Wanna Buy A Record? from 1951 is a comedic Capitol Records promotional film that stars Mel Blanc (of Looney Tunes fame) as a record store owner trying to make a sale. It’s pretty entertaining and the ending is surprisingly dark.
Eyellusion & Primary Wave to Collaborate on Glenn Gould Hologram Tour
Live music’s premier hologram production company Eyellusion and Primary Wave Music Publishing today announced plans to bring legendary and innovative musician Glenn Gould back to the stage via hologram. Gould, who passed away in 1982, was known for an irreverent playing style that was both deeply expressive and technically precise. He is one of the best-known and celebrated classical pianists in modern history, renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard works of J.S. Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and others. Performance dates are expected to be announced in late 2019.
“Glenn had a deep appreciation for technology and we’ve long known that as soon as the medium was ready to support a full scale tour, that a hologram production would be the best way to reintroduce him to the stage,” said Primary Wave founder and CEO Lawrence Mestel. “It does not take a classically-trained ear to hear the genius in Glenn’s work, but we know that to truly experience his musicianship is to see firsthand how he commanded the piano and made it bend effortlessly to his will. That is the vision for what is sure to be a groundbreaking production.”
In 2017, Primary Wave Music Publishing announced that it had acquired the rights to Gould’s publishing, certain master recordings and audiovisual works, as well as his name and likeness. Glenn Gould’s vast catalogue, recorded as part of his long-term relationships with CBS/Sony Masterworks and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, continues to attract listeners and fans worldwide. His unique interpretations and thoughtful performances of a diverse range of classical works remain revered by listeners around the world and frequently cited as a major influence by the world’s most celebrated pianists. Gould has received numerous accolades for his work, including four Grammy Awards, three Juno Awards and the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Considering how much of a perfectionist Gould was about his music and performances, and Primary Wave’s deep respect and understanding of his music and artistry, we are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate closely on such an innovative production,” said Jeff Pezzuti, CEO of Eyellusion. “Seeing Glenn Gould play his most famous works as only he could, accompanied by orchestras in some of the world’s most famous concert halls, is the best way to experience this incredible artist’s work and contributions to modern classical music. We look forward to working with Primary Wave to create yet another incredible production that honors and passes down the legacy of one of the most important musicians of our time.”
“Glenn Gould would have loved this new technology that will bring his very best performances to venues across Canada and around the world,” said Faye Perkins, on behalf of the Glenn Gould estate. “Glenn’s live performances were always an event and we are thrilled for fans old and new to be able to experience what it was like to see him on stage.”
“Jeff, Ahmet Zappa and the rest of the team at Eyellusion have been amazing to work with as we put this deal in place,” said Mestel. “We knew right away they would be the perfect collaborators to present Gould’s music to new audiences.”
Eyellusion is currently in production on its “Bizarre World of Frank Zappa” and “DIO Returns” hologram tours featuring the late Frank Zappa and Ronnie James Dio reunited with former bandmates via hologram. Both tours are set to kick off in early 2019, playing dates around the world.
William Shatner Is Releasing A Christmas Album. Hear The First Song With Henry Rollins.
A very special gift of the holidays – the first ever Christmas album from the godfather of dramatic musical interpretations and a legend of stage and screen, Mr. William Shatner! Shatner Claus: The Christmas Album, out October 26, features an incredible cast of supporting players such as Henry Rollins, Billy Gibbons, Judy Collins, Brad Paisley, Rick Wakeman, Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren, Joe Louis Walker and more.
Track List:
1. Jingle Bells feat. Henry Rollins
2. Blue Christmas feat. Brad Paisley
3. Little Drummer Boy feat. Joe Louis Walker
4. Winter Wonderland feat. Todd Rundgren & Artimus Pyle
5. Twas The Night Before Christmas feat. Mel Collins
6. Run Rudolph Run feat. Elliot Easton
7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel feat. Rick Wakeman
8. Silver Bells feat. Ian Anderson
9. One For You, One For Me
10. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer feat. Billy Gibbons
11. Silent Night feat. Iggy Pop
12. White Christmas feat. Judy Collins
13. Feliz Navidad feat. Dani Bander
BONUS TRACK
14. Jingle Bells feat. Henry Rollins (Punk Rock Version)
Hanson Announce Nov 9th Release Date Set For String Theory Double-Album
Pop rock trio HANSON announce the release date for their highly anticipated double-album String Theory which is set for November 9th, available at major retailers. Siren Call is the first full song and video from the String Theory project, featuring the band performing with a 46-piece Orchestra. String Theory dates are already slated to reach fans across North America this fall and include two Toronto dates, with the first leg of international tour dates in Europe and Australia set to be announced later this month. The landmark, symphonic project, follows the band’s sold out 25th Anniversary World Tour in 2017.
Looks Like Morrissey Will Be Touring Canada After A LONG Time
Morrissey just posted a note on the Morrissey Central website that he’s going to be doing Canada after protesting the seal hunt 15 years ago. He has courted controversy with his forthright opinions — endorsing vegetarianism and animal rights, and good for him for believing in his opinion. In a 2006 poll held by the BBC’s The Culture Show, Morrissey was voted the second greatest living British cultural icon, behind only David Attenborough. Watch this space for announcements.
My decision to return to Canada after almost 15 years of protest against its savage and Neanderthal annual Baby Seal Kill is entirely because my stance was ultimately of no use and helped no one. My voice was drowned out by the merciless swing of spiked axes crushing the heads of babies. On my return to Canada I feel that I can be of more use by making sizeable donations to animal protection groups in each city that I play. Thankfully there are many such organizations in Canada: Toronto Pig Save, Ottawa Animal Save, St John’s Chicken Save, Vancouver Chicken Save, and also PETA USA and DxE / Direct Action Everywhere. Certainly, any and all of these groups are welcome to set up stalls at our concerts. We are here to save as many lives as possible. The current Canadian government neurotically preach diversity: the understanding that each individual is unique, and has much to offer because of their differences. This tolerance does not extend to the seal family – who hurt no one, yet who have no rights to life in the new non-discriminatory Canada. Will my Canadian tour be a success ? I have no idea. I shall give my best and do my best. We are all passionately looking forward to renewed friendships.
Meanwhile, compassion charges ahead elsewhere:Los Angeles City Council Votes to Ban the Sale of Fur.
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to stop the sale of fur, moving forward to become the largest city in the world to do so.
Prince’s Trust Teams Up with Marriott International in Canada on Youth Employment Project
In an effort to support youth employment and growth in the future hospitality talent pool in Canada, Marriott International is proud to announce a new and exclusive collaboration with The Prince’s Trust Canada to develop a hospitality-focused curriculum and internship program. The Get Into Hospitality program will initially begin, as a pilot, at four Marriott International hotels in the Greater Toronto Area: the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, the Delta Toronto, and the Marriott Downtown Toronto Eaton Centre.
Prince’s Trust Canada seeks to provide work experience to disadvantaged youth that otherwise have difficulty gaining employment. Twenty unemployed Toronto youth, chosen through their affiliation with the Rexdale Women’s Centre and Yonge Street Mission, will participate in two weeks of rigorous in classroom training, followed by two weeks of training within the hotels, learning about the operations while shadowing various positions in Housekeeping, Banquets, and other departments. Marriott International has committed to hiring at least 50% of the program’s graduates.
“We recognize the importance of our role in helping prepare young people for careers in our industry. The opportunity to provide an open door for them to gain top-quality training, confidence and invaluable life skills in a supportive and dynamic environment is key,” said Don Cleary President, Marriott International, Canada. “In addition to being an innovative approach to hiring, this new project provides career and training opportunities to disadvantaged youth and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunity and ‘putting people first’.”
On a global scale, the travel and tourism industry is forecasted to grow at a faster rate than other major industries, supporting 126 million jobs directly over the next ten years. At the same time, the demand for talent will continue to outpace talent supply. Both lack of jobs and training have historically been drivers for global youth unemployment, and the hospitality industry is uniquely able to provide support for both, through programs with organizations like Prince’s Trust Canada.
“Because of the diversity of their operations and number of jobs available in their 229 hotels across Canada, Marriott International is an ideal partner for our growing Get Into youth employment program,” said Sharon Broughton, CEO of Prince’s Trust Canada. “We are thrilled to be working with Marriott International to help more young people build their confidence, overcome barriers to employment and reach their potential.”
This initiative supports Marriott’s sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction. One of the Serve 360 priority areas is to Empower Through Opportunity by working with leading nonprofits to ensure workplace readiness and access to opportunity in the hospitality.
BMO Commits $10 Million to United Way; CEO Darryl White Brings Together GTA Business Leaders to Tackle Economic Disparity in Communities
BMO Financial Group today announced a $10 million commitment to United Way Greater Toronto to encourage economic growth in the Greater Toronto Area, and launched an initiative to bring together business leaders to work with community and come up with break-through approaches to reducing economic disparity in the region.
“This is the next step in strengthening GTA neighbourhoods and ensuring that everyone has access to opportunity – regardless of your postal code,” said Daniele Zanotti, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto. “In the past decade, we’ve worked with communities to build Hubs, empowered residents to take action on local issues and promoted investment in neighbourhoods that are being left behind. But we can’t do it alone. BMO’s leadership with the private sector will ensure that we are creating inclusive local economic opportunities across Peel, Toronto and York.”
Economic disparity between neighbourhoods in the GTA has steadily grown to become a seemingly intractable problem. United Way Greater Toronto, along with its long-time corporate supporter, BMO Financial Group, today launched a concerted five-year commitment to find innovative ways to dramatically reduce the gaps in economic prosperity, and to create lasting inclusive economic vitality in neighbourhoods throughout the region.
“We have a long history of working closely with United Way Greater Toronto, most recently on their neighbourhood hub strategy, helping to make basic services available in neighbourhoods that needed more,” said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “With several major infrastructure projects on the books across Toronto, we must now move from addressing shortfalls to promoting economic opportunity. The insight driving this initiative is that the private sector can play a catalytic role to identify and enable the inclusive local economic growth that can come with these efforts.”
A new model for corporate-community partnerships for building stronger neighbourhoods
In October, leaders from United Way, BMO and other prominent local businesses will begin meeting to devise solutions to the problem and propose ways to ensure that the fruits of economic development are shared in all parts of the community, and not just its wealthiest neighbourhoods.
“Rising inequality means that increasingly, GTA residents live in “have” or “have not” neighbourhoods,” said Mr. Zanotti. “To create systemic change and address inequality at a neighbourhood level, we have to create inclusive economic opportunities.”
“In our discussions, we asked the United Way Greater Toronto about the biggest challenge communities face – and how can we help?” Mr. White explains further, “What we learned is being at the table, bringing our network of resources to the effort from the very start – may be the source of greatest value for local residents. So we’ve asked Toronto business leaders to join us to identify the ways we can bring inclusive economic growth to these neighbourhoods.”
To date, 19 corporate leaders have confirmed their participation in the Local Economic Opportunity Leadership Table, including:
- Darryl White, BMO Financial Group, Co-Chair of the Table
- Daniele Zanotti, United Way Greater Toronto, Co-Chair of the Table
- Ayman Antoun, IBM Canada
- John Beck, Aecon Group Inc.
- Jenny Coco, Coco Paving Inc.
- Mitchell Cohen, The Daniels Corporation
- Dean Connor, Sun Life Financial
- Daniel Doctoroff, Sidewalk Labs
- Michael Friisdahl, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
- Meric Gertler, University of Toronto
- Jonathan Gitlin, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust
- John Honderich, Torstar Corporation
- Michael McCain, Maple Leaf Foods
- Nicolas Marcoux, PwC Canada
- Marcia Moffat, BlackRock
- Andrew Pickersgill, McKinsey & Company
- Andrew Pringle, RP Investment Advisors
- Kenneth Tanenbaum, Kilmer Group
- Beth Wilson, Dentons
“Participants in the initial meetings are innovative, collaborative thinkers who will look at the problem of economic disparity through a different lens and what roles their sectors may be able to play,” said Mr. White. “The ideas and projects proposed will then be tested, refined and implemented, drawing on BMO’s initial seed funding, as well as additional funds raised from others who share our desire to be change makers and tackle this important challenge.”
“This kind of partnership is a first for United Way Greater Toronto,” said Mr. Zanotti. “We’re excited to see private sector thinking on this issue, and working with community, government and other sectors to bring ideas into action for meaningful change.”
Corporate partners will work directly with community leaders from across the region to implement programs locally.
While the range of potential solutions can be limited only by the creativity of the meeting participants, there are models of success in other jurisdictions around the world. For instance:
- In the United Kingdom, the London Crossrail Project was designed in such a way to create thousands of jobs for unemployed and economically inactive residents
- Local Cleveland-area hospitals re-oriented their procurement programs to support the creation of employee-owned businesses, such as the Evergreen Cooperatives which provides laundry services to the hospitals
- In Australia, the state of Victoria requires its agencies to procure goods and services from social enterprises whenever possible.
Fred Armisen Tells Jokes Only Musicians Will Understand
Fred Armisen’s very specific brand of comedy will appeal to anyone who’s ever removed a wingnut from a cymbal.
Here’s the trailer for Armisen’s percussive special.
The Prince Estate Reveals Powerful New Video For “Mary Don’t You Weep”
Today, The Prince Estate, in partnership with Warner Bros. Records, released a powerful new video for “Mary Don’t You Weep,” a rare recording of the 19th Century spiritual that is featured on Piano & A Microphone 1983, out tomorrow, September 21s. This is the first original Prince video to be released posthumously. Directed by filmmaker, Salomon Ligthelm through Stink Films, and shot in New York City, the video makes an emotive statement around gun violence and its continued devastating impact on youth in America. The video pays tribute to the nearly 1,300 children that die and 5,790 that are treated for gunshot wounds each year in the United States alone. It puts the effect of what happens when a mother and a community lose a son under the microscope, exploring the agony, the resolve and ultimately hope for change.
The messaging in the video links thematically to Prince’s past activist work in Baltimore in 2015 around the death of Freddie Gray and the resulting riots that ensued in the city and beyond. That year, Prince released a protest song titled “Baltimore” – along with an accompanying documentary style video – directed squarely at the need for more compassion and peace, an ever-present theme he echoed through his career. Prince sings in the song: “Peace is more than the absence of war… We’re tired of cryin’ and people dyin’, let’s take all the guns away”. Beyond the release of the song, Prince hosted a special tribute concert that year in Baltimore on Mother’s Day, titled Rally 4 Peace, described in an official statement at the time as “a catalyst for pause and reflection following the outpouring of violence that has gripped Baltimore and areas throughout the US”. Live streamed on TIDAL and attended by stars including Jay Z, Beyonce and Miguel, the event generated charitable proceeds for a variety of youth focused organizations in the region. The “Baltimore” video ends with a powerful quote Prince delivered during an impassioned speech at his 2015 Rally 4 Peace event: “The system is broken. It’s going to take young people to fix it. We need new ideas, new life…”. The new video for “Mary Don’t You Weep” begins with that same quote, a symbolic reminder underscoring Prince’s earlier messaging on the topic and a timely reflection on the need for positive change.
The Deluxe CD+LP format includes a 12” booklet featuring brand new liner notes written by Prince’s then engineer Don Batts, Revolution member Lisa Coleman and Paisley Park artist Jill Jones, as well as candid shots of Prince including never-before-seen photos and original hand-written lyrics.
The album cover photo captures a rare view of Prince backstage during the 1999 tour. The photo was taken by Prince’s trusted photographer and creative collaborator Allen Beaulieu who worked closely with Prince between 1979-1984. Allen’s work with Prince includes the cover shots for the Dirty Mind and Controversy albums and iconic promotional photos for the 1999 album.
Piano & A Microphone 1983 is a nine track, 35-minute album featuring a previously unreleased home studio cassette recording of Prince solo at his piano captured in 1983. The album is available now to pre-order on CD, LP, Deluxe CD+LP, digital release and pre-save for streaming here. The album provides a rare, intimate glimpse into Prince’s creative process as he worked through songs like “Purple Rain” and “17 Days”, a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You”, “Strange Relationship” (not released until 1987 on his critically acclaimed Sign O’ The Times album), and “International Lover”. “Mary Don’t You Weep” was recently featured during the end credits of Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed film BlackKkKlansman. For fans of Prince’s spontaneous live medleys, tracks 1-7 of the album are presented in that same format as they were originally recorded.
Piano & A Microphone 1983
Track list and credits:
1. 17 Days
2. Purple Rain
3. A Case Of You
4. Mary Don’t You Weep
5. Strange Relationship
6. International Lover
7. Wednesday
8. Cold Coffee & Cocaine
9. Why The Butterflies
Recorded in 1983 at Prince’s Kiowa Trail home studio in Chanhassen, MN
Engineered by Don Batts
The Monkees To Release Christmas Party, Their First Ever Holiday Album
The Monkees will celebrate the season with their first holiday album, featuring new vocals by Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. The late Davy Jones’ unmistakable voice – taken from vintage recordings – also appears on two songs. CHRISTMAS PARTY will be available on CD, digital download, and streaming services on October 12.
On CHRISTMAS PARTY, The Monkees put their unmistakable vocal stamp on a wide array of classic Christmas tracks, from the R&B holiday standard “Merry Christmas, Baby,” to Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and Wizzard’s yuletide classic “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.”
After helming The Monkees’ critically acclaimed studio album Good Times! in 2016, Grammy® and Emmy®-winning songwriter Adam Schlesinger reprises his role as producer on CHRISTMAS PARTY All of the album’s 13 songs were recorded this year, with “Silver Bells” and “Mele Kalikimaka” using classic Davy Jones vocals from the archives combined with newly recorded music.
Much like Good Times!, CHRISTMAS PARTY features songs newly written for the band by a group of talented songwriters, including Rivers Cuomo of Weezer (“What Would Santa Do”) and Andy Partridge of XTC (“Unwrap You For Christmas”). Schlesinger and celebrated author Michael Chabon teamed up to write “House Of Broken Gingerbread.” Guitarists Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5 play on two songs – a cover of Big Star’s “Jesus Christ” and the album’s title track, which they wrote together.
CHRISTMAS PARTY also includes two songs with Michael Nesmith on lead vocals, with each track being produced by one of his sons. His take on the yuletide classic “The Christmas Song” was produced by Christian Nesmith while “Snowfall” was helmed by Jonathan Nesmith.
Over the years, The Monkees’ amassed a dozen Top 40 hits, including a trio of tunes that soared to #1. Between September 1966 and December 1967, “Last Train To Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer,” and “Daydream Believer” collectively occupied the top position for 12 weeks. Sales of their LPs were more phenomenal still: The Monkees occupied the #1 position for 13 consecutive weeks, and More Of The Monkees for 18 weeks. Both Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. went to the top as well, for a four-in-a-row feat in the incomprehensible space of 13 months. The final tally: 16 million albums and 7.5 million singles sold in a mere 2 1/2 years.
CHRISTMAS PARTY Track Listing
“Unwrap You For Christmas”
“What Would Santa Do”
“Mele Kalikimaka”
“House Of Broken Gingerbread”
“The Christmas Song”
“Christmas Party”
“Jesus Christ”
“I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day”
“Silver Bells”
“Wonderful Christmastime”
“Snowfall”
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
“Merry Christmas, Baby”