"I was working for a record company as a songwriter," Lou Reed remembered in 1972, "where they'd lock me in a room and they'd say, 'Write ten surfing songs,' ya know, and I wrote 'Heroin' and I said, 'Hey, I've got something for ya.' They said, 'Never gonna happen, never gonna happen.'" Reed wasn't able to introduce "Heroin" to the world until March 1967 when the Verve label released The Velvet Underground & Nico. The VU's debut album disappointed commercially but became greatly
Funky But Chic: Light in the Attic Unearths Rarities in "Earl's Closet"
When Earl McGrath died in January 2016 at the age of 84, the music industry veteran and art gallery owner was remembered by a starry crowd including Anjelica Huston, Jerry Hall, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger, and Joan Didion. The Rolling Stones frontman called him "a wonderful man and such an amusing companion, too." McGrath was godfather to three of Ford's five children, and the Indiana Jones star described him as "the last of a breed, one of the last great gentlemen and bohemians." After
Judy at 100: Garland Centennial Celebrated by Universal Japan and Hit Parade Records; Special Concert Happening THIS WEEKEND in NYC!
Friday, June 10, marks the 100th birthday of Judy Garland. Though the superstar died on June 22, 1969, her legacy burns brighter than ever today. In honor of the Garland centennial, and of Pride Month 2022, a number of releases will soon become available. A very special event is also happening this Sunday, June 5, in New York City. Universal Japan is celebrating Garland's discography at Capitol Records with a series of ten reissues in the UHQCD format (playable in all CD players) coming on
Surrender to the Rhythm: Elvis Costello Reforms His First Band, Rusty, For "The Resurrection of Rust"
In his 2015 memoir Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink, Elvis Costello recalled an early gig at the British Legion Hall "on the posh side of Birkenhead Park" in Birkenhead, Merseyside. "I can't say my set was a triumph," he wrote. "I went off to a round of feeble applause from a handful of pensioners supping mild beer and a smattering of teenagers in army petticoats drinking cider. However, once I found a singing partner in Allan Mayes, my performances became a little more controlled and
Mercenary Territory: Rhino Turn Little Feat's 'Waiting for Columbus' Into Multi-Show Box Set
Last year for Black Friday's Record Store Day event, Rhino premiered Little Feat's Electrif Lycanthrope: Live at Ultra-Sonic Studios 1974, a concert album recorded in front of an intimate studio audience in Hempstead, New York. The band originally fronted by Lowell George always blossomed in a live setting, with that particular brand of electricity best captured on 1978's Waiting for Columbus. The double album recorded in 1977 at London's Rainbow Theatre and Washington, DC's Lisner Auditorium
Wait a Minute: Cherry Red, Esoteric Expand Blossom Toes' "If Only for a Moment" with Guest Spots from Frank Zappa, Brian Auger
Though Blossom Toes only recorded two albums, the band is still remembered today as a leading exponent of psychedelic pop-rock in the late 1960s. Guitarist Jim Cregan went on to play with Cockney Rebel and become one of Rod Stewart's major collaborators while Brian Godding, also on guitar, forged a path in jazz and progressive rock. Earlier this year, Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings reissued Blossom Toes' 1967 debut We Are Ever So Clean as a 3CD deluxe edition comprising the original album, a
Stand Up and Shout: Dio's 'Holy Diver' Gets Box Set Reissue This Summer
Whether performing with Elf, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Heaven and Hell, or his own band, Dio, Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010) thrilled with his powerful voice and indomitable spirit. One of the most influential hard rock and metal singers of all time, Dio would have turned 80 years old on July 10. Rhino is remembering him with a 4-CD super deluxe edition of the band Dio's debut, 1983's Holy Diver. The box arrives in stores on July 8, just two days before Dio's 80th. Holy Diver united Ronnie, on
Sweet Music Man: Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Oak Ridge Boys, and More Pay Tribute to Kenny Rogers on "All In for the Gambler"
On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, Kenny Rogers took the stage at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena for what was billed as a farewell concert celebration. Rogers' final tour, The Gambler's Last Deal, would encompass further performances (including a run of Christmas shows in December 2017) before a halt was announced, on doctor's orders, of a planned 2018 leg. But the all-star Nashville show was a symbolic last hurrah for the superstar who died in March 2020 at the age of 81. The tribute concert,
I Remember the Feeling: 7a Records Reissues Studio and Live Albums from Dolenz, Jones, Boyce and Hart
The names of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart have long been inextricably linked with that of The Monkees. The duo penned many of the band's most familiar songs including "(Theme From) 'The Monkees,'" "I Wanna Be Free," "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone," "Valleri," and the chart-topping "Last Train to Clarksville." So when promoters were seeking a Monkees reunion in the mid-1970s, and with Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork unavailable, it's unsurprising that Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz turned to Boyce
Hooray for Hollywood: New Box Set Celebrates 100 Years of The Hollywood Bowl with Sinatra, Bernstein, Doors, Newman, Dudamel, More
2022 marks 100 years of The Hollywood Bowl. The famous amphitheater nestled in the Hollywood hills has hosted luminaries of every genre of music from classical to rock in its instantly familiar bandshell (actually two bandshells, as the first one from 1929 was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a larger model). The Bowl has been featured in movies including the original A Star Is Born, Double Indemnity, Xanadu, and Beaches and cartoons starring Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and The Pink
Stoned: ABKCO Brings The Rolling Stones' "Singles 1963-1966" to Vinyl
On July 12, 1962, The Rollin' Stones - a.k.a. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Ian Stewart, and Dick Taylor - took the stage at London's Marquee Club. Shortly after that initial gig, a "g" was added to the band's name. By February 1963, the classic line-up was in place of Jagger, Richards, Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. Sixty years later, The Rolling Stones have earned their unofficial moniker of The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band. ABKCO is marking that anniversary with
Devoted to You: "Hey Doll Baby" Features The Everly Brothers' Hits and Deep Cuts
"I had the unique pleasure of knowing Phil Everly as a kid and the honor of getting to know Don Everly a bit this year as we prepared this compilation," writes Adria Petty in the liner notes to The Everly Brothers' new collection, Hey Doll Baby. As Tom Petty's daughter, Adria was a first-hand witness to rock and roll history, and that experience has informed her curation of this 17-track compendium. Hey Doll Baby was first issued by Warner Records on vinyl in April for Record Store Day as a
Diamonds Are Forever: Ace Collects Prime John Barry on "The More Things Change"
Ready When You Are, J.B.! John Barry (1933-2011) made his debut as a solo artist for CBS Records with the 1970 album subtitled "John Barry Plays His Great Movie Hits." The composer and former leader of The John Barry Seven had long been associated with CBS, with the label having released the original cast recording of his West End musical Passion Flower Hotel; soundtrack albums to such films as The Ipcress File, The Chase, The Quiller Memorandum, and The Lion in Winter (for which Barry won an
Cat's in the Cradle: Cherry Red Celebrates Harry Chapin on "Story Book: The Elektra Albums 1972-1978"
It's fair to say that when Harry Chapin's debut single "Taxi" peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, the ballad didn't sound like much else on the chart. The top spot was held by Sammy Davis, Jr.'s bouncy ode to "The Candy Man" while the upper reaches also featured gospel-tinged R&B (The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There"), pristine pop (Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue," Carpenters' "It's Going to Take Some Time"), driving funk (Billy Preston's "Outa-Space"), raunchy rock-and-roll
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: The Animals' Mono Albums Get Individual CD, Vinyl Reissues
Back in 2013, the ABKCO label issued a 5-CD box set from The Animals. Released via Real Gone Music, The Mickie Most Years and More brought together remastered versions of the British band's first four U.S. albums plus a rare private-press EP recorded in 1963. Nearly a decade later, ABKCO is bringing The Mickie Most Years and More back into print as a vinyl set, while the four original mono albums will also be reissued as standalone CDs (with bonus tracks) and vinyl (original albums only) on
This Time It's For Real: Cleveland International Unearths Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes' "Live in Cleveland '77"
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes' ties with Cleveland ran deep. The New Jersey group, which burst onto the scene with 1976's roof-raising LP I Don't Want to Go Home, was supported early on by Cleveland audiences and radio. The big, brassy band led by Southside Johnny Lyon and championed by "Miami Steve" Van Zandt was signed to Epic by A&R man Steve Popovich, now-legendary record man and founder of Cleveland International Records. In 2017, the frontman remembered Popovich in an
The Minneapolis Sound: Sony Classical Boxes Eugene Ormandy's Early Recordings with Minneapolis Symphony
Eugene Ormandy's The Columbia Legacy, released last year, was the second-biggest box set in Sony Classical history. At a remarkable 120 discs, the box chronicled the early years of Ormandy's affiliation with The Philadelphia Orchestra - one that, all told, would span 44 years and become the longest-ever relationship between conductor and orchestra. Ormandy first led the Orchestra in 1931 at just 32 years of age, filling in for his inspiration, Arturo Toscanini. He joined full-time in 1936,
Love Makes the World Go 'Round: Stage Door Reissues, Expands Broadway Cast Recording of "Carnival!"
The Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris is coming back to town! Stage Door Records has announced the latest in its series of Deluxe Edition cast recordings with a 2-CD expanded edition of the original 1961 Broadway Cast Recording of Michael Stewart and Bob Merrill's Carnival! due on May 27. The David Merrick production opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in April 1961, playing for 719 performances including a transfer to the Winter Garden. Carnival! was based on the 1953 MGM film Lili which
Endless 'Summer': 21st Century Beach Boys Compilation Expanded for Group's 60th Anniversary
On October 1, 1962, The Beach Boys released their album debut Surfin' Safari on Capitol Records, beginning an extraordinary musical odyssey that continues to this day. Since then, brothers Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, and Carl Wilson; cousin Mike Love; and friend Al Jardine - along with fellow travelers including Bruce Johnston, David Marks, Blondie Chaplin, and Ricky Fataar, and dozens of key collaborators including Gary Usher, Roger Christian, Tony Asher, Van Dyke Parks, Billy Hinsche,
Review: Frank Zappa, "The Mothers 1971"
Sorry, Frank! Though the title of Zappa and The Mothers' 1971 album was Just Another Band from L.A., listeners knew what the maverick bandleader was alluding to: his latest group was anything but. Vocalists Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (a.k.a. Flo and Eddie) and bassist Jim Pons - all freshly recruited from The Turtles - were now happy together with Zappa, drummer Aynsley Dunbar, keyboardists Bob Harris and Don Preston, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood in one of the most outrageous and
Right Where He Belongs: Brian Wilson's "Long Promised Road" Soundtrack Comes to CD in June
Long Promised Road, director Brent Wilson's 2021 documentary film about Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson (no relation) was described by Variety as "affectionate and satisfying...sentimental at times but often stirringly insightful." The Hollywood Reporter called it "a portrait of friendship and love as much as it's about music." American Songwriter noted that it was "flush with pathos and poignancy...a remarkable documentary that is, at once, both heartbreaking and heartwarming." By
Where the Happy People Go: Cherry Red, Robinsongs Collect The Trammps' Atlantic Albums
Burn, baby, burn. The Trammps' "Disco Inferno" blazed its way into history when it was included on the record-breaking Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. A No. 1 Dance hit and top ten R&B entry, the storming track climbed to No. 11 Pop and became one of the disco era's most significant anthems. But there's more to The Trammps than just "Disco Inferno." An 8-CD box set from Cherry Red's Robinsongs imprint, Disco Inferno: Albums 1975-1980, collects The Trammps' album discography on Golden
New Collection 'Songbird' Shows the Solo Side of Christine McVie
Christine McVie's association with Fleetwood Mac began in 1970 when the singer-songwriter born Anne Christine Perfect played and sang on the group's record Kiln House (and even provided its cover artwork). Though uncredited on Kiln House, McVie joined the band shortly thereafter, penning two songs and contributing to a third on 1971's Future Games. Her place in the group assured, she went on to write and sing many of the Mac's most cherished hits including "Don't Stop," "Everywhere," and
Strange Animals: BMG Reissues Five Albums from Sparks in New 21st Century Collection
Director Edgar Wright's 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers brought much-deserved attention to cult rock heroes Ron and Russell Mael and their prodigious, singular output as Sparks. Now, BMG has announced the 21st Century Sparks collection: a series of deluxe CD and vinyl reissues encompassing Balls (2000), Lil' Beethoven (2002), and Hello Young Lovers (2006) arriving on Friday, April 29; and Exotic Creatures of the Deep (2008) and The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman (2009) following on Friday, May
I Don't Do Gentle: Cherry Red's 7T's Imprint Reissues Two Albums from Suzi Quatro on New Collection
Since bursting onto the scene in the mid-1960s as a member of Detroit band The Pleasure Seekers, Suzi Quatro has enjoyed one of the most versatile careers in rock and roll. In addition to selling over 55 million LPs and singles, Quatro has starred on stage and screen and influenced an entire generation of artists including Joan Jett and The Go-Go's. Suzi's most recent studio LP, The Devil in Me, arrived in early 2021. Now, Cherry Red's 7T's imprint is looking back to her first two albums of
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- …
- 172
- Next Page »