Counting Crows & Maroon 5 Team Up
March.25th.2008 - Tuesday
Multi-platinum artists Counting Crows and Maroon 5 have announced plans
for a co-headlining summer tour set to launch July 25 at the Verizon
Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, VA. Breakout
artist Sara Bareilles will perform on select dates and American rock
band Augustana will perform on others. Tickets go on sale beginning
Friday, April 4th, and are available through Live Nation (www.LiveNation.com)
and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
The highly anticipated road show will see A&M/Octone recording artists
Maroon 5 playing new single "If I Never See Your Face Again" and recent
Grammy-winning lead track "Makes Me Wonder," along with a plethora of
radio staples and fan favorites from platinum-plus-selling new album It
Won't Be Soon Before Long and its blockbuster-selling predecessor, Songs
About Jane. On April 9th, Maroon 5 will perform on the star-studded Fox
television/"American Idol" charity show, "Idol Gives Back," to be
followed by an April 13th performance on Comedy Central's live event
benefiting autism, "Night Of Too Many Stars."
Fresh off of the uber successful release of their highly anticipated new
double album Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, Counting Crows will
continue to win over fans with hits like the top 5 track "Mr. Jones,"
"Hard Candy," "Rain King" and others as well as hot new tracks like "You
Can't Count on Me," "Washington Square" and "Cowboys." Their new album,
produced by Gil Norton & Brian Deck takes the listener on a journey
through the frenetic, crazy, whirlwind, partying, famous Saturday
Nights, and the redemptive, regretful aftermath of the Sunday Mornings
that follow. But Counting Crows is one of those bands you follow for the
long haul. For those that first heard them opening for Bob Dylan long
ago, or subbing for Van Morrison one memorable night at the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame, much of the soundtrack of our times comes from the
Crows -- from their vivid musical landscapes as well as the feverish
brilliance of singer/songwriter Adam Duritz.
"Counting Crows and Maroon 5 on the same stage is an incredible double
bill for music fans," said Live Nation's Senior Vice President of Arena
and Amphitheater Programming, Ryan McElrath. "Both bands have a huge
body of hit songs that are sure to please fans from coast to coast." The
tour, which is expected to make more than 40 stops in all, is being
produced by Live Nation and is a continuation of the long term touring
deal the company struck with Maroon 5 in 2007 which runs through the
summer of this year.
Daughtry - ONE Campaign
Press Release / Email
Grammy-nominated 19/RCA recording artist
DAUGHTRY will perform a live acoustic set at The Beatles REVOLUTION
Lounge at The Mirage Sunday, April 13. All proceeds from the ticket
sales will go to the ONE Campaign (ONE.org) to fight the emergency of
global AIDS and extreme poverty. DAUGHTRY will perform hits from their
self-titled album.
Two hundred tickets to the performance will be auctioned on eBay March
24 to March 31. The bidding will begin at 7 p.m. PDT, to access the
auction site, click
www.ebay.com/daughtry; must be 21 years or older to enter. The
auction is being managed on eBay Giving Works by Auction Cause, a
premier online auction management agency specializing in high-profile
design, strategy, and cause marketing for corporations and nonprofits
worldwide.
Portions of this very special performance, sponsored in part by the
Rhapsody(R) digital music service, will later be made available for
DAUGHTRY fans to enjoy on-demand at
Rhapsody.com/Daughtry and on
RollingStone.com.
"We are really excited about this acoustic show at the REVOLUTION
lounge. It is a chance to share a special evening with our fans and
raise money for a great cause, ONE.org," says Chris Daughtry.
David Saltz, Executive Producer and Stirling McIlwaine, Co-Executive
Producer.
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Former Beatles Manager Neil Aspinall Dies
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◊
B-52s - Funplex - Order Here & Receive A Signed Cover (Limited Time
Only)
Island Interactive - Episode 2
March.24th.2008 - Monday
The second episode of the Island Interactive podcast series, features reviews on three new albums from - Simple Plan - Simple Plan, StoneRider - Three Legs Of Trouble, and Various Artists - Randy Jackson's Music Club Volume: 1.
All thoughts and opinions expressed are those of Shipwreck Island Studios.com, 15 second audio samples are copyrighted by the original owner/artist. All Rights Reserved. Theme Song Written By: Tony, Recorded in 2006 @ Shipwreck Island Studios.com.
All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2006-2008. Total Size 13meg, Running Time Approx. 19mins 11 sec, Recorded In 192kbps.
To Download: www.garageband.com/mp3/Island_Interactive_Audio_Reviews__Episode_2.mp3
Ra - Black Sun Update
Artist Release
Sahaj has entered into an exclusive label
deal with Universal Music Distribution. Sahaja Music Records will be
releasing several albums over the next year or so. At he top of the list
of course will be the long awaited "Black sun" lp by RA. It's been a
crazy year thus far for Sahaj having ruptured a disk in his back and
having surgery to correct it while trying to complete not only "Black
Sun" but his yearly musical obligations to ESPN and a handful of bands
that hired him for there recordings all the while trying to negotiate a
deal with UMD to have a real distribution in place for all his
endeavors. RA's new single "Broken hearted soul" moves to radio and
becomes available on I-tunes mid April while "Black Sun" finally hits
the stores late June... 3 years to the month after the release of
"Duality". The band is excited to get out and play shows as well as
connecting with friends here. Check out their individual pages and find
out specifically what everyone has been up to.
Keep posted here for pre order packages, new merch, a new myspace layout
and the relaunch of
Raband.net.
Thanx to all for their patience.... now the fun stuff starts.
Clay Aiken - On My Way Here
Billboard.com / Email
Just as his stint starring in the Broadway
hit "Spamalot" concludes, Clay Aiken will return with his first album of
entirely new material since 2003's "Measure of a Man."
Due May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, Aiken's "On My Way Here" was produced
by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The album
will likely include the title track and a song called "Ashes," but no
other details about the project have yet been made available.
Aiken is expected to tour the U.S. this summer, beginning in July. He
will also be visible on TV shows such as "Good Morning America" and "The
View."
"Measure of Man" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Aiken has since
released 2004's "Merry Christmas With Love" and 2006's all-covers "A
Thousand Different Ways."
News Tidbits
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Eddie Money - New
Album Teaser (Audio Samples)
◊
Yes Turns 40 With Summer Tour, Live Disc
◊
Apple Corps Sues To Stop Beatles Release
◊
Ex-Beach Boys mates settle suit over name
◊
Current Velvet Revolver Tour To Be The Last?
◊
Kevin
Cronin - Newsletter Update
Queen + Paul Rodgers - New Album & Tour
March.20th.2008 - Thursday
With a new
album in the pipeline -- the first new studio album to carry the Queen
name since the Freddie Mercury sessions -- Queen is heading back on the
road for a four-month tour, once again in the company of
musician/singer/songwriter Paul Rodgers who joined the band for the
highly successful 2005/2006 world tour, the European leg of which ended
with the band's spectacular London Hyde Park open air concert before
going on to play the US and Japan.
In all, the band's tour was attended by more than a million people.
Together Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers have recorded their
first album's worth of material, jointly written and produced. With the
title yet to be disclosed, the album is being readied for release
September 1, two weeks ahead of the start of the tour.
The Queen + Paul Rodgers 28-date arena tour will take in 14 countries in
just seven weeks, and take the band to Northern Eurasia, Central and
Southern Europe, and the UK and is expected to wind up at the end of the
year with the band's highly anticipated return to South America, the
setting of some of its most historic tours in the early 80's.
Queen's historic Latin America dates set new world records for the
numbers of the audiences it attracted. At the 1985 Rock in Rio concert
the band played to an unheard of audience of 300,000 and was watched on
television by nearly 200 million people throughout the South American
continent.
The 2008 tour kicks off mid-September in Russia with two dates at
Moscow's SCO Olympic Arena, moves on into Poland for a massive free
concert at the historic Gdansk Shipyard, and then follows a path through
Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands before
arriving in the UK early October for 6 dates including London's 02 Arena
on October 13.
The UK dates see the band additionally play Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff
and Birmingham with a final UK date at Liverpool Arena on October 18
before continuing on to Spain, Hungary, Serbia, Czech Republic and
Austria for seven further dates.
Tracks on the new Queen + Paul Rodgers album will include 'Say It's Not
True', previously released at the end of last year by Queen + Paul
Rodgers as a special World Aids Day download for Nelson Mandela's 46664
HIV AIDS charity, plus a 'first' for a Queen album -- a cover version.
The remaining tracks are all newly written by May, Taylor and Rodgers
during the late 2007/early 2008 recording sessions.
One of these tracks, C-lebrity, will receive a sneak preview when the
band make a by-demand return to the UK's ITV Al Murray's Happy Hour for
the final show on April 4.
More Information: Queen plot return with new album
Ringo Starr - North American Tour Dates
Press Release
Ringo Starr announces the addition of
several cities to his North American 'Ringo Starr & His All Starrs'
tour, as well as on sale dates for the majority of the shows. This
summer's outing, Starr's 10th All Starr-studded tour, will include
returning All Starrs (in alphabetical order): Colin Hay, Billy Squier,
Hamish Stuart, and Edgar Winter, and first timers Gary Wright and Gregg
Bissonette. The All Starr tour will bring its newest chart-topping
lineup to more than 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada, including New
York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.
No other single stage produces the hits like Ringo's All Starrs, each
singularly accomplished in their own right. All of the All Starr artists
complement Starr's musical style and share his message of peace and
love. As Ringo said in a recent interview, "My live shows are a
peace-and-love fest. That's my main promotion, really."
Starr's latest album, Liverpool 8, was released on CD, digitally and on
USB wristband on January 15 by Capitol/EMI. His most personal release in
years, Liverpool 8's songs are a reflective journey through Ringo's
storied life and career and feature some of his greatest songwriting to
date. Co-produced and co-written with Dave Stewart, Liverpool 8's
resounding message of peace and love will continue to resonate with All
Starr audiences across the country when Ringo hits the road this summer
for his first tour since 2006.
Kip Winger - From The Moon To The Sun
Artist / Email/ Press Release
Frontiers Records is proud to announce the
European release of the brand new KIP WINGER album entitled "From the
Moon To The Sun" on May 9th 2008.
Eight years after the release of the acclaimed "Songs From the Ocean
Floor", a record which was labeled as "Masterpiece" by several music
critics around the work and a successful reunion of the band Winger, Kip
Winger returns with a true career defining statement and, once again,
another cd which witnesses the creative evolution of the American
composer.
"I am an artist that will continue to push the envelope into the
direction that my ear and abilities are taking me, with no compromise",
says Kip, adding "I worked hard to make this record my best yet. For
sure it is musically very diverse. Hence the title , "From the Moon to
the Sun".
The music offered on the record is truly a flow that has no boundaries,
from the fresh rock approach of songs like "Every Story Told", "Nothing"
or "Reason To Believe", to the Pop sensibilities of "Where Will You Go"
and "California", to the acoustic mood of "Pages and Pages" and "In Your
Eyes Another Life", down to the unbelievable instrumental piece
"Ghosts", "From the Moon to the Sun" brings the listener to a journey in
a kaleidoscope of different moods.
The album sees also musical contributions from Rod Morgenstein and Ken
Mary on drums, Andy Timmons and Rob Eberhard Young on guitar, Alan
Pasqua on piano, Cenk Eroglu on songwriting, keyboards and guitars.
Tracklisting of the European edition of "From the Moon To The Sun" will
include:
Every Story Told; Nothing; Where Will You Go; Pages and Pages; Ghosts;
In Your Eyes Another Life; Runaway; California; What We Are; One Big
Game; Why; Reason To Believe; Monster (exclusive Bonus Track for Europe,
a newly recorded version of the song originally included on "Thisconversationseemslikeadream")
Don't miss the meeting with this true modern art masterpiece on May 9th
2008.
Weblinks:
www.kipwinger.com /
www.myspace.com/kipwingermusic /
www.frontiers.it /
www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords
Sevendust - Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow
Press / Artist Release
Sevendust are back with their seventh studio
album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow, produced by Sean Groove, Morgan Rose
& John Connolly. The release will be their second on the band's wholly
owned record label, 7Bros. Records under Warner Music Group's
Asylum/Independent Label Group.
For the first time since Animosity (2001), the band has collaborated
with outside artists, including Chris Daughtry and members of Alter
Bridge. Sevendust will be touring in support of the album throughout the
year.
The March 2007 release of Alpha, the bands sixth studio album and first
on 7Bros. Records, saw Sevendust equal their highest Billboard album
ranking of their career with a first week debut at number 14 on the
Billboard Top 200, selling 42,398 copies. With even more radio hits
packed into the new album, Sevendust looks forward to continuing to
raise the bar.
www.walmart.com - Edited Version
www.amazon.com - PA Version
1. Inside
2. Enough
3. Hope
4. Scapegoat
5. Fear
6. The Past
7. Prodigal Son
8. Lifeless
9. Sorrow
10. Contradiction
11. Walk Away
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Carrie Underwood to be inducted into Opry
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'November Rain' book back in print
◊
Rocker redoes anthem
for Barack Obama
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Van Halen Reschedules Spring Shows
◊
Kevin
Cronin - Newsletter Update
◊
GREM USA Issues Statement Regarding Share Structure
◊
Music Scene owners turn heads in Nashville
◊
Coldplay Reveals Album Title, Release Date
◊
DMB, Petty Set For First Mile High Festival
◊
ZZ Top Gets Busy On First Album Since 2003
- Next update will be Monday the 24th as we celebrate Easter, Next week will feature a new Island Cast, Album Reviews & Island Interactive...
Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again.....
March.18th.2008 - Tuesday
Singer Don
Dokken says he set out to prove something with Dokken's tenth studio
album, LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN. Taking its title from a track on the
band's 1985 classic Under Lock And Key, the new songs bring the group's
sound full circle. "It's time that a band from our era did something
special and proved that our brand of music is still valid," he says.
"Our goal was to create an album that was our best since our heyday."
Dokken returns to the band's roots for its Rhino debut, LIGHTNING
STRIKES AGAIN.
Mixed by Wyn Davis (Dio, Great White), the album features Don Dokken
(vocals), Mick Brown (drums), Jon Levin (guitar) and Barry Sparks
(bass). LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN contains 14 tracks, including the
breakout tracks, "Standing On The Outside," "Oasis," and "Heart To
Stone." The album captures the signature mix of barbed-wire riffs and
razor-sharp melodies that made Dokken one of the most dominant creative
and commercial forces in the world of melodic hard rock.
Dokken's debut album for Rhino, LIGHTNING
STRIKES, marks a return to form that rivals their past platinum
successes. “Our goal,” says Don Dokken, “was to create an album that was
our best since our heyday. This music is as good as any we did in the
'80s.” Fueled, as ever, by Don Dokken's formidable lead vocals, standout
tracks include “Standing On The Outside,” “Oasis” and “Heart To Stone,”
all of which capture the potent crush of barbed-wire riffs and
razor-sharp melodies that made Dokken one of the biggest band of the
'80s and one of the most dominant and creative forces in hard rock.
The New Dokken Studio Album "Lightning Strikes Again" will soon be
available for pre-order at
Rhino.com.
If you pre-order the CD at
Rhino.com, you
will receive an exclusive "Lightning Strikes Again" poster signed by Don
Dokken! (while supplies last)
PS. The poster will ship out separately from the CD.
Evolution Eden - Center Of The Universe "Reminder"
Artist Release
Don't forget to check out the "World
Premiere" of our new single "Center of the Universe" live at
www.netrock101.com
tonight at 5:30 PST. Pap will be calling in to announce the kickoff to
the Center of the Universe contest.
Tune in and then see if you are up to the challenge. The new single will
be available for your listening pleasure starting tomorrow at
www.myspace.com/evolutioneden. Contest details are at
www.evolutioneden.com.
News Tidbits
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◊
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Theory Of A Deadman - Scars & Souvenirs
March.17th.2008 - Monday
Theory Of A
Deadman's new single, "So Happy," is dominating rock radio and the new
album, Scars & Souvenirs, is their strongest effort yet. Slated to hit
stores on April 1st, Scars & Souvenirs is the band's polished and
passionate testament to seven years of hard work, heavy touring and
diligent attention to its craft. From the swirling grind of "By the Way"
to the nasty snarl of "Crutch" to the soaring melodicism of "Not Meant
to Be" and "Wait For Me," this album is a broad-reaching endeavor that
puts Tyler Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back high
in the rock pantheon, achieving creative growth without sacrificing the
hard-hitting power that got them here in the first place.
Right now, when you pre-order Scars & Souvenirs from
fye.com
you'll also receive a FREE CD booklet, signed by the band! Supplies are
limited, so get over there and order now!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER
Theory Of A
Deadman will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio
show ROCKLINE with host Bob Coburn on Monday, March 24th at 8:30pm PT /
11:30pm ET. Call in and speak with the band toll free at 1-800-344-ROCK
(7625).
For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the
Internet for the broadcast go to
www.RocklineRadio.com
www.theoryofadeadman.com
Iron Maiden - Download Revolution!
Press Release
Iron Maiden have prevailed over the world of
heavy metal for almost thirty years, and without a doubt, they are also
one of the most contemporary and exciting bands of the 21st century. And
in their defiant spirit of overturning convention -- from flying their
own plane around the world on a record-breaking tour to selling over 70
million albums worldwide without mainstream radio or TV support -- today
Iron Maiden announce a revolutionary new way of delivering music to
their fans. This is the first promotion of its kind.
In an unprecedented move to let younger fans hear, understand and
appreciate the quality of these recordings, on May 13, New Door Records/UMe
launch the unique "SOMEWHERE BEST IN SOUND" campaign whereby the
curious/adventurous can download the entire album SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME
without charge as a high quality WMA audio file, which is a typically
powerful 320 kbps. Fans will then be able to listen to the entire album
at their leisure -- three times before the download expires. The
listener is then given a simple option to upgrade and purchase the album
as a full download.
With the overwhelming success of the current "Somewhere Back In Time
World Tour '08," and their recently released platinum-selling DVD Live
After Death, New Door Records/UMe are proud to release SOMEWHERE BACK IN
TIME on May 13 on CD charting the first decade of the band's
extraordinary career. The album celebrates the essence of the current
tour by featuring most of the essential tracks from the band's first
seven studio albums and one live album, recorded between 1980 and 1989,
and also is aptly titled SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME (full track-listing
below).
Manager Rod Smallwood explains the thinking behind this innovative move:
"Maiden have a huge catalog that is highly treasured by fans and media
alike. However, we recognize that our ever-increasing fan base is very
young and can't be expected to know all the earlier albums, which is why
we have put this collection together for them. Many of our fans weren't
even born when the original albums were first released, although
amazingly they seem to know all the lyrics when they sing along with the
band at our concerts! We also recognize that 'albums' as such have
become unfashionable to many over recent years with TV-generated pop
artists stringing a couple of 'hit' singles together with filler tracks
and releasing them as a quick fill album which disappoints and quickly
becomes dated. So this is both an introduction to the band's recording
history and a chance for young fans to try a full-length Maiden album
and realize they're getting the real deal!
"We wanted to give the kids of today a fair chance of hearing the music
as we would have first heard and experienced it in our day when checking
it out in a record shop -- top quality sound, in their own time and in
an environment of their own choosing so they are able to absorb the
depth and worth of the music and lyrics that make Iron Maiden the
phenomenon they are. What better way to use modern means and a very high
quality download! Sadly, the WMA (Windows Media Audio) isn't compatible
with Macs or iPods, but we are confident that our young fans are adept
and fluent with modern technology and we will post simple instructions
on our website for any that need guidance."
On the heels of their record-breaking world tour, the band's Website,
www.ironmaiden.com,
has received over 8,000,000 hits and more than 1.5 million visitors for
just last month alone.
The full track-listing for the album Somewhere Back In Time is as
follows:
1. Churchill Speech (0.49)
2. Aces High (4.36)
3. 2 Minutes To Midnight (6.00)
4. The Trooper (4.11)
5. Wasted Years (5.06)
6. Children Of The Damned (4.35)
7. The Number of The Beast (4.53)
8. Run To The Hills (3.53)
9. Phantom Of The Opera -- Live (7.21)
10. The Evil That Men Do (4.34)
11. Wrathchild -- Live (3.07)
12. Can I Play With Madness (3.31)
13. Powerslave (6.47)
14. Hallowed Be Thy Name (7.12)
15. Iron Maiden -- Live (4.50)
For the latest up-to-date news go to
www.ironmaiden.com
Boston - Greatest Hits Tour 2008
Artist Release
The legendary band BOSTON will headline the
outdoor festival at Marina Park on Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay,
Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008. The
‘round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder
Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer
of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States
and Canada.
BOSTON will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, the veteran Stryper frontman
will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar. Unexpected
phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his
myspace page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the
classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.
Many remember where they were when they first heard “More Than a
Feeling” or “Hitch a Ride” on the airwaves back in 1976. BOSTON’s
self-titled first album has sold over 17 million copies to date, and was
the highest selling debut of all time. It remains a rock classic, and
has seen a resurgence in sales after it was remastered by Scholz, along
with their second album, “Don’t Look Back,” in 2006. “Amanda,” off
1986’s Third Stage, shot to the top of the charts and held a
record-breaking stay at #1, in spite of being the only hit single that
year not accompanied by a TV video.
With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, hits like “Peace of Mind,” “Smokin’,”
and “Rock and Roll Band” are still as ubiquitous on rock and roll radio
as they were when they were new. BOSTON will be performing hits from all
five studio albums, including many of their classics, and some fan
favorites that have not been played live for many years. Check for show
date updates in the Tour page, as well as the new additions in the
Musicians' page.
News Tidbits
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Rocker enters plea in DUI case
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◊
Winwood Talks 'Time,' Clapton, Tom Petty Tour
◊ TONIGHT - Rockline Presents Alter Bridge, Click Here For Show Information
- New Album Reviews/Island Cast/Island Interactive all Coming Soon!
Lindsey Buckingham - Live CD/DVD
March.13th.2008 - Thursday
On March 25,
2008, Lindsey's performance at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth,
Texas will be released to DVD. The show was taped in January 2007 and
originally premiered on HDNet in October 2007.
The DVD includes live performances of Not Too Late, Trouble, Never Going
Back Again, Second Hand News, Cast Away Dreams, It Was You, Big Love, Go
Insane, Under The Skin, I'm So Afraid, I Know I'm Not Wrong, Tusk, Go
Your Own Way, Holiday Road, Show You How, and Shut Us Down.
The DVD will also be offered in a package that includes over 45 minutes
of exclusive, behind the scenes bonus footage shot by Lindsey himself,
as well as an audio CD with the same track-listing as the DVD minus
"Tusk."
To Purchase: CD + DVD Package, DVD Only
Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol.1
Island Report
Recently released "Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1" contains a bonus track if purchased at Wal-Mart that could shock some. The classic "We're An American Band" has been covered by pop duo Aly & AJ.
Legendary musician, producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson assembles an all-star cast that runs the gambit of musical genres; from rock to blues, to hip-hop to R&B to gospel to country. Some of the featured artists are Paula Abdul, Joss Stone, Keb Mo', Barbie Esco, Maria Carey, Richie Sambora, and many more!
For sound clips visit: www.walmart.com
Journey - Revelation
Journey Music.com
A new chapter in the legendary career of multi-Platinum rockers
JOURNEY--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory
(bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals)—will begin on
June 3 with the highly anticipated release of REVELATION, a three-disc
CD and DVD package to be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North
America.
The first disc will consist of 11 re-recorded classics, the second is
filled with 11 new songs, and the third is a live, in-concert DVD. All
of the music on REVELATION was produced by Kevin Shirley (who previously
worked with JOURNEY on their Platinum-certified TRIAL BY FIRE album).
JOURNEY will take REVELATION on the U.S. concert trail later this July,
with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
News Tidbits
Interesting Articles
Music Related: (Links Are Subject To Change)
◊
Apple Inc. downplays Beatles "speculation"
◊
Hanson Gets Serious On Tour
◊
Leonard Cohen Set For First Tour In 15 Years
◊
Michael Anthony
- New Website Design
◊
Valerie Bertinelli says Eddie Van Halen not in rehab
Saints Of The Underground - Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner
March.11th.2008 - Tuesday
Saints Of
The Underground, created by members of mega-groups Ratt, Warrant, and
Alice Cooper, will explode onto the music scene in April with their
debut CD entitled, "Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner."
Formed by Bobby Blotzer (Ratt's drummer) and Keri Kelli (guitarist for
Alice Cooper), Saints Of The Underground quickly recruited Jani Lane
(Warrant vocalist) and Robbie Crane (Ratt's bassist) to fill out their
roster. Separately these accomplished musicians have achieved
multi-platinum successes, but together they have pooled their talents
into an exciting new sound that fuses killer hooks, big guitars, and
rock-n-roll attitude.
"With more than six decades of combined experience, S.O.T.U. represents
classic hard rock with current elements of today rock genre," said Keri
Kelli.
The formation of Saints Of The Underground happened quite unexpectedly,
as the four musicians started out playing cover tunes together for fun
during off times from their respective super groups. They so enjoyed
their chemistry that the band naturally evolved into a creative
partnership through which original songs began to emerge.
"For me, S.O.T.U. was like when a Monty Python skit stops abruptly and
you hear a voiceover say, 'and now for something completely different',"
commented Jani Lane. "I was in a very slow and boring rut when I got a
call from the guys. It really got the creative juices flowing again ...
and some other juices too!"
S.O.T.U. decided to capture an array of material entering Bobby
Blotzer's Diamond Recording Studios in Texas to track drums and bass,
while also overdubbing guitars and vocals at Keri Kelli's studio in
California.
"We were psyched to start recording together," explained Blotzer, "and
we each brought something special to the songs."
The result is their debut CD, "Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner," written
and produced by Bobby, Keri, and Jani Lane.
"We had the opportunity to mix our record with Andy Johns of [The
Rolling] Stones and [Led] Zeppelin fame," said Lane. "He was an English
prince and we had a blast working together."
The new CD has already been generating buzz from the industry featuring
enough heavy grooves, hooks, and memorable melodies to satisfy even the
most demanding rock-n-roll aficionados.
Tracks like "Dead Man Shoes," "All In How You Wear It," "Signs Of Life,"
and a mesmerizing version of the Rolling Stones classic, "Moolight
Mile," have this debut rocking along to a familiar yet distinctive beat
that is sure to please fans, both old and new.
"Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner" is scheduled for release April 22 on
Warrior Records, distributed via Universal Music Group Distribution. For
more information, visit
MySpace.com/SaintsOfTheUnderground
B-52s - Funplex
Artist Release
Welcome to Funplex, the first record of the
21st century from the B-52s. "It's loud, sexy rock and roll, with the
beat pumped up to hot pink," says guitarist Keith Strickland. Eleven
fresh new songs, crafted by the groundbreaking band that put Athens, GA
on the musical map in the late '70s, and conquered the world with its
savvy hooks, unconventional approach to music-making and original style.
“Funplex sounds like us, updated," adds Fred Schneider. "It's the B-52s
now – or fifteen years from now."
From the opening burst of "Pump," with Keith’s garage-rock guitar and
Kate, Fred and Cindy's one-of-a-kind vocal interplay, Funplex is
instantly recognizable as prime, yet contemporary, B-52s. Vibrant
selections including "Keep This Party Going," "Ultraviolet," and "Hot
Corner" reaffirm the quartet's status as "the world's greatest party
band." Yet they continue taking risks, too, yielding future favorites
such as the transcendental "Juliet of the Spirits" and "Love in the Year
3000," where atmospheric introductions unfold into multi-layered
harmonies and burbling beats. On the propulsive title track and first
single, the three vocalists adopt distinct characters, running amok on
diet pills and slinging tacos in a sprawling shopping center. "It's the
seedy underbelly of the mall," chortles Fred.
The creative odyssey of Funplex began with Keith Strickland, who
composes the music for the group. "I had been listening to a lot of
electronic dance music and early rock and roll. I was inspired to use
these two aesthetics together with our own sound to write some shameless
dance-floor party music." At home in Key West, FL, he commenced crafting
new tracks that retained iconic features of the band's sound – such as
their primal guitar hooks – while also emphasizing grooves. What emerged
were originals like "Eyes Wide Open," with its throbbing low-end and
oddball percussion, and the chugging, unvarnished "Too Much to Think
About." Songs that can stand (or shimmy) shoulder-to-shoulder with the
best work by newer contemporaries like LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture and
the Killers.
"I'm trying to convey a feeling when I write," Keith explains. "I like
to think of my instrumentals as landscapes. The chord changes, rhythms
and sound quality of the instruments are all aspects of a sonic space,
which is designed for Cindy, Fred and Kate to step into. I want them to
feel inspired by the music and expand on that feeling with their
melodies and lyrics ... little did I know that with our new songs ...
they were going to get all sexy."
The other members of the band were busy incubating new songs, too. "I'm
always writing lyrics," says Fred, “I have notebooks full of ideas, not
just for songs, but cartoons, films, everything." The band began meeting
regularly at Nickel & Dime Studios in Atlanta, GA for Stage Two of the
writing process. Working with Keith’s foundations, Kate, Fred and Cindy
commenced with their trademark "jamming," creating melody lines, lyrics,
and vocal harmonies, turning over myriad ideas until they hit upon the
ones that served each song best.
"During the 'jamming' process Cindy and I usually focus a lot on
melodies ...then the harmonies start to flow....and the magic begins,"
Kate elaborates. "Sometimes we start with title or subject ideas but we
often go to our laptops and jam out on lyrics while listening to the
music."
"Most people could not do this," confesses Cindy of their democratic
modus operandi. "What we're trying to do is rare, but it works out. And
you get a song that is multi-faceted, and has different senses of humor,
and depth to it." For instance, the initial spark for "Juliet of the
Spirits" came from Keith, according to Kate: "He made a suggestion to
look to the Fellini movie" – 1965's Giulietta degli spiriti – "for
lyrical inspiration, since his movies have always been an influence on
our look and our hair! Cindy, Fred and I took it from there." The title
"Deviant Ingredient" may have sprung from a line of Cindy's poetry, yet
the song's vocal twists, and vivid images of trawling the martini mile,
are born from all the members' intersecting imaginations.
To help formalize the sound of Funplex, the band recruited producer
Steve Osborne (Happy Mondays, Doves, KT Tunstall), who had favorably
impressed Keith with his work on New Order's 2001 return to form, Get
Ready. "Steve was strong, directed everybody well, had great ideas… and
he understood us, too," says Cindy. "A lot of people wouldn't know what
to do with our band, but he appreciated the quirkiness, and made it
work. Can you imagine what a hard job that must have been?"
While Osborne and his team – programmers Pete Davis, Dave McCracken, and
Damien Taylor, and engineer Dan Austin – helped refine subtle percussion
and keyboard parts, enhancing the original tracks, they also made sure
to retain a hefty dose of spontaneity. "We didn't do a whole lot to the
vocals," reveals Kate. "The philosophy was to keep them a little raw. A
lot of attention was paid to the individual tracks, but we were careful
not to sound too slick or overproduced."
Recording took place in two locations, first at the Clubhouse in
Rhinebeck, NY, followed by John Keane Studio in Athens, GA. Working at
the latter venue, in particular, enhanced the good vibes that
surrounding the making of the record. "It felt like coming full circle,"
says Kate. The studio was literally just a few blocks from the site of
the house where the band played its first show, at a party on
Valentine's Day, 1977. "We were tapping back into that wellspring of
creativity," she continues. "It was like the spirit of when we started.
My voice teacher used to say tension is the enemy of all art, and being
in Athens melted away any tension. It's so easygoing there."
You'll find glimpses of the band's Athens, GA roots in the lyrics of
"Hot Corner," too. "That was a real corner by our old studio, in the
Morton Building, where a lot of hot action took place," Kate recalls.
"Like 'Love Shack,' the song is a mix of all things Athens: the bus
station where Keith and Ricky worked, the dance parties we crashed, the
crazy outfits we wore."
The B-52s have come a long way since their revolutionary 1979
self-titled debut, featuring the evergreen "Rock Lobster." Following the
loss of founding member Ricky Wilson in 1985, the group rebounded with
their triumphant 1989 smash Cosmic Thing, which spawned the Top 10 hits
"Love Shack" and "Roam." Although their last recordings to be made
commercially available were the songs "Debbie" and "Hallucinating Pluto"
for the 1998 anthology Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation, the
band has remained a popular and active live touring act.
Looking back at band’s pioneering fusions of punk, new wave, and vintage
rock, it would be tough to imagine the contemporary musical landscape
existing without having encountered the intersected spirits of Kate
Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson. "We all
cross-pollinate, and create a wonderfully crazy blossom," explains Fred.
Botanists don't need a name for this stunning specimen, though. It
already has one, known around the world: the B-52s.
Evolution Eden - Center Of The Universe
Email / Island Report
Tuesday, March 18th will see Evolution Eden
reveal a brand new tune entitled "Center of the Universe" at 5:30 PST on
www.netrock101.com
EE fans can join in the excitement as there is an on-line contest
featuring the song.
The band wrote "Center" as a tribute to the many great artists and their
songs that helped to shape their sound. So in turn they thought it would
be fun if you, the fans, could try to figure out all the artists they
have refered to based upon the lyrics to "Center".
Here's how it will work and what you can win:
“Center of the Universe” World Premier
Contest Rules
1 Go to
www.myspace.com/evolutioneden and listen carefully to “Center of
the Universe” as many times as you need to.
2 Make a list of all the Artists who we make references to based upon
the characters/song titles that we use in the lyrics of the song (there
are 17).
3 Send your list along with an email address to us through your myspace
account or you can email us at
evolutioneden@aol.com.
4 The first 5 contestants to properly identify all 17 Artists will be
winners.
5 Winners will receive the following prizes: A signed copy of “Story
Road”, a Evolution Eden cap and T-shirt and a unique 3 song EP mixed
entirely by legendary producer Beau Hill featuring “Sum of One”, “Center
of the Universe” and “Saturday Night Drive-In”.
6. A mailing address will be needed for all winners.
For Additional Band Information:
www.evolutioneden.com
Def Leppard - Final Cover Art
Def Leppard.com
As you can see, the band went for a cover in the style of The
Beatles' "SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND", by using a collage of
photos of various people who have a connection with the band in one way
or another. Apart from a number of pictures of the band members
themselves (throughout the years), you'll find their parents, crew
members, friends, and some artwork characters from the past.
"SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE", containing 11 brand new Def Leppard
tracks, is scheduled for release on April 29.
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Lynam To Tour With Cinderalla, Warrant and Lynch Mob
March.10th.2008 - Monday
The Birmingham AL hard Rock band LYNAM, will be hitting the road this
Summer with CINDERELLA, a re-united WARRANT (featuring singer Jani Lane)
and LYNCH MOB. LYNAM will be touring in support of their new album
“Tragic City Symphony”, due out this Summer.
LYNAM's last album, "Slave to the Machine", was released in 2006 after
the band signed to DRT (CLUTCH, GWAR). The album peaked at #21 on
Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and #19 on the Heat- seekers
chart. The first single "Tanis" went on to achieve the#1 spot on both the
active rock independent and mainstream rock independent charts. The band
is managed by Union Entertainment Group (NICKELBACK, RED).
"Tragic City Symphony" is set as the title of the new LYNAM album.
“We’ve been working again with producer Jason Elgin (MAYLENE AND THE
SONS OF DISASTER, COLLECTIVE SOUL), who we consider the fourth member of
LYNAM," guitarist/vocalist Jacob Lynam says. "He always brings out the
best in us and on this new record he has pushed us to new levels. The
songs are straight-ahead, melt-your-face rock songs in true LYNAM
style." "Tragic City Symphony" features special guests, including the
band HINDER and Tom Keifer of CINDERELLA. Along with Jason Elgin, the
band also enlisted Mike Shipley (GREEN DAY, MAROON 5) and Beau Hill (RATT,
STEVIE NICKS) on mixing.
For music and more information on LYNAM and their touring schedule go to
www.myspace.com/lynam or
www.lynamsucks.com.
Journey - Revelation......... June 2008
Island Report
Saturday, March 8th 2008 saw Journey take
the stage at Planet Hollywood Theatre from the Performing Arts in Las
Vegas, NV. Why was this show so important? As it is now revealed, the
band played a few new tracks, announced the title of their upcoming
album and all done while recording a live DVD. June 2008 will see
Journey release "Revelation", their first studio album with lead singer Arnel Pienda. The new tracks played, "Never Walk Away", "After All These
Years" and "Wildest Dreams". The live concert DVD will be included with
the new album.
As for where one can pick up this album once it is released, Wal-Mart of
course. Many bands have done this type of an exclusive deal in the past
few years, thus allowing fans to pick up the disc fairly easily.
Obviously in the coming days, weeks and months more updates from Journey
will appear.
Keep checking
www.journeymusic.com for straight from the band information.
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Warrant - 2008 Live Shows & DVD
March.7th.2008 - Friday
Multi-platinum selling rock band WARRANT, best known for classic MTV
staples' "Cherry Pie," "Heaven," and rock anthem "The Down Boys" will
co-headline the 2008 Rocklahoma Festival – marking the reunion of its
original line-up including Jani Lane (vocals); Joey Allen (lead guitar);
Jerry Dixon (bass); Erik Turner (Guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums) -- for
the first time in 14 years. Warrant will co-headline Rocklahoma with
Cinderella, it was announced today by XM's Boneyard/VH1 Classic host,
Eddie Trunk, at a press conference taking place at the world famous
Whisky A-Go Go. Rocklahoma is a popular four-day music festival taking
place July 10-13 in Pryor, OK, which attracts an impressive worldwide
audience and big ticket sales. More than 80 bands will be performing on
three giant stages with an expected attendance of more than 60,000 rock
fans from all 50 states, every Province in Canada and every country in
Europe. This phenomenon was covered in Rolling Stone's year-end issue
with an in-depth seven page spread.
Comments Warrant: "We are stoked to be back together after 14 years! The
best part will be playing live again for all the fans that never got to
experience the original Warrant party band from Hollywood, CA! We also
can't wait to play for all the fans who have waited so long for this
reunion. Cheers - and here we go again!
Warrant will hit the road with Cinderella this summer in July
immediately following Rocklahoma and also plan to release a live
performance DVD later this summer. An intimate Sunset Strip club date is
also expected to take place this year for loyal fans. It's been nearly
20 years and eight albums later, but the buzz surrounding Warrant
remains. The band has seen many changes since their first taste of
success in the late 80s/early 90s, but have always remained a key cog in
the ever-changing rock landscape. Warrant has endured death, record
label turnover, the loss of band members and close friends, but these
hardships have only added fuel to their fire. Warrant is back.
Rocklahoma is the world's largest rock festival of its type featuring
notable bands from the 80's and early 90's. Additional acts confirmed
for the festival include LA Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Beautiful Creatures,
Night Ranger, XYZ, Pretty Boy Floyd, Vain, Lynch Mob, Bret Michaels,
House of Lords, Jet Boy, Triumph, Kingdom Come and Tesla among others.
Warrant is managed by Carl Stubner and Blain Clausen from Sanctuary
Artist Management and is represented by agents Craig Mogil and Brian
Ahern from William Morris Agency. For more information on Warrant,
please visit
www.myspace.com/warrantband. For more
information on Rocklahoma, please visit
www.feverfest.com.
SunFest
Email / Press Release
SunFest, Florida's largest music, art and
waterfront festival, will be held April 30-May 4, along one of the most
scenic sections of Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. National
headline entertainment scheduled to perform include Sheryl Crow, Fergie,
The Black Crowes, John Legend, Natasha Bedingfield, The Mighty Mighty
Bosstones, Steel Pulse, Hellogoodbye, Stephen Marley, The Academy Is,
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Michael Franti & Spearhead,
Little Feat, Hot Tuna, The Rippingtons, Classic Albums Live, Little
River Band, Mindi Abair, and Morris Day & the Time. Additional
entertainment announcements will be made as they are confirmed.
"SunFest is a kick-off to the summer festival and touring season," said
Paul Jamieson, Executive Director of SunFest. "We're excited about our
line-up and believe it is one of the best in years."
New Music Night at SunFest
New to the SunFest line-up this year is New Music Night at SunFest. As a
part of SunFest's "Make it Your Own" theme, New Music Night at SunFest
will feature 15 bands in one night including Good Charlotte, Finger
Eleven, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Rue Melo, Carney, Cerveza, The Blakes,
Postmarks, The Whigs, The Drive Home, Chris McCarty Band, Landon Pigg,
and Gabe Dixon Band. The final two acts are pending contract approval
and will be released as confirmed.
For More Informaion: www.sunfest.com
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Sarah McLachlan - Rarities, B-Sides 2 And Other Stuff, Volume 2
March.6th.2008 - Thursday
Multi-platinum Arista recording artist Sarah McLachlan will release
Rarities, B-Sides 2 And Other Stuff, Volume 2 on April 29th, 2008.
Culminated from Sarah McLachlan's illustrious recording career, the
Rarities, B-Sides 2 And Other Stuff, Volume 2 collection contains Sarah
McLachlan material never before available before on one CD. The
collection includes live performances, rare recordings, remixes and
soundtrack contributions. In addition, the album includes exceptional,
one of a kind duets with Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Emmylou Harris, and
more!
Since signing with Arista nearly two decades ago, every one of Sarah
McLachlan's studio and live albums and videos have been certified gold,
platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond by the CRIA, starting with Touch
(1988) and Solace (1991), both platinum sellers. Her 1994 breakthrough,
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (2x platinum) was followed by the digitally
enhanced multimedia version of The Freedom Sessions (1995, gold).
Sarah's landmark fourth album, the Diamond certified Surfacing (1997),
contained two Grammy Award-winning tracks, as "Building a Mystery" won
for Best Female Pop Vocal, and "Last Dance" was voted Best Pop
Instrumental. 1999's quadruple-platinum Mirrorball, and its platinum
long-form video counterpart, were both culled from that year's Lilith
Fair tour, and spun off Sarah's third Grammy-winning performance, as "I
Will Remember You" won for Best Female Pop Vocal. The 5 times platinum
Afterglow followed in 2003, and received a Grammy nomination for Best
Pop Vocal Album, while its opening track, "Fallen" was nominated for
Best Female Pop Vocal.
***Note - Working Track listing below - Final to be announced shortly:
1.
Ordinary Miracle
2. Blackbird
3. Time After Time (with Cyndi Lauper)
4. River
5. Don't Let Go (with Bryan Adams)
6. Angel (Live) (with Emmylou Harris)
7. Pills (Live) (with The Perishers)
8. The Rainbow Connection
9. Prayer of St. Francis
10. Unchained Melody
11. Silence (DJ Tiesto ISOS Remix)
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I - IV
Email / Press Release
Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a
brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost
two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week
period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety
of new terrain.
Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this
kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made
sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of
working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and
scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very
pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you
without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of
Ghosts."
There are 4 different versions of this new album release. First off, there's a Free Download version that contains the first 9 tracks which can be obtained for free. A 5.00 download that contains all 36 tracks and a 40 page pdf booklet. 10.00 2xcd Set in digipak format with a 16 page booklet, which will ship on April 8th. This package also includes immediate full download of the album. There is also a 75.00 deluxe edition which contains a hardcover fabric slipcase containing the 2 cd's, 1 data DVD with all 36 tracks and a Blu-ray disc that contains all the tracks in HD with slideshow. This package will ship May 1st and contains immediate download of the album.
To Purchase: http://ghosts.nin.com/main/order_options
To Listen To Sound Clips: www.amazon.com
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2008 ROCKLAHOMA
LINEUP ANNOUNCED
◊
Clay Aiken - Pre Order His New Album!
◊
Bryan Adams -
Preview His New Album
◊ www.trixterrocks.com - Trixter is back! Along with the information that we exclusively confirmed in 2007, their live album will finally be released. You can Pre Order it for 17.00, T-Shirts are also available.
Def Leppard - Confirmed Release Date!
March.4th.2008 - Tuesday
Def Leppard, Great Britain's premiere arena rock band, is back with a
bang -- kicking off 2008 with the release of their 14th studio album and
a U.S. arena concert tour scheduled for this spring. Entitled "Songs
From The Sparkle Lounge" (Bludgeon Riffola/Island/UMe), the album set
for release on April 29, contains 11 new songs including the
highly-anticipated single "Nine Lives" featuring a groundbreaking
collaboration with country music superstar Tim McGraw. The band is set
to debut the single on ABC-TV's "Dancing With The Stars" on April 29 and
on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on April 30. "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" is
Def Leppard's first album of brand new material since 2002's "X" and
begins yet another remarkable new chapter in the band's 30-year
recording career.
Recorded last year during month-long stints at lead singer Joe Elliott's
Dublin studio, the album's title refers to a backstage area called "The
Sparkle Lounge" on Def Leppard's 2006 tour where the band would go to
write songs. Tracks from the album have been described by the group as
written in the style of "Hysteria," with the production of "High 'n'
Dry. "
"The whole record's got a great '70s feel," said lead singer Joe
Elliott. "By our standards, it's a very different album as we've been
very adventurous, musically, on certain numbers. On the album there are
classic Def Leppard songs and then there's also tracks that are very
new-wave influenced while others sound like middle-to-late '70s AC/DC.
There will definitely be some moments on it where anybody that's
familiar with our music will go, 'Whoa! I wasn't expecting that!'"
The foundation for the album's collaboration with country music
superstar Tim McGraw was laid at Def Leppard's 2006 Hollywood Bowl show
where McGraw joined the band on stage for an encore performance of "Pour
Some Sugar on Me." The artists stayed in touch following the
performance, and when the band started writing the song "Nine Lives"
they immediately thought of reaching out to McGraw to sing on it.
Guitarist Phil Collen flew to Nashville to play it for McGraw who loved
it and recorded the song in Nashville shortly after. Other standout
tracks on the album include "Go," reminiscent of the band's classic
track "Rocket" in its power and aggressive tribal beat; "Love," an
emotive and moving epic song; and the anthemic "Tomorrow," a song
written by guitarist Collen about the death of his father.
EVERCLEAR - The Vegas Years
Email / Press Release
Never shy about their influences and the
music they grew up on, multi-platinum rockers EVERCLEAR have long been
known for saluting the band's roots by recording and performing a
dynamic and eclectic array of covers. Now for the first time,
Everclear's best studio and concert recordings have been gathered for a
new collection, The Vegas Years, to be released April 15 by Capitol/EMI.
Produced by Everclear singer, guitarist and songwriter Art Alexakis, the
disc features 14 covers the band recorded between 1994 and this year,
including versions of Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" and Paul Revere & The
Raiders' "Kicks," both available exclusively on the new CD and digital
album release.
"I have wanted to do this record since 1997, as soon as I realized that
this was the closest I was ever going to get to being Frank Sinatra!"
writes Art in the liner notes for The Vegas Years. "The songs on this
record range from '80s pop and '60s rave-ups to blue-eyed soul, R&B and
old time country with a healthy dose of classic rock, for sure."
The collection includes live performances from Everclear's 2007 national
tour: Tommy Tutone's "867-5309 (Jenny)," adopted by the band as a
high-energy show closer, and Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," which can
also be heard on 2001's platinum-selling Songs From An American Movie:
Learning How To Smile album. The rest of the tracks are culled from
various studio sessions and include rare and never-before-heard
recordings, from "American Girl" -- recorded in 1994 for a Tom Petty
tribute album -- to two newly recorded covers: Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl"
and Paul Revere & The Raiders' "Kicks." Also included are Everclear's
takes on Yaz's "Bad Connection," Cheap Trick's "Southern Girls," Thin
Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town," Neil Young's "Pocahontas," The
Go-Go's' "Our Lips Are Sealed," Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your
Land," Little Jimmy Dickens' "Night Train To Memphis" and two classic TV
theme songs, "Land Of The Lost" and "Speed Racer."
On the touring front, the group -- ALEXAKIS, drummer BRETT SNYDER,
guitarist DAVE FRENCH, bassist SAM HUDSON and keyboardist JOSH CRAWLEY
-- will be back on the road this spring and summer, performing songs
from this new collection alongside Everclear favorites. For tour
announcements and other updates, please visit the band's official
Website and MySpace page:
www.everclearonline.com and
www.myspace.com/everclear.
EVERCLEAR: THE VEGAS YEARS (CD & Digital Album)
THE COVERS THE ORIGINALS
1. Rich Girl Hall & Oates
2. Our Lips Are Sealed Go-Go's
3. The Boys Are Back In Town Thin Lizzy
4. Bad Connection Yaz
5. Kicks Paul Revere & The Raiders
6. Pocahontas Neil Young
7. Night Train To Memphis Little Jimmy Dickens
8. This Land Is Your Land Woody Guthrie
9. American Girl Tom Petty
10. Brown Eyed Girl (Live) Van Morrison
11. Southern Girls Cheap Trick
12. Land Of The Lost TV theme
13. Speed Racer TV theme
(14.)** Live Intro **
15. 867-5309 (Jenny) (Live) Tommy Tutone
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Joe Elliott Enters Irish Singles Chart At #2
March.3rd.2008 - Monday
"THE BALLAD OF RONNIE DREW", a download-only single recorded by various
artists that was released last week, has entered the Irish singles chart
just one position short of the top spot. The song features a host of
Ireland's finest artist and is a tribute to Ronnie Drew, one of the
great voices of modern Irish music.
Among the collaborators you will not only find U2, The Dubliners,
Christy Moore, Shane MacGowan, Andrea Corr and Sinead O'Connor, but also
Joe Elliott; not Irish as such, but a long time Dublin resident. Joe:
"Anybody who was in town went, so it was a case of being asked and
saying 'when do you want me??'" To view the video for "THE BALLAD OF
RONNIE DREW" (featuring a few blink-and-you'll miss-Joe-moments), visit
U2.com.
The song is now also available on CD single in Ireland.
Tommy Shaw Is Now Inducted Into The Alabama Music Hall Of Fame
Styx singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw and Grand
Ole Opry performer Ernie Ashworth are among the artists who were
inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 22 in Montgomery.
The hall's induction ceremony will be held in Montgomery for the first
time and will be part of the opening weekend for the city's expanded
civic center and the new Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Civic Center.
David Johnson, executive director of the hall of fame, said Shaw and
Ashworth will be joined in the hall's 12th induction group by early rock
'n' roller Boyd Bennett, jazz bassist Cleveland Eaton, and songwriter
Donnie Fritts.
Johnson joined city and state officials in announcing the induction
plans Wednesday.
Randy Owen of the country group Alabama will be the master of
ceremonies, and performers will include Kris Kristofferson, Percy
Sledge, Taylor Hicks, the Commodores, Clarence Carter, Beth Nielsen
Chapman and Shaw, Johnson said.
Shaw, who grew up in Montgomery, joined Styx in 1975 and collaborated on
and wrote some of the group's biggest hits, including "Renegade",
"Crystal Ball," "Blue Collar Man," and "Too Much Time on My Hands." He
later teamed up with Ted Nugent, Jack Blades and Michael Cartellone to
form Damn Yankees and rejoined Styx in 1996. Shaw also has a project
entitled "Shaw/Blades" with Jack Blades of Night Ranger/Damn Yankees.
Ashworth, a Huntsville native, recorded 15 Top 10 hits, including "Talk
Back Trembling Lips." He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.
Bennett, from Muscle Shoals, wrote and sang "Seventeen" and "My Boy
Flattop" during the 1950s. "Seventeen" reached number five on the pop
charts.
Eaton, a well-known jazz bassist and arranger from Fairfield, played
with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, County Basie Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald,
Miles Davis and Sarah Vaughn.
Fritts, a native of Florence, wrote hit songs in a variety of music
formats, including "Easy to Love" for Joe Simon; "We Had It All," which
was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton; "You're Gonna Love
Yourself in the Morning," which was a hit for Bonnie Koloc; and "Choo
Choo Train" for the Boxtops. He played in Kristofferson's band for 25
years.
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is located in Tuscumbia. Previous
induction ceremonies have been in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile.
Rest In Peace - Jeff Healey Passes....
music.msn.com
Blind rock and jazz musician Jeff Healey has
died after a lifelong battle against cancer. He was 41.
Healey died Sunday evening in a Toronto hospital, said bandmate Colin
Bray, who was in the room with Healey's family when the guitarist died.
The Grammy-nominated Healey rose to stardom as the leader of the Jeff
Healey Band, a rock-oriented trio that gained international acclaim and
platinum record sales with the 1988 album "See the Light." The album
included the hit single "Angel Eyes."
Healey had battled cancer since age 1, when a rare form of retinal
cancer known as Retinoblastoma claimed his eyesight.
Due to his blindness, Healey taught himself to play guitar by laying the
instrument across his lap.
His unique playing style, combined with his blues-oriented vocals,
earned him a reputation as a teenage musical prodigy. He shared stages
with George Harrison, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Bray said he and many others expected the guitarist to rally from this
latest illness.
"I don't think any of us thought this was going to happen," Bray said.
"We just thought he was going to bounce back as he always does."
Healey had undergone numerous operations in recent years to remove
tumors from his lungs and leg.
Bray and fellow bandmate Gary Scriven remembered their frontman as a
musician of rare abilities with a generous nature and wicked sense of
humor.
Healey's true love was jazz, the genre that dominated his three most
recent albums.
His love of jazz led him to host radio shows in Canada where he spun
long-forgotten numbers from his personal collection of over 30,000 vinyl
records.
His death came weeks before the release of his first rock album in eight
years.
"Mess of Blues" is slated for a North American release on April 22.
He is survived by his wife, Christie, and two children.
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The Doors - Live In Pittsburgh 1970
February.29th.2008 - Friday
Rhino and Bright Midnight Archives deliver
another spectacular live performance from The Doors' final tour with THE
DOORS LIVE IN PITTSBURGH 1970. This single disc serves as a fitting
bookend to the three-disc Live In Boston collection released last year
featuring shows from the same tour. PITTSBURGH 1970 captures the quartet
tightly focused and intent on taking the audience on an epic musical
journey.
Recorded May 2, 1970 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, the album includes
more than an hour of fire and energy from singer Jim Morrison,
keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby
Krieger. Always eager to take a chance onstage or otherwise, Morrison
experiments with the musical dialogue during a 22-plus-minute version of
"When The Music's Over," leading the band into bits of songs that they'd
never played live. Along with gems like "Five To One" and "Break On
Through," the group also performed covers of Robert Johnson's
"Crossroads Blues" and the band's signature cover of Howlin' Wolf's
"Back Door Man." Before closing with an extended take on "Light My
Fire," Manzarek took the microphone with backup by Morrison for "Close
To You."
LIVE IN PITTSBURGH 1970 is mixed and mastered by engineer Bruce Botnick,
who recorded several shows from The Doors' 1970 tour on multitrack tape
for the Absolutely Live album. The concert would have been released
sooner if it were not for two missing sections from the 8-track masters.
The dialogue section that comes before "Close To You" has been replaced
using the live 2-track stereo tapes and titled here as Tonight You're In
For A Special Treat. The other missing section was of the first 16 bars
of music from the beginning of Manzarek's solo on "Light My Fire."
Instead of allowing the missing music to prevent the release of this
show, the band decided to insert the missing music from one of the other
1970 concerts.
To Be Released March 4th, 2008.
Eddie Money Going Country
Yahoo.com
Eddie Money is going country. The veteran
rocker is working on an album featuring countrified remakes of some of
his early hits, including "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Hard Life."
The first single from "The Other Side of Money," a new version of "Give
Me Some Water" recorded in Nashville with backing vocals by Grammy
winner Vince Gill and co-produced by John Ford Coley, is scheduled to be
released this weekend.
The album is a production of Big 7 Records, a small country record label
based in Northern California, where Money began his career.
Dennis Sanfillipo, who co-founded Big 7 with some of the millions he won
in the state lottery 16 years ago, has known the gravelly voiced singer
for years and helped persuade him to give country music a try.
"I knew Eddie was really well-known, but the way the country people have
ingratiated him to the community is really incredible," Sanfillipo said.
Money, 58, released his last album of new music in 1999 and came out
last year with a disc of 1960s soul and R&B covers.
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(Streaming) - May 6th (Recorded May 28/29, 2007)