Pearl Jam Album Cover Art Game

Pearl Jam recently announced the release of their much anticipated new album, Backspacer (produced by Brendan O'Brien) on September 21, plus a handful of UK tour dates in support of the record.

For Backspacer's imagery, the band enlisted the creative genius of their friend and renowned political cartoonist Tom Tomorrow. Here's one image from Backspacer below - click on it to discover more.... or visit more on Pearl Jam's site here: www.pearljam.com


Cover Game

Classic Rock Videos

Ramones, Baby I love you!

Top Ten Most Valuable Records

I did a post last week and after searching the Internet for the world’s Top Ten Most Valuable vinyl records, one can be sure that the lists can be subjective, vary from country to country and will fluctuate over time. For instance, the copy of John Lennon & Yoko Ono “Double Fantasy” LP, the one that he signed for Mark David Chapman just a few hours before he was shot to death, is at the top of a common list.

However, the record remains unsold, so the asking price may not be exactly what the record is worth. With the recent death of Michael Jackson, copies of “Thriller” were selling at more than three times what the record price guides listed and Jackson’s rare vinyl has also skyrocketed. Although the prices for his more common records will even out, one can assume his rare vinyl will remain at high prices.

In all actuality, a record is worth what someone will pay for it; which is true of most collectibles. Many variables will effect the price, such as demand, the death of an artist, the condition of the vinyl itself, just to name a few. However, in the case of vinyl records, there are some recording artists that always show up on the ‘top ten’ lists, including the Beatles and the Sex Pistols. My guess is that there will always be a demand for the Fab Four and the Sex Pistols, hence the prices for their records and the rare ones will always be on the high end of any list. Also, the lists include acetates, which are another rare form of a record release.

If we take a look at the three lists below we see that the early Beatles work done as the Quarrymen show up on both the Wikipedia list and the list from the Telegraph in the UK. Also, the Beatles show up as the one that command the most money at www.popsike.com (according to their database).

Most Valuable Records Lists

The following list is an attempt to list some of the most valuable recordings. Data is sourced from Record Collector magazine, eBay, Popsike, Good Rockin' Tonight and other sources.

Source: wikipedia


1) John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Double Fantasy (Geffen US Album, 1980) Note: Autographed by Lennon five hours before Mark David Chapman assassinated him. Value: $525,000

2) The Quarrymen – “That’ll Be the Day”/”In Spite Of All The Danger” (UK 78 RPM, Acetate in plain sleeve, 1958) Note: Only one copy made. Value: $180,000

3) The Beatles – Yesterday and Today (Capitol, US Album in ‘butcher’ sleeve, 1966) Value: $38,500, though more typically prices range from $150-$7500

4) Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (CBS, US album, stereo 1963 featuring 4 tracks deleted from subsequent releases) Value: $35,000

5) Long Cleve Reed & Little Harvey Hull – “Original Stack O’Lee Blues” (Black Patti, US 78 RPM in plain sleeve, 1927) Value: $30,000

6) Frank Wilson – “Do I Love You?” (Tamla Motown, US 7” 45 RPM in plain sleeve, 1965) Value: $30,000

7) Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground and Nico (US Album Acetate, in plain sleeve, 1966 with alternate versions of tracks from official release) Value: estimate $25,200.

8) Elvis Presley - Stay Away, Joe (US, RCA Victor UNRM-9408, 1967) Note: One side promotional album.

9) The Five Sharps - “Stormy Weather” (US, Jubilee 5104, 78 RPM, 1953) Value: $25,000

10) The Hornets - “I Can’t Believe” (US, States 127, 78 RPM, 1953) Value: $25,000



Here is a list from the UK (note they do list several acetates, which are different from vinyl, these are very rare indeed!) and the two lists certainly are different and the estimates of worth vary.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk


1. THE QUARRYMEN: That'll Be The Day/ In Spite Of All The Danger (1958): £100,000 ($165,000)

2. SEX PISTOLS: God Save The Queen (1977) Value: £7,000 ($11,500)

3. SEX PISTOLS: Anarchy In The UK (1976) Value: £6,000 (double-sided acetate) ($9,900)

4. QUEEN: Bohemian Rhapsody (1978) Value: £5,000 ($8,250)

5. JOHN'S CHILDREN: Midsummer's Night Scene (1967) Value: £4,000 ($6,600)

6. TOBY TYLER: The Road I'm On (Gloria) (1964) Value: £3,000 (acetate) ($4,950)

7. DAVID BOWIE: Space Oddity (1969) Value: £3,000 ($4,950)

8. JOHN LENNON WITH THE PLASTIC ONO BAND: You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) (1969) Value: £3,000 ($4,950)

9. XTC: Science Friction (1977) Value: £2,500 ($4,125)

10. JACKIE LEE COCHRAN: Ruby Pearl (1957) Value: £2,500 ($4,125)



Now let’s explore the Top Ten Vinyl Records that have been documented as sold by www.popsike.com (although this does not include private sales between record collectors)

Source: www.popsike.com

1. Beatles - White Album UK 1968 Mono LP Cover No.0000005 2008-11-23 ($31,700)

2. VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO 1966 Acetate LP ANDY WARHOL 2006-12-21 ($25,200)

3. SEX PISTOLS - God Save the Queen - GENUINE A&M AMS7284! 2006-03-02 ($20,900)

4. SEX PISTOLS God Save The Queen PUNK PRE A&M 2006-04-02 ($17,750)

5. SEX PISTOLS - God Save the Queen - GENUINE A&M AMS7284! 2006-06-30 ($16,500)

6. THE ROLLING STONES US 7" ST FIGHTING MAN PICTURE SLEEVE 2007-04-24 ($15,200)

7. SCARCE Northern Soul 45 Junior McCants KING RARE PROMO 2008-10-05 ($15,099)

8. Sex Pistols- Jamie Reid Complete Set LTD Edition Signed 2007-12-12 ($15,000)

9. THE MISFITS- PLAN 9 1009- HORROR BUSINESS ULTRA RARE 2008-01-26 ($14,301)

10. PINK FLOYD Meddle BLUE VINYL Colombia ULTRA RARE UNSEEN 2009-01-17 ($12,000)

Bird And Animal Names In Rock And Roll History- part twenty-three

Let’s continue our series about “bird” and “animal” group names in rock and roll history:

Based out of Los Angles hails the rock band led by Grant Lee Phillips called Grant Lee Buffalo. Playing alternative pop rock, the group released five albums, "Fuzzy" (1993), "Mighty Joe Moon" (1994), "Copperopolis" (1996) and "Jubilee" (1998) as well as the LP called “Storm Hymnal-Gems From The Vault Of” in 2001; which is a compilation of singles, album tracks and rarities.

Often sounding like their influences (David Bowie, John Lennon, R.E.M. among many others), Phillips’ songwriting received prominent critical acclaim as he gracefully tackled political and social issues with his lyrics. Musically, the band is equally adept at hard rock and roll, folk rock or haunting ballads.

The group was a popular live attraction, opening up for some of the major players at the time including R.E.M., Pearl Jam and the Smashing Pumpkins. However, as popular as the band was with their fans and critics alike, they could not break through into the mainstream music arena, despite the strong musicianship and original styles of the band. The group gave up their efforts in 1999 and Phillips launched a solo career, issuing the intimate album "Ladies Love Oracle" on the Internet in 2000. His first full-length LP, "Mobilize," was released to enormous critical acclaim in 2001. He has continued to work in the business, guesting on albums by Eels, Neil Finn, Harvey Danger (among others) and releasing several solo efforts.


Before going solo, Linda Ronstadt fronted a band called the Stone Poneys that cracked the Billboard Top 40 with a Michael Nesmith (of the Monkees fame) written tune called “Different Drum.” The band’s debut album did not contain this hit song (it was on the second album), but provided listeners with strong original folk material from the band’s guitarists, Bob Kimmel and Ken Edwards. The Stone Poneys broke up during the recording of their third release, leaving Ronstadt to finish it up with various session men and is a great LP, including songs written by Mike Nesmith, Laura Nyro and three Tim Buckley originals. While the album served up some classic California folk rock and was well produced, it was the last of the Stone Poneys. But with this springboard, Linda Ronstadt went on to mega-stardom and recorded the number one song “You’re No Good” as well as many other Top 40 Billboard hits.

Although the popular California psychedelic band Country Joe & the Fish may be best remembered for their legendary performance at Woodstock with a version of the song “Fixin’-To-Die” and the obscene “Fish Cheer,” the band actually capitalized on the psychedelic era with their raunchy guitars and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, free love preaching and political protest ideals.

The first release, an EP with a folk version of “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die-Rag,” along with a second EP release were combined with other songs by the band for their debut album, “Electric Music For The Mind And Body” and the album fit in perfectly with the times. Subsequent releases captured audiences with more heavily a distorted guitar, organ heavy psychedelia and Country Joe’s good-time lyrics and stage antics.

But the band’s main claim to fame and one of the decades most famous war protest songs “Fixin’-To-Die” could never be duplicated, although Country Joe fronted several versions of the band after the group’s third release, “Together,” which featured a classic country Joe and The Fish tune called “Rock and Soul Music.”

Mallard was a short-lived experimental rock outfit that featured several former members of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, including: guitarist Bill Harkleroad (aka Zoot Horn Rollo), bassist Mark Boston (aka Rockette Morton), and percussionist/drummer Art Tripp (aka Ed Marimba), the latter of which also played in Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention for several albums, as well. Boston and Harkeford played with Beefheart for 1968 through 1974, but they had a falling out over their unhappiness with the album “Unconditionally Guaranteed.”

So the unhappy musicians recruited Art Tripp and were joined by a host of others including John “Rabbit” Bundrick, singer Sam Galpin and percussionist Barry Morgan for the release of Mallard’s 1975 self-titled LP. The record was financed by Beefheart fan Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull; however the LP was only available in the US as an import. Mallard’s next LP “In A Different Climate” was released in 1976 but in spite of the musical talents of these veteran musicians and support from the British press, Mallard never achieved commercial success. In 1994, both albums were re-released on CD by Virgin Records in the UK and in the US.


Grant Lee Buffalo Tidbits:

Grant Lee Buffalo was - Grant-Lee Phillips (vocals and guitar), Paul Kimble (bass) and Joey Peters (drums). All three were previously members of another Los Angeles band, Shiva Burlesque.

Grant Lee Buffalo had an Americana tinged sound, clearly influenced by the likes of Neil Young and elements of old-fashioned country music.

In 1995, Phillips was voted best male vocalist by Rolling Stone Magazine.


Stone Poneys Tidbits:

The band was discovered by a couple of music industry executives while rehearsing at a soul food restaurant called Olivia's which was located in Ocean Park, a community between Venice Beach and Santa Monica that was famous for its food and clientele, including The Doors.

In 1970, the Pickwick record label licensed nine Stone Poneys tracks from their Capitol albums and released Stoney End under the name Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poneys. The album featured "Different Drum", "One for One" and "Some of Shelly's Blues,” as well as their recording of the 1960's classic "Let's Get Together.”

Their misspelled name came from Delta Blues singer Charlie Patton's 1929 song "The Stone Pony Blues" (also known as "Pony Blues."


Country Joe & the Fish Tidbits:

Country Joe and The Fish were regulars at Fillmore West and East and Chet Helms' Avalon Ballroom. They were billed with such groups as Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Butterfly.

They played at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. In 1971 the band appeared in a Western film starring Don Johnson as an outlaw gang called the Crackers.

The group's name is derived from leftist politics; "Country Joe" was a popular name for Joseph Stalin in the 1940s, while "the fish" refers to Mao Tse-Tung's statement that the true revolutionary "moves through the peasantry as the fish does through water."

Country Joe's anti-war activity led to his being called as a witness at the Chicago Seven conspiracy trial in 1969.

Music News & Notes

Echo And The Bunnymen Plan New Album And Tour

Liverpool veterans Echo and the Bunnymen have confirmed details of their next album, which is set to be released on October 12.

'The Fountain' will be preceded by a single, 'I Think I Need To Know' on 28th September.

The forthcoming album, which will be their first since the release of 'Siberia' in 2005, will be followed by a five date UK tour.

Last year the band marked their 30th anniversary by playing an acclaimed show at the Liverpool Echo Arena that saw them perform their classic 'Ocean Rain' album in full.

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Anita Baker, Snoop Dogg to Collaborate on New Album

Revered R&B singer Anita Baker is releasing an album with some surprising guest artists next year, according to reports.

The record will feature a combination of live performances and new music Baker wrote for other singers, as well as collaborations with contemporary artists, including the unlikely pairing of eight-time Grammy winner Baker and rapper Snoop Dogg.

The Ohio-born soul singer was quick to explain that, although she's working with rappers and more contemporary singers, the music will not be a major departure from her sound. "It will be an Anita Baker record, but it will have a lot of surprising elements in it," Baker told Billboard. "We'll take a lot of our contemporaries and bring them into my project where they may fit."

Baker's upcoming album (her seventh studio record) will be distributed by legendary jazz label Blue Note records, and is scheduled for release next spring.

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Sea Wolf Sails Into Expansive New Territory On Sophomore LP

An expansive collection of modern mythology and lush orchestration, Sea Wolf's sophomore LP, "White Water, White Bloom," will be released September 22nd on Dangerbird Records. Akin to Sea Wolf's debut LP, "Leaves in the River," the latest was penned solely by Alex Brown Church but was this time recorded with a full band, which expanded the sonic palette. These new compositions were injected with a raw, dynamic energy that the band developed through extensive touring together, and will be unveiled on a cross-country six-week tour beginning in September. The album can be pre-ordered via Dangerbird. Fans have the choice of a 180-gram vinyl package that comes with two vinyl-only bonus tracks and a digital download card or a standard CD digipak with fold-out poster.

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Fogelberg Release

Before he passed away, Dan Fogelberg put the finishing touches on some new tracks and a few that had been lingering on tape for a number of years. The results are Love in Time, his final album of new material which will be released on August 13 via the digital services by Universal Music Group. A CD version of the album will be out at a future date after Universal has a chance to finalize production and advertising.

The family pushed for the August 13 release, even if only digitally, as it would have been Fogelberg's 58th birthday. He passed away on December 16, 2007 after a battle with prostate cancer.

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Detente Reveals New Album, "Decline," Cover Artwork

LA metal band, DÉTENTE, has revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming record, "Decline." The art for "Decline" was painted by Michael Leone with additional graphic work performed by Christopher Leone. DÉTENTE's "Decline" is tentatively scheduled for a December release.

I nominate it for heavy meatl cover art of the year....

Classic Rock Videos

Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (1980)

Mr. Music ~ Jerry Osborne

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 27, 2009


DEAR JERRY: During my pre-teen and teenage years in the late '70s and early '80s, I was a huge fan of ABBA. I loved ABBA and I still do, and think of myself as an ABBA expert who has forgotten more than most people knew, especially in the U.S.

On their “Voulez-Vous” LP, that I bought in the summer of 1979, I distinctly remember one of the tracks being “Summer Night City.”

Now I'm starting to wonder if I'm losing it because every source I've checked makes no mention of that track on “Voulez-Vous.”

Still, it does make sense since “Fernando” wasn't originally on the first (1976) “Greatest Hits” LP. It was added to later pressings after it became a big hit single.

Can you please clear this up for me? I'm going nuts here.
—William Simmons, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR WILLIAM: So I hear. It's not easy to keep this kind of thing secret.

I must side with the rest of the world, which says there are but 10 tracks on the original “Voulez-Vous” album:

(Side A): “As Good As New”; “Voulez-Vous”; “I Have a Dream”; “Angeleyes”; “The King Has Lost His Crown.”

(Side B): “Does Your Mother Know”; “If It Wasn't for the Nights”; “Chiquitita”; “Lovers (Live a Little Longer)”; “Kisses of Fire.”

I also examined “Voulez-Vous” albums from such diverse areas as Mexico, Germany, Russia, and Korea, all of which have the same 10 tracks. I even checked cassettes, 8-tracks, and reel-to-reel tapes. Same story.

Since the ABBA album after “Voulez-Vous” is “Greatest Hits, Vol. 2” (December 1979), and it includes “Summer Night City,” we must, however unlikely, consider the possibility your memory has transposed these two releases.

As you know, the 2001 Remastered Limited Edition “Voulez-Vous” compact disc adds three “bonus tracks not found on the original LP”: “Summer Night City”; “Lovelight”; and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).” I'd say they got it right.


DEAR JERRY: At a yard sale I noticed tiny record, about two inches in diameter, in an equally tiny picture sleeve. Appropriately, the manufacturer is named Mighty Tiny Records.

Though a gorgeous blonde is the only person pictured, the sleeve credits a group called the Harmonettes, and gives the title as “Honey Tones.”

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Are there others like this one? Did they ever make a mighty tiny record player?
—Drew Davidson, Detroit, Mich.


DEAR DREW: Yes, yes, and yes.


Created in Cincinnati by Ohio Art/Poynter Products, Inc., this short-lived example of failed technology came and went in 1967.

The records, all of which are by people you've never heard of, were sold in themed four-packs. The two sealed packs I have seen are “Rock'n Roll & Popular” (Harmonettes; Musical Squares; Amy Wilson and Her Guitar), and “Foreign Music” (German Folk Polka; Italiano Strings; Arab Desert Dance; and African Drums).

They made a few others, all labeled “Mighty Tiny Records for the World's Smallest Record Player,” which answers your last question.

In fact, they made two players: a Mighty Tiny hand-held portable, which looks like a Star Trek communicator, and a table-top console called a Stereoper. Buyers of either player also received a starter kit of three records.

The biggest complaints about the battery-powered Mighty Tiny system are its inability to maintain a consistent playing speed, and the dreadful — albeit varied — selection of music.


IZ ZAT SO? Widely known is ABBA's phenomenal success that began in the United States in the summer of '74 with the release of “Waterloo.”

Not nearly as well known is what happened in the two years before Björn Ulvaeus; Benny Andersson; Agnetha Fältskog; and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (a.k.a. Frida) became ABBA and met their “Waterloo.”

This foursome's first single, “People Need Love” (Polar 1156), was already a hit in Sweden, credited to Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid.

In July '72, Hugh Hefner's fledging Playboy label picked up “People Need Love” for distribution in the U.S.

Inexplicably, Playboy shortened the artist credit line to “Björn & Benny (with Svenska Flicka).”

Whether they erroneously thought “Agnetha & Anni-Frid” to be just one person we don't know, but the credit on this single (Playboy 10018) translates as “Björn & Benny (with Swedish Girl).”

Another possibility is they may have simply disregarded the Norwegian-born Frida, and not used the plural “Svenska Flickor” (Swedish Girls).

“People Need Love” made a bit of a blip on the national level so Playboy followed with a couple more Björn & Benny singles in late 1973 and early '74. These are two separate releases of “Another Town, Another Train” (Playboy 100023 and 10025), and neither clicked with stateside dee jays.

Then came the name change, “Waterloo,” and an endless series of trains and towns for ABBA.


Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

This Date In Music History - July 29

Birthdays:

Randy Sparks - New Christy Minstrels (1933)

Neal Doughty - REO Speedwagon (1946)

Simon Kirk - Bad Company (1949)

Geddy Lee - Rush (1953)

Patti Sciafa - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1953)

John Sykes - Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake (1959)

Martin McCarrick - Therapy (1962)

Miles Hunt - The Wonder Stuff (1966)

Simon Jones - The Verve (1972)

Wanya Morris - Boyz II Men (1973)


They Are Missed:

Mama Cass Elliot, a one-time member of the Mama's & Papa's, died in London in 1974. She was staying at Harry Nilson's London flat when she died. A postmortem the following day shows she died as a result of choking on a sandwich and from inhaling her own vomit. It's later revealed that she suffered a heart attack. She was 32.

American record producer and pedal steel guitar player Pete Drake died of lung disease in 1988. Worked with Elvis Presley, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Keyboard player Huby Heard died from heart problems in 2004. Member of Billy Preston's, The God Squad.


History:

The Isley Brothers recorded the classic "Shout" in 1959.



Dick Clark premiered his summer stage show, the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City in 1961.

After a four year hiatus, the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island reopened in 1963. Those getting thumbs-up from the crowd included Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan.

Peter, Paul and Mary's "Blowin' In The Wind" was released in 1963.

In 1965, the Beatles film "Help!" debuts at London's Pavillion Theatre. Another sell-out crowd attended while critics were bemused.

In 1966, Bob Dylan suffered a broken neck vertebra when he crashed his Triumph 55 motorbike near his home in Woodstock, New York.

Also in 1966, Datebook published Maureen Cleave’s interview with John Lennon in which he said ‘We’re bigger than Jesus now.” American Christian’s reacted with outrage, organizing ‘Beatle bonfires’ burning the group's records.

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker made their live debut as Cream at The Twisted Wheel, Manchester, England in 1966.

The Doors started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1967 with “Light My Fire.”

The first recording session of The Beatles seven-minute epic “Hey Jude” took place at Abbey Road studios London in 1968.



The Byrds left on their tour of South Africa in 1968 without member Gram Parsons. He refused to set foot in a country where apartheid was official policy.

The Rolling Stones' contract with Decca Records expired in 1970 and they talked about starting their own label. They did.

Gilbert O'Sullivan started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with “Alone Again, (Naturally).” The follow up “Clair” peaked at #2.

In 1973, while Led Zeppelin, were in the middle of a very successful U.S. tour, they were the victims of one of the largest cash thefts in New York City. $180,000 was taken from the band's deposit box at the Drake Hotel. The money was mostly cash receipts from the first of two nights at Madison Square Garden.

In 1978, Prince appeared on the US charts for the first time with “Soft and Wet.”

The film soundtrack to Grease featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John went to #1 on the US album chart in 1978.

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream introduced their "Cherry Garcia" flavor (named after the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia) in 1987.

In 2003, the chairman of the Professional Association of Teachers Jim O'Neill warned that children were being put under pressure to grow up too soon by pop stars who use a sexy image. "Kylie Minogue might be a great singer but in many of these things you can see more of her bottom than you hear of her voice," said Mr O'Neill. Dirty old man….

Founding member Jeff Hanna talks about the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

By FIELDING BUCK
The Press-Release


Here are excerpts from an interview with Jeff Hanna, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

On the band's origins:

"'66 is when we started playing together and getting paid. We were a jug band, which is a really rootsy concoction, music that was mostly written in the '30s or before. A lot of blues and skiffle and country elements. Old-timey country music. Mountainy stuff. And then we went through a growing phase when some of the guys left and a couple of other guys joined in '69, and retooled as a country rock band. At that point there were three or four groups really playing that kind of music, the Burritos (Flying Burrito Brothers) and Poco. The Band, of course, was a huge influence on us. There's was a melding of Americana, which as a musical phrase didn't exist before ... and rock 'n' roll

"That kind of morphed into what later on became a career in country music, too, because the music we started playing in 1969 really fit country radio in 1984 ... It wasn't quite as pop music-oriented as country music is today."

Read the rest here:

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Music News & Notes

New Megadeth album cover art revealed

Megadeth have released the cover art for the upcoming album called "Endgame." This is their twelfth studio album in two-and-a-half decades and is scheduled to be released on September 15 through Roadrunner Records.

Frontman Dave Mustaine spoke about the lyrical content of the new album, stating:

"I've never been known to be a silent bystander in a world that needs our participation. As more is revealed about our former President's legacy, a little-known but staggeringly frightening document which was signed into law ... has been uncovered."

The document Mustaine refers to is Operation Endgame, a plan to detain and remove all illegal aliens from the United States by 2012. Aside from the thematic elements of Endgame, Mustaine declared the new album as his “proudest moment since … Rust in Peace.” He particularly praises new lead guitarist Chris Broderick as inspiring him to relish recording new music in the studio.

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Psycho Charger Reveal New 'Toxic' CD Art


Gore-soaked rockers Psycho Charger have joined forces with renowned horror artist Eric “Unkle” Pigors – best known for his “Toxic Toons” series as well as promo art for bands like Metallica, Wednesday 13, Genitorturers and Scum of the Earth – for the artwork to accompany their upcoming CD Mark of the Psycho.

Aside from contributing the cover art, Pigors will also reportedly step up to the mic, along with other rumored guest performers like actor Chuck Williams (Bubba Ho-Tep), Jeano Roid from The Creeping Cruds, and original Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, who has been approached to record an introduction to the album.

More gory details – including the official release date – will be coming soon to the band's official “gravesite.”

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Kristofferson plans September CD release

Kris Kristofferson will release a new disc, "Closer To The Bone," his second release with New West Records, on Sept. 29. Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt) produced the 11-song disc. Was also produced Kristofferson's last CD, the critically acclaimed "This Old Road."

The new release will be offered a standard CD, deluxe two-CD set and a limited edition 180-gram vinyl.

"I like the intimacy of the new album" he said. "It has a general mood of reflecting on where we all are at this end of life." Songs include From Here To Forever, a melancholy lullaby to his children, and Good Morning John, written for Kristofferson's friend and mentor, the late Johnny Cash, about the struggles with addiction early in Cash's life.

"Closer To The Bone" features Kristofferson on vocals, guitar and harmonica, Don Was on bass, Rami Jaffee on keyboards, Jim Keltner on drums and longtime friend, the late Stephen Bruton, to whom the album is dedicated, on guitar, mandolin and backing vocals. All songs were written solely by Kristofferson except From Here To Forever, written in collaboration with Bruton and Glen Clark.

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New No Age EP set for October release

Two-man but whole-lotta-noise pop combo No Age will release a new EP this October, their first new material since 2008's Nouns. It's called Losing Feeling and will be available to the record buying public from October 6 on Sub Pop. It'll be available on 12" vinyl and digitally, in some kind of mp3 format, but not as a CD.

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Jamey Johnson Album Vinylized

Next week is one year since Jamey Johnson’s album That Lonesome Song came out on Mercury Records, but he’s already gearing up for his next CD. This time around, the album will come out simultaneously on retro vinyl, an appropriate move since much of the music he loves was recorded at a time when the CD hadn’t even yet been released.

"That’s how I listen to music," Jamey says. "It’s my favorite, No. 1 preference at home, to go put a vinyl record on my great grandmother’s old record player."

A release date hasn’t yet been announced for the new album, though the first single, "My Way To You," has already been released to radio stations. Beginning Monday, it will be available as a free download at www.jameyjohnson.com. The song goes to digital music stores Aug. 11.

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Lips EP

The Flaming Lips digitally released a three song EP today called Songs From The Future Album Embryonic EP which, obviously, is a preview of their upcoming album Embryonic, which will be out this fall. The songs include "Convinced of the Hex," "The Impulse" and "Silver Trembling Hands."

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Jazz Legend Dies

Legendary jazz master George Russell has died at age 86 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, the AP reports. In 1953, Russell published The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, a theoretical text credited with influencing Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue.”

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Vinyl Collective Restocks

Virgil has some great restocks, stop by and get your fill at www.vinylcollective.com

GREY MACHINE îVultures Descendî LP
PELICAN “City Of Echoes” LP baby pink w/ black splatter 180 gram vinyl
PELICAN “City Of Echoes” LP black 180 gram vinyl
PELICAN “City Of Echoes” LP clear light blue 180 gram vinyl
PELICAN “City Of Echoes” LP clear w/ black splatter 180 gram vinyl
PELICAN “City Of Echoes” LP silver 180 gram vinyl
PELICAN/ THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES îPink Mammoth/Gold Diggersî split 10î clear w/ bl
PELICAN/ THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES îPink Mammoth/Gold Diggersî split 10î clear w/ pi
THE MELVINS î(a) Senile Animalî 4xLP
TORCHE “Healer/Across The Shields” LP + DVD emerald vinyl
TORCHE “Healer/Across The Shields” LP + DVD plain ol’ white vinyl
V/A “Champions Of Sound 2008″ dbl 7″ clear vinyl
XASTHUR “All Reflections Drained” dbl LP picture disc+backpatch
XASTHUR “All Reflections Drained” dbl LP red vinyl
NARROWS “New Distances” LP clear vinyl
REIGN SUPREME “Testing The Limits Of Infinite” LP light blue vinyl
JASON FALKNER “Can You Still Feel?” LP
GRIZZLY BEAR “Yellow House” LP
KINGS OF LEON “Aha Shake Heartbreak” dbl 10

New Music Releases ~ July 28, 2009

Angus Khan - Black Leather Soul

10 Ft. Gangja Plant - Bush Rock (vinyl)

A-ha - 'Foot Of The Mountain'

Amadou & Mariam - The Magic Couple

Anthem In - The Cloudbusting

Ashley Tisdale - Guilty Pleasure

Bad Secrets - Bad Secrets

Band of Skulls - Baby Darling Doll Face Honey (vinyl)

Bear McCreary - Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 (soundtrack)

Beardfish - Destined Solitaire

Berlin - Greatest Hits (vinyl)

Blur - Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur

Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un M'a Dit (reissue)

Champagne Socialists - Blue Genes [Single]

Cinematic Orchestra - 'Late Night Tales'

Circle Jerks - Golden Shower of Hits (remastered vinyl)

Cornershop - Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast

Dandy Warhols - 'Dandy Warhols Are Sound'

Deee-Lite - The Very Best of Deee-Lite (reissue)

Divine Heresy - Bringer of Plagues

Dogs Die in Hot Cars - Please Describe Yourself

Duke Special - Songs from the Deep Forest (reissue)

Elbow - Asleep in the Back (reissue)

Elbow - Cast of Thousands (reissue)

Elbow - Leaders of the Free World (reissue)

Elvis Presley - From Elvis in Memphis

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Live from Madison Square Garden (vinyl)

Eureka - Shackleton's Voyage

Fabolous - Loso's Way

Features - Some Kind of Salvation

Fred Hersch - Fred Hersch Plays Jobim

Gang of Four - Return the Gift (2-CD reissue)

George Thorogood & The Destroyers - The Dirty Dozen

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Umsindo

Howling Bells - Radio Wars

Iggy Pop - Iggy & Ziggy: Cleveland '77 (vinyl)

Indukti - Idmen

Iron Horse - A Boy Named Blue: The Bluegrass Tribute to Goo Goo Dolls

John Adams - Dr. Atomic Symphony/Guide to Strange Places

John Entwistle - Rigor Mortis Sets In (reissue)

John Zorn - O'O

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart (remastered vinyl)

Kevin Hearn - Havana Winter

Kid British - It Was This or Football: First Half

Kieran Kane - Somewhere Beyond the Roses

Kristinia DeBarge - Exposed

Laurent Korcia - Cinema (soundtrack)

Lo Fidelity Allstars - 'Northern Stomp'

Lou Reid & Carolina - My Own Set of Rules

Madness - The Dangermen Sessions, Vol. 1

Master Shortie - 'A.D.H.D'

Melinda Watts - People Get Ready

Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 7

Michael Jackson - The Stripped Mixes

Morphine - Yes (vinyl reissue)

Neil Young - Mystery Train (reissue)

Neon Horse - Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance...

Octopus Project - Golden Beds

Opeth - Morningrise (vinyl reissue)

Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse (vinyl reissue)

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes (vinyl)

Owl City - Ocean Eyes (vinyl)

Pisces - A Lovely Sight

Porcupine Tree - Metanoia (reissue)

Radio Dept. - David EP

Reverend & The Makers - 'A French Kiss In The Chaos'

RX Bandits - Mandala

Starflyer 59 - Ghosts of the Past

Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved (reissue)

Subhumans - Time Flies/Rats (remastered)

Summer Cats - Songs for Tuesdays (vinyl)

Sun Ra & His Solar Research Arkestra - Helsinki 1971 - Complete Concert

Talking Heads - Rome Concert 1980

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - 103 7?

The Twang - Barney Rubble

Trashcan Sinatras - In the Music

Trevor Hall - Trevor Hall (vinyl)

Ty Segall - Lemons (vinyl)

Was (Not Was) - Boo! (vinyl reissue)

YACHT - See Mystery Lights

Various Artists - New Tales to Tell - A Tribute to Love and Rockets [Digital release]

Various Artists - Adam (soundtrack)

Various Artists - Black Rio, Vol. 2: Original Samba Soul 1968-1981 (vinyl)

Various Artists - Funny People (soundtrack)

Various Artists - Putumayo Kids Presents: Picnic Playground

Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Cafe

Various Artists - The Boat That Rocked (soundtrack)

Various Artists - We're Gonna Change the World! The 60's Chicago Garage Sound of Quill Productions (vinyl)


Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Box Set (13-CD box set)

Music News & Notes

Michael Jackson autobiography to be reprinted

Late singer's 1988 memoirs to be issued later this year

Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography 'Moonwalk' is set to be reprinted later this year.

The rights to the book have been bought by Heinemann publishers in the UK and Harmony Books in the USA and Canada.

The reprint will be released in late October, reports the Montreal Gazette.

The reprint will feature a newly-written introduction by what publisher Random House, of which Harmony is an imprint, described as a "figure close to Jackson."

Maybe one of the Jackson's was right, he may be worth more to them dead.....

A number of reports have come out that Dr. Conrad Murray had been regularly injecting Jackson with the highly potent drug Propofol, including the night before his death. The problem is that the drug is only meant as an anesthetic and not as a regular cure for poor sleep. So, who, and why now become the story and yet the confusion and sadness will remain with all MJ's fans and family....

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Rarest Apple 45 sells for record price on eBay


One of the rarest Apple label 45s has just sold for an all time record price on eBay. A "thick" vinyl version ("thick" term was normally used for radio promotion as compared to the commercial copy which was on a thinner vinyl)of Apple 8 "King of Fuh"/"Nobody Knows" by Brute Force recently sold for £4,888 ($8,063) to an unnamed bidder. EMI would not distribute the 45, over objections from John Lennon, and most of the 2,000 commercial copies that were circulated were given out or sold by mail order.







For More of the story: Beatles News

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Apple and the LP

Apple and the four major record labels are reportedly collaborating on a project to boost album sales on iTunes. The move is an attempt to reinvigorate the album format, which has seen steadily decreasing sales since digital downloads took off.

The Financial Times says Apple is working with EMI, Warner, Sony and Universal to develop more appealing album download bundles under the codename 'cocktail.' The bundles will include additional content such as interactive booklets, sleeve notes and lyrics.

The per-track sales model on the iTunes store is blamed for contributing to the fall-off in album sales as digital downloads replace physical formats. Album sales in the US fell 14% last year, according to Nielsen. An executive close to the deal tell the FT that the new scheme is about 'recreating the heyday of the album when you would sit around with your friends looking at the artwork, while you listened to the music.'

Here's a novel approach....Why Not Release The Music As It Was Intended To Be- ON VINYL!!

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New Michelle Branch Music

Michelle Branch will return with "Everything Comes and Goes," her first solo album in six years, in the fall. The first single “Sooner or Later” will make its iTunes premiere today and hit the radio on August 11th.

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Michael Jackson Tops UK Album Charts For 5th Week

Michael Jackson topped the UK album charts for the 5th straight week with the greatest hits collection The Essential Michael Jackson. No other album has topped the UK album chart for so long this year.

Jackson didn’t just get the top spot, he also had five of the top 20 and ten of the top 50. 1982’s Thriller came in at #7 and 1979’s Off the Wall came in at #12.

He also had the #16 UK single with “Man in the Mirror” which was on Jackson’s 1987 album, Bad. “Man in the Mirror” peaked at #2 in the weeks immediately following Jackson’s death.

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Bruce Springsteen 'Set To Play Dedicated 'Born To Run' Concert'

It's being reported that Bruce Springsteen will play his 1975 album 'Born To Run' in its entirety at a forthcoming show in Chicago. The gig, on September 20, is one of two shows Springsteen is set to play at the United Center as part of his US tour.

A source close to the singer confirmed to Rolling Stone that only the one show would be dedicated to 'Born To Run.'

The album is widely regarded as Springsteen's landmark release and was last performed in its entirety at a fundraising gig in New Jersey last year.

Springsteen is currently touring in support of his latest album 'Working On A Dream.'

Classic Rock Videos

RAMONES - Rock n Roll Highschool - 1980 - BBC Live

Beatles Records Increase In Value

I found this very interesting. Beatles vinyl will always be at a premium and this list shows the prices in 1976 and the value in 1996. These prices obviously have changed, but this is a great example of how the demand for Beatles records has driven the price upward.


Thirty rare Beatle records - what they were worth in 1976 & their value in 1996 (1976 value shown first followed by 1996 value)

(Note that the values given are for mint, sealed, or unique copies.
Values for copies in lesser grades would be much lower). 1976 Value 1996 Value


1. The Beatles & Frank Ifield ("Portrait" cover) stereo sealed $600.00 $20000.00

2. The Beatles & Frank Ifield ("Portrait" cover) stereo mint- $350.00 $7000.00

3. Introducing the Beatles, blank back mono mint- $125.00 $1200.00

4. Introducing the Beatles, brackets label stereo mint- $150.00 $1500.00

5. Songs, Pictures, and Stories of the Beatles (VJ LP) mono sealed $150.00 $2500.00

6. Beatleviews ‘66, interview LP mono mint $10.00 $150.00

7. Hear the Beatles Tell All mono sealed $150.00 $1000.00

8. Slippin’ and Slidin’, promo 45, Apple 1883 mono mint + $45.00 $300.00

9. Magical Mystery Tour, 16mm film reel stereo mint- $220.00 $400.00

10. Ram radio spots, original EMI 10" master mono mint $100.00 $1500.00

11. "Yesterday"... And Today, 1st state butcher mono sealed $300.00 $6000.00

12. Beatles vs Four Seasons stereo mint $300.00 $2000.00

13. Beatles ‘65, original Capitol black label mono sealed $35.00 $475.00

14. set of mono & stereo Butcher slicks (both) mint $750.00 $3000.00

15. entire set of all 28 Capitol and Apple Beatles singles,
WITH sleeves, including "Can't Buy Me Love" (set) mint- $300.00 $2500.00

16. Ain't She Sweet, Atco LP stereo mint- $40.00 $150.00

17. "Ringo" album w/long version of "Six O' Clock" stereo mint- $35.00 $150.00

18. Souvenir of Their Visit, VJ EP mono mint $25.00 $175.00

19. John Lennon "Roots" album stereo mint $70.00 $1500.00

20. The "Best of Tobe Milo Records" LP (both) sealed $8.00 $400.00

21. Let It Be Dialogue, one sided interview stereo mint $8.00 $75.00

22. Wings Over America, 3 LP test pressing stereo mint $100.00 $250.00

23. 4 x 4 Capitol EP 5365 stereo mint- $30.00 $250.00

24. Something New, original Capitol black label mono sealed $30.00 $550.00

25. "Yesterday"...And Today, pasteover mono mint- $250.00 $1000.00

26. Meet the Beatles, set of 12 different variations,
including record club both mint- $125.00 $600.00

27. The Early Beatles, original Capitol black label mono shrink $35.00 $200.00

28. Let It Be, boxed with book, UK stereo mint- $100.00 $250.00

29. Beatle solo 45s, complete set of all known variations,
90 different in all both mint- $450.00 $1200.00

30. Yellow Submarine, original Apple stereo sealed $7.00 $100.00

An Increase of more than 1100% ! Totals: $4,898 $56,375
When I get the time, I wil update the list to show the price in 2009 :O)

SOURCE: http://www.rarebeatles.com/20years/20yrs2.htm

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 07/25/2009

1. 45 - Brute Force "King Of Fuh" / "Nobody Knows" Apple 8 - $8,023.16

2. 78 - Dock Boggs "Old Rub Alcohol Blues" / "False Hearted Lover's Blues" The Lonesome Ace - $4,000.00
2. 78 - Dock Boggs "Lost Love Blues" / "Will Sweethearts Know Each Other There" The Lonesome Ace - $4,000.00

3. 45 - James Cotton "Cotton Crop Blues" / "Hold Me In Your Arms" Sun 206 - $3,050.00

4. 45 - Pink Floyd "Free Four" / "Absolutely Curtains" Odeon Japan Promo - $2,500.00

5. 7" - Elvis Presley "His Latest Flame" / "Little Sister" RCA Victor Compact Single - $2,200.00

As always, A special thank you to Norm at http://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