The End of Illegal Downloading

Vinyl Bay 777, the best new record shop on Long Island, takes a brief look at the decline of music pirating

It’s been about a week since the sudden shutdown of torrenting website What.cd. The successor to sites like Oink, Pirate Bay, Limewire and others was closed after its servers were raided by French authorities cracking down on illegal files.

There was a time where illegal downloads were more prevalent than they are today. In the early days of the internet it was harder to find legal downloads of music files. Sites like Napster and Limewire sprang up, giving people a place to upload files and share them with others around the world. These sites were very popular, as they allowed for easily accessible music online. Such would become a trend that, in the end, would play a part in the demise of illegal downloading.

In the early 2000s, there was a backlash against file sharing sites. Most notably, in 2000, Metallica and other artists sued Napster for violating copyright law. The suit ultimately led to the site’s shut down in 2001. File sharing became a dangerous game after that, with sites being monitored heavily and many being shut down for similar reasons.

But another invention also led to the demise of illegal file sharing… iTunes. The iTunes store opened in 2003 and made it easier to legally buy music online. Artists got paid for their work and people got the music they wanted to listen to.

This obviously didn’t stop people who wanted their music free and other sites continued to pop up. Sites like Pirate Bay and Oink sprang up, sites that didn’t concern themselves with copyright law and wanted a revolution. However, many of these sites were invite-only and implemented a fee to use.

The final nail in the coffin, though, is coming from streaming sites. Sites like Spotify, Rdio, Apple Music, and even Netflix for movies, have been gaining momentum in the last few years. For the convenience of listening to anything at the touch of a button, people are willing to pay for a low-level subscription to Spotify or Netflix.

This has proven that it is not necessarily “free” items that had been carrying file sharing’s popularity, but ease of use and convenience. While ripping music was once the only way to take music with you, better options have popped up with the improvement of technology. With the internet’s ubiquity, one can have an entire world of music at their fingertips just by streaming it. Sure, there will be people who miss sites like What.cd, those who enjoy the freedom and large selection of music found nowhere else. But when it is just as easy or easier to stream legally, why wouldn’t you stay on the right side of the law?

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To accompany your streaming, why not purchase physical copies of your favorite albums. Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s best new shop for new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more, has the largest selection of titles on the island. Now open seven days a week, we’re conveniently located at 101-14 Dupont Street in Plainview, right off the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway. Shop in store and online at vinylbay777.com this holiday season!

New Holiday Releases Coming Out in 2016

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the holiday season truly begins. Christmas is on the minds of many, particularly when it comes to music.

There are many new Christmas releases coming out this year. From indie and jazz to rock and R&B, there are releases to fill everyone’s tastes this holiday season. There are even some releases from artists you wouldn’t expect coming out.

Vinyl Bay 777, the best new independent record shop on Long Island, has your new holiday music hankering covered. We’ve collected seven of the best new holiday releases coming out this year. Let these new tunes help get your Christmas party started right.

1.       She & Him, ‘Christmas Party’: ‘Christmas Party,’ She & Him’s second holiday release, came out in October. The duo of actress Zoey Deschanel and producer M. Ward released their first, ‘A Very She & Him Christmas,’ in 2011, which went on to be one of the top-selling Christmas albums of the holiday season. Only time will tell if the new album will do just as well (it probably will).

2.       Various Artists, ‘Acoustic Christmas’: Amazon has released their own compilation of Christmas music featuring many independent artists (with the exception of Train, who have a single called “I Miss You, Christmas” on the list). Top artists on the playlist include G. Love, Son Little, The Stone Foxes, Trampled by Turtle and Eric Hutchinson, though there are a lot more artists to discover on there as well.

3.       Various Artists, ‘Christmas ‘Round the Jukebox’: ‘Christmas ‘Round the Jukebox’ is a collection of holiday hits from top R&B and Blues artists of the 40’s and 50’s. That includes classics from Chuck Berry, The Cadillacs, The Drifters, B.B. King and more.

4.       Neil Diamond, ‘Acoustic Christmas’: This is Diamond’s fifth Christmas album. This time, the singer went acoustic, recording holiday classics and new compositions while sitting in a circle with a handful of musicians and some microphones. It is said to be a folk-inspired album, like a “traditional holiday gathering.”

5.       R. Kelly, ‘12 Nights Of Christmas’: The first Christmas album from the R&B singer, R. Kelly released ’12 Nights Of Christmas’ in October, though it was supposed to be released two years ago. All the songs on the album are originals and have been described by R. Kelly himself as “a lot of love-making.”

6.       Jane Lynch, ‘A Swingin’ Little Christmas!’: We already know that comedian Jane Lynch can sing from her role on the show ‘Glee.’ Now, she has released an album of 60’s inspired Christmas music called ‘A Swingin’ Little Christmas!.’ She is joined by comedian Kate Flannery (‘The Office’) and Tim Davis (vocal producer for ‘Glee’), as well as a professional five-piece jazz band. It sounds interesting.

7.       Donny Most, ‘Swinging Down the Chimney Tonight’: This one seems a bit unexpected. Best known for his role on the show ‘Happy Days,’ Donny Most will be releasing ‘Swinging Down the Chimney Tonight’ on December 9. The five-song EP features four Christmas tracks, as well as “C’est Si Bon,” from his upcoming debut LP.

As Christmas music becomes the dominant sound this month, these are seven more albums to add to your collection. This year’s releases are eclectic and sure to breathe new life into any holiday gathering.

Get your holiday shopping done at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com this year. We have the largest selection of new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes on Long Island. Whether you’re looking for Christmas music or the perfect gift for the music lover in your life, Vinyl Bay 777 has what you are looking for this holiday season.

Seven Songs of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us yet again. It’s that festive start to the holiday season when we all gather with our loved ones and be thankful for what we have.

Music is a great way to convey your feelings during the holiday. Sure, you can stick with the hilarious tongue-in-cheek comedy of Adam Sandler’s “The Thanksgiving Song,” but Thanksgiving is about so much more than a meal. You need music that brings people together and reminds them that there is so much to be grateful for.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new record shop, knows that music is a vital part of your family get-togethers. That is why we’ve collected seven of the best songs about Thanksgiving, giving thanks and being a genuinely good person. Get into the holiday spirit and let these songs help you find what makes you thankful.

1.       Alanis Morissette, “Thank U”: Written after returning from a trip to India, “Thank You” is a song about letting go and finally feeling at peace with the world. She is thankful for all the feelings she feels and everything and everyone around her. Not a bad sentiment for the holiday. (video)

2.       Andrew Gold, “Thank You for Being a Friend”: Known as the theme song to ‘Golden Girls,’ the sentiment is still appropriate for Thanksgiving. Friends give you the support to be you and do what you want. They are there for you through everything, whey not specifically thank them too. Also see The Rembrendts’ “I’ll Be There for You.” (video)

3.       Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Thanksgiving Song”: This song is like a solemn prayer for all the loved ones around you. It’s warm and inviting feel is perfect for gathering around the table and just being grateful for everyone and everything. (video)

4.       Natalie Cole, “Be Thankful”: This song is all about thanking G-d for everything that you have. Even if you don’t feel like you have something to be thankful for, one must be thankful that they are even alive to see the sun rise. (video)

5.        Josh Groban, “Thankful”: In this song, Groban pleads for people to look beyond themselves and be thankful for those around us. He hopes that we can see what others need and be the change that they can be thankful for as well. (video)

6.       Sly & The Family Stone, “Thankful N Thoughtful”: The first part of the song tells you to be thankful for what you have and that you have it, because you, alternatively, could be dead. The second part tells you to be thoughtful of others because it’s “nice.” It gives you more karma and more to be thankful for. (video)

7.       Beastie Boys, “Gratitude”: In not so many words, this song says that if you can complain about life, than you can be thankful for what you are complaining about. “It’s called gratitude and it’s right.” (video)

Thanksgiving is a time for being with family and reflecting on all the good in your life. Hopefully these songs have inspired you to give thanks for what you have and who you have in your life as you are sitting around the dinner table with the people you love.

Be grateful for good music and shop Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com this holiday season. Your new favorite record shop on Long Island has thousands of new and used titles to choose from on vinyl, CD, cassette, DVD and more. Give the music lover in your life the gift of music this holiday season.

JFK: A Life Celebrated in Music

Vinyl Bay 777, the best new record shop on Long Island, looks back at the music inspired by JFK.

Today marks the 53^rd anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy Jr., our 35^th President of the United States. A nation shocked by the event, many remember exactly where they were when JFK was tragically shot down during a parade in Dallas, Texas in 1963.

Like many tragedies, JFK’s death sparked much creativity in his name. Many musicians of the time channeled their sadness into song. Even artists who were not directly affected by the event used it as a cultural jumping-off point to express certain feelings on a subject.

One of the most notable songs to come out of that time period was Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.” Though not expressly about the incident, many have taken it to be contemplation on what happened. However, the 1964 song was more a temperature gage of the public atmosphere following it. The song’s somber tones marked the time period too well.

Then, you had artists who expressly wrote about how the incident affected them. The Byrds’ song “He Was a Friend of Mine” suggests that while the singer never met the President, he felt like he knew him. Axel Rose wrote in Guns N’ Roses’ 1990 song “Civil War” how one of his first memories was going numb when he heard about the gunshots and how it awoke him politically. Lou Reed, in the poetic storytelling of his song “The Day John Kennedy Died,” recants exactly where he was when it happened. The event hit home with many, and many found comfort in writing about it.

Besides being a dark day for America, it was also a cultural event that has sparked inspiration years after it happened. For example, songs like “Brain of J” by Pearl Jam and “Sleeping In” by The Postal Service dealt more with the conspiracy theories that popped up around the incident. Focusing more on Jacqueline Kennedy, Tori Amos wrote in “Jackie’s Strength” about what she must have gone through sitting next to his lifeless body in that motorcade. The Cranberries mention him and his “saintliness” briefly in their song “I’m Still Remembering.”

Although indirectly, JFK’s death even ushered in a new era of music and creativity. At the same time people were dealing with the loss of the President, they were also welcoming bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix to the States, while the “Summer of Love” was only a few years away. This new era would help America heal going forward and find new ways to honor his legacy.

There is a lot of creativity that comes out of a tragedy like the assassination of John F. Kennedy Jr. 

While many artists found it apt to pay tribute in song, others found its cultural significance and created a larger picture. In the end, America was able to find its footing again and move on. But the country has continued to be inspired by JFK and the legacy the cultural and political legacy he left behind.

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Find music from all the artists mentioned at Vinyl Bay 777, the newest and best record shop on Long Island. Shop from thousands of titles, both new and used, on vinyl, CD, cassette and more in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com.

Seven Facts About the 2016 American Music Awards

The 2016 American Music Awards are tomorrow night. It is estimated that millions of viewers will tune in to see who wins big.

Now in its 44^th year, the AMAs honor the year’s biggest and brightest artists in the popular music game. Fans got to vote on the winners over the course of the last month-and-a-half for who they would like to take home a trophy.

Vinyl Bay 777, your new favorite Long Island record shop, wants you to know a little more about this year’s AMAs before the show airs. In order to give you a better look at the award show, we have gathered seven interesting facts about this year’s categories, performers, artists and potential winners.

1.       The AMAs were started to rival the Grammys: When the Grammy Awards left ABC in 1973, the network wanted a music award show of its own, so they came up with the American Music Awards. The main difference between the two awards is that the AMAs are voted on by the fans.

2.       The nominees are determined by record sales: This makes things interesting because it means that the nominees are not limited by how old an album is or how many albums an artist dropped during the year. For example, in the race for this year’s Top Soundtrack award is Prince’s ‘Purple Rain,’ released in 1984, which re-charted after Prince’s death earlier this year. Also notable is Drake’s double nomination for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop album.

3.       Rock music continues to be underrepresented: It’s been a downward trend for a while, but rock music has been terribly underrepresented at award shows for years now. The only category that honors the genre today is Top Alternative Rock Artist, which was started in 1995 to properly honor all the rock music coming out at the time. Now it just separates the genre more from the pop and R&B that has become popular. The one beacon at this year’s show is that there will be performances by rock bands Green Day and Twenty One Pilots.

4.       There is a Latin American Music Awards: If it looks like Latin music is seriously underrepresented at this year’s ceremony too, it’s because it has already been honored with its own award show. Started in 2015, the Latin American Music Awards gives Spanish-language music its due. The 2016 ceremony took place on October 6.

5.       Sting is getting a Merit Award: For his “contributions to the music industry,” Sting will be getting the American Music Award of Merit at tomorrow’s ceremony. He will be the first artist in eight years to get the award. Sting will also be performing a medley of his hits, as well as a song from his new album, ‘57^th & 9^th.’

6.       Rihanna is the most nominated artist this year: She is up for seven awards, including Artist of the Year. If she won all of them, it would tie her with Garth Brooks for fourth-most AMA wins ever. She already has nine wins under her belt.

7.       You can still vote for Top New Artist: While the voting for all other categories ended on Thursday, the one award you can still have a say in is Best New Artist.  Voting for that award goes on until just before the winner is announced.

The 2016 American Music Awards airs Sunday night, November 20 at 8PM on ABC. Are you excited for any of the performances? Let us know in the comments!

Find music from all of the nominees and performers at Vinyl Bay 777 and online at vinylbay777.com. The best and largest new record shop on Long Island, Vinyl Bay 777 has thousands of new and used titles to choose from on vinyl, CD and cassette. The store is conveniently located just off the LIE and Northern State and is now open every day.

Seven Rock Shows on Long Island to See This Weekend (Nov. 18-20)

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s best record shop, helps you make weekend music plans

Looking for something to do this weekend on Long Island? Want to rock out to some great live tunes? Look no further, because Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered.

It’s the weekend and what better way to spend your days away from work and school than going to see a show. There are a lot of great artists coming to the island this weekend, leaving you with many options to let off some steam and rock out.            

    

That is why Vinyl Bay 777, your new favorite record shop on Long Island, has compiled this list of seven live shows hitting the island this weekend worth checking out. Stay local and still have a good time.

1.       Chris Robinson Brotherhood: Started as a Black Crowes side project, the band has become more than just an “experiment.” They released their fourth album, ‘If You lived Here, You Would Be Here By Now,’ earlier this month and are now touring behind it. (Friday, Space at Westbury)

2.       The Dillinger Escape Plan: This is your last chance to see The Dillinger Escape Plan before they break up. Earlier this year, lead singer Greg Puciato declared that after the band finishes their current tour, they will be disbanding for good. The band released their sixth and final album, ‘Dissociation,’ in October. (Friday, The Paramount)

3.       Tower of Power: This prolific R&B band is best known for their hit “What Is Hip?” They haven’t released an album on new music since 2009, but continue to tour extensively with their current line-up. (Friday, NYCB)

4.       The Trinity Tour: This tour features three of metal’s most infamous lead singers: Geoff Tate of Queensryche, Tim “Ripper” Owens of Judas Priest and Blaze Bayley of Iron Maiden. Rock out to music from all three bands, plus new material each artist has been working on throughout their careers. (Saturday, Mulcahy’s)

5.       Kansas: Kansas has been having a busy second half to their 2016. In September, the band released their first album in 16 years, ‘The Prelude Implicit.’ Now, they are on tour in celebration of the 40^th anniversary of their breakthrough album ‘Leftoverture,’ where they will be playing the album in its entirety. (Saturday, The Paramount)

6.       Andrew W.K.: Hard rocking party “guru” Andrew W.K. is bringing his 50-state ‘Power of Partying’ speaking tour to Brooklyn (technically still Long Island) this weekend. While this isn’t really a music event, it will definitely be about bringing people together through music and partying. And isn’t that all we really need right now? (Sunday, Music Hall of Williamsburg)

7.       Less Than Jake: Gainsville Ska-punk vets Less Than Jake will be playing their sophomore album, ‘Losing Streak,’ in its entirety this weekend for the album’s 20^th anniversary. Opening for them are Mustard Plug and local favorites High School Football Heroes, making for what will be an amazing night of ska-punk. (Sunday, Revolution)

There’s nothing better than going to a live show to get you inspired and ready to take on the week ahead. Hopefully these shows will peak your interest and get you rocking out to some great music right here on Long Island.

And as always, come down to Vinyl Bay 777, the best new record shop on Long Island, before the show and pick up music from all of these artists and more. We have the largest selection of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more on the island. Now open seven days a week! Can’t make it to the store? Shop our selection online at vinylbay777.com!

Metallica Has Released a Video for Every Song on Their New Album

Vinyl Bay 777 gives you a brief rundown of every video from ‘Hardwired… to Self-Destruct’

Metallica is about to release their 10^th studio album, ‘Hardwired… to Self-Destruct,’ this Friday, November 18. Their first in more than eight years, the band has been teasing every last bit out of the album for months.

Now, the band has released music videos for every song on the album. While videos for the first three singles were released in September and October, Wednesday saw a push to release the other nine.

To whet your appetite for holding the album in your hands, here are all 12 videos, in track order, plus the live video for “Lords of Summer,” in one place for your viewing pleasure.

1.       “Hardwired”: The video for the album’s title track is just as flighty as the song itself. It doesn’t hold on to one particular shot for longer than a second or two until the end. Its manic and frantic, and a good place for the album to start.

2.       “Atlas, Rise”: Metallica give you a behind the scenes look at their recording process in this video. Here, you see the band in the studio working on the song, playing things out, riffing off each other, mixing and just having fun in general.

3.        “Now That We’re Dead”: The video is pretty simple at first. It features the band playing in front of a white background with a lot of close-ups. Then the band’s faces start to get gnarled up. The visual starts to look like the album cover, with multiple images of their faces stacked on top of one another.

4.       “Moth Into Flame”: This video has three views. One is the camera’s view of the band playing in a black room. The second is the viewer watching the band play through the television screen. The third is the moths, who are swarming near the television’s light, seeing the band play through their kaleidoscope-like eyes.

5.        “Dream No More”: Much of this video looks like stock footage with a man in a black body suit superimposed over the scenes. This person-sized black screen serves as director Tom Kirk’s way of splicing the band’s performance scenes into these stock backgrounds.

6.        “Halo On Fire”: The main story of this video focuses on a girl who looks like she has been bruised in some way, physically and/or mentally, as she cleans herself up and leaves her house to face the world. However, we soon find out that she is battered because she is a fighter and knocking out all her opponents in each street fight. She is not the angel people on the street perceive her as.

7.       “Confusion”: This video follows the song pretty closely with imagery of a former soldier with PTSD  having flashbacks of being on the battlefield. The drum roll in the beginning is the perfect introduction to opening patrol scenes while the lyrics to the song appropriately detail her flashbacks.

8.        “ManUNkind”: The band takes on whole new personalities for this one. In this video, we see a band (not sure if it’s actually Metallica)playing on a small stage wearing ‘Scarecrow’-like face paint, cutting themselves and worshiping pig heads. The crowd below them loves every minute of it, soaking up the blood dripped on their faces and devouring the pig heads tossed in to them. Note: If you don’t like blood, do NOT watch.

9.       Here Comes Revenge”: Beautifully illustrated, this video seems like a meditation on karma. Doing this through the personification of animals, it follows a hyena that is looking to put a new trophy animal on his wall. However, after he does so, he is haunted by his former kills, who come back to life to kill him instead.

10.   “Am I Savage”: This video displays vignettes of a man’s daily interactions with the same nameless and faceless (literally) people day in and day out. He puts on a brave face, but inside he is going insane.

11.    “Murder One”: This is the band’s tribute to Lemmy from Motorhead. It’s a cartoon adventure of the late singer where he attempts to get revenge on his old band Hawkwind and just blowing things up in general. The general take away is that Lemmy is the personification of rock and roll.

12.   “Spit Out the Bone”: Perhaps the weirdest of all the videos, director Phil Mucci brings you to a blood-soaked, destroyed dystopian world the human race is threatened by alien lasers that disintegrate flesh. Interspersed between people running are images of skulls and robots covered in worms. The story is aided by choreographed fight scenes and cheesy special effects.

13.    “Lords of Summer”: This live video gives you a peak at what goes on behind the scenes of a Metallica arena show, as well as the energy that comes from the stage and from the audience. There is so much enjoyment going on both on-stage and in the crowd that it makes you want to see the band live.

‘Hardwired… to Self-Destruct’ comes out on Friday, November 18. On that day, the band will be holding various “Blackened Friday” events, where fans who come down to participating record stores will be eligible to receive limited edition items and a grand prize featuring the album in deluxe box set form with test pressing.

Pre-order the album here and here, and find more music from Metallica in-store at Vinyl Bay 777 and online at vinylbay777.com.

Seven Collaborations that Seem Unlikely but Actually Happened

Collaborations are a great way for an artist to bring something new to their music. Bringing someone else on can change up perspective and perhaps take the artist out of their niche within a certain genre.

Usually, collaborations happen unilaterally within a certain genre. It’s not odd for a pop or R&B singer nowadays to work with a rapper, or for a rock band to invite another band’s singer to chime in on a verse. However, when collaborations begin to cross into vastly different genres, things get interesting.

No one expects to see a rock band or country artist performing with a rapper or softer sounding singer-songwriters working with loud, boisterous metal bands. And when it happens, the outcome goes one of two ways: either it is very good or very bad.

Vinyl Bay 777 presents to you seven of the oddest pairings in music history that have actually happened. Some of these were great successes that changed music forever. Others were so bad they baffled listeners of both artists.

1.       Lou Reed and Metallica: Let’s start with something universally thought of as a grave mistake for both artists involved. Most people would like to forget, but in 2011, ex-Velvet Underground frontman turned solo artist Lou Reed and metal heavyweights Metallica released a collaborative album called ‘Lulu.’ It’s an interesting idea, putting Lou Reed’s vocals over Metallica’s instrumental. But in practice it just didn’t work.

2.       Elton John and Eminem: This collaboration sort of seemed like a PR stunt when it happened. Eminem had said something homophobic in one of his songs and, perhaps trying to make things right, performed his single “Stan” with Elton John at the Grammys. The fact that John agreed to do it at the time was just as shocking.

3.       Jack White and the Insane Clown Posse: In 2011, White decided to record with Insane Clown Posse. If the pairing wasn’t odd enough, the song, called “Leck Mich Im Arsch,” which had additional musical back-up from JEFF the Brotherhood,  took it’s melody from a Mozart piece from the 1700s.

4.       Aerosmith and Run-DMC: This is a collaboration that changed the music world. When Run-DMC decided to cover “Walk This Way” in 1986, they also decided to get the song’s original artist, Aerosmith, to perform it with them. What transpired made history as the first collaboration between a rap group and a rock band. The collaboration gave Aerosmith a boost back into the spotlight, made Run-DMC one of the biggest rap groups around and gave hip hop a place in pop music for decades to come.

5.       KRS-One and R.E.M.: A fan of Boogie Down Productions, Michael Stipe had KRS-One appear on R.E.M.’s single “Radio Song.” KRS-One wasn’t much more than a glorified back-up singer on the track, soloing only for a short rap at the end of the track. It doesn’t seem like this would be that odd a collaboration nowadays, but in 1991, there wasn’t as much rock music taking on a rapper, let alone a band that sounds like R.E.M.

6.       Kanye West and Justin Vernon: West collaborates with a lot of people, but Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon seems like a stretch. But actually, the two have collaborated many times. Vernon appears on “Lost in the World” from ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ and “I Am A God” and “I’m In It” from ‘Yezus.’ Both collaborated with Francis and the Lights on their song “Friends.”

7.       LL Cool J and Brad Paisley: This collaboration stirred up a bit of controversy in 2013, not for who was singing it, but for its content. The song was called “Accidental Racist,” conceptually bringing together a white country singer and a black rapper to discuss their differences and “make nice” for all the years of bad blood.  What was meant to start a discussion about racism instead fell flat, as critics called the song “plastic” and the lyrics “offensive.”

There have been a lot of odd collaborations in music, ones that make you scratch your head at first before ever listening to the track in the first place. Sometimes these tracks work out, like Run-DMC covering “Walk This Way” or Kanye West and Justin Vernon working together. But other times, like Lou Reed with Metallica or LL Cool J with Brad Paisley, the chance taken does not pay off.

Pick up music from all of these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. We have thousands of genre-bending titles to choose from on vinyl, CD, cassette and more!

Six Current and Upcoming NYC Music Exhibits (and Museums) You Should Check Out

New York City is home to a diverse array of music history. At different points, its streets have been filled with the sounds of jazz, punk, hip hop, rock ‘n’ roll, folk and more. And as some of this history slowly fades away with time and gentrification, it needs to be discussed and remembered in some fashion.

Every so often, pieces of the city’s music scene become immortalized in a museum exhibit, contextualizing what made an artist or the scene so great. Right now, there are a handful of new exhibits getting started around the city doing just that, as well as permanent exhibits and museums and tours that continually update their music collections.

Vinyl Bay 777 brings you a list of six exhibits and museums in New York City that will satisfy the music buff in all of us. From exhibits that give you an intimate look at an artist or their creative process to tours and museums built on the city’s music landmarks and genres, these picks are sure to give you a broader view of music past and present.

1.       Iggy Pop: When I said “intimate,” I REALLY meant it for this one. A few months ago, Iggy Pop posed for an art class at the New York Academy of Art in the buff. That experience turned into ‘Iggy Pop Life Class,’ an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum displaying these portraits created by students of all ages and backgrounds. The exhibit opened on November 4 and runs through March 26, 2017.

2.       Rolling Stones: Another intimate look into the life of a rock band, the Rolling Stones have been celebrating their 50-year with a traveling exhibition taping into the band’s early 60s start. What is it an exhibit of, you might ask? ‘Exhibitionism’s’ main focus is a recreation of the band’s first apartment together in London. It shows the band living in squalor, with dirty dishes, old beer bottles and vinyl records strewn everywhere. The exhibit, which also features art by Andy Worhol, Alexander McQueen and John Pasche, started out in London before coming stateside to Industria in NYC this weekend. ‘Exhibitionism’ runs through March 12, 2017.

3.       Taylor Swift: Adoptive New Yorker Taylor Swift has a new pop-up exhibit coming to the Big Apple this coming weekend. Sponsored by the Grammy Museum, the ‘Taylor Swift Experience’ gives patrons an intimate look at the singer and her musical process. Located at the South Street Seaport, the interactive exhibit features personal photographs and videos, handwritten lyrics, on-stage outfits and more.  The ‘Taylor Swift Experience’ runs from November 18 through February 19.

4.       Walking Tours: Local show promoter Rocks Off has been putting on “Rock N Roll History Walking Tours for the last three years and, from experience, they are amazing. On weekends during the spring, summer and fall months, they present two tours which take you to the former sites of Manhattan’s most notorious venues, bars and more: ‘The History of Art, Crime, Drugs and Punk Rock on the Lower East Side’ with Cro-Mags’ John Joseph, and ‘The Origins of the Underworld of Lower New York’ with Seth “the Goon” Abrams.

5.       National Jazz Museum: The National Jazz Museum is a Smithsonian-Affiliated museum in Harlem that “preserves, promotes and presents jazz by inspiring knowledge, appreciation and the celebration of jazz locally, nationally and internationally.” It is right in the middle of where the Harlem Renaissance took place in the mid-1930s and 40s, so the neighborhood is as full of history as the museum itself.

6.       Morrison Hotel Gallery: This gallery has three locations across the country, but their main one is in SoHo. Their main purpose is to promote music and photography. Right now, they have a display by Patricia O’Driscoll of Gregg Allman called ‘Midnight Rider,’ which runs until November 27. Following that will be a Neil Young Retrospective called ‘Long May You Run,’ which opens on December 2 in New York.

Whether you are interested in learning about the inner workings of the Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift, watching Iggy Pop bear all or getting to know NYC’s music scene just a bit better, there are great exhibits and museums in New York that have you covered. Check these out before they are gone.

Find music from NYC’s iconic scenes at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. We have one of the largest collections of vinyl, CD, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more on Long Island with thousands of titles to choose from! Now open every day!

New Music Video Round-up 11/12

It can be hard to keep up with all the new music and videos that are released every week. Miss one day and you could miss something amazing.

Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered. We’ve found seven of this week’s most talked about new music videos and compiled them here for your listening and viewing pleasure. From rock to pop and R&B, new bands to established, these are the videos you need to see.

1.       Rolling Stones, “Hate To See You Go”: This is the first taste of the Rolling Stone’s first new album in more than a decade, ‘Blue and Lonesome.’ A bit of a softer sound than their most well-known rock songs, “Hate To See You Go” sees a return to the band’s blues roots. The video features shots of the band thrown in amidst shots of the streets of New York. It’s fitting that they made and released this video now because a new Stones exhibit is opening in NYC this weekend. https://youtu.be/lrIjMzBr-ck?list=PLrEnWoR732-D67iteOI6DPdJH1opjAuJt

2.       Green Day, “Still Breathing”: While a lyric video for this song was released just before Green Day released ‘Revolution Radio’ in October, the band has now premiered an actual video for “Still Breathing.” The concept for this video is very reminiscent of “Good Riddance,” in that it is visually quite similar, focusing on people walking around contemplating life. https://youtu.be/SUzsih7QJSY?list=PLrEnWoR732-D67iteOI6DPdJH1opjAuJt

3.       Alicia Keys, “Blended Family”: Keys sheds a little light into her own family with the video for “Blended Family,” from her new album, ‘Here.’ In a time where there is a lot of hate, it’s a nice reminder that every family is beautiful, no matter what they look like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbGm5f5PR2o

4.       The Flaming Lips, “How??”: This is the second single and video from The Flaming Lips’ upcoming album ‘Oczy Mlody.’ It’s an odd clip, with ladies dressed up in colorful full-body suits and riding on bikes adorned with lights and stuffed animals, but one must remember that this is The Flaming Lips. All of their videos are filled with fantastical imagery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unLnJvzf-So&t=15s

5.       Cloud Nothings, “Modern Act”: It’s hard to be funny when the subject you are choosing to conquer in your video is death, but somehow Cloud Nothings do it. “Modern Act” shows each of the band members dying when they see a particular pair of sneakers and ending up performing on a beach in white. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt9N_yHvwyM

6.       The Chemical Brothers, “C-h-e-m-i-c-a-l”: The Chemical Brothers have gotten creative with the video for their one-off single, “C-h-e-m-i-c-a-l.” Using a Kinnect Camera, which usually captures body motion for video games, the electronic duo filmed ravers and turned them into holographic images. The effect is interesting to watch, as the dancers no longer really look like people anymore.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yiVDrX6vG0

7.       Okilly Dokilly, “White Wine Spritzer”: A heavy metal band that pays tribute to Ned Flanders from ‘The Simpsons,’ Okilly Dokilly released the first single from their upcoming album ‘Howdilly Doodilly,’ this week. “White Wine Spritzer” finds the band getting drunk on Flanders’ alcoholic drink of choice and wreaking havoc on the iconic Simpsons living room. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BEvh6HSQc0

From the first new Rolling Stones tune in 10 years to crazy new videos from The Flaming Lips and The Chemical Brothers to new bands like Cloud Nothings and Okilly Dokilly, this is just some of the amazing new music that has been released this week.

Find music from most of these bands at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. We thousands of titles to chose from on vinyl, CD and cassette, and new music is added daily. Come down and shop during our newly extended store hours.

A Songwriter to the End: An Appreciation of Leonard Cohen

Vinyl Bay 777 takes a look back at what made Cohen’s music so popular and relatable.

Leonard Cohen - King's Garden, Odense, Denmark, 17 August 2013. Found on Wikimedia Commons. Photo by Takahiro Kyono.

On the heels of the release of his brand new album, ‘You Want It Darker,’ today we bring you the sad news that Leonard Cohen has passed away. He was 82 years old.

Cohen’s work has resonated with generations of fans for the rawness of his songwriting and minimalist style. A published poet and author before ever recording a single song, his flair for words, placement and imagery show in his arrangements. Cohen speaks as much as he sings his words. For example, it often feels like he is scatting over a snare being lightly brushed throughout the entirety of ‘You Want It Darker.’

The subject matter of Cohen’s writing has always been self-depreciating and dark, with his latest album being the darkest yet. Even the title track gives you the impression that he was ready to die. His use of haunting cantorial singing in the background and repetition of the phrase “hineni” (“here I am” in Hebrew) is like an argument with G-d about all the tragedy in our mortal world.

It is this contemplativeness and relatability that has made Cohen’s music so popular, particularly in the last 25 years.  His most famous song, “Hallelujah,” for example, is haunting and liturgical, invoking historic and religious imagery that people can recognize and grasp. Perhaps that is why musicians continue to cover this song so regularly; its lyrics evoke a deep connection within them and the audience that they are performing it for.

What hurts most about his death is that it seemed like he had so much more life and music to give. In the last four years he has released three albums. Since 2008, he has been touring virtually non-stop whether he had an album coming out or not. According to a statement by his son, Cohen was writing until the very end.

More comforting though, is that Cohen was satiated as a performer and songwriter. His son said in that same statement that his father “passed away peacefully…with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records.”

Leonard Cohen leaves behind a legacy of honest and often brash lyricism, a style that has left him and his music so popular many years later. His work shows that you don’t need fancy effects to get your message across, just the right words in a relatable and poetic form.

Cohen’s presence will be sorely missed in the music world, but his music will live on in its stead.

Find Leonard Cohen’s music on vinyl, CD and cassette at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com.

Seven Unique Cover and Tribute Bands

There are many cover and tribute bands out there playing the music of some of our most beloved artists. Many times they are fairly straight forward, bringing you the music of these artists in lieu of the artist themselves. Other times, a cover band will take their craft a step further and create something completely new and very unique.

Vinyl Bay 777 has scouted the internet to find you seven of the most interesting cover bands on the scene. Some combine rock with food, others with television, and some unite genres that you might not have thought sounded good together.

1.       Okilly Dokilly: You know the overly nice neighbor on ‘The Simpsons,’ Ned Flanders? Well, this metal band is inspired by him. All members wear the signature green sweater with the pink button-up underneath and the lead singer even wears the round glasses. The band is getting ready to release their first full-length album, ‘Howdilly Doodilly,’ on November 11 and just dropped a video for the album’s first single, “White Wine Spritzer.”

2.       Mac Sabbath: These guys are a Black Sabbath tribute band that sings about fast food. Their songs include such classics as “Frying Pan” (like “Iron Man”), “More Ribs” (like “War Pigs”) and “Pair-a-Buns” (like “Paranoid”), among others. Even their names are based on metal and McD’s, as members include Ronald Osbourne, Slayer MacCheeze, Grimalice/“I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butler” and Catburgler/Glamburglar/Peter Criss Cut Fries.

3.       Gabba: Ever wonder what ABBA songs would sound like if they were done by the Ramones? Then check out Gabba, who blend not only the two bands’ music, but apparently their mythos too. Most of their music is out of print and one of their albums is banned, but you can still find ‘Leave Stockholm’ online. Check out this cover of “Super Trooper” and ‘Knowing Me Knowing You” here.

4.       Aerosith: These guys are a ‘Star Wars’ parody band. They have been around for a while and have released several albums parodying rock songs, not just Aerosmith, with lyrics about the films and the ‘Star Wars’ culture. Check out “Stop Making Special Editions.”

5.       Lounge Against the Machine: Fronted by Richard Cheese, Lounge Against the Machine turns rock and pop songs into lounge and big band ones. If you’ve always wanted to hear “Killing In the Name” actually sung instead of shouted, then check these guys out.

6.       Pizza Underground: This is exactly what it sounds like; pizza themed versions of Velvet Underground songs. You have “Take a Bite of the Wild Slice” (“Take a Walk on the Wild Side”), “All Pizza Parties” (All Tomorrow’s Parties”) and “Pizza Gal” (“Femme Fatale”) among a few others. The band released an EP in 2014. Oh, and it’s fronted by Macaulay Culkin, so… Check out the band performing live here.

7.       Dread Zeppelin: Dread Zeppelin combines the music of Led Zeppelin with reggae, then add an Elvis impersonator as their frontman. These guys have had a pretty amazing career over the last 27 years touring all over the world, releasing 16 studio albums (not all Led Zeppelin) and working with some top name artists. Check out “Immigrant Song.”

These artists have made a name for themselves with their unique take on rock music. Whether they write their own original music or cover others, they have found a niche spot in the scene that captures people’s attention.

Find the music these artists pay tribute to at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. We have thousands of titles on vinyl, CD, cassette and more to choose from!

Seven of Iggy Pop’s Most Memorable Collaborations

Iggy Pop. Found on Wikimedia Commons. Author Alex Const.

 Last Friday, Japanese guitarist Hotei released a new single from his international debut album ‘Strangers,’ with famed punk singer Iggy Pop on vocal duties. “Walking Through the Night” is a bluesy track with a heavy, plodding guitar riff that gives the song motion.

This isn’t the first collaboration between the two musicians, who released the punky “How the Cookie Crumbles” together last year.

This isn’t the first instance of Iggy collaborating with other artists either. In fact, he has worked with artists other than The Stooges for years. Some of his most popular songs were collaborations with some of the biggest artists in rock.

Here, Vinyl Bay 777 brings you seven of Iggy Pop’s most memorable recorded collaborations. Some of these were done for movies, others were done for the sake of mutual respect between the artists. All are worth another listen.

1.       Iggy Pop and David Bowie, “Lust For Life”: One of Iggy’s most popular solo songs, “Lust For Life” was actually written by himself and David Bowie in Germany while both were trying to get sober. Bowie has also recorded this and other songs from their writing sessions. (video)

2.       Iggy Pop and Green Day, “Private Hell”: I came across this song on iTunes once while searching Green Day music. It is part of an album of pop-punk songs Iggy recorded in 2003 called ‘Skull Ring,’ which also features collaborations with Sum 41, Peaches and The Trolls. It’s bluesy and punky, and a lot better than “Supermarket,” the other collaboration between Pop and Green Day on the album. (video)

3.       Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry, “Well Did You Evah”: This song was recorded by the two for a charity tribute album of songs written by Cole Porter. The collaboration seems very natural, as does the acting between the two in the video. (video)

4.       Iggy Pop and Josh Homme, “Post Pop Depression”: Pop’s last album, 2016’s ‘Post Pop Depression,’ was a collaboration with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, as well as QotSA guitarist Dean Fertita and drummer Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys. According to quotes in Rolling Stone, Pop has said that the album “took him to a place he’d never been.” (video – “Gardenia”)

5.       The Stooges featuring John Cale, “I Wanna Be Your Dog”: Cale is actually produced “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is one of The Stooges’ most well known songs, as well as the entirety of The Stooges debut album. The song also features Cale on piano and sleigh bells. (video)

6.       Iggy Pop featuring Steve Jones, Nigel Harrison and Clem Burke, “Repo Man”: Pop was approached to write a song for the soundtrack to ‘Repo Man,’ so he recruited an all-star band to back him up. This band featured Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Nigel Harrison and Clem Burke of Blondie. (video)

7.       Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson, “Candy”: It turns out that Pop’s only top 40 hit was a collaborative effort. With the B-52’s at the height of their career, working with Kate Pierson gave his single with her, “Candy,” a boost. Different from much of Pop’s work, it is a fun little pop song that reminisces about a girl. (video)

Iggy Pop’s collaborations are just as legendary as his solo and Stooges hits. It is an honor for a younger band or musician to get to play with Pop and gets people talking about them. These, of course, are not all of his collaborations, as he has also worked with the likes of Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Ke$ha, Sparklehorse and more.

Find music from Iggy Pop and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Our wide variety of titles on vinyl, CD and cassette runs the gambit from punk to blues to country to pop and more, guaranteeing that there is always something for everyone. Now open every day!

Seven Patriotic Songs to Unify the Country on Election Day

US Flag Backlit. Found on Wikimedia Commons. Author Jnn13.

Today is Election Day in the United States. It is also the culmination of a brutal two-year race for the presidency.

At times it has been hard to see the finish line with all the hate and bickering going on. This has been one of the most polarizing races in U.S. history with the country being split nearly down the middle as to who is the best candidate to lead our country for the next four years.

With so much hate going on, it is easy to lose sight of what makes America great. It’s time to unite as a country and Vinyl Bay 777 feels that music is the perfect way to bring us together.

There are many patriotic songs out there that we usually only bring out for the Fourth of July. But now is just as good as any other time to listen to musicians expound on why this country is so great. Here are seven non-partisan patriotic songs that will give you a sense of nationalism on this Election Day.

1.       Neil Diamond, “America”: This song was written for the remake of ‘The Jazz Singer’ in 1980. The song details how great it is to come to America and find the freedom to “live the American dream.”

2.       Woodie Guthrie, “This Land Is Your Land”: A traditional folk song, it is simple and effective. The song’s message is that this country is all of ours. Its beauty and splendor is not to be taken for granted.

3.       John Mellencamp, “Our Country”: John Mellencamp has written several rock songs from the perspective of heartland America. “Our Country” in particular has this all-inclusive vibe in its lyrics. Just like “This Land Is Your Land,” “Our Country” makes it a point to say that there is room for everyone here, regardless of opinion as long as you are good to your fellow man (or woman).

4.       Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”: “Philadelphia Freedom” was not originally written as a patriotic song, but over the years has been interpreted to be about freedom in the United States. Philadelphia is historically the place where freedom was granted with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and anyone who lives in this country just wants freedom to “shine a light” on them.

5.       Jimi Hendrix, “Star Spangled Banner”: One of Hendrix’s most iconic guitar riffs, he doesn’t even need words to convey his point with this rendition of our national anthem. Just hearing those first few chords makes you stand up with pride for our country.

6.       Weezer, “I Love the USA”: I wanted to include a new song on this list amongst the tried and true favorites. This song was written by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo earlier this year for NASA’s Juno mission to Jupiter, which landed on July 4. According to the annotated lyrics on Genius though, Rivers wrote the song while on tour overseas and was “thinking a lot about America.” The lyrics are a bit all over the place, but are still patriotic none the less. A new video aimed more at politics was released last month starring Patton Oswalt.

7.       James Brown, “Living in America”: This song is a complete celebration of where the country has been and where it is now. Its main focus is the railroads, which can take you anywhere quickly and easily, and let you discover your own America. As he says in the song, “you may not be looking for the promise land / but you might find it anyway.”

As the 2016 election season comes to a close, it is important to remember that we are one country and must stay united to accomplish anything. These songs help us recognize that. Whether they talk about the “American dream” or prosperity or unity, music is a uniting force for nationalism and patriotism.

Find music from these patriotic musicians and more in-store at Vinyl Bay 777 and online at vinylbay777.com. We have thousands of new and used titles on vinyl, CD and cassette to choose from, so there is something for everyone!