Happy Monday! I hope you all enjoyed watching the GRAMMY Awards last night. I was generally not impressed by the Las Vegas-styled performances, but that's just me. For a more wide-ranging discussion of the GRAMMY Awards, make sure to check out the special episode of Music Worth Buying that TJR and I shot yesterday now available on our YouTube Channel.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 08, 2013
Terrific trio of Americana artists impress at Alta
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| Rock 'n' Roll poet Michael Ubaldini |
Ubaldini, who hosts the popular monthly series, typically performs with his tremendous honky tonk outfit Michael and the Lonesome Playboys at significantly larger venues across the Southland. However, the "Outlaws of Folk" series gives the Fountain Valley resident a chance to present his literate songs in a stripped down solo setting while also providing him the chance to invite top-tier pals to perform with him on the same bill. This night was particularly special with Serby (who I last caught at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio in May 2011) and Gleason (who recently relocated from Nashville, TN to Pasadena, CA) joining in for what ultimately made for a brilliant night of original acoustic music.
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| David Serby |
Ubaldini also used the occasion of an eight-song set to debut several new songs slated for a future album release. Particularly memorable was the lovely country ballad "Rosewood Night" as well as the fast-paced "Sweet Old Riddle" and rollicking "The Outlaw Kind." Accompanied by his acoustic guitar, he also added virtuoso harmonica play on the winning "Jean Harlow." He closed his set with the rousing rocker "Walk Through Fire." Ubaldini crafts songs that are both accessible and intelligent; the icing on the sonic cake is his straightforward presentation of those gems with a musical and lyrical depth that draws easy comparisons with the depth of Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. But the voice is clearly Ubaldini's own. Visit Ubaldini's official Web site for more information.
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| Dave Gleason closed out the night at Alta Coffee |
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Inbox Update: Walter Trout announces release of Luther Allison tribute
This just landed in my inbox late tonight...don't forget to check out Walter's official site for more details.
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Walter and his band have been in the studio since the beginning of the year recording this special project. Playing and recording Luther's songs with much love and respect for Luther's memory has been a life-changing experience for Walter and the band. To honor Luther for the beautiful soul that he was, and try to do his music with the energy and commitment it deserves, has been an overwhelming experience. This CD will be available later this year. As promised, those of you on the mailing list are the first to know about this project.
Singer, Songwriters and Slide Guitar Greats Shine
Singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s 13th full-length album Forever Endeavour highlights a crop of fantastic new releases that also includes the first-ever album featuring The Slide Brothers, the latest sonic chapter courtesy of singer-guitarist Bob Bennett and an impressive debut from 17-year-old Scott James.
Artist: Ron Sexsmith
Title: Forever Endeavour (MRI Associated)
You might be interested if you like: Ray Davies, Paul McCartney, Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello
Tell me more: Few modern-day songwriters probe the deepest recesses of their soul with the intelligence and emotional heft of Ron Sexsmith. On his newly-released album Forever Endeavour, the acclaimed Canadian has issued yet another brillian collection of original songs. He tackles the haunting territory of self doubt with melodious depth on “Nowhere To Go” while elsewhere celebrating the joys of romantic love on “She Does My Heart Good” that is served with an undercurrent of melancholy via the sparse acoustic soundscape. Sexsmith can make even the routine magical, as evidenced on “Me, Myself and Wine” where he sings of the simple joy of playing vinyl albums while drinking a good glass of red wine. At other times the tone is darker; on “Sneak Out the Back Door” Sexsmith sings of quietly slipping out the back rather than take a farewell tour as is the fashion nowadays. The album closes with the beautiful “The Morning Light” with Sexsmith addressing his own mortality even while celebrating the simple joy of waking to enjoy another day. Information: www.RonSexsmith.com.
Artist: Robert Randolph and The Slide Brothers
Title: Robert Randolph Presents: The Slide Brothers (Concord Records)
You might be interested if you like: Jeff Healey, Derek Trucks, Duane Allman
Tell me more: February 19 will mark the first-ever commercial release featuring The Slide Brothers, a group of fabled musicians who continue to champion the sacred steel tradition that was developed in the House of God Church more than 80 years ago. From a beautiful reworking of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” to the fiery blues track “Praise You” (featuring guest songstress Shemekia Copeland on vocals) and the gospel powerhouse “Catch That Train,” there is no denying the passion that The Slide Brothers bring to the 11 tracks on the collection. The virtuoso musicianship is amazing, and listening to Calvin Cooke, Chuck Campbell, Darick Campbell and Aubrey Ghent perform is breathtaking. Information: www.ConcordMusicGroup.com.
Artist: Bob Bennett
Title: Joy Deep As Sorrow (Whitewater Productions)
You might be interested if you like: Doyle Dykes, Dan Fogelberg, Glen Campbell, Bob Bennett's previous albums
Tell me more: One of the founding voices of the modern-day Christian music movement, singer-songwriter Bob Bennett has returned with a beautiful acoustic album that includes breezy folk rock (the heartful “Strange Joy”), lush folk (“Fairthful,” “Broken Beauty”) and even Americana-styled ballads (a cover of Steve Bell’s “Birth of a Song” and his own “Panhandled at the Western Wall”). Bennett’s voice is as sweet and emotive as ever, with his lyrics capturing the depth of his faith and complexity of the struggles faced by people regardless of where they worship. Information: www.BobBennett.com.
Artist: Scott James
Title: Destinesia (Scott James Music)
You might be interested if you like: Gavin DeGraw, Allen Stone, Amos Lee
Tell me more: Why is Scott James’ debut Destinesia so impressive? The EP features only six songs, but the mix of fantastic and original songwriting, pleasing vocals and strong musicianship are especially noteworthy since James is only 17. This album is not the product of any slick marketing campaign; James makes his mark immediately with a deeply-affecting guitar line at the beginning of “My Road” and further seals the artistic deal accompanied by his piano on the sparse “Garden.” Definitely an artist to watch, James lyrics and songcraft carry the weight of an artist much older. Add that he has a potent touch on both guitar and piano, well it’s supernatural. Information: www.ScottJamesMusic.com.
Inbox Update: the late (great!) Levon Helm to be celebrated at 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards
This just in...
NEWS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
ZAC BROWN, BRITTANY HOWARD
(ALABAMA SHAKES), ELTON JOHN,
MUMFORD & SONS, AND MAVIS STAPLES
TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO
THE LATE LEVON HELM ON THE
55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
NOMINEE T BONE BURNETT TO SERVE
AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR
FOR SPECIAL IN MEMORIAM SEGMENT
(ALABAMA SHAKES), ELTON JOHN,
MUMFORD & SONS, AND MAVIS STAPLES
TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO
THE LATE LEVON HELM ON THE
55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
NOMINEE T BONE BURNETT TO SERVE
AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR
FOR SPECIAL IN MEMORIAM SEGMENT
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® — Hosted by LL COOL J — Airs Live on CBS
Sunday, Feb. 10, 8 P.M. ET/PT
#TheWorldIsListening
Sunday, Feb. 10, 8 P.M. ET/PT
#TheWorldIsListening
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2013) — Nominees Zac Brown, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), and Mumford & Sons, along with five-time GRAMMY® winner, GRAMMY Legend Award™ recipient, and 2000 MusiCares® Person of the Year honoreeElton John and GRAMMY winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient (as a member of the Staples Singers) Mavis Staples will join together for a special tribute to the late Levon Helm as part of the annual In Memoriam segment on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast. Current nominee T Bone Burnett will serve as musical director for this special tribute to Helm. Additionally, current nominees Miguel and Wiz Khalifa also are set to perform on Music's Biggest Night®. Thirteen-time GRAMMY winner Dave Grohl, three-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Ne-Yo, and TV and radio host/producer (and newly appointed Honorary Chair of the GRAMMY Foundation Board) Ryan Seacrestwill appear as presenters. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online atGRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.
Current nominee Miguel is up for five awards: Song Of The Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Adorn," and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Kaleidoscope Dream, and Best Rap Song (along with Olubowale Akintimehin, S. Joseph Dew, Jerrin Howard, and Walker Johnson) for "Lotus Flower Bomb."
Twelve-time GRAMMY-winning producer T Bone Burnett, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), and Wiz Khalifa each have two nominations: Burnett is nominated twice in Best Song Written For Visual Media for "Abraham's Daughter" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Win Butler and Régine Chassagne) and "Safe & Sound" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Taylor Swift, John Paul White, and Joy Williams); Howard is up for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance for "Hold On" (both with Alabama Shakes); and Wiz Khalifa is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Payphone" (with Maroon 5), and Best Rap Song for "Young, Wild & Free" (along with Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Peter Hernandez, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine).
Zac Brown has a Best Country Album nod for Uncaged.
Previously announced performers for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are current nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, Kelly Clarkson, FUN.,the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White, as well as Elton John and current nominee Ed Sheeranperforming live together for the first time, Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5, current nominee Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and Sting in a special performance, and Justin Timberlake. The Black Keys, FUN., Howard, the Lumineers, Miguel, Ocean, Sheeran, and Wiz Khalifa will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are nominees Beyoncé, Hunter Hayes, Carly Rae Jepsen and Katy Perry, actor Kaley Cuoco, actor and three-time Emmy® Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winnerFaith Hill, singer/actor Jennifer Lopez, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, actorPauley Perrette, seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince, and four-time GRAMMY winnerKeith Urban. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns as host of the music industry's premier event.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram,Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
Current nominee Miguel is up for five awards: Song Of The Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song for "Adorn," and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Kaleidoscope Dream, and Best Rap Song (along with Olubowale Akintimehin, S. Joseph Dew, Jerrin Howard, and Walker Johnson) for "Lotus Flower Bomb."
Twelve-time GRAMMY-winning producer T Bone Burnett, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), and Wiz Khalifa each have two nominations: Burnett is nominated twice in Best Song Written For Visual Media for "Abraham's Daughter" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Win Butler and Régine Chassagne) and "Safe & Sound" (from The Hunger Games) (along with Taylor Swift, John Paul White, and Joy Williams); Howard is up for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance for "Hold On" (both with Alabama Shakes); and Wiz Khalifa is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Payphone" (with Maroon 5), and Best Rap Song for "Young, Wild & Free" (along with Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Peter Hernandez, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine).
Zac Brown has a Best Country Album nod for Uncaged.
Previously announced performers for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are current nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, Kelly Clarkson, FUN.,the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White, as well as Elton John and current nominee Ed Sheeranperforming live together for the first time, Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5, current nominee Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and Sting in a special performance, and Justin Timberlake. The Black Keys, FUN., Howard, the Lumineers, Miguel, Ocean, Sheeran, and Wiz Khalifa will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are nominees Beyoncé, Hunter Hayes, Carly Rae Jepsen and Katy Perry, actor Kaley Cuoco, actor and three-time Emmy® Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winnerFaith Hill, singer/actor Jennifer Lopez, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, actorPauley Perrette, seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince, and four-time GRAMMY winnerKeith Urban. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns as host of the music industry's premier event.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram,Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
2013 Orange County Music Awards: Special honors announced
Back in the mid 1990s when I began writing my Orange Pop column for The Orange County Register, a young band known as Lit was among the first area bands I featured in my weekly column. Read on to see the latest chapter in Lit's ongoing journey...
Each year the Orange County Impact Award honors a renowned local band or artist for their exceptional impact on the Orange County music scene. The OC Music Awards Producers and Academy members are pleased to present the 2013 OC Impact honor to local heroes Lit. From the release of Tripping the Light Fantastic in 1997 to The View from the Bottom in 2012, Lit is largely responsible for the mainstream popularity of American alternative rock in the ‘90s and have remained true to their artistic expression ever since. With chart topping hits and worldwide fans, Lit’s impact on artists, the industry and the listeners continues on.
Annually the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have had a significant presence in the music community, working to further local music whether they are a musician or music industry professional. OC Music Awards is honored to present the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award to Carl St.Clair. In 2013, Music Director Carl St.Clair celebrates his 24th season with Pacific Symphony. During his tenure, St.Clair has become widely recognized for his musically distinguished performances, his commitment to building outstanding educational programs and his innovative approaches to programming.
For more information, visit the official OCMA site.
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| Lit will be honored at the OCMAs in March 2013 |
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| Carl St. Clair |
For more information, visit the official OCMA site.
Inbox Update: Ron Sexsmith, Suede, Red
Here is the latest news plucked out of my inbox. Just a reminder too that Ron Sexsmith's new album Forever Endeavour is out today. You can get more information on that by checking out my article that posted on the Music Worth Buying site last week.
If you're a fan of (London) Suede, check out writer George A. Paul's post on the band's forthcoming album release here.
Finally, Red's new album is also out today. Here is the official release with all the details:
RED'S FOURTH ALBUM ‘RELEASE THE PANIC’ OUT NOW
(FEBRUARY 5) ON ESSENTIAL (PROVIDENT/SONY)
“RED continue to craft heavy, hypnotic, and heartfelt hard rock on their fourth full-length album. Release the Panic expands upon their patent sound with a more immense and immersive scope.…on the first single ‘Perfect Life,’ they carry a massive stadium-size refrain into crossover territory while ‘The Moment We Come Alive’ sails to divine heights on a tender piano and vocal crescendo. All said and done, it's one of the most epic, entrancing, and engaging hard rock albums of 2013 and RED's best work yet.”
--Rick Florino, ARTISTDirect, February 4, 2013
The two-time GRAMMY-nominated rock group RED will unleash their fourth album RELEASE THE PANIC in both Deluxe and Standard editions on Tuesday, February 5 via Essential (Provident Label Group/Sony).
To record RELEASE THE PANIC, the group teamed with producer Howard Benson (P.O.D., My Chemical Romance, Daughtry) at his brand-new West Valley Studios in Los Angeles. RED have delivered a potent set of standout songs that were mixed by Benson and Mike Plotnikoff including “Perfect Life,” “Die For You,” “Release the Panic” and “Same Disease.”
RED is currently on tour this winter/spring for the Winterjam Arena Tour. Expect the group to announce a nationwide U.S. spring tour soon.
Following is the full tracklisting for RED’s RELEASE THE PANIC:
Release The Panic
1. Release The Panic
2. Perfect Life
3. Die For You
4. Damage
5. Same Disease
6. Hold Me Now
7. If We Only
8. So Far Away
9. Glass House
10. The Moment We Come Alive
Release The Panic Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks
11. Love Will Leave A Mark
12. As You Go
13. Hymn For The Missing (Guillotine remix)
14. Death of Me (Guillotine remix)
15. Breathe Into Me (Remix Acoustica)
www.redmusiconline.com
www.facebook.com/redmusiconline
www.twitter.com/redmusiconline
About RED:
Nashville-based rock outfit RED comprises Michael Barnes (vocals), Anthony Armstrong (guitar) Randy Armstrong (bass) and Joe Rickard (drums).Together, its three prior albums-- End of Silence (2006), Innocence & Instinct (2009) and Until We Have Faces (2011)--have sold more than 882,000 units, garnered two GRAMMY nominations, five GMA Dove Awards, two
Top 10 Active Rock singles, three Top 10 Mainstream Rock singles and 10 consecutive
No. 1 hits at Christian radio. RED’s Until We Have Faces, released Feb. 1, 2011) marked the group’s highest national debut at No. 2 on the coveted Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Additionally, the project topped the following Nielsen SoundScan charts:
Current Hard Music, Current Rock Music, Current Alternative, Christian Rock, Current Contemporary Christian Album and RecordLabel Independent charts. Also its debut week, two of the album’s songs were spotlighted on national TV, with TBS’ “Conan” featuring “Faceless” and NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” highlighting “Not Alone.” In addition, RED is known for its relentless touring, performing alongside notable rock names such as Hinder, 3 Doors Down, Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Godsmack, Sevendust, Drowning Pool, Flyleaf, Seether, Saving Abel, Staind, Third Day, Switchfoot, Skillet, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and others. Rave reviews for the band’s live shows and albums have been featured in top media outlets including USA Today, Billboard, Modern Drummer, Rolling Stone and Guitar World
If you're a fan of (London) Suede, check out writer George A. Paul's post on the band's forthcoming album release here.
Finally, Red's new album is also out today. Here is the official release with all the details:
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| Red (L-R): Anthony Armstrong, Joe Rickard, Randy Armstrong and Michael Barnes.
|
(FEBRUARY 5) ON ESSENTIAL (PROVIDENT/SONY)
“RED continue to craft heavy, hypnotic, and heartfelt hard rock on their fourth full-length album. Release the Panic expands upon their patent sound with a more immense and immersive scope.…on the first single ‘Perfect Life,’ they carry a massive stadium-size refrain into crossover territory while ‘The Moment We Come Alive’ sails to divine heights on a tender piano and vocal crescendo. All said and done, it's one of the most epic, entrancing, and engaging hard rock albums of 2013 and RED's best work yet.”
--Rick Florino, ARTISTDirect, February 4, 2013
The two-time GRAMMY-nominated rock group RED will unleash their fourth album RELEASE THE PANIC in both Deluxe and Standard editions on Tuesday, February 5 via Essential (Provident Label Group/Sony).
To record RELEASE THE PANIC, the group teamed with producer Howard Benson (P.O.D., My Chemical Romance, Daughtry) at his brand-new West Valley Studios in Los Angeles. RED have delivered a potent set of standout songs that were mixed by Benson and Mike Plotnikoff including “Perfect Life,” “Die For You,” “Release the Panic” and “Same Disease.”
RED is currently on tour this winter/spring for the Winterjam Arena Tour. Expect the group to announce a nationwide U.S. spring tour soon.
Following is the full tracklisting for RED’s RELEASE THE PANIC:
Release The Panic
1. Release The Panic
2. Perfect Life
3. Die For You
4. Damage
5. Same Disease
6. Hold Me Now
7. If We Only
8. So Far Away
9. Glass House
10. The Moment We Come Alive
Release The Panic Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks
11. Love Will Leave A Mark
12. As You Go
13. Hymn For The Missing (Guillotine remix)
14. Death of Me (Guillotine remix)
15. Breathe Into Me (Remix Acoustica)
www.redmusiconline.com
www.facebook.com/redmusiconline
www.twitter.com/redmusiconline
About RED:
Nashville-based rock outfit RED comprises Michael Barnes (vocals), Anthony Armstrong (guitar) Randy Armstrong (bass) and Joe Rickard (drums).Together, its three prior albums-- End of Silence (2006), Innocence & Instinct (2009) and Until We Have Faces (2011)--have sold more than 882,000 units, garnered two GRAMMY nominations, five GMA Dove Awards, two
Top 10 Active Rock singles, three Top 10 Mainstream Rock singles and 10 consecutive
No. 1 hits at Christian radio. RED’s Until We Have Faces, released Feb. 1, 2011) marked the group’s highest national debut at No. 2 on the coveted Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Additionally, the project topped the following Nielsen SoundScan charts:
Current Hard Music, Current Rock Music, Current Alternative, Christian Rock, Current Contemporary Christian Album and RecordLabel Independent charts. Also its debut week, two of the album’s songs were spotlighted on national TV, with TBS’ “Conan” featuring “Faceless” and NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” highlighting “Not Alone.” In addition, RED is known for its relentless touring, performing alongside notable rock names such as Hinder, 3 Doors Down, Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Godsmack, Sevendust, Drowning Pool, Flyleaf, Seether, Saving Abel, Staind, Third Day, Switchfoot, Skillet, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and others. Rave reviews for the band’s live shows and albums have been featured in top media outlets including USA Today, Billboard, Modern Drummer, Rolling Stone and Guitar World
Monday, February 04, 2013
Sights and Sounds: John Fogerty, Dream Theater, GRAMMY Awards update
Happy Monday everybody! Here are several just-in newsworthy items worth sharing...
JOHN FOGERTY’S NEW RELEASE WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE AVAILABLE MAY 28, 2013 ON VANGUARD RECORDS
FOGERTY’S NEW RECORDING OF HIS CLASSIC “BORN ON THE BAYOU” WITH KID ROCK WAS USED IN NFL NETWORK’S COVERAGE OF SUPER BOWL XLVII
ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW ON ITUNES AND AMAZON!
JOHN FOGERTY’S much-anticipated album WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE will be released May 28, 2013 on Vanguard Records, his first for the label. Beginning today (February 4), the album is available for pre-order in both the iTunes and Amazon stores (see the album cover above and the tracklisting below). One of the album’s highlights--FOGERTY’s immortal swamp rock smash hit “Born On The Bayou” which the legendary rocker has recorded with Kid Rock—was used by NFL Network in their coverage of Super Bowl XLVII fittingly played in New Orleans.
Wrote a Song for Everyone tracklisting
1. Fortunate Son (with Foo Fighters)
2. Almost Saturday Night (with Keith Urban)
3. Lodi (with Shane Fogerty and Tyler Fogerty)
4. Mystic Highway (John Fogerty solo)
5. Wrote a Song for Everyone (with Miranda Lambert feat. Tom Morello)
6. Bad Moon Rising (with Zac Brown Band)
7. Long As I Can See the Light (with My Morning Jacket)
8. Born on the Bayou (with Kid Rock)
9. Train of Fools (John Fogerty solo)
10. Someday Never Comes (with Dawes)
11. Who'll Stop the Rain (with Bob Seger)
12. Hot Rod Heart (with Brad Paisley)
13. Have You Ever Seen the Rain (with Alan Jackson)
14. Proud Mary (with Jennifer Hudson featuring Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band)
Produced by FOGERTY, one of rock’s most important artists and a national treasure who’s sold over 100 million records, WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE is a celebration of his iconic songbook and a collection of 12 classics and deep tracks from his remarkable canon of hits as well as two brand new songs, “Mystic Highway” and “Train of Fools.” FOGERTY performed alongside an array of today’s biggest superstars from the country, pop and rock worlds including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, the Zac Brown Band, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more. The album also sees FOGERTY teaming with an acclaimed new band like Dawes, who were eager to acknowledge the groundbreaking songwriter/guitarist’s titanic influence. FOGERTY also recorded his classic “Lodi” with his sons Shane and Tyler Fogerty at Abbey Road Studios in London.
As FOGERTY explains in a cover story in the current (January/February) “Legends” issue of American Songwriter: “I encouraged each of these artists to come up with their own vision of my song, rather than just redoing what I’d recorded in the past. I was hoping they’d have some different twist so it would be fresh, so I’d have to work, too. I wanted it to be something new.”
WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE marks FOGERTY's ninth studio solo album since disbanding Creedence Clearwater Revival. Mixed by Bob Clearmountain, it was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville except for "Proud Mary" which was recorded in New Orleans with Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band. FOGERTY recorded “Fortunate Son” with Foo Fighters at their 606 studio using "the" legendary Neve recording console featured in the #1 iTunes documentary Sound City. FOGERTY has performed with the Sound City Players, the all-star band assembled by Dave Grohl to play the music created for the film and other classics, at recent shows at both the Sundance Film Festival and the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
JOHN FOGERTY will tour in 2013 and look for him to be at this year’s SXSW in Austin (dates/events TBA).
www.johnfogerty.com
http://www.facebook.com/johnfogerty
https://twitter.com/John_Fogerty
www.vanguardrecords.com
About John Fogerty:
John Fogerty--singer, songwriter and guitarist--has sold over 100 million records, earning 18 Gold Albums and 10 Platinum Albums. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, won the Grammy Award for his album Blue Moon Swamp in 1997 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also a BMI Icon Award Winner. In addition, Fogerty and his #1 phenomenal recording “Centerfield” were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies--the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies. He’s also called the “Father of the Flannel Shirt.”
DREAM THEATER RELEASES TRAILER FOR NEW DVD, BLU-RAY, CD LIVE AT LUNA PARK
Live At Luna Park, a live concert captured on 2DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Video, 2DVD/3CD, Blu-ray/3CD, and a deluxe edition (2DVD/Blu-ray/3CD), will drop in May 2013. To whet the appetite of their fans, Dream Theater have released this trailer: http://bit.ly/14uKWvI
Live At Luna Park was filmed over two nights in South America – home to one of Dream Theater’s most ardent fanbases. The DVD was filmed after a 15-month world tour, hitting 35 countries.
“This is without a doubt the closest a viewer at home will come to experiencing a live Dream Theater concert,” states guitarist and founding member John Petrucci. “Between the hi-def video, the huge audio mix and the documentary style behind the scenes footage, you are truly transported to the arena and completely immersed in the entire live experience.”
“We have the greatest fans on the planet and the people of Argentina are no exception!” adds Petrucci. “The energy and vibe at Luna Park was truly electric and contagious. The perfect synergy between band and audience. We are immensely proud of this DVD and incredibly excited to share it with everyone!”
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.
BRUNO MARS, RIHANNA, AND STING TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON THE 55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
NOMINEE KELLY CLARKSON ALSO SET TO PERFORM ON MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT®
Beyoncé, Hunter Hayes, Jennifer Lopez, Pauley Perrette, and Prince
Are Set to Present at the Music Industry's Premier Event
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® — Hosted by LL COOL J — Airs Live on CBS
Sunday, Feb. 10, 8 P.M. ET/PT
#TheWorldIsListening
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2013) — Nominees Bruno Mars and Rihanna, as well as 16-time GRAMMY® winner Sting, will join together for a special performance, and current nominee Kelly Clarkson is set to perform on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast. Sixteen-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Beyoncé, current nominee Hunter Hayes, singer/actor Jennifer Lopez, actor Pauley Perrette, and seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince will appear as presenters. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.
Two-time GRAMMY winner Clarkson has three nominations: Record Of The Year (along with Greg Kurstin, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jesse Shatkin, and Chris Gehringer) and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," and Best Pop Vocal Album for Stronger.
GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars is up for Best Rap Song for "Young, Wild & Free" (along with Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Cameron Thomaz).
Previously announced performers for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards include current nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, FUN., the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White, as well as Elton John and current nominee Ed Sheeran performing live together for the first time, Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake. The Black Keys, FUN., the Lumineers, Ocean, and Sheeran will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are nominees Carly Rae Jepsen and Katy Perry, actor Kaley Cuoco, actor and three-time Emmy® winner Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winner Faith Hill, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns as host of Music's Biggest Night®.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
JOHN FOGERTY’S NEW RELEASE WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE AVAILABLE MAY 28, 2013 ON VANGUARD RECORDS
ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW ON ITUNES AND AMAZON!
JOHN FOGERTY’S much-anticipated album WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE will be released May 28, 2013 on Vanguard Records, his first for the label. Beginning today (February 4), the album is available for pre-order in both the iTunes and Amazon stores (see the album cover above and the tracklisting below). One of the album’s highlights--FOGERTY’s immortal swamp rock smash hit “Born On The Bayou” which the legendary rocker has recorded with Kid Rock—was used by NFL Network in their coverage of Super Bowl XLVII fittingly played in New Orleans.
Wrote a Song for Everyone tracklisting
1. Fortunate Son (with Foo Fighters)
2. Almost Saturday Night (with Keith Urban)
3. Lodi (with Shane Fogerty and Tyler Fogerty)
4. Mystic Highway (John Fogerty solo)
5. Wrote a Song for Everyone (with Miranda Lambert feat. Tom Morello)
6. Bad Moon Rising (with Zac Brown Band)
7. Long As I Can See the Light (with My Morning Jacket)
8. Born on the Bayou (with Kid Rock)
9. Train of Fools (John Fogerty solo)
10. Someday Never Comes (with Dawes)
11. Who'll Stop the Rain (with Bob Seger)
12. Hot Rod Heart (with Brad Paisley)
13. Have You Ever Seen the Rain (with Alan Jackson)
14. Proud Mary (with Jennifer Hudson featuring Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band)
Produced by FOGERTY, one of rock’s most important artists and a national treasure who’s sold over 100 million records, WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE is a celebration of his iconic songbook and a collection of 12 classics and deep tracks from his remarkable canon of hits as well as two brand new songs, “Mystic Highway” and “Train of Fools.” FOGERTY performed alongside an array of today’s biggest superstars from the country, pop and rock worlds including Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, the Zac Brown Band, My Morning Jacket, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more. The album also sees FOGERTY teaming with an acclaimed new band like Dawes, who were eager to acknowledge the groundbreaking songwriter/guitarist’s titanic influence. FOGERTY also recorded his classic “Lodi” with his sons Shane and Tyler Fogerty at Abbey Road Studios in London.
As FOGERTY explains in a cover story in the current (January/February) “Legends” issue of American Songwriter: “I encouraged each of these artists to come up with their own vision of my song, rather than just redoing what I’d recorded in the past. I was hoping they’d have some different twist so it would be fresh, so I’d have to work, too. I wanted it to be something new.”
WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE marks FOGERTY's ninth studio solo album since disbanding Creedence Clearwater Revival. Mixed by Bob Clearmountain, it was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville except for "Proud Mary" which was recorded in New Orleans with Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band. FOGERTY recorded “Fortunate Son” with Foo Fighters at their 606 studio using "the" legendary Neve recording console featured in the #1 iTunes documentary Sound City. FOGERTY has performed with the Sound City Players, the all-star band assembled by Dave Grohl to play the music created for the film and other classics, at recent shows at both the Sundance Film Festival and the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
JOHN FOGERTY will tour in 2013 and look for him to be at this year’s SXSW in Austin (dates/events TBA).
www.johnfogerty.com
http://www.facebook.com/johnfogerty
https://twitter.com/John_Fogerty
www.vanguardrecords.com
About John Fogerty:
John Fogerty--singer, songwriter and guitarist--has sold over 100 million records, earning 18 Gold Albums and 10 Platinum Albums. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, won the Grammy Award for his album Blue Moon Swamp in 1997 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also a BMI Icon Award Winner. In addition, Fogerty and his #1 phenomenal recording “Centerfield” were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies--the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies. He’s also called the “Father of the Flannel Shirt.”
DREAM THEATER RELEASES TRAILER FOR NEW DVD, BLU-RAY, CD LIVE AT LUNA PARK
Live At Luna Park, a live concert captured on 2DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Video, 2DVD/3CD, Blu-ray/3CD, and a deluxe edition (2DVD/Blu-ray/3CD), will drop in May 2013. To whet the appetite of their fans, Dream Theater have released this trailer: http://bit.ly/14uKWvI
Live At Luna Park was filmed over two nights in South America – home to one of Dream Theater’s most ardent fanbases. The DVD was filmed after a 15-month world tour, hitting 35 countries.
“This is without a doubt the closest a viewer at home will come to experiencing a live Dream Theater concert,” states guitarist and founding member John Petrucci. “Between the hi-def video, the huge audio mix and the documentary style behind the scenes footage, you are truly transported to the arena and completely immersed in the entire live experience.”
“We have the greatest fans on the planet and the people of Argentina are no exception!” adds Petrucci. “The energy and vibe at Luna Park was truly electric and contagious. The perfect synergy between band and audience. We are immensely proud of this DVD and incredibly excited to share it with everyone!”
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.
BRUNO MARS, RIHANNA, AND STING TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON THE 55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
NOMINEE KELLY CLARKSON ALSO SET TO PERFORM ON MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT®
Beyoncé, Hunter Hayes, Jennifer Lopez, Pauley Perrette, and Prince
Are Set to Present at the Music Industry's Premier Event
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® — Hosted by LL COOL J — Airs Live on CBS
Sunday, Feb. 10, 8 P.M. ET/PT
#TheWorldIsListening
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2013) — Nominees Bruno Mars and Rihanna, as well as 16-time GRAMMY® winner Sting, will join together for a special performance, and current nominee Kelly Clarkson is set to perform on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast. Sixteen-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Beyoncé, current nominee Hunter Hayes, singer/actor Jennifer Lopez, actor Pauley Perrette, and seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince will appear as presenters. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook.
Two-time GRAMMY winner Clarkson has three nominations: Record Of The Year (along with Greg Kurstin, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jesse Shatkin, and Chris Gehringer) and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," and Best Pop Vocal Album for Stronger.
GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars is up for Best Rap Song for "Young, Wild & Free" (along with Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Cameron Thomaz).
Previously announced performers for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards include current nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, FUN., the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White, as well as Elton John and current nominee Ed Sheeran performing live together for the first time, Alicia Keys and current nominees Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake. The Black Keys, FUN., the Lumineers, Ocean, and Sheeran will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are nominees Carly Rae Jepsen and Katy Perry, actor Kaley Cuoco, actor and three-time Emmy® winner Neil Patrick Harris, five-time GRAMMY winner Faith Hill, three-time GRAMMY winner Tim McGraw, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns as host of Music's Biggest Night®.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Inbox Update: Doheny Blues Fest update, OMD, She & Him
Here is the latest roundup of releases to land in my magical inbox...Jimmie Vaughan, OMD, She & Him - plenty of new music to look forward to for sure!
OMD's Andy McCluskey says: "It feels appropriate that the sleeve of English Electric is a contemporary distillation of traditional hazard signals."
Peter Saville says: "English Electric is best described as brutally simple dynamic energy...Briefed by OMD to be as reductive as possible, the cover captures but barely contains the hi-tension of an industrial legend."
English Electric is out April 9th on BMG. A 12-track letter to technology, space and love, it's a grand return to form, the follow-up to 2010's LP History of Modern and comes in a variety of formats:
* Standard CD - jewel case
* Deluxe edition - limited edition media book, CD + Bonus DVD includes a studio interview with Andy and Paul, 3 Henning M Lederer animated videos and unseen tour photos
* Boxset - ultimate collectors format, limited and signed by Andy and Paul on an English Electric certificate of authenticity. The tin, with embossed OMD logo and artwork print, includes an exclusive 7" with un-released b-side, 16 page lyric booklet, DVD, Demo CD, Album CD, 3 artwork prints, a photo of Andy and Paul, and all pre order via the website include 2 metal enamel badges.
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward – will release their third album of original material, Volume 3, on Merge Records on May 7 and the following week in UK/Europe. The duo hit the road for a month-long tour this summer (see the full list of tour dates below).
6/13/13 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
6/15/13 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie
6/16/13 Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theatre
6/18/13 Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theater
6/19/13 Las Vegas, NV @ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
6/21/13 San Diego, CA @ SDSU Open Air Theatre
6/22/13 Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre *
6/23/13 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl *
6/25/13 Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Gardens
6/27/13 Council Bluffs, IA @ Hurrah’s Stir Cove
6/29/13 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom #
7/1/13 Ann Arbor, MI @ Hill Auditorium #
7/3/13 Montreal, QUE @ Montreal Jazz Festival – Symphony Hall #
7/4/13 Toronto, ON @ Toronto Urban Roots Festival #
7/6/13 New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage #
7/9/13 Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for Performing Arts #
7/10/13 Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion #
7/11/13 Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap #
* with Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
# with Camera Obscura
Doheny Blues Fest 2013: Jimmie Vaughan and
The Tilt-A-Whirl Band Featuring Lou Ann Barton
The Tilt-A-Whirl Band Featuring Lou Ann Barton
Jimmie & Lou Ann return to Doheny Blues after 10 years!
Jimmie Vaughan provides a vital link between contemporary music and its proud heritage, as well as being a longtime avatar of retro cool. In a career spanning more than 5 decades, Vaughan has won multiple Grammy Awards, appeared in several films and released 6 critically acclaimed solo albums. Not to mention, he was a founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Joining Vaughan in his Tilt-A-Whirl Band will be Texas female vocalist Lou Ann Barton. Barton is one of the finest purveyors of raw, unadulterated roadhouse blues and can belt out a lyric with poise and confidence.
For more details on everything related to the upcoming festival, visit the new Doheny Blues Web site at dohenybluesfestival.com.
OMD REVEAL THEIR NEW ALBUM ARTWORK;
ENGLISH ELECTRIC OUT APRIL 9TH ON BMG;
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES CONFIRMED
BMG is excited to reveal the artwork for the soon-to-be-released OMD album, English Electric. Throughout their storied career, the band's cover art has always been an extension of their sound and they put a great deal of care into it; the new album's cover was designed by Tom Skipp and the band's creative director, the legendary Peter Saville.
 |
| OMD will perform at Coachella 2013 |
OMD's Andy McCluskey says: "It feels appropriate that the sleeve of English Electric is a contemporary distillation of traditional hazard signals."
Peter Saville says: "English Electric is best described as brutally simple dynamic energy...Briefed by OMD to be as reductive as possible, the cover captures but barely contains the hi-tension of an industrial legend."
English Electric is out April 9th on BMG. A 12-track letter to technology, space and love, it's a grand return to form, the follow-up to 2010's LP History of Modern and comes in a variety of formats:
* Standard CD - jewel case
* Deluxe edition - limited edition media book, CD + Bonus DVD includes a studio interview with Andy and Paul, 3 Henning M Lederer animated videos and unseen tour photos
* Vinyl LP - limited edition, Die Cut sleeve, heavy weight vinyl, includes album on CD
* Boxset - ultimate collectors format, limited and signed by Andy and Paul on an English Electric certificate of authenticity. The tin, with embossed OMD logo and artwork print, includes an exclusive 7" with un-released b-side, 16 page lyric booklet, DVD, Demo CD, Album CD, 3 artwork prints, a photo of Andy and Paul, and all pre order via the website include 2 metal enamel badges.
OMD have confirmed North American Tour dates, beginning April 4 in Vancouver, BC, and ending on the second weekend of Coachella on April 21. The band will return in July. The complete list of tour dates is below:
April
5 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
6 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
7 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
10 - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT
12 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
14 - Coachella Festival - Indio, CA
18 - Metropolitan Theatre - Mexico City, MX
21 - Coachella Festival - Indio, CA
July
8 - Varsity Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
9 - Metro - Chicago, IL
11 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
12 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA
13 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
15 - Paradise - Boston, MA
17 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY
She & Him amping up for 2013 with new album and summertime tour
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward – will release their third album of original material, Volume 3, on Merge Records on May 7 and the following week in UK/Europe. The duo hit the road for a month-long tour this summer (see the full list of tour dates below).
With 14 songs – 11 Deschanel originals and three covers (including U2) – Volume 3 was produced by Wardand features guest contributions from NRBQ’s Joey Spampinato, Mike Watt, Tilly and the Wall, Pierre de Reeder from Rilo Kiley, and Tom Hagerman from Devotchka.
Since the release of the band’s album Volume Two in 2010, Deschanel's TV show New Girlmade her a sitcom star as she continued to hone her songwriting skills, pend the show's theme song and got nominated for a Grammy for Best Original Song for the movie Winnie the Pooh.
Since the release of the band’s album Volume Two in 2010, Deschanel's TV show New Girlmade her a sitcom star as she continued to hone her songwriting skills, pend the show's theme song and got nominated for a Grammy for Best Original Song for the movie Winnie the Pooh.
She wrote songs for Volume 3 during downtime while filming New Girl, as Ward toured behind his latest solo CD, A Wasteland Companion, released to critical acclaim last year. Together and separately, the duo has sold over a million albums domestically.
Track listing for Volume 3:
1. I’ve Got Your Number, Son
2. Never Wanted Your Love
3. Baby
4. I Could’ve Been Your Girl
5. Turn to White
6. Somebody Sweet to Talk To
7. Something’s Haunting You
8. Together
9. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
10. Snow Queen
11. Sunday Girl
12. London
13. Shadow of Love
14. Reprise (I Could’ve Been Your Girl)
Tour dates:
1. I’ve Got Your Number, Son
2. Never Wanted Your Love
3. Baby
4. I Could’ve Been Your Girl
5. Turn to White
6. Somebody Sweet to Talk To
7. Something’s Haunting You
8. Together
9. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
10. Snow Queen
11. Sunday Girl
12. London
13. Shadow of Love
14. Reprise (I Could’ve Been Your Girl)
Tour dates:
6/13/13 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
6/15/13 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie
6/16/13 Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theatre
6/18/13 Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theater
6/19/13 Las Vegas, NV @ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
6/21/13 San Diego, CA @ SDSU Open Air Theatre
6/22/13 Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre *
6/23/13 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl *
6/25/13 Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Gardens
6/27/13 Council Bluffs, IA @ Hurrah’s Stir Cove
6/29/13 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom #
7/1/13 Ann Arbor, MI @ Hill Auditorium #
7/3/13 Montreal, QUE @ Montreal Jazz Festival – Symphony Hall #
7/4/13 Toronto, ON @ Toronto Urban Roots Festival #
7/6/13 New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage #
7/9/13 Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for Performing Arts #
7/10/13 Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion #
7/11/13 Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap #
* with Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
# with Camera Obscura
Friday, February 01, 2013
Ron Sexsmith shares stories and music at GRAMMY Museum
Ron Sexsmith Live @ The GRAMMY Museum
Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz
There are few venues as intimate and outstanding as the Clive Davis Theater, located inside the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live. Since opening a few years ago, the venue has hosted the celebrated likes of Ringo Starr, John Mellencamp, Los Lobos and more than 200 other famed artists for public programs that combine interviews and performance.
On Thursday night (Jan. 30, 2013), it was Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s first chance to visit the 200-seat theater, where he spent an hour or so discussing his music with the GRAMMY Foundation’s Scott Goldman and answering questions from members of the audience before performing four songs off his forthcoming album Forever Endeavour (set for release on Feb. 5).
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| Ron Sexsmith, left, with Scott Goldman at GRAMMY Museum |
The intimate setting provided a perfect forum for the introspective Sexsmith to open up about the trials of being a cult hero who has admittedly remained mostly under the commercial music radar even while crafting a bold and timeless body of original work (Forever Endeavour will mark his 13th full-length release since his 1991 indie debut).
He said even in periods when he experienced low album sales and fought pressure from record label executives to change his musical approach or material selection, it has been the praise of audiences and his own heroes (Elvis Costello, Elton John and Paul McCartney are among his biggest fans) who have helped propel him forward.
“I’ve always described (it like) Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. You write a bunch of songs and get your hopes up again,” he said of his drive to continue to write.
Sexsmith’s style, which he likened as “Canadian troubadour with all the British music I love,” carries on the songwriting-centric tradition of Lennon and McCartney, Ray Davies, Leonard Cohen and Harry Nilsson. But because the 49-year-old Sexsmith’s songs come from such a personal place and blend so many styles together, comparisons with other artists fall away.
“Every song has its own set of circumstances,” he explained.
While Sexsmith has written songs on guitar and piano, he actually prefers to write the songs freestyle, noting the melody is then free to go where it wants.
“I keep writing more songs. The last record (2011’s Long Player Late Bloomer) surprised me. Over in the U.K. I even got a sales award. I had these songs (before recording that album and wondered) what’s the point of making a record that nobody’s going to buy.”
However, because that album came in the wake of the 2010 documentary Love Shines (a favorite on the international film festival circuit and widely viewed via showings on BBC in England and HBO Canada), the Bob Rock-produced disc garnered well-deserved attention in his native Canada and Europe. He hopes his new album receives the same kind of well-deserved attention.
“We finished the new record in January (2012),” said Sexsmith, who worked with producer Mitchell Froom on the disc.
“I didn’t listen to it for most of the year (2012). Now that it’s about to come out, I’m excited again.”
But it was a simple statement a few minutes later that summed up why Sexsmith is so special: “I love songwriting so much.”
Armed with his six-string Taylor acoustic guitar, Sexsmith performed four new songs that carry on in the artfully-melodic and confessional style that sets him apart from so many other modern tunesmiths.
He opened with “Sneak Out the Back Door,” a beautiful acoustic song blending his unique style of finger picking guitar playing with rich singing and emotive lyrics.
The second song “Nowhere Is” proved to be a melodious song that further explored the sorrowful territory that he seemingly owns, courtesy of vivid images like: “I shoved everything I own into a room of regret.”
During the short set, he noted that one of his favorite pastimes is listening to vinyl albums while drinking wine. That was the perfect intro to his performance of the aptly-titled “Me, Myself and Wine.”
He closed with the majestic “Nowhere to Go,” whose eloquent lyrics detail the struggles of life. On the album, the song is supported by strings and a lush baroque pop arrangement. But even accompanied by his lone guitar the sparse version he offered up at the Clive Davis Theater, the song’s power was clear.
Robert Kinsler 2013
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