In 1897, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillip Sousa was performed for the first time, at a ceremony in Philadelphia where a statue of George Washington was unveiled.

In 1937, Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra recorded "Caravan."

In 1952, Tex Ritter recorded "High Noon" for the movie of the same name starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. A version of the song by Frankie Laine eclipsed Ritter's rendition on the Billboard pop chart.

In 1955, Bo Diddley's tune "Bo Diddley" debuts on the US R&B chart, where it will stay for 18 weeks, climbing to #1. The song will become his most successful record and introduces what will be known as the Bo Diddley beat.

In 1956, Patti Page released the single "Allegheny Moon."

In 1956, Buddy Holly was fitted with contact lenses for his 20 / 800 eyes.  Although they cost him $125, Holly can't get used to them and will revert to his trademark glasses.

In 1956, 'The Platters' was released.  It was the group's first album.

In 1957, Nat "King" Cole recorded "Send For Me."

In 1959, at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood, Frank Sinatra recorded "Talk To Me."

In 1959, jazz clarinetist/saxophonist/composer Sidney Bechet died of lung cancer on his 62nd birthday.

In 1960, the Silver Beats (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) performed at Lathom Hall, Seaforth, Liverpool. They played a few songs during the "interval" to audition for promoter Brian Kelly.  Also appearing are Cliff Roberts & the Rockers, the Deltones, and Kingsize Taylor & the Dominoes. This is the only occasion on which the group uses the name "Silver Beats," quickly changing it back to "Silver Beetles."

In 1962, singer Helen Shapiro, at age 15, became the youngest entertainer to headline at the London Palladium.

In 1963, at A&R Studios in New York City with Quincy Jones as producer, Lesley Gore recorded "Judy's Turn To Cry." It was released on Gore's first album 'I'll Cry If I Want To' and also as a single which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #10 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

In 1964, at Radio Recorders in West Hollywood, Elvis Presley completed the song "Roustabout" by overdubbing his vocal onto an instrumental track recorded April 29.

In 1966, the Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" enters the Billboard Hot 100 for the ninth time. It only stayed on the charts for two weeks, going to #97. When it was first released in 1963, it made it to #2.

In 1967, the Turtles performed "Happy Together" and "She'd Rather Be With Me" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1968, Paul McCartney and John Lennon were guests on NBC's "Tonight Show." Unfortunately, Johnny Carson was on vacation that week, and his guest host, sportscaster Joe Garagiola, had almost no idea what to talk about with the pair. At one point, he actually asked which one of the two was Ringo. The disastrous interview was cut short so as to give the appearance that the two Beatles had somewhere else to go.

In 1968, the Rascals recorded "People Got To Be Free," (released the following July 1st) a song written by the group because of the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. It will become their fourth and final million-selling single. After this song came out, the group performed only at concerts that also featured an African-American act. The Rascals cancelled several shows in protest when those conditions were not met.

In 1968, Elvis Presley met with NBC-TV producer Bob Finkel who was in charge of Elvis' upcoming Christmas special for Singer, and told him he wanted to use this event to reintroduce and prove himself to a contemporary audience.

In 1976, 33 year old Keith Relf, former lead singer for the Yardbirds, was electrocuted while tuning a guitar which was not properly grounded. The accident happened in his West London home where he was found by his eight year old son, still holding the plugged-in electric guitar. His voice can be heard on such British Invasion classics as "For Your Love,""Heart Full of Soul,""I Ain't Got You," and "Shapes of Things."

In 1977, "When I Need You" becomes Leo Sayer's second straight Billboard #1 single, following last January's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing." It was also #1 in the UK.

In 1983, Spandau Ballet topped the UK album chart with their third studio LP, 'True.' The title track spent four weeks at #1 on the UK singles charts, and went to #4 in America.

In 1985, at the White House, Michael Jackson received a humanitarian award from U.S. President Ronald Reagan for his work against drunk driving.

In 1988, Atlantic Records celebrates its 40th anniversary with a star-studded bash at New York's Madison Square Garden. The show features reunions of Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees, the Rascals, Genesis, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Wilson Pickett, the Coasters, Yes, Foreigner, and many others.

In 1990, Conway Twitty's album 'The Very Best Of Conway Twitty' was certified Platinum.

In 1992, the album 'Revenge' was released by KISS. The album featured a new drummer, Eric Singer.

In 1993, the acoustic guitar that Elvis Presley used to make his first recordings, "That's All Right Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" in 1954, sold for $152,000 at an auction in London, England.  Four Super Hero costumes worn by the group KISS sold for $35,385.

In 1995, the Rolling Stones sold out two New York-area stadium shows in 81 minutes, an average of 1400 tickets every 60 seconds.

In 1997, jazz singer/actress Thelma Carpenter died following a heart attack at age 75.

On May 14, 1998, Frank Sinatra died at the age of 82 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. He had his first hit in 1940 and went on to have over 30 US and 40 UK Top 40 singles. 

In 2000, Tom Jones' album 'Reload' was at the top of the UK album chart, making him the oldest artist (60) to ever score a UK #1 album with new material.

In 2002, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard were presented with the Icon Award as part of the fiftieth annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

In 2002, "We Will Rock You," the Queen musical, opened in London's West End.

In 2004, Phil Spector was arrested at his California mansion after getting into an altercation with his chauffeur. The 64-year-old record producer was taken into custody, then released after a court date was set.

In 2005, a judge in Springfield, Massachusetts, ordered rapper 50 Cent to stay off drugs and take an anger management course to avoid spending time in jail. The rapper appeared in court charged with assaulting three women after leaping into a concert crowd in 2004.

In 2008, in Los Angeles, Metallica began a 26-date tour with a concert at the Wiltern Theatre.

In 2009, two weeks after he appeared on American Idol, Neil Diamond topped the Billboard Hot 200 album chart for the first time in his career when 'Home Before Dark' went to number one. The closest he came before was with the 1973 soundtrack to 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull,' which reached #2.

In 2013, the Massachusetts Appeals Court reinstated a defamation lawsuit filed by Boston founder Tom Scholz against the ex-wife of the band's late lead singer, Brad Delp. Delp committed suicide in 2007 and Scholz claimed that remarks Micki Delp made to the Boston Herald could be construed as blaming Scholz for his death.

birthdays today include (among others):  Jack Bruce (Cream) (71), Gene Cornish (Rascals) (68), Al Ciner (American Breed) (67), Jerry Beckenstein (Spyro Gyra) (63), David Byrne (Talking Heads) (62), Steve Hogarth (Marillion) (58), C.C. Deville (Poison) (52), Ian Astbury (Cult) (52), Mike Inez (Alice in Chains) (48) and Fabrice Morvan (Milli Vanilli) (48)

from our friends at www.soundstagedirect.com

Saturday Night Fever (Pre-Order) by The Bee Gees

No popular music act of the '60s, '70s, '80s, or '90s attracted a more varied audience than the Bee Gees. Beginning in the mid- to late '60s as a Beatlesque ensemble, they quickly developed as songwriters and singers to create a style of their own that carried them from psychedelia to progressive pop. Then, after hitting a popular trough, they reinvented themselves as perhaps the most successful white soul act of all time. What remained a constant throughout their history is their extraordinary singing, rooted in three voices that were appealing individually and melded together perfectly.

The Bee Gees were a pop music group that was founded in 1958. The group's line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio were successful for most of their decades of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a rock act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as prominent performers of the disco music era in the late 1970s. The group sang recognisable three-part tight harmonies; Robin's clear vibrato lead vocals were a hallmark of their earlier hits, while Barry's R&B falsetto became their signature sound during the late 1970s and 1980s. They wrote all of their own hits, as well as writing and producing several major hits for other artists.

Tracklist:
1. "Stayin' Alive" performed by The Bee Gees 
2. "How Deep Is Your Love" performed by The Bee Gees 
3. "Night Fever" performed by The Bee Gees 
4. "More Than a Woman" performed by The Bee Gees 
5. "If I Can't Have You" performed by Yvonne Elliman 
6. "A Fifth of Beethoven" performed by Walter Murphy 
7. "More Than a Woman" performed by Tavares 
8. "Manhattan Skyline" performed by David Shire 
9. "Calypso Breakdown" performed by Ralph MacDonald 
10. "Night on Disco Mountain" performed by David Shire 
11. "Open Sesame" performed by Kool & the Gang 
12. "Jive Talkin'" performed by The Bee Gees 
13. "You Should Be Dancing" performed by The Bee Gees 
14. "Boogie Shoes" performed by KC & the Sunshine Band 
15. "Salsation" performed by David Shire 
16. "K-Jee" performed by MFSB 
17. "Disco Inferno" performed by The Trammps 

Pre-Order at HERE



Batman Begins OST (Pre-Order) by Hans Zimmer

A super limited colored vinyl reissue of Batman Begins, the first film soundtrack in the batman trilogy. A first time ever coloured vinyl release for this much admired and innovative Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard score.

Limited Edition Orange Vinyl
Gatefold Sleeve Double Album

Pre-Order at SoundStageDirect



This Week's Bestselling Vinyl Records at SoundStageDirect

1. Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (Pre-Order)
2. Jack White - Lazaretto (Pre-Order)
3. Dave Matthews Band - Remember Two Things (Pre-Order)
4. Hans Zimmer - Batman Begins OST (Pre-Order)
5. The Mars Volta - Amputechture (Pre-Order)
6. MFSL Original Master Record Sleeves (50)
7. Blind Melon - Blind Melon (Pre-Order)
8. The Black Keys - Turn Blue
9. Various Artists - The Big Lebowski
10. Led Zeppelin II (Pre-Order)

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from our friends at EnjoyTheRideRecords

Reel Big Fish- Turn The Radio Off 2xLp

Reel Big Fish- Turn The Radio Off on Vinyl FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!

• Limited to 1000 Total Copies
• 500 copies on Orange/Green Swirl (ETR WEBSTORE Exclusive)
• 500 copies on Green Vinyl (Hot Topic will have 350 copies available in a few weeks and ETR has the remaining 150 while they last)

Pressed at 45rpm for optimal sound quality and housed in a Full Color Gatefold Jacket & Center Labels

Track Listing 
1 Sell Out 3:46 
2 Trendy 2:26 
3 Join The Club 2:23 
4 She Has A Girlfriend Now 3:06 
5 Snoop Dog, Baby 3:24 
6 Beer 3:31 
7 241 2:43 
8 Everything Sucks 2:43 
9 S.R. (Suburban Rhythm) 1:25 
10 Skatanic 3:16 
11 All I Want Is More 3:06 
12 Nothin' 2:28 
13 Say "Ten" 2:09 
14 I'll Never Be 3:15 
15 Alternative, Baby 2:56 
16 Off 3:57

**THIS RELEASE IS IN HAND BUT MAY TAKE UP TO 2 WEEK TO SHIP (If ordered on or around 5/13/14)**

Order at EnjoyTheRiderRecords

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from RoboticEmpire

CAVE IN’s The Sacrifice Poles Vinyl

We are thrilled to announce the availability of CAVE IN‘s elusive mid-period album The Sacrifice Poles, which Robodog Records originally released on CD back in 2001. Comprised entirely of instrumental 4-track recordings from 1998-2000, The Sacrifice Poles sees CAVE IN heavily experimenting during writing blocks between Until Your Heart Stops and Jupiter. Largely unlike either release due to the creative process, the album remains unmistakably “Cave In” and is a surprising window into one of rock music’s most amazing transitions.

Aside from “Brain Candle Waltz”, all material has stayed exclusive to this release and we are thrilled to finally present it on vinyl, over 13 years later. Aaron Turner’s stark original artwork and layout has been meticulously re-created from archived artist proofs, for a 5-color silkscreened LP jacket printed by brethren at Broken Press.

All audio for both vinyl and digital formats has been separately remastered by James Plotkin in 2014 for a warmer, fuller sound. Pressed in an edition of 500 copies, 300 were made on translucent blue vinyl and 200 on black vinyl. All LP copies include a high quality digital download.

This officially drops on May 27th but we’re too damn stoked and have put up our mailorder copies now!

Get your copy HERE

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Chelsea Grin Announce New Album

Chelsea Grin have announced the summer release of a new album called 'Ashes To Ashes.'

Featuring fifteen tracks recorded over the first several months of the year, the record will serve as the band’s third full-length LP. It is set for a July 8th release via Artery Recordings and will be supported by the band throughout the fall on numerous tours

Get a copy at ArteryRecordings

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Neil Young records instant vinyl on The Tonight Show







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The complete music of Monty Python to be collected in 9LP box set







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Coliseun Prep Expanded Reissue Of Debut LP











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LED ZEPPELIN: Video Of Unboxing Of 'Super Deluxe' Reissue Of Second Album








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Robert Plant reveals release date for new solo album











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Oakland Museum takes 'Vinyl' off the shelf








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Iconic artist and record sleeve designer H.R. Giger has died











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from EasyStreetOnline

Top Ten Best Sellers - Week Ending May 11, 2014

1. Screaming Trees - "Last Words: The Final Recordings" (RSD) is no longer available
2. Horrors - Luminous
3. Neil Young - Letter Home
4. Beck - Morning Phase
5. Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power
6. Chad Vangaalen - Shrink Dust
7. La Luz - It's Alive
8. Portishead - Portishead
9. Mac Demarco - Salad Days
10  Pixies - Indie Cindy

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Amazon's Top Ten Best Selling Vinyl

1. XSCAPE ~ Michael Jackson
2. White Women (2xLP+MP3) ~ Chromeo
3. Led Zeppelin II ~ Led Zeppelin
4. Led Zeppelin III ~ Led Zeppelin
5. Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charie Brown ~ Vince Guaraldi Trio
6. Violator (180 Gram Vinyl) ~ Depeche Mode
7. Lost In The Dream ~ The War on Drugs
8. Happy ~ Pharrell Williams
9. the long goodbye (lcd soundsystem live at madison square garden) ~ LCD Soundsystem
10. Wolf (2LP+CD) ~ The Creator Tyler


Amazon's Top Ten Best Selling Music

1. XSCAPE (Deluxe Edition CD\DVD) ~ Michael Jackson
2. Turn Blue ~ The Black Keys
3. Frozen 2 Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack ~ Demi Lovato
4. Ghost Stories ~ Coldplay
5. Rewind ~ Rascal Flatts
6. Blue Smoke ~ Dolly Parton
7. Shine On ~ Sarah McLachlan
8. Unrepentant Geraldines (Deluxe Edition) ~ Tori Amos
9. Disney's Karaoke Series: Frozen ~ Disney Karaoke Series
10. Natalie Merchant ~ Natalie Merchant

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 5/05 - 5/11, 2014

Vinyl Top 25:
1. The 1975 - The 1975
2. Neil Young - A Letter Home
3. Ray Lamontagne - Supernova
4. Tune-Yards - Nikki Nack
5. J Dilla - Donuts (smile cover)
6. Atmosphere - Southsiders
7. Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line
8. Fox Fun - Be Out 7"
9. Temples - Sun Structures
10. Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
11. Van Morrison - Moondance
12. Nikki Lane - All Or Nothin'
13. Ben & Ellen Harper - Childhood Home
14. Mac Demarco - Salad Days
15. Beck - Morning Phase
16. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires Of The City
17. Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain
18. Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde (MFSL 1/2 speed master cut at 45rpm)
19. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
20. Lykke Li - I Never Learn
21. The Apache Relay - The Apache Relay
22. N.E.R.D. - In Search Of
23. Courtney Barnett - Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas
24. Ingrid Michaelson - Lights Out
25. Cannonball Adderley - Something Else

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album cover art of the day:


NervoChaos Reveals New Album "The Art Of Vengeance" Details

In 1954, at the Hi Hat Club in Memphis, a local truck driver named Elvis Presley auditioned with the house band and was told he would never make it as a singer.

In 1958, Patti Page recorded "Left Right Out Of Your Heart."

In 1959, Elvis Presley scored his fourth #1 on the UK singles chart with "A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Love Tonight."

In 1961, Floyd Cramer was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "On The Rebound." The US singer's only UK #1. The Nashville pianist played on many Elvis Presley hits.

In 1961, Brenda Lee guest-starred on the Danny Thomas sitcom "Make Room For Daddy" on CBS-TV.

In 1963, during a UK tour, the Beatles performed at the Royalty Theatre in Chester. The set list was: "Some Other Guy,""Thank You Girl,""Do You Want to Know a Secret,""Please Please Me,""You Really Got a Hold on Me,""I Saw Her Standing There" and "From Me To You."

In 1963, the winners of the fifth annual Grammy Awards are announced. Record of the Year was Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Peter, Paul And Mary's "If I Had a Hammer" won both Best Performance by a Vocal Group and Best Folk Recording.

In 1964, the Smothers Brothers performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.

In 1965, the Byrds enter the Billboard Pop chart for the first time with their version of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man," which will climb to #1 by June.

In 1965, Bob Dylan’s single "Subterranean Homesick Blues" peaked at #39 in the US charts, giving Dylan his first US top 40 hit. John Lennon was reported to find the song so captivating that he didn't know how he'd be able to write a song that could compete with it.

In 1967, Paul McCartney met American photographer Linda Eastman for the first time, during a Georgie Fame concert at the Bag O'Nails nightclub in London, England. They married on March 12, 1969.

In 1968, George Harrison and Ringo Starr attended the premiere of 'Wonderwall' at the Cannes Film Festival. The 1968 film by first-time director Joe Massot starred Jack MacGowran and Jane Birkin, and featured cameos by Anita Pallenberg. The soundtrack was composed by then-Beatle George Harrison. The film provides the name for the Oasis track "Wonderwall," which was inspired by George Harrison's score.

In 1970, the Carpenters released the single "(They Long To Be) Close To You." It became their breakthrough hit. The song stayed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.  The Carpenters also earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus in 1971 for the soft rock release

In 1971, two short films by John Lennon were shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

In 1971, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Elvis Presley recorded "Merry Christmas, Baby."

In 1971, Pink Floyd play at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London. Performing in front of a large lake, legend tell us that a number of fish were killed by the loud music.

In 1971, Crosby Stills Nash & Young scored their second #1 album with '4 Way Street.' The live album featured recordings from shows at the Fillmore East, New York, and the Forum, Los Angeles.

In 1972, in Studio A at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit, the Temptations began recording "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Additional sessions on June 14, 22 and 28 completed the track.

In 1973, the Pointer Sisters, former Boz Scaggs and Elvin Bishop backup singers, made their stage debut with their own act at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles.

In 1974, Frank Zappa and his wife announced the birth of their third child, a boy named Ahmet Rodan, after the Japanese movie monster that lived of a steady diet of 707 planes.

In 1975, the latest, most famous and successful Fleetwood Mac lineup – Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks – played their first show together in El Paso, Texas.

In 1976, saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra for 24 years, died at the age of 53, a few days before Duke Ellington's death. Mercer Ellington refused to tell Duke of Gonsalves' passing, fearing the shock might further accelerate his father's decline. For a brief period of time, the bodies of Ellington and Gonsalves, along with trombonist Tyree Glenn, laid side-by-side in the same New York funeral home.

In 1976, the Rolling Stones went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Black And Blue,' the group's sixth US #1 album. The band's first studio album released with Ronnie Wood as the replacement for Mick Taylor featured the hit "Fool To Cry."

In 1977, at the Academy of Music in New York, Procol Harum played their last live show together.

In 1980, the Sex Pistols film, 'The Great Rock and Roll Swindle,' was released.

In 1981, former Sex Pistol John Lydon's band Public Image Ltd performed a show at New York's Ritz Club posing behind a video screen while the music was played from tapes. They were showered with missiles and eventually booed off stage.

In 1982, Asia went to #1 on the US album chart with their self-titled album. It spent a total of nine weeks at the top position and became the best-selling album in the US for the year 1982. The supergroup included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely bassist/vocalist John Wetton (formerly in Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, U.K. and Wishbone Ash), guitarist Steve Howe (formerly in Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (of Yes and The Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (formerly in The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster and Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Asia's logo and cover artwork were created by Roger Dean.

In 1982, five weeks after first appearing on the Billboard Pop chart, "Ebony and Ivory" reached #1. The Paul McCartney / Stevie Wonder duet would stay at the top for seven weeks. It was also a #1 hit in the UK.

In 1982, after cracking the Billboard Top 40 in 1980 with "Angel Say No," the four man Rock group from San Francisco named Tommy Tutone reached #5 with "867-5309 / Jenny." Lead singer Tommy Heath said that he really does know a girl named Jenny whose parent's phone number was 867-5309. Many folks with that phone number had it changed to avoid prank calls. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Everclear, Foo Fighters, Less Than Jake, Bracket, Crease, Jenny's Gentleman, the Goo Goo Dolls and Nirvana.

In 1984, Nils Lofgren joined Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.

In 1989, pianist/songwriter/arranger/conductor (movie soundtracks for West Side Story, An American In Paris, Easter Parade, Raintree County, High Society, Oliver!)/Songwriters Hall of Famer Johnny Green died at 80.

In 1992, 44 year old Barbara Lee Jones of the Chiffons, suffered a fatal heart attack. The group had a string of hits in the mid-60s, including "He's So Fine,""One Fine Day" and "Sweet Talkin' Guy."

In 1993, Janet Jackson started a eight week run at #1 on the singles chart with "That's The Way Love Goes," her sixth US #1, a #2 hit in the UK.

In 1994, Blur scored their first UK #1 album with ‘Parklife,' which went on to spend over two years on the chart. The album featured four UK hit singles: "Girls & Boys,""End of a Century,""Parklife" and "To the End." In the year following its release the album came to define the emerging Britpop scene. The album cover was among the ten chosen by the Royal Mail for a set of "Classic Album Cover" postage stamps issued in January 2010. 

In 1995, in Pasadena, California, singer Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots was arrested for cocaine and heroin possession. Upon conviction, he was ordered to spend four to six months in a drug treatment center, which forced cancellation of the group's summer 1996 tour.

In 1996, the earliest film footage of the Beatles, performing at the Casanova Club on February 14, 1961, was broadcast by Britain's ITV. The film, without sound, was found in a Liverpool home.

In 1997, Courtney Love sold the Seattle mansion she shared with Kurt Cobain. A local family purchased the house in the salubrious Denny Blaine area for $3m.

In 1997, Oasis became one of the first artists to attempt to exert censorship over the Internet. The group were working with Sony to put an end to unofficial websites carrying lyrics, sound files and photographs of the band.

In 1999, Rob Gretton manager of Joy Division and New Order died aged 46. He was also a partner in Factory Records, proprietor of the Rob's Records label and a co-founder along with Tony Wilson of The Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, England.

In 2000, songwriter Geoff Goddard died aged 62. Wrote "Johnny Remember Me," and played keyboards on the Tornadoes 1962 #1 hit "Telstar." Wrote songs for Heinz, Mike Berry, the Outlaws, Freddie Starr and Screaming Lord Sutch.

In 2001, Brian Pendleton of the Pretty Things died of cancer aged 57. The band's 1974 album 'Silk Torpedo' was the first album release on Led Zeppelin's own label Swan Song.

In 2003, June Carter Cash died at the age of 73 after complications from heart surgery. Along with Merle Kilgore, June wrote the Johnny Cash hit "Ring of Fire" about their stormy courtship. That song became the biggest hit of his career, staying at number one in the US for seven weeks. Actress Reese Witherspoon portrayed June in the 2005 film 'Walk The Line.'

In 2004, the Beastie Boys played a secret show in London to promote their new album, To the 5 Boroughs.

In 2008, Neil Diamond reached the top of the US Billboard album chart for the first time in his career with ‘Home Before Dark,' his 29th studio album. His previous highest chart position was in 1973 when the soundtrack to the film 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' peaked at #2. At the age of 67, Diamond became the oldest artist to have a US #1, the record was previously held by Bob Dylan in 2006 with ‘Modern Times,’ released when he was 65.

In 2008, composer (TV's Star Trek, Daniel Boone, Lost in Space, Judd for the Defense, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea)/arranger/orchestrator Alexander Courage died at the age of 88.

In 2008, pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader Bob Florence died at age 75.

In 2009, Randy Bachman, a founding member of the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaelle Jean in a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The Order of Canada is the country's highest civilian honor and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement.

In 2011, singer Bob Flanigan, last surviving founding member of the Four Freshmen, died of congestive heart failure at the age of 84.

birthdays today include (among others):  Trini Lopez (77), Lenny Welch (76), K.T. Oslin (73), Brian Eno (66), Dennis Fredericksen (Toto) (63), Mike Oldfield (61), and Jessica Sutta (Pussycat Dolls) (32)

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 12, 2014

DEAR JERRY:I guess the wackiest Record Store Day gimmick ever now belongs to Jack White.

He recorded two songs live, then, within four hours, had 45 rpm singles made and on sale in his retail store, Third Man Records.

Now Jack holds the record for the fastest time ever from the completed recording to retail sales.

Can you add any more info, because this is all I know now.
—Butch Fanning, Memphis, Tenn.


DEAR BUTCH: You don't mention it, but you should know all of this took place about 150 miles from you, at Third Man Records in Nashville, on Saturday April 19th.

It was a special event on a special day, appropriately billed as the World's Fastest Studio-to-Store Record in history, an otherwise ordinary seven-inch single, with live versions of "Lazaretto," a Jack White original, and his reworking of Elvis Presley's "Power of My Love." This tune maintains the Tennessee connection as it first appeared on the 1969 LP, "From Elvis in Memphis."

Using numerous sources, I have pieced together a timeline of that day's highlights:

7:00: Doors at Third Man Records swing open, and the crowd, some of whom spent the night in the parking lot, pours in. Many go directly to claim seats in their concert venue, known as the Blue Room. Others start shopping and having breakfast.

10:00: The Blue Room is packed when Jack White and five bandmates take the stage and run through some warm-up numbers. In an adjacent studio, engineers put a blank acetate (rigid plastic disc with an aluminum center) on a cutting lathe. With what looks like a tone arm playing a record, this device is cutting the audio signal right into the plastic in real time. Most records were mastered this way before the advent of magnetic tape. When finished, the seven-inch 45 rpm acetate can be played on any record player, amazingly similar to burning music on a blank compact disc, then immediately hearing it on a CD player.

When Jack and the band get their start cue from the engineers, they perform "Lazaretto," and that is Side One of the acetate. The band then awaits their cue indicating the acetate has been flipped and they can now do "Power of My Love."

10:40: With both sides now on the acetate, which is now serving as the master, the official timing begins. The master is carefully boxed, and put in the care of Third Man Patrol Traffic Officers J. Baker and E. Poncherello. Riding motor scooters, they make the short trip to the United Record Pressing plant.

10:49: The master is handed over to URP, who were expecting the disc and knew exactly what to do. Since it's Saturday, a day the plant would normally be closed, they work on White's record uninterrupted. Having the pressing plant all to themselves is the crucial difference between getting records in hours rather than eight to 10 weeks.

1:30: After giving a full Blue Room concert, Jack White joins the gang at URP.

2:15-2:20: White is right there when the first records, now in custom picture sleeves, drop into the completed bin. The photo on the sleeve is of that morning's concert.

Jack grabs the first three copies, literally, hot off the press. He then races back to Third Man Records, where there is a long line of anxious buyers, well aware that they are now part of music history. A TMR associate will bring the rest of the records back to the store.

2:35: The clock stops as the first three customers step up to the counter and buy their copies from Jack White personally. All three are members of Whirlwind Heat, a Grand Rapids band, who will be performing in the Blue Room later that afternoon.

From the moment the master was recorded to the first retail sale did indeed take less than four hours, 3:55:21 to be exact.

The finished product (TMR-280) proudly states "Recorded Direct-to-Acetate 4.19.14 - World's Fastest Studio to Store Phonographic Record."

The plan was to produce as many records as necessary to see that everyone in attendance got one. Unofficially, we were told that required production of between 200 and 300 made.

Other than being at the Nashville Third Man store on Record Store Day, the only way to obtain a copy of the World's Fastest Studio-to-Store Record is via the secondary market.

Just on eBay, for example, over 50 have been sold so far, at prices that have varied widely … and wildly.

The first few offered fetched from $450 to $650. In just days, prices quickly dropped into the $300 to $400 range.

As of this writing (April 30), copies can be bought for $100 to $200.

Sometimes the early bird does catch the worm, but not without paying double for it.


IZ ZAT SO? There really is no "official" world record, such as those authenticated by Guinness, for the quickest recording-to-retail product; however, if one did exist, the previous holder would likely be Sir Elton John.

On September 6, 1997, at her funeral, Elton sang a newly-written "Candle in the Wind" tribute to Princess Diana. This would be the first and last time he ever performed this version.

Despite being besieged with requests to buy the tune, the first press releases stated there would be no recordings of this version sold.

They changed their mind on this after seeing how many radio stations simply took the recording from the televised (worldwide) event and played it as if it were a new single.

The official release was in UK stores on September 11, making it only five days from recording to retail. It could have been even faster if they didn't at first decide not to release it.

All "Candle in the Wind 1997" did was sell over 33 million records, making it the second best-selling single of all time. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" has sold about 50 million.

In 1953, "Crazy, Man, Crazy" by Bill Haley & His Comets was their first chart entry and also the first rock 'n' roll record to make the Billboard pop music chart.

On this day in 1959, "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison was the #1 song.

In 1960, according to a story in Billboard magazine, Detroit music producer/songwriter Berry Gordy was planning to start three of his own record labels, including one called Motown.

In 1964, 21 year old Mary Wells led the Billboard Pop chart with the Smokey Robinson written "My Guy." The record was Wells' 9th Top 40 entry and would prove to be her highest charting US single. It made #5 in the UK.

In 1965, while driving away from a gig at the Civic Hall, Long Beach, California, the limo taking the Rolling Stones back to their hotel was besieged by fans who caved in the roof by standing on it. The band attempted to hold the roof up while their chauffeur drove off with bodies falling onto the road.

In 1965, the Beach Boys appear on the Ed Sullivan Show performing their latest hit, "Help Me Rhonda."

In 1966, the Beatles continued working on the George Harrison composition "Taxman," the opening cut on their 'Revolver' album. The initial recording was done an April 20 and the track was completed on June 21.

On May 16, 1966, the Beach Boys released the album 'Pet Sounds' in the US. It features songs such as "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows." The album is now regarded as the masterpiece of composer-producer Brian Wilson, and is often hailed as one of the best and most influential albums in popular music.  Paul McCartney picked it as one of his favorite albums of all time.  It was ranked #2 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

In 1968, at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Tony Joe White recorded his composition, "Polk Salad Annie." The song describes the lifestyle of a poor rural Southern girl and her family. Traditionally, the term to describe the type of food highlighted in the song is polk or poke sallet, a product of pokeweed. Billy Swan, singer of the 1974 hit "I Can Help," was the producer. The single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1969, Jefferson Airplane bass player Jack Cassady is arrested for possession of marijuana at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans.  At his trial he gets a 2½ year suspended sentence.

In 1969, John Lennon, declared "an inadmissible immigrant to the US," seeks a visa to visit America. Lennon's standing visa was revoked by the US Embassy in London ten days before because of his drug conviction in November 1968.

Also in 1969, Pete Townshend of the Who spent a night in jail in New York City after being charged with assault. The group was performing at the Fillmore East when a fire broke out at a supermarket next door. A plainclothes policeman leapt onto the stage to warn the crowd and Townshend, thinking the cop was a member of the audience, booted him off.

In 1970, Jefferson Airplane singer Marty Balin is arrested for possession of marijuana and for contributing to the delinquency of minors in Bloomington, Minnesota. Balin's hotel room was raided by police at 5:30am. They found Balin and friends with several girls aged between 12 to 17 years old. He is sentenced to one year's hard labor and a $100 fine. He appeals and ends up paying only the fine.

Also in 1970, lead guitarist Randy Bachman quits the Guess Who.  At the suggestion of Neil Young, Bachman recruited singer/bassist C.F. Turner and they formed the band Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

In 1970, the Who released the album 'Live At Leeds' in North America, one week before it was issued in the UK. Recorded at the University of Leeds on Valentine's Day 1970, it was their first and only live album released while the group was still recording and performing regularly.  The first 500 copies included a copy of the contract for the Who to play at the Woodstock Festival. The LP has been cited by several music critics as the best live rock recording of all time.

In 1972, at the Oakland Coliseum in northern California, Al Green, Etta James and Joe Simon were among the performers at "The Baddest Soul Show Of 1972."

In 1974, at the Bottom Line in New York City, Neil Young made an unannounced appearance and played songs from his new album 'On The Beach.'

In 1975, "The Midnight Special" on NBC-TV was a retro tribute hosted by Chubby Checker and featured performances by Bo Diddley, the Drifters, Lesley Gore, the Tymes, the Angels, and Danny & the Juniors.

In 1980, Dr. George C. Nichopoulous is indicated in Memphis on 14 counts of over prescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine other patients.

In 1980, Paul McCartney released his 'McCartney II' album in the UK (May 22 in the US).  The album is a significant departure for McCartney, as much of it relies heavily on synthesisers and studio experimentation. 

In 1981, Kim Carnes started a nine-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Bette Davis Eyes,” the singer’s only US #1 and a #10 hit in the UK.  Carnes received a personal thank-you letter for the song from actress Bette Davis, saying that it had impressed her young grandson.

In 1983, the special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever aired, including the first performance of Michael Jackson's Moonwalk.

In 1984, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Dallas for public intoxication while walking down Beale Street.

In 1984, Prince released the single "When Doves Cry." It was a worldwide hit, and his first American #1 hit, topping the charts for five weeks. According to Billboard magazine, it was the top-selling single of the year. It was certified platinum by the RIAA, shipping two-million units in the US.

In 1985, a royalty cheque totaling $6.5 million from the sales of "We Are The World" was handed over to the USA for Africa Foundation by Columbia Records executive Al Teller. The total raised would eventually rise to over $50 million.

In 1986, country singer Johnny Paycheck was found guilty of shooting and wounding a man after an argument in a bar in Hillsboro, Ohio. Paycheck, best known for his 1978 hit "Take This Job and Shove It", was sentenced to 9½ years in prison. Paycheck was pardoned after 22 months in prison.

In 1990, Sammy Davis Jr. died of throat cancer at the age of 64. Davis was a member of The Rat Pack, along with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop and had several US Top 40 hits including "Something's Gotta Give", "Love Me or Leave Me", "That Old Black Magic", "The Candy Man" and his signature tune, "I've Gotta Be Me."

Also in 1990, Jim Henson, the Muppets creator who scored two US Top 30 hits with "Rubber Duckie" in 1970 and "Rainbow Connection" in 1979, died of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome at the age of 53.

In 1993, soul singer Marv Johnson died of a stroke. He had the US Top 10 single “I Love The Way You Love” and the 1969 UK #10 single “I’ll Pick a Rose For My Rose.” Johnson’s recording of Berry Gordy’s song “Come to Me” became Motown Records’ first-ever single release in May 1959.

In 1998, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards fell while reaching for a book in his Connecticut home. The fall broke his ribs, causing the Stones to postpone many dates on their Bridges to Babylon tour.

In 2000, Britney Spears released her second album 'Oops!... I Did It Again.' It debuted at the top the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 1,319,000 copies, breaking the previous SoundScan record for the highest debut-week album sales by a solo artist. The album also reached #1 in thirteen other countries while peaking inside the top five positions in Australia, Finland, Japan, New Zealand and the UK.  The album has sold more than 24 million copies.

In 2000, the Artist Formerly Known As Prince reverted to the name Prince. With the expiration of his publishing contract, he said his birth name had been emancipated from "long-term restrictive documents," and he could stop using the symbol he used to identify himself when he was committed to "undesirable relationships."

In 2000, an exhibition of art called What My Heart Has Seen opens in London.  The artist was Tony Bennett.

In 2010, Paul McCartney told Scotland's Sunday Mail newspaper that he is convinced The Beatles would have reformed in recent years if all their members had survived, because they would have signed up for a reunion "just for a laugh". He pointed out that the band was asked to reunite shortly after they split, but said "It wasn't really a good idea then, but I think if this much time had elapsed, I could easily see it happening. Somebody would have said, 'Oh go on. Just for a laugh.'"

In 2010, Ronnie James Dio died from stomach cancer. The 67-year-old metal singer had fronted many bands, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio.

In 2010, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins and many others performed a benefit concert that raised nearly $2 million for Tennessee flood victims.

In 2010, jazz pianist/composer/arranger Hank Jones, who played the piano accompaniment for Marilyn Monroe as she famously sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy in 1962, died at the age of 91.

In 2012, singer/guitarist (Bustin' Loose Part 1) Chuck Brown, dubbed the "Godfather of Go-Go," died of multi-organ failure at 75.

In 2012, banjoist/composer/actor (The Andy Griffith Show) Doug Dillard, who with his brother Rodney formed the bluegrass band the Dillards and later worked with Gene Clark and the Byrds, died at the age of 75.

birthdays today include (among others):  Robert Fripp (King Crimson) (68), Roger Earl (Foghat) (68), Richard Page (Mr. Mister) (61), Simon Katz (Jamiroquai) (43), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) (49) and Janet Jackson (48)

Remember, the Spacelab9 Walking Dead Soundtrack Vinyl Contest is still open, contest ends next Friday (May 23rd), so get your entry to the CVR blog today!











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heard from thomas at NewOnVinyl a new friend in vinyl and thank him for giving the CVR blog some inside info on a Bob Marley reissue that is a must have for any record collector!

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS- LEGEND -LTD- 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRI COLOURED EDITION

Originally released on May 8, 1984, Bob Marley’s Legend illustrates the remarkable life and recording career of one of reggae music’s most important figures. This iconic collection not only serves as the perfect introduction to the music of Bob Marley, it has become an essential part in every Marley collection. It remains the world’s best-selling reggae album and continues to be one of the best-selling catalog albums, exceeding 15 million RIAA®-certified copies in the US alone and over 27 million worldwide.

Reissue Double LP by Universal. Limited tri-color edition with Gatefold sleeve. Only 1000 copies. Release on 2014-06-27.

Tracklist:
1 IS THIS LOVE 
2 NO WOMAN NO CRY - STUDIO VERSION 
3 COULD YOU BE LOVED 
4 THREE LITTLE BIRDS 
5 BUFFALO SOLDIER 
6 GET UP STAND UP 
7 STIR IT UP 
8 EASY SKANKING  - ALTERNATE  VERSION / ADDITIONAL TRACK 
9 ONE LOVE / PEOPLE GET READY 
10 I SHOT THE SHERIFF 
11 WAITING IN VAIN 
12 REDEMPTION SONG 
13 SATISFY MY SOUL                
14 EXODUS 
15 JAMMING 
16 PUNKY REGGAE PARTY - ALTERNATE VERSION / ADDITIONAL TRACK

Get your copy at NewOnVinyl


while browsing the site, I found another for your collection:

GLASSJAW- WORSHIP AND TRIBUTE 

Worship and Tribute is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Glassjaw and was originally released in 2002. The band from Long Island, New York is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck. Worship and Tribute is the follow-up album to the debut album Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence (2000). The album peaked at #82 on the Billboard 200.

Like their debut, Worship and Tribute  was produced by Ross Robinson. The album was engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser. Worship and Tributepresents a more melodic and mature Glassjaw, as they started to further include jazz and ambient influences, specifically in tracks like "Ape Dos Mil,""Must've Run All Day" and "The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports." Palumbo said of it: "It's a mélange of influences, a collage is what this band is all about. This record pays tribute to everything from Bad Brains to Anthrax to The Cure to Squeeze and so much more."

Reissue LP album 180 gram by Music on Vinyl.  First pressing of 1000 numbered copies on clear vinyl

Get your copy at NewOnVinyl

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this from bobby hussy of The Hussy:

The Hussy is doing a quick Midwest/East Coast tour to support the new split 12" EP with Digital Leather! Released by Southpaw Records, this is the Hussy's 12th vinyl appearance in a 5 year span that has seen the band release 3 LPs, a 10" and a slew of 7"s via two handfuls of labels all over the US and Europe. The band has always deftly walked the line between garage simplicity and out-there psych punk; this time around they bring in synth-punk genius Shawn Foree of Digital Leather to add his hand on synths for half of their offering. Darker and fuller, this is the bassiest and ballsiest the band has ever been.

The split 12" features 7 new Hussy jams on one side and 6 new Digital Leather songs on the other. Foree plays keys on 4 of the Hussy songs with Bobby Hussy playing keys on the rest. The Hussy side was recorded and mixed by Bobby Hussy in the band's Madison, WI based studio. The Digital Leather side was recorded by Foree in his home in Omaha, Nebraska. Mastered by Justin Perkins. Artwork designed by The Faint's Todd Fink.

Released on May 6th via Southpaw Records who say:

When we first heard the talk of these two bands doing a split our interests were instantly piqued but we had no idea the turnout would be this good. Digital Leather's side give us six tracks of what Shawn called "love songs". These tracks are down right catchy but depressing at the same time, absolutely killer!

The Hussy gave us seven blistering punk tracks including a cover of Digital Leather's "Studs In Love"! Shawn also plays on four of The Hussy songs and this is some of our favorite material to date. Includes digital download.

Place your order at SouthPaw-Records

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new releases from our friends at MusicOnVinyl

MILES DAVIS - BOOTLEG SERIES 3: LIVE AT THE FILLMORE =BOX=

These are four historic performances from the Fillmore East and West in 1970, at a time when Miles Davis was single-handedly bringing Jazz into the commercial Rock era. In their unedited form, all selections are previously unissued. The searing white heat of these concerts, originally issued in severely edited form, are now made whole. This set includes several bonus tracks like Wayne Shorter's "Paraphernalia" and "Footprints", an early version of "Miles Runs The Voodoo Down" plus a rare encore performance of Bitches Brew's "Spanish Key".

The visionary Bill Graham had booked Miles on a bill with The Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West and with fellow Columbia artist Laura Nyro in June 1970. The latter recordings are the earliest documented live performances of Miles's band when he hired two keyboardists--Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, along with saxophonist Steve Grossman who had replaced Wayne Shorter. The rest of the rhythm section-keyboardist Corea, bassist Dave Holland, drummer Jack DeJohnette and percussionist Airto Moreira--were in the backbone of this band throughout this explosive period.

Curated by Carlos Santana, this set features fascinating firsthand accounts and profound insight into a seismic shift in American society, music, and culture. In a rare, in-depth interview, Miles--while listening to the concert playback--was "so excited about the music that he wanted every set, every note made available to the public..."

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl
• Box set
• Including 12-page booklet
• Printed innersleeves
• Available on vinyl for the first time!

BOB DYLAN - 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT =BOX=

On October 16, 1992, New York City's hottest concert ticket was the live gathering of musical giants who'd come to Madison Square Garden to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bob Dylan's first Columbia Records album.

The four hour show, performed for a sold-out audience of more than 18,000 fans and live-cast around the world, brought together an unprecedented roster of artists and icons including Johnny Cash and June

Carter Cash, Lou Reed, The Clancy Brothers, Richie Havens, Johnny Winter, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Ron Wood, Chrissie Hynde, The O'Jays, Eddie Vedder, Sinéad O'Connor, Tracy Chapman, George Harrison (then making his first US concert appearance in 18 years) and more.  Providing musical backing throughout the show was an ensemble dream team featuring three members of Booker T. & The M.G.'s, G.E. Smith on guitar with Jim Keltner and Anton Fig on drums.

With remastered audio, the 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration - Deluxe Edition makes this historic all-star musical event available for the first time on vinyl. This vinyl edition premieres two previously unreleased recordings from the concert's sound check: Sinéad O'Connor singing "I Believe In You" and Eric Clapton's interpretation of "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." Also included are new notes by pop music historian Bill Flanagan.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl 
• Deluxe 4LP box set
• Includes 8-page booklet and 2 bonus tracks
• Printed innersleeves
• Remastered audio

VELVET REVOLVER - CONTRABAND

Contraband is the critically acclaimed debut studio album by American Hard Rock band Velvet Revolver, which was originally released in 2004. The super group consists of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth and Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland.

Contraband debuted at number one on the American Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. The commercial success was helped by the impact of the singles "Slither" and "Fall to Pieces", which both reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Chart and The album's third single "Dirty Little Thing" peaked at number eight on the Mainstream Rock chart. The band won a Grammy Award when "Slither" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2005. The band toured extensively for 19 months in support of Contraband. They toured both the United States and Europe twice, while also performing in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Originally released in 2004 and long out of print, the beautiful re-issue by Music On Vinyl in 2014 celebrates the album's 10 year anniversary.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl 
• Gatefold sleeve
• Printed innersleeves

DOLLY PARTON - BLUE SMOKE

Iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton is proud to release the brand new studio album Blue Smoke. Already released in Australia and New Zealand to much critical and commercial acclaim, Blue Smoke will be released in the rest of the world on May 12, 2014 – in advance of the Blue Smoke World Tour hitting England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The brand new album of the most honored female country performer of all time will be released on 180 gram audiophile vinyl on May 12, 2014 by Music On Vinyl and includes a free download card.

Blue Smoke reflects the character of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee where Dolly Parton grew up, and the tone to an extent harks back to the rootsy, back-to-basics albums she put out at the turn of the 21st century. The majority of the songs are Dolly's own, but she has also recorded versions of Bon Jovi's "Lay Your Hands on Me" and Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" to round out the collection. Special guests on the album are Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl 
• Insert
• Includes free download card
• Brand new album!

OVERKILL - TAKING OVER

New Jersey trash metal band Overkill were formed in 1984 and named themselves after a Motörhead album. They were one of the early trash metal bands to sign to a major label and started to become successful in the late '80s, when the genre became popular with bands like Anthrax, Exodus, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Testament.

Taking Over is the second studio album by the band and was originally released in 1987. It was their first album to be released through Atlantic, who would release all of the band's albums up to W.F.O. (released in 1994). The track "Wrecking Crew" is considered one of the band's signature songs and was chosen to be the title of the band's official website (wreckingcrew.com). Both "Wrecking Crew" and "In Union We Stand" are almost always included on the band's set list.

Taking Over is a must-have for the fans and to celebrate the re-issue of this classic album, the first 500 copies will be numbered and printed on transparent solid green with solid yellow vinyl.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl 
• Insert 
• First pressing of 500 numbered copies on transparent green/yellow vinyl

JAMES TAYLOR - NEVER DIE YOUNG

Never Die Young is singer-songwriter James Taylor's twelfth album, released in 1988. The album reached #25 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The title track was the most successful single of the album and peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Both the single "Never Die Young" and the track "Baby Boom Baby" referred to the passage of time. While his aging contemporaries took various steps to keep up with changing fashions in music standards, James Taylor just kept playing a summer concert tour each year and periodically put out an album with songs that reminded his listeners why they liked him so much. The only unusual aspect of the album was that there was no big oldies cover from the '50s or '60s on the album.  Every song on Never Die Young was written or co-written by James Taylor.  180 gram audiophile vinyl and Insert

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Top 10 Concert Tours from Pollstar

The Top 10 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city.
The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert
promoters and venue managers.

1. Justin Timberlake; $2,115,081
2. George Strait; $1,596,184
3. Paul Simon/Sting; $1,467,002
4. Elton John; $1,444,960
5. Cher; $1,141,916
6. Jason Aldean; $619,396
7. Kings Of Leon; $538,383
8. Imagine Dragons; $485,121
9. Lady Antebellum; $436,999
10. Demi Lovato; $408,186

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from our friends at SlyVinyl


Elliott Smith – Either/Or // Limited to 1000 Mustard Yellow Swirl LPs





Phish – Fuego // Limited Edition Orange Vinyl Double LP






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Kelp Records Expands 20th Anniversary Celebrations with Vinyl Reissues of Andy Swan and Andrew Vincent & the Pirates








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Now Cutting Vinyl in NYC: Alex Abrash Mastering Adds Neumann VMS-66 Lathe








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Roommates and Oregon sophomores Montana Agnew (left) and Ian Kitts (right) hold their favorite records, Salad Days by Mac Demarco and the Complete Fats Waller Volume I. (Andrew Seng/Emerald)

cool story about vinyl and friendship:

Vinyl profile: These roommates both love vinyl, but for different reasons



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The Library of Congress Wants to Destroy Your Old CDs (For Science)





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if you love picture discs, here's one for you:


Super limited pizza picture disc containing two tracks from Panucci's Pizza. There are 3 toppings to choose from! Pepperoni, peppers, and olives of course.

Get a copy HERE








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for shits and giggles (and why would someone do this?)


Someone Re-Created A Bunch Of Famous Album Covers With Sandwich Ingredients











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album cover art of the day:


Judas Priest Album Artwork Revealed






















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album cover art of the day, part two:


Night Birds premiere new instrumental song “Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst”

In 1953, at Manhattan Center in New York City, Perry Como recorded "No Other Love."

In 1956, Lonnie Donegan kicks off a tour of the US by appearing on The Perry Como Show, where he performs "Rock Island Line."

In 1957, Tommy Sands sang "Teenage Crush" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1958, Bobby Darin released the single, “Splish Splash.” The song was co-written by New York City DJ Murray the K’s mother, Jean Kaufman (credited as Jean Murray), who suggested the song’s opening line and title. The song went to #3 on the US charts. It was released as the first eight-track master recording pressed to a plastic 45-RPM disc.

Also in 1958, Ritchie Valens records the self-penned "Come On, Let's Go" for Del-Fi Records in Los Angeles. The song would peak at #42 on the Billboard singles chart the following October.

In 1958, Peggy Lee recorded her classic hit "Fever" with just three backup musicians: Joe Mondragon on bass, Shelly Manne playing drums with his fingers, and instead of using his instrument, guitarist Howard Roberts provided finger-snapping.

In 1958, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, Jerry Wallace recorded "Primrose Lane."

In 1960, Alan Freed and seven others were indicted for accepting money from six record companies in exchange for air play.

In 1960, the Drifters recorded "Save The Last Dance For Me," which will top the US chart the following October.

In 1961, the Everly Brothers launch their own record label, Calliope, intended for the purpose of discovering and developing new talent. Their own recordings will continue to be issued exclusively by Warner Brothers.

In 1962, B Bumble And The Stingers were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Nut Rocker," an instrumental based on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

In 1962, Johnny Tillotson's self-penned Country ballad "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" enters Billboard's Top 40, where it will climb to #3 and be nominated for a Grammy Award. In the UK, the song reached #31.

In 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry version of "Happy Birthday" for US President John F. Kennedy during a fund-raiser at New York City's Madison Square Garden.  Kennedy responded to her performance with the remark, "Thank you. I can now retire from politics after having had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way."

In 1963, another sign of growing "Beatlemania" occurred while the group was in Hanley, England touring with Roy Orbison, as female fans attempted to sneak into the Beatles' dressing room. The three girls, who used a ladder to get through the window, were caught but later released without charges after the group signed a few autographs for them.

In 1964, after reaching #4 on the Hot 100, Roger Miller's "King of the Road" was awarded a Gold record. The song was inspired by a sign in Chicago that read "Trailers for Sale or Rent" and a hobo he saw at an airport in Boise, Idaho.

In 1965, FBI agents visit Wand Records to investigate the lyrics to "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen. They would eventually release a statement that said that it was impossible to exactly decipher the lyrics from "the unintelligible rendition as performed by The Kingsmen."

In 1965, ABC-TV's "Shindig!" featured performances by Ray Charles, the Zombies, the Righteous Brothers, and Dinah Lee.

In 1967, the Beatles had a party at Brian Epstein's house to launch Sgt. Pepper.

In 1968, the 5th Dimension sang "Stoned Soul Picnic" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1969, Coleman Hawkins, one of the most influential saxophonists in the history of jazz, died of pneumonia at the age of 64.

In 1969, the Beatles' single "Get Back" was awarded a Gold record for sales of over 1 million. Paul McCartney would later say "We were sitting in the studio and we made it up out of thin air..."

In 1973, Stevie Wonder went to #1 on the US singles chart with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." His third US #1, won Wonder a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The record reached #7 in the UK. This song was the second single released from the album 'Talking Book.'

In 1973, after reviewers slammed Elvis Presley's debut at the Sahara resort at Lake Tahoe, and the several performance cancellations due to "illness," manager Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis' father Vernon asked Los Angeles attorney Ed Hookstratten to look into Elvis' prescription drug use and identify his main suppliers. With Elvis unwilling to cooperate, however, the investigation went nowhere.

In 1973, Paul Simon released the single "Kodachrome," named after the Kodak 35mm film Kodachrome which became a #2 hit in the US. It was not released as a single in Britain, because the BBC would not play the trademarked name.

In 1975, the Eagles released the single "One Of These Nights." It was the title track from their 'One of These Nights' LP and became their second single to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart after "Best of My Love" and also helped propel the album to #1. The single version was shortened from the album version of the song, removing most of the song's intro and most of its fade-out, as well. Don Henley is lead vocalist on the verses, while Randy Meisner sings high harmony (not lead) on the refrain.

In 1976, The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards crashes his Bentley into a highway divider in Newton Pagnell, a town 50 miles north of London. Police take various substances from his vehicle and Richards will be charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana.

In 1978, the disco film "Thank God It's Friday," starring Debra Winger, Jeff Goldblum, Donna Summer, Valerie Landsburg, Chick Vennera, and Terri Nunn,  premiered in New York City.

In 1978, Dire Straits released their first major label single "Sultans Of Swing," recorded on a £120 budget. The song was first recorded as a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, and quickly acquired a following after it was put on rotation at Radio London.  The song was then re-recorded in early 1978 at Basing Street Studios for the band's debut album 'Dire Straits.' The song reached the top 10 in both the UK and the USA, reaching #8 on the UK Singles Chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped drive sales of the album, which also became a hit. 

In 1979, Supertramp went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Breakfast In America,' the group's only US #1. It featured three US Billboard hit singles: "The Logical Song,""Goodbye Stranger" and "Take the Long Way Home."

In 1979, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Mick Jagger jammed together at a party at Clapton's home to celebrate his marriage to Patty Boyd.

In 1982, "Ebony And Ivory" by Paul McCartney w/ Stevie Wonder was the #1 song.

In 1984, Bob Marley and the Wailers started a 12-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with the compilation album 'Legend,' released to commemorate the third anniversary of Marley's death.

In 1985, Motown celebrated the 50th anniversary of the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem with the NBC-TV special "Motown Returns To The Apollo," featuring performances by label stars Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Mary Wells, the Commodores, and Thelma Houston. Rod Stewart, Sammy Davis Jr., Sarah Vaughan, James Brown, Little Richard, the Drifters, Al Green, Patti Labelle, Wilson Pickett, Mavis Staples, Joe Cocker, Marilyn McCoo, Lou Rawls, Billy Preston, Chuck Jackson, the Manhattans, and the Cadillacs also appeared.

In 1986, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Kenny Rogers, Sheena Easton, Bryan Adams, and Loverboy performed at an Expo '86 gala concert in front of honored guests Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.

In 1986, Peter Gabriel released the album 'So.' The LP is the best-selling album of Gabriel's career and charted at #1 in the UK Album Chart, and #2 on the Billboard 200 in the US  It is certified triple platinum in the UK, and five times platinum in the US. The second track on the record is Gabriel's most popular single, "Sledgehammer." 

In 1988, the British Phonographic Industry is rebuffed by the UK's House Of Lords when it tries to prevent electronics manufacturer Amstrad from producing and marketing a dual tape deck which makes it easy for consumers to copy cassettes. Because the company includes copyright warnings with the machine, The House ruled that they were not encouraging people to break the law.

In 1988, James Brown was arrested for the fifth time in 12 months, following a car chase near his home. He was convicted of assault, resisting arrest and possession of illegal weapons, and given a six-year jail sentence.

In 1990, Madonna started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Vogue." Originally planned as a B-side, it became the singers eighth US #1 and seventh UK #1 hit.

In 1991, Odia Coates, who sang "You're Having My Baby,""One Man Woman / One Woman Man,""I Don't Like To Sleep Alone" and "I Believe There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love" with Paul Anka, died of breast cancer. She was 49.

In 1997, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, formerly of the Guess Who, joined with Tom Cochrane to perform for an outdoor crowd of nearly 40,000 people in Winnipeg at a CBC-sponsored flood relief concert.

In 2000, folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary celebrated their 40th year together with a US tour that began with a three-night stand in Las Vegas.

In 2000, guitarist and founder Dickey Betts left the Allman Brothers Band, citing "creative differences."

In 2001, Mike Sammes founder of The Mike Sammes Singers died aged 73. He worked with Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and featured on The Beatles, "I Am The Walrus" and "The Long And Winding Road."

In 2001, jazz-pop singer Susannah McCorkle committed suicide at the age of 55.

In 2006, singer Freddie Garrity, leader of Freddie and the Dreamers, died of emphysema at age 69.

In  2007, songwriter/music producer Frank Guida, credited with discovering singers Gary U.S. Bonds and Jimmy Soul, died at the age of 84.

In 2008, a  poem written by 16 year old Bob Dylan, who was still using his birth name, Robert Zimmerman, was slated to be offered for sale at a Christie's auction, where it was expected to sell for $10,000 to $15,000. Written on both sides of a single page, the verses tell the poignant story of a dog named Little Buddy who is killed at the hands of a drunkard, and the boy who mourns him.

In 2010, "Stairway To Heaven" was named the UK's favourite rock song in a survey by listeners to radio station Absolute Classic Rock. The band had two other tracks in the top 10; "Whole Lotta Love" was voted at #4 and "Rock 'n' Roll," from the group’s fourth album, was at #7.

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

In 2011, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler revealed he once had sex with a man during his wild youth. In his memoir, Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?, he revealed, "Gay sex just doesn't do it for me. I tried it one time when I was younger, but I just didn't dig it."

In 2012, Mick Jagger was the host and musical guest on NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live" season finale.

In 2013, a guitar played by John Lennon and George Harrison sold for $408,000 (£269,000) at auction. The custom-made instrument, built in 1966 by VOX was bought by an unidentified US buyer in New York. Harrison played "I Am The Walrus" on the guitar in a scene from Magical Mystery Tour in 1967. Lennon used it in a video for "Hello, Goodbye" later that year. After playing the guitar, Lennon gave it as a 25th birthday present to Alexis "Magic Alex" Mardas, a member of the Beatles' inner circle in the 1960s.

birthdays today include Pete Townshend (Who) (69), Grace Jones (66), Phil Rudd (AC/DC) (60) and Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) (65); among many others

from our friends at EasyStreetRecords

Django Django - Late Night Tales 

"The prestigious and critically acclaimed Late Night Tales label and compilation project has been going strong for over a decade; consistently bringing us fine mixes to accompany late night adventures - whether a long midnight drive or beard plagued house party. The moniker invites guest, bands and producers to select and mix tracks for each album. This time round the task falls to Django Django, a band who made a name for themselves with the release of their eponymous debut in early 2012 and their unique, oddball take on electronically infused indie experimentations. … The LP features versions of The Beach Boys''Surf's Up,' Canned Heat's 'Poor Moon,' Roy Davis Jr, big band leader James Last's 'Inner City Blues,' Nilsson's lyrically winsome 'Coconut' and other blasts from a newly street light soaked past, as well as tweaked versions of the likes of Primal Scream, Massive Attack, Outkast, Hudson Mohawke and Lunice collaboration TNGHT's 'Bugg'n' and Ramadanman's 'Bass Drums.'' - The Line of Best Fit

Get your copy at EasyStreetRecords

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from our friends at MusicRecordShop

The Zombies - Live At Metropolis Studio (2 LP Set)

In January 2011 The Zombies performed a superb set to 120 enraptured guests packed into Metropolis Studios in West London. Led by founder members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, the group performed a veritable ’Best Of’ the Zombies (She’s Not There, Time Of the Season, much of Odessey & Oracle) and Argent (Hold Your Head Up) as well as Colin Blunstone’s solo work. They even gave a run out to a new Argent composition, I Do Believe, another instant classic, which subsequently appeared on their 2011studio album, Breathe Out, Breathe In. All in all it’s a forceful reminder of the sheer quality and quantity of the music these men have made since they first got together as teenagers in St. Albans

Buy at MusicRecordShop


Lemonheads - It's A Shame About Ray

On It's a Shame About Ray (1992), songwriter Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield perfected their signature style of Punk-Pop-meets-Folk-Rock. The album is a beautiful collection of sunny melodies and hooks, delivered with typical nonchalance by Dando. A smorgasbord of immediately accessible and thoroughly catchy songs, his laid-back observations of middle-class outcasts are little gems in their own right. Highlights are the heartbroken title track, "Confetti", "Bit Part In Your Life," the love letter to substances "My Drug Buddy," or the wonderful "Alison's Starting to Happen," where a girl finds herself as she discovers Punk Rock. His warm, friendly voice is offset by Juliana Hatfield's girlish harmonies, giving the songs an emotional resonance.

Buy at MusicRecordShop


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available from LightInTheAttic

The Black Hippies - The Black Hippies

Pazy (real name Joseph Etinagbedia) started playing music in the Fire Flies in the city of Warri in Nigeria in 1973. The area was in the midst of an oil boom, and like most bands on that scene, the Fire Flies played American and European pop hits mixed with Jazz and Highlife for the largely expat audiences in local clubs. Along with an influx of foreigners, the oil boom also gave rise to an emerging Nigerian youth market, and soon Pazy formed the Black Hippies to play the uniquely African style of hard rock that was favored by this new audience.

They quickly found success and were appearing alongside other Warri-based artists such as Tony Grey. In short time, they came to the attention of EMI and their legendary producer Odion Iruoje, who recorded this album. By the time it was released in 1977, though, Disco and Funk were starting to take over and the hard fuzzy rock of The Black Hippies first album was somewhat behind the times. As a result, the album was barely released and is now virtually unfindable, unseen by all but a few of the most hardcore collectors. Pazy would go on to form a new line up of the Black Hippies that played mostly Reggae but this remains by far the best album.

Featuring whiplash funk drumming, searing fuzz guitar, raw vocals and that uniquely West African organ sound, The Black Hippies first album is a definitive classic of the genre.

Beautifully remastered with restored artwork, this release stands alongside our Ofege and Psychedelic Aliens releases as restored gems from a largely unknown but incredibly vital Rock scene in 70’s West Africa."

•High quality reissue of great and unbelievably rare Afro Rock Lp.
•Appeals to fans of Psych, Fuzz, African, and Funk.
•Licensed directly from Pazy (Band Leader, Lead Singer and Guitarist) .
•Includes awesome 12"× 24" poster!

Get it LightInTheAttic

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The Clean - Anthology (reissue)

Anthology serves as a celebration of The Clean, a band whose influence extends so far beyond their New Zealand home that even if you have never heard of The Clean before, you have surely heard of some of the bands (Pavement, Yo La Tengo, and Superchunk, to name a few) who have been influenced by their unique blend of homemade garage rock, hook-filled melodies, and psychedelic experimentalism.

The album is a compilation of songs from across The Clean’s legendary musical career, which began in 1981 and continues today. Merge originally released the 2-CD Anthology in 2003, but in celebration of our 25th anniversary, we felt the time was right to release this essential collection on quadruple LP.

Hamish and David Kilgour formed The Clean in 1978. Hamish played drums, and David picked up a guitar and figured out how to play it as he went along. Various other folk passed through the Kilgour brothers’ orbit during the first two years or so before Robert Scott (The Bats) joined on bass. Hamish, David, and Robert all wrote songs and sang in The Clean, who made their first recordings for the renowned New Zealand label Flying Nun in 1981.

Anthology kicks off with The Clean’s call-to-arms debut “Tally Ho!”; the story of the infectious track’s $60 recording bill is now legendary. From there, it continues with the early EPs Boodle Boodle Boodle and Great Sounds Great in their entirety. The hits—“Billy Two,” “Anything Could Happen,” “Beatnik,” and “Getting Older”—and live favorites like “Point That Thing Somewhere Else” and instrumentals “Fish” and “At the Bottom” all serve up memories of the joyous noise that characterized The Clean of that time. These recordings, mostly made by the band with Chris Knox and Doug Hood at the helm of the 4-track, capture the bright, raw sound of a classic garage band.

After a brief breakup, the band recorded Vehicle, their first full-length, in 1989. Vehicle was made in three days and engineered by Alan Moulder (later to become one of the top producers of the alternative era, recording the Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and My Bloody Valentine). The sounds of Vehicle and the two albums that followed it, Modern Rock (1994) and Unknown Country (1996), make up the bulk of discs 3 and 4 of the vinyl Anthology. The Clean used organ and other keyboards to mix bouncing pop tunes with continued experimentation.

In addition to selections from these full-length recordings, Anthology includes two songs released only on an American 7-inch and two that appeared on a bonus flexi-disc with the Modern Rock LP.

The Clean’s story is on-again/off-again purely by design. It suits the trio’s creative desires and keeps them clear of the machinery that threatened to interfere with that process from the moment they threatened to get awfully popular awfully quickly over thirty years ago. The Clean’s modern age has seen them splitting time and hemispheres: David Kilgour has a reputable solo catalog; Robert Scott has The Bats; and Hamish Kilgour has been an endearing and enduring fixture in New York City, playing with assorted combos.

Preorders and t-shirt bundles will ship to arrive on or around the release date of July 15.

Pre-Order at MergeRecords

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Every Time I Die Announce New LP

Every Time I Die have announced a new album 'From Parts Unknown' slated for release on July 1 via Epitaph Records. This is a pre-order and the pressing is on purple waxand limited to 700 copies!

Pre-Order at EpitaphRecords




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Check out a 30,000-plus Vinyl Record Collection

Almost a decade ago, Perth radio station 720 ABC sold its large vinyl collection to local man Brad Miocevich.  He has just completed work on a custom built new home for collection and it includes a three-story section at the back with 300 metres of shelving featuring six tonnes of glass and three tonnes of steel.  It took Miocevich and a team of assistants four months just to load all the records onto the shelves.

thumbs up from the CVR blog!


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from the great state of texas:


New downtown Carrollton record store Dead Wax Records offers music goers new place to shop








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vinyl still relevant in another part of the world:


Getting your groove on in Gor Gathri








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super write up from spin:


Did Vinyl Really Die in the '90s? Well, Sort Of...A record manufacturing executive recently reopened the question, saying singles kept vinyl alive in the mid-'90s. The numbers are more complicated.






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WEEKLY WAX: Vinyl Releases For The Week Of 5/11-5/17





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LED ZEPPELIN: Video Of Unboxing Of 'Super Deluxe' Reissue Of Third Album






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always liked spirit, very interesting development - now what?


Did Led Zeppelin steal “Stairway to Heaven”? Legendary band facing lawsuit from former tour mates











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album cover art of the day:

Mystifier - WICCA

Wicca was originally released in the early 90s and has seen a few reissues by labels worldwide. However, for many years, the album has been out of print, until noW. The audio portion of this release was completely restored and remastered for vinyl for a warm, powerful, and visceral listen. Track listings remain as in the original release. Visually, the packaging features a special foldout insert with a photo collage and lyrics.

NOW SHIPPING! RELEASE DATE: MAY27, 2014. COMPLETELY RESTORED AND REMASTERED AUDIO - EXCLUSIVE TO THIS GREYHAZE RECORDS REISSUE. 12-INCH VINYL PACKAGE -INCLUDES A 11 X 22 FOLDOUT INSERT.

Order HERE

In 1920, the Canadian Marconi Company, station XWA (Experimental Wireless Apparatus) in Montreal, Canada, gave what it would later claim to be the first scheduled radio broadcast in North America. Its call letters were changed to CFCF on November 4, 1920, and while the meaning of that call sign has never been officially confirmed, it is generally believed to be "Canada's First, Canada's Finest".

In 1941, Harry James & His Orchestra recorded "You Made Me Love You." The record peaked at #5 on the pop chart late in the year and sold more than a million copies.

In 1942, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra recorded "I've Got A Gal in Kalamazoo," with Marion Hutton & the Mordernaires and featured solos by Tex Beneke and Billy May. The single spent eight weeks at #1 in the summer of '42.

On May 20, 1954, Bill Haley And His Comets'"Rock Around the Clock" was released. The record would find only limited success until the following year when it was included on the soundtrack of the film Blackboard Jungle.  Haley's recording is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world.  It was a #1single on both the US and UK charts and also re-entered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s.  The song is ranked #158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In 1957, in Los Angeles, Frank Sinatra recorded "Witchcraft."

In 1957, at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, Paul Anka recorded "Diana."

In 1957, crooner Andy Williams was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Butterfly," the US singers only UK #1 and the first of 40 hit singles from 1957 until 2002 on the UK chart.

In 1958, Johnny Cash released the Sun Records single "Guess Things Happen That Way."

In 1960, the Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) played the first night of a short tour of Scotland backing singer Johnny Gentle, at Alloa Town Hall in Clackmannanshire. Three of the Silver Beetles adopted stage names: Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, George Harrison was Carl Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe became Stuart de Stael.  The Ramones later took their name from McCartney's pseudonym.

In 1964, Rudy Lewis, the lead singer of The Drifters on their hits "On Broadway" and "Up On The Roof," died under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record "Under the Boardwalk." He was 28 years old. Rather than reschedule the studio session to find a new front man, former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording. The single reached #4 in the US the following July and #45 in the UK.

On this day in 1964, "My Guy" by Mary Wells was the #1 song.

Also in 1964, Elvis Presley's 15th feature film 'Viva Las Vegas,' co-starring Ann-Margret, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.

In 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).

In 1966, in San Francisco, Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band gave their first concert performance at the Avalon Ballroom.

In 1966, Bob Dylan and The Band played at the ABC Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Some members of the audience were unhappy with Dylan "going electric," and attempted to overpower the band by playing their own harmonicas.

In 1967, the Beatles premiered their new album, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' and John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave live interviews about the making of the album, on Kenny Everett's BBC radio program, "Where It's At." All the album tracks were played except "A Day In The Life," which the BBC banned a day earlier because of its seemingly positive attitude toward drug use.

In 1967, Jimi Hendrix signed with Reprise Records on the US Warner Brothers label. He would eventually give them three albums, 'Are You Experienced?,''Axis: Bold as Love' and 'Electric Ladyland.' The live LP 'Band of Gypsys' was released on Capitol Records a few months before his death. 

Also in 1967, the Young Rascals score the second of their three Billboard #1 records when "Groovin" reached the top. It made #8 in the UK. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati wrote this song because their work schedule would only allow them to see their girlfriends on Sunday afternoons.

In 1967, Manuel Fernandez, founding member and organist for Los Bravos on their 1966 hit "Black Is Black," committed suicide. He was just 23 years old.

In 1968, the Beatles, armed with a bunch of new songs after their visit to India, met at George Harrison's home in Esher, Surrey. They taped 23 new songs on George's 4-track recorder, many of which would end up on The Beatles' next two albums, (the White Album) and Abbey Road. The demos include: "Cry Baby Cry,""Revolution,""While My Guitar Gently Weeps,""Blackbird" and "Child of Nature" (a Lennon song that became "Jealous Guy").

In 1969, Chicago singer/bassist Peter Cetera attended a Cubs-Dodgers baseball game in Los Angeles, where four Marines who disapproved of his long hair beat him so badly that his jaw was broken and he lost four teeth. He spent five hours in surgery and two days in intensive care. The incident had an effect on Cetera's career and, according to him, an impact on his singing style. "With my jaw wired together, I went on the road and I was actually singing through my clenched jaw, which, to this day, is still the way I sing."

In 1970, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, George Harrison met producer Phil Spector to play demos of the songs that later appeared on Harrison's debut solo album, 'All Things Must Pass.'

In 1970, the final feature film involving the Beatles 'Let It Be' was premiered simultaneously in London and Liverpool a week after the film's US release.  The film was originally planned as a television documentary which would accompany a concert broadcast. When plans for a broadcast were dropped, the project became a feature film. Although the film does not dwell on the dissension within the group at the time, it provides some glimpses into the dynamics that would lead to The Beatles' break-up.

In 1978, Paul McCartney went to #1 on the US singles chart with "With A Little Luck," his sixth solo US #1.

In 1978, two days after its world premier in Dallas, the biopic "The Buddy Holly Story," starring Gary Busey, had a second premiere in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

In 1979, Elton John performed in Leningrad in the Soviet Union.

In 1985, Daryl Hall and John Oates headlined a concert for the grand re-opening of the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem. The performance was recorded and later released as a 'live' album which also featured two of the original Temptations, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick.

In 1988, at the height of the "Is Elvis Dead?" phenomenon, ex-wife Priscilla Presley held a press conference to confirm his death in 1977.

In 1988, musician/arranger/producer (worked with Buddy Holly, Jackie Wilson, the McGuire Sisters, Teresa Brewer)/bandleader Dick Jacobs died at age 70.

In 1989, Ferry 'Cross The Mersey' by Ferry Aid started a three week run at #1 on the UK singles chart. The song was recorded to raise funds for the Hillbsbourgh Football victims, Gerry Marsden, Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson and The Christians all featured on the recording.

In 1989, Paula Abdul started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Forever Your Girl," her second US #1, a #24 hit in the UK.

In 1997, U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for 'Last Night On Earth.' Apart form major traffic jams a passing Cadillac crashed into a plate glass window trying to avoid a cameraman.

In 1997, Foo Fighters released their second album 'The Colour And The Shape,' the album was a Grammy nominee for Best Rock Album in 1998. Even though Foo Fighters are an American band, the word 'Colour' in the album title is always spelled with the British spelling. This was a nod to producer Gil Norton, who is British.

In 1998, Frank Sinatra's funeral was held at Beverly Hills' Church of the Good Shepherd. Celebrities in attendance included Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Jack Nicholson, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Bob Newhart, Faye Dunaway, Angie Dickinson, and Sinatra ex-wife, Mia Farrow. A Dylan statement read, in part, "Right from the beginning, he was there with the truth of things in his voice... He was one of the very few singers who sang without a mask." Ten years later, the U.S. Congress declared May 13 Frank Sinatra Day.

In 1998, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward was taken to hospital in London after suffering a heart attack during a band rehearsal.

In 2000, the Guess Who perform in their home town of Winnipeg, leading to a reunion tour. The line-up featured Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Jim Kale, Donnie McDougall and Garry Peterson. Kale would be replaced by another former member, Bill Wallace, before the first show.

In 2001, R.E.M. started a two-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with 'Reveal'.

In 2003, the South Carolina State Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services pardoned James Brown for all past crimes in the state...including drug, weapons and assault charges. Brown, who appeared before the board, sang "God Bless America" after the decision.

In 2006, Tool were at #1 on the US album chart with '10,000 Days' the American bands second #1 album. 

In 2007, Linkin Park went to #1 on the UK album chart with 'Minutes To Midnight' the bands fifth Top 20 UK album.  Also a US #1.

In 2008, the US Congress passed a resolution designating May 13th as Frank Sinatra Day to honor his contribution to American culture.

In 2009, Michael Jackson delayed the opening four nights of his 'This Is It' UK tour at London's O2 arena. Concert promoters AEG Live said the delay was necessary because the singer needed more time for dress rehearsals. The first show, on 8 July, was pushed back by five nights. Three other July dates would now not take place until March 2010.

In 2009, former Creedence Clearwater Revival front man John Fogarty announced to the press that he had finished his latest CD, 'The Return of the Blue Ridge Rangers,' a sequel to his 1973 solo album. Released on August 25th, it would peak at #25 on the Hot 200.

In 2012, Robin Gibb, one-third of the Bee Gees and a singer-songwriter who helped to turn disco into a global phenomenon by providing the core of the soundtrack to 'Saturday Night Fever,' died from cancer aged 62. Bee Gees hits including: Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get a Message to You, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive, established their pop legacy by placing their falsetto harmonies at the centre of the 70s disco boom.

In 2012, drummer/songwriter Robert Nix, a founding member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, died following surgery at 67.

In 2013, Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the The Doors died aged 74. Manzarek, who had suffered from bile duct cancer for many years, died in a clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, with his wife and brothers at his bedside. He formed The Doors with lead singer Jim Morrison in 1965 after a chance meeting in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.

happy birthday to Joe Cocker (70), Cher (68), Jane Wiedlin (Go-Go's) (56) and Busta Rhymes (42) to name a few

5 Royals - 5 Royales: The Definitive Home of Blues & Beyond
Afrojack - Forget the World
Aggravator - Populace
American Football - American Football (reissue) (2xLP)
aMute - Savage Bliss (vinyl)
Andrea Belfi | David Grubbs | Stefano Pilia - Onrushing Gold
Angels - 40 Years of Rock: 40 Greatest Studio Hits 1
Archie Bronson Outfit - Wild Crush (vinyl)
Arto Lindsay - Encyclopedia of Arto (2xCD)
Billy Joel - A Matter Of Trust - The Bridge to Russia: The Music
Blind Melon - Blind Melon (reissue) (vinyl)
Blood and Sun - White Storms Fall
Blu - Good to Be Home (2xCD)
Body/Head - The Show Is Over (7")
Born Ruffians - Birthmarks (deluxe edition) (2xCD)
Brantly Gilbert - Just As I Am
Brendan Kelly | Sam Russo - Split the Tip (7")
Brett - Brett (12")
Brody Dalle - Diploid Love (2xLP)
Bry Webb - Free Will
Burzum - Draugen - Rarities (2xCD)
California Breed - California Breed (CD/DVD)
Carpenters - Singles 1969-1973 (vinyl)
Castle - Under Siege (vinyl)
Chakachas - Jungle Fever
Chatham County Line - Tightrope (vinyl)
Cherry Ghost - Herd Runners
Childish Gambino - Because the Internet (2xLP)
Cleared - Drown (vinyl)
Coldplay - Ghost Stories (vinyl)
Comet Control - Comet Control (vinyl)
Conor Oberst - Upside Down Mountain (2xLP+CD)
Cramps - Flamejob (vinyl)
Crow Bait - Sliding Through the Halls of Fate (vinyl)
Curtis Harding - Soul Power (vinyl)
Dealey Plaza - Provoke The Human
Deals Gone Bad - Heartbreaks & Shadows
Deep Purple - Made In Japan (2-CD)
Devo - Something Else For Everybody
Devonian Gardens - Solar Shifting
Dexter Gordon - Go (vinyl)
DJ Rashad - Itz Not Rite (12")
Doors - Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine
Duck Sauce - Quack
Ed Schrader's Music Beat - Party Jail
Eduard Artemiev - The Mirror / Stalker OST (vinyl)
Elastica - Elastica (vinyl)
Electric Light Orchestra - Live (2xLP)
Emma Ruth Rundle - Some Heavy Ocean (vinyl)
Ex-Cult - Midnight Passenger (vinyl)
Flaming Lips - 7 Skies H3
Fujiya and Miyagi - Artificial Sweeteners (vinyl)
Full Ugly - Spent the Afternoon
Gloria Gaynor - Gloria Gaynor
Goodtime Boys - Rain
Grandma Sparrow and His Piddletractor Orchestra - Grandma Sparrow and His Piddletractor Orchestra (vinyl)
Gruff Rhys - American Interior (vinyl)
Hades Archer / Slaughtbbath - Circus of Abominations/Antichristos Thanatos
Haley Bonar - Last War (vinyl)
Hank Williams - The Garden Spot Program, 1950 (vinyl)
Hedley - Wild Life
Heliotropes - A Constant Sea (vinyl)
Hell - Trilogy
Helmet - Aftertaste (reissue) (vinyl)
Helmet - Strap It On (reissue) (vinyl)
Herzog - Boys (vinyl)
Hollis Brown - Gets Loaded
Howard Ivans - Red Face Boy b/w Pillows (7")
Infernal Curse - The End Upon Us
James Brown - Soul Syndrome (vinyl)
Jeff Grace - Cold In July OST
Jethro Tull - Live in Switzerland 2003 (vinyl)
Jimmy Castor - It's Just Begun / Phase Two
Joey Molland - Demos Old & New
John Doe - The Best of John Doe: This Far (2xLP)
Jolie Holland - Wine Dark Sea (vinyl)
Jungle - Busy Earnin' (12")
Kate Tempest - Everybody Down (vinyl)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Goin' Home
Kikagaku Moyo - Forest of Lost Children (vinyl)
Kishi Bashi - Lighght (colored vinyl) (LP+7")
Kyle Hall - Girl U So Strong b/w Take Me Away (12")
Landskap - I
Laraaji - Celestial Music 1978-2011 (3xLP)
Lee Fields & The Expressions - Magnolia b/w Talk to Somebody (7")
Les Big Byrd - They Worshipped Cats (vinyl)
Liam Finn - The Nihilist (vinyl)
Lizzo - Lizzobangers (reissue)
Lonesome Shack - More Primitive (vinyl)
Madness - One Step Beyond (reissue) (vinyl)
Malka Spilding - Gliding
Meat Loaf - Bad Attitude: 30th Anniversary Edition
Melaena Cadiz - Deep Below Heaven
Meliah Rage - Warrior
Mesa Ritual - Mesa Ritual
Michael Bradford - The Long Night
Miss Fortune - A Spark To Believe
Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord (reissue) (vinyl)
Mortalicum - Tears From the Grave
Mott the Hoople - Live 2013
Mr. Scruff - Friendly Bacteria (2xLP)
Neal Schon - So U
Nirvana - In Utero 2013 (vinyl)
No Bails - Epyx Shredder
No Means No - Dance of the Headless Bourgeoisie (2xLP)
Oasis - Definitely Maybe (deluxe edition) (reissue) (3xCD)
Oasis - Definitely Maybe (reissue) (2xLP)
Oren Ambarchi | Stephen O'’Malley | Randall Dunn - Shade Themes From Kairos (2xLP)
Outrage - We The Dead
People Under the Stairs - 12 Step Program (2xLP)
Phillip Phillips  Behind The Light
Picastro - You
Plaid - Reachy Prints
Pujol - KLUDGE (vinyl)
R. Kelly - The Essential R. Kelly (2xCD)
R.E.M. - Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions (2xCD)
Rainbow - Rockplast 1995: Black Masquarade (vinyl)
Rick Springfield - Rock of Life
Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl Deluxe (CD/DVD)
Royal Trux - The Radio Video EP (12")
Rubicon Cross - Rubicon Cross
SBTRKT - Transitions II (12")
Silverchair - Diorama (vinyl)
Smoke Fairies - Smoke Fairies (2xLP)
Soft Machine - Live in 1970
Split Single - Fragmented World (vinyl)
Stephan David Heitkotter - Black Orckid (2xLP)
Syd Arthur - Sound Mirror (vinyl)
Tancred - Capes (vinyl)
Test of Time - A Place Beyond
The Apache Relay - Apache Relay (vinyl)
The Blue Angel Lounge - A Sea of Trees (vinyl)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Revelation (2xLP)
The Burning of Rome - Year of the Ox
The Everymen - Givin' Up On Free Jazz (vinyl)
The Flaming Lips - 7 Skies H3
The Flying Burrito Brothers - Devils In Disguise (vinyl)
The J.B.'s - Groove Machine (vinyl)
The Lemonheads - Rockin the Shell (reissue) (2xLP)
The Lovely Eggs - Cob Dominos (reissue)
The Lovely Eggs - If You Were Fruit (deluxe edition) (reissue) (vinyl)
The Lovely Eggs - Wildlife (reissue) (vinyl)
The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium (reissue) (2xLP)
The Okee Dokee Brothers - Through The Woods: An Appalachian Adventure Album
The Roots - And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (vinyl)
The Whigs - Modern Creation (vinyl)
Thrice - Beggars (vinyl)
Timo Tolkki’s Avalon - Angels Of The Apocalypse
Tina Brooks - True Blue (vinyl)
Tom Kovacevic - Universe Thin As Skin (vinyl)
Toumani Diabate and Sidiki Diabate - Toumani & Sidiki (vinyl)
Trans Am - Volume X
Traxman - Da Mind Of Traxman Vol. 2 (2xLP)
Tusmorke - Riset Bak Speilet
Tweak Bird - Any Ol' Way
Ty Segall - Feel (7")
Tyson Meade - Tomorrow In Progress (vinyl)
Various Artists - Chicago Bound: Chess Blues, R&B & Rock 'N' Roll
Various Artists - Dumb and Dumber OST (red/white vinyl) (2xLP)
Various Artists - Hyperdub 10.1
Various Artists - Million Dollar Arm OST
Various Artists - Singing From My Soul: Soul Chronology 5
Various Artists - Soul Jazz Records presents: Punk 45: Vol. 3 Proto-Punk 1970-77 (2xLP)
Various Artists - Strange Breaks and Mr Thing III (2xLP+7")
Various Artists - The Fault In Our Stars OST
Various Artists - Tropical Disco Hustle (vinyl)
Various Artists - Wild Child - Warwick Records Story
Verberis - Vastitas
Walter Murphy Band - Fifth of Beethoven
War - Evolutionary
Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School (reissue)
Waylon Jennings - Just to Satisfy You (vinyl)
White Sea - In Cold Blood
Wooden Wand - Farmer's Corner
Wreckless Eric - The Donovan of Trash (vinyl)
Yann Tiersen - ∞ (Infinity)
Zero Boys - Monkey (clear vinyl)
Zombies - R.I.P.

In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene," which would become his first hit record, reaching #5 on the US Pop chart and #1 on the R&B chart.  In the heyday of Pat Boone, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and the McGuire Sisters, it was one of the few rock 'n' roll songs to get any radio air play that year.  Rolling Stone magazine wrote, "Rock & roll guitar starts here." The song was a major hit among both black and white audiences and it was quickly covered by several other artists after its initial release.

In 1955, Eddie Calvert was at #1 on the UK singles chart with his version of "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White." The song from the film 'Underwater' had also been a #1 for Perez Prado in the same year.

In 1956, at the Municipal Auditorium in Topeka, Kansas, an estimated 2,500 fans stormed the stage during an Elvis Presley concert.

In 1956, Brenda Lee signed a recording contract with Decca Records.

Also in 1956, Doris Day released the single "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)."

In 1957, 16 year old Paul Anka records "Diana" at the ABC-Paramount studios in New York. The song would reach #1 in the US the following September and became the first of his 33 US Top 40 hits. It was also a chart topper in the UK.

In 1959, Jackie Wilson recorded "I'll Be Satisfied."

In 1961, at Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut Studio in Nashville, Brenda Lee recorded "Dum Dum."

In 1962, at the Cameo-Parkway Studios in Philadelphia, Dee Dee Sharp recorded "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)."

In 1963, 13 year-old Little Stevie Wonder recorded a song that would be his first #1 hit, "Fingertips Pt. 2" at a concert in Detroit. The 7 minute song was later edited into two parts for radio play.

In 1963, the Beatles, recorded two BBC radio programs at the Playhouse Theatre in London. They recorded five songs for Saturday Club and six songs for Steppin' Out.

In 1964, in New York City, the Drifters recorded "Under The Boardwalk," with Johnny Moore substituting for lead singer Rudy Lewis who was found dead the previous night.

In 1966, Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" enters the Billboard Hot 100, where it will reach #4 and become her biggest US hit. In the UK, it went all the way to #1.

Also in 1966, the Mamas and the Papas went to the top of the Billboard album chart with 'If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears,' which contained the singles "Monday Monday" and "California Dreamin'". The LP was initially credited to the grammatically incorrect The Mama's and The Papa's, which was corrected on later printings.

In 1966, the Castiles (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals) appeared at Freehold Regional High School in New Jersey. They were performing at their own high school for the very first time. All five members of the band were Juniors at Freehold High School.

In 1967, the Seekers performed "Georgy Girl" and Petula Clark sang a medley of her hits on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1968, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones was arrested for a second time for possession of cannabis.

In 1968, the Monkees performed at Olympia Stadium in Salt Lake City.

In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded "Ohio." Young wrote the lyrics to "Ohio" after seeing the photos of the incident in Life Magazine.  On the evening that CSN&Y entered Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, the song had already been rehearsed, and the quartet with their regular rhythm section recorded it live in just a few takes. During the same session they recorded the single's equally direct B-side, Stephen Stills's ode to the war's dead, "Find the Cost of Freedom." The record was mastered with the participation of the four principals, rush-released by Atlantic and heard on the radio with only a few weeks delay.  Young termed the Kent State incident as "probably the biggest lesson ever learned at an American place of learning" and reported that "David Crosby cried when we finished this take." Indeed, Crosby can be heard keening "Four, why? Why did they die?" and "How many more?" in the fade.

In 1971, Free disbanded. Two members of the group went on to form Bad Company.

In 1971, Frank Zappa, with opening act Flo & Eddie, played the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Zappa threatened to end the show unless the rowdy audience stopped throwing objects (a grapefruit proved to be the last straw) onto the stage. They had come to see the zany Mothers of Invention Zappa rather than the serious musician.

In 1972, the Doors, Pink Floyd, the Faces, Family, Curved Air, Atomic Rooster, the Kinks, Rory Gallagher, Uriah Heep, Country Joe McDonald, Buddy Miles, Status Quo, Brinsley Schwarz, Spencer Davis, the Strawbs and Humble Pie all appeared at the 2nd British Rock Meeting, Insel Grun, Germersheim, West Germany. The festival was due to take place in Mannheim, West Germany, but after protests from the locals, the concert actually took place in nearby Germersheim.

In 1973, big band leader/trumpeter/actor/TV host/singer Vaughn Monroe died shortly after having stomach surgery at the age of 61.

In 1975, officials at Gatwick Airport in London announce that they will not permit a plane carrying the Osmonds to land there because when the group last visited the UK, twenty overly enthusiastic teens were injured.

In 1976, the Rolling Stones open a six night stand at London's Earl's Court Theatre. The indifference of the Stones' performance causes them to be targeted as "dinosaurs" by the growing British Punk movement.

In 1977, Rod Stewart was at #1 on the UK singles chart with the double-A sided single “I Don’t Want to Talk About It”/“The First Cut is the Deepest.”

In 1977, Stevie Wonder scored his sixth #1 record on the Billboard Pop chart with "Sir Duke", a song written as a tribute to Jazz legend, Duke Ellington. The song reached #2 in the UK.

In 1979, Elton John became the first solo rock artist to tour Russia when he played the first of eight concerts. He was currently enjoying chart success back in the USA with "Mama Can't Buy You Love", his first Top 10 hit in 2½ years.

Also in 1979, the Charlie Daniels Band released the single "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." The song was the band's biggest hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was featured in the 1980 movie 'Urban Cowboy,' whose choreographer, Patsy Swayze, claims that she set the song's tempo. "How fast can you dance it?" Daniels asked. "How fast can you play it?" Swayze replied.

In 1980, after poor ticket sales at the venue caused him to cancel his second scheduled concert in Dayton, Ohio, Bob Dylan performed his last "gospel" show, eventually returning to secular music.

In 1980, a thief breaks into Electric Lady Studios in New York City, the recording studio built by Jimi Hendrix, and steals five Hendrix Gold records. They are for the albums 'Are You Experienced?''Axis: Bold as Love''Cry of Love''Rainbow Bridge' and 'Live at Monterey.'

Also in 1980, singer/guitarist Joe Strummer of the British punk group the Clash is arrested in Hamburg, Germany for hitting a fan on the head with his guitar. A fight broke out between the band and the audience following a concert.

In 1981, in St. Ann's, Jamaica, Bob Marley was laid to rest with full state honors.

In 1982, the world-famous Hacienda Club was opened in Manchester, England. Madonna made her U.K. TV debut at the club when C4 music show The Tube was broadcast live. It was home to many Manchester acts including Oasis, Happy Mondays, U2, The Smiths, Charlatans, James, M People, who all played at the club. The club closed in 1997.

In 1983, David Bowie went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Let’s Dance,” featuring blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.  It was Bowie’s first single to reach #1 on both sides of the Atlantic.

In 1985, Marvin Gaye released his last album, 'Dream of a Lifetime' featuring songs that critics considered too offensive, such as the controversial pop version of "The Lord’s Prayer." Three of the songs on the album were completed after Gaye’s death.

In 1989, "Forever Your Girl" by Paula Abdul was the #1 song.

In 1990, Morris Levy, founder/owner of Roulette Records, died at the age of 62.

In 1992, Bette Midler was Johnny Carson's last guest on his second-to-last "Tonight Show" on NBC-TV. She sang several songs, including a short duet with Carson, a rewritten version of "You Made Me Love You" (as 'You Made Me Watch You') and a moving version of "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)."

In 2000, Willie Nelson was a guest voice on Fox-TV's animated series "The Simpsons."

In 2006, in California, Madonna played the first of three sold-out nights at the Los Angeles Forum, the first dates on her 60-date Confessions Tour. It became the highest-grossing tour ever for a female artist, earning $260 million.

In 2006, country music singer  Billy Walker, his wife, and two band members were killed in a car crash while driving back to Nashville from a show in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Walker, a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 46 years, was 77.

In 2008, Lou Pearlman, the music mogul who created the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison over a decades-long scam that bilked thousands of investors out of their life savings. Many victims were Pearlman's relatives, friends and retirees in their 70s or 80s who lost everything. A view of the behind-the-scenes life of The Backstreet Boys is revealed in Gary James' interview with A.J. Mclean's mother, Denise McLean Solis

In 2009, at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Sting, Sheryl Crowe and the Canadian Tenors headlined the One Night Live benefit concert, which raised more than $1.8 million for a local Women & Babies Program.

In 2011, Adele went to #1 on the US singles chart with "Rolling In The Deep," taken from her second studio album, '21.' The video to the song was nominated for seven MTV Video Music Awards nominations and was also the Billboard Year End Hot 100 Number One Single of 2011. And on February 12, 2012, "Rolling in the Deep" received three Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video.

In 2011, Bob Dylan came out on top as both the most inspirational individual for poets and the dream collaborative partner, in a survey carried out by The Foyle Poetry Society. The extensive survey questioned poets asking which musician and which genre of music most inspired their writing. The young people, aged between 11 and 17, from countries throughout the world also voted for artists such as Regina Spektor, David Bowie, Florence and the Machine, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey and Pete Doherty.

In 2012, the US Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from a Boston University student who was successfully sued by the Recording Industry Association of America for illegally sharing music on peer-to-peer networks. In 2009, a jury ordered Tenenbaum to pay $675,000, or $22,500 for each song he illegally downloaded and shared.

In 2012, musician/singer/record label founder (Bel-Aire Recordings) Eddie Blazonczyk, Grammy award-winning "Polka King" and leader of the Versatones, died at the age of 70.

In 2013, Trevor Bolder, the bassist in David Bowie's legendary 1970s backing band Spiders From Mars, died from cancer at the age of 62. Bolder appeared on the studio albums 'Hunky Dory' (1971), 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' (1972), 'Aladdin Sane' (1973) and 'Pin Ups' (1973). He joined Uriah Heep in 1976, replacing John Wetton.

In 2013, Chris Brown was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a valid license following an accident in the San Fernando Valley, California. If convicted, the singer could face up to one year in jail with other recent incidents including an outburst at a valet, a parking lot brawl with Frank Ocean and a fight with Drake in a New York nightclub.

In 2013, pianist/film score composer/arranger and bandleader Bob Thompson died at the age of 88.

In 2013, Mack Emerman, founder of Criteria Recording Studios in Miami, where acts including Eric Clapton, James Brown and the Bee Gees made some of their most famous records, died of pneumonia at age 89.

In 2013, news reports surfaced that 47-year-old Janet Jackson had now become a billionaire on the strength of her album sales, music and book publishing fees and sold out tours.

birthdays today include (among others):  Ronald Isley (Isley Brothers) (73), Hilton Valentine (Animals) (71), John Dalton (Kinks) (71), Leo Sayer (66), Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) (59), Mike Barson (Madness) (56) and Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) (51)

from our friends at SoundStageDirect

Monty Python's Total Rubbish (Pre-Order) by Monty Python

Following the release of Monty Python Sings (again), the Pythons will also unveil a career spanning box set entitled Monty Python’s Total Rubbish: The Complete Collection. Monty Python’s nine UK albums – "Monty Python’s Flying Circus", "Another Monty Python Record", "Monty Python’s Previous Record", "Matching Tie and Handkerchief", "Live at Drury Lane", "Holy Grail", "Life of Brian", "Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album" and "The Meaning Of Life" - will be united for the first time to create the ultimate collectors’ edition purchase. Released as both a CD and vinyl box set, all with bonus tracks, plus seven-inch vinyl single of their 1974 flexi-disc ‘Monty Python’s Tiny Black Round Thing‘. These classic albums were cut with an all analogue signal path from the original 1/4" master tapes where available. Both editions also contain a case bound book with new liner notes with a foreword by Michael Palin, original Monty Python artwork, archive photos and an original Terry Gilliam-designed full colour slipcase.

• Cut At Abbey Road With An All Analogue Signal Path From The Original ¼ Inch Master Tapes Where Available 
• Including The Original, Revolutionary ‘Concentric Groove’ On Side B Of Matching Tie And Handkerchief 
• Heavyweight Vinyl Seven Inch Single Of The 1974 Flexi-disc ‘Monty Python’s Tiny Black Round Thing’ 
• 64-page Case Bound Book With Foreword By Michael Palin And Liner Notes By Python Confidant Robert Ross From New Interviews With All The Pythons 
• Original Monty Python Artwork And Archive Photos 
• Housed In An Original Terry Gilliam-Designed Full Color Slipcase

Pre-Order at SoundStageDirect


Frozen Original Soundtrack (Pre-Order) by Various Artists

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind "Tangled" and "Wreck-It Ralph," presents "Frozen," a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

• Three Color Vinyl LPs - 1 Side Of Vinyl Etched, 2 Blue Translucent And 1 Clear Translucent
• Double-Gatefold, Foil Embossed Jacket 
• Full-Color Booklet Containing Lyrics And Gallery Quality Images From The Film 
• Individually Numbered Package 
• Import

Pre-Order at SoundStageDirect


This Week's Bestselling Vinyl Records at SoundStageDirect

1. Hans Zimmer - Batman Begins OST (Pre-Order)
2, Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (Pre-Order)
3. Jack White - Lazaretto (Pre-Order)
4. The Mars Volta - Amputechture (Pre-Order)
5. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Jazz Impressions Of "A Boy Named Charlie Brown"
6. Led Zeppelin I (Deluxe Edition) (Pre-Order) (On Sale)
7. Led Zeppelin II (Pre-Order)
8. MFSL Original Master Record Sleeves (50)
9. Led Zeppelin II (Deluxe Edition) (Pre-Order) (On Sale)
10. Coldplay - Ghost Stories

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from our friends at EnjoyTheRideReocrds

CARTEL- CHROMA (ETR Webstore Exclusive Variant)

We are proud to announce our Vinyl Re-issue of Cartel - Chroma on vinyl for the FIRST TIME!  Pressed on Clear with Red Splatter (Limited to 500 copies and ETR webstore exclusive) Housed in an Upgraded EXTRA THICK "old school" Gatefold Jacket complete with lyrics and Full Color Gatefold Jacket & Labels

Pressing Limited to 1000 TOTAL COPIES (Hot Topic will have 500 copies on Solid Red available sometime in the next 2 weeks)

Order at EnjoyTheRideRecords


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Iggy Pop – Gimme Some Skin – (The 7” LP Collection)

Cleopatra Records has released a special limited edition 7-inch singles box set from one of the kings of punk rock, Iggy Pop!  The release includes 7 individual 45's featuring exclusive new tracks as well as classic recordings from 1972-73 with the Stooges - all packaged with a full-color booklet, detailed liner notes, a custom 7-inch vinyl adaptor, and collectible patch!  Seven singles, fourteen sides. The Stooges and Iggy in their prime!

Track List: 
1. I Can't Explain / Lonely Boy
2. Cock In My Pocket / Tight Pants
3. I Got A Right / White Christmas (Guitar Stooge Mix)
4. Money (That's What I Want) / Open Up And Bleed (Single Edit)
5. I Wanna Be Your Dog (Fast Version) / Johanna
6. Gimme Some Skin / I'm So Glad
7. Louie Louie / Scene Of The Crime

Order HERE

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from DeathWaltzRecordingCompany

City Of The Living Dead – Deluxe gatefold edition

Death Waltz Recording Company have been hard at work exhuming a true classic of horror scoring, and the result stands out like a nail through an eyeball. Directed by gorehound favourite Lucio Fulci, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD’s incredible score comes from a true master of ferocious film music, Fabio Frizzi (THE BEYOND, ZOMBI 2), and provides a sonic experience not easily put down. All the ingredients you’d imagine are here: eerie synth lines, horrific violins, and the funkiest bass known to man or zombie – and Frizzi uses them to maximum effect to overwhelm the listener like the hordes of undead they score.

What Frizzi does so easily is make the instruments into weapons to assault your senses, and as such CITY is an intense aural journey, but certainly not one that’ll have you reaching for the off switch. The score is mesmerising with some moments of true beauty, not least in the instrumentation. Electric guitar in particular is used wonderfully to provide colour, and both real and electric pianos add a certain foreboding mood to the score. And then there’s that portentous male choir, always there in the background, waiting. Like the zombies themselves, it’s omnipresent and a symbol of inevitability. And it’s inevitable that you will adore CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD.

DELUXE GATEFOLD EDITION LTD TO 350 WORLDWIDE

180g solid yellow swirl vinyl with orange and red splatter effect.  Vinyl housed in a heavyweight tip-on, case-bound gatefold jacket printed on beautiful textured Galtex Prima card containing an exclusive full colour booklet with liner notes by Composer Fabio Frizzi , Star Lombardo Giovanni Radice, Italian horror expert Stephen Thrower and Artist Graham Humphreys wrapped in an OBI strip.

One off pressing of 350 units when this has sold out the only version available will be black vinyl in a single 400 gsm heavyweight sleeve (no gatefold).

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R.E.M. Unplugged RSD Release To Be Reissued

This straight from the REM FB page:

"Due to Popular Demand...

Well, the Limited Edition Record Store Day release of R.E.M. Unplugged 1991/2001, The Complete Sessions, was quite a hit for those who were able to get one. So as a result, we are working on details for two separate vinyl releases: MTV Unplugged 1991 and MTV Unplugged 2001. Each vinyl release will feature the entire performance, including the additional songs not aired on the original broadcast.

Further details to be a announced as soon as we have them."

this is great news for those who didn't get the RSD set!

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available from ThrillJockey

TRANS AM - VOLUME X

From kosmische rock to futuristic speed metal, robo-balladry to variants on classic rock that are so warped as to be rendered completely unrecognizable, Trans Am refuses to rely on A legacy as innovators. Twenty-plus years in, they continue to innovate on their tenth studio album.

Phil, Nathan, and Seb are hitting the road again, pounding eardrums and bringing the love from east coast to west. We recommend you catch 'em on tour and grab your clear vinyl at the merch table, but if you can't make it, here is one way you can Come a Little Bit Closer...  get it DIRECT from Thrill Jockey mailorder!  Clear vinyl is moving fast!

Get the clear vinyl HERE


Back to Land - Wooden Shjips 

Wooden Shjips’ rise to prominence from the psychedelic underground to the rock and roll overground has been a steady sojourn. With each consecutive release, the band has found new ways of transforming heady psychedelic rock into minimalist masterpieces, bridging the gap between the woozy freeness of Les Rallizes Denudes and Crazy Horse and the tightly wound simplicity of Suicide and the Velvet Underground. Back To Land, the quartet’s follow-up to West, is the first Wooden Shjips record to be conceived outside of San Francisco. Ripley Johnson and Omar Ahsanuddin moved to Oregon, where the lush climates became a major influence on the songwriting. The band’s scope expanded to include more earthy, grounded tones, such as the acoustic guitar, without abandoning their modernist psych core.

There is an increased brightness to many of the songs on Back To Land, an easiness with which the band has flirted with in the past but never fully realized until now. The nervy urgency of West has evolved into an assured confidence, from the alliterative, interlocking guitar and organ groove of “Ruins” to the languidly compelling guitar solos of “Servants.” The addition of the acoustic guitar to the band’s textural palate is coupled here with some of the most melodically direct songs the band has written.

Still, there are still plenty of signature Shjips songs, with distorted riffs, modal keys, and a steady, crisp drum sound unfolding intensely while the elongated melodic guitar lines drift in and out of the foreground. On Back to Land this energy is captured in clear detail, designed as an immersive experience rather than a passive blasting. Back To Land was laid to tape at Jackpot Recording Studios in Portland by Kendra Lynn and mixed by Larry Crane. It was recorded over an 11-day session, resulting in some of the most detailed and spacious recordings of their career.

Back To Land is a breakthrough record for the Wooden Shjips: nuanced, varied and utterly addictive.

LP version is pressed on virgin vinyl and packaged in a gatefold jacket with high gloss UV printing that is housed in a deluxe die cut O-Card. A free download coupon is included. All mailorders now shipping on white vinyl.

Order the white vinyl HERE

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from our friends at NewOnVinyl

SOUNDTRACK (OST)- GODZILLA -LTD

In Summer 2014, the world's most revered monster is reborn when the epic action adventure Godzilla is released, starring Bryan Cranston and Ken Watanabe. Its score is composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat (The King's Speech, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the final two Harry Potter films).

Orginal Sound Track to Godzilla (2014) by Alexandre Desplat. Limited edition only 1500 on Blood red 180 gram vinyl. Double LP. Gatefold sleeve. Including 60 x 60 poster. Release on 2014-06-09

Get your copy at NewOnVinyl

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Prog Masters YES Reveal Heaven & Earth Artwork

Among the world’s most influential, ground-breaking, and respected progressive rock bands, Grammy Award winning, YES, is proud to announce its new album, ‘Heaven and Earth.’ Having sold nearly 40 million albums in a career that has so far spanned more than four decades, ‘Heaven and Earth’ sees YES continuing with its tradition of symphonic progressive rock that remains timelessly fresh and innovative.

‘Heaven and Earth’ contains eight new tracks, each of which boasts the unique musicianship and craftsmanship that have come to be known as ‘the YES sound.’ YES’ distinctive layered music, swirling arrangements, brilliant vocals and harmonies are all in abundance. ‘Heaven and Earth’ is an album sure to please both long-time and new YES fans.

For ‘Heaven and Earth,’ YES teams up with legendary Grammy Award winner, Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, The Cars, Guns N’ Roses, Foreigner, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice Cooper, etc.), who handles production and mixing.

Also onboard is long-time YES artist, the world-renowned Roger Dean, who again brings his masterful artistic creativity to the album’s cover art and packaging.

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Pink Floyd to Release 20th Anniversary Edition of ‘The Division Bell’







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Amazon's Top Ten Best Selling Vinyl

1. Led Zeppelin III (Deluxe Edition Remastered) ~ Led Zeppelin
2. XSCAPE ~ Michael Jackson
3. Led Zeppelin II (Deluxe Edition Remastered) ~ Led Zeppelin
4. St Vincent ~ St. Vincent
5. the long goodbye (lcd soundsystem) ~ LCD Soundsystem
6. And Then You Shoot Your Cousin ~ The Roots
7. Led Zeppelin III (Remastered Original) ~ Led Zeppelin
8. Violator (180 Gram Vinyl) ~ Depeche Mode
9. Lost In The Dream ~ The War on Drugs
10. Led Zeppelin I (Remastered Original) ~ Led Zeppelin


Amazon's Top Ten Best Selling Music

1. Ghost Stories ~ Coldplay
2. XSCAPE ~ Michael Jackson
3. Turn Blue ~ The Black Keys
4. Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions ~ R.E.M.
5. Frozen 2 Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack ~ Demi Lovato
6. Just As I Am ~ Brantley Gilbert
7. Led Zeppelin III (Deluxe CD Edition) ~ Led Zeppelin
8. Disney's Karaoke Series: Frozen ~ Disney Karaoke Series
9. Goin' Home ~ Kenny Wayne Shepherd
10. Led Zeppelin I (Deluxe CD Edition) ~ Led Zeppelin

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GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 5/12 - 5/18, 2014

Vinyl Top 25:
1. The Black Keys - Turn Blue
2. Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds In Country Music
3. The War On Drugs - Lost In The Dream
4. Tobacco - Ultima II Massage
5. Beck - Morning Phase
6. Ray Lamontagne - Supernova
7. Yo La Tengo - Fakebook
8. Swans - To Be Kind
9. Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke
10. The Clientele - Suburban Light
11. La Sera - Hour Of The Dawn
12. Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots
13. Neil Young - A Letter Home
14. Nickel Creek - A Dotted Line
15. Thelonious Monk - Underground
16. The Shins - Live At Third Man
17. Chromeo - White Women
18. Manchester Orchestra - Cope
19. Vince Guaraldi - Jazz Impressions of 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown'
20. The Civil Wars - Live At Eddie's Attic
21. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
22. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
23. Courtney Barnett - Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
24. Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Days Of Abandon
25. Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Phosphorescent Harvest

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

Top Sellers at BecauseSoundMatters

1. Mastodon - Once More ‘Round The Sun 2LP Vinyl
2. The Orwells - Righteous One 12-inch Vinyl Single (RSD release)
3. Cute Is What We Aim For - Rotation (Blue Colored Vinyl)
4. The Black Keys - Turn Blue Vinyl
5. My Chemical Romance - May Death Never Stop You Vinyl + DVD
6. Mastodon - The Hunter Vinyl
7. Portugal. The Man - Evil Friends Vinyl LP
8. Mastodon - Blood Mountain Vinyl LP
9. Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C. Vinyl 2xLP
10. LP - Forever For Now Vinyl + Poster Bundle

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

for shits and giggles:


Classic Album Covers....With Cats!

















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

album cover art of the day:


Demonic Resurrection Unveils "The Demon King" Album Art

In 1922, singer Ada Jones, the most popular female vocalist of the early 20th century, died of kidney failure at age 48. Between 1905 and 1922, she had an astounding 108 Top 10 singles, seven of which went to #1.

In 1954, Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman) celebrated his bar mitzvah.

In 1955, a Fats Domino concert was canceled in Bridgeport, CT because policed feared a rock 'n' roll riot would occur.

In 1958, Jerry Lee Lewis arrived at London's Heathrow Airport to begin his first British tour, along with his new bride, 14 year old third cousin, Myra. Although advised not to mention it, Lewis answered all questions about his private life. The public's shock over Lewis' marriage marks the start of a controversy leading to his British tour being cancelled after just 3 of the scheduled 37 performances. 

In 1960, the Brothers Four sang "Greenfields" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1961, Ernie K Doe went to #1 on the US singles chart with "Mother In Law." The song was written and produced by Allen Toussaint who also played the piano solo. Huey Lewis and the News recorded the song for the 1994 covers album, Four Chords & Several Years Ago.

In 1964, the Beatles arrived back from their first US trip at Heathrow Airport and were greeted by thousands of screaming fans. Also on this day The Beatles scored their second US #1 album with 'The Beatles Second Album'. It displaced 'Meet The Beatles!' from the top of the charts.

In 1965, the Beatles went to #1 on the US singles chart with "Ticket To Ride," the group's eighth US #1. The American single's label declared that the song was from the United Artists release Eight Arms to Hold You. This was the original title of the Beatles' second movie; the title changed to Help! after the single was initially released.

In 1965, Barbra Streisand released the album 'My Name Is Barbra,' a few weeks after her Emmy Award-winning television special of the same title aired on CBS.

In 1966, Bruce Springsteen, at age 16, began his songwriting career in the back of a 1961 Mercury en route to a recording studio.

In 1967, "Groovin’" by the Young Rascals was the #1 song.

In 1967, the Monkees released their third album, 'Headquarters,' the one album on which they played their own instruments, mostly on songs they had written.  The LP reached thetop of the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum in the US with sales of more than two million copies within the first two months of release. As of 2008 it has sold seven million copies in the US and achieved global sales of 11.6 million.

In 1967, on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show," Florence Ballard appeared with the Supremes for the last time.

In 1968, Frank Sinatra appeared at Oakland Coliseum, California and was backed by a full orchestra. The concert was a Democratic Party fundraiser.

In 1968, Cream’s 'Disraeli Gears' goes gold.  Containing the war-horse “Sunshine of Your Love,” and the psychedelic cut "Strange Brew." The cover art was created by Australian artist Martin Sharp who lived in the same building as Clapton.  The front cover consists of a psychedelic collage with the albums title centred and the band name below, surrounded by a floral arrangement.  Sharp was attempting to capture the sound of the music in the cover, which he describes as a "warm florescent sound."

In 1970, this week's UK Top 5 singles: #5, "Daughter Of Darkness," Tom Jones, #4, "Question," The Moody Blues, #3, "Yellow River," Christie, #2, "Spirit In The Sky," Norman Greenbaum and #1, "Back Home," The England World Cup Squad.

In 1971, the Rolling Stones album 'Sticky Fingers' started a four-week run at #1 on the US charts, the group's second US #1 album. The artwork for Sticky Fingers, which, on the original vinyl release, featured a working zipper that opened to reveal cotton briefs, was conceived by American pop artist Andy Warhol. The cover, a photo of Joe Dallesandro's crotch clad in tight blue jeans, was assumed by many fans to be an image of Mick Jagger. The album also features the first usage of the "Tongue and Lip Design" designed by John Pasche. It’s alsoguitarist Mick Taylor’s first full album with the group since replacing Brian Jones.

In 1972, in Seattle, the Guess Who recorded their 'Live at the Paramount' album.

In 1976, Wings started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Silly Love Songs," McCartney's fifth US #1 since leaving The Beatles.

In 1976, the Doobie Brothers album, 'Takin’ It To The Streets,' peaked at #8 and sells over a million copies.

In 1979, Cheap Trick’s breakthrough album 'Live At Budokan' featuring “I Want You To Want Me” goes platinum. The album does so well as an import, Epic Records releases it in the US.

In 1980, U2 started their 11 O'Clock Tick Tock tour London.

In 1980, in New York, five gold records that belonged to Jimi Hendrix were stolen from the Electric Ladyland studios.

In 1987, Roy Orbison was the musical guest on NBC-TV's "Saturday Night Live."

In 1989, Rap group Public Enemy fired one of its members, Professor Griff, after he made anti-Semitic remarks in the Washington Post.

In 1992, Ringo Starr released 'Time Takes Time,' his tenth studio album, but first in nine years.

In 1997, Fleetwood Mac begin recording their “live” concert on an L.A. soundstage. The performance was played on both MTV and VH1.

In 1999, ticket demand turns a five show gig in July at New Jersey’s Continental Airlines Arena into a fifteen show stand for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The reunion shows set the record for one stay at a single arena.

In 2003, the final manuscript of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was annotated by the composer, sold at an auction for $3.47 million.

In 2004, dozens of people were sent to the hospital and more than 200 are treated for heat exhaustion (temperatures near 90 degrees) at a music festival in Washington, D.C. An estimated crowd of 60,000 attend the show, which includes performances by the Offspring, Lostprophets, P.O.D. and Papa Roach.

In 2006, the J. Geils Band's entire original lineup performed together in their hometown of Boston at a private party celebrating bassist Dick Klein's 60th birthday. It reportedly was the first time the six members play together onstage in more than 20 years.

Also in 2006, Led Zeppelin received the Polar Music Prize -- Sweden's most prestigious music award. The award was the result of the group's "playful and experimental music [whose] eclectic elements" helped "define the genre of Hard Rock." The surviving members are presented with a check worth $123,000 by the King of Sweden.

In 2007, Ozzy Osbourne's 'Black Rain' was released. "It's a well-put-together album," says Ozzy. "I took my time on (it) and (guitarist) Zakk (Wylde) plays some amazing stuff as always.""I Don't Wanna Stop" is the lead single. "People keep saying to me, 'You'll be quitting soon, retiring.' I don't wanna stop!" adds Ozzy. "I'd miss the fans. I'd miss the buzz, seeing the crowd going crazy." The album was recorded at Osbourne's home studio in L.A.

In 2008, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Radiohead were recognized for their songwriting accomplishments at Britain's prestigious Ivor Novello Awards in London. Gilmour takes a Lifetime Achievement trophy. "It's been a long, bumpy and exhilarating road," says Gilmour. Radiohead receives the Album Award for "In Rainbows."

In 2011, Faye Treadwell, former manager of the Drifters, died at the age of 84.

In 2012, British newspaper The Sun, reported that Mick Jagger's lavish Caribbean holiday home on Mustique was available for hire, at £9,500 a week, but added that Mick, demanded full details of applicants’ backgrounds, including professions, before they were even considered. Bandmate Keith Richards’ beach-front Caribbean holiday home at Parrot Cay Resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands was also alvaible for rent, at £35,000 a week.

In 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, President Barack Obama presented the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, an award given by the Library of Congress, to songwriter/singer/pianist Carole King, who became only the fifth recipient and first woman to receive the honor. The ceremony included performances of King songs by Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Emeli Sande, Jesse McCartney, James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood, and was televised nationally by PBS stations six days later.

birthdays today inlcude (among others):  Ian Underwood (Mothers of Invention) (75), lyricist (Elton John collaborator) Bernie Taupin (64), Morrissey (55), Johnny Gill (New Edition) (48) and Kenny Hickey (Type O Negative) (48)

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 19, 2014

DEAR JERRY: Who is the singer of, and what is the name of, the song playing on the latest Friskies "Feed the Senses" cat food TV commercial?

I know I heard it a time or two in the 1960s, but now I'm going nuts trying to identify it.
—Josephine Manno, Johns Creek, Ga.


DEAR JOSEPHINE: Based on your description, I believe you are referring to the video titled "Dizzy." You won't see the title during the spot, but it's about a curious cat being enthralled by things that spin.

In order shown, the kitty marvels at: a vinyl LP on a turntable; a ceiling fan; a clothes dryer on spin cycle; water in a tub circling the drain; a wind-driven whirligig; a computer graphic spinning counterclockwise; and, with a little nudge from the cat, a can of Purina Friskies Feed the Senses salmon dinner.

A true professional, the cat casted shows no signs of lightheadedness after those dizzying scenes. Just an increased appetite for salmon.

The music accompanying this feline foolishness is "Happiness Runs (In a Circular Motion)," one of the non-hit but popular tracks on Donovan's 1969 album, "Barabajagal" (Epic 26481).

On the outside chance you watched "Night Lights" rather than "Dizzy," then the song heard is "Connected," by Caught a Ghost, from their 2013 "Nightworks" EP.

In "Night Lights," the cat roams the house in the middle of the night searching for, and eventually finding, one crunchy piece of cat food.

I just realized that in the history of this column — approximately 1.2 million words spread over 28 years — this is my first use of "whirligig."


DEAR JERRY: A well-known British Invasion collector posted a blog note saying: "Not until the Beatles in 1964 was there a week when the exact same recording topped both the U.S. and UK charts."

This is a cool piece of trivia, but I would like to confirm it with you.
—Cliff Woodside, Evansville, Ind.


DEAR CLIFF: The claim borders on truth, but requires a slight modification before being factual.

Make it "Not until the Beatles in 1964 was there a week when a recording by a vocal group topped both the U.S. and UK charts."

From the beginning of the New Musical Express (NME) chart, November 15, 1952, through 1969, only 20 times did the same record rank No. 1 in both countries at the same time.

For 43 weeks, out of a possible 892, both the Yankees and the Brits had these tunes at No. 1:

"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (Perry Como), one week in February 1953
"Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" (Perez Prado), two weeks in April 1955
"Singing the Blues" (Guy Mitchell), five weeks beginning January 5, 1957
"Young Love" (Tab Hunter), five weeks beginning February 16, 1957
"Diana" (Paul Anka), three weeks in September 1957
"It's All in the Game" (Tommy Edwards), one week in November 1958
"Can't Buy Me Love" (Beatles), three weeks in April 1964
"A Hard Day's Night" (Beatles), first two weeks of August 1964
"Oh, Pretty Woman" (Roy Orbison), one week in October 1964
"Baby Love" (Supremes), one week in November 1964
"I Feel Fine" (Beatles), three weeks beginning December 26, 1964
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (Righteous Brothers), one week in February 1965
"Get Off of My Cloud" (Rolling Stones), two weeks in November 1965
"We Can Work It Out" (Beatles), one week in January 1966
"Paperback Writer" (Beatles) one week in July 1966
"I'm a Believer" (Monkees), four weeks beginning January 28, 1967
"Somethin' Stupid" (Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra), one week in April 1967
"Hello Goodbye" (Beatles), three weeks beginning December 23, 1967
"Get Back" (Beatles), two weeks in May 1969
"Honky Tonk Women" (Rolling Stones), one week in August 1969

The number of weeks shown here may not reflect the song's total stay in either country, but is the number of weeks at No. 1 simultaneously.

Note that Roy Orbison is the only post-Beatles solo artist on this list.


IZ ZAT SO? The Beatles first made the British charts February 2, 1963, with "Please Please Me." Three weeks later it became their first No. 1 hit.

This reminded me that we have yet to dissect the top UK hits before and after the Beatles (we can't call it British) Invasion.

Just as in the U.S. one year later, the changing makeup of solo singers and vocal groups in England was staggering.

For this analysis we'll look at the NME No. 1 hits, for four years before (1959-1962) and after (1963-1966) the Beatles debut. 1959 through 1962:

Of 208 total weeks, only 18 had a vocal group (includes duos and trios) at No. 1. All of those 18 weeks belonged to just five acts: Everly Brothers (13); Marcels (2); Platters (1); Highwaymen (1); and Temperance Seven (1).

On the flip side, of the 208 weeks from 1963 through 1966, groups spent 157 at the Top of the Pops!

As for the other 51 weeks, here are the solo vocalists who briefly managed to push the groups aside: Cilla Black (7); Tom Jones (6); Roy Orbison (5); Jim Reeves (5); Ken Dodd (6); Sandi Shaw (4); Frank Ifield (3); Cliff Richard (3); Frank Sinatra (3); Elvis Presley (2); Dusty Springfield (2); Chris Farlowe (2); Len Barry (1); Nancy Sinatra (1); and Jackie Trent (1).

Stateside readers may not recognize Ken Dodd ("Tears [For Souvenirs]"), Chris Farlowe ("Out of Time"), and Jackie Trent ("Where Are You Now"), all of whom did have records released here. It's just that none of those ever reached the U.S. Top 100, although "Out of Time" was a regional hit for Chris Farlowe.

In 1938, singer Ray Eberle signed on as vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra for $35 a week. His first hit single with the band was "My Reverie," which peaked at #11 late in 1938. His second featured vocal with Miller was on the more successful "Wishing (Will Make It So)," #1 for four weeks the following year.

In 1940, Frank Sinatra, the Pied Pipers (with Jo Stafford) and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recorded "I'll Never Smile Again," which went on to spend 12 weeks at #1.

In 1958, Patti Page released the single "Left Right Out Of Your Heart."

In 1960, Cadence Records, the Everly Brothers' former label, released two of their 1959 recordings on the single "When Will I Be Loved" b/w "Be-Bop-A-Lula."

In 1960, the Everly Brothers started a five-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “Cathy’s Clown.” It spent seven weeks at #1 in the UK.  It became the Everly Brothers' biggest hit single and their third and final US chart topper, selling eight million copies worldwide.

In 1963, Paul Revere and the Raiders sign with Columbia Records where they will have 14 Billboard Top 40 singles between 1965 and 1971.

In 1963, Millie Small's "My Boy Lollipop," already a hit in the UK, enters the Hot 100 where it will stay for 12 weeks, climbing to #2.

In 1963, singer/songwriter/bandleader Eddy Howard, who sang with Ben Bernie and Dick Jurgens before starting his own band, died from a cerebral hemorrhage at age 48.

In 1964, Ella Fitzgerald had the first hit with a Beatles cover when "Can't Buy Me Love" reached #34 in the U.K.

In 1965, the Bachelors sang "Marie" and "I Believe" on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1967, Pink Floyd went into the studio and recorded “See Emily Play,” the group’s second single and written by original frontman Syd Barrett.

In 1969, the Who released their fourth album, 'Tommy.' A double album telling a the story of a "deaf, dumb and blind kid" who became the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was the first musical work to be billed as a rock opera.  In 1998, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant value." In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #96 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

In 1970, the Grateful Dead played their first gig outside the US at The Hollywood Rock Music Festival, in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffs, England.

In 1970, Paul McCartney's debut solo album, 'McCartney,' started a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 200, while the Beatles' LP 'Let It Be' was #1 on the UK album chart.

In 1971, the rock group Iron Butterfly played their final show and disbanded. They re-formed in 1974 and, except for a brief break between late 1985 and early 1987, the group has continued to this day.

In 1973, Jefferson Airplane were prevented from giving a free concert in Golden Gate Park when San Francisco authorities passed a resolution banning electronic instruments. The group later wrote “We Built this City” about the ban.

Also in 1973, Clive Davis is fired as president of Columbia Records. He was allegedly using company funds for private use, including $53,700 worth of alterations to his apartment and $20,000 for his son's bar mitzvah.

In 1974, George Harrison announced the launch of Dark Horse, his own record label.

In 1975, Elton John's 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy' album was released, the first to be certified a million-seller on its first day of release and first album to debut at #1, where it stayed for seven weeks.  On the UK Albums Chart, it peaked at #2. In 2003, the album was ranked #158 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

In 1975, Led Zeppelin started a three-night run at Earl’s Court, London, England. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70) - £2.50 ($4.25).

In 1977, Jefferson Starship had to cancel their planned free concert in Golden Gate Park after the city of San Francisco banned electric instruments from all free outdoor concerts. Inspired in part by this event, Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf wrote "We Built This City," a #1 single for Starship eight years later.

In 1977, Engelbert Humperdinck's "After the Lovin'" album was certified Platinum.

In 1978, at Shea's Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band began the 117-date Darkness Tour, their first major tour.

In 1979, after his record label, ABC, was sold to MCA, Tom Petty filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In 1979, Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" goes Platinum. The album's title track, a #2 hit last month, is the rallying call for baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates, who will go on to win the 1979 World Series in October.

In 1982, in the UK, the musicians union tried to ban synthesizers and drum machines.

In 1987, twelve former members of The Doobie Brothers reunited for a charity concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The show raised $350,000 for Vietnam veterans, about two-thousand of whom attended the show for free.

In 1991, "I Don't Wanna Cry" by Mariah Carey was the #1 song.

In 1991, photographer Michael Lavine took what would be the publicity shots for Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' album at Jay Aaron Studios in Los Angeles. The idea for the front cover shot of the baby swimming was taken after Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl saw a TV documentary on water babies and was taken by Kirk Weddle. Several babies were used; five-month old Spencer Eldon’s photo came out best.

In 1992, the will of the late Freddie Mercury bequeathed the majority of the Queen singer's $17 million estate to Mary Austin, his longtime companion.

In 1993, jazz guitarist Joe Pass, who recorded six albums with Ella Fitzgerald and was a sideman with Louis Bellson, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Della Reese, and Johnny Mathis, died of liver cancer at age 65.

In 2000, Eminem released 'The Marshall Mathers LP.' Released a year after Eminem's breakout album 'The Slim Shady LP,' the record features more introspective lyricism including the rapper's response to his sudden rise to fame and controversy surrounding his lyrics.  The album sold more than 1.76 million copies in the US in the first week alone, becoming the fastest-selling studio album by any solo artist in American music history.  In 2001, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year.

In 2001, record producer/arranger/keyboardist Tommy Eyre died of cancer at the age of 51. He worked with George Harrison, Wham! Dusty Springfield, and B.B. King. Eyre played on and arranged Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help From My Friends" and Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street."

In 2002, U2's Walk On won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song while Mick Hucknall won for Best Song Collection and Kate Bush was given Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

In 2006, the King of Sweden presented the surviving members of Led Zeppelin with the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm recognizing them as “great pioneers” of rock music. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were joined by the daughter of drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980. The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, manager of Swedish pop group ABBA, who named it after his record label, Polar Records previous winners include Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and producer Quincy Jones.

In 2007, the first Gershwin Award was given by the US Library of Congress to Paul Simon, for being a "performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins."

In 2009, Amy Winehouse cancelled her appearance at a concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Island Records. The event, scheduled to take place on 31st May at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire, had now been cancelled completely, her management said.

In 2010, the Rolling Stones scored their first UK #1 album for 16 years with the re-release of their classic 1972 double LP 'Exile On Main Street.' The album, which was first released in 1972, had been reissued with previously unheard tracks. Their last #1 album was 1994's 'Voodoo Lounge.'

In 2012, Erasmus MC University Medical Center in the Netherlands announced they had drawn clear links between listening to loud music, smoking marijuana and having "risky" sex. The study, published in the Official Journal of the American Academy Of Pediatrics, revealed that young people who listened to loud music on their MP3 players were more likely to have sparked up a joint in the last month. The researchers, surveyed 944 students from inner-city vocational schools aged 15 to 25.

In 2013, during court proceedings for Michael Jackson's wrongful death trial, a stage manager testified that he warned an AEG executive just five days before the star's death that he was in a physical and mental decline.

birthdays today include (among others):  Bill Hunt (Electric Light Orchestra) (67), James Mankey (Concrete Blonde) (62), Rick Fenn (10cc) (61), Luka Bloom (59), Phil Selway (Radiohead) (47), Jewel (born Jewel Kilcher) (40) and Scott Raynor (Blink-182) (36)

June 3 

311 - 311  (vinyl)
311 - Evolver (2xLP)
50 Cent - Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win (2xLP)
50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2xLP)
Aerosmith - Draw the Line (reissue) (vinyl)
Aerosmith - Night in the Ruts (reissue) (vinyl)
Aerosmith - Rock in a Hard Place (reissue) (vinyl)
Aerosmith - Rocks (reissue) (vinyl)
Alice Boman - EP II (vinyl)
American Analog Set - Know By Heart  (vinyl)
Andrew Bird - Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of...
Apathy - Connecticut Casual (vinyl)
Batdorf & Rodney - Portfolio
Birdy - Fire Within
Bis - Data Panik Etcetera
Blackbird Blackbird - Tangerine Sky
Bloody Hammers - Under Satan’s Sun
Bob Mould - Beauty & Ruin (vinyl)
Bobby Brown - Don't Be Cruel (vinyl)
Bok Bok - Your Charizmatic Self 9 (vinyl 2x12")
Brent Bourgeois - Don't Look Back
Brian Reitzell - Auto Music (vinyl)
British Sea Power - From the Sea to the Land Beyond (vinyl)
Bruno Coulais - Coraline OST (2xLP)
Buzz Osborne - This Machine Kills Artists
Camper Van Beethoven - El Camino Real
Cardinal - Cardinal
Centro-matic - Take Pride in Your Long Odds (vinyl)
Chrissie Hynde - Stockholm
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Only Run (vinyl)
Country Weather - San Francisco 1969-1971
Curtis Harvey - The Wheel
Darkest Era - Severance
Dat Oven - Icy Lake (12")
Dean Martin - Dream With Dean (vinyl)
Deep in Hate - Chronicles of Oblivion
Demonic Rage - Venomous Wine From Putrid Bodies
Devon Williams - Gilding The Lily
Dinowalrus - Complexion (vinyl)
Divine Chaos - A New Dawn In the Age of War
Echo & The Bunnymen - Meteorites
Ethan Johns - The Reckoning
Everly Brothers - Pass the Chicken & Listen / Stories We Could Tell
Faith, Hope and Charity - Faith Hope & Charity (expanded edition)
Fanny - Charity Ball (expanded edition)
Fifth Dimension - Earthbound The Complete ABC Recordings
Flowdan - Serious Business EP (12")
Fucked Up - Glass Boys (deluxe edition) (2xLP)
Gabriel Kahane - The Ambassador
Ghost Beach - Blonde (vinyl)
Gold-Bears - Dalliance
Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks Vol. 18 - Dane County Coliseum, Madison, Wi 2/3/78, Uni-Dome, University Of N. Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 2/5/78 (3xCD)
Hamilton Leithauser - Black Hours (deluxe edition) (2xLP)
Harold Budd - Remixes (12")
Harry Dean Stanton - Partly Fiction (vinyl)
Helms Alee | Young Widows - Split (12")
Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther (reissue) (vinyl)
Howlin' Wolf - Complete RPM & Chess Singles As & Bs 1951-62
Hurley & Gottlieb Arthur - The Complete Anthology 1973-1974
Jeff Grace - Night Moves OST
Joe Henry - Invisible Hour
John Coltrane - Standard Coltrane (vinyl)
Jolie Holland - Wine Dark Sea (vinyl)
Jon Brion - Paranorman OST (2xLP)
Jon Hassell - City: Works of Fiction (vinyl)
Jon Hassell - Remixes (12")
Kan Wakan - Moving On
Kelis - Rumble (12")
King Buzzo - This Machine Kills Artists
Klaxons - Love Frequency
Laraaji - Remixes (12")
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin I (Super Deluxe Edition Box) (CD & LP)
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (Super Deluxe Edition Box) (CD & LP)
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III (Super Deluxe Edition Box) (CD & LP)
Lee Fields & The Expressions - Emma Jean (colored vinyl)
Linda Martell - Color Me Country
Lucy Hale - Road Between
Lydia Lunch - A Fistful Of Desert Blues (vinyl)
Madlib - Pinata Beats (vinyl)
Marcus Hook Roll Band - Tales of Old Grand-Daddy
Martyn - Forgiveness (12")
Massacra - Enjoy the Violence (reissue)
Massacra - Final Holocaust (reissue)
Massacra - Signs of the Decline (reissue)
Matisyahu - Akeda (2xLP)
Matt Pond PA - Emblems (colored vinyl)
Meshell Ndegeocello - Comet, Come to Me (2xLP)
Mew - Frengers (2xLP) (colored vinyl)
MGMT - Congratulations (reissue) (2xLP)
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (reissue) (vinyl)
Miles Davis - The Musing of Miles (vinyl)
Miranda Lambert - Platinum
Mongrel - Evolution EP
Moody Blues - Seventh Sojurn (reissue) (vinyl)
Morrissey - Vauxhall & I (20th Anniversary Definitive Master) (vinyl)
Mr. Scruff - Render Me feat. Denis Jones (12")
N.W.A. - ICON: N.W.A.
Nazareth - Rock 'n' Roll Telephone (vinyl)
New Riders of the Purple Sage - Radio Mixes & Live Bonus
Nightmares - Suspiria
No Means No - Dance of the Headless Bourgeoisie (2xLP)
Opium Warlords - Taste My Sword of Understanding
Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (vinyl)
Pantera - Far Beyond Bootleg- Live From Donington '94 (reissue) (vinyl)
Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal (deluxe edition) (LP+7")
Paul Weller - More Modern Classics (2xLP)
Paws - Youth Culture Forever (vinyl)
Peter Murphy - Lion
Platters - ICON: The Platters
Priests - Bodies and Control and Money and Power (vinyl)
Pylon - Homo Homini Lupus
Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (glow-in-the-dark vinyl) (10")
Redvers - Truth In Silence
Rescuer - Anxiety Answering (vinyl)
Rich Robinson - Ceaseless Sight (vinyl)
Robert Francis - Heaven (vinyl)
Rock-A-Teens - Sweet Bird of Youth (vinyl)
Roedelius - Remixes (12")
Roll The Dice - Until Silence
Rude - Soul Recall
Run With The Hunted - The Sieve And The Sand
Sage Francis - Copper Gone
San Angelus - uuÜuu
SBTRKT - Transitions III (12")
Slum Village - Vintage EP (vinyl)
Son of Aurelius - Under A Western Sun
Souls of Mischief - There Is Only Now/All You Got Is Your Word (7")
Soundgarden - Superunknown (reissue) (2xLP)
Stone Cold Fox - Memory Palace (vinyl)
Sun Ra - Cosmos (vinyl)
Sun Ra & His Arkestra - Live at Montreaux (2xLP)
Sunny Pompeii - Vinegar
Swan King - Last So Long (vinyl)
Swarþ - Omines Pestilentiae
Sweet Inspirations - The Complete Atlantic Singles Plus
Tanya Tucker - Icon
Taylor McFerrin - Early Riser (vinyl)
Tearjerker - Hiding (12")
The Cutthroats 9 - Dissen
The Donkeys - Ride the Black Wave (vinyl)
The Great Sabatini - Dog Years
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live At Monterey (reissue) (200g vinyl)
The KVB - Out of Body (vinyl)
The Moles - The Moles: Flashbacks and Dream Sequences: The Story of the Moles
The Orwells - Disgraceland (vinyl)
The Shoe - I'm Okay (vinyl)
Tigers Jaw - Charmer (vinyl)
Tijuana Panthers - Wayne Interest (vinyl)
Todd Rundgren & Utopia - Live at the Electric Ballroom Milwaukee
Tomahawk - M.E.A.T.
Townes Van Zandt - Down Home (2xLP)
UB40 - ICON: UB40
Vader - Tibi Et Igni
Valdrin - Beyond The Forest
Various Artists - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical / Original Broadway Cast Recording
Various Artists - Divergent OST (vinyl)
Various Artists - Greater Lengths: An All Saints Compilation
Various Artists - Kitsune America 3 (The Road Trip Issue)
Various Artists - Palo Alto OST (vinyl)
Various Artists - Some Songs from the Kill Rock Stars Singles (tape)
Various Artists - Soul Jazz Records presents Calypso: Musical Poetry In The Caribbean 1955-69 (vinyl)
Various Artists - The Essential Ennio Morricone (2xCD)
Via - From The Ashes
Vicki Carr - Love Again The Lost Columbia Masters
Vicki Carr - The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face) (expanded edition)
Village People - ICON: The Village People
Walls | Oram - Sound Houses (vinyl)
Warren Zevon - Headless In Boston
Wendy Carlos - Tron OST (2xLP)
ZipGun Bomber - Paper Airplanes EP


June 10

¡Mayday! x MURS - Mursday
Against Me! - Unconditional Love (7")
Alex Banks - Illuminate (2xLP)
Alexander Turnquist - Flying Fantasy (vinyl)
Alexis Taylor - Await Barbarians
Alexis Zoumbas - A Lament for Epirus, 1926-1928
Alice Coltrane - A Monastic Trio (vinyl)
Amity Affliction - Let The Ocean Take Me
Anathema - Distant Satellites
Angel Du$t - A.D.
Angus Maclise - New York Electronic, 1965 (vinyl)
Arch Enemy - War Eternal
Ben Frost - A U R O R A (colored vinyl)
Big Wreck - Ghosts
Biome - Cromos EP (12")
Bloody Hammers - Under Satan's Sun (vinyl)
Body Count - Manslaughter
Boys Noize - Go Hard Remixes (12")
Candy Hearts - All the Ways You Let Me Down (vinyl)
Cattle Decapitation - Humanure (deluxe reissue) (2xLP)
Cattle Decapitation - Karma.Bloody.Karma (reissue) (vinyl)
Cattle Decapitation - To Serve Man (deluxe edition) (vinyl)
Chrissie Hynde - Stockholm (vinyl)
Ciccone Youth - The Whitey Album (reissue)
City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love (2xLP)
City and Colour - Sometimes (2xLP)
clipping. - CLPPNG (2xLP)
Clutch - Earth Rocker (deluxe edition) (2xCD+DVD)
Clutch - Robot Hive/Exodus (2xLP)
Craft Spells - Nausea (vinyl)
Daemonheim - Tidian
Dave Harrington - Before This There Was One Heart But a Thousand Thoughts EP (12")
Den Saakaldte - Kapittel II: Faen i Helvete
Dolly Parton | Linda Ronstadt | Emmylou Harris - Trio (vinyl)
Don Caballero - Five Crazy Pairs of Pants. Wear 'Em: Early Caballero (vinyl)
Donato Dozzy - Terzo Giorno (12")
Drcarlsonalbion - Gold (colored vinyl)
Dredd Foole and Ben Chasny - Drunk with Insignificance (vinyl)
Drexciya - Hydro Doorways (12")
Dub Club vs The Lions - This Generation Dub
Dub Thompson - 9 Songs (vinyl)
Dust Bolt - Awake The Riot
Elijah and Skilliam - FabricLive.75
Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton - Trio (vinyl)
Equilibrium - Erdentempe
Eric Clapton - From the Cradle (2xLP)
Eric Clapton - Me and Mr. Johnson (vinyl)
Eric Clapton | B.B. King - Riding with the King (2xLP)
Extrawelt and Dominik Eulberg - A Little Further (12")
Falconer - Black Moon Rising
Fatboy Slim - Fatboy Slim Presents Bem Brasil (2xCD)
Filipe Felizardo - Sede e Morte (12")
Finch - Say Hello to Sunshine (2xLP)
First Aid Kit - Stay Gold (2xLP)
Fu Manchu - Gigantoid (vinyl)
Ghost Town - The After Party
Giana Factory - Lemon Moon (vinyl)
Glass Animals - Zaba (vinyl)
God Macabre - The Winterlong  (reissue) (vinyl)
Guy Mitchell - 20 Greatest Hits
Half-Handed Cloud - Flying Scroll Flight Control (vinyl)
HELLYEAH - Blood For Blood
Hollie Cook - Twice
Ice T - Manslaughter
Imagho and Mocke - Half Quartet (vinyl)
Imogen Heap - Sparks
Incarnated - Try Before Die
Jack Ruby - Jack Ruby (vinyl)
Jack White - Lazaretto (vinyl)
James - La Petite Mort
Joe Manning and Joan Shelley - Outside, Stay Outside (7")
Jose James - While You Were Sleeping (vinyl)
Julien Gasc - Cerf Biche et Faon (vinyl)
July Talk - July Talk
Kyle Bobby Dunn - Kyle Bobby Dunn and the Infinite Sadness (3xLP)
Leslie Winer - Witch (vinyl)
Leyland Kirby Presents V/VM - The Death of Rave (A Partial Flashback) (vinyl)
Loudblast - Burial Ground
Lust For Youth - International (vinyl)
Madness - One Step Beyond (reissue) (vinyl)
Mars Red Sky - Stranded In Arcadia
Maxi Priest - Easy To Love
Mayhem - Esoteric Warfare (vinyl)
Memory Map - The Sky As Well As Space (vinyl)
Michael Jackson - Xscape (vinyl)
Mick Harvey - Intoxicated Man / Pink Elephants (remastered) (2xLP+CD)
Mike Rosenberg - Whispers
Moebius/Story/Leidecker - Snowghost Pieces (vinyl)
Moon B - II (vinyl)
Nachtmystium - The World We Left Behind
Necronomicon - Rise Of The Elder Ones
Night Ranger - High Road
Nightmare - The Aftermath
Nolan - Children of House (12")
O.A.R. - The Rockville LP
Obsequiae - Suspended in the Brume of Eos (vinyl)
October File - The Application of Loneliness, Ignorance, Misery, Love and Despair - An Introspective of the Human Condition
Officer! - Dead Unique (2xLP)
Orange Goblin - Healing Through Fire (reissue)
Oren Ambarchi | Keiji Haino | Jim O'Rourke - Only Wanting to Melt Beautifully Away Is It a Lack of Contentment That Stirs Affection for Those Things Said to Be as of (vinyl)
Overlast - Backstage (12")
Passenger - Whispers (2xLP)
Paul Hardcastle - The Jazzmasters VII
PHORK - High End
Pillory - Evolutionary Miscarriage
Popcaan - Where We Come From
Quantic - Magnetica (3xLP)
Question - Doomed Passages
Quirke - Acid Beth (12")
Richard Fearless - Higher Electronic States (12")
Richter | Deridder | Konzerthaus Kammerorchesterberlin - Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons (2xLP)
Ripatti | Teeth - Ripatti04 (12")
Riton - Bad Guy Ri Ri (12")
Rival Sons - Great Western Valkyrie
Roche - Stillhope (12")
Roll the Dice - Until Silence (2xLP)
Rose Windows - There Is a Light (7")
Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl (deluxe edition) (2xLP)
Salami Junior - Deli Days/Sontava Nights (vinyl)
Saosin - Saosin (clear vinyl)
SAY ANYTHING - Hebrews (vinyl)
Sebastien Tellier - L'Aventura (2xLP)
Sewn Leather - Freak on Hashish/Longboarding Is a Crime (vinyl)
Shield Patterns - Shield Patterns (vinyl)
Shining - Shining (2xCD)
Sole and DJ Pain 1 - Death Drive
Some Ember - Some Ember (vinyl)
Son Lux - Alternate Worlds (12")
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (reissue) (2xLP)
Stagnant Pools - Geist (vinyl)
Stoic Dissention - Autochthon
Tesla - Simplicity
The Amity Affliction - Let The Ocean Take Me
The Atlas Moth - The Old Believer
The Chant - New Haven
The Constantines - Shine A Light (vinyl)
The Fresh & Onlys - House of Spirits (vinyl)
The Phantom Band - Strange Friend (vinyl)
The Rock*A*Teens - A Major Motion Picture (2xLP)
The Specials - More Specials (vinyl LP+7")
The Toxic Avenger - Romance & Cigarettes
The Who - Quadrophenia: Live in London
The Word Alive - Real
This Wild Life - Clouded (vinyl)
Throwing Snow - Mosaic (2xLP)
Tiny Victories - Haunts (vinyl)
Tomas Barfod - Love Me (vinyl)
Tombs - Savage Gold (vinyl)
Tori Amos - Unrepentant Geraldines (vinyl)
Trap Them - Blissfucker (vinyl)
U.D.O. - Steelhammer: Live In Moscow (CD/ DVD)
Uriah Heep - Outsider
Vader - Tibi Et Igni (Nuclear Blast)
Various Artists - 1970s Algerian Folk and Pop
Various Artists - Choubi Choubi: Folk & Pop Sounds from Iraq Vol. 1 (2xLP+7")
Various Artists - Drinking Buddies OST (vinyl)
Various Artists - The Ecstasy of Gold: 31 Killer Bullets from the Spaghetti West Vol. 5 (2xLP)
Various Artists - C86 (reissue)
Walter Trout - The Blues Came Callin (vinyl)
WIFE - What's Between (vinyl)
Wolves At The Gate - VxV (Solid State)
Wreck and Reference - Want (vinyl)


June 17

Al Jarrau - My Old Friend
Alexis Taylor - Await Barbarians (vinyl)
Being As An Ocean - How We Both Wondrously Perish (vinyl)
Ben Fields - Extraordinary Light
Big Freedia - Just Be Free
Boris - Noise
Brick and Mortar - Social Studies
Casket Lottery | Small Brown Bike - Split (12")
Cerebral Ballzy - Jaded & Faded
Close Lobsters - Kunstwerk In Spacetime EP (7")
Current Swell - Ulysses (vinyl)
Dave Matthews - Remember Two Things (vinyl)
David Gray - Mutineers (vinyl)
Deadmau5 - While
Death Has No Dominion - Death Has No Dominion
Donnie and Joe Emerson - Still Dreamin' Wild: Lost Recordings 1979-81 (vinyl)
Duck Sauce - Quack (2xLP)
Echosmith - Talking Dreams (vinyl)
Expire - Pretty Low
Feed The Rhino - The Sorrow And The Sound
Glass Towers - Halcyon Days (vinyl)
Green & Wood - Devil's Plan (tape)
Greys - If Anything (vinyl)
HIEROGLYPHICS - The Kitchen (vinyl)
Hooray for Earth - Keys (7")
Jaded Incorporated - The Big Knock (vinyl)
Jennifer Lopez - A.K.A.
Jethro Tull - This Was (reissue) (vinyl)
Joe Louis Walker - Best of the Stony Plain Years
Joseph Arthur - Lou (2xLP)
Kansas - The Best of Kansas (vinyl)
Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence
Lecherous Gaze - Zeta Reticuli Blues
Linkin Park - The Hunting Party
Lone - Reality Testing
Long John Baldry - Best of the Stony Plain Years
Lower - Seek Warmer Climes (colored vinyl)
Makthaverskan - II (vinyl)
Martyn - The Air Between Words (vinyl)
Matteah Baim - Falling Theater
Miniature Tigers - Cruel Runnings (vinyl)
Necuratul - Sanguine Lupus Graves
Nevada Rose - Paint Me In Light
NRBQ - Brass
Opeth - Pale Communion
Paul Westerberg - 14 Songs (vinyl)
Rod Stewart | Faces - Snakes and Ladders: The Best of Faces (vinyl)
Sam Smith - In the Lonely Hour (vinyl)
Say Hi - Endless Wonder
SBTRKT - Transitions 001 (12")
SBTRKT - Transitions 002 (12")
SBTRKT - Transitions 003 (12")
Scare Don't Fear - From The Ground Up
Soft Pink Truth - Why Do the Heathen Rage?
Swollen Members - Brand New Day
Taatsi - Season of Sacrifice
The Antlers - Familiars (vinyl)
The Ataris - End Is Forever (reissue) (vinyl)
The Downtown Fiction - Losers & Kings
The Felice Brothers - Favorite Waitress (2xLP)
The Front Bottoms - Rose
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer - A Real Fine Mess
The Mastersons - Good Luck Charm
The Pretty Reckless - Going to Hell  (vinyl)
The Specials - Live at The Moonlight Club (vinyl)
The Waterboys - Waterboys  (vinyl)
Trummors - Moorish Highway
Under The Church - Under The Church
Vanna - Void
Various Artists - Belly OST (2xLP)
Various Artists - Psychedelic States: Maryland In The 60s
Various Artists - Shapes: Rectangles (2xLP)
Vassafor / Sinistrous Diabolus - Split
White Lung - Deep Fantasy (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - Band of Brothers (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - It Will Come To Pass: The Metaphysical Worlds And Poetic Introspections Of Willie Nelson
Wo Fat - The Conjuring
Youth In Revolt - Love Is A Liars Game


June 24 

3rd Bass - The Cactus Album (vinyl)
A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Sea When Absent (vinyl)
Ace Frehley - Space Invader
ACxDC - Antichrist Demoncore
Alias - Pitch Black Prism (vinyl)
Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid (reissue) (vinyl)
Alien Ensemble - Alien Ensemble (vinyl)
Allegaeon - Elements of the Infinite
Alraune - The Process of Self-Immolation
Anberlin - Lowborn
Angel - Terra Null
Aretha Franklin - Aretha's Gold (vinyl)
Auroch - Taman Shud
Babys - I'll Have Some Of That
Beyonce - Beyonce (2xLP+DVD)
Black Bananas - Electric Brick Wall (vinyl)
Blut Aus Nord / P.H.O.B.O.S. - Triunity Split
Boris Werner - Acid Casino (12")
Bremen - Second Launch (2xLP)
Brigitte Fontaine - Brigitte Fontaine (vinyl)
Cannabis Corpse - From Wisdom To Baked
Carole King - Tapestry (reissue) (2xLP)
Carsie Blanton - Not Old, Not New
Cemetery Lust - Orgies of Abomination
Channel Zero - Kill All Kings
Cheap Girls - Famous Graves (vinyl)
Chic - Risque (35th Anniversary Limited Edtion) (vinyl)
Chicago - Chicago VII (vinyl)
Circulatory System - Mosaics within Mosaics (vinyl)
Climax - The Best Of Climax: Precious & Few
Coma - Atlantis (12")
Confession - Life And Death
Corrosion of Conformity - IX
Craig Leon - Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol. 1: (2xLP)
Dan Melchior - Und Das Menace (vinyl)
Dave Aju - Black Frames (2xLP)
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs 40th Anniversary (7" picture disc)
Death Of An Era - Black Bagged
Deetron - Fabric 76
Dionne Warwick - Feels So Good
Donato Dozzy - K (2xLP)
Donovan Blanc - Donovan Blanc (vinyl)
Echo & the Bunnymen - Meteorites (vinyl)
Ed Sheeran - x
Edip Akbayram - Edip Akbayram (vinyl)
Edvard Graham Lewis - All Over (vinyl)
Edvard Graham Lewis - All Under (vinyl)
Efdemin - Decay Versions Pt. 1 (12")
Else Marie Pade - Electronic Works 1958-1995 (3xLP)
Elvis Presley - Elvis' Gold Records Volume 5 (vinyl)
Eric Johnson - Europe Live
Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits (reissue) (vinyl)
For All Those Sleeping - Incomplete Me
G-Eazy - These Things Happen (vinyl)
Ghostface Killah and BADBADNOTGOOD - SIX DEGREES (Ft. Danny Brown) / TONE’S RAP (Instrumental) (10")
Ginger Baker - Why?
Goodiepal - Morendo Morendo - My Paris Is Called Colchester (3xLP)
Greg Gives Peter Space - Greg Gives Peter Space (vinyl)
GusGus - Mexico (vinyl)
Handbraekes - #2 (12")
Hedvig Mollestad Trio - Enfant Terrible (vinyl)
Heldon - Allez-Téia (vinyl)
How to Dress Well - What Is This Heart? (2xLP)
Inanimate Existence - A Never-Ending Cycle Of Atonement
Incantation - Dirges of Elysium
Jackson Browne - Late for the Sky (40th Anniversary Edition)
Jad Fair and Danielson - Solid Gold Heart (vinyl)
Joker - Headtop EP (12")
June Carter Cash - Wildwood Flower (reissue) (vinyl)
Kasai Allstars - Beware The Fetish
Kiss - Alive III (reissue) (2xLP)
Kiss - Alive - The Millennium Concert (2xLP)
Kiss - Creatures of the Night (reissue) (vinyl)
Kiss - Music from the Elder (reissue) (vinyl)
Kitten - KITTEN (vinyl)
Kobra and the Lotus - High Priestess
Kongos - Lunatic (2xLP)
La Hell Gang - Thru Me Again (vinyl)
Luke Abbott - Wysing Forest (2xLP)
M. Geddes - Gengras  Ishi
Marc Jordan - Blue Desert
Marc Jordan - Mannequin
Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun (2xLP)
Me and the Bees - Mundo Fatal (vinyl)
Mike Cooper and Steve Gunn - FRKWYS Vol. 11 (vinyl)
Mirah - Changing Light (vinyl)
Modeselektor - Modeselektion Vol. 3 #1 (12")
Mournful Congregation - Concrescence of the Sophia (12")
Neil Michael Hagerty and the Howling Hex - Fool’s Watch b/w Lord Gloves (vinyl)
Nick Thune - Folk Hero (vinyl)
Nunslaughter - Angelic Dread
October Falls - Kaarna
People Get Ready - Physiques
Peter Frampton - Hummingbird in a Box
Peter Matthew Bauer - Liberation! (vinyl)
Phish - Fuego
Phox - Phox (vinyl)
Piero Umiliani - I Piaceri Proibiti OST (vinyl)
Powerwolf - The History of Heresy (box set)
Pusswhip Banggang - Jambalaya (picture disc)
Pye Corner Audio and Not Waving - Intercepts (vinyl)
Richard Youngs - Primary Concrete Attack
Ruben Blades - Tangos
Sam Coffey And The Iron Lungs  Gates Of Hell
Scars Of Tomorrow - Failed Transmissions
Septicflesh - Titan
Shivers - Shivers (vinyl)
Slaves - Through Art We Are All Equals
SLAVVE - SLAVVE EP (vinyl)
Slint - Spiderland (remastered) (LP+DVD)
Sons Of Magdalene - Move To Pain
SPEAK - Pedals
Strand of Oaks - Heal (vinyl)
Sufjan Stevens - Enjoy Your Rabbit (vinyl)
Sum 41 - Chuck (vinyl)
Tamerlan - Ain
Thad Cockrell - To Be Loved (vinyl)
The Babys - I’ll Have Some of That
The Drones - I See Seaweed (2xLP)
The Flesh Eaters - A Minute to Pray A Second to Die (vinyl)
The Gun Club - Fire of Love
The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project - The Journey Is Long (2xLP)
The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project - We Are Only Riders (2xLP)
The Relapse Symphony - Shadows
The Vampires - Vampires Underground (vinyl)
Thought Broadcast - Votive Zero (vinyl)
Tilts - Cuatro Hombres (vinyl)
Tolouse Low Trax - Tolouse Low Trax (12")
Total Control  Typical System
Toto - Hydra (reissue)
Toto - Toto (reissue)
Toto - Toto IV (reissue)
Toto - Turn Back  (reissue)
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: Capital City Soul (2xLP)
Various Artists - Funny Old Shit: A Trunk Records Sampler - Vol. 1 (vinyl)
Various Artists - Saturday Night Fever - Original Soundtrack (reissue) (vinyl)
Various Artists - Vandroid (2xLP)
Vicious Rumors - Live You To Death 2: American Punishment
Virgin Steele - Invictus (reissue)
Virgin Steele - The Marriage of Heaven & Hell I + II (reissue)
Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School (reissue) (vinyl)
White Hex - Gold Nights (vinyl)
White Reaper - White Reaper (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - Stardust (reissue) (vinyl)
Xeno and Oaklander - Par Avion
Young Liars - Tidal Wave
Zath - Black Goat Razor (7")
Zgard - Contemplation
Zig Zags - Zig Zags (vinyl)

from our friends at SneakAttackMedia

Universal Music Enterprises Releases

MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SERIES: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

Featuring: Regina Spektor, Staple Singers, tUnE-yArDs, Kelis,The Velvet Underground & Nico, and more!

Universal Music Enterprises releases ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK: MUSIC FROM THE ORIGINAL SERIES. The line-up of artists includes Regina Spektor, Kelis, Betty Davis, The Staples Singers, The Velvet Underground & Nico, and more.  The soundtrack will come in three configurations including CD, Digital and a special edition, first run only in orange vinyl.

Orange Is the New Black follows engaged Brooklynite Piper Chapman, whose wild past comes back to haunt her and results in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life for an orange prison jumpsuit and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates.

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new releases from our friends at MusicOnVinyl

Original Soundtrack - GODZILLA

In Summer 2014, the world's most revered monster is reborn when the epic action adventure Godzilla is released. From visionary new director Gareth Edwards (Monsters) comes a powerful story of human courage and reconciliation in the face of titanic forces of nature, when the awe-inspiring Godzilla rises to restore balance as humanity stands defenseless.

Film composer Alexandre Desplat was hired to compose an original soundtrack for Godzilla. Desplat had not composed previously for a monster film, having worked on movies such as The King's Speech, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the final two Harry Potter films. Desplat accepted the contract after being impressed with Edwards' Monsters. Desplat describes the soundtrack for Godzilla as "non-stop fortissimo, with lots of brass, Japanese drums, and electric violin." The score is also conducted by Desplat.

Godzilla hits theaters May 16th, 2014 and stars Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn & Bryan Cranston.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl 
• Gatefold sleeve
• Includes 60x60cm poster
• Limited edition on blood red vinyl
• Score by Alexandre Desplat

More information: www.godzillamovie.com


METAL CHURCH - BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Blessing in Disguise is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Metal Church. New vocalist Mike Howe joined up with the band for the recording of this 1989 release, replacing David Wayne, who left the band. Mike Howe brought the band a fresh boost of energy and the album represents some of the best material in the band's long career. Some critics and fans even claim this is the best Metal Church release.

The album was produced by the legendary metal producer Terry Date (White Zombie, Deftones, Dream Theater), who previously worked with the band on the 1984 self-titled debut album. Highlights on the album are "Anthem to the Estranged" and "The Spell that Can't be Broken". Overall the album contains impressive, heavy guitar work. Metal Church gained all lot of respect for their contribution to metal music and Blessing in Disguise is a classic! The re-issue is pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl and includes an insert.



VARIOUS ARTISTS - BBC RADIOPHONIC - THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY

Two essential recordings from Radiophonic Workshop members Paddy Kingsland & Peter Howell get the reissue treatment with the vinyl only release of Kingsland's exceptional 1973 album Fourth Dimension [MOVLP1035], alongside fellow member Peter Howell's ARP synth opus, 1978's Through A Glass Darkly. Both of these albums have been crate diggers' gold for many years and are reissued for the very first time.

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop came together in 1958 to produce music and sound effects for BBC Radio and Television programmes using hand built, custom designed electronic, tape and electro-acoustic techniques. By the mid-1970s, the synthesiser era was well-and-truly here, with the Workshop increasingly being asked to provide theme tunes and background music for TV and radio.

Production on Peter Howell's first solo album Through a Glass Darkly started in 1977, with Peter given the opportunity to develop a new suite of compositions specifically to cover one side of the album, albeit on a typically tight BBC time schedule and virtually non-existent budget! The album stands shoulder to shoulder with Vangelis's Beauborg and Jean Michel Jarre's Equinoxe, in terms of its influence and pioneering use of synthesizers.   180 gram audiophile vinyl

Radiophonic Workshop 2014 Festival Appearances:
 Glastonbury Festival June 28
 Henley Festival July 9
 Camp Bestival Aug 1
 End Of The Road Festival August 29
 Festival No 6 Sep 5
 Bestival Sep 7



MADELEINE PEYROUX - DREAMLAND

Dreamland (1996) is the first album by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Madeleine Peyroux. This wide-ranging set features Peyroux singing swing standards, originals and tunes that hint at country and folk music. Her supporting cast, which changes on each selection, includes a restrained James Carter on tenor and bass clarinet, Marc Ribot on dobro and guitar, trumpeter Marcus Printup, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, Vernon Reid on guitar and violinist Regina Carter, among others. Highlights include "Walkin' After Midnight",  "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter", "La Vie En Rose" and "Muddy Water". 180 gram audiophile vinyl and Insert


DJ KRUSH - KAKUSEI

The fifth album of DJ Krush Kakusei was released in 1998. Continuing his series of solo albums as collaborative efforts, this album is an invigorating, moody, and powerful release. Krush once again lets his abilities at both musical creation and turntablism work together for great results.

"Escapee", a track worked on with fellow beatmaster A.S.A., is almost stereotypically Krush, but it sounds so great, the crackle of vinyl and acoustic bass moan steering the course. Other musical collaborations abound, unsurprisingly: "Parallel Distortion" with DJ Sak features odd video game noises and a quirky synth bass rhythm echoing through the flow, while "Krushed Wall" has the Rhythm Troops having a blast with the usual Krush sound and tons of unexpected stops, scratches, and cuts. 180 gram audiophile vinyl, Insert and this is a first pressing of 1.000 copies on transparent vinyl


ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - IL VIZIETTO (BY ENNIO MORRICONE)

Amazing soundtrack by Ennio Morricone for this iconic Italian cult movie. 180 gram audiophile vinyl Printed innersleeve

First pressing available as limited edition of 500 numbered copies on transparent vinyl



PHILIP GLASS - GLASSWORKS

Glassworks is the most pleasant craftwork ever from the great minimalist exploiter. Six warm pieces in a successful attempt to create a more pop-oriented work.

The Philip Glass ensemble performs with an amiably soft-edged minimalist sound, in an almost new-agey vein. Glass anticipated resistance toward the funding of his more expensive projects, so he created a  more  accessible, and marketable recording. And with success. More then 200.000 albums were sold in five years.

Glassworks is another Music On Vinyl Classical release by this fantastic composer. 180 gram audiophile vinyl and Deluxe PVC sleeve



AMOS LEE - AMOS LEE

Amos Lee is the self-titled debut album by American singer-songwriter Amos Lee, released by Blue Note Records in 2005. The album is produced by Lee Alexander, the bassist in Norah Jones' band. Norah Jones herself plays the piano on 2 tracks; "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight" and "Colors".

The songs on the album incorporate themes of folk, soul, gospel and jazz. His style is a mix of Bill Withers, Arthur Lee, and James Taylor. Amos has recently toured with Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Adele, Dave Matthews and many others.

Original vinyl copies are scarce!  180 gram audiophile vinyl and Insert



CHET BAKER - CHET IS BACK!

Recorded in Rome, Italy at RCA's studios, Chet Is back! is the 1962 studio album by the undisputed master of the trumpet, Chet Baker. Backed by a group of up-and-coming European jazz musicians, which included Belgian saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, Belgian guitarist Rene Thomas, Italian pianist Amedeo Tommasi, French bassist Benoit Quersin, and Swiss drummer Daniel Humair, according to critics Chet Baker may have never sounded better.

The album features compositions by other jazz musicians like Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't", Charlie Parker's "Barbados" and Sonny Rollins'"Pent Up House". The album also includes an original composition by Amedeo Tommasi entitled "Ballata in forma di blues". Ballads are featured as well, including the classic Academy Award-winning "Over the Rainbow". 180 gram audiophile vinyl and Insert


BOOKER T AND THE MG'S - HIP HUG-HER

Hip Hug-Her finds the group diving deeper into soulful territories, no doubt aided by the addition of bassist Duck Dunn to the fold. The title track was the band's most successful single since their debut "Green Onions". Their cover of The Young Rascals song "Groovin'" was also a hit but other tunes such as the midtempo Motown anthem "Get Ready" make this one of the strongest full-lengths in the Booker T. & the MG's catalog.  On 180 gram audiophile vinyl





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new from our friends at Relapse

Wolvserpent -Perigaea Antahkarana (Purple) 2XLP

Boise, Idaho duo WOLVSERPENT summon a deeply lush and powerful amalgamation of doom, dark-folk, drone, chamber music and black metal on their Relapse debut ‘Perigaea Antahkarana’.

Shimmering tribal drone dances with epic blackened metal to create a sound much much bigger than its two human parts.  Simultaneously dark and beautiful, WOLVSERPENT’s sprawling Relapse debut gracefully blends stringed amplified instruments with a 21st century approach to composition to create a 4 part masterwork that is dark, emotional, menacing, cinematic, atmospheric, and heartbreakingly lovely.

Pressing Info: 
First Press
900 x Grimace Purple Standard Gram
100 x Clear (do not request clear)

***2XLP version comes housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket and Includes a Free Digital Download of the Album***

Order at Relapse

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Cayetana - Nervous Like Me 

The story of Cayetana is the story of punk rock. No matter the age, no matter the place, punk rock is all about seizing a moment in time. It is about not waiting for approval or permission to create art. Punk rock is simply about doing it yourself and doing it now. So, it did not matter that these three friends came together to start a band yet knew very little about their instruments. This was their journey to take together. And from there, Cayetana was born. Learning and growing together these friends have crafted a sound that is as organic as music can possibly be. So, it is no surprise how perfectly everything fits into place here. The memorable vocals, the affecting lyrics, the rolling, imaginative bass, and the steady, spiky drums all showcase the remarkable chemistry of three musicians / friends completely in tune with one another. Pulling from elements and influences of indie and folk, Cayetana's sound is all inclusive. It's raw and unflinching, imperfect and beautiful. Yes, Cayetana grabbed their moment. Yes, Cayetana is punk rock.

This item is coming soon on vinyl; here are the details:

Pressing Information
First Pressing:
200 White w/ Gold + Black Starburst
250 Opaque Silver
300 Opaque Gold
350 Opaque Cream
400 Black

For more info visit TinyEngines

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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Box Set Release

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Announce The Release Of 'CSNY 1974', The Long Awaited Boxed Set With 40 Live Tracks, All Previously Unreleased, From Their Historic 1974 Summer Tour 40 Years Ago.

Several Versions Will Be Available July 7/8 From CSNY & Rhino, Including Previously Unreleased Concert Footage, And A Limited Edition Set Presented In A Custom Wood Box.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NEXT WEEK

This LIMITED EDITION DELUXE BOX SET includes:

•All 40 tracks on six 180-gram 12” vinyl records, housed in a custom laser-etched birch LP folio case. LP folio case.
•40 high-quality audio tracks on a Pure Audio Blu-Ray disc
•Digital download of full 40 tracks.
•Bonus DVD
•Coffee Table size book of never before seen photos from the 1974 tour.

This set is limited to 1000 copies, individually numbered, and housed in a custom laser-etched birch wood box. It is available exclusively thru CSNY.

 Disc One – First Set 
1.“Love The One You’re With”
2.“Wooden Ships”
3.“Immigration Man”
4.“Helpless”
5.“Carry Me”
6.“Johnny’s Garden”
7.“Traces”
8.“Grave Concern”
9.“On The Beach”
10.“Black Queen”
11.“Almost Cut My Hair”

Disc Two – Second Set
1.“Change Partners”
2.“The Lee Shore”
3.“Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
4.“Our House”
5.“Fieldworker”
6.“Guinevere”
7.“Time After Time”
8.“Prison Song”
9.“Long May You Run”
10.“Goodbye Dick”
11.“Mellow My Mind”
12.“Old Man”
13.“Word Game”
14.“Myth Of Sisyphus”
15.“Blackbird”
16.“Love Art Blues”
17.“Hawaiian Sunrise”
18.“Teach Your Children”
19.“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”

Disc Three – Third Set
1.“Déjà Vu”
2.“My Angel”
3.“Pre-Road Downs”
4.“Don’t Be Denied”
5.“Revolution Blues”
6.“Military Madness”
7.“Long Time Gone”
8.“Pushed It Over The End”
9.“Chicago”
10.“Ohio” 

Bonus DVD
1.“Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
2.“Almost Cut My Hair”
3.“Grave Concern”
4.“Old Man”
5.“Johnny’s Garden”
6.“Our House”
7.“Déjà Vu”
8.“Pushed It Over The End”

Get more info at CSNY.com

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Ronnie James Dio Tribute Album 'This Is Your Life' To Be Released On Colored Vinyl

An all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. the effort was produced by his wife Wendy Dio.  The double LP includes contributions by Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Anthrax, and Rob Halford and appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

This will be released as a special-edition double red-color vinyl LP on July 8 via Rhino Records.

Side A
1. "Neon Knights" - ANTHRAX * 
2. "The Last In Line" - TENACIOUS D * 
3. "The Mob Rules" - ADRENALINE MOB 
4. "Rainbow In The Dark" - Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher *

Side B 
1. "Straight Through The Heart" - HALESTORM * 
2. "Starstruck" - MOTÖRHEAD with Biff Byford * 
3. "Temple Of The King" - SCORPIONS * 
4. "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" - DORO

Side C 
1. "Holy Diver" - KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 
2. "Catch The Rainbow" - Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren * 
3. "I" - Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy * 

Side D
1. "Man On The Silver Mountain" - Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren * 
2. "Ronnie Rising Medley" (featuring "A Light In The Black", "Tarot Woman", "Stargazer", "Kill The King") - METALLICA * 
3. "This Is Your Life" - DIO

* Previously unreleased

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vinyl pre-order from LightInTheAttic

Various Artists - Country Funk Volume II 1967 - 1974 

Available: July, 15, 2014

In 2012, Country Funk 1969-1975 (Volume I) gathered together songs from a genre with no name. It’s a genre created not from geography or shared ideology but a term applied retrospectively based solely on the feel of the songs: hip-swinging rhythms with bourbon on the breath. These were songs to make your cowboy boots itchy, written and performed by the likes of Bobbie Gentry, Johnny Jenkins and Link Wray. Songs that encompass the elation of gospel with the sexual thrust of the blues; country hoedown harmonies cut with inner city grit. Compiled from tracks dating from the late ‘60s to the mid ’70s, Country Funk is the sound of country music blending with sounds and scenes from coast to coast, white America’s heartland music blending with the melting pot as the nation assessed its identity in advance of its bicentennial year.

The good news for the people who fell in love with the first volume of Country Funk is this: there’s plenty more where that came from. Light In The Attic has followed up that first 16-track disc with a second volume, Country Funk Volume II 1967 – 1974, and a new set of loose-talking, lap steel-twanging tracks. On the single CD / 2xLP volume you’ll find household names like Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Kenny Rogers, Jackie DeShannon, JJ Cale, Bobby Darin and Dolly Parton. You’ll also find obscure artists like Bill Wilson, whose lost Ever Changing Minstrel album was produced by the feted Dylan producer Bob Johnston, and Thomas Jefferson Kaye, noted producer of Gene Clark’s opus No Other. Gene Clark’s here too, as half of Dillard & Clark, wringing raw emotion from The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down”.

All of the individuals featured have a story to tell, whether it’s that of the sidelined session musician, the fading star or the country upstart. There’s Donnie Fritts (“Sumpin’ Funky Goin’ On”), whose roots stretch back to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and who has played keyboard for Kris Kristofferson for decades. There’s Canadian group Great Speckled Bird, who joined Janis Joplin and more on 1970’s Festival Express tour. There’s Hoyt Axton, who along with singing the harmonica-sucking ode to “California Women”, also took a role in Gremlins. There’s Jim Ford, who Sly Stone once described as “the baddest white man on the planet”. And there’s Billy Swan, who kicks proceedings off with a soul-stirring organ, a lazy kickdrum and his rockabilly vocals echoing like a croon into the grand canyon.

Compiled and presented once again by the team behind Volume I (DJ and music supervisor Zach Cowie plus Light In The Attic’s Matt Sullivan and Patrick McCarthy), the release also includes a reunion of writer Jessica Hundley and Jess Rotter (original album/label artwork and new illustrations by) in the form of a comic book called “The Hot Dawgs".

It may be the genre that had no name, but there’s plenty of gas in the country funk trunk yet.

•All tracks newly re-mastered
•Features cuts by Bob Darin, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, Willie Nelson and more
•2xLP housed in a deluxe Stoughton “Tip-On” jacket
•Includes comic with story by Jessica Hundley along with Jess Rotter’s illustrations
•Subscribers and Pre-orders get the exclusive “Country Funk” bandana. Hand silk-screened with teal ink on rough-hewn fabric. Designed by Henry Owings / Chunklet Graphic Control, with art by Jess Rotter / Rotter & Friends

•Color vinyl editions:
- 200 on “Sky Blue” wax + Bandana ( LITA Vinyl subscriber exclusive)
- 200 on “Lime Green” wax + Bandana (LITA.net pre-orders deluxe exclusive – limit 2 per customer)
- 100 on “Gold” wax + 7" (LITA Shop exclusive – limit 2 per customer)

1. Billy Swan - Don't Be Cruel 
2. Bob Darin - Me and Mr. Hohner
3. Hoyt Axton - California Women
4. Townes Van Zandt - Hunger Child Blues
5. Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Collection Box
6. Willie Nelson - Shotgun Willie
7. Jackie DeShannon - The Weight
8. Gene Clark & Doug Dillard - Don't Let Me Down
9. Bill Wilson - Pay Day Give Away
10. Dolly Parton - Getting Happy
11. Larry Williams & Johnny Watson with The Kaleidoscope - Nobody
12. Jim Ford - Rising Sign
13. JJ Cale - Cajun Moon
14. Donnie Fritts - Sumpin Funky Going On
15. Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Tulsa Turnaround
16. Great Speckled Bird - Long Long Time To Get Old
17. Willis Alan Ramsey - Northeast Texas Women

Pre-Order at LightInTheAttic

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

Heaven Or Las Vegas - by Cocteau Twins 

1990's Heaven Or Las Vegas is an audible release of tension and a surge of unfettered love that is many people's favourite Cocteau Twins album.

Heaven Or Las Vegas was also the last record the Cocteau Twins made for 4AD. They'd been part of the family for years, helping to define what the press used to call the "4AD sound", and it's almost always the way that family members must at some point leave the nest. The die was cast, and they departed for Fontana, releasing two more albums (Four Calendar Café, and Milk And Kisses) before disbanding in 1996.

Tracklisting
1. Cherry-Coloured Funk 
2. Pitch The Baby 
3. Iceblink Luck 
4. Fifty Fifty Clown 
5. Heaven Or Las Vegas 
6. I Wear Your Ring 
7. Fotzepolitic 
8. Wolf In The Breast 
9. Road, River and Rail 
10. Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires

Get a copy HERE

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Foureign Friends (Lions/My First Castle/Odd Dates/Gulfer) Split 7" Vinyl

Lions / My First Castle / Odd Dates / Gulfer team up to create 'FOUREIGN FRIENDS', a split 7" via ENJOYMENT RECORDS.

Proving that when 4 bands with solid DIY ethics collaborate on a single release, the result can be rather spectacular.

All parties bring the positive punk vibes through a well refined mix of indie-mathpop (Lions), melodic screamo (My First Castle), punk/emo (Odd Dates) & math-emo (Gulfer) . Outcome: a juggernaut of quirky and melodic rock numbers that do not fuck around.

Ultimately, this is a record put together to celebrate new friendships and exciting new music within the DIY music community. 100% fun. 0% bullshit.

First pressing limited to only 100 copies on black wax.

**Note: Runs of 100 vinyl cost exceptionally more to produce, therefore the selling price is higher than normal for a 7" record**

Get a copy HERE

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Son Lux "Alternate Worlds" 

Limited Edition split color vinyl nearly sold out!

Alternate Worlds, the new EP from producer/composer Son Lux, is officially released next Tuesday and is now shipping from JNR!  The EP reimagines four songs from Lanterns, and includes a collaboration with Lorde. Yep, Lorde the pop star.  These exquisite reinventions traverse unfamiliar terrain within remembered landscapes. Their world is both alien and familiar.

We have fewer than 100 copies remaining of the limited edition white/clear split color vinyl! Limited to just 1500, and pressed on 12", 45rpm (loud-cut) virgin vinyl. All orders include an instant download in both MP3 and WAV formats.

Get a copy at JoyfulNoiseRecordings

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

Bonnie Raitt's 'NICK OF TIME' Gets Vinyl Treatment on June 24 to Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Press Release: Universal Music Enterprises 

On June 24, Capitol Records/UMe will release a special vinyl-only edition of Bonnie Raitt's classic NICK OF TIME in honor of the album's 25th anniversary. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's tenth album still stands as her signature work and as a turning point in her legendary career. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart, sold five million copies, and won three GRAMMY® Awards, including “Album of the Year.” Rolling Stone ranked NICK OF TIME as number 230 on its list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."

The NICK OF TIME - 25th Anniversary album was remastered from the original analog tapes, overseen by both the albums producer, Don Was and engineer Ed Cherney and is being released on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl.

"Personally, I think it may be the best record of my career," says Raitt. "Every record has its charm and its significance, but I think we finally got it right — I could finally say, 'Yeah, that's what I had in mind.' As a mixture of styles, reflected in one record, it was a really good version of what I do."

NICK OF TIME came along at a fortuitous moment for Raitt, following a difficult few years in which she had been dropped by her long-time label, Warner Bros., and got sober and healthy. The album was produced by Don Was, which initiated a working relationship that went on for several projects (the 1991 follow-up, Luck of the Draw, sold over seven million copies), and spawned four singles, including the hit "Thing Called Love." NICK OF TIME was bookended by two landmark Raitt original compositions: the opening title track, a powerful mediation on aging, and the closing cut, "The Road's My Middle Name," a rollicking update of the blues that captured her life as a traveling performer.

"It's a particularly great batch of songs," says Raitt, "and the synchronicity of finding these songs when I did — the emotional connection and the gratitude that I had to be given another shot — I think that shows. It was kismet to have it come out this well."

More than just a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt has become an institution in American music. The recipient of ten GRAMMY® awards - including "Best Americana Album" for her most recent release, 2012's Slipstream— she appears on Rolling Stone's lists of both the Greatest Singers and Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Over the years, Raitt has contributed to over 100 album projects, collaborating with the likes of B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder. Yet it is the breakthrough of NICK OF TIME (which received an additional GRAMMY® nomination when it was remixed for Surround Sound in 2004) that serves as the cornerstone of her body of work.

"The success of NICK OF TIME brought me a level of freedom, and the opportunities to do everything I had wanted to do," says Raitt. "Nearly every gift in my life now is, in so many ways, because of what happened with that album and the GRAMMYs®. Definitely one of the greatest highlights of my life."

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vinyl news from our friends at SlyVinyl


Honeyblood – Killer Bangs // Limited to 300 Red Vinyl 7"







Lonesome Shack – More Primitive // Limited to 150 on Yellow Vinyl LP








Donovan Blanc- S/T // Limited to 200 Lavender Vinyl LP






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Rare Velvet Underground Record Sold for $25k Headed Back to Auction - Vaunted "Scepter Studios" acetate returns to market this summer







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Love Vinyl, New London Record Shop, To Open - The vinyl revival continues...








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Interviews: Adam Alive (It's Alive Records)






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like all lists, it's open to interpretation, but the usa today is recognizing the vinyl resurgence!


10 best record stores in the USA








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MASTODON Cover Artist SKINNER Talks About Inspiration For 'Once More 'Round The Sun' Art











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from our friends at SoundStageDirect

In 1933, country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers died at the Taft Hotel in New York City from complications due to tuberculosis. The Singing Brakeman—often hailed as The Father of Country Music—was only 35 at the time of his death.

In 1942, after recording it with a small combo two years earlier, Lionel Hampton recorded his most renowned version of "Flying Home," with a big band and new arrangement that featured a lengthy solo by saxophonist Illinois Jacquet.

In 1953, after hitchhiking to the event, Elvis Presley won second prize in a Meridian, Mississippi talent show.

In 1955, at Universal Recording in Chicago, Pat Boone recorded "Ain't That A Shame."

In 1956, Liberace gave a three-hour solo piano performance for an audience of 16,000 at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In 1956, two months after nearly dying in a car crash while heading to his scheduled appearance on the program, Carl Perkins finally appeared on NBC-TV's "The Perry Como Show."

In 1958, at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, Paul Anka, George Hamilton IV and Johnny Nash, with narrator Bill Givens, recorded "The Teen Commandments."

In 1962, Mr. Aker Bilk became the first British artist to have a #1 record in America when his clarinet laden instrumental "Stranger On The Shore" topped the Hot 100. It made #2 in the UK.

In 1963, Elvis Presley recorded "(You're The) Devil In Disguise," which will peak at #3 on the Billboard chart and #1 in the UK by next August and be certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units in the US. Bass singer J.D. Sumner is featured in the song, singing in a low register to represent the Devil with the repeated phrase "Oh, Yes, You Are," before the song's fade.

In 1965, the Rolling Stones appear on TV's Rock 'n' Roll show, Shindig! along with Jackie De Shannon, Sonny And Cher and Jimmie Rodgers.

In 1966, the Rolling Stones were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "Paint It, Black," their sixth UK #1 single.

In 1966, the Beatles began recording “Yellow Submarine” at EMI Studios on Abbey Road in London. It was included on the 'Revolver' album and issued as a single, coupled with "Eleanor Rigby." The single went to #1 on every major British chart, remained at #1 for four weeks and charted for 13 weeks. It won an Ivor Novello Award "for the highest certified sales of any single issued in the UK in 1966." In the US., the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the most successful Beatles song to feature Ringo Starr as lead vocalist. The track features John Lennon blowing bubbles in a bucket of water, shouting "Full speed ahead Mister Captain!"

In 1966, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Elvis Presley recorded "Love Letters."

In 1967, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles released the single "More Love."

In 1967, the Hollies released the single "Carrie Anne." The song was recorded in only two takes on May 1, 1967 at EMI's Abbey Road Studios. It became a hit in 1967, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also a hit in the US, peaking at #9 on the pop charts.  Actress Carrie-Anne Moss was named for this song.

In 1968,  R&B artist Little Willie John died of a heart attack in prison after being convicted of manslaughter. The artist, born William Edward John, was the first to record Eddie Cooley and John Davenport’s “Fever” (also covered by Peggy Lee in 1958) and Mertis John, Jr.’s “Need Your Love So Bad” (later covered by Fleetwood Mac). James Brown recorded a tribute album the same year, titled Thinking about Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things.

In 1968, Pink Floyd, Blonde On Blonde and The Pretty Things all appeared at the OZ magazine benefit at the Middle Earth Club, Covent Garden, London, England. OZ was a satirical humour magazine, founded by Richard Neville and based in Sydney, Australia from 1963. In its second and better-known incarnation it became a counter-culture magazine, based in London from 1967 to 1973.

In 1969, John and Yoko began a seven-day “bed-in” in room 1742 of the hotel La Reine Elizabeth in Montreal, Canada to promote world peace.  During their seven day stay, they invited Timothy Leary, Tommy Smothers, Dick Gregory, Murray the K, Al Capp, Allen Ginsberg and others, and all but Capp sang on the peace anthem "Give Peace a Chance," recorded by André Perry in the hotel room on June 1. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation conducted interviews from the hotel room.

In 1970, George Harrison begins recording his landmark album 'All Things Must Pass' at EMI's Abby Road studios, with extensive overdubbing and mixing continuing through October. It includes the hit singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life," as well as songs such as "Isn't It a Pity" and the title track that were turned down by Harrison's former band, the Beatles.  Among the large cast of backing musicians were Eric Clapton and Delaney & Bonnie's Friends band – three of whom formed Derek and the Dominos with Clapton during the recording – as well as Ringo Starr, Gary Wright, Preston, Klaus Voormann, John Barham, Badfinger and Pete Drake.  

In 1971, Don McLean recorded the epic track, “American Pie.” Although he has never actually said so, most music lovers assume he is singing about February 3rd, 1959, when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson were killed in a plane crash, as 'the day the music died.' When asked about the meaning of the song, McLean responded, "You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me ..." The song made its debut in Philadelphia at Temple University when he was opening for Laura Nyro on March 14, 1971.

In 1972, just when Mott the Hoople were on the brink of breaking up, David Bowie offered the group two of his new songs: “Suffragette City,” which they turned down, and “All the Young Dudes,” which they recorded. The song gave the group a #3 hit in the U.K. and made the Top 40 in the U.S.

In 1973, the Edgar Winter Group went to #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Frankenstein.” The instrumental was the band’s only U.S. #1 (it reached #18 in the U.K.). In addition to Winter’s wild keyboards, the song also featured ex-McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer.  In live performances of the song, Edgar Winter further pioneered the advancement of the synthesizer as a lead instrument by becoming the first person ever to strap a keyboard instrument around his neck.

In 1973, Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" was released. The song is based on the true story of how someone had fired a flare gun into the ceiling of the Casino in Montreux, Switzerland, during a concert by Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention. The resulting fire destroyed the building where Deep Purple was set to record a live album the next day. The single will reach #5 in the US and #21 in the UK. Talking about the song's merits as live material, Roger Glover said in Metal Hammer, "I think 'Smoke On The Water' is the biggest song that Purple will ever have and there's always a pressure to play it, and it's not the greatest live song, it's a good song but you sorta plod through it. The excitement comes from the audience. And there's always the apprehension that Ritchie (Blackmore) isn't gonna want to do it, 'cause he's probably fed up with doing it."

In 1974, 14-year old Bernadette Whelan was crushed by the crowd at a London concert of teen idol David Cassidy. She would die four days later. Cassidy is so shaken by the incident, he wouldn't tour again for 11 years.

In 1976, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant launch into a drunken verbal assault of first class passengers on a transatlantic British Airways flight. Among those on board were actors Telly Savalas and Dudley Moore.

In 1977, KISS provided a vial of their blood to Marvel Comics to be mixed with the ink in a KISS comic book.

In 1977, William Powell, an original member of the O'Jays, died in Canton, Ohio after a long bout with cancer. Powell sang with the group until he was forced to quit in 1976 because of ill-health. He was just 35 years old.

In 1984, former backing singer with Stevie Wonder, Deniece Williams started a 2 week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Let's Hear It For The Boy," taken from the film 'Footlose', a #2 hit in the UK.

In 1987, pianist/record producer Art Snider died of cancer at the age of 60. From the mid-1950s to the early 1960s, Snider owned and operated Toronto-based Chateau Records, the label that released Gordon Lightfoot's first recordings.

In 1989, to demonstrate the power of radio, over 8,000 stations in the US go silent for 30 seconds at 7:42am.

In 1990, for the first time ever the Top five positions on the US singles chart were held by female artists; Madonna was at #1 with "Vogue," Heart were at #2, Sinead O'Connor #3, Wilson Phillips at #4 and Janet Jackson was at #5.

In 1993, Singapore lifted its decades-old ban on the music of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Chicago, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in the Dominican Republic. They were divorced in January of 1996. 

In 1995, the Rolling Stones played two semi-acoustic concerts at the Paradiso Amserdam over two days. Keith Richards later said that the Paradiso concerts were the best live shows the Stones ever did. The venue is housed in a converted former church building that dates from the nineteenth century, subsequently squatted in 1967 by hippies who wanted to convert the church into an entertainment club. Artists who have recorded concerts at the Paradiso include Joy Division, Willie Nelson, Phish, Nirvana, the Cure, Lenny Kravitz, Nick Cave, Dave Matthews and Amy Winehouse.

In 1999, the Manic Street Preachers refused to play a show the celebrate the opening of the Wales parliament because of the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2000, drummer Tommy Lee was jailed for five days for drinking alcohol. Lee appeared in front of a LA court charged with violating his probation by consuming alcohol, an act that directly contravenes the terms of his parole.

In 2002, the first episode of 'At Home With The Osbournes' was shown on MTV in the UK. Already becoming a hit in the the US, the show focused on the madman and his family (his wife Sharon, and two of their three children). Oblivious to the camera, they bicker, squabble, curse and hang out backstage at Ozzy shows.

In 2004, "Burn" by Usher was the #1 song.

In 2006, Desmond Dekker, a Jamaican reggae pioneer famed for his worldwide hit "The Israelites", died of a heart attack at his home in England. He was 64. 

In 2008, 65 year old Paul McCartney was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University. University President Richard Levin told McCartney "Here, there and everywhere, you have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics. We admire your musical genius and your generous support of worthy causes." A band played "Hey Jude" as 65-year-old Sir Paul walked on stage to accept his degree.

In 2009, a US judge ended a bitter two-year battle over the late Soul singer James Brown's estate. Judge Jack Early ruled half of his assets will go to a charitable trust, a quarter to his wife and young son, and the rest to his six adult children. Brown's family and wife Tomi Rae Hynie Brown had fought over his fortune since he died of heart failure in 2006

In 2010, the Season 9 final of TV's American Idol featured guest appearances by Alice Cooper, Barry and Robin Gibb, Hall And Oates, Joe Cocker, Janet Jackson and The Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald.

In 2011, Phil Spector had his latest attempt to overturn his murder conviction rejected by California court officials. The 71-year-old record producer was found guilty of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson and sentenced to 19 years to life behind bars in 2009.

In 2013, Paul McCartney visited Graceland and dropped a personal guitar pick on Elvis Presley's grave, saying it was "So Elvis can play in heaven."

In 2013, Clarence Burke, lead singer of the Five Stairsteps, who had a Billboard #8 hit with "O-o-h Child" in 1970, died one day after his 64th birthday.

birthday wishes to Garry Peterson (Guess Who) (69), Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) (66), Hank Williams, Jr. (65), Lenny Kravitz (50) and Lauryn Hill (39), to name a few

Chris N. of Los Angeles, CA was the winner in the SpaceLab9 Walking Dead Soundtrack Vinyl Contest

Congratulations to Chris and thank you to all who entered!



Special thank you to SPACELAB9.COM for providing an awesome prize!

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amazing story for Memorial Day:


Newly Restored Vinyl Record Helps Children of World War II Veteran Hear Their Father Again







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neat story from across the pond:


Liverpool Tour Guide Bumps Into Longtime Beatles Friend











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WEEKLY WAX: Vinyl Releases For The Week Of 5/18-5/24





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fantastic story from by Sam McManis of sacbee.com


Discoveries: Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records








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from our friends at AudioFidelity

The Grateful Dead - Shakedown Street

The Grateful Dead led by Jerry Garcia were one of the cornerstones of 60’s counterculture - the band had lots of members from diverse musical backgrounds, each lending a different facet to the band’s sound and approach to music. 1978's "Shakedown Street" is the their tenth studio album, and is definitive Dead - essential to any serious rock collection, a fusion of rock, funk, blues, reggae, country, and improvisational jam. Produced by Lowell George of Little Feat - the union between George and the Grateful Dead was certainly intriguing.

The album features Garcia and Bob Weir on vocals and guitars, Phil Lesh on bass and vocals, Keith Godchaux on vocals and keyboards, Donna Jean Godchaux on vocals, and Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart on percussion.

Two of the Dead's most beloved live songs, "Shakedown Street" and "Fire on the Mountain", appear here. Their bouncy Caribbean-soul-style cover of The Rascals'"Good Lovin'" is irresistible. The Dead revive "New Minglewood Blues" (which they originally cut for their debut) and Garcia and Robert Hunter write their own "Stagger Lee" while Hart and Kreutzmann get a percussion workout on the instrumental "Serengetti," Bob Weir affects a bluesy growl on "I Need a Miracle" and Donna Godchaux's "From The Heart Of Me" is absolutely gorgeous.

The album cover art was by underground comics artist Gilbert Shelton.

"Shakedown Street" is a fascinating listen - classic sounds from a classic band. Even the jacket artwork is classic.

SIDE ONE:
1. Good Lovin' 
2. France 
3. Shakedown Street 
4. Srengetti 
5. Fire On The Mountain 

SIDE TWO:
1. I Need A Miracle 
2. From The Heart Of Me 
3. Stagger Lee 
4. All New Minglewood Blues 
5. If I Had The World To Give

*Mastered by Kevin Gray*

Order at AudioFidelity

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Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News – ABKCO/ Hugo and Luigi Records – vinyl  Sam Cooke‘s final album…

Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News – ABKCO/ Hugo and Luigi Records 9899-1 (1964) – stereo Audiophile LP ***1/2:

There will always be an argument over whether it was Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Jackie Wilson, who was the greatest soul crooner of the 1960s. Each had major hit songs and huge fan followers. None of the three had long lifetimes with only Wilson approaching his 50th birthday. Cooke lived the shortest, dying in a mysterious shooting at a motel in December 1964, just a month short of his 34th birthday.

Sam’s final studio album was Ain’t That Good News, which was issued shortly before his death. It was notable for the fact that it introduced  “A Change is Gonna Come,” which became an anthem for the civil rights movement. “Another Saturday Night” was the other chart topper that arose from this album. The album has been given an audiophile make-over by ABCKO and Hugo and Luigi Records. The acoustics are crisp with Cooke’s velvety vocals matched by bright horns and upfront rhythm section.

The title track gets the LP off to a strong start with its relaxed groove. “Meet Me at Mary’s Place” has an infectious gospel beat with the background singers in a call and response. “Good Times” finds Sam testifying about letting the good times roll. Try to keep your feet from tapping here. The horns open with a fanfare on “Rome (Wasn’t Built in a Day)” and Cooke makes this pedestrian song sparkle. Much more intoxicating is “Another Saturday Night.” Listening to this classic tune with Cooke’s ad libs will bring you back to nostalgic transistor days. However, the clear percussion, horns, and vocals mix on this track make it blow away any previous issue. Sam tries to resuscitate “Tennessee Waltz” but even his efforts are for naught as it doesn’t belong here, and serves as filler.

Side 2 opens with “A Change is Gomma Come” and its powerful message still resonates today. The strings swirl around Cooke in magnificent stereo, and the violins add to its majesty. Knowing Sam would soon be gone just adds to the effect of the song’s lyrics. He could have been a powerful voice for civil rights had he lived a full life. “Falling in Love” is a sumptuous ballad, and it is easy to imagine slow dancing with your girl to this tune back in the day. “Home (When Shadows Fall)” is given a saccharine treatment and the strings bring to mind the Jackie Gleason with strings albums. This track explains though why Cooke appealed to both the younger listener as well as their parents.

“Sittin’ in the Sun” has a lilting quality that elicits memories of  sitting outside in the summer enjoying a lemonade (with maybe an added splash of something stronger). The horns luckily help tamper down the intruding strings . “There’ll Be No Second Time” is much better listening as Cooke instructs what the outcome will be due to a lover’s indiscretion. The inclusion of “The Riddle Song” to end the album shows the producer’s confidence that Cooke could bring soul to most any number, and Cooke partially rewards their confidence with his magnificent voice. It’s doubtful that Otis Redding could have pulled this feat off.

This album has enough plusses to recommend its purchase by fans of Cooke, who want to hear his knockout version of “A Change is Gonna Come” along with the other winning songs, primarily on Side 1, all in superb remastered sound.

TrackList: 
Side 1:  Ain’t That Good News, Meet Me at Mary’s Place, Good Times, Rome (Wasn’t Built in a Day), Another Saturday Night, Tennessee Waltz

Side 2:  A Change is Gonna Come, Falling in Love, Home (When Shadows Fall), Sittin’ in the Sun, There’ll Be No Second Time, The Riddle Song

—Jeff Krow



Kathleen Grace – No Place To Fall – Monsoon Records (vinyl or CD)

Not many jazz artists attempt a full crossover into country music.

Kathleen Grace – No Place To Fall – Monsoon Records MS204 vinyl (43:10) or CD (48:10), [5/13/14] ****1/2:

(Kathleen Grace – vocals; Eric Kertes – electric bass, double bass; David Steele – acoustic, electric guitars; David Raven – drums; Will Gramling – piano, organ; Tim Young – electric guitar; Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar; Jamie Drake – vocals; Leslie Stevens – vocals; Patrick Park – vocals; Anthony Wilson – electric guitar)

Not many jazz artists attempt a full crossover into country music. Native Tucsonian Kathleen Grace had established a career as a jazz artist. She released three critically acclaimed albums (Sunrise/2005; Songbird/2007 and Mirror/2008), but things changed. After listening to Leonard Cohen singing “Suzanne”, she began to explore country music performers, like John Prine, Dolly Parton and Kitty Wells. This eventually led to the recording of a new country album

Monsoon Records has released No Place To Fall in two formats, standard CD (with ten tracks) and vinyl (nine tracks). With an assortment of covers and original compositions, Grace (with the help of a top notch band and guest players) has initiated a winning debut in country music. And what better way to open a country album than with the laid-back melancholy of Townes Van Zandt on the title cut. With a languid beat and sorrowful guitars (including pedal steel), the unique essence of weary romance is expressed. Grace’s voice meshes perfectly with the band. Her vocals are subtle, but she reflects a deep sentiment. Her songwriting is lyrical and allows narrative imagery “I’m On Fire” uses a desert campfire to articulate the intensity of love. Her vocals are evocative, with ethereal accents and touches of upper register vocalese. The band mix contributes to the overall delicacy. In a traditional country waltz, “Fine Young Woman” pays homage to the singer’s mother.

Choosing interesting songs can be a defining element of a good album. Tom Waits’ “The Briar And The Rose” is a compelling, gospel hymn. Grace is joined by Jamie Drake and Leslie Stevens who contribute a verse apiece. But the trio glows in three-part harmony. Another fresh take is Grace’s version of Meat Puppets’ “Plateau”. This band has been described as ‘country-punk” and the arrangement resonates with harder rock edges.  Reaching back to elegant jazz roots, “Mood Indigo” assumes a country twang, but with all the requisite jazz/blues flourishes that an Ellington opus commands. There is an innate connection to the soulful core of country and blues, and Grace nails it.

No Place To Fall pushes the boundaries of country music. “The Colour Of Spring” (only available on the CD) is a spacey, emotional song that is deliberate and utilizes a church organ (Will Gramling) and guitar echos for texture. Additionally there are some agile chord shifts. Grace has a feel for the nuances of country. “Goodnight” (also in waltz time) exudes the relaxed elegance of Americana.

Both the vinyl and CD format sound excellent. There is advanced clarity on the digital CD album. The vinyl captures some of the distortion (on electric guitar and especially bass). For the most part, individual preferences for sound will determine which reproduction best suits a listener. Either way, it will be worth it!

TrackList: (Vinyl) = Side A: No Place To Fall; Emma; I’m On Fire; Fine Young Woman; Plateau
 Side B: Mood Indigo; The Briar And The Rose; Blame It On My Youth; Goodnight

TrackList: (CD) = No Place To Fall; Emma; I’m On Fire; Fine Young Woman; Plateau; Mood Indigo; The Colour Of Spring; The Briar And The Rose; Blame It On My Youth; Goodnight

—Robbie Gerson

In 1950, Frank Sinatra made his TV debut on NBC's Bob Hope-hosted "Star-Spangled Review."

In 1957, at Norman Petty's studio in Clovis, New Mexico, Buddy Holly and the Crickets recorded "Not Fade Away" and "Everyday."

In 1957, Buddy Holly and the Crickets released their first record, "That'll Be The Day." (US #3)(#1 UK)  The song had its genesis in a trip to the movies by Holly, Allison and Sonny Curtis in June 1956. The John Wayne film 'The Searchers' was playing. Wayne's frequently-used, world-weary catchphrase, "that'll be the day" was the Inspiration behind the song.  The cut is featured on the debut album by the Crickets, 'The Chirping" Crickets,' which was issued on November 27, 1957. The song is considered a classic in the rock and roll genre and is listed at #39 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  It was also the first song to be recorded by the Quarrymen, the skiffle group that subsequently became the Beatles.

In 1963, the album 'The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan' was released by Columbia in the USA. It reached #22 in the US charts and #1 in the UK. The album showcased Dylan's songwriting talent for the first time and propelled him to national and international fame.  Before the album's release, he was one amongst many folk-singers. Afterwards, at the age of 22, Dylan was regarded as a major artist, perhaps even a spokesman for disaffected youth. The LP sold more than one million copies in the US and Dylan himself came to acknowledge Freewheelin' as the album that marked the start of his success. The album cover features a photograph of Dylan with Suze Rotolo. It was taken in February 1963, a few weeks after Rotolo had returned from Italy, by CBS staff photographer Don Hunstein at the corner of Jones Street and West 4th Street in the West Village, New York City, close to the apartment where the couple lived at the time.

In 1963, the Beatles released "From Me To You" in the US (April 11 in the UK). The single was the Beatles' first #1 in some of the UK charts, second in others, but failed to make an impact in the US at the time of its initial release. However, a 1963 cover version released by Del Shannon resulted in the song becoming the first Lennon–McCartney tune to enter the American pop chart. It was one of the very last songs to be credited "McCartney–Lennon," soon afterwards their songs began appearing credited to "Lennon–McCartney."

Also in 1963, the Beatles, touring the UK with Roy Orbison played at the Capitol Cinema, Cardiff in Wales.

In 1964, eleven boys were suspended from a school in Coventry, England for having Mick Jagger haircuts.

In 1966, in London, prior to his concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Bob Dylan welcomed the Beatles in his dressing room. Paul McCartney, who was eager to impress the singer, played him an electronic version of a song that would later become "Tomorrow Never Knows." Dylan laughed and left the room after saying to Paul, "Oh, I get it, you don't want to be cute anymore."

In 1967, Otis Redding's backup band, the Bar-Kays, enter the US charts with "Soul Finger," an instrumental that will peak at #3 R&B and #17 Pop. Six months later, four members of the band died in the plane crash that killed Redding.

In 1967, Columbia and RCA Victor, two of America's biggest record labels, announce that they will raise the list price of LPs by one dollar on June 1st. It was the first increase since 1953.

In 1968, at the Capitol Tower Recording Studio in Hollywood, Glen Campbell recorded "Wichita Lineman." The single, off the LP of he same name, reached #3 on the US pop chart, remaining in the Top 100 for 15 weeks. In addition, the song also topped the American country music chart for two weeks, and the adult contemporary chart for six weeks.  The song reached #7 in the UK. In Canada, the single also topped both the RPM national and country singles charts.  In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" ranked "Wichita Lineman" at #192. 

In 1971, the Canadian light Rock group, the Bells were awarded a Gold record for "Stay Awhile," thanks in part to the sexy, breathy vocals of singers Cliff Edwards and Jackie Ralphs.

In 1972, David Bowie appeared at Ebbisham Hall, Epsom, England on his Ziggy Stardust tour.

In 1972, "Oh, Girl" by the Chi-Lites was the #1 song.

In 1975, in the US, Paul McCartney released 'Venus and Mars,' the fourth album by his band Wings.  The album reached #1 in the US, the UK and worldwide and sold several million copies during the 1970s, with sales now estimated at over 10 million, even if the reaction was less than what had greeted the LP 'Band on the Run' a year earlier.

In 1977, Declan McManus made his 'live' debut at the Nashville in London as Elvis Costello.

In 1977, the Sex Pistols single "God Save The Queen" was released in the UK. Banned by TV and radio, high street shops and pressing plant workers refused to handle the record. It sold 200,000 copies in one week and peaked at #2 on the UK charts. There have been persistent rumours, (never confirmed or denied), that it was actually the biggest-selling single in the UK at the time, and the British Phonographic Industry conspired to keep it off the #1 slot.  The record cover, depicting a defaced picture of Queen Elizabeth II, was designed by Jamie Reid and in 2001 was named #1 in a list of 100 greatest record covers of all time by Q magazine.  

In 1980, during the taping of a Van Halen TV special in Rome, David Lee Roth fractured his nose and suffered a concussion when he leaped off Alex Van Halen's drum riser and hit the stage lights.

In 1987, during a show in Rome, U2's sound system set off earthquake alarms in two neighborhoods.

In 1988, Van Halen's Monsters of Rock Tour opened in Wisconsin.

In 1988, Def Leppard kicked off the third leg of their North American Hysteria world tour at George M. Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska.

In 1989, Cliff Richard released his one hundredth single, "The Best Of Me," which became his 26th Top 3 UK hit.

In 1989, the Beach Boys and Chicago began touring together for the first time in 14 years. Brian Wilson joined the group for a few shows during the tour.

In 1994, the Eagles played their first show in fourteen years when they played a show in Burbank, California. The two-and-a-half-hour show ended with two encores, closing with "Desperado."

In 1999, winners at the Ivor Novello song writing awards included Rod Stewart who won a Lifetime Achievement Award, Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers won songwriters of the year and Chrissie Hynde won outstanding contribution to British Music.

In 2000, Paula Yates was awarded $680,000 in an out-of-court settlement from her boyfriend Michael Hutchence fortune. Hutchence had died in 1997 INXS singer Hutchence was found dead in his hotel suite in Sydney in 1997 aged 37.

In 2001, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Lady Marmalade." A hit for LaBelle in 1975, this version was from the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge. 

In 2003, the Johnny Cash albums 'Super Hits,''Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison,' and 'Johnny Cash at San Quentin' were certified Platinum.

In 2004, the Bee Gees were honored at Buckingham Palace during and emotional ceremony in which Prince Charles made the trio Commanders of the Order of the British Empire. Both Barry and Robin were on hand, while Maurice's son, 28 year old Adam, accepted the award on his late father's behalf.

In 2006, Red Hot Chili Peppers started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Stadium Arcadium,' the bands ninth studio album, also a UK #1.

In 2008, Sir Paul McCartney was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University in the United States. Yale's president, Richard Levin, said; The former Beatle had "awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock and roll and to rhythm and blues." A band played "Hey Jude" as Sir Paul, 65, walked on stage to accept his degree.

In 2008, UK High street chain Woolworths announced it would stop selling CD singles in its stores saying that the format was in "terminal decline" and would be removed from the shelves from August. Sales of CD singles had fallen sharply as the popularity of downloading music from the internet had increased.

In 2009, a credit card company sued Courtney Love, claiming she owed more than $350,000.  In court papers filed in Los Angeles, American Express said it had suspended Love's Amex Gold card after she "failed and refused" to make payments.

In 2010, dozens of AC/DC fans needed treatment after complaining of burning eyes during a concert on the runway of Wels Airport, Wels, Austria. Around 150 fans had to be treated. Doctors found that the fans showed allergic reactions to bark mulch spread at the venue - the runway of Wels Airport, to avoid the soil getting too muddy after hours of massive rainfall.

In 2012, Lady Gaga cancelled her sold-out June 3 Born This Way Ball concert in Indonesia after Islamist hard-liners threatened violence, claiming her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt the youth.

In 2013, a report was published saying how many musicians were frustrated with fans filming gigs on their smartphones. Jack White and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs had both put up signs at their concerts asking people to leave their mobiles in their pockets.

birthdays today include (among others):  Ramsey Lewis (79), Don Williams (75), Cilla Black (71), Bruce Cockburn (69), Siouxsie Sioux (born Susan Dallion) (Siouxsie & the Banshees) (57), Neil Finn (56) and Sean Kinney (Alice in Chains) (48)