Magical evening with John Mellencamp at the Grammy Museum

Photo credit: Courtesy of The GRAMMY Museum®

Photograph by Maury Phillips/WireImage ©2010


An Evening with John Mellencamp
Where: The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live
When: Aug. 17, 2010

Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is not one to sing his own praises.
“I had to learn to write songs while I was making records,” Mellencamp said during the special “American Express presents An Evening with John Mellencamp” program at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, Aug. 17. The special discussion and mini-concert was held on the release date of No Better Than This, the celebrated Hoosier’s latest album.
Mellencamp, 58, noted that when he got signed to his first record deal in the 1970s, he was emerging at the same time as talented artists such as Tom Petty and Steve Forbert.
“I was the low hanging fruit,” he mused.
Much has changed since Mellencamp was forced to go by the moniker John Cougar with the release of his commercial debut Chestnut Street Incident in 1976. He has gone on to release discs such as Scarecrow (1985), Whenever We Wanted (1991), Human Wheels (1993), and Life, Death, Love and Freedom (2008), recognized as some of the best albums of the modern rock era. His just-issued No Better Than This marks another high mark in Mellencamp’s continuing journey to document his own life and that of the world around him – particularly those hit hardest by economic hardship, isolation and racial discrimination.
“I’m 58 – almost 59. I am not the guy who wrote ‘Hurts So Good’ (off of 1982’s American Fool album). It would be folly for me to do that (song now),” he told interviewer Robert Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum.
Like Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Mellencamp has been able to mature through life and make music that reflects that passage.
No Better Than This is truly another leap forward for Mellencamp. The new disc, produced by T Bone Burnett, was recorded in three historic locations in the South: Savannah’s First African Baptist Church, Sun Studio in Memphis (used by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley in the 1950s) and Room 414 of San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel where Robert Johnson recorded seminal blues tracks in the 1930s.
The Burnett-produced sessions were recorded using a single vintage microphone and a 55-year-old AMPEX 601 mono tape recorder. No Better Than This explodes with Mellencamp’s original songs incorporating country-styled blues, early folk and tinges of rockabilly and gospel. This isn’t music for the masses, but it is truly music that matters.
“The problem with music today is there is no moment to capture anymore,” Mellencamp said of the retro-approach to recording his new album, noting this was a project on the opposite side of the “fix it in the mix” mentality.
“Everybody was in the moment…it was a real joy to create the music.”
Musicians joining Mellencamp on the recording include Michael Wanchic (guitar), Miriam Sturm (violin), John Gunnell (bass), Dane Clark (drums), Troye Kinnett (accordion, keyboards) and Andy York (the guitarist who joined Mellencamp on stage at the Grammy Museum).
“It was fun to be a musician playing music once again,” Mellencamp said of the 13 songs recorded in a mere 13 days.
After more than an hour of discussion, and taking a few questions from the 200-person audience seated inside the intimate Clive Davis Theater, Mellencamp went through an acoustic-styled set of original material.
Opening with the first track on his new disc, the uplifting “Save Some Time to Dream,” he was cheered on when he briefly struggled to find the right chords on his acoustic guitar. But the rest of his brief set was flawless, including a stirring acappella version of “Cherry Bomb” boasting his authentic vocals and the tender acoustic ballad “Thinking About You” (one of the highlights on his new album).
He closed with a reflective “Small Town,” a song that showcases Mellencamp’s life-long love of his native rural Indiana.
He also promised those coming to see him open for Bob Dylan on Aug. 19 in nearby Ontario would see a performance stretching more than an hour.


Set list: Save Some Time to Dream / Cherry Bomb / Don’t Need This Body / Thinking About You / Small Town


John Mellencamp setlist:
1. Save Some Time to Dream
2. Cherry Bomb
3. Don't Need This Body
4. Thinking About You
5. Small Town

dada live: another memorable night at the Coach House

dada features guitarist-singer Michael Gurley (pictured below), bassist-singer Joie Calio (on the right, standing on a dinner table) and drummer-singer Phil Leavitt.

There was nothing unlucky about dada's sold-out show at The Coach House on Friday night, August 13th. In fact, even the the two opening acts were pretty good.
But back to dada. The outstanding trio didn't take the stage until 10:10 p.m., but proceeded to play a concert just under two and a half hours featuring long-time fan favorites and new tracks that are set to be included on a forthcoming album.
When I meet people and they discover I am a music writer, they often ask "Who do you like?" After I rattle off the obvious choices (The Beatles, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, etc.), I always note "dada."
Friday night's show reminded me why dada continues to rate as one of my favorite all-time rock outfits. The band (singer-guitarist Michael Gurley, singer-bassist-guitarist Joie Calio and drummer-singer Phil Leavitt) challenge listeners and celebrate rock 'n' roll with songs that are original and accessible whether heard on their excellent studio recordings or when presented in concert.
The mix of dazzling songcraft, creative harmonies and extended musical jams that never became self-indulgent brought life to familiar material ("Dim," "Dizz Knee Land," "Dorina," "I Get High"), and likewise made the new songs so effective. Both "Mercury Down" (highlighted by inventive harmonies and Leavitt's Keith Moon-styled drumming) and a song with the likely title of “I Need a Moment in the Sun" were every bit as great as dada's classic material from the '90s and early '00s.
"Ask the Dust" was one of the most epic tracks played, with Gurley performing a guitar solo utilizing the timeless melody from the Fab Four's "Eleanor Rigby" into the song.
Several times throughout the show, the band members thanked the audience and noted how much they love performing at the Coach House.
"I love playing with these two guys," Gurley said before the band peformed a mind-blowing cover of the Mamas and the Papas' 1966 hit "California Dreamin."
And later, after returning to the stage for the first of two encores, Gurley summed up a magical night: "I wish every Friday night could be like this."
I think he was speaking for every fan in the packed crowd. When Coach House shows stretch past 12:30 a.m., there are invariably a good number of concertgoers who head for home early. But dada fans mostly stayed and for good reason; these shows are the reason we fell in love with rock in the first place.
Both of the openers did a good job and seemed to respond to the capacity, music-minded crowd. While Groove Kitty played 45 minutes of covers, they did ultimately come off like a better-than-average bar band. However, the original music band Hobs Row was very good. Anchored by singer-songwriter-keyboardist Nic Gibbs, the group's sound is in the territory of The Fray and Jamie Cullum. Based on the 30 or so minutes that Hobs Row played on Friday night, this is definitely a group with the talent and songs to go far.

'All You Need Is Klaus" to premiere on Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian Channel Special on Beatles & Klaus Voormann Premieres This Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010

This month SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL gets in tune with INSIDE THE MUSIC, a series of specials that tell stories about the music and musicians that have had an enormous impact on some of the most listened to sounds of our time.




The featured INSIDE THE MUSIC premiere, ALL YOU NEED IS KLAUS, premiering Sunday, August 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, is a journey into the incredible life of Klaus Voormann. Respected as one of the finest bass guitarists of all time, Voormann is best known for his association with the most popular and most influential band in rock ‘n roll history, The Beatles. ALL YOU NEED IS KLAUS also features Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Carly Simon, and Randy Newman, Joe Walsh and Simon are also interviewed in the film with Simon recounting Voormann’s influence on her biggest hit, “You’re So Vain.”




In 1960, Klaus Voormann met The Beatles, who at the time were completely unknown, in Hamburg, Germany, where he was an art student. Three years later, when Klaus moved to London and lived with George Harrison and Ringo Starr in their apartment, The Beatles had already become the embodiment of a new youth culture. In 1965, Voormann, who was working as a graphic designer at the time, was asked by John Lennon to create the album cover for their latest album. The highly influential piece of cover art for Revolver, earned Klaus a Grammy Award. That same year, he became the bassist for the Manfred Mann Band and, in 1969 for John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band. Klaus Voormann was on the frontlines of the pop era's meteoric rise and played on all the Beatles’ solo albums.




ABOUT SMITHSONIAN NETWORKS

Smithsonian Networks (SNI/SI Networks L.L.C.) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, formed to create channels featuring programs largely inspired by the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America’s historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is currently available to customers of DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.

Rock on the Road to hit Orange County this weekend

The Popdudes, from left, features Mike Simmons, John Borack and Robbie Rist. The band will perform at the Orange County Fair on Sunday morning, Aug. 15 as part of the Rock on the Road Tour.

For fans of power pop who missed the arrival of the 13th annual International Pop Overthrow (better known as “IPO”) in late July and early August, there is an alternative to waiting until 2011 to catch many of the celebrated artists who performed as part of the event.
The Rock on the Road Tour is coming to Orange County for two dates this weekend, including a 21 & over-only 8 p.m. show at Fitzgerald’s in Huntington Beach on Aug. 13 and an all ages bill set for the final day of the Orange County Fair, playing out from 10:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. on Aug. 15.

Featured artists at the Friday night stop include Anny Celsi and Nelson Bragg, as well as singer-songwriter Adam Marsland (of Cockeyed Ghost fame). The OC Fair show will feature Maple Mars, Sparkle*Jets UK, Nushu and Dave Stephens. Orange County’s own Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings will close out each of the bills.
Organized by Adam Waltemire, the host of the popular online Pop Garden Radio show, Fountain Valley John Borack was approached about helping organize the Orange County dates.

“Adam has a radio show that airs out of Florida and he plays a lot of the (power pop) artists we all love,” Borack explained in a recent interview. “He had an idea for a mini-tour; a revue that goes to different cities and each is a day-long festival. He talked to me about doing something in California and through a Time Warner Cable sponsorship, we are able to put on the big show at the Plaza Arts Stage at the OC Fair on Sunday.”
Borack, who is both a music writer (Goldmine magazine, Garden Grove Journal) and drummer, was surprised when Waltemire asked if Borack’s Popdudes would appear on the OC Fair bill.

“I worked with Adam; it was a collaborative effort. He had some artists he definitely wanted, including the Popdudes.”
And while Borack loves to perform, he is just as excited to see many of the other artists on both bills.
“I think we’ll have a really big crowd on Sunday, that being the last day of the fair. There is a little something for everybody; from the psychedelic pop of Maple Mars and country-pop of Walter Clevenger to the covers we do in the Popdudes (a super group of sorts featuring Borack, musician-actor Robbie Rist and several members of Sparkle*Jets UK).”

In addition, the newly-issued “The Rock on the Road Tour: Season 1” 18-track CD will be sold for only $5 at both dates. The collection boasts unreleased material from all three Orange County acts on the set (the Popdudes, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, Sparkle*Jets UK) and features recordings from many other artists playing this weekend.
“I wrote some of the words and Robbie Rist set it to music,” Borack said of the Popdudes track “Joe Sincere” that appears on the new collection. “He has been playing the song at his solo shows and with Nice Guy Eddie. I’m excited the Popdudes get to play the song now with Robbie.”
Here is a rundown with more specifics on each of the events set for this weekend:

Rock on the Road
Pop Garden Radio presents "Rock on the Road" - hosted by Adam Waltemire

Friday, August 13th
Fitzgerald's Sports Pub
19171 Magnolia St.
Huntington Beach, CA. 92646
(714) 968-4523

$5 - tickets at the door
Doors open at 8 p.m.

8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Dennis Holseybrook
8:40 - 9:10 p.m. Michael Slawter
9:20 – 9:50 p.m. Dave Stephens
10:00 - 10:40 p.m. Nelson Bragg & Anny Celsi
10:50 - 11:30 p.m. Adam Marsland
11:40 p.m. - 12:20 a.m. Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings


Sunday, August 15th
Orange County Fair
Time Warner Cable Plaza Arts Stage
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, California 92626

Free with admission to the Fair

10:30 - 11:10 a.m. D Henry Fenton
11:20 - Noon Popdudes
12:10 - 12:50 p.m. Dave Stephens
1:00 - 1:40 p.m. Maple Mars
1:50 - 2:30 p.m. Sparkle*Jets UK
2:40 - 3:20 p.m. Nushu
3:30 - 4:10 p.m. Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings

For a complete line-up of artists and details about the upcoming Rock on the Road concerts, visit www.therockontheroadtour.com.

John Mellencamp Debuts New Album on Tavis Smiley

Iconic rocker John Mellencamp debuts new album on 'Tavis Smiley' in exclusive week of performances

Beginning Monday, Aug 16, rock legend John Mellencamp will perform each night for a week on PBS’ “Tavis Smiley,” sharing an exclusive preview of his new album No Better Than This with “Smiley” viewers. Mellencamp will also sit down with fellow Hoosier Tavis to explain his musical journey and why he decided to emphasize traditional American folk, country and blues on the album. Check your local listings for air times.



In a Tavis Smiley “first” from Aug 16 – 20, 2010, Mellencamp will close each show with a new song.



Mellencamp is currently on a 12-city, limited engagement tour to promote his most recent album, and “Smiley” viewers will have a rare opportunity to witness live performances of tracks from the album. The official first leg of the “No Better Than This” tour will kick off at Indiana University , Smiley’s alma mater, October 29, 2010.



No Better Than This will be released on Tuesday, Aug. 17 and early reviews have been positive. Rolling Stone says: “It’s musical storytelling for hard times: far-fetched, violent, sexy, played for laughs. Mellencamp has never sounded looser or easier on a record. It doesn’t get more timeless, or American, than that.”



The album was recorded on vintage equipment – a 55 year-old Ampex tape recorder with just one microphone — in Savannah at the First African Baptist Church, in Memphis at Sun Studios, and in San Antonio in room 414 of the Gunter Hotel.



About John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp is a Grammy Award-winning American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock. He is slated to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Americana Music Association this fall and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Over the span of his career Mellencamp has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States . He also holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Mellencamp is one of the founding members of Farm Aid, an organization designed to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Farm Aid celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Mellencamp lives in Indiana with his family.



About TAVIS SMILEY on PBS

TAVIS SMILEY is a unique hybrid of news, issues and entertainment, featuring interviews with politicians, entertainers, athletes, authors and other newsmakers. In 2009, Tavis Smiley was named to TIME’s list of 100 “Most Influential People in the World.”



TAVIS SMILEY is produced by The Smiley Group, Inc. / TS Media, Inc. in association with KCET/ Los Angeles . Major funding is provided by Walmart and Nationwide Insurance. Additional support comes from PBS and a one-time seed grant from the National Black Programming Consortium.



The 30-minute program airs weeknights on PBS. To get local listings and to watch past episodes, please visit www.pbs.org/tavis.

dada returning to The Coach House

This is a longer version of the dada preview published on The Orange County Register Web site earlier today.

I took these photos of dada in the recording studio on Thursday night, July 1, 2010.


dada
With: Groove Kitty, Hobs Row
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
When: 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13
How much: $20
Info: Call the Coach House at 949-496-8930 or visit: www.thecoachhouse.com


dada is the rare band that combines stunning songwriting and inventive harmonies with virtuoso musicianship, and also delivers concerts that seemingly outdistance their flawless studio efforts.
Since emerging on the music scene in 1992 with their successful commercial debut album Puzzle (featuring radio favorites “Dizz Knee Land” and “Dim”), singer-guitarist Michael Gurley, singer-bassist Joie Calio and drummer Phil Leavitt have released five outstanding albums and built a reputation as one of rock’s most-consistently impressive concert acts.

Those who haven’t witnessed dada in action can catch the trio at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night, Aug. 13.
Although dada hasn’t released a full-length studio album since 2004’s How to be Found (although the five-song EP A Friend of Pat Robertson was issued in 2006) followers of the band will be happy to learn dada is back in the studio working on an as-of-yet untitled new studio album. The nearly-completed song “Mercury Down” is an epic and powerful track that continues to showcase dada’s undeniable blend of classic Beatles psychedelic rock and post-Nirvana alt rock sensibilities all mixed up with touches of jam rock, jazz, folk, alt-country and blues.

“We don’t want to do anything less than an ‘Abbey Road’ from now on,” Calio told me in July, when dada made a rare invitation for this writer to visit them at producer Scott Gordon’s Santa Monica recording studio. Watching the trio work on new material – some of it nearly complete and other in a development phase – was thrilling and shed additional light on the band’s formidable talents.
“We hope to get this (the recordings) done by the end of the year,” Leavitt explained.

While Gurley and Leavitt live in the Los Angeles area, Calio calls the state of Washington home. So since February, Calio has been coming down for intensive one-week stints to work with the other guys on the new tracks.
The breaks also allow the members to step away from the studio and then re-examine tracks a few weeks later with a fresh set of ears to see if they pass their high standards or are scrapped.

“The songs are interesting; we are doing a lot of improvisation,” Leavitt said.
Indeed, over the course of five hours or so that I spent at the studio, Calio completed his driving bass tracks for a new song (possible title “I Need a Moment in the Sun”) before the full trio suddenly shifted sonic gears and had Gordon begin recording several extended jams that could well develop into finished songs as the process goes forward.

“By the end of the week, everybody is ready to go home,” said Leavitt, adding the marathon-length recording sessions routinely stretch out long after midnight.
“We’re at our best when we’re playing without any outside influence.”

The Black Crowes rock 'Artists Den' on Sunday

The Black Crowes (left to right) are Luther Dickinson, Rich Robinson, Adam MacDougall, Sven Pipien, Chris Robinson and Steve Gorman.


Fans of the Black Crowes won’t want to miss the next episode of “Live from the Artists Den” that airs on Los Angeles’ KLCS-TV at 10 p.m. on Sunday night, Aug. 8.

Having been genuinely impressed by the band’s outstanding performance at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point back in May, I wondered if the Southern rockers’ power would translate to an hour-long television special. The answer is “yes.”

The episode was taped at the historic Lyric Theatre in the little town of Oxford, Mississippi in September 2009 and features the Black Crowes performing 10 songs; there are also several interview segments with singer Chris Robinson.

With the Black Crowes set to go on indefinite hiatus later this year after wrapping up their “Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys” tour, the band’s newly-issued double-disc Croweology (released Aug. 3 on Silver Arrow/Megaforce Records) is getting loads of attention. But the Crowes’ blend of blues, jam rock and psychedelic funk reaches its zenith in concert and this public television special does the troupe justice.
Indeed, as Robinson notes in one of the early interviews: “Without the audience it means nothing.”

Those simply looking for a greatest-hits trip with the Crowes will be disappointed, but discerning music lovers who admire the band’s deep catalog will appreciate the range of material offered up over the course of 60 minutes. The band plays Delta-styled blues (“Good Morning Captain,” “Let Me Share the Ride”), Southern blues-rock (a vocal harmonies-anchored “Shine Along”), tender folk-blues (“Appaloosa”), the Rolling Stones-styled ballad “She Talks to Angels” and genre-busting material (“I Ain’t Hiding” mixes up blues, psychedelic and funk effortlessly).

Things close out with the band roaring through the retro rock ‘n’ roll of “Thick n’ Thin.” There are few modern-day bands that jam with the kind of raucous and rollicking abandon of the Crowes without losing control and falling off the rails.

If you are a fan of the Black Crowes – or rock ‘n’ roll that celebrates the past and present – make sure to catch a great hour of music making courtesy of “Live from the Artists Den” on Sunday night.
For more information, visit www.theartistsden.com

Nils Lofgren: Cry Tough DVD coming August 10

Eagle Rock reveals more Rockpalast
Nils Lofgren: Cry Tough offers three separate performances in one set

New York, NY (July 29, 2010)—Eagle Rock Entertainment is building a mighty library of Rockpalast performances on DVD. On August 10, 2010, Eagle Rock will release the 2-DVD set Cry Tough from guitarist/singer-songwriter Nils Lofgren. [MSRP $19.98]

A kaleidoscopic view of his success as a solo artist, this DVD captures three performances from different stages in Lofgren’s career. With more than four hours of footage and 35 tracks deep, it showcases Nils stepping out into the spotlight on his own. Lofgren, formerly of the E Street Band and Neil Young’s Crazy Horse, wowed this crowd with his unfettered six-string talent, charismatic stage presence, moving songs, and impressive showmanship.

Disc 1 features his 1991 performance, when Lofgren returned from a stint with the E Street Band with his 1991 album Silver Lining (Ryco). Disc 2 backtracks to his earlier days playing solo, with sets from 1976, just after the release of his critically-acclaimed solo debut, and 1979.

In addition to this latest release, Eagle Rock has recently released Rockpalast titles from Joan Armatrading, Thin Lizzy, Meat Loaf, and UB40.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hamburg, & Paris.

Track Listing:
Disc 1- 1991:
1.) Sticks And Stones
2.) Keith Don’t Go
3.) Rock ‘N’ Roll Crook
4.) Cry Tough
5.) Trouble’s Back
6.) Delivery Night
7.) Bein’ Angry
8.) Moon Tears
9.) Girl In Motion
10.) Valentine
11.) The Sun Hasn’t Set
12.) Across The Tracks
13.) Silver Lining
14.) Walkin’ Nerve
15.) Gun And Run
16.) No Mercy
17.) Back It Up
18.) Shine Silently
19.) See What Our Love Can Do
20.) I Came To Dance

Disc 2 – 1976/1979
1976:
1.) Cry Tough
2.) It’s Not A Crime
3.) Keith Don’t Go
4.) Going Back
5.) Share A Little
6.) Jailbait
7.) Like Rain
8.) Rock ‘N’ Roll Crook
9.) Back It Up

1979:
1.) Keith Don’t Go
2.) A Fool Like Me
3.) Beggar’s Day
4.) No Mercy
5.) It’s Not A Crime
6.) Like Rain
7.) Heart of Fire
8.) Cry Tough
9.) Going Back
10.) You’re So Easy
11.) I Came To Dance
12.) (Incidentally) It’s Over
13.) Back It Up
14.) Moon Tears
15.) Soft Fun

Sigur Rós’ Jónsi announces final American tour for 'Go'

Photo credit: Eva Vermandel

Following his incredible North American spring tour for his album, Go, Sigur Rós front man Jónsi has announced his second and final set of U.S. dates for this album. With an exclusive pre-sale on jonsi.com from now to Friday, July 30, this is the last chance for American fans to see what the Boston Globe has described as "nothing short of a revelation from start to stop."



Jónsi’s recent North American tour was met with an outpouring of enthusiastic praise from media and fans alike. He played material from his gorgeous recent release, Go (out now on XL Recordings), which received glowing reviews upon its release earlier this year. Jónsi’s collaboration with 59 Productions, a London-based design team known for their incredible stage shows for theatre and opera, has created a live experience that is truly like no other, complementing the album’s innate beauty and complexity. The combination of lighting, animation and set elements transform Jónsi’s music, making the live experience truly unique for the audience. The show is full of nature motifs, ranging from animals and insects to fire and rain, all of which serve to intensify the show’s emotional resonance.



Check out the list of dates below to see what everyone is talking about. Presale is going on now!



Praise for Jónsi’s live show:



"This Icelandic singer-songwriter’s solo album go is already one of my favorites this year, and the chance to see him showcase cuts off the newly-released nine-song disc drew me to the Outdoor Theatre early on Sunday. My expectations were high, yet the Sigur Rós frontman’s potent set exceeded them handily. When Jónsi (above) closed with an extended and emotive “Grow Till Tall,” it was as if the desert sky had been shattered by his tenor voice soaring high into falsetto amidst the layered backdrop of percussion, keyboards and other instruments.

One of the most original artists of the modern rock era, his blend of world music, rock, classical and experimentation continues to challenge, thrill and touch listeners on levels that defy most writers (this one included) to adequately convey it in words. If you haven’t seen Sigur Rós or Jónsi, please do — it’s a must." — my review of Jonsi's performance at Coachella 2010 published in the Orange County Register on April 20, 2010.


“Jonsi’s high, clear voice was not only the carrier of insistent pop hooks, but also a messenger of ecstatic hope.” – New York Times



“Jónsi played a lot of the real thing — a pop music of naked restraint and delighted release...” – David Fricke, RollingStone.com



“That voice…It was surely the evening’s main attraction, the most hypnotic sound you could ever want to experience in a concert hall with good acoustics.” – Boston Globe



“Sigur Ros is a beautiful thing, but when he goes solo, Jonsi does something amazing – he lets his freak flag fly.” – Spin.com



“The audience bursts into cheer, some with tears running down their cheeks, others embracing their lovers, and many still staring in wide-eyed, jaw-dropped amazement at the five musicians while they clasp hands and take a bow.” – KEXP



“The hour-and-a-half flew by in five minutes but I would've stayed for years…Jonsi seamlessly performed the most emotionally arresting night of music I've seen in as long as I can remember, both in its effervescent, life-affirming orgasmic joy and when it choked me up.” - Portland Mercury



“A performance so transcendent that many audience members seemed rooted in place"…”– UndertheRadar.com





“Jonsi’s gorgeous, angelic voice placed within inventive settings – remained a hallmark of the night.” - Kansas City Star





Tour Dates:



10/15/10 San Diego , CA @ 4th and b

10/17/10 Los Angeles , CA @ The Wiltern

10/19/10 Oakland , CA @ Fox Theater

10/21/10 Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues

10/22/10 Salt Lake City , UT @ The Complex

10/23/10 Tempe , AZ @ The Marquee

10/25/10 Grand Prairie , TX @ Verizon Theatre

10/26/10 Austin , TX @ Austin Music Hall

10/27/10 Houston , TX @ Verizon Music Theater

10/29/10 New Orleans , LA @ The Voodoo Festival

10/30/10 Asheville , North Carolina @ Moogfest

10/31/10 Atlanta , GA @ The Tabernacle

11/2/10 St. Louis , MO @ The Pageant

11/3/10 Chicago , IL @ the Vic Theatre

11/4/10 Detroit , MI @ The Fillmore

11/6/10 Columbus , OH @ Newport Music Hall

11/8/10 Washington , D.C. @ 9:30 Club

11/10/10 New York City , NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom





www.jonsi.com // www.twitter.com/iamJonsi

FRAN HEALY OF TRAVIS TO RELEASE DEBUT SOLO ALBUM

Last night, I caught Fran Healy (of Travis fame) open for Keane at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. He performed several Travis songs (including a great version of "Driftwood"), but also played several wonderful new songs that are headed for a solo debut scheduled to be released in the fall. Here is the media release on that album. Based on the strength of the outstanding new songs he played last night (notably "As It Comes"), I can't wait to hear Wreckorder when it comes out Oct. 5, 2010.

FRAN HEALY OF TRAVIS TO RELEASE DEBUT SOLO ALBUM

WRECKORDER OUT OCTOBER 5th ON RYKO RECORDS
CURRENTLY ON NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH KEANE

Fran Healy, lead singer and main songwriter of acclaimed Scottish rock band Travis, is excited to announce the release of his debut solo album WRECKORDER. Set for an October 5, 2010 release on Ryko, Healy’s first release on the label, WRECKORDER is the work of a quintessential pop songwriter. Known for songs such as “Sing” and “Why Does It Always Rain On Me,” among other hugely successful tracks, Healy has been recognized by Q Magazine, Rolling Stone, and NME, amongst others, for what Entertainment Weekly calls “a gorgeous mosaic of shimmering guitar pop.” Artists such as Coldplay, Noel Gallagher, The Doves and Gomez have cited Healy’s sophisticated and atmospheric arrangements as a major influence on their own sound.


Recorded in Berlin , New York and Vermont, the 10 tracks that make up WRECKORDER are as exceptionally literate as they are emotionally challenging. The collection of songs includes the Neko Case duet “Sing Me To Sleep” which bounces over warm melodies and a syncopated drum loop, the soaring “In The Morning,” the playful but serious “Moonshine,” and the dramatic waltz of “As It Comes” which features Paul McCartney on bass. The end result is the sound of a songwriter who embodied the spirit of Britpop and continues to artistically evolve.

Healy began his North American tour with Keane Tuesday, July 20th, in Oakland , CA. The dates will see Healy performing this new material, as well as classic Travis songs, in a solo acoustic setting. In addition, Healy will play solo acoustic shows along the West Coast. Tour dates below.

TOUR DATES:

* Indicates show with Keane

July 20 Fox Theatre Oakland , CA *

July 21 Greek Theatre Los Angeles , CA *

July 23 House of Blues Las Vegas , NV *

July 25 Warehouse Live Houston , TX *

July 26 House of Blues Dallas , TX *

July 28 Vic Theatre Chicago , IL *

July 30 Molson Amphitheatre Toronto , ON

July 31 Parc Jean Drapeau Montreal , QB

August 3 BOA Pavilion Boston , MA *

August 5 Merriweather Pavilion Columbia , MD *

August 6 Williamsburg Waterfront Brooklyn , NY *

August 7 Mann Music Center Philadelphia , PA *

August 10 Riverside Theatre Milwaukee , WI *

August 11 First Avenue Minneapolis , MN *

August 12 West End Cultural Ctr Winnipeg , MB

August 14 Grand Theatre Calgary , AB

August 15 Starlite Room Edmonton , AB

August 17 Vogue Theatre Vancouver , BC

August 18 Triple Door Seattle , WA

August 20 Aladdin Theatre Portland , OR

GRAMMY Museum to feature special events in August

Great Guitars: Lee Ritenour

Tuesday, August 3, 2010; 8 p.m.

Join as The GRAMMY Museum welcomes prolific jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour to the Clive Davis Theater. Before an intimate audience of 200, hear Ritenour in conversation about his diverse musical influences, impressive collaborations, and astounding guitar techniques. Afterwards, Ritenour will take questions from the audience and sign copies of his newest album, 6 String Theory. GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman, a great guitarist himself, will conduct the interview. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in-person at the Museum Box Office, through Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1.800.745.3000. On July 21, 2010, Ritenour and Dave Grusin will headline the Hollywood Bowl with special guests Taj Mahal, Keb Mo , and John Scofield. For more information, please visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.



American Express Presents An Evening With John Mellencamp

Tuesday, August 17, 2010; 8 p.m.

Join Executive Director Robert Santelli as he interviews legendary heartland singer-songwriter John Mellencamp the same day his hotly-anticipated new T-Bone Burnett-produced album, No Better Than This, is released. Before an intimate audience of 200, hear Mellencamp in conversation about his remarkable career, inspiring social activism, and the unique circumstances and locations that provided context for the new album. After the interview, Mellencamp will take questions from the audience and perform a few of his songs in a truly unique setting. Doors open at 7:30pm. American Express presale tickets are $40 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com starting Thursday, July 15, 2010. Ticket purchase also includes a copy of the new album. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. All proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum.

Pearl Jam's 'Amongst the Waves" Music Video Premieres as part of Web site launch

PEARL JAM’S “AMONGST THE WAVES” MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERES IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAUNCH OF IMPORTANT WEB SITE

Photo credit: Danny Clinch


Available Now on iTunes with Proceeds to Conservation International



New Video and Web Site to Raise Awareness on Ocean Conservation



SEATTLE — Pearl Jam rolled out their new music video “Amongst the Waves” June 30, 2010 in conjunction with the launch of Pearl Jam’s new web page www.pearljam.com/oceans. The third single from Backspacer, the “Amongst the Waves” video launch is part of Pearl Jam’s larger effort to highlight www.pearljam.com/oceans and raise awareness on the efforts of various organizations working diligently on ocean preservation.



“If we don’t consider the fragility and finite capacity of our planets oceans, we may destroy our most precious resource,” said Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard. “Our ocean will only survive if the world agrees to sustain her.”



Since the release, the video has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of fans and has been picked up and shared broadly with over 100 websites embedding it directly including National Geographic, Greenpeace, Oceana, Treehugger, VOLCOM and PlanetGreen.Discovery.



Available now on iTunes, proceeds from the US sale of “Amongst the Waves” benefits Pearljam.com/Oceans partner organization Conservation International's Marine Programs. Internationally, Universal Music/Island Records has also agreed to donate proceeds from the International sale of the video in participating territories for the next six months.



Created by Pearl Jam’s partners at VOLCOM and Trixie Films, “Amongst the Waves” continues to stream for free at www.pearljam.com/oceans and www.worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com.



For more information on Pearl Jam’s Ocean campaign and a complete list of Pearl Jam’s environmental partners, please visit www.pearljam.com/oceans. For more information on Conservation International’s ongoing efforts, please visit www.conservation.org/marine.



Pearl Jam’s Backspacer is available for purchase now at www.pearljam.com, Target, iTunes, or your favorite independent record store

U2 reschedules American concert dates for 2011

U2's postponed North American 360° dates have now been rescheduled for Spring/Summer 2011. Check out all the dates and cities.

With Bono's recovery from back surgery, the band are getting ready to open up the European leg of the tour in Turin next month.

On the eve of their return to the stage, they've filmed a message for everyone at U2.com: 'Thanks for standing by us'.

More news as we get it.

Best wishes
The U2.com Team

Just a quick note that the U2 dates originally scheduled to play out in Anaheim, California on June 6 and 7, 2010 have been set for Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 in 2011. Hope to see many of you at Angels Stadium next year!

'Live from the Artists Den' features rocking Ringo Starr & Ben Harper

The upcoming episode of 'Live from the Artists Den' on PBS-TV features a performance by Ringo Starr with Ben Harper and Relentless7, as well as special guest Joan Osborne.

With Ringo Starr having just celebrated his 70th birthday on July 7, what better way to celebrate the legendary drummer-singer-songwriter than by tuning into watch him headline on the season premiere of “Live from the Artists Den” on public television this weekend.
Los Angeles’ KLCS-TV will air the episode, which kicks off the second season of “Live from the Artists Den.” In addition to Starr performing with Ben Harper and his band Relentless7, Joan Osborne provides additional backing vocals. If you live in Southern California, you can catch that episode at 10 p.m. on Sunday night, July 11.

I recently was able to view the show, taped at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in January 2010, and the concert finds the former Beatle in a decidedly-introspective mood. The loose and rollicking concert selections are the main draw, but the interviews with Starr (and those where he and Harper discuss their concert collaboration together) are equally illuminating.

“We’re still being fulfilled as musicians,” Starr says. “The beat goes on.”

The set starts with the troupe performing Starr’s hit “Photograph.” But with Harper and Relentless7, the band’s blues-folk-funk brew gives that song and those that follow a bit of an energetic twist to the set. In particular, Ann-Marie Calhoun’s fiddle provides sonic prose and layers around Starr’s distinctive vocals. And Harper’s fiery guitar playing does the same, notably when Starr celebrates the early days of the Fab Four with a raucous “I Wanna Be Your Man.”
Harper also gets to showcase his own material on the music special, particularly with the one-two punch of the beautiful “Faithfully Remain” and art house rocker “Up To You Now.”

While the episode definitely celebrates the enduring legacy of the Beatles, discerning music fans will also find plenty to admire in how the performers find plenty of new emotional territory to explore in Starr’s solo material, particularly the Americana-tinged “Walk With You” and power pop gem “It Don’t Come Easy.”
If you are a fan of Ringo Starr, or Ben Harper, tune in and turn the volume up.

John Németh to appear, perform on 'Memphis Beat'

Photo credit: Pat Johnson

Singer and harmonica player John Németh has been turning lots of heads lately in the music world, and now he's been discovered by Hollywood. He will sing and appear in an upcoming episode of "Memphis Beat," a new television series on the TNT network.

Evyen Klean, music supervisor for the program, was looking for someone to sing a Howlin' Wolf song. After hearing Nemeth's recording of "Daughter of the Devil," John's original Wolf-like song, he knew he had his man. Originally, John was just supposed to record the vocal for the track, and an actor would later lip-synch to his recording for the cameras. But after witnessing John perform at the Los Angeles recording session, Klean lobbied the producers of the show to hire John for the onscreen role as well. So Németh headed off to New Orleans to face the cameras.

Says Klean, "As soon as I heard John I knew he would kill 'Who's Been Talking.' His voice and harp playing just resonated the blues and of course he nailed it at the recording session. It was then it hit me, Geez John you should be in the show, and asked him if he wanted to be on camera...The whole scenario from start to finish was organic and honest, John's a true artist."

On the show, Jason Lee plays a quirky Memphis police detective with a passion for blues. Music plays a vital role in the show. In the words of co-creator Liz W. Garcia, "Music is a huge part of this show. It has to be. You can't live in Memphis and not have your life steeped in music."
Németh appears in Episode 6 of the series, entitled "Suspicious Minds," which will be broadcast on July 27, 2010. The TV appearance is the latest media coup for the singer since the May release of his CD, Name The Day! He was just featured on National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition," recorded an interview for the nationally-syndicated "House of Blues Hour" radio program, and is scheduled to sing the National Anthem in front of a sellout crowd in San Francisco prior to a Giants-Dodgers game later this month.

Happy Birthday Ringo!

Today is Ringo Starr's 70th birthday. So if you are looking for a way to help celebrate his birthday, read on...

Ringo Starr celebrates his 70th birthday on Wednesday, July 7, and WFUV 90.7 FM (wfuv.org), will join the celebration by featuring the legendary drummer’s music all day.

WFUV’s midday man, nationally-renowned Beatlemaniac Darren DeVivo, also promises to “sprinkle in a little something extra” -- whatever that means!

DeVivo is consulted widely by the media for his knowledge of the Beatles and their music. On Wednesday evening, he will attend the All Starr Band’s sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall.

WFUV 90.7 FM (wfuv.org), New York’s Rock and Roots public radio station, is a non-commercial, member-supported radio station, licensed to Fordham University for more than 60 years, serving approximately 250,000 weekly listeners throughout the New York metropolitan area and tens of thousands more worldwide on the Web.

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to approximately 14,700 students in its four undergraduate colleges and its six graduate and professional schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in Westchester, the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre at Heythrop College in the United Kingdom.

Ringo Starr kicks off new season of 'Live From The Artists Den'

RINGO STARR KICKS OFF NEW SEASON OF 'LIVE FROM THE ARTISTS DEN'

ONE-HOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION MUSIC SERIES AIRS NATIONWIDE AS RINGO CELEBRATES HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY


New York, NY —The acclaimed, innovative music series "Live from the Artists Den" launches its second season with a once-in-a-lifetime performance by the legendary Ringo Starr, backed by folk-funk star Ben Harper and his band, Relentless7, plus special guest Joan Osborne at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ringo Starr’s episode will air nationwide on public television beginning July 5, 2010—the same week Ringo celebrates his 70th birthday (7/7/40)
Live From The Artists Den airs nationally on public television stations including:

New York: WNET Fridays at 9:30 pm (beginning July 9)
New York: WLIW. Saturdays at 10pm (beginning July 10)
Los Angeles: KLCS Sundays at 10 pm (beginning July 11)
Chicago: WTTW Sundays at 12 am (beginning July 11)
Philadelphia: WHYY Thursdays at 10 pm also Saturdays at 11:30 pm (beginning July 8th)
Philadelphia: WYBE Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8pm
Dallas: KERA Thursdays at 10pm (beginning July 8)
San Francisco: KCSM Fridays at 9:30 (beginning July 9)
San Jose: KTEH Thursdays at 11 pm (beginning July 8)
Boston:WGBX Saturdays at 11 pm (beginning July 10)
Atlanta: WGTV July 28th, David Gray at 7pm
Washington DC: WETA Sundays at 12 am (beginning July 11)
Houston: KUHT Saturdays at 8pm (beginning July 10th)

Checking out the official Web site for "Live From The Artists Den," it looks like a few of my other favorite artists are scheduled for season 2. Can't wait to see Ringo, as well as The Black Crowes, and Booker T. and the Drive-By Truckers in other episodes. For more information, visit www.theartistsden.com.

'Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration'

"ELVIS ON TOUR: 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION" TO HIT BIG SCREENS NATIONWIDE FOR EXCLUSIVE ONE-NIGHT EVENT WITH NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FOOTAGE ON JULY 29, 2010

Centennial, Colo. – June 30, 2010 – Commemorating the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, Warner Home Video, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and NCM Fathom are teaming up to present Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration special in-theater event that celebrates the timeless music of the rock ‘n’ roll icon. The event, featuring remastered film footage shot with The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll ™ on tour and in concert, will be broadcast to more than 460 select movie theaters on Thursday, July 29th at 7 p.m. local time. In addition, this exclusive event will feature performances and interviews from the 1972 Golden Globe® Best Documentary winner, “Elvis on Tour,” and a specially-produced, exclusive retrospective from Priscilla Presley. Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration includes never-before-seen Elvis tour footage as well as montage sequences produced by Academy Award®-winning director Martin Scorsese that showcase The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s early career and movies.



Tickets for Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration are available at participating box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the website (theaters and participants may be subject to change). For readers here in Orange County, California, Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled to play at Huntington Beach 20 in Surf City, Huntington Beach, as well as at Irvine Spectrum in Irvine. It is also set to play at the AMC The Block in Orange, and at the Orange Stadium Promenade (also in the city of Orange).



Since Elvis’s passing, Priscilla Presley has helped keep his legacy alive as an advocate for his music and as the founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises. As someone who knew the king better than almost anyone, her introduction at the beginning of the event promises to express the depth to which Elvis touched the lives of not just those who knew him, but the whole world.



“I was thrilled when I heard fans will be gathering in theaters across America on July 29 for this Elvis experience, and again in August during Elvis Week in Memphis ,” said Priscilla Presley. “Those of us who witnessed Elvis in concert know how incredible it was to see him performing live. Now, through this in-theater event and DVD , millions more will get to experience that magic.”



“Elvis on Tour,” Elvis’ last film before his death in 1977, follows The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll as he embarked on a 15-city U.S. tour in April 1972. More than 25 performances spotlight Elvis’ talent, range and showmanship in captivating on-stage performances and intimate backstage rehearsals with his band. Shot with multi-cameras and presented in a split-screen format similar to “Woodstock” the movie, “Elvis on Tour” combines concert, rehearsal and backstage footage to provide all the excitement of having a front-row seat at the show. Concert performances include “Burning Love,” “Don’t be Cruel,” “Teddy Bear,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Are you Lonesome Tonight” and many more favorites.



Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration also features Elvis’ infamous appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and his first performance of “Burning Love,” which was so new, he referred to the lyric sheet during the song.



“Elvis is an American pop culture icon and lives on in the hearts of millions and will return to the silver screen for a command performance at this historic event,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Elvis fans of all ages can experience The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll again in this restored and stunning presentation of the award-winning music documentary.”



Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration will appear in 467 select U.S. movie theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Georgia Theatre Company, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as Bainbridge 5 (Seattle, WA), The Carolina (Asheville, NC), The Grand Theatre (Bismarck, ND), the Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT), Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA) and El Raton Theatre (Raton, NM)through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network – North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.



During Elvis Week events in August of 2010, a special screening will also take place at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, the same movie house Elvis frequented as a teenager. Tickets to the Elvis Week showing in Memphis are available by going to www.ElvisWeek.com.



“Elvis 75th Anniversary DVD Collection,” available from Warner Home Video on August 3, features 17 of The King of Rock ‘n Roll’s films, including the new “Elvis on Tour” and fan favorites “Jailhouse Rock” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Visit the Warner Home Video official Web site www.elvisthemovies.com for more information on events and products.

John Lennon: Remastered solo albums coming

John Lennon albums remastered from the original mixes and new collections compiled for global 'Gimme Some Truth' campaign launching in October 2010

LONDON, June 29, 2010 - Eight of John Lennon's classic solo albums and other standout recordings have been digitally remastered from his original mixes for a global catalogue initiative commemorating the music legend's 70th birthday, which falls on October 9, 2010.

Overseen by Yoko Ono, John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth" campaign will launch on October 4 (October 5 in North America) with the worldwide release of eight remastered studio albums and several newly-compiled titles.

Double Fantasy, 1980's GRAMMY Award winner for Album of the Year, will be presented in a newly remixed 'Stripped Down' version remixed and produced by Yoko Ono and Jack Douglas, co-producers of the original mix with John Lennon. The new stripped down version of the album comes in an expanded 2CD and digital edition pairing the new version with Lennon's original mix, remastered.

The campaign's other new collections include:


•A hits compilation in two editions titled Power To The People: The Hits
•A 4CD set of themed discs titled Gimme Some Truth
•A deluxe 11CD collectors box with the remastered albums, rarities, and non-album singles, titled the John Lennon Signature Box




All of the remastered albums and collections will be available on CD and for download purchase from all major digital service providers

YOKO ONO said: "In this very special year, which would have seen my husband and life partner John reach the age of 70, I hope that this remastering / reissue programme will help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience. By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John's work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition. His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written and I can think of no more apposite title for this campaign than those simple yet direct words 'Gimme Some Truth'."

The albums have been digitally remastered from Lennon's original mixes by Yoko Ono and a team of engineers led by Allan Rouse at EMI Music's Abbey Road Studios in London and by George Marino at Avatar Studios in New York. All of the remastered titles will be packaged in digisleeves with replicated original album art and booklets with photos and new liner notes by noted British music journalist Paul Du Noyer. The albums to be reissued are:


•John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
•Imagine (1971)
•Some Time In New York City (1972)
•Mind Games (1973)
•Walls and Bridges (1974)
•Rock 'n' Roll (1975)
•Double Fantasy Stripped Down (2010) / Double Fantasy (1980)
•Milk and Honey (1984)




YOKO ONO added: "Double Fantasy Stripped Down really allows us to focus our attention on John's amazing vocals. Technology has advanced so much that, conversely, I wanted to use new techniques to really frame these amazing songs and John's voice as simply as possible. By stripping down some of the instrumentation the power of the songs shines through with an enhanced clarity. Double Fantasy Stripped Down will be complemented by the original album in the 2CD format. It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing."

Power To The People: The Hits gathers 15 of Lennon's most popular songs, and will be available as a 15-track single-disc and digital package, and as an Experience Edition with additional content. Both versions will be packaged in digisleeves with booklets including a new liner note essay by Du Noyer.

Gimme Some Truth, to be packaged in a slipcase with rare photos and a new liner notes essays by respected American music journalist and author, Anthony DeCurtis, presents 72 of Lennon's solo recordings on four themed CDs:


•'Roots' – John's rock 'n' roll roots and influences
•'Working Class Hero' – John's socio-political songs
•'Woman' – John's love songs
•'Borrowed Time' – John's songs about life




The John Lennon Signature Box is a deluxe 11-CD and digital collection of the eight remastered albums, a disc of rare and previously unreleased recordings, and an EP of Lennon's non-album singles. The CDs will be housed in digisleeves within a deluxe box including a collectible limited edition John Lennon art print and a hardbound book featuring rare photos, artwork, collages, poetry, and new liner notes by DeCurtis.

One of the world's most celebrated songwriters and performers of all time, John Lennon was killed at the age of 40 on December 8, 1980. Lennon has been posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award and two special BRIT Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked him in the Top 5 of the magazine's "100 Greatest Singers Of All Time" list.

In celebration of his 70th birthday on 9 October, 2010, John Lennon's life and music will be specially feted with a variety of commemorative releases and events around the world. Please visit www.johnlennon.com for official announcements and updates.

Upcoming & new releases: Marc Cohn, Scissor Sisters, Tommy Keene

Photo: Tommy Keene You Hear Me: Retrospective 1983-2009 is coming in July

I am still in the midst of listening to the many great releases I've received over the last couple of months, but I wanted to share some of the highlights of my inbox regarding upcoming releases. Also check out the Music Worth Buying site to read my review of the "Stones in Exile" DVD released by Eagle Vision Entertainment on June 22. If you are a fan of The Rolling Stones, grab this DVD asap.

Marc Cohn launches Listening Booth: 1970 with appearances on 'Good Morning America,' 'Nightline,' 'Mountain Stage' and more

Fairfax, VA (June 28, 2010) --- Grammy winner Marc Cohn releases his newest album, Listening Booth: 1970, on July 20, 2010 amidst a series of performances on television and national radio shows with additional support from Starbucks, which is stocking the CD in its stores across the country. Starting with an appearance on Good Morning America on July 22, Marc will perform on syndicated radio shows "Mountain Stage" and "Acoustic Café," as well as the nationally syndicated television shows "Daytime," "Better TV" and the WGN MidDay News through August. Marc will also be profiled during Nightline’s Playlist segment next month. In addition to Starbucks, Listening Booth: 1970 will be available at all major retail outlets, iTunes and Amazon.com via Saguaro Road Records.



“I couldn’t imagine how Marc and John Leventhal were going to tie the songs together given the wide variety of artists”, commented Mike Jason, Saguaro Road Senior Vice President, Retail. “Thankfully they did—warm, intimate, and drenched in laid back soul.”



Listening Booth: 1970 was recorded in the spirit of Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time and Alison Krauss/Robert Plant's Raising Sand, where brilliant songwriters took on songs created by others and meticulously deconstructed them until they re-emerged as if they always belonged to them. The result is warmly familiar yet entirely fresh, with Marc’s vocals strikingly bare and placed thoughtfully into austere arrangements. “I’m singing in a different place in my voice on this record” explains Cohn. “It was ultimately extremely liberating to just be the singer, not the songwriter, and to try to find the most interesting, unforced way to approach what we already knew were such beautifully written songs.” Marc collaborated with producer John Leventhal (Roseanne Cash, Shawn Colvin) throughout the recording process and invited in India.Irie, Aimee Mann, Jim Lauderdale and Kristina Train for additional vocals.


Listening Booth: 1970 also stands as a remarkable testament to the groundbreaking songwriting and vastly different musical styles that emerged that year. From Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a Clown" to Simon and Garfunkel's "Only Living Boy in New York," "The Letter" (made popular by Joe Cocker), Bread’s “Make It With You,” John Lennon’s “Look At Me,” Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and Cat Stevens’ “Wild World,” 1970 remains one of the most influential in music even 40 years later, a rare moment in time when a single was as powerful as an LP. “Looking back, it was a pivotal year in music,” says Cohn. “It was not only the golden age of the single, but it was a window into the beginning of the golden age of the album, especially when it came to singer-songwriters. Even while all these deeply personal and poetic records were being released, there was this eclectic mix of pop music on the radio; it was great to be able to explore that range on this record.”

Although Cohn's tour will visit many parts of North America July through October, no Southern California dates were indicated on the press release. I'll let you know in a future post if any local dates are scheduled.

Night Work, Scissor Sisters' first album in nearly four years, is out today

Night Work, the third studio album from Scissor Sisters, was released today (Tuesday, June 29, 2010) by Downtown Records - as accesshollywood.com observed, "just in time for its playful summer sound to inspire romance and fabulousness throughout the nation."



"Three albums in, the Sisters are as gleefully hedonistic as ever," said Rolling Stone while The New York Times hailed the album as "dirty fun." Entertainment Weekly gave it an A-, observing: "New York's disco-new wave party people are in freak mode on their third disc Night Work, dropping crass come-ons and slutty entendres like parade confetti (gay, straight, you name it). The songs are pretty spicy too, mixing Elton John, the Bee Gees, and Depeche Mode in strobe-light heaven." "Scissor Sisters are back with a naughty new album that's a tour de force," said London's Sunday Times while Filter praised it as "a dance album filled to the brim that could make even a corpse twitch."



Spin.com named Night Work one of the "25 Summer Albums That Matter Most" and praised the "deliriously giddy mimics" in an album review. Q awarded the album four stars in a two-page lead review, remarking: "There is nothing cosy or vapid about the Scissor Sisters' good times: their pleasure is a serious business...they translate anxiety into dancefloor electricity." "'Night Work' makes no apologies...this here is the year's most striking reinvention," said NME.



"'Fire With Fire,' channels the band's inner disco ball with amped-up bass lines and a hedonistic spirit," said the New York Post of the album's lead singlewhile Filter called it"a propulsive theatrical ballad." The accompanying video, directed by Philip Andelman (Lenny Kravitz, Beyoncé, John Mayer), premiered onwww.perezhilton.com in the States, The Sun's website in the U.K. and a slew of websites around the world. You can check out the "Fire With Fire" video and the first episode of "sstv," which launches with a tongue-in-cheek television news broadcast, at:



www.scissorsisters.com



Album closer "Invisible Light," which features a spoken-word interlude bySir Ian McKellen,was awarded three-and-a-half stars by Rolling Stone and NPR's "All Things Considered" recently premiered the album's title track.



Scissor Sisters embarked on an extensive worldwide tour earlier this month. The band played the Glastonbury Festival last weekend, where they were joined by special guest Kylie Minogue on "Any Which Way," a track from the new album. They'll headline the iTunes Festival at The Roundhouse in London on July 1st and play festivals in Europe, Australia and Japan thereafter. U.S. tour dates will be announced shortly.



With over seven million albums sold worldwide, Scissor Sisters are, in the words of Rolling Stone "one of the most improbable and endearing success stories of recent years." The band - comprising Jake Shears, Ana Matronic (vocals), Babydaddy (guitar/bass/keyboards) and Del Marquis (guitar) - released its self-titled debut album in 2004. It became the best-selling album in the UK that year and earned the band three BRIT awards in 2005. Stateside, Scissor Sisters performed on "Saturday Night Live" and enjoyed success at pop radio with "Take Your Mama," which was licensed by numerous TV shows. Ta-Dah, released in 2006, debuted at No. 1 on the UK album chart while lead track "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" simultaneously topped the UK singles chart.


Tommy Keene to release career retrospective on July 13

In 1984, the pop-rock world changed forever, as a six-song platter of pop perfection titled Places That Are Gone (Dolphin) put Tommy Keene onto the CMJ charts and atop the Village Voice EP of the Year poll. Blatantly romantic, unapologetically melodic, bittersweet but absolutely invigorating, it was the sort of record that you could put on before you went out on a Saturday night, or sit around and mope to if you didn’t feel like facing the world. It still stands as a powerful statement, not only establishing Tommy as a unique singer-songwriter, but also as a guitarist with a sound as distinctive as Pete Townshend or Johnny Marr.

From 1983-2009 Keene has released nine albums, four EPs and three Compilations/Live releases including 2009’s critically acclaimed In The Late Bright (Second Motion) which continued to establish Keene as one of the critically acclaimed (and commercially ignored) power-pop singer-songwriters of our time.
For the very first time in his amazing 27 year career, a retrospective of Keene’s finest work can be found in one place. Tommy Keene You Hear Me is a stunning and near perfect collection of tracks that is a must-have for the hard-core fans as well as first-time buyers to introduce them to Keene’s craft.
This 41-song collection of perfectly crafted tunes contains the classics: “Places That Are Gone,” “My Mother Looked Like Marilyn Monroe,” “Love Is A Dangerous Thing,” “Compromise,” “Warren In The ‘60s”, all with glorious melodies, indelible hooks and note-perfect guitar solos ideal for radio. The collection also includes some rare or unreleased tracks such as a T-Bone Burnett/Don Dixon produced “Gold Town”, the unreleased “Don’t Sleep In The Daytime”, a guest appearance co-written by Jules Shear on “When Our Vows Break”, a live version of “Long Time Missing”, acoustic version of “Black & White New York” and cover versions of Lou Reed’s “Kill Your Songs” and the 20/20 cover of “Leaving Your World Behind.”

Tommy himself admits his stuff isn’t groundbreaking. “It’s just fun,” he once said. “It’s good music and good songs.” Uh, yeah.. that’s an understatement
AND Tommy will be touring in September with a full band playing shows that will feature for the very first time the album Songs From The Film preformed in it's entirety along with other selections from the new retrospective!

Sept 8-Milwaukee WI-Shank Hal
Sept 9- Chicago IL-Schuba's
Sept 16-Pittsburgh-Club Cafe
Sept 17-Washington DC-930 Club
Sept 18. Bordentown NJ-The Record Collector
Sept 22-Los Angeles CA-Spaceland
Sept 24- San Francisco CA-The Hemlock Tavern

TRACKLISTING:

CD1
Back To Zero Now
Mr. Roland
Baby Face
Back Again
Safe In The Light
Gold Town
Places That Are Gone
Paper Words and Lies
Kill Your Sons
Call On Me
My Mother Looked Like Marllyn Monroe
Underworld
Astronomy
Run Now
Nothing Can Change You
This Could Be Fiction
Based on Happy Times
When Our Vows Break
Highwire Days
Don’t Sleep In The Daytime
A Way Out

CD2:
Love Is a Dangerous Thing
Driving Into The Sun
Down, Down, Down
No One In This City
Turning On Blue
Your Heart Beats Alone
SIlent Town
Good Thing Going
Compromise
Long Time Missing (Live)
The World Outside
Never Really Been Gone
Big Blue Sky
Black & White New York (Acoustic)
Warren In The 60's
Lives Become Lies
A Secret Life of Stories
Save This Harmony
Tomorrow’s Gone Tonight
Leaving Your World Behind

(go to main Artist page and click on second album image to sample all 2xCD album tracks)

Bonus 10-Track Digital Only Album (exclusive to pre-orders ONLY)

Places That Are Gone (alt mix by Bill Wittman from Songs From The Film
Nothing Is Grey (demo 1982)
Stuck On A Ship (Demo 1983 from Dolphin Places That Are Gone EP)
Fall Down Too (Unreleased track from T-Bone/Don Dixon album recorded July 1984
All Your Love Will Stay (Home Demo 1999)
Eyes of Youth (Home Demo 1999)
Never Really Been Gone (Live in Chicago 1998)
Call One Me (Live at Campbell University NC - 1996)
Compromise (Live at Campbell University NC - 1996)
Love Is A Dangerous Thing / Brad's Boogie (Live at Campbell University NC - 1996)

Gloom resisted; great music in June

I can remember few periods where such a seemingly-endless parade of new original releases, exciting reissues and creative retrospectives have been issued over such a brief span. In fact, I have not been able to keep up with the tons of tune-age being issued by artists deserving of ear time.
So rather than try to write full-length reviews of the great music I’ve been listening to over the past few weeks, I thought I would offer up some brief thoughts and encourage listeners to explore some of these discs (or downloads) on their own.

The month kicked off, conveniently enough, with the June 1 release of Wintersleep’s New Inheritors. Although I didn’t get the album until a few days ago, count me as among those impressed with the Halifax, Canada-based rock troupe. To my ears – and remember I’ve only been living with the dozen-track disc since Monday – the sound of the album recalls recent extraordinary work from Band of Horses, Arcade Fire and Dusty Rhodes & the River Band. There is a blend of celebrative rock and Americana-tinged orchestration that really is intoxicating across the album’s length. I know this is last-minute, but Wintersleep will perform at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa at 10 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 16.

June 8 marked the commercial release of three fantastic collections: the epic 3-disc Disintegration deluxe edition of The Cure’s 1989 masterpiece, the excellent self-titled release from Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and shimmering power-pop release from Rooney titled Eureka. All three sets are already among my favorite commercial collections of 2010. And while I have already featured the Grace Potter disc on an episode of “Music Worth Buying,” I plan to showcase the other two sets in future episodes. And of further interest to Orange County-area readers of my blog, Rooney will headline at House of Blues Anaheim on Thursday, June 17.

Mid-way through June, the list of great releases continues to grow. June 15 saw the release of John Mellencamp’s On the Rural Route 7609. No simple retrospective, On the Rural Route 7609 includes four CDs, but comes packaged in an incredible coffee table book that is annotated by music journalist-historian Anthony DeCurtis, and includes countless photos and details about each of the 54 songs (many previously unheard) and lyrics. This is not a simple best-of collection, but rather a unique collectible that sheds a greater glimpse into one of America’s best-known singer-songwriters.

Finally, I want to quickly rewind to an album that came out in May, but I started listening to around the beginning of June. ASIA’s Omega is the creative equal of the legendary group’s excellent 2008 comeback effort “Phoenix.” The supergroup’s chops and accessible songcraft continue to impress me. And when I tell friends to seek out ASIA’s latest two albums, they inevitably ask ‘Who’s in the band?’ It is the original group: singer-bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Carl Palmer and keyboardist Geoffrey Downes. And they still rock.

June gloom? Forget about it.

Jonny Lang rocks the House of Blues in Anaheim

This story was originally posted on the Orange County Register Web site's Soundcheck Blog on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

I’ve seen Jonny Lang a number of times since the mid-’90s, but it didn’t occur to me until he took the stage Saturday night (June 5, 2010) in front of a capacity crowd at House of Blues Anaheim that I had always caught him outdoors at blues festivals. Those appearances were certainly memorable, but having now had this experience, there’s little doubt in my mind that Lang is an artist best seen in an intimate club.

When he performs, whether singing or blazing away on lead guitar, he typically closes his eyes and uses the sound of the music and his own arsenal of talents to galvanize audiences. And at the Mouse House, Lang re-created much of the power featured on his latest Concord Records release (Live at the Ryman, from April), a concert recording boasting potent renditions of his best-known hits and his ever-burgeoning infusion of gospel, soul, R&B, even George Benson-styled jazz touches into his sound.

In “A Quitter Never Wins,” he used the song’s slow blues groove to sing some of his most expressive vocals of the night, trading high-reaching falsetto notes at the far end of his range with extensive lead guitar all in the service of a song focused on the reality of heartbreak.

Another highlight early on Saturday also came from that new live disc: “Bump in the Road” somehow blended Chicago blues with a bit of funk and soul, plus Lang’s rich vocals recalling Michael McDonald. A crowd-pleasing reworking of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” was another welcome addition to the set, allowing several members of his long-time band to stretch out musically as well.

Lang ended his main set with a reworked version of “Lie to Me,” with the 29-year-old Fargo native playing flamenco style for several minutes before his band returned to the stage to segue into the big-rocking version, enhanced by the star’s Joe Cocker-esque vocals and speedy guitar playing.

Opening for Lang was Wichita-based Moreland & Arbuckle, an Americana team mining a mix of Southern rock, Chicago and Delta blues, traditional country and related styles. Guitarist Aaron Moreland and harpist/vocalist Dustin Arbuckle, assisted by fantastic touring drummer Brad Horner, delivered an energetic 45-minute set of mostly original material from their current album Flood. The excellent “Hate to See You Go” was presented as a pedal-to-the-metal Chicago blues with Arbuckle blazing away on his mouth harp, while “Don’t Wake Me” showcased the outfit’s ability to bring fiery Austin-style Texas blues-rock into the fold.

Quick tip for the folks at Omega Events: Moreland & Arbuckle would tear it up on the Backporch Stage at next year’s Doheny Blues Festival.

Photo also by Robert Kinsler, for The Orange County Register.

Jimmy Wayne helping Nashville flood victims

Jimmy Wayne Partners With Bryan Foods To Help Nashville’s Flood Victims

2500 Plus Pounds of Food Donated To Second Harvest

Nashville, TN June 2, 2010 -- Jimmy Wayne and Bryan Foods have partnered to bring more than 2500 pounds of food to Nashville’s hungry, particularly those hard hit by the devastating floods May 1 and 2. While so many remain homeless and without the means to provide food for their families, the donation was a welcome sight to Second Harvest, the organization selected to receive the food, and distribute it to people in need.

“Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is extremely grateful for this wonderful donation from Jimmy Wayne and Bryan Foods,” said Jaynee K. Day, President and CEO of the organization. “Many people in Middle Tennessee have been affected by the recent flooding disaster - the Food Bank has already seen a drastic increase in requests for assistance. This timely donation will provide hope while they rebuild their lives.”

Wayne, who has logged more than 1200 miles on his Meet Me Halfway walk halfway across America, was not in Nashville when the floodwaters hit his city. But his concern for those affected by the flood is great.

“It’s been really hard for me to be away from Nashville during this time,” Wayne said. “Hearing from friends who have suffered immeasurable loss is so difficult. And seeing people who are now homeless just breaks my heart. It’s so weird—I’m on this walk to raise awareness of homeless teens, and right there in my own town, so many people have just lost everything.

“I was thrilled when I found out that Bryan Foods was ready to help out, and so grateful to them that they are working with me to bring some relief to my town.”

Wayne and Bryan Foods recently partnered for another event: the Ultimate Bryan Neighborhood Grill-Out contest. Wayne will perform at an upcoming backyard barbeque for the contest winner, their family and friends.

For more information on Wayne and his Meet Me Halfway initiative, visit jimmywayne.com.

Jack Tempchin coming to Dana Point on June 5

Jack Tempchin is one of the most successful songwriters of the last 30 years. His songwriting credits include Johnny Rivers' “Slow Dancin' (Swayin' to the Music)” and The Eagles' “Already Gone” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” Together with Glenn Frey, whom he met in San Diego in the late 1960s before Frey joined The Eagles, Tempchin co-wrote “Smuggler's Blues” and “You Belong to the City” (which later were sampled on records by hip-hop stars Coolio and Jay-Z, respectively).

Tempchin is coming to Dana Point on Saturday, June 5, as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series. He will perform at the Dana Point Community House at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Other artists who have recorded songs by Tempchin over the years range from George Jones and Emmylou Harris to Richie Havens and such San Diego-bred artists as The Paladins and former Byrds member Chris Hillman. Songs written or co-written by Tempchin have been featured on the soundtracks of such films as “The Big Lebowski” and “Thelma and Louise.” He also co-wrote the “Seventh Heaven” TV series theme song.

A San Diego native who now splits his time between Encinitas and Los Angeles, Tempchin celebrated his 36th wedding anniversary on Aug. 5 “I always thought of myself as a performer,” Tempchin said. “I didn't think of being a writer until I wrote a bunch of songs and people said: ‘Hey, I'd like to sing that.’ After a while, I thought, ‘Maybe I can be a songwriter.’ ”

In 1967, Tempchin befriended Frey after the future Eagle began playing gigs in Southern California with J.D. Souther. Tempchin invited the duo to crash at his combination “hippie pad and candle factory” in North Park, and he and Frey became fast friends.

Tempchin co-wrote two songs on 2007's “Long Road Out of Eden,” The Eagles' first new studio album since 1979. With two of his earlier songs featured on “Eagles Greatest Hits 1971-1975,” which has sold nearly 30 million copies in the U.S. alone, he could have retired long ago. But his passion for making music continues unabated.

More on Jack Tempchin and his music got to: www.PeacefulEasyFeeling.com.

For reservations and ticket information, call 949-842-2227 or visit www.LordOfTheStringsConcerts.com.