Red Planet Records
Claribel Szwaja
The label was founded in 1978 by Perry as a side vehicle for showcasing new talent he was nurturing while he was still producing existing artists for other record labels. The first act signed to the label was the Pointer Sisters, who became the label's biggest sellers. Other acts on the label included Bill Medley, Greg Phillinganes, the Plimsouls and American Noise.[2]
Perry sold Planet Records to RCA Records in 1982, which operated it as a subsidiary label through late 1985, when it was liquidated. After the demise of the label, records by the Pointer Sisters, Phillinganes and Medley all appeared on the RCA Victor label. The remaining artists on Planet's roster did not have their contracts renewed.
Established in 1983, this amazing used record store is the best place to buy or sell used and new records, CDs and DVDs in Cambridge. All kinds of music are well-represented on multiple formats. Excellent for fans of jazz, classical, folk, blues, r&b and, of course, rock.
As an experienced engineer, Talmy understood sound, and recognised that the most efficient way to run the studio was to hire the best musicians and arrangers, such as David Whitaker and Keith Mansfield. Predictably, even if his work with female singers in that era was not particularly prolific, the batting average remained extremely high.
We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce.You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at ord...@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.
Above: South Cushman was called The Strip in the 1950's and late 40's because it was lined with bars like this one. Each bar had a pianist or organist and/or a band and the bars were open 24 hours a day! Check Song O' the Week page for more bar pix!
Ah, Summer in Alaska! A time to kick back and rest, read a book and just stare at the trees---NOT! Naw, Summer up here is busier than any time of the year! You've got 3-5 months depending on weather gods (no thanks to climate-change deniers) to garden, recreate, play, teach, record...let's just leave it at that. We spent the last half of June and early July with the 2012 version of the band pictured above (circa 1973 outside the old Howling Dog Saloon in Ester, look for Pat). The Glass Bead Game rose again in reunion and revelry, doing it's long ago reputation proud (we blush) with 4 heavy days of rehearsal & 4 shows (plus a radio show) in 9 days! A great time was had by all, and by all accounts some mighty love was passed around too. Robin produced a very successful concert at the Blue Loon (similar to the one she produced for Gene Ryder's visit a few years past) and the GBD returned (almost) to the scene of the crime by playing a free night at the Golden Eagle in Ester, a drinking establishment and town hall perched on the hill just above the site of the old Howling Dog. The Loon gig was recorded and came out pretty good so there's hope that it'll be available somewhere soon. Thanks to all for coming out to the shows and special thanks to Brian Rogers for helping to make it all happen.
The best time of year in Alaska! Good pal Grant Dermody (harmonica wizard) was visiting during Solstice and we all took part in the Midnight Sun Run & had a great campfire at the Planetation! Laid down some tracks for our own recordings too. The photo above is yours trulys with the famous Moe Samuelson, long time Yukon 800 racing boat owner ("Slo Moe's Kayak") and band leader. We met him last year after a noon concert downtown at the Golden Heart Plaza. This year we'll be there every Tuesday in July from noon to 1pm. Come on down, folks. You never know who you gonna meet!
We here at the 10th planet are as concerned as anyone about the way our country is being led down the path of sin and degradation by a foreign-born marxist and his sycophants. But we're here to tell you it's nothing new. It's been going on behind our backs for a long, long time. Exhibit A below is a letter from FBI files concerning the danger that was known as "Louie, Louie". Read the fear in this parent's words and know how easily it can come to this. (What we won't print are the words that poor FBI hacks came up with when tasked to figure out what was sung on the above 45 rpm record.)
However anyone who took the time to listen to the version by the author, Richard Berry, would have easily heard the lyrics in the Kingsmen's version. No filth but d'you suppose there might be hidden socialist messages?
So what's with the little jolly guy above? Well, Pat says that when he was a kid this little guy, called a "billiken" was all over Alaska. Sold as good luck charms from some Alaska Native tradition, Alaskans and visitors ate 'em up. The craze was evidently as popular as the "tiki" craze in the 50's and thus the photo below. This place, the Billiken Lounge was on Third across from the Northward Building (the parking garage is there now). It later became the Pipeline Bar and then, when our pal Alex Clarke ran sound for a band named 34th Parallel, the Mexican Village. But where, oh, where are those big billikens today?! At any rate, and much to our surprise, the origin of the lil' fella is stranger that you could imagine. Read all about it here.
January 1st a true original passed away. Charlie Hardage was one wild piano player and story teller. Many was time we were regaled with stories about his youth in Oklahoma and that great Okie piano-player known simply as LEON (Russell). And we'll never forget the time he brought his B3 out to the Planet and played on a song of Pat's called "Ghost Of A Chance". We salute you brother Charlie!
Lastly it's that time of year again. The International Ice Carving Competition. Read the true story of it's origins on Pat's Blog from 3/11/2008 and thank your lucky stars for "old timer outrage".
This weather's got us jumpin'! Makes us wanna pull out the Hawaiin duds and limbo 'round the room! Above is an actual photo of your truly(s) feeling all Spring-like and letting it show. Here's hopin' noone out there's mopin'. AND that the weather will stay respectfully below freezing until a more suitable time...like April. That way we can get all the Spring skiing in that we can stand AND limbo 'til we drop. Check out the studio page (the place is shaking with music!) And a recent bit' o' historical sound on the Song O' The Week page. Also keep an eye out on Pat's blog for part 2 of his firefighting story. It'll curl your toes!!!
8th Of January party...Clockwise from bottom left: Laura Vines, Andy King, Pat, Robin, Richard Fineberg...[Photos: Jamie Smith-Thanks Pal!]
8th Of January party...Pat-- caterwauling in progress!
Robin decided to revive and old (timey) tradition by calling for an 8th of January party at the venerable Golden Eagle Saloon in Ester. "Eighth of January" is an old tune that became popular after the American victory against England in the last battle of the War of 1812. The battle was called the Battle of New Orleans and an Arkansas singer named Jimmy Driftwood put words to it and had a hit of that name in 1959! In short, in true old timey tradition, any excuse for a party...The week before that we attended the yearly concert by Clinton Fearon and band at the Loon. Despite the cold and being the day after New Year's Eve (that would be New Year's Day) the place was packed, Josh Bennett ran exceptional sound on the newly acquired P.A equipment, the place was non-smoking and we danced all night with a couple hundred people. Fitting way to usher in 2010...Check news on the Studio page--the joints jumping!...Music on the Song O' The Week page...New post on Pat's Blog...And congratulations to Susan Grace for the arrival of her beautiful new CD with help from a large cast of Fairbanks finest!
The 10th Planet Winter Light Beckons One & All...
Sending out a hearty wish for good things in the coming year to all fellow Planeteers! May you be soothed and wooed by the strong medicine of music--especially the music that's next door, down the street & around the corner in this wonderful Tanana Valley!
A Placemat seen on some of the finest eatery tables in the "old days"
We're glad to be settled in for another Tanana Valley winter. It seems the musicians come out of the woodwork in the winter and start preparing next summers crop of recorded music to cast to the eagerly awaiting Alaskans. Cruise on over to the Studio page to see what's up and while you're there take a listen to all the great artist we have in the Interior. Then buy a CD or download at their websites. It helps them and it'll surely help whoever gets them as gifts.... All we need now to complete our cozy little winter is MORE SNOW!!! We're asking everyone who loves snow to stand up and do a little snow dance...or a wiggle...or a song! Whatever you can do is appreciated. And don't forget the Song O' The Week page for a bit of historic Fairbanks music, a bit of what we're listening to on the turntable and some favorite radio stations. Keep writing too. We love ya one and all!
Robin On N. Sylamore Creek, Arkansas
From a cliff above the White River, Arkansas
The Sidewinders (Fairbanks, 1970's)
It's been a heck of a fall. Two falls actually. The quick one here and a second in Arkansas where we went to play with our pal Dave Stancliff and a great band doing an Alaskan show. 3 or 4 days of music then off on our own floating around the Ozarks. Amazing area and we got in some great hikes...We're back now to winter and studio (see Studio page). BIG NEWS! Pete Bowers, erstwhile guitarist for Dang! finished his article on Alaska Old Timey music for the Old Time Herald.
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In honor of that we're posting a handful of tunes on the "Song O' The Week" page by a band that features prominently in the article: Fairbanks own Sidewinders! (See Pat's blog of 1/28/08) The Sidewinders filled bars back then like a rock band. And of course the band included none other than Robin Dale Ford on bass and banjo. The songs we're presenting are from the only known studio recording of that band, recorded at KUAC by Gary Westcott. The tape was being thrown out at the station in one of their senseless purges and saved from that fate by our pal, Trudy Heffernan. Phew, close one! Enjoy and stay tuned...