Michael Fremer Album Review

Dark Side of the Moon

(reissue)

Pink Floyd

Capitol/EMI SHVL 804 180g LP
Produced by: Pink Floyd
Engineered by: Alan Parsons
Mixed by: Chris Thomas
Mastered by: James Guthrie
Lacquer cut by: Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab

MUSIC

SOUND






38 years after its original release, DSOTM continues to intrigue listeners. This review, originally posted in June of 2003 included coverage of the then new multichannel SACD issue as well as an AAA remix from the multitrack masters.


Dark Side of the Moon Yet Again? And Again?
by Michael Fremer
December 01, 2011

Another decade, another reissue of DSOTM, this one using the very fragile original two track master tape, again supervised by James Guthrie. Guthrie had determined that the tape was in fragile shape back in 2003, which is why he opted for a remix in the analog domain. That edition was very good and worth having, especially if you didn't have a very clean early UK pressing, but in retrospect it departs from the original much as the Mo-Fi does: the EQ is a bit much at the frequency extremes, which bleaches out the mids. As for the mix's micro-elements and how close Guthrie came to reproducing the original mix, I have to surrender that to the DTOTM fanatics, of which I'm not one.

This time Guthrie took the original tape and very carefully converted it to digital at 96/24 resolution. He then went on a quest to provide lacquer cutter Doug Sax with the D/A converter that best expressed what he heard from the analog playback and that's what Sax used to cut the lacquers for this reissue, which appears to have been processed and pressed at Rainbo.

While Rainbo has long been known as a "commercial pressing house," owner and industry veteran Steve Sheldon told me has was ramping up quality to produce audiophile level 180g pressings and based upon most of the 180s I've gotten from Rainbo, he's succeeded, though the record edges have a weird quality that makes it look and feel as if two 100g biscuits have been pressed together to produce one 180g LP. I'm sure that's not the case. It's just looks and feels like it is.

Despite the tape's age and the digital roadblock, this new DSOTM is clearly superior to the 2003 edition. It's more coherent sonically, especially in terms of the EQ, which is essentially what Parsons and mixer Chris Thomas produced. Rainbo's pressing is thick, flat and quiet, with but a hint of "non-fill" noise for the first half minute or so. The 2003 edition pressed in The Netherlands had the same issue, but even more so—at least my copy did.

This one comes with all of the posters plus an MP3 download. The packaging is first class too. So how can you go wrong? As for the music, it expresses the '60s exhaustion most young people felt by the second year of the '70s, which was a time when it seemed like civilization as we knew it was decaying and dying as was the dream of a grand rebirth at the hands of a young generation. Both were of course, and DTOTM mirrored that exhaustion. Poking around in 2011 leads one to the same morbid state, so let the decay begin! And what better soundtrack to the action than Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon?

What's below is the 2003 review

It is almost embarrassing to write about Dark Side of the Moon 30 years after its initial release. Can one add anything of substance to the books' worth of reviews and essays that have already piled up? Pink Floyd's musical ruminations on the "human condition"--whatever that is--is one of the best-selling albums of all time, and has attracted a worldwide audience that crosses every demographic, and has done so consistently for all 30 years. And now this hybrid 5.1-channel SACD has propelled Dark Side of the Moon yet again to the top of the Billboard charts. Amazing.

The lyrics are not all that cryptic. You gotta breath and try to relax, despite having no idea what this place is and what it's all about--except that death will come knocking one day--and who knows what that will bring, if anything. Despite our best efforts, or because of them, money rules and we spend most of our time trying to earn it. Time flies, though what time is, we don't know, but it's probably a spatial dimension we can't grasp. "Quiet desperation" is a worldwide phenomenon; it's not merely "the English way." And so on. Pink Floyd tackles the same big issues on Dark Side of the Moon that The Moody Blues did on In Search of the Lost Chord or On the Threshold of a Dream--minus the hokey spiritualism, the grandiose attempts at enlightenment, and the existential cornpone. The gritty ambiguity of the Floyd's message--and the brilliance of the album's production--explain why Dark Side of the Moon remains timeless and has continued to find new audiences with the maturing of every successive generation.

The message here is "Why try to explain what this is? Why bother?" Better off to scream like Doris Troy. In fact, if you look around at what's happening in the world today--and especially in America--and you don't scream, you've got your eyes closed.

Dark Side of the Moon is as much a producer's album as a musician's. The music, after all, is not that challenging, intricate, or original. In fact, you could argue that the music slogs along at mid-tempo on folk/rock chords that sound downright pedestrian. The magic is in the performances, the production, the arrangements, and the engineering.

The whole story is the remixing and remastering. For this edition, the longtime Floyd engineer James Guthrie went back to the 16-track analog work tapes. In the original production (and thus in the two-channel mix), two machines were synched together and elements were combined and bounced back and forth to free additional tracks. For this mix Guthrie chose to go back to the original, first-generation pre-mix elements, all of which fortunately still exist in the EMI vaults. He was also determined to remain in the analog domain until the bitter end, insisting that this was, after all, a distinctly analog-sounding production. That decision created enormous technical difficulties, as the elements did not often stay in synch due to speed variations between machines. It would have been easier to dump the elements to digital and then synch them, but that would have defeated the purpose of the exercise, and in these enlightened sonic times, Guthrie felt doing so would have detracted from the final sound quality. It wasn't so many years ago that most engineers would have been anxious to get into the digital domain as soon as possible for the very same reasons! How far we've come from that muddled thinking!

There will always be "the original is still the greatest" types, who will prefer an original UK EMI/Harvest vinyl pressing, but be prepared to pay for a truly early edition (solid blue pyramid on label, -1 lacquer, mother #1, and early stamper code). Mo-Fi's Japanese-pressed half-speed LP was super quiet, but EQ'ed to emphasize the frequency extremes, and the small-sounding gold CD is hopelessly outdated sonically. That leaves as contenders for the best available version this SACD reissue and the new vinyl version, mastered by Doug Sax and Kevin Gray at Acous-Tech from the original stereo mix, plated at RTI, and pressed in The Netherlands. According to RTI's Don MacInnis "We sent 2 "A" and 3 "B" side nickel Mothers, each protected by the first stamper, to Record Industry in Holland. Any additional stampers would have been made there.

As has been reported elsewhere (including in John Atkinson's piece in the June 2003 Stereophile), the CD layer on this SACD has been foolishly compressed. Still, it sounds pretty good, but a bit "hot" on top. Guthrie's ultra-dynamic 5.1-channel mix is the most effective multichannel mix of a record with a two-channel history that I've yet heard. Part of the reason is the nature of the material. It's laden with sound effects and voices that work well when spread around the room, and Guthrie's mixed it with both skill and good taste, avoiding the temptation to make things "pop" in the rear channels.

Instead, the effect he's created is that of an enormous three-dimensional space, with most of what formerly sat across and behind the stage now forward and around it in an enormous "U"-shaped arc that extends well past the sides of the front speakers. He's also avoided larding up the center channel with too much discrete information. The result is a brand new Dark Side of the Moon that, one could argue, truly fulfills the original intent of the band.

I auditioned it in my home theater on Sony's XA-777ES SACD player via an Arcam FMJ preamp/processor and FMJ multichannel amplifier driving a pair of Audio Physic Virgos, an AP Avanti center channel, a pair of AP Brilon surrounds, and the Minos subwoofer. I can't imagine anyone reading this would be anything but thrilled by the sound--especially the deep-bass textures and the enormous, enveloping, superbly integrated 3D soundstage. The EQ is still a bit "hot" on top for my tastes, but below the very top, the textures are rich and fulfilling and the bottom end is muscular and well controlled.

That said, for transparency, texture, harmonic complexity, and the display of subtle dynamic gradations, the new LP can't be beat. I compared it to a later UK Harvest pressing and to a Japanese Toshiba/ EMI "Pro Use"-series LP, and while the UK Harvest was somewhat richer in the mids and not quite as "hot" on top, this deluxe, well-packaged reissue is worth having even if you have a clean original.

EMI has apparently decided to support DVD-Audio in the future. Given the enormous success of this hybrid SACD (I've been told it's been selling upwards of 20,000 copies per week), perhaps the company will reconsider. How eager are consumers going to be to buy a disc they can't play in their cars or boom boxes, or portables--and which will only play in a compressed format (Dolby Digital) on standard DVD players? (The DVD-A folks have announced plans to issue double-sided discs in the future: CD layer on one side, DVD-A on the other. That solves the compatibility issue, but would you want to be handling such discs in a portable environment?)

Thanks to Michael over at www.musicangle.com  for the exclusive rights to reprint this material. Stop by MusicAngle.com for more reviews and features.

©2011 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - - All rights reserved

Reprinted by Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

not big on getting on a soap box and addressing a lot of subjects on the CVR Blog, but being a former drinker, please, what ever you do, do not drink and drive - designate a driver!!

Have A Safe And Happy Start To The New Year!

fantastic story from the AP, vinyl lovers doing well!

Vinyl collectors help album industry

By Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — The sound may not be crystal clear. They can be scratched and skip from time to time. It’s not a very mobile music form.

But they are growing in popularity.

Vinyl record sales have grown steadily over the past six years, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

David Bakula, a senior vice president at Nielsen SoundScan, said 2011 sales of new LPs, or long-playing records, are almost 3.5 million year-to-date compared to 2.8 million in 2010. LP sales are also bucking the downward trend in the industry; overall album sales dropped 13 percent in 2010, but sales of vinyl increased by 12 percent during the same period, according to Sound-Scan.

“It’s not like we’re just breaking last year’s record, we’re killing it,” Bakula said.

That’s good news for local record collector Glen Wheeler. The former record store owner estimates he has between 50,000 and 60,000 records stacked and boxed, filling his Springdale home.

“It’s really making a comeback, which is great for me,” Wheeler said. “People have questioned my sanity for about 10 years now. I really believed in vinyl and I think I proved to be right.”

Columbia Records introduced the LP in 1948. Wheeler believes the format is what made the music business.

“Rock ’n’ roll really took off,” he said.

He called the 12-inch LP format the perfect art form, allowing 20 to 25 minutes of music on each side.

Read the rest at thecabin.net

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this out of the uk (and i would agree, in the states these albums have little value, the market is glutted with this crap and the goodwill bins are full as well....

Bottom of the Pops! Rod Stewart and Abba in top ten least wanted LPs

Pop music buffs will find it hardly surprising that nobody these days wants to take home a vinyl copy of T’Pau’s debut album Bridge of Spies. But it is rather remarkable that a top ten of least-wanted LPs also includes such household names as Elton John, Rod Stewart and Abba. Others to feature in the league of shame include Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Culture Club, Paul Young, Dionne Warwick and Sky.

All the unloved albums were released between 1977 and 1987, spanning the years either side of the advent of compact discs in the mid-1980s. The list was compiled for the music magazine Mojo by Ben’s Collectors Records of Guildford, Surrey, which has been selling vinyl for 25 years.

Read the rest at dailymail.co.uk




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interesting write up about the scorpions at noisecreep.com

Scorpions on Their New Album and Why They're Saying Goodbye

by Jason MacNeil

Last year, German hard rock band the Scorpions announced that 'Sting in the Tail' would be their final studio album with a farewell world tour to follow. Yet with the tour booked well into 2012 and 2013, the group led by founding guitarist Rudolf Schenker and singer Klaus Meine, recently managed to release another album called 'Comeblack.'

Some have criticized the group – garnering a surprisingly younger legion of fans lately – for releasing another album after proclaiming 'Sting in the Tail' to be the last, but Schenker is adamant it's not the case.

"We said it would be great to make a project because we see it as a project, not an album like a real Scorpions album," he tells Noisecreep. "We stayed true to our word saying that 'Sting in the Tail' is our last studio album. But this is a project for us because as a band we never went into cover versions so much."

Read the rest at noisecreep.com

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and in an expanded music history for december 31st, 2011:

In 1929, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played "Auld Lang Syne" as a New Year's Eve song for the first time.

In 1940, as a result of a dispute between the radio networks and ASCAP (the American Society of Composers and Publishers), the radio industry was prevented from playing any ASCAP-licensed music. The ban lasted for ten months.

John Denver (born Henry John Deutschendorf) was born on this date in 1943 (died in 1997).

In 1952, country legend Hank Williams died en route from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Ohio.

In 1955, based on record sales as well as radio and jukebox plays, Billboard magazine named "Unchained Melody" by Les Baxter and his Orchestra, the number 1 song in the US for 1955.

In 1956, on New Years Eve, Elvis Presley appeared on Wink Martindale's local TV special in Memphis.

In 1961, appearing on New Year's Eve at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the Beach Boys play their first show under that name. Prior to this, they called themselves the Pendletons and Carl And The Passions. The gig paid them $300.

In 1961, Janis Joplin sang in public for the first time in Beaumont, TX.

In 1962, 27-year-old John Phillips marries 18-year-old Holly Michelle Gilliam. The marriage was her first and his second, and would produce one child, Chynna Phillips, vocalist of the 1990s' Pop trio Wilson - Phillips. The pair would later co-found The Mamas and Papas, but divorced in 1970.

In 1963, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, later of the Grateful Dead, played music together for the first time.

Also in 1963, the Kinks performed live for the first time in London.

In 1965, John Lennon's estranged deadbeat father, Alf, released the single "That's My Life (My Love And My Home)," designed to ride his son's coattails and be a sequel to the Beatles "In My Life." John reportedly instructed manager Brian Epstein to make sure the single was blackballed in the UK. It was not a hit.

In 1965, the Beatles single "I Feel Fine" and album "Beatles '65" are certified Gold.

In 1966, the Monkees topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the Neil Diamond composition, "I'm A Believer". Because of over a million advance orders, the single went Gold two days after its release and has now sold over ten million copies worldwide. Its reign at #1 lasted for seven weeks.

In 1967, Sonny and Cher were barred from Pasadena, California's Tournament of Roses Parade for speaking out in support of the 2,000 demonstrators who protested a year-long campaign by sheriffs and police to clear the Strip of 'loitering' teenagers. Known as "the Sunset Strip rioters", the group mainly consisted of 15-year-olds with long hair and acne who were confronted by several hundred riot-helmeted sheriff's deputies.

In 1968, for the first time ever, Americans spent more than $1 billion on records. According to Billboard magazine, album sales were 192 million units and singles sold 187 million units.

In 1969, at a New Year's Eve concert at the Fillmore East in New York City, Jimi Hendrix introduces his new side men, bassist Billy Cox and former Electric Flag drummer, Buddy Miles. The concert is recorded for the live album, "Band of Gypsys", which will reach #5 in the US and #6 in the UK.

In 1969, a BBC-TV special declared John Lennon to be the "Man Of The Decade," on the same day that Rolling Stone magazine named him "Man Of The Year," while the music newspaper New Musical Express quoted him as saying he was thinking of leaving the Beatles.

In 1970, with Melody Maker magazine reporting that the Beatles are looking for a new bass player, Paul McCartney files suit to dissolve the Beatles' corporation. It would take until 1974 for the split to become final.

In 1971, singer David Clayton-Thomas made his last appearance with Blood, Sweat & Tears (until their brief reunion four years later).

In 1972, Dick Clark's first Rockin' New Years Eve airs on ABC-TV, starring Three Dog Night, Al Green and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Also in 1972, The MC5 play their farewell show at a New Years Eve bash at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Their take for the night was $200.

In 1973, Journey made their live debut in San Francisco.

In 1973, Australian band AC/DC made their live debut when they appeared at Chequers Bar in Sydney.

In 1974, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were invited to join Fleetwood Mac, marking the band's tenth line-up change since 1967.

In 1974, after abandoning an earlier concept of an album that was to be recorded entirely with household objects, Pink Floyd began recording their landmark album "Wish You Were Here."

In 1975, Elvis Presley performed a New Year's Eve concert before 60,000 fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. He earned $800,000 for the night, a then world record for a single show by a solo artist.

In 1976, the Cars made their performance debut at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

In 1978, Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco closed its doors for good after the Grateful Dead played their 48th concert there, a New Year's Eve show with the Blues Brothers as the opening act.

In 1979, at a New Years Eve concert in Cleveland, Bruce Springsteen's cheek is ripped open by a fire-cracker thrown onstage from the audience.

In 1982, in New York City, the club Max's Kansas City closed. It had been a career launching pad for artists including Bruce Springsteen, the New York Dolls, and the Velvet Underground.

In 1982, singer/musician/actor/radio host "Little Steven" Van Zandt married Maureen Santora at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen was best man. After rock 'n' roll pioneer (and Reverend) Little Richard performed the ceremony, entertainment was provided by a wedding reception band consisting of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Gary U.S. Bonds, Little Milton, and the wedding band from the movie "The Godfather." Percy Sledge sang "When A Man Loves A Woman."

In 1984, on New Years Eve, Def Leppard's drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm after crashing his Corvette while racing another driver on a UK highway. The arm was re-attached, but had to be removed three days later. His right arm was also damaged, but he eventually re-joined the band using a specially adapted drum kit.

In 1985, rock and roll legend Rick Nelson was killed while en route to a New Year's Eve show in Dallas, Texas. His private DC-3 (which was previously owned by Jerry Lee Lewis) crashed in a field near DeKalb, Texas. Early press reports erroneously suggested that drug use, namely freebasing, might have played a role in the crash that killed Rick, his band, and his fiancée Helen Blair (the pilot and co-pilot survived). In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board's 1987 report determined that the fire began in a malfunctioning gas heater.



In 1991, Ted Nugent donated 200 pounds of venison to a Salvation Army soup kitchen in Detroit with the message "I kill it, you grill it."

In 1991, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers shared the bill at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

In 1997, pianist Floyd Cramer, who scored a Billboard number 2 hit in 1960 with "Last Date", died of lung cancer at the age of 64. As a session musician, he played on many major hits for a variety of artists, including Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel". In 2003, Cramer was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1999, the Manic Street Preachers set a record in Europe for the biggest indoor concert when they played for 57,000 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

In 2004, for the first time in the last 32 years, Dick Clark wasn't in New York's Time Square to celebrate New Year's Eve. The 75 year old TV host and producer was forced to watch the show from his hospital bed after suffering a mild stroke on December 6th. A spokesman said that Mr. Clark had been doing some rehab and that doctors were encouraged with his progress.

In 2005, although he wasn't actually in Times Square and his speech had slowed due to the effects of a stroke he suffered in December, 2004, Dick Clark made a return to his New Year's Rockin' Eve TV show.

Also in 2005, the John Lennon song “Imagine” was voted England’s favorite song a quarter of a century after his death. A U.K. radio station conducted the poll of 7,000 listeners. The Beatles were voted into second and third place with “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be.”

In 2010, Joseph Jones Jr., known as "Little Joe" of the group The Tams died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 64. Although he joined the band eight years after their Billboard Top Ten hit "What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am", Jones stayed with the group for 36 years before retiring in 2008.

birthdays today include (among others): Andy Summers (Police) (69), Donna Summer (63), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) (60), Paul Westerburg (Replacements) (52), Jeff Johnson (Jason & the Scorchers) (52), Scott Ian (Anthrax) (48), Bob Bryar (My Chemical Romance) (32) and Burton Cummings (Guess Who) (64)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

lovely article about our favorite thing! (well written....and i never get tired of reading these types of stories!)

Vinyl Records Are Cool Again

By Aspyn Jones

The needle scratching on an album, freshly plucked from its sleeve used to be something only the older set enjoyed. But not anymore.

Vinyl record sales are on the rise, and Val Camilletti, owner of Val’s Halla Records, located in Oak Park, has an explanation as to why vinyl is suddenly all the rage again.

“The major media just caught up,” she said. “This has been happening now for over the last two or three years.”

Fellow record store owner Morry Barak of Favorite Records, in Wicker Park, attributes this spike to the death of digital.

“I think people just are rejecting music in general of today,” said Barak. “There’s not a really good way to sell it, downloads are a weird, intangible thing.”

Vinyl isn’t just limited to your mom and dad’s old Rolling Stones or Al Green LPs—or long-playing microgroove record, another name for vinyl. A wide variety of artists, both young and old, are on album covers. But exactly why would someone want to hear the new Feist album on a turntable when one can easily illegally download the album?

Read the rest at chicagotalks.org

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GORGUTS' 'Obscura' To Be Made Available On Vinyl For First Time

Canadian label War On Music has announced the long-overdue vinyl release of GORGUTS' 1998 album, "Obscura". The groundbreaking record is highly regarded as an unrivalled masterpiece of the death metal genre. When it first was unleashed in 1998, "Obscura" was a drastic but not unexpected departure from the earlier more traditional death metal GORGUTS offerings. Technical, extreme, often odd and discordant but deeply compelling, "Obscura" was an album which appeared difficult at first but commanded repeated listens and unquestioned respect. Over an hour of relentless, punishing, highly evolved compositions bearing no worthy comparison, but fitting in comfortably and confidently among the highest ranks of eastern Canadian metal such as VOIVOD, CRYPTOPSY and KATAKLYSM.

Never before on vinyl, the highly anticipated monstrous onslaught will be released as a double gatefold LP available early spring 2012.

Read more and get the tracklist at our friends at Blabbermouth

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love his music and collaborations with others, give his music a listen, you'll like it....

Matthew Sweet Celebrates the 20 Years of 'Girlfriend,' Honors Alex Chilton

by Chris Epting

Pure pop maven Matthew Sweet's most recent new album, 'Modern Art,' shimmers and shines with all of melodic majesty he's become famous for over the years. But he also has an album called 'Girlfriend' that he's thinking about these days. After all, that pop masterpiece is now 20 years old and he's celebrating the anniversary by presenting the entire thing on his current tour. He's also opened an online store for his growing line of handmade pottery. Spinner recently caught up with Sweet to discuss all this and more!

Read the rest of the interview at spinner.com

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the next few posts are about album cover art...pick your favorite:

The Prophecy 23 Announces New Album

German act The Prophecy 23 have recently revealed on their website an announcement about an upcoming album:

"After the overwhelming reviews of their first record '...To The Pit' and many crazy live-shows (i.a. Wacken Open Air 2011) The Prophecy 23 announces their second record 'Green Machine Laser Beam.'

"It will be produced by Kristian 'Kohle' Kohlmannslehner in the Kohlekeller Studio in January and February 2012. He already worked on chart-breaker like Crematory and Powerwolf.

"The second record of The Prophecy 23 will be released by Massacre Records in spring/summer 2012. The cover artwork was again drawn by Marvin Clifford (MAD Magazine, etc.)."








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Voices Of Destiny Unveil Album Artwork

German symphonic metal vets Voices of Destiny recently unveiled the album artwork and track listing their sophomore LP 'Power Dive.' The album is scheduled for release on January 27, 2011 via Massacre Records.

Tracklist:
1. Prologue
2. Power Dive
3. My Separation
4. Dreams Awake
5. Kami
6. The Untouchable
7. Being Worth
8. Dedication
9. Your Hands
10. Red Winter's Snow I (Prophets of Doom)
11. Power Dive (Reprise)






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Artificial Wish To Release Debut LP

Italian metal/rock band Artificial Wish are scheduled to release their debut LP 'Subconscious' on January 9, 2012 via Built2Kill Records. 'Subconscious' was produced by Eddy Cavezza and Dualized (Fear Factory/Logan Mader/Tue Madsen).




















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Desert Sin To Release New Album

Austrian metal band Desert Sin is set to release their sophomore LP called 'Destination Paradise' on January 20, 2012 via Pure Steel Records.

Tracklist:
1. Awakening
2. Destination Paradise
3. Kill the King (Rainbow Cover)
4. Would You Release Me
5. Follow Me
6. In Silence
7. The Seed of Destruction
8. Creation
9. Hero
10. Circle of Twilight






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Re-Armed Unveils Album Artwork For Debut LP

Finnish melodic death metal band Re-Armed is set to release its debut album 'Worldwide Hypnotize' on January 27, 2012 through Massacre Records.

Tracklist:
1. Natural Backlash
2. Worldwide Hypnotize
3. Feardrops
4. Save Yourself
5. The Bridge That Leads Nowhere
6. Deathtrap
7. King Authority (Honor to Serve)
8. Hoax
9. Trance









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this from our friends at vinylcollective.com

2011 Vinyl Release Spotlight: Rise Records

As the year comes to an end, we will be doing a spotlight on a variety of labels who released hot vinyl titles during 2011! We are kicking off the series featuring Rise Records. In 2011 we saw a lot of cool records come out via Rise on a variety of limited vinyl.

Piebald – Vol I-III Triple Gatefold 3XLP (Record Store Day release, LTD 1,000 Copies)

Sharks – The Joys Of Living 2008-2010 ( 101 WHITE/BLACK MIX (GRAY HAZE), 305 BLUE/BLACK MIX, 600 RED/BLACK MIX, 1000 WHITE)
Devil Wears Prada – Plagues LP (Purple LTD 1,000)

Dance Gavin Dance – People We Knew 7? (100 Orange, 900 Baby Blue)

Man Overboard – Man Overboard LP (1000 COKE BOTTLE, 500 CAMOUFLAGE, 500 ORANGE SPLAT)

Transit – Listen and Forgive LP ( 300 YELLOW/CLEAR, 700 GRAY/PURPLE, 1000 GRAY/ORANGE SPLAT)

This Is Hell – Black Mass LP (500 BLACK, 300 WHITE/RED SPLAT, 200 BLACK/RED SOLID)

A Loss For Word – Sanctuary LP (500 BONE, 500 GOLD)

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INTO ETERNITY Continuing Work On New Music; Vinyl Reissues On The Way

Canadian label War On Music Records will issue several albums by Regina, Saskatchewan-based Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY for the first time ever on vinyl. "Dead Or
Dreaming" (2001), "Buried In Oblivion" (2004) and "Scattering Of The Ashes" (2006) will be made available, each as a limited LP release, starting in early spring 2012.

INTO ETERNITY's signature sound has often been described as a hybrid of latter-day DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, combined with the technical stylings of DREAM THEATER. INTO ETERNITY vocalist Stu Block was recently recruited by power metal giants ICED EARTH, with whom he recorded the band's latest CD, "Dystopia".

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

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this from our colorful friends at polyvinylrecords.com

2011: The Year in Colored Vinyl

Asobi Seksu - Fluorescence (Clear Pink)

When describing the recording process for Asobi Seksu's fourth full-length, Fluorescence, guitarist James Hanna said, “This time, our agenda was to not have one at all; to be mellow about the entire process instead of obsessing over everything.”

Maybe mellow isn’t the right word, unless he’s comparing the band’s new album to a coiled-up cobra or unconscious crocodile—temperamental types that are one false move away from striking.

After all, “Coming Up” sets the scene by plowing into beehive-like synth lines and warp speed washes of dream-pop that leave you wondering just what the hell is going on.

Things don’t let up on “Trails,” either, as singer/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate sets her immaculate melodies against a barrage of battery-powered chords.

Catchy and chaotic to the core, the sky-scraping song pays homage to the pitch-perfect songwriting of the ‘60s by chartering a yellow submarine to the moon.

And when the Brooklyn-based quartet (rounded out by bassist Billy Pavone and drummer Larry Gorman) finally hits the ground, their color-saturated soundscapes don’t get dull or cold. They get even brighter, as Fluorescence’s many shades shift with each passing song.

That includes everything from the expansive/erratic—and yet, oh-so-poppy—prog movements of “Leave the Drummer Out There” to the weightless balladry of “Ocean,” a track that channels its title with swollen synths and beats that bob and weave through the murkiest waters around.

Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity (Orange

In 2007, having toured with Radiohead, the Roots, and Wilco, Deerhoof released Friend Opportunity. The album has been out of print on vinyl for years.

Now included is "Makko Shobu," which does not appear on the original.

of Montreal - thecontrollersphere (Bright Blue)

A mini-album of sorts, thecontrollersphere clocks in at 23 minutes and features the long-awaited studio version of live favorite "Black Lion Massacre" -- a pulsing sonic freakout that is the darkest and noisiest song Barnes has ever written and serves as thecontrollersphere's mission statement.

31Knots - Trump Harm (Yellow)

Moving into their 7th full-length, Trump Harm, 31Knots are a living testament to the advantages of staying true to yourself over fleeting flash-in-the-pan glamour in an age of instant gratification.

More than anything else, the sound of Trump Harm is yet another fresh take on the band's unique brand of jagged yet melodic, gritty yet graceful, grandiose punk rock.

With swift directional changes, abrupt stops, and inertia-defying starts, 31Knots executes each teetering musical jerk and halt and subsequent summersault with jaw-dropping agility.

And with every angular arrest in the music, the band seems to avoid self-annihilation through complete exposure and emotional meltdown -- thus exhibiting their absolute command over the direction of the song.

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found this gem online, a new site (to me anyway), lots of great info and insight....thought i'd pass it along: invisibleoranges.com

2011 in Review: The Year’s Worst Album Art

By Invisible Oranges Editor

Worst Album Art

















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like the list and the music:

Best albums of 2011

Stewart Oksenhorn/The Aspen Times

Best Albums

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this man at billboard.com has got it right!:

The 10 Worst Album Covers of 2011

by Jason Lipshutz, N.Y.

The artwork on an album cover ideally offers an iconic image while complementing the music on the disc underneath it. In 2011, there were a handful of shining examples of successful album covers; who could forget the understated black-and-white elegance of Adele's "21," or the fantastic shot of Lil Wayne as a young graduate on "Tha Carter IV" cover?

Yet for all of the successful album covers, a handful of weird, boring and downright disgusting pieces of artwork were issued as well; some of them left us scratching our heads, while others will likely haunt our dreams for years to come. Check out our countdown of the 10 Worst Album Covers of 2011, and tell us which ones you think are the most downright vile -- or secretly brilliant -- in the comments section.

See more really bad album cover art at billboard.com



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and in music history for today, december 30th, 2012:

The great Bo Diddley was born on this date in 1928 (died in 2008).

Del Shannon was born today in 1934 (died in 1990).

In 1942, Frank Sinatra started an eight-week run of live performances at New York's Paramount Theatre. Nearly 400 policemen were needed to handle his screaming "bobbysoxer" fans.

In 1957, Elvis Presley released the single, "Don't" b/w "I Beg Of You."

In 1962, Brenda Lee was slightly injured when she ran back into her burning Nashville home to rescue her poodle, Cee Cee. However, it was too late as the pet succumbed to smoke inhalation and the home was destroyed by the flames. Brenda's hit, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", that featured Boots Randolph on saxophone, was still riding high on the charts.

In 1967, songwriter ("Hang On Sloopy," "Piece Of My Heart," "I Want Candy," "Twist And Shout" to name a few) /record producer/record label co-owner (Bang) Bert Berns died of heart failure at age 38.

In 1968, Vanilla Fudge performed at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, with Led Zeppelin as their opening act.

CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:

In 1968, in Los Angeles, Frank Sinatra recorded "My Way."

Paul Anka heard the original 1967 French pop song, Comme d'habitude (as usual) performed by Claude François, while on holiday in the south of France. He flew to Paris to negotiate the rights to the song. In a 2007 interview, he said: "I thought it was a bad record, but there was something in it." He acquired publishing rights at no cost except the melody's rights kept by the authors, and, two years later, had a dinner in Florida with Frank Sinatra and "a couple of Mob guys" at which Sinatra said: "I'm quitting the business. I'm sick of it, I'm getting the hell out."

Back in New York, Anka re-wrote the original French song for Sinatra, subtly altering the melodic structure and changing the lyrics:

"At one o'clock in the morning, I sat down at an old IBM electric typewriter and said, 'If Frank were writing this, what would he say?' And I started, metaphorically, 'And now the end is near.' I read a lot of periodicals, and I noticed everything was 'my this' and 'my that'. We were in the 'me generation' and Frank became the guy for me to use to say that. I used words I would never use: 'I ate it up and spit it out.' But that's the way he talked. I used to be around steam rooms with the Rat Pack guys - they liked to talk like Mob guys, even though they would have been scared of their own shadows."

Anka finished the song at 5 am. "I called Frank up in Nevada - he was at Caesar's Palace - and said, 'I've got something really special for you.'" Anka claimed: "When my record company caught wind of it, they were very pissed that I didn't keep it for myself. I said, 'Hey, I can write it, but I'm not the guy to sing it.' It was for Frank, no one else." Despite this, Anka would later record the song in 1969 (very shortly after Sinatra's recording was released), in 1996 (as a duet with Gabriel Byrne, performed in the movie Mad Dog Time), and in 2007 (as a duet with Jon Bon Jovi).

Frank Sinatra recorded his version of the song on December 30, 1968, and it was released in early 1969 on the album of the same name and as a single. It reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #2 on the Easy Listening chart in the US. In the UK, the single achieved a still unmatched record, becoming the recording with the most weeks inside the Top 40, spending 75 weeks from April 1969 to September 1971. It spent a further 49 weeks in the Top 75 but never bettered the #5 slot achieved upon its first chart run.



In 1967, "Hello Goodbye" became the Beatles 15th Billboard number one hit. The flip side, "I Am The Walrus" reached #56, the lowest ranking for any charted "B" side of a Beatles number one single. John Lennon wrote nonsense words for "Walrus" after learning that a teacher at his old primary school was having his students analyze Beatles' lyrics. He would later say, "Let the fuckers work that one out."

In 1968, Peter Tork quit The Monkees, buying himself out of his contract for $160,000, which left him broke. He went on to form a group called Release and played banjo on George Harrison's soundtrack to the film Wonderwall. He later did some club performances and live television appearances before intermittently returning to The Monkees in 1986.

In 1970, Elvis Presley toured FBI headquarters in Washington DC. He requests and was given a permit to carry a gun in every state.

Also in 1970, Paul McCartney sued the other three Beatles to dissolve the partnership and gain control of his interest.

IN 1972, Bruce Springsteen opened for Brownsville Station and Sha-Na-Na at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1976, ABBA, the world's most successful singing group of the seventies, are awarded a US Gold record for their "Greatest Hits" album. Despite the title of the compilation, only half of the tracks had actually charted as hit singles.

In 1978, XTC played live for the first time in the US in Philadelphia.

In 1979, composer Richard Rogers died at the age of 77.

In 1979, after selling over 35 million albums since forming in 1970, Emerson, Lake and Palmer announced that they are splitting up.

In 1981, the J. Geils Band album 'Freeze-Frame' was awarded a Gold record. The LP would reach number one on the Billboard Hot 200 chart in February 1982 and remain at the top for four weeks on the strength of the hit singles "Centerfold" and "Freeze Frame."

In 1993, lyricist/composer Mack David, older brother of songwriter Hal David, died at age 81.

In 1995, 55 year-old Clarence Satchell, guitarist and saxophone player for the '70s R&B group the Ohio Players, died from a brain aneurysm. The group placed eight songs in the Billboard Top 40, including two chart toppers, "Fire" in 1974 and "Love Rollercoaster" in 1976.



In 1998, Johnny Moore, lead singer for the Drifters on their 1960s hit "Under The Boardwalk", died at the age of 64.

In 1999, George Harrison was attacked by an intruder in his Oxfordshire mansion. At about 3:00 a.m., Michael Abram, a 33 year old Liverpudlian, stabbed Harrison several times in the chest. With the help of wife Olivia and son Dhani, Abram was hit over the head with a lamp and then detained until police arrived. Harrison suffered a collapsed lung but eventually recovered from the wound. Abram would later be found not guilty by reason of insanity and less than two years after his trial, was given a conditional discharge.

In 2000, the first year of the new millennium was a good one for several classic rockers. Pollstar's Top 10 list of tours showed that the number 1 concert draw was Tina Turner with earnings of $80.2 million from her Twenty Four Seven farewell tour. Fourth place was earned by Kiss, at $62.7 million, and eighth spot was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with $42.1 million.

In 2002, according to a Nielsen SoundScan survey, total CD album sales were down 10.7% in 2002, marking the sharpest sales decrease from the previous year in the 11-year tracking history. It was the second straight year the market declined, following steady growth since Nielsen first began tracking the US market in 1991. Total album sales in 2002 were 681 million, compared with 762.8 million the previous year. Country album sales posted the largest increase, as sales rose 12.2% from 2001. This rise was largely fuelled by such crossover sensations as The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, and Faith Hill.

In 2004, bandleader/musician/composer Artie Shaw died of complications from diabetes at the age of 94.

In 2010, Bobby Farrel, vocalist for Boney M, who topped the charts with "By the Rivers of Babylon" in 1978, died of natural causes at the age of 61.

birthdays today include (among others): Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) (74), Kenny Pentifallo (Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes) (71), Michael Nesmith (Monkees) (69), Davy Jones (Monkees) (66), Patti Smith (65), Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull) (65), Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra, Traveling Wilburys) (64)

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2011

DEAR JERRY: My favorite rock music instrument is the guitar, and, though I play a little, I am in awe by some of the masters.

One in that category is the late George Harrison, and it is he who inspires my question.

What did he do to create that unmistakable opening chord on “A Hard Day's Night”?

I have tried but cannot even come close.
—Rick Jensen, Lancaster, Pa.

DEAR RICK: Close is as close as you can get on your own. Duplicating that chord requires a supporting cast.

Easily among the most instantly recognizable opening chords ever, those two seconds involve much more than just George on his 12-string Rickenbacker.

Though not individually distinct, Paul on bass, Ringo on drums, George Martin on piano, and a touch of random reverberation are all crucial to the forceful kickoff on the finished product.

As for getting close, the best advice for going it solo comes from Randy Bachman, lead guitarist for Guess Who and singer-guitarist of Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

In a segment of Randy Bachman's Guitarology 101 (CBC and satellite radio), he explains:

“The opening chord of “A Hard Day's Night” is the most famous chord ever played on a 12-string guitar!

“George plays an F chord, with a G on top, and a G on the bottom with a C next to that G.”

Randy then strums it live, coming amazingly close to what the Beatles and their producer created at the Abbey Road Studios, in April 1964. You should be able to do so with a similar result.


DEAR JERRY: Check any telephone directory and you will see how very, very few people have a last name that begins with X. But since I am one of that rare breed (actually pronounced Zenos), I'd like to know if any popular recording artists are alpha-filed under X.

Also, how many popular songs from singles actually have “Xmas” in the title?
—Joseph Xenos, Houston


DEAR JOSEPH: By not limiting the search to specific genres or time periods, there are, perhaps, more than you might think, though X is the letter with the fewest names of people as well as songs.

By far, the most successful X act is the Atlanta all-girl foursome, Xscape.

They sold millions of singles and albums between 1993 and 2000, with their best-known tune being “Just Kickin' It,” their platinum-selling debut single.

Others in the X-file are X; Xavier; Xavion; X-Clan; X-Con; X-Ecutioners; Xmas Balls; X-Rays (1949); XTC; X-25 Band; Xymox; XYZ; Xzibit

All but X-Con and Xzibit (solo males) are groups, and only X-Rays is earlier than the 1980s.

Just because none of your X brethren hit the charts before the '80s doesn't mean they weren't trying. Here are some Xamples of earlier efforts, and the decade in which they recorded:

1910s: Xylophone Solo Orchestra
1950s: X-Citers Vocal Group; and X-Rays (not the '40s group)
1960s: X. Lincoln; Ndikho Xaba and the Natives; X-Cellents; X-Ceptions; X-Citers Unlimited; XL's; XL-5; X-Man; X-Men; and Xtreems
1970s: X-Cessors; X-Cetra; Xenogenesis; Dax Xenos; XIT; XS; Baggage; and XYZ (not the 1980s group)
Might Dax Xenos be a relative?

There are more than 100 “Xmas” songs, most being album cuts and non-hit singles, but I can only think of two bona fide hits: “Nuttin' for Xmas” (1955, Joe Ward) and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971, John Lennon & Yoko Ono).


IZ ZAT SO? Before the 1980 hit soundtrack single, “Xanadu,” by Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra, there was only one popular song title beginning with X.

In May 1948, “X-Temperanous Boogie,” an original instrumental by Camille Howard “Playing the Piano with Rhythm Accompaniment,” made Billboard's Top 10 “Most-Played Juke Box Race Records.”

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net   Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2011 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/24/2011

A sweet find turned up this week, a test pressing of "Freewheelin'" that has the alternate tracks that were mistakenly released on the original pressing. A stock copy of "Freewheelin'" typically sells for around half the $5k price that this test pressing bid to. Psych stuff continues to make the list, with Canadian holy grail "Bent Wind" getting the #2 spot, and Delany and Bonnie's Apple record getting the #4 spot. Poking in at the bottom is a KBD 45 from Bad Brains.

1. LP - Bob Dylan "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" Test Press LP Alternate Tracks - $5,212.00

2. LP - Bent Wind "Sussex" Trend 1015 - $4,064.00

3. LP - Jaques Dumont Bach Sonata & Partitas Belvedre - $3,962.00

4. LP - Delany & Bonnie "The Original Delaney And Bonnie" Apple SAPCOR7 UK Pressing - $3,534.64

5. 45 - Bad Brains "Pay To Cum" / "Stay Close To Me" w/sleeve and insert - $2,938.00


As always, a thank you to Norm & Jane over at Vinyl Record Talk for this enlightening data!

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wonderful story and interview over at clashmusic.com

Label Profile: Captured Tracks

Mike Sniper speaks to ClashMusic

Posted by Robin Murray

One of the defining imprints behind the current indie pop boom, it would be churlish to pin Captured Tracks down amongst the cardigan-clad legions. Sticking to its guns, the Brooklyn label has supported music it dearly loves building up a back catalogue that moves from noise pop to dream pop, with a touch of electronics along the way.

Retaining a love for the physical format, the pop song and a fuzzed up guitar riff Captured Tracks has constructed an identity without allowing themselves to be pigeon-holed.

Read the rest at clashmusic.com

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very interesting read at huffingtonpost.com

Some Girls: The Facts About the Stones' Most Notorious Record Cover

John Hood / Miami-based writer

A few weeks back, to much acclaim, The Rolling Stones re-released their seminal Some Girls album. As John Carucci reported here, the new edition comes as both a double disc and box set, and includes a slew of songs that were intended to be the original LP, but got cut due to time restraints. In fact, Stones guitarist Keith Richards said rushing to market was "the same as cutting off your baby's head."

But added tracks, as kickin' as they may be, aren't the only story behind the Some Girls re-release, which is wrapped in the very same sleeve that caused such a stir way back in '78 and remains a bone of contention between its co-creators, Peter Corriston and Hubert Kretzschmar. Now that the head's been put back on the baby, song-wise, perhaps it's time we put to bed the issue over who did what with the notorious sleeve.

Read the rest of the story at huffingtonpost.com



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great story out of the uk:

Music fans going back to black as vinyl records enjoy a revival

While sales of compact discs are plummeting, vinyl is making a comeback, says Andy Welch

For millions of music lovers, owning hard copies of albums became a thing your parents did after the advent of iTunes.

These days, 99 per cent of all new singles are bought digitally, with more than 85 per cent of those bought from the aforementioned online store, leaving CDs and minidiscs to dance their way to the musical graveyard.

Yet there’s one analogue anachronism in this high-tech world that refuses to go offline. During the first nine months of 2011, more vinyl records were sold than in the whole of 2010 – a 40 per cent sales bump. Not bad for a product that was reportedly consigned to the scrapheap decades ago.

Last month’s UK Record Store Day, which began two years ago, celebrated the vinyl format, with numerous bands either re-releasing or recording special, limited-edition vinyl stock and giving copies to independent sellers across the country.

Read the rest at thisisbath.co.uk

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Doors Five-Disc Super Deluxe Edition of ‘L.A. Woman’ Cancelled

by: Karen 'Gilly' Laney

The Doors‘ ‘L.A. Woman’ five-disc Super Edition is no longer on the list for a January 2012 release. Bumped from its initial release date of Nov. 24, 2011 and despite the hundreds of pre-paid advance orders, Rhino Records has decided that it’s not a commercially viable project.

Doors’ Manager Jeff Jampol explains that “there are concerns at [Rhino's] end” and “they want to be sure that not only is the market there, but do we have a place to distribute them?” The two-disc ‘L.A. Woman’ 40th Anniversary special edition remains on schedule with a Jan. 24 date, but now it appears that a three-disc set (previously unreleased alternates/outtakes/chatter) will later accompany it.

This three-disc set is the replacement for the proposed five-disc set and will be packaged so that it’s more affordable. Priced moderately, as in “likely under $50″ says Jampol.

Read more at ultimateclassicrock.com

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QUEENSRŸCHE's 'The Warning' To Be Reissued On Limited-Edition Audiophile Vinyl

QUEENSRŸCHE's classic first full-length album, 'The Warning,' will be reissued on limited-edition 180-gram audiophile vinyl with a gatefold cover on February 14, 2012.

You can now pre-order the item at AMAZON










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album cover art of the day:

Astral Winter Reveals New Album "Forest Of Silence" Art

Black metal at Astral Winter have unleashed the cover artwork for their upcoming album 'Forest of Silence.'

Tracklist:

I. Pathway To The Ancient Forest
II. When Moonlight Evokes The Frozen Night
III. The Palace Of The Prophets
IV. As I Embrace The Winter Winds [Instrumental]
V. Defenders Of The Astral Kingdom [Part II]
VI. The Summoning Of Arcane Magic
VII. Forest Of Silence [Outro]










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Ron Mosely of Ruby & the Romantics and Sean Bonniwell of the Music Machine Pass Away

Two artists from the 60's passed away earlier in December but the information in only becoming public now.

Ron Mosely of Ruby & the Romantics passed away on December 3 after a long illness at the age of 72.

Mosely was originally in the group the Skarlettones who recorded on Ember starting in 1959. When Ruby Nash joined the group, they changed the name to Ruby & the Romantics and hit the top of the charts in 1963 with Our Day Will Come.

Read more at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com

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and in music history for december 28th:

In 1963, the Beatles get their first major press in the US when Brian Epstein was interviewed in the New Yorker.

In 1963, a quartet from Minneapolis, Minnesota who called themselves The Trashmen saw their first release, "Surfin' Bird", enter the Billboard Hot 100 where it would reach #4 during the first week of February, next year. The song is a combination of two R&B hits by The Rivingtons: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's the Word."

In 1965, surrounded by friends at Graceland, Elvis Presley took LSD for the first time, joined by girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu. After staring at each others' distorted faces, the tropical fish in his aquarium and dew drops on the grass, both decided that they'd be risking their sanity to try the drug again.

In 1968, the Miami Pop Festival in Hallandale, Florida attracted an estimated 100,000 music fans. The three-day event featured performances by Marvin Gaye, the Turtles, the Box Tops, Steppenwolf, Canned Heat, Iron Butterfly, Joni Mitchell, the McCoys, the Grateful Dead, Procol Harum, Fleetwood Mac, Three Dog Night, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Chuck Berry.

Also in 1968, Vanilla Fudge performed at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their opening act was Led Zeppelin.

The Doors' "Touch Me" was released in 1968. Written by Robby Krieger, its riff was influenced by The Four Seasons' "C'mon Marianne." It is notable for its extensive usage of brass and string instruments (including a solo by featured saxophonist Curtis Amy) to accent Jim Morrison's vocals. It was one of The Doors' most popular singles.

The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in the Cashbox Top 100 in early 1969 (the band's third American number-one single). The single also did well elsewhere, peaking at #1 in the RPM Canadian Singles Chart and at #10 in the Kent Music Report in Australia. However, despite the band's commercial success the previous year, "Touch Me" did not chart in the UK Singles Chart.

In 1970, John Lennon released the single "Mother."

"Mother" is actually a cry to both his parents, who abandoned him in his childhood. His father Alf left the family when John was an infant; his mother Julia, didn't live with her son although they had a good relationship, was hit and killed in a car accident on 15 July 1958 by a drunk, off-duty policeman named Eric Clague, when Lennon was 17. Lennon relives the loss of his parents with lyrics such as "Mother, you had me/but I never had you"; "Father, you left me/but I never left you."

"Mother" begins with the sound of a funeral church bell ringing ominously, signifying death.

Lennon was inspired to write the song after undergoing primal therapy with Dr. Arthur Janov, originally at their home at Tittenhurst Park and then at the Primal Institute, California, where they remained for four months. Lennon, who eventually derided Janov, initially described the therapy as "something more important to me than The Beatles."

Although Lennon said that "Mother" was the song that "seemed to catch in my head," he had doubts about its commercial appeal and he considered issuing "Love" as a single instead. "Love" was eventually released as a single in 1982.

In 1974, although Cher had earlier turned the song down, "Angie Baby" becomes a number one hit in the US for Helen Reddy. Cher had also rejected "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia", which Vicki Lawrence took to the top in April, 1973.

In 1975, twenty-five year old David Gelfer pointed a .44 magnum at Ted Nugent and was then brought down to the ground by members of the audience and security guards. Gelfer was charged with "intimidating with a weapon."

In 1976, Freddie King, who reached the Hot 100 in 1961 with "Hide Away", died from a heart attack at the age of 42. In 2003, King was ranked 25th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

In 1981, WEA Records (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) raised the price of its 45-rpm records from $1.68 to $1.98.

In 1983, depressed over mounting debts and personal problems, 38 year old Beach Boys' drummer, Dennis Wilson drowned after jumping over board from his yacht at Marina Del Ray Harbor in Los Angeles. He was the first of the group to release a solo album, "Pacific Ocean Blue", writing and singing every track. Special permission was granted by President Reagan to have a burial at sea, which is usually only allowed with deceased Navy personnel. His brother Brian, who was still unable to cope with day to day life, did not attend the funeral.

In 1988, Nirvana played the Hollywood Underground in Seattle.

In 1998, singer Ronnie Hammond of The Atlanta Rhythm Section was shot in the chest by a Macon police after allegedly lunging at an officer with a broken guitar handle and a hammer. Police were responding to reports that the singer was trying to commit suicide. This was the second suicide attempt within a month for Hammond, following the first on December 9th. He would later make a full recovery, but died of heart failure on March 14th, 2011.

In 2002, British Glam Rock star Gary Glitter (real name: Paul Gadd), who was convicted of child pornography offences in 1999 in England, was deported from Cambodia. The 58 year old Glitter had set up a home last year in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. pig.....

In 2003, Michael Jackson gave an emotional interview to CBS-TV's "60 Minutes," his first since being arrested on child molestation charges, saying, "Before I would hurt a child, I would slit my wrists." Ed Bradley had taped the interview with Jackson three days earlier on Christmas night.

In 2003, guitarist Pete Townshend of the Who revealed to a London newspaper that he seriously considered suicide after a 2002 arrest on child pornography charges. He claimed to have been visiting child pornography Web sites as research for a book he was writing that dealt with his own sexual abuse as a child.

In 2004, a North Carolina man named Wade Jones sold three tablespoons of water taken from a cup used by Elvis Presley during a 1977 concert for $455.

In 2005, the body of Barry Cowsill, bass guitarist for The Cowsills, was recovered from the Chartres Street Wharf in New Orleans. He was killed on or about September 1st from injuries believed to be caused by Hurricane Katrina. He was 51.

Also in 2005, UK radio station Planet Rock asked 58,000 listeners to name the greatest Rock stars ever. First place went to Pink Floyd, followed by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, AC/DC, U2, Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Bon Jovi and Jimi Hendrix.

birthdays today include (among others): Johnny Otis (90), Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) (73), Dwight Bement (Gary Puckett & the Union Gap) (66), John Legend (33), Dick Diamonde (Easybeats) (64), Mike McGuire (Shenandoah) (53), Marty Roe (Diamond Rio) (51) and Edgar Winter (65)