Senegalese native Maria de Barros is the kind of musician to whom one can’t help but surrender oneself. Full of the joie de vivre endemic to so many performers of African heritage; the music, dance moves, and smile of de Barros clearly captivated the Town Hall crowd. They displayed seemingly boundless enthusiasm, dancing and singing along with de Barros’ music, despite the almost unbearably high temperatures in the non-air conditioned building.
I Hate Myself and Want to Die is an amusing book written not just for collectors of kitsch and lovers of lists. Author Tom Reynolds has chosen the 52 most depressing songs you've ever heard and explains in detail why each deserves to be on the list.
Most people leave a concert with a ticket stub and fond memories of the show. Fans who attend selected Bruce Hornsby’s concerts this fall will take home a lot more than that.
Hornsby has scheduled a series of solo piano dates starting October 2nd in Minneapolis. As a thank you for their continuing support, ticketholders in most cities will take home a free copy of his recently released 4 CD career retrospective, Intersections: 1985 – 2005.
According to Hornsby’s Web site: “Bruce has arranged for each ticket buyer in the series of special solo dates to receive a copy of Intersections along with the price of their ticket (the box set has a retail value of $49.95) and we will have your copy for you at the show (hang onto your ticket stubs!).”
Both the tour and the box set focus on the diversity of Hornsby’s music. The three time Grammy winner has worked with a wide variety of artists including Ornette Coleman, Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, and the Grateful Dead over the course of his 20 year career.
Source pollstar.com.
In support of her new, highly praised Anti- album, Springtime Can Kill, acclaimed singer/songwriter Jolie Holland will embark on a five -week North American tour on October 11. Launching in Pittsburgh, PA and running through November 15th in San Diego, CA, Holland
Blur/Gorillaz principal Damon Albarn has formed yet another band, the Good the Bad and the Queen. He is flanked by former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, former Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen in the group, which will release its Danger Mouse-produced debut album next year via Parlophone in the United Kingdom.
Beforehand, the Good the Bad and the Queen will make its live debut Oct. 28 as part of the BBC’s Electric Proms festival at the Roundhouse Main Space in London. At the show, the group will play its as-yet-untitled album from start to finish.
billboard.com.
Vegooe organizers have announced additional artists to the line-up, including a performance by Phil Lesh & Trey Anastasio. The two recently paired up this summer for a co-bill in which Anastasio frequently sat in with Lesh’s band.
Other notable additions include Ben Folds, Mike Patton’s Peeping Tom, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Yard Dogs Road Show.
More artists announcements are expected. See vegoose.com for the latest.
According to a short post on its Web site, the reunited Smashing Pumpkins are recording their first album in seven years with producer Roy Thomas Baker, who is best known for his work with Queen but resurfaced last year to produce the sophomore album from the Darkness.
Beyond frontman Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, it is still unclear who else is involved in the new incarnation of the Pumpkins. The group is now being managed by Irving Azoff, who also works with Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and the Eagles.
Corgan stunned fans in June 2005 when he took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times announcing his intentions to “renew and “revive” the Pumpkins, who split acrimoniously in 2000.
In 2004, he broke his silence about why the band dissolved, lashing out at guitarist James Iha and bassist D’Arcy Wretzky for walking away from an endeavor he described as “essentially my entire life… a dream I still believe in.”
[ Source billboard.com.
