vinyl

Sony Records Plant Closes, or Why Can’t I Touch It?

Jan 132011

More than Tyco products!

It’s yet one more blip on the radar, but I just read that the Sony (originally Columbia) pressing plant in Pitman, NJ is being shut down. Digital downloads of CDs, DVDs, video games, and—inevitably—bread, milk, and eggs have decreased the need for the plant, meaning the remaining 300 workers, following a layoff of 150 last year, will lose their jobs. My guess is most of them do not have the coding skills necessary to get new jobs in the digital distribution business.

Technology is great. Progress is necessary. Digital downloads have become a welcome addition to my enjoyment and exploration of music. I’m not about to fight any of these things, but I am entitled to a few minutes of reflection on what it meant to me to have had actual record pressing plants in my extended neck of the woods.

Rock Town Hall’s Saturday Night Shut-In: In Which Mr. Moderator Attempts to Get His Head Around Peter Gabriel-Era Genesis

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 082011

Mom!

In tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In, Mr. Moderator will try to make sense of the two Peter Gabriel—era Genesis albums that he owns, Foxtrot and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, telling the tale of his first experience with “Supper’s Ready” and long nights spent flying on the wings of Pegasus. Won’t you join him on this journey? Sadly, our phone system is still down following last week’s chat with former Apple Electronics head and Magic Alex, so Mr. Moderator will not be able to take your calls. Your comments through this journey of discovery and understanding are welcome.

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-10.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 10]

[Note: The Rock Town Hall feed will enable you to easily download Saturday Night Shut-In episodes to your digital music player. In fact, you can even set your iTunes to search for an automatic download each week’s podcast.]

More on Dad Rock

Posted by Oats

Jan 052011

My sister got me one of those nifty USB record players for Christmas, so I can burn all my vinyl to iTunes. Last night, I loaded up Rockpile‘s Seconds of Pleasure and NRBQ‘s At Yankee Stadium, and I got to thinking about certain musical values (as the Mod might say) that we highlight on this blog which are no longer au courant. And I got to thinking about Dad Rock again. So I’ll just flat-out ask this: Is Dad Rock basically anything that swings?

Rock Town Hall’s Saturday Night Shut-In: A New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, featuring an exclusive interview with a former Beatles’ associate, 2010′s last attempt at interesting a Townsperson in the music of Be-Bop Deluxe, and the quest for 100,000 distinct hits in a single month!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 312010

Mom!

Tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In is bigger, better, and longer than ever! The roughly 33 minutes and 33 seconds of a typical episode can’t contain our year-end festivities. We’ll look back over the past year of growth and rock analysis. About midway through the program Mr. Moderator will conduct an exclusive telephone interview with a former Beatles’ associate and Apple Corps division head! Then Mr. Mod will make one final effort at interesting even a single Townsperson in the humble delights of Be-Bop Deluxe. All along the quest to reach 100,000 distinct visitors to Rock Town Hall in one month rages on. Tune in and see if you can’t do your part to push us past this goal!

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-9-2.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 9]

Hank Fan Shares The Golden Age of Country Music!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 292010

I Can't Hold Myself In Line

As promised, Townsman Hank Fan has shared a .zip file compilation covering the “Golden Age of Country Music” (1965–1975) with us, I Can’t Hold Myself In Line. I encourage fellow Countryphobes to do what I’ve done—click here—and download and listen to this generous gift. Thanks, Hank Fan!

Rock Town Hall’s Saturday Night Shut-In: Chinese Movies and Christmas Food Edition

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 252010

Mom!

Tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Shut-In starts on a psychedelic vibe and then gets progressively down home, until we’re right by the fireplace, enjoying our new toys.

[audio:https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RTH-Saturday-Night-Shut-In-8.mp3|titles=RTH Saturday Night Shut-In, episode 8]

Opening Track

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Dec 222010

Townsman andyr proposed the following topic for discussion on The Main Stage. So it is written, so let it be done!

What is the best (or your favorite) opening track on an album/CD? I have wondered what the reaction was like in ’64 (’63 in England), when buyers of Meet/With The Beatles” plopped down the needle and listened to “It Won’t Be Long” for the first time?

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