Music News & Notes

Blue Rodeo release new record to rave reviews

Canada’s multi-platinum selling band Blue Rodeo releases 'The Things We Left Behind' in the US. this week. This is the band’s 12th studio record and the most ambitious to date. In a time where bands are posting “tweet songs,” Blue Rodeo is releasing an old-fashioned 16-song double record on CD and vinyl, and garnering attention from a new generation of fans who are discovering the band for the first time. Here's a couple of early reviews:

“Blue Rodeo has the Americana earnestness of Gram Parsons with a generous touch of British Invasion pop... leading the pack is One More Night, a shuffle sung by Cuddy and propelled by soul-savvy electric piano, a chorus full of killer hooks, beefy guitar twang,... and lyrics full of the sort of dark wanderlust that would make Hank Williams proud.”
LEXINGTON-HERALD LEADER

“Cuddy and Keelor both seem to be taking stock, reflecting on the passage of time and the state of the heart with penetrating but poetic insight... An absolutely stellar outing, this is unquestionably the strongest statement yet from a band that continues to set new standards with each release. Highly recommended!”
BLOGCRITICS

=============================

JIMI HENDRIX 'Rock Band' Game Due Out Later This Year

According to Billboard.com, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix will soon have his own "Rock Band" video game. Jimi Hendrix's stepsister, Janie Hendrix, who controls the late axeman's estate, let it slip during an Los Angeles Times interview that a Hendrix edition of "Rock Band" will be coming before the end of the year.

Read the entire report from Billboard.com.

http://www.billboard.com/

=============================

WOE OF TYRANTS: 'Threnody' Artwork Unveiled  (I love heavy metal artwork!)

Ohio's WOE OF TYRANTS will release its third album, "Threnody", on April 13 via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release from the label, "This time around, the guys have seriously turned up the shred-knob and churned out some of the most exciting songs we've heard swirling around the Metal Blade offices in quite some time. On this record, you'll find equal parts speed, groove and over-the-top guitar soloing. Headbanging will be mandatory."

Commented vocalist Chris Catanzaro: "We have a brand-baby-spankin'-new record that we finished recording at the end of 2009 with Jamie King producing, and to embrace the cliché, 'This is the most epic brutal stuff we've ever done and we're stoked on it!'

WOE OF TYRANTS will support OVERKILL on the band's 25th anniversary North American tour, dubbed Killfest 2010, in April/May 2010. The trek will span the length of the U.S., hitting spots in Canada, with one final show at New York City's Nokia Theater. Additional support on the tour will come from VADER, GOD DETHRONED, WARBRINGER and EVILE.

WOE OF TYRANTS' second album, "Kingdom Of Might", was released in January 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was engineered in its entirety by Joey Sturgis of Foundation Studios (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, GWEN STACY, BROTHER VON DOOM).

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/wot

=============================

SOUNDGARDEN To Co-Headline This Year's LOLLAPALOOZA?

According to The Daily Swarm, the reunited SOUNDGARDEN is expected to co-headline the 2010 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Although promoters do not traditionally announce the lineup until spring, multiple industry sources have told The Daily Swarm that SOUNDGARDEN, GREEN DAY and LADY GAGA are locked in for the Aug 6–8 weekend event. Three more headliners are expected to be included when the complete lineup is announced.

The music world was rocked on New Year's Day (January 1) by the news — posted at singer Chris Cornell's web site and Twitter page, plus a new site called Soundgarden World — that grunge gods SOUNDGARDEN would reportedly reunite in 2010 after a 12-year absence. Rumors of a SOUNDGARDEN reunion have picked up steam in the last year, possibly because the band members are known to have gotten together to talk and three of them — all but Cornell — jammed together last March at a Seattle club.

Billboard.com, after the New Year's Day announcement was posted, reported that the band was in negotiations with several festivals, but that has yet to be officially confirmed or denied.

=============================

Bear Hands Debut US Release This Week

Just when all the fuss is exploding on the Brooklyn indie art and pop rock scene, Cantora Records are ready to unleash Brooklyn's Bear Hands US debut single "What A Drag" on February 16th.

But this band doesn't sound like they are remotely influenced in the least by what's going on musically around them. They're breaking the mold making them a truly refreshing and stand out group, opening their own rift, letting everyone know there's a new sheriff in town. "What A Drag" will be available digitally, in addition to a 1000 limited run pressing of white vinyl.

=============================

COVERDALE/PAGE - Special Edition On The Horizon?

In 1993, WHITESNAKE vocalist David Coverdale and LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page joined forces under the moniker COVERDALE/PAGE and released a self-titled album.

Although there are no plans for the pair to record any new material or reunite for any shows, Coverdale reveals that "EMI have recently been making overtures to me about putting a 'special edition' together after they heard there were several unreleased tracks... but, time & resource is the problem...

We've been archiving lots of tapes, cassettes & videos at home recently & we have discovered a ton of the demos Jimmy & I made which could be very interesting for some people to hear...

We also filmed a lot of our writing & recording sessions... so, I feel we could put a terrific 'special' together that would be a treat to have... but, in reality, JP & I have never discussed re-issuing, or making another CP album... There is always the possibility of something happening... I just can't see it in the forseeable future as I am busy with 'all things Whitesnake'...

Personally, I am thrilled I had the opportunity to work with one of my musical heroes... & to maintain a healthy, loving friendship with him...

At times, I feel some people don't understand that Whitesnake is my passion... I don't really look beyond what is possible outside... It's a very broad canvas for me to paint on... no boundaries... no restrictions... Oh... & I'm my own boss... Not too shabby..."

=============================

Robert Plant Working On New Solo Album

Robert Plant is apparently in the midst of recording a new solo album entitled 'It�s Rude To Say No'. Zeppelin fansite Lemon Squeezings reports that Plant has been in Nashville working on the new record with producer Buddy Miller and that the new album will be released later this year.

The news comes via a reporter for the Herald Courier who was doing a piece on musician Darrell Scott, who apparently appears on the new record.

Scott is quoted as saying "Those two-plus weeks were some of the most memorable times I've ever had in the studio. ... The number-one thing is that Robert loves music. You think they're posing and just getting through it, but I was humbled with how Robert Plant loved the music -- old country, blues, rockabilly."

=============================

ELP News

Emerson, Lake and Palmer are playing a high profile reunion gig this summer but before that gets started, two of the band's principles will treat lucky North American fans to a special unplugged tour. Here is the official Announcement: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake to tour USA in an exclusive intimate evening of musical retrospective highlighting the iconic music of Emerson Lake and Palmer, the Nice and King Crimson:

The two man show with keyboard legend Keith Emerson and the famed voice and guitars of Greg Lake is an intimate "unplugged" prelude to the highly anticipated reunion of Emerson Lake and Palmer at the High Voltage Festival in July, 2010 in the UK. It is unlike any show either of the two have performed before.

The fabric of the show is the iconic music composed by Emerson and Lake throughout their careers and audiences can expect new perspectives as well as new arrangements of classic favorites as Keith and Greg relate the stories of their songs and discuss the compositions and people that influenced the celebrated music the two created with the progressive rock bands that went down in history as the super groups that began a rock and roll era: King Crimson, the Nice, and Emerson Lake and Palmer. The show is completely new – the two have never performed together in this personal setting and audiences will be treated to an emotional perspective and a rare and personal insight into the music they love during an evening they won't forget, in an intimate theatrical setting far different from the theatrics of Emerson Lake and Palmer. - Dates and ticket info here:

http://www.keithemerson.com/

Beatles' Abbey Road studios up for sale

This article caught my eye:

Beatles' Abbey Road studios up for sale
By Tina Miles


THE Abbey Road studios – where The Beatles recorded most of their albums – is up for sale, it was reported.

The world-famous studios are to be sold by cash-strapped music group EMI.

EMI’s private equity parent Terra Firma is said to be hoping a sale of the studios – made famous by the 1969 Beatles album and zebra crossing cover shot – could raise tens of millions of pounds.

It is not clear if the sale plans would also include the Abbey Road brand as well as the property.

The move would help EMI to pay down some of the mammoth debts it was saddled with after Terra Firma’s highly-leveraged 2007 takeover.

Abbey Road has hosted artists including Liverpool singer Cilla Black.

Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded You’ll Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross the Mersey at the studios.

The Beatles used Abbey Road for 90% of their recordings, naming their final album after the studios in 1969.

The world-famous album cover features the celebrated photo, taken by Iain Macmillan, of the band wandering across the pedestrian crossing in the road outside the studios.

It became one of the most copied album covers in history – with hundreds of Beatles fans visiting the site to re-create the famous cover. There were calls for the crossing to be moved over fears fans flocking to be snapped on the road were causing crashes. EMI used the studios for last year’s release of remastered Beatles albums.

However in recent years the studios have faced cheaper competition from recording facilities in other countries.

Recent recording advances have also added pressure to Abbey Road.

But it is one of the few venues able to accommodate a full orchestra, which has allowed producers to record scores there for films including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Lord of the Rings.

A sale of the studios would raise much needed cash for its owner.

EMI, which counts Robbie Williams among its artists, posted a £1.75 billion loss for the year to March 2009 in accounts earlier this month.

EMI was touting for interested buyers to acquire the studios at number 3 Abbey Road in St John’s Wood, according to the Financial Times.

The group today remained tight-lipped on any sale of Abbey Road or if it was part of a wider asset sale.


SOURCE: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces 2010 Inductees

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced today that their 2010 inductees will include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, Johnny Mandel and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Hall of Fame Chairman and CEO Hal David said:

“We are looking forward to another memorable evening where we honor their extraordinary accomplishments.” The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 17 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

DeShannon, Foster and Mandel made the cut from the non-performing songwriter(s) ballot. Failing to be elected were nominees Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Luther Dixon, Mark James, Mutt Lange, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, Jerry Rogovoy and Bert Berns, Billy Sherrill, Joe South and Paul Vance and Neil Pockriss.

Cohen and Earth Wind and Fire are coming in from the Performer/Songwriter ballot. Those nominated and failing to be inducted were Garth Brooks, Elvis Costello, Dion DiMucci, David Gates, Tommy James, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, U2 and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens).

The following are the biographies of each of the inductees from the Songwriters Hall of Fame Press Release:

Leonard Cohen:

Leonard Cohen received the Grammy 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his legendary career of artistic accomplishments in songwriting and performing. Over 2,000 covers of Cohen’s songs have been recorded by artists such as R.E.M., Bob Dylan, Elton John, Judy Collins, Willie Nelson and most recently, Justin Timberlake’s rendition of “Hallelujah” that appeared on Cohen’s 1984 Various Positions album. Cohen always had an interest in music, but it wasn’t until 1966 that his focus turned to songwriting after gaining international recognition for his poetry. Before he released a single song, Cohen sold the highly successful “Suzanne” to Judy Collins which later was included on his debut album, The Songs of Leonard Cohen in 1967 along with “Sisters of Mercy,” and “So Long, Marianne.” His next two albums, Songs from a Room and Songs of Love and Hate solidified Cohen’s iconic status with “Bird on a Wire” and “Famous Blue Raincoat.” His multidimensional lyrics have captured fans spanning generations and nationalities for decades. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2008) for his outstanding work. Cohen’s world tour, which inaugurated in May 2008, is still playing to sold-out crowds.

Jackie DeShannon:

Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon is best known as the soulful voice behind two of the 1960s most enduring, era-defining anthems – Burt Bacharach & Hal David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and DeShannon’s own “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” Her songs have been performed by such artists as Al Green, Annie Lennox, Van Morrison, Brenda Lee, The Carpenters, The Temptations, Marianne Faithfull, The Searchers, Ella Fitzgerald and Bruce Springsteen. In the early 1960s, Jackie partnered with Sharon Sheeley on dozens of songs (“Dum Dum,” “The Great Imposter,” “Breakaway,” “You Won’t Forget Me”). Collaborations followed with Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Jimmy Page and John Bettis. In 1964, Jackie toured as an opening act for the Beatles. Writing solo, she composed the hits “When You Walk In The Room” and “Come And Stay With Me.” She earned a million-seller in 1969 with “Put A Little Love In Your Heart,” written with Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday. DeShannon won a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1982 for “Bette Davis Eyes” with writing partner Donna Weiss.

David Foster:

To say that everything David Foster touches turns to gold—and usually platinum—would be an understatement. This stunningly talented songwriter is a 15-time Grammy Award winner with an unprecedented 46 nominations, a recipient of seven Juno Awards, an Emmy Award in 2004 and a three-time Oscar nominee, all over the course of four extraordinarily successful decades. Foster’s career path soared in the 1980’s as he produced and wrote an extraordinary lineup of No. 1 singles, including Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” Peter Cetera’s “The Glory of Love,” and John Parr’s “Man in Motion” (St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack). In 2007 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Foster has worked with the biggest and best talents in the music industry, including Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble’, Seal, Earth, Wind & Fire, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston and many more. Iconic songs in the Foster catalog include “After The Love Is Gone,” “I Have Nothing,” “Look What You’ve Done To Me,” “The Prayer” and “You’re The Inspiration.” Foster recently produced two top ten albums on the Billboard Top 200 Chart - Michael Buble’ (“Crazy Love”) and Andrea Bocelli (“My Christmas).


Johnny Mandel:

Johnny Mandel, the five-time Grammy recipient and Oscar and Emmy Award winner is a composer, arranger, instrumentalist and record producer living a life totally steeped in musical achievement. As a teenager, Mandel was a member of Joe Venuti’s orchestra, followed by employment as a player and/or arranger in bands led by Henry Jerome, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman and Artie Shaw. In the late 1940s and early 50s, Mandel was an arranger and composer for radio and the new medium of TV. At the same time, he played trombone and wrote arrangements for the Count Basie Orchestra. The West Coast recording scene beckoned Johnny in 1954 where he began arranging sessions for stars like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Jo Stafford, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker and Andy Williams. Hollywood film assignments began coming in for Mandel as well, beginning with the all-Jazz score he composed for I Want to Live in 1958. Many Mandel film scores have followed, among them The Americanization of Emily, The Sandpiper, M*A*S*H*, Being There and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. Mandel-composed standards include “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Emily,” “Where Do You Start?” and “Close Enough for Love.” In recent years, Mandel’s career has continued to flourish as he has remained busy producing and arranging recordings for Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and, most recently, for Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson, among many others.

Earth, Wind & Fire:

Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most innovative and commercially invincible contemporary Pop / R&B music forces of the 20th century. Members Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay are known for their signature sound of fusing Pop, R&B, Rock, Latin, Funk, Jazz and African Music to win numerous awards. Earth, Wind & Fire has received 20 Grammy nominations; winning six as a group and its founding members, Maurice White and Philip Bailey, winning two awards each. The band was also awarded the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Signature Governor’s Award. Earth, Wind & Fire have earned more than 50 Gold and Platinum albums and have sold over 90 million albums worldwide. They have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2000) and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1995). The music industry and fans have bestowed Lifetime Achievement honors from ASCAP (Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award - 2002), NAACP (Hall of Fame - 1994) and the BET Awards (Life Time Achievement Award 2002). Two Earth, Wind & Fire classic songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: “That’s The Way of The World” (2004) and “Shining Star” (2007). Earth, Wind & Fire have 12 American Music Awards nominations and four awards. The band is also known as having been the first African-American performers to sell out Madison Square Garden and to receive the MSG Gold Ticket Award. President Obama invited the band to perform at the White House for the first social event of the new administration. Through the decades their songs have been covered by recording artists such as Jerry Garcia Band, D’Angelo, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and many others.

Music News & Notes

Found this interesting read:

Stuff happens in record shop afterlife

By Robert Plummer
Business reporter, BBC News

What happens to record shops after they die?

We all know how downloads, supermarket CD offers and online shopping are making life tough for music retailers.

But every independent store is a small business in its own right, with a long-suffering owner, knowledgeable staff and a diehard band of loyal customers.

In times past, a good record shop was also a hangout for an entire generation and a focal point for fans' passions, as well as a place to hear the latest music and a barometer of new trends.

So can any of that be preserved when the shop closes down?

And do the owners keep trading in music by other means or do they find something else to do?

Read the rest here:   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8507703.stm

============================================

New Beach House EP

Beach House are looking to capitalize on their success, releasing a new EP to celebrate Record Store Day on April 17. It's entitled Zebra, and is essentially a single for the Teen Dream song of the same name. As well as a radio edit of the title track, it features two brand new songs plus a remix of the blissed-out, slow-burning "10 Mile Stereo."

Zebra will be released on twelve-inch vinyl via Sub Pop. It will only be available at retailers involved in Record Store Day.

============================================

Alkaline Trio Announces New Album This Addiction and Tour

Recorded and produced by the band with help from longtime cohort Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, This Addiction marks Alkaline Trio's first release on their imprint label Heart & Skull and first with their parent label Epitaph Records. The album also finds the Trio revisiting their punk roots while moving forward creatively.

The band's seventh studio album, This Addiction, will be available as a standard CD, a limited Deluxe CD/DVD edition (containing two bonus songs, four acoustic tracks and a full length concert DVD), as well as Gatefold LP vinyl.

Epitaph will also have exclusive items signed by the band, rare vinyl and Limited Collector’s bundles - all with a standard digital download or a Deluxe Digital Download.

Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House (SOLD OUT)
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues
April 3 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

http://www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio

============================================

Ray Charles Foundation Reveals the Ray 80 Celebration Logo

Ray Charles was born September 23, 1930 and the Ray Charles Foundation and Concord Records are celebrating what would have been his 80th birthday with a brand new website at raycharles.com. On it, you'll find updated news on all of the planned events, a thorough album and singles discography and a treasure trove of videos and photos.

The Ray Charles Marketing Group has also just unveiled their special Ray 80 logo (right). Janet Macoska, Brand Manager, stated "We’ve planned a series of events and a rollout of new products designed to draw attention to, and celebrate, this historic anniversary. The Ray 80 logo will be used on all product packaging and at all authorized Ray Charles 80th Birthday Celebration events. The RAY 80 campaign is about us connecting to Ray’s worldwide legion of fans and creating opportunities for them to connect to each other."

New Music Releases - Febraury 16, 2010

Adam Green - Minor Love
Aeternam - Disciples of the Unseen
Alkaline Trio - This Addiction (vinyl)
Art Museums - Rough Frame (vinyl)
Backyard Tire Fire - Good to Be
Barn Burner - Bangers
Bear Hands - What a Drag/Can't Stick Em (vinyl)
Bee Gees - Mythology (4 CD)
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore - Dear Companion
Bill Withers - + 'Justments (remastered)
Black Crowes - Warpaint Live (vinyl)
Bob Blank - Blank Generation Blank Tapes NYC 1975-1985 (vinyl)
Bob Mould Band - Live at ATP 2008
Boy Eats Drum Machine - Hoop + Wire
Brigitte Bardot - Musiques De Films (12-disc vinyl box set)
Carnifex - Hell Choose Me
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig
Charlie Alex March - Home/Hidden
Chelsea Grin - Desolation of Eden
Close Your Eyes - We Will Overcome
Courteeners - You Overdid It Doll Pt. 1 (vinyl)
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
DJ Shadow - In LA 10/31/09
Dan Black - Un
Dan Reeder - This New Century
Drive By Truckers - Vol. 2 - Dangerous Highway (vinyl)
Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La (vinyl)
Ellen Allien - Watergate 5
Everybody Was in the French Resistance Now - Fixin the Charts 1
Ewan MacColl - Ballads - Murder Intrigue Love Discord
Ewan Pearson - We Are Proud of Our Choices
Excepter - Presidence
Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins/Comets
Fela Kuti - Gentleman / Confusion (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Koola Lobitos 1964-1968 / The 69 La Sessions (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Open & Close / Afrodisiac (double album reissue)
Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight + 2 Singles (reissue)
Field Music - Measure (vinyl)
Freeway and Jake One - The Stimulus Package
Gentle Friendly - Ride Slow (vinyl)
Giant Drag - Swan Song
Gil Scott-Heron - Storm Music: The Best Of
Greg Dulli: Vol. 1 - Dangerous Highway (vinyl)
HIM - Screamworks: Love in Theory & Practice (vinyl with CD)
Heathen - Evolution of Chaos
Ike Reilly - Hard Luck Stories
James Otto - James Otto
Jamie Cullum - Devil May Care
Jason Falkner - I'm OK, You're OK (vinyl)
Jason Urick - Husbands
Jedi Mind Tricks - Army of the Pharaohs: The Unholy Terror
Jenny Whiteley - Forgive or Forget
Jessica Harp - A Woman Needs
Joe Pug - Messenger
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young (2-CD & DVD & LP luxury edition box set)
Juliana Hatfield - Peace And Love
Karnivool - Sound Awake
Lightspeed Champion - Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You
Lightspeed Champion - Marlene (vinyl)
Lisa Hannigan - Live at Fingerprints
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor (vinyl)
Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring (vinyl)
Lusine - Twilight
MC Chris - Knowing's Half the Hassle (reissue)
Madonna - Revolver (Mixes)
Mako Sica - Dual Horizon (vinyl)
Marina & The Diamonds - Family Jewels
Mark Matos - Words of the Knife (vinyl)
Matthew Ryan - Dear Lover
Middle Class Rut - 25 Years EP (vinyl)
Miracle Condition - Miracle Condition
Moon Duo - Escape (vinyl)
Mott The Hoople - Live at the Hammersmith Apollo 2009 (3-CD box set)
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Nick Curran - Reform School Girl
Overnight Lows - City Of Rotten Eyes (vinyl)
Over the Rhine - Besides (reissue)
Patton Oswalt - 222
Patton Oswalt - Patton Vs. Alcohol Vs. Zach Vs. Patton EP
Perfect - French Connection
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back
Pixies - Pixies (vinyl reissue)
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three - Riverboat Soul
Puerto Muerto - Drumming for Pistols
Raheem DeVaughn - The Love & War Masterpeace
Randy Newman - 12 Songs (reissue)
Robert Pollard - We All Got Out of the Army (vinyl)
Sam Weiser - Sam I Am
Santana - Supernatural (Legacy Edition)
Saxon - Innocence Is No Excuse (remastered with bonus tracks)
Scanners - Submarine
Seven Fields of Aphelion - Periphery
Shirley Bassey - EMI/UA Years 1959-1979 (5-CD box set)
Shout Out Louds - Oh Sweetheart
Smoking Popes - It's Been a Long Day (vinyl)
Soft Pack - The Soft Pack (vinyl)
Solas - Turning Tide
Sole - Vol. 1-Nuclear Winter
Son Lux - Weapons EP
Sonic Youth - Eternal (2-LP vinyl)
Story of the Year - The Constant
Tangerine Dream - Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares (vinyl reissue)
The Game - The R.E.D. Album
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Preservation (vinyl)
The Real Tuesday Weld - Ruth Roses & Revolvers (vinyl)
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - Kollaps Tradixionales (vinyl with CD)
Tindersticks - Falling Down a Mountain (vinyl with CD)
Usher - Raymond v. Raymond
Various Artists - Classic Appalachian Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
Various Artists - Helping Haiti: Everybody Hurts
Various Artists - More Psychedelic Guitars / Psychedelic Visions
Various Artists - My Name Is Khan (soundtrack)
Will Hoge - Again Somewhere Tomorrow
Wu-Tang - Return of the & Friends

This Date In Music History - February 16

Birthdays:

Lynn Paul - New Seekers (1949)

James Ingram (1956)

Andy Taylor - Duran Duran (1961)

Tony Kylie - Blow Monkeys (1962)

Dave Lombardo - Slayer (1965)

Taylor Hawkins - Foo Fighters (1972)

Bradley "Brad" Walst - Three Days Grace (1977)


They Are Missed:

The late Bill Doggett ("Honky Tonk") was born in 1916.

Born on this day in 1932, Otis Blackwell, songwriter and producer, wrote "All Shook Up," "Return To Sender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Great Balls Of Fire" and "Fever." Died from a heart attack on May 6, 2002.

Born today in 1935, Sonny Bono, singer, (1965 #1 single "I Got You Babe," with Cher). Became a US Congressman. Killed on 5th January 1997, (age 62), in a skiing accident.



Billy Ward ("Deep Purple" with his Dominoes) died in 2002.

Singer Doris Troy died in 2004. She had been a session singer with Dionne Warwick, sang on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and released an album on The Beatles’ Apple label.

Charlie Ryan ("Hot Rod Lincoln") died of heart disease in 2008.


History:

Today in 1957 the song "Young Love" by Tab Hunter topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.

In 1964, The Beatles made their second live appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, exactly one week after the first. Before an audience of 3,500 at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, The Beatles performed "She Loves You," "This Boy," "All My Loving," "I Saw Her Standing There," "From Me to You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Alan David Pasaro sued the Rolling Stones in 1971 charging them with invasion of privacy. The charge stemmed from the footage of a stabbing in the film "Gimme Shelter." Pasaro was tried and acquitted for the stabbing death.

Ricky Nelson began his first British tour in 1972.

Bob Dylan started a four-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1974 with 'Planet Waves', his first US #1.

During a tour of America in 1974, the members of Emerson, Lake & Palmer were arrested in Salt Lake City after swimming naked in the hotel pool. They were each fined $75.

Cher started her own weekly hour of a music and comedy show on CBS-TV in 1975. The singer had co-presented The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour with her former husband. Cher's new show featured a female guest each week.

Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good” was #1 in 1975.

Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the UK album chart in 1985 with 'Born In The USA', his first UK #1 album.

"Careless Whisper" started a three-week run at #1 in the US charts in 1985, credited to Wham! Featuring George Michael, this was the duos second US #1.

In 1999 - Rap star Ol' Dirty Bastard was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly wearing body armor, a forbidden garment because of his previous arrests. ODB was initially pulled over for driving eratically.

In 2002, thieves broke into George Michael’s London home and stole over £100,000 ($170,000) worth of paintings, jewellery and designer clothes and drove off in his £80,000 ($136,000) Aston Martin DB7. They also caused £200,000 ($340,000) worth of damage to his home.

50 Cent was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with his debut album ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin,'

Jack White appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes Wednesday in 2005. The White Stripes frontman claims he almost gave up Rock & Roll to become a priest. He was accepted by a seminary but decided to go to public school instead. "I had just gotten a new amplifier… and I didn't think I was allowed to take it with me," says White. 2005

In 2005, Jimi Hendrix memorabila went up for sale with a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar fetching nearly $190,000. The London auction also features a poem written by Hendrix in 1967 and an autographed copy of the Experience's first single, "Hey Joe."

Britney Spears shaved her head in 2007 (slow news day).

In 2009, Elton John’s songwriting skills are auctioned off to benefit Vancouver General Hospital’s effort to help patients with blood cancer. Two people pay $200,000 each to have John write music to their lyrics and record the finished song. The gala raises over $2 million.