Crosby Stills Nash and Young - Suite Judy Blue Eyes
Friday, April 10, 2009
Michael Fremer Review
I am very proud to continue our new feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. In fact, his new DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" has hit the shelves and is selling out very quickly. This is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl, it is a true masterpiece.
Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
ALBUM REVIEW:
Death Cab For Cutie (recent release)
Narrow Stairs
Barsuk Bark 75 180g LP + Bonus 7" single
Produced by: Chris Walla
Engineered by: Chris Walla and Will Markwell
Mixed by: Chris Walla ( "Long Division" mixed by Alex Newport)
Mastered by: Roger Seibel, SAE Mastering
Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-04-01
The gift of uniqueness can easily become the curse of familiarity, easy identification and in the worst case, self-parody.
The latter hasn’t happened to Benjamin Gibbard, Death Cab’s earnest creative center but on the group’s latest album, he’s safely sticking to the ruts of his signature phrasing, melodic constructions and even subject matter.
Familiarity can breed contempt but not this time, with the band countering with toughened guitar textures and edgier rhythmic drive.
Still, Gibbard’s wrenching earnest preoccupation with passing time and death continue diary-like and that’s probably how the band’s fans want it. Though the subject matter has remained relatively steady, Gibbard’s perspective has broadened and matured, while his lyrics have become more economical and a imbued with a jigsaw puzzle-like connectivity.
He sings about seeking and not finding the meaning in death, he pleas for recognition from an object of his desire, loss of innocence and optimism and one, You Can Do Better Than Me,” that accurately reads the minds of a great many long-married men. How a relative youngster like Gibbard pulled this one from the ether escapes me!
The song’s protagonist has begun to think the couple remains together out of fear of dying alone. He’s morphed through the years into many different people. He’s always out looking and falling in love but ultimately he realizes it’s a fools mission and that no one would appreciate him as much as his wife does, even though he doesn’t think he’s worthy, and besides, the song’s narcissistic kicker goes, (I won’t leave because) “You can do better than me, but I can’t do better than you.”
The last tune, “The Ice Is Getting Thinner,” about an inevitable break-up, is typical Gibbard: his poetry is close to the surface but sufficiently fleet to escape the conventional.
The LP cut by Roger Seibel at SAE is well-pressed, dead-quiet 180 gram vinyl and has the look and feel of either RTI or perhaps even Pallas. My understanding is that Roger no longer cuts AAA so this was sourced from digital, but that was obvious from the numerous studios used for the recording and mixing.
It’s a decent sounding rock recording, sufficiently edgy to communicate the band’s harder edged stance, but also sufficiently well-organized and carefully plotted to be pleasingly coherent.
Die cut packaging, a heavy, full color inner sleeve with lyrics printed large enough to actually read and a 45 single containing demo versions of two tunes (not available elsewhere) make the vinyl version worthwhile.
SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com Reprinted By Permission
Pick up Michael's DVD's Here:
Copyright © 2009 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved
Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.
ALBUM REVIEW:
Death Cab For Cutie (recent release)
Narrow Stairs
Barsuk Bark 75 180g LP + Bonus 7" single
Produced by: Chris Walla
Engineered by: Chris Walla and Will Markwell
Mixed by: Chris Walla ( "Long Division" mixed by Alex Newport)
Mastered by: Roger Seibel, SAE Mastering
Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-04-01
The gift of uniqueness can easily become the curse of familiarity, easy identification and in the worst case, self-parody.
The latter hasn’t happened to Benjamin Gibbard, Death Cab’s earnest creative center but on the group’s latest album, he’s safely sticking to the ruts of his signature phrasing, melodic constructions and even subject matter.
Familiarity can breed contempt but not this time, with the band countering with toughened guitar textures and edgier rhythmic drive.
Still, Gibbard’s wrenching earnest preoccupation with passing time and death continue diary-like and that’s probably how the band’s fans want it. Though the subject matter has remained relatively steady, Gibbard’s perspective has broadened and matured, while his lyrics have become more economical and a imbued with a jigsaw puzzle-like connectivity.
He sings about seeking and not finding the meaning in death, he pleas for recognition from an object of his desire, loss of innocence and optimism and one, You Can Do Better Than Me,” that accurately reads the minds of a great many long-married men. How a relative youngster like Gibbard pulled this one from the ether escapes me!
The song’s protagonist has begun to think the couple remains together out of fear of dying alone. He’s morphed through the years into many different people. He’s always out looking and falling in love but ultimately he realizes it’s a fools mission and that no one would appreciate him as much as his wife does, even though he doesn’t think he’s worthy, and besides, the song’s narcissistic kicker goes, (I won’t leave because) “You can do better than me, but I can’t do better than you.”
The last tune, “The Ice Is Getting Thinner,” about an inevitable break-up, is typical Gibbard: his poetry is close to the surface but sufficiently fleet to escape the conventional.
The LP cut by Roger Seibel at SAE is well-pressed, dead-quiet 180 gram vinyl and has the look and feel of either RTI or perhaps even Pallas. My understanding is that Roger no longer cuts AAA so this was sourced from digital, but that was obvious from the numerous studios used for the recording and mixing.
It’s a decent sounding rock recording, sufficiently edgy to communicate the band’s harder edged stance, but also sufficiently well-organized and carefully plotted to be pleasingly coherent.
Die cut packaging, a heavy, full color inner sleeve with lyrics printed large enough to actually read and a 45 single containing demo versions of two tunes (not available elsewhere) make the vinyl version worthwhile.
SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com Reprinted By Permission
Pick up Michael's DVD's Here:
Copyright © 2009 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved
New Record Collecting Book
Extraordinary Records is the title of a forthcoming book on record collecting by Giorgio Moroder.
“This original collection features the most remarkable vinyl artifacts ever produced: a connoisseur's selection of records in a plethora of colors, shapes, and forms, imprinted with extraordinary effects and images.
“Produced in collaboration with Colors magazine, this book showcases over 400 of the most exceptional records owned by leading collectors Alessandro Benedetti and Peter Bastine. Featuring the recordings of Pink Floyd, Queen, the Beatles, Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Bon Jovi and many others, these are rare and valuable records in countless designs and colors - gold, transparent, photo-printed - in a dazzling variety of shapes: butterfly, heart, star, and even a tree-shaped disc.”
Moroder of course is the dude from Italy with the great facial hair and rakes of snyths who founded Musicland Studios, produced great disco records with Donna Summer and more, scored loads of movies, and is generally accepted as one of music’s most influential figures. The book was written with the aid of:
Contributing author Alessandro Benedetti, who “began collecting colored and unusual records in 1981, and now has 8,000 discs, including 1,200 colored vinyl discs. In 1998 his collection won recognition in The Guinness Book of Records. His dream is to open a record museum so he can share his collection with the public.”
And Peter Bastine, “born in 1952, has been a DJ, record seller, and concert organizer. From 1977 until 1998 he collected every kind of picture disc; since then, mostly historical 78rpm records. Today his collection comprises around 8,000 picture discs, and has been the subject of several European exhibitions.”
Extraordinary Records is coming soon on TASCHEN press.
“This original collection features the most remarkable vinyl artifacts ever produced: a connoisseur's selection of records in a plethora of colors, shapes, and forms, imprinted with extraordinary effects and images.
“Produced in collaboration with Colors magazine, this book showcases over 400 of the most exceptional records owned by leading collectors Alessandro Benedetti and Peter Bastine. Featuring the recordings of Pink Floyd, Queen, the Beatles, Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Bon Jovi and many others, these are rare and valuable records in countless designs and colors - gold, transparent, photo-printed - in a dazzling variety of shapes: butterfly, heart, star, and even a tree-shaped disc.”
Moroder of course is the dude from Italy with the great facial hair and rakes of snyths who founded Musicland Studios, produced great disco records with Donna Summer and more, scored loads of movies, and is generally accepted as one of music’s most influential figures. The book was written with the aid of:
Contributing author Alessandro Benedetti, who “began collecting colored and unusual records in 1981, and now has 8,000 discs, including 1,200 colored vinyl discs. In 1998 his collection won recognition in The Guinness Book of Records. His dream is to open a record museum so he can share his collection with the public.”
And Peter Bastine, “born in 1952, has been a DJ, record seller, and concert organizer. From 1977 until 1998 he collected every kind of picture disc; since then, mostly historical 78rpm records. Today his collection comprises around 8,000 picture discs, and has been the subject of several European exhibitions.”
Extraordinary Records is coming soon on TASCHEN press.
Vinyl Collective Test Pressings
As previously reported, Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com is having a spring sale. Check out these great discs!:
"Just listed the following test pressngs on our eBay account. Only 1 of each, all starting at 99 cents. All are hand-numbered and hand-written. A few have extras (like Minus the Bear Planet of Ice and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground). Some of these test pressings are seeing their last opportunity for purchase (both D4 test pressings, the MTB planet of ice, and a few others). Good luck bidding. I hope everyone can get a test pressing they are excited about. Our auctions can be found here."
36 CRAZY FISTS “The Tide” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
A LIFE ONCE LOST “Iron Gag” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD/ COBRA SKULLS “Under the Influence Vol 6″ 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
AUSTIN LUCAS “Somebody Loves You” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
BOYS NIGHT OUT “Make Yourself Sick” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DILLINGER FOUR “Versus God” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER “Can’t Leave These Strays” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/20
DRAG THE RIVER “Garage Rock” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/20
DRAG THE RIVER “You Can’t Live This Way” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER ìUnder the Influence Vol. 5_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER/ THE DENTS “Found All The Parts” LP TEST PRESSING
EVERY TIME I DIE “Big Dirty” LP TEST PRESSING
EVERY TIME I DIE “Gutter Phenomenon” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
EVERY TIME I DIE “Hot Damn” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
EVERY TIME I DIE “Last Night In Town” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
FAKE PROBLEMS / LOOK MEXICO ìUnder the Influence Vol. 1_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
FOXY SHAZAM “Introducing” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
GHOST BUFFALO “The Magician” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW “Turtle Nipple” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOEY CAPE “Bridge” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOEY CAPE / JON SNODGRASS ìWho Wants to Get Down?î 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
JON SNODGRASS “Visitor’s Band” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOSH SMALL “Tall By Josh Small” dbl LP test pressing #/5
LAGRECIA “On Parallels” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
LOVE ME DESTROYER “The Things Around” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER “II” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
MIKE PARK / O PIONEERS!!! split 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
MINUS THE BEAR “Interpretaciones” LP TEST PRESSING
MINUS THE BEAR “Planet of Ice” dbl LP test pressing #/20
MUSTARD PLUG / BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ìUnder the Influence Vol. 3_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
NINJA GUN “Restless Rubes” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
NORMA JEAN “Anti-Mother” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
NORMA JEAN 4 x LP Box Set TEST PRESSING #/20
POISON THE WELL “Versions” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
PORTUGAL THE MAN “Church Mouth” LP TEST PRESSING
SCOTT REYNOLDS & THE STEAMING BEAST LP test pressing
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY “Intervals” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY “Parasite” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
SPARTA “Threes” dbl LP TEST PRESSING #/10
STEREOTYPERIDER “Songs In The Keys Of F And U” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET / THE ERGS! ìUnder the Influence Vol. 4_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/20
THE JEALOUS SOUND “Kill Them With Kindness” dbl LP TEST PRESSING #/20
THE PLAYING FAVORITES LP test pressing joey cape lagwagon
THE TAKERS “Curse Of A Drunk” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
TIM BARRY “Laurel St Demos” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
TIM BARRY “Live At Munford” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/5
TIM BARRY “Manchester” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TIM BARRY “Rivanna Junction” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
USELESS I.D. “Lost Broken Bones” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
V/A “Delicious Vinyl” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
V/A “Revival Road” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
WHISKEY & CO/ NINJA GUN ìUnder the Influence Vol. 2_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
"Just listed the following test pressngs on our eBay account. Only 1 of each, all starting at 99 cents. All are hand-numbered and hand-written. A few have extras (like Minus the Bear Planet of Ice and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground). Some of these test pressings are seeing their last opportunity for purchase (both D4 test pressings, the MTB planet of ice, and a few others). Good luck bidding. I hope everyone can get a test pressing they are excited about. Our auctions can be found here."
36 CRAZY FISTS “The Tide” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
A LIFE ONCE LOST “Iron Gag” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD/ COBRA SKULLS “Under the Influence Vol 6″ 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
AUSTIN LUCAS “Somebody Loves You” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
BOYS NIGHT OUT “Make Yourself Sick” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DILLINGER FOUR “Versus God” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER “Can’t Leave These Strays” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/20
DRAG THE RIVER “Garage Rock” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/20
DRAG THE RIVER “You Can’t Live This Way” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER ìUnder the Influence Vol. 5_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
DRAG THE RIVER/ THE DENTS “Found All The Parts” LP TEST PRESSING
EVERY TIME I DIE “Big Dirty” LP TEST PRESSING
EVERY TIME I DIE “Gutter Phenomenon” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
EVERY TIME I DIE “Hot Damn” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
EVERY TIME I DIE “Last Night In Town” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
FAKE PROBLEMS / LOOK MEXICO ìUnder the Influence Vol. 1_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
FOXY SHAZAM “Introducing” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
GHOST BUFFALO “The Magician” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW “Turtle Nipple” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOEY CAPE “Bridge” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOEY CAPE / JON SNODGRASS ìWho Wants to Get Down?î 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
JON SNODGRASS “Visitor’s Band” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
JOSH SMALL “Tall By Josh Small” dbl LP test pressing #/5
LAGRECIA “On Parallels” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
LOVE ME DESTROYER “The Things Around” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER “II” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
MIKE PARK / O PIONEERS!!! split 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
MINUS THE BEAR “Interpretaciones” LP TEST PRESSING
MINUS THE BEAR “Planet of Ice” dbl LP test pressing #/20
MUSTARD PLUG / BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ìUnder the Influence Vol. 3_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
NINJA GUN “Restless Rubes” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
NORMA JEAN “Anti-Mother” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
NORMA JEAN 4 x LP Box Set TEST PRESSING #/20
POISON THE WELL “Versions” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
PORTUGAL THE MAN “Church Mouth” LP TEST PRESSING
SCOTT REYNOLDS & THE STEAMING BEAST LP test pressing
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY “Intervals” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY “Parasite” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
SPARTA “Threes” dbl LP TEST PRESSING #/10
STEREOTYPERIDER “Songs In The Keys Of F And U” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET / THE ERGS! ìUnder the Influence Vol. 4_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/20
THE JEALOUS SOUND “Kill Them With Kindness” dbl LP TEST PRESSING #/20
THE PLAYING FAVORITES LP test pressing joey cape lagwagon
THE TAKERS “Curse Of A Drunk” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/10
TIM BARRY “Laurel St Demos” LP TEST PRESSING #/5
TIM BARRY “Live At Munford” 7″ TEST PRESSING #/5
TIM BARRY “Manchester” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TIM BARRY “Rivanna Junction” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
USELESS I.D. “Lost Broken Bones” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
V/A “Delicious Vinyl” LP TEST PRESSING #/20
V/A “Revival Road” LP TEST PRESSING #/10
WHISKEY & CO/ NINJA GUN ìUnder the Influence Vol. 2_ 7_ TEST PRESSING #/10
Music News & Notes
MEAT PUPPETS BACK “TOGETHER”
The Meat Puppets are back on the musical map after reuniting in 2006. The group, now a trio with brothers Cris and Curt Kirkwood joined by drummer Ted Marcus, recently inked a deal with Megaforce Records. The label will release their new album, "Sewn Together," on May 12th. The band recently made a welcome and well-received return at Austin's South By Southwest. They'll return with a record release party May 12th at The Mint in Los Angeles, before starting a tour in earnest May 27th in Louisville.
=============================
Motown Premium Audiophile Reissue:
For an exclusive three-week time frame, nine landmark Motown LPs are available to all the independent stores as reissues. Adding to the Motown luster, the top nine audiophile vinyl reissues are pressed on heavyweight 180-gram vinyl in all the original packaging. If you love Motown, even if your father and grandfather loved Motown, the following Premium Audiophile Reissue titles are worth their weight in Motown glory and gold:
Stevie Wonder - "Songs in The Key Of Life"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
The Supremes - "I Hear A Symphony"
Rick James - "Street Songs"
The Temptations - "Cloud Nine"
Smokey Robinson - "A Quiet Storm"
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - "United"
Four Tops - "Reach Out"
Diana Ross - "Diana Ross"
=============================
Mark Your Calanders For Next Week!
Record Store Day Is Approaching! This From The Organizers...
This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Franscisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.
More information and locations at www.recordstoreday.com
=============================
Collector's Choice Presents Gary Lewis & The Playboys' Complete Liberty Singles
Collector's Choice Records has announced May 26 date for The Complete Liberty Singles by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Steve Hoffman is overseeing the mastering of the original recordings and Ed Osbourne is producing and writing the liner notes, including interviews with producers Snuff Garrett and Bones Howe, drummers Hal Blaine and Jim Keltner, singer and Gary's “ghost” voice Ron Hicklin, and even Gary himself.
The original mono singles were taken from the virtually untouched 40-year-old master tapes and includes many B-sides that have never previously been released on CD. Plus, the 2-CD set includes a song that was only released as a promo, Way Way Out.
The 45-song track list for The Complete Liberty Singles is under the cut.
This Diamond Ring
Hard To Find
Tijuana Wedding
Count Me In
Little Miss Go-Go
Doin' The Flake
Save Your Heart For Me
Without A Word Of Warning
Everybody Loves A Clown
Time Stands Still
She's Just My Style
I Won't Make That Mistake Again
Sure Gonna Miss Her
I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight
Green Grass
I Can Read Between The Lines
My Heart's A Symphony
Tina (I Held You In My Arms)
(You Don't Have To) Paint Me A Picture
Looking For The Stars
Way Way Out
Down On The Sloop John B
Where Will The Words Come From
May The Best Man Win
The Loser (With A Broken Heart)
Ice Melts In The Sun
Girls In Love
Let's Be More Than Friends
Jill
New In Town
Has She Got The Nicest Eyes
Happiness
Sealed With A Kiss
Sara Jane
Main Street
C.C. Rider
Mister Memory
Every Day I Have To Cry Some
Rhythm of the Rain
Hayride
Gary's Groove
Something Is Wrong
I Saw Elvis Presley Last Night
I'm On The Right Road Now
Great Balls Of Fire
=============================
Rescue Shelter Boys?
It's almost three decades into their career and the Pet Shop Boys have been asked by animal rights group PETA to rename themselves the Rescue Shelter Boys, CNN reports.
The synthpop duo have declined the “bizarre” request, saying they were “unable to agree” to the name change but “nonetheless think (it) raises an issue worth thinking about” regarding the “cramped, filthy conditions” of pet shops.
I agree, and support PETA and what they try to do, but this goes under the 'inane'- I mean can't they focus their attention on things that will matter?
The Meat Puppets are back on the musical map after reuniting in 2006. The group, now a trio with brothers Cris and Curt Kirkwood joined by drummer Ted Marcus, recently inked a deal with Megaforce Records. The label will release their new album, "Sewn Together," on May 12th. The band recently made a welcome and well-received return at Austin's South By Southwest. They'll return with a record release party May 12th at The Mint in Los Angeles, before starting a tour in earnest May 27th in Louisville.
=============================
Motown Premium Audiophile Reissue:
For an exclusive three-week time frame, nine landmark Motown LPs are available to all the independent stores as reissues. Adding to the Motown luster, the top nine audiophile vinyl reissues are pressed on heavyweight 180-gram vinyl in all the original packaging. If you love Motown, even if your father and grandfather loved Motown, the following Premium Audiophile Reissue titles are worth their weight in Motown glory and gold:
Stevie Wonder - "Songs in The Key Of Life"
Jackson 5 - "ABC"
The Supremes - "I Hear A Symphony"
Rick James - "Street Songs"
The Temptations - "Cloud Nine"
Smokey Robinson - "A Quiet Storm"
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - "United"
Four Tops - "Reach Out"
Diana Ross - "Diana Ross"
=============================
Mark Your Calanders For Next Week!
Record Store Day Is Approaching! This From The Organizers...
This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, djs spinning records and on and on. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Franscisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.
More information and locations at www.recordstoreday.com
=============================
Collector's Choice Presents Gary Lewis & The Playboys' Complete Liberty Singles
Collector's Choice Records has announced May 26 date for The Complete Liberty Singles by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Steve Hoffman is overseeing the mastering of the original recordings and Ed Osbourne is producing and writing the liner notes, including interviews with producers Snuff Garrett and Bones Howe, drummers Hal Blaine and Jim Keltner, singer and Gary's “ghost” voice Ron Hicklin, and even Gary himself.
The original mono singles were taken from the virtually untouched 40-year-old master tapes and includes many B-sides that have never previously been released on CD. Plus, the 2-CD set includes a song that was only released as a promo, Way Way Out.
The 45-song track list for The Complete Liberty Singles is under the cut.
This Diamond Ring
Hard To Find
Tijuana Wedding
Count Me In
Little Miss Go-Go
Doin' The Flake
Save Your Heart For Me
Without A Word Of Warning
Everybody Loves A Clown
Time Stands Still
She's Just My Style
I Won't Make That Mistake Again
Sure Gonna Miss Her
I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight
Green Grass
I Can Read Between The Lines
My Heart's A Symphony
Tina (I Held You In My Arms)
(You Don't Have To) Paint Me A Picture
Looking For The Stars
Way Way Out
Down On The Sloop John B
Where Will The Words Come From
May The Best Man Win
The Loser (With A Broken Heart)
Ice Melts In The Sun
Girls In Love
Let's Be More Than Friends
Jill
New In Town
Has She Got The Nicest Eyes
Happiness
Sealed With A Kiss
Sara Jane
Main Street
C.C. Rider
Mister Memory
Every Day I Have To Cry Some
Rhythm of the Rain
Hayride
Gary's Groove
Something Is Wrong
I Saw Elvis Presley Last Night
I'm On The Right Road Now
Great Balls Of Fire
=============================
Rescue Shelter Boys?
It's almost three decades into their career and the Pet Shop Boys have been asked by animal rights group PETA to rename themselves the Rescue Shelter Boys, CNN reports.
The synthpop duo have declined the “bizarre” request, saying they were “unable to agree” to the name change but “nonetheless think (it) raises an issue worth thinking about” regarding the “cramped, filthy conditions” of pet shops.
I agree, and support PETA and what they try to do, but this goes under the 'inane'- I mean can't they focus their attention on things that will matter?
How do vinyl records and record players work?
Vinyl records fell out of use following the introduction of Compact Discs. However, they are still made in limited numbers, as are record players.
A vinyl record contains a long spiral groove on each side. The sound is encoded into this groove by “wiggling” the groove from side to side in proportion to the sound wave, starting at the outside edge of the record and working inwards.
When the record is played, a pickup transforms the lateral wiggles into an electrical signal which is amplified and played back through headphones or loudspeakers. Inexpensive pickups consist of a sapphire stylus which tracks the groove and is connected to a ceramic piezoelectric material which turns the movement into a tiny electrical voltage.
Because the contact area of the stylus tip is very small, there is massive pressure at the point of contact and a diamond stylus can be used to obtain a longer life than a sapphire stylus will provide. Even a diamond stylus is considered a consumable item which must be replaced from time to time to maintain sound quality, and to avoid damaging the records.
More expensive pickups attach a magnet to the stylus and surround it with a coil which has an electric current induced into it by the movement of the magnet. It’s also possible to reverse this arrangement and use a moving coil pickup, where the coil is attached to the stylus and the magnet is fixed.
The pickup is attached to the tone arm, which carries it along the spiral of the grooves. This arm can be connected to a mechanism which can lower it into position at the start of the record, and return it to its rest stand at the end of playback.
Records come in various sizes, and are designed to rotate at different speeds. A single holds a few minutes of music on each side, and is commonly 7 inches diameter and must be spun at 45 revolutions per minute (rpm). An LP, or “long playing album”, holds 20 or 30 minutes of music on each side, and is 12 inches diameter. An LP is played at 33 and 1/3 rpm. Most record players have a speed selector switch.
Other combinations exist, such as 12 inch 45 rpm records for disco use, and also 10 inch records. A small number of spoken voice records were produced at 16 and 2/3 rpm.
Older records (pre-1960) played at 78 r.p.m. and were made from shellac instead of vinyl. they were usually 10 inches (3 minutes per side) or 12 inches (5 minutes per side)
To avoid loud bass notes causing one groove to “cut across” the next, the bass was de-emphasized and the treble was enhanced. This equalization needed to be reversed after playback. The standard equalization curve was known as “RIAA equalization“.
Stereophonic records (containing two audio channels) were encoded by modulating each side of the groove separately, and at 45 degrees to the vertical. One side of the groove carried the left channel and the other side carried the right channel. In this way, the sum of the channels produces horizontal movement which can be reproduced on monaural (mono) equipment, while stereo equipment has a pickup with two piezoelectric strips or coils (at right angles to each other) so that each channel can be decoded and amplified separately.
Record players were available that could play a stack of up to six sides in sequence; these were known as record changers.
Records suffered from being easily scratched, which could render them unplayable. They also attracted dust into the grooves which produced “clicks” and “pops” on playback. Slight misalignment between the left and right channels in the pickup could lead to crosstalk (the signal from one channel also appearing to some extent on the other channel), and the whole process of mechanical reproduction introduced various kinds of distortion.
The record player could introduce additional artifacts, such as “wow” (variation in rotational speed due to changes in the belt drive tension), “flutter” (faster variations due to motor irregularities), and “rumble” (vibrations from the motor being transferred to the pickup). The stylus could also “jump” from one groove to another if the record player was bumped (or even if someone jumped on the floor nearby), and a damaged groove could cause the record player to “skip”, playing the same groove over and over again.
So it was not surprising that the compact disc rapidly replaced the vinyl record. A few people still collect vinyl because they like its distinctive soft distortion (”analog sound”) as opposed to the sometimes-harsh clarity of the CD, but it’s a niche market.
Interesting write up, I found lots of other goodies at the site, stop by, I think you will enjoy the Q & A features. http://quezi.com/6187
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History- part eight
In our continuing series about “bird” and “animal” bands and artists in rock and roll history, let’s explore more “bird” group names.
The short career of the Detroit “bird” band the Falcons was highlighted by their release in 1959 called “You’re So Fine,” which is often considered the first true soul record. But a host of 1960's soul stars called themselves the Falcons at one time or another including the founder of the group, Eddie Floyd. The list also included a young Wilson Pickett, from 1961-63 (who went on to an illustrious career and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991), Sir Mack Rice and Joe Stubbs (brother of Four Tops member Levi Stubbs). Under the direction of Robert West, the Falcons sound was more gospel based and when Pickett skillfully screamed the gospel-filled ballad “I Found A Love” to national prominence, it more or less ended the vocal group as Pickett went solo soon thereafter the release. The group broke up but not before carving a small, yet prominent niche in soul music.
In 1958, a line up consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles formed a vocal ensemble called the Triumphs. They recorded for King as the Mascots and made their recording debut with the song “Miracles,” under the Wayco Record label. A Cleveland DJ named Eddie O’Jay loved the group and he decided to become the vocal group’s manager and as a gesture of appreciation the group renamed themselves the O’Jays. They recorded for Imperial Records from 1963-67 with minor success (“Stand In For Love” number twelve on the rhythm and blues charts in 1966).
In 1966, Isles left the group and the quartet signed on with Bell Records and scored a number eight R&B hit called “I’ll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today”) in 1967. After the members of the O’Jays contemplating quitting, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff signed the group to their Neptune label and the O’Jays had four hits including “One Night Affair” (number fifteen on the R&B 1969) and “Looky Looky (Look At Me Girl)” (number seventeen on the R&B charts in 1970). But after Neptune Records folded, Massey quit the group and started producing records.
The trio of Levert, Williams and Powell attempted self-promotion, but soon signed on with Gamble and Huff’s new label, Philadelphia International. Under their guidance, the O’Jays came into their own with an impressive set of gold and platinum records. This includes eight number one R&B singles from 1972-1978 including the smash hit (and now featured in a beer commercial), “Love Train (1973), “For The Love Of Money” (1974), “I Love Music (Part One) (1975) and “Use Ta Be My Girl” (number four in 1978).
But in 1975, Powell was stricken with cancer and could no longer tour (he died two years later) and he was replaced by Little Anthony & The Imperials veteran Sammy Strain. The group continued to produce quintessential Soul and R&B music with hits such as “Lovin You” (a number one on the R&B charts in 1987 from the LP, “Let Me Touch You”) and a number four R&B hit in 1989 called “Serious.” The singles included “Have You Had Your Love Today” (number one on the R&B singles chart), “Out Of My Mind” (number eleven R&B charts) as well as “Serious Hold On Me,” which peaked at number nine on the R&B charts. In 1991, the O’Jays released the LP (another gold record for the group) “Emotionally Yours,” which included the hit singles “Keep On Lovin Me” (number four on the R&B charts), “Don’t Let Me Down” (number two R&B charts) and the Bob Dylan-penned tune “Emotionally Yours” (number five on the R&B charts).
In 1993, Sammy Strain left the group to reform Little Anthony and the Imperials and was replaced by Nathan Best. The O’Jays released the album “Heartbreaker” that same year and it was yet another Top Ten R&B classic. Eric Grant replaced Best before the 1997 album called “Love You To Tears” (number fourteen on the R&B charts and number seventy-five on the Pop charts)
The group has certainly paid their dues, touring incessantly and they also have kept their sound alive by adapting to the musical changes in pop, R&B and soul music. But one thing has remained constant, the O’Jays have created an R&B legacy that is unmatched and they are one of the signature soul groups of all time.
The Partridge Family was not a family in real life (although they did play one on TV). But teen heartthrob David Cassidy and Shirley Jones were related (Shirley married David’s father Jack Cassidy). The fictional TV group, loosely based on the Cowsills, hit number one with the sappy song “I Think I Love You” in 1970. In the first episode of the sitcom, the kids ask Mom (Shirley Jones) to help with a recording session in the garage and then try to sell the music to a record label, hoping to have a number one single. Ironically, the song “I Think I Love You,” DID top the Billboard charts!
The show ran from 1970-1974 with only moderate musical success after that single, but David Cassidy emerged as one of the top great teen idols of the 1970's. Interestingly, Cassidy was actually declared a hazard to public health in Australia, as his solo tours were pop rock disasters filled with screaming teenage girls. During a London show, more than a thousand people were injured and tragically one female fan was crushed to death when a concert got out of hand. In 1971, David Cassidy was able to secure a Top 40 Billboard hit with the song “Cherish.” Fellow band member and actress Susan Dey, went on to L. A. Law fame and actor Danny Bonaduce slipped into drugs, but has recovered and is still active in show business.
Look for part nine of our series next week when again we will focus on some more bird names and groups in rock and roll history.
Falcons Tidbits:
The Falcons were originally:
Eddie Floyd (1955-1963)
Bob Manardo (1955-1957)
Arnett Robinson (1955-1957)
Tom Shetler (1955-1957)
Willie Schofield (1955-1963)
Some members were replaced over time:
Joe Stubbs (1957-1960)
Wilson Pickett (1960-1963)
Mack Rice (1957-1963)
Lance Finnie (1957-1963)
Robert Ward (1957-1963)
After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised of Carlis 'Sonny' Monroe, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, Alton Hollowell. This group made the R&B chart in 1966 with "Standing On Guard."
O’Jays Tidbits:
On February 23, 2007, Radio-Canada's website reported that Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice had used the song "For The Love of Money" without the group's permission during a political event, a faux pas since Prentice is responsible for the application of the Copyright Act in Canada. Radio-Canada also reports that Prentice has since been contacted by the attorneys for both the O'Jays and Warner/Chappell Music.
"For the Love of Money" is the theme song to the hit reality TV show The Apprentice, starring Donald Trump, which is ironic considering that the lyrics warn of the evil people will do for the love of money.
In 2005 the O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Original members Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Bobby Massey and, posthumously, William Powell, were inducted. In a note of controversy, 70's O'Jays member Sammy Strain was also inducted with the group, while original member Bill Isles was not. (Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history who is a double Rock Hall inductee: with The O'Jays in 2005, and The Imperials in 2009).
Partridge Family Tidbits:
The pilot was called The Family Business. After they found a manager, the group acquired an old school bus, painted it and departed to Las Vegas for their first live gig at Caesars Palace. After the series was sold, the title was changed to The Partridge Family.
The Partridge Family was produced for ABC by Screen Gems, which was just finishing its run with The Monkees, another show about a fictional musical group. The company promoted the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. Led by producer Wes Farrell, a group of hired studio musicians (informally referred to as the Ron Hicklin Singers and Wrecking Crew) actually created the Partridge Family's sound. David Cassidy was originally to lip sync with the rest of the cast, but he convinced Farrell just weeks into production that he could sing well and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer.
A modernized-version of the bus was created for a new promotion in 2004, when VH1 premiered In Search of the New Partridge Family. This talent competition in the format of American Idol sought a new cast for a contemporary version of the sitcom. The elimination-type program aired seven episodes in which a panel of judges selected a new Partridge Family cast from auditioners across the country. The resulting pilot episode of The New Partridge Family aired in January 2005, but due to low ratings VH1 opted not to produce any more episodes.
The short career of the Detroit “bird” band the Falcons was highlighted by their release in 1959 called “You’re So Fine,” which is often considered the first true soul record. But a host of 1960's soul stars called themselves the Falcons at one time or another including the founder of the group, Eddie Floyd. The list also included a young Wilson Pickett, from 1961-63 (who went on to an illustrious career and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991), Sir Mack Rice and Joe Stubbs (brother of Four Tops member Levi Stubbs). Under the direction of Robert West, the Falcons sound was more gospel based and when Pickett skillfully screamed the gospel-filled ballad “I Found A Love” to national prominence, it more or less ended the vocal group as Pickett went solo soon thereafter the release. The group broke up but not before carving a small, yet prominent niche in soul music.
In 1958, a line up consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles formed a vocal ensemble called the Triumphs. They recorded for King as the Mascots and made their recording debut with the song “Miracles,” under the Wayco Record label. A Cleveland DJ named Eddie O’Jay loved the group and he decided to become the vocal group’s manager and as a gesture of appreciation the group renamed themselves the O’Jays. They recorded for Imperial Records from 1963-67 with minor success (“Stand In For Love” number twelve on the rhythm and blues charts in 1966).
In 1966, Isles left the group and the quartet signed on with Bell Records and scored a number eight R&B hit called “I’ll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today”) in 1967. After the members of the O’Jays contemplating quitting, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff signed the group to their Neptune label and the O’Jays had four hits including “One Night Affair” (number fifteen on the R&B 1969) and “Looky Looky (Look At Me Girl)” (number seventeen on the R&B charts in 1970). But after Neptune Records folded, Massey quit the group and started producing records.
The trio of Levert, Williams and Powell attempted self-promotion, but soon signed on with Gamble and Huff’s new label, Philadelphia International. Under their guidance, the O’Jays came into their own with an impressive set of gold and platinum records. This includes eight number one R&B singles from 1972-1978 including the smash hit (and now featured in a beer commercial), “Love Train (1973), “For The Love Of Money” (1974), “I Love Music (Part One) (1975) and “Use Ta Be My Girl” (number four in 1978).
But in 1975, Powell was stricken with cancer and could no longer tour (he died two years later) and he was replaced by Little Anthony & The Imperials veteran Sammy Strain. The group continued to produce quintessential Soul and R&B music with hits such as “Lovin You” (a number one on the R&B charts in 1987 from the LP, “Let Me Touch You”) and a number four R&B hit in 1989 called “Serious.” The singles included “Have You Had Your Love Today” (number one on the R&B singles chart), “Out Of My Mind” (number eleven R&B charts) as well as “Serious Hold On Me,” which peaked at number nine on the R&B charts. In 1991, the O’Jays released the LP (another gold record for the group) “Emotionally Yours,” which included the hit singles “Keep On Lovin Me” (number four on the R&B charts), “Don’t Let Me Down” (number two R&B charts) and the Bob Dylan-penned tune “Emotionally Yours” (number five on the R&B charts).
In 1993, Sammy Strain left the group to reform Little Anthony and the Imperials and was replaced by Nathan Best. The O’Jays released the album “Heartbreaker” that same year and it was yet another Top Ten R&B classic. Eric Grant replaced Best before the 1997 album called “Love You To Tears” (number fourteen on the R&B charts and number seventy-five on the Pop charts)
The group has certainly paid their dues, touring incessantly and they also have kept their sound alive by adapting to the musical changes in pop, R&B and soul music. But one thing has remained constant, the O’Jays have created an R&B legacy that is unmatched and they are one of the signature soul groups of all time.
The Partridge Family was not a family in real life (although they did play one on TV). But teen heartthrob David Cassidy and Shirley Jones were related (Shirley married David’s father Jack Cassidy). The fictional TV group, loosely based on the Cowsills, hit number one with the sappy song “I Think I Love You” in 1970. In the first episode of the sitcom, the kids ask Mom (Shirley Jones) to help with a recording session in the garage and then try to sell the music to a record label, hoping to have a number one single. Ironically, the song “I Think I Love You,” DID top the Billboard charts!
The show ran from 1970-1974 with only moderate musical success after that single, but David Cassidy emerged as one of the top great teen idols of the 1970's. Interestingly, Cassidy was actually declared a hazard to public health in Australia, as his solo tours were pop rock disasters filled with screaming teenage girls. During a London show, more than a thousand people were injured and tragically one female fan was crushed to death when a concert got out of hand. In 1971, David Cassidy was able to secure a Top 40 Billboard hit with the song “Cherish.” Fellow band member and actress Susan Dey, went on to L. A. Law fame and actor Danny Bonaduce slipped into drugs, but has recovered and is still active in show business.
Look for part nine of our series next week when again we will focus on some more bird names and groups in rock and roll history.
Falcons Tidbits:
The Falcons were originally:
Eddie Floyd (1955-1963)
Bob Manardo (1955-1957)
Arnett Robinson (1955-1957)
Tom Shetler (1955-1957)
Willie Schofield (1955-1963)
Some members were replaced over time:
Joe Stubbs (1957-1960)
Wilson Pickett (1960-1963)
Mack Rice (1957-1963)
Lance Finnie (1957-1963)
Robert Ward (1957-1963)
After 1963, the Fabulous Playboys took over the Falcons name. The later group comprised of Carlis 'Sonny' Monroe, James Gibson, Johnny Alvin, Alton Hollowell. This group made the R&B chart in 1966 with "Standing On Guard."
O’Jays Tidbits:
On February 23, 2007, Radio-Canada's website reported that Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice had used the song "For The Love of Money" without the group's permission during a political event, a faux pas since Prentice is responsible for the application of the Copyright Act in Canada. Radio-Canada also reports that Prentice has since been contacted by the attorneys for both the O'Jays and Warner/Chappell Music.
"For the Love of Money" is the theme song to the hit reality TV show The Apprentice, starring Donald Trump, which is ironic considering that the lyrics warn of the evil people will do for the love of money.
In 2005 the O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Original members Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Bobby Massey and, posthumously, William Powell, were inducted. In a note of controversy, 70's O'Jays member Sammy Strain was also inducted with the group, while original member Bill Isles was not. (Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history who is a double Rock Hall inductee: with The O'Jays in 2005, and The Imperials in 2009).
Partridge Family Tidbits:
The pilot was called The Family Business. After they found a manager, the group acquired an old school bus, painted it and departed to Las Vegas for their first live gig at Caesars Palace. After the series was sold, the title was changed to The Partridge Family.
The Partridge Family was produced for ABC by Screen Gems, which was just finishing its run with The Monkees, another show about a fictional musical group. The company promoted the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. Led by producer Wes Farrell, a group of hired studio musicians (informally referred to as the Ron Hicklin Singers and Wrecking Crew) actually created the Partridge Family's sound. David Cassidy was originally to lip sync with the rest of the cast, but he convinced Farrell just weeks into production that he could sing well and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer.
A modernized-version of the bus was created for a new promotion in 2004, when VH1 premiered In Search of the New Partridge Family. This talent competition in the format of American Idol sought a new cast for a contemporary version of the sitcom. The elimination-type program aired seven episodes in which a panel of judges selected a new Partridge Family cast from auditioners across the country. The resulting pilot episode of The New Partridge Family aired in January 2005, but due to low ratings VH1 opted not to produce any more episodes.
Music News & Notes
Poor Britney
Britney Spears stopped performing halfway through her concert at the GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, after smoky conditions and ventilation problems forced the singer and her dancers to leave the stage for more than 30 minutes, reported the Vancouver Sun. After performing a few songs, Spears and her dancers vanished for no reason, leaving the impatient crowd to chant and do the wave in complete darkness. Apparently, the smoking of marijuana and cigarettes became so overwhelming, that the crew thought it was unsafe- so they stopped the concert.
Spears’ camp issued a statement after the concert, saying, “We want to apologize to all the fans who attended our Vancouver show tonight for the brief pause in Britney’s set. Crew members above the stage became ill due to a ventilation issue.”
You won't see that anywhere else, imagine a rock concert being stopped because of the smoke- hey, isn't that part of the show?
==========================
Prince at #2
Prince's new album, LotusFlow3r, premiers at number two this week on the Billboard Album chart with sales of 168,000. He was beat out by Keith Urban's new album which sold just 3,000 more copies.
Total sales were 7.11 million units, down 11% from the same week last year. Year-to-date sales are down 13.3%.
==========================
Eddie Vedder Embarks On 2009 US Solo Tour
Eddie Vedder will embark on an 11-date, 2009 US solo tour, which begins June 8th in Albany, New York and ends July 2nd in Honolulu, Hawaii (full list of tour dates below). New Zealand singer-songwriter Liam Finn will open these shows. General public tickets for all dates of the Eddie Vedder 2009 solo tour go on sale Saturday, April 18th (with the exception of the Baltimore dates which go on sale April 17th).
==========================
New Releases This Week
Mumiy Troll - "Comrade Ambassador" - Review
Maria Taylor - "LadyLuck" (Nettwerk Music Group)
Halloween, Alaska - "Champagne Downtown" (East Side Digital)
Other Lives - "Other Lives" (tbd records)
Tom Goss - "Back To Love"
The Blue Van - "Man Up" - iTunes release
Felice Brothers - "Yonder Is The Clock" (Team Love)
Zach Williams and the Reformation - "Zach Williams and the Reformation"
Datarock - "Give It Up" - Single
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “From Her To Eternity” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “The Firstborn Is Dead” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “Kicking Against The Pricks” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “Your Funeral… My Trial” (Mute) - Re-release
Living With Lions - "Dude Manor" (Adeline Records)
Single File - "Common Struggles"
Gliss - "Devotion Implosion" (Rydkodisc/Cordless Recordings)
Richard Swift - "The Atlantic Ocean" (Secretly Canadian)
Bat for Lashes - "Two Suns" (Astralwerks)
Britney Spears stopped performing halfway through her concert at the GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, after smoky conditions and ventilation problems forced the singer and her dancers to leave the stage for more than 30 minutes, reported the Vancouver Sun. After performing a few songs, Spears and her dancers vanished for no reason, leaving the impatient crowd to chant and do the wave in complete darkness. Apparently, the smoking of marijuana and cigarettes became so overwhelming, that the crew thought it was unsafe- so they stopped the concert.
Spears’ camp issued a statement after the concert, saying, “We want to apologize to all the fans who attended our Vancouver show tonight for the brief pause in Britney’s set. Crew members above the stage became ill due to a ventilation issue.”
You won't see that anywhere else, imagine a rock concert being stopped because of the smoke- hey, isn't that part of the show?
==========================
Prince at #2
Prince's new album, LotusFlow3r, premiers at number two this week on the Billboard Album chart with sales of 168,000. He was beat out by Keith Urban's new album which sold just 3,000 more copies.
Total sales were 7.11 million units, down 11% from the same week last year. Year-to-date sales are down 13.3%.
==========================
Eddie Vedder Embarks On 2009 US Solo Tour
Eddie Vedder will embark on an 11-date, 2009 US solo tour, which begins June 8th in Albany, New York and ends July 2nd in Honolulu, Hawaii (full list of tour dates below). New Zealand singer-songwriter Liam Finn will open these shows. General public tickets for all dates of the Eddie Vedder 2009 solo tour go on sale Saturday, April 18th (with the exception of the Baltimore dates which go on sale April 17th).
==========================
New Releases This Week
Mumiy Troll - "Comrade Ambassador" - Review
Maria Taylor - "LadyLuck" (Nettwerk Music Group)
Halloween, Alaska - "Champagne Downtown" (East Side Digital)
Other Lives - "Other Lives" (tbd records)
Tom Goss - "Back To Love"
The Blue Van - "Man Up" - iTunes release
Felice Brothers - "Yonder Is The Clock" (Team Love)
Zach Williams and the Reformation - "Zach Williams and the Reformation"
Datarock - "Give It Up" - Single
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “From Her To Eternity” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “The Firstborn Is Dead” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “Kicking Against The Pricks” (Mute) - Re-release
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - “Your Funeral… My Trial” (Mute) - Re-release
Living With Lions - "Dude Manor" (Adeline Records)
Single File - "Common Struggles"
Gliss - "Devotion Implosion" (Rydkodisc/Cordless Recordings)
Richard Swift - "The Atlantic Ocean" (Secretly Canadian)
Bat for Lashes - "Two Suns" (Astralwerks)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mr. Music
I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.
DEAR JERRY: There is a comedy routine from the 1950s that I just can't get out of my mind.
I know it came out on a 45 rpm and is a parody of the Ed Sullivan Show. This comedian's name finally dawned on me, and it is Will Jordan.
I'd love to get a copy play it on my “Warped Records Radio Show,” which I have been doing for nearly 10 years locally on WSVA 550.
—Jim Bishop, Harrisonburg, Va.
DEAR JIM: As you likely recall, the original title of Ed Sullivan's Sunday night show was “Toast of the Town.”
Ed's distinctive style and mannerisms made him a favorite target of most impressionists. However, Will Jordan's Sullivan act was so good that Ed frequently booked him on “Toast of the Town.
One such Jordan parody routine did come out as a single in 1956, titled “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 1” backed with “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 2” (Jubilee 900). This must be the recording your mind can't discharge.
Billed as “Will Jordan Starring in a One Man Mimicry Show” on this record's picture sleeve, he lampoons other TV celebrities besides Ed Sullivan, specifically Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Jackie Gleason; Arthur Godfrey; Groucho Marx; Wally Cox; Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz; and Liberace.
Jordan made other comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, but Will's most marketable product remained his Sullivan impersonation.
I spotted “Roast of the Town” recently on eBay for about $12, including picture sleeve. While not close to near-mint, it probably would meet “Warped Records Radio Show” requirements.
Congratulations on 10 years of entertaining the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!
DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed learning how many single-letter film titles exist, 23 to be exact.
Using various movie references I can confirm all except the N-movie.
Please resolve this cinematic mystery for me.
—Jill Stillman, Hanover, Pa.
DEAR JERRY: Regarding your list of single-letter movie titles. My co-workers dispute there is a 2005 movie titled “N.” Please restore my standing in the officeplace trivia rankings!
—Jim Chandler, Fraser, Mich
DEAR JILL & JIM: “N” is a 2005 German film, an 82-minute historical documentary.
Though “N” is the complete English title, it is better known to Germans as “N wie niemand” (translation: “N as no one”).
You can find it listed accordingly on both the U.S. and German language Internet Movie Database sites.
DEAR JERRY: Did Judy Collins ever record “Wedding Song (There Is Love)”?
I used to hear it on a radio station in Mexico, and I am pretty sure that it was presented like that. Still, after looking for years, I cannot find this song by Judy Collins.
Am I perhaps mistaken about the singer's identity?
—Alfonso de Leon, Mexico City
DEAR ALFONSO: Since I also find no recording of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Judy Collins, one of two possibilities exist:
Either you have the title right and the wrong artist, or the song you recall is “Wedding Song,” a completely different song which is by Judy Collins, from her 1980 LP, “Running for My Life” (Elektra 253).
What has me leaning toward the first option is you clearly mention the complete title, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love).” Judy's “Wedding Song” makes no reference to “There Is Love.”
Three versions of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” do exist by well-known female stars: Petula Clark (1972); Captain & Tennille, featuring Toni Tennille (1976); and Mary MacGregor (1978).
There is a good chance it is one of these you seek.
Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, wrote “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” and his is the top selling and most famous version. It became a Top 25 hit in 1971.
IZ ZAT SO? Completely different than Judy Collins' 1980 “Wedding Song,” and still nothing like “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” is “Wedding Song (Song for Louis).”
This selection is from Judy's 2005 album, “Portrait of an American Girl.”
DEAR JERRY: There is a comedy routine from the 1950s that I just can't get out of my mind.
I know it came out on a 45 rpm and is a parody of the Ed Sullivan Show. This comedian's name finally dawned on me, and it is Will Jordan.
I'd love to get a copy play it on my “Warped Records Radio Show,” which I have been doing for nearly 10 years locally on WSVA 550.
—Jim Bishop, Harrisonburg, Va.
DEAR JIM: As you likely recall, the original title of Ed Sullivan's Sunday night show was “Toast of the Town.”
Ed's distinctive style and mannerisms made him a favorite target of most impressionists. However, Will Jordan's Sullivan act was so good that Ed frequently booked him on “Toast of the Town.
One such Jordan parody routine did come out as a single in 1956, titled “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 1” backed with “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 2” (Jubilee 900). This must be the recording your mind can't discharge.
Billed as “Will Jordan Starring in a One Man Mimicry Show” on this record's picture sleeve, he lampoons other TV celebrities besides Ed Sullivan, specifically Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Jackie Gleason; Arthur Godfrey; Groucho Marx; Wally Cox; Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz; and Liberace.
Jordan made other comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, but Will's most marketable product remained his Sullivan impersonation.
I spotted “Roast of the Town” recently on eBay for about $12, including picture sleeve. While not close to near-mint, it probably would meet “Warped Records Radio Show” requirements.
Congratulations on 10 years of entertaining the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!
DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed learning how many single-letter film titles exist, 23 to be exact.
Using various movie references I can confirm all except the N-movie.
Please resolve this cinematic mystery for me.
—Jill Stillman, Hanover, Pa.
DEAR JERRY: Regarding your list of single-letter movie titles. My co-workers dispute there is a 2005 movie titled “N.” Please restore my standing in the officeplace trivia rankings!
—Jim Chandler, Fraser, Mich
DEAR JILL & JIM: “N” is a 2005 German film, an 82-minute historical documentary.
Though “N” is the complete English title, it is better known to Germans as “N wie niemand” (translation: “N as no one”).
You can find it listed accordingly on both the U.S. and German language Internet Movie Database sites.
DEAR JERRY: Did Judy Collins ever record “Wedding Song (There Is Love)”?
I used to hear it on a radio station in Mexico, and I am pretty sure that it was presented like that. Still, after looking for years, I cannot find this song by Judy Collins.
Am I perhaps mistaken about the singer's identity?
—Alfonso de Leon, Mexico City
DEAR ALFONSO: Since I also find no recording of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Judy Collins, one of two possibilities exist:
Either you have the title right and the wrong artist, or the song you recall is “Wedding Song,” a completely different song which is by Judy Collins, from her 1980 LP, “Running for My Life” (Elektra 253).
What has me leaning toward the first option is you clearly mention the complete title, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love).” Judy's “Wedding Song” makes no reference to “There Is Love.”
Three versions of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” do exist by well-known female stars: Petula Clark (1972); Captain & Tennille, featuring Toni Tennille (1976); and Mary MacGregor (1978).
There is a good chance it is one of these you seek.
Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, wrote “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” and his is the top selling and most famous version. It became a Top 25 hit in 1971.
IZ ZAT SO? Completely different than Judy Collins' 1980 “Wedding Song,” and still nothing like “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” is “Wedding Song (Song for Louis).”
This selection is from Judy's 2005 album, “Portrait of an American Girl.”
Music News & Notes
Sir Paul & Ringo?
An unnamed source, has said that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are ready to head into the studio. "It has been a long time since Ringo played drums on any of Paul's songs but they've decided they can work together again. They had a fantastic time in New York, and realize they still work well together. They're now getting together later in the year to work on some of Paul's new songs."
=================================
Vinyl Collective News
Here is the latest from my friend Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com- stop on by and pick up some great vinyl!
Due to a number of factors (me laid up in bed sick since Thurday and still sick today, it being spring, us having way too many records in our warehouse, and my higher than normal balances with my vinyl and cd pressing plants), I have decided to start putting together the Spring Cleaning sale to to end all Spring Cleaning sales. Every release is subject to be put on sale, test pressings will be sold, and we might dig out some out of print records, too. The sales will begin as early as tomorrow and the sales will go through the entire month of April.
It is our goal to make room for all the new records that we are having pressed. We hope to offer some insane prices on our records passing the savings onto you. I see everyday on the message board where folks are always complaining about their cash flow situation, well, this is going to be the month that you better make sure you have at least a few bucks set aside.
If you have any suggestions for a sale, we might even add a few of your ideas to our list of sales.
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past Week
1. Jawbreaker - Etc. double LP (out of stock right now)
2. THE SIDEKICKS “So Long, Soggy Dog” LP powder blue vinyl
3. RISE AGAINST “S/T” 7″
4. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP transparent green vinyl
5. THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “New Jersey” Coffee Mug
6. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP set of both colors
7. JONAH MATRANGA/ FRANK TURNER split LP clear yellow vinyl
8. POLAR BEAR CLUB “Sometimes Things Just Disappear” LP green vinyl w/ CD
9. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP opaque yellow vinyl
10. BULLET TREATMENT “Designated Vol 1″ 7″
10. THE LAWRENCE ARMS “Apathy & Exhaustion” LP
10. Suburban Home Pick 5 for $25 Sale (CDs, Vinyl, Pint Glasses)
=================================
Michael Schenker Releases New CD / Vinyl
Gipsy Lady”, the first album from the Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project, will be available on CD and vinyl on May 19. Gary Barden’s vocals give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact… The long-term Schenker collaborator wrote the lyrics virtually off the top of his head. Also on board is Michael Voss, an experienced producer, and second guitarist, who also provides background vocals. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team.
===================================
Second and Third Destroyer Albums To Get Vinyl Reissue
Nominal Records, the label responsible for the excellent Emergency Room Volume 1 compilation, has announced that it will be continuing to spread its love of Vancouver with two Destroyer reissues. The label will release City of Daughters and Thief, the second and third Destroyer records, on vinyl this month.
In a statement, the label explained its reasoning for the reissues, saying, “The original City of Daughters LP suffered from frequency related glitches, which caused it to skip on many turntables. The original Thief mix was never satisfying and the LP/CD was shoddily mastered into mono.”
The albums have been remixed and mastered by the original production team of Dan Bejar, Dave Carswell and John Collins at JC/DC studios, and their artwork has been reworked to fit on a fancy gatefold jacket.Tthe original pressing will only feature 1026 copies.
=================================
The Hours Album Cover
The new album of The Hours will be released on April 20th. “See The Light” is not only much anticipated because of the music, but also because the album cover art has been created by none other than British artist Damien Hirst. Both the CD and the LP cover art were designed by the artist.
An unnamed source, has said that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are ready to head into the studio. "It has been a long time since Ringo played drums on any of Paul's songs but they've decided they can work together again. They had a fantastic time in New York, and realize they still work well together. They're now getting together later in the year to work on some of Paul's new songs."
=================================
Vinyl Collective News
Here is the latest from my friend Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com- stop on by and pick up some great vinyl!
Due to a number of factors (me laid up in bed sick since Thurday and still sick today, it being spring, us having way too many records in our warehouse, and my higher than normal balances with my vinyl and cd pressing plants), I have decided to start putting together the Spring Cleaning sale to to end all Spring Cleaning sales. Every release is subject to be put on sale, test pressings will be sold, and we might dig out some out of print records, too. The sales will begin as early as tomorrow and the sales will go through the entire month of April.
It is our goal to make room for all the new records that we are having pressed. We hope to offer some insane prices on our records passing the savings onto you. I see everyday on the message board where folks are always complaining about their cash flow situation, well, this is going to be the month that you better make sure you have at least a few bucks set aside.
If you have any suggestions for a sale, we might even add a few of your ideas to our list of sales.
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past Week
1. Jawbreaker - Etc. double LP (out of stock right now)
2. THE SIDEKICKS “So Long, Soggy Dog” LP powder blue vinyl
3. RISE AGAINST “S/T” 7″
4. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP transparent green vinyl
5. THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “New Jersey” Coffee Mug
6. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP set of both colors
7. JONAH MATRANGA/ FRANK TURNER split LP clear yellow vinyl
8. POLAR BEAR CLUB “Sometimes Things Just Disappear” LP green vinyl w/ CD
9. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP opaque yellow vinyl
10. BULLET TREATMENT “Designated Vol 1″ 7″
10. THE LAWRENCE ARMS “Apathy & Exhaustion” LP
10. Suburban Home Pick 5 for $25 Sale (CDs, Vinyl, Pint Glasses)
=================================
Michael Schenker Releases New CD / Vinyl
Gipsy Lady”, the first album from the Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project, will be available on CD and vinyl on May 19. Gary Barden’s vocals give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact… The long-term Schenker collaborator wrote the lyrics virtually off the top of his head. Also on board is Michael Voss, an experienced producer, and second guitarist, who also provides background vocals. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team.
===================================
Second and Third Destroyer Albums To Get Vinyl Reissue
Nominal Records, the label responsible for the excellent Emergency Room Volume 1 compilation, has announced that it will be continuing to spread its love of Vancouver with two Destroyer reissues. The label will release City of Daughters and Thief, the second and third Destroyer records, on vinyl this month.
In a statement, the label explained its reasoning for the reissues, saying, “The original City of Daughters LP suffered from frequency related glitches, which caused it to skip on many turntables. The original Thief mix was never satisfying and the LP/CD was shoddily mastered into mono.”
The albums have been remixed and mastered by the original production team of Dan Bejar, Dave Carswell and John Collins at JC/DC studios, and their artwork has been reworked to fit on a fancy gatefold jacket.Tthe original pressing will only feature 1026 copies.
=================================
The Hours Album Cover
The new album of The Hours will be released on April 20th. “See The Light” is not only much anticipated because of the music, but also because the album cover art has been created by none other than British artist Damien Hirst. Both the CD and the LP cover art were designed by the artist.
Collectors take vinyl for another spin in tactile music revival
By Sandra Dick
THAT couple of pounds of pocket money would be scorching a hole in your pocket, the tranny radio would be pressed to your ear and, naturally, your tiger feet would be taking you in just one direction.
Saturday mornings spent hanging out at the local record shop, flicking through thousands of albums for the hundredth time, tuning in to the latest single releases through a massive set of headphones . . . it was where a whole generation of music-loving kids got their kicks.
Hard to imagine the MP3 MySpace generation of today being able to remember their first ever download with great relish.
But for yesterday's youngsters – a growing number of them now middle aged record collectors – the joy of walking out the high street record shop swinging a 7in-square plastic bag containing the 45rpm single was a childhood rite of passage.
At home came the ritual of sliding the shiny black vinyl from its sleeve before placing it delicately on the old Decca portable record player. Tinny music would flood from the sole speaker while the sleeve notes were studied and then consigned to memory.
On the downside, the needle had a habit of jumping if you walked past in your clumpy platform shoes, within weeks it would be scratched or warped, the cover ripped by an overzealous little brother.
Perhaps no wonder the onset of the mighty and allegedly indestructible Compact Disc spelled the skip for many of our vinyl collections.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Eddy Arnold's Texarkana Baby – the world's first seven-inch 45rpm single. Yet, ironically, while the CD boom of the '90s spelled the demise of the 45rpm single and their 12in 33rpm vinyl cousins, it is the CD that is suffering a lingering death of its own at the hands of the digital age. . . and for some it's good old vinyl that is back. In fact, as World Record Shop Day looms later this month and the golden era of vinyl is celebrated with the release of The Boat That Rocked – based on a pirate radio ship in the 1970s – there are those who say they never really went away.
"Okay, vinyl nearly died," laughs Bruce Findlay, who ran independent record shops before managing bands such as Simple Minds and China Crisis in the '80s. "But now it's like someone cloned it, used the DNA and now it's back.
"Agreed, it's not the way it was when everyone had a record player and that's all you could buy. Today it's collectible and it's what a lot of people want."
Indeed, today's artists are learning to cash in on the fans' love of a classic vinyl disc.
Duffy, the Pet Shop Boys and a string of modern artists have released tracks on vinyl, aware that the ethereal qualities of digital sounds cannot match the thrill of actually "owning" a piece of music. World Record Shop Day is being marked by a string of vinyl releases from artists such as The Smiths, Joy Division and Tom Waits.
"No matter how many people are on a band's MySpace page or download their music, it's not a real measure of success," explains Kevin Buckle, boss of Avalanche Records in Cockburn Street, one of Edinburgh's longest established independent record dealers. "It doesn't really translate to how many people actually go to their concerts or buy their CDs.
"The great thing about a record is you can put it on and play it to your friends. The trouble is, kids are so used to listening to music through headphones that they hardly know what it's like to sit to listen any other way."
The other problem with vinyl is the dearth of anything to actually play it on. For as CDs took over the world, record players – and the collections of discs once lovingly catalogued, polished and played – were mostly consigned to the tip.
"I've had young kids coming in to buy a vinyl record and saying that they were going off to their grandfather's house to play it because he was the only person in the family with a record player," adds Kevin.
"Record companies are obsessed with kids and computers and mobile phones and everything they do is geared towards that. They think no-one under 25 buys music, but I get plenty of kids in the shop who want more than just a song on an MP3 player. They want badges, posters, stuff that's more tactile than just the song."
It's a rising trend for a modern "antique" which is helping ensure the survival of an endangered species – the independent record shop. Once a feature on every high street, they were hit by the rise of the record superstores such as Our Price, HMV and Virgin.
Yet, just as vinyl is enjoying a revival at the expense of the CD, small record shops insist they are holding their own as the digital revolution engulfs the music superstores that once threatened their very survival.
Today there are around 300 independent record shops trading in Britain, and around half a dozen – the oldest of them Ripping Records at South Bridge, Avalanche and Vinyl Villains in Elm Row – in the Edinburgh area.
Tommy Robertson of second-hand record shop Back Track Music in Tollcross, admits business is still a struggle but with an increasing number of people seeing the potential rarity value in vinyl, there is hope.
"Some actually prefer the snap, crackle and pop of a vinyl disc," he explains. "Others like the fact it's something solid that you can hold, and you can read the sleeve notes better than you can on a CD.
"These days it's a throwaway society. But back then there was something very real about saving your pennies and buying a particular record."
David Griffen of second-hand record and book store Elvis and Shakespeare in Leith Walk, agrees. "There's a completely different aesthetic from vinyl to CD. I get people in the shop much older than me who just come in to look longingly at the stock and touch the covers."
Author Nick Hornby touched on the fascination of vinyl among collectors in his novel High Fidelity. "They're as close to being mad as makes no difference," he wrote.
Music impresario Bruce Findlay can identify with that. "There are a lot of 'anoraks' out there, and I'm one," he laughs, after quoting the catalogue numbers of a string of rare discs off the top of his head. "The music industry is going through massive change and the demise of the superstore means record shops have an opportunity.
"What's emerging is a cottage industry with new artists working in collectives, signing to local labels and bringing out limited numbers of vinyl records to sell in these independent stores.
"I wouldn't have said it two or three years ago but if I was a teenager leaving school just now, I know what I'd do," he adds with a grin. "Yeah, I'd definitely open a record shop."
RECORD PROFITS
HAVE you got any of these in your dusty record collection?
• The BEATLES White Album (1968): The plain white cover of the first pressings carried a unique number. In November number 0000005 sold for nearly £20,000.
• THE SEX PISTOLS God Save the Queen (1977): Released on A&M records. Expect to get in the region of £13,000.
• THE ROLLING STONES 7in Street Fighting Man (US version) It recently fetched $15,200 at auction.
• A promo of JUNIOR McCANT'S King, sold for $15,000. Last month the Scottish Parliament was asked to save a Fife collectors' copy of Do I Love You (Indeed I do) by FRANK WILSON for the nation. It's expected to reach up to £75,000.
&149 Other rarities include THE BEATLES' Yesterday and Today "Butcher" sleeve (£19,250); BOB DYLAN'S The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, with extra four tracks (£17,500) and LONG CLEVE REED & LITTLE HARVEY HULL'S Stack O'Lee Blues, worth £15,000.
SOURCE: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com
THAT couple of pounds of pocket money would be scorching a hole in your pocket, the tranny radio would be pressed to your ear and, naturally, your tiger feet would be taking you in just one direction.
Saturday mornings spent hanging out at the local record shop, flicking through thousands of albums for the hundredth time, tuning in to the latest single releases through a massive set of headphones . . . it was where a whole generation of music-loving kids got their kicks.
Hard to imagine the MP3 MySpace generation of today being able to remember their first ever download with great relish.
But for yesterday's youngsters – a growing number of them now middle aged record collectors – the joy of walking out the high street record shop swinging a 7in-square plastic bag containing the 45rpm single was a childhood rite of passage.
At home came the ritual of sliding the shiny black vinyl from its sleeve before placing it delicately on the old Decca portable record player. Tinny music would flood from the sole speaker while the sleeve notes were studied and then consigned to memory.
On the downside, the needle had a habit of jumping if you walked past in your clumpy platform shoes, within weeks it would be scratched or warped, the cover ripped by an overzealous little brother.
Perhaps no wonder the onset of the mighty and allegedly indestructible Compact Disc spelled the skip for many of our vinyl collections.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Eddy Arnold's Texarkana Baby – the world's first seven-inch 45rpm single. Yet, ironically, while the CD boom of the '90s spelled the demise of the 45rpm single and their 12in 33rpm vinyl cousins, it is the CD that is suffering a lingering death of its own at the hands of the digital age. . . and for some it's good old vinyl that is back. In fact, as World Record Shop Day looms later this month and the golden era of vinyl is celebrated with the release of The Boat That Rocked – based on a pirate radio ship in the 1970s – there are those who say they never really went away.
"Okay, vinyl nearly died," laughs Bruce Findlay, who ran independent record shops before managing bands such as Simple Minds and China Crisis in the '80s. "But now it's like someone cloned it, used the DNA and now it's back.
"Agreed, it's not the way it was when everyone had a record player and that's all you could buy. Today it's collectible and it's what a lot of people want."
Indeed, today's artists are learning to cash in on the fans' love of a classic vinyl disc.
Duffy, the Pet Shop Boys and a string of modern artists have released tracks on vinyl, aware that the ethereal qualities of digital sounds cannot match the thrill of actually "owning" a piece of music. World Record Shop Day is being marked by a string of vinyl releases from artists such as The Smiths, Joy Division and Tom Waits.
"No matter how many people are on a band's MySpace page or download their music, it's not a real measure of success," explains Kevin Buckle, boss of Avalanche Records in Cockburn Street, one of Edinburgh's longest established independent record dealers. "It doesn't really translate to how many people actually go to their concerts or buy their CDs.
"The great thing about a record is you can put it on and play it to your friends. The trouble is, kids are so used to listening to music through headphones that they hardly know what it's like to sit to listen any other way."
The other problem with vinyl is the dearth of anything to actually play it on. For as CDs took over the world, record players – and the collections of discs once lovingly catalogued, polished and played – were mostly consigned to the tip.
"I've had young kids coming in to buy a vinyl record and saying that they were going off to their grandfather's house to play it because he was the only person in the family with a record player," adds Kevin.
"Record companies are obsessed with kids and computers and mobile phones and everything they do is geared towards that. They think no-one under 25 buys music, but I get plenty of kids in the shop who want more than just a song on an MP3 player. They want badges, posters, stuff that's more tactile than just the song."
It's a rising trend for a modern "antique" which is helping ensure the survival of an endangered species – the independent record shop. Once a feature on every high street, they were hit by the rise of the record superstores such as Our Price, HMV and Virgin.
Yet, just as vinyl is enjoying a revival at the expense of the CD, small record shops insist they are holding their own as the digital revolution engulfs the music superstores that once threatened their very survival.
Today there are around 300 independent record shops trading in Britain, and around half a dozen – the oldest of them Ripping Records at South Bridge, Avalanche and Vinyl Villains in Elm Row – in the Edinburgh area.
Tommy Robertson of second-hand record shop Back Track Music in Tollcross, admits business is still a struggle but with an increasing number of people seeing the potential rarity value in vinyl, there is hope.
"Some actually prefer the snap, crackle and pop of a vinyl disc," he explains. "Others like the fact it's something solid that you can hold, and you can read the sleeve notes better than you can on a CD.
"These days it's a throwaway society. But back then there was something very real about saving your pennies and buying a particular record."
David Griffen of second-hand record and book store Elvis and Shakespeare in Leith Walk, agrees. "There's a completely different aesthetic from vinyl to CD. I get people in the shop much older than me who just come in to look longingly at the stock and touch the covers."
Author Nick Hornby touched on the fascination of vinyl among collectors in his novel High Fidelity. "They're as close to being mad as makes no difference," he wrote.
Music impresario Bruce Findlay can identify with that. "There are a lot of 'anoraks' out there, and I'm one," he laughs, after quoting the catalogue numbers of a string of rare discs off the top of his head. "The music industry is going through massive change and the demise of the superstore means record shops have an opportunity.
"What's emerging is a cottage industry with new artists working in collectives, signing to local labels and bringing out limited numbers of vinyl records to sell in these independent stores.
"I wouldn't have said it two or three years ago but if I was a teenager leaving school just now, I know what I'd do," he adds with a grin. "Yeah, I'd definitely open a record shop."
RECORD PROFITS
HAVE you got any of these in your dusty record collection?
• The BEATLES White Album (1968): The plain white cover of the first pressings carried a unique number. In November number 0000005 sold for nearly £20,000.
• THE SEX PISTOLS God Save the Queen (1977): Released on A&M records. Expect to get in the region of £13,000.
• THE ROLLING STONES 7in Street Fighting Man (US version) It recently fetched $15,200 at auction.
• A promo of JUNIOR McCANT'S King, sold for $15,000. Last month the Scottish Parliament was asked to save a Fife collectors' copy of Do I Love You (Indeed I do) by FRANK WILSON for the nation. It's expected to reach up to £75,000.
&149 Other rarities include THE BEATLES' Yesterday and Today "Butcher" sleeve (£19,250); BOB DYLAN'S The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, with extra four tracks (£17,500) and LONG CLEVE REED & LITTLE HARVEY HULL'S Stack O'Lee Blues, worth £15,000.
SOURCE: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History- part seven
In our continuing series about “bird” and “animal” groups and artists in rock and roll history, let’s continue with our “bird” theme.
In the early 50's there was a boon of “bird groups” including the famous doo wop group the Penguins. The group was formed in 1954 when members Cleveland Duncan (lead vocal), Bruce Tate, Dexter Tisby and Curtis Williams were attending high school in Los Angles. Their only Top 40 Billboard hit is one of the most classic doo wop tunes of all time: “Earth Angel” (it is estimated to have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide).
Surprisingly, the song “Earth Angel” was the B-side of the record with the up tempo song “Hey Senorita” as the A-side. Upon its release in late 1954, radio stations were receiving more requests for “Earth Angel,” and by the beginning of 1955 the single had reached the national charts, spending three weeks at the number one position on the rhythm and blues charts and peaking at number eight on the Billboard Top 40.
For the next several years the group toured (the Penguins were a popular member of Alan Freed’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Jubilee) and continued to release singles (switching record labels several times). They scored another Top 20 hit on the rhythm and blues charts with the song “Pledge Of Love” in the summer of 1957 and in that same year released their only album called “The Cool, Cool Penguins.”
The vocal group broke up in 1959 and Cleveland Duncan has led various incarnations of the group on the oldie’s circuit and reunion tours. Interestingly, in 1963 the Penguins recorded a song which was written by future Mothers of Invention members Frank Zappa and Ray Collins called “Memories Of El Monte” (the song failed to make an impact).
A groundbreaking rhythm and blues vocal group called the Orioles was one of the first black vocal groups to sing music directly to a black audience. Fusing pop songs with gospel overtones and enriching them with blues and smooth harmonies, the Orioles scored a number one hit on the r & b charts in late summer of 1948 with the song “It’s Too Soon To Know.” The song also crossed over to reach number thirteen on the pop charts. (It was known back then as a “race” record).
This was a major accomplishment, as the Orioles were the first black group to do this and subsequently they became stars. Based in Baltimore (and no they were not named after the baseball team), the Orioles were Sonny Til (lead vocals), Alexander Sharp (tenor vocals), George Nelson (baritone), Johnny Reed (bass vocals) and guitarist Tommy Gaither. The group caught the attention of a local merchant and song writer named Deborah Chessler, who became their manager and would also write many of the group’s subsequent hits.
Originally named the Vibranaires, they performed on Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent Scouts” television show and caught the ear of record executive Jerry Blaine, who signed the group to a recording contract and they changed their name to the Orioles.
After the success of their debut ballad (the previously mentioned “It’s Too Soon To Know”), the group scored a top ten hit with the seasonal tune “(It’s Gonna Be A) Lonely Christmas” at the end of 1948. They scored another r & b chart topper in the spring of 1949 with a splendid song called “Tell Me So.” That began a streak of six charted r & b singles, including “A Kiss And A Rose,” “I Challenge Your Kiss,” “Forgive And Forget” as well as a re-release of their Christmas hit and another seasonal tune called “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” (which was the B-side of “Lonely Christmas”).
Tragedy followed in 1950 when Gaither, Nelson and Reed were involved in an auto accident that killed Gaither and severely injured Reed and Nelson. Nelson left the group later in that year and as Reed recovered, the group added guitarist Ralph Williams and vocalist Gregory Carroll. The new line up scored a hit in 1952 with the sophisticated song “Baby Please Don’t Go” (number eight on the r & b charts). The following year the vocal group had their biggest hit, the wonderfully crafted tune called “Crying In The Chapel” (number eleven on the pop charts and number one on the r & b charts), a tune that Elvis Presley would record twelve years later. Their last hit before the group disbanded in 1954 was the tune “In The Mission of St. Augustine.”
Sonny Til tried to keep the band going with several different reincarnations, but the group didn’t gain much attention after their last hit. However, the groundwork had been laid and the Orioles were an historic, influential vocal group and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Many consider the Flamingos one of the most prolific and seminal vocal ensembles ever to record and certainly one of the best doo wop groups of all time. Their inventive singing and elegant harmonies were impeccable, and they influenced many future rhythm and blues groups, including the Four Tops and Temptations.
The vocal group was formed in 1950 by cousins, Jake and Zeke Carey, who subsequently met Paul Wilson and Johnny Carter at The Church of God and Saints of Christ Congregation in Baltimore. They all sang in the church choir and met up with Earl Lewis, who also joined the group. But before they recorded anything, Earl Lewis left to join the Echoes and he was replaced by lead singer Sollie McElroy. They originally called themselves the Swallows, but they had to switch the name because there was another Baltimore group using that moniker. Carter suggested they call themselves the El Flamingos, which was changed to the Five Flamingos and then they all agreed to shorten the name to the Flamingos.
In 1953, the Flamingos recorded the song “If I Can’t Have You” (Chance Records) which attracted some attention, especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest. They also recorded songs like “That’s My Desire” and the vocally adventurous “Golden Teardrops,” but these numbers failed to gain any national attention nor appear on the r & b charts.
McElroy left the group, being replaced by Nate Nelson and the group soon enjoyed their first chart success in the 1956 with the Top Ten r & b hit “I’ll be Home.” The group disbanded, but reformed in 1957 with members Nate Nelson, Jake Carey, Paul Wilson and Tommy Hunt. In 1958, Zeke Carey returned and the Flamingos secured their biggest hit and the one they are most associated with, a wonderful ballad called “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
For the next two years, the Flamingos had a few minor hits, such as “I Was Such A Fool” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do” (1960) as well as “Time Was” (1961). They later recorded for several record labels, including four albums for END, also recording albums for Phillips, Julman and Polydor, but could not capitalize on their previous success. Cousins Zeke and Jake continued with various incarnations of the band well into the 90's and this legendary vocal group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
We will continue with our series on Thursday, again discussing “bird” groups in the next article.
Penguin Tidbits:
In a common practice of the time, radio stations frequently featured segregated playlists. Thus, "Earth Angel" was simultaneously recorded by the white group, The Crew-Cuts, in 1955. The Crew-Cuts cover peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 chart, five spots higher than the Penguins version. The single's success launched the Crew-Cuts' own successful career of recording "crossover"-friendly covers of R&B hits.
The Penguins were one of a number of doo-wop groups of the period named after birds. One of the members smoked Kool cigarettes, which, at the time, had "Willie the Penguin" as its cartoon advertising character. They considered themselves "cool," and accordingly decided to call themselves "The Penguins."
The Penguins were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Orioles Tidbits:
In performance, The Orioles were a phenomenon, with girls in the audiences screaming, fainting, and attempting to reach their idol Sonny Til in particular.
Til recorded briefly as a solo artist before putting together the third Orioles group, with members Delton McCall, Billy Taylor, and Gerald Gregory, former bass of The Spaniels.
The Vibra-Naires changed their name to The Orioles in honor of the state bird of Maryland and in emulation of another popular group, The Ravens.
Flamingos Tidbits:
In recent times, the group has seen time in the courtroom. Current Flamingos member J.C. Carey, along with Terry Johnson, Tommy Hunt, and descendants of Nate Nelson and Paul Wilson, sued PepsiCo for allegedly using "I Only Have Eyes For You" in a 1998 television commercial without consulting the group. The group was awarded $250,000.
The Flamingos received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 1996 (where Terry Johnson, Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Tommy Hunt and Johnny Carter performed) and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2003, The Flamingos recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You" was inducted into the Grammy Award Hall of Fame.
In the early 50's there was a boon of “bird groups” including the famous doo wop group the Penguins. The group was formed in 1954 when members Cleveland Duncan (lead vocal), Bruce Tate, Dexter Tisby and Curtis Williams were attending high school in Los Angles. Their only Top 40 Billboard hit is one of the most classic doo wop tunes of all time: “Earth Angel” (it is estimated to have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide).
Surprisingly, the song “Earth Angel” was the B-side of the record with the up tempo song “Hey Senorita” as the A-side. Upon its release in late 1954, radio stations were receiving more requests for “Earth Angel,” and by the beginning of 1955 the single had reached the national charts, spending three weeks at the number one position on the rhythm and blues charts and peaking at number eight on the Billboard Top 40.
For the next several years the group toured (the Penguins were a popular member of Alan Freed’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Jubilee) and continued to release singles (switching record labels several times). They scored another Top 20 hit on the rhythm and blues charts with the song “Pledge Of Love” in the summer of 1957 and in that same year released their only album called “The Cool, Cool Penguins.”
The vocal group broke up in 1959 and Cleveland Duncan has led various incarnations of the group on the oldie’s circuit and reunion tours. Interestingly, in 1963 the Penguins recorded a song which was written by future Mothers of Invention members Frank Zappa and Ray Collins called “Memories Of El Monte” (the song failed to make an impact).
A groundbreaking rhythm and blues vocal group called the Orioles was one of the first black vocal groups to sing music directly to a black audience. Fusing pop songs with gospel overtones and enriching them with blues and smooth harmonies, the Orioles scored a number one hit on the r & b charts in late summer of 1948 with the song “It’s Too Soon To Know.” The song also crossed over to reach number thirteen on the pop charts. (It was known back then as a “race” record).
This was a major accomplishment, as the Orioles were the first black group to do this and subsequently they became stars. Based in Baltimore (and no they were not named after the baseball team), the Orioles were Sonny Til (lead vocals), Alexander Sharp (tenor vocals), George Nelson (baritone), Johnny Reed (bass vocals) and guitarist Tommy Gaither. The group caught the attention of a local merchant and song writer named Deborah Chessler, who became their manager and would also write many of the group’s subsequent hits.
Originally named the Vibranaires, they performed on Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent Scouts” television show and caught the ear of record executive Jerry Blaine, who signed the group to a recording contract and they changed their name to the Orioles.
After the success of their debut ballad (the previously mentioned “It’s Too Soon To Know”), the group scored a top ten hit with the seasonal tune “(It’s Gonna Be A) Lonely Christmas” at the end of 1948. They scored another r & b chart topper in the spring of 1949 with a splendid song called “Tell Me So.” That began a streak of six charted r & b singles, including “A Kiss And A Rose,” “I Challenge Your Kiss,” “Forgive And Forget” as well as a re-release of their Christmas hit and another seasonal tune called “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” (which was the B-side of “Lonely Christmas”).
Tragedy followed in 1950 when Gaither, Nelson and Reed were involved in an auto accident that killed Gaither and severely injured Reed and Nelson. Nelson left the group later in that year and as Reed recovered, the group added guitarist Ralph Williams and vocalist Gregory Carroll. The new line up scored a hit in 1952 with the sophisticated song “Baby Please Don’t Go” (number eight on the r & b charts). The following year the vocal group had their biggest hit, the wonderfully crafted tune called “Crying In The Chapel” (number eleven on the pop charts and number one on the r & b charts), a tune that Elvis Presley would record twelve years later. Their last hit before the group disbanded in 1954 was the tune “In The Mission of St. Augustine.”
Sonny Til tried to keep the band going with several different reincarnations, but the group didn’t gain much attention after their last hit. However, the groundwork had been laid and the Orioles were an historic, influential vocal group and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Many consider the Flamingos one of the most prolific and seminal vocal ensembles ever to record and certainly one of the best doo wop groups of all time. Their inventive singing and elegant harmonies were impeccable, and they influenced many future rhythm and blues groups, including the Four Tops and Temptations.
The vocal group was formed in 1950 by cousins, Jake and Zeke Carey, who subsequently met Paul Wilson and Johnny Carter at The Church of God and Saints of Christ Congregation in Baltimore. They all sang in the church choir and met up with Earl Lewis, who also joined the group. But before they recorded anything, Earl Lewis left to join the Echoes and he was replaced by lead singer Sollie McElroy. They originally called themselves the Swallows, but they had to switch the name because there was another Baltimore group using that moniker. Carter suggested they call themselves the El Flamingos, which was changed to the Five Flamingos and then they all agreed to shorten the name to the Flamingos.
In 1953, the Flamingos recorded the song “If I Can’t Have You” (Chance Records) which attracted some attention, especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest. They also recorded songs like “That’s My Desire” and the vocally adventurous “Golden Teardrops,” but these numbers failed to gain any national attention nor appear on the r & b charts.
McElroy left the group, being replaced by Nate Nelson and the group soon enjoyed their first chart success in the 1956 with the Top Ten r & b hit “I’ll be Home.” The group disbanded, but reformed in 1957 with members Nate Nelson, Jake Carey, Paul Wilson and Tommy Hunt. In 1958, Zeke Carey returned and the Flamingos secured their biggest hit and the one they are most associated with, a wonderful ballad called “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
For the next two years, the Flamingos had a few minor hits, such as “I Was Such A Fool” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do” (1960) as well as “Time Was” (1961). They later recorded for several record labels, including four albums for END, also recording albums for Phillips, Julman and Polydor, but could not capitalize on their previous success. Cousins Zeke and Jake continued with various incarnations of the band well into the 90's and this legendary vocal group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
We will continue with our series on Thursday, again discussing “bird” groups in the next article.
Penguin Tidbits:
In a common practice of the time, radio stations frequently featured segregated playlists. Thus, "Earth Angel" was simultaneously recorded by the white group, The Crew-Cuts, in 1955. The Crew-Cuts cover peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 chart, five spots higher than the Penguins version. The single's success launched the Crew-Cuts' own successful career of recording "crossover"-friendly covers of R&B hits.
The Penguins were one of a number of doo-wop groups of the period named after birds. One of the members smoked Kool cigarettes, which, at the time, had "Willie the Penguin" as its cartoon advertising character. They considered themselves "cool," and accordingly decided to call themselves "The Penguins."
The Penguins were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Orioles Tidbits:
In performance, The Orioles were a phenomenon, with girls in the audiences screaming, fainting, and attempting to reach their idol Sonny Til in particular.
Til recorded briefly as a solo artist before putting together the third Orioles group, with members Delton McCall, Billy Taylor, and Gerald Gregory, former bass of The Spaniels.
The Vibra-Naires changed their name to The Orioles in honor of the state bird of Maryland and in emulation of another popular group, The Ravens.
Flamingos Tidbits:
In recent times, the group has seen time in the courtroom. Current Flamingos member J.C. Carey, along with Terry Johnson, Tommy Hunt, and descendants of Nate Nelson and Paul Wilson, sued PepsiCo for allegedly using "I Only Have Eyes For You" in a 1998 television commercial without consulting the group. The group was awarded $250,000.
The Flamingos received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award in 1996 (where Terry Johnson, Jake Carey, Zeke Carey, Tommy Hunt and Johnny Carter performed) and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Doo-Wopp Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2003, The Flamingos recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You" was inducted into the Grammy Award Hall of Fame.
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