THE BEATLES LAST CONCERT
Candlestick Park 50 years ago this week! Continue reading “”
Category: Vinyl / Tunes Blog
THE DOORS FIRST ALBUM
On this day 50 years ago, and for the next eight days after that, The Doors recorded their first album at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. That’s where the rock group laid down their distinctive sound on 4-track tape with producer Paul Rothchild and engineer Bruce Botnick. Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, John Densmore, and Larry Knechtel all played on the record. Jim Morrison had is own track. Continue reading “”
BLONDE ON BLONDE OR PET SOUNDS?
These two landmark albums by Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys were both released on this day exactly 50 years ago. Continue reading “”
IMPOSSIBLE GERMANY, UNLIKELY JAPAN
“Where ever you go, wherever you land.”
“This was still new to me. I wouldn’t understand.”
There are great Wilco songs, and then there is “Impossible Germany”, arguably one of the best from anyone over the past ten years. The album it appears on, Sky Blue Sky, was released in May 2007 and cut to vinyl by Robert Ludwig. It sounds fantastic. Continue reading “”
David Bowie
R.I.P 1947-2016
Continue reading “”
YOU
One of my fave George Harrison singles was released 40 years ago this week. Thanks to all of you who have helped me get my film shown this week in Monterey. Continue reading “”
BORN TO RUN TURNS 40
The cover of Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album Born to Run is one of rock music’s most iconic images. It was made by Eric Meola, who reportedly shot 900 frames with his Nikon during a three-hour photo session. Meola’s image shows Springsteen holding a Fender Telecaster and leaning against the late saxophonist Clarence Clemons.
Continue reading “”
THE HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS
Released 40 years ago, this folk/jazz album by singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell remains intriguing.
“Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow”, “Shades of Scarlett Conquering”, and “Harry’s House / Centerpiece” continue to be some of my favorites. Eclectic for sure, and not for everyone – just the way I like it.
U.S. original LPs sound great, as do the 180 gram reissues.
Get well soon, Joni. Happy 90th Mom!
ON THE ROAD TO HWY 61 REVISITED
When Bob Dylan was growing up in the 1950s, Highway 61 stretched from Duluth, Minnesota (his birthplace) down to St. Louis, through Memphis, into the Mississippi Delta, and eventually ending in New Orleans. Along the way, the route passed the home towns of influential musicians like Muddy Waters, Son House, Elvis Presley, and Charley Patton. Blues legend Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil for mastery of the blues. The location? Where Route 61 (now known as the “Blues Highway”) crosses Route 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Continue reading “”
BURMESTER AND PORSCHE
German based Burmester offers a “High-End Surround-Sound-System” for the ultimate high-end music experience in the latest Porsches. Sixteen separate amplifier channels totaling 1000 watts distribute audio for up to sixteen loudspeakers. Included is an active subwoofer with integrated 300-watt-amplifier. Continue reading “”
CHET
“Chet is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker featuring performances by Baker with Herbie Mann, Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, and Connie Kay recorded in December 1958 and January 1959 and released on the Riverside label.” -From Wikipedia
LOOKING FORWARD
2015 is sure to be an interesting year. The Porsche community has a lot to look forward to with Rennsport Reunion V scheduled for the fall in Monterey. Held every four years, it is a must see event for any car enthusiast. I will be producing a documentary film on Roger Grago to debut there, and I’ll be revisiting Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats for a future book. Also, there are some amazing editorial stories to come as well – Pre-A 356s, early 911 racing cars, an iconic 914-6, and many others.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LAYLA AND DUANE ALLMAN
A certifiable all-time classic, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is a blues-rock album by the pseudo-group “Derek and the Dominos”. It is best known for its eponymous title track, “Layla,” inspired by Eric Clapton’s infatuation with Patti Boyd (then George Harrison’s wife). It seems the perfect winter listen for the end of this year. Continue reading “”
R.I.P. Ian McLagan and Bobby Keyes
Two of the best sidemen for Faces and The Rolling Stones passed away in the last two days. Bobby Keyes, saxophonist, was 70 and Ian McLagan, keyboardist, was 69. Continue reading “”
REMEMBERING JACK BRUCE AND CREAM
Jack Bruce passed away today at age 71. He was a founding member of the influential British psychedelic power rock trio Cream – along with Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton. In the two short years they played together (1966-1968), Bruce sang and co-wrote most of Cream’s singles, including the hits “Sunshine of Your Love”, “White Room”, and “I Feel Free”. Many consider him one of the greatest bass players of all time. Cream was the world’s first successful supergroup – a group that foreshadowed Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
(Photographer: Unknown)
THE BEATLES IN MONO VINYL BOX DONE RIGHT
Apparently all the complaints from last year about The Beatles stereo LP box pressings got through to EMI. Optimal and analog tapes were enlisted for this new Mono box. Even Michael Fremer (and a respected mastering engineer) are saying good things about it on Analog Planet. I’m buying this John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr set on wax… Yeah, I’m a Beatles completist. Continue reading “”