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2011-07-11T13:01:00.002-04:00

The UT Historical Music Recordings Collection added more than 1,000 vinyl records to its collection Tuesday with a donation from the Audio Preservation Fund.

William Vanden Dries, board of directors chairman for the Austin-based nonprofit, said the new donation includes genres ranging from jazz music to movie soundtracks, all from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The organization, which is dedicated to preserving music and sound recordings, worked with staff at the UT Fine Arts Library to determine which tracks would be valuable to donate.

“We found out which recordings UT didn’t already have in their collection and donated the records we held,” Vanden Dries said. “This specific group came from one collector and is really diverse.”

The campus community will be able to access the additions to the larger collection by September.

The Audio Preservation Fund works with private donors to obtain recordings, restore sound quality when necessary and determine suitable recipients for collections, Vanden Dries said. He said the organization has obtained more than 5,000 audio recordings since he and two other UT alumni started it in 2009 and donates the music to institutions across the country, usually universities or museums.

David Hunter, Fine Arts Library curator and senior lecturer, said the University is grateful for all donations that expand the current collection of more than 200,000 audio recordings.

Hunter said the Fine Arts Library receives between 30 and 50 requests each week during the school year from students seeking specific sound recordings.

“This is an opportunity to add what we’ve been missing to our collection,” Hunter said. “We don’t have any funds to go out and buy LP records, so we are very much dependent on gifts. The Preservation Fund helped us obtain a whole bunch we do not already have.”

Vanden Dries said he hopes his organization will be able to continue aiding University students with their studies through more than donations.

This spring, members of the Audio Preservation Fund created an online catalog archiving collections in the Texas Music Museum, located in Austin. UT alumna Virginia Rowland volunteered in the effort as part of a senior capstone course in information studies. Rowland said creating the catalog helped her recognize the importance of the University’s partnership with outside organizations.

“I think UT should maintain a relationship with the Audio Preservation Fund,” Rowland said. “It’s amazing that [Vanden Dries] has an interest in helping maintain our archives, seeking quality donations and helping students.”

Check out the full article from The Daily Texan here.

2011-06-09T17:21:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone who bought the Beach Boys, 'Don't Fight the Sea.' $9000 was raised to donate to the Japan relief effort. A big thank you to Rob Christie, Al Jardine and the rest of the Beach Boys for putting this together!

2011-05-03T17:01:00.001-04:00

Check out this review of the new Fleet Foxes album Helplessness Blues by Tone Audio.

“So now I’m older,” confesses Fleet Foxes leader Robin Pecknold on “Montezuma,” opening the band’s anticipated sophomore record with a sentiment that largely informs the intelligently crafted, complexly arranged, and gorgeously executed album. Indeed, feelings and realities of being older seemingly consume the sweet-timbered singer-songwriter, who usesHelplessness Blues as a platform for soul-searching, questioning personal identity, reflecting on life purposes, and contemplating existence.

Artists have long ruminated on these weighty matters, but one of the myriad reasons that make Fleet Foxes unique is that at no point does the group invoke self-pity, resort to cloying earnestness, or complain about fame as it raises deep questions that often yield no resolute answers. If the Seattle sextet had any detractors after releasing a 2008 full-length debut that landed on most critics’ Top Ten lists and staging shows that proved its natural harmonizing absolutely ethereal in scope, its latest creation should elevate the band to household-name status. Such is the spectral beauty, cohesive chemistry, and golden-hued ambition contained within.

Whether referred to as roots-rock, folk-rock, or the hipster-coined beardo-rock, the last several years have witnessed an inundation of bucolic music performed by bands that yearn for passed times and bygone environments. Mumford and Sons, Dawes, The Head and the Heart, and Blitzen Trapper are among the acts whose rustic fare evokes simpler times and pastoral pleasures while offering needed relief from a technology-dominant culture that’s far removed from the tranquil, down-home rootsiness conjured by acoustic instruments and easygoing singing. Fleet Foxes stand apart from their contemporaries and followers due to a basic fact: As demonstrated on this filler-free 12-song set, they are plainly superior, deeper, and more soulful than their peers. It’s a truth borne out every year in professional sports. Championship-winning teams claim immense talent and advanced skill sets. For all its romanticism, sheer will only takes you so far.

Whereas the band’s influences shone brightly on its debut, they recede further into the background onHelplessness Blues. Shades of Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and the Incredible String Band give way to a mix that’s more original, involved, and modern. Fleet Foxes occupy an indefinable territory that both bridges and honors the Laurel Canyon past while taking the former period’s earthy, intricate, and natural elements into a present that delves further into go-for-broke blends of gospel, baroque, Americana, rock, psychedelic, and, on “The Shrine/An Argument,” even avant-garde jazz strains. The amount of time and care the group invested in its craft will be immediately evident to even the most casual listener; more than a year in the making, and captured at multiple studios,Helplessness Blues comes on like record on which every note is carefully considered but never overly polished or overwrought. It’s a difficult line to navigate, and yet, Fleet Foxes and co-producer Phil Ek convert their Swiss-wristwatch-precise obsessiveness into transcendent art.

“So, guess I got old,” vocally shrugs Pecknold on “Lorelai,” continuing to explore a topic that occupies him from the start and stays with him until the concluding “Grown Ocean,” a stomping upbeat tune that reveals glimpses of unvarnished optimism and finds him declaring “I’m as old as the mountains.” Amidst the group’s arching heaven-bound harmonies, delicate fingerpicking, booming drums, and majestic melodies, Pecknold engages in blunt self-evaluation, his confessional meditations on uncertainty, withdrawal, and responsibility contributing to an ebb-and-flow of swelling choral tides and three dimensional textures. Songs pour into diverse structural molds, ranging from “The Plains/Bitter Dancer” suite which commences with layered vocals that sound as if they were plucked from the heights of an European cathedral ceiling and unexpectedly transitions, via flute passages into an uptempo romp, to the concise, closeup, and solitary hymnal “Blue Spotted Tail.”

Purity maintains as important a role as needle-pointed guitar motifs and immediate, wide-open production. Slight pauses, reverb baths, and ornate flourishes don’t decorate as much as flavor and reinforce existing patterns. Such detailing enhances the woody percussion and gypsy sway on “Bedouin Dress,” underscores the dips and dives in Pecknold’s vocals during “Someone You’d Admire,” and allows “Sim Sala Bim” to emerge with equal parts orchestral flair and private abandon. And it’s the latter—as experienced through Pecknold and Co.’s aspirations, hallucinations, desires, and innermost thoughts—that spikes Helplessness Blues with the mystical intensity and engaging hypnotism of a fever dream.

“All these voices I’ll someday have turned off then/And I will see you when I’ve woken/I’ll be so happy just to have spoken/I’ll have so much to tell you about it then,” Pecknold tenders towards the conclusion of “Grown Ocean,” singing like a drifter in no rush to awaken from his sleep.

–Bob Gendron

Read the full article here.

2011-04-20T13:50:00.002-04:00

A lot of people are just as concerned with the quality of the cover as the record itself. Here's an article by Northern Star about the significance of the artwork on record covers.

DeKALB | Peter Olson's dad didn't appreciate his son's records.

The assistant director of the NIU Art Museum and curator of Tuesday's "Listening to the Sounds that Inspired the Graphics" event, Olson said he had to explain to his father why he was filling the display cases of Altgeld Hall with the vinyl albums of Kraftwerk and Multi-Death Corporation. As one musical revolutionary once said, "Parent's just don't understand."

"The question is, ‘A museum? Isn't that where you're supposed to go to see something that is really rare or really special or is grand achievement? Why would you have something in a museum that anyone could go get for a couple of dollars?'" Olson said. "My response would be, ‘there are things that anybody can get for two dollars that have a lot of visual sophistication and artistic integrity to them and it's kind of miraculous that anyone can go get them for two dollars.'"

The event was a guided tour of "Graphics of Their Time," a showcase of iconic album covers and sheet music at the NIU Art Museum. Olson wheeled a stereo down the hall and, from his iPod, played tracks that were originally released on the records displayed. He explained how album covers, which were originally developed by companies as packaging, became a relevant vehicle of expression.

Natalie Brulc, graduate student of fine arts and painting, agreed with Olson that the covers translated music into visual images.

"I was surprised because I did study some graphic design as an undergrad, so I understand that it takes a lot to get the concept out and also to be able to sell the piece," Brulc said. "I think a lot of the work actually speaks for the music. Some of the music I did recognize: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Decemberists, and Joan Jett. I really think that the pictures convey a lot of what the music is."

Olson explained that since the Beatles released Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, musical and visual artists have been collaborating on the medium of album covers to release sophisticated graphics. Because almost everyone has a music collection, the general population has acquired a sophisticated taste for visual images.

"What really struck me the most in doing this whole show was the contribution on a mass scale to this kind of visual literacy that record designs have had," Olson said. "It's something that almost everybody has in their house, and I just thought of it as this little mini art collection. A lot of real art people would say, ‘Oh geeze, he's lost his mind. An art collection? It's just a bunch of records!' Well, I went to art school; I know for a fact that there are people that spend a lot more time and invest a lot more intelligence, depth, visual thought and sophistication into one of these covers than they would into a painting on canvas."

Check out the article here.

2011-04-19T13:38:00.002-04:00

We can't get enough of this vinyl love! Check out this article from Connect Savannah.

Video killed the radio star, the compact disc killed the vinyl record, downloading killed the compact disc.

Vinyl, once thought to be as extinct as the passenger pigeon, is making a surprise comeback. According to Nielsen's SoundScan, vinyl record sales have increased significantly over the past four years. In 2009, 2.5 million albums were sold in this country, up from 1.88 million in 2008.

Back in 2001, when the CD reigned supreme, the numbers for vinyl barely registered at all.

At last weekend's third Savannah Record Fair, hundreds of young people - college students, from all appearances, kids who probably weren't even born when those 12-inch slabs of plastic were already starting to disappear from retail racks - combed through boxes and boxes of vintage vinyl LPs. There were very few CDs for sale.

Some came with definite ideas about what they wanted to buy. Others were just enjoying a good browse.

"The biggest thing with the Internet is that the new collectors don't have an appreciation of things like the art and the liner notes," says Florida-based Tom Buby, who's been dealing in used and rare music, and working record shows, since 1978.

"That's kind of too bad, because one of the things that was most fun was seeing who played on what songs, and with who ... that's gone away. Right now, all they have is a Sharpie pen to write down the song listings."

In Savannah, Buby sold mostly inexpensive records. However, he said, "If there's something they really want, I've seen them pull out 25 or 30 dollar pieces. A 40 dollar piece, for a college kid, I think that's pretty good."

Roger Hoppe, a Detroit-area broadcaster who's been dealing records for about 25 years, said the Savannah crowd was buying imports, and specialty things like picture discs. Most of his customers, he explained, seemed to know what they were looking for.

"I met a young lady at the last Savannah show, and she spent about three hours at my table, talking about music," he said. "She was a SCAD student, and she was incredibly knowledgeable. She bought a Kinks box set, and it just blew my mind how much this girl knew about music.

"I was kinda hoping she'd show up here today, because she actually pointed out some rare items that I had, that I wasn't really aware were that rare. A lot of these college students from this generation are - probably because of the Internet - very musically educated."

For college towns, Hoppe puts his crates marked "indie rock," "metal" and "jazz" front and center.

Then there are the other repeat customers: "Over the years, I've gotten the reputation of being the ‘80s guy," he laughed. "I took a lot of flak at first from the ‘oldies' dealers, but now it's turned the corner. I've got a lot of moms and dads, soccer moms who want their Rick Springfield and Bryan Adams records."

The first day of the weekend event happened to fall on Record Store Day, a loosely-organized national salute to the (dwindling) number of independent record stores. Many labels, in the past few years, have begun re-pressing older titles for the new generation of vinyl buyers. For Record Store Day, numerous artists and labels put out limited-edition singles and albums, in commemoration.

Mark Vaquer ran Graveyard, a Savannah record store, for 14 years. He closed the place in 2001.

"Back then, people were thinking ‘Oh, vinyl's on the way out and it's never gonna come back,'" Vaquer said. "Then Napster hit, and the era of the really cheap CD burner started. And that equaled: Kids were not buying CDs any more.

"That's pretty much what killed my store.

"Back then, there were five or six stores in town. Now, there's nothing."

The resurgence of interest in vinyl, Vaquer believes, is multi-generational.

"People see that Mom and Dad have those old albums. ‘What's that?' ‘It's a record.' It looks cool, you put it on a turntable, it sounds better. It sounds better than CDs.

"You put an album on a good turntable, good tube amp, nice speakers, there's nothing better."

Check out the article here.

2011-04-18T12:30:00.003-04:00

More proof vinyl is making a comeback! Gotta love recycling!

In an industrial and uninviting stretch of Brooklyn, near several strip clubs and a factory that makes electrical tubing, Thomas Bernich’s small plant recycles vinyl and preserves a fading piece of history.

In fact, Mr. Bernich’s workplace in Sunset Park is one of the few of its kind in New York City and in the country.

Inside the one-story, red-brick factory on 42nd Street, boxes of discarded albums from used-record stores are piled high on wooden pallets, awaiting their end and a new beginning.

The records are tossed into a large shredder to start the process of putting music on them again. The used vinyl is eventually fed into a press that creates new albums. “Taking rotten milk and breathing new life into it is not an easy thing,” Mr. Bernich said.

Mr. Bernich and the five employees at his company,Brooklynphono, have preserved the craft of applying music to vinyl.

Mr. Bernich stumbled into the record business after he realized that his talent for sculpture, which he studied at the Pratt Institute, could probably not support a career. But while at Pratt, Mr. Bernich, 40, started collecting records, inspired by a friend’s passion for vinyl.

“You have these moments when you are playing a record when you get caught in a location and time,” said Mr. Bernich, who lives in Brooklyn Heights. “There is a magic with vinyl and the memories that are connected to it.”

When he finally had the chance to buy two used vinyl-pressing machines from a plant that was closing, Mr. Bernich pounced, turning his hobby into a job and opening a small business. While vinyl records are clearly a relic, Mr. Bernich has found a niche. When it first opened in 2003, Brooklynphono was making about 2,000 records a month. Now, Brooklynphono has five pressing machines, making more than 10,000 records a month. It caters mostly to indie-rock record labels based in Brooklyn, but also to several European dance record labels.

One skill that has proved useful is the comfort with tools and machines Mr. Bernich gained while studying sculpture.

“I’m really not very musical, and the best thing I can play is the stereo,” Mr. Bernich said. “This fits because I have mechanical experience.”

He has tinkered with all his pressing machines, attaching them to a customized network of vacuum tubes and other pieces which automate the loading of vinyl plastic and the recycling of excess material and also maximize the power of the presses.

“Essentially, I’ve taken a regular machine and hot-rodded it,” Mr. Bernich said.

When the machines start up, the smell of warm plastic fills the factory. The vacuum tubes suck granules of vinyl from the industrial plastic shredder. The small plastic bits are then pumped into a hot extruder, which melts the plastic. Black vinyl flows out like toothpaste and is then formed into a misshapen puck. At that point, a label is glued on each side of the puck.

The pressing machine hisses as it opens and heats, the puck is slid onto the press, and 120 tons of pressure stamp sound waves into grooves on the vinyl. Once it cools, the flattened plastic is pushed out onto a trimmer, where any excess vinyl is cut, and the black disc is dropped onto a spindle. A record is born.

“I love how you can play a record, look at the cover art, and read the liner notes,” said Heath Bodine, 40, who does quality control at Brooklynphono. “You don’t get that with an MP3 file.”

While new vinyl plastic is still available, the material is expensive and hard to find. Mr. Bernich prefers recycled vinyl because it is suited to his retrofitted machines. “It’s like being a short-order cook,” Mr. Bernich said. “The music is only as good as the ingredients you get.”

A major responsibility for Mr. Bernich and his workers is tending to the pressing machines, which demand constant adjustment. During production, the movement of the machines causes parts to shift, and the slightest misalignment can cause a malfunction and stop production for an entire day. A disc can become jammed inside one of the machines, or the brace that holds the part that stamps grooves onto the vinyl can come loose.

Another worker, Sarah Himmelfarb, 26, wears latex gloves to test the machines and examine records. Every so often, she will stop the machines and use a small mallet to reposition the metal plates that keep the vinyl stamper in place.

Ms. Himmelfarb, who has applied to several medical schools and is waiting to hear back, compares the process of maintaining the presses to diagnosing problems in the human body. “There are symptoms, and they can be caused by a variety of things,” she said.

Zach Cale, a 32-year-old musician and a founder of All Hands Electric, an indie rock and folk music record label in Brooklyn, is one of Brooklynphono’s clients. Aside from the convenience of having records made by a local plant — his label saves on shipping costs by picking up orders — Mr. Cale prefers having his music on vinyl because, he said, fans like the tangibility of a 12-inch album. “We’ve always been really into the physicality of vinyl,” said Mr. Cale, who paid $1,300 for 500 records. “People really respond to it because it’s visual and it feels like you have a piece of the band.”

While vinyl records have largely been consigned to the dustbin of the music industry, Mr. Bernich said he still found magic in turning musicians’ ideas into physical objects to share with the world.

“Once a musician makes a record it lasts a very long time,” he said.

Read the full article here.

2011-04-15T11:26:00.008-04:00

We just got our RP1 REGA turntable setup complete with performance pack and we absolutely LOVE it! Our records never sounded so good.

We chose the white model. It looks pretty sharp!

We love the way it looks!

This cartridge comes as part of the performance package.

If you're in the Doylestown, PA area stop by and check it out.

2011-04-14T09:57:00.003-04:00

Our very own Seth is quoted in this article by Newcity Music about Record Store Day:

As Chicago gears up to celebrate Record Store Day, here’s a question: why wasn’t cyberspace invited to the party?

Beneath the Record Store Day excitement, beneath the vinyl being spun on shiny turntables in independent record stores throughout the city, there is a quiet humming of discontent. That is, if you listen hard enough.

“Any of my city friends want to go on a Record Store Day shopping spree for me?” wrote Andrew Stratis on the RSD Facebook group this week. He doesn’t live close enough to the stores to go to them, and he isn’t the only vinyl-phile to find himself out of luck for next weekend, seeing as none of the RSD deals are available online. Maybe that’s not really a problem, because Record Store Day is really about celebrating the store, so if you can’t go, you can’t go. But why can’t the record-store community, the one that is so passionately defended by artists and music lovers alike, exist on our computers too?

This is where Seth Frank comes in. He is the founder of SoundStageDirect, which bills itself as “Your Online Independent Record Store.” “I understand that it’s not Record Day, it’s Record Store Day,” he says, “but I think that the online community should be included. If you don’t live near a record store, you can’t take part in it. There are all kinds of record conversations on the Internet, and it reaches more people than sitting around a store.” Beneath his argument lies the idea that RSD doesn’t recognize online retailers as real record stores, and therefore doesn’t want to include them. When I asked him about his business in Palo Alto, Calfornia, I made the mistake of referring to it as a web site. “We’re a record store, but we’re an online one. I mean, how independent can you be? It’s me and six other people!” says Frank. “People ask me what I do, and I say I own a record store. I understand what [Record Store Day is] doing, I just wish we were part of it.”

Eric Levin, one of the founders of Record Store Day and the owner of Criminal Records in Atlanta, defines a record store and its purpose differently. “Record stores are where a community posts its flyers and its identity. Ask the guy at the counter, after you’ve browsed around and listened to what was playing, and checked out the cool stuff (and hopefully, found something groovy to buy), ask the guy, ‘Hey, I’m new in town, what’s up tonight?’ and you’ve taken your first step into the heart of a new city,” he says. Because for Levin, just as a store is about the people in it, the day is about the atmosphere within the retail locations, not just the special records and releases that could be easily made available online.

“My store is in a community, in front of a park, so there’ll be a beautiful carnival atmosphere with other record stores and vendors and customers setting up shop out front and such. There’ll be food everywhere, dog-rescue groups setting up, vegan bake sale for Japan relief—“ he could go on. Happily, Chicago will be blessed with this kind of atmosphere too, and there’s something to be said for the human contact that comes with walking into an indie record store Saturday and joining in the festivities. You just need to be able to get there.

The solution he offers to online retailers like Seth is this: “We wholeheartedly encourage you to participate [in RSD] by visiting a physical retail store, grabbing a beer, enjoying some music, getting to know the owners and workers and hanging out and being cool,” he told me, “I mean, it’s Record Store Day. Step away from the computer for a second and put up a sign that says, ‘Gone to Record Store Day, You Should Too!’” (Lauren Kelly-Jones)

Let us know what you think!

Correction: We are located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania not Palo Alto, California!

Read the full article here.

2011-04-12T09:39:00.002-04:00

Here's a great review of our friends at the Princeton Record Exchange!

We asked. You commented, emailed, and tweeted, and we’ve tallied up the votes; now it’s time to congratulate the winners! We’re featuring your TOP FIVE record stores this week, one per day, as we impatiently await Record Store Day, Sunday, April 16th, 2011.

We celebrate the stores that make Record Store Day possible and the vinyl enthusiasts—namely you, dear readers—who love them. It’s been great reading your opinions! Count down to Record Store Day with us as we pay tribute to the record stores that make our lives richer every day.

We’re starting off the week with my own personal favorite, New Jersey’s Princeton Record Exchange, or Prex, to those in the know. This nationally-recognized gem is tucked away on a side street in historic Princeton’s beautiful downtown, just blocks away from the illustrious university. It is conveniently located about an hour from both New York City and Philadelphia.

I nodded vehemently when I read reader Smay1001′s comment, “Every record is washed and comes w/a white inner sleeve if the original is in bad shape and a plastic outer sleeve.” Another reader summed it up, “Best vinyl selection, best staff, best prices. Always a stop for me when I visit home (Philadelphia). One of the things I miss most about the east coast.”

Not only do The Vinyl District’s readers love Prex, but it’s been given the distinction of being in Rolling Stone’s Top 25 Record Stores, GQ’s Top Twenty Record Stores, and The Wall Street Journal’s “best music stores in America.” It’s also been featured in The New York Times, Philadelphia Magazine, and Billboard, and recently was called the nation’s best college town record store by Phil Gallo in USA Today.

Prex describes how “from humble beginnings, Princeton Record Exchange has grown to be one of the largest independent music stores in the country”:

“After graduating from college in 1975, Barry, the owner, traveled to flea markets and college towns buying, selling, and trading records. He slept in his van and set up shop on street corners, college book stores (Princeton’s was one), or wherever he could find a space. Eventually tiring of life on the road, in 1980 he established our first store in Princeton, NJ. The throng of customers and massive amount of merchandise soon overwhelmed the small space, so, in 1985, we moved to our present location on S. Tulane St. with five times the retail area. Even so, we are usually packed to the rafters with music and movies.”

Today, no longer sleeping in a van (down by the river?), but now the owner of one of the greatest record stores in America, Barry Weisfeld had these kind words to say when notified of Prex’s most recent accolade:

“We are honored to be voted in the Top Five by The Vinyl District’s growing number of music crazy fans. The mission of Princeton Record Exchange is to recycle music as well as new Vinyl into the hands of music lovers who can appreciate them all over again. We are always looking to buy Vinyl, CD and DVD collections to enhance our in-store selection.

Record Store Day 2010, we had something like 200 people waiting @ 10am when we opened due to all the limited edition Vinyl available one day only and expect it to be crazier this coming Saturday for Record Store Day 2011!

We want to say thanks to record collectors that visit us from all over the world and that have supported us and allowed us to serve LP collectors since 1980.”

Read the article in its entirety here.

2011-04-12T09:36:00.000-04:00

Hello All!

It's been a little while since you've heard from us, but we're back!

As it turns out the Vinyl bug that is sweeping the nation isn't just infecting the folks that remember it in its hay-day but also younger generations that grew up immersed in the digital age.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — In most ways, Sarah McCarthy is your average high schooler. She has a job, college plans, but also a peculiar passion for a 16-year-old: She's a vinyl junkie.

That's right, analogue. And none of that hipster new stuff or a USB-ready turntable from Urban Outfitters.

To this student from Centreville, Md., there's nothing like the raw crackle, the depth of sound, her delicate hand on diamond-tipped stylus to spin from the dusty stash of records she found in the basement of her grandfather — yes, grandfather.

"He gave me his receiver and speaker system and told me to listen to it the way it was made to be listened to," McCarthy said. "I've turned a lot of my friends on to it. They come over a lot to listen with me."

At a time when parents feel positively prehistoric as they explain how to use plastic ice-cube trays or speak of phones with cords and dials, this teen knows what a record is. Not only that, she knows the difference between a 45 and an LP. She met her boyfriend in a record shop and now works there!

Sure, she has an iPod, but she also has a vinyl collection of 250 records and counting. Sure, there's a broader '70s renaissance in the air, but buying bellbottoms doesn't touch the commitment of teens unearthing old turntables and records, then convincing friends to listen, too, like a pack of crazy little anthropologists.

"Listening to old music remastered to a newer format is almost comical," Sarah said. "They weren't meant to be digitalized. Listening to Jimi Hendrix on my iPod doesn't capture his endlessly deep guitar solos quite like a 33 LP of 'Blues' does."

This girl's in love with vinyl, and she's not the only member of Generation Digital with an ear for analogue.

"My dad always had these old records in the garage and I never got to use them until just recently, when my uncle let me have his old record player," said 14-year-old Nick Spates, a Los Angeles eighth grader who plays guitar and piano.

What'd he find in his dad's two milk crates?

A lot of George Clinton — "He's a genius. I swear," declared Nick. And Funkadelic. Of the band's Eddie Hazel: "'Maggot Brain' is like my favourite song ever. The original is a 10-minute guitar solo." There was also "Spiral" by The Crusaders. "It has a lot of horns. I love horns." And "Carmel" by Joe Sample, Hendrix on "Voodoo Child" and a trove of Stanley Clarke.

"My friends think it's cool," Nick said. "Before I had the vinyls I used to Google older musicians and see what songs they made, and I'd look for them on YouTube. We're all musicians and old music is like our favourite stuff in the world."

Wayyyy back when, he said, the message of the music was "definitely more to benefit society and people's knowledge and what's going on in the world." Now, he said, "It's more about what rappers have."

Jeremy Robinson, co-owner of the plantation-size Ditch Records & CDs in Victoria, B.C., has up to 20,000 records in stock — half old and half new pressings from reissue labels and indie bands.

"Our vinyl sales have probably doubled in the last couple of years," he said. "The bulk of that has been young people, the iPod generation. They want to collect things, own things, which is the opposite of digital culture. They want to belong to the past."

The uptick in interest over several years includes nostalgic "nerdy superfans" looking for a way around the more sanitized sound of digital, he said, but also savvy young people with Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Maiden and a host of obscure post-punk music on their minds.

"The younger kids that come in the store know what they want," Robinson said. "They usually want the best albums by the best classic bands."

Matt Melvin, a 22-year-old college senior in Orlando, Fla., began taking vinyl seriously when he was 17 and still in high school. His interest was fed by buddies in search of pressings from new artists but also his dad's collection of old staples like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Dylan.

"With vinyl, one is forced to slow down and take in an album as a whole piece of work as the artist intended," he said.

Melvin's constantly on the hunt for exclusive, hard-to-find tracks like special B sides or limited-edition colour pressings. The White Stripes, for example, released a series of singles on vinyl from their last album with acoustic and Spanish versions on B sides. A vinyl version of Radiohead's latest album can be ordered from its website.

But he's interested in older music, too.

"Going through the countless stacks of different record stores, my eyes usually get caught by old funk and jazz records that I would have otherwise had little exposure to had it not been for their eccentric and colorful cover art."

While the recording industry dukes it out over downloads and mourns the CD, 2.5 million vinyl LPs were sold in 2009, up 33 per cent from the year before. Vinyl sales are a blip among total revenue from U.S. music sales and licensing, but that's a healthy increase in its own right.

"Young people are leading the way back to analogue through vinyl and turntables," Melvin said. "I think young people are demanding a product that is more tangible, the thrill of hunting through a store for that perfect record, the simple satisfaction of turning that record over."

Young people who listen and young people who mix.

Tina Turnbull, 28, travels the world as a DJ. Last year, she opened a weeklong DJ summer camp in Ojai, Calif., for tweens and teens, many who attend on scholarship. Coming up in the business at age 15, Turnbull carted around crates of vinyl to gigs. "Now I bring two records with me and my laptop. Technology has taken over."

At Camp Spin-Off, she and a staff of working DJs try to bridge past and present through vinyl. "We use records. We teach them the fundamentals. Where they go from there is wherever they want."

On the first day of camp, her charges watch a documentary tracing the birth of hip-hop, when the first DJs inspired break dancing and rap, and invented scratching and "beat-juggling" on vinyl. The movie takes them straight through to "turntablism," the more recent explosion of using one or more turntables combined with one or more mixers to create original music.

Turnbull invites guest DJs young (Samantha Ronson will stop by in August) and older to share their expertise and memories of decades past with the 50 campers, ages 12 to 17.

"You have to learn the basics on turntables," she said. "It kind of bums me that people who are learning how to DJ will never touch a record, but that's an opinionated thing."

Sarah McCarthy, who like Nick plays guitar and piano, holds the same opinion. She doesn't have much use for the vinyl-to-MP3 converter her mother, Mary, gave her as a gift.

"It doesn't come from me," mom said. "She's just kind of an old soul and always has been."

We think it's pretty great, let us know what you think!

Read the full article here.

New Music Releases April 27, 2010

2010-04-27T12:57:00.000-04:00

Buy all your music here at SoundStageDirect!

Acid Mothers Temple - From 0 to Infinity (vinyl)
Air Supply - Now & Forever / Air Supply (2 CDs)
Alcoholic Faith Mission - Let This Be the Last Night We Care
Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies (vinyl reissue)
Alpha Rev - New Morning
Anders Osborne - American Patchwork
Ane Brun - Live In Scandinavia (reissue)
Ane Brun - Sketches (reissue)
Ane Brun - Spending Time With Morgan (reissue)
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round and Round
Association - Birthday (Deluxe Mono Edition)
Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo (vinyl)
B.o.B.- B.o.B Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray
Balkan Beat Box – Blue Eyed Black Boy
Barron Knights - Night Gallery / Teach The World
Big Audio Dynamite - This Is Big Audio Dynamite (remastered with bonus CD)
Billie Holiday - Remixed & Reimagined (Vinyl)
Black Swans - Words Are Stupid
Bob Marley & Wailers - Legend: Rarities Edition
Brian Posehn - Fart & Wiener Jokes
Brilliant Colors - Never Mine (vinyl)
Buck Owens - Open Your Heart - The Buck Owens & Buckaroos Recordings (7 CDs)
Bullet for My Valentine - Fever (vinyl)
Canned Heat - Woodstock Homecoming
Carl Smith - Hey Joe: Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight
Carole King - The Essential Carole King
Ceremony - Rocket Fire
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Sunset Sound Session (Single) (Vinyl)
Cheap Trick - At Budokan: Limited Edition (Vinyl)
Cleric – Regressions
Cliff Richard - Rock N Roll Years (2 CDs)
Common Prayer - There Is A Mountain
Connie Francis - This Is Your Life - Greatest Hits (2 CDs)
Courteeners - Take Over the World Pt. 1 (vinyl)
Courteeners - Take Over the World Pt. 2 (vinyl)
Cream - Disraeli Gears: Rarities Edition
Daddy Yankee - Daddy Yankee Mundial
Discover America - Future Paths
Don Woody - You're Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Drowning Pool - Drowning Pool
Emily Jane White - Victorian America (vinyl)
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard: Rarities Edition
Eric Clapton - Money & Cigarettes (Vinyl)
Eric Copeland - Doo Doo Run
Freddy Fender - Greatest Hits (2 CDs)
Frightened Rabbit - Nothing Like You (vinyl)
Frog Eyes - Paul's Tomb: A Triumph Oceans (vinyl)
Girl in a Coma - Vol. 3 - Adventures in Coverland (vinyl)
Gladys Knight & the Pips - About Love
Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle
Groundhogs - Blues Obituary
Henry Jacobs - Around the World with Henry Jacobs
Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters (Vinyl)
Hole - Nobody's Daughter (vinyl)
Jack Earls & the Jimbos - Slow Down - Sun Years Plus
James - Night Before
Jefferson Airplane - Thirty Seconds Over Winterland / Early Flight
Jesse Malin - Love It to Life (vinyl)
Jo Dee Messina - Unmistakable Love
Johnny Horton - Ballads Of Johnny Horton
Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights - Pardon Me
Juan Maclean - DJ Kicks (vinyl)
KMFDM - Krieg
Katrina & The Waves - Katrina & The Waves (reissue with bonus tracks)
Kimberly Rew - Bible of Bop (reissue with bonus tracks)
Kmfdm - Krieg
Lali Puna - Our Inventions (vinyl)
Linfinity - Martian's Bloom
Livingston Taylor - Last Alaska Moon
Lonestar - Party Heard Around The World
Lovvers - Strangers/Tragedy (vinyl)
Lucky Soul - Coming of Age
Lucky Soul - Woah Billy!/White Russian Doll (vinyl)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More From the Road: Rarities Edition
Marina & the Diamonds - I Am Not a Robot Pt. 1 (vinyl)
Marina & the Diamonds - I Am Not a Robot Pt. 2 (vinyl)
Marvin Gaye - I Want You: Rarities Edition
Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Age of Miracles
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell: Rarities Edition
Meat Loaf - Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Vinyl)
Melissa Etheridge - Fearless Love
Michael Landau, Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip, Gary Novak - Renegade Creation
Mike Roger - Let's Stop
Miranda Cosgrove - Sparks Fly
Miriam Makeba - South Africa's Skylark: Hits & Rarities
Mono - Holy Ground: Live (CD & DVD) (3-LP vinyl & DVD)
Mount Carmel - Mount Carmel (vinyl)
Mr. Gnome - Tastes Like Magic (vinyl)
My Education - Sunrise
Mynabirds - The Mynabirda
Mynabirds - What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood (vinyl)
Naked On The Vague - Heaps of Nothing (vinyl)
Nathaniel Rateliff - In Memory Of Loss
No Second Troy - Colors
Odyssey - Odyssey / Native New Yorker
Pat Benatar - True Love / Gravity's Rainbow
People of the North: Deep Tissue
Peter Frampton - Thank You Mr Churchill
Piebald - Volume 1
Serge Gainsbourg - Box Soundtracks Vol. 2 (12-piece vinyl box set)
Simian Mobile Disco = Aspic/Nerve Salad (vinyl)
Small Black - Small Black EP (remastered)
Soundpool - Mirrors in Your Eyes (vinyl)
Sugar & Gold - Get Wet (vinyl)
Tangerine Dream - Dream Mixes 5
Ten Years After - Now
The Abominable Iron Sloth – The Id Will Overcome
The Boy Least Likely To - A Fairytale Ending EP
The Dirty Heads - Any Port in a Storm
The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter (vinyl)
The Lights - Failed Graves
The Lodger - Flashbacks (vinyl)
The Pack AD - We Kill Computers (vinyl)
Transhcan Sinatras - In The Music
Treniers - Rock
Twilight - Monument to the Time End
Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
U2 - Achtung Baby: A Classic Album Under Review
Unnatural Helpers - Cracked Love (and Other Drugs) (vinyl)
Various Artists - Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie: Reinterpreting Black Flag (vinyl)
Various Artists - Punk Goes Classic Rock
Various Artists - We Are One, In the Sun: A Tribute to Robbie Basho
Various Artists - Why Did I Get Married Too? (soundtrack)
Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground & Nico: Rarities Edition
Walls - Walls (vinyl & CD)
Wave Pictures - Instant Coffee Baby
Wave Pictures - Susan Rode the Cyclone (vinyl)
Wave Pictures - You Leave It Alone (vinyl)
We Were Promised Jetpacks - Last Place You'll Look
White Fence - White Fence
Wounded Lion - Wounded Lion
YACHT - Afterlife (vinyl)

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-April 27

2010-04-27T12:55:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Casey Kasem - 1932 - Radio announcer, DJ, host ("American Top 40), character voice of Shaggy from Scooby Doo

Maxine Brown - The Browns (1932)

Cuba Gooding - Main Ingredient (1944)

Ann Peebles (1947)

Gordon Haskell - King Crimson (1947)

Kate Pierson - B-52's (1948)

Herb Murrell - Stylistics (1949)

Clive Taylor - Amen Corner (1949)

Paul Frehley - KISS (1951)

Marco Pirroni - Adam And The Ants (1959)

Sheena Easton (1959)

Rob Squires - Big Head Todd & the Monsters (1965)

Jay DeMarcus - Rascal Flatts (1971)

Bob Coombes - Supergrass (1972)

Will Boyd - Evanescence (1979)

Travis Meeks - Days of the New (1979)

Patrick Stump - Fall Out Boy (1984)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1947, Peter Ham, vocals, guitar, The Iveys and then Badfinger. Ham committed suicide on April 24, 1975.

Al Hirt ("Java") died of liver disease in 1999.

Singer Vicki Sue Robinson died in 2000. She had the 1976 disco hit "Turn The Beat Around" and sang back-up vocals on Irene Cara's Top Ten hit single "Fame."

History:

In 1957, in a rare appearance outside the United States, Elvis Presley performed at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada where he wore his full gold lamé suit for the last time.

Lloyd Price's "Personality" was released in 1959.

Little Peggy March started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1963 with "I Will Follow Him." At 15 years, 1 month and 13 days old, Little Peggy March became the youngest female singer to have a US #1 record.

John Lennon's "In His Own Write," a collection of funny poems and drawings, was published in the US in 1964.

In 1966, the Beatles finished recording the new John Lennon song "I'm Only Sleeping" at Abbey Road studios London, England.

Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" was released in 1968.

Joe Cocker made his US debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969.

In 1971, the Grateful Dead appeared at the Fillmore East in New York City. The Beach Boys also appeared on stage with the Dead, who together performed a short set of Beach Boys songs.

In 1974, a free afternoon event was held in the parking lot of the University of Connecticut, Ice Hockey Arena in Storrs. The four acts that appeared, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Fairport Convention and Fat Back. Springsteen then went on to play another gig that evening at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Pink Floyd played the last of a four night run at Los Angeles' Sports Arena in 1975. A total of 511 fans were arrested over the four nights for possession of marijuana. LA Police Chief Ed Davis says “They have a dope festival. It’s called a rock concert or something.” Pot smoking at a concert, say it ain't so!

In 1976, customs officers on a train at the Russian/Polish Border detained David Bowie, after Nazi books and mementoes were found in his luggage. Bowie claimed that the material was being used for research on a movie project about Nazi propaganda leader Joseph Paul Goebbels.

Nearly three years to the day after it opened, New York's Studio 54 disco closed in 1980.

USA For Africa started a three-week run at #1 on the US chart in 1985 with "We Are The World." The US artists' answer to Band Aid had an all-star cast including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon plus the composer's of the track, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

R.E.M.'s first single, "Dead Letter Office", was released in 1987.

Poison released the album 'Open Up and Say...Ahh' in 1988.

Christian singer Amy Grant started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Baby Baby."

Chicago scored their third US #1 album in 1994 with the imaginative title 'Chicago VII'.

Kelly Clarkson was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with ‘Thankful.’

In 2006, while in Fiji, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones was admitted to a hospital after he reportedly suffered a head injury when he fell out of a palm tree. No word about why he was in the tree....

Also in 2006, members of Cheap Trick and the Allman Brothers Band initiate a class-action suit against Sony BMG claiming that the music company hasn't paid them what’s due from digital-download sales. The action also includes ring tone sales. Cheap Trick and the Allmans ask for more than $25 million in damages.

When pigs fly. In 2008, a giant inflatable pig, covered with political slogans, that was part of Roger Waters' (Pink Floyd) stage set during his performance at the Coachella Festival in Indio, CA, broke free from its mooring. Festival organizers offer $10,000 cash and four lifetime passes to Coachella to whoever tracks down the dirigible. The pig crash-lands a few miles away and was found two days later.

In 2009, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament was the victim of a robbery outside Southern Tracks Recording studios in Atlanta, where the band were recording. Ament and a band employee had arrived at the rear of the studio when three assailants brandishing knives emerged from the woods wearing black masks and smashed the windows of a rented Jeep. The robbers grabbed a BlackBerry and Ament’s passport and stole $3,000 in cash and $4,320 worth of goods.

In 2010, Hole releases “Nobody’s Daughter,” the first studio album from Courtney Love since ‘04’s “America’s Sweetheart” — and the first Hole album in over a decade. "This record is about greed, vengeance and feminism," says Love.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Record Collector Shows

2010-04-27T12:53:00.002-04:00

Well, the move was a success, as everyone who has ever relocated, it is a ton of work. I am back to the drawing board and have some new posts and information for you. Enjoy!

Find a record collector expo or show coming to a town or city near your home! Watch this feature, as it will be updated weekly!

Apr 24 PQ, Montreal. Record Show, St. Stanislas De Kosta Church.1350 St. Joseph Blvd., SH: 10am-4pm, A: $5. dreambeatconventions@hotmail.com

Apr 25 CA, Buena Park. Greater Orange County Record Show, UFCW Union Hall. 8530 Stanton Ave., SH: 10am-3pm, T: 8’, F: $65., A: $3. Steve Brunner, PH: 626-963-9717 or www.asavinyl.com/record_show.htm

Apr 25 MI, Kalamazoo. Record & CD Collectors Show, County Fairgrounds. 2900 Lake St., Sprinkle Street Exit from I-94 N., SH: 11am-5pm, T: 36-8’, F: $40., A: free. Wildwood Records, Ken, PH: 574-329-1483.

Apr 25 NY, Buffalo. Record & CD Show, Leonard VFW Post. 2450 Walden Ave., 1 mi. E. of Thruway Exit 52E, SH: 10am-4:30pm, T: 53-8’, F: $60., A: $3. Record Baron, PH: 716-871-8722.

Apr 25 NY, Colonie. Rock N Roll Flea Market, Albany Marriott. 189 Wolf Rd., SH: 10am-6pm, F: $82.50, F: $10. Felix, iavarone222@hotmail.com

Apr 30-May 1 AL, Birmingham-Bessemer. ARCA 29th Annual CD & Record Collectors Show, Civic Ctr. Exit 108 off of I-59, T: 8’, F: $60., SH: Fri. 4pm-9pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, A: $3. PH: 205-655-3108 or http://www.alabamarecordcollectors.org/

May 8 FL, Tampa. Record & CD Show. 4732 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. SH:10am-3pm. A: $4. F: $45. Richard Rounds, 1547 55th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL, 33703. PH: 727- 251-9458.

May 8 NJ, Wayne. 2nd Sat. Record & CD Collectors Show. Firemen’s Conv. Ctr., 97 Parish Dr. SH:10am-4pm. A: $6., under 12 free. T: 100. F Falk, PO Box 251, Hamburg, NJ, 07419. PH: 973- 209-6067 or www.showsandexpos.com

May 8 OH, Columbus. Record, CD & Music Memorabilia Show. Haimerl Center, 1421 Morse Road. SH:10am-4pm. A: $4. F: $45. for 1, $40. ea for 3 or more. Colleen’s Collectables, PH:614- 261-1585 or www.colleenscollect@aol.com

May 9 CA, San Francisco. Rock ’n’ Swap. University of San Francisco Campus, McLaren Hall, 2130 Fulton St. SH:10am- 3pm. A: $3. F: $60., $35. ea add’l. KUSF, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA, 94117. PH: 415- 386-5873 or www.kusf.org/swap

May 9 PA, Lancaster. Pennsylvania Music Expo (photo above). Continental Inn, 2285 Lincoln Hwy. E. SH:9am-3pm. A: free. Keystone Record Collectors, PH: 717- 898-1246 or www.recordcollectors.org

May 15 IL, Skokie. 23rd Annual 2010 Midwest Classical Record Show. Holiday Inn, 5300 Touhy Ave. SH:9:30am-4pm. A: $2. Bob Craig, PH: 847- 381-5820.

May 15 NY, New York City. Record & CD Collectors Expo. Holiday Inn, , 440 W. 57 St. SH:10am-4pm. A: $6., under 12 free. T: 100. F Falk, PO Box 251, Hamburg, NJ, 07419. PH: 973- 209-6067 or www.showsandexpos.com

May 16 CT, Danbury. Record & CD Convention. Holiday Inn, Exit 8 off I-84. SH:10am-5pm. A: $4. F: $50. Trash American Style, PH: 203- 426-0306.

May 16 IL, Hillside. Chicagoland Record Collectors Show. Best Western, 4400 Frontage Rd. SH:9am-4pm. A: $3. F: $45. John Govi, 3045 Worcester Ln., Aurora, IL, 60504. eves, PH: 630- 898-1533.

May 16 MI, Roseville. Metro Detroit Record Show. VFW Hall, 25671 Gratiot (N. of 10 Mile Rd.). SH:10am-4pm. A: $3. F: $40. Al Campbell, PO Box 277, Warren, MI, 48090. eves, PH: 586- 759-5133.

May 16 NY, Manhattan. 2nd Childhood Memorabilia Show A Once in a Life Time All Star Show. Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. SH:10am-7pm. Jerry, PH: 239- 223-0104.

May 16 Canada, ON, Kitchener. Record & CD Show. Holiday Inn, 30 Fairway Rd. S. SH:10:30am-4pm. A: $4. Ray, PH: 905-777-1763 or www.vibrations.ca

May 22 MI, Lansing. Record & CD Collectors Show. Quality Inn, 3121 E. Grand River Ave. SH:11am-4pm. A: free. F: $30. Wildwood Records, Ken, PH: 574- 329-1483.

May 22-23 RI, Providence. Rock & Roll Yard Sale. SH:Sat. 12noon-6pm, Sun. 12noon-5pm. A: free. What Cheer Antiques & Vintage, 7 S. Angell St., Providence, RI, 02906. what.cheer.records@gmail.com

May 23 IN, Fort Wayne. Record & CD Collectors Show. Franke Park Zoo Pavillion #1, 3411 Sherman Blvd., I-69, Exit 109A. SH:11am-5pm. A: free. F: $25.-$45. Wildwood Records, Ken, PH: 574- 329-1483 or Mark, eves, PH: 260- 482-2525.

May 23 MD, Arbutus. Record & CD Show. Fire Hall, 5200 Southwestern Blvd. SH:9am-3pm. A: free. F: $30. Ray Quigley, 1 Colgate Ct., Baltimore, MD, 21228. PH: 410-455-0418.

May 23 MA, Dedham. New England Compact Disc & Record Expo. Holiday Inn. SH:10am-4pm. A: $5. PH: 781- 986-4538.

May 23 NY, Westchester. Record CD Riot. Rochelle Radisson, One Radisson Plaza. SH:10am-4pm. A: $3. F: $60. PH: 914-948-2674 or www.recordriots.com

May 29 AZ, Phoenix. Record Swap Meet. AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St. SH:9am-1pm. A: $5.-$2. F: $20. for 1, $15. ea add’l. Sam, PH: 602- 265-9853 or www.rare-az.org

May 30 CA, Buena Park. Greater Orange County Record Show. UFCW Union Hall, 8530 Stanton Ave. SH:10am-3pm. A: $3. F: $65. Steve Brunner, PH: 626- 963-9717 or www.asavinyl.com/record_show.htm

May 30 Canada, ON, Sudbury. Record & Collectables Show. Caruso Club, 385 Haig St. SH:10am-4pm. A: $3. F: $65. Ivan Amirault, PH: 705- 525-5958.

Jun 5 NY, New York. Music Memorabilia Show. Tip Top Shoe Building, 155 W 72nd St, 4th Floor. SH:10am-2pm. A: free. weekdays, PH: 212- 579-0689 or info@musiccollecting.com or www.musiccollecting.com

Jun 6 MA, Peabody. Peabody Boston Record Collectors Show. Holiday Inn, 1 Newbury St. SH:9:30am3:30pm. A: $5. F: $30.-$40. Bobby, PH: 781- 654-5333 or Greg, PH: 617-596-9686 or bhuu6@aol.com or www.home.comcast.net/~theoriginalsix/site .

Jun 6 PA, Allentown. Summer 2010 Lehigh Valley Music Expo. Merchant Square Antique Mall, 1901 S. 12th & Vultee St. SH:10am-?. A: $3. F: $55. in adv, $65. thereafter. Surround Sound Prods., 801 N. Broad St., Wescosville, PA, 18106. PH: 610- 530-7606 or day of show, PH: 610- 797-7743.

Jun 6 TN, Nashville. Music Collectors’ Convention. Radisson Hotel, 1112 Airport Center Dr. SH:10am-3pm. A: $3., under 12 free with adult. F: $35. one wk in adv, $40. thereafter. Alpha Records & Music, Gerald Ruark, POB 17575, Indianapolis, IN, 46217. PH: 317- 882-3378.

Jun 12 NJ, Wayne. 2nd Sat. Record & CD Collectors Show. Firemen’s Conv. Ctr., 97 Parish Dr. SH:10am-4pm. A: $6., under 12 free. T: 100. F Falk, PO Box 251, Hamburg, NJ, 07419. PH: 973- 209-6067 or www.showsandexpos.com

Jun 13 CA, Newark. Music Swap Meet. Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave. SH:8:30am-1pm. A: $3. F: $45.-$60. Charlene White, PH: 408- 263-5127.

Jun 13 IN, South Bend. Record & CD Collectors Show. Comfort Suites, 52939 Indiana 933, corner of Cleveland Rd. SH:11am-5pm. A: free. F: $30. Wildwood Records, Ken, PH: 574- 329-1483.

Jun 13 KY, Louisville. Music Collectors’ Convention. Holiday Inn, I-64 & Hurstbourne Pkwy. SH:10am-3pm. A: $3., under 12 free with adult. F: $35. one wk in adv, $40. thereafter. Alpha Records & Music, Gerald Ruark, POB 17575, Indianapolis, IN, 46217. PH: 317- 882-3378.

Jun 13 NJ, Springfield. Greater NJ Record & CD Show. Holiday Inn, Rt. 22 W. SH:10am-4pm. A: $6., $3. seniors, under 12 free. F: $75. PH: 908- 995-4570.

Jun 13 NY, Brooklyn. Collect-i-Bowl Record Show. Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave. SH:12noon-6pm. A: free. PH: 516-678-2303 or collectibowlrecordshow@gmail.com or www.myspace.com

Jun 13 PA, Lancaster. Pennsylvania Music Expo. Continental Inn, 2285 Lincoln Hwy. E. SH:9am-3pm. A: free. Keystone Record Collectors, PH: 717- 898-1246 or www.recordcollectors.org

Jun 13 WA, Tacoma. Northwest Vinyl Only Meet. VFW Hall, 2000 S. Union Ave. SH:10am-5pm. A: $3. F: $35. PH: 253-627-1342 or PH: 253- 851-0810 or rockabillywax@yahoo.com

Jun 13 WI, Milwaukee. Music Marketplace. American Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. SH:10am-4pm. A: $3. F: $45. Bill, PH: 847- 409-9656.

Jun 19 NY, New York City. Record & CD Collectors Expo. Holiday Inn, , 440 W. 57 St. SH:10am-4pm. A: $6., under 12 free. T: 100. F Falk, PO Box 251, Hamburg, NJ, 07419. PH: 973- 209-6067 or www.showsandexpos.com

Jun 20 MD, Arbutus. Record & CD Show. Fire Hall, 5200 Southwestern Blvd. SH:9am-3pm. A: free. F: $30. Ray Quigley, 1 Colgate Ct., Baltimore, MD, 21228. PH: 410-455-0418.

Jun 27 CA, Buena Park. Greater Orange County Record Show. UFCW Union Hall, 8530 Stanton Ave. SH:10am-3pm. A: $3. F: $65. Steve Brunner, PH: 626- 963-9717 or www.asavinyl.com

Jun 27 MI, Kalamazoo. Record & CD Collectors Show. County Fairgrounds, 2900 Lake St., Sprinkle Street Exit from I-94 N. SH:11am-5pm. A: free. F: $40. Wildwood Records, Ken, PH: 574- 329-1483

Vacation Time!

2010-04-11T20:21:00.000-04:00

I will be off line for the next week or so and hope that you come back to SoundStageDirect and keep reading about music and vinyl records. We are relocating again and hopefuly I can be back at it by next Saturday. Have a safe and happy week!

Music News & Notes

2010-04-11T12:09:00.000-04:00

Dokken to release new greatest hits album

Dokken has announced a new release package, “Greatest Hits 2.” It will contain all new versions of many classics and two new tracks, “Almost Over” and “Magic Man,”and two newly recorded covers. Those covers are “Bus Stop,” originally recorded by the Hollies and “Lies,” first done by The Knickerbockers. King Records will release the album in Japan on April 21st and be available to the US on Cleopatra's Deadline Records.

Dokken live on June 21, 2008 in West Fargo, ND. Photo by Matt Becker"Greatest Hits 2" track listing:

01. Just Got Lucky
02. Breaking The Chains
03. Into The Fire
04. The Hunter
05. In My Dreams
06. It's Not Love
07. Alone Again
08. Dream Warrior
09. Unchain The Night
10. Tooth And Nail
11. Almost Over (new song)
12. Magic Man (new song)
13. Bus Stop (the HOLLIES cover)
14. Lies (THE KNICKERBOCKERS cover)

Tour footage of Dokken recently performing the song “Dream Warriors” on March 27, 2010 at GB Leighton's Pickle Park in Fridley, Minnesota can be viewed below.

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Misfits Records To Release New Music From JuiceheaD On April 13, 2010

As if Record Store Day (http://www.recordstoreday.com/) couldn't get any bigger, it does! Misfits Records is proud to announce two new tracks from the Chicago power-punk trio JuiceheaD will be available as a Limited Edition 7-inch colored vinyl for Record Store Day! The two brand new tracks come from JuiceheaD's forthcoming studio album, How to Sail A Sinking Ship. The vinyl's first pressing will be a Record Store Day exclusive!

There will be a pressing of 500, Limited Edition pieces worldwide that will feature an amazing color mix of gold and oil spill inflected deep ruby swirled vinyl to match the foreboding stormy skyline in the sleeve art.

The label is issuing a warning, if you want the record, snatch it while you can because of the limited amount pressed. The 7-inch single comes with a FREE Digital Download card redeemable anywhere for MP3s of both new songs: 'Rotting from the Inside' (Side A) and 'Death of Democracy' (Side B).

The tracks and forthcoming LP How To Sail A Sinking Ship were produced by longtime Misfits & Ramones collaborator John Cafiero. The producer and Osaka Popstar frontman also guests on backing vocals for the track "Rotting From The Inside."

The 7-inch sleeve features an illustration by artist Joe King (Crooks N Castles, Billabong, and Obey Giant). Iconic artist Shepard Fairey personally recommended King for the project to Cafiero.

JuiceheaD have also lined up a special in-store FREE live performance and record signing in their hometown of Chicago for Record Store Day weekend!

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EMPIRES OF EDEN: 'Reborn In Fire' Artwork Unveiled

The cover artwork for "Reborn in Fire" — the upcoming album from EMPIRES OF EDEN, the brainchild of PAINDIVISION/ex-DUNGEON guitarist Stu Marshall — can be viewed below. The artwork was created by U.S.-based artist Alex Ruiz.

Due in early June via 7Hard Records, "Reborn in Fire" will feature "some of the world's most respected heavy metal voices," including American vocalist Mike Vescera (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, LOUDNESS, OBSESSION). It "delivers an epic and aggressive power metal assault in the style of AVANTASIA and the collaborative genius of AYREON," according to a press release.

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MASTODON Schedules Raleigh In-Store Appearance

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will appear inside Schoolkids Records in Raleigh, North Carolina at 4 p.m. on "Record Store Day" (April 17) to celebrate the vinyl release of their "Blood Mountain" album.

The vinyl reissue of "Blood Mountain" will be available in both standard and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition of "Blood Mountain" will be pressed on double 45 RPM discs on super-heavy 180-gram vinyl housed in a grand gatefold sleeve that will feature new custom art from Paul Romano.

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R.E.M. fans have the chance to pick up a vinyl copy of their debut EP, Chronic Town, at some participating stores during next Saturday's Record Store Day. The copies will be pressed in blue vinyl.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-April 11

2010-04-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Chris Difford - Squeeze (1954)

Neville Staples - Specials (1956)

Nigel Pulsford - Bush (1965)

UK singer Lisa Stansfield (1966)

Dylan Keefe - Marcy Playground (1970)

Oliver "Ollie" Riedel - Rammstein (1971)

Tom Thacker - Sum 41 (1978)

Joss Stone (1987)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1958, Stuart Adamson, guitarist and vocalist with Skids and Big Country, who had a 1983 UK #10 single with "Fields Of Fire" plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles. Adamson died on December 16, 2001.

June Pointer of the Pointer Sisters ("Yes We Can Can") died of cancer in 2006.

History:

The SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America) was founded in 1936.

James Brown debuts on the R&B charts in 1956 with "Please, Please, Please."

Travelling from Amarillo to Nashville in 1956, the plane that Elvis Presley was flying on developed engine trouble and was forced to make an emergency landing. The incident created a fear of flying for Presley.

In 1961, Bob Dylan played his first live gig in New York City at Gerde's Folk City, opening for John Lee Hooker.

The Beatles set a new chart record in 1964 when they had 14 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs ranged from "Can't Buy Me Love" at #1 to "Love Me Do" at #81.

In a rare joint appearance both The Beatles and Rolling Stones performed at the New Musical Express concert in 1965. The show features the magazine’s poll winners. Also on the bill are the Animals and Kinks, along with numerous pop acts.

Frank Sinatra recorded "Strangers In The Night" in 1966.

Big Brother & the Holding Company make their national TV debut on ABC's "Hollywood Palace" in 1968.

Peter Green quit Fleetwood Mac while on tour in Germany in 1970, to avoid breach of contract he agreed to finish the current tour.

The Beatles started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1970 with "Let It Be." It became the group's 19th US #1 in 6 years.

In 1973, the Beach Boys appeared at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia. The Beach Boys were at a very low ebb in popularity in America and this show proved a financial disaster for the promoter, with less than 3,000 tickets sold for the 16,000 capacity venue. Opening act was Mothers Finest and middle of the bill was Bruce Springsteen who played a 60-minute set.

In 1977, Alice Cooper played to an audience of 40,000 in Sydney, Australia, the largest crowd to attend a rock concert in the country's history. After the show Cooper was placed under house arrest at his hotel until he posted a bond for $59,632. That amount was the sum that a promoter claimed to have paid Cooper for a 1975 Australia tour he never made. The two settled when it was found that the promoter did not fulfill his part of the agreement either.

In 1981, Eddie Van Halen married actress Valerie Bertinelli, co-star of the 1980's television hit, One Day at a Time. The two had met eight months earlier when Bertinelli's brother took her to a Van Halen concert in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Hall and Oates started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Kiss On My List," the duo's second US #1 hit.

Cliff Richard starred in the Dave Clark-produced stage musical, "Time" in 1986 (also featuring Dione Warwick, Leo Sayer and Queen's Freddie Mercury).

Cher won an Academy Award in 1988 for best actress for her work in 'Moonstruck.'

Elton John sang at the funeral of AIDS victim Ryan White in 1990.

Oasis released their first single "Supersonic" in 1994.

Nirvana's album 'In Utero' was certified double-platinum in 1994.

Peter, Paul and Mary released their 17th album, 'LifeLines' in 1995.

Paul McCartney gave a twenty-minute concert from the roof of a building he owns in London in 1997.

In 2006, 10,000 Elton John related items, including clothing and accessories, went on sale to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation. The event, dubbed Elton's Closet, was held in New York's Rockefeller Center.

The Doors' spin-off group, Riders On The Storm, with original members keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger, launched a European tour in Dublin in 2006.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Michael Fremer Album Review

2010-04-09T12:25:00.004-04:00

Elvis Costello (reissue)
My Aim Is True

Stiff/Mobile Fidelity MFSL 1-329 180g LP

Produced by: Nick Lowe
Engineered by: Bazza
Mixed by: N/A
Mastered by: Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs

Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-04-01

Though it was probably one of the most audacious debuts in rock history and quickly established him as one of the premier songwriters of his generation, Elvis Costello’s My Aim is True has always felt more like a publisher’s demo reel than as a recording intended for commercial release.

Backed up by members of the Bay area group Clover who were then living in the U.K. and recorded in a 24 hour hurry at a small suburban London studio for around $1500 My Aim is True still managed to capture the D.I.Y. spirit of the time so its sparse esthetic resonated with the intended audience.

Though Costello had toiled for almost a decade, his success was deemed “overnight” because the album seemed to take off as quickly as it had been recorded. In short order, thanks to My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello became a major rock star.

While the quality of the songs like “Alison” and “The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes” trumped the glazed, often distant, indistinct sound (not to mention the outlandish Buddy Holly meets cerebral palsy cover pose and the cartoonish name Declan McManus chose for himself), My Aim is True has always been difficult to listen to, especially on a good audio system—until now.

I’ve got an original UK Stiff pressing (that omits the single “Watching the Detectives” only found on the American Columbia issue) mastered by the great George “Porky” Peckham and I would never bet against any “Porky Prime Cut,” but in this case, the guys at Mobile Fidelity have not only beat Porky, they’ve produced a near miracle!

Heretofore buried in the glaze instruments now appear with utter clarity thanks to the timbral honesty and transparency of the new transfer from the original master tape. While the tracks are still raw and basic, they have newfound polish, body and three-diimensionality. If you’re a fan of this pre-Attractions album, I think you’ll be absolutely astonished by what Mobile Fidelity has done here.

You know the old expression “you can’t polish a turd?” Well as great as the music is here, the album has always been a sonic turd on vinyl (the Columbia original is markedly inferior to the Stiff “Porky” pressing) and on any of the multiple CD reissues from Ryko to Rhino to UMG. Not so on this reissue.

Somehow Mobile Fidelity has removed the edge and glaze and not by smothering and softening, but rather by stripping away the unpleasantness to reveal an honest, supple, remarkably three-dimensional and immediate recording. I don’t know how they did it or why no one else who tried managed, but they did.

The gatefold incorporates lyrics and images of the master tape boxes and Mobile Fidelity has generously and wisely included “Watching the Detectives.” Add a fine 180 RTI pressing and you have one of Mobile Fidelity’s most significant reissues. “Resurrection” might be a more appropriate word for what’s been done.

I’m not saying Mobile Fidelity has turned My Aim is True into an audiophile sonic spectacular, but if you’re a long time fan of this album, when you hear the details that have been uncovered, along with the rhythmic clarity and certainty that’s been previously missing on every other issue, you may conclude they have.

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

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

Music News & Notes

2010-04-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

Blur to release single for independent stores

Blur are set to release a new single for the first time in seven years.

It is thought that just 1,000 copies of the record will be issued to highlight Record Store Day, supporting independently-owned music shops. A title for the new material is yet to be revealed and its release will mark the first single from Damon Albarn, Alex James, Graham Coxon, and Dave Rowntree since Good Song in 2003.

It is understood the single will contain two brand new tracks, and further details are likely to be revealed next week.

The foursome reunited for a string of gigs last summer and featured in the documentary No Distance Left To Run. Albarn said in a statement: ''We want independent record stores to continue - they're an important part of our musical culture. Music is a simple way for Blur to show our support and we hope people like it.''

Although sources say the single is a one-off, it is likely to fuel hopes among the Britpop heroes' fans that further new material could be in the pipeline.

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

Mates Of State Announce Covers Album Details

Mates of State have revealed a few details about their forthcoming covers album, ‘Crushes‘. The album, which will feature covers of 10 various artists, is set for release this summer. The album features covers from artists including The Mars Volta, Death Cab For Cutie, and Belle & Sebastian.

The forthcoming album is the duo’s first full length release and was recorded and produced by Mates Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner themselves.

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Beatles and Lily Allen go vinyl for Record Store Day

The Rolling Stones, The Flaming Lips and Bat For Lashes are some of the other big names participating in the festivities courtesy of the Parlophone label. Each release will be limited to 1,000 copies and come in a vintage-style paper Parlophone house bag, available exclusively from independent record stores taking part in the event.

"Parlophone and our artists recognise the importance of our indie stores and their contribution to not only our new and developing artists but to our catalogue as a whole," said Parlophone president Miles Leonard of the limited-edition releases. Being able to support this campaign with some great seven-inch releases from the Beatles to Bat for Lashes is our way of thanking them for their continued support."

The full list of Record Store Day releases:

The Beatles: Paperback Writer/Rain

Lily Allen: Back To The Start/Kabul Shit

Babyshambles: Side Of The Road/UnBiloTitled

Bat For Lashes: Howl! (live at De La Warr Pavillion)/Wild Is The Wind (live at Grove Music Studios)

Tinie Tempah: Pass Out/Pass Out (SBTRKT Remix)

Chiddy Bang: Opposite Of Adults/Sooner Or Later

Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse: Just War (featuring Gruff Rhys)/Just War (instrumental)

Eliza Doolittle: Pack Up/Rollerblades

Hot Chip: I Feel Bonnie (featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billie)/Bear Witness

Jónsi: Do Do/Boy Lilikoi

Pet Shop Boys: Love Life/A Powerful Friend

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-April 9

2010-04-09T12:20:00.002-04:00

Birthdays:

Country singer Margo Smith (1942)

Terry Knight- Terry Knight and the Pack , Grand Funk Railroad (1943)

Gene Parsons - Byrds (1944)

Les Gray - Mud (1946)

Phillip Wright - Paper Lace (1948)

Hal Ketchum (1953)

Mark Kelly - Marillion (1961)

Joe Peters - Grant Lee Buffalo (1965)

Kevin Martin - Candlebox (1969)

Gerard Way - My Chemical Romance (1977)

Rachel Stevens - S Club 7 (1978)

Albert Hammond Jr - Strokes (1980)

Jesse McCartney (1987)

They Are Missed:

In 1976, American folk singer songwriter Phil Ochs, hung himself at his sister's home in Queens, New York. Wrote "There But A Fortune," a hit for Joan Baez.

Dave Prater of soul duo Sam & Dave was killed in 1988 when his car left the road and hit a tree in Syracuse, Georgia, on his way to his mother's house in Ocilla. He was 50. Recorded for Stax Records from 1965 - 1968, hits included "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming."

Singer and songwriter Brook Benton died in 1988 (age 56). Scored over 20 US top 40 singles, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly" and made a comeback in 1974 when he had the #4 hit "Rainy Night In Georgia."

Songwriter Mae Boren Axton died in 1997 (age 82) after drowning in her bath at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee after an apparent heart attack. Known as the 'Queen Mother of Nashville' she wrote over 200 songs including a co-writing credit on the Elvis Presley hit "Heartbreak Hotel." Mother of country singer, songwriter Hoyt Axton.

Born on this day in 1932, Carl Perkins, American singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1956 US #2 & single "Blue Suede Shoes"). Perkins' songs were recorded by artists Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Johnny Cash. Perkins died on 19th Jan 1998 (age 65).

In 2009, Randy Cain, a founding member of US soul group The Delfonics died at his home in Maple Shade, New Jersey at the age of 63. The Philadelphia group, whose hits include "La-La (Means I Love You)," won an R&B Grammy in 1970 for their song "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time."

History:

Elvis Presley performed at the L.C. Humes High School talent contest in 1953, singing "Keep Them Cold, Icy Fingers Off Of Me" (he gets the most applause and is allowed to sing an encore of "Til I Waltz Again With You").

Gene Vincent recorded the classic rock 'n roll song "Be Bop-A-Lula" in 1956, which went on to be a US & UK Top 20 hit in this year.

In 1963, the Beatles appeared live on the ITV show Tuesday Rendezvous, miming "From Me to You" and "Please Please Me" (during the closing credits). In the evening The Beatles played live at the Gaumont State Cinema, Kilburn, London.

In 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys as the permanent replacement for Brian Wilson.

The Rolling Stones made their first live appearance on British TV's "Ready Steady Go!" in 1965.

Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" was released in 1966.

The Righteous Brothers started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "You're My Soul And Inspiration."

The Doors and The Jefferson Airplane appeared at Cheetah, Santa Monica Pier, Venice, California in 1967. This was the largest show The Doors had played to date with a crowd of over 3,000

Paul McCartney quits the Beatles in 1970 (the group's breakup is announced to the press the next day).

Paul McCartney released the song "My Love" in 1973.

The Jackson 5 played the first of 15 shows at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in 1974.

Abba went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with "Dancing Queen," the group's 7th US Top 40 hit and first #1.

Billy Ocean started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car."

In 1992, Fort Smith, AR resident Sean Pierce is walking home wearing a T-shirt he purchased the day before at a Van Halen concert when he’s arrested for “violating a statute against wearing a smutty shirt.” The shirt has the title of one of the group's albums printed on it: "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.” How could anyone have a problem with that? Van Halen offers to pay Pierce's fine.

Pantera entered the US album chart at #1 in 1994 with 'Far Beyond Driven.'

R. Kelly started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1994 with "Bump N' Grind," his first US #1 hit.

Soundgarden officially disbanded in 1997.

NSYNC started a seven week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with ‘No Strings Attached.’

In 2008, R.E.M.'s "Accelerate" sells 115,000 copies in its first week to land at #2 on the Billboard 200 (U.S.). The album makes its debut at #1 in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and the Czech Republic and #2 in Germany, Italy, Holland and Austria.

Also in 2008, Green Day admitted (in an email to MTV) that they are also the Garage Rock band Foxboro Hot Tubs. The group posted a downloadable EP titled "Stop Drop and Roll!!!" for free a couple months earlier.

When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors is released in select US theaters in 2010. The biographical film, charting the group’s rise and fall, is narrated by actor Johnny Depp.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

VINYL RELEASES FROM WARNER BROS. RECORDS

2010-04-08T10:52:00.002-04:00

WARNER BROS. RECORDS AND AFFILIATED LABELS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE VINYL RELEASES FOR NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY ON APRIL 17TH

Burbank, CA – Warner Bros. Records has announced that it will make a series of vinyl albums and singles available on April 17th exclusively in honor of Record Store Day — a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.

These very special exclusive releases are as follows:

The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches: Dark Side of the Moon (Warner Bros. Records)

The Flaming Lips, have teamed up with their Oklahoma City brethren, Stardeath And White Dwarfs to record their own unique take of Pink Floyd’s 1973 classic album The Dark Side Of The Moon, under the title of The Flaming Lips and Stardeath And White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins And Peaches. The collaborative project was recorded after several weeks of both bands touring the world together and mutually citing Pink Floyd as one of their favorite bands of all time and The Dark Side Of the Moon as one of their primary influences. Vinyl package marks the first physical exclusive release of this special collaboration.

Devo: Duty Now For The Future (Warner Bros. Records) Devo’s second album, captures the group in the midst of a significant stylistic shift, finding them bringing the keyboards that were used as punctuation on their earlier material into the forefront, adding a new level of irony to their “little minds through big technology” philosophy. Remastered and restored from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman Mastering on regular-weight, 140-gram color vinyl.

Mastodon: Blood Mountain (Reprise Records)

Mastodon’s third album and their first for Reprise Records, Blood Mountain isn’t just unconventional, it’s surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Instead of writing songs for rock radio, Mastodon drew inspiration from within, combining their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing. Released in two editions: one single regular-weight 140-gram colored vinyl disc in a mixed batch of three colors; deluxe edition features two heavyweight, 180-gram black vinyl 45 RPM discs.

Wilco: Kicking Television (Nonesuch Records)

Kicking Television–Live in Chicago, recorded over four nights in May 2005 at The Vic Theatre. “It’s really the best it’s ever felt,” Jeff Tweedy told the Detroit Free Press earlier this year. “I would say at this point, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a band that’s felt this connected and unified with this collective vision.” To document that collective vision that band called upon veteran mixing engineer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash) to capture the energy, excitement, clarity and musicality that has earned Wilco continued praise for their live shows around the world. This deluxe vinyl package features four heavyweight (180g) black vinyl discs in poly-lined sleeves, pressed at Pallas. Disc 4 features 8 previously unreleased tracks.

The Velvet Underground: Live 1969, Vol. 1 & 2 (Original Recordings Group)

In 1969, The Velvet Underground toured the United States and Canada, playing over 70 dates. While many of the shows were recorded in part or whole by their new and growing fan base with the handheld consumer equipment of the day, two of the shows were recorded in decent quality.

The first being a live performance, at the End of Cole Ave. Club in Dallas, Texas in October. This show was recorded on tape by a fan who that an engineer and brought his own equipment. The second show to be recorded happened the following month in November, at The Matrix in San Francisco. The first release of The Velvet Underground Live 1969, came out on Mercury Records in September, 1974. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in more than 20 years by Bernie Grundman Mastering on heavy-weight, 180-gram vinyl.

Sonic Youth: EVOL (Original Recordings Group)

EVOL is the third studio album from Sonic Youth, originally released in 1986
on SST Records. The album is notable for being the first with new drummer Steve Shelley, replacing Bob Bert, and for showing signs of the band transitioning away from their noise-rock past and toward a greater rock sensibility. The record marks the second album for the band in which it had worked with New York singer/performance artist Lydia Lunch. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in over 20 years by John Golden at Golden Mastering, pressed at RTI on heavyweight (180 gram) pink vinyl.

Sonic Youth: Confusion is Sex (Original Recordings Group)

Confusion Is Sex, the debut album from Sonic Youth, was originally released in 1983 on Glenn Branca’s label Neutral Records label. In 1995, it was reissued on CD from DGC Records, with the extra tracks from the Kill Your Idols EP. Confusion Is Sex remains one of the most important and influential records to emerge from the American No Wave, post-punk scene which thrived through the late 1970s and early 1980s in the lower east side of New York, with bands like The Contortions, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Mars, and DNA. Remastered and restored for the first time for vinyl in over 20 years by John Golden at Golden
Mastering, pressed at RTI on heavyweight (180 gram) white vinyl.

Warner Bros. Records is proud to present our newest signing, EVEREST, just in time for Record Store Day. EVEREST formed in Los Angeles in 2007, and is comprised of Russell Pollard (vocals, guitar, drums, lyricist), Jason Soda (guitar, keys, vocals), Joel Graves (guitar, keys, vocals), Elijah Thomson (bass, vocals) and Davey Latter (drums, percussion). Their 2008 debut, Ghost Notes, drew strong critical marks and comparisons to primo Topanga Canyon, California country rock. However, none of this quite prepares one for their WB debut album, On Approach, available May 11, 2010, which finds the group in a full-tilt creative charge.

Warner Bros. Records will also release the following vinyl singles on April 17th exclusively for National Record Store Day:

Everest: Let Go (from the forthcoming LP) b/w By The Morning (previously unreleased) 7”
Black Keys: “Tighten Up” b/w “Howlin’ For You” 12”
Against Me!: “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” (Album version) b/w “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” (Acoustic Version) 7”
Built To Spill: “Water Sleepers” b/w “Linus and Lucy Live” 7”
Devo: “Fresh” b/w “What We Do” 12’
Tegan And Sara: “Alligator,” “Hell” b/w “The Cure,” “On Direction” (All AOL Sessions Versions) 7”
Deftones: “Rocket Skates” (Album Version) b/w “Rocket Skates” (MB3 Remix)
Muse: Exogenesis Symphony (Parts 1-3) 12”

Lastly, please come on out to say hello to your favorite Warner Bros. Records and related artists on Record Store Day at a record store near you!

American Band Grimey’s Nashville, TN Performance / Signing
Mastodon Schoolkids Raleigh, NC Signing
Against Me! Plan 9 Richmond, VA Performance / Signing
Carolina Chocolate Drops Criminal Atlanta, GA Performance
Jason Derulo J & R New York, NY Signing
New Boyz J & R New York, NY Signing
HIM Silver Platters Seattle, WA Signing
DEVO Zia Indio, CA Signing
MUTEMATH Zia Indio, CA Signing
The Cribs Zia Indio, CA Signing

About Record Store Day:
Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Record Store Day Contact: Perry Serpa at Good Cop Public Relations, Phone (718) 846-0518 or perry@goodcoppr.com or Cristina Parker at NoiseNY Public Relations. Phone (917) 684-0452 or email: cristina@noiseny.com

About Original Recordings Group:
ORG is an independent special projects label dedicated to the record collector experience. High quality and restored vinyl reissues from the best catalogs in the world. Focusing on classic alternative, rock, pop and jazz. Distributed by WBR available on Becausesoundmatters.com

For more about National Record Store Day, please visit http://www.recordstoreday.com/.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

2010-04-07T11:56:00.002-04:00

FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 5, 2010

DEAR JERRY: I just noticed something odd in the Captain & Tennille's Love Will Keep Us Together that I never noticed in over 30 years of hearing the song.

Near the end, as the music begins fading, Toni Tennille kind of half-sings and half-speaks something that sounds to me like my daddy is bad, or my daddy is back.

She seems to be off-mike, which, coupled with the relative volume of the music, makes it difficult to decipher.

What is she saying? Could this just be an inside joke between Toni and the Captain?
Darcy Garza, Hampton Roads, Va.

DEAR DARCY: It could be, but it isn't.

Toni's mysterious line, in the coda about 15 seconds before the audio ends, is an acknowledgment to the writer of Love Will Keep Us Together, the legendary Neil Sedaka.

After 11 years without a Top 40 hit, Neil stormed back in late 1974 and '75 with the No. 1 hits, Laughter in the Rain and Bad Blood, along with writing Love Will Keep Us Together, also a No. 1.

That is why, near the end of the track, Toni proudly declares “Sedaka is back!”

Coincidentally, Neil is set to make yet another return. Read on:

DEAR JERRY: Years ago, you wrote about what a surprise it was that Neil Sedaka's Same Old Fool, a traditional country song, came out in 1960 right in the midst of all those huge teener hits: Oh Carol; Calendar Girl; Little Devil; Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen, Stairway to Heaven; etc.

When I finally found this single, oddly enough on the flip side of Calendar Girl, I couldn't believe how very country it is, complete with Nashville twang and a steel guitar.

Is there another hit song that surprised you more, in terms of being something you would never imagine being recording by that particular artist? For me, The Same Old Fool is the biggest shocker?
Ronnie Whitcomb, Dallas, Texas

DEAR RONNIE: Only because I have yet to hear a Led Zeppelin remake of Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, my most memorable surprise in this category came when I first heard the Mills Brothers cover record of Get a Job (Dot 15695).

Issued in mid-January 1958, with the Silhouettes' waxing already in the Top 10 and headed for No. 1, the Mills Brothers stood no chance of overtaking the original.

This unanticipated song choice, their first release for Dot after 26 years with Brunswick and Decca, still managed to spend a couple of weeks in the Top 25 tunes, according to disc jockeys.

For those who haven't heard the short-lived doo-wop side of the Mills Brothers — likely about 99% of readers — their version is nearly identical to the Silhouettes, right down to all the yip-yip-yips and mum-mum-mums.

IZ ZAT SO? From Tiger Rag (1931) to The Jimtown Road (1969) the Mills Brothers chalked up over 70 hit records — an impressive output made even more so by the 38-year span covered, the most ever by any Pre-Rock Era vocal group. No other groups are even close.

One novelty part of their act was surprising listeners who thought the boys were accompanied by a guitar, trumpet, saxophone, and string bass. Those folks would later discover the only real instrument to be a single acoustic guitar, with all those other sounds convincingly produced vocally by the brothers.

Not many singers were so well-equipped to subsist during a musician's strike.

For the non believers, each of the Mills Brothers 78s on Brunswick prominently displayed this statement on the label: “No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.”

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.

This Date In Music History-April 7

2010-04-07T10:33:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Ravi Shankar (1920)

Charlie Thomas - Drifters (1937)

Alan Buck - Four Pennies (1943)

Mick Abrahams - Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull (1943)

Bill Kreutzmann - Grateful Dead (1946)

Patricia Bennett - Chiffons (1947)

Florian Schneider- Esleben - Kraftwerk (1947)

Carol Douglas - Chantels (1948)

John Oates - Hall and Oates (1949)

Janis Ian (1951)

Mark Kibble - Take 6 (1964)

Victoria Adams Beckham - Spice Girls (1975)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1915, Billie Holiday, (Elinore Harris), the greatest female jazz singer of all time. Made over 100 records, worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, numerous arrests for drugs possession. Died on 17th July 1959 from liver failure, aged 44.

The late Percy Faith ("Theme From A Summer Place") was born in 1908. He died on February 9, 1976

In 1981, producer and manager, Kit Lambert died of a cerebral hemorrhage after falling down a flight of stairs at his mother's home in London, England. Lambert managed The Who from 1964-1967 and produced the 'Tommy' album. Also produced Arthur Brown's 1968 hit 'Fire'.

Plasmatics’ lead singer and guiding force, Wendy O. Williams, commited suicide in 1998.

In 2000, Heinz, bass player and singer with The Tornadoes died (age 57). The group had the Joe Meek produced 1962 UK & US #1 single "Telstar," making them the first UK group to score a US #1 single. Heinz had the 1963 solo hit "Just Like Eddie," a tribute to Eddie Cochran, (which featured future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore).

Born today in 1938, Spencer Dryden, drums, Jefferson Airplane. Died of cancer on January 10, 2005.

Born today in 1952, Bruce Gary, The Knack. Was best known as the drummer for the music group The Knack. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards as a stage performer, producer, and recording artist. He died on August 22, 2006 at the age of 55 at the Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Tarzana, California of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.)

History:

The musical "South Pacific" by Rogers and Hammerstein debuted on Broadway in 1949.

In 1956, The CBS Radio Network premiered the first regularly scheduled national broadcast rock & roll show, Alan Freed's 'Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party.'

Little Richard’s classic “Long Tall Sally” was released in 1956.

In 1958, the Alan Freed’s Big Beat Show played two shows at the Memorial Hall in Canton, Ohio, featuring, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, The Diamonds, Billy Ford, Danny & The Juniors, The Chantels, Larry Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Pastels and Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

Marty Robbins recorded "El Paso" in 1959.

Shelley Fabares started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1962 with "Johnny Angel."

While at Ealing Jazz Club in 1962, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met Brian Jones for the first time. Jones was calling himself Elmo Lewis and was playing guitar with Paul Jones.

The Beatles played at the Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool in 1962, without George Harrison who was ill. This was the group’s last performance before leaving for their third extended engagement in Hamburg, West Germany.

Working at Abbey Road studio’s in London in 1966, the Beatles recorded overdubs on the new John Lennon song "Tomorrow Never Knows" and the new Paul McCartney song "Got to Get You Into My Life" for the forthcoming 'Revolver' album.

This week's US Top 5 singles chart in 1970; #5, "Bridge Over Trouble Water" by Simon and Garfunkel, #4, "Spirit In The Sky," Norman Greenbaum, #3, "Instant Karma" by John Lennon, #2, "ABC" The Jackson Five and at #1, "Let It Be," The Beatles.

"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" from "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1970.

Vicki Lawrence started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia."

Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple in 1975 to form his own band Rainbow. Tommy Bolin replaced Blackmore.

Aerosmith, Van Halen, Cheap Trick, The Boomtown Rats and Ted Nugent all appeared at the California Music Festival in 1979.

The Doobie Brothers went to #1 on the US album chart in 1979 with 'Minute By Minute', the group's only US chart topper.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their first full-scale tour in Hamburg, Germany in 1981. This was Springsteen's first tour outside North America, which would take in 10 countries.

In 1984, a record 40 British acts appeared on the US top 100 singles chart.

In 1985, Wham! became the first western pop group to perform live in China, when they played at the workers gymnasium in Beijing.

During a European tour in 1988, Alice Cooper accidentally hung himself in a rehearsal when a safety rope snapped; he dangled for several seconds before a roadie saved him.

Farm Aid IV in Indianapolis in 1990 had Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Don Henley, Guns N’ Roses, John Mellencamp and the ever crusty Willie Nelson. There's even a surprise performance by Elton John.

Bonnie Raitt started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1990 with 'Nick Of Time.'

Taylor Dayne went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1990 with the Diane Warren song "Love Will Lead You Back."

In 1994, Courtney Love was arrested on drugs and theft charges after a reported overdose. At this time, Love was unaware that her husband Kurt Cobain was dead at their home, (his body wasn’t discovered until April 8, by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system at their house).

In 1997, an Amsterdam university began offering a course entitled "Madonna 101."

Panic At The Disco were at #1 on the Australian album chartin 2008 with their second album ‘Pretty Odd.’

Neil Young's “Fork In The Road” was released in 2009.

Green Day perform their "21st Century Breakdown" album in its entirety at a 500-capacity club in San Francisco in 2009. The trio is augmented by two extra guitarists and a keyboardist at the surprise show.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

New Music Releases - April 6, 2010

2010-04-05T18:38:00.000-04:00

Buy all your new vinyl here at SoundStageDirect!

Acker Bilk - Vintage Acker Bilk Vol 2
Al Cohn - Mosaic Select: Al Cohn, Joe Newman & Freddie Green
Alder - Brendance
Alice Cooper - Brutal Planet
Alizee - Une Enfant Du Siecle
Alvin Shine Robinson - Introduction
Amy Cook - Let the Light In
Andy Williams - Icons (4 CDs)
Angelique Kidjo - Oyo
Arcade Fire - Miroir Noir Ltd. Edition Deluxe
Awesome Color - Massa Hypnos
Baden Powell & Vini - Os Afro - Samba De Baden E Vinicius
Ben Sidran - Cat & The Hat
Benny Goodman - Wrappin' It Up
Bernie McGann - Bundeena
Bernie McGann - Kindred Spirits
Bernie McGann - Mcgann By Mcgann
Bernie McGann - Playground
Bernie McGann - Ugly Beauty
Bill Withers - +'Justments
Bing Crosby - Bing Crosby CBS Radio Recordings 1954-56
Bing Crosby - Centennial Anthology (CD/DVD)
Black Prairie - Feast of the Hunters' Moon (vinyl)
BoDeans - Mr. Sad Clown
Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan Never Ending Tour Diaries: Drummer Winston Watson's Incredible Journey"
Bobby Mcferrin - Vocabularies
Bonobo - Black Sands (vinyl)
Brooklyn Rider - Dominant Curve
Buddy Holly and the Crickets - The Music of Buddy Holly and The Crickets: The Definitive Story"
Caetano Veloso - Domingo
Carey Blyton - Choral Music
Carey Blyton - Return Of Bulgy Gogo
Cary Brothers - Under Control
Cassandra Wilson - Silver Pony
Catherine Howe - What a Beautiful Place (vinyl)
Cheap Trick - One on One/Next Position Please (remastered)
Chris Barber - Chris Barber At The BBC Vol 2
Chris Botti - In Boston
Cinematic Orchestra - Late Night Tales
Civil Twilight - Civil Twilight
Codeine Velvet Club - Codeine Velvet Club (vinyl)
Common Loon - The Long Dream of Birds
Communist Daughter - Soundtrack To The End
Count Basie - Basie In London
Count Basie - Hall Of Fame
Crackin' - Crackin'
Crackin' - Makings of a Dream
Crackin' - Special Touch
Cure - Disintegration: 20th Anniversary Edition
Darkthrone - Circle the Wagons
Dave Barnes - What We Want, What We Get
Dave Brubeck - Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection
Dave Brubeck - Three Classic Albums
Dave Brubeck - Time Out (45 RPM 200 Gram)
David Bowie - David Bowie (remastered with bonus CD)
David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love (2-CD & DVD special edition)
David Grisman - Live
Death Cab for Cutie - Open Door (vinyl reissue)
Dionne Warwick - No Night So Long
Doors - When You're Strange (soundtrack)
Doves - The Places Between: The Best of Doves
Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame (vinyl)
Drive-By Truckers - Your Woman Is a Living Thing (vinyl)
Duran Duran - Duran Duran (Deluxe Edition) (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Duran Duran - Seven & the Ragged Tiger (Deluxe Edition) (2 LPs) (Vinyl)
Elis Regina - Como & Porque
Elis Regina - Elis & Tom
Elis Regina - In London
Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill (remastered) (vinyl)
Elliott Smith - Roman Candle (remastered) (vinyl)
Emery - Are You Listening
Eraserheads - The Reunion Concert
Fabrizio Sotti - Inner Dance
Five In Orbit - Freaks
Fleetwood Mac - Perfect in Every Way
Flying Lizards - Flying Lizards (reissue)
Foreigner - SoundStage Presents Foreigner Live
Franciose Hardy - La Pluie Sans Parapluie
Frank Sinatra - Classic Sinatra Green Box
Free & Bad Company - Very Best of Free & Bad Company Featuring Paul Rodgers
Future Islands - In the Fall EP (vinyl)
Gene Autrey - South of the Border: Songs of Old Mexico
Gilberto Gil - Bandadois
Growing - Pumps (vinyl)
Guns N' Roses - The Rock Power Collection
Hacienda - Big Red & Barbacoa (vinyl)
Harlem - Hippies (vinyl)
Hawkwind - Astoria London 2005
Heart - Greatest Hits 1985-1995 Green Box
Heavenly Sweetness -Label Compilation
Helen O'Connell - Woman's Perogative
Hollywood Saxophone Quartet - Hollywood Saxophone Quartet
Hypernova - Through The Chaos
Ian Thomas Band - Still Here
Inaki Etxepare - Integral Per Violonceli Gasp
Isley Brothers - You Make Me Want To Shout 1956 - 59 (Original Recordings Remastered)
Jakob Dylan - Women and Country
Jan Daley - Where There's Hope
Jason Urick - Fussing and Fighting (vinyl)
Javelin - No Mas (vinyl)
Jazz Genius: The Flamingo Era - Jazz Genius: The Flamingo Era
Jazz Legends Forever -Sing Me A Love
Jefferson Starship - Soiled Dove
John Butler Trio - April Uprising
John Coltrane - Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection
John Stetch - Carpathian Blues
John Stetch - Stetching Out
Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash (4 CDs)
Johnny Hodges - Four Classic Albums
Jon Secada - Classics
Jonsi - Go (vinyl)
Judson Claiborne: Time & Temperature
Judy Garland - Judy On Broadway Tonight
Karma to Burn - Almost Heathen( vinyl)
Karma to Burn - Wild Wonderful Purgatory (vinyl)
Kathy Sanborn - Small Galaxy
Ken Colyer - Very Very Live At The 100 Club
Ken Jazzmen Colyer - Very Very Live At The 100 Club
Ken Vandermark - Chicago Volume
Ken Vandermark - Milwaukee Volume
Kenny Rankin - After the Roses
Kiki & Herb - Live at the Knitting Factory
Kristy - My Romance
Lali Puna - Our Inventions
Larry Clinton - In Hi Fi
Lars Danielsson - Signature Edition
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Lee Konitz - Lee Konitz & Wayne Marsh
Lee Konitz - Meets Jimmy Giuffrie
Les Paul - After You've Gone 1944-45
Liars - Sisterworld (vinyl)
Look Mexico - To Bed to Battle
Lothar & the Hand People - Presenting Lothar & The Hand People
Lou Gramm - Ready Or Not
Luther Ingram - Absolutely the Best of
Madonna - The Sticky & Sweet Tour (CD/DVD)
Magnus Lindgren - Batucada Jazz
Marc Antoine - Notre Histoire
Martin Sexton - Sugarcoating
McGann - Double Dutch
Meklit Hadero - On A Day Like This...
Melissa Auf der Maur - Out Of Our Minds
Merle Haggard - Out Among The Stars / A Friend in California
Metallica - Broken, Beat & Scarred
Mi Ami - Steal Your Face (vinyl)
Michael Jackson - Dangerous (Vinyl)
Miles Davis - Relaxin
Mini Ripperton - Perfect Angel
Monster Movie - Everyone Is a Ghost
Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie
Nara Leao - Meu Primeiro Amor
Natural Four - Natural Four / Heaven Right Here on Earth
Negura Bunget - Maiestrit
New Heavenly Blue - New Heavenly Blue•Alan Parsons - Eye to Eye: Live in Madrid
Nguyen Le - Signature Edition
Nice Nice - Extra Wow (vinyl)
Nina Simone - Icons (4 CDs)
Nirvana - Incesticide (vinyl reissue)
Olaf Arnalds - Vid Og Vid
Ost - Garota De Ipanema
P.E. Jazz Ensemble Hewitt - Winter Winds
PJ Morton - Walk Alone
Pat Benatar - Greatest Hits Green Box
Patrick Park - Come What Will (vinyl)
Paul Jabara - The Third Album (Single)
Perry Como - Icons (4 CDs)
Peter Brotzmann - Woodcuts
Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs
Phoenix - Fences (vinyl)
Pieta Brown - One & All
Poison - 20 Years of Rock Green Box
Porcupine Tree - Porcupine Tree: Arriving Somewhere
Priests - In Concert at Armagh Cathedral
Ralph Marterie - Into The 50's
Ray Charles - Genius + Soul = Jazz (Deluxe Edition)
Red Sparrowes - The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies The Answer (vinyl)
Rita Coolidge - Ladys Not for Sale / Fall Into Spring / Its Only (2 CDs)
Robin Trower - Twice Removed From Yesterday (remastered)
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 - Propellor Time (Vinyl)
S - I'm Not As Good at It As You
SRC - Milestones
Sally Seltmann - Heart That's Pounding
Sam Cooke - Live At Harlem Square (Vinyl)
Secret & Whisper - Teenage Fantasy
Shark Speed - Education
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way (vinyl)
Slash - Slash
Solomon Burke - Nothing's Impossible
Sonny Rollins - Prestige Albums
Sonny Stitt - Plays Giuffre Arrangements
Soundgarden - Hunted Down (vinyl)
Squeeze - Argybargy (remastered with bonus disc)
Stacey Kent - Raconte Moi
Staples (Staple Singers) - Family Tree
Staples (Staple Singers) - Pass It On
Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits 1974-1978 Green Box
Tensy Krismant / Miguel Nunez - Pacifico
The Classic Crime - Vagabonds
The Drums - Best Friend (vinyl)
The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire
The Sight Below - It All Falls Apart
The Wedding Present - Live 1988
Tim Rollinson - You Tunes
Tom Jones - This Is Tom Jones: What's New Pussycat?
Triffids - Come Ride With Me Wide Open Road (10-CD box set)
True Womanhood - Basement Membranes
Tunng - Then We Saw Land (vinyl)
Ulf Wakenius - Signature Edition
Under Byen - Alt Er Tabt
Unleashed - As Yggdrasil Trembles
Various Artists - Franz Ferdinand Tribute (vinyl)
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: Latin Party
Various Artists - Remember Me (soundtrack)
Various Artists - Smooth Jazz Tribute to Gorillaz
We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop (vinyl)
Whitney Houston - Collection (5 CDs)
Wolfgang Haffner - Signature Edition

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

2010-04-05T10:10:00.002-04:00

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 03/27/2010

1. 45 - Elvis Presley "That's All Right" / "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" Sun 209 - $10,000.00

2. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $5,349.05

3. 10" - Geroges Enesco "Beethoven Sonate a Kreutzer" Columbia FC 1058 Mono - $4,050.00

4. 10" - Geroges Enesco "Beethoven Sonate a Kreutzer" Columbia FC 1058 Mono - $3,300.00

5. LP - Hank Mobley "with Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan" Blue Note 1540 - $2,969.00

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 04/03/2010

1. LP - Queen "The Works" Red Vinyl Columbia - $9,000.00

2. LP - various artists "Black-Out: New Sounds Of '70" Century - $5,801.00

3. 45 - Phil Gray & His Go Boys "Bluest Boy In Town" / "Pepper Hot Baby" Rhythm Records 101 - $3,750.00

4. 45 - The Beatles "Strawberry Fields" / "Penny Lane" Acetate rough mix - $3,148.30

5. LP - Horace Parlan, George Tucker, Al Harewood "Us Three" Blue Note 4037 Mono - $2,669.00

More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 7:00PM Eastern / 4:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata. http://shows.radiodentata.com/shows/accidental-nostalgia/

Music News & Notes

2010-04-05T10:08:00.001-04:00

Travis McCoy's "Lazarus" Album Cover Revealed

Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy's Lazarus debut solo album cover has been revealed online this weekend.

Travie McCoy flys high on the cover of his solo debut album Lazarus, landing in stores June 8. The Gym Class Heroes frontman's first single "Billionaire"featuring Bruno Mars is taking off at radio, while the project boasts contributions from T-Pain, Cee-Lo, Detail and The Stereotypes. (Rap-Up)

Last month, McCoy explained why his album's title was shortened.

"Unfortunately we had to change the title to just Lazarus, because there's already this movie out there called 'The Lazarus Project,' " he explained in an interview. "So we're just calling the record Lazarus now. It's more to the point...It's hard to put a stamp on the record. With anything I do, it's hard to categorize it. With any project, I just go in and blindly start writing songs and then find out which way we want to go with it. This one took a bit longer to find the lane." (MTV)

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

DISBELIEF: 'Heal' Artwork Unveiled

German death metallers DISBELIEF are set to release a 20th-anniversary album called 'Heal' on May 21 via Massacre Records. The CD will contain eight songs, including three cover versions and a remake of the classic track "Shine." The first album to be recorded and mixed by the DISBELIEF members themselves, "Heal" will also feature four original compositions which "are meant to be a tribute to bands who influenced us a lot over those two decades concerning their music and attitude!!" according to the group.

"Heal" track listing:

Covers

* KILLING JOKE - "A Love Like Blood"
* KING DIAMOND - "Welcome Home"
* CRIMSON GLORY - "Red Sharks"

Originals

* Certainty Of Reality
* The Eyes of Horror
* The Last Force: Attack!
* Isolation
* Shine (title track of 2002 album)

"Heal" will be released with a bonus DVD containing footage of a complete DISBELIEF show from the Walpurgis Metal Days in 2009.

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

Dylan Cancels Asian Tour

Apparently Bob Dylan has had to cancel a tour of Asia after the Chinese government refused to allow him to perform. The singer had been planning on a series of dates in the area but when he learned he didn't have permission to play in Beijing and Shanghai, he scrapped the whole tour.

A spokesman from the Taiwan promotion company who was handling the tour stated "China's Ministry of Culture did not give us permission to stage concerts in Beijing and Shanghai, so we had no alternative but to scrap plans for a Southeast Asian tour. The chance to play in China was the main attraction for him. When that fell through everything else was called off.

"What Bjork did definitely made life very difficult for other performers. They are very wary of what will be said by performers on stage now. Last year British rockers Oasis were denied permission to play in China after it was discovered that guitarist Noel Gallagher had had appeared at a Tibet freedom concert 12 years earlier."

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

The Specials Discuss a New Album

Terry Hall of the Specials has told the British site Spinnermusic.co.uk that the original members of the group were discussing making a third album after they complete their 30th anniversary tour. According to Hall: "Nothing has been written. We've played around a bit, but we've all agreed that if we're going to make an album, it's got to an incredibly great album. If we're up for that, and we think that we have the parts in place, there's no reason we won't start recording. I think at this level we need to play for a while, like we did before we had a record deal."

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

The Violent Femmes Won't Be Reuniting

Bass player Brian Richie has stated that his bandmate Gordon Gano licensed their song "Blister in the Sun" to fastfood giant Wendy's for a commercial without first seeking the permission of others in the group. Richie told Spinner.com "I don't like having my sound misappropriated to sell harmful products, such as fast food. That's not why we made the music. It should not be hijacked."

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-April 5

2010-04-05T10:06:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Ronnie White - Miracles (1939)

Dave Swarbick - Fairport Convention (1941)

Alan Clarke - Hollies (1942)

Crispin St. Peters (1944)

Nicholas Caldwell - Whispers (1944)

Dave Holland - Judas Priest (1948)

Kent Henry - Blues Image (1948)

Agnetha Faltskog - Abba (1950)

Peter Case - Plimsouls (1954)

Stan Ridgeway - Wall of Voodoo (1954)

Jacob Slichter - Semisonic (1961)

Mike McCready - Pearl Jam (1965)

Paula Cole (1968)

Born today in 1973, Pharrell Williams, one half of the writing duo, The Neptunes (with Chad Hugo). Produced numerous #1 hits for Mystikal, Jay-Z, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Nelly.

They Are Missed:

The late Tony Williams of the Platters ("Smoke Gets In Your Eyes") was born in 1928.

Canned Heat singer Bob "The Bear" Hite died of a heart attack in 1981 (age 36). Played at both the 1967 Montery Pop Festival and the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

In 1983, Danny Rapp, leader of 50's group Danny and the Juniors committed suicide in a hotel in Arizona by shooting himself.

In 1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at his home in Seattle. Cobain’s body wasn’t discovered until April 8, by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system, who initially believed that Cobain was asleep, until he saw the shotgun pointing at his chin. A suicide note was found that said, "I haven't felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now." A high concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were found in Cobain’s body. His death was officially ruled as suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head.

In 1998, British drummer Cozy Powell was killed when his car smashed into crash barriers on a motorway in Bristol, England. Powell had worked with Whitesnake, ELP, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and the ELP spin-off Emerson, Lake, & Powell; plus sessions with Donovan, Roger Daltrey, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore and Brian May.

Jazz tenor saxophonistStanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man" was born today in 1934. He died on September 12, 2000.

In 2006, Gene Pitney was found dead (age 65) in his bed in a Cardiff hotel. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness. Pitney helped the Rolling Stones break the American market with his endorsement of the band. Jagger and Richards wrote his hit "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" which became the Stones duo's first composition to reach the American charts.

In 2007, former Kiss guitarist Mark St. John died from an apparent brain hemorrhage at the age of 51. S t. John was Kiss' third official guitarist, having replaced Vinnie Vincent in 1984 and appeared on the album ‘Animalize’.

History:

A tornado killed 235 people in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1936, but luckily for the music world, one year-old Elvis Presley and his family survived.

In 1962, the Beatles performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool as part of a special night presented by the Beatles' fan club. The Beatles wear their black leather outfits for the first half of the performance, for old time's sake, then change into their new suits for the second half of the show.

The Searchers appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. They were the first British Invasion group to appear on the show after the Beatles. It was also the Searchers' US debut.

The Beach Boys, with a rare Al Jardine lead vocal, issued their #1 hit, “Help Me, Rhonda" in 1965.

In 1967, Monkees fans walked from London's Marble Arch to the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square to protest Davy Jones' planned call-up. Jones was exempted because he was deemed responsible for supporting his father.

Elvis Presley's "Double Trouble" movie debuted in 1967.

In 1968, James Brown makes a nationally-televised appeal for calm in the wake of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Elvis Presley kicked of a 15 date US tour at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York in 1972.

Minnie Riperton went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with the Stevie Wonder produced song "Loving You." It was the singers only US chart hit. Riperton died of cancer on 12th July 1979.

Led Zeppelin released their seventh studio album "Presence" in 1976.

Duran Duran made their live debut at The Lecture Theatre, Birmingham Polytechnic in 1978.

In 1980, R.E.M. played their first ever gig when they appeared at St Mary's Episcopal Church, Athens, Georgia (under the name Twisted Kite).

After eight years of publication to the radio and recording industry, "Record World" magazine ceased publication and filed for bankruptcy protection in 1982.

The Beach Boys were banned from the Fourth of July concert at the White House in 1983. US President Ronald Reagan overturned the ban two days later.

In 1984, Marvin Gaye's funeral took place at The Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles; Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy and other Motown singers, writers and producers, attended the service.

At 3:50pm GMT in 1985, over 5,000 radio stations worldwide aired the charity single by USA for Africa "We Are The World." The single went on to be a #1 in the US & UK, and in most Western territories.

Construction began on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 1993.

In 1999, three of Tammy Wynette's daughters filed a $50 million lawsuit that blamed Wynette's death on negligence by her husband and her doctor.

The Calling’s guitarist Aaron Kamin was electrocuted in 2002 during a soundcheck prior to a Bangkok concert. He was hospitalized.

In 2008, Apple's iTunes overtook supermarket group Wal-Mart to become the largest music retailer in the US. Market research firm NPD said iTunes surpassed Wal-Mart in January and February if 12 downloads are considered equal to the sale of one CD album. iTunes had sold more than four billion songs since its launch in 2003.

Danity Kane were at #1 on the US album chart in 2008 with their second album ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse.’

Also in 2008, Toto performs its last concert before breaking up, in Seoul, South Korea, 2008

In 2009, Kid Rock performed at WrestleMania's 25th anniversary event in Houston. The singer's set includes "Bawitdaba," "Cowboy" and "Rock N Roll Jesus." AC/DC’s "Shoot To Thrill" and "War Machine" (from “Black Ice”) are the official theme songs.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-April 3

2010-04-03T12:01:00.002-04:00

Birthdays:

Doris Day (1924)

Songwriter Jeff Barry - Wrote "Tell Laura I Love Her," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby," "Baby I Love You," "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," among others (1938)

Wayne Newton (1942)

Billy Joe Royal (1942)

Tony Orlando (1944)

Richard Thompson - Fairport Convention (1949)

Mel Schacher - Grand Funk Railroad (1951)

Mick Mars - Motley Crue (1956)

Simon Raymonde - Cocteau Twins (1962)

Sebastian Bach - Skid Row (1968)

Wes Berggren - Tripping Daisy (1971)

Leona Lewis - 2006 UK #1 single "A Moment Like This." The download single set a world record, by being downloaded over 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online. (1985)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1943, Richard Manuel, The Band. Manuel committed suicide on March 6, 1986.

In 1990, jazz singer Sarah Vaughan died of lung cancer. She had the 1954 US #6 single "Make Yourself Comfortable" and released over 50 albums.

Born today in 1944, Barry Pritchard, guitar, vocals, The Fortunes. He died on 11th January 1999.

Born on this day in 1928, Don Gibson, country singer songwriter. Neil Young covered "Oh Lonesome Me" on his 'After The Gold Rush' album. Died on November 17, 2003.

Stax records songwriter Homer Banks died in 2003 (age 61). Wrote "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down," recorded by Sam & Dave and a UK hit for Elvis Costello. Rod Stewart, The Emotions, Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson and Johnny Taylor all covered his songs.

Born today in 1941, Jan Berry, Jan and Dean. Berry died on March 26, 2004 after being in poor health from the lingering effects of brain damage after a 1966 car crash.

Founder member and original drummer for The Wonder Stuff, Martin Gilks died in 2006 (age 41), after losing control of his motorbike in London.

History:

Elvis Presley appeared on ABC-TV's 'The Milton Berle Show' live from the flight deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego, California in 1956. He performed "Heartbreak Hotel," "Shake Rattle And Roll" and "Blue Suede Shoes." It was estimated that one out of every four Americans saw the show.

In 1959, the BBC banned the Coasters song "Charlie Brown" because of the word "spitball." Two weeks later the BBC changed its position on the song.

During recording sessions at RCA studios in Nashville, Tennessee in 1960, Elvis Presley recorded "It's Now Or Never," "Fever" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"

The Marcels started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1961 with the Rodgers and Hart song "Blue Moon."

"Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh's was released in 1965.

Working on The Beatles 'Sgt Pepper' album at Abbey Road studios in London in 1967, George Harrison recorded his lead vocal on his song "Within You Without You," as well as a sitar part, and some acoustic guitar parts.

The Doors' Jim Morrison turned himself in to the FBI in Los Angeles in 1969. He was charged on six charges of lewd behavior and public exposure at a concert in Miami on March 2, 1969. He was later released on $2000 bail.

The Temptations scored their second US #1 in 1971 with "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."

“The Beatles 1962-1966” & “1967-1970” was released by Capitol Records in 1973.

In 1975, Steve Miller was charged with setting fire to the clothes and personal effects of a friend, Benita DiOrio, and resisting arrest. The charges were dropped the next day.

Johnnie Taylor started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1976 with "Disco Lady," his 10th US Top 40.

Sid Vicious played his first concert with the Sex Pistols in 1977.

The Traveling Wilburys (Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynn) began recording their "Handle With Care" album in Malibu in 1988.

In 1989, 23 people were arrested after several thousand fans without tickets tried to gate-crash a Grateful Dead concert at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pepsi dismissed Madonna as a spokesperson in 1989 after her "Like a Prayer" video was called "blasphemous" by the Vatican.

Paul McCartney recorded his unplugged session for MTV in 1991.

In 1994, a forthcoming tour by Nirvana and Hole was cancelled amid continuing speculation about Kurt Cobain's drug problems.

Dave Navarro left the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998.

In 2006, “Dani California,” the first single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ninth studio album, 'Stadium Arcadium,' made its radio premiere when KTBZ’s (Houston) Don Jantzen played the song continuously for his three hour show. The single peaks at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2007, three David Lee Roth solo albums are reissued: remastered versions of '91's "A Little Ain't Enough," 94's "Your Filthy Little Mouth," and the rare Spanish-language version of 86's "Eat 'Em and Smile" (his career best). Didn't the former (and occasionally current) Van Halen frontman's record company lose enough money when these albums were originally released?

Also in 2007, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards denied that he snorted the ashes of his late father during a drugs binge. Jane Rose, Richards' manager, told MTV News the remarks were made "in jest", and she could not believe they had been taken seriously. Richards had said in an interview with The NME: "He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow." But NME interviewer Mark Beaumont was convinced that Richards was not joking when speaking to him about the alleged incident. "He did seem to be quite honest about it. There were too many details for him to be making it up," he later told BBC news.

In 2008, Mariah Carey smashed Elvis Presley's US chart record by scoring the 18th number one of her career with "Touch My Body," from her new album E=MC2. Carey had now surpassed Elvis Presley's 17 number ones, The Beatles still held the record with 20 US #1 hit singles.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Michael Fremer Album Review

2010-04-02T11:29:00.004-04:00

The Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, B.B. King (recent reissue)
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert 40th Anniversary Box Set

ABKCO 02412 3 180g LPs, 3 CDs, 1 DVD

Produced by: The Rolling Stones and Glyn Johns
Engineered by: Glyn Johns
Mixed by: Glyn Johns
Mastered by: Bob Ludwig , Gateway Mastering (LPs cut by Carl Rowatti at TruTone)
Reissue Produced by: Jodi H. Klein and Teri Landi

Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-04-01

Was this the greatest rock and roll concert recording ever as some suggest? Is it deserving of deluxe box set status? The producers of this ultra-sumptuous box obviously thought so!

It includes a full-sized, perfect bound full color book with large typeface appropriate for aging baby boomer consumption (and well worth the read!), two and a half 180g LPs containing the original album, opening sets by Ike and Tina Turner and B.B. King and four unreleased tracks from the concert on a one sided LP, the second side of which includes band member autograph etchings and a silhouette of Charlie Watts’ uncharacteristically exuberant cover pose. You even get a red guitar pick.

But wait! There’s more! You get three CDs containing the same material minus the four bonus tracks. Those are on a DVD with video. It’s all housed in a quadruple gatefold package encased in a box. Open the double-gatefold and you’re looking down on a panoramic black and white shot of Madison Square Garden.

Look, the bonus stuff is great fun, especially hearing a younger B.B. King who was then mostly unknown to the almost exclusively white, middle class, suburban audience. Credit the Stones for their pioneering work. Ditto Ike and Tina, who were then probably better known than B.B. King. Ike and Tina may have been fighting off stage but on they were still on fire.

So the extras are the spices but what about the main course? Just three years earlier the Stones couldn’t hear themselves play on stage because of the teenybopper screaming. Listen to Got Live if You Want It! most of which was recorded just three years earlier for an ear-opening comparison.

That compilation presents a very different band and a very different audience. Both were operating at far higher energy than here but while that one gets by on youthful energy, Get Your Ya-Ya’s Out simmers, burns and cuts deeply.

With Brian Jones gone, replaced by the bluesy Mick Taylor, who never really fit in but did manage to tug the band into jam-band territory, the Rolling Stones in 1969 were a more introspective, less pop oriented assemblage, though it could be argued that age would have led them in that direction without Taylor.

With weed having replaced adrenaline, the more mature, inward looking audience replaced screaming with concentrated listening, holding their applause and screaming to the end of the song. The seismic shift in both band and audience was enormous given that only three years had passed.

With the adrenaline and speed gone, this concert sounded to some more like a Grateful Dead show than one by The Rolling Stones. The pacing was slower, the grooves more deliberate. While it opens slowly with a somewhat stodgy Jumpin’ Jack Flash, followed by a tepid Carol, this Stray Cat Blues is even meaner and more nasty than the original. Love in Vain fills the space and gives relief to the bloody Midnight Rambler.

There’s no stopping side two, with special mention going to Bill Wyman’s bass playing throughout this set. He just anchors the band, laying down thick, deep grooves that give Keith and Mick Taylor space to eviscerate the air with edgy.bluesy, soulful riffs. Little Queenie, another Chuck Berry classic, taken at a really languid pace, nicely breaks up the space between Live With Me and a torrid Honky Tonk Women, and the final scorcher, Street Fighting Man.

By the time the tour hit Madison Square Garden, the band was locked into a tight, precise groove. There was nothing sloppy, drugged-out or drunken about this Rolling Stones. That would come later on Exile on Main Street!.

While most “bonus tracks” make obvious why they didn’t make the original cut, these are good enough to have made the original release had there been room on a forty minute or so album without seriously degrading the sound.

That said, the Keith and Mick Show portion of the show containing Prodigal Son would have been one too many slow movers for the final album, as would have You Gotta Move, as well as the enjoyably misogynistic Under My Thumb and I’m Free, which has since gone on to become the soundtrack to some television commercial or other.

When I was on the air at WBCN-FM, playing "Under My Thumb" was controversial. It may even have been unofficially banned by the feminist/lesbian contingent at the station.

I wonder what B.B. King was thinking while Mick and Keith performed the blues classics Prodigal Son and You Gotta Move assuming he stayed backstage for the show. Keith’s acoustic guitar playing was magnificent even back then.

Rock’n’Roll recorded sound in 1969, even with Glyn Johns at the helm of the Wally Heider Mobile truck, was a crap shoot and the original sounded somewhat muffled and recessed, overloaded with stage monitor feedback. Still, if you listened in, the guitars were cleanly rendered and the overall effect was pretty powerful, though you needed an original UK Decca pressing to really hear it correctly.

This reissue, produced from the original analog tapes, transferred by Teri Landi who did likewise on the excellent Decca Stones catalog for ABKCO, originally on hybrid SACD but not anymore (and not because Jodi Klein wanted to stop churning it out on SACD) outperforms the original in many ways.

Bob Ludwig mastered the transfer, sending 96k/24 bit files to TruTone Mastering Labs’ Carl Rowatti, who cut the lacquers for the 180g LPs.

The remastered version, while sounding somewhat less organic and airy than the original, offers far better low end response, cleaner overall transients, far greater dynamic range and an especially better overall tonal balance that rids the picture of its stage monitor induced midrange haze. It’s much clearer and cleaner in the best sense of the word “clean” compared to the original, though the original UK Decca has it’s own sonic charms not found here. Still, if given the choice, I'd choose this reissue.

Like Eddie Kramer’s superb Woodstock restoration, this one produces an overall improvement to the original sonic product without making fundamental shifts that would ruin the original intent.

The end of that tumultuous decade was a pivot point in cultural history and when you combine the original concert with the opening acts, and the unreleased material on both audio and video, plus the wealth of great background information contained in the book along with great photos, you end up with a superbly produced package—the kind that’s needed to make a compelling case for owning “physical product.”

This 40th anniversary box may be pricey, but I think anyone plunking down the dollars will come away from a first thorough listen and read feeling that it was money well spent!

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

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

News & Notes

2010-04-02T11:27:00.000-04:00

Fela Limited Edition 10" Vinyl For Record Store Day

To celebrate this year's Record Store Day and in continuation of spreading the Fela magic to new and old fans alike, Knitting Factory Records is proud to announce the release of a limited edition Fela Kuti 10" vinyl EP, available April 17.

Comprised of music from The '69 Live Sessions that were originally released on the first Fela Kuti and His Africa 70's Nigerian album release, this record perfectly bridges the transition Fela made from performing African highlife to Fela's afrobeat.

Act fast - this 33rpm, 140 gram vinyl is very limited! Head to your local independent record store on April 17 to find your copy of what is bound to be one of Record Store Day's hottest items.

Side A
1. My Lady Frustration
2. Wayo (2)

Side B
3. Lover
4. Eko

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The Steve Miller Band Loud and Proud Bingo

Loud & Proud Records is pleased to announce a worldwide partnership with American rock 'n' roll pioneers, The Steve Miller Band and Miller's new imprint Space Cowboy Records. Recorded at film producer George Lucas' infamous studios at Skywalker Ranch, BINGO! is the band's first studio album in 17 years. A true return to Miller's roots, BINGO! echoes his early years in the Chicago music scene and features carefully chosen and crafted tracks performed in distinctive Steve Miller Band fashion.

"With the continuing evolution of the music industry and all the new exciting opportunities that are available, I feel this is a perfect time to start a new record company and establish new innovative partnerships. I am looking forward to a long relationship with Roadrunner / Loud & Proud" says Miller of the new endeavor.

Early reaction from fans and industry insiders are comparing the album to Miller's 1968 masterpiece SAILOR. BINGO!, will be the first of two albums that were recorded together as a complete body of work, the second of which will be offered next year via the new label partnership.

"After many years of discussion and sharing ideas, the time has finally arrived for Loud & Proud and Steve Miller to work together," commented Loud & Proud President Tom Lipsky. "We are proud to be Steve's global label partner and excited to be involved with this landmark project."

The Steve Miller Band is one of the biggest selling recording, touring and catalog artists of all time, having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide throughout its career. SMB's Greatest Hits 74-78 compilation reached prestigious Diamond Award certification with sales of more than 13 million units sold.

BINGO! was co-produced by Andy Johns (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen), with artwork designed by the legendary Storm Thorgerson. These recordings feature longtime Steve Miller Band member Norton Buffalo, who sadly passed away in 2009.

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Just When You Thought You Have Heard Everything

Rod Stewart has sent a special gift to a fan who couldn't make it to one of his shows because she was under house arrest. Joan Higgins was fined $1,500 and confined to her home with an ankle bracelet after selling a goldfish to a 14-year-old minor. Stewart was outraged at the punishment for the Pet Shop Owner over such a minor crime, so he sent her two V.I.P. tickets to a show in July after her sentence is over.

Good thing she didn't sell the kid cigarettes, it would have been a death sentence!

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

I found a couple of vidoes on the best way to clean vinyl. I like the first one, looks interesting. The second? Never add water to a record while it is playing!

This video shows a method of cleaning LP records using steam. He uses a Perfection steamer and a record cleaning machine with vacuums, along with a set of brushes, Disc Doctor cleaner, and laboratory grade water. He uses distilled water in the steamer. He turns the turntable on, applies the cleaner, spreads it with a brush, and applies the steam while the record turns. After the steaming is done, he continues rubbing it with the brush, and turns on a vacuum. Next he runs the steamer of the record as a rinse for 8 or 9 seconds, then vacuums it again. He then applies the laboratory grade water and spreads that with the brush, then vacuums, repeats with the water and vacuums again. He uses an special tool to remove static, and it's done. He claims that the method demonstrated in this video is the best way to get records perfectly clean.

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

Do you have an old collection of vinyl records but can't keep them in good condition? First, take an empty syringe and fill it with clean water. Add the water from the syringe as the record plays. The water will spread throughout the record and increase the sound quality. The stylus also has to be properly cleaned. This will help you clean your old and dusty records, as well as help with recording music on your CDs.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Music News & Notes

2010-04-01T13:46:00.003-04:00

METALLICA and BLACK SABBATH team up for a 12" Vinyl on Record Store Day

Record Store Day,” has shown, once again, that records are far from crumbling at the feet of the downloading age. In urban pockets like NYC, down to the smallest record stores of Europe, Metallica and Black Sabbath will be gracing the shelves with a one-offer, joint 12-inch vinyl. One year after Metallica inducted Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both bands have teamed up for the joint release, which will come out on Record Store Day itself – which occurs every April 17th. The release will be limited to just 1,000 copies. It will feature a lyrically altered version of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” as well as UNKLE’s remix of Metallica’s “Frantic.”

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More Record Day News

Flaming Lips, Pavement & Fanfarlo Release Exclusive LPs & DVDs For Record Store Day

Flaming Lips and Stardeath and the White Dwarfs will see the first physical release of their album covering Pink Floyd's classic, Dark Side Of The Moon on Record Store Day 2010, to be released by Warner Bros on 12" seafoam green vinyl.

The UK's much-celebrated, David Bowie-championed Fanfarlo will release a 7"-single, "You Are One," and original tune b/w Fleetwood Mac's fantastic,"What Makes You Think You're The One," which the band recorded exclusively for the Record Store Day 7" during a day off in Berlin,

Indie rock trailblazers, Pavement will release a special Record Store Day version of their double album, Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement, a fully re-mastered 23-track compilation featuring tracks spanning their career from 1989 to 1999. This limited edition pressing features the track listing submitted by a contest-winning fan, and chosen by the band.

Sonic Youth make it back again for Record Store Day with vinyl reissues of their classic early albums, Confusion Is Sex, (on 12" white vinyl), EVOL (on 12" pink vinyl), and an Interscope release of Hits Are For Squares, a double-LP featuring 15 tracks selected by other artists with an exclusive new Sonic Youth track, "Slow Revolution

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cribs, Bloc Party records to be released for Wichita anniversary

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cribs and Bloc Party are among the bands issuing vinyl releases on Record Store Day (April 17) to mark the 10th anniversary of their record label Wichita.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs will re-release 500 copies of their 2001 self-titled EP on the day. The Cribs will issue their 2005 self-titled debut album on vinyl along with a bonus disc of early demos.

Bloc Party will issue their 2005 debut album 'Silent Alarm' on vinyl, with a seven-inch single, 'Little Thoughts'/'Storm And Stress' coming packaged with it. The latter two albums will be limited to 1,000 copies.

Simian Mobile Disco's 2007 debut LP 'Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release' will also be reissued as will Bright Eyes' 2000 album 'Fevers And Mirrors'. First Aid Kit and Peggy Sue will release a split seven-inch single, 'Josefin'/'I Read It In The Paper'.

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Oasis to release singles collection album in June 'Time Flies' is set for release on June 14

Oasis are to release a singles collection named 'Time Flies' on June 1. All of the band's singles released in the UK during their 15-year career – aside from 2000's 'Sunday Morning Call' – are featured on the 26-track compilation. A deluxe version of the compilation, featuring the band's music videos plus footage of their gig at the London Roundhouse on July 21 last year, will also be released.

The tracklisting of 'Time Flies' is:

'Supersonic'
'Roll With It'
'Live Forever'
'Wonderwall'
'Stop Crying Your Heart Out'
'Cigarettes & Alcohol'
'Songbird'
'Don’t Look Back In Anger'
'The Hindu Times'
'Stand By Me'
'Lord Don’t Slow Me Down'
'Shakermaker'
'All Around The World'
'Some Might Say'
'The Importance of Being Idle'
'D’You Know What I Mean?'
'Lyla'
'Let There Be Love'
'Go Let It Out'
'Who Feels Love?'
'Little By Little'
'The Shock Of The Lightning'
'She Is Love'
'Whatever'
'I’m Outta Time'
'Falling Down'

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The Cure to issue remastered 'Disintegration' album with unreleased songs 3CD set to be released on May 24

The Cure are set to release a remastered 3CD version of their 1989 album 'Disintegration' on May 24. The release will include previously-unreleased songs, demos and outtakes, plus a live version of the album as well as the remastered original disc.

The package was compiled by frontman Robert Smith, with the singer adding notes to a 20-page booklet that will be included in the release.

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The Jayhawks Release 1986 Debut Album on CD & Vinyl

For the first time on CD, the self-titled debut album from the highly-acclaimed, alt-country pioneers The Jayhawks will be released on May 18th by Lost Highway. The Jayhawks (often referred to by fans as The Bunkhouse album) was originally released in 1986 on Bunkhouse Records, with a pressing of only 2000 vinyl copies. Fans not fortunate enough to own a copy of The Jayhawks will be happy to know that it will finally be available on CD, and again on vinyl for the first time in nearly 25 years.

The Jayhawks reissue will include an eight-page booklet with new photos from the recording period and a new essay by Jayhawks co-founder Mark Olson about album producer and then band manager Charlie Pine. The tracks are the original thirteen songs that appeared on the album, including “Falling Star”, which recently resurfaced on Music From The North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (American Recordings/Legacy Recordings) in 2009.

The 1986 incarnation of The Jayhawks featured Mark Olson (vocals/guitar), Gary Louris (lead guitar/vocals), Marc Perlman (bass) and Norm Rogers (drums). After listening to The Jayhawks, it is clear why the band became a catalyst in the evolution of what would eventually be coined alt-country. The album has more in common with Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers than it does with later Jayhawks classics Tomorrow The Green Grass and Hollywood Town Hall.

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WHITECHAPEL: New Album Title, Artwork, Release Date Revealed

Knoxville, Tennessee death metallers WHITECHAPEL have set "A New Era Of Corruption" as the title of their third album, due on June 8 via Metal Blade Records. A song from the CD will make its online debut on April 12, "A New Era Of Corruption" was recorded at Audiohammer studios in Sanford, Florida with acclaimed producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER).

"The album is finally 100% complete and we couldn't be more excited. I think this record truly represents where we are as musicians at this point in our career," comments guitarist and founding member Alex Wade. "A New Era of Corruption' is the heaviest and most aggressive material we have written to date."

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DANZIG: New Album Artwork, Release Date Revealed

The charismatic and complex singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig is set to unleash his first new DANZIG studio album in six years. "Deth Red Sabaoth", produced by Glenn and recorded in Los Angeles over the course of 2009, will be released on June 22, 2010 (Evilive/The End Records). The 11-track collection, penned by Danzig, is laced with Glenn's lycanthropic growls and blues-infected wailing. Tracks including "Black Candy", "The Revengeful" and "On A Wicked Night" emit a spectral glow to rival the highest points in Danzig's colossal discography. Part I of the exquisite two-part "Pyre of Souls" opens with acoustic guitar, haunting piano, Glenn's plainsong vocal, and an almost dirge-like feel; Part II explodes with electric guitars and a driving, mesmerizing cadence.

DANZIG — Glenn, guitarist Tommy Victor, drummer Johnny Kelly and bassist Steve Zing (also an original member of SAMHAIN with Glenn) — plan to tour extensively to support "Deth Red Sabaoth"; dates will be announced shortly.

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DEW-SCENTED: New Album Artwork Unveiled

German thrashers DEW-SCENTED have unveiled the cover artwork for their new album, "Invocation", due on May 24 in Europe via Metal Blade Records and May 25 2010 in North America through Prosthetic Records. The artwork was created by Björn Goosses of Killustrations and can be viewed below. Commented vocalist Leif Jensen: "We were lucky to work with Björn again and he did an amazing job on this one, nailing down an apocalyptic artwork that fits perfectly to our style as well as the concept/vibe of 'Invocation'. Total thrash!

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Art exhibit features vinyl records

This Date In Music History-April 1

2010-04-01T13:40:00.001-04:00

Birthdays:

Debbie Reynolds (Mary Frances Reynolds) (1932)

James Edward Brown - The Browns (1934)

Blues singer Eddie King (1938)

Rudolph Isley - Isley Brothers (1939)

Phil Margo - Tokens (1942)

John Barbata - Turtles (1945)

Robin Scott - M (1947)

Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff (1948)

Simon Cowe - Lindisfarne (1948)

Jazz musician Gil Scott-Heron (1949)

Billy Currie - Ultravox (1952)

Mark White - ABC (1961)

Susan Boyle - Scottish singer, debut 2009 album 'I Dreamed a Dream' was the biggest selling album in the world in 2009 (1961)

Leslie Langston - Throwing Muses (1964)

Peter O'Toole - Hothouse Flowers (1965)

Clifford Smith, (Method Man) - Wu-Tang Clan (1971)

Hillary Scott - Lady Antebellum (1984)

They Are Missed:

In 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father at his parent's home in Los Angeles, California. The argument started after his parents squabbled over misplaced business documents, Gaye attempted to intervene, and was killed by his father using a gun he had given him four months before. Marvin Sr. was sentenced to six years of probation after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Charges of first-degree murder were dropped after doctors discovered Marvin Sr. had a brain tumor.

Born on this day in 1954, Jeff Porcaro, drums, Toto. Porcaro died on August 5, 1992.

Born today in 1942, Alan Blakley, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. He died of cancer 1st June 1996.

Born on this day in 1946, Ronnie Lane, bass player and vocalist with Small Faces. He died on June 4th 1997, (age 51), after a 20 year battle with multiple sclerosis.

Born today in 1946, Arthur Conley, US soul singer. He died of cancer on November 17, 2003.

Paul Atkinson guitarist with The Zombies died in 2004 (age 58) due to liver and kidney disease. He later became an artists and repertoire executive, working for Columbia and RCA discovering and signing such bands as ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr. Mister, Judas Priest, and Michael Penn.

History:

George Martin became the head of A&R for EMI's Parlophone label in 1955.

Elvis Presley released his fourth single in 1955, “Baby, Let’s Play House” backed with “I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone.”

Elvis Presley was given a screen test at Paramount Studios in Hollywood in 1956, acting the role of Jimmy Curry in a scene from 'The Rainmaker.'

After being rejected by no less than 30 labels, the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye Love” was released on Cadence Records in 1957. It hit #2 on the pop charts and topped the Country & Western charts.

In 1961, the Beatles began a three-month residency at The Top Ten Club, Hamburg, playing 92 straight nights. The group played for seven hours a night on weekdays and eight hours at weekends with a fifteen-minute break every hour. It was during this visit that Astrid Kirchherr cut Stuart Sutcliffe's hair into the style destined to become known as the "Beatle haircut" which The Beatles later adopted themselves.

Pye Records released David Bowie's first solo single in 1966, "Do Anything You Say." Bowie had previously recorded as David Jones and The Lower Third.

The Troggs recorded "Wild Thing" at Regent Sound Studio in London in 1966. The song went on to be a #1 US and #2 UK hit in June the following year.

In 1969, the Beach Boys announced that they were suing their record company for over $2 million in royalties. They also announced that they were starting a new record label called Brothers Records.

The "Woodstock" movie premiered in Hollywood in 1970.

Also in 1970, 50 musicians recorded the orchestral scores for The Beatles tracks "The Long And Winding Road" and "Across The Universe" for the Phil Spector produced sessions. The bill for the 50 musicians was $1.914.

In 1970, Ringo went into the studio to lay down the final drum tracks for the 'Let It Be' album. In the studio only with producer Phil Spector, he is the last Beatle to record anything for the group (until he, Paul and George work on 'The Beatles Anthology').

Stairway To Heaven was played on the radio for the first time in 1971. The Led Zeppelin song was part of a London concert recording that is played on the BBC’s John Peel Rock Hour. Over the ensuing decades, “Stairway To Heaven” becomes the most played song on the radio.

Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" was released in 1976.

The Who released the album "The Kids Are Alright" in 1979.

In 1985, David Lee Roth quit Van Halen shortly after releasing his version of The Beach Boys' "California Girls" (which featured Carl Wilson on background vocals). He was replaced by Sammy Hagar later in the year.

The "We Are the World" album was released in 1985.

The Bangles went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "Eternal Flame," also a #1 in the UK and the biggest selling single of 1989 in Australia.

Willie Nelson's tour bus crashed into a car in Riverdale, Canada in 1990, killing the car driver.

Nirvana’s classic single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," goes platinum (one million sales) in 1992. Also, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” was their first certified platinum album.

Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) walked away (actually jumps a six foot wall) from a rehab center in Marina del Rey and returns to Seattle in 1994. He killed himself four days later.

Santana started a nine week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2000 with "Maria Maria."

Paul McCartney’s 'Driving USA Tour' started in Oakland in 2002. While promoting his “Driving Rain” album, McCartney also performed Wings and Beatles classics. It’s the highest grossing tour of the year taking in more than $100 million.

Crazytown went back to #1 on the US singles chart in 2001 for two weeks with "Butterfly."

Indie rock band Modest Mouse were at #1 on the US album chart in 2007 with ‘We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.' The album featured former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr who joined the band in May 2006.

Pretty Odd, Panic At The Disco’s sophomore effort was released in 2008. The set featured the single, Nine In The Afternoon.

The last televised interview granted by John Lennon was released on DVD in 2008. The two-disc set, titled The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom and Ringo, features a '75 Lennon interview plus Snyder’s chats with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney and videos by Starr and (McCartney’s) Wings.

The Imagine A Better World collection, a line of ecologically friendly plush toys based on sketches John Lennon made for his son Sean, were made available in 2009. The collection includes stuffed elephants, rhinoceroses and giraffes made from organic terry cloth, natural corn fibers and other "green" fabrics.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

2010-03-31T10:18:00.003-04:00

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 29, 2010

DEAR JERRY: I know you are familiar with the singer Bertell Dache, but how much do you know about him?

I ask this because for as long as I can remember, music books, magazines, album liner notes, and more recently web sites, indicate Bertell Dache is merely a pseudonym used by Tony Orlando in the early 1960s.

As the story is sometimes told, Orlando was under contract at the time with Epic Records, and, as was somewhat common in those days, concealed his identity by using another name.

In fact, using fake names on records is something Orlando did on other occasions.

While not an exact vocal match, Bertell Dache sounded enough like Tony Orlando to float the claim.

Further fueling the story is that Carole King wrote, played on and sang on songs for both Orlando and Dache.

Then I ran across a recent (March 16) blog entry from palawanabe which says:
For 47 years, record collectors have claimed Bertell Dache is Tony Orlando, and radio DJs who specialize in artist bios have perpetuated that myth.
In my endless quest to collect those rare songs I recently came across a copy of “Not Just Tomorrow, But Always” (a 1961 answer to the Shirelles'
Will You Love Me Tomorrow) along with a picture of Bertell.
He is definitely not Tony Orlando, but a demo singer for Carole King and Gerry Goffin, as was Orlando at that same time. They did sound very similar and when Tony became popular a few years later, the rumor was off to the races.
Can you settle this conundrum once and for all?
Maurice Loveless, Carlisle, Pa.

DEAR MAURICE: With absolute certainty!

First, palawanabe is not alone. By way of Mitch Mitchell comes this very interesting take on the Dache story:

My name is Tom Diehl and I am a historian for the Diamond record label.

Diamond had an artist named Bert Dache who released one single in 1966, “Don't Stop the World for Me” (Diamond 202).

Bertell was indeed a real person, and a demo singer for Gerry Goffin and Carole King. He passed away in 1987. I have spoken to his nephew, his aunt and his mother, who have all confirmed that he was not Tony Orlando by providing copies of recording contracts, photos, etc. Some of my friends in the music industry also worked with Bert and confirm he was not Tony.

Session musician Artie Kaplan played saxophone on all of the Dache sides and songwriter Artie Wayne co-wrote some songs with Bert in the early '60s.

FYI: Carole King added her background vocals live to the mono mixes of his songs in a later session. She was never actually in the studio with Bert.

Thank you Tom and Mitch.

This case of mistaken identity, however believable it may have been, is an example of how an untrue story, if repeated often enough, can eventually be regarded as fact.

Count me among those who had no reason to doubt the legend, until just a few days ago I came across some very recently posted online photos of the late Dache. I knew immediately he and Tony Orlando were not the same person because Bertell was a black man.

Case closed!

IZ ZAT SO? Brief reference is made above to times when Tony Orlando really did record using a nom de guerre.

In 1969, using the name Billy Shields, Tony had a regional hit with I Was a Boy (Harbour 304), then as Wind, a Top 30 item titled Make Believe (Life 200).

Orlando returned in mid-1970 as Dawn, and scored four consecutive huge hits, Candida; Knock Three Times; I Play and Sing; and Summer Sand.

After those, the billing changed, first to Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando, then Tony Orlando & Dawn.

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 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

2010-03-31T10:16:00.000-04:00

Glen Campbell to Release Final Album, Do Last Tour

It's being reported that pop legend Glen Campbell is recording a new album and also planning to tour one last time before he retires. The album, which will be all new material, is being produced by Julian Raymond who told Billboard that all of the basic tracks have been laid down and the orchestral backgrounds will be recorded next week.

Raymond said "It's not your mother's Glen Campbell. He's playing guitar better than ever, singing and writing better than ever. It's really going to be a great final statement from him."

Guests on the album is Jakob Dylan, Chris Isaak, Paul Westerberg (who wrote the title track, Ghost on the Canvas), Bob Pollard, the Dandy Warhols, Steve Hunter, Wendy Melvoin (Prince) and drummer John Freese.

A release date for Ghost on the Canvas will be announced once a label deal is confirmed.

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

Crystal Castles Return With Ultra Limited, 12" Vinyl Only Single Next month...

Crystal Castles are set to return next month with an ultra limited edition single. 'Doe Deer' will be released on April 17th via Fiction Records / Lies Records on exclusive 12” vinyl only which will be limited to 500 copies around the globe. Billed as a “typically abrasive and sonically arresting” track, there will be no CD or download release of 'Doe Deer'.

The Canadian electronica duo's second album is expected to follow in June. The group will also play a live show at London's Heaven on April 20 as part of a string of low key worldwide dates. All tickets are completely sold-out.

The 'Doe Deer' track-listing is as follows:

A1 - 'Doe Deer'
A2 - 'Mother Knows Best' (2004 guitar version)
B1 - 'Insectica' (2004 guitar version)
B2 - 'Seed' (2004 guitar version)

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

Green Day Go 'Back To Basics' For New Album

Green Day have begun working on their new album, one which singer Billie Joe Armstrong has described as “back to basics." The band recorded demos for the follow-up to 2009's '21st Century breakdown' during their recent world tour.

In an interview with MTV, Armstrong said it was “too early” to know whether the new album would follow their punk past.

"It's just been songwriting right now,” he said. “Instead of doing it later on, we decided to start doing stuff now. “It's all back to the basics again. Just getting in a room together and start jamming.” Cool....

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

R.E.M. 30th Anniversary

Athens, Georgia will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of R.E.M.'s first performance as a band this coming weekend. Included will be bus tours visiting important sites in Athens' Music History, a three day retrospective of R.E.M. concert films and rarities and a tribute concert. Although R.E.M. announced the weekend on their website, there in no mention of them making an appearance. I would think that they will, just a hunch....

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Roger Dean Talks 'Avatar' at Retrospective

2010-03-30T11:14:00.002-04:00

A special thank you to author Cathy Rose A. Garcia for allowing me to reprint this wonderful article

``Osibisa'' is the original work by British cover artist Roger Dean, which was also used for the cover of Osibisa's 1971 self-titled album. Courtesy of Roger Dean

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

One look at the floating islands in British artist Roger Dean's landscapes and the first thing that comes to mind is ``Avatar.''

But Dean was creating these lush, otherworldly landscapes in the early 1970s, decades before director James Cameron even started work on the billion-dollar-blockbuster. Days after the film came out the Internet was abuzz as fans discussed the striking similarities between Dean's fantasy world and Cameron's Pandora planet.

Dean, who was in Seoul last week for the opening of his retrospective ``Dragon's Dream'' at the Daelim Contemporary Art Museum, Tongui-dong, Jongno, remained tight-lipped whether he will pursue legal action against Cameron.

``The only thing I will say is I am extremely grateful to these millions of people online who have recognized the similarities and talked about my works. It's a great honor that so many people recognized it. I didn't know there were that many people who would remember my work,'' he said, during a press conference at the museum.

Dean apologized for not being able to talk about the matter, but hinted of future developments, saying: ``I'm sorry I can't say much about it, but watch this space.''

``Dragon's Dream'' is the largest retrospective of Dean's works, which include original paintings; original album covers for the rock bands Yes, Uriah Heap, Gun and Asia; and design logos.

``This is exciting for me because this is the biggest exhibition of my work that I have ever seen. It is wonderful that we have my works all in one place. Some of the pictures have never been exhibited before, and some have never been shown since the 1970s,'' he said.

Dean's career in cover art started in 1968. After designing Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, record label executives were impressed and asked him to do art cover for then a new band named Gun's album ``Race with the Devil."

``It was an intriguing thing for me. I never thought to do cover art. ... They continued to ask me to do jazz albums with very austere graphic designs. At that time I wanted to go and do more rock 'n' roll. So with my portfolio, I went around London, knocking on doors and asking for work,'' he said.

In 1971, Dean did his first covers for Osibisa (``Osibisa'') and Yes (``Fragile''), which attracted a lot of attention and made him a sought-after cover artist.

His album cover art was distinguished by a dreamy, surrealistic quality that matched progressive rock music. Dean created a world of floating rock islands with pine trees and flying dragons that most people would label as ``fantasy,'' but he disagrees.

``I never thought of it as fantasy. Essentially, I paint landscapes. Most are real, like the trees, but I add something that is not real like waterfalls with no source of water or rocks that float. But these are all inspired by places I've seen,'' he said. For instance, some of his landscapes with rock formations were inspired by American deserts.

Some of Dean's paintings are now worth as much as $2.5 million, but he takes more pleasure in the fact that his album covers have reached millions of people around the world. ``I definitely feel happiest when millions buy the albums. ... Basically, I only paint three or four paintings a year and if I sell one, it is a great honor for me,'' he said.

Rock music by Yes, Uriah Heap and Asia are played at the museum to get viewers into the right mood while looking at Dean's works.

Interestingly enough, the silvery-haired artist is not influenced by the music of the bands whose covers he makes. ``I talk to the band about the ideas they want to convey through their music. ... (But) I'm not reinterpreting their music. I listen to what they're saying about their music,'' he said.

While he loves different genres of music, Dean doesn't listen to music when working on his paintings and designs. ``When I listen to music, it's for the mood, but not for the creativity,'' he said.

Dean is also a designer, who has worked on logos and stage design and architecture. One of his most famous logos is for the video game Tetris, which has been played by millions of people around the world.

The ``Dragon's Dream'' exhibition runs through June 6. Tickets are 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students. Visit http://www.daelimmuseum.org/.

SOURCE: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr

This Date In Music History-March 30

2010-03-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Rolf Harris (1930) (1963 US #3 single "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport")

Graeme Edge - Moody Blues (1942)

Ronnie Rice - New Colony 6 (1944)

Eric Clapton (1945)

Jim Dandy - Black Oak Arkansas (1948)

Dave Ball - Procol Harum (1950)

Re Styles - Tubes (1950)

MC Hammer (1962)

Tracy Chapman (1964)

Celine Dion (1968)

Mark McClelland - Snow Patrol (1976)

Norah Jones (1979)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1955, Randy VanWarmer, singer/songwriter, (1979 US #4 single "Just When I Needed You Most"). He died of leukaemia on January 12, 2004.

Timi Yuro, died from throat cancer in 2004 (age 62). Was just 18 years old when she reached #4 on the US charts in 1961 with "Hurt."

Born today in 1913, Frankie Laine, popular singer. He died on February 6, 2007

Born on this day in 1973, Adam Goldstein, DJ AM. Worked with Crazy Town, Blink 182, Madonna and Will Smith. Died on Aug 28, 2009 of an accidental drug overdose.

History:

In 1957, Buddy Knox became the first artist in the Rock 'n' Roll era to write his own number one hit when "Party Doll" topped the US singles chart. Knox would go on to score four more US Top 40 hits between 1957 and 1961.

The Chiffons started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1963 with "He’s So Fine." In 1971 George Harrison was taken to court accused of copying the song on his 1970 "My Sweet Lord" and ordered to pay $587,000 to the writers.

16 year-old Lesley Gore recorded her breakthrough hit, "It's My Party" in 1963. The song produced by Quincy Jones went on to be a US #1.

Lesley Gore first appears on TV in 1963, on ABC's "American Bandstand."

Paris police arrested 85 rioters at a Rolling Stones concert there in 1966.

Lip-sync mishap in 1967 - Jimi Hendrix was appearing on Top of the Pops, but instead of playing the "Purple Haze" tape, a studio tech rolled Alan Price’s "Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear." "I don’t know the words to that one," Hendrix calmly states.

Also in 1967, the photo session took place at Chelsea Manor studios in London with Michael Cooper for the cover of The Beatles 'Sgt Pepper's' album. A release was needed from all the living persons represented on the cover. Mae West initially declines but is later won over by a personal request from the group. After the shoot The Beatles resumed work at Abbey Road studios on ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ adding guitars, bass, tambourine, and backing vocals. The session began at 11:00 pm and ends at 7:30 am.

The Yardbirds performed and recorded "Live Yardbirds" at the Anderson Theater in 1968.

John Denver went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with "Sunshine On My Shoulders," the singers first of four US #1's. Denver was killed in a plane crash on October 12, 1997.

The Sex Pistols played their first show in 1976 at The 100 club, London and they began a weekly residency at the club in June.

The Eagles’ “Hotel California” hits the top of the album chart in 1977.

Paul Simonon and Topper Headon of the Clash were arrested in London in 1978 for shooting pigeons from the roof of a rehearsal hall.

Genesis released “England By The Pound” in 1980.

Phil Collins started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "One More Night," his second US #1 hit.

Gloria Estefan started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Coming Out Of The Dark."

R.E.M. started recording sessions for their 'Automatic For The People' album at Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, New York in 1992.

Pink Floyd released the album "The Division Bell" in 1994.

Rapper Scarface was at #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with ‘The Untouchable.’

In 2001, LeAnn Rimes reached an out of court settlement with her father and her former manager. The country star filed a lawsuit claiming the pair had stolen $12 million from her.

It was announced in 2006 that Courtney Love had sold a 25-percent share of her stake in Nirvana's publishing rights to Larry Mestel, of Primary Wave Music Publishing. "I needed a partner to take Kurt Cobain's songs and bring them into the future and into the next generation," says Love. " The grapevine claimed that Love made more than $50 million on the deal.

In 2007, a man was arrested by police and detained under the Mental Health Act after trying to force his way into Paul McCartney’s mansion, screaming: “I must get to him.” The middle-aged man burst through security patrols into McCartney’s isolated Sussex estate; guards who feared an assassination attempt were scrambled to intercept him as he sped towards the front door. He was finally halted by trees and a fence just yards from Sir Paul’s six-bedroom home at Peasmarsh.

Guitars signed by Bruce Springsteen, the Who's Pete Townshend and Sting were up for bid at the third annual Musicians On Call Benefit Concert and Auction in New York in 2007. The event helped support the organization's program of entertaining hospital patients through live and recorded music.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

New Music Releases - March 30, 2010

2010-03-29T18:34:00.000-04:00

Buy all your music here at SoundStageDirect.com!

.38 Special - Authorized Bootleg: Nassau Coliseum Uniondale NY
Adam Green - Minor Love (vinyl)
Alan Jackson - Freight Train
Alex Welsh & His Ba - Wild Bill Davidson With Alex Welsh
Alexis Cole - Someday My Prince Will Come
Amy Grant - Somewhere Down the Road
Amy Grant - The Breakout Years
Angus & Julia Stone - Down The Way
Anita O'Day - Cool Heat
Annuals - Sweet Sister
Anton Quart Delecca - Lost City
Art Ensemble Of Chicago - Go Home / Chi Congo
Art Pepper - Among Friends
Art Pepper - Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
Arthur Brown - Requiem/Speak No Tech
autoKratz - Animal
Bamboos - 4
Barenaked Ladies - All In Good Time
Benny Carter / Roy Eldridge - Urbane Jazz
Beth Orton - Trailer Park (vinyl reissue)
Bill Evans (Trio) - Live At Lulu White's
Black Francis (aka Frank Black) - NonStopErotik
Black Tambourine - Black Tambourine (vinyl)
Blossom Dearie - Once Upon A Summertime/My Gentleman Friend
Blues Explosion - Dirty Shirt Rock N' Roll: The First Ten Years
Bob Welch - Greatest Hits
Bobby Caldwell - Consummate
Brad Treeby & The S - Wake Your Soul
Brian Lynch - Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra
Brian Smith - Rendezvous
Caravan - World Is Yours Box Set (4 CDs)
Catherine Wheel - Ferment (reissue with bonus tracks)
Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um
Chet Baker - Mellow Jazz
Christian Scott - Yesterday You Said Tomorrow
Cinematic Orchestra (DJ Mix) - Late Night Tales
Circus Devils - Mother Skinny (vinyl)
Cobblestone Jazz - Modern Deep Left Quartet
Coleman Hawkins - Mellow Jazz
Conway Twitty - Country Hits
Count Basie - One More Time
Dave Brubeck - Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection
Dave Brubeck - Jazz At Oberlin
Dave Brubeck - Mellow Jazz
David Grisman - Live
Deep Purple - Live in Montreux 1969 (2 CDs)
Dexter Gordon - Mellow Jazz
Dickie Betts - Great Southern / Atlanta Burning
Dio - Sacred Heart
Dizzy Gillespie Quintet - Complete Studio Recordings
Django Reinhardt - Complete Solo Guitar & Duet Recordings
Django Reinhardt - Plays The Music Of Porter & Kern
Don Rendell & Ian Carr Quintet - Live At The Union 1966
Donna Fargo - Country Hits
Drake - Thank Me Later
Duke Ellington - Brunswick Sessions, Vol. 1
Duke Ellington - Side By Side
Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be (vinyl)
Eddie Higgins - Essential Standards Best
Eddie Higgins - Portraits Of Love
Edward Gordon Larry - Soul Jazz Records Presents Celestial
Ella Fitzgerald - Best Of Irving Berlin
Ellington Men - Big Sound
Emil Viklicky - Sinfonietta: Janacek Of Jazz
Envy On The Coast - LowCountry
Eric Alexander - Lazy Afternoon: Gentle Ballads IV
Eric Dolphy / Charles Mingus - Complete Bremen Concert
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah, Part II: Return Of The Ankh
Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn (vinyl)
Felice Brothers - Mix Tape
Florence and the Machine - Dog Days are Over
Francois Couturier - Un Jour Si Blanc
Frank Kimbrough - Rumors
Frank Sinatra - I Remember Tommy
Frank Sinatra - It Might As Well Be Swing
Frank Sinatra - L.A. Is My Lady
Frank Sinatra - Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back
Frank Sinatra - She Shot Me Down
Frank Sinatra - Sinatra & Strings
Franz Nicolay - Saint Sebastian of the Short Stage EP (vinyl)
Frightened Rabbit - Liver! Lung! FR!
Froy Aagre - Cycle Of Silence
Fyer-Barnhart Intern - Break In The Lakes
Galaxie 500 - On Fire (remastered with bonus CD)
Galaxie 500 - This Is Our Music (remastered with bonus CD)
Galaxie 500 - Today (remastered with bonus CD)
Gerald Albright - Sax For Stacks
Gerry Mulligan - In Sweden
Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Meth Ghost, Rae - Wu Massacre
Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller In Hollywood
Grace Jones - Live in NYC & London: 1981
Graeme Bell & His D - 1947 & 1948
Graham Parker - Imaginary Television (Vinyl)
Gretchen Wilson - I Got Your Country Right Here
Helen Humes - New Million Dollar Secret
Helge Ensembl Sunde - Finding Nymo
Helloween - Unarmed: Best of 25th Anniversary (CD/DVD)
Henry Mancini - Icons (4 CDs)
Herman Dune - Next Year in Zion (vinyl)
Hiriam Bullock - Late Night Talk
Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs - Medicine County
Jaared - Manhattan Nights
Jackie O Motherfucker - Ballads of the Revolution
Jackson 5 - J Is for Jackson 5
Jawbreaker - Unfun (reissue with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Jay-Jay Johanson - Original Album Classics
Jazz Crusaders - Live At The Lighthouse
Jedi Mind Tricks – Army of The Pharaohs: The Unholy Terror
Joan Armatrading - This Charming Life
John Coltrane - Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection
John Coltrane - Mellow Jazz
John Coltrane / Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane
John Dankworth & Cleo Laine - Jazz Matters
John McLaughlin - The Early Recordings
John di Martino - Romantic Jazz Trio: Moliendo Cafe
Jon Secada - Clasico
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Dirty Shirt Rock n' Roll: The First Ten Years
Judas Priest - British Steel (Picture Disc)
Judas Priest - Killing Machine (Vinyl)
Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East (Vinyl)
Ken Camden - Lethargy & Repercussion
Ken Vandermark - Chicago Volume
Ken Vandermark - Milwaukee Volume
Kenny Rankin - After The Roses
Kids in Glass Houses - Dirt
Lady Gaga - Telephone: The Remixes
Lali Puna - Our Inventions
Laraaji / Edward Gordon Larry - Soul Jazz Records Presents Celestial Vibration
Living Sisters - Love to Live
Loner - Western Sci Fi
Louis Armstrong - In Sweden
Lucky Millinder - Shorty's Got To Go
Mae - (a)fternoon
Marc Mommaas - Landmarc
Martial Solal - Complete Recordings
Matthew Ryan - Concussion (reissue)
Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis - Live In Berlin 1969
Miles Davis - Mellow Jazz
Miles Davis - Round About Midnight
Miles Davis - Walkin'
Mishka - Talk About
Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Steps Ahead (vinyl)
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Henry's Dream (remastered)
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Tender Prey (remastered)
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - The Good Son (remastered)
Nikki Parrott - Fly Me To The Moon
Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Plays The Cole Porter Songbook
PJ Harvey and John Parish - A Woman A Man Walked By
Paper Tongues - Paper Tongues
Pat Travers & Carmine Appice - Keep on Rocking (CD/DVD)
Peter Brotzmann - Woodcuts
Pop A La Catalana: Jazz Bossa & Groovy Sounds From - Pop A La Catalana: Jazz Bossa & Groovy Sounds From
Raekwon, Ghostface Killer and Method Man - Wu-Massacre
Ralph Marterie - Into The 1950'S
Red Garland Trio - Groovy
Renato Sellani - O Sole Mio
Roy Acuff - End of the World
Roy Eldridge - Urbane Jazz Of Roy Eldridge
Samuel Hallkvist - Center
Sarah Vaughan - Masters Of American Music: Divine One 6 - DVD-Video
Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan With Clifford Brown
Savannah Churchill - Time Out For Tears
Seasick Steve - Man From Another Time
Serena-Maneesh - No 2: Abyss in B Minor (vinyl)
Sidney Bechet / Martial Solal - Complete Recordings
Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme (remastered)
Sinead O'Connor - Throw Down Your Arms (vinyl)
Slow Club - Yeah, So
Sneaky Thieves - Brotherly
Sonny Rolllins - Mellow Jazz
Stacey Kent - Raconte Moi
Stan Getz - Mellow Jazz
Stefano Battaglia - Pastorale
Steve Waddells - Steve Waddells Creole Bells 1979 & 19
Strange Boys - Be Brave (vinyl)
Sun Ra - Space Is the Place (soundtrack) (vinyl)
Tarlton - Evergreens
The Contribution - Which Way World
The Go Find - Everybody Knows It's Gonna Happen Only Not Tonight
The Revere - The Great City [digital release]
The Twilight Sad - Room (vinyl)
Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane (remastered)
Thelonious Monk - Monk (vinyl reissue)
Tiny Grimes - Loch Lomond
Tomasz Stanko - Dark Eyes
Turin Brakes - Outbursts
UB40 - Labour of Love 4
Usher - Raymond v. Raymond
Various Artists - Bob Dylan's Radio Radio 3 (4 CDs)
Various Artists - Dark As a Dungeon: Songs of the Mines
Various Artists - Hey Jude: Tributo a Los Beatles
Various Artists - Quantic Presents: The World's Rarest Funk 45's
Various Artists - Soviet Funk Vol. 2 (vinyl)
Various Artists - Stax Number Ones
Various Artists - Up In The Air (Music From The Motion Picture) (blue translucent vinyl)
We Are The Union - Great Leaps Forward [digital release]
White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights (2-LP, CD & 3-DVD Limited Edition Box Set)
Wooden Shjips - Vol. 2 (vinyl)
Wu-Tang - The Wu-Massacre

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Music News

2010-03-29T18:33:00.000-04:00

Warner Bros. Records and DEVO Announce the Release of Re-Mastered Versions of "DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE" and "NEW TRADITIONALISTS" From Ohio Art-Rock Pioneers

"Fresh" DEVO Vinyl Available on Record Store Day; DEVO to Perform on ABC TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on April 20th

BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - March 29, 2010) - Electro-art-rock iconoclasts DEVO celebrate their early recorded works from the Warner Bros. Records vaults with remastered vinyl and expanded CD editions of their second album, 1979's "DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE," and their fourth album, 1981's "NEW TRADITIONALISTS." "DUTY NOW" will be available beginning on April 17th, Record Store Day, on vinyl while "NEW TRADITIONALISTS" will follow on May 11th.

Both albums have been re-mastered from the original analog recordings and housed in DEVO-luxish packages with a plethora of bonus tracks. Both titles will be released on CD as well as color vinyl album packages and both will include the Bonus Tracks. Please see below for track listings. The reissues follow last year's expanded first and third groundbreaking albums: "Q: ARE WE NOT MEN? A: WE ARE DEVO!" and "FREEDOM OF CHOICE."

Also available on April 17th, will be a Warner Bros. Records Record Store Day Exclusive DEVO release of two brand new recordings: "Fresh," backed with "What We Do," in pristine, Limited Edition 12" color vinyl glory. These will disappear fast so don't delay on Record Store Day!

As previously announced, DEVO will perform live at the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA on Record Store Day -- April 17th -- where fans can buy RSD releases in the Zia Records tent on the festival grounds. All the more reason to come out and hear some brand new, focus group-tested/approved DEVO songs and buy new DEVO music and merch.

As an added bonus, DEVO will host a rare signing session in the Record Store Day Tent, powered by Zia Records where fans can meet DEVO and have your new DEVOlicious purchases autographed by the band on April 17th, at the Coachella Festival. Strangely enough, over 300 Record stores across the U.S. will celebrate RSD in grand DEVO tradition as their employees will be outfitted in exclusive DEVO Energy Domes. Clearly, the Spud Patrol will be in full effect coast to coast and ready to serve YOU, the faithful, beloved Consumer.

Just a few days after Coachella on April 20th, DEVO will perform live on the outdoor stage of ABC TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live." This is DEVO's first live television appearance in several years. Tune in to ABC TV at 12:05AM PST and 11:05 CT. Check local listings for details.

Want to get "Fresh," now? Go to: http://www.clubdevo.com/. Stay tuned for more details about DEVO's plans for a new album to be released later this year.

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Rhino Spins New Vinyl For Record Store Day

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Rhino Records) - For many music geeks, the local indie record store is a safe haven, a place to loiter for hours as they flip endlessly through bins of music and pepper clerks with questions about obscurities in the hopes of discovering a new contender for their Top Five list of favorites. To celebrate the spirit that unites this unique culture, Rhino will offer several limited edition vinyl releases for this year's Record Store Day that spotlight Jeff Beck, Pantera, The Doors and Joy Division. Each will be available at independently owned music stores on Saturday, April 17.

The first is an exclusive 7" single that contains The Doors' "People Are Strange" backed by "The Crystal Ship." The vinyl coincides with When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors, which will receive its theatrical release in select markets April 9.

Released in a limited edition of only 2,500 copies.

Next, Atco/Rhino will release a vinyl pressing of Jeff Beck'sEmotion and Commotion, Pantera's Cowboys From Hell,Vulgar Display of PowerandFar Beyond Driven, and Joy Division: Boxed Set.

For a list of participating stores and more information on Record Store Day, visit http://www.recordstoreday.com/.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

This Date In Music History-March 28

2010-03-28T11:25:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Chuck Portz - Turtles (1945)

John Evans - Jethro Tull (1948)

Milan Williams - Commodores (1948)

Reba McEntire (1954)

Steve Turner - Mudhoney (1965)

Cheryl James (Salt) - Salt-n-Pepa (1969)

James Atkin - EMF (1969)

Mr. Cheeks - Lost Boyz (1971)

Dave Keuning - Killers (1976)

Lady Gaga (1986) Her 2008 single "Poker Face" reached #1 in twenty countries

They Are Missed:

Delta blues singer and guitarist Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup died of a stroke in 1974 (age 69). He wrote "That's All Right (Mama)," covered by Elvis Presley.

Freaky Tah (Lost Boyz) was killed in 1999 by a ski-masked gunman who came up behind him and fired a single gunshot into his head. Freaky Tah was 27 years old.

History:

Eddie Cochran recorded the epic cut "Summertime Blues" in 1958.

In 1958, Buddy Holly kicked off the first night of a 43 date tour at Brooklyn Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. The Alan Freed’s Big Beat Show also featured Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, The Diamonds, Billy Ford, Danny & The Juniors, The Chantels, Larry Williams, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Pastels, Jo-Ann Campbell and Ed Townsend. On most days the acts played two shows.

Brenda Lee recorded "I'm Sorry" in 1960.

Radio Caroline goes on the air in 1963. The pirate radio station (actually a ship broadcasting off the English coast) gives music fans an alternative to the BBC. The first song aired is the Rolling Stones’ "Not Fade Away" (written and originally recorded by Buddy Holly).

Madame Tussauds, London unveiled the wax works images of The Beatles in 1964 - the first pop stars to be honored.

In 1967, working on session for the new Beatles album 'Sgt Pepper' at Abbey Road studios in London, John Lennon recorded his lead vocal for "Good Morning Good Morning" and Paul McCartney added a lead guitar solo to the track. Lennon had decided he wanted to end the song with animal sound effects and asked that they be sequenced in such a way that each successive animal was capable of scaring or eating the preceding one. Hmmmm, I did not know that.

Van Morrison recorded the classic song "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967.

Joe Cocker played his first American concert in 1969.

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's "Woodstock" was released in 1970.

Elvis Presley recorded "Burning Love" in 1972.

In 1976, Genesis began their first North American tour since Peter Gabriel left the band, appearing in Buffalo, New York, with Phil Collins taking over as lead singer.

Blondie started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Rapture," which was the group's fourth US #1 hit.

Also in 1981, Elton John's version of The Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There" was released as a tribute to John Lennon.

David Crosby was arrested in 1982 after crashing his car on the San Diego Highway. Police also found cocaine and a pistol in the Crosby Stills & Nash stars car. When the police asked Crosby why he carried the gun, his reply was, "John Lennon."

In 1986 - More than 6,000 radio stations of all format varieties played "We are the World" simultaneously at 10:15 a.m. EST.

Over a $100,000 worth of damage was caused at The Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, California in 1992, when Ozzy Osbourne invited the first two rows of the audience on stage. Several others took up the offer and the band was forced to exit the stage.

After bassist Chris Novoselic and drummer David Grohl threaten to disband Nirvana in 1994 if their singer/songwriter/guitarist Kurt Cobain doesn’t get drug treatment, Cobain enters the SoCal Exodus Recovery Center. This is after Cobain nearly dies from an OD in Rome only weeks earlier. Cobain walks out three days later.

In 1995, country singer Lyle Lovett and actress Julia Roberts announced they were separating after 21 months of marriage.

In 1996, Phil Collins announced that he was leaving Genesis to concentrate on his solo career.

Kiss played the first of five sold-out nights on their Alive II world Tour at the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in 1998.

In 2000, Jimmy Page accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages from a magazine which claimed he had caused or contributed to the death of his Led Zeppelin bandmate John Bonham. Page's solicitor, Norman Chapman, told High Court Judge Mr Justice Morland that the feature in Ministry magazine printed in 1999 claimed Page was more concerned with keeping vomit off his bed than saving his friend's life, and that he stood over him wearing Satanist robes and performing a useless spell.

The artist formerly known as both Puffy and Puff Daddy said in an interview on MTV in 2001 that he now wanted to be known as P. Diddy. In August 2005, he changed his stage name to simply "Diddy." In related news, I now want to be called 'Bob Diddy'...

After playing a warm-up date the night before at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, U2 kicked off their Vertigo tour at the iPay One Center in San Diego, California in 2005. The 131 date world tour would see the band playing in North America, Europe, South America and Japan. By the time it finished, the Vertigo Tour had sold 4,619,021 tickets, grossing $389 million; the second-highest figure ever for a world tour.

In 2006, Tina Brown, the sister-in-law of Whitney Houston, sold pictures taken in her bathroom to the National Enquirer claiming Whitney Houston had been taking crack cocaine. The pictures showed drug paraphernalia including a crack-smoking pipe, rolling papers, cocaine-caked spoons and cigarette ends strewn across the surface tops of the bathroom.

Kelly Clarkson started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2009 with ‘All I Ever Wanted’, the singer’s fourth studio album.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Music News & Notes

2010-03-26T21:22:00.004-04:00

WARBEAST: Final 'Krush The Enemy' Artwork Unveiled

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Dead Weather Tour Dates:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jimi Hendrix Rock Band Edition Confirmed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HELMET To Release 'Seeing Eye Dog' In June

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

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

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

ROBERT PLANT And BAND OF JOY Planning New Tour, Album

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

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

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

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

Robert Plant and the BAND OF JOY tour dates:

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Michael Fremer Album Review

2010-03-26T12:46:00.002-04:00

F**k Buttons (new release)
Tarot Sport

ATPR Records LP35 2 180g LPs

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

Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-03-01

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Date In Music History-March 26

2010-03-26T11:35:00.001-04:00

Birthdays:

Diana Ross - Supremes (1944)

Fred Paris - Five Satins (1946)

Richard Tandy - Electric Light Orchestra (1948)

Steven Tyler - Aerosmith (1948)

Fran Sheehan - Boston (1949)

James Jonas Iha - Smashing Pumpkins (1968)

Kenny Chesney (1968)

Juvenile (1975)

They Are Missed:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

History:

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

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

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

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

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

The film "Tommy" premiered in London in 1975.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

New Album Cover Art

2010-03-25T12:41:00.000-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

Lacrimosa Reveals New Album "Schattenspiel" Artwork

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

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Interesting Vidoes

2010-03-25T12:38:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of videos that caught my eye, I hope that you enjoy them as well:

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

2010-03-24T11:34:00.003-04:00

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 22, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Date In Music History-March 24

2010-03-24T11:18:00.001-04:00

Birthdays:

Dave Appell - Applejacks (1922)

Lee Oskar - War (1946)

Nick Lowe (1949)

Dougie Thompson - Supertramp (1951)

Nena (1960)

Sharon Corr - Corrs (1970)

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

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

They Are Missed:

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

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

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

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

History:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

New Music Releases-March 23, 2010

2010-03-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

Buy all your new music here at SoundStageDirect!

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Music News & Notes

2010-03-23T10:58:00.001-04:00

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

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

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

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Springsteen Joining In On Record Store Day

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

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ATP Recordings Record Store Day EP

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

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

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

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

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Culture Club 30th Anniversary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels and .38 Special Summer Tour

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

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

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

The dates announced so far:

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

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."

Classic Alice in Chains Albums Reissued

2010-03-22T13:06:00.002-04:00

(I-Newswire) March 22, 2010 - Doylestown, PA (Press Release 2010): SoundStageDirect, a leading online vinyl lp retailer, announces the reissue of two classic Alice in Chains albums: "Sap" and "Jar of Flies." Originally released in 1992 and 1994 as follow-ups to both of Alice in Chains' full-length releases, these new imports have been remastered on 180-gram vinyl and packaged together as a two-disc set. Available on vinyl again for the first time in years, only 2,000 copies of this limited-edition vinyl record package are being pressed.

Ever the stalwart of the Seattle rock scene that exploded in the wake of Nirvana’s success, Alice in Chains’ trademark hybrid of blues and metal paved the way for their own stardom. With videos in heavy rotation on TV, a cameo in Cameron Crowe’s “Singles,” an early-90s Gen X take on dating and relationships, and headlining tours, the sky seemed the limit for the foursome. Sadly, the death of front man Layne Staley in 2002 nearly spelled the end of the band until reuniting in 2006 and releasing a new album in 2009.

Both “Sap” and “Jar of Flies” represented significant departures from the moody, dropped-D Seattle sound showcased on their other efforts. Instead of plugging in, Alice in Chains took acoustic guitars into the studio and hardly missed a beat. "Sap" features lauded guests from the Seattle music scene, including Ann Wilson of Heart, Chris Cornell, then of Soundgarden, and Mark Arm of Mudhoney. "Jar of Flies" built on the exploratory sound of its predecessor, showcasing a softer sound and introducing arrangements and instruments previously unheard on any Alice in Chains' material. As a result, the first single, "No Excuses," yielded the band their first number-one position on the rock charts.

While the early 90s spotlight has since faded from the Pacific Northwest, the sound showcased on both these records is still vibrant and a reminder of the inherent capabilities within the hard rock genre. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of rock vinyl history and hear "Sap" and "Jar of Flies" as you've never before or for the first time.

Visit: http://www.soundstagedirect.com/

Company Contact Information
SoundStageDirect
Seth Frank
212 Decatur St., Ste. 201
18901
Phone : 267.247.5051

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

2010-03-22T12:03:00.000-04:00

Week Ending 03/20/2010

1. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $13,496.38

2. EP - Black Flag "Nervous Breakdown" SST 1st Press SEALED - $4,200.00

3. 45 - The Cosmic Rays "Sombody's In Love" / "Bye Bye" Saturn - $3,150.00

4. LP - Rolling Stones "Some Girls" Acetate outtakes - $2,499.00

5. LP - Tudor Lodge "self titled" Vertigo - $2,428.09

More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 7:00PM Eastern / 4:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata. http://shows.radiodentata.com/shows/accidental-nostalgia/

This Date In Music History-March 22

2010-03-22T11:59:00.000-04:00

Birthdays:

Composer, lyricist Stephen Sondheim (1930)

Roger Whittaker (1936)

George Benson (1943)

Tony McPhee - Groundhogs (1944)

Jeremy Clyde - Chad & Jeremy (1944)

Harry Vanda - Easybeats (1947)

Patrick Olive - Hot Chocolate (1947)

Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948)

Susanne Sulley- Human League (1963)

John Otto - Limp Bizkit (1977)

Aaron Wright North - Nine Inch Nails (1979)

Rapper Shawn Mims (1981)

They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1943, Keith Relf, vocals, The Yardbirds. Relf died on May 14, 1976 from an electric shock received while playing his electric guitar at home.

Born today in 1948, Randy Hobbs, bass guitarist, Johnny Winter group and the McCoys. Hobbs died on August 5, 1993 from a drug overdose (age 45).

Mark Dinning ("Teen Angel") died of a heart attack in 1986.

Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio died of lymphoma in 1991.

Singer, songwriter, producer Dan Hartman died of a brain tumor in Westport, Connecticut in 1994. Was a member of the Edgar Winter Group and wrote the band's hit "Free Ride." Had the 1978 #1 dance hit "Instant Replay," collaborated with Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Young, James Brown, Holly Johnson and Steve Winwood.

In 2005, Rod Price, former member of Black Cat Bones and a founding member of Foghat, died after falling down a stairway at his home after suffering a heart attack. The 57 year-old English guitarist played on Foghat's highest charting US single "Slow Ride," a hit in 1976.

History:

While driving to New York for appearances on 'The Perry Como Show' in 1956, and 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' the car that Carl Perkins was traveling in was involved in an accident, putting Perkins in hospital for several months. The singer received four broken ribs and a broken shoulder, his brother Jay was killed in the accident.

Hank Williams Jr. made his stage debut in Swainsboro, GA, in 1958 at the age of eight.

The Beatles and The New York Twisters appeared at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England in 1962.

The Beatles' first album, 'Please Please Me' was released in the UK in 1963.

Bob Dylan's first electric album 'Bring it All Back Home' was released in 1965.

Elvis Presley's 'Easy Come, Easy Go' movie opened in 1967.

US police arrested all the members from The Allman Brothers Band for heroin and marijuana possession in 1971.

Frankie Valli went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You," his first solo #1.

Led Zeppelin started a six week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with 'Physical Graffiti,' the group's fourth US #1 album.

In 1976, while on the campaign trail, presidential candidate Jimmy Carter announced that he listened to the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin for inspiration while working late nights as Georgia’s governor. Despite quoting Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday,” he was elected president.

The Police were signed to A&M Records in 1978.

Also in 1978, the Rutles' "All You Need Is Cash," an affectionate spoof of the Beatles' career, was broadcast for the first time in the US.

Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall" started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1980 (also #1 in the UK).

In 1984, Queen filmed the video for "I Want To Break Free" at Limehouse Studio in London, England. Directed by David Mallet, it was a parody of the northern British soap opera Coronation Street with the band members dressed in drag. Guitarist Brian May later said the video ruined the band in America, and was initially banned by MTV in the US.

Heart went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1986 with "These Dreams."

In 1989, Dick Clark stepped down as host of American Bandstand after a mere 33 years.

Puff Daddy featuring Mase started a six week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1997 with "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down," his first US #1.

Britney Spears' album '...Baby One More Time' was certified triple platinum by the RIAA in 1999.

In 2004, Ozzy Osbourne was voted the nation's favorite ambassador to welcome aliens to planet Earth. The 55 year-old singer topped a Yahoo poll as the face people wanted to represent them to alien life. Umm OK if you say so....

Also in 2004, a new book claimed that Elvis Presley’s ancestors came from a small village called Lonmay in the North East of Scotland. Author Allan Morrison said he’d found evidence that Elvis’s great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was married in the village 300 years ago. And my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather invented the wheel.....

Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was charged with two counts of battery in 2004, more than three months after a New Year`s Eve scuffle with sheriff`s deputies at a Naples, FL, hotel. Deputies say the fight started when the guitarist`s son refused to get off the stage at The Ritz-Carlton, where the house band was performing. Lifeson tried to intervene when deputies escorted his son off the property.

The Black Crowes reunited for five shows at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom in 2005.

In 2005, 'Devil's Playground' was Billy Idol’s first album of new material in twelve years. He claimed Grunge’s popularity, a drug problem and no outlet for his music kept him away. The set includes numerous contributions from guitarist/collaborator Steve Stevens. "Scream" was the first single.

In 2007, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger reported that the band's charity single "If Everyone Cared" raised more than $200,000 for Amnesty International and International Children's Awareness Canada. "If you can take that power and turn it toward positivity and awareness and trying to make a world a better place that's a great motive," says Kroeger.

Country singer Alan Jackson was at #1 on the US album chart in 2008 with his fifteenth solo album ‘Good Time.’

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music and vinyl record collecting. He also serves as a contributor to SoundStageDirect, LLC at http://www.soundstagedirect.com. Mr. Benson also operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com where you can pick up a copy of his eBook "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."