Monday, July 30, 2007

Led Zeppelin Readies Fall Reissue Bonanza


Led Zeppelin fans will have a lot to celebrate this fall thanks to the release of three new titles in multiple configurations.
First up on Nov. 13 via Atlantic/Rhino is a two-disc, 24-track best-of, "Mothership." A deluxe reissue of the soundtrack to the 1976 concert film "The Song Remains the Same" with previously unreleased material and a new DVD edition of that movie will arrive Nov. 20 via Atlantic/Rhino and Warner Home Video, respectively.

"Mothership," tracks for which were chosen by surviving members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, represents all eight of the band's studio albums. In addition to a two-disc set, the album will also be available in both "deluxe" and "collector's" editions with a DVD featuring varied live content from the previously released "Led Zeppelin DVD." A 4-LP vinyl package will also be sold.

As for the "The Song Remains the Same" soundtrack, it now sports six songs not included on the original album: "Black Dog," "Over the Hills and Far Away," "Misty Mountain Hop," "Since I've Been Loving You," "The Ocean" and "Heartbreaker." The album and film were recorded during a July 1973 stand at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"The Song Remains the Same" DVD includes all 14 songs from the original concert for the first time plus previously unreleased performances of "Over the Hills and Far Away," "Celebration Day," "The Ocean" and "Misty Mountain Hop." Rounding out the bonus items are a 1976 BBC interview with Plant and band manager Peter Grant and contemporary footage from the robbery at New York's Drake Hotel during the MSG run. Beyond a standard DVD, the film will be sold in both HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, as well as a limited collector's edition that includes the soundtrack, a T-shirt with the original album art and reproductions of memorabilia from the era.

All the catalog activity gives further heft to rumors Plant, Page and Jones will reunite to perform at a proposed Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert this fall in London. Although no details have been announced, the group is also said to be mulling offers to tour under the Led Zeppelin name in 2008 with the late John Bonham's son Jason filling in on drums.
(Billboard, July 27, 2007)

Sex Pistols to Release Special Edition of Album


Punk legends celebrate 30th anniversary with vinyl release
Sex Pistols are to release a special 30th anniversary edition of their classic debut album 'Never Mind The Bollocks...Here's The Sex Pistols'.

The album will be re-issued on October 29 in heavy weight vinyl with a 7" insert of 'Submission' and a poster. The format is how the record was originally released on October 28, 1977. 'Submission' was missed off the original tracklisting when the album was mistakenly released a week earlier than planned. Due to the band's insistence, the first 50,000 copies of the album included a one-sided 7".

The band are also set to re-release their four classic singles: 'Anarchy In The UK', 'God Save The Queen', 'Pretty Vacant' and 'Holidays In The Sun'. The tracks will be released throughout October on seven-inch vinyl in reproductions of their iconic single sleeves. According to the band's label Virgin, The vinyl re-issue of the album will "re-create all the original artwork from the first editions' front and back. It will be housed in heavyweight paper sleeves". The limited edition reissues will take place throughout October.

'Anarchy In The UK' will be released on October 1, 'God Save The Queen' on October 8, 'Pretty Vacant' on October 15 and 'Holidays In The Sun' on October 29.
(NME, 26.Jul.07)

Wherein the Vinyl District Looses all Street-Cred:


Sure, sure... we'll get to all the indie and post-punk selections soon, but I'd be remiss if I didn't shine a light on the LP that literally BLEW MY MIND UP. The first convergence for me of music and art...(both terms loosely defined, of course.) In celebration, some hand-picked live rarities from the golden year that was 1976, including a seldom played live gem "Flaming Youth." (Where's my lighter...?)
KISS - Detroit Rock City (Mp3)
KISS - Do You Love Me? (Mp3)
KISS - Flaming Youth (Mp3)
KISS - King of the Nighttime World (Mp3)
KISS - Shout it Out Loud (Mp3)


FRESH SQUEEZED:
Squeeze - In Quintessence (Mp3)
Squeeze - If I Didn't Love You (Mp3)
Squeeze - Separate Beds (Mp3)