Rock 'n' Roll Truth

Sights and Sounds: The Cranberries, Garbage, The Lumineers

2012-01-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Where did the weekend go? Well, here's some good news to kick the week off right courtesy of some timely releases that have landed in my inbox.

Most of my favorite bands to emerge during the 1990s were not of the grunge variety. Like DADA, Garbage and Toad the Wet Sprocket (three other bands I discovered during that decade), The Cranberries wrote powerful rock that was creative and boasted more textures and artful arrangements than most outfits to emerge out of the Northwest (hey Pearl Jam fans, I'm with yah!).

The Irish band is set to release Roses, its first new studio album in more than a decade, on Feb. 28, 2012. Issued by Cooking Vinyl/Downtown Records, Roses was produced by Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths).

While waiting to pick up the new album, can visit The Cranberries' official Web site and view the official video of "Tomorrow," the first single from the new album.

In addition, The Cranberries are set to perform on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on Feb. 7, "The View" on Feb. 10 and the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

For more details, visit www.Cranberries.com.

GARBAGE ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN SEVEN YEARS

NOT YOUR KIND OF PEOPLE TO BE RELEASED ON BAND'S OWN LABEL ON MAY 15, 2012

GARBAGE ANNOUNCE FIRST ROUND OF TOUR DATES

Garbage has announced that their fifth studio album, Not Your Kind Of People, will be released in the United States on May 15, 2012, on the band's label STUNVOLUME. As V Magazine recently put it: "The poster girl for '90s alternative rock is ready to reclaim her reign - and the radio - with a new record from her iconic band, Garbage."

"Working with Garbage again was very instinctual," said Duke Erikson. "Like getting on a bicycle...with three other people." He adds "We haven't felt this good about a Garbage record since the last one!"

Garbage - Shirley Manson (vocals), Steve Marker (guitars, keyboards), Duke Erikson (guitars, keyboards) and Butch Vig (drums, loops) - will hit the road this spring in support of the album by performing several headlining shows as well as various festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. with more dates to be confirmed.

"Thinking about going back on the road is both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure," said Shirley Manson. ".........but we've always enjoyed a little pain mixed in with our pleasure."

See below for full list of dates confirmed so far.

Garbage 2012 Tour Dates*

Headlining Tour Dates

MAY
9th London, England Troxy

11th St. Petersburg, Russia Jubilenyi Hall

12th Moscow, Russia Crocus City Hall

16th Paris, France Olympia

Festival Tour Dates

JUNE
16th Hultsfred, Sweden Hultsfred Festival

17th Aarhus, Denmark Northside Festival

22nd Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany Southside Festival

23rd Scheessel, Germany Hurricane Festival, Red Stage

28th Werchter, Belgium Rock Werchter, Pyramid Marquee

* more dates to be announced

ABOUT GARBAGE
After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995 and rode a wave of visually arresting, female-fronted alternative rock bands. The album spawned the hit singles "Stupid Girl" and "Only Happy When It Rains" and was certified double platinum in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The band won the Breakthrough Artist Award at the 1996 MTV Europe Music Awards, and was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy® Award. Their second album, Version 2.0, was released in 1998 and topped the charts in the United Kingdom. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album. 2001's Beautiful Garbage was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 10 Albums Of The Year. In 2005, Garbage released Bleed Like Me, earning the band it's highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. In 2007, the band released a retrospective collection called Absolute Garbage. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide. They have performed in over 35 countries and will tour extensively worldwide in support of this new release.

The Lumineers Announce Self-Titled Debut Album

Band Signs to Dualtone

The Lumineers Be Released on April 3

Touring In US March and April

Denver band The Lumineers are proud to announce the release of their self-titled debut album, out on April 3rd via Dualtone. The band's style of emotive, powerful folk-rock has garnered comparisons to Edward Sharpe and Mumford and Sons, and is in line with Dualtone's history of supporting talented folk acts. The album was produced and mixed by Ryan Hadlock (Foo Fighters, Ra Ra Riot, Metric) at Bear Creek Studios, with additional mixing by Kevin Augunas (The Black Keys, Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros) at Fairfax Recordings, and follows the band's eponymous self-recorded EP that was released earlier in 2011.

The Lumineers will be touring in support of the debut, beginning in March and playing through the end of April. The tour will start along the West Coast with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, and will run through other major markets including Chicago, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. For a full list of tour dates, please see below.

Off the strength of a self released EP the band was named one of the 20 best new bands of 2011 by Paste Magazine:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/12/the-20-best-new-bands-of-2011.html

The band also played at World Café, which you can check out at NPR here:

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/09/144900622/the-lumineers-on-world-cafe-next

The Lumineers were formed by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites in New York. Their story begins in 2002, the year Jeremiah's brother and Wesley's long-time best friend, Josh, died from a drug overdose at 19. Amidst the loss and grief, Wes and Jeremiah came together and found solace in music, writing songs and playing gigs around New York. After battling the city's cutthroat music scene and impossibly high cost of living, the two decided to expand their horizons. They packed everything they owned and headed for Denver, Colorado. It was less a pilgrimage than act of stubborn hopefulness.

The first thing they did in Denver was place a Craigslist ad for a cellist, and the first person to respond was Neyla Pekarek, a classically trained Denver native. As a trio, they began playing at the Meadowlark, a gritty basement club where the city's most talented songwriters gathered every Tuesday for an open mic and dollar PBRs. Neyla softened Wes and Jeremiah's rough edges while expanding her skills to mandolin and piano. And so The Lumineers sound took shape; an amalgam of heart-swelling stomp-and-clap acoustic rock, classic pop, and front-porch folk.

The Lumineers Tour Dates

Wed-Mar-21 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

Thu-Mar-22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Café

Sat-Mar-24 - San Francisco, CA @ Café Du Nord

Sun-Mar-25 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place

Thu-Mar-29 - Eugene, OR @ Axe & Fiddle

Fri-Mar-30 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios

Sat-Mar-31 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern

Sun-Apr-01 - Vancouver, BC @ Media Club

Wed-Apr-04 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux

Thu-Apr-05 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room

Fri-Apr-06 - Bellvue, CO @ Misawaka Indoors

Sat-Apr-7 - Boulder, CO @ Shug's

Mon-Apr-09 - Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop

Wed-Apr-11 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Thu-Apr-12 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency

Fri-Apr-13 - Chicago/Evanston, IL @ SPACE

Tue-Apr-17 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Lounge

Wed-Apr-18 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse

Thu-Apr-19 - Fairfield, CT @ StageOne

Fri-Apr-20 - Berklee, MA @ Café 939 (festival)

Sat-Apr-21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Sun-Apr-22 - Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java

Tue-Apr-24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas

Thu-Apr-26 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

Fri-Apr-27 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement

Sat-Apr-28 - St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill

Sun-Apr-29 - Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar

For more information, please contact:

www.thelumineers.com

Area concerts bring Jeff Peterson, Geoff Tate and Deana Carter to So Cal this weekend

2012-01-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

Just because NAMM has ended doesn't mean there are no special concerts being staged in the Orange County area here in Southern California. In fact a wide-range of artists will be bringing their music to the region this weekend.

Lord of the Strings concerts bringing the sounds of Hawaii to the OC this weekend

Jeff Peterson is coming in from Hawaii for two Lord of the Strings concerts in South Orange County. If you have seen the highly popular Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe Award winning movie The Descendants starring George Clooney you no doubt noticed the fantastic slack key guitar music throughout the film. Peterson recorded five songs that are featured in the movie.

In related news (guitar player take note!), LOTSC only have 3 openings left (of seven total) for the guitar workshop with Jeff Peterson this Saturday (Jan. 28) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Juan Capistrano. All levels welcome! The cost is $75 and will include lunch. Call Tim at (949) 842-2227 to make your reservation.

Tickets for Peterson's Friday evening show in Dana Point or his Saturday night performance in Mission Viejo can be purchased online at www.LordOfTheStringsConcerts.com. For further information please call 949 842-2227 or visit the LOTSC site.

QUEENSRYCHE'S GEOFF TATE "AND FRIENDS" TO PERFORM AT THE COACH HOUSE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

After touring extensively in 2011 with his band, Queensryche, Geoff recently announced that he will be doing a handful of acoustic solo dates billed as "Geoff Tate and Friends" beginning on Thursday, January 26 at Anthology in San Diego, California.

What can fans expect on the brief run of dates?

According to Tate, he'll be "playing acoustic versions of all my favorite Queensryche songs as well as some songs from my solo album." And that certainly gives him a lot to choose from...

Not one to remain idle, Tate is anxious to hit the road again next year despite an incredibly busy 2011 that found the band performing over 75 dates along their 30th Anniversary tour primarily in support of their 12th studio album, Dedicated to Chaos (Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud), that was released in the summer.

Towards the end of the tour, Geoff and the band pulled out "all the stops" by performing Rage for Order in its entirety for the first time ever (New York City on Halloween) and Operation: Mindcrime from beginning to end on this year's ShipRocked Cruise (with In This Moment's Maria Brink handling vocal chores as "Sister Mary") for the first time in three years. Both shows were a pure treat for fans!

"Mindcrime" (1988) is universally respected as a classic concept release about rock, revenge and redemption and, ultimately, regarded as one of the most important and essential hard rock records in the genre's expansive canon. 1990's follow-up, Empire, yielded a number one single, the Grammy-nominated ballad "Silent Lucidity," which Queensryche performed at the 1992 Grammy Awards accompanied by a supporting orchestra.

In 2006, the band released Operation: Mindcrime II, a scorching sequel to their original. The band then hit the road performing both albums Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II back-to-back in their entirety in an incredible theatrical presentation throughout the year. The final performance was recorded at The Moore Theatre in Seattle that October and the Mindcrime at the Moore double CD/DVD release debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Music DVD Chart and eventually reached gold status.
For more information, please view the official Queensryche website at www.queensryche.com.

GEOFF TATE TOUR DATES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 - ANTHOLOGY IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 - THE CANYON CLUB IN AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 - SLO BREW IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 - THE COACH HOUSE IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 - CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - EL REY IN CHICO, CALIFORNIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - UPTOWN IN NAPA, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - FINAGHTY'S IN SNOQUALMIE, WASHINGTON

Deana Carter & band to perform at the Fender Museum on Saturday

I ran into singer-songwriter-guitarist Shawn Jones at NAMM last weekend and he noted that he will be playing lead guitar for Deana Carter when she performs in the Rhythm Lounge at The Fender Museum at 8 p.m. on Saturday night (Jan. 28).

The Fender Museum is located at 365 N. Main Street, Corona Ca 92880. The direct number to call is 951-735-2440.

This is a benefit concert, with proceeds going to benefit the Kids Rock Free Music Education Program.

For more details, check out Shawn Jones' Web site or the Fender Museum site.

'American Idol' gets fitting tribute courtesy of singer-songwriter TJR

2012-01-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

You might want to check out my Music Worth Buying co-host TJR's musical send-up to American Idol now posted on YouTube. Whether you like the show or hate it, I think you'll get a real kick out of the music video.

Sights and Sounds: M. Ward, Kate Bush, Plain White T’s, Audio Fidelity releases

2012-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, I've been so swamped attending NAMM and wrapping up my coverage of the event that my inbox is stuffed. Now I've had some time to get some of it cleared out and I'm sharing it here!

M. Ward to release A Wasteland Companion in April; full North American Tour announced

Merge will release M. Ward's sixth solo album, A Wasteland Companion, on April 10.

In the three years since Portland, OR-based troubadour M. Ward released his last solo album - the universally lauded Hold Time - he’s toured the globe, released two albums as one half of Grammy-nominated duo She & Him as well as one with the talented group of friends collectively know as Monsters Of Folk.

Inspired by his increasingly itinerant lifestyle Ward set forth to create something of a musical travelogue. He explains, “Between now and when I made Hold Time there has been a lot of traveling which requires a lot of reckoning with what to leave behind and what to carry – material and otherwise – and thinking about what I want versus what I need, creatively and otherwise. I wanted to get a reflection of that on the album. It was a process of stripping away my security blanket, which is the same four walls I always record in.”

The album was made with 18 musicians and recorded in eight different studios in Portland, Omaha, New York City, Los Angeles, Austin and Bristol (UK). A Wasteland Companion features the talents of M Ward (piano, guitars, voice, production), Mike Coykendall (percussion, bass), Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb (piano), John Parish (percussion, marimba), Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis (organ), Susan Sanchez (vocals), She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel (vocals), Jordan Hudson (percussion), Adam Selzer (bass), Nathan “JR” Andersen (piano), Scott McPherson (percussion), Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley (percussion), Dr. Dog’s Tobey Leaman (bass), Devotchka’s Tom Hagerman (strings), Oakely Hall’s Rachel Cox (vocals), Amanda Lawrence (violin), John Graboff (pedal steel) and Tyler Tornfelt (bass). The recording utilized eight engineers, including Tom Schick (Rufus Wainwright) and John Parish (PJ Harvey).

M. Ward can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and at mwardmusic.com.

Track listing:
1. Clean Slate (for Alex & El Goodo)
2. Primitive Girl
3. Me And My Shadow
4. Sweetheart
5. I Get Ideas
6. The First Time I Ran Away
7. A Wasteland Companion
8. Watch The Show
9. There’s A Key
10. Crawl After You
11. Wild Goose
12. Pure Joy

M. Ward on tour:
Feb 2 Los Angeles, CA Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Apr 11 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Apr 12 Santa Cruz, CA The Cocoanut Grove Ballroom
Apr 13 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
Apr 14 Santa Barbara, CA SoHO
Apr 16 San Diego, CA Belly Up
Apr 17 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
Apr 18 Flagstaff, AZ The Orpheum
Apr 20 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
May 5 Portland, ME State Theatre
May 6 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
May 7 New Haven, CT Toads Place
May 8 Boston, MA House of Blues
May 11 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 12 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
May 13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 15 Durham, NC Duke Performances at Page Auditorium
May 16 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
May 17 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
May 22 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
May 24 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Jonathan Richman supports 4/11
fIREHOSE supports 4/12, 4/16-4/18
Lee Ranaldo Band supports 5/5-5/22

KATE BUSH PREMIERES NEW VIDEO VIA NPR.ORG

Clip For “Lake Tahoe” From Acclaimed New Album
50 Words For Snow

Revered singer Kate Bush is premièring a new video from her acclaimed new album 50 Words For Snow at NPR’s All Songs Considered. The beautifully evocative cinematic clip is for her song “Lake Tahoe” and features stark shadow puppetry – featuring a dog moving through a stark landscape searching for its owner - perfectly compliments the music’s haunting sense of dramatic longing.

Bush told NPR that despite the video's abbreviated running time, she intended the clip to be viewed as a complete work: “The video exists as a self-contained piece, it is called 'Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe'. It has all been created in camera with shadow puppets, one of my favorite art forms because of its simplicity. It is something that I've wanted to do for years and it was great fun to make.”

To watch Kate Bush’s new video go to: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/

50 Words For Snow features 7 new tracks set against a background of falling snow, with a total running time of 65 minutes; through a highly evocative musical and lyrical landscape. The record features a number of special guest musicians including Elton John.

Plain White T's on Guitar Center Sessions - Airs on DIRECTV on Jan. 28, 2012

THE PLAIN WHITE T’S Bring Their Successful Mix of Pop-Rock To New Season of Award-Winning TV Series Guitar Center Sessions

Show to feature performance from Plain White T’s – plus an intimate conversation with Tom Higgenson, Tim Lopez and De’Mar Hamilton about the creative process of writing songs, the sometimes difficult dynamics of working together as a band and the increasing importance of commercials and TV in making a hit song — with host and esteemed musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt

Sneak Peek At: http://guitarcenter.com/sessions/

Westlake Village, CA – Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com), the world's largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, and DIRECTV, one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services, feature PLAIN WHITE T’S in a new episodes of the award-winning music series Guitar Center Sessions this Saturday, January 28. Guitar Center Sessions features exclusive performances and intimate, enlightening conversations conducted by revered musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt. The episode premieres Saturday, January 28th at 9pm ET/PT in 2D hi-definition on DIRECTV’S Audience Network (channel 239) and in 3D on DIRECTV’S n3D™ powered by Panasonic.

An exclusive clip of Plain White T’s performance of “Hey There Delilah” from the episode can be seen at http://guitarcenter.com/sessions/.

Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, the pop-rock Plain White T's began taking shape in 1997, a full ten years before the acoustic ballad "Hey There Delilah" made them Grammy-nominated stars. Led by Tom Higgenson, the band toured extensively over the next years, weathering personnel changes along the way and building a following through a solid work ethic and promising songwriting. After a few indie label releases, in 2006 they signed with Hollywood Records, released Every Second Counts and hit big with “Hey There Delilah” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Grammy awards (song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group). The following year they had another hit with “1, 2, 3, 4,” which struck a universal chord and catapulted up the charts with an assist from a Hallmark Valentine’s Day ad. In 2010, Plain White T's released their sixth, most recent studio album, The Wonders of the Younger, changing up their dynamic with two songs penned and sung by guitarist Tim Lopez, including the hit single, "The Rhythm of Love," which layers on a new laid-back acoustic sound to the band's usual mix of spunky energy and pop/rock craft. Plain White T’s line-up: Tom Higgenson (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim Lopez (lead guitar, vocals), De’Mar Hamilton (drums), Dave Tirio (rhythm guitar) and Mike Retondo (bass).

In the episode, Higgenson, Lopez and Hamilton talk frankly to host Nic Harcourt about the pressures of working together as a band, with Lopez noting “the closest we’ve come to fighting in the writing process comes with putting songs together as a band.” Higgenson also discusses his shock at the huge success of “Hey There Delilah,” which he thought of as a “good, small song” until it took off on MySpace, becoming an early Internet sensation—and a chart-topping hit—in 12 countries. Hamilton agrees, saying the success of that song funded the band at a crucial time (“We were able to continue doing what we love to do – play music”). The three also talk about the evolution of social networking from the band’s early days (“so much time and money at Kinko’s making up a flyer”) to today with Higgenson saying it can be hard to feel a connection with the live audience “when you see a bunch of phones instead of people’s eyes and faces.” Another change they’ve witnessed concerns the benefits of licensing songs for commercials and TV shows. Higgenson and Lopez agree that placing a song in the right scene in the right movie or commercial adds a stronger emotion in visual form to the song. When Harcourt asks the seasoned musicians what advice they’d give young bands to get their music out, the answer is a resounding “Anything you can. Work hard, keep writing songs and do great live shows.”

“The Plain White T’s are one of the first artists to benefit from the unprecedented reach that the Internet provides to musicians,” says Harcourt. “They were able to hear fans in the UK sing along to ‘Hey There Delilah’ before their album was available there, thanks to the Internet. It’s fascinating to hear such a modern success story, and to find out how the band is able to build off their original success in a tangible way. It’s exactly the type of story we’re trying to explore with Guitar Center Sessions.”

AUDIO FIDELITY KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH 24-KARAT GOLD REISSUES OF
TWO CAREER-CHANGING ALBUMS OF THE EARLY '80S

Dio's Holy Diver and Bryan Adams' Cuts Like a Knife Rock Anew on Limited-Edition Audiophile Compact Discs Arriving January 31, 2012

Marshall Blonstein, president of Audio Fidelity, has set January 31st as the release date for the audiophile label's Gold CD reissues of Dio's HOLY DIVER and Bryan Adams' CUTS LIKE A KNIFE. Both albums will be issued as numbered, limited editions that will be available through both online and brick-and-mortar retailers and will be retired after they have reached 5000 units in sales.

The two albums hail from 1983, a year when rock was reasserting its place on a music landscape then dominated by dance and pop records. Long acknowledged as classic entries in each artist's catalog, HOLY DIVER and CUTS LIKE A KNIFE represented key turns in the careers of Ronnie James Dio and Bryan Adams. The albums enjoyed the longest tenure of any Dio or Adams set on Billboard's chart, with HOLY DIVER logging 38 weeks and CUTS LIKE A KNIFE notching 89.

Ronnie James Dio had already achieved star status as the lead singer of Elf, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Black Sabbath by the time he released HOLY DIVER, the first record of what would be a long and fruitful solo career. Joined by alumni of his former bands-drummer Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath) and bassist Jimmy Bain (Rainbow)-and teenaged discovery, guitarist Vivian Campbell, Dio crafted a searing debut that won widespread pop acceptance without compromising an ounce of its power or heavy-metal principles. The group-composed "Rainbow in the Dark," as well as the Dio-penned title track, became mainstream-rock radio hits, and the Bain-Dio cuts "Straight Through the Heart" and "Stand Up and Shout" grew into fan favorites-the latter featuring impressive, breakneck-speed soloing from Campbell.

HOLY DIVER peaked at No. 56 on Billboard's album chart (and reached 13 in the U.K.) and was certified Gold a year after its release and Platinum in 1989. The song "Holy Diver" retains considerable popularity almost three decades after it was first recorded, having been featured on TV's South Park and in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. "Rainbow in the Dark" was featured in Rock Band 3. Dio himself appears in the opening musical performance of the 2006 comedy Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny starring Jack Black.

Audio Fidelity's reissue of HOLY DIVER includes a two-page spread reproducing the original vinyl LP's photo montage of images from Dio's time with Black Sabbath and Rainbow.

Following two solid solo albums, Canada's Bryan Adams broke through with CUTS LIKE A KNIFE, which was a Top 10 entry on both the American and Canadian charts. The set initiated Adams' run of five such acclaimed credits, sold some four million copies internationally and launched the raspy-voiced singer-writer as a major pop music figure, one who's garnered 15 Grammy® nominations. Adams wrote or co-wrote (mostly with longtime writing partner Jim Vallance) the album's ten songs-among them three solid Top 30 hits: the stirring piano ballad and signature piece "Straight From the Heart," the brisk rocker "This Time" and the troubled-relationship title track. "Straight From the Heart" was covered by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, and the album-closer, "The Best Was Yet to Come," was recorded by Laura Branigan.

Recorded in 1982 and originally issued on January of 1983, CUTS LIKE A KNIFE was produced by Adams with frequent associate Bob Clearmountain, whose engineering and mixing credits include Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. and recordings by the Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi. Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm contributes backing vocals on CUTS LIKE A KNIFE.

Founded in 2002 by music industry veteran Marshall Blonstein, Audio Fidelity specializes in deluxe reissues of classic popular-music recordings for the audiophile and collector markets The Camarillo, California-based label is best known for its 24-Karat Gold CDs and its 180-gram virgin-vinyl album editions, as well as a line of popular DVD titles. Audio Fidelity emerged out of the pioneering DCC Compact Classics label that Blonstein started in 1986, following stints as president of Island Records and co-founder of Ode Records (where he helped make Carole King's Tapestry one of the best-selling albums of all time and built the cult-film franchises The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke).

For more information, visit: www.audiofidelity.net

Sights and Sounds: Bruce Springsteen, The Monkees, Pulp, Van Dyke Parks

2012-01-23T22:30:00.000-08:00

Lots of big news to share. The Monkees' 1969 classic 'GREATEST HITS' is being re-released on 180-gram vinyl, Pulp is back, and - oh - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is set to return this year. Gotta love that!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Announce First US Leg of 2012 ‘Wrecking Ball’ World Tour

Photo credit: Danny Clinch

New Album 'Wrecking Ball' (Columbia Records) Out March 6, 2012

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band launch the first US leg of the 2012 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour on March 18 in Atlanta. Bruce Springsteen's 17th studio album 'Wrecking Ball' will be released on Columbia Records on March 6.

"We Take Care Of Our Own," the album's first single,' is "classic Springsteen" with "anguish and challenge [that] run thick and fast" (Rolling Stone); a "richly orchestrated Wall of Sound... that nods to the 'Born to Run' era" (Billboard).

Stream "We Take Care of Our Own" and pre-order 'Wrecking Ball' at: http://www.brucespringsteen.net

The E Street Band's members are: Roy Bittan – piano, synthesizer; Nils Lofgren – guitar, vocals; Patti Scialfa – guitar, vocals; Garry Tallent – bass guitar; Stevie Van Zandt – guitar, vocals; and Max Weinberg – drums; with Soozie Tyrell – violin, guitar, vocals and Charlie Giordano – keyboards.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 2012 U.S. Tour Dates:
March 18 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena (on sale Feb 4)
March 19 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum (on sale Feb 3)
March 23 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Times Forum (on sale Jan 28)
March 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden (on sale Jan 28)
March 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
March 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 1 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 3 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 4 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 6 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 12 – Detroit, MI – The Palace of Auburn Hills (on sale Jan 28)
April 13 – Buffalo, NY – First Niagara Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 16 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 17 – Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena (on sale Jan 28)
April 24 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion (on sale Feb 3)
April 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (on sale Feb 3)
April 29 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (on sale now)
May 2 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center (on sale Jan 27)

The Monkees' GREATEST HITS, the band's first compilation, was originally released in 1969, a year after the cancellation of their TV show. As a result, it has become one of the most sought-after vinyl collectibles from the group, with mint copies selling for big bucks.

But now thanks to our friends at Friday Music, The Monkees GREATEST HITS is available once again on 180-gram vinyl - and only Rhino.com has 500 copies pressed exclusively on orange vinyl! That's right, we only have 500 units of this release on orange vinyl and once they're gone, they're gone. You can only get this version from Rhino.com, so order now.

The Monkees GREATEST HITS features all the obvious favorites, plus some surprises like “Zor and Zam,” “Cuddly Toy,” and “Randy Scouse Git” which sound more amazing on 180-gram vinyl. Don't miss out on this second chance to grab an excellent Monkees collectible - pre-order now. This release begins shipping on March, 6, 2012.

PULP RETURNS TO THE U.S.

BRIT BAND TO PLAY COACHELLA, RADIO CITY, THE WARFIELD

FIRST U.S. PERFORMANCES SINCE 1998

Pulp will return to the U.S. this spring for the first time in more than a decade to play Coachella, The Warfield in San Francisco, and Radio City Music Hall in New York. The shows will involve all the original members of the band -- Nick Banks (drums), Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Steve Mackey (bass), Russell Senior (violin, guitar) and Mark Webber (guitar) -- and they will be playing songs from all periods of their career.

April 11 -- New York, NY -- Radio City Music Hall
April 13 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella
April 17 -- San Francisco, CA -- The Warfield
April 20 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella

Pulp returned from a nine-year hiatus last summer, performing at festivals in Europe and Australia. They last played in the U.S. on a June 1998 tour in support of their "This Is Hardcore" album.

Official Web site: http://pulppeople.com/

Van Dyke Parks Announces Select Run of Southeast Dates

Final Installment of Unique 45's Series Set for March 20 Release

Legendary artist, composer and producer Van Dyke Parks will embark on a run of Southeast tour dates, including a February appearance at NPR's Mountain Stage. After a set of dates with Fleet Foxes last fall, Parks will return to this part of the country once again in support of his unique 7" vinyl series with artwork from some of the most important contemporary artists of our time, including Ed Ruscha, Art Speigelman, Frank Holmes and many more. Parks will kick off this run of performances with a set at Santa Barbara's Soho Restaurant & Music Club on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The show is in conjunction with an after party for the screening of Music Man Murray, a documentary scored by Parks, and written and directed by his son, Richard Parks premiering at the Santa Barbara Independent Film Festival.

This series of 45's is Parks' first new studio music in more than 15 years, since his acclaimed album Orange Crate Art. Announced last August on his own label Bananastan, the first four vinyls are available for purchase at the label's website and during the forthcoming live appearances. In December, Parks released the latest single 'Amazing Graces'/Hold Back Time' with Charles Ray art and will release the final two installments on March 20: 'Sassafrass'/ 'The All Golden' illustrated by both Billy Edd Wheeler and Klaus Voormann and 'Missin' Missippi'/'The Parting Hand' with sleeve art by Sally Parks, and Stanley Dorfman.

Parks also released Arrangements Vol. 1 last year, a compilation of some of his greatest arrangements, with Pitchfork saying, "the songs selected on 'Arrangements' are uniformly fantastic (8.6 'Best New Reissue')." At the heart of some of the great albums of the last 50 years, Parks' accomplishments include Brian Wilson's 'lost' masterpiece Smile, Randy Newman and Ry Cooder's first recordings, and Joanna Newsom's critically acclaimed 2006 album YS.

Van Dyke Parks On Tour

1/31 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho Restaurant & Music Club
2/15 - St. Petersburg, FL - Craftsman House Gallery
2/16 - Jacksonville, FL - The Florida Theatre
2/18 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
2/19 - Athens, GA - University of Georgia

For more info, please visit:
http://www.vandykeparks.com
http://www.bananastan.com

NAMM notes: Deering Banjos' Phoenix, Taylor Guitars, Pick Grips

2012-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

TJR with Deering Banjos Company Project Manager Jamie Latty at NAMM.

The more I saw across the five days at the 2012 NAMM Show, the more I'm sure I missed.

Through all the great performances, my chats with musicians and music lovers, and interviews with innovative minds who create the products of tomorrow, I'm always reminded why the music trade show is such a rush.

In addition, this year I really made it a point to actually sit down and try out some of the instruments. Believe it or not, I know there was at least one year I attended NAMM that my schedule was so stuffed with appointments I never even plucked a guitar. Now that's a crime.

One of my biggest thrills was jamming with my Music Worth Buying co-host TJR, as I got to play one of Taylor Guitars' GS Mini instruments. The guitar is easy to play, boasts great tones from its rich lows to its high notes and really defies its compact design. The Mini is available with either a solid spruce or mahogany top. Very, VERY nice. Click here for more details on the GS Mini.

I still have great memories of my father playing the banjo when I was a youngster just learning to play guitar. Although I never picked up the instrument, I kind of re-connected with those memories at NAMM on Sunday (Jan. 22) courtesy of Deering Banjo Company's Phoenix. A true banjo-guitar hybrid, it was amazing to sit down and be able to play the Phoenix like I would a guitar, but to hear the lovely tones of a banjo emerge from its beautiful design. TJR (seen here on the left) also was impressed and really created some lovely sounds on the instrument. As I learned in reading some materials from the Spring Valley, California-based company, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, David Hidalgo, Nils Lofgren and even Lee Rocker have all used Deering 6-string banjos. Now I know why!

It's not unusual to find new products at the NAMM Show. But I was truly impressed by a simple, but much-needed invention showcased by a fledgling company out of Mesa, Arizona.

Anyone who has ever played guitar with a pick knows the frustration of either having to dig their through pockets to find one, or being forced to mount them on a stand or even tape them to a prized instrument (and likely damaging their guitar).

No more. Pick Grips really does offer an easy, affordable and winning solution for musicians who play their guitar, bass, mandolin or other stringed instrument using a pick.

"For years, we used to weave the pick through the strings. I always thought there was a better way," said Pick Grips founder Bac Tran. "I thought there needs to be a solution. I was watching an Eddie Van Halen video and he had duct tape on his guitar (holding his picks in place) and I came up with this design."

Tran's Patent Pending-device simply attaches to the surface of an acoustic or electric instrument, with a slot where the pick fits snugly into place. When a musician wants to remove the Pick Grip, no residue (okay, "scum" better fits what happens when using duct tape) remains.

Musicians or companies ordering Pick Grips can select from a number of cool colors and even imprint their own logo or band name into the surface. Both TJR and I were blown away by this product, and just imagine, it doesn't involve electronics, apps or a digital interface!

Visit the Pick Grips Web site for more information on this amazing product!

NAMM - Sunday brings welcome surprises - Americana style!

2012-01-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Kruger Brothers displayed their amazing musicianship and song craft at NAMM on Sunday afternoon.

With 1,400 or so exhibitors positioned throughout the Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding hotels, the 2012 NAMM Show had plenty to offer visitors trying to take it all in over the course of its 96-hour stay. But the world's largest music products event always hosts an endless number of shows that really are the icing on the cake (much better than spending hours in lines waiting for autographs in my view). While there were no big rock shows scheduled on the music trade show's final day, Sunday (Jan. 22, 20120) offered up magical live performances in the morning and afternoon.

NAMM doesn't come to mind when thinking about a forum to seek modern country-styled artists, but roots and Americana artists were seemingly all over the place on Sunday. Of the acts I saw perform, two really stood out. Another artist, young country music singer Kelly McGrath, was performing in a hall so loud I could not hear her set clearly enough to write an honest review of the performance so I had to move on.

Early in the day, the Tora Bora Boys performed a fun set of bluegrass-styled material in the spirit of the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. With a lineup of six players (several of whom sang well and also harmonized sweetly together), the group attracted a big crowd to the Saga Musical Instruments booth. Highlights of the set included a version of Carter and Ralph Stanley's classic "How Mountain Gals Can Love" and a fiery instrumental tune titled "Fireball Mail" showcasing banjo player Geoff Hohwald. Throughout the set, dobro player Rich Ferris, fiddler Paul Shelasky and mandolin virtuoso David Gartland also displayed their skills. Getting the band booked to play at NAMM was likely a cinch since the Tora Bora Boys' outstanding guitarist is Richard Keldsen, president of Saga.

Even more impressive were the acclaimed Kruger Brothers, widely acknowledged as one of the best and most original folk groups performing today. I had missed the trio when they performed at the Deering Banjo Company booth on Friday and Saturday, so I'm glad I didn't make the mistake again on Sunday. The threesome (lead singer-guitarist Uwe Kruger, banjo player Jens Kruger, bassist Joel Landsberg) provided one of the best-ever sets I have caught at NAMM, moving effortlessly between baroque, bluegrass, folk and even Celtic-flavored material. Even a version of Tennessee William Ford's hit "Sixteen Tons" was totally revised, with textures and layers lending uncharacteristic depth to the song.

After being wowed by the terrific trio's full-length set on Sunday, the Kruger Brothers' 2011 release Appalachian Concerto will likely be my next album purchase.

NAMM - Saturday brings sterling two-song sets from John Rzeznik, Dawes

2012-01-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

I took it a bit easier in terms of my coverage of NAMM today, catching fewer shows and attempting to save my legs a bit after being on my feet for most of Wednesday through Friday. But I did catch two terrific (although brief) sets on Saturday featuring Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik at the Taylor Guitars booth, and Dawes at Shure later in the day.

John Rzeznik performed a short, but memorable set at Taylor Guitars on Saturday.

The Orange County Register's multimedia reporter Mark Eades videotaped Rzeznik’s performance and you can view it here.

Dawes brought their California-styled folk rock sound to the Shure booth.

To read a full-length review of Rzeznik's performance and Dawes' set, check out writer George A. Paul's review that ran in the Orange County Register.

NAMM notes: Footdrums, LumaSkinz, Godin Guitars, Taylor Guitars & more!

2012-01-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a few random news, notes and pics covering my first three days at the NAMM Show. I am off in a bit to see what's going on today...

At the Media Preview Day, guitarist Molly Gene showcased her skills at performing her guitar and foot drum at once at the Farmer Musical Instruments booth (Booth #2665 D). Information: www.footdrums.com.

LumaSkinz is a new Palm Desert-based company that makes custom "drum skinz" for drum kits, and equally-impressive skins for laptop computers, deejay booths - you name it. I got a tour of the company's work (made in the U.S.A. too!) and I recommend that people check out Booth #1575 at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is especially impressive to see the "Illuminated Skinz" in action at NAMM. Information: http://lumaskinz.com/lumaskinz-namm.

Orange County-based singer-songwriter-rocker Michael Ubaldini (pictured here on the left) was spotted at Godin Guitars, where he was playing a beautiful Godin 5th Avenue hand-painted guitar by artist-musician Joseph Arthur. Those wanting to check out (and yes, you can play the custom-painted guitars too!) should visit Godin Guitars at Booth #211A (that is upstairs on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center folks).

My Music Worth Buying co-host and musical pal TJR is a fantastic guitar player and pianist, so it should come as no surprise that I spied him at the Taylor Guitars booth (#213 ABC) checking out a custom-made ukulele. I had met the editor of Ukeeku.com (Tim Szerlong) in the press area earlier in the day and he raved about the instrument so it was great to see TJR give it a try! Taylor Guitars has been a great place to check out strong performances, and get to play great guitars.

Brad Weinholtz of La Mirada, CA-based Bridgecraft USA, Inc. with Chuck Phillips (seen in the photo at the end of this post) in front of several eye-catching attractions at NAMM 2012. You can check out all the cool instruments and have your photo taken with a gigantic guitar or small toy piano at Booth #1680. Information: www.xmusicpro.com.

NAMM - The Silent Comedy, Uh Huh Her impress on Friday

2012-01-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Silent Comedy's Joshua Zimmerman (left) and Chad Lee rock out during the quartet's set at Taylor Guitars on Friday afternoon at the NAMM show in Anaheim.

So many people filled the Anaheim Convention Center to attend NAMM on Friday (Jan. 20, 2012), it was truly a challenge securing a good spot to take in some of the more anticipated performances staged throughout the event.

However, in the case of the smaller shows that I caught in the Fender and Taylor Guitars booths, braving the crushing crowds was well worth it.

There was the involving indie pop of Uh Huh Her (featuring Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey, seen on right) that started the day off on the right musical foot with a noontime show at Fender (click here to read George A. Paul's review of the show). But the highlight for this writer was a full-length set from San Diego's The Silent Comedy at Taylor a bit later in the afternoon.

Fusing the power of "Powderfinger"/"Like a Hurricane"-era Neil Young & Crazy Horse with the anthemic drive of Arcade Fire and reckless abandon of some of Trampled by Turtles' more rowdy bluegrass-on-steroids material, it's no wonder that the quartet is on fire. Last year saw the six-year-old band's fortunes rise big time thanks to appearances with the Dave Matthews Band, Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Mumford & Sons.

"Our weirdness allows us to play with a lot of different people," singer-guitarist Joshua Zimmerman told me in a brief interview before the band took the stage. He founded the group with his brother, guitarist Jeremiah Zimmerman in 2006.

The Silent Comedy not only took the stage, but they crushed it. The first few songs showcased the troupe's folk side, with songs such as their own "49" and "Lyin" as well as a cover of Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" suggesting the quartet was a strong acoustic-styled act able to blend blues, country, gospel and bluegrass into the brew. But as the Silent Comedy played on their power grew. By the time they delivered "Gasoline," it was clear this was no mere retro-looking Americana outfit. In stages, the band masterfully shifted the song from a pretty acoustic guitar-anchored ballad to a roaring tour de force.

A subsequent "Moonshine" and cover of Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" were likewise skillfully offered.

Throughout the set, the use of banjo and mandolin by Justin Buchanan to add depth to drums/bass/guitar was nice. Chad Lee powered the percussion side of things with a donkey jawbone in the beginning, and with a full drum kit as things picked up.

For more information on the Silent Comedy, visit the band's Web site.

Bigger isn't necessarily better.

While the two intimate performances I caught in the afternoon were exciting affairs, the Living Legends Jam that was the featured big concert event of the day simply tried to do too much to succeed.

With a lineup of more than two dozen well-known artists (including Richie Castellano of Blue Oyster Cult, seen on the left), there was something for everyone. Unfortunately, there was not enough sonic pay dirt to keep me there for the entire show. Despite a few highlights early on where Bob Berryhill (The Safaris) led a group through "Wipe Out" and Doug Rappoeport directed an ensemble through a funk-tinged version of the Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride," the affair eventually dragged on without enough fire or focus. After 90 minutes and 17 songs (and still no sign of Alan White from Yes, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees or Joey Molland of Badfinger - the three artists I had most hoped to see perform), I decided to chart a course for home and get ready to tackle Saturday. Hope to see you there.

Blues Harmonica Blowout on Sunday at Coach House

2012-01-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

Mark Hummel, John Mayall and friends will pay tribute to late blues harp innovator Little Walter during a concert in San Juan Capistrano.

Though Little Walter is the only blues harmonica player inducted into Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, few outside the blues genre know much about the late Louisiana-born artist considered to be the Jimi Hendrix of his instrument.

But with this year's Blues Harmonica Blowout tour, which arrives Sunday (January 22) at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, modern-day blues harp master Mark Hummel has gathered some of the world's best harmonica players to pay tribute to Little Walter and introduce his music to a new audience.

Little Walter, who was 37 when he died in 1968, introduced the technique of cupping his hands around a microphone while blowing on his blues harp. It continues to be the standard method for those who play the instrument today.
In addition to Hummel, the Coach House concert will feature John Mayall, Little Charlie Baty, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado (former frontman for the Robert Cray Band) and Sugar Ray Norcia.
Hummel will feature selections from his recently released CD Blue and Lonesome: Tribute to Little Walter, a limited-edition collection that will be available at the show.

MARK HUMMEL'S BLUES HARMONICA BLOWOUT
Who: Mark Hummel, John Mayall, Little Charlie Baty, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado, Sugar Ray Norcia
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
When: 7 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 22, 2012)
How much: $28
Information: 949-496-8930

NAMM - Day one features a wealth of performances

2012-01-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

While the 110th NAMM got underway with a media preview day on Wednesday, the first official day of the world's largest music products trade show played out at the Anaheim Convention Center on Thursday (Jan. 19) with plenty of excitement and an ambitious performance schedule to match. While there were highly-anticipated sets from Brian Wilson and Collective Soul (I shot the photo of the band, performing under the Sweet Tea Project moniker, seen on the left), there were many other strong performances that played out over the long day.

The first time I caught finger style guitarist Laurence Juber at NAMM in the mid-1990s, he was performing before a handful of fans at a guitar string manufacturer's booth. No more.
As is the case whenever the one-time lead guitarist of Paul McCartney's Wings performs nowadays, he draws big crowds that can't get enough of his long sets.

Performing at the Mogami Cable booth at noon on Thursday, the Los Angeles-based guitarist thrilled with selections from several of his solo discs. The most dynamic selection was his version of The Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" off his 2010 album LJ Plays the Beatles: Volume 2 (a follow-up to his first tribute album of Beatles classics released back in 2000). It has to be heard to believed, but armed simply with an acoustic guitar Juber was able to rework the originally-dense and experimental Fab Four track into a wonderful solo guitar arrangement.

Not every artist featured at a myriad of outdoor patio, booth and concert stage locations at NAMM is well-known. But even relatively-unknown artists can make an impression at NAMM to be sure.

Such was the case with three area artists I caught in the afternoon. Hermosa Beach-based blues-rock singer Shari Puorto and her excellent four-man band tore up in a packed patio at the convention center. While several hundred attendees were enjoying their barbecue chicken and burgers, Puorto dished up some original blues-rock material from her latest album, the aptly-titled "Real" and several earlier albums. Highlights included the slow burner "Don't Mess With Me" and a striking ballad "Free."

Moving inside to Center Stage at the Marriott, Orange County's thriving scene was celebrated courtesy of two winning sets. Surf City singer-songwriter James Grey performed a range of his well-crafted songs, including the upbeat "Wonderful Day," descriptive "Monsters" and soulful "Seabreeze". His 45-minute set was followed by an appearance by Laguna Beach-based Jason Feddy, who played his genre-defying blend of pop, rock, jazz and other styles pulled from his solo albums and his work in the band Hautewerk. His song "The Bridge to the Island" (off his 2008 album "Connected") was particularly memorable.

The day ended for me with the event's tribute to NAMM members who have passed away over the past year. That performance featured the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band performing a bagpipes- and drum- anchored version of "Amazing Grace" that segued into a stripped down take of that instrumental song featuring headliner Doyle Dykes (seen here playing guitar) and his band. Influenced and often compared to the late Chet Atkins, Dykes is one of the world's best country-Americana guitarists on the planet.

As in years past when he has performed at NAMM, even a crowd filled with musicians is blown away when Dykes plays his acoustic or electric guitar. After performing a wonderful take of the old classic "Return to Avalon," Dykes closed his long set with an amazing medley that began as an instrumental version of U2's "With Or Without You" and blended "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and even "Amazing Grace" to bring the fitting tribute to an emotional - and ultimately uplifting - finale.

NAMM Media preview day kicks off 2012 event in dramatic fashion

2012-01-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

There are three music events that seem to mark my yearly musical calendar. NAMM, which arrives in January, followed by Coachella in April and the Doheny Blues Fest that hits in May.

So now NAMM has landed at the Anaheim Convention Center, 2012 does seem real.

I'll have lots more to write when the event is over (the music trade show officially runs Jan. 19-22, 2012 this year), but I wanted to share my posts that are running in The Orange County Register's Soundcheck blog here, as well as include some additional photos.

Here is my post that ran on Jan. 18, and was part of The Orange County Register's coverage of media preview day of the 110th NAMM show:

While celebrity names are often announced in advance of NAMM, the actual performances that transpire tend to be completely unexpected. Everyone who attended the music trade show’s media preview day at the Anaheim Convention Center on Wednesday knew that both guitar hero Kenny Wayne Shepherd and bass-playing former governor Mike Huckabee would be on hand. They just didn’t know they’d also jam together.

After Shepherd demonstrated his six-string skills and Huckabee talked about the importance of music education, the two surprised a crowded field of reporters, photographers and videographers with an impromptu blues. Shepherd, one of the world’s finest blues-rock guitarists, displayed his impressive chops; Huckabee added a fitting accompaniment.

This isn’t the first time Huckabee has done this sort of thing at NAMM — last year his unscheduled jam was with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, who was subsequently invited to perform on Huckabee’s Fox News program. I caught up with him afterward and asked about the difference, playing with Collen vs. Shepherd.

“Politics is divisive,” he said. “Music is a wonderful way for people to get together. That’s what I love about it.” (Shepherd seemed to enjoy the photo-op: “It was fun. He is a bass player and loves to play.”)

Huckabee said he planned to be at NAMM through at least Friday, and seemed genuinely interested in checking out the unique gear and instruments on display through Sunday in Anaheim. He’s a regular, attending this winter expo whenever possible as well as its summer counterpart in Nashville.
For musicians of every stripe, NAMM makes them feel like kids in a candy store. Shepherd, too, loves prowling around it: “This is the epicenter of new and innovative stuff.”

(End Soundcheck post)

I really enjoyed meeting Shepherd, who I had previously interviewed over the phone in connection with his appearance at the Doheny Blues Fest a few years ago, and Huckabee. You can really tell how much the former Arkansas governor cares about Wanna Play?, a NAMM's public education campaign to raise awareness about the many benefits of music making. The FOX News television host noted that with public schools reducing music education in the schools, groups such as NAMM are even more important.

NAMM preview: music show arrives in Anaheim on Wednesday

2012-01-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Going to NAMM this week? Wondering where the musical action is?

Anyone who has been to the world's largest annual music trade show knows that it is impossible - and I mean IMPOSSIBLE - to see and experience everything at the expansive show which is held at the Anaheim Convention Center and spills out into the surrounding area including the Anaheim Marriott and the Hilton Anaheim (both located adjacent to the convention center).

Although I hope to post a more fully developed schedule of live performances in a Wednesday morning post, I am kicking things off here with those appearances/performances I am most likely to hit at NAMM. Please note NAMM is not open to the public, although I know many of my readers are likely going to be there.

Fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber (pictured here) will be performing at the Mogami booth at noon on Thursday, Jan. 19 and again at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. Lead guitarist for Paul McCartney and Wings in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the native of East London has earned subsequent critical and commercial success through a number of solo albums boasting his unique style (which includes alternate tunings). He is not to be missed.

Brian Wilson and his band perform at Gibson (booth #303AB) at noon on Thursday.

Huntington Beach-based singer-songwriter James Grey will perform from 3-4 p.m. at the Anaheim Marriott Acoustic Stage on Thursday.

Sixwire will perform a full set at Taylor Guitars at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes and Friends (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) will perform in the Main Lobby Stage of the Convention Center on Thursday

The Silent Comedy will perform on Friday afternoon at Taylor Guitars booth at 3:30 p.m.

"Legends Jam" with Micky Dolenz (Monkees singer-drummer-guitarist), Alan White (Yes, Plastic Ono Band), Scott Warren (Dio), Bobby Kimball (Toto), and many other musicians. 5 - 6 p.m. on Friday - location is Main Lobby Stage.

Guitarist Caleb Quaye (of Hall & Oates, Elton John, Paul McCartney fame) at Anaheim Marriott Front Stage, 7-8 p.m. on Friday night

Alex Skolnick Trio will perform from 8 - 9 p.m. on Anaheim Marriott Center Stage on Friday night.

Guitar virtuoso Andy McKee will perform 9 - 10 p.m. on Hilton Anaheim Muzeo Stage on Friday night.

I'll fill everybody in on my plans for Saturday and Sunday in my next post...

GRAMMY Museum update: Jackie DeShannon, Ruthie Foster, America, Glen Campbell, Michelle Phillips

2012-01-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

2012 has sure hit with a bang.
Not only has the 2012 Coachella lineup been announced, but NAMM arrives here in Orange County, California this week and now the GRAMMY Museum has announced an exciting list of programs open to the public.
Here is the official announcement from the Los Angeles-based GRAMMY Museum:

An Evening With Jackie DeShannon
Presented by American Express
Monday, January 30, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we welcome singer-songwriter and music pioneer Jackie DeShannon to the Clive Davis Theater. DeShannon is known for her soulful voice behind two enduring 1960s anthems: Bacharach-David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and her own “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” DeShannon has recorded a diverse range of genres: rock, folk, R&B, country, gospel and jazz. Her songs have been performed by Al Green & Annie Lennox, The Byrds, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Cher , The Carpenters and dozens more. She has collaborated with some of the industry’s best songwriters including Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Van Morrison, John Bettis and Jimmy Page. She was awarded the 1982 Song of the Year GRAMMY for co-writing “Bette Davis Eyes,” and in 2010 was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hear DeShannon, with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , discuss her accomplished career and latest album, "When You Walk In The Room," which features acoustic arrangements of her classic songs. DeShannon will also perform a mini-concert with musicians, take questions from the audience and host rare video highlights.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

The Drop: Ruthie Foster
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, January 31, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
The GRAMMY Museum welcomes soulful singer Ruthie Foster to the Clive Davis Theater to celebrate the release of her new album Let It Burn. Her new release captures her astonishing voice perfectly with a combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Recorded in New Orleans , Foster had support from some of that city’s most respected players including the legendary Meters’ bassist George Porter Jr. Let It Burn features a surprisingly eclectic collection of cover songs ranging from Adele to Los Lobos, and the Black Keys to Johnny Cash. There are also several original tunes by Ruthie, plus collaborations with legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell. Foster’s accomplished career includes a GRAMMY nomination for her 2009 release The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, Austin Music Award winner for Best Folk Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08, and Blues Music Association awards for both Best Contemporary and Best Traditional Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years. Foster will perform a selection of songs, take questions from the audience and discuss, alongside Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Scott Goldman, how the new album is her most personal journey yet.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $15 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Musical Conversation With La Santa Cecilia And
+Paper Fashion with Patssi Valdez
A Special Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945 – 1980 Event
Presented by The GRAMMY Museum and Fowler Museum
Saturday, February 4, 2012; 7:00 p.m.
GRAMMY-nominated La Santa Cecilia—fronted by belter La Marisoul—draws inspiration from a hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music in passionate performances that mesmerize audiences. After an interview moderated by Josh Kun, curator of the PST/GRAMMY Museum exhibition Trouble in Paradise: Music and Los Angeles 1945-75 and director of The Popular Music Project at USC Annenberg’s The Norman Lear Center, La Santa Cecilia will take audience questions and perform a selection of songs.During the post-concert reception, Asco icon Patssi Valdez leads a crunch-and-fold workshop inspired by Asco’s 1970’s-era public appearances as self-made fashionistas in paper gowns and hats. See Valdez ’s work in Mapping Another L.A.: The Chicano Art Movement, which will be open. Reception includes dessert and a cash bar.
$10 for Fowler/GRAMMY Museum members and students; $15 general.
Tickets go on sale Jan 6 @ noon: 213-765-6803. When picking up program tickets at the Box Office Will Call, you may be required to show ID that matches the credit card used to purchase the ticket. Note- this program will be held at The Fowler Museum at UCLA.

An Evening With Glen Campbell
Presented by American Express
Monday, February 6, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we welcome GRAMMY Award-winning country music star Glen Campbell to The GRAMMY Museum. During his remarkable career in show business, which has spanned over 50 years, Campbell has released 70 albums and has sold 45 million records. In 1967, he made GRAMMY history by winning four awards in both the country and pop categories and this year, will be honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. A 2005 inductee into The Country Music Hall of Fame, Campbell has also racked up 12 RIAA Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album. While hits like “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “I Wanna Live” have helped make him a true country music legend, Campbell also gained fame as an actor and host of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. After a brief introduction and tribute to his career by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , Campbell will perform a selection of songs. Guests will hear hits from the past as well as music from Campbell ’s latest release, Ghost On A Canvas, a top-ten pick in USA Today’s “Best of 2011.”
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $30 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Evening With America
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, February 7, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
The GRAMMY Museum is honored to present iconic, GRAMMY Award-winning rock group America. Currently celebrating their 40th anniversary together, America founders Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell have performed approximately 100 shows a year together since their formation in 1970. Sons of U.S. Air Force fathers, the band members met in England when they were students at London Central High School . Their debut album, released in 1971, quickly went Platinum. Five subsequent releases went either Gold or Platinum and their greatest hits compilation reached the four million sales mark. Hear the band, in discussion about their success as hit writers of enduring rock-folk-pop classics, their celebrated 40th Anniversary Tour and the release of Back Pages, their newest album, a collection of glimmering interpretations of timeless songs. After the interview, moderated by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , America will take audience questions and will perform an acoustic set.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 13, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Evening With Michelle Phillips from The Mamas And The Papas
Presented by American Express
Thursday, February 16, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Best known for being one of the singers for the Sixties folk/pop group, The Mamas and the Papas, which she formed in 1965 with Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and John Phillips, California-born Michelle Phillips is the last-surviving member of the iconic group. Having co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits including "Creeque Alley" and " California Dreamin', Phillips became one of the most-recognizable faces in music. After the group disbanded in 1971, Phillips actively pursued an acting career. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in “Dillinger” and got her big TV break in 1987 as Anne Matheson Sumner in the prime-time soap "Knots Landing." Hear Phillips in discussion, along with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , about her expansive career in show business, as well as current endeavors. After the interview, Phillips will take audience questions and will be available for a fan meet and greet.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public onsale is Wednesday, February 8, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

Sights and Sounds: Coachella 2012, The Decemberists, Daryl Hall & Keb Mo'

2012-01-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

While I prep for the arrival of the NAMM Show next week, I still have found time to keep updated on other music-related news and events of note. What follows are highlights from some recent media releases. Read on friends!

2012 COACHELLA UPDATE

Here are details regarding the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival line up and on sale information.
Passes go on sale THIS Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Please visit the NEW www.coachella.com to get familiar with the types of passes available. After a successful layaway offer in June, the only festival pass left for Weekend 1 is the GA Festival Pass/Shuttle Pass Combo. All passes are available for Weekend 2. LAYAWAY IS NO LONGER AN OPTION FOR EITHER WEEKEND.

Between now and this Thursday, January 12, 2012 we strongly advise you to go set up your purchasing account to expedite the purchasing process. To set up your account for Weekend 1 go here or Weekend 2 go here (don't worry, if you decide to get passes for the other weekend you can easily have your account transferred to the other weekend when buying your passes). Already have an account? Go Here to sign in.

In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with the purchasing process ahead of time. You can review the step-by-step instructions on the HOW TO PURCHASE PAGE.

SHUTTLES
If you are not camping on site, please consider riding a shuttle. It will make entering and exiting the festival quick and easy. There are several convenient shuttle lines to choose from.

THE DECEMBERISTS TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM WE ALL RAISE OUR VOICES TO THE AIR (LIVE SONGS 04.11-08.11)
DUE OUT MARCH 13 ON CAPITOL RECORDS

The Decemberists have announced the March 13 release of We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11), a 20-track live double-album (and triple-vinyl set) culled from the band's 2011 tour supporting their chart-topping, Grammy-nominated album The King Is Dead. With songs spanning their entire first decade as a band—from their debut EP 5 Songs through each of their six LP’s—We All Raise Our Voices To The Air is the first-ever live album from a band that has grown into one of rock’s most thrilling live acts.

Before the January 2011 release of The King Is Dead, TIME magazine made the prescient prediction that the album’s release would “mark their crossover to the realm of important American rock groups alongside the likes of Wilco and the White Stripes.” They were proven right when the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. Fueled by the #1 AAA radio hit “Down By The Water”—which is nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards—the album has produced three Top 10 AAA singles (“This Is Why We Fight” and “Calamity Song”) and become the band’s best-selling album of their career, earning them a legion of new fans.

In concert, The Decemberists—lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Colin Meloy, keyboardist & accordionist Jenny Conlee, guitarist Chris Funk, bassist Nate Query, and drummer John Moen, with additional member Sara Watkins on fiddle, guitar and vocals—deliver an unforgettable live experience full of spontaneity. A band of breathtaking versatility, The Decemberists can reach deep into their rich catalog of songs for gorgeous fok-rock gems (“Rise To Me”), murderously driving rockers (“The Rake’s Song”), expansive suites (“The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3”), the worst song Meloy ever wrote (“Dracula’s Daughter”), or epic sea shanties that inspire enthusiastic crowd participation (“The Mariner’s Revenge Song”).

The performances on We All Raise Our Voices To The Air are drawn from 12 different shows at venues including the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Marymoor Amphitheatre in Seattle, and their final two shows at McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheatre in their hometown of Portland, which featured the addition of a horn section that can be heard on several songs.

In a review of the band’s first of three sold-out shows that kicked off the 2011 tour at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, the New York Post wrote that “during this two-hour show, the set spanned the band’s 10-year career, but wisely leaned heaviest on the just-released CD, The King Is Dead. Songs from that record made the best case for why the group should be superstars.”

The track listing for We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) is as follows:

Disc 1
1. The Infanta (5:15)
2. Calamity Song (3:57)
3. Rise To Me (4:55)
4. The Soldiering Life (3:58)
5. We Both Go Down Together (4:30)
6. The Bagman’s Gambit (8:05)
7. Down By The Water (3:59)
8. Leslie Ann Levine(4:15)
9. The Rake’s Song (3:34)
10. The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3 (16:20)

Disc 2
1. Oceanside (3:15)
2. Billy Liar (6:33)
3. Grace Cathedral Hill (4:35)
4. All Arise! (4:30)
5. Rox In The Box (3:15)
6. June Hymn (4:20)
7. Dracula’s Daughter > O Valencia! (5:49)
8. This Is Why We Fight (4:35)
9. The Mariner’s Revenge Song (10:20)
10. I Was Meant For The Stage (10:00)

DARYL HALL’S LIVIN’ THE BLUES WITH KEB' MO’ ON NEXT LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE

DARYL HALL’S LIVIN’ THE BLUES WITH KEB' MO’ ON LANDMARK 50TH EDITION OF LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE, DEBUTING JAN. 15

Blues singer Keb' Mo' Joins Daryl Hall in a set of songs that includes “Cab Driver” and “Everything Your Heart Desires”

To mark the landmark 50th episode of his critically acclaimed web series and syndicated performance show Live from Daryl’s House, Daryl Hall gets back to his own blues and gospel roots with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Keb' Mo'. The latest installment of the Webby Award-winning series debuts on Jan. 15, 2012 at www.lfdh.com.

The Compton, CA-born blues and gospel singer, guitarist and writer started his career playing steel drums and upright bass in a calypso band, before starting to record in the ‘70s with Jefferson Airplane violinist Papa John Creach in an R&B band when he was 21 years old. Keb' Mo' has been nominated for a Grammy six times in his career, winning three, including a spot in this year’s Best Blues Album category for his latest, The Reflection, released last summer on Yolabelle/Rykodisc.

Said Keb Mo of his Live from Daryl’s House experience: "To work with an artist the caliber of Daryl is a great honor. I've admired his work for many years and for me, this was a great honor."

Daryl and Keb' Mo' collaborate on a seven-song set that includes a Hall track, “Cab Driver,” from his 2003 solo album, Can’t Stop Dreaming, as well as the Daryl Hall and John Oates hit single, “Everything Your Heart Desires,” from the 1988 album, Oooh Yeah!

The two also perform five songs from Keb' Mo’s The Reflection, including the hit single, “The Whole Enchilada” and “We Don’t Need It,” which features a video with Camryn Manheim in a poignant interpretation of how family bonds can transcend hard times, with a video that can be seen here: http://bit.ly/sX83gM. Other Keb' Mo' songs featured on this very special 50th Live from Daryl’s House include “All the Way,” “Inside Outside” and “My Baby’s Tellin’ Lies.”

The Reflection is Keb Mo’s first studio release since 2006’s Suitcase, and also marks the first on his newly formed record label Yolabelle International in association with Ryko and Warner Music Group. The self-produced disc features duets with India.Arie and Vince Gill, as well as performances by Dave Koz, Marcus Miller, Mindi Abair and world-renowned studio musician David T. Walker.

The critical acclaim has been overwhelming, with Rolling Stone praising Keb' Mo's "soulful voice and bluesy licks,” and Associated Press declaring, “with bluesy guitars, groovy Hammond Organs, and Keb' Mo’s rich, smoky voice, The Reflection is a warm, mellow ride from start to finish.” Philadelphia Daily News affirms, “You’d need a cold heart and tin ears to remain unmoved by Keb Mo’s new album.”

Keb' Mo' will kick off his latest tour on Jan. 19 at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, KY and conclude it on Feb. 4 at the Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Miami, FL. The tour features many dates in the South, Midwest, as well shows in Texas, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Says Daryl: “Keb' Mo' defines the phrase nice guy" His smooth effortless Soul and blues style works perfectly in my house. Can’t wait to work with him again!”

The past five years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl’s House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony three years ago at N.Y.’s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV last year.

Live from Daryl’s House is syndicated nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions in association with Scott Sternberg Productions and distributor Trifecta Entertainment & Media. Executive producers for the show include Hall and Scott Sternberg along with Daryl Hall manager Jonathan Wolfson.

Live from Daryl’s House is being shown weekly in over 80% of U.S. homes in the nation’s top 200 media markets, as well as all of the top 10, including New York (WPIX), L.A. (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Dallas (KDAF) and Houston (KIAH). The show has also cleared in such key markets as Philadelphia (CBS-owned KYW), Boston (KBIN) and Atlanta (WATL), as well as a number of NBC, Fox and CBS-owned affiliates across the country. Most stations are airing a full hour with two original shows back to back on Saturday nights. The first week of the show did a .2 in national Nielsens, with the second week increasing 50% and several stations adding airings.

The 49 previous episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Booker T and the MGs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Guster, Nick Lowe, Todd Rundgren, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nikki Jean, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Plain White T’s, Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, Fitz & the Tantrums and Neon Trees.

NAMM week brings wealth of shows to The Coach House and other area venues

2012-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Since NAMM is the world's largest music trade show on the planet, it's no surprise that the annual event's arrival at the Anaheim Convention Center (Jan. 19-22, 2012 this year) brings with it a wealth of area concert events.

Indeed, beginning with shows this weekend, venues such as The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, House of Blues Anaheim , the Gypsy Den and The Observatory (both in Santa Ana) all have strong bills reflecting a wide-range of genres. So even those musicians and music fans who can't get into NAMM, there is no excuse to sit out in the cold with so many celebrated players in town performing at everybody-welcome showcases.

The Coach House is offering a full slate of shows NAMM week. Bow Wow Wow kicks things off on Saturday night, Jan. 14. The week gets even better from there with the arrival of rocker Pat Travers and Orange County's own Union of Saints on Sunday, Jan. 15. Americana fans can rejoice when singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams performs on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

One of the world's most celebrated rock guitarists, Steve Morse (of Deep Purple fame pictured on the left), will headline at The Coach House on Friday night, Jan. 20. Morse will be performing with his own band in San Juan Capistrano and this is a rare chance to see the amazing guitarist in such an intimate setting.

Jumping ahead to the final day of NAMM, a so-called "Blues Harp Blowout" featuring Mark Hummel, John Mayall, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado (former frontman for The Robert Cray Band) and Sugar Ray Norcia (founder of The Bluetones) will share the stage on Jan. 22. Fans of the blues and harmonica won't want to miss this one!

All Coach House shows start at 8 p.m., except the Sunday night events featuring Pat Travers and the "Blues Harp Blowout." Call the venue at 949-496-8930 or visit the venue's Web site for more details.

Those looking to catch a show closer to Anaheim Convention Center are in luck. On the eve of the event comes virtuoso guitarist Eric Johnson (pictured on left), who will be performing at House of Blues in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

I've caught Johnson in previous appearances at the aforementioned Coach House and at the Doheny Blues Fest in Dana Point, and he truly is an amazing guitarist. He is touring in support of his latest album, Up Close, and will be backed by bassist Chris Maresh and drummer Wayne Salzmann. Opening will be acoustic guitarist Andy McKee (who amazed when I saw him open for Dream Theater a few months ago in San Diego).

According to a media release that recently landed in my inbox, "Johnson will be performing on a variety of stellar equipment that he fully endorses, including a newly released “Signature Series” speaker by Eminence and” “Fuzz Face” by Dunlop (distortion pedal) retro'd back to Hendrix model."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.ericjohnson.com

Another recommended show coming to House of Blues is a bill featuring Augustana and Graffiti 6 a day earlier (Tuesday, Jan. 17).

Visit the House of Blues site for more details.

On Friday night, Jan. 20, there will be a Benefit for Sweet Relief show featuring The Fallen Stars at Gypsy Den in Santa Ana. This venue is one of my favorites in O.C., featuring great food and drinks, and a wonderful vibe. The Fallen Stars recently released their latest album, the outstanding Heart Like Mine and concertgoers will definitely hear loads of great material from that disc at the show. Visit The Fallen Stars' official site for more details.

Another area concert venue offering shows throughout NAMM is The Observatory in Santa Ana. That site is located just off Harbor Boulevard a few miles south of the Anaheim Convention Center.

Sights and Sounds:John Fogerty, Tim McGraw, Laura Wilde

2012-01-10T06:52:00.001-08:00

Today's exciting announcement revealing the lineup for Coachella 2012 isn't the only thing worth celebrating today. There is plenty more music news to share, including details about singer-songwriter-guitar icon John Fogerty's forthcoming acting debut on The Finder and news on Tim McGraw's latest single.

JOHN FOGERTY CREATES THEME SONG FOR THE NEW FOX SHOW, THE FINDER
GUEST STARS ON SERIES PREMIERE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

SIGNATURE SONG, "FORTUNATE SON," HIGHLIGHTED WITH NEW AND EXCLUSIVE RECORDING FOR EPISODE

AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD AT JOHNFOGERTY.COM FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

John Fogerty guest stars in the series premiere of THE FINDER, Thursday, January 12 (9:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Besides being the legendary rocker's acting debut, he wrote "Swamp Water," the theme song for the show, which marks yet another milestone in an extraordinary career that began with Creedence Clearwater Revival's first release in 1968. Fogerty also recorded a stripped-down version of his signature song "Fortunate Son" specifically for the show. This version will be available for free download at johnfogerty.com for one week only once the episode is over. THE FINDER, which was named the #1 Most Anticipated Show of the new season by TV Guide readers, was created by Hart Hanson, creator of the hit FOX series BONES.

"Here at THE FINDER, we are proud and pleased and still amazed to have enjoined a musician the caliber of John Fogerty to join our company," says Hanson. "John acts in the first episode (and we hope to have him back! He's good.), but plays one of his biggest most beloved hits -- one of my favorite songs of all time. (Hint: my production company would have been called 'Fortunate Son Productions' but somebody beat me to it.)

"And then, on top of all that, somehow we dragooned JOHN FOGERTY to write THE FINDER opening credits theme," he continues. "Yes, that's John playing and singing during our title sequence. John Fogerty is a rock 'n' roll god, an American legend, a true originator and one of the best song writers of all time. When he sang and played on THE FINDER set, we all stood in awed silence and grinned at each other. If just the smallest skritch of John's magic rubs off on us, then we'll be forever grateful."

In the episode, Fogerty has his stolen guitar returned to him by Iraq war veteran Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults). When the guitar is returned, Fogerty thanks Walter and says, "all my songs were in that guitar."

THE FINDER is a production of 20th Century Fox Television. Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson, Dan Sackheim and Vahan Moosekian are executive producers.

John Fogerty is a true American treasure, one of popular music's all-time greatest singers, guitar players, and songwriters. His remarkable career began in his hometown of El Cerrito, California, soon earning massive popular and critical success with the one and only Creedence Clearwater Revival. As leader of CCR, Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock 'n' roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.

After Creedence Clearwater Revival called it quits in 1972, Fogerty embarked on what would prove to be an equally impressive solo career. Among his many honors are induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the BMI Pop Music Awards' prestigious "BMI Icon," and Performance Magazine's "Theater Tour of the Year" Award. In addition, Fogerty and "Centerfield" were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies - the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies.

TIM McGRAW DIGITAL SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM EMOTIONAL TRAFFIC RELEASES TODAY (JANUARY 10)

(Nashville, Tennessee) -- January 10, 2012 – Curb Records is announcing a January 10, 2012 digital single release from the forthcoming new Tim McGraw album Emotional Traffic.

"The One That Got Away" – will be available for single download as the fourth of five song releases planned in advance of the new McGraw studio album which will street on January 24, 2012.

Emotional Traffic reaches retail as a 12 song collection and marks McGraw’s first delivery package of new music since the 2009 release of his Southern Voice album. Included on the album is McGraw’s latest #1 single, Felt Good On My Lips, which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts for three weeks and set a new industry milestone. With a cumulative of 69 weeks at #1 over the course of 32 chart topping single releases, McGraw established a record as the artist with the most weeks at #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart since the chart was established on the Nielsen BDS system in January of 1990.

The much anticipated new McGraw album also features his latest Curb single release "Better Than I Used To Be" which the artist termed “one of the best songs I’ve ever recorded,” in a recent interview.

Curb’s release of "The One That Got Away" on iTunes on January 10 will be followed by the label’s announcement of a fourth single targeted to build market awareness of the new McGraw album coming on January 24.

Information: http://www.timmcgraw.com/

22 YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN ROCKER LAURA WILDE SET TO RELEASE HER DEBUT ALBUM SOLD MY SOUL JANUARY 31, 2012; FIRST SINGLE IS THE TITLE TRACK “SOLD MY SOUL,” WHICH GOES TO RADIO ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012, FOLLOWED BY A SUPER FUN ACCOMPANYING VIDEO; LAURA ALSO OPENS FOR LEIF GARRETT ON HIS FINAL SHOW FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 AT THE WHISKY A GO GO IN HOLLYWOOD

Los Angeles, CA: Laura Wilde’s long-awaited album Sold My Soul is finally dropping on January 31, 2012. Laura will tour and release singles and videos to support the album. Her first show is supporting Leif Garrett in his final live performance at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go on Friday, January 13. “It's truly an honor to be opening for Leif Garrett. My respect goes out to him for being a multi-gold and platinum recording artist and successful actor. I can't wait to meet him and share the stage,” Laura says.

22 year-old Laura has been compared to Lita Ford, Pat Benatar and even Chrissie Hynde. Gorgeous, talented, and tough-yet-feminine at the same time, Laura Wilde and her signature Flying V are set to rock the States and beyond. A gifted songwriter and self-taught musician, Laura s already known in her native Melbourne, Australia, and is looking forward to conquering the US next. I'm so excited to finally be releasing my debut album. It has been the culmination of a lot of hard work...but I'm not popping any champagne corks yet. I'm really keen to get out on the road to promote it. I hope my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I've enjoyed making it!”

The first album cut going to radio is the title track “Sold My Soul,” which has a very cool accompanying video. “The single ‘Sold My Soul’ was the last song I wrote on the album. It's a wish list of all of the places I've been to or would like to visit. It’s really a celebration of my arriving in a new country and wanting to really experience it.... almost like a modern day version of ‘The Wanderer’ by Dion. I'm also really proud that I wrote, recorded and played all of the instruments on it myself.”

“Making the video was so much fun. It depicts a slice of life of being out on the road with the band and the infectious camaraderie we all have amongst each other.”

Laura’s music is explosive, gritty, powerful, fearless and aggressive. Real, true rock n’ roll, which is in short supply, especially from women
“Music is pretty much the only way in which I am able to express my feelings and emotions. Being a musician is my dream job in every sense, and I enjoy all aspects of the process. I love everything from practicing to performing, from songwriting to production. It’s an unbelievably varied and interesting career to be able to pursue, and I'm quite blessed and grateful to have this amazing opportunity to do what I love exactly the way I want to do it.”

Information: http://www.laurawilde.com

Sights and Sounds: Coachella 2012 lineup announced!

2012-01-10T06:37:00.001-08:00

Here it is everybody, the official poster from Goldenvoice for the 13th annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival! When I have more details on ticket sales, I'll be sure to post them here.

See you in Indio in April...

For more information on Coachella, visit http://coachella.com/

'Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story Of L.A. Woman' set for DVD/Blu-ray release

2012-01-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

The Doors are one of the best and most original rock bands of all time, so any time there is news on the band you know I have to share!

THE DOORS TO DEBUT NEWLY DISCOVERED SONG "SHE SMELLS SO NICE" MONDAY, JANUARY 9 VIA THE GROUP'S FACEBOOK PAGE

"THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" UNDERWAY WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC L.A. WOMAN ALBUM

AND NEW DVD/BLU-RAY "MR. MOJO RISIN': THE STORY OF L.A. WOMAN" JANUARY 24, 2012 VIA RHINO AND EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT

DVD TO BE SCREENED FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD WITH ELEKTRA RECORDS' JAC HOLZMAN, ROCK RADIO DJ JIM LADD AND SPECIAL SURPRISE GUESTS

New York, NY --"THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" officially kicks off on Monday, January 9 at noon Eastern when the iconic rock band will officially debut the first new, completely unreleased song in 40 years, "SHE SMELLS SO NICE." The bluesy track captures the band--organist RAY MANZAREK, guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER, drummer JOHN DENSMORE and late singer JIM MORRISON--joyfully barreling through the full-throttle original. Bruce Botnick, the album's co-producer with the band, recently made the discovery while reviewing the L.A. WOMAN session tapes. The song will premiere on the band's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thedoors) on Monday and will then be serviced to radio the following day.

Next up in news from THE DOORS: On Friday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. there will be a one-time special screening of Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman (Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD/Blu-ray) at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA with special surprise guests. Jac Holzman--who signed the group to Elektra Records--and Los Angeles rock radio veteran Jim Ladd will present the film and take questions about the group's final album and legacy afterwards at a public Q&A session.

Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman (Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD/Blu-ray) is told through new interviews with MANZAREK, KRIEGER and DENSMORE as well as Elektra Records founder JAC HOLZMAN, original manager Bill Siddons, engineer/co-producer Bruce Botnick and others. The high-definition video also features live and studio performances as well as rare archival photos. This fascinating documentary contains rare footage of The Doors in the studio and on stage. The documentary was made with the full involvement, approval and cooperation of The Doors.

The group's final album--1971's L.A. WOMAN, with the signature hits "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm"--is being celebrated with a special 40th anniversary two-CD release from Rhino and a behind-the-scenes DVD/Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

In addition to "She Smells So Nice," the second disc of the L.A. WOMAN reissue includes eight never-before-heard versions of songs from the album. Alternate takes of "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm" offer a fresh view on this landmark album, which was the group's sixth straight Top 10. The studio chatter between the songs is a revelation, transporting listeners to The Doors Workshop: the West Hollywood rehearsal space where they recorded the album with Botnick. One segment in particular captures a fascinating moment of inspiration when Morrison suggests they add the now-iconic thunderstorm sound effects to the beginning of "Riders On The Storm."

L.A. WOMAN marked THE DOORS' swan song, as MORRISON would pass away a few months after its release. At the time, Rolling Stone's Robert Meltzer called it "The Doors' greatest album...A landmark worthy of dancing in the streets (5/27/71)." The first band to release eight consecutive platinum albums, THE DOORS were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

For ticket information on the screening, go to: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/the-doors-mr-mojo-risin-the-making-of-la-woman-0

L.A. WOMAN: 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION CD

Track Listing

Disc One:
1. "The Changeling"
2. "Love Her Madly"
3. "Been Down So Long"
4. "Cars Hiss By My Window"
5. "L.A. Woman"
6. "L'America"
7. "Hyacinth House"
8. "Crawling King Snake"
9. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)"
10. "Riders On The Storm"

Disc Two: All Selections Previously Unissued
1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*
2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*
3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*
4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*
5. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*
6. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*
7. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*
8. "She Smells So Nice"*
9. "Rock Me"*

L.A. WOMAN: THE WORKSHOP SESSIONSLP Track Listing

Side One
1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*
2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*
3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*
4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*

Side Two
1. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*
2. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*
3. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*

Side Three
1. "She Smells So Nice / Rock Me"

* Previously unreleased

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock
Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

'It's About You' opens in Los Angeles on January 6

2012-01-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

I can think of few music-minded documentaries that have left me thinking as much about the fusion of art and fame, the frailty of America – and even life itself – as It's About You, a fascinating look at so much more than its subject, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp.

It's About You opens in New York today, and in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2012.
Directed by acclaimed photographer Kurt Markus and his son, Ian Markus, the film chronicles Mellencamp on tour in the summer of 2009 and during those already-legendary recording sessions for his outstanding 2010 album No Better Than This.

And while the film has previously been shown as a kind of opening act at some of Mellencamp's concert dates and at the SXSW festival in 2011, It's About You is an important film that will likely divide fans of both independent film making and Mellencamp so is worth exploring here on Rock 'n' Roll Truth.

This is a 79-minute documentary with virtually no interviews. Indeed, the project began as a kind of creative duel between Mellencamp and Kurt Markus, with the legendary rocker insisting that the film be about Markus, and the legendary photographer (Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, GQ, The New York Times Magazine) adamant that the documentary be about Mellencamp.

In the end, the film sheds its light and shadows on both men and discerning viewers are the better for it.

During his stage performances, as well as in those magical recording sessions around a single microphone at Sun Studios in Memphis, the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia and in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded in the 1930s, it is Mellencamp who takes center stage.

But elsewhere via his articulate narration, powerful black & white photographs, and the wealth of beautifully grainy 8mm footage capturing decaying cities, dying small towns and lonely highways in America's heartland, it is Kurt Markus' voice that emerges loud and clear.
Life is an adventure to be lived.

It's About You is now playing at the IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street in New York. Click here for more information, including showtime and ticket price information.

Beginning Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, It’s About You (not rated) is showing at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA. Call 310-478-3836 or visit visit www.laemmle.com for more information.

My Top Music DVDS of 2011

2011-12-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

I recently posted my top albums of 2011. And as tough as it was to rank my top 10 albums and worthy honorable mentions for the year, it proved to be almost as tough to rank my favorite DVD releases of 2011. So here goes...

1. Bad Company, Live At Wembley (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Recorded live at Wembley Arena in London in 2010 and released on DVD, Blu-ray and audio CD in June 2011, this release caught vocalist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen (original bassist Boz Burrell died in 2006) in perfect form. Some bands find their music becoming more dated with time; this excellent DVD makes a case that Bad Company's rock has never sounded better.

2. Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour ’74 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Eagle Rock Entertainment has been at the forefront of helping champion renewed interest in Rory Gallagher, having issued restored and re-mastered versions of his celebrated catalog throughout 2011. Irish Tour ’74 is a two-hour DVD (also available on Blu-ray) that truly captures what made Gallagher (who died at the mere age of 47 in 1995) so special. On stage he was a fiery presence as he sang and played high-powered electric guitar or acoustic blues with equal fervor, able to get young audiences to their feet with Springsteen-like command. Off-stage he was articulate and focused on his passion making music and the relationship an artist forges with their fans that is as much about life as it is the power of music.

3. Gary Moore, Live At Montreux 2010 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Watching the legendary guitarist Gary Moore in the very last live performance of his life, Live At Montreux 2010 is a release as bittersweet as any issued this year. But there is no better way to celebrate and remember Moore than by watching this wonderful DVD (also available on Blu-ray and on audio CD). In addition to his final 2010 concert (Moore died at age 59 on Feb. 6, 2011), there are four bonus tracks of his performance at Montreux in 1997 among the extras so fans get to see several different versions of "Still Got the Blues" and "Walking By Myself" performed. But the gems of the set are the new tracks he had written for a planned forthcoming 2011 album (sadly, never completed) that are performed here.

4. Sigur Rós, Inni (XL Recordings)
Few modern-rock acts to emerge since the early 1990s have been able to craft music that is as original as it is beautiful. But like England’s Radiohead, Iceland’s Sigur Rós has found its own little niche in the sonic universe, a place where lush symphonic textures, intense live performances that feature singer Jónsi attacking his electric guitar with a violin bow and additional otherworldly sounds please audiences looking for something to call their own. Inni, a three-disc collection featuring a concert DVD (also available on Blu-ray) on one disc and two audio CDs, was recorded and filmed over two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace in late 2008.

5. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition (Reprise Records)
For the past 25 years, Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young have hosted the annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts to benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments. 2011 marked the release of DVD and CD collections highlighting wide-ranging performances captured at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California since the first concert was produced in October 1986. Highlights on the DVD include Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller on the duet "Love Hurts," Fleet Foxes performing "Blue Ridge Mountains," a heart wrenching "Fire and Rain" courtesy of James Taylor," and Elton John and Leon Russell teaming up on "A Dream Come True."

6. AC/DC, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (Warner Home Video)
Titles featuring Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher were not the only bittersweet rock 'n' roll keepsakes to make their way onto DVD and Blu-ray in 2011. More than three decades after Bon Scott's death, his final filmed live concert with AC/DC was finally issued on DVD. The special collector's edition features a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack with the 13-song set that AC/DC performed on stage in Paris in 1979, as well as more than 95 minutes of bonus extras (including haunting interviews and backstage footage with Scott). "Let There Be Rock," indeed.

7. The Rolling Stones, Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
The 2011 release Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 captured the band just weeks after the release of their final tour de force, 1978's Some Girls.
In a loose and freewheeling performance of 17 songs, singer Mick Jagger and company delivered a blistering set featuring most of the highlights from Some Girls (a rowdy “Respectable,” disco-tinged “Miss You” and R&B-flavored “Beast of Burden”), as well as gems such as Chuck Berry‘s “Sweet Little 16″ and rocking versions of the Stones’ own “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

8. Deep Purple, Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
There have been a few examples where bands performing with a full orchestra are effective, with performances by the Moody Blues and Metallica being obvious examples. But often times the approach is nothing more than a silly gimmick that does little to lift the material. Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 is definitely no gimmick. Released as a two-disc CD, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray, this 115-minute concert ranks as one of my favorite live collections released on DVD this year.

9. Peter, Paul and Mary, 25th Anniversary Concert (Shout! Factory)
There was a time in the 1960s when folk music was also popular music. Bob Dylan, the Mamas & the Papas, Donovan and Peter, Paul and Mary were able to compete in an age dominated by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Byrds and other successful rock 'n' roll outfits. The release of Peter, Paul and Mary's 25th Anniversary Concert (originally broadcast over PBS in 1986) captured the trio in winning form, performing powerful versions of "Blowin' In The Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "This Land Is Your Land."

10. Paul Rodgers & Friends, Live at Montreux 1994 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
When one of rock's greatest-ever singers joins forces with an army featuring some of rock's greatest musicians, the results shine. Look no further than Paul Rodgers & Friends Live at Montreux 1994, which finds Paul Rodgers teaming up on a blues-heavy set with Queen's Brian May, Journey's Neal Schon, Toto's Steve Lukather, Black Country Communion's Jason Bonham and many more. Sure, the set features some great versions of Bad Company material, but the emphasis is on the blues. Songs penned or made famous by Robert Johnson ("Crossroads"), Sonny Boy Williamson ("Good Morning Little School Girl") and Willie Dixon ("I'm Ready") take center stage via some fantastic performances here.

Honorable mentions: Waylon Jennings: Live At The US Festival, 1983; Willie Nelson: Live At The US Festival, 1983; The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963-1975; Paul McCartney, The Love We Make; Peter Gabriel: New Blood - Live in London ; Lindsey Buckingham, Songs From the Small Machine: Live In L.A.; Deep Purple, Phoenix Rising; The Jeff Healey Band, Full Circle: The Live Anthology

My Top Albums of 2011

2011-12-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

Between now and December 31st, I plan to provide a few lists looking back at my favorite music of 2011. Kicking things off are my top albums of 2011.

1. Elbow, Build a Rocket Boys!
America is just starting to get familiar with this U.K. export from Manchester. Anchored by the involving “The Birds” and forceful “Neat Little Rows,” this is merely the latest tour de force in a growing list of wonderful masterworks from vocalist Guy Garvey and the band.

2. Glen Campbell, Ghost on the Canvas
If this indeed proves to be his final studio album, the legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist has gone out on top. Campbell, suffering from Alzheimer’s to the point that he’s launched a farewell tour, has somehow tapped into his own mortality to bring his life’s journey to a dramatic close with this set of powerful songs.

3. Radiohead, The King of Limbs
The more subdued electronic textures featured this time may not equal some of the band’s more dramatic efforts, but there is a depth and power to this eight-track disc that reveals its sonic might over time. It’s a dense and challenging album that confirms these pioneering Brits as rock’s most daring and talented modern-day outfit, artfully challenging listeners at every turn.

4. The Zombies, Breathe Out, Breathe In
The oft-underrated ’60s holdovers celebrated their 50th anniversary by releasing one of the finest albums of the year, an amalgam of jazz, pop, rock and psychedelia. Founding members Rod Argent (keyboards) and Colin Blunstone (vocals) continue to deliver the goods live, too. Let’s see if the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys can pull that off in 2012.

5. Ron Sexsmith, Long Player Late Bloomer
Another fantastic collection of poignant material from one of Canada’s greatest and most original tunesmiths. On this album, guitarist Rusty Anderson (most often seen supporting Paul McCartney), keyboardist Jamie Edwards (who works with Aimee Mann) and drummer Josh Freese (anchor for Devo and A Perfect Circle, among others) add firepower to a particularly fine set of songs.

6. The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow
An Americana folk duo wouldn’t seem likely candidates to score commercial success with young audiences in 2011. But then the team of singer-keyboardist Joy Williams and singer-guitarist John Paul White are no mere minimalist music makers. Their debut is a stirring collection of material showcasing marvelous vocal harmonies and inventive songcraft.

7. Colin Hay, Gathering Mercury
I can’t think of many artists who have issued an album as confessional and honest as the latest from Men at Work’s former frontman Colin Hay. Whether singing about growing older (“Invisible”), losing his dad (“Dear Father”) or performing beautiful instrumental works on his guitar (“Goodnight Romeo”), a sense of overall optimism shines through this moving collection.

8. Fountains of Wayne, Sky Full of Holes
Though the modern-day leaders of the power pop movement are sadly not enjoying the commercial success they deserve, I hope music fans of all genres will give their latest full-length a spin. Few bands in recent memory have released anything as lyrically rich as this; there are songs here that capture the ear with a single listen and never let go.

9. Moby, Destroyed
This time the modern electronic-music pioneer mines the creative reaches of his own experiences to create thoughtful, enveloping material inspired by life on the road, lonely nights spent far from home, and cities examined at their quietest. A reflective album that defies easy description, with “Victoria Lucas,” “Lacrimae” and “When You Are Old” among the standouts.

10. David Serby, Poor Man’s Poem
To hear the emotional and poignant songs that fill this set is to be transported back to the Civil War and the American frontier. But rather than simply offer up a retro exercise in Americana folk, L.A. based Serby compiled 10 original songs that resonate with timeless tales of war, loss and the working poor.

Honorable mentions: the Felice Brothers, Celebration, Florida; The Smithereens 2011; Emmylou Harris, Hard Bargain; Bad Company, Live at Wembley; Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes; R.E.M., Collapse Into Now; k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Sing it Loud; Moreland & Arbuckle, Just A Dream. And a special nod to the soundtrack for the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo, featuring stunning music from Sigur Rós’ Jónsi (I opted not to consider that excellent disc only because a few of the tracks had appeared on earlier releases).

Music-minded gift guide: CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, books and more!

2011-12-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

Gift ideas abound this holiday season thanks to a wealth of new books, music DVDs and CDs.

With Christmas and Hanukkah rapidly approaching, you've come to the right place if you are looking for interesting gift ideas for that favorite music fan.

Those purchasing either a three-DVD set or two-CD set from Reprise Records celebrating Neil Young's Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts are not only getting a great compilation, but are helping benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit organization "educating children with severe speech and physical impairments through the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology." The track listings on each of the releases is a bit different, although some performances are found on both. Highlights on the CD collection include an acoustic version of Nils Lofgren performing The Beau Brummels' "Cry Just a Little" and Radiohead's Thom Yorke's version of Young's "After the Gold Rush." The DVD features a wealth of great spots, including performances from David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and of course Mr. Young himself in a performance with R.E.M.

If you are looking for a way to introduce groundbreaking modern music to those whose tastes routinely lack a sense of adventure, try stuffing their stocking with the soundtrack from the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo. Featuring instrumental compositions and songs by jónsi (of Sigur Rós fame), the soundtrack is one of the best albums of the year with its winning blend of experimental sounds and tender symphonic textures.

In my mind, 2011 will forever stand out for two premature goodbyes in the music world. One is the tragic memory of Glen Campbell announcing his battle with Alzheimer's in June and the release of what will likely be his final studio album, the wonderful Ghost On The Canvas (Surfdog Records) in August. The other is the September breakup of R.E.M., despite that the Athens, Georgia band released the wonderful Collapse into Now in March of this year. But while the band didn't set out on a final goodbye tour, singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry (who had left the band in the late 1990s) did release the epic 40-track retrospective Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 - 2011 (Warner Bros.) in November. This epic release really showcases why R.E.M. was so great, and the collection also includes three previously-unreleased songs.

The Rolling Stones' Some Girls ranks as one of my favorite albums from the band, ranking up there with Exile on Main Street. Now the 1978 masterwork has been issued as a deluxe two-disc set, with the original album remastered and featured on one disc while 12 rare and previously-unheard tracks appear on the second disc of bonus material. There are amazing songs here, notably an authentic country tune "We Had It All" (originally recorded by Waylon Jennings) sung by Keith Richards and the rollicking "Claudine."

Although American Laundromat Records' Please Please Please: a tribute to The Smiths isn't the first tribute to Morrissey and Johnny Marr & company, it is definitely one of the more ambitious. Among the far-flung artists who appear on the two-disc collection are Kitten, The Wedding Present, Sixpence None the Richer and Trespassers William.

Long before Coachella set up shop at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, another desert setting hosted a series of groundbreaking concerts in Southern California. The US Festival was held over two magical weekends in 1982 and 1983 at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernadino. Shout! Factory has issued a couple of full-length DVDs from the country music-themed day (June 4, 1983) that celebrate two of the genre's biggest names. Waylon Jennings: Live at the US Festival and Willie Nelson: Live at the US Festival will be treasured titles in the collections of fans of authentic country music.

Speaking of exciting releases from Shout! Factory, look no further than The Grateful Dead Movie released on Blu-ray for the first time in November. The deluxe 2-disc version includes the feature film on Blu-ray and a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus featuring five hours of extras. Co-directed by Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead Movie was originally released in 1977, and captures performances from five October 1974 shows at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom.

More than two decades after the world lost Stevie Ray Vaughan, the guitarist's enduring legacy is celebrated courtesy of author Craig Hopkins' newly-published Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night - His Final Years, 1983-1990. This heavy, 368-page hardcover gem provides the kind of in-depth coverage, stunning images and editorial overview that one of rock's greatest-ever guitarists deserves. A worthy follow-up of the author's Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night His Early Years, 1954-1982 released in 2010.

Earlier this month, I was invited by Sony and Taylor Guitars to a special photography-music event where I was introduced to the latest Sony Cyber-shot and was also treated to a tour of the Taylor Guitars factory in San Diego County. One of the day's highlights was getting to meet and hear a presentation from Bob Taylor, the co-founder of the guitar manufacturer. I really recommend that fans of the acoustic and electric guitar, of popular music and those interested in running any type of business get his new hardcover book Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business. On a related note, I couldn't be happier with the DSC-WX9 Sony Cyber-shot I received at the event. Boasting 16.2 mega pixel images, a 5x optical zoom and the ability to shoot high-def movies with great sound, this is a great camera with the ability to get great footage at live concert events. These amazing cameras retail for under $150 on Amazon.com.

I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday season.

Sights and Sounds: Styx, Blind Boys of Alabama with Daryl Hall, The Twilight Sad

2011-12-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Although the holidays are not quite here yet, announcements about new music releases slated to hit in 2012 are coming fast and furious. Here are some highlights of announcements that have landed in my inbox this week...

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE STYX: THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF 8 LIVE

SIMULTANEOUS DVD, BLU-RAY AND DVD/2CD OUT JANUARY 31, 2012

Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977's The Grand Illusion and 1978's Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31 [Pre-book Order Date January 6, MSRP $29.98 for DVD/2CD, $14.98 for DVD, and $19.98 for Blu-ray]. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.

This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature "Putting On The Show," an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.

Selling millions of records worldwide since their 1972 Chicago inception, Styx have branded themselves as one of the greatest American progressive rock bands. The current line-up consists of James "J.Y." Young (vocals, guitars, keyboards); Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars); Todd Sucherman (drums); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar). Eagle Rock Entertainment has also released their Regeneration, Volume I & II 2CD set, a newly recorded retrospective (release date October 4, 2011).

Track Listing:
1) Intro/1978
2) The Grand Illusion
3) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
4) Superstars
5) Come Sail Away
6) Miss America
7) Man In The Wilderness
8) Castle Walls
9) The Grand Finale
10) Great White Hope
11) I'm Okay
12) Sing For The Day
13) The Message
14) Lords Of The Ring
15) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
16) Queen Of Spades
17) Renegade
18) Keyboard Interlude
19) Pieces Of Eight
20) Aku-Aku

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT ON A SPECIAL 49th EDITION OF LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE

Legendary, Grammy-winning gospel group will join Daryl Hall for a six-song set that includes seasonal classics “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “Born in Bethlehem”

What better way to celebrate this time of year than a visit from legendary, Grammy-winning gospel group, The Blind Boys of Alabama, who join Daryl Hall for a very special 49th edition of Live From Daryl’s House, premiering Dec. 15 exclusively at www.lfdh.com.

“This was a very special show for me, as I have been a fan of The Blind Boys of Alabama since I was about 14 years old,” enthused Daryl about their appearance. “I used to listen to them and groups like them after church on WDAS radio in Philly.”

Daryl joins the group, whose career spans over 70 years, with no signs of diminishing, for a six-song set of seasonal classics which includes “Born in Bethlehem,” “Can You Give Me a Drink,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Last Month of the Year” and “Take the High Road.”

Since forming at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama, in 1939, The Blind Boys continue to tour nationally and internationally with founding member Jimmy Carter singing lead vocals. The group took home the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album four straight years from 2002 to 2005, then were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2009, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The group’s appearance on this month’s installment of the Webby and MTV O Music award-winning Internet series, with Daryl marks a return to Hall’s own foundation in Gospel music.

“They were a big influence on how I approach harmony,” he says. “I can’t believe I got to sing bass with them! They represent my REAL roots!”

The Blind Boys have earned praise for their interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material, and now country, by acclaimed songwriters as varied as Curtis Mayfield, Prince and Tom Waits. They’ve appeared on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the Grammy Awards telecast, 60 Minutes and their own PBS special as well as big-screen appearances in The Fighting Temptations and this year’s HOP. They also have recorded and toured with such diverse acts as Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Lou Reed. They also sport a daily Twitter message #BBwisdom. The group will wrap up an extensive U.S. concert tour, many of them with Nickel Creek’s Sara and Sean Watkins as opening act. Their critically acclaimed May 2011 release, Take the High Road, marked the Blind Boys’ first foray into country gospel, co-produced by Jamey Johnson, featuring guest vocalists Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Lee Ann Womack and the Oak Ridge Boys.

The past five years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl’s House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony two years ago at N.Y.’s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV earlier this year.

Live from Daryl’s House is syndicated on TV nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions in association with Scott Sternberg Productions and distributor Trifecta Entertainment & Media. Executive producers for the show include Hall and Scott Sternberg along with Daryl Hall manager Jonathan Wolfson.

Live from Daryl’s House is being shown weekly in over 80% of U.S. homes in the nation’s top 200 media markets, as well as all of the top 10, including New York (WPIX), L.A. (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Dallas (KDAF) and Houston (KIAH). The show has also cleared in such key markets as Philadelphia (CBS-owned KYW), Boston (KBIN) and Atlanta (WATL), as well as a number of NBC, Fox and CBS-owned affiliates across the country. Most stations are airing a full hour with two original shows back to back on Saturday nights. The first week of the show did a .2 in national Nielsens, with the second week increasing 50% and several stations adding airings.

The 48 previous episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Booker T and the MGs, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Toots Hibbert, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nikki Jean, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Chromeo, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Plain White T’s, soul diva Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, L.A. neo-R&B party band Fitz & the Tantrums, hot new alternative band Neon Trees and veteran alternative mainstays Guster.

THE TWILIGHT SAD TO TOUR IN SUPPORT OF 'NO ONE CAN EVER KNOW'

The Twilight Sad will be embarking on a North American tour following the release of their forthcoming full-length, No One Can Ever Know. The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall and will be available February 7, 2012 via Fat Cat Records.

Freshly inspired by a listening diet of Cabaret Voltaire, Can, Liars, Magazine, Autechre, and Public Image Limited, the band turn to a dark, synth-heavy sound for No One Can Ever Know; the resulting LP shares thematic and sonic space with the most innovative offerings from Depeche Mode, The Cure, or even Nine Inch Nails.

As made clear already by widely-spread preview track "Kill It In The Morning" (dubbed "slightly evil-sounding" by Pitchfork) and first single "Sick" (which, according to Stereogum "ticks with post-Radiohead guitar and dread") The Twilight Sad's third full-length, No One Can Ever Know, marks a sonic shift for the band.

TWILIGHT SAD TOUR DATES

Feb 23 Washington DC – Rock and Roll Hotel

Feb 24 Philadelphia PA – Johnny Brenda's

Feb 25 Brooklyn NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

Feb 26 Allston MA – Brighton Music Hall

Feb 28 Montreal QC – Il Motore

Feb 29 Toronto ON – Lee’s Palace

Mar 01 Grand Rapids MI – Pyramid Scheme

Mar 02 Chicago IL – Empty Bottle

Mar 03 Minneapolis MN – 7th Street Entry

Mar 05 San Diego CA – Casbah

Mar 06 Los Angeles CA – The Echo

Mar 07 San Jose CA – The Blank Club

Mar 08 San Francisco CA – The Independent

Mar 10 Seattle WA – Tractor Tavern

Mar 11 Portland OR – Doug Fir Lounge

Mar 14 – Mar 18 Austin TX – SXSW

Andrea Bocelli delights fans at Honda Center

2011-12-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

My review was originally published on the Orange County Register site earlier today.

Live review: Andrea Bocelli at Honda Center

Pity the fools who spent anywhere from $75 to $375 for tickets to attend Andrea Bocelli’s seemingly sold-out concert at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday night, only to arrive after he had delivered some of the night’s most memorable moments.

Because the concert was divided into two parts, the first half of the night allowed the adored 53-year-old Italian tenor to showcase his love of opera through popular selections from Verdi, Puccini and Gounod. Yet I couldn’t believe that even 30 minutes into the program, some attendees were still just making their way to their seats and disrupting other concert-goers’ experience.

Many of the selections featured were ones familiar to those who have caught the singer at the Ducks home in the past, including last year’s holiday-themed appearance. But Bocelli’s warm and soaring tenor, radiant smile and genuine connection with both the audience and the other musicians on stage made for a magical night. Adding to the decisive factor was the clarity of the vocal amplification of Bocelli, sopranos Ana Maria Martinez and Heather Headley, as well as the orchestra and chorus.

After conductor Eugene Kohn led the large symphony plus the Cal Voce Singers through the “Triumph Chorus” from Verdi’s Aida, the popular tenor took the stage to deliver “La mia letizia infondere,” the first of many popular arias, songs and sacred songs he would perform over the course of the night.

As Bocelli offered a bit of something for everyone (opera, popular song, holiday fare), one didn’t have to wait long to hear a favorite style or selection from Bocelli’s increasingly wide discography. (His latest, Concerto: One Night in Central Park, a document of his September show in NYC, was released last month.)
This writer’s taste is decidedly in the world of opera, and Bocelli didn’t disappoint. Highlights included his ever-popular ease with Verdi’s “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto and a heartfelt duet with Martinez on the beautiful “O soave fanciulla” from Puccini’s La Boheme.

Connecting with an audience as large as the one that nearly filled Honda Center isn’t easy – even when armed with a wonderful voice and backed by a large orchestra – so it didn’t hurt that a large curtain behind the stage, plus two large screens positioned on the sides, projected footage of the performers as well as artful imagery enhancing the experience.
The second half of the concert allowed Bocelli to continue to showcase his tenor – including sustained high notes – in a mix of sacred and holiday songs (notably his affecting “Adeste fidelis” from 2009′s My Christmas album) and popular tunes such as “More (Ti Guardero Nel Cuore)” and “O sole mio.” Headley was featured on a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Over the Rainbow” that, while technically brilliant, was still a bit over-the-top. The Grammy- and Tony-winning soprano’s voice was better utilized on a duet with Bocelli, “Canto della terra.”

Other standouts from the second half included “Ave Maria,” with Bocelli both singing and playing flute, and an incredible version of “Amazing Grace” that began with him singing in a hushed voice to the quiet accompaniment of strings. The song built slowly and effectively, with the repeated lines “was blind, but now I see” particularly poignant.

The night ended with a captivating encore that extended the eclectic theme. As he performed an upbeat version of “New York, New York,” images of Bocelli greeting fans and visiting various sites in the Big Apple were displayed. Martinez then joined him for a high-powered version of the popular “Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partiro)” before the star came out to cap off the night with a potent “Nessun dorma” from Turandot.

Scott Weiland delivers yuletide dud in Santa Ana

2011-12-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

Photos courtesy of Ida Miller

Bah, Humbug!

Ebenezer Scrooge returned from the grave last night.

Maybe rocker Scott Weiland thought he was bringing a bona fide holiday gift to The Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana on Thursday night in support of his recently-released The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but for the majority of the crowd who were gone before the Stone Temple Pilots frontman came to his encore just before midnight, Marley's Ghost would well have been a welcome sight.

I can remember only a handful of shows as bad or odd as the Weiland's Christmas-minded Dec. 8 concert. In fact, the whole affair had me actually bursting out in uncontrollable laughter during "I'll Be Home For Christmas" because I simply couldn't believe how awful it was.

Doing his best to mine a 1960s-era Dean Martin/Rat Pack/cocktail lounge vibe or something, Weiland's baritone rarely hit its artistic mark (and frequently even the right notes) despite the dozen or so talented musicians sharing the stage with the one-time area resident (he attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach). Taking the stage in a sleek white dinner jacket and sipping a can of a popular energy drink, at least Weiland looked cool.

Although there were an endless series of low points throughout the 70-minute concert (yes, there were no opening acts on the bill and Weiland didn't take the stage until about 10:45 p.m.), the reggae-styled version of "O Holy Night" was dreadful. I kept thinking of Johnny Mathis' great version and Daryl Hall's amazing soul-drenched working of the affecting classic, and wondered "What was Weiland thinking?"

About the only highlight (and I'm being generous here) was his duet with guitarist-vocalist Doug Grean on “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” conjuring up the famous televised version featuring Bing Crosby and David Bowie immortalized in a 1977 television special.

Even a version of STP's “Vasoline” performed near the end of the night couldn't bring any real Christmas cheer to the proceedings.

Ask me about the Grinch and I'll tell you about a certain singer who stole Christmas. Big time.

Sights and Sounds: Pat DiNizio, Otis Taylor, Amos Lee

2011-12-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

It is the season of giving, with The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio, blues great Otis Taylor and singer-songwriter Amos Lee all set to celebrate 2012 in style. Here are highlights that Santa has dropped off in my inbox over the past day or so...

The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio Brings Rock History to Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Pat DiNizio , lead singer of The Smithereens, launches his latest show entitled Confessions of a Rock Star at Riviera Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The production is a hybrid of a one-man show, rock concert and multimedia event covering DiNizio's 32-year career in rock and roll.

A live band performs the hits that shaped DiNizio's childhood, paying tribute to his musical heroes such as Buddy Holly and The Beatles, and includes chart-topping songs from The Smithereens. Video screens show rare footage and photos that accompany the musical journey from life in New Jersey to rock and roll stardom.

"This show is a chance for me to pay tribute to the kings of rock and roll," says DiNizio. "After more than three decades of performing, I am excited to bring this experience to the Las Vegas Strip and Riviera Hotel & Casino."

"I have been a long-time fan of The Smithereens and having Pat DiNizio perform six nights a week at the Riviera is great for music lovers," said Andy Choy , president and CEO of Riviera Hotel & Casino. "Pat has a very interesting story to tell, from his humble beginnings to performing in Las Vegas ."

The Smithereens hit the rock charts with "Blood and Roses," "Only a Memory" and "A Girl Like You".
Tickets to Confessions of a Rock Star are $29.95 and can be purchased at the Riviera box office, online at www.RivieraHotel.com or at 702-794-9433. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday – Monday nights.

About The Riviera Hotel & Casino
Celebrating more than 55 years of non-stop entertainment, the newly renovated Riviera Hotel & Casino is one of the iconic casino and hotel destinations in Las Vegas . With more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 160,000 square feet of convention space, the Riviera brings a rich tradition of quality, service and hospitality excellence. Located on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, the Riviera features the only bingo room on the Strip, headlining entertainment, wonderful dining options and more than 100,000 square feet of casino space. For more information, visit www.RivieraHotel.com.

Otis Taylor’s Contraband set for release February 13, 2012

Pedal steel player Chuck Campbell (left) and Otis Taylor jam on the Renaissance Stage during the second half of the 13th annual Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point in May 2010.

Otis Taylor isn’t defined by any single category. A musical alchemist and a true innovator, Taylor has never been afraid to experiment beyond the blues tradition.

The subject matter on his new CD, Otis Taylor’s Contraband, set for release February 13 on Telarc, is familiar terrain as he sings of love, social injustices, personal demons and war.

The album takes its title from an article that appeared in Preservation Magazine about runaway slaves who during the American Civil War escaped to the Union lines at Fort Monroe, VA. Known as “contraband,” they lived in camps where conditions were often worse than life on the plantation.

On Otis Taylor’s Contraband, the iconoclastic bluesman is reunited with several longtime collaborators including Ron Miles on cornet, pedal steel guitarist Chuck Campbell, djembe player Fara Tolno, fiddler Anne Harris and the Sheryl Renee Choir. Bass is handled by Taylor’s daughter Cassie and Todd Edmunds.

Information: http://www2.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Otis-Taylor/

AMOS LEE TO RELEASE B-SIDES EP, AS THE CROW FLIES, ON FEBRUARY 14TH, 2012

EP Includes Six Tracks From The Mission Bell Recording Sessions Featuring Lee Backed By Members of Calexico

Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee will release a six-song collection of previously unheard songs as a CD, digital, and 10”-vinyl EP, entitled As The Crow Flies, on February 14, 2012. The songs were recorded during the sessions for Lee’s critically acclaimed album Mission Bell, which was produced by Calexico frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns. The tracks on As The Crow Flies are also produced by Burns and feature musical backing by Burns and Calexico drummer John Convertino.

Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and Billboard Rock Albums charts when it was released in January 2011, earning the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter the highest chart position and best sales week of his career. Earning critical raves from scores of media outlets, the album also spawned the Triple A radio hit “Windows Are Rolled Down,” which gave Lee his first-ever No. 1 single.

In other Lee news, on November 19th, PBS began airing ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival featuring the genre’s established and rising artists performing at the 10th Americana Music Association Honors and Awards ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, where Lee joined a line-up that included Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Civil Wars, and The Avett Brothers.

This month, Lee wraps up an amazing year with his final live performances of 2011, which include an appearance at KBCO’s Holiday Concert Series in Denver with Brett Dennen on December 9, and two shows with one of Lee’s heroes, singer-songwriter John Prine, on the 16th and 17th. Lee also recently captured an amazing performance at Tucson’s historic Fox Theatre with members of Calexico for the upcoming fourth season of Public Television’s hit program Live From The Artists Den with the episode due to air in early 2012. For a sneak peek, watch the trailer here: http://artistsden.com/2012/. In January Lee heads to Europe for two-sold out shows in Amsterdam, as well as shows in Paris and London — all with support from The Punch Brothers. Please see below for details.

The track-listing for As The Crow Flies is as follows:

“The Darkness”

“Simple Things”

“Say Goodbye”

“May I Remind You”

“Mama Sail To Me”

“There I Go Again”

Lee’s upcoming tour dates are as follows:

12/09 Denver, CO Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre (w/Brett Dennen)

12/16 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre (w/John Prine)

12/17 New Orleans, LA Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts (w/John Prine)

01/16 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/17 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/19 Paris La Cigale (w/The Punch Brothers)

01/21 London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (w/The Punch Brothers)

For more information:
www.amoslee.com

Sights and Sounds: Ringo Starr, Guy Clark, Secret Music

2011-12-06T06:17:00.001-08:00

Although 2011 is still in motion, I'm already getting wind of exciting releases set to hit in 2012. So I'll kick things off today with an exciting news release on the aptly-titled Ringo 2012 and an update about a wonderful tribute to Guy Clark and Secret Music.

HIP-O Records/UMe PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF RINGO STARR - RINGO 2012 ON JANUARY 31, 2012

Ringo Starr’s 17th solo studio record, and his second on Hip-O/Ume will be released on January 31, 2012 in the United States (Internationally, January 30, 2012.)

Titled simply Ringo 2012 and produced by Ringo, it was recorded in LA and mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar, and features 9 songs.

Of the 9 tracks two are covers, “Think It Over,” and “Rock Island Line” and two are new versions of his own songs, “Wings” and “Step Lightly.”

The track listing is as follows:

1. Anthem (Richard Starkey/Glen Ballard)
2. Wings (Richard Starkey/Vince Poncia)
3. Think It Over (Buddy Holly/Norman Perry)
4. Samba (Richard Starkey/Van Dyke Parks)
5. Rock Island Line (Arrangement by Richard Starkey)
6. Step Lightly (Richard Starkey)
7. Wonderful (Richard Starkey/Gary Nicholson)
8. In Liverpool (Richard Starkey/Dave Stewart)
9. Slow Down (Richard Starkey/Joe Walsh)

Joining Ringo in the studio for Ringo 2012 were musicians (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, Edgar Winter.

Ringo 2012 will be released digitally, on CD and vinyl.

This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark Street Date Today

Double CD set celebrates Clark's 70th birthday

Includes recordings by Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris & John Prine, Patty Griffin, Ron Sexsmith, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, and more.

Produced by Tamara Saviano and Shawn Camp
December 6, 2011

Houston's Icehouse Music has released This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark to celebrate Clark's 70th birthday. Clark was born in Monahans, Texas on November 6, 1941. The double-CD set is available nationwide today.

The collection was lovingly produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Tamara Saviano (Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster)—who is also working with Clark on his definitive biography—and frequent Clark co-writer Shawn Camp ("Sis Draper," "Magnolia Wind").

The tribute includes 30 tracks by 33 Americana artists who are friends and colleagues of Clark or who have been influenced by his remarkable compositions. The collection was mixed and mastered by Austin's Cedar Creek Records principal Fred Remmert.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.

Guy Clark’s poetry resonates deeply with his fellow songwriters.

“Guy’s songs are literature,” says Lyle Lovett, among the venerable artists who eagerly gathered for This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark. “The first time I heard Guy Clark, I thought it made everything I’d heard up to that point something other than a song. His ability to translate the emotional into the written word is extraordinary.”

Accordingly, Clark’s most vibrant (“Instant Coffee Blues”) and vivid vignettes (“Desperadoes Waiting for a Train”) reel with cinematic landscapes (“The Last Gunfighter Ballad,” “The Cape”). Novellas frequently unfold within minutes (“Better Days,” “She Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere”).

Clark’s singular storytelling chills with striking familiarity (“The Dark”). “Songs are like Japanese painting,” he explains. “Less is more. One brushstroke takes the place of many if you put it in the right place. I’m trying to get whoever is listening to think, ‘Oh, man, I was there. I did that. I know what that’s about.’ Too many details take away.” Clark’s add volumes. Remember that old blue shirt? Mad Dog margarita? June bug on the window screen?

Of course, our passions forever burn brighter for the flour sack cape. Few capture courage as timelessly. “Guy Clark is like a dancer with the way he talks and a photographer with the way he writes,” noted Texas indie artist Terri Hendrix says. “He’s the epitome of American songwriting.”

Clark’s watercolor imagery blueprints his legend, but generosity ultimately cements his legacy. For four decades, the longtime Nashville resident, whose own Grammy-nominated Somedays the Song Writes You (2009) soars as seamlessly as his hallmark debut Old No. 1 (1975), has cultivated songwriting talent enthusiastically. His matchless eye yields high dividends: Americana royalty Shawn Camp, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Vince Gill and Lovett barely begin the list he’s given sea legs. Young writers today immediately earn credibility with his stamp.

“Guy is the king in a lot of ways,” says rising songwriter Hayes Carll, who has split pages in the storied basement workshop where Clark writes and builds guitars. “I think everybody who was around Guy learned a lot from him and I think the entire music world is indebted to him for what he taught other writers. Everybody who had a chance to learn from him came away a better writer. He gave me a shot before I deserved one.” As friends say, Clark’s a curator, a creative caretaker. He celebrates high watermarks that others achieve.

This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark returns the favor. Artists brought two key instruments: a guitar and profound reverence. Individual investments quickly emerged. Perhaps most notably, Gill claims a haunting bond. “Giant tears were falling all over my guitar as we were playing,” the country star remembers about serving as guitarist on Clark’s original “Randall Knife” recording nearly thirty years ago. “My dad was a lawyer, and he died when I was forty. Guy and I are tied at the hip through that song.”

“Let’s give her a good go and make ol’ Guy proud of us…” said Rodney Crowell kicking off the collection on the first day as he readied to record "That Old Time Feeling." The double CD set was recorded live in studio with a core house band that included multi-instrumentalist Shawn Camp, guitarist Verlon Thompson, & pianist Jen Gunderman. The tribute was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas with a rotating cast of other musicians including multi-instrumentalist Lloyd Maines, bass players Glenn Fukunaga, Mike Bub and Glenn Worf, and drummers Kenny Malone and Larry Atamanuik.
Folks mostly laughed throughout the sessions. Swapped stories. Enjoyed company. Picked and grinned like those dusky evenings over at Guy and Susanna’s near Old Hickory Lake in the 1970s. Fittingly, Crowell issued our collective mission statement the very first day. We think you’ll agree everyone succeeded.

Volume 1

1. That Old Time Feeling – Rodney Crowell
2. Anyhow I Love You – Lyle Lovett
3. All He Wants Is You – Shawn Colvin
4. Homeless – Shawn Camp
5. Broken Hearted People – Ron Sexsmith
6. Better Days – Rosanne Cash
7. Desperadoes Waiting For A Train – Willie Nelson
8. Baby Took A Limo To Memphis – Rosie Flores
9. Magdalene – Kevin Welch
10. Instant Coffee Blues – Suzy Bogguss
11. Homegrown Tomatoes – Ray Wylie Hubbard
12. Let Him Roll – John Townes Van Zandt II
13. The Guitar – Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
14. Cold Dog Soup – James McMurtry
15. Worry B Gone – Hayes Carll

Volume 2

1. Dublin Blues – Joe Ely
2. Magnolia Wind – Emmylou Harris & John Prine
3. The Last Gunfighter Ballad – Steve Earle
4. All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad – Verlon Thompson
5. The Dark – Terri Hendrix
6. LA Freeway – Radney Foster
7. The Cape – Patty Griffin
8. Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kris Kristofferson
9. Texas Cookin’ – Gary Nicholson, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien
10. Stuff That Works – Jack Ingram
11. Randall Knife – Vince Gill
12. Texas 1947 – Robert Earl Keen
13. Old Friends – Terry Allen
14. She Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere – The Trishas
15. My Favorite Picture of You – Jerry Jeff Walker

Check out our YouTube videos:

Worry B Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ziW5e0494

Stuff that works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npG3ngu49GA

SECRET MUSIC’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT OUT MARCH 6 ON BLACK BELL RECORDS

“Ramshackle indie rock duo Secret Music builds their frenetic pop around simple, catchy synth or guitar lines” –Stereogum

“Secret Music: Some secrets weren’t meant to be kept… Secret Music has all the potential to bust out the next dorm party anthem.”-The Aquarian Weekly

“Secret Music is a bit of a misnomer, as the band seems to be getting more and more attention around the internet.”-One Thirty BPM

“Secret Music sounds sorta like TV on the Radio and Animal Collective f@#@ed and had a possibly awesome rock baby.”-Chunkyglasses.com

“This[“T.O.Y.S”] could very well be the greatest music video ever made!”-CultureBrats.com

Black Bell Records is thrilled to announce the March 6, 2012 release of the self-titled debut from rising duo, Chase Nicholl and Daniel Fry a.k.a Secret Music. The rowdy, “play it now, bring the noise” album is highly anticipated after the release of “T.O.Y.S,” the ridiculously energetic and contagious first single off Secret Music. The single’s vibrant video, which brilliantly complements the song’s get-up-and-go lyrics, was directed by TV CARNAGE; whose library of hundreds of hours of bad TV and films over the past 25 years turned into an outrageous and humorous montage of nostalgic clips for the “T.O.Y.S” music video.

“T.O.Y.S” is currently available for FREE and can be downloaded on the band’s site HERE.

The band’s distinct, boisterous sound was captured by producer and synth mastermind Ayad Al Adhamy of Passion Pit. Ayad is also the founder of Black Bell Records, in partnership with Warner Music’s Independent Label Group, who signed Secret Music earlier this year. Ayad started Black Bell Records in 2010 and has since then released The Joy Formidable’s 8-song EP A Balloon Called Moaning, and DOM’s single and 7” “Bowl Cut” featuring Cults, which he also produced. Together, Ayad and the guys from Secret Music gave their blood, sweat and tears in his Brooklyn basement studio, where they innovatively crafted the band’s 10 song record to perfectly emphasize Secret Music’s wild core.

"We just took demos in and Ayad untied the knots. Whatever didn't feel right just got left behind, till we found ourselves exactly where we needed to be,” says Daniel. “For a dude who’s known for synth wizardry, he rips the guitar. It was just awesome how he instantly got the vibe that we've always intended for Secret Music."

The debut showcases Chase and Dan’s simultaneously sung verses and memorable, untamed pop choruses, which is fueled by heart-pounding synth melodies and magnetic guitar riffs. The vocals for the entire LP were artistically recorded through pay phones receivers, slyly stolen by Chase and Dan from the hustlin’ streets of Bed-Stuy at 4am-the only Secret Music way.

Secret Music’s purely unique high-energy sound, and quirky lyrics of time traveling, space pirates, and crazy nights full of belligerence transport the listener to a chaotic party. A party where there are no rules, no regrets and Secret Music makes your drink taste better.

Secret Music track listing:
1-Ghost In The Graveyard 3.37

2-T.O.Y.S. 3.09

3-Gulliver 3.00

4-Its Ok 3.45

5-Floozies 4.36

6-Hard 2 No 4.02

7-Top Drop 4.35

8-Stripper 3.42

9-Tidal Lunacy 4.13

10-Bloodied Up 4.37

www.secretmusicband.com

Sights and Sounds: The Beatles, Coldplay, VCMG, Omnivore Recordings

2011-11-27T17:05:00.000-08:00

Anytime you can work in exciting news and updates about The Beatles, Coldplay and two of the original members of Depeche Mode, well the day looks like a good one.

Louise Harrison To Discuss The Early Years of The Beatles and The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings: 50th Anniversary Edition

2-CD Set This Week on CBS Early Show, NPR’s The Takeaway,
VH1 Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, and more

Louise Harrison will travel to New York this week to promote the recent release of THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition and share her memories of The Beatles and her brother, George. An integral part of the band’s breakthrough in America, where she had been living when the group released their first single, Louise is credited with working tirelessly to get their song played on American radio for the first time. Her interviews in New York with media outlets including the CBS Early Show, NPR program The Takeaway, VH1’s Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, The Fox Business Channel, Better TV, and many more will coincide with the 10th anniversary of George Harrison’s death.

As one of the earliest supporters of The Beatles, it is fitting that Louise Harrison speak about their first recordings, captured in the new double-disc collection. Released by Time Life on November 8, 2011, THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition is a remarkable story, told through music, mementos and words, of a band on the cusp of changing music and pop culture forever. The collection is a fascinating and comprehensive view of one of the most important yet overlooked moments in Beatles history.

Entertainment Weekly noted that the set “hints at the greatness to come” while calling Harrison’s “Cry For a Shadow” one of its best tracks. Along with the songs, the box set includes a deluxe booklet which presents an in-depth look into the beginnings of one of the greatest and most influential groups in pop music history. The historical text by Beatles scholar Hans Olaf Gottfridsson is brought to life with rare and candid photos by Astrid Kirchherr, copies of contracts, and personal biographies handwritten by each member in 1961. The earliest days of The Beatles have never been revisited in such detail.

The set includes every recording they made for German producer Bert Kaempfert and Polydor in 1961 and 1962 and feature Tony Sheridan on lead vocals, a decision made by Kaempfert. However, John Lennon sings lead vocals on “Ain’t She Sweet,” and George Harrison plays an instrumental, “Cry For A Shadow.” Multiple versions have been released throughout the past several decades – some in mono, some in stereo – each with distinctly different sounds. Most notably, the US versions of these tracks were overdubbed with another guitar player and drummer in an attempt to mirror the edgier sound the group had evolved into, unbeknownst to American fans at the time of their release in 1964. All versions of every track, including mono and stereo mixes, are included in the double disc set, remarkable in their difference but all bearing the same unmistakable sound of a wholly new kind of band.

RING IN 2012 WITH COLDPLAY!

Photo credit: Sarah Lee

COLDPLAY NEW YEAR'S EVE: AN AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SPECIAL

90-MINUTE PBS CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA IS AUSTIN CITY LIMITS' FIRST-EVER NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL

Austin City Limits (ACL), the world's longest-running live music television series, is ringing in the new year with a stunning performance by Coldplay. The first-ever ACL New Year's Eve special -- a rare 90-minute episode -- is viewable on PBS stations nationwide on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at 11 p.m. (check local listings). Coldplay New Year's Eve: An Austin City Limits Special can also be viewed on demand on pbs.org starting at 11 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2011.

Coldplay's second appearance on ACL's stage is another milestone for the historic show and a one-of-a- kind episode with the band's unique production.

"We decided to go big with Coldplay - really big. So we came up with the idea of celebrating New Year's Eve with a 90-minute special. All the hits plus their brand new songs," said Executive Producer Terry Lickona. "It'll be a great way to kick off 2012!"

The New Year's Eve special comes on the heels of the release of the band's new album, Mylo Xyloto, which has charted at No. 1 in 32 countries. It also hit the No. 1 spot in all 35 iTunes stores around the world, breaking the record for the highest number of download sales in one week - a milestone Coldplay first achieved in 2008 with the release of Viva La Vida. Mylo Xyloto is Coldplay's third consecutive studio album to debut atop both The Billboard 200 and the U.K. album chart.

The ACL New Year's special highlights the mid-point of season 37 -- the first season taped entirely in ACL's new home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, a full-time music venue and state-of the-art production facility. The remaining five episodes of the season will air in early 2012.

Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at www.austincitylimits.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our blog for up-to-date information.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SEASON 37 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

(Check local listings for exact dates and times.)
December 31, 2011 Coldplay
January 7, 2012 The Head and The Heart / Gomez
January 14, 2012 Arcade Fire
January 21, 2012 Fleet Foxes / Joanna Newsom
January 28, 2012 Florence + the Machine / Lykke Li
February 4, 2012 Wilco

VCMG

VINCE CLARKE AND MARTIN L. GORE ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF BRAND NEW COLLABORATION

After 30 years working their retrospective ongoing music projects Vince Clarke (Erasure / Yazoo / Depeche Mode) and Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) come together for the first time since 1991 as VCMG to release a brand new album preceded by a series of EPs.

VCMG is the fruit of initially tentative discussion and subsequent enthused collaboration where Vince and Martin, both influential as pioneers in electronic music, get to exercise their lifelong love of the genre as the techno inspired VCMG.

As Vince explains: “I’ve been getting into and listening to a lot of minimal dance music and I got really intrigued by all the sounds… I realised I needed a collaborator… so it occurred to me to talk to Martin.”

Says Gore: "Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Vince just saying, 'I'm interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?' This was maybe a year ago. He said, 'No pressure, no deadlines,' so I said, 'OK’.”

The writing and recording of the album was done in a typically unique way with the pair working alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email, exchanging files until the album was ready. It was in May 2011 that the pair met for the first time to discuss the project when they both performed at Short Circuit presents Mute festival in London.

The album (title to be announced soon) was produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore and mixed by the influential Californian electronic artist Überzone / Q and will be released in early 2012.
The first release is an EP entitled Spock. EP1 / SPOCK will feature remixes from Edit-Select, aka Tony Scott, the UK DJ / producer and founder of EditSelect Records whose previous remix credits include Speedy J, Death In Vegas and Gary Beck; Regis, British techno musician Karl O’Connor, member of the Sandwell District collective and co-founder of Downwards Records); Zak aka DVS1, founder of Hush Records and one of the most prominent figures in US dance music counts techno innovator Derrick May amongst his biggest fans, with his second ever release on May's own Transmat plus XOQ, the alter ego of Überzone / Q, who mixed the VCMG album.

EP1/SPOCK will be available initially as a global exclusive on Beatport on November 30, 2011 and then on all DSPs December 13, 2011.

OMNIVORE RECORDINGS TO RELEASE TRIO OF NEW RECORDINGS

30th ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF RICHARD THOMPSON'S LONG OUT-OF-PRINT INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM STRICT TEMPO! CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE NOVEMBER 29

INFLUENTIAL POWER-POP BAND JELLYFISH'S ONLY TWO STUDIO ALBUMS

BELLYBUTTON AND SPILT MILK LIMITED EDITION LP RELEASE JANUARY 10

ALEX CHILTON'S FIRST SOLO RECORDINGS FREE AGAIN: THE "1970" SESSIONS

LIMITED EDITION LP, OPEN EDITION LP, CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE JANUARY 10

OMNIVORE RECORDINGS WEBSTORE NOW OPEN

LIMITED EDITION BIG STAR THIRD [TEST PRESSING EDITION] LP ON SALE NOW!

Omnivore Recordings has announced the upcoming releases for a trio of new recordings including the 30th Anniversary reissue of Richard Thompson's long out-of-print instrumental recording Strict Tempo! on November 29; followed on January 10, 2012 by influential power-pop band Jellyfish's two studio albums Bellybutton and Spilt Milk; and also on January 10, 2012, Free Again: The "1970" Sessions by Alex Chilton - the musical architect of The Box Tops and Big Star.

Richard Thompson "Strict Tempo!" CD/Digital - November 29, 2011

For more than 40 years Richard Thompson has been the guitarists' guitarist, the songwriters' songwriter, and a consummate artist. As a founder of the legendary British folk-rock group Fairport Convention, through the '70s releases with his then-wife, Linda Thompson, to his highly successful solo career and work as a session player for other artists, Thompson has left behind a trail of recordings and compositions nearly unequaled in modern music history. His solo career can be traced to 1972's Henry The Human Fly, after which he went on to record a string of critically acclaimed albums with Linda Thompson. It wasn't until 1981 that Thompson released another solo album, this time it was called Strict Tempo! and, not surprisingly, due to his gifts as an instrumentalist, was an instrumental album that showcased his extraordinary talents by Thompson playing all instruments himself, accompanied only by former Fairport bandmate Dave Mattacks on drums/percussion.

Strict Tempo! was originally released on Thompson's own imprint, Elixir, in 1981 and later reissued by the Hannibal label but has been out of print for some time. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this dexterous collection of traditional jigs and reels-with an original Thompson composition and a Duke Ellington cover thrown in for good measure. Omnivore Recordings is proud to celebrate the reissue of this recording with a CD release packaged in a special limited edition "greeting card" digipack (after which will be available in standard jewel case), featuring new notes on each song by Thompson. Additionally, Strict Tempo! will be made available for the first time digitally, all on November 29th.

Jellyfish "Bellybutton" LP and "Spilt Milk" LP - January 10, 2012

On January 10, Omnivore Recordings will release influential power pop band Jellyfish's debut album Bellybutton and follow up Spilt Milk exclusively on vinyl LP.The only two full-length studio albums in the band's short, storied history, each release has been cut directly from the album's original analog masters. Distributed by EMI, this will be the first time Bellybutton and Spilt Milk will be made commercially available in the U.S. on vinyl.

Bellybutton, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent blue vinylcomplete with replicated original album tri-fold sleeve. The bands 1990 debut album was released to rave critical reviews, hailed for its fresh, effervescent, power pop sound, and charted three singles. Spilt Milk, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will also be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent green vinyl. The bands follow up release took up where Bellybutton left off, an elaborate and complex studio creation described as a "flawless pop gem" with comparisons to The Beatles and The Beach Boys for its lush vocal harmonies.

Formed in San Francisco by singer/songwriter Andy Sturmer and singer/songwriter Roger Manning, the duo rounded out the band's initial lineup with guitarist Jason Falkner (The Three O'Clock, The Grays) and Roger's brother Chris Manning on bass. Following Bellybutton's support tour, Falkner and (Chris) Manning left the band due to creative differences and exhaustion from life on the road. Their next album Spilt Milk was created by Andy and Roger with help from then session men Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Spoon), Lyle Workman (Beck, Todd Rundgren) and T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates). Following a tour in support, the group disbanded in 1994.

Alex Chilton "Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" LP/CD/Digital - January 10, 2012

In the latter months of 1969, somewhere between the moon landing and the start of the Vietnam draft, the concerts at Woodstock and Altamont, Alex Chilton decided to take back his life. During that annus mirabilis, while the world experienced a generationally sparked social, political, and cultural upheaval, the 18-year-old Chilton was in the midst of a revolution of his own. For the past year, Chilton had been strapped in a creative, professional, and personal straitjacket. He was the lead singer of a million-selling band, The Box Tops, but felt like little more than a puppet of the group's producers. In the era of free love, he'd been pressured into a shotgun marriage and fatherhood. And he'd ultimately come to see himself as the pawn of an unscrupulous business machine, sent to grind it out on the road in a series of silly lip-synched TV performances and one-night stands while someone else cashed his checks. As he entered the studio that summer to make his first solo recordings, the man who would come to define the very spirit of musical independence was still bound in chains. At a time where liberation and self-expression were rallying cries, Alex Chilton was about to break free.

"Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" are the first solo recordings from a post-Box Tops/pre-Big Star Alex Chilton. The album, mixed and engineered by Terry Manning (CREDITS), will be released as a 20-track CD featuring six previously unreleased songs, and 12-track LP. The first 1,500 LPs will be pressed on limited-edition clear vinyl (black vinyl thereafter). The first 500 LP orders from the Omnivore Recordings webstore will come with a bonus 7" that includes two additional versions of the previously unreleased "All We Ever Got From Them Was Pain" - the original mix and the demo. The album will also be available digitally at all major online retailers, as well as the Omnivore Recordings webstore.

You can now pre-order and purchase all Omnivore Recordings titles direct at their all new online webstore: http://omnivorerecordings.com/shop. Omnivore is currently offering an online exclusive of the Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] as a clear vinyl version. This is your second chance to grab the wildly popular album that instantly flew off shelves, selling out during Record Store Day this past April. The webstore's Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] is limited to just 500 copies and features the same cut and packaging, manufactured at the same time as the 2000 black vinyl copies for Record Store Day. Don't miss out!

About Omnivore Recordings:

Founded in 2010 by longtime, highly respected industry veterans Cheryl Pawelski, Greg Allen, and Brad Rosenberger, Omnivore Recordings' vision is to preserve the legacies and music created by historical, heritage, and catalog artists while also releasing previously unissued, newly found "lost" recordings and making them available for music-loving audiences to discover. Omnivore Recordings is distributed by EMI in North America and Ace Records UK in Europe. The label's first releases included the limited LP release of Big Star Third, a limited edition Buck Owens 7" of previously unreleased material, The Motels shelved third album Apocalypso, the first official stateside release of Leon Russell's 1971 Live in Japan album originally released and available only in Japan, original soundtrack score to the documentary Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place, and legendary Bay Area soul singer Darondo's unreleased Music City Sessions and Bay Area teen soul and funk combo The Two Things In One Together Forever: The Music City Sessions.

Omnivore Recordings official website: http://omnivorerecordings.com/

The Cure conjures up magic at the Pantages Theatre

2011-11-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

Robert Smith leads The Cure through "The Weedy Burton" at The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Nov. 23.

My wife and I knew the traffic driving from Orange County to Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Eve would be horrendous. But with this our first chance to see The Cure since 2000 - and likely our only chance to see the band on its special Reflections tour - we jumped (or rather crawled up the 5 Freeway) at the chance.

Are we glad we did too.

For anyone even somewhat interested in Robert Smith and company, the Reflections tour dates are among the most celebrated live shows of the goth pioneers' 30+ year career. On Nov. 23, The Cure again delivered their first three albums in their entirety and then three strong encores offering up just about every gem crafted during the band's earliest period.

While casual alt music fans likely would have appreciated the handful of so-called modern rock "hits" ("Boys Don't Cry," "Let's Go To Bed," "The Lovecats") performed across the three-hour, eight-minute concert, the discerning fans who filled the relatively-intimate Pantages Theatre cheered after each of the 45 selections.

The band sounded terrific, and adding to the magic of the night were the wonderful acoustics of the venue. From the opening salvo of "10:15 Saturday Night" and intoxicating cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Foxy Lady" to the propulsive mystique of "A Forest" and weighty "Charlotte Sometimes," Smith led the band (whose line-up shifted throughout the night as a trio, a quartet or quintet depending on the set/encore) throughout so many highlights I am among several thousands of others at the sold-out show who hope a DVD of one of the Reflections dates arrives soon. For now, I hope you enjoy the short clips available to view on this post. I also recommend you read writer Ben Wener's review on the Orange County Register site.

Setlist: The Cure at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011:

Three Imaginary Boys
1. 10:15 Saturday Night
2. Accuracy
3. Grinding Halt
4. Another Day
5. Object
6. Subway Song (see below for the video of this song)
7. Foxy Lady
8. Meathook
9. So What
10. Fire In Cairo
11. It's Not You
12. Three Imaginary Boys
13. The Weedy Burton

Robert Smith leads The Cure through "Subway Song" at The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Nov. 23.

Seventeen Seconds
14. A Reflection
15. Play For Today
16. Secrets
17. In Your House
18. Three
19. The Final Sound
20. A Forest
21. M
22. At Night
23. Seventeen Seconds

Faith
24. The Holy Hour
25. Primary
26. Other Voices
27. All Cats Are Grey
28. The Funeral Party
29. Doubt
30. The Drowning Man
31. Faith

Encore:
32. World War
33. I'm Cold
34. Plastic Passion
35. Boys Don't Cry
36. Killing An Arab
37. Jumping Someone Else's Train
38. Another Journey By Train

Encore 2:
39. Descent
40. Splintered In Her Head
41. Charlotte Sometimes
42. The Hanging Garden

Encore 3:
43. Let's Go To Bed
44. The Walk
45. The Lovecats

Sights and Sounds: Paul Weller, Bob Dylan tribute

2011-11-23T07:53:00.001-08:00

Before I get ready to get on my freeway survival gear and get set to make the long trek up to Los Angeles to catch The Cure at The Pantages tonight, I wanted to share a few highlights that arrived in my inbox today. Enjoy!

Paul Weller set to release 'Sonik Kicks' on March 27, 2012

Special London shows scheduled for March, with shows in the U.S. to follow

First Single “Around The Lake” Available On iTunes Next Week

Enjoying a constant critical high and a never ending creative peak, Paul Weller continues to push the boundaries with his forthcoming new album Sonik Kicks, scheduled for release on March 27, 2012 on Yep Roc Records. The album is the follow up to the Mercury Prize Award nominated Wake Up The Nation and is also Paul’s eleventh solo album. Once again, it's his best yet.

For fans eager to hear a taste of what’s to come, RollingStone.com will be previewing the first single “Around The Lake” beginning today. The song will also be available for purchase on iTunes beginning next week.

Sonik Kicks features fourteen brand new tracks: “Green,” “The Attic,” “Kling I Klang,” “Sleep of the Serene,” “By the Waters,” “That Dangerous Age,” “Study in Blue,” “Dragonfly,” “When Your Garden’s Overgrown,” “Around The Lake,” “Twilight,” “Drifters,” “Paperchase,” and “Be Happy Children.” Both Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon appear as special guests on the album.

Since Weller isn’t one to wait 20 years to be invited to perform his “classic” album, he has decided to do so now. Sonik Knicks will be performed in full at The Roundhouse in London, England on March 18th & 19th. Tickets go on sale 9 a.m. on Friday Nov 25. US shows are in the works for Weller and will be announced at a later date.

2012 will also mark two important anniversaries for Paul Weller. In 1977 (35 years ago) The Jam burst on to the music scene with their debut album In The City, which without question was one of the most important punk albums to ever be released. Since then Weller consistently changed and evolved his sound through his work with The Style Council and as a solo artist. It was 20 years ago in 1992 when Weller released his self-titled first ever solo album.

With Sonik Kicks Paul Weller once again shakes up his palate and stirs his influences anew. He mixes pop art punch with soulful communication; jazzy explorations into psychedelia and dub with razor-sharp melodies and abstract soundscapes with clear-eyed forest-folk.

Chimes of Freedom - 75 Newly Recorded Bob Dylan Songs by Over 80 Artists Scheduled for January 24, 2012 Release -- Salutes Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary and Life-Saving Human Rights Work

The Collection Features Songs By

* Adele * The Airborne Toxic Event * Joan Baez * Natasha Bedingfield * Jackson Browne * Cage the Elephant * Elvis Costello * Darren Criss * Miley Cyrus * Dave Matthews Band * K'NAAN * Ke$ha * Mark Knopfler * Diana Krall * Lenny Kravitz * Kris Kristofferson * Ziggy Marley * Maroon 5 * Tom Morello * My Chemical Romance * Joe Perry * Queens Of The Stone Age * Raphael Saadiq * Seal & Jeff Beck * Silversun Pickups * Patti Smith * Sting * Sugarland * Pete Townshend * Lucinda Williams * Evan Rachel Wood

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years - the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan - are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

Chimes of Freedom is Executive Produced by legendary music executive Jeff Ayeroff and Julie Yannatta, who spearheaded Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur - a 2007 collection of John Lennon solo compositions performed by major artists including U2, Green Day and R.E.M.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International's longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan's poignant "Forever Young," with a children's chorus.

The diversity of the musicians and musical genres - from rock, rap, hip-hop to pop, folk, country, jazz and blues -- attests to Amnesty's depth of support in the music community, the universal appeal of the core message of human rights, and the breadth of Dylan's impact on culture. Almost every track on the album is being released for sale for the first time* - except for the title song, Dylan's original 1964 recording of "Chimes of Freedom." Seventy songs were recorded especially for this release - with the addition of a few previously unreleased recordings.

"This album is a powerful fusion of the music community's respect for Amnesty's life-affirming work and for Bob Dylan's enduring brilliance," said Ayeroff and Yannatta. "We are proud to have worked with Amnesty to produce this remarkable project."

In 1962, Amnesty International evolved from a one-year campaign to free political prisoners into a worldwide movement fighting for justice, freedom and human dignity; today the organization has more than three million supporters in 150 countries. In March of that same year Bob Dylan's debut album was released, launching an unparalleled recording career.

"Over the half century, Dylan's art has explored and expressed the anguish and hope of the modern human condition," observed Sean Wilentz, the noted historian, in the album liner notes.

"Bob Dylan's music endures because he so brilliantly captures our heartbreak, our joy, our frailty, our confusion, our courage and our struggles," said Karen Scott Amnesty International's Manager of Music Relations. "His words convey a depth of meaning that few artists can equal, inspiring us and always moving ahead of our expectations. We at Amnesty International are deeply grateful to this legendary musician and to all of the artists who have contributed to this project."

All of the artists, session musicians, arrangers, engineers, producers and recording studios worked pro-bono to support the human rights cause. Almost 30 tracks on the album were mixed gratis by famed engineer Bob Clearmountain. Bob Ludwig and Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering donated their mastering services. The album cover illustration is by Grammy Award winning artist Mick Haggerty. Eight tracks were produced or executive produced by Martin Lewis, who as co-creator/producer in the 1970s of Amnesty's ongoing "Secret Policeman's Ball" benefit series, instigated Amnesty's outreach to rock musicians by recruiting and producing Pete Townshend, Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Bob Geldof and others. Executive Producers for Amnesty International are Helen Garrett, director of special projects, and Karen Scott, manager of music relations.

Through Chimes of Freedom, Amnesty International seeks to enlist support for its fight against censorship and attacks on free speech - whether involving artists, writers, musicians, political activists or bloggers. In this campaign, Amnesty is fighting for people such as the imprisoned Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in China, a scholar and human rights defender imprisoned since 2009 for writing about corruption and criticizing China's political system. In addition to purchasing the album at www.amnestyusa.org/chimes, supporters will find actions they can take to help individuals whose freedom of expression is under threat.

The tracklisting for Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International is as follows:

DISC 1

Raphael Saadiq
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Patti Smith
Drifter's Escape

Rise Against
Ballad of Hollis Brown

Tom Morello The Nightwatchman
Blind Willie McTell

Pete Townshend
Corrina, Corrina

Bettye LaVette
Most of the Time

Charlie Winston
This Wheel's On Fire

Diana Krall
Simple Twist of Fate

Brett Dennen
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

Mariachi El Bronx
Love Sick

Ziggy Marley
Blowin' in the Wind

The Gaslight Anthem
Changing of the Guards

Silversun Pickups
Not Dark Yet

My Morning Jacket
You're A Big Girl Now

The Airborne Toxic Event
Boots of Spanish Leather

Sting
Girl from the North Country

Mark Knopfler
Restless Farewell

DISC 2

Queens Of The Stone Age
Outlaw Blues

Lenny Kravitz
Rainy Day Woman # 12 & 35

Steve Earle & Lucia Micarelli
One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)

Blake Mills
Heart Of Mine

Miley Cyrus
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

Billy Bragg
Lay Down Your Weary Tune

Elvis Costello
License to Kill

Angelique Kidjo
Lay, Lady, Lay

Natasha Bedingfield
Ring Them Bells

Jackson Browne
Love Minus Zero/No Limit

Joan Baez
Seven Curses (Live)

The Belle Brigade
No Time To Think

Sugarland
Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You (Live)

Jack's Mannequin
Mr. Tambourine Man

Oren Lavie
4th Time Around

Sussan Deyhim
All I Really Want To Do

Adele
Make You Feel My Love (Recorded Live at WXPN)

DISC 3

K'NAAN
With God On Our Side

Ximena Sariñana
I Want You

Neil Finn with Pajama Club
She Belongs to Me

Bryan Ferry
Bob Dylan's Dream

Zee Avi
Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Carly Simon
Just Like a Woman

Flogging Molly
The Times They Are A-Changin'

Fistful Of Mercy
Buckets Of Rain

Joe Perry
Man Of Peace

Bad Religion
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

My Chemical Romance
Desolation Row (Live)

RedOne featuring Nabil Khayat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Paul Rodgers & Nils Lofgren
Abandoned Love

Darren Criss featuring Chuck Criss and Freelance Whales
New Morning

Cage the Elephant
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

Band of Skulls
It Ain't Me, Babe

Sinéad O'Connor
Property of Jesus

Ed Roland and The Sweet Tea Project
Shelter From The Storm

Ke$ha
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Kronos Quartet
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

DISC 4

Maroon 5
I Shall Be Released

Carolina Chocolate Drops
Political World

Seal & Jeff Beck
Like A Rolling Stone

Taj Mahal
Bob Dylan's 115th Dream

Dierks Bentley
Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (Live)

Mick Hucknall
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)

Thea Gilmore
I'll Remember You

State Radio
John Brown

Dave Matthews Band
All Along the Watchtower (Live)

Michael Franti
Subterranean Homesick Blues

We Are Augustines
Mama, You Been On My Mind

Lucinda Williams
Tryin' To Get To Heaven

Kris Kristofferson
Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

Eric Burdon
Gotta Serve Somebody

Evan Rachel Wood
I'd Have You Anytime

Marianne Faithfull
Baby Let Me Follow You Down (Live)

Pete Seeger
Forever Young

Bob Dylan
Chimes Of Freedom

DIGITAL ONLY

Outernational
When The Ship Comes In

Silverstein
Song To Woody

Daniel Bedingfield
Man In The Long Black Coat

The Doors celebrate the 40th anniversary reissue of 'L.A. Woman'

2011-11-23T07:28:00.001-08:00

Here it is on the eve of Thanksgiving, so why not provide everybody with even more reason to be thankful. The Doors are truly one of the greatest rock bands of all time and their music continues to resonate more than 40 years after Jim Morrison's tragic death. Now there is big news I want to share here.

THE DOORS LAUNCH "THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC 'L.A. WOMAN' ALBUM AND NEW DVD/BLU-RAY 'MR. MOJO RISIN THE STORY OF L.A. WOMAN'

Includes debut of "She Smells So Nice," a newly-discovered original song from the 'L.A. Woman' sessions

Fans of iconic rock band THE DOORS are in for something special. The group's final album--1971's L.A. WOMAN, with the signature hits "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm"--is being celebrated with a special two-CD release from Rhino and a behind-the-scenes DVD/Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

The L.A. WOMAN 40th anniversary edition (Rhino 2-CD) features a never-before-heard song, "She Smells So Nice," which captures the band--organist RAY MANZAREK, guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER, drummer JOHN DENSMORE and late singer JIM MORRISON--joyfully barreling through a full-throttle original before segueing into the blues standard "Rock Me." As the song closes, Morrison can be heard chanting, "Mr. Mojo Risin'"--an anagram of his name that was made famous during the bridge of "L.A. Woman." Recently discovered by producer Bruce Botnick while reviewing the L.A. WOMAN session tapes, a teaser clip of "She Smells So Nice" can be heard here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-preview-newly-unearthed-doors-track-she-smells-so-nice-20111117

In addition to "She Smells So Nice," the second disc of the L.A. WOMAN reissue includes eight never-before-heard versions of songs from the album. Alternate takes of "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm" offer a fresh view on this landmark album, which was the group's sixth straight Top 10. The studio chatter between the songs is a revelation, transporting listeners to The Doors Workshop: the West Hollywood rehearsal space where they recorded the album with Botnick. One segment in particular captures a fascinating moment of inspiration when Morrison suggests they add the now-iconic thunderstorm sound effects to the beginning of "Riders On The Storm." Rhino will also release L.A. WOMAN: THE WORKSHOP SESSIONS, a double LP featuring all of the previously unreleased material found on the CD collection on three sides of vinyl, with the fourth side featuring a laser etching of the original "Electric Woman" art originally included with the L.A. WOMAN album.

Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman(Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD/Blu-ray) is told through new interviews with MANZAREK, KRIEGER and DENSMORE as well as Elektra Records founder JAC HOLZMAN, original manager BILL SIDDONS, engineer/co-producer BRUCE BOTNICK and others. The high-definition video also features live and studio performances as well as rare archival photos. This fascinating documentary contains rare footage of THE DOORSin the studio and on stage. The documentary was made with the full involvement, approval and cooperation of THE DOORS. [Pre-book Order Date December 20, 2011, MSRP $14.98 for DVD, $19.98 for Blu-ray].

"The Year of The Doors" will be marked by other special releases, with details to be announced soon.

L.A. WOMAN marked THE DOORS' swan song, as MORRISON would pass away a few months after its release. At the time, Rolling Stone's Robert Meltzer called it "The Doors' greatest album...A landmark worthy of dancing in the streets (5/27/71)." The first band to release eight consecutive platinum albums, THE DOORS were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

MR. MOJO RISIN': THE STORY OF L.A. WOMAN

DVD and Blu-ray Track Listing
MAIN PROGRAM -

Intro

Early Doors

The Changeling

Been Down So Long / The Miami Effect

The Doors Workshop

Crawling King Snake

Love Her Madly

L.A. Woman

The Wasp (Texas Radio & The Big Beat)

Riders On The Storm

Cars Hiss By My Window / Jim In Paris

Hyacinth House

Closing Doors

BONUS FOOTAGE -

John Densmore On L.A. Woman

Riders On The Storm

The Doors Guide To L.A.

Thoughts On Performing Live

Crawling King Snake

L.A. WOMAN: 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

CD Track Listing

Disc One

1. "The Changeling"

2. "Love Her Madly"

3. "Been Down So Long"

4. "Cars Hiss By My Window"

5. "L.A. Woman"

6. "L'America"

7. "Hyacinth House"

8. "Crawling King Snake"

9. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)"

10. "Riders On The Storm"

Disc Two: All Selections Previously Unissued

1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*

2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*

3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*

4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*

5. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*

6. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*

7. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*

8. "She Smells So Nice"

9. "Rock Me"*

L.A. WOMAN: THE WORKSHOP SESSIONS

LP Track Listing

Side One

1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*

2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*

3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*

4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*

Side Two

1. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*

2. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*

3. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*

Side Three

1. "She Smells So Nice / Rock Me"*

* Previously unreleased

Sights and Sounds: The Chieftains, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Rodgers

2011-11-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

I was away most of last week and my inbox runneth over for sure...Enjoy everybody!

THE CHIEFTAINS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS WITH STAR STUDDED 'VOICE OF AGES' DUE FEBRUARY 21, 2012

BON IVER, THE DECEMBERISTS, THE CIVIL WARS AND MORE CELEBRATE THE LEGENDARY IRISH GROUP ON THE PADDY MOLONEY AND T BONE BURNETT PRODUCED 50TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM VIA HEAR/CONCORD

The Chieftains, the world's most celebrated traditional Irish band, will mark their 50th anniversary with the release of Voice of Ages on February 21st 2012 (Hear/Concord). An imaginative collaboration featuring a dazzling collection of like-minded musical visionaries and kindred spirits, Voice of Ages, produced by Paddy Moloney and T Bone Burnett, features The Chieftains teaming with stars from the worlds of indie-rock (Bon Iver, The Decemberists, The Low Anthem), country and Americana (The Civil Wars, Pistol Annies, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Punch Brothers), Irish and Scottish folk (Imelda May, Lisa Hannigan, Paolo Nutini) and more. "With 50 years of glorious music behind us," Paddy Moloney says, "I can think of nothing more exciting than to spend another 50 years collaborating with the best voices of the future."
Founded in 1962, winners of 6 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, The Chieftains: founder and leader Paddy Moloney (Uilleann pipes, tin whistle), Matt Molloy (flute), Seán Keane (fiddle) and Kevin Conneff (bodhrán, vocals), have popularized traditional Irish music world-wide during their astonishing 50 year career. Over the years, some of the biggest names in music have worked with the legendary band: Sting, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell,
Joni Mitchell, and The Rolling Stones among many others. Voice of Ages is a bold affirmation that their inspiring influence, musical brilliance and enduring legacy are more relevant than ever.

The Chieftains 2012 US tour will kick off in Santa Barbara, CA February 17 and will culminate with a special 50th Anniversary St. Patrick's Day show at New York's Carnegie Hall March 17. For tour information is available on the group's official Web site.

Artists featured on Voice of Ages:
The Decemberists
Punch Brothers
The Secret Sisters
The Low Anthem
The Civil Wars
Pistol Annies
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Lisa Hannigan
Carlos Nunez
Paolo Nutini
Imelda May
Bon Iver

The Chieftains on the web:
http://www.thechieftains.com/

American Express Presents 'Reel to Reel: Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix At The Isle of Wight' at The GRAMMY Museum

All-Star Panel To Discuss Essential Hendrix Documentary On Dec. 8, 2011

Jimi Hendrix is recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century. His innovative style and explosive abilities on the electric guitar captivated a worldwide audience. During the early morning hours of August 31, 1970, during his last tour, Hendrix headlined the Isle of Wight Festival and performed before an audience of 600,000--the largest of his career. Three weeks later, Hendrix was gone. Academy Award-winner Murray Lerner captured the historic performance of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, including Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox. Join us as we present Lerner's film, Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight. The film, a testimony to Hendrix's incomparable musicianship and showmanship as well as Lerner's cinematic artistry, will be introduced by Janie Hendrix, the late guitarist's sister and President of Experience Hendrix LLC. Following the screening there will be a panel discussion moderated by the GRAMMY Museum's Executive Director Bob Santelli with Billy Cox, bassist of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys, filmmaker Murray Lerner and John McDermott, Producer and Catalog Director of the Experience Hendrix catalog and co-author of Jimi Hendrix: Sessions: The Complete Studio Recording Sessions, 1963-1970 and Ultimate Hendrix: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of live Concerts & Sessions

WHO: Billy Cox: Bassist, Jimi Hendrix Experience

Janie Hendrix: President, Experience Hendrix LLC and sister to Jimi Hendrix

Murray Lerner: Director, Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix At The Isle of Wight

John McDermott: Producer and Catalog Director, Experience Hendrix Catalogue Bob Santelli: Moderator / Executive Director, The GRAMMY Museum

WHEN: Thursday, December 8, 2011; 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(Near the corner of Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard)

TICKET INFO: Doors open at 7 p.m. Public onsale is Friday, December 2, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum. For more information, call 213-765-6803.

PAUL RODGERS RECEIVES ASCAP AWARD FOR "BAD COMPANY"

SINGER/SONGWRITER/MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST BEGINS WORK ON FORTHCOMING SOLO STUDIO ALBUM

The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) has proudly presented the 2010 Songwriting Award in recognition of the hit song "Bad Company" to Paul Rodgers. The song hit #1 on the charts this past year when Five Finger Death Punch recorded and released their version of the timeless hit. When Rodgers wrote the song he was the first to write a self-titled song, where a band's name was also the title of a composition. Other acts to follow Rodgers concept include Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Motorhead. The award was given out in London on November 2, 2011 and was accepted by Rodgers son, musician Steve Rodgers. The iconic Rodgers was in New York City due to a prior commitment to appear with Joe Bonamassa at the Beacon Theater back-to-back nights.

Rodgers will be the featured guest on an upcoming episode of VH1 Classic's That Metal Show, set to air on January 14, 2012 at 11 p.m. This is his first television appearance since appearing on the national program Canada AM the morning of September 6th prior to embarking on his first major Canadian tour in several years. Rodgers also recently became a dual citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom, and will kick off his limited 2012 tour dates March 17 at the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada.

The Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter & self-taught instrumentalist has written, recorded, produced and released more than 30 albums since 1968 and has sold over 90 million records. Rodgers formed and led three separate bands to worldwide success: Free, Bad Company & The Firm and recently fronted Queen and toured as Queen + Paul Rodgers. Always looking forward, Rodgers has begun work on a solo studio record earmarked for the new year. He shared, "In 2012, I'll be focused on writing and recording so I'll only play a few select shows, and I may well include a new song or two just to play them in before they are recorded. This is something I like to do because playing live gives me a somewhat different perspective on the dynamics of the song."

Over the years Rodgers has recorded/performed with a who's who of rock including: Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Brian May, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Slash, Nils Lofgren, Charlie Watts, Bryan Adams, Motown's Sam Moore and The Four Tops to name just a select few.

The Civil Wars bring harmony to Wiltern

2011-11-20T21:20:00.000-08:00

There are countless modern music makers who can rock with force. Indeed, punk, alt rock and metal outfits share that pedal-to-the-metal approach in spades.
Rarer is the contemporary artist who can touch audiences with artful songcraft, stunning harmonies and heartfelt performances.
The Civil Wars - singer-keyboardist Joy Williams and singer-guitarist John Paul White - are that rare young duo able to have somehow found a large audience despite having a musical approach rooted in folk and Americana.
Over the course of 75 wonderful minutes at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday (Nov. 19), the Civil Wars performed 17 songs that offered up nearly flawless artistry from two musicians who only began playing together three years ago. In addition to performing more than a dozen original songs, they reworked (and I mean REWORKED) The Smashing Pumpkins' “Disarm” and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" to add additional power to the night. Impressive.

I would encourage everyone to read writer George Paul's comprehensive review of the show that was posted on the Orange County Register's Soundcheck blog today.

Sights and Sounds: Kate Bush, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

2011-11-14T07:40:00.001-08:00

Mondays aren't all bad. Today comes word that Kate Bush is releasing her second album of 2011, and NPR is streaming the disc now. And Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are set to return to the U.S. in spring 2012 (good news for those who can't catch any of their dates this week in New York or California)...

KATE BUSH TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM NOVEMBER 21

Stream 50 Words For Snow On NPR’s First Listen 11-14-11

The legendary singer KATE BUSH will release her brand new studio album 50 Words For Snow via Anti-Records this November 21st. You can preview the record beginning today, November 14 when it streams in its entirety care of NPR’s First Listen series.

To hear the new record at NPR just go to:
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/13/142133269/first-listen-kate-bush-50-words-for-snow?ps=mh_frhdl1

50 Words For Snow features 7 new tracks set against a background of falling snow, with a total running time of 65 minutes; through a highly evocative musical and lyrical landscape this haunting album once again pushes the boundaries. This is KATE’s second album release of 2011, following Director’s Cut which was released in May to massive critical acclaim.

The new album features a small number of special guest musicians including Elton John. KATE BUSH is an original and iconic musical figure who has influenced a range of artists from newcomers like Florence and the Machine and Feist to established artists like Tori Amos, Bjork and Sex Pistol/PIL legend John Lydon, who proclaimed; “Kate Bush supplies me with all the clues and it’s up to me to put the answers together, and that surely is what we are all looking for”.

Early Critical Acclaim For 50 Words For Snow:

“After the domestic bliss of ‘Aerial,’ it’s a deep joy to have Kate roam the narrative wiles of her imagination.” - NME
“It lifts the heart and transcends your world.” – The Word Magazine
“50 Words For Snow is a masterclass in song writing by of the UK’s most indomitable and peerless artists.” – TheQuietus.com

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS ANNOUNCE 2012 TOUR DATES

BAND TO TOUR U.S. THIS SPRING

Conan Appearance set for December 12th

November 14, 2011 - NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS will return to the U.S. in Spring next year launching their tour in Washington, DC on March 28, 2012 and make stops in Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Tickets for the spring tour go on sale November 18.(Complete tour dates below) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are in the midst of a sold-out North American tour and a week into the release of their self titled debut album.

On November 8, NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS was released in the US on Sour Mash/Mercury Records followed by their network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman on November 10th. The band will make a special appearance on Conan on December 12th.

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS was recorded in London and completed in Los Angeles during 2010 and the first half of 2011. The album was co-produced by Noel Gallagher and Dave Sardy, who produced the last Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul (2008).

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS went straight to the #1 spot in the United Kingdom, selling an impressive 240,000 & going Platinum in its first 3 weeks of release. Gallagher's debut solo album, which was released in Europe on October 18, ranks among the highest selling debuts of 2011.

Beginning in August, with the UK debut of "The Death of You and Me", Gallagher has released a trilogy of videos including "If I Had a Gun" and culminating with an amazing video for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds new UK single 'AKA... What A Life!'. The video was co-directed by Mike Bruce and Blake West, who worked with Noel on the video for 'The Death Of You And Me'. Filmed in California, Arizona and New Mexico, the video features an outrageous performance by actor / comedian Russell Brand.

Visit Gallagher's Web site for more details and to view the video.

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS 2012 SPRING U.S. TOUR DATES

March 28 Washington,DC @ Warner Theatre

March 29 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavillion

March 31 Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre

April 1 Chicago, IL @ The Riviera

April 3 Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater

April 4 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room

April 6 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS REMAINING FALL U.S TOUR DATES

November 14 & 15 New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre

November 17 & 18 Los Angeles, CA @ Royce Hall

November 19 San Francisco, CA @ Orpheum Theatre

Sights and Sounds: The Cure, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

2011-11-09T22:21:00.000-08:00

There are several interesting updates related to forthcoming releases from opposite ends of the sonic universe, so best to just jump right in...

The Cure set to release live album on Dec. 6

On Dec. 6, 2011, The Cure: Bestival Live 2011 will be issued, available in stores and online. The release will feature Robert Smith's outfit performing a set comprised of material from throughout the Cure's long career. The collection is being issued by Belgium-based Play It Again Sam, and is available for pre-order through Amazon.com.

The double album, which will also be available as a digital download, will feature 32 Cure classics. In a statement, Robert Smith said: "We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival, that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!"

All proceeds from the album go to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. The charitable organization offers counseling, advice, information and support services to people age 25 and under on the Isle of Wight (the home of Bestival).

For more information on The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, visit: http://www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk/

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO JOINS HANDS WITH DOZENS OF FRIENDS ON NEW TWO-DISC COLLECTION

Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends set for release on Jan. 10, 2012

The 132 Minute, Thirty Track Ultimate Collection Includes Collaborations With
Paul Simon, Emmylou Harris, Josh Groban, Taj Mahal, Natalie Merchant,
Sarah McLachlan, Dolly Parton, Lou Rawls And Many More

Since their earliest days in the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has shared the studio and stage with scores of artists from around the world, representing just about every possible musical genre. The South African a cappella gospel ensemble's appearance on Paul Simon's landmark Graceland album is probably the most widely-recognized of the group's cross-cultural collaborations, but Simon's 1986 Grammy-winning recording is merely the tip of a much larger iceberg. Over the years, the group has demonstrated its melodic, harmonic and rhythmic versatility in recordings with an array of artists representing folk, rock, pop, soul, country, classical, hip-hop and world music. In each case, they have taken the work of a great artist and made it even better.

The group assembled a two-disc set of recordings that capture Ladysmith Black Mambazo reaching across the cultural divide and joining hands with musicians from around the globe. Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends - set for release on January 10, 2012 (as part of the Listen 2 Africa Series / Razor & Tie) contains 30 tracks featuring the world renowned South African group in collaboration with some of the most esteemed and influential recording artists, choirs and orchestras of the past several decades: Paul Simon, Lucky Dube, Emmylou Harris, Hugh Masekela, Natalie Merchant, The English Chamber Orchestra, Sarah McLachlan, Phoebe Snow, Taj Mahal and many more.

"For the past half-century, we have used our music to promote goodwill, cultural understanding and spiritual awakening throughout the world," says Joseph Shabalala, founder of the group. "The fact that we've been able to perform and record with some of the most prominent musical voices representing so many different musical styles, so many different countries, so many different cultures, is proof of the unifying power of music. We're very fortunate to have made so many good friends along the way, and we're happy to have so many of these recordings with those friends gathered in a single collection."

Disc 1 of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends opens with Mambazo backing Dolly Parton in a simmering but impassioned rendition of Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door." The track is followed immediately by "Weeping," a heart-rending ballad featuring Josh Groban and Vusi Mahlesala. Further into the sequence are the African sounding "Homeless" and the more pop-flavored "Diamonds on the Soles of their Shoes," both recorded with Paul Simon for Graceland.

Other highlights on the first disc include the stirring medley of "Amazing Grace/Nearer My God to Thee," recorded with Emmylou Harris; the Sam Cooke classic "Chain Gang," featuring the late velvet-voiced soul singer Lou Rawls; and the rousing "Bread of Heaven (Wales Forever)" with Michael Ball, the Lianelli Male Voice Choir and the Wales Squad Choir.

Disc 2 opens with a reprise of two songs from the first disc: "Homeless," this time with Sara McLachlen, and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," featuring Melissa Etheridge and Joe McBride recorded originally on the group's Long Walk To Freedom album.

Other second-half highlights include a part-gospel, part-pop reading of the Curtis Mayfield spiritual, "People Get Ready," with emotionally charged lead vocals by Phoebe Snow; and the engaging "One Blood," featuring Mbongeni Ngema

Blues and world music titan Taj Mahal joins the fray by laying down gritty vocals and deft guitar accents atop the hypnotic chant of "Mbube," while The Golden Gospel Singers join Mambazo in the soaring Staple Singers classic, "I'll Take You There."

In the home stretch, the voices of the SABC Choir merge seamlessly with Mambazo in the infectious "Angimboni Ofana Naye," and the set closes with the "Mamizola," where the group is joined by its female counterpart, the Women of Mambazo, a parallel vocal group founded in the 1970s by Joseph Shabalala's late wife, Nellie.

"The many tracks on Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends were recorded at many different times throughout our career, in many different places," says Shabalala. "The thread that ties them all together is the mutual respect and understanding among the musicians on each recording, and the desire to use music as a tool to spread that same respect and understanding to our audiences and around the world. This collection captures the beauty that emerges when Ladysmith Black Mambazo gets together with friends.

For more information, visit www.listen2.com

Michael Olivieri, Michael Ubaldini and others to perform in benefit for Duchenne muscular dystrophy awareness on Nov. 11

2011-11-09T22:13:00.000-08:00

From the Oval Office to the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, Disabled Newport Beach Teen Works Tirelessly for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness

Coalition Duchenne presents Music Power at 7 p.m. on 11.11.11 featuring great OC bands and musicians who have played with Santana, Alicia Keyes, Jordin Sparks, Ne Yo, Jonas Brothers, U2 and more to raise global awareness for Duchenne, the most common fatal childhood genetic disease

On November 11, 2011 at 7 p.m., at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, Coalition Duchenne, a Newport Beach Based charity that raises funding and awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is holding a celebration of life and music featuring a diverse bill of local and international talent.

Dusty Brandom, the 18-year-old son of Coalition Duchenne founder Catherine Jayasuriya (seen in the photo at the top of this post), is hosting the event. Dusty who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has been wheelchair bound since age ten has fired the charitable passion of the participating musicians who range from his younger brother’s band, Final Crush to local favorites, and Newport Harbor High School alumni, Kings Road featuring Terry Lawless who has recorded and toured extensively with U2.

Also playing on the night, The Lucky Lonely have a strong connection to Dusty and the Brandom family’s struggle with Duchenne. The band’s drummer Michael Bedard (American Idol Jordin Sparks) accompanied Dusty in Lincoln Elementary School talent show performances. When he was younger, Dusty was an aspiring guitarist and songwriter nurtured by Bedard. Now he does not have the strength to hold a musical instrument.

Long time family friend Michael Olivieri is also playing with his band M.O.B. featuring past members of Santana, Scorpions, Social Distortion, Walter Trout Band, the Turtles, Rhythm Lords, and others. Michael was the driving force behind the success of seminal major label hard rock band, Leatherwolf.

One of the most acclaimed Orange County acts is also donating his talents. The Los Angeles Times said Michael Ubaldini (pictured on left) is ‘Better than Springsteen at probing the national soul’. He has won numerous awards such as: 2005 and 2006 Best Roots, Best Male Performer in the Orange County Music Awards and Best Live Performer/Songwriter in the Los Angeles Southern California Music Awards and his recording Portable Record Player was Nominated for Album of the Year in the OC Music Awards and named one of the best releases of the decade by Ben Wener of the OC Register.

MC for the event is Scotty Granger, keyboard player and vocal accompaniment for Jordin Sparks. Scotty featured recently in Kara Dioguardi’s ‘Platinum Hit’ (Bravo).

Completing the lineup is family friend Dave (Doc) Pittillo and his band Space Rockets. Doc owns the Guitar Doctor in Fountain Valley and is a ubiquitous presence in the OC music scene as one of the countries premiere luthiers.

Dusty’s 16-year-old brother Lucas Brandom who plays bass for opening act Final Crush said, “It’s great to play for Dusty. This summer we climbed a mountain in Borneo for awareness and now we are doing this concert. We just do everything we can.” Brandom is referring to Coalition Duchenne’s Expedition Mt Kinabalu which in August brought together 35 international climbers from nine countries to climb Mt Kinabalu (13,455ft) the second highest mountain in SE Asia.

Dusty and his family made the most of 2011. In addition to travelling to Borneo, in June he travelled with his family to Washington D.C. to visit President Obama. The trip was arranged by the Orange County Chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation. “It was exciting. We had an all access tour of the White House ending up outside the Oval Office. Hilary Clinton came out from meeting with the President and said ‘Hi’. Then the President said: ‘Come on in Dusty, I’ve heard all about you’. We spent 20 minutes with President Obama and told him all about Duchenne and our family background and adventures.”

Catherine Jayasuriya, the Coalition Duchenne founder said: “20,000 boys are born each year with Duchenne, more than 50 each day. One afternoon Dusty and I were talking about how cool it would be to finally find a cure for Duchenne, so that boys like him could live longer lives. We reflected on the last few years and realized that what we needed most was global awareness and money for research.” Said “We decided that moving forward, we are stronger if we all come together as humans, as a force, as a coalition, bringing together not just Duchenne charities, but everyone. We need to focus on changing the course, taking our quest to another level.”

“It is wonderful that everyone is coming together to support Dusty. He faces tremendous challenges but has is buoyed by the spirit in these events. After this the musicians will all go into the studio or on tour. I know they will take a bit of Dusty with them. Meanwhile Dusty will be checking into the CHOC ICU as his doctors introduce new heart meds. He will take some of their music with him.”
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online (www.galaxytheatre.com). The event also will include a raffle. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Jayasuriya founded Coalition Duchenne in 2010 (www.coalitionduchenne.org) to raise global awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to fund research and to find a cure for Duchenne. Coalition Duchenne is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle wasting disease. It is the most common fatal disease that affects children. Duchenne occurs in 1 in 3,500 male births, across all races, cultures and countries. Duchenne is caused by a defect in the gene that codes for the protein dystrophin. This is a vital protein that helps connect the muscle fiber to the cell membranes. Without dystrophin the muscle cells become unstable, are weakened and lose their functionality. Life expectancy ranges from the mid teenage years to the mid 20's. Their minds are unaffected.

For more information on the benefit concert, visit: http://www.coalitionduchenne.org/html/musicPower.html

Sights and Sounds: Band of Skulls, Twisted Sister, 'Led Zeppelin IV' at 40

2011-11-08T07:33:00.001-08:00

Band of Skulls delivered a powerful, hard rocking set when I caught the trio at Coachella in 2010. Today's hard rock-minded post kicks off with a press release dated today detailing the band's forthcoming sophomore release and a related tour. I'm also hoping the band is back rocking out in Indio in April 2012!

Band Of Skulls To Release Second Album 'Sweet Sour' On February 21 2012

Band of Skulls to kick off U.S. tour in Austin on the Eve of SXSW 2012

First U.S. Single 'Sweet Sour' To Be Released In December

November 8, 2011 - Band of Skulls will release their highly anticipated second album Sweet Sour on February 21, 2012 via their own label, Electric Blues Records under exclusive license in the U.S. to Vagrant Records. Sweet Sour is the follow-up to their debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey which was universally embraced by the U.S. media with early supporters at Entertainment Weekly naming them "Your Next Favorite Band."

Following the success of Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, the band retreated to a studio in Norfolk UK to begin writing Sweet Sour. They returned to their home studio in Southampton to start the recording which they completed in Wales at Rockfield Studios. Sweet Sour was produced by Ian Davenport (Supergrass, Badly Drawn Boy) and mixed by Nick Launay (Grinderman, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire). Please see below for the complete Sweet Sour tracklisting.

On March 13, 2012, the band returns to Austin, TX on the eve of the SXSW Music Festival with a show at Antone's to kick off their first U.S. tour in support of Sweet Sour. The band's live show has been a constant highlight at previous festivals by the likes of SPIN (Best of Coachella) and Rolling Stone (Best of SXSW) amongst many others.

This past summer the band play the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee as well as two sold-out shows in Los Angeles and two sold-out shows in New York City. Nylon Guys was front and center at the first sold-out NYC gig and weighed in on the new album "based on the new tracks they played at Mercury Lounge last week, the Skulls want to show the alt-kids how real music should sound." Please see below for complete tour itinerary.

In December, the band will release the first U.S. single 'Sweet Sour' off of the new album which will be available as a download at iTunes and other digital download stores. Fans can click here for a first look and listen of a track from the new album 'The Devil Takes Care Of His Own.' The band created the unique kung-fu themed video to accompany this first listen from Sweet Sour.

Band Of Skulls are: Russell Marsden (guitar & vocals), Emma Richardson (bass & vocals) & Matt Hayward (drums).

BAND OF SKULLS 2012 TOUR DATES:
13-Mar TUE Austin, TX Antone's
16-Mar FRI Houston, TX Fitzgerald's
17-Mar SAT Dallas, TX Granada Theater
19-Mar MON Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
20-Mar TUE Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
22-Mar THU New York, NY Webster Hall
23-Mar FRI Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
24-Mar SAT Washington, DC 9:30 Club
26-Mar MON Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
27-Mar TUE Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
28-Mar WED Providence, RI The Met
30-Mar FRI Toronto, ONT Phoenix Concert Theatre
31-Mar SAT Montreal, QC Corona Theatre
2-Apr MON Detroit, MI St. Andrew's Hall
3-Apr TUE Chicago, IL House of Blues
4-Apr WED Minneapolis, MN Fine Line
6-Apr FRI Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
7-Apr SAT Salt Lake City, UT The Complex (Grand Room)
9-Apr MON Seattle, WA Neptune
10-Apr TUE Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
11-Apr WED Portland, OR Dante's
12-Apr THU San Francisco, CA The Fillmore

* We Are Augustines Support All Dates

Sweet Sour Tracklisting

1. Sweet Sour

2. Bruises

3. Wanderluster

4. Devil Takes Care Of His Own

5. Lay My Head Down

6. You Aren't Pretty But You Got It Going On

7. Navigate

8. Hometowns

9. Lies

10. Close To Nowhere

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE THE ULTIMATE TWISTED SISTER BOX

TWISTED SISTER FROM THE BARS TO THE STARS: THREE DECADES LIVE

New York, NY (November 8, 2011)— Eagle Rock Entertainment will celebrate Christmas early this year with the release of Twisted Sister From The Bars To The Stars: Three Decades Live, a 5-DVD boxed set, on November 8 [MSRP $59.98]. The lavish package comes complete with curios such as a Twisted Sister Christmas ornament, an official “New York Steel” backstage pass, a classic two and a half-inch Twisted Sister pin and a reproduction of the first-ever SMF Fan Club letter.

Over eight hours long, From The Bars To The Stars has to be considered the ultimate Twisted Sister boxed set. One of the five DVDs, Twisted Xmas: Live In Las Vegas, is a total exclusive, having never before been released in any format. This 2009 concert showcases the band performing such beloved holiday fare as “White Christmas” and “Come All Ye Faithful” next to “Burn In Hell” and “Deck The Halls” as only Twisted Sister can. In fact, Jay Jay French, Dee Snider, Mark Mendoza, A.J. Perro and Eddie Ojeda, have made this holiday merriment a metal tradition for the past few years.

Live At Reading was filmed in 1982 at England’s biggest rock festival. A bonus 2011 band interview is included.

Double Live juxtaposes an early Long Island, New York show (North Stage ’82), filmed just prior to the band breaking internationally, and NY Steel ’01, the New York City 9/11 benefit they headlined.

Live At Wacken documents the band’s 2003 Wacken Open Air Festival reunion appearance in Germany. Complete with behind-the-scenes backstage footage and band interviews about their 1980s rise to world domination, break-up and reunion, it also contains their entire set on the big stage at this most prestigious of European Heavy Metal festivals.

Any SMF would agree – This is one boxed set no Twisted Sister fan can do without!

Finally, I got the following item from Rhino Records. I can't believe it has been 40 years since Led Zeppelin issued its fourth album (we won't even go into how long since the quartet's debut was released!)

Led Zeppelin IV at 40 - On Sale This Week on iTunes

40 years ago today, the greatest rock band of all-time released the greatest rock album of all-time, Led Zeppelin IV. A powerhouse from the legendary opening vocal intro of "Black Dog" to the final notes of the hypnotic Mississippi blues-infused "When The Levee Breaks," IV contains eight radio classics including "Rock And Roll," "The Battle Of Evermore," "Misty Mountain Hop," "Four Sticks," "Going To California," and, of course, the ultimate rock anthem, "Stairway To Heaven." "Hats Off" to Jimmy, Robert, John Paul, and John for creating a true work of art that only gets better with age.

For more details on getting the remastered masterpiece via iTunes, click here.

Sights and Sounds: Steven Wilson, Creed, Paladino

2011-11-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

'Grace for Drowning' photography by Lasse Hoile, design by Carl Glover

Brit-Rock Auteur Steven Wilson Readies First Ever North American Solo Tour

US Dates in support of ‘Grace for Drowning’ (Kscope) begin November 8, 2011 in Orlando, FL

Rock Renaissance man Steven Wilson has begun the first-ever tour under his own name, and will reach the U.S. for a run of dates on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Celebrating the release of his second solo album, Grace for Drowning, “a double album filled with excellent songs and exquisite musical textures--some of which recall the glory days of King Crimson during their Lizard era.” (Dave DiMartino, Yahoo! Music), these tour dates resemble nothing else Wilson that has ever done with Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, No-Man, or Bass Communion.

The Grace for Drowning tour submerges fans in a rich sensory experience: rear speakers provide surround-sound effects, giant screens show off filmmaker Lasse Hoile’s films made specifically to accompany these songs, and cutting-edge lighting designs give texture to each song. The heart of the performance is Wilson (on keys, guitar, and vocals) and his virtuoso band: Marco Minnemann (drums), Nick Beggs (bass), Theo Travis (flute and sax), Adam Holzman (keys), and a special guest, TBD, on guitars. They will perform most of Grace for Drowning as well as selections from Wilson’s first solo album, Insurgentes.

Grace for Drowning notched a #13 debut on the Billboard independent album chart, #19 on the rock album chart, a #34 debut on the UK charts, and top-50 debuts in Poland, Italy, Norway, Germany, Austria, and Finland.

Additionally, Wilson
-Will appear for an in-store at J&R Music World in NYC on Friday November 11.
-Just released his first-ever iPhone App, available here:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/steven-wilson/id471256674?mt=8
-Completed work on 5.1 surround re-mixes of Jethro Tull’s Aqualung and Thick as a Brick, both scheduled for release soon.
-Finished his groundbreaking album with Michael Akerfeldt of Opeth, under the name Storm Corrosion. Album release and tour are scheduled for 2012, exact dates still to be confirmed.
-Completed his 5.1 surround remixes of King Crimson’s ‘Starless and Bible Black,’ and ‘Discipline,’ out now.

Grace for Drowning North American Tour
Nov. 8 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
Nov. 10 - Baltimore, MD - Ram’s Head
Nov. 11 - New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
Nov. 12 - Philadelphia, PA - Temple PAC
Nov. 13 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center
Nov. 14 - Montreal, QC - Corona
Nov. 16 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Nov. 18 - Chicago, IL - Park West

Information: http://www.gracefordrowning.com

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER CREED TO PERFORM 'MY OWN PRISON' AND 'HUMAN CLAY' IN THEIR ENTIRETY

Exclusive Back-to-Back Performance Events to be held in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia

Grammy winning rock giants Creed will hold special intimate two-night events in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia to perform their classic, multi-platinum selling albums My Own Prison and Human Clay in their entirety; front man Scott Stapp announced on “VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live.” The band will perform one album on each night of the special engagement along with hits from their albums Weathered and Full Circle. The events will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Creed fans to see the band perform in an intimate setting. Tickets will be available on November 19, 2011 for more information and pre-sale info visit www.creed.com.

“My Own Prison and Human Clay are very special albums for us and I look forward to performing them for our fans. The songs bring back a lot of great memories for me and I hope for them too,” said front man Scott Stapp. 2012 marks the 15-year anniversary of Creed’s debut blockbuster album, My Own Prison, which has sold over 6 million copies to date. The follow-up, 1999’s massive global hit Human Clay has sold more than 11 million copies to date and features the rock radio mainstays “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher.”

DATES:

April 13th Chicago Theatre (Chicago, IL) Creed performs My Own Prison

April 14th Chicago Theatre (Chicago, IL) Creed performs Human Clay

April 16th Tower Theatre (Philadelphia, PA) Creed performs My Own Prison

April 17th Tower Theatre (Philadelphia, PA) Creed performs Human Clay

April 19th Beacon Theatre (New York, NY) Creed performs My Own Prison

April 20th Beacon Theatre (New York, NY) Creed performs Human Clay

For more information visit www.creed.com.

RECORD RELEASE PARTY FOR PALADINO’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM!

Paladino’s rootsy Americana sound draws upon country, folk, the blues as well as retaining a punk rock spirit. This vibrant musical blend arises from Paladino’s family-style collaborative approach that allows everyone to contribute their own unique backgrounds and influences.

Jonathan Harkham, who has been writing songs for years, has produced three albums on his own, including Darkcho, a project of Jewish folk songs one of which was covered by folk musician, Will Oldham. Harkham, who is a prolific painter as well as a musician, hand drew the group’s website (www.paladinomusic.com ).
Chris Isom contributes mesmerizing guitar leads that touch upon Sun Records, Mexican balladry and modern psychedelia. Although he grew up in New York and played in Garage and Anti-Folk bands Mooney Suzuki and Adam Green, Isom’s family hails from Lubbock, Texas. Rhythm guitarist Adrienne Isom’s vocals recall Wanda Jackson and Moe Tucker and reflect the unbridled enthusiasm she has for playing music, singing and life in general. The charismatic Annie Rothschild lends eclectic energy and pure Southern soul to the band. Her deep love for music comes naturally as her dad runs the Southern music label, Landslide Records.
The other beat-keeper of the group, John Rygiewicz, or Ryggy to his friends, has developed his distinctive drumming style through a number of bands. The Gene Krupa-loving Wisconsin native brings a jazz vibe to the music of Paladino.

With their first album done, Paladino is looking forward to getting out and sharing their songs, new and old. Isom views the band as part of a larger family of American music. “I know that we'd like to think, in some dimension, Bob Wills could sit down and tap his foot to a lot of this music, and maybe even throw in a few ‘ah ha’s.”

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
Paladino Record Release Party
Villains Tavern
FREE/10pm
http://www.villainstavern.com
1356 Palmetto St. LA, CA 90013

Latest releases from Fountains of Wayne and the Ettes featured on new 'Music Worth Buying' episode

2011-11-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

On the latest, just-posted episode of Music Worth Buying, TJR and I celebrate the latest releases from Fountains of Wayne and the Ettes. Enjoy!

Sights and Sounds: Smiths tribute, Deep Purple, Record Store Day update

2011-11-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

The final list of artists set to be featured on an exciting new Smiths tribute is set, a recent performance by Deep Purple will be issued next week on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray, and I have more updates on Record Store Day-specific releases that will be issued on "Black Friday." Read on!

New Smiths Tribute drops December 13th from American Laundromat Records

The Wedding Present, Doug Martsch (Built To Spill), William Fitzsimmons,
Tanya Donelly, Telekinesis, Greg Laswell, and others cover The Smiths

American Laundromat Records has enlisted a herd of indie-rock luminaries — including The Wedding Present, Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch, Throwing Muses co-founder Tanya Donelly, Telekinesis and Stars — to contribute covers of more than 20 classic songs by The Smiths for a new tribute album to be released December 13, 2011.

The double-CD set is available for pre-order in three configurations: a $13 bundle, which includes the CD and a one-inch promo pin; a $20 bundle, which includes the CD, a limited-edition 7-inch with three more covers, a download of those tracks, and the pin; or a $35 bundle, which includes the CD, the 7-inch, the downloads, the pin, a T-shirt and a “private preview of the album.”

In a fitting touch, American Laundromat Records secured a photo of ’60s U.K. pop star Sandie Shaw for the cover art; Shaw was a favorite of both Morrissey and Johnny Marr who, in 1984, covered The Smiths’ “Hand in Glove.”

Pre-order link: http://www.alr-music.com/

Please, Please, Please: a tribute to The Smiths | Tracklist

Disc 1

1. “Panic” — Kitten

2. “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” — The Rest

3. “What Difference Does It Make?” — Joy Zipper

4. “Shoplifters of the World Unite” — Tanya Donelly w/Dylan in the Movies

5. “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” — William Fitzsimmons

6. “I Won’t Share You” — Sixpence None the Richer

7. “Well I Wonder” — Sara Lov

8. “Half a Person” — Greg Laswell

9. “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” — Dala

10. “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others” — Chikita Violenta

Disc 2

1. “Sheila Take A Bow” — Telekinesis

2. “Is It Really So Strange?” — Solvents

3. “Hand In Glove” — The Wedding Present

4. “How Soon Is Now?” — Mike Viola and The Section Quartet

5. “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” — Trespassers William

6. “Rubber Ring” — Girl in a Coma

7. “I Know It’s Over” — Elk City

8. “What She Said” — Katy Goodman (La Sera, Vivian Girls)

9. “ London ” — Cinerama

10. “Reel Around the Fountain” — Doug Martsch (Built To Spill)

Exclusive Limited Edition Bonus 7-inch (pre-order “B” & “C” customers only)

1. “Asleep” — Stars

2. “Girl Afraid” — C’est la Mort

3. “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” — The Caulfield Sisters

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE 'DEEP PURPLE + ORCHESTRA LIVE AT MONTREUX 2011'

~ ON 2CD, DVD and BLU-RAY NOVEMBER 8~

On July 16, 2011, Deep Purple performed on the closing night of Switzerland’s prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival by re-inventing their classic catalog with the help of a symphony orchestra. This night will forever be emblazoned upon the brains of Deep Purple fans around the world when Eagle Rock Entertainment releases Live At Montreux 2011 simultaneously in DVD [MSRP $14.98], Blu-Ray [MSRP $19.98] and 2CD [MSRP $17.98] packages on November 8, 2011.

The whole night has been preserved in crystal clarity via high definition for the DVD and Blu-Ray releases. The sound on the 2CD set—DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo—is superb. Included on the DVD and Blu-Ray is a bonus in-depth band interview. Such classics as “Highway Star,” “Strange Kind of Woman,” “Lazy,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Hush,” “Woman From Tokyo,” “Black Night,” “Smoke On The Water” and 11 other gems, as performed with the orchestral sweep behind them, certainly spurred the band on. Ian Gillan (vocals), Ian Paice (drums), Roger Glover (bass), Steve Morse (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards) can be seen visibly pleased with the results of the orchestra, as directed by Stephen “BK” Bentley-Klein.

This 115-minute concert is emblematic of the kind of shows that Deep Purple has been putting on with amazing consistency as they criss-cross the globe. It’s what their fans have come to expect. The current orchestra tour has proven them capable of transcending genre limitations to reach out for the kind of all-encompassing theatrical presentation that’s hard to forget. Now, with this release, Deep Purple fans around the globe can thrill to this extraordinary pairing of symphonic textures and the hardest of Classic Rock.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hamburg, & Paris.

DANGERBIRD CELEBRATES RECORD STORE DAY’S “BACK TO BLACK FRIDAY” WITH NEW VINYL FROM SILVERSUN PICKUPS & SEA WOLF

Exclusive, Rare & Previously Unreleased Tracks on
Wax to Hit Shelves of Indie Stores on Friday, November 25, 2011

As music lovers gear up for the holiday shopping season, Dangerbird will celebrate Record Store Day’s upcoming “Back to Black Friday” festivities on November 25 with two brand new, exclusive vinyl releases at independent record stores across the country. Fans will get a taste of the latest music from Silversun Pickups with Seasick, a 10-inch vinyl release featuring three previously unreleased tunes—including the title track as well as b-sides “Broken Bottles” and “Ribbons & Detours.” On the same day, Sea Wolf will release two rare tracks with a 7-inch featuring “Song of the Magpie” and “Where The Wind Blows.” While serving as teasers for those who are eagerly awaiting new full-length LPs expected from both bands in spring 2012, these vinyl releases are putting the “black” in “Back to Black Friday” by supporting the mom and pop record shops that are so important to the music community.

“Back to Black Friday” is organized by Record Store Day, a cooperative project of hundreds of independent record stores in the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Germany and Holland. This year’s Record Store Day created the largest vinyl sale day in Soundscan history, while lifting the music sales for the entire music industry. “Back to Black Friday” will follow the “bigger-than-Christmas” success of Record Store Day’s annual April event. Most of the special releases are being issued as vinyl records, which have experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years, spearheaded almost entirely by independent stores. The full rundown of rare items available at participating stores on “Back to Black Friday” can be found at www.recordstoreday.com.

While browsing at their favorite local record store on “Back to Black Friday,” fans can also check out some of the latest work from the Dangerbird family of artists, including Justin Meldal-Johnsen’s co-writing and production credits on the acclaimed new album from M83, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. In addition, recent releases are currently available from Dangerbird’s eclectic roster of acts who have long supported indie record stores, such as Fitz and the Tantrums, Beady Eye, The One AM Radio, Boots Electric, Eagles of Death Metal, Minus the Bear, The Fling, Ben Lee, The Limousines, Dropkick Murphys, Jon Fratelli, and producer Tony Hoffer (Phoenix, The Kooks), among others. For more information, visit www.dangerbird.com.

Glen Campbell to be honored by Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban on Nov. 9

2011-11-01T07:53:00.001-07:00

A tribute to Glen Campbell by several of country music's biggest modern-day stars is coming up on Nov. 9, 2011. Here are highlights of the official media release...

Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban Pay Tribute to Glen Campbell on "The 45th Annual CMA Awards"

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell (pictured on the left) during The 45th Annual CMA Awards. The three guitar virtuosos' performance saluting the legendary singer/musician will be a highlight of "Country Music's Biggest Night™."

The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration "You and Tequila;" Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet "Easy;" Lionel Richie performing a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song "Remind Me."

Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The legendary performer has sold more than 45 million albums and recorded such classic hits as "Wichita Lineman," "Gentle On My Mind," "Galveston," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Southern Nights," and "Rhinestone Cowboy." As a musician, Campbell was part of the much-heralded Wrecking Crew that performed on a variety of artists' albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys' seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra's megahit "Strangers in the Night," among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie True Grit, and hosted "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Sights and Sounds: Record Store Day releases, Jon Anderson, Ricky Skaggs

2011-10-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Why get scared on Halloween when so much new music awaits? I went digging through the dark labyrinth of my inbox and unearthed a few gems to share. So if you have interest in the upcoming 'Black Friday' and other chilling updates, read on...

WARNER BROS. RECORDS AND AFFILIATED LABELS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE VINYL RELEASES FOR NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY ON BLACK FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011

VINYL PACKAGES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, IRON AND WINE, TOM PETTY (PICTURED), THE BLACK KEYS AND ERIC CLAPTON

In keeping with its commitment to the annual vinyl bonanza that is Record Store Day, a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the U.S. and hundreds of similar stores internationally, Warner Bros. Records has announced that it will make several vinyl pieces available on November 25th (or Black Friday, if you speak retail), exclusively in honor of 2011's second annual Record Store Day. April saw the release of vinyl from The Flaming Lips, Devo, Mastodon, Sonic Youth, and others. The day after Thanksgiving, the following very special exclusive releases will go on sale in record stores across the country and at www.becausesoundmatters.com:

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Remastered and reissued for the first time in 20 years, this Anniversary edition of the SoCal funk-rock giants' classic 1991 album will be released on 140-gram red vinyl and is limited to 2,500 units domestically. Produced by Rick Rubin, Blood Sugar Sex Magik has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and was the Red Hot Chili Peppers' introduction to worldwide popularity and critical acclaim, spawning several hit singles including "Under The Bridge" and "Give It Away."

$34.98

Iron and Wine: Live at KCRW
This live collection features Iron and Wine, fronted by Sam Beam, in an intimate on-air acoustic performance at Los Angeles' influential tastemaker radio station KCRW this past Jan 26, 2011. This intimate performance includes songs from Iron and Wine's current album Kiss Each Other Clean, and other favorites as well as audio from his interview with Jason Bentley. The package includes a limited-edition LP pressed in an edition of 2,500 copies only and a CD.

$24.98

Tom Petty: Kiss My Amps (Live)
This limited-edition LP features six live tracks from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' 2010 tour supporting their album Mojo - Petty's first album with the Heartbreakers in eight years. It includes "Sweet William," a B-side recorded live during the 2008 tour and referred to at the time by Rolling Stone as their "new favorite Petty song." Limited to 5,000.

$24.98

The Black Keys: Two-song 12" EP
The Black Keys' new record El Camino will be released Dec 6th on Nonesuch Records. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the album was recorded in the band's new hometown of Nashville. A limited-edition 12" of the already popular single "Lonely Boy," pressed on limited edition vinyl, will be available at independent retailers as part of Record Store Day, with another album track, "Run Right Back," on the B-side.

$10.98

Eric Clapton Blues Box
We are proud to present the definitive sound and vinyl offering of three of Eric Clapton's most celebrated blues explorations. This three album five disc box has been carefully recut for vinyl at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Chris Bellman and pressed on the finest grade 180- gram European vinyl for the highest quality analog sound imaginable. Box set includes: From The Cradle, Riding With The King and Me And Mr. Johnson, plus a unique 12" x 12" lithograph. Each box is beautifully packaged in a high quality paper wrapped design. This title is non-exclusive to Record Store day but limited to 2500 copies.

$124.98

About Record Store Day:
Record Store Day is managed by the Music Monitor Network and is organized in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and celebrates the culture of independent record stores by playing host to in-store events/performances, signings and special product releases on a global scale on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

For more about National Record Store Day, please visit www.recordstoreday.com.

Open Doors Will Always Open Hearts... OPEN – The New Opus By Jon Anderson

Digital Download Available Now

Asheville, NC – Much to the excitement of music fans across the globe, on October 25, 2011 legendary YES vocalist Jon Anderson will release as a digital download an epic musical work entitled OPEN. A return to the long-form composition that Jon Anderson is best known for, (“Close To The Edge”, “Gates of Delirium”, "Revealing" and “Awaken”), OPEN is a 21-minute exhilarating musical journey; a pioneering effort that weaves intricate melodic and harmonic themes within a classical music framework whilst showcasing Anderson's iconic vocals and timeless melodies throughout. In many ways OPEN is a return to Jon Anderson's musical roots, as YES music continually flows through his veins, making it only natural to revisit now and again. Coupled with wonderful orchestration by his neighbor and good friend Stefan Podell, messages of peace, love, light and freedom are further explored within OPEN, making listening an uplifting and joyous experience!

" 'Forever taken to that place of understanding,' are the first lyrics of OPEN, as though I am always remembering my true musical journey. To create this work, I sat with my 19th Century guitar and strummed ideas last spring 2010. Songs just poured out of me that week, and before I knew it I had created a long form musical idea, and with the help of Stefan Podell's powerful orchestration, we put together what is now 'OPEN.'

It has 4 movements all intertwined, and seems to have a life of its own. For those who love this kind of music, I feel so happy to present it as one of many I hope to create over the coming years. My love 'Janee' has helped in production with her unique musical observations and her angel voice. I am so happy and thankful... Many Blessings." Jon Anderson - October 2011

In other news, Jon Anderson is currently on tour in the US and Canada with fellow former YES member Rick Wakeman. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release 'The Living Tree', and have now brought their highly anticipated show to America! In December 2011 Jon will be performing select solo concerts in South America. Go to www.jonanderson.com/tour.html for more information. Lastly, Jon Anderson's latest CD release 'Survival & Other Stories' has been garnering rave reviews worldwide by critics and fans alike. You can purchase the CD at: www.amazon.com/Survival-Other-Stories-Jon-Anderson/dp/B004XIQHWU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308606761&sr=1-1

Jon Anderson's OPEN is available as a digital download on October, 25, 2011 and can be obtained at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/open-single/id474552662?ls=1

For more information: www.JonAnderson.com or www.facebook.com/thejonanderson

Music Icon Ricky Skaggs named Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year at 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards

"I always try to entertain folks with good clean fun and stories from my youth," says Skaggs of the Entertainer of the Year nod. "I always try to bring the gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ to our shows as well. I think now more than ever, people all over the country need hope. I'm very thankful to have won this award. I certainly look up to all of the people in this category. They are taking the gospel out to the folks who really need to hear it. Thanks again so much. It means a lot to me."

Music icon Ricky Skaggs was named Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year at the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Show held on Oct. 28, 2011. Held at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the star-studded evening included a memorable performance of "Somebody's Prayin'" that featured Skaggs, John Elliot and six members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The track is from Ricky's July-issue CD, COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE. The show was co-hosted by GAC-TV's Storme Warren and Inside Edition's Megan Alexander.

This year marks Ricky's 50th in the entertainment field, and his rise to the top has been unparalleled in music history. From his days as a valued band member for artists like Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris, to the release of his first solo recording in 1981, Skaggs has taken his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. Skaggs was honored to be chosen from among the very best of musicians, and says: "It means a lot to have been included with pickers whom I so admire. I am honored to have won Musician of the Year." Credited with "single-handedly saving country music" in the mid-80s by renowned guitarist and producer, Chet Atkins, Skaggs has since blurred the edges of various genres, but maintained his unique musical individualism.

Ricky was honored by Power Source Magazine last week at their # 1 Awards Party held at the Wildhorse Saloon for "Someday Soon," a hit from last year's MOSAIC album. Skaggs has previously won the following ICM Awards: Musician of the Year, Christian Country Music Association - 1994, 1995; Musician of the Year - 2008; Inspirational Bluegrass Artist (with The Whites) - 2008; Mainstream Country Artist (with The Whites) - 2008; Mainstream Country Artist - 2009 and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist - 2010. The 14-time Grammy® winner has also been honored with eight Academy of Country Music Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder hit the road next week for one show in Louisiana before heading North for seven engagements in Canada, November 4 - 12. They return stateside for shows in Virginia and Pennsylvania before Ricky embarks (with The Whites and family) November 28 on A Skaggs Family Christmas Tour. The seasonal tour, the entourage's eighth in as many years, is in support of A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO, which was released last month. The 10-song disc features both studio and live recordings, and includes a bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions. A Skaggs Family Christmas Tour concludes with an evening at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 22. Information: www.rickyskaggs.com.

Speaking of the ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Show, other major wins of the night included Lady Antebellum’s Hello World, in the Video category. Noted Dave Haywood of Lady A on their award: "This was a really emotional song and definitely the most dramatic video we've ever made. We are honored with the recognition from the Inspirational Country Music Award voters and we just appreciate the support of our fans. We want to give a shout out to Roman White, who directed this video and created such a powerful visual story for our song...big thanks to him as well."

Big Machine Label Group’s rising new superstar Justin Moore proved a winner with this year’s voters with Mainstream Inspirational Country Song honors being award to If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away. “This song is a gift from God,” he noted in acknowledging the honor. “I can’t think of a better way and a better place to win my first ever award so thank you very much and God bless you guys.”

Jeff Bates proved equally strong as a mainstream contender as he walked the Schermerhorn stage to receive Mainstream Country Artist top honors. Film honors went to Soul Surfer -- the dramatic true story of young surfer Bethany Hamilton’s deep encounter with God after losing her arm in a shark attack at the age of 13. Directed by Sean McNamara, who also co-wrote the screenplay with collaborative writer Deborah Schwartz, McNamara was at the Schermerhorn to accept the award.

An emotional highlight of the evening was the naming of The Fox Brothers as the recipient of the coveted Legend/Pioneer Award.

Information: www.ICM-Awards.com

Sights and Sounds: Buddy Holly tribute coming to PBS, Rodrigo y Gabriela set to release 'Area 52,' David Nail to sing at World Series tonight

2011-10-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

What do Buddy Holly, a Beatle, the World Series and 'Area 51' have in common? All are included in an admittedly wide-ranging wrap-up of new media releases plucked from my inbox...

BUDDY HOLLY: LISTEN TO ME / THE ULTIMATE BUDDY PARTY
Coming in December 2011 (check local listings)

– Historic Concert Features Paul Anka, Peter Asher, Michelle Branch, Cobra Starship, Shawn Colvin, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Graham Nash, Stevie Nicks (pictured here), Boz Scaggs, and Patrick Stump; Special Guest Appearances by
Phil Everly, James Burton, Albert Lee; Featured Tributes by Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Imelda May, and More –

Click here to watch a great five-minute video about the upcoming PBS special.

BUDDY HOLLY: LISTEN TO ME / THE ULTIMATE BUDDY PARTY, an extraordinary concert event held at The Music Box in Hollywood on what would have been Buddy’s 75th birthday (September 7, 2011), is available only through PBS, beginning this December. Offering viewers a front row seat for this once-in-a-lifetime concert, BUDDY HOLLY: LISTEN TO ME is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning December 3, 2011 (check local listings).

Produced by Songmasters, the all-star tribute proved an historic rock ‘n’ roll moment, with an incredible line-up of performers including Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, and Graham Nash — rocking the house in the company of a host of superstar guests. Among them were such avowed Holly fans as Paul Anka, Boz Scaggs, Shawn Colvin, Patrick Stump, Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta and Victoria Asher, Michelle Branch, and famed guitar slingers James Burton and Albert Lee. The amazing finale featured all performers in the show in a rousing rendition of Holly’s best-known song, “That’ll Be The Day.”

As if all that weren’t enough, a series of live and video tributes were featured throughout the show, including homages to Holly from Keith Richards, Ringo Starr, Jackson Browne, Brian Wilson, Pat Monahan (of Train), Imelda May, and the one and only Eric Idle of Monty Python’s Flying Circus fame.

Peter Asher, producer of the Listen to Me: Buddy Holly album (and musical legend in his own right) is the evening’s host and music supervisor. He is joined by Chris Isaak as co-host and performer. Asher assembled an incomparable all-star “house-band” led by Waddy Wachtel — one of rock’s most acclaimed guitarists and musical directors. With their superb musicianship the performers gave energized, sometimes moving, always modern, authentic and unique interpretations of Holly’s most enduring and iconic songs. Adding to the magic of this musical celebration are other friends and family from Buddy Holly’s life, including Maria Elena Holly and Phil Everly, making what may well be his last public musical appearance.

Asher’s personal connection to Holly’s music goes back to 1965, when Peter & Gordon’s timeless cover of “True Love Ways” proved a massive hit both here and in the U.K. In addition, Asher produced Linda Ronstadt’s smash renditions of “It’s So Easy” and “That’ll Be The Day,” both of which served to further bolster the amazing durability of Holly’s legacy. Songmasters’ Listen to Me: Buddy Holly album features 15 entirely new versions of Buddy’s most iconic songs by leading artists, many of whom participated in this special concert.

“Buddy showed us how brilliant and unforgettable songs could be written using the simplest of chords,” says Asher. “He taught us the value of a lyric which came from the heart and the importance of making records the way you heard them in your head. His music has never ceased to play a major role in my life and work.”

BUDDY HOLLY: LISTEN TO ME / THE ULTIMATE BUDDY PARTY features these performances:

•“Crying, Waiting, Hoping” – Chris Isaak
•“Everyday” – Patrick Stump
•“Heartbeat” – Chris Isaak and Michelle Branch
•“I’m Looking for Someone to Love” – Lyle Lovett with James Burton
•“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Paul Anka
•“It’s So Easy” – Stevie Nicks
•“Learning the Game” – Shawn Colvin
•“Listen to Me” – Raul Malo
•“Maybe Baby” – Boz Skaggs
•“Oh, Boy” – Patrick Stump
•“Not Fade Away” – Stevie Nicks
•“Peggy Sue” – Cobra Starship (Gabe Saporta and Victoria Asher)
•“Raining in My Heart” – Graham Nash
•“Rave On” – Boz Scaggs, Graham Nash and Peter Asher
•“That’ll Be the Day” – All-Star Cast
•“True Love Ways” – Raul Malo
•“Well All Right” – Lyle Lovett

PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content.

Underwriters: Songmasters, Public Television Viewers and PBS
Producers: Songmasters and KQED-TV
Executive Producer: Jennifer S. Cohen, Songmasters
Co-Executive Producer: Regan McCarthy, Songmasters
Music Supervisor and Producer: Peter Asher
Director: Scott Lochmus
Writer/Producer: David Leaf
Line Producer: Eileen Bernstein
Music Director: Waddy Wachtel
Format: CC Stereo HD

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM

'AREA 52' SET TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 24, 2012

RECORDED IN HAVANA WITH CUBAN ORCHESTRA

ATO Records is excited to announce the release of the new studio album by Rodrigo y Gabriela. Entitled Area 52, the record was produced by the legendary Peter Asher and will come out on January 24, 2012. Area 52 contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalogue re-arranged and re-configured for a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of Havana's finest young players, collectively known as C.U.B.A. It's Rodrigo y Gabriela's first recorded collaboration with another group of musicians.

Area 52 was mixed by Rafa Sardina, one of the leading studio musicians in the Latin music world, and arranged by London-based pianist, composer and arranger Alex Wilson. Recording took place in the Miramar district of Havana, Cuba, at Abdala Studios, founded by the Cuban folk hero Silvio Rodriguez, as well as at Rod and Gab's studio in Ixtapa, Mexico. Other players on the record include: bassist Carles Benavent (Paco De Lucia, Chick Corea, Miles Davis), drummer John Tempesta (The Cult, Testament, White Zombie), sitarist Anoushka Shankar and drummer Samuel Formell (Los Van Van).

"The album is called Area 52 because we felt like Mulder and Scully approaching this -- it was just a crazy idea, to see if a big Cuban band could play our music, a step in the dark. We knew it was out there, everyone has heard of Area 51, but we wanted to take it a little further," Rodrigo says. "We saw it as a trip into the unknown, an experiment," he continues. "Okay we knew the producer, and had spoken to the arranger on Skype; but we didn't know the musicians or the studio, or Cuba for that matter."

Fresh from scoring Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with Hans Zimmer, Rod and Gab headed for Cuba in the summer of 2010 armed with their guitars, unplayed arrangements and a sense of intrepid trepidation. They had met Asher, known for his work with James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, 10,000 Maniacs, Diana Ross and others, as well as doing A&R at Apple Records, while working on Pirates of the Caribbean and came up with the idea for Area 52 shortly thereafter.

Asher says: "Rodrigo and Gabriela are two of the most extraordinary musicians with whom it has ever been my privilege to work. From Gab's complex multi-voice one-woman rhythm section to Rod's searingly creative lead lines, they are forging genuinely new, exciting and viscerally powerful music."

While mindful of the rich history of Cuban music, Rod, Gab, Asher, Wilson and Sardina were keen to imbue the project with the vitality and brio that are synonymous with the fierce guitar duo. "We have great love and respect for the well known Cuban musicians," says Rod, "but it was really important for us to seek out the best young players in Havana." He adds: "Our music is high energy, high intensity; and we wanted guys who could interpret our vision and match our approach."

With career sales in excess of 1.2 million albums, blockbuster movie scores, sell out world tours that span London to Los Angeles, Paris to Tokyo and Dublin to Sydney, and not forgetting the love and respect of fellow musicians like Metallica, Testament's Alex Skolnick, Al Di Meola and L Shankar, Rodrigo y Gabriela have worked hard to reach Area 52.

The band will be touring throughout 2012.

For more information, visit: http://rodgab.com

MCA NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST DAVID NAIL TO SING “GOD BLESS AMERICA” AT GAME SEVEN OF THE WORLD SERIES

NAIL WILL APPEAR ON THE NEW GAC SERIES DAY 'JOBS' ON OCTOBER 30

'THE SOUND OF A MILLION DREAMS' SET TO RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 15

MCA Recording and Grammy-nominated artist David Nail will sing the patriotic song “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch at GAME 7 of Major League Baseball’s WORLD SERIES.

“I'm truly honored to be asked to sing ‘God Bless America’ tonight. Obviously being from Missouri and a Cardinal fan, just to be able to watch game seven in person is a once in a lifetime experience in itself,” Nail says. Game 7 is scheduled for October 28 and will broadcast live on Fox.

Nail is also making an appearance on the new GAC series Day Jobs on Oct. 30 (8 p.m./Eastern). Nail will put in a full day of work at a Dairy Queen in his home state of Missouri.

On Nov. 15 MCA Records Nashville will release Nail’s second album The Sound Of A Million Dreams. The Sound Of A Millions Dreams is the follow-up to Nail’s acclaimed first outing, I’m About To Come Alive, which garnered Nail a Grammy nomination for Best Male Vocal Country Performance for his hit “Turning Home” and an Academy of Country Music Award nomination for Single of the Year for his “Red Light.”

The Sound Of A Million Dreams was produced by Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf and includes Nail’s current Top 15 hit “Let It Rain”. Along with the current single, The Sound Of A Million Dreams is comprised of eleven songs, including “I Thought You Knew”, which Nail co-wrote with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum and Monty Powell; “Desiree”, written by Keith Urban and Vernon Rust; and the loving track “Catherine”, which Nail wrote for his wife.

Nail has been touring extensively to give his fans a preview of The Sound Of A Million Dreams with an opening slot for Taylor Swift on her Speak Now Tour.