When the first compact discs arrived on the Australian market in 1983, they ranged in price from $900-$1800. The price didn’t hold back the rapid adoption of the technology.
Joni Mitchell Talks ‘Blue’, “Both Sides Now” and Newport Folk Festival with Elton John
In this special episode of Rocket Hour, Elton John sits down with legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell for a rare and personal interview.
The two reminisce on the stories behind some of Joni’s classic tracks, as well as some of the personal favorites she’s selected from other artists.
Joni reflects on the music and the stories behind each song. She also touches on her experience performing at the Newport Folk Festival with Brandi Carlile, how the music industry has evolved, and her evolution as an artist, and her vocal shift from a soprano to an alto.
Josh Groban Heralds Two Decades Of Closer With The Release Of Closer 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Reaching another major milestone, multi-platinum award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and global superstar Josh Groban commemorates two decades of his 6x-platinum blockbuster breakout album, Closer, with Closer 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition out on 2CD & Digital, as well as Limited Edition Orange Vinyl 2LP on November 17, 2023.
This enhanced vision of his sophomore opus features the album remastered for the first time and boasts six rare or unreleased bonus tracks. These have never been previously released on vinyl or digitally. Among these additions, a recently recorded, stirring and soulful reinvention of the classic track, “Broken Vow (Vocal/Piano Version)” featuring David Foster on piano, available today. Listen HERE and watch a live performance video HERE. This collection also includes an epic never-before-heard Extended Version of “You Raise Me Up,” “Mi Morena” & more.
Anchored by emotion, drama, and romance in equal measure, the November 11, 2003 release of Closer cemented Josh Groban as a generational voice. Upon arrival, the LP bowed at #4 on the Billboard 200 and later rose to #1, becoming his first of three career #1 entries on the respective chart. To date, it has reached 6x-platinum status for sales in excess of 6.1 million units, while the Billboard Hot 100 hit single “You Raise Me Up” also went triple-platinum.
A true global phenomenon, the album has touched millions worldwide with Groban delivering half of the songs in English and notably performing the rest in either Italian, Spanish, or French. It has also generated over half-a-billion streams and counting.
In 2023, the Closer 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition marks an important moment for the iconic voice that honors one of his most celebrated works.
Tony, EMMY, and four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. Moreover, he continues to captivate fans everywhere as both a powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man. He has sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues on multiple continents, and entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. His catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums, including Josh Groban (5x-platinum), Closer (6x-platinum), Noël (6x-platinum), Awake (2x-platinum), Illuminations, All That Echoes (gold), Stages (gold), his first UK #1 album, Bridges, and his most recent release, Harmony. Along the way, he has packed arenas throughout North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Asia.
Extending his repertoire, Groban made his Broadway debut in 2016 with a starring role in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. He garnered a Tony® Award nomination for Best Lead Actor In A Musical. He has expanded his presence with appearances on Glee, The Simpsons, The Office, CSI: NY, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Crazy Ones as well as in the feature films Coffee Town, Muppets Most Wanted, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. In addition, he starred in the NETFLIX series The Good Cop in 2018. Groban maintains his position as the consummate American showman in 2022 and beyond. In 2022, he returned to the hallowed stage of Radio City Music Hall for his Great Big Radio City Show residency and launched a nation-wide live tour. Groban also starred in ABC’s special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration as none other than the Beast in December 2022.
In the spring of 2023, Josh took to Broadway once again, performing in the highly anticipated revival of Sweeney Todd, playing the title role which earned him a Tony Nomination and widespread acclaim. He remains an active arts education philanthropist and advocate, and his Find Your Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, education, and cultural awareness.
TRACKLISTING
- Oceano
- My Confession
- Mi Mancherai (Il Postino) [feat. Joshua Bell]
- Si Volvieras a Mi
- When You Say You Love Me
- Per Te
- All’improvviso Amore
- Broken Vow
- Caruso
- Remember When It Rained
- Hymne a L’amour
- You Raise Me Up
- Never Let Go [feat. Deep Forest]
- You Raise Me Up (Extended Version) +
- Mi Morena *
- You’re The Only Place *
- My December *
- She’s Out Of My Life *
- Broken Vow (Vocal/Piano Version) +
*Rarity
+Previously Unreleased
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ ‘Extra Mojo Version’, Featuring Two Unreleased Songs, Out Digitally October 20
Extra Mojo Version— a digital version of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ critically acclaimed 2010 blues album, Mojo, featuring two unreleased tracks will be released on Warner Records on October 20—Petty’s birthday. To celebrate, “Help Me”—the first unreleased track, a Sonny Boy Williamson II cover—is out today with an accompanying video unveiling newly discovered footage of Petty and the band performing the song at The Clubhouse.
Widely known as the band’s most blues-influenced record, the album features a hard-hitting collection of guitar-driven rock songs beloved by fans everywhere, and with the strong blues influences on Mojo, “Help Me” fits perfectly on the expanded version of the album. Petty often played blues-heavy rotations on the Tom Petty Radio show “Buried Treasure,” including Sonny Boy Williamson II discography, and Petty & The Heartbreakers performed a cover of the track during the recording sessions for the record.
In addition to “Help Me,” Extra Mojo Version will include a second unreleased track, “Mystery of Love.” The rare outtakes will be exclusively featured on the forthcoming digital and streaming version and will also be available in Dolby Atmos.
Other highlights include the hit “I Should Have Known It,” a driving rock track written by Petty with lead guitarist Mike Campbell that became a live treasure, fan favorites “Good Enough,” the blues-y first album single, “First Flash of Freedom” and “Something Good Coming.”
Recorded live in the band’s legendary rehearsal space, “The Clubhouse” in Los Angeles, Mojo was released in June 2010 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Petty said, “With this album, I want to show other people what I hear with the band. Mojo is where the band lives when it’s playing for itself.” Watch the short film, directed by Sam Jones, about the making of the album here.
The special vinyl reissue of Mojo will also come on October 20 and is available for pre-order now. Highly requested by fans, the reissue will be available in a limited-edition translucent ruby red double vinyl LP pressing, as well as in immersive Dolby Atmos and Spatial formats; pre-order the vinyl here and pre-save the digital album here.
MOJO—VINYL TRACKLISTING
1. Jefferson Jericho Blues
2. First Flash Of Freedom
3. Running Man’s Bible
4. The Trip To Pirate’s Cove
5. Candy
6. No Reason To Cry
7. I Should Have Known It
8. U.S. 41
9. Takin’ My Time
10. Let Yourself Go
11. Don’t Pull Me Over
12. Lover’s Touch
13. High In The Morning
14. Something Good Coming
15. Good Enough
EXTRA MOJO VERSION—DIGITAL/STREAMING TRACKLISTING
1. Jefferson Jericho Blues
2. First Flash of Freedom
3. Running Man’s Bible
4. The Trip to Pirate’s Cove
5. Candy
6. No Reason to Cry
7. I Should Have Known It
8. U.S. 41
9. Takin’ My Time
10. Let Yourself Go
11. Don’t Pull Me Over
12. Lover’s Touch
13. High in the Morning
14. Something Good Coming
15. Good Enough
16. Help Me
17. Mystery of Love
Jethro Tull Announces Warchild II Steven Wilson Remixes On Vinyl For The Very First Time
Recorded during the WarChild sessions from 1973-1974, the collection of Jethro Tull tracks have been remixed by Steven Wilson and will be released on vinyl for the very first time. Chosen by Ian Anderson, these tracks are a selection of fan favourites which were included on CD2 of the War Child 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition from 2014.
Reflecting on 1974, the year of release, Ian Anderson says “Verging uncomfortably on Glam Rock – at least in terms of stage clothes – JT was on the rebound from the excessively proggy A Passion Play of 1973. Still having not quite got over my brief flirtation with the alto saxophone, I warbled through a few choruses and riffs with the wretched thing in an album of nice and mostly brief tunes.
But looking back, the music and performances were no disappointment in hearing it all again – especially in its remixed form – and the fine musicality puts it up in the top few albums of the years with the Martin Barre, John Evan, Barrie Barlow and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond line-up. David (as he then was) Palmer provided wonderful orchestrations for several tracks.
I kissed goodbye to the saxophone after the final sessions and returned, to the relief of all, to the flute as my principal wind instrument of choice. Of course, my flute did feature on several of the WarChild tracks, but I always saw the album as representing the best of my sax-playing and being an important part of the instrumentation, especially in the slightly sleazy, clubby material of the title track. Dear old Alto sax – RIP.”
WarChild II is out 24th November and available to pre-order here.
Prince Releases ‘Live At Glam Slam’ In Dolby Atmos And Sony 360 Reality Audio Formats
Today, NPG Records and Paisley Park Enterprises, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records, have released Live At Glam Slam, a previously unreleased live recording in immersive Dolby ATMOS and Sony 360 Reality Audio that documents a historic performance at Prince’s Minneapolis nightclub Glam Slam from January 11th, 1992.
Organized and recorded on very short notice, Live At Glam Slam provides fans with the opportunity to experience Prince and the NPG at the peak of their powers. Arranged to preview the Diamonds And Pearls Tour, this intimate January 11th performance finds Prince & The New Power Generation tearing through songs from the recently released Diamonds And Pearls album at breakneck pace.
This was a night of firsts. Not only was it the very first time that Prince & The New Power Generation would publicly perform the full Diamonds And Pearls Tour show (and the only time they would perform it in the US), but at least five new songs were unveiled, including “Thunder”, “Insatiable”, and “Willing And Able”. The Glam Slam show also marked the debut live appearance of dancer (and Prince’s future wife) Mayte, and of new five-piece horn section, the NPG Hornz, with the band.
Faced with a ticking clock (local ordinance forbade public dancing after 1AM) and an ecstatic audience, Prince and his band were ultimately forced to finish the concert when Minneapolis police entered the venue during the frenetic final moments of “Gett Off (Houstyle)”.
Listen to Live At Glam Slam HERE
In addition to the newly unearthed music and footage, an official multi-part podcast series on the creation and legacy of Diamonds And Pearls will be released, with Episode 1, “Welcome 2 The New Power Generation”, launched tomorrow, October 12th. Hosted and produced by Minneapolis native, author and broadcaster Andrea Swensson, the podcast includes the memories and insights from every member of that era’s New Power Generation and examines the process that led to the album’s creation, and its enduring impact on Prince’s legacy.
Listen to the trailer for the official The Story Of Diamonds And Pearls podcast HERE
The upcoming expanded reissue of Diamonds And Pearls includes 47 previously unreleased audio tracks and over two hours of live filmed concert footage in high definition, a 120-page hardback book that features rare and previously unseen photos by Prince’s photographer Randee St. Nicholas, Prince’s hand-written lyrics, and more in addition to the remastered album itself. Combining an uplifting blend of hip-hop, dance, gospel, and pop, Diamonds And Pearls represents a turning point in Prince’s career where he connected his past influences to the present, an approach that brought him to the top of the charts once again.
Pre-order Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition HERE
The immersive audio release of Live At Glam Slam follows the release of Diamonds And Pearls in Dolby ATMOS and Sony 360 Reality Audio Formats, the first time a Prince album has been released in immersive audio. Mixed from the original multi-track album masters by GRAMMY-nominated, longtime Prince audio engineer, Chris James, the new Dolby ATMOS and Sony 360 RA mixes give fans the opportunity to hear Diamonds And Pearls as they’ve never heard it before.
Diamonds And Pearls Dolby ATMOS, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and newly Remastered Stereo audio formats can be streamed now HERE.
The Dolby ATMOS and Sony 360 Reality Audio Format releases were accompanied by “Get Blue” and “Live 4 Love (Early Version)”, two previously unreleased tracks taken from Prince’s legendary vault. These two songs will appear on the upcoming expanded reissue of Prince & The New Power Generation’s 1991 classic Diamonds And Pearls, to be released on October 27th.
Stream “Get Blue” HERE and “Live 4 Love (Early Version)” HERE
“Get Blue” and “Live 4 Love (Early Version)” followed the prior releases of “Cream (Take 2)”, “Alice Through The Looking Glass”, and “Insatiable (Early Mix-Full Version)”. Issued to accompany the project’s announcement in August, “Alice Through The Looking Glass” was praised by the New York Times as a “groove [that] tells its own sensual story”, while “Insatiable (Early Mix-Full Version)” is a previously unreleased 8’02” demo from Prince’s vault that reveals how the song originally sounded, complete with lyrics and instruments that were removed before it was placed on Diamonds And Pearls.
“Cream (Take 2)” sees Prince experimenting with alternative arrangements for a track that will eventually become a #1 Billboard smash hit.
Stream “Cream (Take 2)” HERE
Stream “Alice Through The Looking Glass” HERE
Stream “Insatiable (Early Mix – Full Version)” HERE
My Next Read: “Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet” by Taylor Lorenz
Acclaimed Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz presents a groundbreaking social history of the internet—revealing how online influence and the creators who amass it have reshaped our world, online and off.
For over a decade, Taylor Lorenz has been the authority on internet culture, documenting its far-reaching effects on all corners of our lives. Her reporting is serious yet entertaining and illuminates deep truths about ourselves and the lives we create online. In her debut book, Extremely Online, she reveals how online influence came to upend the world, demolishing traditional barriers and creating whole new sectors of the economy. Lorenz shows this phenomenon to be one of the most disruptive changes in modern capitalism.
By tracing how the internet has changed what we want and how we go about getting it, Lorenz unearths how social platforms’ power users radically altered our expectations of content, connection, purchasing, and power. Lorenz documents how moms who started blogging were among the first to monetize their personal brands online, how bored teens who began posting selfie videos reinvented fame as we know it, and how young creators on TikTok are leveraging opportunities to opt out of the traditional career pipeline. It’s the real social history of the internet.
Emerging seemingly out of nowhere, these shifts in how we use the internet seem easy to dismiss as fads. However, these social and economic transformations have resulted in a digital dynamic so unappreciated and insurgent that it ultimately created new approaches to work, entertainment, fame, and ambition in the 21st century.
Extremely Online is the inside, untold story of what we have done to the internet, and what it has done to us.
Photo Gallery: Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson with BADBADNOTGOOD and Moses Sumney at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or Twitter
Chxrry22 Announces New EP ‘Siren’ Out October 27
Today, singer-songwriter Chxrry22 announces her new EP Siren set to release October 27th via XO Records/Republic Records/Universal Music Canada. With the announcement comes a mesmerizing and empowering single and video “Never Had This” featuring Grammy award-winning artist Vory. Watch HERE. With beautifully layered vocals, empowering lyrics, and an undeniably sultry atmosphere, “Never Had This” finds Chxrry22 laying down the law for any potential lovers, while Vory, who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Drake, and received a Grammy for his work on The Carters’ Everything is Love, effortlessly enters the track with a rebellious take on past relationships.
“This song was already one of my favourites on the project, and Vory and I had already been talking about working together—this was the one that felt right for both of us,” Chxrry22 says about “Never Had This”. “When people hear it, I want them to feel empowered to want to be valued and expect nothing but the best. This theme bleeds all throughout the project in an attempt to inspire people to exercise their power.”
Her third single of the year, “Never Had This” follows “MORE”—an ethereal and unapologetic anthem co-produced by Sensei Bueno (Snoh Aalegra), Matt Cohn (The Weeknd), Jacob Olofsson (Frank Ocean), and Jonah Christian (Normani, Tems, Foushée), that seamlessly weave tenderness with unfiltered honesty. Chxrry22’s new project Siren is set to arrive as she gears up for a supporting slot on The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” tour in Australia and New Zealand this November/December, catapulting her live set from intimate rooms to expansive, arena size stages. Across the tour, Chxrry22 will be performing a mix of past and present music that will continue to cement her name in the R&B space and command attention on a global scale.
“If you told me three years ago that my first tour would be in stadiums opening for the biggest artist in the world, I’d say you’re fucking lying,” Chxrry22 says about the tour. “Australia is such a special place and I can’t wait to feel their energy and perform for them.”
The R&B scene waits in earnest as Chxrry22 continues to add groundbreaking work to her catalog since the debut of her beloved 2022 EP, The Other Side. Her distinctive style and captivating vocals continue to accumulate praise from both fans and critics at Billboard, Complex, Rolling Stone and Hypebeast. As fans eagerly await her first arena performances in November, Siren promises an exciting return from a 2023 artist to watch.
Chxrry22’s artistic journey has been a labor of love, with years dedicated to cultivating her sound. Growing up in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Chxrry22 was recognized as “the girl who could sing” from a young age. In 2017, after posting covers on social media, her career began to take off, and a pivotal move to Atlanta led to Chxrry22 signing a historic record deal as the first woman signed to The Weeknd’s XO Records. The signing set the stage for her debut project, The Other Side, capturing the attention of prominent voices and outlets including Billboard, UPROXX, Vibe, Complex, and Entertainment Tonight, and underscoring her burgeoning rise. Harnessing vulnerability as a superpower, Chxrry22’s authenticity is her hallmark, epitomizing the spirit of a true 21st-century girl. With new music on the way this year, Chxrry22 more than ready to take off.
“After Hours Til Dawn” AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES
November 20 — Brisbane, Australia @ Suncorp Stadium
November 24 — Sydney, Australia @ Accor
December 1 — Melbourne, Australia @ Marvel Stadium
December 7 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Eden Park
PinkPantheress Announces Her Debut album ‘Heaven Knows’ Out November 10
PinkPantheress announces her debut album Heaven knows, out November 10th via Warner Records UK. To celebrate the project’s announcement, PinkPantheress shares ‘Capable of love’ and UK and European Tour dates.
Following on from her critically acclaimed mixtape to hell with it, the debut album reveals PinkPantheress’ inner self-reflection as she explores various types of relationships, including romantic, parasocial, materialistic pursuits, grief, and finding contentment within loneliness. Produced and written by PinkPantheress, the 13-track project was created alongside previous and new collaborators including Greg Kurstin, Mura Masa, Danny L Harle, Count Baldor, Phil, Cash Cobain and more. The product of PinkPantheress and these collective minds working together is an album that exhibits a new emotional depth from the musician’s songwriting paired with her saccharine vocals and earworm production.
Speaking on the album, PinkPantheress explains “The record is about grief for a loss but being at peace with yourself in your aloneness. Journeying from hell into purgatory, but I’m ok with being there.”
Taken from her debut album, ‘Capable of love’ combines the singer’s DNB roots whilst introducing PinkPantheress’ sonic innovation that will be displayed on Heaven knows. ‘Capable of love’ is the second offering from PinkPantheress’ debut album following the well-received ‘Mosquito’. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, the ‘Capable of love’ music video plays on the idea of endless searching as we see PinkPantheress wander through an empty field baggage in hand until she reaches The Unknown. Through multiple tests against The Unknown, we see PinkPantheress make her way through to a hallway filled with supposed answers to impossible questions. As she reaches the end of the hallway she sees a door with ‘Heaven Knows’ written on the front, this is what she has been searching for.
Speaking on ‘Capable of love’, PinkPantheress says “i am more than amazed and thrilled i can release probably the most anticipated fan-favourite of all my tracks. this song is moving into a genre i’ve always wanted to try and i’m happy to start here”
PinkPantheress has today announced ‘Capable of love tour’ which will include dates in UK, Ireland and Europe. The UK and Ireland leg of the ‘Capable of love tour’ will kick off on 20th February 2024 in Dublin’s 3Olympia, stopping in Manchester before making its way to end in London with a show at the iconic Alexandra Palace. The European leg will include stops in Netherlands, France and Germany. Tickets are available on pre-sale from Tuesday 17th October @ 10am and general on-sale is from Friday 20th October @ 10am. Exclusive pre-sale access with be given to fans who pre-order Heaven knows by 3pm BST 16th October via PinkPantheress’ website. Full tour dates below including forthcoming sets at CAMP FLOG GNAW and support slot for Olivia Rodrigo.
PinkPantheress is a multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, and producer. On an upward trajectory since 2021, PinkPantheress introspective lyrics, and ability to create infectious beats have garnered her a dedicated fan base. Following her critically acclaimed debut mixtape ‘To hell with it’, 2022 saw PinkPantheress win BBC Music’s Sound of 2022 and perform on her debut headline sold-out tour with dates in UK, EU, and US. Her exceptional rise to prominence caught the attention of British Vogue, where she was featured among the influential women on the prestigious Vogue 25 list, alongside Jodie Comer and Victoria Beckham. PinkPantheress’ single, “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 1 & Pt. 2” has taken the world by storm, spending an impressive 21 weeks, and counting in the Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at No.3), 28 weeks on the UK OCC singles chart (peaking at No.2) and charting #1 in several Spotify & Apple Music charts (holding the #1 position on Spotify UK for 33-consecutive days). Recently Boy’s a Liar Pt.2 received double platinum status and PinkPantheress has received 3 nominations at MTV EMAs for Best New Artist, Best New UK Artist and Best Collaboration, an MTV VMA nomination for Best New Artist, 2 BET Awards: Best Collaboration (Boy’s a Liar Pt.2) and the BET Her Award which honors motivational and empowering songs centred around women. With each achievement, PinkPantheress continues to mesmerise and dominate, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
PINKPANTHERESS LIVE DATES
November 11 – Camp Flog Gnaw, Los Angeles @ Dodger Stadium
February 20 – Dublin @ 3Olympia
February 22 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
February 23 – London @ Alexandra Palace
February 27 – Amsterdam @ Paradiso
February 28 – Paris @ Élysée Montmartre
March 1 – Berlin @ Huxleys
ON TOUR WITH OLIVIA RODRIGO:
July 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
July 20 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
July 23 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
July 24 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
July 26 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
July 27 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
July 30 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
July 31 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center
August 2 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
August 3 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
August 6 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
August 7 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
August 9 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
August 10 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center