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

New Prince: 'Cause & Effect'

A new Prince track entitled 'Cause & Effect', described by Pitchfork as 'screaming guitar solos, acoustic interludes, rumbling rockabilly riffs, fake crowd noise, and Flea-esque slap-bass, all... crammed into about five minutes', is currently being streamed by the Twin Cities public radio station 89.3 The Current, where it was aired exclusively this morning.

Still Fighting For Love..?

 
CHERYL COLE 'Parachute' [Release Date: 15th March 2010]

C5: After a difficult few weeks, ex-Wag Cheryl is set to release the third single from her hugely successful debut solo album. The first Girl Aloud to step out on her own, Cheryl has made her solo moves with characteristic style as the past few months have seen her become the UK’s foremost female solo artist.

'Parachute', released on March 15th, follows 'Fight For This Love' (a #1 for Cheryl in October '09) and '3 Words' (which peaked at #4 in December) as singles from her album '3 Words', which has now clocked up over 750,000 sales in the UK so far.

'Parachute' is an alternative R&B ballad that was a result of one of Cheryl's earliest recording sessions in the US. The track is produced by Syience, a producer with a CV that includes tracks with Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige and, most significantly for Cheryl, Beyonce. It was Syience's work on Beyonce's 'If I Were A Boy' that impressed Cheryl so much that working with the producer/writer became a foregone conclusion.

Parachute's a smart loveletter to the one who's "gonna catch me if I fall", with Cheryl's heartfelt words being sung over a marching military-esque beat. The next few months will see Cheryl clocking up the air miles as she promotes the release of 3 Words in Europe. The single 3 Words is already #2 on the Italian itunes chart.

John Lennon in 'Anti-Retro' Ad-shocker

Beatles fans are condemning Yoko Ono for letting Citroën's TV ad producers adopt John Lennon's voice and image for use as car salesman pitch, ironically telling the audience to 'try something new'. Wasn't Drive My Car used in some new fragrance advert too recently? Oh how easy some fans are to wind up...

New White Stripes Album Details...

 
WHITE STRIPES 'Under Great White Northern Lights' [Release Date 15/03/2010]

CD/DVD I 2LP I BOX SET: 

"Arty but accessible, Malloy's film is a treat for any White Stripes fan: a document of a global band visiting the ends of the Earth to deliver their delicious clatter to their most out-of-way followers" NME
"…reveals as much about Canadian culture as it does about Jack and Meg White's friendship, work ethic and music" Rolling Stone
"One-of-a-kind scenes… that make this film a true gem" Spin
"…can credibly be included alongside such canonical rock-docs as 'Gimme Shelter' and 'Don't Look Back" LA Times

In the summer of 2007, The White Stripes embarked on a cross-country Canadian tour to accomplish their goal of performing in every province and territory across the expansive northern nation. Presented here is a unique documentation of that journey, providing a fascinating look into the on and off stage lives of one of the world's most enigmatic bands.

Having first premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2009, the film 'Under Great White Northern Lights' documents the band playing to crowds in towns of all sizes across the Great White North - from traditional venues to matinee gigs at unusual locations such as a bowling alley, a boat and even on a city bus - culminating in a momentous 10th Anniversary show at the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. A captivating mix of striking live footage and poignant off-stage moments, this visually stirring and emotive feature length film celebrates the band's 10 year history, bringing the band full circle in their career to a place reminiscent of how they first started out; shows where no one knew who they were, where they were left to make a first impression with their music.

The live album continues that celebration and is a perfect companion piece to the film, featuring 16 songs recorded at various shows throughout the Canadian tour - a collection that captures all the aural intensity and spontaneity that The White Stripes have become known for. A compelling reflection of the band's career - both the live album and the documentary will allow fans to reminisce about where they were when they first heard The White Stripes, while also adding extraordinary pieces of work to their already stunning artistic cannon.

Vote Serj...

 
SERJ TANKIAN 'Elect The Dead Symphony' [Release Date 08/03/2010]

CD/DVD:  On March 16th, 2009, Serj Tankian, one of rock's most unconventional frontmen, took the stage at the majestic Auckland Town Hall in New Zealand with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to perform a very special orchestral interpretation of his critically acclaimed debut solo album 'Elect the Dead'. This unique one-off performance was recorded and filmed in HD by six cameras, and the result is presented in 'Elect the Dead Symphony', a CD+DVD set that will be released by Serjical Strike/Reprise Records on March 8th.

With the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at his side, Tankian's epic songs and operatic vocals take on a whole new sense of grandeur when performed by a full 70-piece orchestra, while the DVD's sweeping edits showcase the drama of the concert. This unique meshing of two very different musical worlds was a vision Tankian has long wanted to make a reality. What sets 'Elect The Dead Symphony' apart from other successful pairings between rock artists and orchestras is that Tankian specifically rearranged his songs to be performed with only orchestral instruments.

"I was elated to have the opportunity to arrange my songs from Elect the Dead for a full orchestra with the APO" says Tankian. "The arrangements are quite different than those on the record, including bonus tracks never played live."

The package include two previously unreleased bonus tracks in the shape of 'Gate 21' and 'The Charade', while the DVD also features rare and intimate backstage footage, as well as one-on-one interviews with Tankian and various members of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

John Ure, the APO's Director of Operations, is equally as excited about the partnership, saying: "I was introduced to the music of System of a Down several years ago and became a fan after hearing the first song. Next thing I knew I was speaking with Boh Runga about a dream of mine of the APO performing Serj's music on stage and as it turned out, she knew him and was able to pass on this idea. It seems that dreams do come true! The excitement and anticipation is almost unbearable!"

The album contains elements of psychedelia, classical, and the trademark surrealist images and skewed time signatures that Tankian has made his own, all of which were scored by Tankian himself and arranged for full orchestra by respected New Zealand composer John Psathas. The album has been mixed by Junkie XL, known for his remixes for such artists as Britney Spears, Beastie Boys and Coldplay.

Depeche Mode's Tour Of The Universe...

... came to London again for a second leg, this time joined by former band member Alan Wilder for the Teenage Cancer Trust show last Wednesday at the Royal Albert Hall, who hadn't played with the group for nearly 14 years. Reports and photos of the O2 gig are also now online, via Gigwise and the NME, including setlists for the two sold-out concerts:

Feb 20th at the O2

Feb 17th at the Royal Albert Hall

808 State to rebuild?

British dance music fans could be in for a treat later this year. Renewed interest in the roots of acid house in the UK, with reissues on Rephlex well received, could see Graham Massey and Gerald Simpson reunite more than 20 years after the group's Newbuild debut, according to the Guardian.

Ace Face...

VISAGE 'The Face: The Very Best Of' [Release Date 08/03/2010]

CD: Who could have imagined that a few kids in the '70s, fed up with punk, would open a nightclub; The Blitz, in Covent Garden, that would pioneer a style of music that would become one of the most resilient and successful styles of the next few decades? As we head out of the '00s and into the '10s, Electropop is still one of the most successful styles around. MGMT, La Roux, Lady Gaga, Little Boots, Ladyhawke, these artists now top the year end polls just as Visage, Soft Cell, Human League and Depeche Mode did before them.

It's 30 years since Visage released the seminal 'Fade to Grey'. It was a huge dance floor hit, topping the charts in the UK and Europe. It's a track that defines the 80s, that instantly transports you back to the time of the Blitz Kids, that New Romantic vanguard whose painted faces and rococo attire littered the pages of Vogue and The Face.

To celebrate this anniversary, Universal Music are pleased to announce the release of this Greatest Hits package featuring 2009 remixes of 'Fade To Grey' by Lee Mortimer and Michael Gray of The Weekend and Borderline fame, alongside their complete chart topping hit singles as well as some of the classic and highly sought after dance remixes.

Nice To See You, To See You...

BRUCE FORSYTH 'Didn't He Do Well?: The Collection' [Release Date 08/03/2010]

CD:  Bruce Forsyth is a UK entertainment institution. With over 70 years in show business, Brucie graced our screens on everything from 'Saturday Night At The London Palladium' and 'The Generation Game' to the current reality TV phenomenon 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

An all round entertainer, this collection showcases his love of singing with some of the all time classics. Kicking off with a re-working of the 70s Generation theme tune classic 'Life Is The Name Of The Game', followed by public favourites like 'You've Got A Friend', 'What The World Needs Now Is Love' and 'Lucretia Mac Evil'.

Including humorous sleevenotes and 20 tracks of Brucie magic, this is a must have collection for all Bruce Forsyth Fans.

Beatles '65

Earth shattering. History in the making. Pop music never the same again.

1964 was a particularly record-breaking year for The Beatles both sides of the pond:

- The most No. 1 Billboard albums and singles in a calendar year

- An unsurpassed total of 25 million selling records predicted in the US alone

No wonder Capitol pulled out all the stops that year to get The Beatles ‘65 album in the shops before Christmas.

Original mono copies of these appear on the collectors market many a time, but mint? Now you're talking. Sealed, even? Like gold dust!

Only first rate examples gain the highest accolade. As ever with the Fab Four, we predict the best money can buy today will bring even greater rewards in years to come. This makes a SEALED original US Beatles ‘65 mono LP a true investment grade item for the future.

Diamond Geezers...

 

One of the most successful and enduring groups of the New Romantics era, Spandau Ballet have shown they can still draw the fans with 2009's sold out UK tour and their latest album 'Once More' going straight in at No. 7 last October.

Their first two albums, 'Journeys To Glory' and 'Diamond' have now received the complete remastering treatment and come bursting with bonus material and previously unreleased tracks, all packaged together in a 6-panel digipack.

'Diamond':   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499281

Their follow-up album 'Diamond' (released in March of 1982), now remastered, comes complete on CD1 with bonus remixes of their singles 'Chant No. 1' (UK #3), 'Instinction' (UK #10), 'Paint Me Down' (UK #30) and 'She Loved Like Diamond' (UK #49) – all of which are appearing for the first time in CD format. Whilst CD2 collects together the b-sides from these singles, extra 12" remixes and a previously unreleased live BBC show from April 1982.

'Journeys To Glory':   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499280

The debut, 'Journeys To Glory', reached No 5 in March of '81, and now appears remastered on CD1 of the reissue alongside the original 7" versions of singles, 'The Freeze' (UK #17), 'Musclebound' (UK #10) and it's b-side 'Glow'. Whilst CD2 brings together the original 12" mix of their first single, 'To Cut A Long Story Short (UK # 5), further 12" remixes of 'The Freeze' and 'The Glow' and a previously unreleased BBC Session from March 1981.

Who The F@#! Is Alice...

 
'Almost Alice':   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499275

'Almost Alice' is a 16 song compilation, featuring Alice In Wonderland's end credit track 'Alice (Underground)' written and performed by Avril Lavigne. This album boasts an eclectic array of recording artists with original songs based on some of the most charismatic characters in literary history, such as 'In Transit' performed by Mark Hoppus & Pete Wentz. Other artists include The All-American Rejects, Owl City, 3OH!3, Franz Ferdinand, Plain White T's & Wolfmother.

There's also an incredible version of 'Very Good Advice' performed by The Cure's Robert Smith, which is the only song from Disney's 1951 animated film 'Alice in Wonderland' that appears on the collection.

 

'Alice In Wonderland OST':   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499276

From Walt Disney Pictures and the vividly creative mind of award-winning director Tim Burton comes the original soundtrack to the highly anticipated feature film. The score from 'Alice in Wonderland' created by Burton's long time collaborator, Danny Elfman, will musically lend a magical, whimsical and imaginative twist on one of the most beloved stories of all time.

Danny Elfman has written close to 50 film scores featuring his unique sound including 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', 'Beetlejuice', 'Batman', 'Spider-Man', 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Men in Black' and more. He has been nominated for 4 Academy Awards® and 10 GRAMMY® Awards.

Beatles For Sale

The BBC report that EMI are to sell the world famous Abbey Road studios in order to clear debt, one would hope preserving its history in the process...

Goldfrapp Are Back...

GOLDFRAPP 'Rocket' [Release Date 08/03/2010]

C5:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499193

Goldfrapp release their brand new single 'Rocket' through Mute on 8th March 2010. Fizzy with inspiration, 'Rocket' is a goose-bump brilliant tune, taken from the duo's fifth album 'Head First', released on 22nd March.

Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, 'Rocket' comes complete with fantastic new mixes by Tiësto, Richard X, Penguin Prison and Grum, and is accompanied by a typically fabulous video directed by Kim Gehrig (Calvin Harris, Primal Scream, Santogold).

Spiteri's Songbook On Its Way...

SHARLEEN SPITERI 'The Movie Songbook' [Release Date 01/03/2010]

CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499092

Deluxe 2CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=499094

 

Multi-million selling singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri releases her brand new album 'The Movie Songbook' through Mercury Records on March 1st 2010.

The follow up to her top three debut solo album 'Melody', 'The Movie Songbook' is the ninth studio album Sharleen's made in an incredible 21 year recording career. A collection of Sharleen's favourite soundtracks, 'The Movie Songbook' stands as her most dynamically diverse album yet, a kaleidoscopic musical journey from pop to country via disco, bossa-nova, folk, rockabilly, jazz and breathtaking balladry.

Enlisting 15 time Grammy award-winner Phil Ramone on production (who has produced various Hollywood legends from Marilyn Monroe to Frank Sinatra via Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand); 'The Movie Songbook' was recorded in just 8 days at the legendary Capital Studios in Hollywood with the help of the finest soundtrack session musicians around..

And the result is a fantastic collection of cinematic show stoppers. Be it the aching croon of 'God Bless The Child', the disco rush of 'Xanadu', the rockabilly sass of 'Cat People (Putting Out Fire)' or the soul-searching tempest of 'The Sound Of Silence', its dozen tracks frame Sharleen's inimitable voice against bold new scenery. "Making 'The Movie' has taught me that my true voice lies in this area and not to be scared of using it," she agrees. "In the past I've always tended to go into a soul area but this experience has been great in taking me places I'd never normally go. It's been a valuable lesson in other styles and new ways of working. I feel excited about taking that forward into Texas and wherever it is we go next."

CD artwork taken to the next level

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/31342/jaroslav-ju-unique-cd-artwork

It’s got to be tough to get your latest album noticed these days. These guys have come up with something that’s the coolest CD case we’ve ever seen.

Pull the tab and the artwork appears before your eyes. Each one is unique and truly original.

It’s an extraordinary collaboration between the Czech designer Jaroslav Jurica and the musician Ivan Palacký. Apparently the music is played on an “amplified knitting machine”.

Er, right. The album cover is awesome nevertheless.

You Can't Resist The New Muse Single...

MUSE 'Resistance' [Release Date 22/02/2010]

C5:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498392

Muse, recently named 'Best Act In The World Today', announce a new single, 'Resistance' from their self-produced, multi-platinum selling, global No. 1 album, 'The Resistance'.

Since its release in September of this year the album hit the top of the charts in 20 countries around the world including the UK, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Thailand among others. It also afforded the band their highest placing on the US Billboard chart to date at No. 3.

Delightful Duran Duran Reissues Coming Soon...

 

DURAN DURAN:

2CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498537

2CD/1DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498540

2LP:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498541

Duran Duran's eponymous debut album was originally released in 1981. The album charted at no. 3 in the UK (27 June 1981) and remained in the charts for 18 weeks. It was later re-issued in 1983 with different artwork – targeting the US market where it reached no. 10 in the US Charts & remained there for 87 weeks!

SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER:

2CD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498542

2CD/1DVD:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498544

2LP:   http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=498546

Seven & The Ragged Tiger is the third Studio album from Duran Duran released in Nov 1983.

"[Seven & The Ragged Tiger].. is an adventure story about a little commando team. 'The Seven' is for us — the five band members and the two managers — and 'the Ragged Tiger' is success. Seven people running after success. It's ambition. That's what it's about."  (Simon Le Bon)

The Cry Of Love

 Just another day at the pressing plant, and the stuff of legend was born.

The year was 1971 when a crown jewel of Jimi Hendrix history on vinyl was made. So much so, only five copies are rumoured to exist!

The legend goes, as preparations were put in place for the coloured vinyl edition of The Pink Fairies' debut, and engineers slaved away at creating the perfect shade of pink for it, a test pressing was made to test the dealer reaction to vinyl colour. As the Fairies album wasn't quite ready to roll, plates from the current production run were used.

Step aside The Pink Fairies' 'Never Never Land' [1971] and enter Jimi Hendrix's 'The Cry Of Love' [1971].

In testing the dye and colour comparisons with the label designs - A-Side a Track label for the Hendrix LP, B-Side a Polydor example label [Bert Kaempfert] - a beautiful CRIMSON RED vinyl pressing of ‘The Cry Of Love' on record was born.

Easily the rarest thing to make its way out of a UK pressing plant for Jimi, this surely has no equal...

Emotion and Commotion

The tracklisting for the new Jeff Beck album, his first in almost seven years, is confirmed today. An April 12^th release and forthcoming dates with Eric Clapton at the 02 Arena should keep fans happy. But what's he gone and done to his index finger? Planet Rock report...

Corpus Christi

Hammerhead

Never Alone

Over The Rainbow

I Put A Spell On You - feat. Joss Stone

Serene

Lilac Wine - feat. Imelda May

Nessun Dorma

There’s No Other - feat. Joss Stone

Elegy For Dunkirk feat. Olivia Faith