...Pictured above are a couple of nice, no label bootleg projects to surface out of Japan over the weekend.  Fresh from the field of updates this week is the DEEP PURPLE DVD, "Live In London 1974" which is dominated by interview segments with the band, conducted by students from Leeds University as part of a Leeds Polytechnic Media project.  It is a first generation Umatic master tape transfer of footage shot at the Lewisham Odeon in London on May 12th, 1974 and provides a rare, extensive glimpse of the band backstage, onstage and in candid personal conversation running about 40 minutes.  This would be fun to see as it is early in the Mark IV version of the band with newcomers DAVID COVERDALE and GLENN HUGHES as well as veterans RITCHIE BLACMORE, JON LORD and IAN PAICE...And, limited to distribution in Japan is the new WHO 10CD Box Set, "Japan Tour 2008" which compiles crisp transfers direct from DAT master tapes of all 5 concerts from Osaka Castle Hall on November 13th, Yokohama Arena on November 14th, Saitama Super Arena on November 16, and the two Budokan shows in Tokyo on the 17th and 19th of November...Pictured below are two new titles coming from the Shades Label - who seem to have kept the presses running of late - first here is MOTLEY CRUE "Smoking Hell" 2CD, an excellent audience recording from Newcastle City Hall in the UK on February 7, 1986...also, IRON MAIDEN "Eagle's Nest" 2CD digs way back for another nice audience source audio nugget taped at The Gaumont Hall in Ipswitch, UK on May 8, 1983....

...In vinyl news, the Empress Vinyl Supreme Records (EVSR) Label has a batch of new ROLLING STONES wax ready to hit the streets in the next week.  "Fort Worth Girls" 2LP set (above left) serves up the stellar July 18, 1978 stereo soundboard from the Will Rogers Memorial Center on a different medium, leveraging the upgraded full tape...Then, we will get what is sure to be a superb transfer of the San Diego Bridges To Babylon FM Broadcast from Qualcomm Stadium on February 3, 1998.  The Westwood One broadcast taken from station masters is split into three different single LP volumes of the "Concert Special Segments", (pictured above right and down below)...and speaking of vinyl, count 'em up, there are 12 new Dr. Ebbet's silver disc needle drop BEATLES titles that have hit the market and concentrate on this time on scarce/niche UK, Denmark, U.S. and Mexican vinyl transfers.  Here's the list:

• UK EP Collection Vol. 1
• UK singles collection Vol. 1
• UK EP collection Vol. 2
• UK singles collection Vol. 2
• Conozca A The Beatles (Mexican stereo Meet The Beatles!)
• The Beatles’ Hottest Hits - mono Denmark greatest hits
• Rarities - Late 70's US mono and stereo LP
• Reel Music  US stereo compilation from The Beatles’ movies
• Twist And Shout 2CD set - Canadian mono and stereo mixes
• Vol. 2 - Mexican mono and stereo mixes of the second album
• Vol. 3 - Mexican mono and stereo mixes of the third album
•  Vol. 4 - Mexican stereo mix of the fourth album...

...and, if you didn't know better, the latest LED ZEPPELIN project from Tarantura pictured below could almost pass for the HD DVD version of "The Song Remains The Same"...but while the title name is retained, the 3CD release is actually a soundboard edit of the 1973 Madison Square Garden tapes...ala Empress Valley MSG Working Tapes?...The new set features the usual deluxe packaging with poster...more later...

...Finally, the time is now to start thinking about the best titles of the year.  Be looking for the 2008 Top Ten column to open up mid-month and you can post away here on HotWacks On-line.  Thanks for visiting and catching up again this week and we'll keep our ears to the pipeline and keep you appraised of what's happening. Have yourself a great week!

Svengi, December 1, 2008