Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Bad Company Reuniting For 10-City Tour

Last August, Bad Company reunited for a one-off gig at the Hollywood, Florida Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and the surviving members of the group will return to that venue on June 17 to kick off a 10-date reunion tour.

Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirkes will be on the road to promote their Hard Rock Live DVD, recorded at last year's show, which will be sold at all the shows before being made widely available on August 8.

Rodgers talked to Billboard about the reunion. "It was a really good show. Both the band and the fans were on fire. Queen [Rodgers is their current lead singer] does fantastic versions of my material, but it was very authentic playing with the guys, very much the real deal, I guess."

Joining the trio of original members will be Lynn Sorenson from Rodgers' solo band and Howard Leese, formerly of Heart. The Doobie Brothers will be opening all of the shows except the final one in Atlantic City.

Rodgers did say not to expect additional shows as he will be using the rest of the year to write new material.

The tour dates:

  • 06/19/09 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
  • 06/20/09 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
  • 06/21/09 - Birmingham, AL - Downtown
  • 06/23/09 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
  • 06/24/09 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
  • 06/27/09 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
  • 06/28/09 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
  • 07/01/09 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
  • 07/02/09 - Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands PAC (CMAC)
  • 07/04/09 - Atlantic City, NJ - Resorts Atlantic City

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Happy Birthday 45, Brett Hudson Reveals Throat Cancer, more

Today is the 60th anniversary of the 45 RPM record. It was on this date in 1949 that RCA released Eddy Arnold's Texarcana Baby backed with Bouquet of Roses in the brand new format.

The 45 was originally designed to be a smaller, more durable and better quality version of a 78. Popularity peaked in the early- to mid-1960's, after which time the album became the big thing, but singles never completely died out and have seen a bit of a resurgence in recent years.

Brett Hudson of the 70's group the Hudson Brothers revealed that he has been battling throad cancer for over a year and has beat it using a state-of-the-art treatment not available in the U.S. He was appearing at the NY Metro Fest for Beatles Fans with his brother Mark when he said, "On August 27, 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. My doctors told me to get my affairs in order and that I wouldn't survive six months. I proved them wrong.

"I was headed toward a morbid operation to remove my larynx when my dear friend Cher, whom I've known for 35 years, led me to a doctor in Germany, and today I don't have cancer.

"Bottom line: You go to Germany, they'll cure your cancer. You stay in America, they'll cure you if you survive the treatment."
In a follow-up to a previous story, Jason Newstead will not only join Metallica at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony this Saturday, he will also perform with the band.

Lars Ulrich called Newstead last Thursday and told him that they wanted the Black Album lineup to perform at the ceremony and that it was fine with current basist Robert Trujillo.

Three of the groups four bassists will be inducted, including Newstead, Trujillo and Cliff Burton who passed away in 1986. Dave Mustaine will not go in as he never actually played on a Metallica record.
It is being reported that Michael Jackson will bring his son, Prince Michael Jr., on stage with him for a few of the shows during his London run.
Tonight is the official opening for the revival of Hair on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. It has been in previews since March 6.
Is it a true sign of the death of Rock & Roll that the Dead played live Monday on The View?

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New Releases: March 31, 2009

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Williams Giving Back to Her Fans, Gabriel Plays Diplomat, more

Lucinda Williams is giving back to her fans. While she doesn't control the ticket prices for her shows, she is giving everyone who attends a discount at the merchandise table of $7 on clothing and $5 on CDs.

"I understand that this may only be a small gesture and in no way solves the problem long term, but I feel that it is important to try and do something to make it a little easier during this time."

Peter Gabriel met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón last week and urged him to stop the violence against women and murders in the Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua provinces. Over 470 women, generally in their teens or early-20's, since 1993.
The childhood home of Jimi Hendrix in Renton, Washington is being demolished. The city council ordered the owner to demolish the property after an attempt to raise funds to do repairs fell through.
Hal Durham, who was manager of the Grand Ole Opry for 15-years and an announcer for WSM and the Opry, passed away this past weekend at the age of 77. Durham is credited with bringing the Opry into the modern era of country music by doing away with many of the more antiquated rules (such as not allowing drum sets) and inducting more modern artists like Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs and Reba McEntire.
The BBC's Andy Parfitt says that Top of the Pops will most likely never return to the TV as a weekly series. Even with huge ratings for Christmas and Comic Relief specials, "I don’t think we should get hung up on that one programme. We are a long way from (BBC1 controller) Jay Hunt recommissioning Top Of The Pops in its old-school form on BBC1."
Finally, don't forget that tomorrow night on Fox, right after American Idol, is the premier of the Osbournes: Reloaded. On second thought, maybe you should forget. In recent interviews, three of four family members (not including Sharon) have expressed their general disliking for it.

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Crosby, Stills & Nash Releasing Early Demos

Crosby, Stills & Nash are dipping way back into their history and releasing a new twelve-track set of demos from the late-60's and early-70's. Crosby, Stills & Nash Demos will be released June 2 through Rhino Records.

Included are a number of their best known songs in raw, unfinished versions, including Marrakesh Express, Deja Vu, Chicago and Love the One You're With.

Graham Nash told Billboard, "It's fascinating stuff. On some of these songs you really hear us becoming a band, trying out different ideas in our songwriting and singing and harmonies. It really is a time capsule."

According to Billboard:

The Demos version of Long Time Gone, for instance, features just Crosby and Stills during June of 1968, a few weeks before Nash joined the group. Marrakesh Express, meanwhile, was recorded four months before CSN's first album came out in 1969. The set also includes: a Crosby solo demo of Almost Cut My Hair; a Stills solo take of My Love is a Gentle Thing form 1969; Neil Young joining Crosby and Nash on Music is Love for Crosby's 1971 solo debut album If I Could Only Remember My Name; and demos of three tracks for Nash's 1971 solo debut Songs For Beginners -- Sleep Song, Be Yourself and Chicago.
The full track list:
  • Marrakesh Express
  • Almost Cut My Hair
  • You Don't Have to Cry
  • Deja Vu
  • Sleep Song
  • My Love is a Gentle Thing
  • Be Yourself
  • Music is Love
  • Singing Call
  • Long Time Gone
  • Chicago
  • Love the One You're With

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Paul Carrack Wants You to Know His Name

For many, say the name Paul Carrack, and you'll probably get a blank stare, but tell them the names of the groups that he has lead and you're more likely to get a "I love their songs."

Carrack has been an active hitmaker since the late-7o's, fronting Ace (How Long), Mike & the Mechanics (The Living Years) and Squeeze (Tempted). He returns as a solo artist with his latest album, I Know That Name, on May 5 via 429 Records.

The album, his fourteenth, contains twelve all new compositions on which Carrack plays every instrument except the horns. The album is produced by Dave Robinson (founder of Stiff Records) and includes a guest appearance by Timothy B. Schmidt and Don Henley of the Eagles on the track I Don't Want To Hear It Any More.

In addition, 429 Records will release the first single, No Doubt About It, on April 21 and will reissue Carrack's 2003 album, It Ain't Over.

Per the press release:

Paul Carrack has had a long and illustrious career spanning many years and distinguished by the respect he's garnered from fellow musicians, producers and the listening public. Best known for his work with the band Ace (he sang lead on the worldwide smash hit "How Long...has this been going on"), as one of the lead vocalists for Mike & The Mechanics (singing lead on their smash hits "Silent Running" and "The Living Years") and as a member of Squeeze (he sang lead vocals on their biggest hit "Tempted"), Paul Carrack guested on over 60 albums with artists as diverse as Nick Lowe, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Roxy Music, John Hiatt, Roger Waters, The Smiths and The Pretenders! In addition to performing, Carrack has lent his songwriting talent to blockbuster projects by artists such as The Eagles, Diana Ross and Michael McDonald.
The track list for the album:
  • Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City
  • I Don't Want to Hear Any More (w/ Don Henley & Timothy B. Schmit)
  • It Ain't Easy (To Love Somebody)
  • No Doubt About It
  • I Don't Want Your Love (I Need Your Love)
  • Stay Awake (I'm Coming Home)
  • Just 4 Tonite
  • Love Is Thicker Than Water
  • If I Didn't Love You
  • Who Am I?
  • Eyes of Blue
  • Am I in That Dream?

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U2 Breaks East-Coast Records for Ticket Sales

U2 is making it a regular thing to break ticket sales records. Today (Monday), they managed to sell 82,000 for New York, 72,000 for Boston and 65,000 for Chicago, all called "instantaneous sellouts" and setting a new attendance records in each city.

Additional dates are being scheduled for all three cities with September 13 at Chicago's Soldier Field, September 21 at Boston's Foxboro Stadium and September 25 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

New dates have also been announced for Washington, Charlottesville (VA), Atlanta, Tampa, Los Angeles and Vancouver. For an updated list of U2's dates, see our Touring page.

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Dylan is Free, Yardbirds Are Playing, more

For the next 24 hours, you can get the track Beyond Here Lies Nothin' from Bob Dylan's new album at www.bobdylan.com.

The Yardbirds are still around. The current incarnation of the group includes original members Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja, who recently played a series of dates in Canada. On April 24, they will also be the first group to play the new Live Room at Twickenham Stadium in England.
Winners of a couple of top awards at the 30th Annual Blues Music Awards on May 7 will have the honor of receiving their trophies from the artist whose name is on the award. B.B. King will be on hand to hand out the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award while Pinetop Perkins will give out the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award.

Performers for the 6-hour ceremony will include Bettye LaVette, Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas, Otis Taylor, Marcia Ball, Rory Block, Maria Muldaur and many more.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week kicked off Saturday night in Cleveland with the Moondog Coronation Ball. The name refers back to the March 21, 1952 show put on by Allen Freed that ended up in a riot.

Appearing were Jerry Butler, Little Richard, Three Dog Night, Herman's Hermits Featuring Peter Noone and Tommy James and the Shondells. Reports say that Little Richard was brought on stage in a wheelchair but that his playing and singing were still spot on.
Tony Christie will follow veteran artists like Shirley Bassey and Neil Diamond onto the stage at Britain's Glastonbury Festival. Christie told the BBC, "I'm going to do some of the new album tracks and I've got to do my old stuff as well.

"I did the V Festival three years ago but I think Glastonbury is the big one, so it's a great honour."
Gene Simmons says that Kiss has four tunes in the can for their upcoming album. "If you're a fan of our stuff from about 1977, you'll feel right at home."
ASCAP has added Guy Clark, Allen Shamblin, Willie Nelson and Michael Martin Murphey to their Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association Honor Roll.
Yahoo! Music have picked their "Ones to Watch" for the year and it includes many up-and-comers like Ida Maria and Glasvegas, but right in the middle is 70-year-old J.J. Cale.

"...he's a brilliant performer in his own right: his relaxed, papery whisper of a voice captivating; his sparse guitar work endlessly evocative."

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Messina and Furay Rejoin Poco for Stagecoach Festival

Over the years, Poco has gone through numerous lineup changes (19 according to one source), but some of the group's most famous are reuniting for this year's Stagecoach Festival. Former members Jim Messina and Richie Furay will join current members Rusty Young, Paul Cotton, Jack Sundrud and George Lawrence for a one time performance.

All six have never played together before, but history shows that various combinations have formed the group in the past:

  • Messina was with the group from its inception in 1968 through 1970 and returned for a stint from 1988 to 1991
  • Furay was also an original member in 1968 and stayed until 1973, returning from 1988 to 1990.
  • Young was there from the inception in 1968 and has been part of the group for its entire history.
  • Cotton joined in 1970 and stayed through 1987, returning in 1992 and staying on through today.
  • Sundrud joined in 1985 and left in 1987, returning for a portion of 1990 and once again in 2000 through today.
  • Lawrence originally sat in for Tim Smith for some shows in 1999 and became a full-time member in 2004.
Of the original 1968 group, Randy Meisner and George Gratham are not participating, nor is Timothy B. Schmidt who was in the group from 1969 to 1977.

In talking about the appearances, Young said "Poco has an unmistakable place in American music history. It's a legacy that runs through Buffalo Springfield, Loggins and Messina, Souther-Hillman-Furay, and the Eagles. And that legacy lives on today."

A new album may also be recorded along with the release of a book from Young on his forty years with the group.

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Lists: Classic Female Singers & Essential Blues

There are a LOT of people out there making music lists, with most of them being marginal at best. Many times they are assembled by people with a limited knowledge of the subject or, even worse, are only aware of music released in the last five to ten years.

In the last week, we've come across two excellent lists where it appears the writers were experts in their fields. The first comes from Yahoo Music's Rob O'Connor, who posts a List of the Day five days a week covering many facets of music. O'Connor is always able to surprise with some our-of-left-field picks, as can be seen by the following compilation of 25 Classic Female Rock and Folk Singers.

  1. Joni Mitchell
  2. Marianne Faithfull
  3. Fiona Apple
  4. Sheryl Crow
  5. Rickie Lee Jones
  6. Tracy Chapman
  7. Linda Thompson
  8. Pat Benatar
  9. Stevie Nicks
  10. Tori Amos
  11. Judee Sill
  12. Judy Collins
  13. Sandy Denny
  14. Carole King
  15. Sarah McLachlan
  16. Suzanne Vega
  17. Bonnie Raitt
  18. Laura Nyro
  19. Sade
  20. Joan Baez
  21. Wanda Jackson
  22. Janis Joplin
  23. Joan Osbourne
  24. Melissa Ethridge
  25. Christine McVie
Like every list of this type, it's easy to say "Hey, where's..." but O'Connor's already done that for you. He admits he should have put Odetta and Mary Travers on the list and we'd probably remove both Judy Collins and Joan Baez, but you have to give the guy some admiration for including artists like Laura Nyro, Linda Thompson and Sandy Denny. Plus, you have to admit, you never saw Judee Sill coming.

Our second list comes from, well, we're not quite sure. The site is drewsblues.net and there are some great blues album reviews, artist biographies and guitar lessons along with this recent list of Essential Blues: 10 Must Have Collections. These are Drew's albums to get if you want to hear the blues that influenced a whole generation of Rock-n-Rollers.
  • The Complete Recordings - Robert Johnson
  • The Willie Dixon Chess Box - Willie Dixon/Various Artists
  • Folk Singer - Muddy Waters
  • Live at the Regal - B.B. King
  • King of the Blues Guitar - Albert King
  • The Bessie Smith Collection - Bessie Smith
  • T-Bone Blues - T-Bone Walker
  • His Best (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection) - Little Walter
  • The Sky is Crying: The History of Elmore James - Elmore James
  • Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Collection - Various Artists

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Chart Watch: March 27, 2009

Our weekly recap of veteran artists on the current music charts. Chart highlights:

  • It's amazing what an appearance on American Idol can do for an artist, especially a veteran country singer. Randy Travis' new hits compillation, I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits, debuts at number 21 on the Album and 3 on the Country Album charts. Plus, the retooled Carrie Underwood single of I Told You So, which now includes vocals by Travis, moves up to number 9 on the Hot 100 and 4 on the Digital Songs chart. That is, by far, the highest that Travis has ever been on the Hot 100, with his 2003 hit Three Little Crosses being the previous record holder at number 31.
  • Also in country, George Strait's River of Love moves 4 to 3 on the singles chart. It's been a long climb for the single, but there still seems to be an outside chance that the song will become Strait's 57th chart topper on any chart and 44th on the Country Singles chart.
  • Metallica's Cyanide moves into the number 1 spot on the Mainstream Rock chart. That's their seventh record to top that chart.
  • Lionel Richie's new album, Just Go, starts strong on the British Album chart, premiering at number 10. The single of the title song which features Akon premiers at 71 on the singles side.
  • On the lower sides of the charts, Marianne Faithfull's Easy Come, Easy Go starts out at number 100 on the British and 182 on the U.S. Album charts.
Previous week position noted in parenthesis.
Comprehensive

Top 100 Albums

Top 50 Singles
  • #1 (1) - Right Round - Flo Rida
  • #2 (3) - Poker Face - Lady GaGa
  • #3 (4) - Kiss Me Thru the Phone - Soulja Boy Tell 'em Featuring Sammie
  • #9 (57) - I Told You So - Carrie Underwood Featuring Randy Travis

See the rest of the charts below the cut.
Top 25 Digital Songs
  • #1 (1) - Right Round - Flo Rida
  • #2 (2) - Poker Face - Lady Gaga
  • #3 (3) - Kiss Me Thru the Phone - Suolja Boy Tell 'em Featuring Sammie
  • #4 (-) - I Told You So - Carrie Underwood Featuring Randy Travis


Top 25 Pop Catalog Albums
R&B

Top 50 R&B Albums
  • #1 (1) - Love vs. Money - The-Dream
  • #2 (-) - Don't Feed Da Animals - Gorilla Zoe
  • #3 (1) - Intuition - Jamie Fox
  • #6 (5) - Uncle Charlie - Charlie Wilson
  • #39 (46) - Cadillac Records - Soundtrack

Top 50 R&B Songs
  • #1 (1) - Blame It - Jamie Foxx Featuring T-Pain
  • #2 (2) - Turnin' Me On - Keri Hilson Featuring Lil Wayne
  • #3 (3) - Rockin' That Thang - The-Dream
  • #16 (18) - There Goes My Baby - Charlie Wilson

Top 10 R&B Catalog Albums
  • #1 (1) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
  • #2 (3) - The Best of Keith Sweat: Make You Sweat - Keith Sweat
  • #3 (8) - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
  • #4 (4) - Legend - Bob Marley & the Wailers
  • #6 (6) - The Ultimate - Luther Vandross
Country

Top 25 Country Albums

Top 25 Country Songs
  • #1 (2) - It Won't Be Like This For Long - Darius Rucker
  • #2 (5) - White Horses - Taylor Swift
  • #3 (4) - River of Love - George Strait
  • #6 (2) - Cowgirls Don't Cry - Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
  • #11 (12) - I Told You So - Carrie Underwood Featuring Randy Travis

Top 10 Country Catalog Albums
  • #1 (1) - Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood
  • #2 (2) - Enjoy the Ride - Sugarland
  • #3 (3) - Relentless - Jason Aldean
  • #4 (4) - 30 #1 Hits - Elvis Presley
  • #9 (8) - 50 Number Ones - George Strait
Rock

Top 10 Rock Albums

Top 10 Hard Rock Albums
  • #1 (1) - Dark Horse - Nickelback
  • #2 (2) - Cult of Static - Static-X
  • #3 (3) - Rock N Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
  • #8 (7) - Death Magnetic - Metallica

Top 20 Mainstream Rock Tracks
  • #1 (2) - Cyanide - Metallica
  • #2 (3) - Lifeline - Papa Roach
  • #3 (1) - Something in Your Mouth - Nickelback
  • #15 (10) - Big Jack - AC/DC

Top 20 AAA Tracks
  • #1 (1) - Crack the Shutters - Snow Patrol
  • #2 (2) - You Found Me - The Fray
  • #3 (3) - Magnificent - U2
  • #6 (6) - We Let Her Down - Chris Isaak
  • #16 (10) - Love's a Mystery - Pretenders
  • #18 (11) - Working on a Dream - Bruce Springsteen
Adult Contemporary

Top 20 Adult Contemporary Tracks
  • #1 (1) - I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
  • #2 (2) - Love Story - Taylor Swift
  • #3 (3) - Viva La Vida - Coldplay
  • #11 (12) - It's Growing - James Taylor
  • #16 (16) - Just Go - Lionel Richie

Top 20 Adult Top 40 Tracks
  • #1 (1) - You Found Me - The Fray
  • #2 (2) - Sober - Pink
  • #3 (5) - My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
  • No Veteran Artists Charting
Dance

Top 25 Dance Club Play
  • #1 (2) - The Fear - Lily Allen
  • #2 (6) - God in Me - Mary Mary
  • #3 (4) - Not Falling Apart - Maroon 5
  • #12 (8) - Superlover - Labelle

Top 10 Dance Singles Sales
  • #1 (-) - Halo - Beyonce
  • #2 (1) - Day 'N' Nite - Kid Cudi
  • #3 (2) - Just Dance - Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Danis
  • #10 (9) - Miles Away - Madonna
Jazz

Top 15 Jazz Albums

Top 15 Contemporary Jazz Albums
  • #1 (1) - Send One Your Love - Boney James
  • #2 (-) - Returns - Return to Forever
  • #3 (2) - Modern Art - The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman
  • #4 (3) - Re: Generations - Nat King Cole
  • #12 (8) - River: The Joni Letters - Herbie Hancock
Americana

Music Association Top 40 Airplay
United Kingdom

Top 100 British Albums

Top 100 British Singles
  • #1 (4) - Poker Face - Lady Gaga
  • #2 (2) - Right Round - Flo Rida
  • #3 (1) - Islands in the Stream - Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Tom Jones & Barry Gibb
  • #58 (39) - Shining Light - Annie Lennox
  • #67 (50) - Get On Your Boots - U2
  • #71 (-) - Just Go - Lionel Richie Featuring Akon
  • #93 (105) - Why - Annie Lennox
  • #100 (76) - Walking on Broken Glass - Annie Lennox
Canada

Top 100 Canadian Albums

Top 100 Canadian Singles
  • #1 (1) - Love Story - Taylor Swift
  • #2 (2) - My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
  • #3 (5) - Right Round - Flo Rida
  • #30 (34) - I Told You So - Carrie Underwood Featuring Randy Travis
  • #35 (32) - River of Love - George Strait
  • #57 (36) - Down the Road - Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally
  • #71 (44) - Get On Your Boots - U2
  • #74 (66) - Big Jack - AC/DC
  • #83 (70) - Cowgirls Don't Cry - Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
  • #90 (80) - Never Alone - Rankin Family
Australia

Top 50 Australian Albums

Top 50 Australian Singles
  • #1 (2) - Love Story - Taylor Swift
  • #2 (1) - Right Round - Flo Rida
  • #3 (4) - Halo - Beyonce
  • No Veteran Artists Charting

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Black Sabbath Finally Go Digital, Dead Auctioning Off the Good Seats, more

One of the last holdouts in moving to the digital world will finally give up the ghost next Monday when the full 18-album back catalog of Black Sabbath becomes available for the first time. Brian Rose of Universal said, "The Black Sabbath catalogue is one of the most iconic catalogues to be missing from the digital market. We are delighted that from 30th March music fans will finally be able to download and stream Black Sabbath's music from our digital partners."

The Dead are auctioning off some of the best seats for their upcoming tour to try to head off the scalpers.

Mickey Hart told Billboard, "We want to keep away from all of that. You always keep your fingers crossed that the bad guys don't get in there and turn profits for themselves."

The group is hoping to raise $250,000 for the Rex Foundation, the Further Foundation, the Unbroken Chain Foundation and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
A group of neroscientists in London have tried playing various artists' music for stroke victims to see if there is any effect on the healing process. According to the group, the music of Kenny Rogers had the best results in speeding the patients' cognitive recovery.
Last year a new version of Monopoly was released centered around the Beatles. According to a report from the Fest for Beatles Fans in Secaucus, New Jersey, a new version of Trivial Pursuit was on display called The Beatles Collector's Edition. No release date has been announced.
Add another person who will be taking the stage when Metallica is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Ray Burton won't be playing with the group. Ray is the father of late bassist Cliff Burton.
Paul Stanley has told a Brazilian site that the new Kiss album will be out in September. He also stated that it will be "a classic Kiss album" with a more music in the vein of Destroyer and Love Gun.
Reba McEntire will debut her new single, Strange, when she hosts the ACM Awards on April 5.
Pete Townshend has told the Sydney Daily Telegraph that, if it weren't for John Entwistle's death in 2002, he would have left the Who. The guitarist only agreed to do that year's greatest hits tour to help Entwistle with his heavy debt and, when the bass player died the day before the tour was to begin, Townshend threw himself into it as he felt his friend would have wanted.

"Roger and I were thrown together. We had been respectful, and friendly to each other, but we had never been great friends. We had never managed to find a way to live with how different we are, and how differently we think and work. With John gone, we were on our own, no distractions, no excuses that we were working to help John pay his debts.

"We had to decide whether to go on, just the two of us, or take the opportunity to stop. Suddenly, I realised I wanted to go on."

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Lennon Film Gets Into Legal Hassle, Iggy Pop Sings Autumn Leaves, more

The John Lennon film, Nowhere Boy, may be in for some legal hassles. The movie is based on the book Imagine This: Growing Up With My Brother John Lennon by Julia Baird; however, Baird had written a similar book in the late-80's (John Lennon, My Brother) with writer Geoffrey Giuliano.

According to a new lawsuit, Giuliano says that Baird based much of her new book on research that he did for their collaboration. He is looking for 50% of the money that Baird makes from the film.

Iggy Pop's French inspired jazz album, Preliminaires (Foreplay), will be in stores on June 2 via Astralworks. Along with originals, the album also includes takes on Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves) in the original French and Antonio Carlos Jobim's How Insensitive.

In describing the album, Pop called it a "quieter album, with some jazz overtones, because at one point, I just got sick of listening to idiot thugs with guitars banging out crappy music and I've started listening to a lot of New Orleans-era, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton type of jazz."
We have to say that this has been an especially bad week for the passing of veteran musicians. Saxophone player Johnny Cox, who played with the Swinging Medallions, passed away last Saturday from lung cancer. He had been a mainstay for many years in the South Carolina club scene.
They've never had a lot to say about veteran music artists, but we'd like to note that Blender magazine is ceasing publication and going net only.

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Grand Ole Opry Classic Performances Released

The Grand Ole Opry has always been just as much about the artists of the past as the current hit makers and up-and-comers. It's not unusual to see someone like Opry member Carrie Underwood being followed on stage by Little Jimmy Dickens or Jeannie Seely.

Salutes to the greats of the genre have now become a part of the regular Opry schedule with a new regular Thursday performance called Opry Country Classics. The new series premiered last night with hosts Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band and guests Jim Ed Brown, the Whites, the Del McCoury Band, Jack Greene, Lorrie Morgan, Loretta Lynn and more.

To celebrate the new series, the Opry has released two new CDs with classic performances dating back as far as 1943 through 1974 from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium.

Sit back and relive the music and memories of Opry Country Classics. These are the quintessential songs that have defined country music for generations of fans. The best of the best. These are the songs that have been requested time and time again on country radio stations and in theatres, dance halls, and honky tonks across America, not to mention at the Grand Ole Opry.

Each of the classics included here was recorded live from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium — the Mother Church of Country Music and home to the Opry from 1943 to 1974. Relax and let the music take you back to that Ryman stage … and to where you were when you first heard the songs that have today become Opry Country Classics.

The track lists for both volumes are after the cut.

The track list for Volume 1:
  • The Grand Tour- George Jones
  • Jolene- Dolly Parton
  • Blue Moon Of Kentucky- Bill Monroe
  • Oh Lonesome Me- Don Gibson
  • End Of The World- Skeeter Davis
  • Green Green Grass Of Home- Porter Wagoner
  • Hello Walls- Willie Nelson and Faron Young
  • Great Speckled Bird- Roy Acuff
  • May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose- Jimmy Dickens
  • Stand By Your Man- Tammy Wynette
The track list for Volume 2:
  • Walking The Floor Over You- Ernest Tubb
  • You Ain't Woman Enough- Loretta Lynn
  • Keep On The Sunnyside- The Carter Family
  • El Paso- Marty Robbins
  • Second Fiddle To An Old Guitar- Jean Shepard
  • The Three Bells- The Browns
  • Still- Bill Anderson
  • Salty Dog Blues- Flatt & Scruggs
  • Once A Day- Connie Smith
  • Folsom Prison Blues- Johnny Cash

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

"England" Dan Seals (1948-2009)

Dan Seals, who had career success as half of England Dan and John Ford Coley and as a solo country singer, passed away Wednesday in Nashville from complications of cancer. He was 61.

Seals was born in McCamey, Texas and, with his parents and brother Jim Seals (of Seals & Crofts fame), played in the Seals Family Band. After their parent's divorce, Seals' mother settled in Dallas where he played in local garage bands and first met John Ford Coley.

The pair formed a band called the Southwest F.O.B. and had a minor national hit in 1968 with Smell of Incense which peaked at number 58. After kicking around the music scene as a duo for most of the early-70's, England Dan and John Ford Coley finally broke big in 1976 with I'd Really Love to See You Tonight. They would follow with five more top 40 hits before splitting in 1980.

Initially, Seals tried to make his way in the pop world but dark times were ahead when the IRS came after him for back taxes, seizing almost everything he owned. Two years later, in 1983, he decided to return to his first love, country music, scoring his first major country hit in 1984 with God Must Be a Cowboy. Over the next ten years, Seals had eleven number one country songs, including a run of nine straight in the late-80's.

Since the country hits stopped in 1994, Seals has been very busy on the touring circuit, including working with his brother as Seals & Seals.

A list of Seals major hits after the cut.

Major hits in England Dan & John Ford Coley:

  • I'd Really Love to See You Tonight (1976/#2 Pop/#1 Adult Contemporary)
  • Nights Are Forever Without You (1976/#10 Pop/#6 Adult Contemporary)
  • It's Sad to Belong (1977/#21 Pop/#1 Adult Contemporary)
  • We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again (1978/#9 Pop/#1 Adult Contemporary)
  • Love is the Answer (1979/#10 Pop/#1 Adult Contemporary)
Major hits as a solo artist:
  • God Must Be a Cowboy (1984/#10 Country)
  • (You Bring Out) The Wild Side in Me (1984/#9 Country)
  • My Baby's Got Good Timing (1984/#2 Country)
  • My Old Yellow Car (1985/#9 Country)
  • Meet Me in Montana (with Marie Osmond) (1985/#1 Country)
  • Bop (1985/#1 Country/#10 Adult Contemporary/#42 Pop)
  • Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold) (1986/#1 Country)
  • You Still Move Me (1986/#1 Country)
  • I Will Be There (1987/#1 Country)
  • Three Time Loser (1987/#1 Country)
  • One Friend (1987/#1 Country)
  • Addicted (1988/#1 Country)
  • Big Wheels in the Moonlight (1988/#1 Country)
  • They Rage On (1989/#5 Country)
  • Love On Arrival (1990/#1 Country)
  • Good Times (1990/#1 Country)

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Set List: Allman Brothers at the Beacon - The Middle Shows

The Allman Brothers continued their 15-show residency at the Beacon Theater in New York by bringing on even bigger names. During the middle five shows, the group featured guests Eric Clapton, John Hammond, Bonnie and Bekka Bramlett, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi and more.

The set lists for the middle five nights of the Beacon run are under the cut.

Monday, March 16

  • Set 1
    • Statesboro Blues
    • Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
    • Hot 'Lanta
    • Who's Been Talking
    • Come and Go Blues
    • Desdemona
    • So Many Roads (with John Hammond)
    • Shake For Me (with John Hammond)
    • Cryin' For My Baby (with John Hammond)
  • Set 2
    • Oncoming Traffic (with Bonnie Bramlett)
    • Comin' Home (with Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett)
    • Only You Know and I Know (with Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett)
    • Come On In My Kitchen (with John Hammond and Bonnie Bramlett)
    • The Weight (with Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett, Susan Tedeschi and Bruce Katz)
    • No One to Run With
  • Encore
    • Preachin' Blues
    • Jessica

Tuesday, March 17
  • Set 1
    • Don't Want You No More
    • It's Not My Cross to Bear
    • Trouble No More
    • Rockin' Horse
    • Soulshine
    • You Don't Love Me
    • New Instrumental
    • Please Be With Me (with Tommy Talton, Scott Boyer and Brian Mitchell)
    • All My Friends (with Tommy Talton, Scott Boyer and Brian Mitchell)
    • Get Song (with Tommy Talton, Scott Boyer and Brian Mitchell)
  • Set 2
    • It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (with Sheryl Crow and Brian Mitchell)
    • Midnight Rider (with Sheryl Crow)
    • Can't Find My Way Home (with Sheryl Crow and Brian Mitchell)
    • Statesboro Blues
    • Ain't Wastin' Time No More
    • Hoochie Coochie Man
    • The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (with Scott Boyer and Brian Mitchell)
  • Encore
    • One Way Out (with Tommy Talton, Scott Boyer and James van de Bogert)

Thursday, March 19
  • Set 1
    • Little Martha
    • Statesboro Blues
    • Done Somebody Wrong
    • Revival
    • Woman Across the River
    • Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
    • Whipping Post
  • Set 2
    • Oncoming Traffic
    • Come and Go Blues
    • Good Morning Little School Girl (with Danny Louis of Gov't. Mule)
    • Key to the Highway (with Eric Clapton)
    • Dreams (with Eric Clapton)
    • Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?
    • Little Wing (with Eric Clapton)
    • Anyday (with Eric Clapton and Susan Tedeschi)
  • Encore
    • Layla (with Eric Clapton and Danny Louis)

Friday, March 20
  • Set 1
    • Little Martha
    • Mountain Jam (Part 1)
    • Trouble No More
    • Midnight Rider
    • Forty-Four Blues (with Danny Lewis)
    • Wasted Words
    • Gambler's Roll
    • Ain't Wastin' Time No More
    • Mountain Jam (Part 2)
  • Set 2
    • Melissa
    • Leave My Blues at Home
    • No One to Run To
    • Key to the Highway (with Eric Clapton)
    • Stormy Monday (with Eric Clapton)
    • Dreams (with Eric Clapton)
    • Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? (with Eric Clapton)
    • Little Wing (with Eric Clapton)
    • In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (with Eric Clapton)
  • Encore
    • Layla (with Eric Clapton and Danny Louis)

Saturday, March 21
  • Set 1
    • One Way Out
    • Statesboro Blues
    • Black Hearted Woman
    • The Same Thing (with the Asbury Jukes Horns)
    • Soul Shine (with the Asbury Jukes Horns)
    • Little by Little (with Southside Johnny, Susan Tedeschi, James van de Bogert and the Asbury Jukes Horns)
    • Don't Think Twice (with Susan Tedeschi)
    • Lost Lover Blues (with Susan Tedeschi)
    • Stand Back (with Susan Tedeschi and the Asbury Jukes Horns)
  • Set 2
    • Grandma's Hands (with Susan Tedeschi, Bruce Hornsby and the Asbury Jukes Horns)
    • In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (with Bruce Hornsby)
    • The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (with Bruce Hornsby and the Asbury Jukes Horns)
    • Jessica (with Bruce Hornsby)
  • Encore
    • Southbound (with Susan Tedeschi, Bruce Hornsby and the Asbury Jukes Horns)

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Newstead to Perform With Metallica at Hall Induction, Judas Priest Play British Steel, more

Metallica will perform with former bassist Jason Newstead at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony April 4 and it's all thanks to Blondie.

Kirk Hammett said, "We went as a band when Black Sabbath was being inducted, and at that time Blondie was also being inducted that night and there was so many politics and so much drama that, you know, we collectively said to each other, ‘We don’t want any of that,’ because it kind of, it puts a really bad, sour note on the whole celebration itself. Jason Newsted will be there, and he will be playing with us at one point."

Judas Priest have issued the following statement:
"To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our album British Steel, we are very pleased to announced we will be performing the whole album in its entirety during our U.S. 2009 summer tour, plus some other Priest classics!!!"
A-Ha have announced a three-date run in the U.K. from November 2 through 4 (Birmingham, Manchester, London). It's the first time the group has played together since 2005. They are also working on a new album for later this year.
Reba McEntire will host Celebrity Fight Night XV, an annual tribute to Muhammad Ali, on March 28 in Phoenix, Arizona. Jon Bon Jovi and Jordin Sparks will also perform.
Yoko Ono has created a unique art piece in support of the second annual World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Promise is a large piece of art that has been broken down into 67 smaller pieces which "symbolize the coming together of society around children with autism, and the unfinished work of the world in finding a cause and cure for autism."
Longtime bluegrass great Doyle Lawson will release his 34th album, Lonely Street, on May 5 via Rounder Records.

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So What is Gene Simmons Up To?

A lot evidently. Simmons has issued the following update:

"It's a busy time. KISS is recording its first new album in ten years and we're rehearsing for the South American stadium tour, which starts April 1. Then we head to start the Canadian tour. We are also finishing season IV of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. We debut in June on A&E.

"Our Simmons Records co-venture with Universal Music is doing well and we are about to announce some of our first signings.

"Simmons Comics Group (our venture that has titles like Dominatrix, Zipper and Gene Simmons House Of Horrors) is about to make a big announcement.

"Simmons Books/Phoenix Books did well with my Ladies Of The Night book, a best-seller on the Los Angeles Times best-selling list.

"Moneybag clothing line is gearing up with lots of new, cool stuff. You'll soon see it out there.

"We did a Dr Pepper commercial, which should be on the air at the beginning of the month.

"Simmons Abramson is continuing to do well, with our new client Find.com.

"NGTV.com. If you don't know what it is, you're obviously not one of the 360,000,000 (360 million!!!) video clicks that have checked it out."

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Vintage Vinyl News is Three Years Old

On this date back in 2006, Vintage Vinyl News was born. Three years and over 3,000 posts later, we're still here bringing you the latest on music's veteran artists.

When this site started, it was simply as an add-on to a business that I used to run called Wink's Collectibles (that's why you see that name in our page address). Economic times put any collectibles business on hold, but this site has stayed and, quite frankly, has become my passion. There are many, many sites out there that regularly cover the lives and works of a Beyonce or a John Mayer, but few that will talk about Lou Christie or Jackie DeShannon. That's where we fit into the grand scheme.

Over the years, we've added an RSS feed and, now, Twitter headlines, all in an attempt to make it as easy as possible for you, our readers, to get the latest news. We'll continue to explore new avenues and technologies as they become available in the future.

It's my sincere hope that you are enjoying the news and comments here on Vintage Vinyl News as much as I have enjoyed researching and writing them. It's because of you, the readers, that I'm here and I hope to be here for many years to come.

Roger Wink
Vintage Vinyl News

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at 11:02 PM , 2 comments

Spandau Ballet to Reform, U2 Moves 215,000 Tickets in One Day, more

Spandau Ballet made it official today with the announcement that they've reformed and will tour starting October 13 in Dublin.

The group split in 1989 and waged a ten year battle against each other over royalties. Any talk of the differences were glossed over today when singer Tony Hadley said, "As you can see we're back together again and we're very happy boys. I think it's the realization that time is a great healer."

Gary Kemp added, "This is my other family and I've missed them for the last 20 years."

Tickets for U2's shows in the U.K. and Ireland went on sale at 9 AM last Friday and by 9:01 AM, 6,700 tickets had already been sold for the Wembley Stadium date. Live Nation claims that is the fastest tickets have ever sold for a U.K. event. Overall 215,000 tickets were sold in the first 24 hours.
The Phil Spector jury will most likely go to the jury tomorrow after the defense presented it's closing arguments on Tuesday. Using images on a large screen, lawyer Doron Weinberg listed fourteen points of forensic evidence that proved that Lana Clarkson died from a self inflicted wound.
Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo has told Blender magazine that he has a very lucrative side job creating commercial jingles for some big companies.

"I have written music for around 400 commercials, with clients that range from Coke, BMW, Mercedes, Pepsi, Target, McDonald's, Burger King to Taco Bell - probably a good majority of the evil empire. When I was younger, and occasionally today, I include subliminal messages, which is shockingly easy to do. Things like, 'Choose your mutations carefully', 'Are we not men?', 'Question authority' and many others."
David Byrne says he has no interest in a Talking Heads reunion. "I'm not keen and it's unlikely to happen. I don't need the money badly enough."
PETA is after Michael Jackson to do away with his plans to feature wild animals heavily in his London concerts.

A source told London's Daily Mirror, "He hopes to make it the most spectacular gig ever. For the jungle section, he wants to ride out on an African elephant with panthers led on gold chains. Parrots and other birds will fly behind him. If it goes to plan it will look incredible."

PETA has countered the report, saying "These exotic animals belong in Africa, not the O2 Arena among screaming fans, bright lights and stage explosions. These wild animals are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them when they are forced to perform under stressful conditions. Michael needs to learn to leave exotic animals alone."
Chicago blues harmonica veteran Lester "Mad Dog" Davenport passed away on March 17 at the age of 77.

Davenport's early career peaked in 1955 when he played on Bo Diddley's Pretty Thing and Bring It On Jerome. Over the years, he played with the likes of Kansas City Red, Illinois Slim and Jimmy Dawkins. Later in life, he produced two CDs, 1993's Earwig Music and 2002's I Smell a Rat.
U2's No Line on the Horizon moves three to two on the Billboard Album chart this week on sales of 76,000.

Sales for the week were 6.14 million units, down a whopping 31% compared to the same week last year. Overall, unit sales are down 14% for the year-to-date compared to 2008.

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First Academy of Country Music Awards Announced

The first prizes for this year's ACM awards were announced Tuesday by the Academy of Country Music.

The Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world, is going to Dolly Parton.

An internationally renowned singer, actor, songwriter and philanthropist, Parton’s accomplishments have made her a global superstar. She has contributed countless treasures to the world of entertainment, penning classic songs such as Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and her mega-hit I Will Always Love You. After 40 years as an entertainer, Parton is still shoring up the foundation of country music and sharing it around the world.
The Poet's Award, given to songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music, goes to Merle Haggard and Harlan Howard.
Merle Haggard scored his first Top 20 in 1964 with a cover of Wynn Stewart’s Sing A Sad Song, followed up by his own major hit Swinging Doors and his first No. 1 single, The Fugitive. Haggard gained popularity in 1969 with songs like Working Man Blues and the controversial rebel anthem Okie from Muskogee. He dominated the charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s with 40 No. 1 hits including That’s The Way Love Goes, Hungry Eyes, Today, I Started Loving You Again and Mama Tried.

More than 4,000 songs have come from the pen of legendary scribe Harlan Howard including I Fall To Pieces, I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail, Somebody Should Leave and Why Not Me. Howard’s career finally took flight during the late 1950s when a few songs such as Charlie Walker’s rendition of Pick Me Up on Your Way Down and Ray Price’s Heartaches by the Numbers both hit No. 2 on the country charts. Howard scored an unprecedented 15 compositions in the Top 40 during 1961 and penned 100 Top 10 hits throughout his songwriting career. He died at the age of 74 on March 3, 2002 in Nashville and his legacy lives on through his songs that are still recorded by artists today.
In addition, Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and Hank Williams, Jr. will receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, given to individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. The Tex Ritter Award, for a film that features or utilizes country music, went to Beer for My Horses.

Musician, band, instrumentalist and industry awards after the cut.

The musician, band and instrumental awards were also announced. The following are the full list of nominees with the winners in red.

Producer of the Year
  • Buddy Cannon
  • Dann Huff
  • Frank Rogers
  • Nathan Chapman
  • Tony Brown
Audio Engineer
  • Chuck Ainlay
  • Greg Droman
  • John Kelton
  • Mills Logan
  • Steve Marcantonio
Bass Player
  • Dave Hungate
  • Glenn Worf
  • Jimmie Lee Sloas
  • Larry Paxton
  • Mike Brignardello
Percussionist/Drummer
  • Chad Cromwell
  • Eddie Bayers
  • Greg Morrow
  • Lonnie Wilson
  • Paul Leim
Fiddle
  • Aubrey Haynie
  • Joe Spivey
  • Jonathan Yudkin
  • Larry Franklin
  • Rob Hajacos
Guitarist
  • Brett Mason
  • Bryan Sutton
  • J.T. Corenflos
  • Kenny Greenberg
  • Tom Bukovac
Piano/Keyboard
  • Gordon Mote
  • John Hobbs
  • John Jarvis
  • Steve Nathan
  • Tony Harrell
Specialty Instrument
  • Eric Darken
  • Ilya Toshinsky
  • Jelly Roll Johnson
  • Randy Kohrs
  • Rob Ickes
Steel Guitar
  • Bruce Bouton
  • Dan Dugmore
  • Mike Johnson
  • Russ Pahl
  • Steve Hinson
Finally, the industry awards went to:
  • Nightclub - Joe's Bar - Chicago, IL
  • Casino - Turning Stone Casino - Verona, NY
  • Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year - Fran Romeo - Romeo Entertainment
  • Promoter - Louis Messina - The Messina Group
  • Venue - The Reyman Auditorium - Nashville, TN

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