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10 years of Weirdomusic.com: let’s celebrate!

– January 16, 2012Posted in: General news, Weirdomusic.com

Sometime in january 2002 a young man from Heerlen, The Netherlands got a brilliant idea: he registered the domain name Weirdomusic.com and began a website. The rest, as they say, is history.

The 10th anniversary of Weirdomusic.com will be celebrated on March 3 in our hometown Heerlen [buy tickets], but for all you fine folks who can’t attend we have something else in mind: why don’t you celebrate with us from your own cosy homes?

Here’s the idea: send us your birthday wishes in a video message and we’ll publish them here and on YouTube! Talk, sing or dance, whatever you like, as long as you mention Weirdomusic.com.

Some rules:
- Your clip should be no longer than two minutes.
- Please don’t use any exotic file formats. Use something we know, like mpeg or wmv.
- Please use a service like Sendspace.com or WeTransfer.com to send your video.
- The e-mail addres to use is marco@weirdomusic.com.
- Don’t forget to send us your name and contact details. We may want to give away some presents.
- We will publish your video on Weirdomusic.com, our YouTUbe Channel and our Facebook page.

So, hook up your (web)cam and get to work! Questions? Just drop us a line.

Sun Ra Arkestra in Philadelphia

– January 10, 2012Posted in: Festivals/Concerts

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will start its 2012 World Tour with a rare Philadelphia, PA club appearance on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at The Blockley, 38th & Chestnut at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $15 and available at the Blockley Box Office by phoning 215-222-1234 or online at www.theblockley.com.

This manifestation of the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen at its Earth base of Philadelphia will be supported by a live radio interview of Marshall Allen and Danny Ray Thompson at 10:00 pm EST on Friday, January 20, 2012 conducted by J. Michael Harrison, host of “The Bridge” on WRTI (Philadelphia’s jazz radio station at 90.1 FM) which will stream live on the Internet at www.wrti.org.

For additional information about the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen, please visit www.thesunraarkestra.com.

Tags: Sun Ra

Tom Ardolino (NRBQ) dies

– January 7, 2012Posted in: Obituaries

On January 6, 2012, NRBQ Headquarters posted on Facebook: “We regret to inform you that Tom Ardolino passed away today. Tom will be missed but his spirit lives on through those who were touched by him.”

Tom Ardolino (born January 12, 1955) was a rock drummer best known as a member of NRBQ. Ardolino was initially a fan of the band, and began corresponding and trading tapes with keyboardist and co-founder Terry Adams. On one occasion, original NRBQ drummer Tom Staley did not feel up to returning for an encore, so Adams invited Ardolino to fill in. He performed well enough that when Staley decided to leave the band in 1974, his bandmates agreed that Ardolino was the natural choice as his successor.

Ardolino remained in the lineup until the band went on hiatus in 2004, returning for occasional reunion performances, and lending his support when Adams decided to reclaim the NRBQ name for his new band in 2011. While lead vocals were generally performed by other members of NRBQ, live shows often included a moment where Ardolino would come forward, take the spotlight, and sing, either with a karaoke backing track or with one of the other band members drumming.

Tom Ardolino’s solo album “Unknown Brain” was released by Bumble Bee Records, Japan, on CD in 2004 and in the USA on Mystra Records on vinyl LP, it consists mostly of basement recordings made in 1971-72. The cover states “WARNING: If out-of-tuneness bothers you, do not listen.”

Ardolino was also an avid collector of song poems, having contributed to the “MSR Madness” series of compilations.

Tags: NRBQ, Song Poems, Tom Ardolino

Original Mother Jim “Motorhead” Sherwood dies

– December 26, 2011Posted in: Obituaries

American musician Euclid James “Motorhead” Sherwood, notable for playing soprano, tenor and baritone saxophone, tambourine, vocals and vocal sound effects in Frank Zappa’s original Mothers of Invention, died on December 25th.

Motorhead Sherwood appeared on all the albums of the original Mothers line-up and the posthumous releases “Burnt Weeny Sandwich” and “Weasels Ripped My Flesh”, as well as a number of subsequent Zappa albums. He also appeared in the films “200 Motels”, “Video from Hell” and “Uncle Meat”.

Sherwood and Zappa met in high school in 1956. Sherwood was in a class with Zappa’s brother Bobby, who introduced the two after learning that Sherwood was a collector of blues records. Sherwood sat in with Zappa’s first band, R&B group The Black-Outs. In 1964 Sherwood and Zappa lived in Zappa’s Studio Z in Cucamonga for some time.

Sherwood first joined The Mothers of Invention as a roadie and equipment manager, also contributing sound effects (using both his voice and saxophone) to their first album, 1966′s “Freak Out”. He became a full member around the time of the group’s experimental residence at the Garrick Theater in 1967.

The nickname “Motorhead” was coined by fellow Mothers member Ray Collins, who observed that Sherwood always seemed to be working on repairing cars, trucks or motorcycles, and joked that “it sounds like you’ve got a little motor in your head”. In later years, Sherwood contributed to various projects alongside fellow Mothers alumni, including records by The Grandmothers, Mothers keyboardist Don Preston, Ant-Bee and Sandro Oliva.

Jim “Motorhead” Sherwood was 69 years old.

Tags: Frank Zappa

New “birthday bundle” by Frank Zappa

– December 22, 2011Posted in: Downloads, New releases

Frank Zappa would have turned 71 on December 21st and to mark that occasssion the Zappa Family Trust have released another ‘birthday bundle’ on iTunes.

Frank Zappa - Aaafnraaaaam

This download only compilation features some previously unreleased Zappa gems, like a live version of “Peaches en Regalia” from 1988 and the infamous “Dead Girls of London”, sung by Van Morrison. The rest of the album includes various cover versions of well known Zappa tracks. Artists include Jerry Lawson, Pete Griffin and Frank’s son Dweezil.

A belated happy birthday, Frank. We still miss you!

Tags: Frank Zappa

Beach Boys reunite for 50th anniversary tour

– December 18, 2011Posted in: Festivals/Concerts

Fifty years after they first played together, the Beach Boys announced Friday that they would release a new studio album and go on a 50-date tour in 2012, beginning with a reunion concert at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival in April.

The line-up for the reunion tour will include the group’s original leaders Brian Wilson and Mike Love, along with one of the first members, Al Jardine. Those three were part of the original quintet that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961, and fused Chuck Berry guitar parts with smooth harmonies to celebrate surf culture.

Two other early members will join them: David Marks, who joined the group in 1962 for their first album “Surfin’ Safari” on Capitol Records and Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965 after Brian Wilson quit touring to focus on writing songs.

The Beach Boys said they have already recorded some songs for a new album that they plan to release on Capitol/EMI next year. Still untitled, the album will be the first to include all the band’s surviving members in decades. Brian Wilson and Mike Love will produce the album.

Tags: The Beach Boys

Beefheart’s original Bat Chain Puller to be released on CD

– December 18, 2011Posted in: New releases

Last night The Zappa Family Trust announced that Captain Beefheart‘s original “Bat Chain Puller” album from 1976 will be released on CD in february 2012. “All original tracks plus 16 minutes of fabulous bonus material”, according to their announcement.

The recordings for “Bat Chain Puller” – which never came out in its original form, but was revamped two years later for what became “Sniny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)” – featured a lineup of John French on drums, John Thomas on keyboards, and Moris Tepper and Denny Walley on guitars. The band represented what was left of the post-Bongo Fury band the Captain had put together after Elliot Ingber and Bruce Fowler had left.

Herb Cohen had authorized the recordings for Frank Zappa’s DiscReet Records, but the record was suppressed after getting caught up in a lawsuit Zappa had launched against Cohen. Tapes of the album had been sent to Virgin Records, however, as well as reviewers and radio stations. The album has since been heavily bootlegged, with titles such as Original Bat Chain Puller and Dust Sucker. The rights are owned by the Zappa Family Trust.

The album can be pre-ordered here. It is expected to be shipped during the week of February 13, 2012.

Tags: Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa

For Your Ears: Dave Quick – Glow In The Dark

– December 5, 2011Posted in: Downloads, For Your Ears

“My music is an acquired taste, I won’t be disappointed if you don’t like it.”, writes Dave Quick. Well, acquired tastes is what we’re all about, aren’t we? So here is Dave’s album for you. We won’t be disappointed if you don’t like it.

<a href="http://davequick.bandcamp.com/album/glow-in-the-dark">Glow In The Dark by Dave Quick</a>

Tags: Dave Quick, For Your Ears

Sun Ra Arkestra in Israel & England

– November 28, 2011Posted in: Festivals/Concerts

The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen will conclude its 2011 World Tour with appearances in Israel and England. Details about this exciting manifestation of the Arkestra, which includes the 4th residency of the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Cafe Oto, are below:

- December 3 – Barbie Club, Tel Aviv, Israel
- December 6, 7, & 8 – Cafe Oto, London, England [December 8 is sold out]
- December 10 – Band on the Wall, Manchester, England
- December 11 – Butlin’s Holiday Resort, Somerset, England

A very interesting interview with current Sun Ra Arkestra member Knoell Scott regarding his experiences with Sun Ra can be found here.

For additional information about the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen, please visit www.thesunraarkestra.com.

Tags: Sun Ra

Composer Russ Garcia dies

– November 23, 2011Posted in: General news

Musical legend Russ Garcia – whose 70-year career in jazz and film saw him work with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Walt Disney and Clint Eastwood – has died at his home in Kerikeri, New Zealand aged 95.

Garcia died on November 20 after a short illness. He had been in good health until a few weeks ago, when illness forced him to cancel a series of concerts in the US.

A jazz composer and arranger, Russ Garcia was born in Oakland, California, but left at the height of his career in 1966 to sail around the Pacific. He and his wife settled in the Bay of Islands in the 1970s.

His CV includes a list of jazz and Hollywood greats, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis jnr, Walt Disney, Orson Welles, Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin.

He got his first break from former US president Ronald Reagan, then a radio show director, but was writing music even as a child. The Oakland Symphony Orchestra played one of his arrangements when he was 11 years old. Even at the age of 95 he remained in demand and travelled regularly to the US for work. He also volunteered as a music teacher at primary schools around New Zealand.

Tags: Russ Garcia

The Rolling Stones unlock archives

– November 17, 2011Posted in: New releases

The Rolling Stones have unlocked the door to their archive, full of music, film and memorabilia from their almost 50 year career. At www.StonesArchive.com you can listen to unheard music, view unseen photographs and films, and look at rare merchandise. Fans have the opportunity to buy items such as signed lithographs, deluxe box sets, even personalized merchandise and tour gear.

The first item the band are releasing is the long-awaited download of a legendary 1973 concert, recorded at the Forest National in Belgium. Long hailed by die-hard Stones fans as one of the band’s greatest live performances, The Brussels Affair has been a mainstay in the underground music world for years. The original bootlegs, sold under such titles as Europe 73, Bedspring Symphony and Brussels Affair, were cobbled together from assorted radio broadcasts, including the syndicated radio programme King Biscuit Flower Hour, and usually contained songs performed at other venues. The new edition, pulled exclusively from the two Brussels gigs, was taken from the original multi-track masters recorded by Andy Johns on the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Longtime Stones collaborator Bob Clearmountain applied the final mix.

Although the Stones began readying a live album of the show for commercial release, the idea was ultimately shelved – a tragedy given the ferocity of the set and the definitive live versions of Stones classics that it presents. Fortunately, that has all changed today. If there was one Rolling Stones bootleg that needed to find its way into the mainstream, Brussels ’73 was it.

“The Brussels Affair” can be downloaded here.

Tags: Rolling Stones

Latin-American musician Edmundo Ros dies

– October 24, 2011Posted in: Obituaries

Edmundo Ros, the man responsible for popularising Latin American music in the UK, has died on October 21st at the age of 100. Ros was the most accomplished Latin-American musician and vocalist of his generation.

He first achieved fame when the then Princess Elizabeth in the 1940s arrived with a party at London’s Bagatelle Restaurant and made her first public dance to the music of Ros’s band. From that moment he became a household name and remained as such for decades.

Ros was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on December 7, 1910. His mother was a black Venezuelan and his father was of Scottish origin. Ros played in the Venezuelan Military Academy Band as well as being a tympanist in the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra. Later he received a music scholarship from the government, under which from 1937 to 1942 he studied harmony, composition and orchestration at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

In August 1940 he formed his own rumba band, and the following year he cut his first tracks, with Parlophone. The group played regularly at the Coconut Grove club in Regent Street. His bands were invariably based in London night-clubs or restaurants. His number The Wedding Samba (1949) sold three million copies, and his album Rhythms of The South (1958) sold one million copies.

Ros went on to own a club, dance school, record company and an artist’s agency, while his band grew and was renamed Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra. He sold millions of records, making hundreds of recordings altogether. In 1975 he disbanded his orchestra, destroying most of its arrangement sheets.

Ros retired and moved to Javea, in Alicante, Spain, and gave his last public performance in 1994.

Tags: Edmundo Ros

Composer/arranger Pete Rugolo dies

– October 19, 2011Posted in: Obituaries

Award-winning composer and arranger Pete Rugolo, who came to prominence as the chief arranger for Stan Kenton’s post-World War II band and later wrote the themes for “The Fugitive” and “Run for Your Life,” has died. He was 95.

As a composer and the chief arranger for Kenton from 1945 to 1949, Rugolo is credited with being a major force in shaping the progressive jazz sound of the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Rugolo won the DownBeat magazine poll as best arranger in 1947 — the first of five wins as best arranger over the next seven years.

After leaving Kenton, Rugolo began a two-year stint as the musical director for Capitol Records in New York, where he was responsible for discovering and recording new acts. Among the artists Rugolo signed was Miles Davis, and he produced the famous “Birth of the Cool” sessions with Davis’ group.

Rugolo was working as an arranger and orchestrator at MGM and was West Coast musical director for Mercury Records when he broke into television in 1958 by writing a new theme for “The Thin Man”. For his extensive work as a composer in television, Rugolo won two Emmys in 1970 and in 1972.

Tags: Pete Rugolo

Deluxe edition of Gainsbourg’s Melody Nelson in november

– October 18, 2011Posted in: New releases

Originally released in March 1971 the album “Histoire De Melody Nelson” by French songwriter Serge Gainsbourg is a delicate and modern masterpiece of orchestral pop. Created as an adult tale, each track tells the story of a teenage English girl named Melody Nelson (sung by Jane Birkin) who meets a forty year old French man (sung by Serge Gainsbourg). The entire album is directed by Jean-Claude Vannier, who also composed some of the music. The result is as Beck once said “one of the greatest marriages of rock band and orchestra that I’ve ever heard”.

To celebrate this occasion Universal Music will be releasing two unique versions of the record in multi formats. These contain bonus material, including unreleased complete and alternative studio takes and an exclusive unreleased documentary.

Content:
CD 1 : ORIGINAL ALBUM
1. MELODY 7’33 (Serge Gainsbourg)
2. BALLADE DE MELODY NELSON 2’00 (Serge Gainsbourg / JeanClaude Vannier).
3. VALSE DE MELODY 1’32 (Serge Gainsbourg)
4. AH ! MELODY 1’46 (Serge Gainsbourg / Jean-Claude Vannier)
5. L’HÔTEL PARTICULIER 4’06 (Serge Gainsbourg)
6. EN MELODY 3’26 (Serge Gainsbourg – Jean-Claude Vannier)
7. CARGO CULTE 7’37 (Serge Gainsbourg)

CD 2 : BONUS ALBUM
1. MELODY 9’27 Complete take – unreleased
2. BALLADE DE MELODY NELSON 2’09 Alternative voice take – unreleased
3. VALSE DE MELODY 1’40 Alternative voices take – unreleased
4. AH ! MELODY 1’57 Alternative voices take – unreleased
5. MELODY LIT BABAR 1’05 Voice version – unreleased track
6. MELODY LIT BABAR 1’12 Instrumental version – unreleased track
7. L’HÔTEL PARTICULIER 5’12 Complete take – unreleased
8. EN MELODY 3’35 Alternative take – unreleased
9. CARGO CULTE 7’44 Instrumental version – unreleased

DVD 9 NTSC ALL ZONES : ORIGINAL ALBUM 5.1 VERSION
1. MELODY 7’33
2. BALLADE DE MELODY NELSON 2’00
3. VALSE DE MELODY 1’32
4. AH ! MELODY 1’46
5. L’HOTEL PARTICULIER 4’06
6. EN MELODY 3’26
7. CARGO CULTE 7’37
plus EXCLUSIVE UNRELEASED DOCUMENTARY

Buy Serge Gainsbourg CDs and downloads from Amazon.com

Tags: Serge Gainsbourg

Frank Zappa’s Carnegie Hall shows to be released on cd

– October 12, 2011Posted in: New releases

Hot on the heels of “Feeding the monkies at ma maison” – which turns out to a very interesting missing link betweet “Jazz from hell” and “Civilization Phase III” – the Zappa Family Trust have more goodies in store for us: Frank Zappa‘s only two performances at Carnegie Hall in New York are about to be released on cd for the very first time.

This 4cd-set, simply titled “Carnegie Hall” will be released around Hallowween, Zappa’s favorite holiday. At the time of these performances (October 1971) Zappa’s band included Flo & Eddie, Ian Underwood and Aynsley Dunbar. Support act The Persuasions are also included on this historic release.

Pre-order “Carnegie Hall” directly from Barfko Swill.

Tags: Flo & Eddie, Frank Zappa, The Persuasions

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Weirdomusic.com

Discovering the darkest corners of the musical universe since 2001.

10 years of Weirdomusic.com: let’s celebrate!

Sun Ra Arkestra in Philadelphia

Tom Ardolino (NRBQ) dies

Original Mother Jim “Motorhead” Sherwood dies

New “birthday bundle” by Frank Zappa

Beach Boys reunite for 50th anniversary tour

Beefheart’s original Bat Chain Puller to be released on CD

For Your Ears: Dave Quick – Glow In The Dark

Sun Ra Arkestra in Israel & England

Composer Russ Garcia dies

The Rolling Stones unlock archives

Latin-American musician Edmundo Ros dies

Composer/arranger Pete Rugolo dies

Deluxe edition of Gainsbourg’s Melody Nelson in november

Frank Zappa’s Carnegie Hall shows to be released on cd

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