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Hi Everyone,

Hope all’s well.

Just saw there that the great Irish Music Journalist GEORGE BYRNE has passed away…RIP.

The biggest release this week is ALABAMA SHAKES second record “sound and colour” coming out on Rough Trade Records via PIAS on the 17th of April.

I quite enjoyed their first album, big things hoped for from this record….so I hope it lives up to the billing it’s getting.

Out the day before RSD and Rough Trade in fairness to them getting into the spirit of the weekend….next year RSW….RECORD SHOP WEEK…..only kidding…for now.

Anyway, Rough Trade releasing the Double LP on clear Vinyl just for independent retailers at 25 euro retail, which is ok to be fair for a double limited edition….my fearless faceless foes in cyber space, are 23 sterling or about 32 euro for the Vinyl….1 nil to the indie retailers.

klinsman

A little taste from the new album below….

alabamashakes

PIAS also has a live album by the musical genius ( it runs in his family) who is MARK EVERETT aka EELS…..2CD/DVD or 3LP/DVD…(30 euro with us, 40 euro with me pals…..2 nil to the indie retailers)…..recorded last year, I think ,in London’s Royal Albert Hall……the LPs are purple too btw if you like your records with a pinch of colour.

And this dude has certainly had a colourful life, tainted with huge sadness…..

How does one young man survive the deaths of his entire family and manage to make something worthwhile of his life? In Things The Grandchildren Should Know Mark Oliver Everett tells the story of what it’s like to grow up the insecure son of a genius in a wacky Virginia Ice Storm-like family. Left to run wild with his sister, his father off in some parallel universe of his own invention, Everett’s upbringing was ‘ridiculous, sometimes tragic and always unsteady.’

markev1markev2

PIAS also have a MODEST MOUSE compilation album “build nothing out of something” and an interesting one by SQUAREPUSHER which certainly pushes the bounds of computer generated music experimentation….not my own personal bag.

Speaking of personal bags, obviously writing this is based a lot on my personal bag, and it is a bit of a one way street, pushing stuff at ye folks so please feel free to interact with us on our forum……is ED SHEERAN on LSD??

Please watch

http://www.today.com/popculture/ed-sheeran-visits-sesame-street-perform-adorable-song-2D80584196

Some might say this is catchier than most of his tunes….himself and Noel are great pals again by all accounts…..

UNIVERSAL has a new release by 16 year old singer/ songwriter SHAWN MENDES…..this kid is getting a world wide release date of Monday the 13th April……the industry only does this with albums they accept to sell by the bucket load…..the youngfella has over 40 million you tube hits across a few songs….so if he plays and writes his own songs then more power to him even if it is aimed at a certain market…..i really hope he does play and write and that he aint just a package….am I very cynical?

Strange day at work today…the staff of Dunnes Stores were on strike outside the entrances to the shopping centre and from what I can gather have a real grievance, so I hope they can get it resolved in their favour as I for one support them.

I have never been on either side of a union in my life long charmed occupation, probably fair enough to say that I have not worked in the real world!

Its all champagne and caviar in my game you see…

I must say it is the first time I have encountered a picket and I must admit when I landed at work this morning I found it quite intimidating (not that the people were in anyway intimidating, just the experience of it, if that makes sense)

There must have been 40 good people from Dunnes surrounding the main entrance with their placards…I must admit I felt either rightly or wrongly there were stares/glares at my little red fiesta as I went to my own job…( now when 40 people are standing around like that I suppose any car is a distraction and it will attract eyes…well that’s what I hoped happened anyway) ….but surely picket the shop the grievance is with and not the shopping centre I asked myself?

So I enquired when I went in to work….why outside….with it being outside, are we not all then falling on our swords for a battle we have really nothing to do with.

It suited the bigger party for the pickets to be outside as then there was no pressure at their front doors., and they probably had ROBERT SMITH playing in the background as well I would imagine….if you get me.

If the picket was just at the entrance to DUNNES STORES and not the shopping centre then Dunnes would have been way worse off as I believe very few would have went past at that point of entry and the other 50 odd shops would have been better off because people would not have had to pass a picket outside the centre to get their haircut, a key cut or buy a record.

Now, don’t get me wrong here….i wrote off the day very early on as one of those days…….power cut days….other strange events days…..we ended up doing 50% of what we done last holy Thursday…so be it, not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination.

It was a landlords decision (landlord in the third person cos I don’t know who that is…..a few guys with loads of money and retail space from America I think) to make the employees picket outside the centre because inside is private property!!, but you have to wonder how much pressure was applied by the anchor tenant for that to happen?

dunnes

Anyway back to the tunes….actually 22 hours later in my case….too old for those late nights.

UNIVERSAL also have a new album by Australian band THE PREATURES and it sounds alright to

UNIVERSAL have the Vinyl release of the QUEEN “forever” album on 4 LPs for only 110 euro….a few bells and whistles with it also….my friends in the sky, yeah that crowd who sell nappies also, are only 134 euro….3 nil to the indie retailers….and 3 nil to the cork city also tonight…..stand up for the cork city….stand up for the cork city….

johnnyflynn

Lastly from UNI for the 10th of April or next Friday now is the classic HERBIE HANCOCK record “maiden voyage” on Bluenote for its 50th anniversary on green vinyl.

Warner has new albums of note, in my opinion, from BETH HART, HALESTORM and the WOMBATS out next Friday also….nice variation.

They have reissues of TORI AMOS’s first two records “little earthquakes” and “under the pink” on deluxe 2 CD and LP formats.

Lastly WARNER has a live version of STATUS QUO “AQUOSTIC” from the roundhouse….aquostic was very well received last year.

Sony have new album by CITIZENS, a PAUL SIMON ultimate collection spanning his whole career on CD and LP formats….24 for the LP…I wont bore with pricing comparisons…ye get my drift.

Sony also has a blast of ANATHEMA LP reissues also out next Friday.

PROPER have a new DUKE SPECIAL album on CD and LP.

dukespesh

CARGO has a new album from guitar gods AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR (Irish also)

Republic of Music has a new album by THE BRAIDS.

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE and WILLY DEVILLE.

Nearly finished the Steve Jobs book, Christ he was wired different to most……not necessarily a bad thing…..they caught his cancer really early and even though it was in his pancreas felt they had a really good chance of getting rid of it, but they had to cut it out pronto…..nah nah Stevie says I will cure it myself by eating carrots and lettuce and leafs for 9 months, the world and his wife told him to get it cut out ( and he knew some heads) but he continued eating grass until it spread to his liver and 9 months later had it cut out….seemed his whole life was one rule for Steve, a different set of rules for everyone else.

That said, they will be talking and learning about him for a long long time to come.

Just two weeks to go to RECORD SHOP DAY and we a have a few local acts lined up to perform in the shop on the day, so will know more next week.

Have your tuppence worth on the forum…we would be delighted……we all have different tastes and opinions.

https://musiczone.ie/content/8-mz-forum

Check us out here and also if its awkward to get to the shop, drop me a mail if you are interested in something and we can keep it for you….no bothers…..free shipping on 3 records or CDs…no bother keeping stuff…

Anyway…sin e for this week

Thanks for listening,

Slan and hope ye had a nice Easter.

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Well the record shop day orders are in….what’s done is done, what’s won is won and what’s lost is lost forever.

Warner mentioned today that orders are going to be cut back….so they have sold everything if they cant fulfill the orders, gee, lucky them.

Excitement has being building for RSD to be honest so I shall stop wining.

Biggest release in this week’s newsletter in my opinion is the third VILLAGERS record on Domino called “darling arithmetic”.

Conor O Brien once again wrote, produced, mixed and played every instrument on this new record….talented cookie…..i must admit I am a bit of a fan….i like the sparse minimalist type of music he makes….the first album you may argue is better but with every listen the second album improves and should have won the mercury in 2013….anyway it’s a game of opinions…. da Opera house boy in May….stay quiet though, Mr. O Brien don’t like the talking during the gigs!

village

Also out through Pias on the 10th of April is the Vinyl release of THE GLOAMING…just 15 months or so after the CD….better late than never as my mam would say….well worth a listen.

There are some more Motorhead Vinyl reissues as well as three LP reissues from THE DAMNED out through PIAS as well on the 10th.

Btw listening to the new SUFJAN STEVENS album….one word…bliss….well two words may describe it better….quiet bliss.

sufjanstee

brianwilson

UNIVERSAL for the 3rd of April have the new album byBRIAN WILSON…..the genius that was or still is??

There seems a very vacant look in Brian’s eyes for a while now and one would wonder is he just a face of a business model……although a few catchy tunes on this one from first listen.

What a life the man has had though….

He readily admits that his mental health problems are most likely caused by his fondness for “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” but he also believes that LSD brought his creative juices to a level that he couldn’t believe existed……

Reading Steve Jobs book at the moment…interesting book…he was a strange but seriously gifted and driven cookie…..he also alluded to taking LSD, and claimed it was one of the three most important things he done in his life.

Both men geniuses anyway or were they drug induced geniuses whose minds reacted off the radar with certain substances??

Not condoning drug use/ abuse here by any means just trying to make a point.

In the music entertainment industry now, everything is so immediate, cameras everywhere, impossible to break free from it…..it seems more a game, who can play it best….get themselves out there…. than it is about the music.

Can you imagine the scandal tomorrow if HOZIER or Ed SHEERAN were known to be taking performance enhancing substances….

I am beating around the bush…..my two tiered point is….were/are musicians more creative when they are high and is it allowed/ condoned in today’s society?

Some kid left some boy band this week, where he had being plucked from complete obscurity and thrown together with 4 complete strangers to be packaged up as the fab five….go home youngfella, keep your head down for a year and you have plenty time to enjoy your Johnny Cash.

Getting video text for Ballincollig where an organic home grown band of kids from Cavan just rocked the place by all accounts……ROCKSTARS ONE AND ALL!!

strypes_and_bob

Anyway, just ever so quickly going back to Jobs….i never really knew the ins and outs of the whole IPOD/ITUNES thing but….he had a meeting with the head of Warner music at the time when they had the iPod but Jobs obviously did not own the rights for the songs and suitable sold yer man the fledling ITUNES, so much so that the top man of Warner said “we don’t know where the whole thing is going, will you help us so” and then Warner boy agreed to get the other majors involved.( this was early 2001 when the Music Zone Corporation was born and Napster was at its most prominent and shops in Ireland were duel pricing CDs at 16.99 punt/21.57 euro in advance of the currency change….. that was never going to push people to pirate island)

stevejob

Sony were the only ones to put up a fight saying basically all this guy has is a device, we own the content….but in the end the major record companies all dived in…70 cent for us 29 cent a song for Mr. Jobs for having the device and the platform to allow it to happen….

In complete fairness to him though….it probably stopped the rot with Pirate Island and allowed people to access music via MP3 whilst paying for it.

There was some stat in the book; they excepted to sell 1 million songs in the first 6 months….they sold a million songs in 6 days….( 2014 first year since ITUNES began that sales were down …9% I think)….obviously a huge competitor for the likes of me….physical via digital….have ye any iTunes vouchers??…..but you have to tip your hat to him, savage product for its time…..savage man in more ways than one was Steve Jobs.

stevejob

Ok I shall drive on quickly,

UNIVERSAL also has some nice LP re issues by THE BEASTIE BOYS and the massive selling debut by NORAH JONES as well as the BOB MARLEY “easy shanking in Boston” release.

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC has the new CALEXICO album for the 10th .

This week singles come from Cheena a 3 trk 7″ “Cheena” on Sacred Bones, Fossa’s “Sea Of Skies” CD/EP on Fantastic Plastic & Part 1 the 6 trk “Funeral Parade EP” on Sacred Bones.

2 albums for 13th the wonderful Calexico release their 9th studio album “Edge Of The Sun” on CD/LP & limited CD/LP on City Slang & from Numero Scharpling & Wurster “The Best Of The Best Show” a 16 x CD & a 108-page hardcover book with cover art by Joe Matt.

SONY has the FOO FIGHTERS “sonic highways” DVD and BLURAY for the 3rd April as well as VAN MORRISON’S latest release “ duets” on Vinyl, KINGS OF LEON on Vinyl and a new STEVE VAI live album on CD and DVD.

MUSIC ON VINYL have NINA SIMONE – NUFF SAID LP for the13th April.

ESSENTIAL has a TIESTO album.

WARNER have a new GOV’T MULE and DENAI MOORE as well as some NILE reissues ( death metal)

A good friend of the shop John sent a nice picture during the week……..the rock star is on the left…..taken last Saturday

johndave

I am still on a high ………………..!

I knew his wife was attending The Mountains to Sea Writer’s Festival. She wrote lyrics for The Division Bell and The Endless River. Her name is Polly Samson.

I was happy enough to drop in to The Civic Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday and queue up to have her sign my CD sleeve, as she was doing a book signing.

Lo and behold I spotted David standing in the Foyer and went straight over to him. Went back and got Polly’s autograph too though …………….

My daughter took the picture.

Class is right ……………………..

God loves a tryer ……………..

I was shaking like a leaf ……………….

I met Nick Mason 20 years ago in Silverstone at a motor racing event. So that’s 2 down, one to go!

DG is coming back to the Writer’s Festival in Borris Co.Offaly in June ………………………..

Sin e folks….

Join the forum….please…. and if anyone can tell me how to get rid of that spam shite as well…

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope all is well.

Not much really happening on the release front for the 27th March.

Well, no major releases anyway.

Universal have new albums from CIRCA WAVES, who are an indie rock band from Liverpool whom only formed about 18 months back….recent big label signing to Virgin/ EMI…..and a debut record now about to be released….top of the pile from Uni this week so a bit excepted..

Universal also have new albums by RINGO STARR, STEVE HACKETT and rap/rock from HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD….which a few are hunting down.

The lead track from RINGO’s album is called “postcards from paradise” and is a lyrical mash up of a load of Beatles song titles, and on first listen, I hated it, but i listened again and it’s kind of growing on me…..is it the bug tinted glasses or is it descent…

ringo

Harry Nilsson done a similar Beatles lyrical mash up a fair few moons ago actually, which is worth a listen.

Universal have an interesting debut album from a guy by the name of BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE who has a fairly unique brand of music…similarities to Nina Simone….and who has had a fairly tough but interesting life so far also……having being homeless on the streets of Paris for a couple of years surviving on what few bob he got from busking….little listen below…

benj

Universal have a blast of class hip hop albums for re issue on the 27th including records by 50 CENT, THE GAME, LL COOL J, COMMON, MOS DEF, ICE CUBE and NWA as well as LP re issues by SINATRA and GLEN CAMPELL’S “ rhinestone cowboy”.

Warner have a VAN HALEN live album from the Toyko Dome which saw a reuniting of DAVID LEE ROTH with the others….available on a load of formats….see attachment.

VAN HALEN is also reissuing “van halen” and “1984” on LP.

Warner also has new albums from ROBBEN FORD and DEATH CAB FROM CUTIE, as well as best of compilations from THE GRATEFUL DEAD and THE SPECIALS.

Lastly from WARNER for the 27th March is HALL AND OATES live from Dublin…recorded last year….amazing how many songs of theirs I know without ever owning anything……someone must have being a fan back in the day in Golden Discs, and slipped in on unnoticed.

SONY have the new NOW 90 compilation for the 27th MARCH…for EASTER…..if you remember NOW 1 (I think it is being reissued for RSD 15….BTW I am working on the RSD lists and hope to send them out over the weekend….with prices….crazy yikes in places and absolutely fine in other places….must depend on which records they submerged in gold I suppose….anyway NOW 1 for RSD) well if you remember it you have to be at least 35+ because they release three NOWs a year…..Easter, Summer and Santa…..pure and utterly useless information there now from me….listening to Father John as I am writing this so I think I am either crazy or mistaken…..fine listen.

Sony also has a debut album by MADEON…..very ala DAFT PUNK….probably is one of the DAFT PUNKERS.

Quick sidetrack…what did ye all make of that PHARRELL WILLIAMS/ROBIN THICKE/ MARVIN GAYE lawsuit…..

marv

7.3 million dollars….i am not MR. WILLIAMS or MR. THICKES biggest fans by any shape of the imagination….but that’s a big bill to get for “similarities based on inspiration and not replication”.

Universal can’t sell blurred lines at all now until all further royalties are sorted out between all parties.

My take on it….the two boys knew well they were using the same feel, vibe, groove what ever you want to call it and should have coughed up day one to sample the track…..but they were severely and probably unjustly punished…..i think it was PABLO PICASSO who said “good artists copy, great artists steal”….they would have being better off stealing but then……

Mr. Jimmy Page must have being watching this case nervously as the boys from Spirit must be thinking if “ got to give it up” got 7.3, then what can one of the richest songs in the world fetch….” There’s a lady who’s sure, all the glitters is gold”…..ill feeling or not for Williams and Thicke ….a dangerous precedent has being set I fear, oh my sweet lord.

PIAS as always have some great music out for the 3rd April mainly.

They have EAST INDIA YOUTH’S second album who played to not very many unfortunately in CYPRESS AVENUE recently enough I think…..lovely little sample below

eastindia

New records also from ALL TIME LOW, DRENGE, DOLDRUMS, WAXAHATCHEE and LORD HURON…little listen below

PIAS also has APHEX TWINS new 12” and lastly and my own personal favourite from PIAS this week is the new album by THIS IS THE KIT …folk rock….this album has help from the Dessner brothers from the NATIONAL and also Thomas Bartlett, the American classically trained pianist who helped put the twist in the GLOAMING.

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues from KORN – issues and the great punk album from X – Los Angelas.

Proper have a debut record by Australia’s answer to Morrissey….COURTNEY BARNETT…..will have some stock next week.

As I said earlier in the midst of some giving out, should get the RSD titles, info and pricing out over the weekend….

The Music Zone Corporation have created our very own forum….feel free to post on any topic or start your own….

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good…

Record Shop Day lists became more transparent this week….just over five weeks to go…..Saturday the 18th April.

rsd

I have written a bit about RSD in the past and I know some customers are pissed off with it, one customer this week emailed me about the price being thrown about for THE WHITE STRIPES “get behind me Satan” first timer on Vinyl for RSD 2015….. 40 sterling…. very excessive it has to be said….

Why does it have to be so expensive??

A double gatefold on LP 1 red and yep you guessed it LP 2 white vinyl, with a few little extras….some labels can produce a similar product with a 20 euro price tag.

Will it be sought after, I would think so….will parasites want it….i would definitely think so…..so is it the basic principle of supply and demand.

I will let ye know next week how much stock I have left from last years RSD….that’s the retailers gripe!

I know I had nearly 3000 euro retail value of RSD stock left on the 30th April last year because that’s the annual stock take……all profits and some, sitting on the shelves.

So consumer and retailer not overly happy campers with RSD…..who is happy I wonder?

daveg

So certain aspects and products can leave a bit of a bad taste, but a lot more are normal and reasonable like the FOO’s 10” for example.

My customer is of the opinion with many others that RSD may shoot itself in the foot….i hope not (obviously), as it was a really great idea and a savage shot in the arm for the shop, I just need to get my buying right!!…..may have explained myself in some other rant that the game is rigged.

I have been bombarded with emails from suppliers all week with releases for RSD; I shall get them together over the next week or two and send out a special newsletter with the titles, info and pricing……just don’t shoot the messenger!

The usual applies as every other year…..no promises…..but if something catches your eye please let me know and I will try my best for it to be on the shop floor on the 18th…..that hopefully helps us both.

Ye will be sick of me talking about RSD so I will drive on with the norm…..

jamesbay

Universal has a rake of stuff coming out on the 20th March including the debut album by the darling of the music press at the moment JAMES BAY, an awful lot excepted of this record, and without doubt there is plenty talent there….but time will tell I suppose.

Have a quick listen here if you like…

Universal also have new albums by LAURA MARLING, SEASICK STEVE, AZEALIA BANKS and a soundtrack to the kids movie “HOME” which stars RIHANNA and features 3 or 4 new songs by her.

Universal also have Vinyl reissues of two of JAME’S records “ laid” and “ wah wah” , THE WHO HITS 50 double LP as well as the back catalogue reissues of all THE WHO’s records including “ who’s next”, “ the who sell out” and “ my generation”.

20 years on from the magnificent BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB record, Universal is releasing an album of lost material from those recordings……throwaways I hear you say…..but it was that good…..my guess is the throwaways will be A ok….check out a taster of the original here if you missed it…

Some more Bluenote reissues out too….

Lastly on Universal, there is a rush release of a complete EMINEM LP box set…..10 albums on 20 records….i am told limited to 500 units….that’s what I was told….its 230 euro…..anyone interested??

eminem

PIAS have the new album on the 27th March by the incredible SUFJAN STEVENS, “ CARRIE AND LOWELL” a stripped back folky record again it seems…available on a limited run of coloured Vinyl….20 euro with the Music Zone Corporation…..17 sterling plus shipping with….me pals.

Here is a quick teaser from the new record….one word…beautiful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pja8WFQJtms

sufjansteve

The new GO! TEAM album is also out on the 27th, and comes highly recommended from me also, adorable – dropping bubblegum nature poetry over candy jump-up runs, the last line there is courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine….….if I start spouting that kind of shite, someone get a gun…….ye may have one for me already I suppose….have a listen for yerselves

PIAS also have new records out on the 27th March by JESSE MALIN, RYLEY WALKER, BALTHAZAR and NIGHTWISH as well as three MOTORHEAD Vinyl reissues “ace of shades” “overkill” and “bomber”.

ESSENTIAL have a big week on Friday the 27th with the release of the new PRODIGY album “the day is my enemy” , as well as new records from RON SEXSMITH and 8:58 ( PAUL HARTNOLL) from ORBITAL.

SONY for the 20th March have the new CRIBS record as well as the second album from metal band WHILE SHE SLEEPS and for serious, and I would have to say tres serious HENDRIX fans there is a reissue of a CURTIS KNIGHT + THE SQUIRES record featuring young Jimi.

joebon

WARNER for the 20th have a new release by JOE BONNAMASSA which is a tribute to MUDDY WATERS and HOWLIN WOLF aptly called MUDDY WOLF…a live recording from RED ROCKS across four formats I think, see attachment, BONNAMASSA is surely one of the best modern day guitarists….it seems so effortless to him.

WARNER also has the new STAVES record….little listen below if you like and the LP release of the latest JACKSON BROWNE record which is a nice listen.

CARGO has the new WIRE record, there 13th and a JEFF BUCKLEY rarities CD amongst many others.

MUSIC ON VINYL has the WILLIE NELSON + FAMILY OST “honeysuckle rose”.

Check out our new forum on the website

https://musiczone.ie/content/8-mz-forum

and please feel free to join and add your tuppence worth to the conversation….the more the merrier please….i know a few other cork based websites have Music Forum’s but they aint solely ( no pun intended) music websites….

On the local scene, got in more stock this past week of the excellent rock album from local lads RAISING JUPITER as well as the brilliant debut album “rascals antique” from THE SHAKER HYMN.

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Not a huge week for releases but….

Universal have the new MARK KNOPFLER record, his eight solo album “tracker” is released on the 13th March.

mark

 

 

Universal also has reissues of SIMPLE MINDS “sparkle in the rain” on four formats, the brilliant (in my opinion) VELVET UNDERGROUND self titled third album after John Cale left and a ROXY MUSIC complete Vinyl albums box set….200 bucks only…only 50 bucks more online

Lastly, they have a nice NORTHERN SOUL CD compilation as well as the latest installment of the POP PARTY series.

Warner have the new MARINA AND THE DIAMOND’S album “ Froot”…..the welsh lass has quite a following and this album is tipped to go number 1 in both the UK and here…the album release date was supposed to be April sometime but because of leaks is being moved forward or back whichever way you want to look at it, to the 13th of March.

More or less impossible now to stop an album being played or listened to, pre-release I would have thought…all so instant now…..

Just saw on twitter THE GLOAMING won the meteor…you get my drift.

Cracking album THE GLOAMING and it was a good bet to win I thought….something with a little twist.

On a little side issue the record industry has asides for leaking….

It now looks likely that all releases will have a global release day, which will be a Friday (not confirmed yet).

Here in Ireland, new release day was always Friday and a lot of people loved the idea of getting a release 3 days before someone in the UK got it.

Release day at the moment in the states is Tuesday and Monday in the UK….Tuesday is traditional the weakest trading day in retail in the US so having the new stuff out on a Tuesday drove footfall to record shops (stampeding footfall to record shops huh !! those were the days..) rather than a release day of Friday, which traditional is a good shopping day anyway….same school of thought in the UK….but it looks like the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry are moving the lot to the Friday.

phono

Warner also has a vinyl reissue of SLEEPs “ holy mountain” and Eagle Vision are releasing a range of SD Blu Rays of their best selling titles including LIVE AT KNEBWORTH 1990, which was a charity concert to raise funds for Nordoff – Robbins Music Therapy….which helps to enrich peoples lives through the power of music….this concert from 1990 was supported by the likes of PINK FLOYD, PLANT AND PAGE, CLAPTON, MCCARTNEY and DIRE STRAITS and is reputed to be one of the best rock concerts ever.

Sony have the new MODEST MOUSE album “strangers to ourselves” their 6th, so looking forward to a listen to that one.

Sony also has a new release from VAN MORRISON….it is called DUETS: THE CATOLOGUE REWORKED where he duets with loads of well know names on some of his classic songs.

I better hold my fire a bit because A; I have only heard one track and B; Ivan might come after me

But when I heard “ real real gone” with Mr. Soap and Bubbles I thought man, Van, do you need to do this kind of stuff.

I have zero against the bubbles man….sold a pile of his stuff down through the years….and it is what it is….no problem in the world with it….big market has always been there for the likeable crooner….and I know some of the lads in the shop really like his Christmas album…..but this just does not work at all for me, even though I must say Van out sings the crooner in my opinion….listen for yourselves…

vanmo

Bobby Womack and more greats also on the record, so maybe I am judging a book by its cover…..

PIAS has a live release by BLUES PILLS out on the 20th March…I was banging on about these teenagers last year…had a great debut album….blues/rock.

PIAS also have new ones by INVENTIONS, LONELADY, ERRORS and a nice 40 years of Rough Trade Records compilation….and FAITH NO MOREs new single.

Music On Vinyl have two real nice reissues in WU TANG CLAN’s debut “enter the wu tang” and KORNs second album “ life is peachy”

Some new pressing machines have being acquired in the states…..

http://www.salina.com/news/record-company-preparing-to-double-in-size/article_86ea411c-80e3-5257-bad3-822fc1e1eaf3.html

On the local scene…new records in the shop from INNI-K and CRY MONSTER CRY….two more talented unsigned artists.

innik

Check out the website for new stuff….nick caves boatmans….. and more giving out on the forum.

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Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Music Zone Header Logo_edited-1 (3)

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good.

Interesting week in the music biz….

Universal for the 6th of March have the new Madonna album “rebel heart” (her 13th….unlucky for some…sorry cheap gag).

Now I must admit I only saw a brief bit of the Brit Awards (did see Royal Blood, and they rocked in fairness and an interview with Simon Cowell which was rather cringey…anyway)

But I must admit when I heard this morning that Queen Madge took a tumble last night at the Brits, my cynical hat went on, and I wondered whether it was another one from Bono’s book of album launch stunts, volume 4.

This fall has gathered a huge amount of interest around Madge and her new record….

But, having watched it, Madge did look rather shaken after the incident….and she was never that good an actress anyway…or was she?

Her new album has quite an electronic feel to it and sounds much much better than her last two offerings MDNA and HARD CANDY.

Quick story….i remember getting the deluxe version of Hard Candy for a customer when it came out….he had told me he wanted the deluxe, I said its about 15 quid more, (which is a lot more) he said grand job, he wanted it….i said grand job, thought there would be a few more songs on the deluxe and maybe a book, but never checked.

Deluxe came in, and soon after did the Madonna fan….as we chatted at the counter he excitedly opened the deluxe which was in a larger slightly fatter box than the normal.

Inside was a standard CD copy of the album and a transparent wrapper with 5 or 6 sweets in it…..15 quid for 5 pieces of hard candy…..i wonder did he eat them?

As you might imagine, he didn’t offer me one!!

Maybe he kept them….they might be worth more now!

One last thing on this Madonna release….it is on 4 formats….2 LP, standard CD with 14 tracks, deluxe CD with 19 tracks and super deluxe CD with 25 tracks.

madonna

I would be one for quality over quantity myself.

Universal also has the LP reissues of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER albums and DEEP PURPLES “live at long beach”.

They have a soundtrack to the movie “I’ll be me” which is based on, and has the music of, one of country music’s greatest ever, GLEN CAMPELL, as he struggles with Alzheimer’s disease…. and they have a album by Nate MENDEL ( FOO’S bassist ) under the pseudonym LIEUTENANT.

LASTLY, Universal has a compilation album of classical and easy listening tracks curated by Marty Whelan of Lyric FM. (aimed at the mammy’s day market…hint hint)

Pias have some great releases for the 6th and the 13th of March…

bjork

They have the new BJORK album “VULNICURA” out on the 6TH as well as her complete back catalogue (7 albums) getting the Vinyl reissue treatment on the ONE LITTLE INDIAN label….some limited coloured Vinyl available….I have my hat in the ring so I am hoping I will get the coloured ones, but can’t promise.

BJORK turns 50 this year (she still doesn’t look much over 15) and has being one of the most influential musicians of the last quarter of a century….the SUGARCUBES were going since the mid to late 80’s id say.

This is her 8th solo album and she has nearly reached 17 million sales….

Pias have an EP release by GLEN HANSARD for early march called “the songs of Jason Molina”.

JASON MOLINA was SONGS:OHIO and a friend of Hansard’s, who slipped into alcoholism which ultimately killed him last year I think.

This is a benefit EP.

PIAS also have an ANNE PEEBLES essential CD and a new live album by SOILWORK as well as HOUNDMOUTH’s second album which I for one like the sound of…sample below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wifV5RYr

Lastly from Pias is a debut album by a guy called TOBIAS JESSO JNR….only came across him this week while researching the new releases and im hooked.

Its simple piano laden melodies but with a lovely vocal and texture to it…I hear a bit of Elliot SMITH, RANDY NEWMAN and even LENNON in it.

Is there a new star born or is it I am just a sucker for piano based stuff…..he reminds me a bit of the kid who used play piano in FAME , the TV show back in the day….maybe his name was TOBIAS JESSO!!

tobias

Essential for the 13th of March has SETH AVETT/JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD sings ELLIOT SMITH as well as the LP release of newest JULIAN CASABLANCAS.

PROPER for next week have the Vinyl release of our own GEMMA HAYES last album “bones and longing”.

Warner has a blast of Vinyl releases for the 6th of March including two CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG reissue and CAPITAL LETTERS “HEADLINE NEWS “reissue.

pogu

pog

Warner also has the brilliant POGUES catalogue getting the LP reissue treatment….some real crackers there including “ RUM, SODOMY AND THE LASH” and “ IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD”……the MUSIC ZONE corporation is 20 Euros a POGUES record…..my friends in the forbidden forest are 17 sterling plus delivery….

More or less just LPs on Warner new ones for this week… incredible……as one old codger once said “and the first one now, will later be last, the times they are a changing”

SONY has a new one from REBACCA FERGUSON, SOUND OF MUSIC 50TH ANNIVERSARY release, two RIOT LP reissues and a new VACCINES 7” single.

Music on Vinyl have a few nice releases towards the middle and end of March including NINA SIMONES last studio album “ a single woman” for the very first time on Vinyl.

JAMES TAYLOR “OCTOBER ROAD” is again a first timer on Vinyl.

Music on Vinyl also has reissues of WARREN ZEVON’S excellent debut, ALAN PARSON’S debut after he left the project “ try anything once” with the floydesque “ Mr. time” track, and reissues also from GEORGE BENSON, SERGIO MENDES and WILSON PICKETT.

Plastichead sent a small list of RSD 15 stuff out…

As with other RSD years….i can’t keep stuff…. but by letting me know you like the look of something….then there is a greater chance it will be in shop on the 18th April.

We have been playing the new NOEL GALLAGHER album quite a lot and really liking it,….one of ye guys sent this in to us last week after the newsletter with the words exchanged or not exchanged between the two parties…….snap taken on BONDI BEACH 2002….the rock star is on the left by the way…..words exchanged below the snap

“Bondi beach 2002. Had seen oasis the night before ….they were shite…liam barely spoke in-between songs…didn’t wanna be there I feel. Didn’t tell noel that(I call him noel). City were beaten 3-0 by leeds the day before also….did tell noel (I call him noel) that. He knew, we chuckled. Rock’n’roll stories ray….cant beat em.”

The Music ZONE corporation is running a nice competition since Tuesday to tomorrow Thursday, to win a copy of the lovely NICK DRAKE CD BOXSET……CHECK IT OUT ON TWITTER,,,RT AND FOLLOW TO ENTER….OR SHARE AND LIKE ON FACEBOOK……IF YOU’RE NOT ON EITHER FAIR PLAY TO YA….JUST POP A COMMENT ON THE MUSICZONE FORUM ON THE WEBSITE….will be a competition every week going forward for the time being anyway.

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/viewforum.php?f=1

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping well.

Warner for the 27th of February has arguably the biggest release of the week with ex Oasis man, Noel Gallagher’s second solo album.

I really like the new single “the ballad of the mighty I” with Mr. Marr on guitar….as good a tune he has had for many a day in my opinion.

 

 

noely

It is available across three formats, standard CD, deluxe CD and LP with a copy of the standard CD included.

It is encouraging seeing more and more Vinyl releases with the CD thrown in or a download code with the LP.

Surely there is only a little extra cost involved in it for the record companies to throw in the CD or the code, so hopefully it will be the standard going forward.

The new Noel Gallagher record is 180 gram gatefold with the standard CD enclosed for 24 Euro….which I think is good value….only issue I see with it…..why not enclose the deluxe CD with the Vinyl??…..you are harming the super fan who likes to buy the physical product, be it CD or Vinyl records (who supports the industry we all work in, Mr. Record Company man) because this super fan wants the bonus tracks on the deluxe CD, so that customer is saying to him or herself “ shit, I want the record on Vinyl but I want the bonus tracks also, that’s going cost me 44 euro”…..do it right, treat people right, stick the deluxe CD in with the LP for 27 or 28 quid…everyone’s happy and the customer isn’t pissed off feeling they paid 20 euro for 4 tracks and a fancier box!

Sony has been putting a CD copy in with their big Vinyl releases of late also.

The new Dylan LP had the CD also thrown in for 22 euro….fair enough I think.

Speaking of the new Dylan album, we had a mad rush on it last Friday afternoon in Music Zone.

We sold about 8 or 10 copies in a few hours after JOE DUFFY done a special on the album on his radio show, for over an hour I was told.

It does go to show the power that a show like that has.

Customers were saying to me that Joe said it was Dylan’s best album ever…..I will repeat that…..his best album ever!!

IT’S A COVERS ALBUM FOR **** SAKE, HOW CAN IT BE ONE OF THE WORLDS GREATEST EVER SONGSMITHS BEST ALBUMS???

Joe had all sorts of people on the show telling Joe (as that’s what you do I believe, tell Joe) that it was his best album ever.

Bob himself would be saying get a grip Joe.

I don’t know which side of the fence ye sit on with this and maybe I will have to bring my bullet proof vest to work in the morning but I for one just can’t hear its greatness.

I always say it, it’s a game of opinions folks, but I for one think this album is grand…….just.

Its greatness seems to have descended from quite a few 5 star reviews and programs from button moon like Tell Joe.

butt         emperor

Maybe the great emperor Dylan has just bought himself some new clothes….

Anyone who knows or owns the album, I would be really interested in your views….

Warner also for the 27th has a new CD release from THE OVERTONES with local boy Timmy Matley.

They have the VINYL releases of the RHIANNON GIDDENS and the PUNCH BROTHERS new ones, LP reissues from LES MCCANN “ invitation to openers” and MASTODON “ blood mountain”.

Warner also has the new album from EUROPE…who doesn’t remember the final countdown!

And lastly, a new record from OF MONTREAL, which Raymond here thinks is quite good.

PIAS have the other big release on tonight’s newsletter but it is not released till Friday the 6th of March.

Drum roll please….yep even though it’s a re issue….and yep even though its nearly 20 years old…..it is still and always will be a masterpiece.

Yep, its NICK CAVE’s hauntingly beautiful album “the boatman’s call” on double Vinyl with a download code, partly written about Miss P.J HARVEY I believe.

One of the most asked about records in the shop is nearly with us. A taste of brilliance below….

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnHoqHscTKE

nicholascave

Not to forget, “THE GOOD SON” from NICK CAVE also gets the Vinyl reissue treatment that day…which is another fine album.

Pias also have new records from ENSLAVED, MATTHEW E.WHITE, a bunch of LP reissues from BROADCAST including “ the noise made by people” and a new single from PETE DOHERTY, a tribute to his friend AMY WINEHOUSE.

Sony has new albums from KELLY CLARKSON and BLUE for the 27th Feb.

Universal, (who also are moving house at the moment) have a couple of reissues from UB40 on deluxe CD and double LP “PRESENT ARMS” and “LABOUR OF LOVE” as well as the NEAL MORSE BAND new combo pack LP/2CD of the new album “ the grand experiment”.

ESSENTIAL releases for the 6th of March are attached which include County Down’s THE ANSWER and their new album “raise a little hell”….their 5th album now, a really hardworking band….i was quite randomly introduced to the lead singer Cormac at NEIL YOUNG down da marquee and he seemed like a really good lad….so I really hope they can persevere, and prosper.

answer

Here are the REPUBLIC OF MUSIC releases for the 6th MARCH…

Singles this week, A Sagittariun “No Spring Chicken EP” on Hypercolour featuring 3-4-3 (Original Mix) + Rolando Remix & Delta House, on Ram the latest from Calyx & Teebee “A Day That Never Comes/Snakes & Ladders” and Interrobang?; Dunston Bruce, Harry Hamer of Chumbawamba and Stephen Griffin from the Regular Fries new project; “Are You Ready People” will be part 1 in a series of 3 7s. New Street Adventure release “The Big A.C.” on 7 on Acid Jazz & Reginald Omas Mamode IV gives us “Sunshine/Moneymaker” on Five Easy Peices.

To the albums…. Beam Up release “Innerstand” on BBE, Northern Lite release their 10th studio album and it’s called “Ten” on UNA Music & Saycet release “Mirage” on Meteors Music – catch them live at the Convergence Festival in March. Manchester’s Slow Show release their debut album “White Water” single Bloodlines getting plays across 6 Music, R2 & XFM, on double CD “Balance 27” comes mixed by Mixed By Magda & finally this week on a one week presale brought to you by Death Waltz Recording Co & One Way Static for the first on vinyl!! It’s Riz Ortolani’s 1980 score to Cannibal Holocaust.Get in!

 

I was reading during the week that the NME are only clinging on to existence as there readership figures have fallen to just over 15,000 per week, half the readership its sister mag MELODY MAKER had when they closed it about 10 years ago.

NME had weekly figures in the 70s and 80s in its heyday of 300,000….it has 5% of that now.

All media seems to be under huge pressure, (as I can partly vouch for!!)

The Irish Times also in print media this week have announced they will be charging people to use the digital version of their paper, I don’t know, is that a smell of the funeral pyre in the air…..all media have to find a way whereby the people who provide the content, be it high quality journalism, music, movies or whatever ….these people must get paid.

NME has being going 63 years and even though they could be found up their own backsides at times, it would be a shame if they were no longer… also, what would MOZ do….he must be having sleepless nights.

moz

Few little bits of news, Blur announced a new album today….first with Coxon since 1999 and first since 2003…

JIMMY PAGE is on Matt Cooper tomorrow evening Friday…..strange one to be on really when you think about it….talking about the PHYSICAL GRAFFITI reissue amongst other things Zepp.

Bowie and Zepp new ones both in store now…..

Check out our website for what’s new on record…

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Sin e for this week folks,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope ye are all keeping well.

Quite a bit to plough through tonight so let’s rock on….

Warner could nearly have a newsletter to themselves for all the interesting releases they have for the 20th of February.

ZEPPELIN ZEPPELIN ZEPPELIN “physical graffiti” gets the remaster treatment on Atlantic/Swansong for the 20th, again on 5 formats.

The first 5 Zep reissues last year won the award (awards for crossing the road these days) for best reissues of 2014, Optimal being the pressing plant and the sound quality being exceptional by all accounts.

So “PHYSICAL GRAFFITI” is to be released nearly 40 years exactly to the day it was originally released and too many is Led Zeppelin’s best work.

It will be on a double CD, triple CD, double LP, triple LP and a super duper deluxey boxy thingy for good measure.

The Music Zone Corporation is one euro cheaper on the CDs, four and seven euro cheaper on the LPs and seventeen euro cheaper on the super duper boxy thingy than our/ my big faceless, friendless foe in the sky, who wants to gobble up all retail, from nappies to nail varnish…am I showing them to much love….anyway, anyone who wants to throw a nod my way for the Zep….that pass will be very gratefully excepted by the local lads!!…we will stick your name on one, no nail varnish though unless one of the Bowie lads are in the shop at the same time!

zep

Parlophone through Warner have the next in the DAVID BOWIE 40TH anniversary 7” picture disc with the release of “young Americans” on the 20th also.

Warner doing a blast of Vinyl reissues that day also including FLEETWOOD MAC’S “ then play on”, “ klin house” , “ future games” and “ bare trees”, DR John’s “ in the right place” and the fantastically sounding RAY CHARLES duets album “ genius loves company” 10th anniversary ….his last recording before his death I think…a true legend….sample below if its new to you.

raycharles

Warner have a nice priced SHADOWS 5 CD set and a best of BILLY TALENT, a DUSTY SPRINGFIELD DVD as well as new records from KID ROCK and hardcore punk band FALLING IN REVERSE.

The last one I want to mention from Warner is MAHALIA BARNES (JIMMY BARNES daughter) doing a covers album of BETTY DAVIS songs (MILES DAVIS’S WIFE….bitches brew album title attributed to her??….as she was by accounts one sassy funky lady) with the help of guitar virtuoso JOE BONNAMASSA…..( if all that makes sense!!)

Universal has an album by acclaimed producer EMILIE HAYNIE getting very well received ….

They also have a blast of RAINBOW LP reissues including “rising”, a deluxe CD version of JOHN MARTYNS brilliant “grace and danger”, and ALI FARKA TOURE with RY COODER “TALKING TIMBUKTU” on a limited gatefold Vinyl….if you forgot how good it sounds or have never heard it hears a sample below..

Universal also have some nice Jazz LP reissues on the Bluenote label including THELONIUS MONK, SONNY ROLLINS and DON CHERRY.

DAVE GROHL was announced as RECORD STORE DAY ( RSD) ambassador during the week, a great choice, a guy who really believes in the cause and is passionate about it…..is it just me or does he get a tad emotional here in the clip below when he talks about his kids and their records…

http://t.co/sbJ1s0TuuH

recordsd

I have been meaning to speak about RSD for a few weeks and just never got to it.

So here goes….

This is the fourth year that the Music Zone Corporation will partake in RSD….first year that there was a threat of a fee….soon to be more than a threat I would imagine.

It has grown massively since 2012 when I first got involved.

And do not get me wrong here; I think it was an absolutely fabulous idea, and still do by the way once it doesn’t shoot itself in the foot or even worse in the head, which it has the potential to do.

It was the busiest day in the shop in 2014 outside of Christmas week by quite a bit.

But dealing with the record companies for RSD is like dealing with a bank….someone never loses, (and if they do we all chip in so they wont lose again….i wont get sidetracked on banks for to long but got a letter this week from my friendly partly owned by me bank to say they were increasing the charges they apply….12 months ago it cost 32 cent to lodge 100 euro cash in the business account, now its 60 cent….say a big business ( a big business) was lodging 10 k in cash a week, that’s 60 euro to the bank for the 10 second pleasure of putting the money through a counting machine and attributing it to an account…ah Christ don’t get me started on them…lets move back)

I have a very good relationship with most of the record companies and if I have an overstock problem we generally work something out between us, but for RSD all bets are off, what you buy stays with you forever….tough shite if it don’t sell…some retailers posted pictures of their record store day graveyards after last years event.

That’s all fine with me IF it was a level playing field we were playing on, but it aint I am afraid.

You see, this is the scenario for a retailer…….

If you want 5 copies of a limited RSD product, to achieve your 5 copies for your loyal and valued customers ( whom record shop owners like me hate to disappoint) you must show your keenness to get those 5 copies by ordering 15/20 copies…..the more you order the better chance you have of making the qty you desire….but because there is no transparency with it, ultimately you can end up with 15 copies of HENRY MANCINIS PINK PANTHER SOUNDTRACK on yes, you guessed it, pink vinyl ( If you know anyone who is looking for it…..) because sometimes you get what you ordered but not what you really wanted if that makes sense, so you are left with a lot or all of the profit for the day sitting on your shelves for months and months, whilst the record company execs go to lunch with the bankers.

Basically, your orders get cut, so if you want to get the amount you really want, you have to gamble on what % of the order you think they will cut you by…..not a level playing field I think you would agree.

Then from a consumer’s point of view…..

There are a few issues…..a grave one unfortunately is when your favorite bands limited 12 “ record falls into the wrong hands , those hands are only interested in making a quick buck, so you are forced to pay over the odds prices online for it….not good on loads of levels.

The other major issue I would think is the pricing on the product for the day…..retailers I would imagine take the same mark up as usual (well I do anyway) but customers are looking at 15 euro for Nirvana’s “pennyroyal tea “on 7 inch or a Roger Taylor COLOURED NUMBERED record for 50 bucks…..Crazy…..and its not a little thing called love.

There can be some remedies for this issues I believe (I have a few ideas myself which I will share some day soon) but RSD should act soon or what is a brilliant idea and a brilliant day could easily end up shooting itself somewhere it hurts.

Having said all that, I am starting to get excited about RSD, asides from looking at Peter Sellers face everyday, there was a great buzz in the shop last year….kids of all ages going through the racks….it is fantastic for the shop, people in all day long buying long playing vinyl records….as Prince said on presenting the Grammy to BECK for best record “records matter, they do tonight, and they will forever”.

Bit carried away as usual, so I am going to skip through the rest quickly please…

Sony has the new KODALINE LP for the 20th…a step forward sonically I feel with this record and Sony also has a new SCORPIONS album.

Pias has Nick Caves “abbatoir blues/ lyre” 2 CD/DVD reissue as well as two new records from BRANDI CARLILE and PURITY RING which Raymond here gives a thumps up to…quick sample of each below

purity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr5mtKSbd7M

Proper Music has a new album by Irish trad band ALTAN.

I don’t know if many of you read BOB DYLAN’S acceptance speech for the MUSICARES award he received, but it is well worth a read…..

Id say he was saving his breath down da marquee in the summer for this acceptance speech (those of you who were there should find that bit amusing, those who weren’t….well….ye weren’t down there I suppose)

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-bob-dylans-complete-riveting-musicares-speech-20150209

On the local scène, the really talented ANNA MITCHELL was in the shop Friday the13th at 4pm signing copies of her new album and playing some tunes from her new album, which is available in the shop.

Also, we should have some copies of THE HEDGE SCHOOLS “at the end of a winding day” CD in stock towards the end of next week.

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope ye are all doing well enough.

I have had a fairly rough week myself.

A bit of a relationship breakdown I’m afraid, nearly 25 years together , but I felt it was for the best that me and my Johnny Blues parted company.

Man, they are a powerful addiction; it seemed that nearly every thought on Monday revolved around my deadly friend…how life would have no enjoyment ever ever again…..completely absurd irrational thoughts, but yep losing Johnny made me feel that way….but anyway I’m sure ye don’t want to be listening to the battle me and the boy are having so I’ll move on…..

imagine

Universal for Friday the 13th of Feb have the second IMAGINE DRAGONS album, “smoke and mirrors”,

No sign of Vinyl LP with this one for now, which is a bit of a pity, 3 formats of CD, STANDARD, DELUXE AND SUPER DELUXE.

Universal also have new albums from NEYO and THE MAVERICKS, a much talked about debut by MARIKA HACKMAN, reissues from THUNDER and RUSH “ caress of steel” and an interesting BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS release called “  easy skanking in Boston 1978” on a few formats.

 

Warner for the 13th have a new STEVE EARLE record called “ terraplane” out on CD, DELUXE CD and LP.

It goes without saying that Mr. Earle is one of the most consistently excellent musicians and songwriters around, and from my brief listen to this, it again won’t disappoint his fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FPttLYUHz4

steve

 

There is ROEBUCK “POPS” STAPLES last ever recording out through ANTI, WARNER on Feb. 13 also.

Its title is “DON’T LOSE THIS” as these were the words that MAVIS STAPLES father said to her as he gave her the recording whilst he was very ill.

Mavis enlisted the help of her friend Jeff Tweedy to help finish the record.

Warner also have the release of teenage (??) bad girl “I don’t wanna go to school, I just wanna break the rules” CHARLI XCX on the 13th also, as well as some Vinyl reissues from FRANKIE PAUL, YELLOWMAN AND FATHEAD and THE ORDER OF APOLLYON.

 

Pias have no info for the 20th FEB as they are busy moving house as well.

All the big record companies have moved or will have moved house (warehouse) in the last 3 to 4 months.

Sony went back to SONY DADC last October (this plant had been destroyed, burnt to the ground in the London riots a few years ago), Universal are moving their distribution there as well at the end of March.

Pias are moving to CINRAM UK and Warner have moved to CINRAM Germany ( although it feels like WARNER could have moved to Beirut, last Monday two weeks order arrived Tuesday ….only 8 days after, for a 48 hour turnaround…and no Warner new releases ……I am getting to a point, believe it or not.

These moves come down to one thing…..dollars, or saving them.

dollas

2014 was a fairly bad year for the Music industry.

The statistics company Nielsen Music released their report on the state of the game for 2014….not pretty reading from where I was sitting.

Total album sales (units) for CD/VINYL/ DIGITAL were down 11% from 289 million units in 2013 to 257 million units in 2014.

Streaming and Vinyl were the only winners….streaming ( spotify, youtube) up 54% and VINYL up 52% ….Vinyl is now 6% of all physical music sales….CD was down 15% and Digital down 12.5%. (So what you gain on one hand, you lose on the other)

What I am hearing/reading is that the record companies are not going to be putting any money into the ailing; fully loaded pressing plants….they just want to cut back on costs.

Wise??

I really don’t know, if they did pump some money into the pressing plants to upgrade them and invest in new machinery, no doubt the consumer would foot the bill….same as dealing with a bank or insurance company, the record company will get their money back.

And, the new records are dear enough as we speak without increasing the cost of them…..which seems to happen randomly…..Van Morrison LPs increased by 50 % over the last few months due to “manufacturing costs” I was told, from an 18 euro price tag to a 25 euro one.

Rubbish, they are taking more margin…..plain and simple…..the floyds are the same 25 to 30 euro price tags…..cos they know they will get it.

So, it seems as if they are going to sit on their well manicured hands and hope for the best….but 52% growth and not willing to invest in trying to improve service, stock title availability, ease backlog…. is that wise?

stone

Small story,

I have been chasing THE STONE ROSES debut LP from Sony since it sold out around Christmas….it was reissued back in September 2014….i was told today it was deleted….i asked why saying it was a great album and a great seller…..to be told that the next time it is reissued it will sell even more because it was hard to get.

This makes no sense to me, they are still treating the market as if everyone is a mad collector who wants limited rare stuff…..a lot of people I believe want to buy a nice collection of Vinyl records because they enjoy the experience of buying them, looking at them and listening to them….they invest more into the experience and ultimately get more out of it.

So, deleting things to increase demand don’t make sense to me….i think it will piss people off.

There’s a hint of that attitude in RSD but that’s for next week now again.

I suppose the plain and simple point of the last few paragraphs is basically this game is as precarious now as it has always been since I joined the match in 2001.

One major positive from that Nielsen report was that independent shops, (like the Music Zone Corporation), were least affected by the 11% drop in sales….only suffering about a 1% decrease whereas chain stores and supermarkets suffered far greater decreases…..so as Elvis might say and on behalf off all indies…..thank you very much!

 

Sony had nothing worth a mention for the 13th Feb…… (They have a vast enough catalogue of CDs, they could have reissued a few on Vinyl….let it go Raymond)

 

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues from BLACKFOOT “marauder”, RISING SONS which feature both RY COODER and TAJ MAHAL earliest recordings and RON WOOD “ I’ve got my own album to do” ….a dig at Rod Stewart???

 

CARGO has for the 23rd of Feb…

publick

Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space                         Test Card Recordings

LP Limited     TCRVA02X     23/02   5055869501835          (UK Indies Only)

LP      TCRVA02       23/02   5055869501842                     

CD          TCRCDA02    23/02   5055869501859                     

(March Collective Title) NOTE: There will be a limited edition clear plastic, heavyweight vinyl available as an exclusive to independent record stores while stocks last. Press/Radio highlights: Reviews will be across the board, full lists available but highlights include: “Gagarin” added to 6Music playlist B List from now, Marc Riley 6Music session confirmed, Daily Mirror one page feature w/c 23 Feb, Music Week feature – mid Feb, Album reviews in Q, Mojo, UNCUT, London In Stereo, Classic Pop, Prog, Record Collector, Drowned in Sound and many many more. // Following the critical and commercial success of their debut album last year and 18 months’ extensive touring & festival appearances, Public Service Broadcasting are pleased to confirm the release of their eagerly anticipated second album, The Race For Space. To mark the occasion, the band will perform two very special live transmissions from the National Space Centre, Leicester, on 26 & 27 February 2015 – these shows sold out in under 24 hours. After touring USA/Aus/NZ/Canada, PSB will embark on a major UK tour in April / May – dates below. Before all of this, they will be playing 14 dates as the sole support to Kaiser Chiefs on their UK arena tour where they expect to play to 80k+ people around the country – dates below. Recorded at The Pool Studios and Abbey Road in London and, once again working with exclusive archive footage from the British Film Institute, the new record will tell the story of the American & Soviet space race from 1957 – 1972 via the duo’s eccentric mix of guitar-driven electronica, propulsive drumming and spoken word samples culled from this uniquely rich period of modern history. The Race For Space follows Inform – Educate – Entertain, Public Service Broadcasting’s debut album which reached #21 in the UK album charts and was nominated for ‘Best Independent Album’ at the AIM Awards 2013, as well as being The Guardian’s Album of the Week and one of BBC 6Music’s Top 10 albums of 2013. Press Highlights: “They blend the voices of the past with the music of the present to astounding effect” The Independent // “Genuinely original, innovating and amazing” Artrocker Album of the Month // Time Out “Inspirational stuff” // BBC6 Music: “Absolutely, sensationally brilliant” Top 10 Albums of 2013 // “Adrenalised post-rock and electronics..gripping” 4* Mojo // “A sampladelic delight” 4* Independent on Sunday // “Terrific” GQ // “Brilliant” Q Magazine // “An extraordinary debut” The 405 // “A truly exciting, original and innovative band” Loud & Quiet. Live Dates: UK Tour dates: 22 APRIL Brighton Corn Exchange, 23Bristol O2 Academy, 24 Portsmouth Pyramids, 25 Cambridge Corn Exchange, 28 Sheffield The Foundry, 29 Manchester Ritz, 30 Newcastle Riverside 1 MAY Inverness The Ironworks, 2 Glasgow O2 ABC 3 Belfast Mandela Hall, 5 Dublin Button Factory, 6 Birmingham The Institute, 7 London Roundhouse. Short biog: Taking in archive material from a variety of sources the new album sees the corduroy-clad J. Willgoose, Esq. and his faithful drumming companion, Wrigglesworth, continue their mission statement to Inform, Educate & Entertain. Through both the record and their uniquely spell-binding live audio-visual ‘Transmissions’, audiences witness the band weave samples from these films around live drums, guitar, banjo and electronics, creating an array of diverse tracks. What emerges is, by turns, thrilling, moving, funny and powerful. The Independent’s Simon Price said of the band : “In their love of history, and their understanding of the dignity of the wartime generation, they remind me of British Sea Power, although Stereolab are closer sonically. PSB are progressive without the florid ornamentation of Prog, dense and complex with not a semiquaver wasted. It’s an industrious, diligent sound, and, in the flesh, surprisingly danceable: slamming chemical beats accompanied by old cine footage, providing a peculiar opportunity to party to Pathe news”

 

Brian Jonestown Massacre  – Tepid Peppermint Vol 2                               ‘a’ Recordings

2LP180g         AUK027LP     23/02   5055869507363

This comes for the first time on 180g vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. Re-mastered for vinyl.This 22 track compilation spans the years 1995 – 2004 featuring key tracks from all their albums as well and live recordings and many unreleased tracks.BJM has been essential in the development of the modern U.S. garage scene, and many LA and SF musicians got their start playing with Newcombe, including Peter Hayes of The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Originally Newcombe was heavily influenced by The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic phase – the name comes from Stones guitarist Brian Jones combined with a reference to cult leader Jim Jones, but his work in the 2000s has expanded into aesthetic dimensions approximating the UK Shoegazing genre of the 1990s and incorporating influences from world music, especially Middle Eastern and Brazilian music.

 

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC has

Kicking off with singles this week – first up from Southend and riding a wave of fuzz are Asylums with their debut EP on Cool Thing Records. Next up from Death Waltz Record Co we’ve got the first ever official release of Frankie Vinci – Angela’s Song on a white 7 and from the stables of the excellent Hypercolour House of Black Lanterns smashes it out the ground with The Smack.

 

Loads of albums to plough through this week. We welcoming to the RoM fold this week soundtrack powerhouse Mondo – and they’ve got four releases straight off the bat this week with Jurassic Park, The Iron Giant, Pet Semetary and Cat in the Brain. From Springfield, Massachusetts All That Remains return with their seventh album of metalcore on Razor and Tie, and at the other end of the scale, The Balkan Clarinet Summit ramp it up with eastern flavoured jazz and classical noodlings. From Death Waltz we’ve got the original Indonesian score to the fantastic The Raid on 140g grey vinyl and from across the pond Dave Nada and Matt Nordstrom A.K.A. Nadastrom bring their new album of techno groovers and genre bending club anthems on Dubsided. Noisia are here to celebrate Ten Year of Vision Recordings with a double CD and beautiful book of Vision artwork that comes with a download code. Spectres – one of the loudest bands we’ve ever heard at RoM bring their new album on the mighty Sonic Cathedral – they are going to slay it in 2015 and after a colossal 35 year break – Bristolians The Pop Group return with Citizen Zombie, which is racking up some great reviews in the press. Also new to the RoM stable the effortlessly cool Kitsune releases their latest slick compilation, with the back catalogue titles to follow shortly. From Ram Records this week Audio is the latest artist to step up to the RAMlife series, also with a 12” sampler to accompany. From the wilds of southern Germany, SCNTST releases his second album on BNR and we’ve got the compilation Four Seasons Lounge that may or may not be compiled be a famous German electronic artists – we couldn’t possibly say. Finally there’s a LP version of the new OK GO on a one weeker

On the local scene, we have our own ANNA MITCHELL who launched her beautiful new album “down to the bone” in Music Zone, Douglas Court, Cork on Friday the 13th at 4 pm.

annamit

ANNA sang and signed the album on the day.

Check out her gorgeous lead single here from the new record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bc7nSvDWpk

 

As always check out our website for new records like…

https://musiczone.ie/

 

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,
Hope ye are all well…..
Quite a bit for me to ramble on about tonight so I will cut to the chase and try not to get too sidetracked…
I will start with Warner releases for Friday the 6TH of February.
 rhian
First up with Warner is an album by RHIANNON GIDDENS (CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS) and the record company are expecting some darn fine results (units) from this one….I have heard a lot of it….they send a link for the albums they want to push and I suppose, records they ultimately believe in, and it is a really nice listen, but whether it will do the business, we will have to wait and see…..check the aul attachment on her.
Warner also has a ROXETTE 30 greatest hits CD (timing about two months askew) and a mid price METAL MATTERS compilation covering an A to Z of influential metal acts down through the years.
Warner on the Vinyl front for the 6th has two nice MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE reissues” three cheers for sweet revenge’ and “ the black parade”, the new JOHNNY MARR 7” single, the music of LLEWYN DAVIS live called “ another place, another time” on triple LP…expensive…some great artists perform on it….. EXHUMED “gore metal redux” (a reworking of there classic album) and BLACK RIVERS which are the two brothers from Manchester band DOVES.
Warner as I mentioned last week have moved warehouse (has been a bit of a disaster since Christmas really with them for stock, when you are competing with the clinical spirits in the sky, you need to get the stock orders in and not 30% of what you order).
So they have moved the warehouse from a site in the UK to one in Germany and have said there will be a more efficient service…lets see if the Germans are all there cracked up to be!…new warehouse went “live’ (that’s the buzz word I hear anyway) last Monday and the Music Zone Corporation placed a sizeable order for a small indie shop mainly because I have not got much since Christmas, but alas 72 hours later if we fast forward to tomorrow morning….no goodies….on what is supposed to be a 48 hour turnaround…teething problems I hope….to be fair, the last crowd were a  disaster…stock turnaround was ok but constantly missing stuff from orders, wrong invoicing, no reply’s to queries, I could go on….
Seeing as I am having a bit of a moan and as Macbeth might say “I am steeped in blood so far, that to return is as tedious as to go o’r” ,i had to register for RECORD SHOP DAY this week, by tomorrow actually, and there was talk of a 60 euro fee this year to register….nothing came of it in the end. (For this year anyway)
I think there was 280 or 290 shops in the UK and here at home involved in RSD last year….that’s a nice chunk of change for the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) if they start looking for a registration fee…I didn’t even have to send a cribbing email (not that my email would count) but it seemed the fee had disappeared……
macbeth
I am getting a bit sidetracked now but I have a few views on RSD from a retailer and consumers point of view which I will voice next week (otherwise it could be a late one and I don’t want to bore ye to death with the exciting problems of a  record shop )
 
PIAS has the next two NICK CAVE LP reissues “ let love in” and “ no more shall we part” out on the 13th of February and the  first three SIGUR ROS double LPs get the reissue treatment also ( these include the CD in the LP).
PIAS also have a release by S.CAREY or Sean Carey or BON IVER (fierce exciting, like working for the MI5 or the Irish equivalent) on a limited Vinyl…..here’s where the excitement ends….because even though I have my hat in the ring for a few….safe to say the 200 copies available wont leave the UK.
kodaline
Sony has the new album by KODALINE and as with all the Irish bands out there I hope they sell loads….LP is a couple of weeks down the line…..Sony are the worst of the suppliers for giving an LP release date and then changing it at the last second….DYLAN’s new LP coming out now in a week or so I am told….found that out today….its due out tomorrow!
Sony also has the physical Vinyl release of the new D’ANGELO and the VANGUARD record “the black messiah”, his third album, the CD came out pre Santa and done very little yet there is a lot of interest in the LP release….23 euro with your local record shop….24 pounds sterling with the biggest beast in the sky…..just hope Sony don’t email me next Thursday to say its coming out in June……still very unusual for an LP to outsell a CD on a standard new album release….jack white did it last year but he was about the only one….those in the know tell me that D’angelo wants people to REALLY hear the record and that is why there is so much interest in the great Vinyl…..tip hats to the D’angelo fans for that….
dangelo
UNIVERSAL biggest release for the 6th of Feb. is the 50 shades of grey soundtrack…the rep tells me the film company are spending 5 million euro on advertising the film….that would feed a lot of mouths for a long time….its a mad world.
UNI have a deluxe version of the ST VINCENT recent album with 5 extra tracks….great for those who don’t own it but a right pisser for those who do!
New albums also from UNI by MELISSA ETHERIDGE (quite good id say) JACK SAVORETTI and TWIN PEAKS.
 
MUSIC ON VINYL have a nice couple of releases for the middle of February including the brilliant debut records by both FAITHLESS and SINEAD O CONNOR, a grammy winning MUDDY WATERS live LP,  MILES DAVIS and MARCUS MILLER” SIESTA “ soundtrack and Harry Connick’s “ when a man loves a woman” soundtrack.
 
PROPER has TOWNES VAN ZANDT “late great townes van zandt” LP and the UK SUBS LP reissues out next week.
 
The new JOSE GONZALEZ record from ESSENTIAL is pushed back a week now to the 20th Feb.
 
Here is the latest on REPUBLIC OF MUSIC releases……
Singles – 2 beauties for you – Lonely Boy “I Like Disco” on Futureboogie a 3 track 12″ including an Emperor Machine Disco To Go Special Dub Mix & The Wave Pictures “I Could Hear The Telephone (3 floors above me) 7” on Moshi Moshi which is b/w “Walking On The Water” a Creedence Clearwater Rivial cover with Billy Childish. Nice 
 
Albums – The wise words of Zen Buddhist Alan Watts gathered on what’s billed as the first psychedelic album “This Is It” on Numero, originally released in 1962 this pre dates the Acid Tests of the mid 60s; things were getting pretty cosmic… also on that plane we have a limited special pressing of Matt Berrys “Opium” on orange vinyl – 100 copies for retail. OK Go are back with their 4th album “Hungry Ghosts” on Paracadute/BMG great support from Radio 2 on the single and they return to the UK for a one off show at London’s Koko on 13th February; and finally this week to help you with the post Christmas health kick (?) we have VA “Detox Music” a 2CD at single price on 7 Star Music.
 
On the local scene, there is a great local festival happening next weekend the 6th to 8th on South and North Main Street….some great home grown artists will be playing gigs all over the weekend including O EMPEROR, THE ALTERED HOURS, CIAN NUGENT and ELASTIC SLEEP amongst them….for more info check out
 
Also this week got some copies of Limerick’s finest FOX JAW on glorious looking Vinyl and CD.
 
Last but certainly not least, I heard some tracks today from THE SHAKER HYMN’s new forthcoming record and I have to say I was hugely impressed.
I really liked the last album “ RASCAL’S ANTIQUE” as we all did in the shop, its back in stock now, but the new songs are a step up again, really really great  tunes….indie rock….the lads could be the biggest band out of Cork since the Franks…basically folks and I’m not bullshitting here these lads should be heard….i know I have banged on about them before…but this sounds like it could be a great album….one of the tunes “ sucking it out” has the most blissful riffs I have heard in ages and with a little tweaking and luck could be a big radio friendly hit….well worth checking out folks….THE SHAKER HYMN  http://theshakerhymn.bandcamp.com/
 
Check out our website
 
Thanks as always for listening,
Sin e
Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping well enough.

Sony for Friday the 30th of January has the new BOB DYLAN record “shadows of the night”, which is a covers album of Sinatra big band tunes.

Bob has stripped them down to a five piece band….brave move sir.

Dylan (love him or not feeling much love at all,  will go down in the annals of history as an incredible artist)  has said in the past that “people seldom do what they believe in, they do what is convenient, then repent”

I don’t think anyone can say you are doing the convenient thing  Bob….leaving you and your voice wide open for criticism more likely.

I have to say the two tracks I have heard, were vocally delivered very well.

The boss man of Sony has being gushing about the album……blah blah blah maybe.

I am reliably informed the LP comes with a copy of the CD….so not to bad I suppose for 22 euro.

Some of my friendless faceless foes in the sky are asking for 21 pounds!! And some id say, to deliver it…..just doing my local duty folks!!

I have heard quite a few Dylan tales/stories over the years….arriving at Jack Whites house at the crack of dawn in a big bus driven by Bob, to listen to Jack’s records and having to be asked politely to leave much much later that night, only to return the following morning at the crack of dawn again in his bus to start the process again….jack must have been thinking, “how am I gonna get rid of yer man”.

Bob wanted to hear some rare old blues records; I was told it was Jack’s wife had the blues by the end of the week.

I know Bob was spotted a few years back walking along in the direction of hayfield manor between the dole office and St Finbarr’s cathedral, around the time of one of his gigs down da marquee… a balmy summers night… he was first noticed because he had a long black coat on him (oh mercy me, in that heat)….you just never know who is maudlin around the city.

Someone in the shop told me recently how they were out in St Olivier’s cemetery and Brian May from Queen asked him and his wife did they know where Rory’s grave was.

bobbyd

Pias have a few really nice releases for Friday the 6th of February.

Firstly, I would like to mention THE DISTRICTS, only kids from America, 19 and 20 years of age, have a listen to them and it is a near impossibility to stop your head from bobbing up and down….ones to seriously watch I feel. If they don’t wear cowboy boots and checkered shirts ill take a copy please.

Pias also have the new records from FATHER JOHN MISTY and TWO GALLANTS as well as a load more NICK CAVE reissues on CD/DVD including the beautiful “BOATMANS CALL” album ….just Nick and his piano mainly.

I am watching the BBC series PEAKY BLINDERS a bit at the moment (very watchable it is to…on sale in the Music Zone corporation also) and Nick seems to jump in and sing a tune every 15 or 20 minutes. (Not physically jump in)

Another two of the NICK CAVE Vinyl reissues are out on the 6th of February as well, namely “Henry’s Dream” and “the Murder Ballads”.

Murder Ballads was Nick’s most commercially successful album, maybe down to the fact that MTV ( at the time 1996, it was still a really good music channel, I don’t know what the rest of ye think but for all the MTV music channels on the telly right now….i don’t think they are great at all, they certainly don’t show much new  and interesting stuff…my opinion anyway but hey each to their own) seemed to have the duet with KYLIE “ where the wild roses grow” on repeat nearly.

That year MTV even nominated NICK for best male artist but he asked them to withdraw his nomination….which they did…..so Nick must have thought it was a shite music channel back then as well…..what do I know!

Shaggy won best male artist that year in the MTV awards…..that was a joke…I don’t know who won it… I hope now it wasn’t Shaggy!! ha

nicholascave

Universal have a new record from DIANA KRALL out on the 30th January…she has sold nearly 20 million records I think and people refer to her, as I will now, as ELVIS COSTELLO’s wife…..she must love that.

An interesting one from a guy called BLAKE MILLS, his second album, getting some serious reviews in the music mags.

There is a best of GAMMA RAY out on the 30th of January also and some RICK WAKEMAN ( YES) reissues…..speaking earlier of random sightings of great rock stars….my friends and I were on a stag in Swansea of all places a few years back when one of the lads said “ look its yer man Noel Edmonds from the telly” ….it turned out to be the aforementioned Rick, having a bite of lunch with his family….the seriously bleary eyed Cork boys left him in peace as they had to rush to catch the ferry from hell….lucky for him, being told he was mistaken for Noel Edmond’s could have turned him off his Yorkshire pudding.

rick

Music on Vinyl have the JIMI HENDRIX tribute album “ stone free” reissued, as well as reissues of JULEE CRUISE and STAN GETZ ( all attached)

Essential have the new record by THE SUBWAYS for the 6th.

PROPER has ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN’S self titled 5th album, the last with drummer PETE DE FREITAS….who left the band after the 4TH album…ocean rain was 4th I think…..the band tried 4 or 5 different drummers in the recording sessions for this 5th album but none worked out, so they brought their long time band mate DE FREITAS back as a hired hand (not as a member of the band) for the recording of the fifth album….there was savage friction during the recording, but still a good album.

echo

Warner has nada for the 30th January as they are closed this past few days on account of moving warehouse….i ordered 129 units of stock from Warner early this week, when they were still open, and I received 41 units….not a great fill rate….so if anyone is waiting on a special order from any of the Warner labels…please bear with me.

Things can only get better….he hopes.

Sin e for this week folks

Check our website for new records in….got a delivery from the states this week so should be all up on the site by the end of the weekend hopefully.

https://musiczone.ie/new-products-vinyl-records

Thanks for listening as always,

Ray.

Music Zone Header Logo_edited-1 (3)

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good with ye…

Nothing major out for the 23rd of January but a nice few bits and pieces all the same.

I will start with Universal who has the new album by Irish band JAPE.

Richie Egan has being doing the rounds for quiet a few years now having started out (I think) with THE REDNECK MANIFESTO a good ten or fifteen years ago.

This is JAPE’s fifth record and not that I am an avid fan but what I know of them has always being good.

You would know the song “floating” if you heard it and maybe “ Phil Lynott” also and the opening single ( if that’s what they are even called these days!) from this record “ the hearts desire” is a really good tune also.

So another really good hardworking Irish band who probably deserve a lot more success than they will ever get….check them out if you don’t know already.

jape

I think they have something more than a lot of the other Irish bands signed to majors.

Universal has a new album by GAZ COOMBES of Supergrass fame ( I know ye know)….this record has been getting 4 and 5 star reviews, Supergrass didn’t really float my boat to be honest ( “ we are young, we run free, we’ve got teeth nice and clean” ….some might say that’s about all ye had.)

But, I did see our GAZ on something recently doing a little solo acoustic thing and I must say it caught my ear and I listened on….more than just clean teeth I thought, more mature, which is probably more than you can say for some!

Speaking of what some might say, our boy Noel (Gallagher) had a pop off the golden boy ED SHEERAN this past week saying something along the lines of I don’t want to live in a world where ED SHEERAN sells three nights out at Wembley….ED retorted with something along the lines of it’s a pretty fine world to me. (Always nice is our ED)

Now, the two boys could have being having a pint the other night for all we know and the conversation could have went something like this,

NOEL: I’m doing this NME f*** ing thing tomorrow to promote the album.

ED: ah sure, it has to be done, a load of balls I know.

NOEL: I’ll be asked the usual boring f***ing questions about our kid and all that Oasis rubbish

ED: why don’t you have a pop at me at the interview?

NOEL: jays , that’s a great f***ing idea.

edsh

You get my drift I take it; everything in business has some sort of angle that’s what I’m saying, especially if you are selling something.

Me doing this is an angle, trying to get ye guys to buy records from me and not some other place in the sky or elsewhere. (Now that’s only a baby example, don’t worry about it!)

Now, I could be way off the mark also, and Noel could think his music’s shite and it keeps him all night, worrying about all ED’s success!

Really like the new Noel Gallagher tune btw.

Seen as I’m on rock n roll spats, ROBBIE WILLIAMS has moved in next door to JIMMY PAGE and they are having a barney over planning permission for some bay windows I believe….very rock n roll fellas….

Anyway, tangent over….

Universal also have new albums by POND and NATALIE PRASS as well as TYRANNOSAURUS REX reissues of “my people are fair” “prophets, seers..” and “ unicorn” across 3 formats, CD, deluxe CD and double LP.

Lastly, Universal have two reissues from the genius that was JOHN MARTYN, namely “piece by piece” and “sapphire” ,again on the same three formats as the T-REX.

Oh sorry, they also have a LYNYRD SKYNYRD 6 LP box set and some nice bluenote Jazz reissues including HERBIE HANCOCK and ART BLAKEY.

jmarty

Warner have a debut album by a girl called RAE MORRIS….is it a name that will go down in the rock n roll hall of fame ….here is what’s being said about her..

Rae Morris is becoming the country’s most beloved singer songwriter” – Zane Lowe

“A pop star in waiting”- Clash

“Stunning”- The Independent

“A truly gifted songwriter” – NME Magazine

“Morris’s debut album is going to be sensational”- Sunday Times Culture

“One of the UK’s finest young talents”- The Line Of Best Fit

“The singer’s keening melodies and lustrous vocals suggest Adele might have to defend her World Piano Balladry title” – The Guardian

rae

Warner also has new albums by THE PUNCH BROTHERS, PAPA ROACH, GOV’T MULE featuring JOHN SCHOFIELD and a seemingly very nice J.J CALE unreleased recordings on Vinyl.

PIAS have a debut album by a band called ALL WE ARE which have an Irish lad Richard O Flynn as a member of the three piece…all three met in college in Liverpool.

They have a bit of a bee gees sound going on, only a bit dreamier and trippy, with underpants maybe even tighter, if that is possible.

Limerick born Richard D James aka APHEX TWIN has a new EP coming out…he’s a mass of business of all a sudden after was it a 13 year hiatus….(” Syro” is up for a Grammy as well as a Meteor) and I have to mention the title of the new EP, ITS “ COMPUTER CONTROLLED ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS PART 2 “

meg

BLIND GUARDIAN has a new metal album and I personally like the sound of SUNDOWNERS….ala Cocteau twins.

SONY has the debut album by MEGHAN TRAINOR which they I’m sure, and me also for that matter, hope will be a massive smash.

SONY also has the TV advertised NOW POWER BALLADS which again we hope will be a massive smash!

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC for the 30th Jan….

Singles – Two this week, from the RAM stables we have a double 12″ pack from Frankee “All For One EP” & the 3rd single to be taken from the forthcoming The Charlatans album “Come Home Baby” on limited 7″.

Albums – Next from the Numero Group is the heartworn country/folk of Jeff Cowell “Lucky Strikes and Liquid Gold” I like this a lot! John Carpenter, yes the mighty John Carpenter releases his debut solo album, this is also cracking “Lost Themes” on Sacred Bones. More greatness as New York’s Mincha’s releases his second album “Thousand Thursday” on Ghostly; a double 12” repress of the seminal Mount Kimbie album “Crooks & Lovers”, Nite Fields debut album “Depersonalistion” on Felte and finally a recording of the fantastic live show from Fabio Frizzi “Frizzi 2 Fulci – Live At Union Chapel” a couple of us here had the pleasure of going to that show, it was pretty special.

Check out our website for comings anyway….

Home

sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

I’m off to brush my teeth.

Ray.

Happy New Year!

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Hi Everyone

Its time to get back on the horse…it’s a new dawn, it’s a new light, it’s a new day and I’m feeling….well more likely I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour but heaven knows and all that…

Christmas was descent enough in the shop…very much the same as last year give or take a few euro.

Had a few days off over the period which were nice, got a few books from Santa….got the Brian O Driscoll one as probably a third of the men in the country did.

Not to give out about our Brian (as I have the utmost respect for the man, a pure warrior on the pitch, he would have put his head where most of us would not put our kitchen sink) but it was a very safe book, enjoyable enough read but he certainly did not piss to many people off….safe safe safe.

I suppose he is still involved in punditry and did not want to be giving out about ex team mates, coaches or opponents’, so that must be respected I suppose.

It was a pity himself and Paul Kimmage could not get the book done together as Kimmage is a great sports writer and the book would have being all the better for it.

I had a bar stool conversation with a few of my friends over Christmas and one maybe cynical opinion was that Kimmage and O Driscoll went separate ways because Kimmage was trying to the dig the dirt on drugs in the game….more likely is I feel that Kimmage was just not getting enough juicy bits from Drico….although he is fairly obsessed with the drugs in sport issue, so who knows maybe there is a bit of truth to the first opinion also.

seankelly

I also read Sean Kelly’s autobiography (in Kimmage’s drug filled sport cycling) and it was a very insightful and enjoyable read.

Man, drugs or no drugs and I don’t have a clue which, he was one tough hombre on the bike….it is such a pity it’s not a clean sport as it is certainly one of the toughest.

But where there is huge money involved in sports these days, and every tiny percentage of improvement can be crucial, I suppose one has to constantly question the use of drugs in sport, or men like Paul Kimmage will do it anyway, and that’s needed also I feel.

Last in the book reviews (I shall get done to business very soon), and I saved the best wine till last, I am reading the ALAN MCGEE autobiography (he was the founder of the Creation record label as most of ye will know who was home to THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, PRIMAL SCREAM (bobby Gillespie being his oldest and closest friend) and off course OASIS.

Even though I am only 3 chapters in….it is a fascinating read, funny, open, mad and sad (what a horrible upbringing the man had) ….i shall keep ye posted but a serious thumps up so far.

Irvine Welsh amongst others had some comments at the start and he said “essential reading for anyone interested in music and culture in the 90’s before it was all swamped by the surgical spirit sterility of the global marketplace”.

Ooh I did like that!….gone is my beasts in the sky analogy, thank you Mr. Welsh I will be using the surgical spirit sterility of the global marketplace instead!!

alanmagee                   irvinewelsh

Ok so,

Sony has the new Mark Ronson CD out on the 16th Jan and it will be one of the biggest releases for the start of the year.

Most of you have probably heard the excellent BRUNO MARS tune as the first single from the record…its a cracker.

But there are collaborations also with STEVIE WONDER (twice) and KEVIN PARKER from TAME IMPALA fame (three times) amongst others….so it looks like it could a very interesting record….hopefully says he!

markron                      jbrow

The LP version was due to come out on the 23rd of January, but it seems to have slipped off the release schedule, but I will keep ye posted on its arrival.

The New Year with the Vinyl records seems to be and will continue to be strewn with delays….this record the first of many to be delayed.

I read an article earlier about OPTIMAL pressing plant in Germany about 90 kms from Berlin, one of the biggest and probably the best record pressing plant out there.

They pressed records 24 hours a day for 364 days last year….doing about 50,000 records a day, but there is a lack of working machinery out there so plants are struggling to keep up with the demand.

Chart LP was a let down at Christmas…yes you heard me right….chart LP!!

We couldn’t get stock of some/most of the chart topping titles.

Ed Shearan was the biggest selling CD by a bit and we had no stock on LP from early December, Hozier was another stock issue on LP as well as Royal Blood and War on Drugs…..i suppose in one sense that’s a great complaint for an unsterile, unsurgical yet spirited independent record shop….but not ideal either in the quest of the important dollars at Christmas!!

The link is below for anyone interested in reading it.

There is a picture in it and if you super imposed Walter White into it, you would think it is one of his makeshift meth labs!

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/07/-sp-vinyls-difficult-comeback

vinylplant

 

Universal has new releases and debut I think by Dublin duo HUDSON TAYLOR and they also have a new FALL OUT BOY album on CD only for now it appears.

(The latest Universal Vinyl listing has a few nice price reductions.)

Warner does not have very much to talk about for next Friday in my opinion except maybe LUPE FIASCO’s new one

Music on Vinyl (MOV) has a few nice reissues for the end of the month including ELVIS COSTELLO, THE ISLEY BROTHERS and Curtis Mayfield.

 

waterboys

Proper have the new WATERBOYS ALBUM OUT ON FRIDAY next.

Looking forward to a listen to that one….I was only a young fella when I saw them in the city hall 25 years ago!

An unforgettable night for reasons best not mentioned on this page.

Proper also have the new ALAN KELLY GANG CD (TOP QUALITY TRAD)

New releases also from REPUBLIC OF MUSIC for next few weeks which include new albums by AQUALUNG and THE CHARLATANS.

Plastichead have limited edition live LPs (349 of each only pressed, aimed at collectors….saucy on the pocket but on lovely splattered colored Vinyl if you are into that kind of thing…..let me know if interested as don’t think I will take the plunge and buy otherwise)by JOY DIVISION, BAUHAUS, DEVO and THE RAMONES.

PLASTICHEAD also have reissues by THE ANIMALS, ENTOMBED AND PROCOL HAREM.

Tim Wheeler Lost Domain

Just a quick side note here, being listening to the new TIM WHEELER album ( ASH) for the last few days after hearing a lot of good things about it and really enjoying it, it is very mature and emotional, spine tingling at times when you know the whole album is about his fathers battle and ultimate demise caused by dementia.

I’m sure your dear old man George would be, or is incredibly proud of his son, wherever he is……it’s a beautiful record Tim.

Some nice piano by your dear old man also.

Pias for today have two KINKS reissues, village green and Arthur……in store now!!

Pias for next Friday have quite a few to mention, the new BELLE AND SEBASTIAN will be here, ENTER SHIKARI is out, queens of rock SLEATER- KINNEY have a new one and THE DECEMBERISTS have their seventh offering as well as a debut album by MENACE BEACH who some of the UK music press are tipping for good things including being close to the top of most of the end of year lists for 2015…way to far ahead for this brain to compute for one.

PIAS FOR THE 23RD OF JAN have reissues from ANN PEEBLES, MOTORHEAD on CD reissues, NICK CAVE CD/DVD reissues and an interesting new one from KITTY,DAISY AND LEWIS THE THIRD… produced by MICK JONES.

ON THE LOCAL SCENE, STEVIE G’s cracking new single is out featuring the gorgeous vocals of CHRISTINA UNDERWOOD….check it out below….if you can get BRUNO to duet with Christina on the next single or maybe STEVIE WONDER..!!

Stevie decks    steviegee

Stevie has been and always will be I suspect, a great supporter of the local music scene in this city.

Stevie G featuring Christiana Underwood & Walshy “Not about that” (single and video)

Stevie G and Christiana Underwood have just released the follow up to their “Deep down south” single on soul jamz records, a cork independent music label. “Not about that” is again co-produced by Ian Ring and features Walshy on keys, bass and guitar.

The video was shot live by Damien Murphy of Limbo Media and is a celebration of vinyl culture and vintage stores. Stevie and Christiana did 7 pop up shows in various Cork locations on Culture night, joined by some of their friends from other local acts

there’s a vinyl 45 out with both of the labels two singles so far on one record.

Check out the Music Zone website for what’s coming in and hopefully going out!

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Sin e for this week,

Happy New Year to ye all,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Hope ye are all well.

This week’s releases are mainly centered on Friday the 28th of November.

It has being a turbulent year for AC/DC, firstly Malcolm Young, founder of the band, had to retire from the group due to ill health back in April after being diagnosed with dementia (was suffering a bit since 2007 but is now in full time care at the age of just 61, terribly sad) and then just three weeks before the launch of AC/DC s new album “Rock or Bust”, their drummer Phil Rudd was arrested on charges of basically paying a hit man to murder two other men.

Initially, I must admit, I thought this was a publicity stunt taken from Mr. Paul Hewson’s book of unused stunts on how to promote your new album but alas it seems to be fairly accurate and looks as if Phil Rudd has being fired from AC/DC for the second time and could well face some prison time.

Rudd was fired the first time in 1983 when himself and Malcolm where in nearly constant conflict, verbally and physically, it is a sad and difficult end to there AC/DC careers now for both men.

AC/DC’s new one is out on the 28th.

acdc

(Speaking of the Bono lad above, I must say the acoustic session tracks on the new album are top notch)

 

Sony also has a new, sincerely L.Cohen live album from the O2 in Dublin, recorded last year.

It is available across 3 formats…3 CD, 3CD/DVD or 3 CD/BLURAY…it is supposed to be a stunning recording.

Now, if you read last weeks ramblings, you would have heard some of my thoughts and views on why record shops have gone under or maybe will all go under, ( hopefully not says he) I could have on till dawn talking about it.

This week a wise man (well an older man anyway) had his thoughts on it, here is what he had to say:

Morning Ray, great news letter again and if I may can I throw my tuppence worth in the ring. You write about how downloading legal or illegal is killing the industry( not all on its own, but its not helping). Remember when the companies ran a campaign saying that HOME TAPING is killing the record industry!!!! Really? The same as my mam knitting at home was killing the clothing industry!!! I tell you whats killing the whole thing. Greed…Greed by the record labels. Looking at the new releases I see that Imelda Mays TRIBAL is being re-released with 5 new tracks. This drives me crazy. They want me to buy the album twice. F**K that…. I’ll download from ‘the bay’. Thats whats killing the goose that lays the golden egg. The labels can only blame themselves. I know many music fans who download…BUT….they also buy product. Most of the time they download to see what a particular artist/music is like and the will end up buying the entire back catalogue…So let the labels look to themselves to see where the problem lies…..Its only roc’n’ roll but I like it…….Besides all that hows trix…..Rant over

leo

Fair points I think you would agree, the reissue with the extra few tracks is a killer, and really harms the pocket of a physical buyer….not fair.

But the labels don’t care, (and I suppose I have to be somewhat careful here as obviously I need and want a good relationship with them, but these decisions are not made by the good sound people I deal with day to day but by big suits in the great city of London.)

The major labels anyway, are a bit like the banks here, the game is rigged so they don’t lose.

Basically they own the sweets, they sell them to me (small indie retailer or the Music Zone Corporation if you prefer), to chain stores ( golden discs), to supermarkets ( blah, blah, blah) to online rulers of the retail world ( blah, blah, blah) and they own the rights to any legal downloads….they have most angles covered once the bold boys don’t liberate too many sweets.

Quick recent example of, lets call them…. antics, by a record company….Depeche Mode released a 2 CD/DVD very recently retailing at 40 quid, Leonard Cohen’s forthcoming 3 CD/ DVD will be 27 quid.

Manufacturing, distribution, royalty costs I would imagine would be pretty similar for both releases….there is very little advertising costs for the Mode release whereas there will be quite a few bob spent on the Cohen release.

Why then you ask is there a 13 euro difference in price?

Those boys in London town know that the Mode have a real hardcore fan base and will pay the Johnny cash (record company probably knows within 5/10% how many units of the Mode release they will sell) whereas with the Cohen, it has a more crossover appeal but would not work in the market at a 40 euro price point….people may take or leave it….

Anyway, I had better drive on or I might get any sleep or any stock for that matter for Christmas.

Sony also has a soundtrack to “Gone Girl” by Trent Reznor (nine inch nails) out on the 28th.

take da

Universal have the new Take That album out on the 28th aptly called “III” ….last time I looked I thought there was 5 of them?…is Robbie gone again?

Had some real catchy pop tunes in recent years to be fair and Herr Barlow writes those songs as well to be fair…. So, let it shine….45 million albums sold and still counting.

New releases also from Universal by McBusted and Kiesza , Vinyl box sets of Blondie and Rod Stewart as well as a Rat Pack Vinyl reissue and Massive Attacks “ mezzanine” gets the LP reissue treatment….blue lines by them is a classic record…..this one is good.

Lastly from Universal is the Band Aid 30 single, due for physical CD release on the 5th of December….all profits go to the charity….well when I say all profits that’s not exactly the whole truth….Enda and his boys and girls take their 23% first and then the rest goes to charity….that kind of galls me to be perfectly honest….it is the same with all charity releases….talk about leading by example.

Speaking of Enda and his boys and girls, (and this is no way going to become any sort of political rambling, music and a hint of sport for me, when the hurling comes back) this past week has me thinking of the Fun Boy Three song “THE LUNATICS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE ASYLUM”, Terry Hall could have wrote that song in the Dail bar during the week….WHAT A FARCE.

Warner have new releases by NICO&VINZ, the WU-TANG CLAN, WILCO best of and rarities box set, EVA CASSIDY LP reissues, PRINCE’S new albums get there release on LP, LP reissues by OFFSPRING and RANCID on epitaph and GAVIN JAMES has a live at Whelan’s CD release.

smash

Pias has the new SMASHING PUMPKINS record on CD and Vinyl , a JOHN GRANT live album with the BBC philharmonic orchestra, the CZARS best of compilation and a mini covers album by JONATHAN WILSON.

On the local scene, the MUSIC ZONE Corporation is pleased to announce two upcoming in store performances and signings by up and coming Irish artists.

First up is the fantastic local lad JOHN BLEK (have I told ye how good he/ they are….stop me ohoooohhh stop me, stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one

before) who is coming into the shop on Saturday the 6th December to help launch his new solo album ‘ the cutting room floor” ….so please come along if you are around. Time TBC.

Secondly, we have the Voice of Ireland winner BRENDAN MCCAHEY who will be with us on Wednesday the 10th of December at 4.30….spread the word please

brendan                                                                              super

Right, I’m off to buy a large water gun and go look around the city for Enda and his boys and girls so

Sin e,

Thanks,

Ray.

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Hi Everyone,

Its coming into the seasonal/ festive time of year….(ho ho ho and all that) and a lot of the music releases are aimed at the Christmas Market.

And I am not complaining about that, I complain enough!

Shops like us (the Music Zone Corporation) depend on Christmas; we would traditional do between 25 and 30% of our annual turnover in December and over 10% in last 3 or 4 days up to Christmas.

A lot of you who read this regularly are the heartbeat of the shop, and only for ye there would not be a shop and a big sincere thanks for that, but a good Christmas with people who may only visit the shop once a year is nearly equally as important

santa

The music retail game has changed so much since I started in Golden Disc’s in 1993, back then the only way you could buy music was by walking into a store or you could have yours fingers on the play and record buttons as you were listening to Dave Fanning….they have a word for that these days.

A line we hear every day or two in the shop is “ da downloading must be killing ye” and yep the truth of the matter is downloading either legally or what’s that other word have culled nearly 60% of the music shops in the country in the last decade or so ( coupled with the aul recession….green branches and all that now huh)

But people now have so many options when it comes to listening to music, you can pay for it or not pay for it, buy it online, supermarkets, spotify it, YouTube it, sound cloud or buy it in a shop.

This organic fragmentation is the reason record shops got/are in trouble…..the times they are a changin

I remember when I opened my own place in Carrigaline on the 8th of May 2001 (I don’t particularly like the phrase “its not personal, its only business”, because a small business to a small business person is like a child, you remember its birthdays, you try to nurture it and watch it grow and if its failing it hurts) I knew the train was coming down the tracks but I thought I might get five years out of it…..as Elton would say “ im still standing, feeling like a little kid” never more so than when I sell a record to a young person, I love it.

Online can be my biggest gripe, especially the big monsters based outside of Ireland, in a boxing match we would win on points on pricing across the board, so if someone passes a local shop fairly regularly give them a chance, check online for price if you wish but at least give them a chance and then choose.

Now, one of my favorite repeated comments in the shop over the last few years is probably “do ye sell iTunes vouchers”, and we know people just don’t think, but it’s like going into Dunne’s and asking for a Tesco voucher!

Anyway, went off on a right tangent there,

Universal have the fourth album by the CORANA’S….big move for the Dublin lads ( lead singer Danny is a son of MARY BLACK as ye all probably know) having signed to Island records in the UK this year…..so will be pushed in the UK.

Not too many Irish bands have being signed by big UK labels this century so lets hope they can go from strength to strength.

 

 maiden                                                                                                                          cor

Warner has the last of the IRON MAIDEN 7” singles and LP re issues.

They have a fancy CD/DVD version of the new COLDPLAY album “ghost stories”, a brand new seemingly very innovative DAVID GUETTA album, a new JOOLS HOLLAND album plus some reasonably priced 5 CD sets including NEW MODEL ARMY.

It is the 15th anniversary of Shady records, so EMINEM and his stable are releasing a yes you guessed it, a 15th anniversary compilation….its a double CD with 9 new EMINEM tracks.

The biggest hits compilation of the year NOW 89 is out on the 21st November.

There is a fine CREAM 6 LP Vinyl box set out that day as well; fine price too says you at 90 yoyos….one of my big friends in the sky have it at 84 pounds…

There is a SOUNDGARDEN 3 CD box set of rarities / b sides etc out also.

A RAINBOW 9 LP set out, the TAME IMPALA LP reissues…again….and THE BEATLES LPs, 1’s, LOVE and the RED and BLUE albums get the remastered vinyl treatment.

 

On the DVD front, Warner have an REM 6 DVD box set, a very good live BOB MARLEY and 25 YEARS OF WALKEN metal DVD.

Speaking of DVD’s, the new TOMMY TIERNAN one is out on the 21st of November also, shoot in Cork like boy.

 

tommy

SONY has new albums by OLLY MURS (10 million albums sold…..) SUSAN BOYLE ( who does a cover of PINK FLOYD’S wish you were here, and seeing as we are speaking of Floyd and that song, I told ye I am reading Nick Mason’s book at the moment…….SYD was becoming very difficult and withdrawn so they were going to play a gig in Southampton one night and “ someone said in the car, will we bother collecting Syd and the rest of us said lets not fffingg bother” and they never collected him again and that’s how SYD BARRETT left PINK FLOYD….now I reckon Mason has regrets over the handling or lack of handling of SYD and I would think it was a very difficult situation but that was how it ended….)

prim

SONY also has a SIMON & GARFUNKEL complete albums box set and a new metal album by PRIMORDIAL.

PIAS have a 25th anniversary edition of (the) PIXIES “DOOLITTLE” on 3 CD and double LP….we are getting old, as well as some reissued gems by GRAVENHURST and YO LA TENGO.

MUSIC ON VINYL has the BUSH album 16 stone.

On the local front, we now have copies of the new JOHN BLEK solo album “cutting room floor” as well as more copies of the first JOHN BLEK AND THE RATS album “leave your love at the door”.

I am not a big fan of genre naming (read somewhere during the week about a band “who are the best indie electronic band around at the moment”) but to give you some idea of the lads sound, I suppose its country/ folksy rock or the buzz word at the moment for it is Americana…..but LISTEN to me now please when I tell you the lads stuff is QUALITY with a capital Q…..I MEAN IT….please pay attention to them….they are local and extremely talented….musically, lyrically….please check them out.

jblek

Who is the handsome one on the far left with the Jim Morrisonesqe gaze into space?

Competition winner will be announced soon.

Anyway,

Sin e for this week,

Thanks,

Ray.

www.musiczone.ie