Sights and Sounds: The Both, Spandau Ballet, Neil Diamond

Good morning everybody. Here is today's roundup...

Aimee Mann's Christmas Show returns with Ted Leo

New song “Nothing Left to Do  (Let's Make This Christmas Blue)” set for digital release today

 “Delightful…a Santa-stupefying balance of naughty and nice…with the giddy warmth of an

Eggnog buzz. Hangover included of course.”—The New York Times

“Genuine, irony-free good cheer had been spread, making Mann’s Christmas extravaganza
one of the season’s best gifts.”—Boston Herald

 “For those of us who wrestle with warring impulses—bah, humbug the holidays or succumb to

the twinkly lights—Aimee Mann has created an old-fashioned Christmas variety show that

reminds us that it's possible to have our cynicism and eat our fruitcake too.
Here’s to making it an annual event.”—The Boston Globe

After a three-year hiatus, Aimee Mann’s annual Christmas show returns with Aimee Mann and Ted Leo. This year’s special guests include Susannah Hoffs, Paul F. Thompkins, Tim Heidecker, Jonathan Coulton, John Hodgeman and more to be announced. In the past, Mann’s holiday variety show has played to sold-out crowds on both the East and West Coast featuring a mixture of Christmas classics, original music, video, sketches and a host of musical and comedic guests. See below for tour routing.

Additionally, Aimee and Ted are releasing a new Christmas track, “Nothing Left to Do (Let’s Make This Christmas Blue)” which is available today on iTunes.

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo joined forces as The Both in 2014. The critically acclaimed collaborative project is built on a friendship forged while they toured together last year. Leo’s solo sets piqued Mann’s interest in getting on stage with him and writing music together. The resulting project has been hailed by NPR Music who praises “singer sounds freshened and energized—never diminished—by the collaboration,” as well as The Los Angeles Times who says  “the project places the talents of the two artists in perfect harmony.”

Mann began her solo career in 1993 with the album Whatever and made a name for herself through her independent success and the founding of her record label, SuperEgo. In addition to her solo work, she has appeared on many film soundtracks, composed the soundtrack for Paul Thomas Anderson’s much-lauded Magnolia and appeared as herself on the hit indie TV series “Portlandia.” The new collaboration follows Mann’s eighth studio album Charmer which received national attention. 

Punk/indie singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leo is best known for his work with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists over the past 15 years. His most recent album The Brutalist Bricks was released on Matador Records in 2010. Leo also kept up a consistent presence as a solo performer since the late 1990s and began playing with Mann in February 2012. 

TOUR DATES*with Susannah Hoffs

†with Paul F. Tompkins

‡with Tim Heidecker
§with Jonathan Coulton
†† with John Hodgeman

December 3                                              Los Angeles, CA                                                   Largo*†

December 4                                              Los Angeles, CA                                                   Largo*†
December 5                                            San Francisco, CA                                       The Fillmore*‡

December 6                                               Santa Cruz, CA                                             Rio Theater‡

December 9                                                 Boston, MA                                 The Wilbur Theater*§

December 10                                             Tarrytown, NY                         Tarrytown Music Hall*§§

December 12                                              Westbury, NY                                              The Space*§

December 13                                              New York, NY                                             Town Hall*§

December 15                                             Alexandria, VA                                           Birchmere*††

December 16                                             Alexandria, VA                                           Birchmere*††

First North American Tour in nearly three decades on sale this week

Spandau Ballet, one of the most successful and influential British bands has announced their Soul Boys of the Western World Tour.  The tour marks the first time the band will tour North America in nearly 30 years.   All five original members - Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp and Steve Norman - will once again captivate fans on this long-awaited and long overdue return. The Soul Boys of the Western World tour will kick off in San Francisco, CA at the famed Warfield Theatre and traverse the continent before winding down in Red Bank, NY at the Count Basie Theatre.  "We are over the moon at rediscovering our friendship and are really looking forward to playing live in the US again," said Tony Hadley.  "Playing live is what we do best!  The shows will have all the hits and more." From their synth pop and dance pioneering early singles To Cut A Long Story Short and Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On), to the globe trotting smashes True and Gold, Spandau will be playing the hits once again.  With 25 million record sales, 6 multi-platinum albums and 23 hit singles to choose from, this is one of the most eagerly awaited reunions to hit these shores in years. "We are tremendously excited about coming back to America to perform," said Gary Kemp.  "We have great memories of our shows there in the 80s and can't wait re-connect with our amazing fans there." Last week Spandau Ballet announced they will make their U.S. late night television debut on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight in Los Angeles, CA.  Jimmy Kimmel Live! also marks the first time the band will perform on television in the United States since 1985 when they made an appearance on Soul Train.  Later this week on November 13 Spandau Ballet will stop by Good Day LA for what will surely be a "Throwback Thursday" fans this side of the Atlantic have waited years to see. In other Spandau Ballet news, the band will show their documentary, Soul Boys of the Western World, as part of the DOC NYC film festival in New York City on November 15 at 945PM at the SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street).  The band and director George Hencken will attend the screening and participate in a Q&A about the film afterwards.  This is their first public appearance in New York City since the 1980s. Soul Boys of the Western World is a voyage through the 80s in the company of Spandau Ballet, one of the decade's most iconic bands. This archive-only documentary film tells the story of a group of working-class London lads who created a global music empire, but at a price none of them imagined.  Using the band's own home movies and showcasing newly discovered material, this film takes us into the heart of the era, and the cultural, political and personal landscape that formed the backdrop to the band's story.  It is a film that speaks not only to fans of the band or those who harbor nostalgia for the 1980s, but also to anyone who has ever experienced friendship and loss. Critics rapturously received the film when it world premiered at SXSW film festival earlier this year.  UK and Irish fans got their opportunity to see the film on September 30 when the European premiere at the Royal Albert Hall.  This showing was beamed by satellite into over 200 cinemas across both countries along with a Q&A with the band and director George Hencken moderated by Lauren Laverne, followed by a short live performance by the band. When Norman stepped up front to blow his scripted sax break in "True," the crowd - which took over the chorus from Hadley and no doubt sang it in pubs up and down these isles in '83 - received it with the kind of shouts and applause New Yorkers always gave Clarence Clemons when he took his thundering-tenor spotlight in Madison Square Garden for Bruce Springsteen's "Jungleland." The ecstasy in the Albert Hall was that kind of loud. - ROLLING STONE Emerging from Soho's ultra hip Blitz Club in 1979 during another economic depression, Spandau formed at school in North London before becoming the hottest unsigned band on the planet.  From underground, fashion and music obsessed working class Londoners, to global superstars, the band set the pace, the styles and the sound of the 1980s. Not only did their albums sell by the millions, but their look and style impacted on the fashion world and beyond.  They created their own style, combining creativity with entrepreneurship and the 'can do' spirit of early 80s youth at a time of crisis and upheaval eerily reminiscent of 2009.  Spandau Ballet are both commercially and culturally enormous. SPANDAU BALLET'S SOUL BOYS OF THE WESTERN WORLD TOUR DATES JANUARY 23rd      San Francisco, CA       Warfield Theatre                         On-Sale 11/14 25th      Los Angeles, CA           Wiltern Theatre                           On-Sale 11/14 27th      Denver, CO                   Paramount Theatre                    On-Sale 11/14 30th      Chicago, IL                  House of Blues                            On-Sale 11/14 31st      Detroit, MI                    Masonic Temple Theatre            On-Sale 11/14 FEBRUARY 3rd        Toronto, ONT               Massey Hall                             On-Sale 11/14 5th        Boston, MA                 House of Blues                          On-Sale 11/14 6th        New York, NY               Beacon Theatre                       On-Sale 11/15 7th        Westbury, NY               Theatre at Westbury                On-Sale 11/14 9th        Washington, DC           9:30 Club                                 On-Sale 11/13 10th      Red Bank, NY              Count Basie Theatre                On-Sale 11/14 *All tickets on-sale at 10:00 AM local time # # # www.spandauballet.com www.facebook.com/spandauballet www.youtube.com/spandauballet www.twitter.com/spandauballet  Neil Diamond's All-Time Greatest Hits set for release on two-disc CD collection on Nov. 24, 2014 Capitol/UME will release Neil Diamond’s All-Time Greatest Hits, a 42-track, two-CD collection that will mark the Grammy® winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s most comprehensive hits collection since signing a long-term recording agreement with the iconic label, Capitol Records, last January. The historic agreement unites Diamond’s complete Columbia, Uni/MCA and Bang catalogs, encompassing the artist’s entire body of work, from the earliest recordings through the present-day. On October 21, Capitol Records released Diamond’s MELODY ROAD, his first original studio album since 2008’s HOME BEFORE DARK. The new album, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, is Capitol’s first original Neil Diamond release since THE JAZZ SINGER, which featured three of Diamond’s all-time greatest hits: “Hello Again,” “America,” and “Love On The Rocks.” “Something Blue,” a track from MELODY ROAD, will also be included on the two-CD All-Time Greatest Hits. Neil Diamond’s All-Time Greatest Hits is an expanded version of the single-CD set which came out in July 2014, and features the original studio recordings of such standards as “Sweet Caroline,” “Holly Holy,” “I Am…I Said,” and chart-toppers like “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue” and the rarely heard original solo version of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” The set captures his beginnings as a songwriter-turned-singer in New York to his multi-platinum days in Hollywood, all the way to a track from his new album, MELODY ROAD. Throughout an illustrious and wide-ranging musical career, Neil Diamond has charted 37 Top 10 singles and 17 Top 10 albums in the U.S. and has sold more than 128 million records worldwide, racking up 72 multi-platinum, platinum and gold album certifications in the United States alone. A Grammy® Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond’s many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 Grammy® nominations and 2009’s NARAS’s MusiCares Person of the Year award. In 2011, Diamond received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture. Here is the complete track listing for Neil Diamond’s comprehensive, two-CD All-Time Greatest Hits. CD #1: BROOKLYN ROADS SHILO BROTHER LOVE’S TRAVELING SALVATION SHOW GLORY ROAD SWEET CAROLINE HOLLY HOLY SOLITARY MAN FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS AND THE GRASS WON’T PAY NO MIND SOOLAIMON I AM…I SAID CRUNCHY GRANOLA SUITE STONES PLAY ME DONE TOO SOON KENTUCKY WOMAN MORNINGSIDE YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS (ORIGINAL SOLO VERSION) SONG SUNG BLUE SOMETHING BLUE CRACKLIN’ ROSIE CD #2 CHERRY, CHERRY I’M A BELIEVER GIRL, YOU’LL BE A WOMAN SOON YOU GOT TO ME LOVE ON THE ROCKS LONGFELLOW SERENADE I’VE BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE BEAUTIFUL NOISE RED, RED WINE SEPTEMBER MORN HELLO AGAIN AMERICA DESIREE WE YESTERDAY’S SONGS HEARTLIGHT PRETTY AMAZING GRACE THE BOAT THAT I ROW THANK THE LORD FOR THE NIGHT TIME HELL YEAH IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN

Artists celebrate country's groundbreaking streak on eclectic mix of new releases

Ray Price, Ronnie Fauss, Colt Ford and Dennis Roger Reed mine country music's rich past to hit timeless sonic pay dirt on latest releases.

Artist: Ray Price

Title: A New Place to Begin (Varese Vintage)

You might like if you enjoy: Hank Williams, Roger Miller, George Jones

Tell me more: When Ray Price passed away in December 2013, country music lost one of its great voices. The release of A New Place to Begin extends the singer's legend thanks to the inclusion of eight previously-unreleased recordings, all sure to please long-time fans of the Texas native. The Western Swing-styled "I'll Sail My Ship Alone," a beautiful cover of the standard "Stormy Weather" and the tender ballad "Starting New Memories" are among the outstanding new selections on the 16-track disc showcasing Price's rich baritone. In addition to those prized tracks, A New Place to Begin also boasts several songs featured in the Clint Eastwood film Honkytonk Man.  Information: VareseSarabande.com.
Buy 'New Place to Begin' here

Artist: Ronnie Fauss

Title: Built to Break (Normaltown Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, Rhett Miller, Old 97's

Tell me more: From the driving title track and rousing "A Natural End" to the acoustic ballad "The Big Catch" and rollicking country rocker "Eighteen Wheels" (the latter a stellar duet with Old 97's singer Rhett Miller), Ronnie Fauss exudes an edge as he blends indie and Southern rock with blues and other roots styles on a terrific collection featuring his original song craft. Information: NormaltownRecords.com.

Purchase 'Built To Break' today

Artist: Colt Ford

Title: Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live at Wild Adventures (Eagle Vision)

You might like if you enjoy: Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Toby Keith

Tell me more: As inspired by Run-D.M.C. as Johnny Cash, Colt Ford's groundbreaking mix of country, Southern rock, and hip hop is displayed on his first-ever DVD release. From the hard-edged "Answer To No One" and laid back party anthem "The High Life" to the rap country rock of "Country Thang" and the pretty ballad "Back," Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live at Wild Adventures boasts 20 songs and behind-the-scenes bonus features. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Get 'Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live At Wild Adventures' here

Artist: Dennis Roger Reed

Title: Songs About Tractors and Stuff (PlasticMeltdown Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons, The Byrds' "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" 

Tell me more: From the opening strains of his cover of the Johnny Cash classic "Folsom Prison Blues," it's clear Dennis Roger Reed is on a mission. Songs About Tractors and Stuff features plenty of original Reed songs (including the melodic "Crazy Old Arms of Mine"), but also features a number of artful remakes that celebrate authentic stylings that recall country music's rich past. Among the standouts is a cover of the Gram Parsons/Chris Hillman song "Sin City," a shimmering bluegrass-meets-country rock take on the instrumental "Spacey Grove" and an Americana-brushed touch to the Bee Gees gem "Words." Information: PlasticMeltdown.com.

Buy 'Songs About Tractors & Stuff' here

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: The Roys issuing 'Bluegrass Kinda Christmas' on November 18

Here is news for lovers of bluegrass, holiday music and The Roys...

THE ROYS Bring Holidays Home With
 BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS

New CD available for pre-order & radio; in Stores Nov .18, 2014
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – THE ROYS bring the holidays home with their newest CD, BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS (Rural Rhythm Records), available now to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct, and to fans by pre-order at Walmart,Amazon and iTunes.  The disc will be in stores November 18.  THE ROYS’ much-heralded sibling harmonies, spot-on lead vocals and agile musicianship shine a light on Christmas songs both new and old, creating a festive holiday ambiance that’s apropos for any seasonal celebration.    Recorded during a hot Tennessee summer, BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS features Elaine Roy (Guitar), Lee Roy (Mandolin, Mandocello, Mandola), Clint White (Fiddle), Daniel Patrick (Banjo, Dobro), Erik Alvar (Bass), and Josh Swift (Dobro*), and was recorded at THE ROYS’ own studio in Hendersonville. "My memories of Christmas are so vivid,” observes Elaine.  “But most importantly, I think, was the complete sense of being loved that I felt at those family gatherings.”  For her brother Lee, the holidays were a time filled with music, family and fun - and this album presents those emotions as well.  “The title track is actually the first Christmas song Elaine and I’ve written,” he notes.  “We wrote it with our buddy Steve Dean, and it’s full of the energy and excitement I remember from being a kid.”  The 10-song collection hums with a warm and companionable feel that sets the stage for lively fiddle runs and the bell-like sounds of the mandolin.  Crisp, clear notes resonate throughout, sparkling like the sun on snow.  Each track is compelling, but Elaine’s angelic vocal on“O Holy Night” is a standout: soft as candlelight, she brings an instant sense of peace – and images of Holy places to mind.  Lee’s stirring interpretation of “There’s A New Kid In Town” (Curly Putnam/Keith Whitley/Don Cook) is another highlight; filled with mature gravitas and nuance.   The pair never shies away from fun and they excel on the upbeat classics “Santa Looked Like A Lot Like Daddy” (Buck Owens/Don Rich) and “Christmas Times A Comin’” (Tex Logan). The busy Bluegrassers are already feeling the spirit of the season; on November 24, they’ll make their first appearance at Country icon Charlie Daniels’ annual Christmas 4 Kids benefit concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium.  They’ll wrap the 2014 touring season - appropriately - with a performance at the Christmas In The Smokiesconcert in Pigeon Forge, TN on December 13. BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS Track Listing: 1.      Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy 2.      Santa Train 3.      With Bells On 4.      If We Make It Through December 5.      Christmas Times A Comin’ 6.      Bluegrass Kinda Christmas 7.      There’s A New Kid In Town * 8.      Winter Wonderland 9.      O Holy Night 10.    Santa And The Kids    Stay social with THE ROYS www.theroysonline.com facebook.com/theroysmusic twitter.com/theroysonline

Jack Bruce "Rockpalast: The 50th Birthday Concerts" coming to DVD, CD, digital formats on December 2, 2014

The late great Jack Bruce's artistry will be celebrated thanks to an upcoming release to be issued on DVD/CD and other formats on December 2, 2014. Here is the official media release...

Jack Bruce "Rockpalast: The 50th Birthday Concerts" 

with Ginger Baker, Bernie Worrell, Gary Moore, Clem Clempson, Mary Reilley, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Simon Phillips, Gary Husband and more

Available on Special Edition DVD/CD, CD/DVD Digipack, DVD, 

and Digital Formats on December 2, 2014 

It was a late 50th birthday present. Born on May 14th 1943, John Symon Asher (aka Jack Bruce) greeted his notable friends on stage on November 2 and 3 1993 at the E-Werk in Cologne. The Scottish bassist from Bishopbriggs had invited long time companions such as drummer Ginger Baker, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith and guitarist Clem Clempson. The enthusiastic audience had the opportunity to congratulate him with an extraordinary celebration. 

In a unique session, Bruce and guests drummer Simon Phillips and pianist Bernie Worrell celebrated jazz, rock, and blues highlights from the holy Cream days as well as songs which Jack had released on his solo records. From Willie Dixon's classic "Spoonful" to the magical ballad "Ships in the Night" with singer Maggie Reilly, the interpretations are distinguished by a rare talent for improvisation and intensity. No one had ever experienced "Sunshine of Your Love" in such an opulent arrangement before: brass instruments, percussions and keyboards. In contrast to this was the intimate "Running Thru Our Hands" with pianist Gary Husband. 

In this spectrum the extraordinary talent of the multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer Jack Bruce, who brought his bass to the front row as a solo instrument, can be seen. This ability had made him stand out when he played in other bands with Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Manfred Mann at the beginning of the 60s, before forming Cream in 1966. He advanced to become the most important writer in this trio with songs like "I Feel Free," "Politician," and "White Room," which originated from the collaboration with lyricist Pete Brown. This is the first time "White Room" has been released in this version. 

The late guitarist Gary Moore also performed on one night, stepping in for Eric Clapton he was truly more than a substitute. The performance at the "Rocklife" concert with Ginger Baker resulted in the 1994 studio album "Around The Next Dream". Other highlights from the birthday bash include the epic "Bird Alone" and "Theme For An Imaginary Western" from Jack Bruce's first 1969 solo album "Songs for a Tailor." This Cologne performance shows an impressive width of a remarkable career. The fantastic lineup underlines the meaning and the value of the two November 1993 evenings Jack Bruce presented. 

This box set includes songs which until now have been lying dormant in the WDR archive, adding alternative versions of some songs performed at the concerts. The exuberant "Blues You Can't Lose" as well as the acoustic "Rope Ladder to the Moon" are also to be seen here for the first time. This recording is a legacy of an extraordinary musician, who effortlessly transformed the world by not conforming to one genre and switching between jazz, rock, blues and classical music. He worked with elements of all genres in his music, performed with pianist Carla Bley, conductor Eberhard Schoener and with rock guitarist Leslie West. 

"The bass made my life easier; I love it," said Bruce in a Rocklife interview. But now his instrument has fallen silent and another Cream reunion like that in 2005 is no longer possible. The composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer passed away on October 25, 2014 of cancer. His "Life on Earth" ended too soon, but for his fans the charismatic soloist will forever remain a phenomenon in the popular music scene.

Sights and Sounds: Austin City Limits, The Pretty Reckless, Kurt Cobain

Happy Friday everybody! Here is my final roundup for the week...

Austin City Limits presents two American Originals:
Los Lobos and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down

New episode premieres Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 on PBS

Preview Los Lobos performing "Mas y Mas" on Austin City Limits TV

Preview Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Performing "We the Common" on Austin City Limits TV

Austin, TX—November 7, 2014—Austin City Limits (ACL) presents true American originals—the legendary Los Lobos and folk rock wonders Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Los Lobos return to the ACL stage for their fifth appearance, while innovator Thao Nguyen and her band The Get Down Stay Down make their ACL debut. Music mavericks with far-reaching influence, both acts personify ACL's legacy of “Great Music, No Limits.” The episode premieres Saturday, November 8th at 9pm ET/8pm CT as part of ACL's milestone Season 40. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings for times) and full episodes are made available online for a limited time athttp://video.pbs.org/program/austin-city-limits/ immediately following the initial broadcast. The show's official hashtag is #acltv40.

As they enter their fifth decade, Los Lobos soldier on as one of America's great bands. The influential and enduring East L.A. combo return to ACL celebrating their recent 40th anniversary alongside ACL’s. “Los Lobos are still one of America's best, bravest, and most satisfying bands, and their skills and their instincts remain razor-sharp,” raves AllMusic. They continue to create music that resonates with audiences around the world, and, this year, the three-time Grammy winning group will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Recording Academy. Opening their ACL set with the fan favorite “La Pistola y el Corazon”, the group perform highlights from their vast catalog. The standout performance displays their world-class musicianship, as the veteran rockers perform their signature style of “Chicano rock” featuring an eclectic mix of rock 'n roll, country, folk, R&B, blues and norteño music.

"Los Lobos and ACL have always felt like kindred spirits," says ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. "We share the same impulse towards originality, experimentation and fun with music. They're still one of the best rock-and-roll bands in America!"

Led by charismatic singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen, the San Francisco-based Thao & the Get Down Stay Down have built a devoted following based on their spirited live shows and their catalog of smart, genre-blending indie rock. The band’s ACL debut features them performing songs from their critically-acclaimed 2013 release We the Common. The group’s blend of rhythms and Thao’s folk-influenced fingerpicking give the band a distinctive sound that truly makes it stand out from the pack. Bandleader Thao’s natural exuberance and confessional songwriting make for an upbeat, must-see ACL appearance. The band close out the scorching set with the singalong indie pop of the title track, as the Austin crowd happily sings along.

"Thao is a true artist for the 21st century,” says Lickona. “Her influences are wide-ranging, and her live performances are mesmerizing and infectious!"

Los Lobos Setlist:
La Pistola y el Corazon
Chuco's Cumbia
Little Things
Wicked Rain
Mas y Mas

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down Setlist:
The Clap/City
Know Better Learn Faster
Squareneck
Kindness Be Conceived
Every Body
We The Common

Season 40 Fall 2014 Broadcast Schedule (additional episodes to be announced)

October 4 | Beck
October 11 | Ed Sheeran | Valerie June
October 18 | Nine Inch Nails
October 25 | Tweedy
November 1 | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
November 8 | Los Lobos | Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
November 15 | Eric Church
November 22 | ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2014

The complete lineup for the full 13-week season, including new episodes to air beginning January 2015, will be announced at a later date. Check the news section of acltv.com for additional episode updates.

Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless to open for Nickelback in 2015

Taylor Momsen and The Pretty Reckless will hit the road in early 2015 as direct support for Nickelback. The Pretty Reckless will kick off the tour on Feb. 14, 2015 in Allentown, PA and stay on through March 15 in Vancouver, BC.  For more information, visit the band's official Web site here.

Kurt Cobain: The Last Session update

Photographer Jesse Frohman will sign copies of his new book, Kurt Cobain: The Last Session (Thames & Hudson) at Morrison Hotel Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014.

Kurt Cobain: The Last Session captures the rocker at a critical moment in his life and career.

The event is open to the public, and books can be purchased at the signing.

Morrison Hotel Gallery is located at 1200 Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, CA 90069. For more information, visit www.MorrisonHotelGallery.com.

Music Worth Buying: Neil Young's 'Storytone' and Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL's 'PLECTRUMELECTRUM'

Listen to more and get PLECTRUMELECTRUM here





Get Storytone (Standard + Solo 2-CD Set) Here

Sights and Sounds: 'Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton' live

John Mauceri conducts Hollywood Symphony during a selection
from 'Planet of the Apes' at Nov. 2, 2014 concert in Anaheim.

It had been more than 19 years since I had seen Danny Elfman in concert before I caught the legendary singer-songwriter/composer at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.
Indeed, as hard as it is to believe, it was on Halloween night (Oct. 31, 1995) when I was fortunate to cover Oingo Boingo's final performance at Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. That show, which if memory serves me well, ran an amazing 3 hours and 40 minutes, WITHOUT an intermission. It remains one of the most amazing rock shows I've ever attended.

Danny Elfman, lower left, singing selection from
'Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas' at
Honda Center on Nov. 2, 2014.

Fast forward nearly two decades to Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton that was being staged at the Honda Center (the final stop that included shows at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1).
The program itself was very impressive with conductor John Mauceri leading the Hollywood Symphony and Page L.A. Choir through a two-part program in musical selections from many of Burton's most classic films. From the fun and spirited selections from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and Mars Attacks to more romantic scores such as Big Fish, Planet of the Apes and Frankenweenie, it was a thrill to hear Elfman's film music performed live in front of a large audience that was eager to hear it. 
The highlight of the evening was the chance to see and hear Elfman in person. He performed the majority of songs from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas with a passion and zeal that befitted his engaging personality. Hearing his live performances of the wistful "Jack's Lament," jubilant "What's This?" and "Oogie Boogie Song" (the latter which he wrote but didn't sing in the film) was sheer joy. 

While Elfman will likely never reform the groundbreaking Oingo Boingo again, my suggestion is catch him next time he participates in a tribute to his film scores. That experience is a great one too.

Story and photo: Robert Kinsler