Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 14, 2011

DEAR JERRY: In the 1970s, the Osmonds and the Jacksons were the top family singing groups.

Now that it's ancient history, which family had the most members issue solo records?

Also, is Randy Jackson, of American Idol, really one of the Jackson family.
—Gilbert Silva, York, Pa
.

DEAR GILBERT: Interesting questions, so let's first look at both families by the numbers.

By year of birth, here are the seven performing Osmonds: Alan (1949); Wayne (1951); Merrill (1953); Jay (1955); Donny (1957); Marie (1959); and Jimmy (1963). All were born in Ogden, Utah, except Jimmy (Canoga Park, Calif.).

Though Merrill was the lead vocalist, they all sang and played instruments. Still, only Donny, Marie, Donny & Marie (as a duet), and “Little Jimmy” made recordings apart from the group, and only Donnie and Marie became upper echelon stars.

Eventually, Marie ventured outside the family for duet partners, resulting in No. 1 country hits for her and Dan Seals (“Meet Me in Montana”), and then Paul Davis (“You're Still New to Me”).

At one time or another, all nine children performed in the Jacksons: Rebbie (1950); Jackie (1951); Tito (1953); Jermaine (1954); LaToya (1956); Marlon (1957); Michael (1958); Randy (1961); and Janet (1966). All were born in Gary, Ind.

All six boys and three girls (Rebbie, LaToya, and Janet) made the charts as solo artists.

As with Donny and Marie, Michael and Janet turned out to be the superstar Jackson kids.

Yes, Idol judge Randy Jackson (1956) is definitely a member of the Jackson family! However, his Louisiana Jacksons are not at all related to the Jacksons of Indiana, whose Randy is about five years younger.


DEAR JERRY: I know mistakes on records, whether factual flubs or just carelessness, are not rare. But here's one that has my head spinning:

My original 1964 “A Hard Day's Night” LP (UAS-6366), mistakenly shows “I'll Cry Instead” as “I Cry Instead.” Also, both cover and label give 2:06 as the running time.

I didn't notice anything odd about the time until a few years ago when I bought a remastered CD of “A Hard Day's Night.” It has “I'll Cry Instead” (correct title) as running only 1:44.

Curious as to where, and why, they trimmed :22 from the original, I played it. Turns out I couldn't detect anything missing. Sounds exactly like the 2:06 version on my vinyl original.

Why did a huge company like United Artists have so much trouble with one little song?
—Henry McCarthy, Wheeling, W.V.


DEAR HENRY: Size doesn't matter, at least not when it comes to blunders. Every company occasionally slips up. Your “I'll Cry Instead” investigation uncovered only part of this muddled mess.

Having only the stereo soundtrack (UAS-6366) severely limited your research, as you will see.

The story really begins with the monaural “A Hard Day's Night” (UAL-3366), issued simultaneously. First pressings of both formats list “I Cry Instead,” merely a typo which they corrected on subsequent releases.

Unfortunately, especially for those paying a dollar extra for stereo, is that all eight Beatles songs are nothing more than the mono mixes, enhanced to simulate stereo.

The real mystery, however, is a 22-second chunk that's missing from stereo pressings, a complete verse that is heard only on mono copies! Stereo labels and covers do not reflect the difference, as both have the running time of the mono version (2:06).

In another plot twist, the true original (1:44) — as heard in the film — is only on the stereo albums, minus the fake stereo enhancements.

The mono tampering begins at approximately 1:13, when John Lennon repeats the entire first verse (“I got every reason on earth to be sad,” etc.). It is flawlessly edited, then followed by a second chorus (“Don't wanna cry when there's people there,” etc.). For the average listener, detecting this insertion is nearly impossible.


IZ ZAT SO? A few weeks after United Artists issued “A Hard Day's Night,” Capitol released “Something New,” with five “A Hard Day's Night” selections.

Unbelievable though it seems, Capitol repeated most of U.A.'s “I'll Cry Instead” mixing mix-ups, both in the studio and at the typewriter.

“Something New” mono (T-2108) has the same extended track, but now labeled 2:04. The Capitol stereo (ST-2108) plays the 1:44 original, still erroneously listed at 2:04.

One important difference is that “Something New” really offers something new — the first true stereo recordings of those tracks.

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 Exclusive By Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Voivod To Reissue Debut Album On Vinyl

War on Music Records has announced the upcoming LP reissue of "War And Pain", the classic debut album by Canadian metal innovators Voivod. Originally released in 1984, "War And Pain" was reissued by Metal Blade in 2004 as a three-CD box set, but has long remained out of print on vinyl. Due in May, the vinyl reissue has been carefully re-mastered from the original reels, and features the iconic album art of VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin in a full-color gatefold jacket. The pressing is limited to 1,000 copies.

---------------------

Piebald 3x12" Vinyl Due on Record Store Day

Rise Records will release a limited edition Piebald triple gatefold 3x12" vinyl on Record Store Day, April 16.

The offering will include three albums from the band -- When Life Hands You Lemons, If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds It Would Be Curtains for Us All, and We Are the Only Friends We Have.

---------------------

Grinderman to Release Grinderman 2 Remixes on Record Store Day

Grinderman 2, the second album by the vicious rock force known as Grinderman (comprised of the incomparable Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds partners in crime, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos), will come on strong once again with a set of remixes of the song “Palaces Of Montezuma”. It will be available digitally tomorrow, on March 15th, 2011, and as limited edition colored 12” vinyl on Record Store Day, which takes place April 16th.

PALACES OF MONTEZUMA – 12” vinyl / download

Side A
1. Palaces Of Montezuma – Cenzo remix
2. Palaces Of Montezuma – Barry Adamson remix
Side B
1. Palaces Of Montezuma – Album version
2. When My Baby Comes – Cat’s Eyes w/ Luke Tristram

Also planned for release on Record Store Day this April are remixes of the song “Evil” – available on glamorous 12” red glitter vinyl (with CD insert). This limited edition includes three previously unavailable versions: a remix from Silver Alert (Jim Sclavunos and Peter Mavrogeorgis), featuring lead vocals by The National’s Matt Berninger, ‘The Michael Cliffe House Remix’ by the UK’s Factory Floor and ‘First Evil’, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ early demo from RAK Studios, as well as the original version, from Grinderman 2.

Grinderman – EVIL – 12” vinyl w CD / download

Side A
1. Evil- Album version
2. Evil – Silver Alert Remix
Side B
1. Evil – The Michael Cliffe House Remix by Factory Floor
2. Evil – First Evil

---------------------

New Iron Maiden collection set for May

EMI Music is delighted to announce the release of ‘From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010', a brand new collection from Iron Maiden.

The double album, which will be released on May 23, follows the huge success of 2010's studio set ‘The Final Frontier’ which hit number one in 28 countries around the world and the band’s their first Grammy Award which they won last month for Best Metal Performance for ‘El Dorado’ from ‘The Final Frontier’.

The full track listing for the CD album is as follows (the collection will also be available aas a digital download album and as a limited edition triple vinyl picture disc):

Disc 1
1. The Wicker Man
2. Holy Smoke
3. El Dorado
4. Paschendale
5. Different World
6. Man On The Edge (LIVE)
7. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
8. Blood Brothers
9. Rainmaker
10. Sign of the Cross (LIVE)
11. Brave New World
12. Fear Of The Dark (LIVE) 7.41

Disc 2
1. Be Quick Or Be Dead
2. Tailgunner
3. No More Lies
4. Coming Home
5. The Clansman (LIVE)
6. For the Greater Good of God
7. These Colours Don’t Run)
8. Bring Your Daughter… To The Slaughter
9. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
10. Dance of Death
11. When the Wild Wind Blows

---------------------

NEGATIVE PLANE To Release Vinyl Version of 'Stained Glass Revelations' Via Invictus Productions

Stained Glass Relevations, the critically acclaimed and fan-approved sophomore album from New York occultists NEGATIVE PLANE will be getting the vinyl treatment from Ireland's Invictus Productions. The album that Aquarius Records described as "a masterful combination of atmospheric interludes" and "metal onslaughts that emerge intricately from the hissing murk with pounding drums, swarms of guitar, and raw guttural vokills, field recordings, bells, cello, piano, organ, and some female vocals are all woven into the mix, creating something quite unique and effective" will be available as a gorgeously packaged double vinyl LP, complete with a special booklet featuring lyrics and exclusive artwork by Timo Ketola. This loving homage to this iconoclastic collective's most enthralling effort yet will see the light of day this coming April - stay tuned for more details!

Read more at thegauntlet.com


---------------------

Hate Eternal Reveals New Album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes" Artwork And Tracklisting

American death metal veterans Hate Eternal has revealed the front cover artwork for their forthcoming new studio album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes." You can check it out below. The record will be released through Metal Blade Records on May 10th. The band has also revealed the track listing for the album which is as follows:

1. Rebirth
2. The Eternal Ruler
3. Thorns of Acacia
4. Haunting Abound
5. The Art of Redemption
6. Phoenix Amongst the Ashes
7. Deathveil
8. Hatesworn
9. Lake Ablaze
10. The Fire of Resurrection






---------------------

NECROPHAGIA To Release 'Deathtrip 69' In May

Legendary gore metal pioneers NECROPHAGIA will release their new album, "Deathtrip 69", on May 17 (one day earlier internationally) via Season Of Mist. The band's fifth official full-length CD, which features guest appearances by Maniac (SKITLIV, ex-MAYHEM) and Casey Chaos (AMEN), was recorded at Last House On The Left Studios in Ohio with vocalist Killjoy and guitarist Boris Randall handling production duties. The cover concept and title track are based on the "Manson family" ordeal of the late 1960s.

Read more gory details at Blabbermouth.com












---------------------

FIREWIND: 'Embrace The Sun' Video Released

"Embrace The Sun", the new video from Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND — who feature in their ranks OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. (real name: Kostas Karamitroudis) — can be viewed below. The clip was filmed by acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, LACUNA COIL and KAMELOT, among many others.

FIREWIND has just released the "Embrace The Sun" single on March 15 featuring a special instrumental mixdown of the song as b-side as well as the video clip for song both in regular and in alternate band-performance-only version.



Read more at Blabbermouth 

---------------------

and if you haven't had your fill of alice cooper news at the CVR blog, here's another post

Cooper Boxed Set Due In June

Alice Cooper band box set released in June. Called Old School, it will come in a commemorative 12-inch square “school desk” box and spans the years 1964-1974:

Four CDs from the years 1964-1974.

- Disc 1: Demos, rarities, live material and advertisements

- Disc 2: Demos from Muscle of Love, pre-production versions of songs from School’s Out, 1973 Madison Square Garden live track and advertisements.

- Disc 3: Spoken word material

- Disc 4: Live show of the 1971 Killer tour in St. Louis

DVD (single disc in Amaray case) with three never-before-seen features (more than 2 hours).

A 64-page, full-color, yearbook-style book.

A gatefold folder containing two tour programs, ticket stubs, set list and five prints.

Bootleg Vinyl: 1971 Killer live show in St. Louis.

7” Vinyl: “Wonder Whose Lovin’ Her Now,” “Lay Down & Die” and “Goodbye" from The Nazz.

---------------------

Calling all record shops: Join Goldmine’s directory now!

Goldmine is compiling a directory of record stores, it may be a good idea to get listed!

Read more: Calling all record shops: Join Goldmine's store directory now! | Goldmine Magazine

--------------------

and in music history for today:

In 1955, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" by Bill Hayes reached the number one spot on the US Pop music charts, where it would stay for five weeks. The song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels worldwide.

Also in 1955, Epic Records releases Roy Hamilton's "Unchained Melody", which will climb to #6. The Righteous Brothers would update the song ten years later and take it to #4.



"Puff The Magic Dragon" was released by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1963. Although banned by some radio stations who thought the song was about drugs, it is really just a story about a little boy growing up, according to its writer, Peter Yarrow.



In 1964, Alan Freed, who helped bring Rock 'n' Roll to the forefront, is charged with tax evasion, a grand jury indictment stemming from the earlier payola investigation which ruined the career of the ex-DJ.

In 1964, the Beatles set a new record for advance sales in the U.S. with 2,100,000 copies of their latest single, “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

In 1968, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding became the number 1 song in the US. The tune was recorded just three days before the plane crash that killed Redding in December, 1967 and was his only Gold record.

In 1970, 24 year old Tammi Terrell, who teamed up with Marvin Gaye for several Motown hits, died at Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia. After she had collapsed in Gaye's arms onstage in 1967, it was discovered that she was suffering from a brain tumor.

In 1979, Twisted Sister became the first band to sell out New York City's Palladium without ever releasing a record. The band did not sign a record deal until 3 years later.

In 1983, US radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey died in New York City at the age of 79. His show, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts was a fore runner of Star Search and American Idol on which "scouts" presented their discoveries to perform live before a national radio and television audience.

In 1991, seven members of Country singer Reba McEntire's band and her road manager were among 10 people who were killed when their private jet crashed in California just north of the Mexican border. McEntire, who had given a private concert in San Diego for IBM employees the night before, was not on the plane.

Birthday wishes to 1954, Nancy Wilson of Heart (1954) and Michael Bruce, guitar (Alice Cooper Band)(1948), among others