Poster artist Alton Kelly whose graphics defined the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene died this week of complications associated with osteoporosis. Kelly designed posters and album covers for Journey, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix and even the Beatles, but is probably most noted for creating The Grateful Dead’s skull and roses logo. He was 67.
I stumbled across this featured segment on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” hosted by Bob Boilen. This inspired installment had music from little-known bands like “A Sunny Day in Glasgow, “Blanche” (a group from Detroit) and “Thrift Store Cowboys.” Check it out, you might even find a new band to fall in love with and call you own.
After listening to the song samples, you can dig deeper into this bottomless topic and even post your own favorites on Bob’s blog.
This morning when the producers of “Live with Regis and Kelly” told the former Beatle that he would have to reduce his scheduled performance time to under 2 1/2 minutes, Mr. Starkey decided to walk than to compromise. Ringo was out promoting his new album, “Liverpool 8″ (and it really rather enjoyable if do say so myself).
I’ve just learned of a new band from Suffolk, England that reeks of Floyd, early Genesis, Godspeed You! Black Emperor or Hawkwind. Mostly instrumental, they’re a cross between British folk, psychdelia or a bad dream featuring Syd Barrett. Good background music for a funeral or those contemplating suicide.
Their new album is called “The Fate of Old Mother Orvis” and can be found on Backwater Records.
Check them out on MySpace and give a listen to “The Mustard Men” here.
Henry Diltz was the leading photographer of rock bands on the music scene from 1966-1975. Whether it was Hendrix, The Doors, Eagles, The Who or CSN&Y (seen practicing backstage in 1970) he was the primary lensman shooting them in concert or taking the pix for the album covers. Now he has released a retrospective book of his work called “California Dreaming” from Genesis Publications.
Just in time for the classic rock fans on your Christmas list.
In an effort to keep Revolving World readers apprised of the larger musical scene, new links have been added. Take a stroll over to the links bar and peruse, New Musical Express (online version of Britain’s popular music magazine), Hickory Wind (Americana) and Folk Alley.
If you ever listen to public radio you know that they have a lot of interesting segments on music and non-mainstream artists. Well now they’ve compiled all of it together on a new site. Check it out.
NowPlayIt.com offers one-on-one video tutoring from top musicians. Paul McCartney, KT Tunstall and Graham Coxon (Blur) are a few of the talents who demonstrate the basics of playing their tunes accompanied by a pop-up tablature that indicates specific chord fingering.
The White Stripes have teamed up with renowned camera manufacturers Lomography to produce two completely custom cameras; the ‘Jack’ Holga and the ‘Meg’ Diana+. The cameras are specially designed in conjunction with the band and will be available in both the U.S and U.K from www.whitestripes.com . These unique cameras went on sale today, Monday, October 15th.
A previously unreleased R.E.M. song, “Until the Day Is Done,” will premiere tomorrow (Oct. 10) on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” The song is synced to clips from the CNN special “Planet in Peril,” which airs Oct. 23-24.
“Until the Day Is Done” will also be included in the “AC360″ podcast, which goes live Thursday, and in a video trailer for “Planet in Peril” on CNN.com. It is not yet known if it will appear on R.E.M.’s next album, due in the spring via Warner Bros.