Here is a local story from Oregon about our beloved vinyl. Thank you to Nancy Anderson at http://www.oregonlive.com for allowing me to reprint this interesting material:
Hillsboro woman is devoted to vintage vinyl LPs -- and makes it pay
Jan Nissen's home office in Hillsboro is packed with dinosaurs -- thousands of vinyl records side by side and categorized by decades from the 1940s to the 1970s.
The 62-year-old great-grandmother launched a small business to cater to a renewed interest in retro LPs, and she's found customers around the world willing to pay plenty for the pleasure of analog sound and the dramatically illustrated album covers and extensive liner notes.
"I could not have imagined this in my wildest dreams," says Nissen, owner of Gosinta: My store for Turntables, Vinyl Records and More, (http://stores.ebay.com/Gosinta) which pretty much describes the contents of her online store, which is in fact that small home office.
Her timing was perfect, just as vinyl LPs became cool again in our digital age. Album sales have resurged in the last decade. The beauty of imperfect analog has been discovered by a generation raised on digital -- and remembered fondly by older audiophiles.
In 2005, Nissen and her husband, Nick, stopped at a garage sale not far from home. It was the last day, and everything was half price. So they pulled over the car and decided to browse. For $20 she walked away with at least 1,000 records and a vague notion she'd try to make a few bucks by selling the records online. But when her first sale to a customer in Russia went for $178, her little hobby quickly turned into a second career.
Today, she sells a few hundred albums online every month. Most go for $10 to $25, and rarely less than $5. The prize in her collection: the 1971 soundtrack to the movie "The Andromeda Strain" valued at nearly $1,000.
"This is a mom-and-pop business," Nissen says, "but mostly mom." While husband Nick works days as a facility supervisor for the city of Tigard, she carefully follows up on more than 150 daily emails, categorizes and prices each record, and processes and ships orders.
Back in the 1960s, Nissen began working in administration in the music industry and stayed for 40 years. Now she's back in an industry she loved and grew up in. She understands the nostalgia attached to the albums, and judging by sales, plenty of her customers do, too.
"It's like visiting an old friend," Nissen says. "The feel in your hands, the pictures and the sound are all a part of it. Records bring people together, back to the days when listening to music was a family affair and something shared with friends."
Her most prized LP is a vintage Van Morrison, "Tupelo Honey." She has one copy. It's not for sale.
Since she started, she's launched a Web site to update her customers and celebrate music history. She's kept her business small and sticks to the basics.
"Catch a hold of your dream and ride it," she says. "That's the first step. Also, be willing to fail. Failure will show you where to make a turn and go a better way."
Five years later records now come to her from throughout Oregon, mostly through referrals.
"Some people want to part with their records and I find them a new home," Nissen says. "It's exciting. Look at all these beautiful records. And I haven't been to a garage sale in over a year."
Written by -- Nancy Anderson
http://www.oregonlive.com/
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne
Let's continue our feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 24th year of syndication (1986-2010), 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 (http://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 JANUARY 11, 2010
DEAR JERRY: Years ago you provided some little-known details about the pre-Beverly Hills “Beverly Hillbillies”; facts regarding the theme song as well as the show in general.
Is my memory correct that there were occasional character and plot crossovers between this series and “Petticoat Junction”?
You indicate the Hillbillies theme is performed by Flatt & Scruggs. Is the Junction theme also by them?
Both shows seem to be set in roughly the same rural setting. Is that the case?
Do any of the TV characters represent real people?
—Sherry Buckman, Fond du Lac, Wisc.
DEAR SHERRY: The crossovers are because Paul Henning is the creator-producer of both “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Petticoat Junction,” along with “Green Acres”; “The Bob Cummings Show”; “Startime”; and many others.
For example, in one “Beverly Hillbillies” episode, “Christmas in Hooterville,” aired December 25, 1968, the Clampetts spent Christmas at Petticoat Junction's Shady Rest Hotel.
In 1962, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs recorded the “Beverly Hillbillies” TV theme as well as the hit single, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” (Columbia 42606).
A little over a year later, Flatt & Scruggs waxed their version of “Petticoat Junction” (Columbia 42982), also a sizable hit for them.
However, the version played on the weekly sitcom is by Curt Massey, who co-wrote the song with Paul Henning. Massey also issued it on vinyl (Capitol 5135) in early '64.
As for the untold, scenes-behind-the-scenes story, read on:
DEAR JERRY: The Junction's Shady Rest depicts a real inn, the Shane Hotel, hidden deep in the Ozark Mountains since 1905. The Shane was run by a single family.
In the summer, the local kids really did swim in the tank that provided water for the locomotive, not totally unlike the three girls (Bobbie Jo; Betty Jo; Billie Jo) cooling in the tank during the show's opening moments.
The Shane could only be reached by train, in this case the M&NA (Missouri & Northern Arkansas), and that is true even today. There is no road to the hotel.
Getting on or off at the hotel back in 1905 required one to flag or signal the train, just as seen in “Petticoat Junction.” In the series, rather than the M&NA line, the name is changed to the fictitious CF&W, also known as the Hooterville Cannonball.
The town Hooterville is really Leslie, and Pixley is nearby Shirley, two real towns in northern Arkansas.
Come to Leslie (on Hwy 65) and see how closely the area matches “Pettitcoat Junction,” including Drucker's store. In Leslie, this store is named Dericksons.
Everyone in the area is excited about getting the Shane Hotel registered as a landmark, then opening up its real history. Visitors can't believe the size of it and where it is built. Even by modern standards, it is quite a feat, more so in 1905 with no roads in the Ozarks. Only the historic Cannonball Express could make the journey.
The Arkansas Ozarks peaked in the 1920s, and the train brought life to hidden sections of the Ozarks. Some say the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks are the same, but not so. The Arkansas Ozarks are 10 times as big and 10 times as rugged.
Granny Clampett is really Granny Henderson, who was born and raised on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. She actually met Paul Henning near there when Paul was camping in the Ozarks.
Many names and events from “The Beverly Hillbillies” are taken from real things very close to the Buffalo River. Among them are Cousin Pearl, who worked in Dogpatch; Granny's friend in Timbo; and the Bodgins from Botkinberg that feuded with Granny.
I am in touch with every historic society in all the towns the enchanted Cannonball ran through.
—John Lorenz, Greenbrier, Ark.
IZ ZAT SO? Character actor Frank Cady is one of only three in the cast to remain with “Petticoat Junction” for its entire seven-year run.
Cady simultaneously appeared as Sam Drucker on “Petticoat Junction”; “Green Acres”; and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” No other actor has done that on three sitcoms at the same time, as the same character.
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: http://www.jerryosborne.com/. All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2010 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 11, 2010
DEAR JERRY: Years ago you provided some little-known details about the pre-Beverly Hills “Beverly Hillbillies”; facts regarding the theme song as well as the show in general.
Is my memory correct that there were occasional character and plot crossovers between this series and “Petticoat Junction”?
You indicate the Hillbillies theme is performed by Flatt & Scruggs. Is the Junction theme also by them?
Both shows seem to be set in roughly the same rural setting. Is that the case?
Do any of the TV characters represent real people?
—Sherry Buckman, Fond du Lac, Wisc.
For example, in one “Beverly Hillbillies” episode, “Christmas in Hooterville,” aired December 25, 1968, the Clampetts spent Christmas at Petticoat Junction's Shady Rest Hotel.
In 1962, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs recorded the “Beverly Hillbillies” TV theme as well as the hit single, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” (Columbia 42606).
A little over a year later, Flatt & Scruggs waxed their version of “Petticoat Junction” (Columbia 42982), also a sizable hit for them.
However, the version played on the weekly sitcom is by Curt Massey, who co-wrote the song with Paul Henning. Massey also issued it on vinyl (Capitol 5135) in early '64.
As for the untold, scenes-behind-the-scenes story, read on:
In the summer, the local kids really did swim in the tank that provided water for the locomotive, not totally unlike the three girls (Bobbie Jo; Betty Jo; Billie Jo) cooling in the tank during the show's opening moments.
The Shane could only be reached by train, in this case the M&NA (Missouri & Northern Arkansas), and that is true even today. There is no road to the hotel.
Getting on or off at the hotel back in 1905 required one to flag or signal the train, just as seen in “Petticoat Junction.” In the series, rather than the M&NA line, the name is changed to the fictitious CF&W, also known as the Hooterville Cannonball.
The town Hooterville is really Leslie, and Pixley is nearby Shirley, two real towns in northern Arkansas.
Come to Leslie (on Hwy 65) and see how closely the area matches “Pettitcoat Junction,” including Drucker's store. In Leslie, this store is named Dericksons.
Everyone in the area is excited about getting the Shane Hotel registered as a landmark, then opening up its real history. Visitors can't believe the size of it and where it is built. Even by modern standards, it is quite a feat, more so in 1905 with no roads in the Ozarks. Only the historic Cannonball Express could make the journey.
The Arkansas Ozarks peaked in the 1920s, and the train brought life to hidden sections of the Ozarks. Some say the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks are the same, but not so. The Arkansas Ozarks are 10 times as big and 10 times as rugged.
Granny Clampett is really Granny Henderson, who was born and raised on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. She actually met Paul Henning near there when Paul was camping in the Ozarks.
Many names and events from “The Beverly Hillbillies” are taken from real things very close to the Buffalo River. Among them are Cousin Pearl, who worked in Dogpatch; Granny's friend in Timbo; and the Bodgins from Botkinberg that feuded with Granny.
I am in touch with every historic society in all the towns the enchanted Cannonball ran through.
—John Lorenz, Greenbrier, Ark.
IZ ZAT SO? Character actor Frank Cady is one of only three in the cast to remain with “Petticoat Junction” for its entire seven-year run.
Cady simultaneously appeared as Sam Drucker on “Petticoat Junction”; “Green Acres”; and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” No other actor has done that on three sitcoms at the same time, as the same character.
Copyright 2010 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
Music News & Notes
The Decade of Disturbed Begins!
BURBANK, Calif. - (Business Wire) The countdown to the Decade of Disturbed has begun at www.disturbed1.com!
In March 2010, the band will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of their quadruple-platinum-selling debut album The Sickness by reissuing it with exclusive b-sides and expanded artwork, as well as a first-time-ever vinyl edition. Also in March, Disturbed will relaunch their official website with a special section, accessible by a code included with The Sickness reissue, that will contain exclusive clips, updated weekly, of the band recording their upcoming new album, due for release from Reprise Records later this year. There will also be a special DOD section that will be available for everyone.
Released on March 7, 2000, The Sickness is Disturbed’s best-selling album to date, thanks to such hit singles as “Stupify,” “Voices,” and “Down With the Sickness,” which is the seventh most downloaded track of the ’90s according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Formed in Chicago in 1996, Disturbed have sold 11 million albums and six million digital tracks worldwide, and have scored eight No. 1 singles at Active Rock radio over the course of their career. Their latest album, the platinum self-produced Indestructible, debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in June 2008 and remained in the Top 10 for five weeks. Indestructible is the band’s third consecutive Number One album, following their platinum-sellers Believe (2002) and Ten Thousand Fists (2005), making Disturbed one of only six rock bands in history to score three consecutive Number One debuts with studio albums.
Disturbed is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist John Moyer. For more on the band, including news about the “Decade of Disturbed,” please visit www.disturbed1.com.
========================
Roky Erickson to Release New Album with Okkervil River
Roky Erickson may not be a household name anymore, but his band ,the 13th Floor Elevators, are frequently cited as pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement. Since the group's breakup in 1969, however, Erickson has faced a variety of personal setbacks: he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and did time in a hospital for the criminally insane after being charged with marijuana possession.
On April 20, Erickson is set to return with True Love Cast Out All Evil, his first new album in 14 years. The collection, which will be released via Anti-, was produced by Will Sheff, whose group Okkervil River acted as Erickson's backing band on the disc. The band previously backed Erickson for his 2008 and 2009 appearances at SXSW.
The songs featured on the album were chosen by Sheff, who was given demos of 60 unreleased tracks from throughout Erickson's life. The songs that made the cut were written at various times over the past 40 years, including some that were penned during Erickson's time in the asylum.
In a statement, Sheff explained, "There were songs written during business setbacks, including the Elevators’ painful breakup, songs written by Roky while he was incarcerated at Rusk, and a great deal of songs that reminded me of the sense of optimism and romanticism that I think sustained Roky through his worst years."
========================
The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Remake Gets Its Cast
Famed director Robert Zemeckis (The Polar Express, Beowulf) has been striving to lend his creative twist to the Beatles' legendary 1968 feature film, Yellow Submarine. Well, now he can, he has his cast.
British actors Cary Elwes, Dean Lennox Kelly, Peter Serafinowicz and Adam Campbell are at the front of the line for portraying the Fab Four, Billboard reports. So who is playing who? Elwes will reportedly portray George Harrison, Kelly will play John Lennon, Serafinowicz has Paul McCartney and Campbell will take on Ringo Starr. Also lending a hand in the Disney film is popular tribute band Fab 4, who will portray the performances of John, Paul, George and Ringo while the music itself will remain genuine Beatles.
Like its predecessor, the flick will remain animated, but in keeping with current practice, this time around it will be computer-animated. As with his latest film, A Christmas Carol, Zemeckis will shoot live actors and then transform them into computer-generated visions, otherwise known as 3D performance-capture technology.
No confirmation has been made on whether or not surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr will have some hand in the remake, though previous reports indicated that Zemeckis is courting both for the project.
Disney aspires to release the film in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
========================
CULT OF LUNA albums slated for vinyl release
CULT OF LUNA are set to have their first two albums released on vinyl LP for the first time ever.
Earache Records will be releasing Cult Of Luna's self-titled debut album and its follow-up, The Beyond, on January 25th on limited edition, double gatefold, coloured vinyl LP, marking the first time these album have ever been pressed on vinyl. The release is part of Earache's "First Time on Vinyl" campaign, plugging the gaps in the Earache catalogue previously unavailable on vinyl.
Cult Of Luna and The Beyond have been specially remastered for this release by producer Pelle Henricsson (Refused, Hell Is For Heroes) and include exclusive new artwork by Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson. The debut, Cult Of Luna, includes three songs enhanced and extended specifically for this vinyl edition.
View the exclusive album art and vinyl colours here.
http://earacherecords.com/myspace/col_firsttimeonvinyl.jpg
Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson comments: "We chose to re-design the sleeves in a refined Cult Of Luna aesthetic, still honoring the original pieces which are very important for us as well."
========================
IfIHadAHiFi to Return favor, Name EP After Nada Surf
Milwaukee Noise-Rock Band Returns Favor, Names New EP After Nada Surf
MILWAUKEE, WI – Wisconsin noise-rock ensemble IfIHadAHiFi, flattered by the recent decision by New York alternative band Nada Surf to reference them in the name of their upcoming covers album If I Had A Hi-Fi, have announced that they are working on an upcoming EP of new original material that they will title Nada Surf in return, continuing a proud tradition of mutual collaboration started by groups like U2, Negativland, REM and Green.
“When we found out that Nada Surf were naming their new record after us, we were really flattered and honored,” says HiFi drummer DrAwkward. “We honestly didn’t realize they were such big fans.”
“We were disappointed when they declined to name their 2003 release, Let Go, after us,” added bassist MrAlarm. “A friend had forwarded us an email from their mailing list that explained that they had decided against it because there was ‘a band from the Midwest who had the same idea for their name.’ Apparently over the years they became big fans of ours and decided to do it anyway. And hey, good for them! If there’s an established brand that screams ‘unit movers,’ it’s IfIHadAHiFi.”
In return, IfIHadAHiFi have announced that their new EP, which the band began tracking in December with local musician/engineer Thom Geibel (White Wrench Conservatory, Quinn Scharber and the…), will be titled Nada Surf. “I mean, it’s the least we can do to show our appreciation for the free exposure,” says guitarist Yale Delay. “The music scene’s all about community, you know? If Nada Surf is willing to plug us to their fans, the least we can do is let our fans know that there’s this great band out there called Nada Surf that they should check out.”
However, while the Nada Surf album seems to be built conceptually around the Milwaukee noise-rock group, keyboardist/guitarist/bassist Rev. Ever explains that the favor can’t be returned to quite that extent. “Judging from their tracklist, it looks like a smorgasbord of our influences. I mean, Kate Bush? The Moody Blues? Hell, Depeche Mode are the reason I picked up a guitar. Which I know is weird, since they’re mostly a keyboard band, but whatever. Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to change our tracklist, so none of our songs have anything to do with Nada Surf at all. Sorry guys!”
IfIHadAHiFi are shooting for a summer/fall 2010 release for the Nada Surf EP, to be released on vinyl and flash drive formats on Latest Flame Records, the home of their 2008 release Fame By Proxy (still lots of copies left! For the love of God, please buy one. Our label dude’s been questioning his judgment).
ABOUT IFIHADAHIFI
Self-described “bitter, pissy assholes who play loud, unlistenable cacophony with a dance beat,” IfIHadAHiFi formed in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley in 2000, relocating to Milwaukee in 2002 in order to “make it in the big city.” In a review for their 2001 release Ones and Zeroes, Pitchfork stated “they could stand to be an important band. Or at least a lot of fun.” (The author of the review has not been spotted on the website since.) One of Alternative Press’ “100 bands you need to hear in 2005,” The HiFi have shared the stage with such notables as Melt-Banana, Rocket From the Tombs, NoMeansNo, Poster Children, and most recently opened the Milwaukee show on the Jesus Lizard’s 2009 reunion tour. Women want to know them, and men want to know their secrets.
========================
Little Boots Set to Release Much-Anticipated Full-Length Album
British dance-pop sensation Little Boots will release her much-anticipated full-length album debut, "HANDS" in the U.S. and Canada March 2nd, 2010 on Elektra Records. "HANDS," which was released in June '09 in the UK, features the hit songs "Stuck on Repeat," "New In Town" and current single, "Remedy," which the NY Post recently praised as a "synth-pop gem" and named one of their "Top 209 songs of 2009." Beginning today, "HANDS" will be available for preorder as CD and limited edition vinyl at: http://store.elektra.com/collections/little-boots-us-webstore
Little Boots -- known to her family and friends as Victoria Hesketh -- is without question the most talked-about new UK pop star of 2009. She was named one of NME's Best New Artists of the year, won a BRITs Critic's Choice Award and BBC's distinguished "Sound of 2009" poll and is the first artist to have appeared on the Jools Holland show TWICE before an album release. Here in the U.S., Rolling Stone named Little Boots as one of their prestigious "Artists to Watch" and Nylon Magazine hailed, "Synth sensation Victoria Hesketh a.k.a. Little Boots is poised to reinvent pop one small dance step at a time."
The Blackpool-born performer first captured attention as a member of electro-indie combo Dead Disco. Opting to pursue a solo career as Little Boots, she assembled an arsenal of synths and began airing her developing work on YouTube for all to see. Earlier this year Little Boots' U.S.-only "ILLUMINATIONS" EP was released and served as an ideal introduction to her acclaimed brand of futuristic electro-pop. The five-track EP featured rare and exclusive tracks including the irrepressible anthem, "Stuck on Repeat" which started it all.
========================
Simon & Garfunkel Confirm Sole 2010 U.S. Gig at New Orleans Jazz Festival
Rolling Stone is reporting that Simon & Garfunkel have been added to the first weekend of this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, marking the lone U.S. performance the legendary duo will make in 2010. The pair will perform on Saturday, April 24th, the second day of the festival, which runs until May 2nd.
“Over the years I’ve always enjoyed performing at Jazz Fest,” Paul Simon said in a statement. “Everyone connected with the Festival, and in particular Quint Davis [director of Jazz Fest], has created an atmosphere that is both musical and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform with my old friend Art Garfunkel at this year’s Festival.”
BURBANK, Calif. - (Business Wire) The countdown to the Decade of Disturbed has begun at www.disturbed1.com!
In March 2010, the band will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of their quadruple-platinum-selling debut album The Sickness by reissuing it with exclusive b-sides and expanded artwork, as well as a first-time-ever vinyl edition. Also in March, Disturbed will relaunch their official website with a special section, accessible by a code included with The Sickness reissue, that will contain exclusive clips, updated weekly, of the band recording their upcoming new album, due for release from Reprise Records later this year. There will also be a special DOD section that will be available for everyone.
Released on March 7, 2000, The Sickness is Disturbed’s best-selling album to date, thanks to such hit singles as “Stupify,” “Voices,” and “Down With the Sickness,” which is the seventh most downloaded track of the ’90s according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Formed in Chicago in 1996, Disturbed have sold 11 million albums and six million digital tracks worldwide, and have scored eight No. 1 singles at Active Rock radio over the course of their career. Their latest album, the platinum self-produced Indestructible, debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in June 2008 and remained in the Top 10 for five weeks. Indestructible is the band’s third consecutive Number One album, following their platinum-sellers Believe (2002) and Ten Thousand Fists (2005), making Disturbed one of only six rock bands in history to score three consecutive Number One debuts with studio albums.
Disturbed is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist John Moyer. For more on the band, including news about the “Decade of Disturbed,” please visit www.disturbed1.com.
========================
Roky Erickson to Release New Album with Okkervil River
Roky Erickson may not be a household name anymore, but his band ,the 13th Floor Elevators, are frequently cited as pioneers of the psychedelic rock movement. Since the group's breakup in 1969, however, Erickson has faced a variety of personal setbacks: he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and did time in a hospital for the criminally insane after being charged with marijuana possession.
On April 20, Erickson is set to return with True Love Cast Out All Evil, his first new album in 14 years. The collection, which will be released via Anti-, was produced by Will Sheff, whose group Okkervil River acted as Erickson's backing band on the disc. The band previously backed Erickson for his 2008 and 2009 appearances at SXSW.
The songs featured on the album were chosen by Sheff, who was given demos of 60 unreleased tracks from throughout Erickson's life. The songs that made the cut were written at various times over the past 40 years, including some that were penned during Erickson's time in the asylum.
In a statement, Sheff explained, "There were songs written during business setbacks, including the Elevators’ painful breakup, songs written by Roky while he was incarcerated at Rusk, and a great deal of songs that reminded me of the sense of optimism and romanticism that I think sustained Roky through his worst years."
========================
The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Remake Gets Its Cast
Famed director Robert Zemeckis (The Polar Express, Beowulf) has been striving to lend his creative twist to the Beatles' legendary 1968 feature film, Yellow Submarine. Well, now he can, he has his cast.
British actors Cary Elwes, Dean Lennox Kelly, Peter Serafinowicz and Adam Campbell are at the front of the line for portraying the Fab Four, Billboard reports. So who is playing who? Elwes will reportedly portray George Harrison, Kelly will play John Lennon, Serafinowicz has Paul McCartney and Campbell will take on Ringo Starr. Also lending a hand in the Disney film is popular tribute band Fab 4, who will portray the performances of John, Paul, George and Ringo while the music itself will remain genuine Beatles.
Like its predecessor, the flick will remain animated, but in keeping with current practice, this time around it will be computer-animated. As with his latest film, A Christmas Carol, Zemeckis will shoot live actors and then transform them into computer-generated visions, otherwise known as 3D performance-capture technology.
No confirmation has been made on whether or not surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr will have some hand in the remake, though previous reports indicated that Zemeckis is courting both for the project.
Disney aspires to release the film in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
========================
CULT OF LUNA albums slated for vinyl release
CULT OF LUNA are set to have their first two albums released on vinyl LP for the first time ever.
Earache Records will be releasing Cult Of Luna's self-titled debut album and its follow-up, The Beyond, on January 25th on limited edition, double gatefold, coloured vinyl LP, marking the first time these album have ever been pressed on vinyl. The release is part of Earache's "First Time on Vinyl" campaign, plugging the gaps in the Earache catalogue previously unavailable on vinyl.
Cult Of Luna and The Beyond have been specially remastered for this release by producer Pelle Henricsson (Refused, Hell Is For Heroes) and include exclusive new artwork by Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson. The debut, Cult Of Luna, includes three songs enhanced and extended specifically for this vinyl edition.
View the exclusive album art and vinyl colours here.
http://earacherecords.com/myspace/col_firsttimeonvinyl.jpg
Cult Of Luna guitarist Erik Olofsson comments: "We chose to re-design the sleeves in a refined Cult Of Luna aesthetic, still honoring the original pieces which are very important for us as well."
========================
IfIHadAHiFi to Return favor, Name EP After Nada Surf
Milwaukee Noise-Rock Band Returns Favor, Names New EP After Nada Surf
MILWAUKEE, WI – Wisconsin noise-rock ensemble IfIHadAHiFi, flattered by the recent decision by New York alternative band Nada Surf to reference them in the name of their upcoming covers album If I Had A Hi-Fi, have announced that they are working on an upcoming EP of new original material that they will title Nada Surf in return, continuing a proud tradition of mutual collaboration started by groups like U2, Negativland, REM and Green.
“When we found out that Nada Surf were naming their new record after us, we were really flattered and honored,” says HiFi drummer DrAwkward. “We honestly didn’t realize they were such big fans.”
“We were disappointed when they declined to name their 2003 release, Let Go, after us,” added bassist MrAlarm. “A friend had forwarded us an email from their mailing list that explained that they had decided against it because there was ‘a band from the Midwest who had the same idea for their name.’ Apparently over the years they became big fans of ours and decided to do it anyway. And hey, good for them! If there’s an established brand that screams ‘unit movers,’ it’s IfIHadAHiFi.”
In return, IfIHadAHiFi have announced that their new EP, which the band began tracking in December with local musician/engineer Thom Geibel (White Wrench Conservatory, Quinn Scharber and the…), will be titled Nada Surf. “I mean, it’s the least we can do to show our appreciation for the free exposure,” says guitarist Yale Delay. “The music scene’s all about community, you know? If Nada Surf is willing to plug us to their fans, the least we can do is let our fans know that there’s this great band out there called Nada Surf that they should check out.”
However, while the Nada Surf album seems to be built conceptually around the Milwaukee noise-rock group, keyboardist/guitarist/bassist Rev. Ever explains that the favor can’t be returned to quite that extent. “Judging from their tracklist, it looks like a smorgasbord of our influences. I mean, Kate Bush? The Moody Blues? Hell, Depeche Mode are the reason I picked up a guitar. Which I know is weird, since they’re mostly a keyboard band, but whatever. Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to change our tracklist, so none of our songs have anything to do with Nada Surf at all. Sorry guys!”
IfIHadAHiFi are shooting for a summer/fall 2010 release for the Nada Surf EP, to be released on vinyl and flash drive formats on Latest Flame Records, the home of their 2008 release Fame By Proxy (still lots of copies left! For the love of God, please buy one. Our label dude’s been questioning his judgment).
ABOUT IFIHADAHIFI
Self-described “bitter, pissy assholes who play loud, unlistenable cacophony with a dance beat,” IfIHadAHiFi formed in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley in 2000, relocating to Milwaukee in 2002 in order to “make it in the big city.” In a review for their 2001 release Ones and Zeroes, Pitchfork stated “they could stand to be an important band. Or at least a lot of fun.” (The author of the review has not been spotted on the website since.) One of Alternative Press’ “100 bands you need to hear in 2005,” The HiFi have shared the stage with such notables as Melt-Banana, Rocket From the Tombs, NoMeansNo, Poster Children, and most recently opened the Milwaukee show on the Jesus Lizard’s 2009 reunion tour. Women want to know them, and men want to know their secrets.
========================
Little Boots Set to Release Much-Anticipated Full-Length Album
British dance-pop sensation Little Boots will release her much-anticipated full-length album debut, "HANDS" in the U.S. and Canada March 2nd, 2010 on Elektra Records. "HANDS," which was released in June '09 in the UK, features the hit songs "Stuck on Repeat," "New In Town" and current single, "Remedy," which the NY Post recently praised as a "synth-pop gem" and named one of their "Top 209 songs of 2009." Beginning today, "HANDS" will be available for preorder as CD and limited edition vinyl at: http://store.elektra.com/collections/little-boots-us-webstore
Little Boots -- known to her family and friends as Victoria Hesketh -- is without question the most talked-about new UK pop star of 2009. She was named one of NME's Best New Artists of the year, won a BRITs Critic's Choice Award and BBC's distinguished "Sound of 2009" poll and is the first artist to have appeared on the Jools Holland show TWICE before an album release. Here in the U.S., Rolling Stone named Little Boots as one of their prestigious "Artists to Watch" and Nylon Magazine hailed, "Synth sensation Victoria Hesketh a.k.a. Little Boots is poised to reinvent pop one small dance step at a time."
The Blackpool-born performer first captured attention as a member of electro-indie combo Dead Disco. Opting to pursue a solo career as Little Boots, she assembled an arsenal of synths and began airing her developing work on YouTube for all to see. Earlier this year Little Boots' U.S.-only "ILLUMINATIONS" EP was released and served as an ideal introduction to her acclaimed brand of futuristic electro-pop. The five-track EP featured rare and exclusive tracks including the irrepressible anthem, "Stuck on Repeat" which started it all.
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Simon & Garfunkel Confirm Sole 2010 U.S. Gig at New Orleans Jazz Festival
Rolling Stone is reporting that Simon & Garfunkel have been added to the first weekend of this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, marking the lone U.S. performance the legendary duo will make in 2010. The pair will perform on Saturday, April 24th, the second day of the festival, which runs until May 2nd.
“Over the years I’ve always enjoyed performing at Jazz Fest,” Paul Simon said in a statement. “Everyone connected with the Festival, and in particular Quint Davis [director of Jazz Fest], has created an atmosphere that is both musical and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform with my old friend Art Garfunkel at this year’s Festival.”
This Date In Music History-January 13
Birthdays:
Robert ‘Squirrel’ Lester - Chi-Lites (1930)
John Lees - Barclay James Harvest (1948)
Trevor Rabin - former Yes guitarist (1954)
Fred White - Earth, Wind and Fire (1955)
Don Snow - Squeeze (1957)
Jim Paris - Carmel (1957)
James Lomenzo - White Lion/Megadeth (1959)
Graham McPherson - Madness (1961)
Tim Kelly - Slaughter (1967)
Zach de la Rocha - Rage Against The Machine (1970)
They Are Missed:
In 1979, soul pop singer Danny Hathaway, known for his duets with Roberta Flack ("Where Is the Love?") died after jumping, (or falling - police couldn't reach a conclusion) from a 15th floor hotel room in New York City. According to his record company, Atlantic, Hathaway had been having some psychological problems and hadn't done much in the way of music lately. He was 34 years old.
The late Bobby Lester of the Moonglows ("Sincerely") was born in 1930.
Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist, Michael Brecker, died in New York in 2007 after battling leukemia. Over the course of his lengthy career Brecker was heard on albums by Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
History:
In 1906, the first advertisement for a radio, a Telimco selling for $7.50, appeared in the magazine "Scientific American."
Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin" in Hollywood in 1957.
Radio station KWK in St. Louis declared Rock n’ Roll dead in 1958. After giving their Rock records a final play, the station staff break them. No word on if they ordered more.....
The Beatles recorded a TV appearance on the ABC Television program 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' in Birmingham in 1963, playing their new single, "Please Please Me." The show was broadcast on January 19.
The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the US in 1964.
The first day of recording sessions for Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home album were held at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios in New York City in 1965.
In 1968, Dr. K.C. Pollack of the University of Florida audio lab reported that tests have found that the noise generated at rock & roll concerts is harmful to teenage ears.
Johnny Cash recorded a live album at Folsom Prison in 1968.
In 1969, Elvis Presley recorded in Memphis for the first time since his early days with Sun records; the session eventually produces his 18th Number One hit single, "Suspicious Minds."
John Lennon and Yoko Ono cut their hair and donated it to a charity auction in 1970.
Carly Simon started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with 'No Secrets'.
Aerosmith's self-titled debut was released in 1973. It contains the band staples "Dream On" and "Mama Kin."
Eric Clapton has spent the last couple of years troubled by drug addiction. However, on this night in 1973, he makes a triumphant comeback at London's Rainbow Theater. He sells out two shows as the set opens and closes with "Layla." Afterward Clapton told a reporter, "I was very nervous, felt sick, the whole bit." Referring to the audience he responded, "They don't know how much it helped me."
The trial of seven Brunswick Records and Dakar Records employees on charges of bilking artists out of more than $184,000 in royalties began in 1976. The charges had been brought during a federal investigation for possible instances of payola.
In 1978, the Police started recording their first album at Surrey Sound Studios, Surrey, England with producer Nigel Gray.
Also in 1978, Elvis Presley's version of Paul Anka's "My Way" goes gold in five months after the King's death. Earlier, it had become one of Presley's 78 Top Twenty-five hits.
The Y.M.C.A. files a lawsuit in 1979 against the Village People over their song, "Y.M.C.A." The suit was later dropped.
The Grateful Dead, Beach Boys and Jefferson Starship were the featured acts at a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea, held at the Oakland Coliseum in 1980.
In 1984, BBC Radio 1 announced a ban on "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, after DJ Mike Read called it 'obscene', a BBC TV ban also followed. The song went on to become a UK No.1 and spent a total of 48 weeks on the UK chart.
In 1993, singer Bobby Brown was arrested in Augusta, GA for simulating a sex act onstage. It was the second time that the Augusta police department booked him for the same offense.
Christina Aguilera had the US #1 single in 2000 with "What A Girl Wants."
In 2005, a report showed that more songs had been written about Elvis Presley than any other artist. It listed over 220 songs including: "Graceland" by Paul Simon, "A Room At The Heartbreakhotel" by U2, "Calling Elvis," Dire Straits, "Happy Birthday Elvis," Loudon Wainwright III, "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis," Kirsty MacColl, "I Saw Elvis in a UFO," Ray Stevens. "Elvis Has Left the Building" by Frank Zappa and "My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis" by Ray Herndon.
It's announced in 2006 that The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love" and Bob Dylan's "Bringing It All Back Home" albums will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The inductees represent "the most significant recorded musical masterpieces that have had a profound impact on our culture," says Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.
"Greatest Hits," a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band compilation, was released exclusively via Wal-Mart in 2009. After receiving criticism, Springsteen admits the deal was a mistake.
Robert ‘Squirrel’ Lester - Chi-Lites (1930)
John Lees - Barclay James Harvest (1948)
Trevor Rabin - former Yes guitarist (1954)
Fred White - Earth, Wind and Fire (1955)
Don Snow - Squeeze (1957)
Jim Paris - Carmel (1957)
James Lomenzo - White Lion/Megadeth (1959)
Graham McPherson - Madness (1961)
Tim Kelly - Slaughter (1967)
Zach de la Rocha - Rage Against The Machine (1970)
They Are Missed:
In 1979, soul pop singer Danny Hathaway, known for his duets with Roberta Flack ("Where Is the Love?") died after jumping, (or falling - police couldn't reach a conclusion) from a 15th floor hotel room in New York City. According to his record company, Atlantic, Hathaway had been having some psychological problems and hadn't done much in the way of music lately. He was 34 years old.
The late Bobby Lester of the Moonglows ("Sincerely") was born in 1930.
Grammy Award winning jazz saxophonist, Michael Brecker, died in New York in 2007 after battling leukemia. Over the course of his lengthy career Brecker was heard on albums by Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
History:
In 1906, the first advertisement for a radio, a Telimco selling for $7.50, appeared in the magazine "Scientific American."
Elvis Presley recorded "All Shook Up" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin" in Hollywood in 1957.
Radio station KWK in St. Louis declared Rock n’ Roll dead in 1958. After giving their Rock records a final play, the station staff break them. No word on if they ordered more.....
The Beatles recorded a TV appearance on the ABC Television program 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' in Birmingham in 1963, playing their new single, "Please Please Me." The show was broadcast on January 19.
The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in the US in 1964.
The first day of recording sessions for Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home album were held at Studio A, Columbia Recording Studios in New York City in 1965.
In 1968, Dr. K.C. Pollack of the University of Florida audio lab reported that tests have found that the noise generated at rock & roll concerts is harmful to teenage ears.
Johnny Cash recorded a live album at Folsom Prison in 1968.
In 1969, Elvis Presley recorded in Memphis for the first time since his early days with Sun records; the session eventually produces his 18th Number One hit single, "Suspicious Minds."
John Lennon and Yoko Ono cut their hair and donated it to a charity auction in 1970.
Carly Simon started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with 'No Secrets'.
Aerosmith's self-titled debut was released in 1973. It contains the band staples "Dream On" and "Mama Kin."
Eric Clapton has spent the last couple of years troubled by drug addiction. However, on this night in 1973, he makes a triumphant comeback at London's Rainbow Theater. He sells out two shows as the set opens and closes with "Layla." Afterward Clapton told a reporter, "I was very nervous, felt sick, the whole bit." Referring to the audience he responded, "They don't know how much it helped me."
The trial of seven Brunswick Records and Dakar Records employees on charges of bilking artists out of more than $184,000 in royalties began in 1976. The charges had been brought during a federal investigation for possible instances of payola.
In 1978, the Police started recording their first album at Surrey Sound Studios, Surrey, England with producer Nigel Gray.
Also in 1978, Elvis Presley's version of Paul Anka's "My Way" goes gold in five months after the King's death. Earlier, it had become one of Presley's 78 Top Twenty-five hits.
The Y.M.C.A. files a lawsuit in 1979 against the Village People over their song, "Y.M.C.A." The suit was later dropped.
The Grateful Dead, Beach Boys and Jefferson Starship were the featured acts at a benefit concert for the people of Kampuchea, held at the Oakland Coliseum in 1980.
In 1984, BBC Radio 1 announced a ban on "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, after DJ Mike Read called it 'obscene', a BBC TV ban also followed. The song went on to become a UK No.1 and spent a total of 48 weeks on the UK chart.
In 1993, singer Bobby Brown was arrested in Augusta, GA for simulating a sex act onstage. It was the second time that the Augusta police department booked him for the same offense.
Christina Aguilera had the US #1 single in 2000 with "What A Girl Wants."
In 2005, a report showed that more songs had been written about Elvis Presley than any other artist. It listed over 220 songs including: "Graceland" by Paul Simon, "A Room At The Heartbreakhotel" by U2, "Calling Elvis," Dire Straits, "Happy Birthday Elvis," Loudon Wainwright III, "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis," Kirsty MacColl, "I Saw Elvis in a UFO," Ray Stevens. "Elvis Has Left the Building" by Frank Zappa and "My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis" by Ray Herndon.
It's announced in 2006 that The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold as Love" and Bob Dylan's "Bringing It All Back Home" albums will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. The inductees represent "the most significant recorded musical masterpieces that have had a profound impact on our culture," says Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.
"Greatest Hits," a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band compilation, was released exclusively via Wal-Mart in 2009. After receiving criticism, Springsteen admits the deal was a mistake.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
New Music Releases - January 12, 2010
Buy Vinyl Here: CollectingVinyl
Adam Green - Minor Love (vinyl)
Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals (vinyl)
Alice Cooper - Welcome to My Nightmare
All Time Low - MTV Unplugged (with DVD)
Astroid Galaxy Tour - Fruit (vinyl)
Ben Kweller - Sawdust Man & Send Me Down The Road (vinyl)
Blockhead - Music Scene (vinyl)
Bo Diddley - Have Guitar Will Tour (2 CDs)
Bouncing Souls - Ghosts on the Boardwalk
Buraka Som Sistema - Sound of Kuduro (vinyl)
Capgun Coup - Maudlin (vinyl)
Charley Patton - Electrically Recorded: Moon Going Down (vinyl reissue)
Colin Hay - Company of Strangers (Remastered)
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
Dollyrots - California Beach Boy (vinyl)
Don Williams - The Gentle Giant
Doom - Gazzillion Ear EP (vinyl)
Ellis Paul - The Day After Everything Changed
Elvis Costello - The Costello Show 2: Live At Hollywood High (reissue with bonus tracks)
Elvis Costello - The Costello Show: Live At Hollywood High (reissue with bonus tracks)
Etienne Jaumet – Night Music LP
Exile - Kiss You All Over
Fats Domino - The Fat Man
Final Fantasy - Heartland (vinyl)
Freedy Johnston - Rain on the City
Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks - Texas Sheiks
Guess Who - Rockin'
Guess Who - So Long, Bannatyne
Isaac Hayes - Isaac Hayes Movement
Isaac Hayes - Truck Turner
James Brown - Godfather of Soul
Jason Boesel - Hustler's Son
Johnny Paycheck - Hero of the Working Man
Johnny Winter - Live Bootleg Series Volume 6
Jukebox the Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts (vinyl reissue)
King Crimson - Lizard (Deluxe Edition) (2 CDs)
Kria Brekkan - Uterus Water (vinyl)
Laarks - An Exaltation of Laarks (vinyl)
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance - The Remixes
Laura Veirs - July Flames (vinyl)
Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae
Lynn Anderson - Country Rose
Magda - Fabric 49
Manu Chao - Baionarena (deluxe 2-CD & DVD edition)
Marvin Gaye - Soul Immortal
Mickey Gilley - Urban Cowboy
Nana Grizol - Ruth (vinyl)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Road (soundtrack)
Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates Remix EP (vinyl)
O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) - Rain Or Shine
OK Go - Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky
Omarion - Ollusion
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Paul Weller & Keb Darge - Lost & Found: Real R&B & Soul
Percy Sledge - My Old Friend the Blues
Phil Ochs - I Ain't Marching Anymore
Polysics - Absolute Polysics
Ray Wylie Hubbard - A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C)
Red Sparowes - Aphorisms (vinyl)
Ringo Starr - Y Not
Rolling Stones - Out of Our Head
Rolling Stones - Rolling Stones
Rural Alberta Advantage - Drain the Blood (vinyl)
Russian Circles - Enter (vinyl)
Russian Circles - Geneva (vinyl)
Sarah Elizabeth Foster - Gardening From The Ground Up Part 1
Seabird - Rocks Into Rivers
Sidewalk Prophets - These Simple Truths
Spoon - Written in Reverse (vinyl)
T.Rex - Spaceball: The American Radio Sessions
Teddy Pendergrass - Soul Superstar
Tower of Power - Bump City
Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne (vinyl reissue)
Vampire Weekend - Contra (vinyl)
Van Morrison - T.B. Sheets (Remastered)
Various Artists - An American Artist's Tale
Various Artists - Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia (vinyl)
Various Artists - I'll Be There: Smooth Jazz Trib to Michael Jackson
Various Artists - Unpiecing the Jigsaw: Velvet Underground (4-CD box set)
Various Artists - We Are the World: Instrumental to Michael Jackson
Vibrators - Under the Radar
Waylon Jennings - Super Hits, Volume 2
Waylon Jennings - Waylon / Singer of Sad Songs
Ween - The Pod (reissue)
Buy Vinyl Here: http://www.insound.com/
Adam Green - Minor Love (vinyl)
Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals (vinyl)
Alice Cooper - Welcome to My Nightmare
All Time Low - MTV Unplugged (with DVD)
Astroid Galaxy Tour - Fruit (vinyl)
Ben Kweller - Sawdust Man & Send Me Down The Road (vinyl)
Blockhead - Music Scene (vinyl)
Bo Diddley - Have Guitar Will Tour (2 CDs)
Bouncing Souls - Ghosts on the Boardwalk
Buraka Som Sistema - Sound of Kuduro (vinyl)
Capgun Coup - Maudlin (vinyl)
Charley Patton - Electrically Recorded: Moon Going Down (vinyl reissue)
Colin Hay - Company of Strangers (Remastered)
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
Dollyrots - California Beach Boy (vinyl)
Don Williams - The Gentle Giant
Doom - Gazzillion Ear EP (vinyl)
Ellis Paul - The Day After Everything Changed
Elvis Costello - The Costello Show 2: Live At Hollywood High (reissue with bonus tracks)
Elvis Costello - The Costello Show: Live At Hollywood High (reissue with bonus tracks)
Etienne Jaumet – Night Music LP
Exile - Kiss You All Over
Fats Domino - The Fat Man
Final Fantasy - Heartland (vinyl)
Freedy Johnston - Rain on the City
Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks - Texas Sheiks
Guess Who - Rockin'
Guess Who - So Long, Bannatyne
Isaac Hayes - Isaac Hayes Movement
Isaac Hayes - Truck Turner
James Brown - Godfather of Soul
Jason Boesel - Hustler's Son
Johnny Paycheck - Hero of the Working Man
Johnny Winter - Live Bootleg Series Volume 6
Jukebox the Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts (vinyl reissue)
King Crimson - Lizard (Deluxe Edition) (2 CDs)
Kria Brekkan - Uterus Water (vinyl)
Laarks - An Exaltation of Laarks (vinyl)
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance - The Remixes
Laura Veirs - July Flames (vinyl)
Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae
Lynn Anderson - Country Rose
Magda - Fabric 49
Manu Chao - Baionarena (deluxe 2-CD & DVD edition)
Marvin Gaye - Soul Immortal
Mickey Gilley - Urban Cowboy
Nana Grizol - Ruth (vinyl)
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Road (soundtrack)
Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates Remix EP (vinyl)
O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) - Rain Or Shine
OK Go - Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky
Omarion - Ollusion
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Paul Weller & Keb Darge - Lost & Found: Real R&B & Soul
Percy Sledge - My Old Friend the Blues
Phil Ochs - I Ain't Marching Anymore
Polysics - Absolute Polysics
Ray Wylie Hubbard - A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C)
Red Sparowes - Aphorisms (vinyl)
Ringo Starr - Y Not
Rolling Stones - Out of Our Head
Rolling Stones - Rolling Stones
Rural Alberta Advantage - Drain the Blood (vinyl)
Russian Circles - Enter (vinyl)
Russian Circles - Geneva (vinyl)
Sarah Elizabeth Foster - Gardening From The Ground Up Part 1
Seabird - Rocks Into Rivers
Sidewalk Prophets - These Simple Truths
Spoon - Written in Reverse (vinyl)
T.Rex - Spaceball: The American Radio Sessions
Teddy Pendergrass - Soul Superstar
Tower of Power - Bump City
Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne (vinyl reissue)
Vampire Weekend - Contra (vinyl)
Van Morrison - T.B. Sheets (Remastered)
Various Artists - An American Artist's Tale
Various Artists - Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia (vinyl)
Various Artists - I'll Be There: Smooth Jazz Trib to Michael Jackson
Various Artists - Unpiecing the Jigsaw: Velvet Underground (4-CD box set)
Various Artists - We Are the World: Instrumental to Michael Jackson
Vibrators - Under the Radar
Waylon Jennings - Super Hits, Volume 2
Waylon Jennings - Waylon / Singer of Sad Songs
Ween - The Pod (reissue)
Buy Vinyl Here: http://www.insound.com/
Music News & Notes
Troubadour Reunion Tour
James Taylor and Carole King will bring their Troubadour Reunion tour to North America this May. The adventure marks the first time in 40 years — since the original Troubadour shows back in 1970 — that the two have toured together.
However, before hitting the road, the pair will both serve as musical guest on the January 20th episode of The Late Show with David Letterman and The Today Show. Here are the North American dates:
May 7 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
May 9 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
May 11 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
May 13-15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
May 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Jobing.com Arena
May 21 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
May 22 – Nashville, TN @ Sommet Center
May 24 – Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
May 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
May 27 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
May 28 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
May 30 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
Jun. 2 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
Jun. 3 – Atlanta, GA @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Jun. 5 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Bankatlantic Center
Jun. 6 – Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Arena
Jun. 8 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
Jun. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
Jun. 12 – Hartford, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Jun. 15 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Jun. 19 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
=======================
Soulfly Announce New Album 'Omen'
Longtime Roadrunner Records recording artist SOULFLY, lead by metal deity Max Cavalera, have just completed a stint at Edge of the Earth Studios in Los Angeles, where they recorded their seventh album. Roadrunner will release album, titled Omen, on May 4. Logan Mader served as co-producer.
Omen follows up 2008's Conquer, which enjoyed incredible critical reception. In the true Soulfly style and tradition, the album will feature notable guest appearances. Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato and Prong’s Tommy Victor will lend their voices to separate songs, while Max’s songs, Zyon and Igor, will also appear on special B-sides, making Omen an album that is truly all in the family!
=======================
CARNIVORE Guitarist To Perform With WHIPLASH At Benefit Concert For Missing METALLICA Fan
CARNIVORE guitarist Paul Bento will sit in with reactivated New Jersey thrashers WHIPLASH at the rescheduled benefit concert for missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington on Saturday, January 16 at the Hat Factory in Richmond, Virginia. AT WAR and DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE will also take part in the event, which will be held almost exactly three months after Morgan Harrington was last seen at a METALLICA concert in Charlottesville. All proceeds will go to the Find Morgan Fund, which supports the Harrington family's ongoing search efforts.
Scheduled performers:
DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE
WHIPLASH
SAINT DIABLO
AT WAR
MEMORY FADE
Tickets will be made available the day of the show at the door — $15.00 all ages. Doors open 8 p.m., by a candlelight vigil. So come out and show your support.
Hat Factory
140 Virginia Street
Richmond, VA
Tel.: 804-788-4281
info@hatfactoryva.com
=======================
Dirty Projectors Release Two Free Singles
Vinyl enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the 7-inch single for Bitte outtakes "Ascending Melody" and "Emblem of the World" is out today via Domino Records' Web site, but for those who can't wait – or simply can't afford to shell out a few bucks – the songs are available as free downloads at the band's website.
Generosity aside, Dirty Projectors are getting their 2010 off to a highfalutin start with grown-up gigs at New York's Lincoln Center and the somewhat less auspiciously named Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
http://www.dirtyprojectors.net/
=======================
Jack White reveals solo album details
He's considering playing all the instruments himself on the album
Jack White has revealed details of his solo album, which he says he may record this year. The White Stripes frontman hinted that he could get around to recording material for the album in the near future, though he admitted to Rolling Stone that he doesn't know what form it will take.
Asked to confirm whether he was still planning to release a solo album, White replied: "Eventually, yeah, for sure."
Speaking about whether he would play all instruments on it, he declared: "I've never done that [played everything himself]. I thought about that. That might be the challenge - to differentiate from anything else that I've done."
White also added that he doesn't know when he will begin work on new White Stripes, Raconteurs or Dead Weather material, explaining that he prefers to work without timeframes.
"It would be a mistake for me to premeditate anything, even in the next six months, to say what I'm going to do," White explained. "I honestly could be working on a White Stripes [album] in the next two weeks. I have no idea if that is going to happen. And the same with The Dead Weather. I'd rather live like this without a calendar in front of me."
=======================
Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody announces solo plans
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody has revealed details of two musical projects he's embarking on this month: Tired Pony and Listen…Tanks!
The singer/guitarist revealed that forthcoming albums for the two projects will be decidedly different from each other, with one being influenced by country music and the other a "crazy" electro record.
He told BBC Radio Scotland that he's recording both albums in America throughout January.
=======================
LIARS RECRUIT THOM YORKE, TV ON THE RADIO, DEERHUNTER FOR NEW ALBUM
Liars have announced details of their new album 'Sisterworld', as well as a bonus CD featuring remixes from the likes of Radiohead's Thom Yorke.
The band release 'Sisterworld' on March 8, with the expended version of the album out on the same day. Along with Yorke, the second CD features remixes from Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio), Bradford Cox (Deerhunter/Atlas Sound), Melvins, Alan Vega (Suicide), Chris & Cosey (Throbbing Gristle) and Blonde Redhead
Frontman Angus Andrew said he wanted the other artists involved to expand on the common idea of remixing tracks.
"They were asked to 're-interpret' the song by any means necessary and the result is definitely the most exciting collaborative effort we've been involved in," Andrew explained.
=======================
Paul McCartney making plans to marry?
Sir Paul McCartney is reportedly making secret preparations to marry US heiress Nancy Shevell.
The Beatles legend is said to be keen to tie the knot for a third time with Nancy, his girlfriend of nearly two years, and organised a family meet up in the Caribbean earlier this month to discuss their future together with his children.
A friend of the 67-year-old musician told the Daily Express newspaper: 'Paul and Nancy’s relationship is rock solid and there’s no mad hurry for a wedding.
'Next year has certainly been mentioned as the most likely time, but neither of them want some big deal made out of it.
'It’s almost certainly going to be done very discreetly over in the US and Paul would ideally like to do it without any publicity beforehand, but whether he could pull that off is another matter.'
=======================
Guitarist Mick Green Dies
It's being reported that British guitarist Mick Green, who played with everyone from Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas to Paul McCartney, passed away on Monday morning. A posting on his website by his son, Brad Green, said:
It is with the greatest of sorrow that I have to inform you all that my father, Mick Green, has this morning (11th Jan 2010) passed away. My dad will be deeply missed by his family, friends and fans around the world. He inspired and dazzled with his amazing talent and his sharp personality and wit. His spirit will continue to live on through his music. Thank you all for your support and thoughts.
Green started his career in the early 60's in Johnny Kidd & the Pirates and, in 1964, joined Billy J. Kramer. Along with returning to the Pirates throughout the years, he also played with Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison and McCartney. His ability to play lead and rhythm guitar at the same time was said to have influenced Pete Townshend.
James Taylor and Carole King will bring their Troubadour Reunion tour to North America this May. The adventure marks the first time in 40 years — since the original Troubadour shows back in 1970 — that the two have toured together.
However, before hitting the road, the pair will both serve as musical guest on the January 20th episode of The Late Show with David Letterman and The Today Show. Here are the North American dates:
May 7 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
May 9 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
May 11 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
May 13-15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
May 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Jobing.com Arena
May 21 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
May 22 – Nashville, TN @ Sommet Center
May 24 – Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
May 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
May 27 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
May 28 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
May 30 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
Jun. 2 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
Jun. 3 – Atlanta, GA @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center
Jun. 5 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Bankatlantic Center
Jun. 6 – Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Arena
Jun. 8 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
Jun. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
Jun. 12 – Hartford, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Jun. 15 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Jun. 19 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
=======================
Soulfly Announce New Album 'Omen'
Longtime Roadrunner Records recording artist SOULFLY, lead by metal deity Max Cavalera, have just completed a stint at Edge of the Earth Studios in Los Angeles, where they recorded their seventh album. Roadrunner will release album, titled Omen, on May 4. Logan Mader served as co-producer.
Omen follows up 2008's Conquer, which enjoyed incredible critical reception. In the true Soulfly style and tradition, the album will feature notable guest appearances. Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato and Prong’s Tommy Victor will lend their voices to separate songs, while Max’s songs, Zyon and Igor, will also appear on special B-sides, making Omen an album that is truly all in the family!
=======================
CARNIVORE Guitarist To Perform With WHIPLASH At Benefit Concert For Missing METALLICA Fan
Scheduled performers:
DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE
WHIPLASH
SAINT DIABLO
AT WAR
MEMORY FADE
Tickets will be made available the day of the show at the door — $15.00 all ages. Doors open 8 p.m., by a candlelight vigil. So come out and show your support.
Hat Factory
140 Virginia Street
Richmond, VA
Tel.: 804-788-4281
info@hatfactoryva.com
=======================
Dirty Projectors Release Two Free Singles
Vinyl enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the 7-inch single for Bitte outtakes "Ascending Melody" and "Emblem of the World" is out today via Domino Records' Web site, but for those who can't wait – or simply can't afford to shell out a few bucks – the songs are available as free downloads at the band's website.
Generosity aside, Dirty Projectors are getting their 2010 off to a highfalutin start with grown-up gigs at New York's Lincoln Center and the somewhat less auspiciously named Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
http://www.dirtyprojectors.net/
=======================
Jack White reveals solo album details
He's considering playing all the instruments himself on the album
Jack White has revealed details of his solo album, which he says he may record this year. The White Stripes frontman hinted that he could get around to recording material for the album in the near future, though he admitted to Rolling Stone that he doesn't know what form it will take.
Asked to confirm whether he was still planning to release a solo album, White replied: "Eventually, yeah, for sure."
Speaking about whether he would play all instruments on it, he declared: "I've never done that [played everything himself]. I thought about that. That might be the challenge - to differentiate from anything else that I've done."
White also added that he doesn't know when he will begin work on new White Stripes, Raconteurs or Dead Weather material, explaining that he prefers to work without timeframes.
"It would be a mistake for me to premeditate anything, even in the next six months, to say what I'm going to do," White explained. "I honestly could be working on a White Stripes [album] in the next two weeks. I have no idea if that is going to happen. And the same with The Dead Weather. I'd rather live like this without a calendar in front of me."
=======================
Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody announces solo plans
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody has revealed details of two musical projects he's embarking on this month: Tired Pony and Listen…Tanks!
The singer/guitarist revealed that forthcoming albums for the two projects will be decidedly different from each other, with one being influenced by country music and the other a "crazy" electro record.
He told BBC Radio Scotland that he's recording both albums in America throughout January.
=======================
LIARS RECRUIT THOM YORKE, TV ON THE RADIO, DEERHUNTER FOR NEW ALBUM
Liars have announced details of their new album 'Sisterworld', as well as a bonus CD featuring remixes from the likes of Radiohead's Thom Yorke.
The band release 'Sisterworld' on March 8, with the expended version of the album out on the same day. Along with Yorke, the second CD features remixes from Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio), Bradford Cox (Deerhunter/Atlas Sound), Melvins, Alan Vega (Suicide), Chris & Cosey (Throbbing Gristle) and Blonde Redhead
Frontman Angus Andrew said he wanted the other artists involved to expand on the common idea of remixing tracks.
"They were asked to 're-interpret' the song by any means necessary and the result is definitely the most exciting collaborative effort we've been involved in," Andrew explained.
=======================
Paul McCartney making plans to marry?
Sir Paul McCartney is reportedly making secret preparations to marry US heiress Nancy Shevell.
The Beatles legend is said to be keen to tie the knot for a third time with Nancy, his girlfriend of nearly two years, and organised a family meet up in the Caribbean earlier this month to discuss their future together with his children.
A friend of the 67-year-old musician told the Daily Express newspaper: 'Paul and Nancy’s relationship is rock solid and there’s no mad hurry for a wedding.
'Next year has certainly been mentioned as the most likely time, but neither of them want some big deal made out of it.
'It’s almost certainly going to be done very discreetly over in the US and Paul would ideally like to do it without any publicity beforehand, but whether he could pull that off is another matter.'
=======================
Guitarist Mick Green Dies
It's being reported that British guitarist Mick Green, who played with everyone from Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas to Paul McCartney, passed away on Monday morning. A posting on his website by his son, Brad Green, said:
It is with the greatest of sorrow that I have to inform you all that my father, Mick Green, has this morning (11th Jan 2010) passed away. My dad will be deeply missed by his family, friends and fans around the world. He inspired and dazzled with his amazing talent and his sharp personality and wit. His spirit will continue to live on through his music. Thank you all for your support and thoughts.
Green started his career in the early 60's in Johnny Kidd & the Pirates and, in 1964, joined Billy J. Kramer. Along with returning to the Pirates throughout the years, he also played with Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison and McCartney. His ability to play lead and rhythm guitar at the same time was said to have influenced Pete Townshend.
Local DJ Still Spinning Vinyl
I love reading these fascinating human interest stories from around the globe. This one comes from The Whistler Question in British Columbia, Canada, with a local DJ playing 45's, the way it used to be. I thank them for allowing me to reprint the article.
Vinyl obsession takes Arkwell to the Games
Local DJ set to provide musical energy at Sliding Centre events
Written by Jennifer Miller
They don't call him DJ Vinyl Ritchie for nothin'. Whistler's own Scott Arkwell has been DJing in the resort since the early 1990s and the thing that sets him apart from the masses is — you guessed it — vinyl.
In an era saturated with MP3s and electronic music files, Arkwell, a.k.a. Vinyl Ritchie, is one of the few DJs who still carts his milk crates full of records to each show. He works exclusively with records, and has a special place in his heart for 45s.
"That's what I grew up with and learned how to DJ on," he said. "The origins of DJ culture were based on records."
While some might think his passion for vinyl leaves Arkwell stuck in the dark ages of DJing, the folks at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) beg to differ.
They've selected Arkwell to provide the soundtrack for competitions at the Whistler Sliding Centre during the Games. Plus, Arkwell and fellow local DJ Mat the Alien will cap off the final Fire and Ice Remix show of the Olympics with a set on Feb. 27 in Skiers Plaza.
But to be fair, members of VANOC weren't the first to recognize Arkwell's unique talents. Aside from a 20-year career in Whistler's nightclubs, festivals and beyond, Arkwell's Olympic affiliation began at the 2006 Torino Games. He and Mat the Alien played at a handful of parties hosted by Tourism B.C. and Whistler Blackcomb at Canada House in Torino.
Then last winter, Arkwell was invited to spin tunes at the Whistler Sliding Centre and Cypress Mountain for World Cup events in sliding sports and snowboarding, respectively.
"I guess they liked what I did, so they hollered back for the Sliding Centre (during the Games)," he said. "It's a great honour just to be asked."
Arkwell said he'll be on hand to keep spectators entertained and energized as they arrive at the venue before the competitions begin. He'll also play music during the events — even though they can't hear it on the track, some athletes actually request a special song to be played during their run, he said.
With a style he describes as "very eclectic," it's hard to say what kind of tunes you'll hear from Arkwell at the Sliding Centre and in Skiers Plaza on Feb. 27. Everything from punk to country, reggae to old-school funk is bound to be in the offering, he said. Though the music will be accessible to everyone, you likely won't hear a lot of Top 40, he added.
"I'm not playing underground music up there by any means," Arkwell said.
Originally from Halifax, Arkwell said he remembers getting his first record at age 8. He collected records for a while, and when hip-hop started taking off in the mid-1980s he started DJing for fun because he was too young to go to clubs.
Eventually moving to Whistler in about 1990 to "live the dream" of snowboarding, Arkwell auditioned for a part-time DJing job at the Savage Beagle nightclub. "I've sort of been wrapped up in it ever since," he said.
Music and DJing have allowed him to live the Whistler dream, he said. And now, with the Olympic gigs, his parents finally think of his DJing as a legitimate job, Arkwell said with a laugh.
Before and after the Games, you can find DJ Vinyl Ritchie spinning 45s every Thursday night at the Firerock Lounge in the Westin.
SOURCE: http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Reprinted by permission
Vinyl obsession takes Arkwell to the Games
Local DJ set to provide musical energy at Sliding Centre events
Written by Jennifer Miller
They don't call him DJ Vinyl Ritchie for nothin'. Whistler's own Scott Arkwell has been DJing in the resort since the early 1990s and the thing that sets him apart from the masses is — you guessed it — vinyl.
In an era saturated with MP3s and electronic music files, Arkwell, a.k.a. Vinyl Ritchie, is one of the few DJs who still carts his milk crates full of records to each show. He works exclusively with records, and has a special place in his heart for 45s.
"That's what I grew up with and learned how to DJ on," he said. "The origins of DJ culture were based on records."
While some might think his passion for vinyl leaves Arkwell stuck in the dark ages of DJing, the folks at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) beg to differ.
They've selected Arkwell to provide the soundtrack for competitions at the Whistler Sliding Centre during the Games. Plus, Arkwell and fellow local DJ Mat the Alien will cap off the final Fire and Ice Remix show of the Olympics with a set on Feb. 27 in Skiers Plaza.
But to be fair, members of VANOC weren't the first to recognize Arkwell's unique talents. Aside from a 20-year career in Whistler's nightclubs, festivals and beyond, Arkwell's Olympic affiliation began at the 2006 Torino Games. He and Mat the Alien played at a handful of parties hosted by Tourism B.C. and Whistler Blackcomb at Canada House in Torino.
Then last winter, Arkwell was invited to spin tunes at the Whistler Sliding Centre and Cypress Mountain for World Cup events in sliding sports and snowboarding, respectively.
"I guess they liked what I did, so they hollered back for the Sliding Centre (during the Games)," he said. "It's a great honour just to be asked."
Arkwell said he'll be on hand to keep spectators entertained and energized as they arrive at the venue before the competitions begin. He'll also play music during the events — even though they can't hear it on the track, some athletes actually request a special song to be played during their run, he said.
With a style he describes as "very eclectic," it's hard to say what kind of tunes you'll hear from Arkwell at the Sliding Centre and in Skiers Plaza on Feb. 27. Everything from punk to country, reggae to old-school funk is bound to be in the offering, he said. Though the music will be accessible to everyone, you likely won't hear a lot of Top 40, he added.
"I'm not playing underground music up there by any means," Arkwell said.
Originally from Halifax, Arkwell said he remembers getting his first record at age 8. He collected records for a while, and when hip-hop started taking off in the mid-1980s he started DJing for fun because he was too young to go to clubs.
Eventually moving to Whistler in about 1990 to "live the dream" of snowboarding, Arkwell auditioned for a part-time DJing job at the Savage Beagle nightclub. "I've sort of been wrapped up in it ever since," he said.
Music and DJing have allowed him to live the Whistler dream, he said. And now, with the Olympic gigs, his parents finally think of his DJing as a legitimate job, Arkwell said with a laugh.
Before and after the Games, you can find DJ Vinyl Ritchie spinning 45s every Thursday night at the Firerock Lounge in the Westin.
SOURCE: http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Reprinted by permission
Monday, January 11, 2010
Top Selling Vinyl Records Sales at eBay - December 2009
Here is the month in review of the top selling ebay vinyl records, on a weekly basis, for December of 2009. First and foremost, a special thank you to Norm and Jane at ccdiscoveries/blogspot.com for compiling this interesting data.
A regular visitor to the ebay top sales list, a 45 single of "God Save The Queen" from the Sex Pistols, which sold for $10,266, tops December's results. Right behind them is another 45, a Northern Soul record, this time from J.D. Bryant (Walk On In" / "I Won't Be Coming Back") which sold for $10,223. Coming in third for the month is a test pressing from Metallica "Kill Em All" which sold for $6,660.
Others pulling in over $6,000 were: "Monster Movie" Music Factory (German Pressing) - $6,295, Vlado Perlemuter "Mozart Sonatas" Vox Box Set - $6,200 and a 45 from Walter Wilson ("Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later") which sold for $6,149. Other than the obligatory Beatles LP, "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay (ad back )- $4,939, the list is full of 45 rpm records changing hands including the Magnetics with "Count The Days" / "When I'm With My Baby,” which sold for $4,938.
An old Sun blues 45, Jimmy DeBerry "Take A Little Chance" / "Time Has Made A Change" changed hands at $4,477. We also had 45’s by The Factory "Try A Little Sunshine" / "Red Chalk Hill"(UK Pressing) which sold for a shade over $3,650 and another 45 rpm record by the Young Brothers ("Baby" / "What's Your Game"), which sold for $3,416.
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/05/09
1. 45 - J.D. Bryant "Walk On In" / "I Won't Be Coming Back" Shrine - $10,223.00
2. 45 - Magnetics "Count The Days" / "When I'm With My Baby" Sable - $4,938.00
3. 45 - The Factory "Try A Little Sunshine" / "Red Chalk Hill" CBD Demo UK Pressing - $3,652.31
4. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $3,416.00
5. LP - Dexter Gordon "Blows Hot and Cold" Dootone Red Vinyl - $3,371.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales – Week Ending 12/12/09
1. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $10,266.48
2. LP - Can "Monster Movie" Music Factory German Pressing - $6,295.00
3. 45 - Walter Wilson "Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later" Wand - $6,149.00
4. LP - Calvin Johnson "What Was Me" K Records Test Pressing - $3,999.99
5. LP - Derek and the Dominos "Layla" DJ Mono WLP - $3,050.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/19/09
1. LP - Metallica "Kill Em All" Test Pressing - $6,660.00
2. LP - Vlado Perlemuter "Mozart Sonatas" Vox Box Set - $6,200.00
3. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay ad back - $4,939.00
4. EP - Misfits "Horror Business" Acetate - $3,751.01
5. LP - Can "Monster Movie" Music Factory German Pressing - $3,457.52
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/26/2009
1. 45 - Jimmy DeBerry "Take A Little Chance" / "Time Has Made A Change" Sun 185 - $4,477.99
2. 45 - David Bowie "Space Oddity" / "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" Philips Portugal Promo w/pic sleeve - 2,999.99
3. 10" - Lazare Levy "Mozart 2 Sonatas For Piano" Ducretet - $2,558.98
4. 10" - The Jam "Going Underground" Acetate - $2,511.09
5. LP- The Brief Encounter "self titled" Seventy Seven - $2,460.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/02/2010
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $2,600.00
2. 12" - Minor Threat "Out Of Step" Test Pressing - $2,499.99
3. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $2,247.00
4. LP - Tommy Flannigan Trio "Over Seas" Prestige 7134 Original
5. LP - Walter Davis "Davis Cup" Blue Note 4018 Original - $2,000.00
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. NOW TUESDAYS at 4PM PT / 7PM ET for a complete rundown of the Top 5 with trivia and tidbits.
A regular visitor to the ebay top sales list, a 45 single of "God Save The Queen" from the Sex Pistols, which sold for $10,266, tops December's results. Right behind them is another 45, a Northern Soul record, this time from J.D. Bryant (Walk On In" / "I Won't Be Coming Back") which sold for $10,223. Coming in third for the month is a test pressing from Metallica "Kill Em All" which sold for $6,660.
Others pulling in over $6,000 were: "Monster Movie" Music Factory (German Pressing) - $6,295, Vlado Perlemuter "Mozart Sonatas" Vox Box Set - $6,200 and a 45 from Walter Wilson ("Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later") which sold for $6,149. Other than the obligatory Beatles LP, "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay (ad back )- $4,939, the list is full of 45 rpm records changing hands including the Magnetics with "Count The Days" / "When I'm With My Baby,” which sold for $4,938.
An old Sun blues 45, Jimmy DeBerry "Take A Little Chance" / "Time Has Made A Change" changed hands at $4,477. We also had 45’s by The Factory "Try A Little Sunshine" / "Red Chalk Hill"(UK Pressing) which sold for a shade over $3,650 and another 45 rpm record by the Young Brothers ("Baby" / "What's Your Game"), which sold for $3,416.
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/05/09
1. 45 - J.D. Bryant "Walk On In" / "I Won't Be Coming Back" Shrine - $10,223.00
2. 45 - Magnetics "Count The Days" / "When I'm With My Baby" Sable - $4,938.00
3. 45 - The Factory "Try A Little Sunshine" / "Red Chalk Hill" CBD Demo UK Pressing - $3,652.31
4. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $3,416.00
5. LP - Dexter Gordon "Blows Hot and Cold" Dootone Red Vinyl - $3,371.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales – Week Ending 12/12/09
1. 45 - Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" / "No Feeling" A&M AMS-7284 - $10,266.48
2. LP - Can "Monster Movie" Music Factory German Pressing - $6,295.00
3. 45 - Walter Wilson "Love Keeps Me Crying" / "Not Now But Later" Wand - $6,149.00
4. LP - Calvin Johnson "What Was Me" K Records Test Pressing - $3,999.99
5. LP - Derek and the Dominos "Layla" DJ Mono WLP - $3,050.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/19/09
1. LP - Metallica "Kill Em All" Test Pressing - $6,660.00
2. LP - Vlado Perlemuter "Mozart Sonatas" Vox Box Set - $6,200.00
3. LP - The Beatles "Introducing The Beatles" VeeJay ad back - $4,939.00
4. EP - Misfits "Horror Business" Acetate - $3,751.01
5. LP - Can "Monster Movie" Music Factory German Pressing - $3,457.52
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/26/2009
1. 45 - Jimmy DeBerry "Take A Little Chance" / "Time Has Made A Change" Sun 185 - $4,477.99
2. 45 - David Bowie "Space Oddity" / "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" Philips Portugal Promo w/pic sleeve - 2,999.99
3. 10" - Lazare Levy "Mozart 2 Sonatas For Piano" Ducretet - $2,558.98
4. 10" - The Jam "Going Underground" Acetate - $2,511.09
5. LP- The Brief Encounter "self titled" Seventy Seven - $2,460.00
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 01/02/2010
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $2,600.00
2. 12" - Minor Threat "Out Of Step" Test Pressing - $2,499.99
3. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $2,247.00
4. LP - Tommy Flannigan Trio "Over Seas" Prestige 7134 Original
5. LP - Walter Davis "Davis Cup" Blue Note 4018 Original - $2,000.00
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. NOW TUESDAYS at 4PM PT / 7PM ET for a complete rundown of the Top 5 with trivia and tidbits.
Some Great New Releases for January 2010
2010 starts off right, with some highly-anticipated releases – here’s a taste of what you can expect in January:
Cold War Kids – Behave Yourself EP CD, LP (01/19)
Keb Darge & Paul Weller – Lost and Found: Real R&B and Soul CD, LP (01/19)
The Editors – In This Light and On This Evening CD (01/19)
The Black Keys – Rubber Factory LP re-issue (01/19)
Eels – End Times CD (01/19)
Heartless Bastards – Stairs and Elevators LP (01/19)
Fela Kuti – Music Is The Weapon DVD (01/19)
Lindstrom and Christabelle – Real Life Is No Cool CD, LP (01/19)
Major Stars – Return To Form CD, LP (01/19)
Scout Niblett – Calcination Of Scout Niblett CD, LP (01/19)
Jay Reatard – Blood Visions LP (01/19)
Red Krayola – Five American Portraits CD, LP (01/19)
Spoon - Transference CD, LP (01/19)
Chicago Underground Duo – Boca Negra CD, LP (01/26)
Citay – Dream Get Together CD, LP (01/26)
Animal Collective – Campfire Songs CD re-issue (01/26)
Beach House – Teen Dream CD/DVD, LP (01/26)
Bei Bei and Shawn Lee – Into The Wild CD, LP (01/26)
Four Tet – There Is Love In You CD, LP (01/26)
Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM CD, LP (01/26)
Gang Gang Dance – God’s Money LP (01/26)
Patty Griffin – Downtown Church CD (01/26)
Harvey Milk – Harvey Milk CD (01/26)
Los Campesinos! – Romance Is Boring CD, LP (01/26)
The Magnetic Fields – Realism CD, LP (01/26)
Pit Er Pat – The Flexible Entertainer CD, LP (01/26)
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea CD (01/26)
Retribution Gospel Choir – 2 CD, LP (01/26)
Max Richter – Memoryhouse LP (01/26)
The Rolling Stones CD re-issues (01/31)
Matthew Shipp – 4D CD (01/26)
Various Artists – Good God!: Born Again Funk CD, LP (01/26)
Cold War Kids – Behave Yourself EP CD, LP (01/19)
Keb Darge & Paul Weller – Lost and Found: Real R&B and Soul CD, LP (01/19)
The Editors – In This Light and On This Evening CD (01/19)
The Black Keys – Rubber Factory LP re-issue (01/19)
Eels – End Times CD (01/19)
Heartless Bastards – Stairs and Elevators LP (01/19)
Fela Kuti – Music Is The Weapon DVD (01/19)
Lindstrom and Christabelle – Real Life Is No Cool CD, LP (01/19)
Major Stars – Return To Form CD, LP (01/19)
Scout Niblett – Calcination Of Scout Niblett CD, LP (01/19)
Jay Reatard – Blood Visions LP (01/19)
Red Krayola – Five American Portraits CD, LP (01/19)
Spoon - Transference CD, LP (01/19)
Chicago Underground Duo – Boca Negra CD, LP (01/26)
Citay – Dream Get Together CD, LP (01/26)
Animal Collective – Campfire Songs CD re-issue (01/26)
Beach House – Teen Dream CD/DVD, LP (01/26)
Bei Bei and Shawn Lee – Into The Wild CD, LP (01/26)
Four Tet – There Is Love In You CD, LP (01/26)
Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM CD, LP (01/26)
Gang Gang Dance – God’s Money LP (01/26)
Patty Griffin – Downtown Church CD (01/26)
Harvey Milk – Harvey Milk CD (01/26)
Los Campesinos! – Romance Is Boring CD, LP (01/26)
The Magnetic Fields – Realism CD, LP (01/26)
Pit Er Pat – The Flexible Entertainer CD, LP (01/26)
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea CD (01/26)
Retribution Gospel Choir – 2 CD, LP (01/26)
Max Richter – Memoryhouse LP (01/26)
The Rolling Stones CD re-issues (01/31)
Matthew Shipp – 4D CD (01/26)
Various Artists – Good God!: Born Again Funk CD, LP (01/26)
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales
Week Ending 01/02/2010
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $2,600.00
2. 12" - Minor Threat "Out Of Step" Test Pressing - $2,499.99
3. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $2,247.00
4. LP - Tommy Flannigan Trio "Over Seas" Prestige 7134 Original
5. LP - Walter Davis "Davis Cup" Blue Note 4018 Original - $2,000.00
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. NOW TUESDAYS at 4PM PT / 7PM ET for a complete rundown of the Top 5 with trivia and tidbits.
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” - $2,600.00
2. 12" - Minor Threat "Out Of Step" Test Pressing - $2,499.99
3. 45 - Young Brothers - "Baby" / "What's Your Game" Soul Brothers - $2,247.00
4. LP - Tommy Flannigan Trio "Over Seas" Prestige 7134 Original
5. LP - Walter Davis "Davis Cup" Blue Note 4018 Original - $2,000.00
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. NOW TUESDAYS at 4PM PT / 7PM ET for a complete rundown of the Top 5 with trivia and tidbits.
This Date In Music History - January 11
Birthdays:
Clarence Clemons - E Street Band (1942)
Tony Kaye - Yes (left in 1971)(1946)
Frederick Dennis Greene - Sha Na Na (1949)
Vicki Peterson - Bangles (1958)
Tom Dumont - No Doubt (1968)
Mary Jane Blige - Sold over 60 million records world-wide, known as the "Queen of hip-hop soul." (1971)
Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers (1971)
They Are Missed:
Born today in 1895, Laurens Hammond, inventor of the Hammond organ. The sound of the Hammond was used by many rock artists including; Procol Harum, Keith Emerson, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers and The Faces. Hammond died on July 3, 1973.
Born today in 1924, Slim Harpo, blues musician. Died of a heart attack on January 31, 1970 (age 46).
Barry Pritchard, guitarist and singer with The Fortunes, died of a heart attack in 1999.
Mickey Finn percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in Tyrannosaurus Rex (T Rex), died of kidney and liver problems in 2002 (age 55).
Maurice Gibb, bassist and keyboardist of the Bee Gees, died in 2003 after undergoing abdominal surgery in Miami. The singer was 53.
Former Bread guitarist and Academy Award-winning songwriter James Griffin died at his home in Nashville in 2005 at the age of 61 after suffering from cancer. Bread had the 1970's hits "Make It With You," "Baby I'm-a Want You," and "Everything I Own."
Jefferson Airplane drummer, Spencer Dryden, died of cancer in 2005 at age 66.
History:
The release date for the Elvis Presley single "Jailhouse Rock" was put back a week in 1958 after Decca Records pressing plant in the UK were unable to meet the advance orders of 250,000 copies.
The Beatles recorded their first national TV show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' in 1963. They mimed to their new single "Please Please Me" which was released on this day.
The Whiskey-A-Go-Go opened its doors on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1963, the first rock club in the city. In the next decade and beyond, the Whiskey will be a popular meeting place for the record industry and a good place to be seen if you want to get into the industry. The Doors, among others, got their start there.
In 1964, 'Ring Of Fire,' by Johnny Cash, became the first Country album to go to #1 in the US album chart.
Roger Miller recorded his ditties "Dang Me" and "Chug-A-Lug" on this date in 1964.
The Beach Boys recorded "Do You Wanna Dance" in 1965
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded "Purple Haze" in 1967. Jimi also signed to the new record label Track Records on this day.
'This Was,' Jethro Tull's debut album, was released in 1969.
"#9 Dream," from John Lennon’s Walls and Bridges, entered the Top Forty in 1975, where it will peak, appropriately, at #9.
The Pretenders' debut LP was released in North America in 1980.
The album Thriller by Michael Jackson becomes the all-time bestselling LP in 1984.
In 1985, a Brazilian rock Festival held in Rio, claimed to be the biggest ever staged. The festival featured featuring; Queen, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Yes and Iron Maiden.
Nirvana appeared on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live in 1992. At the end of a song, Krist Novoselic hurls his bass into the air. Unfortunately, it comes down right on top of him. Also on this day 'Nevermind' went to #1 on the US album chart.
In 1992, Paul Simon became the first international star to perform in South Africa following the end of the UN cultural boycott. He began a concert tour in Johannesburg.
In 2000, Gary Glitter was released from prison after serving half of a four-month sentence for possessing child pornography downloaded from the internet. Glitter was told he would have to go on the sex offenders' register for seven years.
In 2003, Pete Townshend issued a public statement denying being a paedophile after his name was linked with a police Internet porn inquiry. But The Who guitarist did admit studying child pornography for research into a campaign against it.
Ted Nugent cut himself with a chainsaw in 2004 while filming his VH1 reality series “Surviving Nugent: The Ted Commandments. It takes 40 stitches to close the wound. The contest has city slickers living off the land and enduring Ted for a $100,000 prize.
Green Day is #1 according to Rolling Stone magazine's 2005 Readers' Poll. They are named Artist of the Year, Best Band and earn the nod for Best Single ("Boulevard of Broken Dreams"). Audioslave gets Best Hard Rock/Metal Band, U2 is awarded Best Tour and Fall Out Boy is the Best New Artist.
Clarence Clemons - E Street Band (1942)
Tony Kaye - Yes (left in 1971)(1946)
Frederick Dennis Greene - Sha Na Na (1949)
Vicki Peterson - Bangles (1958)
Tom Dumont - No Doubt (1968)
Mary Jane Blige - Sold over 60 million records world-wide, known as the "Queen of hip-hop soul." (1971)
Tom Rowlands - Chemical Brothers (1971)
They Are Missed:
Born today in 1895, Laurens Hammond, inventor of the Hammond organ. The sound of the Hammond was used by many rock artists including; Procol Harum, Keith Emerson, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers and The Faces. Hammond died on July 3, 1973.
Born today in 1924, Slim Harpo, blues musician. Died of a heart attack on January 31, 1970 (age 46).
Barry Pritchard, guitarist and singer with The Fortunes, died of a heart attack in 1999.
Mickey Finn percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in Tyrannosaurus Rex (T Rex), died of kidney and liver problems in 2002 (age 55).
Maurice Gibb, bassist and keyboardist of the Bee Gees, died in 2003 after undergoing abdominal surgery in Miami. The singer was 53.
Former Bread guitarist and Academy Award-winning songwriter James Griffin died at his home in Nashville in 2005 at the age of 61 after suffering from cancer. Bread had the 1970's hits "Make It With You," "Baby I'm-a Want You," and "Everything I Own."
Jefferson Airplane drummer, Spencer Dryden, died of cancer in 2005 at age 66.
History:
The release date for the Elvis Presley single "Jailhouse Rock" was put back a week in 1958 after Decca Records pressing plant in the UK were unable to meet the advance orders of 250,000 copies.
The Beatles recorded their first national TV show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' in 1963. They mimed to their new single "Please Please Me" which was released on this day.
The Whiskey-A-Go-Go opened its doors on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1963, the first rock club in the city. In the next decade and beyond, the Whiskey will be a popular meeting place for the record industry and a good place to be seen if you want to get into the industry. The Doors, among others, got their start there.
In 1964, 'Ring Of Fire,' by Johnny Cash, became the first Country album to go to #1 in the US album chart.
Roger Miller recorded his ditties "Dang Me" and "Chug-A-Lug" on this date in 1964.
The Beach Boys recorded "Do You Wanna Dance" in 1965
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded "Purple Haze" in 1967. Jimi also signed to the new record label Track Records on this day.
'This Was,' Jethro Tull's debut album, was released in 1969.
"#9 Dream," from John Lennon’s Walls and Bridges, entered the Top Forty in 1975, where it will peak, appropriately, at #9.
The Pretenders' debut LP was released in North America in 1980.
The album Thriller by Michael Jackson becomes the all-time bestselling LP in 1984.
In 1985, a Brazilian rock Festival held in Rio, claimed to be the biggest ever staged. The festival featured featuring; Queen, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Yes and Iron Maiden.
Nirvana appeared on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live in 1992. At the end of a song, Krist Novoselic hurls his bass into the air. Unfortunately, it comes down right on top of him. Also on this day 'Nevermind' went to #1 on the US album chart.
In 1992, Paul Simon became the first international star to perform in South Africa following the end of the UN cultural boycott. He began a concert tour in Johannesburg.
In 2000, Gary Glitter was released from prison after serving half of a four-month sentence for possessing child pornography downloaded from the internet. Glitter was told he would have to go on the sex offenders' register for seven years.
In 2003, Pete Townshend issued a public statement denying being a paedophile after his name was linked with a police Internet porn inquiry. But The Who guitarist did admit studying child pornography for research into a campaign against it.
Ted Nugent cut himself with a chainsaw in 2004 while filming his VH1 reality series “Surviving Nugent: The Ted Commandments. It takes 40 stitches to close the wound. The contest has city slickers living off the land and enduring Ted for a $100,000 prize.
Green Day is #1 according to Rolling Stone magazine's 2005 Readers' Poll. They are named Artist of the Year, Best Band and earn the nod for Best Single ("Boulevard of Broken Dreams"). Audioslave gets Best Hard Rock/Metal Band, U2 is awarded Best Tour and Fall Out Boy is the Best New Artist.
Music News & Notes
New Jimi Hendrix Album To Mark 40th Death Anniversary
The U.K.'s The Sun is reporting that remastered versions of Jimi Hendrix's albums will soon be available. It is also rumored that a new album is being assembled from some of the guitar legend's previously unreleased studio material.
According to the publication, record bosses have decided to polish Hendrix's albums and re-release them in September to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death.
As previously reported, recordings of a few Hendrix gigs from 1967 and 1968 will also be released as part of a limited edition CD and vinyl package on January 25. The CD will contain audio recordings of Hendrix's show from January 29, 1968, at Paris' L'Olympia Theatre, and his gig on March 19 of the same year at the Ottawa Capitol Theatre.
A recording of his show at L'Olympia on October 9, 1967, which was originally broadcast on French radio but never officially released, will also be included.
In other news......an unearthed song called “Valleys of Neptune” will be featured on a compilation of the same name on March 9th. Valleys of Neptune will include 12 tracks recorded at various studios during Jimi’s final recording sessions while working on his posthumously completed First Rays of the Rising Sun. “Valleys of Neptune,” which was never released commercially but did appear on 1990’s Lifelines: The Jimi Hendrix Story four-disc set, will also be released as a single on February 2nd.
=========================
Avril Lavigne, Pete Wentz, Blink-182's Mark Hoppus For Alice In Wonderland Soundtrack
Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and Blink-182's Mark Hoppus have joined forces to write a song for the Alice In Wonderland soundtrack.
The duo's track for much anticipated Tim Burton remake, starring Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, is described by Wentz as being different to either of their bands' output.
He told MTV.com: “We did a song for 'Alice in Wonderland,' and we might do a few more, depending on when Mark goes in with Blink. It sounds nothing like Blink or Fall Out Boy,"
"Mark understands songwriting on a completely different level. It's awesome to have a chance to sit in a room with him and watch him work out a melody.”
According to Variety Magazine, Avril Lavigne has also recorded a track called 'Alice Underground' for the soundtrack.
=========================
New Scorpions Music
The Scorpions are scheduled to release their next album, Sting of the Tail, on March 19. Here's the artwork:
According to the publication, record bosses have decided to polish Hendrix's albums and re-release them in September to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death.
As previously reported, recordings of a few Hendrix gigs from 1967 and 1968 will also be released as part of a limited edition CD and vinyl package on January 25. The CD will contain audio recordings of Hendrix's show from January 29, 1968, at Paris' L'Olympia Theatre, and his gig on March 19 of the same year at the Ottawa Capitol Theatre.
A recording of his show at L'Olympia on October 9, 1967, which was originally broadcast on French radio but never officially released, will also be included.
In other news......an unearthed song called “Valleys of Neptune” will be featured on a compilation of the same name on March 9th. Valleys of Neptune will include 12 tracks recorded at various studios during Jimi’s final recording sessions while working on his posthumously completed First Rays of the Rising Sun. “Valleys of Neptune,” which was never released commercially but did appear on 1990’s Lifelines: The Jimi Hendrix Story four-disc set, will also be released as a single on February 2nd.
=========================
Avril Lavigne, Pete Wentz, Blink-182's Mark Hoppus For Alice In Wonderland Soundtrack
Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and Blink-182's Mark Hoppus have joined forces to write a song for the Alice In Wonderland soundtrack.
The duo's track for much anticipated Tim Burton remake, starring Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, is described by Wentz as being different to either of their bands' output.
He told MTV.com: “We did a song for 'Alice in Wonderland,' and we might do a few more, depending on when Mark goes in with Blink. It sounds nothing like Blink or Fall Out Boy,"
"Mark understands songwriting on a completely different level. It's awesome to have a chance to sit in a room with him and watch him work out a melody.”
According to Variety Magazine, Avril Lavigne has also recorded a track called 'Alice Underground' for the soundtrack.
=========================
New Scorpions Music
The Scorpions are scheduled to release their next album, Sting of the Tail, on March 19. Here's the artwork:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Music helps define Canadians
Posted By LORNE VANSINCLAIR
As we all cry in our collective beers about our junior hockey team just missing the gold medal, we can take some comfort that hockey isn't the only thing that defines our elusive national identity.
Many cultures define themselves with their music, and we can, too. It is difficult in a country like ours, diverse as it is, yet we have managed to build a very robust music industry here.
This column is about collecting artifacts of the music business, mostly records. The way the hobby of collecting Canadian records has grown and developed reflects the way our music has done the same.
Records have been manufactured in Canada right from the beginning of the last century, but there was very little recording done here so, to some collectors, early Canadian records are just inferior copies of the U.S. or European originals.
You might find interest if the Canadian company issued an alternate take of a jazz recording or if they used a label design not found elsewhere, but recorded Canadian music was virtually non-existent.
Later, RCA built studios in Toronto and Montreal. They recorded jingles, a few bands like Mart Kenny and a lot of great fiddle players.
There was talent here; Hank Snow made some records in Montreal in 1936 but soon left for the U.S.A., because that's what you had to do to earn a living in music.
One country star, Wilf Carter, made many records here and remained proudly Canadian although he very cannily recorded in the U.S. as Montana Slim. His 78 RPM records are highly collectable today.
In the post-war period, a new type of Canadian record company emerged. A lot of small, independent labels had sprung up in the U.S. They produced many hits that were heard on radio here, but these labels did not have a distribution network here, so large Canadian companies like Quality and Reo and smaller ones like Barrel and Zirkon made arrangements with as many U.S. labels as they could for Canadian distribution rights.
It was a great business model but not very creative. These companies hardly ever recorded or released Canadian material. Talented Canadian artists still had to go south to make a career. Canadian records from this period are collected mostly by Canadians and mostly for nostalgic reasons; these are the labels they remember as kids. Most U.S. collectors dismiss them as cheap knock-offs, however Europeans take a different view. They consider them original American issues on a different label, so there is a market for them outside Canada.
I think these records, for better or worse, reflect the Canadian psyche of the time. These companies followed a safe, predictable plan.
They simply manufactured and distributed product, letting others take all the risks. However, besides the label design, there is a distinct difference between a Canadian and U.S. pressing of the same recording.
One difference is the physical material. In the highly competitive
U.S. market, companies often melted down unsold records to re-use the vinyl, which adversely affected the playing surface. Canadian companies only used virgin vinyl, no lumps.
Later, many U.S. companies abandoned vinyl altogether and went for a cheaper plastic called styrene. Styrene had a harder surface and sounded great for the first few plays but wore out very quickly. No Canadian company ever used styrene.
Finally, there was the sound. U.S. companies liked to push the volume and boost the bass and treble to give the record a "hot" sound. That also caused a lot of distortion.
Canadian companies kept everything within limits; the records didn't "jump off the turntable" quite as much, but to discerning ears, the sound quality is better and many collectors, even in the U.S., collect them for that reason alone.
So, just like Canadian banks in the great recession of 2009, Canadian records from the 1960s are valued for not taking too many risks.
Quality Records did take one risk by recording an unknown band from Winnipeg
called Chad Allen and The Expressions. Even then, they didn't think a Canadian band would sell so when they distributed the promo copies to radio stations, they put a big question mark on the label with the words Guess Who? hoping programmers would think it was The Beatles.
That first Guess Who record,Shakin' All Over,is now worth a fortune and for many people it marks the beginning of the Canadian music industry.
For a lot of reasons, the pop music business exploded all over the world in the late 1960s, but probably more so in Canada. Recording studios sprung up like dandelions in spring; all of a sudden we had hundreds, even thousands of artists making music here and on the international stage.
Orillia played a big part in that explosion. Besides giving the world Gordon Lightfoot, there was Danny Harrison, lead singer of the Count Victors who had many hits in the early 1960s.
The Pav dance hall at Couchiching Beach Park played host to almost every Canadian rock band of the era, including the Guess Who. Local favourite Bobby (Blue) Branch made a fine record on his own label. It was a crazy time for Canadian music.
Demographics played a big part. Baby boomers were coming of age and those same boomers are behind the thriving collectors' market for Canadian records made in the late '60s and early '70s. Quite frankly, a lot of them are pretty bad, but that doesn't matter. They were made here by Canadians; it's our sound.
Today, Canadian music stars have a disproportionately high presence internationally. What's more, musicians can, if they chose, have a good career living and working only in Canada. We also have musicians coming from all over the world to live here, giving us a thriving "world music" scene. Name just about any style of music and you'll find first-class Canadian musicians performing and recording it right here.
If you doubt that, just check out CBC Radio 2 (90.7 FM in Orillia). Despite all the criticism, they do showcase a lot of Canadian popular music, and it's pretty darn good.
Makes me think we should have a Canadian Music Festival here in Orillia with all kinds of music from classical to native drumming, pan pipes to hip-hop. Make it a true festival, with a free stage in the park and paid admission shows all over town.
Let's face it, every city has a jazz and blues festival, but a celebration of Canadian music would be unique and this is the place to have it: at Couchiching Park in the empty lot across from the water treatment plant where the Pav used to be.
Lorne VanSinclair is organizer of the Toronto Musical Collectables Show & Sale, Canada's largest record collectors' event. Email him at info@musicalcollectables.com or follow "record_shows" on Twitter
Source: http://www.orilliapacket.com/
As we all cry in our collective beers about our junior hockey team just missing the gold medal, we can take some comfort that hockey isn't the only thing that defines our elusive national identity.
Many cultures define themselves with their music, and we can, too. It is difficult in a country like ours, diverse as it is, yet we have managed to build a very robust music industry here.
This column is about collecting artifacts of the music business, mostly records. The way the hobby of collecting Canadian records has grown and developed reflects the way our music has done the same.
Records have been manufactured in Canada right from the beginning of the last century, but there was very little recording done here so, to some collectors, early Canadian records are just inferior copies of the U.S. or European originals.
You might find interest if the Canadian company issued an alternate take of a jazz recording or if they used a label design not found elsewhere, but recorded Canadian music was virtually non-existent.
Later, RCA built studios in Toronto and Montreal. They recorded jingles, a few bands like Mart Kenny and a lot of great fiddle players.
There was talent here; Hank Snow made some records in Montreal in 1936 but soon left for the U.S.A., because that's what you had to do to earn a living in music.
One country star, Wilf Carter, made many records here and remained proudly Canadian although he very cannily recorded in the U.S. as Montana Slim. His 78 RPM records are highly collectable today.
In the post-war period, a new type of Canadian record company emerged. A lot of small, independent labels had sprung up in the U.S. They produced many hits that were heard on radio here, but these labels did not have a distribution network here, so large Canadian companies like Quality and Reo and smaller ones like Barrel and Zirkon made arrangements with as many U.S. labels as they could for Canadian distribution rights.
It was a great business model but not very creative. These companies hardly ever recorded or released Canadian material. Talented Canadian artists still had to go south to make a career. Canadian records from this period are collected mostly by Canadians and mostly for nostalgic reasons; these are the labels they remember as kids. Most U.S. collectors dismiss them as cheap knock-offs, however Europeans take a different view. They consider them original American issues on a different label, so there is a market for them outside Canada.
I think these records, for better or worse, reflect the Canadian psyche of the time. These companies followed a safe, predictable plan.
They simply manufactured and distributed product, letting others take all the risks. However, besides the label design, there is a distinct difference between a Canadian and U.S. pressing of the same recording.
One difference is the physical material. In the highly competitive
U.S. market, companies often melted down unsold records to re-use the vinyl, which adversely affected the playing surface. Canadian companies only used virgin vinyl, no lumps.
Later, many U.S. companies abandoned vinyl altogether and went for a cheaper plastic called styrene. Styrene had a harder surface and sounded great for the first few plays but wore out very quickly. No Canadian company ever used styrene.
Finally, there was the sound. U.S. companies liked to push the volume and boost the bass and treble to give the record a "hot" sound. That also caused a lot of distortion.
Canadian companies kept everything within limits; the records didn't "jump off the turntable" quite as much, but to discerning ears, the sound quality is better and many collectors, even in the U.S., collect them for that reason alone.
So, just like Canadian banks in the great recession of 2009, Canadian records from the 1960s are valued for not taking too many risks.
Quality Records did take one risk by recording an unknown band from Winnipeg
called Chad Allen and The Expressions. Even then, they didn't think a Canadian band would sell so when they distributed the promo copies to radio stations, they put a big question mark on the label with the words Guess Who? hoping programmers would think it was The Beatles.
That first Guess Who record,Shakin' All Over,is now worth a fortune and for many people it marks the beginning of the Canadian music industry.
For a lot of reasons, the pop music business exploded all over the world in the late 1960s, but probably more so in Canada. Recording studios sprung up like dandelions in spring; all of a sudden we had hundreds, even thousands of artists making music here and on the international stage.
Orillia played a big part in that explosion. Besides giving the world Gordon Lightfoot, there was Danny Harrison, lead singer of the Count Victors who had many hits in the early 1960s.
The Pav dance hall at Couchiching Beach Park played host to almost every Canadian rock band of the era, including the Guess Who. Local favourite Bobby (Blue) Branch made a fine record on his own label. It was a crazy time for Canadian music.
Demographics played a big part. Baby boomers were coming of age and those same boomers are behind the thriving collectors' market for Canadian records made in the late '60s and early '70s. Quite frankly, a lot of them are pretty bad, but that doesn't matter. They were made here by Canadians; it's our sound.
Today, Canadian music stars have a disproportionately high presence internationally. What's more, musicians can, if they chose, have a good career living and working only in Canada. We also have musicians coming from all over the world to live here, giving us a thriving "world music" scene. Name just about any style of music and you'll find first-class Canadian musicians performing and recording it right here.
If you doubt that, just check out CBC Radio 2 (90.7 FM in Orillia). Despite all the criticism, they do showcase a lot of Canadian popular music, and it's pretty darn good.
Makes me think we should have a Canadian Music Festival here in Orillia with all kinds of music from classical to native drumming, pan pipes to hip-hop. Make it a true festival, with a free stage in the park and paid admission shows all over town.
Let's face it, every city has a jazz and blues festival, but a celebration of Canadian music would be unique and this is the place to have it: at Couchiching Park in the empty lot across from the water treatment plant where the Pav used to be.
Lorne VanSinclair is organizer of the Toronto Musical Collectables Show & Sale, Canada's largest record collectors' event. Email him at info@musicalcollectables.com or follow "record_shows" on Twitter
Source: http://www.orilliapacket.com/
This Date In Music History-January 9
Birthdays:
Joan Baez (1941)
Kenneth Kelley - Manhattans (1943)
Dick Yount - Harper's Bizarre (1943)
Jimmy Page - Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin (1944)
Scott Engel - Walker Brothers (1944)
David Johansen - New York Dolls (1950)
Crystal Gayle (1951)
Kenny McLean - Platinum Blonde (1959)
Eric Erlandson - Hole (1963)
Dave Matthews - Dave Matthews Band (1967)
Steve Harwell - Smash Mouth (1967)
Carl Bell - Fuel (1967)
A.J McLean - Backstreet Boys (1978)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1929, Bill Cowsill of the Cowsills - TV's Partridge Family was based on the Cowsills family (died February 17, 2006).
Irish singer, songwriter David McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim in 2002 (age 56). Released over 10 solo albums.
In 2009, Dave Dee died at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. The UK singer had eight top 10 hits, with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich including a UK number one single in 1968 with "The Legend of Xanadu," in which Dee famously cracked a whip. The singer, whose real name was David Harman, was originally a police officer and as a police cadet was called to the scene of the car crash that killed Eddie Cochrane during a UK tour in 1960.
History:
In 1941, Muddy Waters first recordings were made by Alan Lomax and John Works for the Library of Congress. "Country Blues," "I Be's Troubled," and Burr Clover's "Farm Blues" were his first recordings.
Dion & The Belmonts performed "A Teenager In Love" on American Bandstand in 1959.
In 1960, Eddie Cochran arrived in England to begin a tour (he will die there in an April 17 car crash).
Bert Kaempfert started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1961 with "Wonderland By Night." Kaempfert produced The Beatles first recording session when they were in Hamburg.
Bob Newhart went to #1 on the US album chart in 1961 with 'The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!'
In 1963, drummer Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones after leaving Blues Incorporated.
The Beatles started a nine-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1965 with "Beatles 65," the group's fourth #1 album.
In 1973, Mick Jagger was refused a Japanese visa on account of a 1969 drug bust, halting the Stones' plans to tour the Orient. Asked by a reporter about his personal drug use, Jagger replied, "I don't take drugs. I don't approve of drugs and I don't approve of people taking drugs, unless they're very careful."
C.W. McCall's recording of "Convoy" reached the top of the country music charts in 1976. It's success leads to a long string of CB radio-related novelty records during the next year and a half.
The music for UNICEF concert took place in New York City in 1979 featuring Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees, Earth Wind and Fire, Abba and Donna Summer.
In 1981, Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers from The Specials were both fined $680 after being found guilty of using threatening words during a gig in Cambridge, England.
Singer Frank Sinatra was paid one-million dollars for a single performance to help launch a new resort on Australia's Gold Coast in 1988. It was Sinatra's first performance in the country in 14 years. He had been banned by Australian unions in 1974 after calling female reporters "hookers" and male reporters "drunks."
In 1988, Whitney Houston scored her sixth consecutive #1 in the US with "So Emotional."
In 1997, David Bowie performed his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, New York with guests Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, The Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Billy Corgan and Placebo. All proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund.
DMX were at #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with ‘...And Then There Was X.’
Winners at the 28th annual American Music Awards in 2001; Favourite Album, Creed, 'Human Clay', Male Artist, Kid Rock, Favourite Female Artist, Faith Hill, Favourite Group, Backstreet Boys, Favourite New Artist, 3 Doors Down.
A grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000 in 2003. Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World.
Britain's Royal Mail issues a series of Beatles postage stamps in 2007.
Bon Jovi and Nickelback are winners at the 33rd annual People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2007. The Favorite Rock Song is Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home," while Nickelback takes home the Favorite Group trophy.
Joan Baez (1941)
Kenneth Kelley - Manhattans (1943)
Dick Yount - Harper's Bizarre (1943)
Jimmy Page - Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin (1944)
Scott Engel - Walker Brothers (1944)
David Johansen - New York Dolls (1950)
Crystal Gayle (1951)
Kenny McLean - Platinum Blonde (1959)
Eric Erlandson - Hole (1963)
Dave Matthews - Dave Matthews Band (1967)
Steve Harwell - Smash Mouth (1967)
Carl Bell - Fuel (1967)
A.J McLean - Backstreet Boys (1978)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1929, Bill Cowsill of the Cowsills - TV's Partridge Family was based on the Cowsills family (died February 17, 2006).
Irish singer, songwriter David McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim in 2002 (age 56). Released over 10 solo albums.
In 2009, Dave Dee died at the age of 65, following a three-year battle with cancer. The UK singer had eight top 10 hits, with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich including a UK number one single in 1968 with "The Legend of Xanadu," in which Dee famously cracked a whip. The singer, whose real name was David Harman, was originally a police officer and as a police cadet was called to the scene of the car crash that killed Eddie Cochrane during a UK tour in 1960.
History:
In 1941, Muddy Waters first recordings were made by Alan Lomax and John Works for the Library of Congress. "Country Blues," "I Be's Troubled," and Burr Clover's "Farm Blues" were his first recordings.
Dion & The Belmonts performed "A Teenager In Love" on American Bandstand in 1959.
In 1960, Eddie Cochran arrived in England to begin a tour (he will die there in an April 17 car crash).
Bert Kaempfert started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1961 with "Wonderland By Night." Kaempfert produced The Beatles first recording session when they were in Hamburg.
Bob Newhart went to #1 on the US album chart in 1961 with 'The Button Down Mind Strikes Back!'
In 1963, drummer Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones after leaving Blues Incorporated.
The Beatles started a nine-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1965 with "Beatles 65," the group's fourth #1 album.
In 1973, Mick Jagger was refused a Japanese visa on account of a 1969 drug bust, halting the Stones' plans to tour the Orient. Asked by a reporter about his personal drug use, Jagger replied, "I don't take drugs. I don't approve of drugs and I don't approve of people taking drugs, unless they're very careful."
C.W. McCall's recording of "Convoy" reached the top of the country music charts in 1976. It's success leads to a long string of CB radio-related novelty records during the next year and a half.
The music for UNICEF concert took place in New York City in 1979 featuring Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees, Earth Wind and Fire, Abba and Donna Summer.
In 1981, Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers from The Specials were both fined $680 after being found guilty of using threatening words during a gig in Cambridge, England.
Singer Frank Sinatra was paid one-million dollars for a single performance to help launch a new resort on Australia's Gold Coast in 1988. It was Sinatra's first performance in the country in 14 years. He had been banned by Australian unions in 1974 after calling female reporters "hookers" and male reporters "drunks."
In 1988, Whitney Houston scored her sixth consecutive #1 in the US with "So Emotional."
In 1997, David Bowie performed his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, New York with guests Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, The Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Billy Corgan and Placebo. All proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund.
DMX were at #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with ‘...And Then There Was X.’
Winners at the 28th annual American Music Awards in 2001; Favourite Album, Creed, 'Human Clay', Male Artist, Kid Rock, Favourite Female Artist, Faith Hill, Favourite Group, Backstreet Boys, Favourite New Artist, 3 Doors Down.
A grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000 in 2003. Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World.
Britain's Royal Mail issues a series of Beatles postage stamps in 2007.
Bon Jovi and Nickelback are winners at the 33rd annual People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2007. The Favorite Rock Song is Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home," while Nickelback takes home the Favorite Group trophy.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Michael Fremer Review
I am very happy to continue our feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. His DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl. Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
FEATURE:
Long-Awaited The Doors Vinyl Box From Rhino Arrives
The Doors (new reissue)
Michael Fremer
2010-01-01
The long awaited faux lizard skin clad, seven 180g LP The Doors box set has finally arrived, two years late, at a higher than originally announced cost, and for now (May, 2008), in very short supply.
Was it worth the wait? I anxiously broke open my edition (03631 or 12,500) to find out, armed with originals (including the rare mono first album), the Mo-Fi first album, the DCC reissues, now more than a decade old, and some Japanese Warner-Pioneer reissues from the 1980's.
First of all, for the most part, the box set's packaging is truly D-luxe and the labels and inserts accurate to the originals. Only Morrison Hotel misses the mark by not reproducing the original's textured, matte-finished cover material.
The insert containing notes by Elektra founder and president Jac Holzman and Doors engineer Bruce Botnick, provide welcome background and perspective on both LP history in general and production of the originals, as well as a discussion of how these reissues were produced.
By now, almost everyone knows that because of the delicate condition of the now, in some cases, more than forty year old (!) tapes, Holzman and Botnick chose to digitize the reels at 192k/24 bit resolution in order to preserve both their physical and sonic integrity and to allow them to manipulate and deal with sonic problems in preparation for the final cutting without compromise.
What constitutes an original of the first three albums is not as easy as a gold Elektra label. The first two were first mastered, as Botnick points out, by Sydney Feldman at Mastertone Sound in New York City (did he really spell it with a 'y,' which is usually used for the woman's version, or was that a typo?).
I have four gold label copies of Strange Days, but only one has an 'MMatrix' stamp and the date (10-3-67) inscribed on the lead out groove area and it is, by far, the most detailed and dynamic (and brightest) sounding of the four. I assume it's the original cut by Mr. Feldman. It's the one I first enjoyed back in the fabled summer of 1967.
The first two dark and mysterious albums were The Doors' creative peak for me, though in retrospect, Waiting For The Sun, the third album issued summer of 1968 (and originally mastered by Bernie Grundman at Contemporary), though flawed, holds up rather well. Songs like 'The Unknown Soldier,' 'Summer's Almost Gone,' and 'Five to One,' soundtrack selections for many boomers that summer, still pack a punch.
Soft Parade shows a rock band unsure of its direction and wallowing in the distractions of jazz rhythms, busy horn arrangements and stale riffs, then and more so now. The Doors sounding like Chicago? Who needs that, although the string-tinged three minute 'Wishful Sinful' makes some magic and the extended, oddly dichotomized Zappa-esque/Broadway title tune is entertaining in retrospect, but it clearly shows a band following, rather than leading trends.
When the band attempted to find the magic formulas of the first two albums, they found the formulas but not the magic. The mystery and magic of the first two albums, softened on the third, are gone completely on Soft Parade. Even the recording, though competent, lacks the high style and sonic depth of the first two and to a lesser degree the third. Leave it to the public to elevate the lame 'Touch Me' to near the top of the charts. At the end of the tune Morrison spits out the Ajax (the foaming cleanser) advertising slogan 'Stronger Than Dirt,' both because the song's end riff mirrors the slogan, and, it's often said, as Morrison's editorial comment on his band mates' attempts to commercialize 'Light My Fire' by allowing its use in a television car commercial. Morrison vetoed the idea.
1970's Morrison Hotel nudged the Doors toward their bluesy roots (despite the psychedelic trappings, the blues was at the band's core) and returned credibility to the band after The Soft Parade— though the band never had any with a certain segment of the rock audience and among certain critics who thought Morrison and the boys were hokey pretenders.
With so much to prove and so much hanging on its success, Morrison Hotel has a bit too much nervous energy for its own good. In retrospect, it's a good album but not a great one and it doesn't contain any truly 'classic' tracks.
The same can't be said for the final Doors album, issued just two months before Jim Morrison's death in Paris on July 3rd, 1971. How much changed in the world and in The Doors' music between the first and last album! L.A. Woman finds The Doors in richer, more credible blues territory and includes era-defining classics like 'Love Her Madly,' 'L.A. Woman,' and 'Riders on a Storm.'
Morrison had traded his psychedelic mystery voice for a hard-edged bitter blues, asking in 'Been Down So Long,' to be set free. 'Let the poor boy be,' he implores. Though the song is set in a prison, Morrison clearly is asking to be let out of his own prison, the one in which his self-created 'Lizard King' image had bound him. The Doors liked to exit an album with an extended epic and though they might not have known it at the time, going out with the brooding 7:14 long 'Riders on the Storm,' proved a fitting end cap to the group's studio recording history.
Drugs and sex, an Oedipal epic and Kurt Weill made the first album memorable and powerful, while the second album captured and fed back to aware fans the 'Strange Days' that were creeping upon America and the unsettled world just four years after the assassination of JFK, not that Morrison and crew were against an escapist 'Moonlight Drive.' The second album's combination of psychedelia, sex and woozy confusion, aided by the late photographer Joel Brodsky's iconic cover, make it the quintessential Doors album—the one that put the sound, the vibe and the performances together to truly define the group. Unfortunately, there was no recovering from the second album jolt and nothing the group did later can compare. However, with the luxury of time (a lot of it!) the group's rich output has only been enhanced, both artistically and with this box set, sonically as well.
As the albums originally came out, the sound quality seemed to deteriorate along with the artistic integrity. The first two albums were steeped in a dark, rich and definitely unsettling atmosphere. My college roommates (one of whom went on to become the superintendent of a school system!) won't mind, I assume, if I divulge that one of our great pleasures at the end of the school week was to unearth our 'stash' carefully hidden in the garage next to our basement apartment, roll up a number, smoke it as the Ithaca winter darkness settled in late afternoon and then listen to Strange Days on my hi-fi, then consisting of a Dynaco PS-3x, stereo 120, Dual 1009SK/Shure V-15 Type II and a pair of AR-2ax speakers.
Once suitably toasted, it was easy to sink into the bubbling psychedelia of 'Strange Days,' and remain suspended, each in our own little purply haze, until the end of 'Moonlight Drive.' 'Horse Latitudes' may have been silly but it was creepy and evocative and conjured up perfectly grotesque images upon which adventurous minds could feed for that short minute and a half before the liberation of 'Moonlight Drive.' When the side ended it took a genuine effort on all our parts to return to a state of consciousness that could fairly be described as 'aware of our surroundings.' We wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a state of mind no computer speaker/MP3 system could hope to induce, you can bet on that!
Another few hits and we were ready to go back from whence we came with 'People Are Strange' and the rest of the side, ending appropriately with 'When the Music's Over.' For us it wasn't, as we sat there in the dark for a few more hours of listening before the munchies got us.
Listening straight through this box set now, in 2008, it's fascinating to find that the music is still compelling, that after a thousand or so plays Strange Days is still the best and most unnerving Doors album, and that the records that followed were not nearly as good. However, time has treated them kindly, and even the worst of the lot, The Soft Parade holds interest, if only because the perspective of time adds an unexpected contextual richness.
The sonic picture slides in reverse, however: while the records seemed to slide downhill sonically over time, in fact, it turns out that it was the mastering and/or production that did them in. You have to remember that rock LPs in the mid 1960's had yet to become a mass consumption commodity. That happened quickly between 1967 and 1971 and as the numbers rose, the quality of the product declined as it had to accommodate mass consumption playback gear. Remember: the '60s took RCA from the heights 'Living Stereo' to 'Dynagroove' to the sonic and physical depths of 'Dynaflex'!
Whatever the reasons, whether a purposeful effort to degrade or the belief that progress was being made, the sound of the Doors albums seemed to slide down hill over time. Comparing the originals of the first two albums to the reissues demonstrates both how good the originals sounded and how close Holzman, Botnick and Grundman have come in re-creating the original magic, digital or no digital. In fact, it could be argued that these new reissues of the first two albums sound bigger, more dynamic, detailed and tape like compared to the commercial originals. They surely are somewhat brighter but not harder (though demagnetization really smooths them out), and they are more dynamic, bigger and more detailed by far.
My only quibble about the second record is that the elasticity of the toms and the other drums has been hardened somewhat, there is a slight loss of immediacy and transparency compared to the cut from the fresh tape and the bass is somewhat less supple and extended, but only by a small degree and overall the reissue smokes all of the gold label copies I have save for the one with the date etched into the lead-out groove area. The mono first album comparison was as close to a dead heat as it gets. And these new reissues are far superior overall than the Japanese, Mo-Fi or DCC reissues. The DCCs may sound more pleasant but they are also more distant, and far less detailed, particularly in terms of sustain and decay. The new reissues sound more like analog tape by a considerable margin.
Interestingly as you listen through the records in chronological order, whatever your opinion of the artistry, you will be surprised to find (especially if you have originals) that the sound actually improves compared to the originals or the previous reissues. This box restores the recordings to whatever original greatness they originally had. A greatness that was lost in the mastering, plating and pressings of the originals, including Bernie Grundman's original cut of Waiting For the Sun. You've improved with age, Bernie!
Overall then, I'd say the wait for The Doors box set has been well worth it. I got my money's worth in one long sitdown with the entire set and I know I'll be listening happily for a long time to come. So thanks to everyone involved in this long, arduous process. The packaging is swell and the pressing quality is uniformly excellent though a few sides exhibited greater eccentricity than I like to see.
The Doors Vinyl Box is sure to become a collector's item, though you can be sure the 192k/24 bit masters will eventually be sold as internet downloads. Somehow, I'm sure the vinyl will still sound better. There's some kind of magic in the grooves and I don't care if it's additive. It's certainly addictive!
SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com/ Reprinted By Permission
FEATURE:
The Doors (new reissue)
Michael Fremer
2010-01-01
The long awaited faux lizard skin clad, seven 180g LP The Doors box set has finally arrived, two years late, at a higher than originally announced cost, and for now (May, 2008), in very short supply.
Was it worth the wait? I anxiously broke open my edition (03631 or 12,500) to find out, armed with originals (including the rare mono first album), the Mo-Fi first album, the DCC reissues, now more than a decade old, and some Japanese Warner-Pioneer reissues from the 1980's.
First of all, for the most part, the box set's packaging is truly D-luxe and the labels and inserts accurate to the originals. Only Morrison Hotel misses the mark by not reproducing the original's textured, matte-finished cover material.
The insert containing notes by Elektra founder and president Jac Holzman and Doors engineer Bruce Botnick, provide welcome background and perspective on both LP history in general and production of the originals, as well as a discussion of how these reissues were produced.
By now, almost everyone knows that because of the delicate condition of the now, in some cases, more than forty year old (!) tapes, Holzman and Botnick chose to digitize the reels at 192k/24 bit resolution in order to preserve both their physical and sonic integrity and to allow them to manipulate and deal with sonic problems in preparation for the final cutting without compromise.
What constitutes an original of the first three albums is not as easy as a gold Elektra label. The first two were first mastered, as Botnick points out, by Sydney Feldman at Mastertone Sound in New York City (did he really spell it with a 'y,' which is usually used for the woman's version, or was that a typo?).
I have four gold label copies of Strange Days, but only one has an 'MMatrix' stamp and the date (10-3-67) inscribed on the lead out groove area and it is, by far, the most detailed and dynamic (and brightest) sounding of the four. I assume it's the original cut by Mr. Feldman. It's the one I first enjoyed back in the fabled summer of 1967.
The first two dark and mysterious albums were The Doors' creative peak for me, though in retrospect, Waiting For The Sun, the third album issued summer of 1968 (and originally mastered by Bernie Grundman at Contemporary), though flawed, holds up rather well. Songs like 'The Unknown Soldier,' 'Summer's Almost Gone,' and 'Five to One,' soundtrack selections for many boomers that summer, still pack a punch.
Soft Parade shows a rock band unsure of its direction and wallowing in the distractions of jazz rhythms, busy horn arrangements and stale riffs, then and more so now. The Doors sounding like Chicago? Who needs that, although the string-tinged three minute 'Wishful Sinful' makes some magic and the extended, oddly dichotomized Zappa-esque/Broadway title tune is entertaining in retrospect, but it clearly shows a band following, rather than leading trends.
When the band attempted to find the magic formulas of the first two albums, they found the formulas but not the magic. The mystery and magic of the first two albums, softened on the third, are gone completely on Soft Parade. Even the recording, though competent, lacks the high style and sonic depth of the first two and to a lesser degree the third. Leave it to the public to elevate the lame 'Touch Me' to near the top of the charts. At the end of the tune Morrison spits out the Ajax (the foaming cleanser) advertising slogan 'Stronger Than Dirt,' both because the song's end riff mirrors the slogan, and, it's often said, as Morrison's editorial comment on his band mates' attempts to commercialize 'Light My Fire' by allowing its use in a television car commercial. Morrison vetoed the idea.
1970's Morrison Hotel nudged the Doors toward their bluesy roots (despite the psychedelic trappings, the blues was at the band's core) and returned credibility to the band after The Soft Parade— though the band never had any with a certain segment of the rock audience and among certain critics who thought Morrison and the boys were hokey pretenders.
With so much to prove and so much hanging on its success, Morrison Hotel has a bit too much nervous energy for its own good. In retrospect, it's a good album but not a great one and it doesn't contain any truly 'classic' tracks.
The same can't be said for the final Doors album, issued just two months before Jim Morrison's death in Paris on July 3rd, 1971. How much changed in the world and in The Doors' music between the first and last album! L.A. Woman finds The Doors in richer, more credible blues territory and includes era-defining classics like 'Love Her Madly,' 'L.A. Woman,' and 'Riders on a Storm.'
Morrison had traded his psychedelic mystery voice for a hard-edged bitter blues, asking in 'Been Down So Long,' to be set free. 'Let the poor boy be,' he implores. Though the song is set in a prison, Morrison clearly is asking to be let out of his own prison, the one in which his self-created 'Lizard King' image had bound him. The Doors liked to exit an album with an extended epic and though they might not have known it at the time, going out with the brooding 7:14 long 'Riders on the Storm,' proved a fitting end cap to the group's studio recording history.
Drugs and sex, an Oedipal epic and Kurt Weill made the first album memorable and powerful, while the second album captured and fed back to aware fans the 'Strange Days' that were creeping upon America and the unsettled world just four years after the assassination of JFK, not that Morrison and crew were against an escapist 'Moonlight Drive.' The second album's combination of psychedelia, sex and woozy confusion, aided by the late photographer Joel Brodsky's iconic cover, make it the quintessential Doors album—the one that put the sound, the vibe and the performances together to truly define the group. Unfortunately, there was no recovering from the second album jolt and nothing the group did later can compare. However, with the luxury of time (a lot of it!) the group's rich output has only been enhanced, both artistically and with this box set, sonically as well.
As the albums originally came out, the sound quality seemed to deteriorate along with the artistic integrity. The first two albums were steeped in a dark, rich and definitely unsettling atmosphere. My college roommates (one of whom went on to become the superintendent of a school system!) won't mind, I assume, if I divulge that one of our great pleasures at the end of the school week was to unearth our 'stash' carefully hidden in the garage next to our basement apartment, roll up a number, smoke it as the Ithaca winter darkness settled in late afternoon and then listen to Strange Days on my hi-fi, then consisting of a Dynaco PS-3x, stereo 120, Dual 1009SK/Shure V-15 Type II and a pair of AR-2ax speakers.
Once suitably toasted, it was easy to sink into the bubbling psychedelia of 'Strange Days,' and remain suspended, each in our own little purply haze, until the end of 'Moonlight Drive.' 'Horse Latitudes' may have been silly but it was creepy and evocative and conjured up perfectly grotesque images upon which adventurous minds could feed for that short minute and a half before the liberation of 'Moonlight Drive.' When the side ended it took a genuine effort on all our parts to return to a state of consciousness that could fairly be described as 'aware of our surroundings.' We wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a state of mind no computer speaker/MP3 system could hope to induce, you can bet on that!
Another few hits and we were ready to go back from whence we came with 'People Are Strange' and the rest of the side, ending appropriately with 'When the Music's Over.' For us it wasn't, as we sat there in the dark for a few more hours of listening before the munchies got us.
Listening straight through this box set now, in 2008, it's fascinating to find that the music is still compelling, that after a thousand or so plays Strange Days is still the best and most unnerving Doors album, and that the records that followed were not nearly as good. However, time has treated them kindly, and even the worst of the lot, The Soft Parade holds interest, if only because the perspective of time adds an unexpected contextual richness.
The sonic picture slides in reverse, however: while the records seemed to slide downhill sonically over time, in fact, it turns out that it was the mastering and/or production that did them in. You have to remember that rock LPs in the mid 1960's had yet to become a mass consumption commodity. That happened quickly between 1967 and 1971 and as the numbers rose, the quality of the product declined as it had to accommodate mass consumption playback gear. Remember: the '60s took RCA from the heights 'Living Stereo' to 'Dynagroove' to the sonic and physical depths of 'Dynaflex'!
Whatever the reasons, whether a purposeful effort to degrade or the belief that progress was being made, the sound of the Doors albums seemed to slide down hill over time. Comparing the originals of the first two albums to the reissues demonstrates both how good the originals sounded and how close Holzman, Botnick and Grundman have come in re-creating the original magic, digital or no digital. In fact, it could be argued that these new reissues of the first two albums sound bigger, more dynamic, detailed and tape like compared to the commercial originals. They surely are somewhat brighter but not harder (though demagnetization really smooths them out), and they are more dynamic, bigger and more detailed by far.
My only quibble about the second record is that the elasticity of the toms and the other drums has been hardened somewhat, there is a slight loss of immediacy and transparency compared to the cut from the fresh tape and the bass is somewhat less supple and extended, but only by a small degree and overall the reissue smokes all of the gold label copies I have save for the one with the date etched into the lead-out groove area. The mono first album comparison was as close to a dead heat as it gets. And these new reissues are far superior overall than the Japanese, Mo-Fi or DCC reissues. The DCCs may sound more pleasant but they are also more distant, and far less detailed, particularly in terms of sustain and decay. The new reissues sound more like analog tape by a considerable margin.
Interestingly as you listen through the records in chronological order, whatever your opinion of the artistry, you will be surprised to find (especially if you have originals) that the sound actually improves compared to the originals or the previous reissues. This box restores the recordings to whatever original greatness they originally had. A greatness that was lost in the mastering, plating and pressings of the originals, including Bernie Grundman's original cut of Waiting For the Sun. You've improved with age, Bernie!
Overall then, I'd say the wait for The Doors box set has been well worth it. I got my money's worth in one long sitdown with the entire set and I know I'll be listening happily for a long time to come. So thanks to everyone involved in this long, arduous process. The packaging is swell and the pressing quality is uniformly excellent though a few sides exhibited greater eccentricity than I like to see.
The Doors Vinyl Box is sure to become a collector's item, though you can be sure the 192k/24 bit masters will eventually be sold as internet downloads. Somehow, I'm sure the vinyl will still sound better. There's some kind of magic in the grooves and I don't care if it's additive. It's certainly addictive!
SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com/ Reprinted By Permission
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