After nearly thirty years on the road it's hard enough to know who you are, let alone where you are. And after all, isn't being a big time rock star all about people remembering you, not you remembering them.
Unfortunately, it seems the people of Latin America don't take well to hearing that their countries all look alike. Particularly when, if you are Chile, you've been at state of near-war with Peru, the country for whom you're being mistaken, on and off for a century.
But when Depeche Mode's front man closed his Peruvian concert the other night by shouting "Thank you, Chile!" (see video below) he was in fact following a venerable rock tradition of confusing Peru for some other Latin American country. According to New Music Express, Alanis Morissette closed a 2003 concert with "Thank you, Brazil!" But hey, at least they thanked them.
Now Peru is the one with the llamas...and Chile invented cocaine?
Depeche Mode Can't Tell Those Latin American Countries Apart
Garth Brooks says he will resume music career
Garth Brooks, the best-selling solo musician in U.S. history, said on Thursday he was coming out of retirement and was expected to announce an extended concert run at the Wynn Las Vegas casino and hotel.
"I know this is a young industry, so I'm not sure I'll be welcomed back but, if the fans want me, I still want to pursue my music," Brooks told reporters at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
A two-time Grammy winner and winner of 11 Country Music Association awards, Brooks' brand of rock-tinged country music topped the charts in the 1990s. He has sold 113 million albums, putting him second to the Beatles in all-time U.S. sales.
Brooks, 47, hired a private plane to transport reporters to an unnamed site where he will announce his immediate plans.
The destination was widely tipped on websites and in newspaper gossip columns to be Las Vegas and Steve Wynn's casino hotel. Brooks was expected to announce a four-month run of two to three shows a week.
Wynn Resorts Ltd said in a statement it would be announcing a new music schedule.
The hotel's Encore Theater has not had a permanent headliner since the death of comedian Danny Gans from a combination of prescription painkillers and a heart condition in May.
Brooks officially retired in 2001, saying he would devote himself to his three daughters at his home in Oswasso, Oklahoma, until his youngest turned 18. She is 13 now.
He said on Thursday that coming out of retirement offered him the freedom to do as he pleased but he did not expect much to change over the next five years. He divorced in 2001 and wed country star Trisha Yearwood.
In 2005, Brooks began performing occasionally, mostly at charity events.
(Writing by Andrew Stern; Editing by John O'Callaghan)
Bob Dylan 'croons' Christmas music, and the reviews are in
With apologies to whoever crafts Michele Bachmann's speeches, but Minnesota's grandest contribution to the arts still is Bob Dylan, and now the troubadour from Hibbing has released his, um, Christmas album. "Christmas in the Heart" arrived Wednesday, and the critics are alternately bewildered and bemused. The blog Brand X quotes Mojo magazine saying, "That Dylan's voice is shot (albeit poignantly so) isn't as glaring when he sings 'If You Ever Go To Houston'; it's when he attempts 'Winter Wonderland.' And throughout Christmas In The Heart Dylan makes Tom Waits sound like Antony Hegarty. Moreover, the mixture of kitsch and reverence is surreal, referencing both his jokey Theme Time Radio Hour persona and the Born-Again Bob's true believer trip, reinforced by graphics that include the Three Wise Men as well as Bettie Page in a scanty Santa get-up."
The PiPress' Ross Raihala offers his take in a front-page review: "With all the subtlety of a neighbor's snowblower at 5 a.m., Minnesota's famed rock 'n' roll poet barrels through 15 yuletide favorites in a manner that's both terrifying and hilarious."
Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson top 2009 American Music Awards noms
Country singer Taylor Swift and the late Michael Jackson lead the nominees for the 2009 American Music Awards, which were announced Tuesday.
Swift garnered six nominations, including artist of the year and favorite pop/rock female artist. Jackson is up for artist of the year and favorite pop/rock male artist. Swift and Jackson will compete against Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga and Eminem for artist of the year.
VIDEO: Taylor Swift talks about her rise to stardom
Eminem received a total of four nominations while Kings of Leon and Lady Gaga each received three nods. Beyoncé, T.I. and the Black Eyed Peas also took home three nominations apiece.
For the first time, fans will pick the four nominees for breakthrough artist from semifinalists Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, Gloriana, Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, Jermiah, Drake and Kid Cudi.
Chris Brown top dog at 2008 American Music Awards
Multiple nominees the Black Eyed Peas, along with Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez and American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, will perform at the Nov. 22 ceremony. -- Kate Stanhope
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Young cellist brings a rock vibe
Cellist Joshua Roman's curly reddish locks bounce as he plays, dressed in a rumpled, untucked oxford shirt and gray pinstripe trousers whose hems flop over low-top Chucks.
Give the man a guitar, and the rock star pose would be complete. In fact, he has been called a "classical rock star."
Sitting backstage at the Singletary Center for the Arts recently after rehearsing Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, Roman, 25, mused about the term rock star.
"Well, they didn't bring my M&M's with no green ones," he jokes. "It depends on what I think that means. ... My impression was that it was more about the spirit of getting out there and making it all about the music. I hope that it's like that. That's what I want. So if that's rock star, that's awesome, because I think being a rock star would be great.
"But I don't dye my hair or show a bunch of tattoos. It's not often that I slide across the stage on my knees with Midge."
Midge is his cello, an 1899 model by Giulio Degani of Venice with intricate inlays on the back and the scroll that Roman shows off.
"I just feel like a cello should have a name," Roman says. He chose the moniker Midge over other contenders including Bella and Brunhilde.
Roman and Midge are not hard to find on the Internet.
One of his claims to fame — and there are several — is that he was the only soloist featured during the YouTube Symphony Orchestra last spring, introduced in a video segment by cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma.
"That was nuts because they didn't let me see the video beforehand," Roman says. "So I'm standing there at the edge of the stage when the video starts, watching with everyone else, and Yo-Yo is saying, 'He's blah-blah-blah and blah-blah-blah,' and I'm like, that's me, and they're all going to stare at me now while I play.
"It was all kind of like that. It was all super-big and super-overwhelming and awesome," he says of the symphony project in which musicians auditioned by uploading to YouTube videos of themselves playing. Winners were flown to New York for a concert April 15 at Carnegie Hall conducted by San Francisco Symphony Orchestra maestro Michael Tilson Thomas.
"It was this massive force of energy, with Google and YouTube putting everything they had behind classical music," Roman says.
Roman has a substantial YouTube presence, quite a bit of it self-generated. He has embarked on a project to play and post all 40 etudes from David Popper's The High School of Cello Playing: 40 Etudes. He films the pieces himself on his laptop. One of the postings is from Lexington.
Roman laughs and says he is not quite on his 40-week track, but notes that as a solo artist, the project isn't just a good way to help further the presence of classical music online. It is also a way to push himself to maintain a practice discipline as he hops around the world.
Maintaining his craft is important to Roman. He didn't reach his star status just through good looks and Internet savvy.
The Oklahoma City native started playing cello when he was 3, and at age 16 he was invited to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received bachelor's and master's degrees by age 21. At 22, he won the principal cellist's chair with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, a post he held for two years until he decided that it was limiting his solo options.
"It was important in a lot of ways," Roman says of the Seattle job. "You have, every week, a new program in the Seattle Symphony. Every week you have another symphony, or something like that, and it's amazing to be plowing through that much music."
He says all that studying gave him invaluable insight into composers and music. The orchestra experience made him appreciate the jobs of the people often playing behind him, such as the Lexington Philharmonic, whose cellists he complimented after Tuesday's rehearsal.
Leaving Seattle meant leaving the security of a regular paycheck, but life hasn't slowed down for the cellist that Musical America magazine named its artist of the month for August.
There was another consequence of Roman's move: "I had to sell my guitar and amp."
The cellist also plays bass and drums, but he sold the bass because of limited space in his new home in New York, where he's now based.
So the classical rock star has no intention of being an actual rock star, but there's little doubt that
LEGO Rock Band dated for November
Warner Bros. has confirmed reports that LEGO Rock Band will be released on 27th November in the UK.
The music game will be available on DS, PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.
Traveller's Tales, developer of LEGO Star Wars et al, has smeared the Rock Band licence with the usual charm and humour, although the tracklist is shorter than normal at 45 songs.
IS Sufi music For Young?
Srinagar hosted a Kashmiri Sufi concert for the youth of the state who do not get a chance to listen to its live versions.
For the genre itself, that feels denied and shrunken without public platforms in this land of constant strife, it was a revival of sorts.
But, this was a special attempt to feed the medical experiment world over that has found certain strains of music like Sufi can cure stress disorders in zones of conflict.
"We had musicians like Saaz Nawaz and Qaalin Baaf. Patients who would come to them during the 80s were cured by their music. We want to revive that music," said professor Muzaffar, the music director.
Seventeen per cent Kashmiris have been found to suffer from conflict-related stress.
"We are trying to convey how we can heal people's hearts and minds with our music," said Qaifer Nizami, a Sufi singer.
What is the state of Southern music?
Levine Museum of the New South hosts an afternoon reading and discussion with Mark Kemp, music journalist and author of “Dixie Lullaby: A Story of Music, Race and New Beginnings in a New South.” Published in 2004, the book explores the evolution of Southern music with a focus on rock from 1968 and 1992, and draws from Kemp's experiences in the industry and growing up in the South.The event is free. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St.
Kemp, a Grammy-nominated music journalist and former Observer entertainment editor, has served as music editor of Rolling Stone and vice president of music editorial for MTV Networks.
Akshay Kumar not happy with Indian music composers
Akshay Kumar not happy with Indian music composers
Akshay Kumar has been telling producers of most of his films to include international bands apart from the Indian music directors to compose music for his films.
He had convinced producer Mukesh Talreja to get rap artiste Bohemia to compose music for Chandni Chowk to China. He also insisted on including Britain’s popular bhangra band RDB to compose music in two of his forthcoming films - De Dana Dan and Kambakkht Ishq. As a result, Indian music composers like Anu Malik (Kambakkht Ishq) and Pritam (De Dana Dan) are upset with Akshay.
A source said, “There is no denying that RDB and Bohemia give good music but it is unfair to the music directors of the films if any other group is asked to compose music at the eleventh hour. Anu and Pritam’s annoyance is justified. Even Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy were miffed when Bohemia composed music for Chandni Chowk to China, but they let it pass.”
Ratan Jain, producer of De Dana Dan, said, “Akshay can give several ideas but the director has to ultimately decide whether they have to be implemented or not. It’s a good thing that Akshay takes a keen interest in all his projects. He made us listen to the song by RDB but we still haven’t decided whether we will be including it in our film.”
Sajid Nadiadwala, producer of Kambakkht Ishq, admitted that Akshay got RDB to compose music for the film. “Akshay recommended RDB. They are his friends. They had also done the music in Singh is Kinng. We wanted a song with the word ‘Mangalam’ in Kambakkht Ishq. Anu helped us with the way the song starts after which RDB completed it.”
Mukesh Talreja, co-producer of Chandni Chowk to China, too confirmed that Bohemia composed a song in his film because of Akshay. “We were introduced to Bohemia by Akshay,” said Mukesh.
Surprisingly, Anu Malik, known to dislike sharing credits in any film, said, “I have no problem with RDB having done the music Kambakkht Ishq. It’s all about team work and I am happy with the end result.”
Cuban musical star to heat up city in fall
AS the weather cools down in November, a Cuban musical star and his band will heat things up in Winnipeg.
Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars will bring their sizzling show to the Pantages Playhouse Theatre on Nov. 1. Tickets go on sale Saturday for $39.50 at Ticketmaster and the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store.
Juan de Marcos Gonzalez is best known for his critical role in the Buena Vista Social Club. The All Stars is a multi-generational big band made up several musicians who appeared in the hit movie and subsequent concert tour. Band members range in age from 13 to 81 and specialize in Latin dance music, including mambo, cha cha, salsa and bolero.
Irfan Khan:Music, dances can be an assent for Indian cinema
Irfan Khan:Music, dances can be an assent for Indian cinema
Actor Irfan Khan said that elements of song and dance, if used properly are an asset of Indian cinema, which Hollywood can emulate.
"Unlike Hollywood, our films are warmer in emotions with lot of music. They can be an asset if used properly," the actor, who has starred in several Hollywood films, told PTI.
Irfan said characters in Indian mainstream films are larger than life while in Hollywood movies, the makers try to make their characters more credible.
He agreed that Hollywood films have technical finesse which Bollywood will take a while to equal.
He said his upcoming film 'New York' was an issue based film which was a dramatised thriller made in a style which a layman can understand. "It is very close to how Hollywood movies are made," he said.
Speaking about his character Roshan, Irfan said one can draw parallel to the role he essayed in 'A Mighty Heart' starring Angelina Jolie.
"I play an American of Pakistani origin who has moderate views on religion," he said.
Irfan said he does not consider the film as being based on 9/11 but about the American foreign policy and what it did to the world.
"My character Roshan is part of the American establishment. He can see the extremists and the system and is trying to do his duty by dealing with the terror differently," he said.
James Murphy talk about new record
James Murphy has posted a blog on LCD Soundsystem's MySpace talking a bit about the new album he's currently working on, which he likes more than his last (presumably 2007's 'Sound Of Silver').
In it he says: "Making a record is strange. Last time I made a record I had a pretty brutal and miserable experience. Then I made something that wasn't the record, went back to said record, and had a great experience. It all worked out. This time I'm having a pretty great experience. I like the record more, but have no idea if that means it's better or anything. It's just more fun. The shitty full-days of lying on the floor stuck in my own head about things has been pushed back into hours, or only one hour, here and there. I also get to swim in the morning, and do things like that. Which is good. Which makes the record better, I think. Because now when I'm not actually working on the record, I'm doing something I like and that occupies my mind, rather than sitting in a room with my head in my hands wondering if I still know how to make music."
He goes on to say a bit about the MTV Awards he attended, which makes for quite an interesting read. Click here for the full blog post.
Dizzee plans 'naughty but nice' LP
 Dizzee poses with Glamour's presenter of the year, Alexa Chung |
Dizzee Rascal has revealed that his forthcoming album has a "naughty but nice" theme.
Tongue N Cheek, the rapper's fourth studio album, will be released this September.
Following that, the rapper will play a number of UK festivals and a headline tour in October.
Speaking to Newsbeat, he said: "Tongue N Cheek is me being a bit cheeky, the theme of it is naughty but nice. Just celebrating the good things in life."
Dizzee Rascal, wearing a Gucci suit at the Glamour magazine Women Of The Year Awards, also confirmed the next single will be a new track called Holiday.
As with previous number one Dance Wiv Me, the track will be produced by Calvin Harris.
The rapper, who will play the main stage at this year's Glastonbury festival in June, said: "It means a lot, I've been on the main stage before with Arctic Monkeys.
"I'm doing the main stage on my own now. Seeing 80,000 laid out in front of you, that's amazing."
Estelle lines up star producers
 Estelle won Glamour Magazine's special editor's award 2009 |
Estelle has revealed she's working with a number of producers on her new album.
Wyclef Jean, Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek have all begun work on the follow-up to 2008's Shine.
The singer wouldn't confirm whether rapper Kanye West would appear on the LP, as he did on number one single American Boy.
Estelle said: "I'm just recording this new album, I'm sick of singing American Boy, so I should do something new."
Estelle confirmed a number of big name producers have begun helping her work on new material.
"Swizz Beatz, Wyclef, I think we're going in with will.i.am next week again.
"A new guy called Dave Sitek from TV On The Radio - an amazing producer and brand new guy called Alex The Kid, he's from London as well. I'm putting the features together now so it's coming together.
"It's going great, big songs, big hooks. More of the same, but some freshness. Big producers, same thing."
A title and release date have yet to be confirmed for the albumThe mad world of Marilyn Manson
"Do you want a fight? Do you want a fight with me?"
I met Marilyn Manson less than two minutes ago.
I am supposed to be interviewing the dark prince of rock, the grotesque goth who, as legend has it, is vampire, zombie and demon rolled into one.
And it's already the strangest interview ever. I expected him to be a bit weird - but not like this.
I also expected the shock rocker to be highly articulate. From other interviews I've watched, I know he can be the intelligent voice of a troubled generation.
But today, it's clear that Marilyn Manson is just troubled.
He is in a dingy radio studio at the BBC's Maida Vale complex, where he has just finished a shambolic radio session. Our interview is four hours late.
Next door, a BBC Radio 3 choir is singing Karol Szymanowski's Stabat Mater. I just hope he doesn't stumble into their studio by mistake.
Inside, wearing a plain black hoodie and his usual morbid pallor, he's in high spirits, joking with his band and the studio crew.
As we start, it becomes clear that he can't or doesn't want to give coherent answers, except for those that end with comments about sex, violence or preferably both.
His preoccupation is such that I have heavily edited his comments to cut out large chunks that are lurid, graphic and frankly disturbing.
I'm doing the interview with a colleague, Adrian from BBC 6 Music. Manson starts by ripping the foam cover off the end of Adrian's microphone, before being asked about his fans.
 |   That's what I do best, worst - me being Marilyn Manson, rock star, et cetera, that's what I do  |
"My fans? There's no fans because I was very hot in my room." Adrian tries again, to which Manson responds: "Ceiling fans or standalone?"
There is a glint in his eye. He's toying with us, but his comments are also unnervingly lewd and random.
He carries straight on. "Is that a cellphone?" he says looking at my recording device. It's clearly not a cellphone. "Can I call you?" He then makes the first offer of a fight, not delivered aggressively, but more as a polite, jovial invitation.
Adrian asks him about the Download festival, where Manson is playing this summer. "You said load. And down," Manson interrupts, as if they're the dirtiest words in the world.
I ask my first question, and try to change tack. Can he remember the first time that he performed musically? His weird different-sized eyeballs peer out from under his hood.
"The first time I performed musically I threw up."
When was that?
"Last night. But no, the first time, I had stage fright. I was afraid of the stages and frightening and The Frighteners, which was a bad movie with, what's his name, Michael J Fox.
"So I would say the last time I had… what was the question?"
Next, I try asking where he currently lives. The answer is rambling, peppered with rude words and references to sexual violence. He also starts making weird fluttery whistling noises half-way through.
 Marilyn Manson is currently on a European tour |
The answer finishes with: "Et cetera and so forth and so on and wow and [more fluttering] I like to speak in those kind of terms."
It's getting curiouser and curiouser. So I ask about the film he's supposedly working on, in which he is playing Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll.
"I'm playing him always in life," he replies. "I wrote a script about him because I read his diaries and it was about aphasia to the sky, the sky, left, right, and that's me.
"So I almost quit music because I didn't want to do any more so I want to put it all into film. Right now I'm in love with film. But filming myself. And I'm playing Marilyn Manson."
What stage is the film at? Have you shot any of it?
"No, I shot at someone. But that was a firearm and it was not exactly legal. But I was exonerated from the crime."
I hope and pray that he's joking and plough on. After Adrian asks him about one of his heroes, Iggy Pop, I ask why he didn't quit music but decided to release a new album.
"It was me realising that that's what I do best," he says. "That's not always good, but that's what I do best, worst. Me being Marilyn Manson, rock star, et cetera, that's what I do."
So is the film ever going to… I don't have time to finish my question.
"You want a fight? A film?" he interjects.
The film, I affirm.
"The film," he repeats, before things degenerate again.
Manson manages to answer a question about Motley Crue a bit more coherently, then, thankfully, the interview is brought to a close in less than 10 minutes.
At the time, it was in parts surreal, awkward and amusing. In hindsight, it seems a bit more disturbing. Not scary though. Just sad.
Marilyn Manson's new album The High End of Low is out now.
MTV Eminem stunt 'was rehearsed'
Sacha Baron Cohen's stunt at the MTV Movie Awards, which saw him land on Eminem while baring his naked backside, was pre-arranged, a writer has said.
The rap star was seen storming out of the ceremony after Cohen's alter-ego Bruno landed on him in a skimpy outfit.
But Scott Aukerman, head writer for the awards, wrote on his blog the incident was staged and rehearsed in advance.
"They rehearsed it at dress and yes, it went as far as it did on the live show," he said.
Baron Cohen flew in to the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on a wire before apparently colliding with an obstacle and spinning down to the audience.
Speculation had been rampant over whether the stunt was staged, there was no comment from Baron Cohen, Eminem or MTV.
"Yes, the Bruno/Eminem incident was staged. That's all anyone wants to talk about, so let's get it out of the way," Aukerman wrote.
The article was later removed from his blog.
Twilight win
In the posting, he also revealed the pitfalls of writing for an internationally-televised award show - and admitted that several sketches got cut.
"We tried several things, from topical jokes to sketches," he wrote.
"Anything that didn't involve pointing out a celebrity or saying a curse word fell completely flat during rehearsals. Subtlety just does not work during that show."
Aukerman also revealed that he and the other writers only received "a few hundred dollars" for their efforts.
At the ceremony, held at the Gibson Amphitheatre near Los Angeles, Vampire drama Twilight won five trophies, including best film, best actress from Kristen Stewart and best male breakthrough performance for Robert Pattinson.
Furtado to release Spanish album
Singer songwriter Nelly Furtado is set to release her first album recorded entirely in Spanish, according to US music magazine Billboard.
The star has already been heard singing in Spanish on duets with Colombian rock star Juanes, and on her 2006 Latin American single, No Hay Igual.
The 30-year-old is best known in the UK for Timbaland-produced hits such as Promiscuous and Maneater.
She has also announced a Portuguese language album via her Myspace blog.
Furtado shot to fame in 2000 with her her hit single I'm Like a Bird.
The song won her a Grammy for best female pop vocal performance, while her multi-platinum debut album, Whoa Nelly!, was also Grammy-nominated.
However, the world music-influenced 2003 follow-up Folklore was less successful.
Last year, she secretly married her boyfriend, sound engineer Demacio Castellon.
Ozzy Osbourne sues Black Sabbath bandmate
He says Tony Iommi wrongfully claimed band name
Ozzy Osbourne has filed a suit against his Black Sabbath bandmate, saying he illegally claimed the band name.
In the suit, which was filed at Manhattan federal court, Osbourne says that guitarist Tony Iommi illegally clamed sole ownership of the band’s name at the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Iommi is being sued for 50 per cent interest in the ‘Black Sabbath’ trademark and a portion of his profits from use of the name, according to a story in the New York Post.
The suit also says that Osbourne’s distinct vocal style is one of the main reasons the band became successful, saying they became less popular when he left the band in 1980.
West Wicklow rumbles to African music beat
KILTEGAN HALL was thronged with over 250 people from all over West Wicklow, last Wednesday night, for a free celebration of African music and culture. The concert started with possibly the largest drumming circle ever seen in West Wicklow led by Rory Adams with both adults and children all taking part. Much needed refreshments including teas and snacks were kindly provided by Kiltegan Camogie Club.
After the Drumming Circle, five members of Oleku arrived promptly on stage and treated their hosts to West African rhythms and sounds from the keyboard, bass, drums, trumpet, percussion and saxophone. They received a rapturous response from the crowd who sang and danced along to the show.
The Hall was decorated with African inspired art from Kiltegan and Talbotstown National Schools. Drums, bowls and ceremonial pieces all the way from various parts of Africa itself were also on display donated generously for the occasion by Fr. Liam Blayney and other residents of St. Patrick's Missionary Society in Kiltegan. West Wicklow Arts Network, with funding support from Irish Aid, hosted the headline concert featuring Nigerian band Oleku and a series of drumming workshops in the Kiltegan/Rathdangan area to celebrate Africa Day. Sound Guru, Ciaran Fitzgerald, members of West Wicklow Arts Network and local FAS participants, all prepared for this special night, while outside.
David Fraser ensured that car parking ran smoothly. Gratitude was expressed to Fr. Joe Brophy for the use of the hall.
Catering for the band was expertly provided in Kiltegan by chef, Lucy Hayes, and the band were very appreciative of this example of local hospitality
he concert repeated the success of last year's concert and events in Donard.
The West Wicklow Arts Network is made up of members from the communities between Donard and Knockananna and welcomes interested individuals to attend its next meeting in the Baltinglass Inn (Timmons) on Monday, June 8 at 8.15 p.m.
Meet the man behind India's indie music scene
When you think of a college drop-out who's into heavy metal music, you're likely to conjure up some unflattering images.
But then Mumbai-native Vijay Nair has always been one to defy stereotypes.
For the last seven years, the 25-year-old former commerce student has poured his heart and soul into India's underground music industry, along the way becoming one of the indie scene's best known band managers, festival directors, video producers and record label owners.
And now his hard work is paying off. Literally.
On May 14, Vijay was felicitated in the UK as the British Council's International Young Music Entrepreneur of the year, beating out eight of the world's best and brightest young music entrepreneurs with his highly innovative, sustainable business model, which centres around Only Much Louder and its subsidiaries, all of which Vijay helped to create.
Only Much Louder was the first artist management company for indie bands in India. From OML spawned first Counter Culture Records, a viable distribution option for underground acts with no major label support, and later Babblefish Productions, the video production arm of OML, which aims to give artists a visual identity through music videos, documentaries and podcasts.
Ogunboye Paul, Classical Music Composer, In African Idiom
AT his age, he should have been flapping his hands in the air, hopping about the stage like a monkey, and barking out meaningless words for music as young people do these days in the name of Hip-Hop music. But instead, Ogunboye Paul Olabode has in his musical career, chosen a part more responsible, dignifying and projective of the rich African culture. That part is the composition of classical music in African idiom.
Listening to the piano rendition of his composition like Jesu Wa Ja Funmi (Jesus come and fight for me), Gbadura Funmi (Pray for me), Oluwa Mi (My Lord), Ose O (What a pity) and his popular Ekitisonic, performed by Geir Henning Braaten, an acclaimed Norwegian pianist during a musical concert organised by Royal Norwegean Embassy last February at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, one cannot but feel proud that Paul is a product of Nigeria.
Those are just a few of his works. He has over 20 compositions in his kitty. And apart from his gift in musical composition, this quiet, humble and amiable young man is fantastic on the piano, which of course, is his working instrument. He conducts orchestras and choirs but has lots of passion for transferring his musical knowledge to others through teaching.
At the very beginning, around 1997 when he left secondary school, intrigued by music and the piano, he started studying music all by himself. He sat down on the piano and practiced for a whopping 10 hours everyday! "With the little I learned then I started teaching others," he says.
The son of a drilling engineer, he was however brought up by Pastor and Reverend Mrs. J. A. Famodun of CAC Orisunmbare 1 around Idimu, Lagos. Between 1996 and 1997, he attended Shasha Community High School where he was the senior prefect. While he was in this school, he took part in various drama and musical activities.
In 1999, he met Emeka Nwokedi, conductor of the MUSON choir, who gave him some elementary piano lessons and encouraged him to go and study music. "But Marion Akpata, the director of MUSON School of Music, was my first committed piano teacher, while Edna Soyannwo taught me theory," Paul says.
In 2001, he gained admission to study music at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin Lagos. It was in this school that he wrote most of the pieces mentioned above. His work, Ose O was among the works that gave AOCOED victory in a competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to check cultism. He graduated in 2004.
In 2005, Paul went to teach music at the Federal Government College, Ijanikin and later came to MUSON for his Associate in Music on MTN scholarship. While studying at MUSON, he continued teaching. On the graduation day at MUSON (July 2008), he was awarded the Theophilius Ayo Bankole Composition Award worth N100, 000.
After his graduation, he was retained by MUSON School of music where he now teaches piano, theory of music, marks theory papers, conducts practical examinations and sits among the judges during MUSON school competitions. He is also a music consultant who has consulted for clients such as the Council Chamber of Commerce of ICAN and Soundcity 2008 Music Video Award.
Just as it had done for Bach, Handel and other great classical musicians, Paul's musical talent has endeared him to great personalities in the society including Feyijimi Awosika, CEO, Insight Communications; Mrs. Kay Ovia, CEO, Quantum Market; and Mrs. Onari Duke. "I have been greatly inspired by the support and encouragement from these outstanding personalities," says Paul.
Where is he headed to? "I would like to attain the level Akin Euba, Laz Ekwueme, and Ayo Bankole have attained in music. If Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and the rest are using literature to project African culture, I should be doing the same thing with music. I would also like to write for films and advertisements."
Talking about young people and music today, Paul says that youths have lots of talents, but regrets that what majority plays are computer music. "This will not help their musicianship. Youths also need to recognise that God plays a huge role in the success of every musician, and according to Dr. D.K. Olukoya, musicians should be among the richest people if they can follow the right path."
Metallica Filming Concerts For DVD
Metallica will record four shows on their World Magnetic Tour for a DVD.
"We thought it would be cool to document a few shows that are unique and sure to be extra memorable for us, and hopefully for you too," Metallica posted on their website on Wednesday.
Metallica's three-night stand (June 4, 6 and 7) at Mexico City's Foro Sol and a July 7 show in Nimes, France at the Arenes De Nimes, an historic Roman amphitheatre, will be shot for the DVD.
"For any Metallica friends going to these shows, bring your war faces and don’t be scared of the cameras," the web message says.
Metallica's tour in support of last year's Death Magnetic will take them here:
June 4, 6-7 Mexico City, Mexico @ Foro Sol
June 14-15 Helsinki, Finland @ Hartwell Arena
June 17 Oslo, Norway @ Spektrum
June 19 Nickelsdorf, Austria @ Nova Rock Festival
June 20 Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Goffertspark (Sonisphere)
June 22 Milan, Italy @ Datch Forum
June 24 Rome, Italy @ Palalottomatica
July 4 Hockenheim, Germany @ HockenheimRing (Sonisphere)
July 5 Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter
July 7 Nimes, France @ Festival De Nimes
July 9 Lisbon, Portugal @ Optimus Alive! 09
July 11 Barcelona, Spain @ The Forum (Sonisphere)
July 13-14 Madrid, Spain @ Palacio De Deportes De Comunidad Madrid
July 16 Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion
July 18 Hultsfred, Sweden @ Folkets Park (Sonisphere)
July 20, 22-23 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Copenhagen Forum
July 25 Pori, Finland @ Kirjurinluoto (Sonisphere)
July 27-28 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Copenhagen Forum
July 30 Oslo, Norway @ Spektrum
Aug. 1 Dublin, Ireland @ Marlay Park
Aug. 2 Stevenage, England @ Knebworth House (Sonisphere)
Sept. 14 Nashville, TN @ Sommet Center
Sept. 15 Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Arena
Sept. 17 Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse
Sept. 19-20 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
Sept. 28 San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
Sept. 29 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Oct. 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ BankAtlantic Center
Oct. 3 Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
Oct. 4 Atlanta, GA @ Phillips Arena
Oct. 12 Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
Oct. 13 Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
Oct. 15 Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
Oct. 17 Charlottesville, VA @ JPJ Arena
Oct. 18 Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
Oct. 26-27 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
Oct. 29 Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Quebec City, QC @ Colisee Pepsi
Nov. 9 Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
Nov. 10 Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
Nov. 12 Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
Nov. 14-15 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Dec. 5 Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay
Dec. 7 Boise, ID @ Idaho Center
Dec. 8 Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
Dec. 10 Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
Dec. 12 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion at San Jose
Five Local Music Students To Perform In Europe
Five lucky music students from Leyton and Creek Valley will get an opportunity of a lifetime as they prepare for Nebraska Ambassadors of Music “We’ve Got Rhythm” concert tour of Europe.
Kelsey Arrington, Jessica Ernest and Jake Nelson of Leyton and Seth Oliverius and Aaron Woodman of Creek Valley will head to Fremont June 6-8 for music camp to prepare for their concert overseas.
Students were nominated by a music teacher for their citizenship and musical talent.
Students auditioned for entrance into the Ambassador’s program on March 28.
The 2009 Ambassadors consist of 254 students statewide, 39 adults and 39 staff members.
Five of those students are from Leyton and Creek Valley, 14 from Scottsbluff, 6 from Mitchell, 3 from Bridgeport and one from Kimball.
Kelsey is the youngest student from the area to be nominated.
“I want to improve my trumpet playing and singing ability,” she said.
While she has traveled throughout the U.S., Kelsey said this is her first time overseas.
“I will be playing in the band and singing in the choir,” she said. “I am nervous about the flight.”
She said she has been to many other music camps prior.
Kelsey’s mother Pam Arrington said she will accompany the group.
She said 36 states participate in the Ambassador program and that half of those states take turn each year going to Europe to give concerts.
The group will be traveling to Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy and Germany.
This program is administered by Voyageurs International, Ltd. in Wheat Ridge, Colo.
This is the first year that an orchestra and string ensemble will be performing with the group.
In previous year the tour has included two bands and one choir.
A Bon Voyage concert is scheduled at the Nell McPherson Theater at Fremont Senior High School before the students fly to Europe.
Jazz Legend Jeremy Monteiro
S'pore's living jazz legend Jeremy Monteiro sets up music school
One of Singapore's living jazz legends, Jeremy Monteiro has spent more than half of his life in the music business.
But the 49-year-old pianist is not about to sit back and rest just yet as he’s about to set up a music school to groom future jazz talents in Singapore.
His latest project is a collaboration with a group of Singapore classical musicians, the Tang Quartet for the Singapore Arts Festival 2009.
He said: "Where playing is concerned, I've never stopped except once in the eighties I worked too hard when I was doing jingles and playing jazz at night that I collapsed from exhaustion and was in hospital for a few days and had to take a few weeks off because I just got too burnt out from working too hard.
“And then I've had tendonitis problems, I've got surgery twice on my elbow and wrist and also a bad tendonitis case about two years ago when I had to stop playing for two months. That's the only time I've stopped."
So what does the pianist do in his free time?
“I recently discovered the joys of cycling. I used to be an avid cyclist in my teens until my early twenties. I used to ride across Singapore sometimes from Jurong to Seletar Hills. And I left it in my early twenties and about three or four months ago, I started cycling again.”
Jeremy said before that there are only two kinds of music – good and bad music. But this perception of his has changed.
He added: "I don't believe that there's only good music and bad music anymore. I've reached a stage where there's just music I understand and music I don't understand.
“I do listen to some music by bands like Coldplay and actually a little bit of Beyonce. Not a big Kylie Minogue or Britney Spears fan though.
“Right now because I listen to so much music when I'm practising that when I get in my car, I hardly listen to music. I switch it off so I can have silence and I think silence is also a very important part for musicians because silence is the wellspring of creativity.”
Jeremy Monteiro has been conferred academic titles by the London College of Music and Singapore's LaSalle College of the Arts.
But that has not stopped him from thinking about grooming the next generation of jazz musicians in Singapore.
He said: "I've just registered the Monteiro Music School and basically to being certified by the London College of Music and to be a teaching and examinations centre.
“You can start from zero and learn jazz. You don't even have to learn classical music if you don't want to and then go all the way to grade 8 and do your diploma levels. My reason for it is because there's not enough feeder entities to feed good potential jazz musicians so I want to go to where the lack of training is. No one is addressing this. So I want to help these students who will then feed into SOTA, LaSalle and other tertiary institutions that have jazz programmes."
Jeremy said that he is only going to be 49 years old but people think he’s in his mid-50s because he’s been in the music business for a long time.
Phil Spector Gets 19 Years In Prison
Legendary music producer Phil Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering an actress at his Los Angeles mansion six years ago.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler on Friday sentenced 69-year-old Spector to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder, plus another four years enhancement for personal use of a gun.
Spector, who created the famed "Wall of Sound" recording technique during the 1960s, was charged for the 2003 killing of Lana Clarkson, best known for her role in the 1985 cult film "The Barbarian Queen."
He is not eligible for parole until 2028, and if he is not freed then, then under California law his sentence will become a life term.
Clarkson's mother, Donna, fought back tears while reading a brief statement to reporters that did not directly address Spector or the murder.
"All our plans for the future together are destroyed. Now we can only visit her in the cemetery," she said, praising her late daughter's sense of humor, dedication to acting and generosity.
Clarkson, 40, was found slumped in a chair with a gunshot wound to the head in Spector's castle-like home on February 3, 2003, only hours after meeting the producer for the first time at the nightclub where she worked.
As Fidler read the verdict, Spector, wearing a dark pinstripe suit with a white shirt and a red silk tie, showed no reaction. His defense attorney Doron Weinberg, who repeatedly claimed his client was innocent, said he would appeal.
"My reaction is 'Oh my God!'" said Spector's 28-year-old wife, Rachelle. "My husband was tried in the court of public opinion, not in a court of law.
"My main purpose is to prove my husband's innocence and regain his honor," said the petite, dyed blonde. "This is a sad day for everybody -- not just for Lana Clarkson's family who lost a daughter, but I've also lost my husband and my best friend."
During Spector's retrial, defense lawyers said Clarkson, whose career had stalled at the time of her death, had killed herself.
Spector is regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop music history. In the early 1960s, he scored hits including "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby, Baby" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.'"
But during his two murder trials, prosecutors said Spector, who was famed for his work with The Beatles, Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes and The Ramones, had a more sinister side.
Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson painted a picture of the music icon as a gun-crazed eccentric with a "history of violence" toward women who tried to leave him.
"Are you asking if I feel sorry for him? Not one whit," Jackson said after the verdict was reached last month.
"He's getting exactly what he deserves. It feels especially good that no other women are going to suffer at the hands of Phil Spector."
Five female acquaintances had testified that Spector threatened them at gunpoint in incidents dating back to the 1970s.
Spector's former chauffeur also gave damaging evidence, telling jurors that on the night of the shooting, his employer had emerged from a doorway clutching a pistol in a bloodied hand, saying: "I think I killed somebody."
Only weeks before Clarkson's killing, Spector gave a rare interview in which he described himself as "relatively insane."
Asked if Spector had ever been violent towards her, his wife Rachelle said "I don't want to comment."
Defense lawyers however argued there was no forensic evidence to convict Spector, pointing to the absence of gunshot residue on his hands and clothing.
In his sentencing recommendation however, prosecutor Jackson accused Spector of "pulling guns on women for decades" and gave a graphic description of how police believe Clarkson was killed.
"Spector had pulled a loaded gun from the bureau drawer and threatened Lana with it as she attempted to leave the residence," Jackson wrote.
"As Lana was seated in a chair by the back door with her purse slung on her right shoulder Spector produced the gun, the end result of which was Lana being shot through the mouth as she recoiled in fear."
Jonas Brothers I Wan'na Be Like You Music Video
Oh, oobee doo, I wanna be like you. I wanna walk like you, talk like you, too ... Prev | Next. View Music from the 3D Concert Experience by Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers - Play My Music
Play My Music by Jonas Brothers, Music Video and Lyrics Play My Music is the second single from Camp Rock, a Disney Channel Original Movie.
Green Day - Viva La Gloria
amazing song i love how right at the first "Gloria, viva la Gloria" it goes from a "normal" ballad, to a rock "ballad". It almost seems like the first part
Akon - Beautiful
Akon Beautiful lyrics . These Beautiful lyrics are performed by AkonWhen I see
you I run out of words to say I wouldn't leave you 'Cause you're that
Linkin Park-Pushing Me Away-With Lyrics
Linkin Park Pushing Me Away lyrics in the Hybrid Theory Album. These Pushing Me Away lyrics are performed by Linkin ParkI?ve lied to you The same way.
Linkin Park - No More Sorrow
Watch the video for Linkin Park – No More Sorrow from the album Minutes To Midnight. This song was made available as downloadable content for Guitar Hero 3.
Los Papines Co-founder Ricardo Abreus Passes Away in Havana
Cuban musician Ricardo Abreus, cofounder in 1959 of Los Papines, passed away last Tuesday from a stroke at age 75 in Havana. Ricardo began his career at a very early age and became popular with his group Papín y sus Rumberos performing at the Tropicana Cabaret and other venues. Following, he founded Los Papines with three of his brothers. The popular vocal and percussion quartet debuted at the Salon Parisién of the Hotel National in a production directed by Amaury Pérez.
They went on to develop a repertoire of Afro-Cuban songs, especially rumba, marked by a mastery of percussion, for which they gained international recognition. Los Papines have played on important stages in more than 50 countries and have recorded numerous CDs. They were recently the subject of a documentary by EGREM.
University of Calypso Brings Together Calypso Legend and Steelpan Virtuosity
With the June 23, 2009 release of University of Calypso (HUCD3168) on Heads Up International, steelpan master Andy Narell joins forces with calypso legend Relator to explore the role of jazz in vintage calypso. Together, they perform 15 classic compositions by Lord Kitchener, Lord Melody, Mighty Terror, Roaring Lion, Spider, and Relator, supported by a group of world-class Latin-jazz cats who can swing the calypso and blow le jazz hot. It’s been over 50 years since a major calypsonian went into the studio with a bunch of jazz players. This CD is cause for serious celebration!
In many ways this project was inspired by Lord Kitchener’s forays into jazz in the 1950s. Kitchener (real name Aldwyn Roberts; now respectfully nicknamed Grandmaster) was arguably the greatest songwriter in the history of calypso. Born in Trinidad in 1922 (where he passed away in 2000) he was largely responsible for calypso’s evolution into a melodically and harmonically sophisticated music. He was a fabulous lyricist as well, and a great commentator and humorist on a wide array of subjects. He emigrated from Trinidad to London in 1948, where he discovered jazz—and wrote a very hip composition called "Bebop Calypso" praising Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He stayed in London throughout the ‘50s, playing with jazz musicians and making numerous recordings that revolutionized calypso music.
Afrobeat in Mozambique & Portugal
On the 15th of June, Cacique´97 will release their debut album - The first Afrobeat Band from Mozambique and Portugal. The Portuguese capital, Lisbon has always been a stage for the meeting of several cultures, mostly due to the past of the city as the capital of a colonial empire in Africa and Latin America.
Nowadays it is a huge pot of creativity which attracts artists from all over the world and it is a privileged space where musicians find each other, share ideas and mix rhythms. It is from this mixture that, in 2005, afro beat collective Cacique..97 was born. With musicians with Mozambican and Portuguese origins, this collective incorporates members from groups such as Cool Hipnoise, Philharmonic Weed and The Most Wanted, well known projects in the areas of funk, reggae and the Afro sound.
Abu Dhabi's World Music Series a Success
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage's (ADACH) World Music series concluded this year's program with a concert by an Azerbaijani musical legend yesterday. The series (Music of the world in Abu Dhabi), launched in October 2008, brought UAE citizens and residents a number of famous international musicians and singers for a period of eight months.
So far 16 thousand people have attended its 15 concerts, but ADACH is already preparing for its upcoming October 2009 music program, which will be announced soon.
"The organization of the festival is part of the belief of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in the importance of hosting the most famous musical events, as part of its strategy to make Abu Dhabi as the capital of culture in all aspects and manifestations," said Abdullah Al Amiri, Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at ADACH.
Locos Por Juana Delivers Infectious Latin Beats at Taste of Durham
Locos Por Juana, one of the hottest Latin alternative rock bands in the United States visited Durham (North Carolina) to perform at the Taste of Durham festival on Saturday, May 23rd. There has been a lot of talk about the multinational Miami-based band and they did not disappoint the multiethnic crowd in Durham. Locos Por Juana combines infectious energy rock with infectious Latin rhythms from the Caribbean and South America, as well as reggae, hip hop and American funk. In December of 2008, the band was nominated for "Best Latín Rock Or Alternative Album" for their album titled “ La Verdad”.
Dennis Noda, Internationally Known Asian
Dennis Noda, one of the few Asian-American musicians who attained recognition from artists and audiences throughout the world, passed away on May 19.
Dennis, a funky, rockin’ bBassist and vocalist with a high visibility facto, was one of the few Asian-American musicians who has attained recognition from artists and audiences throughout the world. His impeccable sight-reading abilities, energetic stage presence, and rock solid groove, made him an in-demand studio and touring musician. He was a devout Christian who gave of his time freely. He was a kindred spirit, loved by all and will be sadly missed by his wife, children, family and his friends and
Brian Eno Artwork Illuminates Sydney Opera House
The aim is to provoke "visual ecstasy" and "heightened calm," says music producer Brian Eno of his audiovisual artwork 77 Million Paintings, which is illuminating the Sydney Opera House’s sails as part of a sound and light festival in the city.
The inaugural Luminous festival, curated by Eno and running through June 14, was launched with the first display of 77 Million Paintings, which is being shown each night. The work, which has already been seen in the U.S. and Europe, uses "self-generating software" to manipulate 300 of Eno's drawings in a constantly evolving display of color, shape, and form. Sydney Opera House Chief Executive Richard Evans said, "We're not coloring in the opera house. We're actually kind of taking the art of the opera house and raising it to a different level."
Neil Young's Archives almost worth the wait
"It's already together. All you have to do is make sure it's in chronological order, pick the art that goes with it, pick the packaging (and) put it out."
That's how Neil Young summed up his Archives box to a biographer.
In 1991.
That was two years into the project.
What happened between then and now, only Neil knows for sure. All I know is that Archives has been a Holy Grail of rock 'n' roll for so long, it makes Chinese Democracy look like a rush job.
But finally, after countless blown deadlines, a few technological upgrades and ever-expanding horizons, Archives Vol 1: 1963-1972 -- now supposedly the first of four boxes chronicling the Canadian folk-rock icon's long and winding career -- is here.
For real. I've got it. I've heard it. I've watched it. And you know what? It was almost worth the wait.
Available Tuesday in three formats -- on 10 Blu-ray DVDs (about $315 online), 10 regular DVDs (about $265) or eight CDs (about $100) -- Archives Vol. 1 is almost worth the price, too.
Simply put, it's monumental in every sense of the word. It's technologically innovative. Historically definitive. Exhaustively (and exhaustingly) detailed. Artistically revealing -- and not just for fans.
Michael Jackson shows in jeopardy
Morrissey has pulled two further shows on his current UK tour, bringing the total number of cancellations to seven. Skip related content
The former Smiths frontman has been struck down by an undisclosed throat problem in recent weeks, throwing his live jaunt into disarray.
He was due to play London's Brixton Academy tonight and tomorrow night but they are both now off.
Promoters are hoping to reschedule the gigs but he is currently "on continued doctor's orders not to sing".
The news comes just days after Morrissey celebrated his 50th birthday, making a one-off return to the stage with a homecoming show in Manchester.
Three subsequent gigs were then cancelled, with the singer rescheduling a handful as part of his autumn tour, which kicks-off in Birmingham on October 23.
Morrissey Cancels Remaining Brixton Dates
Morrissey has cancelled the remaining two nights at London's Brixton Academy due to his ongoing illness.
The Smiths legend had already cancelled last night's show, but now the dates tonight and tomorrow (May 29th and 30th) have also been axed.
A statement on Morrissey's website reads:
“Regrettably, the rest of Morrissey’s UK tour dates at the O2 Academy Brixton have been cancelled. Morrissey is on continued doctor’s orders not to sing. Ticket holders are advised to hang on to their tickets and await further information.
“Event Organizers would like to apologize to fans for the disappointment. Additional information will be issued as soon as possible.”
Morrissey has now cancelled a total of seven UK dates in due to his suspected throat problem.
Dr Dre Debuts 'Detox' On New Ad Campaign
Fans waiting for a taste of Dr Dre's new album 'Detox' are set to be pleased, by an advert for Dr Pepper.
The long delayed record will get a super short debut when a new campaign featuring the rapper starts airing from June 1.
During the 'Trust Me, I'm A Doctor' clip a beat from the record, which is expected to be released in late 2009, gets played for several seconds.
In the ad, Dre says: "Scientific tests prove when you drink Dr. Pepper slow, the 23 flavors taste even better. For me, slow always produces a hit."
Michael Jackson To Postpone More London Shows?
Michael Jackson could be about to postpone more of London residency according to reports in today's British tabloids.
The star has already delayed the start of the London gigs by five days on productions grounds.
But today's Sun newspaper, which has maintained Michael has cancer, claims the singer could postpone more shows in order to have radiotherapy.
It is thought Michael has the option to have full treatment, which could jeopardise the whole tour, or undergo a more mild form of treatment.
“Michael has a devil of a decision. The temptation is to go for the treatment which will allow him to perform,” a source said.
“The last thing he wants is to let down his fans. But it may well turn out that radiation therapy is still needed if the cancer is deep in his cells.
“That can have really nasty side effects and leave him unable to sing at all.”
Despite the newspaper's cancer claims, promoters have maintained that the 50-year-old star is in good health.
But he has regularly been spotted leaving a medical facility in recent weeks which specialises in cancer treatment.
Michael has not performed a full concert since he was cleared of child molestation charges in 2005.
Morrissey cancels the rest of his UK tour
Morrissey has cancelled the remaining tour dates of his current UK tour because of illness.
The former Smiths singer's two shows at the London O2 Academy Brixton, which had been set to take place tonight (May 29) and tomorrow (30) have been pulled, it was announced today.
The news follows other cancellations across the UK, as Morrissey follows doctor's orders to recover from a throat illness.
A statement on behalf of the singer explained: "Morrissey is on continued doctor's orders not to sing."
In the statement fans were advised to hold on to tickets, and await details of possible rescheduled gigs.
Morrissey did manage to play a show in Manchester last week (May 24) on the day of his 50th birthday.
Kasabian: 'We're not a lad rock band'
Kasabian's Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno have told NME.COM that they can't understand why people label the band as 'lad rock'.
In an interview which you can read in full in this week's issue of NME, Pizzorno said that people are wrong to pigeonhole the band, despite their close association with frends and regular touring partners Oasis.
When asked if Kasabian's new album 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' is an attempt to shrug off the lad rock tag, Pizzorno replied: "We never were one."
He added: "If you put our records on and press play, there's no pub rock in that, man. It's really British rock'n'roll. It is what it is. It kind of makes me laugh when people say that - you ain't got no idea."
Speaking of the new album, Meighan claimed that it shows the band moving in a more ambitious direction than their previous work.
"I think the album shows how beautiful we are as a band," he explained. "How beautiful we've become. It was an ugly duckling, but now it's grown up. It's kind of flowered, blossomed. I think we've matured in every way."
Townsend to Kick Off 2-month Music Series
The Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend kicks off the fourth season of its summer concert series, Sunset Music, in a couple of weeks with a concert by Boston string band Hokum’s Heroes on Friday, June 12.
The series provides more than two months of live music from local, regional, and national acts at the Heritage Center’s outdoor amphitheater, which this year features new sound and lighting systems, an expanded stage, and a roof so concerts can be presented rain or shine.
The series continues with blues rockers Blue Mother Tupelo on June 19; Sparky and Rhonda Rucker on July 3; the John Myers Band on July 24; Wild Blue Yonder on July 31; Y’uns on Aug. 14; and champion flatpicking guitarist Steve Kaufman on Aug. 21.
All shows start at 7 p.m. Admission is $4 (Heritage Center members get in free). Three more concerts for the fall are to be announced soon.
Music May Temper Pain in Preemies
Playing music seems to reduce pain and encourage feeding in premature infants, University of Alberta researchers report.
Music is being widely used in neonatal units across North America, but how beneficial it is to the infants remains unclear.
Lead researcher Dr. Manoj Kumar, an assistant clinical professor in the neonatal division of the pediatrics department at the university, said the study "found some evidence to suggest that music may have beneficial effects in terms of physiological parameters, behavioral states and pain reduction during painful medical procedures in the neonates."
"Music was also noted to improve oral feeding among the preterm infants who were having difficulty making transition to oral feeding," he said.
These benefits, if confirmed, have the potential to save health-care resources by using less pain medication and enabling an earlier transition to oral feeding and discharge from the hospital, he noted.
The report is published in the May 27 online edition of the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
For the study, Kumar's team analyzed data from nine trials, including six that looked at music played while infants underwent painful procedures such as circumcision or having a heel pricked to obtain blood samples. The others looked at music played for premature infants.
Measurements such as heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and pain were used to evaluate the benefit of music.
In studies that involved circumcision, music was found to have benefits for the infants' heart rate, oxygen saturation and pain. Several studies that involved a heel prick also reported evidence that music could have a benefit in reducing pain and improve behavior. The music played ranged from classical to lullabies and nursery rhymes.
"Calmer infants, a stable condition in the child's physiologic functions such as heart rate and higher oxygen saturation, and lesser pain during the painful procedures such as circumcision and blood sampling via heal prick" were all reported, Kumar said.
"One study noted that the use of a pacifier-activated lullaby system in the preterm infants helped improve their oral feeding rates," he said. "These infants were previously documented to have difficulty in making the transition to oral feeding."
However, Dr. F. Sessions Cole, director of newborn medicine and head of the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital, thinks the jury is still out on whether music in intensive care units works in reducing infant discomfort.
"This article provides a systematic analysis of available information concerning the possible usefulness of music for pain management among sick newborn infants who are undergoing procedures," Cole said, but he noted that "the authors indicate that the methodological problems with all of the reported studies preclude any conclusions about the efficacy of music therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit."
"I know many of us would like this music-based strategy to work to reduce use of pain medications and to improve outcomes of these fragile, high-risk infants," Cole said. "However, based on this article, evaluation of the use of music for pain relief among sick newborn infants is experimental at best and will require more carefully designed, methodologically rigorous strategies before any kind of conclusion about its usefulness can be made."
Dr. Charles R. Bauer, a professor of pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology and psychology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, noted that research on the benefit of music for infants is sketchy at best.
"The use of music as a soothing intervention for infants is well known," Bauer said. "We know that a neonatal intensive care unit is an abnormal situation. The interventions that the babies undergo are always painful and always uncomfortable, so any attempt to try to soften that environment is a positive intervention."
As an effort to improve the infant's environment, music is worthwhile, Bauer said. "But from an academic standpoint, it is considered very soft science so it's not being used widely, and this article does not advance the cause," he said.
Bauer thinks that randomized trials are needed to really show whether music therapy in such situations is beneficial or not.
Bill Engvall to host Country Music Television awards
Comedian Bill Engvall will host the Country Music Television awards next month.
The show will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, on June 16.
Performers include Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard.
Engvall hosts the CMT series Country Fried Home Videos and is the star of the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.
Streams Music To Android-Based
A new music application from European music service Spotify is attracting attention at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco. The app, for devices using Google's Android open-source mobile platform, allows a user to search, browse and stream music.
Spotify released a video at the conference and on YouTube that displays the app, which enables a user to wirelessly sync playlists on an Android device with a PC and listen to cached music offline.
'New Way to Enjoy Music'
The popular Spotify service is reportedly preparing to launch the service in the U.S., as well as into a variety of devices -- including connected game machines. On its Web site, it describes the service as "a new way to enjoy music," offering "no restrictions in terms of what you can listen to or when." The service offers legal and free access to a large music library, backed by advertising. Many of the songs can also be purchased by users in the U.K., France and Spain.
Sonal Gandhi, an analyst with industry research firm Forrester, said the music service "is surprisingly very successful in the U.K." One reason, she said, is that the proposition is simple for people to understand.
Third-party music applications for phones have been steadily emerging, Gandhi pointed out, of which Pandora's is the best known. Others include Imeem, Last.fm and Clear Channel. As they proliferate, she noted, more users are listening to music from their phones.
The availability of the Spotify application for Google's Android could affect Apple's reign as the leading music provider over the Internet. Meanwhile, the pace of Android adoption is picking up. Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms, told the I/O conference that 18-20 Android phones will be on the market this year, beyond the two currently available, both made by device maker HTC.
A Developer Challenge
And as more Android devices emerge, Google is adding to developer incentives with the second Android Developer Challenge, which was announced at the I/O conference.
The installed base is the biggest incentive for Android app developers, and it may soon get a big boost as the world's largest mobile device market, China, gets into the game. Earlier this week, Peter Chou, head of HTC, told The Wall Street Journal that his company will be working with China Mobile, the largest mobile-phone operator in the world, to offer a version of the HTC Magic smartphone in that country next month.
As the only major vendor that has so far released Android-based phones, the move by Taiwan-based HTC into China could have a substantial impact on the growth of the Google-backed open-source platform. And it could provide an unprecedented opportunity for a major mobile music service to take hold on a growing platform.
Slumdog makers in Mumbai
The makers of Slumdog Millionaire have promised new homes to two of the film's young stars.
Despite their international success, Rubina Ali, nine, and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, ten, found themselves homeless after city authorities tore down parts of their Mumbai slum.
Rubina, who played the hero's love interest Latika, has been staying with relatives, while Azharuddin, who played the tearaway brother Salim, sheltered under tarpaulins and blankets.
Director Danny Boyle, who flew to India along with Christian Colson, said progress had been made in securing legal accommodation for the children through a trust fund set up by the filmmakers.
He added: "It's obviously a concern, it's a terrible concern and one of the reasons that we started the trust was to try to deal with emergencies like that.
"And we can say that the trust is making progress in making sure that they have got solid, legal accommodation to live in."
Rubina's father Rafiq Qureshi said: "It is these people's responsibility to get us houses, as the children have done so much hard work in the film."
Rihanna
Rihanna is among the witnesses whom prosecutors plan to call during a hearing in Chris Brown's assault case, an attorney said Thursday.
Donald Etra, Rihanna's lawyer, told reporters that prosecutors have told him the Barbados-born singer will receive a subpoena to testify at a preliminary hearing June 22. The hearing will focus on whether there is enough evidence to continue the case against Brown.
Etra said Rihanna will comply with the order. It would mark her first appearance in court since felony assault and criminal threats charges were filed against Brown in March.
If she is called to testify, the 21-year-old singer would be subject to cross-examination by Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos.
Other potential witnesses have not been named, but will likely include police investigators.
Brown was arrested in February on suspicion of hitting and choking Rihanna in a rented car hours before the couple were scheduled to appear at the Grammys.
Etra wouldn't address their relationship now, but said Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was following the case closely.
A judge on Thursday rejected a motion by Geragos to receive police and investigative records related to the case and the apparent leak of a photo of a beaten and bruised Rihanna.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg told Geragos the motion was premature and he could file it again after the preliminary hearing.
Brown wasn't in court Thursday, but he's required to attend the preliminary hearing. The 20-year-old R&B singer faces possible sentences that range from probation to nearly five years in prison if convicted.
Geragos argued that he should have access to the records to properly cross-examine police witnesses during the preliminary hearing. He also said intense public interest in the case should require the records' release.
Schnegg said Brown's fame wasn't an issue she was going to consider. She also called Geragos' motion "a fishing expedition."
She also said the records, which Geragos wants to use to search for police bias or misconduct, don't have anything to do with Brown's arrest. She said officers responded to a 911 call and the "Run It!" singer was arrested well before the photo of Rihanna's battered face was posted by celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.