Music News & Notes

WARBEAST: Final 'Krush The Enemy' Artwork Unveiled

WARBEAST (formerly TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE), the band which features RIGOR MORTIS vocalist Bruce Corbitt, GAMMACIDE guitarists Rick Perry and Scott Shelby, GAMMACIDE/DEVILFIST bassist Alan Bovee and DEMONSEED drummer Joe Gonzalez, is set to release their debut album, "Krush The Enemy," on April 27 via Philip Anselmo's (DOWN, PANTERA) Housecore Records. The record features ten tracks covering a wide range of metal terrain aimed squarely at the neck-snapping headbanger in the front row.

Not only does Anselmo run the label that WARBEAST's debut album is being he released on, he produced the record as well. Corbitt had the following to say about signing to Housecore Records and working with Philip on the production of the album:

"WARBEAST is proud to be signed with Housecore Records. I like the fact that their expectations are high for what they want out of a band. They also have a way of creating this family vibe between the band and the label while making it obvious that they believe in us. That is all the motivation we need to want to kick some ass for their label at all times.

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Trina Looks 'Amazin' in Cover Art of Her New Album

The female rapper looks stunning as she stares at the camera with droopy eyes in the 'Amazin' artwork. As her release date for the new album "Amazin" inches closer, Trina revealed the cover art for her May 4 release. In this artwork, the female rapper is photographed lying down and starring at the camera with droopy eyes.

Trina recently debuted a music video for a single called "Million Dollar Girl" which has cameos from her featured guests P. Diddy and Keri Hilson. The song is produced by Mario Winans and C.P. Hollywood, while the clip is directed by Gil Green.

Beside P. Diddy and Keri Hilson, other big stars lined up for the forthcoming album include Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, Lady GaGa, Monica, Rico Love and Kalenna of Dirty Money. The album is preceded with the release of a mixtape called "The Definition of a Million Dollar Girl".



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Christina Aguilera Pictured as Half Cyborg in 'Bionic' Cover Art

Christina Aguilera has released an official picture to be featured on the front page of her upcoming studio album "Bionic." While the previous photo for "Not Myself Tonight" artwork has the singer with devil's horns and tail, Christina Aguilera now appears as a human-machine hybrid for 'Bionic' cover art.

Christina's fourth effort, "Bionic" is scheduled to be released in the US on June 8. The lead single "Not Myself Tonight" was produced by Polow da Don and described as a "fiercely energetic anthem." The track will be debuted on March 30 at 6 P.M. EDT, receives radio airplay on April 5 and will be available on iTunes on April 13.







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Courtney Love’s Hole Unveil ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ Tracklisting and Cover Art

Hole have unveiled the album artwork and track list for their upcoming album "Nobody’s Daughter." It is set for release via Mercury/Island Records on April 11th, and is the band’s follow-up to 1998’s "Celebrity Skin." ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ was recorded in Hollywood and New York over a five year period with production from Michael Beinhorn and Micko Larkin.

The ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ tracklisting is as follows:

1. Nobody’s Daughter
2. Skinny Little Bitch
3. Honey
4. Pacific Coast Highway
5. Samantha
6. Someone Else’s Bed
7. For Once in Your Life
8. Letter to God
9. Loser Dust
10. How Dirty Girls Get Clean
11. Never Go Hungry

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The Dead Weather Announce Tracklisting and Release Date For ‘Sea of Cowards’

The Dead Weather have announced that "Sea of Cowards," the follow-up to 2009’s "Horehound," will be released on May 11th. According to the band’s official website, first single “Die By the Drop” will hit digital music services on March 30th. A 7” inch version of “Die,” backed by Cowards closing track “Old Mary” will be available to pre-order through White’s Third Man Records starting March 30th.

Sea of Cowards Tracklisting:
1. “Blue Blood Blues”
2. “Hustle And Cuss”
3. “The Difference Between Us”
4. “I’m Mad”
5. “Die By The Drop”
6. “I Can’t Hear You”
7. “Gasoline”
8. “No Horse”
9. “Looking At The Invisible Man”
10. “Jawbreaker”
11. “Old Mary”

The Dead Weather Tour Dates:

Apr. 14, 15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Apr. 17 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Apr. 18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl Concert Theater
Apr. 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
Apr. 22 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
Apr. 23 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Capital Federal Park
Apr. 24 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Apr. 26 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Apr. 27 – Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Soundstage
Apr. 28 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
Apr. 30 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ
May 1 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
May 2 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
June 12 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Festival


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Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr’s Debut Solo Album Set For Release

LOSTBOY!, the new solo project by Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, will release his debut album in the UK on 16th May through earMUSIC. The self-titled record has been produced by Kerr’s Simple Minds cohort Jez Coad and features bassist Charlie Jones, who has worked with Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant and Goldfrapp amongst others, as well as long-time Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor.

Described as a ‘noisy and juvenile explosion’, the project was initiated by Kerr’s desire to create something fresh after years with Simple Minds: “I had a yearning to create something brand new,” he said. “Something that involved going back to the very beginning, something without past glories to depend on.”

However, the new direction does not signal an end to Simple Minds:

“Lostboy! AKA can and will move into the future in parallel with the continuing story of Simple Minds,” says Kerr, who also confirmed he will take the record out on the road. “Lostboy! AKA was born to play live, likewise the music is screaming to be heard in a live context.”

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Jimi Hendrix Rock Band Edition Confirmed

It's being reported that a deal has been made for Jimi Hendrix’s music to become the latest edition of the hugely successful ‘Rock Band‘ series. As a deal with Harmonix, MTV Games and Experience Hendrix, Jimi’s entire back catalogue will be made available as downloadable content, beginning with the his second album, ‘Axis: Bold As Love‘, and single ‘Valleys Of Neptune‘ on March 30th.

Commenting on the deal, Janie Hendrix, Jimi’s stepsister and CEO of Experience Hendrix, said: “Much like Jimi’s music, we feel that Rock Band represents an amazing, innovative medium for music discovery and interaction that can have a profound affect on those who experience it. We are extremely pleased to be able to have Jimi Hendrix’s genius musical legacy continue to live on and touch people the world over through Rock Band.”





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AT WAR: 'Infidel' To Receive Limited-Edition Vinyl, Cassette Release

On March 30, "Infidel" — the first album in 20 years from reunited Virginia thrash metal legends AT WAR — will be released as a limited edition of 500 vinyl LPs in a gatefold jacket and an extremely limited edition of 100 cassette tapes.

AT WAR has launched a brand new web site which features a library of streaming audio and video content as well as an archive of photos and show flyers spanning the band's 27-year history.

"Make Your Move", the new video from reunited AT WAR, can be viewed below. The song comes off "Infidel", which was released in August 2009 via Heavy Artillery Records. The CD's stunning cover artwork comes courtesy of legendary illustrator and photographer Claudio Bergamin.




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HELMET To Release 'Seeing Eye Dog' In June

Heavy-rockers HELMET have set "Seeing Eye Dog" as the title of its new album, which is due on June 22 via Work Song, the label imprint shared by singer/songwriter Joe Henry and HELMET mainman Page Hamilton's manager.

Regarding the musical direction of the new CD, Hamilton tells AOL's Noisecreep, "It's a cool album. I'm really into it. It's really good. The mastering guy was freaking out. That makes you feel good. You have to take some time to step back from it. I'm the singer, songwriter, guitar player, producer. I do all the backing vocals and all the extra instruments. It's just about putting everything into it and making it great. You can't really worry about what people are going to say ... a lot of people have a musical agenda or a stylistic agenda. 'I like emo.' Well, we're not emo. 'OK fine.' We're not metal. We're not hardcore. It's just HELMET."

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ROBERT PLANT And BAND OF JOY Planning New Tour, Album

LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant has resurrected his pre-ZEPPELIN band BAND OF JOY for a new album and tour. The group, features a diverse group of musicians — Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals; including co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals and they will embark on a 12-city North American tour in July, to be followed by further dates in the fall.

The album is set for release late summer/early fall on Rounder.

Kicking off in Memphis on July 13 (see full tour schedule below) the tour will feature Plant and the BAND OF JOY — the same musicians who also appear and play on the album.

Says Plant: "It's been a blast working on these new songs…and I'm enjoying such creativity and vitality. It's been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove."

Robert Plant and the BAND OF JOY tour dates:

July 13 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theater
July 15 - Little Rock, AR - Robinson Center Music Hall
July 16 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
July 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheater
July 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
July 21 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
July 23 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Hall
July 24 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 26 - Austin, TX - Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
July 28 - Mobile, AL - The Saenger Theatre
July 30 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
July 31 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Park Amphitheater

Michael Fremer Album Review

Fuck Buttons (new release)
Tarot Sport


ATPR Records LP35 2 180g LPs


Produced by: Andrew Weatherall
Engineered by: Steve Boardman
Mixed by: Steve Boardman
Mastered by: Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service

 Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-03-01

Icy cold vistas, shards of broken electronic glass, relentless thumping disco beats and possible mysteriously encrypted bits of dialogue may not sound like something that would be particularly inviting on a full range audio system, but somehow Fuck Buttons makes it so on this album of artificial mayhem and just plain noise.

The more you listen, the more your brain can begin to unravel the sonic components that produce these enticing synthesized soundscapes. On the other hand you might just want to do a popper and relive the ‘70s, depending upon your experiences and predilections because this oddly modern yet retro music can sound like either outer space or a drugged out disco inferno.

The “tunes” aren’t so much composed as they are programmed over steady beats. The duo blends deep, ring modulator like feedback-drenched squiggles with high pitched squeals set to simple, shifting three chord triads to produce a wide band treat for some ears and just plain shit-noise for others.

Clearly Fuck Buttons’ studio creations will not please every musical taste and Brian Eno they are not, nor obviously do they aspire to be, but in my musical world, this kind of cold, abrasion acts as a pleasing audio palette cleanser.

Aside from being oddly therapeutic and sounding really good (not at all harsh and bright) and producing a wide and deep artificial soundstage, some of the thrash-noise engraved in the grooves of this well pressed double 180g vinyl set just might act as a good system demagnetizer.

That’s a possible added benefit as you listen while fingering the cool, smooth orange (fuck?) buttons embossed on the album jacket. Can’t do that with a download, nor would it sound as good as this. If you’ve got bass, Tarot Sport will exercise your woofers. Speaking which, judging by the picture on the inner gatefold, these two young guys are already sporting big studio midriff tires. Some Pilates guys...


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

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

This Date In Music History-March 26

Birthdays:

Diana Ross - Supremes (1944)

Fred Paris - Five Satins (1946)

Richard Tandy - Electric Light Orchestra (1948)

Steven Tyler - Aerosmith (1948)



Fran Sheehan - Boston (1949)

James Jonas Iha - Smashing Pumpkins (1968)

Kenny Chesney (1968)

Juvenile (1975)


They Are Missed:

One-man blues band Duster Bennett was killed in a car accident in 1976. Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and B.B. King.

Jon Paulus (Buckinghams) died of a drug overdose in 1980 (age 32).

Born today in 1953, William Lyall, keyboards, Pilot. Also worked with Sheena Easton and The Bay City Rollers. Lyall died in 1989.

Rapper producer, and record executive Eazy-E (Eric Lynn Wright) died of AIDS in Los Angeles in 1995 (age 31). Formed Ruthless Records, worked with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.

Randy Castillo drummer with the Ozzy Osbourne band died of cancer in 2002 (age 51). Worked with Osbourne during the 1980s and early 1990s. Also worked with Lita Ford and Motley Crue

In 2004, Jan Berry of Jan and Dean, died at the age of 62, after being in poor health sustained in a 1966 car crash. Had the 1963 US #1 single "Surf City" (co written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson).

In 2005, Australian drummer Paul Hester died (age 46), after he "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne. He had been a member of Crowded House, Split Enz and Largest Living Things.

Born on this day in 1950, Teddy Pendergrass, soul singer. One time member of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. Died on Jan 13, 2010 at the age of 59 following a difficult recovery from colon cancer surgery.


History:

Ricky Nelson recorded his first tunes-- "I'm Walkin'" and "A Teenager's Romance" in 1957.

In 1961, the Beatles performed at the Casbah Coffee Club, West Derby, Liverpool, their last performance before traveling to Hamburg, West Germany, for their second visit.

The photograph for the "butcher" cover for the Beatles' American "Yesterday And Today" album was taken in 1966.



In 1970, Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary pleaded guilty to 'taking immoral liberties' with a 14 year old girl in Washington D.C. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months in jail. Just days earlier, the trio had won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children for their album, 'Peter, Paul and Mommy.'





Mott The Hoople announce they were finished in 1972. David Bowie, a major fan, offered a song to keep them recording. They choose “All The Young Dudes” which becomes their biggest hit.




The film "Tommy" premiered in London in 1975.

Hall and Oates started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with "Rich Girl," the duo's first US #1 hit.

The first single by Elvis Costello, "Less Than Zero" was released in 1977.

The Police became the first Western pop group to play in Bombay, India for over ten years when they played a one off gig in the city in 1980.

In 1985, radio stations in South Africa banned all of Stevie Wonders records after he dedicated the Oscar he had won the night before at The Academy Awards to Nelson Mandela.

Guns N' Roses were signed to Geffen Records in 1986.

Michael Jackson started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Man In The Mirror."

Soundgarden entered the US album chart at #1 in 1994 with 'Superunknown.'

In 2000, Phil Collins won an Oscar at the Academy Awards for Best Original Song with "You'll Be In My Heart" from the Disney animated feature 'Tarzan.'

The toy figure of Eminem was facing a ban from UK shops in 2001. Woolworth's and Hamleys were refusing to stock the dolls. Psychologists warned parents who buy the dolls for children will be inadvertently giving their approval to bad language.

In 2006, readers of Total Guitar magazine voted the guitar solo by Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway To Heaven" as the greatest guitar solo of all time. The 1971 track was voted ahead of tracks by Van Halen, Queen, Jimi Hendrix and The Eagles by its UK readers.



Also in 2006, U2's The Edge donated his favourite guitar a 1975 Gibson Les Paul to a charity he co-founded to replace instruments lost or destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit the US.

Digital downloads of all of Elton John's albums were available for purchase exclusively (for a little over a month) by iTunes in 2007. The releases include nearly 400 tracks from John's four-decade career.

In 2008, a new promotion was launched promising a free can of Dr Pepper to nearly everybody in America if Guns N' Roses release their long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" album in ‘08. "It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients," says Pepper marketing director Jaxie Alt. "So we completely understand and empathize with (frontman) Axl (Rose's) quest for perfection." 2008

Also in 2008, the Los Angeles Times apologised for claiming rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was involved in a 1994 shooting of hip-hop star Tupac Shakur. The LA Times, which published the original story on its website, initially said its claims were based on FBI records, witness accounts and other unnamed sources. The apology followed a claim that the newspaper was conned by a prisoner who doctored the documents used.

Johnny Maestro (1939 - 2010)

Thanks to www.vintagevinylnews.com for this indepth look at the remarkable career and voice of Johnny Maestro

Johnny Maestro, the Brooklyn-born singer who had success with both the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge, passed away in Florida on Wednesday from cancer and a possible heart attack. He was 70.

Maestro was born John Mastrangelo in 1939 and, at the age of 17, joined the fledgling doo wop group the Crests under the stage name of Johnny Mastro. The group recorded their first single, Sweetest One, for the Joyce label, scoring a regional hit in 1957 and reaching number 86 nationally. The next year, they moved to the Coed label where their single Sixteen Candles flew to number 2 on the pop and number 4 on the R&B charts.

The Crests continued having hits for the next two years, making them one of the most successful of the integrated doo wop groups. While never equaling the success of Sixteen Candles, they did place eight more songs on the charts including four that reached the top 40 (Six Nights a Week (1959/#28 Pop/#17 R&B), The Angels Listened In (1959/#22 Pop/#14 R&B), Step by Step (1960/#14 Pop), Trouble in Paradise (1960/#20 Pop).

Maestro left the group in late-1960 to attempt a solo career, scoring with Model Girl (1961/#20 Pop) and the minor hits What a Surprise (1961/#33 Pop) and Mr. Happiness (1961/#57 Pop).

For the next seven years, Maestro recorded for a series of labels (Apt, Cameo-Parkway, Sceptre, United Artists), at times with different Crests lineups, but had no chart success. It wasn't until 1967 that he was invited to join the group the Del-Satins who had been around New York for a decade recording their own songs and backing Dion after he left the Belmonts. At first, Maestro turned them down but eventually relented.

In 1968, the Del-Satins joined forces with another group called the Rhythm Method. They changed their name to the Brooklyn Bridge and signed with Buddah Records. Like the Buckinghams before them and artists like Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago after, the group combined smooth vocals with a rhythm and horn section. They covered a song originally recorded by the Fifth Dimension as their first single and went straight to number 3 with The Worst That Could Happen.

Like the Crests, they peaked early and spent the rest of their recording career much lower on the charts, reaching the top 50 with the double sided hit Blessed is the Rain/Welcome Me Love (1969/#45 & #48 (each side of the record charted separately at the time)) and Your Husband-My Wife (1969/#46).

Even after the hits stopped coming, the group continued to perform and record with various changes in the lineup, shrinking as low as five members and expanding back to eight when turing demanded it. Their last album, Today, Volume 2, was released in March of 2009.

Maestro is in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame twice, with the Crests (inducted in 2004) and the Brooklyn Bridge (2005). The Brooklyn Bridge are also in the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.




SOURCE: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/

"Hendrix" - Valleys of Neptune - Jimi Hendrix

"Hendrix" - Valleys of Neptune - Jimi Hendrix, guitar; Noel Redding, bass; Billy Cox, bass; Mitch Mitchell, drums; Rocky Isaac, drums - Sony Legacy, 62 minutes ****1/2:

The new Jimi Hendrix album is probably the best of his posthumous releases.


The new Jimi Hendrix album—I’ve never written those words before—is probably the best of his posthumous releases. It contains twelve tracks of never-before-released tunes and alternate takes on previously-released material. The music has the feel of completion, far more so than his other posthumous albums like Cry of Love, War Heroes, and Loose Ends.

I heard one cut live in November of 1968 and later wondered why it had never made it onto an album: Sunshine of Your Love. It’s an instrumental version of Cream's best-selling song. The first thing you notice is the faster tempo; the second of course is Hendrix’s phenomenal guitar work. How he handles the piece differently from Eric Clapton is best summarized by Franz Joseph Haydn’s quote on W.A. Mozart: “People say I have genius, but Mozart stood miles above me.” After a minute, the piece slips into a rhythm guitar riff that charms with its subtly variations, then erupts into untethered virtuosity. Hendrix’s jaw-dropping musicianship reminds me of his guitar work in All Along the Watchtower.

Ships Passing Through the Night has also never been released before. The lyrics are nothing extraordinary, but the solo guitar riffs may send you back to the days of Electric Ladyland. Clocking at 5:52 it’s one of the longer cuts on the album and features wild perambulations. The title piece, Valleys of Neptune, melodic and furiously inventive yet still ragged, has never appeared in this full band version. Bleeding Heart differs from the version on War Heroes and contains solo guitar work and tight playing that should amaze anyone. Contained wildness. The longest track, Hear my Train A Comin, is the only full-band version of this 12-string acoustic song (from Jimi Hendrix:Blues). Blues is right. He even scats while playing. Listen close to the last minute, when the tempo mysteriously slows, the volume drops to a whisper, then bang! There’s a final shout and a stinging guitar coda. Another blues tune, Red House, contains expanded arrangements and shows that Hendrix had not only been listening to B.B. King, but had actually surpassed him. Like the recently released At Carnegie Hall (Thelonious Monk quartet) and My Dusty Road (Woody Guthrie), Valleys of Neptune is a welcome visit from beyond the grave. Who knows how many more are out there lurking in dusky catacombs?

TrackList:

1. Stone Free
2. Valleys of Neptune
3. Bleeding Heart
4. Hear My Train A Comin'
5. Mr. Bad Luck
6. Sunshine Of Your Love
7. Lover Man
8. Ships Passing Through The Night
9. Fire
10. Red House
11. Lullaby For The Summer
12. Crying Blue Rain

-- Peter Bates

SOURCE:  I want to thank John over at http://www.audaud.com/ for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.



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

New Album Cover Art

Godsmack, 'The Oracle' -- Cover Art and Track List

After a four year wait for another studio album, Godsmack fans' desire for a new album will finally be satisfied, when 'The Oracle' releases. They've released the first single from the new album ('Cryin' Like a B----!!'), for sale on iTunes in the beginning of March. They will also be headlining Rockfest 2010 in Kansas City and Rock on the Range in May.

Until May 4, the release date for 'The Oracle' rolls around, here is the album artwork and track list for the Boston-based band's fifth effort.

'Cryin Like a B----!!'
'Saints and Sinners'
'War and Peace'
'Love Hate Sex Pain'
'What If?'
'Devil's Swing'
'Good Day to Die'
'Forever Shamed'
'Shadow of a Soul'
'The Oracle'.







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Lacrimosa Reveals New Album "Schattenspiel" Artwork

Swiss Gothic act Lacrimosa has revealed the cover artwork for the band's upcoming 20th anniversary album "Schattenspiel." The band also issued the following statement about the album:

"New double album will be released on May, 7th 2010! For their 20th anniversary Lacrimosa will release a new double-CD with 17 previously unreleased tracks from their 20-years band history on May 7th, including the first demos from 1990 and brand-new songs, which at present Lacrimosa are recording in the studio."

Interesting Videos

To Have & To Hold - Taster Tape from Jony Lyle on Vimeo.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 22, 2010


DEAR JERRY: From a book at the library I made a list of 20 hit songs with foreign language titles, all of which were popular long before I was born.

Since you are probably familiar with them, will you tell me which ones are sung entirely in another language, which ones are either partly foreign, and which are really in English but just have a foreign title?
—Gina Lanza, Milwaukee


DEAR GINA: Here then is your newly-alphabetized list, with the performers commonly associated with each song, and a comment about the language.

“Al Di La”: Emilio Pericoli's Top 10 hit is all Italian; Connie Francis provides one verse in English; and, except for the title, the Ray Charles Singers' version is all English.

“Allez-Vous-En”: Kay Starr sings a few lines in French, but most of this tune is in English.

“Chanson D'Amour”: By Art & Dotty Todd, mostly in English but with a sprinkling of French here and there.

“Chantez Chantez”: Dinah Shore serves up “a little Paris song,” but with only a few words in Francais.

“Danke Schoen”: Other than the German title, and one “auf wiederseh'n,” Wayne Newton's signature song is alle Englisch.

“Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup”: Though Nat King Cole opines “wish my French were good enough,” he effectively adds several French phrases to what is mostly an English number.

“Dominique”: The Singing Nun (Sister Luc Gabriel), from the French-speaking area of Belgium, sings in French from start to finish (but not Finnish). A No. 1 hit in many countries, including the U.S.

“Enamorado”: Washingtonian Keith Colley spoke no Spanish, yet learned enough to convincingly sing this Mexican doo-wop classic entirely in Spanish.

“Guantanamera”: From the Sandpipers, this beauty is all in Spanish, except for a brief English narrative-translation.

“Innamorata”: For both Dean Martin and Jerry Vale, this is just an English tune with an Italian title.

“Je T'Aime … Moi Non Plus”: Once Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg turn up the heat, it's probably just as well all the play-by-play is called in French.

“La Bamba”: All of the hit versions (Ritchie Valens; Tokens; Trini Lopez; Los Lobos) are completely in Spanish, though the lyrics do often vary. The 1987 Los Lobos effort reached No. 1.

“Mala Femmena”: As with her treatment of “Al Di La,” Connie Francis provides a token verse in English. The rest is Italian.

“Malaguena”: A Spanish classic from Connie Francis, totally en Espanol.

“Mas Que Nada”: By Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, this is the only tune on the list in Portuguese, or more specifically it's Brazilian Portuguese. No English heard here.

“Morgen”: Sung entirely in German by Yugoslav-born Ivo Robic and the Song Masters. “Morgen” is mornin', our abbreviated a.m. greeting. Interestingly, Robic's follow-up, and only other U.S. hit, “The Happy Muleteer,” is in English.

“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)”: Using that title, Domenico Modugno took the tune to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic in 1958, in Italian of course. Dean Martin did nearly as well with Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu), using equal parts English and Italian. In 1960, Bobby Rydell's mostly-English “Volare” (translation: fly) soared into the Top 5.

“Shina No Yoru (China Nights)”: Kyu Sakamoto's follow-up to “Sukiyaki,” listed first only because they are alphabetical, is all in Japanese. You'd almost think Kyu's singing “she ain't got no yo-yo.”

“Sukiyaki”: Recorded in Japan, in Japanese, by Kyu Sakamoto, and a No. 1 hit on three continents. Strangely, the song has nothing whatsoever to do with “Sukiyaki.” The word is not even used in the lyrics, but the powers that be felt the true title, “Ue O Muite Aruku,” would be too difficult for non-Japanese dee jays to pronounce. They picked “Sukiyaki” for its familiarity factor. The tune could just as easily have been titled “Sushi.”

“Senza Fine”: Another from Dino's old country songbook, though everything but the Italian title is in English.


IZ ZAT SO? Not only did The Singing Nun and Kyu Sakamoto both have No. 1 foreign language hits in 1963, about five months apart, they both died in 1985, also about five months apart.

The Singing Nun took her own life March 31, 1985, and Kyu Sakamoto died Aug 12, 1985 — one of 520 killed in the deadliest airline crash in history.

About 45 minutes after takeoff in Tokyo, Japan Airlines Flight 123 descended uncontrollably into a ridge near Mount Osutaka.


Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.
Jerry's Question page: Ask your question here.


Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368
E-mail: jpo@olympus.net
Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com  


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

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Them Crooked Vultures Join In On Record Store Day

Absolute Radio spoke with John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme of Them Crooked Vultures on Monday night at Royal Albert Hall and found out that the band will be touring through the end of August, at which time Grohl and Homme will pick up some other projects, pushing the second Vultures album to sometime after this year.

The group is releasing a 10" vinyl picture disc to retailers participating in the April 17 Record Store Day with Mind Eraser, No Chaser and Highway One on one side and an interview on the other.

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Ten Greatest Album Covers in Roadrunner History: #3 Sepultura - Roots

Roadrunner is continuing their look at their ten best album covers, they're at #3!

Brazilian death metal contingent Sepultura's last album with frontman Max Cavalera on the mic, Roots, came out in 1996 just as the metal landscape really began to change in a nu direction. In line with the downtuned sounds of the times and honoring Sepultura's experimental traditions, Roots basically boasted the band's return to their Brazilian heritage. Accented by the affluent tribal tones fully realized in the form of thick, layered percussives -- even featuring Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown playing traditional instruments on tracks like "Ratamahatta," the title was fitting for the sonic offering.




Read the rest here:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Ten-Greatest-Album-Covers-in-Roadrunner-History-3-21113.aspx

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SOULFLY: 'Omen' Artwork Unveiled

SOULFLY's seventh album, "Omen," is set for for release on May 25 via Roadrunner Records. The CD will be made available in a standard edition and a special edition featuring bonus tracks.

The cover artwork for both versions of the album can be viewed below.

Standard Edition:

Special Edition:

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Official Cover Art of B.o.B's 'The Adventures of Bobby Ray'

Bobby Ray is in action, bending in front of an explosion in the official artwork of his upcoming debut album 'B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray'.

Gearing up to release his new album on April 27, B.o.B has debuted an artwork to be featured on the front page of the upcoming record. The Atlanta rapper is featured in bended knees in front of an explosion, wearing a black and red jacket on top of white T-shirt combined with a pair of denims and sneakers.

"B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray" has chart-busting song "Nothin' on You" as a lead single. Bruno Mars, Lupe Fiasco and T.I. are tagged to lend their vocal in this effort.




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MASTERPLAN: New Album, Single Artwork Unveiled

"Time To Be King", the new album from MASTERPLAN, the melodic power metal band led by former HELLOWEEN guitarist Roland Grapow, will be released on May 21 via AFM Records. The CD's first single, "Far From The End Of The World", will be issued on April 16.

Check out the cover artwork for "Time To Be King"
















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This Date In Music History-March 24

Birthdays:

Dave Appell - Applejacks (1922)

Lee Oskar - War (1946)

Nick Lowe (1949)

Dougie Thompson - Supertramp (1951)

Nena (1960)

Sharon Corr - Corrs (1970)

P.A. Pasemaster Mase - De La Soul (1970)

Benj Gershman - O.A.R. (1980)


They Are Missed:

The late Nervous Norvus ("Transfusion"-- real name is Jimmy Drake) was born in 1912. He died on July 24, 1968.

Singer with Philly soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Harold Melvin died in 1997 (age 57).

Neal Aspinall, The Beatles’ road manager, friend and business partner, died in New York in 2008 after an apparent battle with lung cancer (age 66) . Aspinall grew up with Paul McCartney and George Harrison and helped oversee its Apple Corps company until his ’07 resignation. "Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come," says The Beatles’ official statement.

Motown drummer Uriel Jones, died in 2009 (age 74), after suffering complications from a heart attack. Jones played on many Motown classics including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," by Marvin Gaye, "Cloud Nine" by the Temptations, "I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and "For Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder.


History:

Billboard published the first US LP chart in 1945. Nat King Cole was at #1 with 'A Collection Of Favourites.'

Les Baxter started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1956 with "Poor People Of Paris."

In 1958, at 6.35am, Elvis Presley reported to the Memphis draft board. From there Elvis and twelve other recruits were taken by bus to Kennedy Veterans Memorial Hospital where the singer was assigned army serial number 53310761.

Future Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards made their professional stage debut in 1962 with the group called Little Boy Blue & the Blue Boys at a club in Ealing, England.

The Beatles continued filming ‘Help’ at Twickenham Studios, England in 1965. They shot the interior temple scenes, including the one where they "dive through a hollow sacrificial altar and into water". That scene was then cut to the swimming pool scene filmed in the Bahamas on February 23.

Bill Wyman, bass player with the Rolling Stones, was knocked unconscious by an electrical shock onstage in Denmark in 1965.

In 1966, the New York State Assembly passed a bill making it a misdemeanor to sell bootlegs.

Alice Cooper went to #1 on the US album chart in 1973 with 'Billion Dollar Babies.'



During a Lou Reed show in Buffalo, New York in 1973, a fan jumped on stage and bit Lou on the bottom. The man was thrown out of the theatre and Reed completed the show.

The O'Jays went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1973 with "Love Train."

In 1976, transvestite singer Wayne County appeared in court charged with assault after an incident at New York club CBGB's. County had attacked Dictators singer Handsome Dick Manitobe with a mike stand fracturing his collarbone.

In 1978, the British courts granted British record companies the rights to seize bootleg and pirate recordings.

The Bee Gees started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1979 with "Tragedy," the group's eighth US #1 hit.

Iron Maiden released the album "The Number of the Beast" in 1980.

Canadian singer Alannah Myles started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with "Black Velvet."



In 1991, the Black Crowes were dropped as the support act on ZZ Top's tour after repeatedly criticizing the tour sponsor Miller Beer.

A Chicago court settled the Milli Vanilli class action suit in 1992 by approving cash rebates of up to $3 to anyone proving they bought the group’s music before November 27, 1990, the date the lip synching scandal broke. Milli Vanilli won the 1989 best new artist Grammy after hits like "Blame it on the Rain" and "Girl, You Know It's True," selling 30 million singles and 14 million albums. But in late 1990, the performers were stripped of the award after it was revealed that neither actually sang on the Milli Vanilli album.

“(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?” peaked at #4 on the US album chart in 1996. The Oasis album sells seven million copies worldwide.

Amway Corp. announced in 1998 that it had agreed to pay $9 million to settle a lawsuit over the company's use of songs by top artists in videotaped sales pitches.

In 2000, a film company paid $1,079,500 for over nine hours of film shot during the 70s by Yoko Ono. The film contained shots of Lennon smoking hash and talking about his political beliefs.

In 2001, a stretch of road on Highway 19 in Macon, Georgia, was named Duane Allman Boulevard, near where the Allman Brothers guitarist died (age 24) in a motorcycle crash on October 29, 1971.

R.E.M.'s "Accelerate" album was streamed in its entirety via the online social music service iLike in 2008. "Collaborating with iLike and debuting "Accelerate" across the web is in keeping with the spirit and immediacy of the album," says singer Michael Stipe. The album is streamed for three days. The CD comes out a week later.

The first of Green Day's entire catalog of studio albums and compilations was reissued on vinyl in 2009. It starts with ‘91's “1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours” and ‘92's "Kerplunk!

In 2009, the prosecutor in the Phil Spector murder retrial told the jury he was a "demonic maniac" when he drinks and "a very dangerous man" around women. Deputy District Attorney Truc Do urged jurors to find the music producer guilty of murdering Hollywood actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. During her closing argument, she also accused Mr Spector of demonstrating a "conscious disregard for human life".

Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing," Boston's "Amanda,” Journey's "Faithfully," Heart's "Never," Cheap Trick's "The Flame," Whitesnake's "Is This Love,” Scorpions' "Still Loving You” and Def Leppard's "Love Bites" are featured on the “Now That's What I Call Power Ballads!” compilation in 2009.

We Have A Winner!

We have a Winner in the The Jacksons - A Family Dynasty DVD giveaway!  Congrats to Gavin, who was the first one to email me!   Look for more contests coming very soon to the CollectingVinylRecords Blog!

The Jacksons A Family Dynasty DVD Contest

In association with A&E Home Entertainment, CollectingVinylRecords Blog is happy to introduce The Jacksons A Family Dynasty DVD set. Not in stores until March 30, you have a chance to get your own copy of this historic DVD. How? The first person to email me at fonzie1957@charter.net with the words "Michael Jackson DVD" in the subject line - will win their very own copy!

It chronicles the personal and professional lives of the Jackson brothers as they reunite in the aftermath of the passing of their beloved brother, Michael.

Primarily shot “in the moment,” The Jacksons A Family Dynasty also includes some documentary elements to illuminate key moments of the
Jacksons’ legendary history.

This six-hour docu-series provides an intimate behind-the-scenes peek into the daily real-life drama that the Jackson brothers experience due to the tabloids, documenting their relationships with one another, their children and their wives as they struggle to balance the demands of their professional commitments and celebrity.


Here’s the pre-order links:

http://shop.aetv.com/detail.php?p=255028&v=All

http://www.amazon.com/Jacksons-Family-Dynasty-Jackie-Jackson/dp/B002ZMZB4G

Artist Daniel Edlen On Vinyl Record Talk This Tuesday 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Artist Daniel Edlen's unique creations have been growing in popularity since 2006. His work is featured in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, and he has had showings all over North America and Europe.

His portraits on vinyl records are each unique creations, and much of his work comes to him from customers looking for a special way to commemorate their favorite records.

Daniel Edlen joins us on Vinyl Record Talk this Tuesday at 7pm ET / 4pm PT on Radio Dentata. http://www.radiodentata.com/

Daniel Edlen's website is www.vinyart.info

Check it out today, should be an interesting conversation about art and vinyl!

New Music Releases-March 23, 2010

13th Floor Elevators - Complete Singles Collection
Absolute Ensemble - Absolute Zawinul
Airto Moreira - Im Fine How Are You
Amir ElSaffar / H Modirzadeh - Radif Suite
Andy McKee - Joyland
Archie Bronson Outfit - Coconut (vinyl)
Arctic Monkeys - My Propeller (vinyl)
Arthur Brown - Galactic Zoo Dossier
Autechre (Deluxe Edition) - Oversteps
Autechre - Oversteps (vinyl)
Balmorhea - Constellations (vinyl)
Beacon Street Union - Clown Died in Marvin Gardens
Beacon Street Union - Eyes of the Beacon Street Union
Bettie Serveert - Pharmacy of Love
Bill Callahan - Rough Travel for a Rare Thing (2-LP vinyl)
Bing Crosby - Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings 1954-56
Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (vinyl reissue)
Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (vinyl reissue)
Blue October - Approaching Normal
Bobby Darin - Beyond The Sea
Bonnie "Prince" Billy & The Cairo Gang - The Wonder Show of the World
Bonobo - Black Sands
Boston Spaceships - Camera Found the Ray Gun (vinyl)
Brad Mehldau - Highway Rider
Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova - One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels (reissue with four new songs) (vinyl)
Cam'ron - The U.N. - Gunz N' Butta
Carl Perkins - Whole Lotta Shakin / On Top
Cate Le Bon - Me Oh My
Chet Doxas - Big Sky
Chuck Berry - Have Mercy: His Comp Chess Recordings 1969-1974 (4 CDs)
Citizen Cope - Rainwater LP (vinyl)
Claude Luter With Humphrey Lyttelton - In England
Coco Montoya - I Want It All Back
Condo Fucks (Yo La Tengo) - Fuckbook
Cool Scene From Cafe Bizarre - Cool Scene From Cafe Bizarre
Courteeners - Falcon
Cyrus Chestnut - Plenty Swing, Plenty Soul
DJ Cam Quartet - Diggin
Dan Deacon - Bromst
Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks - Tangled Tales
Dave Holland - Pathways
Dead Meadow - Three Kings (CD & DVD) (vinyl & DVD)
Decemberists - Hazards Of Love
Deep Purple - Machine Head (Audio Fidelity)
Derek Smith - Beautiful Love
Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis
Disturbed - The Sickness (remastered with bonus tracks) (2-LP vinyl with CD)
Django's Spirit - Django's Spirit
Double Dagger - Masks (vinyl)
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band / Meets King Penett
Dr. Hook - Bankrupt / A Little Bit More
Dreamers - Vol. 14 - Ipos: The Book of Angels
Drink Up Buttercup - Born & Thrown on a Hook (vinyl)
Dunkelbunt - Morgenlandfahrt
Earth Wind & Fire - Raise / Powerlight (2 CDs)•Fabian - Hound Dog Man- Hit Albums Plus Singles Collection (3 CDs)
Eddie Higgins - Essential Standards Best
Edward Gordon Larry - Soul Jazz Records Presents Celestial
Ella Fitzgerald & Nelson Riddle - Our Love Is Here to Stay
Elvis Presley - On Stage: Legacy Edition
Eric Alexander - Lazy Afternoon:Gentle Ballads IV
F**ed Up - Daytrotter Session (vinyl)
Funkadelic - America Eats It Young (vinyl reissue)
Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge of Getting It on (vinyl reissue)
Galaxie 500 - On Fire (remastered with bonus disc) (vinyl)
Galaxie 500 - This Is Our Music (remastered with bonus disc) (vinyl)
Galaxie 500 - Today (remastered with bonus disc)
Gladys Knight & the Pips - Touch
Gladys Knight & the Pips - Visions
Gloria Gaynor - Experience
Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye
Goldfrapp - Head First
Hafez Modirzadeh - Radif Suite
Hank Jones - Live In Marciac 1993
Hank Williams, Jr. - Family Tradition
Hank Williams, Jr. - Habits Old & New
Hank Williams, Jr. - Pressure Is On
Hank Williams, Jr. - Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound (Remastered)
Health - Die Slow Remixes (vinyl)
High Places - High Places Vs Mankind (vinyl)
Impressions - Complete A- and B-Sides: 1961-1968
Indigo Girls - Poseidon And The Bitter Bug
Jane Krakowski - Live At Feinstein's At The Regency
Janis Ian - Miracle Row / Janis Ian II
Janis Ian - Night Rains / Restless Eyes / Uncle Wonderful
Jean-Michel Pilc - True Story
Jeff Sparks - Love.Life.Soul.
Joe Bonamassa - Black Rock
John Dreamers-Zorn - Dreamers-Zorn,John Vol. 14-Ipos: The Book Of Angels
John Lee Hooker - Live in Istanbul Turkey
John Rich - Son Of A Preacher Man
Joni James - Why Dont You Believe Me
Jonsi Birgisson [of Sigur Ros] - Go
Justin Bieber - My World Part 2
KMFDM - Blitz
Ken Colyer's Jazzmen - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Ken Hensley - Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf
Kenny Barron - Minor Blues
Kid 606 - Songs About F**king Steve Albini
Kleenex/LiLiPUT - Live Recordings, TC-Clip & Roadmovies (CD & DVD)
Laurel Aitken - Boogie in My Bones
Leonard Cohen - Leonard Cohen's Jukebox
Let's Wrestle - In the Court of the Wrestling Let's
Lita Ford - In Concert
London Street Jazz 1988-2009 - London Street Jazz 1988-2009
Look Mexico - To Bed to Battle (vinyl)
Lou Johnson - Incomparable Soul Vocalist
Lou Rhodes - One Good Thing
Love Is All - Two Thousand and Ten Injuries (vinyl)
Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin (vinyl)
Lula Galvao - Bossa Da Minha Terra
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta In Africa
Mahalia Jackson - Essence of Mahalia Jackson
Malachai - Ugly Side Of Love (vinyl)
Mandisa - Freedom
Manhattans - Manhattans / After Midnight
Martina McBride - Shine
Mastodon - Crack The Skye
Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds Complete Set (14-CD box set)
Micah P. Hinson - All Dressed Up & Smelling of Strangers (2 CDs)
Michael Manring - Inner Smile
Michael Yonkers - Lovely Gold (vinyl)
Mickey Thomas - Bluesmasters Featuring Mickey Thomas
Modern Jazz Quartet - MJQ In The Movies
Monica - Still Standing
Mosaic Orchestra - From Dawn To Dusk
Mose Allison - The Way of the World
Mugstar - ...Broken, Sun…
Mux Mool - Skulltaste
Nat King Cole & His Trio - Rare Radio Transcriptions
Nebula / Quest for Fire - Split (vinyl)
Neil Young - Dreamin' Man Live '92 (vinyl)
Norbert Gottschalk - Duo 4 The Road
Owen Pallett - Heartland (2-LP vinyl)
Papa Roach - Metamorphosis
Paul Motian - At Village Vanguard
Paul Revere & the Raiders - The Complete Columbia Singles (3 CDs)
Pet Shop Boys - Pandemonium Live [CD/DVD]
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Pete Doherty - Grace/Wastelands
Phil Moore - Fantasy For Leda
Quadron - self-titled
Quincy Jones - Q Digs Dancers
Radar Brothers - The Illustrated Garden
Rip Chords - Hey Little Cobra & Other Hot Rod Hits / Three Window Coupe
Roadside Graves - You Won't Be Happy With Me EP
Robedoor - Burners (vinyl)
Robin Trower - Twice Removed from Yesterday
Roy Ayers - Daddy Bug
Roy Ayers - Virgo Vibes
Royksopp - Junior
Rush - Time Stand Still: The Collection
Saliva - Moving Forward in Reverse: Greatest Hits
Scorpions - Sting in the Tail
Serena-Maneesh - S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor
Serge Gainsbourg - Soundtracks box set (12-disc vinyl box set)
She & Him - Volume Two (vinyl)
Shirley Bassey - Emi / Ua Years 1959-1979 (5 CDs)
Shorty Rogers - You Shorty Me Tarzan
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Rise & Shine
Slim Thug - The Boss Of All Bosses
Snoop Dogg - More Malice
Social Code - Rock 'N' Roll
Sonny Rollins - Prestige Albums: 8 CD Box Set
Sonya Kitchell - Convict of Conviction EP
Spandau Ballet - Diamond (2 CDs)
Spandau Ballet - Journeys To Glory (2 CDs)
Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Solar Arkestra - Space Is The Place
Swan Lake - Enemy Mine
The Rakes - Klang
The Unthanks - Here's The Tender Coming
The XX - Islands (vinyl)
Thom "The World Poet" - Golden Age Orchestra
Three Degrees - The Three Degrees
Thrushes - Night Falls
Thunderhawks - VI (vinyl & CD)
Tom Harrell - Roman Nights
Utada Hikaru - This Is The One
Various Artists - Bless You California: More Early Songs of Randy Newman
Various Artists - Early Country Rock From Nashville
Various Artists - Greenberg (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Live at Knebworth 1990
Various Artists - NOW 33
Various Artists - Rare Bluegrass From Nashville: 1960's
Various Artists - Repo Men: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various Artists - Ska Madness
Various Artists - The Birth of Surf, Vol. 2
Various Artists - The Runaways Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various Artists - The T.A.M.I. Show Collector's Edition (DVD)
Weakerthans - Live at the Burton Cummings Theater (vinyl)
Who - Greatest Hits Live (2 CDs)
Woodhands - Remorsecapade (vinyl)
X - Wild Gift (vinyl reissue)
Yeasayer - O.N.E.
Young Jeezy - That Hard White
Yukon Blonde - Yukon Blonde (vinyl)

Music News & Notes

Wilco Kicks Off Tour in Miami; "Kicking Television" Vinyl Box Set Due Out April 17

Wilco begins its 16-concert run of Eastern US cities at The Filmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater last tonight. The concerts are presented as An Evening with Wilco and will feature extended, varied sets exploring material from each of the sextet’s seven studio albums. The tour will run through April 11 and includes concerts in Clearwater, Savannah, Atlanta, Durham, Richmond, Bethesda, Montclair, Providence, Boston, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, and features Wilco’s first concert appearances in the cities of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Concord, New Hampshire; and Hartford, Connecticut. Not long afterward, the band heads out for a two-week tour of Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

With all of these live shows ahead, now is a fitting time to revisit Wilco's 2005 live album Kicking Television, which was recorded live at Chicago's Vic Theatre from May 4 to 7 of that year. Nonesuch will release a special LP box set of the album, pressed on four discs of audiophile-quality, 180-gram vinyl on April 17, just in time for national Record Store Day. The Kicking Television LP box set features the original album's 23 tracks plus eight previously unreleased bonus tracks, and a fold-out commemorative poster modeled after the Chicago skyline. Pre-order your copy now in the Nonesuch Store.http://www.nonesuch.com/albums/kicking-television-live-in-chicago-lp-box-set

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Springsteen Joining In On Record Store Day

Bruce Springsteen is releasing a special vinyl 45 for Record Store Day on April 17. In this case, it will be a 10" (vs. a 7") vinyl single with Wrecking Ball (Live at Giants Stadium) and The Ghost of Tom Joad (Live Version featuring Tom Morello).

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ATP Recordings Record Store Day EP

British independent label ATP Recordings are to release a new EP as part of 'Record Store Day'. Amongst the groups paying their respects to dingy vinyl dens this year are Canadian hardcore types Fucked Up, with British label ATP Recordings amongst the latest to confirm a special release.

A forthcoming EP will feature the best music released on the label, run by the organisers of All Tomorrows Parties. If you've been to Minehead you'll know what to expect - expertly put together, eclectic and often challenging the label's output matches the line up of the famed event.

The new EP will be limited to just 1000 copies, the ten inch vinyl release will feature a number of unreleased tracks. Amongst the artists confirmed for the EP are American group APSE, whose new album became a ClashMusic stereo staple.

Joining the psych-rockers on the compilation are the likes of Built To Spill, Sleepy Sun, Fursaxa and more.

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Culture Club 30th Anniversary

Boy George is looking to reform Culture Club next year for the 30th anniversary of their first forming. While the group split in 1986, they've reformed on and off since, notably in 1998 to record some new music and in 2002 for the 20th anniversary of their first album.

Boy George said "I think we could do a one-off gig or maybe a small tour. It's our 30th anniversary next year so we may do something. Last time we re-formed, there was a point to it. We'll see. It's all about my mood at the time."

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Linn Records To Release New William Orbit Electronic Album on 180 Gram Vinyl and HD Download

Known more for audiophile grade classical, jazz and world music, Linn Records just announced the release of their first Electronica album, 'My Oracle Lives Uptown', by the artist, producer and DJ, William Orbit. This release represents an exciting new partnership between Linn, the world's most lauded record player manufacturer, and William Orbit, a pioneer in the Electronica genre. When mastering 'My Oracle Lives Uptown' at Abbey Road, William was aware that his full vision for the record might never be heard by the listening public. The original Studio Masters would remain just that: archives in the vaults of the famous studios. His fans would have to be content with the standard CD quality version.

But why would anyone want to listen to it at studio levels of quality? "Many people don't feel the need, 'til they hear it!" tweeted prolific micro-blogger Orbit, eager to let the world hear the Studio Masters in all their glory, but with no sign of an outlet.

Serendipity would have it that Linn were listening, and dropped him a line offering their support. William, who happens to have one of Linn's LP12 turntables amongst his vast collection of audio equipment, was not only excited to have his record available at Studio Master quality, but also trusted Linn with it's release on high quality double 180g vinyl.

William Orbit has been in high demand as a producer and remixer for well over a decade, most famously working with Madonna on her 1998 album Ray Of Light, as well as U2, Blur, Britney Spears, Sugababes, Pink and scores of other artists.

The record and download are available from Linn Record's Website.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels and .38 Special Summer Tour

Another big summer package tour was announced earlier yesterday featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels and .38 Special. The tour starts off on June 10 at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida with announced dates running through July 11 in Pittsburgh. Skynyrd is on the road promoting its God and Guns CD from last fall and Michael's has just released the single Nothing to Lose featuring Mylie Cyrus.

"The band and I have been friends with Bret for years and are looking forward to finally getting to tour with him," Johnny Van Zandt said. "It's going to be a kick-ass show complete with new music plus all the fan favorites. Skynyrd will definitely be pulling for Bret to become the next Celebrity Apprentice!"

Michaels added "There is no doubt that Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of my all time favorite rock and roll bands. I have been friends with them a long time, so I am honored that Skynyrd has asked me to join them on their tour this summer. I will have a chance to play all the Poison greatest hits, plus all the new solo hits including Nothing to Lose, songs from Rock of Love, Celebrity Apprentice and the new solo CD Custom Built.

The dates announced so far:

•6/10 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
•6/13 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
•6/17 - Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Music Center
•6/18 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
•6/19 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
•6/20 - Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheater
•6/24 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
•6/25 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (Skynyrd & Michaels ONLY)
•6/26 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
•6/27 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
•7/01 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
•7/02 - Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C Bank Arts Centre
•7/03 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
•7/08 - Cleveland - Blossom Music Center
•7/09 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
•7/10 - Hartford, CT - Comcast Theatre
•7/11 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion

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Music to their ears

A resurgent consumer interest in vinyl records and corporate demand for audio materials sound good to a former punk rocker-turned-entrepreneur

Washington Business Journal - by Timothy Burn Associate Editor

Eric Astor had mixed feelings when his customer base began to shift, as struggling punk rock bands were replaced with corporate clients and later Warner Bros. Records.

As a band member and fixture of the Arizona punk scene of the mid-1980s, Astor demonstrated the can-do spirit of entrepreneurs — and punk rockers — helping fledgling bands get their songs onto vinyl records, packaged and distributed to record stores.

Working with young, off-the-grid musicians to distribute their creative efforts was a labor of love. That work produced little in the way of profit but a great deal in valuable knowledge about the inner mechanics of music manufacturing and distribution.

“Indie musicians are very creative. They are very demanding, picky, and they don’t want to pay money,” Astor says. “Business clients are cut and dry. They need it by a certain date, and they are prepared to pay to get what they want.”

Read the rest here: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/03/22/smallb1.html?b=1269230400