Rock Pioneer Dale Hawkins Dies
Seminal rocker Dale Hawkins passed away Saturday in Little Rock, Arkansas from colon cancer at the age of 73.
Hawkins was discovered while playing a Shreveport, Louisiana club in 1957 with his group that also included guitarist James Burton and drummer A.J. Tuminello. While his style had elements of the burgeoning rock and roll, he mixed it with a heavy blues sound that created a unique sound eventually called Swamp Rock.
Dale originally shopped around a record that he had made called See You Soon, Baboon which was picked up for national release by Chess Records on its subsidiary Checker. The group's second record, Suzie Q, broke Hawkins nationally, going to number 7 on the R&B and 27 on the Singles charts.
Hawkins went on to record a mix of his bluesy rock and more pop oriented material for the label over the next few years. He also was becoming well versed in producing and finding talented guitarists. Not only would his sideman James Burton go on to play with Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley, but he would also help launch the careers of Roy Buchannen, who played with Dale's cousin Ronnie Hawkins, and Kenny Paulsen.
In 1960, he was released from Chess and, although he would record for a number of labels in the subsequent years, he never exceeded the success of Suzie Q. The early-60's also found him hosting his own television show on WCAU in Philadelphia.
When Hawkin's wife became pregnant in 1964, he returned home where he became a talent finder and producer for Paula records, bringing them country artist Joe Stampley and rocker John Fred. His productions included Fred's Judy in Disguise and the Five American's Western Union. He became head of A&R for RCA's west coast division in 1970 where he worked with Harry Nilsson, Michael Nesmith and many more.
After a 1981 stint in rehab, Hawkins started a crisis intervention center for wayward teens in Louisiana that he ran for five years. By that time, the music bug had bit him again and he spent the rest of his life recording and performing.
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Balance And Composure & Tigers Jaw announce split
Fellow Pennsylvanians Balance And Composure (Doylestown) and Tigers Jaw (Scranton) have each contributed a handful of brand new songs for an upcoming split release on No Sleep and Run For Cover Records, the former handling the CD version while the latter takes on vinyl duties.
Featuring four new tracks from each band, plus a bonus digital-only offering from Balance And Composure, the split was recorded by Vince Ratti (The Wonder Years, Circa Survive, Valencia) and will be released by the labels in CD and 12" formats on May 11, 2010. A track list an be found below and both bands are currently streaming songs from the album on their respective myspace pages.
http://www.myspace.com/balanceandcomposure
http://www.myspace.com/tigersjaw
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Knack Lead Singer Doug Fieger Passes Away
Doug Fieger, the lead singer for the 70's group the Knack, has passed away after battling lung and brain cancer. He was 57.
Feiger's earliest ambition was to work in the theater and was acting professionally by the time he was 12. One year later, he and John Courey would form the group Sky who opened for acts such as Traffic and it was their relationship with Steve Winwood that would put them in contact with British producer Jimmy Miller. Miller signed the group to a contract and, once Fieger graduated from High School, the group moved to England to record their first album.
Courey and Feiger became fixtures in the London music scene, recording their second album at Mick Jagger's house, but by the end of 1971, the group had broken up and Fieger moved to Los Angeles.
In L.A., Fieger met Bruce Gary and Berton Averre who formed a group to play area clubs. Word of mouth spread, especially after a number of high profile jam sessions and the group was signed to a management contract. The three added Prescott Niles and named their group The Knack who were the subject of a major label bidding war that was eventually won by Capitol.
In 1979, the group released the album Get the Knack which contained their signature song "My Sharona." Both hit #1 on the charts, but the group never managed to hit such heights again. The followup single, Good Girls Don't made it to #11 and their second album, But the Little Girls Understand got to #15 but it was mostly downhill from there. They split up right after the release of their third album, Round Trip.
In 1991, the original group minus Gary reformed and recorded Serious Fun which included the Mainstream Rock hit Rocket O' Love. They followed in 1998 with Zoom and 2001 with Normal As the Next Guy, neither of which found much success.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales
Week Ending 02/13/2010
1. 45 - The Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" w/pic sleeve radio promo - $4,109.99
2. 45 - Necros "Sex Drive" Touch and Go Original - $3,550.00
3. LP - Judge "Chung King Can Suck It Up" Revelation white vinyl - $3,383.33
4. LP - Damon "Song Of A Gypsy" Private Press - $3,218.00
5. 45 - Connor Cagle & The Bachelors Four "Always Let Your Good Side Show" / "Nobody Wants To See You When You're Down" Sunshine - $3,000.00
Thanks to Norm over at http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data! More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 4:00PM Eastern on Radio Dentata.
1. 45 - The Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" w/pic sleeve radio promo - $4,109.99
2. 45 - Necros "Sex Drive" Touch and Go Original - $3,550.00
3. LP - Judge "Chung King Can Suck It Up" Revelation white vinyl - $3,383.33
4. LP - Damon "Song Of A Gypsy" Private Press - $3,218.00
5. 45 - Connor Cagle & The Bachelors Four "Always Let Your Good Side Show" / "Nobody Wants To See You When You're Down" Sunshine - $3,000.00
Thanks to Norm over at http://ccdiscoveries.blogspot.com for this great data! More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 4:00PM Eastern on Radio Dentata.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
This Date In Music History-February 14
Birthdays:
Phyllis McGuire - The McGuire Sisters (1931)
Vic Briggs - Animals (1945)
Doug Simril - Steve Miller Band (1946)
Roger Fisher - Heart (1950)
Scottish drummer Kenny Hyslop - (1951)
Ice- T (Tracy Morrow) - (1959)
Rob Thomas - Matchbox 20 (1972)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1947, Tim Buckley, singer, songwriter who recorded the 1972 album 'Greetings From LA'. His singer, songwriter son Jeff Buckley drowned while swimming in 1997. Tim himself died on June 29, 1975 of a heroin and morphine overdose.
Buddy Knox ("Party Doll") died of cancer in 1999.
Mick Tucker, drummer with glam rock band Sweet, died of leukaemia in 2002.
History:
The Cuban government banned Rock n’ Roll in 1957, calling it "immoral and profane" and "offensive to public morals."
In 1958, CBS News reported that the Iranian government had banned Rock ‘n’ Roll on the grounds that it goes against Islam and is a health hazard.
In 1961, the Beatles perform at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool, and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool where they play a special Valentine's Day show. Paul McCartney sang Elvis Presley's "Wooden Heart", wearing wooden heart pinned to his coat, covered with satin and embroidered with the names "John", "Paul", "George", and "Pete". The heart was raffled off, and the winner also won a kiss from Paul.
Neil Diamond recorded "Cherry Cherry" in 1966.
Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect" in 1967.
In 1970, Billboard reported that the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) was “mounting a total war" against taped pirating of pre-recorded music.
The Who appeared at Leeds University, England in 1970. The show was recorded for the bands forthcoming 'Live At Leeds' album.
Sly & The Family Stone landed at #1 in 1970 with “Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin).”
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono started a week long run as co-hosts on 'Mike Douglas' US TV show.
David Bowie collapsed from exhaustion after a Madison Square Garden concert in New York in 1973.
In 1977, singer songwriter Janis Ian received 461 Valentine's day cards after indicating in the lyrics of her song "At Seventeen'," she had never received any.
Also in 1977, the B-52's made their first live performance appearing in a Greenhouse at a Valentines day party in Athens.
Dire Straits began recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London in 1978. The whole project cost $21,250 to produce.
Frank Zappa appeared on an episode of the television series Miami Vice in 1986. Zappa portrayed a crime boss named 'Mr. Frankie.'
Bon Jovi started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1987 with "Livin' On A Prayer," the group's second US #1, (#4 hit in the UK).
In 1990, the Rolling Stones played the first of ten nights at the Korakuen Dome, Tokyo, Japan. The shows were seen by over 500,000 fans, making the band a cool $20 million.
The film 'Waynes World' premiered in the US in 1992.
Usher started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1998 with "Nice & Slow."
In 1998, Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" set a new recorded for the most radio plays in the US with 116 million plays in one week.
Rapper Foxy Brown was at #1 on the US album chart in 1999 with ‘Chyna Doll.’
In 2000, KISS announced that they were going to do a farewell tour in makeup and then sell off the stage props from their career in an auction. And yet, they still carry on.......
In 2003, stolen reel-to-reel studio recordings by The Beatles were found in Australia. Police recovered the tapes of the bands 1968 'White album' and the 'Abbey Road' album after they were advertised for sale in a Sydney newspaper. Australian police had been tipped off by British detectives from Operation Acetone, an investigation into thefts of original Beatles music from Abbey Road studios in London in the 1960's .
In 2008, Boston’s Tom Scholz sends a letter to Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee demanding that he stop using "More Than A Feeling" at campaign events. "By using my song . . . you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed," writes the guitarist, a Barack Obama supporter. Also, ex-Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau had performed the song with Huckabee at rallies.
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the US album chart with ‘Working on a Dream’, his 16th studio album.
Phyllis McGuire - The McGuire Sisters (1931)
Vic Briggs - Animals (1945)
Doug Simril - Steve Miller Band (1946)
Roger Fisher - Heart (1950)
Scottish drummer Kenny Hyslop - (1951)
Ice- T (Tracy Morrow) - (1959)
Rob Thomas - Matchbox 20 (1972)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1947, Tim Buckley, singer, songwriter who recorded the 1972 album 'Greetings From LA'. His singer, songwriter son Jeff Buckley drowned while swimming in 1997. Tim himself died on June 29, 1975 of a heroin and morphine overdose.
Buddy Knox ("Party Doll") died of cancer in 1999.
Mick Tucker, drummer with glam rock band Sweet, died of leukaemia in 2002.
History:
The Cuban government banned Rock n’ Roll in 1957, calling it "immoral and profane" and "offensive to public morals."
In 1958, CBS News reported that the Iranian government had banned Rock ‘n’ Roll on the grounds that it goes against Islam and is a health hazard.
In 1961, the Beatles perform at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool, and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool where they play a special Valentine's Day show. Paul McCartney sang Elvis Presley's "Wooden Heart", wearing wooden heart pinned to his coat, covered with satin and embroidered with the names "John", "Paul", "George", and "Pete". The heart was raffled off, and the winner also won a kiss from Paul.
Neil Diamond recorded "Cherry Cherry" in 1966.
Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect" in 1967.
In 1970, Billboard reported that the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) was “mounting a total war" against taped pirating of pre-recorded music.
The Who appeared at Leeds University, England in 1970. The show was recorded for the bands forthcoming 'Live At Leeds' album.
Sly & The Family Stone landed at #1 in 1970 with “Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin).”
In 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono started a week long run as co-hosts on 'Mike Douglas' US TV show.
David Bowie collapsed from exhaustion after a Madison Square Garden concert in New York in 1973.
In 1977, singer songwriter Janis Ian received 461 Valentine's day cards after indicating in the lyrics of her song "At Seventeen'," she had never received any.
Also in 1977, the B-52's made their first live performance appearing in a Greenhouse at a Valentines day party in Athens.
Dire Straits began recording their first album at Basing Street Studios, London in 1978. The whole project cost $21,250 to produce.
Frank Zappa appeared on an episode of the television series Miami Vice in 1986. Zappa portrayed a crime boss named 'Mr. Frankie.'
Bon Jovi started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1987 with "Livin' On A Prayer," the group's second US #1, (#4 hit in the UK).
In 1990, the Rolling Stones played the first of ten nights at the Korakuen Dome, Tokyo, Japan. The shows were seen by over 500,000 fans, making the band a cool $20 million.
The film 'Waynes World' premiered in the US in 1992.
Usher started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1998 with "Nice & Slow."
In 1998, Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" set a new recorded for the most radio plays in the US with 116 million plays in one week.
Rapper Foxy Brown was at #1 on the US album chart in 1999 with ‘Chyna Doll.’
In 2000, KISS announced that they were going to do a farewell tour in makeup and then sell off the stage props from their career in an auction. And yet, they still carry on.......
In 2003, stolen reel-to-reel studio recordings by The Beatles were found in Australia. Police recovered the tapes of the bands 1968 'White album' and the 'Abbey Road' album after they were advertised for sale in a Sydney newspaper. Australian police had been tipped off by British detectives from Operation Acetone, an investigation into thefts of original Beatles music from Abbey Road studios in London in the 1960's .
In 2008, Boston’s Tom Scholz sends a letter to Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee demanding that he stop using "More Than A Feeling" at campaign events. "By using my song . . . you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed," writes the guitarist, a Barack Obama supporter. Also, ex-Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau had performed the song with Huckabee at rallies.
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen went to #1 on the US album chart with ‘Working on a Dream’, his 16th studio album.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Music News & Notes
PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2010 DATES - JULY 16 -18 - AT CHICAGO’S UNION PARK
The 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary this year at Chicago’s Union Park, on Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18. This three-day event will once again showcase a variety of cutting-edge, global performers on three stages in one of the most comfortable and positive festival environments in the country, all brought to fans at a fraction of the price of any other nationally renowned music festival.
In previous years, the Pitchfork Music Festival has provided attendees the opportunity to see performances by some of the world’s most innovative and flourishing young acts, often acting as a barometer for what will be popular in the coming years. Over the years artists including Animal Collective, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird, Owen Pallett, The National, The Antlers, Yeasayer, amongst many others, have been invitedto perform at burgeoning moments in their careers. The festival has also presented a diverse mix of internationally renowned and beloved acts, such as The Flaming Lips, The Jesus Lizard, Spoon, Yoko Ono, Public Enemy, Sonic Youth, Tortoise, Dinosaur Jr., Cat Power, Silver Jews, Yo La Tengo, Slint, Os Mutantes and Iron & Wine.
An independently run, consistently sold-out event, the Pitchfork Music Festival attracts 50,000 fans of all ages from 45 states and 11 countries. In addition to presenting an outstanding musical line-up at a reasonable price, the festival also offers a vast array of other activities for attendees to enjoy. With 50 individual vendors, as well as specialty fairs, the fest not only supports local businesses and the local economy, but also promotes the Chicago arts community as a whole.
Tickets for the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival will be on sale Friday, February 5th, with single-day tickets for $40 and three-day passes for $90. The first round of bands will be announced on Friday, February 5th as well. Two-day passes will not be available for purchase. This year, Friday’s performances will begin earlier to present fans with a longer first day of music. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/
Pitchfork Media is the premier destination for music criticism, news, features, and audio/video content. With more than 2 million unique readers per month and over 25 million page views, Pitchfork has earned one of the internet’s most loyal followings and a reputation as the music world’s primary tastemaker.
===================================
Luther Russell Releasing New EP in March
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Luther Russell will release the six-track "Motorbike" EP on March 15, 2010 on Wool Recordings/Ungawa.
The songs on the EP are taken from Russell's upcoming fifth solo album a double entitled "The Invisible Audience" and were selected and sequenced by Sarabeth Tucek, who also sings on "Somehow Or Another."
Musically the EP takes in the psychedelic Americana of the title track, which is reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club circa "Howl," the stripped-down blues of "A World Unknown," the power-pop of "Tomorrow's Paper," and the short, but sweet "Dead Sun Blues" and "Et Al," which sound like outtakes from "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" and "Third/Sister Lovers," respectively. What keeps these seemingly disparate influences together is Russell's effortless way with a melody and the warm, analogue sound.
"It was recorded to eight-track one-inch tape with most instruments played by yours truly," says Russell, who has produced records by Richmond Fontaine and the aforementioned Sarabeth Tucek. "People have really responded to the song "Motorbike," so I thought an EP built around it would be a nice way of calling attention to the new album."
He's not wrong, especially as the EP looks so good. As well as a digital release it will be available on an extremely limited-edition white vinyl 12-inch, which comes with a postcard shot by underground filmmaker Cam Archer. Archer, who has previously worked with Gus Van Sant and made videos for the likes of Xiu Xiu and Six Organs Of Admittance, is currently working on a video for "Motorbike."
===================================
Dire Straits Frontman Mark Knopfler Announces Solo Tour
Legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler will hit the road for a North American tour in support of his current solo album, Get Lucky, this spring.
The tour — during which Knopfler will also dip into his illustrious back catalog — begins April 8th in Seattle and criss-crosses the continent before finishing up in Albany, NY, on May 9th.
Released on September 15th, 2009, Get Lucky is the Dire Straits' lead singer and songwriter's sixth studio album and follow-up to 2007's highly successful Kill To Get Crimson.
The album was recorded at Knopfler's award-winning British Grove Studios in West London, and co-produced with longtime collaborators, engineer Chuck Ainlay and keyboardist Guy Fletcher. It also features Richard Bennett, Danny Cummings, John McCusker, Matt Rollings, and Glenn Worf.
===================================
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Vetiver, Brendan Benson and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold Team Up for Graham Nash Tribute
In 1971, Graham Nash was on a temporary break from Crosby, Stills and Nash, and had just broken up with long-time girlfriend Joni Mitchell. The emotional state he was in resulted in Songs for Beginners, which is now considered one of his greatest accomplishments.
Nearly 30 years later, Nash's daughter, Nile Nash, has teamed up with a team of indie folk icons to pay tribute to the classic album. The compilation is called Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners, and features appearances from Port O'Brien, Brendan Benson, Vetiver, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold and many others.
On top of the Songs for Beginners tribute, a handful of artists, including Johnathan Rice and Two Gallants' Tyson Vogel, took on selections from Nash's second solo album, Wild Tales. Those songs will be pressed on a limited seven-inch that will ship with the first 1,000 orders through the Grass Roots Records website. http://www.grassrootsrecordco.com/
Be Yourself will be released on May 25. Pre-orders for the album, along with the bonus seven-inch, begin on February 15.
Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners:
1. Port O'Brien and the Papercuts “Military Madness”
2. Brendan Benson “Better Days”
3. Nile Nash “Wounded Bird”
4. Vetiver “Used to be a King” 5. Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) “Be Yourself”
6. Bonnie “Prince” Billy “Simple Man (Hombre Sencillo)”
7. Moore Brothers “Man in the Mirror”
8. Alela Diane “There's Only One”
9. Mariee Sioux with Greg Weeks (Espers) “Sleep Song”
10. Sleepy Sun “Chicago”
11. Nile Nash with guests “We Can Change the World (reprise)”
Bonus EP:
1. Tyson Vogel (Two Gallants) “Hey You (Looking at the Moon)”
2. Johnathan Rice “On the Line”
3. Jonathan Wilson “And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)”
4. Bart Davenport “Better Days”
5. Citay “Military Madness”
The 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary this year at Chicago’s Union Park, on Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18. This three-day event will once again showcase a variety of cutting-edge, global performers on three stages in one of the most comfortable and positive festival environments in the country, all brought to fans at a fraction of the price of any other nationally renowned music festival.
In previous years, the Pitchfork Music Festival has provided attendees the opportunity to see performances by some of the world’s most innovative and flourishing young acts, often acting as a barometer for what will be popular in the coming years. Over the years artists including Animal Collective, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird, Owen Pallett, The National, The Antlers, Yeasayer, amongst many others, have been invitedto perform at burgeoning moments in their careers. The festival has also presented a diverse mix of internationally renowned and beloved acts, such as The Flaming Lips, The Jesus Lizard, Spoon, Yoko Ono, Public Enemy, Sonic Youth, Tortoise, Dinosaur Jr., Cat Power, Silver Jews, Yo La Tengo, Slint, Os Mutantes and Iron & Wine.
An independently run, consistently sold-out event, the Pitchfork Music Festival attracts 50,000 fans of all ages from 45 states and 11 countries. In addition to presenting an outstanding musical line-up at a reasonable price, the festival also offers a vast array of other activities for attendees to enjoy. With 50 individual vendors, as well as specialty fairs, the fest not only supports local businesses and the local economy, but also promotes the Chicago arts community as a whole.
Tickets for the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival will be on sale Friday, February 5th, with single-day tickets for $40 and three-day passes for $90. The first round of bands will be announced on Friday, February 5th as well. Two-day passes will not be available for purchase. This year, Friday’s performances will begin earlier to present fans with a longer first day of music. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/
Pitchfork Media is the premier destination for music criticism, news, features, and audio/video content. With more than 2 million unique readers per month and over 25 million page views, Pitchfork has earned one of the internet’s most loyal followings and a reputation as the music world’s primary tastemaker.
===================================
Luther Russell Releasing New EP in March
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Luther Russell will release the six-track "Motorbike" EP on March 15, 2010 on Wool Recordings/Ungawa.
The songs on the EP are taken from Russell's upcoming fifth solo album a double entitled "The Invisible Audience" and were selected and sequenced by Sarabeth Tucek, who also sings on "Somehow Or Another."
Musically the EP takes in the psychedelic Americana of the title track, which is reminiscent of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club circa "Howl," the stripped-down blues of "A World Unknown," the power-pop of "Tomorrow's Paper," and the short, but sweet "Dead Sun Blues" and "Et Al," which sound like outtakes from "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" and "Third/Sister Lovers," respectively. What keeps these seemingly disparate influences together is Russell's effortless way with a melody and the warm, analogue sound.
"It was recorded to eight-track one-inch tape with most instruments played by yours truly," says Russell, who has produced records by Richmond Fontaine and the aforementioned Sarabeth Tucek. "People have really responded to the song "Motorbike," so I thought an EP built around it would be a nice way of calling attention to the new album."
He's not wrong, especially as the EP looks so good. As well as a digital release it will be available on an extremely limited-edition white vinyl 12-inch, which comes with a postcard shot by underground filmmaker Cam Archer. Archer, who has previously worked with Gus Van Sant and made videos for the likes of Xiu Xiu and Six Organs Of Admittance, is currently working on a video for "Motorbike."
===================================
Dire Straits Frontman Mark Knopfler Announces Solo Tour
Legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler will hit the road for a North American tour in support of his current solo album, Get Lucky, this spring.
The tour — during which Knopfler will also dip into his illustrious back catalog — begins April 8th in Seattle and criss-crosses the continent before finishing up in Albany, NY, on May 9th.
Released on September 15th, 2009, Get Lucky is the Dire Straits' lead singer and songwriter's sixth studio album and follow-up to 2007's highly successful Kill To Get Crimson.
The album was recorded at Knopfler's award-winning British Grove Studios in West London, and co-produced with longtime collaborators, engineer Chuck Ainlay and keyboardist Guy Fletcher. It also features Richard Bennett, Danny Cummings, John McCusker, Matt Rollings, and Glenn Worf.
===================================
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Vetiver, Brendan Benson and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold Team Up for Graham Nash Tribute
In 1971, Graham Nash was on a temporary break from Crosby, Stills and Nash, and had just broken up with long-time girlfriend Joni Mitchell. The emotional state he was in resulted in Songs for Beginners, which is now considered one of his greatest accomplishments.
Nearly 30 years later, Nash's daughter, Nile Nash, has teamed up with a team of indie folk icons to pay tribute to the classic album. The compilation is called Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners, and features appearances from Port O'Brien, Brendan Benson, Vetiver, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold and many others.
On top of the Songs for Beginners tribute, a handful of artists, including Johnathan Rice and Two Gallants' Tyson Vogel, took on selections from Nash's second solo album, Wild Tales. Those songs will be pressed on a limited seven-inch that will ship with the first 1,000 orders through the Grass Roots Records website. http://www.grassrootsrecordco.com/
Be Yourself will be released on May 25. Pre-orders for the album, along with the bonus seven-inch, begin on February 15.
Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs for Beginners:
1. Port O'Brien and the Papercuts “Military Madness”
2. Brendan Benson “Better Days”
3. Nile Nash “Wounded Bird”
4. Vetiver “Used to be a King” 5. Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) “Be Yourself”
6. Bonnie “Prince” Billy “Simple Man (Hombre Sencillo)”
7. Moore Brothers “Man in the Mirror”
8. Alela Diane “There's Only One”
9. Mariee Sioux with Greg Weeks (Espers) “Sleep Song”
10. Sleepy Sun “Chicago”
11. Nile Nash with guests “We Can Change the World (reprise)”
Bonus EP:
1. Tyson Vogel (Two Gallants) “Hey You (Looking at the Moon)”
2. Johnathan Rice “On the Line”
3. Jonathan Wilson “And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)”
4. Bart Davenport “Better Days”
5. Citay “Military Madness”
Friday, February 12, 2010
Michael Fremer Review
Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/ for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.
ALBUM REVIEW:
Neil Young (new reissue)
Neil Young Official Release Series Discs 1-4 Box Set
Warner Brothers/Reprise 4 180g LP, numbered Box Set
Produced by: Neil Young, Jack Nitzsche, David Briggs, Elliot Mazer, others
Engineered by: various engineers
Mixed by: various mixers
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-02-01
When Buffalo Springfield broke up, Neil Young set about building his solo career. The high-production work with Jack Nitzsche that had created classics like “Expecting to Fly” and “Broken Arrow” brought Neil back to the producer/keyboardist/orchestrator, who gained fame working with Phil Spector but the results on Young’s eponymous debut album were not as memorable. In fact, many critics and fans alike back in 1969 considered the album a disappointment and a misstep.
The “overproduction” charge was compounded by two issues: first was the original mix that buried Young’s voice, second was the label’s disastrous choice to master using the Haeco-CSG system. Invented by Howard Holzer, A&M’s chief engineer, Haeco-CSG was about cost cutting not sonic improvement.
By the late ‘60s, stereo had taken hold among album buying youngsters but most rock was still heard on AM radio or FM in the car, which was mostly monophonic. Stereo records played back monophonically usually produced terrible results: folding stereo down to mono upped common L/R information by 3 dB, which is major. That means vocals placed in both channels so they’d appear in the phantom center channel would be way too loud in mono. Not many rock singers of the era needed that kind of exposure, so Holzer invented a system to deal with the problem.
Unfortunately, his solution was to phase-shift common L/R right information so that it didn’t get the 3dB boost. Imagine, though, what happened to image focus and soundstage clarity! It produced a sonic mess that ruined many releases of the era, including Neil’s debut and Roots The Everly Brothers’ superb “comeback” album that inexplicably hasn’t been reissued yet on vinyl.
Neil remixed the first album, made sure it was mastered without Haeco-CSG and put a wide banner with his name on it at the top of the front cover in an effort to save the debut but it was too late. The album never recovered. Relatively rare original pressings with the first cover, mix and Haeco-CSG processing were quite collectible for a time, going for hundreds of dollars. I’m not sure what the going rate is today.
Time has actually been kind to Young’s debut. “The Loner” and “I’ve Been Waiting For You” are fuzz-tone laden standouts. “I’ve Loved Her Too Long” maintains its warm grip and even the surreal, Dylanesque overreach of “The Last Trip to Tulsa,” with Young’s acoustic guitar center stage and his voice off on the right channel, arrives nicely burnished through the time tunnel.
One could argue that the first album isn’t a high priority but no one would say that of the next three in this four, 180g LP box set: Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, After the Goldrush and Harvest.
With a set list that includes “Cinnamon Girl,” the title tune, “Round and Round,” “Down By The River,” and “Cowgirl In The Sand,” the second album with Crazy Horse is a hard-rocking, no-nonsense follow-up to the tentative debut and contains no filler. But surely you didn’t need to be told that.
Nor do you need to be told about the enduring folk/rock brilliance of After the Goldrush or Young’s greatest album chart success Harvest. If you do, you’re not forking over the big bucks for this 180g box set anyway. You’re more likely to opt for a 140g individual album or two.
What you’re really interested in hearing about is the sound quality of these reissues. But first a word about the packaging: Warner Brothers has gone to the trouble and expense of using deluxe paper over cardboard jackets that are authentic to the originals, though there are barcodes, new catalog numbers and updated mastering credits— all tastefully and respectfully done. All original posters and inserts are included. Pick up the new Harvest and you’ll be hard-pressed to tell it from the original, so perfectly does the new, thick outer paper stock match the original.
What’s very different about these reissues though, is the sound: I have multiple originals of all of them, including both the original Haeco-CSG version of the debut album and the re-do (obviously, though Warner Brothers and Young went with the original cover, the second mix was used) and I have to tell you, these reissues, mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman and pressed at Pallas in Germany (buy a copy of my second DVD It’s a Vinyl World, After All and you can take a guided tour of Pallas, shot in high definition), sound far superior to the originals.
Look, I’ve been listening to these four albums for up to forty years now and I was not prepared for what I heard on all four of these albums. Grundman’s chain is sounding better than ever after what I hear are a series of upgrades.
Starting with the second album, Young arranged for multiple voices, often his own multi-tracked, but never before have the individual voices been so clearly locked in three dimensional space and timbrally distinct. The way the voices project into 3D space (including Young’s main centered one) is positively eerie (assuming your system can reproduced this, because trust me, it’s in the grooves in a way it’s not on the originals). Instrumental textures are far richer, fuller and better defined. Harmonics are fully fleshed out. Reverb trails extend to infinity before disappearing into background pitch blackness. There is so much more there there in every respect, it’s almost stupefying.
You can see Young before the microphone and experience every little vocal tick and breath pressurization. It’s not important because you can hear these details. It’s important because hearing them imparts greater meaning to the proceeding and certainly a greater appreciation of his singing and the deliberateness of his communications skills.
I wish I could tell you that the 140g versions, pressed, I assume, from the same stampers, sounded as good, but even correcting for the VTA/SRA differences, they don’t. They do sound plenty good, mind you, and better than the originals, but not quite as good as the 180g versions contained in the box set. And good as the Blu-ray versions are at 192k/24 bit, they don’t touch the vinyl.
So, my advice is: when the numbered, limited edition box is finally introduced shortly, if you’re as big a Neil fan as I am, don’t hesitate until it’s too late. Buy and enjoy this box set.
Warner Brothers, thanks to the tireless and meticulous efforts of Warner Brothers Senior Vice President and vinyl fanatic Tom Biery, demonstrates yet again, that it is possible for a major label to do vinyl correctly: cutting from analog masters, pressing at the best plants and packaging to provide fans with the genuine experience. It’s sad that the others don’t have the will to properly manage the task.
Neil Young (new reissue)
Neil Young Official Release Series Discs 1-4 Box Set
Warner Brothers/Reprise 4 180g LP, numbered Box Set
Produced by: Neil Young, Jack Nitzsche, David Briggs, Elliot Mazer, others
Engineered by: various engineers
Mixed by: various mixers
Mastered by: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-02-01
When Buffalo Springfield broke up, Neil Young set about building his solo career. The high-production work with Jack Nitzsche that had created classics like “Expecting to Fly” and “Broken Arrow” brought Neil back to the producer/keyboardist/orchestrator, who gained fame working with Phil Spector but the results on Young’s eponymous debut album were not as memorable. In fact, many critics and fans alike back in 1969 considered the album a disappointment and a misstep.
The “overproduction” charge was compounded by two issues: first was the original mix that buried Young’s voice, second was the label’s disastrous choice to master using the Haeco-CSG system. Invented by Howard Holzer, A&M’s chief engineer, Haeco-CSG was about cost cutting not sonic improvement.
By the late ‘60s, stereo had taken hold among album buying youngsters but most rock was still heard on AM radio or FM in the car, which was mostly monophonic. Stereo records played back monophonically usually produced terrible results: folding stereo down to mono upped common L/R information by 3 dB, which is major. That means vocals placed in both channels so they’d appear in the phantom center channel would be way too loud in mono. Not many rock singers of the era needed that kind of exposure, so Holzer invented a system to deal with the problem.
Unfortunately, his solution was to phase-shift common L/R right information so that it didn’t get the 3dB boost. Imagine, though, what happened to image focus and soundstage clarity! It produced a sonic mess that ruined many releases of the era, including Neil’s debut and Roots The Everly Brothers’ superb “comeback” album that inexplicably hasn’t been reissued yet on vinyl.
Neil remixed the first album, made sure it was mastered without Haeco-CSG and put a wide banner with his name on it at the top of the front cover in an effort to save the debut but it was too late. The album never recovered. Relatively rare original pressings with the first cover, mix and Haeco-CSG processing were quite collectible for a time, going for hundreds of dollars. I’m not sure what the going rate is today.
Time has actually been kind to Young’s debut. “The Loner” and “I’ve Been Waiting For You” are fuzz-tone laden standouts. “I’ve Loved Her Too Long” maintains its warm grip and even the surreal, Dylanesque overreach of “The Last Trip to Tulsa,” with Young’s acoustic guitar center stage and his voice off on the right channel, arrives nicely burnished through the time tunnel.
One could argue that the first album isn’t a high priority but no one would say that of the next three in this four, 180g LP box set: Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, After the Goldrush and Harvest.
With a set list that includes “Cinnamon Girl,” the title tune, “Round and Round,” “Down By The River,” and “Cowgirl In The Sand,” the second album with Crazy Horse is a hard-rocking, no-nonsense follow-up to the tentative debut and contains no filler. But surely you didn’t need to be told that.
Nor do you need to be told about the enduring folk/rock brilliance of After the Goldrush or Young’s greatest album chart success Harvest. If you do, you’re not forking over the big bucks for this 180g box set anyway. You’re more likely to opt for a 140g individual album or two.
What you’re really interested in hearing about is the sound quality of these reissues. But first a word about the packaging: Warner Brothers has gone to the trouble and expense of using deluxe paper over cardboard jackets that are authentic to the originals, though there are barcodes, new catalog numbers and updated mastering credits— all tastefully and respectfully done. All original posters and inserts are included. Pick up the new Harvest and you’ll be hard-pressed to tell it from the original, so perfectly does the new, thick outer paper stock match the original.
What’s very different about these reissues though, is the sound: I have multiple originals of all of them, including both the original Haeco-CSG version of the debut album and the re-do (obviously, though Warner Brothers and Young went with the original cover, the second mix was used) and I have to tell you, these reissues, mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman and pressed at Pallas in Germany (buy a copy of my second DVD It’s a Vinyl World, After All and you can take a guided tour of Pallas, shot in high definition), sound far superior to the originals.
Look, I’ve been listening to these four albums for up to forty years now and I was not prepared for what I heard on all four of these albums. Grundman’s chain is sounding better than ever after what I hear are a series of upgrades.
Starting with the second album, Young arranged for multiple voices, often his own multi-tracked, but never before have the individual voices been so clearly locked in three dimensional space and timbrally distinct. The way the voices project into 3D space (including Young’s main centered one) is positively eerie (assuming your system can reproduced this, because trust me, it’s in the grooves in a way it’s not on the originals). Instrumental textures are far richer, fuller and better defined. Harmonics are fully fleshed out. Reverb trails extend to infinity before disappearing into background pitch blackness. There is so much more there there in every respect, it’s almost stupefying.
You can see Young before the microphone and experience every little vocal tick and breath pressurization. It’s not important because you can hear these details. It’s important because hearing them imparts greater meaning to the proceeding and certainly a greater appreciation of his singing and the deliberateness of his communications skills.
I wish I could tell you that the 140g versions, pressed, I assume, from the same stampers, sounded as good, but even correcting for the VTA/SRA differences, they don’t. They do sound plenty good, mind you, and better than the originals, but not quite as good as the 180g versions contained in the box set. And good as the Blu-ray versions are at 192k/24 bit, they don’t touch the vinyl.
So, my advice is: when the numbered, limited edition box is finally introduced shortly, if you’re as big a Neil fan as I am, don’t hesitate until it’s too late. Buy and enjoy this box set.
Warner Brothers, thanks to the tireless and meticulous efforts of Warner Brothers Senior Vice President and vinyl fanatic Tom Biery, demonstrates yet again, that it is possible for a major label to do vinyl correctly: cutting from analog masters, pressing at the best plants and packaging to provide fans with the genuine experience. It’s sad that the others don’t have the will to properly manage the task.
Music News & Notes
Japandroids Announce Singles Series
Vancouver's Japandroids have announced that they'll be releasing five new singles this year in order to give the people what they want (raucous, heart-on-sleeve rock, obviously). The singles, the first of which is due out on April 13, will feature songs that were recorded during the Post-Nothing sessions on the a-side and covers on the b-side. Thusly, yhe first single, titled "Art Czars," will be backed with a cover of Big Black's "Racer X."
===============================
Robert Plant Recording Album With Buddy Miller
Led Zeppelin veteran Robert Plant is recording an album for release later this year which is being produced by Americana singer/songwriter Buddy Miller. The word leaked out earlier today in Bristol, Tennessee's Herald Courier as part of an article on songwriter and instrumentalist Darell Scott.
Scott is quoted in the article as saying “Those two-plus weeks were some of the most memorable times I’ve ever had in the studio. The number-one thing is that Robert loves music. You think they’re posing and just getting through it, but I was humbled with how Robert Plant loved the music – old country, blues, rockabilly.”
While the actual contents of the album are not known, the article mentions that Plant recorded the traditional song Cindy.
Plant will be performing February 25 at London's famed Abbey Road Studios with a 72-voice choir and American singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman. The concert is for the charity Cancer Research UK.
===============================
The Apples In Stereo Announce New Album In Their New Musical Scale
On April 20th, studio obsessed indie-pop band The Apples in Stereo will unleash the cosmic happiness that is "Travellers in Space and Time" (Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6). And on April 16, the band kicks off a US tour in support of the album.
Continuing the tradition of curating support acts on their tours, The Apples will be joined on the road by New Orleans band Generationals (Park the Van) and Athens band Laminated Cat who recently released their debut album "Umbrella Weather" through Garden Gate Records.
"We choose bands to tour with based on who we want to listen to every single night, and who we want to turn other people on to," enthuses The Apples' Robert Schneider. "The Generationals are a fantastic band with strong songs and interesting productions - plus we have the Louisiana connection going on, with my having grown up in Ruston. Laminated Cat are the best young psychedelic band in the world, in my opinion - one of my favorite bands, beautiful and strange, like Syd Barrett riding on the Olivia Tremor Control. This tour is going to be awesome!"
As some of you may already be aware, Schneider has invented a new musical scale called the Non-Pythagorean Musical Scale. The scale was first included on the band's last studio album, "New Magnetic Wonder." To expand upon it, "Travellers in Space and Time," includes "C.P.U.," the first pop song ever written with this new scale.
===============================
Bonnaroo Announces 2010 Lineup
Superfly Productions and A.C. Entertainment are excited to announce the initial lineup for the 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The ninth annual four-day camping and music festival will be held on June 10 - 13 on the same beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville. A full list of confirmed acts follows, and more will be announced in the coming weeks. The final Bonnaroo 2010 lineup will total over 125 bands and over 20 comedians performing on 13 stages over four days. Tickets are on sale now exclusively at bonnaroo.com.
Perhaps bringing you the most diverse and ambitious lineup to date, the 2010 event draws world-class acts from a staggering range of musical worlds. This year the festival features the Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Weezer, Flaming Lips performing Dark Side Of The Moon, The Dead Weather, Phoenix, John Fogerty, Jimmy Cliff, Tenacious D, Zac Brown Band, Avett Brothers, Norah Jones, LCD Soundsystem, Tori Amos, The National, Jeff Beck, Michael Franti, Against Me!, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Baaba Maal, The Melvins, Thievery Corporation to name but a small portion of the deep lineup. Wonder's Bonnaroo performance marks a rare festival appearance for the legend, whose illustrious songbook continues to be as influential and significant today as ever. Bonnaroo veterans Kings of Leon are the first band in the history of the festival to start on a tent stage and work their way up to the coveted headlining slot. They were first booked to play a tent stage early in the day in 2004. They have gone on to perform at Bonnaroo several times, each appearance bigger than the last. This will be one of the very few appearances the band will make in 2010.
The largest and most revered music and camping event in the country, Bonnaroo has elevated the American rock festival to an unprecedented level. As the only round-the-clock major US music festival, Bonnaroo packs an unparalleled amount of entertainment options into its four days. The event has offered its attendees the amenities and community spirit of a small city, with 24 hours of activities including a comedy theater, cinema festival, jazz club, silent disco, arcade, Internet cafés, restaurants, yoga classes and hundreds of high quality craft vendors. Since its inception, Bonnaroo swiftly earned its status as the country's premier music and arts event. The Wall Street Journal called Bonnaroo "one of rock's best festivals," continuing to hail that the 2009 lineup "fairly bursts with some of the most gifted acts in rock and pop." Entertainment Weekly called it "the best of all sonic worlds," while the New York Times said, "Bonnaroo's very loose mandate - and a wise one for any festival - is to choose performers who deliver in a live performance, with current hits and studio expertise as lower priorities. One of the pleasures of the festival is that it defies narrowcasting: It's not an Americana festival, an indie-rock festival, a gathering of 2008-9 hitmakers or anything but what its producers and, presumably, ticket-buyers are happy to hear." Rolling Stone called Bonnaroo "one of the 50 moments to change the history of rock and roll."
Once again, Bonnaroo has created a couple of unique ticketing options for its fans. The festival is offering a special payment plan in whichtickets will be available for five (5) payments of $50.00 plus applicable fees. In addition, fans will have the option to purchase a Bonnaroo Green Ticket that will help to support the development and implementation of sustainable improvements at the festival for years to come. Festival organizers are constantly looking for ways to be aggressive with mitigating the event's environmental impact and raising awareness about green issues.
As part of Fuse's three-year deal with Bonnaroo, the network will be back as the exclusive television partner of the festival. Fuse will be reporting live from Bonnaroo throughout the weekend and will air a special, featuring interviews with the hottest bands and performances from this year's star-studded lineup.
2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists:
•Dave Matthews Band
•Kings of Leon
•Stevie Wonder
•Jay-Z
•Tenacious D
•Weezer
•The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon"
•The Dead Weather
•Damian Marley & Nas
•Phoenix
•Norah Jones
•Michael Franti & Spearhead
•John Fogerty
•Regina Spektor
•Jimmy Cliff
•LCD Soundsystem
•The Avett Brothers
•Thievery Corporation
•Rise Against
•Tori Amos
•The National
•Zac Brown Band
•Les Claypool
•John Prine
•The Black Keys
•Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
•Jeff Beck
•Dropkick Murphys
•She & Him
•Against Me!
•The Disco Biscuits
•Daryl Hall & Chromeo
•Jamey Johnson
•Clutch
•Bassnectar
•Kid Cudi
•Baaba Maal
•Kris Kristofferson
•Medeski Martin & Wood
•The xx
•GWAR
•Dan Deacon Ensemble
•Tinariwen
•Wale
•Deadmau5
•The Melvins
•Gaslight Anthem
•Miike Snow
•Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
•Dr. Dog
•They Might Be Giants
•Punch Brothers
•Isis
•Blitzen Trapper
•Blues Traveler
•Miranda Lambert
•Calexico
•OK Go
•Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
•Martin Sexton
•Lotus
•Baroness
•Dave Rawlings Machine
•Mayer Hawthorne and the County
•Japandroids
•Jay Electronica
•Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
•Ingrid Michaelson
•The Dodos
•Manchester Orchestra
•The Temper Trap
•Cross Canadian Ragweed
•Big Sam's Funky Nation
•Carolina Chocolate Drops
•Tokyo Police Club
•The Entrance Band
•Local Natives
•Brandi Carlile
•Mumford & Sons
•Rebelution
•Diane Birch
•Monte Montgomery
•Julia Nunes
•The Postelles
•Lucero
•Here We Go Magic
•Hot Rize
•Neon Indian
•B.O.B
•Needtobreathe
Vancouver's Japandroids have announced that they'll be releasing five new singles this year in order to give the people what they want (raucous, heart-on-sleeve rock, obviously). The singles, the first of which is due out on April 13, will feature songs that were recorded during the Post-Nothing sessions on the a-side and covers on the b-side. Thusly, yhe first single, titled "Art Czars," will be backed with a cover of Big Black's "Racer X."
===============================
Robert Plant Recording Album With Buddy Miller
Led Zeppelin veteran Robert Plant is recording an album for release later this year which is being produced by Americana singer/songwriter Buddy Miller. The word leaked out earlier today in Bristol, Tennessee's Herald Courier as part of an article on songwriter and instrumentalist Darell Scott.
Scott is quoted in the article as saying “Those two-plus weeks were some of the most memorable times I’ve ever had in the studio. The number-one thing is that Robert loves music. You think they’re posing and just getting through it, but I was humbled with how Robert Plant loved the music – old country, blues, rockabilly.”
While the actual contents of the album are not known, the article mentions that Plant recorded the traditional song Cindy.
Plant will be performing February 25 at London's famed Abbey Road Studios with a 72-voice choir and American singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman. The concert is for the charity Cancer Research UK.
===============================
The Apples In Stereo Announce New Album In Their New Musical Scale
On April 20th, studio obsessed indie-pop band The Apples in Stereo will unleash the cosmic happiness that is "Travellers in Space and Time" (Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6). And on April 16, the band kicks off a US tour in support of the album.
Continuing the tradition of curating support acts on their tours, The Apples will be joined on the road by New Orleans band Generationals (Park the Van) and Athens band Laminated Cat who recently released their debut album "Umbrella Weather" through Garden Gate Records.
"We choose bands to tour with based on who we want to listen to every single night, and who we want to turn other people on to," enthuses The Apples' Robert Schneider. "The Generationals are a fantastic band with strong songs and interesting productions - plus we have the Louisiana connection going on, with my having grown up in Ruston. Laminated Cat are the best young psychedelic band in the world, in my opinion - one of my favorite bands, beautiful and strange, like Syd Barrett riding on the Olivia Tremor Control. This tour is going to be awesome!"
As some of you may already be aware, Schneider has invented a new musical scale called the Non-Pythagorean Musical Scale. The scale was first included on the band's last studio album, "New Magnetic Wonder." To expand upon it, "Travellers in Space and Time," includes "C.P.U.," the first pop song ever written with this new scale.
===============================
Bonnaroo Announces 2010 Lineup
Superfly Productions and A.C. Entertainment are excited to announce the initial lineup for the 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The ninth annual four-day camping and music festival will be held on June 10 - 13 on the same beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville. A full list of confirmed acts follows, and more will be announced in the coming weeks. The final Bonnaroo 2010 lineup will total over 125 bands and over 20 comedians performing on 13 stages over four days. Tickets are on sale now exclusively at bonnaroo.com.
Perhaps bringing you the most diverse and ambitious lineup to date, the 2010 event draws world-class acts from a staggering range of musical worlds. This year the festival features the Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Weezer, Flaming Lips performing Dark Side Of The Moon, The Dead Weather, Phoenix, John Fogerty, Jimmy Cliff, Tenacious D, Zac Brown Band, Avett Brothers, Norah Jones, LCD Soundsystem, Tori Amos, The National, Jeff Beck, Michael Franti, Against Me!, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Baaba Maal, The Melvins, Thievery Corporation to name but a small portion of the deep lineup. Wonder's Bonnaroo performance marks a rare festival appearance for the legend, whose illustrious songbook continues to be as influential and significant today as ever. Bonnaroo veterans Kings of Leon are the first band in the history of the festival to start on a tent stage and work their way up to the coveted headlining slot. They were first booked to play a tent stage early in the day in 2004. They have gone on to perform at Bonnaroo several times, each appearance bigger than the last. This will be one of the very few appearances the band will make in 2010.
The largest and most revered music and camping event in the country, Bonnaroo has elevated the American rock festival to an unprecedented level. As the only round-the-clock major US music festival, Bonnaroo packs an unparalleled amount of entertainment options into its four days. The event has offered its attendees the amenities and community spirit of a small city, with 24 hours of activities including a comedy theater, cinema festival, jazz club, silent disco, arcade, Internet cafés, restaurants, yoga classes and hundreds of high quality craft vendors. Since its inception, Bonnaroo swiftly earned its status as the country's premier music and arts event. The Wall Street Journal called Bonnaroo "one of rock's best festivals," continuing to hail that the 2009 lineup "fairly bursts with some of the most gifted acts in rock and pop." Entertainment Weekly called it "the best of all sonic worlds," while the New York Times said, "Bonnaroo's very loose mandate - and a wise one for any festival - is to choose performers who deliver in a live performance, with current hits and studio expertise as lower priorities. One of the pleasures of the festival is that it defies narrowcasting: It's not an Americana festival, an indie-rock festival, a gathering of 2008-9 hitmakers or anything but what its producers and, presumably, ticket-buyers are happy to hear." Rolling Stone called Bonnaroo "one of the 50 moments to change the history of rock and roll."
Once again, Bonnaroo has created a couple of unique ticketing options for its fans. The festival is offering a special payment plan in whichtickets will be available for five (5) payments of $50.00 plus applicable fees. In addition, fans will have the option to purchase a Bonnaroo Green Ticket that will help to support the development and implementation of sustainable improvements at the festival for years to come. Festival organizers are constantly looking for ways to be aggressive with mitigating the event's environmental impact and raising awareness about green issues.
As part of Fuse's three-year deal with Bonnaroo, the network will be back as the exclusive television partner of the festival. Fuse will be reporting live from Bonnaroo throughout the weekend and will air a special, featuring interviews with the hottest bands and performances from this year's star-studded lineup.
2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists:
•Dave Matthews Band
•Kings of Leon
•Stevie Wonder
•Jay-Z
•Tenacious D
•Weezer
•The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon"
•The Dead Weather
•Damian Marley & Nas
•Phoenix
•Norah Jones
•Michael Franti & Spearhead
•John Fogerty
•Regina Spektor
•Jimmy Cliff
•LCD Soundsystem
•The Avett Brothers
•Thievery Corporation
•Rise Against
•Tori Amos
•The National
•Zac Brown Band
•Les Claypool
•John Prine
•The Black Keys
•Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
•Jeff Beck
•Dropkick Murphys
•She & Him
•Against Me!
•The Disco Biscuits
•Daryl Hall & Chromeo
•Jamey Johnson
•Clutch
•Bassnectar
•Kid Cudi
•Baaba Maal
•Kris Kristofferson
•Medeski Martin & Wood
•The xx
•GWAR
•Dan Deacon Ensemble
•Tinariwen
•Wale
•Deadmau5
•The Melvins
•Gaslight Anthem
•Miike Snow
•Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
•Dr. Dog
•They Might Be Giants
•Punch Brothers
•Isis
•Blitzen Trapper
•Blues Traveler
•Miranda Lambert
•Calexico
•OK Go
•Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
•Martin Sexton
•Lotus
•Baroness
•Dave Rawlings Machine
•Mayer Hawthorne and the County
•Japandroids
•Jay Electronica
•Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
•Ingrid Michaelson
•The Dodos
•Manchester Orchestra
•The Temper Trap
•Cross Canadian Ragweed
•Big Sam's Funky Nation
•Carolina Chocolate Drops
•Tokyo Police Club
•The Entrance Band
•Local Natives
•Brandi Carlile
•Mumford & Sons
•Rebelution
•Diane Birch
•Monte Montgomery
•Julia Nunes
•The Postelles
•Lucero
•Here We Go Magic
•Hot Rize
•Neon Indian
•B.O.B
•Needtobreathe
Local brewfest combines beer and vinyl
KLCC’s Microbrew Festival showcases a variety of exclusive brews and vintage tracks
By Andrew Hitz | Scene reporter
Radio station KLCC’s annual Microbrew Festival is bringing some of Oregon’s best brewers to town.
The two-day festival kicks off Friday and will showcase 50 small breweries from as near as the Pacific Northwest and from as far away as Belgium, and many of the brews were made exclusively for the festival.
KLCC, Lane Community College’s licensed National Public Radio broadcaster, has been hosting the event for nearly two decades as the station’s primary fundraiser. “Our motto is ‘Keeping the fun in fundraiser,’” organizer Gayle Chisholm said.
The event is more than just a beer-tasting extravaganza. The festival has more than 100
different small-batch beers, but also has opportunities for people to collect old vinyl records.
“Our first year, we were clearing out the records at KLCC and decided that we would sell some of them at the festival,” co-organizer Kris Fox said.
Now the station has people donate albums for them to sell at the festival to supplement what they pick from their archives.
“It’s kind of a fun activity when you’re holding a beer and flipping through vinyls,” Chisholm said.
Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.dailyemerald.com/scene/local-brewfest-combines-beer-and-vinyl-1.1125004#
By Andrew Hitz | Scene reporter
Radio station KLCC’s annual Microbrew Festival is bringing some of Oregon’s best brewers to town.
The two-day festival kicks off Friday and will showcase 50 small breweries from as near as the Pacific Northwest and from as far away as Belgium, and many of the brews were made exclusively for the festival.
KLCC, Lane Community College’s licensed National Public Radio broadcaster, has been hosting the event for nearly two decades as the station’s primary fundraiser. “Our motto is ‘Keeping the fun in fundraiser,’” organizer Gayle Chisholm said.
The event is more than just a beer-tasting extravaganza. The festival has more than 100
different small-batch beers, but also has opportunities for people to collect old vinyl records.
“Our first year, we were clearing out the records at KLCC and decided that we would sell some of them at the festival,” co-organizer Kris Fox said.
Now the station has people donate albums for them to sell at the festival to supplement what they pick from their archives.
“It’s kind of a fun activity when you’re holding a beer and flipping through vinyls,” Chisholm said.
Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.dailyemerald.com/scene/local-brewfest-combines-beer-and-vinyl-1.1125004#
This Date In Music History-February 12
Birthdays:
Ray Manzarek - Doors (1939)
Rick Frank - Elephant's Memory (1942)
Joe Schermie - Three Dog Night (1945)
Stanley Knight - Black Oak Arkansas (1949)
Steve Hackett - quit Genesis in 1977 for solo work (1950)
Michael McDonald - Doobie Brothers (1952)
Neil Conti - Prefab Sprout (1959)
Gary Whelan - Happy Mondays (1966)
Paul Crook - guitarist, worked with Meat Loaf, Anthrax and Sebastian Bach (1966)
Chynna Phillips, Wilson Phillips (1968)
Jim Creeggan - Barenaked Ladies (1970)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1915, Lorne Greene, star of the NBC TV show Bonanza. He had a US #1 single "Ringo," which made him the second Canadian to have a US #1 single. Greene died on September 11,1987.
Oliver ("Good Morning Starshine") died of cancer in 2000.
American bassist and songwriter John London died in 2000 (age 58). Worked with The Monkees, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
Blues singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins died in 2000 (age 70). A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, he was married nine times, spent two years in jail, was temporary blinded by one of his flaming props on stage in 1976. He recorded "I Put A Spell On You" in 1956, covered by The Animals, CCR and Nina Simone.
Born today in 1958, Grant McLennan, bass, vocals, songwriter, The Go-Betweens and solo. McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane, Australia on May 6, 2006.
Eldee Young of the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("Hang On Sloopy") and Young/Holt Unlimited ("Soulful Strut") died of a heart attack in 2007.
History:
The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single in 1961.
In 1964, the Beatles returned to New York City by train from Washington, D.C. for two performances at Carnegie Hall. There was such a demand for tickets that some extra seating was arranged surrounding the stage. Tickets ranged from $1.65 to $5.50.
In 1965, Pye Records announced that they'd signed 'the British Bob Dylan,' when they added Donovan to the label.
The law raided Rolling Stone Keith Richards’ house in 1967where they find “various substances of suspicious nature.” Richards’ legal troubles along with the drug related arrests of Mick Jagger and Brian Jones nearly halts the Stones.
Jimi Hendrix returned home to Seattle in 1968 where he received a key to the city and an honorary high school diploma. He also played for the students of Garfield High School from which he had dropped out.
In 1970, John Lennon performed "Instant Karma," on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops,' becoming the first Beatle to have appeared on the show since 1966.
"Roundabout" was released by Yes in 1972.
Al Green went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with "Let's Stay Together," his only US chart topper.
Barbra Streisand started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'A Star Is Born.'
The Police recorded their first single, 'Fall Out ' for £150 ($255) at Pathway Studios, London in 1977.
In 1977, Blondie, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and the Ramones all appeared at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, California.
Axl Rose walked off the stage during a Guns N’ Roses concert in Phoenix in 1988. Their subsequent shows supporting David Lee Roth are canceled as rumors circulate that Rose has a) lost his voice or b) been fired from the group.
Alice In Chains’ “Jar Of Flies” tops the U.S. album chart in 1994. It’s the first EP to hit #1 on the survey.
Celine Dion started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "The Power Of Love," the singers first US #1 hit.
In 1995, Van Halen, scored their first US #1 album with ‘Balance.’
Mariah Carey started a two-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with "Thank God I Found You."
In 2001 - The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Napster to stop its users from trading copyrighted material without charge.
In 2003, Former Doors drummer John Densmore took out legal action against The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger for breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band had reformed with Ex- Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Densmore said "It shouldn't be called The Doors if it's someone other than Jim Morrison singing." I agree.
During a press conference at West Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go club in 2007, Sting confirmed that The Police were getting back together. The band were set to kick off a world tour on May 28 in Vancouver, Canada, supported by Sting's son Joe Sumner's band, Fiction Plane.
In 2009, Limp Bizkit announced that they have reunited to tour and record an album, with all five original members. "We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other," reads a joint statement from singer Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland.
Also in 2009, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen landed in second and third place (behind Madonna) on Billboard's Moneymakers list, after raking in more than $157 million and $156 million, respectively, in ’08 music sales and tour revenue. The Police were #4 earning just under $110 million.
Ray Manzarek - Doors (1939)
Rick Frank - Elephant's Memory (1942)
Joe Schermie - Three Dog Night (1945)
Stanley Knight - Black Oak Arkansas (1949)
Steve Hackett - quit Genesis in 1977 for solo work (1950)
Michael McDonald - Doobie Brothers (1952)
Neil Conti - Prefab Sprout (1959)
Gary Whelan - Happy Mondays (1966)
Paul Crook - guitarist, worked with Meat Loaf, Anthrax and Sebastian Bach (1966)
Chynna Phillips, Wilson Phillips (1968)
Jim Creeggan - Barenaked Ladies (1970)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day in 1915, Lorne Greene, star of the NBC TV show Bonanza. He had a US #1 single "Ringo," which made him the second Canadian to have a US #1 single. Greene died on September 11,1987.
Oliver ("Good Morning Starshine") died of cancer in 2000.
American bassist and songwriter John London died in 2000 (age 58). Worked with The Monkees, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
Blues singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins died in 2000 (age 70). A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, he was married nine times, spent two years in jail, was temporary blinded by one of his flaming props on stage in 1976. He recorded "I Put A Spell On You" in 1956, covered by The Animals, CCR and Nina Simone.
Born today in 1958, Grant McLennan, bass, vocals, songwriter, The Go-Betweens and solo. McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane, Australia on May 6, 2006.
Eldee Young of the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("Hang On Sloopy") and Young/Holt Unlimited ("Soulful Strut") died of a heart attack in 2007.
History:
The Miracles' "Shop Around" became Motown's first million-selling single in 1961.
In 1964, the Beatles returned to New York City by train from Washington, D.C. for two performances at Carnegie Hall. There was such a demand for tickets that some extra seating was arranged surrounding the stage. Tickets ranged from $1.65 to $5.50.
In 1965, Pye Records announced that they'd signed 'the British Bob Dylan,' when they added Donovan to the label.
The law raided Rolling Stone Keith Richards’ house in 1967where they find “various substances of suspicious nature.” Richards’ legal troubles along with the drug related arrests of Mick Jagger and Brian Jones nearly halts the Stones.
Jimi Hendrix returned home to Seattle in 1968 where he received a key to the city and an honorary high school diploma. He also played for the students of Garfield High School from which he had dropped out.
In 1970, John Lennon performed "Instant Karma," on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops,' becoming the first Beatle to have appeared on the show since 1966.
"Roundabout" was released by Yes in 1972.
Al Green went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1972 with "Let's Stay Together," his only US chart topper.
Barbra Streisand started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1977 with 'A Star Is Born.'
The Police recorded their first single, 'Fall Out ' for £150 ($255) at Pathway Studios, London in 1977.
In 1977, Blondie, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and the Ramones all appeared at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, California.
Axl Rose walked off the stage during a Guns N’ Roses concert in Phoenix in 1988. Their subsequent shows supporting David Lee Roth are canceled as rumors circulate that Rose has a) lost his voice or b) been fired from the group.
Alice In Chains’ “Jar Of Flies” tops the U.S. album chart in 1994. It’s the first EP to hit #1 on the survey.
Celine Dion started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "The Power Of Love," the singers first US #1 hit.
In 1995, Van Halen, scored their first US #1 album with ‘Balance.’
Mariah Carey started a two-week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with "Thank God I Found You."
In 2001 - The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Napster to stop its users from trading copyrighted material without charge.
In 2003, Former Doors drummer John Densmore took out legal action against The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger for breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band had reformed with Ex- Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Densmore said "It shouldn't be called The Doors if it's someone other than Jim Morrison singing." I agree.
During a press conference at West Hollywood's Whisky a Go Go club in 2007, Sting confirmed that The Police were getting back together. The band were set to kick off a world tour on May 28 in Vancouver, Canada, supported by Sting's son Joe Sumner's band, Fiction Plane.
In 2009, Limp Bizkit announced that they have reunited to tour and record an album, with all five original members. "We decided we were more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than we were with each other," reads a joint statement from singer Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland.
Also in 2009, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen landed in second and third place (behind Madonna) on Billboard's Moneymakers list, after raking in more than $157 million and $156 million, respectively, in ’08 music sales and tour revenue. The Police were #4 earning just under $110 million.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne
FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8, 2010
DEAR JERRY: In the early '60s, when answer songs were very popular, it seemed like nearly every big hit was answered by someone.
What are some notable ones from that period?
—Jamie Kendell, Sandusky, Ohio
DEAR JAMIE: First, be assured we will not confuse answer songs with sequels (e.g., “It's My Party” / “Judy's Turn to Cry” [Lesley Gore]); response songs (e.g., “Southern Man” [Neil Young]) / “Sweet Home Alabama” [Lynyrd Skynyrd]; or parodies (e.g., “Downtown” [Petula Clark] / “Crazy Downtown” [Allan Sherman]); all of which are often lumped in with answer songs.
A true answer song needs to respond directly to the matters set forth in the tuneful object of its inspiration. Usually this is best accomplished by a singer of the opposite gender. They should also be released as soon as possible after the one they are answering.
For just the first half of the 1960s, I chose some first-rate examples of answer songs, each inspired by an all-time Top 40 classic:
1960: “Tell Laura I Love Her” (Ray Peterson) / “Tell Tommy I Miss Him” (Marilyn Michaels)
1960: “Please Help Me, I'm Falling” (Hank Locklin) / “(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling, Too” (Skeeter Davis)
1960: “Save the Last Dance for Me” (Drifters) / “I'll Save the Last Dance for You” (Damita Jo)
1960: “Are You Lonesome To-night?” (Elvis Presley) / “Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight (Dodie Stevens)
1960: “Chain Gang” (Sam Cooke) / “The Sound of My Man (On the Chain Gang)” (Theola Kilgore)
1960: “He'll Have to Go” (Jim Reeves) / “He'll Have to Stay” (Jeanne Black)
1960: “There's Something on Your Mind” (Bobby Marchan) / “There's Nothing on My Mind” (Teen Queens)
1960: “Shop Around” (Miracles) / “Don't Let Him Shop Around” (Debbie Dean)
1961: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (Shirelles) / “Yes I Will Love You Tomorrow” (Jon E. Holiday) and “Not Just Tomorrow, But Always” (Bertell Dache)
1961: “Daddy's Home” (Shep and the Limelites) / “Sorry, Daddy” (Sweethearts)
1961: “Mother-in-Law” (Ernie K. Doe) / “Son-in-Law” (Blossoms)
1961: “Tower of Strength” (Gene McDaniels) / “You Don't Have to Be a Tower of Strength” (Gloria Lynne)
1961: “Wooden Heart” (Joe Dowell) / “Your Heart's Not Made of Wood” (Terri Dean)
1961: “Take Good Care of My Baby” (Bobby Vee) / “You Should Know I'm Still Your Baby” (Sammi Lynn)
1961: “Hit the Road Jack” (Ray Charles) / “Well, I Told You” [to hit the road Jack] (Chantels)
1961: “Runaround Sue” (Dion) / “I'm No Run Around” (Ginger Davis and the Snaps)
1961: “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King) / “I'll Be There” (Damita Jo)
1961: “I Like It Like That” (Chris Kenner) / “I Don't Like It Like That” (Bobbettes)
1961: “Walk on By” (Leroy Van d**e) / “I'll Just Walk on By” (Margie Singleton)
1961: “Hello Walls” (Faron Young) / “Hello Fool” (Ralph Emery)
1961: “Big Bad John” (Jimmy Dean) / “Small Sad Sam” (Phil McLean)
1962: “Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello” (Elvis Presley) / “Just Tell Him Jane Said Hello” (Gerri Granger)
1962: “Roses Are Red (My Love)” (Bobby Vinton) / “Long as the Rose Is Red” (Florraine Darlin)
1962: “Bring It on Home to Me” (Sam Cooke) / “I'll Bring It on Home to You” (Carla Thomas)
1962: “Sherry” (4 Seasons) / “Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)” (Tracey Dey)
1962: “Duke of Earl” (Gene Chandler) / “Duchess of Earl” (Pearlettes)
1962: “Wolverton Mountain” (Claude King) / “I'm the Girl from Wolverton Mountain” (Jo Ann Campbell)
1962: “You Beat Me to the Punch” (Mary Wells) / “You Threw a Lucky Punch” (Gene Chandler)
1963: “Easier Said Than Done” (Essex) / “I'll Believe It When I See It” (Sierras)
1963: “Sugar Shack” (Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs) / “Sugar Shack Queen” (Georgia Lynn)
1965: “King of the Road” (Roger Miller) / “Queen of the House” (Jody Miller)
1965: “This Diamond Ring” (Gary Lewis and the Playboys) / “Gary, Please Don't Sell My Diamond Ring” (Wendy Hill)
1965: “Eve of Destruction” (Barry McGuire) / “Dawn of Correction” (Spokesmen)
IZ ZAT SO? The highest ranking answer song is “He'll Have to Stay,” by Jeanne Black, which peaked at No. 4 nationally. “He'll Have to Go” did slightly better, reaching No. 2.
Five others did make the Top 40: Jody Miller's “Queen of the House”; “I'll Be There” and “I'll Save the Last Dance for You,” both by Damita Jo; “Dawn of Correction,” by the Spokesmen; and Jo Ann Campbell's “I'm the Girl from Wolverton Mountain.”
The Spokesmen; Jon E. Holiday; Gene Chandler; and Bertell Dasch (a.k.a., Tony Orlando) are the only males on our answer song list.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net
Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/.
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
Music News & Vinyl Record Notes
Operator Please announce new album tracklisting
Operator Please have announced the release date and tracklisting of new album 'Gloves'. The Australian band release the record on April 26, preceded by new single 'Logic', which is available now on 7-inch vinyl and as a free download from Operatorplease-logic.com.
=====================================
Shane MacGowan, Bobby Gillespie, Nick Cave announce Haiti single release date Mick Jones-produced track also features Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock and Paloma Faith
The Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan is to release his star-studded version of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' hit 'I Put A Spell On You' on March 1 to raise money for earthquake-stricken Haiti, it has been announced.
MacGowan instigated the recording of the cover version of Hawkins' 1956 song shortly after the devastating earthquake struck on January 12, calling on a number of his musical friends including Nick Cave, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and The Clash's Mick Jones to help out.
The track (which Jones co-produced) will be available to download from IRL Records from March 1. All proceeds will go to the Concern charity, which strives to help the world's poorest countries.
'I Put A Spell On You' also features appearances from The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock, Paloma Faith, Eliza Doolittle and Cait O'Riordon.
MacGowan said the track is an appropriate choice for the release because he feels it is a modern day "hymn for hope and love".
=====================================
Darkthrone to release new album
The unrelenting Norwegian duo, Darkthrone, will welcome a new decade with a new album, to be released on Peaceville Records. 'Circle The Wagons,' a creative feast of metal and punk, will initially be released on vinyl on March 8th, through the Peaceville Records webstore, as an exclusive taster for the legions of metal supporters out there who still care about great music delivered the classic way. The vinyl will also include a link to download a digital version of the album, which will be available when the regular and special edition CD versions of the album are released on April 6th.
The vinyl edition can be pre-ordered now at www.peaceville.com/darkthrone. The packaging and contents of the special edition CD will be announced shortly, and will be available to pre-order from the Circle The Wagons mini-site, which will launch on February 12th.
Circle the Wagons was self-recorded at Necrohell II Studios.
Artwork for the album comes once again courtesy of Dennis Dread, notable for his talents on previous Darkthrone albums, F.O.A.D and 2008’s Dark Thrones and Black Flags
.
From their thrash and death beginnings to their ascension to the pantheon of black metal greats, Darkthrone has always refused to stand still. They continue to embrace and explore their roots and capture the real spirit of sonic greatness on Circle the Wagons.
Darkthrone sails against the tides of trend and disposable metal, uncompromising and defiant as ever, an ideology expanded upon by Darkthrone drummer/lyricist, Fenriz, when explaining the meaning behind the title...
"The new metal decade starts with our album. It is a message to the invaders of our metal domain to circle their wagons! With our own brand of heavy metal/speed metal-punk we are a constant ambush on the modern overground metal traitors. Join us in our fight against instant gratification, and let's see who stands when the smoke clears."
For more information on Darkthrone, and Circle the Wagons…
www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone
www.peaceville.com/darkthrone
=====================================
As I Lay Dying Announce the Title of their Upcoming Album
San Diego CA Grammy nominated metal outfit As I Lay Dying are pleased to announce the title of their upcoming, 5th full-length album (4th for Metal Blade) as 'The Powerless Rise.' The band is currently finishing up recording of The Powerless Rise in San Diego with producer Adam D. (Killswitch Engage). Fans can expect The Powerless Rise. to be released this spring with plans for a headline tour also slated around the same time. More information on the tour and the street date for The Powerless Rise will be made available in the coming months.
=====================================
Late Of The Pier Announce New Single Details
It's out next month...
Late Of The Pier have unveiled details about their new single. 'Best In The Class', which is taken from the band's forthcoming album, is released on March 1.
The double A-side single will be available on limited edition vinyl and digital download. Late Of The Pier's debut album, 'Fantasy Black Channel', was released in 2008.
Their new record is due out later this year along with some "something very special and very secret".
=====================================
New Millions EP To See Release on Limited Edition Vinyl this March
Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the release of MILLIONS` new EP, Panic Program. The EP will be available in 7" vinyl format and will feature 4 brand new tracks. The tracks were recorded this past November at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, IL with the band and Andy Nelson (Harpoon, Weekend Nachos) handling production duties, with mastering being taken care of by Carl Saff (Young Widows, The Atlas Moth). The press will be limited to 500 copies with 300 on green and 200 on black.
The band will hit the road in support of the EP beginning late-spring and continuing into the summer. Panic Program will see an early March vinyl-only release with pre-orders being taken via the official Brutal Panda site here. http://brutalpandarecords.com/
=====================================
JAVELINA ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!
BRUTAL PANDA RECORDS is proud to announce the forthcoming release of Philadelphia sludge warriors, JAVELINA’s second full-length LP, ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ on vinyl this October! ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ features eight brand new tracks and was recorded and mixed by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Pelican, The Gates of Slumber) at Volume Studios. The press will be limited to 500 copies with 300 on black ash vinyl and 200 on scorched red.
=====================================
RAMMING SPEED ‘Brainwreck’ Vinyl LP Now Available!
Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the release of their second LP, ‘Brainwreck’, by Boston’s new thrash heroes, Ramming Speed. ‘Brainwreck’ was recorded at New Alliance Studios (Isis, Converge, Bones Brigade) and released earlier this year via TDB Records. Available on wax for the first time this January, the record has been mastered for maximum speed and optimal sound using a vinyl-specific album master at Prairie Cat Mastering. It is strictly limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, each with a full color Ramming Speed poster insert and hypersonic neon green jackets. Order a copy now at www.brutalpandarecords.com and catch the band on tour this winter.
=====================================
FIGHT AMP ‘Manners and Praise’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!
Brutal Panda Records is teaming up with Red Sun Industries to release NJ noise-rockers FIGHT AMP’s newest full-length, ‘Manners & Praise’, on limited pearl-necklace white vinyl this winter.
‘Manners & Praise’ features 13 brand new tracks and was recorded this past summer at The Jam Room with Philip Cope (Kylesa, Baroness). Vinyl mastering will take place at Prairie Cat Mastering for optimal sound quality, and each record comes packaged with an 11?x16? poster insert. The press will be strictly limited to 500 copies
=====================================
DANTESCO's Cover Of CANDLEMASS' 'Darkness In Paradise'
Puerto Rico's epic doom metallers DANTESCO have posted their cover version of the CANDLEMASS classic "Darkness In Paradise" on their MySpace page. The track will appear on the band's new covers CD, "The Ten Commandments Of Metal", which will be released later in the year via Cruz Del Sur Music. The album will feature additional songs from BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, MERCYFUL FATE, SANCTUARY, WARLORD, SAVATAGE, METAL CHURCH, SORCERER and MANOWAR.
DANTESCO's new studio album, "We Dont Fear You God", will be released later this year through Cruz Del Sur Music. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Betrayer", "The Blood Of The Saints", "The Conqueror Worm" and "We Dont Fear You God".
=====================================
Depeche Mode designed watches to be auctioned
A dozen unique watches featuring designs based on Depeche Mode album covers are being auctioned by the band to raise money for charity. The timepieces, created by Swiss watchmaker Hublot, are being sold in conjunction with Geneva auction house Patrizzi & Co and LiveAuctioneers.com to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Each watch is based on one of Depeche Mode's twelve studio albums and also come with a variety of extras such as a deluxe vinyl version of the album, a print of the original album artwork, framed gold CD and a photograph signed by all members of the line up at the time the album was made.
The internet-only auction is currently underway and will run to February 24th.
Depeche Mode are also taking part in the Teenage Cancer Trust series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. They will take to the stage on February 17th and are supported by fellow Essex boys The Horrors.
The band follows that up with a gig at the London's O2 Arena on February 20th.
Operator Please have announced the release date and tracklisting of new album 'Gloves'. The Australian band release the record on April 26, preceded by new single 'Logic', which is available now on 7-inch vinyl and as a free download from Operatorplease-logic.com.
=====================================
Shane MacGowan, Bobby Gillespie, Nick Cave announce Haiti single release date Mick Jones-produced track also features Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock and Paloma Faith
The Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan is to release his star-studded version of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' hit 'I Put A Spell On You' on March 1 to raise money for earthquake-stricken Haiti, it has been announced.
MacGowan instigated the recording of the cover version of Hawkins' 1956 song shortly after the devastating earthquake struck on January 12, calling on a number of his musical friends including Nick Cave, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and The Clash's Mick Jones to help out.
The track (which Jones co-produced) will be available to download from IRL Records from March 1. All proceeds will go to the Concern charity, which strives to help the world's poorest countries.
'I Put A Spell On You' also features appearances from The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock, Paloma Faith, Eliza Doolittle and Cait O'Riordon.
MacGowan said the track is an appropriate choice for the release because he feels it is a modern day "hymn for hope and love".
=====================================
Darkthrone to release new album
The unrelenting Norwegian duo, Darkthrone, will welcome a new decade with a new album, to be released on Peaceville Records. 'Circle The Wagons,' a creative feast of metal and punk, will initially be released on vinyl on March 8th, through the Peaceville Records webstore, as an exclusive taster for the legions of metal supporters out there who still care about great music delivered the classic way. The vinyl will also include a link to download a digital version of the album, which will be available when the regular and special edition CD versions of the album are released on April 6th.
The vinyl edition can be pre-ordered now at www.peaceville.com/darkthrone. The packaging and contents of the special edition CD will be announced shortly, and will be available to pre-order from the Circle The Wagons mini-site, which will launch on February 12th.
Circle the Wagons was self-recorded at Necrohell II Studios.
Artwork for the album comes once again courtesy of Dennis Dread, notable for his talents on previous Darkthrone albums, F.O.A.D and 2008’s Dark Thrones and Black Flags
.
From their thrash and death beginnings to their ascension to the pantheon of black metal greats, Darkthrone has always refused to stand still. They continue to embrace and explore their roots and capture the real spirit of sonic greatness on Circle the Wagons.
Darkthrone sails against the tides of trend and disposable metal, uncompromising and defiant as ever, an ideology expanded upon by Darkthrone drummer/lyricist, Fenriz, when explaining the meaning behind the title...
"The new metal decade starts with our album. It is a message to the invaders of our metal domain to circle their wagons! With our own brand of heavy metal/speed metal-punk we are a constant ambush on the modern overground metal traitors. Join us in our fight against instant gratification, and let's see who stands when the smoke clears."
For more information on Darkthrone, and Circle the Wagons…
www.myspace.com/officialdarkthrone
www.peaceville.com/darkthrone
=====================================
As I Lay Dying Announce the Title of their Upcoming Album
San Diego CA Grammy nominated metal outfit As I Lay Dying are pleased to announce the title of their upcoming, 5th full-length album (4th for Metal Blade) as 'The Powerless Rise.' The band is currently finishing up recording of The Powerless Rise in San Diego with producer Adam D. (Killswitch Engage). Fans can expect The Powerless Rise. to be released this spring with plans for a headline tour also slated around the same time. More information on the tour and the street date for The Powerless Rise will be made available in the coming months.
=====================================
Late Of The Pier Announce New Single Details
It's out next month...
Late Of The Pier have unveiled details about their new single. 'Best In The Class', which is taken from the band's forthcoming album, is released on March 1.
The double A-side single will be available on limited edition vinyl and digital download. Late Of The Pier's debut album, 'Fantasy Black Channel', was released in 2008.
Their new record is due out later this year along with some "something very special and very secret".
=====================================
New Millions EP To See Release on Limited Edition Vinyl this March
Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the release of MILLIONS` new EP, Panic Program. The EP will be available in 7" vinyl format and will feature 4 brand new tracks. The tracks were recorded this past November at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, IL with the band and Andy Nelson (Harpoon, Weekend Nachos) handling production duties, with mastering being taken care of by Carl Saff (Young Widows, The Atlas Moth). The press will be limited to 500 copies with 300 on green and 200 on black.
The band will hit the road in support of the EP beginning late-spring and continuing into the summer. Panic Program will see an early March vinyl-only release with pre-orders being taken via the official Brutal Panda site here. http://brutalpandarecords.com/
=====================================
JAVELINA ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!
=====================================
RAMMING SPEED ‘Brainwreck’ Vinyl LP Now Available!
Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the release of their second LP, ‘Brainwreck’, by Boston’s new thrash heroes, Ramming Speed. ‘Brainwreck’ was recorded at New Alliance Studios (Isis, Converge, Bones Brigade) and released earlier this year via TDB Records. Available on wax for the first time this January, the record has been mastered for maximum speed and optimal sound using a vinyl-specific album master at Prairie Cat Mastering. It is strictly limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, each with a full color Ramming Speed poster insert and hypersonic neon green jackets. Order a copy now at www.brutalpandarecords.com and catch the band on tour this winter.
=====================================
FIGHT AMP ‘Manners and Praise’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!
Brutal Panda Records is teaming up with Red Sun Industries to release NJ noise-rockers FIGHT AMP’s newest full-length, ‘Manners & Praise’, on limited pearl-necklace white vinyl this winter.
‘Manners & Praise’ features 13 brand new tracks and was recorded this past summer at The Jam Room with Philip Cope (Kylesa, Baroness). Vinyl mastering will take place at Prairie Cat Mastering for optimal sound quality, and each record comes packaged with an 11?x16? poster insert. The press will be strictly limited to 500 copies
=====================================
DANTESCO's Cover Of CANDLEMASS' 'Darkness In Paradise'
DANTESCO's new studio album, "We Dont Fear You God", will be released later this year through Cruz Del Sur Music. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Betrayer", "The Blood Of The Saints", "The Conqueror Worm" and "We Dont Fear You God".
=====================================
Depeche Mode designed watches to be auctioned
A dozen unique watches featuring designs based on Depeche Mode album covers are being auctioned by the band to raise money for charity. The timepieces, created by Swiss watchmaker Hublot, are being sold in conjunction with Geneva auction house Patrizzi & Co and LiveAuctioneers.com to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Each watch is based on one of Depeche Mode's twelve studio albums and also come with a variety of extras such as a deluxe vinyl version of the album, a print of the original album artwork, framed gold CD and a photograph signed by all members of the line up at the time the album was made.
The internet-only auction is currently underway and will run to February 24th.
Depeche Mode are also taking part in the Teenage Cancer Trust series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. They will take to the stage on February 17th and are supported by fellow Essex boys The Horrors.
The band follows that up with a gig at the London's O2 Arena on February 20th.
This Date In Music History-February 10
Birthdays:
Don Wilson - Ventures (1937)
Roberta Flack (1937)
Jimmy Merchant - Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers (1940)
Nigel Olsson - drummer with the Elton John band (1949)
Robbie Neville (1961)
Cliff Burton - Metallica (1962)
Rosanna Tavarez –Eden’s Crush (1977)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day i n 1914, Larry Adler, mouth organist, worked as a soloist with many of the world's major symphony orchestras. He played with countless artists from Fred Astaire to George Gershwin and later with Elton John and Sting. Recorded the 1994 tribute album 'Glory Of Gershwin'. He died on August 7, 2001 (age 87).
Born today in 1929, Jerry Goldsmith, who created the music for scores of classic movies and television shows ‘Star Trek,' ‘Planet of the Apes,' ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and ‘Dr. Kildare.’ He died after a long battle with cancer on July 21, 2004 (aged 75).
Born on this day in 1943, Ral Donner, US singer. Donner died on April 6, 1984.
Born today in 1958, Norman Harris, guitarist, songwriter and producer. He worked with The Delfonics, The Trammps and MFSB. Harris died of a heart attack on March 21, 1987.
Born on this day in 1962, Cliff Burton, bass player with Metallica. Burton was killed on September 27, 1987, when the band’s tour bus crashed as it was traveling between Stockholm and Copenhagen. He was found crushed to death under the bus.
Dave Alexander, the original bassist for The Stooges died from pneumonia in 1975 (age 28). He was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at a gig too drunk to play.
Brian Connolly singer with the 1970's Glam rock group Sweet died of kidney and liver failure in 1997 (age 47). Connolly replaced Ian Gillan (later of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) in Wainwright's Gentlemen who became Sweetshop and then shortened to Sweet.
History:
Orchestra leader Ben Selvin recorded the first known million-seller in 1919, and it was also a two sided hit, featuring "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Darandella."
In 1942, Glen Miller became the first person to be awarded a Gold disc, for his "Chattanooga Choo Choo" single.
Elvis Presley recorded his 'million-seller' "Heartbreak Hotel" on the RCA label in 1956. The 'flip' side was "I Was the One" and the record received two gold records, one for each side.
Little Richard recorded "Long Tall Sally" in 1956.
Frank Sinatra started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1958 with 'Come Fly With Me.'
Henry Mancini went to #1 on the US album chart in 1962 with the soundtrack to 'Breakfast At Tiffany's.'
Chad & Jeremy guest starred on CBS-TV's "Dick Van Dyke Show" in 1965.
In 1967, the Beatles recorded the orchestral build-up for the middle and end of ‘A Day in the Life’. At the Beatles' request, the orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty items. One violinist wore a red clown's nose, while another a fake gorilla's paw on his bow hand. Others were wearing funny hats and other assorted novelties. The recording was filmed for a possible ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’ television special which was ultimately abandoned. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith from The Monkees and Donovan also attended the session.
One hit wonder Paul Mauriat started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1968 with "Love Is Blue."
Also in 1968 - The Beatles turned all of their business affairs over to the newly formed Apple record company.
Carole King's "Tapestry" was released in 1971.
In 1972, David Bowie appeared at the Tolworth Toby Jug, London, on the opening date of his Ziggy Stardust tour.
Already hugely popular in their native U.K., T-Rex makes their U.S. debut in Seattle in 1972.
Record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car crash in 1974. He needed extensive plastic surgery that dramatically altered his looks. Details of how the accident happened were kept secret.
Elvis Presley was made a police reserve for the Memphis police in 1976.
The Clash started recording their debut album at CBS studios in London, England in 1977
Van Halen's debut album was released in 1978.
Dire Straits released “Sultans Of Swing” in 1979.
Rod Stewart started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1979 with the insipid single "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" his third US #1. (and a No.1 hit in the UK). Also today Rod started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Blondes Have More Fun.'
Expose's debut album "Exposure" was released in 1987.
Eric Clapton played the last of eighteen straight shows at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1990.
Paula Abdul started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with the cut "Opposites Attract," her fourth US #1, a #2 hit in the UK.
In 1993, Michael Jackson granted his first interview in 15 years to Oprah Winfrey. In the interview, Jackson claimed that he has a disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin and that he had had very little plastic surgery.
In 2001, police were investigating Eminem over suspected drugs offences after he appeared to consume Ecstasy pills and encouraged the audience at his Manchester show to take drugs. Over 100 gay rights protesters picketed the show.
In 2004, Diana Ross was sentenced to two days in jail after pleading 'no contest' to a drink driving charge. She was allowed to enter her plea over the telephone from New York; her lawyer said the singer would serve her term at a prison near her Los Angeles home. Ross was arrested in December 2002 after tests indicated she was twice over the drink- drive limit.
Prince topped Rolling Stone magazine’s 2005 annual list of the year’s biggest money earners after his 2004 tour grossed over $90 million. Madonna came in second place after earning $54.9 million and Metallica came third with $43 million.
Kid Rock, members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and ex-Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickie Betts performed at the Jam Sessions Concerts in West Hollywood in 2005. Proceeds benefited the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
In 2006, the Rolling Stones topped Forbes magazine's list of Music's Top Money Makers for 2005 by generating $168 million in music and concert-ticket sales in the United States. U2 finishes a close second, grossing $150 million. Must have been a slow year for them. The Top 10 include Green Day (#4 - $99 million), the Eagles (#5 - $84 million), Paul McCartney (#6 - $83 million) and Elton John (#10 - $66 million).
In 2008, the Eagles' song "How Long," was named Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal at the Grammys. Don Henley calls the honor "particularly sweet." "I always secretly hoped that we could pull off something like this," says the Eagles singer.
Don Wilson - Ventures (1937)
Roberta Flack (1937)
Jimmy Merchant - Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers (1940)
Nigel Olsson - drummer with the Elton John band (1949)
Robbie Neville (1961)
Cliff Burton - Metallica (1962)
Rosanna Tavarez –Eden’s Crush (1977)
They Are Missed:
Born on this day i n 1914, Larry Adler, mouth organist, worked as a soloist with many of the world's major symphony orchestras. He played with countless artists from Fred Astaire to George Gershwin and later with Elton John and Sting. Recorded the 1994 tribute album 'Glory Of Gershwin'. He died on August 7, 2001 (age 87).
Born today in 1929, Jerry Goldsmith, who created the music for scores of classic movies and television shows ‘Star Trek,' ‘Planet of the Apes,' ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and ‘Dr. Kildare.’ He died after a long battle with cancer on July 21, 2004 (aged 75).
Born on this day in 1943, Ral Donner, US singer. Donner died on April 6, 1984.
Born today in 1958, Norman Harris, guitarist, songwriter and producer. He worked with The Delfonics, The Trammps and MFSB. Harris died of a heart attack on March 21, 1987.
Born on this day in 1962, Cliff Burton, bass player with Metallica. Burton was killed on September 27, 1987, when the band’s tour bus crashed as it was traveling between Stockholm and Copenhagen. He was found crushed to death under the bus.
Dave Alexander, the original bassist for The Stooges died from pneumonia in 1975 (age 28). He was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at a gig too drunk to play.
Brian Connolly singer with the 1970's Glam rock group Sweet died of kidney and liver failure in 1997 (age 47). Connolly replaced Ian Gillan (later of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) in Wainwright's Gentlemen who became Sweetshop and then shortened to Sweet.
History:
Orchestra leader Ben Selvin recorded the first known million-seller in 1919, and it was also a two sided hit, featuring "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Darandella."
In 1942, Glen Miller became the first person to be awarded a Gold disc, for his "Chattanooga Choo Choo" single.
Elvis Presley recorded his 'million-seller' "Heartbreak Hotel" on the RCA label in 1956. The 'flip' side was "I Was the One" and the record received two gold records, one for each side.
Little Richard recorded "Long Tall Sally" in 1956.
Frank Sinatra started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1958 with 'Come Fly With Me.'
Henry Mancini went to #1 on the US album chart in 1962 with the soundtrack to 'Breakfast At Tiffany's.'
Chad & Jeremy guest starred on CBS-TV's "Dick Van Dyke Show" in 1965.
In 1967, the Beatles recorded the orchestral build-up for the middle and end of ‘A Day in the Life’. At the Beatles' request, the orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty items. One violinist wore a red clown's nose, while another a fake gorilla's paw on his bow hand. Others were wearing funny hats and other assorted novelties. The recording was filmed for a possible ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’ television special which was ultimately abandoned. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith from The Monkees and Donovan also attended the session.
One hit wonder Paul Mauriat started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1968 with "Love Is Blue."
Also in 1968 - The Beatles turned all of their business affairs over to the newly formed Apple record company.
Carole King's "Tapestry" was released in 1971.
In 1972, David Bowie appeared at the Tolworth Toby Jug, London, on the opening date of his Ziggy Stardust tour.
Already hugely popular in their native U.K., T-Rex makes their U.S. debut in Seattle in 1972.
Record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car crash in 1974. He needed extensive plastic surgery that dramatically altered his looks. Details of how the accident happened were kept secret.
Elvis Presley was made a police reserve for the Memphis police in 1976.
The Clash started recording their debut album at CBS studios in London, England in 1977
Van Halen's debut album was released in 1978.
Dire Straits released “Sultans Of Swing” in 1979.
Rod Stewart started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1979 with the insipid single "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" his third US #1. (and a No.1 hit in the UK). Also today Rod started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Blondes Have More Fun.'
Expose's debut album "Exposure" was released in 1987.
Eric Clapton played the last of eighteen straight shows at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1990.
Paula Abdul started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with the cut "Opposites Attract," her fourth US #1, a #2 hit in the UK.
In 1993, Michael Jackson granted his first interview in 15 years to Oprah Winfrey. In the interview, Jackson claimed that he has a disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin and that he had had very little plastic surgery.
In 2001, police were investigating Eminem over suspected drugs offences after he appeared to consume Ecstasy pills and encouraged the audience at his Manchester show to take drugs. Over 100 gay rights protesters picketed the show.
In 2004, Diana Ross was sentenced to two days in jail after pleading 'no contest' to a drink driving charge. She was allowed to enter her plea over the telephone from New York; her lawyer said the singer would serve her term at a prison near her Los Angeles home. Ross was arrested in December 2002 after tests indicated she was twice over the drink- drive limit.
Prince topped Rolling Stone magazine’s 2005 annual list of the year’s biggest money earners after his 2004 tour grossed over $90 million. Madonna came in second place after earning $54.9 million and Metallica came third with $43 million.
Kid Rock, members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and ex-Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickie Betts performed at the Jam Sessions Concerts in West Hollywood in 2005. Proceeds benefited the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
In 2006, the Rolling Stones topped Forbes magazine's list of Music's Top Money Makers for 2005 by generating $168 million in music and concert-ticket sales in the United States. U2 finishes a close second, grossing $150 million. Must have been a slow year for them. The Top 10 include Green Day (#4 - $99 million), the Eagles (#5 - $84 million), Paul McCartney (#6 - $83 million) and Elton John (#10 - $66 million).
In 2008, the Eagles' song "How Long," was named Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal at the Grammys. Don Henley calls the honor "particularly sweet." "I always secretly hoped that we could pull off something like this," says the Eagles singer.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Next Page: Turn! Turn! Turn (table)!
Recorded music, in all its glory, comes alive on vinyl. Steve Hallock visits Pittsburgh's devotees of the LP and its timeless machinery.
By Steve Hallock
Multimedia converged in full rage as a digital projector screened a silent version of "The NeverEnding Story" on the wall behind the bar. Musicians preparing to take the stage for open mic trilled saxes and trumpets. Cell phones and BlackBerries instant messaged across the room and planet. Funky electronic jazz rumbled out of a pair of newspaper box-size speakers that boomed bass and treble notes through the packed room.
But something curious was happening back in the corner of this East Liberty bar among all the hi-tech gadgetry this recent Monday night.
Disc jockey J. Malls crouched over a pair of shining turntables spinning records -- yes, vinyl discs -- just like radio DJs of yore cued up the tunes that provided the nation's soundtrack of the '50s, '60s and '70s.
Those old DJs, had they witnessed J. Malls laying needle to groove on one of 15,000 records from his collection, would have uttered these words about the scene in this modern day cacophony of CDs, iPods and laptop digital blare: This, folks, is a blast from the past.
Well, maybe not.
Just as records rotate on a spindle -- picture the opening credits of television's "Happy Days" with scenes whirling out of jukebox records -- what goes around comes around. We are in the midst of what appears to be a full-fledged rebirth of the old playboy pad, chic-sound-gear standby of the component bookshelf sound system comprising detached speakers, reel-to-reel tape decks and audio tuners and receivers: the turntable.
THE DEVICES, aka record players, are hitchhiking on the back of the rising popularity of vinyl record sales, which increased 89 percent in 2008 over the previous year and that continue to experience surging sales, according to the January/February issue of AARP The Magazine.
"Music giant EMI has re-released some 65 classic albums on vinyl," the magazine reported, "including acts ranging from Frank Sinatra to the Beastie Boys."
The popularity of vinyl 33 r.p.m. records, and thus the machines that play them, is due to a few factors. One is the loyalty of at least a couple of generations of music fans, beginning with the post-World War II rock 'n' roll baby boomers, who built up large record collections ranging from Elvis to The Beatles and even Radiohead today.
Another is the rediscovery of vinyl, and of the blues, rock and jazz on these old tracks, by a younger generation eager to explore the old music in its original format and attracted by the relatively cheap cost of records compared with CDs.
In fact, most of the customers for the reconditioned turntables that Jerry Weber sells at Jerry's Records, the popular used record shop on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill, are kids and middle-agers.
"Young people are pretty much my demographic now, 15 to 35," the 62-year-old dealer of musical nostalgia said. These folks, he said, buy turntables not only to listen to their own records but also for their mothers, fathers and grandparents.
"They'll say, 'I'm getting my mom a turntable for Christmas so she can dig out her old records and we're going to have a ball,' " Mr. Weber said of the buyers of the Technics, Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer machines he sells for prices ranging from $60 to $100. "These would have cost $200 or $300 originally. Some of those that were engineered back in the '70s, the old Kenwoods and Thorns, they're going to be around. All of them were much better than what you get today unless you spend $300 or $400."
More like $499 to $699 -- which is how much buyers of upper-end turntables will spend for the Technics, Numark or Stanton turntables that Stash Roberts sells at Guitar Center in Monroeville -- a clientele with different needs than the oldie buffs who frequent Jerry's.
Mr. Roberts, 40, categorized his turntable customers into three types:
"The standard scratch DJ, somebody who actually knows how to mix and scratch on the turntable," he said. "And then you have just the guys who want a higher quality piece that will last them most of their life. The last group is the older guy that comes in and is looking to update his vinyl to CD, and there are multiple companies now offering turntables with USB connections" that enable users to plug the machines into computers for conversion to digital formats.
Whatever the reason for the popularity, Mr. Roberts said, he sold more turntables in 2009 than the previous nine years, with a peak of about eight per week during the Christmas season.
"We were literally to the point where we were running out," he said.
That higher sound quality referred to by Mr. Roberts plugs into a debate that has been ongoing ever since CDs first hit the music scene in the 1980s.
"CD is most pristine," Jason Boyd of EMI told AARP The Magazine, "But vinyl has the warm, full sound of the music. It's a way of experiencing music rather than just consuming it."
Yes. Miles Davis' muted trumpet is mellower, Pablo Casals' cello bowing richer, Charlie Byrd's acoustic guitar strumming crisper, on record.
Jerry Weber also invoked the "warm" metaphor.
"That's been the argument ever since CDs were invented," the Squirrel Hill vinyl merchant said. "I've been doing this since 1976. It's a warmer sound. CDs are more flashy and more bright, but not everybody likes flashy and brightness. I'm a throwback. To me, old mono records like the early Beatles and Stones, that's the way they were meant to sound. They sound like you're in a hall, and they're right beside you playing."
Mr. Roberts explained it a bit more technically.
"Digital's always going to be better because it's cleaner," he said. But on CDs, "you're going to miss the actual raw sound of the instruments."
Recording engineers during the heyday of vinyl, he said, pushed the sound on the master tapes beyond the recording threshold to literally squash the sound, compressing it.
"A lot of times the sounds from those guitars back in the '60s and '70s, it was not just the guitar or amp, it was a sound quality brought by this technique."
So the fuzz guitar of Vanilla Fudge or Cream actually was made fuzzier through saturation -- a sound that cannot even be reproduced live and that is unique to the original recordings of the '60s and '70s
SOUND PURISTS seeking that sort of quality comprise many of Vincent Bomba's turntable reconditioning clients.
Mr. Bomba, a 53-year-old Mt. Lebanon native, was a computer systems technician for Mellon Bank until being laid off in December. In a space opened up for him at Jerry's Records, he's going into turntable and computer repair and reconditioning full-time.
A problem with CD sound, he said, is that when the laser beam that reads the disc breaks the sound into bits and bytes, "some detail is lost in the process" of translating those bits and bytes back into sound.
With the vinyl record, he said as he stood among shelves of reconditioned turntables on display like artifacts of an ancient sound culture, "You hear a depth. You can hear a guy cleaning his trumpet out."
The stylus of a turntable, he explained, picks up the sound directly from the groove of the record; sound is not disassembled and then put back together. Along the way, you get the background noise of the studio or club. So it's more real.
Mr. Bomba listed three types of turntables, each with its advantages and disadvantages. One is direct drive, in which the motor of the turntable directly rotates the record platter; the shaft of the motor is the platter. Consequently, some motor hum accompanies the sound of the music.
In belt-drive turntables, the motor sits off to the side, and a belt turns the platter. But the belt has to be replaced every five years or so, and it stretches; so you get sound distortion after time, what sound technicians call wow and flutter.
Rim-drive turntables use a rubber wheel that is hooked up to the motor and drives the platter.
"This is the best of all worlds," Mr. Bomba said. "The motor noise is less, and the rubber idler wheel lasts longer."
J. MALLS (real name: Jason Molyneaux) said he noticed that loss of something in translation when he tried to convert some of his records to a digital format.
"When you digitize a record, that's the closest you get to a record," he said, emphasizing the word "record" as the standard that CDs and other formats strive to achieve. "But it doesn't have the wide spectrum of a record. Something gets lost, in the lows and the highs."
Part of the appeal of his schtick besides the sound, he said, is simply the fact of being an actual DJ.
"This is my niche. A lot of people like the fact that I just play records." When they talk about DJs they've heard in other venues, he said, "a lot of people are like, 'he's not a real DJ, he has a laptop.' "
It's just strange, the 35-year-old DJ said, "to see people who actually have records."
Bottom line, for him, when initially asked why he uses a turntable -- he gives sort of a bewildered look and grin, as though no other format is possible: "To play my records."
Of course.
Practicality also drove Mr. Weber, as he explained during an interview surrounded by his shelves and piles and stacks of used record albums, in his decision to go into the used turntable business.
"The more turntables they're spinning out there, the more chance they're going to come in and buy some records off me."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Hallock (shallock@pointpark.edu) is an assistant professor of journalism at Point Park University and former newspaper jazz critic. He is the author of "Reporters Who Made History: Great American Journalists on the Issues and Crises of the Late 20th Century," published in December by Praeger.
SOURCE: http://www.post-gazette.com
Reprinted By Permission
By Steve Hallock
Multimedia converged in full rage as a digital projector screened a silent version of "The NeverEnding Story" on the wall behind the bar. Musicians preparing to take the stage for open mic trilled saxes and trumpets. Cell phones and BlackBerries instant messaged across the room and planet. Funky electronic jazz rumbled out of a pair of newspaper box-size speakers that boomed bass and treble notes through the packed room.
But something curious was happening back in the corner of this East Liberty bar among all the hi-tech gadgetry this recent Monday night.
Disc jockey J. Malls crouched over a pair of shining turntables spinning records -- yes, vinyl discs -- just like radio DJs of yore cued up the tunes that provided the nation's soundtrack of the '50s, '60s and '70s.
Those old DJs, had they witnessed J. Malls laying needle to groove on one of 15,000 records from his collection, would have uttered these words about the scene in this modern day cacophony of CDs, iPods and laptop digital blare: This, folks, is a blast from the past.
Well, maybe not.
Just as records rotate on a spindle -- picture the opening credits of television's "Happy Days" with scenes whirling out of jukebox records -- what goes around comes around. We are in the midst of what appears to be a full-fledged rebirth of the old playboy pad, chic-sound-gear standby of the component bookshelf sound system comprising detached speakers, reel-to-reel tape decks and audio tuners and receivers: the turntable.
THE DEVICES, aka record players, are hitchhiking on the back of the rising popularity of vinyl record sales, which increased 89 percent in 2008 over the previous year and that continue to experience surging sales, according to the January/February issue of AARP The Magazine.
"Music giant EMI has re-released some 65 classic albums on vinyl," the magazine reported, "including acts ranging from Frank Sinatra to the Beastie Boys."
The popularity of vinyl 33 r.p.m. records, and thus the machines that play them, is due to a few factors. One is the loyalty of at least a couple of generations of music fans, beginning with the post-World War II rock 'n' roll baby boomers, who built up large record collections ranging from Elvis to The Beatles and even Radiohead today.
Another is the rediscovery of vinyl, and of the blues, rock and jazz on these old tracks, by a younger generation eager to explore the old music in its original format and attracted by the relatively cheap cost of records compared with CDs.
In fact, most of the customers for the reconditioned turntables that Jerry Weber sells at Jerry's Records, the popular used record shop on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill, are kids and middle-agers.
"Young people are pretty much my demographic now, 15 to 35," the 62-year-old dealer of musical nostalgia said. These folks, he said, buy turntables not only to listen to their own records but also for their mothers, fathers and grandparents.
"They'll say, 'I'm getting my mom a turntable for Christmas so she can dig out her old records and we're going to have a ball,' " Mr. Weber said of the buyers of the Technics, Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer machines he sells for prices ranging from $60 to $100. "These would have cost $200 or $300 originally. Some of those that were engineered back in the '70s, the old Kenwoods and Thorns, they're going to be around. All of them were much better than what you get today unless you spend $300 or $400."
More like $499 to $699 -- which is how much buyers of upper-end turntables will spend for the Technics, Numark or Stanton turntables that Stash Roberts sells at Guitar Center in Monroeville -- a clientele with different needs than the oldie buffs who frequent Jerry's.
Mr. Roberts, 40, categorized his turntable customers into three types:
"The standard scratch DJ, somebody who actually knows how to mix and scratch on the turntable," he said. "And then you have just the guys who want a higher quality piece that will last them most of their life. The last group is the older guy that comes in and is looking to update his vinyl to CD, and there are multiple companies now offering turntables with USB connections" that enable users to plug the machines into computers for conversion to digital formats.
Whatever the reason for the popularity, Mr. Roberts said, he sold more turntables in 2009 than the previous nine years, with a peak of about eight per week during the Christmas season.
"We were literally to the point where we were running out," he said.
That higher sound quality referred to by Mr. Roberts plugs into a debate that has been ongoing ever since CDs first hit the music scene in the 1980s.
"CD is most pristine," Jason Boyd of EMI told AARP The Magazine, "But vinyl has the warm, full sound of the music. It's a way of experiencing music rather than just consuming it."
Yes. Miles Davis' muted trumpet is mellower, Pablo Casals' cello bowing richer, Charlie Byrd's acoustic guitar strumming crisper, on record.
Jerry Weber also invoked the "warm" metaphor.
"That's been the argument ever since CDs were invented," the Squirrel Hill vinyl merchant said. "I've been doing this since 1976. It's a warmer sound. CDs are more flashy and more bright, but not everybody likes flashy and brightness. I'm a throwback. To me, old mono records like the early Beatles and Stones, that's the way they were meant to sound. They sound like you're in a hall, and they're right beside you playing."
Mr. Roberts explained it a bit more technically.
"Digital's always going to be better because it's cleaner," he said. But on CDs, "you're going to miss the actual raw sound of the instruments."
Recording engineers during the heyday of vinyl, he said, pushed the sound on the master tapes beyond the recording threshold to literally squash the sound, compressing it.
"A lot of times the sounds from those guitars back in the '60s and '70s, it was not just the guitar or amp, it was a sound quality brought by this technique."
So the fuzz guitar of Vanilla Fudge or Cream actually was made fuzzier through saturation -- a sound that cannot even be reproduced live and that is unique to the original recordings of the '60s and '70s
SOUND PURISTS seeking that sort of quality comprise many of Vincent Bomba's turntable reconditioning clients.
Mr. Bomba, a 53-year-old Mt. Lebanon native, was a computer systems technician for Mellon Bank until being laid off in December. In a space opened up for him at Jerry's Records, he's going into turntable and computer repair and reconditioning full-time.
A problem with CD sound, he said, is that when the laser beam that reads the disc breaks the sound into bits and bytes, "some detail is lost in the process" of translating those bits and bytes back into sound.
With the vinyl record, he said as he stood among shelves of reconditioned turntables on display like artifacts of an ancient sound culture, "You hear a depth. You can hear a guy cleaning his trumpet out."
The stylus of a turntable, he explained, picks up the sound directly from the groove of the record; sound is not disassembled and then put back together. Along the way, you get the background noise of the studio or club. So it's more real.
Mr. Bomba listed three types of turntables, each with its advantages and disadvantages. One is direct drive, in which the motor of the turntable directly rotates the record platter; the shaft of the motor is the platter. Consequently, some motor hum accompanies the sound of the music.
In belt-drive turntables, the motor sits off to the side, and a belt turns the platter. But the belt has to be replaced every five years or so, and it stretches; so you get sound distortion after time, what sound technicians call wow and flutter.
Rim-drive turntables use a rubber wheel that is hooked up to the motor and drives the platter.
"This is the best of all worlds," Mr. Bomba said. "The motor noise is less, and the rubber idler wheel lasts longer."
J. MALLS (real name: Jason Molyneaux) said he noticed that loss of something in translation when he tried to convert some of his records to a digital format.
"When you digitize a record, that's the closest you get to a record," he said, emphasizing the word "record" as the standard that CDs and other formats strive to achieve. "But it doesn't have the wide spectrum of a record. Something gets lost, in the lows and the highs."
Part of the appeal of his schtick besides the sound, he said, is simply the fact of being an actual DJ.
"This is my niche. A lot of people like the fact that I just play records." When they talk about DJs they've heard in other venues, he said, "a lot of people are like, 'he's not a real DJ, he has a laptop.' "
It's just strange, the 35-year-old DJ said, "to see people who actually have records."
Bottom line, for him, when initially asked why he uses a turntable -- he gives sort of a bewildered look and grin, as though no other format is possible: "To play my records."
Of course.
Practicality also drove Mr. Weber, as he explained during an interview surrounded by his shelves and piles and stacks of used record albums, in his decision to go into the used turntable business.
"The more turntables they're spinning out there, the more chance they're going to come in and buy some records off me."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Hallock (shallock@pointpark.edu) is an assistant professor of journalism at Point Park University and former newspaper jazz critic. He is the author of "Reporters Who Made History: Great American Journalists on the Issues and Crises of the Late 20th Century," published in December by Praeger.
SOURCE: http://www.post-gazette.com
Reprinted By Permission
New Music Releases ~ February 9, 2010
Abbey Lincoln - Through the Years (3-CD Box Set)
Adam Faith - I Survive
AFI - The Lowdown
Allison Moorer - Crows
ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) - Man of the World (vinyl)
AM - Future Sons and Daughters
Angelique Kidjo - Oyo
Angelo Spencer - Et Les Hauts Sommets
Beach Fossils - Daydream
Bear McCreary - Dark Void (soundtrack)
Ben + Vesper - LuvInIdleness
Besnard Lakes - Albatross b/w Four Long Lines (vinyl)
Best Coast - Something in the Way (vinyl)
Bigga Haitian - Sak Pase
Black Cobra - Chronomega (vinyl)
Black Keys - Big Come Up (vinyl reissue)
Blessure Grave - Judged By Twelve, Carried By Six
Bluebrain - Soft Power
Blues Band - Back For More / Fat City
Broken Consort - Crow Autumn
Butch Walker - I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
Buzzcocks - Another Music in a Different Kitchen (remastered with bonus CD)
Buzzcocks - Different Kind of Tension (remastered with bonus CD)
Buzzcocks - Love Bites (remastered with bonus CD)
Canibus - Melatonin Magik
Celtic Thunder - It's Entertainment!
Chapmans - Grown Up
Conway Twitty - Love You More Today / To See My Angel Cry
Cottars - Feast
Crack the Sky - Machine
Curtis Jones - In London
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
Dave Matthews Band - Live in Las Vegas
David Cassidy - I Think I Love You: Greatest Hits Live (CD/DVD)
David Courtney - First Day: The Complete Story
Deep Purple - Fireball
Dessa - Badly Broken Code
DJ Rap - Synthesis
Easybeats - Complete Easybeats (6 CDs)
Empirical - Out 'n' In
Errol Dixon - Blues in the Pot / That's How You Got Killed Before
Fair - Disappearing World
Fanshaw - Dark Eyes
Fear Factory - Mechanize
Field Music - Them That Do Nothing (vinyl)
Fionn Regan - Shadow of An Empire
Fireflight - For Those Who Wait
Four Tet - There Is Love in You (2-LP vinyl)
Galactic - Ya-Ka-May (vinyl)
Gentle Giant - Interview
Gentle Giant - Playing the Fool: The Official Live
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Kings Ballad (vinyl)
Georgie Fame - Mod Classics: 1964-1966
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here (vinyl)
Grant Hart - Intolerance (vinyl)
Hall & Oates - Abandoned Luncheonette
Hawkwind - Alien 4
HIM - Screamworks: Love in Theory & Practice
Hot Chip - One Life Stand (CD & DVD)
Icarus Witch - Draw Down the Moon
Interference - Interference (vinyl)
Jaheim - Another Round
Jason Derulo, 'Jason Derulo'
Jay Dee - F**k the Police (vinyl)
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune (vinyl reissue)
John Coltrane - Giant Steps (vinyl reissue)
John Dummer Blues Band - Cabal / John Dummer Band
John Martyn - I'd Rather Be the Devil (6 CDs/2 DVDs)
Josh Turner - Haywire
Julie Thompson - Feeling the Corners
Jurassic 5 - Influence (vinyl)
k.d. lang - Recollection (3 CDs/1 DVD)
Kath Bloom - Thin Thin Line
Laura Gibson & Ethan Rose - Bridge Carols
Lionel Loueke - Mwaliko
Lisbeth Quartett - Grow
Luther Allison - Songs From the Road (CD/DVD)
Lynn Miles - Black Flowers I + II
Maccabees - Empty Vessels (vinyl)
Magnetic Fields - Realism (vinyl & CD)
Mark David Ashworth - Bright Is The Ring of Words
Massive Attack - Heligoland
Meg Hutchinson - The Living Side
Michael Martin Murphey - Buckaroo Blue Grass II - Riding Song
Miike Snow - Silvia (vinyl)
Mike Clarke - Roll Again / Live in Luxembourg
Neil Diamond - Hot August Night NYC From Madison Square Garden
Neon Trees - Animal (vinyl)
Nick Jonas - Who I Am (Feb 10, 2010)
Nurse With Wound - Space Music (vinyl)
Ok Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (vinyl)
Olivier Manchon - Ochestre De Chambre Miniature 1
Os Mutantes - Jardim Eletrico (vinyl reissue)
Overkill - Ironbound
Pantha du Prince - Black Noise (vinyl)
Phantogram - Eyelid Movies
Phoenix - 1901 (vinyl)
Pierced Arrows - Descending Shadows
Pretenders - Live In London (CD/DVD)
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fillmore Auditorium February 4th 1967
Reckless Kelly - Somewhere In Time
Redman - Reggie Noble 9 ½
Sad Day for Puppets - Unknown Colors
Sade - Soldier of Love
Screaming Females - Singles
Secret & Whisper - Teenage
Shannon Curfman - What You're Getting Into
Smile Smile - Truth on Tape
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - Live in Boston: 1978
The Album Leaf - A Chorus of Storytellers (vinyl)
The Marshall Tucker Band - Way Out West!: Live From San Francisco September 1973
Theodore - Hold You Like a Lover (vinyl)
Toby Mac - Tonight
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble - Restored, Returned
Trio Ivoire - Across the Oceans
Trouble - Live in Los Angeles
Trouble - Plastic Green Head
Trouble - Simple Mind Condition
Trouble - Unplugged
Uffie - MCs Can Kiss EP
Undersea Poem - Undersea Poem
Valentine's Day (Soundtrack) (featuring new music from Jewel, Taylor Swift)
Various Artists - Bustin' Out New Wave to New Beat: The Post Punk Era 1979-1981•Various Artists - Westbound Detroit Northern Soul
Various Artists - Instrumental Tribute to Lady Gaga
Various Artists - Looking Towards The Sky: Progressive, Psychedelic And Folk Rock From The Ember Vaults
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Rhythm & Blues
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Journey
Various Artists - Rough Trade Shops' Counter Culture 2009
Various Artists - Valentine's Day (soundtrack)
Watson Twins - Talking to You, Talking to Me (vinyl)
Yeasayer - Odd Blood (vinyl)
You Say Party We Say Die - XXXX (vinyl)
Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 103
Adam Faith - I Survive
AFI - The Lowdown
Allison Moorer - Crows
ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) - Man of the World (vinyl)
AM - Future Sons and Daughters
Angelique Kidjo - Oyo
Angelo Spencer - Et Les Hauts Sommets
Beach Fossils - Daydream
Bear McCreary - Dark Void (soundtrack)
Ben + Vesper - LuvInIdleness
Besnard Lakes - Albatross b/w Four Long Lines (vinyl)
Best Coast - Something in the Way (vinyl)
Bigga Haitian - Sak Pase
Black Cobra - Chronomega (vinyl)
Black Keys - Big Come Up (vinyl reissue)
Blessure Grave - Judged By Twelve, Carried By Six
Bluebrain - Soft Power
Blues Band - Back For More / Fat City
Broken Consort - Crow Autumn
Butch Walker - I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart
Buzzcocks - Another Music in a Different Kitchen (remastered with bonus CD)
Buzzcocks - Different Kind of Tension (remastered with bonus CD)
Buzzcocks - Love Bites (remastered with bonus CD)
Canibus - Melatonin Magik
Celtic Thunder - It's Entertainment!
Chapmans - Grown Up
Conway Twitty - Love You More Today / To See My Angel Cry
Cottars - Feast
Crack the Sky - Machine
Curtis Jones - In London
Cute Lepers - Smart Accessories (vinyl)
Dave Matthews Band - Live in Las Vegas
David Cassidy - I Think I Love You: Greatest Hits Live (CD/DVD)
David Courtney - First Day: The Complete Story
Deep Purple - Fireball
Dessa - Badly Broken Code
DJ Rap - Synthesis
Easybeats - Complete Easybeats (6 CDs)
Empirical - Out 'n' In
Errol Dixon - Blues in the Pot / That's How You Got Killed Before
Fair - Disappearing World
Fanshaw - Dark Eyes
Fear Factory - Mechanize
Field Music - Them That Do Nothing (vinyl)
Fionn Regan - Shadow of An Empire
Fireflight - For Those Who Wait
Four Tet - There Is Love in You (2-LP vinyl)
Galactic - Ya-Ka-May (vinyl)
Gentle Giant - Interview
Gentle Giant - Playing the Fool: The Official Live
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Kings Ballad (vinyl)
Georgie Fame - Mod Classics: 1964-1966
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here (vinyl)
Grant Hart - Intolerance (vinyl)
Hall & Oates - Abandoned Luncheonette
Hawkwind - Alien 4
HIM - Screamworks: Love in Theory & Practice
Hot Chip - One Life Stand (CD & DVD)
Icarus Witch - Draw Down the Moon
Interference - Interference (vinyl)
Jaheim - Another Round
Jason Derulo, 'Jason Derulo'
Jay Dee - F**k the Police (vinyl)
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune (vinyl reissue)
John Coltrane - Giant Steps (vinyl reissue)
John Dummer Blues Band - Cabal / John Dummer Band
John Martyn - I'd Rather Be the Devil (6 CDs/2 DVDs)
Josh Turner - Haywire
Julie Thompson - Feeling the Corners
Jurassic 5 - Influence (vinyl)
k.d. lang - Recollection (3 CDs/1 DVD)
Kath Bloom - Thin Thin Line
Laura Gibson & Ethan Rose - Bridge Carols
Lionel Loueke - Mwaliko
Lisbeth Quartett - Grow
Luther Allison - Songs From the Road (CD/DVD)
Lynn Miles - Black Flowers I + II
Maccabees - Empty Vessels (vinyl)
Magnetic Fields - Realism (vinyl & CD)
Mark David Ashworth - Bright Is The Ring of Words
Massive Attack - Heligoland
Meg Hutchinson - The Living Side
Michael Martin Murphey - Buckaroo Blue Grass II - Riding Song
Miike Snow - Silvia (vinyl)
Mike Clarke - Roll Again / Live in Luxembourg
Neil Diamond - Hot August Night NYC From Madison Square Garden
Neon Trees - Animal (vinyl)
Nick Jonas - Who I Am (Feb 10, 2010)
Nurse With Wound - Space Music (vinyl)
Ok Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (vinyl)
Olivier Manchon - Ochestre De Chambre Miniature 1
Os Mutantes - Jardim Eletrico (vinyl reissue)
Overkill - Ironbound
Pantha du Prince - Black Noise (vinyl)
Phantogram - Eyelid Movies
Phoenix - 1901 (vinyl)
Pierced Arrows - Descending Shadows
Pretenders - Live In London (CD/DVD)
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fillmore Auditorium February 4th 1967
Reckless Kelly - Somewhere In Time
Redman - Reggie Noble 9 ½
Sad Day for Puppets - Unknown Colors
Sade - Soldier of Love
Screaming Females - Singles
Secret & Whisper - Teenage
Shannon Curfman - What You're Getting Into
Smile Smile - Truth on Tape
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - Live in Boston: 1978
The Album Leaf - A Chorus of Storytellers (vinyl)
The Marshall Tucker Band - Way Out West!: Live From San Francisco September 1973
Theodore - Hold You Like a Lover (vinyl)
Toby Mac - Tonight
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble - Restored, Returned
Trio Ivoire - Across the Oceans
Trouble - Live in Los Angeles
Trouble - Plastic Green Head
Trouble - Simple Mind Condition
Trouble - Unplugged
Uffie - MCs Can Kiss EP
Undersea Poem - Undersea Poem
Valentine's Day (Soundtrack) (featuring new music from Jewel, Taylor Swift)
Various Artists - Bustin' Out New Wave to New Beat: The Post Punk Era 1979-1981•Various Artists - Westbound Detroit Northern Soul
Various Artists - Instrumental Tribute to Lady Gaga
Various Artists - Looking Towards The Sky: Progressive, Psychedelic And Folk Rock From The Ember Vaults
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Rhythm & Blues
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Journey
Various Artists - Rough Trade Shops' Counter Culture 2009
Various Artists - Valentine's Day (soundtrack)
Watson Twins - Talking to You, Talking to Me (vinyl)
Yeasayer - Odd Blood (vinyl)
You Say Party We Say Die - XXXX (vinyl)
Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 103
Music News & Notes
Gallagher Dumps Oasis Name - Debut Album Due In July
Liam Gallagher has revealed that his new group are set to ditch the Oasis name in favour of something new.
Oasis finally shook themselves apart last year. Walking away from the wreckage of his former group, Liam Gallagher went on holiday to Italy taking some close friends along with him for the ride.
Since then, speculation has been rife over the singer's solo plans. Forming a new group with some familiar faces, Liam Gallagher is set to front what is essentially the final version of Oasis without his brother.
Speaking to XFM Radio, Liam Gallagher revealed that he does not intend to use the Oasis name on his new album.
"No, it's not Oasis, that was a shit name anyway," Liam Gallagher revealed. "I'm glad to see the back of it."
Oasis took their name from a venue in Swindon. Continuing, Liam Gallagher claimed that he wanted to release an album of new material by July, with recording sessions ongoing with the new band.
The singer remained tight-lipped over a possible name for the collective. "There's a name that we're digging at the moment, but we're going to get on with the music and see how it goes."
==================================
British Jazz Icon Johnny Dankworth Dies
Sir John Dankworth, one of the most important figures in British jazz music, has passed away.
Britain has long had a passionate relationship with jazz music. However, for a very long time, it was accepted that jazz was simply something that Americans did - and hence a progressive scene could never exist in Britain.
It is thanks to pioneers such as Sir John Dankworth that the British jazz scene exists at all in its current state. Emerging after the Second World War the saxophonist quickly caught attention with his dextrous skills.
Performing with touring American bands, the musician travelled to Paris in 1949 where he jammed with his idol Charlie Parker. Winning acclaim for his distinctive style, Dankworth then went on to become a hugely successful composer.
Working on the themes for The Avengers and the film 'Saturday Night, Sunday Morning' the saxophonist always led his own band.
Continuing to work until recently, John Dankworth was knighted by the Queen in 2006. Sadly the saxophonist fell ill last year after a tour of the United States. Dankworth's last gig was at the London Jazz Festival, playing his horn from the confines of a wheelchair.
Sir Johnny Dankworth died in a London hospital on Saturday (February 6th). His wife Cleo Laine was starring in a show with her children at the time, and announced the death after the concert.
==================================
Flying Lotus Planning New Album
Los Angeles producer Flying Lotus is set to return in May with his eagerly awaited new album 'Cosmogramma'.
Real name Steve Ellison, Flying Lotus is simply one of the finest producers of his generation. Blending free jazz, electronica, hip hop and dubstep the Los Angeles kingpin's music has lit a trail for others to follow.
Over a series of seminal albums Flying Lotus has carved out a reputation as one of the most forward thinking musical minds on the planet. Joining the dots between continents, the producer has broken new ground.
Releasing 'Los Angeles' in 2008 Flying Lotus reached a new level of critical adoration. With the release of 'Cosmogramma' on May 3rd the producer could be set to stun fans once again.
A travelogue through his home city, 'Los Angeles' now seems to be just a primer for the American producer's talent. On 'Cosmogramma' Flying Lotus predicts and anticipates trends, then demolishes then in the blink of an eye.
A wide eyed pursuit of new music, Flying Lotus has been joined by some guest collaborators for the new album. Fresh from working with soulful jazz vocalist Jose James, the producer has roped in some friends for his own material.
Echoing the spirit of his famed aunt Alice Coltrane, Flying Lotus is joined by Ravi Coltrane, bass virtuoso Thundercat and the brilliant harp prodigy, Rebekah Raff.
In addition to this Flying Lotus is set to be joined by Radiohead vocalist Thom Yorke. Laura Darlington is due to reprise her role on 'Los Angeles' while collaborators include Erykah Badu and Outkast string arranger Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.
Flying Lotus is due to release 'Cosmogramma' on May 3rd.
==================================
Arctic Monkeys Prep New Single, Tour
Apparently the Arctic Monkeys are not done supporting their twisty, stoner-rocking 2009 album Humbug. They've got a new single coming out fronted by Sabbath-y album opener "My Propeller" and backed by three brand new tracks, including one excellently titled "Don't Forget Whose Legs You're On". The single is due March 23 digitally and through the band's web store before it hits record stores everywhere April 13 via Domino.
The Sheffield lads are also heading back to the United States for two weeks of touring come April.
==================================
Ratt Reveal Artwork, Tracklisting For Infestation
It’s no secret that RATT are back and raring to go. The band is proud to announce April 20, 2010 as the release date for their Loud & Proud debut, Infestation, an 11-song opus that is their first studio record in 11 years. The first single, “Best of Me,” is scheduled to impact rock radio on February 21. The song is available at all digital stores.
There’s been a flurry of activity in the Ratt camp in the past few years. Vocalist Stephen Pearcy has returned to the fold and the band has since signed to Loud & Proud/Roadrunner. The legendary Los Angeles rock squad, also featuring guitarist Warren DeMartini, drummer Bobby Blotzer, bassist Robbie Crane and new guitarist Carlos Cavazo, engineered Hollywood’s much-heralded Sunset Strip sound in the 1980s.
“We wanted this to be like something that we would have written right after [1984’s] Out of the Cellar, Pearcy said. “We definitely went back to basics with the mindset of a band with a lot of excitement and some great songs to get out.” Infestation was produced by Elvis Baskette (Chevelle, Alter Bridge.) in the helmer’s Virginia studio, marking the first time the band has recorded outside of Los Angeles. The album is full of attitude and of reflection, cycling through a range of emotions. There are party anthems that Ratt are known for alongside more contemplative, thoughtful tunes.
==================================
U2 360 Degree World Tour Crowned Best Stage Show By Stage Crews
U2's 360 degree world tour, which featured a huge “claw” structure, has been crowned the best stage show of 2009. The jaunt picked up the accolade - voted for by stage crews - at the Total Production International Awards, hosted by TPI magazine.
The stage set featured an innovative 360 degree design which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.
"It is a massive engineering feat - from scenery to video to audio, with the biggest PA system that has ever been seen on a tour," the magazine's editor-in-chief Mark Cunningham said.
"It's a fantastic achievement and the four members of U2 are effectively the icing on the cake."
U2 production guru Willie Williams took home two awards while guitarist The Edgie's roadie Dallas Shoo also won, reports the BBC.
U2's 360 degree world tour is due to resume this summer with additional European dates, starting in Frankfurt on August 10.
Other concerts are scheduled for venues in Moscow, Munich, Athens and Paris.
Liam Gallagher has revealed that his new group are set to ditch the Oasis name in favour of something new.
Oasis finally shook themselves apart last year. Walking away from the wreckage of his former group, Liam Gallagher went on holiday to Italy taking some close friends along with him for the ride.
Since then, speculation has been rife over the singer's solo plans. Forming a new group with some familiar faces, Liam Gallagher is set to front what is essentially the final version of Oasis without his brother.
Speaking to XFM Radio, Liam Gallagher revealed that he does not intend to use the Oasis name on his new album.
"No, it's not Oasis, that was a shit name anyway," Liam Gallagher revealed. "I'm glad to see the back of it."
Oasis took their name from a venue in Swindon. Continuing, Liam Gallagher claimed that he wanted to release an album of new material by July, with recording sessions ongoing with the new band.
The singer remained tight-lipped over a possible name for the collective. "There's a name that we're digging at the moment, but we're going to get on with the music and see how it goes."
==================================
British Jazz Icon Johnny Dankworth Dies
Sir John Dankworth, one of the most important figures in British jazz music, has passed away.
Britain has long had a passionate relationship with jazz music. However, for a very long time, it was accepted that jazz was simply something that Americans did - and hence a progressive scene could never exist in Britain.
It is thanks to pioneers such as Sir John Dankworth that the British jazz scene exists at all in its current state. Emerging after the Second World War the saxophonist quickly caught attention with his dextrous skills.
Performing with touring American bands, the musician travelled to Paris in 1949 where he jammed with his idol Charlie Parker. Winning acclaim for his distinctive style, Dankworth then went on to become a hugely successful composer.
Working on the themes for The Avengers and the film 'Saturday Night, Sunday Morning' the saxophonist always led his own band.
Continuing to work until recently, John Dankworth was knighted by the Queen in 2006. Sadly the saxophonist fell ill last year after a tour of the United States. Dankworth's last gig was at the London Jazz Festival, playing his horn from the confines of a wheelchair.
Sir Johnny Dankworth died in a London hospital on Saturday (February 6th). His wife Cleo Laine was starring in a show with her children at the time, and announced the death after the concert.
==================================
Flying Lotus Planning New Album
Los Angeles producer Flying Lotus is set to return in May with his eagerly awaited new album 'Cosmogramma'.
Real name Steve Ellison, Flying Lotus is simply one of the finest producers of his generation. Blending free jazz, electronica, hip hop and dubstep the Los Angeles kingpin's music has lit a trail for others to follow.
Over a series of seminal albums Flying Lotus has carved out a reputation as one of the most forward thinking musical minds on the planet. Joining the dots between continents, the producer has broken new ground.
Releasing 'Los Angeles' in 2008 Flying Lotus reached a new level of critical adoration. With the release of 'Cosmogramma' on May 3rd the producer could be set to stun fans once again.
A travelogue through his home city, 'Los Angeles' now seems to be just a primer for the American producer's talent. On 'Cosmogramma' Flying Lotus predicts and anticipates trends, then demolishes then in the blink of an eye.
A wide eyed pursuit of new music, Flying Lotus has been joined by some guest collaborators for the new album. Fresh from working with soulful jazz vocalist Jose James, the producer has roped in some friends for his own material.
Echoing the spirit of his famed aunt Alice Coltrane, Flying Lotus is joined by Ravi Coltrane, bass virtuoso Thundercat and the brilliant harp prodigy, Rebekah Raff.
In addition to this Flying Lotus is set to be joined by Radiohead vocalist Thom Yorke. Laura Darlington is due to reprise her role on 'Los Angeles' while collaborators include Erykah Badu and Outkast string arranger Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.
Flying Lotus is due to release 'Cosmogramma' on May 3rd.
==================================
Arctic Monkeys Prep New Single, Tour
Apparently the Arctic Monkeys are not done supporting their twisty, stoner-rocking 2009 album Humbug. They've got a new single coming out fronted by Sabbath-y album opener "My Propeller" and backed by three brand new tracks, including one excellently titled "Don't Forget Whose Legs You're On". The single is due March 23 digitally and through the band's web store before it hits record stores everywhere April 13 via Domino.
The Sheffield lads are also heading back to the United States for two weeks of touring come April.
==================================
Ratt Reveal Artwork, Tracklisting For Infestation
There’s been a flurry of activity in the Ratt camp in the past few years. Vocalist Stephen Pearcy has returned to the fold and the band has since signed to Loud & Proud/Roadrunner. The legendary Los Angeles rock squad, also featuring guitarist Warren DeMartini, drummer Bobby Blotzer, bassist Robbie Crane and new guitarist Carlos Cavazo, engineered Hollywood’s much-heralded Sunset Strip sound in the 1980s.
“We wanted this to be like something that we would have written right after [1984’s] Out of the Cellar, Pearcy said. “We definitely went back to basics with the mindset of a band with a lot of excitement and some great songs to get out.” Infestation was produced by Elvis Baskette (Chevelle, Alter Bridge.) in the helmer’s Virginia studio, marking the first time the band has recorded outside of Los Angeles. The album is full of attitude and of reflection, cycling through a range of emotions. There are party anthems that Ratt are known for alongside more contemplative, thoughtful tunes.
==================================
U2 360 Degree World Tour Crowned Best Stage Show By Stage Crews
U2's 360 degree world tour, which featured a huge “claw” structure, has been crowned the best stage show of 2009. The jaunt picked up the accolade - voted for by stage crews - at the Total Production International Awards, hosted by TPI magazine.
The stage set featured an innovative 360 degree design which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.
"It is a massive engineering feat - from scenery to video to audio, with the biggest PA system that has ever been seen on a tour," the magazine's editor-in-chief Mark Cunningham said.
"It's a fantastic achievement and the four members of U2 are effectively the icing on the cake."
U2 production guru Willie Williams took home two awards while guitarist The Edgie's roadie Dallas Shoo also won, reports the BBC.
U2's 360 degree world tour is due to resume this summer with additional European dates, starting in Frankfurt on August 10.
Other concerts are scheduled for venues in Moscow, Munich, Athens and Paris.
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