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January 4, 2010


We were there: B.B. King at Nokia Theatre

12:13 AM Mon, Jan 04, 2010 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

X00120_9.jpgFor legendary bluesman B.B. King, performing is life-affirming. He was totally joyful Sunday night before an appreciative crowd at Nokia Theatre. Backed by a stellar band of eight musicians, King and his trusted guitar Lucille spent nearly 2 hours on the platform. He joked, chatted, played and sang all while sitting on a chair center stage. We got the classics, from "The Thrill Is Gone" to "When Love Comes to Town." His guitar playing remains unmistakable. His sound is clear, full-bodied, effortless. All of this from an 84-year-old icon that has worked enough, who's entertained in 90 different countries around the world. He's got diabetes, bad knees and a bad back. But you'd never know it. King may sing the blues, but he always makes us smile.

For a full review of B.B. King's concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday or pick up GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: King jubilant as ever in 2008 (Mel Melcon).

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The entry "We were there: B.B. King at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: B.B. King , bluesman , Lucille , Nokia Theatre , The Thrill Is Gone


December 30, 2009


We were there: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at American Airlines Center

9:49 PM Wed, Dec 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

AX138_72A6_9.jpgFor Trans-Siberian Orchestra, bombast is part of the charm. Nothing about this ensemble is subtle, at least not that we saw Wednesday during the matinee performance attended by more than 11,000 fans at American Airlines Center. Some of it was pure excitement -- laser lights, pyrotechnics explosions, hydraulic risers and multiple panel lighting. There were a slew of musicians onstage -- six violinists, two cellists, two keyboardists, two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer -- as well as several vocalists and a narrator. Rock power conquered the classical-fortified drama, too. But 3 hours is just too much. Plus, the proceedings were disjointed. Part of it was dedicated to Christmas, and then the rest was a hodge podge with some material from the new CD, Night Castle. Some songs failed, while others succeeded. It was all overly-padded, though. This orchestra is desperately in need of a fine-tuning director.

For a full review of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or pick up a copy of GuideDaily Friday.

Photo: TSO in full-throttle (Rex Curry/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , bombast , Christmas , Night Castle , Trans-Siberian Orchestra



Wishing for a few more year-end best slots

10:55 AM Wed, Dec 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Owl-city-ocean-eyes-2009.jpgAh, if I had only a few more slots in my year-end best lists. That would have been great. Unfortunately, only 10 are allowed -- one list for CDs, the other for concerts. But right off the top of my head, these discs and shows get honorable mentions.

CDs:
Owl City, Ocean Eyes (Universal Republic) - One-man-band Adam Young weaves melodies and electronics to create a spirited, synthesized gem.
Bruce Springsteen, Working On a Dream (Columbia) - The Boss' newest, strongly melodic opus faded too fast. If you've got it, dig it back up. If you don't, get it.
Miranda Lambert, Revolution (Columbia Nashville) - Lindale's scorching country singer-songwriter never disappoints. Revolution, a more collaborative effort for her, is what all contemporary country albums should be.
George Strait, Twang (MCA Nashville) - King George doesn't have a thing to prove, but he does anyway. We're all the better for it.
Depeche Mode, Sounds of the Universe (Mute/Capitol) - The Mode in hard, sometimes harsh, synthesized fashion. But still so darkly alluring.
Son Volt, American Central Dust (Rounder) - A slow-burn record, one that crawls under your skin and sets up camp.

Concerts:
Fleetwood Mac, April 30, American Airlines Center - Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie delivered sterling memories and musicality.
Staind, Sept. 22, Superpages.com Center - Aaron Lewis' passion, not to mention the band's explosive combo of heavy-and-light, drew me to this show immediately.
Devo, March 20, Austin Music Hall - What a blast! Mark Mothersbaugh and the gang showed us how to mix synths with quirk and plenty of off-kilter pizazz. A feast for the eyes and ears.

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The entry "Wishing for a few more year-end best slots " is tagged: Bruce Springsteen , Depeche Mode , Devo , Fleetwood Mac , George Strait , Miranda Lambert , Owl City , Son Volt , Staind


December 14, 2009


Dale Bozzio should be flattered...maybe

4:28 PM Mon, Dec 14, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Dale_Bozzio.jpgshow_image_NewsSP.jpgThis has been on my mind since the recent American Music Awards: Lady Gaga owes a huge debt of gratitude to Dale Bozzio, the once lead singer of '80s synth-pop band Missing Persons. It doesn't take a genius to see the resemblance, especially during the first half of Gaga's AMA performance. Her get-up, spandex-meets-plastic-meets-freaky-hair, is TOTAL Dale Bozzio. Sure, Gaga is much more outrageous than Bozzio ever was. But that image is completely borrowed from the Bozzio book of makeup, clothing and accessories. I sure hope all of Gaga's young fans don't think she invented her style. What irks me is that Gaga is so celebrated right now - smash radio hits, million-selling album, multiple Grammy nominations - and Missing Persons remained so underrated during its six-year run from 1980-1986. At least Smashing Pumpkins covered Missing Persons' "Destination Unknown" back in 1996. That gave Bozzio and company some rock cred.

Photos: Bozzio left her mark on the Lady (Wikipedia images).

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The entry "Dale Bozzio should be flattered...maybe" is tagged: Dale Bozzio , Just Dance , Lady Gaga , Missing Persons , Paparazzi , The Fame


December 1, 2009


We were there: Moon & the Starz at Poor David's

1:31 PM Tue, Dec 01, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23bowden2.JPGPoor David's Pub continues to be a venue I love. In just a few short weeks, I've had the pleasure of seeing Jimmy LaFave, David Bromberg and Moon & the Starz give terrific shows there. On Thursday night, Poor David's is bringing in the incomparable John Gorka. For more information about Gorka's show and Poor David's in general, click here. Last Saturday night brought to Poor David's Lamar Street location Moon & the Starz, whose five-band piece is made up of ace keyboardist Mark Vidito (who lives in Dallas) and four characters from Linden, Texas, where Moon's home court, so to speak, is the state's best live music venue, the 420-seat Music City Texas Theater. For the second time in its short history, Music City Texas is hosting Jackson Browne on Thursday night. But regulars of MCT get to hear Moon & the Starz all the time, which is no small privilege. This Piney Woods quintet is headed up by lead guitarist Richard Bowden, who once manned that position for Linda Ronstadt and Dan Fogelberg. He is also hilariously funny. One example: The show started at 8 p.m., but one contingent trooped in around 8:25. "Oh, some other folks have decided to join us," Bowden said. "So happy to see you. Can we get you anything? Like a friggin' watch!?"

Photo: Richard Bowden of Moon & the Starz


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The entry "We were there: Moon & the Starz at Poor David's" is tagged: Don Henley , Jackson Browne , Moon & the Starz , Poor David's Pub , Richard Bowden , the Eagles


November 27, 2009


Daryl Hall has his H2O regrets

4:49 PM Fri, Nov 27, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Hall_Oates_ATRL.jpgSo while on the phone with Daryl Hall, the most vocal half of enduring pop-R&B duo Hall & Oates, I asked him if there was a song or album that he thought should have been more widely heard and wasn't. He didn't hesitate, immediately answering 1978's Along the Red Ledge album. Although it did produce the Top 20 pop hit, "It's a Laugh," and eventually sold 500,000 copies, Ledge didn't exactly burn up the charts. So Hall has this to say:

"Along the Red Ledge sort of fell between the cracks because of what was going on in the late '70s. We put a lot of effort into it. It was a very musical album, adventurous. It was a unique way of crossing the great divide of music in 1978 -- rock, disco, punk, God knows what. It was a great musical record and when it came out people just kind of went...OK."

Check out my story on Hall, which should run in GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: The Along the Red Ledge album cover (RCA Records).

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The entry "Daryl Hall has his H2O regrets" is tagged: Along the Red Ledge , Daryl Hall , disco , John Oates , punk , rock


November 25, 2009


We were there: Raphael Saadiq at House of Blues

12:58 AM Wed, Nov 25, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_24SaadiqDance.JPGRemember when R&B music had soul? Raphael Saadiq does. Backed by a spectacular 8-piece band, featuring a saxophonist, trumpeter and two background vocalists, soul brother Saadiq performed Tuesday night at House of Blues. His 90-minute show was a glorious throwback to the days of wicked grooves and feel-good beats that made you want to strut, skip, shimmy, glide, bounce and snap your fingers in cool rhythm. Saadiq channeled the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the late Marvin Gaye. And he didn't even have to dip into his past much if at all. His solo work, especially 2008's marvelous The Way I See It, is so potent that we don't miss Lucy Pearl and Tony! Toni! Toné!

For a full review of the Raphael Saadiq gig, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Wednesday or pick up GuideDaily Thursday.

Photo: Saadiq in soulful mode (BEN TORRES/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Raphael Saadiq at House of Blues" is tagged: House of Blues , Marvin Gaye , R&B , Raphael Saadiq , soul , Temptations , The Way I See It


November 8, 2009


Spotlight: Converge at House of Blues

12:53 PM Sun, Nov 08, 2009 |  | 
Dawn Burkes/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29converge.JPGConverge isn't for the faint of ears. The Salem, Mass.-formed band now based in both Salem and Brooklyn, N.Y., mixes punk aesthetics with a heart-pounding, rapid-fire syle of heavy metal. The four members -- Jacob Bannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton and Ben Koller -- give new meaning to the words frenetic power on the new Axe to Fall, Converge's seventh studio album.

After a career that began in 1990, the Converge members have just recently started seeing the gradual rise of their mainstream appeal. Only the group's last three studio discs, 2004's You Fail Me, 2006's No Heroes and Axe to Fall, which was released Oct. 20, have charted on Billboard's pop albums list.

Axe to Fall has already garnered Converge critical comparisons to seminal hard-core punk band Black Flag. Surely the band's current shows on the Metalocalypse tour with Dethklok, Mastadon and High on Fire couldn't hurt its standing.

Mario Tarradell

Wednesday at 6 p.m. at House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $34-50-$59.50. Ticketmaster.

(Photo of Converge by Matt Miller)

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The entry "Spotlight: Converge at House of Blues" is tagged: Converge , Dethklok , House of Blues , Mastodon , shows , the critic's voice



Spotlight: Son Volt at the Granada Theater

12:02 PM Sun, Nov 08, 2009 |  | 
Dawn Burkes/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_30sonvolt.JPGEditor's note: We've been choosing Hot Tickets and spotlights in our print Guide section, and now we want to bring those same picks to the Playlist music blog on dallasnews.com. Basically, we go through the concert schedule so you don't have to.

Jay Farrar remains the creative center of seminal alt-country band Son Volt. He wrote all 12 songs on American Central Dust, the band's melodic, slow burn of a new CD. With tracks as potent as "Cocaine and Ashes," "Dust of Daylight," "Sultana" and "When the Wheels Don't Move," to name a few, Dust may be the five-man group's strongest effort since the sought-after debut disc, 1995's Trace. Farrar and company -- drummer Dave Bryson, bassist Andrew Duplantis, electric guitarist Chris Masterson and keyboardist Mark Spencer -- sound artistically rejuvenated. American Central Dust is proof of that. English alternative rocker Peter Bruntnell is the opening act for the band's concert at the Granada Theater.

Mario Tarradell

Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. $20-$30. www.granadatheater.com.

(Photo of Son Volt by J.Wagner & S.Waugh)

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The entry "Spotlight: Son Volt at the Granada Theater" is tagged: Granada Theater , Hot tickets , shows , Son Volt , spotlights , the critic's voice


November 6, 2009


Motown Records turns 50 again...and again...and again

3:46 PM Fri, Nov 06, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

4D0A20CFE90B4B3CB7E605A4672220A2.jpgDoesn't it seem as though Motown Records has been celebrating its 50th anniversary for about a couple of years? It officially turned 50 January 12, but the celebration just keeps going. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and the Temptations will trek on over to Detroit, the label's birthplace, for a two-night shindig Nov. 20 and 21 at various locations in the vicinity of the company's midtown headquarters. Check out Motown's classic music website.

All of this Motown talk gets me thinking about the label's 1980's heyday. Everybody always points to the 1960's and the 1970's as the quintessential Motown decades. I won't argue that. But let's not forget that Motown was very much viable in the 1980's, and with groundbreaking releases like Teena Marie's It Must Be Magic from 1981. She was so ahead of her time, particularly on "Square Biz," an intoxicating slice of R&B, funk and rap that predated the slew of female rappers to come.

Got a favorite Motown album from the '80s? Share with us.

Photo: Teena Marie's It Must Be Magic CD cover courtesy of Motown Records.

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The entry "Motown Records turns 50 again...and again...and again" is tagged: Aretha Franklin , Detroit , Motown Records , Stevie Wonder , Temptations


October 30, 2009


We were there: David Wilcox at Uncle Calvin's

11:20 PM Fri, Oct 30, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

WilcoxNewPhoto.jpgFriday night marked yet another terrific concert at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse. The inimitable David Wilcox made his debut at Uncle Calvin's, where, incredibly, he had never played. Wilcox has a loyal cult following, and the place was packed. His adoring troupe of fans included a delightful couple, Mike and Mer Dunbar, who attended a Wilcox concert at McDavid Studio in Fort Worth on their first date in 2006. They were married last May and now share the distinction of having attended additional Wilcox shows during 2007, 2008 and Friday night. Mike is 27, Mer is 22, so they're a bit younger than the regulars who return like homing pigeons each Friday night to Fellowship Hall at Northpark Presbyterian Church, where Uncle Calvin's is based. I, like most of the Ballad Tree types who go there, vastly prefer seeing shows at Uncle Calvin's than having to endure the crazy din of American Airlines Center. Those days are gone, and you can have them. There's nothing better than a quiet corner at Uncle Calvin's, a slice of hot apple pie and several cups of hot, black, steaming, flavorful, delicious coffee. Uncle Calvin's offered the chance to fully appreciate Wilcox's rare blend of pristine vocals, dynamic guitar play and songwriting that merges the best of music and storytelling. At times, you feel like you're hearing Jackson Browne, at others F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Photo: David Wilcox, who has just released his 16th album, Open Hand

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The entry "We were there: David Wilcox at Uncle Calvin's " is tagged: David Wilcox , Grace Pettis , Jackson Browne , Kerrville , Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse


October 29, 2009


We were there: R. Kelly at Nokia Theatre

11:55 PM Thu, Oct 29, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29RKelly02.JPGYou know the drill. R. Kelly, the king of salaciousness, was all about his libido Thursday night before a packed house at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. His "Ladies Make Some Noise" tour stop was exactly what you would expect -- 70 percent sex romp filled with tunes such as "Your Body's Callin'," "Strip For You," "Bump N' Grind" and a few others that would make some blush. He's so one-note. But the women in the audience loved it. And the men in the crowd loved the women. Musically, however, Kelly needs less repetitive beats and interchangeable lyrics, and more of the material during the final 30 percent of the show. "Step In the Name of Love" and "Happy People" were actually musical, with old-school grooves and feel-good vibes. Do more of that, R!

Did you go to the concert? What did you think?

Photo: Kelly sexed it up Thursday night (Kye R. Lee/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: R. Kelly at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Happy People , Ladies Make Some Noise , Nokia Theatre , R. Kelly , Your Body's Callin'


October 25, 2009


We were there: Gary Allan at Superpages.com Center

1:00 AM Sun, Oct 25, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_16ALLAN2.JPGGary Allan and his seven-man band rocked Superpages.com Center Saturday before 8,500 fans. Emphasis on rocked since the California native has all but transformed himself from a rugged country honky-tonker to a super cool arena rocker. And that's just fine. Allan's been steadily moving in that direction for years, so nothing felt forced or calculated. The show was loud, though, and very guitar-heavy. He employed two guitarists, one of which wore a kilt. Plus, Allan's drummer loved to pound on the skins. So tracks such as "Still Learning How to Bend," "I Just Got Back From Hell" and "Watching Airplanes" were amped up and raucous. Even the countrier cuts, "It Would Be You" and "Songs About Rain," ripped to maximum effect.

If you were at the show, tell us what you thought.

For a full review of the Gary Allan concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or pick up GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Gary Allan (MCA Nashville).

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The entry "We were there: Gary Allan at Superpages.com Center " is tagged: Gary Allan , kilt , Still Lelarning How to Bend , Superpages.com Center , Watching Airplanes


October 22, 2009


Is early Madonna the best Madonna?

7:18 PM Thu, Oct 22, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Celebration_cover_double_disc.jpgAs I listened yesterday to the 2-CD, 36-tracks Celebration, the new Madonna career retrospective, I found myself skipping back to cuts from her 1983 self-titled debut album. I'm talking about "Lucky Star," "Holiday," "Everybody" and "Burning Up." Yes, "Borderline" is on there, too. But I always thought that song lacked the vibrancy that permeates the rest of the album. "Lucky Star," "Holiday" and "Everybody" are effervescent examples of dance-pop with personality. Then we have "Burning Up," perhaps the best slice of high-energy dance from Madonna Louise Ciccone. The bouncy rhythm, the pulsating synthesizer line and Madonna's pouty-sexy lyrics about female domination all created an irresistible tune.

OK, what's your favorite Madonna song and why?

Photo: The Celebration CD cover (Warner Bros. Records)

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The entry "Is early Madonna the best Madonna? " is tagged: Borderline , Burning Up , Celebration , Everybody , Holiday , Lucky Star , Madonna


October 18, 2009


We were there: Miley Cyrus at American Airlines Center

10:38 PM Sun, Oct 18, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NS_18MILEYb.JPGMiley Cyrus brought out brother Trace Cyrus to the stage Sunday night during her sold-out concert performance at American Airlines Center. The siblings sang a tune titled "Hovering." It gave more platform time to Trace, who had already been under the spotlight for 40 minutes as lead singer of his band Metro Station, which opened the show. Trace told us earlier that Miley had fought for he and his group to be part of her tour. Hey, little sis pulls for big bro.

Anyway, Miley's gig left her Hannah Montana TV character in the dust. Her 80-minute stint focused on tracks from 2007's Meet Miley Cyrus, 2008's Breakout and the new EP, The Time of Our Lives. She also whipped out a cover of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'N Roll." She sang it while atop a motorcycle hooked up to cables that slowly soared above the audience.

Coincidentally, Miranda Lambert also covered "I Love Rock 'N Roll" Saturday night during her State Fair of Texas show in Fair Park. Joan Jett must be flattered. Or not.

Were you at the show? What did you think?

For a full review of Miley Cyrus' concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday or pick up GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: Miley Cyrus works the stage Sunday night (John F. Rhodes/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Miley Cyrus at American Airlines Center " is tagged: American Airlines Center , Hannah Montana , Joan Jett , Metro Station , Miley Cyrus , Trace Cyrus



We were there: Miranda Lambert at the State Fair of Texas

12:32 AM Sun, Oct 18, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_17lambert03.JPGIn between songs from three CDs -- 2005's Kerosene, 2007's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and the new Revolution -- Lindale's Miranda Lambert pulled out a few choice covers during her concert Saturday night on the Chevrolet Main Stage of the State Fair of Texas in Fair Park.

She did Gillian Welch's "Dry Town" and Fred Eaglesmith's "Time to Get a Gun." But those are tracks on two of her discs. She scored rock chick points for tackling Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'N Roll," then got all R&B on Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour."

Her remake props came during an unplanned encore. She did an acoustic rendition of Patsy Cline's "Crazy" (written by one of her musical heroes, Willie Nelson). Then slid into Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," and ended with a blistering take on Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll."

Were you at the show? What did you think?

For a full review of Miranda's show, see www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or pick up GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Miranda's got it covered (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Miranda Lambert at the State Fair of Texas" is tagged: Buddy Holly , Fair Park , Led Zeppelin , Miranda Lambert , Patsy Cline , Revolution , State Fair of Texas


October 13, 2009


A few more thoughts on Monday's U2 concert

11:05 PM Tue, Oct 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12U2a.JPGSo now that I'm free from the heat of deadline -- not to mention the space constraints inherent with writing an overnight concert review -- I want to talk about three more moments during Monday night's U2 concert at Cowboys Stadium.

"Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" -- It was just Bono on vocals and The Edge on acoustic guitar. Quite intimate. Well, as intimate as you can get in a huge venue packed with more than 70,000 fans.

"The Unforgettable Fire" -- A rare concert song, one that U2 hasn't performed during their treks in nearly two decades. It's still engulfing and passionate, as is just about every track from the CD of the same name. (My favorite U2 tune of all time is "Pride (In the Name of Love)," which is also from The Unforgettable Fire disc.)

"City of Blinding Lights" -- During this track from How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, Bono plucked a 13-year-old kid from the crowd and walked with him through the stage's outer ring. A cool gesture. Bono probably made that kid's year...or lifetime.

Photo: Bono and The Edge (Louis DeLuca/DMN).

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The entry "A few more thoughts on Monday's U2 concert" is tagged: Bono , Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of , The Edge , The Unforgettable Fire , U2



We were there: U2 at Cowboys Stadium

12:14 AM Tue, Oct 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12U2d.JPGHere are the facts: More than 70,000 people attended U2's concert Monday night at Cowboys Stadium. That stage for the 360 Degrees Tour was mammoth, a spaceship-meets-spider contraption with four claw-like structures, two movable bridges, a circular stage that led to an outer ring and a stunning rotating video screen that stretched into a funnel-cloud shape and was always glittering with lights.

Amazing show, folks. U2 defines stadium rock. I'm going to focus here on one song they sang, "Sunday Bloody Sunday." It was that song, as well as "New Year's Day," that introduced me to U2 in 1983. "Sunday," with it marching beat and anthem-like chorus, mesmerized me from the get-go. So did "New Year's Day," which was so haunting with that signature keyboard intro. Loved them both. Still love them both.

Onstage, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" was passionate, penetrating. Bono, Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton and The Edge haven't forgotten how powerful that song is.

Were you there? What did you think?

For a full review of U2, see www.dallasnews.com/entertainment or pick up GuideDaily.

Photo: U2 in 360 Degrees! (Louis DeLuca/DMN)

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The entry "We were there: U2 at Cowboys Stadium " is tagged: Adam Clayton , Bono , Cowboys Stadium , Larry Mullen Jr. , Sunday Bloody Sunday , The Edge , U2


October 8, 2009


We were there: Kings of Leon at American Airlines Center

12:05 AM Thu, Oct 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_07kingsofleon01jp.JPGThose Kings of Leon guys do have a few rock anthems in their repertoire, as they proved Wednesday night before a large, adoring crowd at American Airlines Center. And I'm not just talking about "Use Somebody," the group's breakthrough US radio hit that arrived during the more than 90 minute concert's encore.

"Sex On Fire," one of those soaring rockers that throbs at every note, had the audience singing loudly, fist-pumping and jumping. Ditto for "Manhattan," with its irresistible chorus that explodes effortlessly.

But hey, my fave remains "Closer," the first tune they played. I love that moody mix of synthesizer pulses and drum beats. The band was bathed in blue hues, which added to the song's mystique.

Now it's your turn. Were you at the show? If yes, what did you think?

For a full review of Kings of Leon, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or pick up GuideDaily Friday.

Photo: The Kings on their AAC throne Wednesday night (Jeffrey Porter/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Kings of Leon at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Kings of Leon , Manhattan , Only By the Night , Sex On Fire


October 7, 2009


Those Bowling for Soup guys are shameless...and hilarious!

3:55 PM Wed, Oct 07, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

BFS_SFP_5x5_300dpi_rgb.JPGOh to have been in the planning meeting for the cover of Denton band Bowling for Soup's upcoming album, Sorry for Partyin'. I mean, just look at it. On the one hand, you give it a glance and think, "Guys, put a towel over it!" Then again, you can't help but laugh. Both thoughts are probably the point with this quirky, self-deprecating, good-humored band. Partyin', which follows 2006's The Great Burrito Extortion Case, hits stores Oct. 13. Check out my GuideDaily story on Bowling for Soup sometime next week.

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The entry "Those Bowling for Soup guys are shameless...and hilarious!" is tagged: Bowling for Soup , Denton , Oct. 13 , Sorry for Partyin'


September 30, 2009


We were there: Metallica at American Airlines Center

1:39 AM Wed, Sep 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29metallica01.JPGLet's talk about concert pyrotechnics. Metallica has that mastered as well. The metal messiahs brought more than 19,000 fans to American Airlines Center Tuesday night for its Dallas stop on the World Magnetic Tour.

But back to the fire. Literally. The stage floor shot bursts of flames. At one point vocalist James Hetfield was standing at the mike mighty close to the sizzling hot orange-yellow glow. He didn't seem to mind. Also, flanking drummer Lars Ulrich, who was center stage, were banks that shot eight tall flames on either side. Cool, I mean hot, visual!

It was a great show, folks. Metallica remains astonishingly tight. They are consummate musicians still incredibly focused nearly three decades after starting the group.

If you were there, what did you think of the show?

For a full review of the Metallica concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Wednesday or pick up GuideDaily Thursday.

Photo: Metallica burns up the stage (Kye R. Lee/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Metallica at American Airlines Center " is tagged: American Airlines Center , James Hetfield , Metallica , pyrotechnics , World Magnetic Tour


September 26, 2009


We were there: Jamie Foxx at Nokia Theatre

12:14 AM Sat, Sep 26, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_25foxx01jp.JPGTerrell's Jamie Foxx kept the Nokia Theatre stage busy, busy, busy Friday night during the first of two concerts at the Grand Prairie venue. Most of the night's material came from two Foxx CDs - 2005's Unpredictable and 2008's Intuition. He paid tribute to Ray Charles, whom he portrayed in his Oscar-winning Ray performance, with "I Got a Woman." We also got a throwaway homage to Michael Jackson that featured snippets of Jackson tunes played by DJ Irie with Foxx egging the crowd to sing along, then doing his best Jackson dance impersonation. That was it. Never did Foxx actually cover a Jackson song. Anyway, the finale was a lot of fun. It was an explosive rendition of "Blame It," Foxx's most recent radio hit.

Did you go to the concert? If so, what did you think?

For a full review of the Jamie Foxx show, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Saturday or pick up GuideDaily Sunday.

Photo: Foxx on the prowl (Jeffrey Porter/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Jamie Foxx at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Blame It , Intuition , Jamie Foxx , Michael Jackson , Nokia Theatre , Ray Charles , Unpredictable


September 23, 2009


We were there: Pink at American Airlines Center

11:45 PM Wed, Sep 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23PINKa.JPGOK, Pink was a blast Wednesday night in front of a near sold-out crowd at American Airlines Center. For about an hour and 45 minutes, the woman born Alecia Beth Moore gave us spectacle and substance. Her "Welcome to the Funhouse" tour is one big roller coaster ride. And who better at command center than the explosive Pink.

Highlights of the evening included "So What," "Funhouse," "Just Like a Pill" and "Get the Party Started," among others. Pink also dared to strip it down, bared her soul and sang "I Don't Believe You" and "Dear Mr. President." Very cool.

So were you there? And what did you think of the show?

For a full Pink concert review, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or pick up GuideDaily on Friday.

Photo: Pink flies into American Airlines Center (John F. Rhodes/DMN).

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We were there: Creed, Staind at Superpages.com Center

12:24 AM Wed, Sep 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_22CreedStapp.JPGSo I was surprised by the relatively small crowd Tuesday night at Superpages.com Center for the Creed/Staind concert. There were only 7,000 people there. That's less than half the capacity of the venue. It makes me wonder if the Creed comeback -- this is the band's first tour since 2002 -- doesn't bode well for the upcoming new album, Full Circle, which arrives Oct. 27.

I will say that Creed frontman Scott Stapp was in good voice (strong, throaty), was all about energetic drama onstage, and seemed to be connecting with his band mates. But, man, an hour of Creed is more than enough. 100 minutes is just too much. The songs all sound the same after a while and Stapp doesn't know any other vocal setting but full-throttle.

Staind were really good. I love that melodic intensity, that mixture of melody and hard rock punch. Aaron Lewis is a most intriguing lead singer, a guy that always seems ready to explode but keeps his combustion in check.

If you went to the show, what did you think?

For a full review, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Wednesday or pick up GuideDaily Thursday.

Photo: Stapp pours on the drama (Ben Torres/Special to DMN).

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September 21, 2009


We were there: Kudos to Poor David's Pub

12:52 PM Mon, Sep 21, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_03bromberg.JPGKudos to the legendary Poor David's Pub for back-to-back weekends of terrific shows. I had the pleasure of being at the Jimmy LaFave-Zane Williams doubleheader on Sept. 12 and again on Friday night, Sept. 18, to hear folk music giant David Bromberg. (Check out the fascinating feature on Bromberg written by my colleague Mario Tarradell.) Poor David's has been around for years, of course, but its new location on Lamar near downtown Dallas is really cool. As John Inmon, LaFave's ace lead guitarist, told me, it has terrific acoustics. The sound is absolutely perfect. LaFave put on his usual dynamite show, with Inmon laying down his amazing licks on lead guitar and Bryan Peterson playing the lights out of the piano. No one can move from Chuck Berry to Bruce Springsteen to his own heartfelt ballads as well as LaFave. And Zane Williams, LaFave's warm-up that evening, is a real find. The Abilene native moved to Nashville in 1999 after graduating from Abilene Christian University.

Photo: David Bromberg

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September 2, 2009


We were there: Moody Blues at Meyerson Symphony Center

11:19 PM Wed, Sep 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_02MoodyBlues02.JPGIt's funny how songs that stiff on the charts later turn into concert regulars. Seeing the Moody Blues in concert Wednesday night at the Meyerson Symphony Center, the first of two sold-out nights with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, made me think about this. I've seen the Moodies live, oh, at least three times and they always perform 1986's "The Other Side of Life" and 1968's "Ride My See-Saw," as they did Wednesday night. Great tunes. One's a stomping yet melodic pop-rocker and the other is a swirling, harmonious rocker. Neither were hits -- "The Other Side of Life" stalled at No. 58, while "Ride My See-Saw" couldn't get further than No. 61. And yet every time the band play them live, the audience reacts as if they were huge radio staples. Very cool.

For a full review of The Moody Blues, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or pick up GuideDaily Friday.

Photo: Justin Hayward and John Lodge amp it up Wednesday night at the Meyerson (Kye R. Lee/DMN).

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August 30, 2009


We were there: Depeche Mode at Superpages.com Center

12:18 AM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29depeche1_143132.JPGDepeche Mode's song, "Never Let Me Down Again," which the band performed Saturday night before 15,000 fans at Superpages.com Center could very well be the theme for my thoughts on the concert. I've seen Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher (along with supplemental musicians) onstage on four separate tours. They've never let me down. These guys are pros at not only blending synthesizers and real instruments to make a full-throttle dance-rock repertoire, but also at persevering. More than two decades into this game, Depeche Mode continues to thrive during packed shows. And they keep delivering new music, the latest disc being Sounds of the Universe, that's always bold and daring.

So if you went to the show, what did you think?

For a full review of Depeche Mode, check out www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Dave Gahan in technicolor! (Rex C. Curry/Special to DMN)

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August 27, 2009


Bruce Hornsby's laugh-out-loud cameo

12:26 PM Thu, Aug 27, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music Bruce Hornsby.JPGWe're not supposed to divulge too many details of movies before they're released, but anyone who loves the music of Bruce Hornsby (as I do) should rush to a theater Sept. 4 to see World's Greatest Dad, starring Robin Williams. I won't tell you how and why Hornsby plays himself, or why he sings one of his signature songs, "Mandolin Rain." But he does, and writer-director Bobcat Goldthwait uses Hornsby to full comic effect. That's right, comic effect. I also recommend World's Greatest Dad to anyone who's ever been a parent. You may not know this, but Hornsby harbors two fascinating ties to the Dallas area: He's good friends with rocker Don Henley, who was born in Linden in the Piney Woods of East Texas and now lives in Dallas. He and Henley co-wrote "The End of the Innocence." And he's good friends with Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle, with whom he shares in common a basketball background and the fact that both play piano. Check out this Eddie Sefko story about that relationship and click the arrow in the video box below to hear Hornsby sing "The End of the Innocence." Lest I forget, World's Greatest Dad has another local connection: It's distributed by Magnolia Pictures, which is co-owned by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and business partner Todd Wagner.

Photo: The great Bruce Hornsby


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August 25, 2009


We were there: Michael Martin Murphey at Texas Theater

2:58 PM Tue, Aug 25, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

IMG_7183.JPGLast Thursday afternoon I was in Waxahachie with three friends. We toured some of the lovely vintage homes, marveled at the refurbished courthouse downtown, had dinner at 1879 Chisholm Grill and took in Michael Martin Murphey's concert that night at Texas Theater. It was just Murphey and his acoustic guitar (also, sometimes a banjo) with occasional accompaniment by guitarist Steve Weisberg. For more than 2 hours, Murphey traveled through his pop, country and cowboy songs. He was in fine voice, especially during his soaring rendition of "Wildfire," his 1975 pop smash. Murphey can still hit the notes. Also, it was cool to hear "What's Forever For," "Long Line of Love," "Cherokee Fiddle" and "Carolina In the Pines." But the set did seem excessively long, especially when it was so instrumentally spare. Murphey's a talker and storyteller. That's great. It makes him accessible, warm. However, just about every song was preceded by a lengthy tale. You can imagine how that made 2 hours and 15 minutes seem endless. Still, all in all the Dallas native put on an intimate show at a most historic venue.

Photo: Murphey picking and singing (Courtesy of Ron Dougherty).

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August 24, 2009


We were there: Pepe Aguilar, Marco Antonio Solis at American Airlines Center

12:59 AM Mon, Aug 24, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23hatwide.JPGRanchera and Latin pop fans surely relished the Pepe Aguilar and Marco Antonio Solis concert Sunday night at American Airlines Center. These two men are pillars of the regional Mexican music genre. Plus, they brought platforms full of musicians. Aguilar, who performed first, had with him a 12-piece mariachi and a 9-piece band. Solis, who closed the show, toted a mini-orchestra complete with string and horn sections, percussionist, drummer and three female background vocalists. Aguilar kept it traditional with a few excursions into pop, while Solis was mostly pop with brief trips to ranchera. They were contrasting artists, but immensely talented all the same. Highlights were plenty, but let's quickly mention Aguilar's jaunty "He Venido A Pedirte Perdon" and lush "Miedo" as well as Solis' dramatic "O Me Voy O Te Vas" and rhythmic "Tu Carcel."

For a full review, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday or see GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: Aguilar in charro brilliance Sunday night (Nathan Hunsinger/DMN).

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August 23, 2009


We were there: Morris Day & the Time at Fort Worth Musicfest

1:24 AM Sun, Aug 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_22FWfestMirror.JPGOn my way home from seeing Morris Day & the Time Saturday night during the second day of the Fort Worth Musicfest, I popped in my CD copy of Ice Cream Castles and cranked up "Jungle Love" and "The Bird." I just had to have some more. Day and his Time musicians, performing on the parking lot of the Masonic Hall, left the crowd hungry for more soul and funk. That's good showmanship, not to mention serious grooves from bass, drums, guitars and keyboards. Obviously, "Jungle Love" and "The Bird" were highlights of the 75-minute set. But so were "Cool," "Pandemonium" and "777-9311" -- still the funk phone number. OK, now I need to go play What Time Is It?

For a full review, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or see GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Morris Day in his primping perfection Saturday night (Ben Torres/Special to DMN).

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August 22, 2009


We were there: Zapp, Bar-Kays at Fort Worth Musicfest

1:54 AM Sat, Aug 22, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

FWFESTZAPP02.JPGFWFESTBARKAYS02.JPGIt's all about the funk! The first night of the three-day Fort Worth Musicfest funked out with headliners Zapp and Bar-Kays. Friday night was cool and breezy, so the crowd easily got up and danced. You couldn't stay seated with these groups playing the platform.
Zapp -- "More Bounce to the Ounce," with the signature talk box in amped-up mode, was a big ole funk jam. Ditto for "Nuthin' But a Party." And, oooh, "Computer Love" was all electronically sexy.
Bar-Kays -- Lead singer Larry Dodson is an over-the-top master of showmanship. He chewed up funk gems "Shake Your Rump to the Funk," "Move Your Boogie Body" and the totally wicked "Freakshow On the Dance Floor." Uh-huh, it sure was.

For a full review, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment or see GuideDaily on Sunday.

Photos: Zapp (left) and Larry Dodson of Bar-Kays funking it up Friday night (Mark Rogers/Special to DMN).

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August 21, 2009


The pitfalls of stadiums as music concert venues

1:18 AM Fri, Aug 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_19McCartney5.JPGComplaints are running rampant about the sound at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, particularly in regards to the venue's three concerts so far -- George Strait, Jonas Brothers and Paul McCartney. Having reviewed all three shows, I've had no problems with the sound system. But then again, I was sitting on the floor for all three gigs. For McCartney Wednesday night, I was in section D, row 15, seat 3. That's essentially 15 rows, center, from the stage. The sound was fine. Two colleagues of mine sat in section 119, toward the back, and they also thought the sound was fine. It could very well be a situation of where you're sitting, maybe even down to the minute angle of your seat. But overall, stadiums are bad places to hear and appreciate music. Stadiums tend to be huge, cavernous and circular. Those are three acoustic deterrents. Also, remember that they are made primarily for sporting events, not concerts. The emphasis is on the 50-yard line or home base, not speakers and sound travel. Does this excuse poor acoustics at Cowboys Stadium or Texas Stadium, which wasn't a whole lot better? Not at all. But as concert ticket buyers, it's something to keep in mind. Mega-stars draw massive crowds, which require a mammoth venue to accommodate everybody. It's always bound to leave something to be desired.

Photo: McCartney at Cowboys Stadium Wednesday night (Tom Fox/DMN).

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The entry "The pitfalls of stadiums as music concert venues " is tagged: Cowboys Stadium , George Strait , Jonas Brothers , Paul McCartney , Texas Stadium , U2


August 20, 2009


We were there: Paul McCartney at Cowboys Stadium

1:22 AM Thu, Aug 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_19McCartney6.JPGMore than two-and-a-half hours of Paul McCartney Wednesday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington almost wasn't enough. He performed 36 songs backed by a great four-man band. But think of all the songs he didn't do. That could be another show...or two. Anyway, among the many highlights, here are three of my faves:
"Jet" -- The propulsive rocker with the shout-out chorus was an in-your-face blast from the word go.
"Back In the U.S.S.R." -- How can you not get caught up in the vibe? All together now..."Back in the U.S.S.R."
"Live and Let Die" -- Those pyrotechnic explosions were unexpected and startling. But the sparkly fireworks during the hard rocking part of the song added visual excitement to the sonic thrill.
"Helter Skelter" -- Speaking of hard rocking, this one's a fist-pumper. It was part of his second encore.

OK, now it's your turn. Did you go to the show? What did you think?

For a full review of the Paul McCartney concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or see GuideDaily Friday.

Photo: Paul in action (Tom Fox/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Paul McCartney at Cowboys Stadium " is tagged: Beatles , Cowboys Stadium , Fireman , Jet , Live and Let Die , Paul McCartney , Wings


August 7, 2009


We were there: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan at QuikTrip Park

11:55 PM Fri, Aug 07, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_07concertNELSONtite.JPGNGL_07concertMCAMPv.JPGAmerican roots music veterans Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan, along with New York City outfit The Wiyos took the stage Friday at QuikTrip Park. Here's a quick recap of the concert:
The Wiyos - Bob Wills by way of Brooklyn. Swinging Americana with an urbanized, eclectic feel. Loved the trumpet, megaphone and upright bass combo.
Willie Nelson - An hour of Willie is not enough, but he packed 'em in. "Whiskey River," "Me and Paul," "On the Road Again," "Crazy," "Always On My Mind." Classic Nelson.
John Mellencamp - No "Jack & Diane" or "Hurts So Good." Gasp! Still, Mellencamp roots-rocked hard during "Crumblin' Down," "Troubled Land" and "The Authority Song."
Bob Dylan - Great 5-piece band blending folk, blues and rock. But, wow, onstage Dylan's voice is really an acquired taste. He was in intermittent growl mode.

For a full review of the shows, see www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Saturday or GuideDaily Sunday.

Photos: Nelson (left) and Mellencamp at QuikTrip Park (John F. Rhodes/DMN).


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August 3, 2009


Tejano Music Convention is back in Dallas

3:07 PM Mon, Aug 03, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

image001.jpgAs promised last year, the 2009 Tejano Music Convention will take place in Dallas Aug. 21-22 at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Hotel. The event features performances by Tejano and conjunto veterans Gary Hobbs, Ram Herrera, Jay Perez, Hometown Boys, Elida Reyna and many others. It will also mark the reunion of '90s group Fandango USA. Comedians Willie Barcena and Gilbert Esquivel are set to serve as hosts. The convention, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, is shorter and cheaper this year due to the struggling economy. Registration is $15-$80; organizers expect 5,000 people to attend. For more information, go to tejanoticket.com. To register, call 913-397-8850 or email info@tejanoticket.com.

Photo: Logo courtesy of tejanoticket.com.

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The entry "Tejano Music Convention is back in Dallas" is tagged: Fandango USA , Gary Hobbs , Hyatt Regency , Jay Perez , Ram Herrera , Reunion , Tejano Music Convention



Idol Records launches Exploding Plastic

11:03 AM Mon, Aug 03, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ir077.jpgAnother piece of news from Idol Records: Label founder Erv Karwelis has launched Exploding Plastic, a boutique imprint of Idol that will cater to "art pop." According to Karwelis, "the bands will have an indie pop/art pop style which would include psychedelic and symphonic type bands." Dylan Silvers, frontman for The Crash That Took Me, will decide on most of the signings for the imprint. Already released on Exploding Plastic: Snow In June, the trippy, soundscape-ish debut disc by Little Black Dress, which is Toby Pipes (formerly of Deep Blue Something) and Nolan Thies. A second Exploding Plastic release, the forthcoming CD by The Crash That Took Me, should arrive in October. Also on tap is a compilation of bands from Iceland, Japan, Italy, England and the US (including Dallas artists). That could emerge later this summer.

See my story on Erv Karwelis and Idol Records here.

Photo: CD cover of Little Black Dress' Snow In June (Exploding Plastic/Idol Records).


July 28, 2009


Cool songs from Gretchen Peters, John Fullbright

1:04 PM Tue, Jul 28, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_13peters.JPGAmong the thrills of going to a concert is leaving with one song whose words and melody won't get out of your head. It's usually a new song, and being among the first to hear it is one of the thrills of live performance. I got to hear two on Friday night, July 17, and can't stop thinking about either. The incomparable Gretchen Peters, who headlined that night at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse, played a new song titled "Mother," which she wrote for a CD tribute to the activist, Mary Harris "Mother" Jones. Despite enormous personal tragedy (she lost her husband and their four children in a yellow fever epidemic and later lost her shop, her home and all her possessions in the Great Chicago Fire), Mother Jones rallied American miners and championed workers' rights like no one ever had. "You were the Madonna of the mines/our Lady of the Picket Lines," Peters sang, to terrific accompaniment by Barry Walsh, her keyboardist, accordion player and fiancé. I'm often skeptical of warm-up acts, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear John Fullbright, whose hometown is Okemah, Okla., the same as Woody Guthrie. The parallels don't stop there. Fullbright looks a lot like Woody, sounds a lot like Woody, and from early indications, writes a lot like Woody. His song "The High Road" is a tale of an extraordinary love. Jack and Suzy are young lovers but share a bond so strong and enduring that it underscores the power of Fullbright's lyrics, which state, "Living comes natural to many/love comes naturally to few ... you take the high road to freedom/And I'll take the low road to you." It was a gift getting to hear such a magical young talent perform. I hope we have many more such chances in the future. Woody would be proud: He could not have a better clone.

Photo: Gretchen Peters

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July 26, 2009


We were there: Rod Stewart at Nokia Theatre

11:45 PM Sun, Jul 26, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

GERMANY-BRITAIN-MUSIC-STEWART.JPGRod Stewart played it smart Sunday night before a nearly sold-out crowd at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. He surrounded himself with a strong band, including a female violinist and saxophonist plus three background vocalists, and had the good sense to keep his 90 minute set to recognizable tunes that showcased his talents, not his weaknesses. That means he didn't do a single pop standard from his awfully misguided Great American Songbook CDs of late. Instead the 64-year-old London native quickly settled into a nice groove that found him exploring hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s. He was in decent voice, able to dance and move about the stage and eagerly played into the hands of the enthusiastic crowd, particularly the women. Highlights included the classics "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)," "Maggie May," "Hot Legs" and "The First Cut Is the Deepest." It was totally cool to hear him do "Young Turks" and "Forever Young," two of his better '80s staples, and pay homage to soulsters Sam Cooke ("Having a Party," "Twistin' the Night Away") and the O'Jays ("Love Train"). Sure, he went overboard with the soccer fan thing, throwing soccer balls into the audience when he should have been concentrating on his singing and using too much video footage of soccer games. But that's part of Rod, love it or leave it.

For a full review of the Rod Stewart concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday or see GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: Stewart performing in Germany in 2007 (Volker Hartmann).

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The entry "We were there: Rod Stewart at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Maggie May , Nokia Theatre , Rod Stewart , Tonight's the Night , Young Turks



We were there: Tool at Nokia Theatre

12:12 AM Sun, Jul 26, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_25tool01gm.JPGSound and vision make an intensely powerful pair, especially when talking about progressive metal band Tool. Maynard James Keenan, Danny Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor take that artistic merger to arguably the loftiest level of any current hard rocking group. There's a deep, metaphorical reason for every beat, riff and chord progression and its accompanying video image. Nowhere was that more pronounced than in concert Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. For nearly two hours, Tool used screen pictures, strobe and laser lights to not merely augment, but interpret its brand of metal. That's no small accomplishment. Tool is all about precision. Nothing is sloppy; it's all methodically well-executed. Drummer Carey, dressed in his signature basketball shorts and tank top, pounded with perfection, all the while making sure that the rhythm section was tight, piercing and profound. Tool's songs rattle your core, for sure, but they aren't noise. They represent the intricate, ambitious talents of four men who are as enigmatic as they are professional. During "Lateralus," one of two encore tunes, we got dual drumming from Carey and Ashton Bird (of opening outfit Tweak Bird) that was both tribal and rock-fortified. For "Vicarious," Keenan, the "anti-frontman" who never had a spotlight on him, stripped down to just boxer briefs. It's as if he was trying to give the audience a, well, vicarious thrill.

For a complete review of the Tool concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or see GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Keenan in pouncing mode (G.J. McCarthey/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Tool at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: 000 Days , 10 , Adam Jones , Danny Carey , Lateralus , Maynard James Keenan , Nokia Theatre , Tool


July 20, 2009


We were there: Aerosmith, ZZ Top at Superpages.com Center

12:47 AM Mon, Jul 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_19zztop04.JPGA couple of memorable visuals come to mind when thinking about Aerosmith's headlining performance Sunday night before a massive crowd at Superpages.com Center. First there's Steven Tyler blazing his way through "Dream On" while he stands on the stage's catwalk as a fan blows his hair and a wall of steam rises up from the floor. He looked like some kind of rock 'n' roll aura. Then, during "Love In An Elevator," the lighting rigs and four rectangular video screens hanging over the band went up and down like, well, an elevator. Way cool. Aerosmith, after an hour-long set from that rock 'n' blues Texas trio ZZ Top, proved age is for seasoning, not withering. The group from Boston rocked hard for nearly 90 minutes delivering many career classics, from the signature "Walk This Way" to the brooding "Janie's Got a Gun." What a kicking rhythm section comprised of drummer Joey Kramer, bassist David Hull (subbing for Tom Hamilton who is recovering from surgery) and guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. A major highlight of the evening: A sizzling blues-rock jam that brought ZZ's Billy Gibbons back to the platform.

For a full review of Aerosmith and ZZ Top go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday or see GuideDaily Tuesday.

Photo: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top during his group's opening set Sunday night (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Aerosmith, ZZ Top at Superpages.com Center" is tagged: Aerosmith , Billy Gibbons , Joe Perry , Steven Tyler , Superpages.com Center , ZZ Top


July 19, 2009


We were there: Smokey Robinson at Bass Performance Hall

12:11 AM Sun, Jul 19, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ROBINSON 2.JPGSmokey Robinson is one dapper dude. He can wear a slick blue suit, a black and white tuxedo, even a flaming red outfit and always look cool. He's still mighty youthful at 69, able to dance, gyrate and swoon with ease. So naturally he enthralled the crowd of 1,200 Saturday night at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Armed with a nine-member band and two female dancers, the Motown legend performed for two hours. He did everything you'd expect -- the Motown classics when he was part of The Miracles; the hit solo material; and pop standards from his 2006 CD, Timeless Love. Robinson was the quintessential old-school entertainer. He told stories of the Motown glory days, name dropping The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, among others. He worked the audience, particularly the ladies in the house, some of which ended up onstage with him. Three numbers geared toward the women were showstoppers. "Being With You," his 1981 crossover smash, was sultry. He sang a part of it in Spanish while in tight embrace with one of his female background vocalists. "Just to See Her," from 1987, was a melodic delight. And "Cruisin'," which closed the show, was a slow, sexy, rhythmic manifesto.

For the full review of Smokey Robinson, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Sunday or see GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Robinson smoked! (Brandon Wade/Special to DMN)

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The entry "We were there: Smokey Robinson at Bass Performance Hall" is tagged: Bass Performance Hall , Miracles , Smokey Robinson , Stevie Wonder , Temptations


July 16, 2009


We were there: Asia, Yes at Bass Performance Hall

12:50 AM Thu, Jul 16, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_15Asia101.JPGAsia and Yes shared a guitarist (Steve Howe) Wednesday night at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth during a nearly sold-out concert by both progressive rock groups. And keyboardist Geoff Downes spent a little time tickling the ivories for Yes before he helped inaugurate Asia. But performing back-to-back on the same night boldly highlighted the stylistic differences between the two bands. Asia, which opened the show, peppers its brand of progressive rock with plenty of pop hooks and soaring choruses. Lead singer John Wetton remains in outstanding voice. With Yes, however, those characteristics are the exception, not the norm. That gave Asia's set more immediacy and instant familiarity, particularly during the radio staples "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sole Survivor." Yes, on the other hand, is prone to long, winding, heavily instrumental pieces that are great showcases for the musicians but not the singer. Plus, the Yes vocalist is currently Canadian Benoit David since longtime wailer Jon Anderson is ailing at home. David is a decent singer, but he's miles away from Anderson's distinctive pipes.

For a full review of the Asia and Yes concert, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Thursday or see GuideDaily on Friday.

Photo: Howe and Wetton of Asia in action (Khampha Bouaphanh/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Asia, Yes at Bass Performance Hall " is tagged: Asia , Bass Performance Hall , Benoit David , John Wetton , Steve Howe , Yes


July 7, 2009


Michael Jackson Memorial: Group hug for Usher; Smokey speaks

2:21 PM Tue, Jul 07, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Michael Jackson.JPGUsher broke down in tears before finishing his rendition of Michael Jackson's "Gone Too Soon" (a lovely ballad from 1991's Dangerous, by the way). He walked down to the where the casket is, took off his sunglasses and the tears flowed. He got a group hug from the Jackson family, including Jermaine and Janet. He then walked over to Katherine Jackson (Michael's mother) and gave her a hug. Very touching. Then, Smokey Robison spoke about his beliefs that there is life after this step. He said this about Michael: "He's gonna live forever twice. Because the world right here will never forget Michael Jackson."

Photo: Usher tries to finish the song (Kevork Djansezian).

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Michael Jackson Memorial: Thoughts on Queen Latifah, etc.

1:29 PM Tue, Jul 07, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Michael Jackson.JPGQueen Latifah is so cool. I've always thought that. She walked to the podium at the Staples Center and told us about Michael Jackson from a fan perspective. She name dropped "Dancing Machine" and the famous robot moves. Way cool. She was real, heartfelt. Then she read words by poet Maya Angelou, a stirring poem titled "We Had Him." How great to see the Queen and hear the talents of Angelou. Also of note: Lionel Richie delivered a rousing "Jesus Is Love" back by a choir; Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz gave us a passionate (if slightly over-baked) "I'll Be There;" and of course Stevie Wonder performed. Watching the memorial on television - I got CNN on - works best for me. You can escape some of the madness of actually being there. Jason Sheeler, I do not envy you.

Photo: The Queen at the podium (MARIO ANZUONI).

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The entry "Michael Jackson Memorial: Thoughts on Queen Latifah, etc. " is tagged: Lionel Richie , Mariah Carey , Michael Jackson Memorial , Queen Latifah , Stevie Wonder , Trey Lorenz


July 6, 2009


We were there: Paul Potts at Nokia Theatre

11:20 PM Mon, Jul 06, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_06Potts2.JPGDuring one between-song moment Monday night at Nokia Theatre, Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts reached for a mug set atop a nearby stool. "Just like an Englishman," he said, "I have my tea handy." Such casual quips, not to mention stories about opera, about growing up listening to classical music and about his beloved wife, filled the time that Potts wasn't exercising his operatic tenor. Those asides made him all the more human, endearing. But every time he opened his mouth to sing, Potts really showcased his talents. His voice has such a pure tonality, almost an earnest innocence to it that makes him sound refreshingly honest. Surely his story is one of unassuming everyman emerges out of nowhere to capture the world with sheer musical power. There's no image steering this gravy train. With 12 local musicians onstage - strings, harp, french horns, timpani drums, clarinet, flute - and pieces from his second CD, the all-Italian Passione, as well as his heralded debut, One Chance, Potts thoughtfully and fervently sang for a small but engaged crowd. Sandwiched into his show were special guests Neal E. Boyd, winner of America's Got Talent, and Diane di Stasio, a soprano from Nashville. Potts was gracious to share the stage with them, but the attention was all for him.

For the full review of Paul Potts, go to www.dallasnews.com/entertainment Tuesday.

Photo: Potts in full vocal power Monday night (Michael Ainsworth/DMN).

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July 5, 2009


We were there: Beyoncé at American Airlines Center

11:01 PM Sun, Jul 05, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_05beyonce4.JPGEven from the nosebleed perch -- Section 308, Row B, Seat 1, to be exact -- it was easy to grasp the gist of a Beyoncé concert: The woman is 70 percent fashion plate and 30 percent artist. Her show Sunday night at American Airlines Center, part of her current "I Am Tour," was all about windblown hair, leg-baring, bust-hugging costumes, runway dance moves and diva perfection. To be fair, she is gorgeous. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why the Houston native is making millions shilling hair products, lipstick and perfume. She has that striking, supermodel appearance. But artistically she's as empty as they come. Yes, Beyoncé can sing. She can carry a tune and has plenty of lung power. However, there's nothing special or instantly recognizable about her voice. And her music, solo and when she was with Destiny's Child, is utterly disposable. Whether delivering uptempo numbers such as "Crazy In Love" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" or ballads such as "Halo" and "Broken-Hearted Girl," Beyoncé couldn't get passed the prefabricated, perfunctory vibe of the songs. Even with a large band behind her, including a percussionist and horn section, it all sounded soulless. Nothing about her musically sticks, nor does it say anything about her as an artist other than she aims for mass appeal and exposure.

For a full review of the Beyoncé concert, go to dallasnews.com/entertainment Monday.

Photo: Beyoncé was all modeled up Sunday night (Lara Solt/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Beyoncé at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , artist , Beyoncé , fashion plate , I Am Tour


June 29, 2009


Let Michael Jackson rest; just enjoy his music

4:13 PM Mon, Jun 29, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

232664[2].jpg.JPGI know I'm probably being extremely naive, and doing way too much positive wishful thinking, but why can't we just let Michael Jackson rest peacefully? And to remember him, those that wish to remember him, we should all play his music. This guy was a polarizing artist-celebrity-tabloid-magnet-superstar. Got it. But he's dead now. No amount of reporting, analyzing, fuming, name-calling or finger-pointing is going to bring him back. For those who have a stake in his life, whether it be family, business associates, lawyers, doctors, etc., go ahead and cross all the T's and dot all the I's in regards to his estate, death, financial obligations. I'll read those stories with interest, as I have been doing. For everybody else, just chill out and pop in a Michael Jackson disc. I've been playing the Dangerous CD from 1991 and the Number Ones compilation from 2003. When all is said and done, after all the turmoil surrounding his death settles, all we have left is Michael's music. That is his legacy.

Photo: MJJ performing in 2001 (Kevin Mazur/WireImage).

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The entry "Let Michael Jackson rest; just enjoy his music " is tagged: Dangerous , Michael Jackson , Number Ones


June 21, 2009


We were there: Jonas Brothers at Cowboys Stadium

2:15 AM Sun, Jun 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NMW_20JonasBrothers5.JPGYes, I was there. Yes, the JoBros put on a cool show Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Read what I thought of the concert, which opened the Westlake-based sibling trio's 2009 world tour, here. I also want to once again mention how impressed I was with Jordin Sparks, who came off so full of talent, earthiness and sexy sass without being all sexed-up. She did it with class. Honor Society, the unsigned New York City band that have been plucked out of obscurity by the Jonas Brothers and given a head-spinning golden opportunity, were fun, too.

Were you there? What did you think of the gig?

PHOTO: The JoBros in action Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium (Tom Fox/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Jonas Brothers at Cowboys Stadium" is tagged: Cowboys Stadium , Honor Society , Jonas Brothers , Jordin Sparks , Westlake


June 8, 2009


The Jonas Brothers are ready to rock Cowboys Stadium

4:17 PM Mon, Jun 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_01jonas.JPGI spent the morning hanging out with The Jonas Brothers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. OK, it's not like the JoBros and myself are buds or anything, but I did interview them in person at the venue shortly after a press conference to announce the kickoff of the group's upcoming tour. That show is, of course, June 20 at Cowboys Stadium. Anyway, expect a cool triple-octagon, in-the-round stage, lasers, lights, a 360-degree crane that takes the brothers out over the crowd, and opening acts Jordin Sparks and Honor Society.

"We want this show to feel really interactive with the fans," Kevin Jonas told a small crowd of reporters, photographers and cameramen. "We hope they go home happy," added Joe Jonas.

Oh, one more piece of news: The sibling trio's fourth studio album, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, will be released June 16. Kevin Jonas says it will feature a horn section, a "funk feel" and rapper Common on one track.

Look for my full story on The Jonas Brothers in GuideDaily soon.

Photo: From left to right -- Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas (Disney Channel).

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The entry "The Jonas Brothers are ready to rock Cowboys Stadium" is tagged: Cowboys Stadium , Honor Society , Joe Jonas , Jordin Sparks , Kevin Jonas , Nick Jonas , The Jonas Brothers , Westlake


June 6, 2009


An odd T-shirt siting at Cowboys Stadium

10:47 PM Sat, Jun 06, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

T-shirt watching is a pastime of mine. I like seeing and reading what's on them and who's wearing them. I get a kick out of it. During the stage set change from Lee Ann Womack into Blake Shelton two members of Shelton's road crew caught my eye. One had on a black T that said "Blake Shelton Crew." Obvious, right? So far so good. Then another guy had a Foreigner Agent Provocateur tour shirt. Hmm...that one made me stare. Agent Provocateur is Foreigner's fifth studio album. It was released in 1984 and is best known for featuring the sought-after, gospel-tinged ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is." I thought "how cool" and "how odd" almost at the same time. Would love to know the back story of that guy's torso attire.

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The entry "An odd T-shirt siting at Cowboys Stadium" is tagged: Agent Provocateur , Blake Shelton , Foreigner , George Strait , road crew , T-shirt


June 3, 2009


We were there: Bryan Adams at the Majestic Theatre

11:03 PM Wed, Jun 03, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_03bryanadams1.JPGWhat a refreshing show. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams brought his acoustic guitars, a harmonica and a piano player -- that's it -- to his acoustic tour that stopped Wednesday night at the beautiful Majestic Theatre. Before a full house, a very enthusiastic crowd, Adams delivered more than two hours of passionate playing and singing. He did just about every song you'd expect, including a few from his underrated newest CD, 2008's 11. Most enjoyable was how much Adams seemed to relish this setup. Performing acoustically in small theaters, he said, gave him a chance to rediscover his songs. Clearly the man's repertoire is filled with well-crafted, rock-meets-pop tunes that have been the soundtrack for a generation. Highlights were plenty, but I'm partial to four numbers. "Run to You," which opened the gig, was the perfect beginning. The crowd was instantly clapping out the song's beat and Adams was full-throttle from the get-go. A while later we got "Cuts Like a Knife" and "Summer of '69." The former is a sing-along gem about the pleasure and pain of love. The latter remains an anthem about the freedom of youth. Then there's "Heaven," without a doubt the best ballad in Adams' bag of staples.

For a full review of the Bryan Adams show, go to dallasnews.com/entertainment/music Thursday or pick up GuideDaily Friday.

Photo: Adams in the groove at the Majestic (Lara Solt/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Bryan Adams at the Majestic Theatre" is tagged: 11 , acoustic , Bryan Adams , Heaven , Majestic Theatre , Run to You , solo


May 31, 2009


We were there: No Doubt at Superpages.com Center

12:59 AM Sun, May 31, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Today Show No Doubt.JPGNobody would accuse No Doubt of delivering deep thinking songs. This is the band that gave us "Hey Baby" and "Hella Good," two infectious party tunes designed solely for the purpose of fun. But there was something almost anthem-like about the way Gwen Stefani and her band performed "Just a Girl" before a sold-out crowd Saturday night at Superpages.com Center. Stefani, the only female in a stage full of men, showed us her muscles, then dropped to the floor for a round of push-ups. She roared through the frenetic, loud, ska-punk staple like she was in charge. Before long she had the women and the men in the audience chanting the hook. Stefani's message came through crystal clear: Don't mess with this girl. Stefani and company are back on the road for the first No Doubt tour in five years. There's no new CD to promote -- that should come in 2010 -- just a celebration of the California group's radio-heavy repertoire. The group put on a 90 minute stint after sets from opening acts the Sounds and Paramore. Jumping (during "Bathwater") and swaying (during the reggae-spiced "Underneath It All") kept the masses moving. That's just the way Stefani wanted it. The activity on the platform was constant from everybody, even shirtless drummer Adrian Young with his spiked blond hair and black lipstick. It was cool to see trumpet and trombone used on "Excuse Me Mr." And "Ex-Girlfriend" all but encapsulated the No Doubt sound, a totally hyper mixture of ska, new wave and punk.

For the entire No Doubt concert review, go to dallasnews.com/entertainment/music Sunday or pick up GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Stefani performs on NBC-TV's Today show earlier this month (Richard Drew).

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The entry "We were there: No Doubt at Superpages.com Center" is tagged: Gwen Stefani , It's My Life , Just a Girl , No Doubt , Superpages.com Center


May 29, 2009


We were there: Jimmy LaFave delivers knockout show at the skyline-lit Belmont Hotel in Oak Cliff

3:21 PM Fri, May 29, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NA_19BendStudio3.JPGWhen it comes to music, we all have our favorites. And Jimmy LaFave has rapidly become one of mine. I first heard his name a few years back from Abby Goldstein, whom I've never had the pleasure of meeting. Abby once hosted a dynamite show on KERA-FM (90.1) called Lone Star Saturday Night. She played LaFave, Robert Earl Keen, Billy Joe Shaver, Lisa Loeb, Rhett Miller, The Derailers, Slaid Cleaves, Guy Clark and many other Texas heavyweights. I was driving around on a rainy night when I first heard her play LaFave's terrific cover of "Walk Away Renée," a hit single in 1966 by The Left Banke. Judging by the way he handles it, only LaFave was meant to record that song. Sadly, Abby moved to New England in 2006, spelling the end of Lone Star Saturday Night. I have since learned, however, that LaFave makes frequent trips to North Texas for live shows, one of which he performed Thursday night at a gorgeous little venue next to the pool at the Belmont Hotel in Oak Cliff. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: Jimmy LaFave and John Inmon during a past show at Bend Studio in Dallas

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The entry "We were there: Jimmy LaFave delivers knockout show at the skyline-lit Belmont Hotel in Oak Cliff " is tagged: Abby Goldstein , Belmont Hotel , Jimmy LaFave , Lone Star Saturday Night


May 21, 2009


We were there: Jennifer Hudson, Robin Thicke at Nokia Theatre

11:59 PM Thu, May 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_21HudsonWide.JPGGRAND PRAIRIE - Jennifer Hudson has an amazing voice. That's the good news. That's also the bad news. It's bad only in the sense that she could damage it if she isn't careful. Remember that her concert Thursday night at Nokia Theatre had to be rescheduled twice because she strained her vocal cords during this tour and had to rest her pipes. And folks, onstage Hudson doesn't hold back. Before an enthusiastic crowd that also seemed to enjoy trek mate Robin Thicke's earlier set, J-Hud was full throttle from the get-go. Almost immediately she let loose an avalanche of lung power during "We Gon' Fight" and "You Pulled Me Through," two uplifting manifestos. Before her hour was up, the Grammy-winning Hudson was sassy fun during "Pocketbook," which had her waving around a red purse and strutting for the audience. She was oh so soulful during "If This Isn't Love" and "Spotlight," a sunny, danceable slice of old-school R&B if ever there was one. But wow, the encore. You know what it was, the tour-de-force "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from her Oscar-winning performance in Dreamgirls. She still sings the song with her entire body. Those notes seem to emerge from the deepest regions of her being.

For a full review of the Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke concert go to dallasnews.com/entertainment/music Friday or GuideDaily Saturday.

Photo: J-Hud doing her thing Thursday night at Nokia (Ben Torres/Special to the DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Jennifer Hudson, Robin Thicke at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Grammy , Jennifer Hudson , Nokia Theatre , Oscar , Robin Thicke


May 15, 2009


We were there: James Taylor at Fair Park Music Hall

11:16 PM Fri, May 15, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_15JAMEStaylor1.JPGJames Taylor's two-hour concert Friday night at Fair Park Music Hall can best be described as a folk rave-up. While folk remains the iconic singer-songwriter's calling card, he continued to make sure and pepper the proceedings with plenty of R&B, blues and even some gospel. He had plenty of help from a very capable eight-member band, including four background vocalists and one passionate drummer. A large portion of the show, which was divided into two sets with an intermission, came from Covers and Other Covers, Taylor's two CDs of songs penned by outside scribes. The best of that bunch was "Wasn't That a Mighty Storm," which was oh so soulful, and a beautiful, wistful rendition of "Wichita Lineman." The lanky Taylor remains in good voice, and his energy level seemed to increase as the gig progressed. By the end he was jumping, vamping and growling. That was fun to watch, but the creative crux of this man could be found on the thoughtful masterpieces "Fire and Rain" and "Sweet Baby James." When he sang those songs, sitting peacefully on a stool, all seemed right with the world. Taylor can still sooth.

For a full review of James Taylor's concert, go to www.guidelive.com Saturday and GuideDaily Sunday.

Photo: Taylor worked his magic at Fair Park Music Hall (Mike Stone/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: James Taylor at Fair Park Music Hall " is tagged: Covers , Fair Park Music Hall , Fire and Rain , James Taylor , Other Covers , Sweet Baby James


May 13, 2009


Taylor Swift to perform Sept. 25 at American Airlines Center

5:02 PM Wed, May 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Arrivals.JPGGet ready for the masses! Teen pop-country sensation Taylor Swift brings her Fearless Tour Sept. 25 to American Airlines Center, it was announced today. Tickets go on sale May 22 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. Swift's trek obviously supports her mega-successful sophomore album, Fearless, the follow-up to her career launching debut, the 3-million-selling Taylor Swift. The singer-songwriter's opening acts are American Idol alum Kellie Pickler and new country group Gloriana. According to her Nashville publicist, Swift's concert will feature "graphics, sets and visual elements designed by Taylor herself." Get ready for the masses, folks!

Photo: Taylor in red (Jae C. Hong).

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The entry "Taylor Swift to perform Sept. 25 at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , American Idol , Fearless Tour , Kellie Pickler , Taylor Swift


May 12, 2009


For a Dancer, and the death of a friend

5:57 PM Tue, May 12, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

518Q46KW50L._SS400_.jpgChecking the morning e-mail has become a ritual I enjoy. Stashed among the SPAM is usually at least one diamond in the rough, maybe a shout-out from a friend you haven't heard from in years or a silly-sick joke from a friend who's full of them. Occasionally, however, you get a jolt, like the one I got Tuesday morning. I heard from a friend named Barbara, whose husband Dave -- one of my best friends -- had died of a heart attack. It was no less a jolt when I heard several weeks ago that Dave had suffered a stroke. Dave was an inspiration. A marathon runner, he was lean and in shape. He also had a wicked sense of humor. I met Dave and Barbara when I moved to Plano 11 years ago. Their son Jeff was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood; he offered to play with our son Sam, which made Sam feel so welcome and wiped away in an instant his fears of moving to a new place. We soon got to know Dave and Barbara as well and found the Nelsons to be a warm, gracious, loving family who made our lives better simply by knowing them. I've never gotten over the fact that they moved away a few years ago; the neighborhood hasn't been the same since. And although Dave and I often joked about our differences (politics, sports), we shared a passion for travel, fine food and the same kind of music: The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. (Please click below to read on.)

Photo: The cover of Jackson Browne's Late for the Sky, which contains the masterpiece "For a Dancer"

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The entry "For a Dancer, and the death of a friend " is tagged: Bruce Springsteen , For a Dancer , High Fidelity , Jackson Browne , Jimmy Buffett


May 8, 2009


Jennifer Hudson, Robin Thicke concert rescheduled yet again

2:11 PM Fri, May 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Jennifer_Hudson_Concert.JPGOK folks, take a deep breath. That Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke concert at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie has been rescheduled yet again. It is now May 21. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning J-Hud has been ordered by her doctor to go on vocal rest because of strain found on her vocal cords. So naturally it's been a logistical nightmare rerouting the tour. Tickets for the original May 7 date will be honored May 21. Those of you that made plans to attend the show May 16 (the first rescheduled date) now need to plan on May 21. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.

PHOTO: Hang on, folks, J-Hud is coming! (Charles Sykes)


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May 2, 2009


We were there: Unwigged & Unplugged at Nokia Theatre

10:52 PM Sat, May 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_02Unwigged1_140435.JPGThe jokes, the natural between-song banter, the hilarious and sometimes twisted song lyrics as well as the impeccable comic timing of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer could easily make you forget that these guys are good musicians. So here's a reminder. Guest, McKean and Shearer took the Nokia Theatre stage on a horribly stormy Saturday night to perform songs from This Is Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind done acoustically. Well, mostly. Shearer's electric bass was plugged in as was McKean's keyboards. The show, dubbed "Unwigged & Unplugged" and meant to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tap, aimed to merge the metal of Tap and the folk of Wind. It did that splendidly, even without a drummer onstage. McKean quipped that they couldn't afford the costly insurance rock drummers require. Nothing felt missing. These guys played acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, electric bass, harmonica, keyboards. They even did the old finger snapping thing. When you weren't uproariously laughing, you were marveling at the seamless three-part harmonies ("Never Did No Wanderin'" from Wind), the morphing vocalizations (McKean in bombastic rocker pipes on "The Majesty of Rock" from the Tap follow-up CD, 1992's Break Like the Wind) and the rapid-fire folk instrumentation ("Old Joe's Place" from Wind).

For a full review of Unwigged & Unplugged go to www.guidelive.com Sunday and the Guide Daily section on Monday.

Photo: Shearer, McKean and Guest in action Saturday night (Nan Coulter/Special to DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Unwigged & Unplugged at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Christopher Guest , Harry Shearer , Michael McKean , Nokia Theatre , Unwigged & Unplugged


April 30, 2009


We were there: Fleetwood Mac at American Airlines Center

11:42 PM Thu, Apr 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_30Fmac3.JPGYou could call Fleetwood Mac's current tour an oldies show. It is, after all, titled "Unleashed: Hits Tour 2009," which means the 23-song set consists solely of classic radio staples and album tracks. There is no new CD to promote. In fact, the band hasn't recorded one since 2003's Say You Will. But that tag completely sells this concert short. Fleetwood Mac, which packed the American Airlines Center Thursday night, remains highly influential. Talk to any of today's popular country acts (especially the ones with a pop-rock musical bent) and the Mac is mentioned. Stevie Nicks, FM's longtime temptress, has left her stamp on so many female vocalists of the last 20 years -- pop, rock, country and otherwise. And anyway, Thursday night's show was fiery. Even during songs that didn't quite gel -- such as Lindsey Buckingham's manic, robotic "Tusk," there was something to admire. In that case it was Mick Fleetwood's ferocious marching beat drumming. But the highlights were many, particularly Buckingham's amazing rendition of "Big Love," which was just him at the mike while he finger-picked an acoustic guitar. The wall of sound was astonishing. Nicks' "Sara," "Gypsy" and "Dreams" brought back such evocative memories. Great songs never get old.

For a full review of the Fleetwood Mac concert, go to www.guidelive.com Friday and check Guide Daily on Saturday.

Photo: Nicks, Fleetwood and Buckingham at the AAC (John F. Rhodes/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Fleetwood Mac at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Big Love , Dreams , Fleetwood Mac , Lindsey Buckingham , Stevie Nicks


April 20, 2009


Beyonce brings her tour July 5 to American Airlines Center

5:54 PM Mon, Apr 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ENTER MOVIE-OSCARS 97 OC.JPGBeyoncé is everywhere. She's got her manicured nails touching just about every aspect of mainstream entertainment these days. And come July 5, she'll be on the American Airlines Center stage. The Houston native begins her "I Am..." tour June 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Her trek will end with a four-night stand July 30 through Aug. 2 in Las Vegas at the Encore at Wynn. Tickets go on sale April 25 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. By the way, Beyoncé is making 2,000 seats at each venue available for $20 a pop. Gracious, isn't she?

Photo: The ubiquitous Beyoncé works it at the recent Oscars (Mindy Schauer).

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April 14, 2009


Cool tidbits on the history behind band names

2:04 PM Tue, Apr 14, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_06gaga.JPGThis is pretty cool. Alex Carew from Spinner.com offers funky trivia on how some bands, solo artists got their names. Check it out.

Lady GaGa: Christened Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, her producer based her snappier name on Queen's hit 'Radio Ga-Ga,' likening her glammed-out pop vocal approach to Freddie Mercury.
Radiohead: Originally calling themselves On a Friday, a critic pointed out that he was bored by their name- they swapped it for the title of the Talking Heads song, 'Radio Head'.
The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger picked up their band name from blues giant Muddy Waters, who hit big with the song 'Rollin' Stone' in 1948.
Bright Eyes: Likely encountered in the 1978 animated film about rabbits, 'Watership Down.' We're still waiting for Conor Oberst to return the favor when some new four-piece band names itself A Spindle, a Darkness, a Fever and a Necklace.
Judas Priest: Priest bassist Ian Hill admits their name came from the Bob Dylan song, 'The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest'. It's safe to assume they wouldn't be the metal gods they are today had they taken the 'Frankie Lee' half of the title instead.
The Pretenders: According to one version of the story, Chrissie Hynde was hanging out with some rough characters, one of whom wanted to play his favorite song for her. After making sure that none of his pals were in sight, the guy put on the Platters classic 'The Great Pretender.'
Death Cab for Cutie: Quite a pedigree to this odd little phrase: Neil Innes, who co-wrote 'Death Cab for Cutie' with Vivian Stanshall, says he came across it in an old pulp fiction magazine. Written as an Elvis parody, the Bonzo Dog Band song appeared in the Beatles' 'Magical Mystery Tour' film. Thirty years later, Pinwheel guitarist Ben Gibbard borrowed it for his new band's name.
Jet: Inspired by the Paul McCartney-helmed Wings song 'Jet.' Because if it sounds like the Beatles, and it ain't nailed down, these Aussie boys are having at it.
Godsmack: Despite admitting being aware of the song in question, Godsmack insist they're "not some Alice in Chains clone band" and have given two alternate origin myths for the name. Either the band is named after the Almighty smiting singer Sully Erna with a cold sore after he made fun of someone else's blemish, or it stems from the band's favorite retort, "God will smack you for that one."
Ladytron: Inspired by Roxy Music's "Ladytron." Ladytron's Daniel Hunt has considered remixing the original Roxy track: "I thought about what I could do with it, but I just haven't got 'round to it. Maybe it'll be crap." We can't wait.

Photo: Should we call her Queen GaGa?

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The entry "Cool tidbits on the history behind band names" is tagged: band names , Death Cab for Cutie , Lady GaGa , Old 97's , Radiohead , Spinner.com


April 13, 2009


Randy Rogers Band draws big numbers to Lone Star Park

8:15 PM Mon, Apr 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_19 RandyRogersBand.JPGThe Randy Rogers Band, that cool country band from the Austin area, drew a whopping 18,561 fans to the group's Friday night gig at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. Those are huge numbers, particularly in these perilous economic times. According to Dan Leary, Lone Star Park's Director of Communications, the RRB show ranks as the "seventh largest non-fireworks night attendance in track history." In fact, the first six places are filled by fellow Texans -- Cross Canadian Ragweed (two shows), Willie Nelson (three shows) and Pat Green (one show). Pretty cool, huh? If you were there Friday night, tell us about the concert.

Photo: The RRB boys (Natalie Caudill/DMN).

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April 11, 2009


We were there: Nickelback at Superpages.com Center

11:29 PM Sat, Apr 11, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_nickelback2.JPGCanada's Nickelback, fronted by the lanky Chad Kroeger, sure has all those rock band cliches down pat. Let's see here: Wink-and-grin talk about sex and drugs? Check. Cursing onstage? Check. Explosions and flaming pyrotechnics? Check. Drinking just for fun? Check.
In about two hours Saturday night at Superpages.com Center, Kroeger and his fellow 'Backers gave the packed amphitheater a show heavy on stereotypes and radio-ready tunes. For all of Kroeger's attempts at being cool and irresponsible (he giddily kept commenting on the wafting marijuana smoke), he's still the lead singer of a group that has sold 18 million albums in the United States and certainly keeps tabs of its growing mainstream chart hits.
All of that said, Nickelback sure was entertaining, particularly when it performed cuts from the new Dark Horse CD. Those songs, such as "Something In Your Mouth," "Gotta Be Somebody," "Next Go Round" and "Burn It to the Ground," are catchy, hearty rockers with huge pop hooks.

For a full review of Nickelback, whose "Dark Horse Tour 2009" featured opening acts Saving Abel and Seether, check www.guidelive.com Sunday and GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Kroeger larger-than-life while onstage at Superpages.com Center Saturday night (Cody Duty/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Nickelback at Superpages.com Center" is tagged: Chad Kroeger , Dark Horse , Nickelback , Saving Abel , Seether , Superpages.com Center


April 9, 2009


Miranda Lambert sings for cotton

1:15 PM Thu, Apr 09, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_08Lambertpoint.JPGLindale's fiery country-rocker Miranda Lambert is one of three vocalists (along with Jazmine Sullivan and Zooey Deschanel) reinterpreting the memorable "the touch, the feel of cotton" music that was retired in 2001 and has now been relaunched. The campaign, dubbed "The Fabric of My Life" features television commercials that began airing April 5. Lambert, still promoting her awesome 2007 CD, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, has this to say about cotton: "My style in three words is comfortable, funky, my own. Cotton is a big part of that style so I was very excited to be part of this campaign. My favorite outfit is jeans, T-shirt and a great pair of cowboy boots but on a summer day, there is nothing like throwing on a cotton sundress and boots."

Photo: Miranda loves her cotton (Ben Torres/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Miranda Lambert sings for cotton" is tagged: commercial , cotton , Jazmine Sullivan , Miranda Lambert , Zooey Deschanel



KISS lets U.S. and Canadian fans route the band's upcoming tour

12:43 PM Thu, Apr 09, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

spreview.jpgKISS, those trend-setting masked men, want fans in the United States and Canada to route their upcoming North American tour, which begins in September. Right now, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer are playing soccer stadiums in South America. But the KISS 2009 North American tour will be completely routed by fans. Go to www.eventful.com/KISS and cast your vote. You'll see that Dallas is currently in fourth place. The cities with the most votes should end up on the band's itinerary. You can also check out a KISS-produced video announcing the promotion here. Simmons says this in a prepared statement: "KISS has never followed the rules -- we have always broken them. KISS has never listened to critics -- we have always listened only to the fans." So let your voices be heard!

Photo: Paul and Gene in concert! (Courtesy of www.kissonline.com)

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The entry "KISS lets U.S. and Canadian fans route the band's upcoming tour" is tagged: Canada , fans , Gene Simmons , KISS , Paul Stanley , route , tour , United States


April 1, 2009


New Kids On the Block perform July 17 at Superpages.com Center

6:18 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_19NewKidsPic01.JPGIt may have taken them 14 years to reunite, record a new studio disc, 2008's The Block, and hit the road for a successful tour last year -- it stopped at American Airlines Center in October -- but now NKOTB can't stay away. Joey, Donnie, Jordan, Danny and Jonathan play Superpages.com Center July 17. Tickets for the "Full Service Tour" go on sale Saturday, April 4, at noon at all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket Prices are $85, $65, and $45 for reserved, and $25 for lawn seats. Also, during that first sales week, lawn seats are only $10 each.

So here's what I want to know: How many of you that were at the October AAC show will come back for more and attend the Superpages.com Center gig?

Photo: NKOTB did their thing last October at AAC (Tim Gruber/DMN).

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March 31, 2009


Rod Stewart to perform July 26 at Nokia Theatre

2:18 PM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

GERMANY-BRITAIN-MUSIC-STEWART.JPGRod Stewart brings his raspy pipes to the Nokia Theatre stage for a July 26 concert performance. Tickets for the iconic singer's gig go on sale Monday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. Stewart's most recent studio album was 2006's Still the Same...Great Rock Classics of Our Time. Last year his former longtime label, Warner Bros., released The Definitive Rod Stewart, a two-CD collection of 30 career hits.

Photo: Rod the Mod from an October 2007 show in Oberhausen, western Germany during his "Greatest Hits 2007" tour (Volker Hartmann).

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March 30, 2009


Rascal Flatts performs June 13 at Superpages.com Center

5:12 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_21rascal09.JPGFans of pop-country trio Rascal Flatts have two reasons to rejoice: First, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney perform in concert June 13 at Superpages.com Center. Tickets, priced at $76 for reserved and $36 for lawn seats, go on sale Saturday, April 4, at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. with opening act Darius Rucker. OK, the second reason is Unstoppable, the group's sixth studio album, which arrives in stores April 7. There. Is that enough Rascal Flatts activity for ya?

Photo: Rascals LeVox and DeMarcus at Superpages.com Center July 21, 2008 (G.J. McCarthy/DMN).

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The entry "Rascal Flatts performs June 13 at Superpages.com Center" is tagged: Lyric Street Records , Rascal Flatts , Superpages.com Center , Unstoppable



Metallica's entire catalog hits iTunes Tuesday

2:01 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_21SXSW_Metallica_02.JPGHeavy metal hierarchy and digital downloads -- is it a match made in musical heaven? We're about to find out. Metallica will release its entire discography exclusively to iTunes Tuesday, as in tomorrow. We're talking 163 tracks from nine studio albums, one double live album, one double covers album, bonus tracks and more. The Complete Metallica, which is what the digital box set has been dubbed, arrives at all other digital music outlets April 28. Metallica continues high visibility since its recent South by Southwest Music Festival appearance and concert performance. The video game Guitar Hero Metallica, with 28 tunes from the metal masters, is now available. Also, Metallica will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland April 4. Oh, and the guys will be hard-rocking American Airlines Center Sept. 29. Tickets go on sale April 4.

Photo: James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett turned Austin's Stubb's upside down March 20 (Erich Schlegel/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Metallica's entire catalog hits iTunes Tuesday" is tagged: bonus tracks , digital downloads , iTunes , Metallica , studio albums



Denton's Eli Young Band make Jimmy Kimmel debut Thursday

1:19 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NQ_10eliyoungband.JPGDenton's Eli Young Band, currently enjoying a Top 20 country hit with "Always the Love Songs," makes its Jimmy Kimmel Live debut Thursday at 11:05 p.m. central on ABC-TV (Channel 8). "Always the Love Songs," by the way, is from the group's way cool major label debut CD, Jet Black & Jealous. These are hometown guys making us proud.

Photo: Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, Mike Eli and James Young get all jet black and jealous for a professional portrait by photographer Kristen Barlowe.

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The entry "Denton's Eli Young Band make Jimmy Kimmel debut Thursday" is tagged: Always the Love Songs , Denton , Eli Young Band , Jet Black & Jealous , Jimmy Kimmel Live


March 21, 2009


SXSW 2009: Jeffrey Steele at the Ranch

10:19 PM Sat, Mar 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_27STEELE.JPGAUSTIN - Jeffrey Steele knows how to sell a song. It's no wonder so many of his compositions turn into huge hits for mainstream country artists. In concert Saturday night at the Ranch, accompanied by his four-man band, Steele delivered 45 minutes of scorching country-rock with more than a few nods to R&B and blues. As a performer he's full-throttle from the first note. He sang with grit, honesty and gusto, letting his soulful wail carry him on a set of songs the crowd knew such as "Help Somebody" (a hit for Van Zant), "I'm Tryin'" (Trace Adkins), "What Hurts the Most" (Rascal Flatts) and "My Town" (Montgomery Gentry). His originals were even better, particularly the hilarious "Drunk Girl" and the Cajun-spiced corker "Something In the Water." This guy's almost too good for Nashville. He belongs in Texas.

Photo: Steele in a concert shot from 2008 (Anthony Scarlati).

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The entry "SXSW 2009: Jeffrey Steele at the Ranch" is tagged: Austin , Jeffrey Steele , Rascal Flatts , South by Southwest , the Ranch , Trace Adkins



SXSW 2009: Echo & the Bunnymen at the Bat Bar

6:05 PM Sat, Mar 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_15echo01.JPGAUSTIN - Certainly much of the arty nonchalance, the elegant despair and the graceful melancholy at the heart of Echo & the Bunnymen can be credited to lead singer-songwriter Ian McCulloch. Onstage Saturday afternoon at the Bat Bar inside the Austin Convention Center, McCulloch led his four Bunnymen cohorts through an hour's worth of familiar songs during the band's return engagement to South by Southwest. The SXSW Live taping - yes, large cameras took up valuable space in an already overcrowded room - encapsulated the Bunnymen magic. McCulloch, dressed in black with dark sunglasses, epitomized the new romantic British movement from which the band emerged. Angst, psychedelia, new wave and anthem rock played into cheered-on staples "Seven Seas," "Bring On the Dancing Horses," "Nothing Lasts Forever," "The Killing Moon" and of course "Lips Like Sugar." McCulloch, an expert at brooding resignation, can now be definitely seen as one of the architects of the sound that would influence big bands of today such as Coldplay, the Killers and Radiohead.

Photo: Ian McCulloch during a SXSW gig back in 2006 (Erich Schlegel/DMN).

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SXSW 2009: T-shirts that sing

4:35 PM Sat, Mar 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

31858~AC-DC-Black-Ice-Posters.jpgAUSTIN - During a long walk, about an hour and 35 minutes, that took me through much of downtown Austin, even to the Texas Capitol building, I went scoping for people wearing T-shirts emblazoned with musician logos. Here's what I spotted: Cher, the Beatles, the Clash, Depeche Mode, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Metallica, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Johnny Cash, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Coheed and Cambria, Os Mutantes, Arctic Monkeys and even High School Musical. OK, that last one is iffy. I must say I thought I would see more of them. This is Austin, live music capitol of the world. And this is the South by Southwest Music Festival. I was a bit disappointed.

Photo: The AC/DC T-shirt I saw (Courtesy of www.allposters.com).

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The entry "SXSW 2009: T-shirts that sing" is tagged: AC/DC , Austin , Beatles , downtown , Led Zeppelin , South by Southwest , T-shirts



SXSW 2009: Devo at Austin Music Hall

1:59 AM Sat, Mar 21, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_19SXSW_08.JPGAUSTIN - Devo is almost indescribable. The new wave icons, now considered godfathers of electronic music, put on a refreshingly unusual show before a packed crowd late Friday night into Saturday morning at the Austin Music Hall. It was the five-man band's debut concert at South by Southwest.
Leaders Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale along with Bob Mothersbaugh, Bob Casale and Josh Freese delivered quirky, satiric, symbolic and energetic madness for 80 minutes. They traced career tunes and threw in some new ones, especially the cool opener, "Don't Shoot, I'm a Man."
Using video montages, a guitar, drums and lots of synthesizers - not to mention gray uniforms, orange crossing guard vests and those signature red flower pot hats - the group mesmerized the audience. Highlights were plenty, but let's mention "Whip It," "Girl U Want," "Secret Agent Man," "Freedom of Choice" and "Beautiful World."
In fact, during "World" they were all in black T-shirts, matching boxer shorts, knee pads and calf-high black socks. Well, except for Mark Mothersbaugh who became Booji Boy, a Devo character from the group's inception. He wore a child doll head mask complete with backward baseball cap and a football jersey nightgown.
The point? Perhaps it was the irony of innocence in a world now completely devoid of it.

Photo: Devo during their keynote panel Thursday afternoon at the Austin Convention Center (Erich Schlegel/Special to DMN).

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The entry "SXSW 2009: Devo at Austin Music Hall" is tagged: Austin Music Hall , Devo , Gerald Casale , Mark Mothersbaugh , South by Southwest


March 20, 2009


SXSW 2009: Del Castillo at the Viper Room inside Rusty Spurs

8:08 PM Fri, Mar 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

l_59ab82636e9c4c6d839b28c5b33b28e9.jpgAUSTIN - I spent the better part of Friday afternoon with the Del Castillo guys - Mark Del Castillo, Albert Besteiro, Mike Zeoli, Alex Ruiz and Rick Del Castillo. Austin's premier Latin rock band played a 30-minute set at the Viper Room inside Rusty Spurs during South by Southwest. Four of those six songs in their set came from Del Castillo, the group's great fourth album, which will be released April 7. Fans of the group's ridiculously rhythmic fusion of flamenco, rock, blues, cumbia, reggae, salsa and ranchera will definitely want a copy of the disc. It will be available at Waterloo Records in Austin and through the Del Castillo website. Mark Del Castillo says they are negotiating national distribution and that should be in place by the end of the summer.

Meanwhile, check www.guidelive.com and GuideSunday for my piece on Del Castillo.

Photo: The cover of Del Castillo (courtesy of the band's myspace page).

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The entry "SXSW 2009: Del Castillo at the Viper Room inside Rusty Spurs" is tagged: Austin , Del Castillo , Rusty Spurs , South by Southwest , Viper Room



SXSW 2009: A nicotine fix from the past

6:53 PM Fri, Mar 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

liv.jpgAUSTIN - I'm not a smoker, but I couldn't help but marvel at the old-fashioned cigarette vending machine, the kind with the pull knobs, standing in the back area of Rusty Spurs on East 7th Street. I haven't seen one of those in, oh, decades. Or perhaps I just hadn't noticed. Anyway, this one had packs of Marlboro, Camel Lights, Natural American Spirit and Parliament Lights. It works because I watched two people purchase cigs while I stood nearby. Are these things still pretty prominent?

Photo: It wasn't exactly like this, but real similar. So you get the idea. (Courtesy of www.artomat.org)

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The entry "SXSW 2009: A nicotine fix from the past" is tagged: Austin , cigarette vending machine , Rusty Spurs , South by Southwest



SXSW 2009: The Spazmatics got the '80s covered

12:34 PM Fri, Mar 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

l_c9705d23bc4e32342480864b69f8f154.jpgAUSTIN - So I'm walking back to the hotel Wednesday night after the Austin Music Awards at Austin Music Hall and I'm immediately halted in my tracks by the sounds of a band covering A-ha's 1985 hit "Take On Me." Me being an '80s music aficionado I had to hear more. Turns out it was the Spazmatics, a band that bills itself as "the ultimate new wave 80s show." The four-man group has a sense of humor, of course. Notice the bicycle helmet, the neck brace and the geeky attire. Anyway, they did a faithful cover of "Take On Me" and then launched into the Romantics' "What I Like About You." Pretty cool! The crowd at the Cedar Street 208 Courtyard, where the band was playing, were loving it. Plus, like me, many passers-by were stopping to get a glimpse of the '80s fun. What a blast!

Oh! I just noticed on the Spazmatics' myspace page that they have a Dallas gig tonight at 10 at the Loft. Just FYI for you fellow '80s music fans.

Photo: The Spazmatics in a photo from the group's myspace page.

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The entry "SXSW 2009: The Spazmatics got the '80s covered" is tagged: A-ha , Austin , Cedar Street , South by Southwest , the Romantics , The Spazmatics



SXSW 2009: Ximena Sariñana at Momo's

12:04 AM Fri, Mar 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_27sarinena.JPGAUSTIN - Mexico's intriguing new singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana, who looked incredibly child-like even at 23, made her South by Southwest debut late Thursday night at Momo's. Armed with her firecracker four-piece band, the brunette artist offered several songs from her acclaimed debut disc, Mediocre. Her songs, especially "Mediocre," "Pocas Palabras (Juan)" and "Sintiendo Rara," have a darkly emotive undercurrent and soaring pop choruses. She sang with passion, like a sonic punch, which belied her youthful appearance. Also, she's very much a Latina of our modern era. She belted in Spanish but always spoke to the crowd in English.

Photo: Ximena in a posed shot (Zony Ma).

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The entry "SXSW 2009: Ximena Sariñana at Momo's" is tagged: Austin , Mediocre , Momo's , South by Southwest , Ximena Sariñana


March 19, 2009


SXSW 2009: Quincy Jones, Oak Ridge Boys and Devo

6:26 PM Thu, Mar 19, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

CORRECTION Essence Magazine Luncheon.JPGAUSTIN - Thursday afternoon was all about speeches and forums at South by Southwest. In about four hours, I listened to enlightening comments from Quincy Jones, Oak Ridge Boys and Devo. All of them spoke at the Austin Convention Center. Here are highlights from each.
Quincy Jones - "Q" was at the podium for nearly 2 hours. That was way longer than his allotted time. But hey, this is the man Quincy Jones. You don't cut him off. Especially since he was so personable, relaxed, chatty and expounded on an extraordinary 50-plus years career that took him through music, movies, philanthropy, television and business. At 76, he's clear as a bell and eager to tell anybody about his experiences. He name dropped - Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Willie Nelson - and you knew he wasn't just boasting. I could fill up five blog posts and still not cover everything he said. I'll just let "Q" say it best: "Music is the only thing that affects the left and right brain simultaneously. That's why it's so powerful...it's the universal language."
Oak Ridge Boys - Yes, those Oak Ridge Boys. On their first visit to South by Southwest, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban and Duane Allen talked about career reinvention. They've gone from gospel to country to pop and now to rock 'n' roll. We learned that their upcoming CD is produced by rock man Dave Cobb (Shooter Jennings) and features a more stripped-down sound a la what Rick Rubin did with the late Johnny Cash. Sounds like it will be a cool record.
Devo - The five-man, iconic new wave group gave us a rundown of their existence, from 1972 to today. We got to see a nifty new video for the fresh tune, "Don't Shoot, I'm a Man." They were decked out in gray uniforms, orange crossing guard vests and of course the signature red flower-pot hats. A new CD is coming this fall. How will it be released, particularly in this age of alternative ways to deliver music to the masses? Ah, the possibilities are endless with forward thinkers like Devo.

Photo: "Q" at an Essence magazine awards luncheon last month (Dan Steinberg).

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March 18, 2009


SXSW 2009: Austin Music Awards

10:29 PM Wed, Mar 18, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_20wonderland.JPGAUSTIN - How about walking in on the Austin Music Awards Wednesday night at Austin Music Hall and feasting your eyes and ears on a mass of musicians up on the platform jamming an intoxicating mix of blues, folk, rock and enough Americana groove fusion to set the house ablaze. That was the scene and the players were Suzanna Choffel, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, Laura Scarborough and many others. They were loose and passionate. So much so that Scarborough went from the vibraphone to the accordion to the hoola hoop. Yes, you read that right. She was a twirling ham with a glittery hoola hoop on the side of the stage.
The Austin Music Awards, presented by the Austin Chronicle, have traditionally been the official ramp up show for the South by Southwest Music Festival. It was no different this year. A bunch of plaques were presented by host Andy Langer. In fact, Wonderland took two of them - best blues band and best female vocals - while Choffel won in the best indie band category and Scarborough went home with best keyboards honor.
But the star of the shindig was Bob Schneider. Austin loves him. He, backed by his band Lonelyland, snagged best male vocals, best bluegrass band and band of the year. When he performed on the platform, he was there for four songs. That might have been too much Schneider, but the crowd adored him. Give him credit for this, he's a maverick with the instruments. With help from best teen band winners the Fireants, Schneider employed a steel drum player, a cellist, a trumpeter, a violinist and even a musical saw player. He worked the guitar, the keyboards, the harmonica and one trumpet. And he never broke a sweat.

Read more about the Austin Music Awards Thursday in www.guidelive.com and Friday in GuideDaily.

Photo: Carolyn Wonderland in a posed publicity shot.


March 12, 2009


ZZ Top, Billy Bob Thornton play Billy Bob's Texas March 19

3:33 PM Thu, Mar 12, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

People_ZZ_TOP.JPGOK, so this isn't U2 or the Jonas Brothers, but it'll still be a pretty cool show. ZZ Top, that iconic Texas rock 'n' roll band, along with actor/musician Billy Bob Thornton and his musical mates, the Boxmasters, play March 19 at 9 p.m. at Billy Bob's Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth. Pam Minick over at the venerable honky-tonk confirmed this concert announcement today. This will be the Top's first performance at BBT since 1981, when the venue opened. Reserved seats are $50, with general admission seats available for $20. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Billy Bob's Texas box office. If you need to reach the club, that number is 817-624-7117.

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


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March 11, 2009


Confirmed: Jonas Brothers June 20 at Cowboys Stadium

9:06 AM Wed, Mar 11, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

USA.JPGLocal superstars the Jonas Brothers -- Kevin, Joe and Nick -- open their "Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009" June 20 at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. The gig has been confirmed by the JoBros' New York publicist. The 44-city trek features a 140-foot stage centered in whatever venue they play as well as opening acts Jordin Sparks (of American Idol fame) and Honor Society. On-sale and pre-sale dates for tickets were still being negotiated at the time of this blog post. But you can stay abreast of the situation by visiting www.jonasbrothers.com and/or www.livenation.com.

Photo: Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas (Mitch Dumke).

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March 10, 2009


We were there: Bonnie Raitt at the Meyerson

2:02 AM Tue, Mar 10, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Bonnie in concert.JPGThere is a moment in the best concerts when performer and audience connect, and the music resonates so powerfully that the rest of the evening is defined by it. Such a moment occurred during her 11th song Monday night, when Bonnie Raitt sang John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery."
The show marked the 8th annual benefit for Special Care & Career Services, and Raitt was the perfect choice.
Whether the emotion in the song came from Raitt's sadness over a family member who's ill, or the crowd at Meyerson Symphony Center feeling a collective anxiety over a terrifying economy, the lyrics "to believe in this living is just a hard way to go" seemed to tug at everyone's heartstrings.
"Angel from Montgomery" drew a rousing ovation, but there were plenty of high points generated by a 59-year-old performer who is truly a force of nature. With her flaming red hair now flecked with gray, Raitt can move from blues to reggae to pop as well as anyone.
To hear her sing the knockout ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me" -- which benefited enormously from the deft jazz piano of Ricky Peterson -- is all the proof anyone would need that Bonnie Raitt is truly her father's daughter. The late John Raitt was a Broadway star whose pedigree included Oklahoma! and Carousel.
They sang together on his 1995 album, Broadway Legend, but early on in her West Coast girlhood, Raitt picked up a guitar and made herself a master of the blues. She did terrific covers Monday night of John Hiatt's "Thing Called Love" and James Taylor's "Rainy Day Man." And though she wore jeans while many in the crowd wore business suits and evening gowns, performer and audience were one, held together by the blues.

Photo: Bonnie Raitt in concert at the Meyerson on Monday night

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March 7, 2009


A welcome visit with Bonnie Raitt

9:46 AM Sat, Mar 07, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Bonnie2.jpgThe first time I saw Bonnie Raitt, she was opening for Jackson Browne. It was 1974, at McFarlin Auditorium on the campus of my alma mater, Southern Methodist University. He was in the midst of his Late for the Sky tour, and she was the only woman, surrounded by 13 guys from two bands on the same tour bus, en route to 50 American cities. I also saw her live in San Diego in 1987, when she appeared as the surprise guest for a concert featuring Jackson and David Lindley. As great as they are -- as much as I love their music -- Bonnie more or less blew everybody off the stage that night. I soon learned there was a reason for that: She was feeling fantastic, having become clean and sober and fit. And in two years, she would release Nick of Time, her breakout album, and the first of a string of Platinum recordings. I next saw her live in Santa Cruz, Calif., on a bitterly cold night in December 1998, and again, her ability to seize the stage left me amazed. Well, now, it's your turn to see Bonnie Raitt, simply by going to Meyerson Symphony Center on Monday night. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: The great Bonnie Raitt

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March 2, 2009


Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan signs wine locally

5:19 PM Mon, Mar 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

maynard1ronnewkirk.jpgYes, Maynard James Keenan is best known as the frontman of rock band Tool. But he's very much a wine guy. In fact, he co-owns Arizona Stronghold Vineyards and is making some appearances around the country signing bottles of his wine. On March 23 he stops by Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Road, in Plano. He'll be there from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more on Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, click here. For more on Tool, click this one.

Photo: Keenan and his vino (Ron Newkirk).

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George Strait's upcoming Cowboys stadium show declared a sell-out

4:38 PM Mon, Mar 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NS_17StadiumStrait2.JPGGeorge Strait's Nashville publicist, not to mention Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, are busy trumpeting that the country superstar's upcoming June 6 concert at the new Cowboys stadium is a sell-out. Well, not so fast. As of late Monday afternoon, Ticketmaster still had single seats in the upper deck area. That means it isn't completely sold-out yet. Read the story here. However, those that doubted King George could pack the place...now what do you say?

Photo: Jones singing Strait's praises last month during a local press conference (Tom Fox/DMN).

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March 1, 2009


We Were There: Tony DeSare at Irving Arts Center

12:03 AM Sun, Mar 01, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_21DESARE2.JPGSinger, songwriter and pianist Tony DeSare put on a smooth, confidant and engaging performance Saturday night at Carpenter Performance Hall inside the Irving Arts Center. His gig was presented by the Irving Symphony Orchestra. Backed by bassist Mike Lee and drummer Brian Czach, 33-year-old New Yorker DeSare impressed an intimate crowd on such a chilly night. For about 80 minutes DeSare was in clear, relaxed voice as he offered covers and originals from his three CDs, including the new Radio Show. Original highlights included the lovely ballad "How I Will Say I Love You" (from 2005's Want You) and the vintage-sounding number "A Little Bit Closer" (from Radio Show). Great covers included his sultry, jazzy revamping of Prince's "Kiss" (from 2007's Last First Kiss) and a beautiful take on "The Nearness of You." For comic relief, we got "(I'd Have It All) If I Had Drew," which he wrote for the film My Date With Drew. A rousing finale of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" (from Radio Show) showcased DeSare's stellar piano playing. This guy has it all -- musical chops, an ear-pleasing voice, songwriting talents and elegant, likable stage presence. Why isn't he huge yet?

Photo: DeSare on the keys (Bill Westmoreland).


February 27, 2009


Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. is closing

1:08 PM Fri, Feb 27, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_04Coffeehouse2.JPGIt's a sad moment for the devotees of acoustic music. Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne, co-founders of Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co., in the Piney Woods town of Winnsboro in East Texas, announced Friday that they will close the venue in mid-May. Crossroads served as a beacon of terrific music for more than three years in Winnsboro, about 100 miles east of Dallas. Adler and Hearne brought to its backporch-like stage such names as Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Ruthie Foster, Kinky Friedman and Steven Fromholz. The venue's final show will be Saturday, May 16, with a concert by John Gorka. Adler and Hearne recently released their own album, To the Heart, and Adler says it was less the economy and more the desire to pursue their own music that led to the closing. "It was a very organic feeling," she said of the decision to close the venue, which operated in a turn-of-the-century hardware store on Winnsboro's Main Street. "It was like a season. It was our season to do that, in terms of our own personal story."

Photo: The great Radoslav Lorkovic plays the accordion during a Crossroads concert by Jimmy LaFave

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The entry "Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. is closing" is tagged: Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. , Eliza Gilkyson , Jimmy LaFave , Kinky Friedman


February 26, 2009


Robert Earl Keen benefits the Hill Country Youth Orchestra

10:35 PM Thu, Feb 26, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

GL_KeenPerform3.JPGAnything to help out Texas country godfather Robert Earl Keen, especially since he's also lending a hand. Keen will again perform during a benefit for the Hill Country Youth Orchestra. Organized in 1995, the Orchestra provides an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in classical music by playing in an orchestra. The children get the lessons and the instruments gratis. That's very cool. Anything to instill the beauty of the arts at a young age.

Want to go to the intimate concert? It's March 12 at the Callioux Theater in Kerrville, Texas. For ticket info, call 830-896-9393.

Photo: Keen doing his thing onstage (JASON KINDIG/Special to DMN).


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Stevie Wonder concert movie screens in Dallas

10:14 PM Thu, Feb 26, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Grammy_Awards_Show.JPGLive at Last, the Stevie Wonder concert film from his Oct. 2008 performance at the London O2 Arena, screens at Studio Movie Grill, 75 and Royal Lane, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. That concert was part of Motown Records' 50th anniversary celebration. It was also the legendary Wonder's first gig in Europe in more than 10 years. Film highlights include "Superstition," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," "Higher Ground," "My Cherie Amour" and many other career benchmarks. Backing Wonder is a 14-piece band, which includes his daughter, Aisha Wonder, on background vocals. Movie tickets are $8.75 for adults, $7.75 for students. To purchase, go to www.studiomoviegrill.com.

Photo: Wonder at the recent Grammy Awards (Mark J. Terrill).


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The entry "Stevie Wonder concert movie screens in Dallas " is tagged: Live at Last , London O2 Arena , Stevie Wonder , Studio Movie Grill


February 23, 2009


Alicia Keys stole the spotlight at Oscars

4:05 PM Mon, Feb 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ACADEMY AWARDS OSCARS.JPGMay I just say that singer, songwriter and pianist Alicia Keys looked fabulous during last night's Oscars telecast. She, along with High School Musical star Zac Efron, presented the original score and original song honors, both of which went to A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire. Anyway, I've never seen her so lovely. She was graceful, focused and poised.

Photo: Ms. Keys stunning in lavender (Jonathan Alcorn).

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Ticketmaster to change its selling ways, thanks to Bruce

3:33 PM Mon, Feb 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Super Bowl XLIII Football.JPGYup, that's right. According to an Associated Press story today Ticketmaster will alter its Internet selling practices. Such changes come after much griping from Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen and his fans. Perhaps this will tame Ticketmaster's monopolizing ways? What do you think? Has anybody had a bad Ticketmaster experience? Tell us about it!

Photo: The Boss hollered and Ticketmaster listened! (Winslow Townson)

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February 17, 2009


George Strait to inaugurate new Cowboys stadium stage

1:15 AM Tue, Feb 17, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

CMA_Awards_Show.JPGCountry music icon George Strait, better known as King George in these parts, will inaugurate the new Cowboys stadium concert stage, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced this afternoon. Strait performs June 6 with his trusty Ace in the Hole band and a lofty set of opening acts -- Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $38.50 to $137.50, go on sale Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. Strait, the pride of Poteet, Texas, recently won his first Grammy Award for his classy, traditional country CD Troubadour. He is, of course, no novice when it comes to performing at stadiums where the Dallas Cowboys play. His famed George Strait Country Music Festival was almost a fixture at Texas Stadium back in the 1990s and early 2000s. Plus, he was part of a once-in-a-lifetime triple bill concert with Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett at Texas Stadium in 2004. Simply put, a George Strait concert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is an event. Expect masses of people (all ages, mind you) and about 2 hours of pure country music from a Hall of Fame inductee who continues to influence new singers and pickers today.

Photo: King George performs at the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards in November (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press).

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February 15, 2009


We were there: Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild and Jazmine Sullivan at Nokia Theatre

11:03 PM Sun, Feb 15, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_neyo2.JPGOnstage R&B singing and songwriting sensation Ne-Yo (nee: Shaffer Smith) is all about showmanship. He's totally comfortable in front of a crowd, turning chatty with ease and even cracking a few jokes at the good natured expense of adoring audience members. He's also light and smooth on his feet, able to keep nimble pace with professional dancers. Then there's the voice, a sultry tone adept at rhythmic jams and emotive ballads.
That was the scene Sunday night at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie when headliner Ne-Yo and his eight-piece band (including saxophone, trumpet and trombone) had the females in the house ecstatic for about 75 minutes. His gig followed soulful sets from opening acts Jazmine Sullivan and Musiq Soulchild.
Ne-Yo does have the goods. Three hit albums, particularly the terrific 2008 project Year of the Gentleman, and an arsenal of catchy hooks ready to make you move. But boy, he sure does owe a ton to Michael Jackson. Ne-Yo's pipes sound like MJ without the bells and whistles. His footwork can be described as a chopped up moonwalk revamped for 2009. Some tracks, particularly "Nobody," scream Michael during his better artistic era.
Nothing wrong with that, per say. Let's just give credit where credit is due.

What did you think of the show? For a full review, go to www.guidelive.com Monday.

Photo: Shaffer, er Ne-Yo, in action (Cody Duty/DMN).

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February 13, 2009


Chris Brown: A twisted double-standard?

6:11 PM Fri, Feb 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

PEOPLE-BROWN.JPGSomebody help me understand!

Chris Brown gets arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman, whom everybody assumes is girlfriend and R&B-pop star Rihanna, and yet only some radio stations have banned his music. Others are in wait-and-see mode. Most of them are at the very least thinking he'll rebound nicely. There's a goodwill tone at work here. Read this billboard.com story.

This disturbs me. A 19-year-old star beats up a woman and he gets some slack. The Dixie Chicks made a comment, albeit a negative one, about our former president and they were immediately banned from country radio. No questions asked. No apologies accepted -- forced or sincere. No time to ponder it.

There's something very twisted going on here.

Somebody help me understand!

Photo: Rihanna and Brown in better times? (Lucas Jackson/REUTERS)

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The entry "Chris Brown: A twisted double-standard? " is tagged: Chris Brown , Dixie Chicks , Rihanna , twisted


February 12, 2009


We were there: Duncan Sheik at McDavid Studio

11:35 PM Thu, Feb 12, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12DuncanSheik1.JPGCertainly Duncan Sheik's show Thursday night at McDavid Studio in Fort Worth wasn't your usual pop-rock concert. Among the eight musicians that surrounded him on the venue's cozy stage was a cellist, a clarinetist and even a guy playing a French horn. Not the norm at all. But then again Sheik's career has definitely never followed the pre-paved path to stardom. He parlayed some early pop success into a Tony Award-winning stint as the music writer for Broadway's Spring Awakening. And now with his new CD, Whisper House, he's penned a complete set of songs destined for a future musical theater production. So obviously the soft-spoken artist's first of two nights at the McDavid (he also plays Friday) was filled with tunes from Awakening and House. His band featured guest vocalist Lauren Pritchard, who served as the evening's opening act and was a part of the original Spring Awakening cast. With Pritchard on hand, Sheik delivered four songs from Awakening, including the haunting "Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind." He did six cuts from Whisper House, the best of which were the rocking "Take a Bow," the psychedelic ballad "I Don't Believe You" and the whimsically malevolent "The Tale of Solomon Snell." Yes, we got a few pop selections, too. "For You," with beautiful cello touches, was gorgeous. "Such Reveries," accented by French horn, was stunning. And an encore version of "On a High" got a cool reworking thanks to French horn, cello, bass clarinet and vocals from Pritchard.

For a full review of Duncan Sheik's gig, go to www.guidelive.com Friday. Also, check out my story on Sheik, which has info on his McKinney concert Saturday night.

Photo: Duncan at the mike Thursday night (Juan Garcia/DMN).

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February 8, 2009


Grammys 2009: Radiohead is not that influential

9:19 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Gwyneth Paltrow, I so beg to differ. Radiohead is not one of the most influential bands of all time, as you pronounced in your introduction of the art rockers. The Beatles are one of the most influential bands of all time. The Eagles are one of the most influential bands of all time. The Rolling Stones are one of the most influential bands of all time. Heck, Pink Floyd is one of the most influential bands of all time. They influenced Radiohead. So there you go. Radiohead hasn't been around long enough to be one of the most influential bands of all time. Give me a break!

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Radiohead is not that influential " is tagged: Beatles , Eagles , Grammy Awards , Gwyneth Paltrow , Radiohead , Rolling Stones



Grammys 2009: Paul McCartney and Foo Fighters

8:56 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Well alright, this pairing isn't half bad. That's because the Foo Foos are essentially backing up Sir Paul. This isn't a duet. They are merely his backing band. Plus, it's cool to hear "I Saw Her Standing There" with a bit more rock punch.

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Grammys 2009: Alison Krauss has 25 Grammy Awards!

8:45 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Yup, with the record of the year win, she now has 25 Grammy Awards. There's no way Aretha Franklin, who has 18 of them, can catch up now. She won't live long enough to pass her.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Alison Krauss has 25 Grammy Awards!" is tagged: Alison Krauss , Aretha Franklin , Grammy Awards , record of the year



Grammys 2009: Adele wins best new artist

8:35 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Interesting. She was hardly the highest profile of the nominees, which also included the Jonas Brothers, Duffy, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan. I did not expect her to win. I'm not upset about it. She's good. But she isn't one that I would have predicted.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Adele wins best new artist" is tagged: Adele , best new artist , Duffy , Grammy Awards , Jazmine Sullivan , Jonas Brothers , Lady Antebellum



Grammys 2009: What? Is Estelle invisible?

8:31 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

OK, how rude is this? Kanye West gets introduced to perform, but not Estelle. They do "American Boy" together, which is HER song. And yet, her name was never mentioned. How downright rude!

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The entry "Grammys 2009: What? Is Estelle invisible?" is tagged: American Boy , Estelle , Grammy Awards , Kanye West



Grammys 2009: No more pairings!

8:12 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Watching and listening to Stevie Wonder and the Jonas Brothers, not long after seeing Justin Timberlake with Al Green, makes me scream: NO MORE PAIRINGS! Do the Grammy people not realize that by pairing these young whippersnappers with legends you demean the legend?! And in turn you expose the newcomers' musical frailties. Stop that!!!

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The entry "Grammys 2009: No more pairings! " is tagged: Grammy Awards , Jonas Brothers , pairings , Stevie Wonder



Grammys 2009: Alison Krauss keeps winning

8:08 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

She, with duet partner Robert Plant, has picked up three Grammy Awards so far tonight. So her total number is now 24. That's just astounding. She's unbeatable. Without a doubt the most Grammy rewarded female artist ever.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Alison Krauss keeps winning" is tagged: Alison Krauss , Grammy Awards , Robert Plant , unbeatable



Grammys 2009: More love for Jennifer

8:05 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Jennifer Hudson's performance of "You Pulled Me Through" with a full choir behind her was poignant and heartfelt. I'm giving her lots of love tonight. I think she's looking good, holding it together well and showing plenty of grace under pressure.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: More love for Jennifer" is tagged: choir , Grammy Awards , Jennifer Hudson , You Pulled Me Through



Grammys 2009: George Strait! Finally!

7:53 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

It only took Texan George Strait more than 20 years to win a Grammy. Yes, folks, he picked up his first Grammy Award earlier today for his elegantly homespun Troubadour in the best country album category. Long, long, LONG overdue! Congratulations, King George!

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The entry "Grammys 2009: George Strait! Finally!" is tagged: best country album , George Strait , Grammy Awards , Troubadour



Grammys 2009: Coldplay takes song of the year

7:44 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

I'm OK with this. Not so much because I felt Coldplay merited the honor, but because I wasn't particularly passionate about any of the nominees. Didn't dislike any of them, didn't love any of them. So...whatever...

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Coldplay takes song of the year" is tagged: Coldplay , Grammy Awards , song of the year , Viva La Vida



Grammys 2009: Happy for Sugarland!

7:38 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Deserved! Sugarland's "Stay" remains one of the rawest, most potent country songs of the last decade. That award was so warranted. I also thought Jennifer Nettles was funny at the mike. She was trying to play it cool but she couldn't help losing control. It came off genuine.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Happy for Sugarland!" is tagged: Grammy Awards , Jennifer Nettles , Stay , Sugarland



Grammys 2009: What country is Carrie Underwood singing?

7:30 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Carrie, go pop, please! Do it! Go ahead, step over the line, that's it, one foot in front of the other. Cause what you sing isn't remotely country. That "Last Name" song is totally pop-rock. Please! Leave the authentic country music to artists that can do it. You'll feel better for it. You really will.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: What country is Carrie Underwood singing?" is tagged: Carrie Underwood , Grammy Awards , Last Name



Grammys 2009: Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jay-Z

7:24 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

That's just wrong! That's all I have to say.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jay-Z" is tagged: Chris Martin , Coldplay , Grammy Awards , Jay-Z



Grammys 2009: Yay for Jennifer!

7:11 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

I'm so glad Jennifer Hudson won R&B album for her debut disc. Yes, the victory was probably largely fueled by sympathy considering all the tragedy she's been through. And it's not a great album to start with. Still, she was gracious, it's a good enough record and she deserves a little joy right about now.

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Yay for Jennifer!" is tagged: gracious , Grammy Awards , Jennifer Hudson , R&B album



Grammys 2009: Is Whitney all there?

7:05 PM Sun, Feb 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Yes, Whitney Houston looks great! But, um, is there something a bit too melodramatic, slow and measured about her speech, her actions? Get the impression Diva Houston had to study everything she did and said on that stage? Hmm...the comeback race begins, but can she see it through?

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The entry "Grammys 2009: Is Whitney all there?" is tagged: diva , Grammy Awards , melodramatic , Whitney Houston


February 6, 2009


Richland College's KDUX: Intelligent, passionate conversation about music

4:19 PM Fri, Feb 06, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

So I had a great time as a guest today on Richland College's KDUX, the campus' web radio station. I was on program director Charlie Vann's hour-long entertainment show that started at 1 p.m. It was a stimulating, intelligent and passionate conversation about music -- both national and local. We waxed about Metallica, AC/DC, Britney Spears, Guns N' Roses, the defunct Gypsy Tea Room, House of Blues Dallas, Deep Ellum, Aerosmith, the Killers and so much more. It was cool to meet Charlie, a 20-year-old wearing a vintage Doors T-shirt. Thanks for making me feel welcomed, Charlie. A thank you to Hunter, as well. I'd be glad to do this again, guys. So just let me know.

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The entry "Richland College's KDUX: Intelligent, passionate conversation about music" is tagged: AC/DC , Britney Spears , Charlie Vann , Deep Ellum , House of Blues , KDUX , Richland College


February 4, 2009


We were there: The Killers at Nokia Theatre

11:20 PM Wed, Feb 04, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_killers4.JPGSurrounded by palm trees, lots of dotted lights and bandstand risers to resemble a vintage tropical nightclub, singer Brandon Flowers and his Killers mates pumped energy into a packed Nokia Theatre Wednesday night. The Las Vegas outfit offered material from three studio albums -- 2004's career-launching Hot Fuss, 2006's platinum Sam's Town and last year's Day & Age. Onstage the cuts from Day & Age worked best. Sure, it's such a blast to hear anything from Hot Fuss with its propulsive, back-to-the-'80s sonic onslaught. But the group seemed to have found its sound with Day & Age, a stylistic merger of synthesizers, substantial melodies, great hooks and just a touch of glam rock for good measure. Highlights included "Losing Touch," a terrific tune, "Human," with its pulsating synths, and the amped-up "Neon Tiger." In retrospect, Sam's Town was a mistake, a record where Flowers and company were trying too hard to sound serious after the copycat bashing they got regarding the derivative Hot Fuss. While it was nice to hear Flowers at the piano for a reworked version of "Sam's Town," the song that followed, "Read My Mind," fell flat. It had no pep.

For a full review of the Killers show, go to www.guidelive.com Thursday. Oh, and tell us what you thought of the gig if you were there.

Photo: The Killers in technicolor Wednesday night at Nokia Theatre (Cody Duty/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: The Killers at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Brandon Flowers , Day & Age , Hot Fuss , Nokia Theatre , Sam's Town , The Killers


February 2, 2009


Putumayo World Music has your Black History Month soundtrack

1:40 PM Mon, Feb 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1056239.jpgFor those who want to celebrate Black History Month in authentic style, New York-based Putumayo World Music has the soundtrack for the next 26 days. The nifty record label's catalog of Black History Month compilation CDs includes: The new African Reggae, released on January 27; Acoustic Africa from 2006; African Playground from 2003; African Groove, also from 2003; African Party from 2008; African Dreamland, also from 2008; and Africa from 1999. For these titles and more, visit Putumayo's website. You can order the discs from there, too.

Photo: African Reggae CD cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Putumayo World Music has your Black History Month soundtrack" is tagged: African Dreamland , African Reggae , Black History Month , Putumayo World Music


January 27, 2009


American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee signs with Verve Records

2:40 PM Tue, Jan 27, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Carousel_of_Hope_Ball.JPGAfter a disappointing and perhaps misguided 2006 self-titled debut CD on RCA Records, former American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee has signed a contract with Verve Records, reports billboard.com. She's currently recording the Verve disc, which should be out before the end of 2009. McPhee, who's also done a little acting in 2008's The House Bunny, sold a relatively paltry 375,000 copies of that first effort, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Let's see what she can do the second time around.

Any Kat McPhee supporters out there?

Photo: Kat on the press line at the 2008 Carousel of Hope 30th Anniversary Ball in Beverly Hills (Dan Steinberg).

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The entry "American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee signs with Verve Records" is tagged: American Idol , Katharine McPhee , RCA Records , Verve Records



Six Alan Parsons Project CDs expanded and reissued

12:18 AM Tue, Jan 27, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

971253.jpgFans of progressive, arty pop group the Alan Parsons Project now have six more reissued CDs with bonus tracks and nifty liner notes. Parsons and Eric Woolfson (APP's noted lead singer) personally oversaw the restoration of Pyramid (1978), Eve (1979), The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980), Ammonia Avenue (1984), Stereotomy (1986) and Gaudi (1987). Those have just been released. They were also involved in the reissuing of I Robot (1977) and Eye In the Sky (1982), which hit stores in March 2007.

I just got my copies, so you can bet I'll be listening to them. I've been a fan for a long time. Any APP admirers out there?

Photo: Back to 1980 with a...friendly card (Courtesy of www.cduniverse.com).

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The entry "Six Alan Parsons Project CDs expanded and reissued " is tagged: Alan Parsons , Alan Parsons Project , Eric Woolfson , Eve , The Turn of a Friendly Card


January 23, 2009


We were there: AC/DC at American Airlines Center

11:25 PM Fri, Jan 23, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_23ACDC03.JPGTalk about an explosive opening. AC/DC began its blazing gig Friday night at American Airlines Center with a video, an animated doozy of a clip featuring guitarist Angus Young as the devilish train operator too tempted by the female persuasion to keep his locomotive from crashing. When it does jump the track, it ends up center stage in a ball of smoke. It's equipped with the band's trademark horns and logo, of course.
"Rock N Roll Train," from the band's comeback smash Black Ice, started it all and for the next hour and 45 minutes the group never let up. For an entity that's been together since 1973, these five rockers still perform as if they have plenty to prove. The 18-song set featured five from Ice, three from 1980's seminal Back In Black and pretty much every other AC/DC anthem you can think of.
Anthems are key here. For AC/DC, rhythm-heavy rock tunes need a chorus the crowd can chant. The packed house did just that time and again. Let's see here: "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Thunderstruck," "Hells Bells" and "T.N.T.," to name a few.
During "The Jack," a bluesy number from 1975's T.N.T. album, the unpredictable, unstoppable Young launched into a striptease, removing pieces of his trademark schoolboy uniform until he revealed boxers with AC/DC emblazoned on his backside. That was one of many memorable moments.

For a full review of the AC/DC concert, check out www.guidelive.com Saturday. Oh, and give us your thoughts. If you were there, did you dig the show?

Photo: Angus Young in his blue-lit glory Friday night at AAC (Courtney Perry, DMN).

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The entry "We were there: AC/DC at American Airlines Center" is tagged: AC/DC , American Airlines Center , Angus Young , Back In Black , Black Ice , Brian Johnson



The Appetizer: Cooking up cool music in Abilene

5:03 PM Fri, Jan 23, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

DGrantHeadShot2.jpgWhen it comes to inventions, radio is one of the coolest. And where would music be without radio? Too bad it's gotten so ... bad. In my opinion, music on the radio -- commercial radio at least -- has reached an all-time low. How many ways can you spell dreck? But as I mentioned in an earlier blog post on Playlist, I found myself in Abilene, Texas, in early December and heard a great little show featuring sweetly soulful ballads by a terrific young singer named Lindsay Katt. That post led to e-mails from Lindsay and D. Grant Smith, who hosts The Appetizer. Forgive my surprise in learning that the show is not nationally syndicated (as it should be, it's that good) but is instead produced by Smith at KACU-FM (89.7), the National Public Radio affiliate in Abilene. He graduated from Abilene Christian University, which owns the station, where Smith now works as operations assistant, training and managing students who work at the station. Just a little over five years ago, he launched The Appetizer, which spotlights "indie and unsigned" artists from various musical genres. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: D. Grant Smith, host of The Appetizer

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The entry "The Appetizer: Cooking up cool music in Abilene" is tagged: D. Grant Smith , Lindsay Katt , National Public Radio , The Appetizer


January 20, 2009


Dallas' Macon Greyson have song in Mickey Rourke's The Wrestler

5:31 PM Tue, Jan 20, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

macon one.jpgSo Harley Husbands, lead guitarist of Dallas' roots rockers Macon Greyson, tells me that his group's tune, "Black Light," is featured in the lauded Mickey Rourke movie, The Wrestler. Check out Tom Maurstad's review of the film here. According to Husbands, the track is "in the scene where Mickey Rourke's character and Marisa Tomei's character go on there first date to a bar where our song is on the jukebox." Pretty cool. "Black Light" is from Macon Greyson's 20th Century Accidents CD released in 2007. Husbands says the band, which also includes drummer Badger Vass, lead singer Buddy Huffman and bassist Fred Kousal, is currently working on a new disc. Oh, the group plays Adair's Saloon Thursday night and Jan. 29.

Photo: The four Macon Greyson players (John Patillo).

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The entry "Dallas' Macon Greyson have song in Mickey Rourke's The Wrestler" is tagged: 20th Century Accidents , Blacklight , Macon Greyson , Marisa Tomei , Mickey Rourke , The Wrestler


January 16, 2009


New Elliott Yamin CD arrives in May

1:53 PM Fri, Jan 16, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

MTV_TRL.JPGFormer American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin is finishing up his sophomore studio album, which is due in stores May 5 on Hickory Records. The still untitled disc follows 2007's gold-selling Elliott Yamin and its platinum-selling hit single, "Wait for You." Working with the curly-headed singer on the new CD are producers Jermaine Dupri, Josh Abraham and the duo Stargate. His debut project scored on both the pop (No. 3) and R&B (No. 2) Billboard magazine charts.

Photo: Elliott on the mike (Jeff Christensen).

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The entry "New Elliott Yamin CD arrives in May" is tagged: American Idol , Elliott Yamin , Hickory Records , Wait for You


January 15, 2009


Vinyl sales on the upswing in 2008

5:57 PM Thu, Jan 15, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

vinyl-record.gifNo joke, folks. In 2008, 1.88 million vinyl records were sold. That's up from 988,000 in 2007. See this story. The resurgence seems to be all about rallying against the sterility and compression of CDs and especially MP3 files. Plus, it's so cool to dig the artwork of a vinyl album. Hey, even amazon.com is now selling vinyl. Check out this video about the subject.

Who has vinyl out there, both old and new? Tell us!

Photo: The vinyl vindication (courtesy of Google).

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The entry "Vinyl sales on the upswing in 2008" is tagged: CDs , MP3 , Vinyl records


January 13, 2009


Dallas band Somebody's Darling wins 2008 Shiner Rising Star competition

10:40 AM Tue, Jan 13, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

somebodysdarlingseated.jpgDallas band Somebody's Darling snagged a recording contract with Shiner Records after winning the 2008 Shiner Rising Star competition. The group, fronted by lead singer Amber Farris, prevailed among 24 bands and through 16 weeks of live shows
judged by recording artists Deryl Dodd and Darryl Lee Rush as well as former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano. Somebody's Darling will record in Nashville with noted producer Dan Baird, formerly of Georgia Satellites. The CD is expected to be released in late spring. In addition to Farris on lead vocals and guitar, Somebody's Darling features David Ponder on lead guitar, Nate Wedan on drums and Michael Talley on bass. Catch Somebody's Darling Jan. 16 at Sue Ellen's in Dallas; Jan. 31 at City Tavern in Dallas; and March 22 at the KHYI 13th Annual Texas Music Revolution in Parker. Also, check out Somebody's Darling on myspace.

Photo: Somebody's Darling (Courtesy of the band).

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The entry "Dallas band Somebody's Darling wins 2008 Shiner Rising Star competition" is tagged: Dan Baird , Deryl Dodd , Shiner Records , Somebody's Darling


January 12, 2009


All hail the mighty Black Moses

3:34 PM Mon, Jan 12, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Isaachayes-blackmoses.jpgIsaac Hayes left this world way too soon. So in his memory, and in his honor, the resuscitated Stax Records will reissue his 1971 epic classic Black Moses Feb. 24. The album will be completely remastered and restored, even with the fold-out package forming a cross-shaped image of the artist. Also coming out that same day on Stax is Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak), Hayes' 1976 disco opus that has never been on CD before. Cool stuff, folks. Yesterday's R&B should still be remembered and revered today.

Photo: The mighty Black Moses (courtesy of Wikipedia).

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The entry "All hail the mighty Black Moses " is tagged: Black Moses , Isaac Hayes , Juicy Fruit , Stax Records



Today is Motown Day

3:17 PM Mon, Jan 12, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_09TeenaMarie.JPGToday has been declared Motown Day, in honor of Motown Records' 50th anniversary. The visionary Berry Gordy Jr. founded the legendary imprint this very Monday back in 1959. Little did he know that those $800 he borrowed to form the label would eventually become a lucrative and influential musical empire. Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, Rick James, Teena Marie, among many others, would break racial barriers to integrate rhythm and blues into the mainstream. No other label has such modern-day historical significance.

There's not a one classic Motown artist that I don't like, but I'm particularly partial to Stevie Wonder and Teena Marie. Both of them accomplished the improbable and certainly the unexpected.

Who's your favorite Motown artist?

Photo: The still explosive Teena Marie (Randee St. Nicholas).


January 10, 2009


A bold debut by a singer named Lindsay Katt

12:42 AM Sat, Jan 10, 2009 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

n740619960_1114004_33.jpgOn Pearl Harbor Day early last month, I found myself stuck in Abilene, Texas: My 12-year-old had a tennis tournament. Tennis parents know all too well that such marathons often end late, and when they do, you're exhausted, not to mention how the kid feels! So my boy and I were cruising the lonely streets of Abilene, late on a Saturday night. Turned out to be one of the best drives I've ever had. As the little guy snoozed in the back, my mind drifted to the sounds of Abilene's National Public Radio affiliate, which was playing music. But not just any music. Unlike the sheer gar-bage heard on commercial radio these days, this was good music. Passionate, beautifully written acoustic music by artists whose names you have yet to hear but will (I hope). And this one song comes on ... and it's the kind of song that drives you crazy when you hear it because you have to hear more -- is there an album? Where can I buy it? What other songs has this amazing artist done? Who is this person anyway?

Photo: Lindsay Katt, whose debut album is a keeper

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The entry "A bold debut by a singer named Lindsay Katt" is tagged: Carly Simon , Joni Mitchell , Lindsay Katt


January 8, 2009


Let's talk about Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen

5:55 PM Thu, Jan 08, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Working_on_a_Dream.jpgSo red-hot Taylor Swift remains at No. 1 with Fearless, selling 90,000 copies during a slow post-holidays sales week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The 19-year-old singing and songwriting wunderkind is perhaps the most popular artist du jour next to Lil Wayne.

And now about Bruce. His 16th studio album, Working On a Dream, arrives in stores Jan. 27. The disc, produced by Brendan O'Brien, was essentially recorded soon after he finished 2007's Magic. So the Boss is in prolific mode. I'm looking forward to the CD. Are you?

Photo: Working On a Dream cover courtesy of Wikipedia.

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The entry "Let's talk about Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen" is tagged: Bruce Springsteen , Fearless , Taylor Swift , Working On a Dream


January 6, 2009


Emmitt Smith digs Celine Dion

5:10 PM Tue, Jan 06, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_05Celine8.JPGSo guess who was in the audience Monday night for Celine Dion's concert at American Airlines Center? Yup! Former Dallas Cowboys player Emmitt Smith. Celine acknowledged him, then her cameraman honed in on the affable athlete and projected his image onto the video screens for the audience to see. He was greeted with a round of applause. And what did Celine mention most when talking about Emmitt? His Dancing With the Stars win. Goes to show you that Emmitt's 15 minutes of TV fame may very well follow him further than his athletic career.

Photo: Miss Celine made nice with Mister Emmitt (Michael Ainsworth/DMN).


January 5, 2009


We were there: Celine Dion at American Airlines Center

11:07 PM Mon, Jan 05, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_05Celine1.JPGHere's what you do know about Celine Dion: The woman's got pipes. Serious pipes. Whew.
And here's what you might not know about Celine Dion: The woman's goofy, which makes her all the more human.
The megastar with the astonishing voice performed for a nearly sold-out house Monday night at American Airlines Center. She quickly told the crowd it had been almost a decade since she played Dallas. It does seem like a long time. But it's not far-fetched. She spent five years in Las Vegas doing her "A New Day" show. Anyway, she was welcomed in these parts with open arms.
Deservedly so. Dion was an expert performer from the old school. She was personable with the crowd, spending a lot of time talking between songs. She sang with power and pathos, particularly during a breathtaking cover of Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" and of course her signature ballad, the beautiful "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic.
At every turn she looked as though she was having a good time, interacting with her 10-piece band and her eight dancers and delivering fun dance numbers such as "I Drove All Night" and "Shadow of Love," from her recent Taking Chances CD.
For a full review, go to www.guidelive.com Tuesday.

Photo: Celine in action (Michael Ainsworth/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Celine Dion at American Airlines Center " is tagged: All By Myself , American Airlines Center , Celine Dion , I Drove All Night , My Heart Will Go On


January 2, 2009


Prince to release three albums this year

1:56 PM Fri, Jan 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NQ_17prince.JPGWoo-hoo! The ever prolific Prince plans on releasing three albums this year without any help from a major label. Read the billboard.com story here. Gotta love Prince Rogers Nelson. Like Willie Nelson, he does things his way and on his time. And on his dime, too, for that matter. Cool.

By the way, my fave Prince album remains 1991's Diamonds and Pearls. Not a bad song on there. What's your favorite Prince album?

Photo: His name is Prince (Picasa 2.7).

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The entry "Prince to release three albums this year" is tagged: albums , Prince , prolific , Willie Nelson



Jack Black wants to get his country music groove on

12:59 PM Fri, Jan 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

People_Jack_Black.JPGSo Jack Black, the most obnoxious actor (and I use the term loosely) making movies today, is all of a sudden feeling his country music mojo. Oy! Check out this story. Black sings on father-in-law Charlie Haden's recent CD, Rambling Boy. Now he wants to sing at the Grand Ole Opry with wife Tanya Haden's family. First Jessica Simpson and now Jack Black. How much more embarrassment can the country music industry sustain?

Photo: Jack, stay away from Nashville! (Dan Steinberg)

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The entry "Jack Black wants to get his country music groove on" is tagged: Charlie Haden , country music , Jack Black , Tanya Haden



More numbers on CD and digital downloads sales

12:48 PM Fri, Jan 02, 2009 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

For those who like to gobble up statistics about the numbers game aspect of the music industry, here's an Associated Press story about 2008 tallies. CD sales are down again and digital downloads sales continue to skyrocket. So what else is new? Anyway, happy reading!

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The entry "More numbers on CD and digital downloads sales " is tagged: Associated Press , CD sales , digital downloads , music industry


December 31, 2008


Lil Wayne tops 2008 CD sales chart

4:35 PM Wed, Dec 31, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music Review Coldplay.JPGThis shouldn't surprise anybody. Rapper Lil Wayne sold the most CDs in 2008, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His Tha Carter III moved 2.8 million copies. Coming in at No. 2 is Coldplay with 2.14 million copies sold of Viva La Vida. At No. 3 we have Taylor Swift. Her Fearless CD sold 2.11 million. Rounding out the Top 5 are Kid Rock selling 2 million copies of Rock N Roll Jesus and AC/DC moving 1.9 million of its huge comeback, Black Ice.

Photo: Coldplay's Viva La Vida CD had to settle for No. 2 (Courtesy of Capitol Records).

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The entry "Lil Wayne tops 2008 CD sales chart " is tagged: AC/DC , Black Ice , Coldplay , Fearless , Kid Rock , Lil Wayne , Taylor Swift , Tha Carter III


December 30, 2008


Austin's Blue October plan to go global with 'Normal'

4:26 PM Tue, Dec 30, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23blue.JPGAttention Blue October fans: The Austin rockers are getting ready to release Approaching Normal, its fifth album, March 24 on Universal. It was recorded at Texas icon Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studios. Also, the October guys want to go global with the disc. They specifically want to conquer Europe. As for the upcoming record, expect a "dramatic-slash-theatrical" affair, according to Blue bassist Matt Noveskey. Read the billboard.com story for more details.

Photo: The Blue boys (Jeremy Cowart).

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The entry "Austin's Blue October plan to go global with 'Normal'" is tagged: Approaching Normal , Austin , Blue October , global , Steve Lillywhite , Universal


December 29, 2008


Musicians are mortal: A somber end to 2008

3:26 PM Mon, Dec 29, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

65132-hubbard_freddie_01l.jpgMusic lives forever, but musicians are definitely mortal. That's become all too clear in the last few days. Three musical luminaries died since Christmas. The always original Eartha Kitt left this world the day Mr. Claus came calling. A bit of irony there since her best known song is "Santa Baby." She was 81. Rock guitarist Delaney Bramlett, of Delaney & Bonnie fame, died Saturday at 69. And jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard died today at 70. Sad. A very sad way to end 2008. If you have music by any of these artists, go play it. Rejoice in their talents, which are definitely timeless.

Photo: Freddie Hubbard (Courtesy of billboard.com).

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The entry "Musicians are mortal: A somber end to 2008" is tagged: Delaney Bramlett , Eartha Kitt , Freddie Hubbard , mortal , musicians


December 26, 2008


R.I.P. Eartha Kitt, the gay dance club queen

12:20 PM Fri, Dec 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

278967.jpgSo I just wrote an appreciation of the late Eartha Kitt, who died Thursday at 81. I focused it on Eartha's period as a gay dance club queen, roughly from 1984 to 1990. While everybody remembers her defining role as Catwoman and her definitive version of "Santa Baby," many don't know that Eartha endeared herself to a gay male audience with 1984's dance hit "Where Is My Man," which was co-written and produced by Jacques Morali, the French man responsible for the Village People sound. In 1989, she released "Cha Cha Heels" with British dance duo Bronski Beat. Both tunes epitomized the hedonistic fun of gay-centric dance music. Eartha fit the gay dance club queen role perfectly. Check out my thoughts on her tomorrow in GuideDaily or www.guidelive.com.

Photo: CD cover of The Best of Earth Kitt: Where Is My Man (courtesy of cduniverse.com).

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The entry "R.I.P. Eartha Kitt, the gay dance club queen " is tagged: Bronski Beat , Cha Cha Heels , Eartha Kitt , Jacques Morali , Village People , Where Is My Man


December 23, 2008


Burleson's Kelly Clarkson to release new single

4:32 PM Tue, Dec 23, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Moto 9 Party.JPGLocal songstress Kelly Clarkson, who will go down in the history books as the first American Idol winner, has a new single set to hit the airwaves Jan. 19, reports billboard.com. "My Life Would Suck Without You" launches her upcoming fourth album, due out March 17 on RCA. That disc will be her follow-up to the controversial My December. The 2007 CD found the outspoken singer-songwriter publicly feuding with RCA honcho Clive Davis over creative control. My December, by the way, has sold 780,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Photo: Miss Kelly performing in Los Angeles in November 2007 (Matt Sayles).

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The entry "Burleson's Kelly Clarkson to release new single " is tagged: American Idol , Kelly Clarkson , My December , My Life Would Suck Without You , RCA


December 22, 2008


Smooth and silky Seal sings plenty of soul

4:26 PM Mon, Dec 22, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1048197.jpgSeal Henry Samuel took a detour from his original brand of R&B-laced pop-dance on Soul, his disc of a dozen cover tunes with, well, a soulful bent. Now let me say that some of the record is a bit safe sounding. That's no doubt thanks to David Foster's production, which always tends toward the subdued side. "Stand By Me" and "People Get Ready" are just too subdued. But, baby, when Seal sings Deniece Williams' "Free" we all just float. Also good are his takes on "Knock On Wood" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now." The latter fits his relaxed, slightly sultry pipes well, even if he doesn't give it the fire that Teddy Pendergrass originally did. Or even Mick Hucknall did later. It's a listening pleasure, regardless. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to play "Free" again. Aaahhhh.......

Photo: That soulful CD cover (Courtesy of Wikipedia).

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The entry "Smooth and silky Seal sings plenty of soul" is tagged: David Foster , Free , If You Don't Know Me By Now , Knock On Wood , Seal , Soul


December 19, 2008


New U2 CD arrives March 3

3:08 PM Fri, Dec 19, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

The_Women's_Conference.JPGA new U2 CD is always an event. So March 3 comes No Line On the Horizon, the group's 12th studio album. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois -- all of whom have helmed records for the band before -- the set still doesn't have an available track list. But it was recorded in Dublin, Fez and New York. Horizon is the follow-up to 2004's How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. Read the full billboard.com story here.

Photo: Bono speaking at the Women's Conference Oct. 22, 2008 in Long Beach, California (Chris Pizzello).


December 18, 2008


How to stop the train wreck named Mindy McCready

9:42 AM Thu, Dec 18, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

PEOPLE_MCCREADY.JPGSo country singer Mindy McCready tried to commit suicide yet again. Read the Associated Press story here. I just wonder how much more complicated and pathetic her sordid life can get? She has now lived every sad country song anybody could drum up -- and then some. Plus, at this point any semblance of a career seems like a pipe dream. Does anybody even remember her inane 1996 chart-topper, "Guys Do It All the Time?" I do hope she can get herself together. She's only 33. But I'm not holding my breath. Her existence seems to be a train wreck run amuck.

Photo: Mindy in much better days, back in 1996 (Courtesy of RCA Label Group Nashville).

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The entry "How to stop the train wreck named Mindy McCready" is tagged: Guys Do It All the Time , Mindy McCready , suicide attempt , train wreck


December 16, 2008


Beyonce: too much privacy?

11:56 AM Tue, Dec 16, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Wow, this is an interesting theory about why Beyonce's latest CD is still not platinum; her avoidance of anything resembling a (publically accessible) personality.

According to MTV, the uber-private singer/actress may be a bit TOO guarded about her personal life and it's making it harder and harder for fans to relate to her.

What do you think: is it cool for Beyonce to give the same generic quotes about her life/marriage over and over and over, adding a random new revelation to get a fresh magazine cover here and there, or does she need to start opening up? Not that many (sane) fans want to know what brand of toothpaste she uses or if Jay-Z prefers boxers or briefs, but her avoidance of disclosing practically anything about her off-stage time borders on paranoia these days. Too little, or just enough? Share your thoughts here...

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The entry "Beyonce: too much privacy? " is tagged: Beyonce Knowles (Carter) , MTV



The cosmos line up for Neil Young's long-awaited CD

11:09 AM Tue, Dec 16, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1049014.jpgNot that we believe in numerology or anything. And not that numbers have anything cosmic to say. But...Neil Young recorded the tunes on Sugar Mountain Live At Canterbury House 1968 Nov. 9 and 10, 1968. So about 40 years ago. Well, hmm, the long-awaited album debuted at No. 40 on Billboard's pop albums chart this week. Weird.

Photo: The Sugar Mountain Live CD cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "The cosmos line up for Neil Young's long-awaited CD" is tagged: Billboard , Neil Young , numerology , Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbury House 1968


December 15, 2008


Beyonce's waste of plastic -- in the form of an extra CD

5:12 PM Mon, Dec 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29beyonce2.JPGI know I'm a tad late on this. Blame it on a slew of Christmas CDs. Anyway, let's forget for a moment Beyoncé's Sasha Fierce nonsense. It's too foolish to entertain. But in such a green-centric world now, the Houston diva wasted so much plastic on a second CD with only five songs. Her two-disc I Am...Sasha Fierce project has only 11 songs total. But the five on the Sasha side contain two terrible tracks ("Diva" and "Video Phone"), a couple of decent ones ("Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" and "Sweet Dreams") and only one truly good cut ("Radio"). For this Ms. B demanded a second compact disc?

Photo: Whatever her name is... (Courtesy of Columbia Records).

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The entry "Beyonce's waste of plastic -- in the form of an extra CD" is tagged: Beyoncé , Houston , Sasha Fierce , Single Ladies



GNR's Chinese Democracy a resounding flop

4:20 PM Mon, Dec 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_21GUNNROSES.JPGIt may be the Heaven's Gate of the music industry. Axl Rose's vanity project, Chinese Democracy, disguised as a Guns N' Roses album even though he's the only original member left, has sold 318,000 copies in two weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That is, without a doubt, a commercial bomb. Especially for such a mega-selling, well-known rock entity. Especially for a CD that cost in the millions to make. Especially for a CD that took 17 years to see the bright lights of retail. Especially for a disc that grabbed so much media attention. Many say that selling it exclusively at Best Buy was the problem. That box store isn't as savvy about selling CDs as, say, Wal-Mart and Target. I don't think the vendor mattered. I just think Axl burned his bridges -- all of them -- with those that matter most, the fans.

Any thoughts?

Photo: The Chinese Democracy dud (Courtesy of Geffen Records).

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The entry "GNR's Chinese Democracy a resounding flop" is tagged: Axl Rose , Best Buy , Chinese Democracy , Guns N' Roses


December 13, 2008


We were there: Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Albright and Will Downing

5:59 PM Sat, Dec 13, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Anyone who wasn't in the house to witness Gerald Albright, Lalah Hathaway and Will Downing performing at the Majestic Theatre on Friday night missed a delectable treat.

The "Soulful Christmas Tour" was a sell-out, and for good reason: it not only united the talents of three contemporary jazz and soul artists, it also marked the return of Mr. Downing, who spent nearly two years out of the spotlight while recovering from the debilitating muscle disease, polymyositis.

In just over two hours, the three powerhouse entertainers took turns gracing the stage, performing either their own solo material while occasionally working interchangeably as a duet or trio. Ms. Hathaway, barefoot and wearing a red and black tunic with leggings, opened with Self-Portrait's "Breathe" and a soothing cover of "Summertime" ....

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The entry "We were there: Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Albright and Will Downing" is tagged: Gerald Albright , Lalah Hathaway , Soulful Christmas Tour , Will Downing


December 8, 2008


Don't forget to check out this Christmas CD gem....

10:51 AM Mon, Dec 08, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

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.

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The entry "Don't forget to check out this Christmas CD gem...." is tagged: Rahsaan Patterson , Van Hunt


December 4, 2008


Grammy thoughts: Five great country album finalists

3:14 PM Thu, Dec 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_08lovelessCD.JPGWell this doesn't happen often. The five CDs vying for the best country album prize are all unequivocally great. That's right. Not a single dud in the bunch. They are Jamey Johnson's That Lonesome Song, Trisha Yearwood's Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, George Strait's Troubadour, Patty Loveless' Sleepless Nights and Randy Travis' Around the Bend. Any of them could win and truly exemplify the artistic hallmarks of the genre. I'm rooting for all of them.

Photo: Patty's lovingly recorded Sleepless Nights treasure.



Grammy thoughts: Jonas Brothers vie for best new artist? Now?

2:57 PM Thu, Dec 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

MUSIC-AMERICAN.JPGThis isn't a judgment call, folks. All you Jonas Brothers fans don't wish me bodily harm. I think the JoBros make catchy, fun power pop. They're OK with me. But I can't get passed the trio's Grammy nomination in the best new artist category. It just seems so...late. Never mind that they are on their third CD, A Little Bit Longer, which was released Aug. 12. But also, their breakthrough disc, Jonas Brothers, was released Aug. 7, 2007. That means the guys are no longer eligible for that award. Jonas Brothers was successful from the get-go, debuting at No. 5 immediately. The correct year for them to vie for this honor was 12 months ago. This makes no sense. Yet another screw-up in Grammy's most incomprehensible category.

Photo: Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas at the recent American Music Awards (Phil McCarten).

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The entry "Grammy thoughts: Jonas Brothers vie for best new artist? Now? " is tagged: A Little Bit Longer , best new artist , Grammy nominations , Jonas Brothers



Grammy thoughts: The politically correct album of the year contenders

2:41 PM Thu, Dec 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_02lil.JPGSay what you will about the just-announced Grammy nominations -- and you know you have an opinion, as do I -- but you gotta admit those album of the year contenders sure are a politically correct bunch. Think about it: We've got a rap CD (Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III), a couple of rock records (Coldplay's Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends, Radiohead's In Rainbows), a country/roots music disc (Alison Krauss & Robert Plant's Raising Sand) and an R&B effort (Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman). Pretty much all the major bases are covered. Is this a good thing? Eh. It's fine. I'm not really against any of these nominees. I can certainly understand why each made the final five. For a full list of Grammy hopefuls, go to www.grammy.com.

Photo: Tha Carter III could be the next Grammy album of the year.

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The entry "Grammy thoughts: The politically correct album of the year contenders" is tagged: Alison Krauss , Coldplay , Grammy nominations , Lil Wayne , Ne-Yo , Radiohead , Robert Plant


December 2, 2008


Latin group Los Primos de Durango sign autographs at local record store

2:24 PM Tue, Dec 02, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1052914.jpgLatin group Los Primos de Durango, gaining momentum in both Mexico and the United States, will sign autographs and help promote their new CD, Con Fuego En Tu Piel: 100% Duranguense Light, Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Discoteca Leo, 1710 S. 1st St., Garland. For more information, call the store at 972-840-9592‎.

Photo: CD cover of Con Fuego En Tu Piel courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Latin group Los Primos de Durango sign autographs at local record store" is tagged: Con Fuego En Tu Piel , Discoteca Leo , duranguense light , Los Primos de Durango



Fantasia sings at MLK tribute concert in Dallas

1:32 PM Tue, Dec 02, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Grammy_Awards_Arrivals.JPGThird season American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino is the special guest performer at the 26th annual Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement Concert, which tributes the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work as well as the "spirit of change through Barack Obama's presidential campaign," according to the press release sent by event sponsors the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. The show is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora. Also on tap to perform is the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas. Tickets are $15, $30 and $35, available by calling TBAAL's box office at 214-743-2400 or going to www.tbaal.org.

Photo: Fantasia at the Grammy Awards in February (Chris Pizzello).


November 30, 2008


Ride the effervescent waters of Rio by Aterciopelados

8:23 PM Sun, Nov 30, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1045989.jpgThe attraction is instant. Aterciopelados, Colombia's veteran Latin rock duo of Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago, immediately draw in the listener to their fine new CD, Rio. That title track, the first cut, is an infectious plea for ecological clarity, particularly in the river waters. The rest of the CD is quintessential Aterciopelados, which means it's a hodge-podge of rock, funk, pop, hip-hop, electronica and even a little waltz thrown in food good measure. Standouts include "Dia Paranormal," a percussive, salsa-jazz-rock fusion that laments the commercialization of nature; "Vals," a gorgeous waltz with a melancholy lilt; the mid-tempo "Tomate," a quirky little story set to a slow shuffle beat; and "Aguita," which closes the disc praising the purity of water. For more on Aterciopelados, check out their website, or that of their cool label, Nacional Records.

Photo: Rio cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Ride the effervescent waters of Rio by Aterciopelados" is tagged: Aterciopelados , Colombia , Nacional Records , Rio


November 25, 2008


Los Tigres del Norte could be post-Thanksgiving waist-saver

5:18 PM Tue, Nov 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_01lostigres.JPGConventional wisdom will tell you that any band performing a local concert on Thanksgiving night might as well cancel it or expect a mere handful of people. But we're talking about norteño super group Los Tigres del Norte, who put on mammoth two-hour concerts filled with plenty of dancing and audience participation. The band will be at Fort Worth's OK Corral on Turkey Thursday. And the Tigres' New York-based publicist has a perfect plan for post-Thanksgiving waist-saving:

"What better way to work off all that Thanksgiving food," he says. "Think of it as a public health service in the form of two-step dancing."

Having witnessed a Tigres concert or two, I must agree with him.

Photo: Lead Tiger Jorge Hernandez doing his thing onstage (Courtesy of PBS).

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The entry "Los Tigres del Norte could be post-Thanksgiving waist-saver" is tagged: Far West , Fort Worth , Los Tigres del Norte , super group , Thanksgiving


November 24, 2008


Third Day finally gets some love from American Music Awards

12:52 PM Mon, Nov 24, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_02thirdday01.JPGI've never put too much stock in the American Music Awards. After all, it's a popularity contest. But I'm so happy to hear that Christian rockers Third Day finally got their first AMA last night. The Atlanta-based band, nominated twice before for an AMA, won in the contemporary inspirational category. If there's a time this group deserves the honors, it's now. Revelation, produced by rock knob-turner Howard Benson, is lead singer Mac Powell and company's best CD ever. It's an effort loaded with passion, pathos and plenty of melodic rock verve. I recommend it to anybody, whether you like contemporary Christian music or not.

Are there any AMA winners that you're happy about? Let us know.

Photo: Third Day's Mac Powell performing at Superpages.com Center Oct. 2 (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Third Day finally gets some love from American Music Awards " is tagged: American Music Awards , Christian rockers , Revelation , Third Day



House of Blues Dallas named Billboard's Top Club

12:11 AM Mon, Nov 24, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

title_home.jpgHouse of Blues Dallas took home Top Club honors at the recent 2008 Billboard Touring Awards, which were presented Nov. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel Ballroom in New York City. The local venue, which opened its doors in May 2007 and has staged more than 400 concerts, bested House of Blues Chicago and The Fillmore in San Francisco. Anthony Nicolaidis, HOB talent buyer, had this to say about the news: "It is great to bring a Billboard Award home for the Dallas venue. Our entire team has worked really hard this year. Dallas, Texas continues to be one of the top live music markets in the country."

Photo courtesy of HOB.com.

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The entry "House of Blues Dallas named Billboard's Top Club" is tagged: Anthony Nicolaidis , Billboard Touring Awards , House of Blues Dallas , New York City


November 21, 2008


Alabama's Randy Owen signs copies of his autobiography in Plano

12:56 PM Fri, Nov 21, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

randy_ep8.jpgAlabama front man Randy Owen will sign copies of his autobiography, Born Country: How Faith, Family and Music Brought Me Home, December 2 at 7 p.m. at Legacy Books, 7300 Dallas Parkway, Suite A120, Plano. Randy will meet fans and also autograph copies of his recent solo CD, One On One.

A note from the book store: There will be no music performance. Randy will only sign copies of his new book and CD purchased at Legacy Books. Also, in consideration of all who come to have the new CD and/or book signed, Randy will sign no other memorabilia or music collectibles at the store. Please do not make this request.

Photo: Randy Owen (Courtesy of Google Images).

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The entry "Alabama's Randy Owen signs copies of his autobiography in Plano" is tagged: Alabama , Born Country , Legacy Books , One On One , Plano , Randy Owen



Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson performs at Pantego Bible Church in December

12:29 PM Fri, Nov 21, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

TV_Nashville_Star.JPGDalworthington Gardens resident Melissa Lawson, the 2008 Nashville Star winner, performs a benefit concert for ACI Academy at Fort Worth's Pantego Bible Church, 8001 Anderson Blvd., December 12 at 7 p.m. Surely, she'll sing her first single "What If It All Goes Right," which is still available via iTunes. The wife and mother of five sang earlier this year at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Her first album with Warner Bros. Records is due out next year, according to the label.

Tickets for the show are: General admission $8.00 (ages 13+), $4.00 (ages 3-12), free (ages 0-2). Limited Reserved Seats available for $10.00 (ages 13+) and $6.00 (ages 3-12). There are only 1, 700 seats available.

For more info go to www.melissalawsonmusic.com or www.pantego.org.

Photo: Melissa Lawson upon winning Nashville Star (John Russell).

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The entry "Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson performs at Pantego Bible Church in December" is tagged: ACI Academy , Melissa Lawson , Nashville Star , Pantego Bible Chuch


November 19, 2008


Dimebag Darrell Abbott's brother signs copies of commemorative book

5:31 PM Wed, Nov 19, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_26dimebag.JPGVinnie Paul Abbott, co-founder of local rockers Pantera and brother of the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott, will be signing copies of a commemorative book honoring his sibling. Dimebag Darrell: He Came to ROCK! details the life of his beloved brother and band mate. Mr. Abbott will be meeting, greeting and autographing Thursday at 6 p.m. at Best Buy's Midway/Lyndon B. Johnson Shopping Center, 4255 LBJ Freeway. For more info, call the store at 972-239-9980.

Photo: Dimebag Darrell painting titled Dimebag's Raging Heart by Lamberto Alvarez.

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The entry "Dimebag Darrell Abbott's brother signs copies of commemorative book" is tagged: Best Buy , Dimebag Darrell Abbott , Pantera , Vinnie Paul Abbott



Artistic alter egos: Do you love them or loathe them?

11:59 AM Wed, Nov 19, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music_Beyonce.JPGMadonna reinvents herself with each album, but never changes her name or adopts an alter ego for the sake of record sales and publicity. If she did, she'd be convincing.

Houston's Beyoncé, calling herself Sasha Fierce, is the latest singer to adopt an alter ego for "creative freedom." She joins previous personality changers Garth Brooks (who was Chris Gaines), David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Thin White Duke), Hank Williams (Luke the Drifter), Paul McCartney (the Fireman) and David Johansen (Buster Poindexter).

Most of the time it's just a vanity exercise aimed at getting more attention. Check out my column Thursday in www.guidelive.com and in the print GuideDaily section.

How do you feel about artistic alter egos? Love em or loathe them? Let us know!

Photo: Miss Beyoncé? Or...uh...Miss Fierce? (Jim Cooper)

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The entry "Artistic alter egos: Do you love them or loathe them? " is tagged: Beyoncé , David Bowie , David Johansen , Garth Brooks , Hank Williams , Madonna , Paul McCartney


November 18, 2008


A few quick thoughts about Craig Morgan's new CD

4:43 PM Tue, Nov 18, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1045439.jpgEven after just one listen, country singer Craig Morgan's just-released CD, That's Why, reveals much-needed stylistic improvements to his sound. In general there's a more sophisticated sonic ambiance here, a necessary change from his hokey, ho-hum last two discs, 2005's My Kind of Livin' and 2006's Little Bit of Life. The Tennessee native is singing with more passion, especially on the single "Love Remembers" and the title cut, "That's Why." On barn-burners such as "Sticks" and the clever "Planet Her" he's likable and full of gusto. Obviously Mr. Morgan's graduation to a major label (BNA Records) after four years with Nashville independent Broken Bow Records agreed with him.

Photo: Cover of That's Why courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "A few quick thoughts about Craig Morgan's new CD " is tagged: BNA Records , Craig Morgan , Love Remembers , That's Why


November 17, 2008


The bittersweet beauty of an Eva Cassidy CD

12:29 PM Mon, Nov 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1036575.jpgListening to any Eva Cassidy CD is a bittersweet experience. How sad that such a talented vocalist able to seamlessly interpret blues, country, pop, jazz, gospel and folk died so young. She was only 33 when melanoma took her life in 1996. Somewhere, the eighth CD released posthumously, is lovely ("Coat of Many Colors," "My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose"), bluesy ("Ain't Doin' Too Bad") and jazzy ("Summertime"). Two rare originals, "Early One Morning" and "Somewhere," show us that she was more than just a singer for others' songs. If you aren't familiar with the late Ms. Cassidy's music, or even her beautiful paintings, check out her website, www.evacassidy.org. I don't think you'll be sorry you made the trip.

Photo: Somewhere cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "The bittersweet beauty of an Eva Cassidy CD" is tagged: Coat of Many Colors , Eva Cassidy , Somewhere , Summertime


November 13, 2008


Latin Grammy Awards 2008: A Juanes sweep

9:53 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_juanes5.JPGIt's official: Colombia's Juanes swept the 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards. The deservedly lauded singer-songwriter nabbed record and song of the year for the insanely catchy and rhythmic "Me Enamora" as well as album of the year and best male pop vocal album for La Vida...Es Un Ratico. Also, he took best short form video for the "Me Enamora" clip. So now he has a whopping 17 Latin Grammy Awards. He just surpassed Spain's Alejandro Sanz, who has 14 Latin Grammy Awards.

Photo: Juanes takes it all! (Cheryl Diaz Meyer/DMN)

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The entry "Latin Grammy Awards 2008: A Juanes sweep" is tagged: Album of the year , Juanes , Latin Grammy Awards , Record of the year , Song of the year



Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Victor Manuelle slams the salsa

9:23 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

UP_1162836547_0393913001162.JPGI dig Victor Manuelle. He remains one of the best young salseros in a genre lacking in quality modern-day salsa artists. He sang "No Soy Quien" from his latest CD, Soy. He brought the house down with a full band, plenty of percussion, dancers and loads of joyful showmanship. The New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent is just now hitting his stride at the ripe age of 38 and with 12 albums under his belt.

Photo: Victor! Victor! (Courtesy of Univision Network).

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The entry "Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Victor Manuelle slams the salsa" is tagged: Latin Grammy Awards , salsero , Soy , Victor Manuelle



Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Good song, good album prove victorious

8:56 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NAD_03tacuva.JPGKudos to Cafe Tacuba for winning best rock song, "Esta Vez" from the group's beautifully melodic album, Sino. Speaking of stunning albums, Colombia's Juanes took home album of the year honors for La Vida...Es Un Ratico. Yes, yes, it's gratifying to watch great music get recognized.

Photo: The Tacuba boys (Courtesy of Universal Music Latino).

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Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Another performance trend

8:46 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

BMI_Latin_Music_Awards.JPGMedleys! Gloria Estefan sang a medley of her hits before receiving the Person of the Year award. Onstage with her were Carlos Santana and Jose Feliciano (two performance trends in one). Los Tigres del Norte also cranked out a medley of their staples. I'll say the same thing I said before: These are stage stints tailored for ADD audiences.

Photo: Jorge Hernandez of Los Tigres del Norte (Eric Jamison).

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The entry "Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Another performance trend" is tagged: Carlos Santana , Gloria Estefan , Jose Feliciano , Latin Grammy Awards , Los Tigres del Norte



Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Winners worth rejoicing

8:18 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NAD17kany3.JPGThree early winners I'm excited about: Puerto Rico's Kany Garcia taking best new artist. She's a singer-songwriter with a bright future. For sure. Male pop album went to Juanes for La Vida...Es Un Ratico, another stellar project from him. Gloria Estefan, her husband Emilio and two other songwriters taking best tropical song for "Pintame De Colores" from her exceptional CD, 90 Millas. I'm OK with Emilio Navaira winning best Tejano album for De Nuevo. But come on, it's obvious he got that on sympathy votes because of his recent accident. Otherwise that award probably would have gone to perennial winners Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz or Freddie Martinez.

Photo: Yay Kany! (Sony BMG)

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The entry "Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Winners worth rejoicing" is tagged: Emilio Navaira , Gloria Estefan , Grupo Mazz , Juanes , Kany Garcia , Latin Grammy Awards



Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Performances for ADD audiences

8:10 PM Thu, Nov 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NAD_05Jenni.JPGSo the 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards are a little more than an hour old and already there's an annoying trend. What's up with all the forced collaborations onstage? We saw Juanes with John Legend, Jenni Rivera with brother Lupillo Rivera, Olga Tañón with Ms. Rivera and Vikki Carr, Flex with Belinda. It's as if the producers of the show, held in Houston this year, figure the crowd watching suffers from attention deficit disorder and needs a sensory overload to stay focused. For me, it did the opposite. I frequently lost track of the musical progressions because there was always somebody new thrown at you mid-song.

Photo: The always provocative Jenni Rivera (Caesar Lima).

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The entry "Latin Grammy Awards 2008: Performances for ADD audiences" is tagged: Belinda , Flex , Jenni Rivera , John Legend , Juanes , Latin Grammy Awards , Vikki Carr


November 12, 2008


We were there: Sarah Brightman at American Airlines Center

11:04 PM Wed, Nov 12, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12brightmanSWINGt2.JPGA Sarah Brightman concert always proves to be an all-encompassing experience. Her shows are elegant banquets for the ears, the eyes and the mind. The English soprano delivered on all counts Wednesday night before an attentive, appreciative audience at American Airlines Center. The current tour, which supports a pair of new CDs, Symphony and A Winter Symphony, debuted ambitious 3-D holographic images reflected onto a trio of huge Plexiglas panels angled over the stage.
The idea was for the crowd to see moving pictures - a gothic garden, an ocean, an enchanted forest, a winter wonderland - while Ms. Brightman slipped in and out of the "movie." For the most part the experiment worked. But there were technical difficulties.

For a full review of Sarah Brightman, go to www.guidelive.com Thursday morning.

Photo: Sarah in full glory at AAC Wednesday night (John F. Rhodes/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Sarah Brightman at American Airlines Center" is tagged: A Winter Symphony , American Airlines Center , Sarah Brightman , Symphony



Toby Keith should give us more ballads and blues on latest CD

4:14 PM Wed, Nov 12, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1044109.jpgToby Keith might not want to hear this, since he's carved a reputation as a testosterone country king with a penchant for honky-tonk women. But he can really sing a country ballad, as he does on "Lost You Anyway" and "Hurt a Lot Worse When You Go," two stellar tracks from his new CD, That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, released on his label Show Dog Nashville. What's more, the man belts the blues with gusto. "Missing Me Some You" drips with genuine soul. Nothing wrong with the remainder of the disc. He goes back to the tropics on "Cabo San Lucas," and then waxes about his female friends on "Creole Woman," "I Got It For You Girl" and "God Love Her." But again, yet another ballad, the single "She Never Cried In Front of Me," has power and pathos. His robust voice connects with heavy emotions. Big Bad Toby sure has the R&B heart for deeper, slower songs.

Photo: That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Toby Keith should give us more ballads and blues on latest CD " is tagged: Show Dog Nashville , That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy , Toby Keith



Mario Tarradell: Predicting the winners at the CMA Awards

8:16 AM Wed, Nov 12, 2008 |  | 
Bridgette Williams/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips
Are you a gambler? Are you a country music fan? Either way, you might be trying to get odds on the victory chances of the prime contenders in the Country Music Association Awards.

Find out tonight if you made the right bet. Meanwhile, here are totally unscientific predictions on how many trophies the artists with the most nominations will take home.

Read Mario's picks and tell us what you think.

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The entry "Mario Tarradell: Predicting the winners at the CMA Awards" is tagged: CMA , Country Music Association


November 11, 2008


White Tie Affair bring electronic pop-rock to House of Blues

3:25 PM Tue, Nov 11, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

White Tie Affair 1.jpgChicago electronic pop-rock band White Tie Affair -- a quintet consisting of Sean P (guitar programming), Chris Wallace (vocals), Tim McLaughlin (drums), Ryan Cook (bass) and Ryan Hollywood (keyboard, guitar) -- cruise on into House of Blues Wednesday. The young group is touring behind its fun, energetic and hooky debut CD, Walk This Way. They are definitely part of a new wave of synthesized pop-rock acts that seem to be influenced by the sonic elements of '80s synth-pop-rock. To underscore White Tie Affair's youthful, hip audience, the guys recently performed on an episode of MTV's The Hills. The HOB gig Wednesday is part of a package bill that also includes Metro Station, Tyga and Cash Cash.

Check out my story on Metro Station Wednesday on www.guidelive.com.

Photo: The guys from White Tie Affair (Epic Records/Sony).


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The entry "White Tie Affair bring electronic pop-rock to House of Blues " is tagged: Cash Cash , House of Blues , Metro Station , Tyga , Walk This Way , White Tie Affair


November 10, 2008


Bask in Maysa's silky, soulful brand of adult R&B

6:26 PM Mon, Nov 10, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1042806.jpgNot that we need any proof, but if you're looking for evidence of soul singer extraordinaire Maysa's love of R&B for grownups, then click on over to "I Need a Man," one of the tracks on her sumptuous new CD, Metamorphosis, released on Shanachie Records. This isn't a sexual manifesto, like it would be in the hands of any other contemporary R&B diva. Nope. Maysa needs a man who's "strong in mind, body and soul." She sings the mid-tempo track with authority and sensuality. That's the tone of the Baltimore native's entire disc, her seventh solo effort outside of acid jazz ensemble Incognito, for which she has served as off-and-on lead vocalist. One more song on Metamorphosis deserves mention here: "A Conversation With the Universe," a percussive, funk-fortified jam featuring label mates Global Noize.

Photo: Metamorphosis cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Bask in Maysa's silky, soulful brand of adult R&B " is tagged: Incognito , Maysa , Metamorphosis , Najee , Shanachie Records


October 30, 2008


Ann Hampton Callaway talks about her upcoming CD

3:21 PM Thu, Oct 30, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_27callaway.JPGAnn Hampton Callaway, the Chicago-born singer-songwriter whose stunning voice can ably command jazz, pop standards, big band, blues and soul music, talks up her upcoming CD, At Last, which will be released in February. She has this to say about it:

It's possibly the best record I've made to date. People keep telling me that I keep getting more open and more powerful as a singer. That's the best news a singer could hear. The rest of my life I want to keep growing, like a good wine. It naturally grows and has a richer and deeper bouquet. It's an album of love songs for grownups. I found the love of my life in the last two years. There are two original songs, great American classics, "At Last" and "Over the Rainbow," "What Is This Thing Called Love," a Cole Porter song, "On My Way to You," an Alan and Marilyn Bergman song. It's my pledge to love and romance and desire. It's a celebration of love.

For more on my interview with Ms. Callaway, check www.guidelive.com and GuideDaily Nov. 6 (or maybe a day or two sooner).

Photo: Ms. Callaway (Bill Westmoreland).

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The entry "Ann Hampton Callaway talks about her upcoming CD" is tagged: Ann Hampton Callaway , At Last , Chicago , singer , songwriter


October 28, 2008


A quick look at CDs in stores today

1:23 PM Tue, Oct 28, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1045542.jpgRyan 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.

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The entry "A quick look at CDs in stores today" is tagged: Celine Dion , John Legend , Pink , Snow Patrol , The Cure , Toby Keith


October 27, 2008


A Tina Turner concert photo that must be seen

11:15 PM Mon, Oct 27, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_26TinaTurnerPic04.JPGThe 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!

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The entry "A Tina Turner concert photo that must be seen" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Steamy Windows , Tina Turner


October 26, 2008


We were there: Tina Turner at American Airlines Center

10:51 PM Sun, Oct 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_26TinaTurnerPic03.JPGTina 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).

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The entry "We were there: Tina Turner at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Steamy Windows , Tina Turner , What's Love Got to Do With It


October 25, 2008


We were there: R.E.M. at Nokia Theatre

12:09 AM Sat, Oct 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Switzerland Music Paleo Festival.JPGMichael 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).

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The entry "We were there: R.E.M. at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Accelerate , Michael Stipe , Nokia Theater , Old 97s , R.E.M.


October 24, 2008


Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother reportedly found dead

5:34 PM Fri, Oct 24, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music Jennifer Hudson.JPGSad, 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).

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The entry "Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother reportedly found dead" is tagged: brother , Chicago , cousin , Darnell Donerson , Jason , Jennifer Hudson , mother


October 23, 2008


Good for Kindred, bad for Lyfe

5:26 PM Thu, Oct 23, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

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.

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The entry "Good for Kindred, bad for Lyfe" is tagged: Kindred The Family Soul , Lyfe Jennings



We Were There: Sara Bareilles

12:34 PM Thu, Oct 23, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

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?

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The entry "We Were There: Sara Bareilles" is tagged: Marc Broussard , Raining Jane , Sara Bareilles



What do critics know? Janet Jackson fans speak out

12:32 PM Thu, Oct 23, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

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.

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The entry "What do critics know? Janet Jackson fans speak out" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Janet Jackson


October 22, 2008


Series of 10 CDs takes listeners on an international musical trek

1:07 PM Wed, Oct 22, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1038161.jpgJet off to Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Mexico, Spain and Puerto Rico ... all with the click of your CD player. The enchanting, cosmopolitan A Night In series of 10 discs explore the music of the aforementioned countries. Each CD is packed with 15 songs, packaged in an environmentally safe way and priced at less than $15. Hey, that's a pretty cheap worldly trip. I'll be writing more about these cool musical souvenirs later. But for now, I wanted to give them a quick plug.

Photo: A Night in Italy cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Series of 10 CDs takes listeners on an international musical trek" is tagged: A Night in Italy , Argentina , Colombia , Cuba , Dominican Republic , France , Mexico , Puerto Rico


October 21, 2008


We were there: Weezer at Nokia

11:59 PM Tue, Oct 21, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

There's always a point when a Weezer show turns into pure silliness. Tuesday night at Nokia Theatre, that moment came 75 minutes into the show, when the band brought out 22 local amateur musicians to jam on "Island in the Sun" and "Beverly Hills." The results ranged from amusing to just plain ramshackle, but at least it wasn't predictable: Who knew "Island" would work so well with an accordion solo?"

Click here for the full review, or check out Thursday's print edition.

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The entry "We were there: Weezer at Nokia" is tagged: Nokia Theatre , Weezer



Rapper LL Cool J backs out of Janet Jackson concert stop at AAC

1:27 PM Tue, Oct 21, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music_Q.jpgRapper LL Cool J has backed out of performing as part of Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour stop Wednesday night at American Airlines Center, confirm the folks from Live Nation. No reason was given for his cancellation. According to the press release, "great seats have been released and are available for purchase now through livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

Photo: The still cool Mr. Smith (Chris Pizzello).

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The entry "Rapper LL Cool J backs out of Janet Jackson concert stop at AAC" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Janet Jackson , LL Cool J , rapper , Rock Witchu Tour



A few CD highlights in stores today

1:05 PM Tue, Oct 21, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1045439.jpgAmong the many CDs in stores today, here's a few highlights:
Calle 13, Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo (Sony BMG Norte) - Third album from Puerto Rico's lauded hip-hop duo of Residente and Visitante.
Brett Dennen, Hope for the Hopeless (Dualtone) - Rolling Stone hails the California folk-pop singer-songwriter as one of 2008's artists to watch.
Waylon Jennings, Waylon Forever (Vagrant) - The late country legend's final recordings backed by son Shooter Jennings and his band, the .357's.
Labelle, Back to Now (Verve) - The return of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash on a supercool, vocal powerhouse album that sounds old yet new.
Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia) - Gospel-R&B duo offers up a dozen tunes, one of which features rapper David Banner as a guest.
Craig Morgan, That's Why (BNA) - The feel-good country singer unveils his debut for a major label, the home of Kenny Chesney, after years with strong independent imprint Broken Bow.
Hank Williams III, Damn Right, Rebel Proud (Curb) - The controversial country-rocker, son of Hank Williams Jr., releases his fourth studio album.
Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy (MCA Nashville) - Another stunning traditional country album from Texas' peerless vocalist produced by the renowned Tony Brown.
Photo: Craig Morgan CD cover courtesy of cduniverse.com

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The entry "A few CD highlights in stores today" is tagged: Brett Dennen , Calle 13 , Craig Morgan , Labelle , Lee Ann Womack


October 20, 2008


Weezer rips off Metallica

11:30 AM Mon, Oct 20, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

If you're going to see Weezer Tuesday night at Nokia Theatre, pay close attention to its '94 hit "Undone (The Sweater Song)." When I interviewed bandleader Rivers Cuomo a few years back he said:
"Nobody's ever noticed this, but the main riff to 'The Sweater Song' is pretty much copied directly from 'Sanitarium' off Metallica's Master of Puppets. Hopefully, I won't get myself into legal trouble now."
Compare for yourself: Here's "Undone,'' and here's "Sanitarium."

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The entry "Weezer rips off Metallica" is tagged: Metallica , Rivers Cuomo , Weezer


October 19, 2008


We were there: New Kids on the Block at American Airlines Center

11:38 PM Sun, Oct 19, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NBC TODAY New Kids On The Block.JPGMy ears will be ringing for a few days. The volume of screams from adoring fans Sunday night during the New Kids on the Block concert at American Airlines Center was deafening. One woman sitting in front of me kept fingers in her ears through much of the two-hour show even as she clutched her digital camera. But the reunion concert from Boston's one-time humongous boy band was a total blast. Featuring a bunch of songs from The Block, the group's first studio disc in 14 years, as well as staples such as "Hangin' Tough" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," the gig was pure fun.

A few highlights to quickly point out: Joey McIntyre can now embody "Please Don't Go Girl." Back in 1988 he was just too young to pull off the pop-soul ballad. Not anymore. Also, his performance of 1999's solo hit "Stay the Same" was a showstopper. That guy belongs on Broadway. No joke. Oh and "Click Click Click" from the new disc is a cool contemporary R&B meets hip-hop number that featured a slamming rap by Donnie Wahlberg. Yeah, he pulled it off.

For a full review of NKOTB's concert see www.guidelive.com Monday morning.

Photo: NKOTB at The Today Show in May (Jason DeCrow).

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The entry "We were there: New Kids on the Block at American Airlines Center" is tagged: American Airlines Center , Hangin' Tough , New Kids on the Block , The Block


October 17, 2008


We were there: Jessica Simpson at the State Fair of Texas

10:29 PM Fri, Oct 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_17JessicaPic02.JPGJessica Simpson and boyfriend Tony Romo both entertained a madhouse of people tonight at the State Fair of Texas Chevrolet Main Stage. The Richardson-raised singer's concert, which featured her Dallas Cowboys quarterback beau escorted from backstage to the multi-level sound booth by a dozen uniformed police officers a couple of times during her 65 minute set, convinces you that she's a great tabloid celebrity. There just isn't much else there.

Her switch from pop to country has made headlines, and her debut single, "Come On Over," remains one catchy piece of sultry country-pop. But for her emoting equates to belting. Her rendition of Dolly Parton's "Do You Know," the title cut from her first country CD, was grossly over sung. It's a good song, but it needs Dolly to give it justice.

For a full review, go to guidelive.com Saturday morning or check GuideDaily Monday.

Photo: Miss Jess works the State Fair crowd (Tim Gruber/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Jessica Simpson at the State Fair of Texas" is tagged: Chevrolet Main Stage , Jessica Simpson , State Fair of Texas , Tony Romo



R.I.P.: Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops

5:26 PM Fri, Oct 17, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Levi Stubbs, who died Friday at 72, wasn't a household name like Smokey Robinson or Marvin Gaye. But as the lead singer of the Four Tops, he was a prime architect of the Motown Sound in hits like "Standing in the Shadows of Love," "Bernadette" and the haunting "Reach Out (I'll Be There)." Here's a great 1965 video clip of Stubbs and company singing "Baby I Need Your Lovin'."

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The entry "R.I.P.: Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops" is tagged: Four Tops , Levi Stubbs , Motown



Tim McGraw disowns his third greatest hits CD

1:09 PM Fri, Oct 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1040683.jpgSo country superstar Tim McGraw has officially disowned his recently released third singles compilation, Greatest Hits Vol. 3. It's a bold move, and we'll let him explain in a statement delivered via his Nashville publicist:

"I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music. I've only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me. I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record. Sure I love the songs and I don't want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist. In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans 'I'm Tim McGraw and I don't approve their message.'"

Photo: The disavowed Greatest Hits Vol. 3 cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Tim McGraw disowns his third greatest hits CD" is tagged: Curb Records , Greatest Hits Vol. 3 , Let It Go , Tim McGraw


October 16, 2008


Sonya Kitchell: All grown up at 19

3:51 PM Thu, Oct 16, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Massachusetts singer Sonya Kitchell made her name as a precocious 17-year-old shrouded in hoopla for her Starbucks-released debut CD. Now, at 19, she's living up to the hype. Her dusky alto keeps getting richer --- on her new CD, This Storm, she could pass for jazz singer thrice her age, a fact not lost on Herbie Hancock, who's recorded and toured with her. And she's matured as a writer with smart tunes about political apathy ("Borderline") and personal uncertainty ("Soldier's Lament"). Produced by Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois), This Storm proves Ms. Kitchell can sing anything she wants, from jazz to folk to gospel-soul dirges

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The entry "Sonya Kitchell: All grown up at 19" is tagged: Herbie Hancock , Malcolm Burn , Sonya Kitchell


October 15, 2008


Queenly is as Queenly does: Aretha vs. Tina

1:51 PM Wed, Oct 15, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


First, let me start by saying that I love, love, LOOOOOOOVE me some Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin; watching Ms. Franklin perform live last Spring was wonderful, and meeting her after the show was a memory that I will always treasure.....but she needs to chill with this dueling ego thing. For real.

Do you all remember when Beyonce' introduced Tina Turner as "The Queen" at last February's Grammy Awards and Ree Ree got insulted?

Anyway,here's the statement Queen Ree released after said "slap in the face":

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have ruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé. ... However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."

Well, Tina finally responded in an interview and her statement was simple:

"Aretha has always been like that. We've always accepted that from her. She's the queen of soul, and I'm the queen of rock 'n' roll. There were so many kings and queens there that night. Her ego must be so big to think she was the only one. That's how queens are!"

Instead of letting things go and maintaining some dignity about it, here comes Ms. Ree with a statement she dictated to USA Today....

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The entry "Queenly is as Queenly does: Aretha vs. Tina" is tagged: Aretha Franklin , Beyonce Knowles (Carter) , Tina Turner



Neil Diamond: Pot bad, booze good

11:01 AM Wed, Oct 15, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips


Our interview today with Neil Diamond deals with his lack of respect from critics and hipsters. But we didn't get a chance to talk to him about one possible reason:
During the height of the hippiedom, he alienated lots of rock fans by forming Musicians Against Drugs and writing the bizarre anti-ganja tune The Pot Smoker's Song.
A bit hypocritical, don't you think, considering his pro-drug hits "Red Red Wine" and "Cracklin' Rose" - which are both about the joys of getting sloshed.

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The entry "Neil Diamond: Pot bad, booze good" is tagged: Neil Diamond , pot , wine


October 14, 2008


A quick look at new CDs in stores today

2:23 PM Tue, Oct 14, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1043086.jpgIn addition to new releases from Kenny Chesney and Lucinda Williams, here are a few other CDs in stores today:

Buena Vista Social Club, Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall (Nonesuch) - Stunning two-disc souvenir of the acclaimed collective of Cuban musicians' performance at Carnegie Hall on July 1, 1998.
Billy Currington , Little Bit of Everything (Mercury Nashville) - Third record by the Georgia newcomer banks on the success of the 2005 platinum Doin' Something Right.
Keane, Perfect Symmetry (Interscope ) - Third album from English piano rock band features a new set of songs written by the trio.
Ray LaMontagne , Gossip In the Grain (RCA) - Folk-pop-rock singer and songwriter from New Hampshire hopes to capitalize on his 2006 breakthrough, Till the Sun Turns Black.
Little Big Town, A Place to Land (Capitol Nashville) - Country-pop band's wonderful 2007 CD gets reissued with new cover art and four extra songs, including three fresh studio tracks.

Photo: Cover of Little Big Town's revamped A Place to Land (courtesy of cduniverse.com).

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The entry "A quick look at new CDs in stores today" is tagged: Billy Currington , Buena Vista Social Club , Little Big Town , Mary Mary , Santana


October 13, 2008


Attention Robert Earl Keen fans: Free download

5:01 PM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

GL_KeenPerform3.JPGGet ready to click and drag. This coming right from Texas country icon Robert Earl Keen's mouth:

Robert Earl Keen and the Robert Earl Keen Band did this show in Marfa,TX at the Ballroom Marfa on January 19th 2008 and will be giving the entire show away for free, as an mp3 download. This is not just a board tape of another live show, this is a mixed and mastered version of an intimate fun performance, exactly the kind of show people ask for at the merchandise table when I am signing. Yep, it's free - just another way of saying thanks.

For the free download, go to www.robertearlkeen.com.

Photo: Robert Earl at Fort Worth's Bass Hall in late December 2006 (Jason Kindig/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Attention Robert Earl Keen fans: Free download" is tagged: Ballroom Marfa , free download , Robert Earl Keen , Texas country



Grand Prairie's Nikki McKibbin checks into Celebrity Rehab

4:25 PM Mon, Oct 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_idolsales03.JPGGrand Prairie's Nikki McKibbin, who placed third on the 2002 inaugural season of American Idol, checks into the second season of VH1's reality series Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Rocker Nikki is joined by fellow rehabers Jeff Conaway, Sean Stewart, Amber Smith, Rodney King, Steven Adler and Tawny Kitaen. Actor Gary Busey, 13 years sober from a cocaine addiction, will be along for moral support. The upcoming season, which begins Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. on VH1, will consist of eight hour-long episodes. For more info on the show, go to its website. For more info on Ms. McKibbin, go to her Wikipedia page.

Photo: Rocker Nikki in a 2007 photo taken at Hot Rods and Hoggs in Arlington (G.J. McCarthy/DMN).

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The entry "Grand Prairie's Nikki McKibbin checks into Celebrity Rehab" is tagged: American Idol , Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew , Gary Busey , Jeff Conaway , Nikki McKibbin


October 10, 2008


Eldredge Jackson brings smooth, soulful jazz to Dallas

5:41 PM Fri, Oct 10, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Eljack_over.jpgTulsa's Eldredge Jackson, an R&B-spiced smooth jazz saxophonist, brings elegence, sultriness and plenty of melody to Listening Pleasure, his new CD produced by fellow jazz man Wayman Tisdale. The 13-track disc features cool originals from Mr. Jackson, such as the seductive "Git Wit It" and the rhythmic title tune, as well as suave covers of Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Michael Jackson's "Rock With You," a Rod Temperton (of Heatwave fame) composition. Catch some sax from Eldredge Jackson Saturday night at Dallas' Brooklyn Jazz Cafe.

Photo: Eldredge "Sax Man" Jackson (Kelly Kerr).

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The entry "Eldredge Jackson brings smooth, soulful jazz to Dallas" is tagged: Brooklyn Jazz Cafe , Eldredge Jackson , Lionel Richie , Michael Jackson , Wayman Tisdale



We Were There: Cat Power at the Palladium

12:43 AM Fri, Oct 10, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

At the end of her concert Thursday night at the Palladium Ballroom, Cat Power said "Thanks for letting us play such an amazing show for you."
Surely she was joking. "Amazingly strange" would be a much better description for a show she performed almost entirely in the dark - a tactic that prompted lots fans to walk out before the concert was over.
See Saturday's print edition for a review, or look online Friday afternoon.

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The entry "We Were There: Cat Power at the Palladium" is tagged: Cat Power , Palladium Ballroom


October 8, 2008


Jennifer Hudson's long awaited CD debuts at No. 2

11:30 AM Wed, Oct 08, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music_Jennifer_Hudson.JPGJ-Hud's self-titled debut CD enters Billboard's pop albums chart at No. 2 with a healthy 217,000 copies sold its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's a good album, save for a few quibbles. Read my review of it here. Of course, as expected, rapper T.I.'s Paper Trail bows at the summit with a whopping 568,000 copies sold. At No. 3 is Robin Thicke with Something Else. That one moved 137,000 copies. Oh, and fear not Metallica fans, Death Magnetic is still in the Top 5. In fact, it's exactly No. 5 with 86,000 copies sold.

Photo: Jennifer Hudson in a photo from last month (Jim Cooper).

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The entry "Jennifer Hudson's long awaited CD debuts at No. 2" is tagged: Billboard , Jennifer Hudson , Paper Trail , Robin Thicke , T.I.



If Eminem's 'The Best,' then what was the test?

9:43 AM Wed, Oct 08, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


The man has skills, delivery and compelling rhymes, but I don't see how Eminem, especially after his extended absence from the rap scene, has been considered "The Best Rapper Alive."

The Detroit rapper handily won Vibe Magazine's just-completed Best Rapper Alive competition, a three-month online contest that saw him prevailing over such hot names as Lil Wayne, Ludacris and Kanye West.

More than 920,000 votes were cast in the bracket-style tournament, which started July 21, with Eminem ultimately triumphing over fellow No. 1 seed Jay-Z in what the magazine described as "a surprising landslide victory."

"It's obviously an honor to have won the fans' support by being voted the best rapper alive," Eminem said in a statement. "I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best, though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things, and at what they do. But since Vibe's offering the distinction, hell yeah I'll accept!"

The Detroit MC, who will turn 36 next week, has been finishing tracks for his untitled next album, which may be released before year's end.

I'm not trying to start a beef here, but I'm curious to know what you think: who, in YOUR opinion, is the best rapper alive? My vote goes to Jay-Z, but I'm curious to know who you believe deserves that honor.

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The entry "If Eminem's 'The Best,' then what was the test?" is tagged: Eminem , Vibe


October 7, 2008


Fans are passionate about Christian rockers Third Day

2:06 PM Tue, Oct 07, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_02thirdday04.JPGSo I've gotten a good handful of emails from readers who attended the Third Day concert last Thursday night at Superpages.com Center and read my review of the show. I appreciate their passion and insight. But I want to highlight a piece of Don Garrett's note, which was balanced and well written.

Thanks for your thoughtful review of the Third Day concert itself. Frankly, I do not attend too many concerts, but that concert filled a need I had for some rock and roll that actually said something.

My only quibble - I agree wholeheartedly that Switchfoot played a sloppy, often silly set last night. The lead singer had spent far too much time watching Jim Morrison films or something. However, if you look at their music, they actually DO write songs with depth and interesting musicianship, they simply did not highlight either last night. Much like Third Day, they tend to concentrate on the redemptive side of the Christian equation, but sadly they missed the boat with much of their set last evening.

Photo: Third Day lead singer Mac Powell at Superpages.com last Thursday (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

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The entry "Fans are passionate about Christian rockers Third Day" is tagged: Mac Powell , Superpages.com Center , Switchfoot , Third Day


October 6, 2008


Cool, fun indie power pop from the Spinto Band

5:18 PM Mon, Oct 06, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1042681.jpgThe word giddy pops up in the press clips of Delaware's the Spinto Band as a way to describe its brand of sometimes frenetic, always off-kilter and intermittently guitar-based brand of pop. Check! On Moonwink (Park the Van Records), the six-man group creates ditties that never feel frothy. Think '80s power pop meets '90s alt-rock with dashes of jumpy melodies thrown in. Judging by the single "Summer Grof" these guys sound like they've inhaled too much candy. And yet, that hook immediately sticks in your head. The rest of Moonwink, especially the head-bobbing "Pumpkins & Paisley" and the rock-edged "Vivian, Don't," gets under your skin with repeated listens. This is one of those happy, let's-all-bop CDs that won't leave you feeling guilty for liking it. And at less than 35 minutes, the proceedings have run their course before you start to feel lightheaded.

Photo: Moonwink CD cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Cool, fun indie power pop from the Spinto Band" is tagged: Delaware , Moonwink , Park the Van Records , Spinto Band


October 5, 2008


We were there: Tom Joyner's Jokes N' Jams, TBAAL

1:20 PM Sun, Oct 05, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Serious laughs and serious music were in abundance for the hundreds in attendance at the first annual Jokes N' Jams benefit for the Tom Joyner Foundation at TBAAL on Saturday night.
For over ten years, the Tom Joyner Foundation has provided over 50 million dollars in scholarships, benefitting disadvantaged students at 112 HBCU's, and there were big names in the house to champion the event, including gospel's Fred Hammond and contemporary soul artist Kem, fresh from Friday's show with Ledisi at the Palladium. In-between making jabs at OJ Simpson ("He got away with murder the first time, that's what he should've stuck with. When he changed to armed robbery, he got caught. What's the lesson? Do what you know!"), Tom Joyner and J. Anthony Brown stressed the seriousness of this year's election and even had voter registration tables waiting outside. For those reluctant to be added to the jury duty rolls afterwards, Mr. Brown offered an easy-out; "Scratch your crotch and act crazy, you'll be outta there in no time!"

N'Dambi was the first to kick off the performances at around 10PM....

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The entry "We were there: Tom Joyner's Jokes N' Jams, TBAAL" is tagged: Mint Condition , N'Dambi , TBAAL , Tom Joyner


October 4, 2008


Mint Condition: winning applause while down for the cause

8:47 AM Sat, Oct 04, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


St. Paul, MN-based band Mint Condition, who's in town tonight headlining Tom Joyner's Jokes N' Jams benefit at TBAAL, took away two trophies at last night's Soultrack's 2008 Reader's Choice Awards in Detroit, MI.

Nominated for Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Duo or Group of the Year, the quintet earned the Group and Album honors, thanks to their stellar Spring release, e-Life. Another winner from multiple categories, Dwele, took home Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for his scandalous hit single, "I'm Cheatin'." Click here for more details on last night's event.

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The entry "Mint Condition: winning applause while down for the cause" is tagged: Dwele , Mint Condition , Soultracks Reader's Choice Awards , TBAAL


October 3, 2008


Hal Ketchum's new CD sounds, well, timeless

3:58 PM Fri, Oct 03, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1036755.jpgIt's been way too long. Hal Ketchum's first stateside CD in five years reminds us what an intelligent, thoughtful and creative artist he is. Blending country with jazz, rockabilly with R&B and then throwing in a few tropical rhythms even, Father Time is that rare record that you can admire and also enjoy for its sheer musicality. Consisting mostly of songs from his own pen, with the one exception of a cover of Tom Waits' "Jersey Girl," the disc showcases his soulful voice as well as his guitar and banjo picking. Standouts abound but pay close attention to "Invisible," "Millionaire's Wife" and "Sparrow."

Photo: Father Time cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Hal Ketchum's new CD sounds, well, timeless" is tagged: Father Time , Hal Ketchum , Invisible , Millionaire's Wife , Sparrow


October 2, 2008


We were there: Third Day at Superpages.com Center

11:24 PM Thu, Oct 02, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_22band3.JPGThird Day put on a moving show. That's not an oxymoron when referring to a rock concert. The Christian rockers, who headlined the Music Builds Tour tonight at Superpages.com Center, managed to meld inspirational messages with plenty of R&R swagger. In fact, it's because the band, led by personable and potent singer Mac Powell, is so passionate about its inspiration that the music they make has such energy, resonance.

Highlights of the 70-minute set were plenty, especially all the powerhouse tunes from the group's great new CD, Revelation. But also of particular note was the highly hooky "Tunnel" and a take on U2's "When Love Comes to Town" that featured the other three Music Builds acts -- Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars of Clay -- all onstage with Third Day.

For a full review of Third Day check here or in the newspaper's GuideLive section on Saturday.

Photo: Third Day in a publicity shot from earlier this year (David McClister).

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The entry "We were there: Third Day at Superpages.com Center" is tagged: Jars of Clay , Music Builds Tour , Robert Randolph , Switchfoot , Third Day


October 1, 2008


Good lookin' out, Jay-Z

5:33 PM Wed, Oct 01, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

Talk about gettin' that hip-hop love; according to The Huffington Post, Jay-Z is helping the Democratic Presidential nominee, Barack Obama, win new voters with a free concert on Saturday in Detroit to promote voter registration.

Monday is the deadline in Michigan to register to vote in the November 4 election, prompting the last-minute push.

The Grammy-winning rapper, whose hits include "99 Problems," "Encore" and "Hard Knock Life," has been promoting Obama for a while, flashing his photo during concerts and telling fans that it's time for a change---one of Obama's mottos. Jay-Z has also designed a T-shirt for sale by Obama's campaign.

Obama has said Jay-Z is one of his favorite musical artists. Get those voters Jigga!

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The entry "Good lookin' out, Jay-Z" is tagged: Barack Obama , Jay-Z


September 30, 2008


Get well Janet Jackson, good luck Jermaine Dupri

8:40 AM Tue, Sep 30, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

According to CNN, Superstar Janet Jackson has been hospitalized after falling ill shortly before a concert.

In a statement released by W&W Public Relations, the singer canceled her concert in Montreal on Monday after she "got suddenly ill" during her sound check and had to be rushed to the hospital just before show time, according to the Associated Press. The statement says Jackson is being monitored at the hospital and hopes to reschedule the show. No further information was given about Jackson's condition. Jackson, 42, is currently on her North American, "Rock Witchu" tour.

As for her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, he's proving that perhaps it's best to keep the personal and business aspects separate...

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The entry "Get well Janet Jackson, good luck Jermaine Dupri" is tagged: Janet Jackson , Jermaine Dupri , L.A. Reid



Barack Obama: Hip-hop hooray

6:19 AM Tue, Sep 30, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

Rap musicians are understandably charged up by this historic presidential race by Democratic nominee Barack Obama; he's taken on some its culture's mannerisms, referenced them along the campign trail and has found himself name-checked by some of its biggest and brightest stars (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy). But on the real---is the Senator a hip-hop head?

Well, according to a recent chat with MTV, pretty much. "I enjoy it, but these days I don't have the time to listen to it all the time," he told MTV News. He said that he still finds time to shuffle through MCs like Jay-Z and Kanye on his iPod, but he thinks the genre's impact extends far beyond a few hot tracks.

How does he feel about the direction of hip-hop? Does he have a favorite? Find out here...

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The entry "Barack Obama: Hip-hop hooray" is tagged: Barack Obama , Jay-Z , Kanye West , MTV , Young Jeezy



We were there: Swell Season at the Palladium

12:19 AM Tue, Sep 30, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Swell Season --- you know, that Irish dude and the Czech woman from the movie Once -- played all the expected songs Monday night at the Palladium Ballroom. But aside from the Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly,'' most of the high points arrived during the covers: There were two Van Morrison tunes --- the show-opening "Into the Mystic" and "Astral Weeks" - Daniel Johnston's "Life in Vain" and a wacky folk-metal spin through Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River."
"If that goes up on YouTube, I'm dead,'' said singer Glen Hansard about "River."
Too late - someone already posted the remake from a previous show here.
See Wednesday's print edition for a review of the show, or check online Tuesday afternoon.

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The entry "We were there: Swell Season at the Palladium" is tagged: Justin Timberlake , Swell Season , Van Morrison


September 29, 2008


Rodney Crowell comes to Poor David's Pub

1:43 PM Mon, Sep 29, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_28crowellCD.JPGHouston native Rodney Crowell plays Poor David's Pub Nov. 13 as part of an acoustic trio. Will Kimbrough will be his opening act. Mr. Crowell's newest CD, Sex and Gasoline, is a worthy artistic achievement. Read my review of it here. In such an intimate setting as is Poor David's Pub, let's hope he plays some tracks from 2001's The Houston Kid, his autobiographical masterpiece. Anyway, folks, this man always puts on a good show. He's got an arsenal of intelligent, tuneful and topical songs and his between tunes chatter is smart and funny.

Photo: Sex and Gasoline CD cover courtesy of Yep Roc Records.

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The entry "Rodney Crowell comes to Poor David's Pub" is tagged: Poor David's Pub , Rodney Crowell , Sex and Gasoline , The Houston Kid



We were there: Neko Case at the Granada

11:58 AM Mon, Sep 29, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but Neko Case's show Saturday at the Granada Theater wasn't much different than her '06 Granada gig. Like that show (which was also drew a near-capacity crowd) she focused Saturday on songs from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, sang a nice cover of Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" and wisely gave plenty of solos to pedal steel guitar ace Jon Rauhouse. The main difference was a handful of promising new tunes earmarked for her next CD - that, and her off-the-cuff joking with backup singer Kelly Hogan, including a shout-out to nearby second-hand clothing shop Buffalo Exchange.

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The entry "We were there: Neko Case at the Granada" is tagged: Buffalo Exchange , Granada Theater , Kelly Hogan , Neko Case



ACL 2008, Day 3: the Lovely

10:15 AM Mon, Sep 29, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1). At no recent ACL has the balance of the day's 60,000 festival-goers been as skewed to one side of Zilker Park as on Sunday. And Saturday, for that matter, but wait a second for that. On Sunday, 80 percent of the remaining crowd clogged the east side of the park since Foo Fighters has the final performance slot all to themselves on the AT&T Stage ... and three hours earlier, Blues Traveler (of all bands, why that one?) made the Dell Stage seem like the place to be despite horrible sound while Okkervil River put on a much more satisfying set on the park's west side on the AT&T Blue Room Stage. At one point during MGMT's performance on that same stage on Saturday, the throng was so solid all the way back to the knoll to the west of Rock Island that pedestrian flow completely stopped. Why MGMT? Who knows? Its set was about as compelling as Blues Traveler's ...

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The entry "ACL 2008, Day 3: the Lovely" is tagged: Austin City Limits



ACL 2008, Day 3: the Bad

9:40 AM Mon, Sep 29, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1). Gnarls Barkley. For the last performance of a four-month tour, Cee-Lo, Danger Mouse and their tux-with-silver-bowtie-sporting backing band left way too much in the dressing room. The duo's live shows are notoriously unpredictable, both in terms of quality and spontaniety (what dress will Cee-Lo perform in tonight?), and it was highly disappointing that it decided to mail things in rather than let things run amok. To be fair, Cee-Lo did sound like his voice was faltering in upper registers because of wear. But man, make up for it by doing something "Crazy", huh?

2). Neko Case. ACL just wasn't where the New Pornographer's country-folk material was going to shine, and as such, Ms. Case's playing ACL a year and a half after releasing a live album titled Live From Austin, TX was unfortunate. She sang and gestured with little enthusiasm, and her subtle and often simple and short compositions are too compact and nuanced to translate on a big stage such as the AMD Stage. A waste of time very similar to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's turn on the same stage on Saturday, which possessed nowhere near the power and poetry that it did in an enclosed and dedicated headlinging appearance.



ACL 2008, Day 3: the Good

9:09 AM Mon, Sep 29, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Sunday was the Austin City Limits Music Festival's rockin' day; many of the acts scheduled to perform fell into the realm of modern rock, blues rock and jam rock. As such, it also ended up being the festival's lightest attendance day; tickets didn't sell out until well into the afternoon, and frankly, the performances were lackluster for much of that time. Not a great way to end things. Highlights were few, but they were there:

1) the Raconteurs. Jack White's shaved his facial hair, but Brendan Benson's grown a moustache. Even so, they both leapt onto the AMD Stage with matching straw fedoras on. Once they were shed, the band tore through 75 minutes of material with the gusto of a teen-age punk band despite Mr. White's admission that not only was he feeling under the weather, but that he's got a slipped disk in his upper back. (OUCH). The performance had several times more energy and activity as its show at Dallas' House of Blues in early April, mere days after its second album, Consolers of the Lonely, was released. It was obvious that the band was much, much more comfortable with the new material.


September 28, 2008


ACL 2008, Day 2: the Lovely

9:03 AM Sun, Sep 28, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1). Bizarre sight of the day: seeing a member of the grounds crew using a wet-dry vacuum to suck up standing water on the grass behind Rock Island. See: you can vacuum a lawn!

2). The Rock and Recycle volunteer cleanup crew at ACL is doing yeoman's work ... but the group's actually not doing much of the work itself. They're carrying around signs that state "ask me about a free T-shirt"; when you ask, you learn that to earn the shirt you must collect a large trash bag full of recyclable bottles and cans. The bit is working amazingly well; you can't walk for a minute without seeing a festival-goer lugging around a towering blue plastic sack while scouring the park for disposables. And until dark (when the scouring becomes impossible), Zilker Park is unbelievably free of discarded trash.

More later ... got to prepare for my breakfast date with Nicole Atkins. ;)

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ACL 2008, Day 2: the Bad

8:43 AM Sun, Sep 28, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1). Erykah Badu. Sorry to say it, but Dallas' queen of neo-soul talked too much. After "Love of My Life," she threw down this bizarre scat solo using two curse words as anchors, then she spent three or four minutes rambing on about why the heck she named her new album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). Something about occupation ... anyway, by that time she'd created a noticeable exodus away from the AT&T Stage. She did finish stronger with decent versions of "Tyrone" and "Honey," but she was as loose as her hair (worn down) and her garb (a smiley-face T-shirt) at ACL, and that was too loose.

2). MGMT. Though a huge crowd gathered for its set on the AT&T Blue Room Stage (read about just how big in the next post) and MGMT's live show has improved in power and tightness since South by Southwest in March, the Brooklyn electro-rock duo's music still lacks hooks, character and distinction. Neither Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden know how to work a crowd, either. Horrible, and darn near unlistenable. Maybe the crowd was so big because they were all taking a break to drink.



ACL 2008, Day 2: the Good

8:14 AM Sun, Sep 28, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Saturday at the Austin City Limits Music Festival was about the groove. Well, about half the time, anyway: it seemed like half the acts were soul- and R&B-derived, and the other half were either quiet indie songwriters or country-fried rockers. Quite a contrast, and it created some conflicts. But good performances were many. The top ones:

1). Fleet Foxes. The Seattle outfit's music can be rightly dubbed ambient folk: creamy harmonies and basic instrumentation that interweaves like an aural magic dragon to create a sunny, swirling cloud of rough-hewn song. Somehow -- the early performance time of 12:30 p.m. on the AMD Stage likely had a lot to do with this -- the music coagulated into a pixie-dusted wall of delight, as if it were a soundtrack to some Legend-like fantasy movie set in rural Kentucky. It was beautiful in an overall-sporting, gap-toothed way. To top it off, the band's members were extremely loose and spontaneous with their on-stage banter. "I'm sleepy," was drummer J. Tillman's intro. "Isn't is reassuring that banks can't manage money, just like regular people?" mused keyboardist Casey Westcott. Funny stuff.


September 27, 2008


ACL 2008: the Lovely

1:03 AM Sat, Sep 27, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1) This year's Official Program. It's 128 pages, color-coded and exceedingly informative. The master stroke? It's pocket sized for 2008, measuring roughly 4 by 5 inches. And it's free.

2). Labor Day may have passed by a few weeks ago, but musicians are still wearing white as the color of choice. David Byrne's entire band had it on; Pharrell of N.E.R.D. paired it with red jeans and a ball cap; English blue-eyed soul dude Jamie Lidell (think Adam Levine with Buddy Holly's glasses on, and you've got him nailed) sported a white choral robe (and his bassist rocked a white 1970s-era zip-up jump suit); half of Hot Chip had all manner of white garb around. Even Gogol Bordello's bassist, Thomas Gobena, had a white beanie cap with faux dreads on to match his white sunglasses. Oh, and then there's Eugene Hutz, who's just pale by nature.

3). Quote of the day: "I don't care if you're a [expletive] Republican or a [expletive] Democrat. Just vote!" -- Pharrell of N.E.R.D. Related ironic observation: how few patrons were in the Rock Island Hideaway open wine lounge watching last night's presidential debate on the lounge's big screens. Well, people were at ACL to see music, after all ...



ACL 2008: Day 1, the bad

12:47 AM Sat, Sep 27, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

1) Paula Nelson. She's a thirtysomething Austinite who's trying to make a name for herself as a blues-rock singer. Only she never will make a name for herself because her dad, one Willie Nelson, has already done it for her. She's got his nasal, treble-heavy voice and his static stage presence -- almost to the point of disinterest. Neither works in blues rock, especially when the music has all the fire of a stomped-out cigarette butt. Good for a celebrity party but little else.

2). Ryan Bingham. Not because he's no good -- his easygoing and svelte alt-country is gaining quality by the month -- but because even in front of the BMI Stage, his relatively stately and quiet music was utterly ruined by N.E.R.D.'s earth-moving bass tones and David Byrne's charmingly weird but effective (and loud) take on world pop. (M. Ward had the same problem on the WaMu Stage until he went full electric after his set's first few songs).

3). Slightly Stoopid. File this one under "We didn't see it because there's no point" because we've seen it before, and there's no point seeing it again. It's jock ska that frat punks get drunk to, and nothing more. Monkey see name, monkey be name, ya know?



ACL 2008: Plan B/The Good

12:06 AM Sat, Sep 27, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

A'ight. Since it's been established that my smartphone now officially belongs in a museum, here's the plan: I'll post three blogs a night after each day at Austin City Limits: The good, the bad, and the lovely -- 'lovely' as in notable 'gotta love it!'-style random notes. Each blog'll have three acts or items mentioned.

So here's Day 1, the good:

1) N.E.R.D. The set to see of Day 1. If you missed it, you suck. How could you miss it; the bass was so deep it must've traveled through the earth's crust like an earthquake; the energy was so explosive it generated its own magnetic field to attract the uninitiated. "You Know What" was as taut as a drive belt on a phat-funk Porsche, and singer Pharrell wasn't a "Rock Star Poser" after that joint rumbled and a breakdancer humbled. Pharrell had 30 or 40 crowd members jumping and grinding on stage during the espionage-licked groove of "Lapdance." N.E.R.D. had everyone feeling better than James Bond; shaken and stirred.

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The entry "ACL 2008: Plan B/The Good" is tagged: Austin City Limits , Hot Chip , N.E.R.D. , the Mars Volta


September 26, 2008


ACL 2008: Technology does suck. Mine does, anyway.

11:47 PM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

You nailed it, Christy. My smartphone's simply not working past 3 p.m. or so at ACL, and I suspect this is why (beware: I'm about to get a little technical, music lovers)

I have an older smartphone that uses GPRS for its data transfer protocol. That's old technology; newer smartphones are using what's called "G3" protocol that's about 10 times faster (I think) than GPRS. Also, more phones with data-transfer capability -- not to mention smartphones by themselves -- are in use than ever now. And when many, many people congregate in one place with all those phones -- like 60,000 at Zilker Park for a day of ACL -- network tieups happen.

Only in my case, the tieups shut me out since I have slow technology. Last year at ACL, I had occasional connectivity problems but was able to post blogs after another try or two. This year, I can't even use the data capability because my phone can't even verify itself on its network.

So until I upgrade, I'm down and out with the live blogging and Twittering. Phooey.

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We were there: Lady Antebellum at the State Fair of Texas

11:07 PM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music Lady Antebellum.JPGThe instant success of country-pop trio Lady Antebellum should serve as a lesson in Mass Marketing 101. The recipe is seamless: Take two men and one woman, make sure they're photogenic, have them harmonize just enough, gather simple, radio-ready tunes and then promote them incessantly. Whiz bang! We got ourselves a winner!

Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood performed tonight as this year's first headliners on the Chevrolet Main Stage at the State Fair of Texas in Fair Park. Backed by a three-piece band, the group offered all 11 tracks on its self-titled debut CD and a few covers, including the most tepid rendition of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" ever attempted.

Not that their material sounds much better. With few exceptions the cuts on that disc are generic and passionless. For a full review of Lady Antebellum check out www.guidelive.com Saturday afternoon or Sunday's GuideLive section.

Photo: Lady Antebellum in a publicity shot -- Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood (Mark Humphrey).

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The entry "We were there: Lady Antebellum at the State Fair of Texas" is tagged: Chevrolet Main Stage , Lady Antebellum , Love Don't Live Here , State Fair of Texas



Eddie Vedder gets Cubs fever

3:35 PM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

It's late September, a time when Chicago Cubs fans usually turn their attention to da Bears. But not this year. With the Cubbies headed to the playoffs, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder - a Windy City native -- has released "All The Way," which he wrote and recorded live last month at the Auditorium Theater: "Our heroes wear pinstripes, pinstripes in blue/Give us a chance to feel like heroes, too," sings Eddie. It's a nice song, but not nearly as good as the definitive Cubs anthem: Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request."

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The entry "Eddie Vedder gets Cubs fever" is tagged: Chicago Cubs , Eddie Vedder , Pearl Jam , Steve Goodman



Maybe Emilio Navaira should hire a driver

1:39 PM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

People_Emilio_Navaira.JPGOK, now I'm really concerned about Tejano singer Emilio Navaira. I'm not joking when I say that he should hire a driver to transport him around town. It seems like he and vehicles just aren't getting along lately. Here's the gist of a recent story from The Associated Press:

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Grammy-winning Tejano singer Emilio Navaira, still recovering from major injuries suffered in a bus wreck six months ago, was back in the hospital Thursday after another traffic accident.

Emilio and wife Maria Navaira were in stable condition at University Hospital after their car and a truck collided Wednesday. Police believe Maria Navaira was driving at the time of the wreck, which did not injure the truck driver.

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The entry "Maybe Emilio Navaira should hire a driver" is tagged: Emilio Navaira , Grammy , Maria Navaira , San Antonio , Tejano



ACL 2008: The fun's about to begin

9:39 AM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

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In about an hour I'll be heading into Zilker Metropolitan Park for Day 1 of 2008's Austin City Limits Music Festival. And oh, what joy it shall bring. I'm not talking about the music. The lineup's actually weaker than previous years, in my opinion, especially in the realm of indie rock.

I'm talking weather: predicted highs in the high 80s, sunny and nary a chance of rain all three days of the fest. That ACL's being held two weeks later than usual is juuuust fine with me and many others in that regard.

But know this: the main reason ACL is in late September has little to do with the onset of fall. It has to do with the University of Texas Longhorns. Organizers schedule it during a week when the massively popular football team isn't in town. But Hurricane Ike messed that strategy up, since a game with the University of Arkansas two weeks ago had to be reschuedled to tomorrow. Here. In Austin.

Oh, tomorrow's gonna be no fun for the natives. (and by the way: single-day ACL tickets for Saturday are already sold out, so you horn flashers don't need to bother about doubling up your fun).

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Another kind of Friday debate: Was Barack Obama really on 'Soul Train' back in the day?

9:17 AM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

The look and the moves are similar, so I can see where folks are getting the assumption, but it's hard to tell for sure (peep the clip bigger here). And then check the Ellen show clip where he busts a move shortly after her intro. Be honest: do you think it's our Democratic nominee?

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If Amy wants to borrow your clothes, just say no, no, no

8:45 AM Fri, Sep 26, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Try not to read this until after breakfast, okay? Apparently, Amy Winehouse doesn't return gowns in the pristine condition she receives them and one designer is charging her because...well, just keep reading.

According to The Sun, "Harvey Nichols loaned Amy 50K worth of silk and satin dresses. Unfortunately, while wearing one of the frocks, she went on an all-night bender. She ended up in the bathroom where she was violently sick. Let's just say it wasn't pretty."

"She eventually couriered them back on Monday, but didn't wrap them separately. So vomit was all over the clothes. Even worse, green, furry mould had developed on some gowns, making them unwearable. The store publicists weren't best pleased. We doubt Amy will be sent any more designer gear for a while and the store has now asked for its 50K back."

Amy, you have to do better than this, come on now. Ew.

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September 25, 2008


Not eager to return to (Destiny's) childhood....

8:17 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Michelle Williams is trying to remain as coy/cordial as possible, but it's pretty obvious that she's not feeling any Destiny's Child reunion anytime soon.

"I'm focusing on me now and want to stand on my own two feet," the singer says. Williams is currently gearing up for her third solo album "Unexpected" that will hit stores on October 7 and revealed that she is on the way of slowly building a strong basis for her solo career.

"I'm definitely carving out my own niche. I don't look to them for anything. I've got a long way to go. I'm starting over but I'm happy for it to build slowly," she adds in a statement.

This may be a chilly response given all they've accomplished as a trio, but considering the fact that Beyonce, for the second time, is releasing her single the same day a former DC member drops their project (her single "De Ja Vu" was made available on iTunes the same day LeToya Luckett's debut CD was being released in 2006), can you blame her? Think about it; is this a simple coincidence, or could the timing be different if the Queen B demanded otherwise?


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The entry "Not eager to return to (Destiny's) childhood...." is tagged: Beyonce Knowles , Destiny's Child , Michelle Williams



Darius Rucker makes history with his first country single

12:38 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_15rucker.JPGDarius Rucker's debut country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," hits the No. 1 spot on Billboard's country singles chart. That makes him the first African-American artist with a chart-topping tune in 25 years. It hadn't been done since Charley Pride's last No. 1, 1983's "Night Games." The Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer is basking in the glow of his country CD, Learn to Live, which is solid and authentic. He doesn't sound like a former pop star trying for country success. He sounds real.

Photo: Learn to Live CD cover courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

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Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' at No. 1 again

12:20 PM Thu, Sep 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

GERMANY-US-ENTERTAINMENT-MUSIC-METALLICA.JPGLars Ulrich, James Hetfield and their band mates are back at the pinnacle. Metallica's Death Magnetic, produced by Rick Rubin, is No. 1 for a second week on Billboard's pop albums chart after selling 337,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, for its first full seven days in stores. Remember that Death Magnetic was released on a Friday instead of the usual Tuesday. During its first three days at retail it sold 490,000 copies. So in a mere ten days, the disc has moved 827,000 copies. It's a fierce record, folks, filled with the sharp chops and musicial precision that marks Metallica. It's a return to form after the unanimous embarrassment that was 2003's St. Anger.

Photo: Metallica's James Hetfield and bassist Robert Trujillo unleash the fury during a Berlin concert earlier this month (Clemens Bilan).

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The entry "Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' at No. 1 again" is tagged: Billboard , Death Magnetic , James Hetfield , Lars Ulrich , Metallica , Rick Rubin



We were there: Flogging Molly at House of Blues

12:52 AM Thu, Sep 25, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

molly2.jpgIrish pride and punk rock collided Wednesday night during Flogging Molly's concert at House of Blues. As fans celebrated their Irish pride by drinking Guinness, running their fingers through their bright green hair, and showing off their shamrock tattoos, Flogging Molly put on an energetic and vibrant show.

The seven member band, which is on tour promoting its newest album, Float, captivated fans with new and old songs, including "Drunken Lullabies" and "Requiem for a Dying Song." At first the group's lead singer, Dublin-born David King, seemed out of place, wearing glasses, a white button-down shirt and a black tie. But really, he was all about playing. Throughout the night he strummed his guitar and sang while jumping up and down with the energy of a 5-year-old. He engaged the audience by cracking jokes in between songs and by giving shoutouts to redheads. He even dedicated the song "Whistles the Wind" to them.

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September 23, 2008


Earl Palmer: From Little Richard to Led Zeppelin

4:12 PM Tue, Sep 23, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips


Earl Palmer wasn't a household name, but the drummer, who died Friday at age 83, gave rock 'n' roll its funky backbeat on 1950s hits by Fats Domino and Little Richard. If you've heard Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll," then you know Palmer's work: The late Zeppelin drummer John Bonham admitted he stole the intro to "Rock and Roll" from the intro to Little Richard's "Keep a Knockin'." Hear for yourself. Here's "Knockin'" and here's "Rock and Roll."

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The entry "Earl Palmer: From Little Richard to Led Zeppelin" is tagged: Earl Palmer , Fats Domino , Led Zeppelin , Little Richard



Metallica, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Bobby Womack and others up for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

1:06 PM Tue, Sep 23, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_05Metallica.JPGMetallica, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Run-D.M.C., the Stooges and War are the nine nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Ballots will go out to more than 500 voters. The artists selected will be honored at the 24th annual induction ceremony to be held on April 4, 2009 at the historic Public Hall in Cleveland. Tickets to the ceremony will be made available to the public next year. That's a first. For more information, go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website.

Photo: Metallica - from left, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and James Hetfield - could be crowned rock 'n' roll royalty (Anton Corbijn).

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American Idol winner David Cook releases debut album November 18

12:13 PM Tue, Sep 23, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_25AMERICANidol06.JPGDavid Cook, the 25-year-old from Blue Springs, Missouri, will release his debut album Nov. 18 on RCA Records. The latest American Idol winner has been working on the still untitled CD with producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock). The disc's first single, "Light On," was co-written by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave fame. "Light On" premieres exclusively on AOL Music today. Check AOL's PopEater.com. The single hits iTunes Sept. 30.

Photo: David Cook performs at American Airlines Center in August (Mike Stone/Special to DMN).

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The entry "American Idol winner David Cook releases debut album November 18" is tagged: American Idol , David Cook , Light On , RCA Records , Rob Cavallo


September 22, 2008


We were there: Nelly at House of Blues

11:48 PM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

nellyblah.jpgSt. Louis and Brass Knuckles were the themes of Nelly's concert Monday night at House of Blues. The rapper, who grew up in St. Louis, mentioned the city and self-promoted his newest CD, Brass Nuckles, during almost every song and/or shoutout. Nelly opened with his more popular tunes, such as "Country Grammar" and "Shake Your Tailfeather," but stuck to tunes from his new album most of the night.

He was never alone while performing; he usually had four singers at his side who would take turns sharing the spotlight. At one point, he invited rapper Avery Storm on stage, as well as Big Tuck, a rapper from Dallas.

Nelly sometimes interrupted his songs mid-way, saying, "hold up, hold up." He'd either start talking to the audience about his new album, or he'd say he wanted to try out a different version of the song he had been singing. At one point, for instance, he started singing his "Take a Ride Wit Me" hit but then in the middle of it softened his voice and slowed the song's pace. The changes were jarring, but they added some variety to the show.

For a full review, look in Wednesday's paper or online Tuesday evening.

(Photo by Jonathan Mannion)

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Janet Jackson severs ties with Island Def Jam

3:52 PM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Janet Jackson Concert.JPGA mere 14 months after she signed with major label powerhouse Island Def Jam, Miss Jackson (if you're nasty!) has parted company with the conglomerate. She was dissatisfied with the label, she told billboard.com, and as recent as earlier this month couldn't confirm her future with them. She will now be a free agent, the story says, releasing her music through "innovative channels." Hmmm....surely the lackluster sales of Discipline, her Island debut, couldn't have anything to do with this mutual severing of the contract, right? Discipline has moved a paltry 415,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Photo: Miss Jackson is nasty all on her own now (Mark J. Terrill).

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Ted Nugent wants to be Paul McCartney's bodyguard

3:31 PM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

PEOPLE-NUGENT.JPGWe couldn't make this up if we tried. Yes, Ted "Cat Scratch Fever" Nugent wants to protect Sir Paul McCartney during his upcoming trip and concert in Israel. Here's the release from Mr. Nugent's California-based publicist.

Rock and Roll gun slinger, TED NUGENT, is offering to provide personal security for Rock and Roll animal rights activist, Sir Paul McCartney.

McCartney has been threatened by Muslim extremists if he plays a concert in Israel to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday.

"Regardless that Paul and I have our obvious social, cultural, and culinary differences outside of music, I will not bend or waiver to voodoo religious whackjobs and neither should Paul," exclaimed NUGENT.

NUGENT, an NRA Board of Director member, has trained extensively with military specialists and various law enforcement agencies for over 30 years. "It would be my pleasure to keep this legendary musical hero safe from terrorists and madmen, and then buy him a nice dinner of tofu," said NUGENT.

"I'm Dirty Harry with a ponytail, and I'm at Paul's service," quipped NUGENT.

Photo: Gun toting and shooting Ted Nugent (Steve Marcus).

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The entry "Ted Nugent wants to be Paul McCartney's bodyguard" is tagged: Israel , Muslim , NRA , Paul McCartney , Ted Nugent



We were there: Hanson brothers still have rhythm, energy, harmony

12:44 AM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

The Hanson brothers put on a solid show Sunday night at the House of Blues, singing songs from their newest album, "The Walk," as well as older hits such as "MMMBop" and "Where's the Love."

Though the Hanson brothers are all grown up now, their music sounds much like it did when the band first became big more than a decade ago. The brothers still attract young, screaming girls, and their songs still have the same energy, rhythm and harmony.

Taylor did most of the talking, while brother Zach pounded away on the drums. Isaac, the oldest brother, switched guitars throughout the night and put on some impressive acoustic acts. During their more popular songs, the brothers asked the crowd to join them in singing.

MMMbop tick a ta ba do ba/dubi da ba do ba/tick a ta ba doo/yeah eh yeah ...

Look for a full review in Tuesday's paper or online Monday afternoon.

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September 21, 2008


Hundreds of fans walk with Hanson brothers

11:53 PM Sun, Sep 21, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

hanson.jpgShoes in hand, sisters Grace and Laura Neeley power walked alongside Taylor Hanson.

"Did you hear how shaky my voice was?" Laura whispered to Grace after asking Taylor how the Hanson brothers' "Walk Around the World" tour is going.

The sisters were among hundreds of fans who walked barefoot with Hanson at Southern Methodist University Sunday afternoon. The Hanson brothers are walking a mile barefoot in every city they tour in to help raise awareness about poverty and AIDS in Africa.

Laura and Grace said they didn't mind walking barefoot on mulch, grass and cement if it meant having a chance to talk to the Hanson brothers. Self-described "die-hard fans," the sisters have traveled throughout Texas and Oklahamo to see the brothers perform.

"We've only been following them for, like, 11 years," Laura said.

Their friends wonder why they haven't outgrown their Hanson phase, but Laura, 24, and Grace, 21, said they're not ashamed to be teeny-boppers at heart. By the end of the walk, they were tired from trying to stay up toward the front of the line where the Hanson brothers were.

"Ouch, my feet ..." Laura said as the walk ended.

"I know," Grace said, looking down at her dirty feet. "But it was worth it."

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The entry "Hundreds of fans walk with Hanson brothers" is tagged: Hanson


September 20, 2008


We Were There: Ani DiFranco at the Granada

12:11 AM Sat, Sep 20, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Ani DiFranco said she was thrilled to be playing Texas, but she didn't cut George Bush any slack Friday night at the Granada Theater in the title track to her new CD Red Letter Year:
"The water is rising, and representing the white race, a man with a monkey for a face is flying over in a helicopter, whistling Dixie and playing dumb."
The reference, of course, is to Hurricane Katrina - a topic Ms. DiFranco knows a lot about: She lives part of the year in New Orleans and the other part in her native New York.
See Sunday's print edition for a review of the show, or check online Saturday afternoon.

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The entry "We Were There: Ani DiFranco at the Granada" is tagged: Ani DiFranco , George Bush , Granada Theater


September 19, 2008


Randy Rogers Band play Billy Bob's Texas Tuesday to celebrate release of new CD

4:17 PM Fri, Sep 19, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

5_5e244b4816a0fa96d09321107374f409.jpgTexas country group the Randy Rogers Band will take the stage Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Billy Bob's Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, in Fort Worth. The gig is a celebration of the new CD, Randy Rogers Band, which hits stores Tuesday as well. It's a really good disc, folks. The guys again worked with fellow Texan Radney Foster, who produced the record and co-wrote a few tunes. Among the standouts are "Better Than I Ought to Be," a radio hit waiting to happen, and "In My Arms Instead," the first single and video. Admission to the Billy Bob's gig is $15 (which includes a copy of the new album). For more information, go to the Billy Bob's Texas website.

Photo: From left to right -- Randy Rogers, Brady Black, Jon Richardson, Les Lawless and Geoffrey Hill (courtesy of www.randyrogersband.com).

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The entry "Randy Rogers Band play Billy Bob's Texas Tuesday to celebrate release of new CD" is tagged: Billy Bob's Texas , Fort Worth , Radney Foster , Randy Rogers Band



We Were There: Pinback at The Loft

3:18 PM Fri, Sep 19, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

The floors of The Loft were shaking Thursday night as young music-goers danced and sang along with indie rock band Pinback. The San Diego-based group didn't start playing until about 10:30 p.m. after a late start from Kylesa, the opening band. Kylesa's lyrics were barely decipherable, and the group's act sounded more like a screaming match than a musical performance.

Pinback delivered a more entertaining show and mostly performed songs from its fourth full-length album, Autumn of the Seraphs, which came out last September. The band put on a solid performance of "Devil You Know" and "Boquet," but other songs, such as "Torch" fell flat. Singer Zach Smith, originally of Three Mile Pilot, at times looked insecure and lacked energy.

But Rob Crow, who also sings for the group, engaged the crowd in conversation and exuded energy as he contorted his face and opened his eyes wide while singing. Hearing Smith and Crow sing together is like listening to a melodic and poetic conversation with deep meaning.

Pinback's performance proved entertaining but was slightly disapponting when compared to the group's recorded music.

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Ludacris: rapper, actor, Hall of Famer

9:18 AM Fri, Sep 19, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Atlanta, "Stand Up" and give props to your native son, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, for becoming the first-ever rapper in Georgia's Hall of Fame. If his appeal or the name alludes you, check the resume...

In less than a decade, Christopher Bridges has gone from an intern and announcer at what is now Hot-107.9 (where he went by Chris Luva Luva); to a three-time Grammy-winning hip-hop act (as Ludacris); to actor in a Screen Actors Guild Award-winning movie ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and TV series ("Battleground Earth," "Law & Order" -- where his credit usually says Chris "Ludacris" Bridges).

"Wow, this just means to me that all of the hard work I've been doing has not gone ignored. And to hear that I'm like the first rap artist to be inducted --I love it! I love making history and I take pride in and love what I do."

"And please believe me when I say I don't take those words, 'Hall of Fame,' lightly. This just motivates me to continue to do more. I mean, some of the same people whose music I've sampled -- Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield -- people I've looked at as legends, it just really makes me feel good that I will be included among them. And that it is because of rap music -- a voice that will not be ignored!"

And if that still isn't enough for you, he also owns the upscale Singaporean spot Straits, in Midtown. Go Luda, go Luda, stay busy, do your thing Bruh...

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The entry "Ludacris: rapper, actor, Hall of Famer" is tagged: Georgia Hall of Fame , Ludacris


September 18, 2008


Keaton Simons keeps you tapping and snapping

6:42 PM Thu, Sep 18, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1018956.jpgIn today's segmented music world, Los Angeles singer, songwriter and guitarist Keaton Simons would probably sit somewhere between John Mayer and Jack Johnson. But his artistic style, a penchant for crafting seamlessly soulful pop songs with plenty of rhythm and smooth hooks, also harks back to Van Morrison's heyday. On his full-length debut CD, the just-released Can You Hear Me on the relaunched CBS Records, Mr. Simons wrote all 11 tracks solo. His songs, from "Good Things Get Better" to "Can You Hear Me" and many points in between, will keep your foot tapping and your fingers snapping. He'll do it all without histrionics, too.

Photo: Can You Hear Me cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Keaton Simons keeps you tapping and snapping" is tagged: Can You Hear Me , CBS Records , Jack Johnson , John Mayer , Keaton Simons , Van Morrison



Norman Whitfield: R.I.P.

3:00 PM Thu, Sep 18, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips


Norman Whitfield - who died Tuesday - wasn't as well known as fellow Motown songwriters Smokey Robinson or the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. But the Motown sound would be unthinkable without Mr. Whitfield's creations, which include "Ball of Confusion" and "I Heard it through the Grapevine." Here's an interesting obit in the Los Angeles Times in which Dallas native David Ritz explains how Motown originally didn't want Marvin Gaye's version of "Grapevine" to come out.

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The entry "Norman Whitfield: R.I.P." is tagged: Motown , Norman Whitfield , Smokey Robinson



We were there: the Hives at HOB

8:39 AM Thu, Sep 18, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Often, a performer's live persona is the antithesis of his normal one. If that's the case with Per Almqvist, he's a Swede dweeb champion.

You've gotta figure that's the case with the Hives' singer. He uses a stage name, Howlin' Pelle Almquist, to bound his public ego, as does the rest of this genius garage-punk band. Heck: the string pounders all have amps with custom cabinetry that tout each's particular performance handle (Per's guitarist brother Niklas': "Nicholaus" on the head, "Arson" on the speaker box).

For most acts, such pompous trickery would be tantamount to challenging Mike Tyson to a rules-suspended street brawl. But for the Hives, it's kitsch that clicks because the act is so endearing and convincing, as proven during its howlin' 85-minute set Wednesday at House of Blues.

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The entry "We were there: the Hives at HOB" is tagged: Howlin' Pelle Almqvist , Nicholaus Arson , the Hives


September 17, 2008


Jessica Simpson, Metallica do the No. 1 chart dance

3:53 PM Wed, Sep 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_05jessicaCD2.JPGJessica Simpson sold 65,000 copies of Do You Know during its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's good enough for a No. 1 entry on Billboard's country albums chart. On the pop list, Do You Know lands at No. 4. On that same pop albums chart, Metallica starts at No. 1 with Death Magnetic. It sold a whopping 490,000 copies during only three days in stores. Death Magnetic was released on a Friday instead of the usual Tuesday to accomodate a worldwide launch.

Photo: Jess jumps to the top (Sony BMG Nashville).

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The entry "Jessica Simpson, Metallica do the No. 1 chart dance" is tagged: Billboard , Come On Over , Death Magnetic , Jessica Simpson , Metallica



Get in on the camera action next Saturday night with Bret Michaels

3:29 PM Wed, Sep 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music Bret Michaels Q.jpgHere's your chance to be on TV...not to mention be seen in the company of Poison lead singer Bret Michaels. Camera men will be shooting footage for Mr. Michaels' VH1 reality dating show, Rock of Love, next Saturday night (Sept. 27) during his concert at Billy Bob's Texas. His performance also promotes his latest CD, Rock My World. The gig starts at 10:30 p.m. and tickets are $38 for reserved seating, $18 for general admission. Get them through Ticketmaster or the Billy Bob's website.

Photo: Bret the Love Man (Gus Ruelas).

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The entry "Get in on the camera action next Saturday night with Bret Michaels" is tagged: Billy Bob's Texas , Bret Michaels , Poison , Rock of Love



R. Kelly's twisted truth

8:20 AM Wed, Sep 17, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


"It's time for me to move on. I can't keep answering these questions. If you was charged with something and you were found innocent, then you can't be found guilty for being found innocent."
Wha....?

R. Kelly did little more than perform his famous Chi-Town Two Step around many of last night's pointed questions in his exclusive chat with BET: I got travel-sickness trying to follow his line of thinking, and here's a sampling of his 'responses'....

Toure: Let me ask you something real that millions of Americans are thinking about and wondering about you. Do you like teenage girls?

Kelly: When you say teenage, how old are we talking?

Toure: Girls who are teenagers.

Kelly: 19?
Toure: 19 and younger.

Kelly: I have some 19-year-old friends, but I don't like anybody illegal if that's what we're talking about, underage.

Toure: Uh-huh. Some people think that you like underage girls. What do you say to that?

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The entry "R. Kelly's twisted truth" is tagged: BET , R.Kelly



We were there: Children of Bodom

12:15 AM Wed, Sep 17, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

If you're into Finnish metal (and oh, we know there so, so, sooo many of you), Tuesday provided a conundrum of depressing proportions.

Do you go the well aged, tried-and-true, borderline Euro-pop symphonic route and check out two of the most successful acts of that breed -- Nightwish and Sonata Arctica -- at the Palladium Ballroom? Or do you break out the earplugs and the eyeliner to push more extreme boundaries by attending speedy-flashy-angry upstarts Children of Bodom at House of Blues?

We did the latter. We were depressed anyway. But not before an American band that's more fascinating than any of them gave us hope.


September 16, 2008


Sammy Hagar signs new record deal, readies new album

3:40 PM Tue, Sep 16, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

2007-Mustang-001.jpgThe Red Rocker returns. But, um, not that he ever went anywhere. Nevertheless, Sammy Hagar has signed a new recording contract with the just-launched Loud & Proud Records, an imprint of Roadrunner Records. His first disc for the label, Cosmic Universal Fashion, is scheduled to be released Nov. 18. It includes "Cosmic Universal Fashion," a song Mr. Hagar wrote as an online collaboration with Iraqi rocker Steven Lost. The tune, sporting a message about "getting involved," has been released through Sammy's website, www.redrocker.com.

Photo: Sammy still can't drive 55 (Randee St. Nicholas).

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The entry "Sammy Hagar signs new record deal, readies new album" is tagged: Cosmic Universal Fashion , Loud & Proud , Roadrunner Records , Sammy Hagar



Joss Stone: Give her an invite and a mike, then she'll sing

1:38 PM Tue, Sep 16, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Joss_Stone_Tour_Kickoff.JPGBritish soul singer Joss Stone sure has been making the rounds of guest vocals on recent and current albums. Last year she was on Annie Lennox's Songs of Mass Destruction. She was one of the female voices on the soaring anthem "Sing." She's also on three current discs: Belting "I Believe to My Soul" on David Sanborn's Here and Gone; crooning with Raphael Saadiq on "Just One Kiss" from his new The Way I See It; and delivering "Just Walk On By" from Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1. You can also hear Ms. Stone on "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," a duet with soul legend Al Green from the Sex and the City: The Movie soundtrack.

Photo: The ubiquitous Joss Stone (Chris Pizzello).

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The entry "Joss Stone: Give her an invite and a mike, then she'll sing" is tagged: Al Green , Annie Lennox , David Sanborn , Joss Stone , Randy Jackson , Raphael Saadiq



We were there: John Hiatt and Joan Osborne at Nokia Theatre

9:44 AM Tue, Sep 16, 2008 |  | 
Dawn Burkes/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_15hiatt02.JPGBy Matt Weitz
Special Contributor

GRAND PRAIRIE -- John Hiatt's Monday night performance at Nokia was a textbook case of great show, bad night: a Monday evening, immediately following bad weather, that was also a major sports night (Cowboys game).

That explains why there were only about 500 folks for what was a truly great evening of music. Opener Joan Osborne kept asking audience members to come up front and huddle while she did songs from her just-released album, Little Wild One, as well as old favorites like her hit "One of Us."

(Photo by Jason Janik/Special Contributor)

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The entry "We were there: John Hiatt and Joan Osborne at Nokia Theatre" is tagged: Joan Osborne , John Hiatt , Nokia Theatre , shows , We were there



R. Kelly wants to tell his side of the story

7:46 AM Tue, Sep 16, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


...or exploit airtime to promote a new single, whatever: according to its website, R&B crooner R. Kelly will openly speak about his child pornography case for the first time on BET (Black Entertainment Television) this week.

As reported earlier, Kelly was accused in 2002 of making a sex tape with a 13 year old girl between 1998 and 2000.

The case took six years before going to trial earlier this year and the singer was acquitted on all 14 counts of child pornography that he faced.

Kelly, who hasn't spoken about the case during the past six years, will discuss the case and it's affects on his career and personal life on a BET special titled R. Kelly Speaks tomorrow (September 16).

If you have the spare time---and a cast-iron stomach--- the show will air at 10:00 p.m.(Eastern) tonight and Kelly will be interviewed by BET host and acclaimed journalist Toure. Windex is optional, but highly recommended.

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The entry "R. Kelly wants to tell his side of the story" is tagged: BET , R. Kelly


September 15, 2008


American Idol proves the ticket to theater

5:42 PM Mon, Sep 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

sample_LB14864.jpgSo with Taylor Hicks, Idol's fifth season winner, about to make his touring debut as the Teen Angel in a new theater production of Grease, we're starting to wonder if American Idol is producing musical theater actors more so than pop music stars? Clay Aiken (Spamalot), Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple) and Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray), among others, have all found success and mass acceptance under the velvet curtains. Maybe the show should be renamed Broadway Idol.

By the way, Mr. Hicks begins his six-month touring run as the Teen Angel Dec. 2 at the Providence Performing Arts center in Providence, Rhode Island.

Photo: Taylor in suave "Teen" mode (Larry Busacca/Getty Images).

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The entry "American Idol proves the ticket to theater" is tagged: Clay Aiken , Diana DeGarmo , Fantasia Barrino , Grease , Taylor Hicks



Love for new Metallica CD from diehard fans

3:55 PM Mon, Sep 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

7731197.jpgWith less than a week in stores and as a digital download, the new Metillica CD, Death Magnetic, has already generated 242 fan review comments on amazon.com (at the time of this blog post). Four out of five stars is the rating. So I guess most fans are loving it. Produced by Rick Rubin and heralded as a return to the Master of Puppets sound, Death Magnetic is for many a refreshing return to form after 2003's muddy St. Anger. Word is circulating that Death Magnetic will enter Billboard's pop albums chart with more than 500,000 copies sold the first week. Yes, Metallica mania is back!

Photo: The cryptic Death Magnetic cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Love for new Metallica CD from diehard fans" is tagged: amazon.com , Death Magnetic , Metallica , Rick Rubin


September 13, 2008


We were there: Dr. Dog at Lola's

1:29 PM Sat, Sep 13, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

At this point in American rock history, pundits love to search for "the next" band to replace ones that are still relevant. Call it tastemaking for the MTV era, where attention spans last as long as an album cycle if you're fortunate.

Wilco is such target, but one that makes some sense since Jeff Tweedy and his cohorts have been around for well more than a decade. My Morning Jacket is another, but what lasting legacy is there after just five or so years on the sonic radar screen?

Well, MMJ's Jim James did give Philadelphia's Dr. Dog its initial break in 2004. And if tastemaking's your thing, Dr. Dog is more than ready to represent the palette between MMJ and Wilco, if its tangy and toothsome 75-minute set at a beyond-sold-out Lola's Saloon in Fort Worth was representative.

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September 12, 2008


LL Cool J can still knock you out

5:49 PM Fri, Sep 12, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Mama_Said_Knock_You_Out_-_LL_Cool_J.jpgYes, I admit it. I'm an LL Cool J fan. Have been since the '80s. Anyway, spurred on by the very recent release of his newest disc, Exit 13, I popped in my copy of 1990's Mama Said Knock You Out. It's still way cool! New York's James Todd Smith managed to get street tough without losing sight of hooks, rhythms and rhymes. Aside from the great singles, "Around the Way Girl" and "Mama Said Knock You Out," I totally dig "Milky Cereal." It's suggestive without being completely sexist. To me, LL is one of the few rappers who transcended his sales heyday with integrity and artistry pretty much intact.

P.S. I just bought a copy of Exit 13 so I'll be playing that one soon.

Photo: Mama Said Knock You Out CD cover courtesy of Wikipedia.

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The entry "LL Cool J can still knock you out" is tagged: Def Jam , Exit 13 , LL Cool J , Mama Said Knock You Out



We Were There: Avett Bros. at the Granada

4:50 PM Fri, Sep 12, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Texans have fond memories of the Bad Livers, the late great Austin band (1990-2000) that blended bluegrass with punk and whatever else it felt like. Now, in the spirit of the Livers comes a punky new banjo band -- the Avett Brothers. Led by North Carolina's Seth and Scott Avett, the quartet played the Granada Theater last night and sold out the joint -- no small task for an act flying way below the radar. It was easy to see why they've developed a cult following. They put on a helluva show, complete with Clash-like leaps through the air and a cellist that carries around his instrument as he plays it. The Avetts' songwriting needs a little work, but they've got the mix of folk, country and punk just about perfect. Here's their video for "Paranoia in B Flat Major."

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The entry "We Were There: Avett Bros. at the Granada" is tagged: Avett Brothers , Bad Livers , Granada Theater


September 11, 2008


George Jones ready for his Kennedy Center Honors close-up

3:31 PM Thu, Sep 11, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12JonesC.JPGGeorge Jones, come on down! You're the next recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. The Ol Possom, considered by many to be the greatest living country singer, joins an elite group of country icons who have already won the prestigious award. Those include Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff and Willie Nelson.

The enduring Texan had this to say about the announcement:
"Since I was a young man, I have just done what I love and that is sing country music, and I never dreamed that something this special would happen to me."

In addition to Mr. Jones, other Kennedy Center honorees this year are Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, Twyla Tharp, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry.

The gala will be broadcast Dec. 7 on CBS-TV.

Photo: Way to go, Jones! (Louis DeLuca/DMN)

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The entry "George Jones ready for his Kennedy Center Honors close-up" is tagged: Barbra Streisand , George Jones , Kennedy Center Honors , Morgan Freeman



We Were There: Aventura and Enrique Iglesias

12:36 AM Thu, Sep 11, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

Images of flaming red lips flashed across the backdrop of the Nokia Theater stage Wednesday night as Aventura, the opening act for Enrique Iglesias, sang one of its hit songs, "Un Beso" to a crowd of screaming fans. Girls threw lingerie at Romeo, the band's lead singer, and hung up signs saying, "Will you marry me?" He responded by serenading a female fan on stage and singing sensual song lyrics to her as he gyrated his hips and gave her a kiss.

By the time Mr. Iglesias got on stage after Aventura's hour-long performance, it was just past 10 p.m. In almost every song he played -- "Bailamos," "Dimelo," "Hero" and more -- Mr. Iglesias pointed the microphone toward the audience and raised his arms, encouraging them to sing along. Toward the middle of his act, two couches, a table and a lamp were brought on stage. Mr. Iglesias and his band sat on the couches and talked to the crowd before inviting six fans on stage for some shots (poured by Iglesias), photos and hugs. Talk about making your fans feel at home ...

See the official review here
.

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September 10, 2008


Latin Grammy Nominations: It's all about Cafe Tacuba and Juanes, but...

10:08 PM Wed, Sep 10, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NAD_17garcia.JPGYes, yes...it's all about Mexico's Cafe Tacuba and Colombia's Juanes. Tacuba scored six Latin Grammy Awards nominations while Juanes snagged five of them. They did it with two exceptional albums, Sino and La Vida...Es Un Ratico, respectively. But let's talk about Puerto Rico's Kany Garcia, an impressive singer-songwriter whose debut CD, Cualquier Dia, was one of the best last year. Not only is she up for best new artist, but her disc is in the running for album of the year and the tune "Hoy Ya Me Voy" vies for song of the year. Way cool! And of course I need to mention Guatemala's Ricardo Arjona, one of the finest pop singer-songwriters of our time, who competes for best male pop vocal album with Quien Dijo Ayer.

For a full list of Latin Grammy Awards nominees, go to www.grammy.com. The ninth annual Latin Grammy Awards will be televised live from Houston Nov. 13 on the Univision Network.

Photo: Kudos for Kany! (Sony BMG Norte)

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The entry "Latin Grammy Nominations: It's all about Cafe Tacuba and Juanes, but..." is tagged: Cafe Tacuba , Juanes , Kany Garcia , Latin Grammy Awards , Ricardo Arjona



Country Music Association Nominations: It's all about Kenny, but...

3:59 PM Wed, Sep 10, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_chesney_04.JPGYes, yes...it's all about Kenny Chesney. He snagged the most CMA nominations - a total of seven, including entertainer of the year and album of the year for Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. But Kenny's a perennial CMA fixture, so his nods aren't exactly interesting or revelatory. Here's what made me go "hmmm..." The Horizon Award is no more. It's been renamed New Artist of the Year. More self-explanatory, I guess. I'm glad James Otto is one of the nominees. His Sunset Man is a great country soul disc. Also, Sugarland vies for five awards, including entertainer of the year. That's a first for the duo. The Eagles grab their first CMA nomination in more than 30 years in the vocal group of the year category. And yay! Alan Jackson's wonderful Good Time CD is up for album of the year. For a complete list of nominees go to the CMA website.

Catch the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. on ABC-TV.

Photo: It's all about Kenny! (William Deshazer/DMN)

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The entry "Country Music Association Nominations: It's all about Kenny, but..." is tagged: Alan Jackson , Country Music Association , Eagles , James Otto , Kenny Chesney , Sugarland



Oso Closo's amazing journey through 'Tommy'

11:47 AM Wed, Sep 10, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Last night, I caught the Dallas Theater Center's production of the Who's Tommy and was by impressed by just how well the Denton band Oso Closo pulled off a daunting task: Tommy isn't one of the Who's best works. Hell, it's not even its best rock opera -- that honor goes to 1973's Quadrophenia or (if you prefer brevity and kitsch) 1966's 9-minute "mini-opera" "A Quick One While He's Away." Oso Closo is also faced with the unenviable job of trying to replicate the work of rock's all-time greatest rhythm section (virtuoso bassist John Entwistle and madman drummer Keith Moon.) Yet in spite of the obstacles, the group shines through - not by mimicking the Who, but by taking a subtle approach that doesn't steal the actors' thunder. Any band can swing a machete through "Amazing Journey" or "I'm Free." Oso Closo is smart enough to use a scalpel. Tommy runs through Sept. 28. For more insight, check out Lawson Taitte's review.


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The entry "Oso Closo's amazing journey through 'Tommy'" is tagged: Dallas Theater Center , Oso Closo , The Who


September 9, 2008


Cool cover du jour: "Gone Gone Gone"

4:21 PM Tue, Sep 09, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss aren't the only ones to cover the Everly Brothers' '64 hit "Gone Gone Gone." We recently heard a wonderful a capella version by Tonic Sol-Fa on A Prairie Home Companion (it'll be on the group's next CD). Dig back far enough and you can also find versions by the Ventures and Fairport Convention. For a little historical perspective, here's a great clip of the Everlys singing "Gone Gone Gone" back in the day - dig those crazy dancers, man -- and here's the Plant & Krauss version.

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The entry "Cool cover du jour: "Gone Gone Gone"" is tagged: Alison Krauss , Everly Brothers , Robert Plant , Ventures


September 8, 2008


Lee Ann Womack again crafts a traditional country stunner

5:47 PM Mon, Sep 08, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1041453.jpgLee Ann Womack's upcoming CD, Call Me Crazy, is another traditional country stunner. Along the lines of 2005's award-winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece There's More Where That Came From, Call Me Crazy teams her with respected producer Tony Brown for a dozen tunes that prove country hasn't completely gone frothy pop. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb here and proclaim the Texas native the Tammy Wynette of our times. Like the late country queen, Ms. Womack has the ability to make pain, resignation and life-altering decisions sound so wonderfully melodic. She sings with the purity of Dolly Parton and the emotional heft of Tammy Wynette. Call Me Crazy arrives in stores Oct. 21.

One more thing: Dig that so retro cool CD cover!

Call Me Crazy cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Lee Ann Womack again crafts a traditional country stunner" is tagged: Call Me Crazy , Lee Ann Womack , MCA Nashville , Tony Brown


September 7, 2008


We were there: Kate Voegele at the Loft

10:59 PM Sun, Sep 07, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

kate.jpgRead the full review here

When you think about it, Kate Voegele's tour stop in Dallas on Sunday had all sorts of signs of the times posted around it.

The primary list: an online institute of higher learning (the University of Phoenix) sponsored the tour. Ms. Voegele -- who's supposedly taking U of P classes while caravaning around the country -- was the first signee to MySpace Records, the two-year-old recording arm of internet's most successul social networking site. The 21-year-old Ohio native's star has been charted through both that record deal (the MySpace hits have gone through the roof) and her springtime role as (what else?) a coming-of-age singer-songwriter on One Tree Hill, one of television's most ubiquitous song-placement productions.

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The entry "We were there: Kate Voegele at the Loft" is tagged: Kate Voegele , MySpace Records , One Tree Hill



We Were There: Squeeze at House of Blues

1:09 AM Sun, Sep 07, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips

As Squeeze performed Saturday night, a series of classic duos popped up on the video screen: Lennon and McCartney, Rowan and Martin, Tom and Jerry.
You can add Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook to that list. Touring for the first time since their '99 breakup, Squeeze's main men reminded fans at the House of Blues what extraordinary song-smiths and singers they can be.
The wide-ranging set was chock full of gems, including "Tempted," "Black Coffee in Bed," and a brilliant show-closing "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)."
Look for a full review in Monday's print edition, and online Sunday afternoon.


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The entry "We Were There: Squeeze at House of Blues" is tagged: Chris Difford , Glenn Tilbrook , House of Blues , Squeeze


September 6, 2008


We Were There: Augustana, Maroon 5 and Counting Crows

11:43 PM Sat, Sep 06, 2008 |  | 
Mallary Jean Tenore    E-mail  |  News tips

Maroon 5, the Counting Crows and opening act Augustana were in fine form Saturday night at Superpages.com Center. Maroon 5 played most of its hit songs, including "This Love," "Sunday Morning" and "Won't Go Home Without You." Girls in the crowd stood up and screamed as Adam Levine stayed true to form and performed the band's songs almost exactly as they sound on the radio.

The screams of young girls were largely absent from the Counting Crows' performance, which was characterized by subdued fans who sat and watched Adam Duritz's artistic presentation of the group's songs. He made it clear he wasn't there to just sing; he was there to emotionally engage the audience in songs that hinted at deeper meanings than their lyrics might suggest. The group played some of its classics, such as "Long December" and "Mr. Jones," as well as some tunes from its newest album, "Saturday Nights & Sunday Evenings."

Look for the full review here.

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The entry "We Were There: Augustana, Maroon 5 and Counting Crows" is tagged: Augustana , Counting Crows , Maroon 5



We were there: Toby Keith & Montgomery Gentry

12:14 AM Sat, Sep 06, 2008 |  | 
Joy Tipping/Staff Writer    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Energy, fun, fireworks and confetti (TONS of confetti) were the key components Friday night at Superpages.com Center, as opening act Montgomery Gentry and superstar Toby Keith took the stage. We also got a look at three promising new acts signed to Toby's Show Dog Records: Carter's Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir.

Montgomery Gentry's dozen-song opener was powerful and raucous, with particularly entertaining moments courtesy of Eddie Montgomery and his mike-stand-twirling antics. Mr. Montgomery's voice -- a shot of grizzled honey -- and wicked laugh propelled the set from merely "really good" to "totally excellent."

It was a hard act to follow, but headliner Toby Keith managed just fine, starting his hour-and-a-half set with the feisty "She's a Hottie." The crowd, for the most part, sang along with every song and never sat down. (Didn't see a single Dixie Chicks T-shirt, in case you were wondering.)

Read the full review here.

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The entry "We were there: Toby Keith & Montgomery Gentry" is tagged: Montgomery Gentry , Toby Keith


September 5, 2008


Good chart debut, bad publicity for SoL-Angel

8:44 AM Fri, Sep 05, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips

Solange Knowles' sophomore CD, SoL-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams, debuted at #9 On Billboards's 200 chart and is pleasing most of the critics, but one remains outspoken about her on-air temper tantrum with Fox reporter Monica Jackson, according to BlackVoices.com.

As you might remember, Solange was on a satellite tour last week promoting SoL- Angel... in various markets.

The 22-year-old singer appeared on the 'More' show, which is co-hosted by Jackson, and after the anchor introduced the singer on live television, Knowles attempted to check her for what she considered "not a very professional introduction."
She continued: "Please don't talk me into family and my brother-in-law's establishment."

The baffled host attempted to make nice with Knowles, despite being visibly confused by the singer's posture.

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The entry "Good chart debut, bad publicity for SoL-Angel" is tagged: Beyonce Knowles Carter , Solange Knowles


September 4, 2008


Slipknot's at No. 1 but with perhaps paltry figure

6:24 PM Thu, Sep 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_31slipknot.JPGSo Slipknot's All Hope Is Gone enters Billboard's pop albums chart at No. 1. That's not so surprising since the hardcore metal band's been a big seller for years. But the disc sold 239,516 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That number seems a little tepid, especially when you consider that rapper The Game's LAX landed at No. 2 with only 1,134 copies less. Is it just me or is Slipknot's popularity slipping? What do you metal fans out there think?

Photo: Those ominously masked Slipknot men (Paul Brown).

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The entry "Slipknot's at No. 1 but with perhaps paltry figure" is tagged: All Hope Is Gone , Billboard , Slipknot , The Game



Cancer charity single boasts big names

6:08 PM Thu, Sep 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

2008 Teen Choice Awards Show.JPGMariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge...is that enough star power for ya? All of these women will be part of the recording for "Just Stand Up," a charity single with proceeds earmarked for the Stand Up to Cancer effort. These women will debut "Just Stand Up" Friday (tomorrow) during Stand Up to Cancer, the one-hour commercial-free special that will air on ABC, CBS and NBC. The "Just Stand Up" single is available exclusively on iTunes.

Photo: Miss Mariah last month at the Teen Choice Awards (Chris Carlson).

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The entry "Cancer charity single boasts big names" is tagged: Beyonce , Carrie Underwood , Mariah Carey , Mary J. Blige , Melissa Etheridge , Rihanna , Sheryl Crow



We were there: Peter Frampton

9:15 AM Thu, Sep 04, 2008 |  | 
Dawn Burkes/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_20Frampton4.JPGBy Matt Weitz, Special Contributor

Peter Frampton may have been one of rock music's essential "missing men" following his long years of '60s journeyman rock labor, subsequent pop ubiquity (with 1976's Frampton Comes Alive!), and an almost-as-swift decline due in part to the execrable 1978 adaptation of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

It seems that now, however, things have come full circle: Upon his initial return to pop music a few years ago, he played Bass Hall, then eventually downgraded to Billy Bob's Texas. Currently he shows up every six months or so, serving the needs of his still-faithful fans in mid-size clubs like our own House of Blues.

If you're, say, ten years old and you woke up Wednesday night duct-taped to your bed with a sock stuffed in your mouth, you can almost certainly bet your parents were members of the host of fifty-somethings that comfortably filled the room at HOB.

Or maybe they sprung for a babysitter. It doesn't matter -- the important thing is that your folks got to party like it was 1979, all over again, for one sweet night.

Full review

(2007 Photo by Ricky Moon/Special Contributor)

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The entry "We were there: Peter Frampton" is tagged: House of Blues , news , Peter Frampton , shows


September 3, 2008


Play poker with country singer Andy Griggs Saturday night at Billy Bob's Texas

4:58 PM Wed, Sep 03, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NG_23Griggs.JPGCountry singer Andy Griggs takes the Billy Bob's Texas stage in Fort Worth Saturday night. But before that, he's ready for a game of poker. Mr. Griggs, who recently placed in the top 12% of the world series of poker, will be working the cards in Cowtown. If you arrive at Billy Bob's by 8:30 p.m. sign up for a chance to play poker with the Louisiana-born artist. He'll take the BBT platform at 10:30 p.m. For more info, go to the club's website.

Photo: Andy Griggs (Montage Music Group).

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The entry "Play poker with country singer Andy Griggs Saturday night at Billy Bob's Texas" is tagged: Andy Griggs , Billy Bob's Texas , Fort Worth



Flobots offer alternative hip-hop with message and inspiration

4:30 PM Wed, Sep 03, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Fight_with_tools.jpgSo I still have Flobots' "Handlebars" stuck in my head. The song, a crafty mix of hip-hop, rock and alternative pop, is incredibly infectious and oddly inspiring. Its lyrics, basically a pep talk in rap form, give the track an endearing quality. Fight With Tools, the third CD by Denver's Flobots, doesn't easily fit into any one category. Yes, it's hip-hop but with a rock edge instead of an R&B/funk swagger. The vibe of the entire disc is alternative in the sense that it sits slightly left of the norm. Other songs worth checking out from from the five-member Flobots are "There's a War Going On for Your Mind," "Never Had It" and "Anne Braden." There's still a deserved buzz going on about Fight With Tools.

Photo: Fight With Tools cover courtesy of Wikipedia.

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The entry "Flobots offer alternative hip-hop with message and inspiration" is tagged: Denver , Fight With Tools , Flobots , Handlebars



Madonna: Rabble-rousing tactic No. 416

12:12 PM Wed, Sep 03, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips


Madonna is up to her old rabble-rousing tricks, mixing images of Adolph Hitler with John McCain on her new world tour (Hmmm...wonder who she'll be voting for in November). Not so coincidentally, the segment leads into "Like a Prayer," which became infamous in '89 when Madge spiced up its video with hot-button images (burning crosses, stigmata) that had zilch to do with the lyrics. She's not coming to Dallas, but she'll play a sold-out show Nov. 19 at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

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The entry "Madonna: Rabble-rousing tactic No. 416" is tagged: Madonna , Minute Maid Park



Ne-Yo cashes in on absence from R. Kelly tour

9:10 AM Wed, Sep 03, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Green may be a great color, but jealousy is never a good look: according to an entertainment website, the promoter of R. Kelly's "Double Up Tour" is now paying close to million dollars to Ne-Yo for breach of contract after firing him as an opening act from his last tour for being, allegedly, too good.

Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Smith, alleged in a lawsuit filed Dec. 31 that Georgia-based Rowe Entertainment Inc. fired him after two shows as the opening act for Kelly's tour last year.

The company was unhappy that the audience and critics liked the plaintiff's performance more than they did that of the R&B singer Kelly, the suit maintained.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey signed a $700,320 default judgment against Rowe Entertainment for failing to respond to the lawsuit.

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The entry "Ne-Yo cashes in on absence from R. Kelly tour" is tagged: lawsuit , Ne-Yo , R. Kelly


September 2, 2008


Kid Rock doesn't need iTunes, thankyouverymuch

2:23 PM Tue, Sep 02, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Warner_Music_Group_Post-Grammy_Party.JPGDon't talk to Kid Rock about iTunes. You're liable to get his Southern gander up. He's enjoying radio and retail success with "All Summer Long" and its album, Rock N Roll Jesus, without either of them being available as digital downloads on iTunes, reports billboard.com. In fact, the Kid is rather, um, passionate about the subject.

"I remember being a kid when I heard a song that I liked, I would jump on the bus, ride to Detroit, get a $2.50 transfer and walk a mile to the hip-hop store to buy the new Eric B. & Rakim record. You're not going to stop people from obtaining what they want if it's available at some level."

Well said. Although his label, Atlantic Records, may thwart his bravado a bit. Rock N Roll Jesus is scheduled to be made available digitally on amazon.com, walmart.com, Rhapsody and bestbuy.com.

Photo: Kid Rock (Matt Sayles).

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The entry "Kid Rock doesn't need iTunes, thankyouverymuch" is tagged: All Summer Long , iTunes , Kid Rock , Rock N Roll Jesus



Little Big Town relaunch CD on new label, with more songs

1:56 PM Tue, Sep 02, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

littlebigtown05-x365.jpgThe good news is country band Little Big Town's stunning 2007 CD, A Place to Land, will get a second chance at success. The group is now signed to Capitol Nashville. They have acquired both discs they recorded for Equity Music Group, including 2005's breakthrough The Road to Here, and licensed them to Capitol. So come Oct. 14, A Place to Land will be rereleased with four additional tracks and new cover artwork. That's the bad news. We're going to lose that beautiful, '70s-inspired original cover of Land. Anyway, "Fine Line" is the first single on Capitol. It's a great song showcasing the quartet's stunning harmonies. Read more about the Land rerelease on billboard.com.

Photo: Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook and Kimberly Roads Schlapman of Little Big Town (courtesy of CMT.com).

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The entry "Little Big Town relaunch CD on new label, with more songs" is tagged: A Place to Land , Capitol Nashville , Equity Music Group , Little Big Town



More from Blues Fest: Wanda King and Mike Morgan

10:41 AM Tue, Sep 02, 2008 |  | 
Thor Christensen    E-mail  |  News tips


We were so busy raving about Bobby "Blue" Bland we ran out of space to mention the opening acts at Sunday night's Freddy King Blues Fest at the Granada Theater.
Singer Wanda King --- Mr. King's daughter and the show's organizer - performed a tight, jubilant set with a top-notch band featuring Dallas guitarist Texas Slim and keyboardist Christian Dozzler. Opening the show was another Big D guitar whiz, Mike Morgan, who channeled John Lee Hooker by way of Keith Richards in an inspired version of "Shake Your Hips." In a city full of excellent blues-rock guitarists, it's easy to overlook Mr. Morgan. But his set Sunday night reminded you he's one of Dallas' best.

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The entry "More from Blues Fest: Wanda King and Mike Morgan" is tagged: Freddie King , Mike Morgan & the Crawl , Wanda King


August 30, 2008


We were there: Edgar Winter unleashes his inner monster at House of Blues

12:16 AM Sat, Aug 30, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_29WINTER.JPGFor more than 10 minutes Edgar Winter and his three men band gave "Frankenstein" free reign of the House of Blues Music Hall stage Friday night. It was a monstrous tour-de-force. That may sound like a cliché, but it was true.

The 61-year-old classic rocker, still sporting his long white hair and beard on his albino skin, strapped keyboards around his neck and let his synthesizer wail. Then the drums pounded, the guitar was screaming and the bass was thumping. Before it ended, Mr. Winter had done a drum duel and played his trusty saxophone midway through the tune.

"Free Ride," with its killer guitar riff, was another huge highlight. But so were several tracks from his new CD, Rebel Road, including "The Power of Positive Drinkin'," "Texas Tornado" and the title cut.

For more of Edgar Winter's Friday night gig at the House of Blues, check out Sunday's GuideLive.

Photo: Edgar Winter jamming Friday at the House of Blues (Mona Reeder/DMN).

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The entry "We were there: Edgar Winter unleashes his inner monster at House of Blues" is tagged: Edgar Winter , Frankenstein , House of Blues , Rebel Road


August 29, 2008


Country duo Brooks & Dunn respond to Barack Obama using their song during Democratic Convention

2:56 PM Fri, Aug 29, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

CMA AWARDS.JPGKix Brooks, one half of country duo Brooks & Dunn, responds to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama using their song, "Only In America" last night during the Democratic National Convention:

"Seems ironic that the same song Bush used at the Republican Convention last election would be used by Obama and the Democrats now," Mr. Brooks said in a prepared statement. "Very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans."

Photo: Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks at the 40th annual Country Music Association Awards in 2006 (Mark Humphrey).


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The entry "Country duo Brooks & Dunn respond to Barack Obama using their song during Democratic Convention" is tagged: Barack Obama , Brooks & Dunn , Only In America



Solange flip-flops on sisterly support

9:20 AM Fri, Aug 29, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


O....kay: first Solange put a reporter on blast for even mentioning her sister Beyonce during a televised interview, but the next day, for another network, she lets Mama Tina AND Big Sis accompany her to the interview? What a difference a day makes!

Which one is it Ms. Knowles; either you want to become successful on your own, or you want to expoit the family ties for all they're worth. Make up your mind to be either SoL-Angel or Beyonce's Baby Sister, and try not to trip if your indecision throws people off. After all, isn't it ultimately about the music?

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The entry "Solange flip-flops on sisterly support" is tagged: Beyonce Knowles (Carter) , Solange Knowles , TIna Knowles


August 28, 2008


Fall in love with Leigh Jones' "Free Fall"

8:27 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


I know, I know, I know----hearing practically every other new performer being described as 'blue-eyed soul' is annoying and (in some cases) unwarranted, but this moniker clearly fits Peak Records' Leigh Jones. The California native, who's been taken under the wing of none other than Berry Gordy Jr. (yes, that Berry) and his son Kerry, display why they took the time with her first single, "Free Fall." This song is already in my phone, and trust me, one listen will get you hooked. Ms. Jones' debut CD, Music in My Soul, is scheduled to hit retail on Sep. 9.

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The entry "Fall in love with Leigh Jones' "Free Fall"" is tagged: blue-eyed soul , Leigh Jones , Peak Records



Oh no she didn't! Is lil' sis Solange already too big for her britches?

9:28 AM Thu, Aug 28, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Everybody is buzzing about how Solange Knowles calls herself snapping on a newcaster about bringing up Beyonce and Jay-Z before their televised interview about her new CD, but check this out; that portion never actually aired, so Solange gets all kinds of egg on her face, outs her sister's closely-guarded marriage secret (she refers to Hova as her "brother-in-law") and looks, quite frankly, like an entitled, spoiled brat (kudos on how the reporter, although confused, handled things by attempting to apologize and move on with the the story).

IMO, Solange does have some talent, but she knows good and well that she's used her association with Beyonce to her advantage personally and professionally, so why the attitude if someone does happens to bring her up? What she needs to do, beyond learning how to interview, is to check out how the world's most famous baby sister, Janet Jackson, graciously handled her constant comparisons to big brother Michael. It took time, but Janet's now accepted as her own woman and a great entertainer, something Solange won't accomplish if she persists with this uncalled for attitude.

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The entry "Oh no she didn't! Is lil' sis Solange already too big for her britches?" is tagged: Beyonce , Jay-Z , Solange Knowles



Queensryche to rock Nokia Theatre tonight

1:24 AM Thu, Aug 28, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

QUAEF0_x007E_1.jpgProgressive rockers Queensryche, fronted by master showman Geoff Tate, always put on a bigger-than-life show. These guys understand that the line separating heavy metal from arty theatrics is mighty blurry. So they up the ante every time, pretty much since unleashing 1988's ambitiously conceptual Operation: Mindcrime. And let's not forget the pop radio breakthrough, 1990's masterful power ballad "Silent Lucidity." While the group's commercial heyday is behind it, Mr. Tate and company haven't remained idle. No sir. In 2006 they released Operation: Mindcrime II (a sequel) and last year came Take Cover, a collection of fave songs from other artists such as Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine," the O'Jays' "For the Love of Money" and the Police's "Synchronicity II." Also, in 2007 the DVD Mindcrime at the Moore, chronicling the tour where the band performed both Mindcrime discs, was released.

Catch Queensryche tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. Ticket are $29.50-$49.50 through Ticketmaster.

Photo: Queensryche rocking it up onstage (Jeff Findley).

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The entry "Queensryche to rock Nokia Theatre tonight" is tagged: Geoff Tate , Nokia Theatre , Operation: Mindcrime , Queensryche , Take Cover


August 27, 2008


It's about down time: Main Street Live music fest

4:50 PM Wed, Aug 27, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

With all of the decentralization and cold-shouldered attention that the local pop music scene's been enduring lately, this development might be a sign that important folks are finally beginning to realize how rich it actually is:

DowntownDallas has partnered with the Granada Theater to present the AT&T Main Street Live Music Festival, a series of day-long, festival-style concerts to be held every other Saturday in Pegasus Plaza. Most of the acts are some of North Texas' top pop, rock and blues attractions, sprinkled around some Texas-wide bands and a couple of moderate national-level bookends.

The series, which will also feature food and drink vendors and a Farmers Market, uh, market, will run from 2 to 11 p.m. beginning Sept. 20, and admission will be free until 5 p.m. and $10 afterward.

Headliners for the first (Louis XIV) and last (Mae) dates don't have Texas ties, but everyone else does. Examples: The Orange, Calhoun and the Crash That Took Me (Sept. 20); Loaded Moses, the Feds and Fair to Midland (Oct. 4); the Drams, Record Hop, the Riverboat Gamblers (now in Austin, but formed in Denton) and the Reverend Horton Heat (Oct. 18); and Burning Hotels, the New Frontiers and Black Tie Dynasty (Nov. 1). Braaa-vo!



Add one more big country CD release to the growing list

1:34 PM Wed, Aug 27, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

BC_LBOE_Cvr_LOres.jpgCountry-pop pin-up Billy Currington releases his third album, Little Bit of Everything, Oct. 14. The disc, which follows 2005's million-selling breakthrough Doin' Something Right, features the first single, "Don't." Everything boasts a dozen tracks and production by Carson Chamberlain and Mr. Currington. The sound? We'll let Billy tell you: "People kept asking what kind of music they'd hear on this next album, whether it was going to be R&B, pop, country or rock, and I seemed to keep saying the same thing. It's going to be a little bit of everything, I guess!"

Well, alrighty then. Mr. Currington is best known for his steamy video of "We Must Be Doin' Something Right," where he's scantily clad and writhing on the sand with a voluptuous model.

Photo: Cover of Little Bit of Everything courtesy of Mercury Nashville.

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The entry "Add one more big country CD release to the growing list" is tagged: Billy Currington , Doin' Something Right , Little Bit of Everything , Mercury Nashville



Edgar Winter talks about the music biz yesterday and today

1:18 PM Wed, Aug 27, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_25Winter.JPGBeaumont native Edgar Winter, the rock 'n' roller who fused classic rock with synthesizers back in the '70s when it wasn't so common, has this to say about his new CD, Rebel Road, and the state of the music industry today:

"The idea of Rebel Road, the concept behind the title, came from a lot of biker shows that we do. Bikers and rockers have a good deal in common. We're not 9 to 5-ivers. The open road is a symbol of freedom. That's what music is all about. That's what the '70s were all about. I'm not going to be told who I am and how I'm supposed to live. ...It's not just a biker song. It's a perfect metaphor for the music that's being created. The thing that makes the '70s so special is the idea that it wasn't commercial. That makes that time very different from what's going on today. I was trying to set aside all those considerations and make an album that I wanted to make. I get tired of hearing artists today complain about being so commercial because as far as I'm concerned it is up to the artist to maintain the integrity of their music."

For more on Edgar Winter, who performs at the House of Blues Friday, check out my story in GuideLive tomorrow.

Photo: Edgar Winter circa 2008 (Neil Zlozower).

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The entry "Edgar Winter talks about the music biz yesterday and today" is tagged: Beaumont , Edgar Winter , House of Blues , Rebel Road


August 26, 2008


Kenny Rogers celebrates '50 Years' at Cracker Barrel

5:56 PM Tue, Aug 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

KRcover.jpgKenny Rogers, who recently turned 70, shares his festivities with Cracker Barrel. Hey, the food's good. Anyway, Kenny Rogers: 50 Years, a compilation of hits such as "The Gambler," "Lucille" and "Coward of the County," is on sale now exclusively at Cracker Barrel Country Store. The disc also includes three new songs -- "She'll Believe In You," "Something's Wrong in Vegas" and "Only Time Will Tell" -- all produced by the renowned Tony Brown. Kenny Rogers: 50 Years, selling for $11.99, joins exclusive Cracker Barrel titles by Josh Turner, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin and Alison Krauss & Union Station, among others.

Photo: Kenny Rogers: 50 Years cover courtesy of www.crackerbarrel.com.

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The entry "Kenny Rogers celebrates '50 Years' at Cracker Barrel" is tagged: 50 Years , Cracker Barrel , Kenny Rogers , Lucille



Jennifer Hudson to sing National Anthem at Democratic Convention

11:50 AM Tue, Aug 26, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

US-OSCARS-ARRIVALS.JPGAccording to Access Hollywood, Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson will perform the National Anthem Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. She'll do it at the request of Senator Barack Obama when he formally accepts the party's nomination for president, said a press release from Access Hollywood. Ms. Hudson's long-awaited debut CD, a self-titled project, will be released Sept. 30. Her next movie, The Secret Life of Bees, comes out Oct. 17. The film also stars Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning.

Photo: Jennifer Hudson at the Oscars in February (Valerie Macon).

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August 25, 2008


Is Dido the new Sade?

12:15 PM Mon, Aug 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

FRANCE_NRJ_AWARDS.JPGSo London's enigmatic, haunting, dreamy singer-songwriter Dido is starting to emulate the equally elusive Sade. Well, at least when it comes to CD releases. Dido's upcoming third studio album, Safe Trip Home, arrives in stores Nov. 4. That's five years after her last disc, 2003's Life for Rent. Her solo debut, No Angel, was released in 1999. In nearly a decade, Dido has recorded just three studio efforts. She's got a bit to go before she ties Sade -- who thus far has a mere five studio projects in 16 years --but Dido's on her way. For a free download of Dido's "Look No Further," a track from Safe Trip Home, go to www.didomusic.com.

Photo: Dido in 2004 (Lionel Cironneau).

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Projekt Rev: Chris Cornell, continued

7:00 AM Mon, Aug 25, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Back in 2007, I gave ex-Soundgarden/Audioslave singer Chris Cornell's second solo CD, Carry On, a reasonably positive review (generally, reviews were mixed on the album). Though it lacked any strong singles beyond "You Know My Name" (the theme from the James Bond movie Casino Royale), I called it a watershed work because of its subtle and playful reimagining of 1970s and 80s pop rock and soul.

Somehow, Mr. Cornell saw the review and thought well enough of it to request an informal meeting Saturday at the Projekt Revolution tour.

What was supposed to be a hey-thanks, great-to-meet-you, two-minutes-tops rendezvous backstage turned into a 13-minute discussion about art, music as escapism, technology, and the effect of place and experience on expression.

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Upcoming big country music CD releases

12:31 AM Mon, Aug 25, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

51wux19DBRL__SL500_AA240_.jpgFall is fast approaching, and soon after that, the Christmas season. Can you tell? That explains the list of upcoming high profile country CD releases. It begins with Jessica Simpson's country debut, Do You Know, which is out Sept. 9. Kenny Chesney drops a deluxe fan edition of his new CD, Lucky Old Sun, Oct. 14. Come Oct. 28, we'll get Rascal Flatts' first compilation, Greatest Hits Volume 1, which will contain a limited edition second disc of three newly recorded Christmas songs. Also coming up: Fresh music by Patty Loveless (Sept. 9), Lee Ann Womack (Oct. 21) and Brad Paisley (Nov. 4). There'll probably be even more. Stay tuned.

Photo: Miss Jessica's CD cover courtesy of amazon.com.


August 23, 2008


Projekt Rev: Er, wrong band

11:33 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

I thought maybe this wasn't Ashes Divide. It's too punky, too guttural, too, well, tribal.

Sure enough, the band performing is experimental techno-punk percussionists Street Drum Corps, which was originally supposed to open the Revolution Stage on this tour. Then, it got moved up to close that side stage just before the tour started a few weeks ago.

And now, it's breaking in the Main Stage. Pretty darned commendably and forcefully, I might add ... but I cant help but think "Punk Stomp" when I see these guys. Meh ...

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Projekt Rev: Jailbreak!

11:24 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Atreyu finished on the parking lot-simmered Revolution Stage at 5:05 p.m. Ten minutes later, a rush of fans stormed the lawn on its south side.

Whether they were allowed to do so is unknown. But it's not exactly a controlled way to begin letting patrons take their places, even on the general-admission lawn.

Two minutes later, the queue for the reserved seats started moving S-L-O-W-L-Y, since tix had to be checked, one by one. One line, two or thee ticket ushers, at least a couple of thousand people.

Seven or eight minutes later, Ashes Divide Street Drum Corps (!) starts its set more than 20 minutes EARLY.

Kind of nuts, people. Kind of nuts ... well, at least the line's orderly. Lots of frowns around, though.



Projekt Rev: A reassessment

11:02 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

OK, I have to give Atreyu proper props. Though Alex Varkatzas is struggling with range and projection, both he and his bandmates' energy is highly commendable

Of the bands that have emerged out of Southern California's hard-core and screamo scene, Atreyu is, in my estimation, the most charismatic and talented. Avenged Sevenfold may have more chops, style and swagger, but Atreyu majorly trumps it in honesty, effort and positivity. No, it may not last quite as long as A7X, but it's still worthy of memory.

Keep that copy of Lead Sails Paper Anchor for a few years, kids. In, say, 2013, listen to it before A7X's recent self-titled release. Betcha think the former's better. Because it is.

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Projekt Rev: Curiousities

10:35 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

I arrived at the Dallas stop of Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution Tour about 45 minutes ago to find some telling things.

First off, attendance is paltry for the afternoon portion, which started at 1 p.m. For a concert of this size, four grand (that's my estimate) is troubling - and maybe half that are taking in California metal band Atreyu's poor set. Alex Varkatzas appears to have lost most of his voice; Lucky for him, he's being good natured about it on stage -- and that this is the tour's second-to-last stop.

The other two grand are waiting for the ampitheater to open. That's right: it's been closed for show prep for the main stage the entire 95-degree-and-humid-as-heck afternoon. Not cool. Literally.

Oh, and to those folks who were complaining about the $4.50 price of bottled water at Ozzfest a couple of weeks ago? It's a relative bargain here: just $4 (and that's Superpages.com Center's standard price)!

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Projekt Rev: Holy Cornell!

9:01 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Just now, Jesus Christ Pose(d). Wow.

Former Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell blew the roof off of Superpages.com Center with a set that was far and waaay away better than any of his recent turns in Dallas.

But be warned: his upcoming new CD, Scream, is not what most will expect from him. (Hint: it was co-written and produced by none other than hip hop superproducer Timbaland).

But even the two new synth-assisted (!!!) cuts that Mr. Cornell performed tonight - "Watch Out" and "Scream" - had a fire about them that's been missing from his shows for years. Plus, the duet he did on "Hunger Strike" with Linkin Park's Chester Bennington was darned cool. Interesting note: Mr. Bennington handled Mr. Cornell's screams on the chorus of the Temple of the Dog track, while Mr. Cornell sang the lower registers originally done by Eddie Vedder.

Mr. Cornell looked like he's been reborn at age 44. More about that later, so stay tuned ...



Projekt Rev: bodies and T-shirts

7:44 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Attendance here has now become respectable; I'd say that about 11 to 12,000 are present. That's mean that about seven grand or so were either smart or otherwise occupied and stayed away until the storms that are in the area cooled things off a bit. No rain here yet, but it's been threatening.

You can always tell how diverse a crowd is by the variety of band shirts that are being worn - not for the acts playing the actual concert, but for others. The variety here - from Snoop Dogg to Dropkick Murphys and Dimmu Borgir to Michael Jackson - is naturally telling.

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Projekt Rev: the Bravery

7:09 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

I've never warmed to this act much. It's too faux-British, too contrived, too, well ... I'll put it this way: it's retro-pop just feels overblown.

However, I have to say that live, the band appears more chummy and organic. It looks like it's having fun, and the delivery of its Oasis-by-way-of-Duran Duran power pop is calming. Boy, these guys spout off one singalong chorus after another singalong chorus ... and then another ... and another ....

What puzzles me is why it's on this tour. This is a mainstream rock tour, not a hipster-hyped next-big-thing blowout. Then again, the Bravery HAVE had a top 10 Modern Rock hit. Is the paradigm changing? Yes, but it's not ruled by Brittania. Yet (I know that I'll rue that day).

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Projekt Rev: Ashes Divide

6:17 PM Sat, Aug 23, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

It's pretty easy to describe this band's music: a more mature and atmospheric 30 Seconds to Mars.

And since that Jared Leto-led act's gonna be a while releasing a follow-up to A Beautiful Lie (y'all've heard about Virgin's asenine $30 million lawsuit against the band for failure to deliver a new record on time, I hope), it's perfectly acceptable to migrate your 30STM fan-dom to this act.

Granted, Billy Howerdel doesn't have Mr. Leto's celebrity rep, nor his looks, nor his charisma. But the reserved and introspective Mr. Howerdel wasn't exactly a natural match to be Tool's guitar tech, much less the musical brains behind A Perfect Circle, either.

That said, there's a natural relationship between APC and Ashes musically. This is more obvious and less presumptious stuff ... and it's being performed with precision and nobility.

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August 20, 2008


From ex-manager: Rihanna in need of a wider financial "Umbrella," ella, ella, eh eh eh...

6:12 PM Wed, Aug 20, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


....if the reports circulating the web are correct. Apparently, Rihanna's now ex-business manager, Patricia Willliams, says that Rihanna is blaming her for mismanaging funds when it's her own fault for not checking her label and the fine print.

MS. Williams, who says that she was terminated "for no good reason, all in ignorance" and is "livid" with Rihanna & her management company Rebel One's decision, disclosed that Rihanna recently met with Willliams to check on her accounting affairs and was shocked to see that almost all her money was missing. She instantly accused Willliams of "stealing her money."

"I'm a professional Business Manager, I have a staff of more than a dozen, I have worked for many high profile actors, musicians and multi-million dollar corporations. Why would I steal from Rihanna?" She continues, "I showed her all the paperwork and tried to explain to her the circumstances but she wouldn't listen. She called me all sorts of horrible names and stormed off. I now feel compelled to share with the world the background story as I will not allow my name to be slandered.

Want some eye-popping details? read on....

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August 19, 2008


Tuesday's disc debuts

4:04 AM Tue, Aug 19, 2008 |  | 
Bridgette Williams/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Give us your take on new CDs by Staind and The Dandy Warhols and on Thor Christensen's review of the new Toadies disc, No Deliverance.

Find it all here.

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The entry "Tuesday's disc debuts" is tagged: CD reviews , Staind , the Dandy Warhols , Toadies


August 18, 2008


Ozzfest 2008: The numbers of the beast

3:16 PM Mon, Aug 18, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Ozzfest, the thunderous metal music festival that was held at Pizza Hut Park on Aug. 9 as a one-day, one-time destination event for 2008, recently announced that it grossed about $3.5 million.

Let's see. Divide that by an approximate attendance figure -- let's go with 29,500 -- and that's just short of $119 a person. Sounds about right to me, considering that tickets started at about $80 and the lines in 95-degree heat at PHP's vendor booths were prodigious throughout the 13-hour event.

That figure's no doubt bolstered by the $4.50 cost for a 20-ounce bottle of water at Ozzfest, which generally didn't allow attendees to bring in fluids of any sort. A number of folks were angered by that, believing that water should be free in such conditions since it's, you know, required to stay alive and all.

But think about it: if water's given away or allowed in, that would negatively affect the sales of other beverages, too. Bottled water can be a weapon as well (that's the reason you don't get to keep the cap if you buy anything bottled at a concert). And it was available free to the brave folks in the pits.

Seriously: conservative Frisco isn't progressive Austin, and Ozzfest isn't the Austin City Limits Music Festival (during which water is given away). Why would Ozzfest slap a dam on a perfect supply-and-demand-forged revenue stream?

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August 17, 2008


Tejano Music Convention 2008: It's a wrap

3:39 PM Sun, Aug 17, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

1146.jpgAt Sunday afternoon's Tejano fan fair and expo, the final event of the 2008 Tejano Music National Convention at the Hyatt Regency, Dallas-based Conjunto Prestigio greeted fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures. They took the stage at Saturday's fan fair and expo; Sunday was all about mingling with the admirers.

"Hopefully we can do it again," said Joaquin Rivera, 26, about the band's participation in the fifth annual convention held for the first time in Dallas after four years in Las Vegas. He stood next to his three band mates. "We want the tradition of the music to keep on. We want to keep Tejano alive for the young people of the future."

David Chavez, executive producer of the three-day event, remained pleased with the turnout. He said between 4,400 and 5,000 people attended. Because people could buy a single day ticket, a three-day pass or slip in and out free at the fan fair and expo, it's difficult to get an accurate count, he said.

"It was the fifth anniversary," said Mr. Chavez. "We had to impress the market. We had to be more than just going to any local festival or club. Everyone made fun of me for booking every artist in Texas. But we had to make a statement."

Stay tuned: The Tejano Music National Convention comes back to Dallas in 2009.

Photo: Conjunto Prestigio (Courtesy of the band's myspace page).


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August 16, 2008


Tejano Music Convention 2008: Joe Posada, Sunny Sauceda deliver the goods

10:44 PM Sat, Aug 16, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_16posada2_134038.JPGSan Antonio-native Joe Posada, the saxophonist who merges jazz with old-school Tejano, was the man with the moxie Saturday night at the Dallas Convention Center. Onstage he was decked out in a dapper black suit, white shirt, pink tie and a fedora hat. His shiny, golden sax constantly hung from a strap around his neck. That elegant demeanor matched his music. His five-piece band featured accordionist Sunny Sauceda, who worked the squeezebox in his trademark jeans, black T-shirt and two-toned biker gloves. Add his bald head, dark goatee and sunglasses for an imposing stance, even if the guy's not exactly tall. Guests during the set included vocalists Joe Jama, one of the original members of the Royal Jesters, and David Marez, the robust singer from Tejano's '90s glory days.

Photo: Joe on the sax and Sunny on the squeezebox (Rex C. Curry/Special to the DMN).

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Tejano Music Convention 2008: Los Garcia Brothers zoot suit it up

10:05 PM Sat, Aug 16, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12losgarciabrothers.JPGIt's all about the image, baby. Take Los Garcia Brothers, the rhythmic conjunto quartet that played the Tejano music dance Saturday night at the Dallas Convention Center. These guys are always splashy in those colorful zoot suits, especially the bassist and lead vocalist who loves wearing a tall feather in his hat. They are super cool to watch. During "Pachuco," a staple from the outfit's repertoire that arrived at the end of the set, the quartet slid and swayed to the heavy accordion beat. Conjunto, for those not familiar with the term, is the more organic, country cousin to Tejano's slicker urban style.

Photo: Those groovy Garcia Brothers (Kevin Crawford).

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August 15, 2008


Tejano Music Convention 2008: Don't miss Shelly Lares tonight

5:21 PM Fri, Aug 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_12lares.JPGI'm not sure if fans are still calling her "Little Miss Dynamite," a nickname from early in her career, but the petite Shelly Lares remains a dynamo onstage. The San Antonio native is the complete package -- she can belt a tune, strap on an instrument and entertain a crowd with her vivacious personality. Don't miss her in concert tonight at the Dallas Convention Center. She's part of the showcase featuring Avizo, Jimmy Edward, members of Malo and headliner Jay Perez, Tejano's R&B styled vocalist. For more info, go to www.tejanoticket.com.

Photo: Super Shelly (Kevin Crawford).

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Tejano Music Convention 2008: The state of the industry

4:30 PM Fri, Aug 15, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_14tejano1_134010.JPGTejano music isn't dead. It's just struggling, like just about any other genre of music these days. That was the gist gathered from "Tejano Music Today: State of the Industry," a seminar held Friday afternoon at the Hyatt Regency. It kicked off the 2008 Tejano Music National Convention. Five panelists informed a small but dedicated audience: Sunny Sauceda, Grammy-winning Tejano artist; Casey Monahan, director of the Texas Music Office in Austin; David Garcia Jr., entertainment attorney; Gilbert Velasquez, record producer and engineer; and Latin music writer Ramiro Burr, who served as moderator. The main topics were the Internet, digital downloads, copyright laws, promotion, lack of radio airplay, the Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards as a way to reach audiences. To avert diminishing spins at radio, artists should make sure their music is available at iTunes, Rhapsody and "any other online source you can find," said Mr. Burr. But yes, Tejano certainly isn't dead. Artists, especially newcomers, can still enjoy record sales and packed concerts even if radio turns its collective head.

Photo: From left, Mr. Velasquez, Mr. Sauceda and Mr. Burr at the Hyatt Regency Friday afternoon (Rex C. Curry/Special to the DMN).

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The entry "Tejano Music Convention 2008: The state of the industry" is tagged: Casey Monahan , iTunes , Ramiro Burr , Rhapsody , Sunny Sauceda , Tejano Music Convention


August 14, 2008


Young saxophonist Evan Knight earns adult praise

5:47 PM Thu, Aug 14, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Reminiscence_web.jpgSyracuse-based saxophonist Evan Knight, who's played with Benny Mardones and has performed at the prestigious Lincoln Center in New York City, recently garnered praise from soulful sax man Kirk Whalum. Mr. Whalum said this of Mr. Knight's CD, Reminiscence:

"Evan Knight! Positive proof that the beat goes on! What's the beat? It's the heartbeat of real people who want and need to be impacted by what's in our souls -- not what's expected from radio consultants. This is really good music. He's only at the beginning though (exciting huh!) so stay tuned."

Mr. Knight, a mere 22-years-old, is on his way to what seems to be a bright career. Learn more by checking out his website and his myspace page.

Photo: Reminiscence CD cover courtesy of Evan Knight.


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P. Diddy: One for the "Too Much Information" files

6:49 AM Thu, Aug 14, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


According to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, he excels in more than just the entertainment industry.

When asked by New York News Magazine what untested Olympic sports category he could get the gold in, he replied, in all seriousness, "Who could have sex the longest. I think that's an event I can do well in. And probably who could stay up the longest. Just so you know, that's supposed to be funny, even though I am serious."

Al-righty then! And who would he compete against? "Whoever's up for the challenge."

Who, pray tell, would be the judge: his alleged flame of the moment Cassie, or his long-suffering baby mama, Kim Porter? if such a competition ever does go down in this lifetime (ew!), let's hope for that revolution to never be televised....

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Ring the alarm: Solange 'decided' to keep crazed fan onstage

6:11 AM Thu, Aug 14, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Wow, I've got to say that I'm impressed with this clip: during a recent live performance of "I Decided," the Neptunes-poduced Dance and R&B/Hip-Hop hit (from the upcoming CD, Sol-angel and the Hadley Street Dreams), Solange Knowles and her pair of background singers are giving the crowd polish and panache when a male fan appears at stage left, openly gawks at Ms. Knowles and even dances with her during the latter half of the song. To their credit, security does bum-rush the man (who does seem a little touched, if you know what I mean), but Solange shoos them away with "he ain't hurtin' nobody!" and keeps right on performing. Go 'head Girl!

Peek the disturbance around the three minute mark and tell the truth: if you were Solange, would you have handled things differently?

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August 13, 2008


Merle Haggard in Bob Wills documentary

4:33 PM Wed, Aug 13, 2008 |  | 
Michael Granberry/Reporter    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

ngl_03Haggard1.JPG

During Merle Haggard's recent concert at 420-seat Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas, a young man with a video camera kept approaching the stage and shooting the show. But he had permission. Drew Wilson is filming the documentary Bob Wills Ain't Dead, whose interviews include Mr. Haggard, whose own career was greatly influenced by Mr. Wills. Merle agreed to be a part of the film but has also allowed Mr. Wilson's young daughter Savannah to sing on stage with him and the Strangers. It turns out Savannah knows Bob Wills' classic tune "Faded Love." "We are all changed from the experience of traveling the road with this legend," Mr. Wilson writes of Mr. Haggard in a recent e-mail. Click the video link below to view a portion of what Mr. Wilson has filmed:

Photo: Merle Haggard performing at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas

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Melissa Lawson makes her Grand Ole Opry debut

4:25 PM Wed, Aug 13, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_08nashvillestar2.JPGDalworthington Gardens resident and Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson sings at Nashville's historic Grand Ole Opry Saturday. Her performance will be televised on Great American Country's Opry Live! between 8 and 9 p.m. The wife and mother of five with the beautiful, lived-in voice debuted at No. 49 on Billboard's country singles chart with "What If It All Goes Right." She also sang at the Olympics in Beijing Tuesday. She'll be recording her first album with producer John Rich this fall.

Photo: Melissa at home with sons Zaden, 4 (front), Xander, 2 (back), and Maverick, 8 (far right). (Lara Solt/DMN)

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August 12, 2008


Jessica Simpson added to State Fair of Texas concert lineup

10:53 AM Tue, Aug 12, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Music_Jessica_Simpson.JPGTexan Jessica Simpson, who has roots in Waco, Abilene and Richardson, will take the 2008 Chevrolet Main Stage at the State Fair of Texas Oct. 17. Her headlining performance at Fair Park underscores her move from pop to country. Miss Jess' debut country single, the fun, effervescent "Come On Over," continues to do well on the charts. Her first country CD, Do You Know?, will arrive in stores Sept. 9. For more info on all of the featured State Fair concerts, go to www.bigtex.com.

Photo: Jessica Simpson at Nashville's CMA Music Festival in June (Bill Waugh).

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August 11, 2008


Remembering Isaac Hayes, circa 1977-1981

7:02 PM Mon, Aug 11, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

590062.jpgThe sad and sudden death of soulful pioneer Isaac Hayes made me reach for my copy of 1996's The Best of the Polydor Years, a compilation of the deep-voiced artist's output from 1977-1981. During that period he reinvented himself, merging his smooth and sexy baritone and penchant for thick R&B grooves with disco, the kind of sultry, real-instruments disco his buddy Barry White popularized. Of course, the signpost of that era is "Don't Let Go," his R&B and pop crossover hit that brought him back to prominence. The song still packs a salacious punch thanks to the wicked rhythm, the seductive female background vocals and Mr. Hayes' buttery pipes. Other standouts: "Moonlight Lovin' (Menage A Trois)" and "A Few More Kisses to Go." Both ooze dance floor temptation.

Photo: The Best of the Polydor Years cover courtesy of cduniverse.com.

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The entry "Remembering Isaac Hayes, circa 1977-1981" is tagged: Barry White , Don't Let Go , Isaac Hayes , Polydor Years


August 9, 2008


Ozzfest 2008: Sigh ...

11:34 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Sevendust. Again: same ol' same ol'. Singer Lajon Witherspoon looked a tad more spent and beaten down than usual (and that's saying something: he's stout as singers go). And the music? Do I HAVE to repeat myself?

Hellyeah's throwing out its usual too-much-talk-and-not-enough-rock set. Chad Gray's voice is in top shape' though, and the band is thick (It's version of "Nausea" right now is phenomenal). As trite as tributes to Dimebag Darrell are these days, the one about to happen should be a hellacious treat ... especially since folks are much, much more tipsy in general than they were just a couple of hours ago ...

...OK Mr. Gray is screaming too much now. Restraint, man, restraint!



Ozzfest 2008: Mr. Davis being himself

10:51 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Well, considering what Korn's Jonathan Davis has dealt with the past few years - near death, two despondent bandmates, a flat-out poor last Korn CD that flopped - it's no wonder he wants to do a bit of his own thing.

But you know, dressing in dapper all-black, sitting on a red crushed-velvet-upholstered throne and hiring some eclectic musicians (including an upright bassist, a guy that plays a double-necked electric violin, and Booker T. Washington grad Zac Baird on keyboards) is not enhancing Mr. Davis' stature. Especially when almost all of the songs are dialed-down Korn rehashes.

Mr. Davis' voice does sound OK, and he's quite active on stage in spurts (i.e. when his backside's off that throne). But this is ... uh ... eclectic. That's the best I can come up with now. And Mr. Davis would probably consider that light praise. Maybe it is ... I've gotta sleep on this ...

"Kick the P.A." indeed.

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Ozzfest 2008: About the ground(s)

10:33 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Yes, the moving of the side stages from the concrete east parking lot to the adjacent undeveloped ground was good. The condition of it, though, is not.

Giant cracks up to a foot deep, caused by the unrelenting sun combined with relatively little summer rain, zigzag across the area. They're worst where the midway of Ozzfest is set up, between the stadium and the side stages and slightly to the south

I've seen nothing serious there yet, but I can just imagine some inebriated yahoo messing up an ankle or a knee BAD after stepping in one of those. Eeek. I shiver just thinking about that.

Speaking of slightly south: the breeze is coming from that direction, making the best spots to hear the side stage bands slightly north of front. Why? The sound's moving downwind!

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Ozzfest 2008: EXPLOSIVES! YEAH!

9:47 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

I lied: I had to post one more item.

So Ozzy went 35 minutes late. But he made up for it with a neat little fireworks show afterward. Really! They set off a bunch of 'em behind the north side of the stadium.

So festive. Yay. Now bring out the freakin' Mighty Met already!

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Ozzfest 2008: Max is Max

9:46 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

That's always been said of the ex-Sepultura front man. You know: the kind who always marches to his own drum beat (and that's an apt metaphor, considering how Sepultura revolutionized the rhythms of metal almost 20 years ago).

But here, he's proving himself truly nutty. He's playing on the Main Stage with Cavalera Conspiracy in full freakin' fatigues; only during the last vitriolic, loud-as-heck song did he mercifully shun his combat-weight coat.

At least the set's insane, and he's representing his country better here than most Brazilians are likely to at the Beijing Olympics: he's playing a guitar with the Brazilian flag emblazoned on the body, and an amp stack's shrouded in another flag. Nice!

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The entry "Ozzfest 2008: Max is Max" is tagged: Cavalera Conspiracy , Max Cavalera , Sepultura



Ozzfest 2008: Not coming home yet

9:36 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Ozzy's blown the template. Things stayed rigidly on schedule until his set, which is now on its encore - "Mama, I'm Coming Home," complete with a Gibson double-neck guitar over Zakk Wylde's beefy shoulders - but the set's run almost 30 minutes long at this point.

That means the Mighty Met won't go on until at least 10:10 ... and its allotted 90 minutes will run close to midnight. So ... this'll be my last post of the evening, since I've got to write the formal review for the print product tomorrow.

Rock on ... Ozzfest 2008 will, if today is an indication. It's been quite a high-quality ride ...

... Oh boy. A second encore song: "Paranoid." Please tell me that Metallica hasn't gone prissy on this crowd ...

... (actually, no: Ozzy's P.R. rep told me that Ozzy, well, felt a need to play longer than Metallica would. Read into that what you will!)

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Ozzfest 2008: Drowning Pool

9:16 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Call it being afraid of the deep end, call it knowing how well you can swim - but for what Drowning Pool is, it's not bad. Good power, good conviction, good energy and great charisma are all evident, even with the Texas Stage's sound cutting out at times and the now-respectable breeze causing the sound to waft like a column of smoke.

5,000 attendees are attentively taking the band's set in: that's far beyond the 500 or so that showed up at the Palladium in December to see the act. Looks like its niche - cathartic pro-military cheerleading - is paying off.

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Ozzfest 2008: D'oh!

9:08 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Well, the MC on the side stages made a fool of himself, didn't he?

The KDGE-FM DJ - I forget his name, and frankly I don't really give a hoo-ha, especially since he's got an East Coast accent - spent two minutes introducing who Sharon Osbourne calls "The official mayor of Ozzfest" - Dez Fafara of DevilDriver - and he was supposed to be setting up Dallas' own Drowning Pool. Or: the official metal band of the U.S Armed Forces (not really, but it may as well be).

I caught a bit of Massachusetts metalcore act Shadows Fall on the Main Stage earlier. Brian Fair's dreads are a long as ever. But the band's set was the same ol' same ol'. Ditto for metal cello trio Apocalyptica, which doesn't translate nearly as well on a huge fest stage as it did at House of Blues a few weeks ago. Maybe that's why the Mighty Met didn't join 'em onstage? Or maybe not ... Metallica's still above making cameos in tribute acts, after all, hehe ...



Ozzfest 2008: Grass is a blast

8:51 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Oh, stop! Not that grass ...

Lawn grass. On a summer day, it's your friend. And Ozzfest realizes that.

Unlike Edgefest and most other concert events held at Pizza Hut Park, the stadium's playing field isn't covered by that springy, seam-riddled white plastic covering here. The field is blissfully nude, thus making it fairly cool to sit on as well as infinitely more comfortable.

In addition, both side stages are set up on dirt instead of on pavement. Smart move, Ozzfest ... as are the 50-foot-long mister tents, which makes Warped Tour's single square mist shelter look like a toddler's wading pool.

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Ozzfest 2008: The Sword

8:43 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

I just finished a short conversation with Austin fantasy metal band the Sword, which is headlining the Texas Stage in about two hours.

But that's not the coolest thing. The band opened for Metallica for a month in Europe until a few days ago. You can predict the band's opinion of the experience.

"It was awesome," said singer-guitarist J.D. Cronise. "People have wondered to us if there was any negative backlash or stuff like that in terms of liking us. Thing is, people over there have been waiting to hear Metallica play for, like, 10 years, so pretty much whatever Metallica offered up was going to be fine with them."

The band's latest, "Gods of the Earth," hasn't been as well received as its monolithic 2005 debut, "Age of Winters." But the steady climb up continues for the Sword's superb brand of so-called "heritage metal," which basically sounds like equal doses of Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Iron Maiden and any number of Southern rock stalwarts.

Intriguing observation: drummer Trevitt Wingo typically does most of the band's press, but he's plainly the most skeptical and grumpiest member compared to the other three. Even so, he's cool - just wary of being pigeonholed by writer schlubs like me. No worries, mate!



Ozzfest 2008: The man himself

8:18 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Ozzy is energized. For him, WAY energized. His voice is as well-preserved as it's been in years of Ozzfests, he looks trim and healthy, he's pushing his vocals far enough to be poignant, and he's clearly happy to be at his only Ozzfest appearance this year.

"Bark at the Moon" cut ears to shreds, and not just because his now-trusted guitarist sidekick, Zakk Wylde (who, it must be noted, decided not to invoke a live declaration of his own via Black Label Society at this year's version) wailed during it. The whole band is dialed in, except the bass drum's, which is too boomy as is typical at rock-festival mixes.

During "Suicide Solution," Ozzy sprayed the crowd nearest to him with what looked like firefighting foam. It wasn't water - the stuff was as white as soap suds - and he plainly loved doing the dousing. He saved the agua for the end of the next number, "Mr. Crowley:" he slung bucketfuls onto his front-stage minions then, asif rinsing off the product of his mischief.

Ozzy's always been precocious and kid-like; he just hasn't had the energy to continually act that way consistently in recent years. He's evidently saved some of the fuel in his tank for tonight.

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The entry "Ozzfest 2008: The man himself" is tagged: Ozzfest 2008 , Ozzy Osbourne , Zakk Wylde



Ozzfest 2008: In What Moment?

8:08 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

In This Moment opened the Main Stage with one of Ozzfest 2008's many gimmicks: the only female lead singer among the 22 bands here.

Maria Brink looked like she was more closely related to Katy Perry than, say, Lita Ford. She was dressed all in white, and her outfit was capped off with a knee-high socks and a poofy skirt that Amy Lee would be jealous of if it were black or made of lace.

Thing is, the band didn't sound bad at all. The music has hooks, and Ms. Brink and the rest of the act appeared to have genuine rapport.

Look for its new CD, The Dream, in stores in late September. Interesting fact: In This Moment is one of the few acts at Ozzfest with new CDs on the horizon. The only other act with one upcoming for sure? Metallica.

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Ozzfest 2008: I'm here ...

7:58 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

... and actually, I've been here for almost an hour. I've spent that time solving some logistical issues with covering the event (seems security here is much tighter than at the typical Texas music festival). As a result, I missed a couple of bands ... but it's likely that you've never heard of them, anyway.

So: I bet you're wondering how hot it is. It is hot ... but it's not like last weekend's 107-degree temps. It's a tad more humid, but not as brutal as New Orleans post-sludge band Soilent Green's buzzy stop-start set on the Jagermeister-sponsored 2nd Stage.

If anyone should have a right to complain about the heat, it's Soilent singer Ben Falgoust. He sang for the stage's opening act, Goat*hore, just two hours ago. Kudos to the barbed wire-throated Mr. Falgoust for keeping his shirt on for this set ... even though as a NOLA native, he's used to this kind of weather-related brutality. More than most know.

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Ozzfest 2008: Serj Tankian

6:52 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Sweet! Serj Tankian's backing band (like Jonathan Davis', I can't state its name on a blog accessible to tender eyes) are all wearing top hats. The System of a Down front man's been fond of them since he launched his solo foray last year: looks like the team's bought into the concept ...

Though by the second song, "Empty Walls," all but Serj had tossed them aside. The drummer's kept on his strap-on neon green butterfly wings, though, hehe.

The set's tight, dark and throaty: easily the most measured of the performances I've seen today. Unfortunately, Serj's material doesn't have the pop touch of SoaD's stuff. It thinks more than rocks, and not many are digging it in the crowd. Serj and 10 Years singer Jesse Hacek need to take the same class in that regard ...

... though he had one genius idea: whoever handed out the small promotional mini-posters that touted Serj's new CD before his set. A bunch of people in the west-facing rows are using those as sunshades during his performance, thus giving Serj some free advertising. Brilliant!

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Ozzfest 2008: Respite?

6:41 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

High clouds have rolled onto the scene in earnest now, and they've helped with the sun exposure. Dimebag's still getting his, though.

Not live: that's over and only lasted four songs. Turns out the acoustic ditty was a cover: "Wish You Were Here." I missed the last number, but supposedly the figures in my last post were all involved ...

... but pictures and video clips of Dimebag still populate the big screens. OK: time to put those away, just like it's time to put the tributes away and let the great fuzzy shredder rest, you know?

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The entry "Ozzfest 2008: Respite?" is tagged: Dimebag Darrell , Ozzfest 2008



Ozzfest 2008: Dimebag's bag

6:23 PM Sat, Aug 09, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

As Hellyeah rolls through a hitch-filled version of "You Wouldn't Know," about 40 dignitaries have gathered stage left. The gaggle is buzzing about as much as the band performing is, actually. Some pretty huge names in metaldom are in that group, you know ...

And so, about 10 minutes later, the tribute begins. Actually, it started early this morning at Strokers Dallas on Harry Hines, where a processiion of motorcycles rode to Frisco in Dimebag's honor to kick off Ozzfest. A party at the Palladium Ballroom dubbed the Black Tooth Bash will wrap up the honorative proceedings tomorrow, with some of the same stars in attendance as here.

Various clips of him performing and cutting up fill the big screens (cheesy as heck ones, too, including one of him singing the country song "Family Tradition" looking like a reject from Autograph). Then, the all-stars launch into a nasty-good version of "Mouth for War" with Jamey Jasta on vocals and someone else on guitar (a lefty: not Kerry King, not Metallica's Kirk Hammett. Hmmm.)

Now it's Drowning Pool's C.J. Pierce, who fails to intro Max Cavalera about to sing "A New Level." Looks like Igor Cavalera on drums ... and Jaysus, this version is way heavy. Bravo (bang bang bang ... )! Then King Diamond - that's Frisco resident King Diamond, folks, and in full makeup, overcoat and top hat - adds some high-wail color. Niiice!

Pregnant pause ... sheesh, like with twins or something ... it's been five minutes now ... heck with this. I'm going to hydrate. Though the next number is an acoustic piece with way-too-thunder-like drums. Where's my water?



August 8, 2008


Nashville Star winner Melissa Lawson details her audition process

6:22 PM Fri, Aug 08, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_08nashvillestar1.JPGNashville Star winner and Dalworthington Gardens resident Melissa Lawson comments on the process following her trip to Austin to audition for a slot on the show, including talks with her husband, Rick Lawson:

"...There was the call-back day," she says while sitting at her dining room table. "And then there was an e-mail that put me in the Top 200. And a phone interview that then put me into the Top 50. And that was Nashville week... I knew I would be going there. He and I sat down and said, 'Ok, this could potentially go somewhere. If it goes somewhere are we committed to this to each other and are we committed as a family?' It means him sacrificing a lot, a lot more than me. Because I wouldn't get to see the kids and that was a huge sacrifice, but he's the one that has to come in and do all the day in and day out things, support us financially as a family, try to figure out how to get everything done. I would just be doing music, so I pretty much have the easy life while I'm gone. Comparatively, he has the hard work to do. He said he was on board and very committed to that and supported me 100 percent. At that point we then sat down with the oldest two boys and asked the same question. Both of them were like, 'Mommy we will miss you,' and they were sad about the aspect of missing me, but at the same time they were like, 'Go for it, we really think you can win the competition..."

For more on Ms. Lawson, check out Sunday's GuideLive.

Photo: The Lawson family, clockwise from left...Rick, Zaden, Ryker, Melissa, Xander, Harlan and Maverick (Lara Solt/DMN).

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August 7, 2008


SWV's Taj: singer, reality star, entrepreneur and authoress

7:11 PM Thu, Aug 07, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George has definitely earned my respect.

Instead of becoming a substance-abusing sublebrity tabloid magnet after the break-up of SWV (that female R&B trio best known for their 90's smashes "Right Here/Human Nature, "Weak" and "Use Your Heart"), she earned her Business Administration degree, became a wife and mother (which was chronicled last season on TV One's I Married A Baller and co-starred hubby/former NFL player Eddie George) and even co-authored her first book. Player HateHER: How to Avoid the Beat Down and Live in a Drama Free World, discusses that worldwide female phenomenon---hateration on one another's looks, possessions, positions and yes, even spouses. For an enlightening interview with Taj and a review of the book, click here.

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August 6, 2008


No Depression to relaunch its website in September

1:44 PM Wed, Aug 06, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

75.jpgNo Depression, the respected roots music magazine that ceased publication after 75 issues and 13 years, continues to live in cyberspace. In fact, come September the website, www.nodepression.net, will be relaunched in a revamped format. Founding editors Peter Blackstock and Grant Alden will be instrumental in the new version, which should include "daily blogs, daily record reviews, daily news reports, feature stories, live reviews, interactive forums, multimedia content, and more." No Depression published from 1995 to 2008.

Photo: The final No Depression issue, May-June 2008 (Courtesy of www.nodepression.net).

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Sugarland leaps over Miley Cyrus for No. 1 CD

1:18 PM Wed, Aug 06, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_21sugarlandCD.JPGAs expected, Sugarland's Love On the Inside, now available in both deluxe and regular editions, sold 171,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and that's good enough to surpass Miley Cyrus' Breakout at the top of Billboard's pop albums chart. Breakout moved 163,000 copies and sits at No. 2. The other big CD sales news of the week is Third Day's Revelation, which sold 75,000 and enters at No. 6. That's the Atlanta-based Christian rock band's best sales week ever and best chart position in its decade-plus existence.

Photo: Love On the Inside cover courtesy of Mercury Records Nashville.

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Hump Day Hilarity: Lil Wayne/Jay-Z/Freeway spoof

1:14 PM Wed, Aug 06, 2008 |  | 
Lorrie Irby Jackson    E-mail  |  News tips


Sketch comedian Affion Crockett (of MTV's Wildin' Out fame) has succeeded in making me LMBO repeatedly with this brutal video parody of Lil Wayne's "Mr. Carter." If you're at work, the first Wayne verse might get you called into the office, so use caution and peep it on your first break or during lunch. Just promise me you won't eat or drink while you do, because you'll probably cause some major damage (especially when the hysterical "remix" drops at the end). Tell us what you think, enjoy!

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August 5, 2008


Country singer Keith Anderson visits Mesquite Best Buy

5:23 PM Tue, Aug 05, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_01ANDERSON1.JPGOklahoma native Keith Anderson, whose sophomore CD, C'mon!, arrived in stores today, will make an in-store appearance Wednesday (tomorrow) at 7 p.m. at Best Buy, 2701 N. Mesquite Dr. in Mesquite. Read my interview with the country singer-songwriter Thursday in GuideLive.

Photo: Keith Anderson (Jack Guy).

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Arlington's Melissa Lawson sings for Olympic hopefuls

4:16 PM Tue, Aug 05, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_04melissalawson.JPGMelissa Lawson, fresh from her crowning victory as the new Nashville Star, performs Aug. 12 live from the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Her stage stint before an international audience will be televised live on NBC-TV's Today. Ms. Lawson, the 32-year-old wife and mother of five boys, sang her debut single, "What If it All Goes Right," Monday night soon after winning the sixth season of Nashville Star, the televised country music talent competition.

Photo: Melissa Lawson (John Russell/NBC).

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August 4, 2008


Nashville Star: What our two Texans sang Monday night

11:16 PM Mon, Aug 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

gabe-garcia-melissa-lawson.jpgFor those of you keeping track of songs, here's what Melissa Lawson and Gabe Garcia sang tonight on the Nashville Star finale:

Melissa -- Rascal Flatts' "My Wish" and Sugarland's "Something More."
Gabe -- Brad Paisley's "Celebrity" and Alan Jackson's "Gone Country."
Melissa and Gabe -- A duet of Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," from Dirty Dancing.
Melissa, Gabe and Shawn Mayer -- Performed "Achy Breaky Heart" with show host Billy Ray Cyrus.

And as previously mentioned, Melissa sang her new single, "What If It All Goes Right" after she was crowned the new Nashville Star.

Photo: Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson (Courtesy of nsidenashville.com).

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The entry "Nashville Star: What our two Texans sang Monday night" is tagged: Billy Ray Cyrus , Gabe Garcia , Melissa Lawson , Nashville Star , Shawn Mayer



Nashville Star: The diversity of the top two finalists

10:59 PM Mon, Aug 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_01Gabe.JPGNo matter what the outcome of tonight's Nashville Star finale would've been, Melissa Lawson and Gabe Garcia were already winners.

The relentlessly image-conscious music business, country or otherwise, would have probably discarded Ms. Lawson immediately because she's not model thin. Yet it's in her realness - her looks, her story, her talent - that the heart of true country music beats. She represents most of the women out there that connect with the genre, the working mothers, the wives and the churchgoers. She proves that life experiences are the ultimate tools needed to sell a song.

Similarly, Mr. Garcia, the Hispanic-American from Lytle, Texas who pursued his dream to honor his late father, is an example of the genre's reach. There haven't been that many Latinos as country music stars (I can only think of three), so he's already a rarity that succeeded.

How refreshing that the Top 2 contestants on Nashville Star circa 2008 speak for the everyday masses, not the celebrity elite.

Photo: Gabe Garcia (John Russell/NBC).

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Nashville Star: Arlington's Melissa Lawson wins the show's sixth season

10:50 PM Mon, Aug 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23LAWSONstar4.JPGMelissa Lawson, the expressive singer inspired and supported by her husband and five children, was crowned the sixth season winner of the country music talent competition tonight during the show's hour-long finale. She proved victorious over fellow Texan Gabe Garcia, who came in second place, and Iowa's Shawn Mayer, the third place finalist. As she sang her new single, the John Rich-produced "What If It All Goes Right," a steady stream of confetti threatened to thwart her performance. But Ms. Lawson, always the consummate pro, never flinched. She was all smiles surrounded by fellow contestants and her family. The 32-year-old won a recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville, a Toyota Tundra and a shot at country music stardom.

Photo: Melissa Lawson (Vernon Bryant/DMN).

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Nashville Star: Tour comes to Billy Bob's Texas Nov. 1

2:11 PM Mon, Aug 04, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NGL_23LAWSONstar5.JPGThe Nashville Star tour, featuring the top four finalists Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia, Shawn Mayer and Coffey, rides into Fort Worth's Billy Bob's Texas Nov. 1, it was announced today. Ticket prices and an on-sale date will be announced this week.

Tonight, of course, is the Star finale. Either Ms. Lawson, Mr. Garcia or Ms. Mayer will be crowned the sixth Nashville Star. Stay tuned at 9 p.m. on NBC-TV (Channel 5).

Photo: Melissa Lawson performing at Arlington High School (Vernon Bryant/DMN).

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The entry "Nashville Star: Tour comes to Billy Bob's Texas Nov. 1" is tagged: Billy Bob's Texas , Fort Worth , Gabe Garcia , Melissa Lawson , Nashville Star , Shawn Mayer


August 1, 2008


Emmylou Harris cancels concert Tuesday at Majestic Theatre

2:40 PM Fri, Aug 01, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

NO_07Emmylou3_77650.JPGSterling Americana songstress Emmylou Harris has canceled her concert Tuesday night at Majestic Theatre due to a death in the family. The show, which was to feature Buddy Miller as her opening act, was part of her tour to promote All I Intended to Be, her latest critically lauded CD. Ticket refunds can be obtained at point of purchase.

Photo: Emmylou Harris at Fort Worth's Bass Hall in 2004 (Juan Garcia/DMN).

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July 31, 2008


Alice Cooper delivered worthy "trash" back in 1989

6:33 PM Thu, Jul 31, 2008 |  | 
Mario Tarradell/Music Critic    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

9df7dd35205cb8dcee6f0572ce387283.jpgWith all this talk about Alice Cooper lately, what with the mini-buzz he's got going thanks to a new CD, Along Came a Spider, I pulled out my copy of 1989's Trash. For those who don't remember, Trash was the macabre one's last commercial triumph. Released right before grunge and at the cusp of the hair metal movement, Trash is pure fun with just enough creepy play on words to make it sound like good ole Alice. Of course there's "Poison," the sinfully catchy hit single co-written by Desmond Child. In fact, Trash was produced by Mr. Child and his stamp is all over it. Think early Bon Jovi, add a bit more guitar muscle and then Mr. Cooper's eerie sense of humor. The song titles -- "Bed of Nails," "This Maniac's In Love With You" and "I'm Your Gun" -- are quintessential Alice.

Photo: Trash CD cover courtesy of allcdcovers.com.

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The entry "Alice Cooper delivered worthy "trash" back in 1989" is tagged: Alice Cooper , Desmond Child , Poison , Trash



A new frontier for The New Frontiers

1:35 PM Thu, Jul 31, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

NewFrontiers03.jpgEver since I helped roadie for area indie rockers The New Frontiers (well, sort of; I got to handle up on some drums and cases) at this year's South By Southwest in Austin, I've been rooting for the guys. (OK, that's not totally accurate: ever since I listened to its impressively restrained and refined CD on The Militia Group, Mending, I've been cheering 'em on).

Others are finally listening, it appears. Mending earned a four-star rating in Paste Magazine recently, and now Spin magazine has recognized the band formerly known as Stellamaris as a Buzzcatcher artist on its web site.

Something tells me if the band performs at SXSW 2009, it'll have a more choice location and time slot than the woozy 1 a.m. dregs it played in front of at the Thirsty Nickel in March. And that'd be perfectly proper.

By the way: the band will open for the Honorary Title at the Granada Theater on Aug. 10.

(Photo: Patrick Rutherford)

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The entry "A new frontier for The New Frontiers" is tagged: Spin magazine , The New Frontiers



Bun B chooses Big D over H-Town

1:07 PM Thu, Jul 31, 2008 |  | 
Mike Daniel    E-mail  |  News tips

Pimp C Funeral.JPGYou'd think that the surviving member of UGK would prefer to play his MySpace Release Show in his home base of Houston, right? Well, that'd be II Trill for sure, but that's not what's happening.

Port Arthur native Bun B will perform the gig tomorrow in Dallas instead. He'll take the stage at Lower Greenville urban lounge Torch (5631 Sears, 214-418-1511) sometime after the doors open to the free gig at 10 p.m. sharp. So to take in Bun B's masterful Dirty South hip hop, you'll have to assume quite the non-hip hop frame of mind and get there early, peeps. There'll be room for only about 700 of you.

Programming note: this marks only the second last-minute MySpace.com gig that's been staged in Dallas (the style has become a very successful marketing tool for the social networking site). Pit Bull threw down a Secret Show here in 2006.

(Photo: Pat Sullivan, AP)

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