Music News & Notes

Celtic Comedy Music Has a New Godfather, Marc Gunn Releases Kilted For Her Pleasure

Marc Gunn releases his latest CD, an all-out Celtic comedy music album for those who love to laugh by the undisputed "Godfather of Celtic Music Online"

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) August 16, 2010 - "Do you like kilts and Celtic music?"

That's the question Celtic folk musician, Marc Gunn, asks with his latest CD, "Kilted For Her Pleasure". The album is all-out Celtic comedy music for those who love to laugh by the undisputed "Godfather of Celtic Music Online". Gunn has offered more Celtic MP3 downloads free and legally than any other Celtic musician online. His latest CD is a testament to his dedication to the fun Celtic music he loves.

The album features fifteen tracks of sing-alongable Celtic songs that range from the traditional to the twisted. Traditional pieces include the popular Clancy Brothers' song "Beer, Beer, Beer" and the less-known but sprightly bawdy, song "Maid Went to the Mill".

Some of the more fun songs are originals penned by Marc Gunn. "A Drop of Vulcan Blood" is a parody of an old Sea Shanty that is rewritten about Star Trek. "Monahan's Mudder's Milk" is a Celtic tribute to the Sci Fi Western TV show "Firefly" by Joss Whedon. At it's base, it's a Woody Guthrie-style worker's rights song about a man trying to escape the oppression of a dead-end job. Then there's the title track, "Kilted For Her Pleasure", which explains just why Gunn loves the kilt.

"I love wearing a kilt," says Gunn dressed in his newest olive green Utilikilt, "but it's so much more than the love of my Scottish heritage. It's a love of my whole Celtic culture... Not to mention the looks I get from the ladies."

However, it is the contemporary songs that shine the brightest on this album. Comedy songwriter Spaff co-wrote the song "St. Patrick Never Drank" and satirically announces that the good Saint never touched alcohol, despite the fact that St Patrick's Day is probably the most-drunken day of the year. However, the funniest song by far is Daniel Glasser's comedic lullaby called "Close Your Eyes". The reason? "Because the demons in your bed are gonna eat you up."

The album is an exciting breakthrough into an untapped market for Celtic comedy music. "Celts love to laugh as much as anyone," Gunn begins, "I just thought I'd give them something for our contemporary Celtic culture."

In the spirit of the indie musician, Gunn paid for the album entirely through fan sponsorships. Thirty-eight fans donated various amounts of money, from $40 to $500, to help pay for this album. That includes the Executive Producer, a collectible toy store owner credited as "Lord and Master Larry Owens of www.NRFBToyStore.com". In just two short months, the album was paid for in its entirety by Gunn's passionate fans.

Track listing:

1. Kilted For Her Pleasure
2. A Drop of Vulcan Blood
3. Maid Went to the Mill
4. Close Your Eyes
5. Beer, Beer, Beer
6. To the Begging He Will Go
7. The True History of No Pants Day
8. Jock Stuart, A Man Who Wears a Kilt Every Day
9. St. Patrick Never Drank
10. Call of the Bodice
11. The Mower
12. The Widow and the Devil
13. Kitty Cat
14. The Sailboat Armada
15. Monahan’s Mudder’s Milk

Marc Gunn is available for interviews at (512)470-4866.  MP3 downloads of album songs are also available for review. Find out more at http://www.marcgunn.com/.

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Lloyd Set to Release First Single, 'Lay It Down,' for Polow da Don's Zone 4 Label

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- With cool crooner Lloyd newly signed to acclaimed songwriter/producer Polow da Don's Zone 4 joint venture with Interscope Records, the smooth singer's debut single for the label, "Lay It Down," will be released on Monday, August 16, 2010. The track, produced by Awesome Jones (aka Polow da Don), will lead the release of Lloyd's fourth album but first for Zone 4/Interscope, King Of Hearts, scheduled for early 2011.

"It feels good to start fresh with Polow and Interscope, making music is fun again. We took my sound to another level with "Lay It Down," commented Lloyd. Polow adds, "This is real music, real singing, classic."

Lloyd lays down the enticing "Lay It Down" after last year's collaboration with Lil Wayne, the track "BedRock" from Young Money, hit #2 Pop and #2 R&B/Hip-Hop. His most recent album, Lessons In Love, soared to #1 R&B and Top 10 Pop in 2008, as "Girls Around The World" featuring Lil Wayne scored a Top 15 R&B/Hip-Hop hit. Lloyd's second album, 2007's Street Love, debuted at #2 Pop and R&B, went gold, and spun off the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop and #10 Pop "You," again featuring Lil Wayne, as well as the #4 R&B/Hip-Hop and Top 20 Pop "Get It Shawty." New Orleans-born but now an Atlanta resident, Lloyd made his album debut in 2004 with Southside, whose title track duet with Ashanti charted Top 30 Pop and Top 20 R&B/Hip-Hop.


SOURCE Interscope Records

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THE JOHN LENNON Box Of Vision® Limited Edition Collection to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Lennon's Birth

Pre-Order Now Underway For Collection Due This Fall

Includes First LP Size Book Of Complete Album Artwork And Storage For The Entire John Lennon, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, CD Catalog

LOS ANGELES, Aug.16 /PRNewswire/ -- In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of John Lennon's birth, THE JOHN LENNON Box Of Vision®, a limited edition individually numbered collection, is now available for pre-order at http://www.boxofvision.com/  for early October delivery, and will be available at retail this Fall through EMI Music Services. Officially licensed by Yoko Ono Lennon, the stunning new collection includes:

•A 166-page hard bound book containing all of John Lennon's, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono's, LP artwork, brilliantly restored in pristine new LP-size art prints. This is the first time that all of this album artwork has been collected together in a single LP sized book. This book includes front covers, back covers, gatefolds and inserts arranged to create the feeling of holding and enjoying the entire LP collection in your lap. It includes the complete artwork from WEDDING ALBUM, arranged for the first time in book form, to be viewed as an actual wedding album would; the complete calendar artwork for LIVE PEACE IN TORONTO 1969; and the complete artwork for all of John's, and John and Yoko's, officially released studio LPs, worldwide compilations and live albums originally issued in the LP format.

•The "Catalography," a brand new, full color discography of John's, and John and Yoko's, album catalog, with an exclusive essay and textual guide; newly restored reproductions of classic Lennon album advertisements; John's handwritten "sound" notes to DOUBLE FANTASY and MILK AND HONEY; and more.

•The patented BoxOfVision CD storage system, built to store all of John Lennon's official CD releases, it can hold up to 32 different CD albums, in an expandable and adaptable format to accommodate any fan's collection. (CDs not included).

•In addition, this limited edition collection includes two (2) art-adorned recordable DVDs, and two (2) different art-adorned recordable CDs, intended for fans to record and store audiovisual and audio content they choose. Boxofvision has received permission from Yoko Ono to create these unique recordable discs using classic John, and John and Yoko, art elements.

Ideal for fans, collectors and holiday gift giving, the limited edition set (less than 7500 numbered copies will be made available worldwide) is the perfect complement to Lennon's remastered albums and new collections to be released October 5 by EMI Music. Housed in a unique "artist's canvas" oversized Box (measuring over 15 inches by 13 inches, and 4 inches deep), the set is wrapped in a stunning, silver-inked portrait of John Lennon, with a precise reproduction of John's original line drawing "Baby Grand" on the back. The retail list price is $124.99.

The JOHN LENNON Box Of Vision was conceived by Jonathan Polk, of Boxofvision LLC. "To mark the 70th anniversary of John's birth, we have created something special that we believe his fans will treasure, and we hope they will pass on to their children as a way of helping to preserve the legacy of John's music and ideals for future generations," said Polk. The JOHN LENNON Box Of Vision is being released in conjunction with the John Lennon Time Capsule project, three time capsules which will be sealed on October 9, 2010 to be unsealed in a worldwide ceremony on October 9, 2040.

Boxofvision LLC creates and distributes elegant products for fans to store and display the bodies of work of great recording artists, like last year's collectible THE BEATLES Box Of Vision and the upcoming BOB DYLAN "Archive."

For a "video tour" and more information on The JOHN LENNON Box Of Vision visit:

www.BoxOfVision.com/johnlennon

For more information on the JOHN LENNON TIME CAPSULE Project, please visit

www.BoxOfVision.com/TimeCapsule

SOURCE Boxofvision LLC

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Ozzy Osbourne Might Try to Make Music Other Than Metal  

Say it ain't so! It's being reported that Ozzy Osbourne recently told the folks at VH1 that he would like to flex his creative pipes and perhaps record something that's not metal. While that may seem shocking, (he IS the 'prince of darkness') since his name is practically synonymous with heavy metal, it might do the former Black Sabbath frontman some good to try something new.

"Being Ozzy Osbourne is great, I mean it's been wonderful being the singer of Black Sabbath, having all those hits through Sabbath and then on my solo career is one thing," Osbourne admitted, "But then if I want to do anything branching away from the heavy stuff, people will go, 'Oh, he's sold out. Oh, he's not doing it. Oh, he's singing a love song. Oh, he's singing about the ...' or whatever."

Osbourne also said he'd like to form a fake band in order to be able to expand his creative horizons. He commented, "I would like to form a fictitious band just to make a different record but it's the time it would take. I mean, it takes me all my time just to do an Ozzy record. But I would dearly like to get a mini-supergroup together. Nothing like heavy rock, like a bluesy vibe."

A bluesy rendition of "Iron Man?" Go for it Mr. Oz ....

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Slayer To Release Vinyl Box Set

American thrash metalheads Slayer have recently announced that they will be releasing a box set this year called, "The Vinyl Conflict" which, as the name suggests, features vinyl copies of all of their releases through American Recordings.

Ten albums on 11 discs, The Vinyl Conflict will feature the band's entire Def/American Recordings catalogue: Reign In Blood (1986), South Of Heaven (1988), Seasons In The Abyss (1990), the double-record Live Decade Of Aggression (1991), Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1998), God Hates Us All (2001), Christ Illusion (2006), and World Painted Blood (2009). The Vinyl Conflict will be released on October 12th, 2010.

"Most longtime Slayer fans may not have these records at this point," said American Recordings' Dino Paredes, "or their copies are completely beat-up, so to have the complete catalogue in this first-class presentation is terrific. For the newer fans, this is their opportunity to really get into this band the way that they could have if they were born 20 years earlier."

"Everything about 'The Vinyl Conflict' - the look of it, the feel of it - is very strong, very powerful, very Slayer," added Paredes, "from the music to the dripping, bloody pentagram on the front of the box. It's perfect."

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales ~ Week Ending 08/14/2010

Vinyl Record Talk - 78's at the top two spots, as the resurgence of the 78 continues. A Vogue picture disc makes the #1. Robert Johnson, a frequent visitor to the list recently, makes the number two spot. And someone out there has unleashed some Vertigo prog rarities. One makes the list for the second week. This from a band called Ben, so obscure that neither Jane or I know this record. As the saying goes, "no one knows every record."


1. 78 - Art Kassel "Queen For A Day" / "End Of A Perfect Day" Vogue Picture Disc - $4,207.28

2. 78 - Robert Johnson "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" / "Terraplane Blues" Vocalion 03416 - $3,428.92

3. LP - Aphrodite's Child "666" Vertigo UK 1st Pressing - $2,634.03

4. 12" - Ardonus "Got To Take A Chance" / "Just Be My Lady" Lyon - $2,550.00

5. LP - Ben "self titled" Vertigo UK 1st Pressing - $2,415.83

More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk with Norm & Jane every Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.  Tune In!

http://www.radiodentata.com/shows.php

Music News & Notes

Elvis Costello Names New LP National Ransom, Unveils Album Cover

Legendary songwriter Elvis Costello has a new studio album on the way, which is due out on October 5, has been given the new, only slightly different title of National Ransom. ElvisCostello.info posted the album’s cover art. There’s no firm tracklist yet, but Costello has debuted a number of live songs in concert, which may appear on the LP (we can expect information about the tracklist and a single to be announced soon).

The record was recorded by folk super-producer T-Bone Burnett, who has worked with Costello on three previous albums, including 2009’s 'Secret, Profane & Sugarcane.' It was recorded in Nashville and features backing bands the Imposters and the Sugarcanes. It will be released via Starbucks’ Hear Music label.

In a recent interview with Herald Scotland, Costello said, “The ensemble ranges from two players to nine pieces and while some songs are very intimate and quiet, others are not.”









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Iggy Pop & James Williamson to release Kill City

Kill City is aurgueably Iggy Pop and James Williamson's severly overlooked, yet ultimately essential album that musically bridges the gap between The Stooges' volatile 1973 studio masterpiece 'Raw Power' and Iggy's first two magnificent solo efforts, 'The Idiot' and 'Lust for Life.' Originally recorded in 1975 and later released by Bomp! Records in '77, the sound quality of Kill City was compromised from the get-go, as it originally suffered from a bad pressing (on the infamous green vinyl), and over the years the quality of the record itself managed to get even worse. When the original distributor went out of business, the 2-track album production masters vanished and every subsequent pressing of the album - on record, cassette and CD - used a copy of that deficient green vinyl as its master.

The October release of this album also follows Iggy & The Stooges' current world tour (featuring the reunited James Williamson on guitar), where they've been performing material from Kill City live for the first time.

Kill City will be available on October 19th as a CD Digipak featuring the original 1977 artwork and a 24-page booklet with rare and unseen photos. The vinyl first-run is a limited edition of 1,000 on clear green vinyl (as an homage to the original 1977 pressing). There are no bonus tracks, but, with this newly restored version, people will be able to discover, or re-discover, a truly great album as it was intended to sound.

KILL CITY TRACKLISTING
1. Kill City
2. Sell Your Love
3. Beyond The Law
4. I Got Nothin'
5. Johanna
6. Night Theme
7. Night Theme (Reprise)
8. Consolation Prizes
9. No Sense Of Crime
10. Lucky Monkeys
11. Master Charge

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Optimo to re-release Chris Carter LP

JD Twitch's Optimo Music imprint is scheduled to release 'The Spaces Between,' an updated vinyl version of the 1980 release by Throbbing Gristle co-founder Chris Carter. Carter's debut work was recorded in London between 1974 and 1978 and released via Gristle's Industrial Records. Until now, none of the recordings on the album have ever been available on vinyl. The new version features only six of the original 15 songs, all of which have been re-mastered by Carter himself, plus a bonus track called "Climbing," which Twitch credits with being "one of the first ever recordings to use an 808 drum machine."

The Spaces Between marks a shift in direction for Optimo Music. Twitch launched the label in 2009, and to date has used it mostly as a platform for fledgling artists from Glasgow, such as Big Ned, Den Haan, Divorce and Older Love. The new LP will be Optimo Music's second full-length to date, and its first foray into reissues.

Tracklist
A1. Beat
A2. Outreach
A3. Clouds
A4. Electrodub
B1. Interloop
B2. Solidit
B3. Climbing

Optimo Music will release The Spaces Between in September 2010.

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Morrissey to release re-master of “Everyday Is Like Sunday”

On September 27 Morrissey will release a remastered version of his once UK top ten hit single “Everyday Is Like Sunday” from 1988. I t will be released alongside s special 20th anniversary edition of the singer’s compilation album 'Bona Drag.' The remastered version of “Everyday Is Like Sunday” will be released on CD, two 7" vinyl records and as a digital download. Those looking to purchase the single on vinyl need to pay attention as the first version contains the track “Trash,” recorded live at Irvine Meadows, California in 1991, while version 2 has a live take of the single recorded at The Hollywood Bowl from his performance in 2007.

As a CD, the single will feature an unreleased alternative version of “November Spawned a Monster” called “November The Second” as well as a live performance of the single itself from Top of the Pops the same year it was originally released

This Date In Music History - August 15

Birthdays:

Johnny Thunder ("Loop De Loop") is 69

Songwriter Jimmy Webb ("Up-Up And Away", "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "MacArthur Park" and many, many more) turns 63

Pete York - Spencer Davis Group (1942)

Tommy Aldridge - Whitesnake (1950)

Matt Johnson - The The (1961)

Marshall Schofield - The Fall (1962)

Angela Rae - Wild Horses (1966)

MCA (Adam Yauch) - Beastie Boys (1967)

Mike Graham - Boyzone (1972)

Simon Dawbarn - 911 (1974)

Paul Robert Nester Thomson - Franz Ferdinand (1976)

David Welsh - The Fray (1984)

Joe Jonas - Jonas Brothers (1989)


They Are Missed:

Singer Thomas Wayne was killed in a car crash in 1971 (age 29). Had the 1959 #5 single "Tragedy."

Norman Petty (produced Buddy Holly, Buddy Knox and the Fireballs and recorded with his own trio) died of leukemia in 1984.

In 1992, Jamaican singer-song writer Jackie Edwards died. Edwards worked as a singer, songwriter for Island Records. He wrote both "Keep On Running" and "Somebody Help Me," that became #1 singles for The Spencer Davis Group, as well as releasing his own albums.

Born on this day in 1933, Bobby Helms, American country music singer best known for his 1957 hit, "Jingle Bell Rock." Died of emphysema at his home in Martinsville, Indiana on June 19, 1997). He was 63.

The late Jackie Brenston ("Rocket 88") was born in 1930.

The late Bill Pinkney of the original Drifters ("Honey Love") was born in 1925 (died July 4, 2007).

Bobby Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an African American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer who played with James Brown and The Famous Flames. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia.

In 2008, US record producer Jerry Wexler, who influenced the careers of singers including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan, died at his home in Sarasota, Florida (age 91). Wexler produced the Aretha Franklin hit "Respect," the Wilson Pickett song, "In the Midnight Hour" and helped Bob Dylan win his first Grammy award by producing the 1979 album, 'Slow Train Coming.' He also coined the term ‘rhythm and blues’ while writing for Billboard magazine in the late 1940s.


History:

"The Wizard of Oz" premiered in Hollywood, CA in 1939. Judy Garland became famous for the movie's song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."



Elvis Presley started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1960 with "It's Now Or Never," (also #1 in the UK). The song which was based on the Italian song, "O Sole Mio," gave Presley his first post-army #1 hit.

At Liverpool’s Cavern Club in 1962, Pete Best played his last show with The Beatles. Of course, he's unaware he’s about to be dumped.

Crooner Dean Martin went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1964 with "Everybody Loves Somebody."

In 1965, the Beatles set a new world record for the largest attendance at a pop concert when they played in front of 55,600 fans at Shea Stadium in New York City. Sharing the bill with The Beatles; Brenda Holloway, The King Curtis Band, The Young Rascals and Sounds Incorporated. The Beatles were paid $160,000 for the show, the set list: ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘She's a Woman’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzie’, ‘Ticket to Ride’, ‘Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby’, ‘Can't Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby's In Black’, ‘Act Naturally’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘A Hard Day's Night’, ‘Help!’, and ‘I'm Down’. Two of the Rolling Stones were among the audience, Mick Jagger and Keith Richard and later that evening; Bob Dylan visited The Beatles at their hotel.

During a US tour in 1966, the Beatles appeared at the D.C. Stadium in Washington DC to over 32,000 fans. Tickets cost $3. Five members of the Ku Klux Klan, led by the Imperial Wizard of Maryland, picketed the concert.

Bobby Darin recorded his immortal cut "If I Were A Carpenter" in 1966.



During a North American tour in 1969, Led Zeppelin appeared at the Hemisfair Arena in San Antonio. Jethro Tull and Sweet Smoke were also on the bill. During the show Zeppelin received abuse from locals due to the length of their hair.

In 1969, the Woodstock Festival was held on Max Yasgur's 600 acre farm in Bethel outside New York. Attended by over 400,000 people, the free event featured, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Santana, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Canned Heat, Joan Baez, Santana, Melanie, Ten Years After, Sly and the Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Jefferson Airplane, Ravi Shanker, Country Joe and the Fish, Blood Sweat and Tears, Arlo Guthrie, and Joe Cocker. During the three days there were three deaths, two births and four miscarriages. Joni Mitchell was booked to appear but had to pull out due to being booked for a TV show, wrote the song "Woodstock."



The futuristic satire film 'Americathon' featuring Meat Loaf, premiered in Los Angeles in 1979. The soundtrack included songs by The Beach Boys, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.

George Harrison's autobiography, "I, Me, Mine" was originally published in 1980.

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie started a nine week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Endless Love." The song was the title from a film starring Brooke Shields.

In 1987, on the tenth anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, thousands of people marched past his grave in Memphis, TN.

In 1991, Paul Simon played a free concert in New York's Central Park before an audience of three quarters of a million people.

Boyz II Men started a 13 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1992 with "End Of The Road," the group's first #1 single. Taken from the Eddie Murphy film 'Boomerang,' it broke the 36-year-old record held by Elvis for the longest run at #1 on the top of the charts.

In 1997, Tony Nicole Tony Records filed suit against Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS for alleged intentional interference with KISS drummer Peter Criss' contract with the label. The suit maintained that Simmons and Stanley convinced Criss to break his contract with the label.

The Donnas signed with Lookout! Records in 1997.

In 2002, a memorial to John Lennon was unveiled in the remote Scottish village of Durness where Lennon had spent his holidays from age seven to fifteen. The lyrics from "In My Life" had been inscribed on three stones.



In 2005, United National Insurance Company sued Limp Bizkit to avoid paying court costs the group accrued defending itself from wrongful-death claims. A 16-year-old fan was crushed during the 2001 Big Day Out festival in Sydney, Australia. The case against the group was dismissed. The insurance company says it doesn't have to cover the band's legal fees because frontman Fred Durst had incited the crowd during the performance.

A deluxe version of Lou Reed's ‘76 album "Coney Island Baby" was issued in 2006 (celebrating the 30th anniversary of the disc's release). The package contained a number of rarities and never-before-released tracks, including rehearsal recordings featuring Reed's one-time Velvet Underground bandmate Doug Yule. On the other side of the artistic coin, there’s an expanded version of Grand Funk Railroad's "Greatest Hits" album containing previously unreleased material. A trio of concert performances, a vintage TV appearance and a ‘73 promotional film are on the DVD.

Deana Martin's album "Memories Are Made of This" was released in 2006. The album featured her versions of many of her father's hits and other hits by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr..

Sixteen solo John Lennon albums were made available to download on iTunes for the first time in 2007. A deal was approved by the late Beatle's widow Yoko Ono following a lengthy legal battle between the band's label Apple Corps and Apple Inc, which owned Tunes.

In 2009, U2's first UK gig on their current tour broke the attendance record for a Wembley Stadium concert. Over 88,000 people attended the show.

Fabolous was at #1 on the US album chart in 2009 with ‘Loso's Way,' the rappers fifth studio album.

2009 - It’s the Bethel Woods Music Festival in Bethel, NY (makes sense). The event commemorates the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, which took place at the same site. Several musicians who performed at the ’69 festival return. The bill includes Jefferson Starship, Mountain, The Band's Levon Helm, Big Brother & The Holding Co., Country Joe McDonald, Canned Heat and Ten Years After. Mountain's Leslie West gets married onstage after the group's performance. "You can get married in Paris, but I think getting married onstage at Woodstock would be really special," says West prior to the ceremony.

Columbia Records Proud to Release the New Johnny Mathis Album

Columbia Records Proud to Release the New Johnny Mathis Album, Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville, Available Everywhere Tuesday, September 21

First "Country" Album From Legendary Pop Vocalist Features Guest Artists Lane Brody and Alison Krauss

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records proudly announces the release of Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville, the new pop country album from the legendary vocalist Johnny Mathis, available everywhere on Tuesday, September 21.

For his first full album inspired by the world of country music, Mathis, whose knowledge and love of music crosses all genres, handpicked the songs for Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville, songs that moved him personally and came alive under the Mathis touch.

Johnny and Fred Mollin, the album's producer, assembled a group of the finest musicians in Nashville (or anywhere in the world) to record an album intentionally free of modern studio tricks. With the superb recording engineer Khyle Lenning on board to capture the sessions, Johnny recorded these songs live in the studio over the course of a week. Johnny's approach is sympathetic to the original country arrangements, with each musician performing with an extraordinary sensitivity supporting some of the most intimate vocals Mathis has ever recorded.

Songs on Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville include "What A Wonderful World" (featuring Lane Brody), "Let It Be Me" (featuring Alison Krauss), "Make The World Go Away," "Crazy," "Southern Nights," "You Don't Know Me," "Lovin' Arms," "Shenandoah," "We Must Be Lovin' Right," "I Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Love Me Tender," "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and "What A Wonderful World (Christmas Version)" (featuring Lane Brody).

Signed to Columbia Records in the mid-1950's, Johnny Mathis is the longest-running artist on the label, with 17 million RIAA certified album and singles sales in the US alone. A sublime vocalist whose approach to pop music transcends passing fads and trends, Johnny Mathis has performed songs in an incredible variety of styles and categories -- from music composed for stage and film to golden era jazz standards, contemporary pop hits, and holiday music both sacred and secular -- assuring his reputation as one of the most enduring traditional pop vocalists in music history.

Perhaps best-known for his landmark singles (three of his recordings--"Chances Are," "It's Not For Me To Say," and "Misty"--have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame) Mathis was one of the very first musical artists to embrace the album concept and record fully-realized thematically and sonically coherent collections of songs. His 1958 release, Johnny's Greatest Hits inaugurated the ongoing "greatest hits" anthology phenomenon becoming one of the most popular albums of all time after spending an unprecedented 490 continuous weeks (almost ten years) on the BILLBOARD Top Albums Chart. Johnny Mathis was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2003.

Let It Be Me: Mathis In Nashville is the latest chapter in the unfolding musical saga of Johnny Mathis, where the world's voice of romance finds a home in Nashville.


SOURCE Columbia Records

Michael Fremer Album Review

Preservation (... to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program) (new release)
Various Artists
Preservation Hall 2 180g LPs+MP3 download
Produced by: Ben Jaffe
Engineered by: Earl Scioneaux III, others
Mixed by: Earl Scioneaux III, others
Mastered by: Bruce Barielle
Lacquers cut by: "WG" at Nashville Record Productions



Stars Line Up For Preservation Hall Benefit Album
by Michael Fremer
August 01, 2010

sound & music

Stars from across the musical universe donated their time and considerable talents to perform with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on this thoroughly entertaining and superbly recorded double LP set celebrating the Hall’s 50th anniversary.

The stars range from veterans like Blind Boys of Alabama (“There is A Light”), Merle Haggard (“Basin Street Blues”), Dr. John (“Winin’ Boy”), Pete Seeger (“Blue Skies”), Richie Havens (“Trouble Mind”), Tom Waits (“Tootie Ma Was A Big Fine Thing”), Steve Earle (“T’aint Nobody’s Business”) and Del McCoury (“After You’ve Gone”) and youngsters Andrew Bird (“Shake It and Break It”), Paolo Nutini (“Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea”), Brandi Carlile (“Old Rugged Cross”) and Angélique Kidjo with Terence Blanchard (“La Vie En Rose”).

Others contribute as well. Louis Armstrong makes a “guest” appearance too, on Hoagy Carmichael’s “Rockin’ Chair” backed by the Preservation Hall Orchestra. When it comes on and you hear Louis “performing” in the same wonderful acoustic as the still living musicians, it gets kind of creepy! Armstrong’s voice was very well recorded so it must have been taken from a ‘50s or ‘60s production, but from precisely where and how it was stripped from the backing is not explained. I wish it had been.

That’s about the only criticism one could levy against this superbly entertaining and extremely well-recorded set (well, I do have one more: the setting is absolutely perfect for Ray Davies who has lived in New Orleans for some time, though I'm not sure he's living there now. Why no Ray track here?).

I can’t imagine this was recorded analog, though it sure sounds as if it was. And if it was done digitally, why can't all digital recordings sound this good? You can see an RCA 44 ribbon mike capturing Yim Yames’ singing into a megaphone on his rendition of “Louisiana Fairytale' (Yim Yams is Jim James lead singer of My Morning Jacket) so clearly the engineers had good gear to work with, and more importantly the right sonic values.

While the veterans are uniformly great, so are the youngsters, particularly Paolo Nutini’s performance of “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” and Brandi Carlile’s “Old Rugged Cross.” Hell, there’s not a less than brilliant performance on this set (and let’s not leave out the talents of the Preservation Hall Band!) and when you combine that with a stellar, three dimensional, utterly natural, effects-free, timbrally perfect recording that will set your stereo free, I don’t see how you can miss here.

Even United delivered two perfectly pressed, quiet, 180g black biscuits. If you don’t enjoy every drop of this nineteen tune double LP package, you need your head examined.

Because the proceeds benefit Preservation Hall, I didn’t ask for and didn’t receive a promo copy. I bought mine and I’m glad I did both to support the Hall and because it’s a record I’ll be playing repeatedly. You will too if you take my word for it and pick up your own copy.

The set ends with Kidjo and Blanchard’s delightful rendition of “La Vie En Rose” that I promise you will have you heading for the aisles (okay, back to your turntable to lift up the arm), with a big smile on your face. Please read Roger Hahn’s two part article on the history of Preservation Hall and the music it’s dedicated to preserving elsewhere on this site.

Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/ for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.

Copyright © 2008 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved Reprinted by Permission

This Date In Music History - August 13

Birthdays:

Dave "Baby" Cortez ("Happy Organ") turns 72

Cliff Fish - Paper Lace (1949)

Danny Bonaduce - Partridge Family (1959)

LeAnn Rimes (1982)


They Are Missed:

In 1971, saxophonist King Curtis Ousley was stabbed to death by a vagrant on the front steps of his New York home. Ousley had worked with John Lennon and also played on The Coasters "Yakety Yak."

In 1982, American soul singer Joe Tex died at his home in Navasota, Texas, following a heart attack, just five days after his 49th birthday. Had nine US Top 40 hits including the 1972 US #2 single "I Gotcha."

Francine Hurd Barker (Peaches of Peaches & Herb) died in 2005.

Don Ho was born today in 1930. He died on April 14, 2007.

Also born on this day, Dan Fogelberg, US singer and songwriter (1951). Worked with Joe Walsh, Jackson Browne, Randy Newman. Fogelberg died on Dec 16, 2007 at his home in Maine at the age of 56 of prostate cancer.

In 2009, guitarist and innovator, Les Paul, died of complications from pneumonia at age 94. His development of the electric guitar (the Gibson Les Paul is one of Rock’s most popular guitars) and multi-track recording techniques had a profound impact on Rock music. "Les Paul was a shining example of how full one's life can be," reads a statement from Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, a Gibson Les Paul player. "He was so vibrant and full of positive energy." Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars adds, “I think an appropriate title for Les would be ‘the father of modern guitar."




History:

Robert Johnson played a show at a roadhouse outside Greenwood, MS in 1938. It is speculated that Johnson was poisoned by the bar owner. Johnson died several days later.

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton recorded the original "Hound Dog" in 1952.



Bobby Darin signed a six-picture deal with Paramount Studios in 1959 (worth $1 million).

Brenda Lee recorded "Sweet Nothin's" in 1959.

Drummer Pete Best auditions for The Beatles. He spends just over two years with the group before being replaced by Ringo Starr. 1960

In 1963, the Four Seasons sued Vee-Jay Records for non-payment of royalties.

The Supremes recorded "Baby Love" in 1964, their second US chart topper.

Jefferson Airplane made their live stage debut at San Francisco's Matrix Club in 1965.

The Beatles album "Help!" was released in the United States in 1965.

Also in 1965, the Beatles arrived at Kennedy International Airport for a tour of North America. The set list for the tour was "Twist and Shout," "She's a Woman," "I Feel Fine," "Dizzy Miss Lizzie," "Ticket to Ride," "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Baby's in Black," "Act Naturally," "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!" and "I'm Down" and "I Wanna Be Your Man." The tour was not a happy one for The Beatles, John Lennon took to screaming off-microphone obscenities at the audiences.

Lovin Spoonful started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "Summer In The City."



The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" was released in 1966.

In 1967, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Joan Baez to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. because of her opposition to the Vietnam War.

Fleetwood Mac made their live debut when they appeared at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor in 1967. Also on the bill - Jeff Beck, Cream, Small Faces, The Move, The Pink Floyd, Donovan and Chicken Shack.

The Guess Who recorded "American Woman" in 1969.



John Lennon flew from Heathrow Airport to New York in 1971, he never set foot on British soil again.

In 1972, John Lennon and Stevie Wonder performed at New York's "One-To-One Concert" to aid the retarded.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played a five night stand at NY’s Bottom Line in 1975. The concerts generated a buzz around Springsteen in the days just before “Born To Run” was released.

The Clash played a private gig for the press at Chalk Farm rehearsal studios, London in 1976.

Bachman Turner Overdrive split up in 1977.

In 1980, four masked robbers broke in to Todd Rundgren's New York house and proceeded to steal Hi-Fi equipment and paintings after tying the musician up. It was reported that one of the intruders had been humming his hit "I Saw The Light."

In 1982, major American record companies including CBS Atlantic and Warner Brothers all made staff cut-backs as the industry plunged into 'the worst shape in its history'.

Curtis Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down in an onstage accident in Brooklyn on August 13, 1990. The day Mayfield was doing something he’d done a thousand times, the soundcheck for an outdoor concert, onstage at Wingate Field, Flatbush, Brooklyn. But high winds toppled the stage lighting rig and Mayfield was underneath. He survived but paralyzed from the neck down, his spine crushed in three places.

Jane’s Addiction unveils their “Ritual De Lo Habitual” album in 1990.

Neil Diamond played the first of six sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1992. Diamond would bring in over $40 million from touring this year, the second highest in the music industry.

Members from Oasis and The Verve were arrested in 1994 after smashing up a hotel bar and breaking into a church to steal communion wine. Both bands had been appearing at Hulsfred Festival in Sweden. Communion wine???

Woodstock '94 was held in Saugerties, New York in 1994, attended by over 350,000 fans, the festival featured Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Aerosmith and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tickets cost $135.00.

The movie "Detroit Rock City" opened in 1999.

In 1999, Mick Jagger's marriage to model Jerry Hall was been declared null and void at the High Court in London. Neither Jagger nor Hall were present for the 30-minute hearing before Mr Justice Connell. After hearing evidence on behalf of Hall the judge ruled their "marriage" in Bali in 1990 was not valid either in Indonesia or under English law, and a decree of nullity was granted to Hall. The annulment avoided what had been expected to be a long and costly court battle, in which Ms Hall, 43, was reportedly seeking a £30m share of Jagger's wealth.

In 2002, Adam Ant pleaded guilty to threatening drinkers at The Prince Of Wales Pub in London in January of this year. The former 1980's pop star had returned to the bar with a starting pistol after being refused entry. He had also thrown a car alternator through the window of the pub. How bad can a man be who calls himself Adam Ant?

It's the first day of the Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp in New York in 2006. The “instructors” include George Thorogood, Yes vocalist Jon Anderson, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, ex-Grand Funk Railroad frontman Mark Farner and former Allman Brothers Band singer-guitarist Dickey Betts. The counselors are Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, former Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau and ex-KISS axe-man Bruce Kulick. The five day camp costs a mere $8,499.

Bob Dylan launched his second summer tour of U.S. minor league baseball stadiums in 2006. Dylan takes his first swing in Comstock Park, MI. The tour supports Dylan's “Modern Times” album.

In 2007, Amy Winehouse pulled out of two Rolling Stones gigs in Hamburg Germany citing exhaustion, British group Starsailor replaced Winehouse for the shows.

Celebrate Vinyl Record Day on Saturday August 14!

This year, Vinyl Record Day is today, August 12, and those in the know will help celebrate this historic audio format on Saturday the 14th.  I plan on being at a family BBQ and will be spinning platters for the party.  Remember to enjoy your records, help keep this historic audio treasure alive for future generations!

Music News & Notes

George Michael To Reissue Debut Solo Album 'Faith'

George Michael is scheduled to release a remastered edition of his 1987 debut solo album 'Faith,' including a Limited Editor Numbered Collectors box set. The reissue will be released on September 27.

'Faith' has sold more than 20 million copies around the world and became the best selling US album of 1988.

The tracklisting for 'Faith' is:

"Faith"
"Father Figure"
"I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)"
"One More Try"
"Hard Day"
"Hand To Mouth"
"Look At Your Handa"
"Monkey"
"Kissing A Fool"
"A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)"

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Belle and Sebastian Release Upcoming

The Scottish band’s first album of new music since 2006′s 'The Life Pursuit' (although they did release an album of B-sides and live tracks in 2008) now has a name and covert art. Their eighth album will be called Belle and Sebastian Write About Love, and Stuart Murdoch is encouraging fans to do as the album cover girl does: write the album’s title in public places in their own hometowns, and then post the pictures of videos on the band’s special Flickr Group.

The album will be released via Rough Trade Records, though the release date has yet to be announced.








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Elliott Smith compilation will see November release

A brand new Elliott Smith compilation album, 'An Introduction To… Elliott Smith', is scheduled to be released on November 1. The album will feature material from all seven of the late singer-songwriter's studio albums as well as being released on CD and vinyl by Domino Records.

Smith died in October 2003 after suffering an apparently self-inflicted knife wound.

The tracklisting of 'An Introduction To… Elliott Smith' is:

'Ballad Of Big Nothing'
'Waltz #2'
'Pictures Of Me'
'The Biggest Lie'
'Alameda'
'Between The Bars'
'Needle In The Hay'
'Last Call'
'Angeles'
'Twilight'
'Pretty (Ugly Before)'
'Angel In The Snow'
'Miss Misery'
'Happiness'

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The Wombats Announce Comeback Single ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)

The Wombats are set to return with a new single "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)" on September 27th via 14th Floor Records. The single will be followed by the band’s second studio album (title yet to be announced) which is released towards the end of the year. ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)’ was produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Lostprophets), ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)’ and will be released on CD and two 7” vinyl formats, as well as digital single track download.

The band had this to say: “We’ve approached this album slightly differently from the last,” explains drummer Dan Haggis. “Whereas the first album was practically recorded live with a few overdubs, this time round we’ve had the time to really play with the sonics. Now we just can’t wait to get out their and get sweaty.”

The Wombats are also planning their first full UK tour since November 2008 (details in the weeks ahead) and working on their second album in the NRG Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

------------------------------------------

The Morlocks' new LP devoted to garage roots: Chess Records

During their career, there's often a calling among dedicated, serious rock performers to offer tribute to the music that inspires them. Growing up fans of Chicago blues-rock legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley, The Morlocks' shared love of all things related to Chess Records created a natural inspiration to pay homage to some of their musical heroes. The resulting album, The Morlocks Play Chess, being released by the popantipop label is a gritty, unwavering collection featuring 12 of the most enduring Chess Records anthems. Dripping with sweaty, booze-and-nicotine-soaked three chord garage blues, The Morlocks Play Chess isn’t some teeny bopper karaoke bullshit. The album's sloppy fascinations and recognizable, sing along choruses are teeming with and honest, unbridled agony and ass-shaking ecstasy that is the essence of true rock and roll. The whole album is streaming here: www.popantipop.com/themorlocks
 
And you can grab an MP3 of "I'm A Man" that you are free to post for free download here: http://www.yousendit.com/download/aHlUeW4rcTI3bUJFQlE9PQ

Through the twists and turns of rock and roll’s unending stretch of highway, The Morlocks have proven themselves to be road warriors and survivors. Today, as they prepare to take on the world, The Morlocks continue to see themselves being placed in the ranks of the most mysterious, respected and legendary American garage-punk bands.

Tell me something: Is rock and roll worth getting hangnail and calluses, busted-out teeth, bruises and black eyes? Is it worth the long hours driving from city to city, catching one bath a week and drinking yourself back sober just to bring two hours of joy to your audience? Is it worth the lacerations, the broken relationships, the endless stream of nights cobbled together through bad coffee, truck stops, 24-hour diners and drive-thrus, bottomless bottles of booze, pack after pack of cigarettes, waking up in a van surrounded by guitar amps and microphones? Is the need to make music really worth living and dying for?

The Morlocks believe it is. The Morlocks aren't some smoothed-out, swagged-out fuck-ups toting stage passes and guitars; The Morlocks are a living, sleeping and breathing embodiment of the garage punk they've perfected and long performed. The music they create is the lifeblood of their cause, a cause which is as much a point of pride as a way of life. The scars, breaks and bruises earned along the way serve to magnify the only truth they know.

You see, The Morlocks are not afraid for you to watch them bleed.

Both as a band and as individuals, The Morlocks have earned their stripes on the rock and roll circuit. Hailing from Los Angeles, The Morlocks are staples of the city's world-renowned music scene. Through  break-ups, break downs, personnel changes, changing cities and shifts in popular culture, The Morlocks have continually grown stronger at what they do best even as they died their many deaths. In the process, The Morlocks have built up a die-hard following and originality. Where others would have bled out long ago, The Morlocks get stitched up and keep going.

Surprising, then, that in 1999, Spin Magazine printed an inaccurate story declaring the death of their energetic, charismatic lead singer Leighton Koizumi. Needless to say, Leighton (far from being dead) continues to lead the charge, a duty he has held since the band's debut LP Emerge. With the addition of Mark Arnold on drums, Lenny Pops and Nicolas Jodoin on guitar duties and Joe Baluta on bass, The Morlocks have continued to perform and make records, a number of which have been featured prominently in movies, television shows and video games.

When The Morlocks Play Chess in your city, you're going to need lots of cold beers and some dry towels standing by when the show is over. And, yeah- save some for the band as well.

http://www.popantipop.com/
www.myspace.com/themorlocks

For more information and materials contact:

Howard Wuelfing
Howlin' Wuelf Media
215-428-9119
http://howlinwuelf.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/howlinwuelf
http://howlinwuelf.blogspot.com/

"You've got all that is really needed,
to save this dying world
from it's funkless self" - Parliament


------------------------------------------

A film about vinyl




Flip side has no replay for record store owner

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 9, 2010

DEAR JERRY: Vinyl Record Day is here again (August 12), the eighth year for this event.

What began in 2002 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. has spread across North America, and overseas.

Vinyl Record Day is a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and the first vinyl related tax-deductible organization, as deemed by the IRS.

Preservation of the cultural influences found on recordings and their cover art are important goals of Vinyl Record Day. Future generations should have recorded historical speeches; soundtracks; radio broadcasts; and obscure music by artists whose work would otherwise be lost if not preserved on records.

We also recognize album cover art for its creativity and its influence on fashion, lifestyles, and social values.

One way to celebrate Vinyl Record Day is simply to enjoy your favorite music. Little else connects us to friends, family, and special times as the songs of our personal soundtrack.

As Jimi Hendrix once said: “Our LPs are like our personal diaries.'”

Many more VRD details can be found are found at www.vinylrecordday.org, including suggestions for having your own Vinyl Record Day party.
—Gary Freiberg, San Luis Obispo, Calif.


DEAR GARY: Thank you for the update. It thrills me to see how VRD is growing.

Music has always been my life, and it brought about nearly every meaningful relationship I've known, including the one which brings people to this feature in the first place.

I have countless memories of hearing a song for the first time, then rushing to a record store to add it to my precious vinyl collection.

Once home with my latest treasure, I held it while reading the label, sleeve or cover, then carefully laid it on the phonograph or turntable to enjoy.

After repeated plays, my new flat friend would be returned to its cover and tucked into a plastic bag, then filed away with others of its kind.

In this day and age, most of the music I acquire is the result of a few mouse clicks — an unemotional course of action with nary a wisp of the enchanting experience just described. Arrgh!

On VRD I'm going to unearth my original black and silver Decca 45 of Bill Haley's “Rock Around the Clock,” and pretend I just brought it home.


DEAR JERRY: Since you answered a question about the music on Mad Men once before, that makes you the most likely to clear up something for me.

In the closing moments in the final episode of season three, when Betty Draper (January Jones) is shown on the plane to Reno, a very interesting song plays in the background.

Though I never heard this haunting, addictive tune before, I instantly became attached to it. Now I need your help to find it. No mention of it appears anywhere in the closing credits.

The message in the lyrics is that “the future is much better than the past,” which perfectly fits the scene because Betty is going to Nevada to get a divorce from Don and begin a new life.

Silly as it seems, in another part of this song is what sounded to me like “shot a robot.”

What can you tell me about this?
—Darlene Washington, Terre Haute, Ind.


DEAR DARLENE: Most importantly, I can assure you that no artificial life forms were harmed during the filming of this Mad Men episode.

As hilarious as “shot a robot” sounds, it is completely understandable how you came to that conclusion. The similar sounding one-word title is “Shahdaroba,” and the singer is Roy Orbison.

Within its lyrics, written by the prolific Cindy Walker, “Shahdaroba” defines itself:

“Shahdaroba means the future is much better than the past. In the future, you will find a love that lasts.”

The producer's selection of this tune was brilliant. Others who have inquired about “the mysterious song heard on Mad Men” were certain it was written especially for use in the show.

Hardly, since Orbison released “Shahdaroba” in early 1963, as the B-side of the million-selling “In Dreams” (Monument 806).

Love this show, but ... several readers have written to report a major gaffe in the Christmas Party episode that kicked off Season 4.

At this 1964 event, Don holds a few 45s in his hand. One record very clearly seen is on the Eric label, a reissue company that didn't begin until 1969.

Why don't these filmmakers have someone like us on hand, who would have replaced this disc with ANYTHING that came out before 1965?

IZ ZAT SO? Cindy Walker (July 20, 1918 - March 23, 2006) is routinely included in any discussion of music's greatest songwriters. Walker's success rate may never be matched. Of her 500-plus recorded compositions, more than 400 ranked in the nation's Top 50, at one time or another, by a virtual who's-who of popular music.

“You Don't Know Me,” for example, became a chart hit eight times: Eddy Arnold (1956); Jerry Vale (1956); Lenny Welch (1960); Ray Charles (1962); Elvis Presley (1967); Ray Pennington (1970); and Ray Charles with Diana Krall (2005).

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

Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/ 

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Official Tracklisting & Cover Art For Santana's Guitar Heaven

Santana and Clive Davis have collaborated for the highly anticipated Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time, which is ude to be released on September 21st. An official tracklisting for the album has been issued, along with cover art. The first single will be a tribute to George Harrison - a cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" featuring india.arie and Yo-Yo Ma. It will be Santana's first album since 2005.

GUITAR HEAVEN: THE GREATEST GUITAR CLASSICS OF ALL TIME TRACKLISTING:

Standard Edition
"Whole Lotta Love" featuring Chris Cornell (Led Zeppelin)
"Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" featuring Scott Weiland (The Rolling Stones)
"Sunshine Of Your Love" featuring Rob Thomas (Cream)
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" featuring india.arie and Yo-Yo Ma (The Beatles)
"Dance the Night Away" featuring Pat Monahan (Van Halen)
"Back In Black" featuring Nas (AC/DC)
"Riders On the Storm" featuring Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
"Smoke On the Water" featuring Jacoby Shaddix (Deep Purple)
"Photograph" featuring Chris Daughtry (Def Leppard)
"Bang A Gong" featuring Gavin Rossdale (T. Rex)
"Little Wing" featuring Joe Cocker (Jimi Hendrix)
"I Ain't Superstitious" featuring Jonny Lang (Howlin' Wolf, Jeff Beck Group)

Deluxe Edition
"Fortunate Son" featuring Scott Stapp (Credence Clearwater Revival)
"Under the Bridge" featuring Andy Vargas (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
The Making Of Guitar Heaven… DVD

-----------------------------------------

The Allman Brothers Band Returning To The Stage

The Allman Brothers Band have announced a three-night stand at Boston's Orpheum Theatre in November, part of "an East coast intimate theatre tour of Evening With shows." More shows are expected to be added soon.

It's the legendary band's first shows since Gregg Allman's liver transplant, which forced several cancellations this summer, including Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. "I'm ready," said Allman. "I've been itching to play since I got the operation and am glad to be back. Can't thank everyone enough for their help and support."

As for the group's future following Gregg's surgery, guitarist Warren Haynes says, "It's really hard to say. I know [Gregg] personally feels like he's got a new lease on life. He's healing up and feeling better...Depending on the day you talk to him, he's already talking about getting back on the road. I think he has a lot of things that he wants to pursue himself, with his own band and projects and stuff. And even before this situation, the band was looking forward to winding down the schedule a little bit. So we'll see."

It's good to see them back......

-----------------------------------------

Working For A Nuclear Free City Unveil Cover Art

The band recently released the album artwork and track listings for their upcoming October 12th release 'Jojo Burger Tempest.' The album is a double album, with the title track taking up the entire 30-minute second disk. Working for a Nuclear Free City is made up of brothers Jon and Phil Kay and their friend Gary McLure. Their band has been called Uk’s favorite electronic-rock band, and they have been gaining a steady stream of support for the past few years. Their songs have landed in both Matt Damon’s Green Zone and Playstation 3’s Infamous.

Now the band are back with their newest offering, 'Jojo Burger Tempest.'

The track list:
01 Do a Stunt
02 Silent Times
03 Autoblue
04 Alphaville
05 Pachinko
06 Faster Daniel Faster
07 A Black Square With Four Yellow Stars
08 Black Rivers
09 Float Bridges
10 The King and June
11 BARRY
12 Little Lenin
13 Inokashira Park
14 Low
15 Burning Drum
16 Brown Owl
17 Buildings
18 The Jojo Burger Tempest

-----------------------------------------

Motionless in White Reveal Creatures Tracklist, Cover Art

Motionless In White (hailing from Scranton, PA) is thrilled to reveal the cover art and track listing for the band’s debut album, 'Creatures.' Recorded in Ocala, FL with Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, The Word Alive), the album is scheduled for release on October 12, 2010.  Singer Chris Motionless could hardly contain himself when speaking about the album.

“I can absolutely promise that this is going to be one of the most pissed off and unique records of 2010,” he said. “We’ve taken our time to make sure our debut album is worth the wait – and believe me, this will be worth it.”  "Everything we’ve done has completely defined our own sound and will make it near impossible to catergorize us in any one specific genre,” he explained. “I don’t think ANYONE has any idea what to expect, or even moreso, I don’t think anyone is ready for what they’re about to hear!”




Motionless in White – Creatures Tracklist:

1. Immaculate Misconception
2. We Only Come Out At Night
3. London In Terror
4. Abigail
5. Creatures
6, Cobwebs
7. .Com Pt. II
8. Count Choculitis
9. City Lights
10. Puppets (The First Snow)
11. Undead Ahead
12. Scissorhands (The Last Snow)

-----------------------------------------

Weezer Unveil New Album Cover Art

Weezer have unveiled the cover art for their upcoming new album, ‘Hurley.' The cover art features a close up shot of actor Jorge Garcia who played Hurley on ABC’s hit show “Lost“.

The band are set to release the album on September 14 via their newly signed label, Epitaph Records.










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Marissa Nadler Releases Acoustic LP, Covers Record, 2 New Songs

After a pair of metal collaborations with Xasthur and Sailors With Wax Wings, ethereal-voiced folksinger Marissa Nadler has picked up her acoustic guitar again and switched on the vox reverb for a slew of new solo songs. In addition to the digital release of her self-recorded demos for 2009’s Little Hells (“acoustic versions, complete with extremely alternate versions/lyrics of each song”) via Reverb Nation, Nadler is offering a 17-track covers album (with handmade packaging!) on Etsy, hoping to use profits from the release to help finance the production of her forthcoming record.

What’s more, Nadler is offering two new songs—”Daisy, Where Did You Go?” and “The Sun Always Reminds Me of You”—for free!





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Midlake's The Trials Of Van Occupanther Gets Re-Released By Nova Posta Vinyl

The members of Midlake are in the middle of the busiest year they've ever had: They've already toured the world, won a MOJO award for Best Live Act and won a DOMA for Best Indie Rock act. Now the band has announced the vinyl re-release of their seminal album, 'The Trials Of Van Occupanther.'

Nova Posta Vinyl, the label responsible for the re-release, is actually owned and run by Midlake guitarist Eric Pulido and Denton singer-songwriter Robert Gomez. Nova Posta Vinyl is also responsible for the vinyl releases of Gomez's Pine Sticks and Phosphorus and Matthew And The Arrogant Sea's Family Family Family Meets The Magic Christian. Pulido is thrilled by the chance to re-release the disc and adds that "putting out records that are already established like Van Occupanther might be the future of [the label]."

"Everywhere we go people ask, 'Do you guys have vinyl?'" the slightly jet-lagged Pulido says this morning. Bella Union, Midlake's label, discontinued the pressing of Van Occupanther several years ago. "I was surprised that they didn't want to repress it themselves," Pulido adds. "Vinyl always sells."

-----------------------------------------

Suicidal Records To Unleash "No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family" This Fall

Another treat from the Suicidal Records stable, "No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family" features re-recorded tracks from Suicidal Tendencies' second album, "Join The Army" originally released in 1987, as well as tunes from the second full-length from "No Mercy," Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Mike Clark's speed metal band (which found ST vocalist Mike Muir on vocals) from 1986.

Since their beginnings in Venice, CA in the early ‘80s, Suicidal Tendencies have led the charge in the skate punk/thrash metal movement, consequently influencing an entire generation of bands along the way. Now, over two decades later, the time is right to unleash these lost gems, re-recorded and released for fans old and new to enjoy for the very first time. Also included is a new version of the classic Suicidal Tendencies track, "Possessed To Skate." A video for the song is also in the works. Stay tuned for additional plans to celebrate the record's release.

"No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family" will be released via Suicidal Records September 7, 2010.

No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family Track Listing

1.Suicidal Maniac
2.Possessed To Skate
3.The Prisoner
4.I Feel Your Pain...And I Survive
5.Join The ST Army
6.No Name, No Words
7.Born To Be Cyco
8.Come Alive
9.Something Inside Me
10.No Mercy Fool!
11.We're F'n Evil
12.Crazy But Proud
13.I'm Your Nightmare
14.Widespread Bloodshed...Love Runs Red

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Albatross reveal cover art, track list, & stream new track on Myspace

Horror metal band ‘Albatross’ from Mumbai, who recently signed to Demonstealer Records, have revealed the cover artwork and tracklist for their debut EP ‘Dinner Is You,' which is a sick, sadistic tale of cannibalism and the Kuru disease, which is a nervous system disorder afflicting cannibals, making them laugh uncontrollably. Each song is a spine-chilling story told through skull crushing metal.

The album has been mastered by Grammy nominated guitarist Andy LaRocque from King Diamond/Death.

Tracklist:
1. The Great Plague Of The 21st Century
2. The Dining Table
3. In The Court Of Kuru
4. Among the Cannibals

The band has released their track ‘The Dining Table’ for streaming on their Myspace page. (www.myspace.com/albatrossmetal) The album can be pre-ordered from:

http://demonstealerrecords.com/shop

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The Ting Tings Announce Comeback Single 'Hands'

The Ting Tings have recently announced details about their new single "Hands," which was written and produced by the duo's Jules De Martino and Katie White, and mixed by Calvin Harris. It is scheduled to be released on October 11 on digital download and limited 12” vinyl.

"Hands" is the first piece of new material from the band since their 2008 debut 'We Started Nothing,' which sold over two million copies.

This Date In Music History - August 11

Birthdays:

Mike Hugg - Manfred Mann (1942)

Jim Kale - Guess Who (1943)

Eric Carmen - The Young Rascals,The Raspberries, solo (1949)

Bryan Bassett - Wild Cherry (1954)



Joe Jackson (1955)

Richard Reinhardt - Ramones (1957)

Alan Frew - Glass Tiger (1959)

Charlie Sexton - Austin guitarist, singer, and songwriter (1968)

Ben Gibbard - Death Cab for Cutie (1976)

Chris Kelly - Kriss Kross (1978)

Sandi Thom - Scottish singer /songwriter, 2006 UK and Australian #1 single "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (with Flowers in My Hair)" (1981)




They Are Missed:

Ventures drummer Mel Taylor died from lung cancer in 1996.

Born on this day in 1950, Erik Braunn - Iron Butterfly (1950). He died on 25th July 2003 (age 52).

Born on this day in 1943, Denis Payton, sax, Dave Clark Five, 1964 UK #1 single "Glad All Over," 1965 US #1 single "Over And Over," plus over 15 other UK top 40 singles). Payton died on December 17, 2006.


History:

Hank Williams was fired from the Grand Ole Opry in 1952 and told not to return until he was sober.

Elvis Presley’s most successful song of the ‘50s, “Don’t Be Cruel,” was released in 1956.

Booker T. and the MG's classic instrumental song, "Green Onions," was released in 1962.



Neil Sedaka started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1962 with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," his first US #1 as an artist.

The Kingston Trio were the mystery guests on TV's "What's My Line" in 1963.

In 1964, the Beatles started recording their fourth album at EMI studios in London, England.

The High Numbers, (later to become The Who), played at The Railway Hotel in Harrow, England in 1964. Just before the band were due on stage, Roger Daltry’s father-in law came into the venue and dragged the singer outside and hit him. The band started their set and Daltry appeared back on stage after the fight.

The Beatles' "Help!" film opened in New York in 1965 (nearly two weeks after its London premiere).

At a press conference held at The Astor Towers Hotel in Chicago in 1966, John Lennon apologized for his remarks that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus". Lennon told reporters “Look, I wasn’t saying The Beatles are better than God or Jesus, I said ‘Beatles’ because it’s easy for me to talk about The Beatles. I could have said ‘TV’ or ‘Cinema’, ‘Motorcars’ or anything popular and would have got away with it…”



In 1966, the Beatles arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport to start their last tour of the US.

The first Beatles single on their own Apple Records was released in 1968. The single was "Hey Jude" b/w "Revolution."

In 1967, the Small Faces, the Move, Marmalade, Paul Jones, Pink Floyd, Amen Corner, Donovan, Zoot Money, Cream, Jeff Beck, John Mayall, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown all appeared at this years UK Reading festival. An advance 3 day ticket cost $4. Arthur Brown's trademark flaming helmet burnt out of control and organiser Harold Pendleton's father-in-law had to douse the flames with a pint of beer.

Apple Records was formed in 1968.

In 1969, Diana Ross introduced the Jackson 5 to 350 special guests at a Beverly Hills party (even though it was Gladys Knight who discovered them).

Elvis Presley filed for divorce from Priscilla in 1972 (it became final14 months later).

Guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell both quit Wings in 1973.

The "American Graffiti" film opened in 1973.

After seeing KISS play at a New York hotel in 1973, producer Bill Aucion offered to become their manager and promised a record deal.

The Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride" was released in 1973.



Keith Moon of the Who collapsed at a Miami hotel and was hospitalized in 1976.

In 1976, EMI Records signed a deal with a Soviet record label to release Wings’ “Band On The Run” in the Soviet Union.

The Knack started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1979 with "Get The Knack."

Led Zeppelin played their last ever UK show when they appeared at Knebworth Park, England in 1979. Also on the bill, The New Barbarians, Todd Rundgren, Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes, Chas and Dave and Fairport Convention.

Sonny Bono appeared on ABC-TV's "Love Boat" in 1979 (this is the first and only time I will ever reference the "L Boat!).

Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1984 with the theme from the film 'Ghostbusters.' Parker who had been a session guitarist for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Huey Lewis and the News song "I Want a New Drug," resulting in Lewis suing Parker, the pair settled out of court in 1985.

In 1989, three members of L.L. Cool J crew were arrested and charged with raping a 15 year-old girl. The incident took place after a concert when the girl had won a backstage pass on a radio contest.

Kiss arrived on Hollywood Boulevard to unveil their star on The Walk Of Fame in 1999. The band had released over 30 albums and sold over 80 million records world-wide.

Black Sabbath, Linkin Park, Slipknot and Marilyn Manson all appeareded at the Ozzfest at PNC Bank Arts Centre, New Jersey in 2001.

Nelly and Kelly Rowland started a seven week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2002 with "Dilemma."

Bruce Springsteen started a two week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2002 with ‘The Rising,' the singer's fifth US #1 LP.

In 2005, a court ruling stated that anyone who purchased Evanescence's "Anywhere But Home" CD/DVD package at Wal-Mart stores in Maryland prior to the first of the year can get a refund because the disc did not carry a parental-advisory sticker warning of explicit lyrics. A Maryland couple sued Sony BMG Music Entertainment and its Wind-Up Records subsidiary over the absence of a sticker.

Kid Rock and a reunited Alice In Chains performed at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis SD, in 2006.

In 2008, the four surviving founders of the Allman Brothers Band initiate a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over alleged unpaid royalties from sales of CDs, digital downloads and ringtones. The suit claims the band hasn’t been paid the proper rate for sales of their music that originally appeared on the Capricorn label. The musicians are seeking more than $10 million in damages.

Also in 2008, Karl Wiosna from Graig, near Pontypridd in Wales had his stereo equipment and music collection destroyed after being served with a noise abatement notice, which he later admitted breaching. Environmental health officers were alerted by neighbors who complained about the unacceptable volume Wiosna was playing his Cher and U2 records. Two tape and record decks, a radio and CDs were seized and destroyed by the council, he was also fined more than $300.

Rolling Stones’ Ron Wood joined Pearl Jam onstage in London in 2009. "You're supposed to save the best for last, but we're not," singer Eddie Vedder tells the fan-club only audience as Wood comes onstage. The guitarist plays four songs with PJ including “All Along The Watchtower.”



John Fogerty's cover of the Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved," the first single from his album "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again" was available exclusively through iTunes in 2009. Fogerty (ex-Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman) and Bruce Springsteen duet on the track.