For the Record
Collector's Series: The Johnny Cash Ultimate American Recordings and House Of Cash Bundle
The first American Recordings album released by Johnny Cash came out in 1994. It was Cash's 81st studio release, but was the first in a series of albums all the way up until Cash's death that featured collaborations with famed producer Rick Rubin. This first release was simply titled CASH, but it came to be known as the American Recordings.
March's Record Store Spotlight Album of the Month - Billy Squier - Don't Say No
On April 13th, 1981, Billy Squier released Don't Say No, his second album since signing as a solo artist with Capitol Records. Squier's first record, Tale of the Tape, was only moderately successful. Although it peaked at #169 on the Billboard 200, it still spent three months on the chart at a time when the top 200 albums really meant something. In need of a producer for his second album, Squier reached out to Queen guitarist Brian May, who had to decline due to scheduling. May suggested that Squier reach out to Reinhold Mack (longtime studio engineer for E.L.O.) who was currently producing Queen's The Game (which garnered a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) in 1981). So Squier met with Mack, and he ended up co-producing the record.
March 2018 Jazz, Soul & Blues (NEW) Record of the Month - Durand Jones & The Indications - Durand Jones & The Indications (Red Vinyl)
In 2012, Durand Jones left his home in Louisiana and enrolled in the Jacobs School of Music in Indiana. He plays the Alto Sax and never planned on being a singer. But not long after starting school, he put a band together and found himself singing soul and R&B classics. That's band ended up becoming the Indications.Their first single, “Smile”, was heard by Terry Cole of Colemine records. Cole pressed up a batch of 45s. Durand Jones & The Indications initially found acceptance in the vinyl community. They were inspired by a handful of dusty and obscure 45s baring names like the Ethics, the Brothers of Soul, and the Icemen, the Indications set out to make a record steeped in heavy drums, blown-out vocals, and deep grooves.
March 2018 Alternative Record of the Month - The Wombats - Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life
If you haven't already heard of The Wombats, we've got you covered. The band formed in Liverpool, U.K. in 2003. Since its inception, they have released four studio albums. 2008's A Guide to Love, Loss, & Desperation, the band's debut, made a decent splash in the U.K.. The record reached #11 on the UK Albums Chart and went U.K. Platinum. It was nominated for three NME's that year (winning one) and was nominated for Best New Act for the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. A Guide did get to #20 on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart, but really didn't crossover to U.S. audiences.
March 2018 Rock Record of the Month - The Glorious Sons - Young Beauties and Fools
The Glorious Sons are from Kingston, Ontario. The band has done well in Canada. They have released one EP, Shapeless Art, and a full length, The Union. Those titles produced a big splash on the Canadian Rock / Alternative radio charts. One song went #1, "The Contender" and six other songs were top ten singles (including four making it all the way to #2). Young Beauties and Fools released in Canada October 13, 2017, but is just now making its way to the US. The first single off the album went #1 on the Canadian Rock / Alternative chart. In the U.S., "Everything Is Alright is currently #32 on the Mediabase Alternative charts.
Blind Tiger Record Club Podcast Teaser Launched!
Blind Tiger Record Club co-founders David W. Williams and Greg Hays host panel discussions on albums released on vinyl. Guest panelists include artists, producers, songwriters, managers, booking agents, entertainment attorneys, and other music industry veterans that are passionate about music and the creation of music. Each episode digs into a new release, reissue, or influential album from the guest panelist perspective. Listen and leave with stories and new perspectives on albums you have heard, and hopefully new music to explore or rediscover. B.T.R.C. champions music from all genres and believes vinyl is king.
B.T.R.C. Record Store Collector's Series Presents U2 Innocence / Experience Set
Songs of Innocence was announced and released as a major Apple event September 9th, 2014. It was the bands 13th album and in many ways represented the end of the compact disc as the preferred method of physical delivery for music. Although the CD had been in decline for several years, when, arguably, the biggest band in the world released exclusively digitally, it became the symbolic nail in the coffin. The release with Apple made the record available at no charge to over 500 million iTunes customers in one day. Apple CEO Tim Cooke touted it as the largest release of all time. It wouldn't be released in physical form (vinyl as well) until October 14th, 2014.
March 2018 Singer Songwriter Record of the Month - Brandi Carlile - By The Way I Forgive You
I first heard Brandi Carlile live October 16, 2006 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. I had discovered her self titled debut roughly a year earlier when it first released and I was immediately hooked. Her vocals were haunting and deceptively powerful. The harmonies she created with twin collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth were something special. At that performance, Brandi was opening for Shawn Colvin. After all, it was her first record. Shawn was great. I have always been a fan and she did not disappoint, but for me; I was there to see the opener. It was all about Brandi and she blew me away. Huge, powerful vocals always held back so they don't loose their punch. Just a great show.