Vintage Vinyl News

ASCAP Announces the Top 25 Holiday Songs of the Decade

2009-11-24T01:45:00.003-05:00

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has released their list of the 25 most played holiday songs over the last decade. ASCAP tracks the number of plays each song on the radio receives so it knows how to pay out to the composers and publishers.

Topping the list for the decade is one of the oldest songs, Winter Wonderland, which was first recorded in 1934, followed by The Christmas Song and Sleigh Ride.

Most notable is that all except two of the songs in the 25 would be considered holiday standards and those two songs, Wonderful Christmastime and Do They Know It's Christmas?, land at numbers 24 and 25.

ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams commented on how hard it is to get new music on the list. "This is a tough list for any of us to break into. There's a sense that people tend to gravitate towards tradition, especially at the holidays, and our top 25 list confirms this. So, whether you're listening to holiday music on an iPod or a vintage record player, these time-honored favorites are sure to evoke the magic of the season and memories of holidays past."

There are a couple of changes on the list of the artist with the most performed version. After decades of hearing Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms, the Daryl Hall and John Oates version has taken over as the most played. Also changing leading performer is Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let is Snow! (Aaron Neville to Michael Buble), I'll Be Home for Christmas (Amy Grant to Josh Groban), Silver Bells (Kenny G to Anne Murray) and Frosty the Snowman (Ronettes to the Beach Boys)

Remember that ASCAP is one of two performance rights organizations in the U.S. If there are songs that you are sure you hear every year yet aren't on the list, they are most likely by songwriters affiliated with Broadcast Music, Incorporated (BMI).

Here's the top 25 of the decade with each entry followed by the songwriter and the aretist who recorded the most played version.

Winter Wonderland - Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith (Eurythmics)
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Mel Tormé, Robert Wells (Nat King Cole)
Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish (Ronettes)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin (Pretenders)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie (Bruce Springsteen)
White Christmas - Irving Berlin (Bing Crosby)
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne (Michael Buble)
Jingle Bell Rock - Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe (Daryl Hall & John Oates)
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Johnny Marks (Gene Autrey)
Little Drummer Boy - Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone (Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra)
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Edward Pola, George Wyle (Andy Williams)
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram (Josh Groban)
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks (Brenda Lee)
Silver Bells - Jay Livingston, Ray Evans (Anne Murray)
Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano (Jose Feliciano)
Frosty The Snowman - Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins (Beach Boys)
A Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks (Burl Ives)
Blue Christmas - Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson (Elvis Presley)
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Meredith Willson (Johnny Mathis)
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Tommie Connor (PRS) (John Mellencamp)
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman (Elvis Presley)
(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Bob Allen, Al Stillman (Perry Como)
Carol Of The Bells - Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich (David Foster)
Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney (Paul McCartney)
(24) Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World) - Midge Ure (PRS), Bob Geldof (PRS) (Band Aid)

Michael Jackson Wins Four American Music Awards: So What? - A Look at Award Shows

2009-11-23T18:20:00.005-05:00

Last night, Michael Jackson took home four American Music Awards for Pop/Rock Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album in both genres for the album Number Ones. That's two awards on the night for an album that was released in 2003.

The real question is "so what?" The American Music Awards were created in 1973 by Dick Clark as a response to the Grammy Awards but unlike the Grammys, it is based solely on popularity and not artistic merit. The nominations are based on the biggest selling record or artist in each genre and the winner picked by the public in a (now) on-line poll.

That means that only those things that sell, whether they are good or not, get nominated and the one that is currently most popular wins. People tend to "love" the latest, being unable to put their current musical lust into perspective against older artists/songs. Taylor Swift is the current "it" artist, so she naturally takes home five awards. Michael Jackson has been foremost in the news for months, so he takes four (even though, a year ago, he couldn't have bought a nomination much less an award).

Thus, we tend to consider the American Music Awards as a "tier three" bottom of the barrel awards show with little long-term significance. To explain further, here is how we breakdown awards of the four major groups, music, movies, TV and theater.

Tier 1 - The Majors

There is one major award for each area of entertainment, the Academy Awards/Oscars (movies), the Grammys (music), the Emmys (TV) and the Tonys (theater). They carry the most prestige and generally get the most publicity. There are flaws in most of their systems as the entire membership for each gets to vote in most categories, so rappers vote for country artists at the Grammys and sound editors vote for actors at the Oscars. Overall, though, these awards allow the widest group of professionals to evaluate the other professionals in their industry.

Tier 2 - Genre, Guild and Critics Awards

The next most important groups include a wide range of award shows that recognize and are voted on by a specific subset of each industry. In the field of music, there are the genre specific awards like the CMA and Acaedmy of Country Music Awards, both recognizing achievements in country music. Fellow industry people nominate and vote for others in their specific genre. In Soul/R&B/Hip Hop there are the BET Awards and revived Soul Train Awards. Even smaller genres get in the act with the Americana Awards, Bluesgrass Awards and others.

In the film industry, the various guilds have their own awards, including the Director's Guild, Writer's Guild and Screen Actor's Guild. In all cases, the voting members are others of the same vocation who, presumably, are the best people to judge the work of their piers.

Finally, there are the critics awards. As they say, if you can't do, be a critic but the fact is that many of those who write about movies, theater, etc. for a living are knowledgeable in their field and may have seen the widest array of productions to be able to evaluate what truly is the best of a year. Critic's awards include the Golden Globes for movies and TV and the Drama Desk and New York Theater Critics awards for Broadway and Off-Broadway.
Tier 3 - The Junk

The American Music Awards, the MTV Movie Awards, the People's Choice Awards, the Teen Choice Awards. They all have one thing in common. They are voted on by the public. Not that the public shouldn't have an opinion but, don't they already choose their "favorites" through record sales, TV viewership and movie and theater box office? These awards are nothing more than another way to promote the latest projects, be seen on another red carpet, get personalities that have nothing to do with a genre to present awards ("...and now, to present the award for Best Actor in a Drama, here's Carrot Top") and get egos stroked in one more way.

Set List: Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band: The Final Show: Buffalo, NY

2009-11-23T17:51:00.003-05:00

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band closed out what has become an almost two-year long tour on Sunday night at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. As this tour has grown older, the set list has become more and more all eclectic with performances of full albums, requests for non-Springsteen songs and rarities from throughout his career.

The Buffalo show took that to the extreme with the playing of the bands first album, 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., in its entirety, covers of songs like Green Onions, Higher and Higher and Rockin' All Over the World, a birthday cake and song for Little Steven Van Zandt and two Christmas tunes. In between were the big ones, the Born to Run's, Rosalita's and Dancing in the Dark's. Overall, Springsteen and the band were on the stage for 35 songs and almost 3-1/2 hours.

The set list:

Main Set:

Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind
Hungry Heart
Working on a Dream
Blinded By the Light
Growin' Up
Mary Queen of Arkansas
Doe This Bus Stop at 8nd Street?
Lost in the Flood
The Angel
For You
Spirit in the Night
It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Restless Nights
Surprise, Surprise
Green Onions
Merry Christmas Baby
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
(I Don't Want to) Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
Boom Boom
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Long Walk Home
The Rising
Born to Run
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

Encore:

I'll Work For Your Love
Thunder Road
American Land
Dancing in the Dark
Rosalita
(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (with Willie Nile)
Rockin' All Over the World

Chart Watch Australia: November 22, 2009

2009-11-23T16:57:00.004-05:00

Our weekly recap of veteran artists on the current Australian music charts. Chart highlights:

Them Crooked Vultures, made up of Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl and Queens of the Stone Age's Joshua Homme, premier their self-titled debut album at number 4 on the Australian charts. Last week's number 4 and highest charting album by a veteran artist, The Circle by Bon Jovi, drops to 12.
Queen's latest compilation, Absolute Greatest, premiers at 18. At this point, there is no release date for the set in the U.S.
In a bit of a surprise, AC/DC's new album, Backtracks, only starts at number 27. Their albums usually do much better in their home country.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis. (N) indicates new entry. (R) indicates re-entry.

Top 50 Albums

#1 (N) - Golden Rule - Powderfinger
#2 (6) - Crazy Love - Michael Buble
#3 (N) - Battle Studies - John Mayer
#4 (N) - Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures (John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl & Joshua Homme)
#5 (2) - Greatest Hits - Foo Fighters
#10 (5) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#11 (11) - Soulbook - Rod Stewart
#12 (4) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
#18 (N) - Absolute Greatest - Queen
#27 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#40 (28) - Very Best of - Doors
#45 (22) - Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
#47 (36) - Greatest Hits - Bruce Springsteen
#50 (46) - Greatest Hits - Neil Young

Top 50 Singles

#1 (1) - Tik Tok - Ke$ha
#2 (3) - Down - Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
#3 (2) - Meet Me Half Way - Black Eyed Peas
#4 (5) - Starstruck - 3OH!3 Featuring Katy Perry
#5 (4) - This is Who I Am - Vanessa Amorosi
No Veteran Artists Charting

The Urban/R&B and Country charts are after the cut.

Top 40 Urban Albums

#1 (1) - The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
#2 (2) - I Am...Sasha Fierce - Beyonce
#3 (3) - Crave, Volume 3 - DJ Havana Brown
#4 (8) - RNB Superclub: From Dusk Til Dawn - DJ Def Rok & DJ G-Wizard
#5 (5) - State of the Art - Hilltop Hoods
#15 (15) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston

Top 40 Urban Singles

#1 (2) - Down - Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
#2 (1) - Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas
#3 (N) - Russian Roulette - Rhianna
#4 (5) - Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys
#5 (4) - Hotel Room Service - Pitbull
No Veteran Artists Charting

Top 20 Country Albums

#1 (2) - Fearless - Taylor Swift
#2 (1) - Planet Country - Lee Kernaghan
#3 (3) - Kasey Chambers, Papa Bill & the Little Hillbillies - Kasey Chambers, Papa Bill & the Little Hillbillies
#4 (4) - Both Sides Now - Adam Harvey
#5 (5) - Play On - Carrie Underwood
#10 (12) - The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again - John Fogerty
#15 (15) - Essential - Johnny Cash
#16 (R) - Very Best of - Slim Dusty
#17 (R) - Sittin' on 80: 80 Aussie Truckin' Classics - Slim Dusty

Touring: Kiss, Rod Stewart, Marianne Faithfull, more

2009-11-23T16:26:00.000-05:00

The following veteran artists have posted new touring dates (number of new shows in parenthesis followed by geographic location of new dates):

Kiss (24) - Europe
Rod Stewart (8) - Europe
Marianne Faithfull (6) - U.S., Australia
Madness (6) - Europe
John Waite (13) - Europe
Stryper (7) - U.S., Europe
Leo Kottke (5) - U.S.
Oak Ridge Boys (5) - U.S.
Kenny G (5) - U.S., Trinidad & Tobago

Jackson's Motown 25 Glove Sells for $350,000

2009-11-22T15:42:00.003-05:00

Julien's Auctions held a major sale of rock memorabilia on Saturday in their Music Icons and Steven Tyler Auction. Held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, the auction not only drew collectors to the auction site, but also from around the world as bids were accepted on-line.

Michael Jackson's altered golf glove, covered in jewels, that he wore on the night he premiered his moonwalk (Motown 25) sold for an astounding $350,000. For collector Hoffman Ma, who was representing the Ponte 16 Resort Hotel in Macau, it meant a final payout of $420,000 after the buyer's premium and expenses.

Also bringing big bides were Jackson's Bad World Tour jacket ($270,000) and a costume he wore in 2002 at a Democratic fundraiser at the Apollo Theater ($209,100).

In non-Jackson items, the guitar that Bo Diddley played at his last public performance brought in $60,000 while a Johnny Cash guitar topped out at $37,500.

All told, 51 of the 361 items in the auction sold for $10,000 or more (note that none of the Steven Tyler part of the auction made the list). They are listed below (with buyer's premium and tax):

Michael Jackson worn Motown 25 stage glove - $420,000
Michael Jackson worn Bad World Tour jacket - $270,000
Michael Jackson worn performance costume (suit) from April 24, 2002 A Night at the Apollo - $209,100
Michael Jackson's 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL - $104,550
Michael Jackson's black fedora worn during his opening performance at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards - $73,800
Michael Jackson worn performance costume (shirt) from April 24, 2002 A Night at the Apollo - $67,650
Bo Diddley's 1999 Gretsch Bo Diddley model guitar and case, played at his last show in May 2007 - $60,000
Michael Jackson's handwritten lyrics to Beat It - $60,000
Michael Jackson drawing of Mickey Mouse - $56,250
Paul Bedard painting of famous pop culture figures (Michael Jackson, George Washington, Mona Lisa, Abraham Lincoln, E.T., Albert Einstein) wearing Jackson sunglasses and gloves. Commissioned by Jackson - $53,125
Michael Jackson black "fantasy" glove - $50,000

The list with 42 more lots is after the cut.

We Are the World poster signed by Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Harry Bellafonte, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Bruce Springsteen and many others - $43,750
Johnny Cash owned and played Wilkanowski & Sons Airway archtop "Fiddle Guitar" W-4 model - $37,500
Michael Jackson drawing of Charlie Chaplin - $33,280
Michael Jackson three-page handwritten letter - $32,500
Michael Jackson glove covered in blue and gold crystals as made by Bill Whitten - $28,160
Michael Jackson drawing of Charlie Chaplin - $27,500
RIAA Platinum Record Award for Bad, signed by Michael Jackson - $27,500
Michael Jackson stage worn fedora from Victory Tour - $27,500
Michael Jackson signed What More Can I Give print - $27,500
Michael Jackson "Vagabond" drawing - $25,000
Michael Jackson signed pillow case thrown from hotel room to fans in 1996 - $23,040
Michael Jackson signed art print - $21,760
Elvis Presley's red jacket with two vertical white stripes and white turtleneck worn in movie Speedway - $20,480
Tom Petty played and signed Danelectro DC-3 turquoise metallic flake guiater - $20,000
Michael Jackson drawing of a little boy - $20,000
Michael Jackson's Thriller video fang mold - $20,000
Eddie Van Halen owned and played guitar made by EVH. One of only 96 made. Signed by Van Halen - $18,750
Elvis Presley handwritten set list for July 1969 appearance at the Las Vegas International hotel - $18,750
Peter Max portrait of Michael Jackson - $18,750
Michael Jackson handwritten lyrics for T.S. (would eventually become D.S.) - $17,920
Elvis Presley handwritten set list for 1971 appearance at the Las Vegas International hotel - $16,640
Michael Jackson Thriller display presented to engineer Humberto Gatica with handwritten note from Jackson - $16,640
Elvis Presley owned and worn ruby star ring - $13,750
Bo Diddley's trademark hat with medallion worn during the last 15 years of his career and at his final performance - $13,750
Michael Jackson signed music box that plays Earth Song - $13,750
John Lennon worn D.A. Milling & Sons wool suit jacket and pants - $12,800
David Bowie owned and studio used chrome Steinberger L-series guitar - $12,500
Bo Diddley owned Tom Holmes "Cadillac" guitar and case - $12,500
Michael Jackson signed original lithograph from The Book - $12,500
Michael Jackson sketch of a man - $12,160
Prince blue cloud guitar with gold hardware and symbol inlays - $11,875
Bo Diddley's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award, presented in 1987 upon his induction - $11,875
Beatles signed "Beatles Ltd." 1964 souvenir book - $10,625
Beatles A Hard Days Night premier memorabilia including ticket, invitation to dinner and dinner menu - $10,625
Original sign from Max Yasgur's (Woodstock) dairy farm - $10,625
Michael Jackson signed autograph - $10,625
Michael Jackson hand drawn abstract sketch of a face - $10,240
Michael Jackson played Penico A-6 acoustic guitar. Played during the making of The Wiz. - $10,000
RIAA Platinum Record Award for Michael Jackson's Bad - $10,000
Michael Jackson signed program for the 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Also signed by other inductees - $10,000

Amazon MP3 Deal: Axis Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix for $2.99

2009-11-22T15:35:00.003-05:00

Chart Watch America: November 20, 2009

2009-11-22T01:24:00.000-05:00

Our weekly recap of veteran artists on the current American music charts. Chart highlights:

Bon Jovi has the fourth number one album of their career (and second in a row) with The Circle. It also premiers at number 1 on the Rock Album chart.
AC/DC's Backtracks, the 2-CD/1-DVD set of rarities, opens at 39 on the Album, 14 on the Rock Album and 6 on the Hard Rock Album charts.
A couple of older country albums got slight boosts after the artist's appearances on the CMA's. Reba McEntire moves 64 to 62 while her current single, Consider Me Gone, moves into the overall top 40 and up to number 4 on the Country Singles chart. George Strait's Twang takes a bigger jump, going 85 to 70. The big boost, though, went to new artists Lady Antebellum whose album went from 24 to 11 in its 83rd week of release.
Two other albums featuring veteran artists debut towards the bottom of the top 200 as the Pirate Radio soundtrack starts at 189 and Dolly Parton's Live From London premiers at 195. Dolly's album also debuts at 36 on the Country Albums chart.
The major domination of the Catalog Album chart by the Beatles and Michael Jackson has ended just one week before the older albums are reintegrated into the top 200. Jackson only has three in the top 25 while the Beatles have two. Most of that is due to the fact that Holiday albums are taking many of the spots.
We've had to remove the Beach Music chart from our review as the source has not been updating. If anyone is familiar with a reliable source for Beach Music, which often features veteran artists, please let us know.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis. (N) is a new entry. (R) is a re-entry. Grayed charts were not available for update at time of publication.

Comprehensive

Top 200 Albums

#1 (N) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
#2 (3) - My Christmas - Andrea Bocelli
#3 (1) - Play On - Carrie Underwood
#4 (2) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#5 (6) - Fearless - Taylor Swift
#12 (9) - If On a Winter's Night... - Sting
#23 (13) - Soulbook - Rod Stewart
#39 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#44 (12) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#45 (73) - Christmas: 25th Anniversary - Mannheim Steamroller
#51 (36) - Still - BeBe & CeCe Winans
#52 (33) - Love is the Answer - Barbra Streisand
#53 (48) - Beatles in Stereo - Beatles
#62 (64) - Keep On Loving You - Reba McEntire
#65 (43) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
#70 (85) - Twang - George Strait
#83 (42) - Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani)
#87 (68) - Your Songs - Harry Connick, Jr.
#90 (79) - The List - Roseanne Cash
#95 (87) - Christmas in the Heart - Bob Dylan
#97 (66) - Sonic Boom - Kiss
#101 (127) - A Cherry Cherry Christmas - Neil Diamond
#107 (86) - God & Guns - Lynyrd Skynyrd
#114 (91) - Celebration - Madonna
#130 (158) - Ultimate Christmas Collection - Jackson 5
#134 (112) - Can't Slow Down - Foreigner
#142 (116) - Ultimate - Bee Gees
#152 (115) - Up, Down, Turn Around: Circa 80 - Various Artists
#170 (132) - Embryonic - Flaming Lips
#189 (N) - Pirate Radio - Soundtrack
#195 (N) - Live From London - Dolly Parton

Top 100 Singles

#1 (2) - Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z + Alicia Keys
#2 (1) - Fireflies - Owl City
#3 (3) - Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo
#4 (4) - Replay - Iyaz
#5 (22) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
#39 (49) - Consider Me Gone - Reba (McEntire)
#68 (R) - We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi

The Digital, Catalog, R&B, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Rock, Adult Contemporary, Dance, Jazz, Americana and Beach Music charts are after the cut.

Top 40 Digital Songs

#1 (1) - Fireflies - Owl City
#2 (20) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
#3 (2) - Replay - Iyaz
#4 (3) - Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z + Alicia Keys
#5 (9) - Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
No Veteran Artists Charting

Top 25 Pop Catalog Albums

#1 (2) - Peace on Earth - Casting Crowns
#2 (3) - Holiday Collection - Taylor Swift
#3 (1) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
#4 (4) - Noel - Josh Groban
#5 (5) - Essential - Michael Jackson
#6 (6) - Thriller - Michael Jackson
#8 (30) - Christmas With the Chipmunks - Chipmunks & David Seville
#13 (9) - Abbey Road - Beatles
#17 (8) - The Beatles (White Album) - Beatles
#18 (23) - And Winter Came... - Enya
#19 (10) - Bad - Michael Jackson
#21 (11) - Greatest Hits - Journey
#22 (R) - It's Christmas Time - Elvis Presley
#23 (R) - The Christmas Collection - Amy Grant
#25 (47) - The Christmas Collection - Various Artists

R&B

Top 50 R&B Albums

#1 (1) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#2 (2) - The Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z
#3 (N) - Attention: Deficit - Wale
#4 (N) - The Bridge - Melanie Fiona
#5 (5) - Ready - Trey Songz
#6 (6) - Still - BeBe & CeCe Winans
#9 (8) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
#28 (27) - Uncle Charlie - Charlie Wilson
#32 (39) - Ultimate Christmas Collection - Jackson 5
#39 (41) - Thankful - Whispers

Top 50 R&B Songs

#1 (1) - Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z + Alicia Keys
#2 (2) - Papers - Usher
#3 (4) - I Invented Sex - Trey Songz Featuring Drake
#4 (7) - Bad Habits - Maxwell
#5 (3) - Pretty Wings - Maxwell
#19 (24) - Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
#21 (22) - Close to You - BeBe & CeCe Winans
#23 (18) - This is It - Michael Jackson Featuring the Jacksons
#24 (23) - Can't Live Without You - Charlie Wilson

Top 10 Blues Albums

#1 (1) - Cadillac Records - Soundtrack
#2 (3) - Acquired Taste - Delbert McClinton & Dick50
#3 (4) - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! - Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
#4 (9) - This Time - Robert Cray Band
#5 (6) - Already Free - Derek Trucks Band
#7 (8) - Seven Moons Live - Jack Bruce & Robin Trower
#9 (10) - The Dirty Dozen - George Thorogood and the Destoyers

Country

Top 40 Country Albums

#1 (1) - Play On - Carrie Underwood
#2 (2) - Fearless - Taylor Swift
#3 (5) - Lady Antebellum - Lady Antebellum
#4 (3) - Southern Voice - Tim McGraw
#5 (4) - The Foundation - Zac Brown Band
#16 (15) - Keep On Loving You - Reba McEntire
#20 (19) - Twang - George Strait
#24 (17) - The List - Roseanne Cash
#36 (N) - Live From London - Dolly Parton

Top 30 Country Songs

#1 (2) - Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
#2 (1) - Country Casanova - Carrie Underwood
#3 (3) - Do I - Luke Bryan
#4 (5) - Consider Me Gone - Reba (McEntire)
#5 (4) - Toes - Zac Brown Band
#17 (20) - Twang - George Strait

Top 10 Bluegrass Albums

#1 (1) - Mountain Soul II - Patty Loveless
#2 (2) - The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo - Steve Martin
#3 (3) - The Isaacs Naturally: An Almost A Cappella Collection - Isaacs
#4 (6) - Tennessee Pusher - Old Crow Medicine Show
#5 (4) - Circles Around Me - Sam Bush
#8 (10) - High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project - Loudon Wainwright
#10 (9) - Solo: Songs My Dad Loved - Ricky Skaggs

Rock

Top 25 Rock Albums

#1 (N) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
#2 (N) - Memento Mori - Flyleaf
#3 (2) - The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Soundtrack
#4 (N) - Hello Hurricane - Switchfoot
#5 (6) - Ocean Eyes - Owl City
#14 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#16 (4) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#18 (17) - Beatles in Stereo - Beatles

Top 15 Hard Rock Albums

#1 (N) - Memento Mori - Flyleaf
#2 (3) - Full Circle - Creed
#3 (4) - Night Castle - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
#4 (1) - Greatest Hits - Foo Fighters
#5 (N) - Desperate Measures - Hollywood Undead
#6 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#8 (2) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#13 (6) - Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani)
#15 (12) - Sonic Boom - Kiss

Top 25 Rock Songs

#1 (2) - I Will Not Bow - Breaking Benjamin
#2 (1) - Wheels - Foo Fighters
#3 (4) - Break - Three Days Grace
#4 (3) - Check My Brain - Alice in Chains
#5 (6) - Uprising - Muse
#20 (20) - New Fang - Them Crooked Vultures (Dave Grohl, Josh Homme & John Paul Jones)

Adult Contemporary

Top 15 Adult Contemporary Tracks

#1 (1) - You Belong to Me - Taylor Swift
#2 (2) - Fallin' For You - Colbie Caillat
#3 (4) - Her Diamonds - Rob Thomas
#4 (7) - Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
#5 (5) - Come on Get Higher - Matt Nathanson
No Veteran Artists Charting

Top 20 Adult Pop Songs

#1 (1) - Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
#2 (3) - Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
#3 (2) - Fallin' For You - Colbie Caillat
#4 (4) - You Belong to Me - Taylor Swift
#5 (8) - Smile - Uncle Kracker
#11 (11) - We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi

Dance

Top 25 Dance Club Play

#1 (2) - F*ck You - Lily Allen
#2 (3) - S.O.S. (Let the Music Play) - Jordan Sparks
#3 (7) - Hang On - Plumb
#4 (9) - I Want To Know What Love Is - Mariah Carey
#5 (10) - Perfect - Depeche Mode
#8 (1) - Did You See Me Coming? - Pet Shop Boys
#10 (6) - Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
#23 (36) - Make Me - Janet (Jackson)

Top 15 Dance/Electronic Albums

#1 (1) - Ocean Eyes - Owl City
#2 (2) - The Fame - Lady Gaga
#3 (3) - NOW That's What I Call Dance Classics - Various Artists
#4 (4) - Party Rock - LMFAO
#5 (7) - One Love - David Guetta
No Veteran Artists Charting

Jazz

Top 25 Jazz Albums

#1 (1) - Crazy Love - Michael Buble
#2 (2) - Love is the Answer - Barbra Streisand
#3 (N) - Letters to Santa - Various Artists
#4 (3) - Your Songs - Harry Connick, Jr.
#5 (4) - Splendor in the Grass - Pink Martini
#6 (8) - Christmas Jazz Jam - Wynton Marsalis
#9 (10) - Songs From a Lonely Avenue - Brian Setzer Orchestra
#11 (6) - Sinatra: New York - Frank Sinatra
#17 (33) - Christmas With Sinatra and Friends - Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Betty Carter
#20 (16) - Songs and Stories - George Benson
#23 (22) - Super Hits - Kenny G
#25 (30) - Live at the Meadowlands - Frank Sinatra

Source for all above charts: Billboard

Americana

Americana Music Association Top 40 Airplay

#1 (1) - The Rose Hotel - Robert Earl Keen
#2 (2) - The List - Roseanne Cash
#3 (4) - Natural Forces - Lyle Lovett
#4 (3) - One Foot in the Ether - Band of Heathens
#5 (5) - Happiness and All the Other Things - Cross Canadian Ragweed
#6 (6) - Acquired Taste - Delbert McClinton & Dick50
#8 (7) - The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again - John Fogerty
#10 (8) - Somedays the Song Writes You - Guy Clark
#11 (12) - Mountain Soul II - Patty Loveless
#12 (10) - Speed of Life - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
#14 (16) - Circles Around Me - Sam Bush
#15 (14) - Time Stands Still - Chris Smither
#18 (15) - Blood and Candle Smoke - Tom Russell
#19 (23) - Yonkers, NY - Chip Taylor
#27 (31) - Girl of the Century - Rosie Flores & the Pine Valley Cosmonauts
#28 (28) - Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks - Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks
#34 (33) - Closer to the Bone - Kris Kristofferson
#36 (35) - High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project - Loudon Wainwright III
#40 (R) - Townes - Steve Earle

Source: Americana Music Association

Chickenfoot Announces Live Film, Billy Joel & Ronnie James Dio Ill, more

2009-11-21T01:56:00.001-05:00

Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith) have announced that select theaters around the country will show a film of one of their shows on December 1. Theaters showing the film (amazingly, none in New York yet) can be seen on the film's homepage. Meanwhile, here's the trailer.

Just as Elton John has gotten over his illness, Billy Joel has gotten sick, causing the cancellation of more of their Face2Face tour dates. Oklahoma City is moved from November 25 to February 25, Kansas City from December 1 to February 27 and the November 28 Little Rock show is canceled.

Ronnie James Dio has canceled his upcoming European tour due to illness. Details are sketchy with Dio's wife, Wendy, telling Blabbermouth that "Ronnie has been hospitalized and we are waiting for further news."

Joe Perry certainly isn't waiting for the outcome of the Aerosmith controversies. His Joe Perry Project will be opening for Bad Company on their U.K. reunion tour from April 1 to 11.

T.J. Lubinsky, the man who created the original PBS Doo Wop specials and many of the pledge drive music shows since, has a new program headed to your local affiliate with My Music Presents: Ed Sullivan: The 60's. The program includes performances from the Beatles, the Doors, the Rolling Stones and many others of the era. His next project is based on performances from Hullabaloo. (more at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

VH1 will air a new special, The Making of the Beatles: Rock Band, on Friday, November 27 at 7:30 PM ET. Included is footage of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at Abbey Road studios.

Preview: Whitney Houston: 25th Anniversary Edition - Whitney Houston

2009-11-20T23:38:00.002-05:00

Artist: Whitney Houston
Title: Whitney Houston: 25th Anniversary Edition
Release Date: January 19, 2010
Label: Arista
Format(s): CD/DVD

When the debut album of Whitney Houston was released in February of 1985, it found very little fanfare or sales. In it's first week on the charts, it sat at number 166. Over a year later, it would hit the top of the Album chart for the first of two seven-week runs. The slow, steady ascent was helped along by four hit singles (You Give Good Love, Saving All My Love For You, How Will I Know, Greatest Love of All) and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Overall, the album has sold 25 million copies worldwide and is 13-times platinum (13,000,000 sales) in the U.S.

The 25th Anniversary Edition contains a remastered version of the album, remixes of three of the tracks, an a cappella version of How Will I Know and a live performance of Greatest Love of All. A bonus DVD includes a 1983 appearance by Houston on the Merv Griffin Show where she sings Home from The Wiz, the videos for the four hits from the album and interviews with Houston and Clive Davis.

Track List:

You Give Good Love
Thinking About You
Someone For Me
Saving All My Love For You
Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
How Will I Know
All At Once
Take Good Care Of My Heart
The Greatest Love Of All
Hold Me
Thinking About You (12-inch dance remix by Bruce Forest)
Someone For Me (12-inch dance remix by Alan Coulthard)
How Will I Know (A cappella)
How Will I Know (12-inch dance remix by Jellybean)
The Greatest Love Of All (live from Radio City Music Hall, 1990)

Home (1983 premiere TV performance from The Merv Griffin Show)
You Give Good Love (promo music video)
Saving All My Love For You (promo music video)
How Will I Know (promo music video)
Greatest Love Of All (promo music video)

Chart Watch Canada: November 19, 2009

2009-11-20T18:33:00.003-05:00

Our weekly recap of veteran artists on the current Canadian music charts. Chart highlights:

Bon Jovi jumps to the top of the Canadian Album chart with their new album, The Circle. In an oddity, the album does not even appear yet on the Rock Album chart, even though their Cross Roads album jumps 26 to 21.
AC/DC's new rarities set, Backtracks, premiers at number 50 on the Album and 5 on the Rock Album charts. Now, if AC/DC showed up on both charts, why not Bon Jovi?
It looks like it's going to be a country Christmas on the Canadian charts as catalog albums by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (177 to 80) and Reba McEntire (177 to 86) jump back into the top 100 albums, along with moving to the 8 and 9 spots on the Country Albums chart. Boney M's Christmas With Boney M also leaps back to the Album chart, moving 142 to 65.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis. (N) indicates a new release. (R) indicates a record that is re-charting. There can be ties in chart positions.

Top 100 Canadian Albums

#1 (N) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
#2 (3) - Crazy Love - Michael Buble
#3 (N) - Danseplus/Much Dance 2010 - Various Artists
#4 (1) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#5 (N) - Nous - Daniel Belanger
#13 (5) - Soulbook - Rod Stewart
#17 (14) - If On a Winter's Night... - Sting
#27 (16) - Stereo Box - Beatles
#28 (23) - Love is the Answer - Barbra Streisand
#31 (8) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#36 (41) - We'll Meet Again: The Very Best of - Vera Lynn
#50 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#62 (45) - Celebration - Madonna
#65 (142) - Christmas With - Boney M
#77 (49) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
#80 (177) - Once Upon a Christmas - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
#83 (78) - Abbey Road - Beatles
#84 (53) - Your Songs - Harry Connick, Jr.
#86 (177) - Best of Christmas - Reba McEntire
#91 (65) - Mediterranean Odyssey - Loreena McKennitt
#93 (72) - The Best of: 2oth Century Masters: The Millennium Collection - ABBA
#95 (80) - Essential - Michael Jackson

Top 100 Canadian Singles (Airplay)

#1 (1) - Sexy Chick - David Guetta Featuring Akon
#2 (8) - 3 - Britney Spears
#3 (2) - You Belong to Me - Taylor Swift
#4 (4) - Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
#5 (5) - Cha Ching - Hedley
#31 (28) - Consider Me Gone - Reba (McEntire)
#43 (55) - We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi
#71 (85) - Twang - George Strait
#92 (95) - This is It - Michael Jackson Featuring the Jacksons
#99 (88) - Celebration - Madonna

The R&B, Country and Hard Rock charts are after the cut.

Top 50 Canadian R&B Albums

#1 (1) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#2 (2)- The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
#3 (3) - Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z
#4 (4) - Number Ones - Michael Jackson
#5 (5) - Rebelution - Pitbull
#7 (8) - Essential - Michael Jackson
#12 (9) - Ultimate Collection - Michael Jackson
#13 (11) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
#16 (17) - Legend - Bob Marley & the Wailers
#17 (13) - Thriller 25 - Michael Jackson
#18 (20) - Greatest Hits, Volume 1 - Michael Jackson
#20 (16) - Thriller (Remastered) - Michael Jackson
#24 (24) - Bad (Remaster) - Michael Jackson
#26 (30) - Motown 50 - Various Artists
#30 (33) - Christmas Collection - Jackson 5
#34 (40) - Definitive Collection - Stevie Wonder
#35 (29) - Dangerous (Remaster) - Michael Jackson
#39 (32) - Off the Wall (Remaster) - Michael Jackson
#43 (44) - 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection: The Best of - Jackson 5
#47 (52) - Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
#47 (92) - Thriller - Michael Jackson
#49 (N) - Ultimate Christmas Collection - Jackson 5

Top 50 Canadian Country Albums

#1 (N) - Christmas - Johnny Reid
#2 (1) - Play On - Carrie Underwood
#3 (2) - Fearless - Taylor Swift
#4 (4) - Dance With Me - Johnny Reid
#5 (3) - Southern Voice - Tim McGraw
#8 (13) - Once Upon a Christmas - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
#9 (18) - Best of Christmas - Reba McEntire
#11 (10) - The List - Roseanne Cash
#15 (21) - Anne Murray's Christmas Album - Anne Murray
#17 (9) - Keep On Loving You - Reba McEntire
#19 (43) - Christmas Collection - George Strait
#34 (28) - Twang - George Strait
#37 (63) - 20th Century Masters: The Best of: Christmas Collection - Burl Ives
#40 (N) - Live From London - Dolly Parton
#41 (34) - Man in Black: His Greatest Hits - Johnny Cash
#44 (38) - American Classic - Willie Nelson
#45 (41) - Best...So Far - Anne Murray
#50 (44) - The Legend of Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash

Top 50 Canadian Hard Rock Albums

#1 (1) - Greatest Hits - Foo Fighters
#2 (2) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#3 (7) - Night Castle - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
#4 (4) - Life Starts Now - Three Days Grace
#5 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#16 (19) - Mothership - Led Zeppelin
#17 (18) - Greatest Hits - Queen
#21 (26) - Cross Road - Bon Jovi
#22 (17) - Metallica - Metallica
#23 (15) - Endgame - Megadeth
#24 (23) - Death Magnetic - Metallica
#27 (22) - Master of Puppets - Metallica
#28 (28) - Back in Black - AC/DC
#35 (41) - Rock of Ages - Def Leppard
#36 (45) - Black Ice - AC/DC
#37 (35) - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of - Kiss
#39 (39) - Classic Queen - Queen
#43 (48) - Live - AC/DC
#49 (N) - Retrospective III - Rush

Amazon MP3 Deal: Imagine by John Lennon for $2.99

2009-11-20T03:02:00.001-05:00

Springsteen Releasing Darkness Deluxe Box and Tour DVD in 2010

2009-11-20T02:17:00.002-05:00

Rolling Stone talked with Bruce Springsteen's manager, Jon Landau, to find out what the Boss does after two years on the road.

First up is a deluxe box set of the 1977 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. Much like the Born to Run box from 2005, the Darkness box will include a remastered version of the album, a documentary on the making of the LP and live footage from the 1978 tour that supported the album.

"The Darkness box set is 93 percent done. It’s absolutely fantastic and there are just some finishing touches that we need to turn our attention to and finalize and we’ll get it out there."

Also up for next year is a DVD of the Working on a Dream Tour. This will be a bit tough as this tour has moved in so many different directions including the requests portion of the shows and, of course, the complete performances of many of Springsteen's classic albums.

"We’re working on some different approaches to a DVD for this tour. We’ll release it sometime fairly soon, post-Christmas."

Don't look for any new material from Springsteen or the band next year. They are all looking for some downtime after almost two straight years on the road.

Touring: Beach Boys, Motley Crue, Aaron Neville, more

2009-11-19T23:23:00.002-05:00

The following veteran artists have posted new touring dates (number of new shows in parenthesis followed by geographic location of new dates):

Beach Boys (24) - U.S., Australia
Motley Crue (10) - Canada
Eddie Money (10) - U.S.
Aaron Neville Quintet Featuring Charles Neville (15) - U.S.
Jonathan Richman (22) - U.S.
Go West (13) - U.K.
Irish Rovers (18) - U.S., Canada
Bela Fleck & the African Project (6) - U.S.
John Cafferty (7) - U.S.
Spryo Gyra (14) - U.S.

Preview: The Ultra Devo-Lux Limited Edition - Devo

2009-11-19T18:27:00.003-05:00

Artist: Devo
Title: The Ultra Devo-Lux Limited Edition
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Label: Warner Brothers
Format(s): 2-CDs/2-DVDs/7" Yellow Vinyl Single/18" x 30" Poster/16-Page Booklet

Devo has a special present for its fans on December 22 with the release of The Ultra Devo-Lux Limited Edition. The multi-format set includes CD remastered versions of the albums Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! and Freedom of Choice along with rarities from both albums and the rare six-track Dev-O Live EP recorded in 1980 at the Warfield in San Francisco.

The two DVDs include the group's debut album performed live at the HMV Forum in London earlier this year, along with behind the scenes footage, and four classic song videos. The 7" single has Jocko Homo/Mongoloid, pressed in yellow vinyl. Finally, there is a 18" x 30" fold-out poster and a 16-page booklet.

The limited edition set is only available through the Devo site and pre-orders are being taken. A digital download is included with the order and a limited number will also have a vintage 8x10 promo photo from the Warner vault.

The full track list is after the cut.

Track List:

Disc 1

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

Uncontrollable Urge
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Praying Hands
Space Junk
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Too Much Paranoias
Gut Feeling/(Slap Your Mammy)
Come Back Jonee
Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')
Shrivel-Up

Bonus Tracks

Uncontrollable Urge (demo)(Produced by Joe Walsh at The Record Plant LA, CA., 1977)
Social Fools (demo)(Recorded at Audio Recording Studio Cleveland, OH., 1975)
Sloppy (demo)(Recorded at Manray Studio, Akron, OH, 1976)

Disc 2

Freedom of Choice

Girl U Want
It's Not Right
Whip It
Snowball
Ton O' Luv
Freedom of Choice
Gates of Steel
Cold War
Don't You Know
That's Pep!
Mr. B's Ballroom
Planet Earth

Dev-O Live EP

Freedom of Choice Theme Song
Whip It
Girl U Want
Gates of Steel
Be Stiff
Planet Earth

Bonus Tracks

Snowball (demo) (Modern Music Rehearsal Studio, Hollywood to 4-track 1979)
Gates of Steel (demo) (Modern Music Rehearsal Studio, Hollywood to 4-track 1979)
Time Bomb (demo) (Recorded at the Record Plant, LA 1979)

DVD 1 (Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! - Live at HMV Forum, London)

Uncontrollable Urge
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Praying Hands
Space Junk
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Too Much Paranoias
Gut Feeling/(Slap Your Mammy)
Come Back Jonee
Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')
Shrivel-Up

DVD 2 (Promo Videos)

Satisfaction
Whip It
Freedom of Choice
Girl You Want

Starr and McCartney Duet on New Ringo Album

2009-11-19T17:30:00.003-05:00

Last night, we reported a rumor that Paul McCartney played bass on a track on Ringo Starr's upcoming album, Y Not. It turns out that not only is he playing but they are also singing a duet, one of a few with guests on the January 12 release. McCartney shares the lead on the albums first single, Walk With You, which was composed by Starr and Van Dyke Parks and plays bass on Peace Dream.

Starr told the story of the McCartney collaboration on Walk With You in a press release:

"Paul was doing the Grammys, so he came over to the house and was playing bass on ‘Peace Dream.’ So I played him this other track and Paul said, ‘Give me the headphones. Give me a pair of cans.’ And he went to the mike and he just invented that part where he follows on my vocal. That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better."

In reference to McCartney's bass work on Peace Dream:

"He makes it bigger and he makes it fuller. It makes the song like a conversation between us, and that was Paul’s idea to do his part one beat behind me. That’s why he’s a gen-i-us and an incredible bass player."

Also included on the album, either performing and/or as a songwriter:

Joe Walsh who co-wrote Fill in the Blanks, the album's opener, and performs the song with Starr.
Joss Stone
Richard Marx
Ben Harper
Benmont Tench of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Dave Stewart
Glen Ballard

The album is produced by Ringo who said in his statement

"I was the least involved in the production of the Beatle records and then with my solo records, I worked with some other great producers like Richard Perry, Arif Mardin, and Don Was. So it just seemed like that's the way that it goes. Then suddenly, it's another point in your life, and you say, 'I'm going do this now.' So I'll be producing anything I make from now on."

Aerosmith Members Worried About Tyler, Hall and Oates Are An Angel and A Devil, more

2009-11-19T02:36:00.000-05:00

Members of Aerosmith are worried that Steven Tyler is headed in the wrong direction. Drummer Joey Kramer told Billboard.com "Steven, he isolates more and more all the time -- that's what gives it away to me that there's something going on. I don't know what that is. I know he's made some not so great choices and he's got some negative influences around him now. I love the guy. I just want to see him get some help."

Guitarist Brad Whitford added "...this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that's probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who's just really struggling very badly."

Daryl Hall and John Oates have signed on as recurring characters on the animated Fox series The Cleveland Show. Oates told Spinner, "We're an angel and devil on the shoulder of Cleveland, giving him good and bad advice." Their first appearance is expected to be on this Sunday's episode.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been re-hospitalized with an infection following his surgery for prostate cancer. According to England's Daily Mail, he should be out in two to three days.

The nominations were announced for the 2009 Video Game Awards and The Beatles: Rock Band is up in two categories. The game will compete with DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5 and LEGO Rock Band for Best Music Game and Brutal Legend, DJ Hero and Guitar Hero 5 for Best Soundtrack.

Roger Taylor of Queen is looking to team up with Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters for a short tour next year. He told BBC6 "I've been thinking about doing a tour next year - a very quick tour - with Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters. He's like one of my best blood brothers! So we might do that. That sounds like fun."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, aka the Oscar people, have released their shortlist of 15 full-length documentaries that will be pared down to the five actual nominations. Neither Anvil!: The Story of Anvil or It Might Get Loud made the list.

A little more news is slipping out on Ringo Starr's upcoming album, Y Not. Gary Wright, who has played in Ringo's All-Star Band, has said that Paul McCartney plays bass on at least one cut and other ex-All-Stars Colin Hay and Billy Squire may also be on the album.

Think you have what it takes to play a Beatle? You can audition for Disney's upcoming production, currently called Fab 4 Project, but reported to be a motion capture remake of Yellow Submarine. No singing is needed as the original tracks will be used. The auditions are at BEATexpo 2009 in Stamford, Connecticut on November 28 and 29. For more information, go to the Connecticut Weekender site.

Preview: Nowhere Boy - Original Movie Soundtrack

2009-11-19T01:40:00.003-05:00

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Nowhere Boy - Original Soundtrack
Release Date: December 14, 2009 (U.K.), December 15, 2009 (U.S.)
Label: Sony
Format(s): 2-CDs, Digital Download

The soundtrack from the upcoming biopic of John Lennon's early days is filled with classics of the 50's and early-60's along with tracks by a group called The Nowhere Boys who are meant to be Lennon's early band(s). Included in the mix of rock classics are a few Beatles rarities such as Hello Little Girl, the first song written by Lennon and McCartney, and In Spite of All Danger by Lennon and Harrison. Only one track on the album is by any of the Beatles, John Lennon's Mother.

The first of the two CDs is currently set while the second is still awaiting clearances on some songs. Also note that none of the background music, written by Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, is included.

The full track list is after the cut.

Track List:

Disc 1

Wild One - Jerry Lee Lewis
Mr Sandman - Dickie Valentine
Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats
Shake, Rattle & Roll - Elvis Presley
Hard Headed Woman - Wanda Jackson
I Put A Spell On You - Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Maggie May - The Nowhere Boys
That’ll Be The Day - The Nowhere Boys
Rockin’ Daddy - Eddie Bond & The Stompers
Twenty Flight Rock - Eddie Cochran
That’s Alright Mamma - The Nowhere Boys
Movin' and Groovin' - The Nowhere Boys
Raunchy - The Nowhere Boys
Hound Dog - Big Mama Thornton
Be-Bop-A-Lula - Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps
Hello Little Girl - Aaron Johnson
In Spite Of All The Danger - The Nowhere Boys
Mother - John Lennon

Disc 2 (Tracks subject to change)

Baby Let’s Play House - Elvis Presley
Twist & Shout - Isley Brothers
Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy
She Loved Everybody But Me - Charlie Rich
Putting on the Style - Lonnie Donegan
Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
These Dangerous Years - Frankie Vaughan
Susie-Q - Dale Hawkins
Money (That’s What I Want) - Barrett Strong
Come Go With Me - Del Vikings
Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley
Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
Rip It Up - Little Richard
Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
The Hippy Hippy Shake - Chan Romero
Party Doll - Buddy Knox
Let the Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee
Ain’t That A Shame - Fats Domino
Bye, Bye Love - Everly Brothers
I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four
I Got A Rocket In My Pocket - Jimmy Lloyd

Review: The Kinks Choral Collection - Ray Davies & the Crouch End Festival Chorus

2009-11-19T01:32:00.000-05:00

Reworking Kinks classics with a full choir. When I first heard about it, I just knew it was one of the the worst ideas in music this year. I was prepared to write that it was a mess and a real disservice to the group's catalog.

...but I can't.

Ray Davies has done a quite amazing job on The Kinks Choral Collection, taking a number of well and lesser known songs from the group's catalog and rearranging them to take advantage of a full choir. What saves the album and gives most of the music a certain beauty is the fact that he uses the choir as just a large, harmonic group of background singers. Davies still handles the lead vocals. Guitar, bass, drums and keyboards still provide most of the instrumental accompaniment. It's just the background vocals that have this wonderful, full beauty.

The concept works beautifully on songs like Days, Waterloo Sunset and Celluloid Heroes, giving them a majestic feel. Even a couple of the group's most famous rockers, All the Day and All of the Night and You Really Got Me come through unscathed. There are, however, a couple of cringe worthy moments such as the chorus singing "Scooby dooby doo" on Picture Book.

Overall, though, the good (and a few great) moments far outweigh the bad. It's a triumph for Davies in what could easily have been a major kitschy disaster.

Bon Jovi Claims Second Consecutive Number One Album

2009-11-18T18:20:00.003-05:00

Bon Jovi has jumped to the top of the Billboard album charts with their new album, The Circle. The followup to 2007's Lost Highway is the second consecutive album for the group that has debuted at the top. Overall, the group has had four number one albums with their other two coming from the 80's (Slippery When Wet (1986) and New Jersey (1988)).

The Circle sold 163,000 copies in its first week of release, quite a bit lower than the 292,000 Lost Highway moved upon its debut.

Four albums exceeded the 100,000 mark in sales with Andrea Bocelli's My Christmas in second, Carrie Underwood's Play On in third and Michael Jackson's This is It at 4 with 117,000 copies sold.

Total sales for the year are at 301.5 million units, down 13% from last year.

Next week, look for John Mayer to have huge sales for his new album, Battle Studies. Hits Daily Double is estimating sales of between 275 and 300,000 for the album based on first day reports. There also will be a battle for the next few slots between Norah Jones, 50 Cent, Andrea Bocelli and Casting Crowns, all of which means that Bon Jovi will take quite a deep drop in its second frame.

Of veteran artists, Hits Daily Double is predicting 70 to 75,000 sales for Them Crooked Vultures with John Paul Jones, 50 to 55,000 for Paul McCartney's Good Evening New York City and 35 to 40,000 for Janet Jackson's Number Ones. Final figures will come out at this time next week.

Touring: Megadeth, Slayer, Chicago, more

2009-11-18T17:45:00.000-05:00

The following veteran artists have posted new touring dates (number of new shows in parenthesis followed by geographic location of new dates):

Megadeth (13) - U.S.
Slayer (15) - U.S., Europe
Metallica (5) - South America
Chicago (14) - U.S., Japan
Moody Blues (14) - U.K.
Bad Company (8) - U.K.
Jethro Tull (10) - North America, U.K.
Cheap Trick (6) - U.S., Canada
Rick Springfield (14) - U.S.
Cheech & Chong (17) - U.S., Canada
Pentagram (11) - Eastern & Central U.S., Netherlands

Who Will Be Playing Super Bowl, Velvet Underground Reforming to Talk, more

2009-11-18T02:38:00.000-05:00

Rolling Stone is reporting that the Who will, indeed, be playing February's Super Bowl but the official announcement won't be made until Thanksgiving day. Their source also said that the band "signed a long time ago" which supports our theory that the upcoming Greatest Hits set is meant to capitalize on the appearance.

According to The Rock Radio, Roger Daltrey also made reference to the group's Super Bowl appearance at last Friday's show at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City.

Three members of the Velvet Underground are reforming, at least for a public interview. Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule will appear at the New York Public Library's Celeste Bartos Forum on December 8 as part of the LIVE from the NYPL series. David Fricke will interview them on their music and legacy. Reed and Tucker were original members of the group when they first recorded while Yule replaced John Cale in 1968.

Michael Anthony unloaded about the situation with Eddie Van Halen in an interview with Australia's undercover.com.

"There is no relationship... Eddie had it in for me ever since I buddied up with Sammy Hagar again which I couldn't understand because Sammy had asked me sometime back if I would like to come and guest on some shows. This was when Van Halen was going through a period where Eddie was dealing with some of his own demons. He had the cancer thing he was dealing with and his marriage. As far as I was concerned, I was going out there waving the Van Halen flag to say, 'we didn't go away, we are still here.' Unfortunately, he didn't see it that way.

"He never liked me hanging out with Sammy and I can't understand why because Van Halen was my band. They didn't see it that way so they chose to not have me participate."

MTV Networks have acquired the exclusive television rights to Michael Jackson's This is It. The rights move to MTV in 2011 and last for six years.

The law firm of Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro have filed a $3.3 million suit against Rod Stewart over unpaid legal fees. The fees were for cases involving Stewart's cancellation of a December 2000 show in Las Vegas, a trademark infringement and a suit filed by a concert promoter.

Status Quo and Rolf Harris have recorded a new holiday song together, Christmas in the Sun. It will be released in the U.K. on December 7.

Finally, a preview of the cover of the new Ringo Starr album, Y Not.

Video: Must Be Santa by Bob Dylan

2009-11-18T02:33:00.001-05:00

As Piglet said in Winnie the Pooh, "Oh, dear! Oh, dear, oh, dearie, dearie, dear!"

Here's Bob Dylan's video of Must Be Santa from the Christmas From the Heart album.

Chart Watch Britain: November 15, 2009

2009-11-18T01:15:00.001-05:00

Our weekly recap of veteran artists on the current British music charts. Chart highlights:

Rod Stewart's latest covers album, Soulbook, debuts at number 10 on the British Album chart and is the highest charting album this week by a veteran artist. It's the highest Rod has been on the charts in three years. Last weeks leader, Bon Jovi, falls 2 to 13 while Michael Jackson's This is It goes 6 to 11.
Shirley Bassey debuts at 20 with her album The Performance. That is well short of her number 6 premier two years ago with Get the Party Started.
Debuting at number 41 is Donnie & Marie Osmond's first album in 30 years, Donnie & Marie.
AC/DC's new rarities album, Backtracks, failed to make the top 100 albums, but it does premier at number 10 on the Rock Albums chart. Also popping back in at 20 on the strength of the deluxe version of their album is the debut for Chickenfoot.

Previous week position noted in parenthesis. (N) is a new entry. (R) is a re-entry. Grayed charts were not available for update at time of publication.

Top 100 British Albums

#1 (N) - JLS - JLS
#2 (N) - Reality Killed the Video Star - Robbie Williams
#3 (N) - Up to Now - Snow Patrol
#4 (5) - Coming Home - Soldiers
#5 (10) - The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
#10 (N) - Soulbook - Rod Stewart
#11 (6) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#13 (2) - The Circle - Bon Jovi
#15 (12) - Very Best of - Fleetwood Mac
#20 (N) - The Performance - Shirley Bassey
#23 (18) - We'll Meet Again: The Very Best of - Vera Lynn
#24 (13) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
#29 (15) - If On a Winter's Night... - Sting
#31 (26) - Celebration - Madonna
#34 (28) - Ultimate Collection - Whitney Houston
#35 (33) - Reunited - Cliff Richard & the Shadows
#39 (34) - The Best of - Alison Moyet
#40 (35) - Some Guys Have All the Luck - Rod Stewart
#41 (N) - Donnie & Marie - Donnie & Marie Osmond
#42 (19) - Ultimate - Bee Gees
#48 (27) - Frankie Says Greatest - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
#52 (43) - Cross Road: The Best of - Bon Jovi
#57 (44) - The Very Best of - Andy Williams
#58 (53) - Love is the Answer - Barbra Streisand
#62 (49) - Essential - Michael Jackson
#63 (60) - Bad - Michael Jackson
#65 (50) - Total Madness - Madness
#70 (58) - Still So Far to Go: The Best of - Chris Rea
#71 (62) - Thriller - Michael Jackson
#72 (39) - Your Songs - Harry Connick, Jr.
#73 (37) - Once More - Spandau Ballet
#90 (103) - Abbey Road - Beatles
#97 (90) - 25: The Greatest Hits - Simply Red
#99 (112) - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - Beatles

Top 100 British Singles

#1 (3) - Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas
#2 (N) - Happy - Leona Lewis
#3 (1) - Everybody in Love - JLS
#4 (2) - Fight For This Life - Cheryl Cole
#5 (N) - I Need You - N-Dubz
#19 (14) - Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
#28 (19) - Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
#45 (25) - We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi
#62 (187) - Purple Rain - Prince & the Revolution
#78 (58) - Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
#98 (52) - Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

The R&B, Rock and Dance Charts are after the cut.

Top 40 British R&B Albums

#1 (N) - JLS - JLS
#2 (3) - The E.N.D. - Black Eyed Peas
#3 (N) - This is It - Michael Jackson
#4 (2) - I Am...Sasha Fierce - Beyonce
#5 (4) - The Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z
#6 (1) - I Look to You - Whitney Houston
#9 (5) - Ultimate Collection - Whitney Houston
#11 (N) - R&B Anthems 1979-2009 - Various Artists
#13 (11) - Essential - Michael Jackson

Top 40 British R&B Singles

#1 (2) - Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas
#2 (N) - Happy - Leona Lewis
#3 (1) - Everybody in Love - JLS
#4 (3) - Down - Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
#5 (4) - Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys
#7 (6) - Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
#22 (R) - Purple Rain - Prince & the Revolution
#27 (21) - Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
#40 (33) - Thriller - Michael Jackson

Top 40 British Rock Albums

#1 (1) - Greatest Hits - Foo Fighters
#2 (3) - The Resistance - Muse
#3 (2) - Live at Reading - Nirvana
#4 (5) - Brand New Eyes - Paramour
#5 (6) - 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
#6 (4) - World Painted Blood - Slayer
#10 (N) - Backtracks - AC/DC
#20 (R) - Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani)
#22 (34) - Don't Stop Believin': The Best of - Journey
#27 (R) - Piece of the Action: The Best of - Meat Loaf
#29 (30) - Back in Black - AC/DC
#37 (37) - Mothership - Led Zeppelin

Top 40 British Rock Singles

#1 (1) - The Captain - Billy Clyro
#2 (9) - Undiscovered Desires - Muse
#3 (2) - Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi
#4 (3) - Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
#5 (4) - Best of You - Foo Fighters
#11 (N) - Who Wants to Live - Queen
#12 (15) - Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
#16 (23) - Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
#21 (21) - We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen
#27 (20) - Enter Sandman - Metallica
#28 (36) - Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
#29 (22) - Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
#30 (13) - You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
#31 (33) - Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
#33 (R) - I Want to Breat Free - Queen
#35 (37) - Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Top 40 British Dance Singles

#1 (1) - Anyway - Duck Sauce
#2 (2) - Celebration - Madonna
#3 (4) - Ready For the Weekend - Calvin Harris
#4 (N) - Show Me Love - Steve Angello & Laidback Luke
#5 (8) - Black & Blue - Miike Snow

Faces Going On the Road Without Rod (But With Mick? And We Don't Mean Jagger)

2009-11-17T17:58:00.002-05:00

Billboard has revealed that the Faces are going on the road but without lead Rod Stewart.

Keyboardist Ian McLagan talked to the magazine about the band's plans, saying they are looking at a spring tour, but Stewart won't be coming along. "If we don't do it very soon, one of us is gonna check out. I'm 64, for chrissakes! We've been waiting and waiting for Rod to say yes; now he's finally said no. He's busy doing other shit. So we're gonna do it."

That other stuff Rod is doing is a 2010 tour to promote his new album Soulbook.

As far as who will join McLagan, guitarist Ron Wood and drummer Kenney Jones is still up-in-the-air. Bill Wyman played with the group at their recent reunion in London, but most likely won't be going on the road as he is not a fan of flying. The top of the list at the moment, per McLagan, is former Sex Pistol Glenn Matlock.

For lead, the group is looking at having a number of singers tour with them as they had at the reunion show when they used Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low. McLagan says that they will be asking Hucknall if he would like to come along but are undecided on others.

For more on the possible tour, see Billboard.com.