991.com Sleevenotes : A Blog about Collecting Rare Vinyl 7", 12" & LP Records, CDs, Memorabilia & Music

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

 

ENYA ‘The Very Best Of’ [Release Date 23/11/2009]

CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490090

CD/DVD:    http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490091

Twenty-two years have passed since the original release of Enya's self-titled debut album. During that time, Enya has become one of the world's most successful musicians with over 70 million album sales to her name and an array of authoritative honours including four Grammy Awards and three World Music Awards.

Released on November 23rd, 'The Very Best Of Enya' brings together for the first time so much of the earth-spanning music created alongside her close friends and partners in music, Nicky and Roma Ryan. From her world-conquering international breakthrough 'Orinoco Flow' to the sad serenity of 'Only Time' that was adopted as an comforting anthem of hope in the face of 9/11, 'The Very Best Of' captures Enya's most beautiful work to date.

Free Tori gig this December

Providing you can negotiate obtaining a free wristband from Oxford Street's HMV on the Wednesday morning of the gig to get in, with a new winter-themed album scheduled for release next week, Tori Amos has announced she will perform a free solo gig at the London Jazz Café on December 2nd... News courtesy of the NME

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

PAUL MCCARTNEY ‘Good Evening New York City’ [Release Date 23/11/2009]

2CD/1DVD:    http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490004

Deluxe 2CD/2DVD:    http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490005

Multi-Disc CD/DVD special package features dazzling performances of Beatles, Wings and solo classics from Citi Field, formerly Shea Stadium, historic site of The Beatles' Landmark 1965 Concert.

"It was three great nights for the band and for me personally it was very exciting to be back opening a new stadium on the site of the old Shea Stadium where we had played 44 years previously. Even more exciting because this time round you could hear us!"

Paul McCartney's historic three-night musical christening of New York's Citi Field, witnessed by 120,000-plus attendees and universally hailed as a concert experience for the ages, will be immortalized November 23 with the release of 'Good Evening New York City'. This momentous musical experience will be available in two formats: a 3-disc (2 CD + 1 DVD) standard edition and a 4-disc (2 CD + 2 DVD) deluxe version featuring expanded packaging and a bonus DVD including McCartney's traffic-stopping, headline-making July 15 performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (including bonus numbers not aired on the Late Show with David Letterman broadcast).

As the inaugural musical event at Citi Field, the site of the former Shea Stadium, the July 2009 shows held special significance not only for McCartney but for generations of his fans. The shows were performed on the same hallowed ground that The Beatles, in 1965, played the 34-minute show that would set the precedent for the modern day stadium rock show, and where in 2008 McCartney joined Billy Joel for the final rock show before the original stadium's demolition. As documented on 'Good Evening New York City', 'I'm Down' from the 1965 set list was revived for the Citi Field shows.

Other highlights of 'Good Evening New York City' include faithful takes on Beatles classics 'Drive My Car', 'Got To Get You Into My Life', 'The Long And Winding Road', 'Blackbird', 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Back In The USSR', 'Paperback Writer', 'Let It Be', 'Hey Jude', 'Helter Skelter' and more, plus 'Something' rendered on ukulele gifted to Paul by George Harrison, and a tribute to John Lennon in the form of a medley of 'A Day In The Life' and 'Give Peace A Chance'. Wings era chestnuts include 'Band On The Run', 'My Love', 'Let Me Roll It' and the pyrotechnic tour de force of 'Live And Let Die', while timeless McCartney solo material ranges from 'Here Today' to the upbeat 'Flaming Pie' and 'Dance Tonight' to a pair of numbers from Electric Arguments, the 2008 album released under the alias of The Fireman.

The concert footage featured on 'Good Evening New York City' standard edition features concert footage directed by Paul Becher, who has overseen live visuals for McCartney for some 200 performances and counting. The 33-song 2 hour 40 minute performances were shot in High Definition using 15 cameras and digital footage incorporated from 75 Flipcams handed out to fans over the course of the three night stand. The audio mix, in both stereo and 5.1, was handled by longtime McCartney engineer Paul Hicks, whose credits include the recent Beatles remasters, The Beatles Anthology, Let It Be... Naked, and two Grammy awards for his mixing work on the Beatles' Love album.

Monday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

JASON MRAZ ‘Jason Mraz's Beautiful Mess - Live On Earth’ [Release Date 23/11/2009]

CD/DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489847

This CD/DVD was filmed live from The Gratitude Cafe Tour at Charter One Pavillion on August 13th 2009 and features many songs from Jason's latest album, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things', including 'I'm Yours' and 'Lucky' with guest Colbie Caillat, along with some of the older favourites and a few new songs.

Monday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

SPEARHEAD Power To The Peaceful Festival [Release Date 16/11/2009]
CD/DVD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489712

The 'Power To The Peaceful' Festival has become a yearly tradition and inspiring event for Michael Franti & Spearhead and their cast of tens of thousands, who meet up for music, peace and good times at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. This new deluxe movie CD & DVD release truly captures the excitement of the annual 'Power To The Peaceful' Festival.
This incredible event brought out 50,000+ in 2005 to groove to and hear the sounds of Michael Franti &
Spearhead and their friends Saul Williams, Anti-Flag and Zap Mama. The ongoing festival, which originated in the late 90s, continues to prove that Michael Franti has never been more relevant and
influential.
"Right now, people ask me, what can one person do to change what's going on with the world? My role is as a storyteller and a songwriter. I'm somebody who is trying to keep the spirits of other people up, despite all the chaos and fear around us."
You too can now experience what the multitudes of fans have felt, with this amazing soundtrack CD and deluxe full length movie from this incredible event. Featuring some of Michael Franti & Spearhead's most loved songs like 'Everyone Deserves Music', 'Yell Fire' and 'Is Love Enough'. This important new release is an event not to be missed... POWER TO THE PEACEFUL!

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

RUSH ‘Working Men’ [Release Date 16/11/2009]

CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489662

On November 16th, Atlantic Records release 'Working Men', the first 'best of' live performance compilation from renowned rock trio Rush.

Culled from Anthem Entertainment and Zoë Vision's three other Rush releases – 'Rush in Rio', 'R30' & 'Snakes & Arrows Live', the 'Working Men' album features live recordings of the band's greatest hits as well as one previously unreleased track, 'One Little Victory'.

Rush, comprised of Geddy Lee [vocals, bass, keyboards], Alex Lifeson [guitar, vocals], and Neil Peart [drums and percussion], are, without question, one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both their virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting.

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

KATY PERRY ‘MTV: Unplugged’ [Release Date 16/11/2009]

CD/DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489586

Coming off her third No. 1 single, 'Waking Up in Vegas', multi-platinum Capitol singer-songwriter Katy Perry is set to put her unique signature on yet another defining signpost of global pop culture, releasing her upcoming appearance on 'MTV: Unplugged' in CD + DVD set in one package on November 16, 2009.

Recorded live in New York on July 22, 2009, Katy presents some of her most well-known songs in a whole new way, performing unplugged re-arrangements of her No. 1 hits 'I Kissed A Girl' and 'Waking Up In Vegas', along with the No. 1 video hit 'Thinking Of You,' and the popular tracks 'Ur So Gay' and 'Lost' from her debut album 'One Of The Boys', which has now sold five million worldwide.

The 'MTV: Unplugged' set list is rounded out with two brand-new tracks, a cover of the Fountains of Wayne song 'Hackensack', and the never before released original song 'Brick By Brick'. The DVD release also features exclusive interview footage.

In this appearance, Katy Perry joins a distinguished roster of MTV: Unplugged performers, memorably including Eric Clapton, whose 1992 program featured 'Tears in Heaven' and 'Layla' and won six Grammys, among them Album of the Year, Tony Bennett, who won Grammy's Album of the Year for his 1994 appearance, Nirvana and others.

Katy Perry is only the fourth artist in history to have 4 hit singles, 3 of which went to No. 1 from a debut album. Katy’s first two single releases, the seven-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 'I Kissed a Girl' and the No. 1 mainstream top 40 radio hit 'Hot N Cold', are RIAA-certified for triple-platinum sales. 'One Of The Boys' also includes the #1 VH-1 Countdown ballad hit 'Thinking of You'. Katy Perry is a Brit Award and MTV Europe Music Award winner, and is also a Grammy Award, MTV Video Music Award and Teen Choice Award nominee.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part III]

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE ‘You've Got The Love’ [Release Date 16/11/2009]

C5:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489558

7”:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489559

With her platinum selling album 'Lungs', the biggest UK debut album of the year to date under her belt, Florence and the Machine releases her exquisite cover of Candi Stanton's 'You Got The love' to round off what has been an exceptional 2009.

Florence has made the song her own with her killer version of this modern classic. Playing as a triumphant set closer to massive crowds all summer long. Introducing YGTL to an army of young fans for the first time and giving older fans ones the chance to loose their minds all over again.  Remixes come courtesy of Tom Middleton and The XX.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

SPIRIT The Best Of 1968-1977: Fresh From The Time Coast [Release Date 23/11/2009]
2CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489550

On unique Double CD, a multi-label career overview (1968-1977) of the legendary Los Angeles rock band
Spirit. Raven presents on unique Double CD, a multi-label career overview of the legendary Los Angeles rock band Spirit. Spirit offered a truly innovative approach and presence with a blend of rock and jazz mixed with blues, folk and psychedelic elements. 'The Best Of 1968-1977: Fresh from the Time Coast' boasts 43 tracks, over 150 minutes of music and is the first time the best tracks from the band's five albums for Ode/Epic and four albums for Mercury have been combined into one stunning package. Formed in 1967 around teenage guitar prodigy Randy California, Spirit hit with the glorious single 'I
Got A Line On You' which boasts one of the most recognisable guitar riffs in rock.
Also on CD1 are all the other highlights of their five albums for Ode/Epic: 'Fresh-Garbage', 'Dream Within A Dream', 'Nature's Way', 'Darkness' and 17 other quality songs. The band's run of four albums for Mercury during the 1970s is well represented on Disc Two by 'Victim of Society', 'Looking into Darkness', 'Farther Along', 'Stars are Love' and others. With superb quality audio, detailed liner notes, colour booklet this splendid Double CD is a must for fans of classic rock.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

GENESIS ‘The Movie Box 1981-2007’ [Release Date 16/11/2009]

5DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489385

Following the release of 'Genesis Live 1973-2007', a box-set gathering the live albums recorded by the legendary British group, with the added bonus of 'Live At The Rainbow 1973', and the critically-acclaimed Hybrid CD/SACD and DVD double disc set reissue of the 14 Genesis studio albums on the box-sets 'Genesis 1976 – 1982' and 'Genesis 1983 – 1998' in 2007, and 'Genesis 1970 – 1975' last year, Virgin / EMI will conclude its exhaustive re-release programme of the Genesis catalogue with 'Genesis – The Movie Box' on 9 November 2009. The 5 DVD box-set, with new 2009 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital sound mixes, makes available on DVD for the very first time The Mama Tour and Three Sides Live. The full box includes:

* Three Sides Live, the concert film shot in the US and released in tandem with the live album of the same title, which made the Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic in 1982. Contains extra full length tracks in 5.1 Audio only.

* Genesis Live – The Mama Tour, filmed in 1984 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and featuring the band performing material from the chart-topping Genesis album. Also featuring 'The Making of the Mama Album' a home video filmed by Phil Collins during the making of the Genesis album.

* Genesis Live At Wembley Stadium, shot during the group's record-breaking run of four sold-out concerts in July 1987, at the height of their popularity following the release of the number one album Invisible Touch. The DVD also features the tour documentary entitled 'Visible Touch'.

* Genesis: The Way We Walk – Live In Concert, filmed in 1992 at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and issued alongside the Top 3 albums Live – The Way We Walk Volume One: The Shorts and Volume Two: The Longs.

* Bonus material alongside the Mama Documentary comes in the shape of the updated 2009 version of VH1 'Behind The Music' special about the band. The original version aired in December 1999.

Dinosaur...

I feel kinda old reading this article 'the golden age of infinite music' but if there's one thing that will make

me catch up with the rest of the world regarding digital music, it's being able to legally listen to stuff for

nothing and Spotify's free service sounds just the job. Apparently it 'makes iTunes look pathetically

 old-fashioned' - What's iTunes...? 

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

THEM CROOKED VULTURES ‘Them Crooked Vultures’ [Release Date 16/11/2009]

CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489188

LP:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=489191

Them Crooked Vultures (aka Dave Grohl [Foo Fighters, Nirvana], Joshua Homme [Queens of the Stone Age] and John Paul Jones [Led Zeppelin]) has confirmed November 16 as the release date of its eponymous debut album on Columbia Records in the UK.

The self-produced 13-song record will feature the debut of the studio versions of the material Them Crooked Vultures unveiled at its August 9 debut at Chicago's Cabaret Metro and played on a first series of shows throughout a handful of UK and European shows.

Google unveil the OneBox music service

With music being one of the most popular searches on the web and following the success of Apple and Spotify in the online market, the BBC announce that Google are set to offer a new service for US customers when it comes to finding and buying your music online...

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

SNOW PATROL ‘Up To Now’ [Release Date 09/11/2009]

2CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488847

2CD/1DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488848

Snow Patrol have just announced details of 'Up To Now', a collection of the band's best loved songs, as well as 3 new tracks including forthcoming single 'Just Say Yes'.

Snow Patrol are one of the biggest and boldest bands of the past decade. Over fifteen years and five studio albums, the part Scottish, part Irish five piece have sketched heart-bruised ballads ('Set Down Your Glass') and arm-around-your-best-mate festival anthems ('Run'); radio hits ('Chasing Cars') and moments of painful introspection ('You Could Be Happy'). All of these have been gathered together for 'Up To Now' - a thirty track, double album of singles, cover versions, rarities, album tracks and a handful of new songs as well as compositions by the Reindeer Section – an indie supergroup featuring members of Scotland's guitar elite - Belle and Sebastian, Idlewild and Teenage Fanclub among many others – and co-ordinated by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.

Released on the 9th November 'Up To Now' will be available on a two disc CD featuring thirty tracks, and a three disc digipack with an additional DVD which offers two exclusive documentaries, 'The Lightning Strike' animated film and previously unseen live footage.

A Sgt. Pepper's sleeve you don't see very often

The Guardian report news of one of the rarest Beatles covers recently sold...

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

SUGABABES ‘About A Girl’ [Release Date 09/11/2009]

C5:  http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488811

On 9th November the Sugababes, the UK's most successful girl-band, release the second fabulous single 'About A Girl' from their forthcoming seventh album 'Sweet 7' out November 16th. It follows the huge smash 'Get Sexy' which is still in the charts and burning up dance floors a month after its release.

'About A Girl' also introduces a new chapter in the Sugababes' incredible history with the exciting introduction of stunning new member Jade Ewen. 'About A Girl' was written by Makeba [famous for her work with Beyonce, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Janet Jackson] and produced by Red One [Lady GaGa, Rihanna]. For the Sugababes, 2009 shaped up as a vintage year, and now with the brand new line up the girls are looking forward to releasing the Sugababes seventh album.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

QUEEN ‘The Complete Review’ [Release Date 09/11/2009]

2DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488714

Its close to 20 years since the tragic death of Freddie Mercury, meaning that Queen [at least the version that mattered] have been absent longer than they ever existed as the quite extraordinary group who made so much incredible music between 1973 and 1991. Featuring contributions from friends and close colleagues of Queen, and with comment and critique from some of the finest rock journalists in the world, plus much rare and classic footage - including seldom seen performances of their finest tracks - news reports, location shoots, photographs from private collections, a host of other features, and a multitude of extras, this package will prove a delight to the millions of fans who to this day worship one of the very few rock group to have earned the accolade of truly great band.

Coming Soon - Queen in Lego Rock Band!

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games have announced that LEGO® Rock Band™ will feature the likeness of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and multi-platinum selling group Queen. Appearing in the game as LEGO minifigures, front man Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor will be seen jamming to their hit anthems “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions.”

Guitarist Brian May said: “This is IT!  I wanna play!  When do I get my toy LEGO man?”

The game is scheduled for release in time for Christmas - Kerrrrrching!

U2ube

Planet Rock announce that, "in a world's first", U2 are to stream the entirety of their forthcoming live show at California's Pasadena Rose Bowl this weekend on Youtube, with their manager confirming it as "the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium"...

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part II]

BEE GEES ‘The Ultimate Bee Gees’ [Release Date 02/11/2009]

2CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488362

2CD/1DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488363

'The Ultimate Bee Gees' is a career retrospective featuring the group's many hits and chart-topping singles, performances of a selection of hit songs they wrote for others, and liner notes by Sir Tim Rice. The third disc is a DVD of previously unreleased footage.

This year marks the golden anniversary of the Bee Gees' musical beginnings. Since then, the trio has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, won both the Lifetime Achievement (2000) and Legend Awards (2003) from the Recording Academy, seven Grammy® Awards, BMI Icon Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 BRIT Awards.

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

MADNESS ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’ [Release Date 09/11/2009]

CD/DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488420

2009 has been Madness' year, celebrating 30 years since their first release and also releasing 'The Liberty Of Norton Folgate', considered by some to be their finest album to date. 2009 has also seen the TV advertised release of their greatest hits album 'Total Madness', with the 30th year special reissue of their debut album 'One Step Beyond'. This bonus DVD comes complete with legendary director Julien Temple's film adaptation of the album, plus live performance footage from London's Hackney Empire stage directed by Luke Cresswell (of 'Stomp' fame), entwined with Victorian London re-enactments from members of the band.

Reformation = Money

Loads of bands have jumped on the reunion/reformation bandwagon in the last few years, Cream, Genesis, Take That and The Police among the most high profile, but the one band I thought I'd never see live (again) is Spandau Ballet.

 After a decade together and a very acrimonious split which led to all the band members fighting in the high court they remained one of the bands that people though would not share a stage together again. So why 19 years after they split are they back together? The answer MONEY!

The Police toured the World, publically showing solidarity whilst on stage but behind the scenes the old tensions were clearly still there as revealed recently by Copeland in an interview. I wonder what the atmostphere is like off stage in the Spandau Ballet camp?

These bands reform for one reason only, the huge amount of money they make from the tour, the merchandise and the obligatory live DVD, while we (the audience) attend mainly for nostalgic reasons, remembering a time when the band's music was new and exciting, glossing over the fact that the band are now either fat, bald, old or just weren't as good as we remembered.

The Spandau Ballet gig last night at the O2 was for me a trip down memory lane but a lot of the material hasn't aged well. Of course there were classics and the band executed every song professionally - Hadley can still hit the notes and sang them in the same key as he did back in the 80's, but as I left the venue I saw the advert for the DVD (which will be released in just 5 weeks) and realised I'd been suckered into attending another money making exercise for a band that belonged in the 80's and perhaps should have stayed there. But that's just my opinion, they have after all sold out 3 nights at a 20,000 seat arena in London and numerous other citys accross Europe.

I vow to (try) and stay away from reformed, washed up recently reformed 70's and 80's bands from now on - unless someone can persuade Mr Weller that a Jam reunion might be good?!

991.com is proud to be working in partnership with ART VINYL!

991 is now an official distributor for Art Vinyl, the original way to display your favourite music and vinyl record art. This is something new for music enthusiasts and is an original interior design concept.

 

Use the Play & Display Flip Frame to create an original display with vinyl records you already own and buy,and get more pleasure from your favourite music and artists.

 

Changing your Art Vinyl display is very easy as the Flip Frame has a unique quick release system allowing you to instantly change your Art Vinyl record display as often as you like.

 

The Play & Display design gives the owner the ability to stylishly display one record cover and its contents on the wall. The unique design of the Flip Frame allows the owner to change over the display within seconds without having to remove the frame from the wall. All it takes is a simple one-finger touch that flips the front of the frame open so that the record can be changed.

 

The Play & Display Flip Frames are designed especially to compensate for any differences in thickness of album or 12” record. This is done by the unique “sponge finger” system on the back of the Flip Frame, which will ensure that any record can fit comfortably against the front display panel.

 

The frames are available in neutral black and stunning white, and they come fully assembled and beautifully packaged ready to use. 

 

We think these are the perfect Christmas present for vinyl lovers, or put them on your own Christmas list!

 

FREE POSTAGE to the UK!

EXCLUSIVE TO 991

 

Buy 9 frames for £250 - save £47 against the cost of a triple pack:

 

EXCLUSIVE 9 FRAME OFFER [white] [black]

 

Buy a triple pack of frames for £99 - save £18 against a single frame purchase:

 

TRIPLE FRAME PACK [white] [black]

 

Buy a single frame for £39:

 

SINGLE FRAME [white] [black]

 

All in stock and ready to ship today!

 

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The Ultimate version of the Ultimate Live Album?

 

A bold claim perhaps, but check this monster out before you scoff!!

On 3rd November, Abcko are issuing a Super Deluxe Collectors Edition of the Rolling Stones' classic live album, 'Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!' - so what do you get for your moolah?

* 3 180gram audiophile quality vinyl LPs - LP 1 features the original 1970 LP, recorded live at Civic Center, Baltimore on 26th November 1969 and Madison Square Garden, New York on 27th & 28th November 1969, LP 2 features 5 previously unreleased recordings from MSG, while LP 3 includes 12 previously unreleased tracks from supporting artists BB King and Ike & Tina Turner!

* 3 CD albums replicating the vinyl content

* Bonus DVD which features footage from Madison Square Garden, backstage footage, scenes of Keith Richards in the studio and footage of the album cover shoot, all shot by Albert and David Maysles

* 56-page collectors book & postcard

* Free download of the live version of 'I’m Free' for Guitar Hero 5 

All wrapped up in a super groovy 13" x 13" box! Click here for more info and to reserve a copy!

Krautrock: The Rebirth of Germany

What made Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and Bowie flock to former West Berlin in the 70s?

Travel back to the future of rock and synthesized music this Friday night for BBC4's one hour documentary on the German modernist movement, which paved the way for the cutting edge of art and electronics into pop we know today. Expect Neu!, Can, Faust and Kraftwerk to rear their progressive heads with rare footage and interviews, and you just might find out!

Wednesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

STING ‘If On A Winter's Night’ [Release Date 02/11/2009]

CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488182

CD/DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488183

LP:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=488184

'If on a Winter's Night' presents an arc of songs that conjure the season of spirits, the eerie silences of the snow; days of solitude and reflection for some, a time of re-birth and celebration for many.

With traditional music of the British Isles as their starting point, Sting and his guest musicians draw the listener in through a collection of songs, carols, and lullabies spanning the centuries - such as 'The Snow it Melts the Soonest' (traditional Newcastle ballad), 'Soul Cake' (traditional English "begging" song which has its roots in Halloween/All Souls Day), 'Gabriel's Message' (14th century carol), as well as two of Sting's own compositions - 'Lullaby for an Anxious Child' and 'The Hounds of Winter'. Also featured on the album is 'urdy Gurdy Man' - a musical reworking and English translation (by Sting) of Der Leiermann from Schubert's classic winter song-cycle Winterreise.

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN ‘Christmas Wish’ [Release Date 26/10/2009]

CD: Produced by Amy Sky, 'Christmas Wish' is the superb album from the four-time Grammy Award Winner Olivia Newton John.

As well as featuring Christmas classics such as 'Little Star Of Bethlehem', and 'Come All Ye Faithful', the album includes Newton John collaborating with some great artists such as Jon Secada Michael McDonald and Barry Manilow.

Journey To The Dark Side

It's an album countless modern bands have drew inspiration from and syncs with either Wizard Of Oz and The Book Of Revelation depending on where your head's at - in recent years, Easy Star All-Stars released a dub version of the Pink Floyd masterpiece, a hit here in the office and no mere gimmick, now Oklahoma's finest indie-psych band The Flaming Lips claim to have recorded their track by track tribute. In typically weird Lips fashion, local Oklahoma band Stardeath and the White Dwarfs, Henry Rollins and Peaches all star.

Ladies & Gentlemen live once more in its entirety

Though I didn't manage to secure tickets myself, reviews look good for Spiritualized's double header several days ago at the Royal Festival Hall, as Jason Pierce et al performed their 1997 masterpiece in its full glory again. Surely one of the greatest albums of the nineties and certainly my favourite, so much so maybe balcony tickets at the Barbican for the December gigs don't seem like such a bad idea after all...

Spiritualized present Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Barbican Hall Wed 16 Dec 2009 & Thu 17 Dec 2009

Sky launch their online music service

Offering an attractive "dip in dip out" subscription service, Sky are set to go head to head with Apple's iTunes in the digital download market. Read all