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, http://www.musicangle.com/
and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.

ALBUM REVIEW:
The Twilight Hours (new release)
Stereo Night

Twilight Hours TTH LP-01 LP

Produced by: John Munson and Matt Wilson with Jacques Wait
Engineered by: Jacques Wait, others
Mixed by: Ryan Freeland
Mastered by: Richard Dodd

Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-01-01


This slab of red vinyl got plopped on the turntable and listened to before the unnoticed press blurb stuffed into the gatefold jacket made returning it from where it came impossible.

“No way these hook-drenched, mid-tempo pop tunes, packed with achingly beautiful melodies, meticulously arranged, played and recorded could be the work of first-timers,” I kept telling myself as one after another unfolded to my surprise and general delight.

That proved to be the case. The Minneapolis based duo of John Munson and Matt Wilson who are The Twilight Hours, have been around for decades, beginning with Trip Shakespeare in the late ‘80s and later, minus Matt, but including his brother Dan, as Semisonic, which scored a number one hit in 1998 with “Closing Time” contained on the platinum album Feeling Strangely Fine. “Closing Time” has been in commercials and even on a Simpson’s episode.

Matt Wilson recorded a solo album, then the duo re-united as The Flops; there was a jazz album minus Matt and now there’s this one due out at the end of January.

Stereo Night? You gotta love the title and believe me, the sound will kill you. These guys are doing what they love, but they’re hitting a bullseye on a target known as the “audiophile market,” with an album that’s so conceptually retro it might just be ahead of its time (one tune refers to “scratches in the groove”).

You’ll hear snippets of familiar pop/rock elements embedded within the smartly conceived arrangements, but will you be able to identify where you heard them? Perhaps when you get to “Goodbye Good Life” and then “Stay With You,” you’ll hear the Colin Blunstone/Odessey and Oracle connection.

If you like that album and don’t find it too icky-sweet you will gobble this one up with gusto, though these guys do occasionally veer too close to Wings territory—and I don’t mean Band on the Run Wings! But hell, if the worst thing one can say about this duo is that it sounds like The Zombies and Wings, how bad can it be?

So if you like The Zombies, The Odds, Big Star and The Left Banke’s “Walk Away Renee;” The Cars, Marshall Crenshaw, Pernice Brothers, Bread, Split Enz, Squeeze (minus that band’s playfulness) Queen’s ballads, soaring harmonies, juicy overdriven Tom Scholz/Brian May-like solo guitar fills and say, Fleetwood Mac’s “Spare Me A Little,” from the Bare Trees album, you’ll definitely dig all ten tunes on this album, even the bordering on treacle “Winter Blue” because it’s so damn well played, arranged and recorded and especially because the next tune, “Queen of Tomorrow” is harder, funnier and catchier— and you’re guaranteed to love the lyrics about a break up caused by the guy screwing with the girl’s stereo and her subsequent rock star success. There’s a pathetic/funny story twist not unlike Fountains of Wayne’s “Hackensack.”

Is there an element of calculation to the oh-so-earnest game plan? Yes. Will you enjoy being manipulated? If the last paragraph entices you, then yes. Even if the opener, “Dreams” strikes you as a bit saccharine, you’ll marvel at the craft and appreciate the placement perfection of the production elements. It’s a pop gem. The next tune injects another great hook but doesn’t hold up quite as well as it mimics The Cars and ends ala “You’re Just What I Needed.”

The laggard tempoed “Alone,” built upon a repeated triad and fitted with a soft kick drum and pedal steel fill may strike you as Shins-mope but once “My Return” gets rolling you’ll drop your reservations and buy into The Twilight Hours.

The lyrics are appropriately introspective, and deal with love, regret, abandonment, vulnerability, fear, nostalgia—the kind of subject matter that breed minor chord, sunset reverie.

The duo gets plenty of backing help, with drums, strings, sax, percussion, pedal steel and the like and with great engineering and mixing. Do a Google search and you can hear and see many of these tunes performed live, but to really hear it in all of its high fidelity glory, get the well-pressed red LP (by GZ in The Czech Republic through San Francisco's Pirates Press).

There’s not a false note struck on this exquisitely crafted, superbly recorded, highly recommended pop gem.

You can buy the vinyl at the group's website:

http://www.thetwilighthours.com/index.php/music/



SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com/                 Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

New Brian Jonestown Massacre

The Brian Jonestown Massacre is back and set to release their tenth studio album, Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? on February 23rd. The 13-track album was recorded throughout 2009 in Iceland and Berlin and features Spaceman 3 legend Will Carruthers on bass, vocalist Unnur Andrea Einarsdottir and a variety of international musicians contributing textures not previously heard on a BJM album. It is to be released on bandleader Anton Newcombe’s own label, “a recordings LTD”, distributed though Red Eye.

The album marks the return of guitarist/vocalist Matt Hollywood, an original member/co-founder of the band who helped write some of the BJM’s classic material from their early albums (Strung Out In Heaven, Their Satanic Majesties Second Request, Take It From The Man, Spacegirl & Other Oddities, Give It Back) as well as penning the infamous dig at the Dandy Warhols, “Not If You Were The Last Dandy on Earth”.

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Johnny Cash Album to be Released

Another Johnny Cash album from the Rick Rubin-produced American Recordings sessions will be released, reports Pitchfork. Four albums from the sessions were released before the country singer's death, in which he sang covers of Beck, Danzig and the popular Nine Inch Nails cover of "Hurt."

On Feb. 26, the final volume of the series, "American VI: Ain't No Grave," will be released via American/Lost Highway.

The album is yet again produced by Rick Rubin and features covers of Sheryl Crow's "Redemption Day," Tom Paxton's "Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" and Bob Nolan's "Cool Water," among others. It will also feature a new Cash song titled "I Corinthians: 15:55."

Indie rocker Matt Sweeney of Zwan fame and Smokey Hormel of Beck's band play on the album and Scott Avett, of the Avett Brothers, guests on the title track.

"Johnny said that recording was his main reason for being alive," said Rick Rubin in a statement. "I think it was the only thing that kept him going."

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Jay Reatard death treated as murder

Memphis Police are treating the death of garage rocker Jay Reatard as a murder and are calling for anyone with information for the investigation. The 29-year old (real name Jay Lindsay) was found dead at around 3:30am Sunday at his home in Cooper-Young, Tennessee.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (901) 528-CASH or submit a tip to the website www.528cash.org. Information leading to an arrest has a $1000 bounty attached to it.

Jay Lee Lindsay Jr was born on May 1, 1980. He signed to Goner Records when he was 15-years old and scored an opening act slot soon after with Rocket From The Crypt. Jay named his first band The Reatards and adopted the surname.

The last album for Jay Reatard was 'Watch Me Fall’ in 2009.

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Bobby Charles has died

Singer-songwriter Charles – who penned hits such as 'Walking to New Orleans’ and 'See You Later Alligator’ – passed away at his home in Abbeville, Louisiana, at the age of 71 and while the cause of his death remains unknown, he suffered from diabetes and was in remission from kidney cancer.

His publicist Karen Johnson said: "He is a classic American songwriter. His songs are real American songs."

His long-time friend and music collaborator Dr. John said of Charles:

"We were very close for 40, 50 years. We started writing stuff together in the 70s. He was very easy to work with and a special guy."

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Alkaline Trio Addiction Coming Next Month

Alkaline Trio have announced the release of their forthcoming album, This Addiction, on February 23 via Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull.

Recorded and produced by the band with help from longtime cohort Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, This Addiction marks Alkaline Trio’s first release on their imprint label Heart & Skull and first with their parent label Epitaph Records. The album also finds the Trio revisiting their punk roots while moving forward creatively.

"This record is a rock record but our punk rock upbringing definitely shines through, more so than our last few records," singer/guitarist Matt Skiba recently told .com. "The vibe is similar to our humble beginnings. It's a step forward but I also think it has glimmers of our past in it."

The album’s title track and first single wastes no time in setting the tone of the album as it rips and roars with Matt Skiba’s exceptional vocals and signature guitar riffs, bassist and co/vocalist Dan Andriano’s thumping low-end and drummer Derek Grant’s steadfast beats. From soon-to-be fan-favorites like the Andriano led rocker “Dine, Dine My Darling” and politically charged anthem “The American Scream” to the sonically mesmerizing rhythm and lyrics of “Dorothy” and the thrilling sing-along “Draculina,” This Addiction showcases Skiba, Andriano and Grant’s abounding gift for songwriting and crafting passionate punk fueled rock that will make fans fall in love with them all over again.

"I think that we wanted to make a punk rock record that we've been describing as 'thinking-man's punk,'" said Skiba. "We wanted to do something that's fun but also interesting and lyrically, something that will be fun for people to read along to and hopefully understand."

The band’s seventh studio album, This Addiction, will be available as a standard CD, a limited Deluxe CD/DVD edition (containing two bonus songs, four acoustic tracks and a full length concert DVD), as well as Gatefold LP vinyl. Epitaph will also have exclusive items signed by the band, rare vinyl and Limited Collector’s bundles - all with a standard digital download or a Deluxe Digital Download.

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

DANZIG's '777 - I Luciferi' Released On Vinyl

Night Of The Vinyl Dead has released a limited-edition vinyl version of DANZIG's 2002 album, "777 - I Luciferi".

The package contains a 12-page photo book and screenprint by M. Fumi and is limited to 500 hand-numbered copies.

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EMI to Reissue Expanded John Lennon Albums

It's has been reported that EMI is planning on reissuing five of John Lennon's albums in expanded editions along with a box set retrospective. No titles or dates have been announced but it is known that the campaign will be based around what would have been his 70th birthday on October 9.

This Date In Music History-January 15

Birthdays:

Rock-pioneer Captain Beefheart (real name Don Van Vliet) was born in Glendale, CA in 1941. The owner of a remarkable four-and-one-half octave vocal range, he employed idiosyncratic rhythms, absurdist lyrics and an unholy alliance of free jazz, Delta blues, latter-day classical music and rock & roll to create a singular body of work virtually unrivalled in its daring and fluid creativity. While he never came even remotely close to mainstream success, Beefheart's impact was incalculable, and his fingerprints were all over punk, new wave and post-rock.

Edward Bivens - Manhattans (1942)

1947, Born on this day, Pete Waterman, producer, TV presenter and part of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman team. Booked the first ever tour for The Bay City Rollers, signed Musical Youth and Nik Kershaw, during the 70’s was promotion consultant for John Travolta. Dominated UK pop in the mid-to-late 1980s. as part of S.A.W. the most successful pop writers & producers of all time producing Bananarama, Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan. Judge on UK TV’s Pop Stars.

Martha Davis - Motels (1951)

Melvyn Gale - Electric Light Orchestra (1952)

Boris Blank - Yello (1953)

Douglas Elwin Erikson - Garbage (1953)

Peter Trewavas - Marillion (1959)

Adam Jones - Tool (1965)

Lisa Velez - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (1967)


They Are Missed:

Gene Krupa, the premier drummer of the big band era, was born in Chicago today in 1909.

Born on this day in 1948, Ronnie Van Zant, vocalist with Lynyrd Skynyrd, he died in a plane crash on October 20th 1977.




Dee Murray, long time bassist for Elton John, died of cancer in 1992. He was 45.

Lyricist Sammy Cahn, responsible for such Oscar-winning songs as "Call Me Irresponsible," "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "All the Way," died in Los Angeles in 1993 (age 79).

In 1994, singer songwriter Harry Nilsson died in his sleep of heart failure after spending the previous day in the recording studio. He recorded "Everybody's Talkin" from the film 'Midnight Cowboy' and wrote hits for Three Dog Night and The Monkees. Had the UK & US #1 single with his version of Badfinger Evans & Ham song "Without You." When John Lennon and Paul McCartney held a press conference in 1968 to announce the formation of Apple Corps, John was asked to name his favorite American artist. He replied, "Nilsson." Paul was then asked to name his favorite American group. He replied, "Nilsson."

In 1996, orchestra leader Les Baxter died in Newport Beach, California, of a heart attack brought on by kidney failure at age 73.

Harmonica player Junior Wells died (born Amos Blakemore) in 1998. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt and The Rolling Stones.


History:

The Everly Brothers made their debut on British TV in 1958, appearing on The Perry Como Show.

Elvis Presley recorded "Hard Headed Woman" in 1958.

Motown Records signed The Supremes in 1961.

Drummer Charlie Watts joined the Rolling Stones in 1962. The band’s original line-up is now complete.

In 1964, Vee Jay records filed a lawsuit against Capitol and Swan Records over manufacturing and distribution rights to Beatles recordings.

In 1965, Murray the K, a New York deejay known as the "Fifth Beatle" told the "New Musical Express" that "outside of the Beatles, British bands can't carry a show by themselves."

The Who's first single (with Jimmy Page on guitar), "I Can't Explain," was released in Britain in 1965. The record was ignored until the Who appeared on the TV program "Ready, Steady, Go," where Pete Townsend smashed his guitar and Keith Moon overturned his drums. "I Can't Explain" rose to number eight on the British chart, selling 100,000 copies in six weeks.



The Rolling Stones received their third gold record in 1966 for the album "December's Children." It featured the tunes "Get Off My Cloud," "Route 66," "As Tears Go By" and "I'm Free."

In 1967, the Rolling Stones were forced to change the lyrics of "Lets Spend The Night Together" to 'Lets Spend Some Time Together' when appearing on the US TV's The Ed Sullivan Show after the producers objected to the content of the lyrics.

Also in 1967, Donovan appeared at The Royal Albert Hall, London, Paul McCartney and George Harrison both attended the show.

In 1969, George Harrison had a five-hour meeting with John, Paul and Ringo where he made it clear that he was fully prepared to quit The Beatles for good. Harrison wasn’t happy with plans for live performances and the Let It Be film project.

George Harrison released "My Sweet Lord" in 1971.

In 1972, Don McLean's "American Pie" started a four week run at #1 in the US singles chart.

Also in 1972 - Elvis Presley reportedly drew the largest audience for a single TV show to that time when he presented a live, worldwide concert from Honolulu, HI.

In 1973, the Rolling Stones announced they'll put on a benefit concert for the people of Managua, Nicaragua, which had been devestated by an earthquake back on December 23. Nicaragua is the home of Jagger's wife, Bianca.

Brownsville Station, described by leader Cub Koda as "Chuck Berry 1973 filtered through three madmen," earns a gold record in 1974 for their only hit "Smokin' in the Boys' Room."

"Happy Days" premiered on ABC-TV in 1974.

Guitarist Joe Walsh makes his debut with the Eagles in 1976. He’s onboard for the group’s Australia/Japan tour.

The Eagles went to #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'Hotel California' the group's third US #1 album.



UK singer Leo Sayer went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing', it was the first of two US #1's for the singer.

Men At Work started a four week run at No.1 in the US singles chart in 1983 with "Down Under," the Australian act group's second US #1, also a #1 in the UK.

Sean Lennon's remake of his father's "Give Peace A Chance" was released in 1991 to coincide with the United Nation's midnight deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. The lyrics are updated to reflect concerns of the 1990's.

A lyric sheet to the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," handwritten by George Harrison, goes for $300,000 at an auction in Scottsdale, AZ in 2007. Producer George Martin's score for the version of "Weeps" created for the Beatles' "Love" soundtrack album was also sold. A military tunic worn by John Lennon sells for $350,000 while a set of Beatles suits dating from '64 go for $30,000.

Music News & Notes

Teddy Pendergrass Dies

The "If You Don’t know Me By Now" hitmaker, who was paralyzed from the waist down from a car accident in 1982, passed away in Philadelphia at age 59, after a battle with colon cancer.

Soul singer Teddy – who shot to fame as singer in Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - was the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums in the US, and didn’t tour for nearly 20 years after the car accident which left him paralyzed.

His son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said: 'To all his fans who loved his music, thank you. He will live on through his music.'

The singer’s friend and long-time collaborator Kenny Gamble said that despite his difficult condition, he never felt sorry for himself.

He added: "In quite moments, he probably did a lot of reflection. But I never saw him pity himself."

"He stayed busy. But I feel that he’s in a better place now, he doesn’t have to go through that pain or whatever he was going through anymore."

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Mightier Than Sword Records re-releasing pop-punk classics on vinyl

Mightier Than Sword Records got a license to print money when they landed the contract to repress Blink 182's catalog on vinyl. They're taking the press they've received -- and the attendant money -- to continue to repress some of the classic pop-punk releases of the late '90s.

In the coming months, you can look forward to reliving your youth with the following records:

The Juliana Theory - Understand This Is A Dream - 10th Anniv. Series #2 - March 23
The Ataris - Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits - 10th Anniv. Series #3 - April 13

Both are limited pressings of 500 on 180 gram black vinyl.

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

Autechre to Releases New Album

Iconic electronic mavericks Autechre are set to return in 2010 with their new album 'Oversteps'. Autechre are one of the most groundbreaking acts in British music. Fired up by the Acid House explosion Rob Brown and Sean Booth choose to ignore dancefloor possibilities and experiment with sound. As a result Autechre's music sounds unlike anything around it. From their initial recordings to debut album 'Incunabula' and beyond the duo have spent the best part of twenty years crafting a unique back catalogue.

The Warp mainstays were an important part of the label's 20th anniversary celebrations last year. Having been signed with the imprint for the bulk of those two decades, Autechre were perfectly placed to pay tribute to Warp. Playing a series of celebratory shows, Autechre have also been working on a new album. The follow up to 2008's dense work 'Quaristice' new album 'Oversteps' comes as Warp Records looks again to the future.

Available as a download, the new album will also be released on CD and lavish vinyl. The deluxe vinyl edition will include a specially designed sleeve, a massive double sided poster and more.

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Knack’s Fieger Battling Cancer

This from http://www.pollstar.com/

The Knack’s Doug Fieger is suffering from brain and lung cancer, causing the man who sang the 1979 monster hit “My Sharona,” to reflect on his life, mortality and life’s final curtain call.

“Everybody is in the same spot,” the 57-year-old Fieger told his hometown newspaper, the Detroit News, during a phone interview while resting in his Southern California home. “I just know there is something that will potentially end my time here.”

Fieger’s first bout with cancer occurred in 2004 when surgeons removed a portion of his lung. Thinking the problem was solved, Fieger continued to do the occasional Knack date, and it was while performing with the band two years ago in Las Vegas that he realized he had forgotten the words to “My Sharona.” Since then, doctors determined Fieger suffered from more than 20 brain tumors.

As with many cancer patients, the treatment is often more painful than the disease. Fieger told the News that he’s “weak but pain-free” and that the treatment had taken its toll on him, causing him to decline further therapy.

He’s also dropped a lot of weight. His ex-wife, Mia, has been taking care of him and the singer credits her with helping him push his weight back up to 140 pounds, which isn’t all that much when you’re six feet tall.

But no matter what happens, Fieger is pretty philosophical about it all, saying he’s led a good life and that’s he’s been sober for 26 years.

And he’s still somewhat optimistic.
“My grandmother from Brooklyn used to come visit my family in Oak Park for the summer,” Fieger told the News, saying she was once diagnosed with cancer and given three years to live.

“She lived 21 more years,” Fieger said, “and didn’t die of cancer. So you can never tell.”

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Yoko Ono & Band Perfomance

A host of stars have signed on for a February 16 performance by Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Eric Clapton and Klauss Voorman from the original group will be back along with Paul Simon and son Harper Simon, Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Bette Midler, Jim Keltner, Sean Lennon, Martha Wainwright, Mark Ronson and the Scissor Sisters.

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/

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

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."

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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/

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

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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!

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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
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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/

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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."

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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

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.

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)

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.

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.