12.30.05 (MusicPortal.com) JULIAN LENNON has sent out the following year-ending holiday newsletter: "Hi folks! Happy New Year everyone! And it's been quite a year. For Mum especially. Her book, 'John,' was published in September to great reviews and wonderful feedback from the fans. She has asked me to pass on her thanks for all your letters and emails and your support and kindness over the past few months. I know she especially enjoyed meeting so many people at her signings both in Europe and in the U.S. Thank you! I genuinely felt that the time was right for Mum to write her story, that her side was long overdue, and so I was really heartened by your positive response to the book. I sincerely recommend 'John' to all of you who in Mum's words want to know 'the real story of the real John, the man who made such an impact on the world.' Many people have said how much they enjoyed reading my foreword to Mum's book as well, so thanks for that as well. For me, the most exciting thing this past year has been the completion of my home studio. I've been having a great time these last few months, writing new songs and collaborating with Greg Darling and other musicians and friends. I was recently in the UK for a few weeks trying to finalize 'The Team' I've been putting together over the year, and it seems, so far, that my dream team is really coming together. They're all very talented people in their own right - details of who they are will be announced once everyone signs on the dotted line! If all goes according to plan I'll be in the studio this spring recording with my producer of choice, and hopefully -- once PR and marketing are organized -- you will be hearing something new from me, either by year's end of 2006, or first thing in 2007. In the meantime... All the best and Happy New Year - see you on the other side! Love, Jules." If you hadn't read it, JULIAN LENNON also issued a rare public statement this past Fall, prior to the 25th anniversary of his father John Lennon's death: As the anniversary of Dad's death approaches, I have, inevitably, started receiving many requests for interviews. I am not going to give any interviews on the subject; I genuinely feel that I have talked about Dad enough. But I do appreciate the enormous interest people have in my father and his legacy and so, in lieu of interviews, I am going to say just this: Dad was a great talent whose music and ideals are an inspiration to millions. Yet I have always had very mixed feelings about Dad. He was the father I loved who let me down in so many ways. Who knows how our relationship might have developed if he had not been murdered... It's painful to think that his early death robbed me of the chance for us to know each other better. What can never be taken away are his words and music - that's his legacy for me. It's in my blood for a start. Like Dad, I became a musician too, and -- as with many other artists in this world -- his words and music continue to influence me today and probably forever more. I expect there will be lots of other programs and profiles commemorating and celebrating Dad on and around December 8th... For Mum and me, that day will be one of private remembrance."
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12.27.05 (MusicPortal.com) "The Gun Album," the latest studio release from Indie Pop/Rockers THE MINUS 5, will be released on February 7th via Yep Roc Records. The seventh full-length album from the band, it features the McCaughey/Buck/Ramberg/Rieflin line-up, as well as two tracks recorded in Chicago with WILCO, plus guest appearances from John Wesley Harding, Kelly Hogan, Morgan Fisher (Mott), Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger/Long Winters), and Colin Meloy and John Moen (The Decemberists). However, make no mistake that Scott McCaughey represents the heart and soul of THE MINUS FIVE, who have existed in one form or another since 1993. Songwriter/singer/instrumentalist for YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS (1983 to present), instrumentalist for R.E.M. (1994 to present) as well as instrumentalist/songwriter for TUATARA alongside R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, McCaughey has actually made many recordings and played many shows with a number of other artists since 1972. THE MINUS FIVE itself started when McCaughey realized he had a dumptruck-load of songs that YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS would either never get around to, or would wisely choose not to. His friends and fellow Seattleites Peter Buck, Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer were quick to volunteer to help him capture his vision, with those early sessions producing "The Hello EP" and "Old Liquidator." Many other luminants have since joined the ranks of THE MINUS FIVE over the years. A little historical background: UNCLE TUPELO opened for the popular YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS once at the Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO, circa 1988. There was an undeniable musical kinship struck between the bands, while years later other things would happen. For instance, Peter Buck produced UNCLE TUPELO's "March 16-20, 1992" album. Every so often, Scott McCaughey and Jeff Tweedy would find themselves at their wives' house in Chicago, playing each other records and new stuff their bands had recorded. On a night off on R.E.M.'s 1995 world tour, Tweedy learned a bunch of the songs off of "Old Liquidator," and played a set with McCaughey and Buck at the fabled and much-missed Lounge Ax. Somewhere along the line, Tweedy and McCaughey started talking about the desire to record together, and they kept talking about it over the years. After a GOLDEN SMOG show in Seattle, Tweedy, McCaughey and Barrett Martin recorded a new Minus 5 song entitled 'Childhood Lament,' which to this day resides carelessly on the unreleased "Let The War Against Music Begin Vol. 2" album. Tweedy's WILCO would later tour with R.E.M. in 1999, while McCaughey regularly contributed moogerfooger banjo to 'Misunderstood.' Then backstage in Munich, Germany came the Tweedy/McCaughey/Buck anthem, 'Lyrical Stance (I've Got A).' Later, in Toronto, Canada, Scott McCaughey and Jeff Tweedy penned 'The Family Gardener' and recorded a rough version of the song with Brian Paulson in a Raleigh, North Carolina Holiday Inn. In January of 2000, a two-week celebration of Lounge Ax (finally being evicted from its longtime home) brought McCaughey to Chicago to perform a set of new material with no rehearsal, featuring WILCO as THE MINUS 5. That set has since been widely bootlegged.
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12.23.05 (MusicPortal.com) Band member Russell from UK trio THE RESEARCH checked in recently with the following update: "Hello Christmas lovers and friends of mine, I hope things are going good for you. The cold weather has taken Georgia under it's icy wing, and she's spreading the germ around the television studio. That's where we are at the moment, filming our DVD for 'Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same.' Sarah got drunk as hell last night, and the hotel staff had to carry her out the bar because I convinced her to buy a bottle of Champagne for fifty pounds and then left her to drink it on her own. That's how we do Christmas around here. At the EMI artist's party we showed Athlete and Richard Ashcroft and Kate Bush how to have a good good time, and we were the last ones to leave again and I was sick a lot and for a long duration. I didn't wear my baseball cap because it was a dressy occasion and I met Lene Marlin and she fancied me. There have not been very many gigs to speak of because we have been busy repairing the van and preparing some plans for the other side of Christmas regarding giving our first long-playing album a proper send off. Do you know that in the new year, we are going on another tour around our own country and if you want to see us alive then you can buy tickets on our website and bring your resolutions along? I'm afraid that I have nothing to resolve with myself because I have been afraid of God since November 11th, 2004, but I'm sure Georgia will be settling some things with her inner demons. In any case, this is supposed to be about wishing upon you a very happy Christmas from our band. We all hope that you have good company and good food and good times and also some snow would be good. Thank you for sharing this year with us. I will do this again soon, I promise, love from Russell ("the disaster") and love from Sarah and love from Georgia. XXX." THE RESEARCH are also confirmed to play the following upcoming live dates in the UK: 01/16 Birmingham, UK [Barfly] • 01/17 Liverpool, UK [Barfly] • 01/18 York, UK [Fibbers] • 01/19 Sheffield, UK [Fuzz Club] • 01/20 Glasgow, UK [Barfly] • 01/21 Stockton, UK [Georgian Theatre] • 01/22 Manchester, UK [Dry Bar] • 01/24 Derby, UK [Victoria Inn] • 01/25 Nottingham, UK [The Social] • 01/26 Bath, UK [Moles] • 01/27 Northampton, UK [Soundhaus] • 01/28 Oxford, UK [The Zodiac] • 01/29 Southampton, UK [Joiners] • 01/31 Brighton, UK [Free Butt] • 02/01 Cardiff, UK [Barfly] • 02/11 Liverpool, UK [Uni] • 02/12 Newcastle, UK [The Other Rooms] • 02/13 Aberdeen, UK [Lemon Tree] • 02/14 Edinburgh, UK [Cabaret Voltaire] • 02/15 Leeds, UK [Faversham] • 02/17 Preston, UK [53 Degrees] • 02/18 Coventry, UK [Colloseum] • 02/19 Stoke, UK [The Sugarmill] • 02/20 Leicester, UK [The Charlotte] • 02/22 Bournemouth, UK [Bournemouth University] • 02/23 Turnbridge, UK [Forum] • 02/24 Norwich, UK [Norwich Arts Centre]
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12.22.05 (MusicPortal.com) BILL WYMAN was the first member of THE ROLLING STONES to actively pursue an extra-curricular, parallel solo career. During the 70s, 80s and 90s while still the bassist for the band, Wyman cut various albums, and tracks, of which the most significant feature on a career-spanning collection, "A Stone Alone: The Solo Anthology 1974-2002," which will be released as a deluxe, 2-disc CD set by Sanctuary Midline on March 20th. Frustrated by his lack of success in persuading his colleagues to record his songs, BILL WYMAN dabbled at management, production and songwriting. His albums "Monkey Grip" (1974) and "Stoned Alone" (1976) garnered favorable reviews with the press, but it was 1982's 'A New Fashion' single and the 1983 hit, '(Si, Si) Je Suis Un Rock A Star,' which pushed his solo career even further. His next major side project was the 1985 cover band WILLIE AND THE POOR BOYS, which also included Stones drummer Charlie Watts, Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers. However, it was after he left THE ROLLING STONES in 1993 that BILL WYMAN formed THE RHYTHYM KINGS, which featured guitarists Peter Frampton and Albert Lee, as well as former PROCOL HARUM keyboardist Gary Brooker. THE RHYTHYM KINGS were an immediate success on every level, charting with a series of studio albums and establishing themselves as a major live draw. But hit albums or not, they remained essentially a live band, to which end they were billed as THE BOOTLEG KINGS - the hits from their live albums "Live In Europe" (1998), "Ride Again" (2000), "Travlin' Band" (2001) and "On The Road Again" (2002) providing the backbone of Disc 2 of "A Stone Alone: The Solo Anthology 1974-2002." Compiled and annotated by David Wells with input from BILL WYMAN himself, the inlay/booklet includes extensive interview material and many rare pictures and memorabilia, making this album a unique and definitive overview of his second-stage career. As a member of THE ROLLING STONES for three decades, BILL WYMAN established himself among the greatest bassists in Rock 'N' Roll history. In tandem with drummer Charlie Watts, he belonged to one of the most stalwart rhythm sections in popular music, perfectly complementing the theatrics of frontman Mick Jagger and the gritty guitar leads of Keith Richards. Born William Perks in London on October 24, 1936, BILL WYMAN was playing in a group called THE CLIFTONS when he was asked to join THE ROLLING STONES in mid-1962, replacing bassist and future PRETTY THINGS member Dick Taylor. Reportedly asked to join the group simply because he had his own amplifier, he was, at age 25, by several years the oldest member of the band. Regardless, his chemistry with the other band members was immediate, and with the subsequent arrival of Watts, the classic ROLLING STONES lineup was soon cemented. The rest of course is history, and before too long the Stones would be widely recognized as "The World's Greatest Rock And Roll Band."
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12.21.05 (MusicPortal.com) Universal Music Group has announced the January 30th DVD premiere of "Barry Gibb - Now Voyager," the epic visual journey to accompany BARRY GIBB's landmark album of the same name. The concept film, comprised of a multitude of music videos, was originally released in 1984, and now for the very first time has been painstakingly remastered and presented for the first time in stunning DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. The album of the same name was BARRY GIBB's first official solo effort away from THE BEE GEES. Most of the songs broke new ground for Gibb, who experimented with several new styles. Upon its release over 20 years ago, Now Voyager was ahead of its time. With the film starring BARRY GIBB himself as well as Michael Hordern (Watership Down, Gandhi), the narrative sees Gibb travelling to a world in between life and death, taking him on a bizarre but memorable adventure; the film typifies the audio/visual extravaganza that characterized the birth of the "MTV Generation" around the same period. Directed by Storm Thorgerson (Yes, Pink Floyd, Paul Young, etc.), the lavishly produced film takes all your senses on the ultimate road trip and is a treat for fans both of THE BEE GEES and BARRY GIBB the solo artist. Thorgerson and producer Aubrey Powell, were also responsible, as Hipgnosis, for many of the most enduring album cover designs for artists such as LED ZEPPELIN, 10CC, Black Sabbath, Peter Gabriel and Paul McCartney. As an additional bonus, the "Barry Gibb - Now Voyager" DVD includes "Inside Now Voyager - The Making Of The Film," which serves as an excellent reference to put into context the legacy of the film in Pop history. As a member of THE BEE GEES, BARRY GIBB sang and played the guitar along with twin brothers Robin Gibb and the late Maurice Gibb. Among the group's most well-known hits are 'How Deep Is Your Love,' 'Night Fever,' 'Run to Me,' and many more. For more than four decades, THE BEE GEES produced a seemingly endless string of hits, their records having sold more than 150 million copies. THE BEE GEES have produced more than 25, albums and have had at least 19 hits on the American music charts. BARRY GIBB was born in England and emigrated with his family to Australia where the career of THE BEE GEES began, their name spawned from the phrase "The Brothers Gibb." Their debut performance was on Australian television in 1963, when they sang their first single, 'The Battle Of The Blue And Grey.' 'Spicks and Specks,' another early hit, went over big in Australia. Despite the band's success "down under," THE BEE GEES were envious of groups like THE BEATLES, who had become internationally known by that time. In 1967, the trio went back to Britain to achieve national fame. After signing a record contract THE BEE GEES produced their first hit in the UK, 'New York Mining Disaster 1941.' Following that, the group had a string of hits that landed on both the UK and American charts, including 'Massachusetts,' 'Words,' 'I've Gotta Get A Message to You,' 'I Started A Joke' and 'First Of May.' "Main Course," released in 1975, produced a hit in the song 'Jive Talkin,' after which the 1977 "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack brought about massive global success for THE BEE GEES with hits such as 'Night Fever,' 'How Deep Is Your Love,' 'Stayin' Alive' and 'You Should Be Dancin'.'

12.19.05 (MusicPortal.com) "Rock & Roll Is Dead," the acclaimed new album from Swedish Rockers THE HELLACOPTERS -- whose multiple Grammy awards and Gold records in their home country have helped the quintet build a rabid fan base not only in their native Europe, but around the entire world -- will be released in America on January 24th. It marks the third title by THE HELLACOPTERS in as many years for Liquor And Poker Music. "Rock & Roll Is Dead" was released in Europe in June, at which point the band kicked off a six-month continental tour. Highlights included performances at "Rock Im Ring/Rock Am Park," Germany's largest annual music festival, as well as Hungary's "Sziget Festival," a week-long event with nearly 400,000 attendees. The band's travels will extend to the rest of the world in 2006, including their first U.S. tour in four years. With six acclaimed studio full-lengths and European tours alongside the likes of KISS, THE ROLLING STONES and FOO FIGHTERS under their belts, it's clear THE HELLACOPTERS have come a long way since its early days as a side project of then-ENTOMBED drummer Nicke "Royale" Andersson and BACKYARD BABIES co-founder and guitarist Dregen in 1994. With Royale on vocals and guitars and Dregen on lead guitar, bassist Kenny Hakansson and drummer Robert Eriksson (The Sewergrooves) completed the original rhythm section. The band's debut came as a three-track 7" single written and recorded in one day and released on Royale's Psychout label. That record was well received (it's now a collector's item that commonly sells for over $150), and the quartet was soon forced to make THE HELLACOPTERS a full-time endeavor. Recorded in the band's hometown of Stockholm at Atlantis Studios with long-time producer Chips Kiesbye (Sahara Hotnights, Millencolin) and engineers Michael Ilbert (The Hives, Supergrass, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, etc.) and Janne Hansson (ABBA, Sonic Youth, etc.), "Rock & Roll Is Dead" features guest appearances from THE HIVES' vocalist Howlin' Pelle Almqvist and THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES' guitarist Mattias Barjed, but as usual, it's THE HELLACOPTERS themselves who make the new album memorable. International hit singles spawned from "Rock & Roll Is Dead" such as 'Everything's On T.V.' and 'I'm In The Band' respectively poke fun at couch potato culture and Rock star celebrity, proving that even though THE HELLACOPTERS are practically a household name in Europe, they haven't lost their sense of humor along the way. The North American version of "Rock & Roll Is Dead" will be an enhanced disc including two bonus tracks not found on any other version of the album, as well as bonus music video clips for both 'Everything's On T.V.' and 'I'm In The Band.' Don't be misled by the album's title, however. "Rock & Roll Is Dead" is living proof that the genre is alive and well - and that as they begin their second decade of international conquests, THE HELLACOPTERS will continue to be a sonic force to be reckoned with.
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12.19.05 (AP) Folk singer Arlo Guthrie was joined by WILLIE NELSON in New Orleans this past weekend to give a sold-out crowd something they've needed since Hurricane Katrina - good music, a good time and a reminder of what they love most about the city. Guthrie welcomed the crowd late Saturday at legendary Tipitina's, his last performance in a two-week railroad tour to raise money for musicians left homeless and without a place to work by the September hurricane. "I'm so happy to be here," Guthrie said, drawing hollers and applause. Crystal Gross was among the roughly 800 people at the benefit concert. She said her apartment in the city survived, but she wanted to do her part to help people who were less fortunate. "Besides, when else do you get to see Willie Nelson at Tip's?" said Gross, who had just moved back to New Orleans in July, about a month before Hurricane Katrina struck. Gross said the city has been glum since the storm, but Guthrie and Nelson have changed that, at least for the moment. "It's so good to see people out again. It's good to see people with smiles on their faces," she said. Inspired by television coverage of the hurricane's aftermath and by learning that Amtrak had resumed its "City Of New Orleans" service to the city, Guthrie hopped a train in Illinois two weeks ago and scheduled performances along the route with other musicians. His 1972 hit, 'The City Of New Orleans,' recounts life on the train, with the chorus: "Good morning America, how are you? Don't you know me, I'm your native son, I'm the train they call the City Of New Orleans, I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done." Guthrie arrived in New Orleans on Thursday and performed at Tipitina's on Friday with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and others. He added that show after finding out that Saturday night's grand finale performance with Nelson was sold out. "We are thrilled that we have been able to make some small dent in all that is wrong down here," Guthrie said. In an interview before the show, WILLIE NELSON said he hoped his visit would encourage musicians to return and get the New Orleans music scene back on its feet. "We want to see them come back," he said, "but I want them to have a place to come back to, a place to live." Nelson took the stage after 11 p.m. and, following his set, he joined Guthrie with a stirring rendition of the Steve Goodman-penned 'City Of New Orleans' that Guthrie made popular in 1972. The song was based on a train operated by Illinois Central before the creation of Amtrak. The "City Of New Orleans" name was ironically discontinued in 1971 before the song came out, but Amtrak christened an overnight train that runs much of the same route in 1981. Money and equipment from the "Arlo Guthrie & Friends" benefit tour will be donated to performers and to churches and schools that have music programs. Tour spokeswoman Cash Edwards did not have definitive figures on how much the tour has raised. The tour is one of several efforts to help New Orleans' musicians. Singer Harry Connick Jr. and saxophonist Branford Marsalis are working with Habitat For Humanity to create a "village" for musicians who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.

12.16.05 (MusicPortal.com) Rhino Records are releasing a second group of expanded and remastered versions of classic T. REX albums with the January 24th issue of "Tanx," "Bolan's Zip Gun," "Futuristic Dragon" and "Work In Progress." The four albums include three studio releases recorded prior to the tragic 1977 death of leader Marc Bolan, with the fourth disc featuring a collection of Bolan's home recordings and studio outtakes with the band. Each album will be released as a double-disc set. Like Rhino's first batch of T. REX reissues released on November 8th, the second set also features deluxe packaging and contains the original album along with non-album singles on the first disc. The second disc pulls back the curtain on T. REX's artistic process with a work-in-progress version of almost every song on the original album. These rare versions are previously unreleased in the U.S., and are compiled to mirror the running order of the originals. Released in 1973 at the height of T. REX mania, "Tanx" captures Bolan expanding the band's sound with the addition of a horn section and backup singers. Along with requisite rockers like 'Born To Boogie,' 'Country Honey,' and 'Highway Knees,' the album also contains the story-song 'Tenement Lady' and the searing ballad 'Broken-Hearted Blues.' The bonus disc's 23 tracks include 14 rough mixes from the "Tanx" sessions, plus four acoustic and bass guitar demos as well as five solo acoustic demos by Bolan. A refinement of the soulful Funk explorations Bolan began a year earlier with "Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow," 1974's "Bolan's Zip Gun" pared back the production to spotlight the taut interplay between the songs' rhythm section and melody on the singles 'Light Of Love' and 'Zip Gun Boogie.' The album includes the live staple 'Token Of My Love' as well as the stunning ballad 'Till Dawn,' Bolan's final work with longtime producer/collaborator Tony Visconti. The 19-track bonus disc includes early takes and rough mixes of songs from "Bolan's Zip Gun," along with outtakes of 'Do You Want To Dance' and 'Dock Of The Bay,' plus a live version of 'Zip Gun Boogie' recorded in Cleveland in 1974 during T. REX's final U.S. tour. After his previous sonic odysseys, Bolan revisited the classic T. REX sound on 1976's "Futuristic Dragon." Filled with strong songs, the Bolan-produced album includes the hit singles 'New York City' and the Disco ballad 'Dream Lady,' plus 'Chrome Sitar' and 'Dawn Storm.' The 20-track bonus disc includes two different mixes of 'Futuristic Dragon (Introduction),' plus three different versions of 'Casual Agent,' as well as a blistering outtake of 'Dawn Storm' that features the band playing with reckless abandon. Lastly, "Work In Progress" cherry-picks Marc Bolan's best unreleased and sometimes unfinished songs from throughout his career. The double-disc compilation features music recorded between 1972 and 1977, and contains everything from rudimentary acoustic song sketches and sprawling lyrical ideas to full-bodied Gospel songs and hairy guitar workouts. The first disc includes 33 tracks and is dedicated to Bolan's solo home demos, while the second disc includes 22 tracks and focuses on songs developed in the studio with T. REX.
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12.16.05 (MusicPortal.com) Grammy Award-winning writer/producer and contemporary music visionary WILLIAM ORBIT makes a return February 7th with a new album entitled "Hello Waveforms" on Sanctuary Records. His first solo release since 2000's "Pieces In A Modern Style," the new offering is performed and produced by Orbit. "Hello Waveforms" is ethereal, ambient, subtle and distinctive in style, fusing strong melodies with electronic synths to produce his definitive signature sound. Recorded in London and America, the new album features a collection of collaborations and influences - the track 'Humming Chorus' is taken from "Madame Butterfly," 'Spiral' features the SUGABABES and Kenna on vocals, while Finley Quaye plays acoustic guitar on the dreamlike 'Who Owns The Octopus.' WILLIAM ORBIT has also reunited with former "Strange Cargo" band member Laurie Mayer, who plays piano and synthesizer on 'Surfin' and provides vocals on the tracks 'Bubble Universe' and 'Who Owns the Octopus?' An artist who individually determined the new age of modern mixer/producer credibility, WILLIAM ORBIT's most high profile projects to date include his contribution to Madonna's "Ray Of Light" album - on which he produced, co-wrote and performed, U2's 'Electrical Storm', Blur's "13," and his smash-hit single, 'Barber's Adagio For Strings.' In 2001, WILLIAM ORBIT performed as part of Barbican's celebrated Elektronik Festival. Well-known for his contributions to modern music, Orbit is undoubtedly one of the world's most accomplished talents, and continues to be internationally recognized as a premier artist, writer, producer and composer. Influenced by an eclectic range of musicians including Jimi Hendrix, KRAFTWERK and Miles Davis, WILLIAM ORBIT's involvement in the music industry has not only created an impressive list of critically acclaimed work that spans genres and styles, but also ceaselessly defines the Dance/Electronica genre. While music is clearly his forte, it was never an obvious career choice. "My parents are both teachers, but I left school at 16 with no university education and worked a variety of jobs such as a fruit picker and in a shoe factory, before spending time in the seventies doing my own thing, which included living on a boat in Holland," he says. It was only when squatting in an old school house in Paddington during the 1980's that he formed TORCH SONG with Laurie Mayer and began to explore his innate creativity - thanks to the free electricity and lack of overheads. "We'd make cassettes and send them to everybody in the industry, which is basically how my music career began." Four critically acclaimed albums followed under the name "Strange Cargo," one of which produced the classic hit 'Water From A Vine Leaf,' featuring Beth Orton. During the 1990s, WILLIAM ORBIT also released under the names THE ELECTRIC CHAMBER and BASSOMATIC, whose material included the hit 'Fascinating Rhythm.' "Pieces In A Modern Style" was a pioneering collection of ambient Classical pieces interpreted with his distinctive vision. Featuring 'Barber's Adagio For Strings,' Erik Satie's 'Ogive Number 1,' Antonio Vivaldi's 'L'Inverno' and a Henryk Gorecki piece for the track 'Piece In The Old Style 1,' that album earned WILLIAM ORBIT instant worldwide commercial and critical success.
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12.13.05 (MusicPortal.com) Drive-Thru Records recording artists HELLOGOODBYE have capped off 2005 with a bang by winning MTV2's "Dew Circuit Breakout." The "battle of the bands"-type competition began over a month ago with 6 bands as semi-finalists in contention to win the top spot. After a series of challenges, including live performances, HELLOGOODBYE were declared the winners live on MTV2 this past Saturday, December 10th. For that achievement, the Southern-California based band will receive several prizes, including $9,000 in musical gear, $10,000 cash, an opening spot on the MTV2 "$2 Bill Concert Series," and a guest appearance on a future MTV2 show. With their "OMG HGB DVD ROTFL" DVD just released on Drive-Thru and a full-length debut album slated for May of next year, HELLOGOODBYE are preparing to go all out in 2006, beginning with a two-month long nationwide tour in February and March with THE ACADEMY IS..., ACCEPTANCE and PANIC! AT THE DISCO, preceded by the following upcoming current dates as well: 12/13 Cleveland, OH [Grog Shop] • 12/14 Detroit, MI [Magic Stick] • 12/15 Chicago, IL [Beat Kitchen] • 12/16 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 12/17 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 12/26 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 12/27 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 12/28 Hollywood, CA [The Knitting Factory] • 02/01 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection] • 02/02 Toronto, ONT [Opera House] • 02/03 Buffalo, NY [Town Ballroom] • 02/04 Boston, MA [Avalon] • 02/05 Hartford, CT [Webster Theatre] • 02/07 Providence RI [Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel] • 02/08 New York, NY [Irving Plaza] • 02/09 Poughkeepsie, NY [Chance] • 02/10 Asbury Park, NJ [Stone Pony] • 02/11 Atlantic City, NJ [House Of Blues] • 02/12 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 02/14 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 02/15 Myrtle Beach, SC [House Of Blues] • 02/16 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 02/17 Orlando, FL [House Of Blues] • 02/18 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Revolution] • 02/19 Ybor City, FL [Masquerade] • 02/21 New Orleans, LA [House Of Blues] • 02/22 Houston, TX [The Engine Room] • 02/23 Dallas, TX [Trees] • 02/24 San Antonio, TX [The White Rabbit] • 02/26 Tucson, AZ [The Rock] • 02/28 Tempe, AZ [The Marquee Theatre] • 03/01 Los Angeles, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/02 Las Vegas, NV [House Of Blues] • 03/04 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/05 San Diego, CA [House Of Blues] • 03/07 San Francisco, CA [The Fillmore] • 03/09 Portland, OR [Crystal Ballroom] • 03/10 Seattle, WA [The Showbox] • 03/11 Boise, ID [The Big Easy Concert House] • 03/13 Salt Lake City, UT [In The Venue] • 03/14 Denver, CO [The Ogden] • 03/15 Lawrence, KS [Granada Theatre] • 03/16 Des Moines, IA [The House Of Bricks] • 03/17 Minneapolis, MN [The Quest] • 03/18 St. Louis, MO [Mississippi Nights] • 03/19 Milwaukee, WI [The Eagles Club] • 03/21 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] • 03/22 Columbus, OH [Newport Music Hall] • 03/23 Cincinnati, OH [Bogart's] • 03/24 Detroit, MI [St. Andrews Hall] • 03/25 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues]
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12.12.05 (MusicPortal.com) ROSANNE CASH's "Black Cadillac," set to be released January 24th via Capitol Records, may be the most compelling work of her distinguished career. She wrote the twelve-song musical memoir over roughly two years in which she lost her father Johnny Cash, her stepmother June Carter Cash, and her mother Vivian Liberto Cash Distin. Yet "Black Cadillac" is unique not just for the context in which it was created, but for the defining achievement it represents in the scope of ROSANNE CASH's own artistry and life. She describes the album as "a personal history and an overview of my ancestry," and also as "a fusion of songs, musicians, and producers that was a dream and a dream fulfilled at the same time." With "Black Cadillac," Cash confronts her family legacy as never before while simultaneously pursuing her own bold creative path with renewed commitment. Though she is heir to such a rich lineage, ROSANNE CASH has always been an artist of her own time, following a thoroughly independent vision from the outset of her career. She has earned continued critical praise, Grammy awards and nominations, and eleven #1 singles relying on her own singular voice and sound, songwriting style and life experience. On "Black Cadillac," Cash presents herself in her totality, seamlessly integrating all of this with echoes of her forebearers' music and an explicit acknowledgment of her place in the family line. This balance extends to the recording and innovative production of the album, which incorporates her signature approach to Folk/Rock and homegrown harmonies that recall her more distant family heritage. For half of the album's tracks, ROSANNE CASH traveled to her childhood hometown of Los Angeles and worked with a new producer, Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne). She recorded the other half with her husband and long-time producer, John Leventhal (Shawn Colvin, Joan Osborne) in New York City, where they live. Keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers), a long-time Cash collaborator, contributes throughout. Arguably, the strongest resemblance ROSANNE CASH bears to her father lies in her willingness to face complex emotional challenges head-on and her ability to translate them into universally accessible art - a talent tested in the extreme by the circumstances underpinning "Black Cadillac." Over the course of the album, Cash wrestles with the complexities of mortality, loss, reminiscence and redemption. The overall result is a well-rounded, life-affirming, and hopeful set of songs full of concrete narrative details and ROSANNE CASH's emotionally charged meditations on these topics. "I've always found that songs can be postcards from your future," says Cash of the album's opening and title track, which was written six weeks before her stepmother, June Carter Cash, fell ill. 'The Good Intent' takes its name from the ship that carried the first American Cash from Scotland to New England in 1653, while 'House On The Lake' is set in Johnny and June's Nashville home. Prior to the release of "Black Cadillac," Sony/Legacy Recordings is issuing expanded editions of ROSANNE CASH's landmark "Seven Year Ache" (1981), "King's Record Shop" (1987) and "Interiors" (1990). The reissues will also include a new collection, "The Very Best Of Rosanne Cash." "Black Cadillac" follows the Grammy-nominated "Rules Of Travel" (Capitol, 2003), which features Johnny Cash's final duet with her, 'September When It Comes.'
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12.09.05 (MusicPortal.com) LINDA RONSTADT's four seminal Capitol Records solo albums that were originally released between 1969 to 1974 have been compiled for the first time in a new 2-disc package entitled "The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years." Due for release on January 24th, the 47-track collection includes the albums "Hand Sown... Home Grown," "Silk Purse," "Linda Ronstadt" and "Heart Like A Wheel" in their entirety, as well as five previously unreleased studio recordings and concert performances. A leading figure in California's Country/Folk movement of the late 1960s, LINDA RONSTADT began her musical career with THE STONE PONEYS, releasing three Capitol albums with that group before striking out on her own with the 1969 release of her "Hand Sown... Home Grown" solo debut. Eager to invoke her abilities as a Country singer, she tore passionately into Nashville-spawned songs like 'Break My Mind' and 'The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line.' "Silk Purse followed in 1970," still showcasing Ronstadt's Country and Honky-Tonk prowess, while also stepping into new territory with the gracefully-arranged Pop ballad, 'Long Long Time,' earning her first Grammy nomination. She tapped Elliot Mazer to produce "Silk Purse," recommended by Janis Joplin, who'd worked with him on her "Cheap Thrills" album. Disc 1 of "The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years" is comprised of these first two solo albums and three previously unreleased bonus tracks in 'It Won't Be Easy,' an outtake from the "Hand Sown... Home Grown" sessions, 'He Darked The Sun (Nashville Version),' an outtake from the "Silk Purse" sessions, and 'Orange Blossom Special,' which was recorded live at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California in 1971. LINDA RONSTADT's convivial associations within the then-thriving Los Angeles Folk/Rock music scene often resulted in collaborative gold. For her 1971 self-titled album, Ronstadt enlisted producer John Boylan and some Rock-leaning session musicians from the L.A. scene in Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, who would later form THE EAGLES. They collaborated on an eclectic selection of Country and Pop/Rock songs, including tracks written by Eric Anderson, Jackson Browne and Neil Young, illuminating Ronstadt's versatility as a vocalist and a performer. The self-titled "Linda Ronstadt" peaked at #35 on Billboard's Country Albums chart, with Browne's 'Rock Me On The Water' cracking Billboard's Top 100 Pop Singles chart. 1974's "Heart Like A Wheel" was LINDA RONSTADT's breakout smash, which made it to #1 on both the Pop and Country Albums charts. She also topped the Pop Singles chart with the #1 hit 'You're No Good,' doling out a powerful vocal and lyrical lashing. For "Heart Like A Wheel," she partnered with producer Peter Asher and recorded a variety of standards and contemporary hits in creative new arrangements with several Los Angeles session musicians. Ronstadt won her first of seven Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with 'I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You),' which also reached #2 on the Country Singles chart. 'When Will I Be Loved' hit #1 on the Country Singles chart, and also reached #2 on the Pop Singles chart and #3 on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart, further cementing LINDA RONSTADT's enduring and widespread appeal. Disc 2 of "The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years" pairs "Linda Ronstadt" with "Heart Like A Wheel," and adds three bonus tracks, including two previously unreleased live recordings in 'Kate' and 'Long Long Time.' Also making its CD debut is 'Can It Be True,' the original b-side to 'I Fall To Pieces.'

12.08.05 (AP) Some met JOHN LENNON in person, others knew him from the television, still others never knew him at all. On Thursday, they gathered by the hundreds in Central Park's Strawberry Fields to remember the pacifist Rock star murdered 25 years ago by a deranged BEATLES fan. Generations from across the world, if not quite the universe, united to celebrate Lennon's life and his message of peace - playing his music, singing his songs, imagining what might have been if the ex-Beatle had survived the December 8th, 1980 shooting outside his Manhattan apartment building. Yoko Ono was among those at Strawberry Fields, walking through a horde of hundreds of Lennon fans before stopping at a flower-covered mosaic paying tribute to Lennon with its one-word message: "IMAGINE." "His message is still the same: peace and love and live the best you can," said Martha Wagner, who came into Manhattan from Dover, New Jersey with a scrapbook full of newspaper clippings about Lennon. She remembered hearing news of the slaying on television: "My heart stopped. I screamed." Kim Polson, 50, of Manhattan, recalled seeing Lennon in an Upper West Side coffee shop four months before the shooting. She was late for work that day, hanging around and listening to Lennon's conversation. "I'll be late for work again today," said Polson, one of the early arrivals at Strawberry Fields on the anniversary - a bitterly cold day. "John Lennon made me late again." The scene was much the same in Lennon's hometown of Liverpool, England, where scores of fans from around the world remembered him with white balloons, flowers and prayers. The balloons, carrying written tributes to Lennon, were released into the sky. "I just wrote 'Merry Christmas John' on my balloon," said James Andrews, a 9-year-old from Bournemouth, England. "I love the Beatles, and especially John Lennon." A short service was also held beside a statue of Lennon on Liverpool's Mathew Street, where THE BEATLES played early in their career at the Cavern Club. Lennon's songwriting partner and fellow Beatle Paul McCartney told the British Broadcasting Corp. that Lennon was "one of the great men of the 20th century ... I will always feel some kind of link with John." In New York, locals and tourists stood side-by-side near the Lennon-inspired Central Park mosaic. One man played BEATLES music on an acoustic guitar, as visitors piled off tour buses to stop at Strawberry Fields. They brought flowers, candles and bittersweet memories. "He entered people's hearts, and made us softer toward each other," said Cummings Dass, 65, who came to Manhattan from Trinidad for the anniversary. "When he died, a part of the music died with him." If Lennon were alive, he would have turned 65 in October. Across the street at the Dakota, the apartment house where Lennon was killed, fans walked respectfully past police and security guards. Traditionally, Ono lights a candle in her apartment window in the evening as a show of solidarity with the crowd gathered in the park. JON LENNON, who had turned 40 years old just two months before, was returning with Ono from a recording studio when he was gunned down at about 10:50 p.m. Fans of the singer marked the moment Thursday night with silence. A second moment of silence began at 11:15 p.m., the approximate time of Lennon's death. City officials planned to close the park at 1:00 a.m., as they have for several years over the objection of fans who want an all-night vigil.
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12.07.05 (Billboard) Rapper 50 CENT and rockers GREEN DAY were the toast of Las Vegas last night, as each nabbed six trophies at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards. 50 CENT, who was the top finalist with mentions in eight categories, was honored as "Artist Of The Year" and took the "Album Of The Year" prize for "The Massacre," while GREEN DAY earned "Rock Artist Of The Year" honors and won "Rock Song Of The Year" for 'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams.' Mariah Carey, who was a finalist in seven categories, won five awards, while recent "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood and Shakira each took home three. The show was broadcast live on Fox from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena and hosted by veteran artist/actor LL Cool J. 50 CENT's awards were rounded out by "R&B/Hip-Hop," "Rap" and "Hot 100 Artist Of The Year" titles, as well as the "Ringtone Of The Year" award for 'Candy Shop' featuring Olivia. In Paris and unable to attend, 50 CENT was informed of his feats via a cell phone call from LL Cool J. GREEN DAY, who opened the show with a rousing performance of 'Holiday,' also won "Pop Group," "Billboard 200 Album Group," "Hot 100 Group" and "Modern Rock Artist Of The Year" awards. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong was additionally charged with presenting the "Century Award," Billboard magazine's highest honor, to Tom Petty. "I love music, I love rock 'n' roll, therefore I love Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers," Armstrong said. "If you're going to come up (on stage) and thank God, thank God for Tom Petty." "We haven't always been boy scouts, but we never lost sight of the music," Petty said in accepting the honor. After thanking many who have been involved in his 30-year career, he added, "Let me remind you that this ain't the end. I can still kick some ass." Carey capped her 2005 comeback by being named the "Female Billboard 200 Album Artist" and "Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Of The Year." Her long-running No. 1 single 'We Belong Together' earned her the "Hot 100 Song," "Hot 100 Airplay Of The Year" and "Rhythmic Top 40 Title Of The Year" awards. Among Underwood's honors was the top-selling "Hot 100 Song Of The Year" award for 'Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day,' while Shakira's awards included the "Latin Pop Album Artist Of The Year" trophy. NO DOUBT singer Gwen Stefani won the "New Artist Of The Year" award on the strength of her solo debut, "Love.Angel.Music.Baby," while her single 'Hollaback Girl' was the Digital Song Of The Year." Stefani called up collaborator Pharrell Williams to the stage to accept the latter award with her. Toby Keith won both awards for which he was a finalist, scoring both "Country Artist" and "Country Albums Artist Of The Year." He was also among the show's performers, belting out the new song 'Let's Get Drunk and Be Somebody,' backed by a large band that included a horn section. Reggaeton sensation Daddy Yankee also won two trophies, including "Latin Album Of The Year" for "Barrio Fino" (El Cartel/Machete), as did Mario for his single 'Let Me Love You,' including R&B/Hip-Hop Song Of The Year." Though he's just two albums into his solo career, Kanye West was honored for his significant success with Billboard's "Artist Achievement Award." "When I first came out, I was a hot head -- I thought I was the greatest," he said in accepting the trophy. "I still think I'm the greatest."
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12.07.05 (MusicPortal.com) When SPARKS' last album "Lil' Beethoven" hit the streets, critics lauded and applauded, fans smiled smugly with overdue vindication and fellow musicians wept when faced with the reality that, once again, the band had raised the bar by which all other albums should be judged. Now SPARKS are poised to present "Hello Young Lovers," their 20th album on February 6th, with the first single from the album, 'Dick Around,' slated for release on January 30th. To achieve such enormity and expansiveness, Angeleno brothers Ron and Russell Mael worked in a limitless vacuum for the best part of 18 months. The only inspiration taken from any current music for the new offering was the provocation to go as far as possible in the opposite direction. Once again, the Mael brothers are joined by Tammy Glover (drums) and Dean Menta (guitar), with guest musicians Jim Wilson (guitar) and Steve McDonald (bass). The artists who would come to be known for posterity as Sparks commenced inventing their often-copied, seldom-equaled brand of music back around 1970, when Pop was young and brash and the Southern California airwaves were awash with a contingent of post-British Invasion inspirations like THE KINKS, Syd Barrett's PINK FLOYD, and THE SEEDS. The purchase of countless shiny-sleeved import LPs, and dogged pilgrimages to gigs by now-deified (or defiled) artists, convinced young Ron and Russell Mael that this enticingly provocative presentation would be the ideal means by which to impress upon the public their idiosyncratic take on life, art, and everything. And so the brothers commenced banging around, first in separate groups, then together in MOONBAKER ABBEY and URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT (one of their first recordings being the presciently named 'Computer Girl.') Their efforts crystallized in 1971, with the addition of another pair of brothers, Earle and Jim Mankey, and drummer Harley Feinstein, incorporated under the uncommon name of HALFNELSON. Produced by wonderboy and kindred spirit Todd Rundgren, the group's startlingly original, eponymously titled debut yielded a local hit ("local" being Montgomery, Alabama), then vanished from view - notwithstanding an American Bandstand appearance and a write-up in regional Texas newspapers (earned the hard way by the connection of Russell Mael's head with the business end of a prop sledgehammer). Their label, with the mysterious logic that only record companies possess, decided that their sportcentric moniker was responsible for the album's less-than-stellar performance, and suggested a Marx Bros.-inspired name change: thus SPARKS was born. Rereleased upon an unsuspecting nation, the appropriately altered (but no better-selling) LP was to prove that marketing strategy decidedly spurious. Nevertheless, an excellent second album, the equally unprecedented "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing," was released as a follow-up, with high Psychedelia cred coming from helmer James Lowe of THE ELECTRIC PRUNES. Once again, clever nomenclature didn't translate to runaway revenues; and the group found itself at an impasse. The icebreaker came from across the... [full story]

12.05.05 (AP) Vocalist FOXY BROWN is almost totally deaf, her lawyer revealed Monday to The Associated Press. Attorney Joseph Tacopina disclosed Brown's hearing problem after a question about why they exchanged notes while waiting in Manhattan Criminal Court for her case to be called on an unresolved 2004 assault charge. "She's pretty much totally deaf now," Tacopina said. "She can't hear me. We have to write things back and forth. Anything I have to communicate with her now has to be written." Brown, 25, revealed during a court appearance in September that she would soon undergo surgery to try to correct her hearing. Obviously straining to hear questions, she refused to discuss the possible cause of the problem. Tacopina said Monday the prognosis from that surgical procedure is still undetermined, but "hopefully it (the condition) is reversible. She has to undergo another surgery." Meanwhile, Judge Melissa Jackson adjourned FOXY BROWN's case until December 23rd when, Tacopina said, he expects it will be resolved. Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, is charged with misdemeanor assault, attempted assault and harassment. Brown has rejected at least two misdemeanor plea deals that would have let her avoid any jail time for allegedly assaulting two nail salon workers on August 29th, 2004, in a fight over payment for a manicure at Bloomie Nails in Manhattan's Chelsea district. Prosecutors alleged that Brown, with a cell phone clutched in her closed fist, attacked and kicked one worker, and hit a second worker in the face. Under the proposed plea deal, Brown would have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and served 10 days of community service. "I'm innocent," FOXY BROWN said at the time. "I feel like I'm being railroaded." Tacopina said they rejected the offer because he wanted Brown to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct violation, an offense less serious than a misdemeanor. Tacopina said in September that the complainants in the case, the nail salon workers, "don't want to proceed. This is a waste of their time, her (Brown's) time, and the public's time." However, he said Monday that he also did not want to expose Brown to an easy civil lawsuit by allowing her to plead to assault. "We're concerned about the motives of others," he said. "She's been seen as a bull's-eye for a quick payday." FOXY BROWN's latest album, "Black Rose," is expected to be released soon.

12.02.05 (AP) A Hip-Hop music producer who cultivated a gangster image by taking the last name "Gotti" finally has something in common with the late Teflon Don: an acquittal. A federal jury in Brooklyn found Irving "Irv Gotti" Lorenzo and his brother Christopher not guilty today of laundering piles of drug money for a notorious crack kingpin. Jurors also acquitted the Lorenzo's record company, until recently known as Murder Inc., at a trial that was followed closely by some of the music industry's big stars. Supporters in the gallery erupted in cheers after the acquittals were announced. Amid the jubilation, a small group of jurors asked that the Lorenzos and their mother be taken into an antechamber with them so they could congratulate them in private. Irving Lorenzo's two lawyers then carried him out of the courthouse as he shouted: "We did it! We did it!" Minutes later, he threw his arms around juror Gloria Menzies, who called the brothers "my boys" and invited Irving to attend church with her. "They had nothing to pin on these two guys," Menzies said. "It was so weak." Beaming, Lorenzo accepted her invitation and said the trial had brought him closer to God. He also promised that his legal troubles were behind him for good. "I'm never going to get into any other trouble, no jaywalking, nothing," he told reporters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Haran said he would respect the jury's verdict. The Lorenzo brothers had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted. They were accused of agreeing to launder money for Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, a man a prosecutor called "one of the biggest, baddest, most dangerous drug lords in New York City." McGriff allegedly funneled more than $1 million in drug money through Murder Inc. in return for providing protection for the Lorenzos. A government witness who once worked at the label testified that he saw a "huge amount" of money delivered in shopping bags and a shoe box. Murder Inc. cut tens of thousands of dollars in checks for corporations controlled by McGriff, including a movie company that produced a straight-to-video film called "Crime Partners 2000." The label also covered his expenses as he traveled around the country, ostensibly working as an entertainment executive. The defense said the Lorenzos were legitimate businessmen whose associations with McGriff were legal. The brothers said they decided to invest their own money in McGriff's movie because he was an old friend from their Queens neighborhood. The trial was a spectacle for celebrity watchers. Courtroom supporters included Jay-Z, Fat Joe and Russell Simmons, along with Ja Rule and Ashanti, the platinum-selling artists signed by the defendant's Murder Inc. label. Ja Rule, on hand for the verdict, said he was elated. "I can't even explain the feeling that's in my body." Murder Inc. changed its name to The Inc. last year after executives said the label's image was hurt by the racketeering case. Christopher Lorenzo said outside the courthouse Friday that the gangster motif, including his brother's adoption of the "Gotti" name, was always just show business. "You want to know his real name?" he said. "It's Magoo, because he squints all the time." He said the pair would now work on reviving the business, which he said had been hurt financially by the case's "black cloud."

12.01.05 (MusicPortal.com) On February 7th, multi-platinum recording artists COLLECTIVE SOUL will release their first-ever live DVD, entitled "Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra." The upcoming release will be issued on the band's own El Music Group record label, and will also be available as a two-disc CD set. Recorded in April of 2005, the concerts were filmed in the band's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia during two special sold-out performances featuring the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. The 20-song collection spans ninety minutes and encompasses hits from throughout COLLECTIVE SOUL's seven studio albums, including their latest, "Youth." DirectTV will also broadcast "Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra" as its' "Free View Concert" throughout December. Recording in an orchestral musical setting was a new experience for COLLECTIVE SOUL, and enabled them to reinterpret their own #1 hits. Songs such as 'Shine,' 'December,' as well as 'The World I Know' and 'Precious Declaration' have all been given a new twist due to the sound of the recording, and the fact that the newly independent band now have the rights to their own songs and can give them new life. Seamlessly merging their music with the symphonic arrangements, "Home: A Live Concert Recording With The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra" enables fans to experience COLLECTIVE SOUL founders Ed Roland (vocals/guitars/keyboards), Dean Roland (guitars) and Will Turpin (bass/percussion) along with Joel Kosche (guitars) and Ryan Hoyle (drums) like they never have before. Comments Ed Roland: "Working with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra was really a unique experience. I never imagined that all of these young musicians could make our songs sound so beautiful in the most classic sense." "The kids really brought everything up a level by helping to create another dimension in the music" states Dean Roland. "Those two nights were one of the highlights of my career thus far. After the first night of rehearsals, both the band and symphony found an amazing blend of two musical entities." Adds Will Turpin: "We had been dreaming about this idea for a decade, to finally perform Collective Soul songs with a full orchestra was truly a dream come true. Performing with the Atlanta Youth Symphony was a big part of the energy level, and the kids and the band felt excited and privileged to be a part of that evening." COLLECTIVE SOUL are celebrating one of their best years ever in 2005. Selling over 250,000 copies, the "Youth" album is highlighted by the disc's three singles in 'Counting The Days' (which hit #4 on the Rock Radio Charts), 'Better Now' (which hit the Top Ten on both the R&R and Billboard Hot AC charts), and the newly-released third single 'How Do You Love,' which is the fastest-charting single in the band's history. Beyond traditional radio play, 'Better Now' is included in high-profile NASCAR promos, Kellogg's Special K commercials, and was included on actress Denise Richards' TV show "Sex, Love & Secrets" along with the band performing the song on an episode of "Charmed." 'How Do You Love' is also featured in the new Richard Gere film, "Bee Season."
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12.01.05 (MusicPortal.com) Following up last year's highly acclaimed "Top Ska" album, legendary Ska Selector GAZ MAYALL returns January 16th via Trojan Records with "Gaz's Rockin Blues - Club Classics," a new collection in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his popular London club night of the same name. Having first made his mark on the London club scene in the early eighties playing a wild selection of vintage Jamaican and R&B sounds, his aptly named "Gaz's Rockin Blues" nights -- London's longest running one-nighter held every Thursday night at St Moritz Club on Wardour Street in Soho, where he occasionally plays live with his Ska band THE TROJANS -- continue to draw huge crowds. Comprised of celebrities, dreads, mods and skins, everyone is united by their desire to hear and dance to GAZ MAYALL's latest selection of killer tunes. Now, for the very first time, a wide selection of his club favorites stretching from early Blues and R&B from the 1950s through to classic Ska and Rocksteady from the 60s and 70s have been brought together on this deluxe 2-disc set, which includes tracks from the likes of THE KINKS, THE SPECIALS, GAZ'S REBEL BLUES ROCKERS (Mayall's first band), THE 101'ERS (featuring Joe Strummer from THE CLASH), Nina Simone, John Mayall (Gaz's father), and Desmond Dekker. GAZ MAYALL originally launched "Gaz's Rockin' Blues" nights on July 3rd, 1980, following a stint at the now-legendary Two-Tone club on Oxford Street (1979). The eldest son of British Blues legend John Mayall, Gaz was raised on a healthy diet of R&B, and frequented every Beat, Pop and Rock festival he could. As a child, he first discovered Reggae on the football terraces during the skinhead era (1968-1972). By the time he was 17, GAZ MAYALL regularly purchased entire Reggae and Ska record collections for dirt-cheap prices at street markets that included Portobello Road and Brick Lane. A passionate and devoted fan of Rock 'N' Roll, Boogie Woogie, traditional Irish music, World Music, Soul and Funk as well, Mayall was heavily influenced by family friend and mentor Alexis Korner, Radio One DJ and Blues musician. These days, GAZ MAYALL owns a world renowned collection of predominantly black dance music, ranging from tribal drum beats to the latest sounds in Drum 'N' Bass. For the past twenty years, Mayall has run his own record label, Gaz's Rockin' Records, producing Ska acts and recording artists around the world. The label launched in October of 1985 with the debut release of 7" and 12" singles from POTATO 5, which inevitably led to the imprint's first album release, "Floyd Lloyd & Potato 5 Meet Laurel Aitken" (1987). The record label was conceived alongside the promotion of the "Gaz's Rockin' Blues" club, and was based on the sound system style of 1960's Jamaican Ska labels that included artists such as Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd, and Duke Reid.

[Pop News: November 2005]
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