It sounds like LJ is asking more about the recordings themselves, a.k.a., "mechanical rights".

That's exactly what I'm curious about. Like, let's say Sub Pop went completely out of business. Locked doors, selling off everything down to the filing cabinets, etc. Obviously, people are going to keep wanting to buy Nirvana's Bleach (and other Sub Pop records, but that's the most obvious example I can think of), so there must be some way to keep it in print. I'm assuming, based on Joe's links, that what happens is that Sub Pop sells the mechanical rights to Geffen (or whoever), who then print the discs and pay songwriting and performance royalties to Courtney Love, Krist Novoselic, and Chad Channing. Right?

Also, I'd assume artists can't force a record label to keep their album in print because of the mechanical-rights issue.

Also, I'd assume artists can't force a record label to keep their album in print because of the mechanical-rights issue.

I'm sure it's in the contracts too. David Bowie, incidentally, was smart enough to have the mechanical rights to his songs revert to him after 10-15 (?) years. Which is why all his records came out on Rykodisc for a while -- beautifully remastered with bonus cuts galore. These are now OOP and going for big bucks compared to whichever label has the honor of La Bowie's output at the moment.

Have we reached another bottleneck in the Buffista Mix CD Train?

Yeah, I've had Hayden's CD way too long. OTOH, AFAIK, Angus still hasn't gotten anything. We need to do something about that. Where's our favourite leader?

New Mojo has a two different compilations of Beatle covers and a story of Beatles in '64. (I'd have thought that was a well-told tale, but I guess its a round year anniversary.)

I got v.2, with: "Magical Mystery Tour" - Cheap Trick; "I'm a Loser" - Vince Guaraldi/Bola Sete; "Here Comes The Sun" - Grant Lee Phillips; "Revolution (part 1)" - Nina Simone.

Morrissey gets the quiz on favorites and stands by his band...

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

There's never been any competition in my mnid, and it is the first album from...you know who. The New York Dolls. That was the album that made me realise everything about life. and it's never left me after all those years. I think it still has no competition as the most perfect piece of pop presentation.

There's also a lovely obit of Arthur Kane (of the Dolls), including a description by Morrissey of the Dolls reunion show he brokered right before Arthur died.

Interview with Paul Weller. Articles on The Libertines and Pogues. Ask Fred answers the question: "Why has my Gram Parsons 7-inch got a dodgy B-side?"

Good name for a one-off supergroup: The Dodgy B-Side.

Review of Blueberry Boat with a big illo by Peter Bagge. They like Bjork's new album.

Grant Lee Phillips; "Revolution (part 1)"

I'd like to hear that.

Speaking of Beatles- I'm about to part with (in the sense of it no longer being in the office-'twas never mine) a signed white album. Sniff.

I took pictures of it for hubby who's a fanatic.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

Morrissey, Christgau & Hec are in agreement. (Although Christgau kinda cheated on his desert island pick by choosing a compilation that included the Dolls' first album and Too Much Too Soon.)

My favorite Beatles cover is probably Jeff Beck's version of "She's a Woman" on Blow by Blow -- both versions produced by George Martin!

Funny Robert Plant interview on Fresh Air centering on "Stairway to Heaven". Said his favorite parody (and he thinks it deserves to be parodied) is "Hairway to Steven". I must hear it! Seems to be a Butthole Surfers song, & no mp3 turned up in my not-too-comprehensive search. Anyone know/have it?

My favorite Beatles cover is "Lovely Rita" by Michelle Shocked.

Speaking of Beatles- I'm about to part with (in the sense of it no longer being in the office-'twas never mine) a signed white album. Sniff.

Sniff indeed! I love the White Album. I've got blisters on me fingers!!

Said his favorite parody (and he thinks it deserves to be parodied) is "Hairway to Steven". I must hear it! Seems to be a Butthole Surfers song, & no mp3 turned up in my not-too-comprehensive search. Anyone know/have it?

I'm positive I have this on cassette somewhere.

Morrissey, Christgau & Hec are in agreement. (Although Christgau kinda cheated on his desert island pick by choosing a compilation that included the Dolls' first album and Too Much Too Soon.)

Alejandro Escevedo too. I have a slight favoring of Too Much Too Soon (trivia: titled after Diana Barrymore's trashy bio) because I prefer Shadow Morton's production, and love Bob Gruen's pictures (both the front and back cover, and the inner sleeve). Also, while the first album has more great originals, their covers on the second are incredibly well-chosen. One of the great acts of pop archeology, as Greil Marcus noted.

Favorite Beatle cover: Nilsson's - "You Can't Do That" (which is not just the sole song, but a blending of multiple Beatle songs into one, changing melody from line to line in a seamless fashion. It's brill.)