Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus to sing on Simon Cowell’s Haiti single
Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus have agreed to join the line-up for the charity single Simon Cowell is producing for Britain’s The Sun newspaper.
Susan Boyle, James Morrison, Alexandra Burke, Mika, Cheryl Cole and James Blunt also are among the performers lending their voices to the track—a cover of R.E.M.‘s “Everybody Hurts,” according to The Sun.
The artists, who reprortedly began recording at various locations over the weekend, join previously confirmed participants Rod Stewart, Take That, Michael Buble, Leona Lewis and JLS.
Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi and Wyclef Jean reportedly have agreed to participate in the single; however, no confirmation was available at press time.
Cowell was recruited by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown following the tragic earthquake to quickly put together a charity single to benefit the devastated island country. Brown has agreed to waive taxes on the sale of the song, which Cowell hopes to release as soon as possible.
R.E.M. also agreed to waive publishing fees for the use of the song.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Rod Stewart, Michael Buble cover R.E.M. for Simon Cowell’s Haiti relief single
Rod Stewart and Michael Buble have agreed to record a cover of R.E.M.‘s “Everybody Hurts” for Simon Cowell’s “Helping Haiti” relief efforts. The “American Idol” judge—who is working with The Sun newspaper on the project—also has enlisted “The X Factor” stars Leona Lewis and JLS for the recording. Thursday night, Cowell—at the urging of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown—said he would assemble talent and rush-release a Haiti-relief single within a week to 10 days.
R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs told the British newspaper the band is “deeply touched” that the ballad will be the “Helping Haiti” single. “It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal,” Downs said. The band also has agreed to relinquish all publishing royalties for the charity track.
Cowell reportedly is negotiating with Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, George Michael and Take That to join the recording session. “Simon is working behind the scenes to persuade more acts to come on board,” The Sun reported. “And he is determined they will be all types of musician, not just ‘his’ reality stars.”
“We have short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible,” Cowell told The Sun. “I’d like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic.”
All proceeds from the single will be split between The Sun’s Helping Haiti fund and the official Disasters Emergency Committee.
The single is set to be released later this month by Sony, who has agreed to provide free studio time. The song will be produced by Steve Robson, who has worked extensively with Take That.
Prince pens song for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota native Prince is showing pride in his local football team with the unveiling this week of a new Minnesota Vikings fight song dubbed “Purple and Gold.”
The eccentric, oft-reclusive pop star—who was spotted in a skybox at the Metrodome in Minneapolis last weekend, where he watched the Vikings dismantle the Dallas Cowboys—told Minneapolis TV station Fox 9 on Thursday that he “saw the future” during the game, and decided to pen the song. The song is firmly in the tradition of fight songs, and is free of the Purple One’s trademark funk sound.
The Vikings will face the New Orleans Saints for the NFC championship on Sunday; the winner of that game will earn the right to play in the NFL’s Super Bowl on Feb. 7.
The song’s lyrics, as published in “Prince’s signature idiosyncratic spelling” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, are:
the veil of the sky draws open / the roar of the chariots touch down / we r the ones who have now come again / and walk upon water like solid ground / as we approach the throne we won’t bow down / this time we won’t b denied / raise every voice and let it b known/ in the name of the purple and gold / we come in the name of the purple and gold / all of the odds r in r favor no prediction 2 bold / we r the truth if the truth can b told / long reign the purple and gold / the eyes say ready 4 battle / no need 4 sword in hand / we r all amped up like a rock n roll band / ready 2 celebrate every score / ready 2 fight the elegant war / ready 2 hear the crowd roar
Hear a stream of the new song (while it lasts) below via YouTube.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Artists step up for Haiti
Within days of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, entertainers began showing their support for the victims with a variety of charitable efforts including concerts, telethons, recordings, merchandise sales, personal financial donations and more.
One of the more high-profile relief efforts is MTV’s Jan. 22 “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.” The telethon will feature more than 100 entertainers including Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, John Legend and Jay-Z.
George Clooney, who pitched the idea for a global telethon to MTV, will host the event from Los Angeles. Wyclef Jean will serve as host in New York and CNN’s Anderson Cooper will commentate from Haiti.
MTV claims “Hope for Haiti Now” will be the most widely distributed telethon in history, airing domestically and internationally across several media platforms. The special will air simultaneously in the U.S. on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT. In Canada, “Hope for Haiti” will air on CTV, CBC Television, Global Television and MuchMusic. The special also will run on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International. “Hope for Haiti Now” also will be the first U.S.-based telethon to air on MTV in China.
The event will be streamed globally on YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, MTV.com and Rhapsody. It also will be available on mobile devises via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and FloTV.
Music from the concert will be available the following day via Apple’s iTunes store, with proceeds going to earmarked charities including Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, United Nations World Food Programme and Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation.
Merchandise, Music and More
Blink-182 has taken a different approach to support Haitian rescue efforts with the release of a limited edition T-shirt that features the band’s trademark Blink bunny carrying a Haitian flag. The band is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts—available through Blink’s official online store—to the Red Cross.
Lady Gaga also is selling a Haiti relief T-shirt at her online store.
On the recording front, Linkin Park’s charitable organization, Music for Relief, has released a benefit digital album that features previously unreleased music by Alanis Morissette, The All-American Rejects, Dave Matthews Band, Enrique Iglesias, Hoobastank, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, Peter Gabriel and Slash. All of the proceeds from the album, which can be purchased at the Music For Relief website, will be divided equally among the rapid response efforts of the United Nations Foundation, the long-term sustainable rebuilding of homes with Habitat for Humanity, and Dave Matthews Band’s BAMA Works Haitian relief efforts.
Rihanna, who performed Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” on Oprah Winfrey’s show this week, has released the recording as an iTunes single, with proceeds being donated to Haitian relief efforts.
Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning to re-record “We Are The World” to aid the Haitian earthquake victims, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Usher, Natalie Cole and John Legend reportedly are among the artists planning to participate on the new recording.
Paste magazine also is contributing to Haitian relief efforts with its “Songs for Haiti” website, which features a collection of MP3s by hundreds of artists including Ludacris, Andrew Bird, Bruce Cockburn, Switchfoot, Umphrey’s McGee and Of Montreal. All donations through Paste will unlock a Download Vault that features 250 songs (and counting), according to the magazine. Paste has added an interesting “honor system” twist to its charitable effort, allowing access to the Download Vault to those who have already donated to a Haitian relief cause.
Rick Ross lent a hand to help aid Haiti’s injured with a charity blood drive in Pembroke Pines, FL, according to peacefmonline.com. The rapper reportedly hit the streets Monday (1/18) to urge the neighborhood residents to donate blood at The Community Blood Centers and 24 Hour Fitness.
Several artists have utilized their Twitter accounts to spread the word about one of the simplest ways to donate to Haitian relief efforts: texting. One of the more common Tweets encourages those interested in helping to text “Yele” to 501501 from your cell phone, which will automatically donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Several other musicians are supporting the cause by directing fans to legitimate fundraising and aid organizations. Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke both issued statements urging fans to support Oxfam’s efforts.
Willie Nelson is encouraging his fans via his website to attend the Jan. 24 “Help Austin Help Haiti” concert that will benefit the Clinton Bush Fund and Oxfam. The show will feature Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Sexton, Jack Ingram, Joe Ely Band, Kelly Willis, Robert Earl Keen, Shawn Colvin and more.
Maxwell—whose mother grew up in Haiti—also has participated in bringing awareness and aid to the Haitian people. After attending an emergency meeting organized by President Bill Clinton on Thursday (1/14), the performer issued a statement saying the most important thing he learned was that sending cash is the best way to help. “The easiest way to do it is through text messaging, but other ways to help include donating to organizations such as the Clinton foundation, Unicef, Red Cross and Wyclef’s charity Yele Haiti,” Maxwell said. He also has posted links to those charities at his website
Madonna reportedly has donated $250,000 to Partners In Health, a longtime health care provider in Haiti. In a statement, she urged her friends and fans to collectively match her contribution or give in any way possible. “We must act now,” the pop queen said.
Several other events are in the works including a benefit concert organized by George Lopez. The concert, scheduled to take place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles in February, will feature Slash, with more artists expected to be announced in the next few days.
Monday, January 18, 2010
This week’s new albums: Jan. 17, 2010
Motion City Soundtrack, Spoon, Editors, RJD2 and Gretchen Wilson head up this week’s list of new releases.
Motion City Soundtrack, “My Dinosaur Life” (Sony)
The Minnesota power-pop/punk outfit jumps back into the fray with the release of its fourth studio album. “My Dinosaur Life” follows 2007’s “Even If It Kills Me,” which peaked at No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.
“My Dinosaur Life” was produced by Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, who also handled Motion City Soundtrack’s second album, “Commit this to Memory.” The first single from the album is the track “Disappear.”
Motion City Soundtrack will showcase “My Dinosaur Life” during its upcoming North American tour. The road trip commences with a hometown show in Minneapolis, MN, on Jan. 23 and continues through a Feb. 16 gig in San Francisco.
Spoon, “Transference” (Merge)
The Austin, TX-based indie-rock group returns with a follow-up to 2007’s highly successful “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. Spoon frontman Britt Daniels penned the lyrics for all 11 tracks on “Transference.”
“Transference” has already spawned two singles: “Got Nuffin” and “Written in Reverse.” Although Spoon currently doesn’t have any concert dates lined up in North America, the band does plan to spend a week touring Europe in February.
Editors, “In this Light and on this Evening” (Fader)
The British indie-rock act is set to drop its third full-length set, which follows 2007’s “An End Has a Start.” “In this Light and on this Evening” was released in the band’s homeland back in October, quickly rising to the No. 1 spot on the U.K. album chart.
The Editors will support “In this Light and on this Evening” with a 12-city North American tour. The trek begins Feb. 5 in Seattle and is currently set to conclude with a Feb. 21 date in Washington, DC.
RJD2, “The Colossus” (RJ’s Electrical Connections)
The electronic-music whiz kid is hoping to generate a big reaction from “The Colossus.” The album follows the major career retrospective “2002-2010,” a four-disc box set that hit shelves back in October.
RJD2—the stage name for musician Ramble John Krohn—is supporting “The Colossus” by performing in 28 cities throughout mostly the eastern portion of the US over the course of two months. RJD2 is set to perform in Knoxville, TN, tonight (Jan. 19) and will remain on the road through a Feb. 20 date in Urbana, Il.
Gretchen Wilson, “Greatest Hits” (Sony)
The Illinois native treats her fans to an 11-cut collection of her best-known songs. Wilson’s “Greatest Hits” includes such favorites as “Redneck Woman,” “Here for the Party” and “Homewrecker.” It also features a live recording of the country star covering Heart’s “Barracuda.”
Also in stores this week:
Aziz Ansari, “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening” (Comedy Central)
Danny Barnes, “Pizza Box” (Ato)
Blue Highway, “Some Day: 15th Anniversary Collection” (Rounder)
Miles Davis, “The Complete Columbia Album Collection” (Columbia)
The Hotrats, “Turn Ons” (Fat Possum)
Monica Naranjo, “Adagio” (Sony)
Pearl, “Little Immaculate White Fox” (R.E.D.)
Gail Pettis, “Here in the Moment” (OA2)
The Len Price 3, “Pictures” (Wicked Cool)
Lawson Rollins, “Espirito” (Infinita)
South Memphis String Band, “Home Sweet Home” (Memphis International)
Surfer Blood, “Astro Coast” (Kanine)
Various Artists, “2010 Grammy Nominees” (Capitol)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Crazy Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” (New West)
Monday, January 11, 2010
This week’s new albums: Jan. 12, 2010
Vampire Weekend, Ringo Starr, OK Go, O.A.R., Laura Veirs lead the newest batch of new releases.
Vampire Weekend, “Contra” (XL)
The indie-pop quartet is set to drop its sophomore effort. “Contra” follows Vampire Weekend’s eponymous 2008 debut, which sold more than 27,000 copies during its first week and debuted at No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The first single from the 10-track album is “Cousins,” which hit radio airwaves in November. The band recorded the majority of “Contra” in its hometown of New York, although it also worked on the material during a trip to Mexico early last year.
Vampire Weekend will support “Contra” with three shows in New York City, Jan. 17-19, and then head overseas for a European jaunt. The group will kick off its North American tour in earnest on March 14 in Edmonton, Alberta. The trek continues through April 19 in Oakland, CA.
Ringo Starr, “Y Not” (Hip-O)
The former Beatle benefitted from a little help from his friends on his latest self-produced solo offering. Most notably, fellow Fab man Paul McCartney contributes to “Y Not.”
McCartney sings with Starr on the album’s first single, “Walk With You,” as well as plays bass on the cut “Peace Dream.” Other guest performers on “Y Not” include Joss Stone, Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Benmont Tench, Don Was, Glen Ballard and Ben Harper.
OK Go, “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” (Capitol)
The pop-rock foursome is ready to release a follow-up to 2005’s mega-popular “Oh No,” which featured the hit single “Here It Goes Again.” The 13-track “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” is OK Go’s third studio album overall.
The album’s title is borrowed from the book “The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Color of the Sky,” which addresses how illness can be cured by blue light. The first single from “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky” is the track “WTF?”
O.A.R., “Rain or Shine” (Everfine)
The jamming rock band further capitalizes on its reputation as a first-rate live act by releasing its fifth official concert offering. “Rain or Shine” is a four-disc set featuring 37 songs, recorded during a two-night stand at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago.
Laura Veirs, “July Flame” (+1)
The acclaimed singer-songwriter is back with her seventh studio album. “July Flame” follows 2007’s “Saltbreakers.” My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James contributed vocals on several tracks on “July Flame.”
Also in stores this week:
All Time Low, “MTV Unplugged” (Hopeless)
Diana Damrau, “Coloraturas” (Virgin)
Benny Goodman, “Yale University Archives Vol. 3” (Nimbus)
Gene Harris, “Another Night in London” (Resonance)
Freedy Johnston, “Rain on the City” (Bar None)
King Crimson, “Lizard” (Discipline Us)
Seabird, “Rocks into Rivers” (Credential)
Sidewalk Prophets, “These Simple Truths” (Fervent)
Various Artists, “I’ll Be There: A Smooth Jazz Tribute to Michael Jackson” (Columbia River)
Various Artists, “We Are the World: An Instrumental Tribute to Michael Jackson” (Columbia River)
Johnny Winter, “Live Bootleg Series Volume 6” (Friday)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Lion King on Broadway” (Disney)
“The Road” (Mute)
“Sherlock Holmes” (Watertower)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Avenged Sevenfold drummer found dead in his home
James Owen Sullivan, founding drummer for the rock band Avenged Sevenfold, was found dead at his Huntington Beach, Calif., home today. He was 28.
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan,” surviving bandmates M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ said in a statement posted on the metalcore group’s official site. “Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.
“Jimmy you are forever in our hearts,” the statement concluded. “We love you.”
According to an Orange County Register report, firefighters were the first to arrive at Sullivan’s home at about 1 p.m. today, and police followed up. Huntington Beach police Lt. John Domingo told the newspaper that it appears that Sullivan died of natural causes.
The Orange County Coronor’s office reportedly has opened an investigation into the death.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Kristin Hersh issues tribute to Vic Chesnutt; Creates fund to cover his debts
Former Throwing Muses frontwoman Kristin Hersh published a heartfelt appreciation of her longtime friend Vic Chesnutt on Friday (12/25).
Chesnutt died on Christmas Day after being in a coma following an overdose of muscle relaxants, and Hersh had tweeted earlier that the overdose appeared to be a suicide attempt.
In October, Chesnutt told Spinner that he was being sued by the hospital over a $35,000 outstanding bill. He also told Spinner that he’d recently reached out to the Sweet Relief organization for assistance, and was told his debt load was beyond the kind of help they could provide.
Chesnutt had recently told interviewers that his hospital debts had been mounting, and the Los Angeles Times reported a figure as high as $70,000.
He’d also been critical of the evolution of health reform efforts in the U.S. House and Senate, recently telling Spinner, “We need to target health care costs, not just insurance for everyone.”
While Hersh’s tribute doesn’t speak in depth to Chesnutt’s financial hardships, a donation button is prominent on the site.
Some of Hersh’s comments are included below:
What this man was capable of was superhuman. Vic was brilliant, hilarious and necessary; his songs messages from the ether, uncensored. He developed a guitar style that allowed him to play bass, rhythm and lead in the same song — this with the movement of only two fingers. His fluid timing was inimitable, his poetry untainted by influences. He was my best friend.
I never saw the wheelchair—it was invisible to me—but he did. When our dressing room was up a flight of stairs, he’d casually tell me that he’d meet me in the bar. When we both contracted the same illness, I told him it was the worst pain I’d ever felt. “I don’t feel pain,” he said. Of course. I’d forgotten. When I asked him to take a walk down the rain spattered sidewalk with me, he said his hands would get wet. Sitting on stage with him, I would request a song and he’d flip me off, which meant, “This finger won’t work today.” I saw him as unassailable—huge and wonderful, but I think Vic saw Vic as small, broken. And sad.
Hersh’s full tribute and donation form are available at http://kristinhersh.cashmusic.org/vic/
Friday, December 25, 2009
Vic Chesnutt dead at 45 after alleged suicide attempt
Vic Chesnutt, whose battles in multiple inner demons fueled a celebrated set of album releases, died in a Georgia hospital on Christmas day after a suspected suicide attempt left him in a coma earlier in the week.
Chesnutt was 45 and had lived in the Athens, Georgia area. His music career began after he lost the use of his legs in a car accident at 18, a situation that he said provided him focus as a musician.
But the physical and emotional challenges of the accident also fueled an adult life mired in depression, drug use, alcoholism and anxiety—demons that Chesnutt spoke and sang of frequently.
Tweets from former Throwing Muses singer Kristen Hersh—a longtime friend of Chesnutt—circulated among bloggers through the day on Christmas Eve.
Among her posts:
and later
Chesnutt’s death had been prematurely reported by several outlets, and Soundspike published an initial article on Chesnutt’s condition on Christmas Eve based on some of that reporting.
But later Christmas Day, Chesnutt’s record label, Constellation Records, issued a statement confirming Chesnutt’s death.
Surrounded by family and friends, Vic Chesnutt died in Athens Georgia this afternoon, Friday 25 December at 14:59.
In the few short years that we knew him personally, Vic transformed our sense of what true character, grace and determination are all about. Our grief is inexpressible and Vic’s absence unfathomable.
We will make more information available according to the wishes of Vic’s family and friends.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Update: Vic Chesnutt in a coma after alleged suicide attempt
Update at 11pm PST on 12/24: After this article was originally published, Billboard magazine published their own report saying Chesnutt had passed. At this point, there are still no official statements.
Update at 11:30 pm PST on 12/24: Within the past half hour, both Billboard and Athens Blur have removed their articles reporting Chesnutt’s death. We’ve updated our headline from “Vic Chesnutt reportedly dead after alleged suicide attempt” to “Update: Conflicting reports on Vic Chesnutt condition after alleged suicide attempt” to reflect these changes. We continue to seek out an official statement and will update this story as new information comes in.
Update at 10am PST on 12/25: The Wall Street Journal reached Don Wilkie, co-founder of Constellation Records. Wilkie said, “There is no truth to the rumour that Vic has died. He remains alive.” We’ve updated our headline to “Update: Vic Chesnutt in a coma after alleged suicide attempt” to reflect this.
Our original story follows:
Reports circulated late Christmas Eve that singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt had died after falling into a coma.
Chesnutt’s label, Constellation Records, had confirmed in a statement that Chesnutt was in a coma mid-day, and Athens Blur magazine broke the news later that Chesnutt had died, though no official confirmation was available at press time.
Tweets from former Throwing Muses singer Kristen Hersh—a longtime friend of Chesnutt—circulated among bloggers through the day.
On Christmas Eve morning, Hersh posted:
and later
Later in the day, the Constellation press statement confirmed the coma.
On October, Chesnutt told Spinner that he’d run into recent financial problems. “Right now, I’m in huge trouble in that the hospital is suing me for $35,000, which is terrifying, and the rub is that I have health insurance. I have hospitalization insurance, for which I pay almost $500 a month, and then on top of that I still owe the hospital $35,000. That is truly an insane system. I did everything right and I’m still under the gun.”
Chesnutt, 45, was partially paralyzed and has been wheelchair-bound since being injured in a car accident at 18. He completed a tour in recent weeks in support of his latest release, At The Cut.