Soundtracks highlight exotic scores

In addition, the recently-issued movie score for Wheeler that includes a noteworthy contribution from the legendary Kris Kristofferson, and a Marvel-ous Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-related title, a number of other cinema-minded titles are worth discovering.

Title: Wheeler (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Kris Kristofferson, Chris Stapleton
Tell me more: The 2017 film Wheeler chronicles the tale of a musician who travels from the small town of Kaufman, Texas to Nashville with dreams of playing country music. Fans of country music hit makers such as Tim McGraw will enjoy the material on the first-rate Wheeler soundtrack, notably the infectious "Pour Me Out of This Town," tender "Rainbow Slide" and poignant "Fever." Singer-songwriter Stephen Dorff (Wheeler Lynn Bryson) has delivered a full-range of strong songs that will appeal to fans of authentic country and acoustic-flavored Americana. As a bonus, Kris Kristofferson (who appears in the "Wheeler" film) delivers "New Mister Me," a tuneful piano-anchored gem. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 (Marvel Music/Hollywood Records)
You might like if you enjoy: ELO, Cheap Trick, Cat Stevens
Tell me more: Anyone who has seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in theaters knows how integral the winning score from Tyler Bates is to the on-screen action. But even more pronounced is the inclusion of select '70s rock and pop songs to arc of the story. Indeed, when the Grammy-nominated Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in 2014, it became the first soundtrack album consisting entirely of previously released songs to top the chart. The new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 captures the magic of the earlier set thanks to a batch of great songs from a diverse field of artists that film director James Gunn specifically positioned to propel his entertaining script. The use of Electric Light Orchestra's "Mr Blue Sky," Sweet's "Fox on the Run," Cheap Trick's "Surrender" and Cat Stevens' "Father and Son" are among the many songs that work well in the film, as well as on the 14-track Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 soundtrack available now. Information: HollywoodRecords.com.

Title: Power Rangers (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Zimmer, Brian Tyler's "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Watchmen" scores
Tell me more: The burgeoning number of superhero films and hit television series' has been a boon for great scores. Listen no further than Brian Tyler's terrific and powerful symphonic work on Power Rangers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Even if you haven't seen the "Power Rangers" film, the haunting "Seek Those Who Are Worthy" and "Confessions," and tense "Megazord" and "Destiny" will stir your soul. The modern pop/R&B dance tune "Give It All" featuring rapper Vince Staples is also included on the release. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Bosch (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Karl, Zero 7, Dead Can Dance
Tell me more: Bosch (Music From the Amazon Original Series) is just a cool collection of 44 tracks that delve into jazz, neo-classical and world music. Kicking off with "Can't Let Go" by Caught A Ghost, that song swirls and mixes stylings from the '60s to modern day. Most of the collection features Jesse Voccia's stunning work, including the unsettling but lovely "End of Watch" and "Cabin Fever." "Rodeo" is a particularly interesting piece with a mix of sparse percussion and a pronounced phased effect emphasizing rhythm over the underlying melody.  "Kidnapped" mixes acoustic and electronica elements for a thrilling three-minute run. Bosch is a soundtrack that truly immerses the listener. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Their Finest (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rachel Portman
Tell me more: British composer Rachel Portman's Their Finest (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is a beautiful and affecting score that equals her elequent work stretching back to her Academy Award-winning score for Emma in 1996 and more recent The Cider House Rules (1999) and Chocolat (2000). The 19-track score also includes several songs featured in the British film; both "They Can't Block Out the Moon" and "Will You Go, Lassie,Go" (the latter a beautiful piece featuring actor Bill Nighy) appear on the 35-minute collection. Information: VareseSarabande.com.


Robert Kinsler

U2's The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 gets extended

If you haven't yet caught U2's The Joshua Tree Tour 2017, now there are even more reasons (and dates) to catch up. I caught the opening night of the tour in Vancouver last month and the concert was simply amazing; I hope to catch the tour again when it comes to San Diego in September. You can read my review of that show on The Orange County Register website here.

U2 performing at B.C. Place in Vancouver on Friday, May 12, 2017.
Photo: Danny North

U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 - The Tour Of The Year Gets Extended!

WITH NEW SHOWS ANNOUNCED IN NORTH AMERICA, MEXICO & SOUTH AMERICA TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAND'S CLASSIC FIFTH ALBUM 

"They are a live act simply without peer... it really felt like they were reapplying for the job of the best band in the world by showing how they earned the title in the first place."—ROLLING STONE

"For the performance of The Joshua Tree... the band members took places on the full-sized stadium stage. They were ascending the way their career did… The band was dwarfed, but the music wasn't. Larry Mullen Jr. on drums, Adam Clayton on bass and the Edge on guitar tore into the urgent rhythmic flux of 'Where the Streets Have No Name.' Against the craggy postpunk groove of 'Bullet the Blue Sky,' both Bono's falsetto and the Edge's guitar leads were keening sirens."—THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Thirty years can't dull searing music, hopeful lyrics or the captivating Irish band behind them" —USA TODAY

"The iconic rockers not only unpack a masterpiece but provide moments to hold on to forever" —CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND

NEW YORK, June 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Live Nation confirmed today that, due to incredible demand, select new stadium shows have been added to U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017. The newly announced dates include a limited return to North America with concerts announced in Detroit, Buffalo, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis and San Diego. The tour will then head to Mexico City followed by concerts in Bogota, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Sao Paulo. Tickets for the North American performances go on sale Monday, June 12^th. On sale dates in Latin America vary – full listings follow.

An anniversary edition of the The Joshua Tree was just released by Interscope Records on June 2. Alongside the 11-track album, the super deluxe collector's edition includes a live recording of The Joshua Tree Tour 1987 Madison Square Garden concert; rarities and B-sides from the album's original recording sessions; as well as 2017 remixes from Daniel Lanois, St Francis Hotel, Jacknife Lee, Steve Lillywhite and Flood; plus an 84-page hardback book of unseen personal photography shot by The Edge during the original Mojave Desert photo session in 1986. The Joshua Tree was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.  Full details of all formats are available at http://www.u2.com/news/title/the-joshua-tree-at-30.

Currently wowing fans and critics alike across North America, U2 The Joshua Tree Tour2017 wraps up North America July 1^st, heading on to Europe where it kicks off a sold out tour with two shows in London on July 8^th & 9^th followed by concerts in Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. It will then relaunch in North America September 3^rd with a return to Detroit – the city where U2 first played a headline stadium show back on April 30^th, 1987 at the Silverdome on the original Joshua Tree Tour. Tickets for the U2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 are on sale Monday, June 12th in North America. Ticket prices start at $35.00 with general admission floor tickets at $70.00. There will be an exclusive priority presale for U2 Subscribers at U2.com starting Thursday, June 8^th (10am) through Saturday, June 10^th (5pm) local times for U2.com subscribers who may have missed out on the previous presale opportunity along with new subscribers.  There will be a 4 ticket limit for subscriber purchases and a 6 ticket limit commencing with public sales. In North America, all floor tickets will be paperless unless otherwise noted. Special guest for the North America concert dates to be announced.

In Mexico and South America, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have been confirmed as special guest for all dates. Tickets will go on sale Wed. June 14^th in Mexico City, June 15^th in Bogota, Buenos Aires and Santiago and Friday in Sao Paulo. There will be an exclusive priority presale for U2 Subscribers at U2.com starting Thursday, June 8^th (10am) through Saturday, June 10^th (5pm) local times for U2.com. All times local.

U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 is produced by Live Nation Global Touring. UPS is the Official Logistics Provider of the tour.

U2 THE JOSHUA TREE TOUR 2017
- NEW DATES ANNOUNCED -
3-September	Detroit, MI	Ford Field	On sale June 12
5-September	Buffalo, NY	New Era Field	On sale June 12
8-September	Minneapolis, MN	US Bank Stadium	On sale June 12
10-September	Indianapolis, IN	Lucas Oil Stadium	On sale June 12
12-September	Kansas City, MO	Arrowhead Stadium	On sale June 12
16-September	St. Louis, MO	The Dome At America's Center	On sale June 12
22-September	San Diego, CA	Qualcomm Stadium	On sale June 12
3-October	Mexico City, Mexico	Foro Sol	On sale June 14
7-October	Bogota, Columbia,	Estadio El Campin	On sale June 15
10-October	Buenos Aires, Argentina	La Plata	On sale June 15
14-October	Santiago, Chile	Estadio Nacional	On sale June 15
19-October	Sao Paulo, Brazil	Morumbi Stadium	On sale June 16
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.u2.com & www.livenation.com

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

'Gospel According to Al Green' coming to Blu-ray, DVD in July

I couldn't be more excited to see this forthcoming release. I saw Al Green headline at Doheny Blues Festival a decade ago and his performance was riveting!

Gospel According To Al Green

coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats on July 7th

"A unique and fascinating glimpse into the life and memory of one of soul music's 

most perplexing figures. Quite shocking in its intimacy. Essential viewing."
- New Musical Express (UK)

"One of the most powerful 'live' performances ever captured on film. It's frightening. Electrifying."
- Toronto Star

"You'll probably never hear a more powerful vocal spectacle; it's James Brown times ten. 

This is an amazing movie, packed with astonishing music. 

It's also a riveting exploration of the psychology of pop ambition."
- Los Angeles Herald Examiner

After filmmaker Robert Mugge produced BLACK WAX with Gil Scott-Heron for Britain's new Channel 4 Television in 1982, he and Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Music Andy Park wanted to collaborate again. Park suggested Mugge create a portrait of African American gospel star Andraé Crouch. But Mugge, a longtime fan of soul and pop singer Al Green, countered that Green's rejection of soul music to become a Memphis-based preacher and gospel singer perhaps made him a richer potential subject.

Park agreed, though Mugge then needed thirteen months to secure Green's approval, getting his okay only days before the planned Seventh Anniversary Celebration of Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle. The Sunday afternoon church service would feature not only Green's usual church choir and musicians, but also a second choir from Ellington, South Carolina and most of Green's touring musicians and backup singers. Mugge arranged to document that December 18, 1983 service with three 16mm cameras and a 24-track audio recording truck, making it the first (and reportedly still the only) Al Green church service to be committed to film.

While in Memphis, Mugge and his crew went on to film an interview with legendary Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell who had produced and co-written Green's commercial hits of the 1970s, a studio rehearsal featuring Green and his musicians, and finally a long interview with Green himself. In Green's interview, he explored his early days in the music business, his creation of such popular hits as "Tired of Being Alone" and "I Can't Get Next to You," the traumatic events that led to his abandoning of his successful soul and pop career, the purchase of the Memphis church building which he transformed into a church of his own, and the ways in which his soul and gospel backgrounds had each informed the other.

Perhaps the most emotional part of Green's interview was his discussion of the so-called "hot grits incident," wherein a spurned girlfriend assaulted him in the shower with a pot of boiling hot grits, then ran to another room of his house where she shot and killed herself. This interview, conducted two days after his church service, was the first occasion on which he discussed this experience publicly, and he included facts that even his own band members had never heard.

In February of 1984, Mugge also filmed Green and his band in concert at the Non-commissioned Officers Club of Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., this time utilizing four 16mm cameras and the same Nashville-based 24-track recording truck he had hired to record the Memphis church service. It should be noted that, at that point in Rev. Green's career, he had embraced the Southern fundamentalist notion that blues, rhythm 'n' blues, and rock 'n' roll were "music of the Devil," and that, therefore, he should now perform only gospel music. However, among the numbers Green performed at the D.C. concert was Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," which exists somewhere between soul and gospel. In addition, during the staged rehearsal in Memphis, Green agreed to perform "Let's Stay Together," which had been one of his biggest commercial successes and now represented a recurring theme in the film.

Along with fragments of a few more hits he performed during his interview, these songs helped to depict "Al Green the pop star" who had preceded "Al Green the pastor." While editing the film back in Philadelphia, Mugge also decided to interview writer Ken Tucker who was then chief music critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tucker skillfully summarized Green's place in the evolution of American soul music and outlined the ongoing conflict between the secular and spiritual sides of pop music, both of which provided welcome context for Green's unique spiritual journey.

Among the top Memphis musicians who appear in this film are, number one, Lawrence H. "Larry" Lee, Jr., who was best known for touring with Green and for performing at Woodstock and elsewhere with Jimi Hendrix's Gypsy Sun and Rainbows; and number two, Mabon Lewis "Teenie" Hodges, who co-wrote Green's hits "Take Me to the River" and "Love and Happiness" and toured and recorded widely as a guitarist with the Hi Records Rhythm Section. Lee can be seen performing in the church service and rehearsal sequences of the film, and Hodges can be heard, and briefly seen, playing incidental guitar behind Green during much of his interview. Sadly, both men are now deceased.

The resulting 96-minute film, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN, had its world premiere presentation in the summer of 1984 at Filmfest Munchen (a film festival in Munich, Germany), its television premiere over Britain's Channel 4 later that fall, and its U.S. theatrical premiere at Justin Freed's Coolidge Corner Moviehouse in Brookline, Massachusetts a year later. After each of the two opening night screenings on October 25, 1985, Green sat on the Coolidge Corner stage and, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, freely offered the commercial hits that he had mostly refused to perform during the making of Mugge's film, thereby demonstrating his storied unpredictability. Naturally, audience members at both shows were enchanted by his presentation, and since these and other premiere screenings, the film has been in constant release around the world. As to Rev. Green - now Bishop Green - this past December, he and his congregation celebrated the fortieth anniversary of his Full Gospel Tabernacle church.


For MVD Visual's new worldwide Blu-ray and DVD releases, director Mugge has overseen 4K remastering of the film and created a new 17-minute video titled SOUL AND SPIRIT: Robert Mugge on the Making of GOSPEL ACCORDING TO AL GREEN. Other bonus features include audio of Green's entire 1983 interview, audio of the climactic final hour of Green's seventh anniversary church service, an extended film version of a key song from the church service, and the personal telephone answering machine message Green recorded for Mugge in the mid 1980s.

Order online at the MVD Shop or on Amazon

Anytime we get to hear new music from guitar great Ritchie Blackmore, it is a reason to celebrate. This time the release is especially poignant since it comes in the wake of terrorist attacks in both Manchester and London...

RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW releases new song via iTUNES

EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT FOR MANCHESTER, LONDON, AND THE UK

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow was moved to release a special version of “Land of Hope and Glory", a reworking of “Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1” written in 1902. The renowned British patriotic anthem is available now via iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon (Minstrel Hall Music).

Expressing his pride for his homeland, Blackmore wanted to show his solidarity and support for the UK with this recording.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow recently enjoyed success on their 2016 European tour, earning critical acclaim. (Eagle Rock Entertainment recently released a concert film from this tour – Memories In Rock: Live In Germany – on DVD and Blu-ray, and will release the Live In Birmingham 2016 2CD on June 9).

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Blackmore’s internationally celebrated Renaissance rock band Blackmore’s Night, whom he leads with wife and singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night. “Land Of Hope And Glory” will be featured on the bands’ upcoming album To The Moon And Back: 20 Years And Beyond. This collection presents Blackmore’s Night best loved and most requested songs, including newly recorded and remixed versions and brand new tracks, and will be released in July 2017.

“Land Of Hope And Glory” is available via:

Amazon: Click Here
iTunes: Click Here

Kasey Chambers' new acclaimed double album "Dragonfly" out today (June 2, 2017)

If it's Friday, that means new music. Chief among anticipated albums today is the new double album 'Dragonfly' from Australia singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers...

KASEY CHAMBERS’ CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DOUBLE ALBUM DRAGONFLY OUT NOW ON ESSENCE/MGM

Adds North American dates to Summer 2017 Tour

 “This mature phase of her career was heralded by her terrific 2014 album…
but the real payoff comes on her new grandly ambitious, two-CD album, Dragonfly…”
—The Washington Post

“The release features an all-star cast of collaborators...But it’s Chambers 
whodemands the attention with her sweet, roots-influenced songs
and candid storytelling.”—San Francisco Chronicle

 “Kasey Chambers, like an Australian Lucinda Williams, has also reinvented herself…
with a new ferocity.”—Paste

 “…songwriting excellence and passion in performance that is so hard to find these days, except, perhaps…by her very few peers in this field, including Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and, of course, the great Lucinda Williams.”—Huffington Post

 “A towering songbook, wordy and resigned, Dragonfly is the opus of Australia’s foremost progenitor of, and innovator in, the country-roots fold. It’s the masterwork
of a heart laid bare in song.”—Rolling Stone Australia

Kasey Chambers / Photo credit: Penny Lane

Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers’ new double album Dragonfly is out now on Essence/MGM. In support of this, her eleventh studio album, Chambers has added new North American dates to continue her international tour with stops in New York, Chicago,Seattle, Denver and more. See below for the full U.S. tour itinerary.

The record debuted in Australia at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart as well as being #1 on the ARIA Top 50 digital albums, Top 40 Country Albums, Top 20 Australian Artist Albums and Top 20 Australian Artist Country Albums.

Dragonfly, the follow up to 2014’s Bittersweet, features special guests Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, Paul Kelly, Grizzlee Train, Harry Hookey, Vika and Linda Bull, and Foy Vance. The first disc of Dragonfly was produced by ARIA Hall of Famer Paul Kelly at The Sing Sing Sessions, while the second was produced by Chambers’ brother Nash Chambers at The Foggy Mountain Sessions. 

Of the new recording, Chambers reflects, “Working with Paul Kelly as my producer on one side of the double album Dragonfly was a dream come true. Paul brought out a whole new side of me, but then I also got to enjoy the comforts of recording with the person who knows and has shaped my original sound better than anyone, my brother Nash, along with my live touring band who have become a huge part on my sound. This double album shows who I am as much as any piece of work I have ever done.”

Acclaimed artist David Bromley created a portrait of Chambers for the album’s cover art (seen here). He explains, “In painting Kasey I first endeavored to find her, instead I found many different dimensions and aspects. This portrait combines them all because she is at once uncomplicated and also a mysterious individual—this combination is very alluring.”

Chambers has received 11 ARIA Awards (Australia’s Grammy equivalent), 22 CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, 2 Americana Music Award Nominations and 10 APRA Awards to her name. She also holds the record for the most decorated solo APRA Songwriter in Australia (APRA is Australia’s ASCAP/BMI equivalent).

Chambers has previously topped the ARIA Albums Chart with Barricades & Brickwalls (2002), Wayward Angel (2004), Carnival (2006) and Rattlin’ Bones, her 2008 collaboration with Shane Nicholson.

KASEY CHAMBERS TOUR DATES

June 8—Seattle, WA—Tractor Tavern

June 9—Portland, OR—Aladdin Theater

June 11—Salt Lake City, UT—The State Room

June 13—Denver, CO—The Bluebird Theater

June 14—Boulder, CO—Fox Theatre

June 15—Fort Collins, CO—The Armory

June 16—Kansas City, MO—Knuckleheads Saloon

June 17 –Iowa City, IA — The Englert Theatre

June 19—St. Louis, MO—Off Broadway

June 21—Bloomington, IN—The Bluebird

June 22—Chicago, IL—Thalia Hall

June 23—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark

June 24—Columbus, OH—Rumba Cafe

June 25—Cleveland, OH—Music Box

July 5—Philadelphia, PA—World Cafe Live

July 6—Pawling, NY—Daryl’s House

July 7—New York, NY—City Winery

July 8—Norfolk, CT—Infinity Hall

July 12 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall

July 13—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere

July 14 - Carrboro, NC – Cats Cradle

July 16 – Charlotte, NC– Neighborhood Theatre

July 18 – Chattanooga, TN – Revelry Room

July 19 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
J

July 20—Greenville, SC – The Peace Center


July 22—Atlanta, GA—City Winery 

For Tickets: kaseychambers.com or venue websites

Coachella 2018 Advance Sale begins today at 11 a.m. (Pacific Time)

Today at 11 a.m. marks your chance to score advance tickets to both weekends of Coachella 2018. See the information from Goldenvoice below...

Coachella 2018 Advance Sale Information

Coachella 2018 will be held over the following weekends,

Weekend 1: April 13^th – 15^th 2018

Weekend 2: April 20^th – 22^nd 2018

Advance passes go on sale beginning today (Friday, June 2, 2017) at 11 a.m. PDT, while supplies last. This will be the only opportunity to take advantage of the Coachella Payment Plan. The price you see is what you pay — prices reflect all fees included.

Visit www.coachella.com for additional info.