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John "Marmaduke" Dawson, singer and songwriter of the seminal country-rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage, died on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. The sixty-four year old died from complications due to stomach cancer.
In the summer of 1969, John Dawson was looking to showcase his songs while Jerry Garcia was looking to practice his brand new pedal steel guitar. They hooked up and began to play coffeehouses and small clubs and the music that they created became the nucleus sound for the country-rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage. Dawson loved the sounds of Bakersfield-style country music, and he would turn his older friends on to the work of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, all the while providing a vital link between the East Coast, Timothy Leary-dominated psychedelic scene and the West.
The band took its name from a 1912 Western novel by Zane Grey, “Riders of the Purple Sage” and the New Riders became one of the Grateful Dead’s regular opening acts, its country-leaning sound complementing the older band’s psychedelic folk-rock.
Filling out the rhythm section in those early days were Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and engineer Bob Matthews on bass, who was later replaced by Phil Lesh. In 1970, Dave Torbert took over on bass and the group began to tour extensively with the Dead, and in December of 1970, Spencer Dryden from Jefferson Airplane stepped in on drums.
The band was signed to Columbia Records in 1971 by Clive Davis and their self-titled album was released in September of that year to widespread acclaim. In 1972 the pattern of their success continued to grow, with their first European tour followed in June by the release of their second album, “Powerglide.” They toured the United States extensively in response to increasing demand, and in November, 1972 released their third album “Gypsy Cowboy.” The next LP "The Adventures of Panama Red," was released in September of 1973 and the title track "Panama Red," became an FM radio staple and the first gold record for the band. The record is considered by many critics as being one of the best country-rock albums that emerged from the 1970s and the sound continues to influence the alternative country movement of today. The group continued to release their signature sound of sweet country harmonies mixed with pulsing rock rhythms throughout the 70's.
The original New Riders of the Purple Sage disbanded in 1982, however Dawson continued to use the name, bringing in new musicians, for 15 years to play and record. He retired to Mexico in the late 1990s and by the 2000s was too ill to take part in reunion tours, said Buddy Cage, who replaced Mr. Garcia on pedal steel. The band carries on today with numerous personnel changes throughout the years, still hammering out alternative country rockers.
It was created in 1984 as a cover for Time magazine. This is classic Warhol capturing MJ in his prime before things turned goofy and wierd.
Andy Warhol's name is synonymous with the Pop Art movement in America. Like other Pop artists, he often chose to use objects appropriated from popular culture as imagery for fine art. These were often photographs, which were then reproduced onto a canvas through a silkscreen process by assistants. Warhol then retouched them. As he put it, "I sort of half paint them just to give it a style." The choice of Warhol as Jackson's portraitist for the cover of Time was appropriate, given the artist's fascination with heroes of popular culture.
Oil on silkscreen on canvas, 1984 Time cover, March 19, 1984
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Image posted in 2007 on Deviant Art by yoma82. He's a 24 year old digital artist from Poland and uses color brilliantly to expose MJ in all his glory.
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This is a fascinating painting by Thomas Cale of the infamous Michael Jackson mug shot taken by police following his November 2003 arrest for child molestation. Part human-part alien, Jackson's appearance had made the transformation by this time.
1. LP - John Hartman and Circles "Music Of My Heart" Private Press - $5,205.00
2. 10" - Kurt Cobain William Burroughs "The Priest They Call Him" Test Press - $3,999.99
3. 45 - The Crystals "The Screw Part 1" / "The Screw Part 2" Phillies - $3,799.99
4. LP - Dave Bixby "Ode To Quetzalcoatl" Private Press - $3,199.99
5. 45 - King Of Soul "Is Your Love For Me" / "Girl What Have You Done" Down To Earth - $2,693.13
As always, a special thank you to Norm at ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data. Stop by and listen to Accidental Nostalgia with Norm & Jane On Radio Dentata Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT
ESCAPIST RECORDS ANNOUNCE THIS TIME NEXT YEAR VINYL RELEASE
Escapist Records is pleased to announce the vinyl release of This Time Next Year’s debut EP, “A Place for You.” The Walnut Creek, CA pop-punk outfit originally released the seven-song EP through the independent label in mid-2007 to critical acclaim.
Absolutepunk.net called it “the most addicting thing I’ve heard so far this year.” The success of “A Place for You” lead to the band’s signing to Run for Cover Records and the release of a brand new EP last year. Since then, Alternative Press named the band one of the “100 Bands You Need to Know in 2009” and This Time Next Year has gone on to sign with Equal Vision Records with the release of their debut full-length due this Fall. “A Place for You” will see its official vinyl release (with free digital download) in the coming months - details are currently being finalized.
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P Diddy holds off release of new album
Hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is holding off the release of his new album ‘Last Train To Paris’ so he doesn't have to compete with other big upcoming releases. With albums from rappers like Jay-Z and newcomer Drake on the way, Combs faces stiff competition in terms of sales - so he's playing the safer option.
‘Last Train To Paris’ should have been available in September, but there is now no definite release date. Speaking on the delay, P. Diddy told MTV.com: "We just vibing and making music, having a good time. The Train is coming... It's coming, it's coming."
"Right now, it's like Jay-Z time and Drake time. Enjoy those guys. But the Train is coming," he added.
In other words, he doesn't want to compete with them for the almighty music dollar.
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Narnia Releases New Album "Course Of A Generation" In Europe
Christian power metallers Narnia have issued the following update about the release of their new album "Course of a Generation:"
"Course of a generation has been released in Europe! We hope each and every one of You will grab a copy as soon as You can, and we almost promise that You won't be dissapointed ;)
"For our more distant friends living in other parts of the world, there will be news about releases in more territories soon - hang in there! Take care!"
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SUBSIGNAL: 'Beautiful & Monstrous' Release Date Confirmed
SUBSIGNAL, the new German band featuring former SIEGES EVEN members Arno Menses (vocals) and Markus Steffen (guitar), will release its debut album, entitled "Beautiful & Monstrous", on September 25 via GoldenCore Records/ZYX Music. The CD was helmed by co-producer Kristian Kohlmannslehner, who worked on SIEGES EVEN's 2007 release, "Paramount". The special edition of the album, which will have an approximate running time of 60 minutes, will come with a stylish digipack cover and one bonus track. The LP will also be released as a normal jewelcase version with rounded corners, and it will be made available on double vinyl.
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NC-based Merge Records celebrates 20th anniversary
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. The finale show of the 20th anniversary celebration of Durham-based Merge Records will feature three bands under that label.
The show is set for 7 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Hall on the University of North Carolina campus. It will feature She & Him, American Music Club and Wye Oak.
Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan started Merge Records in 1989, the same year they formed the band Superchunk in Chapel Hill. They started the company with $500 borrowed from McCaughan's father. For the first three years, the label's music went out on 7-inch vinyl.
In 1992, Merge began a relationship with Touch and Go Records of Chicago, which handles most of Merge's full-length releases.
Born on this day in 1925, Bennie Benjamin session drummer, one of ‘The Funk Brothers’ played on many Tamla Motown hits. Died April 20, 1969.
Blues singer Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton died in Los Angeles in 1984 of a heart attack (age 57). She was best known for recording the original version of the Elvis Presley hit "Hound Dog." She also wrote and recorded “Ball 'n' Chain,” which Janis Joplin recorded.
Steve Rubell died in 1989. He was the mastermind behind Studio 54.
Country singer Charlie Rich died in 1995 of a blood clot in the lungs (age 62). Rich began as a rockabilly artist but didn't gain wide success until 1973 when his ballads "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl" crossed over to the pop charts.
Erik Braunn of Iron Butterfly died of cardiac failure in 2003 (age 52). Braunn was just 16 years old when he joined Iron Butterfly who had the 1968 US No.14 single 'In-A- Gadda-Da-Vida’.
The late Steve Goodman (wrote "City Of New Orleans") was born in 1948.
History:
In 1960, Roy Orbison reached #2 on the US singles chart with “Only the Lonely,” his first hit. The song was turned down by The Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley, so Orbison decided to record the song himself.
In 1964, Billboard reported that England had a hot new band. The Animals debut single "House of the Rising Sun" entered the U.K. chart at #16. The next week, it's at #3 and seven days later it's number one. To promote the group in the U.S., disc jockeys were sent boxes of animal crackers wrapped with special promotional material.
Bob Dylan, backed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, horrified the audience at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 with his new electric sound. He was booed off stage after three tunes but returned with his acoustic guitar to play two songs.
The Monkees recorded "Last Train To Clarksville" in 1966.
The Beatles begin recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (with Eric Clapton on guitar) in 1966.
In 1967, the Beatles and other U.K. rock groups urged the British government to legalize marijuana. Their comments were made in a London Times advertisement signed by all four of the Beatles.
In 1969, Neil Young made his first appearance with Crosby, Stills and Nash at New York's Fillmore East. Young was initially asked to help out with live material only, but ended up joining the group on and off for the next 30 years.
Led Zeppelin played Milwaukee at the Midwest Rock Festival in 1969. Former Yardbird Eric Clapton, who was playing with Blind Faith the next day, caught the set by fellow former Yardbird Jimmy Page's new band. "They were very loud," he later remembers. "I thought it was unnecessarily loud. I liked some of it; I really did like some of it. But a lot of it was just too much. They overemphasized whatever point they were making, I thought." Um, OK, I guess they knew what they were doing, Sir Eric…..
Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" was released in 1970.
AC/DC released “Back In Black,” in 1980, their first album with Brian Johnson as lead singer.
Woodstock '99 goes up in flames. Rioters set fires and loot vendors while the Red Hot Chili Peppers heat up the stage as the festival's final act. Real sensible kids…
Jimmy Buffett went to #1 on the US album chart in 2004 with ‘License To Chill’, the singer songwriters first #1 album.
As we continue our series about “bird” and “animal” group names in rock and roll history, let’s explore a few obscure band and individuals that fit our criteria.
Before anyone ever heard of Ry Cooder, Leo Kotke, Richard Thompson and others who were mesmerizing fans with the keen ability to hop from genre to genre, an American folk musician Sandy Bull cleverly blazed the trail.
An accomplished player of many instruments including the middle-eastern oud, the acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, pedal-steel and electric guitar, Bull was one of the first to produce extended instrumental pieces for the guitar that blended elements of folk, jazz and Indian and Arabic influences into a tightly structured musical format.
His first album ”Fantasias For The Guitar & Banjo,” (Vanguard 1963) exemplified his penchant for the previous mentioned skills, adeptly blending non-western instrumentation and improvisational folk with extensive use of overdubbing and multi-track tape recording techniques. He utilized overdubbing as a way to accompany himself and be able to play all the instruments on many of his recordings. The LP was not a million-seller it had no hit singles, but contained enough rare and unconventional music that helped to put him on the musical map.
On his second album, the incomparable, “Inventions For The Guitar & Banjo,” Bull added more instrumentation and some electricity to his repertoire and included a twenty-four minute song, “Blend II,” on which he added an electric element to his signature song from his first LP. He also added two versions (electric and acoustic) of a Bach passage and closed the album with a heavy cover of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis, Tennessee.” Another album, “E Pluribus Unum” was released in 1968, however by that time Bull was suffering from drug addictions that affected his musical talents. In the 1970s, he dropped out of music altogether due to ongoing drug problems, although he began recording again in the late '80s. On April 11, 2001, Sandy Bull died of lung cancer at his home just outside of Nashville.
Moose was a British indie band that was formed in London in 1990. The band’s main claim to fame is that they have been credited by some as being the first group to be labeled “shoe-gazers.” Ironically, this wasn’t due to their style of music it was because during an early gig, vocalist/guitarist Russell Yates read the lyrics to some of the group’s songs that were taped to the floor. In fact, the band’s first three EPs are the only releases that feature the intense guitar effects that have often been associated with the music genre “shoe gazing.” When the band release their first full-length album in 1992 called “…XYZ,” the band was playing more of a jangly-country pop sound. The band recruited Mitch Easter for production and Dolores O'Riordon of the Cranberries for harmony vocals on one of the tracks.
However, this LP sold poorly and consequently the band was let go by their record label. They signed on with Play It Again Sam Records and released two more albums, 1994’s “Honey Bee” and “Live a Little Love a Lot.” Despite critical acclaim, the albums sold poorly and the band wound up taking an extended hiatus before returning in 2000 with the LP “High Ball Me.”
The alternative pop rock duo Cardinal was a side project of singer/songwriter Richard Davies and composer Eric Matthews. Releasing only one self-titled LP (1994), Cardinal weaves lush orchestral arrangements with layered horns and cascading piano work that makes one recall the multidimensional sounds of late 60's pop music (including the Left Banke, Love and even the “Smile” era Beach Boys sound). With Davies’ compelling songs and lyrics blended with Matthew’s penchant for creative arrangements, Cardinal shines in efforts such as “You’ve Lost Me There,”“If You Believe In Christmas Trees” and “Dream Figure,” to name a few.
While the album was met with critical acclaim and was filled with easily digestible pop-rock, creative tensions split up the duo and both went on to solo careers. (There is also another band associated with Cardinal, one led by Ryan Adams, which we will explore in a an upcoming article).
In 1968 a “one hit wonder” group called Iron Butterfly released the 1960's legendary song, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” But the song, which peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Top 40 may seem dated now, but it is one of the first “hard rock” anthems to receive extensive radio air play and paved the way for future psychedelic bands on AM radio.
Formed in San Diego, California in 1966 by vocalist/organist and bandleader, Doug Ingle, the group moved to Los Angles and performed in the club circuit and secured a recording contract. The group also toured with the Doors and Jefferson Airplane and their first album release “Heavy” established the band’s signature sound, loud rocking guitar riffs, thumping drums and psychedelic organ.
As the story has been told, the original title for the song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was “In The Garden Of Eden,” but the band was so stoned at the recording session the mumbled words of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” have become the epitome of acid-rock and a classic album in any vinyl record collector’s cache. A shortened version of the title track, which contained extended instrumental passages with loud guitars and classical/Eastern-influenced organ, plus a two-and-a-half-minute drum solo, reached number 30 on the singles charts.
The album was also the first album to receive platinum certification when the RIAA originally instituted the award. The group’s next album, “Ball” secured the band a second straight top five album and while not as acid-rock laced as “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” it was nonetheless a great rocker although the band did not duplicate the success and now legendary sound of their first and only Top 40 hit.
After another album, “Metamorphosis,” which saw the group stray from their original sound with more musical experimentation the group disbanded although they tried unsuccessfully to recapture their magic formula.
Sandy Bull Tidbits:
Bull is well known for his arrangement of Carl Orff's composition “Carmina Burana” for 5-string banjo on his first album, which was included on an album of R.E.M.'s favorite songs.
Bull primary played a finger-picking style of guitar and banjo and his style has been compared to that of John Fahey and Robbie Basho of the early Takoma label in the 1960s.
Moose Tidbits:
"High Ball Me!" "Live a Little Love a Lot" and "Honey Bee" are available on iTunes and several of the band's videos are up on youtube.
Moose was formed in early 1990 by the songwriting team of Kevin (K.J.) McKillop and Russell Yates (Yates had appeared in an early incarnation of Stereolab), plus drummer Damien Warburton and bassist Jeremy Tishler.
One of the group's songs, "This River Will Never Run Dry" is included in The Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit Pop Gems of the Last Millennium (4-CD box set compiling 78 UK bands).
Iron Butterfly Tidbits:
The members when In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was recorded were Doug Ingle (keyboards and vocals), Lee Dorman (bass guitar), Ron Bushy (drums), and 17-year-old Erik Brann.
The infamous line-up of Iron Butterfly got together for the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert and celebration, appearing on stage along with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, and with Aretha Franklin among many other acts of the company's roster on May 14, 1988.
On October 3, 2002, original guitarist/vocalist Darryl DeLoach died of liver cancer at the age of 56.
On July 25, 2003, Erik Braunn died of cardiac failure at the age of 52. He was working on a new solo album at the time of his death, however the album remains unreleased, although friends and family of are working on releasing the album.
It’s reported that the band had been booked to play at Woodstock, but got stuck at an airport. When their manager called the promoters of the concert, they explained the incredible situation they had been dealt and asked for patience. However, the manager demanded that the Butterfly be flown in by helicopter, whereupon they would "immediately" take the stage. After their set they would be paid and flown back to the airport. The manager was told that this would be taken into consideration, and he would be called back. In truth, his outrageous demands were never given a second thought. Dorman later expressed regret at this turn of events, feeling the band's career may have gone further had they played the festival.
I am very proud to continue our new feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. In fact, his new DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" has hit the shelves and is selling out very quickly. This is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl, it is a true masterpiece.
Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
Frank Sinatra (reissue) Sings For Only the Lonely Capitol/Mobile Fidelity MFSL 1-326 180g mono LP
Produced by: Voyle Gilmore Engineered by: N/A Mixed by: N/A Mastered by: Rob LoVerde
Review by: Michael Fremer 2009-07-01
One of the first “concept” albums, Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely invited listeners back in 1958 to pull up a chair and share the singer’s misery exquisitely expressed in a carefully collected set of tunes given sensitive, sumptuous backdrops by the late, great Nelson Riddle.
That these twelve heavily orchestrated tracks were recorded live in the studio two days in May of 1958 and two days in June is a feat that probably would not be possible to achieve today.
When first issued in mono, the album contained 12 tracks but at the dawn of the stereo LP, Capitol erred on the side of caution and omitted “Spring Is Here” and “It’s a Lonesome Old Town.” When Mobile Fidelity released its Frank Sinatra box set in the 1980s, it added the missing tracks to its stereo version.
This time around Mo-Fi has chosen to release the original mono mix and while the stereo version has its own enticing qualities, the choice was correct. The stereo version puts Sinatra far forward center stage bathed in reverb and offers extreme stereo orchestral separation. It may have been exciting to hear in 1958 but today it sounds extreme, though it really does make you feel as if you’re in the big Capitol soundstage.
The mono edition, by comparison, still keeps Sinatra up front in a moderately hollow-sounding, darkened room with the orchestra skillfully stacked in three dimensions well behind him. It’s a less literate, more organic, more atmospheric whole that better accommodates the morose, regretful emotions that Sinatra delivers powerfully while skillfully avoiding even a grain of bathos. Riddle's sumptuous arrangements for strings, achingly regretful brass and woodwinds cushion the emotional blows even as they amplify them.
Sinatra’s “What’s New” puts Linda’s later remake to shame, but she’d probably agree. Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the title tune specifically for the album and it sets the appropriate downer mood. There’s no relief among the twelve tunes, ending with the Arlen/Mercer talk-to-the-bartender great “One For My Baby (And One More For the Road).”
If you’ve ever had your heart broken, be prepared to relive the experience track after track (and if you’ve never had the experience you’ve really never lived fully), enjoying every weepy minute.
Mo-Fi’s reissue is warmer and fuller than the original pressing I have. It’s not quite as immediate as the original or as transparent, but it wins in the atmospherics department and since there’s no compression whatsoever and clearly some was applied to the original, it breathes naturally allowing Sinatra’s full dynamic flow to be expressed even if he also seems ever so slightly muffled (though that will be system-dependent). Mastering engineer Rob LoVerde says he put up the tape and it sounded so good he cut it flat, so what you hear is what’s on the tape. If you’re skeptical about mono, give this one a try. It may not be wide, but it’s deep.
They Might Be Giants won a Best Children's Album Grammy for a record called "Here Comes the 123s" and now they're gunning for more gramophone gold with another kiddie release, "Here Comes Science;" which comes packaged with its own DVD. The double-disc set is out on Amazon and iTunes September 1 and everywhere else September 22 via Idlewild/Disney.
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Jay-Z + MGMT
According to this Reuters report, synth-hippie duo MGMT will appear on Jay-Z's forthcoming, highly anticipated opus "The Blueprint 3." (Via Stereogum) which is due out on September 11 from Roc Nation/Atlantic. According to that same Reuters report, other guests will include Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Drake, and Mr. Hudson, and the album will feature production from Timbaland, Kanye West, and No I.D., who helmed "D.O.A."
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ANVIL: 'This Is Thirteen' Re-Release To Include 'Thumb Hang' Bonus Track
Certainly one of the most feel-good rock n' roll comeback stories of recent times is that of Canadian heavy metal band ANVIL. The band, considered a major influence for a generation of hard rockers including METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, and GUNS N' ROSES, was the subject of a critically acclaimed, must-see rock-doc, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", directed by Sacha Gervasi. And in the process, the film has made the group (led by singer/guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner — both founding members) a household name. But the group's story will certainly not end with the film.
First up for ANVIL are U.S. shows opening for Aussie rock legends AC/DC — in football stadiums. "We're really excited about these shows; we've only heard awesome things about playing in football stadiums," states Lips. "I was with the GREEN DAY guys last night, and they were telling me, 'Man, it's probably going to be the gig of your life'!"
And then on September 15, "This is Thirteen" will finally see proper national distribution on CD and vinyl via VH1 Classic Records. The CD will feature the newly recorded, never-before released bonus track "Thumb Hang". The collectible double vinyl LP boasts newly re-recorded versions of ANVIL classics "Metal on Metal" and "666". The album, originally recorded in 2007 and produced by Chris Tsangarides (JUDAS PRIEST, THIN LIZZY), was primarily available directly from the band via their web site and at their concerts.
"'This is Thirteen' is more like our first three albums," says Lips, "which represent our real identity. For many of our albums, we went on an 'integrity hunt' instead of on a 'commercial/radio hunt,' so we became extremely inaccessible to radio. This time, we stepped back and said, 'What were we originally?' And we rediscovered ourselves, I suppose." Reiner adds, "There are three tracks that in my opinion, are definitely, 100% AOR/hard rock/commercial radio tracks — 'American Refuge', 'Flying Blind', and 'Feed the Greed'. Catchy melodies, incredible drum feels — they just all rock."
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Feelies Reisuues
Back in 1980, New Jersey postpunk originators the Feelies dropped "Crazy Rhythms," their classic debut. "Crazy Rhythms" was a short, sharp shock of spiky guitars and sidelong grooves, the sort of album destined to become an influential but underappreciated relic, which is exactly what happened. You can hear bits and pieces of "Crazy Rhythms" all over American indie rock from the 1980s, especially in the first few R.E.M. albums, but the band's history was plagued by commercial failure and frequent breakups. The LP has been out of print forever.
That's about to change. The Feelies are back together now, playing shows when they feel like it. And on September 8, "Crazy Rhythms" and the band's 1986 sophomore effort "The Good Earth" will finally be reissued. The reissues will be out on Bar None in the U.S. and Canada and Domino everywhere else. Both remastered albums will be available on CD and 180 gram vinyl, and both will come with bonus tracks.
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Queen Latifah Releases Details On New Album
It was revealed this week that rapper/actress Queen Latifah will be releasing her ninth studio album later this year.
The star-studded album, " Persona," will feature appearances by Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige, Jadakiss, and Boyz II Men.
“It doesn't have a specific theme -- each [song] was so different from the next, me being the common denominator,” Queen Latifah told the Los Angeles Times earlier this month (July). “And I realized my different characters were coming through on these [songs]. My acting, singing and rapping identities all came together under one roof as well as my taste in different kinds of music. I'd say it's half rap and half singing. If I had to categorize it, it would be more like hip hop urban alternative.”
The album, which was executive produced by duo Cool & Dre, is expected to be released on August 25.
Graham Nash puts it quite simply. Crosby Stills & Nash doesn't have to tour anymore. The trio doesn't need to record and release albums. The group is secure enough financially to retire.
But here it is summer 2009, and again, as it has been for most years during the past decade, Crosby Stills & Nash is back on the road, covering most of the United States and Europe.
"We're musicians and songwriters, and we want to communicate," Nash says. "The first thing you do when you write a new song, once it makes it past your filters, is to play it for your wife and friends and family. Then you want to play it for people on a tour."
Actually, Crosby Stills & Nash doesn't have many new songs to play. Nash's anti-war ballad, "Not In My Name," is the most recent arrival, having debuted on "Reflections," his three-CD box set covering his entire musical career and released in February.
But a new Crosby Stills & Nash CD is out. Called "Demos," it's both new and about as old as it gets for CSN.
For CSN fans, it's a chance to literally hear Crosby Stills & Nash finding their harmony-filled, folk-influenced sound.
"In December of '68, Crosby Stills & Nash were in New York, and we went into the studio at the Record Plant with Paul Rothschild, who had produced the Doors and Janis Joplin," Nash says. "We went in there, and that was the first time Crosby Stills & Nash had ever recorded. On the previous box set, the large square one that we put out in, what was it, '91 or something, we used one of them [the demos], I think 'Helplessly Hoping.' And we had another one."
Nash says in this interview that that song was "You Don't Have To Cry." That demo is included on the new album, except it's Stills' original solo version of the song. The actual performance he remembered was of "Marrakesh Express," and that tune leads off the "Demos" CD.
And indeed, this is the sound of Crosby, Stills & Nash, accompanied only by acoustic guitar, capturing the vocal arrangement and the three-part harmonies that became such a signature for the group four months before the song appeared on the "Crosby Stills & Nash" CD in a far more elaborate instrumental arrangement.
In any event, the "Demos" CD accomplishes the very goal Nash set for himself in putting together the album.
"My original idea that maybe people would be very interested in seeing, if not the very first time a song was put down on tape, but very early in the version and see how it flowers into the record people know and love," he says. "I thought that would be a very interesting thing."
Nash said he uncovered 53 early demos in his archive of recordings by the various band members. He is already working on a second album of demos culled from the remaining tracks.
"Demos" is far from the only musical project Nash has spearheaded lately. Of course, there was the box set, "Reflections," which follows a Crosby box set released in 2006. Nash has also begun work assembling a Stills box set that could include unreleased tracks from sessions he recorded with Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.
The "Reflections" set traces Nash's career from its beginnings with the British pop group the Hollies, into Crosby Stills & Nash and through material he recorded for his five solo albums and four studio records with Crosby.
Nash thinks he chose a group of songs that accomplished the goals he had for the set, which he sees as document that will give present and future music fans insight into what he has been about musically.
"First of all, I hope the people enjoy it," Nash sahs. "I didn't want it to be so esoteric or out of left field that people couldn't relate to it. I'm a very simple man, as you know. To me I'm a very normal person. I do something very well, and several things rather well, but to me I'm a very normal person. And I want people to understand that I tried my best to communicate. I tried my best to make myself happy about my music. I tried my best to make my friends happy about it and my audience happy about it. I think I accomplished that."
Crosby Stills & Nash, meanwhile, have been busy selecting songs for their next CSN CD, a collection of outside material performed very much in what Nash says will be CSN's harmonized style. Recording of the CD with producer Rick Rubin is scheduled to start in the fall.
An initial list of 50 songs has been trimmed to 18, and Nash says the group will try out a few of the candidates each night on tour this summer.
"Right now we know about eight or 10 of them enough to play them live for people," he says. "So we'll be dropping [in] and changing songs] every night, putting new songs in there. So it will be very interesting."
The group's concert set, though, will mostly stick to familiar material. And the trio will perform in several settings.
"We're going to actually start acoustic," Nash says. "The first song will be with the band, but very gentle. Then me and David and Stephen will sing for six or seven great acoustic things, some new songs that we've learned, other peoples' that we're going to be doing for this Rick Rubin record we're going to record after the tour, and then a couple of other ones with the band, but gentle. Then we'll finish up the acoustic set with something like 'Southern Cross.' And we'll take a break and come back and play electric for an hour or so."
Heinz Edelmann, the graphic designer and illustrator for the Beatles 'Yellow Submarine,' died Tuesday, July 21, in Germany from heart disease and kidney failure. Though he wasn't a musician, he was a vital part of Beatles lore nevertheless for his work on the 1968 animated film. He was 75 years old.
Creating the world of Pepperland, Edelmann illustrated figures like the Blue Meanies, the villains of the film who pursue the Beatles through a morphing seascape. Going beyond the simplistic work of the hit Beatles animated series, the film version of 'Yellow Submarine' was praised as moving art for its psychedelic imagery that perfectly captured the flowery feeling of the late '60s.
Love songstress Jewel? Here's a great interview, well worth the read:
Interview: Jewel Releases Soothing Seventh Studio Album
Photo by Kurt MarkusJewel is an artist whose insatiable curiosity has led her to thrive in many creative areas. Though her list of accomplishments is dizzying—multi-platinum recording artist, actress, New York Times bestselling author—she's refreshingly down to earth. She takes the time to give back and is active in many charities, including her own Project Clean Water, which she founded to provide villages around the world with safe drinking water.
This year has been a busy one for Jewel. She recently released her first independent album, Lullaby, which is an ethereal collection of three classic tracks and 10 originals. The self-penned material holds its own among the standards, and after listening to this disc, it's hard to imagine a voice better suited for lullabies than Jewel's. Last week, LAist spoke with her to learn why she hopes her new album appeals to adults and children alike, and what she has in store when she takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl this Friday and Saturday.
Jack White, The White Stripes linchpin and all round busiest man in rock 'n' roll, has launched a special subscription service. He's doing it because he's unhappy with the way downloading is affecting music experiences. He explains how he came up with the idea for the Vault.
What are your thoughts on the dominance of the internet on the music industry generally these days?
It’s taken a lot of the romance out of the experiences of music.
This is what we're trying to manipulate to the advantage of the fan/listener and the artist as well, to find ways to have beautiful experiences that have a longer lasting impact.
Sometimes things you have complete easy access to, like a reality show, or an online purchase at the click of a mouse, can become forgetable and invisible.
A trip to a record store to get the album you've been waiting months for on the other hand, can be cherished for a lifetime.
We are trying to find those bridges between the tangible worlds and the cyber/digital worlds.
The band was signed to Columbia Records in 1971 by Clive Davis and their self-titled album was released in September of that year to widespread acclaim. In 1972 the pattern of their success continued to grow, with their first European tour followed in June by the release of their second album, “Powerglide.” They toured the United States extensively in response to increasing demand, and in November, 1972 released their third album “Gypsy Cowboy.” The next LP "The Adventures of Panama Red," was released in September of 1973 and the title track "Panama Red," became an FM radio staple and the first gold record for the band. The record is considered by many critics as being one of the best country-rock albums that emerged from the 1970s and the sound continues to influence the alternative country movement of today. The group continued to release their signature sound of sweet country harmonies mixed with pulsing rock rhythms throughout the 70's.
