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

An older, wiser Portishead

Having signed a new major label contract, The Guardian reveal that Portishead are gearing up for their fourth masterwork. And there won't be another 11 year gap between records. Geoff Barrow gets interviewed.

How do Sonic Youth get that guitar sound?

Further "techiness" abounds as we take a look at Sonic Youth's equipment guide. A full run-down is given of each model with multiple shots, the songs that feature the guitars and the alternative tunings used. Sonic weaponry!

The Delectable Diana Dors

We have one inviting package to get you hot under the collar this week. Cut for Pye at the height of her cabaret and TV shows’ popularity, Swingin’ Dors sets the record straight about Dors and her many talents. Not just Britain’s most famous sex symbol of the fifties, but also versatile as a singer. This is the legendary 1960 first issue in mono, pressed on luscious Red Vinyl, and though we can’t promise it specially delivered in a vintage Pink Cadillac, this fabulous album is already dressed up to kill in packaging synonymous with all the sensual glamour of the decade.

How does Matt Bellamy get that sound?

It's a techy post, readers. Here we take a closer look at the custom built guitars that Matthew Bellamy of Muse performs with. Designed in partnership with Hugh Manson, check out the black Manson with MIDI strip controller. Modify your guitar today, we say!

'...I Read The News Today, Oh Boy...'

A sheet of paper containing the hand-written lyrics to The Beatles classic A Day In The Life was recently put under the hammer, beating the estimate at auction. The Telegraph confirm the full amount of digits it sold for. Read 'em and weep!

In The News

NME report that Radiohead have almost finished their new album and are pushing for a release date later this year, with the buzz of their 'new direction' discussed with the BBC.

Elsewhere with the BBC, the possibility of new material from Public Image Limited is debated. Much to consider, then.

Hard Rock Calling

With tickets still available for next week's Hard Rock Calling Festival, Planet Rock reveal news that a number of ‘the most iconic rock portraits of all time will grace the walls of the VIP tent’…Click for full list of artist photos confirmed.

Neu!

Ah, Neu! Rock performed as Techno 15 years before the fact. A band that laid the foundation for every modern day post-rock record and an influence that can be felt in the music of David Bowie, U2, Stereolab, Mogwai and any other hip group you care to mention.

This strictly limited deluxe 5-LP set - 1 of only 300 - really is the business. Comprising the original studio albums Neu!, Neu! 2 and Neu! 75, and for the first time ever an official release of Neu! 86, plus the previously unreleased live maxi-single, Neu! 72.

It look the part too, inverting Dinger and Rother's minimal-is-maximal theory with tons of stuff; a 36-page picture box, download code, stencil and T-shirt. Impress your peers with this one...

Always look on the Dark Side of Life

THE FLAMING LIPS 'Dark Side Of The Moon' [Release Date 28/06/2010]

2010 UK 10-track CD album

Fans of The Flaming Lips have come to expect the unexpected. But even the most ardent devotee of the band must've been surprised when a session recorded with their friends Stardeath and White Dwarfs spiralled into a complete re-recording of Pink Floyd's classic album 'The Dark Side of the Moon'. This reinterpretation of one of history's most revered albums will be released on CD on June 28th following their Glastonbury performance.

The collaborative project was recorded after several weeks of both bands touring the world together and mutually citing Pink Floyd and 'The Dark Side of the Moon' as one of their primary influences and favourite bands of all time. The sessions were tracked in Oklahoma City, recorded by Trent Bell and Chris Harris, and mastered by Dave Fridmann. The album was co-produced by The Flaming Lips, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Trent Bell, and Scott Booker, and features vocal assistance by Henry Rollins and Peaches.

The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs performed their version of 'The Dark Side of the Moon' at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve at a special show at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City. This was the only planned live performance of the album.

Bobby Gillespie’s Silver Machine

It’s another one of those iffy propositions, the dreaded ‘supergroup’ idea, full of promise and more often than not wholly embarrassing, but if the material’s good…

Playing some of their favourite songs by The Troggs, MC5, Creation, The Flamin' Groovies and The Chocolate Watch Band, the NME confirm that The Silver Machine have announced a one-off show at London’s 1234 festival in Shoreditch on July 24. Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, The Who and former Oasis drummer Zak Starkey, plus Primal Scream guitarists Andrew Innes and Barrie Cadogan have all signed up.

Take a trip with some 'Magic Potion'

Not that we condone such activity, of course. Love is the drug and we’re sure the more astute 60s collectors amongst you will love this one.

Magic Potion by The Open Mind has to be one of the snarliest psych-rock singles to come from these shores, and quite rightly warrants its reputation as a deadly and killer single of the mod era. It's certainly one of the best. Compiled left right and centre on any number of sixties psych compilations, nothing can quite compare to the full force of the sound on this molten original.

Naturally, only one or two clued up acid heads bought this, and the demo copy is actually the easier find, although both rarer than a hippy-in-the-wash: this incredible STOCK COPY is the toughest and soon to be crown jewel in your garage/psych singles collection. Just make sure you look after it...!

Dom's Domain - legendary rock writer Dom Lawson and his music collection

Dom Lawson is a passionate and much-respected music writer who works for Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock Prog and Bravewords. Although he's best-known for his hard rock and metal reviews and features, his tastes are wide and varied, reflecting his genuine love for music.  Here he takes time out from preparing to go on the road in the US with Iron Maiden (one of his favourite bands) to talk to 991.com about his collection ...

What was the first single you bought?

It was Einstein A Go-Go by Landscape and it cost me £1.15 from Boots in Hemel Hempstead, early in 1981. I would have been eight years old and pocket money had just entered the equation, so I was simply exercising my rights as a consumer! That, and they didn’t have any Adam & The Ants records in the shop at the time.

And the first album?

Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam & The Ants. £4.29 from WH Smiths in Hemel Hempstead...again, early in 1981. My mind had been completely blown when I saw Adam Ant singing Dog Eat Dog on Top Of The Pops in the autumn of 1980. My entire life as a musician and music journalist stems from that one moment. That album still sounds brilliant, too. What a strange record it is. Totally ahead of its time and completely removed from everything else that was happening.

How many singles/albums are in your collection?

I have no idea. If you include CDs, vinyl and cassettes, then I estimate that I have in the region of 20,000 items in total. I could be a couple of thousand out either way, but that’s my best guess at this point. Aside from a few that I flogged to pay for my weed habit during the late ‘90s, I’ve got more or less everything I’ve ever bought. Most of it’s in decent condition too, although moving house tends to result in a lot of bent album covers.

What's your favourite genre, and why?

My taste has always been pretty varied, even though I write about heavy metal for a living and look like an archetypal ageing metalhead! I’ve got tons of metal stuff, for obvious reasons, but lots of prog, jazz, hip hop, country, indie rock, pop, reggae ... you name it, basically. I’ve even got a few opera CDs tucked away somewhere. As far as my love of metal goes, it’s simply the most honest genre there is, not to mention the most creatively diverse and vibrant.

 

The stereotypical image of metal is that it’s stupid and one-dimensional, but that’s only a view held by those who have no idea what they’re talking about. There’s so much fascinating, original and challenging stuff coming out of the metal scene all the time. I find it thrilling.

 

Dom with the late, great Ronnie James Dio

Favourite album in your vinyl collection?

That would be my copy of Big Ship by Cardiacs – the greatest band that ever walked the Earth. I saw Cardiacs on The Tube on Channel 4 in the mid ‘80s and I’ve never been the same since. Big Ship was the first record of theirs that I actually owned, so it was my proper introduction to their wonderful music. I remember exactly when I got it ... I was running in the 100 metres sprint at some ghastly district sports competition for my school (so it must have been the summer of ’87) and I sent my friend Martyn into Hemel Hempstead to buy me Big Ship and Sign O’ The Times by Prince. Happy days!

What is the most beautifully-packaged album in your collection?

I’m very partial to Spacemate by Sudden Sway. A deservedly legendary box set thing that broke the bank for some poor record label back in the day. I couldn’t even begin to explain the concept behind it, but it’s two records and a load of posters, bits of card and other weird paraphernalia, all pertaining to “The 3 Step Dimensional Program That Really Works!” The music was great too – very quirky indie rock stuff with shades of Bill Nelson ... but the packaging is brilliant. It died on its arse and killed the band stone dead, I believe. You have to salute that level of ambition. I also love the first Sigue Sigue Sputnik album, Flaunt It, which came in fake Japanese toy box packaging.  Again, the music is great (no, seriously!) but the packaging made the whole thing feel like an experience. Mind you, I was 15 and undeniably daft.

The most valuable?

I’ve got an original copy of The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu’s 1987 – What The Fuck Is Going On?, i.e. the version with the illegal Abba samples on it. I always kid myself that it’s worth a huge amount of money. In reality, it was probably worth loads for about a fortnight when The KLF were massive, but these days I’d probably get more for some of my Iron Maiden seven-inches. Whatever. It’s not for sale anyway!

When not writing, Dom is the singer and bass player with the punk band Oaf, whose debut album Botheration is out now-ish (it features a guest appearance from ex-Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins).  You can hear bits of it here and follow them on Twitter.  You can also follow Dom on Twitter.

Some of the CDs in Dom's collection, in "UltimateShed"!!

‘…the perfect antidote to the iPod…’

So say The Telegraph. The story? Going against the current tide of all things digital, one Nathan Dunne has started a brave new venture called Underwood; publishing vinyl books! Have a read…

Backtracks Collectors' Special

Quite the collectable package this for the AC/DC backpacker. Housed in a 12" x 12" x 4" box designed to resemble a vintage AC/DC guitar amp, the trainspotters among you will recognise the original logo used by Angus and Malcolm on their speaker cabinets in 1975, with opening lid doubling up as a fully working 1 watt guitar amp.

Ageing roadies can revel in the nostalgia whilst your young’uns can play Rock God for an hour (who wears the shorts is up to you). Now on to the serious stuff…

- This limited collectors’ set comprises 3 CDs of Studio and Live rarities remastered from original sources for optimum sound quality
- 2 All Region NTSC DVDs featuring the 'Family Jewels II' and exclusive 'Live At The Circus Krone' recorded in 2003
- An LP of unique studio rarities pressed on 180gram Audiophile Quality Virgin Vinyl
- A 164-page book of rare and unseen images spanning 1973-2003
- 9 pieces of memorabilia including a button badge, sticker, tour flyer and Bon Scott temporary 'parrot' tattoo!

What’s not to like?

Like Dr McCoy said: "The words aren't important. What's important is that you have fun singing it!"

IRON MAIDEN 'The Final Frontier' [Release Date 16/08/2010]

CD I Spec Edition CD I 2 x Picture Disc

The release date for Iron Maiden's highly anticipated new studio album 'The Final Frontier' is now confirmed for Monday 16th August. The new album artwork has just been unveiled on their website www.ironmaiden.com  and was illustrated by Melvyn Grant. To mark the occasion, the band have made special arrangements for one new album track 'El Dorado' to be made available Worldwide as a FREE digital download MP3 with immediate effect via their website www.ironmaiden.com

Singer Bruce Dickinson explains: "'El Dorado' is a preview of the forthcoming studio album. As we will be including it in the set of our 'Final Frontier' World Tour, we thought it would be great to thank all our fans and get them into 'The Final Frontier' mood by giving them this song up front of the tour and album release."

The band reunited with long-time Maiden producer Kevin 'Caveman' Shirley in early 2010 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau to record the album and then moved to LA to finish the recording and do the mixing. Compass Point Studio is very familiar to the band, it was where they recorded the 'Piece Of Mind' ('83), 'Powerslave' ('84) and 'Somewhere In Time' ('86) albums.

Bruce comments: "The studio had the same vibe and it was EXACTLY as it had been in 1983, NOTHING had changed! Even down to the broken shutter in the corner...same carpet....everything... It was really quite spooky. But we felt very relaxed in such a familiar and well-trodden environment and I think this shows in the playing and the atmosphere of the album"

Thirty years on from their eponymous debut album in April 1980, 'The Final Frontier' will be Maiden's 15th studio album, making a remarkable average of a new album every two years for 30 years and totalling over 80 million album sales during this period.

Top Of The World

According to The Telegraph, Bon Jovi are the first band to perform live on the roof of London’s 02 Arena. All very rock n’ roll, but whether ‘helped by trained mountaineers to reach the top’ was a compulsory health & safety measure or an age issue remains unconfirmed. We’d have preferred Iggy Pop to have just monkey climbed it...

Boo, and no hiss

Surprise rarity of the day, the aptly titled Boo by Juliet Lawson. This incredibly rare 1972 LP is a FACTORY SAMPLE stickered issue for review ahead of commercial release, with musical aid from such notables as Iain Blair, Lol Coxhill, plus bassist Bias Boshell and guitarist David Costa [here as producer] from revered British folk-rock group The Trees. Like many one-shot female led folk albums of the era, from Vashti Bunyan to Linda Perhacs, the record died a quiet death at the time, though picked up in later years by collectors who were properly listening. An incredible copy, the textured gatefold lyric picture sleeve is virtually mint and still a perfect off-white with no marks or ringwear of any sort. The vinyl looks unplayed! Recommended listening, and quite simply one of the best condition copies you are ever likely to find.

The Holy Grail of Tori promo’s

With both the disc and back inlay sleeve featuring unique artwork, the promotional-only Precious Things EP is arguably the rarest and most sought-after CD collectable by the Goddess and we guarantee it authentic and official, so don't be fooled by cheap imitations.

Not only is this one of Tori Amos' masterpieces but Precious Things was only issued to radio stations in North America, never officially released as a single and nigh near impossible to track down. You know your Tori collection is weak without it!

"Hello, is that The Boss? This is London Calling!"

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 'London Calling - Live In Hyde Park'

Available on DVD and Blu-Ray

On June 21st, Columbia Records will release Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's 'London Calling: Live In Hyde Park' concert film on one Blu-Ray disc and as a two DVD set. Captured in London at the Hard Rock Calling Festival on June 28, 2009 in HD, the 163-minute film documents 26 tracks of live Springsteen that begin in daylight and progress through a gorgeous sunset into night.

The set list spans from 'Born To Run' era to 'Working On a Dream' and includes rare covers such as The Clash's 'London Calling', Jimmy Cliff's 'Trapped', The Young Rascals' 'Good Lovin'', and Eddie Floyd's 'Raise Your Hand'. Springsteen also performs fan favorite 'Hard Times (Come Again No More)', written by Stephen Foster in 1854. Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem joins the band as a guest vocalist on Springsteen's own 'No Surrender'.

The concert earned rave reviews. The London Times called it "epic" and "a revved-up three-hour power drive through Springsteen¹s America." The Independent concurred, "He awed the 50,000-strong crowds drenched in sweat by the second number, tossing his guitars to the roadies with the vigour of a frontman a third of his age and jogging down a walkway to meet his fans and take their requests, Springsteen's intensity was staggering from first powerful vocal to final thrashed-out chord."

Bonus material includes stunning footage of 'The River' from Glastonbury on 27th June 2009; and the full music video for 'Wrecking Ball', filmed at New Jersey's Giants Stadium.

RELEASED MONDAY 21ST JUNE 2010

Updated KYLIE album details

Back at the end of April, I brought you early details of Kylie's long-awaited 11th album (minus the tracklisting and DVD contents). And whilst I hoped that details for the single would come through at the same time as these updated album details, it was not to be.

So I am pleased to finally be able to finally bring you all the details for 'Aphrodite' including a lovely 180gram vinyl edition!!!

CD I CD/DVD I Heavyweight LP

Kylie's highly anticipated new album 'Aphrodite' is released on Parlophone records on July 5. It is Kylie's eleventh studio album and was executive produced by Stuart Price.

'Aphrodite' sees Kylie return to the dance-floor, with a string of high profile collaborators from the pop and dance worlds including: Calvin Harris & Jake Shears, Sebastian Ingrosso & Luciana Caporaso, Nerina Pallot, Richard X, Cutfather, Nervo and Tim Rice-Oxley.

Kylie said: "I love the euphoric feel of 'Aphrodite'…delicious pop on the dance floor" Executive Producer Stuart Price said: "It's Kylie doing pop dance music at her best. When you look in your mind's eye at everything Kylie is, it's on this record".

Kylie Minogue has sold more than 60 million records and continues to be one of the most successful solo artists in the world. Her groundbreaking tours have set new standards for live performances and last year her first ever tour of America garnered rave reviews.

Formats for this release include a 180 gram 12" vinyl, a CD + DVD + Online Experience Edition in a 28 page casebound book. The DVD element contains a 'Making Of'  the 'All The Lovers' video shoot, A behind the Scenes at the Aphrodite Photo Shoot, footage featuring 4 tracks taken from Kylie's 2009 North American Tour and an image gallery.

RELEASED MONDAY 5TH JULY 2010