08.17.05 (MusicPortal.com) Eighteen years after first walking into a recording studio, ROWETTA is finally fulfilling her dream and releasing her debut solo album in October. Hugely respected as an experienced singer previously with HAPPY MONDAYS, SIMPLY RED, INNER CITY and many others, it wasn't until 2004 that ROWETTA entered ITV's "X Factor" show. Her enormous voice set her apart from the other 50,000 entrants and established her as Simon Cowell's favorite singer, performer and entertainer. The last woman standing, ROWETTA came in fourth to Steve Brookstein, G4 and Tabby. Since the X Factor, ROWETTA has been writing and recording with renowned producer Ian Levine, and recently signed a record deal with Gut Records, who will release her debut. The eponymous album is an impressive collection of songs including 3 self-penned originals and a surprisingly diverse collection of cover songs. A show-stopping version of Sammy Davis Jr.'s 'Hello Detroit' sits along side fellow Mancunians OASIS' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out,' while 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going' from the musical "Dreamgirls" compliments the Disco of 'The Greatest Performance Of My Life.' ROWETTA's three original songs Fly, Pure, Faithful & True and Thunder & Lightning display her passion for blues and northern soul. "Over the years I've always believed that, what ever happens, you have to just keep on going," she says. "Now to have the opportunity to record a solo album really is a dream come true for me, and to be able to record some of my favorite songs and create a record that really represents me makes me so proud. It's a fantastic feeling." ROWETTA began singing as a child, performing in talent competitions before progressing to singing in clubs professional as a teenager. In 1987, she sang with VANILLA SOUND CORPS on two tracks, 'Back Where We Belong' and 'Passion.' A management deal with So What followed, after which ROWETTA recorded 'Stop This Thing' with DYNASTY OF 2. She has since appeared on numerous other records as a backing vocalist: "far too many to mention, or remember," she says. In 1989, Warner Chappell signed ROWETTA to a publishing deal, after which her life took a major turn when she joined uo with HAPPY MONDAYS. The turn of the century saw ROWETTA playing herself in Michael Winterbottom's "24 Hour Party People" alongside Steve Coogan, and appearing on the PLAYGROUP album with Trevor "The Underdog" Jackson.
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08.16.05 (AP) VASSAR CLEMENTS, a fiddle virtuoso and A-list studio musician who played with Paul McCartney and an array of others, died at his home Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee after a battle with lung cancer. He was 77. Clements was hospitalized for 18 days earlier this year, receiving chemotherapy and other treatment. He had been under hospice care in recent weeks. "He had no quality of life since he'd been diagnosed," said daughter Midge Cranor, who added that the cancer had spread to his liver and brain. Clements - whose wife, Millie, died in 1998 - last performed February 4th in Jamestown, New York, Cranor said. "God blessed me in that I was able to hold his hand when he died," she said. Clements' work bridged various styles, including Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock 'N' Roll and Classical. "When the rhythm is good, I can play it," he told The Associated Press in a 1988 interview. During his career, he recorded on more than 2,000 albums, joining artists as varied as McCartney, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, Hank Williams Jr., Woody Herman, THE GRATEFUL DEAD, THE BYRDS and THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND. Clements, a Kinard, Fla., native who grew up in Kissimmee, Fla., also recorded more than two dozen albums of his own. The 2005 Grammy for best Country instrumental performance went to 'Earl's Breakdown' by THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND featuring Clements, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs and Jerry Douglas. "He got his start in bluegrass, but he was equally comfortable playing bebop and jazz and rock 'n' roll, and he loved all those genres," said Jeff Hanna of THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND, which tapped Clements for their landmark "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" Americana albums and also toured Japan with him. "He could sit in with anybody." VASSAR CLEMENTS even recorded with the Monkees once - by happenstance. He was working on a recording session when someone asked him if he wanted to stay and play on another one. "I didn't know until later it was the Monkees," he said. Besides being a gifted musician, Clements was fun to be around, Hanna said. "He was incredibly hip," Hanna said. "He was just one of those guys. He was still the dapper Dan. My wife always said he was such a handsome devil. He always dressed impeccably." Clements, who appeared in Robert Altman's 1975 film "Nashville," taught himself to play at age 7 and had no formal training. "It was God's gift, something born in me," he said about his talent. "I was too dumb to learn it any other way. I listened to the (Grand Ole) Opry some. I'd pick it up one note at a time. I was young, with plenty of time and I didn't give up. You'd come home from school, do your lessons and that's it. No other distractions. "I don't read music. I play what I hear," Clements once said. VASSAR CLEMENTS was employed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a year in the mid-1960s, working on plumbing. At various times, he also worked in a Georgia paper mill, was a switchman for the Atlantic Coast Railroad, sold insurance, and even had a potato chip franchise.
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08.11.05 (MusicPortal.com) "Back Home," ERIC CLAPTON's first album of new original material in nearly five years, will be released on Reprise/Duck Records on August 30th. Featuring twelve songs, five of which were penned by Clapton with creative collaborator Simon Climie, "Back Home" also includes 'Love Comes To Everyone' by the late George Harrison, THE SPINNERS' 'Love Don't Love Nobody,' a rendition of Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright's 'I'm Going Left,' and compositions by Vince Gill, Doyle Bramhall II and others. Produced by ERIC CLAPTON and Simon Climie, who together also wrote the album's debut single, 'Revolution,' "Back Home" additionally spotlights an all-star backing band, many of whose members have worked extensively with Clapton over the years, including drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Nathan East, guitarists Andy Fairweather Low and Doyle Bramhall II, and keyboardists Billy Preston and Simon Climie. Among the special guests appearing on "Back Home" are Steve Winwood (synthesizer), John Mayer (guitar), Robert Randolph (dobro), Chris Stainton (Fender Rhodes), Stephen Marley (percussion), Abraham Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Pino Palladino (bass) and Toby Baker (keyboards). The album also highlights string arrangements by Nick Ingman and performances by the KICK HORNS. "I wanted to make a studio album without quite knowing what it was going to be," remarks Clapton on the creative impetus behind "Back Home." Working closely with Climie, Clapton began recording over a year ago, working around his touring schedule and family commitments. "We kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that it was going to take a long time, but when we got stuck or if it wasn't moving fast enough we'd stop and do a Robert Johnson song. That would clear the air, and we'd go back and carry on for the new album. As a result, we ended up with a complete Robert Johnson album first, which was released last year as 'Me And Mr Johnson.'" It was through that writing and recording process, Clapton explains, that the theme of "Back Home" emerged. "One of the earliest statements I made about myself," he reveals, "was back in the late '80's, with 'Journeyman.' This album completes that cycle in terms of talking about my whole journey as an itinerant musician and where I find myself now, starting a new family. That's why I chose the title. It's about coming home and staying home. Even though," he adds with a laugh, "I'll be out on the road again next year, playing this music."
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08.10.05 (MusicPortal.com) In celebration of LES PAUL's 90th birthday this past June, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing is releasing a new album, two new books, and host several special events in honor of the father of the electric guitar. Produced by Bob Cutarella and Fran Cathcart, "Les Paul & Friends, a new all-star collaborative CD, will be released Tuesday, August 30th. Many of music's top artists joined LES PAUL for a high-octane return to the recording studio, including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Billy Gibbons, Buddy Guy, Beth Hart, Steve Miller, Keith Richards, John Rzeznik, Richie Sambora, Neal Schon, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Sting, Joss Stone, and more. An all-star celebration, "Les Paul & Friends" is LES PAUL's first new release since his Grammy-winning 1978 album with Chet Atkins, "Chester & Lester." The CD brings Paul together with a legion of his greatest fans, all of whom have learned a thing or two from the master and have achieved their own great successes in music. The artists joining LES PAUL on the Rock-charged album share one clear common bond: Paul is one of their most respected and beloved mentors. With advanced arthritis limiting his own ability to shred like the younger guns, and always more of a melodic pluck-and-flutter player himself, LES PAUL was happy to set loose his Rock 'N' Roll descendents on the leads and solos before adding his own signature riffs, trills and staccato exclamations to the arrangements. This past June 19th, one of the world's greatest gatherings of guitarists took the Carnegie Hall stage for "All For Paul: Les Paul's 90th Birthday Salute," a star-studded celebration presented by Gibson Guitar at the JVC Jazz Festival in New York. Beginning in August, Gibson will issue 12 special edition custom "Les Paul" guitars to commemorate Paul's 90th year. A new LES PAUL book is also slated to arrive in stores later this year: "The Les Paul Legacy" by Rob Lawrence is due from Hal Leonard Publishing on October 27th. "Les Paul In His Own Words," a limited-edition autobiography with each numbered copy signed by LES PAUL himself, was released June 9th by Russ Cochran Publishing. LES PAUL, born June 9, 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is not only one of the world's finest guitarists of all time, but is also a Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer, five-time Grammy Award winner, the inventor of the solid body electric guitar, and the pioneer of numerous enduring studio techniques, including multi-track recording and the use of reverb.

08.09.05 (MusicPortal.com) Rhino Home Video releases the first-ever JERRY GARCIA BAND DVD today, entitled "Live At Shoreline." The disc's release marks marks the 10-year anniversary of Garcia's passing in 1995. Later this month on August 23rd, Rhino Records will unveil LEGION OF MARY's first official release, "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary." "Live At Shoreline" includes the JERRY GARCIA BAND's entire two-hour-plus performance in 5.1 Surround Sound, while "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary," a two-disc set, features 14 live performances recorded during a series of West Coast concerts performed by the band in the mid-1970s. The "Live At Shoreline" DVD was recorded September 1st, 1990 at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California and remains one of the very few JERRY GARCIA BAND concerts to be filmed. A GRATEFUL DEAD show was originally scheduled for that date, but the band could not play due to the tragic death of their keyboardist Brent Mydland a few weeks earlier. Instead of canceling the show, the JERRY GARCIA BAND stepped in and delivered a poignant performance. Throughout the evening's two sets, the band performed an inspired mix of emotional covers including Motown classics 'How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You' and 'I Second That Emotion,' THE BEATLES' 'Dear Prudence,' Bob Dylan's 'Tangled Up In Blue' and 'I Shall Be Released,' Van Morrison's 'And It Stoned Me,' Peter Tosh's 'Stop That Train,' plus 'Run For The Roses' and 'Deal' from Jerry Garcia's solo work. In addition to the entire concert, "Live At Shoreline" also includes Blair Jackson's interview with GRATEFUL DEAD lyricist Robert Hunter, a mini-documentary, various interviews with band members, and photo galleries. Jerry Garcia formed LEGION OF MARY in 1974 for a seven-month concert run that spawned a treasure trove of electrifying performances known only to a few lucky concertgoers and dedicated tapers. The band -- Garcia, keyboardist and long-time collaborator Merl Saunders, saxophonist and flutist Martin Fierro and drummer Ron Tutt -- came together in December of 1974 to play an adventurous mix of Jazz and Funk. "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary" includes passionate interpretations of some Rock 'N' Roll classics. Blair Jackson's exhaustive liner notes include stories from former members about the band's development, and clear up some long-standing confusion surrounding the group's actual history.
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08.03.05 (MusicPortal.com) London's famous Abbey Road Studios played host to a stellar line-up of legendary guitar gods in December of 2004 for a very special one-off tribute concert in honor of Elvis Presley, with musical direction from his first guitarist, first manager and life-long friend, SCOTTY MOORE. Universal Music has announced the coming October 3rd release of that concert in the DVD premiere of "A Tribute To The King," featuring songs made famous by Elvis Presley and performed by SCOTTY MOORE and some very well-known guests. Following on from the re-release of Presley's first single, 'That's Alright Mama,' it's only fitting that during a year which will see more celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of Rock 'N' Roll that the one and only SCOTTY MOORE should lead this exclusive tribute concert, showcasing the music made so famous by "The King." Moore was joined at Abbey Road Studios for the special concert by a roster of international guitar heroes including Eric Clapton ('That's All Right Mama,' 'Money Honey,' 'Mystery Train'), PINK FLOYD's David Gilmour ('Don't'), Mark Knopfler of DIRE STRAITS ('Blue Moon Of Kentucky,' 'Baby Let's Play House'), ROLLING STONES past and present Bill Wyman and Ronnie Wood, Steve Gibbons ('Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Don't Be Cruel,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine'), Mike Sanchez ('My Baby Left Me,' 'All Shook Up,' 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy') and many more. Over two dozen Elvis Presley classics in total (also including 'Shake, Rattle And Roll', 'All Shook Up' and 'Blue Suede Shoes') are captured on DVD in stunning 5.1 dts, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound and 2.0 Dolby Stereo on the upcoming release. The DVD's producer also conducted extensive interviews with SCOTTY MOORE, Jerry Schilling, and the musicians who gathered at Abbey Road, in order to present a collection of bonus feature interviews, exclusive to "A Tribute To The King." While fans of Elvis Presley hold a warm place in their hearts for SCOTTY MOORE as Elvis' original guitarist, Moore is also cited as a genuine pioneer of the instrument's use in Rock 'N' Roll by guitarists worldwide. A musical role model, respected and admired by fans and guitarists alike, "A Tribute To The King" is a chance for fans to once more enjoy renditions of the songs made famous by Elvis Presley and the music founded by SCOTTY MOORE. Universal Music also plan to produce an exclusive, limited-edition version of "A Tribute To The King alongside the standard DVD release. 25,000 slipcase amaray versions will also be released, complete with limited-edition red foil lettering.

08.01.05 (MusicPortal.com) Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. in association with Universal Music DVD Video has announced the upcoming release of "Jimi Hendrix: Live At Woodstock (The Deluxe Edition)" on September 12th for the UK and September 13th for the U.S. The special two-disc DVD presentation stands as the definitive record of one of JIMI HENDRIX's most celebrated performances. The all-new deluxe set features all of the existing film footage from his unforgettable live set from Woodstock in August of 1969, newly re-edited and presented uninterrupted and in its original performance sequence. "Jimi Hendrix: Live At Woodstock (The Deluxe Edition)" includes never-before-seen versions of 'Foxy Lady,' 'Message To Love,' 'Hey Joe,' 'Spanish Castle Magic' and 'Lover Man,' as well as an all-new 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtrack mixed by Eddie Kramer, JIMI HENDRIX's original studio engineer. Where 1994's original VHS [and subsequent DVD] release of his Woodstock performance ran for only 57 minutes, Experience Hendrix has teamed with Warner Bros. to restore all of the existing film footage from the performance. The new edition was entirely re-edited by Jere Huggins, one of the original editors of the 1970 Academy Award-winning "Woodstock" motion picture. Huggins worked extensively with Experience Hendrix's Janie Hendrix and John McDermott, as well as noted Warner Bros. film restoration specialist Bill Rush to incorporate a variety of previously unseen camera angles and coverage. Rush has been involved in the careful, critically acclaimed restoration of many classic films, including "Public Enemy," "Casablanca," and "Out Of The Past." The result is an actual frame-by-frame digital restoration that presents JIMI HENDRIX at Woodstock in more vibrant color and detail than ever before. In addition to the full-length feature, "Live At Woodstock," "Jimi Hendrix: Live At Woodstock (The Deluxe Edition)" contains a multitude of special bonus features, including "The Road To Woodstock," a new documentary featuring Hendrix performance footage and new interviews with Woodstock promoter Michael Lang, and JIMI HENDRIX band members Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Larry Lee and Juma Sultan, among others. In addition to the newly re-edited color footage featured on DVD One, "Live At Woodstock: A Second Look" offers a totally unique perspective of Hendrix's performance that has never before been shared. Combining never-before-seen black and white video footage intercut with alternate camera angles filmed in color, "A Second Look" features uninterrupted footage of every performance featured on DVD One in its original performance sequence, as well as previously unreleased footage of 'Hear My Train A Comin' - a performance missed by the "Woodstock" film crew, presented here for the very first time.
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[Blues News: July 2005]
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