In January-February 1969, after 13 years of recording studio albums and movie soundtracks in Nashville and Hollywood, the time was right for Elvis Presley (1935-1977) to set foot once again in a Memphis studio. Those sessions at Chip Moman’s American Studios yielded a year-long string of ‘comeback’ hit singles: “In the Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “Kentucky Rain.”

FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS: LEGACY EDITION collects that entire American Studios output, and then some. The specially-designed 40th anniversary double-CD package will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting July 28th through RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The extensive 2,400-word liner notes essay for FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS: LEGACY EDITION was written by the homegrown Memphis team of Robert Gordon (whose books include It Came From Memphis and The Elvis Treasures, and whose documentary films include Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story and Shakespeare Was A Big George Jones Fan: Cowboy Jack Clement’s Home Movies) and his wife Tara McAdams, author of The Elvis Handbook among other works.

Individually, disc one of FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS: LEGACY EDITION includes the 12 songs of 1969’s original From Elvis In Memphis LP. Among these are “In the Ghetto” (written by Mac Davis, the song that jump-started his career the next year as a Columbia Records artist), and powerful covers of Gamble & Huff’s “Only The Strong Survive” (via Jerry Butler), Johnny Tillotson’s “It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’,” Hank Snow’s “I’m Movin’ On” (famously covered by the Rolling Stones back in ‘65), John Hartford’s “Gentle On My Mind,” and Burt Bacharach’s “Any Day Now” (via Chuck Jackson).

The 12 songs are augmented by four bonus tracks, songs that showed up on various LPs over the next couple of years “Who Am I?”, “If I’m A Fool (For Loving You),” and covers of Bobby Darin’s “I’ll Be There” and the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”

Disc two of FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS: LEGACY EDITION includes the 10 songs that comprised LP two of the double-LP From Memphis To Vegas – From Vegas To Memphis (more on this album below). Among these are Percy Mayfield’s “Stranger In My Own Home Town,” Neil Diamond’s “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” (ironically, it was Neil Diamond who yielded his studio time at American to accommodate Elvis), Bobby Russell’s “Do You Know Who I Am?,” Ned Miller’s “From A Jack To A King,” and Mort Shuman’s “You’ll Think Of Me.”

These 10 songs are augmented by another 10 bonus tracks, grouped as The Original Mono Single Masters. Four are (mono) reprises of songs that appeared on the aforementioned LPs: “In The Ghetto,” “Any Day Now,” “The Fair’s Moving On,” and “You’ll Think Of Me.” The other six were all originally non-LP single sides at the time of their first release: “Suspicious Minds” (the Grammy Hall Of Fame and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, written by Mark James); “Don’t Cry Daddy” (Mac Davis) b/w “Rubberneckin’”; Eddie Rabbitt’s “Kentucky Rain” b/w Shirl Milete’s “My Little Friend”; and finally, guitarist Johnny Christopher’s “Mama Liked The Roses.”

Elvis Presley’s multi-faceted performing career underwent a heroic rebirth in 1968 and 1969, ignited by three factors: his NBC-TV “comeback” special of December 1968 (taped in June, his first live show before an audience in over seven years); his landmark sessions at Chip Moman’s American Studios in January-February 1969 (Elvis’ first official recording in his hometown of Memphis since leaving Sun Records in November 1955); and his triumphant return to Las Vegas (the International Hotel) in August 1969, which led to his return to touring for the rest of his life.

The back-story originates with the NBC-TV broadcast of “The ‘68 Comeback Special.” A colossal success by every standard, the TV special (and those indelible black leather images) invigorated Elvis and everyone around him, including the two most formidable figures in his career at the time, Colonel Tom Parker (his manager) and Felton Jarvis of RCA Records (his A&R man and staff producer).

Several members of Elvis’ entourage had long-standing connections with producer and songwriter Chips Moman. As busy as Memphis and the surrounding area’s studios were – Stax Records, Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records, and in Alabama, Rick Hall’s FAME Studios and the new Muscle Shoals Sound – it was Chips’ American Studios on Thomas Street that had all but eclipsed the competition, a steady rise in business that began in 1965. Like those other studios, American had its core rhythm section of world-class players: guitarist Reggie Young, bassists Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leech, Bobby Emmons on organ, Bobby Wood on piano, drummer Gene Chrisman, plus the Memphis Horns led by Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love, and a dazzling array of background vocalists. Holding it together was Chips Moman, a songwriter (”Dark End Of the Street,” Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Woman Do Right Man”) and experienced producer since his earliest days at Stax Records.

According to Peter Guralnick, American reportedly charted 120 hits between November 1967 and January 1971, landing 28 records on the Billboard charts in one memorable week. There were early national hits with local acts Sam the Sham (”Wooly Bully”), Sandy Posey (”Born a Woman”), the Box Tops (”The Letter”), Merrilee Rush (”Angel Of the Morning”), the Gentrys (”Keep On Dancin’”), and many others. Atlantic Records became a major client, as producer Jerry Wexler steered Aretha Franklin (”Think”), Wilson Pickett (”I’m a Midnight Mover”), Dusty Springfield (Dusty In Memphis), Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations (”Sweet Inspiration”), Herbie Mann (Memphis Underground), and many other label acts to Chips’ American Studios.

A lifelong Memphis resident (since age 13) whose story – and the story of the birth of rock and roll itself – is inextricably linked for all time, Elvis Presley arrived at American Studios at the perfect moment: January 13, 1969. It was just six weeks after the NBC-TV broadcast of December 3rd, and a month after the release of the TV Special soundtrack LP, a platinum seller whose climactic closing number, “If I Can Dream,” was turning into Elvis’ first hit single since 1966.

With the exception of the impromptu “Million Dollar Quartet” session of December 1956 at Sun Studios with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash (officially unreleased until 1990), it was the first time Elvis was recording in his hometown in over 13 years. The first results of the American Studio sessions came quickly; “In the Ghetto” was issued as a non-LP single in May 1969, and was welcomed as a platinum-selling hit.

In June 1969, From Elvis In Memphis presented 12 of the 32 master recordings that Elvis completed at American Studios, climaxing with “In the Ghetto.” The album became his first gold-selling studio (non-movie soundtrack) LP since 1961. In August, “Suspicious Minds” (b/w “You’ll Think Of Me”) was released as a new non-LP single. “Suspicious Minds” not only hit the million-selling mark, but became Elvis first #1 hit since 1962 (”Good Luck Charm”) and the last #1 of his career.

Also in August, buoyed by his comeback chain of events, Elvis kicked off a four-week run at the brand new International Hotel in Las Vegas, following Barbra Streisand’s run in the 2,000-seat showroom. Live recording over the course of six nights was produced by Felton Jarvis, and five months later in November, the double-LP From Memphis To Vegas – From Vegas To Memphis was released.

The first LP gathered 13 songs recorded live at the hotel; the second LP brought out another 10 of the American Studio tracks. The concurrent November single release, however, was not drawn from the album tracks. Instead, it came from the American sessions, as “Don’t Cry Daddy” chalked up another million-selling Top 10 hit. Two months later in January 1970, “Kentucky Rain” extended the string, a Top 20 gold-selling hit.

A couple of as-yet unreleased American tracks – Bobby Darin’s “I’ll Be There,” “If I’m A Fool (For Loving You)” – surfaced on Let’s Be Friends, a Camden budget LP released April 1970. In November, RCA spun off the studio half of the double-album as a single LP, Back In Memphis. In March 1971, another as-yet unreleased American track – “Who Am I” – surfaced on Elvis’ Christmas Album, also a Camden budget LP. And in February 1972, one more as-yet unreleased American track – the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” – popped up in the middle of Elvis Now. It was the last time that the non-LP American sides were heard from until the 1993 box set, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential 60’s Masters.

Elvis Presley scored a major conquest with the music he recorded at American Studios that winter of 1969, a triumphant return to his hitmaking ways in the company of another Mid-South visionary, Chips Moman. “But fires must be fed, or else they go out,” Gordon and McAdams warn. Still, “After revisiting the spirit of home, Elvis had a victory he could reflect upon, a confirmation that he was capable of more, a knowledge of the fire burning inside us all that we call hope.”

ElvisTheMusic.com

Source: Legacy Recordings

YES’ Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White Joined by Benoit David and Oliver Wakeman, with Howe Performing in Both Bands!

It’s a prog-rock fan’s dream come true, with two legendary British bands on the same stage, playing hits like “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and “Heat of the Moment.” Acclaimed British band YES launches their 25-city U.S. tour tonight in Indio, CA with Special Guest ASIA.

YES features the classic line-up of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White with new vocalist Benoit David and keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, son of the group’s Rick Wakeman. Howe, a cornerstone member of both groups, will perform both sets, with his YES bandmates and with ASIA’s other original members, including ex-YES and Buggles keyboardist Geoff Downes, ELP’s Carl Palmer on drums and former King Crimson and U.K. bassist/guitarist/vocalist John Wetton.

“This is a monumental event and even though it will be a challenge, I am up for it,” says YES and ASIA’s Howe.

The tour includes stops at San Francisco’s Warfield Theatre (July 2), Los Angeles’ Gibson Amphitheatre (July 7), and Philadelphia’s Tower Theater (July 28), before concluding in Bethlehem, PA on August 2. The summer dates come after a planned West Coast tour was postponed when YES’ Chris Squire was hospitalized for leg surgery.

“People have been waiting for this for decades,” adds ASIA’s Wetton. “Since America was so important to the success of both bands, we feel it was the right time and place to launch it.”

YES concerts have always been very special events, and this summer’s U.S. jaunt will be no different. The group will perform selections from hit albums, including Fragile, Close to the Edge, Tales from Topographic Oceans and 90125 along with audience favorites like “Roundabout,” “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Yours Is No Disgrace,” just some of the enduring classics that have made YES one of the most influential and groundbreaking groups in rock & roll.

This time around, Howe, Squire and White are also pulling out some rarely performed chestnuts, like 1980’s “Machine Messiah” and “Siberian Khatru,” expertly sung by David, a Montreal, Quebec, native and vocalist in several YES tribute groups, discovered by the band on the Internet. His ability to channel Anderson’s distinctive singing voice has added an extra treat for true fans. ASIA’s performance will feature many songs from their historic first album, the world’s bestselling release of 1982. The supergroup’s debut effort was #1 on Billboard’s albums chart for nine weeks and included such smashes as “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor.”

After 23 years apart, the original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006 and has conducted four successful world tours and, in 2008, released the critically acclaimed Phoenix album on EMI America Records. Collectively and individually, the four original members of ASIA have sold more than 120 million records.

As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, stretching the boundaries of progressive art-rock with their dynamic instrumental contrasts and abstract lyrics. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles continues to make them one of the most successful and long-standing groups in rock history as they continue to add new, young fans to their following.

Says Squire: “This has turned out to be one of the best performing line-ups in YES’ storied history. It feels like we’re rediscovering these songs all over again.”

YES & ASIA 2009 U.S. Tour

July 2: San Francisco, CA (Warfield)
July 3: Saratoga, CA (The Mountain Winery)
July 5 Anaheim, CA (House of Blues)
July 7: Los Angeles, CA (Gibson Amphitheatre)
July 8: San Diego, CA (Humphrey’s)
July 9: Phoenix, AZ (Dodge)
July 12: Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)
July 14: Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)
July 15: Ft. Worth, TX (Bass Music Center)
July 16: Muskegee, OK (Civic Center)
July 18: Walker, MN (Moondance Jam)
July 20: Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
July 21: Pittsburgh, PA (Chevrolet Amphitheatre)
July 22: Glen Allen, VA (Insbrook Pavilion)
July 23: National Harbour, MD (Sunset Concerts)
July 25: Cohassett, MA (South Shore Music Circus)
July 26: Jackson, NJ (Great Adventure Amphitheatre)
July 28: Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theatre)
July 29: Montclair, NJ (Wellmont Theatre)
July 31: Westbury, NY (Theatre at Westbury)
Aug. 1: Jamestown, NY (Savings Bank Arena)
Aug. 2: Bethlehem, PA (Muskfest)

www.yesworld.com
www.originalasia.com

Source: EMI America Records

CATCH THEM ON THE VANS’ WARPED TOUR FROM JULY 29TH – AUGUST 9TH

Canadian rockers Inward Eye are set to release their debut album Throwing Bricks Instead of Kisses on August 18th (RCA Records).

Fresh off a club tour supporting Sum 41 as well as a performance at Bamboozle, the brothers Erickson, Dave (vocals/bass), Kyle (guitar/vocals), and Anders (drums), will be introducing American fans to their high energy set that has won over hoards of Canadian tastemakers as well as The Who, who handpicked the band to open for them on their past two tours. Inward Eye was recently nominated for a Much Music Video Award in the category of “MuchLoud Best Rock Video” for “Shame”, their first Canadian single.

With a sound reminiscent of The Jam, The Kinks, The Clash and The Who, Throwing Bricks Instead of Kisses was recorded at producer Arnold Lanni’s (Simple Plan, Finger Eleven, Our Lady Peace) studio in Temecula, California the boys took the lessons learned from logging ungodly long trips in their van, criss-crossing the continent on tour, and put them to the test in the studio.

At the heart of Inward Eye is their live show that wins over audiences every time they play. With Anders’ manic drum fills, Kyle’s guitar outbursts, and Dave’s command of the audience, Inward Eye is bringing back a fun spontaneity to rock shows.

Check out:
www.inwardeye.com
www.myspace.com/inwardeye

Catch them at the following Warped Tour stops:

July
29th Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center Warped Tour
30th Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheatre Warped Tour
31st Detroit, MI Comerica Park Warped Tour

August
1st Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amph. Warped Tour
2nd Minneapolis, MN Canterbury Park Warped Tour
3rd St.Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amph. Warped Tour
4th Kansas City, MO Verizon Wireless Amph. Warped Tour
7th Boise, ID Idaho Center Amph. Warped Tour
8th Salt Lake City, UT Utah State Fairgrounds Warped Tour
9th Denver, CO Fiddlers Green Amp Warped Tour

Source: RCA Records

The Answer, from Northern Ireland, has been selected to continue as the only opening act for the entire North American encore leg of AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour. The itinerary kicks off July 28 at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA and concludes on September 8 in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center. The Answer will also headline their own club shows on off days throughout the tour.

The Black Ice World Tour represents The Answer’s second tour of America with AC/DC. Their mammoth sound is often compared to Black Crowes and Free, is fully primed for stadium and arena shows and in Europe, they’ve opened concerts for the Rolling Stones, The Who, Aerosmith and just completed a tour of Europe with AC/DC. In addition, the group has headlined tours in the U.K., Europe, Japan and Australia.

Everyday Demons is The Answer’s explosive new album was released on March 31st on The End Records, distributed through RED and was recorded in summer ‘08 in Los Angeles with John Travis (Kid Rock, Static-X, Killing Heidi, etc.) producing.

In the last six months the band has appeared in Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine as well as having played on The Late Show with David Letterman. Billboard recently named the band one of the “Best Bets of 09.” The four Belfast boys also made their video game debut when Activision chose their song “Never Too Late” for Guitar Hero IV: World Tour.

The Answer is comprised of four friends, musicians and songwriters from Downpatrick, a country town some twenty miles south of Belfast: Cormac Neeson (lead vocals), Paul Mahon (guitar), Micky Waters (bass) and James Heatley (drums). The U.K.’s Classic Rock Magazine voted them 2005’s Best New U.K. Band at their prestigious Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards and called them, “The biggest new rock band of the decade.” Similarly, Kerrang! praised Rise as “the best British rock debut of the decade” and reviewed a U.K. live show by The Answer as “F*@king stupendous.”

Get ready for their triumphant return to North America on July 28th as they hit the road with AC/DC and headline gigs across the country.

For more information on The Answer, visit www.theanswer.ie; www.myspace.com/theanswerrock

July 28 Gillette Stadium Foxborough , MA Supporting AC/DC w/ Anvil
July 30 Rock n Roll Hotel Washington DC Headlining
July 31 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ Supporting AC/DC w/ Anvil
Aug 1 Kyhber Pass Philadelphia, PA Headlining
Aug 2 Times Union Arena Albany, NY Supporting AC/DC
Aug 4 Grog Cleveland, OH Headlining
Aug 6 Greenfield Stadium Moncton, NB Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 8 Olympic Stadium Montreal, QC Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 10 Scotiabank Arena Ottawa, QC Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 11 Horseshoe Toronto, ON Canada Headlining
Aug 14 United Centre Stadium Chicago, IL Supporting AC/DC
Aug 15 Beat Kitchen Chicago, IL Headlining
Aug 16 Palace of Auburn Hills Detroit, MI Supporting AC/DC
Aug 18 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, MI Supporting AC/DC
Aug 20 Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN Headlining
Aug 22 Canad Inns Stadium Winnipeg, MB Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 24 Mosaic Stadium Regina, SK Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 26 Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton, AL Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 28 Media Club Vancouver, BC Canada Headlining
Aug 29 BC Place Stadium Vancouver, BC Canada Supporting AC/DC
Aug 30 El Corazon Seattle, WA Headlining
Aug 31 Tacoma Dome Arena Tacoma, WA Supporting AC/DC
Sept 2 HP Pavilion Arena San Jose, CA Supporting AC/DC
Sept 3 Red Devil San Francisco, CA Headlining
Sept 4 Save Mart Center Fresno, CA Supporting AC/DC
Sept 6 Sports Arena San Diego, CA Supporting AC/DC
Sept 8 Honda Center Arena Anaheim, CA Supporting AC/DC
Sept 9 Spaceland Los Angeles, CA Headlining

Source: The End Records

Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: “Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him.”

Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “Michael Jackson’s unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly.”

Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: “Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences.”

Five of Jackson’s solo albums – “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” “Bad,” “Dangerous” and “HIStory,” all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label – are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No. 1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and “Thriller” as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award.

Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and the epic “Thriller.” Jackson’s sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.

Source: Sony Corporation

Documentary Directed By Academy Award Winning Filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Executive Produced By Original Festival Organizer Michael Lang

In the summer of 1969, on a farm about 90 miles north of New York City, more than 500,000 people gathered for a three day music festival that in an instant, defined a generation and changed popular culture forever…Woodstock.

Now, 40 years after that historic moment, History(TM) and VH1 Rock Docs have joined forces for the first time, for a unique television collaboration, one that celebrates and explores the deep history and fascination of Woodstock, as well as the incredible music experience that defined a generation. The definitive two-hour documentary, “Woodstock: Now & Then”, will premiere on Friday, August 14 at 9pm on VH1 and VH1 Classic and on Monday, August 17 at 8pm on History.

Directed and Produced by two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple and Executive Produced by Michael Lang, the original festival organizer, the film examines Woodstock from the perspectives of not only the musicians who graced the stage, but the fans who gathered in mass, the concert promoters who risked everything and countless others whose unique experiences help paint a tapestry of Woodstock that hasn’t been seen in recent years.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” explores the frenzied days leading up to and throughout the festival, from how the planners scrambled to find a concert site and the traffic jams that shut down the New York State thruway to the infamously bad “brown acid,” the thunderous rain and mud and, of course, the music. Weaving together first-hand accounts with rare archival images and an iconic soundtrack, the documentary allows those who were there a chance to relive the experience and gives an entirely new generation an opportunity to feel the magic of that time.

The film will also take an important look at Woodstock’s legacy through the eyes of today’s musicians and activists examining why Woodstock and all it symbolizes is still relevant in today’s culture.

For more information please log onto www.history.com/woodstock and for more information on VH1 Rock Docs go to www.vh1.com.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is part of History’s celebration of the historic events that took place during the summer of 1969. History will premiere new specials that also include “Moonshot” (premiering Monday, July 20, 8pm) and “Sex in 69: The Sexual Revolution in America” (premiering Monday, August 3, 8pm).

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is the newest film in the Emmy Award-winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise. VH1 Rock Docs are feature-length documentaries that tell unique stories of artists and music from a wide range of genres, styles, and musical perspectives.

“Woodstock: Now & Then” is a co-production of History(TM) and VH1, in association with Cabin Creek Films and Woodstock Ventures, Inc. Brad Abramson, Stephen Mintz, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde serve as executive producers for VH1 and Julian P. Hobbs is the executive producer for History. For Cabin Creek Films, Barbara Kopple serves as director and producer and Michael Lang as executive producer.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Source: VH1

Overland Storage, Inc. announced that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC has deployed a turnkey video surveillance solution featuring Overland’s scalable Snap Server(R) network attached storage (NAS) bundled with high-resolution IP network cameras from Mobotix Vision Systems. The integrated platform captures and archives high-resolution images on highly reliable storage with scalable capacity, “set it and forget it” dependability and exceptional price/performance.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC is an experiential, technologically advanced exhibition that focuses on the greatest moments in rock music history. As an adjunct location to the Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the New York venue features state-of-the-art galleries with special lighting and sound to simulate a rock concert experience. Opened in November 2008, an overriding priority was the implementation of an advanced, expandable video surveillance solution that could monitor and archive activity with a high degree of detail.

The design of the exhibits, which feature pulsing and low-light conditions, proved too challenging, however, for traditional, closed-circuit TV technology. Additionally, the technology team sought a video surveillance solution that could be monitored remotely and modified easily to accommodate changing exhibition layouts. Annex executives also wanted to retain data-intensive video footage for up to a month eventually, which posed a storage capacity issue.

After enlisting the support of security firm ADT and All Covered, a Redwood City, Calif.-based technology services partner, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC invested in a leading-edge video surveillance solution featuring 48 high-resolution IP network cameras from Mobotix Vision Systems integrated with Overland’s scalable, high-performance Snap Server 620 NAS line.

“The fact that Mobotix and Overland are strategic partners was very appealing as the IP cameras and scalable storage go hand in hand,” says Michael O’Brien, managing consultant for All Covered. “It definitely made us more comfortable to know the two organizations shared a commitment to ensuring their respective systems worked well together for a truly best-of-class application of video surveillance.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC leverages its unified security and storage solution to thoroughly monitor activity in its 25,000 square-foot facility while retaining data-intensive video footage for up to a month. The ability to manage the system remotely enables staffers to ensure the highest levels of safety for visitors as well as an extra measure of protection for irreplaceable memorabilia.

“People are very passionate about their music heroes, so we need to guard all the artifacts without having an army of security people disrupting the overall experience,” says David Waggett, general manager of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC. “With our turnkey Mobotix IP-based cameras and Overland storage solution, it’s possible to remain very unobtrusive while still seeing and recording what’s happening at all times, so we can have peace of mind in knowing that irreplaceable pieces of rock history are safe and sound.”

Ideally suited for this particular application, the Snap Server’s small footprint combined with outstanding scalability and ease of use deliver exceptional storage capacity. The dual-core processor can be configured with four enterprise-class SATA II drives and up to 88 TBs to increase storage capacity as well as retain video footage for longer periods of time. Snap Server also comes embedded with GuardianOS(TM) 5.0 software, which includes heightened RAID 6 and 10 data protection, access security, improved heterogeneous file sharing and streamlined management.

According to Ravi Pendekanti, vice president of worldwide marketing for Overland Storage, Overland’s scalable, high-performance Snap Server NAS products and Mobotix’s pioneering IP cameras are well positioned to meet the growing demand for cost-effective yet powerful video surveillance solutions. “The strategic alliance between Overland and Mobotix enables us to provide the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC with a high-performance turnkey system at an exceptional value,” he explains. “Together, we can capture and store video images with the highest degree of detail while offering the flexibility to scale easily as archive requirements dictate.”

Source: Overland Storage, Inc.

iTunes Exclusively Offers Previously Unreleased Bonus Track, ‘Isn’t It A Pity’ (Earliest Demo Version), with Digital Album Purchase

Collection Features Harrison’s Solo Hits from 1970’s All Things Must Pass Through 2002’s Brainwashed, Remastered, Plus Live Recordings from 1971 Concert For Bangladesh

Capitol/EMI released George Harrison’s first-ever career-spanning solo hits collection, Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison, in CD and digital formats. iTunes exclusively offers the digital album with a previously unreleased bonus track, Harrison’s earliest demo version of “Isn’t It A Pity.” The CD version includes a 28-page booklet featuring previously unseen and rare photos, and newly-written liner notes by Warren Zanes. The collection’s 19 tracks have been digitally remastered by Giles Martin at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios.

“Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is a gathering of material that takes us far into the territory that was ultimately a place unique to George Harrison,” writes Warren Zanes in his liner notes essay for the new collection.

This collection is the first to span Harrison’s entire solo recording career, including the #1 Billboard Pop singles “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” and “Got My Mind Set On You.” Let It Roll also features live recordings of three timeless Harrison-penned Beatles songs, “Something,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Here Comes The Sun,” from his 1971 all-star Concert For Bangladesh benefit at Madison Square Garden.

“The keyhole into the world of George Harrison is the music itself. Yet his songs and the accomplishments for which he’s remembered are inextricably bound – and those accomplishments are, without question, eclectic in scope,” Zanes writes.

George Harrison is a twice-inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and as a member of The Beatles, and an 11-time Grammy Award winner for his recordings with The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys, and as a solo artist. On April 14, Harrison was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

www.georgeharrison.com

Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison (CD, digital)

1. Got My Mind Set On You
2. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
3. The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. My Sweet Lord
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps [Live] – Concert For Bangladesh
6. All Things Must Pass
7. Any Road
8. This Is Love
9. All Those Years Ago
10. Marwa Blues
11. What Is Life
12. Rising Sun
13. When We Was Fab
14. Something [Live] – Concert For Bangladesh
15. Blow Away
16. Cheer Down
17. Here Comes The Sun [Live] – Concert For Bangladesh
18. I Don’t Want To Do It
19. Isn’t It A Pity

iTunes Bonus Track: Isn’t It A Pity (Earliest Demo Version)

Source: Capitol/EMI