Thursday, October 30, 2014

Platinum No More

Maybe you saw the headlines  a couple of weeks ago that not one album that was released in 2014 has gone platinum.  The nearest thing to a 2014 platinum album was Beyonce s/t one from last December.  And even with all the hype that's surrounded that one, it still has only sold 750,000.  The only hope for a million seller in 2014 now lies with Taylor Swift's forthcoming release.

This total includes both physical, which we know is slowly dying on new releases, and digital which is also down.  There was no data on streaming services but the last I read they were flat as well.  So where are people going to find out their music.  My guess is free sites like YouTube and good old streaming radio stations.

In other words, if it's free the consumer will buy it.
But back to the original topic.  The only album of any sort that has sold over a million this year was the 2013 Frozen soundtrack.  And what's the industry going to do about any of this?  If the past is any indication, then not much.  Because they are always hoping for a magic turnaround.  I still see physical albums priced at the $10 range, digital slightly less.  The consumer decided long ago that they weren't going to pay for overpriced CD's.

As for my own personal buying habits, I now stream albums first before buying.  And even on ones I like, I'm cautious about buying unless I find a deal somewhere.  I figure I've done my part in trying to keep the biz alive by buying tons of music back before streaming, and getting burned on lousy albums.


Link to article:
Billboard

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Playlist for 10/28

Doug Seegers - Going Down To The Rivers
Angaleena Presley - American Middle Class
Joe Ely - B4 84
Cowboy Jack Clement - For Once and For All
Jackson Browne - Standing In The Breach

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Streaming

Did you know that Bob Seger put out a new album 2 weeks ago?  Ok, I did because it's what I do.  Follow that type of stuff.  So, on release day I fire up my Spotify search for Seger's album and nothing.  There's not one album or song listed under his name.  Now I knew he was a holdout on Itunes for a long time, but is there now.  Still, I thought he and his management would realize it's 2014 and people aren't going to be buying a new Seger album without hearing it first.  Then I checked for Kid Rock, who is managed by the same company, and he's not there either (but is on Itunes).

Not sure why I care about this subject anymore.  I used to post about it years ago, but then moved on.  Yet, I think it's funny that anybody would be holding out in late 2014.

Just for old times sake I did a Spotify search on some old faves that weren't on there in the past:  Bee Gees, Metallica, Bad Company.  They were all there.  Even good old Garth Brooks who isn't on any of these, has his own site for downloading his albums.  (Wonder how long that will last?) But wait?  Def Leppard?  Nowhere anywhere because of a dispute with their former label.

I don't want to get all Bob Lefsetz on anybody who's reading this.  But my point of all this is simple.  It's  almost 2015 and if I can't stream your album to see if it's worth buying, especially a heritage act like Bob Seger, than I will move on.  As will everybody else.


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

ICYMI: 6 Genres & The Rock Hall

Below are 6 links to articles I wrote about what R&B, Blues, Country, Non-Performers, Hip Hop and Music critics that could be part of the Rock Hall.

I'm open to any suggestions of names that I might have missed.


R&B Artists and the Rock Hall

Blues Artists and the Rock Hall

Country Artists and the Rock Hall

Non-Performers & The Rock Hall

Music Critics and the Rock Hall

Hip Hop and the Rock Hall

Saturday, October 18, 2014

My Spotify Rock Hall Playlist

For those of you who have Spotify, you can access my new Rock Hall Wish List Playlist at the link below:

Tom Lane's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Wish List 

On it you will find artists that I think should be in the Hall.  I've got my usual eclectic mix of genres.  Some Early Influence artists in there as well.  And I'm always on the lookout for an act that I've overlooked or underrated that others think should be inducted.  So, I'm open to opinions on missing names.

There was only 1 act that didn't have their catalog on Spotify:  Def Leppard.  Who are having a spat with their former record company.  Also couldn't find Joan Jett & The Blackhearts early 80's catalog, but I found one from the late 80's.  Go figure.


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Playlist for 10/16

Stevie Nicks - 24 Karat Gold
Tweedy - Sukirae
Bryan Adams - Tracks of My Years
Sondre Lerche - Please
Prince -  Art Official Age/Plectrum Electrum
Blake Shelton - Bringing Back the Sunshine

2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees

The latest batch of Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees have been announced.  Below are the 2015 nominees.  

Performers: Gloria Estefan, Cat Stevens, Toby Keith, Steve Miller, Steve Winwood, Ann Wilson & Nancy Wilson, and Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey.

Non-performing songwriters:  Linda Perry, Allee Willis, Rod Temperton, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Bobby Braddock, Bob McDill, Rudy Clark & Randy Edelman, Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn, Sandy Linzer & Denny Randell, P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri and Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia.                    
(Source: Newsday)

But the real fun is taking a look at some of the people that haven't been inducted as of 2015.  Most of these fall under the performer category which means I'm missing a few non-performer names.  

I have no idea how nominees are selected or how many people vote and what the demographics are, but take a look at this list.  It's stunning how most of these haven't been inducted by now.  

Not Inducted:

Pete Townshend
Neil Young
Cat Stevens
George Harrison
Jimi Hendrix
Sly Stone
Rod Stewart
Dion DiMucci
Prince
Rod Temperton
Walter Becker/Donald Fagen
Warren Zevon
Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards
Bobby Womack
Elvis Costello
Tom Petty
U2
Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks/Christine McVie
Jeff Lynne
Steve Miller
John Hiatt
John Mellencamp
David Gates
Led Zeppelin
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
George Michael
Robbie Robertson
Steve Perry/Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain 
Tom T. Hall
Waylon Jennings

John Prine
Bert Berns
Harry Nilsson
Steve Winwood
Robert "Mutt" Lange
Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis

Chrissie Hynde
Joe South
B.B. King
J.J. Cale
Madonna
Peter Gabriel
Harry Wayne Casey

Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter
Bill Anderson
Bobby Braddock
Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn
William "Mickey" Stevenson



Thursday, October 09, 2014

Rock Hall Nominees 2015: Quick Thoughts

Just some quick thoughts on the 2015 nominees:

Very happy to see the Smiths and Stevie Ray Vaughan finally getting nominated.  Both eligible since 2008.

Vaughan is paired with NomCom fave, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in an interesting combo.

Bill Withers is one name I predicted would get nominated.   Been thinking about him since 2010, but didn't slot him until this year.  He's also this year's singer-songwriter pick. Will be a strong first ballot contender.

Death can get you back on the ballot.  Lou Reed, last nominated in 2001 is back and now it seems he'll go in right away.  Sting's solo nomination is no surprise.

Lots of R&B to choose from. Names returning:  War, Marvelettes, Chic and my beloved Spinners.

Only 1 rap act nominated, which means the NomCom wants the path for NWA to get easier.

Only 2 women acts on the ballot:  Joan Jett is a NomCom fave, too.  Oh, and so are Kraftwerk.
In fact, 9 of the 15 nominated have been here before.

No surprise on the two 90's bands getting first time noms:  Green Day still seem a lock, while Nine Inch Nails still don't seem one.  But I've got some time to think about Trent Reznor.


So, what's missing:  Good old fashioned Rock bands.  No Deep Purple or Yes.

No one from the 50's.  Meaning Link Wray who I thought would go in right away last year is missing.  As are many others from that era.

Right off the top I can see 4 locks:  Green Day, Lou Reed, Stevie Ray and,Withers.  That leaves 2, maybe 3 open slots.

Going to be another tough ballot.



Playlist for 10/11

Jesse Winchester - Reasonable Amount of Trouble
Lee Ann Womack -  Way I'm Livin'
Lucinda Willians - Down Where The Spirit
Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - Cheek to Cheek
John Mellencamp - Plain Spoken

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Playlist for 10/4

Barbra Streisand - Partners
Meshell Ndegeocell - Comet
Dead Man's Town Tribute to Born In The USA
Genesis - Foxtrot
John McLaughlin - Electric Guitarist

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Magazine Update

Time for an update on magazines I read.

Rolling Stone
Down Beat
JazzTimes
Mojo
Uncut

Goldmine
Billboard 

Big Takeover
MagnetRelix
Ugly Things
Shindig (UK)
Beatlefan
Flashback (UK)
American Songwriter
Blues Revue
Under the Radar
Wax Poetics
Echoes of the Past
Oxford American  


Guitar Player
Elvis The Man and His Music
Blue Suede News 
Record Collector
Texas Music
GQ
Time
People
Vanity Fair
New Yorker
New York  Magazine
Wired
Prog  (UK)
Blues Magazine (UK)
Vintage Rock  (UK)
Classic Pop (UK)
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