Playlist

Looking for a musical keepsake of Tuesday's historic inauguration? Billboard.com reports that Hidden Beach Recordings and the Presidential Inauguration Committee are releasing an 18-track CD/DVD just for the occasion.
The DVD portion includes eight of President-elect Barack Obama's campaign speeches, including his election-night victory address.
Keep reading for a full list of the musical tracks on Change Is Now: Renewing America's Promise.

Musiq Soulchild, fresh off his new release, will not be making the trek to Dallas for his scheduled concert at the House of Blues on Jan. 11. According to a House of Blues press release, "refunds available at point of purchase."

The sunglasses-wearing singer released Onmyradio last Tuesday. It includes a song with Mary J. Blige in the customary words-all-run-together title, "Ifuleave." Damien Marley also guest on the CD.

(Photo by Benjamin Watts)

Mario Taradell's weekend listing of the latest holiday CD's was pretty comprehensive, but here's another one for the soul fans....Rahsaan Patterson's The Ultimate Gift:in addition to some uniquely re-imagined Christmas classics ("What Christmas Means To Me," "Wonderful Christmastime" and "Little Drummer Boy"), Mr. Patterson offers up some lively originals of his own, including "Christmas At My House," a funky ditty written with none other than Van Hunt. Click here for a review of the CD and here for an interview with this gifted artist.

How often do you read of an artist with this type of low-bar expectations for their own career? This is what Michelle Williams told Corduroy magazine about her solo aspirations...

"My goal isn't to sell-out stadiums or be on the cover of magazines anymore," she says. "My dream path is just to get that loyal fan base. I don't care if it's a hundred million or a hundred thousand. I'd rather play an underground club where people all know your songs than perform for audiences who have no idea who you are."

O...kay. How do you acquire an audience if no one knows who you are? Anyway, she closes with a side remark about being under Beyonce's DC's looming shadow...

"Now I can finally just do me," Williams says; "no more pleasing other people, no more compromising what I want. As a group, we all had to agree. But now, it's just me."

"People are naturally going to say 'oh that's the girl from Destiny's Child, but now I just want to be known as Michelle Williams, period. Not 'Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child.'"

Has she played the wall with Kelly Rowland for so long that she doesn't even care anymore?!? How pitiful. Her idea of a hot evening is under the cut...

Doo-wop, New Jack Swing and four Funky Divas rocked the house for thousands of ecstatic fans when Jagged Edge, En Vogue and headliner Keith Sweat performed at Nokia Theate in Grand Prairie on Friday night.

With its emphasis on rapper-of-the-moment cameos and follow-the-trends lyrics and production, most of today's R&B is missing what these three acts emitted in spades---stage presence and powerful vocals. After a brief, yet enjoyable appearance by newcomer Leigh Jones (who sang a spirited cover of the DeBarge classic, "All This Love," as well as her infectious uptempo,"Free Fall"), Jagged Edge sung in crisp harmony on favorites like "Walked Outta Heaven" and a smattering of other hits (almost drowned out by their subsonic bass system). Although their vocals and dance moves were readily apparent, many fans were disappointed that the quartet, allegedly in the studio to create their seventh CD, didn't sing more of their beloved slow jams ("He Can't Love You," "Let's Get Married," "Promise") as well.

En Vogue, reunited with all four original members and back to recording as well, brought fans back to their 90's heyday with their sultry moves and air-tight harmonies: in jeans and sequined black tops, they were as lovely as ever, bringing fans to their feet cheering loudly as they sung hits like "My Lovin' (You're never Gonna Get It)," "Lies," "You Don't Have To Worry" and "Whatever." The ladies also showcased their tip-top vocal form by trading off to pay tribute to past and present divas, performing a medley of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Respect,""Lady Marmalade" and "Tell Me Something Good."......

From the singer-actress' publicist:

In the wake of the tragic deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King, Julia and Jennifer Hudson have established the Hudson-King Foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members. The specific purpose of the foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime. This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.

Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001

*Contrary to earlier erroneous reports, the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is the only one established by Julia and Jennifer Hudson.

Photo: Jennifer Hudson (Tom Ackerman).

I try to maintain objectivity about other's education levels and their personal beliefs, but this is one of the instances where I just can't let things ride.

Earlier this week, Atlanta journalist C. Daniel Jordan interviewed rapper Souljah Boy and asked a simple question that, usually, doesn't didn't require much thought.

"What historical figure do you most hate?" He was stumped. I said, "Others have said Hitler, bin Laden, the slave masters..." He said, "Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we'd still be in Africa."

No, really...it gets worse (*cringing*).

We wouldn't be here," he continued, having no idea how far in it he'd stepped, "to get this ice (jewelry) and tattoos."

If this doesn't put chills down your spine in regards to the future of today's youth, nothing will. Take advantage of early voting y'all, Happy Halloween!

Today and Wednesday, Oct. 29, we are moving this blog and all Dallas Morning News blogs to a new set of servers, which will increase our stability and speed.

However, during the transition, you have to click to a special URL to see new posts.

Click here to be redirected to our new servers, which is where new posts can be found. But don't save or bookmark that new URL! It's only temporary. By Wednesday noon, our regular blog URL should be pointing to the proper servers, so please don't change your bookmarks.

Oh and don't comment on the posts here any more. First click to our new servers, above.

Thank you for your patience.

Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Cardinology (Lost Highway) - The country rocker (emphasis on rock) releases a studio album with his band, the Cardinals.
The Cure, 4:13 Dream (Geffen) - The legendary goth rock band fronted by the much-imitated Robert Smith cranks out 13 songs in its inimitable style.
Celine Dion, My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection (Sony) - Love songs, the Canadian songstress' specialty, in a 26-song compilation.
Toby Keith, That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy (Show Dog Nashville) - The prolific country honcho releases his fourth studio album in as many years.
John Legend, Evolver (Columbia) - Love and relationships get explored on the soul singer-pianist's third studio album co-produced by Kanye West.

NEW YORK (AP) -- In another setback on her "Rock Witchu" tour, Janet Jackson has lost her opening act: LL Cool J. The rapper's publicity firm announced Monday that he has dropped out as the headliner for Jackson because of unnamed scheduling conflicts.

It's the latest problem on Jackson's tour, her first North American outing in seven years. The 42-year-old singer was forced to cancel a string of earlier concerts because of a bout of migraine-associated vertigo. She recently resumed while being treated for the illness, which is characterized by dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms.

Jackson's upcoming shows are Tuesday in Auburn Hills, Mich., and Saturday in New York. She is expected to announce more dates.

The purpose behind this blog post, folks, is simply to let everyone get a look at the coolest concert photo I've seen in a real long time. It was shot by Tim Gruber, one of our own photographers here at The Dallas Morning News. It's Tina Turner on that high pedestal Sunday night at American Airlines Center. Soon after Tim's camera clicked this shot, Tina descended to the platform and began singing "Steamy Windows," the first song of a two-hour show. Enjoy!

Tina Turner. In a word - fabulous.

The 68-year-old icon performed for more than two hours Sunday night at American Airlines Center during her first tour in eight years. Before what looked like a hair-from-sold-out crowd, Tennessee's Anna Mae Bullock rocked 'n' rolled, turned soulful, got the blues and even summoned the heavens during a bit of Tina-styled gospel.

The woman looked fabulous, easily fitting into mini-dresses that showed off her lithe legs. She's a force of nature, maybe even a freak of nature. Time has been mighty kind to her, both physically and artistically. She offered up a career-spanning set of songs, all of which felt new again in her capable hands.

The opener, "Steamy Windows," and her signature tune, "What's Love Got to Do With It," among others, proved every number for her is an emotional experience. She always puts her being into each song. For a full review of Tina Turner, go to www.guidelive.com Monday.

Photo: Tina in all her glory (Tim Gruber/DMN).

Michael Stipe and company kept the room rocking Friday night during a two-hour performance at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. The venerable band, known for its jangly, organic and sometimes soaring rock sound, offered several tracks from its latest CD, Accelerate, as well as the hits everybody knows.

The gig, which featured an energetically cowpunk opening set by Dallas-formed outfit Old 97s, began and ended with power and pathos. Mr. Stipe, dressed in tie and jacket, does have a tendency to mix brooding drama into his frontman persona. "Living Well Is the Best Revenge" is a swirling rocker with plenty of propulsion. "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" remains classic R.E.M. And closing with "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "Man on the Moon" left the audience on a musical high.

But some of the in-between numbers did blend into audible monotony. In spots the show felt like two long hours. For a full review of the R.E.M. concert, go to www.guidelive.com Saturday.

Photo: Michael Stipe in July at the Paleo Festival in Switzerland (Martial Trezzini).

Sad, sad news, folks. According to TMZ.com, singer-actress Jennifer Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and her brother, Jason, were found dead inside Ms. Hudson's mother's Chicago home. The two bodies were reportedly discovered at 2:44 p.m. today by a cousin who lived nearby. Ms. Hudson, the Oscar-winning American Idol finalist, was probably in the midst of a promotional tour for her recently released debut album, Jennifer Hudson.
Photo: Jennifer Hudson (Jim Cooper).

I'm wincing as I type this: in a heartbreaking news development over the weekend, singer Lyfe Jennings was arrested on Sunday following a car chase in Smyrna, Georgia.

Police responded to calls of gunshots in the area, and when they arrived, they ran up on a "suspect" leaving the area in a red Corvette.

When police flashed the lights, apparently Lyfe, (real name: Chester Jennings) punched it and the police gave chase, catching up to him after he crashed (did he think the vehicle would blend in with traffic? Geez!!!).

The 35-year-old singer was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and discharging a firearm near a public highway, which are misdemeanors. He was also charged with attempting to elude and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both felonies - he also refused a sobriety test.

OK, I know I'm dating myself. But hey, it's not the first time, right? So here goes. Anybody remember late '70s through early '90s R&B, funk and sometimes disco band Skyy? I got a rare CD version of their debut disc, simply titled Skyy, in my car today. Anyway, it has the R&B hits "First Time Around" and "Let's Turn It Out." Of course, Skyy is best remembered for 1981's "Call Me," a No. 1 R&B smash and Top 30 pop crossover that came from the gold-selling album, Skyyline. That song is a good amalgamation of Skyy's sonic merger. Oh and their album covers were so cool. They were usually in space suits and the album titles always used the group's name in them. For instance, Skyyway, Skyyport, Skyyjammer and Skyylight. Ah the memories.

Photo: The spacey Skyy. (Cover courtesy of cduniverse.com)

I was poking around on Napster just now and got giddy when I found Nightmare Revisited, released just a few weeks ago. Yep, it's the soundtrack to Tim Burton's deliciously melancholy movie Nightmare Before Christmas, but the tracks are covered by a slew of rock acts like Korn, Flyleaf, our own Polyphonic Spree, Marilyn Manson, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Amy Lee, Rise Against, All American Rejects and more. Get a listen of the tracks here and buy the album here.

Sara Bareilles', whose first album is titled "Little Voice," proved Wednesday night that her voice is anything but little. Playing the piano against a backdrop of purple and orange lights, Ms. Bareilles sang with character, strength and grace. The live versions of her songs seemed far more powerful than the recorded versions, which is saying a lot for an artist whose recorded tracks are already solid.

Ms. Bareilles, who is best known for her "Love Song" hit, shared several of the stories behind her songs. She explained to fans that has struggled with body image issues and has had difficulty speaking up for herself in the past. Creating "Little Voice," she said, was her chance to let her voice be heard through music. Her song "Between the Lines," she said, is a song about someone she liked but was never able to get on the same page with. She explained that her new track, "August Moon," is about catching her high school sweetheart cheating on her.

Ms. Bareilles sang cover songs from artists who have inspired her, and gave repeated shout-outs to her opening acts, Marc Broussard and Raining Jane. She sang and played guitar to a beautiful version of Feist's "I Feel It All," and the Counting Crows' "Sullivan Street." At times, she subtly incorporated lyrics from other artists into her own songs, such as a couple of verses from Kate Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."

Fans sang along with Ms. Bareilles and laughed whenever she joked and shared anecdotes. One young fan stood in awe and said to her friend, "I want to be like her." With a voice like hers, who wouldn't?

Judging from the dozen or so e-mails I've gotten today, I might have been the one person at the AAC last night who wasn't very impressed by Janet Jackson. Here's my review, and if you're dying to know what she played, here's a set list from earlier show that mirrored last night's set list.

Right, right, right. I know. But word is that the CD will be released Nov. 23 at Best Buy. I, personally, will believe it when I physically see and touch a wrapped, square plastic case in a store that says Chinese Democracy and Guns N' Roses on the front of it. Read more here.

As Thor reported back in December '07:

Axl Rose is supposedly putting the final touches on Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. Then again, we've been hearing that same story since roughly 1998.

You can already hear the song "Chinese Democracy" online here.