'Paul McCartney's Live Kisses' on THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances' on Sept. 7

This landed in my inbox today and I had to share it right away.

'Paul McCartney's Live Kisses' on Thirteen's 'Great Performances'
Sept. 7, 2012 at 9 p.m. on PBS

Rare concert features McCartney with Diana Krall and other top-flight musicians performing standards from McCartney's acclaimed album Kisses on the Bottom and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews

Musical director/pianist Diana Krall, left, and Paul McCartney. Photo credit: MJ Kim

Paul McCartney's Live Kisses captures the magical night of February 9 in the City of Angels - coincidentally, the 48th anniversary of The Beatles' U.S. TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show no less --when Paul McCartney decided to bring Kisses On The Bottom, his newly released collection of pop standards and two originals, to life at the very same Capitol Studios where much of the album was created.

The very special event will air on Great Performances, Friday, September 7 at 9 p.m. on PBS. (Check local listings.)

A few hours after the long awaited addition of McCartney's star to the Hollywood Walk of Fame drew a traffic-stopping throng to pack the stretch of Vine Street in front of the famed Capitol Records building, McCartney took his place behind the same microphone that had captured so many of the most magical voices of the past several decades, while the core team that backed McCartney on his debut turn on Kisses, prepared to reprise their roles in this one-time-only concert event. McCartney and the assembled musicians had never performed this material live adding to the evening's electricity.

The reunited all-star entourage included Grammy-winning producer Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt in the control room, musical director Diana Krall at the piano, and Kisses players John Clayton, Karriem Riggins, John Pizzarelli, Anthony Wilson, Mike Mainieri and conductor Alan Broadbent.

Sir Paul and Diana Krall. Photo credit: MJ Kim

McCartney eschewed his usual tools of bass, guitar and piano to focus solely on his vocal interpretations of this material. In exclusive interview segments with Paul and Kisses On The Bottom collaborators Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Krall and LiPuma, among others, Live Kisses offers new insight into the conception and creation of the Kisses... album, the McCartney family gatherings that introduced a young Paul to much of the material, the Fats Waller line from Live Kisses opener "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" that gave Kisses On The Bottom its title, and more.


Live Kisses' highlights include "Home," "More I Cannot Wish You," "Always," "Bye Bye Blackbird" and McCartney harmonizing with his longtime live drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. on "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "The Glory of Love" and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive." There are spontaneous moments such as a flubbed first take on "My Very Good Friend the Milkman." Paul's rendition of his new composition "My Valentine" receives acoustic guitar punctuation courtesy of Joe Walsh (who contributes another outstanding turn in a completely different mood on "Get Yourself Another Fool").


For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.


Paul McCartney's Live Kisses is directed by Jonas Åkerlund, and Paul McCartney is executive producer. For Great Performances, Bill O'Donnell is series producer, and David Horn is executive producer.


Major funding for the Great Performances telecast is provided by the Irene Diamond Fund, Vivian Milstein, the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, The Agnes Varis Trust, the Starr Foundation, the Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, and public television viewers. Visit Great Performances Online at www.pbs.org/gperf for additional information about this and other programs.

Sights and Sounds:John Fogerty, Tim McGraw, Laura Wilde

Today's exciting announcement revealing the lineup for Coachella 2012 isn't the only thing worth celebrating today. There is plenty more music news to share, including details about singer-songwriter-guitar icon John Fogerty's forthcoming acting debut on The Finder and news on Tim McGraw's latest single.



JOHN FOGERTY CREATES THEME SONG FOR THE NEW FOX SHOW, THE FINDER
GUEST STARS ON SERIES PREMIERE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

SIGNATURE SONG, "FORTUNATE SON," HIGHLIGHTED WITH NEW AND EXCLUSIVE RECORDING FOR EPISODE

AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD AT JOHNFOGERTY.COM FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

John Fogerty guest stars in the series premiere of THE FINDER, Thursday, January 12 (9:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Besides being the legendary rocker's acting debut, he wrote "Swamp Water," the theme song for the show, which marks yet another milestone in an extraordinary career that began with Creedence Clearwater Revival's first release in 1968. Fogerty also recorded a stripped-down version of his signature song "Fortunate Son" specifically for the show. This version will be available for free download at johnfogerty.com for one week only once the episode is over. THE FINDER, which was named the #1 Most Anticipated Show of the new season by TV Guide readers, was created by Hart Hanson, creator of the hit FOX series BONES.

"Here at THE FINDER, we are proud and pleased and still amazed to have enjoined a musician the caliber of John Fogerty to join our company," says Hanson. "John acts in the first episode (and we hope to have him back! He's good.), but plays one of his biggest most beloved hits -- one of my favorite songs of all time. (Hint: my production company would have been called 'Fortunate Son Productions' but somebody beat me to it.)

"And then, on top of all that, somehow we dragooned JOHN FOGERTY to write THE FINDER opening credits theme," he continues. "Yes, that's John playing and singing during our title sequence. John Fogerty is a rock 'n' roll god, an American legend, a true originator and one of the best song writers of all time. When he sang and played on THE FINDER set, we all stood in awed silence and grinned at each other. If just the smallest skritch of John's magic rubs off on us, then we'll be forever grateful."

In the episode, Fogerty has his stolen guitar returned to him by Iraq war veteran Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults). When the guitar is returned, Fogerty thanks Walter and says, "all my songs were in that guitar."


THE FINDER is a production of 20th Century Fox Television. Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson, Dan Sackheim and Vahan Moosekian are executive producers.


John Fogerty is a true American treasure, one of popular music's all-time greatest singers, guitar players, and songwriters. His remarkable career began in his hometown of El Cerrito, California, soon earning massive popular and critical success with the one and only Creedence Clearwater Revival. As leader of CCR, Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock 'n' roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.


After Creedence Clearwater Revival called it quits in 1972, Fogerty embarked on what would prove to be an equally impressive solo career. Among his many honors are induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the BMI Pop Music Awards' prestigious "BMI Icon," and Performance Magazine's "Theater Tour of the Year" Award. In addition, Fogerty and "Centerfield" were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies - the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies.


TIM McGRAW DIGITAL SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM EMOTIONAL TRAFFIC RELEASES TODAY (JANUARY 10)


(Nashville, Tennessee) -- January 10, 2012 – Curb Records is announcing a January 10, 2012 digital single release from the forthcoming new Tim McGraw album Emotional Traffic.

"The One That Got Away" – will be available for single download as the fourth of five song releases planned in advance of the new McGraw studio album which will street on January 24, 2012.

Emotional Traffic reaches retail as a 12 song collection and marks McGraw’s first delivery package of new music since the 2009 release of his Southern Voice album. Included on the album is McGraw’s latest #1 single, Felt Good On My Lips, which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts for three weeks and set a new industry milestone. With a cumulative of 69 weeks at #1 over the course of 32 chart topping single releases, McGraw established a record as the artist with the most weeks at #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart since the chart was established on the Nielsen BDS system in January of 1990.

The much anticipated new McGraw album also features his latest Curb single release "Better Than I Used To Be" which the artist termed “one of the best songs I’ve ever recorded,” in a recent interview.

Curb’s release of "The One That Got Away" on iTunes on January 10 will be followed by the label’s announcement of a fourth single targeted to build market awareness of the new McGraw album coming on January 24.

Information: http://www.timmcgraw.com/


22 YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN ROCKER LAURA WILDE SET TO RELEASE HER DEBUT ALBUM SOLD MY SOUL JANUARY 31, 2012; FIRST SINGLE IS THE TITLE TRACK “SOLD MY SOUL,” WHICH GOES TO RADIO ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012, FOLLOWED BY A SUPER FUN ACCOMPANYING VIDEO; LAURA ALSO OPENS FOR LEIF GARRETT ON HIS FINAL SHOW FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 AT THE WHISKY A GO GO IN HOLLYWOOD

Los Angeles, CA: Laura Wilde’s long-awaited album Sold My Soul is finally dropping on January 31, 2012. Laura will tour and release singles and videos to support the album. Her first show is supporting Leif Garrett in his final live performance at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go on Friday, January 13. “It's truly an honor to be opening for Leif Garrett. My respect goes out to him for being a multi-gold and platinum recording artist and successful actor. I can't wait to meet him and share the stage,” Laura says.

22 year-old Laura has been compared to Lita Ford, Pat Benatar and even Chrissie Hynde. Gorgeous, talented, and tough-yet-feminine at the same time, Laura Wilde and her signature Flying V are set to rock the States and beyond. A gifted songwriter and self-taught musician, Laura s already known in her native Melbourne, Australia, and is looking forward to conquering the US next. I'm so excited to finally be releasing my debut album. It has been the culmination of a lot of hard work...but I'm not popping any champagne corks yet. I'm really keen to get out on the road to promote it. I hope my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I've enjoyed making it!”

The first album cut going to radio is the title track “Sold My Soul,” which has a very cool accompanying video. “The single ‘Sold My Soul’ was the last song I wrote on the album. It's a wish list of all of the places I've been to or would like to visit. It’s really a celebration of my arriving in a new country and wanting to really experience it.... almost like a modern day version of ‘The Wanderer’ by Dion. I'm also really proud that I wrote, recorded and played all of the instruments on it myself.”

“Making the video was so much fun. It depicts a slice of life of being out on the road with the band and the infectious camaraderie we all have amongst each other.”

Laura’s music is explosive, gritty, powerful, fearless and aggressive. Real, true rock n’ roll, which is in short supply, especially from women
“Music is pretty much the only way in which I am able to express my feelings and emotions. Being a musician is my dream job in every sense, and I enjoy all aspects of the process. I love everything from practicing to performing, from songwriting to production. It’s an unbelievably varied and interesting career to be able to pursue, and I'm quite blessed and grateful to have this amazing opportunity to do what I love exactly the way I want to do it.”

Information: http://www.laurawilde.com

Sights and Sounds: Coachella 2012 lineup announced!

Here it is everybody, the official poster from Goldenvoice for the 13th annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival! When I have more details on ticket sales, I'll be sure to post them here.

See you in Indio in April...

For more information on Coachella, visit http://coachella.com/

My Top Music DVDS of 2011

I recently posted my top albums of 2011. And as tough as it was to rank my top 10 albums and worthy honorable mentions for the year, it proved to be almost as tough to rank my favorite DVD releases of 2011. So here goes...


1. Bad Company, Live At Wembley (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Recorded live at Wembley Arena in London in 2010 and released on DVD, Blu-ray and audio CD in June 2011, this release caught vocalist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen (original bassist Boz Burrell died in 2006) in perfect form. Some bands find their music becoming more dated with time; this excellent DVD makes a case that Bad Company's rock has never sounded better.


2. Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour ’74 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Eagle Rock Entertainment has been at the forefront of helping champion renewed interest in Rory Gallagher, having issued restored and re-mastered versions of his celebrated catalog throughout 2011. Irish Tour ’74 is a two-hour DVD (also available on Blu-ray) that truly captures what made Gallagher (who died at the mere age of 47 in 1995) so special. On stage he was a fiery presence as he sang and played high-powered electric guitar or acoustic blues with equal fervor, able to get young audiences to their feet with Springsteen-like command. Off-stage he was articulate and focused on his passion making music and the relationship an artist forges with their fans that is as much about life as it is the power of music.


3. Gary Moore, Live At Montreux 2010 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Watching the legendary guitarist Gary Moore in the very last live performance of his life, Live At Montreux 2010 is a release as bittersweet as any issued this year. But there is no better way to celebrate and remember Moore than by watching this wonderful DVD (also available on Blu-ray and on audio CD). In addition to his final 2010 concert (Moore died at age 59 on Feb. 6, 2011), there are four bonus tracks of his performance at Montreux in 1997 among the extras so fans get to see several different versions of "Still Got the Blues" and "Walking By Myself" performed. But the gems of the set are the new tracks he had written for a planned forthcoming 2011 album (sadly, never completed) that are performed here.


4. Sigur Rós, Inni (XL Recordings)
Few modern-rock acts to emerge since the early 1990s have been able to craft music that is as original as it is beautiful. But like England’s Radiohead, Iceland’s Sigur Rós has found its own little niche in the sonic universe, a place where lush symphonic textures, intense live performances that feature singer Jónsi attacking his electric guitar with a violin bow and additional otherworldly sounds please audiences looking for something to call their own. Inni, a three-disc collection featuring a concert DVD (also available on Blu-ray) on one disc and two audio CDs, was recorded and filmed over two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace in late 2008.



5. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition (Reprise Records)
For the past 25 years, Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young have hosted the annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts to benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments. 2011 marked the release of DVD and CD collections highlighting wide-ranging performances captured at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California since the first concert was produced in October 1986. Highlights on the DVD include Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller on the duet "Love Hurts," Fleet Foxes performing "Blue Ridge Mountains," a heart wrenching "Fire and Rain" courtesy of James Taylor," and Elton John and Leon Russell teaming up on "A Dream Come True."


6. AC/DC, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (Warner Home Video)
Titles featuring Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher were not the only bittersweet rock 'n' roll keepsakes to make their way onto DVD and Blu-ray in 2011. More than three decades after Bon Scott's death, his final filmed live concert with AC/DC was finally issued on DVD. The special collector's edition features a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack with the 13-song set that AC/DC performed on stage in Paris in 1979, as well as more than 95 minutes of bonus extras (including haunting interviews and backstage footage with Scott). "Let There Be Rock," indeed.


7. The Rolling Stones, Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
The 2011 release Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 captured the band just weeks after the release of their final tour de force, 1978's Some Girls.
In a loose and freewheeling performance of 17 songs, singer Mick Jagger and company delivered a blistering set featuring most of the highlights from Some Girls (a rowdy “Respectable,” disco-tinged “Miss You” and R&B-flavored “Beast of Burden”), as well as gems such as Chuck Berry‘s “Sweet Little 16″ and rocking versions of the Stones’ own “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”


8. Deep Purple, Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
There have been a few examples where bands performing with a full orchestra are effective, with performances by the Moody Blues and Metallica being obvious examples. But often times the approach is nothing more than a silly gimmick that does little to lift the material. Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 is definitely no gimmick. Released as a two-disc CD, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray, this 115-minute concert ranks as one of my favorite live collections released on DVD this year.


9. Peter, Paul and Mary, 25th Anniversary Concert (Shout! Factory)
There was a time in the 1960s when folk music was also popular music. Bob Dylan, the Mamas & the Papas, Donovan and Peter, Paul and Mary were able to compete in an age dominated by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Byrds and other successful rock 'n' roll outfits. The release of Peter, Paul and Mary's 25th Anniversary Concert (originally broadcast over PBS in 1986) captured the trio in winning form, performing powerful versions of "Blowin' In The Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "This Land Is Your Land."


10. Paul Rodgers & Friends, Live at Montreux 1994 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
When one of rock's greatest-ever singers joins forces with an army featuring some of rock's greatest musicians, the results shine. Look no further than Paul Rodgers & Friends Live at Montreux 1994, which finds Paul Rodgers teaming up on a blues-heavy set with Queen's Brian May, Journey's Neal Schon, Toto's Steve Lukather, Black Country Communion's Jason Bonham and many more. Sure, the set features some great versions of Bad Company material, but the emphasis is on the blues. Songs penned or made famous by Robert Johnson ("Crossroads"), Sonny Boy Williamson ("Good Morning Little School Girl") and Willie Dixon ("I'm Ready") take center stage via some fantastic performances here.


Honorable mentions: Waylon Jennings: Live At The US Festival, 1983; Willie Nelson: Live At The US Festival, 1983; The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963-1975; Paul McCartney, The Love We Make; Peter Gabriel: New Blood - Live in London ; Lindsey Buckingham, Songs From the Small Machine: Live In L.A.; Deep Purple, Phoenix Rising; The Jeff Healey Band, Full Circle: The Live Anthology

My Top Albums of 2011

Between now and December 31st, I plan to provide a few lists looking back at my favorite music of 2011. Kicking things off are my top albums of 2011.

1. Elbow, Build a Rocket Boys!
America is just starting to get familiar with this U.K. export from Manchester. Anchored by the involving “The Birds” and forceful “Neat Little Rows,” this is merely the latest tour de force in a growing list of wonderful masterworks from vocalist Guy Garvey and the band.

2. Glen Campbell, Ghost on the Canvas
If this indeed proves to be his final studio album, the legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist has gone out on top. Campbell, suffering from Alzheimer’s to the point that he’s launched a farewell tour, has somehow tapped into his own mortality to bring his life’s journey to a dramatic close with this set of powerful songs.

3. Radiohead, The King of Limbs
The more subdued electronic textures featured this time may not equal some of the band’s more dramatic efforts, but there is a depth and power to this eight-track disc that reveals its sonic might over time. It’s a dense and challenging album that confirms these pioneering Brits as rock’s most daring and talented modern-day outfit, artfully challenging listeners at every turn.

4. The Zombies, Breathe Out, Breathe In
The oft-underrated ’60s holdovers celebrated their 50th anniversary by releasing one of the finest albums of the year, an amalgam of jazz, pop, rock and psychedelia. Founding members Rod Argent (keyboards) and Colin Blunstone (vocals) continue to deliver the goods live, too. Let’s see if the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys can pull that off in 2012.

5. Ron Sexsmith, Long Player Late Bloomer
Another fantastic collection of poignant material from one of Canada’s greatest and most original tunesmiths. On this album, guitarist Rusty Anderson (most often seen supporting Paul McCartney), keyboardist Jamie Edwards (who works with Aimee Mann) and drummer Josh Freese (anchor for Devo and A Perfect Circle, among others) add firepower to a particularly fine set of songs.

6. The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow
An Americana folk duo wouldn’t seem likely candidates to score commercial success with young audiences in 2011. But then the team of singer-keyboardist Joy Williams and singer-guitarist John Paul White are no mere minimalist music makers. Their debut is a stirring collection of material showcasing marvelous vocal harmonies and inventive songcraft.

7. Colin Hay, Gathering Mercury
I can’t think of many artists who have issued an album as confessional and honest as the latest from Men at Work’s former frontman Colin Hay. Whether singing about growing older (“Invisible”), losing his dad (“Dear Father”) or performing beautiful instrumental works on his guitar (“Goodnight Romeo”), a sense of overall optimism shines through this moving collection.

8. Fountains of Wayne, Sky Full of Holes
Though the modern-day leaders of the power pop movement are sadly not enjoying the commercial success they deserve, I hope music fans of all genres will give their latest full-length a spin. Few bands in recent memory have released anything as lyrically rich as this; there are songs here that capture the ear with a single listen and never let go.

9. Moby, Destroyed
This time the modern electronic-music pioneer mines the creative reaches of his own experiences to create thoughtful, enveloping material inspired by life on the road, lonely nights spent far from home, and cities examined at their quietest. A reflective album that defies easy description, with “Victoria Lucas,” “Lacrimae” and “When You Are Old” among the standouts.

10. David Serby, Poor Man’s Poem
To hear the emotional and poignant songs that fill this set is to be transported back to the Civil War and the American frontier. But rather than simply offer up a retro exercise in Americana folk, L.A. based Serby compiled 10 original songs that resonate with timeless tales of war, loss and the working poor.

Honorable mentions: the Felice Brothers, Celebration, Florida; The Smithereens 2011; Emmylou Harris, Hard Bargain; Bad Company, Live at Wembley; Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes; R.E.M., Collapse Into Now; k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Sing it Loud; Moreland & Arbuckle, Just A Dream. And a special nod to the soundtrack for the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo, featuring stunning music from Sigur Rós’ Jónsi (I opted not to consider that excellent disc only because a few of the tracks had appeared on earlier releases).

Music-minded gift guide: CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, books and more!

Gift ideas abound this holiday season thanks to a wealth of new books, music DVDs and CDs.

With Christmas and Hanukkah rapidly approaching, you've come to the right place if you are looking for interesting gift ideas for that favorite music fan.

Those purchasing either a three-DVD set or two-CD set from Reprise Records celebrating Neil Young's Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts are not only getting a great compilation, but are helping benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit organization "educating children with severe speech and physical impairments through the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology." The track listings on each of the releases is a bit different, although some performances are found on both. Highlights on the CD collection include an acoustic version of Nils Lofgren performing The Beau Brummels' "Cry Just a Little" and Radiohead's Thom Yorke's version of Young's "After the Gold Rush." The DVD features a wealth of great spots, including performances from David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and of course Mr. Young himself in a performance with R.E.M.


If you are looking for a way to introduce groundbreaking modern music to those whose tastes routinely lack a sense of adventure, try stuffing their stocking with the soundtrack from the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo. Featuring instrumental compositions and songs by jónsi (of Sigur Rós fame), the soundtrack is one of the best albums of the year with its winning blend of experimental sounds and tender symphonic textures.

In my mind, 2011 will forever stand out for two premature goodbyes in the music world. One is the tragic memory of Glen Campbell announcing his battle with Alzheimer's in June and the release of what will likely be his final studio album, the wonderful Ghost On The Canvas (Surfdog Records) in August. The other is the September breakup of R.E.M., despite that the Athens, Georgia band released the wonderful Collapse into Now in March of this year. But while the band didn't set out on a final goodbye tour, singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry (who had left the band in the late 1990s) did release the epic 40-track retrospective Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 - 2011 (Warner Bros.) in November. This epic release really showcases why R.E.M. was so great, and the collection also includes three previously-unreleased songs.

The Rolling Stones' Some Girls ranks as one of my favorite albums from the band, ranking up there with Exile on Main Street. Now the 1978 masterwork has been issued as a deluxe two-disc set, with the original album remastered and featured on one disc while 12 rare and previously-unheard tracks appear on the second disc of bonus material. There are amazing songs here, notably an authentic country tune "We Had It All" (originally recorded by Waylon Jennings) sung by Keith Richards and the rollicking "Claudine."

Although American Laundromat Records' Please Please Please: a tribute to The Smiths isn't the first tribute to Morrissey and Johnny Marr & company, it is definitely one of the more ambitious. Among the far-flung artists who appear on the two-disc collection are Kitten, The Wedding Present, Sixpence None the Richer and Trespassers William.

Long before Coachella set up shop at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, another desert setting hosted a series of groundbreaking concerts in Southern California. The US Festival was held over two magical weekends in 1982 and 1983 at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernadino. Shout! Factory has issued a couple of full-length DVDs from the country music-themed day (June 4, 1983) that celebrate two of the genre's biggest names. Waylon Jennings: Live at the US Festival and Willie Nelson: Live at the US Festival will be treasured titles in the collections of fans of authentic country music.

Speaking of exciting releases from Shout! Factory, look no further than The Grateful Dead Movie released on Blu-ray for the first time in November. The deluxe 2-disc version includes the feature film on Blu-ray and a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus featuring five hours of extras. 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.


More than two decades after the world lost Stevie Ray Vaughan, the guitarist's enduring legacy is celebrated courtesy of author Craig Hopkins' newly-published Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night - His Final Years, 1983-1990. This heavy, 368-page hardcover gem provides the kind of in-depth coverage, stunning images and editorial overview that one of rock's greatest-ever guitarists deserves. A worthy follow-up of the author's Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night His Early Years, 1954-1982 released in 2010.


Earlier this month, I was invited by Sony and Taylor Guitars to a special photography-music event where I was introduced to the latest Sony Cyber-shot and was also treated to a tour of the Taylor Guitars factory in San Diego County. One of the day's highlights was getting to meet and hear a presentation from Bob Taylor, the co-founder of the guitar manufacturer. I really recommend that fans of the acoustic and electric guitar, of popular music and those interested in running any type of business get his new hardcover book Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business. On a related note, I couldn't be happier with the DSC-WX9 Sony Cyber-shot I received at the event. Boasting 16.2 mega pixel images, a 5x optical zoom and the ability to shoot high-def movies with great sound, this is a great camera with the ability to get great footage at live concert events. These amazing cameras retail for under $150 on Amazon.com.

I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday season.

Sights and Sounds: The Beatles, Coldplay, VCMG, Omnivore Recordings

Anytime you can work in exciting news and updates about The Beatles, Coldplay and two of the original members of Depeche Mode, well the day looks like a good one.

Louise Harrison To Discuss The Early Years of The Beatles and The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings: 50th Anniversary Edition


2-CD Set This Week on CBS Early Show, NPR’s The Takeaway,
VH1 Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, and more

Louise Harrison will travel to New York this week to promote the recent release of THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition and share her memories of The Beatles and her brother, George. An integral part of the band’s breakthrough in America, where she had been living when the group released their first single, Louise is credited with working tirelessly to get their song played on American radio for the first time. Her interviews in New York with media outlets including the CBS Early Show, NPR program The Takeaway, VH1’s Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, The Fox Business Channel, Better TV, and many more will coincide with the 10th anniversary of George Harrison’s death.

As one of the earliest supporters of The Beatles, it is fitting that Louise Harrison speak about their first recordings, captured in the new double-disc collection. Released by Time Life on November 8, 2011, THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition is a remarkable story, told through music, mementos and words, of a band on the cusp of changing music and pop culture forever. The collection is a fascinating and comprehensive view of one of the most important yet overlooked moments in Beatles history.

Entertainment Weekly noted that the set “hints at the greatness to come” while calling Harrison’s “Cry For a Shadow” one of its best tracks. Along with the songs, the box set includes a deluxe booklet which presents an in-depth look into the beginnings of one of the greatest and most influential groups in pop music history. The historical text by Beatles scholar Hans Olaf Gottfridsson is brought to life with rare and candid photos by Astrid Kirchherr, copies of contracts, and personal biographies handwritten by each member in 1961. The earliest days of The Beatles have never been revisited in such detail.

The set includes every recording they made for German producer Bert Kaempfert and Polydor in 1961 and 1962 and feature Tony Sheridan on lead vocals, a decision made by Kaempfert. However, John Lennon sings lead vocals on “Ain’t She Sweet,” and George Harrison plays an instrumental, “Cry For A Shadow.” Multiple versions have been released throughout the past several decades – some in mono, some in stereo – each with distinctly different sounds. Most notably, the US versions of these tracks were overdubbed with another guitar player and drummer in an attempt to mirror the edgier sound the group had evolved into, unbeknownst to American fans at the time of their release in 1964. All versions of every track, including mono and stereo mixes, are included in the double disc set, remarkable in their difference but all bearing the same unmistakable sound of a wholly new kind of band.


RING IN 2012 WITH COLDPLAY!

Photo credit: Sarah Lee

COLDPLAY NEW YEAR'S EVE: AN AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SPECIAL

90-MINUTE PBS CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA IS AUSTIN CITY LIMITS' FIRST-EVER NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL

Austin City Limits (ACL), the world's longest-running live music television series, is ringing in the new year with a stunning performance by Coldplay. The first-ever ACL New Year's Eve special -- a rare 90-minute episode -- is viewable on PBS stations nationwide on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at 11 p.m. (check local listings). Coldplay New Year's Eve: An Austin City Limits Special can also be viewed on demand on pbs.org starting at 11 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2011.

Coldplay's second appearance on ACL's stage is another milestone for the historic show and a one-of-a- kind episode with the band's unique production.

"We decided to go big with Coldplay - really big. So we came up with the idea of celebrating New Year's Eve with a 90-minute special. All the hits plus their brand new songs," said Executive Producer Terry Lickona. "It'll be a great way to kick off 2012!"

The New Year's Eve special comes on the heels of the release of the band's new album, Mylo Xyloto, which has charted at No. 1 in 32 countries. It also hit the No. 1 spot in all 35 iTunes stores around the world, breaking the record for the highest number of download sales in one week - a milestone Coldplay first achieved in 2008 with the release of Viva La Vida. Mylo Xyloto is Coldplay's third consecutive studio album to debut atop both The Billboard 200 and the U.K. album chart.

The ACL New Year's special highlights the mid-point of season 37 -- the first season taped entirely in ACL's new home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, a full-time music venue and state-of the-art production facility. The remaining five episodes of the season will air in early 2012.

Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at www.austincitylimits.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our blog for up-to-date information.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SEASON 37 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

(Check local listings for exact dates and times.)
December 31, 2011 Coldplay
January 7, 2012 The Head and The Heart / Gomez
January 14, 2012 Arcade Fire
January 21, 2012 Fleet Foxes / Joanna Newsom
January 28, 2012 Florence + the Machine / Lykke Li
February 4, 2012 Wilco


VCMG

VINCE CLARKE AND MARTIN L. GORE ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF BRAND NEW COLLABORATION

After 30 years working their retrospective ongoing music projects Vince Clarke (Erasure / Yazoo / Depeche Mode) and Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) come together for the first time since 1991 as VCMG to release a brand new album preceded by a series of EPs.

VCMG is the fruit of initially tentative discussion and subsequent enthused collaboration where Vince and Martin, both influential as pioneers in electronic music, get to exercise their lifelong love of the genre as the techno inspired VCMG.

As Vince explains: “I’ve been getting into and listening to a lot of minimal dance music and I got really intrigued by all the sounds… I realised I needed a collaborator… so it occurred to me to talk to Martin.”

Says Gore: "Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Vince just saying, 'I'm interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?' This was maybe a year ago. He said, 'No pressure, no deadlines,' so I said, 'OK’.”


The writing and recording of the album was done in a typically unique way with the pair working alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email, exchanging files until the album was ready. It was in May 2011 that the pair met for the first time to discuss the project when they both performed at Short Circuit presents Mute festival in London.

The album (title to be announced soon) was produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore and mixed by the influential Californian electronic artist Überzone / Q and will be released in early 2012.
The first release is an EP entitled Spock. EP1 / SPOCK will feature remixes from Edit-Select, aka Tony Scott, the UK DJ / producer and founder of EditSelect Records whose previous remix credits include Speedy J, Death In Vegas and Gary Beck; Regis, British techno musician Karl O’Connor, member of the Sandwell District collective and co-founder of Downwards Records); Zak aka DVS1, founder of Hush Records and one of the most prominent figures in US dance music counts techno innovator Derrick May amongst his biggest fans, with his second ever release on May's own Transmat plus XOQ, the alter ego of Überzone / Q, who mixed the VCMG album.

EP1/SPOCK will be available initially as a global exclusive on Beatport on November 30, 2011 and then on all DSPs December 13, 2011.


OMNIVORE RECORDINGS TO RELEASE TRIO OF NEW RECORDINGS

30th ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF RICHARD THOMPSON'S LONG OUT-OF-PRINT INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM STRICT TEMPO! CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE NOVEMBER 29



INFLUENTIAL POWER-POP BAND JELLYFISH'S ONLY TWO STUDIO ALBUMS

BELLYBUTTON AND SPILT MILK LIMITED EDITION LP RELEASE JANUARY 10



ALEX CHILTON'S FIRST SOLO RECORDINGS FREE AGAIN: THE "1970" SESSIONS

LIMITED EDITION LP, OPEN EDITION LP, CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE JANUARY 10


OMNIVORE RECORDINGS WEBSTORE NOW OPEN

LIMITED EDITION BIG STAR THIRD [TEST PRESSING EDITION] LP ON SALE NOW!

Omnivore Recordings has announced the upcoming releases for a trio of new recordings including the 30th Anniversary reissue of Richard Thompson's long out-of-print instrumental recording Strict Tempo! on November 29; followed on January 10, 2012 by influential power-pop band Jellyfish's two studio albums Bellybutton and Spilt Milk; and also on January 10, 2012, Free Again: The "1970" Sessions by Alex Chilton - the musical architect of The Box Tops and Big Star.



Richard Thompson "Strict Tempo!" CD/Digital - November 29, 2011

For more than 40 years Richard Thompson has been the guitarists' guitarist, the songwriters' songwriter, and a consummate artist. As a founder of the legendary British folk-rock group Fairport Convention, through the '70s releases with his then-wife, Linda Thompson, to his highly successful solo career and work as a session player for other artists, Thompson has left behind a trail of recordings and compositions nearly unequaled in modern music history. His solo career can be traced to 1972's Henry The Human Fly, after which he went on to record a string of critically acclaimed albums with Linda Thompson. It wasn't until 1981 that Thompson released another solo album, this time it was called Strict Tempo! and, not surprisingly, due to his gifts as an instrumentalist, was an instrumental album that showcased his extraordinary talents by Thompson playing all instruments himself, accompanied only by former Fairport bandmate Dave Mattacks on drums/percussion.

Strict Tempo! was originally released on Thompson's own imprint, Elixir, in 1981 and later reissued by the Hannibal label but has been out of print for some time. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this dexterous collection of traditional jigs and reels-with an original Thompson composition and a Duke Ellington cover thrown in for good measure. Omnivore Recordings is proud to celebrate the reissue of this recording with a CD release packaged in a special limited edition "greeting card" digipack (after which will be available in standard jewel case), featuring new notes on each song by Thompson. Additionally, Strict Tempo! will be made available for the first time digitally, all on November 29th.


Jellyfish "Bellybutton" LP and "Spilt Milk" LP - January 10, 2012

On January 10, Omnivore Recordings will release influential power pop band Jellyfish's debut album Bellybutton and follow up Spilt Milk exclusively on vinyl LP.The only two full-length studio albums in the band's short, storied history, each release has been cut directly from the album's original analog masters. Distributed by EMI, this will be the first time Bellybutton and Spilt Milk will be made commercially available in the U.S. on vinyl.


Bellybutton, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent blue vinylcomplete with replicated original album tri-fold sleeve. The bands 1990 debut album was released to rave critical reviews, hailed for its fresh, effervescent, power pop sound, and charted three singles. Spilt Milk, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will also be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent green vinyl. The bands follow up release took up where Bellybutton left off, an elaborate and complex studio creation described as a "flawless pop gem" with comparisons to The Beatles and The Beach Boys for its lush vocal harmonies.

Formed in San Francisco by singer/songwriter Andy Sturmer and singer/songwriter Roger Manning, the duo rounded out the band's initial lineup with guitarist Jason Falkner (The Three O'Clock, The Grays) and Roger's brother Chris Manning on bass. Following Bellybutton's support tour, Falkner and (Chris) Manning left the band due to creative differences and exhaustion from life on the road. Their next album Spilt Milk was created by Andy and Roger with help from then session men Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Spoon), Lyle Workman (Beck, Todd Rundgren) and T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates). Following a tour in support, the group disbanded in 1994.

Alex Chilton "Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" LP/CD/Digital - January 10, 2012

In the latter months of 1969, somewhere between the moon landing and the start of the Vietnam draft, the concerts at Woodstock and Altamont, Alex Chilton decided to take back his life. During that annus mirabilis, while the world experienced a generationally sparked social, political, and cultural upheaval, the 18-year-old Chilton was in the midst of a revolution of his own. For the past year, Chilton had been strapped in a creative, professional, and personal straitjacket. He was the lead singer of a million-selling band, The Box Tops, but felt like little more than a puppet of the group's producers. In the era of free love, he'd been pressured into a shotgun marriage and fatherhood. And he'd ultimately come to see himself as the pawn of an unscrupulous business machine, sent to grind it out on the road in a series of silly lip-synched TV performances and one-night stands while someone else cashed his checks. As he entered the studio that summer to make his first solo recordings, the man who would come to define the very spirit of musical independence was still bound in chains. At a time where liberation and self-expression were rallying cries, Alex Chilton was about to break free.

"Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" are the first solo recordings from a post-Box Tops/pre-Big Star Alex Chilton. The album, mixed and engineered by Terry Manning (CREDITS), will be released as a 20-track CD featuring six previously unreleased songs, and 12-track LP. The first 1,500 LPs will be pressed on limited-edition clear vinyl (black vinyl thereafter). The first 500 LP orders from the Omnivore Recordings webstore will come with a bonus 7" that includes two additional versions of the previously unreleased "All We Ever Got From Them Was Pain" - the original mix and the demo. The album will also be available digitally at all major online retailers, as well as the Omnivore Recordings webstore.


You can now pre-order and purchase all Omnivore Recordings titles direct at their all new online webstore: http://omnivorerecordings.com/shop. Omnivore is currently offering an online exclusive of the Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] as a clear vinyl version. This is your second chance to grab the wildly popular album that instantly flew off shelves, selling out during Record Store Day this past April. The webstore's Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] is limited to just 500 copies and features the same cut and packaging, manufactured at the same time as the 2000 black vinyl copies for Record Store Day. Don't miss out!

About Omnivore Recordings:

Founded in 2010 by longtime, highly respected industry veterans Cheryl Pawelski, Greg Allen, and Brad Rosenberger, Omnivore Recordings' vision is to preserve the legacies and music created by historical, heritage, and catalog artists while also releasing previously unissued, newly found "lost" recordings and making them available for music-loving audiences to discover. Omnivore Recordings is distributed by EMI in North America and Ace Records UK in Europe. The label's first releases included the limited LP release of Big Star Third, a limited edition Buck Owens 7" of previously unreleased material, The Motels shelved third album Apocalypso, the first official stateside release of Leon Russell's 1971 Live in Japan album originally released and available only in Japan, original soundtrack score to the documentary Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place, and legendary Bay Area soul singer Darondo's unreleased Music City Sessions and Bay Area teen soul and funk combo The Two Things In One Together Forever: The Music City Sessions.


Omnivore Recordings official website: http://omnivorerecordings.com/

Sights and Sounds: Paul Weller, Bob Dylan tribute

Before I get ready to get on my freeway survival gear and get set to make the long trek up to Los Angeles to catch The Cure at The Pantages tonight, I wanted to share a few highlights that arrived in my inbox today. Enjoy!

Paul Weller set to release 'Sonik Kicks' on March 27, 2012


Special London shows scheduled for March, with shows in the U.S. to follow

First Single “Around The Lake” Available On iTunes Next Week

Enjoying a constant critical high and a never ending creative peak, Paul Weller continues to push the boundaries with his forthcoming new album Sonik Kicks, scheduled for release on March 27, 2012 on Yep Roc Records. The album is the follow up to the Mercury Prize Award nominated Wake Up The Nation and is also Paul’s eleventh solo album. Once again, it's his best yet.

For fans eager to hear a taste of what’s to come, RollingStone.com will be previewing the first single “Around The Lake” beginning today. The song will also be available for purchase on iTunes beginning next week.

Sonik Kicks features fourteen brand new tracks: “Green,” “The Attic,” “Kling I Klang,” “Sleep of the Serene,” “By the Waters,” “That Dangerous Age,” “Study in Blue,” “Dragonfly,” “When Your Garden’s Overgrown,” “Around The Lake,” “Twilight,” “Drifters,” “Paperchase,” and “Be Happy Children.” Both Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon appear as special guests on the album.

Since Weller isn’t one to wait 20 years to be invited to perform his “classic” album, he has decided to do so now. Sonik Knicks will be performed in full at The Roundhouse in London, England on March 18th & 19th. Tickets go on sale 9 a.m. on Friday Nov 25. US shows are in the works for Weller and will be announced at a later date.

2012 will also mark two important anniversaries for Paul Weller. In 1977 (35 years ago) The Jam burst on to the music scene with their debut album In The City, which without question was one of the most important punk albums to ever be released. Since then Weller consistently changed and evolved his sound through his work with The Style Council and as a solo artist. It was 20 years ago in 1992 when Weller released his self-titled first ever solo album.

With Sonik Kicks Paul Weller once again shakes up his palate and stirs his influences anew. He mixes pop art punch with soulful communication; jazzy explorations into psychedelia and dub with razor-sharp melodies and abstract soundscapes with clear-eyed forest-folk.


Chimes of Freedom - 75 Newly Recorded Bob Dylan Songs by Over 80 Artists Scheduled for January 24, 2012 Release -- Salutes Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary and Life-Saving Human Rights Work




The Collection Features Songs By

* Adele * The Airborne Toxic Event * Joan Baez * Natasha Bedingfield * Jackson Browne * Cage the Elephant * Elvis Costello * Darren Criss * Miley Cyrus * Dave Matthews Band * K'NAAN * Ke$ha * Mark Knopfler * Diana Krall * Lenny Kravitz * Kris Kristofferson * Ziggy Marley * Maroon 5 * Tom Morello * My Chemical Romance * Joe Perry * Queens Of The Stone Age * Raphael Saadiq * Seal & Jeff Beck * Silversun Pickups * Patti Smith * Sting * Sugarland * Pete Townshend * Lucinda Williams * Evan Rachel Wood


Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years - the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan - are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.



Chimes of Freedom is Executive Produced by legendary music executive Jeff Ayeroff and Julie Yannatta, who spearheaded Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur - a 2007 collection of John Lennon solo compositions performed by major artists including U2, Green Day and R.E.M.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.



Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International's longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan's poignant "Forever Young," with a children's chorus.



The diversity of the musicians and musical genres - from rock, rap, hip-hop to pop, folk, country, jazz and blues -- attests to Amnesty's depth of support in the music community, the universal appeal of the core message of human rights, and the breadth of Dylan's impact on culture. Almost every track on the album is being released for sale for the first time* - except for the title song, Dylan's original 1964 recording of "Chimes of Freedom." Seventy songs were recorded especially for this release - with the addition of a few previously unreleased recordings.



"This album is a powerful fusion of the music community's respect for Amnesty's life-affirming work and for Bob Dylan's enduring brilliance," said Ayeroff and Yannatta. "We are proud to have worked with Amnesty to produce this remarkable project."


In 1962, Amnesty International evolved from a one-year campaign to free political prisoners into a worldwide movement fighting for justice, freedom and human dignity; today the organization has more than three million supporters in 150 countries. In March of that same year Bob Dylan's debut album was released, launching an unparalleled recording career.

"Over the half century, Dylan's art has explored and expressed the anguish and hope of the modern human condition," observed Sean Wilentz, the noted historian, in the album liner notes.


"Bob Dylan's music endures because he so brilliantly captures our heartbreak, our joy, our frailty, our confusion, our courage and our struggles," said Karen Scott Amnesty International's Manager of Music Relations. "His words convey a depth of meaning that few artists can equal, inspiring us and always moving ahead of our expectations. We at Amnesty International are deeply grateful to this legendary musician and to all of the artists who have contributed to this project."



All of the artists, session musicians, arrangers, engineers, producers and recording studios worked pro-bono to support the human rights cause. Almost 30 tracks on the album were mixed gratis by famed engineer Bob Clearmountain. Bob Ludwig and Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering donated their mastering services. The album cover illustration is by Grammy Award winning artist Mick Haggerty. Eight tracks were produced or executive produced by Martin Lewis, who as co-creator/producer in the 1970s of Amnesty's ongoing "Secret Policeman's Ball" benefit series, instigated Amnesty's outreach to rock musicians by recruiting and producing Pete Townshend, Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Bob Geldof and others. Executive Producers for Amnesty International are Helen Garrett, director of special projects, and Karen Scott, manager of music relations.



Through Chimes of Freedom, Amnesty International seeks to enlist support for its fight against censorship and attacks on free speech - whether involving artists, writers, musicians, political activists or bloggers. In this campaign, Amnesty is fighting for people such as the imprisoned Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in China, a scholar and human rights defender imprisoned since 2009 for writing about corruption and criticizing China's political system. In addition to purchasing the album at www.amnestyusa.org/chimes, supporters will find actions they can take to help individuals whose freedom of expression is under threat.

The tracklisting for Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International is as follows:


DISC 1


Raphael Saadiq
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Patti Smith
Drifter's Escape

Rise Against
Ballad of Hollis Brown

Tom Morello The Nightwatchman
Blind Willie McTell

Pete Townshend
Corrina, Corrina

Bettye LaVette
Most of the Time

Charlie Winston
This Wheel's On Fire

Diana Krall
Simple Twist of Fate

Brett Dennen
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

Mariachi El Bronx
Love Sick

Ziggy Marley
Blowin' in the Wind

The Gaslight Anthem
Changing of the Guards

Silversun Pickups
Not Dark Yet

My Morning Jacket
You're A Big Girl Now

The Airborne Toxic Event
Boots of Spanish Leather

Sting
Girl from the North Country

Mark Knopfler
Restless Farewell






DISC 2


Queens Of The Stone Age
Outlaw Blues

Lenny Kravitz
Rainy Day Woman # 12 & 35

Steve Earle & Lucia Micarelli
One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)

Blake Mills
Heart Of Mine

Miley Cyrus
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

Billy Bragg
Lay Down Your Weary Tune

Elvis Costello
License to Kill

Angelique Kidjo
Lay, Lady, Lay

Natasha Bedingfield
Ring Them Bells

Jackson Browne
Love Minus Zero/No Limit

Joan Baez
Seven Curses (Live)

The Belle Brigade
No Time To Think

Sugarland
Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You (Live)

Jack's Mannequin
Mr. Tambourine Man

Oren Lavie
4th Time Around

Sussan Deyhim
All I Really Want To Do

Adele
Make You Feel My Love (Recorded Live at WXPN)






DISC 3


K'NAAN
With God On Our Side

Ximena Sariñana
I Want You

Neil Finn with Pajama Club
She Belongs to Me

Bryan Ferry
Bob Dylan's Dream

Zee Avi
Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Carly Simon
Just Like a Woman

Flogging Molly
The Times They Are A-Changin'

Fistful Of Mercy
Buckets Of Rain

Joe Perry
Man Of Peace

Bad Religion
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

My Chemical Romance
Desolation Row (Live)

RedOne featuring Nabil Khayat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Paul Rodgers & Nils Lofgren
Abandoned Love

Darren Criss featuring Chuck Criss and Freelance Whales
New Morning

Cage the Elephant
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

Band of Skulls
It Ain't Me, Babe

Sinéad O'Connor
Property of Jesus

Ed Roland and The Sweet Tea Project
Shelter From The Storm

Ke$ha
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Kronos Quartet
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right




DISC 4


Maroon 5
I Shall Be Released

Carolina Chocolate Drops
Political World

Seal & Jeff Beck
Like A Rolling Stone

Taj Mahal
Bob Dylan's 115th Dream

Dierks Bentley
Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (Live)

Mick Hucknall
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)

Thea Gilmore
I'll Remember You

State Radio
John Brown

Dave Matthews Band
All Along the Watchtower (Live)

Michael Franti
Subterranean Homesick Blues

We Are Augustines
Mama, You Been On My Mind

Lucinda Williams
Tryin' To Get To Heaven

Kris Kristofferson
Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

Eric Burdon
Gotta Serve Somebody

Evan Rachel Wood
I'd Have You Anytime

Marianne Faithfull
Baby Let Me Follow You Down (Live)

Pete Seeger
Forever Young

Bob Dylan
Chimes Of Freedom






DIGITAL ONLY


Outernational
When The Ship Comes In

Silverstein
Song To Woody

Daniel Bedingfield
Man In The Long Black Coat

Sights and Sounds: The Cure, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

There are several interesting updates related to forthcoming releases from opposite ends of the sonic universe, so best to just jump right in...

The Cure set to release live album on Dec. 6


On Dec. 6, 2011, The Cure: Bestival Live 2011 will be issued, available in stores and online. The release will feature Robert Smith's outfit performing a set comprised of material from throughout the Cure's long career. The collection is being issued by Belgium-based Play It Again Sam, and is available for pre-order through Amazon.com.

The double album, which will also be available as a digital download, will feature 32 Cure classics. In a statement, Robert Smith said: "We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival, that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!"

All proceeds from the album go to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. The charitable organization offers counseling, advice, information and support services to people age 25 and under on the Isle of Wight (the home of Bestival).

For more information on The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, visit: http://www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk/


LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO JOINS HANDS WITH DOZENS OF FRIENDS ON NEW TWO-DISC COLLECTION

Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends set for release on Jan. 10, 2012

The 132 Minute, Thirty Track Ultimate Collection Includes Collaborations With
Paul Simon, Emmylou Harris, Josh Groban, Taj Mahal, Natalie Merchant,
Sarah McLachlan, Dolly Parton, Lou Rawls And Many More

Since their earliest days in the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has shared the studio and stage with scores of artists from around the world, representing just about every possible musical genre. The South African a cappella gospel ensemble's appearance on Paul Simon's landmark Graceland album is probably the most widely-recognized of the group's cross-cultural collaborations, but Simon's 1986 Grammy-winning recording is merely the tip of a much larger iceberg. Over the years, the group has demonstrated its melodic, harmonic and rhythmic versatility in recordings with an array of artists representing folk, rock, pop, soul, country, classical, hip-hop and world music. In each case, they have taken the work of a great artist and made it even better.

The group assembled a two-disc set of recordings that capture Ladysmith Black Mambazo reaching across the cultural divide and joining hands with musicians from around the globe. Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends - set for release on January 10, 2012 (as part of the Listen 2 Africa Series / Razor & Tie) contains 30 tracks featuring the world renowned South African group in collaboration with some of the most esteemed and influential recording artists, choirs and orchestras of the past several decades: Paul Simon, Lucky Dube, Emmylou Harris, Hugh Masekela, Natalie Merchant, The English Chamber Orchestra, Sarah McLachlan, Phoebe Snow, Taj Mahal and many more.

"For the past half-century, we have used our music to promote goodwill, cultural understanding and spiritual awakening throughout the world," says Joseph Shabalala, founder of the group. "The fact that we've been able to perform and record with some of the most prominent musical voices representing so many different musical styles, so many different countries, so many different cultures, is proof of the unifying power of music. We're very fortunate to have made so many good friends along the way, and we're happy to have so many of these recordings with those friends gathered in a single collection."

Disc 1 of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends opens with Mambazo backing Dolly Parton in a simmering but impassioned rendition of Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door." The track is followed immediately by "Weeping," a heart-rending ballad featuring Josh Groban and Vusi Mahlesala. Further into the sequence are the African sounding "Homeless" and the more pop-flavored "Diamonds on the Soles of their Shoes," both recorded with Paul Simon for Graceland.

Other highlights on the first disc include the stirring medley of "Amazing Grace/Nearer My God to Thee," recorded with Emmylou Harris; the Sam Cooke classic "Chain Gang," featuring the late velvet-voiced soul singer Lou Rawls; and the rousing "Bread of Heaven (Wales Forever)" with Michael Ball, the Lianelli Male Voice Choir and the Wales Squad Choir.

Disc 2 opens with a reprise of two songs from the first disc: "Homeless," this time with Sara McLachlen, and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," featuring Melissa Etheridge and Joe McBride recorded originally on the group's Long Walk To Freedom album.

Other second-half highlights include a part-gospel, part-pop reading of the Curtis Mayfield spiritual, "People Get Ready," with emotionally charged lead vocals by Phoebe Snow; and the engaging "One Blood," featuring Mbongeni Ngema

Blues and world music titan Taj Mahal joins the fray by laying down gritty vocals and deft guitar accents atop the hypnotic chant of "Mbube," while The Golden Gospel Singers join Mambazo in the soaring Staple Singers classic, "I'll Take You There."

In the home stretch, the voices of the SABC Choir merge seamlessly with Mambazo in the infectious "Angimboni Ofana Naye," and the set closes with the "Mamizola," where the group is joined by its female counterpart, the Women of Mambazo, a parallel vocal group founded in the 1970s by Joseph Shabalala's late wife, Nellie.

"The many tracks on Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends were recorded at many different times throughout our career, in many different places," says Shabalala. "The thread that ties them all together is the mutual respect and understanding among the musicians on each recording, and the desire to use music as a tool to spread that same respect and understanding to our audiences and around the world. This collection captures the beauty that emerges when Ladysmith Black Mambazo gets together with friends.

For more information, visit www.listen2.com

Michael Olivieri, Michael Ubaldini and others to perform in benefit for Duchenne muscular dystrophy awareness on Nov. 11

From the Oval Office to the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, Disabled Newport Beach Teen Works Tirelessly for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness

Coalition Duchenne presents Music Power at 7 p.m. on 11.11.11 featuring great OC bands and musicians who have played with Santana, Alicia Keyes, Jordin Sparks, Ne Yo, Jonas Brothers, U2 and more to raise global awareness for Duchenne, the most common fatal childhood genetic disease

On November 11, 2011 at 7 p.m., at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, Coalition Duchenne, a Newport Beach Based charity that raises funding and awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is holding a celebration of life and music featuring a diverse bill of local and international talent.

Dusty Brandom, the 18-year-old son of Coalition Duchenne founder Catherine Jayasuriya (seen in the photo at the top of this post), is hosting the event. Dusty who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has been wheelchair bound since age ten has fired the charitable passion of the participating musicians who range from his younger brother’s band, Final Crush to local favorites, and Newport Harbor High School alumni, Kings Road featuring Terry Lawless who has recorded and toured extensively with U2.

Also playing on the night, The Lucky Lonely have a strong connection to Dusty and the Brandom family’s struggle with Duchenne. The band’s drummer Michael Bedard (American Idol Jordin Sparks) accompanied Dusty in Lincoln Elementary School talent show performances. When he was younger, Dusty was an aspiring guitarist and songwriter nurtured by Bedard. Now he does not have the strength to hold a musical instrument.

Long time family friend Michael Olivieri is also playing with his band M.O.B. featuring past members of Santana, Scorpions, Social Distortion, Walter Trout Band, the Turtles, Rhythm Lords, and others. Michael was the driving force behind the success of seminal major label hard rock band, Leatherwolf.


One of the most acclaimed Orange County acts is also donating his talents. The Los Angeles Times said Michael Ubaldini (pictured on left) is ‘Better than Springsteen at probing the national soul’. He has won numerous awards such as: 2005 and 2006 Best Roots, Best Male Performer in the Orange County Music Awards and Best Live Performer/Songwriter in the Los Angeles Southern California Music Awards and his recording Portable Record Player was Nominated for Album of the Year in the OC Music Awards and named one of the best releases of the decade by Ben Wener of the OC Register.

MC for the event is Scotty Granger, keyboard player and vocal accompaniment for Jordin Sparks. Scotty featured recently in Kara Dioguardi’s ‘Platinum Hit’ (Bravo).

Completing the lineup is family friend Dave (Doc) Pittillo and his band Space Rockets. Doc owns the Guitar Doctor in Fountain Valley and is a ubiquitous presence in the OC music scene as one of the countries premiere luthiers.

Dusty’s 16-year-old brother Lucas Brandom who plays bass for opening act Final Crush said, “It’s great to play for Dusty. This summer we climbed a mountain in Borneo for awareness and now we are doing this concert. We just do everything we can.” Brandom is referring to Coalition Duchenne’s Expedition Mt Kinabalu which in August brought together 35 international climbers from nine countries to climb Mt Kinabalu (13,455ft) the second highest mountain in SE Asia.

Dusty and his family made the most of 2011. In addition to travelling to Borneo, in June he travelled with his family to Washington D.C. to visit President Obama. The trip was arranged by the Orange County Chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation. “It was exciting. We had an all access tour of the White House ending up outside the Oval Office. Hilary Clinton came out from meeting with the President and said ‘Hi’. Then the President said: ‘Come on in Dusty, I’ve heard all about you’. We spent 20 minutes with President Obama and told him all about Duchenne and our family background and adventures.”

Catherine Jayasuriya, the Coalition Duchenne founder said: “20,000 boys are born each year with Duchenne, more than 50 each day. One afternoon Dusty and I were talking about how cool it would be
to finally find a cure for Duchenne, so that boys like him could live longer lives. We reflected on the last few years and realized that what we needed most was global awareness and money for research.” Said “We decided that moving forward, we are stronger if we all come together as humans, as a force, as a coalition, bringing together not just Duchenne charities, but everyone. We need to focus on changing the course, taking our quest to another level.”

“It is wonderful that everyone is coming together to support Dusty. He faces tremendous challenges but has is buoyed by the spirit in these events. After this the musicians will all go into the studio or on tour. I know they will take a bit of Dusty with them. Meanwhile Dusty will be checking into the CHOC ICU as his doctors introduce new heart meds. He will take some of their music with him.”
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online (www.galaxytheatre.com). The event also will include a raffle. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Jayasuriya founded Coalition Duchenne in 2010 (www.coalitionduchenne.org) to raise global awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to fund research and to find a cure for Duchenne. Coalition Duchenne is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle wasting disease. It is the most common fatal disease that affects children. Duchenne occurs in 1 in 3,500 male births, across all races, cultures and countries. Duchenne is caused by a defect in the gene that codes for the protein dystrophin. This is a vital protein that helps connect the muscle fiber to the cell membranes. Without dystrophin the muscle cells become unstable, are weakened and lose their functionality. Life expectancy ranges from the mid teenage years to the mid 20's. Their minds are unaffected.

For more information on the benefit concert, visit: http://www.coalitionduchenne.org/html/musicPower.html