Neil Young to release deluxe box set of 'A Letter Home' on May 27

Wow, exciting news from Neil Young and Reprise Records! This will likely be my last post until I start posting my reviews from the Stagecoach festival this weekend! Hope to see many of you in Indio...

NEIL YOUNG TO RELEASE DELUXE BOX SET OF 

A LETTER HOME ALBUM ON MAY 27th

FIRST RELEASED ON VINYL ON JACK WHITE'S THIRD MAN RECORDS,

A LETTER HOME FEATURES ALBUM OF COVERS RECORDED AT WHITE'S RECORDING BOOTH IN NASHVILLE

BEAUTIFULLY HAND-MADE DELUXE BOX SET INCLUDES TWO VINYL LP'S, CD, DVD, SEVEN VINYL SINGLES AND MORE

April 24, 2014 - (Burbank, CA.) -   Neil Young will release a CD, digital album and a Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set of his recent vinyl album A Letter Home on Reprise Records on May 27^th. The box set is a beautifully packaged expanded version of the vinyl edition first released on April 18th by Jack White's Third Man Records. The Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set will also contain a Download card for the hi-res Audiophile version of the album. Click here to pre-order A Letter Home. Click here to view the album cover art. Click here to view the Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set package.   

Young recorded the collection of covers with White on a refurbished 1947 Voice-O-Graph recording booth at Third Man's Nashville headquarters. Imagine a very simple recording studio not much larger than a phone booth and you'll get the idea.  He describes the album as "an unheard collection of rediscovered songs from the past recorded on ancient electro-mechanical technology captures and unleashes the essence of something that could have been gone forever."  Recorded live to track to one-track, mono, the album has an inherent warm, primitive feel of a vintage Folkways recording,

As for the track-listing, Young chose songs that have personal meaning for him, such as British folk artist Bert Jansch's "Needle of Death" (which inspired Young to write 1972's "Needle and the Damage Done"), Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country," Willie Nelson's "Crazy," Don Everly's"I Wonder If I Care as Much," Bruce Springsteen's "My Home Town," and many others.  Clickhere to watch a video for "Needle of Death"

The album begins with Neil recording a spoken letter to his late mother, informing her of his personal and present state of affairs which sets the tone and atmosphere for the duration of the album. He does this once again at the beginning of Side 2 in a way which could explain why he's selected these particular songs to record. In essence, this presentation is, as its title implies, A Letter Home from Neil. This is a deeply personal and expressive listening experience which is as real and raw emotionally as it is sonically and yet light of touch in its form and flow.

Reprise will release the complete box set, which includes a special "direct feed from the booth" audiophile vinyl version and a DVD that captured the original electro-mechanical process, along with comments from the producers and recording engineers. It includes:

Standard audio LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl

Audiophile LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl

Standard audio CD 

DVD with footage from the recording

12" x 12", 32-page full color booklet

Download card for hi-res Audiophile version of album

Seven 6" vinyl discs pressed on clear vinyl. The 7^th disc of this set features a version of Dylan's

"Blowin' In The Wind" backed with an alternate take / arrangement of "Crazy"

The track-listing for A Letter Home is as follows:

A Letter Home intro

Changes (Phil Ochs)

Girl from the North Country (Bob Dylan)

Needle of Death (Bert Jansch)

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)

Crazy (Willie Nelson)

Reason to Believe (Tim Hardin)

On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)

If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot)

Since I Met You Baby (Ivory Joe Hunter)

My Hometown (Bruce Springsteen)

I Wonder If I Care as Much (Don Everly)

'Coldplay: Ghost Stories' to air on Sunday, May 18 as band presents new album

Hour-long Coldplay special blends recent live performance footage

with 360-degree imagery

'Coldplay: Ghost Stories' coming to NBC on Sunday night, May 18, 2014

Superstar band Coldplay will present songs from its upcoming sixth album, Ghost Stories, in an hour-long special Sunday, May 18 (7 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC.

Titled "Coldplay: Ghost Stories," the special will focus on the multi-Grammy Award-winning band's latest album, which will be released worldwide May 19.

Directed by Coldplay Live 2012 helmer Paul Dugdale, this in-the-round special - recorded in front of an 800-person audience in Los Angeles in March - will blend live-performance footage with cinematic film. Atmospheric projection will deliver awe-inspiring 360-degree imagery - around, above and below the band - while being woven into the overall filmed narrative.

The cutting-edge show is an immersive blend of light and video, dramatic staging and an intimate world-premiere performance.

In addition to the new single "Magic" from Ghost Stories, the setlist for the special will also include worldwide hits such as "Viva La Vida," "Paradise" and "Clocks."

The special was conceived by Coldplay, Paul Normandale and Misty Buckley.

A trailer for the special may be viewed now at Coldplay.com.

Arcade Fire to ZZ Ward: Coachella 2014 Weekend 2 roundup

Poetic Kinetics' "Escape Velocity" at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Weekend 2 at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 18-20, 2014) didn't kick off quietly on Friday morning, at least in the Gobi tent where Ramones tribute outfit Gabba Gabba Heys tore through 40 minutes of old school punk rock in front of a small, but enthusiastic group of early Coachellagoers.

Highlights included the quartet's faithful versions of "Blitzkrieg Bop," "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Beat on the Brat." For those of us who never got to see the Ramones live, this was likely a very fitting tribute. 

Following up on the same stage came dynamic sonic duo Wye Oak, whose magical appearance included singer/multi-instrumentalist Jenn Wasner and drummer-keyboardist Andy Stack creating enough textures and dynamics to rival just about any indie folk rock outfit today. The pair featured several songs from their forthcoming album Shriek including that disc's title cut, a dreamy synth-pop gem highlighting Wasner's distinctive soprano.
Another musical highlights that played out on the first day of Weekend 2 featured ZZ Ward who

ZZ Ward in action on April 18 in the Mojave tent.

brought her infectious blend of R&B, pop, blues and rock in a Mojave tent performance that got the place moving like it was Saturday night. People cheered, moved and clapped to the mix of the Pennsylvania artist's high energy style that had her singing, playing blues harmonica or strumming her guitar, Ward's material was definitely what the crowd ordered. Early offerings ("Put the Gun Down," "Til the Casket Drops") and later favorites (especially the closer "Blue Eyes Blind") were delivered forcefully by Ward and her strong three-man band. 

Other day 1 standout performances came later that day via Neko Case's authentic and winning 50-minute set on the Outdoor stage (highlighted by a stunning version of "Night Still Comes") and even stronger subsequent turns from Broken Bells and The Replacements. Broken Bells' infectious "After the Disco" and set-ending "High Road" really hit home with a crowd that packed in front of the James Mercer- and Danger Mouse-led troupe.

Neko Case performed on the Outdoor stage.

Friday ended long after it started with a rousing performance by The Replacements, who were joined for most of the set by Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. Because Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg had been suffering from an ailing back, he was positioned on a large sofa for most of the show while Armstrong stood and added a flair to the proceedings ("Can't Hardly Wait" simply rocked).

Day 2 kicked off with British soul singer Laura Mvula, who made the most of her early afternoon set in the Gobi by performing not only choice songs from her wonderful debut Sing to the Moon but even a non-album track about freedom titled "Let Me Fall" that included an undeniable rhythm provided by a stand-up bass and elements of African music. Other highlights of her 40-minute set included "She" and the infectious dance-minded "Green Garden." I then ran over to the Mojave (you do a lot of that at Coachella in the sport of "musical discovery") to catch the last few minutes of New York-based Bear Hands' set. The quartet's mix of dance and alt rock was effective on the original "Agora," notably how bass was used to help propel the song along.

The next band I caught, White Lies proved to be one of my favorite performers of the weekend. Although I only got to see the English band's first five songs, it was immediately clear the group and their material outdistance their post-punk roots. The infectious "There Goes Our Love Again" was a clear favorite while "To Lose My Life" showcased the deeper emotional elements of the group's artistic reach.

Playing in the heat of the late afternoon on the main stage, City and Colour (the moniker for singer-songwriter Dallas Green) and his band brought authority and authenticity of his blend of Americana, folk and country-rock with a power that connected with the large crowd. "Hope for Now" was among the standouts of City and Colour's 40-minute foray, with the song's long and emotional build steeped in power that was palpable.

Like Capital Cities' amazing and high-energy 50-minute set a bit earlier that was nothing short of a dance party on the green, Foster the People found the power to move the masses came via unleashing a number of dance-minded songs that had festival-goers moving after dark. The group's "Pumped Up Kids" really excited the crowd, and the closer "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" allowed Foster the People to showcase the harder guitar side of their tuneful alt rock-dance approach.

Saturday night ended with me wishing I could be in two places at once; catching the first 40 minutes of Muse on the main stage ("Knights of Cydonia" kicked things off with the band's characteristic bombast), and finishing up my night in a sea of dancing people in the Mojave as the Pet Shop Boys thrilled the party faithful with "I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too)," "It's a Sin," "Always on my Mind" and other hits from the British duo in a showcase that included incredible lighting and artful sets as well as several costumed dancers.

Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.

The fest flew to the finish line on day 3 thanks to outstanding performances spanning the long day. First up was powerful New Orleans-based Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, with the ensemble blending funk, rock, hip hop and jazz for a crowd positioned in front of the Coachella stage. Another early day outstanding turn came via indie singer Courtney Barnett, who featured songs off her first international release The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas. Highlights of her set included the blues-rocker "David" and the heavy Neil Young & Crazy Horse-tinged "Out of the Woodwork."

British pub-minded rocker Frank Turner, hard rocking indie North Carolina rockers Superchunk, genre-busting Beck (loved the cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean") and Canadian troupe Arcade Fire (whose version of "No Cars Go" soared) also impressed in their more high profile sets. This weekend was definitely a three-day party that the Coachella faithful will long remember.

Check out the coverage of several other writers from The Orange County Register's team that also covered Weekend 2 of Coachella. You can read George A. Paul's coverage on his Music Minded blog here. You can check out a number of posts featuring reviews from Ben Wener, George A. Paul and me here.

Artist Christian Ristow's "Becoming Human"
surveys the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Coachella not only boasted countless artists representing a countless number of musical styles, but the 90,000 or so attendees who attended the second weekend of the event also got to check out original and one-of-a-kind artwork commissioned for Coachellafest. From the innovative and jaw-dropping "Smart Bird" (which looked like a silver winged robot that flew through the skies flapping its wings like a real bird) to the towering robot-minded piece titled "Becoming Human" and gigantic astronaut "Escape Velocity," more than 20 artists' installations were featured. Scroll below to see some more images from Coachella I shot over the weekend...

Artist Mike Grandaw's aptly-titled "Caterpillar"

Yours truly in artist Philip K Smith's "Reflection Field."

Sights and Sounds: Coldplay, The Secret Sisters, AXS TV to broadcast Coachella

As I get set to hit Coachella Weekend 2 tomorrow, this will likely be my last roundup until next week, but it is a good one! Hope to see many of you in Indio this weekend!

Coldplay shows announced; six international dates to mark the release of the band's 'Ghost Stories' LP

Coldplay have announced that they will mark the release of their new album, Ghost Stories, by playing six intimate shows in six cities around the world. The dates are as follows:

25 April - E-Werk, Cologne, Germany 

5 May - Beacon Theatre, New York, USA 

19 May - Royce Hall, Los Angeles, USA 

28 May - Casino de Paris, Paris, France  

  

 

12 June - Dome City Hall, Tokyo, Japan

 

1 July - Royal Albert Hall, London, UK

 

Tickets for the Cologne show will go on sale at 9 a.m. CET on Saturday, 19 April from www.eventim.de/coldplay.

Ticket information for the remaining five shows will be emailed exclusively to subscribers to the Coldplay mailing list (which can be joined at Coldplay.com).

Ghost Stories is Coldplay's sixth album. It will be released worldwide on Monday, 19 May. 

THE SECRET SISTERS NEW ALBUM

PUT YOUR NEEDLE DOWN AVAILABLE NOW

Critically Acclaimed Duo's First Album In Three Years

Produced By T Bone Burnett

Album Features New Original Songs Including First Single,

"Rattle My Bones," And "Dirty Lie" Co-Written by Bob Dylan

The Secret Sisters currently supporting country trio Nickel Creek

on its entire US reunion tour in April and May

The Secret Sisters' long-awaited second album, Put Your Needle Down is available now via Republic Records. The Alabama duo's sophomore set was produced by the iconic T Bone Burnett, and marks a giant creative step forward for siblings Laura and Lydia Rogers. Put Your Needle Down is currently available at iTunes, Amazon and other select retailers.

Recently featured on NPR WEEKEND EDITION, they say"The Secret Sisters' music is a nostalgic blend of country, folk, blues and rockabilly," and USA TODAY, which gave the album 4 out of 4 stars, says of Put Your Needle Down, "While still steeped in exquisite sibling harmonies, this albumcontemporizes them." ROLLING STONE says of the album, "Ethereal harmonies once again take center stage on the Secret Sisters' sophomore album [that] takes the listener back to a time when vocalists valued purity over production. But this time around, they manage to marry their signature throwback sound with a lot more energy."  

The album's 12 songs - primarily written or co-written by Laura and Lydia - seamlessly blend an exciting and decidedly Southern patchwork of country, blues, Americana, folk, rock and gospel. The album is preceded by the new single "Rattle My Bones," hopping from a guitar gallop into sweet, soaring harmonies from Laura and Lydia, it taps into a delightfully entrancing energy that's both enigmatic and endearing. The new album also features the he-said-she-said accusations of "Dirty Lie,"co-written with Bob Dylan. An unfinished song they brought to life, Dylan started writing "Dirty Lie" back in the '80s and when he heard that The Secret Sisters were recording a new album, he sent several demos to them for their consideration and gave the Sisters the nod to finish the song and record it.

Put Your Needle Down illuminates the many facets of this diverse, dynamic, and darling twosome and sways from the soulful mourning of "Let There Be Lonely" to the coy "murder ballad" "Iuka", and the uplifting musical baptism of "River Jordan".

In support of the album's release, The Secret Sisters are currently supporting country trio Nickel Creek on its entire US reunion tour in April and May.

Put Your Needle Down 

Track Listing:1. Rattle My Bones
2. Iuka
3. Dirty Lie
4. The Pocket Knife
5. Let There Be Lonely
6. Black And Blue
7. Lonely Island
8. I Cannot Find A Way
9. If I Don't
10. Good Luck Good Night Goodbye
11. Bad Habit
12. River Jordan

The tour itinerary is as follows:

4/16      Alabama Theater                       Birmingham, AL

4/17      Thomas Wolfe Auditorium          Ashville, NC

4/18      Ryman Auditorium                     Nashville, TN

4/19      Ryman Auditorium                     Nashville, TN

4/21      Track 29                                    Chattanooga, TN

4/22      Johnny Mercer Theater               Savannah, GA

4/24      NC Performing Arts Center        North Charleston, SC

4/25      Tabernacle                                Atlanta, GA

4/26      nTelos Wireless Pavilion            Charlottesville, VA

4/27      Tennessee Theatre                     Knoxville, TN

4/29      Beacon Theatre                         New York, NY

5/01      House of Blues                         Boston, MA

5/02      Keswick Theatre                        Glenside, PA

5/03      9:30 Club                                  Washington, DC

5/04      9:30 Club                                  Washington, DC

5/06      Taft Theatre                               Cincinnati, OH

5/08      Egyptian Room                         Indianapolis, IN

5/09      Riviera Theater                          Chicago, IL

5/10      Pabst Theater                            Milwaukee, WI

5/11      State Theatre                             Minneapolis, MN

5/13      Ogden Theatre                          Denver, CO

5/14      Kingsbury Hall                           Salt Lake City, UT

5/16      Crystal Ballroom                        Portland, OR

5/17      Moore Theatre                           Seattle, WA

5/19      Fox Theater                               Oakland, CA

5/20      Balboa Theatre                          San Diego, CA

5/21      The Wiltern                                Los Angeles, CA

http://www.secretsistersband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretSisters

https://twitter.com/thesecretsisters

AXS TV ANNOUNCES FEATURED ACTS FOR LIVE BROADCAST OF WEEK 2 OF COACHELLA, AIRING FRIDAY, APRIL 18 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Weekend-Long Broadcast Features Over 20 Hours of Live Coverage,

Spanning 5 Stages, Airing Nightly at 9pE/6pP

For the first time ever, the second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will be broadcast live, as AXS TV–the premier destination for live music events—gives viewers a front row seat to one of the most popular music festivals in the United States. AXS TV will offer incomparable access while broadcasting over 20 hours of live coverage, from Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20, airing each evening at 9pE/6pP.

Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, the three-day cultural phenomenon boasts an eclectic blend of mainstream acts, underground favorites, up-and-comers and icons, spanning a wide array of genres from indie and rap, to metal and punk, and everything in between.

Featured in Friday’s live coverage is an explosive lineup that includes Ellie Goulding, Grouplove, Bastille, AFI, Neko Case, Broken Bells, Chromeo, Kate Nash, HAIM, ZZ Ward and Bryan Ferry. Friday’s coverage re-airs on Sat., April 19 at 2pE/11aP.

Saturday, April 19, features Lorde, Cage the Elephant, CHVRCHES, The Head and the Heart, Capital Cities, Future Islands, Fatboy Slim, MGMT, The Pixies, Queens of the Stone Age, and Foster the People. Saturday’s coverage re-airs on Sun., April 20 at 2pE/11aP.

The weekend comes to a close on Sunday, April 20, with Arcade Fire, Beck, Skrillex, Pet Shop Boys, Big Gigantic, Daughter, NAS, Fishbone, Frank Turner, and Calvin Harris. Sunday’s coverage re-airs on Mon., April 21 at 2pE/11aP.

Hosting the broadcast is KCRW’s Music Director and “Morning Becomes Eclectic” DJ, Jason Bentley. Bentley will conduct artist interviews and co-produce exclusive editorial segments.

Summary of AXS TV’s 2014 Coachella Lineup* (Does Not Represent Broadcast Order)

*Lineup Subject To Change

Friday, April 18, 2014	Saturday, April 19, 2014	Sunday, April 20, 2014
AFI	Cage the Elephant	Arcade Fire
Bastille	Capital Cities	Beck
Broken Bells	CHVRCHES	Big Gigantic
Bryan Ferry	Fatboy Slim	Calvin Harris
Chromeo	Foster the People	Daughter
Ellie Goulding	Future Islands	Fishbone
Grouplove	Lorde	Frank Turner
HAIM	MGMT	NAS
Kate Nash	Queens of the Stone Age	Pet Shop Boys
Neko Case	The Head and the Heart	Skrillex
ZZ Ward	The Pixies