Page 2682 – That Eric Alper

Steven Van Zandt reflects on the making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River’

Music

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Aug 19, 2016

Steven Van Zandt reflects on the making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River’

As Bruce’s co-producer on The River, how did you deal with telling him “No” or “You should change this”?
It’s about having the right conversation at the right time. In the end, you accept the fact that you’re there to help him realize his vision. Every single outtake was a lost argument. He was getting 10, 12 great songs very quickly at that point. I would be like, “OK, let’s put that out. You want to do 12 more? That will be the next album.” But you can’t stop that flow when it happens. Chuck Berry had that flow for five or six years. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones — the great ones have a run where they’re in touch with something a little bit mystical, a little bit beyond logic.

It’s not something you plan, that you aspire to. You have this stuff built up inside, wanting to come out, and you tap into that faucet. Born to Run was eight songs. He went from that to a hundred [over Darkness and The River]. It was some of divine … [pauses] It’s something you can’t take for granted. That’s what made me mad sometimes. I’d get angry with him. Here I am, struggling to write a good song; every fucking one of them is war. And I’d be like, “Hey, man, you’re annoying me here. You’re taking this shit a little bit for granted. [Laughs] What do you mean you’re throwing out this song other people would have a career with?” “Restless Nights,” that’s a career. “Loose Ends,” that’s a career. But you can’t stop it. Once it’s happening, you go with it.

We had a wonderful recording method by then. We’d found the right studio [the Power Station in New York City]; we’d found the right engineers. We figured all that stuff out. It felt so good to go to work every day, after three years of torture. Suddenly, recording is fun. That alone is good for 40 fucking songs.

Via

Does Danzig Have A Favourite Joke? Get Ready.

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Aug 19, 2016

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Does Danzig Have A Favourite Joke? Get Ready.

This an exchange from an actual interview with Glenn Danzig in Rolling Stone magazine:
Who was the funniest person in your family growing up?
I don’t know. I don’t think anyone in my family was funny.

Maybe you picked up your sense of humor more from movies and TV.
Yeah. Sometimes on a tour bus, we watch comedy when it’s slow.

Do you have a favorite joke?
No.

OK.

Third Man Records will publish a book about the Stooges, as told by Iggy Pop

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Aug 19, 2016

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Third Man Records will publish a book about the Stooges, as told by Iggy Pop

Third Man Records will publish a book about the Stooges on Nov. 17. The band’s story will be told in the words of Iggy Pop, though author Jeff Gold and contributor Johan Kugelberg will be putting Pop’s stories together.

JUNO nominee Lori Cullen set to release “Sexsmith Swinghammer Songs” on October 28

Music

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Aug 18, 2016

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JUNO nominee Lori Cullen set to release Sexsmith Swinghammer Songs on October 28, 2016 via True North Records.

Long time friends and respected musicians Lori Cullen, Kurt Swinghammer and Ron Sexsmith come together and collaborate on a new recording – Sexsmith Swinghammer Songs. Ron, who has been a huge fan of Lori’s for years, suggested to Kurt that they co-write an album of material specifically for Lori to sing. The inspired results are sure to draw attention, as always, to her remarkable voice.

Identified by jazz giant Kurt Elling as one of his favourite new vocalists, Lori Cullen’s upcoming album on True North Records is a fresh expression of jazz-infused chamber-pop. With her pure, unaffected style she delivers twelve tunes that evoke the rich creativity of 60’s/70’s composers Bacharach, Webb and Jobim. Supporting the combination of Sexsmith’s renowned lyrical approach and Swinghammer’s unique musical sensibilities, the tracks feature contributions from a dozen of Toronto’s finest musicians.

The album was recorded at Toronto’s Canterbury Sound by veteran engineer Jeremy Darby and produced by Maury Lafoy, who also played bass along with the core band of drummer Mark Mariash, keyboardist Robbie Grunwald, and guitarist Swinghammer. Centered around nylon string and Rhodes, the skillfully constructed arrangements sparkle with trumpet, trombone, oboe, clarinet, recorder, and harmonica. Backing vocalists Mia Sheard and Jennifer Foster add a signature sound throughout the songs with intricately layered counterpoint parts. With his celebrated experience and sonic sensitivity, David Travers-Smith created the exquisite mix.

The first Lori Cullen CD came out at the start of a new century. Garden Path reflected a young sensibility informed by her heroes Joni Mitchell and Jane Siberry. Two years later she shifted gears to jazz standards for the well received So Much. Her third release Uneven Hill focused on original writing and dramatically broadened the scope of her sonic world. Calling For Rain in 2006 brought together all the previous elements to create a hybrid of jazz and pop which established her artistic identity. It was nominated for a Best Vocal Jazz Juno and one of her original tunes won the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award from the Ontario Council Of Folk Festivals. The CDs Buttercup Bugle and That Certain Chartreuse continued to define her reputation as a brilliant interpreter of covers, as well as a distinctive original writer, and expanded her reputation overseas with releases in Japan.
Lori’s seventh album is a confident, mature artistic statement inspired by the personal milestone of motherhood.

A Toronto album launch concert for Sexsmith Swinghammer Songs has been announced at Hugh’s Room on October 29.

SEXSMITH SWINGHAMMER SONGS TRACK LIST
1. The Face Of Emily
2. Miracle Home
3. Strange Is This Life
4. New Love
5. Something Right
6. This Morning
7. Beginner’s Luck
8. Off Somewhere (duet with Ron Sexsmith)
9. Then There Were Three
10. Some Part Of Me
11. Don’t Go Yet
12. True

UPCOMING DATES
Aug 20 – Waterdown, ON – Waterdown Arts Festival
Sept 9 – Toronto, ON – Hugh’s Room
Sept 17 – Toronto, ON – Kensington Market Jazz Festival
Oct 29 – Toronto, ON – Hugh’s Room (Album Launch)

Multiple JUNO Award Winner Jane Bunnett Featuring Maqueque To Release “Oddara” On October 14

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Aug 18, 2016

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Multiple JUNO Award Winner Jane Bunnett Featuring Maqueque To Release “Oddara” On October 14

Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee, and Officer of the Order of Canada, soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett & Maqueque is set to release Oddara on October 14, 2016 via Linus Entertainment.

Jane Bunnett’s continuing quest to seek out and present musical talent untapped and unheard beyond the confines of the island nohas led her down many roads, and it was during a trip 30 years ago to Havana, Cuba she discovered then-unknown musicians and formed the all-star ensemble Maqueque (pronounced “Mah-Keh-Keh”, meaning “the energy of a young girl’s spirit.”) Their 2014 self-titled debut CD was awarded a much-deserved Juno Award for Best Group Jazz Album of the Year.

Jane Bunnett’s assembly of all-star Cuban musicians, the sextet which includes herself and five extraordinary young females, ensured a spotlight for their fluid, seamless music. “Everything I’ve done,” Jane says with pride, “has led up to this group, which is the perfect vehicle for now.” Maqueque currently includes Yissy Garcia on drums, Dánae Olano on piano, Magdelys Savigne on batá drums and congas, Elizabeth Rodriguez on violin and vocals and Celia Jiménez on bass. Maqueque often features guest stars Melvis Santa on percussion and vocals, as well as Dayme Arocena assisting vocals.

With cover art by Spain’s most-famous and successful designers, Javier Mariscal, Oddara fills the air with intoxicating spirit of joy and electricity, and live, their shape-shifting enthusiasm is contagious, thrilling audiences in clubs and festivals throughout North America. Their smiling faces and lively attitude radiates their spirit, and speak to their love of performing. And audiences wouldn’t have it any other way – Maqueque’s fresh, inventive, no-compromise music earned the group a standing ovation at the Kennedy Center, a rare encore at the Chicago Jazz Festival, and four sold out nights at Chicago’s legendary Jazz Showcase. Maqueque also received the Premiers Award for Excellence In The Arts this past October and performed in NPR offices where they filmed a session for Tiny Desk Concert series.

Jane and Maqueque will kick off their tour in San Jose, CA and will go on to play shows across the U.S and Canada with additional dates to be added. A list of confirmed dates are below.

ODDARA TRACK LIST

Little Feet

Dream

El Chivo

25 New Moves

Song For You

Power of Two (Ibeyi)

La Flamenca Maria

Eulogy

Tres Golpes

Changui Guaso

Cafe Pilon

TOUR DATES

8/14/2016	San Jose Festival	San Jose, CA
8/20/2016	Yerba Buena Center for the Arts	San Francisco, CA
8/22/2016	Kuumwba Jazz Center	Santa Cruz, CA
8/26-28/2016	The Arlington Hotel & Pub	Maynooth, ON
9/16/2016	Guelph Jazz Festival	Guelph, ON
9/18/2016	Kensington Market Music Festival	Toronto, ON
10/13 – 15/2016	Hugh’s Room (CD Launch)	Toronto, ON
10/19/2016	Shenkman Arts Centre	Ottawa, ON
10/20/2016	Burlington Performing Arts Centre	Burlington, ON
10/21/2016	Markham Flato Theatre	Markham, ON
10/25/2016	Birdland	New York, NY

Paul McCartney Signs Worldwide Recording Agreement With Capitol Records

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Aug 18, 2016

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Paul McCartney Signs Worldwide Recording Agreement With Capitol Records

Paul McCartney has signed a worldwide recording agreement with Capitol Records, it was announced today by Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett.

“This is genuinely exciting for me,” McCartney said. “Not only was Capitol my first U.S. record label, but the first record I ever bought was Gene Vincent’s ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’ on the Capitol label.”

This historic contract encompasses McCartney’s entire body of post-Beatles work, from his 1970 McCartney album, through his decade with Wings, to the dozens of solo and collaborative works that have continually reaffirmed his standing as the most popular, influential and acclaimed artist in the history of recorded music. In a career that spans six decades, McCartney has sold more than 500 million records worldwide. He was recently named the United Kingdom’s most successful albums artist of all time by the Official Albums Chart Company and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his services to music.

Paul McCartney is the recipient of countless accolades and awards. He is a 21-time Grammy winner, two-time inductee into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, an Academy Award winner and honoree of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and France’s Légion d’Honneur.

McCartney is currently working on a new studio album, while a comprehensive plan for the artist’s catalogue is being conceived by Capitol and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) – in conjunction with the artist and his management team – and will be implemented beginning July 2017. The catalogue moves to Capitol/UMe from Concord, Paul’s previous label partner on such Grammy-winning albums as Band On The Run (Best Historical Album, 2012), Kisses On The Bottom (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, 2013) and Wings Over America (Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, 2014).

Vote to have Shawn Mendes Perform at Your School

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Aug 18, 2016

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Vote to have Shawn Mendes Perform at Your School

Chegg, the Student Hub, in partnership with truth, one of the largest and most successful national youth tobacco prevention campaigns, today announced that one U.S. college or high school campus can win a once-in-a-lifetime visit from multi-platinum singer-songwriter & pop sensation, Shawn Mendes. Beginning today, high school and college students can vote for their school to win this on-campus experience through an online contest. The singer-songwriter will take over the classroom with a look into his unconventional rise to fame as an artist gone viral, as well as host an exclusive Q&A with students and perform a few of his biggest hits.

After becoming one of the world’s most-followed musicians online, singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes was discovered by artist manager Andrew Gertler and signed to Island Records; his first single, “Life Of The Party,” broke records, topping the iTunes Charts and selling over 150,000 copies in its first week. His debut album Handwritten debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and includes the quadruple-platinum smash “Stitches,” and certified platinum singles “Something Big” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Mendes was named as one of Time Magazine’s “Most Influential Teens” of 2014 and 2015, as well as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in 2016, and he won “Favorite New Artist” at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards. Shawn’s sophomore album Illuminate will be released September 23rd. Debut single “Treat You Better” debuted at #1 immediately upon release via iTunes in 26 countries, and Shawn performed the song on the TODAY Show Summer Concert Series as well as on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Shawn is currently on a sold-out headlining world tour, including shows at LA’s Greek Theatre and NYC’s Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden, as well as his hometown Air Canada Centre.

To celebrate the importance of arts in education, Chegg will also award the winning school a $10,000 grant for their music department from Chegg’s David B. Goldberg Music Scholarship fund.

“We’re so excited to work with Chegg & truth on this campaign. It’s so important to us to help foster the role that music plays in education, and we are so thrilled to be able to bring Shawn to a winning school to help that cause,” said Andrew Gertler, Manager to Shawn Mendes & Founder of AG Artists.

Students attending high school or college in the contiguous 48 states can begin nominating their campus today for a chance to win the experience. To do so, students simply visit chegg.com/play/Shawn, log in to Chegg, and vote for their school. The school with the most student votes will win the visit from Shawn Mendes. Students can also earn additional votes by downloading Shawn’s single, “Treat You Better,” watching a video from truth, or downloading the Chegg app if they vote for a college or signing up for Chegg Test Prep if they vote for a high school. The classroom-takeover will take place by December 31st 2016.

“More than 94 percent of smokers start before age 20, which is why it’s so important for us to work with partners like Chegg,” said Eric Asche, Chief Marketing Officer, Truth Initiative, the organization that funds and directs truth. “While tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., only 7 percent of teens smoke. That makes ending the death and disease that comes from smoking a realistic goal. We won’t get there alone, we need students to bring their passion, creativity and social influence to help us #FinishIt for good.”

This #CheggMusic101 is presented by truth. It is the latest in Chegg’s ongoing series of music classes brought to students across college and high school campuses nationwide. This season’s contest follows successful programs that Chegg has conducted with top-artists including Rachel Platten, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons and U2.

“Chegg has partnered with truth and Shawn Mendes because we share a passion for educating students, both in and out of the classroom, and because we think it’s important for students to also have some fun while they’re learning,” said Mitch Spolan, EVP of Brand Partnerships at Chegg. “Chegg Music 101 has succeeded because it engages students in a uniquely enriching and entertaining way that also builds a deeper tie between them and the artists and brands they love.”

To learn more about the contest and nominate a school, visit chegg.com/play/Shawn.

To learn more about how to join truth and become part of the generation to end tobacco for good, visit: thetruth.com.

Universal Music Group And Petrol Records To Create New Inxs-Related Projects

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Aug 18, 2016

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Universal Music Group And Petrol Records To Create New Inxs-Related Projects

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Petrol Records, an innovative record label that is home to the recordings of INXS outside of North America, announced today an expansive joint venture.

The partnership builds on UMG’s recent announcement regarding the production of a feature-length documentary on the extraordinary life of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence and will lead the way for new audio releases, as well as projects including additional films, theatrical productions, live events and fan conventions. As part of the agreement, UMG will become an investor in Petrol Records, a ground breaking Australian independent label founded 15 years ago by Chris Murphy.

Murphy, who serves as Chairman of Petrol Records, signed INXS to his label in 2009 and created his “Band to a Brand” strategy, creating projects including a film, television and live events that re-engaged fans and expanded the band’s audience.

Petrol, founded in 2001, is the world’s most successful first all-digital record company and the first independent label to sign a worldwide distribution agreement with Apple Inc.’s iTunes. Petrol’s numerous chart and sales successes over the years in various musical genres, together with Murphy’s other multimedia endeavors, resulted in Murphy receiving the New South Wales Premier’s Expo Award for Arts & Entertainment and being named Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 1987 by Business Review Weekly for his achievements with INXS. In 2008 Murphy received a Grammy nomination for his documentary on the street music of Cuba. INXS rejoined forces with Murphy, who managed INXS from 1980 to 1995, when the band signed to Petrol in 2009.

In 2014, Murphy was the Executive Producer of the INXS television mini-series, Never Tear Us Apart, which set viewing records in Australia.

Over the last 30 years, INXS has consistently been the biggest selling Australian artist, winning multiple international awards. Last night, at a reception in Sydney, UMG announced the band’s Very Best album has eclipsed their previous sales record by achieving 6 X Platinum status on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the group’s first-ever performance. The band was also presented with a Triple Platinum award for the DVD of their LIVE BABY LIVE show at Wembley Stadium from July 1991.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said, “I’m thrilled to be building on our special and long term relationship with Chris Murphy and INXS. We look forward to developing exciting projects that will create new immersive experiences for fans around the globe to engage with the music from one of the world’s most enduring bands.”

“Once a upon time the music business was a very simple place (industry) to be involved in, find an artist, record and release, then do a tour,” Murphy said. “These days we operate within a very complex entertainment industry where many are at odds with this new paradigm. Sir Lucian and his team are on the money and focused for the future so it is my complete delight to be working with him and his vision. From Musicals to Movies we have the future of music covered together.”

Read The Forward From Bruce Springsteen’s Memoir “Born To Run”

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Aug 18, 2016

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Read The Forward From Bruce Springsteen’s Memoir “Born To Run”

The following is the complete foreword from Bruce Springsteen’s upcoming autobiography, Born To Run, in advance of the memoir being available everywhere September 27. I can’t wait for this!

FOREWORD

I come from a boardwalk town where almost everything is tinged with a bit of fraud. So am I. By twenty, no race-car-driving rebel, I was a guitar player on the streets of Asbury Park and already a member in good standing amongst those who “lie” in service of the truth . . . artists, with a small “a.” But I held four clean aces. I had youth, almost a decade of hard-core bar band experience, a good group of homegrown musicians who were attuned to my performance style and a story to tell.

This book is both a continuation of that story and a search into its origins. I’ve taken as my parameters the events in my life I believe shaped that story and my performance work. One of the questions I’m asked over and over again by fans on the street is “How do you do it?” In the following pages I will try to shed a little light on how and, more important, why.

Rock ’n’ Roll Survival Kit

DNA, natural ability, study of craft, development of and devotion to an aesthetic philosophy, naked desire for . . . fame? . . . love? . . . admiration? . . . attention? . . . women? . . . sex? . . . and oh, yeah . . . a buck. Then . . . if you want to take it all the way out to the end of the night, a furious fire in the hole that just . . . don’t . . . quit . . . burning.

These are some of the elements that will come in handy should you come face-to-face with eighty thousand (or eighty) screaming rock ’n’ roll fans who are waiting for you to do your magic trick. Waiting for you to pull something out of your hat, out of thin air, out of this world, something that before the faithful were gathered here today was just a song-fueled rumor.

I am here to provide proof of life to that ever elusive, never completely believable “us.” That is my magic trick. And like all good magic tricks, it begins with a setup. So . . .