ACE FREHLEY “Anomaly” 2LP Silver Vinyl

Brookvale Records, in partnership with Rocket Science, is proud to announce our next release. We will be releasing the ACE FREHLEY “Anomaly” album on vinyl LP. The vinyl release will be a double album set in special gatefold packaging. The vinyl will be SILVER MARBLE in color. We are only making 1000 copies and we will be hand numbering each record. This release will sell out very quickly. Street date for the release is April 10th 2012. You can pre order the record now! If you pre order now we will ship your order on April 9th 2012. The album will also be available at select retailers starting April 10th.

WE WILL BE SELLING ONLY 100 MORE ONLINE SO ORDER ASAP!!!

Artist – ACE FREHLEY
Title – Anomaly
Format – 2 LP Set In Deluxe Gatefold Packaging
Color – Silver Vinyl LP
Quantity – Only 1000 pressed worldwide
Cost – $27.99
Street Date – April 10th 2012
Pre Orders Ship – April 9th 2012

WE MAY BE SOLD OUT!!! WE ARE COUNTING ORDERS TODAY AND TOMORROW AND IF WE HAVE ANY LEFT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ORDER MORE HERE STARTING MARCH 18th

DEAL OF THE WEEK – CHILDISH GAMBINO – $6.99

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Every week we will try to put out a deal that is so low its …well its LOONEY!  Artist – CHILDISH GAMBINO Title – Camp Format – CD Price –  $6.99

STEVE MORSE COMES UP FROM THE DREGS WITH SARAH SPENCER AND THEY FORM A MAGNIFICENT DUO ON THEIR DEBUT ALBUM ANGELFIRE.

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Please accept my apologies, dear reader.  I have been meaning to do this review for so long.  Here’s the issue:  Every time a new piece of music comes across my desk lately, it has been so new, so fresh, so … Continue reading →

Dream Theater “Metropolis PT2″ Vinyl

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Pictures are here! All 3000 are hand numbered!! Brookvale Records and Enjoy the Ride Records are proud to announce the release of: DREAM THEATER “Metropolis PT 2:Scenes from a Memory” This will mark the first time this amazing album has … Continue reading →

Gerry’s Top 10 of 2011

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Every year out staff posts their Top 10 albums of the year. This year I thought it would be cool to post some of our customers Top 10 lists also! So if you have a list – bring it down!! … Continue reading →

I Am The Avalanche – Vinyl in stock now

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Artist – I AM THE AVALANCHE Title – I AM THE AVALANCHE Format – 12 inch Black Vinyl Price – $17.99 The first album I AM THE AVALANCHE is now available on vinyl. This was just released from our friends … Continue reading →

Brand New “Your Favorite Weapon” Vinyl In stock now!

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The BRAND NEW “Your Favorite Weapon” vinyl LP is now BACK IN STOCK!   $19.99 Ships in 24 hours of your order!

JON ANDERSON AND RICK WAKEMAN AT THE SHERMAN THEATER, STROUDSBURG, 11-05-11. COME FOR THE MUSIC, STAY FOR THE COMEDY!

Wakeman ( r ) and Anderson test drive some new material from their new collaborative LP The Living Tree as well as cruise some classic YES tunes in the Poconos. Photo by Lynn Vala

This blog has exposed me to a lot of new music.  It has also brought me close to many artists, opened many musical doors for me, and I learn something new every time I write something.  This review is unique in that while I was fortunate enough to work with the promoter for Jon Anderson, and his subsequent projects, I got to experience what many say is the heart and soul of progressive rock mainstays YES, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman live playing songs from the YES catalog that we all know and love, but also songs from Anderson/Wakeman’s new album The Living Tree.  While this is a review of the live act, I will make a quickie commentary on the album The Living Tree: I am going to get the disc based on the performances I saw at the Sherman Theater.

The Sherman Theater is an old venue in the heart of Stroudsburg, which is undergoing a touch of a renaissance lately.  The Sherman, I would say is undergoing it’s own renaissance, with some new elements and some signs of age.  Will call got our order confused, but such associations with promoters, press agents, etc., usually leads to snafu situations.  Unless person A talks directly to person B, and when I get there I talk to person B, then the situation usually devolves to Situation Normal, All Fouled Up.

While I most likely will recognize the YES tunes, the new pieces from The Living Tree and if Anderson does anything from his new disc Open, I may need help naming them.  Thanks to a cooperative soundman and an equally cooperative stage manager named Neil (if memory serves, no chance of that happening), we managed to take pictures of Jon’s personal set lists.

Ask and you shall receive…

The Tubes Terrorized By Technology Yet Reach Pinnacle At Penn’s Peak, 10-28-11

Promoting the expanded re-release of Completion Backward Principle, the Tubes bring their "La Dolce Vida" tour to Jim Thorpe, PA. Photo by Lynn Vala

Jim Thorpe PA – I function in a lot of different environments.  Theaters, clubs, halls… But usually these are, at the most extreme, in the suburbs of some metropolis.  This venue is up in the mountains of North East PA.

This up-high-rural-stuff ain’t for me.

Many of these venues often feature restaurants adjacent or within the structure.  This venue’s restaurant, Roadies, was particularly good.  I may be  a tad biased.  You see, that night, I was craving a big, sloppy, juicy cheeseburger.  I was thrilled when I saw it on the menu.  But the burger itself was so huge, juicy and sloppy, it met my craving head on and was most satisfying.  The fries were great too.  Thankfully, my doctor doesn’t read this column.

But I have found that many of these “experience” reviews contain comments and opinions about food.  I am beginning to feel like a restaurant critic.  There are enough Gordon Ramsey’s in the world…

Let’s talk about MUSIC!

Yes Legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman To Release ‘Anderson / Wakeman -The Living Tree In Concert Part One’

Fresh off the burner, the new CD from Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. They do indeed deliver the goods, right through customs and into the United States. Cover courtesy of Glass Onyon

So, apparently, my question last time, “can Anderson/Wakeman deliver the goods” has been answered!  Some of the East Coast US reviews are starting to surface, and, let’s just say I am thrilled we got our tickets!!  This is promising to be a trip down Yes memory lane with nods to brand new music composed by the duo.  Not wanting to speak out of turn, I am going to wait for the show to make any decisions about the new material.  The good news is, I won’t be waiting long as Anderson and Wakeman are coming to my “hood” tomorrow and I will have pen in hand, trusty photographer armed with photo pass, and I will be happily passing on all the dish about the show!!!

But let’s give a look at what Anderson/Wakeman’s PR folks have to say about this latest release and corresponding tour”:

11/5/2011 – London, UK – As a follow-up to their critically acclaimed CD ‘The Living Tree’ from 2010, YES legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman prepare to release ‘Anderson / Wakeman – The Living Tree In Concert Part One’ on Gonzo Multimedia on November 28th. The CD was recorded during the duo’s British tour in 2010 and comes housed in a sleeve design by Mark Wilkinson who was also responsible for the design of the artwork for ‘The Living Tree’.

ON THE INSIDE: ANDERSON WAKEMAN COME TO THE EAST COAST AMID RAVE REVIEWS. DO THEY DELIVER THE GOODS???

Over the moon about brilliant reviews, Rick Wakeman (l) and Jon Anderson bring their happy song-fest to the NE US. Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon PR

Over the moon about brilliant reviews, Rick Wakeman (l) and Jon Anderson bring their happy song-fest to the NE US. Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon PR

I had posted some press releases previously, but sometimes assignments drop in your lap last minute.  Who am I to pass up Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman coming to my “hood”?  I still regret not seeing Emerson Lake Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith when they played this very same theater, the Sherman in Stroudsburg.

I thought I had spent enough time in the Poconos, having moved there shortly before 9/11.  Leaving shortly after realizing our position would be militarily strategic as a strike zone with the proximity of Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Circumstances and reversal of fortunes (in that all my legal issues have been, for the most part addressed and I am victorious, those who plagiarized me, not so much) allow me to attend Anderson/Wakeman on November 5th, so I will be bringing you the usually slimmy on this critically acclaimed “Greatest Hits” tour.  What exactly are the critics saying?  Venture forth…

Who wants some METAL?

One of our favorite Metal CDs of the year comes out next week. If you have not heard the new HULL”Beyond The Lightless Sky” you are missing out! Come on down and check it out in our Metal Listening station. The guys will be in NYC at the Mercury Lounge October 10th.CLICK ON THE FLYER to purchase tix to the event.

 PRE ORDER THE NEW CD HERE FOR ONLY $6.99!! YES only $6.99 for one week only!!!!

CLICK ABOVE FLYER TO BUY TIX TO NYC SHOW

GUYS ARE ALSO PLAYING LONG ISLAND!!!

Time: Friday, October 7 · 6:00pm
Location: Vibe Lounge Rock Ville Centre, Long Island, NY
Bands: Hull, Sainthood Reps, Primitive Weapons, Tidal Arms
For more info on this show go to the Facebook Event – HERE

Band WEBSITE – www.hullandhighwater.com/

REVIEWS:

“Beyond The Lightless Sky, doesn’t stay in one place for too long; instead, it veers between motorcycle-revving D-beat, bog-trawling doom, sinister black metal, Neurosis drum-offs and hypnotic passages that gnash like a venom-dripping cousin to the final Isis album.” — Village Voice

“While drawing from the thunder of Isis and early Mastodon, the band also creeps in soaring melodies that border on Torche territory.” — Brooklyn Vegan

“Headbanging, growling, deliciously downtuned stoner metal. Hull s three guitar attack achieves maximum sludgery, bashing your skull into the wall with a sledgehammer and smearing your brains across the floor.” – Metalsucks

“Hull are well-educated in the school of metal, proving themselves to be as equally adept at Melvins-derived abstract, skull-crushing sludge as they are at proggy-guitar workouts or spiralling thrash-cum-punk riffs…” — The Skinny

“Brooklyn-based quintet Hull have been raising eyebrows in the underground metal scene with their engrossing blend of Neurosis-esque post-metal ambience, Mastodon-like downtuned southern groove, intricate progressive structures and psychedelic doom rumblings.” — One Metal

New Anthrax pre order CD now! $9.99

Pre Order CD now for $9.99 HERE

Pre Order LP now for $16.99 HERE

YES Legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman To Tour North America Fall 2011

Founding members of the Yes Former Bandmate Mutual Admiration Society, Rick Wakeman (L) and Jon Anderson (R). Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon

9/17/2011 – Asheville, NC – Much to the delight of fortunate music fans in the Eastern part of North America, music legends and former YES members Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman will be playing a select number of engagements this coming Fall 2011. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release ‘The Living Tree’, and are now bringing their highly anticipated show to America!

Having worked together on and off since 1971′s groundbreaking YES masterwork ‘Fragile’, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman have traveled similar musical paths that have eventually and happily led their careers back together again! Now once again, the duo promise a magical evening of music and humor for all who attend! “Expect a night of music, full of YES classics and new adventures in song from ‘The Living Tree’ album and moments of brilliance, humor and affection borne from a friendship and musical partnership that has lasted 40 years”, says Jon. “We knew from the responses on the last YES tour that the acoustic section was extremely popular and that many of the pieces could be re-arranged and adapted to make very interesting and hopefully enjoyable new ways of playing YES music and our own music,” adds Rick.

The tour is being produced by Metropolitan Talent Presents and is booked by Keith Naisbitt of Los Angeles based Agency for the Performing Arts. John Scher co-CEO of Metropolitan says, “We are incredibly proud to be presenting the North American debut of this legendary duo! Jon and Rick ARE the voice and sound of YES, as well as famously successful solo performers! This tour will be areal treat for their legions of fans.”

JULIE SLICK, BAREFOOT AND ON HER OWN!! CHALK ONE UP FOR THE YOUTH OF AMERICA!

Once again, nothing like that personalized, autographed CD cover.

If you caught my last post, I went on about a talented young bassist by the name of Julie Slick who plays bass in the Adrian Belew Power Trio.  For this young lady to be able to handle parts by bassists of such renown as Tony Levin, Les Claypool and others, as well as converting parts played on the Chapman Stick and Warr Guitar, is an ambitious feat in itself.  So it was of little surprise to me that she could conjure up a series of songs to compile a solo disc.  What was surprising was the depth and imaginativeness as well as the maturity and depth of composition this young artist has displayed.  Again, if you are looking for Katy Perry, Lada Yada, or other pop divas of that ilk, this ain’t it.  This is the direction of progressive music of the female gender.  Artists like Tori Amos, Nina Hagen, even some instrumental Laurie Anderson come to mind.  Slick professes not to be a vocalist, but I’d love to comprise this line-up: Amos on keyboards and vocals, Anderson on keyboards, violin, electronics and vocals, Slick on bass and electronics, and Maureen Tucker of Velvet Underground (Anderson’s husband Lou Reed’s former bandmate) on percussion and anything else she wants.

GoGo’s my gluteus maximus (and at my age, it is maximus)…

ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO LIVE IN GERMANY DVD, THE GENESIS OF AN AMAZING MUSIC MACHINE

Nothing like a personalized, autographed DVD case of the Adrian Belew Power Trio Live In Germany.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’d like to take a minute or two to express some heartfelt emotions.  Yup, first entry back and I’m getting all mushy.  But I’d like to thank all of my faithful followers who contacted me on my Facebook page and relayed their concerns regarding my absence from these sites.  I have been, and to a lesser extent, still am, under the weather.  I will remain classified as such until an exam later this month.  I also want to thank a couple of new Facebook friends who convinced me that regardless of negative feedback, my opinion of the art form is the only one that should matter in my forum.  Thank you Steve and Elliott.

I have a lot of catching up to do, so let’s get to it!

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE RETURN TRIUMPHANT TO TERMINAL 5 IN NYC, 3-25-11

The new and improved Queens Of The Stone Age seminal first album. The re-release has garnered such interest that the band embarked on a tour shortly after a near-death experience by frontman Josh Homme.

It was no surprise that the Queens Of The Stone Age (QOTSA) sold out its first tour in many years.  They left fans wanting more after their Era Vulgaris tour, and Josh Homme teased us with his super-group Them Crooked Vultures, which was also economically viable to the point where his cohorts in the band (Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Led Zepplin bassist/keyboardist/arranger John Paul Jones) want to keep the band productive.

But perhaps it was (according to Rolling Stone) Homme’s recent death scare that made people sell out this tour AND FAST!  You see, if you follow QOTSA, you know that Homme has had trouble with his knee and an emphysema-like illness since the Over The Years and Through The Woods era.  For those of you not familiar with this incident, please read on…

HISTORIC RECORDINGS OF FAIRPORT CONVENTION WITH SANDY DENNY LIVE AT EBBETS FIELD 1974 SEES CD RELEASE

Unearthed recordings of Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny surface on CD.

3/16/2011 – Philadelphia, PA – Much to the excitement of Fairport Convention and Sandy Denny fans around the globe, Philadelphia’s ItsAboutMusic.comwill release ultra rare recordings of the famed UK group recorded live at Ebbets Field in Denver, Colorado May 23/24, 1974. Produced and digitally remastered by Fairport Convention’s Jerry Donahue for ItsAboutMusic.com, the 1974 line-up of Fairport Convention on these recordings feature Sandy Denny (Vocals, Piano), Dave Mattacks (Drums), Jerry Donahue (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Dave Pegg (Bass,Vocals), Trevor Lucas (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar) and Dave Swarbrick (Vocals, Violin). This historical audio documentation catches the band at the height of their career performing to an ecstatic audience.

Fairport Convention are an English folk rock band formed in 1967, who are still recording and touring today, and are considered “the most important group in the English folk rock movement”. Their critically acclaimed album Liege and Lief helped launch the English folk rock movement. The vast number of personnel who have passed through band’s revolving door are amongst the most highly regarded and influential musicians of their era, and have gone on to work with many significant bands. Since 1979 the group has hosted the Cropredy Festival, a large annual event held in England. Individually and collectively the members of Fairport Convention have garnered numerous awards recognizing their contribution to music and culture.Fairport Convention was formed around 1967, and originally played a ”harmony-and guitar-based folk-rock style” strongly influenced by Californian groups of the day like the Byrds. The line-up that recorded their self-titled debut album in 1968 featured Richard Thompson, Ian Matthews, and Simon Nicol on guitars; Ashley Hutchings on bass; Judy Dyble on vocals; and Martin Lamble on drums. Fairport Convention didn’t reach their peak until Dyble was replaced after the first album in 1968 by Sandy Denny, who had previously recorded both as a solo act and with the Strawbs. Denny has been touted as the best British folk-rock singer of all time. This incarnation of the band would record two well-received albums. When Ian Matthews left the band in early 1969, and Martin Lamble (still in his teens) died in an accident involving the group’s equipment van in mid-1969, Fairport regrouped, replacing Lamble with Dave Mattacks, and adding Dave Swarbrick on fiddle. Their repertoire became much more traditional, and electrified traditional folk numbers would dominate their next album, Liege and Lief (1969). 

This line-up didn’t last long and by the end of the ’60s Ashley Hutchings had left to join Steeleye Span (he was replaced by Dave Pegg). Sandy Denny also left the group to form Fotheringay with Jerry Donahue. Richard Thompson remained for Full House (1970), but by the beginning of 1971 he too had departed, leaving Nicol as the only original member. Sandy Denny would actually return to the group for about a year and a half in the 1970s, prior to her death in 1978. Fairport Convention have continued on and off for the last 25 years, touring and performing frequently. To this day, the band is supported by a devoted fan base. Now with the release of Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny – Ebbets Field 1974, one important chapter of the band’s history is preserved for generations to enjoy. Here’s a magic recording of Sandy Denny, Jerry Donahue, Trevor Lucas, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks captured live!

CD and Download Release March 22, 2011

For song samples: http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/fairport.html

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com

TODD RUNDGREN BRINGS HEALING PSYCHEDELIA TO THE KESWICK THEATER, 9-14-10 PART TWO

The Carnival Cruise mom isn't the only one catching air... Photo by Lynn Vala

Glenside PA – Picking up from where we left off with our last entry, we are in intermission of the Todd/Healing show at the Keswick Theater in Glenside PA.  Whilst waiting for part two of the show, I manage to talk to some fans, as well as Doug Ford, Steve the usher who tells me that some of the more raucous songs are not only not for him, but at the back of the theater, sound like mud.  THAT’S a shame.  I am fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Tim Luciano, who, through his brother Pete (‘Lucky’) is friends with and grew up with Rundgren’s brother Robin Rundgren, who is here at the show along with Rundgren’s mother Ruth.  Mrs. Rundgren attends many of Rundgren’s east coast shows and is a heavy contributor to Rundgren biographer Billy James’ two editions of ‘A Dream Goes On Forever, The Continuing Story Of Todd Rundgren’.

As the second half nears, we see under the curtain the movement of feet, we hear Rundgren talking and errant notes here and there.  The house lights die as album 2,Healing begins.  From behind closed curtain we hear Rundgren vocally proclaim ‘My child…’

DIO “Holy Diver” Limited Edition Picture Disc LP – We got em!

Artist- DIO
Title - HOLY DIVER – PICTURE DISC LP VINYL
Price - $29.99

WAS SOLD OUT!!! BUT NOT NOW!!!!

OK WE FOUND 25 more copies but these are the LAST COPIES WE WILL EVER GET! We had to raise the price to $39.99 each because we bought these last 25 from another CD store and paid full retail for them ourselves. THESE WILL STILL COME WITH 2 DIO REAL PASSES.

CHECK BACK ON TUESDAY JANUARY 4th TO SEE IF WE GOT MORE INSTOCK!

There were only 1000 pressed and it is now out of print!!

Free Item! Also get for FREE 2 real unused backstage pass from one of Dio’s tours!!!

This is a VERY RARE ITEM NOW. There were only 1000 pressed of this Holy Diver LP Picture Disc and we have the last ones available! BUT you also get something very cool for FREE! You will also receive 2 very cool real back stage passes from one of Dio’s tours. These are real back stage passes that were not used. We received the passes from Wendy Dio, Ronnies wife as a free gift to give away to Looney Tunes customers with purchase of this rare LP.

Dio: Ronnie James Dio (vocals, keyboards); Vivian Campbell (guitar); Jimmy Bain (keyboards, bass); Vinny Appice (drums). Recorded at Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, California. Despite recording two hit studio albums with Black Sabbath (1980′s HEAVEN AND HELL and 1981′s THE MOB RULES) and playing throughout the world to huge crowds, Ronnie James Dio left the band in 1982-the year of his final release with Sabbath, the in-concert LIVE EVIL. As soon as the announcement of his departure was made official, Dio began to put together his first solo project. Joining him were former Rainbow bandmate Jimmy Bain on bass, former Sabbath bandmate Vinny Appice on drums, ex-Sweet Savage guitar hero Vivian Campbell, and newcomer Claude Schnell on keyboards. HOLY DIVER, Dio’s band debut, was issued in 1983. The album quickly became a favorite among headbangers worldwide and eventually earned the group platinum certification. The somewhat upbeat sounding “Rainbow in the Dark” was an MTV favorite, while the plodding title track proved to be another standout. Other album highlights include the opening anthem “Stand Up and Shout,” “Invisible,” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers.” HOLY DIVER proved that Dio’s departure from Black Sabbath had not affected his spirits. In fact, he sounds most inspired here, aided by his new, hungry backing band.