Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

I am continuing our feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 24th year of syndication (1986-2010), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (http://www.jerryosborne.com/) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.


FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 4, 2010


DEAR JERRY: I just bought the vinyl edition of Deana Martin's new album, “Volare” (Big Fish 1005), and noticed your name among those thanked by Deana.

No mention is made as to specific contributions, so I am naturally curious about yours. Please tell us more.

Shortly before Dean Martin died, I lived in New York and recall watching a entertainment news show on television. On that day, Deana was the in-studio guest, and her famous father joined them from Los Angeles by telephone.

I thought everything was on the internet, but I have tried Bing, Google, Yahoo, IMDb and other search sources, but find no references whatsoever to this show.

Of special interest is my suspicion that this could have been the last interview ever for Dino.

Might you use your contacts to obtain the name of the show I recall, as well as any other fascinating details?
—Marla Givens, Owensboro, Ky.

DEAR MARLA: Vinyl has really enjoyed a resurgence in 2009, and “Volare” is yet another example where the rich and full reproduction found on vinyl outshines its digital counterpart.

I assisted Deana and John, her manager, producer, and husband, in numerous ways, from consulting on cover artwork and track sequencing to offering late-night moral support.

Fortunately I caught up with Deana and John just as Deana was about to be a guest on the Bonnie Hunt Show (Dec. 16, singing “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”). They both recall the program you speak of, and here is the information you seek:

The date is November 25, 1994, and you watched “The Geraldo Rivera Show,” also at times known simply as “Geraldo.”

According to Deana and John, that Geraldo interview is indeed the last for Dean, who died exactly 13 months later: December 25, 1994.


DEAR JERRY: Whether you know it or not, collectors of novelty break-ins regard you as the official source for identifying those mysterious song clips.

Even though nearly all the song samples are from hit records, some can be very difficult to name. Hopefully my flattery will motivate you to help me identify three such tunes.

One is a clip in “Buchanan and Goodman on Trial,” one of their many “Flying Saucer” follow-ups. It contains no actual words, and there are two clips from this same song. They sing something similar to “papa cow cow.”

Another is a sax riff in “Frankenstein of '59,” with some shouts from some male singers. Played while “the monster is dancing on Bandstand,” it sounds a bit like King Curtis.

Finally, “Flying Saucer Goes West” includes two clips in Italian, both of which seem to be from the same recording.

My agony has diminished just knowing you are on the case.
—Randy Callahan, Pittsburg, Calif.

DEAR RANDY: Consider me sufficiently motivated.

In “Buchanan and Goodman on Trial,” the “papa cow cow” segment is from “I Promise to Remember,” a 1956 hit for Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (Gee 1018).

The sax break in Duane Eddy's “Cannonball” (Jamie 1111) is what you hear in “Frankenstein of '59.” It seems this piece of “Cannonball,” especially with the screaming voices, better suited the script than Duane's twangy guitaring.

“Flying Saucer Goes West” borrows two Italian language clips from Lou Monte's “Lazy Mary (Luna Mezzo Mare)” (RCA Victor 7160), a huge hit in 1958.


IZ ZAT SO? Hundreds of novelty break-in records exist, yet very few sell well.

Only three have reached the nation's Top 10, the biggest being “The Flying Saucer” (Buchanan and Goodman) (1956) — the classic that spawned the genre.

The other two are “Mr. Jaws” (Dickie Goodman) (1975) and “Convention '72” (Delegates) (1972).

Even if we stretch the list to include ones landing in the Top 40, only two more qualify: “The Flying Saucer the 2nd” (Buchanan and Goodman) (1957) and “Moonflight” (Vik Venus) (1969).

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

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

ALKALINE TRIO UNVEIL THEIR ‘ADDICTION’ ON FEBRUARY 23

Celebrated punk rock heroes, Alkaline Trio have announced the release of their forthcoming album, This Addiction, on February 23 via Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull. Recorded and produced by the band with help from longtime cohort Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, This Addiction marks Alkaline Trio’s first release on their imprint label Heart & Skull and first with their parent label Epitaph Records.

The album also finds the Trio revisiting their punk roots while moving forward creatively.

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

Beginning January 5, fans can visit www.ThisAddiction.org where they will have the opportunity to stream the title track and first single “This Addiction,” in exchange for a Twitter or Facebook posting. A metaphoric crowd pleaser, “This Addiction” is “about a relationship gone bad and, for some reason, you just can’t quit it,” Skiba told Spinner.com. The single is also currently available for sale on iTunes and at other digital retailers.

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

Madonna to take rap/rock direction on her next album

Madonna is working with both rap producer A-Trak and rock producer Brendan O’Brien – who has previously worked with Pearl Jam - and attempting to merge the two genres on the follow up to her hip-hop influenced 2008 LP, 'Hard Candy’.

A-Trak, real name Alain Macklovitch, told the Daily Star newspaper: 'It’s my production, turned into song structure – halfway between rap and electronic and whatever else I listen to.'

Madonna, 51, is said to be set on making a track to match the success of Run DMC’s groundbreaking 80s hit 'Walk This Way’, which defined the rap/rock genre – and went on to spawn acts such as Korn, Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock in the 90s.

Madonna has a long history of working with hip-hop producers, including Pharrell Williams and Timbaland on 'Hard Candy’, but she is also keen to play up a more guitar-heavy sound after spending time mastering the instrument and insiders say she’s working on perfecting a balance between the two.

The resulting album could be released this year, should be interesting.....

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

Ronnie James Dio thanks fans for support

Ronnie James Dio has issued the following statement thanking fans for their support:

"Happy holidays everyone, I'd like to take the time to thank everyone for the most wonderful gifts I have ever received. The list includes your good wishes, your prayers, your support, your tears and laughter, your anger and rejoicing, and most of all the unwavering love you've bestowed upon me.

"I guess I've always felt that we were one person and that you've allowed me to be our spokesman, but until this time of my greatest peril the truth was perhaps slightly hidden. It is hidden no more. Together we shall face the foe and live on to climb higher mountains and explore greater magic. Together we cannot fail. Please accept my never ending love and dedication to you all.

"So it is written, and so it shall be."

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

MGMT, John Frusciante On New David Bowie Tribute Album

There were rumors floating around that acts like Radiohead would be performing on the upcoming David Bowie tribute album, but that's now been unveiled as false information as the tracklisting for the disc has been released.

A post on Duran Duran's official website states the band has recorded a cover of Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging" for Manimal Vinyl's tribute record. Other artists that are scheduled to appear on the album include MGMT, Carla Bruni, Chairlift, Lights and John Frusciante.

MGMT's track has yet to be revealed but the tracklisting can be seen below. The release is scheduled to be available in May 2010 and 100 per cent of the net profits will go to War Child UK.

Full tracklisting for tribute album (not in particular order):

Exitmusic - "Space Oddity"
Vivian Girls - "John, I’m Only Dancing"
Megapuss, aka Devendra Banhart - "Sound + Vision"
Carla Bruni - "Absolute Beginners"
Lights - "World Falls Down"
VOICEsVOICEs - "Heroes"
Duran Duran - "Boys Keep Swinging"
Charlift - "Always Crashing in the Same Car"
Aska w/ Moon & Moon - "African Night Flight"
A Place To Bury Strangers - "Suffragette City"
The Polyamorous Affair - "Theme From Cat People"
Keren Ann - "Life on Mars"
Swahili Blonde feat. John Frusciante - "Red Money"
Marco Benevento - "Art Decade"
Corridor - "Be My Wife"
Aquaserge - "The Superman"
Warpaint - "Ashes to Ashes"
Rainbow Arabia - "Quicksand"
We Are The World - "Afraid of Americans"
Laco$te - "Within You"
Ariana Delawari - "Ziggy Stardust"
Pizza! - "Modern Love"
St Clair Board - "Secret Life of Arabia"
Caroline Weeks - "Starman"
Amanda Jo Williams - "The Man Who Sold the World"
Mick Karn - "Ashes to Ashes"
Soulwax - "TBA"
MGMT - "TBA"

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

Iron Maiden May Not Release New Album Until 2011

On January 1, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain told Eddie Trunk — co-host of the VH1 Classic television program "That Metal Show" who has a long-running radio show, "Friday Night Rocks", on New York's Q104.3 FM — that the band will enter the studio in a couple weeks to start work on a new CD. According to Trunk, Nicko "said there was about eight songs written so far so the band would probably need to come up with a few more new songs while recording. [He added that] the material was a little different than past albums and they were taking their time with the recording schedule." McBrain also stated that the "new CD probably won't come out until 2011," according to Trunk.

Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers revealed to BBC News in November that the band was on its way "to Paris for three weeks to work on some new stuff." He added, "The most important thing for a band is to create new music, otherwise you're not valid — you become a parody."

Iron Maiden will headline this year's edition of the UK's Sonisphere festival, which will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010 and Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Knebworth.

Maiden became the first outfit in history to travel round the world in a customized jet during their "Somewhere Back In Time" tour, as detailed in award-winning movie "Flight 666".

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

Pavement Announces 'Quarantine the Past' Best-Of Album

Pavement is one of the latest bands to capitalize on the ‘90s reunion bandwagon trend. The slew of live dates announced by the band have been selling out fast, and now the inevitable "best-of" album is set to follow.

Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement will be released by Matador on March 9, and will be available as a mid-priced double LP, CD and digital release. No unreleased material is included on the record, but songs spanning 1989-1999 will feature, and Matador is re-releasing the band’s back catalog on low priced vinyl to coincide.

The track listing for Quarantine the Past hasn’t been announced yet—and for good reason. Matador is running a competition to guess the 23 tracks that will be included, and has various prizes on offer, including tickets to see Pavement, complete with flights and hotel rooms, at Central Park in New York in September.

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

Nada Surf Readies Covers Album, Sets Spring Tour

Never shy to take on songs by other artists, Nada Surf will release a full album of cover songs this spring. In support of the 12-song disc, titled 'If I Had a Hi-Fi' and boasting takes on tunes by Kate Bush, Dwight Twilley, the Go-Betweens and Depeche Mode, the group will launch two-month tour of North America and Europe on Mar. 25 in New York.

"We really just wanted to do it organically," frontman Matthew Caws said in a release. "Whatever we felt like covering in the moment, rather than trying to sum up our influences or something. It's whatever we were excited about in the months before making it. And I think we got everything we wanted to."

"The material came together spontaneously," Caws added of the disc, which was recorded last September at Resonate Studios in Austin, Texas. "We'd get together and kick ideas around and soon we had an A list, a B list, a C list." As for the finished product, fans who attend the group's shows will have first crack at owning 'If I Had a Hi-Fi,' which also features renditions of songs by the Moody Blues, the Soft Pack, Mecromina, Bill Fox and Arthur Russell, among others.

The trek gets underway with a series of special NYC gigs, which will see the band perform its three most recent original albums, 'Let Go,' 'The Weight Is A Gift,' and 'Lucky' in their entirety, before it starts globe-hopping.

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

Chrissie Hynde Promises 'Incredible' Solo Album

Chrissie Hynde is making some big promises these days as the Pretenders frontwoman says she is working on her "best solo album to date." Speaking to the UK's Daily Star, the 58-year old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer asserted, "This record is going to be incredible."

"I'm working very closely with producer JP Jones, who is such an inspiration for me," she says.

Hynde, who recently collaborated with the Kinks' Ray Davies, her former flame, on the Christmas single 'Postcards From London,' hopes to have the project out in 2010 but says she's not rushing it. "There's no time limit so it'll be out when I feel ready, hopefully sometime this year, though," she said.

Earlier this year, Hynde's friend, actress and singer Sandra Bernhard told Spinner about Hynde's solo effort.
"I was just in London performing [and] I got to hang out with her quite a bit," Bernhard said in July. "She got together with [JP Jones] and wrote this album in a week, and recorded it on Garage Band. I don't know what they're going to do with it but it's just the most amazing album. So, I'm saying, 'Please get it out, Chrissie. It's beautiful.'"

The Pretenders -- who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year -- released their ninth studio album, 'Break Up the Concrete,' in October 2008.

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

Sir Paul Guests As Bass Player

Paul McCartney is playing bass on one track of Fran Healy's upcoming album. Healy is a member of the British group Travis.

The singer wrote on his blog, "One of the biggest coups was getting Paul McCartney to play bass on a song. I'm not sure what non-McCartney songs he's played bass on but I couldn't think of many. Anyways his bassline is brilliant."

New Music Releases - January 5, 2010

Buy New Vinyl Here:  insound.com


Beatles - Help/I'm Down (CD Single)
Beatles - Something/Come Together (CD Single)
Cranberries - Bualadh Bos: The Cranberries Live
Devics - The Stars At Saint Andrea (reissue)
Diana Ross - Diana: Rarities Edition
Dustin O'Halloran - Piano Solos
Elvis Presley - An Evening Prayer
Elvis Presley - Elvis 75 (1 CD Edition)
Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full: Rarities Edition (reissue with bonus tracks)
Findlay Brown - Love Will Find You
Flying Lotus - DJ Kicks
Gwen McCrae - Gwen McCrae
Howlin Wolf - London Howlin Wolf Sessions: Rarities Edition (reissue with bonus tracks)
Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine (remastered)
Jackson 5 - Get It Together (remastered) (vinyl)
Jackson 5 - Goin Back to Indiana (remastered) (vinyl)
Jackson 5 - Lookin Through the Windows (remastered) (vinyl)
Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow (vinyl reissue)
Jackson 5 - Moving Violation (remastered)
Jackson 5 - Skywriter (remastered)
Jackson 5 - Third Album (remastered)
Jeff the Brotherhood - Heavy Days
Judas Priest - Hell Bent For Leather (Audio Fidelity)
Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today (vinyl)
Kanye West - VH1 Storytellers [Live DVD/CD]
Katherine McPhee - Unbroken
Ke$ha - Animal
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Street Survivors: Rarities Edition
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On: Rarities Edition (reissue with bonus tracks)
Michael Jackson - Ben (vinyl reissue)
Michael Jackson - Forever Michael (vinyl reissue)
Michael Jackson - Got to Be There (vinyl reissue)
Michael Jackson - Music & Me (vinyl reissue)
Motorhead - Ace of Spades: Rarities Edition
Rick James - Street Songs: Rarities Edition
Rob Halford - Los Angeles (with Bonus Tracks)
Rodrigo y Gabriela - 11:11 (vinyl)
Spacemen 3 - Performance (vinyl reissue)
Spacemen 3 - Sound of Confusion (vinyl reissue)
Spacemen 3 - The Perfect Prescription (vinyl reissue)
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road: Rarities Edition (reissue with bonus tracks)
Sugaree - The American Dream
The Octagon - Warm Love And Cool Dreams Forever
Toto - Could You Be Loved (CD Single)
Various Artists - Daybreakers (soundtrack)
Various Artists - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (soundtrack)
Weezer - Weezer: Rarities Edition (reissue with bonus tracks)
Wreckery - Past Imperfect

Yoko Ono to release a book about life with John Lennon

The 76-year-old widow of the late former Beatle has revealed she will put pen to paper over the next few years and write an autobiography about her eventful life with John.

She said: 'I would love to do it. I just have to find the time.

'It will be my next book, which will be written in the next five years.'

Yoko – who was blamed by many Beatles’ fans for causing the legendary band to split – previously claimed she wouldn’t release a book for fear of hurting the families of people close to the group, including John’s ex-wife Cynthia Lennon.

John’s marriage to Cynthia broke down as his fame grew and shortly after he met artist and musician Yoko.

They couple – who had a son Julian together - divorced in 1968, one year before his marriage to Yoko, the mother of his son Sean.

Yoko is looking forward to revealing all about their affair and dispel the myths surrounding The Beatles’ break up.

A Beatles expert said: 'Unlike Cynthia, Yoko has never really told her side of the Beatles story and the truth about her affair and subsequent marriage to John, so the book will be much awaited.

'She’s always maintained she never broke up The Beatles, so this will be her chance to put the record straight.'

Will be an interesting look at the past, I would love to hear her opinions and thoughts, in my mind, she had nothing to do with the break up, they were headed there anyway.

Music News & Notes

Circa Survive release B-side 7-inch

Indie darlings Circa Survive have announced that they are releasing the first 7-inch of the band's career. The record -- limited to 1,000 copies -- will feature two B-sides from Circa's 2007 album, On Letting Go, and be available on clear vinyl. Songs include "The Most Dangerous Commercials" and "1,000 Witnesses." All proceeds will go towards medical bills for Fear Before crew member Trent Jacobi, who was seriously injured while on tour with the band this past October in Australia.

Pick yours up here:

http://circasurvive.merchnow.com/


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

The Neats Remastered Ace of Hearts Catalog Released

Ace of Hearts Records have announced the release of "The Neats, 1981- 84, The Ace of Hearts Years." Re-mastered by legendary indie producer Rick Harte from their original studio recordings, the effort is a journey through a period fans and critics alike agree were the bands' most expressive years. With this release, tracks only available on first pressing vinyl have now been artfully compiled into one fluid, organic format that preserves the essential feel and timbre of the original recordings.

"These tracks came out even better then I anticipated, which was a nice surprise," said Harte, founder of Ace of Hearts. "I am really happy with the end result and I think Neats fans will be, too."

From touring with international acts like R.E.M., to sharing the stage with the likes of Mission of Burma and The Lyres, The Neats were deservedly recognized as innovators in a constantly evolving music landscape. Along the way, they created a memorable piece of Boston rock history and forged an unparalleled sound that pureed post-punk pop with psychedelic garage rock.

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

Soundgarden Reunite

There was big news over the holiday weekend that Soundgarden have decided to reunite. If you missed the report, here it is again for you: This reunion is a little funny considering how we just recapped some of Chris Cornell's comments where he liked a Soundgarden reunion to "playing the back of Chinese restaurant" in this report. Be that as it may, it appears that 2010 will see a reunion from the legendary Seattle rockers. Chris Cornell announced the reunion plans via a post on twitter and also linked to a website setup for the regrouping. He wrote the following on Twitter on Thursday:

"The 12 year break is over & school is back in session. Sign up now. Knights of the Soundtable ride again!" The sign up part is at the website located at
- www.soundgardenworld.com

Look for more news, hopefully, coming very soon!

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

The Human Beinz Resurface With Christmas Song

You've heard their number one hit "Nobody But Me" on dozens of TV commercials and oldies radio stations across the globe, now the legenday Human Beinz have resurfaced with a timely Christmas song. Consisting of two parts, "Christmas Story" was written by Human Beinz band members Ting Marilin, Ed McCarthy and Sal Crisafi.

Released on the Collectables label, along with the Human Beinz the CD 'Christmas In America' also features tracks by music icons Jay and the Americans, Blues Magoos, Bay City Rollers, The Rip Chords, Allessi Brothers and others

The Human Beinz had a Top Ten hit on the Billboard charts in January 1968 with "Nobody But Me". Along with countless TV commercials, the song is featured in the academy award winning film 'The Departed' and 'Kill Bill', as well as Disney's animated 'School's Out'. The group also wrote and performed 'McQ' for producer Richard Martin's documentary film 'Steve McQueen: An American Rebel'. The Human Beinz are featured in The Rock & Roll Hall of fame in The Music of Ohio exhibit.

The group was the second rock band to tour Japan in 1969 (The Beatles were the first) They had three number one hits in Japan, "Nobody But Me," "Turn On Your Lovelight" and "Hold On Baby" and were the first to record a live album in concert at Budokan.The Human Beinz also have the distinction of being the first band to utilize a Pepsi bottle as an instrument in a hit record. The Pepsi bottle is once again utilized on the band's new song "Christmas Story".

The Human Beinz still tour and have appeared at The Hard Rock Cafe, Foxwood's Casino, Only The Strong Survive concert co-op city The Bronx, various county and State fairs, and were the band for The Opening reception of The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor for The Vietnam Vets of America. The group is planing to tour for Vet Aid National in the near future. The Human Beinz currently still perform shows and are working on a new album.

'Christmas In America' is available at Amazon.com, Oldies.com as well as various on and off-line retailers.



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

NFL 'urged to remove The Who from Super Bowl halftime show'

A child abuse prevention organization has reportedly complained about the booking of Pete Townshend's band The Who should not perform at the NFL Super Bowl XLIV halftime show, a child welfare organization has reportedly argued. The band are due to play at the biggest date in the American sports calendar in Miami, Florida on February 7.

However, Child AbuseWatch.net told the South Florida Sun Sentinel it objects to guitarist Pete Townshend performing with the band due to his 2003 arrest and police caution for accessing child pornography.

Founder and chief executive officer Evin Daly told the news source: "The Who is a great band. Pete Townshend is the only issue here."

Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Associated Press the band would still be playing at the show, despite the protests.

"UK police cleared him since he was doing research for a project on child abuse," McCarthy is quoted as saying.

Townshend was cautioned and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years after he admitted using his credit card to look at a paedophile website for research into child abuse. The guitarist said at the time he was researching a book about his life.

He was cleared on a separate charge of possessing indecent pictures downloaded from the web.

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

DEVOLVED Covers METALLICA's 'Battery'; Audio Available

Australian/American tech-metallers DEVOLVED have posted two new tracks on their MySpace page. "Derivative" and the cover version of METALLICA's "Battery" come off the band's new album, "Calculated", which will be released on January 19 via Unique Leader Records. The CD was mixed by famed producer/engineer Neil Kernon (CANNIBAL CORPSE, NILE, NEVERMORE, DEICIDE, JUDAS PRIEST) and was mastered by Alan Douches (SEPULTURA, UNEARTH, SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, GOD FORBID). The album is the first release to feature vocalist Kyle Zemanek.

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

Green Day, Lady Gaga To Perform At The Grammy Awards

It's been announced that Lady Gaga, Green Day and Pink will all be performing at this year's Grammy Awards. Also newly confirmed to play live at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles event on January 31 are the Dave Matthews Band and the Zac Brown Band.

They all join the previously announced live line up of Beyonce, The Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Maxwell and Lady Antebellum. The new additions mean that all five acts nominated for the coveted Album of the Year award will be performing at the ceremony - Gaga, Matthews, Beyonce, Swift and BEPs.

Beyonce leads the nominations at the Grammys with 10 nominations.

This Date In Music History-January 5

Birthdays:

Athol Guy - Seekers (1940)

Grady Thomas - Funkadelic (1941)

George Brown - Kool & The Gang (1949)

Chris Stein - Blondie (1950)

Grant Young - Soul Asylum (1964)

Phil Thornalley - Johnny Hates Jazz, The Cure (1964)

Kate Schellenbach - Luscious Jackson (1966)

Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) (1969)



Troy Van Leeuwen - Queens of the Stone Age (1970)

Matthew Walter Wachter - Angels & Airwaves, 30 Seconds to Mars (1976)


They Are Missed:

Born today in 1923, Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, the first label of Elvis Presley's recordings. Recorded Carl Perkins, Ike Turner, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis. Phillips died on July 30, 2003.

The late Wilbert Harrison ("Kansas City") was born in 1929.

Jazz musician and bandleader Charles Mingus died in 1979 (age 56). His final project was 'Mingus' a collaboration with Joni Mitchell.

Sonny Bono was killed in a skiing accident at a resort near Lake Tahoe, in 1997 (age 62). Bono who was one half on Sonny and Cher scored the 1965 UK & US #1 single "I Got You Babe" and had become a US Congressman.

Ken Forssi, bassist with Love, died of brain cancer in 1998 (age 55).

Doors’ manager Danny Sugarman died in 2005 at age 50. Involved with the band since 1967, Sugarman, co-author (with Jerry Hopkins) of the Jim Morrison tome No One Here Gets Out Alive, had been fighting brain cancer for several years.


History:

Coral Records released Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" in 1959 (the last release before his death).

The Supremes recorded "Stop! In The Name Of Love" in 1965.

During The Beatles Sgt Pepper sessions at Abbey Road in London in 1967, Paul McCartney recorded his vocal track on "Penny Lane."



Jimi Hendrix was jailed for one day in Stockholm, Sweden in 1968 on drinking charges after going berserk and destroying everything in his room at the Goteberg Hotel.

Bruce Springsteen released his debut album ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. in 1973.

The Carpenters went to #1 on the US album chart in 1974 with 'The Singles 1969-1973'.

In 1974, Yes scored their first UK #1 album with the double set 'Tales From The Topographic Oceans'.

"The Wiz" opened on Broadway in 1975.

Beatles road manager Mal Evans was killed in 1976 during a confrontation with Los Angeles police.

In 1978, The Sex Pistols started a US tour in Atlanta, Georgia before an estimated audience of 500 people. "Where’s my beer?" Those are Johnny Rotten’s first words to the packed house.

Prince made his live debut at the Capri Theatre, Minneapolis in 1979.

Donna Summer scored her third US #1 album in 1980 with 'On The Radio- Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 & II.'



In 1980, KC and the Sunshine Band had their 5th US #1 single and scored the first #1 of the 80's when "Please Don't Go" went to #1 in the UK.

Everything But The Girl made their live debut at the ICA in London in 1983. (They took their name from a second-hand furniture store in Hull).

In 1984, the Police, announced a farewell concert for March 2 in Australia. The group had been together for 9 years.

Madonna went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Justify My Love," a song co-written with Lenny Kravitz.

No Doubt went to #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with 'Tragic Kingdom.'

In 2001, Kirsty MacColl was laid to rest at a private funeral ceremony, ahead of a public memorial to pay tribute to her life. The singer songwriter was killed in a boating accident on Dec 18, 2000.

Kinks singer Ray Davies was shot in the leg while on holiday in New Orleans in 2004. The 59-year-old singer-songwriter was shot when running after two men who stole his girlfriend's purse at gunpoint. Davies was admitted to the Medical Centre of Louisiana but his injuries were not considered serious. New Orleans police said one person had been arrested, and police were still searching for the second.

In 2008, Josh Groban was at #1 on the US album chart with his Christmas album ‘Noel’. The best selling US album of 2007 selling over 3.5 million copies in 10 weeks.

During halftime at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ in 2009, the Texas marching band pays a tribute to Led Zeppelin, playing “Kashmir” and “Stairway To Heaven.” That performance totally overshadows the Texas win over Ohio (24-21).

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 12/26/2009

1. 45 - Jimmy DeBerry "Take A Little Chance" / "Time Has Made A Change" Sun 185 - $4,477.99

2. 45 - David Bowie "Space Oddity" / "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" Philips Portugal Promo w/pic sleeve - $2,999.99

3. 10" - Lazare Levy "Mozart 2 Sonatas For Piano" Ducretet - $2,558.98

4. 10" - The Jam "Going Underground" Acetate - $2,511.09

5. LP- The Brief Encounter "self titled" Seventy Seven - $2,460.00


As always, a special thank you to Norm at  http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com  for this great data. Stop in and listen to their unique radio show Accidental Nostalgia with Norm & Jane On Radio Dentata - 60 minutes of rare records and nugatory narration. NOW TUESDAYS at 4PM PT / 7PM ET for a complete rundown of the Top 5 with trivia and tidbits.

Golden oldies

I want to thank the author and his publication for the exclusive reprint rights to this interesting feature!

Those vinyl albums in your cellar rarely sell for much, but there are exceptions, such as a Beatles pressing that went for $32,000

Richard Morrison, Financial Post
Published: Saturday, January 02, 2010


Almost everyone has boxes of old vinyl records stored somewhere, but unless they are rare and in near-mint condition, they probably aren't worth much. Recordings by popular artists were turned out by the millions, and most LPs and 45s were played on crude turntables and tossed about by teenagers without thought for their future value, which means most sell for less than $1.

But there are exceptions. According to popsike.com,a website listing auction results for rare records, on Nov. 23, 2008, Beatles LP dealer Andrew Milton sold a mono pressing of the Beatles 1968 White Album, with cover number 0000005, on behalf of an Austrian seller for £19,201 ($32,167) after 85 bids on eBay. The No. 5 copy was the earliest pressing available, since the members of the Beatles got the first four. "I had the chance to buy it for £1,200 years ago," says Garry Shrum, consignment director and music and memorabilia expert at Dallas, Tex.-based Heritage Auction Galleries. Mr. Shrum says he had been in England and had agreed on the price for 0000005 with an LP dealer, who offered to hold the LP for Mr. Shrum until he returned to the United States. But the seller's partner got a higher offer on it and he took it, he says.

Among those who collect the White Album, "anything under 0001000 is a really big deal," Mr. Shrum says, adding he found an American copy of number 0000012 at a used record store in Britain. Although it was well used and had writing on the cover, Mr. Shrum was able to get £1,000 for it.

On eBay on Dec. 13, a 1969 stereo pressing number 0000018 of the White Album sold for $5,523.53 after 35 bids.

Beatles collectors come in all shapes and sizes, says Mr. Shrum, who opened Blue Meanies Records in San Diego, Calif. in 1976. "It's the one band that people really go hard core because there's a lot to collect. There's all different toys, boots and curtains and bedspreads and buttons and pencils and combs and on and on."

Those who began collecting Beatles LPs and 45s from the beginning could well own valuable items, Mr. Shrum says, but those who didn't begin buying until the 1970s are likely too late.

Autographed albums are more valuable if they come from the Beatles early years, Mr. Shrum says, as once they became hugely popular and had stopped touring, the group members were rarely in the same place, so secretaries or whoever was around at Apple or EMI would simply forge the signatures on an album cover and send it back.

"You've got to know what you're looking for. Joe Average can't just look at it and say, 'This is it.' It's got to be taken to somebody who really knows their records, knows what pressing it is," Mr. Shrum says. New collectors can also get a copy of The Price Guide for the Beatles American Records, by Perry Cox and Frank Daniels.

Mr. Daniels, co-author of the price guide, says Canadians who have a copy of the White Album may have one of the 3.2 million numbered copies made in the United States and used on the first run of Canadian LPs. Later albums bearing no number were made in Canada, but there were some unique Canadian labels.

Several Beatles LPs sold for more than $5,000 on eBay in December alone.

- On Dec. 12, an original 1964 Vee Jay Records stereo edition of Introducing the Beatles, with a blank back and still in its shrink wrap, sold for $7,367 after 39 bids.

- On Dec. 13, a 1963 Parlophone gold label stereo edition of the Beatles Please Please Me LP sold for $19,446 after 35 bids. As a stereo copy, this album was aimed at hi-fi enthusiasts, not teenagers, and only 900 copies were ordered and pressed. The LP was made without the knowledge of Beatles producer George Martin, and most were sold in northern England.

- On Dec. 15, a mono Vee Jay copy of Introducing the Beatles, with an ad for other LPs on the back cover, sold for US$4,939.99 after 25 bids. It had originally been bought for US$2.98 at a Los Angeles record store.

- On Dec. 6, a copy of the Beatles Please Please Me LP with a black and gold label sold for $3,355.85 after 23 bids.

Perhaps the most famous collectible Beatles LP is the "butcher cover" version of Yesterday ... And Today. The album was originally printed with each member of the group happily holding what appeared to be dead babies -- an idea devised by photographer Robert Whitaker that was intended to poke fun at their popularity. The group members liked the photo and Capitol Records' art department prepared the cover artwork and sent the necessary shots to their three U.S. factories and to Parrs in Canada. Posters were made and sent out, and the album was rushed to radio stations.

"The butcher cover did make it out to a few shops in its original form, but when the backlash against the cover emerged, Capitol ordered the covers to be destroyed," says Mr. Daniels, noting that only two Canadian copies are known to have survived.

Instead of destroying them, however, Capitol decided to paste over the album with a new cover -- a photo showing the Beatles standing around a steamer trunk with McCartney inside.

"First-state butchers -- copies that never had another cover over them -- all sell for big money," Mr. Daniels says.

"The two Canadian copies haven't come up for sale in quite a while, so who knows what they'd sell for today? Paste-over copies sell well, but they don't get the kind of money associated with first state copies. ... Copies that have had the top cover peeled off usually sell for the least, although a truly nice peeled cover goes for more money."

FIRST PRESSINGS THE MOST VALUABLE

The Beatles may be popular with record collectors, but they are certainly not the only artist of value.

There are more collectors around the world who pursue the history of rock 'n' roll than any other category, says Neil Patte, president of Continental Records Co. Ltd. in Streetsville, Ont., whose website, gocontinental.com,offers a wealth of information for those who believe they may have valuable vinyl. "Rhythm and blues and rockabilly records from 1948 through 1963 traditionally have the highest value of all collected records," Mr. Patte says.

The most valuable records are the "first pressing" of releases -- the records that people purchased when the LP or 45 was first on the charts and played on Top 40 radio, he says.

Along with early rockabilly, blues and jazz recordings from the 1950s, completed listings on eBay show there are many who will pay top price for copies of punk rock, heavy metal, classical and alternative rock.

Early pressings of LPs and singles of punk rock legends the Sex Pistols are prized by collectors.

For example, an original 1977 copy of God Save The Queen went for $10,813, in an eBay auction that ended Dec. 10 and attracted 24 bidders. This pressing was one of a few given to laid-off executives when Polygram closed A&M's London office in 1998, the seller wrote.

A 1983 test pressing of heavy metal group Metallica's Kill 'Em All LP, one of only three or four known, sold for US$6,660 on eBay on Dec. 17.

Albums from German experimental rock group The Can are extremely valuable. A 1969 LP from the group sold for US$6,295, attracting 37 bids, while on Dec. 18, 26 bidders vied for a copy of the group's Monster Movie album, of which only 500 copies were made. It sold for £2,150 ($3,632).

A test pressing, What Was Me/Beat Happening by Olympia, Wash. alternative rock singer-songwriter Calvin Johnson, sold for $4,269 at Extremely Rare Records; seven bidders fought over the horror-punk rock band The Misfits' Horror Business LP, with the winner paying $4,000; 25 bidders anted up US$3,000 for jazz alto saxophonist Jackie McLean's The New Tradition LP.

Among 45 rpm singles, a copy of Delta bluesman Jimmy DeBerry's Take A Little Chance, issued as #185 on the Sun label in June 1953, sold on eBay for US$4,477.99 after 22 bids on Dec. 23.

A similar 45 rpm single, a special Portuguese mono pressing of David Bowie's Space Oddity, sold for US$3,000 on Dec. 21.

For a 45 rpm record from any artist to have collectible value, the paper sleeve or cover must be intact and preferably in good condition. Most U.S. record manufacturers printed only a limited number of "picture" sleeves, and when these ran out, resorted to a standard company sleeve. That makes U.S.-made 45s with picture covers more valuable than those from other countries, says Garry Shrum of Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Tex.

Source: Richard Morrison, Financial Post

SOURCE: http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=2398367

Turn the tables

Found this interesting, it's a big world that we live in....

Anand Sankar / New Delhi January 02, 2010


Tired of fiddling around with your iPod? Anand Sankar says it’s time to go retro with a good-old phonograph.

The music at the rather run-down shop no. 256 in Delhi’s historical Meena Bazar is being piped through a state-of-art amplifier. It is a rich sound, punctuated by a series of random “clicks and pops”, with none of the synthetic flatness you get with a CD or MP3 player. For it’s not a CD or MP3 player that’s playing the music, but an old-fashioned gramophone, hooked to the amp.

But if you want to recreate the sound at home, you will need to do a bit of legwork. The effort is worth the bother, as good old vinyl (as the records were called because that's what they were made of), outdoes digital music any day.

Records and players went out of mass production and vogue by the 1990s, so all you get today are discarded heirlooms at auction houses or cheaper replicas of classic machines. The former are far more than devices to playback sound. They were design masterpieces, whose prices can go into lakhs. Often finished in precious stones or ivory, some even used the winding mechanism of the gramophone to activate dancing figures. Prized by collectors, audiophiles, however, have little use for them.

Gramophone replicas, on the other hand, are a thriving industry, with prices starting from as low as Rs 1,500 and going up to Rs 10,000 if you want detailing on the wooden box or horn.

The shops making these are easy to come by — the internet will throw up a host of them in Chandni Chowk and Meena Bazaar (Delhi), Colaba (Mumbai), Free School Street (Kolkata) where you can buy both records and players — but do research the technology a bit before you venture out.

Basically phonographs are of two types — electronic and mechanical. The most popular of the latter variety is the “gramophone”. There is a huge market for gramophone replicas, since they make great drawing-room accessories with their picturesque trumpet-like cones.

The drawbacks — you have to manually wind the machine every time, the sound is good enough only for a medium-sized room (a maximum of five decibels) and if not made well, can break down easily.

As for the electronic record players, there are a number of makes by manufacturers like Phillips, Sony, Akai, Bush, and Sansui. The electronic players too use two technologies — belt drive and direct drive.

A belt drive has a small, cheap motor which turns the disc using a belt. The direct drive too uses a motor to turn the disc; in addition it has sophisticated electronics to control the speed of the motor, so the direct drive gramophone can control pitch very accurately.

Phillips, which has a wide range of sizes and colours, some with built-in speakers, was the most popular brand in record players. And you can get a refurbished Phillips machines between Rs 2,000 and 3,000.

Other popular brands such as Akai, Bush and Sansui are a little more expensive, costing up to Rs 5,000. While most Phillips systems used the belt drive, these other manufacturers offered a mix of belt and direct drives.

Look out also for large players such as the Hitachi HT-50S, which give you greater options to fiddle with the sound output. They also cost a bit more — about Rs 6,000. If you’re willing to pay even more (Rs 15,000 or so), you could get yourself a system with a built-in amplifier and radio. Avoid them, however, if you want to hook up the player to your existing audio system.

One record player to keep an eye out for is the Mister Disc. Made by Audio Technica, a Japanese company which specialises in audio equipment, it is a tiny gadget that is one of the few battery-powered portable record players around — definitely high on the cool factor.

Audio Technica is also one of the very few companies that continue to make record players. The company has two models in the market — one with a belt drive and the other with a direct drive, priced at Rs 15,000 and Rs 35,000, respectively. The good thing about Audio Technica players is that they have USB connectivity, which means you can also digitise your vinyl — along with all those comforting “clicks and pops”.

However, if you want to buy a replica, it’s best to use your judgement to determine their condition, and always ask for a trial. The shopowner will do the output wiring to suit your audio system, and tie up with him for after-sales service, as you will also have to depend on him for spares such as needles or new motors.

SOURCE:  http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/turntables/381399/

Music News & Notes

Josh Klinghoffer Unveiled As New Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist

Josh Klinghoffer has been unveiled as the new Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist by one of the band's leading fan sites. A posting on Stadium-Arcadium.com confirms that the 30-year-old will replace long-serving guitarist John Frusciante, who announced his departure last month.

An editor of the site wrote: “I've managed to establish contact with Josh through the previous owner of Josh-Klinghoffer.net, Katrina, who has personal contact with him, and was able to get him to reply to an e-mail asking if he was in the band. He confirmed that he is in the band earlier today! Stadium-Arcadium.com now has direct contact with Josh and will be able to bring you updates from him personally in the future!”

It's expected that Klinghoffer will make his live debut with the band on January 29 at a MusiCares show in honour of Neil Young.

Kilnghoffer, who toured with the Chili Peppers in 2007, has worked as a studio musician with an array of acts including Beck, The Butthole Surfers, Neon Neon, Sparks, Gnarls Barkley and PJ Harvey.

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

New Jackson Song?

Rolling Stone is reporting that 2010 kicked off with a potentially new unearthed Michael Jackson song. A snippet of a track called “Another Day,” reportedly sung by the Jackson, hit the Web over New Year’s weekend. “Another Day” appears to be Jackson’s version of Lenny Kravitz’s “Storm,” a song that appeared on the rocker’s 2004 album Baptism and featured a guest spot by Jay-Z. The Huffington Post writes that “Another Day” was reportedly a duet between Jackson and Kravitz, but Kravitz doesn’t seem to appear on the 90-second snippet.



In the days following Jackson’s June 25, 2009 death, Kravitz penned a letter to Spinner about Jackson, writing, “I got to work with Michael on a track that has not been released and it was the most amazing experience I’ve had in the studio. He was funny. Very funny and we laughed the whole time.” It remains unclear whether Kravitz worked with Jackson on “Another Day,” or whether their collaboration resulted in another song. Sure sounds like MJ!

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

Kanye West Back in the Studio, Inspired by “True Poets”

According to Rolling Stone, in his first blog post of the new decade, Kanye West revealed he’s back in the studio working on new music. West also expressed a desire to avoid the usual career trajectory of a hip-hop star, writing, “It’s funny how so many rappers get worse as their careers stretch out but true poets get better. We will follow in the footsteps of Maya Angelou, Gill Scott Herron [sic] and Nina Simone. Their work improved with time.”

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

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is considering changing their eligibility requirements.

To get in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you have to have been recording for 25 years or more. The problem is that they are now entering a period in music where the newly eligible acts are, for lack of a better word, quite lackluster. As Friedman points out, next year's new crop will include Sting (solo, he's already in with the police), Chris Isaak, Suzanne Vega and Simply Red.

Hall head Jann Wenner is considering moving things up a bit so that artists who have been recording 20 years or more could be placed on the ballot. That would make Guns N' Roses, Green Day and Nirvana eligible. Or Wenner could do what many consider the right thing and induct the many missing names from Chubby Checker, Billy Preston and Mary Wells to Chicago, the Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Rufus & Carla Thomas and so many more it’s hard to list them. But that’s unlikely.

Whatever the Hall does, something needs to change.

This Date In Music History-January 3

Birthdays:


Record producer George Martin was born in London in 1926. Martin signed the Beatles in 1962 and produced all of their records until 1969. The Beatles chose not to use George Martin for their Let It Be album, but he was asked to produce the last Beatles' album, Abbey Road.

Pop singer and songwriter Van Dyke Parks (1941)

Stephen Stills - Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1945)

John Paul Jones, bassist for Led Zeppelin, was born in London in 1946. Before Zeppelin, Jones was an active session musician playing, directing and/or arranging for the Rolling Stones, the Outlaws, Jeff Beck, Mickey Most, the Yardbirds, the Mindbenders, the Everly Brothers, and the Supremes. Since Zeppelin's breakup, Jones has produced a variety of bands including the Butthole Surfers.

Raymond McGinley - Teenage Fanclub (1964)


They Are Missed:

Blues singer Amos Milburn died in Houston, Texas in 1980 at the age of 52. Milburn was one of the most consistent hitmakers in rhythm-and-blues from the mid-1940's to the early '50s. His 1947 recording of "Chicken Shack Boogie" was a million seller. Famous for his drinking songs including, "Let Me Go Home, Whiskey" and "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer."

Randy California, guitarist for the 1960's rock band Spirit, drowns in a riptide while swimming off the coast of Molokai, Hawaii in 1997. He was 45. Spirit did have a Top-25 single in 1968, "I Got a Line on You," but they were known primarily for their critically-acclaimed albums, which blended hard rock, blues, country, folk and jazz.



Zak Foley bassist with EMF died in 2002 (age 31). The group had the 1990 world-wide hit single "Unbelievable."


History:

In 1955, Elvis Presley appeared in Boonesville, Virginia. The 20 year-old singer was still a regional star, but by the end of 56' he had become a national sensation, recording two albums, (which included 'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'), appeared on national television 11 times, played over 100 concerts and signed a seven year contract with Paramount Pictures.

Fats Domino records "I'm Walkin'" in 1957.

In 1957, joined by Lester "Prez" Young and other jazz legends, Billie Holiday sings "Fine and Mellow" on the historic The Sound of Jazz telecast.

In 1959, Berry Gordy moved all of Motown's operations into a two-story house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, which he christened "Hitsville."

The Beatles were seen for the first time on US TV in 1964 when a clip from the BBC's 'The Mersey Sound' showing the group playing "She Loves You" was shown on The Jack Paar Show. The Beatles would make their live US TV debut a month later on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

The Beatles get an early positive review from Billboard magazine in 1964 for “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

The Beatles appeared on "Hullabaloo in 1966," performing "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out" on videotape.

In 1967, Carl Wilson (Beach Boys) refused to be sworn in after receiving a U.S. Army draft notice. He said he was a conscientious objector.

In 1968, police at New Jersey's Newark Airport confiscate 30,000 copies of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Two Virgins album, saying the cover photo of the nude John and Yoko is "pornographic." In Chicago, vice squad officers close down a record shop for displaying the cover.

In 1969, appearing live on UK TV's Lulu Show, Jimi Hendrix stopped performing his new single after a few bars and instead launched into a version of the Cream song "Sunshine Of Your Love" as a tribute to the band who had split a few days earlier.

B J Thomas started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1970 with "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head." The song was featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Working on the Get Back sessions at Studio Two of EMI Studios, London in 1970, three Beatles (Paul, George, and Ringo) recorded 16 takes of the George Harrison song "I Me Mine." John Lennon was away in Denmark at the time. It was the last song that the band would record together. A decade later it becomes the title of George Harrison's autobiography.

Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" goes gold in 1974, the second of three posthumous hits for the late singer/songwriter.

In 1974, Bob Dylan and The Band started a 39- date US tour, Dylan's first live appearance for over 7 years. There were more than 5 million applications for the 660,000 tickets.

The Bay City Rollers went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1976 with "Saturday Night." At the height of their US success, the Scottish group signed a deal to promote breakfast cereal.



In 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2000, Luciano Pavarotti agreed to pay the Italian authorities £1.6 million ($2.72 million) after losing an appeal against tax evasion charges. It was reported that the singer was worth £300 million ($510 million) at the time.

Remember," a John Lennon compilation CD, was issued as part of Starbucks' Hear Music's Opus Collection series in 2007. The 18-track disc featured solo Lennon hits, album cuts and rare recordings that previously appeared on The Beatles' "Anthology" retrospective.

A year later, also at Starbucks - songs by Lennon, Paul McCartney & Wings, Eric Clapton, Police, Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills & Nash are on a two-CD set, "The Grammys -- 50th Anniversary Collection."

Michael Fremer Review

ALBUM REVIEW:
Jethro Tull (reissue)
Aqualung

Island/Classic Records ILPS 9145-200G 200 gram LP

Produced by: Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis
Engineered by: John Burns
Mixed by: N/A
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering

Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-12-01

Ian Anderson himself may wonder why people are still interested in Aqualung thirty-six years after it was first released—or maybe not. Though almost comically simple, the opening riff to the title cut is one of rock's most ingenious and indelible. The contemplative album is packed with memorable melodies expressing anger, nostalgia, pity, regret, tenderness and contempt.

Anderson totally jettisons his Roland Kirk and hyper-blues affectations for a neat blend of acoustic folk and electric rock and he knows how to shift the ensemble into spirited overdrive.

The arrangements are supple, the production is clean and the recording is intimate and well-organized, though bass is on the light side for a riff-oriented rock record.

I compared Classic's new 200g reissue with: 1) an original UK Chrysalis 2) an original American Chrysalis/Warner Brothers, 3) an original French Pink Label Island, 4) The Mobile Fidelity ' speed mastered edition and 5) DCC's 180g issue mastered by the team of Hoffman and Gray.

Now rather than make value judgments, let's just compare without prejudice. First of all, the EQ on the Mo-Fi is extreme: the bass has been boosted to cartoon levels and the upper mids have a presence region peak. Very 'hi-fi' and the intimacy and warmth of Anderson's voice is sacrificed to edge and sibilants. My least favorite, though the surfaces are dead quiet and the transients, as you'd expect from half-speed mastering, are clean and precise. On some systems, (bass shy, midband rich), the Mo-Fi could sound great.

The UK Chrysalis is somewhat disappointing, with harsh and overly large vocals plus somewhat brittle acoustic guitars. Overall, pretty good though, especially the tight and not overdone bass. I like the French Pink Label Island, for its warmish midrange and expressive acoustic guitars. It captures the intimacy I think Anderson wanted for his vocals and the crystalline, though warm bodied acoustic guitars.

The original American Warner Brothers/Chrysalis has the most coherent tonal balance of all of the commercial releases, with a rich midband and reasonably good extension. However, it sounds dynamically compressed and lacks ultimate clarity and focus

As for the DCC, I would never bet against the house of Hoffman/Gray, then operating at Artisan and the DCC is a model of good EQ taste and clarity, plus a fine 180g RTI pressing. Just for the hell of it, I also listened to the DCC gold CD. Give me a break! Martin Barre plays a descant recorder (a small, inexpensive wooden wind instrument in the key of C) on, among other tracks 'Mother Goose.' It's 'flutey' and 'woody' and 'airy' and 'round' on all of the LP editions. You can barely hear it on the CD.

However, the new Classic, cut from the original master tape loaned to Classic by Mr. Anderson himself, and not previously used by anyone to cut a lacquer, to the best of my knowledge, has it all. Cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman's, the new version has warmth, extension, focus, clarity, dynamics and everything else you'd want.

Understand: like Acoustic Sounds' release of Yes's Fragile, Aqualung was not a great recording to begin with. It is somewhat bass shy, though the very bottom is surprisingly robust and if your system goes all the way down, you'll hear it on the Classic without the muck and mud added by too much low end EQ on some of the others.

This newest Aqualung is the definitive version and if you love this record, it's worth the money. You will hear musical details and colors not previously revealed on any other version and Mr. Anderson's vocals will literally be in your lap, they are so purely and intimately rendered on Bellman's cut. On no other version do the acoustic guitars have both believable attack and sustain.

As for the pressing quality, perhaps you've heard about Classic's recent 'hiccup,' or have had complaints about lead-in groove noise and/or warps on some Classic releases, especially the recent Norah Jones and Diana Krall.

Without going into all of the details, Classic has been 'experimenting' with pressing plants other than RTI and as with any 'start-up' operation, there have been difficulties. Indeed, pressing 'flat' lipless (no groove guard) 200 gram LPs is inherently problematic. By 'flat' I mean that the groove area does not dip down to the halfway point and up the rest of the way, as do all other LPs, 180 gram or whatever. Pressing flat is laudable as it eliminates azimuth and other errors caused by 'downhill' and 'uphill' travel. However, getting vinyl to flow properly to the outer grooves is tricky, and made even trickier by Classic's insistence on no 'groove guard' or outer lip. That profile allows some vinyl to flow in the tool beyond the edge of the record, creating noise and other issues.

So, Classic has re-tooled its tools to produce a slight lip that you will see on this and future Classic records. However, the records retain the flat profile and 200 gram weight. If the sealed pressing of Aqualung I received is typical of what we can expect from Classic going forward, I think everyone will be pleased. The record was perfectly flat and absolutely silent.

Finally, Classic has spared no expense in reproducing the original LP's textured linen finish. You get the look and feel of the original UK issue with better sound.

I am very proud to continue our new feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. In fact, his new DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" has hit the shelves and is selling out very quickly. This is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl, it is a true masterpiece.

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

This Date In Music History-January 1st

Birthdays:

Joe McDonald - Country Joe and the Fish (1942)

Born on this day in 1945, Jim Gordon, American drummer, one of the most requested session drummers in the late 1960s and 1970s. Gordon co-wrote Layla with Eric Clapton, worked with The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, (Pet Sounds) The Byrds, George Harrison, (All Things Must Pass), John Lennon, (Imagine), The Carpenters, Traffic, Glen Campbell, (Wichita Lineman), Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Frank Zappa and many others. A diagnosed schizophrenic, Gordon murdered his mother on June 3, 1983, by pounding her head with a hammer. He was sentenced to sixteen years-to-life in prison in 1984.

Morgan Fisher - Mott The Hopple (1950)

Diane Warren - US songwriter (1956) Warren has written over 80 US Top 20 hits.

Joseph Saddler (Grandmaster Flash)(1958)


They Are Missed:

Country singer Hank Williams died of a heart attack in 1953 brought on by a lethal cocktail of pills and alcohol (age 29). Made his first record in 1946, scored 36 Top 10 US country hits, his best Known being "Your Cheatin Heart." Over 20,000 mourners attended his funeral.

Alexis Korner died of lung cancer in 1984 (age 55). Known as "the Founding Father of British Blues", he was a major force behind the UK early 60's R&B scene. Formed Blues Incorporated; members at various times included Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Long John Baldry, Graham Bond and Charlie Watts. Had hits with CCS, including a version of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' which was used as the theme for BBC's Top Of The Pops for several years. Became a radio presenter in the 70's.


History:

In 1912, the first song with the term "blues" in the title was released, "Memphis Blues" by W.C.Handy.

Jelly Roll Morton published his first composition, "The Jelly Roll Blues" in 1915.

In 1939, Billie Holiday was among the first artists to perform at Cafe Society, a new jazz club in Manhattan. Two classic songs introduced in this propitious year, "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child," remain her masterworks.



In 1950, Sam Phillips opened Memphis Recording Service at 706 Union Avenue. He begins recording several local blues artists, including B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf and James Cotton.

Elvis Presley appeared at The Eagles Hall in Houston Texas in 1955. Presley went on to play over 250 shows in 1955.

The Kingston Trio hit #1 in 1958 with "Tom Dooley".

In 1959, "Baby Talk," by Jan and Dean, became the first of more than 150 singles featuring Hal Blaine on drums to reach the Top Ten.

Johnny Cash played a free concert for the inmates of San Quentin Prison, California in 1960.

Etta James made her Chess Records debut in 1960.

In 1960, RCA signed Sam Cooke to a recording contract that payed him a $100,000 advance.

Joan Baez' self-titled first album released in 1960.

In 1961, Motown signed the Primettes, a girl group just out of high school. They change their name to the Supremes.

The Beatles make their debut at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961.

Robert Johnson's 'King of the Delta Blues' was released in 1961.

In 1962, the Beatles and the Tremeloes auditioned for Decca Records. Decca passed on The Beatles and signed the Tremeloes. Ooops....

Also in 1962-Bob Dylan's eponymous debut album released; as is Peter, Paul & Mary's self-titled debut.

'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' was released in 1963, containing "Blowin' In the Wind", "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright".



The Beach Boys recorded "Fun Fun Fun" in 1964.

Top Of The Pops premieres on British TV in 1964. Over the years, this landmark weekly music program presented nearly all the major British Rock groups. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Dave Clark Five appear on the opener.

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "The Sounds Of Silence."

The Doors made their first live television appearance lip-synching their first single ‘Break on Through’ on Shebang, KTLA-TV Channel 5 in Los Angeles in 1967.

In 1968, Billboard magazine reported that for the first time albums had outsold singles in the US with album sales reaching over 192 million units.

Carole King started a three week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1972 with 'Music', her second US chart topper.

In 1977, The Clash played the opening night at punk's first real venue, The Roxy Club in London.

London Calling, by the Clash, was released in 1980. Critics hail it as the best album of the Eighties.

Abba made their final live appearance as a group in 1982 when they played in Stockholm, Sweden.

VH1 makes its debut in 1985. It’s initially designed to appeal aging baby-boomers, leaving MTV to the teen audience.

Metallica release their classic “Master Of Puppets” in 1986. "I think there's still an innocence about it and just a ‘real world' attitude to it still," says Metallica’s James Hetfield, twenty years later. "And we weren't, I think, very influenced by all of the 'bigness' of Metallica [yet]."

Breakdancers Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan signed a contract with Boney M producer Frank Farian in 1988. Milli Vanilli were born.

Nirvana signed a one-year recording contract with Sub Pop records in 1989.

In 1990, a new American radio station WKRL in Florida played the Led Zeppelin track 'Stairway To Heaven' for 24 hours, as a prelude to an all Zeppelin format.

Garth Brooks started a six week run at #1 on the US album charts in 1995 with 'The Hits.'

Dixie Chicks release their major label debut, "Wide Open Spaces" in 1998.

Audiophile Audition Review

THE BEATLES REMASTERED
14-album Stereo Reissue Set
Apple/Capitol/EMI

If you’re been resisting the Beatles Remastered in Stereo package and you’re an audiophile, you’re missing out on a memorable sonic experience.


Published on December 13, 2009

THE BEATLES REMASTERED
14-album Stereo Reissue Set
Apple/Capitol/EMI
SRP: $260
Please Please Me
With The Beatles
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles For Sale
Help!
Rubber Soul
Revolver
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Magical Mystery Tour
The Beatles
Yellow Submarine
Abbey Road
Let It Be
Past Masters

It’s finally happened, similar to the recent Disney reissue of the classic animation features such as Snow White on Blu-ray, we now have the entire recorded catalog of the Beatles beautifully remastered on 14 single and double-CD enhanced CD albums, complete with 13 mini-documentaries on the recording of each album, as well as provided on a separate DVD - so you don’t have to put each CD into your computer to view them. A dedicated team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London spent four years using state of the art technology plus renovated vintage studio equipment to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the original analog recordings. There is also a separate Beatles Remastered Mono Set, gathering together all the Beatles recordings that were mixed for mono release (the stereo market was a small niche when most of the albums were originally released). It includes the mono album of both “Help,” and “Rubber Soul,” which have never been released on CD before. There are those Beatles fans who feel that the mono mixes are superior in every way to the early stereo versions, so let them indulge themselves in those if they wish.

I must say I held off on even requesting the stereo set for review since I had several of the albums in the excellent Mobile Fidelity reissues, plus a few British Parlophone vinyls of some of the originals such as Sgt. Pepper. Then I began to hear fellow audiophiles rave about the superb fidelity of these reissues and I decided to check into them. While I’m disappointed they were not released as hybrid SACDs like the Stones series, I’m bowled over by stunning results of the remastering to standard CD. They seem to come alive; one hears small details completely lost in all of the earlier CD transfers. I carefully compared the new reissue CDs to the Mo-Fi vinyls, using my highly tweaked SOTA turntable. I don’t really have any notes to consult, because the two sources sounded almost completely identical. The only obvious differences were observed when the level was turned way up and surface noise and rumble identified the vinyl vs. the CDs, or when the vinyl reach the last track close to the enter label, and the high frequencies began to be muffled vs. the clarity of the reissue CDs.

It was amazing how creative the Beatles and their producer George Martin were technically, considering they were restricted only to primitive four-channel recorders, and later on (by going to a more advanced studio than EMI) eight-track. Often they had to mix from one four-channel master to another to create more flexibility, and thus put all their vocals on one track, using the other three for additional instrumentals. Thus all the voices occasionally come out of just the left or right channel, but the newly-remastered versions often ameliorate this a bit by giving more of a center fill.

The original EMI tapes were in good shape, but the remastering engineers had to deal with a slight build up of dust. They transferred at 192K/24-bit via a Prism A-D converter. They removed electrical clicks, vocal pops on the mikes, excessive sibilance and bad edits, as long as it didn’t interfere with the original integrity of the songs. De-noising technology was used sparingly, with less than five of the 525 minutes of music subjected to the process. It was decided to use limiting only moderately so as to retain the original dynamics of the recordings. It is most satisfying to note that these reissues are not being compress to hell like most pop music on CD today. Comparisons were made with the earliest vinyl pressings as well as the original master tapes continuously during the remastering and equalization process.

While my set didn’t come with the boxed set detailed historical notes, booklets and posters, it had everything else. The only album without the Enhanced CD mini-documentaries is the double-CD Past Masters set. The short documentaries use mostly the “Ken Burns” zooming around effect on stills of the Beatles, but the soundtracks have comments by the various members and George Martin which give some background on the recording of the particular album. Some of the studio chat by the Beatles has never been heard before. Four of the albums are furnished in stereo on CD for the very first time: Please Please Me, With the Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, and Beatles for Sale.

I became a Beatles fan originally with their Revolver album, and on the mini-documentary George Martin and the members talk about how working on that one opened up more sophisticated and complex tunes than they had ever created before. Without the creativity and wizardry of Martin the Beatles would probably never have achieved the high levels they did, but at the same time Lennon and McCartney should be recognized as among the greatest pop song writers of the century.

I should mention another aspect of this reissue of special interest to all surround sound fans: The Beatles stereo recordings have long been mined for surround sound effects (also Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Beach Boys.). I think part of their abilities in this area must be due to the simple miking and four-track recordings they were working with. The fact is most of them have a tremendous amount of L-R difference information embedded in the stereo signals, which can be easily decoded. I started many years ago with a simple single speaker in the back, hooked up to a Hafler derived surround circuit (connecting an efficient speaker to the two + terminals of an amp). Then I progressing to a Dynaco box. Now we have ProLogic IIx, which does an even better job of deriving surround ambience from the L-R information on standard stereo recordings. You will frequently hear a single guitar in one of the surround speakers, for example, or a chorus of voices coming from behind you during a portion of a tune. Since the stereo source is now so much cleaner and hi-res, you will get even better pseudo-surround effects using ProLogic or Circle Surround decoding.

If you’re been resisting the Beatles Remastered in Stereo package and you’re an audiophile, you’re missing out on a memorable sonic experience - even if you have a bunch of the best Beatles vinyls and a good turntable. This is a fabulous Beatles Bonanza.

- John Henry


I want to thank John over at http://www.audaud.com/index.php for the exclusive rights to reprint this great review!

AUDIOPHILE AUDITION focuses on recordings of interest to audiophiles and collectors, with an accent on surround sound for music, and on all hi-res disc formats. Over 100SACD, DVD Video/Audio and standard CD reviews are published during each month, and our archives go back to January 2001.

Michael Jackson's Thriller Video Added to National Film Registry

The video for Michael Jackson's Thriller was a groundbreaking masterpiece when it was released on December 2, 1983. The music video industry was still in its infancy and then along came Jackson and director John Landis to take it to a whole new level. This was not the three minute promotional video that played all day long on MTV, but a 14-minute short film with full storyline and closing credits. The choreography by Jackson and Michael Peters greatly improved on their already groundbreaking work on the Beat It video and the film even had additional, orchestrated music by Elmer Bernstein. To this day, it is still regarded as the highpoint of music videos.

The Thriller video has been selected to go into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress' National Film Preservation Board. The selected films are deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant and are to be "preserved for all time." Over the course of the year, hundreds of films are nominated by the general public and members of the National Film Preservation Board and the Library of Congress' film staff narrow the list down to 25 inductees.