well, the vinyl revival is official, it made the New York Times!!!!
It's Alive! Vinyl Makes a Comeback
By ERIC FELTEN
The digital revolution was supposed to do away with a lot of fusty old relics. First compact discs took their toll on the long-playing (and long-played) vinyl record; then iPods and digital downloads began doing the same to CDs. But long after the eulogies had been delivered, the vinyl LP has been revived.
The LP still represents just a sliver of music sales. But last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan data, while CD sales fell by more than 5%, vinyl record sales grew more than 36%.
Read the rest at online.wsj.com
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very well written article from my neck of the woods, and the way to make a vinyl destination fun!
Rock n Roll Land aims to be more than a record store
Written by Kendra Meinert / Green Bay Press-Gazette
You know that vintage KISS ashtray you were dying to get your hands on?
Already gone.
The autographed 45’s from The Stray Cats went quick, too.
But if you’re in the market for an Iron Maiden skateboard, a Social Distortion bowling ball or a signed copy of April Wine’s 1981 “The Nature of the Beast’’ album, you’re still in luck. And there’s no telling what you might come across when you start rummaging through the 15-albums-for-$4.99 bargain vinyl bins – Supertramp, Eric Carmen, Lionel Richie …
Never mind that you could download an entire CD on iTunes in less time than it takes you to browse the glass case of hair pomades and rack of 1985 Circus magazines at the entrance of Rock n Roll Land, the whole idea of the Green Bay record shop is to stay a while. Owners Phil Doran and Todd Magnuson, who opened last fall in a portion of the former Henri’s Music at 504 S. Military Ave., wanted to create a space that’s more than just a retail destination.
Read the rest at greenbaypressgazette.com
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wow, vinyl from another perspective, suggested reading!!
These Apps Are Helping a New Generation of Audiophiles Discover Vinyl
By Andy Cush - Evolver.fm
As someone who spends lots of time thinking about the future of music as an app phenomenon, it might surprise you that I do a lot of my listening on vinyl records.
I'm not alone – reports abound of vinyl's surging sales numbers over the past five or so years. Though they make up a tiny percentage of overall music sales, vinyl record sales have grown at a time when other physical formats are skidding. It might have something to do with my age and the people I hang out with, many of whom are music nerds of the highest order, but I don't know a single person who buys CDs. Everyone I know who is interested in having physical copies of their music buys it on wax.
I should mention that I'm in my early twenties. I had cassettes as a kid, but CDs have been the dominant physical format of my lifetime. Napster came out when I was in elementary school. IPods arrived at the beginning of seventh grade. Digital music has been a part of my musical life since nearly the beginning.
I can't find numbers to support this claim, but I'd bet that many of the so-called "digital natives" buying all of this vinyl are like me: serious young music fans who are well aware of the respective advantages and disadvantages of both formats.
Read the rest at gizmodo.com
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fantastic for the underground music scene, should be some great SF sounds crackling on vinyl!
Superior Viaduct Records: Reissuing Forgotten Gems of San Francisco's Past
By Sam LefebvreFri
Many local labels are offering obscure reissues and innovative new releases on all conceivable formats. Label Sampler is a new column that will profile a different Bay Area imprint each week.
Name: Superior Viaduct
Headquarters: North Beach, San Francisco
Owner: Steve Viaduct
Founded: 2011
Musical Focus: Superior Viaduct specializes in archival releases and reissues of Bay Area bands from the 1970s and 1980s. During our interview, Steve was reluctant to pigeonhole the genre focus of his label, but reluctantly characterized his releases as punk and new wave, although he plans to venture into avant-garde, free jazz and piano music in the future.
Creation story: "I've been researching S.F. music for a long time," says Steve, who requested that his last name be omitted. "At one point, a museum that was doing an exhibit on California art contacted me because someone had told them that I was an expert on San Francisco punk, which I thought was hilarious. I wrote back and said it was funny to be called an expert on punk because there are no experts. By definition, punk is DIY and independent, not professional. It's not legitimized by any institution, so to be tagged as an expert seemed ridiculous. But the one question I was repeatedly asked was, 'Where can I find this music?' At that point I would have to say that unless you know it already or you're willing to spend a lot of money on Ebay, you can't get a hold of the music. Especially with bands like Noh Mercy, whose recordings have never been officially released."
Read the rest of the story at blogs.sfweekly.com
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this out of the uk, the ultimate pack rat !
The vinyl countdown: Music fan searches for new home for record collection of 1m items
Amy Glendinning
After a lifetime collecting records, music fan George Davenport is facing a vinyl countdown.
The 74-year-old has just weeks to find a new home for his thousands of records, CDs and tapes.
The collection, thought to number more than a million items spanning all genres of music, is currently housed in a basement in Newton Heath, Manchester.
But George is facing eviction and has yet to find new premises. George, who lives nearby, said: "I’ve been collecting records all my life.
"Over the years I’ve just bought anything and everything that people have wanted to get rid off.
"I’ve no idea how much there is now but people have said around a million."
Read the rest at menmedia.co.uk
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interesting album cover....
Imminent Sonic Destruction Reveals Album Details
Detroit's Imminent Sonic Destruction has recently released the artwork and track list for theie debut album, 'Recurring Themes.' The album, which will be released on February 24th 2012, was produced by Roy Z (Halford, Bruce Dickinson), and features nine original tracks that showcase the band's vocal harmonies soaring over original progressive-metal riffing, melodic compositions and the rhythms of ex-Tiles drummer, Pat DeLeon.
The cover art for 'Recurring Themes' was created by Man In The Mountain. The band stated: "The imagery of the artwork matches the music completely."
Tracklist
1. Driving Home
2. Monster
3. With Death, This Story Ends
4. Breaking Through
5. Temple
6. Here, It's Over
7. Sick
8. The Remembering
9. Raven
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Scale The Summit To Release Vinyl Version Of 'The Collective'
Prosthetic Records is scheduled to release 'The Collective,' the 2011 album by Scale the Summit on vinyl. The LP is limited to 500 copies on high-quality 180-gram vinyl and available now for pre-order at the Prosthetic Store. Additionally, it will contain the bonus track "Redwoods," a song recorded during "The Collective" sessions that to date has only been available on the Japanese version of the album.
Pre-order It Here
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Rory Gallagher Albums To Be Re-Issued
Rory Gallagher's first six albums are being reissued, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of his solo career.
These milestone albums were released during Gallagher's most prolific years, 1971 through 1974, when he recorded and produced six albums in a three year period. Each of the albums is now rereleased in digipack form with artwork restored from the original first release cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original quarter inch tapes. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes written by Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and former tour manager, legendary photographer Mick Rock, and British journalist Roy Hollingworth.
Daniel Gallagher, Rory's nephew and producer of the re-issues, said: “It's fantastic that 40 years since the original release of these albums the interest in Rory's music is still so strong and vibrant that we can celebrate the man's music by re-issuing his first six classic solo albums. We've aimed to release them in the spirit of the original release by going back to the vinyl artwork and original 1/4" tapes so that they look and sound exactly as Rory intended. It's also great to see in a digital world that the demand for a physical copy of Rory's music means we can release these albums on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years.”
The albums are:
•Rory Gallagher (1971)
•Deuce (1971)
•Live! in Europe (1972)
•Blueprint (1973)
•Tattoo (1973)
•Irish Tour '74 (1974)
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MOTÖRHEAD: More 'The Motör-Bag' Details Revealed
It's universally agreed amongst headbangers that MOTÖRHEAD is responsible for some of the greatest all-time hard rock/heavy metal songs ("Ace of Spades", "Overkill", etc.) and albums ("Ace of Spades", "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith", etc.) — not to mention featuring one of rock's all-time great characters in their ranks, Lemmy Kilmister. As a result, MOTÖRHEAD fans are always on the hunt for uncommon and rare items to complete their collection. And now, the group is offering a true treat for their fans, known as "The Motör-Bag".
Available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead, "The Motör-Bag" is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and is packed with exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else. Housed in a MOTÖRHEAD messenger bag, inside you will find two double vinyl LPs of stunning MOTÖRHEAD performances (in their entirety), recorded in New York and Manchester — that can only be found in "The Motör-Bag" package.
Read the rest at our friends at Blabbermouth
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album cover art of the day:
The Obscene Reveals Album Cover Artwork For Debut Release
UK death metal newcomers The Obscene have recently posted the artwork for the band's upcoming debut called 'Architects of Deliverance.' The album should be completed in June 2012 with a release date later in the year. In 2011, the band issued an EP entitled "The Torment Of Sinners" through Pest Records.
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Etta James Album Sales Leap 378% Following Death
Anne Erickson
Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it slips away. That seems to be the case with the late Etta James’ soulful songs. As reported by Billboard, James scored her highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200 chart this past week with The Best of Etta James – 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection, which rose from #162 to #46 with 8,000 copies sold, as reported by Nielsen SoundScan. That’s up 149% over the preceding week.
Read the rest at Gibson
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Blues Traveler Celebrates 25-Year Milestone With a 2-CD Retrospective Featuring All Their Hits Plus New Recording and Unreleased Rarities
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the course of their illustrious 25-year career, Blues Traveler have sold more than 10 million combined units worldwide, played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in "Run-Around," had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1's Behind the Music and they hold the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman.
On March 6, 2012, Hip-O Select/Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases Blues Traveler: 25, a 2-CD retrospective that spans the first 25 years of the band's incredible recording career. 25 features a total of 29 tracks including a newly recorded cover version of Sublime's "What I Got," their greatest hits, B-sides, unreleased demos and rarities— among them a remix of "Run-Around" by acclaimed electronic producers Gunslinger, and excerpts from the band's online concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm.
Remarks vocalist John Popper, "In a quarter century, through every possible kind of high and low, through every dream realized, through every hope dashed, always there was a return to that dedication and belief in the music and in each other. On behalf of all of Blues Traveler, I am privileged to express how honored we are, how deeply proud we are to share with you the first of our quarter-century celebration and appropriate look back at some favorites you may find familiar as well as rarities that for some reason or another have yet to see the light of day. In our hearts we view this as a time to step back to look at what we've done. We hope you will share that experience with us with as much satisfaction as we have had in bringing it to you."
Originally from the suburbs of New Jersey, Blues Traveler moved to New York in the late '80s where they became an integral part of a new wave of artists coming up in the jam-band scene, packing clubs like Nightingale's, Wetlands and Mondo Cane. The band's live reputation landed them a deal with A&M Records and over the years they released a string hit albums including their 1990 self-titled debut; 1991's Travelers & Thieves; 1993's Save His Soul; the platinum selling Straight on till The Morning; and their massive, 1994 multi-platinum breakthrough release Four.
Disc one of Blues Traveler: 25 features the band's biggest hits and staple tracks representing all nine of their studio albums. Included are their No. 1 hit single "Run-Around," and their top 20 hit "Hook." Both songs were taken from 1994's Four which climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and has now sold over six times platinum. Other tracks featured are the No. 4 hit single "Carolina Blues" from 1997's Straight on till Morning, which reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200; the band's first top 20 hit "But Anyway" plus "Gina" and "100 Years" taken from their 1990 self-titled debut; "Amber Awaits" and "After What" from their top 50 album Bastardos!, an album produced by former Wilco member Jay Bennett; the hard-rocking, Led Zeppelin-esque track "How You Remember It" and "You, Me And Everything" from their most recent 2008 release, North Hollywood Shootout; plus a new 2011 recording of Sublime's "What I Got" which is only available on this two-CD set.
Disc Two of 25 is a collection of rarities including B-sides, unreleased demos and studio tracks. Featured are early demo versions of "But Anyway" and "Trust In Trust" recorded in 1988; the quirky "The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack" which was recorded in 1993 but never made it to an album; the unreleased studio track "Demon" which was written in 2000 during a songwriting session in Austin; plus the tracks "12 Swords," "The Sun and the Storm" and the 20-minute odyssey "Traveler Suite," all taken from their 2000 concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm, which was originally only made available as a download through the band's website.
As Blues Traveler prepares for the next 25 years, they are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their tenth studio album. They are about to embark on a nationwide tour celebrating 25 years of making music, and Blues Traveler: 25 offers a glimpse into the evolution of one of the most beloved artists to come out of the jam-band scene.
Disc 1-Greatest Hits
1. Run-Around
2. Hook
3. The Mountains Win Again
4. But Anyway
5. You, Me and Everything
6. Amber Awaits
7. After What
8. Back In The Day
9. Girl Inside My Head
10. Carolina Blues
11. Let Her and Let Go
12. Gina
13. 100 Years
14. What's For Breakfast
15. NY Prophesie
16. Unable To Get Free
17. How You Remember It
18. What I Got (bonus track)
Disc 2-B-sides/Unreleased
1. The Demon
2. The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack
3. Blue Hour
4.Trust In Trust
5. Didn't Mean To Wake Up
6. But Anyway'88
7. Random Amounts
8. Twelve Swords
9. The Sun and The Storm
10.Traveler's Suite
11. Run Around (Gunslinger Remix) (bonus track)
SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises
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Slaughterhouse to Release New Album, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, May 15 and Announces North American Tour
Group to Hold Live Chat January 26 on Slaughterhouseweb.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Slaughterhouse announced today the details of the group's new tour as well as confirmed that the title of their forthcoming Shady Records/Interscope album debut will be welcome to: OUR HOUSE. Executive produced by Eminem, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, to be released May 15, 2012, will be the second album from the creative collaboration of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". New music will be made available next week for fans to get their first taste of what promises to be one of the most anticipated and explosive albums of the year.
The group will also conduct a live video chat, moderated by Elliot Wilson from Rap Radar (http://www.rapradar.com), on Thursday, January 26th at 6:00pm PST (9:00pm EST) on www.slaughterhouseweb.com where fans will be able to submit questions in real time.
Brash and outspoken, bringing together the East Coast, West Coast and Detroit in the middle, Slaughterhouse issued a self-titled EP last year and was featured on "Loud Noises" on the gold-certified, #1-charting Billboard album Hell: The Sequel from Bad Meets Evil, the collaboration between Royce and Eminem. During the past year, the quartet has also been featured with Ludacris, Yelawolf, Travis Barker and T.I., among others.
Slaughterhouse was previously heard on "Session One," a bonus track on Eminem's 2010 blockbuster Recovery album, following their debut, indie-issued album in 2009. Widely acclaimed as individual artists, the group formed in late 2008 after Crooked I from Long Beach, CA, Joell Ortiz from Brooklyn, NY and Royce da 5'9" from Detroit appeared on "Slaughterhouse" on the Halfway House album from Harlem-born, New Jersey-raised Joe Budden. They then named the collective after the song.
Tour Dates:
March 8, 2012—Trees/Southside Dallas, TX
March 9, 2012—Warehouse/House of Blues Houston, TX
March 10, 2012—Beauty Ballroom Austin, TX
March 11, 2012 - White Rabbit San Antonio, TX
March 16, 2012—House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
March 17, 2012—Beachem Theater Orlando, FL
March 18, 2012—Revolution Miami, FL
March 22, 2012—Masquerade Atlanta, GA
March 23, 2012—The Cannery Nashville, TN
March 24, 2012—The Fillmore Charlotte, NC
March 25, 2012—SoundStage Baltimore, MD
March 26, 2012—Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA
March 27, 2012—Trocadero Theatre Philadelphia, PA
March 28, 2012—9:30 Club Washington D.C.
March 29, 2012—Best Buy Theater New York, NY
March 31, 2012—Lava Lounge (West KY Univ) Bowling Green, KY
Get more tour dates at HERE
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this from our friends at becausesoundmatters.com
Artist: Eric Clapton
Album Label: REP/Reprise
Vinyl Release Date: Nov 21 2011
5-LP 180 gram black vinyl
This three album five disc box set has been carefully recut for vinyl at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Chris Bellman and pressed on the finest grade European vinyl for the highest quality analogue sound imaginable.
Box Set Includes:
-From The Cradle, Riding With The King and Me and Mr. Johnson pressed on 180 gram vinyl
-A unique 12"x12" lithographed tucked inside box
-Each box is beautifully packaged in a high quality paper wrapped design
Order HERE
Artist: Nirvana
Album Label: Original Recordings Group
Vinyl Release Date: Feb 22 2011
1- Clear Limited Edition LP
Re-issued on vinyl for the first time in over a decade
Recompiled and remastered from the original analog master tape and recording sources- by Bernie Grundmand at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, Hollywood. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Pallas in Germany and faithful recreation of jacket and lyric sheet
Track Listing:
Side A
1 Dive
2 Sliver (Single Version)
3 Stain
4 Been A Son (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
5 Turnaround (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
6 Molly's Lips (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
7 Son Of A Gun (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
8 (New Wave) Polly (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
Side B
1 Beeswax
2 Downer
3 Mexican Seafood
4 Hairspray Queen
5 Aero Zeppelin
6 Big Long Now
7 Aneurysm
Order HERE
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Sundazed February 2012 New Releases
The Ventures on Sundazed: Limited Edition 180 Gram Colored Vinyl and Compact Disc!!
Pre-Order Them Now Here
If ever there was a "band that launched a thousand bands," it would be the Ventures. Founded in Tacoma, Washington in 1958, their guitar-based instrumental sound would prove hugely influential, inspiring countless followers to pick up a guitar, bass or set of drumsticks and try to emulate their heroes. As these musical neophytes would soon learn, it wasn't as easy as it initially appeared. The Ventures were masters of tone and technique, deftly arranging their instruments in a seamless approach that was instantly recognizable. Because they were an instrumental group, their songs needed no translation, which resulted in a huge worldwide following. While many rock bands have claimed to be "big in Japan" over the years, the Ventures were the country's first rock superstars and they maintain a devoted worldwide following to this day. With over 100 million records sold, they are the best selling instrumental group of all time.
Sundazed is proud to rightfully address the magnificent Ventures’ catalog—each title has been sourced from the original Dolton and Liberty Records’ reels and painstakingly mastered to sound and feel like they were originally intended. Along with precise artwork restoration on each title, these new Sundazed editions stand as the definitive re-releases of these monumentally important albums. Long may they rock!
Artist: The Ventures
LP 5386 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Telstar
2. The Lonely Bull
3. Mexico
4. Calcutta
5. Apache
6. Never On Sunday
7. Tequila
8. Green Onions
9. Percolator
10. Red River Rock
11. Let There Be Drums
12. Last Night
Artist: The Ventures
Title: Surfing
LP 5387 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Pipeline
2. Diamonds
3. Windy And Warm
4. Ten Over
5. Surf Rider
6. Changing Tide
7. The Ninth Wave
8. Party In Laguna
9. Barefoot Venture
10. The Heavies
11. Cruncher
12. The Lonely Sea
Artist: The Ventures
TRACK LIST:
1. Out Of Limits
2. He Never Came Back
3. Moon Child
4. Fear (Main Title From "One Step Beyond")
5. Exploration In Terror
6. War of the Satellites
7. The Bat
8. Penetration
9. Love Goddess of Venus
10. Solar Race
11. The Fourth Dimension
12. The Twilight Zone
Artist: The Ventures
LP 5389 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Needles And Pins
2. Runnin' Wild
3. Eleventh Hour
4. The Cruel Sea
5. Scratchin'
6. Tall Cool One
7. Only The Young
8. Journey To The Stars
9. Fugitive
10. Ravin' Blue
11. Walkin' With Pluto
12. The Pink Panther Theme
Artist: The Ventures
LP 5390 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. The House Of The Rising Sun
2. Diamond Head
3. Night Train '64
4. Peach Fuzz
5. Rap City
6. Blue Star (The Medic Theme)
7. Walk, Don’t Run '64
8. Night Walk
9. One Mint Julep
10. Pedal Pusher
11. The Creeper
12. Stranger On The Shore
Pre-Order Them Now Here
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and in music history for january 27th:
Born on this day in 1918, Elmore James, US blues guitarist, singer, known as the King of the Slide Guitar. James wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', which was covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Influenced Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Keith Richards. James died 24th May 1963.
In 1927, having secured contracts with 16 radio stations, United Independent Broadcasters Inc. started a radio network. The company later became the Columbia Broadcasting System, or CBS.
In 1948, Wire Recording Corporation of America announced its development of the first magnetic tape recorder. Called the Wireway machine, it came with a built-in oscillator and a price tag of $149.50.
CVR Blog 45rpm Singles Spotlight:
In 1956, Elvis Presley's single, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released by RCA Records. They had just purchased Presley's contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis' first Gold record. It was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton.
The lyrics were based on a newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man who jumped from a hotel window. Axton subsequently presented the song to Presley in November 1955 at a country music convention in Nashville. Presley agreed to record it, and did so on January 10, 1956 in a session that featured his band, The Blue Moon Boys, as well as guitarist Chet Atkins and pianist Floyd Cramer. "Heartbreak Hotel" is composed of an eight-bar blues progression, and features major echo during the entire track, in an attempt to follow the characteristic of Presley's Sun recordings.
The single topped Billboard's Top 100 chart for seven weeks, was number one on the Country and Western chart and reached number five on the R&B chart, becoming Presley's first million-seller, and the best-selling single of 1956. It would eventually be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Presley had first performed "Heartbreak Hotel" during a live show in December 1955 during a tour of the Louisiana Hayride, but the song gained strong popularity after his appearance on Stage Show in March 1956. It became a staple of Presley's repertoire in live appearances, last performed by him on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1995 "Heartbreak Hotel" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". That year it was also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". A rock and roll standard, since its original release "Heartbreak Hotel" has been covered by several rock and pop acts, including Willie Nelson and Leon Russell, who recorded a duet version that topped the Country charts in 1979.
Presley would perform the song during most of his live shows between 1956 and 1977, performing it for the last time on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The song has been released on almost every Presley compilation album since 1956, and alternative takes have also surfaced on several compilation albums. "Heartbreak Hotel" was awarded by the Broadcast Music Incorporated in its Country music Awards. It was re-released in 1971 for the UK market where it charted at number ten. In 1979, following Presley's death, author Robert Matthew-Walker wrote "...Heartbreak Hotel became one of the legendary rock performances. For many people it is Elvis Presley, and it continues to excite and fascinate listeners. Heartbreak Hotel is a classic performance, yet when it is analyzed it appears so simple that one cannot recall a time when one did not know it." In 1995, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame,and was re-released in 1996 to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of its recording.
In a 1975 interview, John Lennon recalled his friend Don Beatty introducing him to Presley's music. Lennon said that his family rarely had the radio on, unlike other members of The Beatles who grew up under its influence. Beatty showed Lennon a picture of Presley that appeared along with the charts on the New Musical Express, and Lennon later heard "Heartbreak Hotel" on Radio Luxembourg. Lennon has said:
"When I first heard "Heartbreak Hotel", I could hardly make out what was being said. It was just the experience of hearing it and having my hair stand on end. We'd never heard American voices singing like that. They always sung like Sinatra or enunciate very well. Suddenly, there's this hillbilly hiccuping on tape echo and all this bluesy stuff going on. And we didn't know what Elvis was singing about... It took us a long time to work what was going on. To us, it just sounded as a noise that was great."
George Harrison credits Heartbreak Hotel with handing him a "rock n roll epiphany" when in 1956, at age 13, he overheard it being played at a neighbor's house while riding his bike. Thus, it was Heartbreak Hotel that turned Harrison from a relatively well-mannered schoolboy into a guitar-crazed truant who would audition for John Lennon's Quarrymen the following year.
The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards stated in his 2010 autobiography, Life, that Heartbreak Hotel was one of the first rock and roll influences he had. Apart from Presley's impact on him, Richards was even more impressed by Scotty Moore's guitar playing, as well as the rest of the band:
"Good records just get better with age. But the one that really turned me on, like an explosion one night, listening to Radio Luxembourg on my little radio when I was supposed to be in bed and asleep, was "Heartbreak Hotel." That was the stunner. I’d never heard it before, or anything like it. I’d never heard of Elvis before. It was almost as if I’d been waiting for it to happen. When I woke up the next day I was a different guy."
In 1958, Little Richard left Rock and Roll and enrolled in bible school at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard explained that while flying over the Philippines on tour, the wing of his plane caught fire and his prayers that the flames go out were answered, so he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God. Some of the members of his touring band found work with James Brown's Famous Flames. During his four years in school, Richard still had hit records with previously recorded material like "Good Golly Miss Molly". By the time he returned to music in 1962, the British Invasion had started and the best Richard could do was a minor UK hit, "He Got What He Wanted". In 1965, Jimi Hendrix backed him on "I Don't Know What You've Got, But It's Got Me", but the song barely cracked the US Hot 100, topping out at number 92.
In 1961, "Sing Along with Mitch," hosted by Mitch Miller, began a three-year stay on NBC-TV.
In 1961, Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.
In 1962, Joey and the Starlighters started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Peppermint Twist, part 1." The single reached #33 on the UK chart.
In 1962, the Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid the Beatles' fee (£15 pounds) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, and made sure that the Beatles never played for that promoter (Brian Kelly) again.
In 1962, Elvis Presley received his 29th Gold record for "Can't Help falling in Love," just weeks after getting one for the soundtrack to his seventh movie, Blue Hawaii.
In 1964, the Rolling Stones appeared as judges on the British TV show "Juke Box Jury." Their rude behavior on the set causes a furor in the British press.
In 1967, General Motors begins offering an eight-track tape player as an option in their Buick line. They had been available from Ford since September, 1965. Although they were very popular for awhile, the tapes would be phased out of US retail stores by late 1982.
In 1968, the Bee Gees played their first American concert at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. After collecting their $50,000 fee, they headed immediately back to England. Vanilla Fudge and Spanky And Our Gang were also on the bill.
In 1969, four days after doing ten takes of "Get Back" at Apple Studios in London, the Beatles were back there to record it 14 more times. Take 11 from this day's work was spliced together with the best coda ending recorded the following day to become the version that was released.
In 1971, David Bowie arrived for his first visit to the U.S. He did not perform, but received a lot of publicity for wearing dresses in Texas and Louisiana.
In 1972, American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson died in Chicago of heart failure and diabetes complications aged 60. Known as the "Queen of Gospel Music" she recorded over 30 albums
In 1973, Stevie Wonder scored his second US number one with his twenty-third Top 40 hit, "Superstition."
In 1977, the Clash signed with CBS Records in Britain.
In 1984, Madonna made her first appearance in the U.K. when she appeared on C4 TV music program The Tube, performing “Holiday.” The show was broadcast live from the Hacienda Club in Manchester.
In 1993, Warner Brothers Records announces that it is releasing rapper Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) from his contract due to "creative differences." The previous summer the record company found itself in the middle of controversy over Ice-T's song, "Cop Killer". Marrow would go on to co-star in the police drama, Law and Order in 1999.
In 1998, James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later claimed that the drugs were used to help his eyesight.
In 2002, Brian Wilson played the first of four sold-out nights at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
In 2005, R.E.M. cancel their first show in ten years when their equipment was held at the Estonia/Russia border.
In 2006, Gene McFadden, R&B vocalist and songwriter, best known as half of the Philly soul team McFadden & Whitehead, died of cancer at the age of 56. The duo reached number 13 on the Billboard chart in 1979 with "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now."
birthdays today include (among others): Bobby “Blue” Bland (82), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) (68), Nedra Talley (Ronettes) (66), Seth Justman (J. Geils Band) (61), Richard Young (Kentucky Headhunters) (57), Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) (51) and Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy) (61)
It's Alive! Vinyl Makes a Comeback
By ERIC FELTEN
The digital revolution was supposed to do away with a lot of fusty old relics. First compact discs took their toll on the long-playing (and long-played) vinyl record; then iPods and digital downloads began doing the same to CDs. But long after the eulogies had been delivered, the vinyl LP has been revived.
The LP still represents just a sliver of music sales. But last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan data, while CD sales fell by more than 5%, vinyl record sales grew more than 36%.
Read the rest at online.wsj.com
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very well written article from my neck of the woods, and the way to make a vinyl destination fun!
Rock n Roll Land aims to be more than a record store
Written by Kendra Meinert / Green Bay Press-Gazette
You know that vintage KISS ashtray you were dying to get your hands on?Already gone.
The autographed 45’s from The Stray Cats went quick, too.
But if you’re in the market for an Iron Maiden skateboard, a Social Distortion bowling ball or a signed copy of April Wine’s 1981 “The Nature of the Beast’’ album, you’re still in luck. And there’s no telling what you might come across when you start rummaging through the 15-albums-for-$4.99 bargain vinyl bins – Supertramp, Eric Carmen, Lionel Richie …
Never mind that you could download an entire CD on iTunes in less time than it takes you to browse the glass case of hair pomades and rack of 1985 Circus magazines at the entrance of Rock n Roll Land, the whole idea of the Green Bay record shop is to stay a while. Owners Phil Doran and Todd Magnuson, who opened last fall in a portion of the former Henri’s Music at 504 S. Military Ave., wanted to create a space that’s more than just a retail destination.
Read the rest at greenbaypressgazette.com
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wow, vinyl from another perspective, suggested reading!!
These Apps Are Helping a New Generation of Audiophiles Discover Vinyl
By Andy Cush - Evolver.fm
As someone who spends lots of time thinking about the future of music as an app phenomenon, it might surprise you that I do a lot of my listening on vinyl records.
I'm not alone – reports abound of vinyl's surging sales numbers over the past five or so years. Though they make up a tiny percentage of overall music sales, vinyl record sales have grown at a time when other physical formats are skidding. It might have something to do with my age and the people I hang out with, many of whom are music nerds of the highest order, but I don't know a single person who buys CDs. Everyone I know who is interested in having physical copies of their music buys it on wax.
I should mention that I'm in my early twenties. I had cassettes as a kid, but CDs have been the dominant physical format of my lifetime. Napster came out when I was in elementary school. IPods arrived at the beginning of seventh grade. Digital music has been a part of my musical life since nearly the beginning.
I can't find numbers to support this claim, but I'd bet that many of the so-called "digital natives" buying all of this vinyl are like me: serious young music fans who are well aware of the respective advantages and disadvantages of both formats.
Read the rest at gizmodo.com
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fantastic for the underground music scene, should be some great SF sounds crackling on vinyl!
Superior Viaduct Records: Reissuing Forgotten Gems of San Francisco's Past
By Sam LefebvreFri
Many local labels are offering obscure reissues and innovative new releases on all conceivable formats. Label Sampler is a new column that will profile a different Bay Area imprint each week.
Name: Superior Viaduct
Headquarters: North Beach, San Francisco
Owner: Steve Viaduct
Founded: 2011
Musical Focus: Superior Viaduct specializes in archival releases and reissues of Bay Area bands from the 1970s and 1980s. During our interview, Steve was reluctant to pigeonhole the genre focus of his label, but reluctantly characterized his releases as punk and new wave, although he plans to venture into avant-garde, free jazz and piano music in the future.
Creation story: "I've been researching S.F. music for a long time," says Steve, who requested that his last name be omitted. "At one point, a museum that was doing an exhibit on California art contacted me because someone had told them that I was an expert on San Francisco punk, which I thought was hilarious. I wrote back and said it was funny to be called an expert on punk because there are no experts. By definition, punk is DIY and independent, not professional. It's not legitimized by any institution, so to be tagged as an expert seemed ridiculous. But the one question I was repeatedly asked was, 'Where can I find this music?' At that point I would have to say that unless you know it already or you're willing to spend a lot of money on Ebay, you can't get a hold of the music. Especially with bands like Noh Mercy, whose recordings have never been officially released."
Read the rest of the story at blogs.sfweekly.com
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this out of the uk, the ultimate pack rat !
The vinyl countdown: Music fan searches for new home for record collection of 1m items
Amy Glendinning
After a lifetime collecting records, music fan George Davenport is facing a vinyl countdown.
The 74-year-old has just weeks to find a new home for his thousands of records, CDs and tapes.
The collection, thought to number more than a million items spanning all genres of music, is currently housed in a basement in Newton Heath, Manchester.
But George is facing eviction and has yet to find new premises. George, who lives nearby, said: "I’ve been collecting records all my life.
"Over the years I’ve just bought anything and everything that people have wanted to get rid off.
"I’ve no idea how much there is now but people have said around a million."
Read the rest at menmedia.co.uk
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interesting album cover....
Imminent Sonic Destruction Reveals Album Details
The cover art for 'Recurring Themes' was created by Man In The Mountain. The band stated: "The imagery of the artwork matches the music completely."
Tracklist
1. Driving Home
2. Monster
3. With Death, This Story Ends
4. Breaking Through
5. Temple
6. Here, It's Over
7. Sick
8. The Remembering
9. Raven
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Scale The Summit To Release Vinyl Version Of 'The Collective'
Prosthetic Records is scheduled to release 'The Collective,' the 2011 album by Scale the Summit on vinyl. The LP is limited to 500 copies on high-quality 180-gram vinyl and available now for pre-order at the Prosthetic Store. Additionally, it will contain the bonus track "Redwoods," a song recorded during "The Collective" sessions that to date has only been available on the Japanese version of the album.Pre-order It Here
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Rory Gallagher Albums To Be Re-Issued
Rory Gallagher's first six albums are being reissued, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of his solo career.
These milestone albums were released during Gallagher's most prolific years, 1971 through 1974, when he recorded and produced six albums in a three year period. Each of the albums is now rereleased in digipack form with artwork restored from the original first release cover art. The audio has been re-mastered from the original quarter inch tapes. Each album includes exclusive sleeve notes written by Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and former tour manager, legendary photographer Mick Rock, and British journalist Roy Hollingworth.
Daniel Gallagher, Rory's nephew and producer of the re-issues, said: “It's fantastic that 40 years since the original release of these albums the interest in Rory's music is still so strong and vibrant that we can celebrate the man's music by re-issuing his first six classic solo albums. We've aimed to release them in the spirit of the original release by going back to the vinyl artwork and original 1/4" tapes so that they look and sound exactly as Rory intended. It's also great to see in a digital world that the demand for a physical copy of Rory's music means we can release these albums on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years.”
The albums are:
•Rory Gallagher (1971)
•Deuce (1971)
•Live! in Europe (1972)
•Blueprint (1973)
•Tattoo (1973)
•Irish Tour '74 (1974)
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MOTÖRHEAD: More 'The Motör-Bag' Details Revealed
It's universally agreed amongst headbangers that MOTÖRHEAD is responsible for some of the greatest all-time hard rock/heavy metal songs ("Ace of Spades", "Overkill", etc.) and albums ("Ace of Spades", "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith", etc.) — not to mention featuring one of rock's all-time great characters in their ranks, Lemmy Kilmister. As a result, MOTÖRHEAD fans are always on the hunt for uncommon and rare items to complete their collection. And now, the group is offering a true treat for their fans, known as "The Motör-Bag".Available online via www.merchdirect.com/Motorhead, "The Motör-Bag" is limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and is packed with exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else. Housed in a MOTÖRHEAD messenger bag, inside you will find two double vinyl LPs of stunning MOTÖRHEAD performances (in their entirety), recorded in New York and Manchester — that can only be found in "The Motör-Bag" package.
Read the rest at our friends at Blabbermouth
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album cover art of the day:
The Obscene Reveals Album Cover Artwork For Debut Release
UK death metal newcomers The Obscene have recently posted the artwork for the band's upcoming debut called 'Architects of Deliverance.' The album should be completed in June 2012 with a release date later in the year. In 2011, the band issued an EP entitled "The Torment Of Sinners" through Pest Records.=============
Etta James Album Sales Leap 378% Following Death
Anne Erickson
Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it slips away. That seems to be the case with the late Etta James’ soulful songs. As reported by Billboard, James scored her highest-charting album ever on the Billboard 200 chart this past week with The Best of Etta James – 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection, which rose from #162 to #46 with 8,000 copies sold, as reported by Nielsen SoundScan. That’s up 149% over the preceding week.
Read the rest at Gibson
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Blues Traveler Celebrates 25-Year Milestone With a 2-CD Retrospective Featuring All Their Hits Plus New Recording and Unreleased Rarities
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the course of their illustrious 25-year career, Blues Traveler have sold more than 10 million combined units worldwide, played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in "Run-Around," had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1's Behind the Music and they hold the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman.
On March 6, 2012, Hip-O Select/Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) releases Blues Traveler: 25, a 2-CD retrospective that spans the first 25 years of the band's incredible recording career. 25 features a total of 29 tracks including a newly recorded cover version of Sublime's "What I Got," their greatest hits, B-sides, unreleased demos and rarities— among them a remix of "Run-Around" by acclaimed electronic producers Gunslinger, and excerpts from the band's online concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm.
Remarks vocalist John Popper, "In a quarter century, through every possible kind of high and low, through every dream realized, through every hope dashed, always there was a return to that dedication and belief in the music and in each other. On behalf of all of Blues Traveler, I am privileged to express how honored we are, how deeply proud we are to share with you the first of our quarter-century celebration and appropriate look back at some favorites you may find familiar as well as rarities that for some reason or another have yet to see the light of day. In our hearts we view this as a time to step back to look at what we've done. We hope you will share that experience with us with as much satisfaction as we have had in bringing it to you."
Originally from the suburbs of New Jersey, Blues Traveler moved to New York in the late '80s where they became an integral part of a new wave of artists coming up in the jam-band scene, packing clubs like Nightingale's, Wetlands and Mondo Cane. The band's live reputation landed them a deal with A&M Records and over the years they released a string hit albums including their 1990 self-titled debut; 1991's Travelers & Thieves; 1993's Save His Soul; the platinum selling Straight on till The Morning; and their massive, 1994 multi-platinum breakthrough release Four.
Disc one of Blues Traveler: 25 features the band's biggest hits and staple tracks representing all nine of their studio albums. Included are their No. 1 hit single "Run-Around," and their top 20 hit "Hook." Both songs were taken from 1994's Four which climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and has now sold over six times platinum. Other tracks featured are the No. 4 hit single "Carolina Blues" from 1997's Straight on till Morning, which reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200; the band's first top 20 hit "But Anyway" plus "Gina" and "100 Years" taken from their 1990 self-titled debut; "Amber Awaits" and "After What" from their top 50 album Bastardos!, an album produced by former Wilco member Jay Bennett; the hard-rocking, Led Zeppelin-esque track "How You Remember It" and "You, Me And Everything" from their most recent 2008 release, North Hollywood Shootout; plus a new 2011 recording of Sublime's "What I Got" which is only available on this two-CD set.
Disc Two of 25 is a collection of rarities including B-sides, unreleased demos and studio tracks. Featured are early demo versions of "But Anyway" and "Trust In Trust" recorded in 1988; the quirky "The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack" which was recorded in 1993 but never made it to an album; the unreleased studio track "Demon" which was written in 2000 during a songwriting session in Austin; plus the tracks "12 Swords," "The Sun and the Storm" and the 20-minute odyssey "Traveler Suite," all taken from their 2000 concept album Decision of the Skies: A Traveler Tale of Sun and Storm, which was originally only made available as a download through the band's website.
As Blues Traveler prepares for the next 25 years, they are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their tenth studio album. They are about to embark on a nationwide tour celebrating 25 years of making music, and Blues Traveler: 25 offers a glimpse into the evolution of one of the most beloved artists to come out of the jam-band scene.
Disc 1-Greatest Hits
1. Run-Around
2. Hook
3. The Mountains Win Again
4. But Anyway
5. You, Me and Everything
6. Amber Awaits
7. After What
8. Back In The Day
9. Girl Inside My Head
10. Carolina Blues
11. Let Her and Let Go
12. Gina
13. 100 Years
14. What's For Breakfast
15. NY Prophesie
16. Unable To Get Free
17. How You Remember It
18. What I Got (bonus track)
Disc 2-B-sides/Unreleased
1. The Demon
2. The Poignant and Epic Saga of Featherhead and Lucky Lack
3. Blue Hour
4.Trust In Trust
5. Didn't Mean To Wake Up
6. But Anyway'88
7. Random Amounts
8. Twelve Swords
9. The Sun and The Storm
10.Traveler's Suite
11. Run Around (Gunslinger Remix) (bonus track)
SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises
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Slaughterhouse to Release New Album, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, May 15 and Announces North American Tour
Group to Hold Live Chat January 26 on Slaughterhouseweb.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Slaughterhouse announced today the details of the group's new tour as well as confirmed that the title of their forthcoming Shady Records/Interscope album debut will be welcome to: OUR HOUSE. Executive produced by Eminem, welcome to: OUR HOUSE, to be released May 15, 2012, will be the second album from the creative collaboration of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". New music will be made available next week for fans to get their first taste of what promises to be one of the most anticipated and explosive albums of the year.
The group will also conduct a live video chat, moderated by Elliot Wilson from Rap Radar (http://www.rapradar.com), on Thursday, January 26th at 6:00pm PST (9:00pm EST) on www.slaughterhouseweb.com where fans will be able to submit questions in real time.
Brash and outspoken, bringing together the East Coast, West Coast and Detroit in the middle, Slaughterhouse issued a self-titled EP last year and was featured on "Loud Noises" on the gold-certified, #1-charting Billboard album Hell: The Sequel from Bad Meets Evil, the collaboration between Royce and Eminem. During the past year, the quartet has also been featured with Ludacris, Yelawolf, Travis Barker and T.I., among others.
Slaughterhouse was previously heard on "Session One," a bonus track on Eminem's 2010 blockbuster Recovery album, following their debut, indie-issued album in 2009. Widely acclaimed as individual artists, the group formed in late 2008 after Crooked I from Long Beach, CA, Joell Ortiz from Brooklyn, NY and Royce da 5'9" from Detroit appeared on "Slaughterhouse" on the Halfway House album from Harlem-born, New Jersey-raised Joe Budden. They then named the collective after the song.
Tour Dates:
March 8, 2012—Trees/Southside Dallas, TX
March 9, 2012—Warehouse/House of Blues Houston, TX
March 10, 2012—Beauty Ballroom Austin, TX
March 11, 2012 - White Rabbit San Antonio, TX
March 16, 2012—House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
March 17, 2012—Beachem Theater Orlando, FL
March 18, 2012—Revolution Miami, FL
March 22, 2012—Masquerade Atlanta, GA
March 23, 2012—The Cannery Nashville, TN
March 24, 2012—The Fillmore Charlotte, NC
March 25, 2012—SoundStage Baltimore, MD
March 26, 2012—Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA
March 27, 2012—Trocadero Theatre Philadelphia, PA
March 28, 2012—9:30 Club Washington D.C.
March 29, 2012—Best Buy Theater New York, NY
March 31, 2012—Lava Lounge (West KY Univ) Bowling Green, KY
Get more tour dates at HERE
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Album Label: REP/Reprise
Vinyl Release Date: Nov 21 2011
5-LP 180 gram black vinyl
This three album five disc box set has been carefully recut for vinyl at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Chris Bellman and pressed on the finest grade European vinyl for the highest quality analogue sound imaginable.
Box Set Includes:
-From The Cradle, Riding With The King and Me and Mr. Johnson pressed on 180 gram vinyl
-A unique 12"x12" lithographed tucked inside box
-Each box is beautifully packaged in a high quality paper wrapped design
Order HERE
Album Label: Original Recordings Group
Vinyl Release Date: Feb 22 2011
1- Clear Limited Edition LP
Re-issued on vinyl for the first time in over a decade
Recompiled and remastered from the original analog master tape and recording sources- by Bernie Grundmand at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios, Hollywood. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Pallas in Germany and faithful recreation of jacket and lyric sheet
Track Listing:
Side A
1 Dive
2 Sliver (Single Version)
3 Stain
4 Been A Son (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
5 Turnaround (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
6 Molly's Lips (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
7 Son Of A Gun (BBC John Peel Session 1990)
8 (New Wave) Polly (BBC Mark Goodier Session)
Side B
1 Beeswax
2 Downer
3 Mexican Seafood
4 Hairspray Queen
5 Aero Zeppelin
6 Big Long Now
7 Aneurysm
Order HERE
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Sundazed February 2012 New Releases
The Ventures on Sundazed: Limited Edition 180 Gram Colored Vinyl and Compact Disc!!
Pre-Order Them Now Here
If ever there was a "band that launched a thousand bands," it would be the Ventures. Founded in Tacoma, Washington in 1958, their guitar-based instrumental sound would prove hugely influential, inspiring countless followers to pick up a guitar, bass or set of drumsticks and try to emulate their heroes. As these musical neophytes would soon learn, it wasn't as easy as it initially appeared. The Ventures were masters of tone and technique, deftly arranging their instruments in a seamless approach that was instantly recognizable. Because they were an instrumental group, their songs needed no translation, which resulted in a huge worldwide following. While many rock bands have claimed to be "big in Japan" over the years, the Ventures were the country's first rock superstars and they maintain a devoted worldwide following to this day. With over 100 million records sold, they are the best selling instrumental group of all time.
Sundazed is proud to rightfully address the magnificent Ventures’ catalog—each title has been sourced from the original Dolton and Liberty Records’ reels and painstakingly mastered to sound and feel like they were originally intended. Along with precise artwork restoration on each title, these new Sundazed editions stand as the definitive re-releases of these monumentally important albums. Long may they rock!
Artist: The VenturesTitle: Telstar • The Lonely Bull
TRACK LIST:
1. Telstar
2. The Lonely Bull
3. Mexico
4. Calcutta
5. Apache
6. Never On Sunday
7. Tequila
8. Green Onions
9. Percolator
10. Red River Rock
11. Let There Be Drums
12. Last Night
Title: Surfing
LP 5387 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Pipeline
2. Diamonds
3. Windy And Warm
4. Ten Over
5. Surf Rider
6. Changing Tide
7. The Ninth Wave
8. Party In Laguna
9. Barefoot Venture
10. The Heavies
11. Cruncher
12. The Lonely Sea
Artist: The VenturesTitle: Ventures in Space
LP 5388 LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Out Of Limits
2. He Never Came Back
3. Moon Child
4. Fear (Main Title From "One Step Beyond")
5. Exploration In Terror
6. War of the Satellites
7. The Bat
8. Penetration
9. Love Goddess of Venus
10. Solar Race
11. The Fourth Dimension
12. The Twilight Zone
Artist: The VenturesTitle: The Fabulous Ventures
LP 5389 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. Needles And Pins
2. Runnin' Wild
3. Eleventh Hour
4. The Cruel Sea
5. Scratchin'
6. Tall Cool One
7. Only The Young
8. Journey To The Stars
9. Fugitive
10. Ravin' Blue
11. Walkin' With Pluto
12. The Pink Panther Theme
Artist: The VenturesTitle: Walk, Don't Run Vol. 2
LP 5390 - LIMITED EDITION Colored Vinyl LP - 1000 COPIES ONLY!
TRACK LIST:
1. The House Of The Rising Sun
2. Diamond Head
3. Night Train '64
4. Peach Fuzz
5. Rap City
6. Blue Star (The Medic Theme)
7. Walk, Don’t Run '64
8. Night Walk
9. One Mint Julep
10. Pedal Pusher
11. The Creeper
12. Stranger On The Shore
Pre-Order Them Now Here
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and in music history for january 27th:
Born on this day in 1918, Elmore James, US blues guitarist, singer, known as the King of the Slide Guitar. James wrote 'Shake Your Money Maker', which was covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Influenced Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Keith Richards. James died 24th May 1963.
In 1927, having secured contracts with 16 radio stations, United Independent Broadcasters Inc. started a radio network. The company later became the Columbia Broadcasting System, or CBS.
In 1948, Wire Recording Corporation of America announced its development of the first magnetic tape recorder. Called the Wireway machine, it came with a built-in oscillator and a price tag of $149.50.
The lyrics were based on a newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man who jumped from a hotel window. Axton subsequently presented the song to Presley in November 1955 at a country music convention in Nashville. Presley agreed to record it, and did so on January 10, 1956 in a session that featured his band, The Blue Moon Boys, as well as guitarist Chet Atkins and pianist Floyd Cramer. "Heartbreak Hotel" is composed of an eight-bar blues progression, and features major echo during the entire track, in an attempt to follow the characteristic of Presley's Sun recordings.
The single topped Billboard's Top 100 chart for seven weeks, was number one on the Country and Western chart and reached number five on the R&B chart, becoming Presley's first million-seller, and the best-selling single of 1956. It would eventually be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Presley had first performed "Heartbreak Hotel" during a live show in December 1955 during a tour of the Louisiana Hayride, but the song gained strong popularity after his appearance on Stage Show in March 1956. It became a staple of Presley's repertoire in live appearances, last performed by him on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1995 "Heartbreak Hotel" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". That year it was also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". A rock and roll standard, since its original release "Heartbreak Hotel" has been covered by several rock and pop acts, including Willie Nelson and Leon Russell, who recorded a duet version that topped the Country charts in 1979.
Presley would perform the song during most of his live shows between 1956 and 1977, performing it for the last time on May 29, 1977 at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The song has been released on almost every Presley compilation album since 1956, and alternative takes have also surfaced on several compilation albums. "Heartbreak Hotel" was awarded by the Broadcast Music Incorporated in its Country music Awards. It was re-released in 1971 for the UK market where it charted at number ten. In 1979, following Presley's death, author Robert Matthew-Walker wrote "...Heartbreak Hotel became one of the legendary rock performances. For many people it is Elvis Presley, and it continues to excite and fascinate listeners. Heartbreak Hotel is a classic performance, yet when it is analyzed it appears so simple that one cannot recall a time when one did not know it." In 1995, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame,and was re-released in 1996 to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of its recording.
In a 1975 interview, John Lennon recalled his friend Don Beatty introducing him to Presley's music. Lennon said that his family rarely had the radio on, unlike other members of The Beatles who grew up under its influence. Beatty showed Lennon a picture of Presley that appeared along with the charts on the New Musical Express, and Lennon later heard "Heartbreak Hotel" on Radio Luxembourg. Lennon has said:
"When I first heard "Heartbreak Hotel", I could hardly make out what was being said. It was just the experience of hearing it and having my hair stand on end. We'd never heard American voices singing like that. They always sung like Sinatra or enunciate very well. Suddenly, there's this hillbilly hiccuping on tape echo and all this bluesy stuff going on. And we didn't know what Elvis was singing about... It took us a long time to work what was going on. To us, it just sounded as a noise that was great."
George Harrison credits Heartbreak Hotel with handing him a "rock n roll epiphany" when in 1956, at age 13, he overheard it being played at a neighbor's house while riding his bike. Thus, it was Heartbreak Hotel that turned Harrison from a relatively well-mannered schoolboy into a guitar-crazed truant who would audition for John Lennon's Quarrymen the following year.
The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards stated in his 2010 autobiography, Life, that Heartbreak Hotel was one of the first rock and roll influences he had. Apart from Presley's impact on him, Richards was even more impressed by Scotty Moore's guitar playing, as well as the rest of the band:
"Good records just get better with age. But the one that really turned me on, like an explosion one night, listening to Radio Luxembourg on my little radio when I was supposed to be in bed and asleep, was "Heartbreak Hotel." That was the stunner. I’d never heard it before, or anything like it. I’d never heard of Elvis before. It was almost as if I’d been waiting for it to happen. When I woke up the next day I was a different guy."
In 1958, Little Richard left Rock and Roll and enrolled in bible school at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. Richard explained that while flying over the Philippines on tour, the wing of his plane caught fire and his prayers that the flames go out were answered, so he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to God. Some of the members of his touring band found work with James Brown's Famous Flames. During his four years in school, Richard still had hit records with previously recorded material like "Good Golly Miss Molly". By the time he returned to music in 1962, the British Invasion had started and the best Richard could do was a minor UK hit, "He Got What He Wanted". In 1965, Jimi Hendrix backed him on "I Don't Know What You've Got, But It's Got Me", but the song barely cracked the US Hot 100, topping out at number 92.
In 1961, "Sing Along with Mitch," hosted by Mitch Miller, began a three-year stay on NBC-TV.In 1961, Frank Sinatra played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall in New York City for Martin Luther King.
In 1962, Joey and the Starlighters started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Peppermint Twist, part 1." The single reached #33 on the UK chart.
In 1962, the Beatles appeared at Aintree Institute in Aintree, Liverpool. The group had played here many times before but this was their last performance at the venue. Brian Epstein became infuriated when the promoter paid the Beatles' fee (£15 pounds) with handfuls of loose change. Epstein took this as an insult to the group, and made sure that the Beatles never played for that promoter (Brian Kelly) again.
In 1962, Elvis Presley received his 29th Gold record for "Can't Help falling in Love," just weeks after getting one for the soundtrack to his seventh movie, Blue Hawaii.
In 1964, the Rolling Stones appeared as judges on the British TV show "Juke Box Jury." Their rude behavior on the set causes a furor in the British press.
In 1967, General Motors begins offering an eight-track tape player as an option in their Buick line. They had been available from Ford since September, 1965. Although they were very popular for awhile, the tapes would be phased out of US retail stores by late 1982. In 1968, the Bee Gees played their first American concert at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. After collecting their $50,000 fee, they headed immediately back to England. Vanilla Fudge and Spanky And Our Gang were also on the bill.
In 1969, four days after doing ten takes of "Get Back" at Apple Studios in London, the Beatles were back there to record it 14 more times. Take 11 from this day's work was spliced together with the best coda ending recorded the following day to become the version that was released.
In 1971, David Bowie arrived for his first visit to the U.S. He did not perform, but received a lot of publicity for wearing dresses in Texas and Louisiana.
In 1972, American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson died in Chicago of heart failure and diabetes complications aged 60. Known as the "Queen of Gospel Music" she recorded over 30 albums In 1977, the Clash signed with CBS Records in Britain.
In 1984, Madonna made her first appearance in the U.K. when she appeared on C4 TV music program The Tube, performing “Holiday.” The show was broadcast live from the Hacienda Club in Manchester.
In 1993, Warner Brothers Records announces that it is releasing rapper Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) from his contract due to "creative differences." The previous summer the record company found itself in the middle of controversy over Ice-T's song, "Cop Killer". Marrow would go on to co-star in the police drama, Law and Order in 1999.
In 1998, James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later claimed that the drugs were used to help his eyesight.
In 2002, Brian Wilson played the first of four sold-out nights at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
In 2005, R.E.M. cancel their first show in ten years when their equipment was held at the Estonia/Russia border.
In 2006, Gene McFadden, R&B vocalist and songwriter, best known as half of the Philly soul team McFadden & Whitehead, died of cancer at the age of 56. The duo reached number 13 on the Billboard chart in 1979 with "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now."
birthdays today include (among others): Bobby “Blue” Bland (82), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) (68), Nedra Talley (Ronettes) (66), Seth Justman (J. Geils Band) (61), Richard Young (Kentucky Headhunters) (57), Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) (51) and Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy) (61)
As I was growing up a teenager in the 70 and 80’s, collecting vinyl record albums was the thing to do. Everybody owned them as you could buy them anywhere. I can remember anticipating the new releases of my favorite bands and waiting in long lines at Woolworth’s Department Store to make sure I got my own copy. Me and my friends would get together and listen to the new releases as if they were the news of the day. I still have my record collection. Each and every one of my albums wrapped securely in plastic sleeves to protect their artful covers from the ravages of time. They are my prized windows into my youth, and I remember each and every one of them. It truly saddens me to see the vinyl records go to the wayside, thrown out like yesterdays garbage. I wait for their comeback, as I know its coming. The sound of that little scratch ticking as it passes under the needle has been missed. Perfect sounding CD collections will never be as meaningful to me as that vinyl was.
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