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

Monday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

GEORGE MICHAEL ‘December Song [I Dreamed Of Christmas]’ [Release Date 14/12/2009]
C5: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=491719

To coincide with the holiday season and by public demand, George Michael will release a brand new version of his single 'December Song' on the 14th December on Island Records. George Michael produced and arranged 'December Song', which was co-written with his long time collaborator David Austin. A beautiful ballad, it is the first Christmas record he has released since the iconic 1984 classic 'Last Christmas', which has now become synonymous with the holiday season and a favourite worldwide.

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

SINITTA ‘Greatest Hits’ [Release Date 11/10/2010]

CD/DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=491507

Included on this comprehensive double CD/DVD release, are all Sinitta's re-mastered hits, dating from 1986-1993 during which time she enjoyed continued chart success.

Disc 1 contains all Sinitta's greatest hits, (9 Top 30 Hits) including the Top 5 singles, 'So Macho', 'Cruising', 'Toy Boy' and 'Right Back Where We Started'. Exclusive new material - a brand new song ‘Girl! You've Gotta Stop!’ Disc 2 contains 15 music videos of Sinitta's best loved singles, together on one DVD for the first time.

A comprehensive booklet of new pictures, analysis, photo discography and an interview with Sinitta, looking back on her career highlights.

Rolf The Red Nose Reindeer

Rolf Harris has announced he will be teaming up with Status Quo's Rick Parfitt for an Aussie-themed Christmas novelty single this year, in competition with The X Factor. We haven't decided who our money's on yet but obviously we're siding with Rick N Rolf for a rock n roll tie-me-reindeer-down type Xmas this season.

Tom Petty Box Set Details Announced !!

TOM PETTY The Live Anthology [Release Date 30/11/2009]

4CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490689
Deluxe BOX: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490690
7LP: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490691

* First career spanning Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers live collection EVER

* A multiple-disc set of recordings drawn from thirty years of incredible live performances from around the world.

* Featuring powerful interpretations of their own classic material. Also features the band performing some of their best-loved cover versions which highlights the diverse influences across the band.

We are very proud to announce the release of the first ever career-spanning multiple-disc set of live recordings 'Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – The Live Anthology'

The collection brings together the best material from thirty years, culled from hundreds of hours of incredible live concert recordings covering every era of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' tours and represents the best tracks as chosen by producers Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Ryan Ulyate.

The release comes on the heels of two sold out US tours, the Grammy winning documentary 'Runnin' Down A Dream' (directed by Peter Bogdanovich), and an explosive headline performance at 2008s Super Bowl XLII halftime show.

The producers made no fixes or overdubs, letting the newly mixed original recordings showcase the invention, spontaneity, craft, and the musicianship that has made Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers among the most celebrated live performers of their time. Along with powerful interpretations of their own classic hits and originals, 'The Live Anthology' features the band tackling some of their best-loved cover material, from classics to obscure beauties to unexpected adaptations. The theme from Goldfinger, the Zombies' 'I Want You Back Again', the Grateful Dead's 'Friend of the Devil', early Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh Well', Booker T. and the MGs' 'Green Onions', James Brown's 'Good, Good Lovin'' and many more. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers travel wide, paying their musical debts through song and showing just how confidently the band moves across genres and over time. The packaging for all configurations was designed by famous artist Shepard Fairey who became widely known for his Barack Obama 'HOPE' poster in the 2008 U.S. Presidential election.

The first ever career-spanning collection of a multiple-disc set of live recordings, brings together the best material from thirty years, culled from hundreds of hours of incredible live concert recordings covering every era of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ tours.'Super Deluxe Version featuring an extra CD of live tracks, 2 DVDs, a remastered LP, a Blu-ray of all 62 tracks plus a book & memorabilia. LP Version 51 tracks mastered directly from the uncompressed 24-bit 96K files and pressed on 7 180-gram audiophile quality vinyl LPs.
 

Tuesday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

IAN BROWN ‘Just Like You’ [Release Date 30/11/2009]

C5:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490658

7”:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490659

'Just Like You' is the second single from Ian Brown's top ten album 'My Way'; featuring a b-side remix of the lead track by Liam Howlett of the Prodigy. Available from November 30th on CD and 12". Shot by director Colin O'Toole (Stellify, Sister Rose, Illegal Attacks), the video features Ian levitating (yes, levitating!) at the hands of magician and friend Dynamo.

Monday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

PET SHOP BOYS ‘Christmas’ [Release Date 14/12/2009]

C5:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490639

Pet Shop Boys will release a new EP, 'Christmas', on Parlophone Records on December 14th.

'All Over The World' is a new version of the track which appears on Pet Shop Boys' latest album, 'Yes'. Also included is a new version of 'It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas', originally an exclusive Christmas single issued to members of the Pet Shop Boys fan club in 1997. Both new versions are produced by Marius de Vries and Pet Shop Boys, based on the original tracks, and have orchestral and choir arrangements by Matt Robertson and Marius de Vries.

Pet Shop Boys' arrangement of the Madness classic, 'My Girl', was originally performed with Suggs and Carl of Madness at last year's charity benefit, 'Can You Bear It?', for the family of Chris and Neil's former assistant and close friend, Dainton Connell, who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The EP also includes a medley of Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' and Pet Shop Boys classic 'Domino Dancing' which the duo has been performing on their current world tour. This studio version is produced by Stuart Price.

2009 has been a productive year for Pet Shop Boys who won the award for Outstanding Contribution To Music at this year’s BRITs and celebrated their highest UK and USA album chart positions for 15 years. A hugely successful world tour is still in progress.

Peter Gabriel covers Radiohead, Elbow & Arcade Fire for new album

As reported by the NME, Gabriel returns early next year with a new studio album of acoustic and orchestral cover versions of Bowie, Radiohead, Magnetic Fields and more. The tracklisting is confirmed:

Heroes (David Bowie)
The Boy In The Bubble (Paul Simon)
Mirrorball (Elbow)
Flume (Bon Iver)
Listening Wind (Talking Heads)
The Power Of The Heart (Lou Reed)
My Body Is A Cage (Arcade Fire)
The Book Of Love (The Magnetic Fields)
I Think It’s Going To Rain Today (Randy Newman)
Apres Moi (Regina Spektor)
Philadelphia (Neil Young)
Street Spirit (Radiohead)

Return of the beardie weirdie look in the noughties

Simon Reynolds makes some valid points, raises some hairy questions and ultimately brings much laughter all round with a Guardian article on the return of "beard rock". But what does the "face-fuzz" signify in leftfield rock? To make a point that you've gone well beyond merely your third album, from teenybopper to mature adult, you've done a George Harrison, your music is deep and has roots and you've reached the fourth plateau... that you've lost the plot? Beard rock. It's back

Friday's Forthcoming Releases [Part I]

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS Kings And Queens [Release Date 30/11/2009]
C5: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490374

Blue 7: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490376

Etched White 7: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490377

Following up on their incredibly successful sophomore release, 'A Beautiful Lie', multi-platinum rock band Thirty Seconds To Mars are hard at work on their highly anticipated upcoming record, 'This Is War' set for release on December 7th. The album was produced by Flood [U2, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails], Steve Lillywhite [The Rolling Stones, U2] and Thirty Seconds To Mars. First single 'Kings and Queens' is currently playlisted at Radio 1, XFM and Kerrang and is climbing the airplay charts. The band also recently announced a UK show on November 16th at Koko in London which sold out in minutes.
Thirty Seconds To Mars' Jared Leto [vocals, guitar, songwriter], Shannon Leto [drums] and Tomo Milicevic [guitar] teamed up with their fan community, 'The Echelon', earlier this year to record
sounds for the upcoming record in a groundbreaking event they dubbed, 'The Summit'. The band invited The Echelon members to travel to Los Angeles to take part in an impromptu recording session at Hollywood's Avalon Club. It was so successful that since then Thirty Seconds to Mars decided to hold summits in 8 more countries across the world [Australia, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom, Canada] in order to give their biggest supporters an opportunity to be a part of their new album.
In an innovative and exciting move, Thirty Seconds to Mars' upcoming release, 'This Is War', will have 2000 different album covers featuring individual photos of fans from around the world limited to the initial manufacturing run.

  
 
P.I.L. REISSUES [Release Date 14/12/2009] 
Metal Box 3CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490384  
The Plastic Box 4CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=490386

Rising from the ashes of the Sex Pistols in 1978, Public Image Limited were by definition one of the pioneers of post-punk groups. With John Lydon's vocals complemented by ex-Clash guitarist Keith Levene, drummer Jim Walker and the now legendary Jah Wobble on bass, the group created a more dub orientated style and their innovative music earned them 5 UK Top 20 Singles and 5 UK Top 20 Albums in a period stretching over three decades.
In fact, PiL never officially split and John Lydon has recently announced a series of live dates across the
UK this December. To coincide with these hugely anticipated gigs their most popular and critically acclaimed studio album has been given the complete remastering treatment. PiL's second album
'Metal Box' (released in Dec 1979) was originally released on three 45 rpm discs (to cope with Jah's intense bass!) and housed in a metal film canister. The landmark album has now been fully remastered for the first time and will be released on three CDs in a metal tin case to pay homage to the original.
To supplement this release, the long-deleted 'The Plastic Box' album will also be re-issued. Originally released in 1999, the 4CD album provides a complete overview the band's work, including tracks taken from every album together with John Peel sessions, remixes and much more.

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.