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July 2008
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July 23, 2008

Nas takes over No. 1 spot

12:04 PM Wed, Jul 23, 2008 |
Dawn Burkes   E-mail   News tips

nad_17nas.JPGNas' untitled album just took over the top spot on Billboard's Top 200. It seems as if the controversy over the album's original n-word title didn't hurt. (Or could it be that everyone already has Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III? Just wondering ...) God's Son sits atop the charts after selling 187,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, for his fifth No. 1.

Don't count Weezy out, though. He's still selling over 100,000 per week ... if you remember, Tha Carter III sold a million in the first week of release. And he's held the top spot for three non-consecutive weeks. Guess hip-hop isn't so dead after all ...

Nas, supported by Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica and DJ Green Lantern, will appear at Dallas' House of Blues on The Jones Experiece Tour on Aug. 26.

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The entry "Nas takes over No. 1 spot" is tagged: Billboard , House of Blues , Lil Wayne , Nas , shows , Tha Carter III


July 22, 2008

Three remastered early '80s U2 discs are out

6:01 PM Tue, Jul 22, 2008 |
Christy Robinson   E-mail   News tips

u23.jpgSingle-disc rereleases and deluxe editions of U2's first three albums — War, Boy and October — just came out (read Thor's review of them here). Are you U2 fan enough to go buy them? Tell us which of the three albums is the best, or at least your favorite U2 album overall.

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The entry "Three remastered early '80s U2 discs are out" is tagged: Boy , October , U2 , War


New CD reviews: Tell us what you think

4:00 AM Tue, Jul 22, 2008 |
Christy Robinson   E-mail   News tips

It's New Music Tuesday again, and Mario says that Candlebox has made a robust return with Into the Sun. What do you think? Check here for that CD review and others by Eliza Carthy and Sugarland, along with a report on how the album of controversial French first lady Carla Bruni is doing. Then come back and give us your insight.

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The entry "New CD reviews: Tell us what you think" is tagged: Candlebox , Carla Bruni , Eliza Carthy , Sugarland


July 17, 2008

Miranda Lambert scores her first Top 10 country single

4:04 PM Thu, Jul 17, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

ENTER MUS-20QUESTIONS 2 MCT.JPGAmazing! Just amazing! Lindale's Miranda Lambert finally notches a Top 10 hit single on Billboard's country chart with the fiery "Gunpowder & Lead," a story song about domestic abuse and eventual revenge. The track currently sits at No. 9. It took way too long for mainstream country radio to align on her side. But let's not complain because they did it with the best tune on 2007's marvelous Crazy Ex-Girlfriend CD.

Amazing! Just amazing!

Photo: Miranda Lambert all wrapped up in goodness (Courtesy of Columbia Nashville).

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The entry "Miranda Lambert scores her first Top 10 country single" is tagged: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend , Gunpowder & Lead , Lindale , Miranda Lambert , Texas


Can't wait to see 'The Wackness'

3:35 PM Thu, Jul 17, 2008 |
Christy Robinson   E-mail   News tips

biggie.jpgThe first line of Stephen's story explains why I just might check out a little flick called The Wackness coming out tomorrow. The hip-hop soundtrack list alone at the bottom of the story is like, "It was all a dream! I used to read Word Up magazine!"

(Courtesy photo: Notorious B.I.G.)

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The entry "Can't wait to see 'The Wackness'" is tagged: Biggie , Notorious B.I.G. , The Wackness


Latin pop's La Oreja de Van Gogh switch vocalists, release new CD

2:56 PM Thu, Jul 17, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

113613_oreja1JPG.JPGSpain's La Oreja de Van Gogh, the quintet with the dreamy, rhythmic folk-pop sound, has switched lead singers. The angelic-voiced Amaia Montero has departed, and in her place is Leire Martínez. Ms. Martínez makes her debut on La Oreja de Van Gogh's still-untitled upcoming CD, scheduled to be released stateside Sept. 30. Here's hoping Ms. Martínez can help maintain the gorgeous sound the group had on 2006's stunning Guapa, a Latin Grammy-winning opus. The first single from the new disc is "El Ultimo Vals," which hits radio Aug. 12.

Photo: La Oreja de Van Gogh in 2005 with Amaia Montero (Montserrat Velando).

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The entry "Latin pop's La Oreja de Van Gogh switch vocalists, release new CD" is tagged: Amaia Montero , Guapa , La Oreja de Van Gogh , Leire Martinez


July 16, 2008

Willie Nelson, with help from Wynton Marsalis, charts a milestone

5:19 PM Wed, Jul 16, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

ngl_07willi2.JPGCountry icon Willie Nelson's jazzy collaboration with respected trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, a CD titled Two Men With the Blues, becomes his highest debuting disc since 1982's Always On My Mind. Two Men, released on Blue Note Records, entered Billboard's pop albums chart at No. 20, selling 21,650 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. For Mr. Marsalis, this number is his career best...period. Before this, he reached No. 90 on the same list with 1984's Hot House Flowers.

Photo courtesy of Blue Note Records.

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The entry "Willie Nelson, with help from Wynton Marsalis, charts a milestone" is tagged: Blue Note Records , Two Men With the Blues , Willie Nelson , Wynton Marsalis


July 15, 2008

Jackson Browne's new record

3:40 PM Tue, Jul 15, 2008 |
Michael Granberry   E-mail   News tips

NTR_12Browne.JPG
For those of us who came of age listening to Jackson Browne, word of a new album is pretty exciting. And this time, it won't be a solo acoustic live album, like the last two. Mr. Browne's 17th album will be released Sept. 23, but it marks the first time his own label (Inside Recordings) has featured a Jackson Browne studio album, presumably with his full and very able band backing him up. His last album for long-time label Elektra was The Very Best of Jackson Browne, a compilation released in 2004. His last album of new material for Elektra was The Naked Ride Home, released in 2002. Since then, he has recorded Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 and Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 for Inside Recordings, the label he founded. He was, of course, part of the original stable of artists on Asylum Records, which was co-founded by the legendary David Geffen in 1971. Mr. Browne then moved on to Elektra, which merged the Asylum artists into its own portfolio. In its heyday, the Asylum lineup was nothing short of amazing. In addition to Mr. Browne, other name acts included the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and Warren Zevon, and these were all young performers when Asylum began recording them. Mr. Browne's new record is titled Time the Conqueror. So, does the title have anything to do with the fact that he turns 60 later this year?

Photo: Jackson Browne performing at Music City Texas Theater in Linden


July 11, 2008

Old 97's member Murry Hammond releases first solo CD

11:38 AM Fri, Jul 11, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

NO_30old97s1_78796.JPGOld 97's bassist Murry Hammond unveils his first solo CD nationally Aug. 18 on his own record label. I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way was recorded in 2007 in San Diego with producer Mark Neill. It supposedly boasts a rootsy sound owing heavily to the legendary works of the Carter Family, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. And yet, you'll hear the moody spirit of, say, Brian Eno, too. The disc employs only acoustic instruments and even sports "cowboy poetry-style spoken word." Sounds like O Brother, Where Art Thou? meets the arty West.

Photo: Murry Hammond at Granada Theater in 2004 (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Old 97's member Murry Hammond releases first solo CD" is tagged: bassist , Murry Hammond , Old 97's , solo CD


July 4, 2008

ZZ Top signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings

2:17 AM Fri, Jul 04, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

NGL_16zztop.JPGThat little ol' band from Texas has signed a contract with Rick Rubin's respected and successful American Recordings label, according to billboard.com. ZZ Top will take to the studio with the celebrated Mr. Rubin producing what promises to be a new CD with a '70s La Grange kind of sound, not the slicker '80s style of Eliminator. With any luck Mr. Rubin can do for the Top what he did for Neil Diamond and the late Johnny Cash -- recharge the band's career both critically and commercially. No word yet on a prospective release date for the upcoming disc.

Photo: ZZ Top's Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill (Chapman Baehler).


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The entry "ZZ Top signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings" is tagged: American Recordings , Johnny Cash , Neil Diamond , Rick Rubin , ZZ Top


June 30, 2008

New CD reviews: Los Lonely Boys, Shinedown, more

5:19 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Christy Robinson   E-mail   News tips

los.jpgHey, y'all! Take a peek at our New Music Tuesday disc debuts before they hit the paper tomorrow. We've got Big Blue Ball by various artists, Los Lonely Boys, Earlimart and Shinedown.

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The entry "New CD reviews: Los Lonely Boys, Shinedown, more" is tagged: Big Blue Ball , Earlimart , Los Lonely Boys , Shinedown


Sugar Hill Records mines masters of Ricky Skaggs and Doc Watson

3:11 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

Music_Ricky_Skaggs.JPGSugar Hill Records, the respected imprint for bluegrass and old-time roots music, continues its Americana Masters Series with the releases of Ricky Skaggs: Best of the Sugar Hill Years and Doc Watson: Best of the Sugar Hill Years, both in stores July 8. Each CD features radio hits, fan favorites and frequent concert tracks.

Photo: Ricky Skaggs (Mark Humphrey).

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The entry "Sugar Hill Records mines masters of Ricky Skaggs and Doc Watson" is tagged: Doc Watson , Ricky Skaggs , Sugar Hill Records


Labelle reunites for live performances and new CD

1:51 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

51VJZ8PMMGL__SL500_AA240_.jpgPatti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx -- better known as electrifying R&B trio Labelle in the '70s -- are back together again and ready to record as well as perform onstage. The always innovative and explosive group will take the Essence Music Festival platform Saturday, July 5, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Also, Labelle's first studio album in 33 years will be released Sept. 23 on Verve Records. Producing are Lenny Kravitz and the legendary team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Gamble and Huff worked with Labelle during the making of Laura Nyro's 1971 album, Gonna Take a Miracle, which features the trio adding their vocals to the respected singer-songwriter's tunes. Miss Patti also collaborated with Gamble and Huff during her solo tenure at Philadelphia International Records in the early '80s.

Photo: The cover of 1974's Nightbirds, Labelle's most successful album (Courtesy of amazon.com)

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The entry "Labelle reunites for live performances and new CD" is tagged: Labelle , Nona Hendryx , Patti LaBelle , Sarah Dash


June 27, 2008

Sizzling CDs in stores next Tuesday

2:32 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

61k61VMfx8L__SL500_AA240_.jpgSan Angelo's Los Lonely Boys lead the pack of new CDs in stores Tuesday with Forgiven, the three brothers' third studio album. Also on tap is a live album from John Mayer, Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles, Vanessa Hudgens' Identified, Alkaline Trio's Agony & Irony, My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade Is Dead, Relient K's The Bird and the Bee Sides, and a new studio disc by Night Ranger, Hole In the Sun.

Photo courtesy of amazon.com.

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The entry "Sizzling CDs in stores next Tuesday" is tagged: John Mayer , Los Lonely Boys , Night Ranger , Relient K , Vanessa Hudgens


Miley vs. Britney, maybe?

12:00 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Mike Daniel   E-mail   News tips

Mley_Zootopia.jpgJust an innocent observation from my gloriously twisted musical mind:

Britney Spears' comeback album was titled Blackout. Miley Cyrus' upcoming "I'm growing up now" album (due out July 22) is titled Breakout. Coincidence? I theorize not ... after all, both became brunettes for their respective transformations ... hehe.

(Photo: Bill Kostroun, AP)

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The entry "Miley vs. Britney, maybe?" is tagged: Blackout , Breakout , Britney Spears , Miley Cyrus


June 26, 2008

Alabama's Randy Owen releases his memoirs, solo CD

2:03 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

p68028pzwgj.jpgAlabama lead singer Randy Owen will pen his memoirs with scribe Allen Rucker. Born Country chronicles Mr. Owen's life from poverty and share cropping in northeast Alabama to forming Wild Country, the group that would later become the long-running, influential Alabama. Without a doubt, Alabama is the most successful, most enduring country group in the genre's history. Born Country will be in stores Nov. 11, the same day that One On One, Mr. Owen's solo debut CD, hits the shelves.

Photo: Randy Owen (Courtesy of allmusic.com)

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The entry "Alabama's Randy Owen releases his memoirs, solo CD" is tagged: Born Country , memoir , One On One , Randy Owen


June 25, 2008

From pop to country: What do you think?

6:50 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Christy Robinson   E-mail   News tips

GLjessica.jpgJewel, Jessica Simpson, Bon Jovi ... Mario takes a look at pop and rock artists who are making the leap to country or who have dabbled with the switch in the past, and I'm interested about what you think. Is it diluting the value of good country music, or is it opening it up to more audiences? Also, tell us of any pop/rock-to-country cases we didn't mention. Here's one to start off: Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish has a country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" and has a self-titled album for Capitol coming out this year.

Also online: Jessica Simpson winning over country music listeners

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The entry "From pop to country: What do you think?" is tagged: Jessica Simpson , Jewel


Sony Legacy trumps reissue of Dennis Wilson's "Pacific Ocean Blue"

6:27 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

dennis_wilson_pacific_ocean_blue.jpgSo the publicist for Sony Legacy, the reissue arm of Sony Music Entertainment, sent a super-hyped press release trumping the reissue of the late Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue. The two-CD set gathers the Beach Boys founder's solo debut, Pacific Ocean Blue, as well as tracks from Bambu, the second solo effort that was never finished. Here's how the release begins:

# 4 ROCK RELEASE ON AMAZON.COM DAY OF RELEASE!
# 8 DEBUT ON BILLBOARD'S CATALOG CHART!
# 2 BEST SELLER AT AMEOBA RECORDS IN LOS ANGELES!
# 16 DEBUT ON THE UK ALBUM CHART!

I admit I need to listen to my copy of Pacific Ocean Blue. So has anybody heard it? Is it that special?

Photo courtesy of pacificoceanblue.net.


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The entry "Sony Legacy trumps reissue of Dennis Wilson's "Pacific Ocean Blue"" is tagged: Dennis Wilson , Pacific Ocean Blue , Sony Legacy


George Jones scours his playhouse for unreleased duets

4:58 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

NGL_12JonesD.JPGThat Ol Possum George Jones did a little summer cleaning on his musical playhouse and uncovered 12 duet performances never released before. Most of them were originally recorded for either 1991's Friends in High Places or 1994's The Bradley Barn Sessions. So come Aug. 19, Nashville's Bandit Records will issue Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets. Included in the disc are: "Rockin' Years" with Dolly Parton, "Selfishness In Man" with Vince Gill, "When the Grass Grows Over Me" with Mark Chesnutt, "I Always Get It Right With You" with Shelby Lynne, "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" with ex-wife, the late Tammy Wynette, and "You and Me and Time" with daughter Georgette Jones, among others. These recordings span from the mid 1970s to 2007.

Photo: George Jones at Bass Performance Hall (Louis DeLuca/DMN)

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The entry "George Jones scours his playhouse for unreleased duets" is tagged: Bandit Records , Dolly Parton , duets , George Jones , Mark Chesnutt , Vince Gill


June 24, 2008

Country artists sing the praises of Disney melodies

4:04 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

MC71024_140832_DisneyCountryfnlcvr.jpgRascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Little Big Town take on songs by Disney films Dumbo, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and CARS on Country Sings Disney, a 15-song CD to be released July 8 on Nashville's Lyric Street Records. Also on the disc are: Phil Stacey singing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Bucky Covington interpreting "You'll Be In My Heart" and Trisha Yearwood crooning "Blue Beyond."

Photo courtesy of Lyric Street Records.

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The entry "Country artists sing the praises of Disney melodies" is tagged: Alison Krauss , Brad Paisley , Disney , Faith Hill , Little Big Town , Rascal Flatts


June 21, 2008

Osmonds' 1973 album, "The Plan," a musical, conceptual benchmark

10:55 PM Sat, Jun 21, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

433838.jpgFor those who regarded the Osmonds as nothing more than a chirpy little pop group, thanks in no small part to the huge hit "One Bad Apple," 1973's The Plan has probably been forgotten. That's a shame. Still available on CD, domestically on Curb Records even, The Plan is an ambitious record written, performed and produced by the brothers - namely Alan, Merrill and Wayne Osmond. It's a concept album about religion, but it poses thought-provoking spiritual and societal questions that transcend any particular denomination. Musically, it's quite impressive. Think soaring pop, progressive rock and even some arty, theatrical sonic touches. I've got the disc, bought it a good while ago and was spinning it recently. Very impressive, folks. It wasn't very successful when it was first released - for obvious reasons. But 35 years later, The Plan deserves a second listen.

Photo courtesy of cduniverse.com

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The entry "Osmonds' 1973 album, "The Plan," a musical, conceptual benchmark" is tagged: Curb Records , One Bad Apple , Osmonds , The Plan


June 20, 2008

U2's first three albums ready for elaborate reissue

3:26 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail   News tips

1030463.jpgU2's first three albums - 1980's Boy, 1981's October and 1983's War - will be reissued in both physical and digital formats July 22. Each title has been remastered from the original audio tapes and will be released in three versions, as a single CD, as a two-CD set including a second disc of B-sides, live tracks and rarities, and also as an LP pressed on 180 gram virgin vinyl. All of the packaging has been restored and embellished, of course, with all sorts of nifty photos and song lyrics. The Irish band's influential landmark The Joshua Tree from 1987 was remastered in similar fashion last November.

Photo courtesy of cduniverse.com

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The entry "U2's first three albums ready for elaborate reissue" is tagged: Boy , CD reissue , October , U2 , War


June 19, 2008

D'Angelo finally re-emerges, readies his J Records debut

6:38 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Mario Tarradell   E-mail