The late, great Ronnie James Dio was known for fronted numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell, and credited with popularizing the “metal horns” hand gesture in metal culture. What is lesser known about the musician, however, is his early career as a headlining Doo Wop singer in bands such as Ronnie and the Redcaps (“An Angel Is Missing“) and Ronnie Dio and the Prophets (“Follow Me“).
David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ To Be Released In September As Limited Edition Picture-Disc
On September 22, 2017 one of David Bowie’s most celebrated tracks “HEROES” will be released as a special limited edition 40th-anniversary 7″ picture disc on Parlophone.
Originally released in the UK on 23rd September 1977 “HEROES” was the first single to be taken from the album of the same name, the second of the so-called ‘Berlin Trilogy’ of albums.
“Heroes” was recorded in English, French and German and has over the past forty years become an inspirational anthem. When Bowie performed the song in West Berlin in 1987 with the Wall as a backdrop, thousands of East Berliners could be heard singing and cheering along; Bowie later described it as one of the most emotional performances he had ever done.
The AA of the 7” picture disc is a previously unreleased live version of the track from Marc Bolan’s ‘Marc’ ITV show, the first time public performance of the song. The track was recorded on the 7th of September 1977 but wasn’t broadcast until later that month by which time Bolan had passed away in a tragic accident.
“Heroes” is one of Bowie’s most-covered tracks with the likes of Prince, Blondie, Oasis, Nico, Depeche Mode, LCD Soundsystem, Peter Gabriel, Janelle Monae, King Crimson, Philip Glass, Kasabian, TV On The Radio, The Wallflowers and many more have performed it.
A-Side “HEROES” (Single version 2017 Remaster)
(Lyrics by David Bowie, Music by David Bowie and Brian Eno)
Produced byDavid Bowie & Tony Visconti
Recorded at Hansa by the Wall, Berlin and Mountain Studios, Montreux
AA-Side “HEROES” (‘Marc’ show version)
(Lyrics by David Bowie, Music by David Bowie and Brian Eno)
Recorded for the television show ‘Marc’ on 7th September 1977 and broadcast on 20th September 1977
Aretha Franklin Weaves Her Classic Vocals With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra For “A Brand New Me” Album
In January 1967, a 24-year old Aretha Franklin signed to Atlantic Records and began one of the most legendary runs in music history, releasing five U.S. hit singles in that year alone. Rhino celebrates the 50th anniversary of Franklin’s historic signing with an opportunity to hear her classic Atlantic masters like never before.
A BRAND NEW ME: ARETHA FRANKLIN WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA pairs classic vocals from some of the most iconic songs that the Queen of Soul recorded for Atlantic Records with new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The album will be available from Rhino on November 10 on CD, LP, digital download, and streaming services.
A BRAND NEW ME features Franklin’s instantly recognizable voice woven together with new orchestral arrangements. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded the music at Abbey Road Studios in London, with brand new backing vocals led by Grammy®-winning singer Patti Austin.
The result is another timeless record that retains the soul, groove, and gospel power of Franklin’s revered talent. Among the standout tracks are newly re-imagined versions of classics like the Billboard #1 R&B hits “Respect,” “Think,” “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” and “Angel.”
The album was produced by Nick Patrick and Don Reedman, the masterminds behind the massive worldwide success of If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which recently topped the charts in multiple countries and has sold more than 1.5 million copies.
Nick Patrick says: “There is a reason that Aretha Franklin is called the ‘Queen of Soul.’ There is nothing more exciting than that incredible voice taking you on an emotional roller coaster ride through her amazing repertoire of songs. To have the opportunity to work with that voice on this project has been the greatest honor and to hear a symphony orchestra wrapped around those performances is breathtaking.”
Don Reedman says: “I was 15 years old when a song came on the radio called ‘Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody.’ It blew me away; the power, the soul. The feeling that went through me got me hooked on Aretha and I have been ever since. To be able to make this album and be able to select songs from hits like ‘Respect’ to ‘Think’ then blend them with classic songs like ‘Let It Be’ and ‘Border Song’ and create an album which is versatile and fresh is truly an honor.”
James Williams, Managing Director of The Royal Philharmonic says: “The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to perform on this new recording, combining Aretha Franklin’s iconic voice with lush new arrangements of her greatest hit songs for full orchestra, bringing a whole new generation to the music of this legendary performer.”
A BRAND NEW ME: ARETHA FRANKLIN WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC
Track Listing
CD / Digital
1. “Think”
2. “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)”
3. “I Say A Little Prayer”
4. “Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”
5. “A Brand New Me”
6. “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)”
7. “Angel”
8. “Border Song (Holy Moses)”
9. “Let It Be”
10. “People Get Ready”
11. “Oh Me Oh My (I’m A Fool For You Baby)”
12. “You’re All I Need To Get By”
13. “Son Of A Preacher Man”
14. “Respect”
LP
SIDE A
1. “Think”
2. “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)”
3. “I Say A Little Prayer”
4. “A Brand New Me”
5. “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)”
6. “Angel”
SIDE B
1. “Border Song (Holy Moses)”
2. “Let It Be”
3. “People Get Ready”
4. “You’re All I Need To Get By”
5. “Son Of A Preacher Man”
6. “Respect”
Canadian Singer-Songwriter Barney Bentall’s ‘The Drifter & The Preacher’ Set for Release on October 13
After a five year recording hiatus, JUNO Award winner Barney Bentall returns with what is arguably his most personal record to date, The Drifter & The Preacher.
The Drifter & The Preacher is the great paradox of a nomadic homebody, and a musical tour de force that could prove to be truly defining for a musician, a songwriter, a friend, a father, a brother, a husband and a son… coming face-to-face with a life lived. Lead single “The Miner,” which was co-written and features his son Dustin Bentall, will be immediately available as a download to fans who pre-order the album on iTunes. Check out the official video for “The Miner” here. Pre-order begins today on iTunes, Amazon and on the True North Records label store.
Barney Bentall hit the music scene as the lead man for Barney Bentall and The Legendary Hearts back in 1988, with his self-titled debut CD soaring to the top of the charts, reaching platinum status in Canada and establishing Bentall as a must-see as a concert draw.
The last couple of years have seen Barney Bentall translate his tremendous ability and deep introspection into his 10th studio album, which is an ambitious effort accomplished by one of the greatest storytellers of our time. “This was written for my father-in-law. Bar none, one of the most interesting and intelligent people I have met,” says Bentall. “He taught me many valuable things and gave me the best friend I have. He died with his boots on at the age of ninety-three. I wrote this at my ranch shortly after on a star-studded night.”
While plenty of musicians have told stories of their family, Bentall possesses the emotion and interpretive skills to reveal an eclectic range that few could muster, and no more so than in the first single, “The Miner.” Says Bentall, “My son Dustin is a travelling musician. ‘The Miner’ marks the first time we wrote a song together… It started out as a story about Dustin’s grandfather and as a continuation of ‘The Drifter‘. Songs often have a mind of their own and… ‘Life goes where it goes’. When the dust had settled, we ended up with a story loosely based on a good friend of ours. He, much like the two of us, is driving down the road less travelled.”
The Drifter & The Preacher also features a collaboration with Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo on “Won’t Change The World.” Bentall says, “Sometimes a song is the only tool in the chest when you are trying to get back into someone’s favour. My good friend Jim Cuddy jumped in on this one. I swear, that boy gets behind an old tube microphone in a recording studio and puts on a clinic every time.”
Inspiration set in not only from his family, but good friends, too. “The Ocean and You (A song for John Mann)” is a stirring song paying tribute to the Spirit Of The West singer. “Around the time we were forming the Legendary Hearts, we had this rustic studio in a millwork shop in the False Creek area in Vancouver. It was a sketchy part of town at the time, but heaven to us. Back in the day, that studio was our Clubhouse. We wrote and demoed ‘Something To Live For’ there, among many other songs. The founding members of Spirit Of The West — Geoffrey Kelly and John Mann — became lifelong friends of mine in the early ‘80s. We made their first record in that studio and had a wonderful party or two. Along with our partners/wives, it was an unforgettable and cherished circle. I wrote this song about John and his ongoing courageous fight with early onset Alzheimer’s. It is also about the equally courageous role of John’s partner Jill. God bless ya, Johnny.”
Look for more official videos and tour dates to follow. Below is the complete track listing.
The Drifter & The Preacher | Track Listing
- The Miner (Featuring Dustin Bentall)
- Moon At The Door
- The Drifter
- Hey Mama
- In The Morning
- The Preacher
- Won’t Change The World (Featuring Jim Cuddy)
- Don’t Wait For Me Marie
- Say Goodbye To Albert Comfort
- The Ocean And You (A Song For John Mann)
- On The Shores Of Grise Fjord
Catch Barney Bentall live at the following Canadian tour stops:
July 20 – Toronto, ON – Live on the Patio at Roy Thomson Hall
July 21 – Mission, BC – Mission Folk Music Festival
July 26 – 30 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Folk Music Festival
August 4 – Minnedosa, MB – Rockin’ The Fields of Minnedosa Festival
August 6 – Comox, BC – The Filberg Festival
August 18 – Saskatoon, SK – Rock The River Festival
August 19 – Wainwright, AB – Come By The Hills Music Festival
October 29 – Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre – Azrieli Studio
Photo Gallery: Muse with Thirty Seconds To Mars at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage
All photos taken by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
There’s A New Music Video From Nine Inch Nails
“So what are you waiting for? You got what you asked for. Did it fix what was wrong with you?”
The new music video (let’s let that sink in…the new music video) for Nine Inch Nails’ single was made with a modified version of Llamasoft’s PS4 virtual reality shooter Polybius. The single is from the new EP ‘ADD VIOLENCE’ coming July 21st.
In this Oscar-nominated short, a mysterious vinyl record suddenly allows Pia to travel through time
In A Single Life, this Oscar-nominated short, a mysterious vinyl record suddenly allows Pia to travel through time.
A Single Life from Job, Joris & Marieke on Vimeo.
The soundtrack for A Single Life by Happy Camper is available on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/5DKa6wxmwykF9PwsIm8FXw
Birthplace of Country Music Celebrates The 90th Anniversary Of 1927 Bristol Sessions
This summer the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) celebrates the 90th anniversary of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings with an exciting series of panels, performances, premieres, and promotions showcasing the deep impact of the Sessions. Kicking off on July 15 with a symposium featuring Ralph Peer II, Barry Mazor, and the producers of the PBS documentary American Epic, the celebration continues through the award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival September 15—17, 2017.
“Ours is a story that isn’t often told, yet the events that happened in Bristol in 1927 revolutionized the country music industry,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of BCM. “This celebration honors the legacy of the Bristol Sessions and its lasting impact on the soundtrack of our lives. We urge everyone who loves music to explore this important history in Bristol and take part in the events during the 90th anniversary.”
Arguably the most influential country music recordings in history, the 1927 Bristol Sessions were produced by Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company and included the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, among others. The 1927 Bristol Sessions ushered in a new era for the commerical music industry due to their commercial success and the state-of-the-art technology used to record them.
A quick overview of the 90th anniversary offerings are below. To view a full list of activities and to purchase tickets, visit 1927BristolSessions.org.
90th Anniversary Symposium with Ralph Peer II
Saturday, July 15: 2:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m. ET
The 90th Anniversary Symposium will delve into the technology, impact, and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Following a screening of portions of the PBS documentary American Epic and discussion with producers Allison McGourty and Bernard MacMahon, esteemed music journalist and author Barry Mazor (Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music, Meeting Jimmie Rodgers: How America’s Original Roots Music Hero Changed the Pop Sounds of a Century) will explore the impact of the Bristol Sessions. Ralph Peer II, CEO of peermusic, and his wife Liz Peer will provide the keynote.
Friends of 1927 Concert
Saturday, July 29, 2017: 6:30 p.m. ET
This intimate concert experience features the respected talents of musician and Grammy Award-winnng producer Carl Jackson, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductee Larry Cordle, and SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year Jerry Salley. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are included.
Born in Bristol Film Premiere
Public screening dates: August 4—6, 2017
In 1927 musicians came from all over the region to make music in Bristol; they ended up making history. Don’t miss the highly-anticipated premiere of Born in Bristol, a film highlighting this history and featuring some of country music’s most respected artists, including Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, and many more. Public screenings will take place at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and the film is included with a museum admission ticket.
90th Anniversary Promotional Admission
Museum admission is only 90 cents July 25-30, 2017
In honor of the 90th anniversary, patrons can visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum to explore the history and music of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and experience the amazing impact of those recordings with a special admission price of only 90 cents from July 25 to July 30!
Bristol Rhythm Tribute to the 90th
September 15-17, 2017
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will pay tribute to the 90th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions with a once-in-a-lifetime special showcase featuring an array of festival artists yet to be announced. The tribute will take place on the final day of the festival. Weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm are on sale now; headlining talent at this year’s event includes Dwight Yoakam, Judah and the Lion, Jerry Douglas Presents Earls of Leicester, Son Volt, Rodney Crowell, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and many, many more. Visit BristolRhythm.comfor the complete lineup and to purchase tickets.
E.ON teams up with Noah Harris and Gorillaz for new battery ad
To promote their solar storage batteries, E.ON teamed up with Noah Harris and Gorillaz to create a solar powered desert rave extravaganza.
E.ON x Gorillaz – A Solar Collaboration from noah harris on Vimeo.
Photo Gallery: Metallica at Toronto’s Rogers Centre
By Dawn Hamilton
It was a sea of leather, long hair, and liquor at The Rogers Centre for the one and only Metallica. I don’t think I have ever seen so many people in one place all head banging in unison to every single song Metallica played. They started the night with “HardWired” and even before the first note the fans were already singing in the crowd. High fives and fist bumps were plentiful to anyone passing you as you walked to your seats and even wanting me to join in the fun in the photo pit before I started my night. Everyone seemed to be in great spirits, and who wouldn’t be, it is Metallica after all.
What can I say about at band that has been around since probably the beginning of time that hasn’t been said before. I grew up listening to them in high school, yes I am aging myself, and there was a multitude of parents bringing the new generation to bask in the presence of this iconic band. Even a very young fan was at the front of the pit area, whom near the end of the night was pointed out by James, “How old are you? 13? And you are in the front row? You and your dad came to Metallica? That’s fucking cool, your dad is cool and you are a cool kid.” I can see why they chose the Rogers Centre for such a monumental event. After playing such a tiny venue, The Opera House in Toronto, to the other end of the scale, the most grandiose venue in Toronto it seems there is nothing Metallica can’t do or hasn’t done already.
The stage set up was fairly simple, just the usual backline but behind them was the biggest LED wall I have ever seen showing live footage of them below. That being said, flames, lazers and even fireworks made for tons of ambience throughout the concert.
“We got all kinds of people here tonight, I wanna know out of curiously… I wanna know with a show of hands how many new people are here tonight?” In my opinion, probably one quarter of the venue raised their hands as James posed this question.
“This goes out to all the brand new family members here…. all the old schoolers like it heavy and Metallica gives you heavy”. Heavy is exactly what they gave us as the guitars started screaming and they started “Sad But True”. This was the start of the next few songs for us old schoolers as they continued with their songs “One” and “Master Of Puppets”. If the PA system had any dust or cobwebs in it I can guarantee they have all been shaken loose and are currently on the floor of the Rogers Centre. This was one of the loudest concerts I have ever been to, with one exception, Cinderella at Copps Coliseum back in the day.
Just before the end of the night Metallica made the show a little bit more intimate by moving the band to the end of the catwalk and in the front of the “snakepit”, explaining to the fans “we are recreating the garage, exactly how it was when we first started in 1983 way before you were born kid” speaking to the 13 year old in the front row. They also brought another young fan on stage for a moment to sit behind Lars’ drum kit, the next generation Metallica. “This is exactly how it was in the garage, Lars was that young and except you weren’t here” James quipped then instructed the fans “When I say seek…” the crowd erupted Destroy.
Unfortunately the night for myself didn’t start until Metallica hit the stage as I was stuck in traffic for 4 hours (normally a 1.5 hours drive) trying to make my way down to the Rogers Centre. I am crushed I wasn’t able to witness Volbeat and to photograph Avenge Sevenfold, but I am positive they both kicked ass during their set. Hopefully next time I will have the opportunity to photograph both bands soon.
This was a weekend of nostalgia, the biggest heavy metal bands were in town and I couldn’t be more thankful to be rocking out with the best of them. James said as much before the encore “Are you still out there? Metallica is grateful to be here after 36 years. You make us feel good”. I am pretty sure a ton of people are not feeling so good this Monday and I can guarantee there was more than one person who called in “sick” to work today due to self inflicted liquor intake which is sad but true…..
Once again thanks to the crew because without them there is no show!
All photos and review done by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
