Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

DEEP PURPLE: 'Icon' Best-Of Compilation Due In January

DEEP PURPLE is featured in a new series of albums "featuring the greatest hits, signature tunes and fan favorites of the most popular artists in music history," which promise to offer "unprecedented value to consumers." The aptly named "Icon" series from Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) launched in August 31, 2010, with releases from 30 major artists spanning rock, pop, R&B and country.

Each album, at a "great price," includes roughly a dozen hit tracks.

Due on January 10, 2012, the DEEP PURPLE "Icon" compilation will feature the following songs:

1. Smoke On The Water (live)
2. Hush (live)
3. Woman From Tokyo (live)
4. Knocking At Your Back Door
5. Call Of The Wild
6. Perfect Strangers
7. Bad Attitude
8. Nobody's Home
9. Black Night (live)
10. Child In Time (live)
11. Strange Kind Of Woman (live)

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

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

album cover art of the day:

Irdorath Reveals New Album Cover Art

Black/Thrash vets Irdorath recently announced its signing with Massacre Records last month, and now the band has revealed the album cover art for 'Dekonstrukteur Des Fleisches,' which is due out on January 27th, 2012.

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

this is very cool, although not necessarily a rare event in the states, as many radio stations have a DJ that spins records every now and then......

BBC Radio 6 Music Vinyl Only on New Year's Day

BBC Radio 6 Music is planning to make New Year's Day a vinyl-only event. Most BBC stations have phased out the use of vinyl records in favor of CDs in the early 1990s and now most use digital versions of songs.

However, the station is going to turn back the clock with their "all vinyl" day to end their month-long celebration of the format. Presenters Jarvis Cocker and Elbow's Guy Garvey will be among those who will ditch digital in favor of 45s.

Station editor Paul Rodgers said: "In a world dominated by digital music, vinyl is a format still close to the hearts of many music lovers and increased sales demonstrate its enduring appeal."

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

Cocteau Twins Reissue 'Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)' On Vinyl

The Cocteau Twins 2000 compilation set 'Stars and Topsoil: A Collection (1982-1990)' is set to be reissued as a double vinyl set. The 18 tracks comprise material from the band’s 4AD release, from their 1982 debut 'Garlands' through their 1990 EP called 'Iceblink Luck.' The reissue was remastered by John Dent and will be released on white vinyl in the UK on February 6 via Beggars Archive. The set will be released in the US pressed on black vinyl, so if you want the white vinyl, order it from the UK.

Tracklist:

LP 1
1. Blind Dumb Deaf
2. Sugar Hiccup
3. My Love Paramour
4. Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops
5. Lorelei
6. Pandora
7. Aikea-Guinea
8. Pink Orange Red
9. Pale Clouded White

LP 2
1. Lazy Calm
2. The Thinner The Air
3. Orange Appled
4. Cico Buff
5. Carolyn’s Fingers
6. Fifty-Fifty Clown
7. Iceblink Luck
8. Heaven or Las Vegas
9. Watchlar

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

Jim Sherwood of the Mothers of Invention Passes Away at 69

Mothers of Invention member Jim "Motorhead" Sherman passed away on Sunday, Christmas Day, at the age of 69.

Sherwood was the sax player and vocals and vocal sounds effects for the Mothers and played on the Zappa albums 200 Motels, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Weasals Ripped My Flesh and We’re Only In It For The Money.

Read more at our friends at vintagevinylnews

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

i visit this site often, just to take a look at what's selling and in demand. I have listed Collectors Frenzy's top five, go to their site to see the top 25 (posted daily)

How does Collectors Frenzy work? It gathers completed auction data off of E-Bay on a regular basis giving you the most accurate and up to date prices on LPs.

Visit Collectors Frenzy

eBay Top 5 Items for 12/26/2011


SUN RA Secrets Of The Sun 1965 ORIGINAL SATURN RECORDS (GH 9954-E/F)
Sold Price:$1635.24 USD
End Time:12/26/2011


CIRCUS 2000 AN ESCAPE FROM A BOX PROGR ITALIANO LP 1972
Sold Price:$1625.00 USD
End Time:12/26/2011


LANG´SYNE SAME LP IN 1976 KRAUTROCK HOLY GRAIL
Sold Price:$1303.90 USD
End Time:12/26/2011


BLUE NOTE 1573 JOHN JENKINS KENNY BURRELL 47W 63rd NM!
Sold Price:$1156.99 USD
End Time:12/26/2011


DoLP 2. Internationales New Jazz Festival auf Burg Altena 1971 (Brötzmann, u.a.)
Sold Price:$988.36 USD
End Time:12/26/2011

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

and in music history for december 27th:

In 1903, in New York City, the barbershop quartet favorite, "Sweet Adeline," was sung for the first time.

In 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors to the public for the first time.

In 1957, 20,000 fans begin lining up at 5:30 in the morning for Alan Freed's Christmas show at Brooklyn's Paramount Theatre, set to kick off at 9:00 AM. The average ticket price was $1.85.

In 1958, Buddy Holly makes his first appearance in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas since becoming a major star. Along with broadcasting 'live' over KLLL radio from a fruit and vegetable store, he will return to the station's studios to record "You're The One", a song that station management challenged him to write in half an hour.

In 1960, the Beatles were a last minute addition to a show at the Litherland Town Hall Ballroom in Liverpool. Advertising posters were altered to read "Direct From Hamburg, The Beatles!", causing some to believe they were a German group.

In 1963, the Animals perform on their first radio broadcast on the BBC show "Saturday Club."

Also in 1963, the music critics of the London Times name John Lennon and Paul McCartney as The Outstanding Composers of 1963. Two days later, the Sunday Times' music critic Richard Buckle proclaims the same two songwriters "the greatest composers since Beethoven."

In 1964, the Supremes made their first appearance on TV's "Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1967, the Doors performed on "The Jonathon Winters Show" on CBS-TV.

Also in 1967, Bob Dylan released the album 'John Wesley Harding.'

Produced by Bob Johnston, the album marked Dylan's return to acoustic music and traditional roots, after three albums of electric rock music. 'John Wesley Harding' was recorded around the same time as (and shares many stylistic threads with) a prolific series of home recording sessions with the Band, finally released in 1975 as 'The Basement Tapes.'

John Wesley Harding was exceptionally well received by critics and enjoyed solid sales, reaching #2 on the US charts and topping the UK charts. The commercial performance was considered remarkable considering that Dylan had kept Columbia from releasing the album with much promotion or publicity. Less than three months after its release, John Wesley Harding was certified gold by the RIAA. "All Along the Watchtower" became one of his most popular songs after it was covered by Jimi Hendrix the following year.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 301 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.



In 1969, the Supremes final single release with Diana Ross, "Someday We'll Be Together", becomes the last US number one song of the sixties. It made #13 in the UK.

In 1971, the "Sonny & Cher Show" began airing on CBS. The show ran for four 1/2 years.

In 1975, the Four Seasons, "December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" was released.

In 1980, three weeks to the day after John Lennon's murder, "Starting Over" is number one in the US and the UK simultaneously.

In 1981, composer /pianist/singer/actor Hoagy Carmichael died after a heart attack at age 82.

In 1983, Walter Scott, lead singer of Bob Kuban And The In-Men, who scored a 1966 hit with "The Cheater", is seen alive for the last time. On April 10th, 1987, his badly decomposed, bound body would be found floating face down in a cistern, shot in the back. Scott's second wife, Jo Ann (Calceterra), pled guilty to hindering prosecution in his murder. She received a five year sentence. Jo Ann's boyfriend (whom she married in 1986), James H. Williams Sr., was found guilty of two counts of capital murder in the deaths of Walter Scott as well as his previous wife, Sharon Williams. James Williams received two life terms without the possibility of parole.

In 1985, Metallica finished working on 'Master of Puppets.'

In 2003, Dick St. John, one half of the singing team of Dick and Dee Dee, who recorded such hits as "The Mountain's High" (1961), "Young And In Love" (1963) and "Thou Shalt Not Steal" (1965), died from complications suffered in a fall from the roof of his home two weeks earlier. The 63 year old singer had continued to record and performed regularly until his death.

In 2008, Delaney Bramlett, the guitarist who gained renown in the late 1960s as part of the rhythm and blues combo Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, died following gallbladder surgery. He was 69. Bramlett's backing band would often contain the likes of Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Dave Mason. The ensemble achieved a pair of Billboard Top 40 hits in 1971: "Never Ending Song Of Love" (#13) and "Only You Know And I Know" (#20).

birthdays today include (among others): Mike Pinder (Moody Blues) (70), Matt Slocum (Sixpence None the Richer) (39), Peter Sinfield (King Crimson) (68), Mick Jones (Foreigner) (67), Larry Byrom (Steppenwolf) (63) and David Knopfler (Dire Straits) (59)

New Vinyl Record and Music Releases - December 27, 2011

Alabama Shakes - Alabama Shakes EP
Black Mountain - Year Zero (vinyl)
Buckinghams - Time & Charges / Portraits
Chet Atkins - Workshop (reissue)
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
Con Funk Shun - Touch / Seven / To the Max (2 CDs)
Dan Fogelberg - Twin Sons of Different Mothers / Phoenix
David Bowie - Heathen (reissue) (vinyl)
Elvis Presley - Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives (2 CDs)
Grand Funk Railroad - Mark Don & Mel 1969-71 (2 CDs)
Harper's Bizarre - Feelin' Groovy: Deluxe Expanded Mono Edition
Johnny Cash - Now Here's Johnny Cash (reissue)
Joy Division - Plus Minus (10 CDs)
Julio Iglesias - 1: Definitive Collection Deluxe (2 CDs)
Kinks - The Kinks in Mono (10-disc box set)
Low - I Could Live in Hope (reissue) (vinyl)
Merzbow - Lop Lop
Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy (vinyl)
Patrick Wolf - Brumalia EP
Pete Shelley - Sky Yen (reissue) (vinyl)
Philip Glass - In the Penal Colony
Ramones - 4 Albums (4-CD box set)
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home / This Time It's for Real
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (soundtrack)
Twiggy - Romantically Yours
Ventures - Another Smash! (remastered with bonus tracks)
Wham! - Final: 25th Anniversary Edition

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Sex Pistols Acetate Sells on eBay For Almost $16 Thousand!

we've been watching the Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK Original 1976 7“ 1 sided Abbey Road Swirl Acetate and this rarity was recently sold on eBay. The acetate sold for approximately US $15,952.80 on December 24th (great christmas gift for the seller!) i didn't think it would go that high.....

you can get the info at eBay









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

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/17/2011

In 1971 you could have found any of these records in a used bin for a half-dollar. Maybe the Brute Force 45 might not have turned up so easily as it was given out, more or less, as a joke by Apple Corp employees and was never officially released. This week is an honor roll of psych holy grails, with the Mexican psychedelic band Kaleidoscope having their only release topping the list.

1. LP - The Kaleidoscope "self-titled" Orfeon - $7,200.00

2. 45 - Brute Force "King Of Fuh" / "Nobody Knows" Apple 8 - $4,374.00

3. LP - The Bachs "Out of the Bachs" Private Press - $3,888.00

4. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday & Today" Capitol T-2553 #6 Mono 2nd State Butcher Cover - $3,483.83

5. LP - Damon "Song Of A Gypsy" Private Press - $3,450.00


As always, a thank you to Norm & Jane over at Vinyl Record Talk for this enlightening data!

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

Watch Van Halen’s 2012 Tour Announcement



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

in my email box from a reader in Canada (Philip) - in a recent Mr. Music column , Jerry answered a question about a certain bug and song. Here is a video (really the audio) for the song about a weda bug! (thanks for the research Philip!)

COOLBREEZERS - Eda Weda Bug (1958)



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

The Stars We Lost In 2011 (from ClassicBands.com)

Gerry Rafferty - the lead singer of Stealers Wheel on their 1973 hit "Stuck In The Middle With You" died after a long illness on January 4th, 2011 at the age of 63. After the band split up, he went on to a successful solo career and enjoyed five more Billboard Top 30 hits, including "Baker Street" and "Right Down The Line".

Tommy Crain - guitarist for The Charlie Daniels band on their Grammy-winning single "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and more than twenty albums, died on January 13th, 2011 at the age of 59.

Don Kirshner - the songwriter, manager, publisher and music executive who helped launch the careers of Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, The Monkees, The Archies and Kansas, died of heart failure on January 17th, 2011 at the age of 76.

Gladys Horton - whose lead vocals helped The Marvelettes establish their career with such hits as "Mr. Postman", "Playboy" and "Beechwood 4-5789", died following a stroke on January 26th, 2011 at the age of 66.

Gary Moore - guitarist for the influential Irish rock band Thin Lizzy was found dead in his hotel room in Spain on February 6th, 2011 following a suspected heart attack. He was 58.

Rick Coonce - drummer for The Grass Roots on their 11 Billboard Top 40 hits, died of heart failure on February 25th, 2011 at the age of 64.

Mark Tulin - bassist for The Electric Prunes on their 1967 hit "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)", suffered a fatal heart attack on February 26th, 2011, at the age of 62.

Johnny Preston - who topped the Billboard chart in January, 1960 with "Running Bear", passed away on March 4th, 2011 at the age of 71 from lingering health problems following heart bypass surgery.

Bernard St. Clair Lee - a baritone singer and original member of the Hues Corporation, who had an early Disco hit in 1974 with "Rock the Boat", died of natural causes on March 8th, 2011. He was 66

Ronnie Hammond - lead singer of The Atlanta Rhythm Section died of heart failure on March 14th, 2011 at the age of 60.

Ferlin Husky - a Country-music entertainer who reached the Billboard Top 40 twice with "Gone" (#4 in 1957) and "Wings of a Dove" (#12 in 1960) died of heart related problems on March 17th, 2011 at the age of 85.

Terence "Jet" Harris - bass guitarist for The Shadows, died from throat cancer on March 18th, 2011. He was 71. Jet played on the hit "Apache" and, during their days as Cliff Richard's backing band, performed on the chart-topper "Living Doll". In 1962 he left the band and had solo hits with "Besame Mucho" and "The Man With The Golden Arm".

Loleatta Holloway - best known for the 1980 Disco hit "Love Sensation", died of heart failure on March 21st, 2011 at the age of 64.

Phoebe Snow - the velvet voiced singer / songwriter who reached #5 in the U.S. in 1975 with "Poetry Man", died of complications from a stroke on April 26th, 2011. She was 60.

John Walker - lead vocalist for The Walker Brothers, who enjoyed Billboard Top 20 hits with "Make It Easy On Yourself" in 1965 and "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" in 1966, died of liver cancer on May 7th, 2011. He was 67.

Kathy Kirby - who had five UK Top 40 hits between 1963 and 1965, including "Dance On", "Secret Love" and "Let Me Go, Lover!" died of a suspected heart attack on May 19th, 2011 at the age of 72.

Andrew Gold - who reached #7 in the U.S. in 1977 with "Lonely Boy" and #25 a year later with "Thank You For Being A Friend", died of cancer on June 3rd, 2011. Along with his solo career, he also arranged songs for and performed on several Linda Rondstadt albums, including "Heart Like a Wheel" and did session work for James Taylor and Carly Simon.

Carl Gardner - the lead singer of The Coasters on their pioneering Rock 'n' Roll hits "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown", "Poison Ivy" and "Searchin'" died June 12th, 2011 at the age of 83. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure.

Clarence Clemons - the burly sax player who helped develop Bruce Springsteen's early sound, died June 18th, 2011, just six days after suffering a stroke at his Florida home. He was 69.

Rob Grill - lead singer and bassist for the 1960s rock band The Grass Roots, whose hits included "Midnight Confessions", "Temptation Eyes" and "Let's Live for Today", died July 11th, 2011 after suffering a head injury from a fall caused by a stroke. He was 67.

Dan Peek - a founding member of the Soft Rock trio America died in his sleep on July 24th, 2011 at the age of 60. The group notched eight Top 40 hits in the US charts between 1971 and 1975, including "Sister Golden Hair", "Ventura Highway", "Tin Man", "Daisy Jane" and Peek's own composition, "Lonely People".

Gene McDaniels - most often remembered for his 1961 Top Ten hits "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" and "Tower Of Strength", died at the age of 76 on July 29th, 2011 after a short illness. Gene also wrote Roberta Flack's 1974 number one smash, "Feel Like Makin' Love".

Marshall Grant - who played bass for Johnny Cash from 1954 to 1980, passed away on August 7th, 2011 at the age of 83. After his time with The Man In Black, Grant managed The Statler Brothers until they retired in 2002 and later wrote an autobiography entitled I Was There When It Happened.

Jerry Leiber - a songwriting legend whose credits include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Yakety Yak", "Poison Ivy" and "Love Potion No. 9", died August 23rd, 2011 at the age of 78. Leiber and his songwriting partner Mike Stoller were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years later.

Marv Tarplin - the guitarist whose riffs and melodies helped form the sound of one of Motown's most successful acts, Smokey Robinson And The Miracles, died September 30th, 2011, at the age of 70.

Andrea True - Disco star and actress who had Top 40 hits with "More, More, More" (1976) and "N.Y. You Got Me Dancing" (1977), died on November 7th, 2011 at the age of 68.

Dobi Gray - Soul singer who reached #13 in 1965 with "The In Crowd" and #5 in 1973 with "Drift Away", died December 6th, 2011 at the age of 71 from complications following cancer surgery.

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

and in music history for december 26th:

In 1955, Bill Haley And His Comets' version of the Bobby Charles tune "See You Later Alligator" is released by Decca Records. It will reach #6 on the US Pop chart and become Haley's third and final million-selling single.

Jay & the Americans recorded "She Cried" in 1961.

In 1963, Capitol Records, the EMI-affiliated company which rejected the US rights to every Beatles record that they were offered until then, finally releases "I Want to Hold Your Hand" backed with "I Saw Her Standing There". The song was currently topping the UK chart with "This Boy" on the flip side. Within five weeks the record will rise to number one in the US, where it would stay for seven weeks. The song was recorded the previous October and the hit version was take number 17.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones, whose long hair had helped set the new standard for teenagers, took out an advertisement in the music newspaper New Musical Express wishing starving UK hairdressers and their families a "Happy Christmas."

In 1966, John Lennon made his third visit to Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's BBC-TV comedy show "Not Only… But Also." Lennon had previously appeared in the series' pilot in late 1964 and returned in early 1965. For this 1966 "Christmas Special" Lennon played a men's room attendant.

Also in 1966, in London, Jimi Hendrix wrote the lyrics to a new song called "Purple Haze" while backstage following an afternoon show at the Uppercut Club.

In 1967, the Beatles movie, 'The Magical Mystery Tour' was shown in black and white by BBC-TV on Boxing Day. The concept was to load the band into a bus, drive around for a while and see what happened. Unfortunately, nothing did. Audiences were mystified, critics were either disappointed or contemptuous, and the Beatles suffered their first flop. The negative reaction was so strong that a US television deal for broadcasting the movie was cancelled. A Daily Express critic wrote that he had never seen "such blatant rubbish."

The Monkees recorded "Valleri" in 1967

In 1968, at the Auditorium Arena in Denver, Led Zeppelin began their first U.S. tour, opening for Vanilla Fudge.

In 1970, George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" becomes the first Beatles solo single to top the Billboard Hot 100. Five years later, a New York state judge would find Harrison guilty of copyright infringement for plagiarizing the Chiffon's 1963 hit, "He's So Fine."

In 1979, the concerts for the people of Kampuchea began in London with performances by Queen, the Clash, Elvis Costello, the Pretenders, the Who, Wings and others.

In 1999, soul singer/songwriter/producer Curtis Mayfield died of diabetes at age 57. He had been paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident on stage in 1990.

In 2010, singer/songwriter/musician Teena Marie, known as the "Ivory Queen of Soul," died at the age of 54.

Also in 2010, singer Bernie Wilson, a founding member of Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes, died from complications of a stroke and heart attack at 64.

birthdays today include (among others): Phil Spector (72), Bob Carpenter (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) (65), Henning Schmitz (Kraftwerk) (58), James Kottak (Scorpions) (49), Lars Ulrich (Metallica) (48), Peter Klett (Candlebox) (42), James Mercer (Shins) (41), Jared Leto (30 Seconds to Mars) (40) and Chris Daughtry (Daughtry) (32)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

first and foremost, the CVR Blog wants to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season. I will be taking a couple of days off to enjoy time with my family. Next post will be on Monday the 26th, in the meantime, catch up on some earlier posts!








personally, i love her work and her efforts:

Proceeds from Angelina Jolie's In the Land of Blood and Honey Soundtrack to Benefit SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia

Music from movie will benefit at-risk children through SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Angelina Jolie, Graham King Films and Varese Sarabande Records today announced that a portion of the proceeds from the In the Land of Blood and Honey soundtrack will be donated to SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The donation is given in support of the critically needed programs that SOS Children's Villages provides in Bosnia and Herzegovina to children, youth and families still suffering from lingering effects of the 1990s war in the Balkans. In her directorial debut, Ms. Jolie worked with actors from the region whose personal experiences during the war helped inform and shape the film.

Ms. Jolie stated, "We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film's soundtrack will support SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them."

SOS Children's Villages National Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Amir Omanovic, is grateful for this generous support. He explained, "The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was indeed a horrific event. Every family in Bosnia was affected by the war. Children suffered the most. Many were lost...left without parents and with no system to hold on to. SOS Children's Villages responded by providing family-based care to children who had lost their biological families. Those children are adults now and their SOS Mothers, brothers and sisters have become family through the years of their upbringing. We are thankful that this donation will help us continue to provide healing programs to the next generation of children in Bosnia and Herzegovina.''

Proceeds from the soundtrack will be used to help fund SOS Children's Villages programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In SOS Children's Villages around the world, children who have no family to care for them are raised in a loving, nurturing family with SOS brothers and sisters headed by an SOS Mother. In Bosnia, 280 children and youth are growing up in SOS Children's Villages homes in Sarajevo and Gracanica. Nearly 7,000 more benefit from additional SOS programs in Bosnia including family strengthening, child care, education, vocational training and social services.

The soundtrack from In the Land of Blood and Honey was produced by Angelina Jolie, Robert Townson and Academy Award-winning composer Gabriel Yared. The soundtrack echoes themes from the film and includes a selection of songs from the Balkans. Two featured songs are Miss Sarajevo and When The Heart Dies. First released by U2 in 1995, Miss Sarajevo is performed by Luciano Pavarotti and Passengers. When The Heart Dies, by award winning composer Gabriel Yared is performed by acclaimed singer and actress Natasa Mirkovic-De Ro and also features Rade Serbedzija, Dado Dzihan and BOMBAJ STAMPA. The soundtrack is currently available through iTunes and the CD will be released on January 10, 2012.

About SOS Children's Villages

For over 60 years, SOS Children's Villages has been dedicated to providing family-based, long-term care to children who can no longer grow up with their biological families. They also focus on preventing the conditions that cause children to be orphaned and abandoned. Through its Children's Villages and Family Strengthening Programs, SOS impacts the lives of over 1 million people each year. SOS Children's Villages has received numerous awards including the Save the World Award, the Mother Teresa Gold Medal, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, and the Vietnam Friendship Medal. For more information about SOS Children's Villages or to make a donation, visit www.sos-childrensvillages.org.

SOURCE SOS Children's Villages

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

Stars Come Together for Music Video "A Merry Christmas," Proceeds to Benefit Bright Future International Children's Fund

Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Larry King, Ray J and Others Join Together for a Good Cause

CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This holiday season, celebrities and children came together for "A Merry Christmas" music video, which features stars like Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Larry King, Ray J, Jordin Sparks, Jermaine Jackson, Mystery Guitar Man, DeStorm, Irina Slutskaya, the Bolshoi Ballet and others. The music video is set to premiere right before Christmas on Friday, December 23rd, and you can view the teaser video at http://youtu.be/T-vo2wokBRU. Proceeds from single sales will benefit Bright Future International (BFI), a charitable organization that funds programs for underprivileged children around the world.

The music video begins with a little boy and girl communicating with each other from opposite sides of the world. The boy wishes the girl "A Merry Christmas" in the form of song, and despite language barriers and many miles, they are connected through this tune. The song garners attentions from children and celebrities around the world, each of them adding their own special harmony.

Tying in with BFI's mission, the concept of the music video is to promote community and peace by uniting people around the world regardless of race, religion or social status, and to have children play a major role in this.

LINKS

Watch the Teaser Video on YouTube  

Buy The Single on iTunes

ABOUT BRIGHT FUTURE INTERNATIONAL

Bright Future International (BFI) is a charitable organization helping children around the world achieve a better future by promoting compassion, values, hope, knowledge, and a desire to help others. Currently, BFI funds after school programs for underprivileged children in Russia, Panama, Rwanda and Burundi. In 2012, BFI will also be launching programs in Kenya and the U.S.

SOURCE Bright Future International

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

this news (and some wicked cover art) from relapse.com

Bolt Thrower

Honour Valour Pride 2xLP 

Release date 1/31/12

The last three albums from British extreme metal pioneers BOLT THROWER "Mercenary" (1998), "Honour-Valour-Pride" (2001) and "Those Once Loyal" (2005) will be reissued on vinyl in the U.S. on January 31st, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. All three albums will be released as gatefold sleeves in black vinyl, limited to 1000 units initial pressing each.

Buy HERE















Pre-Order Spawn of Possession

Incurso CD 3/13/12

The wait is over. ‘Incurso’, Spawn Of Possession’s Relapse debut and first new record in over five years is a headspinning masterpiece of technically brutal death metal. Featuring current and former members of tech-titans Necrophagist and Obscura, Spawn Of Possession absolutely annihilate with ‘Incurso’. Devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex and sophisticated songwriting all combine to create an opus of next level death metal. Spawn Of Possession’s ‘Incurso’ is simultaneously fresh and instantly classic, an immediate landmark in the death metal canon.

Buy HERE













Abysmal Dawn

From Ashes (Reissue) CD

ABYSMAL DAWN’s first album From Ashes was one of the top death metal debuts of the past decade. The Los Angeles quartet's mix of classic death metal brutality, melodic flourishes, and impeccable soloing with a modern delivery made them a must watch band for the next generation of extreme metal connoisseurs. Remastered and featuring three bonus tracks, From Ashes exposes this sorely underrated effort from one of the best new American metal bands.

Buy HERE













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

Beyond Terror Beyond Grace Reveal Album Details

Australia's Beyond Terror Beyond Grace has issued an announcement about the band's forthcoming new album:

 "We're proud to unveil the cover art and tracklisting from our forthcoming album 'Nadir'. We again worked with Colin Marks from Rainsong Design for the album artwork and booklet and feel he has done a fantastic job. Expect a label press release along with the official release date next week, and another track available to stream. Not long now folks!"


Tracklist:

1. Dusk
2. Requiem for the Grey (featuring Rob Allen of Encircling Sea, The Abandonment)
3. Throatless Sirens
4. Nadir
5. Embracing Null
6. The Blood of Time (featuring Jason Netherton of Misery Index & Rob Allen)
7. Pathea


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

Chiddy Bang Announce Release For Debut Album

Chiddy Bang have revealed the cover art and track list for the new record, due out on February 28th . ‘Breakfast’ will have12 songs including the group’s singles ‘Mind Your Manners’ and ‘Ray Charles’ as well as ‘Baby Roulette’ which features the Grammy-award winning rock-band Train.

Tracklist
1. ‘Breakfast’
2. ‘Handclaps & Guitars’
3. ‘Mind Your Manners’
4. ‘Ray Charles’
5. ‘Does She Love Me’
6. ‘Run It Back’
7. ‘Out 2 Space’
8. ‘Whatever We Want’
9. ‘Talking To Myself’
10. ‘Happening’
11. ‘Baby Roulette’
12. ’4th Quarter’



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

interesting story

If CD format is dying, will any music fans mourn their compact discs?

By: Nick Patch, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - It was just over 29 years ago that the compact disc was first made widely available to the public, a much-hyped new format that — we were told — was certain to sound vinyl's death knell with crisp digital clarity.

And in the coming decades, CDs did flourish, with music listeners rushing to clear shelf space for stacks of jewel cases (in hindsight, could they have had a more ridiculous name?). But the second part of that '80s prognostication never really came true. Vinyl only ever died just enough so that it could be revived — with holdout music-loving purists clinging to the old things with such relentless resolve that the format has actually enjoyed a gradual resurgence in recent years.

That growth — marginal as it is — has come at the expense of CDs, now the dinosaur format fading into irrelevance as analysts point to a future that will apparently reside in streams, hard-drives or, perhaps, in the Cloud. According to a report in Side Line Music Magazine that created a stir in October, major labels are even planning to phase the CD out by the end of 2012 in favour of digital-only releases, almost 30 years after Billy Joel's "52nd Street" became the first commercial album to be released on CD in Japan.

So, major labels are reportedly musing on their CD exit strategy, major retailers such as HMV are desperately clearing discs from their shelves and many serious music fans — and stores — have already shifted their focus to vinyl.

Read the rest at brandonsun.com

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

as with all 'best of list' there are certainly some of them that wouldn't make my top 100, let alone top 50. check it out at pastemagazine.com

Paste Magazine – 50 Best Album Covers of 2011

paste-magazine-50-best-album-covers-of-2011










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

again another list, warning there are some really bad album covers!

Worst album covers of the year | 2011 in review


worst-album-covers-of-the-year-2011

















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

Top Albums for 2011: Live and Reissue Edition

by Nick DeRiso

Live albums and reissue projects often do much to shape the broader idea we have about a musical legacy, and this year was no different — with impressive sets devoted to Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings and the Smiths along with key live dates from the Rolling Stones, Freddie Hubbard, Levon Helm and Rockpile, among others.

Here are my Top 10 selections for 2011, along with five key honorable mentions …

See the list at somethingelsereviews.com

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

Top Tours of 2011

U2 played to approximately 2.8 million people in the US and Africa during the year. New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi took in more than $192 million on attendance of about 1.8 million fans, British pop vocal group Take That's reunion tour grossed $185 million, and founding Pink Floyd member Roger Waters' "The Wall Live" earned almost $150 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

1. U2, $293 million
2. Bon Jovi, $192 million
3. Take That, $185 million
4. Roger Waters, $150 million
5. Taylor Swift, $97 million
6. Kenny Chesney, $84.5 million
7. Usher, $75 million
8. Lady Gaga, $72 million
9. André Rieu, $67 million
10. Sade, $53 million
11. Michael Bublé, $50 million
12. Eagles, $50 million
13. Katy Perry, $49 million
14. Lil Wayne, $46 million
15. Justin Bieber, $44 million
16. Glee Live! In Concert!, $40 million
17. NKOTBSB, $40 million
18. Journey, $40 million
19. Britney Spears, $37 million
20. Iron Maiden, $33 million
21. Kylie Minogue, $32.5 million
22. Neil Diamond, $31 million
23. Enrique Iglesias, $30 million
24. Jason Aldean, $28 million
25. Toby Keith, $27 million

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

never get tired of these videos!

Vinyl Records Making Comeback in Cleveland



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

and in music history for december 23rd:

In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the first orchestral concert, the first program of dance music, the first radio talk program, and the first regular bulletin of general news from London, provided by the Reuters news source.

In 1957, the Champs recorded "Tequila." "Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day. The track would be the Champs' only hit song, relegating them to one-hit wonder status.

In 1957, Gene Autry's record label, Challenge Records, signed Dave Burgess (born 1934), a rockabilly singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupree." At the end of 1957, having produced no hits, Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, Cliff Hills on bass guitar, the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce), and Huelyn Duvall contributing backing vocals. They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere," a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock."

The last song recorded was "Tequila," essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. There were three takes, and Daniel Flores (d September 19, 2006), who wrote the song, was also the man who actually spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the song's trademark "dirty sax" solo. The song served as the B-side for "Train to Nowhere," which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in Cleveland played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching #1 on the Billboard chart on March 28, 1958.

Daniel Flores had written "Tequila," but, because he was signed to another label, the song was credited to "Chuck Rio," a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically formed after recording its most famous song.



In 1959, in St. Louis, Chuck Berry was arrested after Janice Norine, a 14-year old Apache girl he'd brought in from Mexico was revealed to be a prostitute. Berry claimed she was hired to be a hatcheck girl at his nightclub. Under the Mann Act in the U.S., which makes it illegal to transport a minor across state lines for immoral purposes, Berry was sentenced to five years in prison. The charges were eventually dropped after the judge allegedly made racist remarks.

In 1964, the Beach Boys performed "Little Saint Nick" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" in their first appearance on ABC-TV's "Shindig!" That night during their flight from Los Angeles to a concert in Houston, Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown which led to his immediate retirement from touring. Studio musician Glen Campbell, who had performed on several Beach Boys recordings, was hired to take his place on stage, and eventually was replaced by Bruce Johnston who became a permanent member of the group.

Also in 1964, pirate radio station Radio London started broadcasting.

In 1966, the UFO club, London's premiere psychedelic hangout, opened with Pink Floyd as the house band.

Also in 1966, in the UK, after it was announced that union rules would be enforced barring lip-syncing by musicians on television, the ITV musical program "Ready Steady Go!" aired its last show, featuring the Who, Mick Jagger, Eric Burdon, the Spencer Davis Group, Donovan, and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich.

In 1968, at Apple's Christmas party, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, handed out presents to the children of the staff.

In 1969, for the first time Elton John met with what became his classic behind-the-scenes team – songwriter Bernie Taupin, arranger Paul Buckmaster, and producer Gus Dudgeon – to begin work on his first solo album.

In 1972, John Lennon's film "Imagine" premiered on national TV.

Also in 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York, ex-Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight showed up at the band's scheduled concert with a court order allowing him to seize $1 million in money and/or assets owed to him by Grand Funk. Realizing that the band couldn't get paid if they didn't perform, Knight and deputy sheriffs waited for the end of the concert to impound the band's instruments and equipment.

In 1974, George Harrison released a holiday single, "Ding Dong, Ding Dong."

In 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusef Islam.

In 1978, Rod Stewart gets in on the Disco craze when "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" was released. It would rise to the top of the Billboard chart during an 18 week run. the worst song on the planet.....

In 1985, two Judas Priest fans shot themselves after listening to the album Stained Class.

In 1987, Roger Waters and David Gilmour settled their differences allowing Waters to perform as Pink Floyd and Gilmour to receive royalties.

In 1992, guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Eddie Hazel, lead guitarist of Parliament/Funkadelic, died from internal bleeding and liver failure at 42.

In 1994, singer Dan Hamilton, lead vocalist of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, died after a stroke while being treated for Cushing's syndrome at the age of 48.

In 1997, Jackie Landry of the Chantels died of cancer at the age of 56. The group placed four songs on the Billboard Top 40 between 1958 and 1961, including "Maybe" (#15) and "Look In My Eyes" (#14), as well as an answer to Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack" called "Well, I Told You" (#29).

In 1999, unemployed musician Cristin Keleher broke into George Harrison's Maui house and made herself at home, heating a frozen pizza, drinking beer from the refrigerator, doing laundry, and calling her mother in New Jersey, before Hawaiian authorities arrived to arrest her. Convicted of breaking and entering and theft, she served four months in jail.

In 2007, jazz pianist/composer Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure at the age of 82.

In 2008, songwriter (Game Of Love, You're No Good, I'm Alive, Gingerbread, One Of Us, Good Timin') Clint Ballard, Jr., who discovered and managed the Kalin Twins, died at the age of 77.

birthdays today include (among others): Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) (71), Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap) (68), Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly) (66), Luther Grosvenor (Spooky Tooth, Mott the Hoople) (65), Adrian Belew (King Crimson) (62) and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) (47)

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 19, 2011

giant weta

DEAR JERRY: You probably have seen the widely-publicized story (CNN, MSNBC, etc., etc.) about the “world's biggest insect,” the giant weta bug.

Since this species is pretty much confined to New Zealand's Little Barrier Island, I'd not heard of this insect until now. I found several YouTube videos about this bug, including one where a man eats a live weta bug.

All of which brought to mind a record I heard on a local radio station long ago, one that I think is actually titled “Eat a Weta Bug.”

I swear I am not making this up!

Even so, it seems nearly impossible that a song about a weta bug wouldn't have something to do with real weta bugs. Where else did they get the name? It can't be a coincidence, or can it?
—Carmen Brandmeier, Washington D.C.


DEAR CARMEN: And I foolishly thought my study of entomology would never be useful.

The recording now bugging you is a late 1958 release by the Coolbreezers, issued by Bale (No. 100), a D.C. label.

To simply listen to the lyrics, whether spoken or sung, anyone could think they were hearing “eat a weta bug,” especially someone aware of the weta bug, a plentiful source of protein, or so I'm told.

However, the exact title of this up-tempo doo-wop tune is “Eda Weda Bug.”

Against all odds, after several spins of “Eda Weda Bug” on your behalf, I am convinced it is a coincidence. Beyond the homophonic “Eda Weda” and “Eat a Weta,” there is no arthropodal connection.

The “bug” reference is about catching the bug, or being caught up in the eda weda, suggesting a dance craze or music style. This is evident from the very first verse:

The Eda Weda is goin' around
The Eda Weda never lets you down
When it bites you're rhythm bound
Eda Weda has a rock, rock, rock and roll sound


DEAR JERRY: The store where I work plays music from one of the satellite oldies stations, which now includes many Christmas classics, from the 1950s and into the '80s.

One of the most played tunes is “Stop the Cavalry,” by the Cory Band.

Having never heard any other song by the Cory Band, it has me wondering how many of the now-familiar Christmas tunes are by artists who had no other hits, seasonal or otherwise.
—Jackie Padgett, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR JACKIE: Most Christmas-related recordings from the period you specify are by established hit-makers, making for very few one-Christmas-hit wonders. Also, most of those would not likely be regarded as “now-familiar,” having been somewhat popular decades ago but rarely heard since.

For starters, here are five tunes I rate as familiar:

Cory Band and the Gwalia Singers “Stop the Cavalry” (1981)
Elmo & Patsy “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” (1979)
Gayla Peevey “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (Hippo the Hero)” (1953)
Augie Rios “Donde Esta Santa Claus? (Where Is Santa Claus?)” (1958)
Yogi Yorgesson “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” (1949)

Now for 15 likely less familiar releases, ones that still made the Billboard charts, as referenced in Joel Whitburn's “Christmas in the Charts” book:

Art Carney “Santa and the Doodle-Li-Boop” (1954)
Dancer, Prancer & Nervous “The Happy Reindeer” (1959)
Michael Holm “When a Child Is Born” (1974)
Johnny Kaye “A Christmas Love” (1963)
Becky Lamb “Little Becky's Christmas Wish” (1967)
Melodeers “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer” (1960)
Lise Miller “Love Is” (1967)
Moonlion “The Little Drummer Boy” (1975)
Derrik Roberts “There Won't Be Any Snow (Christmas in the Jungle)” (1965)
Jack Halloran Singers “The Little Drummer Boy” (1961)
Stan & Doug “Christmas Goose (Snowbird)” 1970
Harvie June Van “Natividad” (1967)
Joe Ward “Nuttin' for Xmas” (1955)
Toni Wine “My Boyfriend's Coming Home for Christmas” (1963)
Ricky Zahnd and the Blue Jeaners “(I'm Gettin') Nuttin' for Christmas” (1955)

Not included are groups assembled for one special cause (e.g., Band Aid), or duets of bona fide stars (e.g., Bobby Rydell & Chubby Checker).


IZ ZAT SO? Knowing most of the top-ranking singles and albums artists made at least one Christmas recording, have you ever wondered who is the biggest name exception?

That distinction goes to the Rolling Stones, but is not without caveats.

In a hidden, half-minute snippet on the December 1967 LP, “Their Satanic Majesties Request,” is the Stone's wish for a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

In 1978, Keith Richards revived Chuck Berry's “Run, Rudolph, Run.”

Then Mick Jagger did a duet with Joss Stone of “Lonely Without You (This Christmas),” which is on the 2004 “Alfie” soundtrack album.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net   Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.

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

Copyright 2011 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Rare 1978 Captain Beefheart Album to See Official Release

The widely bootlegged Captain Beefheart album, Bat Chain Puller, will finally get an official release in January.

Mike Barnes, who wrote a biography on Beefheart, told the site The Wire "The tape is owned by the Zappa estate and although Don didn't want it released they've been true to the work. Not only that, its availability was announced on the anniversary of Don's death and will be released on his birthday."

Please read the rest at our friends at vintagevinylnews.com






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

these sets are great, but who can afford them?

Limited, ultra, uber, deluxe: The box set goes over the top and beyond the basics large

By: Chris Talbott, The Associated Press

Musical box sets, encapsulating a portion or all of an artist's catalogue, are hardly a new trend. They've been around for decades.

But as labels begin to search for more sources of income, they're increasingly using yesterday's hits to help today's bottom line, from multi-disc deluxe editions of your favourite old album to over-the-top collections of obscurities complete with cool little tchotchkes.

And they're also reaching new heights in pricing. Love U2 beyond measure? There's the new "Achtung Baby" uber-deluxe edition, a limited, numbered box set that originally retailed for $650. It includes six CDs, four DVDs, a new documentary, a magnetic puzzle box, five clear 7-inch vinyl singles, 16 art prints, an 84-page book, a sticker sheet and a pair of Bono's bug-eyed sunglasses, among many other things.

Tony Bennett fans can own his entire recorded output — more than 1,000 of his songs spread across 73 discs and three DVDs — in "Tony Bennett: The Complete Collection," original price around $400. Elvis fans willing to pay the $750 list price for "The Complete Elvis Presley Masters" 30-disc set last year took home more than 800 songs — every master released in chronological order plus more than 100 rarities — and a book by Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick.

Read the rest at winnipegfreepress.com


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

album cover art of the day:

Blasphemous Creation Cover Art Revealed

Nevada-based death metal outfit Blasphemous Creation have recently signed with Russian record label HeadXplode Records. The group's second album, called 'Battle Of The Ancients,' is scheduled to be released in early 2012. The effort was engineered by Josh Williams at Metal Works Recording Studio in Folsom, CA. The cover art was created by Tony Koehl of Sketch The Soul Studios.

This LP is a follow up to Blasphemous Creation's first album 'Diabolical Kingdom.'

'Battle Of The Ancients' is a concept album based on the ancient Sumerian gods the Anunnaki, who were actually flesh and blood extraterrestrials from a planet called Nibiru. It is a fictional story based on lead guitarist/vocalist Isaac Wilson's own beliefs in ancient astronaut theory, that ancient gods were actually aliens from other planets with superior technology and were able to travel through space. The album tells the story of great battles fought between the Anunnaki and a humanoid race called the Plejaren, who were genetically engineered by the Anunnaki to be used as slaves. After defeating them, the "Gods" came to Earth and once again created human beings to serve them as slaves.

The band is mulling over making a trilogy and carrying on the story.




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

Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross, and Gil Scott-Heron Honored With The Recording Academy® Lifetime Achievement Award

DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, STEVE JOBS AND RUDY VAN GELDER HONORED WITH TRUSTEES AWARD CELEMONY AND ROGER NICHOLS TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL GRAMMY AWARD®

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Recording Academy® (www.grammy.com) announced its Special Merit Awards recipients today, and this year's selections are: Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross and Gil Scott-Heron as Lifetime Achievement Award recipients; Dave Bartholomew, Steve Jobs and Rudy

Van Gelder as Trustees Award honorees; and Celemony and Roger Nichols as Technical GRAMMY Award® honorees. The special invitation-only ceremony will be held during GRAMMY® Week on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, and a formal acknowledgment will be made during the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast, which will be held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

"This year's honorees offer a variety of brilliance, contributions and lasting impressions on our culture," said President/CEO of The Recording Academy Neil Portnow. "It is an honor to recognize such a diverse group of individuals whose talents and achievements have had an indelible impact on our industry."

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees as well as The Academy's Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.

About the Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

As pioneers of Southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band created a unique sound blending elements of blues, country, jazz and rock. Known for their outstanding improvisational and jam-style shows, the band's breakthrough album, 1971's At Fillmore East, is a definitive live concert recording. The band has achieved artistic and commercial success with hits such as "Whipping Post," "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica," the latter having earned them a 1995 GRAMMY for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. In 1995 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

During his 50-plus years in show business, five-time GRAMMY winner Glen Campbell has released more than 70 albums. In 1967 he won GRAMMYs in both country and pop categories for his hits "Gentle On My Mind" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," respectively. Campbell has three recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame and has also been inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the famed Wrecking Crew, Los Angeles' group of top studio musicians in the '60s. In 2011 he released his farewell album, Ghost On The Canvas, which featured collaborations with Jakob Dylan, Chris Isaak and Billy Corgan, among others.

Widely known as the composer of the GRAMMY-winning "The Girl From Ipanema," arranger, singer and pianist/guitarist Antonio Carlos Jobim* was influential in the creation of the Brazilian bossa nova style and its international popularity. His songs and arrangements have been performed by numerous artists around the world. In 1995 he won a posthumous Best Latin Jazz Performance GRAMMY for his album Antonio Brasileiro.

Trumpeter Wayne Jackson and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love comprise one of the greatest and most recorded horn sections, the Memphis Horns. Early in their career, the duo appeared on nearly every Stax Records recording, helping the label define its sound. Known for their unique funk/soul style, the Musicians Hall of Fame inductees have appeared on recordings for artists such as Al Green, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and U2.

As one of the most prolific country artists in history, George Jones has had more than 150 hits over his half-century career. From honky tonk to country ballads, he has remained at the top of the charts with hits such as "White Lightning," "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and "Still Doin' Time." Jones is a two-time GRAMMY winner, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. At 80 years old, he continues to tour, playing more than 60 shows each year.

In the 1960s Diana Ross led Motown act the Supremes, one of America's most successful vocal groups. In the 1970s, Ross began her solo career and had continued success with hits such as "Love Hangover," "Upside Down" and "Missing You." In her nearly 50 years in the entertainment business, she has sold more than 100 million albums and has received a number of accolades for her work, including a Golden Globe and Tony Award and has been a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. Ross recently toured the country with her More Today Than Yesterday tour and will continue touring into 2012.

With his unique fusion of jazz, blues and spoken word, Gil Scott-Heron*'s music influenced the creation of the rap genre. The first artist signed to Arista Records, his recordings such as "Johannesburg" and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" were known for their sharp lyrics that commented on social and political issues. His songs also helped tell stories of African-Americans in the United States. Scott-Heron continued to record up until his death in 2011, releasing his most recent album, I'm New Here, in 2010.

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

GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 12/12 - 12/18, 2011

Vinyl Top 25:

1. My Morning Jacket - Friends Again 7"
2. She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas
3. Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures
4. The Black Keys - Brothers
5. The Beatles - Abbey Road
6. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
7. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
8. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
9. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Drake - Take Care
11. The Beach Boys - The SMiLE Sessions
12. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire
13. The Civil Wars - Tracks In The Snow
14. The Head & The Heart - The Head & The Heart
15. Brand New - Your Favorite Weapon
16. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica
17. The Black Keys - Rubber Factory
18. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
19. The Louvin Brothers - Satan Is Real
20. Feist - Metals
21. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
22. Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel 7"
23. Adele - 21
24. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
25. The Black Keys - Chulahoma

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

and in music history for december 21st:

The great Frank Zappa was born on this date in 1940 (died in 1993).

Carl Wilson (Beach Boys) was born today in 1946 (died in 1998).

LaVern Baker recorded "Jim Dandy" in 1955.

In 1966, the Beach Boys received three Gold Record citations for the single "Good Vibrations" and the albums "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Shut Down, Vol. 2".

In 1967, the Beatles had a party in London to preview their new film Magical Mystery Tour.

In 1968, Glen Campbell topped the Billboard Hot 200 album chart with 'Wichita Lineman.' Although the LP would stay on the chart for 46 weeks, it would be Campbell's only number one.

In 1968, Crosby, Stills and Nash performed together in public for the first time.

In 1968, in Memphis, Janis Joplin made her solo stage debut at a Stax/Volt Christmas party that also featured artists from the two labels, including Booker T. & the MG's and Eddie Floyd.

In 1969, Diana Ross gave her last performance as a member of the Supremes on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1970, Elvis Presley's stretch limousine pulled up outside the White House in Washington, D.C. One of his guards handed over a letter from Elvis addressed to President Nixon requesting a meeting to discuss how the King of Rock and Roll could help Nixon fight drugs - including getting credentials as a "federal agent at large." About two hours later, Elvis walked into the Oval Office wearing a flamboyant outfit, oversize sunglasses and two huge medallions. He gives Nixon a chrome-plated Colt .45 while the President agreed to give him a Narcotics Bureau badge - but only after learning that the chief of the narcotics bureau had turned down the same request earlier that day and told Presley the only person who could overrule his decision was the President. At Elvis' request, the meeting remained secret for more than a year, until the Washington Post broke the story on January 27th, 1972.

In 1971, singer/guitarist//Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charlie Fuqua, a founding member of the Ink Spots, died at age 61.

In 1972, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas play their last show together at Cobo Hall, in Detroit, Michigan. Their recording career spanned from 1963 to 1972, charting over two dozen times. Ten of their singles reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B chart and twelve made it into the Top 40 of the Hot 100, including "Dancing in the Street", "Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run" and "Jimmy Mack."

On this day in 1973, "Time In A Bottle" by Jim Croce was the #1 song.

In 1974, Harry Chapin enjoyed his only number one single with "Cat's In The Cradle". The song's theme about a distant father and son relationship was suggested to Harry by his wife, after he expressed disappointment about being on tour instead of attending his son's birth.



In 1979, the Eagles, Chicago and Linda Ronstadt perform at a benefit show for the presidential campaign for California governor Jerry Brown, who also happens to be Ronstadt's boyfriend.

In 1985, Lionel Richie had a number one record for the seventh time when "Say You, Say Me" reached the top of the Billboard Pop chart. He started his string with "Three Times A Lady" and "Still" while he was with The Commodores, before having solo hits with "Endless ove," "Truly," "All Night Long" and "Hello."

In 1985, Bruce Springsteen's album, 'Born in the USA' passed Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' to become the second longest-lasting LP on the Billboard Top 10. It stayed there for 79 weeks. Only 'The Sound of Music' with Julie Andrews lasted longer at 109 weeks.

In 1991, “Bohemian Rhapsody”/“These are the Days of Our Lives” by Queen started a five-week run at #1 in the U.K., the 1975 wordwide hit had been re-released following the death of Freddie Mercury.

In 1992, blues guitarist/singer (Cold Feet, As The Years Go Passing By, Crosscut Saw) Albert King died following a heart attack at the age of 69.

In 1993, Shaquille O'Neal's "I Know I Got Skillz" single was certified Gold by the RIAA. yes, music was that bad in '92

In 1990, a concert in memory of John Lennon was held at Japan's Tokyo Dome, featuring Sean Lennon, Hall and Oates, Natalie Cole and Linda Ronstadt.

In 2006, the Beatles' "Love" sat at #1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart. The collection was produced by George Martin and his son Giles Martin and features music compiled and remixed for the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. The disc would quickly be certified Platinum and won Grammys in two categories - Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Surround Sound Album at the 50th annual Grammy awards on February 10th, 2008.

In 2006, Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, performed on stage before a live US audience for the first time in nearly thirty years as he promoted his first Pop album since leaving the music world for life as a devout Muslim. Mixing new songs with such old hits as "Oh Very Young" and "Peace Train," he sang with a gentle voice that had changed little from his heyday in the 1970s.

In 2009, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), released its listing of 2009's most played holiday songs, tracked by radio airplay monitoring service, Mediaguide, from over 2,500 radio stations nationwide.

The top 10 most-played holiday songs in the ASCAP repertory this holiday season are:

1. "Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) - played 118,918 times
2. "Jingle Bell Rock" (Joseph Carleton Beal, James Roth Boothe) - played 118,601 times
3. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Edward Pola, George Wyle) - played 101,614 times
4. "White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) - played 89,348 times
5. "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) - played 77,599 times
6. "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) - played 74,360 times.
7. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (Johnny Marks) - played 57,948 times
8. "Little Drummer Boy" (Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone) - played 55,617 times.
9. "Feliz Navidad" (José Feliciano) - played 51,072 times
10. "Frosty the Snowman" (Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins) - played 51,068 times

Note: The above list represents an aggregation of all different artist versions of each cited holiday song.

In 2010, the Recording Academy that organizes the Grammys announced seven artists to be honoured with lifetime achievement awards next February. The list included The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton and The Ramones.

birthdays today include (among others): Carla Thomas (69), Gabrielle Glasser (Luscious Jackson) (46), Albert Lee (68), Ray Hildebrand (Paul & Paula) (71) and Brett Scallions (Tool) (40)

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

today's post is about album cover art, a lost medium of sorts, certainly on its way back!

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

nice little article about album cover art, well done!

Real Album Cover Art Remembered!

Written by Alyson Camus

Physical albums may be the endangered species, but with the recent resurrection of the vinyl sales, the cover art is more important than ever because vinyl is kind of big. With vinyl albums being about five times the size of CDs, we are back to the celebration of cover art!

Read the rest at rocknycliveandrecorded.com














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

Hellsaw Reveal New Album Artwork

Hellsaw has recently revealed the artwork for the upcoming album called 'Trist, which will be released on February 24th, 2012.

1. The Devil Is Calling My Name
2. Sorrow Is Horror
3. Doom Pervades My Nightmares
4. The Forerunner of the Apocalypse
5. Death Bells
6. Trist
7. A Winter Cold
8. Beldam. 1450
9. Silence










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

cool cover art

Vengeance Reveal New Album Details

Dutch metal rockers Vengeance just announced that the new LP 'Crystal Eye' will be released February 24, 2011 (Germany), February 27, 2011 (EU) and a unspecified date in March 2012 for North America on SPV/Steamhammer Records.

Crystal Eye was produced by Michael Voss, who composed the songs with vocalist Goewie. The title track was written by guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Stream of Passion), and Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH) contributed ‘Whole Lotta Metal’ tailor-made for Goewie and Vengeance. The album closes with the instrumental ‘Jan`s End Piece’ which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his unexpected death.












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

album cover art of the day:

FREEDOM CALL: New Album Details Revealed

German melodic metallers FREEDOM CALL will release their new album, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn", on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and February 28 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be made available in three versions: as a jewel case featuring 14 songs; as a limited double CD digipak including six additional bonus tracks (versions of popular FREEDOM CALL numbers by POWERWORLD, SECRET SPHERE, DOWNSPIRIT, MANIMAL, NEONFLY and Hannes Braun [KISSIN' DYNAMITE]); and on double colored vinyl LP.

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth













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

this is a fantastic, colorful cover from the classic rockers!


UFO: 'Seven Deadly' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

British rock legends UFO will release their new album, "Seven Deadly", on February 28, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort, which was recorded with producer Tommy Newton at his Area 51 studio in Celle, Germany, will be made available as a limited-edition digipack (including two bonus tracks), a double gatefold LP with printed innersleeves and colored vinyl, standard-edition CD and as a digital download.

"Seven Deadly" track listing:

1. Fight Night
2. Wonderland
3. Mojo Town
4. Angel Station
5. Year Of The Gun
6. The Last Stone Rider
7. Steal Yourself
8. Burn Your House Down
9. The Fear
10. Waving Good Bye
11. Other Men's Wives (bonus track)
12. Bag O' Blues (bonus track

Read more at our friends at Blabbermouth

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

Epica Album Artwork Revealed

Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA will release their fifth full-length album, 'Requiem For The Indifferent' on March 9, 2012 in Europe and on the 13th in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The effort was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth.

Tracklist:
1. Karma
2. Monopoly On Truth
3. Storm The Sorrow
4. Delirium
5. Internal Warfare
6. Requiem For The Indifferent
7. Anima
8. Guilty Demeanor
9. Deep Water Horizon
10. Stay The Course
11. Deter The Tyrant
12. Avalanche
13. Serenade Of Self-Destruction



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

oh, and this album cover art won't be banned by major retailers....i think some of the shock value that it depicts may take away from the music, will try and learn more about what it is supposed to mean....

Die Antwoord Unveil Cover Art

Here is the bizarre artwork for the sophomore LP 'TEN$ION' from South African shock rappers Die Antwoord. The utterly grotesque and bloody piece of art will arrive on shelves on February 7 via the band's own ZEF Records. The cover shows vocalist Yolandi Visser wearing wings and enjoying lunch....i think.

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

and in music history for december 20th:

In 1958, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison appear as The Quarry Men at the wedding reception of George's older brother, Harry. The event was held at the Harrison family home at 25 Upton Green, Speke, Liverpool.

In 1958, the US Army's 32nd Armored unit returns to base after maneuvers and Pvt. Elvis Presley is rewarded for his hard work with a three day pass, which he uses to by himself a BMW sports car.

In 1962, the Osmond Brothers appeared on NBC-TV's "Andy Williams Show" for the first time.

In 1967, singer Jimmie Rodgers required brain surgery after he suffered a fractured skull and a broken wrist, allegedly at the hands of three San Diego police officers. Although he hadn't had a hit record in ten years, he enjoyed a string of Top Ten songs in the 1950's, including, "Honeycomb", "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine", "Oh-Oh I'm Falling in Love Again", and "Are You Really Mine". Rodgers would recover and return to performing a little over a year later.

In 1967, folk singer/activist Joan Baez was sentenced to 45 days in jail after being arrested during an anti-war demonstration.

In 1967, vocalist Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick leave the John Evans Blues Band to form Jethro Tull, naming their group after the 18th century inventor of a number of farm implements. John Evan himself will later join them as Jethro Tull's keyboard player.

In 1969, after scoring a pair of number 2 singles in 1963 with "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Blowin' in the Wind", Peter, Paul and Mary attain their first and only US number one hit with the John Denver written "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

In 1971, in New York, the Main Ingredient (Cuba Gooding, Sr., Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons, Jr.) recorded "Everybody Plays The Fool." The popular song was written by J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Ken Williams. The song rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the fall of 1972 and was certified gold by the RIAA. It also peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B chart and at #25 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart. It was the group's highest charting hit single.



In 1973, 37 year-old Bobby Darin died during surgery to repair a heart valve that had been implanted two years earlier. His career started in 1958 with ""Mack the Knife" and continued strong into the early sixties. He was pushed off the charts by the British Invasion, but had a comeback in 1966 with, "If I Were a Carpenter." According to his wishes, Darin's body was donated, without a funeral, to UCLA's medical school.

In 1975, Joe Walsh joined the Eagles, replacing original member Bernie Leadon. Leadon left for a solo career.

In 1980, twelve days after John Lennon was shot dead, "Just Like Starting Over" became his first UK solo #1.

In 1999, singer/songwriter Juno Awards Hall of Famer/Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Snow died of heart failure at the age of 85. "The Singing Ranger" a/k/a "The Yodeling Ranger" released more than 80 albums and placed 85 singles on the Billboard country music chart between 1950 and 1980.

In 1989, a lawsuit was filed against Chuck Berry on behalf of more than seventy women who claimed he had secretly videotaped them while they used restrooms in his home and a restaurant. Although Berry adamantly denied making the tapes or even knowing who did, the cases were settled out of court for more than one million dollars.

It was a very good year for Classic Rockers in 2001. Elton John and Billy Joel toured together and grossed nearly $60 million from just 31 dates, averaging $1.9 million per show. Eric Clapton proved to be a strong draw in international arenas, earning a healthy $43.5 million from 59 shows, racking up 38 complete sell-outs and averaging nearly $750,000 per night.

Money making figures for 2002's top grossing Rock artists were as follows:

Paul McCartney - $126.1 million
The Rolling Stones - $90 million
Cher - $67.6 million
Neil Diamond - $52.2 million
Britney Spears - $43.7 million
Aerosmith - $36.3 million
Eagles - $34.9 million
'N Sync - $33 million

The top grossing country artist was Kenny Chesney at $22.7 million

In 2003, Bruce Springsteen was the top-earning concert attraction in 2003, taking in $115.9 million. That ranks second only to The Rolling Stones for the most money ever earned by a concert act in a year.

In 2006, Matthew Fischer won a court decision that he should share in the profits from Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale. Fischer was the organist who wrote the famous rift in the song.

In 2009, James Gurley, the lead guitarist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, died after suffering a heart attack. He was 69. His distinctive style can be heard on songs such as "Piece of My Heart", "Summertime" and "Ball and Chain."

birthdays today include (among others): Peter Criss (Kiss) (66), Alan Parsons (63), Stevie Wright (Easybeats) (63), Billy Bragg (54), Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose, Stooges) (54) and Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) (45)