2003

Having tired of the big publicity machine that is the major record label world, Ben Folds has mentioned that the recent downturn in the record industry is allowing him to release three five-song EPs this year via Epic, beginning with “Speed Graphic” on July 22.
“I’m going to do things that are really more about the music for me and less about the hype,” says Folds. “Because I’m on a major label, there is no escaping the way that we have to do business when I release an album — everybody wants the ‘Album of the Year’ Rolling Stone bullsh*t where you get two-stars in the review and your face is all over the front. The way to bypass that for me is just to not go through the normal channels. And if I put out an EP, nobody can take it seriously.”
While he predicts an Epic album release in early 2004, the piano man is turning his attention to producing actor William Shatner’s upcoming album, sessions for which are slated to begin later this year and due in stores next year. Folds worked with Shatner on his 1998 solo album “Volume 1.”
Source Billboard.com.

Two female suicide bombers killed 14 people Saturday outside a rock concert in Moscow, Russian authorities said.
Russian Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov blamed Chechen separatists for the attack.
“Two explosions occurred. There were two women suicide bombers,” Gryzlov said.
Authorities said two women came up to the perimeter of the stadium at the Tushino airfield in northwest Moscow where they were stopped from entering.
The first blast occurred when one woman stopped by guards at the festival entrance detonated an explosives belt. The second blast was at a nearby market 15 minutes later.
Source CNN.com.

The government and private technology experts warned Wednesday that hackers plan to attack thousands of Web sites Sunday in a loosely coordinated “contest” that could disrupt Internet traffic. Organizers established a Web site, defacers-challenge.com, listing in broken English the rules for hackers who might participate. The Web site appeared to operate out of California and cautioned to “deface its crime”

Herbie Mann, the versatile jazz flutist who combined a variety of musical styles and deeply influenced genres such as world music and fusion, has died. He was 73. Mann always performed different styles, then combined them. He did bebop and cool jazz, and toured Africa, Brazil and Japan listening for new music.Among his numerous works, included Family of Mann, formed in 1973, played world music before it was called that. Mann’s best-selling Memphis Underground was a founding recording of fusion.
When Mann left Atlantic Records in 1979 he started producing his own records, and later he launched his own label, Kokopelli. In all, he made more than 100 albums as leader. The album titles alone reflect Mann’s versatility: At the Village Gate (1962); African Suite (1959); Brasil, Bossa Nova & Blues (1962); Latin Mann 1965; Memphis Two Step (1971); and Eastern European Roots (2000). Mann

Twenty three years after they broke up, Led Zeppelin are still beyond relevant. The Recording Industry Association of America reports their latest, “How The West Was Won,” has sold a (m) million copies. That gives Led Zeppelin their 16th gold and platinum albums.

Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, taking the games back to Canada for the first time since 1988. The International Olympic Committee selected the British Columbia city in a surprisingly tight contest with Pyeongchang, South Korea, which came within three votes of winning in the first round in what would have been a stunning upset. The third bid city, Salzburg, Austria, was eliminated in the first round of the secret ballot.
Source Yahoo.com,

Four new categories designed to specify different types of violence have been added to video game ratings. Effective immediately, “cartoon violence” will be defined as when “a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted.” “Fantasy violence” is when the actions involve “characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.

The U.S. Congress has declared 2003 “the year of the blues,” and Sony Legacy and Universal Music Enterprises (UME) are rolling out a flood of releases tied to the fall PBS series “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues — A Musical Journey,” executive produced by director Scorsese.
The alliance between Sony and Universal marks the second time the companies have joined together for a PBS-related project. Two years ago, their mammoth effort for “Ken Burns Jazz” ignited new interest — and sales — in the genre. Executives hope the upcoming releases do the same for the blues, which has made up a very small percentage of overall sales in recent years.
A television documentary, five CD set and a seven DVD set, are amongst the projects that will be released, chronincling the blues.
For more information on the blues artists, making up the various projects and more details, visit Billboard.com.

Jack White of the White Stripes is teaming up with “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Loretta Lynn, reports the Detroit Free Press. Lynn has already performed live with the band and now Jack will be producing tracks on Loretta’s upcoming album. The odd collaboration began after Loretta’s daughter, Patsy, told her mom the group had dedicated their album, White Blood Cells, to her and a curious Lynn invited them to her home.
Source etonline.com .