Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Album Chart: Springsteen retains top spot
"The Rising,” Bruce Springsteen’s first album in 18 years to feature his E Street Band, has enough juice to spend a second week in the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 chart.
"The Rising,” Bruce Springsteen’s first album in 18 years to feature his E Street Band, has enough juice to spend a second week in the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Despite seeing its one-week sales total more than halved--from about 526,000 copies to about 239,000 copies, according to industry sources--"The Rising” still manages to edge out the rest of the albums in this week’s rap-heavy Top 10.
With sales of about 208,000 copies, Nelly’s “Nellyville” climbs one spot to No. 2 this week, buoyed by the success of its hit singles “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” which occupy the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, on Billboard’s latest Hot 100 chart. Eminem’s “The Eminem Show"--the latest single from which, “Cleaning Out My Closet,” recently hit the airwaves--follows at No. 3.
Two more rappers join Nelly and Eminem in the Top 10, as Scarface’s “Fix” and Trick Daddy’s “Thug Holiday” debut in the Nos. 4 and 6 spots, respectively. Between the two newcomers is the “Now That’s What I Call Music! 10” compilation, which drops one spot to No. 5.
The Top 10’s remaining stalwarts all lose ground this week, with Linkin Park’s “Reanimation” down five spots to No. 7, Toby Keith’s “Unleashed” down two spots to No. 8, Avril Lavigne’s “Let Go” down one notch to No. 9, and the Dave Matthews Band’s “Busted Stuff” down three places to No. 10.
The two-disc “XXX” soundtrack, which features one hip-hop disc and one rock disc, falls just shy of a Top 10 debut by checking in at No. 11, and is followed by Project Pat’s “Layin’ Da Smack Down,” which debuts at No. 12.
Divebombing its way out of the Top 10 this week is “All I Have,” the debut effort from R&B singer Amerie; the album drops from No. 9 to No. 17. Passing “All I Have” during its own freefall, meanwhile, is Def Leppard’s “X,” which plummets 25 spots to No. 36.
Debuts happening further down the chart include: Phil Vassar’s ”American Child” at No. 44; DJ Sammy’s “Heaven” at No. 67; Jim Brickman’s “Love Songs and Lullabies” at No. 73; Riddlin’ Kids’ “Hurry Up & Wait” at No. 84; Trin-I-Tee 5:7’s “Kiss” at No. 85; No Secrets’ self-titled debut at No. 136; Sasha’s “Airdrawndagger” at No. 157; Meshuggah’s “Nothing” at No. 165; and Cage’s “Movies for the Blind” at No. 193.
Phish to end its two-year hiatus on New Year’s Eve
The popular jam band Phish, which has been on hiatus since October of 2000, will get back into action on New Year’s Eve with a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The popular jam band Phish, which has been on hiatus since October of 2000, will get back into action on New Year’s Eve with a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
After the New Year’s Eve gig--which will feature three sets--the band will perform at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va., on January 2, 3 and 4, 2003.
According to an announcement posted on the Phish’s official website, “the band plans to schedule additional tour dates later in 2003 and will likely record an album sometime next year as well.”
A limited number of tickets for all shows will be available through Phish’s ticketing system beginning on Sept. 5; visit the band’s website for more details.
General ticket on-sales for the New Year’s Eve show are scheduled to begin on Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, and tickets for the Hampton shows will go on sale on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Tickets will be available via local Ticketmaster charge-by-phone numbers and ticketmaster.com only, and won’t be sold at outlets.
In other Phish news, the group will release the next four albums of its “Live Phish” series on Oct. 29. “Live Phish Volumes 13-16” cover the band’s Halloween shows from 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998. At each of the four three-set shows, the band covered a classic album during the middle set: The Beatles’ “White Album”, The Who’s “Quadrophenia”, Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light”, and The Velvet Underground’s “Loaded,” respectively.
The group has also announced plans to release its first concert DVD, dubbed “Phish: Live in Vegas,” on Nov. 12. The DVD was recorded on Sept. 30, 2000 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Monday, August 12, 2002
Luther Vandross leads summer soul tour
Popular crooner Luther Vandross heads up a 19-city R&B tour that will also include Angie Stone, Gerald Levert and Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams.
Popular crooner Luther Vandross heads up a 19-city R&B tour that will also include Angie Stone, Gerald Levert and Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams.
The outing, sponsored by Burger King and dubbed the BK Got Music Summer Soul Tour, kicks off on Thursday (8/15) in Boston.
Vandross’ latest release, his self-titled debut for Clive Davis’ J Records label, was released in June of 2001. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, and features the No. 1 hit “Take You Out.”
Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Stone, who also records for J Records, released her current album, “Mahogany Soul,” on October of 2001.
Soul singer Levert--the son of Eddie LeVert Sr. of The O’Jays--released his sixth album, “Gerald’s World,” in September of 2001.
Williams, one third of R&B-soul trio Destiny’s Child, released her gospel-tinged solo debut in April.
Sunday, August 11, 2002
Widespread Panic guitarist dies
Michael Houser, guitarist for the popular jam band Widespread Panic, died on Saturday (8/10) as a result of pancreatic cancer. He was 40.
Michael Houser, guitarist for the popular jam band Widespread Panic, died on Saturday (8/10) as a result of pancreatic cancer. He was 40.
Last month, Houser released a statement in which he announced that he had been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer.
“I want to assure all of you that all that can be done has been done,” said Houser, “and I want to thank all of you who have contributed information, medicine, and so on. As for me, I am at my home in Athens, Ga., surrounded by my family, and being well taken care of.”
Widespread Panic addressed Houser’s death in a message posted on the its official
“In this very sad time, we encourage you to gather with your Panic families in your hometown and celebrate Michael Houser’s life on Monday, August 12th,” the group said. “Our hearts are with you as we know that your thoughts and prayers are with us.”
Houser’s family has asked that contributions be made to The Michael Houser Music Fund, funds from which will benefit Athens Academy, according to the band’s statement.
“Mike, his wife Barbette, and his son Waker have all been deeply involved with Athens Academy and through this fund the school will be able to provide children with the opportunities to discover the richness and wonder of music that so enriched Michael’s own life.”
Memorials can be sent to: The Michael Houser Music Fund; Athens Academy; PO Box 6548; Athens, GA 30604.
Widespread Panic recently finished its summer tour. For most of the group’s July dates, guitarist George McConnell filled in for Houser, who hadn’t played with the band since July 2.
Houser co-founded Widespread Panic in the early ‘80s. Over the years, the group has amassed a loyal following similar to that enjoyed by the Grateful Dead.
Street Date Aug. 13: James Taylor, Snoop Dogg
Also: Nickel Creek, Branford Marsalis, Pseudopod and more.
Also: Nickel Creek, Branford Marsalis, Pseudopod and more.
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James Taylor - “October Road” (Columbia)
“October Road” is this veteran singer-songwriter’s first new studio album since 1997’s “Hourglass.” A limited-edition version of the release includes a bonus CD that features three old tracks never before included on any of Taylor’s albums:
“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” “Benjamin” and “Sailing to Philadelphia.” Taylor is planning a fall tour, and, meanwhile, has in-store appearances scheduled for Tuesday (8/13) in New York City and Wednesday (8/14) in Boston. Details are available at his official website.
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Various artists - “Snoop Dogg Presents… Doggy Style All Stars: Welcome to tha House, Vol. 1” (MCA)
Snoop’s new compilation album features appearances from Cam’ron, Nate Dogg, Prodigy, Lady of Rage and more. The CD gives users access to bonus content that includes unreleased tracks, music videos and a preview of Snoop’s current project, which is a home-video titled “Girls Gone Wild Doggy Style.” BET’s official http://www.bet.com/articles/0,,c3gb3511-4179,00.html “>website is streaming the new album.
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Nickel Creek - “This Side” (Sugar Hill)
Nickel Creek’s latest is the San Diego bluegrass trio’s follow-up to its self-titled 2000 debut, which sold more than 600,000 copies. The new album’s title-track and companion music video are posted on CMT’s website, and the band is scheduled to perform on CMT’s “Most Wanted Live” on Aug. 23.
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The Branford Marsalis Quartet - “Footsteps of Our Fathers” (Marsalis Music/Rounder)
“Footsteps of Our Fathers” marks the first release on Marsalis’ new Marsalis Music imprint, which he formed with the help of his father, Ellis Marsalis. “The consolidation of the record industry into major conglomerates has turned the business into a mega-hit pop music machine with a very short term focus,” Marsalis said in a press release announcing the new label. “Artists who want to be musicians, not marketing creations, have very few places to record anymore. We formed Marsalis music to provide a real alternative.” “Footsteps” features the Branford Marsalis Quartet reinterpreting classic compositions by John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, John Lewis and Sonny Rollins, according to Rounder’s official website.
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Pseudopod - “Pseudopod” (Interscope)
The major-label debut of this California quartet was recorded with producer Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down). The band is streaming several of the new tracks at its official website.
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Other new releases:
Bernard Allison - “Storms of Life” (Tone Cool)
Karrin Allyson - “In Blue” (Concord Jazz)
Yolanda Aranda & Enrique Coria - “Intimo” (Acoustic Disc)
Beatsteaks - “Living Targets” (Epitaph)
Howie Beck - “Hollow” (Future Farmer)
Black Coffey - “Black Coffey” (Motown)
Mary J. Blige - “Dance for Me” (MCA)
Blue Mountain - “Tonight It’s Now or Never” (DCN)
Joe Bonamassa - “So, It’s Like That” (Medalist)
Boy George - “Night Out” (Moonshine)
Brad - “Welcome to Discovery Park” (Redline)
Bree Sharp - “More B.S.” (Ahimsa/Union)
Bright Eyes - “Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground” (Saddle Creek)
Constant Flux - “All Things Change” (Lakeshore)
The Cost - “Chimera” (Lookout!)
Éamonn Coyne - “Through the Round Window” (Compass)
Do or Die - “Back 2 the Game” (Virgin)
Bill Douglas - “Homeland” (Hearts of Space)
Cliff Eberhardt - “School for Love” (Red House)
End on End - “Why Evolve When We Can Go Sideways?” (Substandard)
Marianne Faithfull - “Kissin’ Time” (w/Beck, Blur, Pulp and Billy Corgan) (Virgin)
Jay Farrar - “ThirdShiftGrottoSlack (EP)” (Artemis)
Flipp - “Volume” (Artemis)
Steve Forbert - “More Young Guitar Days” (Valley)
Russ Freeman - “Drive” (Peak)
Frou Frou - “Details” (MCA)
Future Sound of London - “The Isness” (Cleoopatra)
Vance Gilbert - “One Thru Fourteen” (Louisiana Red Hot)
Thea Gilmore - “Rules for Jokers” (Compass)
Guttermouth - “Gusto” (Epitaph)
Winsor Harmon - “Stars of Texas” (Neurodisc)
Emmylou Harris - “Nobody’s Darling But Mine” (Catfish)
Hellnation - “Dynamite Up Your Ass” (Sound Pollution)
Hi Power - “Hi Power 2002” (Thump)
Alan and John Kelly - “Fourmilehouse” (Compass)
Paul Krassner - “Irony Lives” (Artemis)
Made Men - “Black Friday” (Produced by Hangmen 3; Swizz Beatz guest) (Red Urban)
Mary Lee’s Corvette - “Blood on the Tracks” (Bar None)
Maserati - “The Language of Cities” (Kindercore)
Brad Mehldau - “Largo” (Warner Bros.)
Milemarker - “Satanic Versus” (Jade Tree)
Peter Mulvey - “Ten Thousand Mornings” (Signature Sounds)
Nerf Herder - “American Cheese” (Honest Don’s)
Noise Therapy - “Tension” (Redline)
Norma Jean - “Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child” (Tooth & Nail)
Paul Oakenfold - “A Voyage Into Trance” (Cleopatra)
Eliades Ochoa - “Estoy Como Nunca” (Higher Octave)
Plankton Man Vs. Terrestre - “Plankton Man Vs. Terrestre” (Provider/:run)
Playgroup - “DJ Kicks” (K7)
Prince - “One Man Jam” (Recall)
The Reindeer Section - “Son of Evil Reindeer” (PIAS America)
Rockapella - “Smilin’” (Amerigo)
Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo - “Roots of Our Nature” (Blind Pig)
Sick of It All - “Live in a Dive” (Fat Wreck Chords)
Slum Village - “Trinity: Past, Present & Future” (Priority/Capitol)
Soundisciples - “Audio Manifesto” (Peaceville)
Sparta - “Wiretap Scars” (produced by Jerry Finn) (DreamWorks)
Peter Stuart - “Propeller” (Vanguard)
Keith Sweat - “Rebirth” (Elektra)
Tama with Assitan Mama Keita - “Espace” (Real World)
Paul Thorn - “Mission Temple Fireworks” (Back Porch)
Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel - “Acoustic Garden” (Narada)
The Two Dollar Pistols - “You Ruined Everything” (Yep Roc)
Wonderlick - “Wonderlick” (Future Farmer)
Zeromancer - “Eurotrash” (Cleopatra)
Various artists - “The 4 A.M. Sound of Tech House” (Lakeshore)
Various artists - “AC/DC Tribute: Backed in Black” (Lakeshore)
Various artists - “Blue Light One” (Nettwerk)
Various artists - “Old Skars & Upstarts 2002” (Disaster)
Various artists - “Raices Latinas: Smithsonian Folkways Latino Roots Collection” (Smithsonian Folkways)
Soundtracks and scores:
“So Little Time” (Trauma)
Original Cast Recording:
“Hairspray" (Sony Classical)
Live Review: Unlimited Sunshine Tour with Cake and others
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- If the acts on Friday night’s (8/9) Unlimited Sunshine Tour bill at Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium have anything in common, it’s that they don’t fit neatly into any format.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- If the acts on Friday night’s (8/9) Unlimited Sunshine Tour bill at Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium have anything in common, it’s that they don’t fit neatly into any format.
The punks have Warped, the rockers have Ozzfest, and just about every radio station has a festival show that reflects the narrow, focus-group-tested sounds that it broadcasts. So in the current environment, Cake frontman John McCrea deserves credit for assembling a package tour that’s more adventurous.
Whether or not the public is interested in his creation is another question. The 3,800-capacity Memorial Auditorium appeared to be only half full on Friday, despite the presence of hometown favorites Cake at the top of the bill. The fans that did turn out were treated to an evening where music--not demographics and corporate tie-ins--came first.
Mexico’s Kinky opened the night with its energetic blend of Latin-flavored techno-rock as the crowd slowly filed into the hall. After a short break--during which a video screen showed a looped film of ocean waves--Issaquah, Washington’s Modest Mouse took the stage. The critically acclaimed band played a subdued and mostly uninspired set, and its moody grunge failed to engage the unconverted in the audience.
The Hackensaw Boys, looking as if they’d just time-traveled to Sacramento from the 1940s, then occupied a corner of the stage to play a short set of tight and fast acoustic bluegrass while the rest of the stage was set for hip-hop mainstays De La Soul.
De La Soul’s Posdnuos, Trugoy and Mase kept prodding the crowd--overwhelmingly white and twenty-something--until virtually everyone was waving their arms in the air like they just didn’t care.
Though every other band on the bill opted for few stage frills, The Flaming Lips don’t work that way. Frontman Wayne Coyne negotiated a crowded set-up that included giant disco balls, fake snow, balloons and grown men in animal costumes (who also happened to be his bandmates). A video screen flashed sometimes-disturbing images (ranging from a Japanese-schoolgirl shootout to the Teletubbies) as the band played its off-kilter-but-melodic symphonic rock.
Most of The Flaming Lips’ set was drawn from its last two albums--the recently released “Yoshimi vs. the Pink Robots” and 1999’s “The Soft Bulletin.” The group also performed its lone Top-40 hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly,” as well as a cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”
The Hackensaw Boys returned for a few more songs as the stage was set for Cake, clearly the band that most in the crowd had come to see.
Opening the set with “Sheep Go to Heaven,” from their 1998 album “Prolonging the Magic,” McCrea and Cake seemed to be leading the crowd in a mostly unprompted sing-along. Though the venues have grown, McCrea--who was wearing a baseball cap and large, Unabomber-style sunglasses--is somehow still able to work a crowd as if he’s in an intimate club.
The band played its hits “Never There” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” back-to back--a ploy that backfired because the songs have similar structures. Other than that, the set was tight and nicely paced.
Toward the end of Cake’s performance, McCrea complimented the crowd on its attention span. But time flew during this five-and-a-half hour show--a credit to the individuality, diversity and artistry of the acts on the bill.
Rolling Stones best-of set to include four new songs
Four new tracks will be among the 40 songs housed on the double-disc Rolling Stones compilation “Forty Licks,” which is set for an Oct. 1 release in North America.
Four new tracks will be among the 40 songs housed on the double-disc Rolling Stones compilation “Forty Licks,” which is set for an Oct. 1 release in North America.
“This is the first time there has ever been a complete and definitive Rolling Stones collection covering the band’s entire career,” EMI Recorded Music vice chairman David Munns said in a statement.
Though a complete tracklisting hasn’t been released, the compilation will include remastered versions of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Brown Sugar,” “Miss You” and “Start Me Up,” according to Virgin Records.
The Rolling Stones will open a world tour in Boston on Sept. 3.
Thursday, August 08, 2002
No Doubt, Garbage gear up for fall tour
Pop-rock acts No Doubt and Garbage are assembling a fall tour that will also feature punk band The Distillers.
Pop-rock acts No Doubt and Garbage are assembling a fall tour that will also feature punk band The Distillers.
Alt-rockers Good Charlotte will join the bill on three dates--Oct. 9, 11 and 14.
No Doubt is on the road to back “Rock Steady,” which has sold nearly 2 million copies in the U.S. since its release in December of 2001, according to industry sources. The band will tour Japan and Australia before returning to the U.S. for the fall dates.
The Gwen Stefani-led group is also scheduled to open for the Rolling Stones in Detroit (10/12), Toronto (10/18) and Atlanta (10/26).
Garbage continues to tour in support its October 2001 release “Beautifulgarbage.”
In Brief: Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill
Benefit to feature Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams and others. Aimee Mann and Beth Orton support Amnesty International. New Bob Dylan song.
Benefit to feature Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams and others. Aimee Mann and Beth Orton support Amnesty International. New Bob Dylan song.
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“Dirty," the first single from Christina Aguilera‘s new album, will be shipped to radio in mid-September, according to the singer’s official website. She’ll release a new album in October.
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Faith Hill will release a new album titled “Cry” on an as-yet-undetermined date in October, according to her label. The title track will be the first single.
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Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Chantal Kreviazuk and Jann Arden will play an Oct. 10 benefit concert for the British Columbia Cancer Foundation on at General Motors Place in Vancouver.
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Aimee Mann and Beth Orton will co-headline a concert to benefit Amnesty International on Aug. 21 at John Anson Ford Theater in Los Angeles.
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Bob Dylan has recorded a new ballad titled “Crossing Over the Green Mountain” for the forthcoming Civil War movie “Gods and Generals.” The seven-minute song will be heard during the film’s closing credits.
Wednesday, August 07, 2002
Ticket Window: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Cher, Elton John, George Strait, Lenny Kravitz, Nelly and The Who.
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Cher, Elton John, George Strait, Lenny Kravitz, Nelly and The Who.
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Bob Dylan
Read about the tour.
- Seattle (10/4, Key Arena), on sale 8/9 at 10 a.m.
- Eugene, Ore. (10/5, MacArthur Court), on sale 8/9 at 9 a.m.
- Sacramento, Calif. (10/8, Memorial Auditorium), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Berkeley, Calif. (10/11-12, Greek Theater), on sale 8/11 at 10 a.m.
- San Diego, Calif. (10/19, SDSU Open Air), on sale 8/9 at 10 a.m.
- Las Vegas (10/20, The Joint), on sale 8/10 at noon
- Tucson, Ariz. (10/23, Valencia Amphitheatre), on sale 8/9 at 10 a.m.
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Bruce Springsteen
Read about the tour.
- Denver (9/22, Pepsi Center), on sale 8/12 at 10 a.m.
- Kansas City, Mo. (9/24, Kemper Arena), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Chicago (9/25, United Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Milwaukee (9/29, Fargodome), on sale 8/10 at noon
- St. Paul, Minn. (9/30, Xcel Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Boston (10/4, FleetCenter), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Philadelphia (10/6, First Union Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Buffalo, N.Y. (10/7, HSBC Arena), on sale 8/10 at 9 a.m.
- Dallas (11/3, American Airlines Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Houston (11/4, Compaq Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Austin, Texas (11/6, Erwin Center) on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Indianapolis (11/10, Conseco Fieldhouse) on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Cincinnati, Ohio (11/12, U.S. Bank Arena), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Greensboro, N.C. (11/16, Coliseum), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Orlando, Fla. (11/21, TD Waterhouse), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Tampa, Fla. (11/24, Ice Palace), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
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Cher
Read about the tour.
- New York (10/17, Madison Square Garden, on sale 8/12 at 9 a.m.
- Toronto (10/24, Air Canada Centre), on sale 8/12 at 10 a.m.
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Elton John
Read about the tour.
- Richmond, Va. (9/5, Coliseum), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
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George Strait
Read about the tour.
- San Jose, Calif. (9/19, Compaq Center), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Sacramento, Calif. (9/20, Arco Arena), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
- Inglewood, Calif. (9/21, Forum), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
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Lenny Kravitz
Read about the tour.
- Antioch, Tenn. (9/13, Amsouth Amphitheater), on sale 8/10 at 10 a.m.
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Nelly
Read about the tour.
- Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (8/30, First Union Arena), on sale 8/9 at 10 a.m.
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The Who
Read about the tour.
- Las Vegas, Nev. (9/14, The Joint), on sale 8/10 at 2 p.m.
- Los Angeles, Calif. (9/17, Greek Theatre), on sale 8/11 at 10 a.m.
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All ticket on-sale times and concert dates are subject to change without notice. Confirm with your local venue and/or
ticket seller.
SoundSpike’s Ticket Window feature is updated each Thursday evening.