BACKTRACKING FORWARD: WFMU RECORD FAIR

Published by Gregorious Winter

White label disc jockey promos. Withdrawn 45 picture sleeves pressed in Sweden. Mint Lexingtons with a deep groove, flat edge and RVG in the run off. While this terminology is alien to the general population, these words were often murmured throughout the WFMU Record & CD Fair held at Metropolitan Pavilion’s expansive convention space in downtown Manhattan from October 23rd-26th. Fuzzed out, foot stomping, head banging and shoe gazing grooves from every period of music could be found this past weekend as millions of records were available for purchase under one roof.


WFMU Record Fair

This year’s event saw record breaking (not literally) numbers in attendance, with 2,300 people paying admission to get in on a dreary Saturday and 4,000 people tallied for the whole weekend. Once inside, attendees were presented with a cornucopia of sensory-overwhelming paths to travel down that included live music, film screenings, DJs spinning and, of course, more records and CDs than you can shake a stick at. With over one hundred and fifty dealers, every conceivable genre of music could be found at the annual event. While vinyl was the main course at the convention, there were plenty of dealers who were hawking non-playable tchotkes to tempt potential customers. From books to t-shirts to homemade drink coasters (nothing says class like resting a glass of Merlot on a Kraftwerk coaster), there really was something for everyone.


The Trashmen Live at WFMU Record Fair

What makes this annual pow-wow of music nuts so unique is the addition of live music performances throughout the weekend. The walls of the pavilion shook as the legendary group from the 1960s The Trashmen played a rawkus set of dirty rock and roll, including their infamous hit “Surfin Bird.” Following close behind was Heavy Trash with an hour long set of raw and bluesy grooves. Legendary NYC guitarist Jon Spencer, of Blues Explosion fame, is 1/3 of the group and their presence at the fair was mind-blowing. Sunday was highlighted with a majestic performance by Chris Brokaw and his 12-string guitar trio, setting a more calm and relaxed atmosphere at the event. Throughout the whole weekend, the radio station’s DJs spun slabs of LPs and 45s for the crowd. Unlike many record conventions where hundreds of thousands of records are in one room and none are actually being played, WFMU provides an uninterrupted stream of music for the whole weekend.


Rarities are abundant at the Record Fair

Walking the aisles, bits of conversation in French, German, Italian, Russian and Japanese could all be heard as travelers came from all points to attend the fair. This show, which is the largest of its kind in North America, attracts every manner of customer through the doors. Many of the foreign attendees are knee deep in the business of buying and selling high-end vinyl, dropping thousands of dollars in the US and turning a profit back in their country where desirable Blue Note Jazz LPs and obscure funk LPs from the Midwest are not to be found. Beyond the high rollers though, the bulk of attendees were just people who love to shop for music but find it increasingly hard to do so as record stores continue to close left and right. The most notable trend though was the overwhelming amount of young people digging through crates and building their collections with foundational artists and recordings. This development in the record collecting community is a strong sign and solid proof of vinyl regaining a foothold in the market.

My nook in the corner attracted a fair share of collectors seeking out all kinds of genres— many attracted by my display of dozens of records plastered all over the wall behind me. Even so, the fair was sprinkled with highly specialized dealers hawking very specific albums and singles. Crates littered with ludicrously rare Nigerian high-life and afro-beat records could be found close to the stacks of mouth watering Brazilian psych and jazz pieces brought straight from São Paulo. Collectors of Northern Soul 45s (read next week’s post “Trends in Collecting”) could be seen satisfying their fix as buyers sought out anything obscure on the favorable 45rpm medium. Beyond all the rare and expensive vinyl that can empty a pocket of cash in an eye blink, the record fair also offered up a plethora of bargain discs for casual shoppers who favor paying for wax in single digit values. Despite my addiction to vinyl and my insatiable appetite to consume overwhelming amounts of it, I did not make many purchases this weekend. From behind my table, I enjoyed the countless hours of meeting new people and watching interesting specimens of the human race. For every ordinary music loving person that would walk past, at least two examples of your stereotypical music fanatic —smelling of old records and body odor—would shuffle by.

With the last spin of the turntable and the handful of diehards scoring the best bargains at the final seconds, the WFMU Record Fair closed its doors until next year thus allowing everyone another twelve months to recover and excavate more obscure wax for the hungry masses.

Keep Digging!

Special Thanks to Gregorious for allowing me to reprint this material!

SOURCE: http://blog.OurStage.com

Music News & Notes

Rare Beatles LPs


Earlier in the week, I told you about a gent who, for years, during the wee small hours, as an employee at a Capitol Records pressing plant created a series of magnificent one-of-a-kind LPs.

These spectacular, rainbow-coloured records were created by an unnamed former worker at a Capitol plant in Canada. After shifts at the factory, the employee "would amuse himself", according to a pair of Toronto vinyl dealers, "by creating totally unique coloured-vinyl LPs". As an employee of Capitol, this Beatles fan allegedly had access to the "original plates" for several albums. Using these, he would press his own special copies – applying coloured dye and artisanal techniques.

These copies include Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on bright baby-blue marble vinyl, the 1967-70 greatest hits compilation on swirled blue-and-white vinyl, and a translucent blue LP with side A of Revolver and side B of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band album.

However, the most beautiful item in the collection is the Beatles' Love Songs anthology, made with gold vinyl. This is streaked with an abstract expressionist rainbow, like an explosion at a paint factory. Unfortunately, the set's second LP is just plain black vinyl.

In addition to the Beatles records, the vinyl guru also pressed special versions of albums by Helen Reddy, Peter Appleyard and a compilation featuring Anne Murray.

There may be more in the treasure chest, watch here for more updates.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers plan 2010 release

With enthusiasm again behind them and a self-imposed hiatus scheduled to end this month, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have begun plotting their next move. And as drummer Chad Smith revealed in a recent interview with Clash Music, this next move will include a new studio album in 2010.

“We’re gonna write for a while, it usually takes us a while,” explained Smith before speculating that the release date would be “Some time next year, maybe this time [next year].”

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Frightened Rabbit Returns With Highly Anticipated Third LP

Having topped myriad "Best Of" lists in 2008 with their widely acclaimed sophomore album, "The Midnight Organ Fight," Glasgow's Frightened Rabbit returns with their anticipated third album, "The Winter Of Mixed Drinks." The follow-up to their breakthrough LP will be released worldwide in March 2010 on FatCat Records. The record's first taste, "Swim Until You Can't See Land," is streaming now via FatCat's website and will be digitally released November 17th, followed by a 7-inch b/w "Fun Stuff" on December 8th.

The Rabbit's jangly, anthemic sophomore album earned them critical adoration; among those bestowing it with best-of-the-year laurels were Village Voice's Pazz & Jop Poll, The Onion, Magnet, and Pitchfork, who also designated album opener, "The Modern Leper," one of "The Best Tracks of 2008" as well as one of its "Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s." Upon its unveiling, the foursome's newest offering, "Swim Until You Can't See Land," made instant waves online, with RollingStone.com gushing: "We suggest you find a quiet spot this afternoon, turn your desk speakers up and drink it all in."

Following an exciting but exhausting year, lead Rabbit Scott Hutchison retreated to the harbor town of Crail, along Scotland's Fyfe coastline, and was inspired to pen "Swim," an undeniably catchy song about "losing your mind in order to rest the mind and the body." The track, buoyed by chiming guitars and a shuffling beat, builds and swells as it progresses, bolstered by a sweeping string arrangement courtesy of fellow FatCat artist Hauschka.

According to Hutchison, "Swim" is the natural lead-in to the album: "It's the one that sort of sums up the record for me," he reveals. "I had the song's title in my mind before I even started writing the album; I was becoming more and more interested in the idea of a rejection of the habits and behavior most people see as normal, and in turn embracing a certain madness. This is not necessarily a geographical journey, as the 'swim' can involve any activity in which you can lose yourself. It's a good introduction to the record as the theme unravels therein."

Nautical references continue throughout the album, interwoven among recurring themes of wearied endurance, recaptured freedom, and redemption. "Thematically, this record had to be different from the last," explains Hutchison. "Nobody wanted to hear more break-up songs, and thankfully, I no longer had any in me."

While a failed relationship may not be the centerpiece of this new collection, the songs retain some of the solemnity of previous efforts. "I think even the most upbeat moments on the record are conveyed in somewhat dark language," Hutchison admits.

Frightened Rabbit will be touring the UK through the end of the year, with a string of headlining gigs followed by a weeklong run in Ireland and England with Modest Mouse.

A full North American tour is planned for the album's release.

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The Band Of Heathens Appear On PBS' Austin City Limits

The Band of Heathens, whose new album One Foot in the Ether the web 'zine AmericanaRoots.com ponders as "the best record of 2009," will appear on PBS' Austin City Limits on November 7 on a bill headlined by Elvis Costello. On the program, the band performs five songs: "Jackson Station," "L.A. County Blues," "Shine a Light," "Golden Calf" and "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone."

Austin City Limits celebrates its 35th season this year and is the longest running music series in American TV history - the show was recently named a landmark by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Other artists on tap this season include Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, M. Ward, Asleep at the Wheel, Andrew Bird and Steve Earle.

Although both the Band of Heathens and the producers of Austin City Limits are based in Austin, ACL executive producer Terry Lickona first saw the band while in Nashville for the 2008 Americana Music Festival and Conference.

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RJD2 giving away lots of free stuff ahead of new album

“Every Monday, from now until the release of “The Colossus”, I’m gonna give something away, right here at RJEC.COM. Some weeks it might be a singular physical item, some weeks it might be an unreleased song in mp3 format, I really have no idea exactly what, but it’s not gonna be pocket lint-caliber, that’s for sure. Some weeks it will require participation, some weeks it won’t. Each week I will announce the winner, and the new item.”

Per RJD2 on his plans to give lots of stuff away ahead of the January 19th release of his forthcoming full length, The Colossus.

First up is a super rare vinyl test pressing of The Horror EP, originally released in 2003 on Definitive Jux records and in line to be reissued on November 17th via RJ’s newly formed label, RJ’s Electrical Connections, now home to nearly all things RJD2 past and present. To win? Answer the follow question correctly:

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST NEWS THAT’S GONNA DROP ON MAD MEN THIS SUNDAY?

Email giveaway@rjselectricalconnections.com if you think you know.

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www.vinylcollective.com Restocks:

AGAINST ME! “Disco Before the Breakdown” 7? gold/orange vinyl
NORTH LINCOLN “S/T” 7?
GET BENT “Dead It” 7?
FESTIPALS “Gold Magic” 7?
THE LEGENDARY SAN DIEGO CHARGERS/ SUNNYSIDE “Give ‘em Enough Booze” 7?
THE CRUMBS/ THE RIDICULES split 7?
FELLOW PROJECT/ JONESINí split 7?
GHOST MICE/ TACO CAT split 7?
NO FRIENDS “No Friends” LP
USED KIDS “Yeah No” LP
BANNER PILOT “Pass the Poison” one-sided LP

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Jesse Malin finds new label, readies new album

Jesse Malin, aka the former frontman of legendary punk outfits Heart Attack and D Generation who is now an acclaimed singer/songwriter as well as a friend of Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Adams, has been signed by Side One Dummy Records. This is particularly big news because Malin has already begun work on his first release for the label and is currently held up at at Sonic Youth’s Think Tank Studio in Hoboken, NJ with producer Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Flogging Molly).

According to an issued press release, the yet-to-be-titled effort was written after a personality crisis and brief hiatus during which Malin attempted-among other things-stints as a charity auctioneer; a Las Vegas wedding DJ; and a documentarian of Rastafarian culture. But none of that, as Malin explains, has taken away from his one-of-a-kind intensity: “I wanted to mix the raw, loose energy that I got from playing in my early hardcore bands and the lonely feeling I get from traveling with an acoustic guitar.”

Expect to hear the album in early 2010, with many tour dates to follow.

Jazz Master Dave Brubeck Capping Time Out's 50th Anniversary Year

Jazz Master Dave Brubeck Capping Time Out's 50th Anniversary Year With Three-Night November Run at New York's Blue Note & 2009 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington in December


Critically-Acclaimed 50th Anniversary 3-Disc (2CDs + 1DVD) Legacy Edition of Landmark Jazz Album Available Everywhere Now

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Declared a Living Legend by the Library of Congress, jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck will be capping off a banner year in his extraordinary career with a three-night run of six shows (8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.) at New York's Blue Note on November 27-29 and being honored at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington on December 6, the artist's 89th birthday. The 32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala Program will be broadcast on CBS television on December 29, 2009 at 9:00-11:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

"Dave Brubeck's genius has dazzled us for six decades and has helped to define an American art form," said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. "This year, the Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals whose unique and abundant artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world." (Other honorees this year are Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen and opera singer Grace Bumbry.)

2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Brubeck's Time Out, one of the most loved and best selling jazz albums of all time, and its centerpiece track, "Take Five," an eternally cool sonic tonic for an endless summer night which became the first million-selling jazz single in Billboard Hot 100 history.

Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings/Sony Music celebrated the album's 50th anniversary with a three-disc edition of Time Out featuring the original album(remastered for the first time since 1997) in its entirety, a CD of eight previously unreleased live performances from the 1961, 1963 and 1964 Newport Jazz Festival, and a DVD premiering a 30-minute documentary on the making of Time Out, with an exclusive Brubeck interview, extensive performance footage and more. "This package adds tremendously to the value of the original album," wrote the All Music Guide.

A new Legacy Edition of another classic jazz title from the Dave Brubeck Columbia Records catalog has been planned for release in 2010.

Still actively performing throughout each year, Dave Brubeck and his Quartet helped launch the Time Out Legacy Edition with an incandescent mini-set at the Soho Apple Store in New York on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.

History has a way of working with Dave Brubeck. By 1959, the year he recorded Time Out, the album that brought the jazz avant-garde into mainstream consciousness, he'd already been honored as the second jazz musician ever to appear on the cover of Time magazine, five years after Louis Armstrong became the first on February 21, 1949. Honored in 1996 with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2008 Brubeck became the very first recipient of the U.S. State Department's Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy. In presenting the award, Secretary Condoleezza Rice stated that ''as a pianist, composer, cultural emissary and educator, Dave Brubeck's life's work exemplifies the best of America's cultural diplomacy."

Throughout his long career Dave Brubeck has received national and international honors, including the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton, the Smithsonian Medal, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He holds numerous honorary doctorates from American, Canadian, English and German universities, including an honorary degree in Sacred Theology from Fribourg University, Switzerland. Recently, Brubeck received the Distinguished Arts Award from the Ford Honors program of the University of Michigan and in 2006 received from Notre Dame their highest honor, the Laetare Medal. He is a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University, and was presented with the Sanford Medal by the Yale School of Music.

In the year 2000 the National Endowment for the Arts declared Dave Brubeck a Jazz Master. He was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2007 he received a Living Legacy Jazz Award from Kennedy Center and the Arison Award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. His international honors include Austria's highest award for the Arts, a citation from the French government, and the Bocconi Medal from Italy. The London Symphony Orchestra, acknowledging their long association, presented him with their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

www.LegacyRecordings.com
www.MySpace.com/LegacyRecordings
www.YouTube.com/SonyMusicUSA

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

This Date In Music History-October 29

Birthdays:

Denny Laine - Moody Blues (1944)
Vocalist Melba Moore (1945)
Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac (1946)
Ricky Reynolds - Black Oak Arkansas (1948)
David Paton - Pilot (1951)
Roger O'Donnell - Cure (1955)
Randy Jackson - Jackson Five (1961)
Einar Orn - Sugarcubes (1962)
Peter Timmins - Cowboy Junkies (1965)
Toby Smith - Jamiroquai (1970)
SA - 311 (1970)


They Are Missed:

In 1973, Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle on a Macon, Georgia street while trying to swerve to avoid a tractor-trailer. He was three weeks shy of his 25th birthday.

Drummer Wells Kelly from Orleans and Meat Loaf died in 1984 (age 45) after choking to death on his vomit. Had the 1976 US hit singles with Orleans, "Still The One" and "Dance with Me."

Margo Sylvia, lead singer with the Tune Weavers, died of a heart attack in 1991. The Tune Weavers scored a #5 hit in 1957 with the immortal "Happy Happy Birthday Baby."

Born today in 1955, Kevin DuBrow, singer, Quiet Riot. Found dead in his Las Vegas home at the age of 52 on Nov 25, 2007. The band's biggest hit was "Cum on Feel the Noize," a cover of the Slade song which they are said to have grudgingly recorded in just one take.


History:

In 1936, country legend Hank Snow made his first recordings, "Lonesome Blue Yodel" and "Prisoned Cowboy."

In 1955, Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" backed with "I'm Just a Lonely Boy," was reviewed by Billboard: "...cleverly styled novelty with nonsense words, rapid fire deliver."

Bobby Helms recorded "Jingle Bell Rock" in 1957.

Buddy Holly & the Crickets "Oh Boy!" was released by Brunswick Records in 1957. It peaked at #10 in December.

The Hollies began recording their first sessions for their first album in 1963.

The Who released "My Generation" in 1965.

? & the Mysterians went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "96 Tears."



"Hair," advertised as the "The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical " opened off-Broadway at the Public Theater in New York's East Village in 1967. The musical would eventually move to Broadway for a successful run. The play's original cast recording album spawned the hit singles "Aquarius (Let the Sun Shine In)" and "Good Morning Starshine."

During an American promotional tour in 1967, Pink Floyd appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. They lip-sync their single "See Emily Play," but singer Syd Barrett kept his mouth shut throughout the "performance."

The disco sound got some 'sophistication' in 1977 with the debut of Chic's "Dance, Dance, Dance" on the R&B chart. It reached #6 on both the R&B and pop charts.

Meat Loaf released his landmark album "Bat Out Of Hell" in 1977.

Two people die and one is injured in three separate attacks at a Peter Frampton concert in Houston, Texas in 1982.

"Islands In The Stream," gave Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers a #1 hit in 1983. The song was written by The Bee Gees and co-produced by Barry Gibb.

In 1983, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" became the longest listed album in the history of the US chart when it's total reached an astonishing 491 weeks on the chart.

"Decades," Rolling Stones' Ron Wood's first ever British art exhibition opened in London in 1987, featuring portraits of friends and rock stars from the past 20 years.

The Byrds, LaVern Baker, John Lee Hooker, The Impressions, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Reed and Ike & Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Manchester band The Stone Roses split up in 1996. Singer Ian Brown said 'having spent the last ten years in the filthiest business in the universe, it's a pleasure to announce the end of The Stone Roses.'

In 1999, the surviving members of The Who, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, reunited for the first time in two years for a concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to launch Pixelon, a new internet video company.

Limp Bizkit started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with "Chocolate Starfish."

In 2003, a new Nielsen survey found that Beatles fans are getting younger rather than older. Nearly one-third of the people who bought their 1 compilation were aged 18-24.

Also in 2003, research in the US found that songs get stuck in our heads because they create a 'brain itch' that can only be scratched by repeating a tune over and over. Songs such as the Village People's "YMCA" and the Baha Men's "Who Let The Dogs Out" owe their success to their ability to create a 'cognitive itch', according to Professor James Kellaris, of the University of Cincinnati College of Business Administration. Damn, now I have those songs in my head, thanks.....

Ray – The Life Of Ray Charles opened in 2004. The bio-pic stars Jamie Foxx as the immortal performer.

A set of waxwork heads of The Beatles from their Sgt Pepper's album cover sold for $132,900 in 2005. The "pepperheads" were auctioned off after recently being discovered in a back room at London's Madame Tussauds. They were used in 1967 by artist Sir Peter Blake in the backdrop of the "Lonely Hearts Club Band" album with the actual Beatles posing at the front.

In 2006, the Rolling Stones entertained Bill and Hillary Clinton at New York’s Beacon Theater belatedly celebrating the former president's 60th birthday. "I'd like to welcome President Clinton . . . and I see she's brought her husband," jokes Mick Jagger in reference to Hillary's rumored presidential run. Director Martin Scorsese films the performance.

"Walk the Line," the film about the life of singer Johnny Cash, was voted the greatest music biopic in a poll in 2007. The film starred Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as Cash and his wife June Carter as the country stars and won the actress an Oscar in 2006. It was followed by rapper Eminem's 8 Mile, with Mozart’s’ life story Amadeus next and Ray, starring Jamie Foxx as musician Ray Charles, at number four.

Police nab 40 accused petty criminals in a sting operation that involved Ozzy Osbourne in 2007. Without Ozzy's prior knowledge, police invite people with outstanding warrants to a fake pre-show party that promises free tickets to Ozzy's Fargo, ND, concert. "It's insulting to me and to my audience," says Osbourne. "It shows how lazy this particular sheriff is when it comes to doing his job."

AC/DC's "Black Ice" sells 780,000 copies in its first week of release to top the Billboard 200 chart in 2008. The disc, exclusively available at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and ACDC.com, is only the band's second album to reach #1 in the U.S. ‘82’s "For Those About To Rock We Salute You" was the first.

Music News & Notes

Constantines expand 10 year anniversary celebration

The Constantines have expanded their 10 year anniversary plans from two December gigs to a week of shows across Ontario. A few of the special guests for these shows have been confirmed so far, with Attack In Black joining the group on the 11th in Toronto and Oneida and Metz joining them the day after. The expanded tour now includes stops ranging from the Ottawa and Kingston down through London, including their former home of Guelph. Click below for the details.

The band was formed in Guelph, Ontario in 1999 by Steve Lambke, Bryan Webb, Doug MacGregor, and Dallas Wehrle and now features keyboardist Will Kidman. Over the past decade they've released four full lengths and a handful of EPs and singles on a variety of labels including (the now-defunct) Three Gut Records, Suicide Squeeze, Sub Pop and Arts & Crafts. Their latest was 2008's Kensington Heights.

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X (California)

Los Angeles punk veterans X have announced a handful of December tour dates in California. The band's second "Merry Xmas" show takes place on December 19th in LA with guests Calexico. Dates in Sacramento and San Francisco to follow.

Keeping with the holiday theme, the group recently convened at guitarist Billy Zoom's studio to record their versions of the standards "Santa Claus is coming to Town" and "Jingle Bells." Expect them to be available this Thanksgiving as a "digital 45."

X has had a busy year. Frontman John Doe recently released his Country Club collaboration with Toronto's The Sadies. Exene Cervenka was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but regardless put out a new solo record Somewhere Gone on Bloodshot Records. The band performed at Coachella in April, England's All Tomorrow's Parties in May, and on an all-requests tour earlier this year.

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Cobra Starship releases third album amidst great fanfare, excitement

Cobra Starship released their highly anticipated third album, Hot Mess, in early August, and since its release their popularity has soared to new dimensions.

The first single, "Good Girls Go Bad", took the radio hostage but Gabe Saporta, Ryland Blackinton, Alex Suarez, Victoria Asher, and Nate Navarro hardly knew that their venom had taken hold.

"It's crazy, because we didn't really feel it," Suarez said. "We were hearing about it in texts and e-mails long before we had ever heard it on the radio."

The band did a lot differently during the creation of Hot Mess, including changes to the creative process of producing.

While on a previous tour, Cobra began writing new material, but were not content with the songs they had. So, instead of trying to do it on the road, they sought an alternative method of inspiration by secluding themselves from worldly fancies.

"We really wanted to make this record the best so we thought, 'Let's just put ourselves in the woods'," Suarez said.

Once they had turned off their cell phones and televisions, the band was able to focus on their music and began to produce album-worthy material. Cobra has always drawn a lot of inspiration from their loyal fans, so as a treat they set up a web cam so "Cobracadettes" could watch during the writing process.

Cobra Starship is known for their profound proclivity towards partying, but manage to convert any scrutiny into a good time. When a fan suggested the new album be called, "Pete Wentz is the Only Reason We're Famous," they saw an opportunity to one up on the critics who would say the same thing, and added the title as a track on Hot Mess.

"The song doesn't have anything to do with Pete Wentz," Suarez said. "If we can pull the joke on ourselves first then the last laugh is ours."

Beyond antics, and a really trendy fashion sense, Cobra Starship has developed maturity in the midst of their intergalactic party that can only come from labor over time.

"You've got to take it seriously to a certain extent, and we work really hard to have success," Suarez said. "Our whole thing is that we want to have fun, and we can have fun at the next level."

Suarez says they've learned that they're always going to have a mixture of "haters" and "lovers", but that both perspectives should be appreciated.

"We've learned to pick out the things we want a run with it. Keep it positive, because if you get bombed out then you don't have fun," Suarez said.

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THE SINGLE ‘DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING’ NOVEMBER 30TH

12 x Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys releases her highly anticipated 4th studio album, THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM, on December 14th. The first single, “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” written and produced by Alicia and her longtime production partner Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, is released on November 30th. Alicia is the girl of the moment; not only is she already riding high in the charts with the Jay Z collaboration ‘Empire State Of Mind’, but she also wrote Whitney Houston’s come-back single ‘Million Dollar Bill’ which is currently in the top 5.

Alicia describes THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability: “The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate,”states Keys.

In addition to Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, the multi-award winning singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist enlists the production talents of Jeff Brasker (Kanye West, Keri Wilson) amongst others.

Since Alicia first exploded onto the music scene she has proved that she is more than talented - she is gifted. Alicia Keys is now as much of a global superstar as she is a musician’s musician. She is not only a singer, songwriter, musician and producer, but also a credible actor. Unlike many figures in the public eye who appear to be politically aware and engaged, Alicia has proved that she doesn’t just talk, she acts, her work with Keep a Child Alive is testimony to this.

THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM is the follow up to Keys’ multi-platinum selling 2007 album As I Am, which featured the Grammy Award winning tune “No One” as well as hit singles “Like You’ll Never See Me Again,” Teenage Love Affair” and “Superwoman”.

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Scott Weiland and Stone Temple Pilots Plot New Album for 2010

“There’s more to be revealed and more to be told,” Scott Weiland has said about recording a new album with Stone Temple Pilots. “The story’s not finished.” Those quotes date back to April 2008, when STP first announced plans to reunite to tour and record new music. The band has managed to keep it together since that initial tour, but there’s been no sign of a new STP album. That is, until now. Weiland talked to Spinner recently about the prospects of the band’s first album since 2001’s Shangri-La Dee Da, and vowed that STP will get to work on the new LP once they’re off the road.

“When we finish the album, there will be a big tour around its release and that will probably be a long tour,” Weiland said. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in May that STP already had 18 songs written and that producer Don Was would be working on the LP. After that “long tour,” Weiland told Spinner he’d also get to work on his next solo album, the follow-up to 2008’s “Happy” in Galoshes.

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Peter Gabriel Planning New Album For Spring

Peter Gabriel is in the process of completing a new album for release next spring, but don't be looking for another So or Us. This album will be the result of the new Scratch My Back project which is described as "song swap with some of the world's most legendary artists."

Arranger Mike Metcalfe, who is working on the project, describes it on Gabriel's official site:

I have been busy working closely with Peter Gabriel on his 'Scratch My Back' project. This is a song swap with some of the world's most legendary artists and is due for release in the Spring. My role has been to re-interpret the music of the song's he has chosen to cover - quite honerous as some of the songs are among the best known in the last 40 years. The album will be acoustic, using only orchestral instruments (no guitars, drums or world instruments) and range in size from sparse chamber music to a much fuller orchestral sounds. We recently recorded the orchestra at Air Lyndhurst studios (George Martin's studio) in London which was an enormous thrill hearing my arrangements performed by some of the best performers in the UK. The producer of the album is Canadian legend Bob Ezrin who has recorded dozens of classic albums including Pink Floyd's The Wall. We performed one of the songs, Paul Simon's Boy In The Bubble at Womad back in July. I have been working a lot down at Real World studios editing and mixing and will be continuing with that in the Autumn and it's been a huge privilege to work with the great man.

The Scratch My Back moniker comes from the plan for Gabriel to cover an artists' song and, in turn, that artist will cover one of Gabriel's tunes. What is not clear is if Gabriel will release his set of covers followed later by the other artists, it will be a two-CD set or some other distribution will be used.

=========================

Mustaine Says Megadeth May Do Just One More Album

Dave Mustaine has written on Megadeth's forum that Endgame may be the one of the last original releases for the band. Mustaine has had both hand and spine problems in the past and is unhappy with their U.S. label, Roadrunner Records.

He wrote, "The president of Roadrunner came out and said this was the last record but if we didn't re-sign with them for more records they were going to stop selling Endgame. I've always known there's another record owed. I'm a man of my word and I'm going to fulfill my contract - rest assured, though, that I'm not going to release a compilation record or a live record for my final record with Roadrunner."

=========================

Sports Songs Revealed

BMI has released their list of songs that were played the most in National Football League, National Hockey League and Major League Baseball stadiums over the past year:

1.We Will Rock You
2.Pump It
3.Twilight Zone
4.Song 2
5.Rock and Roll Parts 1 and 2
6.Black Betty
7.Cowboys From Hell
8.Stronger
9.Let it Rock
10.Put On

What, no "Who Let The Dogs Out?"

=========================

Led Zeppelin Scrap Plans To Tour Without Robert Plant

Led Zeppelin's bassist John Paul Jones has confirmed the band have dropped plans to tour without singer Robert Plant. Jones, guitarist Jimmy Page and Jason Bonham had hoped to hit the road with a session singer after Plant said he had no plans to return to the band.

But the bassist, who is currently playing in Them Crooked Vultures, has now revealed that the idea had been scrapped.

"Jimmy and I rehearsed a bit with Jason Bonham and we couldn’t really agree on singers and that fell by the wayside,” he told BBC 6 Music.

“Then this came along and to be honest, I’m really happy."

Calls for a Led Zeppelin reunion tour were ignited after the band – including Plant – played a one-off show in London in 2007.

But the singer later ruled out a full-time return, saying he wanted to focus on his other projects.

=========================

Michael Jackson's This Is It Movie Earns $4.4 Million In Two Days
In the US...

Screenings of Michael Jackson's This Is It generated an estimated $4.4million in its opening two days in the US. The film, which shows the late singer's final days, opened late on Tuesday after being premiered simultaneously in 19 different countries.

Trade publication Variety says This Is It took around $2.2 million on Tuesday and the same number on Wednesday. It is on course to replace Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour as the highest grossing opening for a concert film.

=========================

Foo Fighters To Play Facebook Gig On Friday (October 30)

Foo Fighters are to stage a live performance from their studio in California via Facebook on Friday (October 30). The US band, who are preparing to release their greatest hits album, announced details about the gig on their Facebook page.

In an update to fans, they wrote: “We'll be Live on Facebook from Studio 606 this Friday! RSVP and Invite your Friends.”

The performance will begin at 7pm (PST) / 10pm (ET), according to Foo Fighters page on the social networking website.

The band's greatest hits collection features sixteen tracks, including two new songs, 'Wheels' and 'Word Forward'.

=========================

Teenage Singer Taylor Mitchell Savaged To Death By Wild Coyotes

Teenage folk singer Taylor Mitchell has been savaged to death by two wild coyotes. The animals attacked the 19-year-old when she was on a solo trek in Cape Breton park in Nova Scotia, Canada on Tuesday.

Walkers heard Mitchell's screams and alerted rangers who shot one of the dogs and arranged for the singer to be airlifted to hospital in Halifax. Despite reaching hospital, Mitchell died in the early hours on Wednesday morning after loosing a vast quantity blood.

Brigdit Leger, spokesperson of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told Reuters: "Coyotes are normally afraid of humans. This is a very irregular occurrence.”

She continued that the two animals who savaged Mitchell were “extremely aggressive”.

Mitchell's manager Lisa Weitz said of the critically lauded singer: "Words can't begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant, and phenomenally talented young woman.

"She just turned 19 two months ago, and was so excited about the future."

ONE-OF-A-KIND BEATLES LPS DISCOVERED

ONE-OF-A-KIND BEATLES LPS DISCOVERED

What’s inside that storage carton in the back corner of your crawl space? Imagine if it was a one-of-a-kind original pressing of a Beatles record. NOW imagine if there were four of them. You don’t have to be a music expert to know that this is a momentous discovery. But Akim Boldireff and Aaron Keele ARE music experts – known as The Record Guys www.therecordguys.com across the world – and they uncovered this singular stash earlier this year. “I knew right away when I saw these that they were special,” says Boldireff.

These items were obtained from a former Capitol Records record-pressing plant employee, who worked for the company from the late 1970s until the mid 1980s. He had access to the music, the machines and the brilliantly coloured vinyl discs. When his shift was over, he’d sometimes experiment, testing techniques of mixing colour and creating patterns. Thankfully, his favourite band was The Beatles, and he took the opportunity to create what are now totally unique in the world of Beatles collectibles.

Among the items is a breathtaking electric-blue vinyl disc with The Beatles “Revolver” side A pressed on one side and John Lennon’s solo debut album “Plastic Ono Band” side B on the flipside. Another gem is a pressing of the seminal “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album done on a stunning blue marble vinyl.

“And,” he adds, “there are no other copies anywhere in the world. These are the only known copies.”

This remarkable collection isn’t just rare – it's so exceptional the experts hesitate to even place a monetary value on it. You can also view the collection and read about it on Boldireff and Keele’s website, http://www.therecordguys.com. The top items in the one-of-a-kind Beatles rarities collection discovered by The Record Guys:

1 Side 1 - Beatles Revolver Side A (ST-2576)

Side 2 - Plastic Ono Band Side B (SW-3372)

Blue vinyl

Both sides have ’67-’70 labels


2 Beatles Sgt. Pepper's (SEAV 11840) on blue swirl vinyl


3 Beatles Love Songs (SEBX 11844) on gold splatter/splash vinyl (2nd LP black)


4 Beatles ’67-’70 (SEBX 3-11343) on blue swirl vinyl (2nd LP black)


5 Beatles Rubber Soul (ST 2442) - one-sided mother record


About Akim Boldireff and Aaron Keele

Akim Boldireff and Aaron Keele are internationally respected music specialists. Between them, they’ve examined, analyzed and assessed millions of records, applying their knowledge and assiduous research to determine the provenance and value of music and music-related items. They travel the world to buy and sell all forms of collectible music – no collection is too big or too small. The Record Guys are well-known to Canadian audiences from their appearances on television, radio and print, and their bi-annual record shows. Visit their website at http://www.therecordguys.com.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

Let's continue our 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 OCTOBER 26, 2009


DEAR JERRY: Some of the biggest hits over the years have been, quite frankly, silly songs. Regardless, tunes such as “Teen Angel”; “Tell Laura I Love Her”; and “My Boyfriend's Back” sold millions — mostly to teenagers just like me.

I confess. I bought all of those records, one of which now has me confused.

When I hear “My Boyfriend's Back” on the radio, I hear words and music not on my original 45.

Are there two different versions, perhaps one shorter than the other? Or is the one now played stretched to make it longer, a common gimmick in the disco '70s?

Whatever, I just never hear the actual hit single played. What gives?
—Clara Hadley, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR CLARA: There is only one recording issued, which runs approximately 2:35. What is uncertain is whether the producers didn't care for a 27-second segment, or simply wanted a shorter song for single release.

Either way, 27 seconds of the song ended up on the cutting room floor.

Remember, many Top 40 dee jays in those days preferred two-minute songs, and my software clocks the 1963 single at 2:06. The time shown on the label (Smash 1834) is 2:11.

In the 1980s, when “My Boyfriend's Back” appeared on compact discs, they reverted to the original unedited master. Now, your old 45 is probably the best source for the edited version.

As for the editing, the :27 clip begins at about 1:51 with “Yeah I can see him comin' … now you better start a-runnin'.”

At that point the single release jumps ahead :27 to “Yes my boyfriend's back, well look out now,” followed by about :17, including the fade-out.


DEAR JERRY: I recall many versions of the instrumental “Johnny Guitar,” but one that particularly stands out in my memory features a lead guitar, vocal group backing, and a horse's hooves-type percussion. It came out in 1959 or '60. Can you identify it?
—Bruce Callaghan, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia


DEAR BRUCE: Easily, thanks to your onomatopoeic reference to the clip-clop accompaniment. (When's the last time someone said those words to you?)

“Johnny Guitar,” backed with “Hucklebuck” (ABC-Paramount 10210), is from a combo put together by Vinny Lee — appropriately named the Leemen.

Lee recorded as a solo act, as well as with other groups, for three years before gathering the horses for “Johnny Guitar.” This single trotted out in the summer of 1961, just a wee bit later than you thought.


DEAR JERRY: I bought Andy Williams' “I Like Your Kind of Love” (Cadence 1323), and the label identifies the female singing with him as “Andy's Girlfriend Played By Peggy Powers.”

Yet “The Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au)” (Cadence 1358), has no credit given the girl with the beautiful voice who duets with him at the end.

Is this also Peggy Powers?
—Mel Collingswood, Albuquerque


DEAR MEL: Shame on them, especially since that lady is long-time acquaintance of mine.

The songbird exchanging vows with Andy at the end of “The Hawaiian Wedding Song” is Anita Wood.

A native Memphian, Wood commuted to New York to work on the Andy Williams Television show. She and Andy recorded this there during the summer of 1958.

This is the same Anita Wood who was Elvis Presley's steady girlfriend for over a year before the army shipped him off to Germany (September 22, 1958).

Being separated for 19 months took its toll on the relationship, and by the time of his discharge Priscilla was in the picture. With the pre-army bliss waning, Anita walked away from the relationship in 1962.

Just one year earlier, Anita recorded the beautiful ballad “I'll Wait Forever” (Sun 361), an obvious message song to Elvis.

Turns out she couldn't wait quite that long.


IZ ZAT SO? Discussing “My Boyfriend's Back” raises the question of how many Rock Era No. 1 hits are by white, all-girl groups (three or more members).

The answer is astonishing.

In the 30” years from 1955 through mid-'85, there are only five: “Hearts of Stone” (Fontane Sisters, 1955); “Sincerely” (McGuire Sisters, 1955); “Sugartime” (McGuire Sisters, 1958); “My Boyfriend's Back” (Angels, 1963); and “Leader of the Pack” (Shangri-Las, 1964).

The McGuire Sisters are the only ones on the list twice, both with nine-letter, single-word “S” titles.

The 22-year drought ended in September 1986, with “Venus,” by Bananarama. Then three months later came the Bangles' “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

When “Sincerely” replaced “Hearts of Stone” at No. 1, we had back-to-back entries by two trios of sisters.

That is a sequence we may never see that again.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368, e-mail: jpo@olympus.net, or visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com. All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Person L Announce Dates and Preorders

(PR) Pre-order has begun for Person L's upcoming record, The Positives. The record is set for release on November 17th [CD/digital] and Person L preorder December 7th [2x10" LP] via Academy Fight Song and Human Interest Records. The CD packaging includes a full color digipak with flood color printing and a six panel insert fold out. The vinyl release includes double 10" LPs housed in a full color matte-finished gatefold jacket.

Academy Fight Song is offering an exclusive 180 gram black version of the LP, and Person L is offering an exclusive blue/purple swirl vinyl along with an exclusive t-shit bundle. US tour kicks off November 9th with a hometown show, dates and the preorder link are below:

Person L Tour Dates w/ John Nolan, & Brian Bonz:
11.09.09 - Philadelphia, PA -- World Cafe Live **
11.10.09 - Cleveland Heights, OH -- Grog Shop
11.11.09 - Lansing, MI -- Mac's Bar
11.12.09 - Bloomington, IN -- The Bishop Bar
11.13.09 - St. Louis, MI --The Firebird
11.14.09 - Kansas City, MO --The Record Bar
11.15.09 - Des Moines, IA -- Vaudeville Mews
11.17.09 - Minneapolis, MN -- First Avenue- 7th Street Entry
11.18.09 - Iowa City, IA -- The Picador
11.19.09 - Chicago, IL -- Schuba's Tavern
11.20.09 - Columbus, OH --The Basement
11.21.09 - Jermyn, PA -- Eleanor Rigby's
11.22.09 - Hoboken, NJ -- Maxwell's
12.03.09 - Durham, NH -- University of New Hampshire- MUB Strafford Room
12.04.09 - Brooklyn, NY -- South Paw
12.08.09 - Atlanta, GA -- The Drunken Unicorn
12.09.09 - Nashville, TN -- Rocketown
12.11.09 - Pittsburg, PA -- Diesel
12.12.09 - Philadelphia, PA -- The Khyber

**John Nolan and Brian Bonz will not be playing this date

============================

U2 Announce 2010 Tours

U2 360° is coming back to North America in 2010, the band said on their website Sunday. Here is the rest of the announcement:

The tour will touch down next summer in Anaheim; Denver; Oakland; Seattle; Edmonton; East Lansing; Miami; Philadelphia and Montreal. U2 360° will also return for one night only in Toronto and Chicago before finishing the North American leg in New York at the New Meadowlands Stadium. On U2 360° the band currently play 22 live tracks, the first time fans have heard tracks from No Line On the Horizon, one of the best selling albums globally this year..

Tickets for the performances in Oakland, Edmonton, and Toronto will go on sale Monday November 2 with additional North American on sales taking place over the following few weeks in November. (Tickets are also about to go on sale for 2010 European dates in Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey.

6 June, 2010 Anaheim CA US Angel Stadium
12 June, 2010 Denver CO US Invesco Field
16 June, 2010 Oakland CA US Oakland Coliseum
20 June, 2010 Seattle WA US Qwest Field
23 June, 2010 Edmonton CA Commonwealth Stadium
30 June, 2010 East Lansing MI US Spartan Stadium
3 July, 2010 Toronto ON CA Rogers Centre
6 July, 2010 Chicago IL US Soldier Field
9 July, 2010 Miami FL US Land Shark Stadium
12 July, 2010 Philadelphia PA US Lincoln Financial Field
16 July, 2010 Montreal QC CA Venue TBA
19 July, 2010 New York NY US New Meadowlands Stadium
10 August, 2010 Frankfurt DE Commerzbank Arena
12 August, 2010 Hannover DE AWD Stadium
15 August, 2010 Horsens DK Casa Arena
16 August, 2010 Horsens DK Casa Arena
20 August, 2010 Helsinki FI Olympic Stadium
21 August, 2010 Helsinki FI Olympia Stadium
25 August, 2010 Moscow RU Luzhniki
30 August, 2010 Vienna AT Ernst Happel Stadium
3 September, 2010 Athens GR Olympic Stadium
6 September, 2010 Istanbul TR Ataturk Olympic Stadium
15 September, 2010 Munich DE Olympic Stadium
18 September, 2010 Paris FR Stade De France
22 September, 2010 Brussels BE Stade Roi Boudoin
23 September, 2010 Brussels BE Stade Roi Boudoin
29 September, 2010 Seville ES Olympic Stadium
2 October, 2010 Coimbra PT Estadio Cidade Coimbra
3 October, 2010 Coimbra PT Estadio Cidade Coimbra

============================

Metallica Offering 50K Reward For Missing Fan

Metallica have stepped to the plate to help find a missing fan. Fox News reported on air Saturday that the Metallica's James Hetfield spoke with the father of Morgan Harrington, the 20-year-old Virginia Tech student who went missing outside of a Metallica concert on October 17th.

A website findmorgan.com was established to aim in the search effort. According to that site, "The Harrington family is offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of their daughter, Morgan Harrington, or information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Morgan Harrington's disappearance. The Band Metallica is also adding an additional $50,000 to the reward bringing it to $150,000 for Morgan's safe return or information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Morgan's disappearance."

The story has received national attention and now the FBI has joined the search. Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Friday the FBI will be able to investigate tips from around the country. - More information at FindMorgan.com

============================

Family of Sublime's Late Singer Object To New Sublime

The Estate of Bradley Nowell, Sublime's late singer, guitarist and primary songwriter, issued a statement regarding the use of the band's name by Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and Sublime drummer Floyd "Bud" Gaugh.

Sublime members Floyd "Bud" Gaugh and Eric Wilson, along with new vocalist Rome Ramirez, who performed with Gaugh and Wilson earlier this year, are scheduled to perform under the name "Sublime" on Saturday, October 24th at Cypress Hill's 2009 Smokeout Festival. Sublime, with its original members, has not played together since their final performance with Nowell on May 24, 1996. The advertising and promotion of the new group as "Sublime" has been done without the consent of the Estate of the late Bradley Nowell (consisting of widow Troy Nowell, father Jim "Papa" Nowell, and son Jakob Nowell). The Estate intends to take appropriate legal action to protect Brad's intentions, as well as the legacy and integrity of his body of work.

Nowell's family released the following statement on the band's official Web site today: "It was recently announced that Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and Sublime drummer Floyd 'Bud' Gaugh are 'reuniting' and teaming with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez in a band they intend to call 'Sublime.' Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name.

============================

Eric Clapton Cancels Rock Hall Show For Medical Reasons

The Rock Hall's big bash has hit a snag (maybe two). Eric Clapton definitely won't be playing and Bruce Springsteen may not perform at the event at Madison Square Garden.

The event is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton pulled out the event because the removal of gallstones. Clapton "will spend time recuperating at home in the UK and is very sorry to disappoint the fans and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," a statement said.

Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen's status on the bill is not known. He canceled a concert in Kansas City at the last moment on Monday due to what Reuters is calling a "bereavement". Kansas City broadcaster KMBC-TV quoted police officials as saying that a 34-year-old member of Springsteen's road crew died at his hotel, but that the death was not suspicious

============================

Dead Weather Release

The Dead Weather have been so kind as to release a new, live five-song EP, titled Live From Third Man West.

Released via iTunes, the live EP is named after Jack White’s recording studio in L.A. where the music was recorded; the EP features tracks from the group’s debut, Horehound. All told, the album includes four live videos and five songs, including a cover of the heavy metal band Pentagram’s “Forever My Queen.”

Right now Jack White and his Dead Weather cohorts are working on album #2, so the live EP is a nice treat for fans. It is also further proof that Jack White cannot be stopped. He is going to release new music whenever and wherever he wants.

============================

AC/DC Italy Concerts?

AC/DC have told their fans in Italy to not buy tickets for shows in that country because, well, they aren't scheduled to play there. An Italian newspaper recently claimed that they were set to play Olympia Stadium in Turin next June 8 and 9 and the news spread across the web. The band's Italian promoter, Barley Arts, quickly issued a statement before the underside of the ticket scalping industry could get into high gear.

============================

McCartney Plays Loesser

Paul McCartney played Broadway Monday night as part of a salute to the late composer Frank Loesser. McCartney has owned Loesser's catalog for some time and put on the show with Jo Sullivan, the late composer's widow.

A long list of Broadway stars sang songs from Loesser's shows, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Guys & Dolls and The Most Happy Fella. Also taking the stage was Art Garfunkel, performing Two Sleepy People, and McCartney himself singing On a Slow Boat to China.


============================

Ex-Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher to start a new band

Singer reveals that 'I don't want to do anything solo

The singer, whose brother Noel has already confirmed plans to go solo, is planning to start a new outfit in the New Year.

"Getting away from the whole Oasis thing is going to be a good thing I suppose," Liam told The Scotsman. "I don't want to do anything solo. I want to be in a band. But we can do things a lot differently these days. It'll definitely be rock 'n' roll."

Despite planning to take a break from music, the singer said he could launch a new band as early as January.

"For now, I'll be relaxing at home, just getting out of music for a bit and then I'm going to start up something maybe after January, do something different, see where it goes," he explained. "But I'll be having a breather from the music for a bit without a doubt."

============================

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' film premieres globally

Jackson brothers plus Will Smith and Katy Perry attend Los Angeles screening

Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' documentary premiered globally last night (October 27).

The film was pieced together from footage of the late singer's rehearsal sessions for his London O2 Arena residency, which took place at the Los Angeles Staples Centre.

Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Randy Jackson, the singer's brothers, attended the premiere that took place at a cinema opposite the Staples Centre, with the likes of Will Smith, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez and Berry Gordy Jr, founder of Motown Records, also attending, reports BBC News.

New Music Releases - October 27

Buy Your New Music Here

Aarktica - In Sea
Awesome New Republic - Hearts
Barzin - Notes to an Absent Lover (vinyl)
Bassnectar - Cozza Frenzy
Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect
Blondie - Blondie Singles Collection- 1977-1982 (remastered)
BOAT - Setting the Paces
Bob Dylan - Self-Portrait (vinyl reissue)
Breakaways - Walking Out on Love- The Lostsessions
Brian McKnight - Evolution Of A Man
Broadcast & The Focus Group - Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age
Broadfield Marchers - Displayed in Reflections
Bryan Scary - Mad Valentines EP
Carly Simon - Never Been Gone
CFCF - Continent
Chet - Chelsea Silver Please Come Home
Chuck Prophet - Let Freedom Ring!
Cobra Killer - Uppers & Downers
Creed - Full Circle
Cub Country - Stretch That Skull Cover and Smile (vinyl)
Dam-Funk - Toeachizown
Deleted Waveform Gatherings - Ghost, She Said
Depeche Mode - Get the Balance Right (reissue)
Depeche Mode - Leave In Silence (reissue)
Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be
DOOM - Unexpected Guests
Eagle Twin - Unkindness of Crows (vinyl)
Echo and the Bunnymen - The Fountain
Emilie Autumn - Opheliac - The Deluxe Edition
Fela Kuti - The Best of the Black President
Fight Amp - Manners & Praise
Gemma Ray - Lights Out Zoltar! (vinyl)
Gift of Gab - Escape 2 Mars
Glass Ghost - Idol Omen (vinyl)
Gov't Mule - By A Thread
Group Bombino - Guitars From Agadez Vol. 2
Guano Padano - Guano Padano
Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade (vinyl)
Hem - Twelfth Night (soundtrack)
Holy Sons - Criminals Return
Horse Feathers - “Cascades” 7″
Hudson Mohawke - Butter (vinyl)
I Love You - Bell Ord Forrest
It’s Casual - New Los Angeles
James Husband - A Parallax I (vinyl)
Jesu - Opiate Sun EP
Joe Nichols - Old Things New
John Adams - Nixon in China (3-CD box set)
Jon Shain - Times Right Now
Jozef Van Wissem - Ex-Patris
Junk Culture - West Coast
Katsen - It Hertz!
Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights
Los Lobos - Los Lobos Goes Disney
Lover! - No Dreams Please
Marillion - The Singles 82-88 (3-CD box set)
Matias Aguayo - Ay Ay Ay
Merzbow - Bird Series Volume Ten
Michael Jackson - This Is It 2CD Soundtrack
Mike Epps - Mike Epps
Morningwood - Diamonds & Studs
Morrissey - Hmv/Parlophone Singles '88-'95 (3-CD box set)
Mother Hips - Pacific Dust
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Ocean - Pantheon of the Lesser
Of Montreal - Aldhils Arboretum (vinyl reissue)
Of Montreal - Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy (vinyl reissue)
Of Montreal - Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse (vinyl reissue)
Of Montreal - Early Four Track Recordings (vinyl reissue)
Of Montreal - The Bird Who Ate the Rabbit's Flower (vinyl reissue)
Painkiller Hotel - Black Roses
Paul Weller - Paul Weller (remastered with bonus dsc)
Pelican - What We All Come To Need
Phill Niblock - Touch Strings
Pink Martini - Splendor in the Grass
Pugwash - Giddy
Pyramids with Nadja - Pyramids with Nadja
R.E.M. - Live at the Olympia (2-CD) (2-CD & DVD)
Red Shore - Unconsecrated
Rosie Flores - Girl of the Century (vinyl)
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family - Go Waggaloo
Saviours - Accelerated Living
Sean Lennon - Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Undead (soundtrack)
Seven Storey Mountain - Seven Storey Mountain EP
Shrinebuilder - Shrinebuilder
Sight Below - Murmur EP
Slackwater News - All You Creatures [EP]
Sole and the Skyrider Band - Plastique (vinyl)
Spandau Ballet - Heart Like a Sky (reissue)
Squirrel Nut Zippers - Lost At Sea [Live]
Status Quo - Pictures- Live At Montreux 2009
Stephen Stills- Live At Shepherds Bush [CD/DVD]
Sting - If On A Winter's Night...
String Cheese Incident - Trick Or Treat [Live]
Sun Ra Arkestra - Heliocentric Worlds V.2
Swell Season - Strict Joy (2-CD & DVD)
Talk Normal - Sugarland
Talking Heads - Little Creatures (reissue with bonus tracks)
Tech N9ne - k.o.d.
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
The Blind Boys of Alabama - Duets
The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built (vinyl)
The Nerves - Live at the Pirate's Cove (vinyl)
The Sight Below - Murmer EP ]
The Swell - Strict Joy
Those Poor Bastards - Abominations
Train - Save Me San Francisco
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Night Castle
U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (remastered) (3-CD) (2-CD & DVD)
Various Artists - An All-Star Salute to Christmas
Various Artists - Fire In My Bones: Raw + Rare + Other-Worldly African-American Gospel [3CD]
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Jazz Around the World
Various Artists - Songs From The Point!
Various Artists - The Four Kings of Blues Guitar
Weird Al Yankovic - The Essential Weird Al Yankovic
Wilco - Being There (2-LP vinyl & CD reissue)
Winger - Karma
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Wrinkle Neck Mules - Let The Lead Fly
You & Yourn - It Would Make Things Worse (vinyl)

SWITCHFOOT Launches New Album With Headlining Tour and Performance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

Band Will Collect Goods for Local Food Banks Along Tour Route; "Hello Hurricane," the Band's Seventh Full-Length Album, Due Out November 10th on Atlantic Records; Pre-Order Underway; SWITCHFOOT Tapped by Verizon Wireless for National Advertising Campaign

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 26, 2009) - SWITCHFOOT will kick off its fall headlining tour in San Diego on November 8 for 94.9's Anniversary Bash. The band will then appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," performing on the outside stage on November 12th.

The tour will feature SWITCHFOOT playing "Hello Hurricane" in its entirety, followed by fan favorites from its previous records. The band will be collecting donations for local food banks along the tour route, so fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to the shows. (See below for tour itinerary and a list of food banks that will receive donations.)

SWITCHFOOT is also launching a new website, http://www.theworldyouwant.com, which will spotlight goodness, beauty, and truth in everyday life. Fans are invited to contribute stories about people they know who are making this world a better place and the band will read some of these contributions from stage during the tour.

Recorded with producer/bassist Mike Elizondo (Rilo Kiley, Eminem, and Pink), "Hello Hurricane" is the group's seventh full-length album and its first on Atlantic Records. Lead single "Mess of Me" is getting airplay at Modern and Active Rock radio stations and is climbing the Modern Rock radio chart. "The Sound," another track from the album, has been tapped by Verizon Wireless for its national ad campaign for the BlackBerry® Storm™ 2.

Fans who pre-order "Hello Hurricane" will immediately receive a free download of "Mess of Me" and four videos. They have five pre-order options to choose from: the standard CD edition; deluxe CD/DVD edition with approximately 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage and studio performances; vinyl with CD; the Collector's edition ("Hello Hurricane" CD, deluxe DVD, an additional CD with studio outtakes and more, limited edition poster and 84-page hardcover book); and the digital download edition. For additional information or to pre-order, visit iTunes or the band's web site http://www.switchfoot.com.

At the end of October, SWITCHFOOT -- comprising of Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) -- will take the stage for Yahoo! Music's new live concert program, "Maximum Performance Guitar Hero 5." Jon and Chad will be featured in an upcoming episode of "Road Trip Nation" airing on PBS stations in November. Check local listings or watch the episode at http://www.roadtripnation.com/watch/ anytime after its November 5th debut on KLCS TV in Los Angeles and Orange County. MySpace will premiere "Hello Hurricane" the week before its release and the band will be interviewed on "The MySpace Music Feed" on Monday, November 9th.

SWITCHFOOT is the subject of an upcoming Rolling Stone "In the Studio" feature and will be on the cover of Relevant Magazine's November/December issue. Jon has also penned two articles recently: his piece on charity in your own backyard will be in the November issue of Alternative Press and he's written on the nature of heroism for The Huffington Post.

He also recently participated in filming an innovative online game called "The Climate Challenge" for Oxfam (http://www.oxfamamerica.org/music). "When you play the game, you will feel the urgency. We have to start acting now on climate change. There is literally no time to waste," says Foreman. The game will launch in late October at http://www.theclimatechallenge.org.

"Hello Hurricane," SWITCHFOOT's first studio album since 2006's "Oh! Gravity," which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200, acknowledges life's storms while managing to find an element of hope in them. The band tracked more than 80 songs at its self-built home studio before narrowing it down to the 12 that appear on the new album. (Fans can check out the four-minute trailer, "The Making of Hello Hurricane," at http://www.switchfoot.com.)

THE HELLO HURRICANE TOUR:


Date City/State Venue Food Bank
11/8 San Diego, CA E.C Performing Arts Center N/A
11/11 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy Theatre L.A. Regional FB
11/13 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch St Mary's FB
Alliance
11/14 Tucson, AZ The Rock Community FB of
Tucson
11/16 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom Regional FB of
Oklahoma
11/17 Dallas, TX House of Blues North Texas Food
Bank
11/18 Austin, TX The Parish Capital Area Food
Bank
11/20 Houston, TX Warehouse Live TBA
11/21 New Orleans, LA The Parish Second Harvest FB
11/22 Nashville, TX Exit In Second Harvest FB
11/24 Atlanta, GA The Loft Atlanta Community FB
11/27 Anaheim, CA House of Blues Second Harvest FB
11/28 Ventura, CA The Majestic Food Share
12/3 Charlotte, NC Amos' Southend TBA
12/5 Richmond, VA The National -
WDYL Snowball N/A
12/7 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live TBA
12/8 New York, NY The Fillmore NY @
Irving Plaza Bowery Mission
12/9 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club TBA
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/switchfoot

Twitter - http://twitter.com/switchfoot

BroAm - http://www.switchfoot.com/bro-am/

MySpace - http://myspace.com/switchfoot

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/switchfootpodcast

The World you Want http://www.theworldyouwant.com

Regular - www.switchfoot.com

Fan sites - http://landofbrokenhearts.org/

http://wereawakening.blogspot.com

This Date In Music History-October 27

Birthdays:

Mark Ryan - Quicksilver Messenger Service (1945)

Garry Tallent - E Street Band (1949)

Byron Allred - Steve Miller Band (1949)

Garry Tallent - Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (1949)

Ken Downing - Judas Priest (1951)

Peter Dodd - Thompson Twins (1953)

Simon LeBon - Duran Duran (1958)

Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots (1967)

Kelly Osbourne (1984)


They Are Missed:

Xavier Cugat (real name Francisco De Asis Javier Cugat Mingall De Cru Y Deulofeo), a pioneer of Latin-American dance music, died in Barcelona, Spain in 1990 at age 90.

In 1980, former T Rex member Steve Took, choked to death on a cherry stone, after some magic mushrooms he had eaten, numbed all sensation in his throat.

Session and solo pianist Floyd Cramer, whose unique, slip-note playing style came to typify the pop-oriented "Nashville Sound" of the late '50s and early '60s, was born in Samti, LA in 1937. Died on December 31, 1997


History:

R&B singer Clarence Henry's "Ain't Got No Home" was put out by Argo Records in 1956. It's Henry's first hit and because he sings like a frog on it, he earns the nickname "Frogman."

After a show at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1957, local police told Elvis Presley that he was not allowed to wiggle his hips onstage, the local press also ran headlines saying Elvis would have to clean up his act. The next night, the Los Angeles Vice Squad filmed his entire concert, to study his performance.

Ben E. King, former Drifters lead singer, recorded his first solo singles in 1960, "Spanish Harlem" and "Stand by Me," at Atlantic Records. "Spanish Harlem" peaked at #10 on the pop chart in January 1961. "Stand by Me" is #1 on the R&B charts and #4 on the pop chart.

In London in 1962, the Rolling Stones make their first recordings at Curly Clayton Studios. The band, which currently consists of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart, and drummer Tony Chapman, cut Muddy Waters' "Soon Forgotten," Jimmy Reed's "Close Together," and Bo Diddley's "You Can't Judge a Book (By Looking at the Cover)."

In 1963, Peter, Paul & Mary, the folksinging trio who along with Joan Baez, have introduced songwriters like Bob Dylan to mainstream audiences, hold the top two positions on the pop album chart with "In the Win" and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright."

The Supremes released "Come See About Me" in 1964.

In 1969, Ringo Starr began recording his album Sentimental Journey. Following the completion of Abbey Road, he becomes the first Beatle to formally embark on a solo album

Gladys Knight and the Pips started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart in 1973 with "Midnight Train To Georgia." It was the group's 18th Top 40 hit and first #1.

IN 1975, the unknown Bruce Springsteen had the rare honor of simultaneous covers on both Time and Newsweek magazines in the US.

Funkadelic released "One Nation Under a Groove" in 1978. Its anthemic title track tops the R&B charts for six weeks and is the only Funkadelic single ever to reach the pop Top Forty.



Prince's album "1999" was released in 1982.

Janet Jackson scored her fourth US #1 single in 1990 with "Black Cat."

In 1995, singer Gloria Estefan performed for Pope John Paul II as part of the celebration of his 50th anniversary in the priesthood. She was the first pop star to receive a call from the Pope to perform.

In 1996, Bruce Springsteen played at a rally at the Federal Building in Westwood to defeat ballot Proposition 209 - a ballot called the California Civil Rights Initative - which would put an end to Affirmative Action.

In 1997, Johnny Cash announced he has a form of Parkinson's disease. He cancels plans to promote his memoirs "Cash: The Autobiography" and his latest CD. However, the singer says he expects to resume touring once the disease is stabilized through medical treatment.

Drummer Bill Berry left REM for health reasons in 1997.

Lonnie Donegan went to Buckingham Palace in 2000 to receive his MBE for his services to pop music. Lonnie pioneered skiffle in the 1950's and inspired a generation of teenagers to start bands.

In 2004, Rod Stewart topped the U.S. album charts for the first time in 25 years with Stardust: The Great American Songbook Volume III.

In 2005, the distributor of rapper 50 Cent's new film said it would remove posters advertising the film after complaints they glorify gun violence. Posters for 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' showed 50 Cent holding a gun in his left hand and a microphone the other. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich wrote to Paramount Pictures urging them to take down the posters. The company said it had taken down one poster near a Los Angeles nursery school, and planned to remove more.

A restructured Wolfmother, Andrew Stockdale being the only original member, issued "Cosmic Egg" in 2009. "I did a yoga class and one of the poses we were doing was called 'cosmic egg', and I thought yeah, that's it," said Stockwell. "It's like the fetal pose." 2009

Weezer releases their seventh album, "Raditude" in 2009. Songs include the single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," "I'm Your Daddy," "The Girl Got Hot," and "Can't Stop Partying."

R.E.M.’s "Live At The Olympia," a 2 CD/DVD set,was released in 2009. The package features 39 songs from the group’s ’07 "working rehearsals" in Dublin for their "Accelerate" album.

Abbey Road" was released for download to The Beatles: Rock Band video game in 2009. It’s the first Beatles album available for downloadable purchase in the game's music store. The album is also available for Xbox360 and PlayStation 3.

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 10/24/2009

1. 45 - Peacheroos "Be Bop Baby" / "Every Day My Love Is True" Excello - $3,000.00

2. 45 - Ellipsis "People" / "Gregory Moore" Briarmeade - $2,927.00

3. LP - Slayer "25 Years Of Not Showing Mercy" Test Press Fan Club Release - $2,716.00

4. LP - Militia "The Sybling" - $2,550.00

5. LP - The Beatles "White Album" UK Mono #0007192 - $2,532.62


As always, a special thank you to Norm at http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data. Stop in and listen to their unique radio show Accidental Nostalgia with Norm & Jane On Radio Dentata - 60 minutes of rare records and nugatory narration. Every Tuesday 4PM PT/7PM ET, Sunday 9AM PT/12PM ET & Monday 12AM PT/3AM ET

Music News & Notes

Fall Out Boy Announce Greatest Hits Album And Tracklisting

Fall Out Boy are to release an eighteen-track collection of their greatest hits next month.

'Believers Never Die', which is due out on November 16, will include two rarities and two new songs.

The album will also feature a DVD comprising of fourteen of Fall Out Boy's videos with commentary from the band.

The tracklisting for 'Believers Never Die' is:

'Dead On Arrival'
'Grand Theft Autumn'
'Saturday'
'Sugar, We’re Goin Down'
'Dance, Dance'
'A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me'
'This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race'
'Thnks fr th Mmrs'
'The Take Over, The Breaks Over'
'I’m Like A Lawyer With The Way I’m Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You) '
'Beat It'
'I Don’t Care'
'Americas Suitehearts'
'What A Catch, Donnie'

Bonus Tracks

'Alpha Dog'
'From Now On We Are Enemies'
'Yule Shoot Your Eyes Out'
'Growing Up'

====================

Juliana Hatfield Announces New CD "Peace And Love" For February

"Peace And Love," Juliana Hatfield's latest album, will be released on February 16, 2010 on Ye Olde Records. Hatfield, of course, has a long history of DIY endeavors - from her trailblazing days with Boston indie band the Blake Babies to her recent releases on Ye Olde Records, the label she founded in 2005 - but with "Peace And Love" she reaches a new level of independence. She produced and engineered the album herself and played all the instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, piano, harmonica and drum machine.

"I've produced records before but I was always in a studio with professional engineers. So it was definitely a learning process for me," says Hatfield, who was ready to strip things down after her critically acclaimed 2008 album, "How To Walk Away," which was a full studio production. "I always like to try things I've never done before and I'd been yearning to record myself."

Hatfield had just purchased her brother's eight-track digital recorder and moved into a Cambridge apartment with a back room that had excellent natural acoustics, so the time was right. "I was able to follow every instinct without worrying that anyone was going to think it was a kooky idea," she recalls. "I just wanted to do something simple."

The result is an incredibly intimate collection of songs, expertly capturing the loneliness and collateral damage borne of broken relationships yet adamantly refusing to remain broken. In the liner notes, Boston Phoenix music editor James Parker gives it a name: "Survivor-music - because even at their most palpitatingly fragile, your songs have always been built to last. Well-made, strong-boned, fit to be played on streetcorners and station platforms."

"Peace And Love" is Hatfield's 11th solo album and follows last year's "How To Walk Away," which was hailed as "rueful and gorgeous," by Entertainment Weekly, which gave the album an A-. "After 20 years, the songstress still packs a wallop on her 10th album, featuring edgy tales of heartbreak sung with that classic sweetness," said Newsweek, naming it a "Checklist" pick of the week upon its release while Spin pronounced it "vital," awarding it three out of four stars. Her autobiography, entitled When I Grow Up, was published by Wiley & Sons in September 2008.

Hatfield first came to prominence in her teens as a founding member of the Blake Babies. After four independent albums with the group, she signed to Atlantic as a solo artist and had a string of modern-rock hits (including "My Sister," "Spin The Bottle" and "Universal Heartbeat"). She left the label in 1998, signing to Zoe Records (a Rounder Records imprint) and releasing four well-regarded albums, including 2004's "In Exile Deo," named as one of that year's 10 best albums by The New York Times' Jon Pareles. In 2005, Hatfield came full circle, returning to her independent roots and founding Ye Olde Records.

====================

Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ May Make $400 Million in Sales

Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Jackson’s movie and CD may generate as much as $400 million in sales worldwide as fans turn out to see and hear the last live performances of the late King of Pop.

“Michael Jackson’s This Is It” album, featuring one new song, goes on sale starting today. The movie with the same title opens Oct. 28 in more than 90 countries, including 3,400 theaters in the U.S., according to Hollywood.com Box-Office.

More than 1,000 U.S. shows were sold out as of Oct. 22, according to the online ticket vendor Fandango.com. Cinemas in London, Sydney, Bangkok and Tokyo also reported sellouts, according to Sony Corp., which is releasing the film and the album. In the U.K., sales topped those of “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings” at the Vue Entertainment Ltd. chain.

“It’s a true phenomenon,” said Tim Richards, chief executive officer of London-based Vue, whose cinema near the O2 Arena, where Jackson was scheduled to perform a series of comeback concerts, is among those that sold out.

Jackson’s work may be prized more after his death than it was in life, said Robert Sillerman, CEO of CKX Inc., the New York-based operator of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Tennessee home, and co-producer of “American Idol.”

“In death, people remember the best of somebody,” Sillerman said. “Certainly that is turning out to be the case in Elvis and the Beatles. I think it will turn out to be the case in Michael’s situation.”

Ticket Sales

Jackson died at age 50 on June 25 in Los Angeles of a drug overdose, three weeks before the concerts were set to begin. Sony, the singer’s music label, won a bidding war for a documentary film built around footage compiled during rehearsals, agreeing to pay $60 million, according to court documents.

The film may generate $300 million to $400 million in global ticket sales, said Jeff Bock, a box-office analyst for Los Angeles-based researcher Exhibitor Relations Co. U.S. sales in the first five days may be $55 million to $60 million, said Jeffrey Hartke, an analyst with Los Angeles-based Hollywood Stock Exchange, which forecasts film performance.

The two-disc album, with the new track “This is It,” as well as “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Thriller,” may sell 200,000 to 500,000 copies in the U.S., according to Silvio Pietroluongo, director of sales charts at Billboard magazine. The suggested retail price of $17.98 has been marked down to $9.99 at Amazon.com Inc.

The releases may help dent the hundreds of millions of dollars in debt the entertainer ran up during his lifetime.

Making vinyl records the old-fashioned way

At United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tenn., LPs are still made the old-fashioned way: with lots and lots of vinyl. This is a bin full of little vinyl pellets that will be melted into records.


NASHVILLE, Tenn.–When people think of the Beatles coming to America, they usually conjure up images of The Ed Sullivan Show and screaming teenage girls chasing the Fab Four on the streets of New York.

But here in Music City, there’s something else to commemorate the earliest stages of the British Invasion: the fact that the first American Beatles 7-inch record was produced by United Record Pressing–then, as now, one of the largest makers of vinyl in the world.

On Monday, as I swung through Nashville on Road Trip 2008, I was lucky enough to get to visit the production facilities of United Record Pressing here and get a firsthand look at how LPs are made. Before you scoff at the notion of making records, consider that over the last few years, the format has made a big comeback, with sales skyrocketing and turntables moving off store shelves like they haven’t in years.

Why? The reason is pure irony.

According to Jay Millar, the marketing and sales manager for United Record Pressing, it has everything to do with the emergence of Apple’s oh-so-ubiquitous MP3 player.

“It really started picking up when iPods started coming onto the scene,” Millar said. “Everything got so sterile with digital that people were not spending time” with the physical manifestation of their music.

A record-pressing machine at United Record Pressing. The company is one of only three in the United States that still produces LPs in any meaningful amounts.

In other words, as iPods began to dominate the music world, people were leaving their CDs on the shelves, and iTunes downloads, as well as those via file-sharing services, took over.

But for audiophiles used to actually handling some sort of disc, this change has led to a reversal of fortune for the LP, a format long thought to have gone the way of the floppy disk.

For a company like United Record Pressing, that’s been great news, as its sales have been going up steadily as more and more artists turn to records as a way to get their music into the hands of people who care about it.

So how is a record made?

First, a separate company with facilities nearby takes the original recording–which can come in the form of an audio tape, but (audiophiles, cover your eyes here) more often comes on CDs since many artists are using software like ProTools to cut their tracks–and uses it to cut the familiar circular grooves into an object called a lacquer.

The lacquer is then delivered to United Record Pressing, which begins the process of actually making the LPs.

First, the lacquer is sprayed with a layer of silver, which, after it sets, is then peeled off. The resulting sheet is known as the master, and it is the opposite of a record, because it has ridges rather than grooves.

The master is then used to make what is known as the mother, a metal version of the record that can, itself, actually be played.

At United Record Pressing, black is not the only color of vinyl that is used. There’s also red, orange, blue, gray, and even a mixture made from the cuttings of the other colors.

The mother is then pressed into what is known as the stamper, and this, too, has ridges. The stamper actually is the basis of every record that comes out of this factory.

At this point, it’s all about raw vinyl, millions of little chunks of the material that resemble Pop Rocks.

And it’s not just black either. The company also makes records that are red, orange, blue, and gray. Sometimes, it takes all the discarded vinyl from several pressings and mixes them together into a kind of hodgepodge color.

First, the vinyl is melted down into what is called the biscuit. This is the center of the record, the round part with no grooves and the little hole. To this is added the label, which is pressed onto the biscuit, a step that doesn’t require any adhesive. Rather, the biscuit is so hot from the vinyl being melted down that the label sticks right on.

The labels, which are printed here by the thousands, are actually baked in a special oven so that they retain no moisture, something that could cause bubbling on the actual record.

To ensure that labels don’t bubble up after being pressed onto a record, the labels are baked in an oven to remove any moisture.

Then, the biscuit is placed in the middle of a machine and then it is joined together with a fresh supply of vinyl, and together they are smashed between a plate and the stamper. A blade then shears off the excess vinyl, and voila! A brand new record slides out of the machine and onto a rack.

When all is said and done, it’s actually a remarkably simply process. But there’s still much more that must happen before an LP leaves the facility.

First, at least one of each new album run must be tested. So on one side of a room that long ago was used as a room for record release and signing parties–Hank Williams Jr. had a party thrown for him here when he was 16, Millar said–a woman is sitting and bobbing her head as she listens to songs on headphones, making sure the new record has no problems. If it does, United Record Pressing will have to tell the record company what the issue is.

There’s also the small matter of putting the records in their sleeves–something I saw two people tucked away in a corner of one room doing. They had their process down pat: grab an LP, inspect it quickly for obvious defects, pick up a sleeve, slide in the record, repeat.

Millar showed me a room in the basement of the building that contained thousands and thousands of folders–really, they seemed like extra-thick album covers with no art–that contain the masters of every record the company has produced over the years. This is a treasure trove bar none, since United Record Pressing works with pretty much every major label you can imagine.

Inside each folder is the master, and a full set of all the associated materials: the master, a label, an album jacket, and anything else that might be included, such as liner notes. And these days, as with an Elvis Costello album Millar showed me, the folders may also hold an insert with information for a digital download of the album.

In fact, it is these digital downloads that may be heralding the re-emergence of the LP and the death of the CD. That’s because many artists are now offering record buyers a one-time free download of all the tracks on the album as a bonus.

This is still a small enough phenomenon, of course, to barely register on Apple’s radar. iTunes is safe, in other words.

Still, for audiophiles who used to buy CDs, this gives them a way to have a physical disc to listen to the music on, as well as a way to easily tote it with them.

“People don’t need their discs to be compact anymore,” said Millar, “because you can’t get much more compact than MP3. So it’s back to the big discs.”

SOURCE: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News.com