Now, unless you're really something of a collector, it's safe to assume that any record player you might own only has two speed settings - 33 and 45 RPM. We say that because the old-fashion 78 RPM phonograph design all but died out over 50 years ago.
Enter Tom Waits. The much-admired singer/songwriter, as a result of his recent collaboration with New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band, is set to release a cover of an old jazz recording - in its original 78 format.
The song, Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing, was originally recorded by Danny Barker in 1947. Waits' version will feature the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and be released on Preservation Hall Recordings on November 19.
Since 78 RPM record players are, to say the least, hard to come by these days, Preservation Hall is also releasing a limited edition player that will play at 78 and 100 speeds. Only 504 of the record players will be made available, with all proceeds going to Preservation Hall Junior Jazz & Heritage Brass Band.
All of Michael Jackson's videos are being released on DVD for the first time.
A collection featuring the singer's 40 videos, including an unreleased film for 2003 single 'One More Chance', entitled 'Michael Jackson's Vision' will be released on November 22, reports Billboard.com.
The boxset release includes the full version of 'Thriller' along with the rarely screened 'Ghosts'.
Beastie Boys have revealed that they will release a new album in Spring 2011.
The group will now release 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2', before 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 1', which was due out in September.
A statement on the band's official website, BeastieBoys.com reads: "Although we regret to inform you that 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 1' will continue to be delayed indefinitely, 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2' will be released on time as originally planned in spring of 2011."
Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys for European solo tour – ticket details
Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys is to go on a solo tour of Europe next month.
The singer, who is expected to release his third solo album in early 2011, will play shows in Manchester, Glasgow and London in the UK.
Gruff Rhys will play:
Copenhagen Teater Grob (November 10)
Galway Town Hall Theatre (13)
Dublin Sugar Club (15)
Manchester Whitworth Gallery (22)
Glasgow Art School Vic Bar (23)
London Toynbee Studios (26)
Paris Point Ephemere - free show (29)
Amsterdam Bitterzoet (30)
Berlin September Gallery (December 1)
Meanwhile Rhys has made new song, 'Shark Ridden Waters', available as a free download at Gruffrhys.com. The track will also be released on 12-inch vinyl on November 8.
Prince has announced he will tour the US starting this December with a host of new artists.
The singer will hit the road with the likes of Janelle Monae and Mint Condition, while Prince and the New Power Generation will play at each show.
Prince is expected to be master of ceremonies at each gig, reports Billboard.com.
"If you've been to one of my shows, then you know what time it is," he told a press conference at New York's Apollo Theatre yesterday (October 14). "You need to come early and come often because every time we play it's always something new. I got a lot of hits. Bring friends, bring children, and bring foot spray because it's going to be funky."
The exact dates and show line-ups are yet to be confirmed.
Solomon Burke, devoted man of God, self-styled King Of Rock & Soul and one of the greatest voices of our time, passed away yesterday at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. He was on his way to a sold out show with Dutch band De Dijk. Burke was 70 years old.
Born in Philadelphia in 1940, Burke cut his teeth as a singer in his local church before gaining notoriety as the Wonder Boy Preacher while broadcasting his own radio show (he was ordained as a minister at the age of 12). He trained as a mortician at his Uncle's funeral parlour before signing to New York's Apollo Records and released a series of gospel-based tracks between 1954 and 1958. At the end of the decade he was picked up by Atlantic and soon enjoyed success with the Jerry Wexler-produced sleeper hit Just Out Of Reach. The soulful, slow-burning groove of Cry To Me granted him further success in 1962 before a slew of blues-obsessed British artists (The Rolling Stones among them) began covering Burke's material, in turn bringing his powerful, compassionate amalgam of blues, soul, country, jazz and gospel to a wider audience.
1964's Everybody Needs Somebody to Love - co-written with Wexler and Bert Berns - would become his signature tune and a move to Bell Records in 1969 would see him record one of his finest albums in the form of Proud Mary. Years of touring followed, before 2002's MOJO Award-winning Don't Give Up On Me - featuring covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe, Joe Henry and Tom Waits - raised his profile once again. Described by Waits as "one of the architects of American music", Burke's voice, personality and beliefs cast a long shadow across the last five decades of popular song. His final album, Hold On Tight, was scheduled for release this month.
Speaking to MOJO earlier this year, Burke said he would like to be remembered as "one person who said keep believing, never give up on yourself, and remember that everybody needs somebody to love." He leaves behind 21 children and 90 grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Here are a few reminders of the great man's genius:
Collection of your favorite one hit wonders from 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Hard to find one hit wonder, one hit wonderer of the period, The weirdest one hit wonder, two hit wonder, double hit wonder, onehitwondercenter
