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July 2007

July
31
Hear Ronson on Bob

Packshot You can now hear a snippet Mark Ronson's officially sanctioned soul-dance reworking of Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde classic "Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)." It's only about 45-seconds, but you get the gist of it pretty quickly: Cleaned-up Dylan vocals layered over a Stax-style rhythm section, some bouncy horns and even a high-pitched trumpet squawk that recalls the early '90s hip-hop of DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill, House of Pain). The sonic preview is to hype the forthcoming 3-disc best-of which promises to be the "definitive" greatest hits package (and, in addition to 50 classic Bob tracks, will include Ronson's redo). Dropping October 1, the deluxe box includes postcards, three cool mini vinyl sleeves and a 40 page booklet.

July
31
The Go! Team coming to America

Vcoach_goteam2_4 Pitchfork is reporting that Brighton, England's brightest pop/rock/hip-hop group the Go! Team are returning to the U.S in October for a short jaunt, including two dates in Southern California and a pair in NYC. Their sophomore album Proof of Youth (Sub Pop) hits stores in the U.S. on Sept. 11. Here are the dates:

10-13 - Chicago, IL - Double Door
10-15 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
10-17 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
10-19 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
10-20 - Pomona, CA - Glass House
10-21 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex
10-25 - Boston, MA - Paradise
10-26 - Philadelphia, PA - TBA
10-27 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
10-28 - Brooklyn, NY - Studio B
10-30 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Photo: Olivia Hemaratanatorn/Variety

July
31
eMusic is on the phone.

eMusic, the second-biggest digital music retailer behind you-know-who, pacted with AT&T to open up its catalog to cell phone subscribers. The download service specializes in indie fare and offers some songs that aren't available on iTunes.

Users will be able to download five songs per month for $7.49. Every song downloaded can be transferred to a harddrive or iPod.

July
30
GnR trio rock Key Club as 'Destruction' turns 20

4178yv0k8vl_aa240_ On the eve of "Appetite For Destruction's" 20th anniversary, we could be one step closer to a full-blown Guns N' Roses reunion. The Key Club in Hollywood hosted a semi-reunion Saturday when ex-drummer Steven Adler's newest band, Adler's Appetite, was joined onstage by former GnR members Duff McKagan (bass) and Izzy Stradlin (guitar) for two "Destruction" tunes, "Mr. Brownstone" and "Paradise City." It was the first time the three have played together live since 1990. Slash was reportedly in attendence, but did not perform with the group. Axl Rose, of course, was a no-show.

July
30
Joanna Newsom and friends

Joannanew_rolf_5360926_600

Harpist, singer and critical darling Joanna Newsom will be playing a handful of orchestra dates in the U.S. this fall, including one night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A., where she will be accompanied by 28 instrumentalists.

10-21 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
11-04 - Grass Valley, CA - Music in the Mountains
11-09 - Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall
11-17 - Atlanta, GA - Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall

July
30
Kelly Osbourne does 'Chicago'

Kellyosbo_eamon_14063289_60 Rock royalty/reality TV star Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Sharon and Ozzy, is set to star in the West End production of "Chicago" starting September 10, and running until October 27 at the Cambridge Theatre. Osbourne will play Mama Morton, the role essayed by Queen Latifah in the 2002 film version.

July
28
Set List: Radiohead, San Sebastian, Spain, 2002

Radiohead After doing this for the grand total of 25 days, it is time for a vacation. I'll be gone for two weeks but musically minded Dave Lewis will be comandeering the site. Unfortunately I'll miss "South Pacific" and the "Sgt. Pepper" re-creation at the Bowl, Bonds' 756th home run, an interesting Barolo tasting at Mozza Pizzeria and that Dead week on Sirius radio.
Heading to San Sebastian, Spain, where on July 30, 2002, Radiohead performed at Teatro Kursaal.  They played:

There There / Scatterbrain / Wolf at the Door / We Suck Young Blood / Myxomatosis / A Punch Up at a Wedding / Sit Down, Stand Up / I Might Be Wrong / Morning Bell / Lucky / Talk Show Host / My Iron Lung / Exit Music / Dollars and Cents / Pyramid Song / National Anthem / hunting bears / Idioteque / Everything In Its Right Place / Like Spinning Plates / Airbag / Climbing Up the Walls / Paranoid Android / Sail to the Moon / How to Disappear Completely

July
27
The 'Idol'-Tastic Life: The Stars Are Still in the Finalists' Eyes

Idol6 USA Today's Edna Gundersen, one of the best in this business of reporting-writing-critquing, got seven of the 10 "American Idol" finalists to explain their plans for the newspaper's "Idol" blog. What they don't seem to realize is that they were not as distinct as the class that came before them in which it was clear which direction six of them would take once the show ended. With the applause still ringing in the ears of the Season Six finalists, they don't seem to realize the real world is not quite sure exactly who Kimberley Locke is. And yet Chris Richardson sees himself as the fture of soulful rock.Oh these children.
Today they have visions of a roses and rainbows future, not the charts of recent musical revenue generated by Justin Guarini, Jasmine Trias and Corey Clark.

Jordin Sparks, who hopes to have an album in stores by Thanksgiving, said her effort is "kind of Kelly Clarkson’s pop edge meets Beyonce meets Carrie Underwood."
ANALYSIS: She is doing what she's told and singing the songs that have been chosen for her. There's no evidence that she has a unique style, but she feels she has a style that will elicit radio airplay.

Blake went to 19 Recordings with seven songs recorded and they apparently said "Cool, let’s do it."
ANALYSIS: There's no announcement yet from 19, so it's unclear if he is even signed. What he wants to do and what a label sees as his marketplace might be rather separate.

Melinda wants "to get the old school to team up with the new school" and record songs that are "funky, bluesy, soulsy.”
ANALYSIS: Paging the newly relaunched S-Curve Records. This is your gal.

Chris Richardson said he has written for Jordin, Blake and Phil. He says he's no Justin Timberfake, he's a faux Adam Levine.
ANALYSIS: Is there a demand for Maroon 5 wannabes?

Phil said he's moving to Nashville in the fall after his Navy term is up. He says he's singing at the Navy’s birthday celebration in October and he'll record a country album. "I’m not signed," he says.
ANALYSIS: Bonus points for honesty. He found his niche late in the season and that was in country ballads. He'll need someone with considerable ProTools experience as he rarely begins a tune smoothly and in key. 

Haley, who has a musical theater voice and look, shocked the blogosphere with her pronouncement she wants to make a country record.
ANALYSIS: Is a tribute a everybody's favorite '70s country tart Tanya Tucker unreasonable? How about a twangy mix of "Oklahoma!" and "Chicago"?   

Gina's demo is "kind of Evanescence meets Pink."
ANALYSIS: In other words, neo-Goth melodies with Goth-glam guitars, a throbbing beat, Goth-lite clothig and makeup with lyrics about un-Goth boys.

Chris Sligh is being chased by labels for his band's "pop/rock with some danceable stuff." He calls it "the Killers meets U2 meets Switchfoot."
ANALYSIS: When artists pile on the historic referneces like that one always has to wonder what element of the band do they mean? Since the Killers are the Cure meets the Smiths meets U2 meets Joy Divison minus joylessness and Switchfoot is  U2 meets "Nevermind" meets the Gin Blossoms and U2 is, well, U2, does he just mean lots of sonic layers, lots of energy, bold vocals and big drums?

July
27
New York Mag Finds a Bassist Behind the Bar

Gjones Great Jones Cafe is one of my favorite places in Manhattan, to the point where no Gotham visit is complete without a stop there with my buddy Keith.
The Cajun Martini is staggeringly spicy; the beer is always cold; and the Louisiana-style food is pretty damn good.
Jukebox is aces, too.
Plus one of the country's greatest CD/record stores,
Downtown Music Gallery, is across the street.
Tonight (Friday, July 27) Nanette is behind the bar.

July
27
Vegoose Tix Go On Sale

Stooges Tickets for Vegoose go on sale Saturday at the festval's website.
Current lineup for the Las Vegas fest at Sam Boyd Stadium & Star Nursery Field on Oct.  27  and 28 is:

Rage Against The Machine / Daft Punk / Iggy & the Stooges performing the album "Fun House" / Muse / The Shins / Cypress Hill / Queens of the Stone Age / Public Enemy / Michael Franti & Spearhead / Umphrey's McGee / Thievery Corporation / STS9 / Ghostface Killah & The Rhythm Roots Allstars / Blonde Redhead / Gogol Bordello / U.N.K.L.E. / Ghostland Observatory / Pharoah Monch / Battles

VEGOOSE AT NIGHT:
Thievery Corporation
Oct 26th
House of Blues

Umphrey's McGee
Oct 27th
House of Blues

Michael Franti & Spearhead
Oct 27
The Joint ­ Hard Rock

STS9
Oct 28
House of Blues

The Shins
Oct 28
The Joint ­ Hard Rock

July
27
Songs Remain The Same; There Are Just More of Them

Ledzep The soundtrack to "The Song Remains The Same" is getting the deluxe reissue treatment, with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones overseeing the remixing and remastering of the original release. New version, being released Nov. 20, includes six songs that were not on the original release - "Black Dog," "Over The Hills And Far Away," "Misty Mountain Hop," "Since I've Been Loving You" and "The Ocean," and "Heartbreaker."
Cameron Crowe has penned the liner notes.
Warner Home Video will be issuing brand-new DVD editions of "The Song Remains The Same."  DVD will feature 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, and more than 40 minutes of added bonus material, including never-before-released performance footage of "Over The Hills And Far Away" and "Celebration Day"; plus performances of "Misty Mountain Hop" and "The Ocean"; a 1976 BBC interview with Plant and Peter Grant; and vintage TV footage from the Drake Hotel robbery during the New York concert stand.
Clear the space on the shelves. It will be released as a Deluxe Edition DVD ($19.97 SRP); Deluxe Edition HD DVD and Blu-ray ($28.99 SRP each); and Limited Collector's Edition - a 2-disc set that includes collectible vintage T-shirt with original album artwork design, soundtrack CD, lobby cards, reproductions of original premiere invites, tour schedule, and more (price TBA).
Atlantic Records/Rhino Entertainment will also release a two-CD Led Zep compilation, "Mothership," on Nov. 13.

July
26
Status Quo Ready For Their Closeup

Sq1 British boogie rockers Status Quo are doing what any band would do after playing the same riff for for 30 years: Head to Thailand and make a movie. Band, which has no credits on imdb beyond a few TV appearances, will star in Thai-set comedy caper “Care Factor Zero.”

July
26
This Is No Uncle Floyd: Kids TV Catches Up With the Ramones

Yogabba Ggh Nickelodeon will premiere a live-acton music series titled "Yo Gabba Gabba" on Aug. 20 that, obviously, seems mighty close to "Gabba Gabba Hey," the rallying cry of the Ramones in the '70s.
The similarities are remarkable.
The Ramones got out their "Gabba Gabba" message by having a guy hold up a sign amid a crowd of oddballs. So does Nick.
Nick says their "Gabba" will provide "simple life lessons." The Ramones, too, provided simple life lessons, including beating on brats, getting a girlfriend and sniffing glue.
Nick's "Gabba," their press release reads, has "an original beat-driven soundtrack." Is there anything more beat driven than the 1-2-3-4 count of the Ramones?
Nick has a hiphop "legend" in Biz Markie in a recurring role. Dee Dee Ramone once made a rap album.
Bands that will appear on Nickelodeon include the Aquabats, the Aggrolites, the Shins and the Postmarks.  Once again, the Ramones stand out as true originals.

July
26
will.i.am Solo Debut Timed For Awards Season

William This year's Grammy Awards have a new major contender: will.i.am.
The first solo album from the Black Eyed Peas mastermind, "Songs About Girls," will be released  Sept. 25. That release date, as we have noted, is the last Tuesday before the cut-off for Grammy eligibility.
The first single, “I Got It From My Mama,” is being released  to Top 40 and Rhythm Crossover radio  this week. 
Will described the album to Rolling Stone as “Boy meets girl.  Boy gets girl.  Boy goes to strip club.  Boy gets caught cheating.  Girl leaves.  Boy and girl somehow get back together.”
The album has only one special guest: Snoop Dogg, who is featured on “Donque.”
Will explains: “I didn’t want to come out and say, ‘Hey, I’m a producer and here are all my friends.’I wanted to be my own man and do my own thing and really try out some ideas that have been bubbling in my head.”

July
26
Sirius Answers Request for Daylong Version of 'Dark Star'

Jerrygarcia Sirius will air a sneak preview of its Grateful Dead Channel Aug. 1-9 on channel 17.
The Grateful Dead Channel will feature studio, live and unreleased concert recordings, plus new commentary from  Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh and Bob Kreutzmann. Archival interviews from Jerry Garcia will also be part of the mix.
Channel 17 is titled Jam-On, Sirius’ home for jam bands. Regular programming resumes Aug. 10.  There is no date set yet for the launch of the Grateful Dead Channel though it will occur this summer.

July
26
What's No. 1 on the Radio?

When the company that owns Billboard purchased Radio & Records, the airplay tracking company MediaBase had nowhere to print its charts. Billboard closed its Radio Monitor, and R&R began using the Nielsen data that Billboard also uses. MediaBase has been running an ad in USA Today touting its genre by genre playlists and now Music Connection will be carrying the airplay charts on its website.

July
25
Mellencamp Musical Moves Forward

Mellencamp_2  The John Mellencamp-Stephen King "play with music" received some workshop performances last week in New York, which appear to have led to the securing of some seed money for a production.
"The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" involves two bickering brothers and their father who visit a cabin where the father's brothers had killed each other. The dead brothers' ghosts are part of the story as well.
Mellencamp also paid a visit to  Comedy Central’s "Colbert Report," where things got out of hand and Stephen Colbert challenged Mellencamp to a fight.
“That New York trip last week was very productive," Mellencamp said upon his return to Indiana. "The play went well and so did the visit to 'The Colbert Report.'  I got to work with two guys named Stephen and nobody got hurt ... but it was touch and go with one of them.”
Mellencamp returns to New York on Sept. 9 for  Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival on Randall’s Island.

July
25
Coldplay's Rein in Spain

Coldplay Coldplay is informing its fans via its website that its next album will have the flavors of South America and Spain.
Band is recording in Barcelona going from church to church and setting up wherever they can - at the altar, between some pews. The quartet had visited Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico earlier this year.
"The sights, sounds and flavors of Latin America and Spain have definitely been infused into this album," the band writes. "The effect is subtle but important."
The BBC reported the story first.
Chris Martin had noted his fascination with Buenos Aires ina  February post on the site.

July
25
Southern California Concert On Sales

ON SALE THURSDAY
Guster, Avalon, Sept. 15

ON SALE FRIDAY
Sinead Sinead O’Connor, Orpheum Theater, Sept. 18
Fifth annual Art Laboe Show starring Amanda Perez, Blue Magic, Honey Cone, Barbara Lynn, Temprees,  Al Wilson,
Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen, Sept. 8
Of Montreal / Grand Buffet / MGMT, Avalon, Nov. 9 

ON SALE SATURDAY
Aly & AJ, House Of Blues, Sept. 8
Jaguares, House Of Blues,  Sept. 20 and 21
Muse / Juliette & the Licks, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Sept. 21
Young Jeezy, House Of Blues, Oct. 1 and 3

July
25
Set List: Suzanne Vega, San Francisco, 1987

Suzanne Opening week sales for Suzanne Vega's fine new album "Beauty & Crime" were indeed criminal: 6,000. Disc debuted at No. 129. Here's a show she played 20 years ago - Aug. 6, 1987 - at the Warfield Theater:

Tom's Diner / Straight Lines / Small Blue Thing / Cracking / Ironbound>Fancy Poultry / Luka / The Queen and the Soldier / Knight Moves / Calypso / Undertow / Solitude Standing / Language / Left of Center / Neighborhood Girls / Marlene on the Wall / Night Vision / In the Eye

July
24
Set List: Joni Mitchell, Denver, 1979

Jonijaco With a band that boasted Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Don Alias and Michael Brecker, Joni Mitchell offered this show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Aug. 5, 1979. (Mitchell's return to recording will be released Sept. 25 on Hear Music).

Big Yellow Taxi  / Just Like This Train / In France They Kiss On Main Street / Coyote / Edith and the Kingpin / Free Man In Paris / Goodbye Porkpie Hat / Jaco's Solo / Dry Cleaners From Des Moines / Amelia / Pat's Solo / Hejira / Don's Solo / Dreamland / Black Crow / Furry Sings the Blues / God Must Be A Boogie Man / Raised On Robbery / Shadows and Light / The Last Time I Saw Richard / Why Do Fools Fall In Love? / Woodstock

July
24
Times Not Yet A-Changin' For CD Giveaways

Jt Patrick Goldstein's Tuesday column was killed by the Los Angeles Times, though LAObserved.com snagged a copy, and in it Goldstein suggested that the Times follow the lead of the U.K. Mail on Sunday, which recently included copies of the new Prince CD in its Sunday edition. Circulation hit 2.9 million.
His argument is rock solid: Newspapers need to attract readers; so called "heritage" artists are looking for new ways to get music into the hands of consumers; partnerships would help save the paper from compromises such as front-page ads.
But what he proposes is getting music from "heritage" artists, or presumably ones he likes: Elvis Costello, Beck, Ryan Adams, Ry Cooder, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle. His mistake? Prince was a superstar and remains a person of interest to millions. On top of that, he is an intelligent free agent willing to turn his back on the old-fashioned machine.Esapekka_2
What Goldstein doesn't appear to realize is that all but one of the artists he lists, Earle, have comfortable deals with major labels. Recording costs are picked up, they get artistic freedom and they have a marketing partner in the label. Unlike Prince, none of them were ever superstars.
In Los Angeles, an empire built on hype, the albums that the L.A. Times should be including
in Sunday editions need to have mainstream appeal and a marketing tie-in. The hip factor is not necessarily who is on the disc, just the existence of free entertainment.
Disney should be on the horn with the Times suggesting a "High School Musical 2" sampler or a single from Hillary Duff; producers and performers from a small film like "Once," which has built an audience slowly, should be looking into what it can do to drive more soundtrack sales and box office.
Newspapers have to supply something that a good percentage of its readers might want; that means "American Idol" finalists,superstars of the past and the kid that your kids watch on TV.Katharine McPhee, Mick Jagger and Raven - Sunday could be made for you.
Prince got his CD in the paper to coincide with him playing 21 days in a newly christened venue. It's about keeping his name out there. Finding another artist of his stature willing and capable of going that route will be tough.
Sirelton If Elton John moved his Red Piano show from Las Vegas to another city, a giveaway would be smart. Cheap Trick is playing the Hollywood Bowl and pretending to be the Beatles so why not reacquaint people with their catalog? And wouldn't it be marvelous if Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic created a send-off disc when he departs the podium next year? Talk about an item that would have people talking across the country and Europe.
The guy that would be the best fit, considering the demographic of current newspaper readers, is reportedly checking out his recording options. James Taylor - who has not signed with Starbucks' Hear Music. A new album from JT. Free. That would be a coup.

July
24
Self Promotion: Variety Resumes CD Reviews

Nicoleatkins Forty years ago this week, while the nation was dealing with race riots and their aftermath, Variety was touting the hot singles being released that week. The list: Eric Burdon & the Animals’ “San Franciscan Nights,” Frank Sinatra’s “The Word We Knew,” Beach Boys’ “Heroes and Villains,” the Byrds’ “Lady Friend,” the Youngbloods’ “Get Together,” Traffic’s “Paper Sun,” Jackie Wilson’s “(You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” and Otis Redding’s “Glory of Love.” Takes your breath away. It’s a reminder there are no slates of releases like that anymore.
On a positive note, though, Variety has resumed reviewing albums after decades of sticking to concerts. Reviews of albums by Nicole Atkins, Corey Harris, U.N.K.L.E. and others are found on the Variety music page.

July
24
No More 2Pac Albums?

Tupac While we're not quite sure what remains unreleased, Amaru Entertainment and Afeni Shakur, co-administrator of the Tupac Shakur Estate, have asked the court to block Death Row Records and R. Todd Neilson from including Tupac Shakur's unreleased tracks, compositions or sound recordings in the auction of Death Row Records.
  The complaint was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles on July 20.
The injunction sought to restrain the sale of certain assets belonging to the Tupac Estate which are being touted as part of the Death Row Records bankruptcy assets.  With closed bidding ending July 24, lawyers for the Tupac Estate sought full disclosure by the Bankruptcy Trustee's counsel that the unreleased master recordings in question were not part of the sale. Lawyers for the estate say  recordings should have been turned over to the Tupac Shakur Estate in 1997, pursuant to a settlement agreement reached with Death Row Records.
At the time of his death, Tupac had recorded approximately 152 unreleased songs. Since his death in September 1996, Death Row has created nine albums, including "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory," from the vaults. By our calculations that's about 125 songs, which means the last 30 or so must be true bottom of the barrel.

July
23
A Venti-Size Serving of JT?

Jamestaylor Hits magazine is reporting that James Taylor will be the next artist signed to Starbucks’ Hear Music label.
Starbucks will be announcing its second signing on Wednesday.
The company, which had partnered with other labels to release albums by Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock and others, became a standalone unit with Paul McCartney's "Memory Almost Full."That album has sold 450,000 copies since it was released on June 5.
Taylor most recently recorded for Columbia. A number of pundits have suggested that free agent Joni Mitchell might also  join the label.