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

Record Store Day 2013: the records and the bands to watch

Music fans will be flocking to independent record stores on the sixth Record Store Day, with 500 exclusive vinyl releases available — from rare Dylan 7" to the shortest album in the world.

Today is Record Store Day, an event set up six years ago to promote independent music shops by selling exclusive vinyl recordings to fans.

Record Store Day is considered a success, and the interest of fans reflects an impressive rise in vinyl sales: 78 per cent more vinyl records were sold in the first quarter of 2013 than in the first quarter of 2012. Furthermore, sales of vinyl in 2012 reached 389,000 - the highest since 2004.

Statistics aside, Record Store Day 2013 has plenty to genuinely excite music fans - regardless of whether you've dusted off the turntable recently. Over 500 exclusive records have been produced for the event, from artists including David Bowie (material from The Next Day on white vinyl) and Pink Floyd (a pink pressing of the band's second single See Emily Play with orignal Syd Barret artwork).

In previous years fans have queued up to get their hands on the limited number of rare records available.

This year there are just 500 copies available of a green vinyl of Gil Scott Heron's drink-inspired track, The Bottle, and a red pressing of Echo & The Bunnymen LP Crocodiles Weatherbox, amongst others. Chas N Dave fans might be sharpening their elbows to get hold of one of the 800 7" recordings of their track Rabbit, shaped like the animal itself.

Read the full article here at the Telegraph

Search 991.com for limited vinyl release.

David Bowie, The Next Day, album review

David Bowie's new album The Next Day – his first for a decade – is a bold, beautiful and baffling electric bolt through its own mythos, says Neil McCormick.

It is an enormous pleasure to report that the new David Bowie album is an absolute wonder: urgent, sharp-edged, bold, beautiful and baffling, an intellectually stimulating, emotionally charged, musically jagged, electric bolt through his own mythos and the mixed-up, celebrity-obsessed, war-torn world of the 21st century.

Musically, it is stripped and to the point, painted in the primal colours of rock: hard drums, fluid bass, fizzing guitars, shaded by splashes of keyboard and dirty rasps of horns. The 14 songs are short and spiky, often contrasting that kind of patent Bowie one-note declarative drawl with sweet bursts of melodic escape that hit you like a sugar rush. Bowie’s return from a decade’s absence feels very present, although full of sneaky backward glances.

Hints, references and echoes of the past abound. Touches of jangling Sixties pop lift the flying melody of I’d Rather Be High, the poised soul of the Thin White Duke haunts the sax strut of Dirty Boys and Boss of Me, and epic Eighties Goth rears its imperious head amid the dramatic descending chords of Love Is Lost.

Read Neil McCormick's full review here at The Telegraph

Missing pieces from your Bowie back catalogue? Find them at 991.com

Next set of IRON MAIDEN Picture Discs out MONDAY.

**IN STOCK NOW**

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Powerslave and Life After Death

40th Anniversary DAVID BOWIE 7" Picture Discs IN STOCK NOW!

**STILL AVAILABLE IN STOCK. ORDER NOW**

 

'John, I'm Only Dancing' was originally released on 1st September 1972 on RCA as the follow-up single to 'Starman', and reached number 12 on the UK charts, immediately becoming a live favourite with the fans, though it never appeared on one of Bowie's studio albums.

This double A side includes newly remastered versions of the original single version produced by David alone at Olympic Studios on June 26th 1972; plus a punchier new take, recorded in January 1973, with tighter guitar and sax played by Keith Fordham [often referred to by fans as the 'sax version'].  The image on the A-side features a shot from Mick Rock's original promo film for the original single version, while the AA-side displays an image taken by photographer Sukita at the Radio City Music Hall in New York in February 1973.

 

Originally issued in the UK via RCA on November 14th 1972, 'The Jean Genie' was the first single taken from his then still-to-be released album 'Aladdin Sane'.

This double A side includes a newly remastered version of the original single version; plus the audio from the recently-recovered BBC Top Of The Pops performance of 'The Jean Genie' from January 1973, which captures the blazing confidence of Bowie and the fabled Spiders from Mars at their peak.

Metallica Are Free To Rock On With Releases On Their Own Label!

Metallica go independent with own label

Free at last: James Hetfield of Metallica Metallica have bought their master recordings from former record label Warner, and will administer their own catalogue through their new firm Blackened Records. The thrash giants renegotiated their deal in 1994, which has allowed them to take ownership of all their original recordings now all obligations have been met. They’d previously said upcoming live DVD Quebec Magnetic would be their first own-label release, but hadn’t confirmed the company’s name nor their other plans. Thanking Warners for “28 years of a fantastic relationship,” Metallica say: “We like to make it a point here not to bore you with the not-so-exciting business aspects of making and sharing music, but we’re so psyched about our new adventure that we just had to tell you about it as we officially launch our very own record label, Blackened Recordings. “Some of you are aware that in 1994 we renegotiated our contract with the Warner Music Group, which resulted in a joint venture with our record company for releasing all of our recordings, including long form videos. “Per that agreement, as of today we have taken ownership of all of our master recordings and Blackened Recordings will be the home of all of our current albums and videos along with all future releases including Quebec Magnetic.” Metallica had previously said their independent status allowed them to set “fan friendly price” for the live package. Now they say they’ll apply that thinking to whatever they do in the future. “It’s always been about us taking control of all things ‘Tallica to give you 110% on every single level every single time,” the band say. “Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, putting us in the driver’s seat of our own creative destiny. “We’re looking forward to making more music and getting it all out to you in our own unique way.” The band are believed to be preparing material for a new studio album, which could be produced by Rick Rubin.

Read the full story at Classic Rock

991.com brings you excerpts from the R.C. Weekly Newsletter

991.com brings you excerpts from the R.C. Weekly Newsletter. To receive the full unabridged version FREE every week, email anna.bowen@metropolis.co.uk and please mention 991!

*****

It was great to meet some of our readers at VIP’s massive fair at London’s Olympia last weekend. A really enjoyable event it was too. It was heartening to see quite a few young people digging in the crates, and that included a few female faces as well – many more than last year, I’d have said. It’s true that vinyl is now trendy, and there’s your proof. Some interesting stalls – a Japanese specialist, an American dealer, for example – made the weekend a little out of the ordinary, and I ran into some old mates who were delighted with the stuff that they’d picked up: how much for those Tommy James & The Shondells heading-for-psych albums, original US pressings, sealed, found in a distributor’s warehouse? A few quid? Sounds like a bargain to me. The music is still out there, waiting to be snapped up at events like this. The only downside was spraying my yoghurt down our advertising manager’s leg in excitement. These things happen.

 

This weekend it’s Utrecht – the massive collector’s bash which one RC staffer has nicknamed “U Wrecked” after a particularly indulgent weekend a couple of years ago. Ian Shirley, the editor of the Rare Record Price Guide, will be in attendance too, meeting readers, maybe signing some books, and generally trying not to spend his annual salary in one hit. With a book and antique fair next door, this weekender has to be seen to be believed.

 

We’re mad about our next cover story – Jeff Lynne talking about ELO, The Move and other aspects of his stellar career. There’s also a feature about the Stones which delves into a fascinating and controversial aspect of their career that is not usually covered. You can, of course, still go to see them in London – two tickets, £23,500, see here. I don’t think I’d pay that to see anyone, not that I’ve got 23 grand spare cash kicking about. I saw the Stones at London’s Earl’s Court in 1976 and thought they were a shambles, although I gather it was just a bad night, because a friend caught them on the same tour and said they were great. I digress. In the meantime, the fall-out from our 200 Rarest Records cover story rumbles on, with a mention in The Times at the weekend and a likely appearance in the FT in the next few days. Yes, readers, now could be the time to flog your collection to a total banker.

 

Hope you have a good week. Thanks for reading,

Best,  

Ian McCann, Editor Record Collector

 

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE

With the release of the new Rare Record Price Guide, Ian Shirley guides us through the current Top 200 Rarities The Paramounts: The story of the R&B band that would become Procol Harum An update on the singer-songwriter legend, Nick Drake The Jam through the eyes of the renascent Bruce Foxton We talk to Crosby Stills & Nash 25 years of Acid Jazz Plus: 10cc, Bill Wilson, Butch Vig, Cockney Rejects, The Fall, Viv Albertine, Beth Hart...

 

Happy Birthday JEAN GENIE...

**IN STOCK NOW**

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Originally issued in the UK via RCA on November 14, 1972, 'The Jean Genie' was the first single taken from his then still-to-be released album Aladdin Sane. Bowie was now a superstar, writing on the run while touring.

Bowie told NME in 1973 that, with the track, he "wanted to get the same sound the Stones had on their very first album on the harmonica." With its infectious heavy blues riff and its beat that made it at once in-time-yet-forever-out-of-kilter with glam rock, it became Bowie's biggest hit to date.

The b-side of this 40th anniversary version will have the audio from the recently-recovered BBC Top Of The Pops performance of 'The Jean Genie' from January 1973, which captures the blazing confidence of Bowie and the fabled Spiders from Mars [Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey] at their peak.

With both versions remastered by original Trident engineer Ray Staff and superb, in-era shots to illustrate both sides of the vinyl, 'The Jean Genie' is available in a strictly limited run.

Whether his work is being used significantly in the London 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, or the media frenzy created around next year's retrospective at the V&A, David Bowie's influence is stronger today than ever. This edition of ‘The Jean Genie' is an appropriate celebration of one of the greatest singles from one of the greatest artists of all time.

Iron Maiden Picture Discs OUT MONDAY!

**IN STOCK NOW**

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The Number Of The Beast and Piece Of Mind

 

Australian exclusive KYLIE K25 boxset IN STOCK SOON!

**KYLIE MINOGUE K25 Time Capsule Box**

2012 Australian exclusive Strictly Limited Edition 25-CD single boxset

Commemorate the celebration of Kylie's 25 years in the music industry, the 'K25 Time Capsule' features 49 tracks across 25 collectable CD singles featuring all of the amazing hits from her 25 years in the music industry since the release of Locomotion in 1987. Beautifully packaged, the Time Capsule will be a jewel in the collection of every Kylie fan!

DON'T MISS OUT - ORDER YOUR COPY NOW

How Weller Your Garden Grows...

991.com can't help but bring these Weller gems to your attention.

Commercially they were only available as download and are exactly what we collectors love and crave:

physical format promotional Compact Discs...

The Attic - including The Piper & the Full version of Sleep Of The Serene 9.99 UKP

When Your Garden's Overgrown EP - this one features Noel Gallagher on Bass Guitar and includes We Got A Lot and Lay Down Your Weary Burden - also just 9.99 UKP

Get 'em whilst they're hot

This week's R.C. Weekly Newsletter Excerpts from 991.com

991.com brings you excerpts from this week's R.C Weekly Newsletter. To receive the full unedited version, just drop anna.bowen@metropolis.co.uk an email and please do give 991 a mention!

Issue 407 hits the shops today, with an impossibly youthful Johnny Rotten on the cover, plus a redheaded version of Joe Strummer, Howard Devoto wearing an anarchy symbol on his sleeve and Dave Vanian looking distinctly hairy. Yes, it’s our The Birth Of Punk feature, with Cindy Stern’s previously unseen photographs revealing the bands as they were before Ver Man came along and ruined everything (as ever). These pics really are stunning, as raw as a lion’s lunch, and full of the excitement of their era. Plus: Rod Stewart’s young stud era reappraised; the Hallowe’en nightmares of Horror Rock; Panther Burns’ crazed career; the konkluding portion of our Kinks khronikle; tales of Dave Stewart (more rock’n’roll than you reckon, I’ll wager); the story of The Housemartins, and reviews, Q&As and memories of Jethro Tull, Zappa, Black Widow, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Velvet Underground and, uh, Samantha Fox – yes, I’ve got all her records. Well, ok, one of them. And it’s been some time since I saw it. RC, November, it’s big, upfront and naturally buxom.

Last week I went to south west Wales. And it was good. Enjoyed a visit to the thriving Tangled Parrot records in Carmarthen, venue – record shop, pub, café… could be the way forward. While there, I was amused to buy a 7” of this. (There was a reggae singer called Dicky Burton; maybe it was the thesp Richard all along.) Not far away, in the astonishingly handsome indoor market, is Slipped Disc, where I was surprised to see an immaculate Creary Sisters album on High Note for about the price of a snooty sandwich in the Smoke (although I didn’t buy it, having previously spent all my dosh on panda milk smoothies from a chi-chi little café in St John’s Wood, darling). Earlier in the week I’d had a nose around in Dales in Tenby, a small but interesting shop that sells guitars, memorabilia, etc, alongside a modest but juidiciously-chosen stock of vinyl and CDs; and The Malthouse antiques centre in Narberth is worth a look; upstairs is a room with vinyl, retro cabinets and record cases, and a nice blue Dansette that was tempting. Back in Carmarthen, I forgot the posh nosh and was lucky enough to wander into Morgan’s Traditional Chippy. Like The Byrds, I’ll be doing this.

That’s enough rambling on about my rambling. Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting RC. Have a great week.

Best,

Ian

Ian McCann, Record Collector Editor

Frank Zappa's Roxy & Elsewhere DVD set for a 2013 release

As Gibson report, “It's been a long wait, but it looks like Frank Zappa fans are finally about to get their hands on something they've waited four decades for.”

Frank Zappa played three legendary shows at the Roxy Theatre on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood on 8-10 December 1973, which formed the basis for the classic Roxy & Elsewhere live disc.

The Zappa Family Trust revealed they have identified all of the audio and video recordings of this famous run of shows and are to deliver a concert film in theatres, DVD and on Blu-Ray some time before Roxy’s 40th Anniversary of December next year, along with a new live album which Gail Zappa has described as "75 minutes and 49 seconds of Roxy without the Elsewhere."

Pet Shop Boys: Elysium, track by track interview

Following on from their successful appearance at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony, Pet Shop Boys have released their 11th studio album, Elysium. Here at The Telegraph, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe tell the story of the album

Limited DAVID BOWIE 7" Picture Disc IN STOCK!

 

DAVID BOWIE John, I'm Only Dancing

2012 UK Limited 40th Anniversary Edition AA-side 7" vinyl PICTURE DISC

'John, I'm Only Dancing' was originally released on 1st September 1972 on RCA as the follow-up single to 'Starman', and reached number 12 on the UK charts, immediately becoming a live favourite with the fans, though it never appeared on one of Bowie's studio albums. This double A side includes newly remastered versions of the original single version produced by David alone at Olympic Studios on June 26th 1972; plus a punchier new take, recorded in January 1973, with tighter guitar and sax played by Keith Fordham [often referred to by fans as the 'sax version']. The image on the A-side features a shot from Mick Rock's original promo film for the original single version, while the AA-side displays an image taken by photographer Sukita at the Radio City Music Hall in New York on February 15th 1973. Presented in a sticker-sealed clear PVC sleeve!

991.com brings you this week's excerpts from the R.C. Weekly Newsletter...

Email anna.bowen@metropolis.co.uk to receive the full unedited version every week for free!

*****

We are hurtling towards press day like Usain Bolt going down Mount Snowdon, on ice. With greased trainers. Or something. And what an issue this will be, what with a massive, in-detail interview with Ray Davies of The Kinks and a major tribute to the late and great Jon Lord. Plus we meet the greatest soul group of all time, and I’m not talking about Kiss, who also feature. It’s gonna be a classic, but there’s still lots to do before it gets packed off to the printers at the end of the week. Like… find out what a, uh, rubber pony is (see Mark Stewart, below). We did, but we don’t fancy it much, frankly. So much to learn, so little time…

It’s not been a week of great record finds for me, mostly because I blew all my spare cash at the start of the month, so I don’t dare look! Although luckily a few decent CDs are satisfying my hunger for new (if old) music. Tickling my fancy most is Ace’s Action!, which features 26 songs from Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart. If that sounds like bubblegum to you, you are partly right, although it’s the best kind – The Monkees’ Valleri, and the theme from their TV show (how much must Boyce & Hart have made from that?!), plus The Standells’ version of Clarksville, which I am lucky enough to have on vinyl, and The Flies’ cut of I’m Not Your Stepping Stone, which I don’t. There’s also Gary Lewis & The Playboys and The Shangri-Las (The Dum Dum Ditty – imagine writing a lyric like that and expecting people to sing it). But it’s all very fresh on the ear and not totally cheesy. In fact, one of my favourite sides of the 60s is here from the great soul dramatists Little Anthony & The Imperials. Of course, it’s almost impossible to do a lousy version of this tune and I remember this cover being used somewhere on Radio 1 during the 60s – but I don’t know on which show. If anyone does, I’d be glad to hear about it rc.editorial@metropolis.co.uk

Another fantastic release – in fact, an entire set of – is the latest five reissues from Rory Gallagher, due out on 1 October but sent into the office as promos last week. They include Photo-Finish, Top Priority and Jinx, but I’m particularly taken with the first two, the wonderful Against The Grain (1975) and Calling Card (’76). Compare his playing to that of our current cover star, Jimi Hendrix, and there’s hardly a top E string’s width between them. Best of all, Sony/Capo aren’t just doing CD and download, they’ve pressed them up on vinyl, the way they were built to be heard. These records rock, and even more so on black plastic.

I’d better let you get on with it. Hope you have a good week,

Best,

Ian

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE

Kris Needs on the making of Hendrix's Axis: Bold As Love. We celebrate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary by choosing the island’s greatest records from the past 50 years. In one of the last interviews he conducted, Victor Spinetti talked to RC about his time making films with the Fab Four. Life’s Been Good for Joe Walsh as he talks to Terry Staunton about this solo work, The Eagles & James Gang. Edwyn Collins battles back from the brink. Legendary producer-engineer, Ken Scott, on shaping the sound of 'The White Album', Ziggy Stardust… Plus Gentle Giant, Robert Cray, Paul Heaton, Bill Fay, Jimmy Cliff, The Distractions…

Iron Maiden Vinyl Picture Discs Coming Soon!

A series of special limited edition IRON MAIDEN vinyl picture disc albums are due to be released by EMI and UMe starting in October 2012. Comprised of the first eight albums of Maiden’s career, all released in the 1980’s, each picture disc will be packaged in a gatefold sleeve with full colour printed inner bags and the heavyweight vinyl will be cut from the original album master tapes.

The albums will be released chronologically between October and February, starting with ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers’ on 15 October 2012 followed by ‘The Number Of The Beast’ and ‘Piece Of Mind’ in November 2012.

 To open the new year ‘Powerslave’ and the double album ‘Live After Death’ will be released in January, with the final two titles, ‘Somewhere In Time’ and ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ coming out in February 2013.

These vinyl picture discs are being released to commemorate IRON MAIDEN’s current Maiden England tour which comprises largely 80’s material, in particular focussing on the ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ album.

Iron Maiden founder, Steve Harris' - Debut album - Released September 24

EMI Music are proud to announce the release of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris’ debut solo/side project album. Entitled ‘British Lion’ and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the world over.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

From the growling riffage of opening salvo This Is My God to the heavy forlorn balladry of follow-up Lost Worlds which showcases Richard Taylor’s soaring vocals, it’s clear that ‘British Lion’ is an altogether different beast from Maiden.

Karma Killer, with its dirge-like muscularity, and Us Against The World, with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far ‘British Lion’ has flexed Steve Harris’ considerable musical muscle. Dovetailed with guitarist David Hawkins’ positively gargantuan lyrical guitar melodies, it’s a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast of The Chosen Ones, with its swaggering bravado.

A World Without Heaven, at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style, there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.

And as far as the name ‘British Lion’; “I’ve always been proud to be British,” explains Steve, “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be. It’s a massive part of being me. It’s not like I’m flag-waving or trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It’s like supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in with the sound.”

With Iron Maiden, Steve Harris has become one of the most recognised and successful ambassadors for British music on the world stage. Having released 15 studio albums, sold over 85 million records worldwide and played more than two thousand gigs in 58 countries in the band’s thirty-five year career, his appeal is truly global.

And now with ‘British Lion’, Steve steps out from Iron Maiden’s illustrious shadow to present a different side of his musical visions.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

This week's R.C. Weekly Newsletter Excerpts from 991.com

I had the pleasure of spending a few days in the South West this week and was particularly struck with the standard of records available in the charity shops there. Totnes and Tavistock proved particularly interesting, with one shop in the former offering a wide range of new vinyl alongside various other places on the high street supplying second-hand goods that include our beloved black plastic. The latter boasts the high-end hi-fi shop Tavistock Audio, which has a small but well-chosen selection of used LPs, and some great thrift shops, one of which had a selection of Apple 45s in good nick. Worth a visit. Vinyl hasn’t died – it’s just gone west.

This newsletter has been like The Small Faces’ fan club lately so I promise this’ll be the last time I mention them… for a while. The 16 annual Small Faces Convention is on 8 September at 229 The Venue, Great Portland Street, London W1, and promises eight hours of SF fun, including performances by Slim Chance, Small Fakers and Stone Foundation, plus special guests, and the world premiere of the Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert film on a big screen www.wappingwharf.com will bring you further details. On a related subject, I was amused to receive an Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake clock from www.rockclox.co.uk, which can also supply timepieces of many albums ranging from the Gunners’ Appetite For Destruction to Cream’s Disraeli Gears. They’re kinda cute, created from recycled coasters, and are cheap at a tenner. Buy one for the record collector in your life – ie, yourself.

Rule No 1 for the serious collector is never to trust the “experts”. In the new issue of RC I gushed at length about Keith Hudson’s Furnace album. Some have queried the mention of it being his second album although I stand by that assertion. However, I was definitely wrong about who played the arresting horn part on Riot – I said it was Jo Jo Bennett. Wrong, it was definitely Dizzy (aka Dizzie) Moore. And if I’d had the sense to look on the 7” of the tune, which I own, it would have told me as much. Duhhh. Apologies for that. Riot is, of course, a Hugh Masekela song (said the “expert”): Here it is

Hope you’re having a sunny week,

Good record hunting,

Ian McCann, Editor, Record Collector

** Email anna.bowen@metropolis.co.uk to subscribe to the full, unedited version of the R.C. Weekly Newsletter - please mention 991.com

 

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE!

From Leisure to the Olympics, Blur talk to RC Can,the definitive guide to the original Krautrock band We chat with the Eddie Cochran rated Brit rocker, Vince Eager The Guardian's Garth Cartwright on the life storyof Willy (Mink) DeVille A behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's leading reissue labels, Bear Family Records The Radiators From Space guide us through the lost sounds of the Emerald Isle Plus The Strawbs, Sugar, Keith Hudson, Killing Joke, Fairport Convention, Andrew Weatherall, The Wildhearts…

This week's R.C. Weekly Newsletter Excerpts from 991.com

991.com brings you this week's excerpts from the R.C. Weekly Newsletter. Email Anna Bowen if you want to receive the full version each week - please mention 991!

*****

Having spent most of my teenage evenings on licensed premises, I was intrigued to see BBC4’s programme on pub rock and its influence on Punk Britannia. Since this also seemed to take in the New York Dolls, who certainly never bought me a pint at the (non-rockin’) Prince Of Wales in Lea Bridge Road, Clapton (although the great Jimmy McCulloch memorably did), I must admit I found it hard to work out who begat whom. Eggs Over Easy fathers of punk? Yeh, sure. I saw Ducks Deluxe, Bees Make Honey and Brinsley Schwartz on the same bill and it was only the Ducks that seemed to give a quack. The Kilburns were a laff but a terrible mess. Dr Feelgood were fantastic, as were Eddie & The Hotrods, and while both peaked too briefly, the TV show at least knew they had their part to play. I interviewed Lee Brilleaux long after The Feelgoods meant anything, and he played down his band’s contribution to punk and rock in general. “You don’t want to hear an old man ******* off,” he harrumphed wryly. I do fear that most of the young people who might have been sad enough to be in on the evening the show was screened might have wondered what all the fuss was about: who were all these old men, erm, pleasuring themselves?

The programme on TV Smith, We Who Wait, was much better, perhaps because it only had one subject to focus on. Smith’s band, The Adverts, was one of the most interesting of the era, and the singer came across as almost a heroic figure flying in the face of the mainstream – not that it is ever really wise to consider musicians as heroes when you think what some other unsung people do on a daily basis. Didn’t someone once advise us to worship No More Heroes? Anyway, glad to see the punk progs on telly. I await the documentaries about jazz-funk – the other UK youth cult of the era – with little expectation… Anyone know where I can get an authentic 70s Ford Capri-style ‘honk if you funk’ car sticker?

Grafting away on the next issue of the mag this week; in tribute to the upcoming Euros it’s a kind of a cross-continental issue, with Blur and Vince Eager representing England; Can and Bear Family from Germany; from Ireland, Radiators From Space; and from America, but loved all over Europe, Willy DeVille. We were going to include Franz Ferdinand, but they were left at home for controversial political reasons…

Hope you have a good week,

Thank you for reading,

Ian McCann Record Collector Editor The Small Faces - we get an update on Bert's lumbago. A guide to the myriad Beatles books in the market. Smoking potholes - strange tales of Led Zep and friends in London's real underground. Indian psych groovers Atomic Forest and their lost classic. The brilliant musician, songwriter and producer, Richard Hawley, pops in for a chat. Think you know about the Ziggy Stardust album, then think again! Kris Needs guides us through one of NYC's most important labels, Nu Groove. +Feeder, Marillion, Can, Dexys...

* LAST 48 HOURS * 15% off ALL records, CDs & memorabilia at 991.com

Here in England the whole country is getting patriotic to celebrate our Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Union Jack flags are out, the street parties are starting and to celebrate here at 991.com we are giving our customers a special Jubilee treat.

For a limited time we are offering a 15% discount off EVERYTHING in our huge range of vinyl records, CDs & music memorabilia... and don't forget, some of these items are already reduced here in our Monthly Sale so you'll be saving even more!

Browse and shop at 991.com and enter voucher code JUBILEE991 during checkout.

Spread the word! Your friends can use this voucher code too so please pass it on.

God save the Queen.

Robert Croydon
Managing Director
eil.com Rare vinyl records, CDs & Memorabilia

 

p.s.We are always looking for records, CD or music memorabilia to buy and pay the best prices so contact our buyers by emailing us on buyers@991.com or call us on +44 (0)1474 815099 if you have anything you want to sell us.