November 2005

Hasidic reggae rapper Matisyahu will release his studio debut, “Youth,” Jan. 31 via Epic/Or Music/J Dub. As previously reported, the majority of the project was overseen by noted producer Bill Laswell. Three other tracks were co-produced by Jimmy Douglass and ill factor.

Matisyahu has been touring all year in support of the concert set “Live at Stubb’s,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart and No. 14 on the Top Heatseekers survey. The album has sold 87,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. “Youth” will feature two songs from “Stubb’s”: “King Without a Crown” and “Warrior.”

The artist’s busy touring schedule will continue through the end of the year, having just announced a six-show Hanukkah tour that begins Dec. 24 in Philadelphia.

Matisyahu is also tipped to appear on two songs from P.O.D.’s new album, “Testify,” due early next year via Atlantic.

Source billboard.com.

Having recently made plans to end the year with a Dec. 31 show at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the Black Crowes have announced a March 18-19 stand at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire. According to a spokesperson, the shows are one-offs and not part of a longer tour.

As previously reported, the Crowes are working on a DVD shot during a five-night run at San Francisco’s Fillmore, but no information is available about when it might be released.

Also soon to materialize are “Instant Live” recordings of the band’s Oct. 30-31 shows at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre. At the second concert, which doubled as a Halloween celebration, the Crowes opened for themselves as BC/DC, performing the vintage AC/DC songs “Rock’n’Roll Damnation,” “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place To Be” and “Highway to Hell.”

Source billboard.com.

In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans native Dr. John has recorded a seven-song EP in tribute to the area in which he was raised. Due Nov. 22 via Blue Note, “Sippiana Hericane” will double as a benefit for such charities as the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the Jazz Foundation of America and the Voice of the Wetlands.

The recording is highlighted by the four-part “Wade: Hurricane Suite,” and also features “Clean Water,” penned by New Orleans songwriter Bobby Charles. In addition, Dr. John re-recorded his own “Sweet Home New Orleans” with new lyrics written by his wife, Cat Yellen.

“I’m saddened and angered by what has happened,” Dr. John says. “If anybody in the government would’ve done something about the disappearing wetlands for the past 50 years, then this probably wouldn’t have been as bad.”

Source billboard.com.

Right from their first shows in May 2001, word-of-mouth on Railroad Earth was instant and superlative, as evidenced by their rapidly growing and highly loyal fanbase. Driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members, Railroad Earth’s powerful live experience has finally been captured on their first ever live release, Elko (SCI Fidelity Records). Recorded during their 2005 spring tour, the double disc set captures all the timeless qualities without compromising the unpredictable nature that is at the core of a Railroad Earth concert. Look for the album in stores on January 24, 2006. Railroad Earth will tour in support of Elko. Current confirmed tour dates include:

Friday, November 11th Patchogue, NY
Saturday, November 12th Peekskill, NY
Saturday, November 26th Hackettstown, NJ
Thursday December 8th Troy NY
Friday, December 9th Boston MA NY
Saturday, December 10th New York NY
Sunday, December 11th Baltimore MD NY
Thursday, December 29th Falls Church VA
Friday, December 30th Philadelphia PA
Saturday, December 31st Philadelphia PA

Winter 2006 tour dates to be announced soon. For more information, visit railroadearth.com.

Provocative West Coast duo Xiu Xiu will tour the U.S. into mid-December on its latest outing.

Starting November 27 in Tucson, Ariz., Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy will take their assortment of guitars, keyboards and percussion instruments through the South and back through the Midwest to California. The tour wraps at The Troubadour in West Hollywood December 15.

A November 9 one-off in New York City will precede the tour.

The prolific group released its latest full-length album, La Foret, this summer on 5 Rue Christine / Kill Rock Stars. According to the band’s official Web site, Stewart and friends are already at work on a follow-up.

Source pollstar.com.