Sunday, October 30, 2011

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

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

Friday, October 28, 2011

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

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.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sights and Sounds: Jeff Healy Band, Warren Haynes, Curt Smith

With the holidays just around the corner, there is no better time to start thinking about what gifts you might want to get some of your favorite music fans! In this post, I highlight a number of forthcoming releases that are definitely worth seeking out...


EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE AMBITIOUS FOUR-DISC JEFF HEALEY BAND BOXED SET


Full Circle: The Live Anthology With Three CDs and One DVD Lands November 1, 2011


Eagle Rock Entertainment celebrates the life of Jeff Healey (1966-2008) with the November 1 release of Full Circle: The Live Anthology, a beautifully packaged boxed set containing three CDs and one DVD. [MSRP $29.98]


Known as one of the great guitar players of his generation, Healey, blind since age one, played the guitar on his lap, pedal-steel style. His soulful vocals and instrumental dexterity criss-crossed genres with ease but his heart was firmly entrenched within the blues-rock tradition.


Three complete concerts, captured in stunning aural clarity (Dolby Digital Stereo) are represented in this incredible set. In 1989, the Jeff Healey Band supported its See The Light debut album by performing at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1991, the band toured Switzerland appearing at the St. Gallen Open Air Festival (on CD and DVD in this set). In 1995, after achieving international fame, they returned home to Toronto for a rousing hero’s welcome in front of a hometown crowd, in support of their Cover To Cover album.


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.



TRACK LISTING


Disc 1 (CD):

Live At The Montreal Jazz Fest – 1989

1. The Better It Gets

2. I’m Tore Down

3. My Little Girl

4. Blue Jean Blues

5. Confidence Man

6. I Need To Be Loved

7. When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky

8. Angel Eyes

9. Roadhouse Blues

10. Hide Away

11. That’s What They Say



Disc 2 (CD):

Live At The St. Gallen Open Air Festival – 1991

1. My Little Girl

2. Blue Jean Blues

3. I Think I Love You Too Much

4. How Long Can A Man Be Strong

5. I Can’t Get My Hands On You

6. Full Circle

7. Angel Eyes

8. Guitar Solo

9. See The Light

10. While My Guitar Gently Weeps



Disc 3 (CD):

Live At The Hard Rock Toronto – 1995

1. I Got A Line On You

2. Stop Breakin’ Down Blues

3. As The Years Go Passing By

4. Yer Blues

5. Stuck In The Middle With You

6. Evil (Is Going On)

7. Angel

8. See The Light



Disc 4 (DVD):

Live At The St. Gallen Open Air Festival – 1991

1. My Little Girl

2. Blue Jean Blues

3. I Think I Love You Too Much

4. How Long Can A Man Be Strong

5. I Can’t Get My Hands On You

6. Full Circle

7. Angel Eyes

8. Guitar Solo

9. See The Light

10. While My Guitar Gently Weeps



'WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS: THE BENEFIT VOLUME 4' FEATURING GOV'T MULE, BOB WEIR & FRIENDS AND MORE OUT DECEMBER 6 VIA EVIL TEEN



Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Volume 4, a 2-disc live benefit concert featuring Gov't Mule, Bob Weir & Friends, John Hiatt & The Goners, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, moe and more will be released December 6, 2011 via Evil Teen. The Benefit Volume 4 was recorded at the 14th annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, NC on December 21, 2002. Proceeds from the album will Benefit the Asheville Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Listen to "Worried Down With The Blues" by Gov't Mule here:
http://soundcloud.com/azk_hh/worried-down-with-the-blues

The Benefit Volume 4 features over 2.5 hours of scorching blues, roots and rock including Bob Weir & Friends versions of classic Grateful Dead songs including "Truckin," Gov't Mule favorites "Sco-Mule" and "Worried Down with the Blues" and a mind-bending slide guitar/pedal steel duel between Warren and Robert Randolph set to "Shake Your Hips."

The Christmas Jam tradition continues this year with the 23rd installment in Warren's hometown of Asheville, NC on December 10 featuring Phil Lesh & Friends, Gov't Mule and more. For more info: http://xmasjam.com/

Warren Haynes is ranked #23 on Rolling Stone's Best Guitarists Of All Time list and his recent solo Stax/Concord Music Group release Man In Motion debuted in the Billboard Top 20.

Track listing and full credits:
Featuring: Bob Weir & Friends, Gov't Mule, Jerry Joseph, John Hiatt & The Goners, moe., Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Sons of Ralph

With very special guests: Artimus Pyle, Audley Freed, Dave Schools, DJ Logic, Dr. Dan Matrazzo, Greg Rzab, Jon Smith, Mike Barnes

Produced by Warren Haynes

1. Carolina In My Mind - Warren Haynes w/Don Lewis
2. 111 - Sons of Ralph
3. Nine Pound Hammer - Sons of Ralph w/Warren Haynes
4. The Kind Of Place - Jerry Joseph
5. Climb To Safety - Jerry Joseph w/Robert Randolph, Dave Schools & Matt Abts
6. Looking Out My Window - Robert Randolph & The Family Band
7. Shake Your Hips - Robert Randolph & The Family Band w/Warren Haynes & Danny Louis
8. Dark Star Jam > Mexico - moe.
9. Opium - moe. w/Warren Haynes

Disc 2:
1. Ride Along - John Hiatt & The Goners
2. Tiki Bar Is Open - John Hiatt & The Goners w/Jon Smith
3. Memphis In The Meantime - John Hiatt & The Goners w/Warren Haynes
4. Shakedown Street - Bob Weir & Friends
5. Truckin' - Bob Weir & Friends
6. The Other One - Bob Weir & Friends
7. Worried Down With The Blues - Gov't Mule w/Greg Rzab
8. Sco-Mule - Gov't Mule w/Greg Rzab, Dr. Dan Mattrazo, Jon Smith, Mike Barnes & DJ Logic
9. Simple Man - Gov't Mule w/Dave Schools, Artimus Pyle, Audley Freed, Mike Barnes & Rob Barraco


CURT SMITH ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR “MAYFIELD”

Tears For Fears Co-Founder To Reissue Out Of Print Solo Album



Tears For Fears co-founder Curt Smith has announced that he’ll be re-releasing his long out-of-print solo album, Mayfield, on November 15, 2011 via his own KOOK Media imprint and eOne Music Canada (for Canadian digital sales). The release will include a new bonus track, “Trees,” featuring Janice Whaley.


“Mayfield was a band I formed after moving to New York, a couple of years into my hiatus from Tears For Fears,” Smith says. “The premise was to not use my name (hence “Mayfield”: Curt-is Mayfield, get it?) and just try to rediscover the joys of music through playing live. We played at downtown New York clubs like Brownie’s, Mercury Lounge and CBGB’s. Those were a couple of the most enjoyable years I’ve spent as a musician.”


The songs on Mayfield, written with Smith’s longtime collaborator Charlton Pettus, were recorded live, with overdubbing and editing used sparingly. The album, released in 1997, was recorded in just three weeks. In addition to Smith (who played bass and handled all the lead vocals), Mayfield’s members included Pettus on guitar and backing vocals, Doug Petty on keyboards, Russ Irwin on keyboards and backing vocals, and Shawn Pelton on drums. Petty and Pettus have played in the Tears For Fears touring band since 2004.


The album’s original tracklist remains intact, and includes a bonus re-recording of the song “Trees.” Musician Janice Whaley, known for “The Smiths Project,” used multiple loops of her own voice as the instrument bed for the track, to mesmerizing effect, and Smith laid down a new lead vocal. Fans who already own Mayfield will be able to purchase the bonus track by itself via digital download.

“Mayfield” will be available in digital format from all major online retailers, and in physical CD format from Amazon.com and at Smith’s shows. Smith also plans a limited edition Mayfield deluxe bundle that will include exclusive collectibles, which will be available only on his website at curtsmithofficial.com.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sights and Sounds: The Grateful Dead, Color Theory, James McCartney

In today's post, I did a bit deeper to uncover some hidden gems spanning several genres that shouldn't get by unnoticed.


"The Grateful Dead Movie" Arrives On Blu-Ray on Nov. 1, 2011


Long out of print, but now restored to its splendid glory – The Grateful Dead Movie arrives in stores nationwide November 1 (Shout! Factory) on Blu-ray, much to the delight of fans worldwide.

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. The deluxe 2-disc set contains the feature film on Blu-ray and a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus features.

Disc 1 features the film in its entirety transferred from the original 35mm film negative in High Definition and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The performances include Dead classics such as “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia,” and “Casey Jones.”

Disc 2 is a DVD containing more than 95 minutes of bonus concert footage, including “Uncle John’s Band,” “Sugaree,” “The Other One‚” and more as well as extensive bonus features. Additionally, viewers can choose which sound mix they want, including a 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio presentation of the original theatrical audio mix, a DTS 5.1 audio mix, mixed from the master multitrack tapes, or the PCM 2.0 audio mix, all from the master multitrack tapes.

Click here to get more information on this forthcoming release.


'The Complete Color Theory' available for pre-order


The Complete Color Theory features 217 tracks on 15 albums (3 are double albums), completely remastered from the original source materials in both mp3 and lossless FLAC formats, on a custom laser-engraved 8 GB USB key. Expect a few surprises as well, like photos, rough manuscripts and lyric sketches.

Brian Hazard, whose Color Theory moniker is well known among fans around the globe, asked "how much I should sell them for, and $99 was the clear consensus (I’ll cover the shipping). That seems reasonable to me, but I don’t think it’s fair that someone who already bought most of the albums has to pay the same as someone who hasn’t bought any. So…

"During the pre-order period, you’ll receive a $5 credit off the $99 price for each of the 10 official Color Theory releases you’ve already paid at least $5 for. That means many of you will get it for half off: $49.

On November 1, 2011, it will be set in stone at $99, regardless of your purchase history.

Pre-order now to receive one of the first 50, which will ship on November 1. The rest should ship around the middle of the month."

Get your copy of The Complete Color Theory here.


JAMES MCCARTNEY'S THE COMPLETE EP COLLECTION SET FOR NOV 22 RELEASE ON ENGINE COMPANY RECORDS

PRODUCED BY DAVID KAHNE AND PAUL MCCARTNEY, SET INCLUDES TWO CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, DIGITAL-ONLY EPS AND FIVE NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD TRACKS


LISTEN TO ALBUM OPENER "ANGEL" VIA ROLLINGSTONE.COM: http://bit.ly/oLXaQA



James McCartney's The Complete EP Collection will be released on November 22 exclusively as a two-cd set via Engine Company Records. The CDs gather McCartney's two recent, critically acclaimed digital EPs 'Available Light' and 'Close at Hand,' with five previously unreleased bonus tracks. All told, the set features 14 McCartney (seen on the right in a photo taken by Mary McCartney) originals, plus a deeply felt cover of Neil Young's "Old Man," and a rousing version of Carl Perkins' "Your True Love."

Rollingstone.com premiered the CD's opening track "Angel" earlier this week, hailing McCartney’s "strong pop hooks." Listen to the excellent power pop-styled track here: http://bit.ly/oLXaQA

The Complete EP Collection is, by turns, whimsical and reflective, sharp-witted and affectionate. Full of smart, engaging pop songwriting—including the intimate "Wings of a Lightest Weight," an expression of a son's feelings of love for his mother—the collection was produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor) and James' father Paul McCartney. The set was recorded at Abbey Road and Hog Hill Mill Studios in England, as well as SeeSquared and Avatar Studios in New York. James plays many of the instruments himself, including guitar, bass, piano and mandolin.

Track Listing for The Complete EP Collection:

Disc 1
Angel
Glisten
My Friend
Denial
Old Man
New York Times (Bonus)
I Love You Dad (Bonus)
Moonstar (Bonus)

Disc 2
I Only Want To Be Alone
Wings of a Lightest Weight
The Sound of My Voice
Else and Else But Dead
Jesus Be My Friend
Fallen Angel
Spirit Guides (Bonus)
Your True Love (Bonus)

Information: http://www.jamesmccartney.com/

Sights and Sounds: Dengue Fever, Vince Gill, David Nail

If it's Monday morning, then it must be time to kick off the week with news about upcoming tours and related updates. Have a great week everybody!

DENGUE FEVER CONFIRMS DATES, CITIES AND VENUES FOR NOVEMBER “ELECTRIC MEKONG” TOUR


LOS ANGELES, CA & PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2011) - Cambodian and American rock band DENGUE FEVER (www.denguefevermusic.com) announced today that its previously announced South East Asian “Electric Mekong” tour, has confirmed dates, cities, and venues for this November. This is the band’s third tour of the region in its career. Additional tour dates are still to be confirmed.

Dengue Fever is touring the region with the cooperation and support of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. embassies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, and local promoter in Cambodia, Dickon Verey, after receiving the prestigious Arts Envoy grant, designed to share American Culture around the world. Previously, the band performed in Cambodia and Vietnam, but this trip marks its debut in Laos. Tour dates are as follows:

11/12 @ FCC, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA
11/13 @ Epic Arts Center, Kampot, CAMBODIA
11/15 @ Hotel De La Paix, Siem Reap, CAMBODIA
11/16 @ Venue tbd, Battambang, CAMBODIA
11/18 @ Diamond Island Building, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA
11/23 @ Venue tbd, Vientiane, LAOS
11/26 @ American Club, Hanoi, VIETNAM

In April of this year, Dengue Fever released its fourth full-length album, Cannibal Courtship for Concord Music Group/Fantasy Records. The band has toured the United States, France, and England in support of the record. In fact, the band was invited by The KinksRay Davies to perform at his 2011 Meltdown Festival, which he curated, as well as making their sold-out Paris debut and second Glastonbury performance. The band is currently confirming tour dates in the U.S. and Europe for 2012.

Later this year, Dengue Fever will launch their own record label and online store, for the purpose of releasing their long out-of-print back catalog with additional bonus tracks and new merchandise for fans. Currently, the band is sifting through outtakes, live tracks, radio shows, alternative tracks and more to expand their back catalog for digital and physical release.

Additional details on tour dates, events, band news and more will be announced shortly.

ABOUT DENGUE FEVER
DENGUE FEVER is Cambodian songstress Chhom Nimol, Zac Holtzman (guitar/vocals), Ethan Holtzman (keyboards), Senon Williams (bass), Paul Smith (drums) and David Ralicke (horns). They have released three albums: Dengue Fever, Escape From Dragon House, Venus On Earth and the DVD/CD soundtrack to the band’s documentary Sleepwalking Through The Mekong, in addition to a collection of lost Cambodian classics, Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia. Cannibal Courtship, their debut release on Fantasy Records, a division of Concord Music Group is out now. They are based in Los Angeles.


Vince Gill hits the trail this week with 'Guitar Slinger'




Will Showcase First New Album In Five Years on National TV

A guitar slinger’s gotta’ ramble.

Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill will make a series of national television and high-profile concert appearances over the next few weeks to perform selections from Guitar Slinger, his first new studio album in five years. The album—in both its standard and deluxe editions—will be released today (Monday, Oct. 24, 2011).


In conjunction with the Guitar Slinger rollout, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean declared it to be “Vince Gill Week” on October 13 and celebrated the occasion with a party at the city’s Bridgestone Arena.


Gill’s last album, the 4-CD These Days set, debuted in 2005 and went on to win a best country album Grammy.

Here is the immediate Guitar Slinger itinerary:

Oct. 26 (Wednesday)—NBC's The Today Show

Oct. 27 (Thursday)—Fox Business channel’s Imus In The Morning

Oct. 27 (Thursday evening)—Show at The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in New York City (Details at http://www.housingworks.org/events/detail/live-from-home-with-vince-gill.) All ticket sales benefit the Housing Works' mission of fighting to end AIDS and homelessness.

Oct. 29 (Saturday)—CBS-TV’s The Early Show

Nov. 9 (Wednesday) —45th Annual Country Music Association Awards on ABC

Nov. 10 (Thursday) – Taping the CMA Country Christmas on ABC (airdate TBA)

Nov. 16 (Wednesday) – NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Nov. 16 (Wednesday evening)—Show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. This marks Gill’s return to the venue where he first gained prominence as an artist. (Details at: http://www.troubadour.com/event/71311.)

Nov. 17 (Thursday) – ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Nov. 25 (Friday)—CMT’s Crossroads featuring Vince Gill and Sting (See local listings for times).

Nov. (airdate TBA) – GAC will premier Backstory: Vince Gill

Dec. 3 (Saturday)—Gill rides as Grand Marshall in Nashville’s 59th annual Christmas parade.

“Threaten Me With Heaven,” the first single from Guitar Slinger, is currently climbing the charts.


MCA NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST DAVID NAIL TO RELEASE THE SOUND OF A MILLION DREAMS ON NOVEMBER 15

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FOLLOW-UP TO NAIL’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED I’M ABOUT TO COME ALIVE

Nashville, TN – MCA Nashville Recording and Grammy-nominated artist David Nail is slated to release The Sound Of A Million Dreams, his highly anticipated sophomore album, on November 15. The Sound Of A Million 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 famed producers Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell and Glenn Worf and includes Nail’s current Top 20 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. In Nail’s words, “This record reflects my personality along with my musical influences! There's a little bit of everything and everyone!”


Fans can see David perform “Let It Rain” in an intimate performance for Yahoo Music's "Ram Country" here http://new.music.yahoo.com/programs/ram-country/?vid=221576854. On October 30 (8:00 p.m./Eastern) Nail will appear on an episode of the new GAC series Day Jobs where he puts in a full day of work at a Dairy Queen in his home state of Missouri.


Also in October Nail will be touring extensively to give his fans a preview of a The Sound Of A Million Dreams. On October 14 Nail will open for Taylor Swift on her Speak Now Tour in Lubbock, TX and will continue on her tour throughout October with stops in San Diego, Phoenix, Austin, Houston and San Antonio to name a few.


For a complete list of David Nail tour dates go to www.DavidNail.com

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sights and Sounds: Nils Lofgren, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Tom Waits



NILS LOFGREN TO RELEASE NEW CD TITLED "OLD SCHOOL" ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011

FIRST FULL STUDIO ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS FEATURES SUCH MUSIC ICONS AS LOU GRAMM, SAM MOORE AND PAUL RODGERS


It's been five years since the release of Nils Lofgren's last studio album featuring his own songs and, with his forthcoming release titled, Old School, he's got something to say.

An effort that's been in the works since the culmination of Springsteen's Working on a Dream Tour in November of 2009, Lofgren's Old School covers a variety of topics including desperation, self-doubt, true love, departed friends, holding on to your dreams and the world gone mad... along with a tribute to the late, great Ray Charles.

"These songs reflect characters with some radical feelings and beliefs," states the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lofgren. "They're definitely thought-provoking."

The CD -- due out on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 -- will be his eighth studio release on Vision Music, the label also responsible for 2008's The Loner - Nils Sings Neil (an homage to Neil Young, whom Nils started his career with over four decades ago) and 2006's Sacred Weapon.

"Old School has many different types of songs and feels... some rough, bluesy tracks to haunting acoustic songs," continues Lofgren. "There's some interesting and controversial characters in these songs and I look forward to everyone's reaction."

The album starts off with the controversial title track, "Old School," which features former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm.

"our spineless Congress should all be fired
get some women and men
with balls and sense hired
child rape and murder
one strike and you're down and out
with our kid's lives at stake what's to figure out
oh no ain't no old school anymore..."


It's not for the timid.

Old School features a total of a dozen songs (see below for track listing), all produced by Nils with the exception of the song, "Why Me," which was produced, recorded and mixed by Brian Christian (Alice Cooper/KISS/The Babys fame).

The song, "Amy Joan Blues" features legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers while the cut, "Ain't Too Many Of Us Left," features Rock Hall of Fame inductee Sam Moore from the popular sixties duo Sam & Dave.

Sam Moore comments about the collaboration, "It hit me when I was in the studio with Nils that we've lost so many of our friends, peers and colleagues in the past few years... The Big Man, Billy Preston, Wilson Pickett, George Harrison, Solomon Burke, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes. It hit me how true it is that there 'ain't too many of us left.' I was flattered and honored that Nils asked me to join him to pay a little honor and remind everyone in some way to remember our dear but departed friends and loved ones."

"Ain't Too Many Of Us Left" has been made available as a free download at www.nilslofgren.com for fans to enjoy and the entire CD can be pre-ordered on the site as well.

Also appearing on Old School is the song, "Irish Angel" (written by the great Bruce McCabe) that Nils has been singing for years at his acoustic shows along with a ballad Nils wrote with an old friend and great DC-area artist, Root Boy Slim, called, "Let Her Get Away."

"I've always wanted to share that particular song but never got it together until now," says Nils. "Sadly, Root Boy's not with us any longer, but I know there are fans out there that will appreciate this touching, haunted country-type ballad of ours."

Speaking of old friends near and dear... Old School is dedicated to Nils' dear friend and band mate, Clarence "Big Man" Clemons.

As an integral member of the Bruce Sprngsteen's E Street Band since 1984, Nils has remained consistently busy as part of the group, and as a solo artist.

In addition to songwriting and performing, Nils also devotes substantial time to his online guitar school (http://www.nilslofgren.com/Lessons07.html), which has garnered tremendous response from guitar players all over the world. Beginner lessons are offered in English, Spanish and Italian...

In early September, Nils released "When You Are Loved" (via free download on his site), a 9-11 song that honors heroes, victims and families.

Beginning Oct. 19, Nils has set out on the road for a few dates (see full itinerary on his Web site) to talk up the album and have some fun.

He'll travel from town-to-town, playing his favorite songs in intimate venues, talking to friends and fans... something he's enjoyed for 43 years now.

Call it "Old School."


BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND’S NEW CAREER-SPANNING COLLECTION ‘ULTIMATE HITS: ROCK AND ROLL NEVER FORGETS’
TO BE RELEASED NOVEMBER 21 IN 2CD AND DIGITAL PACKAGES


Seger’s Hugely Successful 2011 North American Tour Continues;
50-Date Tour to Wrap with New Year’s Concert in Las Vegas


For the first time, all of Bob Seger’s top hits have been gathered for a career-spanning 2CD and digital collection titled Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets. To be released Monday, November 21 by Capitol/EMI, the 26-track collection includes “Night Moves,” “Turn The Page,” “Hollywood Nights,” “Mainstreet,” “Old Time Rock And Roll,” “Like A Rock,” “Her Strut,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Against The Wind,” “Still The Same,” and many other Seger classics, as well as the Detroit rocker’s two #1 radio singles from this year, “Downtown Train” and his current #1 Classic Rock hit, “Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back To Birmingham).”

The collection also includes Seger’s timeless rendition of the Holiday classic “Little Drummer Boy,” its first appearance on a Bob Seger album, as well as the original mono version of Seger’s first hit “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” All songs on the album have been meticulously remastered from the original master tapes.

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band return to the road throughout November and December for the second leg of their hugely successful 2011 North American Tour. The tour’s upcoming stops include New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, Los Angeles’ Staples Center, Orlando Calling Festival (Seger’s first festival performance since 1980), Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena, Ottawa’s Scotiabank Place, Dallas’ American Airlines Center, Phoenix’s US Airways Center, Oakland’s Oracle Arena, and more. Seger will top off 2011 with his 50th concert of the year, a special New Year’s show at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. Seger originally conceived his 2011 Tour as a short spring run of 18-20 dates. Due to the overwhelming response from fans, Seger nearly tripled the number of shows.

On September 13, 2011, Seger offered fans a Free 6-Track Bonus EP on iTunes to celebrate the release of the digitally remastered multi-platinum Nine Tonight and Live Bullet concert albums. During the one week promotion, Seger gave his fans 1,698,000 free downloaded tracks. Seger & his Silver Bullet Band’s live performances have led to record sales in excess of 51 million including 11 platinum and seven multi-platinum RIAA-certified album awards. Seger holds the distinction in 2010 for the #1 Catalog Album of the Decade for his Greatest Hits, which has sold over nine million copies (U.S.A.) to date, posting an unbroken 17-year streak on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums and Catalog Albums charts.

Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets (2CD; digital)
DISC ONE:
1.Old Time Rock And Roll
2.Hollywood Nights
3.Night Moves
4.Mainstreet
5.Roll Me Away
6.Turn The Page
7.Her Strut
8.Still The Same
9.You’ll Accomp’ny Me
10.We’ve Got Tonight
11.Like A Rock
12.Fire Lake
13.Tryin’ To Live My Life Without You

DISC TWO:
1.Rock And Roll Never Forgets
2.Against The Wind
3.Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
4.The Fire Down Below
5.Travelin’ Man (Live)
6.Beautiful Loser (Live)
7.Shakedown
8.Shame On The Moon
9.Katmandu
10.Little Drummer Boy
11.Wait For Me
12.Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back To Birmingham)
13.Downtown Train

For additional information on Bob Seger, please visit: www.bobseger.com


Exclusive Tom Waits vinyl bundle at PopMarket.com


On October 24, 2011, legendary singer-songwriter Tom Waits will release BAD AS ME, his first studio album of all new music in seven years. To celebrate, PopMarket, Sony Music’s online daily deals site, will offer an exclusive vinyl bundle which includes the new album, Waits’ 1975 double album NIGHTHAWKS AT THE DINER and the Grammy-winning MULE VARIATIONS.


Each vinyl copy is packaged with their original artwork, with BAD AS ME containing a full-size book of lyrics and photos and a bonus CD of the whole album. All LPs are pressed on 180 gram black vinyl and are must-owns for any Tom Waits fan!


The Tom Waits vinyl bundle will be available exclusively on PopMarket.com as a Deal of the Day on October 24, 2011.

Lindsey Buckingham shines in return to Anaheim



This concert review was originally posted on Soundcheck on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for the great image she shot at the concert!


It’s been an exciting year for fans of live classic rock. In just the past six months or so, John Fogerty, the Zombies, Steely Dan, Paul Rodgers and even the Monkees have all delivered fantastic age-defying concerts throughout Southern California.

Add Lindsey Buckingham’s 95-minute set Monday night (Oct. 17, 2011) at City National Grove of Anaheim to the list. Performing both alone on acoustic guitar as well as with a terrific three-man band, the singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso – who appeared at the venue just days after Stevie Nicks sold it out – served up a mix of Fleetwood Mac classics, solo hits and new material that showcased how (like Neil Young) he is the rare 60-something who continues to challenge himself artistically while simultaneously creating some of the best work of his long career.

The Hall of Famer, who recently turned 62, is on tour in support of his September release Seeds We Sow, an outstanding 11-song disc that has deservedly garnered rave reviews. Many of the highlights of his 19-song set in O.C. came from that new album, including the experimental rocker “In Our Own Time,” the beautiful “Illumination” with its lush vocal harmonies, and a rousing take on “That’s the Way That Love Goes.”

Buckingham began the night walking out on the big stage alone, opening the show with an energetic “Shut Us Down,” which, like many of his songs, doesn’t fit neatly into a single style. While that song boasted a country-meets-blues vibe, other selections fused folk-rock, instrumental fingerstyle guitar work, melodic pop-rock and even jazz into his foundation.
In fact, Buckingham’s first five songs, including a sparse reworking of his solemn solo hit “Trouble,” were all delivered solo. From there he tackled his first Fleetwood Mac track of the night, “Never Going Back Again,” his fretwork and vocals gaining power as he ended the song with a flourish.

One of the most remarkable things about the performance was how easily Buckingham and his band shifted through various sounds and eras without a loss of momentum or focus. An early highlight of his wide-ranging set list included the propulsive folk-rocker “Under the Skin,” with Buckingham, Neale Heywood and Brett Tuggle all strumming their guitars while drummer Wilfredo Reyes Jr. kept the rhythm moving with skilled backbeat.

Mac fans were fully rewarded with several of the band’s best songs, including Buckingham’s “Go Your Own Way” and “Second Hand News” (both off 1977’s Rumours) and the title cut from 1979’s Tusk. “Go Your Own Way” not only sounded great but was one of many times that Buckingham’s unique talents as a guitarist shined; the lengthy solo at the end of the song delighted the crowd, on their feet and moving with the music.

Further enhancing the performance was his low-key but heartfelt introductions to much of his material.
“This is why we do this: people like you,” Buckingham said, acknowledging the loud crowd response after his rendition of “Tusk.” He thanked the audience for supporting him to be in the unique position of being allowed to work in two worlds, his so-called “big machine” (Fleetwood Mac) and his “little machine” (his solo career).

The far-too-fast night ended with Buckingham coming full circle, performing alone again, this time delivering the powerful title track from Seeds We Sow with all the depth and nuance he applies to his best-known hits. “I had a dream that you reached for me in the night,” he sang. “Touched me soft and slow / Everything was wrong but everything was right / Oh, the seeds we sow.”

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sights and Sounds: Lindsey Buckingham, Coldplay, Audio Fidelity 24-Karat reissues, Thin Lizzy

Wow, the releases keep coming! Fans of classic rock, modern rock and strong reissues all have something to help get them excited to kick off another week.

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM DVD 'SONGS FROM THE SMALL MACHINE: LIVE IN L.A.' ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011


Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Famer Lindsey Buckingham just may be one of the very few Americans who most changed the face of British Rock. As the male lead singer for Fleetwood Mac, this singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer took an underground blues band and helped make it into one of the most respected and best-selling bands in the universe. His voice…his intricate guitar playing…his compositional prowess, they’re all instantly recognizable.

And he’s still going strong.

On November 1, 2011, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release a DVD of Lindsey Buckingham’s Songs From The Small Machine: Live In L.A., which was filmed in high-definition with DTS Surround-Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Digital Stereo at The Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, California in April 2011.

The two-hour 19-song show will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, and as a DVD/CD set. [Pre-book Order Date October 7, MSRP $14.98 for DVD, MSRP $19.98 for Blu-ray, $19.98 for DVD/CD set]. Filled with his most beloved songs, including such Fleetwood Mac classics as “Go Your Own Way,” “Second Hand News,” “Big Love,” “Tusk,” “I’m So Afraid” and “Never Going Back Again,” blended with material from his new album Seeds We Sow (“In Our Own Time,” “Illumination,” “Stars Are Crazy,” “That’s The Way Love Goes”) the DVD and Blu-Ray also feature a Buckingham interview.

Songs From The Small Machine: Live In LA opens with a solo acoustic set that accentuate Buckingham’s nimble fretwork and multidimensional voice. The band join him for the remainder of the concert leaving the audience on their feet, shouting for more. The show closes with an acoustic encore of the title song from Seeds We Sow– a final reminder that this is one artist who refuses to rest on past laurels but, instead, prefers to look towards the future.

Lindsey Buckingham is out on the road in America touring with his band in support of Seeds We Sow (Mind Kit Records).

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.


TRACKLISTING

1) Shut Us Down*
2) Go Insane
3) Trouble*
4) Never Going Back Again*
5) Big Love*
6) Under The Skin*
7) All My Sorrows*
8) In Our Own Time*
9) Illumination*
10) Second Hand News*
11) Tusk*
12) Stars Are Crazy*
13) End Of Time*
14) That’s The Way Love Goes*
15) I’m So Afraid*
16) Go Your Own Way*
17) Turn It On
18) Treason
19) Seeds We Sow* (* = tracks on CD)


COLDPLAY LAUNCHES NEW ALBUM, 'MYLO XYLOTO', WITH APPEARANCES ON

“THE COLBERT REPORT,” “TODAY” AND “THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW”



Band Confirmed As Musical Guest For “Saturday Night Live” On November 12

Starting Monday (Oct. 17) iTunes Will Exclusively Stream One Track Each Day From Mylo Xyloto, Set For U.S. Release On Monday, October 24



Coldplay will celebrate the October 24 release of its new album, Mylo Xyloto (Capitol Records), with a series of U.S. television appearances. The band will be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” on November 12. Emma Stone will be the host. Coldplay will also appear on “The Colbert Report” (10/19), “TODAY” (October 21) and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (10/27).


Starting today (Monday, Oct. 17) the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) will exclusively stream one song from Mylo Xyloto each day leading up to the album's release on October 24. The week of free song streams from the album kicks off with "Princess of China (Feat. Rihanna)" today. Fans can also pre-order Mylo Xyloto on iTunes now and the single "Paradise" will begin downloading immediately.


“Coldplay reaches for the heavens on ‘Paradise,’ a majestic preview of the band’s fifth album,” said People, putting the track on its “Hot Singles” list. “‘Paradise’ is a far moodier affair than previous single ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,’ with dramatic strings and chords and just the right touch of melancholy for the onset of the fall season,” observed Idolator. “Paradise” and “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” the album’s first single, have already sold nearly a million downloads combined.

“Like 2008's horizon-broadening Viva La Vida, Mylo Xyloto draws from an expansive palette,” said SPIN while Rolling Stone praised it as “[Coldplay’s] most ambitious yet…a bear-hug record for a bear-market world.” The band appeared on CBS “Sunday Morning” yesterday and has been the subject of feature articles in Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times.



Mylo Xyloto will be available in digital, CD and vinyl formats and as a special limited edition Pop-Up album. It was produced by Markus Dravs, Daniel Green and Rik Simpson, with enoxification and additional composition by Brian Eno.


Coldplay – comprising Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin – has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including seven GRAMMY® Awards, six Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards. The band’s last album, 2008’s Viva La Vida, charted at No. 1 in 36 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Coldplay has headlined numerous festivals in the months leading up to Mylo Xyloto’s release, including stops in the U.S. at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Austin City Limits Festival, the iHeart Radio Music Festival in Las Vegas and Atlanta’s Music Midtown.


Audio Fidelity Releases Phil Collins, BTO Classics on 24-Karat Gold Format

AUDIO FIDELITY SETS TWO CLASSICS FOR 24-KARAT GOLD REISSUE TREATMENT FOR OCTOBER


Phil Collins' Hello, I Must Be Going! and Bachman-Turner Overdrive's Not Fragile To Be Set for Release on October 18

The latest entries in Audio Fidelity's series of high-end reissues of classic albums arrive on October 18, 2011 when the label delivers 24-Karat Gold CDs of two era-defining sets. Phil Collins' 1982 HELLO, I MUST BE GOING! and Bachman-Turner Overdrive's 1974 album NOT FRAGILE will be available-at both online and at traditional retailers-as numbered, limited-edition discs that will be retired after each title's initial run has sold out.


Phil Collins released HELLO, I MUST BE GOING!, his second solo album after vacating the drum-and-vocals chair in Genesis in November of 1982. The album's set, in particular his Top 10 remake of the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," was a defining record of its time, displaying New Wave's influence and the heavily reverbed drum sound of the era. In addition to "You Can't Hurry Love," the album contained the Top 40 single "I Don't Care Anymore" and found Collins working in a striking assortment of styles: R&B/dance in "It Don't Matter to Me," effervescent pop in "Like China" and touching ballads ("Why Can't It Wait 'Til Morning" and "Thru These Walls").


HELLO, I MUST BE GOING! (its title taken from the tune of the same name by the Marx Brothers) preceded Collins' later-'80s breakthrough with the chart-topper No Jacket Required (already available on 24-Karat Gold format from Audio Fidelity). HELLO had a dazzling run of its own, remaining on Billboard's chart for 141 weeks, where it peaked at No. 8. Collins co-produced the record with Hugh Padgham, longtime Genesis producer.

Phil Collins released HELLO, I MUST BE GOING!, his second solo album after vacating the drum-and-vocals chair in Genesis in November of 1982. The album's set, in particular his Top 10 remake of the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," was a defining record of its time, displaying New Wave's influence and the heavily reverbed drum sound of the era. In addition to "You Can't Hurry Love," the album contained the Top 40 single "I Don't Care Anymore" and found Collins working in a striking assortment of styles: R&B/dance in "It Don't Matter to Me," effervescent pop in "Like China" and touching ballads ("Why Can't It Wait 'Til Morning" and "Thru These Walls").


HELLO, I MUST BE GOING! (its title taken from the tune of the same name by the Marx Brothers) preceded Collins' later-'80s breakthrough with the chart-topper No Jacket Required (already available on 24-Karat Gold format from Audio Fidelity). HELLO had a dazzling run of its own, remaining on Billboard's chart for 141 weeks, where it peaked at No. 8. Collins co-produced the record with Hugh Padgham, longtime Genesis producer.


While NOT FRAGILE sports other strong tracks, among them the heavy-metal-flavored title song, the bluesy "Sledgehammer" and the instrumental "Freewheelin,'" it's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" that has retained a unique cultural significance for some three decades. It has now made 'appearances' in a wide range of contexts, from a Simpsons episode (where it's performed by an animated B.T.O.) to the soundtracks of the movies Studio 54 and Joe Dirt, to being used as a Democratic Party theme song in the 2006 midterm elections.

Founded in 2001, 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 its founder, music-industry veteran Marshall Blonstein, started in 1986, following his tenure 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).

Information: www.audiofidelity.net


THIN LIZZY SET TO ROCK THE USA WITH SPECIAL HEADLINING ENGAGEMENTS

Due to a multitude of classic tunes ("The Boys Are Back in Town," "Jailbreak," "Waiting for an Alibi," etc.) and albums ('Jailbreak,' 'Live and Dangerous,' 'Black Rose,' etc.), Thin Lizzy is undoubtedly one of rock's all-time great bands. And with arguably the band's strongest line-up since the days that the late/great Phil Lynott served as their front man, Thin Lizzy are set to take the USA by storm with upcoming headline appearance tour dates this fall and early winter 2011.

The headlining performance trek will include stops in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Reno, NV, Omaha, NE , Milwaukee, WI and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Thin Lizzy's current line-up includes such 'Lynott era' Lizzy veterans as Scott Gorham (guitar), Brian Downey (drums), and Darren Wharton (keyboards), as well as singer/guitarist Ricky Warwick, bassist Marco Mendoza, and guitarist Damon Johnson.

Thin Lizzy became one of rock's top bands during the 1970's, on the strength of Lynott's poetic yet tough lyrics, and the highly influential dual guitar attack of Gorham and which ever second guitarist he was paired up with at the time (Brian Robertson, the late Gary Moore, Snowy White, or John Sykes). Lizzy split up in 1983, before Lynott passed away in 1986. But with Lizzy being either consistently name checked as an influence or having their songs covered by other bands, the group's stature has remained at the forefront of rock over the years. And now, US fans will be able to experience the Lizzy legend once more on the concert stage.

CONFIRMED HEADLINING TOUR DATES:

10/20/2011 San Juan Capistrano, CA The Coach House
10/26/2011 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort, Grand Theatre
11/06/2011 Omaha, NE Slowdown
11/11/2011 Milwaukee, WI Potawatomi Casino
11/29/2011 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall


FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

http://www.thinlizzyband.com/

Monday, October 10, 2011

Coldplay to launch Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ

Southern California is welcoming a new live-performance space called Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ. Read on...

RED BULL SOUND SPACE AT KROQ LAUNCHES WITH LIVE COLDPLAY PERFORMANCE ON KEVIN & BEAN SHOW


Unique Venue to Stream Live Performances of Top Musical Acts

Los Angeles, CA (October 10, 2011) – THE WORLD FAMOUS KROQ today announced a partnership with Red Bull to unveil a new performance space which will host a series of intimate live rock shows from top music acts throughout the year. Located in KROQ’s Culver City radio station, “Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ” will fuse together an on-air broadcast with a live USTREAM webcast, inviting fans from around the world to a front row seat at this new “global” venue.

Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ will officially launch on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 during Kevin & Bean’s Breakfast with renowned KROQ artist, Coldplay. Coldplay will perform songs from their upcoming release, Mylo Xyloto, as well as tracks from previous albums. Fans will also be treated to an exclusive Q&A with the band by LA’s top rated morning show team. Southern California fans can listen live on 106.7FM KROQ or view the globally streamed webcast via www.kroq.com/soundspace and www.redbullusa.com/soundspace at 7:30am PDT/10:30am EDT.

What was once an office space packed with hum-drum cubicles is now home to a stage evoking the spirit of underground rock and roll. KROQ listener donations of old audio equipment such as ’40s-era radios, record players, and blinged-out boomboxes were turned into a piece of artwork behind the stage.

Coldplay has released four internationally acclaimed studio albums and are set to release their latest effort, Mylo Xyloto, on Monday, October 24. The album already boasts two Top 10 singles, “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” and “Paradise”.

The partnership between KROQ and Red Bull expands upon both entities’ impressive legacies in music. For more than 20 years, Red Bull has given wings to musicians from all over the world to create, collaborate and innovate through unique programs- from Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles, Auckland, London and Cape Town, to live events such as Red Bull Sound Clash, a record label featuring indie artists such as AWOLNATION and the globally acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy.

KROQ is responsible for introducing The Ramones and The Sex Pistols in the ‘70s. The station also helped launch the careers of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Linkin Park, Sublime and No Doubt. KROQ’s influence on what SoCal listens to and its success of launching some of the biggest bands in the world make KROQ a station like no other. “The World Famous KROQ” started out as a self-deprecating slogan, but is now very much a reality.

For information on upcoming performances at the Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ tune into 106.7 FM or visit www.kroq.com/soundspace or www.redbullusa.com/soundspace.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

'Achtung Baby' at 20, Coldplay 'Unstaged' and Cowboy Junkies 'Sing in my Meadow'

It truly is hard to believe that U2's epic 'Achtung Baby' was released 20 years ago. Now U2 is set to celebrate the masterpiece in grand style. Also big news concerning Coldplay and Cowboy Junkies. Read on...



Achtung Baby At 20 - Formats & Tracklistings

Twenty years after its 1991 release, an anniversary edition of Achtung Baby arrives on November 1, 2011.

Recorded at Hansa Studio in Berlin and Windmill Lane in Dublin, Achtung Baby was U2’s seventh studio album and went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, becoming one of the most significant records of the 1990s.

A raft of unreleased material including video, remixes, b-sides and documentary footage features in the anniversary edition - scroll down for complete tracklistings of the five physical formats.

Click here to see and pre-order the various versions set for release.


COLDPLAY: "UNSTAGED" LIVE FROM MADRID

THE "AMERICAN EXPRESS® UNSTAGED" MUSIC SERIES heats up FROM MADRID with A SPECIAL performance from SEVEN-TIME GRAMMY® WINNER COLDPLAY- STREAMED as a live vevo event on YOUTUBE

One-of-a-Kind Performance Marks First-Ever International "American Express Unstaged" Live VEVO Event on YouTube

Directed by Anton Corbijn and Live-Streamed Globally on October 26


American Express, in partnership with VEVO and YouTube, have announced that Grammy® award-winning rock band Coldplay will be the latest performer in its popular livestream music series, "American Express Unstaged." The performance will be livestreamed globally from one of Spain's most famous arenas, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid,at 4:00PM ET / 1:00PM PT on Wednesday, October 26 at www.youtube.com/coldplayVEVO and will be available on mobile devices via VEVO and YouTube apps for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android. The global event will come just two days after Coldplay's critically-acclaimed fifth studio album, MYLO XYLOTO (Capitol Records), hits stores.


"American Express Unstaged" brings together popular and iconic musical artists with renowned film directors. Coldplay will be paired with award-winning filmmaker and celebrated photographer Anton Corbijn (The American, Control). Known for his masterful use of black and white and striking imagery, Corbijn has been tapped to provide fans with a visually stunning digital viewing and in-venue experience. This will be the sixth installment within the "American Express Unstaged" music series and the first performance from a venue outside of the United States. The program has featured such recognized musicians as Arcade Fire, John Legend & The Roots, Sugarland, Duran Duran and My Morning Jacket.

Speaking from South Africa where the band is preparing for the "American Express Unstaged" performance with sold-out stadium shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg, lead singer Chris Martin said: "Anton Corbijn has been a big hero to us for a long long time so we're thrilled to be beaming this concert out to the world through his cinematic lens. We can't wait to share this experience with him and with all of our fans watching 'American Express Unstaged' around the world. It's going to be special."


Beginning Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, American Express Cardmembers and music enthusiasts can find pre-show digital features and one-of-a-kind content that further blurs the line between an at-home and in-concert experience at www.youtube.com/coldplayVEVO, including the exclusive "American Express Unstaged" trailer. Tickets for the October 26 performance at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid are available for American Express Cardmembers during an exclusive presale window beginning October 7th, at 9:00 AM CEST at www.Ticketmaster.es. Tickets will also be available to the general public beginning October 10, at 10 AM CEST at www.Ticketmaster.es.


Coldplay fans will be able to enjoy a special looped rebroadcast of the "American Express Unstaged" performance throughout the night, immediately following the livestream at www.youtube.com/coldplayVEVO. Following this rebroadcast, the full-length concert will also be available during a limited 48 hour window, via on-demand.




COWBOY JUNKIES TO RELEASE SING IN MY MEADOW THE NOMAD SERIES, VOLUME 3

With the October, 18, 2011 release of Sing In My Meadow, Cowboy Junkies continue an ambitious schedule of four releases over an 18 month period, collectively titled "The Nomad Series." The latest collection of songs, follows the critically acclaimed Renmin Park (2010) and Demons (2011). Renmin Park was inspired by Timmins' two-month stay in China and was called “their most ambitious yet” by The Boston Herald. Demons is a collection of songs by the late Vic Chesnutt which NPR called “…a loving tribute.”

Sing In My Meadow was recorded over a four- day period in 2011. The band's Michael Timmins describes it as "an album that references an aspect of our live performances that we don't dig into very much in our studio recordings. We wanted the album to revolve around those psychedelic, blues-inspired forays we are so fond of exploring on stage. We approached the songs all live-off-the-floor: nasty and dirty and disturbing the cold winter's nights' peace. We tried to channel Miles at the Isle of Wight, deep in his Bitches Brew phase; Captain Beefheart and his Mirror Man psychoses; The Birthday Party live at the Electric Ballroom circa 1981 (Margo, Al and I were in that audience); Neil and Crazy Horse in the back room at SIR….overdriven and thick with electricity.”

After all four volumes are released, plans call for a book that will delve into the character, nature, and inspiration behind each of the albums. It will be published by Whale and Star, the publishing house of the band's friend Enrique Martinez Celaya, a Cuban-American artist whose "Nomad" paintings helped inspire the series.

Timmins sums up the band's motivation for taking on such a massive project quite simply. "The main reason for wanting to do it," he says, "is that, as we steam through our twenty-fifth year, we feel that we have the energy and inspiration to pull it off!"