Rolling Stone magazine's 200 Greatest Singers List - "We Have To Talk" (TJR & Robert Kinsler discuss the list)

Check out a new episode where TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss Rolling Stone magazine's new "200 Greatest Singers" list; they highlight some notable greats left off the list too! View the episode HERE. 

Music heroes shine on new titles

It's great when highly-anticipated releases deliver on their promise as convincingly as the latest titles featuring groundbreaking rock trio The Police, singer-songwriter Carole King, rocker Bruce Springsteen and power pop icon Richard X. Heyman. 

Artist: The Police
Title: Everyone Stares (Eagle Rock Entertainment))
You might like if you enjoy: The Police, Sting
Tell me more: Only someone positioned on the inside could have captured The Police's meteoric rise to fame as magically as what viewers will see in the fantastic documentary Everyone Stares. Written, produced and directed by Police drummer Stewart Copeland, the fast-paced film offers a first-person look at everything from the band's formation and first press conference in Los Angeles to bandmates Sting (vocals, bass), Andy Summers (guitar) and Copeland dancing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and headlining at day 1 of the fabled Us Festival in San Bernardino in May 1982. So many fly-on-the-wall moments are part of the film's wonderful arc. Among the memorable scenes chronicled are those where they are signing autographs, clowning around during photo shoots,, tearing through groundbreaking now-classic cuts at live shows, and developing "Do Do Do Do, Da Da Da Da" in a recording studio. Copeland's sparse and straight-forward narration is a wonder, notably when he says: "Pop stardom exploded out of nowhere." "Everyone Stares" is available on Blu-ray, DVD and digitally. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Carole King
Title: Live at Montreux 1973 (Eagle Rock Entertainment))
You might like if you enjoy: Carole King, Jenny Lewis
Tell me more: There is something special about a previously-unreleased recording, especially when it's as great as Carole King's Live at Montreux 1973. Launching the set — her first ever outside of the U.S. — alone at the piano King delivers stirring originals including "I Feel The Earth Move," Beautiful" and "It's Too Late" before the discerning Swiss audience gathered at the Montreux Pavillon on July 15, 1973. She is then joined by her terrific 11-member band to feature songs off her then-new bold album "Fantasy" (the jazz flavored "Fantasy Beginning/You've Been Around Too Long," reflective "You've Been Around Too Long," funk-soul gem "Haywood" and lovely ballad "A Quiet Place to Live" are among the wonderful selections). The New York native finishes off the dynamic concert with an intimate musical reading of "You've Got a Friend" and a nuanced take on her "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," the latter showcasing King's wonderful vocals. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Title: Western Stars (Columbia)
You might like if you enjoy: Glen Campbell, Michael Ubaldini, Bruce Springsteen
Tell me more: Bruce Springsteen's outstanding new album Western Stars marks another spirited step forward for the New Jersey-spawned Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a bona fide masterwork that combines the best of his signature brand of heartland rock, Americana and countrified folk into a rich tapestry. There are wistful country-western ballads (including "Hitch Hiking'," "Chasin' Wild Horses" and "Stones"), mid-tempo folk rockers (the strings-swept "Tucson Train," the Tex-Mex colored "Sleepy Joe's Cafe") and genre-defying retro soundscapes ("The Wayfarer," the breezy "Sundown," and ambitious "There Goes My Miracle") on Springsteen's first new studio album in five years  — an LP that will likely reveal additional and vital secrets with a parade of future listens. Springsteen's singular ability to tap into the stories of drifters, dreamers and the downtrodden is put to perfect use on this intimate and compelling collection of 13 original songs anchored by his resonant baritone and a sweeping mix of guitars, keyboards, pedal steel, strings and more. Themes and lyrical vistas include the wide open spaces and mythology of the American West, the importance of home and family, and everyday heroes who emerge amidst despair. Information: brucespringsteen.net. 

Artist: Richard X. Heyman
Title: Pop Circles (Turn-Up Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Brian Wilson, the Byrds, Todd Rundgren
Tell me more: Who says the number 13 is unlucky? Power pop hero Richard X. Heyman's 13th full-length album Pop Circles hits all the right notes on its exhilarating ride that includes a dozen principal cuts and five bonus tracks! The album begins with the sweeping "Guess You Had To Be There," a tuneful and intoxicating track that casts its spell with a single listen. The album's sumptuous gifts don't end there; the lush "If You're So Inclined" (which recalls some of the Byrds' beloved nuggets), the yearning confessional "Everything Must Go," the garage rocker "Hope," driving harmonies-rich "Marlena" and the baroque pop gem "About Time" are among my faves. Information: richardxheyman.com.


Robert Kinsler

Aretha Franklin remembered

The outpouring of tributes and heartfelt remembrances to Aretha Franklin following her death on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 is no surprise. The "Queen of Soul" is widely regarded as one of the best gospel and soul singers of the past 100 years.

After learning of the loss of Franklin, Robert Kinsler and TJR filmed a tribute to the icon that you can view here:



Here are some other notable tributes to Franklin worth sharing...

RECORDING ACADEMY™ STATEMENT: 
ARETHA FRANKLIN 
AUG. 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin was an incomparable artist who came to be recognized as one of the most profound voices in music. Known universally as the Queen of Soul, she solidified her legendary status in the late 1960s with chart-topping recordings that included "Respect," "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)," and "Think." During her six-decade career Aretha earned 44 GRAMMY^® nominations, 18 GRAMMY Awards, and was recognized by the Recording Academy™ on several occasions for her remarkable accomplishments as an artist and philanthropist. We were privileged to honor her with the Recording Academy's GRAMMY Legend Award in 1991, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994, and as the 2008 MusiCares^® Person of the Year for her extraordinary artistic achievements and charitable efforts. Her distinctive sound, unforgettable recordings, and giving spirit will continue to be celebrated worldwide. Aretha will be dearly missed, and our thoughts go out to her loved ones during this difficult time.  

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
Recording Academy 


Warner Music Group Statement

"There are great artists and there are transcendent artists - artists who break new barriers and take us to places we never imagined. Aretha elevated soul from genre to high art. She defied musical categorization, bringing her phenomenal talent to R&B, pop, blues, gospel, rock, jazz, and classical music. Aretha's influence on music, culture, and history is incalculable. We will be forever grateful for everything that she accomplished as an artist, a woman, and a beacon of humanity." 

-Max Lousada, CEO, Recorded Music, Warner Music Group

SiriusXM To Pay Tribute to Aretha Franklin Across Multiple Music and Talk Channels

SiriusXM has announced that it will pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. The life and music of the Queen of Soul will be celebrated across multiple music and talk channels.

SiriusXM Soul Town (channel 49) will become The Aretha Franklin Tribute Channel in honor of her contribution to popular music. The channel features music from her iconic career, live listener calls, as well as archival interviews and tributes from fellow artists and fans.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Radio (channel 310) will highlight her music and air reflections from fellow artists each hour throughout the week.

SiriusXM VOLUME (channel 106) will discuss her life, music and legacy during their live broadcasts.

With her music and legacy spanning multiple decades and genres, Aretha Franklin's music can also be heard across many SiriusXM channels, including Heart & Soul (channel 48), 60s on 6 (channel 6) and 70s on 7 (channel 7) and 80s on 8 (channel 8).

Source: SiriusXM

URBAN ONE HONORS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE QUEEN OF SOUL, ARETHA FRANKLIN

Urban One Celebrates the Life, Legacy and Impact of Music Icon and Civil Rights Champion with Special Primetime Programming Encores and Tribute on TV One, Interactive One Digital Sites and Across all REACH Media/Radio One Markets

PHOTO CREDIT: Nicholas Hunt/WireImage (Courtesy of TV One)

SILVER SPRING, MD - As the world mourns the tremendous loss of American treasure Aretha Franklin, the music legend, Civil Rights champion and renowned 'Queen of Soul,' Urban One announces plans to honor her life, legacy and impact on humanity with special encore presentations of interviews and news specials on TV One, special digital content across Interactive One sites and all REACH Media and Radio One stations, hosts, shows and sites.

Below is the TV One programming lineup for Aretha Franklin's tribute that aired yesterday (August 16, 2018) and will see an encore showing on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

TV One on One: Aretha Franklin (11 a.m. ET/10 C)

Join Urban One Founder Cathy Hughes as she talks with "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin about her life and journey throughout her amazing career.

Aretha:  Frankly Speaking (12 p.m. ET/11 C)

Chronicles the professional and personal life of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The one-hour special also features exclusive behind-the-scenes stories of iconic songs like "Respect," "Natural Woman," "Precious Lord" and "Pink Cadillac" as told through Franklin's trusted inner circle, her musical team, and her very own words.

URBAN ONE FOUNDER AND CHAIRPERSON CATHY HUGHES HONORS AND REMEMBERS THE LEGACY OF HER FRIEND, ARETHA FRANKLIN

Founder and Chairperson of Urban One, Inc., Cathy Hughes, a radio legend and close friend to Aretha Franklin who worked with and interviewed Franklin many times over the years, issued a statement of her sincerest condolences to Franklin's family, friends and colleagues upon receiving  news of Franklin's passing.  Below are excerpts from Hughes' statement, click here to view in it's entirety.

(From Left to Right) Media maven, Cathy Hughes and the "Queen Of Soul"
Aretha Franklin during the taping of TV One On One. (Courtesy of TV One)

"Today I join my community, my industry and the world in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of my dear sister, friend, and ally, Aretha Franklin. I send my love and offer prayers of grace and peace to the members of her family, her friends and colleagues who walked alongside her and shared her with tens of millions of fans around the world.

I have so many fond memories of Aretha. Throughout her career, I was blessed to share her music and her iconic story. I am humbled to have been a part of her journey and to have served as an eyewitness to the evolution of her artistry and the formation of her legacy. 

Like many of our musicians, Aretha's musical roots are embedded in the black church, and gospel music was at her core. Her talent transcended genres and not only earned her the title of the "Queen of Soul" but also the distinction of being the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And while many will remember her for all of the titles she has received, I  

believe, Aretha Franklin, in her own words, said it best,'being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.' 

And Aretha Franklin, so are we. Rest in peace my sister."

TV One continues its commitment to honoring the legacy of notable African Americans. The network will honor the musical genius by sharing top responses from social media on its website (www.tvone.tv). TV One viewers can join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using #RIPARETHAFRANKLIN and #REPRESENT

Media Release: 'Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars' documentary & official soundtrack coming soon!

ERIC CLAPTON

LIFE IN 12 BARS

DOCUMENTARY OST

ON DVD & BLU-RAY plus 2CD & 4LP soundtrack to be released June 8, 2018

“The guitarist's wounded soul laid bare…” – The Telegraph

“Absorbing tribute to the blues legend…” – The Guardian

June 8th sees the release of the complementary OST (Official Soundtrack) to the new Eric Clapton documentary, Life In 12 Bars. From Showtime Documentary Films and directed by Oscar-winner, Lili Fini Zanuck, the film takes an unflinching and deeply personal look into the life of the legendary 18-time Grammy Award winning guitarist and multi-million selling recording artist.

Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars is currently available on SHOWTIME via streaming and on demand.

• Official trailer https://youtu.be/nrAvDFmE9i4 

The OST, available as a 2-CD and 4-LP set plus digital formats, comprises 32 tracks spanning Clapton’s long and illustrious career. (The LP version will be released at the later date of July 20th). It includes tracks by The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters and Clapton’s solo work.

Of the 32 featured there are five previously unreleased tracks:

From the Cream era there is a version of Spoonful, an incredible 17-minute tour-de-force, recorded live at the LA Forum in October 1968 during the group’s final US,

Goodbye tour. There are two from Derek and The Dominos – firstly a recording of High, originally recorded during the 1971 sessions at Olympic Studios for their unreleased 2nd album. This track was later revisited and re-recorded for Eric Clapton’s 1975 album, There’s One In Every Crowd. Secondly, the track Little Wing, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, recorded live during the Domino’s late set at The Fillmore East on October 24th, 1970.

Finally, there are two previously unreleased Eric Clapton tracks from 1974; the first ever release of the entire full-length recording of the international hit version of Bob Marley’s I Shot The Sheriff, recorded during the sessions for 461 Ocean Boulevard and a live performance of Little Queenie, the Chuck Berry rock ‘n’ roll classic, recorded at Long Beach Arena, California in July 1974 during Clapton’s comeback tour to promote 461 Ocean Boulevard.

In addition, there are two alternative mixes made for Eric Clapton’s 1970 debut album. Separate mixes were made for the album, by Delaney Bramlett and Tom Dowd (in LA) and also by Clapton himself (in London). Featured in this collection are Clapton’s rare mixes of album highlights, After Midnight and Let It Rain.

ERIC CLAPTON

LIFE IN 12 BARS DOCUMENTARY OST

UMe

CD / DIGITAL AVAILABLE JUNE 8TH

4LP AVAILABLE JULY 20TH

FULL TRACKLISTING:

DISC ONE                                                            

1. Big Bill Broonzy: Backwater Blues (4.07) The Big Bill Broonzy Story 1957
2. Muddy Waters: My Life Is Ruined (2.38) Chess single 1953
3. Muddy Waters: I Got Mojo Working (4.28) Live At Newport Jazz Festival 1960
4. The Yardbirds: I Wish You Would (2.19) – studio version
5. The Yardbirds: For Your Love (2.30) For Your Love 1965
6. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers: Steppin’ Out (2.29) John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton 1966
7. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers: All Your Love (3.37) John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton 1966
8. Cream: I Feel Free (2.57) Fresh Cream 1966  
9. Cream: Strange Brew (2.50) Disraeli Gears 1967
10. Cream: Sunshine of Your Love (4.12) – studio version
11. Aretha Franklin: Good to Me As I Am To You (3.58) Lady Soul / Recorded on December 16 and 17, 1967                       
12. Cream: Crossroads live (4.18) Wheels Of Fire / Recorded 10 March 1968 at Winterland, San Francisco, CA16
13. The Beatles: While My Guitar Gently Weeps (4.45) The Beatles / Recorded 5–6 September 1968
14. Cream: Badge (2.48) Goodbye / Recorded October 1968 at IBC Studios in London     
15. Cream: White Room live (5.41) Live Cream II / recorded October 4, 1968 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena
16. Cream: Spoonful (17.27) live from Goodbye tour – LA Forum October 19, 1968 previously unreleased
17. Blind Faith: Presence Of The Lord (4.52) – studio version                                                                                                                              

DISC TWO                                                          

1. Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton: Comin' Home (7.51) Live at Fairfield Halls  
2. Eric Clapton: After Midnight (3.25) alternate mix from Eric Clapton (first album) 1970
3. Eric Clapton: Let It Rain (5.00) alternate mix from Eric Clapton (first album) 1970
4. Derek and The Dominos: High (3.10) (Olympic Studios, April 1971) Derek and The Dominos album previously unreleased            
5. George Harrison: My Sweet Lord (4.44) All Things Must Pass 1970
6. Derek and The Dominos: Thorn Tree In The Garden (2.55) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
7. Derek and The Dominos: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (5.01) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
8. Derek and The Dominos: Bell Bottom Blues (5.08) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
9. Derek and The Dominos: Layla (7.10) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
10. Derek and The Dominos: Little Wing (6.11) Live At The Fillmore 1970
11. Derek and The Dominos: Got To Get Better In A Little While (6.05) – studio version
12. Eric Clapton: I Shot The Sheriff (6.54) previously unreleased full length version from 461 Ocean Blvd 1970
13. Eric Clapton: Little Queenie live (6.00) Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, July 19/20, 1974 previously unreleased
14. Eric Clapton: Mainline Florida (4.08) 461 Ocean Boulevard 1974
15. Eric Clapton: Tears In Heaven (4.31) - studio version