Avatar Of The Week - Belly Bump!

Ever want to "bump" a forum thread but can't think of a creative way to do it?  No worries...I took care of your thinking for you:

All credit goes to whoever created this .gif !

Berlin On The Berlin Wall (Year Unknown)

In Berlin...by the wall...

(C'mon, did you really expect me to quote another line?!)

Lou Reed - Rock And Roll Heart Ad (1976)

Adam & The Ants - "Prince Charming"

Take note of the still-lovely Diana Dors in what I believe was her last on-screen appearance.

This video contains the magical recipe for all successful early 80s videos:  Turn up the whites; theatrical choreography; extras are filmed at an angle looking into the air above them without facial expressions; slow motion; and a storyline.

Although he is best known for up-tempo new wave with African-inspired beat, Adam Ant was skillful enough as a pop musician to extend his reach into other styles. One of his best experiments is "Prince Charming," a tune that became a big British hit without utilizing a lot of his usual sonic elements. With lyrics like "Don't you ever/Stop being dandy/showing me you're handsome," "Prince Charming" is essentially a tribute to England's new romantic movement. The music that backs up these lyrics is a hypnotic slice of mid-tempo pop that punctuates its romantic-sounding melody with an entrancing, chant-like chorus. Surprisingly, Adam Ant's recording of the song bypasses a lot of his trademarks: the complex drum rhythms that dominated songs like "Antmusic" are replaced by a simple mid-tempo stomp beat and spaghetti western guitar riffs are downplayed in favor of romantic, Spanish-styled acoustic guitar. The one real Antmusic-styled element is the wordless tribal chants that open and punctuate the song. Despite these stylistic right turns, the Latin-sounding treatment worked like a charm for "Prince Charming" and gave it a grand, lush sound that lived up to its romanticized lyrics. The result gave Adam Ant another in his impressive string of English chart hits and remains a cult favorite for new wave fans.  - Allmusic.com 

Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome

Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome

Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome

Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you
Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you

Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome

Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of... 

Adam Ant/Marco Pirroni

Lou Reed - Transformer Ad (1972)

Lou Reed - Sally Can't Dance Ad (1974)

Iggy & The Stooges - Original US Columbia "Raw Power" CD

I just got finished reading White Trash Soul's ode to Raw Power and thought I would put this up for everyone.  It is out of print, and for a while (before the Raw Power reissue box-set), it could sell for a pretty penny on ePay.  To my knowledge, these "mixes" are not available on any of the subsequent reissues (digital or vinyl). 

Now, this edition is pretty much obsolete.  The sound is incredibly harsh - even for Raw Power.  Actually, it makes the original US vinyl release sound like a field of cellos and twinkling streams.  Hell, this edition doesn't even have the belch before James Williamson's guitar kicks in on Raw Power!  It ain't the most enjoyable listening experience.  Turn the treble way down, unless you don't value your eardrums, and maybe you can sit back and jam to this on the old hi-fi.

For what it's worth, I am offering all of you the original US CD release of Raw Power HERE in lossless format.   I've posted it before on a couple forums, but it'll remain here for easy access!

The Strokes Second Live Gig - April 29, 2000

The Strokes weren't always capable of filling arenas.

Back in 2000, the Strokes only played a few gigs, all in New York City.  They played with an aggressiveness and intensity that only bands with something to prove can emit.  Soon, in the UK they were one of the most over-hyped bands in years - overhyped because they hadn't even released an album yet - and the music press had already crowned them as the greatest band of the moment.

So, in honor of their first album in years, and a request by a fellow Stooges fan, here is their second live performance (the first was at Brownies in NYC), streamed live over the Internet from Arlene's Grocery in NYC!

 The Strokes Second Gig

Arlene's Grocery, New York City

1 Soma
2 This Life
3 NYC Cops
4 In Her Prime
5 Sagganuts
6 A Minor 4-4
7 Alone, Together
8 Rhythm Song

Download HERE

New York Dolls Video: "Fool For You Baby"

For immediate release, London, England -

To coincide with this week’s release of the New York Dolls’ critically acclaimed fifth studio album 'Dancing Backward in High Heels', the band has released a promo video for their new single 'Fool For You Baby'.  The video, directed by Jeremy Johnstone (Mono, Young Widows), features original Dolls founding members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain.

The video for 'Fool For You Baby' showcases the Dolls in a circus tent.  Guitarist Syl Sylvain is the circus ring leader, and as the camera moves through the circus ring, more characters are revealed including a fire breather, a strongman, and a sword swallower.  Singer David Johansen appears in the background and gradually dances forwards in slow motion as he sings the lyrics.

It’s a poignant, cinematic homage to rock and roll, and the Dolls' first official promo music video since 'Dance Like A Monkey', which is taken from the 2006 album 'One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This'.  



The video dovetails the New York Dolls forthcoming UK tour dates: O2 Academy Newcastle (March 27), Manchester Club Academy (March 29), London Old Vic Tunnels (March 30-31).

Mick Rock's Iggy/Stooges Photo Book - Discounted!

For a limited time, order Iggy And The Stooges Raw Power by Mick Rock at a special low price! 

Mick Rock, "The Godfather of Rock Photography" and Iggy and The Stooges, "The Godfather of Punk", joined forces to create a remarkable series of images presenting them in all of their gritty glory. In the Summer of 1972, Mick Rock was on location to shoot the album cover for Raw Power and eventually would lead to an array of incredible images and everlasting memories that are now published for every fan to appreciate. Included in the book are photographs from that one unforgettable jam session at London's Scala Theater which has passed into rock history and more than 200 photographs of Iggy and The Stooges. Also included are various interviews with Iggy and The Stooges, conducted by Mick Rock.

Order your copy now for a special price at the Iggy Pop and The Stooges online store now!

Sergio The Sexy Sax Man

This made my day:

Kevin Spacey Announces New York Dolls Gigs at the Old Vic, London

Kevin Spacey, Academy-Award winning actor, and artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre, has made an official statement today about the New York Dolls playing the Old Vic Theatre’s sister venue the Old Vic Tunnels Club on March 30-31st.  "I'm excited that the Old Vic Tunnels are becoming a cool new scene for live performance,” says Spacey.  “The New York Dolls inspired the punk movement, so they are the perfect fit of glam and anarchy to launch our live music series under Waterloo Station. In addition, a new rock band called The Shoestrung will open both shows, who are also worth checking out.”

The Dolls recently confirmed two exclusive London concerts at the historic Old Vic Tunnels; a unique venue situated underneath Waterloo train station in a network of Victorian red brick tunnels.  The shows take place on Wednesday 30th March and Thursday March 31st.

Tickets are available from 0844 871 7628 and can be booked online.  The London concerts dovetail the Dolls’ new studio album ‘Dancing Backward in High Heels’, which is released in the UK today.

The Velvet Underground - "And So On" Compilation LP

 

Side A
01 Guess I'm Falling In Love
02 It's Alright (The Way That You Live)
03 Pale Blue Eyes
04 One of These Days
05 Radio Ad

Side B
01 Black Angel's Death Song
02 I'm Not Too Sorry
03 Stephanie Says
04 Loop

This is a direct analog-2-digital transfer straight from the vinyl.  It was played through my Pioneer SX-1050 with the tone controls OFF to keep the signal path as clear as possible. 

There are some minor issues inherent in the recording and the sound quality is generally not as good as on "Etc."  Some songs are slightly muffled/muddy, but I will not do anything to artificially brighten the recording (other than play with the tone controls for my own personal use).  The pops/clicks you hear are inherent in the recordings, most notably on "Loop."  Remember, this LP was compiled in part from other vinyl sources and for those old enough to remember, flexi-discs were CRAP!

I really enjoy this LP, partly because I grabbed it off of ePay for $5, but mainly because it is just great fun to throw an LP on the turntable and listen to someone else's personal mixtape from a bygone era.

Download HERE

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From The Velvet Underground Webpage:

Sources:  1: The Gymnasium, April 1967 / 2, 7: Ludlow street loft demos, 1967 / 3: La Cave, 4/10/68 / 4: demo, September 23, 1969 / 5: MGM VU-1 promo 45, 1969 / 6: Cale, Reed & Nico, Bataclan, 29/1/72 / 8: A&R studios, Febuary 13, 1968 / 9: Aspen magazine flexi, 1966.

Liner notes by Philip Milstein.

"Guess I'm Falling In Love" is not the same version as the track from the Peel Slowly And See box set. "Pale Blue Eyes" is from La Cave, October 2, 1968 tape - it doesn't include the false start but has the famous alternate lyrics. "Stephanie Says" is different mix than official LP VU version.

Record Store Find - Autographed David Johansen Solo LP!

I was just cruising the racks at the Record and Tape Exchange (RTX) in Fairfax, VA and I happened to come across a signed David Johansen LP!  Ya know I gotta have that for only $7!!

No, this isn't as good as The David Johansen Group Live LP, recorded in 1978; however, it's DJ singing his greatest hits to an adoring crowd...and it's got his autograph.

Whoever Debbie was, she got rid of this LP some time ago - why?!

Record Store Heaven in St. Louis, MO

The Record Exchange on Hampton Ave in St. Louis, MO.

Down At Max's Kansas City, NYC

Made by Angie Pinter.

Hop Farm Festival 2011 - Kent, UK

What a lineup! 

Head to the Hop Farm Festival Website for Details. 

Evolution of an English Song - "Victoria"

You'd be hard-pressed to find two more quintessentially English bands than The Kinks and the Fall.