Lots of news in the world of music. I've reposted some edited news releases that have landed in my inbox over the past couple of days...Enjoy!
The GRAMMY Museum Presents Say It Loud: The Genius of James Brown exhibit exploring Brown’s trailblazing role as the “Godfather of Soul”
Exhibit set to open September 17
Say It Loud: The Genius of James Brown will debut at
The GRAMMY Museum. The exhibit will focus on
James Brown as the “Godfather of Soul” – blazing a trail in American music by blending gospel, pop and soul- as well as show Brown’s role as a trendsetter in both fashion and dance. The exhibit will also illustrate how Brown used his music and celebrity to positively impact the Civil Rights Movement and race relations of the 1960’s. The exhibit will open to the public on Saturday, September 17, 2011.
“Not only is James Brown one of the greatest vocalists in soul music, he is also one of its primary architects, using the genre to inspire other artists and further advance his cause, said
GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli. “It’s an honor to pay tribute to his musical and cultural legacy at The GRAMMY Museum.”
Born into poverty in Georgia , James Brown began performing gospel and R&B at an early age. His first R&B hit came with the 1956 release “Please, Please, Please” with
The Famous Flames. However, it was in the following decade that that Brown achieved major success, starting with 1965’s “Papa’s Gotta Brand New Bag.” As the 1960’s continued, Brown became a black icon, known as much for his increasing social activism as his legendary live performances. Once dubbed as the “hardest-working man in show business,” James Brown charted more R&B hits (116) than any other performer and is second only to
Elvis Presley in Billboard Hot 100 pop hits (96).
Bringing together a collection of diverse artifacts, rare photographs and more, the exhibit features items from the private collection of the Brown family. On display, visitors will see a broad array of items including:
* Stage costumes worn by Brown, including one of his signature capes
* Early albums
* Rare photographs of Brown both on and off stage
* Handwritten lyrics
* Ticket stubs, concert posters, tour books and fan memorabilia
Additionally, The GRAMMY Museum has interviewed artists and musicians who have worked with or have been influenced by Brown, sharing their perspectives on the role that he played in transforming R&B music into soul and the influence he had on fashion and culture. Featured footage includes conversations with
Bootsy Collins,
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels,
T.A.M.I. Show Director
Steve Binder,
Chuck D and many more.
“The amount of artists who list James Brown as a major influence is incredible,” said Santelli. “From his activism in the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties, to being a major player in the Blaxploitation craze in the seventies to his obvious contributions to Funk and Hip-Hop - it’s no wonder why James Brown is one of the world’s most sampled recording artists of all-time.”
Say It Loud: The Genius of James Brown will be on display in The GRAMMY Museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery through January 22, 2012.
The GRAMMY Museum is located at 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite A245 , and Los Angeles , CA 90015 . With an entrance off of Figueroa Street , the Museum resides within the L.A. LIVE campus, at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles .
Information:
http://www.grammymuseum.org/
Acclaimed Francophone Rockers Malajube announce U.S. tour dates
New album LA CAVERNE slated for September 13, 2011 release on MB3 Records
Montreal's indie stars
Malajube are proud to present their much-awaited new album:
La Caverne. The album is out in the US on September 13, 2011 via
MB3 Records. In mid-September, Malajube will be embarking upon a cross-country North American tour in support of
La Caverne. They will be playing 10 dates throughout the US with artists such as
Brian Bonz,
Les Sans Culottes,
Johnny Chan &
The New Dynasty 6,
Patrick Watson,
The Besnard Lakes & The Barr Brothers.
On their fourth studio release, Malajube has carefully crafted an album full of texture, spontaneity, and excitement while maintaining an exacting attention to detail. Unique, tonal melodies push the sound forth, creating a flowing tale of both harmony and beat. Guitar-based but synth-influenced,
La Caverne brings pop into a more impartial genre-- borrowing from a vast array of influence, from rock to punk to electronic.
Check the full run of US dates below:
September 16th || New York, NY || Mercury Lounge *
September 17th || Brooklyn, NY || The Rock Shop ^
September 21st || Los Angeles, CA || The El Rey %
October 1st || Minneapolis, MN || Triple Rock Social Club #
October 2nd || Madison, WI || High Noon Salon #
October 4th || Chicago, IL || Lincoln Hall #
October 5th || Kalamazoo, MI || The Strutt #
October 6th || Cleveland, OH || Beachland Ballroom & Tavern #
October 7th || Philadelphia, PA || Johnny Brenda's #
October 8th || Hartford, CT || Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art #
* - with Brian Bonz
^ - with Les Sans Culottes, Johnny Chan & The New Dynasty 6
% - with Patrick Watson, The Besnard Lakes & The Barr Brothers
# - with The Besnard Lakes
http://www.malajube.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Malajube
http://www.youtube.com/MalajubeMTL
LEGENDARY TONY BENNETT TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE AT THE “2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS”
THE 28th ANNUAL VMAS WILL AIR LIVE FROM NOKIA THEATRE L.A. IN LOS ANGELES
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 AT 9 p.m. (LIVE ET/TAPE DELAYED PT)
To celebrate the life and music of
Amy Winehouse, the “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will pay special tribute to the late British songstress with music legend,
Tony Bennett. Winehouse and her hero, Bennett, recently recorded the duet, “Body and Soul,” for his upcoming
Duets II album, out September 20, 2011. Marking his first appearance on the VMA stage since 1993, Mr. Bennett, who won one Album of the Year, at the 1995 Grammy Awards for the CD
MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett, will introduce the tribute, which includes unveiling footage from their recording session together. “Body and Soul” was Winehouse’s final session and took place this past March at
Abbey Road Studios in London. The single and video will be released by Columbia Records September 14, Amy’s Birthday, in support of the
Amy Winehouse Foundation established by the late singer’s family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people.
“It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse and when you listen to the recording of “Body and Soul,” it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known,” said Mr. Bennett.
Winehouse, known for the depth and power of her soulful voice will be remembered by fans and peers for her awe inspiring talent and classic hits such as “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” “Me & Mr. Jones,” and “You Know I'm No Good.”
Amy’s father,
Mitch Winehouse said, “Our family is honored that the VMA’s are giving Amy this wonderful tribute. We know that Amy’s performance of Rehab at the MTV Movie Awards played an important part in Amy’s worldwide success.”
2011 VMA performers include
Lady Gaga,
Adele,
Bruno Mars,
Lil Wayne,
Chris Brown and
Young The Giant.
Jonah Hill,
Rick Ross,
Seth Rogen,
Odd Future,
Nicki Minaj,
Taylor Lautner,
Drake,
Joe Jonas,
Jared Leto, and
JB Smoove from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm are confirmed to present. Additionally,
Jessie J was just announced as VMA house artist. The “2011 MTV Video Music Awards” will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT)..
The 2011 “MTV Video Music Awards” will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than 640 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV’s nearly 200 digital media properties around the world.
To watch video of last year’s biggest moments, get the full list of last year’s show winners and can check out fashion, celebrity and music commentary from the shows’ red carpets, please go to
vma.mtv.com.
Tyler Ramsey: "The Valley Wind" Song Stream Premiere, New Album iTunes and Fat Possum Pre-orders Live Now
TYLER RAMSEY: "THE VALLEY WIND" SONG STREAM PREMIERE ON SIRIUS XMU BLOG RADIO & MY OLD KENTUCKY BLOG
TITLE TRACK FROM THIRD ALBUM OUT SEPTEMBER 27, 2011 ON FAT POSSUM
ITUNES AND
WWW.FATPOSSUM.COM PRE-ORDERS LIVE NOW
Tyler Ramsey premiered a stream of the title track of his upcoming third album,
The Valley Wind, yesterday on
Sirius XMU Blog Radio and
My Old Kentucky Blog:
http://www.myoldkentuckyblog.com/?p=23090. The song can also be streamed and shared via the following player:
http://snd.sc/q26lXn.
The Valley Wind, which will be released September 27th, 2011 on Fat Possum, is also now available for pre-order on iTunes and via Fat Possum's webstore. The iTunes album version will include an exclusive cover of "All Through The Night," the
Jules Shear-penned song made famous by
Cyndi Lauper.
Following September tour dates with
Band Of Horses, Ramsey - the band's guitarist - will head out on the road in early October for his own headlining shows. His October tour begins at The Grey Eagle in hometown Asheville, NC on the 6th and includes a show at Joe's Pub in New York, NY on the 10th. A current list of dates is below, with more to be announced shortly.
The Valley Wind is a crystalline yet warm album, nine finely spun songs filled with Ramsey's rich, plaintive vocals and expressive, intricate guitar playing. Opener "Raven Shadow" is a brief instrumental introduction that highlights his stirring guitar lines, and is followed by the evocative and cinematic title track. Elsewhere, the album ranges from the lush yet simple, finger-picked guitar of "1000 Blackbirds" to the rolling, fuller band sound of "Stay Gone"; from the hypnotic, contemplative "Time Is A Changing Line" to the insistent, chiming "When It's Done"; and from the slowly waltzing "Angel Band" to the moody "All Night."
Ramsey wrote
The Valley Wind while on and off the road over the past year, and recorded the album at
Alex The Great studio in Nashville, TN over six days in early January. Friend and bandmate
Bill Reynolds (who's worked with
The Avett Brothers and
Lissie) produced and aided on bass, while friend
Seth Kauffman (
Floating Action) sat in on drums and guitar, also singing background vocals. Ramsey's sophomore album
A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea - which was praised by NPR, Stereogum, and Popmatters, among others - was re-released by Brown Records/Fat Possum in January.
Tyler Ramsey tour dates:
OCT. 6 ASHEVILLE, NC THE GREY EAGLE
OCT. 8 CHARLOTTE, NC THE EVENING MUSE
OCT. 10 NEW YORK, NY JOE'S PUB
OCT. 11 VIENNA, VA JAMMIN JAVA
OCT. 12 HARRISBURG, PA THE GALLERY AT THE ABBEY BAR
OCT. 13 PITTSBURGH, PA CLUB CAFÉ
OCT. 15 STAUNTON, VA MOCKINGBIRD
OCT. 19 DECATUR, GA EDDIE'S ATTIC
For more information about Tyler Ramsey and The Valley Wind, please visit:
www.facebook.com/tylerramseymusic
www.fatpossum.com
