BONO - Stories Of Surrender - LIVE EP out now

It was 42 years ago today that I first saw U2 live when the Irish quartet performed at the legendary US Festival, so it was definitely mind bending to get this media release in my inbox this morning...Robert Kinsler

BONO    Stories Of Surrender   LIVE EP - OUT NOW! LISTEN HERE

Praise for Stories of Surrender:   “U2 frontman’s stunning stage show becomes unmissable film.” - NME  “...an intense baring of the soul that is part performance, part confessional and all entertainment…” - SCREEN DAILY  “Bono has a powerful story to tell… a confident mix of music and no-frills theatrical performance.” - THE GUARDIAN  “...heartfelt and candid portrait of the U2 star.” - THE TIMES    May 30, 2025 - Island/Interscope/UMe today announced details of Stories Of Surrender EP, a new Limited Edition 3-track Live EP from Bono, set for release on May 30 to accompany the acclaimed Apple Original Film titled Bono: Stories of Surrender, also available from May 30th on Apple TV+. Listen HERE.   The Stories Of Surrender EP features live recordings of three U2 tracks – “Desire,” “The Showman,” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – taken from Bono’s one-man stage show of the same name, itself inspired by his bestselling memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.    The Stories Of Surrender EP sees Bono joined once again by musicians Gemma Doherty (Harp, Keyboard, Vocals) and Kate Ellis (Cello, Keyboard, Vocals), as well as Musical Director Jacknife Lee.  The film Bono: Stories of Surrender received its worldwide premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. An abridged paperback version of the autobiography, also titled Bono: Stories of Surrender and featuring a new introduction by Bono, has been published by Penguin Random House as a companion to the film and EP. Details here.    Stories Of Surrender EP will be available digitally on May 30th.  A 7” black vinyl will be released on May 30th (Ireland, UK, and Germany) and June 13th (Rest of World).    The tracklisting for Stories Of Surrender EP is:   1. Desire (Stories Of Surrender Version) 2. The Showman (Stories Of Surrender Version) 3. Sunday Bloody Sunday (Stories Of Surrender Version)     NOTES TO EDITORS    About the Apple Original Film, Bono: Stories of Surrender: A lyrical, bold visual exploration of Bono’s one-man show by the same name, Bono: Stories of Surrender, is a vivid reimagining of Bono’s critically-acclaimed one-man stage show, Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief… The film sees him pull back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends, and faith that have challenged and sustained him, revealing personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist, and rockstar. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the Beacon Theatre shows, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped his life and legacy. The film hails from RadicalMedia and Plan B Entertainment, with award-winning filmmaker Andrew Dominik directing. Watch trailer HERE.   Born Paul David Hewson, Bono has been headlining stadiums around the world with U2 for more than four decades. The band has sold over 175 million records and won 22 Grammys. A longtime activist in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty, Bono is also the co-founder of ONE and (RED). For his music and activism, he has been awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Legion of Honor and an honorary British knighthood. Bono was recently inducted into the Ivors Academy Fellowship alongside fellow U2 band members The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

PHOTO CREDIT: RICH FURY

New music: The B-52s, 'The Soul of Midnight Special,' 'Linda & the Mockingbirds' documentary, Def Leppard live releases

Whether your musical tastes favor groundbreaking New Wave, classic '70s soul, British favorites Def Leppard or traditional Mexican music, there are outstanding new releases to discover. 

Artist: The B-52s

Title: Live At US Festival (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: the B-52's, Devo, the US Festival

Tell me more: Thirty-eight years after the B-52s took the stage at the inaugural US Festival in September 1982, the group's fabled appearance – featuring the band's classic era lineup – is available to see via a terrific DVD. The groundbreaking forerunner to Coachella, the US Festival was a music, technology and culture event staged in Glen Helen Regional Park in the Southern California desert in 1982 and again in 1983. The B-52s' performance has long been considered one of the finest of the two-year event and its showcase on the Shout! Factory release delivers on that promise in spades. The B-52s are on fire throughout the performance, fueling a bona fide dance party with one surefire uptempo post-punk New Wave track after another. Led by singer Fred Schneider, singer-percussionist Cindy Wilson, singer-keyboardist Kate Pierson, guitar great Ricky Wilson (who passed away in 1985) and drummer Keith Strickland, the band is also joined by a two-man horn section (sax player Ralph Carney, trumpeter Dave Buck) to further power the dance-minded material in the performance.  The fast-moving set includes 13 classic originals including beloved favorites "Party Out Of Bounds," "Planet Claire," "Mesopotamia," "Private Idaho" and "Rock Lobster." There are also interview segments where Schneider, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson discuss the US Festival performance, Ricky Wilson's contributions, and their enduring career. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Al Green, Sly & the Family Stone, Ray Charles, James Brown, many more

Title: The Soul of Midnight Special (TimeLife)

You might like if you enjoy: James Brown, Al Green, Sly & the Family Stone, Chuck Berry, the Staple Singers

Tell me more: Fans of '70s soul music will want to get the newly-released "The Soul of Midnight Special," featuring more than 70 live performances. The performances are offered up in chronological order, spanning from February 1973 to December 1976. Highlights on this collection – which includes more than 70 inspired live performances spanning five DVD discs – abound; the Spinners' "I'll Be Around," the O'Jays "Love Train," Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind," Gladys Knight and B.B. King collaborating on "The Thrill Is Gone," and Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles" are among the countless standouts on the early part of this collection. Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean On Me," Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," the Staple Singers' "Let's Do It Again" and "Respect Yourself," James Brown's "Sex Machine," and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Devotion" shine on the latter part of the title. Among the hosts seen on the set are Lou Rawls, The Bee Gees, Paul Williams, Wilson Pickett, Wolfman Jack, Helen Reddy and Chuck Berry (who is also featured offering up a terrific version of "Johnny B. Goode"). The audio and visual quality of the discs is good and it's great to see so many legendary artists performing their greatest hits. Information: TimeLife.com.

Artist: Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, traditional Mexican music

Title: Linda and the Mockingbirds (Shout! Studios / PCH Films)

You might like if you enjoy: Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Los Cenzontles

Tell me more: Since 1989, San Pablo, California-based Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy has trained thousands of children in the art of traditional Mexican music and dance. Multi-Grammy Award winner Linda Ronstadt's long-time support of the group led to the production of a powerful new documentary ("Linda and the Mockingbirds") that chronicles the singer's 2019 journey to Mexico with a group of young students that was captured by award-winning director James Keach (who also directed Glen Campbell's "I'll Be Me" and the Linda Ronstadt documentary "The Sound of My Voice"). Los Cenzontles ("The Mockingbirds") was founded by Eugene Rodriguez – who along with singer-songwriter great Jackson Browne – also features prominently in the compelling documentary. But the true heart of the film is the road trip by Ronstadt, Browne and a large tour bus filled with young singers, dancers and instrumentalists who journey to the small town of Banámichi in the Mexican state of Sonora (where Ronstadt's grandfather grew up) to perform and meet with the folkloric dance troupe Grupo de Danza Xunutzi and stage a performance in the community. The documentary masterfully examines the important role of traditional Mexican music and dance for those who live on both sides of the border, as well as issues related to the hot topic of immigration and how that impacts families who are often divided by politics. "Linda and the Mockingbirds" was released digitally Oct. 20 via Shout! Studios. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Def Leppard

Titles: "Hysteria At The O2" and "Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood" (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Def Leppard, Queen

Tell me more: Earlier this year Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rock quintet Def Leppard released the outstanding multi-format release "London To Vegas," available as a deluxe 2Blu-ray+4CD, 2DVD+4CD and via digital formats. Now Eagle Rock Entertainment has just released standalone audio versions of "Hysteria At The O2" and "Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood" as limited edition 2CDs releases. "Hysteria At The O2," finds Def Leppard celebrating their 1987 album Hysteria with a concert set revisiting that multi-platinum album from start to finish before a hometown crowd in London in December 2018. To be sure this is an important outing for the group, and the members of Def Leppard (singer Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick "Sav" Savage and drummer Rick Allen) offer up powerful arena rock-ready takes of classics including "Love Bites," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Animal," "Gods of War" and the rest of "Hysteria" before delving into other moments in their history for choice cuts including the set-ending "Let's Get Rocked," "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph."  

The second performance "Hits Vegas" — filmed at Zappos Theater in Planet Hollywood a few months after the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 — features a far-flung set offering some choice deep cuts from the band. The hard-rocking "Die Hard The Hunter," harmonies-drenched "Too Late for Love," ambitious "Billy's Got a Gun" (bolstered by the tandem lead guitar work of Collen and Campbell) and "Paper Sun" as well as the acoustic-styled "Let Me Be The One" and "We Belong" are delivered with power and perfection. The hits are here as well, including terrific runs through "Foolin'," "Bringin' On The Heartbreak," "Rocket," "Action" and "Armageddon It." Looking ahead hardcore fans should note that the "Hits Vegas" title will be released as a limited edition transparent blue vinyl LP on Dec. 11, 2020. Information: defleppard.com and eagle-rock.com.

Robert Kinsler

'The B-52s: Live At The US Festival' on DVD and Digital coming Sept. 4, 2020

What a thrill! The B-52s' legendary performance at the 1982 US Festival is coming to DVD and digital later this summer! Here is the official media release and title artwork...

Los Angeles, CA – Travel back in time to a carefree Labor Day weekend in 1982, when The B-52s: Live At The US Festival comes to DVD and digital platforms on September 4, 2020 from Shout! Factory. The performance features all five founding band members, and the film is dedicated to Ricky Wilson, who passed away 5 years after the US Festival performance. In brand-new interviews included in The B-52s: Live At The US Festival, band members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson talk about Ricky, and what he meant to their unique sound, along with memories of performing at the US Festival. 

Dance this mess around with the all-time, good-time party band The B-52s in a wild and unforgettable live performance. This hour-long set, recorded at the inaugural US Festival in 1982, had the crowd dancing from start to finish, and was considered to be one of the best of the entire festival. 

"It was hot as hell in the desert but as soon as we got going we had the audience dancing up a dust storm,” says Fred Schneider.

This rare footage shows off the joyous energy and unique spirit that has been a hallmark of their music and live performances for over 40 years. 

Packed with 13 hits and favorites from the group’s early years, including “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire,” Private Idaho,” and others, Live At US Festival is the first-ever live concert DVD release from The B-52s’ classic era, and a tasty slice of rock history that’s an absolute must-see for anyone who likes to party out of bounds! 

The B-52s: Live At The US Festival is available for pre-order now at Shoutfactory.com and amazon.com. 

The B-52s: Live At The US Festival Performances:

Party Out Of Bounds

Give Me Back My Man                                                                               

Planet Claire

Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can                            

Lava

Mesopotamia

6060-842

Big Bird

52 Girls

Dance This Mess Around

Private Idaho

Rock Lobster

Strobe Light

 

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

About The B-52s

Selling over 20 million albums worldwide, The B-52s—Fred Schneider [vocals], Kate Pierson [vocals], Cindy Wilson [vocals], — have quietly impacted alternative music, fashion, and culture over the course of four-plus decades. They count John Lennon, Madonna, James Murphy, and Michael Stipe among their disciples. Panic! At The Disco, Blood Orange, The Offspring, Pitbull, Roger Sanchez, and DJ Shadow have sampled classics from the band’s discography as Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy, The Simpsons, Sugarland, and more offered up covers of their own. They inched towards the forefront of the post-punk movement in America codified by 1979’s self-titled The B-52s. Not only did the record go gold, but it also placed at #152 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and #99 on VH1’s “Greatest Albums of All Time.” The gold-selling Wild Planet arrived hot on its heels in 1980. With Keith Strickland brilliantly filling the void in with music composition and live show guitar duties, 1989’s watershed Cosmic Thing elevated the B-52s to another galaxy altogether. It moved 5 million-plus units and spawned a string of Top 10 smashes in the form of the GRAMMY®-nominated “Roam” and “Love Shack”—which Rolling Stone lauded on the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Sights and Sounds abound on new Blu-ray/DVD titles

Music lovers who enjoy watching top-tier performances via concert films, TV specials and music-minded movies have a handful of great new titles to add to their home library collections.

Artist: Santana
Title: Santana Live At US Festival (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: Santana, the US Festival
Tell me more: There have been many highlights in the career of groundbreaking artist Carlos Santana dating back to his legendary performance at Woodstock in August 1969. But his appearance at the fabled US Festival in Southern California on Sept. 4, 1982 is clearly among the standouts of recorded live appearances for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame troupe Santana. The fast-moving set (Santana Live At US Festival) featured the master guitarist and his talented seven-member ensemble performing potent versions of his most beloved material including "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen," "Oye Como Va," and a cover of the Zombies' 1964 hit "She's Not There," the latter that segues into his own "Marbles." Keyboardist Herbie Hancock guests on the performance of "Incident at Neshabur." Santana also featured several new tracks off his August 1982 album Shangó including "Nowhere To Run" and "Hold On." Bonus features include additional interview segments with Carlos Santana. Santana Live At US Festival is set for release on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Queen + Béjart
Title: Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Queen, Freddie Mercury, ballet
Tell me more: The magical connection between British rock quartet Queen and opera was confirmed with the success of the global 1975 hit "Bohemian Rhapsody." Queen's connection with classical music and the arts was further confirmed with the creation of "Ballet for Life," a collaboration between Queen, fashion great Gianni Versace and the late visionary choreographer Maurice Béjart first performed in January 1997. On Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, fans of Queen and ballet will want to get Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life, a compelling performance videotaped in June 1997 that fuses the music of Queen (along with several pieces composed by Mozart) with a performance by Béjart Ballet Lausanne. The theme of the dance choreography deals with the cycle of life with the tragic death of Freddie Mercury and Béjart's renowned principal dancer Jorge Donn — both of whom died of AIDS. There are several essential bonus features on the collection including a "Making Of" documentary from 1997; a deluxe edition of the title comes in a beautiful 36-page hardback photo book featuring photos from "Ballet for Life." Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital video. Information: www.eagle-rock.com.

Artists: Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, more
Title: CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015 (Time Life)
You might like if you enjoy: Traditional and modern country music, John Denver, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Clint Black, Luke Bryan
Tell me more: Country music aficionados will want to run out and get the outstanding CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015, which offers up dozens and dozens of incredible performances originally aired as part of the Country Music Assocation's "CMA Awards" broadcast on television dating back to 1968. In addition to 127 country music classics that play out across 11 hours of footage, the 10-disc DVD set includes newly-produced bonus interviews and a 44-page collectible memory book filled with colorful images and important details about the CMA telecasts. The highlights abound across the set, stretching back to poignant turns from the late, great likes of Johnny Cash ("Folsom Prison Blues"), Glen Campbell ("By The Time I Get To Phoenix," "Rhinestone Cowboy") and Merle Haggard ("Okie From Muskogee") all the way through modern-day hit makers Brooks & Dunn ("Boot Scootin' Boogie"), Shania Twain ("Any Man of Mine," "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!") Keith Urban ("Somewhere in My Car"), and Carrie Underwood ("Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Before He Cheats").  Information: www.timelife.com.

Artist: Jimmy Cliff 
Title: The Harder They Come (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: Reggae music, Jimmy Cliff, director Perry Henzel
Tell me more: Reggae has seldom been featured in motion pictures beyond cliche and caricature. That changed with the release of director Perry Henzel's groundbreaking 1972 film The Harder They Come starring legendary artist Jimmy Cliff. In the film — newly remastered and reissued courtesy of a glorious collector's edition — Cliff stars as Ivan Martin, an aspiring singer hoping to make his mark in the music world. Looking back in time at this amazing film is to see a flick that works as a dramatic crime tale as well as an early celebration and showcase for Jamaican reggae that was in its infancy on the world stage. Bonus features and extras abound on this must-have Blu-ray title, including a gorgeous restoration of Perry Henzel's subsequent film No Place Like Home (which was also shot in 1970s Jamaica, but was believed long lost). Anyone who is a fan of Jimmy Cliff, reggae music or '70s film will want to pick up this superb title that picks up the energy and ambiance of Jamaica in the era. Information: shoutfactory.com.


Robert Kinsler

"Santana Live At US Festival" on Blu-ray, DVD From Shout! Factory coming Sept. 6

The US Festival that was staged in Glen Helen Regional Park near Devore, California in 1982 and 1983 were the blueprint for subsequent events such as Coachella. It's exciting that one of year one's fabled sets –  this one featuring Santana –  is coming to Blu-ray and DVD later this summer!


'Santana Live at US Festival' coming to Blu-ray, DVD and digital from Shout! Factory on Friday, September 6, 2019

Los Angeles, CA – On Labor Day Weekend in 1982, Santana took the stage at US Festival in San Bernardino, California, and gave the audience a thrilling performance. Coming to Blu-ray™ and DVD from Shout! Factory on Friday, September 6, Santana Live At US Festival captures the electrifying live experience of this important moment in music history, and contains the hits “Black Magic Woman,” “Gypsy Queen,” and “Oye Como Va,” as well as an appearance by special guest Herbie Hancock on “Incident at Neshabur,” interspersed with interviews with Carlos Santana. Special features include interviews with Santana reflecting on his career, his signature sound, and the theory of his music, as well as an interview outtake.

Conceived by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and music impresario Bill Graham, US Festival was a transformative event for Santana in his long and illustrious career, and this performance from September 4, 1982 represents the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at his best. From award-winning filmmaker and rockumentarian Glenn Aveni, Santana Live At US Festival offers fans a first row seat to this tremendous performance from the legend, which rivaled his set at Woodstock for its energy, excitement, and inspiring musicianship. Santana is on tour now. Santana Band: Carlos Santana – Lead Guitars, Vocals Alex Ligertwood – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Richard Baker – Keyboards David Margen – Bass Guitar Graham Lear – Drums Raul Rekow – Percussion Armando Peraza – Percussion Orestas Vilató – Percussion With Special Guest Herbie Hancock – Keyboards on “Incident at Neshabur” Performances: Searchin’                                                                     Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen Oye Como Va                          Nowhere To Run Incident At Neshabur Savor Jingo Lo Ba Hold On She’s Not There/Marbles Open Invitation Shango Special Features: Santana Reflects On His Career Explaining His Signature Sound The Theory Of Santana’s Music Santana Interview Outtake   About Shout! Factory Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

New Releases Showcase a Diversity of Styles

The last days of summer are yielding some terrific releases including a documentary revisiting one of California's most groundbreaking music festivals, several cinematic-minded masterworks and impressive new releases from power pop champion Michael Simmons and emerging artist Sevi Ettinger.

Artist: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Police, The Cars, more
Title: US Festival: 1982 The US Generation (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: Santana, The Cars, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, the B-52's
Tell me more: Anyone wanting to discover the roots of the Coachella festival should check out the involving new documentary US Festival: 1982 The US Generation. The marvelous new documentary blends interview and performance footage from the 1982 US Festival, which was an extraordinary event staged in Southern California that was created by Apple visionary Steve Wozniak. The event featured a truly eclectic lineup of popular musicians ranging from classic rock greats to groundbreaking punk and '80s alternative acts. There are a myriad of unforgettable performances. While this writer's favorite performances are The Police's fiery "Can't Stand Losing You," The Cars' "Bye Bye Love" and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' blistering "Refugee," full-length performances of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" and Santana's "Black Magic Woman" also make for essential viewing of the film. There are insightful interviews with Wozniak as well as all the other key names who put on the event and many of the musicians who performed across the three-day event. The release features the documentary in a combo package that includes the special on both DVD and on Blu-ray. Information: icontvmusic.com or plummedia.com.

Artists: The Piano Guys, 2CELLOS, Lindsey Stirling, Tina Guo, more
Title: James Horner – The Classics (Sony Classical)
You might like if you enjoy: James Horner, John Williams
Tell me more: When acclaimed composer James Horner died in plane crash in the Los Padres National Forest in June 2015, he left behind an enduring legacy courtesy of a number of memorable movie soundtracks he composed across four decades. Now in honor of what would have been his 65th birthday (Horner was born Aug. 14, 1953), a number of top-tier musicians have recorded some of Horner's most beloved movie themes on the newly-released James Horner – The Classics. The Celtic-flavored "My Heart Will Go On" from his "Titanic" score is revisited via 2CELLOS, who take full advantage of the cello's emotionally-rich tones. Just as stunning is cello master Tina Guo, who reimagines the intimate theme from "Cocoon." Horner could also rise to the occasion with rousing symphonic grandeur, as evidenced in trumpeter David Elton's terrific take on "The Wrath of Khan" (the score for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982 elevated Horner to one of Hollywood's A-list composers). Another sci-fi film, 2009's "Avatar," was one of Horner's most ambitious efforts (he reportedly worked on the score for two years) and is represented via the symphonic "I See You" (featuring Tina Guo). Other highlights on the disc include "Field of Dreams" (featuring guitarist Craig Ogden) and "The Ludlows" (with violinist Lindsey Stirling performing the evocative theme from "Legends of the Fall"). Overall, these performances capture the spirit of the original versions heard in film and will delight fans of Horner's amazing compositions. Information: SonyMusicMasterworks.com.

Artist: Michael Simmons
Title: First Days of Summer (Crab Apple Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Wilkerson, Yorktown Lads, the Beach Boys
Tell me more: The newly-released Michael Simmons album First Days of Summer captures the spirit of summertime even while creating a sweeping soundscape that means this album will sound great anytime. The lyrics are sharp while the musical chops enhance the enticing melodies; there is just a great positive vibe and freewheeling spirit across the dozen-track run. Simmons' wide-ranging explorations yield a strong crop of great originals and no two sound alike. The soulful "Do Your Best to Care" and explosive "Get Back What You Put In" kick off the full-length album. "No More Girls" is an intoxicating romp that could have been recorded by hitmakers in the '60s; the crunchy pop of "Let's Fall In Love" is one of my favorites on the disc with its mix of Matthew Sweet melodic rock and smart Ric Ocasek styling. "Rudderless Day" is a similarly winning rocker. The lush title track somehow revisits classic Beach Boys territory while sounding completely original. The wonderful baroque-meets-psychedelic "Centre of the Spiral" is a tender and mature look inside a relationship as the best moments of a couple's journey together have passed. Simmons handles most lead vocals and the majority of musical duties on the album with a masterful touch; a few notable guests crop up here and there (including guitarist Robbie Rist, cellist Matthew Carney and lead guitarist Addison Love). Not only are all the songs outstanding and produced perfectly, but the release comes in several wonderful configurations. Information: https://michaelsimmons.bandcamp.com.

Title: Into The Badlands: Season 2 (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Zimmer, Trevor Yuile
Tell me more: "Into The Badlands: Season 2" features some incredible music composed by Trevor Yuile featured on the AMC original series. Yuile, a Canadian composer perhaps best known for creating the score for the TV series "Orphan Black," delivers a vast range of moods and sonic shades; the tense orchestrations of "Sunny Dream" and "Wedding," the gorgeous "This Is Henry Veil Dies," along with the ambitious "Sunny Vs Moon" (with its blend of Far East and Native American moodscapes) and "Tilda Widow Fight" are among this writer's favorites on the title. In addition to Yuile's powerful and wide-ranging score that is showcased across the 26-track release, there are several notable cuts offered up by other artists. The quick "Into The Badlands Theme" (performed by Warrior Blade), edgy R&B cut "Human" (performed by Rag'n'Bone Man), evocative "The Love I Have For You" (via Alberta Hunter) and festive "Jingle Bells" (courtesy of The Light Crust Doughboys) blend well with Yuile's instrumental magic. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Artist: Sevi Ettinger
Title: Salty Water (Sevillana Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding
Tell me more: Only 15, Sevi Ettinger is definitely ready for the spotlight. On her newly-issued EP Salty Water, the young songstress showcases a knack for commercial songcraft while also revealing she has plenty to say. Her lead track "Salty Water," recorded via an app on her phone, is a plea for understanding and compassion for the refugee children dealing with a relentless war in Syria: "Those kids out there/ die everyday" she sings at one point, while the vivid chorus finds the songstress emphasizing "Why can't we just be the people we are? Why can't we just be the people we want to be? / It's unfair, I feel like I am falling in the ocean, tasting the salty water." Ettinger has a rich and luring soprano, and the four songs on the EP suggest she has a bona fide pulse on the contemporary music scene. The wistful "Live" and EDM-tinged pop gem "Don't Fall Behind" are also standouts on the disc (produced by Grammy Award-winning Jeff Bova along with Phillip Jarrell and Ettinger). Information: www.seviettinger.com.


Robert Kinsler

US Festival: 1982 The Us Generation DVD / Blu-ray coming August 10, 2018

Those wonder where to find the roots of modern-day festivals such as Coachella and Bonnaroo need look no further than the groundbreaking US Festival staged in the Southern California desert in 1982. Exciting news for fans of that legendary event and the myriad of groundbreaking artists who appeared there including The Police, The Cars, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers....

The Us Festival: 1982 The Us Generation

The authorized story of the 1982 Us Festival with remastered live performances from  The Police, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Santana, The Cars, The B-52s, and more Coming to Blu-ray / DVD on Friday, August 10, 2018

The Us Generation: The Making Of the 1982 Us Festival is an in-depth look at one of the most influential music festivals of all time. The Us Generation is from award winning filmmaker and rockumentarian Glenn Aveni, who is also the film's director. Co-Directed by Jay Cederholm and Produced by Bruce Gibb & Rich Schmig, the film blends rare concert footage and insightful interviews with both organizers and performers. The film tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Us Festival--an epic three-day event featuring an eclectic and unprecedented lineup boasting some of the biggest names in music, performing live in front of over one million people at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, CA. The Us Festival was the brainchild of Apple visionary Steve Wozniak, who wanted to create something that was a true celebration of Americana, cultivating positive vibes and building a deep sense of community through the power of technology and music.  Highlights include performances by chart-topping superstars, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, alt-rock trio The Police, blues rock heroes Fleetwood Mac, guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana, retro-chic favorites The B-52s, and new wave icons The Cars; as well as archived appearances by Johnny & Joey Ramone, Carlos Santana, Sting, Ric Ocasek, Danny Elfman, and Fred Schneider; plus exclusive sit-downs with festival founder Steve Wozniak, Mick Fleetwood, Eddie Money, Marky Ramone, Kate Pierson, Stewart Copeland, and Mickey Hart, among others. The film is produced by Icon Television Music, Inc., Plum Media, and in association with Us Festival original founders Unuson Corporation.

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