes on his web site, "These two signed (signed by me and the members of the group), limited-edition, large scale fine art prints (not lithos) are now finally available! These prints made from my original artwork of 'Sonic Boom' and 'Rock and Roll Over' are the best incarnations you will ever see of my art for these two iconic KISS releases.
"I have digitally redone my orignal art for 'Rock and Roll Over' (after 30-plus years the original original art is long gone), and so now it's cleaner and crisper than ever before. The art for 'Sonic Boom' was digitally created to begin with and so enlarges to the 20" size perfectly.
"The print images are 20" square printed on 25" square 'Museo Textured Rag' digital Watercolor paper. These are archival prints and will show no visible signs of fading for 100-plus years under reasonable lighting situations.
"Printed by Art Works Fine Art Publishing in Los Angeles, these editions are limited to 250 prints each, and each print will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by me.
"As the creator of these two pieces I am very critical of print quality, but suffice it to say that when I saw the final proofs of these two pieces, I was blown away by the color intensity and the quality.
=======================
VENOM: Early Albums To Be Re-Released On Deluxe Gatefold Colored Vinyl
Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, will re-release the first three classic albums from the original black metal band VENOM — 1981's "Welcome To Hell", 1982's "Black Metal" and 1984's "At War With Satan". Due in January 2010, all three LPs were remastered and will be repackaged on 180gsm deluxe gatefold colored vinyl.
The special-edition version of VENOM's "Black Metal" album came out in September. According to the band, the new set contains bonus tracks and a DVD of the "7th Date of Hell" video of VENOM performing live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England in 1984.
On October 22, 2008, a two-album Japan-only cardboard sleeve reissue series from VENOM was made available via Universal Music featuring the following LPs:
* "Welcome To Hell" (1981)
* "Black Metal" (1982)
Each cardboard sleeve reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players)
Previuosly unreleased recordings of Jimi Hendrix gigs from way back in 1967-1968 and performed in Paris and Ottowa are set to be released as part of a limited edition CD and vinyl package on January 25. Recordings of his show in the Paris L'Olympia Theatre from January 29, 1968 and his gig at the Ottawa show at the Capitol Theater from March 19 of that year will feature on the CD in the package.
A recording of his show at the L'Olympia on October 9, 1967 will also feature. It was recorded for French radio and has not been released previously. Also included in the set will be a poster and postcard set, badges, an iPod skin, guitar picks and a T-shirt.
==========================
THE WHITE STRIPES ANNOUNCE DELUXE DVD BOX-SET
The White Stripes are to release a deluxe box set edition of their 'The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights' DVD.
The package, which is available to buy from Whitestripes.com, features two DVD's, a live album on CD and 180 gram vinyl, a silk screen print and a 208-page photo book with foreword by Jim Jarmusch.
Initially, the package will cost $179 (£110), though the price will rise to $229 (£140) in 2010.
'The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights' box-set features the following:
A DVD of 'Under Great White Northern Lights'
A DVD of The White Stripes 10th anniversary show
A 16-track live album on CD and 180 gram vinyl
A live 7-inch vinyl (featuring 'Icky Thump' and 'The Wheels on the Bus')
A 208-page photo book by Autumn de Wilde (foreword by Jim Jarmusch)
A silk screen print by Rob Jones
==========================
KISS: Limited-Edition Art Prints Of 'Sonic Boom', 'Rock And Roll Over' Artwork Available
Michael Doret, designer of the KISS "Sonic Boom" and "Rock And Roll Over" album covers, is offering signed limited edition art prints of both pieces via the official KISS online store. He writes on his web site, "These two signed (signed by me and the members of the group), limited-edition, large scale fine art prints (not lithos) are now finally available! These prints made from my original artwork of 'Sonic Boom' and 'Rock and Roll Over' are the best incarnations you will ever see of my art for these two iconic KISS releases.
"I have digitally redone my orignal art for 'Rock and Roll Over' (after 30-plus years the original original art is long gone), and so now it's cleaner and crisper than ever before. The art for 'Sonic Boom' was digitally created to begin with and so enlarges to the 20" size perfectly.
"The print images are 20" square printed on 25" square 'Museo Textured Rag' digital Watercolor paper. These are archival prints and will show no visible signs of fading for 100-plus years under reasonable lighting situations.
"Printed by Art Works Fine Art Publishing in Los Angeles, these editions are limited to 250 prints each, and each print will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by me.
"As the creator of these two pieces I am very critical of print quality, but suffice it to say that when I saw the final proofs of these two pieces, I was blown away by the color intensity and the quality.
=======================
VENOM: Early Albums To Be Re-Released On Deluxe Gatefold Colored Vinyl
Back On Black, which specializes in vinyl editions of classic metal albums and is dedicated to providing top-quality releases for record collectors and metal fans worldwide, will re-release the first three classic albums from the original black metal band VENOM — 1981's "Welcome To Hell", 1982's "Black Metal" and 1984's "At War With Satan". Due in January 2010, all three LPs were remastered and will be repackaged on 180gsm deluxe gatefold colored vinyl.
The special-edition version of VENOM's "Black Metal" album came out in September. According to the band, the new set contains bonus tracks and a DVD of the "7th Date of Hell" video of VENOM performing live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England in 1984.
On October 22, 2008, a two-album Japan-only cardboard sleeve reissue series from VENOM was made available via Universal Music featuring the following LPs:
* "Welcome To Hell" (1981)
* "Black Metal" (1982)
Each cardboard sleeve reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players)
Vinyl Record Sales Hot!
Here's whats going on in New Zealand, vinyl fever is breaking out all over the world!
MUSIC LOVERS OPT FOR VINYL SOLUTION
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Vinyl records are back in favour among music lovers.
As music lovers approach a new decade in this still-young century, a recording technology once considered old and obsolete - vinyl - has been making a strong comeback.
Vinyl albums, which began to be replaced by CDs in the mid-1980s, have rebounded in recent years as enthusiasts young and old turned sentimental for the old pops, cracks and warm sounds emitting from grooves on a record.
And as sales have rebounded, music makers ranging from big acts like Jack White and the Flaming Lips to local bands in major cities have been cranking out vinyl and treating fans with added material like old-style liner notes or posters.
If bands can keep costs low, they may even be able to make extra money in the financially-strapped music business where cheap digital downloads are replacing once-lucrative CD sales.
"It's hard to say how long it'll last, but even if you're 16-years-old, your parents probably have vinyl somewhere," said Wayne Coyne, lead singer of the Flaming Lips. ''So there's probably some trigger of another time, an exotic world where this was the way you bought music."
While vinyl records never truly became extinct from record store shelves, the current resurgence seems to have picked up pace starting around 2007. Last year, 1.9 million vinyl records sold, roughly double 2007. Industry tracker Nielsen SoundScan projects that 2.8 million units will be purchased in 2009.
A wide range of bands, from Radiohead and the Beatles to Bob Dylan and Metallica, have been shipping albums on vinyl. Radiohead, for instance, sold 61,000 vinyl records in 2008.
Turntable sales are increasing, too, suggesting vinyl is reaching new customers and not just collectors and purists.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Vinyl's renaissance springs from both musicians and fans longing for something more tangible than just listening to music on a digital file, said Paul Simcoe, co-owner of Toronto's Criminal Records.
"I'll support an artist to the end of time." he said. ''But I still have a huge problem buying something I can't see."
The Flaming Lips' Coyne said vinyl appeals to fans' senses in ways digital downloads can't by providing colorful notes, posters or other visual items that downloads just don't have. In fact, his band has even packaged DVDs with vinyl albums.
Trevor Larocque, co-founder of Toronto's Paper Bag Records, said vinyl gives artists the chance to offer fans distinct products. His label's records are made in limited amounts of 200 or 300, and the record sleeves are silk-screened with exclusive artwork.
Another technique to lure online listeners is offering memberships in fan clubs that include shipments of unreleased, vinyl recordings, which is what Nashville-based Third Man Records, founded by the White Stripes' Jack White, is doing.
"That, for us, is a really strong way of reaching out to a digital generation," said label executive Ben Swank.
In the case of Toronto-based band the Diableros, they released a new EP, "Old Story, Fresh Road," digitally and on vinyl, forgoing CDs which they felt were unnecessary.
Ad Feedback But releasing an album on vinyl presents musicians with challenges that don't exist for CDs or digital files, said David Read of Vinyl Record Guru, a manufacturing outfit on Vancouver Island, Canada.
COSTS V BENEFITS
Listeners can download files and/or copy digital songs onto CDs and DVDs from their home computer but vinyl presses aren't easy to find - there are only a handful in North America. And to produce a vinyl album, first the lacquer on which to press each vinyl album must be made. Then, a test pressing needs to be done and sound problems must be fixed before mass quantities are produced.
Also, many bands want to release just a few hundred copies on vinyl, yet custom vinyl jackets must be ordered in minimum quantities of 500. To get around that problem, Paper Bag Records ships its albums in, aptly so, paper - recycled cardboard jackets that are customized for each band.
Diableros drummer Mike Duffield said his band borrowed money to finance their vinyl EP, but it was worth it.
"When you've worked a year and a half on something and you want to see it done, you take risks," he explained. "I think you have to invest in yourself and your product."
Vinyl records also cost fans more than CDs, said Criminal Record's Simcoe.
In the US CDs generally range from US$10 (NZ$13.60) to US$14 (NZ$19), but a vinyl record is usually at least US$15 (NZ$20.40) . A price of $20 is more normal and a double-disc, for instance, can cost upward of $35.
Some major and independent labels have increased vinyl prices to account for higher costs and increased demand, but Simcoe worries that tactic may end the positive sales trend. "These guys are in danger of killing this industry," he said.
But for some artists, vinyl's downsides are worth working around. Third Man Records, for instance, sidesteps higher costs and inconvenience by doing all their work in Nashville. The music is recorded in a studio behind their storefront and records are pressed at a facility just down the road.
"We can have it on the shelves in about a month, which is about as long as it takes to get it on iTunes these days," Swank said. "What we're trying to do is make vinyl as immediate as a digital track can be."
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz
MUSIC LOVERS OPT FOR VINYL SOLUTION
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Vinyl records are back in favour among music lovers.
As music lovers approach a new decade in this still-young century, a recording technology once considered old and obsolete - vinyl - has been making a strong comeback.
Vinyl albums, which began to be replaced by CDs in the mid-1980s, have rebounded in recent years as enthusiasts young and old turned sentimental for the old pops, cracks and warm sounds emitting from grooves on a record.
And as sales have rebounded, music makers ranging from big acts like Jack White and the Flaming Lips to local bands in major cities have been cranking out vinyl and treating fans with added material like old-style liner notes or posters.
If bands can keep costs low, they may even be able to make extra money in the financially-strapped music business where cheap digital downloads are replacing once-lucrative CD sales.
"It's hard to say how long it'll last, but even if you're 16-years-old, your parents probably have vinyl somewhere," said Wayne Coyne, lead singer of the Flaming Lips. ''So there's probably some trigger of another time, an exotic world where this was the way you bought music."
While vinyl records never truly became extinct from record store shelves, the current resurgence seems to have picked up pace starting around 2007. Last year, 1.9 million vinyl records sold, roughly double 2007. Industry tracker Nielsen SoundScan projects that 2.8 million units will be purchased in 2009.
A wide range of bands, from Radiohead and the Beatles to Bob Dylan and Metallica, have been shipping albums on vinyl. Radiohead, for instance, sold 61,000 vinyl records in 2008.
Turntable sales are increasing, too, suggesting vinyl is reaching new customers and not just collectors and purists.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Vinyl's renaissance springs from both musicians and fans longing for something more tangible than just listening to music on a digital file, said Paul Simcoe, co-owner of Toronto's Criminal Records.
"I'll support an artist to the end of time." he said. ''But I still have a huge problem buying something I can't see."
The Flaming Lips' Coyne said vinyl appeals to fans' senses in ways digital downloads can't by providing colorful notes, posters or other visual items that downloads just don't have. In fact, his band has even packaged DVDs with vinyl albums.
Trevor Larocque, co-founder of Toronto's Paper Bag Records, said vinyl gives artists the chance to offer fans distinct products. His label's records are made in limited amounts of 200 or 300, and the record sleeves are silk-screened with exclusive artwork.
Another technique to lure online listeners is offering memberships in fan clubs that include shipments of unreleased, vinyl recordings, which is what Nashville-based Third Man Records, founded by the White Stripes' Jack White, is doing.
"That, for us, is a really strong way of reaching out to a digital generation," said label executive Ben Swank.
In the case of Toronto-based band the Diableros, they released a new EP, "Old Story, Fresh Road," digitally and on vinyl, forgoing CDs which they felt were unnecessary.
Ad Feedback But releasing an album on vinyl presents musicians with challenges that don't exist for CDs or digital files, said David Read of Vinyl Record Guru, a manufacturing outfit on Vancouver Island, Canada.
COSTS V BENEFITS
Listeners can download files and/or copy digital songs onto CDs and DVDs from their home computer but vinyl presses aren't easy to find - there are only a handful in North America. And to produce a vinyl album, first the lacquer on which to press each vinyl album must be made. Then, a test pressing needs to be done and sound problems must be fixed before mass quantities are produced.
Also, many bands want to release just a few hundred copies on vinyl, yet custom vinyl jackets must be ordered in minimum quantities of 500. To get around that problem, Paper Bag Records ships its albums in, aptly so, paper - recycled cardboard jackets that are customized for each band.
Diableros drummer Mike Duffield said his band borrowed money to finance their vinyl EP, but it was worth it.
"When you've worked a year and a half on something and you want to see it done, you take risks," he explained. "I think you have to invest in yourself and your product."
Vinyl records also cost fans more than CDs, said Criminal Record's Simcoe.
In the US CDs generally range from US$10 (NZ$13.60) to US$14 (NZ$19), but a vinyl record is usually at least US$15 (NZ$20.40) . A price of $20 is more normal and a double-disc, for instance, can cost upward of $35.
Some major and independent labels have increased vinyl prices to account for higher costs and increased demand, but Simcoe worries that tactic may end the positive sales trend. "These guys are in danger of killing this industry," he said.
But for some artists, vinyl's downsides are worth working around. Third Man Records, for instance, sidesteps higher costs and inconvenience by doing all their work in Nashville. The music is recorded in a studio behind their storefront and records are pressed at a facility just down the road.
"We can have it on the shelves in about a month, which is about as long as it takes to get it on iTunes these days," Swank said. "What we're trying to do is make vinyl as immediate as a digital track can be."
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz