Thursday, November 13, 2014

Sights and Sounds: 'The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies,' Eric Clapton, First Aid Kit

While we wait for Friday, there is a wealth of great music news to share...


The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 2 CD soundtrack set to be released on Dec. 9, 2014 by Watertower Music
Featuring Original Music by Academy Award® Winner Howard Shore
With An Original Song “The Last Goodbye” Performed by
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Star Billy Boyd
WaterTower Music has announced the release of the soundtrack to The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, with music composed by Academy Award® winner Howard Shore, one of film music’s most respected, honored, and active composers and conductors. The soundtrack also contains an original song performed by Billy Boyd, who starred as Peregrin Took in The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. The soundtrack will be released in two configurations: a standard 2 CD set and a Special Edition set, also with 2 CDs, and featuring extended tracks, bonus tracks, and expanded liner notes. On December 9th, both versions of the soundtrack will be available digitally and on CD, except the 2CD Special Edition, which will be available for purchase on December 16. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, is the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.  The film will be released in theaters worldwide on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, with select international territories releasing on December 10, 2014.

The Battle Of The Five Armies is Howard Shore’s final musical voyage to Middle-earth – concluding his work with director Peter Jackson on both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

“It's been such an incredible experience and I'm very pleased to be able to finally release this last Hobbit film score. The connection to nature is very important to me and I think that was also my connection to Tolkien’s work,” Shore noted. Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy stands as his most towering achievement to date, garnering three Academy Awards® for his music for those films, two for Best Original Score, and one for Best Original Song. His music for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy has been performed in concerts throughout the world. In 2003, Shore conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings Symphony in Wellington, New Zealand.  Since then, the Symphony and The Lord of the Rings - Live to Projection concerts have been performed over 340 times by the world’s most prestigious orchestras, and has been the subject of a book by Doug Adams, The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores.

Also included on the soundtrack is “The Last Goodbye,” performed by The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy star Billy Boyd, which he co-wrote with filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. “Billy is not just a wonderful actor but also an extremely accomplished singer/songwriterwe are so glad he agreed once again to share his talent with us,” the filmmakers said jointly. “We cannot imagine a more perfect voice to carry us away from the shores of Middle-earth…one last time”

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on WaterTower Music will be available on December 9, 2014, and is currently available for pre-order at  iTunes and Amazon. The track listings for the 2 CD Standard edition and 2 CD Special Edition are as follows:


Disc 11. Fire and Water
2. Shores of the Long Lake
3. Beyond Sorrow and Grief **
4. Guardians of the Three **
5. The Ruins of Dale
6. The Gathering of the Clouds **
7. Mithril
8. Bred for War
9. A Thief in the Night
10. The Clouds Burst
11. Battle for the Mountain

Disc 2
1. The Darkest Hour
2. Sons of Durin
3. The Fallen
4. Ravenhill
5. To the Death **
6. Courage and Wisdom
7. The Return Journey
8. There and Back Again
9. The Last Goodbye performed by Billy Boyd
10. Ironfoot **
11. Dragon-sickness *
12. Thrain from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition *


* Bonus track available on Special Edition Soundtrack only

** Extended Versions of these songs Available on Special Edition Soundtrack only





FILM SYNOPSIS
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves.  The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug,upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town.

As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the legendary Arkenstone.  Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead.  An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth.  Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain.  As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide—unite or be destroyed.  Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.  The international ensemble cast is led by Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy ConnollyJames Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Graham McTavish, Stephen Fry, and Ryan Gage.   The film also stars Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Stephen Hunter, Adam Brown, John Bell, Manu Bennett and John Tui.

Directed by Peter Jackson, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies features a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Philippa Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. 

New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a Wingnut Films Production, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.  The film is a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production.  The film will be released worldwide on December 17, 2014, with select international territories releasing on December 10, 2014.  Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.  www.thehobbit.com.


Audio Fidelity To Release Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert on 180gm Vinyl LP & "Time Pieces" on Limited Edition Hybrid SACD

Adding to the series of Eric Clapton reissues, Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert on 180gm limited edition Vinyl LP & Time Pieces on Limited Edition Hybrid SACD.

"Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert"

Alive and Kickin' Clapton Makes a Comeback!

Other than one appearance in August 1971 at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh, Eric Clapton had not been heard from until Pete Townshend coaxed him to headline a concert appearance. The show was scheduled for January 13, 1973 at London's Rainbow Theatre. An all-star band was assembled for the show and in addition to Townshend the other English rock luminaries included Clapton's old Blind Faith pals, Steve Winwood and Rick Grech, Winwood's Traffic mate Jim Capaldi, Ron Wood, Jimmy Karstein and Rebop Kwaku Baah. It was an ensemble effort but the show demonstrated that the reclusive Clapton, nursing a heroin addiction, could still play, and that was welcome news. 

If the classic Derek and the Dominos' "In Concert" album shows Clapton on the upswing, then "Rainbow Concert" explores the lower reaches of his psyche. The Rainbow performance was his attempt at starting all over again and coming out of isolation to return to his music. Upon listening to Rainbow Concert it becomes clear just how much the concert helped to re-energize him. The concert at London's Rainbow Theatre stands as the beginning of Eric Clapton's return to the stage. 

"Rainbow Concert" is a recording of monolithic melancholy, the music is rich in its make-up and sad in tone. Townshend's and Wood's guitars and Winwood's organ surround Clapton in a protective aural capsule, but he cuts loose as much as his setting allows in "Badge," and he's solid for most of the show.  The album's excitement comes from the layered instrumental textures, the solemn measured movement into climaxes that are majestic if not explosive, and the nuances of Clapton's restrained playing and singing in a suitably course and bluesy voice.

In addition to "Badge," written by Clapton and George Harrison and covers such as J.J. Cale's "After Midnight" and a very soulful rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing," Steve Winwood steps back as lead vocalist in Eric Clapton's favor for Blind Faith's "Presence of the Lord" and Traffic's "Pearly Queen." 

A historic live appearance...all gritty rock n' roll and smouldering blues

TRACKS: Original 1973 release
Side One
Badge (Eric Clapton, George Harrison) – 3:32
Roll It Over (Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) – 6:43
Presence of the Lord (Clapton) – 5:37

Side Two
Pearly Queen (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) – 7:00
After Midnight (J. J. Cale) – 5:12
Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix) – 6:32

Producer Bob Pridden
Mastered for this vinyl release by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio


"Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton"

An indispensable collection for any Clapton fan!


Time Pieces is a collection of Eric Clapton's greatest hits. Eleven tracks of his best hits from 1970 to 1980, including his #1 Billboard chart record, 1974's "I Shot The Sheriff" and the classic "Layla," the 7:10 LP version from the Derek & The Dominos album which peaked at # 10 in July 1972.

The songs on the album were all released as singles, with only one song,"Knockin' on Heaven's Door," having never been released on album. A large number of songs on the release were either from 461 Ocean Boulevard or Slowhand including "Cocaine," "Wonderful Tonight," "After Midnight," "Promises" "Lay Down Sally" and Clapton's version of the old spiritual "Swing Low Sweet Chariot. "The songs are all universally loved and recognized hits making "Time Pieces" a great way to get into the Eric Clapton catalog for old and new fans alike.

The songs here are like gems!

1. I Shot the Sheriff
2. After Midnight
3. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
4. Wonderful Tonight
5. Layla
6. Cocaine
7. Lay Down Sally
8. Willie And The Hand Jive
9. Promises
10. Swing Low Sweet Chariot
11. Let It Grow

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio




Watch First Aid Kit perform 'Stay Gold' on Conan

First Aid Kit / Photo: Neil Krug
Acclaimed Swedish duo First Aid Kit visited CONAN last night for a stunning performance of their new single “Stay Gold.” Watch the clip here: http://teamcoco.com/video/first-aid-kit-stay-gold-11-11-14.

Listen to the band’s just-released Spotify Sessions, featuring live versions of “Stay Gold,” “My Silver Lining,” “Wolf,” and “Emmylou”: http://smarturl.it/FAK_SpotifySessions.

First Aid Kit’s soaring cover of R.E.M.’s “Walk Unafraid” is featured on the soundtrack to the new film Wild, listen here: 
http://vevo.ly/G8iX5f. The soundtrack is available everywhere now. Wild opens in select theatres across North America on December 5.

First Aid Kit continues on their largest-ever U.S. headline tour, having played the famed Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles last night. See below for remaining dates, and visithttp://thisisfirstaidkit.com to purchase tickets.

Stay Gold is available everywhere now: http://smarturl.it/FAK_StayGold.

Tour Dates (w/ support from Samantha Crain):

11/13 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
11/14 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
11/15 - Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA
11/17 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
11/18 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
11/20 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
11/21 - Bradley Fine Arts Building - Plymouth, WI
11/22 - Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL

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