10.08.2010

More Mellencamp.....

A 55-year-old reel-to-reel Amex tape recorder, a single microphone and three historic recording sites were John Mellencamp's tools for making his new album, "No Better Than This", which is due out this week - Just 7 weeks after he releases his retrospective box set, "On the Rural Route 7609".

Mellencamp and producer T-Bone Burnett recorded the 13 mono, unoverdubbed tracks for "No Better Than This" during the summer of 2009, while the Indiana Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was on the road with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Using members of Mellencamp's band and guests like guitarist Marc Ribot and former Johnny Cash upright bassist Dave Roe, they set up shop at Sun Studios in Memphis, Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio - where Robert Johnson made his first recordings in November of 1936 - and in the First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA, the inaugural black church in America and a stop on the underground railroad during the Civil War.

"This is my 25th album", Mellencamp says. "I liked the idea that there was a story behind the record other than, 'OK, here's just another John Mellencamp record. So the fact there is a back story of the Savannah church and Sun Studios and Room 414... I thought those are all places I would want to visit anyway, wouldn't it be great to just record there?"

Mellencamp says Burnett, who produced his 2008 album "Life Death Love and Freedom," was enthusiastic about the idea. "He went, 'Wow, why didn't I think of that?" recalls Mellencamp, who bought the Amex recorder for $175 on eBay and refurbished it for the sessions. "The one microphone, everything, he was on board and he was excited. We had a lot of fun making this record".

The lo-fi recording process, Mellencamp adds, was "just trying to go 180 degrees away from the prefabbed place where pop music is now", capturing the live, present energy of a performance rather than a polished studio production. "All the records that we loved, that we grew up loving, were made that way - James Brown's records, those first five Rolling Stones records, those early Dylan records", he notes. "You felt like you were sitting next to them and they were playing those songs. That's the quality that music has lost, that technology has taken away from us... so we got them back on this record. It sounds authentic".

The songs on "No Better Than This" were culled from a set of more than 30 that Mellencamp wrote before the summer tour. "I was in a zone for 10, 15 days. I didn't even question it", he remembers. They range from rockabilly shuffles ("Each Day of Sorrow", the title track) to brooding, folky pieces ("Thinking About You", "Clumsy Ol' World"), rural blues ("Right Behind Me") and country ("A Graceful Fall", "Coming Down the Road", "No One Cares About Me", "Don't Forget About Me"). Mellencamp previewed some of the tunes last summer, while the Dali Lama used the opening track, "Save Some Time To Dream", as the impromptu inspiration for a sermon after Mellencamp performed it during a May 20 luncheon at the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, IN.

"I didn't even know what he was saying because I was behind the PA system", Mellencamp says with a laugh. "I was very flattered that the holiest man maybe on Earth had critiqued one of my songs".

Filmmaker Kurt Marcus documented the "No Better Than This" sessions for a movie that Mellencamp plans to use to open a run of theater shows that's slated to begin in October. The concerts will also include a stripped-down acoustic set with his band, a solo segment and then a fully electrified rock set. "You'll get three different types of John Mellencamp, and you'll get a movie", says Mellencamp, who's playing four shows in July and is also planning some more minor league baseball stadium dates with Dylan later this summer.

"No Better Than This" will add to the story Mellencamp details in "On the Rural Route 7609", a handsomely packaged four-CD set that includes 12 unreleased tracks - Including writing demos of "Jack and Diane", "Authority Song" and "Cherry Bomb" - as well as poetic readings of "The Real Life" by actress Joanne Woodward and "Jim Crow" by Cornell West. What the set is missing, by design, is many of Mellencamp's biggest hits, such as "Hurts So Good", "Paper in Fire" and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."

"I have no interest in going back and putting together a bunch of hits", Mellencamp explains. "I had this idea of discovery. I think all of those songs (on 'On the Rural Route 7609') were overlooked... I thought this was just a good way to say, 'OK, so this isn't about hit records. This is about what the rest of these albums were about... Here's really what I do."

Mellencamp is also moving forward on "Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County," his stage musical collaboration with Stephen King. The two recently hired a new director, award-winning actress Liv Ullman, who plans to start revising the script with King in January and work through 2011 on the production. Meanwhile, Burnett has been recording an album of Mellencamp's songs for the project with Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Ryan Bingham and the Blasters' Phil and Dave Alvin voicing the characters - but not Mellencamp. "I got fired", he says with a laugh. "I'm spotty at best".

No release dates have been determined for any of the "Ghost Brothers" projects.

05.08.2010

John Carrillo.....

From the moment in his parents' living room, when he strummed his first air guitar chord on his tennis racket while The Who's "Live at Leeds" blared from his dad's stereo, John Carrillo, at the ripe young age of 14 knew he wanted to be a performer. His wish came true many years later when he stepped onto a real stage for the very first time at Quon's Karaoke Bar in Orange, CA, to sing "Mr. Tambourine Man". John hasn't left the stage since.

Since that day he has performed all over Southern California at countless coffeehouses, bars, bookstores, weddings, corporate events (no Bar Mitzvahs yet!) and venues such as The Coach House, The Grove and The Orange County Fair.

He released his first album, "John Carrillo", in 1998. The album, produced by power pop guru Michael Simmons was featured on KLOS' Local Licks radio program. A song from the album, "Civic Pride", was also showcased on NPR's Car Talk.

Although heavily influenced by classic 60's pop groups such as The Beatles, The Byrds, The Who, The Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel, John's music also invokes sensibilities of latter artists such as Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Fountains Of Wayne, Death Cab For Cutie and The Shins, to produce his own unique brand of quirky, yet accessible brand of pop music.

From a radioactive girl, to a pesky possum, to the second best girl in the bar, John's songs are inhabited by an eccentric cast of characters that invite the listener to share in their sometimes surreal, sometimes melancholy, yet always thought-provking, adventures.

In 2001, John released his second album "A Wink To His Career" which featured among others, guest appearances by Lonnie Jordan (War) and Bob Boulding (The Young Dubliners). The album, produced by Dwight Yoakam alumni Shawn Nourse, showcased John's vocal talents, as well as his rapidly developing songwriting skills. In late 2001 John was named one of the top local artists of the year by The Orange County Register. In 2002 the album was named one of the best Do-It-Yourself albums of the month by Performing Songwriter Magazine.

John's third album, "Von Karma", which features performances by bass-guitar legend, and Wrecking Crew-member, Carol Kaye, was released in late 2006.

 

01.08.2010

Black Crowes.....

In celebration of the 20th year anniversary of their 1990 debut, “Shake Your Money Maker”, The Black Crowes will release their first ever double album of all acoustic material on August 3, 2010.

After touring in 2009, The Black Crowes spent time at the Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, recording over 20 songs from their 20 year history. The band arranged acoustic versions of many of their best loved songs and the band’s catalogue picks.

The double album, "Croweology", will be sold at the cost of a single album as a 'thank you' to their fans for 20 years of support. Also to be released on vinyl, the project was produced by Paul Stacey and will be released on The Black Crowes label, Silver Arrow Records.

Following the album release and their 2010 “Say Goodnight To The Bad Guys” tour the band has planned a lengthy hiatus.

Chris Robinson had this to say, “With a smile so wide you can count my teeth and with a heart so full of love that it is spilling over the rim, I offer a humble and simple thank you. Thank you for your time, your imaginations, your heartaches and joy. Thank you for 20 years of cosmic rock'n'roll. 20 years of keeping it weird. 20 years of chasing horizons and before the band that dares dream out loud puts it down for a while, we are proud to give you our 'Croweology'. This year the music is only for you as we celebrate what has been, what is now and whatever will be”.

30.07.2010

Big Rockin’ Daddies.....

Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies! are one of the most popular bands, blues or otherwise, in the Pacific Northwest. Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies! strength lies in its original blues songs, and choice of obscure blues covers that meld together into a Texas meets Chicago meets Pacific Northwest blues stew. Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies! extremely entertaining stage show features the sexy and sassy, Becki Sue, beltin’ ‘em out front and center.

Becki Sue’s supporting cast is a virtual “who’s who” of highly experienced Pacific Northwest blues greats; Tom “T-Boy Neal” Boyle (5-time “BB” Award winner) on electric blues guitar; the multi-talented and “BB” award winning, Jim King, on harp, tenor sax and vocals, and the “BB” award winning rhythm section, featuring Les “Wild Child” White on upright bass and Jeff Hayes on drums.

The band has performed at most of the major blues clubs and festivals in the Northwest, including The Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland.

The WBS has honored the band with 39 “BB” Award nominations since 2005. Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies! has won 13 of those awards, including “Best Blues Band” in 2006 and 2007, and “Best Blues Recording” of 2008 for their 2nd CD release, “Big City Blues".

A new full length CD, “Big Rockin’ Boogie”, produced by Steve Murray and Tom Boyle, includes seven original songs among its twelve cuts, has just been released worldwide on the Underworld Records label.

25.07.2010

Bruce Brittain.....

Born in Oklahoma, and raised mostly in south-central Kansas, Bruce Brittain grew up listening late into the night to WSL radio, Chicago and Wolf Man Jack from Del Rio. When the sun went down and the signal strengthened, those stations played Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins and Ray Charles. Bruce took up a cheap guitar at the age of eight, and was playing in a local R&R band by the age of 12. He shifted to folk music in its mid-60’s heyday, when he joined the fans of singer songwriters such as Carole King, James Taylor and Jesse Winchester. Living in Texas in the 70’s he was introduced to alternative country by the likes of Willy, Ray Wiley, Jerry Jeff, Delbert and Kris. To this formative years stew, he later mixed in some influences of The Eagles, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Cole Porter, poet Shel Silverstein and Lyle Lovett, stirred vigorously and got a unique blend of Americana R&B music.

Bruce writes for a grown-up audience with references to opportunities and problems beyond the basics of heartache, lust, cheatin’, drinkin’, trucks, momma and prison, not that there isn’t a measure of those things too. He also writes about gold diggers, poseurs, granddaughters, women of a certain age, casual sex, cooking breakfast the morning after and the like.

Bruce lives in Atlanta, GA, surrounded by tall trees, hundreds of books, four cats, one dog and his muse, Mimi, who should get co-writing credit on almost every song he creates. He has five grown children (counting the two sons-in-law), two grandsons, another due in the fall of 2010, and more guitars than he owns up to, for reasons of marital harmony

20.07.2010

Kelly Dalton.....

"Music was very influential to me growing up. My parents were both producers-singer-songwriters, and played and sang in The Back Porch Majority, wrote jingles & produced other artists. I grew up hanging around recording studios, so I was introduced to the piano, guitars and how recording was done at an early age.

As a teenager, I began writing songs on the guitar & piano, but was too shy to get up and sing in front of anyone. So, I just played guitar in a couple of local Los Angeles bands, made a few indie albums, had some great times, but always felt like something was missing.

Unfortunately, in a short amount of time I lost a few people who were very close to me.

I took a deep breath and thought about my own life and what I've given or would leave behind. I didn’t want to someday regret not attempting what I knew I could do, so I felt it was time to get over my stage fright & start singing.

I found a comfortable stage at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, where local singer songwriters were playing nightly. I drew inspiration and became friends with other local artists who were also getting their start there and shared the same passion in songwriting as I did.

In 2006, I recorded my first album 'The Love In Every Bar', an EP in 2008, 'Home', then I followed my producer Thom Flowers out to Texas to record the new album 'Everything Must Go' in 2010.

I’ve always known that I feel things deeply, maybe too deep at times. And it’s never been easy for me to share these feelings. I now consider myself one of the lucky ones who have learned through my words and music, that I can express myself in a way that is real and truthful for me.

Since my last time recording, I’ve felt the highs and lows of many life experiences, probably not all that different than others. Some highs were positive; some lows painful; some feelings were new, and others so familiar that I had to move on to avoid feeling them again. The songs on my new album 'Everything Must Go' were recorded during this period of time." ~ Kelly Dalton 2010

15.07.2010

Tommy Rickard.....

Drummer and singer-songwriter Tommy Rickard spent 2008 and 2009 in the studio, recording the tracks for his debut album “Dream California”. This record is a melting pot of the music Rickard grew up on. The reverb drenched guitars of California’s surf scene with a raw and honest voice, reminiscent of Johnny Cash. The vocal harmonies of the Beach Boys and laid back feel of the Eagles, with an occasional hint of the punk scene where his musical journey began.

The live shows are equal parts all of this with Rickard fronting the band, singing while standing and playing drums. He’s backed by 2 guitars, bass and a female background singer. At times there could be a pedal steel player or possibly someone playing Hammond organ, or even an accordion player. Every show’s different. Every night a new canvas......

 

 

10.07.2010

Steven G Mednick.....

"Welcome to 'What Remains', my seventh CD since 2006. I am greatly appreciative to the music writers and critics for their words of wisdom and guidance for my work. I hope that you will enjoy this latest collaboration with my producer Eddie Seville.

I am quite certain that I did not start out with a common theme; in fact, 'What Remains' was just a title with no particular meaning, derived from an e-mail reference to some songs left from the 'Sunset At The North Pole' sessions in 2008. Curiously only two of those songs 'remain'. Yet as I look at the songs, lo and behold, it sure looks like the common thread is what occurs when the modern world’s illusions evaporate and we are looking into the face of our own humanity :

Mystery and truth seeking ('The Forger’s Tale')
Choices made (or not) ('The Only Way I Want It')
Deceit and materialism ('Hostages & Orphans')
Time passages and the power of memory ('Time Returns')
Ignoring the obvious, when it is staring you in the face ('Series Of Hits & Misses')
Thoughts about people who come in and out of our lives ('Questions')
Unearthing the artifacts of our own making ('Archaeology')
Doubt and confusion ('Nelio’s Dream')
Living in the wake of the Wall Street escapades ('The Lights Are Out In This Town')
Elusive love and hope ('Clouds Will Pass Away')
Prospecting for old fashion values ('Jasper McPhee')
Knowing when to take the leap ('What Remains')
Ghosts that creep up behind us ('Endnotes')

The CD ends with the film version of 'The Forger’s Tale' to be featured in the film 'Fake'.

Thank you to whoever has been sending me these songs. Keep them coming!"

 

05.07.2010

Jardine's California.....

Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine, who started the group in 1961 with the Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl and Dennis) and their cousin Mike Love, just released his new solo album, "A Postcard From California", through the iTunes music store.

The twelve-song collection includes four cuts that comprise what Jardine calls "the green side" of the new album, compositions that speak to the relationship of man and his environment. "Don't Fight the Sea", "Tidepool Interlude" and "A California Saga" are songs that reflect this artist's deep love for the California coastline and his concern for the ecological health of the planet. "I think this material defines the new project in these days of climate change", he suggests. Unfortunately it also seems especially timely in view of current events in the Gulf of Mexico.

Al Jardine has always embodied that concern for the environment, and the coastline and ocean in particular. Previously, on the Beach Boys' "Surf's Up" album, he and Mike Love had written the song, "Don't Go Near The Water". The new album includes "Lookin' Down The Coast," a tale of the discovery of California by the Spanish, as seen through the eyes of its natural inhabitants, the California condor, the whale, the otter and the bear.

Jardine recently discussed how water, the environment, ecology, and a primary concern for nature are still predominant themes in his material;

"'Don't Fight the Sea' started a long time ago with a Canadian friend of mine, Terry Jacks, who was kind enough to allow me to rewrite his song for an album that Mike Love and I were planning around an ecology theme. I always envisioned it to be the quintessential environmental song, a big statement, but I could never get all the guys together. I started with Carl, Bruce (Johnston) and myself on backgrounds, then years later Brian put on his falsetto, and just recently Mike recorded his baritone signature line. To top it all off, I added son Matt Jardine and friend Scott Mathews to the track, to give additional vocal support to the core group; all this over a period of thirty-plus years. I guess persistence pays off!"

"The song evolved into a beautiful statement", Jardine continues, "with some very passionate vocal work by Carl. And with the recent interest in global warming, I changed the last verse to reflect the plight of the polar bear. Living in Canada, Terry really has his finger on the pulse and has seen the situation first hand. The last verse of the song relates a dream in which we're carried away to the Arctic Ocean and come face to face with a polar bear, who implores us, 'Don't Fight The Sea.' It's an interesting twist. I may be 'preaching environment' on this album, with 'Lookin' Down The Coast' and 'Don't Fight The Sea,' but the latter is really about the futility of man's efforts to tame the ocean".

The track, "Tidepool Interlude" features a spoken word narrative from another special guest, actor Alec Baldwin, who is heard reading a poem written by Stephen John Kalinich, in a moving tribute to California and its natural beauty.

A new version of the song, "California Saga/California", first heard on the Beach Boys' "Holland" album, is also on the CD. The new track is titled simply, "A California Saga". "We were homesick as hell in Holland, and I needed to write some songs about California," Jardine remembers. "It was tough to re-visit the song. We had to cut this one twice. In the new recording, Neil Young and I share lead vocals and have a duet together describing that wonderful west coast vibe we have when we're driving Highway 1. If you listen closely, you can hear strains of CS&N in the backing vocals of David Crosby and Stephen Stills".

The collection, "A Postcard From California", was largely penned by Al Jardine and features a regular "who's who" of classic rock and popular music royalty. Jardine was joined in the studio by a steady and willing stream of famous friends, including Brian Wilson, Glen Campbell, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Marks, Richie Cannata and John Stamos, in addition to those already noted elsewhere. Completing the generational span, Jardine's sons, Matt and Adam, are also heard on vocal harmonies.

Al Jardine's 21st century take on "Help Me Rhonda" has a special place on the new album. "I wanted this version to feel like a blues classic," Jardine says of the Brian Wilson-penned song, and to that end he was thrilled to share lead vocals on the track with rock legend Steve Miller, while also featuring harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo, from the Steve Miller Band, to achieve that authentic blues edge. Sadly, Buffalo passed away from cancer on October 30th, 2009 in Paradise, California.

 

01.07.2010

New Pamela Polland.....

Recent news from U.S. singer-songwriter Pamela Polland :

"This is my latest music project 'Hawaiianized', co-produced with John McFee of the Doobie Brothers. John played all the instruments, and I played ukulele on 'Rainbow'. John and Sharon Celani (backing vocalist for Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac) sang all those wonderful back-up vocals. Aren't they great? I love working with them!

'Hawaiianized' is available for purchase on iTunes now."

 

 

 

 

30.06.2010

Greg Koons.....

One month before the U.S. release of his critically acclaimed debut album, “Welcome to the Nowhere Motel”, Greg Koons, an epileptic since the age of 24, was driving his truck alone on a U.S. solo-acoustic tour and suffered numerous complex partial- seizures. As a result, he streamed in and out of consciousness and inexplicably managed to drive his vehicle 644 kilometers in the wrong direction. After his vehicle ran low on gas, he walked the streets of Dedham, MA, alone, incoherent, and severely disoriented, side effects of his medical condition.

He was spotted having a Gran Mal seizure in an empty parking lot and was transported for treatment at a local Boston hospital. After a handful of cancelled gigs and a dubious future for his debut album, Greg was back on the road in only one week but this time with a new driver, his 68 year old father. An ex-truck driver and Vietnam veteran.

Together the two disappeared into the fabric of America traveling over 40,000 kilometers and through 35 states. Greg played 120 gigs en route to his album being named “One of the Top 10 Americana Albums”, all while living off the dollar menu at McDonald’s and mainly camping or sleeping in their 1996 two-door, GMC pick-up truck.

"Welcome To The Nowhere Motel", co-produced by Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Army Navy) and Matt Keating, epitomizes a labor of love and showcases Greg Koons’ poignant and melodic songwriting. In collaboration with a slew of critically acclaimed musicians, such as Jason Mercer on bass (Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith), Jordan Richardson on drums (Ben Harper & Relentless 7), the late Duane Jarvis on dobro (Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam), Kirk Swan on guitar (John Wesley Harding, Dumptruck), and indie great Matt Keating on keyboards and guitars. The result of this endeavor in the words of C.M.T. is, “A hidden gem for the adventurous listener”

Born in Harrisburg, PA, Greg first started playing guitar at age fourteen and has never looked back. After receiving his GED, he moved to Hollywood, CA, where he was a housekeeper at the notorious Chateau Marmont Hotel on the Sunset Strip. It was there, between doing laundry and taking out trash, that Koons first honed his skills at matching melodies with words, covertly done on the lobby piano at night. It would be the beginning of his gritty songwriting described by Roy Kasten of 881.KDHX in St. Louis as “having the same hard fought, wise and worn narrative forms as Steve Earle, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt”, and “creating vivid portraits of people and places that make it through loneliness and loss, and emerge stronger and more alive for it”.

Greg recently finished shooting a video in Hollywood for his song, “Los Angeles Looks Prettier On TV" and is currently holed up in Pennsylvania writing his second album, planning a US tour this fall.

29.06.2010

Jubal Lee Young.....

Recent news from acclaimed singer-songwriter Jubal Lee Young :

"I've just finished my 4th CD. I teamed up once again with Thomm Jutz, and the magic is certainly still there. Maybe more than ever.

This is probably the most country thing I've done to date. And by that, I mean the good stuff. It's got a bit of an outlaw country, retro 70's thing going on. Of course, it's still unmistakably JLY.

You can hear 'Neon River' from the new album right here."

 

 

 

28.06.2010

Spinside Records.....

Spinside Records is home to emerging artists from a range of genres - Including electro-pop, dance, trance, retro-funk, hip-hop, indie rock, and electronica. The artist-centric imprint is a new division of Inside Recordings, the independent label formed by Jackson Browne and his management company.

Under the direction of Ethan Browne — also an artist and DJ — Spinside is committed to implementing innovative ways for music artists to reach their fans in an ever-changing global marketplace. In the interest of finding the most effective models and leading edge solutions for content delivery, the label embraces new technologies and alternative distribution channels.

Grassroots in spirit and worldwide in reach, Spinside Records is about connecting people to music. Its first release will be a new album from The Green Children, scheduled for July 2010.

For more information, please visit Inside Recordings and The Green Children.

27.06.2010

Chasing Gravity.....

Chasing Gravity from Australia is visiting Europe in August 2010. Full tour schedule found here.

...and here's the link for the brand new video clip "The Latest Enemy".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.06.2010

Wise Bill Kirchen.....

The 'titan of the telecaster' behind "Hot Rod Lincoln" is joined by colleagues including Paul Carrack, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Commander Cody, Dan Hicks, Maria Muldaur and others, on his forthcoming album "Word To The Wise".

Bill Kirchen has been hailed as the original "Dieselbilly" guitarist, as a standout singer and songwriter, and as a pioneer of rock and roll honky-tonk with the band Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. Full of humour, Telecaster twang, and serving up heaping portions of rock & roll, country, boogie woogie and western swing, 'Word To The Wise' features duets with nearly a dozen guest artists he's met along the way. It includes masterpieces old and new, such as Roger Miller's classic "Husbands & Wives," a new Dan Hicks/Bill Kirchen co-write (the title track "Word To The Wise,") and Kirchen's powerful rocker, "Man In The Bottom Of The Well," sung unforgettably by Elvis Costello.

"I wanted to do an album with people I share a musical connection with", Bill says. "I've worked with all of these people: I recorded with Nick Lowe, I've gigged with Elvis Costello, and with Maria Muldaur and Dan Hicks back in the day".

'Word To The Wise' also features a new classic with Commander Cody on piano; "I Don't Work That Cheap" is a surrealistic romp through history that recalls the psychedelic spirit of Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues", concluding with the memorable line, "You can't pay me what I'm worth - I don't work that cheap". Merle Haggard's "Shelly's Winter Love" is a more conventional duet, but Kirchen opts to get out of the way as Lowe and Carrack blend their burnished voices on it in the classic Everly Brothers manner. "The last thing I'm gonna do is get up and sing with Paul Carrack and Nick Lowe", Kirchen says with a laugh. "It's not gonna happen. That song just marched up to second position on the album - The way those two guys go toe-to-toe is just sublime".

Released by Proper Records on July 13th, 2010.

Track-listing ; Bump Wood / Shelly's Winter Love (w/Nick Lowe & Paul Carrack) / Man In The Bottom Of The Well (w/Elvis Costello) / I Don't Work That Cheap (w/Commander Cody on piano) / Time Will Tell The Story / Husbands & Wives (w/Chris O'Connell) / Open Range (w/Kevin Farrell) / Arkansas Diamond / Word To The Wise (w/Dan Hicks) / Ain't Got Time For The Blues (w/Maria Muldaur) / Valley Of The Moon (w/Norton Buffalo)

 

25.06.2010

Eleanor Angel.....

Brisbane songstress Eleanor Angel is a stunning vocalist who weaves elements of classical voice, jazz and folk with a sense of bittersweet introspection and poetic optimism.

Her arrangements bear an elegant simplicity, structured around the fingerstyle guitar of her live performances and augmented by lush, spacious string arrangements and soft percussion.

Eleanor’s 2009 debut album ‘Rain On The Street’ was well received for its refined, delicate twists on traditional folk-pop. She performed songs from this record all over the world (from Mexico to Germany to Washington DC, as well as throughout Australia) with many audiences favourably comparing her angelic voice with another Brisbane songstress, Katie Noonan. Angel has had the good fortune to support some fine female musicians recently, including Sophie Koh and Angie Hart, as well as Monique Brumby just this month.

Angel’s multi-instrumental classical background collides spectacularly with her love of charismatic pop and jazz music on this record, generating a soft explosion of piercingly beautiful melodies.

To celebrate the release of her second album ‘Face to Face’, Eleanor Angel is embarking on a series of East Coast performances.

Angel’s development between these releases reflects a growing understanding of her own boldly feminine musical style, creatively fusing eclectic passions for classical voice, jazz and folk, with a new sense of confidence and direction.

 

24.06.2010

Marc Cohn's Booth.....

One Sunday morning in the early 70's, a youngster in Cleveland caught an earful of Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks' and his life was never the same. That kid was Marc Cohn and soon after that morning he bought everything Morrison had released to date, along with works by Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne.

Cohn's rootsier, acoustic neofolk style harkens back to the more sophisticated rock and pop inflections of singer-songwriters of two decades past - His supple, velvety baritone and elegant piano-based arrangements frame shrewdly crafted songs ripe with pop touches.

Marc Cohn's new album, "Listening Booth: 1970", on Saguaro Road will focus on the year 1970, an important year for music fans in general and particularly for Marc, because many significant albums and singles were released then that had an impact on his decision to become an artist.

The album features Marc's personal interpretations of classic songs written by and/or made famous in 1970 by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, John Fogerty, Smokey Robinson, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton and several more.

The album is produced by Grammy-winning producer John Leventhal. Released by Saguaro Road Records on July 20, 2010

1. Wild World
2. Look At Me
3. Maybe I'm Amazed
4. Make It With You (w/India Arie)
5. The Letter
6. The Only Living Boy In New York
7. After Midnight
8. The Tears Of A Clown (w/Kristina Train)
9. No Matter What (w/Aimee Mann)
10. New Speedway Boogie (w/Jim Lauderdale)
11. Into The Mystic
12. Long As I Can See The Light

 

23.06.2010

Joel Plaskett.....

'Plaskett makes his case to follow names like Young, Lightfoot and Cohen' - Chart Attack

In the late spring last year, Sir Paul McCartney asked Nova Scotian Joel Plaskett to open his show at Halifax common. Joel had just released '3' his third solo record to rave reviews ('This is a career defining epic' - Now Magazine) and had a summer of sold out shows ahead of him, including Toronto's Massey Hall. Six months later he would not only be up for the Polaris Prize (for a second time!), but also be nominated for 4 Canadian folk music awards, "Contemporary Album of the Year", "Solo Artist of the Year", 'Pushing The Boundaries Award' & "Best Producer".

In the wake of receiving Canada's 'Best Solo Male' award at this year’s 'Indie Awards' and with the announcements of two Juno nominations one being 'Best Songwriter' for the songs featured on "Three'. Joel has personally selected thirteen tracks from "3" for a special release in Europe this summer, called "Three to One".

Joel toured in support of the release in Ireland & the UK in May, including an appearance at this year’s 'Great Escape', and will be returning in July, where he has been asked to support Jools Holland on his outdoor summer concert series.

22.06.2010

Robert Randolph.....

Although Robert Randolph has made many wonderful recordings, his new one, "We Walk This Road, is going to be the one that he'll most be remembered for. Working with producer T-Bone Burnett (like rust and New York City, this guy apparently never sleeps...), they have come up with what can only be described as a career album.

A few guests drop in to seal the deal. They include Leon Russell, Jim Keltner and Doyle Bramhall II. Artists covered includes Dylan, Lennon and Prince.

Released by Warner Bros Records today, June 22nd, 2010.

 

 

21.06.2010

Delaney & Bonnie.....

Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett assembled an all-star group of “friends” in 1969 for a weeklong tour of England, a legendary excursion that would produce "On Tour With Eric Clapton", one of rock’s most powerful and enduring live albums. Clocking in at a mere 40 minutes, the original left fans wanting more for decades. The wait is over - Rhino Handmade delivers with a four-disc deluxe reissue expanded with more than three hours of unreleased roof-raising, hickory-smoked rock ’n’ soul.

The set, which comes packaged in a mock road case, contains Delaney & Bonnie & Friends’ complete performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, plus a composite of the next night’s performances at Colston Hall in Bristol, and both the early and late shows from the tour’s final stop at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Along with the Bramletts, the touring band showcased on these discs includes guitarists Eric Clapton and Dave Mason, bassist Carl Radle, drummer Jim Gordon, organist Bobby Whitlock, Jim Price and Bobby Keys on horns, percussionist Tex Johnson, and singer Rita Coolidge. The Croydon shows also features Mysterioso (aka George Harrison), who can be heard playing bottleneck slide, a technique Harrison reportedly learned from Delaney during this tour.

Along with unreleased versions of all the songs from the original, this reissue also contains several songs not featured on the 1970 album, including “I Don’t Know Why” a track the Bramletts penned with Clapton; “My Baby Specializes” and “Everybody Loves A Winner” from the Bramlett’s debut "Home"; “Get Ourselves Together” from the couple’s 1969 follow-up "Accept No Substitute"; the traditional “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”; a cover of Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’”; and the instrumental “Pigmy”.

Glyn Johns, who recorded the Colston Hall gig, revisits his experience in the collection’s detailed liner notes: “There is no question that they had an immense effect on popular music, mostly by influencing some of the most successful musicians of the day. The outstanding memory for me is the sound they created. Being an engineer, it had a huge influence on me — This, coupled with the complexity of the rhythm section and the ease with which they performed. Us Brits had never heard anything so fluid.”

- Four-disc, 52-track set featuring more than three hours of unreleased performances -

- Packaged in a mock road case -

 

20.06.2010

Why Anouschka.....

Singer-songwriter Anouschka believes in working for a better world. Her slogan “Good music for a good cause” ties in various causes with her performances and releases. Proceeds from her second album release went to a scholarship foundation for children in Kenya. Her current release funds her two months in South Africa studying wildlife conservation while earning a South African Field Guide certificate. She is currently working on the music for a campaign with a wildlife expert in South Africa. Anouschka also volunteers at her local animal shelter, the largest in Europe.

Anouschka was born in Sweden, but raised in the United States, Europe and Asia. This international background is vividly reflected in her music, where she draws upon various influences with ease. She speaks French, English, Swedish and German. After graduating from Tufts University with a BA in Political Science, Anouschka, rebel and guitar babe at heart, moved to Stockholm and joined an all-girl rock band. An offer for a TV project in Boston lured her back to the States. She spent some years in New York working in advertising (while moonlighting in a comedy group). In 1991, she was accepted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. While there, she won numerous songwriting awards as well as a scholarship and graduated Cum Laude in 1995. After graduation she worked as a music teacher in the Boston inner city schools. At the same time she released her debut EP “Anouschka”.

Unfortunately, a herniated disc and consequent spine surgery forced her to take a break from stage work. In 1995, looking for a slower pace, she returned to Sweden. In Stockholm she stood out as the only woman at jams who could play guitar, bandlead the men while improvising tunes on the spot. These blues influences and improvisational approach are heard in her album “My Kind of Heartbreak,” which was recorded in a small analog studio.

“My Kind of Heartbreak” went on to place on the Americana Charts (AMA) in the USA for 2 months, positioning her next to the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan on playlists. "Man Like You" shot to no 2 at the Midnight Special Blues Radio in France.

While in Sweden Anouschka also earned a Masters at Stockholm University in Natural Resource Management, and acted in Danish and Swedish TV commercials. Aside form music, her passions are wildlife conservation, education, and poverty alleviation.

Her new mini-album "So Why?" has just been released.

19.06.2010

Mayall's Roads.....

The forthcoming 4 CD box set, "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - So Many Roads", contains 74 tracks, all newly remastered digitally from the original master tapes, including 5 tracks released in Europe on CD for the first time.

Includes a 40-page booklet, featuring sleeve notes by Mark Powell, with lots of rare and previously unseen photographs.

A 4 CD, 74-track set, including singles, live tracks, mono versions, instrumentals and much more. Released by Universal Music July 6th, 2010.

 

 

 

 

18.06.2010

New Dennis Kolen.....

Dennis Kolen is a young singer-songwriter from Rotterdam, Holland. People from this small country are traditionally notorious for being adept travellers. Wherever fate places them – on the ocean - going vessels of old or their modern mobile home counterparts – they are courageous people. Dennis Kolen had the courage to believe in Stockfisch Records, and that‘s why he found the Northeim gold mine.

Dennis Kolen grew up with the music of his fathers vinyl collection: Jackson Browne, James Taylor or Paul Simon had been Dennis' musical vision and orientation. Above all his influences came from the protagonists of the U.S. westcoast music in the seventies: Eagles, Poco, Crosby Stills & Nash - Just listen to the great harmony vocals on this brand new SACD.

This singularly expressive voice belongs to a man who fears not the great ones, the likes of Beatles or Joni Mitchell. He simply reaches out for what all great artists pass on. This Northeim goldmine has musical gold on offer profusely – Musical pearls on a string.....

17.06.2010

Webb & Friends.....

The critically acclaimed composer Jimmy Webb has received during his more than forty years of success is as remarkable as the accomplishments they honor: Webb is the only artist to ever receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration; he is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame; and, according to BMI, his By "The Time I Get To Phoenix", has been the third most performed song in the last fifty years. Webb's "Wichita Lineman" has been listed in the Top 50 of Mojo Magazine's worldwide survey of the best one hundred singles of all time, and was singled out in the Oct/Nov 2001 issue of Blender as 'The Greatest Song Ever'.

Webb was known initially for the instant classics he provided for such artists as Campbell, Richard Harris, 5th Dimension, and Johnny Maestro's Brooklyn Bridge. Jimmy also topped the Country charts when Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson hit #1 with "The Highwayman", a ballad which won him yet another Grammy for 'Best Country Song of the Year', and a CMA Award for 'Single Of The Year'.

On "Just Across The River", Jimmy shares the mike with Mark Knopfler on the above mentioned tune. Linda Ronstadt, who has recorded a multitude of Webb songs throughout her recording career, included four of his efforts on her double platinum album, "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind", is on board here for a heartwarming, intimate closing duet on "All I Know", the Webb standard made famous by Art Garfunkel. And that's just the beginning.....

As a performer Jimmy has released numerous critically-acclaimed albums over the years, earning distinguished reviews in all of the major publications, and unqualified praise following his appearances in concert halls and top cabaret venues. But he has never attempted a project like "Just Across The River", where his singing and songwriting is celebrated by the collaborations of his peers - Like Jackson Browne and Willie Nelson, as well as artists who have revered his music for years, like Lucinda Williams, Michael McDonald, and Vince Gill. There has never been a songwriter like Jimmy Webb. And there has never been an album of his songs like "Just Across The River".

Released by E1 Music on June 29, 2010.

1. Oklahoma Nights (w/Vince Gill)
2. Wichita Lineman (w/Billy Joel)
3. If You See Me Getting Smaller (w/Willie Nelson)
4. Galveston (w/Lucinda Williams)
5. Do What You Gotta Do
6. Cowboy Hall Of Fame
7. P.F. Sloan (w/Jackson Browne)
8. Highwayman (w/Mark Knopfler)
9. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (w/Glen Campbell)
10. I Was Too Busy Loving You (w/JD Souther)
11. Where Words End (w/Michael McDonald)
12. It Won t Bring Her Back
13. All I Know (w/Linda Ronstadt)

16.06.2010

BP Oil Spill Song.....

A song about the frustration over the greed that has created one of the worst ecological disasters ever.....

 

 

 

 

 

15.06.2010

Monica Mancini.....

Concord Records is proud to announce the release of "I've Loved These Days", the newest album from vocalist Monica Mancini. "I've Loved These Days" is an 11-track collection of classic 60's songs and an opportunity for Monica to collaborate with her musical heroes, many of whom are featured on the album.

"I've Loved These Days" was produced by the inimitably brilliant Phil Ramone and his producing partner Gregg Field. Ramone, who produced a number of the original recordings, hand picked world-class musicians to surround Monica and her guests that he knew could bring a contemporary perspective to these classic songs. On "I've Loved These Days", Mancini is also joined by an orchestra arranged and conducted by multi-Grammy winner Jorge Calandrelli, who also collaborated with Monica on a previous album, "Cinema Paradiso".

The gorgeously crafted collection of songs is by artists who had a profound impact on Monica's formative musical years, including Lennon & McCartney, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Browne, Harry Nilsson, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel and Janis Ian. Joining Monica on "I've Loved These Days" are original composers Jackson Browne, offering guitar and vocal accompaniment on "These Days", Brian Wilson and the vocal group Take 6 contributing vocals and arranging on "God Only Knows", Stevie Wonder harmonically duets on "Blame It On the Sun", and the Young Rascals', Felix Cavaliere provides B-3 organ accompaniment on his classic "How Can I Be Sure".

"I'm beyond thrilled to have made this album and work with these artists and producers! For me, it's always about the songwriters and their songs" said Mancini. "As an artist, it has been an important project for very personal reasons and what I needed to do. I hope people will discover new meaning in the music as I have. This is my way of exploring my musical heroes and discovering what their songs continue to reveal".

Street date today, June 15th, 2010.

14.06.2010

Tokyo Download.....

Award winning singer-songwriter Tokyo Rosenthal announced today that in light of the hard economic times the world over that he would offer free downloads of his original recording, "Mister Tell Me 'Bout The Great Depression". This is being done in conjunction with Rosenthal's record label, Rock & Sock Records and is available on Rosenthal's web site. The song also appears on Tokyo's latest CD, "Ghosts", which recently was number 5 on The Euro Americana Chart and has received rave reviews and airplay the world over.

Rosenthal's tune documents the causes for the economic turmoil that has become a global phenomenon. "It was inspired by the stories my grandfather, 'Poppy Jack', used to tell me about the 1929-1939 depression", said Rosenthal. "But this song is about now. And it's futuristic. Picture a young man sitting on the door step of his neighbor asking what happened back in 2009-2010. Hopefully he's not saying 2009-2019!"

Critics such as 'No Depression' said, "It's a song for these times, for all time, and big thanks to him for writing it". 'Americana UK' was even more direct as they said, "Epic - This song truly has balls!"

Rosenthal felt that offering the tune at no charge was the best way to get his message across and at the same time make it affordable to all who want to have it and pass it on. "I hope people the world over take advantage of this opportunity and both like the song musically and relate to some if not all of what I'm saying", Tokyo added.

Rosenthal, along with Charlie Chamberlain on mandolin and guitar, just completed his fourth tour of the United Kingdom, and he's planning a 40-city US tour beginning in late August. For more information log on to www.tokyorosenthal.com and/or www.myspace.com/tokyorosenthal.

13.06.2010

Warren's Xmas Jam.....

For over 20 years, 'Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam' has been one of the premier musical events in the world. The annual event brings together an incredibly diverse lineup of top-notch musicians, with all the proceeds going to 'Habitat For Humanity', and every year the 'Xmas Jam' produces more than its share of unique collaborations and red-hot jams.

"Christmas Jam Volume 3" is full of powerhouse performances from the likes of Phil and Friends, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ and Blues Traveler, plus a great Gov’t Mule show, with a rotating cast of all-star bass players. This show happened during the transition period following Allen Woody’s death, when Mule toured with several different bassists, and both Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers Band and Dave Schools of Widespread Panic are featured here. Check out Oteil’s jazzy runs on “Sco-Mule,” or Schools’ massive, Woody-esque bottom end on “Blind Man In The Dark.” Smokin’!

This 2001 'Xmas Jam' also took place during the “Golden Age” of Phil Lesh and Friends, the widely-praised “Phil Lesh Quintet” of Lesh, Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco and John Molo. The “Loose Lucy>Tennessee Jed” sequence captured here is ample proof of why many people think this was the best incarnation of Phil and Friends to ever hit the stage.

That doesn’t even cover the great acoustic blues by Alvin Youngblood Hart, or Warren’s emotional guest appearance on Blues Traveler’s “The Mountains Win Again.” There is a lot to love here, from Hart’s “Mama Don’t Allow,” which opens disc one, to the all-star free-for-all on Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World” that brings disc two to a rousing conclusion.

Disc One:
1. Mama Don't Allow - Alvin Youngblood Hart
2. Devil Got My Woman - Alvin Youngblood Hart and John Popper
3. That Sign On The Door - Edwin McCain, J Herring, O Burbridge, D Barnes & J Popper
4. Alone - Edwin McCain, J Herring, O Burbridge, D Barnes & J Popper
5. Broken Hearts and Auto Parts - Drivin' n' Cryin'
6. Fly Me Courageous - Drivin' n' Cryin' w/Audley Freed
7. Straight To Hell - Drivin' n' Cryin' w/Audley Freed & Edwin McCain
8. Carolina Blues - Blues Traveler
9. Slow Change - Blues Traveler
10. The Mountains Win Again - Blues Traveler w/ Warren Haynes
11. New York Prophesie - Blues Traveler

Disc Two:
1. Loose Lucy - Phil Lesh & Friends
2. Tennesse Jed - Phil Lesh & Friends
3. Night Of A Thousand Stars - Phil Lesh & Friends
4. Blind Man In The Dark - Gov't Mule w/R Barraco & D Schools
5. Sco-Mule - -Gov't Mule w/R Baracco & O Burbridge
6. Almost Cut My Hair - Gov't Mule w/R Barraco, D Schools & R Randolph
7. Masters Of War - Warren Haynes
8. Rockin' In The Free World - Gov't Mule w/Barraco, Schools, Kinney & Freed

 

12.06.2010

The Bonesmen.....

It's not country, It's not rock, It's not the blues, It's….. The Bonesmen

Rock 'n roll Bonesmen-style isn't littered with fancy adjectives or frilly ornaments. The Bonesmen is your drunken uncle's rock 'n roll, combining two essential stylistic elements; country and blues. Front man Frank Thomas states; "This is good times music; it's supposed to be fun - You crank it up in your backyard on a hot summer day with the grill going and a fresh keg tapped".

Having emerged on the music scene as New Haven's pre-eminent live band, The Bonesmen, with their memorable songs, energized live performances, and ever widening fan base are "not trying to reinvent the wheel; they just want to do their part in keeping it rolling" says Vinny Penn, DJ, WKCI 101.3 FM. The Bonesmen have carved out a unique sound that both first time and longtime listeners know and love.

Comprised of lead singer and guitar player Frank Thomas, bass player Kenny Dempsey, lead guitar player Mark Turko and Drew Carrano on drums, the four Connecticut musicians have the right blend of cutting-edge creativity, style and hook-intensive lyrics, to ignite today's audiences, as well as multi-format radio.

The 2007 debut CD from The Bonesmen, entitled "Skin And Bones", enjoyed critical acclaim.The just released "Deuce", is now available on iTunes and at CDBaby.

 

11.06.2010

Mott The Hoople.....

October 2009 saw the return of one of the most dominant glam rock bands of the early to mid 1970's. Mott the Hoople returned to the Hammersmith Apollo for five sell out shows which saw the band’s original line-up reunited for the first time in 35 years! With the combined talents of Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete ‘Overend’ Watts and Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, as well as Martin Chambers (The Pretenders), the shows featured hit songs including perhaps their most popular track “All the Young Dudes”.

This live CD was recorded at the bands opening show at Hammersmith Apollo and a limited number were made available to buy instantly after the show at the venue by Concert Live. Featuring 22 tracks recorded over 2 CDs and presented in exclusive packaging, the live CD also features a bonus disc featuring video footage from the day of the gig, 50+ photos of the band onstage, as well as rare archive images.

Disc 1 :
1) Intro 2) Hymn For The Dudes 3) Rock'N'Roll Queen 4) Sweet Jane 5) One Of The Boys 6) Sucker 7) Moon Upstairs 8) The Original Mixed-Up Kid 9) I Wish I Was Your Mother 10) Ready For Love 11) Born Late ´58 12) Ballad Of Mott 13) Sweet Angeline.

Disc 2 :
1) Walking With A Mountain 2) Like A Rolling Stone/The Journey 3) The Golden Age Of Rock'N'Roll 4) Honaloochie Boogie 5) All The Way From Memphis 6) Roll Away The Stone 7) All The Young Dudes 8) Keep A Knockin' 9) Saturday Gigs

 

10.06.2010

Franco & Raffaella.....

The wonderful voice of Raffaella Luna, alongside guitarist Franco Morone, disclose one of the most interesting current happenings in Italian music.

Their CD ’’Songs We Love’’ recieved public and critics excellent outcome, in between the most important traditional and acoustic music festivals all around Europe.

All of the songs are arranged by Franco, have an unmistakable personal sound, and the voice of Raffaella, sweet and passionate, merging with the guitar, creates a sweet blend, both ethereal and evocative, giving evidence to the mature and coherent character of the duo, whereas it surprises the simplicity with whom they can enchant, and deeply move the audience into a performance of rare beauty and warmth.

 

 

09.06.2010

Herbie Hancock.....

Herbie Hancock says his forthcoming album "The Imagine Project", due out June 22, was "the hardest record I've ever made". And not just because of the music.

In fact, the legendary keyboardist says that actually playing the 10 tracks "was easy compared to what it took to put the album together", including a wealth of guest performers - Dave Matthews, Seal, Pink, Jeff Beck, Chieftains, Toumani Diabete, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan and others - and recording sessions in several countries such as the U.S., India, England, France, Ireland and Brazil. "Every song on the record was like putting a while new album together", notes Hancock, who worked on the album with Larry Klein, co-producer of 2007's "River/The Joni Letters."

"It's that kind of experience. You had to completely retool for each song. Normally you don't have to do that. "But I like the fact that everything on the record is different from everything else. It's in keeping with what's being practiced today by the general public, which is that people buy songs. In the past you had to buy whole albums; now you can buy song by song, so people buy what they want and put their own compilation in a way. But this is really like a compilation in a way, and I think it's a good thing".

With its global orientation, "The Imagine Project" includes a version of John Lennon's "Imagine" with Beck, Pink, Seal and India.Arie, as well as the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" with Matthews. Khan, Shorter and Anoushka Shankar teamed up with Indian musicians for the Klein original "The Song Goes On", while Diabete, Chieftains, Lionel Loueke and Lisa Hannigan were part of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A' Changin'" and John Legend and Pink joined forces for Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up". "It's a record that's basically about peace", explains Hancock, crediting his attorney with inspiring the concept. "To me the path towards peace is through global collaboration, so the heart of this record is the idea of making a global record or an international record, in multiple languages and in a variety of places".

The various sessions for "The Imagine Project" were filmed and will become the source material for a documentary and web-based applications, possibly including a site that will allow fans to remix tracks from the album. Hancock also plans to incorporate the footage into his concerts this year, where he'll dedicate a portion of the shows strictly to the album and include the guests via videos synced with the live band "so that it's possible to take people on a real journey into the music," he says.

Hancock's 70th birthday, which was April 12, will also be feted during special concerts on June 24 at New York City's Carnegie Hall and September 1 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. "I'm still like I'm 25 or 30", Hancock says with a laugh. "It's a great thing. People ask me, 'Have you thought about retiring?' I go, 'What? Why would I think about that?' The only retiring I want to do is when my hands get folded across my chest and they put me in a pine box. Hopefully that won't be any time soon".

 

08.06.2010

Chet Nichols.....

Acclaimed U.S. singer-songwriter Chet Nichols is an award-winning creative director, songwriter, composer, music producer, engineer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, film producer, animation producer, creative artist, designer, photographer, novelist, poet, TV and feature film actor and stage performer.

He has produced 14 CD's over his life of original material. He has produced music that has been used in films, television and radio. His novel, “The Last Riders On Route 66”, is currently in development to become a feature film. His movie script, “The Ghosts Of Santa Barbara” is also currently in development to become a feature film. His newest novel, “The Judas Tree”, will soon be available for purchase.

Chet has just released a new singer-songwriter CD, “Walking In Circles”. It is filled with unique stories and is a blend of folk, rock, pop and world music. The title tune, “Walking In Circles”, just won the 'Broadjam Lyric Writing Contest'.

John Fahey once called Chet 'America’s best acoustic guitarist'. Chet is a living, breathing renaissance man with a big heart, a love for planet Earth, a bottomless sense of humor and an amazing zest for the creative arts.

07.06.2010

Steve Miller Band.....

Co-produced by Steve Miller and engineer Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix), "Bingo!" is the first of two albums from The Steve Miller Band's sessions at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch. The sessions introduce brand new collaborator Sonny Charles, a veteran rhythm and blues vocalist of the Checkmates. These were also the final sessions by harmonica player and vocalist Norton Buffalo, Miller’s 'partner in harmony' for 33 years, who died of cancer in October 2009.

"Bingo!" echoes Miller’s days as an apprentice on the Chicago blues scene in 1964-1966, where his Goldberg-Miller Blues Band worked the same territory as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and the Siegel-Schwall Band. Drawing from the songbooks of Jimmy Reed, T-Bone Walker, B. B. King, Lowell Fulson, Otis Rush, Jimmie Vaughan, and others, Miller and Johns transformed these classic rhythm and blues songs into monumental 21st century rock performances. They spiced some of the tracks with the Latin percussion battery of conga player Michael Carabello, founding member of Santana, and timbales ace Adrian Areas, son of Carabello’s partner from the original group, Jose “Chepito” Areas. Guitarist Joe Satriani traded solos on ‘Rock Me Baby’ and ‘Sweet Soul Vibe’ with Miller, whose brilliant guitar playing was a major feature of the sessions.

"Bingo!" will be released in 2 formats; a 10-track digipack CD and a special edition with expanded artwork plus 4 bonus tracks.

The album’s artwork was designed by the legendary Storm Thorgerson.

 

06.06.2010

Acoustic Ruff.....

A very good piece of news; Michael Ruff is going to release a new CD called "Acoustic Trios" in June 2010. This new album features pian, double bass and drums. A list of new songs, old favorites and some very special vocal performances by Olivia Ruff, Michael Ruff's daughter and the presence of the Jazz duet Trey and Sara Thompson (TreySara). At first, you will be able to get this CD at Michael Ruff concerts.

Michael Ruff will be on tour in Europe (Sweden, Norway and Denmark) in June. The band is: Per Lindvall (drums), James Genus (bass), James Harrah (guitar) and Olivia Ruff (vocals).

Check out the tour schedule on Michael official website.

05.06.2010

Bobby Bare Jr.....

"It was the last day of January 2008 - I was in Seattle, WA, and my dad was somewhere in Florida - and my mom sat alone during a thunderstorm on a couch in the house our family bought in 1970, in Hendersonville, TN, just outside of Nashville. It is a long white ranch house that sits on a tall hill directly above Old Hickory Lake, surrounded by tall hundred year old Beech trees and water. Well the storm outside that night pushed one of those old hollow trees further than it could bend and the broken tree split the house in half. Beneath that tree was the roof - All the 2x4's in the roof - All the insulation in the roof-the ceiling - And my frightened mother screaming while trying to figure out if she was dead or alive, crippled or broken. What happened was the tree had broken 2 vertebrae in her neck and she was the only one who could call 911 - So from her rainy den, she did - And within a year she and the house recovered. As unlucky that the tree fell exactly on top of her, as she is lucky to be alive. And being a good, loving Nashville-songwriting-son, I got a good song out of her tragedy - As well as a title to my next record.

It has been almost 4 years since my last release. Since 2006's 'The Longest Meow' I have brought my 2nd child into the world (Beckham Bare) - Experienced divorce, lost my house, almost lost my mom, almost lost my son (listen to 'The Sky Is The Ground'), produced my largest musical project ('Twistable Turnable Man - A Musical Tribute To The Songs Of Shel Silverstein)', got my house back, got a new girlfriend and got a new baby on the way!

I have also finished my 6th full length CD "A Storm - A Tree - My Mother's Head". 13 songs that took me 4 years to write and record. Last winter with my good friend, engineer, co-writer, producer David Vandervelde, and 4 of my favorite friends/musicians, we began to organize, edit, write, and arrange my latest pile of riffs, chords, and poems into something that could resemble my next album. By the end of February this year, we felt good enough about the songs to take them into this huge log cabin in Nashville, and see about recording them all in 2 days. After much rehearsal almost all of what you hear on was recorded Feb 28th and March 1st.

I figured after doing my last record in one day, that if I spent 2 days on this album, it's gonna sound twice as good - Right? - Maybe. I don't know -I only know that I included Opie Taylor, Liz Taylor, Darth Vader, murder, cheese burgers, lies, cheating, Jesus, guns, lipstick (not red lipstick, though), Elvis (2 times), drunks, muscles fish, Chattanooga, naked swimming at night, wet goats, flaming arrows, blood, bicycles, metal stitches, Jesus Lizard t-shirts, angry bugs, kosher oreos, The Dixie Chicks, Necrophilia and my mother's head (you can even hear her screaming on the song).

But I am not the one to tell you if the album is good or not. I always say that recording a record is like doing your hair and makeup and getting dressed in a dark room with no mirror - Until you have someone to bounce it off of, you have no idea what you have really done. You know what you think you've done, but you don't actually know. Well I guess I am ready to find out what we have actually done."

www.myspace.com/bobbybarejr

 

04.06.2010

Tori Sparks.....

U.S. singer-songwriter Tori Sparks calls Nashville home, but spends most of her time on the road in the U.S. and Europe. Called "a knockout" by the Village Voice, herdynamic live show is equal parts eye-popping soul-singing, and zany stand-up-style humor. Tori's acclaimed third album, 'The Scorpion In The Story', was co-produced with indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Widespread Panic, Cowboy Junkies), and features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell), Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Mindy Smith, and, yes, he's Allison's brother), Fats Kaplin (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch), and Barry Walsh (Gretchen Peters).

'The Scorpion In The Story is a tale in thirteen chapters, a tour diary in the form of a concept album. Each song was written about one of the many colorful individuals Tori met while touring across the U.S. last year. The album includes a French version of the song "Merry Go-Round," ("Le Manege"), and ha just been released on Glass Mountain Records.

Tori's albums can each be purchased, for less than the price of a veggie burger in Los Angeles, at one of 100+ digital distributors in 25 countries. These include the ubiquitous iTunes, and 30+ CD retailers, including Best Buy, Target, Amazon, and others. Tori's guilty pleasures include black jelly beans, cop shows, and 80's music. There is a big map of the U.S. and Europe on her wall, full of little colored pins marking cities she's played.

Tori is in and out of the studio, working on her fourth album project. Or second EP. We're not sure yet. And as always, she is and will continue to be on the road literally non-stop throughout 2010. (Her cats don't even recognize her anymore.) Her site includes an exclusive sneak preview of the new project, a heart-stopping ballad called "Letter To A Wretch 2" (w/Shawn Mullins). The song is featured on Sin City Compilation (Vol. 13), debuted in March 2010 at SXSW.

03.06.2010

Pegi Young's Deeds.....

Singer-songwriter Pegi Young has one huge advantage and one huge disadvantage. The advantage is being the wife of Neil Young. The disadvantage is being the wife of Neil Young.

The Young name got the crowd in the door at Maggie Mae's in Austin in late March, but it was the music that made them stay.

Pegi Young is no newcomer and the experience shows. Her debut album was three decades in the making. At her SXSW showcase she debuted songs from her forthcoming second album, 'Foul Deeds'.

Pegi is a performer comfortable with the stage. When you do it for so long as a backing singer, taking those few extra steps to the spotlight isn't a huge leap. Confidence is the key, and comfort in the creation of those songs was what made Pegi Young live a great show to watch.

Oh yeah, and then there is the band. Pegi shares her band with her husband Neil. Ben Keith was on slide, Rick Rosas on bass, Anthony Crawford on guitars and vocals and special guest Spooner Oldham on keyboards. The missing component last night was in fact Neil who does play on her album and has appeared with her on stage before.

'Foul Deeds' will be released by Vapor Records June 22nd, 2010.

 

02.06.2010

Ruth Minnikin.....

With the vision of a tiny symphony swaying in her mind’s eye, Ruth Minnikin & Her Bandwagon mentally battled and yearned for the momentum to finish the new album, "Depend On This". She describes the album as “a conceptually dramatized exaggeration of an avant-garde jalapeno pepper on a life raft”.

 

 

 

 

01.06.2010

Collins' Paradise.....

The collection of songs selected for Judy Collins' latest project reinforces her lifelong commitment to quality songwriting and worldwide reputation as one of the finest interpretative singers in any genre. "Paradise" is a collection of songs with universal themes, desires, and cries of a human being searching for paradise here on earth. 10 heartfelt songs with tales to tell about finding love, losing love, personal freedom and redemption.

It's got 'Over The Rainbow', 'Diamonds & Rust' with Joan Baez, a beautiful new song by Jimmy Webb called 'Gauguin, an anti-war song by Amy Speace, which Judy says "is one of the best anti-war songs I've ever heard", and a duet with Stephen Stills.

"He and I recorded an old Tom Paxton-song, 'The Last Thing On My Mind' - We did it when he came to New York for the 'Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame' televison show, and he came up to my place and recorded it with me - Then I put more harmony on it, so it sounds like Collins, Stills & Collins. It's really good, very exciting!"

1. Once I Was
2. Ghost Riders In The Sky
3. Dens Of Yarrow
4. Weight Of The World (by Amy Speace)
5. Emilio
6. The Last Thing On My Mind (w/Stephen Stills)
7. Diamonds And Rust (w/Joan Baez)
8. Kingdom Come
9. Gauguin (by Jimmy Webb)
10. Over The Rainbow

Released by Wildflower Records on June 29th, 2010.

 

31.05.2010

Stefano Frollano.....

Italian guitarist, singer and composer Stefano Frollano has close artistic ties with the legendary music of California, from which he constantly draws inspiration. He began studying classical guitar at the age of 13, and his discovery of such milestone records as C.S.N.&Y’s 'Déjà Vu' / '4 Way Street' and Neil Young’s 'Harvest' gradually led him to focus on folk, rock and blues.

In the 80's, he founded the bands Simbiosi, Blue Flares and Karma, while he released his first CD, playing with Skydog, in 1995.

In 1997 Stefano made up his mind to leave for the legendary U.S. West Coast so as to record his first solo album, simply called 'SF' and released completely independently in 2006. Reverberating the legacy of the sounds absorbed over the past years, his first collection of songs, features top international musicians Jeff Pevar and James Raymond as guest artists, who are regular members of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s backing band. The CD, achieving a perfect balance between the acoustic and electric, also highlighted the exciting talents of some female vocalists such as jazz singer Ada Montellanico. 'SF' got positive reviews in a number of Italian and foreign music magazines (Jam, Chitarre, Folk Bulletin, Roots Highway, Blue Desert, Broken Arrow, 4Way Site), while some tracks are regularily aired on Italian State Broadcaster Rai’s Radiouno in programmes such as Stereonotte, Music Club and Demo and by other stations in Italy and abroad.

While recording his album, Frollano published a number of reference books on CSN&Y in Italy and in Europe, articles on music in various magazines (Raro, Jam, Chitarre, Satisfaction, Ciao 2001) and works with a number of radio stations. His musical career can boast over 500 concerts and his curriculum of live performances, given over the years with a whole range of various rock bands, is studded with numerous appearances with different international artists including with his old friends Crosby Stills & Nash; Billy Talbot (bass player with Crazy Horse); Joe Henry, as well as with other Italian musicians.

In 2009, he played on Merli Rossi’s debut album, that took its name from the group, a band including among others vocalist Francesca Fagioli and pianist Francesco Venerucci.

Frollano has also written music for the presentations of a number of Italian fiction writing and for readings of Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet’s works.

His latest CD 'Sense Of You', recorded between Italy and the U.S., features contributions by top musicians including his time-honoured friends Pevar and Raymond, as well as drummer Francesco Isola, who has a long working relationship with other Italian and foreign artists; bass-player Marco Vannozzi from Stradaperta, Antonello Venditti’s legendary band; talented trumpet-player, composer and arranger Franco Piana; versatile harpist Giuliana De Donno; percussionist Luca Scorziello, a long-standing fellow-musician with Alex Britti and other Italian singers and, just like on his first album, some very special female vocalists who both accompany and perform duets with Stefano.

30.05.2010

Lanois' Black Dub.....

Recent news from singer, guitarist and producer Daniel Lanois, and his new project, Black Dub :

"We will be on a double decker bus, playing and driving and filming, and playing and driving and filming, all over Europe this summer. Stay tuned for 'Ustreams', 'Vlog entries', and all things Black Dub....."

Visit Black Dub here.

 

 

 

 

 

29.05.2010

Rebecca Turner.....

"One day en route to work, I was trudging up some subway steps when an impatient lady behind me grumbled something about 'all the slowpokes.' I remembered something a friend once said: 'It’s the slowpokes who need the lovin’.' And that turned into the song 'Comfort You Up'.

'Slowpokes' as the new album title, fits in a bunch of ways: although I’ve been singing and writing songs since I was a kid, it took me until my early 30's to actually stand up in front of people with a guitar; and making my first album ('Land Of My Baby') took a couple of years. Certain things can be pretty sweet when you let them bloom to their full potential.

'Slowpokes' features the talents of many folks, including: Rod Hohl (Mary Lee's Corvette, Yarn), Andy Hess (Gov't Mule, The Black Crowes, Tina Turner), Steve Goulding (Garland Jeffreys, The Mekons, Elvis Costello), Rob Clores (Colin Hay), Rob Jost (Imogen Heap), Boo Reiners (Demolition String Band, Klezmatics), and Scott Anthony (Daniel Lanois, Lloyd Cole). Robert Scheffler is an amazing NYC singer-songwriter who helped me push some of my unfinished ideas into real songs, and we ended up writing (and singing) a beautiful duet. 'Slowpokes' was produced by Scott Anthony, Rod Hohl, and me, and was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Gene Paul (son of Les Paul).

'Slowpokes' is my usual casserole of styles... kind of Americana, kind of rock, kind of folk. I grew up in L.A. and soaked up the whole California rock thing, pretty much memorizing every Linda Ronstadt song. Right before I moved east, there was the whole Bangles/Plimsouls thing; I wrote a poem for the school paper about how Peter Case sweat on me from the stage. In college in New York City I sang with an a cappella trio... everything from settings of Edna St Vincent Millay poems, to raucous gospel tunes. Somehow it all came to a head in the late '90s, when I was listening to a lot of Jane Siberry and Liz Phair, and indulging my country music fanaticism, with Nanci Griffith on one end of the spectrum and Trisha Yearwood on the other - That's when I started to write.

I began playing places like CBs Gallery and the lovable but now-defunct Baby Jupiter; eventually met my bass player/producer/husband Scott Anthony and started making records. 'Land Of My Baby' was about winding down the stressy young adult years and inching into true grownuphood (and suburbia). 'Slowpokes' is basically, 'Hang on, I'm almost done growing up, and I've made some amazing discoveries along the way'."

28.05.2010

Trower Box Set.....

Guitar hero Robin Trower, has often been compared to the late Jimi Hendrix, for his Strat-fueled bluesy/psychedelic style. Trower, launched his career in the 60's with Procol Harum, he then went onto launch his solo career signed to Chrysalis records.

The forthcoming 3 CD box set, "A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years (1973-1976)", contains his five Chrysalis albums between 1973 and 1976, plus bonus tracks – B-sides, out-takes, edits & previously unreleased tracks.

1) Twice Removed From Yesterday (1973)
- Includes bonus track: 'Take A Fast Train' (b-side of ‘Man Of The World’)

2) Bridge of Sighs (1974)
- Includes bonus track: 'Day of The Eagle' (Single Edit)

3) For Earth Below (1975)
- Third solo album, continuing the psych bluesy-rock style.

4) Live! (1976)
- Includes classic 'Too Rolling Stoned'

5) Long Misty Days (1976)
- Includes bonus tracks 'Long Misty Days' (7" Edit) and previously unreleased 'Let Me Be The One' (outtake/b-side 'Long Misty Days')

Released by EMI Records, July 26th, 2010.

 

27.05.2010

Brian Kramer.....

When Brian Kramer from Brooklyn was barely out of his teens he was hanging out with legendary bluesmen, picking up tips and advice from folks such as Buddy Guy and Junior Wells when they would visit his hometown in NYC. Junior took a particular liking to Brian, and paid careful attention in showing him the right moves and how to play from the heart. Junior would join Brian on his first album 'Brian Kramer & The Bluesmasters featuring Junior Wells', "Win or Lose". He backed Brian up on almost every track and Brian backed Junior up on four of his songs. Former Rolling Stone, Mick Taylor was also part of these sessions as well as a gathering of the finest, most respected sidemen in the US.

Throughout the 90’s Brian toured and continued to be a fixture within the New York club scene, performing frequently with the great bluesman Larry Johnson, until re-locating overseas, seeking a broader range of opportunities.

He has since travelled the globe touring through the US and Canada, throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Scandinavia, South Africa, Portugal and Japan and recorded and performed with world class artists such as; Eric Bibb, Taj Mahal, Bob Brozman, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Toumani Diabate, to name just a few.

His past CD releases have received great acclaim and praise and many have coined the new praise “uplifting-blues” when referring to Brian’s recordings.

His latest 2010 release, "Myself & Mine" brings Brian back to his core center of just one man and his guitar. It is an intimate profile of his travels and reflections in a raw, stripped-down setting that puts you inside of his stories.

For more about Brian Kramer where he is performing, and a more detailed bio and discography, check out www.briankramerblues.com.

 

26.05.2010

Mellencamp Box.....

Labeling John Mellencamp's "On The Rural Route 7609" a box set would be a misnomer on several levels. In format, it is much more akin to a lavish book and is in fact, not packaged in a box. With 54 songs, 17 of which are previously unreleased on any Mellencamp CD, on 4 discs, the set is thoroughly annotated by award-winning music journalist-historian Anthony DeCurtis.

Also included within its 72 pages are numerous evocative photos reflecting Mellencamp's transformation from pop idol to his current status as transcendent singer/writer whose work is celebrated, sometimes as a painfully honest musical reflection of hard scrabble midwestern values. Mellencamp songs from all phases of that career are included as are special guest readings by Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward as well as from Dr Cornel West, best selling author, lecturer and commentator. Unlike standard issue box sets, "On The Rural Route 7609" is not a collection of hits and near-hits in chronological order.

Rather, each of the discs is programmed as if it were a free-standing album with shared themes and a sense of flow that offers one a compelling context to listen from start to finish versus defaulting to searching for the most familiar tracks. While there is certainly a wealth of well-known material, a significant number of tracks are offered that, while less familiar, are equally significant in terms of providing an in-depth picture of the Mellencamp's spectrum of creativity. Those tracks juxtaposed to signature songs long-associated with Mellencamp on the four "albums" in the set give long-term Mellencamp fans and newer listers alike, a more complete and insightful view of the artist's role as a writer and artist whose catalog of songs and recordings glow with substance and nuance.

"On The Rural Route 7609" is a musical journey that sheds new light on an American musician who, as both a songwriter and and social activist. Mellencamp found his true voice as he followed his heart and mind over the course of a career that, after an improbable start, has spanned four decades and is reflected in the selections heard "On The Rural Route 7609".

"On The Rural Route 7609" is a singular way to discover John Mellencamp again... arguably, for the first time.

Released by Universal Music on June 15th, 2010.

 

25.05.2010

Shane Alexander.....

Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Shane Alexander ponders life, death, and the long road to enlightenment on his 4th solo record, 'Mono Solo'. The follow up to the internationally acclaimed 'The Sky Below', the new set stretches out sonically, and lyrically explores corners of the mind where few writers dare to tread.

The opening track, "Miles for Days", is an upbeat ode to depression. Written while driving through Texas at night, listening to Lucinda Williams, the song’s mournful lyrics sit perfectly atop a stomping cadence that falls somewhere between Peter Gabriel’s "Solsbury Hill" and Paul Simon’s "Cecilia".

On "Keep You In Mind", Alexander pays tribute to those closest to him that have passed, leaving him to lament the "days of endless summer, before all the changes and forks in the road".

'Mono Solo' also features two cinematic instrumental pieces that showcase the artist’s first love: the guitar. The title track is centered around a beautiful, space-echoed slide guitar, while the Middle-Eastern-infused "Vegeta" is a finger-picked gem.

Possessing a singularly evocative voice and songs that Performing Songwriter Magazine called "stunning," the fiercely independent artist has amassed a global fan base, driven in part by over 40 television and film placements. No stranger to the road, Shane Alexander has been touring the US, Canada, and most of Europe since his debut in 2005, including stints with Seal, Jewel, John Hiatt, and Suzanne Vega.

Immediately following his release concert in Los Angeles, June 1st, Shane Alexander will bring his solo acoustic show to the east coast for 12 dates, before heading to Scandinavia and Europe.

24.05.2010

Ten Years After.....

Vocalist, guitarist and principle songwriter Alvin Lee formed The Jaybirds with bassist Leo Lyons in England in the early 1960's. Joined by Chick Churchill on keyboards and Ric Lee on drums, they switched their name to Ten Years After in 1966; a reference to the birth of rock'n'roll with Elvis Presley a decade earlier. A management contract with Chris Wright’s newly formed Chrysalis agency led to a deal with Decca imprint Deram in 1967, and the release of their eponymous debut.

Their fourth album, 'Ssssh', issued in August 1969, coincided with their breakthrough appearance at the Woodstock festival, a definite highlight of the subsequent film and LP of the festival. Fifth album 'Cricklewood Green', issued in April 1970, featured their biggest UK chart hit with 'Love Like A Man'. This was swiftly followed before the end of the year by the release of 'Watt', recorded at London’s Olympic Studios. 1971's 'A Space In Time' showed a change in direction, no doubt inspired by the more acoustic sounds prevalent in the States at the time. As well as producing their biggest Stateside hit with 'I'd Love To Change The World', this set is completed by 'Rock & Roll Music To The World' from 1972, a classic mix of the blues and rock'n'roll that made the band such a successful live draw, with lead guitarist Alvin Lee hailed as one of the fastest players in the world.

The forthcoming 3 CD box set "Think About The Times: The Chrysalis Years (1969-1972)" also includes rare b-sides and single edits, appearing on CD for the very first time.

1) Ssssh.
- includes 'Ssssh'. Bonus track - 'If You Should Love Me' (b-side of 'Love Like A Man')

2) Cricklewood Green
- includes bonus track - 'Love Like A Man' (single A side)

3) Watt

4) A Space In Time
- Includes bonus track - 'I'd Love To Change The World' (single edit)

5) Rock 'n' Roll Music To the World
- includes bonus tracks 'Choo Choo Mama' & 'Love Like A Man' (Live) (b-side)

Released by EMI Records, July 26th, 2010.

 

23.05.2010

Music From Home.....

To be continued.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.05.2010

Neil Young Book.....

A new coffee table book, "Neil Young — Long May You Run: The Illustrated History", and it is just that: A vivid, pictorial look at Young's long and storied career. Compiled by Rolling Stone's Daniel Durchholz and the New York Times' Gary Graff, the 224-page reader prides itself on “perfectly mixing expertly researched text and many never-before-seen photos... Without a doubt the most comprehensive book about Neil Young to be released to date”. The book covers Young's career, from his start with Buffalo Springfield, through his time with Crosby, Stills & Nash, and his career-defining solo work.

The first illustrated retrospective of this rock icon's career, one of rock'n'roll's greatest songwriters and performers. Covers a career from highschool drop-out, through Woodstock, Crosby, Stills & Nash, to headlining Glastonbury 2009. Concert posters, ticket stubs, performance photography, discography, and more. Neil Young has been described as brilliant, cantankerous, enigmatic, vexing. Nevertheless, his generation-spanning fan base, and profound musical influence, cannot be denied. He is cited as a major influence by Curt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, amongst others, and has earned the title 'Godfather of Grunge' with his restless musical experimentation that transforms the most obvious music into something revelatory.

Packed with rock photography from the Sixties to today, concert posters, memorabilia from around the world, plus commentaries from notable musicians around the world, and a full discography, this is the ultimate tribute to an electrifying performer and will be eagerly received by his legion of fans worldwide.

21.05.2010

Clarence 'Til Spring.....

He’s been describes by Boston Phoenix as "the roots offspring of Jackson Browne and Rickie Lee Jones" and his impeccable credentials are on show in the UK when Clarence Bucaro returns to London for a three night stand at Denmark Street’s 12 Bar Club alongside another American singer songwriter prodigy, Vermont’s Anais Mitchell.

The London shows are timed to coincide with the UK release of Bucaro’s latest album "‘Til Spring", an album The New York Times described as “songs that hark back to late 60's Van Morrison”.

He cites two primary inspirations for the album: “Wait Until Spring, Bandini”, a 1938 novel by his favorite author, Jon Fante, and “You Must Believe In Spring”, recorded in 1977 by the great jazz pianist Bill Evans shortly after his former girlfriend’s suicide. Produced by Tom Schick (Norah Jones, Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright) and Bucaro over two intensive days in New York City, and mixed by the great Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Los Lobos, Ron Sexsmith) "‘Til Spring" reveals a young artist in the 'Country-Got-Soul' tradition of Jackson Browne and Al Green.

The 12 Bar Club, May 24th, 25th, 26th - Anais Mitchell 9:30pm - Clarence Bucaro 8:30-9:15pm.

 

20.05.2010

Tom Petty's Mojo.....

Some time in the last few years, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers took a left turn. Maybe it was when Petty woke up in the night with the idea of reuniting his first band, Mudcrutch, to cut the album they never got a chance to make back in the early 70s. Maybe it was when The Heartbreakers assembled the mammoth multi-disc 'The Live Anthology', which detailed thirty years of concerts. Maybe it was when they gave all their home movies, outtakes and live footage to director Peter Bogdanovich to create the Grammy-winning four-hour career documentary 'Runnin' Down A Dream'.

There have been side projects and experiments since the band last went into the studio to cut a new Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album. With 'Mojo', they have taken their recent freedom and experimentation to heart. They have gone off the reservation and all signs indicate they aren't coming back.

The first thing that hits you about 'Mojo' is that the spirit of the Mudcrutch sessions has carried on with the Heartbreakers. This is the sound of a band playing together in a room - not a studio - facing each other, all singing and playing at the same time. The music is alive, with no overdubs or studio trickery. What you hear is what they created on the spot at that time.

Tom Petty says, "With this album, I want to show other people what I hear with the band. 'Mojo' is where the band lives when it's playing for itself".

As for the songs, 'Mojo' showcases a wide variety of American music from rock 'n' roll to country and both electric and acoustic blues. And then there are the images in Petty's lyrics which slip in on the melodies and set up a home in your head: The barefoot girl in the high grass chewing on a stick of sugar cane, the run-in with the law that begins when a carload of buddies decide to party with the motel maids, and the hilariously audacious idea of opening an album with an electric blues rocker about Thomas Jefferson's love affair with Sally Hemings. Petty would probably chuck a rock at anyone who called him a poet, but he sure is a southern writer of humor and sensitivity.

'Mojo' has juice and guts, but it also has some sweet balladry for the slow dancers and even a wacked-out reggae number that is unlike anything that The Heartbreakers have done before. It's the kind of album nobody's supposed to be able to make anymore. It got here just in time.

 

19.05.2010

Bachman & Turner.....

Fred Turner and Randy Bachman, of the legendary Bachman Turner Overdrive, is giving away their new single 'Rock'n'Roll Is The Only Way Out' for free.

Bachman Turner will release their new album later in 2010.

Download here.

 

18.05.2010

Tim Bragg's Stranger.....

"Songs for the new album "Stranger Through The Window" came together in France during July and August 2009. The title track was written in Arcachon while staying with a friend. One of the few times during that hot summer it rained - In fact, it deluged! Watching the rain through the window I also became aware of the house that borders my friend’s garden. She told me something of its history and I wrote: 'Stranger Through the Window'. This track is one of two “narrative” songs on the album – Both drawing from real life. The other, 'The Montbron Girl' is a tragic tale based on true, compelling events - Though both have been 'romanticised'.

There is a bitter-sweet feeling to the album; 'On the Radio' states – 'It couldn’t have been mine playing on the radio/They don’t know me on that kind of show' – 'Chasing Down Dreams' states – 'All this time wasted it’s true/Chasing down dreams that could never come true' – And yet songs from 'Waiting for the Light' (2009) were played on the radio and distant dreams have never seemed closer! 'Where is the Fighter?' - A song for and about Phil Lynott appeared on the EP: 'Where is the Fighter – Songs for Phil Lynott 2009', but has been re-mixed and re-mastered. There’s a country-rock sound to more of the tracks too – especially 'Night is Fallin' and 'Some Answers'. The addition of violin (courtesy of Toby Hill) adds to the country and folk feel that compliments the rockier tracks.

There’s a real range of genres expressed through the fourteen tracks. This album is both melancholic and optimistic at times – From 'Icy Winter' to 'Sunrise' and 'Summer'.

Recording the album took shape from September 2009 through to April 2010 – I even managed to break my foot in October – Hence the different approach to the drumming in 'Can’t Run Away'!

17.05.2010

Gram Parsons Box.....

There are just a few weeks, days remaining, until the release of Sierra Records' most ambitious release ever. This exclusive, collectors edition release, is packaged in a 12" x 12", high gloss, full color, presentation set up box, with a full color (not tinted) cover portrait of Gram which is probably the finest photographic ever taken of him, span his entire professional, musical life from 1963 through 1973. The set is limited to only 1000 sets produced. The individual discs contained in the box set will not be sold separately.

Full info found here.

 

16.05.2010

New J Shogren.....

On his new album, “Bird Bones & Muscle”, J Shogren describes his music as 'Pulp Americana' - a singular conjuring of gut-bucket blues, deep-fried southern jive, Holy Ghost revival, polka night at the Grange, she-done-me-wrong hillbilly boogie and backwater bayou bump and swing. But instead of ghosting over sepia-toned museum pieces, Shogren’s music radiates a gritty immediacy, stick-to-your-ribs soul and genuine emotional depth that can only come from an encyclopedic understanding of the nooks and crannies of the what’s been recently called 'weird old America'. “Roots music,” according to Shogren, “reflects reality - a scruffy and gruff exterior sheltering the life and death interior that define us all”. Recalling everything from Dylan to Dr. John to Buck Owens to Leon Redbone to Tom Waits, Shogren shrugs and simply explains, “No veneer; just a coat of varnish to keep out the weather”.

If there is one thing that can be said of Shogren’s music, it is his ability to conjure - his ability to summon different times, different places, different waypoints in the American experience. Yet it’s often his lyrics that leave the most indelible impression. “I chose the title of the CD, 'Bird Bones & Muscle' to illustrate a notion of fragility living next to strength - how fragile and strong a person can be when lost in the wilderness within. How one can be both simultaneously and sequentially flying/falling, alive/comatose, breathing/holding your breath, usually at unpredictable/inconvenient intervals”.

On “Bird Bones & Muscle” Shogren is aided and abetted by three members of the well-respected Jalan Crossland band, including Crossland (banjo/guitar), Andy Phreaner (drums/percussion) and Shaun Kelley (bass). Mandy Bohlender and Dan Tinker provided the harmony vocals and vocal arrangements. “This was a full-on collaborative effort”, Shogren reports. “Fourteen of 15 songs were arranged with the band. So the music has more cohesiveness across songs than early work, even though the song themselves differ so very widely in authentic American styles. Jalan, Andy and Shaun are such pros and nimble musicians who know their instruments so well that they adapted their playing to the different styles of each song”.

It’s not hard to imagine Shogren, who splits his time between Centennial Wyoming and Stockholm Sweden, as the rugged back-country skier and the guy that can catch trout in a rain gutter (he can do both!), but what’s more impressive is Shogren’s day job. A professor of Applied Philosophy, Shogren has served as the King of Sweden’s special professor on environmental science, and as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007. “It’s been a good job”, he winks. Shogren, to say the least, is not your typical, navel-gazing, journal-scribbling folk singer.

With such a busy calendar, why does a guy like Shogren chose to delve into the dusty and often abandoned corners of American culture with his songs? “The need to write songs is an impossible passion of mine”, he says. “Even after a dozen books and hundreds of journal articles, songwriting is the only serious form of expression/writing that works for me. Like most songwriters I write songs because I have to. Songs arrive in and out of the subconscious and sometimes you hang out with them, sometimes you don’t. A good idea sticks, a great idea kicks.”

15.05.2010

Reza.....

Reza is the musical project of Reza Hatami, a french songwriter born in Iran. Since 2005, he composes great songs, somewhere between indie-pop, folk and singer-songwriter. He likes to tell us stories about exile, melancholy, hope or disillusion.

His last album, 'Moonless', recorded with some of the most inspired musicians of the French indie scene, sounds like Leonard Cohen singing folk versions of Robert Forster's and Grant McLennan's songs, backed by the members of Calexico.

As a band or on his own, Reza has performed many shows in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland and is about to tour in Germany this summer.

14.05.2010

Shelby Lynne.....

Shelby Lynne says that having her own label, the newly inaugurated Everso Records, for her newly released "Tears Lies & Alibis" will mean more music quicker from her in the future.

"I have all kinds of plans," Lynne says. "Finally I can do whatever the hell I want to do without getting the big 'no' from the record company. I plan on taking advantage of my freedom and working hard and putting out a lot of records".

That includes a Christmas album Lynne plans to record in June and put out in the fall. "It'll be traditional", she says, "all of the songs we love. I like calm, simple Christmas records. I'll do all the traditional songs and I've written a couple of (originals), so we'll see what happens once we get into the studio".

Lynne reports that she also has a head start on a follow-up to "Tears Lies & Alibis" after writing more than 20 songs for the new album and putting just 10 on the finished product. "I didn't want to do one of those too long, cheesy records," she explains. "I can't stand too long of a record. So I'm thinking already ahead for the next record, if you can believe that. I've got songs I know you will hear on my next record. Sometimes a song that didn't make one record will stay in my head for so long and just won't go away. I take that as a hint to keep 'em close and not forget about them. That'll make it easier for the next one".

But, Lynne adds, she isn't interested in signing other artists to Everso. "I don't feel like taking anybody's money", she says. Lynne began making "Tears Lies & Alibis" for Lost Highway, which released her 2008 Dusty Springfield tribute "Just a Little Lovin". But she and the label quickly butted heads over the new project. "They were looking for a man to be the record producer", says Lynne, who produced "Tears Lies & Alibis" herself, "and looking for songs that they understand, and my singing about Airstreams (mobile campers, in 'Something to Be Said') is not one of them. They were looking for a way to make money, and I've never made any money for anyone, so I don't know what the hell made them think I was gonna make them some money.

"I just had it with the corporate money, money, money label thing. I took my little nest egg and said...'Let's do this thing,' so here we are. It was just time to do this, and I couldn't be more free and happy. It's the most liberating feeling I've ever had in my life".

 

13.05.2010

Pollyanna.....

Pollyanna is an indie-folk project from Paris, built around Isabelle Casier's songs. Sometimes playing solo, often in duo or more on stage, their second album, 'On Concrete', is just about to be released in Germany (Songs & Whispers/Cargo), after first being issued in France in 2009.

A beautiful female voice, bittersweet lyrics and David Lopez's luminous arrangements (light drums, ukulele, cello) make it reminiscent of Laura Veirs, Smog, Suzanne Vega or Calexico. In her teenage years, Isabelle learnt the guitar on old French and Irish standards. And later fed on PJ Harvey, The Cure and Sonic Youth. Pollyanna’s music is rooted both in traditional folk and indie rock - For the love of wood and electricity.

Pollyanna has performed over 200 shows in various places in France, elsewhere in Europe (Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Switzerland) and in New York.

Pollyanna also proudly supports great acts in beautiful venues (Françoiz Breut, Julie Doiron, Wilco, Bright Eyes, Nouvelle Vague, Alela Diane).

12.05.2010

Stones On Main St.....

"Exile on Main Street" should have been a disaster.

Recorded in 1971 and early 1972 in a variety of locations, most notoriously the sweltering makeshift basement studio in Keith Richards' villa in the south of France, the two-album set coincided with one of the most debauched periods in the Rolling Stones' uniquely hedonistic history.

A seemingly never-ending procession of hangers-on, drug dealers, girlfriends and traveling musicians passed through the studio doors, as Richards and his then-girlfriend Anita Pallenberg descended into drug dependency. On top of that, the band had been forced to take up tax-exile status and were beset by litigation with former manager Allen Klein, while Mick Jagger was preoccupied with his then-wife Bianca's pregnancy, forcing the frontman to be frequently absent from the sessions.

From such chaos, however, emerged an enduring classic, as the album's heady swamp of classic rock'n'roll, Motown-influenced soul, raw country and ragged R&B, somehow formed a beguiling, intoxicating whole. On "Exile", the Stones - Jagger, Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor - created some of their best songs, including "Rocks Off", "Shine A Light" and the evergreen "Tumbling Dice". For once, the music actually matched the myth.

Small wonder then that, almost 38 years since its June 1972 release, "Exile" should be the album to launch the Stones' latest series of catalog reissues for its new major-label home, Universal Music Group, even if Richards himself can't quite believe it.

"Here I am trying to sell 'Exile on Main Street' again", he says with a chuckle, although Mike Davis, GM/executive VP of UMG's catalog division Universal Music Enterprises, says the album was an obvious place to start the ambitious catalog plans.

"Every artist has those few career-defining pieces of art and 'Exile' has always been a Rolling Stones gem", Davis says, adding that the album was "earmarked from day one as the first project to do something super-extraordinary on" once the band had signed the July 2008 deal that shifted its post-1971 catalog from its long-term label partner EMI.

"You could feel the band expanding what they do, and maybe that's the charm of this record", Richards says of the album today. "It's very honest; there's no flimflam. It's a bunch of guys saying, 'We're more than just pop stars'."

At the time, the record's ambition prompted mixed reviews - Rolling Stone called it "the Stones at their most dense and impenetrable", although Robert Christgau hailed it as a "fagged-out masterpiece." But "Exile" has been a consistent seller ever since it debuted at no 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, spawning two U.S. hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100: "Tumbling Dice" (no 7) and the Richards-sung "Happy" (no 22).

 

11.05.2010

Sally Spring's Stars.....

Sally Spring, a folk-rock marvel in the New York and Los Angeles music scenes during the 70s and early 80s, has just finished "Made Of Stars", her fifth recording, that features, not only her inimitable voice and evocative, powerful songwriting, but also contributions from Susan Cowsill, Gurf Morlix, Peter Holsapple, Caitlin Cary (Tres Chicas, Whiskeytown), Fred Smith (Television), and Harvey Gold.

Look out for an early fall release.

 

 

10.05.2010

Alejandro Escovedo.....

"It ended up being an album about love, the pursuit of a feeling that is forever elusive, mysterious, and addictive", said Alejandro Escovedo of his epic new album 'Street Songs Of Love'. Long one of America's most admired poet-rockers, Escovedo's sometimes tortured path to 'Street Songs,' a record that decisively fulfills all expectations, has been full of twists, turns, hard landings and well earned hard truths.

For 'Streets Songs Of Love', Escovedo once again collaborated with producer Tony Visconti (T. Rex, David Bowie, U2, Morrissey) and chief songwriting partner Chuck Prophet. The album's 13 tracks seemingly distill every broken heart and pierced dream into a determined, soulful, glorious celebration of survival, liberation and ultimate salvation.

A father aches for his son's struggle to find life's meaning in "Down In The Bowery", perhaps the album's beating heart on which Ian Hunter contributes full-throated vocals. Bruce Springsteen and Alejandro trade lines around a nasty guitar riff on "Faith", a tightly woven rocker that bores in and never lets go. The lead track "Anchor" explodes out of the speakers, a statement of purpose about that treacherous thing called 'love', that recalls the best of The Band, Tom Petty and Rolling Stones. "A band record", as Escovedo puts it, 'Street Songs Of Love' is performed by Alejandro Escovedo & The Sensitive Boys: David Pulkingham on guitars, keyboards, vocals; Bobby Daniel on bass and vocals; and Hector Munoz, drums and vocals. Karla Manzur and Nakia Reynoso contribute essential background vocals throughout the album.

Alejandro Escovedo delivers 'Street Songs Of Love' on June 29th on Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group.

 

09.05.2010

Carolyn AlRoy.....

U.S. singer-songwriter Carolyn AlRoy grew up in Princeton, NJ, home of eclectic oddballs and intellectual misfits. She went to Rutgers to study acting, but ended up becoming a poet. She studied with poet Laureate Robert Pinski, doing readings throughout the New York City area throughout the 90’s until she began pursing her doctorate as a licensed psychotherapist and writing songs. “The process of songwriting is similar to therapy”, according to AlRoy. “When I hear patients use unusual language, it makes me stop and ask questions… The language holds something that is not directly expressed, but is tangible”. She has a private practice in Manhattan where she helps people with their inner demons during the day before showing off her own in New York clubs by night.

"Gorgeous Enormous" is AlRoy’s debut album, and is co-produced by singer-songwriter Matt Keating and indie rock producer Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). The album is a breath of fresh air - Familiar but completely original, and as addictive as a controlled substance. The songs on "Gorgeous Enormous" are influenced by artists such as Crowded House, Matthew Sweet, Roseanne Cash and Cowboy Junkies.

AlRoy’s music vacillates between upbeat power-pop numbers with jangly guitars and quietly lilting folk ballads. Featuring an all-star band including drums by Mark Brotter from HEM, bass by Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Ani DiFranco), and Matt Keating on almost everything else, AlRoy’s songs alternately shine with exuberance and melancholy.

New mini-album "Through A Screen Door Darkly" has just been released.

08.05.2010

Phil's Going Back.....

"It shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone that I've finally made an album of my favourite songs. These songs - along with a couple of Dusty Springfield tracks, a Phil Spector/Ronettes tune, and one by the Impressions - make up the tapestry, the backdrop, of my teenage years. I remember it as if it was yesterday, going to the Marquee Club in London's Soho and watching The Who, The Action, and many others, playing these songs. In turn I'd go out the next day to buy the original versions.

My idea, though, was not to bring anything new to these already great records, but to try to recreate the sounds and feelings that I had when I first heard them. My intention was to make an old record, not a new record. To be able to have three of the surviving Funk Brothers play on all the tracks was unbelievable. There was one moment when they were tracking 'Heat Wave' that I experienced a wave of happiness and wonder that this was actually happening to me! I learned more about production skills and the wonderful songwriting of those concerned whilst making this album, than I have from anything else. To those pioneers... Much love and gratitude!"

Phil Collins' 'Going Back' will be released in September 2010.