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

Thursday's HOT picks!

 
 
THE SILKIE ‘You've Got To Hide Your Love Away’
Scarce 1965 UK 7" vinyl single with recorded only three days after the release of the Beatles' own version!This cover from the Brian Epstein managed quartet was produced by John Lennon, and features Paul on guitar and George on percussion.

 

FRANK ZAPPA ‘Apostrophe’(')
Rare original 1974 Japanese LP, the eighteenth album fromthe moustache-sporting genius. This one has an exclusive fold-out Japanesetext/lyric insert with amazing illustrations by Yasuo Yagi! A great example of this highly sought after album!

 
METALLICA ‘Death Magnetic’
Rare 2008 US exclusive limited edition 10-track 2-LP set pressed on 160gram Vinyl, This copy has been fully AUTOGRAPHED by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo on the front in a red marker pen! A must-have collectors item!

Kate Bush...one woman's work

Think of the first things you ever heard by the astonishing Kate Bush. Think of the classic 'Kick Inside' album. What songs do you remember ?

I'm sure that one of the first to come to mind is the amazing 'Man With The Child In His Eyes'. A song with such depth of vision that it still seems incredible that it came from the mind of a teenage girl from Bexleyheath.

In fact, so good was it that she won her her first prestigious Ivor Novello award.

What we have here, written way back in the early seventies in pink felt tip, are the handwritten lyrics for the song.

In addition, written in blue ballpoint pen on the back of two sheets of a 'Naprosyn' anti inflammatory notepad [obviously borrowed from her father, a doctor] are the original lyrics to 'Saxophone Song' & the lyrics [dated 17th July 1975] for the as yet unreleased song 'Frightened Eyes'.

This amazing collection of original handwritten lyrics has finally been released by the person she gave them to over thirty five years ago. He has decided, after having them in his possession since the time before the fame & fortune caused them to drift apart, that the time has come for them to go to a new home.

A once in a lifetime chance to own this incredible, personal collection. Quite simply, unrepeatable.

 

Postcards

It’s the one all the papers are talking about. Postcards From A Young Man represents The Manic Street Preachers' ‘one last shot at mass communication’, and we hereby present it to you in its strictly limited Deluxe Mementos form:

 - 12-track CD album, including the single '[It's Not War] Just The End Of Love', with a guest appearance from Echo & The Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch
- Bonus DVD, featuring the Making Of and In Studio footage
- Bonus 13-track cassette, containing demos of all 12 album tracks and the exclusive original Nicky Wire demo of the single.
- Deluxe packaging with a 42-page scrapbook of handwritten lyrics, exclusive band photos, lists and inspiration behind the album
- One of only 1000 pressed

This might just be their best yet; a heady mix of thrilling tunes and theories, burning with the raging melancholia that has always been unique to them.

Robbie drifts 'In And Out Of Consciousness'...

 

ROBBIE WILLIAMS & GARY BARLOW 'Shame' 2-track CD single [Released 04/10/2010]

ROBBIE WILLIAMS 'In And Out Of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990 - 2010' [Released 11/10/2010]

2CD I 3CD I 2DVD I Ultimate Collectors 3CD/3DVD Edition I JAPANESE EDITION 2CD

This release celebrates Robbie's incredible 20 years in music with 39 of his biggest and best songs on two action-packed discs.

Prepare to take a trip down memory lane with Robbie as the journey begins in present day with two new songs, Robbie's beautiful duet with Gary Barlow, 'Shame', which is also released as a single on 4th October, and the feel-good track 'Heart And I', another fantastic Williams/Barlow co-written song. 

The album then takes us backwards through the decades, featuring all the colossal songs from Robbie's eight solo studio albums over the years: 'Reality Killed The Video Star', 'Rudebox', 'Intensive Care', 'Escapology', 'Swing When You're Winning', 'Sing When You're Winning', 'I've Been Expecting You' and 'Life Thru A Lens'.

The album is rounded off with a sprinkling of Take That gold dust, featuring 'Everything Changes', the boy band's fourth consecutive single to go straight in at #1 in the UK way back in 1994.

The Deluxe Edition (in casebound book with 20 page booklet) adds a third CD featuring all of Robbie's rare B-sides together on one disc for the first time. This collection includes the theme song 'Nobody Someday' from the documentary of the same name, 'My Culture', Robbie's collaboration with One Giant Leap, and his cover version of The Kinks' 'Lola', which was produced by Guy Chambers for BBC Radio 1.

Finally, the six-disc Ultimate Collection (in large casebound book with 50 page booklet) combines the Deluxe Edition with three DVDs. The DVDs bring to life 38 of Robbie's music videos across two discs, including 'No Regrets', 'Feel' and 'Rock DJ', which was recently voted the third greatest video of all time by 4Music viewers, plus the video to 'Shame'.

All of Robbie's classic music videos have never been available to own on DVD before now. The third DVD features Robbie's iconic live performance at the Berlin Velodrome in 2005. Not only did this show launch Robbie's album 'Intensive Care', it has never been released before. until now that is!

Lynyrd Skynyrd namesake Leonard Skinner dies

PE teacher who sent group to principal's office for having long hair inspired band's name



Leonard Skinner, the PE teacher who inspired the name of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died in Florida. He was 77. Skinner, who had Alzheimer's disease, died in his sleep at the St Catherine Laboure Manor in Jacksonville, where he had been living for about a year, his daughter Susie Moore said.

He was working at Robert E Lee high school in Jacksonville in the 1960s when he sent a group of students to the principal's office because their hair was too long. They later formed a band, using a variation of Skinner's name.

The band, whose hits included Sweet Home Alabama, became popular in the mid-1970s. Three of the band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, were killed in a 1977 plane crash. The band regrouped and continues to perform today.

Click here to read the full story on Guardian

Charlatans drummer treated for brain tumour

Jon Brookes, drummer with indie band The Charlatans, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, the group have said.



The diagnosis comes a week after he collapsed and briefly stopped breathing during a concert in Philadelphia.

The rest of their US tour was cancelled as Brookes was flown to the UK for treatment. A spokesperson for The Charlatans said: "The band and Jon would like to thank all well wishers for their kind messages of support."

The group are due to start their European tour in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on 5 October.
"The Charlatans' drummer Jon Brookes is currently undergoing treatment in the UK for a brain tumour following the postponement of the remaining dates of Charlatans North American tour," the statement
said.

"The Charlatans touring schedule remains unaltered whilst the band arrange for a short term replacement."

Click here for the full story on the BBC

Today's upcoming Japanese releases!

Today’s upcoming releases from the land of the rising sun include the Manic’s,
Santana, Lennon and the Fab Four!
 
MANIC STREET PREACHERS ‘Postcards From A Young Man’ [Release Date 22/09/2010]
Exciting new release from the Manic’s including their single release '[It's Not War] Just The End Of Love', also includes 2 Bonus tracks.
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520034
 
USHER ‘Raymond v Raymond’ [Release Date 22/09/2010]
Brand new album from the soulful singer, includes a bonus DVD Mini-album featuring Jay-Z and Enrique Inglesias.
Deluxe Edition CD/DVD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520075
 
SANTANA ‘Guitar Heaven’ [Release Date 22/09/2010]
The Latin Guitar God returns with a fistful of covers and a gaggle of guest vocalists from Joe Cocker to Rob Thomas and Ray Manzarek. Japanese edition includes 2 Bonus tracks.
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520077
 
JOHN LENNON ‘Signature Box’ [Release Date 06/10/2010]
A stunning collection of all eight remastered albums with two bonus discs containing rare and previously unreleased material! Presented in a beautiful deluxe box with collectible limited edition
John Lennon art print and a booklet featuring rare photos, artwork, collages, poetry and liner notes.
Box Set: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520067
 
JOHN LENNON ‘The Hits: Power To The People’ [Release Date 06/10/2010]
A remastered definitive collection of John’s work to commemorate the year he would have turned 70. The Limited Deluxe Edition includes a Bonus region 2 DVD featuring the great man’s music videos.
CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520060
Deluxe Edition: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520062
 
THE BEATLES ‘1962 - 1966: The Red Album’ + ‘1967 - 1970: The Blue Album’ [Release Date 18/10/2010]
The Fab Four’s epic body of work has been remastered by a faithful and dedicated team, includes a new picture booklet but more details will follow - Watch this space!
The Red Album CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520033
The Blue Album CD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=520032
 
 
 

WEDNESDAYS TOP THREE

Here is todays highly recommended TOP THREE here at 991 Towers!

DREAM THEATER 'Master Of Puppets - Official Bootleg'

2004 US YtseJam Records 'Cover Series' 8-track on-line mail order only CD, recorded live at Razzmatazz in Barcelona, Spain on the 19th February 2002. After an almost two hour normal set, the band left the stage for 15 minutes, when they came back they played the full Metallica album, this started a tradition to cover a classic album whenever they do two shows at the same venue. Complete with booklet picture sleeve featuring the classic artwork adjusted with the band logo - one of the best live albums you will ever hear!

KYLIE MINOGUE 'Performance'

2010 UK 12-track CD released with The Mail On Sunday newspaper on 19th September 2010; comprises 10 hits hand-picked by Kylie from her first ever North American tour last Autumn. Recorded at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, Ms Minogue treats us to vibrant renditions of 'In Your Eyes', 'Slow', 'In My Arms' and a medley of 'Boombox' / 'Can't Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head'; plus studio recordings of 'Wow' [taken from 'X'] and the fantastic 'Too Much' [from 'Aphrodite'].

 

VILETONES 'Screaming Fist'

This SUPER RARE original 1977 Canadian 3-track 7" vinyl single, also includes Possibilities and Rebel - one of the earliest Punk 45s to be released ANYWHERE in the world! The vinyl on this copy looks barely played and it comes with the picture sleeves for both the promotional and commercial issues! #8277

Belle and Sebastian RETURN!

 

BELLE & SEBASTIAN 'Write About Love' [Release Date 11/10/2010]

CD I LP [+ Bonus 7"]

Four and a half years after the release of 'The Life Pursuit' - a Top Ten album in the UK which sold over a quarter of a million copies globally - Belle And Sebastian release their new album on Rough Trade Records.

It is their third album since signing to Rough Trade in 2002, following 'The Life Pursuit' (2006) and 'Dear Catastrophe Waitress' (2003). Unlike its predecessors, it is an album which has come together in a relatively short period of time. After reconvening in February 2010, a period of writing and pre-production in Glasgow was followed by a trip to Los Angeles for recording with Tony Hoffer (who also produced 'The Life Pursuit') at the renowned Sound Factory Studio B.

Adopting a more fluid approach than on the previous record, fourteen songs were recorded and mixed by the start of June, of which eleven feature on the CD and vinyl releases. Two further tracks from these sessions appear on a bonus 7" with the vinyl edition of the album.

As ever, the record draws the band's internal songwriting strengths, but this time includes some guest performances. Stuart Murdoch wrote the majority of the songs on the album, while Sarah Martin takes lead vocals on her two contributions, 'I Didn't See It Coming' and 'I Can See Your Future' and Stevie Jackson on his ('I'm Not Living In The Real World'). In addition, Norah Jones contributes lead vocals to 'Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John' (which also appears on her forthcoming album of duets and collaborations called 'Featuring') and actress Carey Mulligan sings on 'Write About Love'. Strings were added by LA residents The Section Quartet.

As well as recording in 2010, the band has already crossed the world playing a number of shows, including a headline slot at Latitude and their first ever shows in Korea, Singapore and Indonesia. The remainder of the year includes shows in Canada and Mexico as well as a short US tour and culminates with a UK tour in December.

Frank Zappa Day

September 19th was recently declared 'Frank Zappa Day' by the Mayor of Baltimore, with the Charm City erecting a bronze bust (above) to mark the 25th anniversary of Zappa appearing before Congress to testify in favour of freedom of expression (Photo by Panoramic Visions).

Todays TOP Three

Here's a another top selection of what we are liking at the moment!

ELTON JOHN 'Sotherbys Catalogues':

This superb complete set comprises of FOUR fully illustrated books of auction lots for the sale at Sotherbys, in London, on 6th-9th Spetember, 1988. The four catalogues, titled 'Stage Costume & Memorabilia', 'Jewellery', 'Art Nouveau & Art Deco' and 'Diverse Collections', are housed together in an 11" x 8½" outer picture slip box - still sealed and in beautiful MINT condition!

CAN 'Can Box':

Ultra rare 1999 UK strictly limited 30th Anniversary Edition box set containing a double CD featuring live material from throughout the group's 10-year history, a book containing interviews with Can's founders: Leibezeit, Schmidt, bassist Holger Czukay and guitarist Michael Karoli & a PAL video which compiles a 1972 concert film directed by longtime Wim Wenders collaborator Peter Przygodda with a rambling collection of archival footage & vintage TV clips, housed in card picture box.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS 'Postcards From A Young Man':

2010 UK Deluxe Mementos Edition MULTI-FORMAT Boxset comprising the 12-track CD album including the single '[It's Not War] Just The End Of Love' and a guest appearance by Echo & The Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch, Bonus DVD featuring Making Of and In Studio footage, Bonus 13-track CASSETTE containing demo versions of all 12 album tracks and the exclusive original Nicky Wire demo of '[It's Not War] Just The End Of Love'. Presented in deluxe packaging complete with the 42-page 'Notes Words Lists Ideas Stuff Inspiration' Scrapbook including handwritten lyrics, lists and notes plus exclusive band photos!

Travis frontman goes solo!

FRAN HEALY 'Wreckorder' [Release Date 04/10/2010]

CD I Special Edition CD 

Fran Healy, lead singer and main songwriter of hugely successful rock band Travis, is excited to announce the release of his debut solo album Wreckorder. Set for an October 4th release on Healy’s own Wreckord Label, Wreckorder is the work of a quintessential pop songwriter. Known for songs such as 'All I Wanna Do Is Rock', 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?', 'Driftwood' and 'Sing' to name but a few, Healy has been recognized by Q Magazine, Rolling Stone and NME amongst others for what Entertainment Weekly calls "A gorgeous mosaic of shimmering guitar pop."

Recorded in Berlin, New York and Vermont, the 10 tracks that make up the record also include a duet with US breakthrough songstress Neko Case on the gloriously laid back 'Sing Me To Sleep', the soaring 'In The Morning' and the teasing 'Moonshine'. Notably the dramatic waltz of 'As It Comes' features Sir Paul McCartney on bass - Healy repaid Macca for his efforts by turning vegetarian. Wreckorder is the sound of a songwriter who continues to artistically evolve.

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury in Queen film

Shooting to begin next year on film that has co-operation of Mercury's estate and three surviving Queen members



He has played a mankini-wearing Kazakh and an Austrian fashion journalist with a penchant for anal bleaching, but Sacha Baron Cohen's next role might be his most outrageous yet – and for once, it's not fictional.

The Borat star will play Freddie Mercury in a film about the singer's glory days as the frontman of Queen, the band's guitarist Brian May confirmed today. "We have Sacha Baron Cohen, which will probably be a shock to a lot of people, but he's been talking with us for a long time," May told the BBC's
Hardtalk show.

The untitled film is being written by Peter Morgan, the British screenwriter behind The Queen, Frost/Nixon and The Last King of Scotland, producers said.

Read the full story on Guardian.co.uk

Like Father Like Son

 

James McCartney announces the release of his debut EP, recorded at Abbey Road studios and produced by his father, Available Light documents 10 years of writing and will see the light on 21 September. The Guardian provide full details.

A-Ha turn 25

 

A-HA '25: The Very Best Of' [Release Date 04/10/2010]

2CD I 2CD/1DVD

After nine albums, an iconic music video, and sales of more than 36 million worldwide, 2010 celebrates A-Ha's 25th anniversary and final year together. Rhino is marking this momentous occasion by releasing 25: The Very Best Of.

The album includes thirty-eight A-Ha favourites including 'Take On Me', 'The Sun Always Shines On TV' and 'Cry Wolf'.

Roger Waters: The Wall, Air Canada Theatre, Toronto, review

Three decades after its conception the exhilarating showpiece is revived in Toronto. It seems incredible to think that Pink Floyd’s career-defining album, The Wall, was first conceived of by bassist Roger Waters to hide from the stadium audiences that used to cause him such disillusionment in the Seventies. On the evening of the production’s 30th-anniversary premiere in Toronto, 67-year-old Waters seems thoroughly reconciled to the stadium format. He strides onto the vast stage in shades and a black hoodie through a shower of pyrotechnic sparks, as the audience raises the roof in anticipation for the show that many thought they might never get the chance to see.

via www.telegraph.co.uk

BLONDIE 'At The BBC'

BLONDIE 'At The BBC' [Release Date
04/10/2010]

CD/DVD: http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=519476

On New Years Eve 1979, Blondie performed live for The
Old Grey Whistle Test BBC 2 TV Show, at The Apollo in Glasgow. Marking the turn of a new decade
performing from December 1979 to January 1980, Blondie wowed their live
audience with fan favourites such as Heart Of Glass, Hanging On The Telephone,
Denis plus many many more!

The Old Grey Whistle Test (aka OGWT), was an
influential BBC2 TV show which ran from 1971 - 1987. The concept of the show was
devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers. The show hosted many acts of the era
including the first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers. As
well as the performances from artists such as Billy Joel and Heart, who at the
time were considered to be little known, but who's footage now is considered
precious.

This is a fantastic product for any Blondie fan with
the entire live BBC Radio 1 recordings of the 1979 concert on CD. As well as
spectacular live footage of the Glasgow
gig on DVD, plus TOTP performances of 'Denis', 'Picture This' and 'Sunday
Girl'.

Today's Hot Picks

Here's today's pick-of-the-crop that WE dig;

Miles Davis 'Story 2'
Stunning 1972 Japanese-only 16-track triple LP compilation documenting
Miles' early years up to 'Round Midnight'. Each disc is housed in its own
picture sleeve with Japanese notes on reverse, complete with a high quality
24-page booklet detailing the sessions & sidemen [also in Japanese] and all
housed in a silver slipcase inner & silver embossed slipcase outer.

Iron Maiden 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Interview Disc
2006 UK EMI promotional only interview CD featuring comments from all
six band members on the making of this fantastic album, a real insider
treat! Also comes with a fold-out colour picture sleeve with all
the Q&A cues inside.
 

The Beatles 'Bad Boy EP'
1967 Japanese black & silver Odeon label 4-track STEREO black vinyl 7" EP
Featuring the hits; Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane and Good Day
Sunshine. This 'Fab' item is housed in a groovy picture sleeve with
an Afghan dog! Very Cool!

Sesame Street 'Ernie And Bert'
Oy! What a treat with this classic LP shtoped with Muppet Madness from
our favourite duo, with a little bit from Kippie too! We know you'll love it
too! 

Teen Spirit Gets A Respray

Load up on Nirvana, and bring your friends, because we doubt you have this one!

 

One of only TEN copies were made of this 2006 UK white label test pressing for the withdrawn 12” vinyl single, featuring the Dirty Funker Remix and Dirty Dub Hole. Vintage grunge, perhaps not, but can you have it missing from your collection?

The A-side label is stamped with the production date and 'test pressing only' text, the catalogue number is handwritten and the white paper sleeve similarly stamped and annotated, with copies of the proposed label designs.

A stupendous rarity and, with so few made, one for the true Nirvana devotee

Bob Marley family loses copyright fight

An attempt by the family of singer Bob Marley to obtain the copyrights to some of his best-known recordings has been thwarted by a judge in New York.


Judge Denise Cote ruled Universal Music Group (UMG) owned the copyright to five albums the late star recorded between 1973 and 1977for Island Records. Marley's widow and children had sought millions in damages for UMG's alleged attempts to "exploit" his recordings.

Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. The albums in question - Catch a Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibrations and Exodus - were recorded by Marley with his band The Wailers.

They include some of his best-known songs, including I Shot the Sheriff, One Love and No Woman, No Cry Marley's family had accused UMG of intentionally withholding royalties from their Fifty-Six Hope Road Music
company.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC