New Music/CD Releases (September 2, 2008)

September 2nd
Amie Mieriello – I Come Around
Apollo Sunshine - Shall Noise Upon
Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun
Brad Paisley - Play
The Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood
Chris Tomlin - Hello Love
Deitrick Haddon - Revealed
Donnie Klang - Just A Rolling Stone
Extreme Brutal Terror - Voice Of Demon
Giant Sand - provisions
Hollywood Undead - Swan Songs
Jefferson Airplane - At The Family Dog Ballroom
Jefferson Starship - Jefferson's Tree of Liberty
New Kids on the Block - The Block
Nick Lowe – Best of Nick Lowe
Olivia Newton - John & Friends Celebration in Song
Rodney Crowell - Sex and Gasoline
Sonya Kitchell - This Storm
Terrence Howard - Shine Through It
Tha Pumpsta - Bass Black Treble White
Underoath - Lost in the Sound of Separation
Young Jeezy - The Recession

DVD
Norah Jones – Live In Austin

and remember, whenever possible buy your music directly from the artist(s) or your local independent record store. both could become endangered without your support.




click here for a list of exclusives available @ indie stores and for a list of stores

michael jackson @ 50

it's hard to believe that michael jackson, little michael, the amazing front man of the jackson five, later to become one of the biggest stars in the history of music is hitting the big 5-0! little, afro'ed, spin dancing, moonwalking michael...fifty?

he is one of the very few that can be named in breath of the greatest names in pop music, the circle of; sinatra, elvis and the beatles. he had an amazing career, then he seemingly lost control of himself, his career, his life and apparently, his mind.

i saw him perform live twice, once "solo" durng the "thriller" tour (i took my neice to the old atlanta stadium, sold out 50k+) and years later @ a "jackson's reunion tour" (i was given seats in ted turner's box @ the omni in atlanta). and while michael's or the jackson's music was never my style, these were two truly amazing and entertaining nights. he definitely knew how to put on a show and entertain a crowd, a big crowd.

to me, while nothing excuses his recent behavior and/or many of the actions and/or accusations made against him in recent years, his is truly a tragic story. and while i don't feel sorry for him, i do feel sad for him.

As he turns 50, is this what Michael Jackson should really look like?

By J Randy Taraborrelli

A middle-aged man wearing pyjamas is being pushed in a wheelchair down a sidewalk by an assistant. He is gaunt and frail-looking. His skin seems to be peeling. His fingernails are a sickening shade of yellow-brown.

Beneath a red Marines baseball cap a surgical mask is visible, covering the bottom half of his face. A pair of large sunglasses shield the top.

Three children walk ahead - two boys and a girl. All seem happy and look adorable in colourful clothing. Their baseball caps do not seem a deliberate attempt to shield their faces.

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What could have been: An experts' image of Jackson (left) and how he looks today after surgery (right)

'Slow down,' the man commands in a hoarse whisper, but the children ignore him and quickly cross the street to stand in front of a bookshop.

When the man in the wheelchair finally catches up, one of the children dutifully holds the door open as he is wheeled inside.

'Thank you,' he mutters weakly. All seems calm, but then - just as the children are about to follow the man into the shop - a stranger approaches the smallest of them.

'Was that…?' she begins to ask. The boy is about to answer, when a large man steps between them.

'No. That was not,' he says, taking the boy by the hand and rushing him inside. But, just before the door swings closed, the young boy turns to his inquisitor, smiles broadly and mouths just two words: Michael Jackson.

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Gaunt: The one-time King of Pop, here in Las Vegas last night at a Planet Hollywood party, cuts a frail figure these days

Welcome to the very sad world of Wacko Jacko. The scene I've just described is typical of what goes on in his life almost every day in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he now resides.

As a journalist who has reported more on Jackson in the past 30 years than anyone else - including having written three best-selling books about him - I can't help but be deeply saddened by the way his life has turned out.

After all, I was the journalist who penned an article entitled 'Michael Jackson Turns 16' back in 1974 when his future looked bright.

I also wrote Michael Jackson Turns 21 when he reached that milestone. And then there was Michael Turns 25. 'He's the kid who has it all,' I wrote at the time.

In fact, I covered all the important birthdays, always with optimism because he was one of the most positive entertainers I'd ever known.

From the time he was a teenager, Michael Jackson believed he would sell more records than anyone else - and, of course, he did.

He also knew he would have the biggest-grossing concert tours in history. But all of that is now in the past.

Today, he spends his time wandering around Las Vegas with a gaggle of bodyguards and his three precocious children, Prince Michael I (11), Paris (ten) and Prince Michael II (six).

He is almost always in a wheelchair, wearing a bizarre outfit and so frail he appears to be at death's door.

Meanwhile, his record-breaking career seems a thing of the past. From all accounts, he is not motivated to do anything. He has no real plans for the future and is deeply in debt.

So, with the passing of his 50th birthday, how did it all come to this?

Those who knew Jackson before the 2005 child-molestation trial - in which he was acquitted - place the blame firmly at its door.

Emotionally devastated, he has been unable to bounce back, suffering almost as much as if the verdict had been a guilty one.

I remember the day of his acquittal. I sat behind Michael in the Santa Monica courtroom - as I had every day for months - and listened as each charge was dismissed.

King of pop: Jackson during his HIStory tour in the 1990s. He has now lost his desire to perform.

When he stood up to leave, he didn't seem to know what was going on or even that he had been found not guilty.

He was a shell of the person I had known over the years. He was disoriented - his eyes vacant, his face expressionless - the result of obvious drug abuse.

I knew then that he would never be the same. The testimony had been so damning, I was certain that a man as private as Jackson would never recover.

After all, Michael Jackson had been carefully constructing an image for himself since the age of ten - a time when most kids are building tree houses.

He later fancied himself as a new-age Peter Pan and tried to recapture his lost childhood in any way he could - not least through his famous Neverland ranch with all of its amusement park rides, zoo and its bucolic grounds bustling with happy children.

Looking back, Neverland - which he bought in 1988 - was the worst thing ever to happen to Michael Jackson.

It allowed him too much solitude and gave him the chance to isolate himself from his friends and family, and from common sense.

He surrounded himself with children, animals and a false reality - so much so that he never learned how to cope in the real world. He never wanted to grow up, and his managers encouraged these eccentricities when they should have encouraged therapy.

They allowed him to live an excessive life and spend money like there was no tomorrow.

Thriller: The album remains the biggest-selling of all time

Alone in his madness, he became gradually weirder, and no one seemed to care.

During the Eighties, when he started to experiment with plastic surgery - an obvious cry for help - there was nobody to slow him down and not even his family seemed to help him.

But by then, it was almost impossible to get through to Michael in his increasingly isolated state.

Then in the early Nineties, Jackson's world was shattered when Jordan Chandler accused him of molestation at Neverland Ranch.

Jackson agreed a $20million pay-off with the Chandler family and the police charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. Jackson's image, however, had been shaken.

Almost exactly ten years later, the star was accused by another boy, Gavin Arvizo, of the same offence - only this time the case went to trial.

There was lurid testimony of inappropriate sleep-overs with children and tales of plying them with wine and making sexual advances toward them.

One whole week was devoted to the pornography found at Neverland. It didn't matter that Jackson was found not guilty. He was ruined - not just his reputation, but his self-esteem, too.

'Anyone who thinks he is just going to bounce back after such public humiliation doesn't know Michael Jackson,' his former manager Frank Dileo told me.

In the past, he has relied on his talent. 'I can always fall back on what God gave me,' he said in 1987.

'People can say what they want about me and make all the jokes they want. But they know that when I make records, they're going to be the best.'

That used to be true - no one made records like him. Thriller, released in 1982, remains the biggest-selling album of all time with 100 million sales, and Jackson still has an audience - if he wants it.

Recently, he had a deal to do 30 concerts at the O2 arena in London. The promoters were prepared to pay him a staggering $1million a show.

Initially, Jackson seemed enthusiastic, but in a subsequent meeting the singer sat staring at his business representatives as if he didn't care one way or the other.

Then he got up, shook their hands and that was the end of it. The lucrative deal - and Jackson could have really done with the money - was off.

Currently, there is another offer for a series of shows in Las Vegas, but Jackson has not moved forward with that either.

He doesn't seem to want to work - the fire he once had to be the biggest and best is all but extinguished.

In Jackson's defence, the standards of excellence he set himself so many years ago are so high that they're practically impossible for him to meet.

More than ten years ago, he told me: 'When I go on stage, people expect a lot. They want the dancing, they want the spins, and all. But I don't know how much longer I can do it. I don't know when it'll just not be possible.'

He has arthritic-like trouble with his knees, his ankles and his fingers joints - hence the wheelchair.

The self-confidence of the old Michael Jackson has disappeared, and with it his drive.

In addition, Jackson believes that the masses of fans who once flocked to his concerts won't be there for him today. He fears they have been turned against him by the trial.

At a recent meeting with a promoter in Las Vegas, he expressed amazement at the success of the recent re-release of Thriller.

'I'm really shocked,' he said. 'I can't believe people actually bought it. I heard it sold more than three million copies. Can you believe it?'

To commemorate his 50th birthday, a CD called King Of Pop is being released worldwide.

It is a compilation of Jackson's best 18 songs, as chosen by British fans via the internet.

Jackson was recently guest vocalist on a song called Hold My Hand by U.S. recording artist Akon.

He sounds great and it suggests that his voice is still there. But touring still seems out of the question.

Despite being in financial dire straits, he is thought to have bought a house in the upper-middle class suburb of Poughkeepsie, New York, for $1million.

When asked about it, Jackson replied enigmatically: 'I think someone in my organisation bought that for me. I don't know - sounds nice, though. I'll bet the kids would love it.'

And what of Neverland Ranch? Abandoned by Jackson, who was in default on the $25million loan, it had been scheduled for foreclosure, but at the last minute was purchased by an investment group called Colony Capital LLC.

'Neverland? Why, I don't know anything at all about Neverland,' Jackson said recently. 'That's someone else's problem now, I think. But I'm not sure.'

So what for the future? Jackson is due to reunite with his brothers on September 4 when the family act is honoured by BMI publishing company in Beverly Hills, but on his 30th birthday in 1988, he told me that he could never envisage working with his family again after the Victory tour of 1984.

'I don't live in the past,' he said. 'I think everyone should move on from the Jackson Five, I really do.'

Jackson has talked to only one or two family members since the trial ended. He hasn't talked to his sister, Janet, in at least three years. He rarely speaks to his mum. Never his father.

As for money, he has got The Beatles' back-catalogue, of course. But in reality it's all on paper and is viewed as money put aside for his children.

In truth, if Jackson could easily get his hands on it, he would probably spend it all. For Jackson, it seems, his children are the only source of hope and - by all accounts - he's at his best when being a dad.

Paris and Prince Michael I were born to Jackson's second wife, 49-year-old Debbie Rowe - the products of artificial insemination (Rowe will not say whether Jackson's sperm was used, or someone else's).

Both are stunning looking with high cheekbones and deep-set features.

'I turned out two pretty good-looking kids,' Rowe says of them.

When Rowe couldn't bear another child, Jackson became distraught. 'He was upset about that,' she now says. 'He couldn't understand it.'

Jackson went elsewhere for a third baby and the identity of Prince Michael II's mother remains a secret to this day.

Michael sees a lot of his youthful self in his children, especially in Prince Michael II (nicknamed Blanket).

All three have musical ability but he thinks Blanket is going to be the next star in the family.

It's what he hangs on to, the chance that he'll be able to relive the glory days through one of his children.

But for a man who is so obsessed with youth, so intent on remaining a child, many fear his birthday will be a day of reckoning for Michael Jackson. He has no plans to celebrate, other than in some small, private way with his children.

And this time there'll be no big interview with me - or anyone - to commemorate the occasion.

He has even begun to regret having plastic surgery and spends much of his time staring at his reflection in the mirror.

'I don't know what I was thinking back then,' he recently said. 'Everyone makes mistakes when they're young, I guess. But I still look OK, don't I? I mean, for 40?'

When reminded that, in fact, he was about to turn 50, Jackson gave a sad, half smile.

'It all went by so fast, didn't it? I wish I could do it all over again, I really do.'

But for Michael Jackson, it seems, the time for a comeback has passed. 'I'm tired,' he said last week. 'I've got nothing left to give. I just want to be left alone. Is that so bad?'

© J. Randy Taraborrelli, 2008

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Rachael Yamagata-Sneak peek of "ELEPHANTS" from her new CD

i saw rachael open for ryan adams a few years ago and was blown away by her performance and have been a big fan of her's since. i'm really looking forward to this.

enjoy the sneak peek...


LISTEN TO THE SONG "ELEPHANTS" FROM ELEPHANTS

ELEPHANTS - TRACK LISTING
1) Elephants
2) What If I Leave
3) Little Life
4) Sunday Afternoon
5) Elephants Instrumental
6) Duet
7) Over and Over
8) Brown Eyes
9) Horizon


LISTEN TO THE SONG "SIDEDISH FRIEND" FROM TEETH SINKING INTO HEART

TEETH SINKING INTO HEART - TRACK LISTING
1) Sidedish Friend
2) Accident
3) Faster
4) Pause The Tragic Ending
5) Don't

A RECORD IN TWO PARTS: ELEPHANTS...TEETH SINKING INTO HEART
IN STORES OCTOBER 7, 2008
Three years after she began to appear on the public’s radar with her self-titled debut EP and full-length album Happenstance, Rachael Yamagata will release A Record in Two Parts: Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart through Warner Bros. Records on October 7, 2008.

“I didn’t set out to make a two part album,” Yamagata says. “We just followed the songs’ lyrical lead and built them up with textures and sounds that served the story. The beautiful ones were darker and worked with lush arrangements. We used the sounds of rain, tree branches falling on the roof — whatever kept the mood true to this haunted studio in the first stormy days of spring. The second part became more anthemic, like a reclaiming of personal power. There’s something raw about it. To me it sounds weathered, but not broken or cynical.”

Taken together, the two halves present a complete timeline of the emotions that revolve around complicated relationships and the accompanying fallout. “Elephants is much more intimate,” Yamagata says. “It’s about being willing to take a risk even if it’s not going to end up well. Teeth is like rediscovering your backbone after you’ve gone through the loss.

RACHAEL YAMAGATA ON TOUR
September 20 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Wonder Bar
September 21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
September 22 - Washington DC - Birchmere
September 24 - Philadelphia - Johnny Brenda’s
September 25 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub (two shows that night) – SOLD OUT
September 29 - Boston, MA - Café 939 @ Berklee College of Music
October 1 - Chicago, IL - Lakeshore
October 2 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line
October 4 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
October 5 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
October 6 - San Francisco, CA - Café Du Nord
October 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo at the Coronet

For more info, updated tour dates and more music, please visit:
www.rachaelyamagata.com
www.myspace.com/rachaelyamagata

watch an album preview @

New Music/CD Releases (August 26th, 2008)

August 26th, 2008
BB King - One Kind Favor
Backyard Tire Fire – Places We Lived
Blues Traveler North - Hollywood Shootout
Cordero De - Donde Eres
David Nail - I'm About To Come Alive
DecembeRadio - Satisfied
Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine
Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown
Earshot - The Silver Lining
The Game - L.A.X.
Golden Animals _ free Your Mind Win A Pony
JJ Grey & Mofro Orange Blossoms
Jimmy Wayne - Do You Believe Me Now
Little Feat - Join The Band
Lil’ Ed/Blues Imperials – Full Tilt
Matthew Sweet - Sunshine Lies
Missy Elliott - Block Party
Motorhead – Motorizer
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Solange Knowles - Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams
Valencia - We All Need A Reason To Believe
The Veronicas – Hook Me Up
The Verve - Forth

DVD
Poison – Live
Fantomas/Melvins – Live in London

and remember, whenever possible buy your music directly from the artist(s) or your local independent record store. both could become endangered without your support.

Paste Magazine: 22 up-and-coming artists you ignore at your own peril!

many congrats to louisville local ben sollee for being featured in the latest issue of paste magazine as one of the top 22 emerging artists. i've taken the time to listen to quite a few of these artists and based on what i've heard so far there are some really good suggestions there, it seems like a list well worth taking some time to check out...

22 up-and-coming artists you ignore at your own peril!
By Paste Staff

Ben Sollee
Hometown: Louisville, Ky. (via Lexington, Ky.)
Album: Learning to Bend
Why He's Worth Watching: As one-fourth of Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet, Sollee applies his classical cello training to the freshly broken ground of Chinese- and folk-tinged bluegrass. On his debut solo LP, he wields his instrument in slightly more familiar singer/songwriter territory, but to no less delightful an end. Whether gently fingerpicked or dramatically sawed, Solee’s deft stringwork adds an uncommon dimension to his songs about life and love.
For Fans Of: Andrew Bird, Otis Taylor, Jamie Cullum
Acceptance Speech: “There are tales of a young man from the hills of Kentucky who built himself a monastery of red clay, and who speaks through a wooden box. They call him ‘Kentucky Buddha.’ He seeks expression through music and finds wealth in giving. One of his aides is Paste magazine, who he thanks for their warm support of his expressions.”

Wild Sweet Orange
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Album: We Have Cause to Be Uneasy
Why They're Worth Watching: Songs about feeling restless, desperate, nervous and scared rarely go down so easy. This is movie-soundtrack indie pop, made of smartly emotive lyrics and mellow melodies, and sprinkled with tasteful bouts of rock. Finally, something to be excited about for those who haven’t recovered from the Jump, Little Children breakup.
For Fans Of: Bright Eyes, Copeland, Coldplay
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you very much, Paste, for pointing out our little rock band. Thank you for letting our name show up in people’s houses and coffee shops. Maybe Wild Sweet Orange could even be lucky enough to have someone actually spill some coffee on this exact page. How amazing would we feel to be that close to someone?”

Mugison
Hometown: Ísafjörður, Iceland
Album: Mugiboogie
Why He's Worth Watching: Mugison likely embodies the person Led Zeppelin envisioned when writing “Immigrant Song.” One moment, this man from the land of the ice and snow is sounding the hammer of the gods, alternating between an infernal howl (much like Robert Plant’s) and a guttural heavy-metal groan, the next, he’s crooning to twanging guitar over eerie strings. He’s a shape-shifter and a funnyman, and Mugiboogie builds on his four previous genre-transcending works.
For Fans Of: Tom Waits, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Led Zeppelin
Acceptance Speech: “When I was 14 years old, I was voted the best-looking guy in school, but after the ceremony I found out that some of the girls in the school were running a campaign behind my back. The campaign was called ‘Vote the Freak.’ I also found out they did this to piss off the guy who’d won it three years in a row—they had some unfinished business with him. Is this something similar?”

Katie Herzig
Hometown: Nashville (via Fort Collins, Colo.)
Album: Apple Tree
Why She's Worth Watching: Herzig set herself up for failure when she declared, “If it gets any sweeter than this, I don’t want to know,” on her 2006 LP, Weightless. Her latest, Apple Tree, pushes her now-signature style—brightly textured acoustic pop that’s clever yet sincere, sunny but grounded—to exquisite new heights. It’s Herzig’s most accomplished work to date (and the sweetest—but don’t tell her that).
For Fans Of: Shawn Colvin, The Weepies, Jewel
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you, Paste! I owe it all to the cherry and apple Lara Bars that keep me alive on the road, my MacBook (aka music-making factory/life partner), Oprah, my present and future exes—both real and imaginary—and the letter ‘O.’ Because, without it, there’d be no ‘Oooohs’ to sing.”

The Dodos
Hometown: San Francisco
Album: Visiter
Why They're Worth Watching: Blending West African Ewe drumming and bluesy, finger-picked guitar into toe-tapping folk-pop, The Dodos mix intricate musical knowledge with a pleasantly familiar twang. The duo’s refreshingly pared-down songs mingle drummer Logan Kroeber’s energetic rhythms with singer/guitarist Meric Long’s genuine vocal emotion—a combination nearly as rare as the band’s moniker would suggest.
For Fans Of: Animal Collective, Akron/Family, Babatunde Olatunji
Acceptance Speech: “What a pleasure to be gracing the yellowed pages of Paste. Although we don’t know who comprises the rest of the list, we’re honored to be a part of what is doubtless a beefy crop of bands. We’re just gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing—touring and making records—and maybe we’ll see you somewhere in between.”

Amy Macdonald
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Album: This Is The Life
Why She's Worth Watching: This Libertines-by-way-of Kate Nash singer/songwriter makes waves with her booming contralto and propensity for jangly acoustic pop—talents she’s honed since her first gig at age 15. Macdonald’s infectious guitar hooks and sublime harmonies position her at the top of a genre replete with copycats. Her 2007 debut, This Is The Life, went double platinum in the U.K.
For Fans Of: KT Tunstall, Leona Lewis, Aimee Mann
Acceptance Speech: “Thanks to my family for their support and Sarah Erasmus and Pete Wilkinson, my managers—Pete u legend! Thank you, Paste, for your intelligence and astounding good taste in recognizing the music of a Glaswegian girl like me. You obviously know how to let your hair down and have a good time like us Scots!”

Slow Runner
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Album: Mermaids
Why They're Worth Watching: Sonic atmosphere—elegant, corroded and larking all about—is not merely ornamental for these Southern troubadours; it emanates from the deepest recesses of their scrupulously orchestrated compositions. Somewhere on a delicate pivot point between pop balladry and resolute anthemics, Slow Runner is the rare band that can mourn and bewail, then hope and ramble on, all with one hand on the blip-and-bloop button for good measure.
For Fans Of: Grizzly Bear, Clem Snide, John Vanderslice
Acceptance Speech: “How did we end up on this list, you might ask? HGH and camel steroids? Sure, that’s part of it. But hard work, that’s part of it, too. And by hard work, I don’t mean actual work. I mean sitting around thinking about things that are awesome, like unicorns and fireworks and free love. That’s the stuff that fuels great bands. Great bands like SLOW RUNNER.”

White Rabbits
Hometown: New York (via Columbia, Mo.)
Album: Fort Nightly
Why They're Worth Watching: Two drummers give this six-piece of erstwhile Missourians more frenetic bounce than their namesake, and though they play with the studied synchronicity you’d expect from a band with concert garb that involves sweaters and button-downs, Greg Roberts and Stephen Patterson’s double-team choruses routinely unfold into impassioned, full-band shout-alongs. “He’s not impressed,” they claim on fan favorite “The Plot,” but we are.
For Fans Of: The Walkmen, Cold War Kids, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Acceptance Speech: “Although we would love to be here in person, our busy schedule kept us from appearing personally in this information box. Thank you for your award. Here’s to a good 2009.”

Langhorne Slim
Hometown: Langhorne, Pa.
Album: Langhorne Slim
Why He's Worth Watching: Hold on to your pork-pie hats, y’all—Langhorne Slim’s eponymous second LP swaggers like a jug-band strapped to the back of a rickety jalopy lurching down a muddy country road. The lycanthrope howls of his early songs are unleashed here only sparingly, leaving Slim sounding steady and sure on these new classics, even as he sings, “I felt restless, and I felt soft / Didn’t know anymore who I was ripping off.”
For Fans Of: The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter, mid-’60s Dylan
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you for including us in your magazine. I’m not sure what you will be writing about, but I hope it is incredibly positive, and that fame, fortune and a possible appearance on Ellen will come as a result. I already liked your magazine and can safely say I like it even more knowing that it likes us. Don’t change, have a good summer and I love you, Mom.”

Liam Finn
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Album: I’ll Be Lightning
Why He's Worth Watching: The lush musicality of Finn’s debut—on which he plays nearly every instrument himself—feels downright demure compared to his frantic live performances, in which he quite literally throws himself between bass, guitar and drums, conjuring less of Lightning’s sensitive-folkie vibe and more of another feral, bushy-browed percussionist—a certain pink-and-orange Muppet.
For Fans Of: Elliott Smith, Iron & Wine, Ben Folds
Acceptance Speech: “I am mighty honoured to be considered as a Best of What’s Next. If you were to ask me what was to come next, I would answer, ‘Sexual healing all over the ceiling? Step off, step off, don’t you come near ’round here. I ain’t about to be your toy boy, middle-aged woman!’ Maybe it’s the beard?”

Wale
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Album: The Mixtape About Nothing
Why He's Worth Watching: This young MC has rapped over Justice (on “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.”), created a mixtape inspired by Seinfeld (called The Mixtape About Nothing, natch), sold out shows in multiple U.S. cities and signed a production deal with Mark Ronson’s Allido Records. Though he hasn’t yet released a proper LP, his future is already looking bright.
For Fans Of: Kanye West, Rhymefest, Common
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to thank Allido Records for taking a chance on a knucklehead from DC. I’d also like to thank Con Ed for shutting off my power while I was out of town thus forcing me to write this acceptance speech from my Blackberry rather than my Mac Book Pro. Oh and thanks to PinkBerry for providing me with a cold, tasty sanctuary in this awful July heat in NYC. If they don’t have a PinkBerry in your area yet, I suggest opening a franchise. It’s dairy gold.”

The Everybodyfields
Hometown: Johnson City and Knoxville, Tenn.
Album: Nothing Is Okay
Why They're Worth Watching: Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews form the core of one of today’s greatest young country bands. Like the South itself, The Everybodyfields deftly straddle old and new, bitter and sweet, desperation and transcendence with an arresting command. And no contrast is more stark—or beautiful—than the two voices: Andrews’ smooth, clear alto and Quinn’s ambling croon.
For Fans Of: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, The Band
Acceptance Speech: “Hot dog. If you had told me a year ago that living in an irrepressible coma of self-loathing and depression would in turn give an otherwise legitimate publication an inkling that this band would be something to watch—man, I would have been surprised. Hot dog.”

Islands
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Album: Arm’s Way
Why They're Worth Watching: Sprung from the loins of hipster-beloved band The Unicorns, Islands cut to the chase, opening for Beck at one of their first shows. Taking near-theatrical turns, the band’s sprawling indie pop skips from genre to genre, trying on arena rock and neo-psychedelia while following ringleader Nick Thorburn’s whims.
For Fans Of: The Flaming Lips, Of Montreal, The Apples in Stereo
Acceptance Speech: “On behalf of Nick and his messy men, I (the boil on his forehead) would like to acknowledge the aforementioned acknowledgment of Paste magazine bestowed upon a gracefully willful and potently potential ensemble. I’ll be lanced and long forgotten, but Islands is forever, and getting better.”

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele
Hometown: Taylor, Miss.
Album: Meet Me In The Garden 7-inch EP
Why He's Worth Watching: Magnificent or not, this combination could easily prove more gimmicky than the sum of its parts, but somehow the strange brew works. Part backwoods lounge singer, part town troubadour and part spurned John Hughes nerd, Dent May is joined at just the right times by a hand-clapping, “ooh wah wah”-ing band and a dose of synthesizer that’d wilt Tiny Tim’s tulips. After two EPs, a proper full-length is in the works.
For Fans Of: Jens Lekman, Beirut, Caetano Veloso 

Acceptance Speech: “Thanks, Paste magazine, for including me in your list of the 25 Hottest Ukulele Hunks of the New Millenium. Finally, the hundreds, nay, thousands of hours I poured into my craft as a young lad have paid off. And to the ladies along the way who opted instead for the muscled rockers with bad goatees, look at me now!”

Johnny Flynn
Hometown: London
Album: A Larum
Why He's Worth Watching: At 25, Johnny Flynn is already contemplating the benefits of death, but when he sings, “Pray for the people inside your head / They won’t be there when you’re dead” on “Tickle Me Pink,” there’s a bit of disappointment mixed with his relief. His debut A Larum—with its spry guitar, healthy sighs of accordion and fiddle, and rollicking drumlines—would be a lovely way to shuffle off this mortal coil, but here’s hoping he lingers for a while.
For Fans Of: Fionn Regan, John Fahey, The Chieftains
Acceptance Speech: “Well, thank you for this honorable mention, Mr. Paste. It’s been quite a year and this has really capped it off, or, as we say here in Britain, ‘Put the turkey on the Christmas table.’ And what a turkey. What a Christmas table. You might think the two are synonymous, but without a turkey, a Christmas table is nothing. You have given me that turkey.”


Right Away, Great Captain!
Hometown: Atlanta
Album: The Eventually Home
Why They're Worth Watching: Drawing lyrics from diary entries of a fictitious 17th-century sailor, Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and his collaborators carve themselves a poignant hole between the worlds of music and literature, where the solitude of the sea proves beautiful, haunting and human. Imagine if Hemingway had created The Old Man and the Sea as a three-album musical project set to an acoustic guitar, and you’ll get the idea.
For Fans Of: Page France, The Mountain Goats, The Weakerthans
Acceptance Speech: “I guess I can’t say I was ‘surprised’ when I got the news—after several chart-topping hits and selling thousands of records in Manchester Orchestra, I figured it was just a matter of time before this project skyrocketed straight to the top as well. But, sincerely—thank you, Paste, for all you do for me and my friends.”

Brooke Waggoner
Hometown: Nashville
Album: Fresh Pair of Eyes EP
Why She's Worth Watching: In a music world overpopulated with acoustic guitars, warbling voices and tinkling piano keys, Brooke Waggoner and her cache of mesmerizing tunes stand out. With her serenely sweet voice, she plays the piano like a Little Richard/Rachmaninov hybrid and can arrange the bejesus out of a seemingly simple melody. We dare you to think of her as just another girl with a piano.
For Fans Of: Regina Spektor, Tender Forever, Ben Folds
Acceptance Speech: “They’re in my sleep. My dreams. My midnights. My mornings and afternoons. My weekends. My errands. Songs. They’re now in the world and no longer contained in the privacy of my living room. I feel a sense of responsibility with that. Don’t wanna waste people’s time. What used to be written strictly for me is now meant for others and that’s not a cop out. I’m grateful for your attention and time.”

Alela Diane
Hometown: Portland, Ore. (via Nevada City, Calif.)
Album: Pirate’s Gospel
Why She's Worth Watching: Two years ago, 23-year-old Alela Diane Menig and her debut album of simple, aching tunes slipped nearly unnoticed from the dusty bowels of Nevada City. Though often compared to Devendra Banhart, the freakiest part of Menig’s folk is how it emerged so fully-formed, as startling as a sudden glint of gold in a miner’s sieve. A rumored late-2008 follow-up should showcase the further ripening of this beautiful old soul.
For Fans Of: Cat Power, Nick Drake, Karen Dalton
Acceptance Speech: “I kindly thank you folks for thinking I am promising and all, but how did you find me? I have been hiding out in the cool waters of the emerald river, tucked away in the pines, far away from the lands where magazines are written. You must have a little spy that rides a trout or something!”

Los Campesinos!
Hometown: Cardiff, Wales
Album: Hold On Now, Youngster…
Why They're Worth Watching: The seven lads and lasses of this enthusiastically punctuated twee-punk outfit bounce with giddy abandon from xylophone-tinkled confessionals to sugar-rushed choruses about coffee breath, the Dewey Decimal system and translating goosebumps into Braille—all in brilliant defiance of their debut LP’s titular admonishment.
For Fans Of: Belle & Sebastian, The Go! Team, Broken Social Scene
Acceptance Speech: “We’re less the next big thing and more like the last old thing. In fact, we are like sooooo 2006 it’s ridiculous. We are much like a pair of well-worn pink cycling shorts; pretty cool to like if you are 11 but just a passing fancy before you move on to more fashionable tastes.”

Black Kids
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Album: Partie Traumatic
Why They're Worth Watching: The last rock star to emerge from Jacksonville—Actionville, to those of us who know it well—was a certain gaffe-prone rap-metal frontman with a backwards baseball cap. So, hurrah for Black Kids! They make super-fun dance rock with an endearingly nostalgic edge, they have one of the best-named tracks of 2008 (“I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”) and, as far as we know, they’re not doing it all for the nookie.
For Fans Of: The Strokes, Hot Hot Heat, Michael Jackson
Acceptance Speech: “Take your pick: arrogant/arrogant or self-deprecating/arrogant. With the most profoundly feigned humility, we five twentysomethings from the lower-middle-class, Jacksonville, Fla., neighborhood of Arlington do accept this distinction most graciously bestowed upon us by Paste magazine (the most prescient, perspicacious, preeminent arts publication around, if our selection is any indication). Thanks!”

Samantha Crain
Hometown: Shawnee, Okla.
Album: The Confiscation EP
Why She's Worth Watching: In a genre often pinned to formulaic sounds and themes, Samantha Crain is re-stitching the seams of Americana to fit her singular artistic vision. The 21-year-old songwriter—recently signed to tasteful North Carolina label Ramseur, which also houses The Avett Brothers and fellow Best of What’s Next-ers Everybodyfields—paints mystical, poetic slipstreams of words onto a canvas of haunting echo-chamber lap steel, earthy acoustic guitars, and loose-change tambourine, delivering her graceful songs with a gorgeous, quivering voice.
For Fans Of: Joanna Newsom, Andrew Bird, Mary Gauthier
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you! We can hardly conjugate verbs right now. We want to thank all the people at Paste who looked deep within their Magic 8 Balls before giving us this honor and—to all the other bands out there—we just want you to know how super-pumped your jealousy makes us feel right now! Thank you!”

Joshua James
Hometown: Provo, Utah (via Lincoln, Neb.)
Album: The Sun Is Always Brighter
Why He's Worth Watching: Joshua James matches each of his radio-friendly pop tunes (“Another silly love song could make me sick / About a heartbroke emo rocker and his messed up chick”) with some real gut punchers (“Every time you wake / It haunts you once again / My daddy ain’t comin’ home”), and his raspy-voiced delivery and delicate, pedal steel-laden arrangements complement both extremes.
For Fans Of: Brett Dennen, Ron Sexsmith, Ray LaMontagne
Acceptance Speech: “I would like to thank the Paste Academy of Cultural Significance for this great honor. It is with considerable pride and consternation that I humbly accept this award. To be included with such an accomplished and enlightened group of artists affords me an entirely new appreciation for the expression ‘mutual admiration society.'"

Neil Young Announces Tour w/Wilco, Death Cab Supporting

it's been reported that tickets will top out in the $175 (+ fees) for this tour.

neil, love you man… but sheeh, two bills for a guy that once boycotted a rock ‘n roll HOF dinner because he felt the tickets were overpriced?

Neil Young Drafts Wilco, Death Cab For Tour
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. | August 19, 2008

Neil Young has snared two of alternative rock's biggest bands to open for his fall North American tour. Death Cab For Cutie will open the first portion, beginning Oct. 14 in Minneapolis, while Wilco jumps aboard Nov. 29 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Los Angeles trio Everest will support on all dates.

Young wraps a European tour Saturday (Aug. 23) in Coburg, Germany, and will appear as usual with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and others Sept. 20 outside Boston for the annual Farm Aid benefit. Yet to be announced are the dates for his annual Bridge School Benefit, traditionally held in late October.

As reported yesterday, Wilco is expected to spend the time before the Young dates to continue work on its seventh album, due next spring.

Death Cab For Cutie finishes an Australian run Friday in Brisbane and starts a short North American headlining run Oct. 3 in Boston.

Here are Neil Young's fall tour dates:
Oct. 14: St. Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 16: Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTS Centre, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 18: Regina, Saskatchewan (Brandt Centre, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 19: Calgary, Alberta (Pengrowth Saddledome, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 21: Everett, Wash. (Comcast Arena, no opener specified)
Oct. 22: Vancouver (GM Place, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 29: San Diego (Cox Arena, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Oct. 30: Los Angeles (Forum, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Nov. 1: Reno, Nev. (Events Center, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Nov. 4: Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Nov. 5: Omaha, Neb. (Qwest Center, w/ Death Cab For Cutie)
Nov. 29: Halifax, Nova Scotia (Metro Centre, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 1: Montreal (Bell Centre, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 2: Ottawa, Ontario (Scotia Bank Place, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 4: Toronto (Air Canada Centre, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 7: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 9: Chicago (Allstate Center, no opener specified)
Dec. 12: Philadelphia (Wachovia Spectrum, w/ Wilco)
Dec. 15: New York (Madison Square Garden, w/ Wilco)

Rosanne Cash Calls Out Country Clown John Rich

good for rosanne! in my opinion, these clowns, "big and rich" (give me a break) pretty much sum up everything that is wrong with music today in one act. totally talentless hacks big on flash, glitz and "style" while completely lacking any talent or substance. idiots and fools.

and for this idiot and fool to invoke and use the name of johnny cash in this manner is disgusting.

fuck you john rich. and the trained music video horse you rode in on.

Cash To Rich: Use Of Father's Name Is 'Appalling'
Ken Tucker, Nashville | August 19, 2008

Rosanne Cash is tired of people using her late father's name to further their own political agenda.

"It is appalling to me that people still want to invoke my father's name, five years after his death, to ascribe beliefs, ideals, values and loyalties to him that cannot possibly be determined, and to try to further their own agendas by doing so," Cash said in a statement on her Web site.

The statement was released after country star John Rich invoked the name of Johnny Cash at a recent Florida rally for presidential candidate John McCain. According to media reports, Rich told the crowd, "Somebody's got to walk the line in the country. They've got to walk it unapologetically. And I'm sure Johnny Cash would have been a John McCain supporter if he was still around."

Rich then sang Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line."

"I knew my father pretty well, at least better than some of those who entitle themselves to his legacy and his supposed ideals," Rosanne Cash said in the statement, "and even I would not presume to say publicly what I 'know' he thought or felt. This is especially dangerous in the case of political affiliation.

"It is unfair and presumptuous to use him to bolster any platform," she continued. "I would ask that my father not be co-opted in this election for either side, since he is clearly not here to defend or state his own allegiance."

New Music/CD Releases (August 19th, 2008)

August 19
The Academy Is... - Fast Times At Barrington High
Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life
Black Stone Cherry - Folklore and Superstition
Chris Knight - Heart Of Stone
Crystal Shawanda - Dawn Of A New Day
The Dandy Warhols - Earth To The Dandy Warhols
David Byrne - Big Love: Hymnal
David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (digital release)
Deitrick Haddon - Revealed
Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass It Around
Donnie Klang - Come Into My World
Evelyn "Champagne" King - Open Book
Family Force 5 - Dance Or Die
Fiery Furnaces - Remember (Live CD)
George Jones - Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets
Glen Campbell - Meet Glen Campbell
Goo Goo Dolls - Greatest Hits Vol. 2
GZA/Genius - Pro Tools
Hotel Lights - Firecracker People
Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle
Ice Cube - Raw Footage
Jeff Hanson - Madam Owl
Joe Bonamassa - Live From Nowhere In Particular [2 CDs]
John Pizzarelli - With A Song In My Heart
Juliana Hatfield - How To Walk Away
Karina - First Love
Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Loudon Wainwright III - Recovery
Sandra Boynton - Blue Moo
Shwayze - Shwayze
Staind - The Illusion Of Progress
Stereolab - Chemical Chords
The Stills - Oceans Will Rise
Toadies - No Deliverance
Todd Snider - Peace Queer
Uh Huh Her Common Reaction
The Walkmen - You And Me

and remember, whenever possible buy your music directly from the artist(s) or your local independent record store. both could become endangered without your support.

Over the Rhine announces "Special 20th Anniversary Celebration!" & Christmas tour dates

cincinnati based "over the rhine" has announced their annual christmas tour plans culminating with a two date, 20th anniversary celebration @ the taft theatre in cincinnati. looks like it's going to be a fun run of shows...

Sat, 2008-11-29 Seattle, WA - Triple Door
Sun, 2008-11-30 Seattle, WA - Triple Door !
Mon, 2008-12-01 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
Tue, 2008-12-02 Klamath Falls, OR - Ross Ragland Theater - On Sale Now!
Thu, 2008-12-04 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Sat, 2008-12-06 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
Fri, 2008-12-12 Louisville, KY - Bomhard Theater - On Sale Now!
Sat, 2008-12-13 Chicago, IL - Double Door
Fri, 2008-12-19 Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theater
Special 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Sat, 2008-12-20 Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theater
Special 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Sun, 2008-12-21 Norwood (Cincinnati), OH - St. Elizabeth's

obviously, of special note are the first ever west coast christmas tour dates and the two "special 20th anniversary celebration!" dates @ the taft on 12-19 & 20, which should be a very special weekend.

as far as ticket info, only the ross ragland theater and bomhard theater tickets are on sale now and more info will be released in the near future. stay tuned for more info.

GNR's 'Democracy' To Be Retail Exclusive?

::yawn::

seriously, does anybody care about this idiot and what he does anymore?

GNR's 'Democracy' To Be Retail Exclusive?
August 15, 2008
Ed Christman, N.Y.

The June leak of nine allegedly "mastered, finished" tracks from Guns N' Roses' long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" spurred a renewed round of chatter about whether the Axl Rose-led band will finally release the 14-years-in-the-making album.

But some concrete signs are finally emerging that the album's release could be imminent. That's because, according to sources, negotiations are underway for "Chinese Democracy" to come out as an exclusive at one of the big boxes -- either Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

Negotiations are also ongoing to have conventional record company distribution, another source says.

Guns N' Roses is now managed by Irving Azoff's Front Line Management, and Azoff is a well-known proponent of issuing albums exclusively through retailers. He released the Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" through Wal-Mart, much to the chagrin of other merchants.

Most recently, it became known that AC/DC's next album will come out exclusively through Wal-Mart. Merchants were particularly incensed that the deal was apparently struck with the blessing of Columbia.

It's unclear who initiated the Guns N' Roses exclusive negotiations -- Front Line or Interscope, the band's label.

Representatives at Front Line and Interscope with knowledge of the situation couldn't be reached for comment by deadline. A Wal-Mart representative says the chain couldn't confirm this fall's exclusives. Best Buy representatives couldn't be reached for comment by deadline.

and on a similiar note, while everone whines about the "dying" industry and the laments about the troubled independent record stores, they continue to go the way of garth...

Genesis Links With Wal-Mart For Reunion Tour DVD
May 22, 2008 , 11:00 AM ET
Gary Graff, Detroit

Genesis deemed its 2007 reunion tour worthy of a three-disc DVD set because, according to Phil Collins, "we thought something like this, which may never happen again, was worth documenting just in case something good happened."

"When In Rome 2007," due out next month on Rhino and exclusively through Wal-Mart, certainly gives Genesis fans plenty of opportunities to remember the tour.

It features the entire July 14 show shot by director David Mallet before 500,000 fans at Rome's Circus Massimo. A nearly two-hour documentary, "Come Rain or Shine," by director Anthony Mathile, chronicles the tour -- which played 47 dates in Europe and North America -- from conception to finish. Extras include photo galleries and additional interviews with Collins, guitarist Mike Rutherford and keyboardist Tony Banks.

But even as "When in Rome 2007" rolls out, Collins tells Billboard.com the trio is fairly convinced that something like last year's tour will, in fact, never happen again.

"Nothing's planned, anyway," says Collins, who has maintained that he wants to focus on his family and no longer wants to tour. "It's a question of whether there's anything musically, rather than touring, to do. Then there's still possibilities, but we're not discussing it really seriously yet. Rutherford adds, "We're all peddling quite slowly at the moment. I like that phrase."

There remains a possibility of doing a reunion performance of "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" with Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett, but Collins says that will be "for something special" like a one-off performance rather than a full touring production. Genesis is also considering making archival shows available to fans on its Web site, but Rutherford says the group is proceeding cautiously on that front, too. "You don't want to perceived as trying to flog stuff," he explains.

As for selling "When in Rome 2007" via Wal-Mart, Banks says the company offered a scenario that made sense to Genesis for this project.

"The feeling is that in the States, our records -- we've put out the various box sets and the live album ('Live Over Europe 2007') and everything. They've done OK, but not perhaps as well as we might have hoped," he explains. "We're really proud of this (DVD) and we don't want it to be forgotten about. Wal-Mart puts 100,000 of this DVD out there and feels like it can sell that many, which I think will be an awful lot better than the last few things we've done. You have to look at it that way."

Genesis will be releasing its third box set collection of its original studio albums -- 1970's "Trespass" through 1974's "The Lamb..." -- but there's no word on whether that will be an exclusive retail release as well.

your collection isn't going to suffer if you are missing and overblown egomanianc's vanity peice or a past-it's-prime art pop band's nostalgia tour cash-in video on your shelf... the only way to stop this is to not support it, if you play along, you are implicitly supporting it. so "just say NO!"...boycott this bullshit!

source: billboard

[follow-up] Isaac Hayes’ Cause of Death Ruled a Stroke

The cause of death of soul singer Isaac Hayes has been ruled a stroke, according to the family’s physician. However, no autopsy has been performed, and both the medical examiner and the Memphis health department have filed an official cause of death or issued a death certificate. The family initially believed an unspecified “medical condition” was to blame for Hayes’ death.

source: rolling stone

Katie Reider Updates / Benefits

from Lauren Fernandes who operates:


website: 500,000 hits in 365 for Katie Reider
facebook: 500,000 hits in 365 for Katie Reider
myspace: 500,000 hits in 365 for Katie Reider

Hi!

I hope everyone is doing well. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that a couple benefits will be held for Katie Reider over the next few weeks. These events will be posted on our myspace site and facebook site as they come about.

All proceeds go directly to Katie's family, hope you can come out and celebrate her music!

If it's possible to have these events filmed for our archive we'd greatly appreciate!

KATIE REIDER BENEFIT INFORMATION

Saturday August 16th, 2008 - 8pm at Below Zero Lounge in Cincinnati Ohio.

THE KATIE REIDER FAMILY Benefit with KAREN REIDER AND ROB REIDER is this Saturday August 16th, 2008 - 8pm at Below Zero Lounge in Cincinnati Ohio.

Come early or come late whatever works for you!
$5 CASH

Hear Katie's music by the musicians who loved her and her music.
.... Katie would love that we celebrate her with music!

More info and a list of upcoming BENEFITS scheduled for Katie Reider are posted on our facebook site

Another News story was also done last Saturday in New York City with Karen Reider.

Last Saturday NYC's local morning news show in NYC re-ran Katie's News story and did an in studio piece with Karen Reider.

Here's a link. Enjoy! (fyi - there is an advertisement that plays before the story airs)

http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=115904@wcbs.dayport.com

Thank you to EVERYONE for all the support - it has been wonderful.

Since May 23rd, 2008 we've reached 59,500 people who have helped keep katie's voice alive!

Till next time

Johnny Cash 'Folsom Prison' Box Loaded With Unreleased Tracks

"Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" was a ground breaking, historical piece of work for its time (1968), cash had a hard time convincing the executives at columbia to record/release this album, it was considered to be a career risk and was not a popular concept with his label. cash eventually won and it worked, the inmates for their part had a great deal of respect for cash personally and for his music and throughout the album johnny seems to empathize with the plight of the prisoners.

on the original release, the song order was changed songs were cut, probably to make it fit on a single LP/album. The CD release from 2000 still does not contain the entire concert and added tracks from the concert that day.

in 2003, the album was ranked number 88 on rolling stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. in 2003, it was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the library of congress to be added to the national recording registry. in 2006, it ranked #3 on CMT's 40 greatest albums in country music.

apparently johnny was right and the suits at columbia were wrong. it will be great to see and hear this the way the man in black intended it to be.

Johnny Cash 'Folsom Prison' CD/DVD Box Loaded With Unreleased Tracks
August 12, 2008
Mitchell Peters, L.A.

A new three-disc CD/DVD box set that features unreleased material from Johnny Cash's legendary 1968 concerts at Folsom State Prison in California will be released Oct. 14 via Columbia/Legacy.

Disc one of the forthcoming "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison: Legacy Edition" features Cash's entire 65-minute first concert, with seven previously unreleased tracks, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "This Ole House," "I'm Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail," "I Got A Woman" and "June's Poems," among others.

Disc two contains the entire 75-minute second show, with 24 previously unreleased songs, including duets with his wife June Carter Cash and others.

The DVD component of "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison: Legacy Edition" reveals footage from inside Folsom Prison, and contains interviews from country acts as Merle Haggard, Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart, as well as former Folsom Prison inmates who witnessed the legendary concerts. The DVD also features unpublished photographs by Jim Marshall.

Additionally, the new box set includes a 4,000-word essay by Cash biographer Michael Streissguth, who penned such books as "Johnny Cash: The Biography" and "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: The Making of the Masterpiece." The booklet will also feature liner notes written by Cash and Steve Earle in 1999.

Originally released in 1968, "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison" peaked at No. 13 on The Billboard 200, and spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.

Metallica Announce U.S. Tour Dates, Completion of “Death Magnetic”

definitely not my "thing" but i try to be fair and post all significant music news and events...

In addition to debuting the new song “Cyanide” at Ozzfest this weekend (see above), Metallica revealed they’ve completed mixing Death Magnetic and announced the first leg of their North American tour, which starts October 21st in Glendale, Arizona. The tour will circle the West and Midwest of the U.S. and Canada during the latter portion of 2008 before moving eastward in January 2009, with the leg culminating with a January 31st show in Newark, New Jersey. Check out all the dates after the jump.

October 21 - Glendale, AZ @ Jobing Arena
October 23 - Albquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum
October 25 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
October 26 - Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
November 1 - Portland, OR @ Rose Quarter
November 3 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Energy Solutions Arena
November 4 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
November 6 - Omaha, NE @ Qwest Center
November 8 - Moline, IL @ iWireless Center
November 9 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
November 17 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
November 18 - Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
November 20 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
November 22 - Little Rock, AR @ Alltel Arena
November 23 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena
December 1 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
December 2 - Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
December 4 - Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
December 7 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
December 12 - Ontario, CA @ Citizens Bank Arena
December 13 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
December 15 - San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena
December 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
December 20 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
January 12 - Milwaukee, WI @ Bradley Center
January 13 - Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
January 15 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
January 17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
January 18 - Boston, MA TD @ Banknorth Center
January 26 - Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena
January 29 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
January 31 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

[Addendum] New Music/CD Releases (August 12th, 2008)

i apparently missed this on the original post for this weeks releases. click on the album cover and follow the links to listen to a couple of songs from the cd. it's a very interesting collaboration between inara and legendary arranger van dyke parks with an intimate, jazzy feel.

while she sounds nothing like her father lowell, whom i was a huge fan of, she is a very interesting talent in her own right.

Inara George
Everloving Records is proud to present An Invitation, the latest release from Inara George. An Invitation is an intimate collaboration between Inara and legendary arranger Van Dyke Parks. The result is a lush, elegant, fully orchestrated song cycle, a catalog of experiences equally inspired by the sophistication of Frank Sinatra and the storied, cinematic wonder of Richard Sherman's oeuvre. Not that this was Inara and Van Dyke’s first introduction. Inara’s father, Little Feat frontman Lowell George, and Van Dyke were great friends and collaborators. And when Inara was born in 1974 in Baltimore, Maryland (where her family had come for her birth while Little Feat recorded Feats Don’t Fail Me Now) Van Dyke was there to welcome her into the world. And even after the death of her father in 1979, Inara and Van Dyke continued to stay in touch throughout the years. As Inara began to forge her way into a musical career, Van Dyke was always close at hand to offer sage advice and encouragement. And for both, there was a real desire for some kind of collaboration. In the past few years Inara has found her stride as a member of the band The Bird and the Bee (on Blue Note Records) and with the release of her first solo album, All Rise, (on Everloving Records). Both projects caught the attention of critics worldwide. And as Inara geared up to make her second solo record, an opportunity emerged for her and Van Dyke to finally make something together. In 2002, Inara introduced Van Dyke to Mike Andrews, producer of All Rise and An Invitation. Mike had admired Van Dyke’s work with The Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson, The Byrds, and Joanna Newsom (just to name a few), and had always hoped to engage his arranging abilities in some capacity for Inara’s next record. But then Inara asked, ”What if we have him do the entire thing?” They asked, and Van Dyke accepted. And after months of preparation, the orchestra was recorded in a daring and excitement filled two-day live session at LA's historic Sunset Sound studios. "There are different characters in each piece, but it all feels like a connected event," says Van Dyke. "There are certainly different scenes on the record, and that's what I like. And I think that takes real talent, as a writer, to fictionalize a reality the way Inara has done." An Invitation begins with an overture, echoing the sun-dappled landscapes of Aaron Copeland, filtered through the widescreen lens of Van Dyke's neoclassicist sensibility. Inara's voice enters in the second track, "Right As Wrong," on a cloud of hushed strings, and carries the record through a series of vignettes that contrast the smoky poise of Chet Baker and Kurt Weill with the wide-eyed optimism of Leonard Bernstein. Throughout the record, Van Dyke's cerebral (psychedelic, even) arrangements twist the music into multiple directions at once, a swirling canvas suspended over the sonic mantelpiece of Inara's songs, bewitching and perplexing, a truly organic achievement among friends in an era of artificial pleasures. "There was more love going through the glass with Inara and Van Dyke than any other record I've worked on," says producer Mike Andrews. "It was a family love. Very real."

Tift Merritt - Towne Crier Cafe/Pawling, NY (08.09.2008)

submitted and written by keith bergendorff

below is a review of tift's recent show. besides being an avid music fan and concert-goer, keith is a friend and fellow lover of music + great reviewer and taper. keith has kindly included a link to his excellent recording of this show, feel free to download and enjoy.

many thanks to keith for sharing his words and recording. and thanks to tift for being "taper friendly" and allowing recordings of her shows. these recordings are for personal use only, feel free to share and trade, but please, respect the artists and tapers wishes and under no circumstances should they be sold or money change hands for these recordings.

I drove up to the Towne Crier Café in Pawling NY from Long Island (about 90 miles) last night to see Tift, having missed her appearance at the Mercury Lounge in NYC some months back because I had to be out of town. I picked up my friend Arlene (who lives in Manhattan) at the Pawling train station at 7:01 and we headed over to the venue to have dinner before the 9:00 show. There was already a pretty good crowd seated near the stage when we arrived at 7:10, but we got a table with a good view about 20 feet from the stage a little left of center.

I had never heard opener Jess Klein, and I gotta say she was absolutely phenomenal! With a plaintive sultry voice and formidable technique on a guitar that's nearly as big as she is, she had the audience absolutely transfixed (myself included). I actually had to loosen loosen my collar during her spine-tingling performance of Willie Dixon's The Same Thing, during which you could have heard a pin drop.

Tift and the boys came on a little after 10:00 and opened with Morning Is My Destination with Tift at the piano. It was a very spirited show, as I've come to expect from Tift by now (I think this was show #8 for me). This was the first time I've seen the band with Scott McCall and I thought he did a really fabulous job on lead. They performed Supposed to Make You Happy unmiked with Jay and Scott turning in beautiful harmonies, and also went off mike for brief but lovely interludes during Keep Me Happy, Broken, Something To Me and When I Cross Over. Tift performed Good Hearted Man solo on the piano (after encouraging the staff to silence the register noisily pumping out the dinner receipts) and they closed with a rousing performance of When I Cross Over. Mille Tendresses was the encore.

By the time the show was over it was about 10 minutes before Arlene's last train back to NYC. I had brought my copy of Another Country for Tift to sign, but a long line had already formed to talk to her when I came out of the men's room and I really couldn't wait. So I just stopped alongside the line across from her and Zeke on our way to the front door and called out "Tift! I have to catch a train, but -- I LOVE YOU!" She flashed me that big smile of hers and reached out her arm through the people standing in front of her, and I squeezed her hand and waved. "Don't miss your train!" she laughed. It was a good moment.

I could say a lot more about the show but a recording is worth a thousand words (and then some), so you can download hi-fi mp3s from this link:

http://kbergend.tripod.com/tm2008-08-09.zip

The house mix wasn't quite as good as other times I've seen Tift perform and there's a bit of clipping during the very loudest parts of the show, but for the most part it sounds pretty nice. I boosted the gain a little on Supposed To Make You Happy to make it more audible. Enjoy!

01 Morning Is My Destination
02 Hopes Too High
03 Stray Paper
04 I Know What I'm Looking For Now
05 Another Country
06 Supposed To Make You Happy (unmiked)
07 Tell Me Something True
08 Keep You Happy
09 My Heart Is Free
10 Ain't Looking Closely
11 Broken
12 Tender Branch
13 Something To Me
14 Good Hearted Man
15 When I Cross Over
[encore]
16 Mille Tendresses

AT943c > Marantz PMD620 @24/44.1
cardreader > USB > Audition 3.0/Ozone 3 > CD Wave > Apple mp3 encoder @192kbps
Editing: gain adjustments, EQ, compression < 120 Hz, MBIT+ dither to 16 bits

also, i checked out jess klein's website(s), the opener for tift that keith mentioned in his review and whoa! do yourself a favor, pop over and give this girl a listen.

jess klein (go to the album page and you can have a free listen)

jess klein - myspace

isaac hayes (1942-2008)

i met isaac several times, he was a photo hobbiest and loved taking pictures and he used to hang out at a camera store i worked at in downtown atlanta (where he lived at the time). there were several of us that he got to know fairly well and he would often come in with pictures that he had taken and ask for critiques of his work and suggestions on how to be better, etc. he was actually a pretty talented photographer too.

several years later after i had moved on, i was running a couple of video/electronics stores and officed out of a store in buckhead. one night he called (he didn't "name drop" but from "the voice" i was pretty sure it was him) and said he was having some problems with a video camera and needed some help. i told him that we were about to close but if he would come on over, i'd try to help him figure it out. as he got there we had already locked up and i opened up and let him in, when he walked in, he looked at me and said "bill...?" he remembered me and i hadn't seen him for 2 or 3 years. i stuck around about 45 minutes after we closed and got his camera working and we chatted and talked, mostly about photography and music.

the next day, he went out of his way and stopped by the store right before we closed and walked in with a case of heineken and said "where's your car?" and said he just wanted to say thanks for me staying late to help him out with the camera. he continued to stop by on a pretty regular basis after that.

he was truly a kind, gentle and sweet man. wow, how sad.

More than 'Shaft': Hayes was goldmine of influence
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY – 1 hour ago

With its riveting orchestration, definitive guitar play and signature sensual baritone vocals, Isaac Hayes' theme song for the 1971 movie "Shaft" not only became one of pop music's iconic songs, but also the defining work of Hayes' career.

Yet the "Theme from Shaft," which would earn both Grammys and an Oscar, was just a snippet of the groundbreaking music for which Hayes — who died Sunday at age 65 — was responsible.

He penned soul classics like "Hold On I'm Comin'" for Sam & Dave, helped usher in the era of disco and was a goldmine for countless hip-hop and R&B artists who used his illustrious arrangements as the focal point for their songs decades later.

"Isaac Hayes embodies everything that's soul music," Collin Stanback, an A&R executive at Stax, told The Associated Press on Sunday. "When you think of soul music you think of Isaac Hayes — the expression ... the sound and the creativity that goes along with it."

His influence also extended beyond music. His trademarked bald head, full beard and muscular frame, often adorned with a multitude of gold chains, made him a fashion trendsetter at a time when most of his contemporaries were sporting blowout Afros. He was also a symbol of black pride, and an activist for civil rights.

The Rev. Al Sharpton called Hayes a "creative genius" and added, "even in his later years he never hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good of mankind. He will be sorely missed."

Hayes also acted in movies including "Tough Guys," "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" and "Hustle & Flow." He had recently completed the movie "Soul Men," in which he played himself; the film also starred Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday after a bout with pneumonia. And a new generation of fans discovered the man behind "Shaft" when, in 1997, he became the voice of Chef on the Comedy Central show "South Park."

Hayes, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis in Memphis, Tenn., after collapsing Sunday afternoon near a treadmill in his home nearby.

Steve Shular, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, said authorities received a 911 call after Hayes' wife and young son and his wife's cousin returned home from the grocery store and found him collapsed in a downstairs bedroom. A sheriff's deputy administered CPR until paramedics arrived.

Stanback said he was shocked to learn of the death of the singer, who was about to start work on a new record for Stax, the label Hayes helped make legendary.

In an industry filled with colorful and dynamic figures, Hayes was a standout on several levels, from his smooth baritone to his flamboyant style: It was almost as if he was made to be a musical god.

But Hayes spent the early part of his career firmly in the musical background. A self-taught musician from Covington, Tenn., he made a name for himself playing with various bands around Memphis. In 1964, he was hired by Stax Records to be a backup pianist, working as a session musician for Otis Redding and others. He also played saxophone.

He began writing songs, establishing a songwriting partnership with David Porter, and in the 1960s they wrote classic hits for Sam and Dave such as "Hold On, I'm Coming," "Soul Man," and "When Something is Wrong With My Baby." They also wrote for other Stax artists including Carla Thomas.

Hayes' work as a composer helped him secure a deal as a solo artist. His first album, "Presenting Isaac Hayes," was a poor seller, the result of an impromptu jam session. But after getting creative control, he delivered his next album, "Hot Buttered Soul" in 1969, and it made him a star.

Hayes offered something completely different to the musical world. In an era of straightened hair or Afros, Hayes was bald: "His look was just so profound," Stanback said. "He was like a superhero."

Whereas other soul crooners showed their passion through wails, Hayes delivery was calm, cool — almost subdued. He prefaced songs with "raps," and they ran longer than typical standard of three minutes: One song, a cover of Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," ran 18 minutes.

"(Radio) jocks would play it at night," Hayes recalled of his songs in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "They could go to the bathroom, they could get a sandwich, or whatever."

Next came "Theme From Shaft," a No. 1 hit from the blaxploitation film "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree.

"That was like the shot heard round the world," Hayes said in the 1999 interview.

At the Oscar ceremony in 1972, Hayes performed the song wearing an eye-popping amount of gold and received a standing ovation. TV Guide later chose it as No. 18 in its list of television's 25 most memorable moments. He won an Academy Award for the song and was nominated for another one for the score. The song and score also won him two Grammys.

In 1972, he won another Grammy for his album "Black Moses" and earned a nickname he reluctantly embraced. He was also part of the historic "Wattstax" concert in riot-ravaged Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Besides "Shaft," Hayes composed film scores for "Tough Guys" and "Truck Turner." He also did the song "Two Cool Guys" on the "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America" movie soundtrack in 1996.

Additionally, he was the voice of Nickelodeon's "Nick at Nite" and had radio shows in New York City (1996 to 2002) and then in Memphis.

Though his last big hits on the charts ended in the 1980s, Hayes' presence in contemporary music continued as his songs were sampled on numerous hits by rap and R&B performers, ranging from Ashanti to Public Enemy to Jay-Z.

"The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence," he said. "And they'll tell you if you ask."

Stanback said: "A lot of artists owe Isaac his career because a lot of music was based on his foundation."

He garnered another audience and cult following with his work on "South Park." A school cook, Chef was in many ways the voice of reason in the otherwise outrageous animated social commentary, unwittingly imparting pearls of wisdom on the schoolboys who often came to him with their dilemmas; this, in spite of the fact that his foremost devotion was — true to Hayes' music and persona — being a ladies' man.

In the 1999 interview, Hayes described the character as "a person that speaks his mind; he's sensitive enough to care for children; he's wise enough to not be put into the 'wack' category like everybody else in town — and he l-o-o-o-o-ves the ladies."

But Hayes angrily quit the show in 2006 after an episode mocked his Scientology religion. "There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs of others begins," he said.

Co-creator creators Matt Stone responded that Hayes "has no problem — and he's cashed plenty of checks — with our show making fun of Christians." A subsequent episode of the show seemingly killed off the Chef character.

Hayes remained active in entertainment, even as he became a senior citizen. His Web site listed upcoming appearances and he was making plans for his Stax album. Stanback said it was to include Hayes' work on vintage tracks that he had left unfinished over the years.

"We were actually getting ready to schedule a trip to Memphis to talk to Isaac," he said.

Stanback called his death a tragedy.

"Isaac Hayes was a wonderful human begin and his spirit will live long in the form of his music," he said.

a couple of great free shows in louisville...

apparently....

pollstar has teddy thompson listed as the headlining performer for october 27th's waterfront wednesday. while it is not listed on teddy's site or wfpk's site, wfpk lists vhs or beta as the headliner for the show so i'm not sure if there is a cancellation or schedule change for some reason. vhs or beta's website does not list them in louisville on the 27th and shows them playing in puerto rico on the 28th, which could be tough to pull off if they played late here on the 27th. pollstar tends to be very accurate, i'm sure hoping it is correct.

already announced is the phenomenal local talent, ben sollee opening the show @ 6:00PM, followed by seepeoples @ 7:30, here's hoping teddy is the closer @ 9:00PM (btw, nothing against vhs or beta).

also, tift merritt has just released several new tour dates (posted below), one of those will include a free set @ the original highlands art & music festival on saturday night, september 13th @ 8:00 PM

the full schedule for the festival is:
12-1p.m. - Leigh Ann Yost (East Stage)
12-1 p.m. - John Gage (West Stage)
1-2p.m. - Louisville School of Rock (East Stage)
2-3p.m. - Shannon Lawson (West Stage)
3-4p.m. - The Ladybirds (East Stage)
4-5p.m. - Brigid Kaelin Band (West Stage)
5-6p.m. - Danny Flanigan and the Rain Chorus (East Stage)
6-7p.m. - Peter Searcy (West Stage)
8-9:15p.m. - Tift Merritt (East Stage)
9:30-11p.m. - Love Jones (West Stage)

tift merritt
August 2008
22 Aug: Isle of Palms, SC @ Windjammer
23 Aug: Raleigh, NC @ NC Museum of Art
24 Aug: Wilmington, NC @ Greenfield Amphitheater
27 Aug: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
28 Aug: Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
31 Aug: Aspen, CO @ Snowmass Town Park
September 2008
04 Sep: Charlotte, NC @ Visulite
05 Sep: Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
06 Sep: Atlanta, GA @ Variety
07 Sep: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay
09 Sep: Chattanooga, TN @ Rhythm & Brews
11 Sep: St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
12 Sep: Newport, KY (Cincinnati, OH) @ Southgate House
13 Sep: Louisville, KY @ Original Highlands Art & Music Festival
19 Sep: Norfolk, VA @ Discovery Indie Series/Attucks Theatre
26 Sep: Jackson Hole, WY @ Center for the Arts/Jackson Hole Music Experience
27 Sep: Boise, ID @ The Bouquet
29 Sep: Seattle, WA @ The Triple Door
30 Sep: Bend, OR @ The Annex

New Music/CD Releases (August 12th, 2008)

August 12
East Village Opera Company - Old School
Extreme - Saudades De Rock
Fred Eaglesmith - Tinderbox
Irma Thomas - Simply Grand
The Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer
Michelle Williams - Unexpected
Over the Rhine - Live From Nowhere Volume 3
T.I. - The Paper Trail
Yung Berg - Look What You Made Me

and remember, whenever possible buy your music directly from the artist(s) or your local independent record store. both could become endangered without your support.

Over the Rhine - Live From Nowhere (Volume 3)

every year during late november and early december, over the rhine does a series of dates throughout the northeast and midwest that have become known by their fans as the christmas tour. the tour culminates a week or two before christmas at cincinnati's beautiful "taft theatre." for the past couple of years they have followed the taft show (on saturday night) with a sunday late afternoon/early evening informal and intimate gathering of music, friendship, wine and cheese by candlelight at a beautiful yet tired, worn and previously abandoned church in their old neighborhood of norwood. recently the church, st. elizabeth's (aka: st. e's) has been reclaimed, rejuvinated and in is in the process of restoration by many of karin and linford's friends from the neighborhood, it's new life seems to be serving and suiting both it and the community well.

the "taft weekend" has become the big event of the year for OtR and their fans with people travelling in from all over the country and the world (seriously) for these shows. along with the music there are group dinners, late night drinks and early morning breakfasts and coffee. over the years it has become a great gathering of friends and like minded people who really enjoy sharing their time, interests, stories and their lives together. it is really an amazing, inspiring and life affirming couple of days.

three years ago, OtR had the idea of capturing some of the more special moments from these shows, at times mixing in a couple of previously unreleased studio gems and putting out limited edition, "fan" only series titled "live from nowhere" (named after their ohio farm, "nowhere farm"). volume one sold out quickly and has become very rare, with copies on e-bay auctions fetching in the $75-100 range. volume two is getting hard to track down but a limited number are still available... if you look hard enough. and after several unavoidable delays and a setback due to the unexpected passing of linford's father, volume three started hitting mailboxes today.

the players on volume three are the current touring band; karin bergquist (vocals, guitar, piano), linford detweiler (piano, acoustic guitar, electric bass, vocals), jake bradley (upright bass, electric bass, lead guitar), mickey grimm (drumkit)and violinist, paul patterson (from the cincinnati symphony orchestra) guesting on a couple of tracks. the setlist, this time culled exclusively from live shows, was mixed & produced by david "too damn juicy" foreman. dave is a master behind the soundboard and always maxes out OtR's sound, regardless of the venue and these mixes come directly from his 4 track masters and his production on this disc is simply amazing.
track listing
1. Motherless Child
2. Angel Band
3. Hush Now (with Fantasia Cadenza)
4. Trouble
5. Nothing Is Innocent
6. I'm On A Roll
7. Don't Wait For Tom
8. Drunkard's Prayer
9. Who'm I Kiddin' But Me
10. Northpole Man
11. Snow Angel
12. Latter Days

'nuff said.

do yourself a favor...

live from nowhere - volume three can be ordered directly from the band @: overtherhine.com - featured products

and volume one and volume two are also available directly from the band via download @ overtherhine.com - downloads

on a personal note, i am proud to have been fortunate enough to have my photographs featured in each of the live from nowhere releases. it's very rewarding to have your work used by artists that you respect both personally and professionally. here are the pics from this year.

The Clash's Shea Stadium Gig Heading To CD

The Clash's Shea Stadium Gig Heading To CD
Billboard - Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Long bootlegged and sought after by collectors, the Clash's Oct. 13, 1982, performance at New York's Shea Stadium will finally see official release Oct. 7 via Legacy.

The gig found the Clash opening for the Who on the latter band's "farewell" tour, and features a wealth of favorites, from "London Calling" and "Police on My Back" to "The Magnificent Seven" and "Clampdown."

The band, which at the time was touring in support of its recent album "Combat Rock," also offered up the singles from that effort, "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and "Rock the Casbah." According to Legacy, late guitarist Joe Strummer found the Shea tapes while preparing to move into a new house.

In other Clash news, a new biography culled from extensive band interviews, "The Clash by the Clash," will be released Nov. 4 via Grand Central Books.

"Live at Shea Stadium":
Kosmo Vinyl Introduction
"London Calling"
"Police on My Back"
"Guns Of Brixton"
"Tommy Gun"
"The Magnificent Seven"
"Armagideon Time"
"The Magnificent Seven" (return)
"Rock the Casbah"
"Train in Vain"
"Career Opportunities"
"Spanish Bombs"
"Clampdown"
"English Civil War"
"Should I Stay or Should I Go"
"I Fought the Law"

Ray Lamontagne - "Gossip in the Grain" Tour Dates

Ray Lamontagne has just released tour dates supporting his new album, "Gossip in the Grain," out October 14th.

Tue, 09/30/08 Murat Theatre Indianapolis, IN
Wed, 10/01/08 The Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL
Sat, 10/04/08 State Theatre Minneapolis, MN
Tue, 10/07/08 The Danforth Music Hall Theatre Toronto, ON
Thu, 10/09/08 Opera House Boston, MA
Fri, 10/10/08 Opera House Boston, MA
Sat, 10/11/08 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
Mon, 10/13/08 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
Tue, 10/14/08 Music Center at Strathmore N. Bethesda, MD
Thu, 10/16/08 Progress Energy Center Meymandi Concert Hall Raleigh, NC
Sat, 10/18/08 The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
Sun, 10/19/08 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
Tue, 10/21/08 Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
Thu, 10/23/08 Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, TX
Fri, 10/24/08 Majestic Theatre Dallas Dallas, TX
Mon, 10/27/08 Macky Auditorium Boulder, CO
Thu, 10/30/08 The Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
Sat, 11/01/08 Spreckels Theatre San Diego, CA
Mon, 11/03/08 Paramount Theatre-Oakland Oakland, CA
Wed, 11/05/08 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR
Sat, 11/08/08 Vogue Theatre Vancouver, BC
Sun, 11/09/08 McCaw Hall Seattle, WA

"Gossip in the Grain" tracklist
1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Rage Against the Machine Schedule Show Near Republican Convention

i'm not really a fan of the band's music, and i would never agree with, endorse or advocate violence, but i've got to say, i love this...

Following their near-riot-inducing performance at this weekend’s Rage Against the Machine Schedule Show Near Republican Convention Lollapalooza, Rage Against the Machine have scheduled another concert they probably hope has similar results. The band announced that they’ll perform in Minneapolis’ Target Center on September 3rd, which is significant because that’s the same week the Republican National Convention rolls into the Twin City of St. Paul. In 2000, the band played an outdoor show in Los Angeles during the Democratic National Convention, and that show ended with police using tear gas and pepper spray. In the announcement of the Minneapolis show, Rage made no mention of the political overtones their show will carry, but Tom Morello has already revealed he will play a union rally with Steve Earle in St. Paul on September 1st, the first day of the RNC. Protest isn’t free, though: tickets for Rage’s show in Prince’s hometown are $60 and go on sale Saturday.

David Byrne - “Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno” Tour

David Byrne | New York, New York | December 2003
photo by Michael Wilson

this should be pretty amazing. i'm hoping to be @ the louisville or indy (or both) shows.

09-16 Bethlehem, PA - Zoellner Arts Center
09-17 Baltimore, MD - Lyric
09-18 Newport News, VA - Ferguson Center for the Arts
09-20 Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
09-21 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
09-22 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
09-23 Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre
09-25 Austin, TX - Paramount
09-26 Austin, TX - Zilker Park (Austin City Limits Festival)
09-28 Albuquerque, NM - Kiva Auditorium
09-30 Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theatre
10-02 San Diego, CA - Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
10-03 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
10-04 Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre
10-06 San Francisco, CA - Davies Symphony Hall
10-08 Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
10-11 Park City, UT - Eccles Center for the Performing Arts
10-12 Denver, CO - Buell Theater
10-14 Minneapolis, MN - State Theater
10-15 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
10-17 Omaha, NE - Kiewit Concert Hall
10-18 St. Louis, MO - Fox Theatre
10-19 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre
10-21 Louisville, KY - Palace Theater
10-23 Cleveland, OH - Allen Theatre
10-24 Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater
10-25 Indianapolis, IN - Clowes Memorial Hall
10-26 Chicago, IL - Civic Opera House
10-29 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
10-30 Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis
10-31 Boston, MA - Wang Center
11-01 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
11-03 Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
11-05 Albany, NY - Empire State Plaza
11-07 Pittsburgh, PA - Carnegie Music Hall
11-08 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre

*Brian Eno is not a part of the tour.