“Playing bass using only my little finger.”
How To Get Phil Collins’ Synth Sound For “In The Air Tonight”
In this edition of Reverb Synth Sounds, William Kurk breaks down the Phil Collins classic “In The Air Tonight.”
Originally released in 1981 on Collins’ Face Value, the song has become emblematic of ’80s pop music. Oddly enough, as William explains in the video above, the song’s foundation is built on a preset disco pattern on the Roland CompuRhythm CR-78 drum machine. From there, the song utilizes a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 polyphonic synth and a heavy dose of gated reverb.
Walk on the Wild Side: The People who Inspired Lou Reed’s Classic Song
Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed from his second solo album, Transformer in 1972, was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, and released as a double A-side with “Perfect Day”. The song received wide radio coverage, despite its touching on taboo topics such as transsexuality, drugs, male prostitution, and oral sex. In the United States, RCA released the single using an edited version of the song without the reference to oral sex.
The lyrics, describing a series of individuals and their journeys to New York City, refer to several of the regular “superstars” at Andy Warhol’s New York studio, the Factory, namely Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro, Jackie Curtis and Joe Campbell (referred to in the song by his nickname Sugar Plum Fairy). Candy Darling was also the subject of Reed’s earlier song for The Velvet Underground, “Candy Says”.
Spotify, Tencent and Tencent Music Entertainment announce equity investments
Spotify, Tencent Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Tencent Music Entertainment Group today jointly announce equity investments, strengthening relationships between the two most popular music streaming platforms in the world.
TME and Spotify will acquire new shares representing minority equity stakes in each other for cash. In addition, Tencent will invest in Spotify through secondary purchases. Following these transactions, Spotify will hold a minority stake in TME, and both Tencent and TME will hold minority stakes in Spotify.
Spotify operates the world’s largest music streaming service. Tencent, which owns a majority stake in TME, operates the most popular social platforms in China and has a proven record of investing in innovative technology companies. TME is an early mover in authorized digital music and is the largest online music services company in China. It provides a rich catalogue of digital music services including streaming, online live broadcasts and karaoke, serving hundreds of millions of users.
Daniel Ek, CEO and Founder, Spotify, said, “Spotify and Tencent Music Entertainment see significant opportunities in the global music streaming market for all our users, artists, music and business partners. This transaction will allow both companies to benefit from the global growth of music streaming.”
Cussion Pang, CEO of TME, said: “We are excited to embark on this partnership with the largest music streaming platform in the world. TME and Spotify will work together to explore collaboration opportunities, with a common objective to foster a vibrant music ecosystem that benefits users, artists and content owners.”
Martin Lau, President at Tencent, said: “We are delighted to facilitate this strategic collaboration between the two largest digital music platforms in the world. Both of us share the same commitment to bringing music and superior entertainment experiences to music lovers, and to expanding the global digital music market for artists and content partners.”
Eagles Add 13 New Dates To 2018 North American Tour
Due to the overwhelming response for the announced Eagles’ 2018 tour dates, 13 more “An Evening with the Eagles” concerts have been added to the band’s 2018 tour, which kicks off on March 12 in Indianapolis, Indiana. New shows have been set for March 15 in Grand Rapids, MI at the Van Andel Arena; March 19 in Kansas City, MO at the Sprint Center; a second show in Nashville, TN at the Bridgestone Arena on March 24; April 8 in Columbus, OH at the Nationwide Arena; April 10 in Lexington, KY at the Rupp Arena; April 11 in Charlotte, NC at the Spectrum Center; April 16 in Columbia, SC at the Colonial Life Arena; April 17 in Raleigh, NC at the PNC Arena; April 19 in Birmingham, AL at the BJCC Arena; a second show in Vancouver, BC at the Rogers Arena on May 11; July 14 in Buffalo, NY at the KeyBank Center; a second show in Toronto, ON at the Air Canada Centre on July 17; and July 24 in Pittsburgh, PA at the PPG Paints Arena. In addition, a stadium concert has been added on Friday, June 15 in Houston, Texas at Minute Maid Park with Chris Stapleton sharing the bill. A full listing of 2018 tour dates can be found below.
Tickets for these newly announced concerts go on sale Friday, December 15 at 10 AM local time through Ticketmaster.com.
American Express® Card Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public beginning Monday, December 11 at 10 AM through Thursday, December 14 at 10 PM local time. Additional presale opportunities will be available beginning Thursday, December 14 at 10 AM.
Eagles 2018 itinerary:
Mon Mar 12 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Wed Mar 14 Chicago, IL United Center
Thu Mar 15 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
Sun Mar 18 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Mon Mar 19 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center**
Wed Mar 21 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena**
Fri Mar 23 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Sat Mar 24 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Sun Apr 08 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
Tue Apr 10 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
Wed Apr 11 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
Sat Apr 14 Orlando, FL Camping World Stadium (with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band)
Mon Apr 16 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena
Tue Apr 17 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Thu Apr 19 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
Sat Apr 21 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium (with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band)
Thu May 10 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Fri May 11 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Mon May 14 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
Tue May 15 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
Fri Jun 15 Houston, TX Minute Maid Park (with Chris Stapleton)
Sun Jun 17 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
Wed Jun 20 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
Sat Jun 23 Arlington, TX AT&T Stadium (with Chris Stapleton)
Thu Jun 28 Denver, CO Coors Field (with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band)
Sat Jun 30 Minneapolis, MN Target Field (with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band)
Sat Jul 14 Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center**
Sun Jul 15 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Tue Jul 17 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Fri Jul 20 Boston, MA TD Garden
Tue Jul 24 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
Thu Jul 26 Washington, DC Nationals Park** (with James Taylor & His All-Star Band)
Sat Jul 28 Philadelphia, PA Citizens Bank Park (with James Taylor & His All-Star Band)
Go to Droid School with Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO In Star Wars
Class is in session on the set of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Go to Droid School with Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO. The Last Jedi is set to fight its way into theaters on December 15th, 2017.
Stony Plain Records Signs Acclaimed Canadian Roots Guitarist/Singer Sue Foley And Will Release Her Label Debut CD, The Ice Queen, March 2, 2018
Stony Plain Records announces the signing of acclaimed Canadian roots guitarist/singer Sue Foley, and will release her label debut CD, The Ice Queen, on March 2, 2018.
Produced by Mike Flanigin, who also plays organ on the new disc, The Ice Queen was recorded at Firestation Studios in San Marcos, Texas. Joining Sue Foley as special guests is a trio of legendary Texas guitarslingers – Jimmie Vaughan, Z.Z.Top’s Billy F Gibbons and Charlie Sexton – as well as a host of other Lone Star State all-stars, including Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) and George Rains (drums), Derek O’Brien (guitar), Chris Maresh and Billy Horton (bass) and The Texas Horns: John Mills, Al Gomez, Jimmy Shortell, Randy Zimmerman and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff.
“I’m extremely excited to be working with Holger Petersen and Stony Plain Records,” Sue Foley says about the new CD. “Holger is one of the most knowledgeable ‘real music’ people in the business. Stony Plain is known to put out great music and I know The Ice Queen has found her home.”
Sue Foley is the only female member of the famed “Jungle Show,” featuring Billy Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Mike Flanigin and Chris Layton, which became one of the hottest tickets in Austin in 2016. Soon after playing two sold out shows at Austin City Limits Live 3TEN Club in December, Foley entered the studio with her Texan pals and began laying down tracks for the new album. She will return to Austin for more of “The Jungle Shows” on December 26 and 27 at Antone’s.
Recorded throughout 2017, The Ice Queen represents Foley’s full circle journey – her return to the roots of her career in Austin with producer Mike Flanigin. The album was recorded with her long-time friends and collaborators Vaughan, Gibbons, Layton, Sexton and others, as well as members of the Tedeschi Trucks and Gary Clark Jr. bands.
“When I was a teenager I idolized Jimmie Vaughan and Billy F Gibbons,” Foley says. “They’re both legends now so this feels like an historical event (at least it does for me). And I grew up sitting at the feet of players like George ‘Big Beat’ Rains, Derek O’Brien and The Texas Horns. I spent many nights watching Charlie Sexton and the Arc Angels with Chris Layton. I learned and grew more musically in my years in Austin than at any point in my life. The fact that all these mega talented musicians have graced my album is beyond anything I hoped for. I am still pinching myself.”
A flood of inspiration and themes can be found on each of the tracks – ranging from lost love, anguish, and struggle to release, forgiveness and rebirth. Mostly recorded live in the studio, Foley’s emotional vocal delivery, conviction, accessible yet inspired lyrics and intrepid guitar playing are all laid out, bare and raw for the songs to reveal.
Opening with the radio friendly, funky, swamp-meets Bo Diddley beat of “Come to Me,” The Ice Queen also features the upbeat and rollicking tracks “Run,” “The Lucky Ones” (a duet with Jimmie Vaughan) and “Gaslight.” There are several bluesy and soulful tracks, including “81,” “The Ice Queen,” (with its menacing John Lee Hooker vibe in tone and substance), “Fool’s Gold” (featuring Billy F Gibbons on vocals and harmonica), “If I Have Forsaken You” (with the horns sounding echoes of the great Bobby “Blue” Bland), and a cheeky, guitar-heavy cover of Bessie Smith’s “Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair.” Foley also provides some more mellow and unexpected songs on The Ice Queen with the jazzy “Death of a Dream,” the flamenco-blues hybrid “The Dance” (which showcases her acoustic guitar work) and a beautiful cover of the Carter Family’s “Cannonball Blues.”
Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning musician and one of the finest blues and roots artists working today. She is a veritable triple-threat of musical talent as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. As with many blues women of the past, Foley has a long history of defying convention, and being a positive role model for aspiring, young female musicians.
She has been working professionally since the age of 16, and by the age of 21, Foley had relocated to Austin, Texas, and began recording for Antone’s, the esteemed blues label and historic nightclub that helped launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. In the two decades that have followed, Sue Foley has been busy touring and recording steadily, all while toting her signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster. In 2001, she won the prestigious Juno Award (Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) and also holds the record for the most Maple Blues Awards in Canada and has earned three Trophees de Blues de France. She has also garnered several nominations at the Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation.
The Ice Queen represents Sue Foley’s indefatigable commitment to her craft, and her transparency with the journey that birthed her, further proving that you can’t keep a good blueswoman down, particularly when she is The Ice Queen.
Stony Plain Records Signs Acclaimed Canadian Roots Guitarist/Singer Sue Foley And Will Release Her Label Debut CD, The Ice Queen, March 2, 2018
Stony Plain Records announces the signing of acclaimed Canadian roots guitarist/singer Sue Foley, and will release her label debut CD, The Ice Queen, on March 2, 2018.
Produced by Mike Flanigin, who also plays organ on the new disc, The Ice Queen was recorded at Firestation Studios in San Marcos, Texas. Joining Sue Foley as special guests is a trio of legendary Texas guitarslingers – Jimmie Vaughan, Z.Z.Top’s Billy F Gibbons and Charlie Sexton – as well as a host of other Lone Star State all-stars, including Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) and George Rains (drums), Derek O’Brien (guitar), Chris Maresh and Billy Horton (bass) and The Texas Horns: John Mills, Al Gomez, Jimmy Shortell, Randy Zimmerman and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff.
“I’m extremely excited to be working with Holger Petersen and Stony Plain Records,” Sue Foley says about the new CD. “Holger is one of the most knowledgeable ‘real music’ people in the business. Stony Plain is known to put out great music and I know The Ice Queen has found her home.”
Sue Foley is the only female member of the famed “Jungle Show,” featuring Billy Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Mike Flanigin and Chris Layton, which became one of the hottest tickets in Austin in 2016. Soon after playing two sold out shows at Austin City Limits Live 3TEN Club in December, Foley entered the studio with her Texan pals and began laying down tracks for the new album. She will return to Austin for more of “The Jungle Shows” on December 26 and 27 at Antone’s.
Recorded throughout 2017, The Ice Queen represents Foley’s full circle journey – her return to the roots of her career in Austin with producer Mike Flanigin. The album was recorded with her long-time friends and collaborators Vaughan, Gibbons, Layton, Sexton and others, as well as members of the Tedeschi Trucks and Gary Clark Jr. bands.
“When I was a teenager I idolized Jimmie Vaughan and Billy F Gibbons,” Foley says. “They’re both legends now so this feels like an historical event (at least it does for me). And I grew up sitting at the feet of players like George ‘Big Beat’ Rains, Derek O’Brien and The Texas Horns. I spent many nights watching Charlie Sexton and the Arc Angels with Chris Layton. I learned and grew more musically in my years in Austin than at any point in my life. The fact that all these mega talented musicians have graced my album is beyond anything I hoped for. I am still pinching myself.”
A flood of inspiration and themes can be found on each of the tracks – ranging from lost love, anguish, and struggle to release, forgiveness and rebirth. Mostly recorded live in the studio, Foley’s emotional vocal delivery, conviction, accessible yet inspired lyrics and intrepid guitar playing are all laid out, bare and raw for the songs to reveal.
Opening with the radio friendly, funky, swamp-meets Bo Diddley beat of “Come to Me,” The Ice Queen also features the upbeat and rollicking tracks “Run,” “The Lucky Ones” (a duet with Jimmie Vaughan) and “Gaslight.” There are several bluesy and soulful tracks, including “81,” “The Ice Queen,” (with its menacing John Lee Hooker vibe in tone and substance), “Fool’s Gold” (featuring Billy F Gibbons on vocals and harmonica), “If I Have Forsaken You” (with the horns sounding echoes of the great Bobby “Blue” Bland), and a cheeky, guitar-heavy cover of Bessie Smith’s “Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair.” Foley also provides some more mellow and unexpected songs on The Ice Queen with the jazzy “Death of a Dream,” the flamenco-blues hybrid “The Dance” (which showcases her acoustic guitar work) and a beautiful cover of the Carter Family’s “Cannonball Blues.”
Sue Foley is a multi-award-winning musician and one of the finest blues and roots artists working today. She is a veritable triple-threat of musical talent as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. As with many blues women of the past, Foley has a long history of defying convention, and being a positive role model for aspiring, young female musicians.
She has been working professionally since the age of 16, and by the age of 21, Foley had relocated to Austin, Texas, and began recording for Antone’s, the esteemed blues label and historic nightclub that helped launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. In the two decades that have followed, Sue Foley has been busy touring and recording steadily, all while toting her signature pink paisley Fender Telecaster. In 2001, she won the prestigious Juno Award (Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) and also holds the record for the most Maple Blues Awards in Canada and has earned three Trophees de Blues de France. She has also garnered several nominations at the Blues Music Awards from The Blues Foundation.
The Ice Queen represents Sue Foley’s indefatigable commitment to her craft, and her transparency with the journey that birthed her, further proving that you can’t keep a good blueswoman down, particularly when she is The Ice Queen.
The Top 30 Most-Recorded Holiday Songs
s holiday songs increasingly fill the airwaves and our eardrums, Music Reports, the world’s most advanced rights administration platform, has compiled a list of the 30 most recorded holiday songs. Songdex®, the largest database of music rights in the world, contains records of both musical compositions and the recorded versions of those compositions, allowing the company to identify here the all-time most recorded holiday songs.
Sentimental holiday favorite “Silent Night” tops the list with 137,315 recorded versions, followed by chestnuts “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “The Christmas Song” and “Winter Wonderland” filling out the top five. Impressively, Mariah Carey’s (and Walter Afanasieff’s) more modern classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” rounds out the list, with 13,419 recorded versions just since the song’s debut in 1994 – a feat rivaled only by “Last Christmas,” written by George Michael, with 17,806 versions recorded since 1984.
Music Reports is a global technology platform for the administration of copyright transactions. Its assets include Songdex®, the world’s most authoritative registry of music rights and related business information, and a rapidly customizable SaaS platform for content management and accounting. Music Reports accounts and settles payments for all music rights types in multiple territories and currencies, and builds and hosts solutions for sales data pre-processing, reporting data transformation, content catalog management, and business intelligence analytics.
Full list (as of November 30, 2017):
1. “Silent Night” (137,315)
2. “White Christmas” (128,276)
3. “Jingle Bells” (89,681)
4. “The Christmas Song” (80,064)
5. “Winter Wonderland” (70,471)
6. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” (68,669)
7. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (65,377)
8. “Joy To The World” (59,767)
9. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (56,552)
10. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (54,446)
11. “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer” (49,384)
12. “O Holy Night” (48,665)
13. “Silver Bells” (48,440)
14. “Blue Christmas” (42,375)
15. “The Little Drummer Boy” (37,150)
16. “Frosty The Snowman” (36,867)
17. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (34,907)
18. “Jingle Bell Rock” (32,247)
19. “Sleigh Ride” (29,148)
20. “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” (28,758)
21. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (26,767)
22. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (25,112)
23. “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas” (23,900)
24. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (23,636)
25. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (22,102)
26. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (20,307)
27. “Last Christmas” (17,806)
28. “My Favorite Things” (17,111)
29. “Do You Hear What I Hear” (14,410)
30. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (13,419)
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