Preview: The Runaways Soundtrack - Original 70's Aritists & New Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning

Artist: Various Artists
Title: The Runaways Soundtrack
Release Date: March 16, 2010 (Download), March 23, 2010 (CD)
Label: Atlantic
Format(s): CD, Digital

The soundtrack from the upcoming movie The Runaways is an interesting mix of original 70's recordings and new versions of Runaways songs by Dakota Fanning, who plays Cherrie Currie in the film and Kristen Stewart who plays Joan Jett.

The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on March 19.  A new TV spot for the film is below.

Track List:

• Roxy Roller - Nick Gilder
• The Wild One - Suzi Quatro
• It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World - MC5
• Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
• Cherry Bomb - Dakota Fanning
• Hollywood - The Runaways
• California Paradise - Dakota Fanning
• You Drive Me Wild - The Runaways
• Queens of Noise - Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart
• Dead End Justice - Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning
• I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges
• I Wanna Be Where the Boys Are (Live) - The Runaways
• Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols
• Don’t Abuse Me - Joan Jett

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Whitney Houston Smoking Herself Out of a Job, Ozzy Sues Iommi Over Black Sabbath Name, more

Whitney Houston has been roundly criticized at most of her Australian tour shows for sounding weak and struggling to finish her sets.  She has also been plagued with rounds of coughing and singing off-key or having her voice break.

Promoter Andrew McManus is pointing in one direction, Houston's smoking.  "Whitney smokes. God bless her, I can't tell her not to. She will not take any substances. She just will not. It is what it is .. She's comfortable with the show she's performing. She knows she's not h itting every note like she used to. But it's value for money, it's Whitne y Houston warts
and all.

"I talked to her after the Sydney show. I told her I have her back but she said, 'If the good Lord wants me to be attacked and ridiculed that's the road I have to go down.' It's an interesting approach. Here I am being aggressive in trying to protect her and she said, 'I love you for it but let it go. I can only give my best, if that's not good enough, so be it. I'm comfortable in my own skin.'"

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A Manhattan judge has given the go-ahead for a lawsuit filed by Ozzy Osbourne against Tony Iommi over his trademark of the Black Sabbath name.   Osbourne wants a piece of the profits that Iommi receives from the use of the name which he said was trademarked illegally.

Iommi's lawyer, Andrew DeVore, argues that Osbourne signed away his rights to the name back in 1979.  Osbourne's lawyer, Howard Shore, argues that the agreement was "repudiated" when Ozzy rejoined in 1997.

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EMI has filed papers in an Australian court to appeal the ruling that Men at Work's song Down Under was partially copied from a children's camp song from the early part of the 20th century.  They stated that the two bars of the song Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree that sound similar to the flute part in Down Under might be noticed by the "highly sensitized or educated musical ear" but not by an ordinary listener.

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Don McLean will be the subject of two television show in 2010.  A Japanese network recently spent three hours interviewing the singer for a special.  He'll also be recording a special for PBS' Songbook Series IV.

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One of the highlights of Eric Clapton's concert on Saturday night at the Sommet Center in Nashville was when he brought Vince Gill on to perform with him on four acoustic numbers.  The pair performed Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, Runnin' on Faith, Layla and I've Got a Rock 'n Roll Heart.

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People in England are up in arms over a new add by French automaker Citroen over an add featuring archive footage of John Lennon.  The ads used dubbed clips of both Lennon and Marilyn Monroe saying that nostalgia is overrated ("Why all this nostalgia? Start something new. Live your life now.").  People are posting in various venues saying that John would turn in his grave if he knew his image was being used in such a way and that "Yoko believes that John belongs to her alone."

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Asia has signed with Steve Vai's Favored Nation label.  They are looking at June or July for the release of their new album. 

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Britain may be losing one of its main radio stations for hearing music outside the mainstream.  The BBC has announced plans to shut down BBC 6Music in an effort to cut streamline the public broadcasting company.  The station is well known for playing both new artists and deep tracks from singers and bands of all ages.

There is apparent fear within the BBC that a conservative government may be taking over in the spring and that 6Music is a drain on the listenership of commercial radio stations. 

David Bowie has joined in the campaign to stop the cut, saying "6Music keeps the spirit of broadcasters like John Peel alive and for new artists to lose this station would be a great shame." 

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Peter Gabriel's Double A-Side: Boy In the Bubble b/w Paul Simon's Version of Biko

Peter Gabriel has released the second of his "double A-sides" on iTunes, matching one of his covers from the Scratch My Back album with the corresponding artist's take on one of Gabriel's songs.  This time around it is Gabriel performing Paul Simon's The Boy in the Bubble and Simon's take on Gabriel's Biko.

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Update: The Subject of You're So Vain Most Likely Remains a Mystery

News sources were hot yesterday on a story that the the subject of Carly Simon's You're So Vain had finely been revealed. 

Supposedly, if you play a new remastered version of the song backwards (who really has time to do this?), you can hear the name David whispered leading sources to believe that the subject is new Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Geffen.   Simon had a fairly contentious relationship with the record company head because she felt that he was spending more time promoting Joni Mitchell.

Here's the problem.  The Simon/Geffen feud didn't start until two years after You're So Vain was recorded.  In addition, people who have heard the backwards version of the song say that you can also hear the name Warren whispered, which could be Warren Beatty.

Update: Sheila Weller has published an article on the Vanity Fair site confirming that it is not David Geffen through a number of interviews with Simon's inner circle of friends.  Simon's webmaster may have even given a clue when she said "Why does everyone assume it was about a famous man?"

Also, a correction.  The whispered David is not heard on the remastered version of the original song but on the new version from Never Been Gone.

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Chart Watch America: Week of March 6, 2010

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

• Sade holds on to the top spot on the American Album and R&B Album charts for a second week with Soldier of Love.
• k.d. lang's Recollection surges 77 to 36 on the Album chart and she takes over the top charting Single by a veteran artist from Sade with her remake of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.  Lang performed the song at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, catapulting it to number 61 on the Singles and 34 on the Digital Songs charts.
• Preservation by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with guessts like Tom Waits, Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Merle Haggard and Steve Earle premiers at 117 on the Album chart and takes over as the highest charting album by a veteran artist on the Jazz Album chart where it starts at number 2.
• After what seems like an eternity as the top charting album by a veteran artist on the Bluegrass chart, Steve Martin falls from 2 to 4 and makes way for Loudon Wainwright III's High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project which moves 4 to 3.
• Yoko Ono (billed as Ono) is back on the Dance Song chart again with Give Me Something which moves 26 to 18.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis. (N) is a new entry. (R) is a re-entry. Grayed charts were not available for update at time of publication.

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Comprehensive

Top 200 Albums

• #1 (1) - Soldier of Love - Sade
• #2 (2) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
• #3 (8) - The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
• #4 (7) - The Fame - Lady Gaga
• #5 (4) - Rebirth - Lil Wayne
• #35 (22) - This is It - Michael Jackson
• #36 (77) - Recollection - k.d. lang
• #50 (47) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
• #55 (154) - Nothing But the Best - Frank Sinatra
• #58 (69) - Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures (John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Joshua Homme)
• #75 (75) - Essential - Michael Jackson
• #81 (81) - Still - BeBe & CeCe Winans
• #90 (91) - Best of - Sade
• #91 (93) - Thriller - Michael Jackson
• #99 (56) - Greatest Hits - Who
• #103 (61) - Hope For Haiti Now - Various Artists
• #104 (108) - Greatest Hits - Journey
• #107 (114) - Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
• #109 (116) - Legend: The Best of - Bob Marley and the Wailers
• #110 (115) - Keep On Loving You - Reba McEntire
• #115 (105) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
• #117 (N) - Preservation - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• #121 (83) - The Greatest Love Songs of All Time - Barry Manilow
• #145 (119) - Gold: Greatest Hits - ABBA
• #158 (172) - Greatest Hits - Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
• #164 (168) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
• #165 (196) - Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
• #170 (139) - Twang - George Strait
• #177 (170) - Cross Roads - Bon Jovi
• #185 (194) - Rocket Man: Number Ones - Elton John
• #188 (191) - Abbey Road - Beatles
• #196 (R) - Number Ones - Janet Jackson
• #198 (R) - Supernatural - Santana

Top 100 Singles

• #1 (3) - Imma Be - Black Eyed Peas
• #2 (1) - TiK ToK - Ke$ha
  
• #3 (4) - BedRock - Young Money Featuring Lloyd
  
• #4 (5) - Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
• #5 (6) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
• #61 (N) - Hallelujah - k.d. lang
• #63 (52) - Soldier of Love - Sade

The Digital, Radio Airplay, R&B, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock, Adult Contemporary, Dance, Jazz and Americana charts are after the cut.

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Marie Osmond's Son Commits Suicide

Marie Osmond's son, Michael Blosil, committed suicide by jumping from his apartment in downtown Los Angeles last night.  He was 18.

Michael had suffered from depression for some time including going into rehab in 2007 at the age of 16.  It was the same year that Marie and her husband, Brian Blosil, split after 20 years of marriage.  They couple had eight children, five of which are adopted, including Michael.

A note was found in Blosil's apartment saying that he was committing suicide due to the depression that left him "feeling as if he had no friends and could never fit in."

Donny Osmond, with whom Marie regularly performs in Las Vegas, released a statement saying ""Please pray for my sister and her family."

Marie said through her publicist "My family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during this difficult time."

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Preview: I Am What I Am by Merle Haggard

Artist: Merle Haggard
Title: I Am What I Am
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Label: Vanguard
Format(s): CD

An April 20 release date has been announced for Merle Haggard's first album on Vanguard Records, I Am What I Am.  The album is produced by Haggard and Lou Bradley and, as usual, includes backing by the Strangers.

I Am What I Am is a typically far-reaching set, but remains centered around a series of contemplations on love, in all of its intoxicating and vexing forms. Examining romance with a poet’s beatific vulnerability, Merle travels from the ardent bloom of romance to the intricate ensemble of family life to the burnt out confusion of fading passion, yet always returns to love’s eternally redemptive power. On tracks like Pretty When It’s New, a study of new love’s marvelous voltage, and How Did You Find Me Here which convincingly takes him from morbid depression to elated joy, Merle sounds almost reborn, intensely involved and consumed with a sheer sense of wonder that’s enhanced further by those characteristically masterful vocals.

Elsewhere, Merle lets loose on a duet with his wife Theresa on the rollicking Live And Love Always, revisits his childhood on Oil Tanker Train, and finds the contentment of home sweet home on Down At The End Of The Road. Merle's often closely guarded innocence is completely exposed, showing a tenderness that, considering the counterpoint of his battle-scarred, hardened exterior, creates a remarkably resonant experience.

Track List:

• I’ve Seen It Go Away
• Pretty When It’s New
• Oil Tanker Train
• Live And Love Always
• The Road To My Heart
• How Did You Find Me Here
• We’re Falling In Love Again
• Bad Actor
• Down At The End Of The Road
• Stranger In The City
• Mexican Bands
• I Am What I Am

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Midnight Oil's Garrett Demoted in Australian Government, Dylan Gets Medal of Honor But Doesn't Attend Ceremony, more

Midnight Oil's former frontman Peter Garrett has been demoted within the Australian government after an energy-saving program he spearheaded was deemed a failure.  Garrett's program offered free insulation improvements for homes however, to date, 96 fires have been attributed to the materials that were provided.
Even though there were calls for Garrett's total removal from the position, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd decided to reduce the scope of his office from Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to the subtly different Minister for Environmental Protection, Heritage and the Arts.

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Bob Dylan and Clint Eastwood were honored on Thursday night with the National Medal of Honor award at the White House.  Unfortunately, neither showed up.

President Barack Obama said "Obviously, their careers have marked the landscape of American culture for decades. They bring us joy, they bring us understanding and insight, they bring us comfort in the good times and perhaps especially in difficult times in our own lives and the life of our nation."

Dylan was cited as "an icon of youthful rebellion and poetic sensitivity."

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The Pogues Shane MacGowan and his wife Victoria Clarke are branching out into television with plans to start their own cooking series.  The pair, who have already hosted a show on Irish television about growing and cooking your own produce, now would like to do a cooking series where they would "invite people over for dinner and cook for them."

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced two more presenters for their March 15 induction ceremony.  Steve Van Zandt will induct the Hollies and Carol King will present the new songwriting inductees Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Berry, Jesse Stone, Mort Shuman and Otis Blackwell.

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The Rush fan site Power Windows has stated that a DVD documentary on the band is tentatively scheduled for a May 18 release.  Made by Toronto filmmakers Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn, the documentary includes rarities provided by the group's three members and their management.  Dunn said "I dug up some gems I don't think Rush fans have ever seen so we're hoping to offer something new."

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The town of Barnstable, Massachusetts and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce have unveiled the renamed Patti Page Way on Friday.  Page, now 82, said the honor was "mind-boggling."

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Preview: Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook by Bettye LaVette

Artist: Bettye LaVette
Title: Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Label: Anti-Records
Format(s): CD, Digital

Bettye LaVette's upcoming album sees her taking on what would seem to be an unusual repetoire, British rock classics.  The journey started two years ago when LaVette performed at the Kennedy Center Honors, singing Love Reign O'er Me for the Who, who were being recognized that night.  Pete Townshend paid her the ultimate compliment after the event when he came up to her and said "You made me weep."

Working with the event's producer, Michael Stevens, and it's musical director, Rob Mathes, led to the pair co-producing the new album with Bettye.  They take on the songs of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, the Moody Blues and other great British artists.

Elton John talked about how thrilled he was with LaVette's new version of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. "Bettye LaVette has always been a wonderful singer – I have been a huge fan for many years. To my delight and surprise she recorded an amazing version of Talking Old Soldiers – a song that nobody else has covered – and made it her own.

"Now she has recorded Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me and has done exactly the same – but this time with a much more familiar song. I am truly touched by her picking these songs and can only hope that this album brings more attention to this incredible artist."

Interpretations contains twelve new studio tracks along with the performance of Love Reign O'er Me from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Track List:

• The Word (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
• No Time To Live (James Capaldi/Stephen Winwood)
• Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (Bennie Benjamin/Gloria Caldwell/Sol Marcus)
• All My Love (John Baldwin/Robert Plant)
• Isn’t It A Pity (George Harrison)
• Wish You Were Here (David Gilmour/Roger Waters)
• It Don’t Come Easy (Richard Starkey)
• Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney)
• Salt Of The Earth (Michael Jagger/Keith Richards)
• Nights In White Satin (David Hayward)
• Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad (Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock)
• Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Elton John/Bernard Taupin)
• Love Reign O’er Me (Peter Townshend) [BONUS TRACK]

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New Prince Song Premiers for Minnesota Independent Radio Station

A new song from Prince, Cause and Effect, debuted on Minneapolis/St.Paul's Current 89.3 in an effort to support independent radio.  The radio station posted the following to explain why they were given the premier:

Last week, Prince's representative called to offer The Current a new and exclusive song--"Cause and Effect"--and to give it its world debut. Prince has long been a supporter of his home in the Twin Cities, and recently appeared at The Current's 5th anniversary party at First Avenue, Minneapolis, to show his support for your local and independent music station.

Reaction has been all over the place with some sites saying he sound reinvigorated and some, like the Citypages, giving it a fairly poor review. 

Our reaction to the song was immediate and strong. We were horrified. Not only is there fake applause and cheering, but the five-minute track has so many different sections that it's hard to imagine it took very much time to slap together. The funky, distorted guitar of the intro has promise, but it immediately transitions into a hokey rockabilly guitar part and a chorus line shouting "hey HEY hey HEY hey HEY!"

Did we mention that the chorus line sounds like the cheering button on a Casio keyboard, and not actual voices?

Judge for yourself (or at least until someone makes YouTube take it down).

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Roxy Music Reuniting for Britain's Lovebox Festival

Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music will perform together for the first time in five years at July's Lovebox Weekender Festival in London's Victoria Park.  They were invited to play by the festival's founders and dance DJ's Groove Armada.

Ferry said, "There is a song on my album that I have co-written with Groove Armada. They asked me if Roxy would like to perform at Lovebox. We, of course, thought it would be cool."

Roxy Music were formed in 1971 and played a unique form of art rock that was formed by the group's two resident forces, Ferry and Brian Eno.  The group charted regularly in the U.S. and had one moderate hit with Love is the Drug, but it was in their home country that they flourished with ten top ten singles and nine top ten albums.

The group first went on hiatus in 1976 so that members could record solo albums but reformed two years later.  They officially broke up in 1983 but started sporadically reuniting in 2001.  They currently have plans for two shows this summer and a possible new album.

Another veteran artists, Grace Jones, will headline on the final day of the festival.

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U2 is Top Moneymaker of 2009 on Billboard's Annual List

Billboard has announced their list of the Top 40 Money Makers in music.  Changing it's methodology and breaking from the pack of other publisher's lists, this year's rankings are based on the artist's actual share of the generated revenue instead of using the gross amounts.  Information was gathered from a variety of sources (Billboard Boxscore, Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen BDS, etc.) and then applying estimated mechanical rates.  What is not included is artist's shares of merchandise sales, sponsorships or songwriter's royalties.

Topping the chart and almost doubling the take of the second place artist is U2 who brought in an estimated $108,601,283.  Of course, their high take is very much influenced by their hugely successful 360 degree tour.  Second was Bruce Springsteen with a take of $57.6 million while Madonna was third with $47.2 million.

Overall, veteran artists accounted for four of the top five, five of the top ten and seventeen of the full forty.

Here are the top 5 along with every other veteran artists that made the list.

• 1. U2 - $108,601,283
• 2. Bruce Springsteen - $57,619,037
• 3. Madonna - $47,237,774
• 4. AC/DC - $43,650,466
• 5. Britney Spears - $38,885,267
• 10. Metallica - $25,564,234
• 11. Fleetwood Mac - $24,751,540
• 14. Elton John - $22,141,315
• 20. Michael Jackson - $17,301,639
• 22. Depeche Mode - $16,035,102
• 23. Billy Joel - $15,721,607
• 29. Tina Turner - $13,169,806
• 31. Paul McCartney - $12,203,170
• 34. Kiss - $11,833,930
• 35. Cher - $11,421,553
• 38. Bob Dylan - $9,610,011
• 39. Leonard Cohen - $9,511,958
• 40. Bette Midler - $9,421,947

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Chart Watch Canada: Week Ending February 25, 2010

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

• Sade's Soldier of Love just eeks out a second week at the top of the Canadian Album chart as Peter Gabriel's Scratch My Back premiers strongly in the second position.  Add in k.d. lang's Recollection which moves 4 to 3 and Patrick Norman's Where I Come From (A Tribute to Hank Williams) (11 to 10) and a full 40% of the top ten is from veteran artists.  Soldier of Love also is spending a second week at the top of the R&B Album chart while only Lady Antebellum is keeping Norman from the top of the Country Albums.
• Also new this week is Grands Succes de la Chanson As by Kenny Rogers which roughly translates into "His 43rd Repackaging of the Same Hits."  It debuts at 35 on the Album and 4 on the Country Album charts.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis.  (N) indicates a new release.  (R) indicates a record that is re-charting.  There can be ties in chart positions.

Top 100 Canadian Albums

• #1 (1) - Soldier of Love - Sade
• #2 (N) - Scratch My Back - Peter Gabriel
• #3 (4) - Recollection - k.d. lang
• #4 (3) - Now! 15 - Various Artists
• #5 (2) - Need You Now - Lady Anteballum
• #10 (11) - Where I Come From (A Tribute to Hank Williams) - Patrick Norman
• #24 (16) - This is It - Michael Jackson
• #35 (N) - Grands Succes de la Chanson As - Kenny Rogers
• #44 (60) - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of - ABBA
• #47 (70) - Hymns From the 49th Parallel - k.d. lang
• #64 (63) - Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures (John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl & Joshua Homme)
• #81 (48) - Hope For Haiti Now - Various Artists
• #82 (108) - Gold: Greatest Hits - ABBA
• #84 (91) - Legend: The Best of - Bob Marley & the Wailers
• #85 (74) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
• #86 (72)  - The List - Roseanne Cash
• #87 (122) - Greatest Hits - Motley Crue
• #88 (121) - More Best of - Leonard Cohen
• #90 (116) - Mothership - Led Zeppelin
• #94 (90) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
• #100 (128) - Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

Top 100 Canadian Singles (Airplay)

• #1 (2) - Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
  
• #2 (1)- TiK ToK - Ke$ha
  
• #3 (3) - Telephone - Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce
• #4 (6) - Wavin' Flag - K'Naan
• #5 (18) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
• #47 (41) - New Fang - Them Crooked Vultures

The R&B, Country and Hard Rock charts are after the cut.

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Steven Tyler/Aerosmith Controversy Fizzles Out Like a Bad Soap Opera

Well, after a couple months of "We voted and you're out of the band," "My Dad [lawyers] said you can't do that," "Well, we're having Donny Osmond over to the garage to audition tomorrow," it seems like the whole Steven Tyler and Aerosmith story arc has fizzled out like a bad soap opera.

June 10 has been set for the start of the band's Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour of the U.K. and Europe with eleven shows announced so far.

The announcement came from their official site:

Aerosmith - the biggest, most enduring and thrilling band in rock history will make a spectacular return to the UK and Europe this summer with the COCKED, LOCKED, READY TO ROCK TOUR! spawning what will be the ultimate music event of the new decade.

"Back by popular demand with more spit and fire than ever before, we're coming across the pond and parting the waters as we go," says Steven Tyler.

"Aerosmith is going to be rocking in the UK and Europe this summer," adds Joe Perry. "Enough BS - we're coming and everything is going to be set at eleven."

Band members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer will hit Europe for the first time in three years to deliver a fistful of knockout, heart pounding, headline summer rock shows:

• Sweden - Rock Festival – June 10th
• UK - Download Festival – June 13th
• UK - London 02 Arena – June 15th
• Romania – Bucharest – June 18th
• Greece – Athens Olympic Stadium – June 20th
• Holland – Nijmegen Goeffert Park – June 23rd
• Belgium - Graspop Festival – June 25th
• Spain – Barcelona St Jordi Arena – June 27th
• France – Paris Bercy Arena – June 29th
• Czech Republic – Prague 02 Arena - July 1st
• Italy - Venice Festival – July 3rd

For more than 30 years Aerosmith, four time Grammy winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (2001), recipients of 12 MTV VIdeo Awards and countless other awards have performed electrifying sold out concerts around the world for decades along with selling well over 150 million albums.

Drummer Joey Kramer says, "Aerosmith is back! Bigger, better and stronger than ever! So look out Europe, 'cuz we're comin' to get cha."

Guitarist Brad Whitford added, "I'm not sure who is happier, the band or the fans. Can't wait to get started. We'll see you this summer."

The Sweden Rock Festival is the band's first European date and they can not wait to uncork the tour in Solvesborg on June 10th.

Here's two different versions of the announcement of their return:

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Rolling Stones Releasing Expanded Version of Exile on Main Street

Universal Music Group has announced that they will release a special edition of the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street on May 17 in the U.K. and May 18 in the U.S.   The new version will include 10 previously unreleased tracks and, in some editions, a documentary.

The 18-track album, originally released in 1972, was met with mediocre reviews but, over time, has become regarded as one of the group's finest achievements.  Not willing to stay the course from previous efforts, the group mixed in a variety of different music styles including rock, R&B, blues and country.  The album includes such classic tracks as Tumbling Dice, Happy, Rocks Off, Shine a Light and Let It Loose and was recorded with the help of Dr. John, Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins.

"The album's riveting portrait of artists pushed – by the times, by themselves – to the very limits of their creativity has provided inspiration to every musical generation that has come along since Exile was released in 1972," said author Anthony DeCurtis. "Every song on Exile on Main Street is elevated by its relationship to the music that comes before and after it. The album's irresistible power is unlikely to diminish any time soon."

While there isn't enough information to do a full preview of the release, it is known that the following are among the bonus tracks:

• Plundered My Soul
• Dancing in the Light
• Following the River
• Pass the Wine
• Soul Survivor (Alternate Version)
• Loving Cup (Alternate Version)

A documentary has also been produced which will be shown on U.S. and U.K. television networks around the time of the album release.  The film contains rare, never-before-seen archival film, photos and interviews as well as new conversations with the band and the artists they influence. Produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Battsek and directed by Stephen Kijak, who is known for award-winning work on Cinemania, and Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, Stones in Exile offers an uncommon glimpse into the lives of the band as they created one of the greatest albums of all time.

The release will be made in three physical formats, the original 18-track release, the two-CD release with the bonus tracks and a deluxe version with a vinyl version of the album, a DVD with a 30-minute documentary that incorporates footage from Cocksucker Blues, Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones and Stones in Exile, and a 50-page collector's book.

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Woodstock Promoter Looking at Two-Day Toronto Festival, Santana Recording Covers Album, more

Toronto's Downsview Park, who hosted "SARS-stock" in 2003, will be the site for a two-day festival on July 10 and 11 that they hope will rival Woodstock.

Organized by Artie Kornfeld, part of the 1969 festival's organization team, the festival would be a combination of music and awareness campaigns for world peace, poverty and environmental concerns.  Kornfeld and co-producer David Kam would like to donate 50% of the proceeds to organizations associated with the efforts.

Kornfeld told Toronto's Globe and Mail "The world is now in an even deeper position than the Cold War and Vietnam. There’s trouble in every country … this is a chance to give hope, and who’ll do it if not the old Woodstockers?"

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Carlos Santana and executive Clive Davis are working on a new album in hopes of continuing the success they've had over the last ten years with Supernatural, Shamen and All That I Am.   Once again, the majority of the album will be collaborations with other artists but, this time, with a twist.  They will be covering rock classics.  Per an article today at Billboard.com, the following have been recorded:

• Sunshine of Your Love (with guest Rob Thomas)
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (India.Arie and Yo-You Ma)
• Little Wing (Joe Cocker)
• Can't You Hear Me Knocking (Scott Weiland)
• Smoke on the Water
• Fortunate Son

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Olivia Newton-John will be making a cameo appearance on an upcoming episode of Glee, performing the song Physical with Jane Lynch.   Lynch is especially excited as she is a huge fan and even named her dog Olivia after the singer.

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Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero players will get a dose of 80's on March 25 with the release of Motley Crue's Girls, Girls, Girls, the Go-Go's We Got the Beat and Night Ranger's Sister Christian.  All will be downloadable.

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Asia presented the cover of their new album, Omega, for the first time on Thursday.  The album is expected in April.

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Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Announce New Album and Tour Dates

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have announced the upcoming release of their first studio album in eight years, Mojo.  A firm date has not been announced for the album, but today's press release says that it will be coming this spring from Reprise Records.

Not a lot of details have been released about the album, but you can preview the track Good Enough over on tompetty.com.  In addition, anyone buying a ticket online for the upcoming tour will immediately receive a code for downloading two tracks from Mojo and, when the album is released, will receive another code to download the entire album.  Ticket buyers will also have access to a selection of live tracks recorded during the tour.

The tour begins May 6 in Raleigh, North Carolina and, as of right now, runs through August 27 in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Opening for the band, depending on the date, will be My Morning Jacket, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Joe Cocker, ZZ Top or the Drive-By Truckers. 

The dates announced so far:

• 5/06 - Raleigh - Time Warner Cable Pavilion at Walnut Creek (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/07 - Charlotte - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/09 - Tampa - St. Pete Times Forum (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/15 - Dallas - Superpages.com Center (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/16 - Houston - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/18 - Phoenix - US Airways Arena (w/Joe Cocker)
• 5/22 - Los Angeles - Hollywood Bowl (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/02 - San Diego - Cricket Wireless Pavilion (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/03 - Irvine - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/05 - Oakland - Oracle Pavilion (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/08 - Vancouver - GM Place (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/11 - Seattle - The Gorge (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/12 - Seattle - The Gorge (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/15 - Calgary - Pengrowth Saddledome (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/16 - Edmonton - Rexall Place (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/19 - Winnipeg - MTS Centre (w/Joe Cocker)
• 6/22 - St Paul - Xcel Energy Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 6/23 - Omaha - Qwest Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 6/25 - Milwaukee - Summerfest (w/ZZ Top)
• 7/10 - Indianapolis - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/13 - Kansas City - Sprint Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/15 - Cincinnati - Riverbend Music Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/17 - Chicago - United Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/20 - Cleveland - Blossom Music Center (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/22 - Detroit - Palace of Auburn Hills (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/24 - Pittsburgh - First Niagara Pavilion (w/Drive-By Truckers)
• 7/28 - New York - Madison Square Garden (w/TBD)
• 7/31 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center (w/TBD)
• 8/11 - Atlanta - Philips Arena (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/12 - Nashville - Sommet Center (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/14 - Darien Lake, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/15 - Bristow - Jiffy Lube Live (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/17 - Hartford - Comcast Theater (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/19 - Boston - Comcast Center (w/My Morning Jacket)
• 8/21 - Boston - Comcast Center (w/My Morning Jacket)
• 8/24 - East Rutherford - IZOD Center (w/My Morning Jacket)
• 8/25 - Toronto - Air Canada Center (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)
• 8/27 - Saratoga Springs - Saratoga Performing Arts Center (w/Crosby, Stills and Nash)

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Billy Joel Decides to Forego Face-to-Face Tour for Year Hiatus

Elton John has told Chicago's WGN-TV that Billy Joel will take a year hiatus from performing after their Face-to-Face tour stop in Albany, New York on March 11.  This will include no performance at Chicago's Wrigley Field in July as had been discussed.

Among his statements on WGN:

"As far as I know, there will be no more Billy and Elton shows after the Albany show in New York on March 11th.  It's not my decision, it's Billy's. He has decided to take a year off."

"I'm so disappointed because when we came to Wrigley Field last year, it was like playing in the church of baseball. I was so delighted to be there, and we had such a wonderful two days."

"It  doesn't gel with my plans but he's a friend and, as an artist, you have to respect his decision."

It is suspected that the time will be spent, in part, with his daughter Alexa who attempted suicide last last year after breaking up with her boyfriend.

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Preview: The Best of Soul Train - Various Artists (9-DVD Set)

Artist: Various Artists
Title: The Best of Soul Train
Release Date: March 29, 2010 (Expected ship date)
Label: Time-Life
Format(s): 9-DVDs


Time-Life has put together an amazing nine-DVD set of the best of Soul Train from between 1971 and 1979.  The set contains 16-hours of footage and 130 performances by the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, the O'Jays and many more.  You'll also be able to relive the Soul Train Dance Line, Scramble Board and even some vintage commercials for Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen.

Bonus material includes interviews with the people that made the show and some of the biggest artists of the time.  The ninth DVD of the set is performances from the first Soul Train Music Awards show in 1987 with performances by Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick and others.

"Time Life is proud to bring back one of the most enduring and culturally relevant shows in television history with The Best of SOUL TRAIN DVD Collection," said Michael Mitchell, Time Life Vice President Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. "In the '70s, Soul Train was must-see TV in black households across America, and it also had strong crossover appeal. Each week kids and parents alike gathered around the television to see the latest fashions, dance moves and performances by their favorite artists. Soul Train fans everywhere have been waiting for years to relive this exciting time."

"We are excited to partner with Time Life and bring this iconic series to DVD for the first time ever," said Peter Griffith, Co-CEO of Soul Train Holdings. "Filled with dancers and memorable performances from artists that have become legends, this 70's collection reflects the show's unique style. This is truly a collector's item for every Soul Train fan."

Track List:

DVD 1

• That Lady (Part 1) - The Isley Brothers
• Live It Up Part 1 - The Isley Brothers
• Summer Breeze (Part 1) - The Isley Brothers
• Release Yourself - Graham Central Station and the Soul Train Dancers
• Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
• Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
• What Am I Gonna Do with You - Barry White
• You're the First, the Last, My Everything - Barry White
• Come Get to This - Marvin Gaye
• Distant Lover - Marvin Gaye
• Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
• I Want to Take You Higher - Sly & the Family Stone
• Mighty Mighty - Earth, Wind & Fire and the Soul Train Dancers
• Dance to the Music - Sly & the Family Stone
• I Heard It through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight & the Pips
• Back Stabbers - The O'Jays
• Respect - Aretha Franklin and the Soul Train Dancers
• Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
• Bonus Features - Interviews with Don Cornelius, Smokey Robinson and Brian McKnight and rare, never-before-seen footage

DVD 2

• Use Me - Bill Withers
• Lean on Me - Bill Withers
• If You Don't Know Me by Now - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
• Still - Commodores
• Three Times a Lady - Commodores
• Sail On - Commodores
• Pusherman - Curtis Mayfield
• The Cisco Kid - War and the Soul Train Dancers
• Everybody Plays the Fool - The Main Ingredient
• Superfly - Curtis Mayfield
• Get on the Good Foot-Part 1 - James Brown
• Try Me - James Brown
• Get Up I Feel Like Being Like a Sex Machine (Part 1) - James Brown
• Super Bad (Part 1 & Part 2) - James Brown
• Bonus Features - Interviews with Don Cornelius, Cuba Gooding Sr. (lead singer of The Main Ingredient), and Eric Casem (former Soul Train choreographer and dancer) and rare, never-before-seen footage

DVD 3

• Love Train - The O'Jays and the Soul Train Dancers
• Medley: My Cherie Amour/Sir Duke/I Wish/These Three Words - Stevie Wonder
• I Was Made for You - Aretha Franklin
• Ooo Baby Baby - Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson
• Respect - Aretha Franklin and the Soul Train Dancers
• The Whole Town's Laughing at Me - Teddy Pendergrass
• I Don't Love You Anymore - Teddy Pendergrass
• Brick House - Commodores and the Soul Train Dancers
• You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls
• Love Ballad - L.T.D.
• From Now On - Lou Rawls
• I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
• Corner of the Sky - The Jackson 5
• Daddy's Home - Jermaine Jackson
• Lookin' through the Windows - The Jackson 5
• Bonus Features - Interviews with Smokey Robinson, Jody Watley and Clarence Avent, former Chairman of Motown Records and rare, never-before-seen footage

DVD 4

• A House Is Not a Home - Luther Vandross
• If This World Were Mine - Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn
• Betcha by Golly, Wow - The Stylistics
• You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics
• Lookin' for a Love - Bobby Womack
• Sexy Mama - The Moments and the Soul Train Dancers
• I'll Be Around - Spinners
• Could It Be I'm Falling in Love - Spinners
• The World Is a Ghetto - War and the Soul Train Dancers
• Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
• Tell Me Something Good - Rufus
• Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston
• Ballero - War and the Soul Train Dancers
• Fire and Water - Wilson Pickett
• All Day Music - War
• Don't Knock My Love-Pt. 1 - Wilson Pickett
• Slippin' into Darkness - War

DVD 5

• Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
• Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - The Delfonics
• (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People - The Chi-Lites
• Have You Seen Her - The Chi-Lites
• The Bells - The Originals
• I Gotcha - Joe Tex
• Want Ads - The Honey Cone
• Thin Line between Love & Hate - The Persuaders
• Get Down - Curtis Mayfield
• Scorpio - Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band and the Soul Train Dancers
• You Ought to Be with Me - Al Green
• For the Good Times - Al Green
• Love and Happiness - Al Green
• Oh Girl - The Chi-Lites
• War - Edwin Starr

DVD 6

• I Want to Take You Higher - Ike & Tina Turner
• I Only Have Eyes for You - Jerry Butler
• Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner
• Power of Love - Joe Simon
• Wish That I Could Talk to You - The Sylvers
• Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
• Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
• Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got) - Four Tops
• Love Train - The O'Jays
• What a Diff'rence a Day Makes - Esther Phillips
• Bad Luck (Part 1) - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
• Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
• The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and the Soul Train Dancers
• Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson
• Get Ready - Smokey Robinson Dance Routine

DVD 7

• So Very Hard to Go - Tower of Power
• Yes We Can Can - Pointer Sisters
• What Is Hip? - Tower of Power
• Put Your Hands Together - The O'Jays and the Soul Train Dancers
• On and On - Gladys Knight & the Pips
• For the Love of Money - The O'Jays and the Soul Train Dancers
• Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) - Gladys Knight & the Pips
• Good Things Don't Last Forever - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
• Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas and the Soul Train Dancers
• Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. Express
• Skin Tight - Ohio Players
• Love to Love You Baby - Donna Summer
• Livin' for the Weekend - The O'Jays and the Soul Train Dancers
• Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor
• Dance wit Me - Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan and the Soul Train Dancers

DVD 8

• Respect Yourself - The Staple Singers
• Band of Gold - Freda Payne
• Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes and the Soul Train Dancers
• Dancing in the Street - Martha & the Vandellas
• Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin and the Soul Train Dancers
• Cowboys to Girls - The Intruders
• I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
• Love Train - The O'Jays and the Soul Train Dancers
• Love Jones - Brighter Side of Darkness
• Funky Stuff - Kool & the Gang
• Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang
• Everlasting Love - Carl Carlton
• Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
• Got to Give It Up (Pt. I) - Marvin Gaye

DVD 9

• Word Up - Cameo
• You Give Good Love - Whitney Houston
• My Cherie Amour - Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick
• All in Love Is Fair - Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick
• I Just Called to Say I Love You - Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick
• That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston
• So Amazing - Luther Vandross
• Oh Mary Don't You Weep - Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch, Shirley Caesar, Tramaine Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Williams Brothers, Cissy Houston, The Winans

Read more...

Man Charged in Philadelphia International Fire, REO Speedwagon to Salute Hi-Fidelity, more

The man who was rescued from the fire at the Philadelphia International Records building on Sunday has been charged with arson.  Christopher Cimini, 27, appeared to be heavily intoxicated in surveillance footage and may have thought he was at a different location.  He is seen trying a number of keys on the building's door before kicking it in and entering.  Authorities said that he was using a lighter to see and entered a closet that stored memorabilia which is where the fire started.

Cimini is charged with arson, burglary, criminal trespass, rising or causing a catastrophe and a number of other counts.

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Kevin Coyne of REO Speedwagon has written that the band will be playing a number of songs from their Hi-Fidelity album at coming shows to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

This year, and 2011, will mark the 30 year anniversary of the recording, release, and phenomenal success story of our Hi Infidelity album, which is a part of just under ten million people's record collections. I am not much into nostalgia, I prefer looking forward, growing, and creating new music, but this particular anniversary is just too special. We have chosen to embrace, and celebrate, this most magical series of events, and share this unbelievable feeling with the whole REO Family.

So, starting with the four sold-out shows this weekend with Styx and 38 Special, in Rockford, Springfield, Louisville, and Toledo, we will pay homage to the album, which after ten years of touring and recording, put our band on the map in 1981. We will be playing Hi Infidelity songs which have been rarities on our set lists over the years, including visual images from that time period in our stage production, and featuring special items at the merch stand to commemorate the album which altered the history of our band so immeasurably.

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Meat Loaf will be releasing a new studio album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear, on April 23, a concept LP built around a short story by Killian Kerwin.  His rather eclectic guest list includes Queen's Brian May, Jack Black, Justin Hawkins from the Darkness, Steve Vai and House himself, Hugh Laurie.

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Nile Rodgers, one of the masterminds behind Chic, is in the process of writing his autobiography for Random House.  He also has been tweeting about a list he's received of all the Chic music stored in Warner's archives, saying that there are multiple versions of some songs.  Could a historical set be on the way?

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iTunes sold their ten-billionth song on Wednesday, giving the lucky person who purchased that track a $10,000 iTunes gift card.  The digital service also released their list of the 25 most downloaded songs, 24 of which were released in the last five years.  The loan outlier is Journey's Don't Stop Believin' which comes in at 21 after being heavily exposed on both the Soprano's series finale and in the pilot of the series Glee. 

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Assistant Convicted in Killing of Linda Stein

A Manhattan jury deliberated for only four hours before returning a guilty verdict against Natavia Lowery in the bludgeoning death of band manager and real estate agent Linda Stein.  During the 70's, Stein was responsible for the careers of artists like the Ramones and Steve Forbert.  From the 80's on, she was called the "broker to the stars" with real estate clients of the caliber of Madonna and Sting.

Lowery, 28, had been personal assistant to Stein but, according to prosecutors, had a dark past that included stealing from her employers, including $30,000 from her current boss.  She had been working for Stein for three months when it was theorized that the theft was discovered, leading to an altercation and the murder in the agent's Fifth Avenue apartment on October 30, 2007.  At the trial, it was stated that Stein had been hit about two dozen times.

Attorneys for Lowery tried to say that the police coerced a confession after twelve hours of questioning.  During that confession, she admitted to killing Stein with a piece of exercise equipment after being badgered by her boss about her work.

Lowery will be sentenced on March 22 with a maximum penalty of 25 years to life.  Her family told the New York Post that she was innocent and that "This is the kind of case that will be back. We are preparing an appeal."

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Bill Anderson Thrilled About Jimmy Dean's Election to Country Hall

Whispering Bill Anderson is thrilled that his friend Jimmy Dean has been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, taking to his website on Wednesday to talk about why Dean deserves the honor and why it comes at such an opportune time. 

I’ve felt like Jimmy belonged in the hallowed circle for a long time. Aside from his big hit records like “Big Bad John,” Jimmy took country music to New York City, and ultimately to the nation, via prime time network television back in the mid-sixties long before we had such things as all-country TV channels and country videos streaming around the clock. He took our music to Las Vegas when it was not fashionable there. He showcased it to a whole new audience when he hosted The Tonight Show. And he never once apologized for being “country.”

This special moment has also come at a time in Jimmy's life when his spirits badly needed lifting. He hasn't been in the best of health lately, and emotionally he was dealt a devastating blow last April when his house and all of his memorabilia were destroyed by fire. He's moving into his rebuilt house next month, and hopes to be in Nashville for his formal induction into the Hall of Fame in May.

While I had pushed for Jimmy's induction for several years, having it happen now is perfect....further proof that God's timing is better than our own.

Dean wasn't the most prolific hit-maker on the country charts, only landing 18 records in the top 40.  His first, Bummin' Around (when he was know as Jimmie Dean) went to number 5 back in 1953 and his last, I.O.U. went to number 9 in 1976.  Of course the big one, Big Bad John, was not only a number one country record, but also hit the top of the pop charts for five weeks.

Anderson, himself, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame back in 2001.

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Bryan Adams and Buffy Sainte-Marie to Receive Canada's Governor General's Award

Bryan Adams and Buffy Sainte-Marie are among the eight people who will receive the 2010 Governor General's Performing Arts Award.  The awards are considered Canada's most prestigious honor for the performing arts, given to those who have "propelled their talent and vision to the highest level and made an enduring contribution to culture in Canada. Whether they are performers, creators, or volunteers, the recipients of these Awards are the performing arts "heroes" who move, entertain and inspire us."

The Foundation said of Adams:

As one of Canada's most successful recording artists, rock singer/songwriter Bryan Adams has through dedication, focus, and above all a deep and enduring love of his craft, established himself as a leading figure on the international popular music scene. With numerous awards and nominations and millions of album sales and sold-out concerts worldwide, he is also an accomplished photographer and is actively involved with many social and humanitarian causes through The Bryan Adams Foundation.

On Sainte-Marie, they wrote:

Buffy Sainte-Marie has achieved international acclaim as a singer/songwriter, visual artist, advocate for Aboriginal rights, and mentor. Her powerful songs of love, hope, protest and triumph have sensitized people around the world to important political and social issues. She continues to tour extensively, capturing audiences everywhere with the energy, intensity, and raw communicative power of her performances.

Both are receiving the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award.  Others named today are actress, director and broadcaster Francoise Faucher; choreographer Edouard Lock; director, actor, designer and teacher Robin Phillips; orchestra manager, impresario and artistic manager Walter Homburger; Conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin and philanthropists Mohammed and Yulanda Faris.

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Nina Simone Immortalized With Statue in Home Town

The great, influential vocalist Nina Simone has been immortalized in a life-size bronze statue dedicated last Sunday in her hometown of Tryon, North Carolina.

The sculpture was created by Zenos Frudakis who spent two years on the work which depicts the singer playing a piano.  Simone's daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, donated some of her ashes which were encased in the sculpture.  Frudakis commented "It's not something very often done, but I thought it was part of the idea of bringing her home."

Simone, known as "The High Priestess of Soul" was adept at performing jazz, gospel, R&B, blues, pop and folk music, influencing many of today's singers.  A spokesman for the town talked of eventually starting a regular festival that would encompass all the styles of music that Simone performed.

The sculpture is part of the Eunice Waymon/Nina Simone Memorial Project which was formed "to establish and promote educational scholarship, to commission a Nina Simone sculpture, and to establish an international music festival in Tryon, North Carolina, with supplemental venues in the broader Western North Carolina region."  Eunice Waymon was Simone's birth name.  

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J.D. Fortune Back With INXS For One Night, Abbey Road Gets Protection Status, more

Singer J.D. Fortune, who won the lead spot for INXS on a U.S. reality show and then claims he was dumped without notice, will be back with the band for just tonight (February 24) as the group plays at the Olympics. Fortune has said that, after touring with the group for 23 months, he was left at a Hong Kong airport.  He later said that the reason might have been his heavy cocaine use.

What isn't known is who INXS will be taking along on their planned world tour.  The band has recently recorded a new album with guest vocalists like Rob Thomas but they have not announced who will be taking the stage with them.

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The Abbey Road studios have been officially designated a Grade II structure, giving it protected status.  The grade indicates that the building is of historic significance.

A government statement said "It has huge cultural importance and a very special place in the hearts of recording artists and music lovers alike.  The new listing status will ensure that, although changes to the interior are not prohibited, care must be taken to ensure that any alterations with respect to its character and interest are fully considered.

"The Abbey Road Studios have been listed in acknowledgement of their outstanding cultural interest and to ensure that recording artists for generations to come can continue to make and record music in the same rooms as musical icons of years gone by."

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Leif Garrett has plead not guilty to one felony count of heroin possession.  He was arrested by police on February 1 at a Los Angeles train station after admitting that he had black tar heroin in his shoe.  Garrett will be back in court on March 16.

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Drummer Joey Kramer has told TheRockRadio.com that an announcement on the Steven Tyler/Aerosmith situation will be made very soon.

"Well, nothing's been officially announced yet. We did definitely have a meeting, and things in Aero-land are very copacetic at the moment, and we are gonna announce this week what our plans are gonna be."

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Prince is being sued by Irish promoters over a canceled show at Dublin's Croke Park back in June of 2008.  MCD is seeking $2.3 million in damages.

The singer pulled out of the show ten days before it was scheduled saying that his agents, the William Morris Agency, had booked it without permission.  His agents, who are also named in the suit, say that he canceled the show giving "no reason of substance."  William Morris said they did return the $1.5 million booking fee to MCD at the time of the cancellation.

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After 19 years apart, the Finnish heavy metal band Oz have decided to reform and are working on an album for November release.

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Roger Friedman at Hollywood411.com is reporting that Phil Collins will be this year's recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.  A formal announcement should be out soon.

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Sade will hold onto the number one spot this week on the Billboard Album chart as Soldier of Love moves 190,000 copies.  Next week, Johnny Cash's American VI: Ain't No Grave is expected to bow somewhere in the top ten with sales of 30 to 35,000.

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Philadelphia International Fire Ruled Arson, Gamble & Huff Vow to Rebuild

Fire officials in Philadelphia have ruled that the Sunday morning fire that severely damaged the third floor of the Philadelphia International Records building was indeed set deliberately although they are not releasing any further information.

Building owners Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff held a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the situation with building and the contents.  The third owner, Thom Bell, did not participate.

The following are statements made by the pair during the appearance:

"We feel violated that someone would go into such a sacred place and create such havoc."

"Our space has been violated by someone who chose to set fire to it, but what's most important is that we will build it again and continue to rebuild. Nothing is going to stop us."

"Some of the things we lost in the fire are irreplaceable.  We will know better in the days ahead what our total losses will be."

[This building] "has been our home for the last 40 years and also has been a refuge for so many other artists and singers. It's been a tremendous part of our lives."

"The No. 1 thing that went through our minds as we walked through the facility is that thankfully, no one was hurt. After all the years our building has been there, we've never had any problems that come close to this. The devastation is just horrible. It's unbelievable."

"It hurts.  There's so much water damage and smoke and fire damage that the whole place will be have to gutted. But we'll be back. Stronger than ever."

"Maybe we'll write a song about it. 'The Day They Burnt Philly International Down.'"

Read more...

Preview: 25 by Patty Larkin

Artist: Patty Larkin
Title: 25
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Label: Signature Sounds
Format(s): 2-CDs

Patty Larkin celebrates twenty-five years as a recording artist by inviting twenty-five friends to sing twenty-five songs on this special two-CD set.  Among those joining her on the set are Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bruce Cockburn, Suzanne Vega, Roseanne Cash, Chris Smither and Janis Ian.

Per Larkin "I recently joked that there is no longer a Music Business, just Music. “25” is a testament to that idea.  Maybe it really is true that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Herein lies a career’s worth of love songs. Here are artists I’ve admired and been inspired by, some of whom I’ve known for more than a quarter of a century, who are continuing to create songs of worth and meaning, regardless of the state of the “music industry”."

To see all of Larkin's comments on the making of the album and each of her guest artists, go to www.pattylarkin.com/news/.

Track List: 

Note: The following is a list of the songs on the album and Larkin's guest artist.  The order of the tracks has not been announced.

• Lately (Martin Sexton)
• Only One (Jonatha Brooke)
• Open Arms (Bruce Cockburn)
• The Cranes (David Wilcox)
• Closest Thing (Rosanne Cash)
• Hallelujah (Shawn Colvin)
• Coming Up For Air (Jennifer Kimball)
• Tango (Lucy Kaplansky)
• You and Me (Willie Porter)
• Brazil (Chris Smither)
• I'm Fine (Nields)
• Island of the Time (Cheryl Wheeler)
• Home (Birdsong at Morning)
• Pablo Neruda (Suzanne Vega)
• Beautiful (Erin McKeown)
• Booth of Glass (Peter Mulvey)
• Good Thing (Dar Williams)
• Inside Your Painting (Merrie Armstrong)
• Deja Vu (John Gorka)
• Here (Greg Brown)
• St. Augustine (Beppe Gambetta)
• Chained to These Lovin' Arms (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
• Italian Shoes (Janis Ian)
• Cupid's Knee (Catie Curtis)
• Lost and Found (The She-Las)

Read more...

Husky, Dean, Sherrill and Williams to Be Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame has announced the four new inductees for the 2010 class.   Ferlin Husky and Jimmy Dean tied in the voting so both will go into the Hall in the Veteran Era Artist category.   The Modern Artist to be inducted is Don Williams and the Non-Performer is Billy Sherrill.

"These four gentlemen broadened Country Music immensely with their talents, exposing millions of fans around the world to our format," said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. "Their contributions to the genre and to popular culture are immeasurable, and we are proud to award them the highest honor in Country Music."

"The 2010 honorees are Southern men who have used their voices, songwriting, instruments and life experience to create enduring Country Music that dominated popularity charts throughout the middle and closing decades of the 20th Century," said Museum Director Kyle Young. "Their songs, recordings, live performances, and presence on radio, television, and even in the movies, are part of the sonic architecture that now frames our music in the mainstream. We extend our heartiest congratulations to them all and look forward to the stories and fellowship to come."

The CMA talked to the four inductees about their choice for the Hall.  "I thought I was already in there," said Dean humorously. "Seriously, it brought a huge grin to my face. I am honored."


An emotional Husky said, "I’d like to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for dying for me, saving my soul, and bringing me into the world as a country boy. And also, for giving me the talent to sing, entertain, and help convert millions around the world to Country Music. I’m still a country boy and proud of it. In the words of my close friend, the late Stringbean, ‘I sure am glad I’m me!’"  

"Anything I have ever accomplished would have been totally impossible without the help and support of the greatest songwriters and musicians in the world, and of course what I stole from Owen Bradley," said Sherrill.

"I feel extremely honored and overwhelmed with this news," said Williams. "It is unbelievable that CMA thought about me in this manner."

An artist is considered from the Modern Era 20 years after they first achieve national prominence and will remain eligible in that category for 25 years.  Those with 45 years or more in the public eye are considered Veteran Artists.  The third category rotates each year with Non-Performer being up for 2010.  The next two years will see Songwriter and Recording and/or Touring Musician inductees.

After the cut are the biographies of each of the new members as released by the CMA.

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Video: Angel Love (Come to Me) by Santana from Supernatural: Legacy Edition

Here's a brand new video from an eleven year old session.  Originally recorded during Santana's Supernatural sessions, Angel Love (Come to Me) (with vocals by band member Tony Lindsay) was left off of the initial issue of the album.  With the release of the two-CD Supernatural: Legacy Edition, the track has finally made it to the public.

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Sting to Do World Tour With the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

Live Nation has announced that Sting will embark on a world tour starting June 2, performing his most celebrated songs with the accompaniment of The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio. 

Orchestrations are currently being created for the tour with today's press release confirming that the following songs will be included in the show:

• Roxanne
• Next To You
• Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
• Every Breath You Take
• Englishman in New York 
• Fragile
• Russians
• If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,
• Fields of Gold
• Desert Rose

The tour kicks off June 2 in Vancouver, as did the Police reunion, and will visit Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, Washington, Toronto and Montreal along with more cities to be announced.  The U.K. and Europe will follow.

Per the press release:

Sting's interest in collaborating with an orchestra began in 2008 following an invitation to perform with the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After reworking selections from his expansive catalog, he and several members of his longtime band joined the orchestra in a performance that left an indelible mark on Sting. Eager to explore the possibilities of further symphonic collaboration, Sting was excited when the Philadelphia Orchestra asked him to join them in commemoration of the 153rd anniversary of the Academy of Music.

"Performing with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra was truly a highlight of my career. I'm delighted by this new opportunity to tour with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and reinterpret the songs I've been playing for many years," commented Sting.

Along with the Royal Philharmonic, Sting will also bring along Dominic Miller (guitar), David Cousin (percussionist), Jo Lawry (vocals) and Ira Coleman (bass).

So far, the following five dates have been announced:

• 6/2/10 - Vancouver - Centre for the Performing Arts (on sale 3/8)
• 6/9/10 - Denver - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (on sale 3/8)
• 6/15/10 - Los Angeles - Hollywood Bowl (on sale 3/8)
• 7/17 & 18/10 - Chicago - Ravinia Festival (on sale 4/22)

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New Releases For February 23, 2010

CD

• Joan Armatrading - Walk Under Ladders (Bonus Tracks)
  
• Frankie Avalon - Venus 
  
• Aztec Camera - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• George Benson - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Dickey Betts - Collectors / Lets Get Together (2 CDs)
  
• Big Brother and the Holding Company - Lost Tapes (2 CDs)
  
• Blues Brothers - Made in America
  
• Buggles - Adventures in Modern Recording
  
• Cars - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave
• Guy Clark - Guy Clark (Reissue)
  
• Classic Nouveaux - The Liberty Singles Collection
  
• Natalie Cole - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Con Funk Shun - Loveshine / Candy
• Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide: Deluxe Edition (2 CDs)
  
• Dana - Have a Nice Day / Love Songs & Fairytales/The Girl is Back (2 CDs)
  
• Echo & the Bunnymen - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Ramblin' Jack Elliot - At Lansdowne Studios, London
• Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers - Flatt & Scruggs & Stanley Brothers 1952-1959 (4 CDs)
  
• Dan Fogelberg - Live: Greetings From the West (Remastered)
  
• Foreigner - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
• Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome (2 CDs)
• Aretha Franklin - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Fugs - Be Free: The Final CD 2
  
• Serge Gainsbourg - Poet & Provacateur
  
• J. Geils Band - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Gentle Giant - Giant for a Day 
• Gentle Giant - Missing Piece
  
• Robin Guthrie (ex-Cocteau Twins) - Sunflower Stories (EP)
  
• Merle Haggard - Kern River / Chill Factor (Reis)
• Donny Hathaway - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Hot Tuna - Double Dose
  
• Jackson Heights - Bump N Grind 
• Jackson Heights - Ragamuffin's Fool 
• Jesus & Mary Chain - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• George Jones - Great Lost Hits of
  
• Rickie Lee Jones - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Carole King - Writer (Deluxe Edition)
• Christine Kittrell - Call Her Name: The Complete Recordings 1951-1965
• Little Feat - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Los Lobos - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Madness - Absolutely (2 CDs)
  
• Madness - Seven (2 CDs)
  
• Manhattan Transfer - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Marmalade - Only Light on My Horizon Now 
• Middle of the Road - Chirpy Chirpy Cheap Cheap / Acceleration / Drive On
• Monkees - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Nazareth - Hair of the Dog (Extra Tracks)
  
• Nazareth - Loud N Proud (Extra Tracks)
  
• Nazareth - Rampant
  
• Laura Nyro & Labelle - Gonna Take a Miracle
  
• Orleans - 75 Live: Harvard Square Theatre
  
• Alan Parsons Project - Poe: More Tales of Mystery & Imagination
• Plimsouls - Live Beg, Borrow & Steal: October 31, 1981: Whiskey a Go-Go
  
• Pogues - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Pretenders - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Rave-Ups - Book of Your Regrets / Chance
• Helen Reddy - Ear Candy / We'll Sing in the Sunshine
  
• Linda Ronstadt - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Diana Ross - Touch Me in the Morning (2 CDs)
• Soul Children - Finders Keepers / Where Is Your Woman Tonight
  
• Spirit - Last Euro Tour (2 CDs)
  
• Gary Stewart - Cactus & a Rose/Collector's Series
  
• Rod Stewart - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
  
• Sugarloaf - Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
• Rufus Thomas - Early Years
  
• Was (Not Was) - Pick of the Litter 1980-2010
• Zalman Yanovsky - Alive & Well in Argentina
• Various Artists - Cave of Clear Light: Pye & Dawn Records 1967-1975 (3 CDs)
  
• Various Artists - Hard to Find 45s on CD, Volume 11 (Sugar Pop Classics)
  
• Various Artists - Hard to Find 45s on CD, Volume 12 (60's & 70's Pop Classics
• Various Artists - Rare West Coast Jump N Jive 1945-1954 (4 CDs)

Vinyl

• Johnny Horton - Fantastic Johnny Horton
  
• Michael Jackson - Acapella Album
  
• Molly Hatchet - Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge
• Plimsouls - Live Beg, Borrow & Steal: October 31, 1981: Whiskey a Go-Go
  
• Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand the Weather
• Stevie Ray Vaughan - Soul to Soul
  
• Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood
• Youngbloods - Earth Music
• Youngbloods - Youngbloods
  

DVD

• Joan Armatrading - Steppin Out
• Neil Diamond - Hot August Night NYC From Madison Square Gardens (Blu-Ray)
• Richard Hell & the Voidoids - Blank Generation
• Gary Moore - Definitive Montreux Collection (3 DVDs)
  
• Jethro Tull - Live at Avo Session Basel
• Mick Taylor Band - The Tokyo Concert

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