Sights and Sounds: Joe Walsh's Fourth Annual VetsAid 2020 Lineup; Creedence Clearwater Revival 180-Gram Vinyl reissues; Béla Fleck documentary

 More than a little news here to share!! Robert Kinsler

Joe Walsh presents updated final lineup and details for this Saturday's Festival Livestream –

His Fourth Annual VetsAid 2020 - Home For The Holidays:

 

NEARLY 50 PERFORMANCES AND APPEARANCES

FROM ARTISTS ACROSS THE USA INCLUDING:

 

NEVER BEFORE BROADCAST FROM THE VETSAID ARCHIVES:

SHERYL CROW, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, HAIM, DON HENLEY,

JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT, BRAD PAISLEY, RINGO STARR,

JAMES TAYLOR, KEITH URBAN, JOE WALSH AND ZZ TOP

 

AND NEW PERFORMANCES AND/OR APPEARANCES FROM:

RYAN BINGHAM, JON BON JOVI, THE 5 BROWNS, JIMMY BUFFETT, 

DREW CAREY, KENNY CHESNEY, ALICE COOPER,

KENNY “BABYFACE” EDMONDS, MELISSA ETHERIDGE,

BRANDON FLOWERS, MARY GAUTHIER, VINCE GILL,

PATTY GRIFFIN, DARYL HALL, BEN HARPER,

JAMES HETFIELD, JEWEL, AMJAD ALI KHAN, AMAAN AND AYAAN, THE LUMINEERS, RICHARD MARX, TIM MCGRAW,

WILLIE NELSON AND THE BOYS, PHILLIP PHILLIPS,

NATHANIEL RATELIFF, JOSH RITTER, BLAKE SHELTON,

JAKE SHIMABUKURO, AMANDA SHIRES, GWEN STEFANI,

BILLY BOB THORNTON/THE BOXMASTERS, STEVEN VAN ZANDT,

EDDIE VEDDER, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, 

JOE WALSH AND VERDINE WHITE 

  

VETSAID 2020: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

TO BE STREAMED ONLINE DECEMBER 12, 2020

AND AVAILABLE FOR RESTREAM THROUGH DECEMBER 14, 2020

 

Tickets on-sale now at vetsaid.veeps.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA.) – Joe Walsh reveals the final artist lineup and details for this Saturday’s VetsAid 2020: Home for the Holidays today, boasting nearly 50 performances and appearances, the multi-hour music festival will raise sorely needed funds to veterans services groups across the country. Join Joe and his friends December 12 for a worldwide broadcast of unique performances, never-before-seen VetsAid footage from years past and great stories from some of the greatest musicians in the world. VetsAid is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and multi-GRAMMY Award winning musician's national 501(c)3 non-profit veterans organization.

 

“Wow – what a show we have this year! Such a diverse and wonderful line up!” Walsh explains, “When you have something like this you humbly ask your friends and colleagues and hope a couple will sign on – kind of like going fishing – but this year everyone I asked said yes! And now it’s turned into a virtual music festival like no other. We know the plight of our vets is hard enough in the best of times, and they are especially vulnerable during this pandemic.

 

“I am proud of this nationwide tradition we’ve created and I’m so glad we can have this show during the holidays featuring all these artists that I love. I’ve got a great feeling about it and know fans will too. I hope it shows the Vets how many people care and want to help - I can’t think of a better way to remember and honor the men and women who have served our country this holiday season than by helping us raise funds to support their essential and basic needs.”   

  

This ticketed event will be streamed on December 12 starting at 6pm ET via vetsaid.veeps.com and will also be available for restream through December 14.

 

Tickets and merch bundles are available now at vetsaid.veeps.com and will be priced from $20 with discounts available for active duty military and veterans using the promo code VALOR.

 

Joe Walsh launched VetsAid on September 20, 2017 with an inaugural concert at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. The second festival event was in Tacoma, WA and the third in Houston, TX.  VetsAid typically seeks to host the events in cities across the country with large veteran populations. The shows have included performances by musicians including James Taylor, Chris Stapleton, Don Henley, ZZ Top, Sheryl Crow, The Doobie Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Jason Isbell, Keith Urban, Haim, Gary Clark Jr. and Joe’s brother-in-law Ringo.

 

VetsAid has raised nearly 1.5 million dollars and supports veterans and their families.

All net proceeds from the 2020 festival will go directly to the veterans’ services charities selected through a vetting process coordinated in tandem with the Combined Arms Institute.

 

For more information, please visit www.vetsaid.org.

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL’S PENDULUM AND MARDI GRAS SET FOR HALF-SPEED MASTERED 180-GRAM VINYL REISSUES Band’s sixth and seventh studio albums include classic hits “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “Hey Tonight,” and “Sweet Hitch-Hiker”

Click here to pre-order Los Angeles, CA (December 9, 2020)—Craft Recordings continues their salute to the enduring musical legacy of Creedence Clearwater Revival with the release of half-speed mastered editions of the band’s two final albums: Pendulum, which was released exactly 50 years ago today (December 9, 1970), and their closing studio album, 1972’s Mardi Gras. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl and set for release February 12th, both records were mastered by the award-winning engineer Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. Available for pre-order beginning today, these audiophile-quality LPs come housed in beautifully crafted jackets (tip-on gatefold for Pendulum and embossed for Mardi Gras), replicating the albums’ original packaging. Pendulum, which marked CCR’s second release of 1970—following Cosmo’s Factory—was a unique title in the band’s catalog for several reasons. First, the album was the group’s sole LP to feature all original material. Typically, CCR sprinkled covers of blues songs, traditional material, and rock ‘n’ roll standards into each of their albums, putting their own spin on classic favorites. Pendulum also found the guitar-heavy group expanding their sonic palate—experimenting with new sounds (including the use of saxophones, vocal choirs, and keyboards) and even venturing into psychedelia. The quartet’s musical explorations paid off. Not only was Pendulum a critical success, but it also spawned two global Top Ten hits: the reflective “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and the upbeat “Hey Tonight.” The singles, released as a double A-side in 1971, peaked at No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other highlights included the stomper “Molina,” the bluesy “Pagan’s Groove” and the twangy “Sailor’s Lament.” Recently, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” gained renewed popularity with the 2018 launch of a new official music video featuring Sasha Frolova, Jack Quaid, and Erin Moriarty (the latter two also featuring in Amazon’s smash hit series, The Boys), introducing the song to a new generation. To date, the video—available on the official CCR YouTube channel—has received over 61 million plays. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s seventh and final studio album, 1972’s Mardi Gras, followed the departure of founding member and rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty. The album, however, found the remaining trio of musicians taking a more collaborative approach to songwriting. Prior to Mardi Gras, frontman John Fogerty was the band’s creative leader—writing, arranging, and producing the majority of every album. For Mardi Gras, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford not only penned many of the tracks (including Cook’s hard-driving “Door to Door,” and Clifford’s rollicking “Tearin’ Up the Country”) but also sang on them. Other highlights off the album include a cover of the rockabilly classic “Hello Mary Lou,” as well as the Fogerty-penned rocker “Sweet Hitch-Hiker”—a Top Ten hit in the US, Australia, Canada, and across Europe. The poignant “Someday Never Comes,” meanwhile, marked the group’s final single. While the band members went their separate ways after Mardi Gras, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s legacy only continued to grow. Today, CCR remains one of the best-selling groups of all time, thanks to their trove of generation-defining hits and their singular, roots-rock sound. Roughly half a century later, CCR fans can enjoy a new vibrancy when they revisit Pendulum and Mardi Gras, thanks to the exacting process of half-speed mastering. Using high-res transfers from the original analog tapes, the process involves playing back the audio at half its recorded speed while the cutting lathe is also turned to half the desired playback speed. The technique allows more time to cut a micro-precise groove, resulting in more accuracy with frequency extremes and dynamic contrasts. The result on the turntables is an exceptional level of sonic clarity and punch. Both of these special pressings were previously released only as part of Creedence’s collectible, seven-LP The Studio Albums Collection box set, and follow standalone reissues of the band’s first five albums—available here. Earlier this year, the three surviving members of CCR spoke with Uncut and reflected on their time in the band. “We didn’t get to where we got just falling off a log,” said John Fogerty, as he spoke of the band’s tireless work ethic. “It’s a wonderful thing to have a goal and then to attain it, more or less.” Stu Cook compared the band’s rise to “a rocket ride, we went up so fast. We burned until we burned out, in three-and-a-half years from start to finish.” But, while brief, those years together brought the group unparalleled creative achievement and global success. “We had a magic band,” recalled Doug Clifford. “We got high playing the music.” Fogerty added that he was “humbly pleased” knowing that, 50 years later, CCR’s music “is still relevant, that people still care about it. That’s just so satisfying.” Pre-order Pendulum or Mardi Gras half-speed masters, with special bundles offered via the Craft Recordings store. A limited gold vinyl edition of Pendulum is also available exclusively via Vinyl, Me Please. Tracklist - Pendulum: Side A: 1. Pagan Baby 2. Sailor’s Lament 3. Chameleon 4. Have You Ever Seen the Rain 5. (Wish I Could) Hideaway Side B: 6. Born to Move 7. Hey Tonight 8. It’s Just a Thought 9. Molina 10. Rude Awakening #2 Tracklist - Mardi Gras: Side A: 1. Lookin’ for a Reason 2. Take It Like a Friend 3. Need Someone to Hold 4. Tearin’ Up the Country 5. Someday Never Comes Side B: 1. What Are You Going to Do 2. Sail Away 4. Hello Mary Lou 5. Door to Door 6. Sweet Hitch-Hiker FREE LIVESTREAM OF DOCUMENTARY FILM THROW DOWN YOUR HEART WITH Q&A FROM BÉLA AND DIRECTOR SASCHA PALADINO   TUNE IN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 @ 7:00PM ET VIA FACEBOOK LIVE AND YOUTUBE   CELEBRATING GRAMMY® NOMINATION FOR BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM Los Angeles, CA (December 9, 2020)─Bringing good cheer for the holidays, Béla Fleck and his brother, director Sascha Paladino, will be hosting a live screening of their acclaimed documentary film Throw Down Your Heart this Friday (12/11) at 7:00 pm ET via Facebook Live and YouTube. The free event, in association with NPR Live Sessions, the Americana Music Association, and co-presenter Folk Alliance International, will include an introduction from Béla followed by an interactive Q&A with Béla joined by Sascha. Released earlier this year, Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions is the comprehensive film and music collection from Béla Fleck’s remarkable journey across Africa to explore the roots of the banjo. The expanded collection includes the three-time GRAMMY®-winning albums Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3—Africa Sessions and Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks, as well as a previously unreleased duo album with kora master Toumani Diabaté, titled The Ripple Effect. The package also offers the complete film Throw Down Your Heart, with commentary from Fleck and Paladino, along with 14 bonus performances. The 3-CD/1-DVD boxed set, also available digitally, has been nominated for the 2021 Best Historical Album GRAMMY® Award. Watch the trailer for the Throw Down Your Heart film here, or stream/order Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions album here. “It’s about damn time somebody drew the line back!”  – Pete Seeger “This is a story of how Béla Fleck, America’s most celebrated banjoist, went on a quest in search of his musical soul mate’s African roots—and wound up discovering himself… Throw Down Your Heart is not just a stunning documentary and soundtrack, but an important work of artistic memory and conscience.”  – Los Angeles Times “Traditional African music turns out to suit him beautifully… At every turn Mr. Fleck works respectfully, learning and adapting, trusting sameness over difference.” – The New York Times “…a dazzling film. Throw Down Your Heart is proof positive that music is life.” – Michael McKean “With Throw Down Your Heart, Béla Fleck has contributed significantly to the history of the banjo, as well as inventing a style of music never before played on this great instrument.” – Steve Martin “Throw Down Your Heart speaks to your heart all along the way, making the case, subtly but clearly, that we are connected… A beautiful, poignant and well-crafted film.” – Zakir Hussain “...inspiring, touching, and filled with moments that celebrate life. The connection between music and the essence of human existence has been beautifully captured…” – Christopher Guest “Today in the world everything seems to be about quantity, but I think the quality is the most important thing. This film is quality. I learned things that I did not know about Africa and African music. It will help social and cultural development... people without culture are people without soul!” – Toumani Diabaté “It’s the living of a dream. The genuine warmth, affinity, respect and love between Béla and the amazing African musicians he met is beautifully captured. Very inspiring and uplifting.” – Chick Corea “I thought it was so strange and moving and beautiful.” – Neil Gaiman “Love the movie! Beautiful and inspiring. In some of those improvs I asked myself, ‘How did he ever figure out where ‘one’ was?’... Great playing, and a stunning documentary.” – Joe Satriani “Throw Down Your Heart is a passionate exploration of music and the connections it seems to instantly and effortlessly form between cultures. Hooray for Béla Fleck for packing up his banjo and taking it to Africa.” – Ann Patchett “It completely blew me away. I don’t think I have ever seen such a complete musician at work, what a joy it was to behold.” – Billy Connolly About Béla Fleck: 15-time GRAMMY® award winner Béla Fleck has reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo through a remarkable career in bluegrass, jazz, classical, pop and beyond, and has been nominated in more categories than any other artist in GRAMMY history.   About Folk Alliance International: Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 to connect folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and genre. Today FAI is the leading international voice for folk music with a network of more than 3,000 members. Folk Alliance International’s mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion. FAI defines folk broadly as “the music of the people” (reflective of any community they are from), and programs a diverse array of subgenres including, but not limited to Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions. About Rounder Records: Rounder Records is one of the world's most historic Americana and bluegrass record labels. Rounder’s rich catalog includes critically-acclaimed offerings by iconic artists like Gregg Allman, Alison Krauss, and Steve Martin as well as rising stars Samantha Fish, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Ruston Kelly, the SteelDrivers, Billy Strings, and The War And Treaty. Rounder has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurture and develop careers over the long haul—a number of artists who got their start at Rounder are still recording with the label today, including Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, and George Thorogood. A leader in the preservation of precious historic recordings, Rounder has brought the music of the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Jelly Roll Morton back to vibrant life and released epic anthologies from the Library of Congress and the Alan Lomax Collection that have been universally acclaimed. About Craft Recordings: Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most prestigious collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its rich and storied repertoire includes legendary artists such as Joan Baez, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Nine Inch Nails, Thelonious Monk, Otis Redding, R.E.M. and Traveling Wilburys, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Concord, Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Milestone, Musart, Nitro, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Sugar Hill, Vanguard, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord Recorded Music. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.

The Mavericks announce a holiday concert special & premiere new “Happy Holidays” video

 THE MAVERICKS Announce Their ‘Hey! Merry Christmas!’ Holiday Concert Special For December 19^th  & Premiere New “Happy Holiday”  Video Today

 

In Exclusive Partnership With Nugs.tv, This Holiday Edition of The Mavericks’ Acclaimed Web Concert Series Will See The GRAMMY Winning Band Sharing A

Wide Variety of Mavericks Christmas Originals & Other Holiday Favorites From

Their Same Name 2018 album, Along With Special Guest Performances By

Roots Rock Prodigy JD McPherson and Cuban Band the Sweet Lizzy Project

- WATCH THE FIRST PREVIEW TRAILER HERE -

 

Pay Per View Premiere: December 19^th – 8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT

Video On Demand Availability: December 21 – January 16^th

Tickets Available Now At: http://2nu.gs/MavsChristmas

In Conjunction With Today’s Christmas Concert Announcement, The Maverick’s Also Add To Their Extensive Seasonal Music Catalogue With the Video Release of “Happy Holidays” –

(Enjoy The Whole Collection Of Maverick’s Holiday Music Videos Here)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUAFKc_BJYnGnh_GBWcuB_q9DwgFftq4

 

“Get in the Christmas Spirit With the Mavericks’ ‘Happy Holiday’ Music Video - In the Mavericks' hands, the Irving Berlin-penned classic becomes a sultry Christmas message… from the set of the band's forthcoming Christmas special. Raul Malo, sings and plays the Christmas classic with the band's signature flair.

" slowing down the song lyrics gave them an edge that put the song in a whole other light,’ Malo explains. ‘We made this video ... as an homage to those 'end of the night' feelings: a little joy, a little melancholy, a little romance, a little sadness, a little bit of everything -- like a real Christmas ..." – The Boot

- - - - - - -

 

“The Mavericks are pleased to present, in exclusive partnership with Nugs.tv, their first-ever ‘Hey! Merry Christmas!’ Holiday Special! Recorded live from their studios in Nashville, this holiday edition of the Mavericks’ acclaimed Web Concert Series finds the band sharing music, memories & more inside a beautiful winter wonderland! Featuring a wide variety of Mavericks Christmas originals & other holiday favorites from their 2018 album, along with guest performances by roots rock prodigy JD McPherson and Cuban band the Sweet Lizzy Project, this special evening of seasonal entertainment is one the whole family can enjoy. PPV Premiere: December 19^th – 8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT, Video On Demand Availability: December 21 – January 16^th - Order tickets now!”

 

“For our first-ever Holiday Special, we had the honor of hosting the one and only JD McPherson, as well as the great young Cuban rock band Sweet Lizzy Project, performing songs from their critically acclaimed Christmas records. Needless to say, it was one of the most fun shows we’ve ever done, with a festive set that had everyone in the spirit! Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday to all...We’ll see you soon.” – Raul Malo

 

"I highly recommend tuning into the pay-per-view specials from one of my favorite bands of all time, the Mavericks. I caught the first one, and beyond the great video and crystalline audio during this performance on a soundstage--with all COVID safety protocols stringently observed, lead singer and songwriter Raul Malo assured viewers--to me it showed a way forward during this time when live music is so difficult to make... The performances were as spirited as this band always feels live… but the sharp camera work took viewers inside the band in a more intimate way than possible even if you were standing in the front row at one of their shows… One commenter nailed it: The Mavericks have created the gold standard of online performance. Another said ‘…I wasn't missing live music for the first time in 6 months - amazing how a really well filmed and recorded session with the right energy can almost put you there!”- Randy Lewis, Longtime Los Angeles Times Music Critic

 

Multifaceted rockers the Mavericks bring tidings of comfort and joy on their spirited holiday album Hey! Merry Christmas! As is their way, the quartet hopscotches through a variety of sounds from country to pop to Latin-inflected numbers, all in the name of providing the perfect soundtrack for your holiday party. From the naughty (especially the winking “Santa Wants to Take You For a Ride”) to the nice… From festive crowd sing-alongs like the title track to late night mistletoe rendezvous music like “I Have Wanted You (For Christmas),” the Grammy-winning group is here to help you jingle all the way.” – Entertainment Weekly

 

“The Mavericks have always been up for some dancing and some romancing, so it makes perfect sense that they'd want to throw a little party for the holiday season., Hey! Merry Christmas! is the first seasonal album from the group, featuring nine original tunes that celebrate Yuletide in their trademark retro-pop-Latin-roots music style, along with two familiar numbers from days gone by. The Mavericks have long shown a fondness for pop music's past, and they put their skills to good use… "Santa Wants to Take You for a Ride" is a slinky R&B number with a hint of double entendre in the lyrics, "Christmas Time Is (Coming 'Round Again)" and the title cuts are rockin' numbers suitable for dancing, "Santa Does" and "One More Christmas" merge upbeat lyrics with good-natured sentimentality… Raul Malo's big-as-all-outdoors voice was made to order for this music... Hey! Merry Christmas! delivers a solid shot of good cheer for the holidays, and if this doesn't get a party started when you put it on, you and your friends need to ask Santa to bring you some coolness.”

- All Music

 

The Mavericks ‘Hey! Merry Christmas!’ Delivers New Christmas Songs With A Timeless Feel…

eight Christmas originals, with two covers thrown in for good measure… Most of the songs on this album are lively, joyful tunes aiming to spread the holiday cheer… Throughout it all, the highlight is Malo’s signature vocals, which still echoes a mixture of cool Presley inflections and sweet Orbison crooning. While Hey! Merry Christmas! is mostly comprised of new tunes, The Mavericks have a knack of creating songs that immediately sound timeless and retain a classic feel.” – American Highways

 

 

Stay Connected With THE MAVERICKs at:

www.themavericksband.com 

Instagram - Facebook – Twitter

Spotify – Apple Music - YouTube

Don McLean sets special concert event on February 3, 2021 at The Surf Ballroom In Clear Lake, Iowa to Kick-Off "American Pie" 50th Anniversary Tour

Exciting news for fans of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper and Don McLean...

Don McLean Sets Special Concert Event on February 3, 2021 at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa to Kick-Off “American Pie” 50th Anniversary Tour

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – Legendary singer/songwriter Don McLean released his iconic album American Pie in 1971, and now 50 years later will perform at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on “The Day The Music Died,” February 3, 2021. This historic night will honor Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper as it marks the 62nd anniversary of the 1950 plane crash that killed the American rock ‘n’ roll musicians. In addition, it will officially kick-off the American Pie 50th Anniversary World Tour, which will take McLean to Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and many more places to be announced soon! Most can recite McLean’s hit single “American Pie” by heart, but not all know the meaning behind the song. This fatal day is known as the “The Day the Music Died” coined by McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie,” written to honor the legacies of the early rock legends who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash. “February 3, 1959 was a tragic day for all of us who lost our heroes in that plane crash. While writing “American Pie,” I felt it was important to remember this incident that to me, was still fresh,” shares McLean. “Now, we will return to the last venue they performed at on the anniversary of the crash to kick off the 50th Anniversary American Pie World Tour.” About Don McLean: Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century. A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, Weird “Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. Now in 2020, Don signed a recording contract with Time Life to release his catalog of recordings as well as the highly anticipated new album Still Playin’ Favorites, was released October 23rd. “American Pie” will be featured in the Avengers Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie BIOS and much more to be announced. And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean! 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of American Pie with a world tour to follow. Visit Don McLean's official website for more information on the artist.

AC/DC release "Demon Fire" music video

 Your morning dose of rock 'n' roll...

AC/DC REVEAL “DEMON FIRE” MUSIC VIDEO   RECORD-SHATTERING ALBUM POWER UP OUT NOW

“Nothing has ever slowed down AC/DC on their journey down the Highway to Hell…It’s their best record since 1990’s The Razors Edge” – Rolling Stone   “AC/DC is officially back.” – USA Today   “In these cuts you can feel the band’s joy in getting back together.” – LA Times   “Positively charged.” – Guitar World   “AC/DC are switched on again.” - Stereogum Following the circuit-breaking release of their 18x worldwide #1 album POWER UP last month, AC/DC have unleashed hell with their brand new music video for “Demon Fire.” Watch HERE. “Demon Fire” was featured in Fortnite’s Nexus War Event which saw 15.3M concurrent viewers with an additional 3.4M watching on YouTube Gaming and Twitch.   For their seventeenth full-length album, the band reunited with producer Brendan O’Brien who helmed Black Ice in 2008 and Rock Or Bust in 2014. Charged up for the next decade, AC/DC cut twelve new tracks for the album, proudly maintaining their signature sound and all of its powerful hallmarks. POWER UP is available now HERE. ABOUT AC/DC: AC/DC are one of the most influential rock bands in history with over 200 million albums sold worldwide and 71.5 million albums sold in the U.S. alone. The double-diamond Back in Black stands out as “bestselling album by any band ever” and “third bestselling album by any artist” with global sales of 50 million and counting. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® in 2003. The band also garnered their first GRAMMY® Award in the category of “Best Hard Rock Performance” for “War Machine” during 2010. They continue to sell out stadiums on multiple continents, sell millions of albums annually, and generate streams in the billions. AC/DC return with POWER UP in 2020.

'One Night In Miami' soundtrack album coming January 15, 2021

Here is the latest noteworthy media release to land in my inbox...Robert Kinsler

'One Night in Miami...' Soundtrack reflects Sam Cooke's enduring legacy

Album also features Leslie Odom, Jr's "Speak Now" an original song written for the film and an original score composed by Terence Blanchard

On January 15, 2021, ABKCO Records will release One Night In Miami… (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), the album that accompanies the much-anticipated film directed by Oscar® winner Regina King. One Night In Miami… was written for the screen by Kemp Powers, based on his Olivier-nominated 2013 stage play, the film is produced by Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder of Snoot Entertainment and Jody Klein of ABKCO Films with King and Powers serving as executive producers. The film will be distributed globally by Amazon Studios.

 

Set on the night of February 25, 1964, the story of One Night In Miami… follows a young Cassius Clay (shortly before he became Muhammad Ali) as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center as the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach to celebrate the match, Clay - unable to stay on there because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws - instead spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in one of Miami's historically black neighborhoods. It was there that he celebrated his win with three of his closest friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the four men emerge determined to define a new world for themselves and their people. The ensemble cast consist of Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown and Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke. 

Leslie Odom Jr. performs Sam Cooke’s most celebrated repertoire in the film and on the soundtrack album including “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “Good Times” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Apart from his performance of the Sam Cooke material, the soundtrack includes “Speak Now,” a powerful original song co-written and performed by Odom who has long admired Sam Cooke. “Playing Sam Cooke was some big shoes to fill. It was a challenge and an honor. I have such respect and admiration and awe for his talent and what he was able to achieve,” he says. Odom rose to prominence for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical Hamilton for which he took home the Best Actor Tony® and Grammy® Awards. He recently released The Christmas album, his second holiday album, which follows the release of Mr, his third album and first of all-original material. Odom can also be heard voicing the character of Owen Tillerman in the Apple TV+ animated musical comedy series Central Park, a role which earned him an Emmy nomination.

Music from the film’s original score composed by prolific Academy Award® nominee and six-time Grammy® winner Terence Blanchard is featured on the album. The celebrated trumpeter and composer’s recent film credits include Da 5 Bloods, BlacKkKlansman, Harriet, and HBO’s Perry Mason drama series.

Throughout his career, Blanchard has consistently attached himself to artistic works of conscience in regard to which he confesses, “You get to a certain age when you ask, ‘Who’s going to stand up and speak out for us?’ Then you look around and realize that the James Baldwins, Muhammad Alis and Dr. Kings are no longer here... and begin to understand that it falls on you. I’m not trying to say I’m here to try to correct the whole thing, I’m just trying to speak the truth.”

“I originally had an approach of scoring this film with a larger ensemble that could possibly date back to that period,” says Blanchard. “But Regina had this great idea of just using piano. It took me a while to come around to the idea but now I think the piano itself effectively creates a historical narration for the film.”

Blanchard says, “Given the nature of the score, being a jazz piano score, I gave Benny Green - a great jazz pianist - room to improvise and manipulate the melodic content for that theme.” In addition to the piano, one emotional film moment gave Blanchard a chance to use another instrument. “The prayer scene with Malcolm X, allowed me to introduce the duduk (a middle eastern wind instrument) which is also used in key spots in the film,” he says.

Cast member and Grammy®, Emmy and two-time Tony nominee Jeremy Pope portrays R&B great Jackie Wilson in the film, his version of the latter’s “Lonely Teardrops” appears on the soundtrack. Included on the soundtrack album, is a 1964 recording of “Put Me Down Easy” by L.C. Cooke (Sam’s younger brother) written by Sam Cooke for L.C. and features his accompanying vocal as well. SAR Records released “Put Me Down Easy” as well as the organ burner “Greazee” by Billy Preston which also appears on the soundtrack. SAR Records, founded by Sam Cooke and is a chronicle of his work on behalf of the careers of others such as The Valentinos, The Soul Stirrers, and Johnnie Taylor, a storyline specifically referenced in the One Night In Miami...

One Night In Miami... has a theatrical release of December 25^th and will be released on Amazon Prime Video January 15^th 2021.

 

Stream “Chain Gang” by Leslie Odom Jr. Pre-order the soundtrack now!

One Night In Miami… (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Track Listing:

1. Rumble, Young Man, Rumble! - Terence Blanchard  

2. Sam Cooke Comes to Stage / Copacabana Introduction - One Night in Miami Band  

3. Tammy - Leslie Odom Jr.  

4. Howl For Me Daddy - Terence Blanchard, Keb’ Mo’ and Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball

5. Do Us All Proud - Terence Blanchard  

6. I Believe To My Soul - One Night in Miami Band  

7. Salah Time - Terence Blanchard

8. I'm King Of The World! - Terence Blanchard

9. Put Me Down Easy - Hampton House - Leslie Odom Jr.

10. Put Me Down Easy - L.C. Cooke

11. Greazee - Billy Preston

12. Ain't Yo Stuff Safe Here - Terence Blanchard

13. Malcolm Looks Out The Window - Terence Blanchard

14. You Send Me - Leslie Odom Jr.

15. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons - Leslie Odom Jr. 

16. Brother, What Is Going On? - Terence Blanchard

17. I Wanna Damn Party - Terence Blanchard

18. Lonely Teardrops - Jeremy Pope

19. Chain Gang - Leslie Odom Jr.

20. Good Times - Leslie Odom Jr. 

21. A Change Is Gonna Come - Leslie Odom Jr. 

22. Speak Now - Leslie Odom Jr.

ABOUT: ABKCO Music & Records, Inc., is one of the world’s leading independent entertainment companies. It is home to iconic music catalogues that include compositions and recordings by Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Bobby Womack, Eric Burdon, The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, The Kinks as well as the Cameo Parkway masters by such artists as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Clint Eastwood, The Dovells, ? &The Mysterians, The Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp, Charlie Gracie, Bob Seger, and The Tymes. Releases on ABKCO’s SAR Records include albums by L.C. Cooke, The Soul Stirrers, Billy Preston, Johnnie Taylor, The Valentinos and more. ABKCO is active on many fronts, including the release of critically lauded soundtracks, compilations, reissues from its catalog, film, commercial placement of its master recordings and music publishing properties in all media. One Night in Miami…, ABKCO’s latest theatrical production, received a nomination for the 2017 Olivier® Award for Best New Play is now a Major Motion Picture directed by Oscar® winner Regina King. ABKCO’s latest TV production is The Durrells in Corfu,based on Gerald Durrell’s book The Corfu Trilology and ABKCO’s latest release is The Rolling Stones (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction 55^th Anniversary Limited Edition 12” vinyl EP.  

www.abkco.com     www.facebook.com/abkco      www.twitter.com/abkco

New Music: Berlin, Blue Öyster Cult, Embrace, Van Duren, Todd Rundgren

Groundbreaking artists are featured on a collection of fantastic new gift-worthy releases available now.

Artist: Berlin

Title: Strings Attached (August Day Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Berlin, No Doubt

Tell me more: Orange County, California-spawned synth pop favorites Berlin have returned with Strings Attached, a project that finds the trio's beloved 1980s line-up featuring singer Terri Nunn, singer/multi-instrumentalist John Crawford and multi-instrumentalist David Diamond performing classic and new tracks with the backing of a full orchestra. The versions of enticing New wave classics such as "The Metro," "No More Words," "Masquerade" and "Sex (I'm A...)" as well as the enduring #1 hit ballad "Take My Breath Away" don't supplant the original recordings but do add a contemporary touch that will please long-time fans while likely introducing Berlin's groundbreaking sound to a new generation (writer's tip: it is a blast to listen to this disc with headphones). Other great songs on the set include the defiant symphony-meets-synth dance track "Now It's My Turn," gorgeous "On My Knees" and lush "You Don't Know." A limited edition 4-disc box set of the collection (complete with a signed postcard from the band) is available exclusively for a limited time via the group's official website. Information: BerlinPage.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016 (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, Rush 

Tell me more: Like Rush, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, classic rock greats Blue Öyster Cult has continued to dip into their recordings vault to issue an ever-growing number of exceptional archival treasures. Look no further than Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, a terrific performance captured on the second day of the Rock of Ages Festival in Seebronn, Germany in July 2016. The Stony Brook, New York-spawned troupe's set is fiery and polished, and includes their most beloved cuts representing their singular hybrid of prog, classic and hard rock styles. The ambitious styles-blending "Golden Age of Leather," driving harmonies-adorned "Burnin' For You," blues rocker "OD'd On Life Itself," electrifying "Harvest Moon," primal sing-along "Godzilla" and marathon take on "Don't Fear (The Reaper)" all are performed with power and artful perfection on the title. The multi-format title Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, issued on Dec. 4 for the first-time ever, is available on CD+DVD, stand-alone Blu-ray or via 2LP vinyl. Information: BlueOysterCult.com.

Artist: Embrace

Titles: Out Of Nothing; This New Day (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Travis, Keane

Tell me more: Two of the best rock albums of the first decade of the 21st century, Embrace's 2004 album Out Of Nothing and 2006 follow-up This New Day have each received their first-ever vinyl reissue. Yours truly has the limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of "Out Of Nothing" and it's truly glorious; the anthemic "Ashes," graceful "Gravity," wistful "Someday" and beautiful "Looking As You Are" sound spectacular. The long-sought-after reissues of the English rock quintet's #1 U.K. albums were cut at London's Metropolis Studios and include printed inner sleeves. Each vinyl reissue also includes a download card of the album. Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Artist: Van Duren

Titles: Are You Serious?; Idiot Optimism (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, Big Star, the Raspberries 

Tell me more: Memphis underground hero Van Duren is celebrated on two terrific full-length releases; new reissues of his 1978 debut Are You Serious? and the originally-ignored sophomore follow-up Idiot Optimism make a remarkable case for a renewed look at a singer-songwriter whose talents as top-tier singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist draw comparisons with Alex Chilton of Big Star, Todd Rundgren and Paul McCartney. Coming from the rich scene that yielded Big Star and Chris Bell, Duren's recordings reveal themselves with timeless song craft and an otherworldly connection with melody. The yearning "Chemical Fire" and "Waiting," soulful "Grow Yourself Up" and "New Year's Eve," dreamy "So Good To Me (For the Time Being)," potent "Yellow Light" and McCartney-flavored "The Love That I Love" are among the undeniable songs on Are You Serious? 

Idiot Optimism — recorded in 1979 and 1980 — was not released until it was issued in Japan without any input from Duren in 1999. The 2020 remastered reissue sets the record straight with 14 tracks (one a medley of two songs), new album artwork, and many previously-unseen photos featured along with detailed new liner notes.The songs here are as strong as on Duren's debut; the rocking "Bear With Me All The Way," heartfelt "Tennessee, I'm Trying," passionate "That," fervent "Life In Layers," joyful "Torn In Half," tuneful "Andy, Please" and a rousing cover of Chris Bell's "Make a Scene" further certify Van Duren's brilliance and instincts as an artist.

The two titles are available on audio CD, LP, limited-edition colored vinyl and digital. The artist's self-penned liner notes bolster the power of these important reissues. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Todd Rundgren

Title: Flappie (Cleopatra Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Danny Elfman

Tell me more: The new Todd Rundgren single "Flappie" is a true surprise sonic stuffer. The holiday song — the original recording is a perennial favorite in The Netherlands penned by Dutch comedian Youp van 't Hek — was released by Rundgren on Dec. 2, 2020. It chronicles a unsettling Christmas holiday in 1961 and Rundgren's approach is in the spirit of the decidedly dark tune. Information: ToddRundgren.com.