ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Jackson - 'Michael'

The idea of polarized attitudes towards a posthumous Michael Jackson release is no more surprising than the circumstances of the release itself. Though new albums from deceased artists is not a new concept, it's arguable that Tupac Shakur's estate set the modern precedent, with numerous full albums of songs constructed around ever-decreasing samples and demoes of the man himself.

The appetite for Michael Jackson material is huge, and it's undeniable that Sony will be hoping for MJ to keep their music division in the black for many years to come. Whether or not Jackson will suffer similarly declining quality as the vaults are plundered remains to be seen - but make no bones about it, 'Michael' the first of many albums to come, is uniformly excellent and can stand amongst his most solid and consistent work.

As has already been addressed here, as in life, scurrilous rumours abound questioning the authenticity of the vocals and songs presented here - but facts are facts, and a fairly comprehensive press release from Michael Jackson's estate provides a rebuttal to such claims that only the hardiest of conspiracy theorists could ignore.

Michael Jackson's comeback had been a long time in the planning, with the gloved one hiring a slew of top-notch producers and collaborators for a series of studio sessions with a goal to releasing a modern, pop record befitting of the legacy of the greatest pop performer of all time. The album was to be his first since 2001's 'Invincible' - a record, much like it's predeccesor 'HIStory' who's release was marred by allegations and innuendo.

Unfortunately unlike the darkly-brilliant 'HIStory', much of 'Invincible' was slight, R&B influenced fair that found Jackson playing catch-up rather than innovating and pushing forward. Though it has it's defenders, the album was generally regarded to be a disappointment.
Many critics had given up on the idea of a MJ resurgence. Although he was found innocent in court, the press onslaught on his private life was unceasing and his reputation was too far gone, still tarnished in the minds of the general public. Added to that, his health seemed to be in a severe decline and by 2008 he had not performed a full concert in well over a decade. Few would bet on him being able to ever to mount a serious attempt at a comeback.

And yet in that same year, it seemed his fans returned in full force - perhaps it was just the right time - and when a surprisingly well looking Michael announced his proposed 'This Is It' shows for 2009, a record-breaking 50 concerts were quickly sold out at the enormous venue. Jackson was reportedly surprised and touched, and one can only imagine how this outpouring of affection was inspiring him to hasten work on his long awaited, similarly bombastic studio comeback. It's realistic to think, had the tragic events of June 2009 not occured, that we would be seeing that album right about now, completed fully in his vision. As it is, it is trusted Jackson friends and collaborators such as Teddy Riley and Akon who have been tasked with completing the work, following his signposts, notes and tracks. They have done the man proud.

Yes, he was a perfectionist, and yes it is unquestionable that the album we now have is markedly different than MJ's finished product would have been. But listening to the sheer quality of these songs - the hooks, the rhythms, the variations - it is difficult to believe that this is an album he would not have been proud of. At just over 40 minutes it is far more cohesive a listen than his previous 2 studio efforts (which while both having some inspired moments, both clocked in at over 70), and it's 10 track, all singles material format harkens back to his chart-obliterating 'Thriller'/'Bad' heyday.

Which is not to say that the album is retro or overtly nostalgic. Of course, the irresistable and much imitated vocal tics and yelps are present in full force, as is Jackson's unparalleled sense of melody, but this is very clearly a 21st century 'Michael'.

Track-by-track

1. Hold My Hand (featuring Akon)

First leaked in demo form back in 2008, this song instantly evokes classic unity ballads such as 'You Are Not Alone', albeit in a more upbeat, uptempo form. Akon's voice sounds terrific alongside Michael's, and its clear that they had a deep understanding of each others musical sensibilities. Since it's initial, premature release, a choir has been added (tastefully mind you) along with other bells and whistles. Curiously, a different vocal take of Michael appears to have been used ('things will get better' has strangely become 'things will be better' in each instance). This is a classic MJ anthem with modern R&B flair.

2. Hollywood Tonight

Latin influence can be detected in this allegorical tale of the pitfalls of fame. While this is, unsurprisingly, a recurring theme on the album (after all, it would be difficult to name anyone who had lived their life in the media's steely glare more than Jackson) it is tackled in a less isolated, angry way than on previous occasions. Funky and danceable with a great chorus, and probably one that the remix artists will be looking forward to tackling.

3. Keep Your Head Up

Maintaining the overall theme of optimism through adversity, this Tricky produced slice of pop is Michael at his sweetest both vocally and lyrically and one of the most old-school MJ songs on the album. Probably the best track from the Cascio sessions.

4. I Like The Way You Love Me

This slice of heavily Motown influenced smooth R&B also saw a demo release, though this time at least an official one on 2004's box set 'The Ultimate Collection'. The album's most direct love song, it's finger-snapping rhythm and Temptations-style backing vocals make for a very enjoyable trip back to Jackson's roots. The song opens with a smile-inducing home-recording demonstrating Michael's not unremarkable beatboxing skills.

5. Monster (Featuring 50 Cent)

Likely to be many fans' favorite, 'Monster' is a stomping urbane powerhouse in the 'Thriller'/'Ghosts' vein, and boasts one of the albums most memorable choruses; "Monster / He's a monster / He's an animal". Tackling public perceptions head on was a cathartic experience in Michael's later music, but this is perhaps the most rewarding track in that oeuvre, marrying its sense of bitterness and injustice with relentlessly hard breakbeats and a memorable (and mercifully, not out of place) 50 Cent rap interlude. Apparently MJ had approached 50 Cent with a view to having him appear on the song prior to his death, although the erstwhile Curtis Jackson's contribution wasn't completed until after the fact. It is pleasing to know that songs like this one have been completed to Michael's specifications wherever possible, and the result is not just one of the very best songs on this album, but one of the greatest songs of his later career.

6. Best Of Joy

If any song on 'Michael' could be accused of being a little slight, it's 'Best Of Joy'. While it features some nice, intimate vocals it is dwarfed in it's mid-tempo, cheerful balladry by sharing disc (or download) space with the superior 'Hold My Hand' and 'Keep Your Head Up'. That being said, it was reputedly one of Jackson's favorite songs earmarked for his next album and is certainly justified in it's inclusion here if that was the case. Also it's 'I am forever, we are forever' hook will likely strike a chord with devoted fans. Here it serves as more of a bridge, tying the album together. Its backing is also more complex than initially appears, and so repeated listens can be quite rewarding.

7. Breaking News

This riff-laden press baiter was controversially unveiled as the album's first streaming track on Michael's official website and seems to have taken on a life of its own. For all the talk, it is a quintessential Jackson single - instantly memorable, catchy as hell and remarkably self-aware. It is also the first adult Michael song to mention Michael by name in it's lyrics, and this too seems to have been delivered in a slightly tongue-in-cheek fashion (listen to the backing vocals breathless 'Michael JACK-SON!') It's also one of the sets most dancefloor-oriented outings. This is the resigned yet resilient brother of HIStory's angry 'Scream' and 'Tabloid Junkie', but is better than either. Where 'Scream' puts a boot through the surveillance cameras, 'Breaking News' stares them back in their glassy eye and says "I'm watching you watching me". Crunchy, fresh and urgent, remember - it's not paranoia if they're really after you.

8. (I Can't Make It) Another Day (Featuring Lenny Kravitz)

Michael's rock output (other than the iconic 'Beat It' with it's revered Van Halen guitar solo) is often unfairly overlooked. Songs like 'Give In To Me' and 'They Don't Care About Us' are amongst his most searingly powerful. This time Lenny Kravitz is brought on board for both guitar and vocal duties for what amounts to a fine slab of hungry, yearning and hot-blooded rock with (you guessed it) a killer chorus. A very welcome detour.

9. Behind The Mask

For my money, the 'Michael' album's single greatest song, 'Behind The Mask' is unlike anything that has gone before in his catalog. Lyrically intriguing, vocally magnificent and musically sublime, few songs show off the man's incredible ear for melody and composition quite like this one. With Daft Punk-esque backing vocals, beats, hooks and melodies to spare, 'Behind The Mask' is so modern as to perhaps be a few years ahead of its time, and an instant rebuttal against any claims that this album should not be released. For a song this brilliantly unique to go unheard would be a tragic waste.

10. Much Too Soon

Every musician seems to have great songs that lie in wait for years at a time, simply because they don't 'fit' with whatever project they are currently working on. For Michael, 'Much Too Soon' was one of those songs, and consequently is the oldest song featured on this album. Dating back to the 'Thriller' sessions, which saw literally dozens of songs (including the gorgeous 'For All Time') excised from the final record, 'Much Too Soon' is as simple and sweet a song as he ever recorded. Almost folksy, with its lightly strummed guitars and harmonica (the first MJ song ever to employ the instrument) it is a plaintive, lost-love ditty that serves perfectly here as a quiet reflective album closer.

While other Michael Jackson albums will follow, this is likely the last album that can claim to have had any personal input from him. Likewise these chronologically represent the majority of his final recording sessions. Ominously, it has been suggested that Sony's next posthumous MJ project will comprise newly recorded 'duets' with current artists which if the uneven offerings on 'Thriller 25' are anything to go by will be at best, forgettable and at worst...well....

It's fitting then to see this as the final album. As a swansong, a comeback and a tribute, 'Michael' delivers the goods and serves as a reminder of just why Michael Jackson is so widely regarded as the greatest entertainer who ever lived, and the incredible legacy of music he has left behind for future generations to enjoy.

-Michael E.

ALICE COOPER group FINALLY to be inducted into Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame

They pioneered theatrical rock and roll, inspired a slew of imitators, were rock's first true villains and gave us hits like 'No More Mr Nice Guy', 'Elected', 'I'm Eighteen' and 'Billion Dollar Babies' to name just a few. The Sex Pistols John Lydon calls their 1971 record 'Killer' 'the greatest album of all time'. And yet while the Hall Of Fame has already inducted such noted Rock 'N' Roll artists as Grandmaster Flash, Run D.M.C., Abba and Madonna, it has taken them until now to finally recognize the act that put the show in the rock business.


ALICE COOPER BAND MEMBERS COMMENT ON ROCK HALL INDUCTION NEWS

With their upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Alice Cooper, is acknowledged as one of the most influential bands in rock history. At inception forty years ago, the group shocked the world so fundamentally that it seems to have taken a preternaturally long time for their incredible talent to be recognized.

In 1970, Alice Cooper flipped hippie ideals on their head and astonished the world, “driving a stake through the heart of the Love Generation,” as the group’s namesake put it.

It’s arguable that without Alice Cooper, there might never have been KISS, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Motley Crue, Slipknot or Rob Zombie... maybe not even David Bowie, or at least not Ziggy Stardust. Heavy Metal took the imagery, punk took the tunes, rock and pop took the showmanship and fans the world over fell in love with the macabre sense of humor. Amazingly, those fans have included legends as diverse as Peter Sellers, Groucho Marx, Salvador Dali and Bob Dylan who proclaimed Alice as an “overlooked songwriter.”

These days, artists as diverse as Metallica and Lady GaGa proclaim Alice Cooper's enduring influence on them.

True originals, Alice Cooper invented the concept of the rock concert as theatre with truly trailblazing stagecraft and showmanship in the early 1970's, with Alice himself continuing as a solo artist since 1975, remaining one of rock’s global megastars with well over 50 million record sales to prove it.

The surviving band members (guitarist Glen Buxton died in 1997) upon hearing the induction news provided the following comments:

"This proves that Glen, Neal, Alice, Michael and I (and all of our fans) weren't so crazy after all. I'm absolutely thrilled because, let's face it, this great honor is about as good as it gets." Dennis Dunaway

"Sometimes, aswe were blazing a new theatrical trail in rock, there were moments in the career ofour band that overwhelmingly exceeded even our monstrous expectations. Being inducted into "The Rockn' Roll Hall Of Fame, Class Of 2011,"with my four best friends Michael, the late Glen Buxton, Alice and Dennis, is one of those incredible moments for our one of a kind rock band." Neal Smith

“Take one part Yardbirds, one part West Side Story, starring Bela Lugosi and Bette Davis, and you have Hellzapoppin! and then POOF !! -- and you have Alice Cooper. Now if you can digest that, and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame can digest that, we will happily be the Hall's arch villains. We are grateful from the bottom of our black little hearts." Alice Cooper

“The band that couldn't shoot straight strikes again, from having all our hits to being in so many Top 100 all-time polls -- be careful what you wish for because with hard work and perseverance and a good group of people like Neal, Dennis, Alice and Glen, you just might get it. It's just a shame that Glen couldn't be here with us to share in it, but we do also share this with (producer) Bob Ezrin and (manager) Shep Gordon, without whom..." Michael Bruce

PJ Harvey - 'Let England Shake', coming February 2011

PJ Harvey’s new album was recorded in a 19th Century church in Dorset, on a cliff-top overlooking the sea. It was created with a cast of musicians including such long-standing allies as Flood, John Parish, and Mick Harvey. It is the eighth PJ Harvey album, following 2007’s acclaimed ‘White Chalk’, and the Harvey/Parish collaboration ‘A Woman A Man Walked By’.

Such are the bare facts. But what is remarkable about ‘Let England Shake’ is bound up with its music, its abiding atmosphere – and in particular, its words. If Harvey’s past work might seem to draw on direct emotional experience, this new album is rather different. Its songs centre on both her home country, and events further afield in which it has embroiled itself. The lyrics return, time and again, to the matter of war, the fate of the people who must do the fighting, and events separated by whole ages, from Afghanistan to Gallipoli. The album they make up is not a work of protest, nor of strait-laced social or political comment. It brims with the mystery and magnetism in which she excels. But her lyric-writing in particular has arrived at a new, breathtaking place, in which the human aspects of history are pushed to the foreground. Put simply, not many people make records like this.

“I was looking outwards a lot more,” she told the BBC’s Andrew Marr on his programme back in May. “I think a lot of my work has often been about the interior, the emotional, what happens inside oneself. And this time I’ve been just looking out, so it’s not only to do with taking a look at England but taking a look at the world and what happening in current world affairs. But always trying to come from the human point of view, because I don’t feel qualified to sing from a political standpoint… I sing as a human being affected by the politics, and that for me is a more successful way … because I so often feel that with a lot of protest music, I’m being preached to, and I don’t want that.”.

By way of an introduction, there is the title song: “The West’s asleep. Let England shake/weighted down with silent dead.” As with so much of the record, the arrangement and melody have echoes of vernacular music going back centuries, but also push somewhere new: certainly, identifying any prevailing influence on this music is almost impossible. The lyrics hint at England’s post-imperial delusions, and yet another hapless soldier marching off to the front – themes that recur in ‘The Words That Maketh Murder’, ‘All And Everyone’, and ‘Hanging In The Wire’. But there is something else here: a brilliantly poetic picture of England itself – an old country, now creaking with age and experience, whose history is etched into the hearts and minds of the people who live here. One of the songs here is simply called ‘England’, and makes the point explicit: “I live and die/through England./It leaves/sadness./It leaves a taste,/a bitter one.”

‘Let England Shake’ evokes the troubled spirit of 2010, but it also casts its mind back to times and places from our long collective memory. In keeping with such imaginative intentions, its music has a rare breadth and emotional power. Nearly two decades after she made her first records, it proves not just that its author refuses to stand still, but that her creative confidence may well be at an all-time high. It is safe to say that you will not have heard anything like it before.

From the outset, PJ Harvey has commanded attention. She formed the bass / drums / guitar trio in 1991 in Dorset, England and by autumn had released the debut single, 'Dress', on independent label Too Pure. Harvey began an impressive critical climb, which set the stage for a highly anticipated album release the following month. 'Dry' was hailed as an astonishing debut, not just in the UK but worldwide and especially in the United States, where Rolling Stone named Harvey Best Songwriter and Best New Female Singer.



In 1993, PJ Harvey signed to Island Records and began work on a follow-up album, 'Rid Of Me' which was released in early '93. The album was supported by a lengthy world tour, drawing increasingly wide audiences and Harvey's first Mercury Prize nomination. The original trio dissolved and Harvey’s solo work '4-Track Demos' was released in the autumn of 1993. 'To Bring You My Love' followed in 1995, an eclectic and starkly original album. The tour which followed saw Harvey explore a theatrical edge to her live performance. She received her second nomination for the Mercury Music Prize and was nominated for two Grammies, received '1995 Artist Of The Year' awards from Rolling Stone and Spin and gained album of the year acknowledgements across the board.



Her fourth album,' Is This Desire?' was released in September '98 and attracted plaudits on both sides of the Atlantic gaining nominations for The Brits and The Grammy Awards. 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea', the much anticipated follow-up to 'Is This Desire?' was released in October 2000. This album won the Mercury Music Prize in 2001, 'Stories...' was supported by a lengthy world-wide sellout tour. After a summer of live dates - including the first rock concert at The Tate Modern Gallery, London. Harvey finished work on the album 'Uh Huh Her' in the autumn of 2003 which was supported by a world-wide tour and saw Harvey perform in South America for the first time. ‘White Chalk’ was PJ Harvey's critically acclaimed seventh album, it marked a new departure for Harvey and was composed almost entirely on piano. It was supported by a string of notable solo performances including Manchester International Festival, The Royal Festival Hall, the Hay-On-Wye Festival of Literature, the New Yorker Festival and a performance at Copenhagen opera house for the Crown Prince couple.



Recording followed the 2006 release of 'PJ Harvey: The Peel Sessions', a collection of Harvey's recordings for the veteran British broadcaster spanning her whole career. That year also saw the release of 'PJ Harvey On Tour: Please Leave Quietly', Harvey's first DVD which was filmed during the Uh Huh Her tour. Other projects have included soundtrack work on the films 'Basquiat' by Julian Schnabel, 'Stella Does Tricks' by Coky Giedroyc, 'The Cradle Will Rock' by Tim Robbins & 'Six Feet Under'. In 2009 Harvey composed the soundtrack for renowned director, Ian Rickson’s, New York production of Hedda Gabler. Also she appeared as Mary Magdalene in Hal Hartley’s movie 'The Book Of Life' in 1999.

In 1996 she worked on the album 'Dance Hall At Louse Point' with John Parish for both the album and a live accompaniment to the Mark Bruce Dance Company production of the same name. The follow up collaboration with Parish was released in Spring of 2009 – ‘A Woman A Man Walked By’. An extensive tour of Europe and America followed. The video for the first single from this album, ‘Black Hearted Love’, was directed by the acclaimed British artists, Jake & Dino Chapman. She has collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians, including Thom Yorke, Nick Cave, Tricky, Bjork, Hal Wilner, Howe Gelb of Giant Sand, Pascal Comelade, Gordon Gano of Violent Femmes and Sparklehorse.



She joined Queen's of the Stoneage's Josh Homme on his critically acclaimed 'Desert Sessions' project [2003] and worked with Mark Lanegan on his solo album, ‘Bubblegum’. Harvey produced the debut album by American artist Tiffany Anders and also wrote, recorded & produced material for Marianne Faithfull's 'Before The Poison' [2004]. In addition to her musical career Harvey paints, draws, sculpts, and writes poetry & prose. Last summer saw Harvey guest design Francis Ford Coppola’s art & literary magazine; Zoetrope: All-Story. The issue featured previously unseen artwork, sculpture and drawings by PJ Harvey. Harvey made a guest appearance on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show in May 2010, the week before the UK general election. She was interviewed by Marr and performed ‘Let England Shake’ in front of Marr’s other guest, the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Harvey is currently collaborating on various visual projects with the respected photo-journalist Seamus Murphy. Murphy, an award winning photographer, has spent over two decades uniquely documenting conflict through his lens. His work has brought him to Rwanda, Eritrea, Kosovo, Iran and Iraq. He has also spent extensive periods of time photographing Afghanistan, and his most recent book ‘A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan’ is a classic illustration of life in Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban and the impact of U.S. invasion.

Let England Shake - Album Tracklisting

1. Let England Shake
2. The Last Living Rose
3. The Glorious Land
4. The Words That Maketh Murder
5. All And Everyone
6. On Battleship Hill
7. England
8. In The Dark Places
9. Bitter Branches
10. Hanging In The Wire
11. Written On The Forehead
12. The Colour of The Earth

For tour & pre-order information click here.

Gorillaz to release free album this Christmas

Gorillaz, who's 2010 album 'Plastic Beach' is currently making many year-end best-of lists, will be treating fans to a further new album on Christmas day according to a new interview with frontman Damon Albarn.

Very little is currently known about the release, other than that it was recorded on an iPad during the band's critically-acclaimed US tour, and that the music will be made available free of charge via Gorillaz.com

"On Christmas Eve a video for one of the new songs from the iPad album will be released. Then, on Christmas Day fans get the whole album downloaded to their computer for free as a gift." - Damon Albarn

Click here for more information.

Cowboy Junkies new album 'Demons'

Canada's Cowboy Junkies have just released Volume 2 of their 'Nomad Series', 'Demons', exclusively to their site's Clubhouse subscribers. The album follows this year's excellent 'Renmin Park' set and will be succeeded by a further 2 volumes before the end of next year.

The following comes from the Junkies' latest mail-out:

"We just want to let you know that we have finished Demons, Volume 2 of the Nomad Series. It’s an album made up of songs written by the late, great Vic Chesnutt. We are pretty proud of it and we have a sneaking feeling that you are going to dig it too.

The album will be available in wide release on February 15th, and it will be available through our site on January 18th. But in the meantime, if you have bought a Clubhouse Subscription, you can go, now, to the Clubhouse and download it and a seven song bonus EP."

Clubhouse subscribers are entitled to a number of special features, including downloads of over 300 rare and archival tracks from the band, and a forthcoming limited edition hardcover book.

For further details visit the band at www.latentrecordings.com

Official Statement from Michael Jackson's estate

Breaking News: Michael Jackson’s Estate Official Statement

There is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans.

As the Michael album was being put together, it was decided to bring Teddy Riley on board to work on several songs, including “Breaking News,” a song Michael recorded with Eddie Cascio and James Porte in late 2007 while living at the Cascio family home with his children. Riley produced and submitted “Breaking News” to Sony for inclusion on the album. At that time, no one ever mentioned that the vocals we heard on the Cascio songs, which were basically in demo format, might not be Michael. It was known, however, that the background vocals were a combination of Michael and James Porte.

After the tracks were submitted to Sony, three of these Cascio songs were selected to be on the album, and “Breaking News” was one of the three. The day after the submission and selection of the album tracks, for the very first time, the authenticity of Michael’s vocals on the Cascio tracks was questioned.

Because of these questions, I was immediately asked by co-Executors John Branca and John McClain to conduct an investigation regarding the authenticity of the lead vocals on the Cascio tracks.

Six of Michael’s former producers and engineers who had worked with Michael over the past 30 years – Bruce Swedien, Matt Forger, Stewart Brawley, Michael Prince, Dr. Freeze and Teddy Riley – were all invited to a listening session to hear the raw vocals of the Cascio tracks in question. All of these persons listened to the a cappella versions of the vocals on the Cascio tracks being considered for inclusion on the album, so they could give an opinion as to whether or not the lead vocals were sung by Michael. They all confirmed that the vocal was definitely Michael.

Michael’s musical director and piano player on many of his records over a 20-year period, Greg Phillinganes, played on a Cascio track being produced for the album, and said the voice was definitely Michael’s. Dorian Holley, who was Michael’s vocal director for his solo tours for 20 plus years (including the O2 Concert Tour) and is seen in the This Is It film, listened to the Cascio tracks and told me the lead vocal was Michael Jackson.

These are all engineers, producers and musicians who worked on tours and/or in the studio with Michael when he was recording Bad, Thriller, Off The Wall, Dangerous, Invincible, HIStory and Blood On The Dance Floor, and they all reconfirmed their belief that the lead vocals were Michael’s voice on the Cascio tracks.

The Estate then retained one of the best-known forensic musicologists in the nation to listen to the vocals without any instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella”), and to compare them with a cappella vocals from previous Michael songs. This expert performed waveform analysis, an objective scientific test used to determine audio authenticity, on the Cascio tracks, as well as previously released tracks with Michael’s voice, and reported that ALL of the lead vocals analyzed (which included Cascio tracks) were the voice of Michael Jackson.

Sony Music conducted their own investigation by hiring yet a second well-respected forensic musicologist who also compared the a cappella lead vocals from Cascio tracks against previously released vocals of Michael’s, and found that it was Michael’s voice on all sets of the raw vocals. The Cascio tracks were also played for two very prominent persons in the music industry who played crucial roles in Michael’s career. Both of these individuals believed that the lead vocals were Michael’s.

Just to be absolutely certain, I also contacted Jason Malachi, a young singer who some persons had wrongfully alleged was a “soundalike” singer that was hired to sing on the Cascio tracks, and I confirmed that he had no involvement with this project whatsoever.

Sony decided that, given the overwhelming objective evidence resulting from the exhaustive investigations outlined above, they wanted to release a record that included three of the Cascio-Porte tracks – because they believed, without reservation, that the lead vocal on all of those tracks were sung by Michael Jackson.

Although there still seem to be concerns being expressed in some quarters about the authenticity of the lead vocals, notwithstanding the opinion of those who worked with Michael, and two independent forensic analysts, ultimately, Michael’s fans will be the judges of these songs, as they always are. We take all fan comments very seriously, and as I’d stated above, there is nothing more important to the Estate than Michael’s music, his legacy and his fans.

Michael’s fans are extraordinary in their quest for accuracy and their passions to raise their voices in a search for truth! We join with them in our care and concern for Michael. We are continuing to follow up with those who have worked in the studio or on tours with Michael, and if any new information comes to light, we will keep you and the fans advised.

Howard Weitzman, Esq.
Attorney for the Estate Of Michael Jackson
Santa Monica, CA

AVAILABLE NOW: Ronnie Spector's 'Best Chritsmas Ever'

Rolling Stone calls her "the original bad girl of rock," but this year Ronnie Spector has been very nice. The iconic singer who has influenced generations of musicians from the Beatles and Brian Wilson, to Patti Smith and the Ramones, through to Amy Winehouse and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, - and recorded some of the most indelible holiday music of all time along the way - is set to release a new collection 'Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever,' on November 9, via Bad Girl Sounds/The Orchard.

'Best Christmas Ever' features five rare holiday gems destined to become contemporary classics. Ronnie recorded four tracks under the guidance of Bobby Eli - the famed Philadelphia producer, songwriter and founding member of MFSB - and the fifth song with producer Johnny Gale (Ryan Shaw/Robert Randolph), with contributions from her long-time touring musicians, bassist Jeremy Chatzky (Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions Band, Steve Earle) and keyboardist Joe McGinty (Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams), among others. 'Best Christmas Ever' is imbued with Ronnie's deeply felt and vividly recounted holiday memories from her childhood in New York City.

"These songs recapture the original feelings of Christmas I had growing up," Spector says. "The minute I got into that studio I knew these were going to be my new Christmas hits." And she should know. Spector's group The Ronnettes released the definitive versions of "Frosty the Snowman," "Sleigh Ride," and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" in 1963, and they've dominated the holiday airwaves ever since ("Sleigh Ride" and "Frosty" are among ASCAP's Top 20 most played Christmas songs of the past five years). As the New York Times has observed "It's hard to think of a more appealing angel to welcome the season than Ms. Spector." Ronnie will announce 'Best Christmas Ever' tour dates soon.

'RONNIE SPECTOR'S BEST CHRISTMAS EVER'

TRACKLIST:
1. My Christmas Wish
2. The Time Of Year (Happy Holidays)
3. Light One Candle
4. Best Christmas Ever
5. 5. It's Christmas Once Again

Ronnie Spector on the web:
RonnieSpector.com

Erasure to re-record 'A Little Respect' for charity release

FROM OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 9/11/2010

At tonight's Emery Awards in NYC, Hetrick-Martin Institute Ambassador Andy Bell will announce that Erasure - the band for which he is lead singer alongside electronic music legend Vince Clarke - will record a new version of their chart-topping classic 'A Little Respect'. Proceeds from the download of the single will benefit The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, and Cyndi Lauper's charity the True Colors Fund.

Originally released as a single in 1988 from the Erasure album 'The Innocents', 'A Little Respect' reached #2 on the Billboard Dance Charts and became a signature tune for the synthpop duo Erasure, as well as becoming an anthem for the gay rights movement.

The new recording of 'A Little Respect' will now include a youth chorus from The Hetrick-Martin Institute and it will be released as a download by Mute Records. A new documentary-style video, conceived by filmmaker Jason Stein of Laundry Service Media, will accompany the new recording. Both the single and video - which is intended to include cameos from high-profile supportive friends in the gay-straight community - are scheduled for release in mid-December with proceeds from the download of the music single earmarked to benefit The Hetrick-Martin Institute and the True Colors Fund.

In the wake of the tragic gay bullying incidents and related suicides across the country, Andy Bell was motivated to take action. As one of popular music's first openly-gay celebrities Bell felt compelled to get involved. "I am honored and moved beyond words to serve as an Ambassador to the The Hetrick-Martin Institute. Every opportunity we have to spread tolerance and compassion must be seized and I will take special pride in doing so on HMI's behalf."

Thomas Krever, the Executive Director of The Hetrick-Martin Institute expresses his gratitude to Andy and Vince for their generosity. "The music of Erasure was a formative part of my youth and a touchstone to feeling proud and confident as a gay man. Today's youth need to be reminded as often as possible that they are worthy of respect."

The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Founded in 1979, The Hetrick-Martin Institute creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 24 and their families. Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin’s staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models. For more information about HMI visit their website or follow their work on Twitter or on Facebook.

For more information about the True Colors Fund visit their website.

New Michael Jackson album announced - 'Michael'

MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FROM THE KING OF POP
MICHAEL
TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 14

Exclusive Teaser and Song to be Unveiled on MichaelJackson.com

New York, NY – The much anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released on December 14 by Epic Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. Tomorrow, an exclusive teaser for the project will appear on www.michaeljackson.com; on Monday, November 8th the world premiere of “Breaking News,” a full track from the album, will stream on the site for one week only.

The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.

“Breaking News,” a never heard before song by Michael that appears on the new album was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and recently brought to completion. Fans can begin pre-ordering the album on www.michaeljackson.com in the next 24 hours.

The attached image of the album cover of MICHAEL was created by painter Kadir Nelson in 2009. In the oil painting, Kadir – who is known for story telling through his art – takes us on a journey through some key moments and important people in Michael Jackson’s life.

Stay tuned for the worldwide launch of the official first single from MICHAEL later this month.
www.michaeljackson.com

Bob Dylan wants you to embrace Mono

Ray Davies to release collaborations album, 'See My Friends'

Ray Davies, one of the UK's finest songwriters, releases 'See My Friends', an album of classic Kinks songs turned into unique collaborations on Universal on November 1st.

On this one of a kind album, Ray collaborates with a formidable selection of artists on tracks from his incredible songwriting career, revisiting his back catalogue and crafting new versions of his classic songs. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Metallica features on this diverse collection of material.

Highlights include 'Days'/'This Time Tomorrow' with Mumford amp; Sons, 'Better Things' with Bruce Springsteen, 'You Really Got Me' with Metallica and 'Tired of Waiting For You' with Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody.

"This project came about almost by accident," says Davies of the project, which was kick-started when he recorded a version of 'Till The End Of The Day' in the summer of 2009, with the late, great Big Star singer Alex Chilton.

"With some tracks I had to appreciate the style of the other artists, otherwise it would have sounded unbalanced. And I wanted the album to work as an entire listening experience but each track had a life of its own," explains Ray.

Ray was happy to go where the music took him, in every sense: Oslo via Denmark, Germany and Belgium to record with Metallica, New York to record with Jon Bon Jovi, New Jersey for Bruce Springsteen, Chicago for Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins and his own north London base, the legendary KONK studios, for much of the rest. "This record is well-travelled already," explains Ray.

Paloma Faith, Jackson Browne, Black Francis of the Pixies, Lucinda Williams, Amy Macdonald and Spoon also feature on the record, which follows Ray's acclaimed tour of North America and the UK plus a stand out set on Glastonbury's Pyramid stage this summer.

The tracklisting for 'See My Friends' is:

1. Better Things - Ray Davies & Bruce Springsteen
2. Celluloid Heroes - Ray Davies, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora
3. Days/This Time Tomorrow - Ray Davies & Mumford amp; Sons
4. Long Way From Home - Ray Davies, Lucinda Williams & The 88
5. You Really Got Me - Ray Davies & Metallica
6. Lola - Ray Davies & Paloma Faith
7. Waterloo Sunset - Ray Davies & Jackson Browne
8. 'Til The End of The Day - Ray Davies, Alex Chilton & The 88
9. Dead End Street - Ray Davies & Amy Macdonald
10. See My Friends Ray Davies & Spoon
11. This Is Where I Belong - Ray Davies & Black Francis
12. David Watts - Ray Davies & The 88
13. Tired Of Waiting - Ray Davies & Gary Lightbody
14. All Day And All Of The Night/Destroyer - Ray Davies & Billy Corgan

Blues Icon Buddy Guy Set to Release New Album 'Living Proof' on October 26th

Five time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Buddy Guy, will release his new album, Living Proof on October 26th. His 11th Silvertone/Jive studio release marks an historic first as it brings together the incomparable B.B. King and Guy on the introspective and moving lead single, "Stay Around A Little Longer." The landmark single represents the first time that these two blues titans have ever joined together on a studio release.

Asked what he considers himself Living Proof of, Buddy Guy answers modestly. "Do you know how many guys I started out with who just threw up both hands and quit?" he says. "My first wife said to me, 'It's me or the guitar,' and I picked up my guitar and left. We still laugh about that. But I'm still picking away at it, I don't know nothing else." In addition to the collaboration with B.B. King, Guy recruits fellow guitar legend Carlos Santana, who joins him on the slinky tune "Where the Blues Begins."

At 74-"years young," he's been a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago's fabled West Side sound and a living link to that city's halcyon days of electric blues. In a career than spans nearly 50 years he has received 23 W.C. Handy Blues Awards (the most any artist has received), the first annual Great Performer of Illinois Award, the Billboard magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone ranked him in the top 30 of its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Recently, Buddy Guy wrapped shooting the "Stay Around A Little Longer" video with B.B. King in Las Vegas and just held "An Evening With Buddy Guy" at the Gammy Museum's theater in Los Angeles where he discussed his storied career and performed a selection of songs. Right now the indefatigable musician is on tour throughout North America.

www.buddyguy.com

Hip-O Select releases 'Tammi Terrell - The Complete Solo Collection'

Available now, limited edition of 5000.

Tammi Terrell, the lovely ingénue who became best known as Marvin Gaye’s duet partner, the female voice in the Motown classics “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” "Your Precious Love” and more, also had a budding solo career – one cut tragically cut short by her premature death at age 24.

In 2010, as we mark the 40^th anniversary of Tammi’s death and celebrate what would have been her 65^th birthday, the singular person behind those immortal duets is being rediscovered. Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection brings together for the first time all of Tammi’s solo recordings, from her earliest releases for Scepter/Wand, when she was still in high school, to her brief time with James Brown, her stint with Checker/Chess and, finally, her blossoming at Motown. That’s a total of 50 tracks on 2 CDs: every single, B-side, album track and stray cut from posthumous releases – plus an amazing treasure trove of newly discovered tracks: 10 unreleased recordings direct from the Chess and Motown vaults, including Tammi’s only known live recordings. And 11 songs previously available in mono are presented in brand new stereo mixes; most of those are extended as well.

Two of the unreleased tracks aren’t strictly solo: we found a duet version of Tammi’s otherwise solo Chess single, “If I Would Marry You,” in which she is paired with triple-threat Jimmy Radcliffe, more than three years before she worked with Marvin Gaye; and “Kissing In The Shadows,” a never-before-heard Motown track in which she is supported vocally by producer Johnny Bristol.

Additional unreleased tracks include two Chess recordings co-written by Radcliffe – “I Can’t Hold It In Any More,” a bluesy cover of an Etta James B-side, and “I’ve Got Nothing To Say But Goodbye.” On the Motown side, there are two previously unheard Ashford & Simpson compositions and productions, “Beware Of A Stranger” and “It’s Been A Long Time Happenin’.” Then there is the live set.

Tammi Terrell was, in September 1966, a 21-year-old rising star at Motown with two minor hit singles; her duets with Marvin Gaye were not yet a notion. She was tapped to open for Smokey Robinson & the Miracles at one of the company’s “Motown Mondays” performances at Detroit’s swanky Roostertail nightclub, the same venue where the Four Tops’ and the Temptations’ live albums were recorded. In a stirring 13-minute set, Tammi showcased her versatility, performing spirited versions of her two solo singles and a smartly arranged medley in which she sang snippets of songs associated with her favorite singers: Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and the Supremes. It’s the only live recording of Tammi anywhere.

This unprecedented collection also features a beautiful booklet with rare photos, detailed annotations and an essay by Princeton professor Daphne Brooks.

Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection celebrates the life and music of Tammi Terrell. Here is another way to celebrate: Tammi is the subject of a new one-hour documentary airing this fall on TV One, part of the second season of the channel’s acclaimed signature series, Unsung.

For more information visit this page.

NICOLE ATKINS signs to Razor & Tie

Nicole Atkins is a name that will be very familiar to long term blog readers and podcast listeners. Besides twice featuring her music on the show, we gave her first ever Dutch gig a glowing review, and named her debut album (the sublime 'Neptune City') our favourite album of 2007. Recently Razor + Tie records made the following announcement:

Razor & Tie is excited to announce the signing of Nicole Atkins, a Brooklyn, New York based songstress. Nicole is bringing her unique voice and crooner core sound to Razor & Tie, who will release Atkins’ second album in early 2011.

Formerly signed to Columbia Records, Nicole Atkins and her edgy personality have found an exciting new home with New York City based independent label Razor & Tie. Nicole’s powerful, one of a kind voice transcends genres and allows her to feel at home touring with indie musicians to classic rockers.

“I’m so excited to be working with Nicole; I’ve followed her career for years. This is one of those moments when the fan inside of me gets to work with one of my favorite artists,” stated Beka Tischker, Razor & Tie’s Vice President of A&R and Music Publishing. Nicole echoed the sentiment, “I’m really happy to be working with a group of people that share my musical vision and who are so supportive.”

On the new album, Nicole reveals her growth as a singer and songwriter with a sophisticated batch of new songs. Be prepared for a darker, grittier album with a bluesy, psychedelic sound that still showcases the stunning range and richness of tone that Nicole’s voice is known for.

Nicole Atkins grew up in Neptune, New Jersey where she began playing the guitar and writing songs at age 13. She spent her younger years listening to classic artists such as Traffic and Pink Floyd instead of the bubblegum pop that was popular amongst her peers. Eclectic music taste helped shape the sounds on her previous releases, the full length album Neptune City, and two EP’s Bleeding Diamonds and Nicole Atkins Digs Other People’s Songs.

Nicole is currently recording in Brooklyn, New York with producer Phil Palazzolo. Once the album has been mixed, Nicole will be joining Regina Spektor for several UK shows, followed by a west coast US tour supporting The Black Keys. Nicole has previously toured with The Avett Brothers, AC Newman, Ray Davies, Aimee Mann, and Chris Isaak.

The signing of Nicole Atkins reflects Razor & Tie’s commitment to a growing and diverse artist roster which includes Dave Barnes, All That Remains, Dead Confederate, Norma Jean, and The Summer Set. The New York-based label is one of the fastest growing independent record companies in the United States, and has garnered both Platinum sales and Grammy awards in its 20 year history.

It has now been revealed that the new album's title will be 'Mondo Amore'.

Visit www.nicoleatkins.com

DAR WILLIAMS to release 'Many Great Companions', October 12th

Dar Williams is set to release her eighth studio album, Many Great Companions, via Razor & Tie on October 12th. Many Great Companions is a new album of Dar Williams classics recorded acoustically with special guests, with an additional disc of Williams' most significant songs. Songs span Dar's impressive career from 1993's The Honesty Room through 2008's Promised Land.

On Songs Revisited With Guitar and a Few Friends, Dar re-records 12 classic songs from her extensive catalogue, all performed acoustically. She's joined by several fellow musicians and friends on the new versions, including Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Larkin, Motherlode, and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks who also produced the album. The second disc, Best of Dar Williams, is not just a compilation, but rather a journey through Dar's career. Listeners are able to follow Dar as she transforms from a folk singer just starting out to the seasoned musician she is today.

Many Great Companions showcases classic Dar Williams in a remarkably unique way, different than anything the songstress has ever put out before. Dar's personal and artistic growth can be seen throughout her career, and this album is the perfect summation of her natural evolution. Songs Revisited With Guitar and a Few Friends and Best of Dar Williams complement each other flawlessly, creating the memorable Many Great Companions. The new album will not only engage and interest Dar's current fan base, but will surely intrigue those who may not be as familiar with her prior music.

Dar Williams is one of the most respected singer-songwriters of her generation, and continues to engage her loyal fans and growing audience throughout the country. Dar's personal and artistic growth have happened concurrently. After attending Wesleyan University, Dar spent 10 years performing at coffee houses in the artistic town of Northampton, Massachusetts before self-releasing her first album, The Honesty Room. She now spends her off time with husband Michael and their two children, Stephen and Taya. Dar will be touring from September through November, with residencies in a few select cities.

For more information, visit www.darwilliams.com.

New Holiday music offerings on the way from Shelby Lynne, Annie Lennox

Two iconic female singer songwriters will be releasing their first full-length Christmas albums later this year. Shelby Lynne (who's most recent studio album 'Tears, Lies and Alibis' also sees a belated UK release this week) and Annie Lennox will both be vying to be the soundtrack to your Yuletide. Hopefully we'll be able to play you a track from each of these on our annual holiday podcast this December. More info below!

SHELBY LYNNE’S MERRY CHRISTMAS

GRAMMY® winner Shelby Lynne will release Merry Christmas, her first-ever holiday collection, on October 12th. The album will mark her second release on her own independent label, EVERSO RECORDS, which is distributed through Fontana, the award-winning independent distribution division of Universal Music Group. Tears, Lies, And Alibis, EVERSO’s first release, debuted at No. 16 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart earlier this year. It became a Top 10 hit at Americana radio and was hailed by Newsday as “her strongest album in a decade,” a sentiment echoed by numerous critics.

From its cover – a photograph of Shelby at age four, playing in the snow in her Mobile, Alabama front yard – to the music, Merry Christmas is a warm and heartfelt collection. Rootsy and off-the-cuff, it has an immediacy that makes you feel like you’ve joined Lynne and her musician pals around the hearth.

“I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas record and now that I have my own label, the time seemed right,” says Lynne, who produced the album and penned two original songs for it.

She’s been called “one of the greatest voices of her generation” (The Aquarian Weekly) and when she kicks off the festivities with a stanza of richly layered acapella vocals on the medley “Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland,” it’s clear why. Childhood favorites like “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” are playful and vibrant while Lynne brings a subtle majesty to the traditional Christmas carols “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night.” Her two new compositionscapture both sides of the season. ”Ain’t Nothin’ Like Christmas” is a rollicking celebration of all its joys:

“Ain’t nothin’ like Christmas, baby

Don’t come but once a year

Ain’t nothin’ like Christmas, baby

With carols and good cheer

Ain’t nothin’ like Christmas, baby

Let’s meet around the tree

I’ll bring the nog, you put on a log

It’s a Christmas party.”

On the flipside, “Xmas” acknowledges that not all of our holiday memories are happy ones. The song builds from a slow burn to a blistering finale as Lynne engages in a mesmerizing call-and-response with special guest Dave Koz, whose soulful saxophone lines accentuate her bluesy vocals.

Other highlights include a dreamy version of “Christmas Time Is Here” from one of Shelby’s favorite Christmas albums, the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, and an exuberant version of “Christmastime’s a Comin’,” a song she heard bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe perform years ago. “I liked its back porch, family vibe,” Lynne recalls.

A stellar group of backing musicians help give Merry Christmas its down-home vibe, including: John Jackson (acoustic, electric and slide guitars, percussion); Mike Ward (acoustic and electric guitars); Gregg Field (drums); Marc Doten (upright bass); Dave Palmer (Wurlitzer, piano); Ben Peeler (mandolin, steel guitar); Val McCallum (harmonica, acoustic guitar) and Jim Honeyman (clarinet, flute). Brian Harrison engineered the album.

At 18, Lynne’s demos landed her an appearance on TNN s Nashville Now series, which led to a Top 50 duet ("If I Could Bottle This Up") with George Jones and a record deal. On the strength of 2000’s I Am Shelby Lynne, she won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist. Love, Shelby was released in 2001, followed by a pair of intimate, self-produced albums – Identity Crisis (2003) and Suit Yourself (2005). She made her acting debut in 2005, playing Johnny Cash’s mother in the Fox Searchlight motion picture Walk the Line. Just a Little Lovin’, her critically acclaimed tribute to Dusty Springfield, was released in 2008. Lynne has been on the road since Tears, Lies, And Alibis was released in April. For upcoming dates, please visit http://www.shelbylynne.com/.

Merry Christmas – Track Listing

1. Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland

2. Ain’t Nothin’ Like Christmas
3. Christmas Time Is Here
4. Silver Bells
5. Christmastime’s a Comin’
6. O Holy Night
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. Xmas
9. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
10. Silent Night
11. White Christmas

Visit www.shelbylynne.com for pre-order info and tour dates.

ANNIE LENNOX'S 'A CHRISTMAS CORNUCOPIA'

Internationally renowned recording artist, songwriter and musician Annie Lennox has signed with Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, for a long-term worldwide recording agreement.

As one of the world’s most successful and critically-acclaimed British female artists in pop music history, Ms. Lennox will release her brand new album, “A Christmas Cornucopia,” on November 22nd through Island Records UK and Decca Records in the US and the rest of the world.
The album features Ms. Lennox’s unique and personal interpretations of some of her favorite Christmas carols as well as a completely new, and wonderful, original composition entitled, “Universal Child.”

“I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Island Records on my upcoming recording,” stated Ms. Lennox. “This album is something I’ve wanted to do for many years. It’s a true labour of love, and I feel very fortunate to be in partnership with such a cutting edge team, especially when I’m at a stage in my creativity when I want to diversify, and pursue my passion in my own individual way. I’ve never been part of a “mold,” and Island are really supportive and appreciative of where I’m coming from. I want to make timeless music that people will love in many years to come…and I’d like to think that “A Christmas Cornucopia” is going to be of those recordings.”

“There are precious few artists who redefine the boundaries of popular music like Annie,” said Lucian Grainge, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group. “And we are delighted to be part of the next exciting chapter in her already storied career.”

“Annie Lennox is one of world’s greatest singers,” commented Ms. Lennox’s manager Simon Fuller. “She has sold tens of millions of albums, celebrated countless hit singles and won every major award and honour there is to receive. However there is one thing she has always wanted to do and now it’s about to happen. Annie has always wanted to record an album of Christmas songs and to see this finally come to fruition is very special. Annie and I are thrilled to now be working with Island Records and all my friends at Universal around the world. We are looking forward very much to a long, happy and successful partnership for many years to come.”

“The album Annie has recorded is timeless and inspiring, a very special showcase for her extraordinary voice,” added Universal Music UK chairman David Joseph. “This record is just the start of what feels like a natural, and very exciting, new partnership between Annie and Island Records.”

Throughout her remarkable career, Annie Lennox has been celebrated as an innovator, and a symbol of enduring excellence. Both as a member of the groundbreaking Eurythmics and as a solo artist without peer, Annie has amassed sales of more than 80 million albums worldwide and claimed 34 hit singles, four Grammy Awards, 11 Brit Awards, five Ivor Novellos, an Academy Award and two Golden Globes.

Visit www.AnnieLennox.com for more information.

R.E.M. announce Live At Austin City Limits DVD release

Veteran alt-rock favorites R.E.M. recently reported that work on their forthcoming album is complete. A Spring 2011 release date is being targeted for what will be their 15th full length studio release.

In the meantime, the band have announced that New West Records will release R.E.M. Live From Austin, TX, the latest DVD from the acclaimed PBS Austin City Limits (ACL) television series, on October 26, 2010. Taken from the band's March 13, 2008 ACL concert, which has been edited into an hour TV show, the DVD contains an extended performance including three songs never aired on the original broadcast. The 17 songs have been re-mixed and re-mastered in LPCM stereo and DTS-HD 5.1 surround sound to provide the highest-quality concert DVD available.

R.E.M. Live From Austin, TX, captures the band "at a pivotal moment in their career," says ACL producer Terry Lickona. The DVD, Lickona adds, presents a band "still breaking new ground and still doing it their way." R.E.M. Live From Austin, TX clocks in at just over an hour and features songs spanning the band's career up to their most recent album Accelerate.

Austin City Limits, the longest-running music show in American television, will re-air the original broadcast of the performance on November 27th, 2010. Check local PBS listings for broadcast information.

Tracklisting:
1. Living Well Is The Best Revenge
2. Man-Sized Wreath
3. Drive
4. So. Central Rain (previously not broadcast)
5. Accelerate
6. Fall On Me (previously not broadcast)
7. Hollow Man
8. Electrolite
9. Houston
10. Supernatural Superserious
11. Bad Day
12. Losing My Religion
13. I'm Gonna DJ
14. Horse To Water
15. Imitation Of Life (previously not broadcast)
16. Until The Day Is Done
17. Man On The Moon

Visit REMHQ.com for more info/pre-order details.

Paul McCartney & Wings' legendary 'Band On The Run' album to be rereleased

Paul's Epic #1 Album From 1973 Will Be Available In Multiple Configurations Featuring Remastered Rare Bonus Audio & Video Content With Special Exclusive Packaging

Available November 1st in the UK November 2nd in the US


MPL and the Concord Music Group are pleased to announce the re-release of Paul McCartney & Wings’ iconic Band on the Run. Heralded as one of the greatest albums of all time, the GRAMMY winning, smash # 1 album - originally released December of 1973 - yielded the immortal title track and world-wide hit “Jet” becoming Wings’ most successful and celebrated album ever.

Paul personally supervised all aspects of the Band on the Run reissue. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road using the same team who recently remastered the complete Beatles’ catalog.

Band on the Run will be available in a variety of formats originating with the single disc digitally remastered, essential 9-track standard edition. The 3 disc (2CD, 1 DVD) special edition features nine bonus audio tracks (including the top 10 smash “Helen Wheels”), rare footage of the McCartneys in Lagos and behind-the-scenes at the famous album cover shoot, original Band on the Run promotional video clips, the One Hand Clapping television special (highlighted by studio performances filmed at Abbey Road in 1974) all with beautifully enhanced packaging. Collectors will be especially thrilled by the 4 disc (3CD, 1 DVD) deluxe edition which adds an extraordinary 120-page hard bound book containing many unseen and unpublished photos by Linda McCartney and Clive Arrowsmith, album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, a full history of the album complete with a new interview with Paul and expanded track by track information for all four discs. The deluxe edition also includes a special Band on the Run audio documentary (originally produced for the 25th Anniversary edition.) The original remastered album and bonus audio content will also be issued in a 2 disc 180gm audiophile vinyl edition that comes with an MP3 download of all 18 tracks. Lastly, the standard and deluxe versions of Band on the Run will be available digitally worldwide.

The musical achievement of Band on the Run is nearly matched by the amazing story behind its creation. Intrigued with recording abroad in the summer of 1973, McCartney searched for a list of studios around the world. Spotting one in the remote location of Lagos, Nigeria, he became enthralled with the idea of recording in Africa. Days before departure, lead guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell quit the band leaving the entire project to the three core members, Paul, his wife Linda McCartney and band-member Denny Laine (along with recording engineer Geoff Emerick). Recorded in August and September of 1973 (with further work done at AIR Studios in London in October 1973), they persevered through a tumultuous, yet creatively invigorating 2 month recording process battling difficult studio conditions, oppressive heat and a dangerous mugging at knife point. The thieves made off with the demo tapes (among other valuables), forcing the band to record the entire album from memory.


Band on the Run triumphed both critically and commercially. The album topped the US album chart 3 separate times, won a Grammy and went on to sell more than 7 million copies. Upon the release of Band on the Run, then Rolling Stone reviewer Jon Landau famously gushed, “The finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called The Beatles.”

Paul is currently playing five songs from the album on his ‘Up and Coming Tour’. Live favorites over the last 8 years of touring have included “Jet”, “Band on the Run” and “Let Me Roll It”. In 2008 when Paul played a free outdoor show to over 500,000 people in Kiev, a Ukrainian poll listed “Mrs Vandebilt” as their all time favorite Paul McCartney song. It’s been included in the set ever since. At the start of this tour Paul added “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” to the set.

Band on the Run marks the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, an ambitious reissue program that encompasses 40 years of cherished, classic material from the most successful songwriter and recording artist in music history. It’s also the initial physical release of the recently announced agreement between McCartney’s MPL and Concord Music Group to globally market and distribute Paul’s venerated solo and Wings catalogue.

Robert Plant to release 'Band Of Joy' this month

Robert Plant - Band Of Joy
Available everywhere September 13th 2010

When Robert Plant collected the 2009 Grammy for Album of the Year
for Raising Sand, and a further five more for his work with bluegrass singer
Alison Krauss, it confirmed what has been apparent all along - that Plant is
one of the few musicians of his generation whose appetite
for musical innovation remains keen.

His critically-acclaimed new album Band Of Joy was recorded at Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' Woodland studio in Nashville, an important hub from the Seventies which the duo rescued from oblivion. Despite Plant's name being above the title, it's clearly a collective endeavour by him and the musicians, built on mutual sensitivity.

"I found it incredibly refreshing, the lightness of it all was wonderful," he recalls. "And I didn't want to lose the essence of that. After all the things I've done, the idea of just stepping forward with other people and letting them take the lead, is an exciting prospect. And with Buddy, Patty and Darrell on this record, it promises to be exciting... Nothing is daunting for me - but forever challenging. I have to be able to just get out there into the great drift of music and possibility, and hang onto great themes and ideas."

Visit www.robertplant.com to hear samples and order now.

BILL HICKS - The Essential Collection in stores September 14th

N.B.: You may remember that on season 2 of the Insomnia Cafe podcast we had an exclusive early play of Bill's song 'Moon Is Smiling'. That song, and 10 others (making up the album 'Lo-Fi Troubadour') will be available in this set via a special download card.

Ryko is proud to announce the release of The Essential Collection, a four disc set (2 CD/2 DVD) - out September 14th, 2010 on Ryko - that encompasses Bill Hicks’ short but influential career as a satirist, social critic and stand-up comedian.

The package contains double DVD discs with over five hours of footage from Bill Hicks’ personal archives including rare, never-before-seen performances from the early 80’s, the cult short film Ninja Bachelor Party (starring Bill Hicks, Kevin Booth and David Johndrow), in-depth interviews with Hicks and a photo gallery from his family’s keepsakes.

The 2 CD discs offer over two hours of his best stand-up material with never-before-released performance pieces from a San Ramon , CA show recorded by Bill Hicks that was found in his archives. The box set also features new liner notes written by family members as well as renowned figures (including Henry Rollins, Eric Bogosian, noted UK author Paul Outhwaite, and UK journalist/tv personality, Clive Anderson), and a download card containing original song recordings by Hicks (that were mastered at Abbey Road Studios - London, England) entitled, Lo-Fi Troubadour.

Tracklisting (selections marked with an asterisk are previously unreleased):

Disc One (CD):

1. Fevered Egos
2. I’m Talking To The Women Here
3. My Favorite New Kid
4. Marketing & Advertising
5. Artistic Roll Call
6. Orange Drink
7. Save Willie
8. Menu?
9. A Killer Idea
10. Goodbye You Lizard Scum
11. Summertime
12. Elvis*
13. The News
14. Confession Time (Cops)
15. Please Do Not Disturb*
16. Spectravision & Housekeeping
17. Girl Of Your Dreams
18. Clam Lappers & Sonic The Hedgehog TM
19. What Is Pornography?
20. Renting Pornos & Girlfriends*
21. Name & Address Not Withheld*
22. Beelzebozo*
23. Pussywhipped Satan
24. I Love My Job
25. Audience Member / Old Folks Home Manager*
26. Worst Audience Ever
27. The F Word
28. My Parents

Disc Two (CD):

1. Drugs Have Done Good Things
2. Rockers Against Drugs Suck
3. We Live In A World
4. Drugs Have Done Good Things Part 2*
5. Ding Dong
6. Gays In The Military
7. Speaking Of Homosexuality
8. Children On Airplanes
9. Your Children Aren’t Special
10. Pro Life
11. Non-Smokers
12. Audience Member / Dental Assistant*
13. Smoking
14. Smoking Tastes Great*
15. Yul Brynner
16. Smoking In Heaven
17. Flying Saucer Tour
18. Burning Issues
19. Odd Beliefs
20. Kennedy & The Warren Commission
21. Handguns – UK vs. USA*
22. The Vision

Disc Three (DVD):

The Early Years – Stand Up
Houston, TX – 1981*
Houston, TX – 1984*
Indianapolis, IN – 1985*
Houston, TX (Part 1) – 1986*
Houston, TX (Part 2) – 1986*

The Early Years – TV Interview

The Outlaw Comics
Outlaw Comics Performance
Origins Of The Outlaw Comics*

Extras – Photo Gallery

Disc Four (DVD):

Ninja Bachelor Party

About Ninja Bachelor Party

Austin Bootleg Series
November, 1991*
December, 1992*
June, 1993*
October, 1993*

About The Austin Bootleg Series

Download Card:

Lo-Fi Troubadour
Original Songs* – Written & Performed by Bill Hicks

1. Introduction
2. She’s A Woman
3. Hey Mama
4. The Road Can Be Hard
5. Jazz Instrumental
6. The Moon Is Smiling
7. Turn Your Mind Over To Your Heart
8. No Music In My Soul
9. Waiting To Meet You
10. I Never Really Cried For You
11. Outro Instrumental

In stores September 14th.

LEONARD COHEN to release 'Songs From The Road',

FILMED IN 2008/2009 IN HIGH DEFINITION AND 5.1. SURROUND SOUND, AT VENUES IN CANADA, GERMANY, ISRAEL, SCANDINAVIA, SWEDEN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND U.S.A.

"Lover, Lover, Lover," "Bird On the Wire," "Chelsea Hotel," "Waiting for the Miracle," "Suzanne," "The Partisan," "Hallelujah," "Closing Time," and more - plus 20-minute "behind the scenes" interview feature

Separate DVD+CD and Blu-ray packages available at retail starting September 14, 2010, through Columbia/Legacy; Gatefold, 180 gram vinyl LP of the 12 audio tracks also available
In 1999, after an extended break from the spotlight, 64-year old Leonard Cohen returned to the recording studio and world stage with a passion. From then until now, his albums, concerts and DVD releases have informed a new generation. At the same time, Cohen has heroically fulfilled the dreams of his first generation of fans that have been following his career at Columbia Records since his debut LP in 1967.

Following the celebration of his 40th year as a Columbia artist in 2007 and coinciding with his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2008, Cohen thrilled his fans by announcing his first tour dates in 15 years. He's gone on to play the most prestigious and beautiful venues in virtually every corner of the globe, mesmerizing and charming audiences with performances that were hailed as some of the best of his career. "When legend Cohen takes to the stage," raved Ireland's The Independent (June 2008), "it's no less than a cultural event of Biblical dimensions."

One dozen of Leonard Cohen's most famous songs from those recent world tour performances – at auditorium halls, festivals, arenas, and stadiums from Tel Aviv to London, from across Europe to the California desert and his native Canada – are now collected on SONGS FROM THE ROAD. The 12-song program filmed in high def and recorded in 5.1 surround sound will be issued in two separate packages: The DVD+CD package will be an oversized 2-disc softpak, identical to last year's Leonard Cohen Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970. The Blu-ray will be in a standard amray case. Both will be available at all retail outlets starting September 14th through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. A gatefold, 180 gram vinyl LP of the 12 audio tracks will also be released the same date.

As a bonus, the DVD and Blu-ray configurations will include a 20-minute "behind the scenes" backstage interview with the individual band members. The interviews were conducted by Leonard's daughter, Lorca Cohen.

The sets also feature two different sets of annotations. One is a rare album liner notes essay written by Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of The New Republic. The other is a detailed track-by-track insider's commentary written by Ed Sanders, who served as producer of the sound recording and editing, and producer and director of the video recording and editing. "I was there for every rehearsal," he begins. "I was at every sound check. I was present at every show."
Sanders' notes provides precious insight into the selection process for the twelve outstanding performances captured on SONGS FROM THE ROAD. For "Chelsea Hotel" (Royal Albert Hall, London, 11/17/2008), Sanders writes "Between sound check and show time Leonard would often play his guitar in the dressing room. In the early stages of this leg I would find him practicing 'Chelsea Hotel.' It came as a surprise to everyone (especially those on stage!) when at Rotterdam he launched into it solo after 'Tower of Song.' He continued to rehearse it with the band until the arrangement was ready. The version presented here is the second full-band performance. At the time I thought it was exceptionally compelling and I told Leonard so during intermission. He replied that he thought it went well; that he could feel the presence of a certain 'someone' as he sang it."

SONGS FROM THE ROAD is not only a tribute to Cohen's consummate artistry as a concert performer, it is also a tribute to his enduring worldwide popularity at this time in his career. The program complements his 2-disc DVD release of last year, Live In London, recorded on July 17, 2008, at London's 02 Arena, one of Europe's largest indoor venues. Live In London marked his first concert collection to be released since the 2001 CD, Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979. (Note: The O2 Arena selections on SONGS FROM THE ROAD are from November 2008.)
It is ultimately Cohen's ageless songs that draw faithful audiences – new fans and old – to his advance sold-out concerts. (The 2008 tour dates sold over 700,000 tickets alone, across 84 shows worldwide.)

SONGS FROM THE ROAD represents every decade of his life as a recording artist, from the 1960s ("Suzanne" from his 1967 debut, Songs Of Leonard Cohen; "Bird on the Wire" and his interpretation of "The Partisan" both from his second album, 1969's Songs From a Room) – to the '00s ("That Don't Make it Junk" from 2001's Ten New Songs).
Along the way, SONGS FROM THE ROAD revisits Cohen's 'greatest hits' from the 1970s ("Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Avalanche" both from 1971's Songs Of Love and Hate; "Chelsea Hotel" from 1974's New Skin For the Old Ceremony, and "Lover, Lover, Lover" from the 1979 Field Commander Cohen recordings) – the 1980s ("Hallelujah" and "Heart With No Companion" from 1984's Various Positions) – and the 1990s ("Waiting for the Miracle" and "Closing Time" from 1992's The Future).

"Throughout the show," Wieseltier concludes in his essay, "it was never clear whose gratitude was greater, Cohen's or the audience's. He seemed to find at every stop the sisters of mercy whom he immortalized in one of his oldest and most tender songs…. And now, wherever this precious man wanders, the famous blue raincoat notwithstanding, people sing 'hallelujah!' The Psalmist himself could not have asked for more."

Darius Rucker to release second country album on October 12th

(Associated Press)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Darius Rucker wrote 77 songs for his new album. That's not a misprint.

Most of them ended up not making the cut for "Charleston, SC 1966," Rucker's follow up to his country breakthrough, "Learn to Live." The new album will be out Oct. 12, and will include 12 new songs. Rucker said it was no problem coming up with a final track list.

"We just listened to them and saw what was rising to the top," Rucker said. "When I say that, people say to me, 'Man, that must be a hard decision.' No, not really. The best songs really rise to the top."

"Learn to Live" has sold 1.4 million albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and earned Rucker the Country Music Association's best new artist award. The 44-year-old former Hootie and the Blowfish singer was the first black performer to win a major individual CMA award since Charley Pride in 1971-72.

Rucker says the many fans of "Learn to Live" can expect something very similar to "Charleston, SC 1966."

"I don't think it's going to be light-years different," Rucker said. "I don't think we set out to reinvent the wheel or do a new sound. I think this record is more of an expansion of the last record than anything else. It's like picking up where the last record left off."

The album's title is a reference to his hometown, the year of his birth and a tribute to Radney Foster's first solo album, "Del Rio, TX 1959." He said it was listening to Foster that first made him realize the possibilities of country music.

"It was his voice," Rucker said. "It was really the first time where I had heard country music where I thought, 'Man, I could sing that.' I always liked it, but it was always, I never really knew I could play it. But then I heard Radney and it was like, 'Wow, that guy's amazing.'"

Rucker teamed with producer Frank Rogers again and says it's a comfortable partnership. Rogers was one of several songwriters who teamed with Rucker to write material for the album. The singer says it's not out of the ordinary for him to write dozens of songs for an album. He wrote 52 for "Learn to Live." He and a co-writer can turn out six to nine new songs over three days, he said, and he teamed with several writers while on tour, in Nashville and at his home.

Rucker says some really good songs didn't make the cut because they didn't fit what he was looking for on the album. He has begun offering them to others, something he didn't do with the first album.

"I think it was one of those things where I think the last record it would've been hard to have somebody cut a song that we wrote," Rucker said. "I was just so new. It was like, 'Who wants a Darius Rucker castoff?' They might want one now."

Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone - new album due this September

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and soul/gospel legend Mavis Staples delivers more wall-to-wall joy on her triumphant new Anti- album, You Are Not Alone (September 14), than any other release you’re likely to hear this year.

Produced by fellow Chicagoan Jeff Tweedy at Wilco’s studio The Loft, the intimate and textured production showcases the iconic singer at her most powerful and fervent. You Are Not Alone mixes traditional gospel numbers with two new songs written for Mavis by Tweedy, plus her unique interpretations of songs by Pops Staples, Randy Newman, Allen Toussaint, John Fogerty, Rev. Gary Davis and Little Milton.

The album features Mavis’s touring band of the last three years: Rick Holmstrom, guitar, vocals; Jeff Turmes, bass, vocals; Stephen Hodges, drums; Donny Gerrard, background vocals; plus special guests Jeff Tweedy on guitars, bass, and vocals; Wilco’s Patrick Sansone, keys, vibes; Mark Greenberg, vibes, keys; with additional background vocals by frequent Neko Case collaborators Kelly Hogan and Nora O’Connor, and Richard Parenti.

You Are Not Alone is Mavis’s second studio release for Anti. It follows her 2007 critical triumph, We’ll Never Turn Back, produced by Ry Cooder, which revisited the great songs of the civil rights era and prompted her hometown paper The Chicago Sun-Times to hail her as “an American treasure.” In 2008, Anti- issued a rapturously received live album, Live: Hope at the Hideout, which was named one of the Best Live CDs of All Time by Amazon.com’s editors and earned Mavis her first Grammy-nomination as a solo artist.

Mavis Staples is enjoying a major career resurgence, having become a festival favorite in recent years. This summer she will play Lollapalooza on August 6, and the Wilco-curated Solid Sound Festival at Mass MoCa on August 14 with additional US and European tour dates to be announced soon.

Track listing for Mavis Staples, You Are Not Alone

1. You Don’t Knock (Pops Staples/Wesley Westbrook)
2. You Are Not Alone (Jeff Tweedy)
3. Downward Road (Pops Staples)
4. In Christ There is No East and West (traditional; arranged by Jeff Tweedy)
5. Creep Along, Moses (traditional)
6. Losing You (Randy Newman)
7. I Belong to the Band (Rev. Gary Davis)
8. Last Train (Allen Toussaint)
9. Only the Lord Knows (Jeff Tweedy)
10. Wrote A Song for Everyone (John Fogerty)
11. We’re Gonna Make It (Little Milton)
12. Wonderful Savior (traditional)
13. Too Close To Heaven / I'm On My Way to Heaven Anyhow (Prof. Alex E. BradfordJr./Brad Pathway)

www.mavisstaples.com