Category: News (Page 22 of 136)

Bob Dylan wants you to make a U-turn

August 28, 2009 /

I have a GPS system. I spent the better part of an afternoon setting it up and figuring out how to operate the thing. Unfortunately, I had lost the mantle that sticks to your windshield, which is the safe and suggested place for the system. As a result, I would hold it up to my ear like a seashell, trying to keep my eyes on road. Still, I’d want to listen to music, thereby drowning out the voice, so I would quickly try to glance at the screen to find out where I would have to turn. Whatever I was doing, I’m sure it was highly illegal, but I can proudly say that I have found the mantle. When I get around to it, I’ll install it.

Anyway, the woman on my system, named “Samantha,” is very robotic. She seems very frigid and often gives the next direction a little too late, as if she wants me to get lost. Thankfully, one of the sharpest and well-traveled individuals alive today, Bob Dylan, is in talks with lending his voice to a GPS system.

You know I don’t usually like to tell people what I’m doing, but I’m talking to a couple of car companies about the possibility of being the voice of their GPS system,” he disclosed.

Motorists who follow Dylan’s directions, however, may take some time to reach their destination. “I think it would be good if you are looking for directions and you heard my voice saying something like, ‘Left at the next street…. No, right… You know what? Just go straight.” He added: “I probably shouldn’t do it because whichever way I go, I always end up at one place – Lonely Avenue.”

Dylan, 66, would not be the first celebrity to lend his voice to a GPS system. TomTom, the sat-nav manufacturer, currently offers the voices of Homer Simpson and John Cleese, while Kim Cattrall, the Sex and the City actress, and The A Team actor Mr T are also popular among British motorists.

How cool would it be if, when you were on specific highway or arriving at a certain city, Dylan would launch into an old story relevant to the location? I doubt I’m the only one who would appreciate this feature. Oh well, maybe in later model.

News

R.I.P. Ellie Greenwich

August 27, 2009 /

Ellie

Beloved singer, songwriter, and producer Ellie Greenwich has died at the age of 68. With her husband and musical partner Jeff Barry, Greenwich composed hits for the Ronettes, the Shangri-Las, Tommy James & the Shondells, and Manfred Mann.

In 1962, she was discovered by songwriter-producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in the historic Brill Building when they heard her playing piano in a waiting room. Greenwich began writing hits with others and was often used as a session singer. Later on, when she met Barry, her career took off as the team composed such classics as the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and Manfred Mann’s “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy.” Unfortunately, their marriage ended, but they continued to work together through 1966 after they discovered Neil Diamond and helped launch his career.

In 1986, the popular Broadway show Leader of the Pack , which focused on her life and music, opened at Bottom Line. Greenwich even appeared as herself in Act Two. The musical continues to experience revivals.

She seemed like a great woman. I’m familiar with so many of her songs yet never knew she wrote them. Samples of her work are available below for your listening pleasure.

News, Videos

Pete Towshend preparing new musical and Who album

August 26, 2009 /

The Who

It’s been a while since we’ve heard any significant news about legendary rock band the Who. In 2006, the group released Endless Wire, their first studio album in 23 years, to generally mediocre reviews. Since then, Townshend and Daltrey received Kennedy Center Honors at the 31st annual awards ceremony in December of last year. As Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan continue to release albums as they get on in years, Pete Townshend has decided to throw his hat in yet again.

“I am writing a new musical,” Townshend blogged. “Floss is an ambitious new project for me, in the style of Tommy and Quadrophenia. In this case the songs are interspersed with surround-sound ‘soundscapes’ featuring complex sound effects and musical montages.”

Townshend said the album is designed as an outdoor “son et lumière piece”, to be debuted in 2011. He is in talks with producers in New York but hopes to release some of the musical’s more “conventional” songs on a new Who album next year.

I’ve seen the Who twice in my lifetime. Both concerts took place at the Hollywood Bowl and were around 2003 and 2007 — I can’t remember exactly. Regardless, they were solid both times and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. The first time I saw them, John Entwhistle was still alive and was still a master bassist. The second time, Entwhistle had just died, but the band decided to continue the tour in his honor. Nevertheless, Townshend and Daltrey were energetic and engaging in each performance. While I forgot about Endless Wire after a few listens, the Who remains one of the few bands from the 60s I wouldn’t mind putting out a new album. I’ll give whatever music Townshend records a chance.

News, Videos

New song from “Where the Wild Things Are” soundtrack

August 25, 2009 /

Wild

By now, everyone has heard of Spke Jonez’s upcoming film, Where the Wild Things Are. The movie, which comes out October 18th, was adapted from Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book. Anyway, Karen O (of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s fame) has assembled a group of musicians, dubbed “The Kids” to help her compose the soundtrack. Taken from the soundtrack’s Myspace,

these include Tristan Bechet (Services), Tom Biller (co-producer with Karen O and member of Afternoons), Bradford Cox (Deerhunter), Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs), Aaron Hemphill (Liars), Greg Kurstin (The Bird and the Bee), Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes), Oscar Michel (Gris Gris), Imaad Wasif (New Folk Implosion, Alaska), Nick Zinner, (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and an untrained children’s choir.

I’m most interested in that children’s choir. I think it will add the perfect touch to the innocence and wonder showcased in the book. Be sure to check out that Myspace to hear the first single, “All Is Love.” The album will officially hit stores on September 29th.

Click below to see footage from some Karen O performances.

News, Videos

Kiss brings Alive/35 Tour to the U.S.

August 24, 2009 /

Kiss

Kiss is bringing their “Alive 35” world tour to the United States to wrap up the lengthy expedition. The tour began in March of last year, spanning Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America, and parts of Canada. Now, Kiss will be returning to home, kicking off the American leg at the Cobo Arena, where they recorded their successful Alive! album some 35 years ago.

This incredible show will feature a new stage set, pyro effects that only the “hottest band in the world” could deliver, and all-new costumes. Fans will be treated to a two-and-a-half-hour set of some of rock’s greatest hits, including “Rock and Roll All Nite”, “I Was Made for Lovin’ You”, “Detroit Rock City”, “God Gave Rock & Roll to You” and “Shout It Out Loud”, as well as songs from the band’s new album “Sonic Boom”. BUCKCHERRY will be main support on all of the KISS Alive 35 North American dates.

Said Gene Simmons, “For 35 years, KISS raised the bar for what a rock concert should really be. This year is no different — all new, all killer… all KISS! The master’s class in rock is in session! KISS rules. Oh yeah!”

“Bigger IS better!” said Paul Stanley. “‘Sonic Boom’ is our future and KISS ‘Alive!’ is our proud past. On this tour you get KISS ‘Alive!’ plus a slew of other classics and soon to be classics. New stage, new battle gear and a pyro arsenal that will again show everyone that there is only one KISS!”

So far, the tour has played to over 2 million fans, making it the largest attended Kiss tour since the Reunion tour in 1996.

Check out the tour dates and some concert footage after the jump.

Sep. 25 – Detroit, MI – Cobo Arena
Sep. 26 – Detroit, MI – Cobo Arena
Sep. 28 – Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena
Sep. 29 – London, ONT – John Labatt Centre
Oct. 01 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Oct. 02 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Oct. 03 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Oct. 05 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Oct. 09 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum
Oct. 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Oct. 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Center
Oct. 13 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Oct. 16 – Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum
Oct. 17 – Greenville, SC – Bi-Lo Center
Oct. 19 – Pensacola, FL – Civic Center
Oct. 21 – Tampa, FL – St Pete Times Forum
Oct. 22 – Sunrise, FL – Bankatlantic Center
Oct. 24 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC
Oct. 26 – Atlanta, GA – Phillips Arena
Oct. 28 – Nashville, TN – Sommet Center
Oct. 29 – Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena
Nov. 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Nov. 07 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Nov. 09 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Nov. 10 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
Nov. 12 – Calgary, AB – Pengrowth Saddledome
Nov. 14 – Vancouver, BC – GM Place
Nov. 15 – Seattle, WA – Keyarena
Nov. 17 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
Nov. 20 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
Nov. 21 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Nov. 24 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
Nov. 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Nov. 27 – San Diego, CA – Sports Arena
Nov. 28 – Las Vegas, NV – [To Be Determined]
Dec. 01 – Glendale, AZ – Jobing.Com Arena
Dec. 02 – El Paso, TX – Utep
Dec. 04 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
Dec. 05 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Dec. 06 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Then…

Now…

Concerts, News, Videos

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