50% Off Velvet Underground Poster, New Lou Reed, Download: Iggy Pop, Mountain, Rockpile, UFO

Featured on March 2, 2012 44 Years Ago: Cream in San Francisco 44 years ago this week, only six months after their first-ever headlining show (at the Fillmore) and eight months from their impending break-up, Cream returned to the Bay Area. The band was at their peak, so artist Lee Conklin showed their stature by drawing the band members at the top of the mountain. To commemorate these shows, we're offering 20% off the complete set of original tickets through the weekend with promo code CREAM. And while you're at it, check out all we have to offer from these memorable shows. New Release: Lou Reed and the Moogy Klingman Band After firing The Tots, Lou Reed hired keyboardist Moogy Klingman (future member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia) to quickly assemble a new backing band for the remainder of his Transformer tour. With a tight rhythm section and swirling layers of keyboards, this group put a unique stamp on Velvet Underground and solo Reed classics, and catapulted Reed toward his huge Rock N' Roll Animal sound in the process. Download a rare, complete set by Lou Reed and the Moogy Klingman Band and revel in Reed's glorious evolution. Download Deals: Hard Rocking Shows Keep your collection growing by downloading these concerts for half price through the weekend. Former Stooges frontman and punk legend Iggy Pop brought irrepressible energy to a 1986 show, Leslie West and Mountain provided sizzling hard rock for the Fillmore East's final night festivities, Lou Reed tore down the house with his massive arena rock sound in September of 1973, Rockpile married retro-rock riffing with punk energy at the 1980 Heatwave Festival, and UFO presaged the 1980s heavy metal scene in a 1975 Record Plant recording. Treat yourself to the rawk! Deal Of The Week: Velvet Underground After The Velvet Underground parted ways with manager Andy Warhol (and Nico) in 1967, they recorded White Light/White Heat and toured frequently during 1968. They stopped in San Francisco and played for the Family Dog at the Avalon Ballroom a number of times, including this 3-night run in October of that year. Don't forget that our Deal of the Week poster is 50% off retail through the weekend, so don't wait any longer!

New Release: Willie Dixon & the Chicago Blues All-Stars Willie Dixon, bassist-composer and Chess Records A&R man, had a profound impact on the development of electric blues and rock & roll, though usually from behind the scenes. For this 1973 concert at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, Dixon stepped into the spotlight, leading a stellar cast of musicians through blues standards that included Dixon originals like "Rock Me Baby," "Wang Dang Doodle" and "Back Door Man." Get things started by downloading the First Set, and be sure to come back for the Second Set. Playlist: Jazz Guitar Greats From straight-ahead jazz to bop to fusion, the six-string wizards on this mix will wow you with their technical virtuosity and fluid improvisations. Listen to George Benson, Gabor Szabo, John McLaughlin, Buzz Feiten, Charlie Hunter, Bucky Pizzarelli and more on this Jazz Guitar Greats playlist. As an added bonus, Tom Bradshaw, former owner of the Great American Music Hall, has created a Joe Pass Blues Guitar Seminar playlist, presenting some humorous memories of Pass' master guitar classes at the club along with a few of his favorite performances. Featured Video: Dictators, "Weekend," Winterland, July 30, 1977 Just in time to finish of your work week, Handsome Dick Manitoba and the Dictators are here to bring on the good times with a one-two combination of sleazy glam attitude and power pop catchiness. Get with it!

Bman's Exclusive Interview with Howard Bernstein - Album Cover and Poster Designer

Bman: How did you get hooked up with ESP Disk?

Howie: In 1966 I was living in a tenement building on Broome Street on the Lower East Side. Living in the apartment above me was Michael Solden, a friend of Jordan Matthews, who was the art director for ESP Disk. Jordan was looking for an artist to do the first album covers for ESP Disk. I worked at a drawing board in his apartment almost non-stop for two years. I had total freedom to create the artwork and was never given any input.

The poster shown here was designed by Bernstein and is available through Wolfgang's Vault (Bill Graham)

Bman: Looks like you did quite a few covers while you were there. How long was your affiliation with ESP Disk and who else were you working with?

Howie: Approximately three years. During that time I built a portfolio.

Bman: I have a number of the early ESP Disk covers that you designed available for viewing here. I understand that you actually did these by hand?

Howie: Yes, the first 200 album covers were hand silk screened by Jordan Matthews and me.



Bman: I understand that a few of these covers have other relevance other than just the art and the immediate music.

Howie: Yes, curiously enough. The Willow cover is Debbie Harry's first lp and Jean Erdman (who I did one of covers for) was married to Joseph Campbell.

Bman: Joseph Campbell.... That's wild!
I found quite a few of your early posters on the internet. I have a few compiled here:



Bman: I also saw a newspaper article about your meeting with Salvadore Dali. Tell us about that.

Howie: Dali was my art hero during my teenage years. While I was living in NYC, a friend of mine, Jacqueline Battle, telephoned Dali at the St. Regis Hotel, and using her command of French and Spanish, managed to arrange an audience for us to meet Dali in the hotel’s King Cole Bar. Before the meeting with him I bought the Dali book, which he signed for me. Dali was more interested in examining and discussing our sketchbooks rather than talking about himself.

Bman: I also read that you did some book covers. One that comes to mind is the outrageous cover for Roger Zelazny’s book “Lord of Light.” Were there others?

Howie: Yes. I did numerous book cover illustrations that were published by Random House, Doubleday, Alfred Knopf, Ballantine Books, Herald Tribune, Village Voice, Evergreen Review, Cashbox and Billboard, including full-page ads for The Who’s “Magic Bus,” and also designed album covers for MGM, Capitol Records, RCA, DECCA, and Verve Folkways.

Bman: Now this was all in NYC. Then you moved to San Francisco?

Howie : Yes. I left New York City in 1969 and headed for San Francisco, but moved to the Napa Valley where I did a series of ten posters for Sausalito-based Tho-Fra (Tom Burke). Went back to New York briefly, then headed north to Canada and traveled across the Trans-Canada Highway, stopping in numerous cites before crossing back into the U.S. in 1970. Moved to Scottsdale, Arizona and lived at the Stable Art Gallery owned by Avis Reed, a legendary art dealer.



Bman: I’ve also seen a bit of work that you have done with a sharpie pen. In fact, I saw Don Heffington on the Tonight Show with drum heads designed by you if I’m not mistaken.

Howie: Yeah, I drew on his drum heads using a big black marker.




Bman: Those are really wild. I came up with this cool photo of Elvis Costello with Hef's drums. I'm sure that they get attention wherever Don Plays!

What really gets me going is your line work. I just love your sketches. You have taken this to a new level. Tell us about “Werner Von Burner.”

Howie: The heart of the subject matter on the wood comes from the night sketchbook with a micro-ball pen. It just flows. I’m very grateful for that.

Bman: I know you have been working for years with the Boys & Girls Club and love the interaction with the kids and young adults. . . . . . . . I remember seeing one of Werner’s pieces called “The Palms” which relates directly to your work with the club. Can you tell us about this exceptional piece?


Howie: This was the only piece that was a direct response to a street “moment” in the hood. I was working at a B&G Club in South Phoenix and witnessed a drug bust at the Palms Motel, home to drug dealers and prostitutes.

Bman: This is a powerful piece. It has the same intensity of your earlier work but your style has matured and obviously you have really honed your skill with burning instruments.

Howie: I had a buddy in San Francisco, Ron Armstrong, a guitar maker (ex Alembic, Stars Guitars), who told me to check out the Leichtung torch. This precision tool shoots out a butane flame that can be adjusted to a fine point, which allows me to shade the work.

Bman: You seem to have gotten it down to a science... just like drawing with a pen! Is there anything else that you’d like to share with your fans?

Howie: At the age of five I was on the kitchen floor pushing my toy truck. Dad came home from his law office, sat down, called me over and pulled out his fountain pen and drew a profile of a man’s head on his yellow pad. I never again played with a truck and Mom kept me supplied with art materials.

Bman: I'm guessing that your mom and dad's support of your interest in the arts is now being given back 10 fold to the community through your involvement with the young people. Thanks a lot for your time Howie.

Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! - Here

Bman's Exclusive Interview with Howard Bernstein - Artist - Album Cover and Poster Designer

Bman: How did you get hooked up with ESP Disk?

Howie: In 1966 I was living in a tenement building on Broome Street on the Lower East Side. Living in the apartment above me was Michael Solden, a friend of Jordan Matthews, who was the art director for ESP Disk. Jordan was looking for an artist to do the first album covers for ESP Disk. I worked at a drawing board in his apartment almost non-stop for two years. I had total freedom to create the artwork and was never given any input.

The poster shown here was designed by Bernstein and is available through Wolfgang's Vault (Bill Graham)

Bman: Looks like you did quite a few covers while you were there. How long was your affiliation with ESP Disk and who else were you working with?

Howie: Approximately three years. During that time I built a portfolio.

Bman: I have a number of the early ESP Disk covers that you designed available for viewing here. I understand that you actually did these by hand?

Howie: Yes, the first 200 album covers were hand silk screened by Jordan Matthews and me.



Bman: I understand that a few of these covers have other relevance other than just the art and the immediate music.

Howie: Yes, curiously enough. The Willow cover is Debbie Harry's first lp and Jean Erdman (who I did one of covers for) was married to Joseph Campbell.

Bman: Joseph Campbell.... That's wild!
I found quite a few of your early posters on the internet. I have a few compiled here:



Bman: I also saw a newspaper article about your meeting with Salvadore Dali. Tell us about that.

Howie: Dali was my art hero during my teenage years. While I was living in NYC, a friend of mine, Jacqueline Battle, telephoned Dali at the St. Regis Hotel, and using her command of French and Spanish, managed to arrange an audience for us to meet Dali in the hotel’s King Cole Bar. Before the meeting with him I bought the Dali book, which he signed for me. Dali was more interested in examining and discussing our sketchbooks rather than talking about himself.

Bman: I also read that you did some book covers. One that comes to mind is the outrageous cover for Roger Zelazny’s book “Lord of Light.” Were there others?

Howie: Yes. I did numerous book cover illustrations that were published by Random House, Doubleday, Alfred Knopf, Ballantine Books, Herald Tribune, Village Voice, Evergreen Review, Cashbox and Billboard, including full-page ads for The Who’s “Magic Bus,” and also designed album covers for MGM, Capitol Records, RCA, DECCA, and Verve Folkways.

Bman: Now this was all in NYC. Then you moved to San Francisco?

Howie : Yes. I left New York City in 1969 and headed for San Francisco, but moved to the Napa Valley where I did a series of ten posters for Sausalito-based Tho-Fra (Tom Burke). Went back to New York briefly, then headed north to Canada and traveled across the Trans-Canada Highway, stopping in numerous cites before crossing back into the U.S. in 1970. Moved to Scottsdale, Arizona and lived at the Stable Art Gallery owned by Avis Reed, a legendary art dealer.



Bman: I’ve also seen a bit of work that you have done with a sharpie pen. In fact, I saw Don Heffington on the Tonight Show with drum heads designed by you if I’m not mistaken.

Howie: Yeah, I drew on his drum heads using a big black marker.




Bman: Those are really wild. I came up with this cool photo of Elvis Costello with Hef's drums. I'm sure that they get attention wherever Don Plays!

What really gets me going is your line work. I just love your sketches. You have taken this to a new level. Tell us about “Werner Von Burner.”

Howie: The heart of the subject matter on the wood comes from the night sketchbook with a micro-ball pen. It just flows. I’m very grateful for that.

Bman: I know you have been working for years with the Boys & Girls Club and love the interaction with the kids and young adults. . . . . . . . I remember seeing one of Werner’s pieces called “The Palms” which relates directly to your work with the club. Can you tell us about this exceptional piece?


Howie: This was the only piece that was a direct response to a street “moment” in the hood. I was working at a B&G Club in South Phoenix and witnessed a drug bust at the Palms Motel, home to drug dealers and prostitutes.

Bman: This is a powerful piece. It has the same intensity of your earlier work but your style has matured and obviously you have really honed your skill with burning instruments.

Howie: I had a buddy in San Francisco, a guitar maker, who told me to check out the Leichtung torch. This precision tool shoots out a butane flame that can be adjusted to a fine point, which allows me to shade the work.

Bman: You seem to have gotten it down to a science... just like drawing with a pen! Is there anything else that you’d like to share with your fans?

Howie: At the age of five I was on the kitchen floor pushing my toy truck. Dad came home from his law office, sat down, called me over and pulled out his fountain pen and drew a profile of a man’s head on his yellow pad. I never again played with a truck and Mom kept me supplied with art materials.

Bman: I'm guessing that your mom and dad's support of your interest in the arts is now being given back 10 fold to the community through your involvement with the young people. Thanks a lot for your time Howie.

Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! - Here

Wolfgang's Vault Newsletter

Present of the Year: Baron Wolman Book In 1967, Baron Wolman became principal photographer for Rolling Stone Magazine during its first three years. His latest book "Every Picture Tells a Story, the Rolling Stone Years" celebrates those years with a time-capsule of photographs and the stories behind them. The Hardcover 1st Edition comes signed (exclusive to Wolfgang's Vault), while the Limited Edition is signed & numbered and comes with a Jimi Hendrix print and original 1968 ticket (a combined value of $465)! This is THE gift to give this Holiday season! New: Muddy Waters Blues Band 1977 was a comeback year for Muddy Waters, as he returned to his original Chicago sound on a new album and then hit the road with a fantastic group that included old companions like Pinetop Perkins and Luther Johnson. One of the stops along the way was Nice, France, where Waters was in strong vocal form and the band was blazing, pushing Waters to heights reminiscent of his heyday. Enjoy a hot jolt of the blues and download this new Muddy Waters Blues Band set today. Download Deal: Chicago at Tanglewood Chicago's 1970 performance at Tanglewood was simply extraordinary, a pinnacle moment from their early career and a concert experience to rival anything else happening at the time. Mixed and mastered from Bill Graham's original 16-track tapes, Wolfgang's Vault released a recording of the show in late July that quickly became one of the year's best sellers. As we continue our discount countdown of 2011's most popular downloads, this weekend you can grab this holy grail of live Chicago recordings for half-price. Keep Saving 11% on Merchandise in 2011 Don't forget that we are offering huge Holiday savings through the end of 2011. Take 11% off any store purchase when you enter promo code JOY11 at checkout! Bring joy to your world of family and friends with a gift of music from Wolfgang's Vault (but keep in mind our Holiday shipping deadlines)! Deal Of The Week: Bob Marley Program Bob Marley and the Wailers took their Babylon by Bus tour to Asia and the Oceania for the first time in 1979. This original program features pictures, reviews, articles, and promotional material for that 1979 tour. After watching today's Bob Marley video, check out our Deal of the Week and get that Bob Marley fan in your life the perfect present at 50% off...but hurry, the offer is only good through the weekend!

New Jazz: Dizzy, Mingus and the Jones-Lewis Orchestra Stream and download three more sets recorded at the 1977 Grande Parade du Jazz: dig into a crackling Dizzy Gillespie Quintet mini-set as they burn through some Latin-infused jams; enjoy a vibrant performance with a casual vibe from the Charles Mingus Quintet, which includes the debut of one of Mingus' later masterpieces; and get blown away by the explosive Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, a big band juggernaut performing two of their leaders' most memorable pieces. Playlist: Best New Releases of 2011 (Part 2) We're continuing our review of 2011's best non-jazz releases with exciting performances from the 1980 Heatwave Festival (Talking Heads, The Pretenders), gems from the 2008 Newport Folk Festival (Black Crowes, Levon Helm Band), '90s sets from the Allman Brothers and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, blues from B.B. King and Lightnin' Hopkins, and much more. It's the perfect way to catch up on all the stunning concert recordings we've added for your listening pleasure - hope you've enjoyed the new music as much as we have! Featured Video: Bob Marley & the Wailers, "Lively Up Yourself," Oakland Auditorium, November 30, 1979 This quintessential reggae party anthem often opened the Wailers' concerts to get the crowd limbered up for the musical celebration to come. More than thirty years after this performance, Bob Marley's legacy continues to inspire, through both his own music and the music of his many talented children.

Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  Here

New Jimi Hendrix Experience, 50% Off Hendrix Poster, Download Hot Tuna

New: Jimi Hendrix Experience In 1968, Jimi Hendrix was putting more passion and fury into his live improvisations than ever before. This final set from his legendary October, 1968 run at Winterland captures Hendrix playing with relentless energy from beginning to end. With extended versions of classics like "Little Wing," "Spanish Castle Magic" and "Purple Haze," this is truly one for the ages. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride with this new 1968 Jimi Hendrix Experience set! 50% Off Winterland Jimi Hendrix Poster Since we are featuring a live Hendrix concert today, we thought it would be fitting to offer 50% off the poster for that 1968 Winterland show! Artists Rick Griffin and Victor Moscoso (two of the best) collaborated on BG140 with psychedelic lettering and a scarab beetle. From now through Sunday, take 50% off the 2nd printing of BG140 by using promo code JIMI at checkout. This makes for a great gift, but only lasts a few days, so don't delay! Download Deal: Hot Tuna This 1972 recording features Jorma and Jack, along with violinist Papa John Creach and drummer Sammy Piazza, working their way through a set of delicious electric blues from around the time they had released their beloved Burgers album. Though they stretch out on a few occasions, this performance focuses on tight, precise arrangements, highlighting the beauty of their material and astounding control of dynamics. Download this Hot Tuna set for half price this weekend and show off your great taste in music to your friends. New to the Vault: Suki Hill Photography Suki Hill aimed her camera before most got wind of what was happening in Northern California in the 1960's. A local - she was on scene just as Dylan went electric; at the first US Beatles concert; when the Grateful Dead played for a sports store opening. She shot the 1st Anniversary of Bill Graham's Fillmore; the very first rock festival; and the 1st major US appearance of Hendrix. Now featured exclusively at the Vault, check out her images of a unique time and place. Deal Of The Week: Jeff Beck Poster Jeff Beck's guitar skills were sometimes overlooked due to his counterparts like Hendrix, Richards, and Page; but any big music fan (you of course) will tell you he was one of the all-time greats. Similarly, this poster by artist Lee Conklin can be overshadowed in the Bill Graham poster series, but a closer look reveals the twisted masterpiece that it is. Through the weekend, get this original Jeff Beck Fillmore poster at 50% off!

New: Grande Parade du Jazz, 1977 When George Wein produced 1977's Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France, he brought a particularly impressive lineup to the French Riviera. We've begun releasing recordings from that year's festival for streaming and download, starting with an impressive foursome: a flamboyant performance from jive pioneer Cab Calloway, a mini-set from old school ragtimer Eubie Blake, some ferocious swing from Pee Wee Erwin and his Kings of Jazz, and some hot Armstrong-and-Beiderbecke-inspired playing by cornetist Wild Bill Davison and his All-Stars. Playlist: Best New Releases of 2011 (Part 1) It's hard to believe 2011 is almost over (time flies when you're listening to hot jams), but that means it's time to highlight some of the year's best new releases. Today, we're starting with non-jazz shows that hit the site between January and June. Whether you're catching up on what you've missed or looking to re-visit a favorite, check out these songs by The Who, Bob Dylan & The Band, Van Morrison, Gregg Allman, Journey & Friends, Phil Lesh & Friends, Los Lobos, Muddy Waters and more. Happy Vault digging! Featured Video: U2, "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Giants Stadium, June 15, 1986 Even during the early stages of their ascendancy as the biggest band in the world, U2 always made time for causes they held dear, and this emotional version of one of the first of many top ten singles for the Irish group is the perfect finale for our week-long focus on 1986's A Conspiracy of Hope Tour in

40th Anniversary of Duane Allman's Passing

Wolfgang's Vault Newsletter

Featured on October 28, 2011 40th Anniversary of Duane Allman's Passing On his 22nd birthday, a sick Duane Allman was given a bottle of pills for his fever by younger brother Gregg. Duane emptied the bottle and used it as a slide to play Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues." So was born a sound essential and unique to The Allman Brothers, formed four months later. The humble man with blistering guitar licks was gone before he reached 25. We celebrate the music we still love with a gift thru Sunday October 30th - use promo code DUANE at checkout to get 40% off this photo of Duane, taken by legendary photographer Joe Sia. New Release & Download Deal: Jeff Beck This 1975 concert features much of Beck's classic jazz-fusion Blow by Blow album played with a killer band that included Bernard Purdie on drums. Making his guitar plead, weep, wail and sweetly sigh throughout this instrumental set, it's a fantastic example of Beck's volatile, yet sophisticated, playing. This weekend, we're also offering this new release at half price - grab the mp3's for $5 or the FLAC's for $7 and enjoy this Jeff Beck show on the go. Last Chance: 50% OFF Jerry On Broadway We have offered the Jerry Garcia on Broadway poster for almost two weeks at 50% off. This weekend is your last chance to pick it up at $87 instead of $175. Jerry's two week run at New York's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 1987 was an amazing run of acoustic and electric shows fans will never forget. Don't delay any longer, save 50% on our Jerry Garcia Deal of the Week before it's too late! Tom Waits: Bad As Me Tom Wait's highly anticipated 2011 release on Anti-Records, Bad As Me is now on sale, and concensus is: it's amazing. It features the singles "Bad As Me" and "Back in the Crowd". For more information go to TomWaits.com and to purchase your copy here.

New Jazz Releases - "52nd Street Revisited" In 1974, the New York Jazz Repertory Company staged a Carnegie Hall program celebrating the heyday of the jazz scene along Manhattan's 52nd Street. A Count Basie Tribute Band re-created the big band swing that Basie packed in to the Famous Door, the John Kirby Tribute Band played some 1930s classics that could be heard at the Onyx, and the Billy Taylor Jazz All-Stars represented the bebop movement that was cultivated in Harlem and popularized in Midtown. All three sets are now available for streaming and download, so dig in.... Playlist: King Biscuit Halloween, 1985 This playlist re-creates a vintage King Biscuit Flower Hour Halloween broadcast from 1985. With songs by Edgar Winter, Warren Zevon, the Stray Cats, Meat Loaf, Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, BIlly Idol and many more, the program was narrated by talented voice actor, Frank Welker, who portrayed some enjoyably silly ghouls to introduce the music. This King Biscuit Halloween mix may not make you jump out of your skin from fright, but you will probably find yourself singing along with delight. Happy trick-or-treating! Featured Video: The Charlie Daniels Band, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," Oakland Auditorium, August 21, 1980 Charlie Daniels celebrates his 75th birthday today, and we could think of no better tribute than this rip-roaring version of his 1979 hit, complete with a funky band of demons just right for this s