24 Karat Gold

Do you have any of the semi-rare Mastersound reissue discs produced by Sony around a decade ago? Aerosmith was on Columbia records in the 1970s. Toys in the Attic was originally released in 1975 and years later, Sony put out a reissue as part of the Gold Mastersound series.

What is the Gold Mastersound series? Literally, it's a reissue of high quality sound, pressed onto a 24 karat gold disc. Here's what the packaging says:

"Introducing Mastersound Album Classics from Columbia and Epic Records. Commemorating The Tenth Anniversary of the Compact Disc. Each Mastersound Recording incorporates Sony's Revolutionary 20-Bit "Super Bit Mapping" Process which reproduces music with Unprecedented Clarity and Accuracy. In addition to SBM, each Mastersound Disc features a Pure 24-Karat gold Reflexive Surface."

These discs look as cool as you'd imagine. I mean, you get a sense of holding something valuable, but maybe that's because only the best albums ever recorded were selected for a special gold press.

Some albums besides Toys in the Attic released on 24K gold are:  Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd), Bat Out of Hell (Meatloaf), Blonde on Blonde (Bob Dylan), Pearl (Janis Joplin), Boston (Boston) and tons more. The master recordings were used to create the highest quality sound possible. The 24 karat gold press was a way for Sony/Columbia/Epic to celebrate a decade of the compact disc. The MP3 is way older than a decade already. I don't remember a commemoration celebration for that music milestone...

I am not a sound engineer but I am betting that at least one of my daily readers has earned a paycheck or three by twiddling the knobs in a recording studio. Perhaps that reader can explain to me the beauty of Super Bit Mapping (SBM). Sony owns a trademark on that phrase and this is the technology used to make the gold press discs. I'd love to know the science behind sound mapping.

Back to my gold pressing of Toys in the Attic.  First off, this is one of my favorite albums, so I am bias but I really do believe my gold version sounds primo. The bass on the gold reissue is so much more prominent than the original release. Yes, I know it's probably not fair to compare vinyl to compact disc, but I don't care. We're talking about Aerosmith here, and I want my listening experience as rich as possible.

** Do you own any gold Mastersound discs? 

My favorite song on Toys in the Attic is "No More No More." Here's my beloved Aerosmith performing the song live at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Trust me when I say you need to watch this clip.

I Got New Records!

Holy crap, I own an Odin record. That’s right, I said record, as in vinyl. I’ve been trading emails with a Bring Back Glam! reader for quite awhile now and he thought of me first when it was time to clean the closets and make way for baby. So, this dear soul presented a list of Glam – some of it rare – for me to peruse.

So, a few bucks later and I’ve got a stash of records in great condition. It’s sort of ironic that I now own Don't Take No for an Answer and I’ll be seeing Odin at Rocklahoma in just two months.

There’s no way the band could have known their fate…and I can’t honestly say many people expected to see them pop up at a Glam fest after all these years.

If you don’t remember, Odin is a really heavily featured band in The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. You might recall singer Randy O wore assless chaps. Odin were a big band on the Sunset Strip, and Randy thought they'd be huge. I do feel for them…they watched as everyone around them got signed to a major label…while they played every night at Gazarris. By the way, the newest (or modern?)  incarnation of the band is known as DC4.

I got some other records, too. I now own Roxx Gang Things You’ve Never Done Before and Nitro O.F.R. I also selected the vinyl version of Poison’s Look What the Cat Dragged In and Open Up and Say…Ah!!! Naturally, the latter features the original, banned, cover. Also now part of my vinyl collection is Kix’s self-titled debut as well as Blow My Fuse. Yes!

As many of you know, I am getting into vinyl collecting. This splurge also helped me round out my Motley Crue collection with additions of Dr. Feelgood, Theatre of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls.

I wish I had more money. My friend had so many records on his list, it was overwhelming to even read. Someday I will have all the best Glam records…oh yes, I will. Until then, I'll enjoy my newest acquisitions and listen in anticipation of concert season. While the chances of me ever seeing Nitro live are slim, I’ll still listen to O.F.R. just in case Jim Gillette jumps onstage with Lita Ford at Rocklahoma.

It’s fun to dream.

Motley Crue Push Release Date, Add Track

Here's the press release I just received from the Motley Crue camp:

"Inspired by the energy and experience of their performance with their Crüe Fest cohorts Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt at the press conference to announce their upcoming summer tour, Mötley Crüe extended the production for their upcoming CD, returning to the studio this week to record one more track for their first studio album in over a decade, Saints of Los Angeles. The album, which has a new release date of June 24th, follows the story of the band’s NY Times best-selling memoir The Dirt, a no-holds-barred tell-all that features every gritty detail of the group’s exploits as one of the world’s biggest rock bands.

Says Sixx, 'Before our performance at the press conference, we were firing on all cylinders at sound check just jamming out, and that’s when the new idea came. We quickly laid it down and went to the studio to record it, and liked it so much we pushed back the release one week so that we could get it onto the album – it now has 13 tracks. It’s the ultimate song to end the record with and begin the new chapter of our career.'"

I suppose I can deal with another week of waiting. Sigh.

Order a Bring Back Glam! Shirt

A lot of you expressed interest in the possibility of a Bring Back Glam! shirt. I designed one yesterday and now you can place your order.

To the left is the women's version. The male version is a black shirt, with white writing and a pink heart outline. Yes, real men wear pink! The male version is a traditional T-shirt cut, and the ladies option is a baby-doll style.

The shirts are $18 each and that includes all applicable taxes and domestic U.S. shipping. If you live outside the continental U.S. shipping is ten bucks more.

If you want a shirt, send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com. You'll need to specify quantity, style and the size remembering that ladies baby-doll style shirts run exceptionally small. I'll take payment via PayPal to allysonbcrawford@yahoo.com.

Feel free to email me with any and all questions. Also: it will take a couple weeks to receive your shirt - each one is made by hand right here in America! Hooray!

**I'll make this a permanent link near the Message Board for easy access and reference.

Songs About Mothers...

Happy Mother's Day!

I was trying to think of songs involving the word "Mother" or "Mama" in the title. Sadly, many of the little ditties have nothing to do with giving birth or raising a child. We'll say the connotation...is profane. 

Still, my mom listens to rock music and isn't easily offended - so, without further adieu - my list of the best rock songs featuring "mother" in the title. Three cheers for holiday pegs!

1. "Mother" - Danzig

2. "Mama, Weer All Crazee Now" - Quiet Riot/Slade

3. "Mother" - John Lennon

4. "Mama Said Knock You Out" - LL Cool J

Ok, this one isn't rock. Sue me.

5. "Mama Told Me Not to Come" - Three Dog Night

Did I leave one of your favorites off the list?

MusiCares from the Heart

Remember my friend Gerry Gittelson? He sat in with Warrant during their appearance on Rockline...and Friday night, he attended the fourth annual MusiCares benefit concert at the Music Box in Los Angeles. Guitarist Slash and Alice Cooper were honored for being true to the organization's mission statement.

Gerry's report is in italics. My commentary in standard form.

Cooper and Slash received awards for their contributions to MuisCares, a local organization devoted to helping addicts and alcoholics in the music industry during the recovery process. Cooper is a major influence on Glam rock, or glitter rock, or theatrical rock, whatever you want to call it...–

If you'’re wondering how loyal he remains to the genre, look no further than his guitar player Keri Kelli, founder of Big Bang Babies, which happens to be one of the greatest Glam bands of all-time: signed, unsigned, in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame or the Rock n' Roll gutter. (Editor's note: Me thinks Gerry is a little bias. Remember, he managed Big Bang Babies just as Grunge was turning Glam out of favor. I do agree, however, that they are a great, relatively unknown band). 

Mr. Cooper and Slash kept their acceptance speeches short, instead preferring to make their points on stage. Slash jammed with an all-star ensemble featuring a revolving door of singers that included Cheap Trick’'s Robin Zander, Linkin Park'’s Chester Bennington and Aerosmith’'s Steven Tyler.  Tyler sounded in fine form jamming his way through “Mama Kin,” one of Aerosmith’'s early hits. (Editor's Note: Yes, it's Allyson again. Seriously? Gerry was partying with Slash and Steven Freakin' Tyler on Friday night. I was doing laundry in Ohio. I digress).

Then it was Cooper’'s turn, and the shock rocker turned-in a blistering 20-minute set that didn'’t include his usual props such as a guillotine or a large snake but proved nonetheless that rock is alive and well, even if you'’re 60 years old – and in Cooper'’s case, 26 years sober.

"“We rocked the house," Kerri” Kelli said. “

 "This whole thing is pretty surreal,”" Slash added. "“It hasn’t really sunk in. I came to this event two years ago and I was loaded, so the whole thing has come full circle. It’s a real honor to be here."

”In case you are not familiar, MusiCares is a foundation created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Musicians use the foundation as a support networking during hard times. If you'd like to support this charity, you can visit the official website.

Photo Credit: Gerry Gittelson. "Slash and Kerri Kelli perform live at MusiCares event."

Erik Turner Talks the Warrant Reunion

 Yesterday, I gave you a little update on the Warrant reunion, courtesy of my friend Gerry Gittelson. Today, a little Bring Back Glam! interview with Warrant guitarist Erik Turner. Erik chats about being back with Jani, playing guitar and a new Warrant CD and DVD. Transcription follows.

Bring Back Glam! What is the band vibe like now that singer Jani Lane is back behind the microphone?

Erik Turner: Authentic, kick ass pure Warrant, now that we have the original line up. The vibe is rock n roll!

BBG!: Are you planning on releasing an album of all new material with Jani?

ET: Hopefully next year there will be a brand new Warrant CD. We are planning on recording in the fall. We do have a new DVD in the works filled with classic footage.

BBG!: Tell about your reunion tour...and playing Rocklahoma.

ET: We are launching our tour in Nashville. The big summer tour will be with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. See our site for tour dates: WarrantRocks.com.  Rocklahoma will be awesome.

BBG!: You are going on the road with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. How did that tour take shape and what can fans expect from the quadruple billing show?

ET: Party Time!! The very first conversation took place between myself and Cinderella manager Tim back in November I believe.

BBG!: Warrant played Rocklahoma 2007 with Jamie St. James. This year, you'll play with Jani and Jamie will sing with his band Black n' Blue. How is the relationship between the two bands? Is there any chance Jamie will sing a song with Warrant as well?

ET: I don't think there will be a jam, but we all get along great and we are looking forward to seeing Black n' Blue.

BBG!: Give me some hints into the Rocklahoma set list.

ET: Songs from the first three CD's only.

BBG!: Warrant has a bit of a volatile past. Is this reunion a permanent arrangement?

ET: Ha, ha! Is anything permanent? Do I have a crystal ball... I wish! We all hope this line up lasts 'till Warrant plays their last show, but you never know in a rock n' roll band.

BBG!: You've been playing guitar for a very long time now. How often do you practice - outside of rehearsals before Warrant gigs?

ET: Since the reunion came together I have been inspired to practice again. I'm even taking lessons to learn how to read music. I look forward to rehearsals which is a big change!

BBG!: Do you have any advice for someone just picking up guitar?

ET: Have fun guitar hero! Play it loud and drive your neighbors crazy!

BBG!: Finally, where do you see Warrant one year from now?

ET: Hopefully, still together, rocking, recording and making some killer music for our fans!