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Classic Rock News And Views
November 8, 2010
Will They or Won’t They? Rolling Stones Plans Remain Uncertain
It’s beginning to feel a bit like the whole Led Zeppelin hoopla nearly three years ago. The three surviving members of Zeppelin joined forced with Jason Bonham in December of 2007 to perform at London’s O2 Arena to honor late Atlantic Records exec Ahmet Ertegun. The event set off a firestorm of speculation about a reunion and world tour that never came to pass and seems more and more unlikely with each passing year.
Although the Rolling Stones are still alive and kicking, whether or not they will tour or record again remains in question. Comments from Keith Richards recently suggested that the Stones still had more in them and that they had a stash of unfinished material to work on that was not included in the last album.
Richards went on to say that they will get together in December or January to begin working on ideas, although he did not indicate that he had talked to other members of the group regarding that plan.
Richards’ new book may have caused some unrest within the ranks of the group, particularly with frontman Mick Jagger who was might be understandably insulted by some of the comments Richards wrote about his anatomy, among other things.
Most recently, a Stones spokesman has said that the group currently has no plans to tour or spend time in the recording studio in the coming year. The band’s press office released the following statement: “There are no concrete plans for The Rolling Stones to tour. The same applies to rumors that they are going into the studio soon to record a new album.”
Perhaps Richards and Jagger are working out their personal differences before they decide to work together again. Perhaps not.
Maybe they all just need a break from one another before they feel the desire to get back to business. Nothing is for certain and fans will simply have to wait until all of the Stones agree on whether it’s time to soldier on or fade quietly into retirement.
February 3, 2008
New Life For The Vinyl LP Record
I’ll be the first to admit that I did not see this coming. It appears that the old vinyl LP record is making a comeback. And it’s not only old albums that are available on vinyl. New albums are being released on the venerable format from artists like Amy Winehouse and The Shins.
I guess I first started to notice this trend on David Letterman’s show. He regularly displays a musical group’s CD on the show when he announces their performances and lately I have noticed that he has been hauling some big LP covers out onto his desk for the camera.
I was one of those people that welcomed the digital music era with open arms. Although some say that they can hear a difference between digital music and the "warmer" sound of the old vinyl records, that is something I have had a hard time making my mind up about.
What drove me crazy about the old vinyl records was that I could never seem to banish the hiss and pops that resulted from dirt, dust, scratches or whatever else it was on the surface of the record that interrupted my listening pleasure no matter what record-cleaning gizmo I tried. The sound of interference-free digital music ushered in a new era of peace and harmony between myself and my music collection.
Apparently there is a perception among some of today’s young music fans that vinyl is cool, and is the new in thing in some circles and that’s fine with me. I think music fans have the right to choose their tunes on whatever format they prefer and those producing the vinyl are keeping up with the times by offering records in different colors and including useful bonuses like certificates for free digital downloads of the music that is on the record that was purchased.
I’m still somewhat on the fence on whether vinyl sounds warmer, richer or better when compared to digital music, but I’d be willing to give it a listen some day. It has been a couple of decades or so since I have heard anything on vinyl, so it would probably be easier for me to pick up on any differences now. I’ll be sure to report back if I get a chance to spin an LP or two on a turntable somewhere.
