Musician David Gray sat down in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room and turned in a spirited cover version of the 1986 Peter Gabriel hit Sledgehammer. If you like this version, go seek the rest of David’s original music out – you won’t be disappointed.
Gibson Announces World Premiere Of New ‘Joan Jett ES 339’
By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the innovative future, Gibson proudly presents the Joan Jett ES-339 in Wine Red. Calling on nearly two years of touring research and development with Joan, the signature Joan Jett ES-339 guitar premieres as Gibson approaches the next era of shaping sound for past, present and future generations.
Joan Jett is an icon for all that is righteous in rock ‘n’ roll. From her pioneering spirit, to her visionary outlook on what it means to be an artist, Joan continues to inspire human beings from all walks of life. The new Joan Jett ES-339 guitar features a thermally-engineered chambered maple centerblock and thermally-engineered Adirondack Sprucebracing, a radical first for Gibson ES guitars. The control assembly is hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors and is paired with our Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3 humbucking pickups. From sweet to rude, the tonal capabilities of the Joan Jett ES-339 guitar are truly limitless. The stunning AAA figured maple veneers are finished in Wine Red for a look that will always make a statement. The Joan Jett ES-339 will be produced in a very limited run of only 150 guitars available worldwide, with the first 50 hand-signed by Joan. Each instrument will come with a Gibson Joan Jett Signature hardshell case and custom Joan Jett certificate of authenticity.
Frank Zappa’s ‘Orchestral Favorites’ To Be Presented In Audiophile Quality For The First Time With Specialty Packaging In Celebration Of Its 40th Anniversary
When Frank Zappa’s Orchestral Favorites was eventually released in 1979 as part of fulfilling his contract with his contentious former label, the album was dumped into the world along with several other titles without the legendary musician’s permission or quality control. It did not include liner notes or credits and the artwork and audio wasn’t approved by Zappa who publicly criticized it as not being up to his standards. As a result of not receiving any promotion, it was quickly relegated to the bargain bin shortly after its release.
Four decades later, in celebration of the long-beleaguered album’s 40th anniversary, the Zappa Family Trust is righting this wrong and presenting Orchestral Favorites with the audiophile detail and respect it deserves to commemorate the historical event that took place at UCLA’s Royce Hall in September 1975 where the compositions were recorded. On August 30th, Zappa Records/UMe will release a 40th anniversary 3CD deluxe edition featuring brand new proper hi-fi transfers of the original tapes, a newly created cover, and extensive liner notes from Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers and former Zappa bandmate Terry Bozzio who recounts performing at the concerts and provides some unique illustrations for the collection. The beautiful packaging includes proper musician credits for the first time and a wealth of stunning rare and never-before-seen photos of the event from the estate’s archives.
Produced by Ahmet Zappa and Joe Travers, the comprehensive collection will include the original album plus the entire evening performance from September 18, 1975 spread across two additional discs. After extensive searches in the Vault, the elusive master tone reel, the essential component that contains the alignment tones that help set up the playback of the master tapes that Zappa reportedly did not provide when he turned in the album, was found, allowing the Zappa Family Trust to present the audio as originally intended. Coupled with new hi-res transfers from the original tapes and mastering by Bob Ludwig, the music sounds the best it ever has. The bonus concert features brand new 2019 mixes by Craig Parker Adams from the original 2″ 24-track masters. The digital deluxe, which mirrors the 3CD version, includes an instant grat download of a first-time available version of “Revised Music For Low-Budget Symphony Orchestra.”
Orchestral Favorites will also be released on vinyl featuring the original album mastered by Bernie Grundman and the newly generated anniversary art and cover. It will be pressed at Furnace MFG on 180-gram audiophile grade black vinyl.
In September 1975, in between trying out new band members and preparing for tour, Zappa scheduled an event at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Using his own budget with funds from the surprise hit single “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow,” he hired a roughly 37-piece orchestra with the intention to hear his orchestral music played. As Travers details in the liner notes, “Frank supervised everything, hired sound and lights, mixed the front of house sound at times, conducted the orchestra on occasion, and played guitar with them. The program repertoire consisted of complex and challenging music that originates from all time frames of FZ’s career. Older themes that predate the original Mothers Of Invention, to brand new pieces hot off the pen, mixed in with some good ol’ FZ directed improvisation.”
The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Michael Zearott and made up of various live and studio musicians, most of which who had previously worked with Zappa on one of his many projects. They were assembled with the help of Mike Altschul and Earle Dumler who played on The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawakaalbums. Other familiar names included: Bruce Fowler, Dave Parlato, Ian Underwood, Malcom McNab and Terry Bozzio. Zappa and the orchestra rehearsed for several days, had an afternoon recording session and performed two shows in two nights.
The original album was derived from recording sessions in the afternoon without an audience which was then meticulously edited together by Zappa using a razorblade. Highlights from the record include “Strictly Genteel,” part of the finale piece from 200 Motels, the new composition “Pedro’s Dowry,” a song Zappa wrote instead of going on vacation and famously exclaimed upon completion, “that’s the best vacation I ever went on,” and the first appearance of the megacomposition “Bogus Pomp.” The bonus content on the deluxe edition is filled with nearly two hours of previously unreleased material and contains the entire evening performance from September 18, 1975 complete with Zappa’s song introductions and stories. Some of the many standouts include an off-the-cuff version of the classic “Black Napkins,” an on-the-fly attempt of “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary,” and the kind of exciting improvisations that became one of Zappa’s trademarks.
Zappa re-worked Orchestral Favorites for CD in 1991 and it has subsequently been reissued several times after his death but with the new master finally matched to the project tone reel, this is the first time the album has ever been presented how the late, great artist intended. Sounding better than it ever has, fans can enjoy this special and historical event in Zappa history in a new way, with the Royce Hall performances sounding as fresh as they did 44 years ago.
The Zappa Family Trust and UMe are also excited to announce they will reissue Zappa’s classic compilation album Mothermania on vinyl to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The album was made by Zappa in 1969 as a response to the many compilations that were being put out with the same material. He decided to release his own version and used exclusive edits and mixes of Mothers of Invention tracks from the albums Freak Out!, Absolutely Free and We’re Only in It for the Money. The record includes different mixes of “The Idiot Bastard Son” and “Mother People.” The vinyl, which has been out-of-print since 1972, has been mastered from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman and is being pressed on 180-gram black vinyl by Furnace MFG.
ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES – 4OTH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION
Disc 1 – Original Album
1. Strictly Genteel
2. Pedro’s Dowry
3. Naval Aviation In Art?
4. Duke Of Prunes
5. Bogus Pomp
Bonus Track
6. Strictly Genteel (Keyboard OD Version)
Disc 2 – Performance From September 18, 1975
1. Show Star/Bogus Pomp Explained
2. Bogus Pomp
3. Revised Music For Low-Budget Symphony Orchestra
4. The Story Of Pedro’s Dowry
5. Pedro’s Dowry
6. The Story Of Rollo
7. Rollo
Disc 3 – Performance From September 18, 1975 (continued)
1. Black Napkins Instructions
2. Black Napkins
3. Dog/Meat
4. The Players
5. Naval Aviation In Art?
6. “Another Weirdo Number”
7. Lumpy Gravy (Extract)/Improvisation
8. Evening At The Hermitage
9. “A Special Guest Artist”
10. Duke Of Prunes
11. “Absolutely Disgusting”
12. The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary
13. Strictly Genteel
MOTHERMANIA
SIDE A
1. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It
2. Mother People
3. Duke Of Prunes
4. Call Any Vegetable
5. The Idiot Bastard Son
SIDE B
1. It Can’t Happen Here
2. You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here
3. Who Are The Brain Police?
4. Plastic People
5. Hungry Freaks, Daddy
6. America Drinks And Goes Home
Madonna to Launch Exclusive SiriusXM Channel
SiriusXM announced today that Madonna will launch an exclusive limited-run SiriusXM music channel, “Madonna’s Madame X Radio,” on Monday, July 1.
Madonna’s Madame X Radio will showcase music from Madonna’s globally-celebrated, multi-award-winning and legendary career, including her critically-acclaimed latest ninth No. 1 album Madame X. The channel will also feature exclusive stories from Madame X and chronicles her legacy, the making of her songs and her commitment to bringing the world closer through the exploration of cultures and music.
Following Madonna’s much-anticipated Pride Island appearance in New York City, SiriusXM’s Madonna’s Madame X Radio will launch on Monday, July 1 at 12:00 pm ET and run through Wednesday, July 31 on SiriusXM radios (ch. 4), the SiriusXM app and web player. Fans can now immerse themselves in a true 24/7 Madonna experience by simply tuning in.
“This channel brings you into the intricate world of Madame X,” says Madonna. “You’ll learn more about the creative process behind my latest album and gain a deeper understanding of what drives me as an artist and a performer.”
“Madonna is an artist who is the very definition of a musical and cultural icon. Her voice, songwriting, performances, and life’s work has made her a universal force. Along the way she has created some of the most creative and biggest-selling albums of all time. Our exclusive channel celebrating Madonna is a truly comprehensive deep dive into the music of one of the world’s most legendary artists,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.
Influenced creatively by living in Lisbon, Portugal over the past several years, Madame X is a collection of 15 new songs influenced by art and politics coming together. Madonna is getting ready to embark on a series of rare and intimate concert performances to take place exclusively in theaters, giving fans an opportunity to see her perform in an environment like they never have before. The Madame X Tour will kick off September 12th.Tickets and further information are available at www.madonna.com/tour.
SiriusXM subscribers are able to listen to Madonna’s Madame X Radio, (ch. 4), on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Amazon Alexa devices, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to www.SiriusXM.com/streaming to learn more.
Actor And Comedian Rob Schneider Launches Weekly Podcast “See What Happens”
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider recently launched his first ever podcast, “See What Happens,” now available on streaming platforms. Hosted by Schneider and wife, Patricia Maya, the weekly show features occasional guests—from the duo’s Hollywood friends to their gardener—while dissecting show business, their contrasting parenting methods, jokes, good food, philosophy, and more. The podcast premiered on June 18, with new episodes available weekly.
“I love in-depth conversations. Especially about inconsequential nonsense,” says Schneider. “I’m proud to be able to bring this nonsense to people who are stuck in traffic and need a good laugh!”
A house-hold name and a bona-fide comedy star, Rob Schneider, is well known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting, and has become one of the most popular touring acts in comedy. Schneider created and stars in the Netflix comedy series “Real Rob,” which focuses on the day-to-day hijinks of the actor’s life. The series marks the first time any actor has ever written, produced, starred, directed and financed an entire season of a television show. Schneider first came to prominence on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” along with his SNL friends Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Chris Farley. Schneider has starred in some of the top comedy features of the past 20 years including “Grown Ups,” “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “Big Daddy” and ‘The Waterboy.” He also starred in the movie “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” which was the second highest grossing DVD in the US in 2000, along with “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.” Up next, Schneider will be reunited with friends, Nick Swardson and Spade, in the upcoming Netflix film “The Wrong Missy.” Schneider is currently touring across the country with Sandler on the 100% Fresher Tour.
“See What Happens” is produced by David Tanner with original music by Breed Music. All episodes can be found for free on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play and RobSchneider.com.
The Latest BTS Feature Film BRING THE SOUL: THE MOVIE In Theaters Beginning August 7
he global release date for BRING THE SOUL: THE MOVIE, the latest film from global superstars BTS, has been confirmed for August 7, together with the unveiling of the movie’s official poster.
BRING THE SOUL: THE MOVIE is the third film from BTS following 2018’s record breaking release of Burn the Stage the Movie, which reached a box office of $18.5m, cementing itself as the highest grossing global event cinema release of all time and 2019’s Love Yourself in Seoul, which brought fans together again to celebrate the most sought-after concert of 2018.
This latest film finds the band at the end of their LOVE YOURSELF tour in Europe, when the global icons had held 24 concerts in 12 cities. From Seoul to Paris, the tour was full of energy and passion. On the day following the final Parisconcert, on a rooftop table in the city, the boys begin a small after-party, sharing their own stories as never heard before.
Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing has said on the release: “Trafalgar Releasing is thrilled to collaborate with Big Hit Entertainment again for BRING THE SOUL: THE MOVIE, giving fans around the world an intimate opportunity to see the band following their landmark LOVE YOURSELF tour. The ARMYs are truly a community, and we are excited to bring them together for an all-new BTS experience in cinemas worldwide.”
Tickets will be on sale from the official film website beginning Wednesday, July 3. Fans are encouraged to sign-up for updates regarding tickets, participating theaters and more information.
Garbage’s Shirley Manson Hosts The Jump, A New Podcast Featuring Interviews With Big Boi, Courtney Love, Neko Case
The Jump is a new podcast from Mailchimp Presents in partnership with Little Everywhere, with executive producers Dann Gallucci (of Modest Mouse and The Murder City Devils fame), Jane Marie (This American Life), and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder). First season guests are (in no particular order) Perfume Genius, Big Boi, Courtney Love, Neko Case, Esperanza Spalding, Karen O, and Dave 1.
Hosted by Garbage’s Shirley Manson, the 7-episode, short-form interview series features conversations with musicians about “the moments in an artist’s career where they decide to take a leap into something new, and after that, nothing is the same.” Each episode focuses on a single song the artist has chosen that is especially meaningful—both in their personal life and for their career trajectory.
The first episode premieres today, Monday, June 24, 2019, at http://bit.ly/thejumppodcast or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes will premiere weekly.
Little Everywhere is a podcast production house and recording studio based in Los Angeles. Founded by award-winning journalist Jane Marie and audio trailblazer Dann Gallucci, the company offers a full suite of podcast production and audio direction/engineering services. Clients include NPR’s Embedded, The New Yorker Radio Hour, and LeVar Burton Reads.
The Mailchimp Presents platform is launching with 50 pieces of original content; dozens more will be added over the next six months. The programming deals with universal themes like striking out on your own, feeling like an imposter, staying true to yourself, and finding your people. The Mailchimp Presents platform experience is optimized across mobile and desktop. No login is required to access the entertainment, which is available at mailchimp.com/presents at no cost.
Sleepcircle Amp Up on the Alt. Heavy Rock for Sophomore Release “From the Heavens, Through the Window”
Canadian heavy alt rock and grunge outfit Sleepcircle have delivered their sophomore release, From the Heavens, Through the Window — available now.
Recorded at Rain City Recorders with producer Matt Roach, the 10-track release deftly displays the British Columbia-based five-piece band’s unmistakably signature sound, while paying fitting homage to the forefathers of the genre.
“From the Heavens, Through the Window is an adventure through various states of the mind,” vocalist Curtis Sharp explains on the album as a whole. “Most songs were composed with mixed messages and hidden meanings.
“I even make a point of putting a specific reference to something in each song, however loosely related or trivial… For example, ’Nature Boy’ is a call to our rites of passage, whereas ‘Succubus’ is a basic amalgamation of my worst girlfriends.
“Acid Rain’ is an adventure in the petty nature of our culture, and ‘Pumpkin Head’ is an unusually ambiguous foray into politics. ‘Bring It On’ and ‘Apparition’ are an adventure through mental health.”
Much like “Pumpkin Head,” Sharp continues, the album art is done in such a way that you can orient it upside down or right side up to reveal a different picture, but the title remains readable. “Long story short, the album travels through common cycles of inner turmoil and social issues and can be enjoyed simply for the music, or in deep connection with its many meanings.
“My hope is the playful dance with difficult topics nudge the listener a little closer to sanity.”
Formed in 2014 by guitarists Paul Wilson and Kavian Iranzad, Sleepcircle is rounded out with bassist Ian Jay Lavery, drummer (and Paul’s brother) Andrew Wilson, and Sharp on vox. Their debut Dead Wait was released in 2017.
From the Heavens, Through the Window is available now.
Rush’s Geddy Lee Tells His Family’s Holocaust Story
Let’s go back a bit, to International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2019, Geddy Lee of Rush sat down with host Shelli Sonstein of Q104.3 New York’s Sonstein Sunday to talk about his own family’s harrowing experience with the Holocaust. Lee’s parents, Morris and Mary Weinrib (née Manya Rubenstein) were Jewish Holocaust survivors from Poland who had survived the ghetto in their hometown Starachowice, followed by their imprisonments at Auschwitz and later Dachau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps, during the Holocaust and World War II. They were about 13 years old when they were initially imprisoned at Auschwitz. After a period, his mother was transferred to Bergen-Belsen and his father to Dachau. When the war ended four years later and the Allies liberated the camps, his father set out in search of his mother and found her at a displaced persons camp. They married there and eventually emigrated to Canada.
Walking Dead star Ross Marquand on Celebrities Doing Ordinary Stuff
Walking Dead star Ross Marquand impersonates Al Pacino, John C. Reilly, Kevin Spacey, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Sly Stallone and Christopher Walken doing ordinary stuff.