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

Tuesday's Top Three including Pet Shop Boys, Rolling Stones and Marilyn Manson...

PET SHOP BOYS Together

2010 UK 6-track 2-CD single set featuring the newly recorded single taken from the 'Ultimate' collection, including Radio, Extended & Ultimate remixes, plus cover versions of Dave Clark Five's 'Glad All Over' and Kate McGarrigle's 'I Cried For Us' and the Grum remix of 'West End Girls'.

ROLLING STONES The Rolling Stones 1971 - 2005

2010 issue UK Strictly Limited Edition 14-LP set pressed on 180gram Heavyweight Vinyl comprising the albums [released between 1971 - 2005]: 'Sticky Fingers', 'Exile On Main St.', 'Goats Head Soup', 'It's Only Rock 'N Roll', 'Black And Blue', 'Some Girls', 'Emotional Rescue', 'Tattoo You', 'Undercover', 'Dirty Work', 'Steel Wheels', 'Voodoo Lounge', 'Bridges To Babylon' & 'A Bigger Bang'. Presented in an individually numberedsealed picture box complete with a download voucher enabling the listener to download the MP3 versions of the album!.

MARILYN MANSON Lest We Forget - The Best Of

2004 UK limited pressing 2-LP vinyl set 19-track Greatest Hits featuring the early cover of 'Sweet Dreams' right through to 'Tainted Love' and 'mOBSCENE', presented in a song hype-stickered illustratedgatefold picture sleeve packed full of Manson portrait photography art, both sleeve and vinyl are flawless.

Tears For Fears' Curt Smith releases Christmas song

MusicNews.com are reporting that Curt Smith of Tears For Fears released the new song This is Christmas via the download sites today. A limited edition, signed version is also available from Smith's website and at his shows.

Smith says of the song "This Is Christmas tells the story of an adult visiting his parents at Christmas and lamenting how he's always made to feel like a child when he returns home. It culminates in his realization and acceptance that they're family after all, and nothing will (or even should) change that."

Click here for a full list of the Tears For Fears collectables we currently have in stock.

Monday's Top Three - Including Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, Manic Street Preachers and The Cult

JOHN COLTRANE & DUKE ELLINGTON Duke Ellington And John Coltrane

2010 US 7-track limited edition 2-LP set pressed on 45rpm 180gram VINYL, featuring a collaborative session between Coltrane's quintet and jazz legend, Duke Ellington, originally released in 1962; presented in a great gatefold picture sleeve, that remains sealed in its tear-strip bag.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS Stay Beautiful - Autographed

Scarce 1991 UK 3-track vinyl 12" single, immaculate glossy picture sleeve FULLY AUTOGRAPHED by the original line-up with signatures from all 4 members including Richey[!], James, Nicky and Sean. The first single taken from Generation Terrorists featuring the title track backed with R.P. McMurphy and Soul Contamination, this is the genuine article signed at a Brighton show in March of 1992 - An essential, highly sought after one-offfor any serious fan's collection!

THE CULT Pure Cult - For Rockers, Ravers, Lovers And Sinners

Scarce original 1993 UK 35-track 4-LP vinyl box set, includes the classic singles She Sells Sanctuary, Love Removal Machine, Revolution, Edie [Ciao Baby] and Resurrection Joe, and twoalbums featuring 'Live' Cult Marquee Show.The LPs have individual picture sleeves which are all housed in a stickered picture box BEGA130B.

The Size of an Ocean…

With a definite progressive buzz in the air surrounding new acts turning heads like Everything Everything and Karnivool and a distinct bell ringing across the ether between staple bands from the likes of Porcupine Tree to Oceansize it’s clear there are some healthier than ever musical experimentation currently in the making. This is in no doubt thanks to the surge of great Prog Rock bands that started emerging in the late 60’s in the form of King Crimson, Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd and it just so happens we have received some simply amazing collections of Japanese and other scarce examples of these great, important records from the world that is Prog!  It’s no secret that this exciting wave of musical prowess continued to illuminate and dominate the rock scene for the following decade with the likes of Rush, Genesis and Yes and that they too would become key influences on the future of music in general but never more so evident than during the current revival, with bands even tipping their musical hats to fusion maestros like Brand X and eclectic flagships like Gentle Giant there really is a world of progressive music out there the ‘Size Of An Ocean’ to dip your toe in!

John Lennon classic 'Give Peace A Chance' gets new verse

Yoko Ono has given permission for an extra verse to be added to her late husband John Lennon's classic 'Give Peace A Chance'.

Yolanda Vega, Peacebeliever founder, contacted Yoko for permission to create and record the new verse. It was been written and performed by Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. Next Tuesday, December 7, fans will gather in Sydney for the premier of the performance.

The event will include musicians Fergus Brown, Winter People, The Preachers and Louie Armstrong's grandson Herb. The new recording features Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club with Newton Faulkner, Tim Freedman, Katie Noonan and Don Spencer.

Proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit the Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF), founded by former Playschool host Don Spencer. 'When I first arrived in Australia, I was unable to grasp the English language, Yolanda Vega said. 't wasn't until I started watching Play School and singing songs that I started to learn how to speak English.

Read the full story on MusicNews

Pink Floyd reunion gig cancelled

Original Pink Floyd members Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason have called off a reunion show for charity after finding out the location for the event.


Specifically, it looks like it was Mason who instigated the cancellation after finding out that it was to be held at Jemima Khan's country home. Khan, the daughter of diplomat James Goldsmith, has been associated with numerous charities that have ties to Pakistan including the Hoping Foundation for which Waters and Gilmour made an appearance in July. Mason, though, appears to not be a big fan of the charity.

Click here to read the full story on Music News

Willie Nelson arrested again

Once an outlaw, always an outlaw.

Willie Nelson was arrested on Friday morning during a stop by Border Patrol agents in Sierra Blanca, Texas allegedly in possession of 6 ounces of marijuana. Nelson had been traveling from California to Austin when his bus was stopped about 9am. Border Agents found the marijuana on the bus and Nelson took responsibility for it.

Willie was taken to Hudspeth County Jail where he was booked on a misdemeanor and released on $2,500 bail. It is not known when he is due back in court.

Nelson has a long history with the law for marijuana and other drugs. In 2006, 1-1/2 pounds of grass was found on his tour bus along with hallucinogenic mushrooms. Back in January of this year, six members of his band and crew were arrested in North Carolina for moonshine and pot possession.

Click here for the full story on Music News

The Weekend's Top Three - Including Robert Plant, Queen and Scorpions...

ROBERT PLANT Freedom Fires T-Shirt - Small

UK Officially Licensed 100% cotton british racing green short sleeved skinny-fit t-shirt with a 'burning-dove' image screen printed across the chest, manufactured exclusively for sale on Plant's 'Mighty Rearranger' tour, this is the very last of the stock and comes in extremely limited quantities. Size - Small.

QUEEN It's A Hard Life

Scarce 1984 UK EMI label limited edition 2-track 12" vinyl full colour PICTURE DISC single, the third to be taken from The Works album. Also includes 'Is This The World We Created...?' 12QUEENP3.

SCORPIONS Tokyo Tapes

2010 Japanese exclusive limited edition 18-track digitally remastered 2-disc Blu-Spec CD album [a new audio CD format using Blu-Ray technology, playable on all CD players], originally released in 1978, recorded liveat Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo, Japan on April 24th & 27th 1978; presented in a gatefold pasted and embossed mini LP-style card sleeve, foldout Japanese lyric booklet, Japanese picture booklet + obi strip.

Friday's Top Three - Including Jimi Hendrix, Cream and The Beatles...

JIMI HENDRIX Smash Hits

Rare original 1968 Japanese 12-track stereo vinyl LP, manufactured by Nippon Grammophon including all the staple classics including Foxy Lady and Purple Haze any many more gems from the repetoire like 51st Anniversary and Manic Depression, back pasted picture sleeve with lyrics on the reverse and featuring the superb and infamous fish eye image artwork by Karl Ferris. Despite being over forty years old, the sleeve on this copy displays just a minor split less that 1" to the bottom edge with some foxing on the back and is classed as excellent. The vinyl is in wonderful near mint condition, A far above average copy of this rare pressing at a great price SMP-1413.

CREAM Before And After

Rare 1972 Japanese-only red Polydor label 20-track 2-LP vinyl set - the first disc featuring classic recordings by the trio and later ventures including the staple hits Badge, Crossroads and White Room, with early solo material from the individual band members on the second disc featuring We Free Kings, Things We Like and Derek & The Dominoes' legendary Layla. Housed in a heavyweught card internal pasted gatefold picture sleeve complete with wide green Japanesetext biography/lyric insert and 'British Rock Series' obi-strip! The sleeve has some light discolouration but remains in an admirable superb shape after over 35 years of existence and both vinyl discs are MINT and unplayed! - A pristine play copy of an essential retrospective collection! MP9421/2.

THE BEATLES Rubber Soul

1965 UK first pressing black & yellow Parlophone label 14-track MONO LP with 'The Gramophone Co.' and 'Sold In The UK' label text. Side 1 matrix is XEX 579-1, stating that this is the rare LOUD CUT variant, front laminated G&L flipback picture sleeve with 'Patents Pending' text PMC1267.

Begin Here by The Zombies - this week's 'The One'

This very rare Philippines Souvenir '67 is a unique commemorative pressing of the 1965 album, issued on the back of the band's visit to the Philippines during their tour. Manufactured by Super Manilla, this 14-track mono LP is housed in a unique sleeve with the original facsimile signatures of the band members printed in white on the front.

Most notably, the sleeve has been clearly AUTOGRAPHED by both Rod Argent & Colin Blunstone in silver marker pen below their respective signatures printed on the front of the sleeve.

 

A nice bonus is that, apart from the beginnings of a split in the bottom seam of the sleeve, both sleeve & vinyl are in fantastic EX/EX+ condition.

Nothing short of a minor miracle given the age and geographical location that this copy started off life in!

 

An incredible find indeed - click here for more information

 

And of course, there's much more by The Zombies to be found here.

Tributes to Peter Christopherson

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Throbbing Gristle's Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson, who has died aged 55.


Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson, a founding member of pioneering post-punk group Throbbing Gristle, has died aged 55.

The musician, artist and provocateur "passed away peacefully in his sleep" at his home in Bangkok, Thailand, according to a statement on the band’s website. Throbbing Gristle were one of the first Industrial bands, renowned for their use of machine-like noises, tape loops and found sounds.

They courted controversy by playing naked and vomiting on stage, leading MP Nicholas Fairbairn to label them "the wreckers of civilisation" in the Daily Mail.

After they split in 1982, Christopherson - a former graphic designer and record sleeve artist - went on
to play with groups like Coil and Psychic TV, before rejoining his first band in 2004.
 
"Peter was a kind and beautiful soul. No words can express how much he will be missed," said Throbbing Gristle bandmates Cosey Fanni Tutti and Chris Carter in a statement.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC

LOOK BACK, DON'T STARE! NEW Take That DVD coming SOON...

TAKE THAT 'Look Back, Don't Stare: A Film About Progress'
DVD I BLU-RAY - Released Monday 6th December 2010
In 2009, Take That and Robbie Williams entered the recording studio to create an album that would mark one of the most eagerly anticipated reunions in British music history.

Take That's success in the 1990s was as phenomenal as it was unsustainable. Now, 20 years after it all began, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams have turned to face that past and share their truth collectively, on their own terms.

With unrestricted and highly privileged access to the recording studio throughout the 12 months that followed, 'Look Back, Don't Stare' is a raw, intimate meditation on the process of friendship and forgiveness. A story of how a newfound personal honesty inspired the creation of a remarkable record, as an enduring document of a group of people inextricably bound by their pasts, in search of progress. It's not about money or chart success – this is about life, imperfect relationships, trust, and the righting of wrongs.

In this amazingly candid documentary 'Look Back, Don't Stare: A Film About Progress' the band let cameras follow them for the past extraordinary 12 months to reveal the real story on how they got back into each other's lives and back into the studio to record 'Progress' – the fastest selling album of the century.

Shot in black and white, and peppered with archive footage, the fly on the wall documentary gives viewers unprecedented access to Gary, Howard, Jason and Mark as they reunite with former band mate Robbie Williams. It tracks their progress as they write and record their new album together and finally confirm the reunion of all reunions to the rest of the world.

It's fifteen years since the band last recorded a full album together in 1995, and the documentary reveals in detail how the reunion came about and how they have all adjusted once more to life as a five piece. In the band's own words they disclose their worries, hopes and concerns about working together again and share the very private process of making their best album yet.

Above all, 'Look Back, Don't Stare: A Film About Progress' documents the story of a unique friendship that started twenty years ago and is now stronger than ever, culminating in the most exciting reunion in British pop history.

This DVD and Blu-Ray release of the director's cut of 'Look Back, Don't Stare: A Film About Progress' will be released on 06 December. This 100 minute version of the film includes 30 minutes of previously unseen footage, plus a further 20 minutes of exclusive bonus extras.

Thursday's Top Three including Kylie Minogue, Carpenters and U2

KYLIE MINOGUE Get Outta My Way

2010 UK promotional-only 2-track CD single - the 2nd single to be taken from the 11th studio album 'Aphrodite', also includes the Instrumental Version; housed in a custom promo card wallet picture sleeve CDRDJ6826.

CARPENTERS The Carpenters Box: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition

2009 Japanese promotional sample issue of the exclusive strictly limited edition FIFTEEN DISC SHM-CD [Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players] album set and 'Gold: Greatest Hits' NTSC DVD, compiling the legendary duo's studio longplayers, including 2 Christmas collections and a bonus disc of rarities - a total of 184 recordings! Custom stamped inner rim on the disc with each presentedina hardback digibook-style sleeve, with the set housed in a promo stickered box and still factory sealed with the original obi-sticker on the top UICY-91361.

U2 The Best Of Collection 1990-2000

Ultra rare 2002 UK promotional only box set containing FIFTEEN vinyl 7"s with picture labels, housed in die-cut silver sleeves, a 30-track promotional double CD set in custom card wallet picture sleeve,plus a 26-page photo booklet. All housed in superb 8" x 7" x 2" silver flip-top custom box and shrinkwrap sealed! BXU213.

Just In; Japanese John Lennon Signature Box and Dylan's Original Mono Recordings!

Everybody likes recieving parcels, especially me! The excitement of breaking the tape and opening a box full of music treats is a regular occurance; and this months is a particularly juicy batch! Straight out of Japan we have the very limited John Lennon Signature Boxset containing 11-CD's including the remastered edition of his eight original albums, a disc of rare and previously unreleased recordings, and an EP of Lennon's non-album singles. The CDs are housed in digisleeves within a sealed deluxe box including a collectible limited edition John Lennon art print and a booklet featuring rare photos, artwork, collages, poetry, and liner notes, with large obi-strip featuring tracklisting information and boxset contents.

For those of a Dylan persuasion we have The Original Mono Recordings. This 9-CD album set (limited to 5000) collects Bob's first records as he mixed them and as they were originally meant to be heard – in mono. The box set features his first eight albums ['Bob Dylan', 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan', 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', 'Another Side Of Bob Dylan,' 'Bringing It All Back Home', 'Highway 61 Revisited', 'Blonde On Blonde' & 'John Wesley Harding'], from 1962's Bob Dylan to 1968's John Wesley Harding, as most people heard them and as they were expected to be heard - as one channel of powerful sound, direct and immediate. These mono-version albums have never been available on CD and will not be released individually. Presented in individual paper sleeves with obi-strips and housed in a deluxe slipcase complete with obi-strip, a 64 page book with new photos, album information and liner notes from eminent rock historian Greil Marcus and a 24-page Japanese biography booklet. Heart-racing stuff!

Japanese Forthcoming Including; The Jam, James Taylor, Pet Shop Boys and Ray Davies.

RAY DAVIES See My Friends - Out 1/12/2010

Japanese 14-track SHM-CD [Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players] album - On this one-of-a-kind album, Ray collaborates with a formidable selection of artists on tracks from his incredible songwriting career, revisiting his back catalogue and crafting new versions of his classic songs.

 

THE JAM Sound Affects - Deluxe Edition - Out 8/12/2010 

Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition 33-track digitally remastered 2-SHM CD [Super High Material CD - playable  on all CD players] album set - 'Sound Affects' was originally released in November 1980 at a time when The Jam was considered the biggest band in Britain, and includes many of the band's classic songs: 'That's Entertainment', the political 'Man in the Corner Shop', 'Pretty Green', the pure-pop of 'Boy About Town' and 'Dream Time'. It's regarded by critics and fans [as well as Weller] as their most adventurous and experimental collection of material. This Deluxe Edition comes complete with a 22 Bonus Recordings including demos, b-sides and alternative versions, and a 24-page picture sleeve containing extensive new sleevenotes by Guardian writer John Harris, a brand new interview with Paul Weller, rare photos and period memorabilia + obi-strip

 

JAMES TAYLOR James Taylor - Out 8/12/2010

Japanese 16-track CD album featuring the 2010 remastered debut eponymous album, originally released in 1968, from the US singer/songwriter, includes the single Carolina In My Mind as well as 4 bonus tracks, digipak picture sleeve featuring new album artwork + obi-strip.

 

PET SHOP BOYS Ultimate - Out 8/12/2010

Japanese issue 19-track CD album - The Pet Shop Boys are one of the most commercially and critically acclaimed bands of the past 25 years. Their career has spanned 25 years and is in its 3rd decade. This collection brings together 19 of their biggest hits, including 'West End Girls', 'It's A Sin', 'What Have I Done To Deserve This?', 'Domino Dancing', 'Go West', 'Se A Vida É [That's The Way Life Is]', 'New York City Boy', 'Home And Dry', 'Love Etc.' and more, plus the newly recorded single, 'Together', written & produced with former Xenomania staff member Tim Powell, picture sleeve + obi-strip.

 

CORINNE BAILEY RAE The Sea + EP - Out 8/12/2010

Japanese 16-track 2-CD album set - 'The Sea' draws on her love of intelligent guitar-driven rock music and is a musical development from her 2006 album. This new depth and maturity in the songs, especially her graceful articulation of emotional turbulence, will inevitably lead to a more intense musical experience. Includes the single 'I'd Do It All Again' as well as a bonus Japanese-Only disc featuring a collection of covers including a superb version of Bob Marley's 'Is This Love'. Picture sleeve with obi-strip.

 

The Prodigy's 'Smack My Bitch Up' Named Most Controversial Song Ever

The Prodigy's hit song 'Smack My Bitch Up' has been named the most controversial song of all time in a new survey.


The track beat 'God Save The Queen' by The Sex Pistols into second place, while Frankie Goes To Hollywoods 'Relax' was third. The Prodigy's 1997 song was condemned by womens rights groups and banned by the BBC.

The top-5 was completed by Eminem's 'Kim' and 'Killing In the Name' by Rage Against The Machine at number four and five respectively.

Click here to see the full Top 10 on gigwise.com

Vote now for your Art Vinyl Best Art Vinyl 2010 nominations - And give Art Vinyl Displays Frames as Christmas Presents

At http://www.artvinyl.com/en/nominate/nominations.html you can vote for this years Best Art Vinyl nominations. You can vote for any three vinyl sleeves from 2010 whether they are among our nominations or not.

We also have the Frames for sale at http://991.com/Features/ArtVinyl.aspx and a slection of the nomainated sleeves for sale at http://991.com/Buy/PresetList.aspx?pageID=10020

 

991.com is an official distributor for Art Vinyl, the original way to display your favourite music and vinyl record art. This is something new for music enthusiasts and is an original interior design concept.

 

Use the Play & Display Flip Frame to create an original display with vinyl records you already own and buy,and get more pleasure from your favourite music and artists.

 

Changing your Art Vinyl display is very easy as the Flip Frame has a unique quick release system allowing you to instantly change your Art Vinyl record display as often as you like.

 

The Play & Display design gives the owner the ability to stylishly display one record cover and its contents on the wall. The unique design of the Flip Frame allows the owner to change over the display within seconds without having to remove the frame from the wall. All it takes is a simple one-finger touch that flips the front of the frame open so that the record can be changed.

 

The Play & Display Flip Frames are designed especially to compensate for any differences in thickness of album or 12” record. This is done by the unique “sponge finger” system on the back of the Flip Frame, which will ensure that any record can fit comfortably against the front display panel.

 

The frames are available in neutral black and stunning white, and they come fully assembled and beautifully packaged ready to use. 

 

We think these are the perfect Christmas present for vinyl lovers, or put them on your own Christmas list!

 

FREE POSTAGE to the UK!

EXCLUSIVE TO 991

 

Buy 9 frames for £250 - save £47 against the cost of a triple pack:

 

EXCLUSIVE 9 FRAME OFFER [white] [black]

 

Buy a triple pack of frames for £99 - save £18 against a single frame purchase:

 

TRIPLE FRAME PACK [white] [black]

 

Buy a single frame for £39:

 

SINGLE FRAME [white] [black]

 

All in stock and ready to ship today!

 

 

Wednesday's Top Three including Duran Duran, Family and Rolling Stones...

DURAN DURAN Sampler 1997

Rare 1997 Japanese-only promotional-only 10-track retrospective compilation CD, includes the tracks Electric Barbarella, Hungry Like THe Wolf, White Lines, Planet Earth, New Moon On Monday, Union Of The Snake, Girls On Film, Ordinary World, The Reflex & Save A Prayer. Unique 4-page picture booklet picture sleeve, stunning collector's item and must have for any fan! PCD-0888.

FAMILY Paper Sleeve Collection

Rare 2004 Japanese only promotional sample 5-CD album set, issued to radio stations and reviewers ahead of the actual release date. This set includes the albums 'A Song For Me', 'Anyway', 'Fearless', 'Bandstand' and 'It's Only A Movie' each featuring bonus tracks [22 bonus recordings in total including live versions]. Each disc is custom stamped on the inner rim with each housed in a mini replica LP style gatefold card picture sleeve replicating the original sleeves [Fearless has the 'tabbed' design' & Bandstand is die-cut], completewith a promo sticker obi-strip with each still sealed. This set comes housed in a rare textured picture box featuring the artwork for the 'A Song For Me' album on the front and images of the all the albums on the back, this box was only available for when pre-ordering the whole set - stunning item and very sought after.

ROLLING STONES Gimme Shelter

1971 Japanese original white label promotional wide-centre hole 7" STEREO vinyl single for the 1970 film documentary and superb album opener from 1969's Let It Bleed backed with Love In Vain, unique wraparound full colour picture insert with lyrics inside TOP-1659.

The Beatles: 47 Years of Music Innovation

See http://www.fastcompany.com/pics/beatles-47-years-music-innovation

On May 14, 1968, Paul McCartney and John Lennon went on The Tonight Show to announce the formation of their new company. "We've got this thing called Apple," said Lennon, "which is going to be records, films, and electronics."

The same quotation could have been made by Steve Jobs decades ago of his own company of the same name, if he foresaw even then moving beyond personal computing and into the realm of media distribution, epitomized by iTunes.

The Beatles may be late adopters in the iTunes revolution, but throughout their careers, they were early adopters of unusual instruments, new techniques, and technologies as Lennon's intriguing mention of "electronics" on The Tonight Show suggested. Despite their delayed foray into the digital age, The Beatles were the most innovative rock band of all time, as this slideshow illustrates, and long after the group's demise, they inspired others to sample and experiment with the Fab Four's work, with or without their permission.

 

 

 

Classical Updates from 991

If you’ve been watching our classical section, you’ll see that we’ve just started adding records in earnest. Our intent is to add a broad range of recordings rather than focus on one composer at a time.  So far we’ve added works by the giants of classical music like Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven - but also recordings of the music of less well known composers like Sibelius and Khachaturian.

Perhaps it’s because classical records have a sheltered life compared to pop and rock, but it’s very hard to overstate just how good the condition of the majority of these records is.  If I pull a record out of our collection at random I can be pretty certain that it will be a mint vinyl with at least a near mint sleeve.  When you buy classical from us you can be certain of getting great recordings on great vinyl. Stay in touch with the latest additions here.