Poll: Do You Listen To Music While Driving?

Above, at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R came with an AM/FM radio along with a CD player. 

While driving, I either have a Country station on (depending upon where I'm at and if there are any signals) or play a CD (either Classic Rock, Country or movie soundtracks). 

RV Travel has posted a poll asking of one listens to music while driving.

They begin it with:

You’re driving down the long, beautiful road to your next destination. Engine humming, road stretching out ahead… what fills the cab? Music? Silence? Something else?

For some of you, we know that music is essential. Playlists, classic rock, country, jazz, road trip anthems—you have a soundtrack for every mile. Music can make long drives feel shorter and boost your mood. Plus, a little passenger-seat dancing never hurt anybody (at least, not that we know of…).

Others prefer something different. Maybe you listen to talk radio, audiobooks, or podcasts, or travel in peaceful quiet. The hum of the road and your own thoughts can be just as satisfying as any song—especially on scenic routes where you want to stay fully present.

Then there are the situational listeners. Music on highways, silence in cities. Upbeat songs during the day, softer tunes at night. Your audio choices shift depending on traffic, weather, or how focused you need to be behind the wheel.

So what about you? When you’re driving your RV (or tow vehicle), is music part of the journey? Go ahead and vote in today’s poll, and feel free to share what’s usually playing.

Oh, and we’re just asking about music today. Not podcasts or talk radio, just music. Thanks!

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

50th Anniversary Edition of Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite

The actual 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's "Aloha From Hawaii" concert was last January.

But the occasion is to be commemorated by a 50th edition of the record album and CD version. It is a pre-order item and will be available around August 11.

From Graceland.com:

RCA Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release the definitive 50th anniversary edition of Elvis Presley's monumental Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite record-setting global concert telecast/double live album on Friday, August 11.

The 50th anniversary edition of Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite -- newly remixed and remastered for the occasion -- will be available in a 3CD + Blu-ray combined package as well as in 2LP and digital configurations and may be pre-ordered HERE. 

For more information, including ordering, go here.

The following isn't part of the package, thought I'd post it here:

Vinyl Outselling CDs For First Time Since 1987

Above, some of my vinyl records. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sales of vinyl records topped CDs for the first time in over 30 years.

This is not surprising to me, vinyl sounds much better than CDs in my opinion. Even though I do buy CD (mainly because my RV has a built-in CD player), I have bought several LPs and 45 rpm singles in recent years and kept all of my vinyl records that I purchased since the early 1960s. 

Back in the late 1960s on through the 1980s, I divided by purchases between cassette tapes and vinyl. For my car cassette players, I later started buying just vinyl and made cassette tape copies for my cars.

CBS News reported:

Vinyl records are back and more popular than ever. A new report found that vinyl record sales continued their more than decade-long growth in 2022, and for the first time in more than three decades, outsold CDs in the number of units. 

The report, published by the Recording Industry Association of America on Thursday, found that physical formats of music saw another year of overall growth in 2022, totaling $1.7 billion. Making up nearly three-quarters of that growth were vinyl records, which saw a 17% increase in revenues for $1.2 billion. This marked the product's 16th year of consecutive growth, RIAA said. 

It also marked the first time since 1987 that more vinyl records were sold than CDs, which saw a revenue decline of 18% in 2022. The group said that 41 million vinyl albums were sold last year, compared to 33 million CDs.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's War On The Floppy Disk

Floppy disk. That is a name I haven't heard or thought of in ages. I disposed of mine long ago and use CDs instead.

It is the digital equivalent of 8-track tapes these days.

Apparently in Japan, floppies are still used in some government areas. Their digital minister (is that really an official job or ministry?) has declared "war" on them. 

According to The Japan Times:

Japan’s digital minister, who’s vowed to rid the bureaucracy of outdated tools from the hanko stamp to the fax machine, has now declared “war” on a technology many haven’t seen for decades — the floppy disk.

The hand-sized, square-shaped data storage item, along with similar devices including the CD or even lesser-known mini disk, are still required for some 1,900 government procedures and must go, digital minister Taro Kono wrote in a Twitter post Wednesday.

“We will be reviewing these practices swiftly,” Kono said in a news conference Tuesday, adding that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has offered his full support. “Where does one even buy a floppy disk these days?”

Who in the U.S. even uses them anymore?

To read more, go here.

Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Maui

Above, the front of the set's package front (top) and the booklet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A package arrived at my post office box today. It was the Blu-ray/CD set, Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Maui. 

Back in the summer of 1970, a movie was in "production" in Maui, Hawaii that was called Rainbow Bridge. It was a hippie counter-culture flick "directed" by Chuck Wein. It was a mess production-wise. No script. No pre-production. It was basically a mess captured on film.

Hendrix had been working on a new studio in New York, Electric Lady Studios, at the time, but work on it stopped and started, depending upon there was any money to work on it to completion. Much of Hendrix's concert fees that year went to the building of the studio. Manager Michael Jeffrey saw the Maui flick as a means to bring in some cash to complete the studio. Hendrix really didn't want to have any part of the movie, but was eventually talked into it.

Admittedly, when Rainbow Bridge first came out in theaters, I was, admittedly, entertained by it even though it was obviously flawed. I have a copy of the movie on VHS. One shot in the movie I got a kick out of seeing (nearly 40 years later) was of La Cienega Blvd. in West Los Angeles with the White Front department store very prominent.

Above, the set has interesting packaging for the booklet, 2 CDs and Blu-ray. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Blu-ray in this set contains a documentary, Music, Money, Madness...Jimi Hendrix in Maui on how Rainbow Bridge came about and how Hendrix and sidemen Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Billy Cox (bass) participated. Since Billy Cox is the sole remaining member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience still with us, he adds his own memories to the documentary.

The Blu-ray also has the two shows the Jimi Hendrix Experience put on at the Haleakala Crater on Maui on July 30, 1970. These shows also comprise the two CDs of the set.

The concerts were flawed as the wind was blowing towards the band causing sound issues. For the footage used in Rainbow Bridge, Mitch Mitchell dubbed new drumming sound while watching footage through a movie editor's moviola screen.

Also included in the set is a 31-page booklet.

The set is an interesting piece of music history and Hendrix fans will enjoy it. 

Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All" At No. 3 On Billboard's Bluegrass Chart

Above, Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All album and a Post-it note. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Hillary Klug is one of those musicians who makes her talents look super simple when really it’s almost humanly impossible. She is an exceptional buck dancer (aka tap dancing/clogging) and violinist. When she mixes the two together the results are extraordinary." - TheMusicman.uk.

Not too long ago, I posted about Hillary Klug's new album, "Howdy Y'all". In it, I said she' a "rising star". But that was before I saw a post of hers today on Facebook with a photo of the current Billboard Bluegrass standings.

Her album is at number 3!

Here's the Billboard Bluegrass standings:

In her post, she wrote:

Y’all I’m #3 on the Bluegrass Albums chart!! It’s all thanks to you guys!

I’m so honored to be amongst bluegrass legends like Nickle Creek, Billy Strings, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers

Above, Hillary Klug.

"Howdy Y'All" is a very enjoyable album. It is not disappointing! To order a copy of "Howdy Y'All", go here. 

Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All"

Above, Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All" CD. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, the CD I ordered arrived in the mail.

It is up and coming musician Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All", a collection of her favorite traditional songs inspired by her upbringing in the old-time musical heritage in Middle Tennessee.

It is a very pleasant album of songs such as "Old Suzanna", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Allie Cat" and others. I listened to it following my Jeep jaunt in Six Mile Canyon yesterday.

Besides being a singer, she is a top-notch fiddle (violin, for those in Rio Linda) player and buck dancer.

She has appeared on the Mike Huckabee Show on Fox.

She is definitely a rising star in the music scene.

To access her website, go here.

Here's a video of her version of "Oh Susanna":

Elmer Bernstein John Wayne Movie Music

Last week, I was perusing around eBay and stumbled upon a CD collection of John Wayne movie music by Elmer Bernstein titled "True Grit". I have another CD collection of John Wayne movie music also called "True Grit", but it spans earlier Wayne movies. 

This collection is of Bernstein conducting the Utah Symphony Orchestra. It was put out by Varese Sarabande.

The movie music is from The Comancheros, True Grit, The Shootist, Cahill: United States Marshal and Big Jake.

It is a nice selection and I am glad I got it.

More People Buying Vinyl Than CDs During Pandemic

Above, a LP I recently purchased. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This isn't all that surprising to me. Many friends (including myself) and those in the recording industry (such as Neil Young) contend that vinyl records sound better than CDs.

So, with many people having time on their hands due to the pandemic, are buying more vinyl records than CDs for the first time since the 1980s.

According to USA Today:

Americans seem to be listening to more vinyl records amid the pandemic.  

In fact, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since the 1980s, according to a recently released mid-year report from the Recording Industry Association of America. The report underscoring the state of the U.S. music industry captured how people's music listening has changed during the coronavirus crisis. 

With people having more time on their hands due to COVID-19 lockdowns, music streaming, which includes revenue from paid services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon, grew 12% to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2020.

To read more, go here.

Relaxing Sunday

Above, Christmas waiting for her next carrot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today has been a very relaxing day with sunny skies and 63 degree temperature.

I did some Jeep driving around the community, which included bringing some carrots to Christmas and when I came back home, I decided to bring out my portable CD player to the deck and listened to some old (1940s to 1950s) country & western tunes (included were Hank Williams, Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and others) with a cigar and Alien Amber Ale.

Above, Nandoh in his 1962 CJ5. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While I was out, I was joined by Nandoh Munoz and we shot the bull for a while over beers. He was testing out his 1962 Jeep CJ5 after cleaning out his gas tank (so far, so good). The conversation ran the gamut from Jeeps to guns to the Sturgis bike rallies.

Above, Nandoh heading out in his Jeep. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An enjoyable time.

"Duke! The Films of John Wayne"

Above, the case of Duke! The Films of John Wayne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another CD set of John Wayne movie music arrived in today's mail. I haven't listened to it yet, but the set is called, Duke! The Films of John Wayne.

The set is straightforward and self-explanatory. It features soundtrack main titles and themes of Duke's movies from Stagecoach (1939) to How The West Was Won (1962), 35 of them.

This set, like the Rio Bravo set that arrived yesterday, will be welcome additions to my RV stack of music for those long road trips.

This issue is from Jasmine Records this year.

UPDATE:

I listened to the CD and all tracks are originals from the movies. Some are in mono and some are in stereo. Enjoyable!

"Rio Bravo" Soundtrack CD

Above, the Rio Bravo CD set. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 1959, the classic Howard Hawks/John Wayne western was released.

From Wikipedia:

Rio Bravo is a 1959 American Western film produced and directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, and Ward Bond. 

Roger Ebert called Rio Bravo Hawks's "masterpiece". While that may be the case, it was aided by a great soundtrack by Dimitri Tiomkin.

I went on a little CD-buying spree last week and the first one arrived today. It is the two-disc Rio Bravo soundtrack album. This was perfect timing for me as it has been raining today and this gave me something new to listen to (maybe I'll watch the movie while having dinner tonight).

This will come in handy on long RV drives in The Beast during camping/travel season.

As I mentioned, this is a two-disc set and there's lots to enjoy. Disc One has most, if not all, music cues along with the main theme. On the case, it is listed as "The Score Part 1".

Disc 2 is a lot more enjoyable. It is listed as "The Score Part 2" with more music cues. Then it goes into the "Original Soundtrack" and "Bonus Tracks".

It is on Disc 2 that various version of "My Rifle, My Pony and Me" are presented, including the version with Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan. There's also studio versions featuring Martin alone (man, he had a smooth voice and style). There's also "Cindy" from the movie and studio versions by Nelson. And, there's a recording of Nelson singing "Restless Kid".

Also, in Disc 2, is an introduction by John Wayne of Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson.

I'd say Disc 2 is worth the purchase price alone! And, there's also a 16-page booklet!

If one is a western movie fan or just a fan of movie soundtracks, I highly recommend the Rio Bravo CD set.

My grade: A+.

Remastered and Expanded "Thunderball" Soundtrack Album

Above, the 2003 remastered and expanded CD of Thunderball. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in late 1965 or early 1966, I bought the original soundtrack LP album for the fourth James Bond (Sean Connery) movie, Thunderball. I still have it.

The album had only about half of the movie's music as John Barry was still composing the soundtrack and the producers were in a rush to get the album on the shelves in time for Christmas 1965.

Above, the original 1965 soundtrack LP and the remastered and expanded edition. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Until now (rather, at least since 2003), that has been the only version available. Thankfully, the "missing" music has been added to the newer edition, which I just bought and am listening to now.

Amazon's description:

If Goldfinger proved that the James Bond franchise was box office dynamite, 1965's Thunderball cemented the British super-spy's international appeal--and further forged a set of pop culture cliches that both inspired and endured even Mike Meyer's modern, multi-chaptered Austin Powers spoofing. While Goldfinger also marked composer John Barry stamping his enduring influence on the series' music, this fourth installment finds his big band and jazz-inspired arrangements pulsing with confidence, stripped down rhythmic tension and exotic elegance. Tom Jones follows up Shirley Bassey's previous larger-than-life title track performance with a worthy rival of his own, its dramatic, Barry-composed melody interpolated throughout the composer's masterful score. Songwriter Leslie Bricusse (who co-wrote "Goldfinger" with Barry) also returns, teaming with the composer on the emblematic "Café Martinique" and delightfully kitschy "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" (originally intended as the film's Bassey-sung theme song, but abandoned and replaced by the film's producers). This new, digitally remastered and expanded edition notably doubles the running time of the original album with selections that bristle with Barry's haunting string and wind arrangements, including two suites comprising 20-plus minutes of the film's concluding underwater intrigue. It's one of Bond's--and Barry's--best. --Jerry McCulley

CDs In Decline, Vinyl Records On The Rise

Above, an original Thunderball soundtrack album from 1965. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one trend in the music industry that I am pleased to see.

And that is the growth of vinyl records. The old analog records have been making a comeback for several years while CDs have been declining and music streaming has been growing.

Above, James Bond soundtrack 45 rpm singles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even in Japan, the growth of vinyl has prompted Tower Records in Tokyo's Shinjuku section to dedicate a floor to vinyl records.

News On Japan reported:

Tower Records opened Tower Vinyl on the 10th floor of its Shinjuku store on March 21. The space, once reserved for pop-up events, now houses 70,000 records, according to the company, with more than half being secondhand.

In the U.S., vinyl pressing companies are starting up (along with older pressing companies) and are struggling to meet the rising demand.

According to Arizona Public Media:

Last year, digital music hit a milestone. For the first time ever, it accounted for more than half of global music sales. Music streaming revenues rose more than 40 percent, while sales of physical recordings continued to sink. 

Yet a company in Northern Virginia has just started pressing vinyl records. 

Tucked away in an industrial park in Alexandria, Furnace Record Pressing is the country’s newest record manufacturing facility — and a seemingly batty business idea, if you haven’t paid attention to deeper trends in the music industry lately. 

Despite the overall downturn in physical recordings like CDs, vinyl sales have been on the rise for a decade now, as younger people have begun to discover the richer sound and collectable nature of old-fashioned records. But as the vinyl frenzy caught on, soaring demand quickly created a problem, says Furnace’s owner, Eric Astor. The world’s remaining pressing facilities couldn’t keep up with the crush of new business.

 To read more, go here.

News From Graceland

Celebrate '68 Special Anniversary with Box Set The 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's groundbreaking 1968 special will be commemorated with the release of a deluxe box set on November 30. "Elvis Presley – '68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)" is the definitive chronicle of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll performances ever televised. For the first time ever, all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package – including unused performances and studio outtakes that spotlight the real Elvis. Fans who pre-order"’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)" from Shop Graceland will receive an exclusive gift with purchase: a ’68 Comeback Special 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Coin (while supplies last). Pre-Order Now Graceland Lights Up for Christmas on November 15 The king's castle will light up for the holiday season with the annual Lighting Ceremony on November 15! Country stars Scotty McCreery and Marty Stuart will flip the switch on Graceland's lights, followed by a special performance by McCreery. Immediately following the ceremony, we'll celebrate the world premiere of the new Hallmark Original Movie, "Christmas at Graceland." Director Eric Close and star Wes Brown will be on hand for the premiere. The movie will air exclusively on the Hallmark Channel on November 17. The Lighting is free and open to the public. The "Christmas at Graceland" premiere is a by-invitation, ticketed event, however complimentary tickets will be made available that night at the door, based on availability. Get the Details Holiday Concert Weekend Features Music, Archives Presentation, More Join us for an expanded Holiday Concert Weekend on December 14-15! The weekend features three concerts that celebrate Elvis, his favorite holiday tunes, his gospel music and his biggest rock 'n' roll hits. Guitarist James Burton of Elvis' TCB Band will perform at the weekend's rock 'n' roll concert. In addition to the concerts, guests can attend Christmas tips, tricks and crafts seminars, explore two newly expanded exhibits at Elvis Presley's Memphis and learn more about "Christmas at Graceland" with a special Graceland Archives presentation. Tickets and hotel packages are available now! Learn More

"Elvis" 1968 Comeback Special Box Set

In many respects, it hardly seems possible that the turbulent year of 1968 was fifty years ago. I remember much of it well. The year was marked by the Tet Offensive, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and the violent Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The year did manage to end on two high notes: the moon orbit of Apollo 8 in December and, also in the same month, the NBC Special, Elvis.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Elvis (now known as the "Comeback Special") a box set is set for release next month.

According to Rolling Stone:

For much of the Sixties, Elvis Presley’s most visible presence was on the big screen, in a seemingly endless series of films that ranged from fun (Viva Las Vegas) to forgettable (Easy Come, Easy Go). For that reason alone, the King’s December 3rd, 1968, “comeback” special for NBC was a welcome return to form. Yet, entirely on its own it remains simply one of Presley’s finest moments as an electrifying entertainer, and a landmark event that revolutionized the presentation of live music via television. 

On November 30th, a comprehensive, deluxe box set featuring a dizzying array of audio and video components will celebrate the special’s 50th anniversary. The five-CD and two-Blu-ray disc set will mark the first time ever that all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package. Spotlighting unused performances and studio outtakes of Presley in his element, the collection also features an entire disc of the legendary sessions for the NBC special, which Presley recorded with the studio musicians collectively known as the Wrecking Crew.

The box set comes with a price: $149.98 at Amazon.

To read more, go here.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

About a week ago, my friend Mitch and I went to the Gallup, New Mexico Cracker Barrel restaurant for lunch.

If you happen to like homestyle cooking and a varied menu, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is the place to go.

From Wikipedia:

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is an American chain of combined restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company was founded by Dan Evins in 1969; its first store was in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Besides meals, Cracker Barrels have gift stores that are loaded with all kinds of things. They have outdoor furniture & accessories, women's apparel, antiques, quilts, bedding, home decor, candy, CDs, DVDs and other goods.

Above, the Elvis Presley Gospel CD exclusive to Cracker Barrel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I picked up this Elvis Presley gospel album (my previous blog with news from Graceland stated that a new gospel album is to be released this summer). It is exclusive to Cracker Barrel. Their CDs are primarily by country & western artists.

Cracker Barrels have ample parking, including parking for RVs.

For more information on Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, go here.

A Revelation

Above, the Crosley and the CD player. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few years ago, I bought a little Crosley "suitcase" turntable so I can play my vinyl LPs and 45s. I like it except that the volume at maximum is a bit too low.

I have a Fisher stereo system that has a turntable and cassette deck, but the turntable belt needs replacing. I was about to get a new belt when my former apartment in Tarzana had two (at the same time) pipe breaks and the water that gushed out ruined the speakers to the Fisher set. So, now the set sits in the garage.

I bought a CD player for the den/guest room. Last week, I was going through a moving box and found some plug/wires for stereo systems. I decided to see if the Crosley turntable can be played through the CD player's auxiliary port. Sure enough, it worked and the sound from the Crosley now blares out of the the CD player's speakers. I can enjoy my vinyl records again!

For the past several days, I have been playing my old albums (Jethro Tull, Waylon Jennings, Buffalo Springfield, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Poco, movie soundtracks and others) that I haven't played in years.

Having the sound come through new speakers was a revelation. I missed the rich, warm sound of vinyl. I have to agree with Neil Young, analog vinyl sounds much better than digital CDs.

Thankfully, vinyl has made a comeback in recent years, so there's plenty out there to buy.

Currently, I am debating on either getting the belt replaced on the Fisher and get new speakers for it or just buy a whole new set that includes a cassette deck (I have a lot of cassette tapes).

In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my old records with what I have.

"Elvis Presley: The Seacher" Soundtrack CD Reviewed

There are two soundtrack collections of CDs of "Elvis Presley: The Searcher". They were used in the documentary now being shown on HBO.

I had already posted about the three-CD deluxe edition. Entertainment Focus has posted a review of the 18-track CD. I have both sets. I am keeping the deluxe edition in the house and the 18-track CD in The Beast (for those of you who don't regularly follow this blog, that's my Winnebago).

The review begins with:

Elvis Presley is an artist whose work and influence on music has been celebrated countless times over the years. He’s the true embodiment of a legend and his music will continue to be talked about, possibly for the rest of time. Award-winning film-maker Thom Zimney has taken a new look at Presley’s growth as an artist in his three-hour two-part film Elvis Presley: The Searcher. The film aired on HBO in the US last month and a soundtrack for it has been released across a variety of formats. This review looks at the 18-track CD version of the soundtrack. 

Elvis Presley: The Searcher – The Original Soundtrack takes 18 essential tracks used in the film and they are a mix of live performances, hits and rare alternative versions of some of Presley’s best songs. The set opens with a live performance of Trouble/Guitar Man showcasing the blusier side of Presley’s repertoire. It really is a fantastic start to the soundtrack and Presley is in fine vocal form.

To read the full review, go here.

"Elvis Presley: The Searcher" Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition of the original soundtrack of Elvis Presley: The Searcher has arrived in today's mail.

Besides what's on the label, the set also includes a 39-page booklet.

Below, is a listing of the music selections: