Goldmine magazine, March 2011 (Issue #797) is on your newsstand now!

The theme of the issue: What makes a five-star album: the songwriting, the historical impact of the record, the band itself? Goldmine mulled all those points, and more, to present its first class of five-star albums for your consideration. Did your favorites make the cut? Find out which artists’ albums made our list, and why. And sticking with the five-star theme, record collecting expert Stephen M.H. Braitman explores why five-star albums don’t always become five-star collectibles.

Also in the March 2011 issue of Goldmine (available now at Barnes and Noble or Borders — or, better yet, subscribe now)

• The multi-talented Todd Rundgren talks about his extraordinary career;

• Guitarist Peter Buck gives us the scoop on R.E.M.’s new record, plus gives us a peek at his massive record collection;

• Keyboardist Bobby Whitlock goes back to the days of “Layla,” when Derek and the Dominos was a musical phenomenon (albeit a short-lived one);

• Ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett shares the records that changed his life;

• Find out why “Texas” Alexander’s life reads like something out of a blues song;

• Rediscover Johnny Maestro and The Crests (and some long-lost Coed gems, to boot);

• Check out reviews for CDs and DVDs for Johnny Cash, Gregg Allman, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and more;

• Learn everything you always wanted to know — buy may have been afraid to ask — about 78s;

• Meet fellow Goldmine reader Jimmi Retzler;

• Discover a Dick Clark flexidisc rarity

• Find out which jazz records have been hitting all the right notes with online record buyers;

• Say farewell to several high-profile musicians, including former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore, performer Doc Williams, composer John Barry, drummer and comedian Charlie Callas, Marvelettes co-founder Gladys Horton, composer Milton Babbitt, country musician Charlie Louvin, Broadcast lead singer Trish Keenan, rock promoter Don Kirshner, big-band singer Margaret Whiting, folk singer Debbie Friedman, drummer Alex Kirst, TV personality David Nelson; flamenco singer Enrique Morente and guitar craftsman Lorenzo Pimentel.

Is it that obvious that we love The Beatles around here? Yeah, well, guess it is. But we know you love The Beatles, too, and this week we have one of those offers you can’t refuse if you are a big Beatles fan: a whopping 34 percent off the book “John Lennon: Life is What Happens. Music, Memories & Memorabilia.” It’s not only a great book to own if you’re a Lennon fan but for the music collector/historian in you, too. SAVE ON OUR DEAL OF THE WEEK NOW!

If you love music and top-shelf audio technology, be sure to snag a ticket for the 2011 Audio Expo North America.

The 2011 Axpona show will be held in Atlanta from April 14-17.

Also known as Axpona, the event will be held April 14-17 at the Atlanta Sheraton in downtown Atlanta. One of the highlights: the public debut of AIX Records’ new Blu-ray music video albums, which were shot in high-definition audio and 3-D video. The albums feature work by artists including Rita Coolidge, Mark Chestnutt, Free Flight and James Walker.

“We are excited to bring the first public airing of this technology to Atlanta for Axpona 2011,” said Steve Davis, Axpona’s managing partner. “It provides another illustration of Axpona’s commitment to high performance music reproduction.”

The best news about the sessions, at least for music fans? They “are not concerts with thousands of screaming fans, but intimate, private performances that can be experienced over and over in your own home theater,” said AIX Records founder and chief engineer Mark Waldrep.

AIX is one of more than 100 vendors, including Audience, B&W, Krell, Legacy Audio and VAC, scheduled to take part in this year’s event. In its second year, Axpona strives to further the faithful reproduction of music and bring together listeners, consumers, dealers, manufacturers, marketers and distributors. It also stands on the premise that living with music is different and better than living without it. This year’s event supporters include Goldmine magazine, Stereophile magazine and Enjoythemusic.com.

A series of seminars are planned; featured topics will include traditional reproduction technology and techniques and emerging digital recording and playback methods.

A free concert will be offered to participants after displays close on Friday night. The University of West Georgia Saxophone Ensemble, which will feature more than 20 saxophonists, will perform.

Ticket prices are $15 for a one-day pass; $25 for a two-day pass and $35 for a three-day pass. Public show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And don’t forget to visit our booth at Axpona! There will be plenty of good will and giveaways!

For more information, visit http://www.axpona.com.

F+W Media, publishers of Goldmine, and AXPONA, producers of the Audio Expo North America, announced today they are partnering to provide Goldmine Showcase, a distinct area within the Audio Expo North America event for dealers and collectors of vinyl and digital audio, music collectibles and memorabilia.

AXPONA 2011 will be held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel from April 14-17. AXPONA brings together listeners and consumers, dealers and manufacturers, and marketers and distributors dedicated to the faithful reproduction of music. Goldmine joins Stereophile magazine as an AXPONA sponsor.

“Goldmine is excited to work with a leading audiophile event like AXPONA,” said Patrick Prince, Goldmine editor. “Our community loves music and they come to Goldmine because of their passion for the highest quality reproduction of the original recordings of their favorite artists. It’s a natural that they’ll not only want to come to AXPONA to buy and sell music but also to learn about the latest and greatest audio systems.”

ABOUT AXPONA: Audio Expo North America, is a young organization whose mission is to further the faithful reproduction of music. Its outreach, by education and demonstration, is dedicated to the proposition that living with music is different and better than living without music. AXPONA brings together listeners and consumers, dealers and manufacturers, marketers and distributors.

As part of AXPONA’s educational mission, Audio Expo will feature a series of exciting seminars presented by the editors of STEREOPHILE magazine and others. Subjects will include traditional reproduction technology and techniques and emerging digital recording and playback methods.

www.axpona.com