Thanks for asking but I'm still in the market for a new turntable myself. I've had a Technics model recommended to me that seems to be a very likely contender. I'll be interested to know what you end up going with.

I think that's what the 29 seconds was about. I'm no legal eagle but I believe she wasn't in violation of the copyright laws by keeping it to 29 seconds. Still, if the artist issues a "cease and desist" order it means cease and desist. What's particularly mind boggling is how there are apparently no songs by right leaning musicians that the Republicans want to misappropriate as this is only the latest in a long line of similar incidences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7czlanjaObs

From The Guardian: R.E.M. Lifes Rich Pageant – review Whether or not their later stuff really is that bad, R.E.M. were once unbeatable, says Alexis Petridis On the cusp of mainstream fame … vintage R.E.M. By Alexis Petridis A month or so ago, the comedian Stewart Lee gave a fascinating interview to the online magazine the Quietus about his favourite albums, during which talk turned to R.E.M. "I don't think there's anyone whose career trajectory has been so disappointing," he opined, "starting so brilliantly and ending up so dreadful. They're just awful." On the one hand, you look at the rest of the interview – there's much talk of the wonders of European free improv, "jazz without the tunes" and various other things that suggest he's probably not that big on solemnly waving his lighter to Everybody Hurts – and think: well, he would say that, wouldn't he? On the other, there's the sense that Lee's is far from a lone voice when it comes to R.E.M. For years, the overwhelming emotion provoked by their ongoing career seems to have been disappointment. R.E.M. buffs can argue the night away about when the decline began, but even the most devoted start to look a bit stoical when 2004's Around the Sun gets mentioned. In some cases, the sheer strength of feeling – which has led more than one reviewer to bluntly suggest they split up – can be a bit hard to fathom: it's not like their latterday albums are genuinely bad records. In fact, as the latest deluxe reissue of their 80s oeuvre proves, the problem lies not with what R.E.M. are doing now, but what they were doing then. To read the rest of the review click here.

There was no guarantee of getting in. As I recall, the whole lottery thing was a clusterfuck.

From RollingStone.com: Buffalo Springfield Postpone Reunion Tour The group had planned 30 dates this fall Photograph by Jay Blakesberg for RollingStone.com By ANDY GREENE Buffalo Springfield have postponed their planned fall 2011 tour until next year, according to a post on Richie Furay's Facebook page. "For those of you getting excited about the Buffalo Springfield fall tour – word has just come to me that it has been moved to the first of next year," he wrote. "I'm not going to spend a lot time here with details as you speculate among yourselves – there's nothing to speculate about, the tour has simply been moved." The surviving members of Buffalo Springfield – Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay – reformed last October at Young's annual Bridge School Benefit. It was their first appearance since splitting up in 1968. Earlier this month, they went on a seven-date date that culminated with a headlining slot at Bonnaroo. "The plan is to do 30 dates this fall," Furay told Rolling Stone shortly before the show. "The anchors will be Los Angeles and New York. What the other cities are, I can't tell you right now – but we're almost certainly doing Red Rocks." Backstage at the festival, Furay and Stills spoke more about the reunion. "This time I can actually play the guitar," Stills said. "But not for long, according to certain physicians." Stills did seem a bit alarmed when Furay mentioned a "30-plus" date tour for the fall. "Thirty plus?" he said. "Well, they better have a break. Cause if we have this much trouble with six, I can't imagine 30." Buffalo Springfield existed for only two years, and during that time Neil Young quit the group at least two separate times. He later formed Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with his former Buffalo Springfield bandmate Stephen Stills – and Young has walked away from that group too many times to count. In 1976 he formed the Stills-Young band with Stephen Stills. They recorded an album and hit the road – but Young quit about halfway through the tour. He informed Stills of his decision in an infamous letter: "Funny how things that start spontaneously end that way," he wrote. "Eat a peach, Neil." Despite that history, there's no indication that Young has quit Buffalo Springfield. Again.

The making of the album cover for Gillian Welch's The Harrow & The Harvest which came out this past Tuesday:

More info here.

From RollingStone.com: Katrina and the Waves Join Tom Petty's Fight Against Michele Bachmann Bachmann played their 1985 hit 'Walking On Sunshine' at a campaign event Steve Pope/Getty Images By ANDY GREENE Katrina & The Waves – whose 1985 song "Walking On Sunshine" was played by Michele Bachmann at a South Carolina campaign rally on Tuesday – have issued a statement on their website: Katrina & The Waves would like it to be known that they do not endorse the use of 'Walking On Sunshine' by Michele Bachmann and have instructed their lawyers accordingly. The group is the second musical act this week to object to the Minnesota Congresswoman's usage of their music. Tom Petty sent the Bachmann campaign a cease and desist letter after she used his song "American Girl" at her campaign kick-off in Iowa on Monday. At a rally the following day, she played 29 seconds of "American Girl" before "Walking On Sunshine" kicked in. Looks like she'll have to find a third song now. Any suggestions? UPDATE: Rolling Stone has received a statement from Katrina Leskanich, former lead singer of Katrina & The Waves: As the singer of 'Walking on Sunshine' I don't endorse its use by Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign. I've performed ‘Walking on Sunshine’ for so many years in so many different countries that it’s become the one constant in my life and the one thing I can count on to bring happiness to myself and others. The song is used in commercials and movies as a vehicle for a feel good moment or empowerment but if I disagree with the policies, opinions or platforms for its use, I've no choice but to try and defend the song and prevent its misuse. Music can be both powerful and moving and sometimes even a little dangerous.

He definitely fits in well. I've only seen one show with him but I really enjoyed it. His playing on Croweology is sublime.

Hammer of the Gods hinted at something called the Black album that was supposedly recorded after Bonham died but I believe rumors of it's existence have been shot down here (and elsewhere) since the publication of that book. Page also mentioned a chronological live album many times over the years but that finally came to fruition with the release of the Led Zeppelin DVD project. I was a very avid reader of Creem and Circus back in the day and still have tons of old issues of them (though they're not at my disposal at the moment) and I don't recall a single mention of a multi-gatefold album.

Having never seen it, I wasn't sure whether to go with the original cut or the Redux. I should probably watch the original someday just for comparison's sake but it won't be any time soon as that was one long ass movie.

Megafaun have a new album due on September 20th. For a brief preview, click here.

Most definitely. The 27th is also album release day for The Whole Love so that'll make it super double nice. This is taken from last weekend's Solid Sound Festival with Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo's daughter) and Johnny Irion (her husband and former member of Queen Sarah Saturday) sitting in:

You're just pissed 'cause you wish you were at least ⅛ as cool at Tortelvis.

I'll wait until I've actually heard his new music before offering up an opinion of it.

The only Zeppelin tribute band that's worth a shit:

Not really, after all, this section of the board is devoted to Led Zeppelin. It's Sam's call that it can also encompass Zep tribute bands so I have to respect that and do, even if I don't agree with it. Seems you also have a selective memory as I mentioned two tribute bands I have seen (Blushing Brides and Dark Star Orchestra) both of whom I thought were good but as I've stated several times now, tribute bands aren't my cup of tea. If copying the works of others blows your skirt up, have at it. I simply don't care for tribute bands, no matter how good they may be. I prefer to go see artists performing original material. I'm not sure how I can put that any more clearly or politely.

Cover art (by Joanne Greenbaum) for the new Wilco album, The Whole Love, which is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, September 27th. They've just announced dates for the first leg of their tour in support of the record with Nick Lowe doing the opening honors. Sept. 13 Indy Murat Theatre 16/17 Toronto Massey Hall 18 Montreal Metropolis 20 Boston Wang Ctr. 22 NYC Central Park Summerstage 25 Columbia MD Merriweather Post Pav. 27 Raleigh NC Amph. 28/29 Atlanta Cobb Energy Ctr. Oct. 1/1 Nashville Ryman 4 St. Louis Peabody Opera House 5 Madison WI Overture Hall.

An article by Chuck Klosterman from the Grantland website. To read it, click here.