09.05.2008
Neil's Blu-Ray Songs.....
At JavaOne, Neil Young showed off his multimedia project, "Archives", that chronicles his music career and uses Java to do so. Young said he tried to do the project on DVD, but users couldn't watch the high-resolution video and listen to the music at the same time. With Java and Blu-ray, the content can be updated and offer the best viewing and listening experience, as well as great navigation and design.
"Storage is the only limit," Young said, and recommended the Sony's PlayStation 3 as the best way to view his project.
Users will be able to download any archival materials, which are automatically assigned to their place in a chronological time line, Young said.
Read the full story here.
08.05.2008
Joel's 13 Stories.....
ADA Global is set to release Joel Rafael's brilliant new album "Thirteen Stories High" (Inside Recordings) all over Europe on June 23. Please be sure to watch this space for more info!
07.05.2008
Meet Glen Campbell.....
Glen Campbell returns to Capitol, the label which nurtured his solo career, with an album of new material called "Meet Glen Campbell" and scheduled for release August 10.
Songs include Travis' "Sing", Tom Petty's "Angel Dream" and "Walls", the Replacements' "Sadly Beautiful", U2's "All I Want Is You", Velvet Underground's "Jesus" and Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)." But no Jimmy Webb songs.
"I really like all of the songs and I had a great time recording them. While I didn't write these songs, this sounds like a Glen Campbell album, which is important to me," says Glen Campbell.
The album was produced in Los Angeles by Julian Raymond (Rosanne Cash, Fastball, Wallflowers) with engineer and co-producer Howard Willing.
Artists appearing on the album include Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Jason Faulkner (both from Jellyfish) and Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction). Campbell's sons and daughters recorded backing tracks.
Track-list :
1. Jesus (Velvet Underground)
2. All I Want Is You (U2)
3. Times Like These (Foo Fighters)
4. Grow Old With Me (John Lennon)
5. Angel Dream (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
6. Sadly Beautiful (The Replacements)
7. Sing (Travis)
8. These Days (Jackson Browne)
9. Walls (Circus) (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
10. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Green Day)
06.05.2008
New Nathalie Nahai.....
Born in London, Nathalie Nahai has been developing her musical talent all her life. Having been classically trained in violin and self-taught on guitar, she writes her own music and has been performing in the UK and US for the past three years, both solo and with her band.
Whilst studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London), she travelled to the States to record her debut album with multi-platinum Grammy award winning producer Don McCollister. It was released in 2006 on her label, Fuzzy Muskrat Records, and received critical acclaim both in local and national press.
In 2007 she performed to packed houses in her first UK tour, and returned to the US to record her much-anticipated second album, “Fortune Teller”, which is due for release in early June 2008.
05.05.2008
In The Charts.....
May is a very exciting month for "Hemifrån", as we're having two of our acts debuting high in the Euro Americana Chart. I See Hawks In L.A.'s "Hallowed Ground" at position number 10, and Shane Alexander's "The Sky Below" at number 18. You'll find the complete chart right here.
04.05.2008
Randy's Harps & Angels.....
Randy Newman is set to release his first album of new material in nine years. "Harps & Angels," produced by Mitchell Froom and Lenny Waronker, arrives via Nonesuch on Aug. 5.
"A Few Words in Defense of My Country," a single released exclusively to iTunes last year, will be included in the track list.
Newman's 2003 hits collection, "The Randy Newman Songbook: Vol. 1," was the singer/songwriter's latest release and his first for Nonesuch. His last original set, "Bad Love," was released in 1999.
Newman, 64, has a handful of performances planned for the month of May, plus a concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the Fourth of July weekend at the Hollywood Bowl.
He's slated for a show at this year's New Orleans Jazz Fest on May 1 and another symphony-backed show in Denver on May 23. He will perform solo May 4 in St. Louis and May 5 and 6 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Track list to "Harps & Angels":
"Harps and Angels"
"Losing You"
"Laugh and Be Happy"
"A Few Words in Defense of My Country"
"A Piece of the Pie"
"Easy Street"
"Korean Parents"
"Only a Girl"
"Potholes"
"Feels Like Home"
03.05.2008
The Plastic Pals.....
“Anyone who could imagine Chris Spedding fronting Television would understand.” That's what Patrik Forshage, Nöjesguiden, said about The Plastic Pals first EP, "The Band That's Fun To Be With".
May 25, 2008, see the release of the new single "She's Going Back", taken from the up-coming album "Good Karma Café" on Polythene Records.
The album is produced by Björn Öqvist (Pennebaker/Spaceage Baby Jane/Kamera), and the first single features Chris Cacavas (Green On Red/Danny & Dusty) on keyboards and Peter Forsman on vocals.
02.05.2008
Emmylou & Jude.....
Some recent news from Jude Johnstone and BoJak Records :
"Emmylou Harris has included Jude's song 'Hold On', on her new CD 'All I Intended To Be', due out June 10 on Nonesuch. Also, Jude is opening for Bonnie Raitt on September 3, at Mountain Winery, near San Francisco, CA. Jude will have her new CD 'Mr. Sun' out, maybe, by August 2008.
Watch this space for more info!
01.05.2008
The Winners Are.....
Three happy winners will soon recieve the two new brilliant albums by I See Hawks In L.A. and The Loose Acoustic Trio. All three knew that "Pinball Wizard" was written by Pete Townsend for The Who's "Tommy".
Torkel Dromberg and Christer Strömberg in Sweden, and Svorinic Bozidar in Croatia.
Don't miss out on May 20, when both of these albums will hit the stores!
30.04.2008
Los Dos Bros.....
March 6, 2008, Dallas, TX, day two of Holiday and the Adventure Pop Collective‘s first U.S. tour (supporting Atlantic Records’ Louis XIV), HATAPCO’s new drummer goes AWOL in the middle of the night, quitting the tour without a word or note of explanation. The trio quickly became a duo facing a choice: quit the tour and go home, or continue without a drummer. The decision to continue took about four seconds, and their second decision took about four more seconds… to officially change their band name, once and for all, to The Los Dos Bros.
Despite outcries from The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, and from press reps, writers, radio personalities and booking agents around the world begging the band’s two front men, Derric Oliver (vocals, guitar, tuba, trumpet, piano) and Louis Caverly (vocals, fiddle, piano), to keep their 6-word, 35-letter, tongue-twister of a bleeping band name, those requests fell on 
deaf ears (damn musicians and their hearing!).
But fear not, friends! “Adventure Pop” is still the sound, and “Holiday” still their mindset; yet, after years of musicians in and out of their band, Oliver and Caverly felt that The Los Dos Bros (which they’ve used for production credits on their three studio albums) best reflects their long-standing musical collaboration.
The duo is set to release two new albums, Songs for Feeling Strong (EP), and Greek Gods in the West (CD + DVD ‘Live from the Henry Miller Library, Big Sur, CA’). Both were recorded in June, 2007 (as HATAPCO with drummer, Michael Taylor Hahn) at Al Jardine’s (Beach Boys) Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, CA
29.04.2008
Robbin Thompson Tour.....
Robbin Thompson was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen Band Steel Mill, and so far has recorded ten albums. Thompson along with friend Steve Bassett authored the song ‘Sweet Virginia Breeze’ which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia. He has also written and recorded songs with the Eagles bass-player Timothy B. Schmit.
In September 2008 Robbin Thompson will tour Scandinavia in support of his latest release "Just A Blur In The Rearview". You'll find all the tour dates right here.
28.04.2008
Steve Mednick & B.o.o.m.....
Recent news from Steve Mednick :
"I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT B.O.O.M. HAS BEEN INVITED TO PLAY AT THE RIVER BEND FESTIVAL IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH. THE BAND WILL BE CLOSING THE SHOW FOLLOWING FEATURED ACTS LITTLE BIG TOWN AND RODNEY ADKINS. THE FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE THE BLACK CROWES; ZZ TOP; RANDY BACHMAN AND BURTON CUMMINGS; AMERICA; MERCY ME; ANTHONY HAMILTON; JOSH TURNER; ALEX CHILTON & THE BOXTOPS, AND, OF COURSE, B.O.O.M. IN ADDITION TO THE FESTIVAL, THE BAND WILL BE FEATURED IN A DOCUMENTARY WHICH WAS FILMED IN CONNECTICUT THIS MORNING: “THE ROAD TO RIVER BEND”, WHICH FEATURED MY “HOWARD’S RUN” (WHICH I WROTE WITH EDDIE SEVILLE); “HANDLE WITH CARE” BY THE TRAVELING WILBURYS; “ANYTIME AT ALL” BY THE BEATLES; AND, “NO GOOD TO CRY” BY THE WILDWEEDS.
ALSO IN MAY, I WILL BE RELEASING MY FOURTH STUDIO PROJECT “TIME FOR A CHANGE”. THIS EP WILL FEATURE THE TITLE SONG FROM “AMBLING TOWARD THE UNKNOWN” AND FOUR NEW SONGS: “THE ROAD HOME”; “5761”; “THE CROSSING”; AND “OH, THE PLAIN TRUTH IS WITHIN OUR REACH”.
27.04.2008
Amy's 52 Songs.....
Recent news from Amy Raasch :
"Have you checked out my "52 Songs" project? I am writing one song per week in 2008 and posting them all on YouTube.com.
I felt the desire to reach the next level in my writing, and I plan to begin a new album in January of 2009, using selected songs from the project. Perhaps even a DVD of all the YouTube performances as a bonus! It's really fun, and I'm making a point of interacting with the listeners and getting their feedback on the songs along the way.
It's literally like doing pre-production for the new record - with help from the audience - as I go along. Check it out and leave your comments about the songs when you have time. It's easy and fast to create a user name and password on YouTube so you can leave comments. The URL is www.youtube.com/amyraasch. Many thanks!"
26.04.2008
Faithfull Covers.....
September 26 will see the release of Marianne Faithfull's new album "Easy Come Easy Go". Produced by Hal Willner, the album features a bunch of interesting covers, and a lot of prominent guets.
Track-list:
CD1
“Down to Dover” (Dolly Parton)
“Hold On Hold On” (Neko Case & The Sadie) w/Chan Marshall
“Solitude” (Duke Ellington & Eddie DeLange)
“Crane Wife” (The Decemberists) w/Nick Cave
“Easy Come, Easy Go” (Bessie Smith)
“Children of Stone” (The Espers) w/Rufus Wainwright
“Kimbie” (Franck Jackson)
“Ooh Baby Baby” (Smokey Robinson) w/Antony
“In Germany Before The War” (Randy Newman)
“Dear God Please Help Me” (Morrissey)
“Many A Mile To” (Steve Winwood & Chris Wood) w/Jenni Muldaur
“Flandyke Shore” (traditional) w/Kate & Anna McGarrigle
“How Many Worlds” (Brian Eno) w/Teddy Thompson
“Sing Me Back Home” (Merle Haggard) w/Keith Richards
CD2
“The Phoenix” (Judee Sill) w/Sean Lennon
“Black Coffee“
“Salvation” (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) w/Sean Lennon
“Somewhere (A Place For Us)” (Bernstein & Sondheim) w/Jarvis Cocker
25.04.2008
Delaney Bramlett Talks.....
In this recent interview Delaney Bramlett speaks about the new album "A New Kind Of Blues", as well as the up-coming album "Rise Up".
24.04.2008
Costello's Momofuku.....
Elvis Costello reveal the story behind "Momofuku", his new album that was released exclusively on vinyl today (April 22). The album includes a download card that can be activated on May 1, and the CD release follows on May 6, via Lost Highway.
"The absence of much advance notice or information might seem a little strange and perverse but the record was made so quickly that I didn't even tell myself about it for a couple weeks," Costello says.
The sessions for "Momofuku" were inspired by work Costello did on Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis' forthcoming solo album, which featured Costello's Imposters bandmates Davey Faragher (bass) and Pete Thomas (drums).
Afterward, he booked a Los Angeles studio for six days in February to record eight newly written songs. One other song, "Song With Rose," sports lyrics co-written with Rosanne Cash, while "Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve" came out of a writing session with Loretta Lynn last year.
Thomas' daughter Tennessee, who plays drums in the Like, guests on "Stella Hurt," while Lewis and her beau Johnathan Rice contributed to a number of the tracks. As many as nine musicians played on "Turpentine" and "Song for Rose," which Costello calls "a fine old noise."
"Every record has its own method. This was the one for these songs," Costello says. As for the unusual name, it is not related to the hip New York restaurant Momofuku Noodle Bar, bur rather "a tribute to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of the Cup Noodle. Like so many things in this world of wonders, all we had to do to make this record was add water."
23.04.2008
Shane Alexander Live.....
22.04.2008
I See Hawks In LA.....
If we're lucky, we'll be able to see I See Hawks In La in Europe in August this year. There are talks about possible festival and/or tour dates in both the UK and Norway. Watch this space for more info!
21.04.2008
Joel's Release Party.....
Friday, April 25, Joel Rafael will be having a release party for his brilliant new album "Thirteen Stories High". The location is Thousand Oaks Library and the show starts at 8PM. For you in the area, don't miss out!
20.04.2008
Hayward Williams Tour.....
Acclaimed US singer-songwriter will start his European tour in L'Emile Vache, France, on April 24. Along the way, Hayward will stop by at several radio stations in Holland, Belgium and France, doing some interviews and playing some songs. Full tour info here.
19.04.2008
Important Dates.....
Here are some important release dates in May 2008 :
06.05.08 Kelly Dalton : Home (Spectacle)
20.05.08 I See Hawks In LA : Hallowed Ground (Big Book)
20.05.08 The Loose Acoustic Trio : Sorrow Be Gone (Big Book)
18.04.2008
Johnny Barbata Talks.....
Johnny Barbata has played on over 20 Top 10 singles andmore than 100 albums. Some of his most notable records are: "Happy Together", "She'd Rather Be With Me", and "Elenore" with The Turtles and Crosby Stills Nash & Young's "4 Way Street" and "Ohio" (the single).
In this recent interview you will find answers to questions such as:
-What does Johnny think of Dallas Taylor, Ralph Molina and Jim Morrison?
-Is it true that Johnny played uncredited on The Byrds reunion album?
-What does Johnny remember about playing "Wooden Ships" with the Starship?
-What was the role of Crosby & Nash during Neil Young's "Time Fades Away" tour?
17.04.2008
Fayssoux Is Ready.....
Emmylou Harris quoted in her boxed set, "Songbird", saying, "Fayssoux has one of my favorite voices". Who is she? Take a look right here.
16.04.2008
Jon Redfern Acoustic.....
This week sees a Scandinavian release for Jon Redfern's mini-album "Acoustic" on Reveal Records/Dotshop. Seven songs recorded with a stripped back trio line up to capture the spirit of how the songs are often heard live. A treat for the thousands who have caught Jon Redfern live in the recent months, either with Richard Thompson, Kate Walsh, Joan As Police Woman, Karine Polwart or his own sell out Spitz headlines and trio band tours.
The album includes four brand new songs in their infant stages and reworkings of the most popular songs from the debut album, “May Be Some Time”. Housed in a deluxe digi pack and limited to just 2,000 units.
15.04.2008
Kelly Dalton's Home.....
Kelly Dalton’s debut release, “The Love In Every Bar”, was inspired by a quote from the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Critics have already fallen for Kelly, calling his music, “mellow and beautiful melodies, reminiscent of James Taylor”, or “a pure a voice that I’ve heard from the male perspective in a long, long time… not since Jackson Browne has a singer/songwriter dug this deep”.
May 6 sees the release of Kelly Dalton's follow-up. A CD-EP with 6 tracks, called "Home", including a beautiful rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire".
14.04.2008
Outskirts Of Daniel.....
This week Border Music, Scandinavia, is releasing the follow-up to Daniel Norgren's critically acclaimed debut "Kerosene Dreams". The sophomore album is called "Outskirts" and features 15 tracks with help from, among others, Andreas Filipsson (a.k.a. Filip). Last year Lira Magazine draw comparisons to Bob Dylan, Greenwich Village in the 60's and Tom Waits. Watch this space for more info on this great artist!
13.04.2008
New Robbie Dupree.....
Zink Music is excited to announce the release of the brand new studio album from Westcoast-legend Robbie Dupree and band. The album is titled “Time and Tide”, and will have its European release on the Zink Music label on April 23.
12.04.2008
Joel Rafael Video.....
Just in time for the album release this Tuesday, April 8, Joel Rafael launched a video on YouTube of the first track from the new CD ("Thirteen Stories High") - "This Is My Country" (featuring David Crosby & Graham Nash) - Watch the brilliant video right here.
11.04.2008
Off Track Andrews.....
The album that "Americana UK" called "the best album of 2007" finally gets a Scandinavian release through Reveal Records/Dotshop on April 28.
For his 2005 debut, Nels harnessed the sounds of the desert; here on the new album, "Off Track Betting", he’s kept that basic sound but tampered with it somewhat by adding some odd instruments and assorted percussion . These changes are probably in part due to his recent move to New York City and the addition of a known producer in Todd Sickafoose. The new sounds mimic some of what you might hear in a busy city so that makes sense.
Nels’ first album, "Sunday Shoes", released independently in 2005, was picked by BBC2's legendary DJ Bob Harris as one of his "Albums of the Year".
Fast forward to today, and the release of Andrew's second album, "Off Track Betting", produced by Todd Sickafoose and due released April this year, and is set to be one of the landmark Americana releases of 2008. The new songs were recorded in Brooklyn at Trout Studios, and now spring from the textures and rhythms of New York City, as seen from the abandoned piers and rooftops as a new form of the red desert dust and sagebrush oceans.
10.04.2008
John Vester Tour.....
Acclaimed US singer-songwriter John Vester will start his tour of Holland in Utrecht on April 19 - Full tour schedule found here.
09.04.2008
The Firefall Reunion.....
Read here what Jock Bartley has to say about today's Firefall-reunion at the Boulder Theatre
in Colorado.
08.04.2008
Foy Vance's Hope.....
Middle of May 2008 sees the release of two new tracks - both re-workings of tracks from "Hope", Foy Vance's debut album. Future Cut ( Lilly Allen, Dizzy Rascal, Kelis) co-produced and mixed a re-worked version of "Shed A Little Light" adding horns and organ to the gospel vibe of the original. A complete re-recording of "Be With Me", produced by The Free Association a.k.a. David Holmes, carries Holmes' trademark-beats set against a jazzy, cinematic, southern gothic ambience studded with electronic swashes and synths.
Foy's debut album "Hope" was released late least year to wide critical acclaim. The Belfast Telegraph named Foy "The most important solo musician to emerge from Northern Ireland since Van Morrison" and the album recieved glowing reviews from publications as diverse as Uncut, Maverick, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail, among many others.
07.04.2008
Tom Petty's Mudcrutch.....
Read why Tom Petty choose to reunite with Mudcrutch in 2008 here.
06.04.2008
Nils Does Neil.....
News that Nils Lofgren will be covering Neil Young on an upcoming CD is published on www.nilslofgren.com :
"On another note I'm happy to announce we are planning to put out a new CD of music in May. I recently recorded my favorite Neil Young-songs live in the home studio on piano and acoustic guitar. It was an idea inspired by my manager Anson and we think it came out great. We'll have more info in the near future, but our hope is it will be avaliable in early May, so just stay tuned."
05.04.2008
A Toast For Neil.....
In 2000, Crazy Horse was in San Francisco, south of Market street, at an old studio called "Toast." Coltrane had recorded there, among many other jazz greats, known and unknown. The Dot Com boom was happening and buildings were being bought and turned into lofts or torn down completely and rebuilt. New money was everywhere. Toast was a target. The place was a little run down and sort of on its last legs.
To a man, if you asked Crazy Horse about these sessions, you would learn that it was a depressing atmosphere and things were not going well. The band recorded there for months and came up with very little. Nothing, other than one song, "Goin' Home" was ever finished. But a lot was started. Several of the songs written at Toast showed up on the "Are You Passionate" album with Booker T. and the MGs. But that album met with mixed reaction.
Now, years later, John Hanlon, the original co-producer with Neil, is at work mixing all of the Toast material. Many songs share a bluesy, jazz-tinged vibe as a common thread. Three solid rockers are interspersed in the mix. Other songs are long with extensive explorations between verses, a Crazy Horse trademark, kind of like a down-played Tonight's the Night, except these songs deal directly with love and loss, not drugs. The ambient atmosphere, foggy, blue and desolate, pervades many of the tracks, if not all, with Tommy Brea's muted trumpet and dusky male and female counter-part BGs occasionally surfacing from Poncho and Ralph on one side, Nancy Hall and Pegi Young on the other. A cool and sleepy lounge piano rises in the fog occasionally.
The result of this is perhaps one of the most under-estimated and deceptive Crazy Horse records of all time, with many songs originally discarded, and then re-recorded with Booker T. and the MGs. The original performances now surface again through a foggy past. Like an abstract painting, lyrical images of a love lost and maybe even destroyed forever just refuse to die, creating a landscape littered with half-broken dreams and promises.
"Toast" is coming, a dark Crazy Horse classic for the ages. This first NYA "Special Edition" is the beginning of a new series of unreleased albums.
04.04.2008
New Fred Eaglesmith.....
Tuesday April 8 is a day to celebrate - Sonic Rendezvous, Holland, is releasing the new album "Tinderbox" by acclaimed singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith. An 18 track tour de force that makes the compelling case - as well as most enjoyable and fulfilling listening - that it's a landmark album, not just for the artist himself, but within the contemporary music at large. Yes, "Tinderbox" is that good, an album that is sure to appear on year-end critics Top 10 lists. Shock Inc, L.A., already calls it the best album of 2008, and Starbucks called and asked for license to play it in all ten thousand stores across the U.S.A.
03.04.2008
Jon Redfern Remix.....
Just being available at www.reveal-records.com (as a digital download), is the new brilliant remix of Jon Redfern's "I Love The Sun". Don't miss out on this wonderful tune, that was one of the highlights of songs in 2007!
02.04.2008
Steve Mednick's Change.....
Recent news from Steve Mednick :
"On March 26th I completed my fourth studio project, "Time For A Change". The EP is a five song set comprised of the title song, which appeared on "Ambling Toward The Unknown", and two tracks, "The Road Home" and "5761", which will appear on my next CD, "Sunset At The North Pole". The EP is rounded off with two songs, "The Crossing" and "Oh, The Plain Truth Is Within Our Reach", which features the latest version of the Ferndale Valley Choir: Sallylu Sianni, Eddie Seville, Tony Casagrande and Bill Rufleth. Eddie Seville is in the process of completing the production of the EP. The EP should be available in May 2008."
01.04.2008
Stefan Leoson's Site...
31.03.2008
Big Book Records.....
May 20 will see the release of two great albums from Big Book Records :
I See Hawks In L.A. : Hallowed Ground
The Loose Acoustic Trio : Sorrow Be Gone
The kind people at Big Book have granted us three copies each of these wonderful new albums, and all you have to do to secure one of each, is to answer this simple question :
"Sorrow Be Gone" contains 14 original songs plus a hillbilly version of "Pinball Wizard" - Who wrote this great late 60's anthem?
Please state your answer here.
30.03.2008
Walter Becker's Circus.....
Steely Dan principal Walter Becker's first solo album in 14 years, "Circus Money," is on target for a late May/early June release via his own 5 Over 12 imprint/Mailboat.
Expectedly, the album exhibits the jazzy studio perfectionism that Steely Dan has been long known for, but as evidenced by such tracks as "Bob is Not Your Uncle Anymore" and "Do You Remember the Name," it also embraces another musical style.
After Steely Dan's most recent tour, Becker tells Billboard he "went into a deep research period. One of the guitar techs is a big Jamaican music fan. And I started to listen to all this stuff that he had - these really deep, dub cuts from the '70s. I just became totally fascinated with it, so I spent a lot of time listening to that and working on stuff along those lines."
While the album does not feature an appearance by longtime partner in crime, Donald Fagen, it does include quite a few veterans of the Steely Dan touring band, including keyboardist Ted Baker, guitarist Jon Herington, drummer Keith Carlock, saxophonist Roger Rosenberg, and singer Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery, among others. "One of the ideas we had was that we wanted to do all the tracks with basically the same band," explains Becker. "And that's what we did - plus or minus a few personnel changes.
Also working closely with Becker on the sessions was renowned producer Larry Klein. "Larry offered to produce the album at exactly the moment when I was getting ready to think about doing it. Having worked with him and known him for a while, I thought it would be a great combination," Becker says.
Becker may play shows in support of "Circus Money" later in the year, but next up for the singer/guitarist will be Steely Dan dates during the spring and summer. And according to Becker, fans are in for some pleasant surprises. "We're going to reconfigure the show in a way that changes the flow and energy of it considerably, I think," he says. "[We'll] do some songs that we haven't done or haven't been doing recently, and rearrange some of the other ones that are perennial favorites."
But there's no progress on a new Steely Dan studio album, which would be the band's first since 2003's "Everything Must Go."
"We were touring for four or five months last year -- that's a lot of work for us," Becker says. We've been laying low between things. We don't have a plan at this point for any particular album. I don't even know if we have a label anymore. I hope we don't!"
29.03.2008
Bottomley In London.....
28.03.2008
Bob Gibson Legacy.....
The Bob Gibson Legacy announces the release of 5 CDs beginning with "Bob Gibson, The Living Legend Years" in March 2008.
"Bob Gibson, The Living Legend Years" [BGL-1001] is the first of the five CDs from Bob Gibson Legacy. This compilation disc features tunes from four of Gibson’s independent label releases, as well as new, previously unreleased material from the 1970s through the 80s.
The four albums that complete Living Legend Years collection have been digitally re-mastered and are coming out over the next four months. Bob Gibson, Funky In The Country will be released March 19, Gibson & Camp, Homemade Music on April 16, Bob Gibson, Perfect High on May 14 and Bob Gibson, Uptown Saturday Night on June 11.
27.03.2008
More Mac & A Crow.....
Fleetwood Mac - with or without Sheryl Crow in tow - is planning to be active again.
Singer/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham - who's just released a new concert DVD, "Live at the Bass Performance Hall," from his 2006-07 solo tour - tells Billboard that the group is "looking at the idea of touring sometime in the first half of 2009," possibly with some new material to play.
In recent weeks Crow, who's friendly with Mac's Stevie Nicks, has talked about joining the band, which Buckingham acknowledges is a possibility, though he adds, "I don't think anything is written in stone yet."
"I think we were all a little surprised (Crow) was announcing that to the world with such certainty," Buckingham says with a laugh. "We have talked about the possibility of bringing another woman into the scene to kind of give Stevie a sort of foil and shake it up a little bit. (Crow) was certainly a name that has come up. We'll have to see."
Nicks has been the group's sole female member since Christine McVie retired from the band in the late '90s. Buckingham says that he has "a ton of new stuff" that could be used for a new Fleetwood Mac album, though he adds that he might want to step back from the production role he's had in the band.
"I don't think I want to produce again 'cause it takes so much," he explains. "Whatever happens we'll all sit in a room and make something work as a group. a little more like we used to, sort of try to open it up and get everyone sharing the activity a little more."
Buckingham, meanwhile, is also planning another solo album - the follow-up to 2006's "Under the Skin" - for this summer. Recorded with members of his touring band, as well as Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, it "has a little more of a rock feel to it" than "Under the Skin," according to Buckingham. "It's just another group of tunes that hopefully will translate to stage, and hopefully we can get some more (solo) dates this summer."
Formerly signed to Reprise, Buckingham says he's a "free agent" now, without a label deal as a solo artist. "We're gonna figure out who wants to put it out," he says of the as-yet untitled album. "I'm keeping an open mind. People need to hear the music and we'll see what they think and what the best situation for it will be."
26.03.2008
Batdorf & Stanley.....
Can you imagine what the Rolling Stones songs would have sounded like if Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were California boys with acoustic guitars? Would 'Satisfaction', 'Ruby Tuesday', or 'Last Time' been as powerful if they had been played on acoustic guitars and filled with vocal harmonies? Curious?
This week James Lee Stanley and John Batdorf re-releases their landmark album "All Wood And Stones" from 2004.
They took 11 Rolling Stones classics and turned them into something totally unheard of. You don 't have to live in California or play acoustic guitar to be enchanted by "All Wood and Stones" - An amazing collection of Rolling Stones tunes, played on acoustic guitars and ladened with joyous vocal harmonies.
"All Wood And Stones" takes you on a trip. It acts like a time machine. In a single moment you will find yourself hearing the Rolling Stones songs if they had come from a different world. Familiar and completely brand new.
25.03.2008
Zevon Inside Out.....
April 14th sees the release of "Insides Out", the debut album from Jordan Zevon (on New West Records), the son of the Grammy-award winning Warren Zevon. Described as “a glorious mix of pop/rock inspired by XTC, Elvis Costello and the New Radicals”.
The first track on the album, “The Joke’s On Me” was co-written with his pal Jordan Summers and went on to win the 2006 USA songwriting contest. This spurred Jordan to get serious about his future and he enlisted the help of some long-time friends to create and complete "Insides Out".
Along with the standout tracks such as “This Girl” and “American Standard”, Jordan performs a cover of “Studebaker”, one of his father’s unreleased songs.
1 Joke's On Me
2 This Girl
3 Home
4 Just Do That
5 Camilla Rhodes
6 Insides Out
7 American Standard
8 Studebaker
9 Payday
10 Too Late To Be Saved
24.03.2008
Petty's Mudcrutch.....
The long awaited debut album from Mudcrutch, recorded in just two weeks last August, will be released on Reprise Records on April 29. Mudcrutch features Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Tom Leadon, and Randall Marsh.
In the early 70's, they were heroes in their hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Mudcrutch seemed poised for more. But the band never cracked the national music scene or made a full album. Now, more than 30 years later and quite unexpectedly, the Mudcrutch story continues.
In addition to the release of the album on April 29, the band will undertake a short tour of intimate California venues starting on April 12 in Malibu and ending with a four-night run at the 500 capacity Troubadour in Los Angeles.
Track Listing:
1. Shady Grove
2. Scare Easy
3. Orphan Of The Storm
4. Six Days On The Road
5. Crystal River
6. Oh Maria
7. This Is A Good Street
8. The Wrong Thing To Do
9. Queen Of The Go-Go Girls
10. June Apple
11. Lover Of The Bayou
12. Topanga Cowgirl
13. Bootleg Flyer
14. House Of Stone
23.03.2008
Nathalie's Fortune Teller.....
Nathalie Nahai will release her much-anticipated second album, "Fortune Teller", on her own imprint Fuzzy Muskrat Records on June 17. Recorded in the Southern State of Georgia, USA, the influence of grass-roots music is clear, and her collaboration with other blues musicians lends this album a depth and variety enriched further by the simple production style.
"Fortune Teller" makes a graceful transition into the folk-blues arena and follows the success of Nathalie Nahai’s self-titled debut, which was recorded with the multi-platinum Grammy award-winning producer, Don McCollister.
www.nathalienahai.com
www.myspace.com/nathalienahai
22.03.2008
Melanie Speaks Out.....
Don't miss Melanie Dekker speaking out in Magnus Eriksson's interview in Lira Magazine. The European tour continues until April 12.
21.03.2008
Let It Go, Steven.....
Steven Alvarado arrived in New York City seven years ago after a stint in Nashville and a childhood in Los Angeles. After releasing "Mercy" (Del-Fi) and "Bleed" independently, Alvarado finally achieved breakthrough success on an international level with the 2005 release of "The Howl Sessions". Alvarado switches emotional gears and takes an honest look at human relationships on his upcoming 10-track set "Let It Go".
On "Let it Go", Alvarado draws on a lifetime of personal experiences, moving beyond the edgy religious and political commentary of his earlier works. In creating his "album about heartbreak," the singer has once again surrounded himself with some of NYC's finest. Playing on the record are guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, Sam Phillips), drummer Kenny Wollesen (Norah Jones, Rufus Wainright, Rickie Lee Jones), pianist Rob Burger (Beth Orton, Lucinda Williams, Rufus Wainright), and bassist Joe Quigley (Shawn Colvin, Lisa Loeb, Syd Straw).
"Let It Go" will be released April 1, 2008.
www.stevenalvarado.com
20.03.2008
Aimee Mann Smiles.....
Aimee Mann's seventh album, "@#%&! Smilers," will arrive June 3 via her own SuperEgo Records. The album was produced by Paul Bryan, who also helmed Mann's 2006 holiday album "One More Drifter in the Snow."
"The sound is a little bit different for me," Mann told Billboard. "It's got a lot of Moog (synthesizer) on it (and) sometimes almost sounds like the Cars a little bit. From song to song, everything gets a different treatment."
Mann also noted, "there's no electric guitar at all, which you weirdly don't miss. It's kind of this all-keyboard situation, which is great. It's an interesting amalgamation of sounds." The track "True Believer" was co-written with Grant Lee Phillips.
19.03.2008
Mark & Stacey Earle.....
Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart are releasing three (3!) new albums on their own imprint Gearle Records this year.
First out is Mark Stuart's "Left Of Nashville" that has just been released. A collection of originals, featuring Mark's great singing and playing.
The second release is the duo album "Love From Stacey & Mark", out in May, 2008 - A double CD featuring acoustic versions of almost every song they have performed live or on CD.
Last, but not least, is Stacey Earle's "Just Along For The Ride", that will see the light if day in September of this year.
www.staceyandmark.com
18.03.2008
Stacie Rose Show.....
17.03.2008
Rootsy Northern Blues.....
NorthernBlues Music, Canada, has inked an exclusive distribution deal with 'rootsy.nu' for the whole of Scandinavia. NorthernBlues Music carries blues artists as Mason Casey, Doug Cox, Paul Reddick and Watermelon Slim. Rootsy will be releasing a lot of old and new NorthernBlues-titles during the spring of 2008.
16.03.2008
A Crow & The Mac.....
Sheryl Crow says she'll soon be singing with Fleetwood Mac, a move sure to give new life to the classic rock band, which hasn't toured in several years.
"I don't want to make any official announcements, but I will say that we definitely have plans for collaborating in the future, and we'll see what happens," Crow told the AOL music Web site www.spinner.com.
The 46-year-old singer didn't give a date, but said it could happen next year.
She's already thinking about what she'd like to perform. "I'd love to do `The Chain,' I'd love to do `Second Hand News,'" Crow said.
Crow said she looked forward to working with friend Stevie Nicks.
"I think the person I learned the most hands-on from is Stevie Nicks because she allowed me not only to co-write with her but also to produce her, and she's a true artist," she said.
Crow would give the band and Nicks a boost. According www.spinner.com, Nicks had said she wouldn't continue with Fleetwood Mac without keyboardist Christine McVie, who retired from touring in 1998. McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 shortly after marrying the band's bass guitarist, John McVie.
Fleetwood Mac last toured in 2004.
Crow is currently touring after the release of her latest album, "Detours."
15.03.2008
Batdorf & Rodney.....
Recent news from John Batdorf :
"Two years ago the thought of doing a new BATDORF & RODNEY LIVE CD was the farthest thing from my mind. I hadn't spoken to Mark since 1987 and wasn't feeling terribly nostalgic about the music we made together. I was making new music, exploring new creative frontiers and so the idea of reclaiming a by gone era wasn't on my radar. But life, as the saying goes, is what happens to us while we're making other plans. Turns out I was on my way to St. George Utah to do a gig at the beautiful Tuachan Center for the Performing Arts.
My traveling companions were my wife Melanie, her sister Robin and her husband Steve Smith. Steve was the roadie, road manager and sound guy for Batdorf & Rodney all those years ago. When we got to Las Vegas we all decided to take a trip down memory lane and so I called Mark to see if he could meet us for dinner. It was a bit awkward at first, but before long we all were laughing and having a great time together. It wasn't like the heavens opened and a Batdorf & Rodney reunion was ordained from on high, but it wasn't long after that dinner while working on a new solo CD that I decided to re-record a few Batdorf and Rodney songs.
So it was in making the CD "HOME AGAIN" that I invited Mark to play on the recording. It was a whole lot different than the old days but the finished product came out great. It must have been a good experience for Mark because he got the itch to perform again so I added him to a few of my shows here in L.A.. The word got around and the next thing you know, we were performing in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and the fans were really enjoying it.
It was while I was out on the road with James Lee Stanley last summer that I stopped by the XM Studios and had lunch with Mike Marrone, Jerry Rubino, and George Taylor Morris. James and I wanted to thank them again for the incredible support of our CD, "All Wood And Stones". Mike, who is a true Batdorf and Rodney fan, asked how the shows were going with Mark and I told him about how much fun we were having and the next thing you know, we were booked to do a Loft Session at XM Studios in November 16, 2007.
The music gods at this point were really smiling down on us and Mark, Bill Batstone and myself recorded an hour of music and stories that was, (and I don't know any other way of saying this) simply magical! XM was nice enough to give me the whole raw session so that I could mix it the way I wanted and release it as a new live CD. During the editing and mixing I tried to capture the sounds and the feelings of the early albums and the result truly makes me smile. My only regret is that we didn't get to go for another hour! In addition to the live performances, the CD contains two brand new songs, "Summer of Love" and "Four Days Runnin'" recorded here in L.A.. I am very excited about this project and my hope is that everyone who listens to it will be taken right back to the first time they heard these songs and smile as much as I did."
www.johnbatdorfmusic.com
14.03.2008
Al Jardine Solo.....
Work is almost completed on Al Jardine's debut solo album outside of the Beach Boys. The album, "A Postcard From California", features both of Al's sons, Matthew and Adam, as well as some very high profile guests; Brian Wilson, Flea, Glen Cambell, Neil Young and Steve Miller. Jardine co-produced the album with Stevie Heger. More info can can found here.
13.03.2008
Jack Tempchin's Songs.....
Jack Tempchin (writer of the Eagles "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Already Gone") does his and Glenn Frey's hit "Smugglers Blues", and nine other brand new songs, on his forthcoming album, titled, that's right - "Songs". People say it sounds like Dire Straits meets the Eagles.
Jack Tempchin is from San Diego. He grew up in the folk era, performing in coffeehouses. He has written hits for the Eagles, Johnny Rivers, Glenn Frey and Sammy Kershaw, and has had many of his other songs recorded. He has toured as a solo opening act for Chicago, Ringo Starr, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and many others. This new album, "Songs", is all Jack, and all new.
More info can be found here.
12.03.2008
11.03.2008
L.A. Project II.....
It has been a couple of long years in the making, but now the wait is all over, and believe us when we say that the wait has been more than worthwhile!
Zink Music and Peter Friestedt presents “LA Project II”, an album that features lead vocal performances by Joseph Williams (Toto), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Randy Goodrum, Lou Pardini (Koinonia), Bill Cantos, Michael Ruff and Stefan Gunnarsson. The latter is the voice behind the bonus track “Always On My Mind”, a song that only is featured on the Zink Music release of the album.
And if the just mentioned isn’t enough, mastermind Peter has brought on an impressive list of friends and musicians to play on the album and on here we find Abraham Laboriel, John JR Robinson, Tris Imboden (Chicago), Tommy Denander, Ingemar Åberg and some of the above mentioned singers that also lend their instrumental talents to the album.
The album consists of ten songs and Peter has amongst others co-written with Bill Champlin, Randy Goodrum, Brian Hobbs, Bill Cantos and Lou Pardini. Regarding the song-writing Peter says: “I have written some of my strongest material ever, I have been surrounded by great co-writers and I am very proud of the way the tracks turned out”. Peter’s extraordinary guitar work shines throughout the record, going from sensitive acoustic guitar and slick rhythm lines to blistering solos.
www.zinkmusic.com
www.peterfriestedt.com
10.03.2008
Vester Goes West.....
Celebrating the release of John Vester's best work to date ("ALL THE WAY OUT WEST"). Playing with good friends who played on the record at one of the coolest venues in the world! This will be a fun show! The best ever! Featuring special guests Michael, Mark, Kipp & Pat Lennon (Venice), Rich Mangicaro, Mark Harris, Carl Byron, & Stan Behrens.
Sunday, 30.03.08, 7:00 pm, McCabes, 3101 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, Ca 90405
Tickets available at McCabes or online at www.mccabes.com
"ALL THE WAY OUT WEST" CD now available at www.johnvester.com
DP now available at www.novatunes.com
09.03.2008
Then Some Luke.....
Luke Jackson's forthcoming third album “...And Then Some” almost never happened.
Sidetracked for years by a series of life's obstacles and stricken by a period of writer's block that lasted close to half a decade, the planets aligned in the Summer of 2006 on a trip from his native London to rural Southern Sweden, where Luke was invited to record some sessions by Brianpool/Roxette producer and multi-instrumentalist Christoffer Lundqvist at his Aerosol Grey Machine (the legendary analogue studio where The Magic Numbers, The Concretes, Ed Harcourt, Nicolai Dunger, and The Cardigans have recorded.)
Inspired by the invitation, Luke found his muse and spent the rest of 2006 preparing a dozen songs for a possible new album, returning to Sweden to join his dream-team rhythm section of Christoffer's Brainpool bandmate Jens Jansson on drums and one of Luke's alltime favourite songwriters Magnus Börjeson (Beagle, Favorita, Metro Jets, Cardigans) on bass.
Not one to manifest small, Luke was so enthused with the rough recordings that he gave them to renowned UK string arranger Robert Kirby (Nick Drake, Paul Weller, David Ackles, Elvis Costello, John Cale and many others) for his consideration. To Luke's delight (and bewilderment), Kirby began to write the orchestrations for half the songs on the album. He even offered to fly to Sweden to conduct the October 2007 string sessions himself.
Quite by chance, Luke had brought together two of his most beloved musical worlds, and the result of their collision can be heard on “...And Then Some”. Densely layered guitars and pop harmonies fuse with sweeping string arrangements, none of which ever draws the ear too far from what lays at the heart of his music... gorgeous, expressive, heartfelt songs born of the trials and tribulations of a life lived to the fullest.
Check out Luke’s recording sessions videoblog at :
www.snipr.com/lukevideoblog
08.03.2008
Summer Of Love.....
Just out in the US is the 2CD/2DVD-set from the "40th Anniversary Of The Summer Of Love 1967 - 2007". Featured musicians are among others :
Moby Grape (all original members), Country Joe McDonald, Taj Mahal, Canned Heat, Cold Blood, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jerry Miller Band, Rob Wasserman, Ray Manzarek (from the Doors), Starship, Brian Auger, Chris and Lorin Lowan (of the Rowan Brothers), Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, Essra Mohawk (from Mothers of Invention and Jerry Garcia Band) and Merl Saunders (Jerry Garcia Band).
07.03.2008
Rachael Sage's Chandelier.....
American songstress Rachael Sage (who now are getting great exposure for her album "The Blistering Sun" on both sides of the Atlantic) are releasing the brand new album "Chandelier", May 6, on her own imprint MPress Records. Watch this space for more info!
06.03.2008
Joel Rafael's 13 Stories.....
April 8 will see the release of singer-songwriter Joel Rafael's new album "Thirteen Stories High" on Inside Recordings, distributed worlwide by ADA Global. Rafael is considered to be one of the most natural interpreters of Woody Guthrie's songs and has been a featured performer at the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Woody's hometown of Okemah, OK, since its inception a decade ago.
The new CD is blending troubadourial eloquence, timeless folk and timely political observations. THIRTEEN STORIES HIGH opens with its lead single, the forthright and simply-worded protest song “This Is My Country,” with backing vocals from Rafael’s friends David Crosby and Graham Nash. “I wish I had written this song,” says Nash, adding, “it’s so powerful and profound…a call from his heart to ours.”
Two of the thirteen tracks are covers of other songwriters’ work – “Rich Man’s War” first saw the light of day on Steve Earle’s 2004 album The Revolution Starts Now. “Thematically,” says Rafael, “it was perfect for this record.” “I Ought To Know” is by longtime friend Jack Hardy, one of the forces behind the historic Fast Folk series (now in the Smithsonian). When he first heard Hardy perform it at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Rafael says, “I was knocked out by it and knew I wanted to record it.”
05.03.2008
Melanie's Acoustic Ride.....
Just in time for her European tour in March and April, Melanie Dekker has just finished a new run of her acoustic CD, "Acoustic Ride". Featuring new cover art and a new mix, this set of songs from Melanie is not to be missed!
04.03.2008
Lanois Goldtop Edition.....
Recent news from Daniel Lanois' Red Floor Records :
"Red Floor Records is very proud to announce the Goldtop Edition of 'Here Is What Is'. This exclusive two-disc-set includes the CD and deluxe DVD with over an hour of extra footage. This is a limited edition of 3000 copies in a special package that includes some cool surprises!
Check it out at www.redfloorrecords.com/HereIsWhatIs.htm
We will have Goldtop Editions of 'Acadie' and 'Shine' coming soon. Each with unreleased material and new artwork.
We have also added the 1993 documentary 'Rocky World' and the rare bootleg 'Cool Water' to our catalog."
03.03.2008
I See Hawks In LA.....
I See Hawks In L.A. are pleased to announce the release of their fourth CD: "Hallowed Ground," on Big Book Records, distributed in the US and Europe by Burnside Distribution.
"Hallowed Ground" was mixed by studio ace Ethan Allen (Daniel Lanois, Patty Griffin, The 88, Dengue Fever), and features the usual Hawks musical pals plus stellar
fiddle from Gabe Witcher. Look for the Hawks signature blend of experimental and traditional Americana, and some surprising forays into Celtic music, inspired by their 2006 tour of Scotland.
"Hallowed Ground" will be released May 20, 2008, followed by a Hawks summer tour in Europe/UK.
02.03.2008
Loose Acoustic Trio.....
The Loose Acoustic Trio is an American original. Since the turn of the 21st century, they have deftly blended Folk, Cajun, Old-Time Country, Blues, Jug Band, and Ragtime music to create an appealing sound they call “Good Time Music.” The lyrics of the songs range from simply sublime to sublimely ridiculous, each wrapped up in an infectious rhythm that’s guaranteed to make you smile. The combination of accordion, 6-string banjo, bedpandolin (a mandolin forged from a metal bedpan), upright string bass and three part vocal harmonies, sets them apart from any other musical group on the face of planet Earth. It’s a traditional roots style with a contemporary twist.
Their new CD, “Sorrow Be Gone”, contains 14 original songs, plus the hillbilly version of Peter Townshend’s “Pinball Wizard”. Available May 20 on Big Book Records, where you will also find the incomparable, I See Hawks In LA.
01.03.2008
New Sorta Album.....
Six months after the tragic death of guitarist/keyboard-player Carter Albrecht, American group Sorta is back with their self-titled fifth album on their own imprint, Summer Break Records. The nine-track album is a brilliant follow-up to last years acclaimed "Strange And Sad But True" (little did they know how true this title would ring, later in the year...).
Complete track-listing for "Sorta" is :
1. Make A Wish
2. Grown Man
3. Fools Gold
4. Born Yesterday
5. Major Breakdown
6. Soft Kisses
7. I'll Be There
8. Always
9. Afraid Of The Dark
