Rock 'n' Roll Truth

Sights and Sounds: Big Time Rush and Roberta Flack get fab; Brass Bed & Allison Bohl champion Harry Nilsson

2012-02-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

An entire new generation of youngsters is about to get introduced to The Beatles courtesy of Big Time Rush, while legendary singer Roberta Flack's full-length tribute to the Fab Four has landed her in the Billboard Top 200. Speaking of new tributes to great songsmiths, Brass Bed & Allison Bohl's forthcoming disc offers up a healthy dose of Harry Nilsson. Check out several media releases I have posted here.

Big Time Rush releases soundtrack to 'Big Time Movie'

Six beloved Beatles classics covered for Soundtrack to first-ever Big Time Rush TV movie premiering March 10

Columbia Records international recording artists and Nickelodeon TV stars Big Time Rush bring the Fab Four's legacy to a new generation with the release of an iTunes exclusive soundtrack to their first-ever Nickelodeon movie, Big Time Movie on Tuesday, March 6, available now for pre-order. The Big Time Movie Soundtrack features covers of the beloved Beatles classics "Help!," "A Hard Day's Night," "We Can Work It Out," "Revolution," Can't Buy Me Love and I Want To Hold Your Hand* (see below for track listing.) Big Time Movie will premiere Saturday, March 10, 2012 on Nickelodeon.

In Big Time Movie, Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan head to London for their first big world tour, but instead get mixed up in a mission to save the world. With their bags switched at the airport, they inadvertently gain possession of a fearsome device that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the world. The guys must tap into their inner spy as their adventure finds them driving exotic cars and jumping out of helicopters, while trying to make it to their first world tour concert on time. Hot on their trail are evil henchmen named Maxwell, British secret agents and Swedish spies as well as billionaire businessman, Sir Atticus Moon who wants back his precious device code named: "The Beetle," an anti-gravitational device with enormous power. Once they learn they're carrying this precious cargo, the guys get pulled into a madcap mission throughout London, which threatens the onset of their world tour. With the help of teen spy Penny Lane, the guys set out to save Penny's father MI6 Agent Simon Lane and stop Sir Atticus Moon's plot to use "The Beetle" to gain world domination.

Big Time Rush – Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena Jr. and Logan Henderson – recently released their second album, Elevate. The highly anticipated follow-up to the group's Gold-certified debut BTR, Elevate features tracks including "Music Sounds Better With U (featuring Mann)," Show Me" and "All Over Again," plus brand-new music that will debut on upcoming episodes of the TV series. Big Time Rush's sold out "Better With U Tour" kicks off nationwide February 17, 2012 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit: www.BigTimeTour.com.

The full track listing for Big Time Movie Soundtrack is as follows:
1. A Hard Day's Night
2. Revolution
3. Help
4. Can't Buy Me Love
5. We Can Work It Out
6. I Wanna Hold Your Hand*
*not featured in movie

Roberta Flack's New Album "LET IT BE ROBERTA: ROBERTA FLACK SINGS THE BEATLES" Lands in Billboard Top 200!
#30 Billboard R&B Chart
First Single Still Going Strong At Three Radio Formats
"On each track, Ms. Flack transforms the familiar with her penetrating, soulful voice and passionate phrasing…" - Marc Myers, Wall Street Journal

Roberta Flack, the four-time Grammy Award-winning artist, is back after an eight year absence with a brand new album, LET IT BE ROBERTA: ROBERTA FLACK SINGS THE BEATLES —a collection of Beatles song interpretations. For the first time in over 13 years, Roberta has debuted in the Top 200 Albums Chart, plus LET IT BE ROBERTA also landed at #30 on the R&B Albums chart. The first single "We Can Work It Out" is currently going strong at several different radio formats including AC, Urban AC and Smooth Jazz (where it just entered the Top 10 this week). In additional radio news, Roberta Flack's interview with NPR's Weekend Edition will air this Saturday (Feb. 18, 2012). Flack has also been planning a series of tour dates to coincide with the release of the album. Newly signed to a partnership of 429 Records, Sony ATV Music Publishing and Flack's RAS Records, the album, which was produced by Sherrod Barnes, who has also produced Beyonce' and Angie Stone, with contributing producers Jerry Barnes and Barry Miles, is available now.

Roberta Flack has long been known as an unparalleled musician who effortlessly inhabits the worlds of pop, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. From her very first recording, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" which hit #1 in the U.S across all charts, Flack has created strong emotional bonds with her listeners through her poignant musicality and unerring stylizations while also shining an uncompromising light onto the culture and politics of the times.

Brass Bed with Allison Bohl
'On Nilsson' comes out March 13, 2012 on Crossbill Records

Catch them live at SXSW, the New Orleans Jazz Festival and more...
After being asked to perform for a Harry Nilsson tribute night, Brass Bed and long standing art director/collaborator Allison Bohl, decided to record their take on Harry's classics: "One," "He Needs Me," "He's Large" and "Don't Forget Me." On Nilsson is no mere tribute record though, the band imbues each of the four songs with their trademark pop schizophrenia wherein songs can swing wildly from excited pop to a mood that's akin to the most lonesome paranoia, but then again maybe it's that Bohl's voice is near perfect conjuring of Shelly Duvall's vocals from Popeye.

This EP follows their highly acclaimed album, Melt White, which won fans at Vanity Fair, CMJ, and beyond. Fans fell hard for the album's pop hooks awash in distorted keyboards. With high profile slots opening for Shearwater, Givers and Smiths Western, their high energy live shows became the stuff of legend. The band took most of the summer of 2011 off working on honing their sound so that everything they put to tape was capable of being pulled off live.

When asked why, frontman Christiaan Mader stated that, "Nilsson is a gifted songwriter still overshadowed by his famous friends. His work hearkens back, in the best ways, to a time when the song itself was the prize. So it bears revisiting with new ideas for production." Out March 13, 2012 on California's Crossbill Records, On Nilsson shows a band transitioning away from standard pop songs and delving into the darker depths of songwriting and sets the stage for the release of their third and finest LP to date, The Secret Will Keep You, in late 2012!

Tour Dates:
03.02.12 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon with Shearwater
03.08.12 - New Orleans, LA @ Foburg Festival at the Howlin' Wolf
03.13.12 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.14.12 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.15.12 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.16.12 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.17.12 - Lafayette, LA @ Feed and Seed (EP Release Party)
05.04.12 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz Fest (Lagniappe Stage)
05.04.12 - New Orleans, LA @ Siberia

Emerald Sounds: Celtic Thunder, Clannad

2012-02-15T07:16:00.000-08:00

Is St. Patrick's Day only a month away? Here is an update on all things Irish (music, that is...). I've gathered several of the latest media updates to land in my inbox and posted them here.

GET READY TO CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH IRISH MUSIC PHENOMENON CELTIC THUNDER
WITH THEIR NEW CD AND DVD, VOYAGE

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE FEBRUARY 28th ON DECCA
PUBLIC TELEVISION SPECIAL PREMIERES LATE FEBRUARY

**CELTIC THUNDER HAILED AS BILLBOARD’S TOP WORLD MUSIC ARTIST, WORLD ALBUM AND WORLD MUSIC IMPRINT OF 2011; DECCA TOP WORLD LABEL FOR 2011**

Surpassing sales of one million units combined, the musical phenomenon that is Celtic Thunder have just been hailed as BILLBOARD’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of 2011 for their most current disc, Heritage. Celtic Thunder rings in 2012 with a new CD and DVD concert special, VOYAGE just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. VOYAGE the concert special will be broadcast across the U.S. on Public Television stations during the March 2012 pledge period, with an estimated one thousand airings beginning in late February (check local listings). Both the new CD and DVD will be available February 28th on Decca.

VOYAGE continues to pay homage to the musical culture of Ireland, while exploring the musical journey each soloist has undertaken since the beginning of Celtic Thunder four years ago. Former members Damian McGinty and Paul Byrom have moved on - McGinty’s star continues to rise after securing a reoccurring role on FOX’s hit show GLEE (a result of winning last year’s “The GLEE Project”), while Paul Byrom launches his own solo career as well. Keith Harkin is also working on a solo project while maintaining his integral role in Celtic Thunder. He is the first artist signed to the newly helmed David Foster Verve Music Group, and is readying his forthcoming solo debut wildly anticipated by “Thunder Heads” everywhere. The rest of the ensemble including Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne, George Donaldson and Emmet Cahill welcome 13-year-old Daniel Furlong to the fold as a guest artist on this recording. The group performances highlight the diversity of Irish music and song; from the powerful rendition of “Dulaman” to the love song “Maid of Culmore,” the collection also features a rousing performance of “Galway Girl” and beloved Irish party song “My Irish Molly-O.” To view highlights of VOYAGE please click here: http://bcove.me/11tep1gm

In addition to their impressive sales statics, their official YouTube channel, “Thunder Tube” has received over twenty five million views since its inception in 2008. Celtic Thunder’s successful resume includes performing for President Obama at The White House’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 2009, opening New York City’s famed St. Patrick’s Day Parade two consecutive years in a row (2008 & 2009), and most notably six hit Public Television specials and numerous sold out concerts all across America.

Celtic Thunder’s three-week US promotion for VOYAGE will end with the group appearing once again on QVC March 17th. Celtic Thunder have appeared on multiple national TV programs including The Today Show, CBS Early Show’s Saturday Second Cup Café, Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends, as well as numerous regional shows in major cities.

Ireland's Clannad Ushers in St. Patrick's Day With Career-Spanning 2-CD Set, TIMELESS

Brand new 30-song collection celebrates the band's 40-year career, with liner notes written by Larry Kirwan of Black 47; Available everywhere starting March 6, 2012 through RCA/Legacy

March 17th, St. Patrick's Day: "Clannad - Live from Christchurch Cathedral" premieres on NY-area PBS stations, recorded at 2011 Tradfest event in Dublin
Prelude to September 2012 tour, first North American shows in 20 years

Grammy Award®-winning Irish family band Clannad – the original Celtic artists who introduced their native Gaelic tongue into contemporary pop as far back as 1970 – will be the focus of attention on St. Patrick's Day this year, as PBS stations across the northeast broadcast Clannad – Live from Christchurch Cathedral. In advance of the PBS broadcast, a new 30-song, double-CD collection has been compiled, spanning the past three decades of Clannad's recording career. TIMELESS will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting March 6th through RCA/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

The PBS special, produced and directed by Cathal Watters, premieres on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17th. Airings will continue throughout the month (please check local listings). The concert was recorded at the ancient Irish cathedral on January 29, 2011, as part of the annual Temple Bar Tradfest.

The release of TIMELESS and the broadcast of "Live from Christchurch Cathedral" set the stage for Clannad's first North American tour in almost 20 years, to commence in September. Dates will be announced in the months ahead via their website, www.clannad.ie.

Clannad's rich heritage is as deep as their own roots in rugged, secluded Donegal, the most northwestern county in Ireland, and their hometown of Gaoth Dobhar (pronounced 'Gweedore'). They were originally known as An Clann as Dobhar, 'the family from the townland of Dore,' which was compacted to Clannad (pronounced clan-ehd).

With worldwide sales of more than 10 million records, Clannad has maintained a presence on the concert and festival circuit. After 14 years they are finally back in the studio working on a brand new Clannad album for release in September. It is fascinating to consider that what today is so widely regarded as Celtic music was first called "Clannad music." There is perhaps no greater testament to the impact of this groundbreaking group than that simple fact. It all begins with Clannad.

TIMELESS by CLANNAD
(RCA/Legacy 88691 95775 2)
CD One:

1. I Will Find You [Theme from The Last Of The Mohicans] (from Banba, 1993)
2. In A Lifetime - Duet with Bono (from Macalla, 1985)
3. You're The One (from Anam, 1990)
4. Something To Believe In – Guest vocal, piano and accordion: Bruce Hornsby (from Sirius, 1988)
5. Robin (The Hooded Man) [Theme from Robin Of Sherwood] (from Legend, 1984)
6. Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn) (from Macalla, 1985)
7. Broken Pieces (from Lore, 1996)
8. Closer To Your Heart (from Macalla, 1985)
9. Why Worry? (from Anam, 1990)
10. Mystery Game (from Banba, 1993)
11. A Bridge (That Carries Us Over) (from Lore, 1996)
12. The Hunter (from PastPresent, 1989)
13. White Fool - Guest vocal by Steve Perry (from Sirius, 1988)
14. There For You (from Banba, 1993)
15. Let Me See (from Landmarks, 1998)

CD Two:

1. Ri na Cruinne (from Anam, 1990)
2. Theme From Harry's Game (from Magical Ring, 1983)
3. Caislean oir (from Macalla, 1985)
4. Newgrange (from Magical Ring, 1983)
5. Buachaill on Eirne (from Macalla, 1985)
6. Fado (from Landmarks, 1998)
7. Anam (from Anam, 1990)
8. Coinleach Glas An Fhomhair (from Magical Ring, 1983)
9. Na Laethe Bhi (from Banba, 1993)
10. Of This Land (from Landmarks, 1998)
11. Ta' Me Mo Shui (from Magical Ring, 1983)
12. Poison Glen (from Anam, 1990)
13. Uirchill an Chreagain (from Anam, 1990)
14. The Bridge of Tears (from Landmarks, 1998)
15. Banba Oir (from Banba, 1993)

Visit www.clannad.ie and www.legacyrecordings.com.

Music Worth Buying: Jimi Hendrix, Kate Bush & Otis Taylor

2012-02-14T07:57:00.001-08:00

Watch the latest episode of MUSIC WORTH BUYING where TJR and I discuss two wonderful albums from opposite sides of the sonic universe, Otis Taylor's Contraband (released today) and Kate Bush's 50 Words For Snow.

Sights and Sounds: Valentine's Day, Phil Collins, Walter Trout

2012-02-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

With today being Valentine's Day, I wanted to kick off this post with an interesting update I received from Facebook about music listened to by those getting in or out of love. Kind of fun. Also, there is big news for fans of singer-songwriter-drummer Phil Collins and blues great Walter Trout.

FACEBOOK CHRONICLES THE LOOK (AND SOUNDS) OF LOVE WITH TIMELY PLAYLISTS

Jason Derulo is popular among lovebirds on Facebook with two songs in the top 10 on the “In a relationship” playlist, including his hit "Don't Wanna Go Home" coming in at #1 and "It Girl" at #6. On the other hand, people prefer Drake when breaking up. The hip-hop star has two songs on the break-up playlist, including “Take Care” and "Crew Love." Bruno Mars has a universal appeal with “Just the Way You Are” on the love playlist and “It Will Rain” on the breakup list.

"The Cave" by Mumford and Sons, "All of the Lights" by Kanye West and "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele are also frequently listened to songs when ending a relationship. Those three tunes are also nominated for Song of the Year at the GRAMMY Awards last Sunday! Another fun fact is that people tend to listen to fewer songs when they enter relationships than when they end them.

Most listened to songs by people after changing their status to 'In a relationship':
1. Don't Wanna Go Home by Jason Derulo
2. Love On Top by Beyoncé
3. How to Love by Lil Wayne
4. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
5. Good feeling by Flo Rida
6. It Girl by Jason Derulo
7. Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes feat Adam Levine
8. Criminal by Britney Spears
9. No Sleep by Wiz Khalifa
10. Free Fallin' by John Mayer

Most listened to songs by people after changing their status to “Single”:
1. The Cave by Mumford and Sons
2. Crew Love by Drake
3. All of the Lights by Kanye West
4. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
5. Take Care by Drake
6. It Will Rain by Bruno Mars
7. We Found Love by Rihanna & Calvin Harris
8. Call It What You Want by Foster the People
9. Love You Like a Love Song by Selena Gomez and the Scene
10. Without You by David Guetta featuring Usher

For more information & To Link:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-data-team/lovebirds-or-heartbreak-top-valentines-day-playlists-on-facebook/10150560271528859

Facebook love mix:
http://open.spotify.com/user/slycoder/playlist/2SSUnGaPl8YtWFNYrPYHg1

Facebook breakup mix:
http://open.spotify.com/user/slycoder/playlist/4yXygxW4AtM722kquUikD0

PHIL COLLINS IS LIVE AT MONTREUX 2004

Eagle Rock Entertainment To Release Blu-Ray Concert Spectacular On March 27

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Phil Collins Live At Montreux 2004 on Blu-ray. This marks the first time Phil Collins can be experienced in high-def performing every single one of his major hits live in concert.

The 25-song, 231-minute blockbuster features the celebrated drummer-turned-frontman singing the hits from his long and storied solo career. "In The Air Tonight," "Sussudio," "Two Hearts," "Take Me Home," and many others are prominently on display in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM Stereo, and the high-definition of the Blu-Ray visual.

As a bonus, 13 songs from his 1996 Montreux appearance (filmed in standard definition) are included, performed by the Phil Collins Big Band. The rarely seen big band material, with a special guest appearance by Tony Bennett, completes the Live at Montreux 2004 disc, showcasing the breadth of musical genres that Phil Collins has perfected.

Previous Phil Collins titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment include Going Back: Live At Roseland Ballroom, NYC (DVD and Blu-Ray) and Classic Albums: Face Value (DVD).

Track Listing:

2004 Set List:

1) Drum Thing

2) Something Happened On The Way To Heaven

3) Against All Odds

4) Don't Lose My Number

5) You'll Be In My Heart

6) One More Night

7) Can't Stop Lovin' You

8) Hang In Long Enough

9) True Colours

10) Come With Me

11) A Groovy Kind Of Love

12) I Missed Again

13) Another Day In Paradise

14) No Way Out

15) Separate Lives

16) In The Air Tonight

17) Dance Into The Light

18) You Can't Hurry Love

19) Two Hearts

20) Wear My Hat

21) Easy Lover

22) Sussudio

23) It's Not Too Late

24) Drums Again

25) Take Me Home

1994 Set List:

1) Two Hearts

2) That's All

3) In The Air Tonight

4) Invisible Touch

5) West Side

6) Against All Odds

7) Hand In Hand

8) There'll Be Some Changes Made (featuring Tony Bennett)

9) Milestones

10) Los Endos

11) Always

12) Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me

13) Sussudio

WALTER TROUT RETURNS WITH BLUES FOR THE MODERN DAZE VIA THE MASCOT LABEL GROUP ON APRIL 24, 2012

FIRST 35 DATES OF MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ANNOUNCED
Trout Hits The Road On February 25 In Regina, SK

The Mascot Label Group has announced an April 24 release date for Walter Trout's 21st album Blues For The Modern Daze. The offering displays the contemporary guitar legend returning to his hard-core blues roots, with songwriting at a creative and personal zenith. Blues For The Modern Daze is Trout’s sixth recording for Provogue Records, a division of the Mascot Label Group, and his first pure blues album in 23 years as a bandleader.

Trout’s practical schooling in blues started when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1973 and got gigs behind Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom, Percy Mayfield and Joe Tex. In 1981 he joined the remaining original members of Canned Heat. But the real turning point was his tenure with British blues giant John Mayall. Trout became part of the Bluesbreakers’ lineage of great guitarists along with Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Beginning in 1984 he shared six-string duties with Coco Montoya in Mayall’s band, creating a flexible guitar dynamic that helped provide the Bluesbreakers a renaissance that returned the group to the apex of the international blues touring circuit. Trout began leading his own group in 1989 and cut his debut album Life In the Jungle, rapidly becoming a star in Europe. His first Stateside release, 1998's critically heralded Walter Trout, made him start down the road towards becoming the fixture of the American blues-rock scene that he is today.

Trout's travels over the past 39 years, and his wide appreciation of his predecessors, yield a significant influence to Blues For The Modern Daze. Trout shares, "My main inspiration for this album was the country bluesman Blind Willie Johnson, an early blues innovator who recorded such timeless gospel informed blues numbers as 'Soul of a Man' and 'Nobody’s Fault But Mine.' His music is so beautiful, primal, direct and deeply spiritual that I wanted to feel it at my back when we were cutting these songs.” He continues, "This album captures my interest in exploring a side of my music that’s rooted in my first musical love, and it reveals something about me too. It sums up the thoughts and attitudes of somebody who is getting a little older and is feeling a little like he’s a part of another era, with different values and a different perspective on life than often seem to be prevalent today. And I stand behind those values, like compassion, authenticity and honesty, as strongly as I stand behind my music.”

Blues for the Modern Daze was recorded at Entourage Studios in North Hollywood, California, with Trout and engineer Eric Corne producing. It’s the fifth time Trout has collaborated with Corne, who contributed to the arrangements and sonic palette of the songs that Trout wrote and demoed on acoustic guitar during the year before the sessions.

Trout returns to the road in the U.S. on April 25th in Solana Beach, CA. Confirmed appearances include:
2/25 Regina, SK (Canada) Mid-Winter Blues Festival @ Casino Regina
4/25 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
4/26 Las Vegas, NV Boulder Station Casino
4/27 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory
4/28 Simi Valley, CA Simi Valley Blues Festival
5/09 Collinsville, CT Bridge Street Live
5/10 Bethlehem, PA River Jazz Festival @ Musikfest Café
5/11 Shirley, MA Bull Run
5/12 Stanhope, NJ Stanhope House
5/14 Buffalo, NY The Tralf
5/16 Fall River, MA Narrows Center for the Arts
5/18 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/19 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/20 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/21 New York, NY Iridium Jazz Club
5/23 Charlotte, NC Double Door Inn
5/24 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
5/25 Atlanta, GA Smith’s Olde Bar
5/26 Biloxi, MS MS Gulf Coast Music, Art, Craft & Seafood Festival
5/27 Biloxi, MS MS Gulf Coast Music, Art, Craft & Seafood Festival
6/02 Hagerstown, MD Western Maryland Blues Festival
6/06 Davenport, IA Redstone Room
6/07 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
6/08 Canton, OH Canton Blues Festival
6/09 Minneapolis, MN Famous Dave’s Blues Festival
6/10 Des Moines, IA House of Bricks
6/12 Lincoln, NE Zoo Bar
6/13 Kansas City, MO Knucklehead’s Saloon
6/14 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
6/15 Chicago, IL House of Blues
6/16 Henderson, KY WC Handy Blues Festival
6/30 Silverado, CA Irvine Lake Blues Festival
8/12 Duluth, MN Bayfront Blues Festival
8/26 Marshfield, MA North River Blues Festival
9/01 Laramie, WY Snowy Range Music Festival

Whitney Houston: dead at 48

2012-02-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

With the news that singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel yesterday afternoon, there have and will be countless family members, friends, music writers, industry insiders and fans who will have plenty to say about the death and legacy of the 48-year-old singer.

In situations like this (and I can remember so many, as far back as when Elvis Presley died when he was only 42 in 1977), I always see it best as to remember an artist for the music they left that affects you (the listener) most deeply. CNN and Fox News were broadcasting coverage non-stop in the aftermath and there will surely be a tribute at tonight's GRAMMY Awards ceremony too.

I won't opine here as to the cause of Houston's untimely death; her tragic battle with drugs is well-known and kept the tabloids thrilled (as did Amy Winehouse's lost battle with substance abuse). But what I will say is that Houston was a singer who in her prime in the 1980s and early 1990s, sang with a power and range that few others ever have.
One can only pray that young singers might be inspired by her voice, but wary of the lifestyle that robbed her of her life at such a young age.

I would really recommend checking out Orange County Register writer Ben Wener's wonderful tribute in his Soundcheck blog too.

Sights and Sounds: Saw Doctors, World Party

2012-02-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Talk about kicking off another week on a winning note, now comes word that Ireland's Saw Doctors and Karl Wallinger's World Party are set to release new collections. I've listened to some of the advance material made available to the media and there is plenty to recommend on each of the discs. Below I've re-posted the media releases and artwork. Enjoy!

‘The Further Adventures Of Saw Doctors’ Receives Long-Awaited US Release, March 13, 2012

On March 13, The Saw Doctors’ new album The Further Adventures Of Saw Doctors will receive its US release on Megaforce Records. It is by far The Saw Doctors’ grittiest album to date, dealing with some of the most serious lyrics of the band’s career. The songs highlight the band’s blend of “reverence and irreverence, of resilience and exuberance, of alternately raucous and beautiful but always well-constructed songs.”

Listen to the opener “Takin’ The Train” with its angst-driven tempo and layered guitars here: http://bit.ly/bNheiD

On February 22, The Saw Doctors will embark on their largest North American tour with over 25 dates in several major markets including Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto, as well as debut performances in Florida, North Carolina and Iowa.

Complete list of The Saw Doctors’ upcoming 2012 tour dates: http://bit.ly/xM8JPu

In 2011 the band had a runaway hit with their cover of Petula Clark’s sensational 1960s pop single “Downtown,” which reached #2 on the Irish Singles Chart in December. Clark joined the band in the studio to rerecord the chorus and harmony and made a cameo in the music video.

Watch the new video with Clark filmed on the streets of Galway here: http://bit.ly/tnk7g6

The Saw Doctors are: Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Leo Moran (guitars, vocals), Anthony Thistlethwaite (Bass Guitar, Saxophone), Kevin Duffy (Keyboards, Vocals) and Rickie O’Neill (Drums, Vocals).

http://www.sawdoctors.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sawdoctors

World Party Returns with 5-CD "Arkeology," 70 Previously Unreleased Tracks Spanning 25 Years

World Party has confirmed the April 10, 2012 release of Arkeology: a massive, 5 CD collection of 70 never-before-heard tracks packaged in a unique Any Year Diary for fans’ personal use. Spanning the band’s 25-year history, Arkeology is at once a new album—with songs finished as recently as 2011—and an unreleased, unheard history of rare studio gems, live sessions, concert recordings, radio interviews, covers, demos and B-sides.

As much a throwback to the 60’s rock that World Party leader Karl Wallinger grew up loving as it is a reinvention of it, “Arkeology” showcases some of Wallinger’s strongest work to date. New songs like “Waiting Such a Long Time” (2008), “Everybody’s Falling in Love” (2011), and “Photograph,”—a sprawling piano anthem recorded over a period of seventeen years (1994 to 2011)—are more evidence of Wallinger’s already-known talent for writing infectious pop hooks.

The entire collection is packaged in the Any Year Diary, a 142-page, full-color day calendar for fans’ personal use that features rare photos, clips of articles, and World Party memorabilia from Wallinger’s personal archives, as well as his notes and commentary about various shows and recordings. “The reason it’s all inside an any-year diary,” Wallinger says, “is because I just got so sick of the CD packaging. I’m glad the whole CD format is dying, but I really didn’t want to put something out that was only digital.”

“Arkeology” also provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Wallinger’s quirky humor and love of studio experimentation with several genre-bending demos, some recorded as early as 1985. A pitch-shifted, effects-heavy rendition of “What is Love All About” (from 1993’s Bang!) for instance, wouldn’t be out of place on a contemporary R&B record. And live versions of familiar hits—including an ascendant crowd sing-along of “Ship of Fools” from Boulder, CO in 1998, and fan favorites like “Love Street” from 2006’s Bonnaroo Festival—capture the band at some of its finest moments.

Formed in 1986, as Wallinger’s solo project, (previously of cult heroes The Waterboys), World Party has amassed a collection of hit singles over its history, including "Ship of Fools", "Put the Message in the Box," "Is It Like Today?" and the chart-topping "Way Down Now," while contributing to movie soundtracks for Reality Bites and Clueless. In recent years, Wallinger has taken World Party to the stages of Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, San Francisco's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and elsewhere.

World Party on the web:
http://www.worldparty.net/

Sights and Sounds: 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Todd Rundgren, Grateful Dead

2012-02-10T07:53:00.001-08:00

All set for the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday night? I'm looking forward to the telecast. Not because I necessarily care who wins, but rather because some of the performances might be cool.

Here are the performances on my radar:

Paul McCartney , seen here, is on the top of my list (wouldn't it be cool if Ringo Starr played drums; Ringo is set to be a presenter sometime during the show)

The reunited Beach Boys, set to perform with Foster The People and Maroon 5

The Civil Wars (an awesome duo that blew me away when I saw them live last year!)

Coldplay and Rihanna (their teaming on "Princess of China" is one of the best tracks on Coldplay's latest disc Mylo Xyloto)

Glen Campbell with the Band Perry and Blake Shelton (Glen Campbell, enough said)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band! (Can't miss that one)

Visit GRAMMY.com for more details on music's big night.

TODD RUNDGREN’S LIVE PEFORMANCE OF CLASSIC ALBUM TODD
COMING ON S’MORE/ROCKBEAT ON DVD AND CD FEBRUARY 28, 2012

By the time he recorded the eponymous Todd in 1973, Todd Rundgren had charted with such evergreen hits as “Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light” and “We Gotta Get You a Woman,” and had also been dubbed “Rock’s Renaissance Man” by Rolling Stone after releasing studio masterpieces Something/Anything? and A Wizard, A True Star. Todd was a departure; the iconoclastic artist included pop ballads alongside medleys, anthems, and prog rock. The album is universally heralded as one of Rundgren’s best, often compared to Electric Ladyland and Pet Sounds.

In 2010 — 37 years after its original release — Rundgren performed Todd live in its entirety for the first time ever, as part a special limited six-date sold-out tour (the Healing album was also performed, which will be a subsequent stand-alone live DVD/CD release). The September 14 date at Philadelphia’s Keswick Theater, in Rundgren’s hometown, was videotaped and is being released as both a live DVD by S’More Entertainment and a live audio CD by sibling RockBeat Records. Joining him onstage were Utopia’s Kasim Sulton (bass), The Cars’ Greg Hawkes (keyboards), The Tubes’ Prairie Prince (drums), Guitar Player Magazine’s editor Jesse Gress (guitar), Bobby Strickland (sax) and a full choir. Both the DVD and CD will hit retail on February 28, 2012.

In addition to the musical performance, multiple Emmy Award-winning television personality and sportscaster Roy Firestone, whose knowledge of Rundgren’s work is encyclopedic, was enlisted to conduct an extensive in-depth conversation with Rundgren onstage, which will also be packaged with the DVD.

From pop classic “A Dream Goes on Forever” to rocker “Heavy Metal Kids,” from the anthemic “Sons of 1984” to the explosive Blue Eyed Soul of “The Last Ride,” from the industry satire “An Elpee’s Worth of Toons” to the Gilbert & Sullivan homage “The Lord Chancellor’s Nightmare Song,” Todd is a masterful example of Rundgren’s broad musical palette.

You can pre-order Todd Rundgren’s live Todd DVD here.

SHOUT! FACTORY TO RELEASE

ALL THE YEARS COMBINE: THE DVD COLLECTION

A 14-DVD GRATEFUL DEAD BOX SET

FEATURING 38 HOURS OF FOOTAGE

THE DEFINITIVE VISUAL ANTHOLOGY OF ONE OF THE MOST

PROLIFIC AND CELEBRATED BANDS OF ALL TIME

On April 17, 2012 the Grateful Dead will be celebrated with a 14-DVD box set titled All The Years Combine: The DVD Collection, to be released by Shout! Factory in collaboration with Rhino Entertainment. Conceived as the ultimate tribute to the band’s legendary on-stage prowess, the set includes 12 concert films; a 40-page booklet containing rare photos and new liner notes by Blair Jackson; and all bonus features from previous releases of the DVDs in the set. As a special treat for fans, it also includes an exclusive bonus disc containing five previously unreleased live performances from the Grateful Dead archive, Backstage Pass, the 1992 documentary directed by Justin Kreutzmann, and a brand-new interview with Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux.

Fans who preorder All the Years Combine: The DVD Collection directly from Shout! Factory will receive an exclusive bumper sticker with their order, while supplies last. More information at: http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257684.

Despite an ambivalent attitude to using television as a promotional medium, the Grateful Dead’s creative genius and interest in filming their live shows resulted in what is now an extensive catalog of live performances on video. Included in All The Years Combine: The DVD Collection are The Grateful Dead Movie, The Closing Of Winterland; Dead Ahead; Truckin’ Up To Buffalo; Ticket To New Year’s; Downhill From Here; View From The Vault; View From The Vault Vol. 2; View From The Vault Vol. 3; View From The Vault Vol. 4; and So Far, a 1987 film that has previously only been available on VHS and laserdisc.

In 2011 Shout! Factory released The Grateful Dead Movie on Blu-ray, in a deluxe 2-disc set that included a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus features. All The Years Combine: The DVD Collection will contain the DVD version of the film as well as the accompanying DVD of bonus features.

The 12 films in the box set begin with The Grateful Dead Movie, filmed in 1974 when the band hired a crew to film 5 pre-hiatus shows at San Francisco ’s Winterland Ballroom. The film was released in 1977 after more than 2 years of work with a team of editors led by Susan Crutcher. In the liner notes of All The Years Combine, Blair Jackson writes “The Grateful Dead Movie may be the single greatest document of the totality of the Grateful Dead experience. Even though it is really just a slice in time showing one incarnation of the group, it completely captures the group’s magical essence — that joyous and strange mystical spirit that was a part of everything they did, from the Acid Tests in 1965 to the last concert at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1995, a month before Garcia’s death.”

Filmed in the same location just a few years later, The Closing Of Winterland was filmed during the Dead’s annual New Year’s Eve concert in 1978, which was to be the final show at the venerable arena. Featuring friends like Lee Oskar (War) and Matthew Kelly (Kingfish); John Cipollina (Quicksilver); Greg Errico (Santana) and author Ken Kesey with his Thunder Machine, the playing is loose but intense, the frequent peaks reliably transcendent. The sound — mixed from the 24-track master reels — is superb. The Closing Of Winterland DVD is also packed with bonus features galore, including “Winterland: A Million Memories” Documentary Film; Blues Brothers: “Soul Man” & “B Movie”; New Riders Of The Purple Sage: “Glendale Train”; “Making Of The DVD” Featurette; 2 a.m. Interview with Bill Graham by Scoop Nisker; Detailed Chronological History of Grateful Dead at Winterland; and an Alternate Camera Angle Option (“Wharf Rat,” “St. Stephen” & “Good Lovin’”).

Dead Ahead, recorded at Radio City Music Hall in 1980, is the next DVD in All The Years Combine. Celebrating their 15th anniversary, the Dead played 15 shows at the Warfield in San Francisco , followed by eight concerts at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to their usual two sets, the Dead opened each night with an acoustic set as well. The final concert fell on Halloween, and was simulcast as a closed-circuit pay-per-view event at 20 movie theaters across the country. Dead Ahead is comprised of songs from the final show and the previous night’s show interspersed with comic bits from the Saturday Night Live comedy team of Al Franken and Tom Davis (both big Dead Heads).

The award-winning 55-minute conceptual video So Far makes its maiden appearance on DVD in this box. The video contains footage from private sessions taped in Marin County , portions of the 1985 New Year’s Eve concert at the Oakland Coliseum Arena, and psychedelic visual material. Of the film, Garcia said “The video is the Grateful Dead way of doing things, which turns out to be expensive, difficult and unrepeatable. If we went back to do this again, we’d come out with a different finished version. We couldn’t repeat it. If you’re going to do something, it’s important — for me, at any rate — to shoot high, even if you miss, or even if you’re accused of being pretentious. . . . We were after the idea of electronic mind-altering and consciousness-altering. And on that level, I think it’s pretty successful.”

Ticket To New Year’s, filmed at Oakland Coliseum on New Year’s Eve 1987, was also a national pay-per-view telecast. Once again the Dead rose to the occasion and gave the fans in Oakland and many thousands across the country watching in their living rooms a very well-played and energetic show.

Truckin’ Up To Buffalo is the complete show from Rich Stadium in Buffalo on July 4, 1989, and it’s a hot one. Len Dell’Amico’s direction really lets us see the communication between the players when they’re “on” — the subtle cues, the quick exchange of glances and smiles as they dig into a tune or jam. It’s really like eavesdropping on the band from an onstage perch.

Two weeks and seven shows after the Buffalo extravaganza, the Dead returned to one of their favorite Midwest haunts, Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy , Wisconsin , for three shows. This scenic amphitheater has a covered seating area and a huge, steep back lawn section that the Dead had no problem filling by the late ’80s. Downhill From Here, which consists of the entire July 17, 1989, Alpine show — save for three songs at the end of the first set that were swapped out for three from the first set of the concert two nights later — was one of the first commercial videos the Dead released in the years right after Garcia’s death, and it still stands as one of the best.

The View From The Vault I release (recorded July 8, 1990, from the now-demolished Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh ) gets off to a rollicking start with “Touch Of Grey” and “Greatest Story Ever Told” and keeps grooving with the old British folk number “Jack-A-Roe.” Phil does a great job singing Bob Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” and the encore is an emotional “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” Also worth noting is this disc’s bonus material — from the more intimate Cardinal Stadium, in Louisville, Kentucky, two nights earlier (July 6, 1990). Two of the best numbers on View From The Vault come from this addendum: a magnificent “Standing On The Moon,” sung with tremendous passion and nuance by Garcia; and a hot, bluesy 13-minute excursion labeled “KY Jam.”

View From The Vault II brings us a show from (long-gone) RFK Stadium in Washington , DC , on June 14, 1991. A few months after Brent Mydland’s death in the summer of ’90, the Dead had returned to the road as a septet, with the keyboard slot occupied by two players — Vince Welnick and Bruce Hornsby. This DVD’s bonus footage returns to RFK a year earlier for a portion of one of Brent’s last shows. We get a very different-sounding “Dark Star,” as well as “Victim Or The Crime,” “Foolish Heart” and Phil leading the group through a reassuring and hopeful “Box Of Rain”: “Believe it if you need it; if you don’t, just pass it on . . . ”

The show that dominates View From The Vault III took place on June 16, 1990, at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View , CA , south of San Francisco . This turned out to be the last tour for Brent Mydland, who died in late July 1990, but here the sextet is still going strong, with no hint of the calamity to come. This particular concert is revered for its the extraordinary second set, which includes solid versions of “China Cat,” “I Know You Rider,” “Estimated Prophet” and “Terrapin” before the band launches into one of their most interesting and exploratory jams during this era. The first set is also loaded with goodies, and bonus footage on the DVD consists of the first six songs from the October 3, 1987 concert at Shoreline, and is perhaps most notable for the N’awlins funk rave-up “ Hey Pocky Way ” and one of the few extant video versions of Weir’s slithery “My Brother Esau.”

View From The Vault IV captures the complete Grateful Dead sets from two shows in a series of sold-out stadium concerts backing Bob Dylan in the summer of 1987, where the band played their own sets too. The concert from Oakland Stadium is an exceptionally lively and high-spirited affair. Two days later the tour moved to Anaheim Stadium in Southern California , and the group hit a series of completely different high notes with their set lists.

Wrapping up the box set is an exclusive bonus disc containing five previously unreleased and never before seen live performances from 1987-1991, sourced from the Grateful Dead archive, as well as Backstage Pass, the 1992 documentary directed by Justin Kreutzmann, and a brand-new interview with Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux.

Jackson writes in the All The Years Combine booklet, “You can find nearly the whole history of American music spread across these discs, with music encompassing rock, folk, blues, jazz, country, ragtime, soul, funk, modern classical and avant-garde elements. Where else can you hear songs by Chuck Berry, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, unifying anthems, party rave-ups, songs of existential longing, murder ballads, cowboy tunes, love songs, primal drums and dissonant electronics all in one place? The Grateful Dead created a rich and sumptuous psychedelic patchwork quilt stitched together with magical golden thread. Sad to say, we’ll never see anything quite like them come this way again — but at least we have the recorded footage, reminding us that it wasn’t just a beautiful dream . . .”

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos,
Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. With its fingers on the pulse of pop culture, Shout! Factory continues to impact the entertainment media landscape through acquisition of top quality programming for home entertainment releases. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica , California . For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.

ALL THE YEARS COMBINE: THE DVD COLLECTION Includes:
· The Grateful Dead Movie (2-DVD)* (Theatrical film, originally released in 1977)

· The Closing Of Winterland (2-DVD)* (Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, December 31, 1978)

· Dead Ahead* (Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY, October 1980)

· So Far (Originally released on VHS and laser disc in 1987 — first time on DVD!)

· Ticket To New Year’s* (Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA, December 31, 1987)

· Truckin’ Up To Buffalo (Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY, on July 4, 1989)

· Downhill From Here (Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI, July 17, 1989)

· View From The Vault* (Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA, July 8, 1990)

· View From The Vault II* (RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, June 14, 1991)

· View From The Vault III* (Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, June 16, 1990)

· View From The Vault IV (Oakland Stadium, Oakland, CA, July 24, 1987, and Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA, July 26, 1987)

*includes all bonus features from previous release

Exclusive bonus disc contains:

· Five previously unreleased live performances from the Grateful Dead archive

· Backstage Pass, the 1992 documentary directed by Justin Kreutzmann

· Brand-new interview with Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux

Sights and Sounds: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Tommy Bolin, Cowboy Junkies, Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers

2012-02-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

Have your ears on? A bunch of promising releases from the far-flung reaches of the rock universe are set to land soon! I've had a chance to listen to the forthcoming Tommy Bolin release 'Great Gypsy Soul' and fans of the late guitar great will want to get this as soon as it is released next month...

Here are details about all that and more courtesy of the most recent media updates to land in my inbox. We'll kick things off with details about Grace Potter's forthcoming release.

GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS REVEAL DETAILS OF FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM,
THE LION THE BEAST THE BEAT, DUE OUT THIS SUMMER

CO-PRODUCED BY JIM SCOTT AND FEATURING A COLLABORATION WITH THE BLACK KEYS’ DAN AUERBACH

GPN TO PREVIEW NEW SONGS AT COACHELLA APRIL 14 & 21, 2012
SUMMER STADIUM TOUR WITH KENNY CHESNEY/TIM McGRAW KICKS OFF JUNE 2 IN TAMPA, FL

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are nearing completion of their fourth studio album for Hollywood Records, which will bear the title The Lion The Beast The Beat. The envelope-pushing new LP plays with reoccurring themes and big ideas. “I think there's a Lion and a Beast within all of us - as humans. There's also true goodness, and the appearance of goodness…” says Grace. "Maybe I've watched too much Mad Men, but I'm in love with the idea of a story with no heroes and no villains and these themes just kept creeping into all the new songs and I didn't fight it. I decided to embrace it." Among the song titles are “Stars,” “The Divide,” “Steady,” “Parachute Heart,” “Never Go Back,” and “Loneliest Soul,” both co-written with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and the title track “The Lion The Beast The Beat.”

“Each song stands upright on its own, but these songs really belong to this album,” says Potter. “The way we've always made records is to put together a list of 30 or so songs, pick the best ones, throw them together and hope it congeals. I didn't want to do that this time. I came up with the track order before we recorded so we could really bring you in and out of these songs like scenes in a movie. I want to bring the listener into our weird fantasy and keep them there."

The Lion The Beast The Beat has the scale of rock, the intimacy of blues, the wistfulness of country, and the imagination of psychedelia all tied together by an indelible voice. Grace can take you to church or the roadhouse, Nashville or Los Angeles, the penthouse or the pavement (or the barn) all in one phrase, and the band has the power and finesse to compliment her at every turn.

Potter co-produced the album with renowned studio artist Jim Scott. The band tracked the album live at PLYRZ, Scott’s studio in Santa Clarita, CA, far from the distractions of Hollywood. “When I first met Jim, I knew I wanted to make this record with him. He totally gets us,” says Grace. “He brought the perfect balance of sonic integrity and laid-back finesse. He clearly knows the ‘Zen Dance’ from many years with Rick Rubin and the countless records that he’s been a part of. His knowledge of working with bands runs so deep, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Wilco to Tedeschi-Trucks…Then we get to his studio, which is an F.A.O. Schwartz of vintage gear. I mean, the dude has enough drum sets for every single band member to play their own kit together, which we did—we’d go caveman apes**t every night before we left the studio.”

The Lion The Beast The Beat also contains the fruits of GPN’s collaboration with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Auerbach co-wrote and recorded with the band in his Nashville studio in the midst of the pre-production, resulting in the songs "Never Go Back" and “Loneliest Soul.” Firing up his plethora of vintage amps, analog drum loops and “crazy kaleidoscope percussion,” as Grace puts it. “Dan has really hit his stride as a musician and a producer, making epic music the whole world is loving,” she says. "It was great to jump on his train and just let-a-rip.”

In April, the band will make their first-ever appearance at Coachella. “It’s great that we got invited. I love that it’s the first year they’re doing two identical weekends! I mean, who doesn’t want more of something great? It’s so right-on that they’re letting the party continue on. Most of the people who are gonna be there have no idea who we are. We’re fearless onstage, and I think Coachella is will be the perfect setting for us to be just that. And we’ll definitely unveil enough of the new stuff. I'm so looking forward to giving these songs life onstage.”

Following Coachella, GPN will embark on the ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, a pairing inspired by Grace’s duet with Chesney on their CMA Award-winning single and video “You and Tequila,” which is also up for multiple Grammy and ACM awards and was recently certified platinum for sales of over one million downloads. Grace is fully aware of the fact that a good number of those in attendance will think she’s a country artist, and she fully intends to disabuse them of that notion.

“I’m sure there will be some people who come to the show thinking they’ll see that blonde from the Kenny Chesney video and they get me,” she says with a laugh. “But I love taking people by surprise, and as much as we take things out into deep space onstage, elements of country and roots music have been in my songwriting since the very beginning. Besides, I think today’s country fans like to rock, and we’re gonna find a way to fulfill our dream of tastefully straddling rock ’n’ roll and country.

As if Potter didn’t already have enough good things happening in her career, Gibson is working with her on the Grace Potter Signature Flying V, which she designed herself in partnership with the guitar maker’s luthiers. “A rep from Gibson brought it to the studio last week and it was way better than any Christmas morning I’ve ever had. He told me that Gibson has only issued one other Signature electric guitar for a woman, and that was Joan Jett. I didn’t realize just how big a deal it was until I opened up the case and looked at it. It’s beautiful to look at – but more importantly, it sounds badass.”

All signs suggest that 2012 will be the year Grace Potter & the Nocturnals take it to the next level, validating years of nonstop roadwork and fulfilling their immense promise, commercially and artistically. And The Beat goes on…

Information: http://www.gracepotter.com/

ROCK GUITAR LEGEND TOMMY BOLIN PAID TRIBUTE ON
“GREAT GYPSY SOUL”

CD AND SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE CD WITH BONUS TRACKS
SET FOR RELEASE MARCH 27 ON 429 RECORDS

All Star Lineup Contributes To All New Recordings of “Teaser” Tracks Performing Alongside Bolin
Guests Include Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes, Nels Cline, Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, Brad Whitford, Joe Bonamassa and Others.

In the annals of rock history, Tommy Bolin occupied a brief, but shining stint as a brilliant guitarist who wowed those in the know with his mastery of many genres—rock, fusion , funk, reggae and heavy metal among others. Along with a much lauded solo career that, pushed the boundaries of rock/jazz fusion, Bolin played with The James Gang and Deep Purple which set him up for major solo guitar stardom which was cut short by his untimely death in 1976. Not to be overlooked, there’s been much written about the guitar wunderkind and now a top notch roster of players have signed on to pay tribute to Bolin on GREAT GYPSY SOUL. Produced by Greg Hampton and Warren Haynes, it’s a remarkable project that brings together major players who actually perform alongside Tommy Bolin’s playing and vocals from the recording outtakes to his solo debut album “Teaser.” Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes (a key supporter of the project), Nels Cline, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Brad Whitford, Joe Bonamassa, John Scofield, Derek Trucks, Glenn Hughes and Myles Kennedy all contribute to this amazing project. GREAT GYPSY SOUL will be released on 429 Records on March 27 in both a single CD format and double CD with bonus tracks. A series of promotional concerts are also in the works.

Tommy Bolin was the quintessential guitar prodigy who focused his talents within the burgeoning rock/metal scenes of the early 70’s as well as mastered a highly lauded jazz fusion technique catching the attention of rock tastemakers and guitar legend peers. It was just a matter of time before Bolin was making a name for himself playing on projects as diverse as Billy Cobham’s “Spectrum” project (considered one of the great jazz fusion recordings of all time), replacing Joe Walsh in the James Gang, playing session work on seminal fusion projects by Moxy and Alphonse Mouzon, to replacing Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. With the release of his second solo album Private Eyes, what should have been a red letter moment for Bolin, opening up for Jeff Beck in Miami, sadly turned tragic as Bolin was found dead of an overdose shortly after the gig.

Says Warren Haynes: “Many of the guests added after the fact have a close personal connection to Tommy—all share in acknowledging his place in rock history. Watching (and hearing) it all come to fruition some 35 years later was a journey of its own—well worth the travel.”

Track Listing:
Disc 1
1) The Grind w/ Peter Frampton
2) Teaser w/ Warren Haynes
3) Dreamer w/ Myles Kennedy and Nels Cline
4) Savannah Woman w/ John Scofield
5) Smooth Fandango w/ Derek Trucks
6) People People w/ Big Sugar and Gordie Johnson
7) Wild Dogs w/ Brad Whitford
8) Homeward Strut w/ Steve Lukather
9) Sugar Shack w/ Glenn Hughes and Sonny Landreth
10) Crazed Fandango w/ Steve Morse
11) Lotus w/ Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Huges and Nels Cline

Disc 2 Bonus CD
1) Flying Fingers w/ Oz Noy and Nels Cline
2) Marching Bag –Movement One w/ Nels Cline, Bolin, Greg Hampton, John Scofield, Sonny Landreth
3) Marching Bag—Movement Two w/ Nels Cline, Bolin, Steve Lukather, Derek Trucks, Peter Frampton
4) Marching Bag—Movement Three w/ Gordie Johnson, Bolin, Nels Cline, Oz Noy, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Joe Bonamassa
5) Marching Bag—Movement Four w/ Nels Cline, Bolin, Warren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa, Oz Noy, Brad Whitford, Peter Frampton

For more information visit:
www.429records.com

COWBOY JUNKIES TO RELEASE 'THE WILDERNESS' ON MARCH 27

THE NOMAD SERIES, VOLUME 4

With the March 2012 release of The Wilderness, Cowboy Junkies complete their four CD collection, “The Nomad Series.” The ambitious schedule of four new releases over an 18-month period will be punctuated by a full US tour - see dates below (more to follow). The latest collection of songs follows the critically acclaimed Renmin Park (2010), Demons (2011) and Sing In My Meadow (2011). Renmin Park was inspired by Timmins' two-month stay in China and was called “their most ambitious yet” by The Boston Herald. Demons, a collection of songs by the late Vic Chesnutt, was labeled “…a loving tribute” by NPR. Sing In My Meadow was hailed by Metromix as, “showing yet another side of one of the most versatile, underrated bands of the last 25 years.”

“The title, The Wilderness, in some odd way seemed to define what these songs were actually “about”: fragility, emptiness, loneliness, beauty, chance, loss, desperation, the delicate balancing act that makes up a life,” explains Michael Timmins. “They are about being lost in the wilderness of age, the wilderness of parenthood, in the wilderness of just trying to find meaning and substance, happiness and truth in one's day to day life. They are about standing alone in middle of it all, breathing in the cold still air and wondering.”

Upon the release of the four volumes, plans call for a book that will delve into the character, nature, and inspiration behind each of the albums. It will be published by Whale and Star, the publishing house of the band's friend Enrique Martinez Celaya, a Cuban-American artist whose "Nomad" paintings helped inspire the series. The four CD's are available separately, will be released as a box set in April with a bonus disc, and will be included in the upcoming book.

Timmins sums up the band's motivation for taking on such a massive project quite simply. "The main reason for wanting to do it," he says, "is that, as we steam through our twenty-fifth year, we feel that we have the energy and inspiration to pull it off!"

Cowboy Junkies On Tour

Date City Venue

02/23 Ithaca, NY State Theatre
02/24 W Long Branch, NJ Pollak Theatre
02/25 Providence, RI Fete Ballroom
02/26 Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse
02/28 Annapolis, MD Rams Head Tavern
02/29 Annapolis, MD Rams Head Tavern
03/01 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
03/02 Norfolk, VA Attucks Theatre
03/03 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater
03/04 Charleston, WV Mountain Stage
03/07 Harrisburg, PA Whitaker Center
03/08 Somerville, MA Somerville Theater
03/09 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
03/10 Westhampton Beach, NY Performing Arts Center
04/13 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark

Follow the band at www.cowboyjunkies.com

Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers Kick Off 2012 "Home Is Wherever You Are" Tour on February 8th!!

On the heels of their ‘Boys Only (Plus Girls)’ national headline tour, road warriors Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers continue to celebrate the release of their new album Gift Horse with the 2012 "Home Is Wherever You Are" Tour. Stops include Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York, and Vienna, VA where on June 22 and 23rd, the band will host the ‘Second Annual SK6ers Field Day Weekend.’ The event includes two shows at Jammin’ Java, and a day of BBQ and field games with The SK6ers. In addition to the headlining tour, the band will also be supporting O.A.R on select dates. For more information on SK6ers Field Day weekend event and all tour dates visit www.SK6ers.com. (Tour dates listed below).

SK6ERS - Stephen "Skunk" Kellogg, Kit "Goose" Karlson (keys, bass vocals), Brian "Boots" Factor (drums, vocals) and Sam "Steamer" Getz (guitars, vocals) - have been out on the road since September performing tracks off their October 11th release. Gift Horse, the band’s second album on Vanguard Records, brings the rich legacy of rock & roll into the present tense with 11 real-life narratives about love, family, and what it means to be an American today. By and large, the songs are directly relating to Kellogg’s personal experiences. The album’s debut was SK6ERS highest soundscan to date, reaching #1 on Amazon MP3’s Best Sellers, #14 on the Independent Current Albums chart, and #87 on Billboard’s Top 200.

Gift Horse is available now at iTunes and AmazonMP3.

Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers – "Home Is Wherever You Are" Tour
2-08 Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion w/OAR
2-09 Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom w/OAR
2-10 Milwaukee, WI - Eagle's Ballroom w/OAR
2-11 Minneapolis, MN - State Theater w/OAR
2-12 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
2-14 Champaign, IL - Highdive
2-15 Columbia, MO - The Blue Note w/OAR
2-16 Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall w/OAR
2-17 Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works w/OAR
2-18 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle w/OAR
2-24 Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
2-25 Ames, IA - The Maintenance Shop
2-26 Cedar Falls, IA - The Hub
3-01 New Orleans, LA - Sixth Man Presents - Rock the Boat XII
3-06 Tampa, FL – Ferguson Hall
3-07 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
3-08 Athens, GA - The Melting Point
3-09 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
3-10 Baltimore, MD - 8 x 10
3-11 York, PA – Capitol Theatre
3-13 Buffalo, NY - The Tralf
3-14 Killington, VT – Pickle Barrel
3-15 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
3-16 Pawtucket, RI – The Met
3-17 Ogunquit, ME – Jonathan’s
3-18 Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
6-22 & 6-23 – Vienna, VA - 2nd Annual SK6ers Field Day

Information: www.sk6ers.com

The Gram Parsons Foundation to host two events in March

2012-02-08T07:55:00.001-08:00

Any chance to celebrate the music and legacy of the late, great Gram Parsons is a good one. This landed in my inbox today.

Gram Parson Foundation Launch Events and VIP Fundraiser Announced for March 14, 2012

Events Scheduled at Hotel San Jose in Austin, TX

Day Event to Feature Special Performances by Blitzen Trapper, Brendan Benson, Alberta Cross, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Great Lake Swimmers, and many more

The Gram Parsons Foundation is proud to announce two very special events to commemorate the foundation's official launching. The two events will both take place on March 14, 2012, at the Hotel San Jose in Austin, TX. The mission of the Gram Parsons Foundation is to support musicians and artists worldwide with addiction and recovery services. Motivated by the desire to assist the musical and artistic community, the Gram Parsons Foundation will providing solutions to drug and alcohol addiction, and focus on imparting a message of prevention and awareness to school aged children, the musicians and artists of tomorrow.

The first event is the official launch event, taking place at the Hotel San Jose parking lot from noon to 8 p.m. Numerous artists will be performing in celebration, including Blitzen Trapper, Brendan Benson (w/Eric Burdon), Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Great Lake Swimmers, Alberta Cross, Poor Moon (Christian and Casey from Fleet Foxes), Jenny O., Shurman, Henry Wagons and Amy Cook, with the possibility of the addition of even more artists. The event will be streamed live through VenueOne (www.venueone.com) which is a fusion of entertainment and socializing functionality that enable viewers to connect, engage and watch gigs together online.

The second event is the official VIP Fundraiser, which will take place the evening of March 14 from 9 pm to Midnight at the Hotel San Jose Courtyard. This event will be a ticketed, private, VIP fundraiser with a live auction, food and cocktails. Polly Parsons, Gram's daughter, will speak about the Foundation and there will be a step and repeat available for photos. There will also be evening entertainment in the form of a musical performance by an artist to be determined.

GPF was first formed in 2004 to facilitate the transmittal of funds raised from the Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons shows in LA and Santa Barbara, to the Musicians Assistance Program (MAP) and SIMS Foundation. These concerts raised a substantial amount of funds with the support of the stellar musical talent, which included Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakum, Lucinda Williams, John Doe, Jim James and more. After lying dormant, it was apparent after numerous passionate email's from Gram Parsons' fans, it was time to re-launch and begin giving back to the creative community.

The Gram Parsons Foundation continues to build on this exciting launch and there will be more announcements as they build for their March 14 event. You can donate to the foundation via their website and also request your own donate button for your online presence and to join our efforts.

For more information, please visit the Gram Parsons Foundation website at www.gramparsonsfoundation.org.

Ringo Starr & his 13th All Starr Band set to hit the road

2012-02-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCING RINGO STARR & HIS 13th ALL STARR BAND FEATURING
STEVE LUKATHER (Toto), GREGG ROLIE (Journey, Santana), RICHARD PAGE (Mr. Mister), TODD RUNDGREN, MARK RIVERA and GREGG BISSONETTE

Wednesday, February 8, Los Angeles, CA – Today Ringo Starr (seen on the left; photo courtesy of Rob Shannahan) announced his 13th All Starr Band, which will launch June 14, 2012 from Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario and conclude July 21, 2012 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. New to the All Starrs are Steve Lukather (Toto) and Gregg Rolie (Santana & Journey) who will join All Starr alumni Richard Page, Todd Rundgren, Mark Rivera, and Gregg Bissonette.

The tour is being produced by Dave Hart and as always fans can expect to hear a jukebox worth of hits. Ringo classic’s such as “It Don’t Come Easy”, “Photograph”, “Little Help From My Friends”, “Yellow Submarine” and “Wings," from Starr’s just released 17th solo record, Ringo 2012 (Hip-O/Ume). All Starr’s hits include “Rosanna,” “Broken Wings,” “Hello It’s Me,” “Black Magic Woman.”

Ringo will spend his birthday on the road, with a performance at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on July 7. Following in the tradition of the last few years, at Noon from the Hard Rock Nashville, Ringo will ask anyone anywhere, and everyone everywhere, to join him in a wish for Peace & Love.

The confirmed dates are as follows:

June 14, 15 – Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
June 16 – Bethel Woods PAC, Bethel, NY
June 17 – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
June 19 – Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA
June 22 – Jones Beach Ampitheater, Wantagh, NY
June 23 – Ceasar’s, Atlantic City, NJ
June 24 – Meyerhoff, Baltimore, MD
June 26 – State Theater, Easton, PA
June 27 – Mayo Center, Morristown, NJ
June 29 – St Augustine Theater, St. Augustine, FL
June 30 – Seminole Hard Rock Arena, Hollywood, FL
July 1 – Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
July 3 – Tuscaloosa Ampitheater, Tuscaloosa, Al
July 4 – The Wharf, Orange Beach, Al
July 6 – Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA
July 7 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
July 8 – Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, IL
July 11 – Usana Ampitheater, Salt Lake, UT
July 13 – Northern Quest, Spokane, WA
July 14 – St Michelle Winery, Seattle, WA
July 15 – Edgefield, Portland, OR
July 17 – Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
July 19 – Humphrey’s, San Diego, CA
July 21 – The Greek, Los Angeles, CA

More dates will be announced soon.

For more information, visit http://www.ringostarr.com/

Friday Files: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Ringo Starr, Buddy Holly

2012-02-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Boss is set to rock the upcoming GRAMMYS next week, and today marks the 53rd anniversary of "The Day the Music Died." Read on as I share some exciting media releases that have landed in my inbox. Rave on and have a great weekend everybody!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND SET TO PERFORM ON THE 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®

Jack Black, Fergie and Ringo Starr to Present at the Music Industry's Premier Event

Music's Biggest Night®— Hosted by Rapper/Actor LL COOL J —
Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m. ET/PT

Photo credit: Jo Lopez

Twenty-time GRAMMY® winner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (the E Street Band's members are: Roy Bittan – piano, synthesizer; Nils Lofgren – guitar, vocals; Patti Scialfa – guitar, vocals; Garry Tallent – bass guitar; Stevie Van Zandt – guitar, vocals; and Max Weinberg – drums; with Soozie Tyrell – violin, guitar, vocals and Charlie Giordano – keyboards) have been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com).

Actor/recording artist Jack Black, six-time GRAMMY winner and current three-time nominee Fergie, and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr will appear as presenters. Music's Biggest Night® — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition 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 at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; Katy Perry; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time. Previously announced presenters are Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow. LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

On the 53rd Anniversary of the rock pioneer's tragic death, acclaimed film and TV star to share stories, perform immortal Buddy Holly songs tonight (Feb. 3, 2012)

GARY BUSEY TO TAKE PART IN THE "THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY" FAN EVENTS AT PEPITO'S PARKWAY THEATER; McNALLY SMITH BAND FROM THE "BUDDY" HISTORY THEATER PRODUCTION TO PLAY HOLLY SONGS AFTER THE FILM WITH BUSEY FRIDAY

BUSEY'S ROLE AS HOLLY IN 1978 FILM EARNED HIM AN ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION AND BEST ACTOR AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF FILM CRITICS

WHO: Buddy Holly died tragically 53 years ago today with two other musicians when their plane crashed outside of Clear Lake, Iowa, after playing the Surf Ballroom and heading to Moorhead, Minnesota to play.

Many music fans know February 3, 1959, as "The Day the Music Died."

WHAT: But Pepito's Parkway Theater and Rob Chapman Presents Rock & Roll Moving Picture Show will make the music and the life of Holly alive again with a Buddy Holly fan event TONIGHT, FRIDAY, Feb. 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. when it will present actor Gary Busey, who portrayed Holly in the 1978 film, The Buddy Holly Story. The scintillating performance earned Busey an Academy Award Nomination and the National Society of Film Critics' "Best Actor" award.

Busey will introduce the film, share stories about its making and talk about Holly.

Following the movie, he will perform a brief set of timeless Buddy Holly songs after the movie, with a backing trio that includes the former McNally Smith College of Music students who played as Holly's band, The Crickets for the History Theater's production of "Buddy." Those players include Josh Bourdon (Upright Bass), Brandon Petron (Guitar) and Zach Spicer (Drums).

The same group will do a set of Holly songs Thursday night after the screening.

WHEN: TONIGHT, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, BEGINNING AT 7:00 P.M. DOORS OPEN AT 6:15 P.M.

WHERE: Pepito's Parkway Theater is located at 4814 Chicago Avenue South , Mpls., 55417 and online at www.theparkwaytheater.com (612-822-3030). Tickets are available online at www.brownpaperticket.com

WHY: "Buddy Holly was one of rock's earliest pioneers, not only as a gifted songwriter and musician, but he was also doing highly innovative things in the studio, which later became commonplace," notes Rob Chapman, whose series of rock 'n' roll film events at the Parkway have included movies and conversations about Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones (with special guest saxophonist Bobby Keyes), The Doors, Prince and others.

"We are very fortunate to have Gary Busey join us on this memorial weekend," Chapman added, "and to share his insights into Holly's music, the celebrated Biopic in which Busey seemed to become the legendary rocker, and to sing select songs from the Buddy Holly songbook with a great young backing group of musicians. It's going to be a terrific night to fondly remember Buddy!"

Sights and Sounds: Paul Kostabi, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®, The Black Keys

2012-02-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Although this post features plenty of big updates about the upcoming 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® set for Feb. 12, I'll kick things off with an update about artist-musician Paul Kostabi.

From Paul Kostabi with Love
Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 2, 2012
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Art is alive in Williamsport; come celebrate with the Grey Art Gallery!

The Grey Art Gallery is pleased to present "From Paul Kostabi with Love" with featured artist and musician Paul Kostabi. The exhibition will be on display from Thursday, Feb. 2, thru Feb. 25, with an opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Paul Kostabi has built his world around art and music. Born in 1962, Paul grew up in Whittier, California, and later moved to New York City. After college, he traveled across America and has circulated his work in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Canada and France. Some of his pieces remain in the permanent collections of the Paterson Museum in New Jersey, the Guggenheim in New York, the New England Museum of Art in Brooklyn, Connecticut, the Millenium Museum, the Whitney Museum of Art and the Museion in Bolzano, Italy.

Paul's work deals with all types of subject matter. He is a visual explorer who is intimately connected to the environment around him. Many of his paintings have the worked-over look of pictures meant to be worlds in themselves. They grab the eye like a stranger grabbing your lapels. They are paintings that love paint: its infinite variability, its stubbornness, its musicality, the energy it emits in contact with itself, the emotions it unlocks, even when it looks as random as spit and drool, as the record of the passing hand.

We will be showcasing several new paper pieces that Paul has been feverishly working on. Also on display will be some of his paintings that have hung with pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring.

As an added bonus, we will be showcasing some paintings by Paul's brother Mark Kostabi.

Mark is a major player in the art world and was a prominent figure of the East Village art scene. In 1984, he won the "Proliferation Prize" from the East Village Eye for being in more art exhibitions than any other New York Artist.

Retrospective exhibitions of Mark's paintings have been held at the Mitsukoshi Museum in Tokyo (1992) and the Art Museum of Estonia in Tallin (1998.)

Mark's work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Brooklyn Museum, the National Gallery in Washington D.C., the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, and the Groninger Museum in Holland.

His permanent public works include a mural in Palazzo dei Priori in Arezzo, Italy, a large bronze sculpture in the central square of San Bernedetto del Tronto, Italy and a bronze portrait of Pope John Paul II in Velletri, Italy.

Mark even designed album covers for Guns 'N' Roses (Use Your Illusion) and The Ramones (!Adios Amigos!).

Other artists with new work on display for this opening include Mike Cockrill, Joshua R. Troxler, Misako Oba, Chad Andrews, Matthew Ryan Sharp, Tyler Cooey, Yosiell Lorenzo, Janelle Whisenant, Danielle Charette, Dean Landry, Matthew Parrish, Phillip Evans, Evan Summer, Joann Landis, and Aaron Meyers.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Michiko "Michi" Egger, and light refreshments will be served.

GRAMMY® NOMINEE KATY PERRY TO PERFORM ON THE 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®

Dierks Bentley, Drake, Miranda Lambert, and Gwyneth Paltrow
are the first presenters announced for the Music Industry's Premier Event

Music's Biggest Night® — Hosted by Rapper/Actor LL COOL J —
Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 12, 8 ET/PT

Current GRAMMY® nominee Katy Perry has been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Country artist Dierks Bentley, rapper/actor and current four-time nominee Drake, GRAMMY winner Miranda Lambert, and Emmy® and Academy Award® winner Gwyneth Paltrow will appear as presenters. Music's Biggest Night® — hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition 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 at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. 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: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

Katy Perry is up for two awards: Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Firework."

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Perry, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and 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, 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 YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram.

MTV to Exclusively Premiere The Black Keys’ New Music Video “Gold on the Ceiling”
during “MTV FIRST: THE BLACK KEYS” on Monday, February 6th at 7:54pm ET on MTV

Band to Introduce New Music Video and Sit for Exclusive 30-minute Interview on MTV.com

On Monday, February 6, 2012, MTV News’ James Montgomery will sit down for an exclusive interview with Grammy-Award winning rock band The Black Keys to premiere the band’s new music video “Gold on the Ceiling” at 7:54pm ET on MTV during MTV FIRST: THE BLACK KEYS. Following the on-air portion, band mates Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney will stay on for an additional 30-minute interview on MTV.com to discuss their passage from humble beginnings to selling out Madison Square Garden and answer fan-submitted questions.

Immediately following the music video’s premiere on MTV, “Gold on the Ceiling”, which features footage from the band’s album release party that was livestreamed on MTV Hive, will go into rotation on mtvU and MTV Hits, premiere on MTV.com and VH1.com, and hit AMTV the next morning. The video will also debut in MTV2’s 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield on Friday, Feb. 10 during a special Grammy-themed episode and in VH1’s “Top 20 Countdown” on Saturday, Feb. 11.

“Gold on the Ceiling” is the second single from The Black Keys’ new album, El Camino, released Dec. 6 on Nonesuch Records. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and has already been certified RIAA Gold. The duo was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine earlier this month, for the first time (January 19 issue). In celebration of the release, the band will embark on the first leg of their North American tour this March, featuring sold-out shows at Chicago’s United Center, DC’s Verizon Center, and two nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden followed by a second batch of April dates, including shows at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center and Seattle’s Key Arena. Click here for more info about tour dates: http://www.theblackkeys.com/shows.

In December, MTV supported the release of El Camino across its multiple screens, including “120 Minutes Road to Release The Black Keys” on MTV2, showcasing exclusive content offerings including interviews with the band, and a livestream of the band’s album release concert from New York City’s famed Webster Music Hall as part of MTV Hive’s Live in NYC livestream concert series.

The Black Keys have been a staple of MTV since 2003 when the network began playing their music video for “Set You Free.” In July, 2010, the band was featured as part of MTV’s weekly music initiative, MTV PUSH (Play Until Someone Hears) that showcases emerging artists. The Black Keys won the 2010 Video Music Award for Breakthrough Music Video for “Tighten Up”, and in 2011 were nominated for Best Rock Video and a “2011 mtvU Woodies” Award.

MTV News is the authority for music, movies and pop culture news for the Millennial audience, producing a diverse mix of daily news stories, insider specials, weekly series, live red carpet shows, exclusive music video and movie premieres, as well as exclusive artist and celebrity interviews on-air, online, via mobile and across social media.

The Cult set to release 'Choice of Weapon' in May

2012-01-31T08:08:00.000-08:00

Here is an exciting update that landed in my inbox since I last checked in. Enjoy!

The Cult, left to right, features Billy Duffy, Chris Wyse, Ian Astbury, John Tempesta

One of the finest British rock acts to have enjoyed worldwide success over the last few decades, The Cult has wrapped up recording Choice of Weapon, the group's first studio album in five years. The album is set for a May 22, 2012 U.S. release on the band's new label Cooking Vinyl, and its 10 tracks reveal the band at its rawest and most visceral, encapsulating cinematic visions and themes of love, revolt, and redemption. Fans can get an early taste of the album by logging onto the band's website - www.thecult.us - where the track "Lucifer" is now available as a free download.

Choice of Weapon is the follow up to the critically-acclaimed 2007 release Born Into This that the UK's Mojo magazine called "a wholehearted, utopian and irrefutably exciting record." Long-time Cult collaborator and producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Bush), who produced one of The Cult's most successful albums, the Platinum-certified Sonic Temple, put the finishing touches on the foundations that were laid by co-producer Chris Goss (Queens of the Stone Age, U.N.K.L.E., Masters of Reality).

The album was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band's Witch Mountain studio between July and December 2011. The new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse. "We have had the opportunity to work with two of the most influential and talented producers in the world today," said Astbury. "They pushed us beyond our comfort zone, and helped us craft Choice of Weapon."

Choice of Weapon is aimed at the heart of The Cult's loyal following. It reflects the current discontent and destruction of our eco systems, the search for individual meaning against a tide of rampant materialism, narcissism and disconnected lives. "We went deeper . . . we worked a bit harder on this record. We have great fans and they deserve our best," added Duffy, "and I feel this is as strong as any album we have ever released.

Sights and Sounds: The Cranberries, Garbage, The Lumineers

2012-01-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Where did the weekend go? Well, here's some good news to kick the week off right courtesy of some timely releases that have landed in my inbox.

Most of my favorite bands to emerge during the 1990s were not of the grunge variety. Like DADA, Garbage and Toad the Wet Sprocket (three other bands I discovered during that decade), The Cranberries wrote powerful rock that was creative and boasted more textures and artful arrangements than most outfits to emerge out of the Northwest (hey Pearl Jam fans, I'm with yah!).

The Irish band is set to release Roses, its first new studio album in more than a decade, on Feb. 28, 2012. Issued by Cooking Vinyl/Downtown Records, Roses was produced by Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths).

While waiting to pick up the new album, can visit The Cranberries' official Web site and view the official video of "Tomorrow," the first single from the new album.

In addition, The Cranberries are set to perform on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on Feb. 7, "The View" on Feb. 10 and the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

For more details, visit www.Cranberries.com.

GARBAGE ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN SEVEN YEARS

NOT YOUR KIND OF PEOPLE TO BE RELEASED ON BAND'S OWN LABEL ON MAY 15, 2012

GARBAGE ANNOUNCE FIRST ROUND OF TOUR DATES

Garbage has announced that their fifth studio album, Not Your Kind Of People, will be released in the United States on May 15, 2012, on the band's label STUNVOLUME. As V Magazine recently put it: "The poster girl for '90s alternative rock is ready to reclaim her reign - and the radio - with a new record from her iconic band, Garbage."

"Working with Garbage again was very instinctual," said Duke Erikson. "Like getting on a bicycle...with three other people." He adds "We haven't felt this good about a Garbage record since the last one!"

Garbage - Shirley Manson (vocals), Steve Marker (guitars, keyboards), Duke Erikson (guitars, keyboards) and Butch Vig (drums, loops) - will hit the road this spring in support of the album by performing several headlining shows as well as various festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. with more dates to be confirmed.

"Thinking about going back on the road is both thrilling and terrifying in equal measure," said Shirley Manson. ".........but we've always enjoyed a little pain mixed in with our pleasure."

See below for full list of dates confirmed so far.

Garbage 2012 Tour Dates*

Headlining Tour Dates

MAY
9th London, England Troxy

11th St. Petersburg, Russia Jubilenyi Hall

12th Moscow, Russia Crocus City Hall

16th Paris, France Olympia

Festival Tour Dates

JUNE
16th Hultsfred, Sweden Hultsfred Festival

17th Aarhus, Denmark Northside Festival

22nd Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany Southside Festival

23rd Scheessel, Germany Hurricane Festival, Red Stage

28th Werchter, Belgium Rock Werchter, Pyramid Marquee

* more dates to be announced

ABOUT GARBAGE
After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995 and rode a wave of visually arresting, female-fronted alternative rock bands. The album spawned the hit singles "Stupid Girl" and "Only Happy When It Rains" and was certified double platinum in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The band won the Breakthrough Artist Award at the 1996 MTV Europe Music Awards, and was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy® Award. Their second album, Version 2.0, was released in 1998 and topped the charts in the United Kingdom. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album. 2001's Beautiful Garbage was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 10 Albums Of The Year. In 2005, Garbage released Bleed Like Me, earning the band it's highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. In 2007, the band released a retrospective collection called Absolute Garbage. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide. They have performed in over 35 countries and will tour extensively worldwide in support of this new release.

The Lumineers Announce Self-Titled Debut Album

Band Signs to Dualtone

The Lumineers Be Released on April 3

Touring In US March and April

Denver band The Lumineers are proud to announce the release of their self-titled debut album, out on April 3rd via Dualtone. The band's style of emotive, powerful folk-rock has garnered comparisons to Edward Sharpe and Mumford and Sons, and is in line with Dualtone's history of supporting talented folk acts. The album was produced and mixed by Ryan Hadlock (Foo Fighters, Ra Ra Riot, Metric) at Bear Creek Studios, with additional mixing by Kevin Augunas (The Black Keys, Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros) at Fairfax Recordings, and follows the band's eponymous self-recorded EP that was released earlier in 2011.

The Lumineers will be touring in support of the debut, beginning in March and playing through the end of April. The tour will start along the West Coast with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, and will run through other major markets including Chicago, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. For a full list of tour dates, please see below.

Off the strength of a self released EP the band was named one of the 20 best new bands of 2011 by Paste Magazine:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/12/the-20-best-new-bands-of-2011.html

The band also played at World Café, which you can check out at NPR here:

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/09/144900622/the-lumineers-on-world-cafe-next

The Lumineers were formed by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites in New York. Their story begins in 2002, the year Jeremiah's brother and Wesley's long-time best friend, Josh, died from a drug overdose at 19. Amidst the loss and grief, Wes and Jeremiah came together and found solace in music, writing songs and playing gigs around New York. After battling the city's cutthroat music scene and impossibly high cost of living, the two decided to expand their horizons. They packed everything they owned and headed for Denver, Colorado. It was less a pilgrimage than act of stubborn hopefulness.

The first thing they did in Denver was place a Craigslist ad for a cellist, and the first person to respond was Neyla Pekarek, a classically trained Denver native. As a trio, they began playing at the Meadowlark, a gritty basement club where the city's most talented songwriters gathered every Tuesday for an open mic and dollar PBRs. Neyla softened Wes and Jeremiah's rough edges while expanding her skills to mandolin and piano. And so The Lumineers sound took shape; an amalgam of heart-swelling stomp-and-clap acoustic rock, classic pop, and front-porch folk.

The Lumineers Tour Dates

Wed-Mar-21 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

Thu-Mar-22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Café

Sat-Mar-24 - San Francisco, CA @ Café Du Nord

Sun-Mar-25 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place

Thu-Mar-29 - Eugene, OR @ Axe & Fiddle

Fri-Mar-30 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios

Sat-Mar-31 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern

Sun-Apr-01 - Vancouver, BC @ Media Club

Wed-Apr-04 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux

Thu-Apr-05 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room

Fri-Apr-06 - Bellvue, CO @ Misawaka Indoors

Sat-Apr-7 - Boulder, CO @ Shug's

Mon-Apr-09 - Ames, IA @ The Maintenance Shop

Wed-Apr-11 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Thu-Apr-12 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency

Fri-Apr-13 - Chicago/Evanston, IL @ SPACE

Tue-Apr-17 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Lounge

Wed-Apr-18 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse

Thu-Apr-19 - Fairfield, CT @ StageOne

Fri-Apr-20 - Berklee, MA @ Café 939 (festival)

Sat-Apr-21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Sun-Apr-22 - Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java

Tue-Apr-24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas

Thu-Apr-26 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

Fri-Apr-27 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement

Sat-Apr-28 - St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill

Sun-Apr-29 - Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar

For more information, please contact:

www.thelumineers.com

Area concerts bring Jeff Peterson, Geoff Tate and Deana Carter to So Cal this weekend

2012-01-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

Just because NAMM has ended doesn't mean there are no special concerts being staged in the Orange County area here in Southern California. In fact a wide-range of artists will be bringing their music to the region this weekend.

Lord of the Strings concerts bringing the sounds of Hawaii to the OC this weekend

Jeff Peterson is coming in from Hawaii for two Lord of the Strings concerts in South Orange County. If you have seen the highly popular Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe Award winning movie The Descendants starring George Clooney you no doubt noticed the fantastic slack key guitar music throughout the film. Peterson recorded five songs that are featured in the movie.

In related news (guitar player take note!), LOTSC only have 3 openings left (of seven total) for the guitar workshop with Jeff Peterson this Saturday (Jan. 28) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in San Juan Capistrano. All levels welcome! The cost is $75 and will include lunch. Call Tim at (949) 842-2227 to make your reservation.

Tickets for Peterson's Friday evening show in Dana Point or his Saturday night performance in Mission Viejo can be purchased online at www.LordOfTheStringsConcerts.com. For further information please call 949 842-2227 or visit the LOTSC site.

QUEENSRYCHE'S GEOFF TATE "AND FRIENDS" TO PERFORM AT THE COACH HOUSE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

After touring extensively in 2011 with his band, Queensryche, Geoff recently announced that he will be doing a handful of acoustic solo dates billed as "Geoff Tate and Friends" beginning on Thursday, January 26 at Anthology in San Diego, California.

What can fans expect on the brief run of dates?

According to Tate, he'll be "playing acoustic versions of all my favorite Queensryche songs as well as some songs from my solo album." And that certainly gives him a lot to choose from...

Not one to remain idle, Tate is anxious to hit the road again next year despite an incredibly busy 2011 that found the band performing over 75 dates along their 30th Anniversary tour primarily in support of their 12th studio album, Dedicated to Chaos (Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud), that was released in the summer.

Towards the end of the tour, Geoff and the band pulled out "all the stops" by performing Rage for Order in its entirety for the first time ever (New York City on Halloween) and Operation: Mindcrime from beginning to end on this year's ShipRocked Cruise (with In This Moment's Maria Brink handling vocal chores as "Sister Mary") for the first time in three years. Both shows were a pure treat for fans!

"Mindcrime" (1988) is universally respected as a classic concept release about rock, revenge and redemption and, ultimately, regarded as one of the most important and essential hard rock records in the genre's expansive canon. 1990's follow-up, Empire, yielded a number one single, the Grammy-nominated ballad "Silent Lucidity," which Queensryche performed at the 1992 Grammy Awards accompanied by a supporting orchestra.

In 2006, the band released Operation: Mindcrime II, a scorching sequel to their original. The band then hit the road performing both albums Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II back-to-back in their entirety in an incredible theatrical presentation throughout the year. The final performance was recorded at The Moore Theatre in Seattle that October and the Mindcrime at the Moore double CD/DVD release debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Music DVD Chart and eventually reached gold status.
For more information, please view the official Queensryche website at www.queensryche.com.

GEOFF TATE TOUR DATES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 - ANTHOLOGY IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 - THE CANYON CLUB IN AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 - SLO BREW IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 - THE COACH HOUSE IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 - CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - EL REY IN CHICO, CALIFORNIA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - UPTOWN IN NAPA, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - FINAGHTY'S IN SNOQUALMIE, WASHINGTON

Deana Carter & band to perform at the Fender Museum on Saturday

I ran into singer-songwriter-guitarist Shawn Jones at NAMM last weekend and he noted that he will be playing lead guitar for Deana Carter when she performs in the Rhythm Lounge at The Fender Museum at 8 p.m. on Saturday night (Jan. 28).

The Fender Museum is located at 365 N. Main Street, Corona Ca 92880. The direct number to call is 951-735-2440.

This is a benefit concert, with proceeds going to benefit the Kids Rock Free Music Education Program.

For more details, check out Shawn Jones' Web site or the Fender Museum site.

'American Idol' gets fitting tribute courtesy of singer-songwriter TJR

2012-01-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

You might want to check out my Music Worth Buying co-host TJR's musical send-up to American Idol now posted on YouTube. Whether you like the show or hate it, I think you'll get a real kick out of the music video.

Sights and Sounds: M. Ward, Kate Bush, Plain White T’s, Audio Fidelity releases

2012-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, I've been so swamped attending NAMM and wrapping up my coverage of the event that my inbox is stuffed. Now I've had some time to get some of it cleared out and I'm sharing it here!

M. Ward to release A Wasteland Companion in April; full North American Tour announced

Merge will release M. Ward's sixth solo album, A Wasteland Companion, on April 10.

In the three years since Portland, OR-based troubadour M. Ward released his last solo album - the universally lauded Hold Time - he’s toured the globe, released two albums as one half of Grammy-nominated duo She & Him as well as one with the talented group of friends collectively know as Monsters Of Folk.

Inspired by his increasingly itinerant lifestyle Ward set forth to create something of a musical travelogue. He explains, “Between now and when I made Hold Time there has been a lot of traveling which requires a lot of reckoning with what to leave behind and what to carry – material and otherwise – and thinking about what I want versus what I need, creatively and otherwise. I wanted to get a reflection of that on the album. It was a process of stripping away my security blanket, which is the same four walls I always record in.”

The album was made with 18 musicians and recorded in eight different studios in Portland, Omaha, New York City, Los Angeles, Austin and Bristol (UK). A Wasteland Companion features the talents of M Ward (piano, guitars, voice, production), Mike Coykendall (percussion, bass), Giant Sand’s Howe Gelb (piano), John Parish (percussion, marimba), Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis (organ), Susan Sanchez (vocals), She & Him’s Zooey Deschanel (vocals), Jordan Hudson (percussion), Adam Selzer (bass), Nathan “JR” Andersen (piano), Scott McPherson (percussion), Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley (percussion), Dr. Dog’s Tobey Leaman (bass), Devotchka’s Tom Hagerman (strings), Oakely Hall’s Rachel Cox (vocals), Amanda Lawrence (violin), John Graboff (pedal steel) and Tyler Tornfelt (bass). The recording utilized eight engineers, including Tom Schick (Rufus Wainwright) and John Parish (PJ Harvey).

M. Ward can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and at mwardmusic.com.

Track listing:
1. Clean Slate (for Alex & El Goodo)
2. Primitive Girl
3. Me And My Shadow
4. Sweetheart
5. I Get Ideas
6. The First Time I Ran Away
7. A Wasteland Companion
8. Watch The Show
9. There’s A Key
10. Crawl After You
11. Wild Goose
12. Pure Joy

M. Ward on tour:
Feb 2 Los Angeles, CA Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Apr 11 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Apr 12 Santa Cruz, CA The Cocoanut Grove Ballroom
Apr 13 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
Apr 14 Santa Barbara, CA SoHO
Apr 16 San Diego, CA Belly Up
Apr 17 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
Apr 18 Flagstaff, AZ The Orpheum
Apr 20 Indio, CA Coachella **SOLD OUT**
May 5 Portland, ME State Theatre
May 6 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
May 7 New Haven, CT Toads Place
May 8 Boston, MA House of Blues
May 11 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 12 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
May 13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 15 Durham, NC Duke Performances at Page Auditorium
May 16 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
May 17 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
May 22 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
May 24 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Jonathan Richman supports 4/11
fIREHOSE supports 4/12, 4/16-4/18
Lee Ranaldo Band supports 5/5-5/22

KATE BUSH PREMIERES NEW VIDEO VIA NPR.ORG

Clip For “Lake Tahoe” From Acclaimed New Album
50 Words For Snow

Revered singer Kate Bush is premièring a new video from her acclaimed new album 50 Words For Snow at NPR’s All Songs Considered. The beautifully evocative cinematic clip is for her song “Lake Tahoe” and features stark shadow puppetry – featuring a dog moving through a stark landscape searching for its owner - perfectly compliments the music’s haunting sense of dramatic longing.

Bush told NPR that despite the video's abbreviated running time, she intended the clip to be viewed as a complete work: “The video exists as a self-contained piece, it is called 'Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe'. It has all been created in camera with shadow puppets, one of my favorite art forms because of its simplicity. It is something that I've wanted to do for years and it was great fun to make.”

To watch Kate Bush’s new video go to: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/

50 Words For Snow features 7 new tracks set against a background of falling snow, with a total running time of 65 minutes; through a highly evocative musical and lyrical landscape. The record features a number of special guest musicians including Elton John.

Plain White T's on Guitar Center Sessions - Airs on DIRECTV on Jan. 28, 2012

THE PLAIN WHITE T’S Bring Their Successful Mix of Pop-Rock To New Season of Award-Winning TV Series Guitar Center Sessions

Show to feature performance from Plain White T’s – plus an intimate conversation with Tom Higgenson, Tim Lopez and De’Mar Hamilton about the creative process of writing songs, the sometimes difficult dynamics of working together as a band and the increasing importance of commercials and TV in making a hit song — with host and esteemed musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt

Sneak Peek At: http://guitarcenter.com/sessions/

Westlake Village, CA – Guitar Center (http://www.guitarcenter.com), the world's largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, and DIRECTV, one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services, feature PLAIN WHITE T’S in a new episodes of the award-winning music series Guitar Center Sessions this Saturday, January 28. Guitar Center Sessions features exclusive performances and intimate, enlightening conversations conducted by revered musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt. The episode premieres Saturday, January 28th at 9pm ET/PT in 2D hi-definition on DIRECTV’S Audience Network (channel 239) and in 3D on DIRECTV’S n3D™ powered by Panasonic.

An exclusive clip of Plain White T’s performance of “Hey There Delilah” from the episode can be seen at http://guitarcenter.com/sessions/.

Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, the pop-rock Plain White T's began taking shape in 1997, a full ten years before the acoustic ballad "Hey There Delilah" made them Grammy-nominated stars. Led by Tom Higgenson, the band toured extensively over the next years, weathering personnel changes along the way and building a following through a solid work ethic and promising songwriting. After a few indie label releases, in 2006 they signed with Hollywood Records, released Every Second Counts and hit big with “Hey There Delilah” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Grammy awards (song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group). The following year they had another hit with “1, 2, 3, 4,” which struck a universal chord and catapulted up the charts with an assist from a Hallmark Valentine’s Day ad. In 2010, Plain White T's released their sixth, most recent studio album, The Wonders of the Younger, changing up their dynamic with two songs penned and sung by guitarist Tim Lopez, including the hit single, "The Rhythm of Love," which layers on a new laid-back acoustic sound to the band's usual mix of spunky energy and pop/rock craft. Plain White T’s line-up: Tom Higgenson (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim Lopez (lead guitar, vocals), De’Mar Hamilton (drums), Dave Tirio (rhythm guitar) and Mike Retondo (bass).

In the episode, Higgenson, Lopez and Hamilton talk frankly to host Nic Harcourt about the pressures of working together as a band, with Lopez noting “the closest we’ve come to fighting in the writing process comes with putting songs together as a band.” Higgenson also discusses his shock at the huge success of “Hey There Delilah,” which he thought of as a “good, small song” until it took off on MySpace, becoming an early Internet sensation—and a chart-topping hit—in 12 countries. Hamilton agrees, saying the success of that song funded the band at a crucial time (“We were able to continue doing what we love to do – play music”). The three also talk about the evolution of social networking from the band’s early days (“so much time and money at Kinko’s making up a flyer”) to today with Higgenson saying it can be hard to feel a connection with the live audience “when you see a bunch of phones instead of people’s eyes and faces.” Another change they’ve witnessed concerns the benefits of licensing songs for commercials and TV shows. Higgenson and Lopez agree that placing a song in the right scene in the right movie or commercial adds a stronger emotion in visual form to the song. When Harcourt asks the seasoned musicians what advice they’d give young bands to get their music out, the answer is a resounding “Anything you can. Work hard, keep writing songs and do great live shows.”

“The Plain White T’s are one of the first artists to benefit from the unprecedented reach that the Internet provides to musicians,” says Harcourt. “They were able to hear fans in the UK sing along to ‘Hey There Delilah’ before their album was available there, thanks to the Internet. It’s fascinating to hear such a modern success story, and to find out how the band is able to build off their original success in a tangible way. It’s exactly the type of story we’re trying to explore with Guitar Center Sessions.”

AUDIO FIDELITY KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH 24-KARAT GOLD REISSUES OF
TWO CAREER-CHANGING ALBUMS OF THE EARLY '80S

Dio's Holy Diver and Bryan Adams' Cuts Like a Knife Rock Anew on Limited-Edition Audiophile Compact Discs Arriving January 31, 2012

Marshall Blonstein, president of Audio Fidelity, has set January 31st as the release date for the audiophile label's Gold CD reissues of Dio's HOLY DIVER and Bryan Adams' CUTS LIKE A KNIFE. Both albums will be issued as numbered, limited editions that will be available through both online and brick-and-mortar retailers and will be retired after they have reached 5000 units in sales.

The two albums hail from 1983, a year when rock was reasserting its place on a music landscape then dominated by dance and pop records. Long acknowledged as classic entries in each artist's catalog, HOLY DIVER and CUTS LIKE A KNIFE represented key turns in the careers of Ronnie James Dio and Bryan Adams. The albums enjoyed the longest tenure of any Dio or Adams set on Billboard's chart, with HOLY DIVER logging 38 weeks and CUTS LIKE A KNIFE notching 89.

Ronnie James Dio had already achieved star status as the lead singer of Elf, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Black Sabbath by the time he released HOLY DIVER, the first record of what would be a long and fruitful solo career. Joined by alumni of his former bands-drummer Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath) and bassist Jimmy Bain (Rainbow)-and teenaged discovery, guitarist Vivian Campbell, Dio crafted a searing debut that won widespread pop acceptance without compromising an ounce of its power or heavy-metal principles. The group-composed "Rainbow in the Dark," as well as the Dio-penned title track, became mainstream-rock radio hits, and the Bain-Dio cuts "Straight Through the Heart" and "Stand Up and Shout" grew into fan favorites-the latter featuring impressive, breakneck-speed soloing from Campbell.

HOLY DIVER peaked at No. 56 on Billboard's album chart (and reached 13 in the U.K.) and was certified Gold a year after its release and Platinum in 1989. The song "Holy Diver" retains considerable popularity almost three decades after it was first recorded, having been featured on TV's South Park and in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. "Rainbow in the Dark" was featured in Rock Band 3. Dio himself appears in the opening musical performance of the 2006 comedy Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny starring Jack Black.

Audio Fidelity's reissue of HOLY DIVER includes a two-page spread reproducing the original vinyl LP's photo montage of images from Dio's time with Black Sabbath and Rainbow.

Following two solid solo albums, Canada's Bryan Adams broke through with CUTS LIKE A KNIFE, which was a Top 10 entry on both the American and Canadian charts. The set initiated Adams' run of five such acclaimed credits, sold some four million copies internationally and launched the raspy-voiced singer-writer as a major pop music figure, one who's garnered 15 Grammy® nominations. Adams wrote or co-wrote (mostly with longtime writing partner Jim Vallance) the album's ten songs-among them three solid Top 30 hits: the stirring piano ballad and signature piece "Straight From the Heart," the brisk rocker "This Time" and the troubled-relationship title track. "Straight From the Heart" was covered by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, and the album-closer, "The Best Was Yet to Come," was recorded by Laura Branigan.

Recorded in 1982 and originally issued on January of 1983, CUTS LIKE A KNIFE was produced by Adams with frequent associate Bob Clearmountain, whose engineering and mixing credits include Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. and recordings by the Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi. Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm contributes backing vocals on CUTS LIKE A KNIFE.

Founded in 2002 by music industry veteran Marshall Blonstein, Audio Fidelity specializes in deluxe reissues of classic popular-music recordings for the audiophile and collector markets The Camarillo, California-based label is best known for its 24-Karat Gold CDs and its 180-gram virgin-vinyl album editions, as well as a line of popular DVD titles. Audio Fidelity emerged out of the pioneering DCC Compact Classics label that Blonstein started in 1986, following stints as president of Island Records and co-founder of Ode Records (where he helped make Carole King's Tapestry one of the best-selling albums of all time and built the cult-film franchises The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke).

For more information, visit: www.audiofidelity.net

Sights and Sounds: Bruce Springsteen, The Monkees, Pulp, Van Dyke Parks

2012-01-23T22:30:00.000-08:00

Lots of big news to share. The Monkees' 1969 classic 'GREATEST HITS' is being re-released on 180-gram vinyl, Pulp is back, and - oh - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is set to return this year. Gotta love that!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Announce First US Leg of 2012 ‘Wrecking Ball’ World Tour

Photo credit: Danny Clinch

New Album 'Wrecking Ball' (Columbia Records) Out March 6, 2012

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band launch the first US leg of the 2012 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour on March 18 in Atlanta. Bruce Springsteen's 17th studio album 'Wrecking Ball' will be released on Columbia Records on March 6.

"We Take Care Of Our Own," the album's first single,' is "classic Springsteen" with "anguish and challenge [that] run thick and fast" (Rolling Stone); a "richly orchestrated Wall of Sound... that nods to the 'Born to Run' era" (Billboard).

Stream "We Take Care of Our Own" and pre-order 'Wrecking Ball' at: http://www.brucespringsteen.net

The E Street Band's members are: Roy Bittan – piano, synthesizer; Nils Lofgren – guitar, vocals; Patti Scialfa – guitar, vocals; Garry Tallent – bass guitar; Stevie Van Zandt – guitar, vocals; and Max Weinberg – drums; with Soozie Tyrell – violin, guitar, vocals and Charlie Giordano – keyboards.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 2012 U.S. Tour Dates:
March 18 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena (on sale Feb 4)
March 19 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum (on sale Feb 3)
March 23 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Times Forum (on sale Jan 28)
March 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden (on sale Jan 28)
March 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
March 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 1 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 3 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 4 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center (on sale Jan 27)
April 6 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden (on sale Jan 27)
April 12 – Detroit, MI – The Palace of Auburn Hills (on sale Jan 28)
April 13 – Buffalo, NY – First Niagara Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 16 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center (on sale Jan 28)
April 17 – Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena (on sale Jan 28)
April 24 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion (on sale Feb 3)
April 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (on sale Feb 3)
April 29 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (on sale now)
May 2 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center (on sale Jan 27)

The Monkees' GREATEST HITS, the band's first compilation, was originally released in 1969, a year after the cancellation of their TV show. As a result, it has become one of the most sought-after vinyl collectibles from the group, with mint copies selling for big bucks.

But now thanks to our friends at Friday Music, The Monkees GREATEST HITS is available once again on 180-gram vinyl - and only Rhino.com has 500 copies pressed exclusively on orange vinyl! That's right, we only have 500 units of this release on orange vinyl and once they're gone, they're gone. You can only get this version from Rhino.com, so order now.

The Monkees GREATEST HITS features all the obvious favorites, plus some surprises like “Zor and Zam,” “Cuddly Toy,” and “Randy Scouse Git” which sound more amazing on 180-gram vinyl. Don't miss out on this second chance to grab an excellent Monkees collectible - pre-order now. This release begins shipping on March, 6, 2012.

PULP RETURNS TO THE U.S.

BRIT BAND TO PLAY COACHELLA, RADIO CITY, THE WARFIELD

FIRST U.S. PERFORMANCES SINCE 1998

Pulp will return to the U.S. this spring for the first time in more than a decade to play Coachella, The Warfield in San Francisco, and Radio City Music Hall in New York. The shows will involve all the original members of the band -- Nick Banks (drums), Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Steve Mackey (bass), Russell Senior (violin, guitar) and Mark Webber (guitar) -- and they will be playing songs from all periods of their career.

April 11 -- New York, NY -- Radio City Music Hall
April 13 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella
April 17 -- San Francisco, CA -- The Warfield
April 20 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella

Pulp returned from a nine-year hiatus last summer, performing at festivals in Europe and Australia. They last played in the U.S. on a June 1998 tour in support of their "This Is Hardcore" album.

Official Web site: http://pulppeople.com/

Van Dyke Parks Announces Select Run of Southeast Dates

Final Installment of Unique 45's Series Set for March 20 Release

Legendary artist, composer and producer Van Dyke Parks will embark on a run of Southeast tour dates, including a February appearance at NPR's Mountain Stage. After a set of dates with Fleet Foxes last fall, Parks will return to this part of the country once again in support of his unique 7" vinyl series with artwork from some of the most important contemporary artists of our time, including Ed Ruscha, Art Speigelman, Frank Holmes and many more. Parks will kick off this run of performances with a set at Santa Barbara's Soho Restaurant & Music Club on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The show is in conjunction with an after party for the screening of Music Man Murray, a documentary scored by Parks, and written and directed by his son, Richard Parks premiering at the Santa Barbara Independent Film Festival.

This series of 45's is Parks' first new studio music in more than 15 years, since his acclaimed album Orange Crate Art. Announced last August on his own label Bananastan, the first four vinyls are available for purchase at the label's website and during the forthcoming live appearances. In December, Parks released the latest single 'Amazing Graces'/Hold Back Time' with Charles Ray art and will release the final two installments on March 20: 'Sassafrass'/ 'The All Golden' illustrated by both Billy Edd Wheeler and Klaus Voormann and 'Missin' Missippi'/'The Parting Hand' with sleeve art by Sally Parks, and Stanley Dorfman.

Parks also released Arrangements Vol. 1 last year, a compilation of some of his greatest arrangements, with Pitchfork saying, "the songs selected on 'Arrangements' are uniformly fantastic (8.6 'Best New Reissue')." At the heart of some of the great albums of the last 50 years, Parks' accomplishments include Brian Wilson's 'lost' masterpiece Smile, Randy Newman and Ry Cooder's first recordings, and Joanna Newsom's critically acclaimed 2006 album YS.

Van Dyke Parks On Tour

1/31 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho Restaurant & Music Club
2/15 - St. Petersburg, FL - Craftsman House Gallery
2/16 - Jacksonville, FL - The Florida Theatre
2/18 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
2/19 - Athens, GA - University of Georgia

For more info, please visit:
http://www.vandykeparks.com
http://www.bananastan.com

NAMM notes: Deering Banjos' Phoenix, Taylor Guitars, Pick Grips

2012-01-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

TJR with Deering Banjos Company Project Manager Jamie Latty at NAMM.

The more I saw across the five days at the 2012 NAMM Show, the more I'm sure I missed.

Through all the great performances, my chats with musicians and music lovers, and interviews with innovative minds who create the products of tomorrow, I'm always reminded why the music trade show is such a rush.

In addition, this year I really made it a point to actually sit down and try out some of the instruments. Believe it or not, I know there was at least one year I attended NAMM that my schedule was so stuffed with appointments I never even plucked a guitar. Now that's a crime.

One of my biggest thrills was jamming with my Music Worth Buying co-host TJR, as I got to play one of Taylor Guitars' GS Mini instruments. The guitar is easy to play, boasts great tones from its rich lows to its high notes and really defies its compact design. The Mini is available with either a solid spruce or mahogany top. Very, VERY nice. Click here for more details on the GS Mini.

I still have great memories of my father playing the banjo when I was a youngster just learning to play guitar. Although I never picked up the instrument, I kind of re-connected with those memories at NAMM on Sunday (Jan. 22) courtesy of Deering Banjo Company's Phoenix. A true banjo-guitar hybrid, it was amazing to sit down and be able to play the Phoenix like I would a guitar, but to hear the lovely tones of a banjo emerge from its beautiful design. TJR (seen here on the left) also was impressed and really created some lovely sounds on the instrument. As I learned in reading some materials from the Spring Valley, California-based company, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, David Hidalgo, Nils Lofgren and even Lee Rocker have all used Deering 6-string banjos. Now I know why!

It's not unusual to find new products at the NAMM Show. But I was truly impressed by a simple, but much-needed invention showcased by a fledgling company out of Mesa, Arizona.

Anyone who has ever played guitar with a pick knows the frustration of either having to dig their through pockets to find one, or being forced to mount them on a stand or even tape them to a prized instrument (and likely damaging their guitar).

No more. Pick Grips really does offer an easy, affordable and winning solution for musicians who play their guitar, bass, mandolin or other stringed instrument using a pick.

"For years, we used to weave the pick through the strings. I always thought there was a better way," said Pick Grips founder Bac Tran. "I thought there needs to be a solution. I was watching an Eddie Van Halen video and he had duct tape on his guitar (holding his picks in place) and I came up with this design."

Tran's Patent Pending-device simply attaches to the surface of an acoustic or electric instrument, with a slot where the pick fits snugly into place. When a musician wants to remove the Pick Grip, no residue (okay, "scum" better fits what happens when using duct tape) remains.

Musicians or companies ordering Pick Grips can select from a number of cool colors and even imprint their own logo or band name into the surface. Both TJR and I were blown away by this product, and just imagine, it doesn't involve electronics, apps or a digital interface!

Visit the Pick Grips Web site for more information on this amazing product!

NAMM - Sunday brings welcome surprises - Americana style!

2012-01-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Kruger Brothers displayed their amazing musicianship and song craft at NAMM on Sunday afternoon.

With 1,400 or so exhibitors positioned throughout the Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding hotels, the 2012 NAMM Show had plenty to offer visitors trying to take it all in over the course of its 96-hour stay. But the world's largest music products event always hosts an endless number of shows that really are the icing on the cake (much better than spending hours in lines waiting for autographs in my view). While there were no big rock shows scheduled on the music trade show's final day, Sunday (Jan. 22, 20120) offered up magical live performances in the morning and afternoon.

NAMM doesn't come to mind when thinking about a forum to seek modern country-styled artists, but roots and Americana artists were seemingly all over the place on Sunday. Of the acts I saw perform, two really stood out. Another artist, young country music singer Kelly McGrath, was performing in a hall so loud I could not hear her set clearly enough to write an honest review of the performance so I had to move on.

Early in the day, the Tora Bora Boys performed a fun set of bluegrass-styled material in the spirit of the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. With a lineup of six players (several of whom sang well and also harmonized sweetly together), the group attracted a big crowd to the Saga Musical Instruments booth. Highlights of the set included a version of Carter and Ralph Stanley's classic "How Mountain Gals Can Love" and a fiery instrumental tune titled "Fireball Mail" showcasing banjo player Geoff Hohwald. Throughout the set, dobro player Rich Ferris, fiddler Paul Shelasky and mandolin virtuoso David Gartland also displayed their skills. Getting the band booked to play at NAMM was likely a cinch since the Tora Bora Boys' outstanding guitarist is Richard Keldsen, president of Saga.

Even more impressive were the acclaimed Kruger Brothers, widely acknowledged as one of the best and most original folk groups performing today. I had missed the trio when they performed at the Deering Banjo Company booth on Friday and Saturday, so I'm glad I didn't make the mistake again on Sunday. The threesome (lead singer-guitarist Uwe Kruger, banjo player Jens Kruger, bassist Joel Landsberg) provided one of the best-ever sets I have caught at NAMM, moving effortlessly between baroque, bluegrass, folk and even Celtic-flavored material. Even a version of Tennessee William Ford's hit "Sixteen Tons" was totally revised, with textures and layers lending uncharacteristic depth to the song.

After being wowed by the terrific trio's full-length set on Sunday, the Kruger Brothers' 2011 release Appalachian Concerto will likely be my next album purchase.

NAMM - Saturday brings sterling two-song sets from John Rzeznik, Dawes

2012-01-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

I took it a bit easier in terms of my coverage of NAMM today, catching fewer shows and attempting to save my legs a bit after being on my feet for most of Wednesday through Friday. But I did catch two terrific (although brief) sets on Saturday featuring Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik at the Taylor Guitars booth, and Dawes at Shure later in the day.

John Rzeznik performed a short, but memorable set at Taylor Guitars on Saturday.

The Orange County Register's multimedia reporter Mark Eades videotaped Rzeznik’s performance and you can view it here.

Dawes brought their California-styled folk rock sound to the Shure booth.

To read a full-length review of Rzeznik's performance and Dawes' set, check out writer George A. Paul's review that ran in the Orange County Register.

NAMM notes: Footdrums, LumaSkinz, Godin Guitars, Taylor Guitars & more!

2012-01-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a few random news, notes and pics covering my first three days at the NAMM Show. I am off in a bit to see what's going on today...

At the Media Preview Day, guitarist Molly Gene showcased her skills at performing her guitar and foot drum at once at the Farmer Musical Instruments booth (Booth #2665 D). Information: www.footdrums.com.

LumaSkinz is a new Palm Desert-based company that makes custom "drum skinz" for drum kits, and equally-impressive skins for laptop computers, deejay booths - you name it. I got a tour of the company's work (made in the U.S.A. too!) and I recommend that people check out Booth #1575 at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is especially impressive to see the "Illuminated Skinz" in action at NAMM. Information: http://lumaskinz.com/lumaskinz-namm.

Orange County-based singer-songwriter-rocker Michael Ubaldini (pictured here on the left) was spotted at Godin Guitars, where he was playing a beautiful Godin 5th Avenue hand-painted guitar by artist-musician Joseph Arthur. Those wanting to check out (and yes, you can play the custom-painted guitars too!) should visit Godin Guitars at Booth #211A (that is upstairs on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center folks).

My Music Worth Buying co-host and musical pal TJR is a fantastic guitar player and pianist, so it should come as no surprise that I spied him at the Taylor Guitars booth (#213 ABC) checking out a custom-made ukulele. I had met the editor of Ukeeku.com (Tim Szerlong) in the press area earlier in the day and he raved about the instrument so it was great to see TJR give it a try! Taylor Guitars has been a great place to check out strong performances, and get to play great guitars.

Brad Weinholtz of La Mirada, CA-based Bridgecraft USA, Inc. with Chuck Phillips (seen in the photo at the end of this post) in front of several eye-catching attractions at NAMM 2012. You can check out all the cool instruments and have your photo taken with a gigantic guitar or small toy piano at Booth #1680. Information: www.xmusicpro.com.

NAMM - The Silent Comedy, Uh Huh Her impress on Friday

2012-01-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Silent Comedy's Joshua Zimmerman (left) and Chad Lee rock out during the quartet's set at Taylor Guitars on Friday afternoon at the NAMM show in Anaheim.

So many people filled the Anaheim Convention Center to attend NAMM on Friday (Jan. 20, 2012), it was truly a challenge securing a good spot to take in some of the more anticipated performances staged throughout the event.

However, in the case of the smaller shows that I caught in the Fender and Taylor Guitars booths, braving the crushing crowds was well worth it.

There was the involving indie pop of Uh Huh Her (featuring Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey, seen on right) that started the day off on the right musical foot with a noontime show at Fender (click here to read George A. Paul's review of the show). But the highlight for this writer was a full-length set from San Diego's The Silent Comedy at Taylor a bit later in the afternoon.

Fusing the power of "Powderfinger"/"Like a Hurricane"-era Neil Young & Crazy Horse with the anthemic drive of Arcade Fire and reckless abandon of some of Trampled by Turtles' more rowdy bluegrass-on-steroids material, it's no wonder that the quartet is on fire. Last year saw the six-year-old band's fortunes rise big time thanks to appearances with the Dave Matthews Band, Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Mumford & Sons.

"Our weirdness allows us to play with a lot of different people," singer-guitarist Joshua Zimmerman told me in a brief interview before the band took the stage. He founded the group with his brother, guitarist Jeremiah Zimmerman in 2006.

The Silent Comedy not only took the stage, but they crushed it. The first few songs showcased the troupe's folk side, with songs such as their own "49" and "Lyin" as well as a cover of Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" suggesting the quartet was a strong acoustic-styled act able to blend blues, country, gospel and bluegrass into the brew. But as the Silent Comedy played on their power grew. By the time they delivered "Gasoline," it was clear this was no mere retro-looking Americana outfit. In stages, the band masterfully shifted the song from a pretty acoustic guitar-anchored ballad to a roaring tour de force.

A subsequent "Moonshine" and cover of Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" were likewise skillfully offered.

Throughout the set, the use of banjo and mandolin by Justin Buchanan to add depth to drums/bass/guitar was nice. Chad Lee powered the percussion side of things with a donkey jawbone in the beginning, and with a full drum kit as things picked up.

For more information on the Silent Comedy, visit the band's Web site.

Bigger isn't necessarily better.

While the two intimate performances I caught in the afternoon were exciting affairs, the Living Legends Jam that was the featured big concert event of the day simply tried to do too much to succeed.

With a lineup of more than two dozen well-known artists (including Richie Castellano of Blue Oyster Cult, seen on the left), there was something for everyone. Unfortunately, there was not enough sonic pay dirt to keep me there for the entire show. Despite a few highlights early on where Bob Berryhill (The Safaris) led a group through "Wipe Out" and Doug Rappoeport directed an ensemble through a funk-tinged version of the Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride," the affair eventually dragged on without enough fire or focus. After 90 minutes and 17 songs (and still no sign of Alan White from Yes, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees or Joey Molland of Badfinger - the three artists I had most hoped to see perform), I decided to chart a course for home and get ready to tackle Saturday. Hope to see you there.

Blues Harmonica Blowout on Sunday at Coach House

2012-01-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

Mark Hummel, John Mayall and friends will pay tribute to late blues harp innovator Little Walter during a concert in San Juan Capistrano.

Though Little Walter is the only blues harmonica player inducted into Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, few outside the blues genre know much about the late Louisiana-born artist considered to be the Jimi Hendrix of his instrument.

But with this year's Blues Harmonica Blowout tour, which arrives Sunday (January 22) at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, modern-day blues harp master Mark Hummel has gathered some of the world's best harmonica players to pay tribute to Little Walter and introduce his music to a new audience.

Little Walter, who was 37 when he died in 1968, introduced the technique of cupping his hands around a microphone while blowing on his blues harp. It continues to be the standard method for those who play the instrument today.
In addition to Hummel, the Coach House concert will feature John Mayall, Little Charlie Baty, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado (former frontman for the Robert Cray Band) and Sugar Ray Norcia.
Hummel will feature selections from his recently released CD Blue and Lonesome: Tribute to Little Walter, a limited-edition collection that will be available at the show.

MARK HUMMEL'S BLUES HARMONICA BLOWOUT
Who: Mark Hummel, John Mayall, Little Charlie Baty, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado, Sugar Ray Norcia
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
When: 7 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 22, 2012)
How much: $28
Information: 949-496-8930

NAMM - Day one features a wealth of performances

2012-01-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

While the 110th NAMM got underway with a media preview day on Wednesday, the first official day of the world's largest music products trade show played out at the Anaheim Convention Center on Thursday (Jan. 19) with plenty of excitement and an ambitious performance schedule to match. While there were highly-anticipated sets from Brian Wilson and Collective Soul (I shot the photo of the band, performing under the Sweet Tea Project moniker, seen on the left), there were many other strong performances that played out over the long day.

The first time I caught finger style guitarist Laurence Juber at NAMM in the mid-1990s, he was performing before a handful of fans at a guitar string manufacturer's booth. No more.
As is the case whenever the one-time lead guitarist of Paul McCartney's Wings performs nowadays, he draws big crowds that can't get enough of his long sets.

Performing at the Mogami Cable booth at noon on Thursday, the Los Angeles-based guitarist thrilled with selections from several of his solo discs. The most dynamic selection was his version of The Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" off his 2010 album LJ Plays the Beatles: Volume 2 (a follow-up to his first tribute album of Beatles classics released back in 2000). It has to be heard to believed, but armed simply with an acoustic guitar Juber was able to rework the originally-dense and experimental Fab Four track into a wonderful solo guitar arrangement.

Not every artist featured at a myriad of outdoor patio, booth and concert stage locations at NAMM is well-known. But even relatively-unknown artists can make an impression at NAMM to be sure.

Such was the case with three area artists I caught in the afternoon. Hermosa Beach-based blues-rock singer Shari Puorto and her excellent four-man band tore up in a packed patio at the convention center. While several hundred attendees were enjoying their barbecue chicken and burgers, Puorto dished up some original blues-rock material from her latest album, the aptly-titled "Real" and several earlier albums. Highlights included the slow burner "Don't Mess With Me" and a striking ballad "Free."

Moving inside to Center Stage at the Marriott, Orange County's thriving scene was celebrated courtesy of two winning sets. Surf City singer-songwriter James Grey performed a range of his well-crafted songs, including the upbeat "Wonderful Day," descriptive "Monsters" and soulful "Seabreeze". His 45-minute set was followed by an appearance by Laguna Beach-based Jason Feddy, who played his genre-defying blend of pop, rock, jazz and other styles pulled from his solo albums and his work in the band Hautewerk. His song "The Bridge to the Island" (off his 2008 album "Connected") was particularly memorable.

The day ended for me with the event's tribute to NAMM members who have passed away over the past year. That performance featured the Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band performing a bagpipes- and drum- anchored version of "Amazing Grace" that segued into a stripped down take of that instrumental song featuring headliner Doyle Dykes (seen here playing guitar) and his band. Influenced and often compared to the late Chet Atkins, Dykes is one of the world's best country-Americana guitarists on the planet.

As in years past when he has performed at NAMM, even a crowd filled with musicians is blown away when Dykes plays his acoustic or electric guitar. After performing a wonderful take of the old classic "Return to Avalon," Dykes closed his long set with an amazing medley that began as an instrumental version of U2's "With Or Without You" and blended "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and even "Amazing Grace" to bring the fitting tribute to an emotional - and ultimately uplifting - finale.

NAMM Media preview day kicks off 2012 event in dramatic fashion

2012-01-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

There are three music events that seem to mark my yearly musical calendar. NAMM, which arrives in January, followed by Coachella in April and the Doheny Blues Fest that hits in May.

So now NAMM has landed at the Anaheim Convention Center, 2012 does seem real.

I'll have lots more to write when the event is over (the music trade show officially runs Jan. 19-22, 2012 this year), but I wanted to share my posts that are running in The Orange County Register's Soundcheck blog here, as well as include some additional photos.

Here is my post that ran on Jan. 18, and was part of The Orange County Register's coverage of media preview day of the 110th NAMM show:

While celebrity names are often announced in advance of NAMM, the actual performances that transpire tend to be completely unexpected. Everyone who attended the music trade show’s media preview day at the Anaheim Convention Center on Wednesday knew that both guitar hero Kenny Wayne Shepherd and bass-playing former governor Mike Huckabee would be on hand. They just didn’t know they’d also jam together.

After Shepherd demonstrated his six-string skills and Huckabee talked about the importance of music education, the two surprised a crowded field of reporters, photographers and videographers with an impromptu blues. Shepherd, one of the world’s finest blues-rock guitarists, displayed his impressive chops; Huckabee added a fitting accompaniment.

This isn’t the first time Huckabee has done this sort of thing at NAMM — last year his unscheduled jam was with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, who was subsequently invited to perform on Huckabee’s Fox News program. I caught up with him afterward and asked about the difference, playing with Collen vs. Shepherd.

“Politics is divisive,” he said. “Music is a wonderful way for people to get together. That’s what I love about it.” (Shepherd seemed to enjoy the photo-op: “It was fun. He is a bass player and loves to play.”)

Huckabee said he planned to be at NAMM through at least Friday, and seemed genuinely interested in checking out the unique gear and instruments on display through Sunday in Anaheim. He’s a regular, attending this winter expo whenever possible as well as its summer counterpart in Nashville.
For musicians of every stripe, NAMM makes them feel like kids in a candy store. Shepherd, too, loves prowling around it: “This is the epicenter of new and innovative stuff.”

(End Soundcheck post)

I really enjoyed meeting Shepherd, who I had previously interviewed over the phone in connection with his appearance at the Doheny Blues Fest a few years ago, and Huckabee. You can really tell how much the former Arkansas governor cares about Wanna Play?, a NAMM's public education campaign to raise awareness about the many benefits of music making. The FOX News television host noted that with public schools reducing music education in the schools, groups such as NAMM are even more important.

NAMM preview: music show arrives in Anaheim on Wednesday

2012-01-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Going to NAMM this week? Wondering where the musical action is?

Anyone who has been to the world's largest annual music trade show knows that it is impossible - and I mean IMPOSSIBLE - to see and experience everything at the expansive show which is held at the Anaheim Convention Center and spills out into the surrounding area including the Anaheim Marriott and the Hilton Anaheim (both located adjacent to the convention center).

Although I hope to post a more fully developed schedule of live performances in a Wednesday morning post, I am kicking things off here with those appearances/performances I am most likely to hit at NAMM. Please note NAMM is not open to the public, although I know many of my readers are likely going to be there.

Fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber (pictured here) will be performing at the Mogami booth at noon on Thursday, Jan. 19 and again at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. Lead guitarist for Paul McCartney and Wings in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the native of East London has earned subsequent critical and commercial success through a number of solo albums boasting his unique style (which includes alternate tunings). He is not to be missed.

Brian Wilson and his band perform at Gibson (booth #303AB) at noon on Thursday.

Huntington Beach-based singer-songwriter James Grey will perform from 3-4 p.m. at the Anaheim Marriott Acoustic Stage on Thursday.

Sixwire will perform a full set at Taylor Guitars at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Guitar virtuoso Doyle Dykes and Friends (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) will perform in the Main Lobby Stage of the Convention Center on Thursday

The Silent Comedy will perform on Friday afternoon at Taylor Guitars booth at 3:30 p.m.

"Legends Jam" with Micky Dolenz (Monkees singer-drummer-guitarist), Alan White (Yes, Plastic Ono Band), Scott Warren (Dio), Bobby Kimball (Toto), and many other musicians. 5 - 6 p.m. on Friday - location is Main Lobby Stage.

Guitarist Caleb Quaye (of Hall & Oates, Elton John, Paul McCartney fame) at Anaheim Marriott Front Stage, 7-8 p.m. on Friday night

Alex Skolnick Trio will perform from 8 - 9 p.m. on Anaheim Marriott Center Stage on Friday night.

Guitar virtuoso Andy McKee will perform 9 - 10 p.m. on Hilton Anaheim Muzeo Stage on Friday night.

I'll fill everybody in on my plans for Saturday and Sunday in my next post...

GRAMMY Museum update: Jackie DeShannon, Ruthie Foster, America, Glen Campbell, Michelle Phillips

2012-01-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

2012 has sure hit with a bang.
Not only has the 2012 Coachella lineup been announced, but NAMM arrives here in Orange County, California this week and now the GRAMMY Museum has announced an exciting list of programs open to the public.
Here is the official announcement from the Los Angeles-based GRAMMY Museum:

An Evening With Jackie DeShannon
Presented by American Express
Monday, January 30, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we welcome singer-songwriter and music pioneer Jackie DeShannon to the Clive Davis Theater. DeShannon is known for her soulful voice behind two enduring 1960s anthems: Bacharach-David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and her own “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” DeShannon has recorded a diverse range of genres: rock, folk, R&B, country, gospel and jazz. Her songs have been performed by Al Green & Annie Lennox, The Byrds, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Cher , The Carpenters and dozens more. She has collaborated with some of the industry’s best songwriters including Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Van Morrison, John Bettis and Jimmy Page. She was awarded the 1982 Song of the Year GRAMMY for co-writing “Bette Davis Eyes,” and in 2010 was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hear DeShannon, with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , discuss her accomplished career and latest album, "When You Walk In The Room," which features acoustic arrangements of her classic songs. DeShannon will also perform a mini-concert with musicians, take questions from the audience and host rare video highlights.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

The Drop: Ruthie Foster
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, January 31, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
The GRAMMY Museum welcomes soulful singer Ruthie Foster to the Clive Davis Theater to celebrate the release of her new album Let It Burn. Her new release captures her astonishing voice perfectly with a combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Recorded in New Orleans , Foster had support from some of that city’s most respected players including the legendary Meters’ bassist George Porter Jr. Let It Burn features a surprisingly eclectic collection of cover songs ranging from Adele to Los Lobos, and the Black Keys to Johnny Cash. There are also several original tunes by Ruthie, plus collaborations with legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell. Foster’s accomplished career includes a GRAMMY nomination for her 2009 release The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, Austin Music Award winner for Best Folk Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08, and Blues Music Association awards for both Best Contemporary and Best Traditional Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years. Foster will perform a selection of songs, take questions from the audience and discuss, alongside Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Scott Goldman, how the new album is her most personal journey yet.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $15 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Musical Conversation With La Santa Cecilia And
+Paper Fashion with Patssi Valdez
A Special Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945 – 1980 Event
Presented by The GRAMMY Museum and Fowler Museum
Saturday, February 4, 2012; 7:00 p.m.
GRAMMY-nominated La Santa Cecilia—fronted by belter La Marisoul—draws inspiration from a hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music in passionate performances that mesmerize audiences. After an interview moderated by Josh Kun, curator of the PST/GRAMMY Museum exhibition Trouble in Paradise: Music and Los Angeles 1945-75 and director of The Popular Music Project at USC Annenberg’s The Norman Lear Center, La Santa Cecilia will take audience questions and perform a selection of songs.During the post-concert reception, Asco icon Patssi Valdez leads a crunch-and-fold workshop inspired by Asco’s 1970’s-era public appearances as self-made fashionistas in paper gowns and hats. See Valdez ’s work in Mapping Another L.A.: The Chicano Art Movement, which will be open. Reception includes dessert and a cash bar.
$10 for Fowler/GRAMMY Museum members and students; $15 general.
Tickets go on sale Jan 6 @ noon: 213-765-6803. When picking up program tickets at the Box Office Will Call, you may be required to show ID that matches the credit card used to purchase the ticket. Note- this program will be held at The Fowler Museum at UCLA.

An Evening With Glen Campbell
Presented by American Express
Monday, February 6, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Join us as we welcome GRAMMY Award-winning country music star Glen Campbell to The GRAMMY Museum. During his remarkable career in show business, which has spanned over 50 years, Campbell has released 70 albums and has sold 45 million records. In 1967, he made GRAMMY history by winning four awards in both the country and pop categories and this year, will be honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. A 2005 inductee into The Country Music Hall of Fame, Campbell has also racked up 12 RIAA Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album. While hits like “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “I Wanna Live” have helped make him a true country music legend, Campbell also gained fame as an actor and host of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. After a brief introduction and tribute to his career by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , Campbell will perform a selection of songs. Guests will hear hits from the past as well as music from Campbell ’s latest release, Ghost On A Canvas, a top-ten pick in USA Today’s “Best of 2011.”
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $30 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Evening With America
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, February 7, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
The GRAMMY Museum is honored to present iconic, GRAMMY Award-winning rock group America. Currently celebrating their 40th anniversary together, America founders Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell have performed approximately 100 shows a year together since their formation in 1970. Sons of U.S. Air Force fathers, the band members met in England when they were students at London Central High School . Their debut album, released in 1971, quickly went Platinum. Five subsequent releases went either Gold or Platinum and their greatest hits compilation reached the four million sales mark. Hear the band, in discussion about their success as hit writers of enduring rock-folk-pop classics, their celebrated 40th Anniversary Tour and the release of Back Pages, their newest album, a collection of glimmering interpretations of timeless songs. After the interview, moderated by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , America will take audience questions and will perform an acoustic set.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 13, at noon. Public onsale is Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

An Evening With Michelle Phillips from The Mamas And The Papas
Presented by American Express
Thursday, February 16, 2012; 8:00 p.m.
Best known for being one of the singers for the Sixties folk/pop group, The Mamas and the Papas, which she formed in 1965 with Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and John Phillips, California-born Michelle Phillips is the last-surviving member of the iconic group. Having co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits including "Creeque Alley" and " California Dreamin', Phillips became one of the most-recognizable faces in music. After the group disbanded in 1971, Phillips actively pursued an acting career. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in “Dillinger” and got her big TV break in 1987 as Anne Matheson Sumner in the prime-time soap "Knots Landing." Hear Phillips in discussion, along with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli , about her expansive career in show business, as well as current endeavors. After the interview, Phillips will take audience questions and will be available for a fan meet and greet.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public onsale is Wednesday, February 8, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum . For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org.

Sights and Sounds: Coachella 2012, The Decemberists, Daryl Hall & Keb Mo'

2012-01-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

While I prep for the arrival of the NAMM Show next week, I still have found time to keep updated on other music-related news and events of note. What follows are highlights from some recent media releases. Read on friends!

2012 COACHELLA UPDATE

Here are details regarding the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival line up and on sale information.
Passes go on sale THIS Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Please visit the NEW www.coachella.com to get familiar with the types of passes available. After a successful layaway offer in June, the only festival pass left for Weekend 1 is the GA Festival Pass/Shuttle Pass Combo. All passes are available for Weekend 2. LAYAWAY IS NO LONGER AN OPTION FOR EITHER WEEKEND.

Between now and this Thursday, January 12, 2012 we strongly advise you to go set up your purchasing account to expedite the purchasing process. To set up your account for Weekend 1 go here or Weekend 2 go here (don't worry, if you decide to get passes for the other weekend you can easily have your account transferred to the other weekend when buying your passes). Already have an account? Go Here to sign in.

In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with the purchasing process ahead of time. You can review the step-by-step instructions on the HOW TO PURCHASE PAGE.

SHUTTLES
If you are not camping on site, please consider riding a shuttle. It will make entering and exiting the festival quick and easy. There are several convenient shuttle lines to choose from.

THE DECEMBERISTS TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM WE ALL RAISE OUR VOICES TO THE AIR (LIVE SONGS 04.11-08.11)
DUE OUT MARCH 13 ON CAPITOL RECORDS

The Decemberists have announced the March 13 release of We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11), a 20-track live double-album (and triple-vinyl set) culled from the band's 2011 tour supporting their chart-topping, Grammy-nominated album The King Is Dead. With songs spanning their entire first decade as a band—from their debut EP 5 Songs through each of their six LP’s—We All Raise Our Voices To The Air is the first-ever live album from a band that has grown into one of rock’s most thrilling live acts.

Before the January 2011 release of The King Is Dead, TIME magazine made the prescient prediction that the album’s release would “mark their crossover to the realm of important American rock groups alongside the likes of Wilco and the White Stripes.” They were proven right when the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. Fueled by the #1 AAA radio hit “Down By The Water”—which is nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards—the album has produced three Top 10 AAA singles (“This Is Why We Fight” and “Calamity Song”) and become the band’s best-selling album of their career, earning them a legion of new fans.

In concert, The Decemberists—lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Colin Meloy, keyboardist & accordionist Jenny Conlee, guitarist Chris Funk, bassist Nate Query, and drummer John Moen, with additional member Sara Watkins on fiddle, guitar and vocals—deliver an unforgettable live experience full of spontaneity. A band of breathtaking versatility, The Decemberists can reach deep into their rich catalog of songs for gorgeous fok-rock gems (“Rise To Me”), murderously driving rockers (“The Rake’s Song”), expansive suites (“The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3”), the worst song Meloy ever wrote (“Dracula’s Daughter”), or epic sea shanties that inspire enthusiastic crowd participation (“The Mariner’s Revenge Song”).

The performances on We All Raise Our Voices To The Air are drawn from 12 different shows at venues including the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Marymoor Amphitheatre in Seattle, and their final two shows at McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheatre in their hometown of Portland, which featured the addition of a horn section that can be heard on several songs.

In a review of the band’s first of three sold-out shows that kicked off the 2011 tour at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, the New York Post wrote that “during this two-hour show, the set spanned the band’s 10-year career, but wisely leaned heaviest on the just-released CD, The King Is Dead. Songs from that record made the best case for why the group should be superstars.”

The track listing for We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) is as follows:

Disc 1
1. The Infanta (5:15)
2. Calamity Song (3:57)
3. Rise To Me (4:55)
4. The Soldiering Life (3:58)
5. We Both Go Down Together (4:30)
6. The Bagman’s Gambit (8:05)
7. Down By The Water (3:59)
8. Leslie Ann Levine(4:15)
9. The Rake’s Song (3:34)
10. The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3 (16:20)

Disc 2
1. Oceanside (3:15)
2. Billy Liar (6:33)
3. Grace Cathedral Hill (4:35)
4. All Arise! (4:30)
5. Rox In The Box (3:15)
6. June Hymn (4:20)
7. Dracula’s Daughter > O Valencia! (5:49)
8. This Is Why We Fight (4:35)
9. The Mariner’s Revenge Song (10:20)
10. I Was Meant For The Stage (10:00)

DARYL HALL’S LIVIN’ THE BLUES WITH KEB' MO’ ON NEXT LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE

DARYL HALL’S LIVIN’ THE BLUES WITH KEB' MO’ ON LANDMARK 50TH EDITION OF LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE, DEBUTING JAN. 15

Blues singer Keb' Mo' Joins Daryl Hall in a set of songs that includes “Cab Driver” and “Everything Your Heart Desires”

To mark the landmark 50th episode of his critically acclaimed web series and syndicated performance show Live from Daryl’s House, Daryl Hall gets back to his own blues and gospel roots with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Keb' Mo'. The latest installment of the Webby Award-winning series debuts on Jan. 15, 2012 at www.lfdh.com.

The Compton, CA-born blues and gospel singer, guitarist and writer started his career playing steel drums and upright bass in a calypso band, before starting to record in the ‘70s with Jefferson Airplane violinist Papa John Creach in an R&B band when he was 21 years old. Keb' Mo' has been nominated for a Grammy six times in his career, winning three, including a spot in this year’s Best Blues Album category for his latest, The Reflection, released last summer on Yolabelle/Rykodisc.

Said Keb Mo of his Live from Daryl’s House experience: "To work with an artist the caliber of Daryl is a great honor. I've admired his work for many years and for me, this was a great honor."

Daryl and Keb' Mo' collaborate on a seven-song set that includes a Hall track, “Cab Driver,” from his 2003 solo album, Can’t Stop Dreaming, as well as the Daryl Hall and John Oates hit single, “Everything Your Heart Desires,” from the 1988 album, Oooh Yeah!

The two also perform five songs from Keb' Mo’s The Reflection, including the hit single, “The Whole Enchilada” and “We Don’t Need It,” which features a video with Camryn Manheim in a poignant interpretation of how family bonds can transcend hard times, with a video that can be seen here: http://bit.ly/sX83gM. Other Keb' Mo' songs featured on this very special 50th Live from Daryl’s House include “All the Way,” “Inside Outside” and “My Baby’s Tellin’ Lies.”

The Reflection is Keb Mo’s first studio release since 2006’s Suitcase, and also marks the first on his newly formed record label Yolabelle International in association with Ryko and Warner Music Group. The self-produced disc features duets with India.Arie and Vince Gill, as well as performances by Dave Koz, Marcus Miller, Mindi Abair and world-renowned studio musician David T. Walker.

The critical acclaim has been overwhelming, with Rolling Stone praising Keb' Mo's "soulful voice and bluesy licks,” and Associated Press declaring, “with bluesy guitars, groovy Hammond Organs, and Keb' Mo’s rich, smoky voice, The Reflection is a warm, mellow ride from start to finish.” Philadelphia Daily News affirms, “You’d need a cold heart and tin ears to remain unmoved by Keb Mo’s new album.”

Keb' Mo' will kick off his latest tour on Jan. 19 at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, KY and conclude it on Feb. 4 at the Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Miami, FL. The tour features many dates in the South, Midwest, as well shows in Texas, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Says Daryl: “Keb' Mo' defines the phrase nice guy" His smooth effortless Soul and blues style works perfectly in my house. Can’t wait to work with him again!”

The past five years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl’s House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony three years ago at N.Y.’s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV last year.

Live from Daryl’s House is syndicated nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions in association with Scott Sternberg Productions and distributor Trifecta Entertainment & Media. Executive producers for the show include Hall and Scott Sternberg along with Daryl Hall manager Jonathan Wolfson.

Live from Daryl’s House is being shown weekly in over 80% of U.S. homes in the nation’s top 200 media markets, as well as all of the top 10, including New York (WPIX), L.A. (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Dallas (KDAF) and Houston (KIAH). The show has also cleared in such key markets as Philadelphia (CBS-owned KYW), Boston (KBIN) and Atlanta (WATL), as well as a number of NBC, Fox and CBS-owned affiliates across the country. Most stations are airing a full hour with two original shows back to back on Saturday nights. The first week of the show did a .2 in national Nielsens, with the second week increasing 50% and several stations adding airings.

The 49 previous episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Booker T and the MGs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Guster, Nick Lowe, Todd Rundgren, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nikki Jean, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Plain White T’s, Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, Fitz & the Tantrums and Neon Trees.

NAMM week brings wealth of shows to The Coach House and other area venues

2012-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Since NAMM is the world's largest music trade show on the planet, it's no surprise that the annual event's arrival at the Anaheim Convention Center (Jan. 19-22, 2012 this year) brings with it a wealth of area concert events.

Indeed, beginning with shows this weekend, venues such as The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, House of Blues Anaheim , the Gypsy Den and The Observatory (both in Santa Ana) all have strong bills reflecting a wide-range of genres. So even those musicians and music fans who can't get into NAMM, there is no excuse to sit out in the cold with so many celebrated players in town performing at everybody-welcome showcases.

The Coach House is offering a full slate of shows NAMM week. Bow Wow Wow kicks things off on Saturday night, Jan. 14. The week gets even better from there with the arrival of rocker Pat Travers and Orange County's own Union of Saints on Sunday, Jan. 15. Americana fans can rejoice when singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams performs on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

One of the world's most celebrated rock guitarists, Steve Morse (of Deep Purple fame pictured on the left), will headline at The Coach House on Friday night, Jan. 20. Morse will be performing with his own band in San Juan Capistrano and this is a rare chance to see the amazing guitarist in such an intimate setting.

Jumping ahead to the final day of NAMM, a so-called "Blues Harp Blowout" featuring Mark Hummel, John Mayall, Billy Boy Arnold, Curtis Salgado (former frontman for The Robert Cray Band) and Sugar Ray Norcia (founder of The Bluetones) will share the stage on Jan. 22. Fans of the blues and harmonica won't want to miss this one!

All Coach House shows start at 8 p.m., except the Sunday night events featuring Pat Travers and the "Blues Harp Blowout." Call the venue at 949-496-8930 or visit the venue's Web site for more details.

Those looking to catch a show closer to Anaheim Convention Center are in luck. On the eve of the event comes virtuoso guitarist Eric Johnson (pictured on left), who will be performing at House of Blues in Anaheim on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

I've caught Johnson in previous appearances at the aforementioned Coach House and at the Doheny Blues Fest in Dana Point, and he truly is an amazing guitarist. He is touring in support of his latest album, Up Close, and will be backed by bassist Chris Maresh and drummer Wayne Salzmann. Opening will be acoustic guitarist Andy McKee (who amazed when I saw him open for Dream Theater a few months ago in San Diego).

According to a media release that recently landed in my inbox, "Johnson will be performing on a variety of stellar equipment that he fully endorses, including a newly released “Signature Series” speaker by Eminence and” “Fuzz Face” by Dunlop (distortion pedal) retro'd back to Hendrix model."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.ericjohnson.com

Another recommended show coming to House of Blues is a bill featuring Augustana and Graffiti 6 a day earlier (Tuesday, Jan. 17).

Visit the House of Blues site for more details.

On Friday night, Jan. 20, there will be a Benefit for Sweet Relief show featuring The Fallen Stars at Gypsy Den in Santa Ana. This venue is one of my favorites in O.C., featuring great food and drinks, and a wonderful vibe. The Fallen Stars recently released their latest album, the outstanding Heart Like Mine and concertgoers will definitely hear loads of great material from that disc at the show. Visit The Fallen Stars' official site for more details.

Another area concert venue offering shows throughout NAMM is The Observatory in Santa Ana. That site is located just off Harbor Boulevard a few miles south of the Anaheim Convention Center.

Sights and Sounds:John Fogerty, Tim McGraw, Laura Wilde

2012-01-10T06:52:00.001-08:00

Today's exciting announcement revealing the lineup for Coachella 2012 isn't the only thing worth celebrating today. There is plenty more music news to share, including details about singer-songwriter-guitar icon John Fogerty's forthcoming acting debut on The Finder and news on Tim McGraw's latest single.

JOHN FOGERTY CREATES THEME SONG FOR THE NEW FOX SHOW, THE FINDER
GUEST STARS ON SERIES PREMIERE THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

SIGNATURE SONG, "FORTUNATE SON," HIGHLIGHTED WITH NEW AND EXCLUSIVE RECORDING FOR EPISODE

AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD AT JOHNFOGERTY.COM FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

John Fogerty guest stars in the series premiere of THE FINDER, Thursday, January 12 (9:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Besides being the legendary rocker's acting debut, he wrote "Swamp Water," the theme song for the show, which marks yet another milestone in an extraordinary career that began with Creedence Clearwater Revival's first release in 1968. Fogerty also recorded a stripped-down version of his signature song "Fortunate Son" specifically for the show. This version will be available for free download at johnfogerty.com for one week only once the episode is over. THE FINDER, which was named the #1 Most Anticipated Show of the new season by TV Guide readers, was created by Hart Hanson, creator of the hit FOX series BONES.

"Here at THE FINDER, we are proud and pleased and still amazed to have enjoined a musician the caliber of John Fogerty to join our company," says Hanson. "John acts in the first episode (and we hope to have him back! He's good.), but plays one of his biggest most beloved hits -- one of my favorite songs of all time. (Hint: my production company would have been called 'Fortunate Son Productions' but somebody beat me to it.)

"And then, on top of all that, somehow we dragooned JOHN FOGERTY to write THE FINDER opening credits theme," he continues. "Yes, that's John playing and singing during our title sequence. John Fogerty is a rock 'n' roll god, an American legend, a true originator and one of the best song writers of all time. When he sang and played on THE FINDER set, we all stood in awed silence and grinned at each other. If just the smallest skritch of John's magic rubs off on us, then we'll be forever grateful."

In the episode, Fogerty has his stolen guitar returned to him by Iraq war veteran Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults). When the guitar is returned, Fogerty thanks Walter and says, "all my songs were in that guitar."

THE FINDER is a production of 20th Century Fox Television. Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson, Dan Sackheim and Vahan Moosekian are executive producers.

John Fogerty is a true American treasure, one of popular music's all-time greatest singers, guitar players, and songwriters. His remarkable career began in his hometown of El Cerrito, California, soon earning massive popular and critical success with the one and only Creedence Clearwater Revival. As leader of CCR, Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock 'n' roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.

After Creedence Clearwater Revival called it quits in 1972, Fogerty embarked on what would prove to be an equally impressive solo career. Among his many honors are induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the BMI Pop Music Awards' prestigious "BMI Icon," and Performance Magazine's "Theater Tour of the Year" Award. In addition, Fogerty and "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.

TIM McGRAW DIGITAL SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM EMOTIONAL TRAFFIC RELEASES TODAY (JANUARY 10)

(Nashville, Tennessee) -- January 10, 2012 – Curb Records is announcing a January 10, 2012 digital single release from the forthcoming new Tim McGraw album Emotional Traffic.

"The One That Got Away" – will be available for single download as the fourth of five song releases planned in advance of the new McGraw studio album which will street on January 24, 2012.

Emotional Traffic reaches retail as a 12 song collection and marks McGraw’s first delivery package of new music since the 2009 release of his Southern Voice album. Included on the album is McGraw’s latest #1 single, Felt Good On My Lips, which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts for three weeks and set a new industry milestone. With a cumulative of 69 weeks at #1 over the course of 32 chart topping single releases, McGraw established a record as the artist with the most weeks at #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart since the chart was established on the Nielsen BDS system in January of 1990.

The much anticipated new McGraw album also features his latest Curb single release "Better Than I Used To Be" which the artist termed “one of the best songs I’ve ever recorded,” in a recent interview.

Curb’s release of "The One That Got Away" on iTunes on January 10 will be followed by the label’s announcement of a fourth single targeted to build market awareness of the new McGraw album coming on January 24.

Information: http://www.timmcgraw.com/

22 YEAR-OLD AUSTRALIAN ROCKER LAURA WILDE SET TO RELEASE HER DEBUT ALBUM SOLD MY SOUL JANUARY 31, 2012; FIRST SINGLE IS THE TITLE TRACK “SOLD MY SOUL,” WHICH GOES TO RADIO ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012, FOLLOWED BY A SUPER FUN ACCOMPANYING VIDEO; LAURA ALSO OPENS FOR LEIF GARRETT ON HIS FINAL SHOW FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 AT THE WHISKY A GO GO IN HOLLYWOOD

Los Angeles, CA: Laura Wilde’s long-awaited album Sold My Soul is finally dropping on January 31, 2012. Laura will tour and release singles and videos to support the album. Her first show is supporting Leif Garrett in his final live performance at Hollywood’s Whisky a Go Go on Friday, January 13. “It's truly an honor to be opening for Leif Garrett. My respect goes out to him for being a multi-gold and platinum recording artist and successful actor. I can't wait to meet him and share the stage,” Laura says.

22 year-old Laura has been compared to Lita Ford, Pat Benatar and even Chrissie Hynde. Gorgeous, talented, and tough-yet-feminine at the same time, Laura Wilde and her signature Flying V are set to rock the States and beyond. A gifted songwriter and self-taught musician, Laura s already known in her native Melbourne, Australia, and is looking forward to conquering the US next. I'm so excited to finally be releasing my debut album. It has been the culmination of a lot of hard work...but I'm not popping any champagne corks yet. I'm really keen to get out on the road to promote it. I hope my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I've enjoyed making it!”

The first album cut going to radio is the title track “Sold My Soul,” which has a very cool accompanying video. “The single ‘Sold My Soul’ was the last song I wrote on the album. It's a wish list of all of the places I've been to or would like to visit. It’s really a celebration of my arriving in a new country and wanting to really experience it.... almost like a modern day version of ‘The Wanderer’ by Dion. I'm also really proud that I wrote, recorded and played all of the instruments on it myself.”

“Making the video was so much fun. It depicts a slice of life of being out on the road with the band and the infectious camaraderie we all have amongst each other.”

Laura’s music is explosive, gritty, powerful, fearless and aggressive. Real, true rock n’ roll, which is in short supply, especially from women
“Music is pretty much the only way in which I am able to express my feelings and emotions. Being a musician is my dream job in every sense, and I enjoy all aspects of the process. I love everything from practicing to performing, from songwriting to production. It’s an unbelievably varied and interesting career to be able to pursue, and I'm quite blessed and grateful to have this amazing opportunity to do what I love exactly the way I want to do it.”

Information: http://www.laurawilde.com

Sights and Sounds: Coachella 2012 lineup announced!

2012-01-10T06:37:00.001-08:00

Here it is everybody, the official poster from Goldenvoice for the 13th annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival! When I have more details on ticket sales, I'll be sure to post them here.

See you in Indio in April...

For more information on Coachella, visit http://coachella.com/

'Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story Of L.A. Woman' set for DVD/Blu-ray release

2012-01-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

The Doors are one of the best and most original rock bands of all time, so any time there is news on the band you know I have to share!

THE DOORS TO DEBUT NEWLY DISCOVERED SONG "SHE SMELLS SO NICE" MONDAY, JANUARY 9 VIA THE GROUP'S FACEBOOK PAGE

"THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" UNDERWAY WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC L.A. WOMAN ALBUM

AND NEW DVD/BLU-RAY "MR. MOJO RISIN': THE STORY OF L.A. WOMAN" JANUARY 24, 2012 VIA RHINO AND EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT

DVD TO BE SCREENED FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD WITH ELEKTRA RECORDS' JAC HOLZMAN, ROCK RADIO DJ JIM LADD AND SPECIAL SURPRISE GUESTS

New York, NY --"THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" officially kicks off on Monday, January 9 at noon Eastern when the iconic rock band will officially debut the first new, completely unreleased song in 40 years, "SHE SMELLS SO NICE." The bluesy track captures the band--organist RAY MANZAREK, guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER, drummer JOHN DENSMORE and late singer JIM MORRISON--joyfully barreling through the full-throttle original. Bruce Botnick, the album's co-producer with the band, recently made the discovery while reviewing the L.A. WOMAN session tapes. The song will premiere on the band's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thedoors) on Monday and will then be serviced to radio the following day.

Next up in news from THE DOORS: On Friday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. there will be a one-time special screening of Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman (Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD/Blu-ray) at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA with special surprise guests. Jac Holzman--who signed the group to Elektra Records--and Los Angeles rock radio veteran Jim Ladd will present the film and take questions about the group's final album and legacy afterwards at a public Q&A session.

Mr. Mojo Risin': The Story of L.A. Woman (Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD/Blu-ray) is told through new interviews with MANZAREK, KRIEGER and DENSMORE as well as Elektra Records founder JAC HOLZMAN, original manager Bill Siddons, engineer/co-producer Bruce Botnick and others. The high-definition video also features live and studio performances as well as rare archival photos. This fascinating documentary contains rare footage of The Doors in the studio and on stage. The documentary was made with the full involvement, approval and cooperation of The Doors.

The group's final album--1971's L.A. WOMAN, with the signature hits "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm"--is being celebrated with a special 40th anniversary two-CD release from Rhino and a behind-the-scenes DVD/Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

In addition to "She Smells So Nice," the second disc of the L.A. WOMAN reissue includes eight never-before-heard versions of songs from the album. Alternate takes of "L.A. Woman," "Love Her Madly" and "Riders On The Storm" offer a fresh view on this landmark album, which was the group's sixth straight Top 10. The studio chatter between the songs is a revelation, transporting listeners to The Doors Workshop: the West Hollywood rehearsal space where they recorded the album with Botnick. One segment in particular captures a fascinating moment of inspiration when Morrison suggests they add the now-iconic thunderstorm sound effects to the beginning of "Riders On The Storm."

L.A. WOMAN marked THE DOORS' swan song, as MORRISON would pass away a few months after its release. At the time, Rolling Stone's Robert Meltzer called it "The Doors' greatest album...A landmark worthy of dancing in the streets (5/27/71)." The first band to release eight consecutive platinum albums, THE DOORS were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

For ticket information on the screening, go to: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/the-doors-mr-mojo-risin-the-making-of-la-woman-0

L.A. WOMAN: 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION CD

Track Listing

Disc One:
1. "The Changeling"
2. "Love Her Madly"
3. "Been Down So Long"
4. "Cars Hiss By My Window"
5. "L.A. Woman"
6. "L'America"
7. "Hyacinth House"
8. "Crawling King Snake"
9. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)"
10. "Riders On The Storm"

Disc Two: All Selections Previously Unissued
1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*
2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*
3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*
4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*
5. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*
6. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*
7. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*
8. "She Smells So Nice"*
9. "Rock Me"*

L.A. WOMAN: THE WORKSHOP SESSIONSLP Track Listing

Side One
1. "The Changeling" - Alternate Version*
2. "Love Her Madly" - Alternate Version*
3. "Cars Hiss By My Window" - Alternate Version*
4. "L.A. Woman" - Alternate Version*

Side Two
1. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - Alternate Version*
2. "Been Down So Long" - Alternate Version*
3. "Riders On The Storm" - Alternate Version*

Side Three
1. "She Smells So Nice / Rock Me"

* Previously unreleased

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 works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock
Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

'It's About You' opens in Los Angeles on January 6

2012-01-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

I can think of few music-minded documentaries that have left me thinking as much about the fusion of art and fame, the frailty of America – and even life itself – as It's About You, a fascinating look at so much more than its subject, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp.

It's About You opens in New York today, and in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2012.
Directed by acclaimed photographer Kurt Markus and his son, Ian Markus, the film chronicles Mellencamp on tour in the summer of 2009 and during those already-legendary recording sessions for his outstanding 2010 album No Better Than This.

And while the film has previously been shown as a kind of opening act at some of Mellencamp's concert dates and at the SXSW festival in 2011, It's About You is an important film that will likely divide fans of both independent film making and Mellencamp so is worth exploring here on Rock 'n' Roll Truth.

This is a 79-minute documentary with virtually no interviews. Indeed, the project began as a kind of creative duel between Mellencamp and Kurt Markus, with the legendary rocker insisting that the film be about Markus, and the legendary photographer (Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, GQ, The New York Times Magazine) adamant that the documentary be about Mellencamp.

In the end, the film sheds its light and shadows on both men and discerning viewers are the better for it.

During his stage performances, as well as in those magical recording sessions around a single microphone at Sun Studios in Memphis, the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia and in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded in the 1930s, it is Mellencamp who takes center stage.

But elsewhere via his articulate narration, powerful black & white photographs, and the wealth of beautifully grainy 8mm footage capturing decaying cities, dying small towns and lonely highways in America's heartland, it is Kurt Markus' voice that emerges loud and clear.
Life is an adventure to be lived.

It's About You is now playing at the IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street in New York. Click here for more information, including showtime and ticket price information.

Beginning Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, It’s About You (not rated) is showing at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA. Call 310-478-3836 or visit visit www.laemmle.com for more information.

My Top Music DVDS of 2011

2011-12-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

I recently posted my top albums of 2011. And as tough as it was to rank my top 10 albums and worthy honorable mentions for the year, it proved to be almost as tough to rank my favorite DVD releases of 2011. So here goes...

1. Bad Company, Live At Wembley (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Recorded live at Wembley Arena in London in 2010 and released on DVD, Blu-ray and audio CD in June 2011, this release caught vocalist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen (original bassist Boz Burrell died in 2006) in perfect form. Some bands find their music becoming more dated with time; this excellent DVD makes a case that Bad Company's rock has never sounded better.

2. Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour ’74 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Eagle Rock Entertainment has been at the forefront of helping champion renewed interest in Rory Gallagher, having issued restored and re-mastered versions of his celebrated catalog throughout 2011. Irish Tour ’74 is a two-hour DVD (also available on Blu-ray) that truly captures what made Gallagher (who died at the mere age of 47 in 1995) so special. On stage he was a fiery presence as he sang and played high-powered electric guitar or acoustic blues with equal fervor, able to get young audiences to their feet with Springsteen-like command. Off-stage he was articulate and focused on his passion making music and the relationship an artist forges with their fans that is as much about life as it is the power of music.

3. Gary Moore, Live At Montreux 2010 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Watching the legendary guitarist Gary Moore in the very last live performance of his life, Live At Montreux 2010 is a release as bittersweet as any issued this year. But there is no better way to celebrate and remember Moore than by watching this wonderful DVD (also available on Blu-ray and on audio CD). In addition to his final 2010 concert (Moore died at age 59 on Feb. 6, 2011), there are four bonus tracks of his performance at Montreux in 1997 among the extras so fans get to see several different versions of "Still Got the Blues" and "Walking By Myself" performed. But the gems of the set are the new tracks he had written for a planned forthcoming 2011 album (sadly, never completed) that are performed here.

4. Sigur Rós, Inni (XL Recordings)
Few modern-rock acts to emerge since the early 1990s have been able to craft music that is as original as it is beautiful. But like England’s Radiohead, Iceland’s Sigur Rós has found its own little niche in the sonic universe, a place where lush symphonic textures, intense live performances that feature singer Jónsi attacking his electric guitar with a violin bow and additional otherworldly sounds please audiences looking for something to call their own. Inni, a three-disc collection featuring a concert DVD (also available on Blu-ray) on one disc and two audio CDs, was recorded and filmed over two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace in late 2008.

5. The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition (Reprise Records)
For the past 25 years, Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young have hosted the annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts to benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit, innovative organization educating children with severe speech and physical impairments. 2011 marked the release of DVD and CD collections highlighting wide-ranging performances captured at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California since the first concert was produced in October 1986. Highlights on the DVD include Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller on the duet "Love Hurts," Fleet Foxes performing "Blue Ridge Mountains," a heart wrenching "Fire and Rain" courtesy of James Taylor," and Elton John and Leon Russell teaming up on "A Dream Come True."

6. AC/DC, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (Warner Home Video)
Titles featuring Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher were not the only bittersweet rock 'n' roll keepsakes to make their way onto DVD and Blu-ray in 2011. More than three decades after Bon Scott's death, his final filmed live concert with AC/DC was finally issued on DVD. The special collector's edition features a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack with the 13-song set that AC/DC performed on stage in Paris in 1979, as well as more than 95 minutes of bonus extras (including haunting interviews and backstage footage with Scott). "Let There Be Rock," indeed.

7. The Rolling Stones, Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
The 2011 release Some Girls Live in Texas ’78 captured the band just weeks after the release of their final tour de force, 1978's Some Girls.
In a loose and freewheeling performance of 17 songs, singer Mick Jagger and company delivered a blistering set featuring most of the highlights from Some Girls (a rowdy “Respectable,” disco-tinged “Miss You” and R&B-flavored “Beast of Burden”), as well as gems such as Chuck Berry‘s “Sweet Little 16″ and rocking versions of the Stones’ own “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

8. Deep Purple, Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
There have been a few examples where bands performing with a full orchestra are effective, with performances by the Moody Blues and Metallica being obvious examples. But often times the approach is nothing more than a silly gimmick that does little to lift the material. Deep Purple with Orchestra: Live At Montreux 2011 is definitely no gimmick. Released as a two-disc CD, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray, this 115-minute concert ranks as one of my favorite live collections released on DVD this year.

9. Peter, Paul and Mary, 25th Anniversary Concert (Shout! Factory)
There was a time in the 1960s when folk music was also popular music. Bob Dylan, the Mamas & the Papas, Donovan and Peter, Paul and Mary were able to compete in an age dominated by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Byrds and other successful rock 'n' roll outfits. The release of Peter, Paul and Mary's 25th Anniversary Concert (originally broadcast over PBS in 1986) captured the trio in winning form, performing powerful versions of "Blowin' In The Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "This Land Is Your Land."

10. Paul Rodgers & Friends, Live at Montreux 1994 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
When one of rock's greatest-ever singers joins forces with an army featuring some of rock's greatest musicians, the results shine. Look no further than Paul Rodgers & Friends Live at Montreux 1994, which finds Paul Rodgers teaming up on a blues-heavy set with Queen's Brian May, Journey's Neal Schon, Toto's Steve Lukather, Black Country Communion's Jason Bonham and many more. Sure, the set features some great versions of Bad Company material, but the emphasis is on the blues. Songs penned or made famous by Robert Johnson ("Crossroads"), Sonny Boy Williamson ("Good Morning Little School Girl") and Willie Dixon ("I'm Ready") take center stage via some fantastic performances here.

Honorable mentions: Waylon Jennings: Live At The US Festival, 1983; Willie Nelson: Live At The US Festival, 1983; The Hollies: Look Through Any Window 1963-1975; Paul McCartney, The Love We Make; Peter Gabriel: New Blood - Live in London ; Lindsey Buckingham, Songs From the Small Machine: Live In L.A.; Deep Purple, Phoenix Rising; The Jeff Healey Band, Full Circle: The Live Anthology

My Top Albums of 2011

2011-12-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

Between now and December 31st, I plan to provide a few lists looking back at my favorite music of 2011. Kicking things off are my top albums of 2011.

1. Elbow, Build a Rocket Boys!
America is just starting to get familiar with this U.K. export from Manchester. Anchored by the involving “The Birds” and forceful “Neat Little Rows,” this is merely the latest tour de force in a growing list of wonderful masterworks from vocalist Guy Garvey and the band.

2. Glen Campbell, Ghost on the Canvas
If this indeed proves to be his final studio album, the legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist has gone out on top. Campbell, suffering from Alzheimer’s to the point that he’s launched a farewell tour, has somehow tapped into his own mortality to bring his life’s journey to a dramatic close with this set of powerful songs.

3. Radiohead, The King of Limbs
The more subdued electronic textures featured this time may not equal some of the band’s more dramatic efforts, but there is a depth and power to this eight-track disc that reveals its sonic might over time. It’s a dense and challenging album that confirms these pioneering Brits as rock’s most daring and talented modern-day outfit, artfully challenging listeners at every turn.

4. The Zombies, Breathe Out, Breathe In
The oft-underrated ’60s holdovers celebrated their 50th anniversary by releasing one of the finest albums of the year, an amalgam of jazz, pop, rock and psychedelia. Founding members Rod Argent (keyboards) and Colin Blunstone (vocals) continue to deliver the goods live, too. Let’s see if the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys can pull that off in 2012.

5. Ron Sexsmith, Long Player Late Bloomer
Another fantastic collection of poignant material from one of Canada’s greatest and most original tunesmiths. On this album, guitarist Rusty Anderson (most often seen supporting Paul McCartney), keyboardist Jamie Edwards (who works with Aimee Mann) and drummer Josh Freese (anchor for Devo and A Perfect Circle, among others) add firepower to a particularly fine set of songs.

6. The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow
An Americana folk duo wouldn’t seem likely candidates to score commercial success with young audiences in 2011. But then the team of singer-keyboardist Joy Williams and singer-guitarist John Paul White are no mere minimalist music makers. Their debut is a stirring collection of material showcasing marvelous vocal harmonies and inventive songcraft.

7. Colin Hay, Gathering Mercury
I can’t think of many artists who have issued an album as confessional and honest as the latest from Men at Work’s former frontman Colin Hay. Whether singing about growing older (“Invisible”), losing his dad (“Dear Father”) or performing beautiful instrumental works on his guitar (“Goodnight Romeo”), a sense of overall optimism shines through this moving collection.

8. Fountains of Wayne, Sky Full of Holes
Though the modern-day leaders of the power pop movement are sadly not enjoying the commercial success they deserve, I hope music fans of all genres will give their latest full-length a spin. Few bands in recent memory have released anything as lyrically rich as this; there are songs here that capture the ear with a single listen and never let go.

9. Moby, Destroyed
This time the modern electronic-music pioneer mines the creative reaches of his own experiences to create thoughtful, enveloping material inspired by life on the road, lonely nights spent far from home, and cities examined at their quietest. A reflective album that defies easy description, with “Victoria Lucas,” “Lacrimae” and “When You Are Old” among the standouts.

10. David Serby, Poor Man’s Poem
To hear the emotional and poignant songs that fill this set is to be transported back to the Civil War and the American frontier. But rather than simply offer up a retro exercise in Americana folk, L.A. based Serby compiled 10 original songs that resonate with timeless tales of war, loss and the working poor.

Honorable mentions: the Felice Brothers, Celebration, Florida; The Smithereens 2011; Emmylou Harris, Hard Bargain; Bad Company, Live at Wembley; Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes; R.E.M., Collapse Into Now; k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Sing it Loud; Moreland & Arbuckle, Just A Dream. And a special nod to the soundtrack for the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo, featuring stunning music from Sigur Rós’ Jónsi (I opted not to consider that excellent disc only because a few of the tracks had appeared on earlier releases).

Music-minded gift guide: CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, books and more!

2011-12-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

Gift ideas abound this holiday season thanks to a wealth of new books, music DVDs and CDs.

With Christmas and Hanukkah rapidly approaching, you've come to the right place if you are looking for interesting gift ideas for that favorite music fan.

Those purchasing either a three-DVD set or two-CD set from Reprise Records celebrating Neil Young's Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts are not only getting a great compilation, but are helping benefit The Bridge School, a non-profit organization "educating children with severe speech and physical impairments through the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology." The track listings on each of the releases is a bit different, although some performances are found on both. Highlights on the CD collection include an acoustic version of Nils Lofgren performing The Beau Brummels' "Cry Just a Little" and Radiohead's Thom Yorke's version of Young's "After the Gold Rush." The DVD features a wealth of great spots, including performances from David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and of course Mr. Young himself in a performance with R.E.M.

If you are looking for a way to introduce groundbreaking modern music to those whose tastes routinely lack a sense of adventure, try stuffing their stocking with the soundtrack from the new Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo. Featuring instrumental compositions and songs by jónsi (of Sigur Rós fame), the soundtrack is one of the best albums of the year with its winning blend of experimental sounds and tender symphonic textures.

In my mind, 2011 will forever stand out for two premature goodbyes in the music world. One is the tragic memory of Glen Campbell announcing his battle with Alzheimer's in June and the release of what will likely be his final studio album, the wonderful Ghost On The Canvas (Surfdog Records) in August. The other is the September breakup of R.E.M., despite that the Athens, Georgia band released the wonderful Collapse into Now in March of this year. But while the band didn't set out on a final goodbye tour, singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry (who had left the band in the late 1990s) did release the epic 40-track retrospective Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 - 2011 (Warner Bros.) in November. This epic release really showcases why R.E.M. was so great, and the collection also includes three previously-unreleased songs.

The Rolling Stones' Some Girls ranks as one of my favorite albums from the band, ranking up there with Exile on Main Street. Now the 1978 masterwork has been issued as a deluxe two-disc set, with the original album remastered and featured on one disc while 12 rare and previously-unheard tracks appear on the second disc of bonus material. There are amazing songs here, notably an authentic country tune "We Had It All" (originally recorded by Waylon Jennings) sung by Keith Richards and the rollicking "Claudine."

Although American Laundromat Records' Please Please Please: a tribute to The Smiths isn't the first tribute to Morrissey and Johnny Marr & company, it is definitely one of the more ambitious. Among the far-flung artists who appear on the two-disc collection are Kitten, The Wedding Present, Sixpence None the Richer and Trespassers William.

Long before Coachella set up shop at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, another desert setting hosted a series of groundbreaking concerts in Southern California. The US Festival was held over two magical weekends in 1982 and 1983 at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernadino. Shout! Factory has issued a couple of full-length DVDs from the country music-themed day (June 4, 1983) that celebrate two of the genre's biggest names. Waylon Jennings: Live at the US Festival and Willie Nelson: Live at the US Festival will be treasured titles in the collections of fans of authentic country music.

Speaking of exciting releases from Shout! Factory, look no further than The Grateful Dead Movie released on Blu-ray for the first time in November. The deluxe 2-disc version includes the feature film on Blu-ray and a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus featuring five hours of extras. Co-directed by Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead Movie was originally released in 1977, and captures performances from five October 1974 shows at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom.

More than two decades after the world lost Stevie Ray Vaughan, the guitarist's enduring legacy is celebrated courtesy of author Craig Hopkins' newly-published Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night - His Final Years, 1983-1990. This heavy, 368-page hardcover gem provides the kind of in-depth coverage, stunning images and editorial overview that one of rock's greatest-ever guitarists deserves. A worthy follow-up of the author's Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day by Day, Night After Night His Early Years, 1954-1982 released in 2010.

Earlier this month, I was invited by Sony and Taylor Guitars to a special photography-music event where I was introduced to the latest Sony Cyber-shot and was also treated to a tour of the Taylor Guitars factory in San Diego County. One of the day's highlights was getting to meet and hear a presentation from Bob Taylor, the co-founder of the guitar manufacturer. I really recommend that fans of the acoustic and electric guitar, of popular music and those interested in running any type of business get his new hardcover book Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business. On a related note, I couldn't be happier with the DSC-WX9 Sony Cyber-shot I received at the event. Boasting 16.2 mega pixel images, a 5x optical zoom and the ability to shoot high-def movies with great sound, this is a great camera with the ability to get great footage at live concert events. These amazing cameras retail for under $150 on Amazon.com.

I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday season.

Sights and Sounds: Styx, Blind Boys of Alabama with Daryl Hall, The Twilight Sad

2011-12-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Although the holidays are not quite here yet, announcements about new music releases slated to hit in 2012 are coming fast and furious. Here are some highlights of announcements that have landed in my inbox this week...

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE STYX: THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF 8 LIVE

SIMULTANEOUS DVD, BLU-RAY AND DVD/2CD OUT JANUARY 31, 2012

Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977's The Grand Illusion and 1978's Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31 [Pre-book Order Date January 6, MSRP $29.98 for DVD/2CD, $14.98 for DVD, and $19.98 for Blu-ray]. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.

This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature "Putting On The Show," an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.

Selling millions of records worldwide since their 1972 Chicago inception, Styx have branded themselves as one of the greatest American progressive rock bands. The current line-up consists of James "J.Y." Young (vocals, guitars, keyboards); Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars); Todd Sucherman (drums); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar). Eagle Rock Entertainment has also released their Regeneration, Volume I & II 2CD set, a newly recorded retrospective (release date October 4, 2011).

Track Listing:
1) Intro/1978
2) The Grand Illusion
3) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
4) Superstars
5) Come Sail Away
6) Miss America
7) Man In The Wilderness
8) Castle Walls
9) The Grand Finale
10) Great White Hope
11) I'm Okay
12) Sing For The Day
13) The Message
14) Lords Of The Ring
15) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
16) Queen Of Spades
17) Renegade
18) Keyboard Interlude
19) Pieces Of Eight
20) Aku-Aku

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT ON A SPECIAL 49th EDITION OF LIVE FROM DARYL’S HOUSE

Legendary, Grammy-winning gospel group will join Daryl Hall for a six-song set that includes seasonal classics “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “Born in Bethlehem”

What better way to celebrate this time of year than a visit from legendary, Grammy-winning gospel group, The Blind Boys of Alabama, who join Daryl Hall for a very special 49th edition of Live From Daryl’s House, premiering Dec. 15 exclusively at www.lfdh.com.

“This was a very special show for me, as I have been a fan of The Blind Boys of Alabama since I was about 14 years old,” enthused Daryl about their appearance. “I used to listen to them and groups like them after church on WDAS radio in Philly.”

Daryl joins the group, whose career spans over 70 years, with no signs of diminishing, for a six-song set of seasonal classics which includes “Born in Bethlehem,” “Can You Give Me a Drink,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Last Month of the Year” and “Take the High Road.”

Since forming at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama, in 1939, The Blind Boys continue to tour nationally and internationally with founding member Jimmy Carter singing lead vocals. The group took home the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album four straight years from 2002 to 2005, then were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2009, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The group’s appearance on this month’s installment of the Webby and MTV O Music award-winning Internet series, with Daryl marks a return to Hall’s own foundation in Gospel music.

“They were a big influence on how I approach harmony,” he says. “I can’t believe I got to sing bass with them! They represent my REAL roots!”

The Blind Boys have earned praise for their interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material, and now country, by acclaimed songwriters as varied as Curtis Mayfield, Prince and Tom Waits. They’ve appeared on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, the Grammy Awards telecast, 60 Minutes and their own PBS special as well as big-screen appearances in The Fighting Temptations and this year’s HOP. They also have recorded and toured with such diverse acts as Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Lou Reed. They also sport a daily Twitter message #BBwisdom. The group will wrap up an extensive U.S. concert tour, many of them with Nickel Creek’s Sara and Sean Watkins as opening act. Their critically acclaimed May 2011 release, Take the High Road, marked the Blind Boys’ first foray into country gospel, co-produced by Jamey Johnson, featuring guest vocalists Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Lee Ann Womack and the Oak Ridge Boys.

The past five years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl’s House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony two years ago at N.Y.’s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV earlier this year.

Live from Daryl’s House is syndicated on TV nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions in association with Scott Sternberg Productions and distributor Trifecta Entertainment & Media. Executive producers for the show include Hall and Scott Sternberg along with Daryl Hall manager Jonathan Wolfson.

Live from Daryl’s House is being shown weekly in over 80% of U.S. homes in the nation’s top 200 media markets, as well as all of the top 10, including New York (WPIX), L.A. (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Dallas (KDAF) and Houston (KIAH). The show has also cleared in such key markets as Philadelphia (CBS-owned KYW), Boston (KBIN) and Atlanta (WATL), as well as a number of NBC, Fox and CBS-owned affiliates across the country. Most stations are airing a full hour with two original shows back to back on Saturday nights. The first week of the show did a .2 in national Nielsens, with the second week increasing 50% and several stations adding airings.

The 48 previous episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Booker T and the MGs, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Toots Hibbert, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nikki Jean, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Chromeo, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Plain White T’s, soul diva Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, L.A. neo-R&B party band Fitz & the Tantrums, hot new alternative band Neon Trees and veteran alternative mainstays Guster.

THE TWILIGHT SAD TO TOUR IN SUPPORT OF 'NO ONE CAN EVER KNOW'

The Twilight Sad will be embarking on a North American tour following the release of their forthcoming full-length, No One Can Ever Know. The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall and will be available February 7, 2012 via Fat Cat Records.

Freshly inspired by a listening diet of Cabaret Voltaire, Can, Liars, Magazine, Autechre, and Public Image Limited, the band turn to a dark, synth-heavy sound for No One Can Ever Know; the resulting LP shares thematic and sonic space with the most innovative offerings from Depeche Mode, The Cure, or even Nine Inch Nails.

As made clear already by widely-spread preview track "Kill It In The Morning" (dubbed "slightly evil-sounding" by Pitchfork) and first single "Sick" (which, according to Stereogum "ticks with post-Radiohead guitar and dread") The Twilight Sad's third full-length, No One Can Ever Know, marks a sonic shift for the band.

TWILIGHT SAD TOUR DATES

Feb 23 Washington DC – Rock and Roll Hotel

Feb 24 Philadelphia PA – Johnny Brenda's

Feb 25 Brooklyn NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

Feb 26 Allston MA – Brighton Music Hall

Feb 28 Montreal QC – Il Motore

Feb 29 Toronto ON – Lee’s Palace

Mar 01 Grand Rapids MI – Pyramid Scheme

Mar 02 Chicago IL – Empty Bottle

Mar 03 Minneapolis MN – 7th Street Entry

Mar 05 San Diego CA – Casbah

Mar 06 Los Angeles CA – The Echo

Mar 07 San Jose CA – The Blank Club

Mar 08 San Francisco CA – The Independent

Mar 10 Seattle WA – Tractor Tavern

Mar 11 Portland OR – Doug Fir Lounge

Mar 14 – Mar 18 Austin TX – SXSW

Andrea Bocelli delights fans at Honda Center

2011-12-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

My review was originally published on the Orange County Register site earlier today.

Live review: Andrea Bocelli at Honda Center

Pity the fools who spent anywhere from $75 to $375 for tickets to attend Andrea Bocelli’s seemingly sold-out concert at Honda Center in Anaheim on Sunday night, only to arrive after he had delivered some of the night’s most memorable moments.

Because the concert was divided into two parts, the first half of the night allowed the adored 53-year-old Italian tenor to showcase his love of opera through popular selections from Verdi, Puccini and Gounod. Yet I couldn’t believe that even 30 minutes into the program, some attendees were still just making their way to their seats and disrupting other concert-goers’ experience.

Many of the selections featured were ones familiar to those who have caught the singer at the Ducks home in the past, including last year’s holiday-themed appearance. But Bocelli’s warm and soaring tenor, radiant smile and genuine connection with both the audience and the other musicians on stage made for a magical night. Adding to the decisive factor was the clarity of the vocal amplification of Bocelli, sopranos Ana Maria Martinez and Heather Headley, as well as the orchestra and chorus.

After conductor Eugene Kohn led the large symphony plus the Cal Voce Singers through the “Triumph Chorus” from Verdi’s Aida, the popular tenor took the stage to deliver “La mia letizia infondere,” the first of many popular arias, songs and sacred songs he would perform over the course of the night.

As Bocelli offered a bit of something for everyone (opera, popular song, holiday fare), one didn’t have to wait long to hear a favorite style or selection from Bocelli’s increasingly wide discography. (His latest, Concerto: One Night in Central Park, a document of his September show in NYC, was released last month.)
This writer’s taste is decidedly in the world of opera, and Bocelli didn’t disappoint. Highlights included his ever-popular ease with Verdi’s “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto and a heartfelt duet with Martinez on the beautiful “O soave fanciulla” from Puccini’s La Boheme.

Connecting with an audience as large as the one that nearly filled Honda Center isn’t easy – even when armed with a wonderful voice and backed by a large orchestra – so it didn’t hurt that a large curtain behind the stage, plus two large screens positioned on the sides, projected footage of the performers as well as artful imagery enhancing the experience.
The second half of the concert allowed Bocelli to continue to showcase his tenor – including sustained high notes – in a mix of sacred and holiday songs (notably his affecting “Adeste fidelis” from 2009′s My Christmas album) and popular tunes such as “More (Ti Guardero Nel Cuore)” and “O sole mio.” Headley was featured on a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Over the Rainbow” that, while technically brilliant, was still a bit over-the-top. The Grammy- and Tony-winning soprano’s voice was better utilized on a duet with Bocelli, “Canto della terra.”

Other standouts from the second half included “Ave Maria,” with Bocelli both singing and playing flute, and an incredible version of “Amazing Grace” that began with him singing in a hushed voice to the quiet accompaniment of strings. The song built slowly and effectively, with the repeated lines “was blind, but now I see” particularly poignant.

The night ended with a captivating encore that extended the eclectic theme. As he performed an upbeat version of “New York, New York,” images of Bocelli greeting fans and visiting various sites in the Big Apple were displayed. Martinez then joined him for a high-powered version of the popular “Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partiro)” before the star came out to cap off the night with a potent “Nessun dorma” from Turandot.

Scott Weiland delivers yuletide dud in Santa Ana

2011-12-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

Photos courtesy of Ida Miller

Bah, Humbug!

Ebenezer Scrooge returned from the grave last night.

Maybe rocker Scott Weiland thought he was bringing a bona fide holiday gift to The Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana on Thursday night in support of his recently-released The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but for the majority of the crowd who were gone before the Stone Temple Pilots frontman came to his encore just before midnight, Marley's Ghost would well have been a welcome sight.

I can remember only a handful of shows as bad or odd as the Weiland's Christmas-minded Dec. 8 concert. In fact, the whole affair had me actually bursting out in uncontrollable laughter during "I'll Be Home For Christmas" because I simply couldn't believe how awful it was.

Doing his best to mine a 1960s-era Dean Martin/Rat Pack/cocktail lounge vibe or something, Weiland's baritone rarely hit its artistic mark (and frequently even the right notes) despite the dozen or so talented musicians sharing the stage with the one-time area resident (he attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach). Taking the stage in a sleek white dinner jacket and sipping a can of a popular energy drink, at least Weiland looked cool.

Although there were an endless series of low points throughout the 70-minute concert (yes, there were no opening acts on the bill and Weiland didn't take the stage until about 10:45 p.m.), the reggae-styled version of "O Holy Night" was dreadful. I kept thinking of Johnny Mathis' great version and Daryl Hall's amazing soul-drenched working of the affecting classic, and wondered "What was Weiland thinking?"

About the only highlight (and I'm being generous here) was his duet with guitarist-vocalist Doug Grean on “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” conjuring up the famous televised version featuring Bing Crosby and David Bowie immortalized in a 1977 television special.

Even a version of STP's “Vasoline” performed near the end of the night couldn't bring any real Christmas cheer to the proceedings.

Ask me about the Grinch and I'll tell you about a certain singer who stole Christmas. Big time.

Sights and Sounds: Pat DiNizio, Otis Taylor, Amos Lee

2011-12-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

It is the season of giving, with The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio, blues great Otis Taylor and singer-songwriter Amos Lee all set to celebrate 2012 in style. Here are highlights that Santa has dropped off in my inbox over the past day or so...

The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio Brings Rock History to Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Pat DiNizio , lead singer of The Smithereens, launches his latest show entitled Confessions of a Rock Star at Riviera Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The production is a hybrid of a one-man show, rock concert and multimedia event covering DiNizio's 32-year career in rock and roll.

A live band performs the hits that shaped DiNizio's childhood, paying tribute to his musical heroes such as Buddy Holly and The Beatles, and includes chart-topping songs from The Smithereens. Video screens show rare footage and photos that accompany the musical journey from life in New Jersey to rock and roll stardom.

"This show is a chance for me to pay tribute to the kings of rock and roll," says DiNizio. "After more than three decades of performing, I am excited to bring this experience to the Las Vegas Strip and Riviera Hotel & Casino."

"I have been a long-time fan of The Smithereens and having Pat DiNizio perform six nights a week at the Riviera is great for music lovers," said Andy Choy , president and CEO of Riviera Hotel & Casino. "Pat has a very interesting story to tell, from his humble beginnings to performing in Las Vegas ."

The Smithereens hit the rock charts with "Blood and Roses," "Only a Memory" and "A Girl Like You".
Tickets to Confessions of a Rock Star are $29.95 and can be purchased at the Riviera box office, online at www.RivieraHotel.com or at 702-794-9433. Showtime is 7 p.m. Wednesday – Monday nights.

About The Riviera Hotel & Casino
Celebrating more than 55 years of non-stop entertainment, the newly renovated Riviera Hotel & Casino is one of the iconic casino and hotel destinations in Las Vegas . With more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 160,000 square feet of convention space, the Riviera brings a rich tradition of quality, service and hospitality excellence. Located on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard, the Riviera features the only bingo room on the Strip, headlining entertainment, wonderful dining options and more than 100,000 square feet of casino space. For more information, visit www.RivieraHotel.com.

Otis Taylor’s Contraband set for release February 13, 2012

Pedal steel player Chuck Campbell (left) and Otis Taylor jam on the Renaissance Stage during the second half of the 13th annual Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point in May 2010.

Otis Taylor isn’t defined by any single category. A musical alchemist and a true innovator, Taylor has never been afraid to experiment beyond the blues tradition.

The subject matter on his new CD, Otis Taylor’s Contraband, set for release February 13 on Telarc, is familiar terrain as he sings of love, social injustices, personal demons and war.

The album takes its title from an article that appeared in Preservation Magazine about runaway slaves who during the American Civil War escaped to the Union lines at Fort Monroe, VA. Known as “contraband,” they lived in camps where conditions were often worse than life on the plantation.

On Otis Taylor’s Contraband, the iconoclastic bluesman is reunited with several longtime collaborators including Ron Miles on cornet, pedal steel guitarist Chuck Campbell, djembe player Fara Tolno, fiddler Anne Harris and the Sheryl Renee Choir. Bass is handled by Taylor’s daughter Cassie and Todd Edmunds.

Information: http://www2.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Otis-Taylor/

AMOS LEE TO RELEASE B-SIDES EP, AS THE CROW FLIES, ON FEBRUARY 14TH, 2012

EP Includes Six Tracks From The Mission Bell Recording Sessions Featuring Lee Backed By Members of Calexico

Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee will release a six-song collection of previously unheard songs as a CD, digital, and 10”-vinyl EP, entitled As The Crow Flies, on February 14, 2012. The songs were recorded during the sessions for Lee’s critically acclaimed album Mission Bell, which was produced by Calexico frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns. The tracks on As The Crow Flies are also produced by Burns and feature musical backing by Burns and Calexico drummer John Convertino.

Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and Billboard Rock Albums charts when it was released in January 2011, earning the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter the highest chart position and best sales week of his career. Earning critical raves from scores of media outlets, the album also spawned the Triple A radio hit “Windows Are Rolled Down,” which gave Lee his first-ever No. 1 single.

In other Lee news, on November 19th, PBS began airing ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival featuring the genre’s established and rising artists performing at the 10th Americana Music Association Honors and Awards ceremony at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, where Lee joined a line-up that included Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Civil Wars, and The Avett Brothers.

This month, Lee wraps up an amazing year with his final live performances of 2011, which include an appearance at KBCO’s Holiday Concert Series in Denver with Brett Dennen on December 9, and two shows with one of Lee’s heroes, singer-songwriter John Prine, on the 16th and 17th. Lee also recently captured an amazing performance at Tucson’s historic Fox Theatre with members of Calexico for the upcoming fourth season of Public Television’s hit program Live From The Artists Den with the episode due to air in early 2012. For a sneak peek, watch the trailer here: http://artistsden.com/2012/. In January Lee heads to Europe for two-sold out shows in Amsterdam, as well as shows in Paris and London — all with support from The Punch Brothers. Please see below for details.

The track-listing for As The Crow Flies is as follows:

“The Darkness”

“Simple Things”

“Say Goodbye”

“May I Remind You”

“Mama Sail To Me”

“There I Go Again”

Lee’s upcoming tour dates are as follows:

12/09 Denver, CO Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre (w/Brett Dennen)

12/16 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre (w/John Prine)

12/17 New Orleans, LA Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts (w/John Prine)

01/16 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/17 Amsterdam Paradiso (w/The Punch Brothers) SOLD-OUT

01/19 Paris La Cigale (w/The Punch Brothers)

01/21 London Shepherd’s Bush Empire (w/The Punch Brothers)

For more information:
www.amoslee.com

Sights and Sounds: Ringo Starr, Guy Clark, Secret Music

2011-12-06T06:17:00.001-08:00

Although 2011 is still in motion, I'm already getting wind of exciting releases set to hit in 2012. So I'll kick things off today with an exciting news release on the aptly-titled Ringo 2012 and an update about a wonderful tribute to Guy Clark and Secret Music.

HIP-O Records/UMe PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF RINGO STARR - RINGO 2012 ON JANUARY 31, 2012

Ringo Starr’s 17th solo studio record, and his second on Hip-O/Ume will be released on January 31, 2012 in the United States (Internationally, January 30, 2012.)

Titled simply Ringo 2012 and produced by Ringo, it was recorded in LA and mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar, and features 9 songs.

Of the 9 tracks two are covers, “Think It Over,” and “Rock Island Line” and two are new versions of his own songs, “Wings” and “Step Lightly.”

The track listing is as follows:

1. Anthem (Richard Starkey/Glen Ballard)
2. Wings (Richard Starkey/Vince Poncia)
3. Think It Over (Buddy Holly/Norman Perry)
4. Samba (Richard Starkey/Van Dyke Parks)
5. Rock Island Line (Arrangement by Richard Starkey)
6. Step Lightly (Richard Starkey)
7. Wonderful (Richard Starkey/Gary Nicholson)
8. In Liverpool (Richard Starkey/Dave Stewart)
9. Slow Down (Richard Starkey/Joe Walsh)

Joining Ringo in the studio for Ringo 2012 were musicians (in alphabetical order): Michael Bradford, Ann Marie Calhoun, Matt Cartsonis, Steve Dudas, Charlie Haden, Amy Keys, Kelly Moneymaker, Richard Page, Van Dyke Parks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Stewart, Bruce Sugar, Benmont Tench, Joe Walsh , Don Was, Edgar Winter.

Ringo 2012 will be released digitally, on CD and vinyl.

This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark Street Date Today

Double CD set celebrates Clark's 70th birthday

Includes recordings by Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris & John Prine, Patty Griffin, Ron Sexsmith, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, and more.

Produced by Tamara Saviano and Shawn Camp
December 6, 2011

Houston's Icehouse Music has released This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark to celebrate Clark's 70th birthday. Clark was born in Monahans, Texas on November 6, 1941. The double-CD set is available nationwide today.

The collection was lovingly produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Tamara Saviano (Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster)—who is also working with Clark on his definitive biography—and frequent Clark co-writer Shawn Camp ("Sis Draper," "Magnolia Wind").

The tribute includes 30 tracks by 33 Americana artists who are friends and colleagues of Clark or who have been influenced by his remarkable compositions. The collection was mixed and mastered by Austin's Cedar Creek Records principal Fred Remmert.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.

Guy Clark’s poetry resonates deeply with his fellow songwriters.

“Guy’s songs are literature,” says Lyle Lovett, among the venerable artists who eagerly gathered for This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark. “The first time I heard Guy Clark, I thought it made everything I’d heard up to that point something other than a song. His ability to translate the emotional into the written word is extraordinary.”

Accordingly, Clark’s most vibrant (“Instant Coffee Blues”) and vivid vignettes (“Desperadoes Waiting for a Train”) reel with cinematic landscapes (“The Last Gunfighter Ballad,” “The Cape”). Novellas frequently unfold within minutes (“Better Days,” “She Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere”).

Clark’s singular storytelling chills with striking familiarity (“The Dark”). “Songs are like Japanese painting,” he explains. “Less is more. One brushstroke takes the place of many if you put it in the right place. I’m trying to get whoever is listening to think, ‘Oh, man, I was there. I did that. I know what that’s about.’ Too many details take away.” Clark’s add volumes. Remember that old blue shirt? Mad Dog margarita? June bug on the window screen?

Of course, our passions forever burn brighter for the flour sack cape. Few capture courage as timelessly. “Guy Clark is like a dancer with the way he talks and a photographer with the way he writes,” noted Texas indie artist Terri Hendrix says. “He’s the epitome of American songwriting.”

Clark’s watercolor imagery blueprints his legend, but generosity ultimately cements his legacy. For four decades, the longtime Nashville resident, whose own Grammy-nominated Somedays the Song Writes You (2009) soars as seamlessly as his hallmark debut Old No. 1 (1975), has cultivated songwriting talent enthusiastically. His matchless eye yields high dividends: Americana royalty Shawn Camp, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Vince Gill and Lovett barely begin the list he’s given sea legs. Young writers today immediately earn credibility with his stamp.

“Guy is the king in a lot of ways,” says rising songwriter Hayes Carll, who has split pages in the storied basement workshop where Clark writes and builds guitars. “I think everybody who was around Guy learned a lot from him and I think the entire music world is indebted to him for what he taught other writers. Everybody who had a chance to learn from him came away a better writer. He gave me a shot before I deserved one.” As friends say, Clark’s a curator, a creative caretaker. He celebrates high watermarks that others achieve.

This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark returns the favor. Artists brought two key instruments: a guitar and profound reverence. Individual investments quickly emerged. Perhaps most notably, Gill claims a haunting bond. “Giant tears were falling all over my guitar as we were playing,” the country star remembers about serving as guitarist on Clark’s original “Randall Knife” recording nearly thirty years ago. “My dad was a lawyer, and he died when I was forty. Guy and I are tied at the hip through that song.”

“Let’s give her a good go and make ol’ Guy proud of us…” said Rodney Crowell kicking off the collection on the first day as he readied to record "That Old Time Feeling." The double CD set was recorded live in studio with a core house band that included multi-instrumentalist Shawn Camp, guitarist Verlon Thompson, & pianist Jen Gunderman. The tribute was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas with a rotating cast of other musicians including multi-instrumentalist Lloyd Maines, bass players Glenn Fukunaga, Mike Bub and Glenn Worf, and drummers Kenny Malone and Larry Atamanuik.
Folks mostly laughed throughout the sessions. Swapped stories. Enjoyed company. Picked and grinned like those dusky evenings over at Guy and Susanna’s near Old Hickory Lake in the 1970s. Fittingly, Crowell issued our collective mission statement the very first day. We think you’ll agree everyone succeeded.

Volume 1

1. That Old Time Feeling – Rodney Crowell
2. Anyhow I Love You – Lyle Lovett
3. All He Wants Is You – Shawn Colvin
4. Homeless – Shawn Camp
5. Broken Hearted People – Ron Sexsmith
6. Better Days – Rosanne Cash
7. Desperadoes Waiting For A Train – Willie Nelson
8. Baby Took A Limo To Memphis – Rosie Flores
9. Magdalene – Kevin Welch
10. Instant Coffee Blues – Suzy Bogguss
11. Homegrown Tomatoes – Ray Wylie Hubbard
12. Let Him Roll – John Townes Van Zandt II
13. The Guitar – Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
14. Cold Dog Soup – James McMurtry
15. Worry B Gone – Hayes Carll

Volume 2

1. Dublin Blues – Joe Ely
2. Magnolia Wind – Emmylou Harris & John Prine
3. The Last Gunfighter Ballad – Steve Earle
4. All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad – Verlon Thompson
5. The Dark – Terri Hendrix
6. LA Freeway – Radney Foster
7. The Cape – Patty Griffin
8. Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kris Kristofferson
9. Texas Cookin’ – Gary Nicholson, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien
10. Stuff That Works – Jack Ingram
11. Randall Knife – Vince Gill
12. Texas 1947 – Robert Earl Keen
13. Old Friends – Terry Allen
14. She Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere – The Trishas
15. My Favorite Picture of You – Jerry Jeff Walker

Check out our YouTube videos:

Worry B Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ziW5e0494

Stuff that works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npG3ngu49GA

SECRET MUSIC’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT OUT MARCH 6 ON BLACK BELL RECORDS

“Ramshackle indie rock duo Secret Music builds their frenetic pop around simple, catchy synth or guitar lines” –Stereogum

“Secret Music: Some secrets weren’t meant to be kept… Secret Music has all the potential to bust out the next dorm party anthem.”-The Aquarian Weekly

“Secret Music is a bit of a misnomer, as the band seems to be getting more and more attention around the internet.”-One Thirty BPM

“Secret Music sounds sorta like TV on the Radio and Animal Collective f@#@ed and had a possibly awesome rock baby.”-Chunkyglasses.com

“This[“T.O.Y.S”] could very well be the greatest music video ever made!”-CultureBrats.com

Black Bell Records is thrilled to announce the March 6, 2012 release of the self-titled debut from rising duo, Chase Nicholl and Daniel Fry a.k.a Secret Music. The rowdy, “play it now, bring the noise” album is highly anticipated after the release of “T.O.Y.S,” the ridiculously energetic and contagious first single off Secret Music. The single’s vibrant video, which brilliantly complements the song’s get-up-and-go lyrics, was directed by TV CARNAGE; whose library of hundreds of hours of bad TV and films over the past 25 years turned into an outrageous and humorous montage of nostalgic clips for the “T.O.Y.S” music video.

“T.O.Y.S” is currently available for FREE and can be downloaded on the band’s site HERE.

The band’s distinct, boisterous sound was captured by producer and synth mastermind Ayad Al Adhamy of Passion Pit. Ayad is also the founder of Black Bell Records, in partnership with Warner Music’s Independent Label Group, who signed Secret Music earlier this year. Ayad started Black Bell Records in 2010 and has since then released The Joy Formidable’s 8-song EP A Balloon Called Moaning, and DOM’s single and 7” “Bowl Cut” featuring Cults, which he also produced. Together, Ayad and the guys from Secret Music gave their blood, sweat and tears in his Brooklyn basement studio, where they innovatively crafted the band’s 10 song record to perfectly emphasize Secret Music’s wild core.

"We just took demos in and Ayad untied the knots. Whatever didn't feel right just got left behind, till we found ourselves exactly where we needed to be,” says Daniel. “For a dude who’s known for synth wizardry, he rips the guitar. It was just awesome how he instantly got the vibe that we've always intended for Secret Music."

The debut showcases Chase and Dan’s simultaneously sung verses and memorable, untamed pop choruses, which is fueled by heart-pounding synth melodies and magnetic guitar riffs. The vocals for the entire LP were artistically recorded through pay phones receivers, slyly stolen by Chase and Dan from the hustlin’ streets of Bed-Stuy at 4am-the only Secret Music way.

Secret Music’s purely unique high-energy sound, and quirky lyrics of time traveling, space pirates, and crazy nights full of belligerence transport the listener to a chaotic party. A party where there are no rules, no regrets and Secret Music makes your drink taste better.

Secret Music track listing:
1-Ghost In The Graveyard 3.37

2-T.O.Y.S. 3.09

3-Gulliver 3.00

4-Its Ok 3.45

5-Floozies 4.36

6-Hard 2 No 4.02

7-Top Drop 4.35

8-Stripper 3.42

9-Tidal Lunacy 4.13

10-Bloodied Up 4.37

www.secretmusicband.com

Sights and Sounds: The Beatles, Coldplay, VCMG, Omnivore Recordings

2011-11-27T17:05:00.000-08:00

Anytime you can work in exciting news and updates about The Beatles, Coldplay and two of the original members of Depeche Mode, well the day looks like a good one.

Louise Harrison To Discuss The Early Years of The Beatles and The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings: 50th Anniversary Edition

2-CD Set This Week on CBS Early Show, NPR’s The Takeaway,
VH1 Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, and more

Louise Harrison will travel to New York this week to promote the recent release of THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition and share her memories of The Beatles and her brother, George. An integral part of the band’s breakthrough in America, where she had been living when the group released their first single, Louise is credited with working tirelessly to get their song played on American radio for the first time. Her interviews in New York with media outlets including the CBS Early Show, NPR program The Takeaway, VH1’s Classic Rock Nights with Eddie Webb, SiriusXM, The Fox Business Channel, Better TV, and many more will coincide with the 10th anniversary of George Harrison’s death.

As one of the earliest supporters of The Beatles, it is fitting that Louise Harrison speak about their first recordings, captured in the new double-disc collection. Released by Time Life on November 8, 2011, THE BEATLES WITH TONY SHERIDAN: FIRST RECORDINGS: 50th Anniversary Edition is a remarkable story, told through music, mementos and words, of a band on the cusp of changing music and pop culture forever. The collection is a fascinating and comprehensive view of one of the most important yet overlooked moments in Beatles history.

Entertainment Weekly noted that the set “hints at the greatness to come” while calling Harrison’s “Cry For a Shadow” one of its best tracks. Along with the songs, the box set includes a deluxe booklet which presents an in-depth look into the beginnings of one of the greatest and most influential groups in pop music history. The historical text by Beatles scholar Hans Olaf Gottfridsson is brought to life with rare and candid photos by Astrid Kirchherr, copies of contracts, and personal biographies handwritten by each member in 1961. The earliest days of The Beatles have never been revisited in such detail.

The set includes every recording they made for German producer Bert Kaempfert and Polydor in 1961 and 1962 and feature Tony Sheridan on lead vocals, a decision made by Kaempfert. However, John Lennon sings lead vocals on “Ain’t She Sweet,” and George Harrison plays an instrumental, “Cry For A Shadow.” Multiple versions have been released throughout the past several decades – some in mono, some in stereo – each with distinctly different sounds. Most notably, the US versions of these tracks were overdubbed with another guitar player and drummer in an attempt to mirror the edgier sound the group had evolved into, unbeknownst to American fans at the time of their release in 1964. All versions of every track, including mono and stereo mixes, are included in the double disc set, remarkable in their difference but all bearing the same unmistakable sound of a wholly new kind of band.

RING IN 2012 WITH COLDPLAY!

Photo credit: Sarah Lee

COLDPLAY NEW YEAR'S EVE: AN AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SPECIAL

90-MINUTE PBS CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA IS AUSTIN CITY LIMITS' FIRST-EVER NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL

Austin City Limits (ACL), the world's longest-running live music television series, is ringing in the new year with a stunning performance by Coldplay. The first-ever ACL New Year's Eve special -- a rare 90-minute episode -- is viewable on PBS stations nationwide on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at 11 p.m. (check local listings). Coldplay New Year's Eve: An Austin City Limits Special can also be viewed on demand on pbs.org starting at 11 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2011.

Coldplay's second appearance on ACL's stage is another milestone for the historic show and a one-of-a- kind episode with the band's unique production.

"We decided to go big with Coldplay - really big. So we came up with the idea of celebrating New Year's Eve with a 90-minute special. All the hits plus their brand new songs," said Executive Producer Terry Lickona. "It'll be a great way to kick off 2012!"

The New Year's Eve special comes on the heels of the release of the band's new album, Mylo Xyloto, which has charted at No. 1 in 32 countries. It also hit the No. 1 spot in all 35 iTunes stores around the world, breaking the record for the highest number of download sales in one week - a milestone Coldplay first achieved in 2008 with the release of Viva La Vida. Mylo Xyloto is Coldplay's third consecutive studio album to debut atop both The Billboard 200 and the U.K. album chart.

The ACL New Year's special highlights the mid-point of season 37 -- the first season taped entirely in ACL's new home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, a full-time music venue and state-of the-art production facility. The remaining five episodes of the season will air in early 2012.

Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at www.austincitylimits.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our blog for up-to-date information.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS SEASON 37 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

(Check local listings for exact dates and times.)
December 31, 2011 Coldplay
January 7, 2012 The Head and The Heart / Gomez
January 14, 2012 Arcade Fire
January 21, 2012 Fleet Foxes / Joanna Newsom
January 28, 2012 Florence + the Machine / Lykke Li
February 4, 2012 Wilco

VCMG

VINCE CLARKE AND MARTIN L. GORE ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF BRAND NEW COLLABORATION

After 30 years working their retrospective ongoing music projects Vince Clarke (Erasure / Yazoo / Depeche Mode) and Martin L. Gore (Depeche Mode) come together for the first time since 1991 as VCMG to release a brand new album preceded by a series of EPs.

VCMG is the fruit of initially tentative discussion and subsequent enthused collaboration where Vince and Martin, both influential as pioneers in electronic music, get to exercise their lifelong love of the genre as the techno inspired VCMG.

As Vince explains: “I’ve been getting into and listening to a lot of minimal dance music and I got really intrigued by all the sounds… I realised I needed a collaborator… so it occurred to me to talk to Martin.”

Says Gore: "Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Vince just saying, 'I'm interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?' This was maybe a year ago. He said, 'No pressure, no deadlines,' so I said, 'OK’.”

The writing and recording of the album was done in a typically unique way with the pair working alone in their respective studios, communicating only via email, exchanging files until the album was ready. It was in May 2011 that the pair met for the first time to discuss the project when they both performed at Short Circuit presents Mute festival in London.

The album (title to be announced soon) was produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore and mixed by the influential Californian electronic artist Überzone / Q and will be released in early 2012.
The first release is an EP entitled Spock. EP1 / SPOCK will feature remixes from Edit-Select, aka Tony Scott, the UK DJ / producer and founder of EditSelect Records whose previous remix credits include Speedy J, Death In Vegas and Gary Beck; Regis, British techno musician Karl O’Connor, member of the Sandwell District collective and co-founder of Downwards Records); Zak aka DVS1, founder of Hush Records and one of the most prominent figures in US dance music counts techno innovator Derrick May amongst his biggest fans, with his second ever release on May's own Transmat plus XOQ, the alter ego of Überzone / Q, who mixed the VCMG album.

EP1/SPOCK will be available initially as a global exclusive on Beatport on November 30, 2011 and then on all DSPs December 13, 2011.

OMNIVORE RECORDINGS TO RELEASE TRIO OF NEW RECORDINGS

30th ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF RICHARD THOMPSON'S LONG OUT-OF-PRINT INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM STRICT TEMPO! CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE NOVEMBER 29

INFLUENTIAL POWER-POP BAND JELLYFISH'S ONLY TWO STUDIO ALBUMS

BELLYBUTTON AND SPILT MILK LIMITED EDITION LP RELEASE JANUARY 10

ALEX CHILTON'S FIRST SOLO RECORDINGS FREE AGAIN: THE "1970" SESSIONS

LIMITED EDITION LP, OPEN EDITION LP, CD AND DIGITAL RELEASE JANUARY 10

OMNIVORE RECORDINGS WEBSTORE NOW OPEN

LIMITED EDITION BIG STAR THIRD [TEST PRESSING EDITION] LP ON SALE NOW!

Omnivore Recordings has announced the upcoming releases for a trio of new recordings including the 30th Anniversary reissue of Richard Thompson's long out-of-print instrumental recording Strict Tempo! on November 29; followed on January 10, 2012 by influential power-pop band Jellyfish's two studio albums Bellybutton and Spilt Milk; and also on January 10, 2012, Free Again: The "1970" Sessions by Alex Chilton - the musical architect of The Box Tops and Big Star.

Richard Thompson "Strict Tempo!" CD/Digital - November 29, 2011

For more than 40 years Richard Thompson has been the guitarists' guitarist, the songwriters' songwriter, and a consummate artist. As a founder of the legendary British folk-rock group Fairport Convention, through the '70s releases with his then-wife, Linda Thompson, to his highly successful solo career and work as a session player for other artists, Thompson has left behind a trail of recordings and compositions nearly unequaled in modern music history. His solo career can be traced to 1972's Henry The Human Fly, after which he went on to record a string of critically acclaimed albums with Linda Thompson. It wasn't until 1981 that Thompson released another solo album, this time it was called Strict Tempo! and, not surprisingly, due to his gifts as an instrumentalist, was an instrumental album that showcased his extraordinary talents by Thompson playing all instruments himself, accompanied only by former Fairport bandmate Dave Mattacks on drums/percussion.

Strict Tempo! was originally released on Thompson's own imprint, Elixir, in 1981 and later reissued by the Hannibal label but has been out of print for some time. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this dexterous collection of traditional jigs and reels-with an original Thompson composition and a Duke Ellington cover thrown in for good measure. Omnivore Recordings is proud to celebrate the reissue of this recording with a CD release packaged in a special limited edition "greeting card" digipack (after which will be available in standard jewel case), featuring new notes on each song by Thompson. Additionally, Strict Tempo! will be made available for the first time digitally, all on November 29th.

Jellyfish "Bellybutton" LP and "Spilt Milk" LP - January 10, 2012

On January 10, Omnivore Recordings will release influential power pop band Jellyfish's debut album Bellybutton and follow up Spilt Milk exclusively on vinyl LP.The only two full-length studio albums in the band's short, storied history, each release has been cut directly from the album's original analog masters. Distributed by EMI, this will be the first time Bellybutton and Spilt Milk will be made commercially available in the U.S. on vinyl.

Bellybutton, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent blue vinylcomplete with replicated original album tri-fold sleeve. The bands 1990 debut album was released to rave critical reviews, hailed for its fresh, effervescent, power pop sound, and charted three singles. Spilt Milk, originally released at retail in the U.S. only on CD, will also be limited to 1500 copies pressed on 180-gram translucent green vinyl. The bands follow up release took up where Bellybutton left off, an elaborate and complex studio creation described as a "flawless pop gem" with comparisons to The Beatles and The Beach Boys for its lush vocal harmonies.

Formed in San Francisco by singer/songwriter Andy Sturmer and singer/songwriter Roger Manning, the duo rounded out the band's initial lineup with guitarist Jason Falkner (The Three O'Clock, The Grays) and Roger's brother Chris Manning on bass. Following Bellybutton's support tour, Falkner and (Chris) Manning left the band due to creative differences and exhaustion from life on the road. Their next album Spilt Milk was created by Andy and Roger with help from then session men Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Spoon), Lyle Workman (Beck, Todd Rundgren) and T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates). Following a tour in support, the group disbanded in 1994.

Alex Chilton "Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" LP/CD/Digital - January 10, 2012

In the latter months of 1969, somewhere between the moon landing and the start of the Vietnam draft, the concerts at Woodstock and Altamont, Alex Chilton decided to take back his life. During that annus mirabilis, while the world experienced a generationally sparked social, political, and cultural upheaval, the 18-year-old Chilton was in the midst of a revolution of his own. For the past year, Chilton had been strapped in a creative, professional, and personal straitjacket. He was the lead singer of a million-selling band, The Box Tops, but felt like little more than a puppet of the group's producers. In the era of free love, he'd been pressured into a shotgun marriage and fatherhood. And he'd ultimately come to see himself as the pawn of an unscrupulous business machine, sent to grind it out on the road in a series of silly lip-synched TV performances and one-night stands while someone else cashed his checks. As he entered the studio that summer to make his first solo recordings, the man who would come to define the very spirit of musical independence was still bound in chains. At a time where liberation and self-expression were rallying cries, Alex Chilton was about to break free.

"Free Again: The '1970' Sessions" are the first solo recordings from a post-Box Tops/pre-Big Star Alex Chilton. The album, mixed and engineered by Terry Manning (CREDITS), will be released as a 20-track CD featuring six previously unreleased songs, and 12-track LP. The first 1,500 LPs will be pressed on limited-edition clear vinyl (black vinyl thereafter). The first 500 LP orders from the Omnivore Recordings webstore will come with a bonus 7" that includes two additional versions of the previously unreleased "All We Ever Got From Them Was Pain" - the original mix and the demo. The album will also be available digitally at all major online retailers, as well as the Omnivore Recordings webstore.

You can now pre-order and purchase all Omnivore Recordings titles direct at their all new online webstore: http://omnivorerecordings.com/shop. Omnivore is currently offering an online exclusive of the Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] as a clear vinyl version. This is your second chance to grab the wildly popular album that instantly flew off shelves, selling out during Record Store Day this past April. The webstore's Big Star Third [Test Pressing Edition] is limited to just 500 copies and features the same cut and packaging, manufactured at the same time as the 2000 black vinyl copies for Record Store Day. Don't miss out!

About Omnivore Recordings:

Founded in 2010 by longtime, highly respected industry veterans Cheryl Pawelski, Greg Allen, and Brad Rosenberger, Omnivore Recordings' vision is to preserve the legacies and music created by historical, heritage, and catalog artists while also releasing previously unissued, newly found "lost" recordings and making them available for music-loving audiences to discover. Omnivore Recordings is distributed by EMI in North America and Ace Records UK in Europe. The label's first releases included the limited LP release of Big Star Third, a limited edition Buck Owens 7" of previously unreleased material, The Motels shelved third album Apocalypso, the first official stateside release of Leon Russell's 1971 Live in Japan album originally released and available only in Japan, original soundtrack score to the documentary Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place, and legendary Bay Area soul singer Darondo's unreleased Music City Sessions and Bay Area teen soul and funk combo The Two Things In One Together Forever: The Music City Sessions.

Omnivore Recordings official website: http://omnivorerecordings.com/

The Cure conjures up magic at the Pantages Theatre

2011-11-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

Robert Smith leads The Cure through "The Weedy Burton" at The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Nov. 23.

My wife and I knew the traffic driving from Orange County to Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Eve would be horrendous. But with this our first chance to see The Cure since 2000 - and likely our only chance to see the band on its special Reflections tour - we jumped (or rather crawled up the 5 Freeway) at the chance.

Are we glad we did too.

For anyone even somewhat interested in Robert Smith and company, the Reflections tour dates are among the most celebrated live shows of the goth pioneers' 30+ year career. On Nov. 23, The Cure again delivered their first three albums in their entirety and then three strong encores offering up just about every gem crafted during the band's earliest period.

While casual alt music fans likely would have appreciated the handful of so-called modern rock "hits" ("Boys Don't Cry," "Let's Go To Bed," "The Lovecats") performed across the three-hour, eight-minute concert, the discerning fans who filled the relatively-intimate Pantages Theatre cheered after each of the 45 selections.

The band sounded terrific, and adding to the magic of the night were the wonderful acoustics of the venue. From the opening salvo of "10:15 Saturday Night" and intoxicating cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Foxy Lady" to the propulsive mystique of "A Forest" and weighty "Charlotte Sometimes," Smith led the band (whose line-up shifted throughout the night as a trio, a quartet or quintet depending on the set/encore) throughout so many highlights I am among several thousands of others at the sold-out show who hope a DVD of one of the Reflections dates arrives soon. For now, I hope you enjoy the short clips available to view on this post. I also recommend you read writer Ben Wener's review on the Orange County Register site.

Setlist: The Cure at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011:

Three Imaginary Boys
1. 10:15 Saturday Night
2. Accuracy
3. Grinding Halt
4. Another Day
5. Object
6. Subway Song (see below for the video of this song)
7. Foxy Lady
8. Meathook
9. So What
10. Fire In Cairo
11. It's Not You
12. Three Imaginary Boys
13. The Weedy Burton

Robert Smith leads The Cure through "Subway Song" at The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Nov. 23.

Seventeen Seconds
14. A Reflection
15. Play For Today
16. Secrets
17. In Your House
18. Three
19. The Final Sound
20. A Forest
21. M
22. At Night
23. Seventeen Seconds

Faith
24. The Holy Hour
25. Primary
26. Other Voices
27. All Cats Are Grey
28. The Funeral Party
29. Doubt
30. The Drowning Man
31. Faith

Encore:
32. World War
33. I'm Cold
34. Plastic Passion
35. Boys Don't Cry
36. Killing An Arab
37. Jumping Someone Else's Train
38. Another Journey By Train

Encore 2:
39. Descent
40. Splintered In Her Head
41. Charlotte Sometimes
42. The Hanging Garden

Encore 3:
43. Let's Go To Bed
44. The Walk
45. The Lovecats

Sights and Sounds: Paul Weller, Bob Dylan tribute

2011-11-23T07:53:00.001-08:00

Before I get ready to get on my freeway survival gear and get set to make the long trek up to Los Angeles to catch The Cure at The Pantages tonight, I wanted to share a few highlights that arrived in my inbox today. Enjoy!

Paul Weller set to release 'Sonik Kicks' on March 27, 2012

Special London shows scheduled for March, with shows in the U.S. to follow

First Single “Around The Lake” Available On iTunes Next Week

Enjoying a constant critical high and a never ending creative peak, Paul Weller continues to push the boundaries with his forthcoming new album Sonik Kicks, scheduled for release on March 27, 2012 on Yep Roc Records. The album is the follow up to the Mercury Prize Award nominated Wake Up The Nation and is also Paul’s eleventh solo album. Once again, it's his best yet.

For fans eager to hear a taste of what’s to come, RollingStone.com will be previewing the first single “Around The Lake” beginning today. The song will also be available for purchase on iTunes beginning next week.

Sonik Kicks features fourteen brand new tracks: “Green,” “The Attic,” “Kling I Klang,” “Sleep of the Serene,” “By the Waters,” “That Dangerous Age,” “Study in Blue,” “Dragonfly,” “When Your Garden’s Overgrown,” “Around The Lake,” “Twilight,” “Drifters,” “Paperchase,” and “Be Happy Children.” Both Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon appear as special guests on the album.

Since Weller isn’t one to wait 20 years to be invited to perform his “classic” album, he has decided to do so now. Sonik Knicks will be performed in full at The Roundhouse in London, England on March 18th & 19th. Tickets go on sale 9 a.m. on Friday Nov 25. US shows are in the works for Weller and will be announced at a later date.

2012 will also mark two important anniversaries for Paul Weller. In 1977 (35 years ago) The Jam burst on to the music scene with their debut album In The City, which without question was one of the most important punk albums to ever be released. Since then Weller consistently changed and evolved his sound through his work with The Style Council and as a solo artist. It was 20 years ago in 1992 when Weller released his self-titled first ever solo album.

With Sonik Kicks Paul Weller once again shakes up his palate and stirs his influences anew. He mixes pop art punch with soulful communication; jazzy explorations into psychedelia and dub with razor-sharp melodies and abstract soundscapes with clear-eyed forest-folk.

Chimes of Freedom - 75 Newly Recorded Bob Dylan Songs by Over 80 Artists Scheduled for January 24, 2012 Release -- Salutes Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary and Life-Saving Human Rights Work

The Collection Features Songs By

* Adele * The Airborne Toxic Event * Joan Baez * Natasha Bedingfield * Jackson Browne * Cage the Elephant * Elvis Costello * Darren Criss * Miley Cyrus * Dave Matthews Band * K'NAAN * Ke$ha * Mark Knopfler * Diana Krall * Lenny Kravitz * Kris Kristofferson * Ziggy Marley * Maroon 5 * Tom Morello * My Chemical Romance * Joe Perry * Queens Of The Stone Age * Raphael Saadiq * Seal & Jeff Beck * Silversun Pickups * Patti Smith * Sting * Sugarland * Pete Townshend * Lucinda Williams * Evan Rachel Wood

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years - the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan - are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

Chimes of Freedom is Executive Produced by legendary music executive Jeff Ayeroff and Julie Yannatta, who spearheaded Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur - a 2007 collection of John Lennon solo compositions performed by major artists including U2, Green Day and R.E.M.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International's longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan's poignant "Forever Young," with a children's chorus.

The diversity of the musicians and musical genres - from rock, rap, hip-hop to pop, folk, country, jazz and blues -- attests to Amnesty's depth of support in the music community, the universal appeal of the core message of human rights, and the breadth of Dylan's impact on culture. Almost every track on the album is being released for sale for the first time* - except for the title song, Dylan's original 1964 recording of "Chimes of Freedom." Seventy songs were recorded especially for this release - with the addition of a few previously unreleased recordings.

"This album is a powerful fusion of the music community's respect for Amnesty's life-affirming work and for Bob Dylan's enduring brilliance," said Ayeroff and Yannatta. "We are proud to have worked with Amnesty to produce this remarkable project."

In 1962, Amnesty International evolved from a one-year campaign to free political prisoners into a worldwide movement fighting for justice, freedom and human dignity; today the organization has more than three million supporters in 150 countries. In March of that same year Bob Dylan's debut album was released, launching an unparalleled recording career.

"Over the half century, Dylan's art has explored and expressed the anguish and hope of the modern human condition," observed Sean Wilentz, the noted historian, in the album liner notes.

"Bob Dylan's music endures because he so brilliantly captures our heartbreak, our joy, our frailty, our confusion, our courage and our struggles," said Karen Scott Amnesty International's Manager of Music Relations. "His words convey a depth of meaning that few artists can equal, inspiring us and always moving ahead of our expectations. We at Amnesty International are deeply grateful to this legendary musician and to all of the artists who have contributed to this project."

All of the artists, session musicians, arrangers, engineers, producers and recording studios worked pro-bono to support the human rights cause. Almost 30 tracks on the album were mixed gratis by famed engineer Bob Clearmountain. Bob Ludwig and Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering donated their mastering services. The album cover illustration is by Grammy Award winning artist Mick Haggerty. Eight tracks were produced or executive produced by Martin Lewis, who as co-creator/producer in the 1970s of Amnesty's ongoing "Secret Policeman's Ball" benefit series, instigated Amnesty's outreach to rock musicians by recruiting and producing Pete Townshend, Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Bob Geldof and others. Executive Producers for Amnesty International are Helen Garrett, director of special projects, and Karen Scott, manager of music relations.

Through Chimes of Freedom, Amnesty International seeks to enlist support for its fight against censorship and attacks on free speech - whether involving artists, writers, musicians, political activists or bloggers. In this campaign, Amnesty is fighting for people such as the imprisoned Nobel Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in China, a scholar and human rights defender imprisoned since 2009 for writing about corruption and criticizing China's political system. In addition to purchasing the album at www.amnestyusa.org/chimes, supporters will find actions they can take to help individuals whose freedom of expression is under threat.

The tracklisting for Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International is as follows:

DISC 1

Raphael Saadiq
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Patti Smith
Drifter's Escape

Rise Against
Ballad of Hollis Brown

Tom Morello The Nightwatchman
Blind Willie McTell

Pete Townshend
Corrina, Corrina

Bettye LaVette
Most of the Time

Charlie Winston
This Wheel's On Fire

Diana Krall
Simple Twist of Fate

Brett Dennen
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

Mariachi El Bronx
Love Sick

Ziggy Marley
Blowin' in the Wind

The Gaslight Anthem
Changing of the Guards

Silversun Pickups
Not Dark Yet

My Morning Jacket
You're A Big Girl Now

The Airborne Toxic Event
Boots of Spanish Leather

Sting
Girl from the North Country

Mark Knopfler
Restless Farewell

DISC 2

Queens Of The Stone Age
Outlaw Blues

Lenny Kravitz
Rainy Day Woman # 12 & 35

Steve Earle & Lucia Micarelli
One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below)

Blake Mills
Heart Of Mine

Miley Cyrus
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

Billy Bragg
Lay Down Your Weary Tune

Elvis Costello
License to Kill

Angelique Kidjo
Lay, Lady, Lay

Natasha Bedingfield
Ring Them Bells

Jackson Browne
Love Minus Zero/No Limit

Joan Baez
Seven Curses (Live)

The Belle Brigade
No Time To Think

Sugarland
Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You (Live)

Jack's Mannequin
Mr. Tambourine Man

Oren Lavie
4th Time Around

Sussan Deyhim
All I Really Want To Do

Adele
Make You Feel My Love (Recorded Live at WXPN)

DISC 3

K'NAAN
With God On Our Side

Ximena Sariñana
I Want You

Neil Finn with Pajama Club
She Belongs to Me

Bryan Ferry
Bob Dylan's Dream

Zee Avi
Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Carly Simon
Just Like a Woman

Flogging Molly
The Times They Are A-Changin'

Fistful Of Mercy
Buckets Of Rain

Joe Perry
Man Of Peace

Bad Religion
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

My Chemical Romance
Desolation Row (Live)

RedOne featuring Nabil Khayat
Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Paul Rodgers & Nils Lofgren
Abandoned Love

Darren Criss featuring Chuck Criss and Freelance Whales
New Morning

Cage the Elephant
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

Band of Skulls
It Ain't Me, Babe

Sinéad O'Connor
Property of Jesus

Ed Roland and The Sweet Tea Project
Shelter From The Storm

Ke$ha
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Kronos Quartet
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

DISC 4

Maroon 5
I Shall Be Released

Carolina Chocolate Drops
Political World

Seal & Jeff Beck
Like A Rolling Stone

Taj Mahal
Bob Dylan's 115th Dream

Dierks Bentley
Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (Live)

Mick Hucknall
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)

Thea Gilmore
I'll Remember You

State Radio
John Brown

Dave Matthews Band
All Along the Watchtower (Live)

Michael Franti
Subterranean Homesick Blues

We Are Augustines
Mama, You Been On My Mind

Lucinda Williams
Tryin' To Get To Heaven

Kris Kristofferson
Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

Eric Burdon
Gotta Serve Somebody

Evan Rachel Wood
I'd Have You Anytime

Marianne Faithfull
Baby Let Me Follow You Down (Live)

Pete Seeger
Forever Young

Bob Dylan
Chimes Of Freedom

DIGITAL ONLY

Outernational
When The Ship Comes In

Silverstein
Song To Woody

Daniel Bedingfield
Man In The Long Black Coat