A&M Records

Sting in Alachua County on his first solo tour in October 1985

 After writing about Dark Horse Records, I went to Wikipedia and clicked on their original distributor A&M Records and found that the label would be relaunched. However, no sources such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, NME, Variety or the like were cited, making this a mere rumour, as Wikipedia can be unreliable if anyone can just put something up, making Fleet Street look like Utne Reader. A&M has been largely dormant in recent years, especially since the late '90s when PolyGram were sold to Universal. The former bought A&M, Island and Polar a decade earlier. In the US, A&M were clustered with Interscope and Geffen. The split between Universal Studios and Music Group in 2003 changed things further. Octone moved from J/BMG to A&M after the old BMG launched their JV with Sony in 2004 and Maroon 5 would eventually appear on Interscope. Sting has been carrying the torch of A&M since he was in the Police in the late '70s and only a few classical releases are on sister label Deutsche Grammophone (he'll be in Syracuse again in April with Billy Joel). Rick Wakeman had a solo deal with A&M coming out of the Strawbs, but it complicated what he could do in Yes at first, and A&M didn't always support his decisions, and he left the label and Yes in 1980, despite personal issues at the time.

Polydor UK did relaunch A&M on their end once and signed Duffy (on an equally brief reboot of Mercury [not counting Nashville like with MCA] across the pond). Jim Diamond released his first two solo albums on A&M, yet put out his fourth on Polydor, which could either have been to complete the old deal because an A&R left, or was an unrelated new one. His widow would have to answer that.

Supertramp would work their way up to become of the biggest successes for A&M. Roger Hodgson would stay on his own after leaving in 1983 for the first couple solo LPs before a long hiatus. The Carpenters safe as houses sound brought gold and platinum despite their Karens eating disorder. Amy Grant blazed a trail for the Lord being between A&M and Christian label Myrrh making her catalogue more available and becoming the cross-over queen. The Canadian branch had Bryan Adams, Gino Vannelli, Andy Kim, Susan Jacks, Terry Jacks, Bruce Cockburn, Véronique Béliveau, Jann Arden; Sharon, Lois & Bram; Fred Penner, and Raffi (even the Cancon kiddie scene counts). The boys tried to sign with A&M, but were turned down (their loss). Styx and Supertramp were the biggest international acts at the Toronto arm and overall in Canada since the Beatles and Elvis Presley, I would suppose.

I gave you the Cliffs Notes version of A&Ms history, yet we need something that confirms a new one is about to start. The label has a rich legacy and you'd never think it was technically indie in the old days.

Dedicated to the memory of Jerry Moss, who would have been proud to see the label return, despite the two legal rows he and his former colleague Herb Alpert have had with the two subsequent owners over its corporate culture (Alpert moved his lot to a new label since then).

George Harrison remasters and Dark Horse Records: 50 Years On

George Harrison at the Princes Trust appeal, 1987.

 George Harrisons family signed a deal last year with BMG to move distribution of his solo label Dark Horse Records and administration of his publishing. His old friend Bob Dylan started the trend (even though he outright sold his work). A few reissues have already come out, primarily on vinyl, such as the first two solo releases Wonderwall Music and Electronic Sound on limited edition picture disc, to straight reissues of the last couple Cloud Nine and Brainwashed. The newest is Living in the Material World 50th Anniversary (albeit a year and a half too late, but it can only "Be Here Now" [where oasis got the names of both that and "Wonderwall"]). Getting more praise now like his former colleague John Lennons solo album from 1973 Mind Games, expanded last year by their Sean, which was underrated when the elder Lennon and Harrison were both still alive ("You know how it is," the former would say).

One reviewer said that All Things Must Pass had been done enough. However, because of the new contract, one must consider that like Paul McCartneys solo and Wings output prior to 1975, it is no longer on Apple (although his first two had licenced it for new LP reissues for old times' sake). Back to Harrison, his triple smash could either do the same thing, or it would be like in 2001 less than a year before his passing when it was remastered with a new design and was neither on Apple or Dark Horse, but on a one-off vanity label called GnOM (you'd have to look it up, and it was the last solo reissue in his lifetime). The more recent edition would be out again with the new information, but Apple could be loaned out just like Parlophone is with Beatles proper reissues for up to 1967 since EMIs sale in 2013.

Late 1974s Dark Horse album may be next. Named to fill the void since Harrisons old deal wouldn't be done until January 1976. Rolling Stone slated the tour and he never lived it down. His voice was a state. I wonder if Peter Jacksons MAL AI technology could be used to do up a live show if a recording made by Harrison himself exists, coming after Get Back and "Now and Then", or if a decent bootleg is available since it technically can be claimed. Live albums used to have studio overdubs in those days, but this is something Live at the Star Club is reportedly getting (that'll be considered for a future post).

1981s Somewhere in England could have an expanded edition because a number of songs were declined by then-distributor Warner Bros./WEA (Warner Music Group), which were only available later as B-sides, remaster bonus tracks, on Sothebys-rare limited edition CD EPs that came with a book, or on bootlegs (the diehards get it). Their Dhani has his work cut out. There may be even more in the vaults.

Then there's the complication of compilations. The Best of George Harrison was supposed to be the best of both worlds (largely the old guard), but was just a sendoff by EMI to compete with Thirty-Three and a Third in November 1976. The Best of Dark Horse: 1976-1989 is the only one he approved of and is long out-of-print and has no Beatles tracks whatsoever. Let It Roll was a posthumous release. It would be having to licence Beatles tracks from Universal, Apple or Sony (Concert for Bangladesh versions outside North America because of Dylans [on Columbia US/then-CBS, yet on sister label Epic] return to the stage and industry policies at the time, as well as for pre-1968 publishing). Even a new collection could be considered.

Dark Horse in recent years returned to its original vision of signing other people. Joe Strummers estate (The Clash) and Billy Idol are two of the latest to join the fray. Reissues of past artists like Splinter, Henry McCullough (Wings), Keni Burke and Stairsteps, Attitudes and Ravi Shankar (we can't forget him, of course) should be explored, although some already are reissued, so I'm just catching up here.

Absolutely no ChatGPT was used. George would be very concerned about AI if he were still with us, I'm quite sure. He probably would have approved of it being to used to clean up the audio, but not to replicate voices and instruments, because that's what people are afraid of, and Ringo had to assure everyone that John wasn't being imitated by a bot, because it's not like the "new" Steve Marriott album (which is a mockery at a level even Yoko wouldn't stoop to, but we won't go there today). I just know that Harrisons legacy is in capable hands and will continue to bring in new generations of fans.

REO Speedwagon: REO-gate

REO Speedwagon in happier times (cliché, I know!) at Red Rocks, CO Capital Region, 2010

Sjgkfe, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 Seems that it's never too late for a band to have problems. Just as oasis come back, other bands fall apart, particularly ones from before thirty years ago I grew up seeing in the charts and on MTV & VH1. It's like a marriage that ran its course, A trite comparison but it's true. REO Speedwagon are no stranger to this, and now they're on the way out because of a row over bass player Bruce Halls medical recovery and frontman Kevin Cronin. A similar situation occurred twice in the late '90s with their friends Styx and contemporaries Journey, as well as Yes less than a decade later, so it's not uncommon, especially as one gets on in age. The jury are out on this one. We've just seen Hall & Oates and Janes Addiction become Behind the Music material (now on Paramount+, sister streamer to MTV and VH1).

 Remaining founding member Neal Doughty stopped touring in 2022 and I saw the band for the last time and without him last year, and it wasn't the same. I also learned co-founder and original drummer Alan Gratzer is originally from Syracuse. I didn't go the year before because I couldn't afford to go to that and Elton John, who was wrapping up his life on the road, and his bass guitarist Matt Bissonette has just taken over for Hall to boot. I just didn't go this year also because I had to cut back on shows like a lot of people are on less essential activities in this economy. Perhaps the spirits of Gary Richrath and the more recently departed Gregg Philbin told me not to go this time as they turn in their graves over this. I might have even skipped Cronins birthday this year because of how he allegedly stabbed his longtime colleague in the back or I'm focussed on other bands and priorities right now. We're riding a real (two in the south at the time of this writing) and proverbial storm out here. It'd be too easy to throw in some Gene Shalit-style puns to what is a sad end to a nearly six decade legacy that started in the Champaign-Urbana area at uni in the bar scene and became an AOR-corporate rock punchline to many. We're all experienced at being human and life is one big Pandoras box. Terry Luttrell from the 1971 début (later of Starcastle) and would-be vocalist Greg X. Volz (who joined Petra instead, who I once liked, while Cronin returned after the Mike Murphy period in 1976) found the Lord.

  It's a right shame to see a band I've known for over forty years' time since I was very young get to this stage so far along, but let's hope they can sort out their differences so they can end the band with some integrity and dignity for the sake of the fans.

Downsizing in desperate times

Just some of what's left (some empty space)

 Like many people these days, I'm struggling to make ends meet, and have too much at home I don't need anymore. Between bills and taxes, it's hard to keep up on a limited income. I hired a solicitor to look into the tax situation. I don't typically discuss my personal life like this, although one can relate. It's after reading some clickbait article that hit home is when it was time to take stock and decide which of it can go to the shop. What they didn't take went to Atlanta-based app decluttr via ups, even though they pay twopence since I've used them several times. There are so many CDs I just don't listen to anymore. They are taken off my collection on Discogs of course and it shows how much I've spent over the years. The first two goes barely add up to $100, but it's better than nothing. Also, recent events brought family to town for the time being, and the social are coming over soon to boot, so I have to tidy up, even though I started to before the unexpected occurred. Usually I bring things in for store credit, but I need the cash to whittle down debt. I had been filling up boxes and crates with dozens of titles. Had to channel my inner Suze Orman and Marie Kondo sacrificing what had been sitting around for a year or so. Racks have been filling up the wardrobes. They're obviously not made for that. Trying to break a cycle. Who I have extra of that can go are tagged (even the boys). If I have the LP, then I might not need the CD unless it has bonus material or is rare. I spent a right fortune over the years, but changes in the past few years meant having to transition what I like to do. If I ever have to move house again, I really would have to cull since I would most likely go to a flat or somewhere smaller. Just not how I pictured my life, but no one does having to face challenges everyday. I'll be lucky to get $100 from all of it, since vinyl is a bigger priority now, and I only have so much of that to give up. I may be getting something in the post, but I'm not too sure. We all know there's no such thing as overnight.

You can also support me here. The ones who paved the way for that are also tagged. In any case, I know this won't last forever, but you think it will when you're in the middle of it. My grandparents' generation survived the Depression and WWII, so we'll get through this too. Life and the economy has hills and plateaux like anything. I just need to be better with priorities during this midlife crisis of mine.

Boris's latest list

Three Magnum CDs on the list (had to make do)

    Once again, Boris's list has been revised, and so much has been acquired, added and deleted since the last one was made three years ago, so many artists are no longer needed (even if I find them too late). I received this before I put it here, and found one by a group who will remain nameless, then found an autographed CD by a recently departed member of a band of another era. Anyway, I need to find a few more before sending out another package by the festive period due to the complicated method and high cost of P&P. The list has changed even more as a dozen or so more titles have been deleted as they were no longer needed, which is a relief since they are rare in the US. A few more were thrown in. We can't send anything to each other right now because of financial difficulties as well as changing events in both of our countries. I have a better shot at finding Muse again since they're remotely more well known here. I also might not have as much time to go on the road when new things start for me in 2025.

 A.................................................................................................................

Amenophis: Amenophis

Anyones Daughter: Adonis

Alcatrazz: No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll

           Dangerous Games

Amorphis: Elegy

          Am Universum

Anaphema: Eternity

Anglagard: Hybris

B..................................................................................................................

Blind Guardian: Tales from the Twilight World

               Somewhere Far Beyond

C..........................................................................................

Celtic Frost: Vanity/Nemesis

Cornwell, Hugh (The Stranglers): Nosferatu (w/Robert Williams)

Classix Nouveaux: La Verité

Creatures (Siouxsie and the Banshees): Hai!

Camel: Rain Dances

D.................................................................................................................

Daturana: Crossroad Man

Dax, Danielle: Blast the Human Flower

Dio: Strange Highways**

            

                    

E.......................................................................................................................

Eloy: Ra   

Electric Family: Ice Cream Phoenix

                 Royal Hunt

                Echoes Don't Lie

                Family Show

Escape with Romeo: Samsara

                  Emotional Ice Age

                  

F..............................................................................................................

Fischer Z:World Salad

          Kamikaze Shirt

Freedom Call: Crystal Empire

             Eternity

             Beyond

Fargo: Geli

G..................................................................................................................

Gong: Time is the Key

(Ian) Gillan (Deep Purple): Mr Universe

Gamma Ray: Power Plant

            No World Order

            Empire of the Undead

Gryphon: Red Queen to Gryphon Three

H.............................................................................................................................

Helloween: Keeper Of The 7 Keys - III (The Legacy)

Heavens Gate: In Control

              Living in Hysteria

Hackett, Steve: At the Edge of Light**

Human League: Reproduction

Hypnos 69: Legacy

I.............................................................................................................................

Iron Savior: Iron Savior (1997)

            Unification

IQ: Are You Sitting Comfortably?**

   Ever**

    

J..............................................................................................................

Jane: Here We Are

      Lady

      Between Heaven and Hell

      Fire, Water, Air and Earth

Japan: Obscure Alternatives

K.....................................................................................................................

L.....................................................................................................................

Lake of Tears: Forever Autumn

               Black Brick Road

               Moons and Mushrooms

               Crimson Cosmos

Lacrimosa: Testament

                               

M............................................................................................................

Mad Max: Rollin' Thunder

Manowar: Gods of War

         The Lord of Steel

         Into Glory Ride

         Hail to England

Magnum: Chase the Dragon**

       Brand New Morning**

       Into the Valley of Moonking**

        Escape from the Shadow Garden**

        Lost on the Road to Eternity**

       Kingdom of Madness**

Manfred Manns Earth Band: Masque

Mamas Boys: Power and Passion

Michael Schenker Group: MSG (1981)

N..................................................................................................................

New Trolls: Concerto Grosso #1

Novalis: Banished Bridge

         Novalis (1975)

Numan, Gary: Berserker     

Nazareth: The Catch

          Cinema

          

         

O..................................................................................................................

Osibisa: Woyaya

Osiris: Osiris (1981)

OMD: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1980)

Oldfield, Mike: Man on the Rocks

P............................................................................................................

Phillips, Anthony: The Geese and the Ghost*

Pell Mell: Rhapsody

           Moldau

R.................................................................................................................

Rockets: Galaxy

        Atomic

Rhapsody: Dawn of Victory

         Symphony of Enchanted Lands, Part I

Rousseau: Flower in Asphalt

Running Wild: Brotherhood

                        Death or Glory

                        Pile of Skulls

S................................................................................................................

Sweet: Off the Record

       Waters Edge

Stratovarius: Elements, Part 2

             Episode

             Visions

             Infinite

Seventh Avenue: Southgate

                Between the Worlds

Stranglers: Dreamtime (2001 edition)

Siouxsie & the Banshees: Juju

Space: Deliverance (latest edition)

Sparks: Hippopotamus

       Gratuitous Sex & Senseless Violins

Saunders, Lee: A Promise of Peace

Saga: Saga (1978)

Sisters of Mercy: Floodland

Stewart, Rod: Foolish Behaviour

T...............................................................................................................

10cc: Look Hear

      Ten Out of 10

      Windows in the Jungle

TV Smith:  Coming In to Land

           In the Arms of the Enemy

            Land of the Overdose

            Misinformation Overload

Toyah: In the Court of the Crimson Queen

U..................................................................................................................

Unheilig: Puppenspiel

         Von Mensch zu Mensch

UFO: Obsession

V..................................................................................................................

Viva: Dealers of the Night

Virgin Steele: Invictus

               The House of Atreus (Act I & II)

               Visions of Eden

W...................................................................................................................

Wood, Roy (Wizzard/ELO/Idle Race): Mustard

Wire: Chairs Missing

Wintersun: Wintersun (2004)

          Time I

Y...........................................................................................................

n/a

* I would like this as well.

** I have this already.

.........................................................................................................

Tickets, Touts, and Taylor

David Gilmour at the Peter Green Tribute Concert, 25/2/20

 When oasis announced their reunion tour, fans made a mad rush for tickets, even though they were hundreds of pounds, and they were slated for it. Even worse, touts were already reselling them for even more, so the band are putting a stop to it by making the tickets exclusively for who bought them, just as Kate Bush had a decade ago for her rare residency at the Eventim Apollo (formerly Hammersmith Odeon). On the contrary, her old friend and mentor David Gilmour is about to have his own tour, and  when I looked at downstates dates coming after another event in the tri-state I would like to attend (story for another day, but I'd stay at the same hotel to save time, even if I'd be on the tube late at nights, or run into his former colleague), one was sold out, and the other a right fortune. Ironically, when I went to an article on Pearl Jam (who boycotted Ticketmaster in 1996) and there was a link to a third-party reseller, both dates were available and had seats at a remotely doable price and distant location in the arena. Last time I went there or the region was to see Paul McCartney. He and Peter Gabriel (you can connect the dots by now) were at Taylor Swifts concert in London a while ago (the old guard come to her). Swifties seem to spend less by going overseas than trying to see her in the US. I know it's too easy these days to write about missus, but even she's a scapegoat of the Live Nation/Ticketmaster monopoly. I'm lucky to get to one name show this year, which is Duran Duran back Upstate at the casino, but I'd have to win the pools well before that since I need time to plan and pay for the lot. I also have to see what they're doing with the Fairfield County do the night of Durans own show at the Garden because it can be too much and they're not that close together since it's a big area. Like most people at this stage, essentials come first in this economy before even considering hols or big shows anywhere.

oasis: 30 Years On

oasis at the Patriot Centre in Fairfax County, VA (DC area); 20/12/08

 The return of oasis after fifteen years time is something many fans hoped for, but thought would never happen. The volatile relationship of Liam and Noel Gallagher has long been a sticking point. Reports of a tour next year are coming out now with ticket prices reaching as much as thousands of pounds. Nothing about a new album has been announced yet. More as this develops.