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Friday, 5 September 2008

Billboard CD reviews: B.B. King, The Verve

ARTIST: B.B. KING

ALBUM: PRODUCER: T BONE BURNETT

NEW YORK (Billboard) - In the heat of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp and all that's come before, T Bone Burnett is on such a producing roll out that his presence threatens to overshadow the artist(s) he's working with. But that's hardly the case on B.B. King's first new studio album in tercet years. Burnett's concept for the 12-track set -- to make the 82-year-old King revisit songs he played at the very beginning of his calling -- plays out in an inspired outing that finds King replacing the fire of his young person with a confident authorisation. King laces lyrical solos and fills into every song, a list that ranges from Blind Lemon Jefferson's "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean," T-Bone Walker's "I Get So Weary," Big Bill Broonzy's "Backwater Blues" and the Mississippi Sheiks' "Sitting on Top of the World." The tricks aren't new, merely the old dog silent has pile of bite left.

ARTIST: THE VERVE

ALBUM: FORTH (On Your Own/MRI/RED)

It was no self-aggrandising surprise that the Verve got back together utmost fall after a nine-year hiatus, only what's stunning is the quality of this reunion album. More than whatever of the recent return efforts from like-minded groups, "Forth" non only equals the Verve's best function, but in many cases exceeds it. "Judas" is the most beautiful song the band has ever written, its burbling guitar lines invocation a gloriously bleary New York sunrise. "Valium Skies" is the kind of ready-made anthem that sour the Verve into a superstar in the first base place, patch "Appalachian Springs" and "I See Houses" are hard-hitting hybrids of emotion and virtuosity. Even more beguiling are "Sit and Wonder" and the eight-minute "Noise Epic," which reignite the psychedelic passions of the Verve's earlier releases.

ARTIST: SOLANGE

ALBUM: SOL-ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS (Geffen Records)

On her soph set, Solange not only takes on a sound that differs from her pop-driven 2002 debut, simply she demonstrates that, unlike her sis Beyonce -- who she vehemently refutes comparisons to on "God Given Name" -- she has no reservations around sharing personal experiences. The breakup song "Valentine's Day," on which she gloomily sings, "I sure wish we made it public treasury Valentine's Day"; the bad "T.O.N.Y.," about a one-night stand; and the SoulShock & Karlin-produced "SandCastle Disco," which finds her lightheartedly warning her Casanova not to snap off her mettle, all demonstrate Solange's weenie approach. The electronica-inspired "Cosmic Journey" and the '70s-drenched lead single, "I Decided," further accompaniment the eclecticist sound.�

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Saturday, 16 August 2008

Ting Tings Face Britney Spears At MTV Video Music Awards

The Ting Tings and Britney Spears have both been nominated for video of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Both acts will struggle against Pussycat Dolls, Jonas Brothers and Chris Brown in the same category.

As previously reported on Gigwise, The Ting Tings receive already received one nomination in the best UK video category alongside Duffy, Coldplay, Estelle and Leona Lewis.

The MTV Video Music Awards will take spot at the Paramount Studios in Los Angeles future month.

The observance, which testament be hosted by comedian Russell Brand, will feature a live performance from Lil Wayne.

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Thursday, 7 August 2008

Slaughter

Artist: Slaughter

   Genre(s):
Rock: Hard-Rock
   Metal: Heavy

Discography:

Back To Reality

Year: 1999
Tracks: 12

Revolution

Year: 1997
Tracks: 13

Fear No Evil

Year: 1995
Tracks: 12

The Wild Life (Remastered)

Year: 1992
Tracks: 16

The Wild Life

Year: 1992
Tracks: 3

Stick It To Ya

Year: 1990
Tracks: 15

Stick It Live

Year: 1990
Tracks: 5

Former Vinnie Vincent Invasion members Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum formed Slaughter with guitar player Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias in 1988 in an attempt to cross over to pop out audiences. Their metal style's main focus is on catchy melodies and Mark Slaughter's telling vocal range, particularly his more or less nasal os falsetto. Their first deuce studio albums sold instead well until their vogue fell extinct of party favour with the alternative detonation. The group struggled passim the nineties, and on February 5, 1998, Kelly died in an car fortuity; his last recordings appeared a class after on Aeonian Live. Still, the isthmus managed to regroup without him, releasing Back to Reality in 1999 with new guitarist Jeff Blando.

Monday, 30 June 2008

Will Smith - Smith And Daughter Go To Battle On Big Screen

WILL SMITH and his daughter WILLOW are set for a big screen battle in July (08) when their new films are released on the same day.

Seven-year-old Willow Smith's film Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl is set to hit U.S. theatres on 2 July - the day her father's new superhero movie Hancock opens.

And the actor has already let his daughter know he plans to win the box office crown.

Willow explains, "He said, 'Sorry baby, but I got to stomp on you.'"

"He thinks he is going to be beat me, but I think not. I think I am going to beat him."

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Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Milo and Hayden Make a "Heroes" Sandwich

If the trailer's a rockin' ...

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Sunday, 15 June 2008

Album Chart: Big debut for Usher's 'Here I Stand'

R&B singer Usher [ tickets ] has landed his second consecutive No. 1 album in the US with "Here I Stand," which sold 433,000 copies during its first week in stores.According to Billboard, that marks the second biggest sales debut of the year, behind Mariah Carey [ tickets ]'s "E=MC2," which sold 463,000 copies during its first week out.The "Sex in the City" soundtrack sold 66,000 copies in its debut week, and enters The Billboard 200 chart at No. 2. Billboard bases its flagship album chart on Nielsen SoundScan retail reports.3 Doors Down [ tickets ]'s self-titled set falls two notches to No. 3 on sales of 63,000, while Bun B [ tickets ]'s "Il Trill" slips two rungs to No. 4 on sales of 40,000. Leona Lewis [ tickets ]' "Spirit" is up one spot to No. 4 on sales of 39,000, according to Billboard.Rounding out the Top 10 are Frank Sinatra [ tickets ]'s "Nothing But the Best," Duffy [ tickets ]'s "Rockferry," Carey's "E=MC2," Al Green [ tickets ]'s "Lay it Down" and Death Cab for Cutie [ tickets ]'s "Narrow Stairs."

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Peter, aged 12, is youngest Young Musician of the Year

He is not even in his teens and is dwarfed by his instrument – but Peter Moore is already a musical star.

The 12 year-old trombonist last night added another remarkable chapter to his budding music career after becoming the youngest-ever winner of the BBC's Young Musician of the Year award.

Peter, from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, triumphed over four other finalists from percussion, keyboard, strings and woodwind sections to take the prestigious prize.

The Belfast-born musician's record-breaking performance meant he claimed the youngest winner's mantle from Jennifer Pike, who was also 12 when she won in 2002, by just six weeks. And not even an 8-1 thrashing by Middlesbrough to his beloved Manchester City earlier could dampen his euphoria – nor the thought of heading back to school today.

"It's not sunk in at all. It probably won't until next week," the aspiring concert performer said last night after receiving a standing ovation at the Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff.

"I couldn't believe it when they read my name out and it all seemed to happen so quickly. It feels so good to join all the big names that have won before and think of how prestigious it is.

"To be the youngest winner is just amazing. But I don't think age really matters in a competition like this."

His family background possibly reveals the secret of his outstanding achievements. His parents, Jane and Grenville, both 46, are music teachers and play the French Horn, while his 18- year-old twin siblings also play instruments – brother, David, the flugelhorn and sister, Helen, the tenor horn.

Peter, who started playing trombones when he was seven, was almost not entered into the competition after his mother filled in the form wrongly and had to make a mad dash to the local supermarket to buy a bottle of correction fluid. But, on winning, he urged more young people to get into classical music.

"I think more young people should get into classical music, as it's a good way of educating you about music," said Peter, who also enjoys tennis and doing magic tricks. "In the future, I'd love to give concerts and entertain people, because I just enjoy playing so much."

The third-year student at Manchester's Chetham's School of Music performed Tomasi's Trombone Concerto during course of the weekend and a contemporary piece, Sang till Lotta, by Swedish composer Jan Sandstrom. It was his first time playing in front of a full orchestra.

"Playing with the National Orchestra of Wales was brilliant," he said.

"This has been such a great venue to play in. The audience have been really nice and friendly."

His win caps an extraordinary, and short, musical career. He started playing the baritone horn at the age of five before progressing to the trombone two years' later.

His talent came to the fore and he was later crowned primary school musician of the year in Northern Ireland, where he lived until he was eight.

Passing his Grade 8 trombone exam with distinction at the age of 10, he has been Principal Trombone of the National Children's Band of Great Britain for the past three years.

His proud mother last night said she was delighted with his win but warned the youngster that celebrations were unlikely to get too rowdy or go on too late.

"He's still got to go to school in the morning," she said. "Peter really deserves this. He was fantastic. He just loves playing, and wants to do it in as many places as possible. He's been excited about the contest all week."

The other four finalists were Sheffield-born Jadran Duncumb, 18, on the guitar; flautist David Smith, an 18-year old from Fife; 17-year-old Jim Molyneux, a percussionist from Littleborough; and Ipswich student Erdem Misirlioglu, an 18-year-old pianist. It was the first time it was an all-male event.

The competition's judges included former royal harpist Catrin Finch, 27, and violinist Nicola Benedetti, 21, who also won the competition in 2004 and was this week named best young British classical performer at the Classical Brit Awards.

The other finalists

Sheffield-born Jadran Duncumb, 18, guitar.

The teenager currently lives in Ski, Norway. He has won the Norwegian National Youth Competition twice and starts at the Royal College of Music, London, this autumn.

David Smith, 18, from Edinburgh, flute.

A student from the Scottish capital's St Mary's Music School, the accomplished saxophonist is also a member of the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.

Erdem Misirlioglu, 18, from Ipswich, piano.

The 'A level' student at Ipswich's, Suffolk, travels every week to the Junior Department at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to train on a Saturday. Northgate High School

Jim Molyneux, 17, percussion.

The teenager from Littleborough was the second finalist who studies at Manchester's Chetham's School of Music behind winner Peter. The Lancashire teenager also plays in bands in a wide-range of areas including classical, folk and rock.

Source: BBC.