Monday, 30 June 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Zombies testing new songs on the road
Kicking off North American tour in July
DETROIT -- The Zombies will have some new music to play for audience this summer -- even if it's not likely to be released until 2009.
Keyboardist Rod Argent said that the resurrected British group, which kicks off a 21-show North American tour on July 3 at the Comerica Tastefest in Detroit, has inserted two fresh songs into the show: his own "I Do Believe" and another, "Any Other Way," written by singer Colin Blunstone. "They go down just as well as anything in the set," Argent reports.
And he said more new material may surface in the near future for the group's followup to 2004's "As Far as I Can See ...."
"What I want to do is play each piece of new material on stage before we record it this time to make sure they work and really break them in on stage as much as possible," Argent explains. "I would also like to record the next album in a very organic way, without lots of overdubs -- just the guys really playing an arrangement that works well on stage and use that very much as the basis of the arrangement that we record."
Argent said the Zombies' "very intense" road schedule is going to make it hard to get the band in the studio for concentrated recording sessions; in that regard he predicts that "it's gonna be a year before a new album's out."
There will be Zombies product this year, though. The group's 40th anniversary performance of the "Odessey & Oracle" album during March at the Shepherd's Bush Empire Theatre in London was recorded for a CD and DVD, titled "The Zombies 'Odessey & Oracle' Revisited: The 40th Anniversary Concert." The CD is due out July 1, with the DVD coming later in the summer.
Argent said he and Blunstone will continue to celebrate the album's anniversary during the Zombies' summer tour, playing at least five songs from it. Meanwhile, the two other surviving founding members -- bassist Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy, who both took part in the March shows, may factor into the Zombies' future, too.
"Getting back together with those guys was lovely," Argent notes, "and we may do a few selected concerts, one-off concerts, with them. But they don't want to be touring all the time, so I think everyone's happy with the situation as it is."
DETROIT -- The Zombies will have some new music to play for audience this summer -- even if it's not likely to be released until 2009.
Keyboardist Rod Argent said that the resurrected British group, which kicks off a 21-show North American tour on July 3 at the Comerica Tastefest in Detroit, has inserted two fresh songs into the show: his own "I Do Believe" and another, "Any Other Way," written by singer Colin Blunstone. "They go down just as well as anything in the set," Argent reports.
And he said more new material may surface in the near future for the group's followup to 2004's "As Far as I Can See ...."
"What I want to do is play each piece of new material on stage before we record it this time to make sure they work and really break them in on stage as much as possible," Argent explains. "I would also like to record the next album in a very organic way, without lots of overdubs -- just the guys really playing an arrangement that works well on stage and use that very much as the basis of the arrangement that we record."
Argent said the Zombies' "very intense" road schedule is going to make it hard to get the band in the studio for concentrated recording sessions; in that regard he predicts that "it's gonna be a year before a new album's out."
There will be Zombies product this year, though. The group's 40th anniversary performance of the "Odessey & Oracle" album during March at the Shepherd's Bush Empire Theatre in London was recorded for a CD and DVD, titled "The Zombies 'Odessey & Oracle' Revisited: The 40th Anniversary Concert." The CD is due out July 1, with the DVD coming later in the summer.
Argent said he and Blunstone will continue to celebrate the album's anniversary during the Zombies' summer tour, playing at least five songs from it. Meanwhile, the two other surviving founding members -- bassist Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy, who both took part in the March shows, may factor into the Zombies' future, too.
"Getting back together with those guys was lovely," Argent notes, "and we may do a few selected concerts, one-off concerts, with them. But they don't want to be touring all the time, so I think everyone's happy with the situation as it is."
Monday, 23 June 2008
Toby Keith's Cancer Charity Cashes In
Toby Keith has rocked the world of more than a few kids.
A two-day fundraiser presided over by the country music star raised $709,000 for Ally's House, a charity named after the late...
A two-day fundraiser presided over by the country music star raised $709,000 for Ally's House, a charity named after the late...
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Spears' return to LA begins with scuffle at airport
LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears is back in Los Angeles, and it didn't take long for trouble to find her.
Within moments of arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday evening, Spears' entourage was involved in a scuffle with a paparazzo.
Airport police say between 30 and 35 photographers swarmed her vehicle outside the terminal before a bodyguard pushed a camera into a photographer's face.
They say the paparazzo complained that the shove left a slight mark on the cheek, but cooler heads prevailed and no charges were filed.
The 26-year-old pop star was unscathed, and police say she was able to leave the airport safely.
See Also
Underwood pulls out of Dancing on Ice
'GMTV' presenter Michael Underwood has been forced to pull out of 'Dancing on Ice' after breaking his ankle.
The television presenter was learning his new routine for the next live show when he fell awkwardly on his ankle.
According to the show's official website, Underwood was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with X-rays later showing that he had suffered a break.
Speaking on 'GMTV' he said: "I'd like to say that I was attempting some amazing triple axel or something, but I was just trying to stop."
A 'Dancing on Ice' spokesperson said: "After breaking his ankle last night, Michael Underwood can no longer compete in 'Dancing on Ice'."
"The whole team are sad to see Michael leave the competition in this way and wish him a speedy recovery."
The television presenter was learning his new routine for the next live show when he fell awkwardly on his ankle.
According to the show's official website, Underwood was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with X-rays later showing that he had suffered a break.
Speaking on 'GMTV' he said: "I'd like to say that I was attempting some amazing triple axel or something, but I was just trying to stop."
A 'Dancing on Ice' spokesperson said: "After breaking his ankle last night, Michael Underwood can no longer compete in 'Dancing on Ice'."
"The whole team are sad to see Michael leave the competition in this way and wish him a speedy recovery."
DEVOTCHKAS
Artist: DEVOTCHKAS
Genre(s):
Rock: Punk-Rock
Discography:
Live Fast... Die Young
Year: 2001
Tracks: 14
[1998] - Oi Toy EP
Year: 1998
Tracks: 4
 
Pulser
Artist: Pulser
Genre(s):
Trance
Discography:
Point of Impact Incl Fractal Structure Remix Vinyl
Year: 2005
Tracks: 2
 
Wire
Dewi
Artist: Dewi
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
Know Me
Year: 2003
Tracks: 12
 
Will Ferrell Puts the Funk in the Dunk
Jackson Scraps Plans For European Tour
JANET JACKSON has reportedly scrapped any plans to hit Europe with her forthcoming ROCK WITCHU tour following her record label's decision to cease promoting her latest album, DISCIPLINE.
The Nasty singer was due to play a series of live dates across Europe after embarking on her first series of concert shows for seven years in the U.S. and Canada, with her first gig in Vancouver, Canada on 10 September (08).
However, the singer has now decided to just dedicate herself to the North American leg of her tour, citing frustration with her Def Jam label bosses' lack of support in promoting her new album, according to People.com.
The star tells hip-hop website SOHH.com, "It was definitely in my heart to go to Europe and to support this album... it's about teamwork, it's not something I can totally do on my own.
"Unfortunately, things have turned out the way that they have with the differences between the label and myself."
Earlier this month (Jun08), Jackson told how there will be no further singles from her Discipline album, after record label bosses were disappointed with sales - shifting only 392,000 copies in the U.S.
She explained, "I'm trying to figure out a way to say this, but just to say it and to be quite honest, they just stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album, so I don't think you're going to hear another single off this album."
At the height of her popularity, Jackson scored 19 hit singles from just three LPs - Control, Rhythm Nation: 1812 and janet. And she still holds the record for scoring number ones in America from the same album, over three successive years.
The Nasty singer was due to play a series of live dates across Europe after embarking on her first series of concert shows for seven years in the U.S. and Canada, with her first gig in Vancouver, Canada on 10 September (08).
However, the singer has now decided to just dedicate herself to the North American leg of her tour, citing frustration with her Def Jam label bosses' lack of support in promoting her new album, according to People.com.
The star tells hip-hop website SOHH.com, "It was definitely in my heart to go to Europe and to support this album... it's about teamwork, it's not something I can totally do on my own.
"Unfortunately, things have turned out the way that they have with the differences between the label and myself."
Earlier this month (Jun08), Jackson told how there will be no further singles from her Discipline album, after record label bosses were disappointed with sales - shifting only 392,000 copies in the U.S.
She explained, "I'm trying to figure out a way to say this, but just to say it and to be quite honest, they just stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album, so I don't think you're going to hear another single off this album."
At the height of her popularity, Jackson scored 19 hit singles from just three LPs - Control, Rhythm Nation: 1812 and janet. And she still holds the record for scoring number ones in America from the same album, over three successive years.
M Ward
Artist: M Ward
Genre(s):
Indie
Rock
Discography:
Post War
Year: 2006
Tracks: 12
Transistor Radio
Year: 2005
Tracks: 16
Duet for Guitars #2
Year: 2004
Tracks: 16
Transfiguration of Vincent
Year: 2003
Tracks: 15
End of Amnesia
Year: 2002
Tracks: 14
Live Music and The Voice Of Strangers
Year: 2001
Tracks: 12
 
OK! Exclusive: Mario Lopez Opens Up About Break-Up
Michael Jackson in talks to become resident Las Vegas performer
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson may relaunch his career as a Las Vegas act, thanks to the private equity group that recently bought the loan on his Neverland Ranch in California to help the pop star avert foreclosure.The investment firm Colony Capital is discussing with Jackson various repayment options for the $23 million debt, including a possible long-term engagement as the resident performer of a Vegas casino or nightclub, a source familiar with the talks said.Colony Capital, based in Los Angeles, owns the Las Vegas Hilton and is a major shareholder in the Station Casinos chain.The source emphasized that no deal was in place and that a gig for Jackson in Las Vegas, a city of second chances for many faded superstars, was merely one idea under consideration as Colony Capital explores loan repayment scenarios with him.The talks with Jackson were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which quoted Colony Capital CEO Tom Barrack as saying, "we've been having discussions with Mr. Jackson about a recapitalization and refinancing of Neverland in addition to various other business opportunities and mutual interests."
A Colony Capital spokesman told Reuters the company was not commenting further on the matter. Jackson's personal spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.Bringing Jackson to Sin City as a performer would mark the biggest step the 49-year-old performer has taken toward a comeback since a child molestation trial left his career, his reputation and financial status in tatters three years ago.LAST COMEBACK PANNEDJackson became a virtual recluse after a California jury acquitted him of all charges in June 2005, moving his place of residence alternately to Ireland, Dubai and Bahrain. He reportedly is now living with his three young children in Pahrump, Nevada, about 60 miles from Las Vegas.A fleeting "comeback" appearance at a London awards show in 2006 was roundly panned by critics, though a 25th anniversary reissue of his blockbuster "Thriller" album earlier this year posted strong sales.Still, the mercurial performer known for extravagant spending has by all accounts remained mired in debt.In a bid to stave off insolvency in 2006, Jackson reached a deal to refinance more than $200 million in loans secured by his prized stake in the Beatles' song catalog.Those loans held by the New York private equity firm and hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, which in May sold Jackson's note on the Neverland Ranch to Colony Capital in a deal that averted foreclosure proceedings on the property.According to the Journal, Colony is negotiating an arrangement allowing Jackson to delay making payments for the time being in exchange for more money further down the road.Colony also is urging the singer to sell off Neverland as quickly as possible and to emerge from seclusion in Nevada to launch a career comeback in Vegas, the Journal said.One idea under discussion, the newspaper reported, was for Colony to install Jackson as a regular performer at one of its hotel-casinos, playing 180 nights a year. Another would be to create a musical extravaganza in which Jackson would appear 20 or 30 times a year, possibly with his brothers.Colony also is pressing Jackson to go on TV, perhaps on Oprah Winfrey's show, to make a public statement putting the Neverland Ranch and the controversy connected with it behind him, and to perform in a TV special proving to the world that he can still sing and dance.- REUTERS/Nielsen
A Colony Capital spokesman told Reuters the company was not commenting further on the matter. Jackson's personal spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.Bringing Jackson to Sin City as a performer would mark the biggest step the 49-year-old performer has taken toward a comeback since a child molestation trial left his career, his reputation and financial status in tatters three years ago.LAST COMEBACK PANNEDJackson became a virtual recluse after a California jury acquitted him of all charges in June 2005, moving his place of residence alternately to Ireland, Dubai and Bahrain. He reportedly is now living with his three young children in Pahrump, Nevada, about 60 miles from Las Vegas.A fleeting "comeback" appearance at a London awards show in 2006 was roundly panned by critics, though a 25th anniversary reissue of his blockbuster "Thriller" album earlier this year posted strong sales.Still, the mercurial performer known for extravagant spending has by all accounts remained mired in debt.In a bid to stave off insolvency in 2006, Jackson reached a deal to refinance more than $200 million in loans secured by his prized stake in the Beatles' song catalog.Those loans held by the New York private equity firm and hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, which in May sold Jackson's note on the Neverland Ranch to Colony Capital in a deal that averted foreclosure proceedings on the property.According to the Journal, Colony is negotiating an arrangement allowing Jackson to delay making payments for the time being in exchange for more money further down the road.Colony also is urging the singer to sell off Neverland as quickly as possible and to emerge from seclusion in Nevada to launch a career comeback in Vegas, the Journal said.One idea under discussion, the newspaper reported, was for Colony to install Jackson as a regular performer at one of its hotel-casinos, playing 180 nights a year. Another would be to create a musical extravaganza in which Jackson would appear 20 or 30 times a year, possibly with his brothers.Colony also is pressing Jackson to go on TV, perhaps on Oprah Winfrey's show, to make a public statement putting the Neverland Ranch and the controversy connected with it behind him, and to perform in a TV special proving to the world that he can still sing and dance.- REUTERS/Nielsen
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