Week Ending 09/26/2009
1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Stereo Parlophone Gold UK First Press - $8,689.75
2. 45 - Larry Clinton "She's Wanted" / "If I Knew" Dynamo - $3,188.88
3. 45 - Bob Dylan "Like A Rolling Stone" / "Gates Of Eden" CBS Mayalysia w/ Picture Sleeve - $3,063.00
4. 45 - Elvis Presley "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" Sun 209 - $2,999.99
5. 45 - Slayer "25 Years Of Showing No Mercy" Fan Club Issue - $2,700.00
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 Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT
Monday, September 28, 2009
Bird and Animal Names In Rock and Roll History-part thirty
Let’s continue our ongoing article series about ‘bird’ and ‘animal’ group names in rock and roll history, again picking up where we left off, exploring indie bands with the word ‘wolf’ in the title.
Portland punk-pop quartet Wolf Colonel began on the campus of Lewis and Clark College in the fall of 1996 as the solo acoustic project of singer/guitarist Jason Anderson. It was at a gig at the college where Anderson met K Records rep Calvin Johnson and he began sending self-released cassettes like "Sex Riot" and "This Is Compton" after adding bass and drums to the recordings. Johnson finally agreed to record a session at his Dub Narcotic studio, resulting in the early 1999 release of Wolf Colonel's self-titled debut EP.
For a subsequent spring tour, Anderson recruited rhythm guitarist Jake Longstreth, bassist Ryan Wise and drummer Adam Forkner; the full length "Vikings of Mint" followed in early 2000 and "Castle" was issued later that fall.
The band specialized in absolutely spot on lo-fi nuggets of beautifully observed pop and while Anderson may have had a singer-songwriter label attached to his name, his songs have more in common with the muscular rock power of Thin Lizzy - all wrapped up into two and a half minutes of power pop bliss. They recorded three albums for K between 99-2002, before Jay dropped the wolf colonel moniker and has gone on to record some more tersely infectious melodies, woozy harmonies, and careening guitars- smashing stuff that’s slightly more polished.
The Aussie band Wolfmother hails from Erskineville, Sydney, Australia and has since grown exponentially in popularity since their formation in 2000, making their way into the public spotlight in 2004 after "years of jamming and anonymity." Wolfmother took the initiative of recording a four-track self-titled EP in 2004 for the purpose of getting booked for shows. But the results were so astonishing that the band re-recorded it for official release via local Modular Records. A second EP, “Dimensions,” appeared in 2006 and Wolfmother made the jump to the majors in early 2006 courtesy of an American distribution deal for Modular through Interscope. Their self-titled album debut appeared in May and reached the Top 40 and "Woman," a single from the album, won the band their first Grammy Award, for Best Hard Rock Performance, in 2007.
Originally comprising of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett, the band has released one studio album, Wolfmother (2005), which reached number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.
NME dubbed them the “Best New Australian Band” and the UK’s Radio 1 presenter Zane Lowe featuring their new album as the “Best in the world!” Soon, as the music world started to hear more of the band, more comments about the band followed, some good, some not and the inevitable comparisons to Led Zeppelin worked against them in some ways. In fact, a Stylus Magazine review stated "everything there is to say about them is best said by immediate reference to another band and Wolfmother always come up short in the comparison." An Allmusic review of the band is more critical, calling their music "precious, inarticulate, [and] confused" when compared to that of their musical influences, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Cream and Black Sabbath. However, fellow musicians raved about the band's sound, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has stated that he is a fan of Wolfmother as is Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Alice Cooper has described Wolfmother's sound, stating they are "like a teenage Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf kind of band."
In August 2008, co-founding members Ross and Heskett left the band due to "irreconcilable personal and musical differences," though Stockdale has stated that he would continue using the Wolfmother moniker with new members in the future. After a brief hiatus, Stockdale returned with three new musicians in the fold, bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, guitarist Aidan Nemeth and drummer Dave Atkins. The new lineup's first album, "Cosmic Egg" is scheduled for release on October 13, 2009 and promises to bring more comparisons and critical acclaim to the psychedelic- metal band.
In the late-'90s Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf began DJing as a teenager and became quite the entrepreneur at his San Jose, CA, high school, selling mix tapes of his turntable work.
He made his debut in 1989 with "You Can't Swing This" which was recorded with a smooth MC named Lyrical Prophecy and by the end of the year; he began working with MC Charizma. The pair was very successful and perfected their skills at block parties and shows with the likes of the Pharcyde, House of Pain, and Nas. However, right after the duo secured a record deal with Hollywood Basic in 1992, Charizma was shot and killed.
Peanut Butter Wolf carried on without his collaborator and began issuing instrumental tracks, including his first release called "Peanut Butter Breaks" (Heyday Records). Other tracks followed, including "Return of the DJ" which is known as the first all-DJ album, helping to launch the careers of turntablists such as DJ Q-bert, Cut Chemist, DJ Z-Trip, and others.
In 1996, Peanut Butter Wolf formed Stones Throw Records and released its first single, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf's "My World Premiere." Peanut Butter Wolf then released his own solo album on Stones Throw, "My Vinyl Weighs a Ton" in 1999 and in 2002 two excellent compilations, "The Best of Peanut Butter Wolf" and the Stones Throw 7" collection Jukebox 45's only fueled the budding label. In 2003 he released “Badmeaninggood, Vol. 3” and the next year he produced a compilation CD/DVD of his label's artists, “Stones Throw 101.” He continues to pour his efforts into the record label and occasionally performs, doing DJ gigs in Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US. Stones Throw Records is a major player in the genre with noted hip hop releases by Madlib's Quasimoto, Yesterdays New Quintet, Jaylib (J Dilla and Madlib) and Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib) and the label has expanded their repertoire to include funk and hip hop re-issues as well as experimental jazz and electronic music. Peanut Butter Wolf is also a member of the L.A. hip-hop orchestra Breakestra.
In part thirty-one of our ongoing series, we will switch gears and move away from the ‘wolf’ names and continue our look at other bird and animal group names and people in rock and roll history.
Buy Wolf Colonel Music
Wolfmother Tidbits:
Thanks to the success of their album and singles, Wolfmother's music has been featured in many video games, films and commercials. "Love Train" featured in an iPod commercial; "Woman" was included on such video games as Guitar Hero II, MotorStorm, Pure, Saints Row 2, Tony Hawk's Project 8 and NHL 07; "Dimension" featured in the film School for Scoundrels and in video games FlatOut 2, and Rugby 06.
"Joker & the Thief" appeared in films Jackass Number Two, Shoot 'Em Up, Shrek the Third and The Hangover (2009 film) and video games Need for Speed: Carbon, Rock Band, and MLB 07: The Show, as well as commercials for both Mitsubishi and Peugeot cars.
The band performed at big-name local and international festivals in 2006, including SXSW, Big Day Out, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Roskilde Festival, Lowlands, Splendour in the Grass, Fuji Rock Festival, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, V Festival, Download Festival and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival among many other tour stops.
Buy Wolfmother Music
Peanut Butter Wolf Tidbits:
In 2006, Peanut Butter Wolf served as presenter for Stones Throw & Adult Swim's “Chrome Children” CD/DVD.
Chris is married to clothing designer Violet Valen, owner of BUDDY by Violet Valen
Copyright 2009 Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com
Portland punk-pop quartet Wolf Colonel began on the campus of Lewis and Clark College in the fall of 1996 as the solo acoustic project of singer/guitarist Jason Anderson. It was at a gig at the college where Anderson met K Records rep Calvin Johnson and he began sending self-released cassettes like "Sex Riot" and "This Is Compton" after adding bass and drums to the recordings. Johnson finally agreed to record a session at his Dub Narcotic studio, resulting in the early 1999 release of Wolf Colonel's self-titled debut EP.
For a subsequent spring tour, Anderson recruited rhythm guitarist Jake Longstreth, bassist Ryan Wise and drummer Adam Forkner; the full length "Vikings of Mint" followed in early 2000 and "Castle" was issued later that fall.
The band specialized in absolutely spot on lo-fi nuggets of beautifully observed pop and while Anderson may have had a singer-songwriter label attached to his name, his songs have more in common with the muscular rock power of Thin Lizzy - all wrapped up into two and a half minutes of power pop bliss. They recorded three albums for K between 99-2002, before Jay dropped the wolf colonel moniker and has gone on to record some more tersely infectious melodies, woozy harmonies, and careening guitars- smashing stuff that’s slightly more polished.
The Aussie band Wolfmother hails from Erskineville, Sydney, Australia and has since grown exponentially in popularity since their formation in 2000, making their way into the public spotlight in 2004 after "years of jamming and anonymity." Wolfmother took the initiative of recording a four-track self-titled EP in 2004 for the purpose of getting booked for shows. But the results were so astonishing that the band re-recorded it for official release via local Modular Records. A second EP, “Dimensions,” appeared in 2006 and Wolfmother made the jump to the majors in early 2006 courtesy of an American distribution deal for Modular through Interscope. Their self-titled album debut appeared in May and reached the Top 40 and "Woman," a single from the album, won the band their first Grammy Award, for Best Hard Rock Performance, in 2007.
Originally comprising of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett, the band has released one studio album, Wolfmother (2005), which reached number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.
NME dubbed them the “Best New Australian Band” and the UK’s Radio 1 presenter Zane Lowe featuring their new album as the “Best in the world!” Soon, as the music world started to hear more of the band, more comments about the band followed, some good, some not and the inevitable comparisons to Led Zeppelin worked against them in some ways. In fact, a Stylus Magazine review stated "everything there is to say about them is best said by immediate reference to another band and Wolfmother always come up short in the comparison." An Allmusic review of the band is more critical, calling their music "precious, inarticulate, [and] confused" when compared to that of their musical influences, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Cream and Black Sabbath. However, fellow musicians raved about the band's sound, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has stated that he is a fan of Wolfmother as is Lars Ulrich of Metallica. Alice Cooper has described Wolfmother's sound, stating they are "like a teenage Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf kind of band."
In August 2008, co-founding members Ross and Heskett left the band due to "irreconcilable personal and musical differences," though Stockdale has stated that he would continue using the Wolfmother moniker with new members in the future. After a brief hiatus, Stockdale returned with three new musicians in the fold, bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, guitarist Aidan Nemeth and drummer Dave Atkins. The new lineup's first album, "Cosmic Egg" is scheduled for release on October 13, 2009 and promises to bring more comparisons and critical acclaim to the psychedelic- metal band.
In the late-'90s Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf began DJing as a teenager and became quite the entrepreneur at his San Jose, CA, high school, selling mix tapes of his turntable work.
He made his debut in 1989 with "You Can't Swing This" which was recorded with a smooth MC named Lyrical Prophecy and by the end of the year; he began working with MC Charizma. The pair was very successful and perfected their skills at block parties and shows with the likes of the Pharcyde, House of Pain, and Nas. However, right after the duo secured a record deal with Hollywood Basic in 1992, Charizma was shot and killed.
Peanut Butter Wolf carried on without his collaborator and began issuing instrumental tracks, including his first release called "Peanut Butter Breaks" (Heyday Records). Other tracks followed, including "Return of the DJ" which is known as the first all-DJ album, helping to launch the careers of turntablists such as DJ Q-bert, Cut Chemist, DJ Z-Trip, and others.
In 1996, Peanut Butter Wolf formed Stones Throw Records and released its first single, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf's "My World Premiere." Peanut Butter Wolf then released his own solo album on Stones Throw, "My Vinyl Weighs a Ton" in 1999 and in 2002 two excellent compilations, "The Best of Peanut Butter Wolf" and the Stones Throw 7" collection Jukebox 45's only fueled the budding label. In 2003 he released “Badmeaninggood, Vol. 3” and the next year he produced a compilation CD/DVD of his label's artists, “Stones Throw 101.” He continues to pour his efforts into the record label and occasionally performs, doing DJ gigs in Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US. Stones Throw Records is a major player in the genre with noted hip hop releases by Madlib's Quasimoto, Yesterdays New Quintet, Jaylib (J Dilla and Madlib) and Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib) and the label has expanded their repertoire to include funk and hip hop re-issues as well as experimental jazz and electronic music. Peanut Butter Wolf is also a member of the L.A. hip-hop orchestra Breakestra.
In part thirty-one of our ongoing series, we will switch gears and move away from the ‘wolf’ names and continue our look at other bird and animal group names and people in rock and roll history.
Buy Wolf Colonel Music
Wolfmother Tidbits:
Thanks to the success of their album and singles, Wolfmother's music has been featured in many video games, films and commercials. "Love Train" featured in an iPod commercial; "Woman" was included on such video games as Guitar Hero II, MotorStorm, Pure, Saints Row 2, Tony Hawk's Project 8 and NHL 07; "Dimension" featured in the film School for Scoundrels and in video games FlatOut 2, and Rugby 06.
"Joker & the Thief" appeared in films Jackass Number Two, Shoot 'Em Up, Shrek the Third and The Hangover (2009 film) and video games Need for Speed: Carbon, Rock Band, and MLB 07: The Show, as well as commercials for both Mitsubishi and Peugeot cars.
The band performed at big-name local and international festivals in 2006, including SXSW, Big Day Out, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Roskilde Festival, Lowlands, Splendour in the Grass, Fuji Rock Festival, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, V Festival, Download Festival and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival among many other tour stops.
Buy Wolfmother Music
Peanut Butter Wolf Tidbits:
In 2006, Peanut Butter Wolf served as presenter for Stones Throw & Adult Swim's “Chrome Children” CD/DVD.
Chris is married to clothing designer Violet Valen, owner of BUDDY by Violet Valen
Copyright 2009 Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com
Music News & Notes
Heart Children's Book
Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson are inseperable, joined at the hip within their musical adventures. Rock and roll ballads come easy for the talented sisters and now the two have collaborated on a children's book. The book, Dog & Butterfly and Nancy's new lullabies album Baby Guitars are set to be released October 6 exclusively on Amazon.com. The release also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heart's legendary album Dog & Butterfly and a new version of the title cut has been recorded by the Wilson sisters and will be available as a free download with the purchase of the children's book.
Baby Guitars, Nancy explains, has been well "road-tested" on children. She wrote and recorded the songs with Heart guitarist Craig Bartock five years ago as a gift for a pregnant friend. Up until now, the recordings have been heard only by family and friends. (When Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes became parents in 2006, Nancy passed along a home-burned copy to his team for daughter Suri.)
Baby Guitars features "pure, innocent" sounds like acoustic guitars, mandolin, harp and Japanese koto. The tracks are instrumentals, recalling Nancy's work scoring Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, written and directed by husband Cameron Crowe. Her 10-year-old twin sons, Billy and Curtis, drew the cover art, and Billy's beloved blanket inspired Nancy's favorite song on the album, Silky.
The book's illustrations were drawn by Ann and painted by Nancy, just one more collaboration between the sisters. They're on tour with Heart through October and at work on their next album, out in 2010.
=====================
YouTube & Warner Talking New Deal
Warner Music Group and YouTube have reportedly agreed on a new deal that will bring the major label’s videos — including work by artists like Madonna and Green Day — back to the video streaming Website. According to AdAge.com, while the two sides haven’t officially announced the new contract, WMG is also moving on to negotiations to possibly join Vevo, a video stream venture between YouTube, Sony and Universal.
=====================
REO Holiday LP
REO Speedwagon is jumping on the holiday bandwagon and releasing a Christmas album. Not So Silent Night… Christmas With REO Speedwagon will be released October 27 on Sony Legacy and will include numerous classics like The First Noel, Winter Wonderland, Deck the Halls, Little Drummer Boy and Joy to the World.
=====================
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past week
Virgil has posted the top sellers for the week, stop by www.vinylcollective.com and pick up some great vinyl!
1 WHATEVER 64 copies
2 THE SWELLERS “Welcome Back Riders” 7″ black vinyl 49 copies
3 FRANK TURNER “The First Three Years” dbl LP red w/ white splatter vinyl 31 copies
4 MURDER BY DEATH “Finch: Instrumental Album” 10″green vinyl 25 copies
5 CHUCK RAGAN/ BRIAN FALLON “Gospel Songs” 7″ white vinyl 23 copies
6 CHUCK RAGAN/ BRIAN FALLON “Gospel Songs” 7″ brown vinyl VC exclusive color 14 copies
6 THE SWELLERS “Welcome Back Riders” 7″ pink w/ blue splatter vinyl 14 copies
6 HEAVY HEARTED “S/T” 7″ mixed color vinyl 14 copies
9 HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW “Turtle Nipple…” LP brown/pink 13 copies
10 CHUCK RAGAN “Gold Country” LP black vinyl 11 copies
10 LIZZIE HUFFMAN AND HER BROTHER BAND “S/T” 10″ red/burgandy vinyl 11 copies
=====================
New Morrissey B-Sides On The Way
2009 has been quite a year for Morrissey. He's toured relentlessly, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, "Years Of Refusal," saw Morrissey tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he's overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his ‘90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted. Crowning what is undoubtedly his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988, "Swords" compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.
As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, "Swords" features some of Morrissey's finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell. In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in his period - 2004's "You Are The Quarry," 2006's "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" and "Years Of Refusal" - the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey's voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare. There are moments of personal reflection; "Munich Air Disaster 1958," for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind. The live cover version of David Bowie's 1973 song "Drive-In Saturday" reveals a little more of Morrissey's own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodize over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones. Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on "Shame is the Name."
The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They're subtly assembled and sequenced -the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful "The Never-Played Symphonies" followed by a promise of a reunion in the afterlife on "Sweetie-Pie." As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, "all of our answers will be in our songs."
Initial quantities of "Swords" will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey's last two albums and 1994's "Vauxhall And I," plus The Smiths' "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby," first heard on the group's 1986 b-side collection "The World Won't Listen." In October and November Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.
"Swords" will be released in the UK on October 26th and November 3rd in the US.
=====================
The Prodigy Ready New Single
The Prodigy release the third single "Take Me To The Hospital" on October 20th. Still riding high in the UK charts, their album ‘Invaders Must Die' is among the top five selling albums of 2009 and has reaffirmed the band's status as true legends of both dance and rock.
=====================
Rhino Suffering In The Digital Age
In the latest indication of the shrinking market for compact discs, Warner Music Group's catalog arm Rhino Records laid off between 30 and 40 staffers last week. Job losses came in all departments, including A&R, marketing, promotion and publicity.
A statement from Rhino cited a "fundamental transformation of the physical new release and catalog business" as a reason for the cuts.
Rhino founder Richard Foos, speaking in dejected tones, said that it "had become very apparent that it was too difficult to go on." The store's lease expired and Foos opted to lock the doors. The store plans a Jan. 21 parking-lot sale that will be part wake, part fire sale.
"But we are hoping now for a white knight to show up and buy the inventory and the name and hopefully carry on the tradition," he said. "It was a very emotional decision but this is where it's at. Now in Westwood you have no free-standing record stores. You have one of the largest colleges in the country and no independent record store. That says a lot."
Rhino will evolve into an entity that "handles WMG's global digital catalog initiatives, film, TV, vidgame and commercial licensing, and name and likeness representation for legendary artists." Rhino has long been considered the industry standard for boxed set retrospectives, but demand for such high-ticket items has been strangled by the music market slump and shift to digital sales.
Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson are inseperable, joined at the hip within their musical adventures. Rock and roll ballads come easy for the talented sisters and now the two have collaborated on a children's book. The book, Dog & Butterfly and Nancy's new lullabies album Baby Guitars are set to be released October 6 exclusively on Amazon.com. The release also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heart's legendary album Dog & Butterfly and a new version of the title cut has been recorded by the Wilson sisters and will be available as a free download with the purchase of the children's book.
Baby Guitars, Nancy explains, has been well "road-tested" on children. She wrote and recorded the songs with Heart guitarist Craig Bartock five years ago as a gift for a pregnant friend. Up until now, the recordings have been heard only by family and friends. (When Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes became parents in 2006, Nancy passed along a home-burned copy to his team for daughter Suri.)
Baby Guitars features "pure, innocent" sounds like acoustic guitars, mandolin, harp and Japanese koto. The tracks are instrumentals, recalling Nancy's work scoring Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, written and directed by husband Cameron Crowe. Her 10-year-old twin sons, Billy and Curtis, drew the cover art, and Billy's beloved blanket inspired Nancy's favorite song on the album, Silky.
The book's illustrations were drawn by Ann and painted by Nancy, just one more collaboration between the sisters. They're on tour with Heart through October and at work on their next album, out in 2010.
=====================
YouTube & Warner Talking New Deal
Warner Music Group and YouTube have reportedly agreed on a new deal that will bring the major label’s videos — including work by artists like Madonna and Green Day — back to the video streaming Website. According to AdAge.com, while the two sides haven’t officially announced the new contract, WMG is also moving on to negotiations to possibly join Vevo, a video stream venture between YouTube, Sony and Universal.
=====================
REO Holiday LP
REO Speedwagon is jumping on the holiday bandwagon and releasing a Christmas album. Not So Silent Night… Christmas With REO Speedwagon will be released October 27 on Sony Legacy and will include numerous classics like The First Noel, Winter Wonderland, Deck the Halls, Little Drummer Boy and Joy to the World.
=====================
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past week
Virgil has posted the top sellers for the week, stop by www.vinylcollective.com and pick up some great vinyl!
1 WHATEVER 64 copies
2 THE SWELLERS “Welcome Back Riders” 7″ black vinyl 49 copies
3 FRANK TURNER “The First Three Years” dbl LP red w/ white splatter vinyl 31 copies
4 MURDER BY DEATH “Finch: Instrumental Album” 10″green vinyl 25 copies
5 CHUCK RAGAN/ BRIAN FALLON “Gospel Songs” 7″ white vinyl 23 copies
6 CHUCK RAGAN/ BRIAN FALLON “Gospel Songs” 7″ brown vinyl VC exclusive color 14 copies
6 THE SWELLERS “Welcome Back Riders” 7″ pink w/ blue splatter vinyl 14 copies
6 HEAVY HEARTED “S/T” 7″ mixed color vinyl 14 copies
9 HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW “Turtle Nipple…” LP brown/pink 13 copies
10 CHUCK RAGAN “Gold Country” LP black vinyl 11 copies
10 LIZZIE HUFFMAN AND HER BROTHER BAND “S/T” 10″ red/burgandy vinyl 11 copies
=====================
New Morrissey B-Sides On The Way
2009 has been quite a year for Morrissey. He's toured relentlessly, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, "Years Of Refusal," saw Morrissey tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he's overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his ‘90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted. Crowning what is undoubtedly his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988, "Swords" compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, "Swords" features some of Morrissey's finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell. In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in his period - 2004's "You Are The Quarry," 2006's "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" and "Years Of Refusal" - the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey's voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare. There are moments of personal reflection; "Munich Air Disaster 1958," for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind. The live cover version of David Bowie's 1973 song "Drive-In Saturday" reveals a little more of Morrissey's own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodize over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones. Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on "Shame is the Name."
The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They're subtly assembled and sequenced -the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful "The Never-Played Symphonies" followed by a promise of a reunion in the afterlife on "Sweetie-Pie." As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, "all of our answers will be in our songs."
Initial quantities of "Swords" will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey's last two albums and 1994's "Vauxhall And I," plus The Smiths' "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby," first heard on the group's 1986 b-side collection "The World Won't Listen." In October and November Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.
"Swords" will be released in the UK on October 26th and November 3rd in the US.
=====================
The Prodigy Ready New Single
The Prodigy release the third single "Take Me To The Hospital" on October 20th. Still riding high in the UK charts, their album ‘Invaders Must Die' is among the top five selling albums of 2009 and has reaffirmed the band's status as true legends of both dance and rock.
=====================
Rhino Suffering In The Digital Age
In the latest indication of the shrinking market for compact discs, Warner Music Group's catalog arm Rhino Records laid off between 30 and 40 staffers last week. Job losses came in all departments, including A&R, marketing, promotion and publicity.
A statement from Rhino cited a "fundamental transformation of the physical new release and catalog business" as a reason for the cuts.
Rhino founder Richard Foos, speaking in dejected tones, said that it "had become very apparent that it was too difficult to go on." The store's lease expired and Foos opted to lock the doors. The store plans a Jan. 21 parking-lot sale that will be part wake, part fire sale.
"But we are hoping now for a white knight to show up and buy the inventory and the name and hopefully carry on the tradition," he said. "It was a very emotional decision but this is where it's at. Now in Westwood you have no free-standing record stores. You have one of the largest colleges in the country and no independent record store. That says a lot."
Rhino will evolve into an entity that "handles WMG's global digital catalog initiatives, film, TV, vidgame and commercial licensing, and name and likeness representation for legendary artists." Rhino has long been considered the industry standard for boxed set retrospectives, but demand for such high-ticket items has been strangled by the music market slump and shift to digital sales.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales
Week Ending 09/19/2009
1. LP - Lee Morgan "City Lights" Blue Note BLP 1575 - $2,655.00
2. LP - Pink Floyd "More" Odeon Japan Red Wax - $2,500.00
3. World's Experience Orchestra - The Beginning Of A New Birth - $2,127.00
4. 45 - Necros "Sex Drive" w/ Inserts KBD - $1,975.00
5. LP - Sonny Clark "Sonny's Crib" Blue Note BLP 1576 - $1,691.00
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 Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT
1. LP - Lee Morgan "City Lights" Blue Note BLP 1575 - $2,655.00
2. LP - Pink Floyd "More" Odeon Japan Red Wax - $2,500.00
3. World's Experience Orchestra - The Beginning Of A New Birth - $2,127.00
4. 45 - Necros "Sex Drive" w/ Inserts KBD - $1,975.00
5. LP - Sonny Clark "Sonny's Crib" Blue Note BLP 1576 - $1,691.00
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 Thursdays 4PM PDT/7PM EDT
This Date In Music History-September 27
Birthdays:
Producer Don Nix (1941)
Randy Bachman - Guess Who/Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1943)
Singer Meatloaf (real name Marvin Lee Aday) (1947)
Greg Ham - Men at Work (1953)
Reggae bassist and producer Robbie Shakespeare (1953)
Johnette Napolitano - Concrete Blonde (1957)
Seventies vocalist/teen idol, Shaun Cassidy (1958)
Stephan Jenkins - Third Eye Blind (1966)
Mark Calderon - Color Me Bad (1970)
Bradley Kirk Arnold - 3 Doors Down (1978)
Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.)(1982)
Avril Lavigne (1984)
They Are Missed:
One of the giants of the jazz piano, Bud Powell (real name Earl Powell) was born in New York, NY in 1924 (died July 31, 1966).
In 1972, Rory Storme, the leader of one of Liverpool's earlier beat groups, overdosed on sleeping pills in what is presumed to be a suicide pact with his mother. Rory Storme and the Hurricanes are best remembered as the group Ringo Starr departed in 1962 to play drums for the Beatles.
Scottish guitarist Jimmy McCullough was found dead in his apartment in 1979. McCullough was 26. Also a member of Stone The Crows, Thunderclap Newman and Wings (1974 to 1977).
Reggae artist Prince Far I was killed by gunmen at his home in St. Catherine's, Jamaica in 1983. The motive behind his murder is still unclear.
In 1986, Metallica bass player Cliff Burton was crushed to death after the bands tour bus crashed between Stockholm and Copenhagen. During a European tour members from the band drew cards for the most comfortable bunk on the tour bus, Burton had won the game with an Ace of Spades and was asleep when the tour bus ran over a patch of black ice and skidded off of the road. He was thrown through the window of the bus, which fell on top of him.
Bassist Louis Satterfield died in Chicago in 2004. He worked with Fontella Bass, Earth Wind and Fire and The Phenix Horns.
Dale Houston of Dale & Grace ("I'm Leavin' It Up To You") died from congestive heart failure in 2007.
George Jones, lead singer of the Edsels, died of cancer in 2008.
Pink Floyd’s manager Bryan Morrison died in 2008 after spending over two years in a coma. Morrison suffered severe brain injuries in a polo accident at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, England in 2006, and never recovered. He also managed The Pretty Things and was a music publisher for Syd Barrett, The Bee Gees, Elton John, The Jam, T-Rex and Wham!
History:
In 1938, "Thanks for the Memory" was heard for the first time on the The Bob Hope Show.
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra performed together for the last time in 1942. Miller volunteered for the U.S. Army and disappeared December 15, 1944 over the English Channel.
Martha and the Vandellas' first single "I'll Have to Let Him Go" was released in 1962.
Singing her new single "Love of The Loved," which was written by Lennon and McCartney, Cilla Black made her debut on TV's' 'Ready Steady Go! in 1963.
The Beach Boys made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, singing "I Get Around."
Working on new songs in 1967, the Beatles recorded various parts for the new John Lennon song "I Am The Walrus" and the new Paul McCartney song "Fool On The Hill."
In 1968, the Jackson 5 opened a Gary, Indiana concert for Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight (Gladys, not Diana Ross, tips off Motown Records to sign them).
Santana's self-titled debut album entered the LP charts in 1969. The double-platinum album contained the Top Ten hit, "Evil Ways."
Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Green River" peaked at #2 on the singles chart in 1969. CCR never had a #1 song in the US.
In 1979, moments after beginning the tune "Better Off Dead," Elton John collapsed onstage at the Universal Amphitheatre. He was suffering from exhaustion brought on by the flu. After a ten minute intermission, John returned to finish a concert lasting nearly three hours.
The Police released their second album, "Regatta de Blanc" in 1979.
The Beatles didn't need to make a comeback, but they did so anyway in 1986 thanks to "Twist and Shout" being featured on the soundtracks to Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the Rodney Dangerfield masterpiece Back to School. The single re-enters the chart today and gets to #23. It's the Fab Four's first charting single since 1982's "The Beatles' Movie Medley."
Lionel Richie started a two run at #1 on the US album chart in 1986 with "Dancing On The Ceiling."
"Walk This Way" by Run-DMC and Aerosmith peaked at #4 on the singles chart in 1986.
Dee Dee Ramone of the Ramones was arrested in 1990 for possessing marijuana during a drug bust in New York's Greenwich Village.
In 1992, shock-rockers Jane's Addiction played their last show at the Aloha Tower, Honolulu, during which frontman Perry Farrell appeared naked.
In 2003, "You're so Vain" singer Carly Simon sued New York's Dakota building, alleging they rejected her application to live there, but kept a $99,000 down payment.
"Wall of Sound" producer Phil Spector was indicted on charges of murder in 2004. He is alleged to have killed actress Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles home in 2003.
John Mellencamp and his song "Our Country" are featured in an advertising campaign for Chevrolet's ‘07 Silverado pickup truck in 2006. Mellencamp says the partnership "makes perfect sense" because Chevy is an American company and his song "is all about standing up for the working people who are the backbone of our nation."
Producer Don Nix (1941)
Randy Bachman - Guess Who/Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1943)
Singer Meatloaf (real name Marvin Lee Aday) (1947)
Greg Ham - Men at Work (1953)
Reggae bassist and producer Robbie Shakespeare (1953)
Johnette Napolitano - Concrete Blonde (1957)
Seventies vocalist/teen idol, Shaun Cassidy (1958)
Stephan Jenkins - Third Eye Blind (1966)
Mark Calderon - Color Me Bad (1970)
Bradley Kirk Arnold - 3 Doors Down (1978)
Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.)(1982)
Avril Lavigne (1984)
They Are Missed:
One of the giants of the jazz piano, Bud Powell (real name Earl Powell) was born in New York, NY in 1924 (died July 31, 1966).
In 1972, Rory Storme, the leader of one of Liverpool's earlier beat groups, overdosed on sleeping pills in what is presumed to be a suicide pact with his mother. Rory Storme and the Hurricanes are best remembered as the group Ringo Starr departed in 1962 to play drums for the Beatles.
Scottish guitarist Jimmy McCullough was found dead in his apartment in 1979. McCullough was 26. Also a member of Stone The Crows, Thunderclap Newman and Wings (1974 to 1977).
Reggae artist Prince Far I was killed by gunmen at his home in St. Catherine's, Jamaica in 1983. The motive behind his murder is still unclear.
In 1986, Metallica bass player Cliff Burton was crushed to death after the bands tour bus crashed between Stockholm and Copenhagen. During a European tour members from the band drew cards for the most comfortable bunk on the tour bus, Burton had won the game with an Ace of Spades and was asleep when the tour bus ran over a patch of black ice and skidded off of the road. He was thrown through the window of the bus, which fell on top of him.
Bassist Louis Satterfield died in Chicago in 2004. He worked with Fontella Bass, Earth Wind and Fire and The Phenix Horns.
Dale Houston of Dale & Grace ("I'm Leavin' It Up To You") died from congestive heart failure in 2007.
George Jones, lead singer of the Edsels, died of cancer in 2008.
Pink Floyd’s manager Bryan Morrison died in 2008 after spending over two years in a coma. Morrison suffered severe brain injuries in a polo accident at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, England in 2006, and never recovered. He also managed The Pretty Things and was a music publisher for Syd Barrett, The Bee Gees, Elton John, The Jam, T-Rex and Wham!
History:
In 1938, "Thanks for the Memory" was heard for the first time on the The Bob Hope Show.
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra performed together for the last time in 1942. Miller volunteered for the U.S. Army and disappeared December 15, 1944 over the English Channel.
Martha and the Vandellas' first single "I'll Have to Let Him Go" was released in 1962.
Singing her new single "Love of The Loved," which was written by Lennon and McCartney, Cilla Black made her debut on TV's' 'Ready Steady Go! in 1963.
The Beach Boys made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, singing "I Get Around."
Working on new songs in 1967, the Beatles recorded various parts for the new John Lennon song "I Am The Walrus" and the new Paul McCartney song "Fool On The Hill."
In 1968, the Jackson 5 opened a Gary, Indiana concert for Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight (Gladys, not Diana Ross, tips off Motown Records to sign them).
Santana's self-titled debut album entered the LP charts in 1969. The double-platinum album contained the Top Ten hit, "Evil Ways."
Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Green River" peaked at #2 on the singles chart in 1969. CCR never had a #1 song in the US.
In 1979, moments after beginning the tune "Better Off Dead," Elton John collapsed onstage at the Universal Amphitheatre. He was suffering from exhaustion brought on by the flu. After a ten minute intermission, John returned to finish a concert lasting nearly three hours.
The Police released their second album, "Regatta de Blanc" in 1979.
The Beatles didn't need to make a comeback, but they did so anyway in 1986 thanks to "Twist and Shout" being featured on the soundtracks to Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the Rodney Dangerfield masterpiece Back to School. The single re-enters the chart today and gets to #23. It's the Fab Four's first charting single since 1982's "The Beatles' Movie Medley."
Lionel Richie started a two run at #1 on the US album chart in 1986 with "Dancing On The Ceiling."
"Walk This Way" by Run-DMC and Aerosmith peaked at #4 on the singles chart in 1986.
Dee Dee Ramone of the Ramones was arrested in 1990 for possessing marijuana during a drug bust in New York's Greenwich Village.
In 1992, shock-rockers Jane's Addiction played their last show at the Aloha Tower, Honolulu, during which frontman Perry Farrell appeared naked.
In 2003, "You're so Vain" singer Carly Simon sued New York's Dakota building, alleging they rejected her application to live there, but kept a $99,000 down payment.
"Wall of Sound" producer Phil Spector was indicted on charges of murder in 2004. He is alleged to have killed actress Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles home in 2003.
John Mellencamp and his song "Our Country" are featured in an advertising campaign for Chevrolet's ‘07 Silverado pickup truck in 2006. Mellencamp says the partnership "makes perfect sense" because Chevy is an American company and his song "is all about standing up for the working people who are the backbone of our nation."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Creedence Clearwater Revival Boxset
Creedence Clearwater Revival's golden era of hit singles (fall of 1968 through spring of 1972) rivals that of any band in rock 'n' roll history. The Southern-flavored quartet from El Cerrito, Calif., turned out 17 hits in a 44-month stretch, nine of them in the Top 10, five of them in the Top 5.On November 3, Fantasy Records will release The Singles Collection, a two-CD, one-DVD box with a slip case, containing all of the band's U.S. singles -- 30 songs in all. Top 5 smashes like "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," "Down on the Corner," "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop the Rain," "Run Through the Jungle," "Up Around the Bend," "Long As I Can See the Light" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door" are joined by seldom-heard singles that never charted ("Porterville" and "Call It Pretending" on Fantasy's Scorpio subsidiary, and later singles "Tearin' Up the Country" and "45 Revolutions Per Minute [Parts 1 & 2]").
The 30 songs, (which are presented in their original single mixes, many of them in mono --- are making their CD debut), housed on two CDs, will be joined by a DVD containing four never-before-available, long-pre-MTV music videos: "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," "Bootleg," "I Put a Spell on You" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door." Also included in the package are a poster featuring the dozens of international single sleeves, and a 16-page booklet with liner notes by former Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres, who lived and wrote in the Bay Area during CCR's golden half-decade.
Fantasy will also manufacture a limited edition collectors' version of The Singles Collection featuring actual vinyl 45 rpm singles with reproductions of the original Fantasy label design and housed in their rare picture sleeves-- the ultimate holiday gift for Creedence fans.
The members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, of course, hailed from the suburbs of Oakland the little town of El Cerrito, lappeding up music on the radio through the late ' '50s and ' '60s, and eventually signed to a small, open-minded jazz label in Berkeley called Fantasy Records. Originally known as the Tommy Fogerty & the Blue Velvets and then The Golliwogs, the band's break came with its swampy 1968 cover of Dale Hawkins' "Suzie Q," which notched #11 on Billboard's pop singles chart. Starting on San Francisco's free-form rock radio stations, the song crossed over top Top 40, putting Creedence on the map. As Fong-Torres notes, "radio needed acts like CCR -- reliable producers of solid tunes laden with hooks."
Even in the South, radio was taken with CCR. DJ Scott Shannon, then on Memphis' WMPS-AM, was a Dale Hawkins fan and thought Fogerty nailed it. "His voice and his mixes were perfect for Top 40," he said. "It just screamed out of the AM radios."
But it wasn't just the radio. CCR songs began popping up in movies and TV shows -- several dozens of them, in fact. "Bad Moon Rising" has shown up the most often (including in An American Werewolf in London), and "Fortunate Son" has been heard in films ranging from The Manchurian Candidate (2004) to Live Free or Die Hard (2007).
"I used to say in 1968 that I wanted to make records they would still play on the radio in ten years," John Fogerty said in early 1993, on the eve of Creedence Clearwater Revival's induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Forty years later, the music sounds as fresh and vital as ever.
Music News & Notes
Pearl Jam Is Back!
It appears that Pearl Jam is on course to score a #1 album, their first in 13 years, according to Billboard magazine. Judging from current projections based on this week’s sales, the band’s new album Backspacer, released last Sunday, could conceivably sell anywhere between 175,000 to 200,000 bythe end of the week. If so, the album may very likely land ahead of its competition when the Billboard 200 chart for the period ending September 27th is published this coming Wednesday.
Signaling a new direction for the band, Backspacer will be the Pearl Jam’s first album not released via a major label. Instead, Eddie Vedder and company are releasing the album in the U.S. through iTunes, Target, the band’s own website, and via independent retailers.
Over the course of their nearly twenty-year career, Pearl Jam’s releases have consistently climbed to the top of the charts with Vs.and Vitology having landed back-to-back at the number one spot in 1993 and 94.
In addition to the deal for the release of the new album, the band has also scored a deal with Target for the limited edition release of a T-shirt that features Tom Tomorrow’s astronaut playing drums, as seen on the new album’s back cover art. The band announced that all proceeds from the sales of the shirts will go to Feeding America, a charity dedicated to ending hunger in the U.S. According to the Pearl Jam Website, the shirts are in short supply and interested buyers and collectors may want to make their purchases as they are not expected to stay in stock for long.
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Spandau Ballet Single
Spandau Ballet are to release their first new single since 1989's Crashed Into Love this November. The band, who announced that they were to reform in March, release 'Once More' on November 9.
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New Creed Music
Creed is back with their first album in 8 years, "Full Circle" (due October 27). If you head over to MSN you can hear the new single, "Rain," plus watch the video for the first single, "Overcome". Creed Single
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Faces Reforming To Play Royal Albert Hall (Less Rod Stewart)
Classic Rock Magazine is reporting that The Faces are reforming – for one night only. But it will be without Rod Stewart.
After 37 years guitarist Ronnie Wood, drummer Kenney Jones and keyboard player Ian McLagan are getting back together on October 25 at the Royal Albert Hall. This is for the charity event PRS For Music Members Benevolent Fund.
Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman will replace the late Ronnie Lane, while a host of special guests will help out on vocals.
Also on the bill include Albert Lee, Rick Wakeman, Jan Akkerman among many others.
========================
AC/DC Singer Needs Rest
Heavy-rockers AC/DC have been forced to postpone six tour dates because frontman Brian Johnson is recovering from a medical procedure and per his doctor's advice, he will take some time off to rest.
According to the band’s official Website, the group’s October 1st show in Phoenix will be postponed, along with concerts in Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee. The Black Ice World Tour gets back on track October 16th in Washington, DC.
========================
Jackson tickets on sale Sunday
Tickets for the most highly anticipated film of the year go on sale to the general public throughout the UK this coming Sunday, September 27.
UK audiences will be able to book tickets from 12.01am on Sunday morning at http://www.thisisittickets.co.uk or via all the usual cinema websites and telephone booking lines. Tickets will also be available from local cinemas from Sunday, September 27 during the usual box office opening hours.
Tickets will be available for all showings of the movie, including the first screenings open to the general public in the UK from 4.00am on Wednesday October 28.
Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT will be in cinemas worldwide for two weeks only beginning Wednesday October 28.
www.thisisit-movie.com.
Monty Python Boxset On Its Way
It has been forty years since Monty Python's "Flying Circus" aired its premiere episode on BBC TV, igniting a comedic revolution. Setting the bar for satire, slapstick, and outright silliness, the Pythons have elevated themselves to iconic status, from comedy troupe to cultural phenomenon. To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of this legendary ensemble, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Monty Python: Almost The Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) on 3DVD and 2Blu-ray on October 27, just a week after its IFC airing on October 18. [Pre-book Order Date October 7, MSRP $29.99 for 3DVD, $34.99 for 2Blu-ray]
This six-part docu-series, with each episode clocking in at an hour, is the only official, authorized program to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of this series. These recent interviews from John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, along with archival interview footage from the late Graham Chapman, will unveil the deeper truths behind the expertly executed buffoonery. Commentary is also included from Dan Aykroyd, Tim Roth, Phill Jupitus, Bruce Dickinson, Nick Mason, Eddie Izzard, Seth Green, Steve Coogan, Stephen Merchant, Simon Pegg, and others.
In addition to the interviews, Monty Python: Almost The Truth also indulges in a generous helping of video clips. The series features a wealth of footage from pre-Python material, Monty Python's "Flying Circus" television series, their classic live performance from Hollywood Bowl, and the three Python films (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Life Of Brian, and Monty Python's Meaning Of Life). There is also a plethora of bonus footage, including their classic sketches (such as "Spanish Inquisition," "Ministry Of Silly Walks," and "The Lumberjack Song"), extended interviews, and photo galleries.
From their fateful start in October of 1969, the Monty Python clan have influenced a generation of comedians and actors, and re-written the parameters of sketch comedy and film satires. After 40 years of inciting riots of belly laughs, the legacy of this dynamic comedic force will be celebrated with the release of Monty Python: Almost The Truth (The Lawyer's Cut).
Episode Listing:
1.) The Not-So-Interesting Beginnings
2.) The Much Funnier Second Episode
3.) And Now, The Sordid Personal Bits
4.) The Ultimate Holy Grail Episode
5.) Lust For Glory!
6.) Finally! The Last Episode (Ever) (For now…)
Bonus Material:
Classic Sketches:
1.) The Dead Parrot
2.) The Spanish Inquisition
3.) Fish Slapping Dance
4.) Ministry Of Silly Walks
5.) The Lumberjack Song
6.) The Cheese Shop
7.) SPAM
Extended Interviews – The Pythons on their early years
>From The Cutting Room Floor:
1.) The Seventh Python
2.) The Hendon Sketch
3.) Origins Of The Cheese Shop
4.) Steve Coogan Performs "The Undertaker"
5.) Pythons On Pythons
6.) The SPAM Museum
7.) Python In Texas
8.) Tomorrow's World "The Broken Bottle" (with Terry Jones and Michael Palin)
9.) Bruce Dickinson Registers A Complaint
10.) Elvis Was A Python Fan
11.) Origins Of Fawlty Towers
Terry Gilliam Picture Gallery
This six-part docu-series, with each episode clocking in at an hour, is the only official, authorized program to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of this series. These recent interviews from John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, along with archival interview footage from the late Graham Chapman, will unveil the deeper truths behind the expertly executed buffoonery. Commentary is also included from Dan Aykroyd, Tim Roth, Phill Jupitus, Bruce Dickinson, Nick Mason, Eddie Izzard, Seth Green, Steve Coogan, Stephen Merchant, Simon Pegg, and others.
In addition to the interviews, Monty Python: Almost The Truth also indulges in a generous helping of video clips. The series features a wealth of footage from pre-Python material, Monty Python's "Flying Circus" television series, their classic live performance from Hollywood Bowl, and the three Python films (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Life Of Brian, and Monty Python's Meaning Of Life). There is also a plethora of bonus footage, including their classic sketches (such as "Spanish Inquisition," "Ministry Of Silly Walks," and "The Lumberjack Song"), extended interviews, and photo galleries.
From their fateful start in October of 1969, the Monty Python clan have influenced a generation of comedians and actors, and re-written the parameters of sketch comedy and film satires. After 40 years of inciting riots of belly laughs, the legacy of this dynamic comedic force will be celebrated with the release of Monty Python: Almost The Truth (The Lawyer's Cut).
Episode Listing:
1.) The Not-So-Interesting Beginnings
2.) The Much Funnier Second Episode
3.) And Now, The Sordid Personal Bits
4.) The Ultimate Holy Grail Episode
5.) Lust For Glory!
6.) Finally! The Last Episode (Ever) (For now…)
Bonus Material:
Classic Sketches:
1.) The Dead Parrot
2.) The Spanish Inquisition
3.) Fish Slapping Dance
4.) Ministry Of Silly Walks
5.) The Lumberjack Song
6.) The Cheese Shop
7.) SPAM
Extended Interviews – The Pythons on their early years
>From The Cutting Room Floor:
1.) The Seventh Python
2.) The Hendon Sketch
3.) Origins Of The Cheese Shop
4.) Steve Coogan Performs "The Undertaker"
5.) Pythons On Pythons
6.) The SPAM Museum
7.) Python In Texas
8.) Tomorrow's World "The Broken Bottle" (with Terry Jones and Michael Palin)
9.) Bruce Dickinson Registers A Complaint
10.) Elvis Was A Python Fan
11.) Origins Of Fawlty Towers
Terry Gilliam Picture Gallery
Friday, September 25, 2009
Rock/Pop Tidbits
Here is our last installment of this interesting feature, I hope that you have enjoyed the trivia and have learned something about our wonderful musicians and bands!
Ray Davies of the Kinks once tried to be like Keith Moon (the Who) and destroy his hotel room. “I threw a Guinness bottle against the wall,” he explained. “It bounced back and hit me in the head and knocked me out.” That plan failed.
At a Monkees’ concert in 1968, Keith Moon jumped up in the crowd just before the show started and started chanting “We Want the Who!”
Alice Cooper is famous for his stage antics. In 1988, while he was rehearsing for his onstage hanging routine, the safety rope broke and Cooper would have hung himself if not for the quick thinking of a roadie; who cut the dangling rock star down.
Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame once claimed he shot whiskey into his arm when he ran out of heroin.
In a related story, Sixx shot up too much heroin in 1987, in addition to consuming Valium, Cocaine, whiskey, and beer. Sixx stated, “I kinda remember waking up and a paramedic telling me that I had died, and had to be revived.” He got that part right, as paramedics did indeed have to administer two shots of adrenaline to restart his heart. Upon his release from the hospital, he hitchhiked back home, shot up more heroin, later writing the song, “Kickstart My Heart.” How appropriate.
In the early days of Queen, rocker Freddie Mercury would hit himself so hard with the tambourine that he suffered a severely bruised leg.
Frank Zappa booked the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play a concert of his music at the Royal Albert hall. But the show was canceled due to “lyrical obscenity.” Zappa sued, but lost the case when he couldn’t convince the British judge that the song “Shove It Right In” was not obscene.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys spent 1971-1975 in bed.
Mamas and the Papas founder John Phillips was kind of careless with his drugs. His dog, Trelawny (a.k.a Mr. T) once gobbled up a whole bag of mescaline capsules. The poor pooch ran in circles for three days. Then he stared at himself in the mirror for over twelve hours. “He was more human than anything else after swallowing all that mescaline,” mused Phillips.
In the 60’s, the Who made instrument smashing a part of every show that they did. Trouble was, the band was destroying 700 pounds of equipment per night and only earning about 500 pounds per show. Bass player John Entwistle screamed: “We’d come out ahead just by not showing up!”
Ex-Boomtown Rats member Bob Geldof once lost his job at a photo-processing plant because he had smoked a few joints in the darkroom, ruining a batch of film.
Jim Morrison was a freak’s freak. In March of 1969, he was arrested for exposing himself during a Miami concert. The ‘flashing’ rocker eventually had to go to court with a long list of charges that included: profanity, indecent exposure, lewd behavior, and public drunkenness. While in court the prosecutor asked Morrison if he had exposed himself, to which Morrison replied: “I don’t remember. I was too drunk.” He was later found guilty of exposing himself but actually found not guilty of public drunkenness. Oh, our lovely legal system at work.
After the very public trail, a friend asked Morrison what compelled him to expose himself onstage. “I wanted to see what it looked like in the spotlight,” explained the Lizard King. I guess he remembered that part!
While out and about, Jim Morrison spotted one of his friend’s sister standing in a boutique. “Whooopppeee, look at those tits!” he hollered. An elderly lady thought that Morrison was yelling at her. The feisty senior proceeded to chase the stunned rocker around the store, hitting him with her purse.
For their tour to promote the “Rumours” album, Fleetwood Mac spent thousands of dollars on a giant inflatable penguin. They only used it once.
In 1997, Mick Fleetwood estimated that he had spent the staggering total of 8 million dollars on the drug of choice: Cocaine.
At an Alice Cooper concert, he was chopping and smashing a watermelon onstage and when someone handed him a crutch, he continued his onslaught. Then he threw the disgusting mess out into the audience, followed quickly by a mass of feathers. He thought ‘This group of dummies just sat there and took it.” It was later that the shock-rocker learned that the first five rows of the audience were filled with disabled fans, they couldn’t move.
Danny Bonaduce of Partridge Family fame was a hazard to his own health. While in Florida in 1990, he was arrested on a drug charge. In 1991, he was arrested for assaulting a transvestite prostitute in Phoenix, Arizona. Seems he had paid for his/her services and then tried to get a refund when he discovered the truth. He left the scene traveling over 125 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone.
After Ringo Starr joined up with the Beatles, his band mates didn’t think too much of Starr’s mental abilities. “If anything goes wrong, we can all blame it on Ringo,” explained John Lennon. “That’s what he’s here for.”
While playing a gig in Buffalo, New York, the Allman Brothers Band showed up fifteen minutes late and the club owner refused to pay them. Roadie Twiggs Lyndon wasn’t amused so he stabbed the man three times with a fishing knife. The club owner died and Lyndon was arrested for first-degree murder. The band then continued their tour.
Ray Davies of the Kinks once tried to be like Keith Moon (the Who) and destroy his hotel room. “I threw a Guinness bottle against the wall,” he explained. “It bounced back and hit me in the head and knocked me out.” That plan failed.
At a Monkees’ concert in 1968, Keith Moon jumped up in the crowd just before the show started and started chanting “We Want the Who!”
Alice Cooper is famous for his stage antics. In 1988, while he was rehearsing for his onstage hanging routine, the safety rope broke and Cooper would have hung himself if not for the quick thinking of a roadie; who cut the dangling rock star down.
Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame once claimed he shot whiskey into his arm when he ran out of heroin.
In a related story, Sixx shot up too much heroin in 1987, in addition to consuming Valium, Cocaine, whiskey, and beer. Sixx stated, “I kinda remember waking up and a paramedic telling me that I had died, and had to be revived.” He got that part right, as paramedics did indeed have to administer two shots of adrenaline to restart his heart. Upon his release from the hospital, he hitchhiked back home, shot up more heroin, later writing the song, “Kickstart My Heart.” How appropriate.
In the early days of Queen, rocker Freddie Mercury would hit himself so hard with the tambourine that he suffered a severely bruised leg.
Frank Zappa booked the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play a concert of his music at the Royal Albert hall. But the show was canceled due to “lyrical obscenity.” Zappa sued, but lost the case when he couldn’t convince the British judge that the song “Shove It Right In” was not obscene.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys spent 1971-1975 in bed.
Mamas and the Papas founder John Phillips was kind of careless with his drugs. His dog, Trelawny (a.k.a Mr. T) once gobbled up a whole bag of mescaline capsules. The poor pooch ran in circles for three days. Then he stared at himself in the mirror for over twelve hours. “He was more human than anything else after swallowing all that mescaline,” mused Phillips.
In the 60’s, the Who made instrument smashing a part of every show that they did. Trouble was, the band was destroying 700 pounds of equipment per night and only earning about 500 pounds per show. Bass player John Entwistle screamed: “We’d come out ahead just by not showing up!”
Ex-Boomtown Rats member Bob Geldof once lost his job at a photo-processing plant because he had smoked a few joints in the darkroom, ruining a batch of film.
Jim Morrison was a freak’s freak. In March of 1969, he was arrested for exposing himself during a Miami concert. The ‘flashing’ rocker eventually had to go to court with a long list of charges that included: profanity, indecent exposure, lewd behavior, and public drunkenness. While in court the prosecutor asked Morrison if he had exposed himself, to which Morrison replied: “I don’t remember. I was too drunk.” He was later found guilty of exposing himself but actually found not guilty of public drunkenness. Oh, our lovely legal system at work.
After the very public trail, a friend asked Morrison what compelled him to expose himself onstage. “I wanted to see what it looked like in the spotlight,” explained the Lizard King. I guess he remembered that part!
While out and about, Jim Morrison spotted one of his friend’s sister standing in a boutique. “Whooopppeee, look at those tits!” he hollered. An elderly lady thought that Morrison was yelling at her. The feisty senior proceeded to chase the stunned rocker around the store, hitting him with her purse.
For their tour to promote the “Rumours” album, Fleetwood Mac spent thousands of dollars on a giant inflatable penguin. They only used it once.
In 1997, Mick Fleetwood estimated that he had spent the staggering total of 8 million dollars on the drug of choice: Cocaine.
At an Alice Cooper concert, he was chopping and smashing a watermelon onstage and when someone handed him a crutch, he continued his onslaught. Then he threw the disgusting mess out into the audience, followed quickly by a mass of feathers. He thought ‘This group of dummies just sat there and took it.” It was later that the shock-rocker learned that the first five rows of the audience were filled with disabled fans, they couldn’t move.
Danny Bonaduce of Partridge Family fame was a hazard to his own health. While in Florida in 1990, he was arrested on a drug charge. In 1991, he was arrested for assaulting a transvestite prostitute in Phoenix, Arizona. Seems he had paid for his/her services and then tried to get a refund when he discovered the truth. He left the scene traveling over 125 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone.
After Ringo Starr joined up with the Beatles, his band mates didn’t think too much of Starr’s mental abilities. “If anything goes wrong, we can all blame it on Ringo,” explained John Lennon. “That’s what he’s here for.”
While playing a gig in Buffalo, New York, the Allman Brothers Band showed up fifteen minutes late and the club owner refused to pay them. Roadie Twiggs Lyndon wasn’t amused so he stabbed the man three times with a fishing knife. The club owner died and Lyndon was arrested for first-degree murder. The band then continued their tour.
Music News & Notes
AC/DC To Make 'Exciting Announcement' Next Tuesday
Iconic Australian hard rockers AC/DC have launched a special web site, ACDCBacktracks.com, featuring a countdown to an "exciting announcement" that will be made on September 29.
A short video clip promoting the new web site can be viewed below.
AC/DC is rumored to be releasing a box set later this year that will come in a package that doubles as a working amplifier. The set will contain three CDs, two DVDs and a vinyl record. One CD will contain studio rarities and the other two will feature live cuts, while the DVDs will contain the third volume of the band's "Family Jewels" video collections. The vinyl disc will hold the studio rarities. The set will also come with a 164-page book, three black-and-white lithographs of unpublished band photos from 1977, a flyer for a 1976 British tour and a poster from a 1977 European trek. The complete package will be sold only through AC/DC's web site, while a CD/DVD-only version called "Best Of The Box Set" may also be made available.
AC/DC Backtracks Sneak Peek 9/24
======================
OK Go readies new album, sets club dates
OK Go has set a Jan. 12 release date for its new album, "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky," and will pave the way with a series of club dates.
The tour, which focuses on the Midwest and currently includes nine dates, gets underway Nov. 5 in Millvale, PA.
The upcoming 13-song album will be the OK Go's first full-length release since the Grammy Award-winning, treadmill-centric video "Here It Goes Again" launched the band into the mainstream consciousness.
In a statement, lead singer Damian Kulash said the new album springs from a different departure point than the band's previous releases. "It's not so much that we headed in a new direction," he said. "I think we've just expended the guitar-rock ideas from our teens and we're starting to get at more root-level influences." Kulash said the new songs were heavily influenced by Prince's "Purple Rain," an album he hasn't stopped listening to since he first got it at the age of 11.
In addition to being danceable, Kulash said "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky"--which was named after an 1876 book promoting the erroneous theory that blue light cures all ills--is contemplative and introspective with a vein of surrealism running through it. He said the album "embodies contradiction in a way I feel connected to. It's both the saddest and the most hopeful music we've made, and both the danciest and most thoughtful."
======================
PICTURE: New Album Details Revealed
30 years after the release of the group's debut LP, reunited '80s Dutch metal band PICTURE will release a new album, "Old Dogs New Tricks", on October 1. According to a press release, the new CD "contains a wide variety of hard rock and old-school metal songs, complete with a breath-taking ballad."
"Old Dogs New Tricks" was produced by Nico Verrips, who "kept the Eighties feeling, but gave the record a contemporary modern sound."
PICTURE was the first "real" Dutch heavy metal band. Formed in 1979, they were especially popular in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy for their live performances. They still supposedly have a huge fan base in South America, Mexico and Japan.
PICTURE supported AC/DC, TED NUGENT and SAXON in the Netherlands. With SAXON, they did a full European tour in 1981. Later on they toured with ROSE TATTOO in Germany and headlined tours in Italy and Israel.
======================
Tom Petty & Heartbreakers Announce Live Anthology Box Set Release
Tom Petty is releasing a multi-format live anthology that spans his entire career. The collection brings together material from 1978-2007, chosen by Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Ryan Ulyate, from hundreds of hours of live recordings.
The most impressive package will only be available at Best Buy, and will feature:
A deluxe box set featuring 62 tracks on 5 CDs; two previously unreleased DVDs including the 1978 New Year's Eve concert from Santa Monica, CA, and the Martyn Atkins documentary 400 Days shot during the recording and tour for Wildflowers; a re-mastered vinyl of the 1976 Official Live 'Leg bootleg; and a Blu-ray audio disc featuring all 62 tracks in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound.
If you fancy the black discs (don't we all?) there is a seven LP vinyl box set of 51 tracks mastered directly from the uncompressed 24-bit 96K files and pressed on 180-gram audiophile quality high performance vinyl.
======================
Austin City Limits Announces It's 2009-10 Schedule
The producers of Austin City Limits have announced the schedule for their 35th season on PBS stations across the country. It's one of my favorite shows, where I found great bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Arcade Fire.
Included will be the return of Willie Nelson, who appeared on the very first ACL show back in 1975. This time around, he'll be with another Austin City Limits favorite, Asleep at the Wheel, performing Texas swing music from their Willie and the Wheel album.
As usual, the season will offer an eclectic mix of music from veteran and modern artists, ranging from country (Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson) to rock (Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam) to its first foray into Rap (Mos Def, K'Naan).
The schedule (check your local listings for exact date and time):
•October 3, 2009 - Dave Matthews Band
•October 10, 2009 - Ben Harper and Relentless7
•October 17, 2009 - Kenny Chesney
•October 24, 2009 - Andrew Bird / St. Vincent
•October 31, 2009 - M. Ward / Okkervil River
•November 7, 2009 - Elvis Costello / Band of Heathens
•November 14, 2009 - Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel
•November 21, 2009 - Pearl Jam
•November 28, 2009 – January 2, 2010 - Encore episodes
•January 9, 2010 - Allen Toussaint
•January 16, 2010 - Mos Def / K’Naan
•January 23, 2010 - TBD / Heartless Bastards
•January 30, 2010 - Steve Earle / Kris Kristofferson
•February 6, 2010 - Them Crooked Vultures (Josh Homme, Dave Grohl & John Paul Jones)
•February 13, 2010 - Madeleine Peyroux / Esperanza Spalding
Iconic Australian hard rockers AC/DC have launched a special web site, ACDCBacktracks.com, featuring a countdown to an "exciting announcement" that will be made on September 29.
A short video clip promoting the new web site can be viewed below.
AC/DC is rumored to be releasing a box set later this year that will come in a package that doubles as a working amplifier. The set will contain three CDs, two DVDs and a vinyl record. One CD will contain studio rarities and the other two will feature live cuts, while the DVDs will contain the third volume of the band's "Family Jewels" video collections. The vinyl disc will hold the studio rarities. The set will also come with a 164-page book, three black-and-white lithographs of unpublished band photos from 1977, a flyer for a 1976 British tour and a poster from a 1977 European trek. The complete package will be sold only through AC/DC's web site, while a CD/DVD-only version called "Best Of The Box Set" may also be made available.
AC/DC Backtracks Sneak Peek 9/24
======================
OK Go readies new album, sets club dates
OK Go has set a Jan. 12 release date for its new album, "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky," and will pave the way with a series of club dates.
The tour, which focuses on the Midwest and currently includes nine dates, gets underway Nov. 5 in Millvale, PA.
The upcoming 13-song album will be the OK Go's first full-length release since the Grammy Award-winning, treadmill-centric video "Here It Goes Again" launched the band into the mainstream consciousness.
In a statement, lead singer Damian Kulash said the new album springs from a different departure point than the band's previous releases. "It's not so much that we headed in a new direction," he said. "I think we've just expended the guitar-rock ideas from our teens and we're starting to get at more root-level influences." Kulash said the new songs were heavily influenced by Prince's "Purple Rain," an album he hasn't stopped listening to since he first got it at the age of 11.
In addition to being danceable, Kulash said "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky"--which was named after an 1876 book promoting the erroneous theory that blue light cures all ills--is contemplative and introspective with a vein of surrealism running through it. He said the album "embodies contradiction in a way I feel connected to. It's both the saddest and the most hopeful music we've made, and both the danciest and most thoughtful."
======================
PICTURE: New Album Details Revealed
30 years after the release of the group's debut LP, reunited '80s Dutch metal band PICTURE will release a new album, "Old Dogs New Tricks", on October 1. According to a press release, the new CD "contains a wide variety of hard rock and old-school metal songs, complete with a breath-taking ballad."
"Old Dogs New Tricks" was produced by Nico Verrips, who "kept the Eighties feeling, but gave the record a contemporary modern sound."
PICTURE was the first "real" Dutch heavy metal band. Formed in 1979, they were especially popular in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy for their live performances. They still supposedly have a huge fan base in South America, Mexico and Japan.
PICTURE supported AC/DC, TED NUGENT and SAXON in the Netherlands. With SAXON, they did a full European tour in 1981. Later on they toured with ROSE TATTOO in Germany and headlined tours in Italy and Israel.
======================
Tom Petty & Heartbreakers Announce Live Anthology Box Set Release
Tom Petty is releasing a multi-format live anthology that spans his entire career. The collection brings together material from 1978-2007, chosen by Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Ryan Ulyate, from hundreds of hours of live recordings.
The most impressive package will only be available at Best Buy, and will feature:
A deluxe box set featuring 62 tracks on 5 CDs; two previously unreleased DVDs including the 1978 New Year's Eve concert from Santa Monica, CA, and the Martyn Atkins documentary 400 Days shot during the recording and tour for Wildflowers; a re-mastered vinyl of the 1976 Official Live 'Leg bootleg; and a Blu-ray audio disc featuring all 62 tracks in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound.
If you fancy the black discs (don't we all?) there is a seven LP vinyl box set of 51 tracks mastered directly from the uncompressed 24-bit 96K files and pressed on 180-gram audiophile quality high performance vinyl.
======================
Austin City Limits Announces It's 2009-10 Schedule
The producers of Austin City Limits have announced the schedule for their 35th season on PBS stations across the country. It's one of my favorite shows, where I found great bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Arcade Fire.
Included will be the return of Willie Nelson, who appeared on the very first ACL show back in 1975. This time around, he'll be with another Austin City Limits favorite, Asleep at the Wheel, performing Texas swing music from their Willie and the Wheel album.
As usual, the season will offer an eclectic mix of music from veteran and modern artists, ranging from country (Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson) to rock (Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam) to its first foray into Rap (Mos Def, K'Naan).
The schedule (check your local listings for exact date and time):
•October 3, 2009 - Dave Matthews Band
•October 10, 2009 - Ben Harper and Relentless7
•October 17, 2009 - Kenny Chesney
•October 24, 2009 - Andrew Bird / St. Vincent
•October 31, 2009 - M. Ward / Okkervil River
•November 7, 2009 - Elvis Costello / Band of Heathens
•November 14, 2009 - Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel
•November 21, 2009 - Pearl Jam
•November 28, 2009 – January 2, 2010 - Encore episodes
•January 9, 2010 - Allen Toussaint
•January 16, 2010 - Mos Def / K’Naan
•January 23, 2010 - TBD / Heartless Bastards
•January 30, 2010 - Steve Earle / Kris Kristofferson
•February 6, 2010 - Them Crooked Vultures (Josh Homme, Dave Grohl & John Paul Jones)
•February 13, 2010 - Madeleine Peyroux / Esperanza Spalding
This Date In Music History-September 25
Birthdays:
Ian Tyson - Ian and Sylvia (1933)
Wade Flemons - Earth, Wind & Fire (1940)
Gary "Jules" Alexander - Association (1943)
John Locke - Spirit/Nazareth (1943)
Onnie McIntyre - Average White Band (1943)
Jerry Penrod - Iron Butterfly (1946)
Steve Severin - Siouxsie and the Banshees (1955)
Will Smith (1968)
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. (T.I. and also by his alter ego T.I.P.) (1980)
They Are Missed:
The late Eric Darling (sang with the Tarriers and Weavers and as leader of the Rooftop Singers-- "Walk Right In") was born in 1933.
In 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham died of asphyxiation on his own vomit after drinking forty shots of vodka on the eve of the band's US tour. The group decided he cannot be replaced and disbands. John Bonham was 32. During live sets his drum solo, ‘Moby Dick,’ would often last for half an hour and regularly featured his use of his bare hands. In 2007, Ludwig issued a limited edition drum kit in Bonham's memory.
Born today in 1946, Bryan MacLean, guitar, vocals, Love. He died of a heart attack on December 25, 1998.
Stephen Canaday of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils was killed in 1999 when the vintage WW II plane he was flying in, rolled, inverted and crashed into a tree. The pilot failed to maintain speed which resulted in a stall.
Robert Palmer died in Paris of a heart attack in 2003. Best known for the hits "Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" and "Addicted To Love," Palmer also fronted Power Station. He was 54.
History:
Elvis Presley's second single, "Good Rockin' Tonight," was released in 1954. That night, Presley makes what would be his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry — after which he was advised to go back to truck driving.
Today in 1954 the song "Hey There" by Rosemary Clooney topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
In 1956, Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" became the first single to sell a million copies before its release.
Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" peaked at #2 on both the R&B and pop charts in 1960. It's his biggest hit since "You Send Me."
In 1964, Beatles manager Brian Epstein turned down a 3½ million pound offer for the Beatles contract from a group of US businessmen to buy out his management contract.
"The Beatles," a half hour Saturday morning cartoon show featuring genuine Beatles songs but not their real voices, premiered on ABC in 1965. The show runs through September 7, 1969. The first story was titled 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and had the group exploring the ocean floor in a diving bell where they met a lovesick octopus.
Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" hits #1 on the pop chart in 1965, while the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul" peaks at #9 and the Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" peaks at #13.
In 1967, the Beatles began recording the new Paul McCartney song ‘The Fool on the Hill’ at Abbey Road, London. John and George played harmonicas, Paul played a recorder and recorded his lead vocal and Ringo played drums.
In 1969, John Lennon recorded "Cold Turkey" with a backing band that includes Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr.
Janis Joplin recorded "Me And Bobbie McGee" in 1970.
The first episode of The Partridge Family was shown on TV in 1970, featuring Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey and Danny Bonaduce.
Cat Stevens "Peace Train" was released in 1971. The song was later covered by 10,000 Maniacs, who pulled the tune from 1987's In My Tribe after Stevens declared his support for the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
Soul singer Jackie Wilson suffered a heart attack while performing at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey in 1975. He suffered brain damage and lapsed into a coma and spends the rest of his life in hospitals before dying in 1984.. Ironically, he was in the middle of singing one of his biggest hits, "Lonely Teardrops," and was two words into the line, ". . . my heart is crying" when he collapsed. He was 41 years old.
Boston's debut album entered the album chart in 1976. It eventually climbs up to #3 and became the fastest-selling album debut album in history.
The Eagles LP, "The Long Run" was released in 1979.
In 1981, the Rolling Stones played the first show of their U.S. tour at Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. The show opened up with "Under My Thumb." The tour was filmed by director Hal Ashby and later released in 1983 as the concert documentary "Lets Spend the Night Together."
Don Henley's solo debut album, "I Can't Stand Still" entered the charts in 1982. The LP includes the hit "Dirty Laundry."
The Who's final album, "It's Hard" entered the charts in 1982.
Drummer Dave Grohl auditioned for Nirvana in 1990 and was instantly given the job. Grohl’s last band Scream had recently split-up.
In 1992, two fans were stabbed and 20 arrests were made after trouble broke out at a Ozzy Osbourne gig in Oklahoma City. The sale of alcohol at the concert was blamed for the incident. Ya think?
In 1995 - Miriah Carey's "Fantasy" became only the second single to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The first artist to accomplish this feat was Michael Jackson with "You Are Not Alone."
In 2000, Ozzy Osbourne formally requested that Black Sabbath be removed from the nomination list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Calling the inclusion "meaningless", Osbourne went on to say "Let's face it. Black Sabbath have never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine."
The Strokes released their debut album "Is This It" in 2001. It featured their signature songs "Last Night" and "Someday".
In 2008, Paul McCartney played Tel Aviv, his first-ever performance in Israel, to commemorate the country’s 60th anniversary. Dubbed the Friendship First concert, the highlights included a rendition of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" with the audience joining in. “Tonight you sang it, you want it,” says McCartney. A planned mid-60’s Beatles concert was cancelled due to fears the Fab Four might corrupt the Israel's youth. This time around, Palestinian groups protested the concert and there is even a death threat. Fortunately, the show goes off without a hitch.
Ian Tyson - Ian and Sylvia (1933)
Wade Flemons - Earth, Wind & Fire (1940)
Gary "Jules" Alexander - Association (1943)
John Locke - Spirit/Nazareth (1943)
Onnie McIntyre - Average White Band (1943)
Jerry Penrod - Iron Butterfly (1946)
Steve Severin - Siouxsie and the Banshees (1955)
Will Smith (1968)
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. (T.I. and also by his alter ego T.I.P.) (1980)
They Are Missed:
The late Eric Darling (sang with the Tarriers and Weavers and as leader of the Rooftop Singers-- "Walk Right In") was born in 1933.
In 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John "Bonzo" Bonham died of asphyxiation on his own vomit after drinking forty shots of vodka on the eve of the band's US tour. The group decided he cannot be replaced and disbands. John Bonham was 32. During live sets his drum solo, ‘Moby Dick,’ would often last for half an hour and regularly featured his use of his bare hands. In 2007, Ludwig issued a limited edition drum kit in Bonham's memory.
Born today in 1946, Bryan MacLean, guitar, vocals, Love. He died of a heart attack on December 25, 1998.
Stephen Canaday of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils was killed in 1999 when the vintage WW II plane he was flying in, rolled, inverted and crashed into a tree. The pilot failed to maintain speed which resulted in a stall.
Robert Palmer died in Paris of a heart attack in 2003. Best known for the hits "Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" and "Addicted To Love," Palmer also fronted Power Station. He was 54.
History:
Elvis Presley's second single, "Good Rockin' Tonight," was released in 1954. That night, Presley makes what would be his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry — after which he was advised to go back to truck driving.
Today in 1954 the song "Hey There" by Rosemary Clooney topped the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.
In 1956, Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" became the first single to sell a million copies before its release.
Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" peaked at #2 on both the R&B and pop charts in 1960. It's his biggest hit since "You Send Me."
In 1964, Beatles manager Brian Epstein turned down a 3½ million pound offer for the Beatles contract from a group of US businessmen to buy out his management contract.
"The Beatles," a half hour Saturday morning cartoon show featuring genuine Beatles songs but not their real voices, premiered on ABC in 1965. The show runs through September 7, 1969. The first story was titled 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and had the group exploring the ocean floor in a diving bell where they met a lovesick octopus.
Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" hits #1 on the pop chart in 1965, while the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul" peaks at #9 and the Animals' "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" peaks at #13.
In 1967, the Beatles began recording the new Paul McCartney song ‘The Fool on the Hill’ at Abbey Road, London. John and George played harmonicas, Paul played a recorder and recorded his lead vocal and Ringo played drums.
In 1969, John Lennon recorded "Cold Turkey" with a backing band that includes Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr.
Janis Joplin recorded "Me And Bobbie McGee" in 1970.
The first episode of The Partridge Family was shown on TV in 1970, featuring Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey and Danny Bonaduce.
Cat Stevens "Peace Train" was released in 1971. The song was later covered by 10,000 Maniacs, who pulled the tune from 1987's In My Tribe after Stevens declared his support for the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
Soul singer Jackie Wilson suffered a heart attack while performing at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey in 1975. He suffered brain damage and lapsed into a coma and spends the rest of his life in hospitals before dying in 1984.. Ironically, he was in the middle of singing one of his biggest hits, "Lonely Teardrops," and was two words into the line, ". . . my heart is crying" when he collapsed. He was 41 years old.
Boston's debut album entered the album chart in 1976. It eventually climbs up to #3 and became the fastest-selling album debut album in history.
The Eagles LP, "The Long Run" was released in 1979.
In 1981, the Rolling Stones played the first show of their U.S. tour at Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. The show opened up with "Under My Thumb." The tour was filmed by director Hal Ashby and later released in 1983 as the concert documentary "Lets Spend the Night Together."
Don Henley's solo debut album, "I Can't Stand Still" entered the charts in 1982. The LP includes the hit "Dirty Laundry."
The Who's final album, "It's Hard" entered the charts in 1982.
Drummer Dave Grohl auditioned for Nirvana in 1990 and was instantly given the job. Grohl’s last band Scream had recently split-up.
In 1992, two fans were stabbed and 20 arrests were made after trouble broke out at a Ozzy Osbourne gig in Oklahoma City. The sale of alcohol at the concert was blamed for the incident. Ya think?
In 1995 - Miriah Carey's "Fantasy" became only the second single to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The first artist to accomplish this feat was Michael Jackson with "You Are Not Alone."
In 2000, Ozzy Osbourne formally requested that Black Sabbath be removed from the nomination list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Calling the inclusion "meaningless", Osbourne went on to say "Let's face it. Black Sabbath have never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine."
The Strokes released their debut album "Is This It" in 2001. It featured their signature songs "Last Night" and "Someday".
In 2008, Paul McCartney played Tel Aviv, his first-ever performance in Israel, to commemorate the country’s 60th anniversary. Dubbed the Friendship First concert, the highlights included a rendition of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" with the audience joining in. “Tonight you sang it, you want it,” says McCartney. A planned mid-60’s Beatles concert was cancelled due to fears the Fab Four might corrupt the Israel's youth. This time around, Palestinian groups protested the concert and there is even a death threat. Fortunately, the show goes off without a hitch.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Rock/Pop Tidbits
Keith Moon, the drummer for the Who, developed his own unique language. In fact, here are some of his words that he used to describe male genitalia, they included: bacon assegai, beef torpedo, cobblers, cricket set, mutton javelin, plonker, wanger and last but not least, the pork sword.
The Ramones were well-known for their loud concerts. One time they performed so loud while in the recording studio that they actually destroyed several expensive pieces of audio equipment.
The Spice Girls once met Queen Elizabeth. But Ginger Spice refused to follow the proper protocol to curtsy when she was shaking hands with the Queen. Ginger Spice was terrified that her ‘old tired tits’ would come flopping out of her dress.
Tupac Shakur scored a big hit with his album 2Pacalypse. So he went out car shopping and bought his dream car. The next day, he totaled it.
On Aerosmith’s first tour of Britain, the American rockers rented a forty-five set private plane at a cost of 18,000 British pounds per day. Trouble was, the band was only bringing in about 2 to 3,000 pounds per show.
“I won’t be happy until I am as famous as god,” Madonna once quipped.
Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees once worked on a solo album called “We Are The Bunbury’s.” The LP was about a family of cricket-playing rabbits. Uh, don’t think I ever saw that one.
Guitarist David Marks was once a member of the Beach Boys, playing on the first five albums. “I thought my new group, Dave and the Markmen would take right off,” sighed the guitarist three decades later. Ooops!
Near the end of Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All” tour, the band spotted one of their fans wearing a homemade shirt that read : “Alcoholica, Drank ‘Em All.” They liked it so much that they ripped off the idea and had their own “Alcoholic” t-shirts made.
Back in 1965, James Brown’s manager circulated a rumor that the King of Soul was going to get a sex-change operation in order to marry his band mate, Bobby Byrd.
As a lad, Johnny Ramone was known as a bit of a thug, but not necessarily a smart one. He once was caught breaking into a Laundromat. Apparently, he thought that he was breaking into a drug store. Ooops.
In 1995, at the MTV European Awards ceremony in Paris, U2 front man Bono commented to the French: “What a city. What a night…what a wanker you have for president!”
Elton John was always known for his extravagant costumes. His least successful creation? A pair of wooden pants. “Not very good for moving about, I’m afraid,” said John.
At the end of a live television appearance in Paris, the Who ran out of the studio and into the streets, lined up against a wall and urinated. Trouble was, the group peeing session was broadcast to viewers in France and England.
Frank Zappa made an experimental film in 1965. He tied a camera to a string and just started swinging it around his head. The name of the film? “Motion.” “Pretty stupid, eh?” lamented Zappa.
Vince Neil of Motley Crue saw a woman mud-wrestling one night and quickly fell in love. He offered the dirty grappler $3,000 a week if she would stop mud-wrestling with anyone but him, and she agreed. The two were married- but divorced a short time later.
The Ramones were well-known for their loud concerts. One time they performed so loud while in the recording studio that they actually destroyed several expensive pieces of audio equipment.
The Spice Girls once met Queen Elizabeth. But Ginger Spice refused to follow the proper protocol to curtsy when she was shaking hands with the Queen. Ginger Spice was terrified that her ‘old tired tits’ would come flopping out of her dress.
Tupac Shakur scored a big hit with his album 2Pacalypse. So he went out car shopping and bought his dream car. The next day, he totaled it.
On Aerosmith’s first tour of Britain, the American rockers rented a forty-five set private plane at a cost of 18,000 British pounds per day. Trouble was, the band was only bringing in about 2 to 3,000 pounds per show.
“I won’t be happy until I am as famous as god,” Madonna once quipped.
Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees once worked on a solo album called “We Are The Bunbury’s.” The LP was about a family of cricket-playing rabbits. Uh, don’t think I ever saw that one.
Guitarist David Marks was once a member of the Beach Boys, playing on the first five albums. “I thought my new group, Dave and the Markmen would take right off,” sighed the guitarist three decades later. Ooops!
Near the end of Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All” tour, the band spotted one of their fans wearing a homemade shirt that read : “Alcoholica, Drank ‘Em All.” They liked it so much that they ripped off the idea and had their own “Alcoholic” t-shirts made.
Back in 1965, James Brown’s manager circulated a rumor that the King of Soul was going to get a sex-change operation in order to marry his band mate, Bobby Byrd.
As a lad, Johnny Ramone was known as a bit of a thug, but not necessarily a smart one. He once was caught breaking into a Laundromat. Apparently, he thought that he was breaking into a drug store. Ooops.
In 1995, at the MTV European Awards ceremony in Paris, U2 front man Bono commented to the French: “What a city. What a night…what a wanker you have for president!”
Elton John was always known for his extravagant costumes. His least successful creation? A pair of wooden pants. “Not very good for moving about, I’m afraid,” said John.
At the end of a live television appearance in Paris, the Who ran out of the studio and into the streets, lined up against a wall and urinated. Trouble was, the group peeing session was broadcast to viewers in France and England.
Frank Zappa made an experimental film in 1965. He tied a camera to a string and just started swinging it around his head. The name of the film? “Motion.” “Pretty stupid, eh?” lamented Zappa.
Vince Neil of Motley Crue saw a woman mud-wrestling one night and quickly fell in love. He offered the dirty grappler $3,000 a week if she would stop mud-wrestling with anyone but him, and she agreed. The two were married- but divorced a short time later.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees Announced
KISS, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, the Hollies, LL Cool J and Jimmy Cliff are first-time nominees among a dozen finalists for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, according to a list released yesterday by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. They join returning candidates ABBA, the Chantels, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, the Stooges and Donna Summer.
Five of the 12 nominees will be chosen for induction from ballots cast by more than 500 music industry voters. An announcement of the inductees is expected in January, and the Hall's 25th Annual Induction Ceremony will take place March 15 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. Broadcast plans have not yet been announced.
Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith told Billboard.com that "it's a real honor to be nominated in our first year of eligibility. Obviously the Hall of Fame has excellent musical taste." But the year's big story could turn out to be KISS, which has been eligible since 1999 but, like shock rock predecessor Alice Cooper, has famously been snubbed by the Hall's nominating committee and has made some harsh comments about the organization in the past. But the group's Paul Stanley recently noted that a Rock Hall induction would cause he and his longtime KISS partner Gene Simmons to consider which of the group's members they'd like to have enter with them.
"There's been a lot of people who've been a part of this, some longer than others..and some who deserve recognition more than others," Stanley explained. "Even the non-makeup years produced some platinum and double-platinum albums, and we had some very healthy sales in terms of albums and concerts through the '80s and '90s. So if we should ever be asked to accept induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it would be something to think about."
The Foundation determines which members of a band are inducted into the Hall, and the ballot lists the four founding members of KISS, including Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
Hollies co-founder Graham Nash is already in the Hall of Fame with Crosby, Stills & Nash (1997) but said he was "very thrilled" to hear about the Hollies nomination.
"There's a long way form here to actually being inducted," noted Nash, who was with the group from 1962-68. "I truly believe the Hollies deserve to be inducted. They were a large part of the early history of what we know as rock 'n' roll. I would be particularly thrilled For Allan Clarke. That's where my heart goes. I'm already in there, but it would be a thrill for me to see it happen for" the Hollies.
Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after their first single or album release.
While the ballots are being mailed to voters, the Hall of Fame is also preparing for its 25th anniversary concerts on Oct. 29-30 at New York's Madison Square Garden, along with the release of a nine-DVD boxed set, "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live," and the publication of a book, "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The First 25 Years."
ABBA (Second nomination, First eligible in 1998, Previously nominated in 2003) - The most successful group of the 70's and one of the most successful groups worldwide in music history, ABBA was only mildly popular in the United States where many of the voters reside. The combination of their pop sound and the fact that similar groups rarely made the grade (Ace of Base being an exception) could mean that voters don't take the nomination seriously.
Chantels (Second nomination, First eligible in 1983, Previously nominated in 2002) - While the Chantels don't have the name recognition of the Chiffons, the Shangri-Las or other popular girl groups, they had a definite influence on music by being one of the first all female vocal groups to break into a male dominated style. They are best known for the 1958 hit Maybe and 1961's Look in My Eyes. They should be in as some of the groups they influenced have made it, but they will most likely be passed over for bigger names.
Jimmy Cliff (First nomination, First eligible in 1992) - Cliff is one of the great artists to come out of Jamaica, bringing reggae to a worldwide audience, first in 1970 with the hit Wonderful World Beautiful People and, in 1975, with the soundtrack to The Harder They Come. His superb songwriting (The Harder They Come, Many Rivers to Cross, Sitting in Limbo, You Can Get It If You Really Want It) not only influenced a whole genre but were also covered by hundreds of artists. It just may be time for the Hall to recognize a second influential Jamaican artist.
Genesis (First nomination, First eligible in 1993) - Genesis is a bit of an enigma. Who are you voting for? The art rock group of the Peter Gabriel era? The hit makers of the 80's? It has obviously been a problem for the nominating committee who took 16 years to give the group their first chance and it may work against them during the vote. Those casting ballots need to remember that a core group of musicians stayed with the group throughout, producing great thinking mans music at the start and changing with the times to become one of the biggest artists of the 80's. Still, does Genesis belong in before other art-rock innovators like the Moody Blues?
Hollies (First nomination, First eligible in 1989) - It really is a shame that this is the Hollies' first nomination. Here's a group that was unique in the British Invasion with their ultra-tight harmonies and their wide range of styles. Over the course of twenty years, the group touched on bubblegum pop (Bus Stop, On a Carousel), rock (Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress), sophisticated adult contemporary (He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother), The Air That I Breathe) and still had time to make one of the very best Springsteen covers (Sandy). Numerous personnel changes over the years may make it hard for voters to focus on the group as a single entity but, of the many British artists who hit America in the 60's, the Hollies have to be considered among the very best musically.
KISS (First nomination, First eligible in 1999) - There will be many happy people in the world tonight. KISS fans have been complaining for a decade that their boys were not nominated for the hall. While their music may not have been overly innovative, they put together a huge and loyal fan base through their showmanship (with quite a bit of masterful marketing thrown in). As the Rock Hall site says, "Few bands short of The Beatles inspired more kids to pick up the guitar than KISS. With their signature make-up, explosive stage show and anthems like Rock and Roll All Night and Detroit Rock City, they are the very personification of rock stars." Still, there is a long held bias against the group that they were all show with little to give musically, so it's doubtful they get in on their first chance.
LL Cool J (Nominated in first year of eligibility) - Let the arguing begin! "Rap does not belong in the Rock Hall of Fame!" There are views for and against that statement, but there is little argument that LL Cool J was a major influence on a generation of rappers, splitting time between classic fast delivery rap and a cool romantic style. He also went on to show the world that rap artists are not all thugs on the street with his forays into acting on TV and in film. Rap music has been one of the dominant styles of the last quarter century and has been an influence in some rock circles. LL Cool J should be recognized for his major contribution.
Darlene Love (Second nomination, First eligible in 1988, Previously nominated in 1999) - Love was arguably THE voice of Philles Records and Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, singing lead for the Crystals, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans and under her own name. The gospel infused huge voice was able to stand out over the chaotic background of Spector's productions and, when the sound started to die out, Love was able to change with the times, still recording today and performing her yearly Christmas shows. Even so, is a big voice enough to gain membership among Rock's elite?
Laura Nyro (First nomination, First eligible in 1992) - During the late-60's, it was next to impossible to look at a music chart and not see one or (most times) more songs written by Laura Nyro. And When I Die, Stoned Soul Picnic, Wedding Bell Blues, Eli's Coming and many more are the soundtrack of people's lives who grew up during that time, yet most wouldn't recognize Nyro's name. It's a shame, too, as Nyro was so much more than just a songwriter. Her albums, which mainly had a cult following, were filled with soulful music that should have found her a place on the radio. The question is whether the voters will see Nyro as an all-around talent or pigeonhole her as just a composer of hits.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Nominated in first year of eligibility) -This one may be a no brainer. The Chili Peppers have not only been hugely successful over the last 25 years, but their sound has been a major influence on the up and coming artists of the time. It was their innovative combination of funk and punk that propelled them into the commercial stratosphere starting with 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Add in their wild live shows and you have a combination that would not only keep their fans coming back for more, but would also win over the critics and the establishment (three Grammy Awards).
The Stooges (Eighth nomination, First eligible in 1994, Previously nominated in 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2009) -What is it about the Stooges that keeps getting them nominated but never elected? They were one of the main artists that brought punk into the forefront and should be recognized for that alone; however, there is also an underlying current that, in a business that thrives on the outrageous, the Stooges may have pushed the envelope too far. Still, if the Rock Hall is really about those that were innovative and influential, then there has to be a place for the Stooges.
Donna Summer (Second nomination, First eligible in 1999, Previously nominated in 2008) - Poor Donna Summer. Being labeled the Queen of Disco is probably the reason nobody takes her career seriously. They overlook the fact that she was THE star of a major genre of music. They forget that her Love to Love You Baby, with production by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, was a major sea change in the budding disco sound. They ignore that, while almost every other disco star is playing the oldies circuit, Summer is still able to put songs on the top of the Dance Club charts, 30 years after her sound was supposedly dead. There isn't much chance that she'll be elected (much like the equally deserving Chic who keeps getting passed over), but there is little doubt that she was an innovator.
Ask Mr. Music - with Jerry Osborne
I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.
FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
DEAR JERRY: One entertainer I collect and admire is Ann-Margret. She is one star who excelled in all phases of the business.
As for recordings, Ann-Margret's peak period is the '60s. And, other than one mystery song, I believe I have them all.
The one eluding me for over 40 years is why I'm writing you.
I only heard it once, on Radio Luxembourg of all places. After it played there was no mention of the singer or the title. All I recall is repeated references to clouds rolling by, or something similar. It is not “I've looked at clouds from both sides now.” I'd estimate the time to be mid-'60s. It might even be from a movie, as she was making lots of them back then.
If not by Ann-Margret, it sure sounded like her style.
Can you provide some good news?
—Marlene Thornton, Cudahy, Wisc.
DEAR MARLENE: There is just no end to the good news I have for you.
First, the song your heard four decades ago is “As the Clouds Drift By” (London HL-10147), a summer 1967 European release. If played by powerful Radio Luxembourg, it could have been heard throughout Europe.
Continuing the good news, if you have all of Ann-Margret's records except this one, then you have all of Ann-Margret's records. “As the Clouds Drift By” is by Jayne Mansfield.
Jayne's breathy vocal is somewhat similar to a style sometimes used by Ann-Margret, one example being “Hey Little Star” (1963).
Though Ann is the better singer, both ladies enjoyed worldwide sex symbol status and each appeared in numerous movies. This song, however, is not from a film.
For reasons never revealed, this single came out only in Europe. There is no U.S. counterpart, even though “As the Clouds Drift By,” and flip side “Suey,” were recorded in New York in 1965, only to remain in the can for two years. The official date of release turned out to be July 21, 1967.
Why then?
A reasonable assumption is that following the shocking death of Jayne Mansfield, on June 29, 1967, the record company wanted a “new” song by her as quickly as possible. In three weeks they had one.
The ultimate piece of good news is you don't need to shop for this disc, which, with its picture sleeve, often sells in the $250 to $300 range.
Part of the value is because of the rare Jayne Mansfield photo sleeve, but most is based on the “Suey” side, and a very young and uncredited Jimi Hendrix playing lead guitar — from a session done at Manhattan's Studio 76.
Jayne Mansfield and Jimi Hendrix? Who'd a thunk it?
DEAR JERRY: Are the Platters who made “Maggie Doesn't Work Here Anymore” and “Beer Barrel Boogie” the same as the very famous Platters who sang those great '50s and '60s ballads?
—Michael Wozniak, Clearwater, Fla.
DEAR MICHAEL: In the two years before Mercury Records, and the rest of the world, discovered Tony Williams and the Platters, they recorded 16 tracks for Cincinnati's Federal label. Among those are the two songs you mention.
Occasional personnel changes did occur, but the heart and soul of the Platters, Tony Williams, remained the group's lead vocalist throughout the 1950s. Tony is also featured on all of their hit records in 1960 and '61, tunes from his earlier sessions.
Because most of the Federal sides do not spotlight Williams, “Maggie Doesn't Work Here Anymore” and “Beer Barrel Boogie” among them, it is easy to think they are a completely different group.
Williams is the lead soloist on just six Federal tracks: “Tell the World”; “I Need You All the Time”; “I'll Cry When You're Gone”; “Take Me Back, Take Me Back”; “Give Thanks”; and the original 1954 recording of “Only You (And You Alone).”
IZ ZAT SO? Here are seven collectible late '50s albums that would otherwise be of little interest to collectors were it not for Jayne Mansfield seductively pictured on their covers. All contain mood music instrumentals, not a moment of which is performed by Mansfield: Larry Green & Orchestra (Vox 25830) “Sur les Écrans du
Monde” ($300); Kurt Jensen & Orchestra (Hollywood 137) “An Evening with Jayne” ($50); Enoch Light & Orchestra (Waldorf 1214) “Moments to Remember” ($75); Vincent Lopez (Waldorf 1214) “Moments to Remember” ($75) (Exact same LP issued twice, each with a different orchestra credited); Regent Concert Orchestra (Regent 6091) “Amor” ($300); Henri Rene & Orchestra (RCA Victor 1046) “Music for Bachelors” ($75); and Frank Washburn & Orchestra (Promenade 2052) “I'm in the Mood for Love” ($60).
Value estimates are directly proportional to the A&E factor (allure and enticement).
Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
DEAR JERRY: One entertainer I collect and admire is Ann-Margret. She is one star who excelled in all phases of the business.As for recordings, Ann-Margret's peak period is the '60s. And, other than one mystery song, I believe I have them all.
The one eluding me for over 40 years is why I'm writing you.
I only heard it once, on Radio Luxembourg of all places. After it played there was no mention of the singer or the title. All I recall is repeated references to clouds rolling by, or something similar. It is not “I've looked at clouds from both sides now.” I'd estimate the time to be mid-'60s. It might even be from a movie, as she was making lots of them back then.
If not by Ann-Margret, it sure sounded like her style.
Can you provide some good news?
—Marlene Thornton, Cudahy, Wisc.
DEAR MARLENE: There is just no end to the good news I have for you.
First, the song your heard four decades ago is “As the Clouds Drift By” (London HL-10147), a summer 1967 European release. If played by powerful Radio Luxembourg, it could have been heard throughout Europe.
Continuing the good news, if you have all of Ann-Margret's records except this one, then you have all of Ann-Margret's records. “As the Clouds Drift By” is by Jayne Mansfield.
Jayne's breathy vocal is somewhat similar to a style sometimes used by Ann-Margret, one example being “Hey Little Star” (1963).
Though Ann is the better singer, both ladies enjoyed worldwide sex symbol status and each appeared in numerous movies. This song, however, is not from a film.
For reasons never revealed, this single came out only in Europe. There is no U.S. counterpart, even though “As the Clouds Drift By,” and flip side “Suey,” were recorded in New York in 1965, only to remain in the can for two years. The official date of release turned out to be July 21, 1967.
Why then?
A reasonable assumption is that following the shocking death of Jayne Mansfield, on June 29, 1967, the record company wanted a “new” song by her as quickly as possible. In three weeks they had one.
The ultimate piece of good news is you don't need to shop for this disc, which, with its picture sleeve, often sells in the $250 to $300 range.
Part of the value is because of the rare Jayne Mansfield photo sleeve, but most is based on the “Suey” side, and a very young and uncredited Jimi Hendrix playing lead guitar — from a session done at Manhattan's Studio 76.
Jayne Mansfield and Jimi Hendrix? Who'd a thunk it?
DEAR JERRY: Are the Platters who made “Maggie Doesn't Work Here Anymore” and “Beer Barrel Boogie” the same as the very famous Platters who sang those great '50s and '60s ballads?
—Michael Wozniak, Clearwater, Fla.
DEAR MICHAEL: In the two years before Mercury Records, and the rest of the world, discovered Tony Williams and the Platters, they recorded 16 tracks for Cincinnati's Federal label. Among those are the two songs you mention.
Occasional personnel changes did occur, but the heart and soul of the Platters, Tony Williams, remained the group's lead vocalist throughout the 1950s. Tony is also featured on all of their hit records in 1960 and '61, tunes from his earlier sessions.
Because most of the Federal sides do not spotlight Williams, “Maggie Doesn't Work Here Anymore” and “Beer Barrel Boogie” among them, it is easy to think they are a completely different group.
Williams is the lead soloist on just six Federal tracks: “Tell the World”; “I Need You All the Time”; “I'll Cry When You're Gone”; “Take Me Back, Take Me Back”; “Give Thanks”; and the original 1954 recording of “Only You (And You Alone).”
IZ ZAT SO? Here are seven collectible late '50s albums that would otherwise be of little interest to collectors were it not for Jayne Mansfield seductively pictured on their covers. All contain mood music instrumentals, not a moment of which is performed by Mansfield: Larry Green & Orchestra (Vox 25830) “Sur les Écrans du
Monde” ($300); Kurt Jensen & Orchestra (Hollywood 137) “An Evening with Jayne” ($50); Enoch Light & Orchestra (Waldorf 1214) “Moments to Remember” ($75); Vincent Lopez (Waldorf 1214) “Moments to Remember” ($75) (Exact same LP issued twice, each with a different orchestra credited); Regent Concert Orchestra (Regent 6091) “Amor” ($300); Henri Rene & Orchestra (RCA Victor 1046) “Music for Bachelors” ($75); and Frank Washburn & Orchestra (Promenade 2052) “I'm in the Mood for Love” ($60).
Value estimates are directly proportional to the A&E factor (allure and enticement).
Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
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