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White³: Jack White Does Beatles White Album Tune at White House
07.21.10
If you were going to perform a Beatles cover, having to do it front of Paul McCartney would probably increase the difficulty tenfold. Now throw in a bunch of old politicians who probably thought The Beatles were hippies, and none other than Barack Obama, and you have yourself one tough crowd. But Jack White showed no qualms about doing exactly that when he performed The White Album song Mother Nature’s Son at the White House last month for The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize event honoring McCartney. The night also saw Dave Grohl doing Beatles tunes, a big Hey Jude sing-along, and appearances by Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris. The whole event will be broadcast on PBS July 28th, but you can watch a few performances online now.

ELP
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Feeling Cornered...
I Fear For What It May Become
07.19.10
by Lit Hardway

Another steamy July day has turned to night as the city’s exhaust fans and whirling traffic ease to a hum. The twinkle of the untouchable stars holds my gaze with a voodoo grip. Droning swells of Mastodon reverie fill my apartment as the hypnotic swagger of Jimi Hendrix hemorrhages from my neighbor’s windows. I sit and sigh, pondering the fate of music to come. A hundred years ago early romantics like Schubert and Liszt expanded formality within classical composition, thereby creating textured layers of expression and passion; a form of pop-romanticism never before explored. Pioneers of the audio heart if you will. Fifty years ago The Beatles and The Rolling Stones struck the world with impalpable celebrity status, stocking our fair terra with music to love, smoke and drink by. T’was an expansion on the roots of rock and an evolution of pop-rockstar heights. A mid-century wiring that loaded the subsequent years with blazing crunch. Even the 90s proved fruitful with the heavyweight reign of Washington grungers Nirvana smacking the shit out of good little girls and boys. Now in 2010 it seems the chart toppers and global kings and queens of tunes are drawing millions of followers with lyrics like “P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face(Mum mum mum mah)”. Now I know what you’re thinking… There’s always been uninspired music littering the greener pastures of quality harmonious intent. However never before in history has the lack of creativity and the abundance of contrived digital mass production been so rampant. A white wash of pretty pink foam on the surface of a society yearning for audio legitimacy more now than ever before. I fear. I fear for the distorted tone of a moody guitar. I fear. I fear for the true words of hip hop. I fear. I fear for the bellowing holler of the heavy chord. I fear. I fear for the sweet serenade of all that is real. I fear. I fear for what it may become.
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Bits & Pieces
Unreleased Beatles Photography in NYC Exhibit
06.18.10
In 1964, photographer Curt Gunther was allowed to follow The Beatles on their first North American tour. In 2010, these photos are making their own first stop, an exhibit in New York’s Morrison Hotel Gallery. Gunther’s pictures are not rehearsed, but candid moments of the band looking natural. Photos include one of Paul McCartney making a funny face as the band sits in a car, the entire band on horses in cowboy gear, and a really cool poster-worthy shot of George Harrison looking badass while tuning his guitar. The exhibit started June 18th and runs to about mid July in the SoHo gallery of the Morrison Hotel. This doesn’t leave you Beatles diehards too much time to go see it in person, so if you can’t make the trek to NYC, many of the shots are on Rolling Stone’s website.

ELP
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Bits & Pieces
To Nike With Love… A Beatles Cover by Andre 3000
06.04.10
A far cry from rap? Sure. Great anyway? Absolutely. I’m talking about the latest basketball commercial to flow from the marketing minds over at Nike, featuring Kobe Bryant being his usual self, while the ring of Andre 3000 covering The Beatles’ All Together Now off 1969′s Yellow Submarine, fills the ad. I know what you’re all thinking… How is Kobe Bryant not in jail? Just kidding. Check out the Nike ad now, set to air throughout the NBA finals. Oh and just in case anyone’s curious… Outkast’s still rapping other half Big Boi drops his latest album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty on July 6th.

Lit
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CD Reviews
Bettye LaVette – Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
05.30.10
Bettye LaVette brings the grit and wisdom of a 50 year career to her new album, Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. (more…)
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CD Reviews
The Flaming Lips – The Flaming Lips And Stardeath And White Dwarfs With Henry Rollins And Peaches Doing Dark Side Of The Moon
05.08.10
This may want to make you pinch yourself to see if you’re indeed in waking life, but a collaboration of some interesting suspects have produced (or reproduced I should say) one of the most epic albums in rock’s history: The Flaming Lips, Henry Rollins, Peaches, Star Death and White Dwarfs have remade Pink Floyd’s untouchable Dark Side of the Moon. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
Liam Gallagher Produces Beatles Film
05.07.10
Just in case Liam Gallagher’s head wasn’t inflated enough, he now gets to produce the upcoming Beatles film based on a book by Apple Records’ Richard DiLello. DiLello’s book, The Longest Cocktail Party: An Insider’s Diary of the Beatles, Their Million Dollar Apple Empire and Its Wild Rise and Fall, blows the whistle on all the little secrets concerning The Beatles and their record company Apple in the late 60s… Beside having an unnecessarily long name that is. The former Oasis frontman will share the job’s burden with Revolution Films who have yet to commission a director or cast. Reportedly a buzz for the flick is set to see This year’s Cannes Film Festival, with an official release date yet to be revealed. I wonder if Liam will figure out how to play all the characters on his own?

Lit
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Bits & Pieces
Contractors dig up John Lennon’s Drugs
04.19.10
A leather holdall has been discovered in the garden of John Lennon’s former Weymouth home. Building contractors have reportedly dug up a hippie’s dream as workers discovered what is rumored to be Lennon’s hidden stash of LSD. Setting a goal for health and well being, and therefore logically choosing to leave pollutants behind, the Beatle apparently buried the drugs prior to departing for the band’s trips to India in 1967. Officials say that determining whether or not there was in fact LSD contained in the finding will prove a daunting task as the containers were discovered in very poor condition. Seriously John, the Vatican just forgave you.

Lit
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Concert Reviews
Nickelback @ Centre Bell – 04.09.10
04.15.10
In an evening filled with fireworks, bow-legged power stances, and tunes that rival Rex Morgan MD for melodrama, the main star of Nickelback’s show at le Centre Bell was lead singer Chad Kroeger’s motor mouth. Clearly, the man has a way with words. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
Pssst, John Lennon… Jesus Forgives You
04.14.10
As some may recall, 1966 marked the year John Lennon made quite a bold face comment in regards to The Beatles fame versus Jesus fame. The audio icon let fly that “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I’ll be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first—rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity”. Of course the inflammatory words were misconstrued as blasphemous, especially by America’s bible belt, and the catholic contrary slander made the pop moguls dangerously unwanted in many US states. Well it seems the head honchos have seen the light, as the Vatican has officially forgiven Lennon’s mischievous outlook on ol’J.C. In a recent issue of the Vatican’s official paper L’Osservatore Romano, a statement was printed reading, “It’s true, they took drugs; swept up by their success, they lived dissolute and uninhibited lives. They even said they were more famous than Jesus. But, listening to their songs, all of this seems distant and meaningless. Their beautiful melodies, which changed forever pop music and still give us emotions, live on like precious jewels.” Hm… I guess if you’re a severely scrutinized outfit who’s members are constantly accused of molesting young boys… Forgiving a little harmless nihilism is almost a requirement.

Lit
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CD Reviews
Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame
04.10.10
The moniker Dr. Dog throws me off every single time. It’s their 6th album installment with Shame, Shame, and I’m somehow still waiting for something along the lines of Snoop sound instead of the 60s inspired mellowness swirl of psychedelic rock that defines these five guys. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
The God of Rock Photography Dead at 74
03.25.10
Legendary rock photographer Jim Marshall peacefully passed away in his sleep at the age of 74 in his New York hotel room. With an artistic career spanning over half a century, his eye for documenting rock and roll history will forever be remembered. From recording Woodstock to The Beatles’ last concert, Marshall photographed the timeless greats; the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Ray Charles. He has over 500 album covers accredited to his name, having developed long-standing relationships with his subjects. He will be deeply missed.
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Bits & Pieces
Pink Floyd vs EMI: Judge Rules in Favor of the Band
03.11.10
As we reported yesterday, the terms of Pink Floyd’s 1999 contract with EMI that predated iTunes and other musical download retailers, included a clause stipulating that their songs could not be sold outside the context of their original albums. The band saw the sale of single album tracks by EMI via iTunes as a violation of this contract term, and duly sued their label. A London judge today, dismissing EMI’s arguments that the contract only covered physical and not digital releases sided with the band, not only ordering that the label cease to sell the band’s songs individually, but also that they pay in the region of $60,000 for the band’s legal fees, whilst the court assessed what the level of additional damages that will also be due should be. There is also apparently the question of determining the amount of digital royalties to be paid to the band, due the 1999 lack of foresight of mass consumption of music through legal downloads. This will no doubt amount to a huge sum, as only The Beatles’ back catalog is worth more than Pink Floyd’s.
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Bits & Pieces
Pink Floyd Sue Label EMI Over Individual Track Downloads
03.10.10
It’s not often you can get Roger Waters and David Gilmour to agree on something. But apparently, if it involves suing their label, you can. The Floyd are reportedly taking EMI to court over their 1999 contract, which indicated the band’s songs could not be isolated and sold outside the context of their original albums. However, as a quick visit to iTunes will reveal, downloaders can bag individual Pink Floyd tracks, outside of the context of full albums, which has prompted the suit. The band’s lawyer Robert Howe argued at the first hearing of the case that “Pink Floyd [are] well-known for performing seamless pieces. Many of the songs blend into each other,” adding that the 1999 contract “expressly prohibits” taking the songs out of context. In riposte, EMI insisted that the band’s clause about separating the songs only applies to their physical releases, and as it predates digital music services like iTunes, the clause doesn’t apply to downloads. Given that the band are the label’s second highest grossing artists behind The Beatles, you can’t help but feel the balance of bargaining power to lie with them. Still, with the case in its infancy we’ll have to wait and see how this one develops. We will, of course, keep you posted.
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Bits & Pieces
Danger Mouse and EMI Make Up, Dark Night of the Soul Set for June Release
03.03.10
It looks as though Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse and EMI have managed to resolve their latest dispute over the producer’s Dark Night of the Soul album. The long running dispute between the parties stems back to The Grey Album — Danger Mouse’s mash-up of The Beatles’ The White Album with Jay-Z’s Black Album — and the lack of resolution threatened to prevent his latest album from ever seeing the light of day in legitimate form. That Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous, EMI artist featured as a prominent player on Dark Night of the Soul, had angered the label, who threatened to sue if the album was released. But, all the nastiness is behind them now, with Danger Mouse stating that, “The problems of last year are last year, so hopefully it will be out soon in June or something like that.”
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Bits & Pieces
Interview Footage of John Lennon Used in Citroen TV Advertisement
03.03.10
What is it about rock stars and their songs that car manufacturers like so much? Is it that they tend to lend authenticity to what more often than not these days is a very boring product? In the latest ‘sell out’ debate on the subject, Sean Ono Lennon responded to criticism directed at mother Yoko’s licensing of his father John’s image to car manufacturer Citroen. Essentially, the piece of footage taken from his Beatles days shows Lennon encouraging the general public to be more creative and forward looking (presumably not to record entire albums of 50s rock ‘n roll standards then, eh?) followed by a slick 360 degree view of Citroen’s new car, which is apparently ‘Not Retro’. OK then. Defending his mother via Twitter, Yoko Ono insisted the footage was apparently licensed not for money, but in an attempt “… to keep dad in public consciousness. No new LPs, so TV ad is exposure to young,” adding, “Look, the TV ad was not for money. It’s just hard to find new ways to keep dad in the new world. Not many things as effective as TV.” Later, and once he had actually watched the ad, he added “Having just seen ad I realize why people are mad,” he wrote. “But intention was not financial, was simply wanting to keep him out there in the world.” So that’s that I guess.
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Bits & Pieces
EMI to Keep Abbey Road After All?
02.22.10
As we reported last week, stories began circulating that EMI was planning on selling its legendary North-West London studios Abbey Road, home to most of The Beatles recording sessions as well as those for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Now, after apparent protest from various quarters, the label is now said to be looking for “financial help to save it”. In the light of the huge and widely publicized debts the label currently has, the offer of “in excess of £30 million” that they reportedly received last year must have been pretty tempting. Instead the label is hoping it can “revitalize” the studio, one potential plan being to open it to the public while keeping it going as an active recording studio. To make the financing work, EMI has been in talks with “an unspecified number of outside parties.”
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Bits & Pieces
EMI Plans to Sell Iconic Abbey Road Studios
02.16.10
It’s pretty clear to most that things aren’t what they used to be for the major labels. There’s no more driving limousines into swimming pools and bathing in baked beans for bands these days. Label shareholders get upset if their star performers don’t deliver an album in time for Christmas, and the proliferation of illegal downloading has left them feeling like someone short circuited the security gates at the warehouse. It’s in this climate that EMI has announced that it is to sell the jewel in the crown of its recording studios, Abbey Road. The studio and the crosswalk outside made famous by The Beatles, is, according to the Financial Times, to be sold off by the label due to the spiraling costs of keeping it running; cash that EMI could really use to plug other holes in its business. The FT could only speculate over the future of the iconic brand itself, and couldn’t confirm whether the label will sell the name along with the property, but did manage to pull in a quote from a London media lawyer confirming what we all suspected, namely that “the brand is worth more than the building.” So, perhaps don’t be surprised if you stumble across an ‘Abbey Road Café’, replete with crosswalk, the next time you trudge bleary eyed through an international airport terminal…
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Concert Reviews
Tegan and Sara @ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier – 01.18.10
01.24.10
Who’s the only act who manages to compact endearing and punkish in the same performance? Tegan and Sara categorically lived up to their reputation when they played at the grand Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. By now, this sister duo is integral to Canadian music, and seeing them is kind of a necessity, a rite of passage. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
New Jimi Hendrix Album to see Early 2010 Release
01.11.10
Persistent re-emptying of the vaults all too often makes for the tedious task of wading through hours of meandering jams and unfinished songs. Although those of Jimi Hendrix have certainly not been spared the ‘warts and all’ treatment, the astounding quality of at least some of what has been released since the singer’s death in 1970 may account for renewed excitement at the news of the release of an apparently new track. Valleys of Neptune, the result of a session for what would have been the follow up to 1968′s Electric Ladyland, is set to be released as a single on February 2nd, and will be followed by a compilation of the same on March 9th. The compilation will feature some covers and classics that will be familiar to most Hendrix fans, although notably, will be accompanied by four further unreleased tracks; including one culled from the Axis:Bold as Love sessions. Speaking of her brother’s love of recording, Janie Hendrix, the custodian of Jimi’s legacy since his family gained control of his work in 1994, described him as “at home in the studio” and that the new tracks would offer fans a “deep insight into his mastery of the recording process”. In addition to these releases, 2010 will see the re-release of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s three studio albums, along with 1997′s First Rays of the New Rising Sun, a posthumous album that will also see a re-issue. All will be accompanied by extensive bonus video footage directed by acclaimed The Beatles Anthology director Bob Smeaton.
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Bits & Pieces
Jackson Memorabilia Brings in $2 Million at Hard Rock Auction
11.23.09
New York’s Hard Rock Cafe hosted an auction of iconic rock and roll memorabilia this past weekend, where items belonging to The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Nirvana, and Michael Jackson were placed upon the block. The story of the auction, which was estimated to bring in $120 000, was the remarkably high prices paid for the King of Pop’s swag. On the strength of the Jackson item bids, the auction raked in more than $2 million. Rhinestone studded glove? $420 000. This is the glove he was sporting when he pulled off the Moonwalk for the first time. I’m not positive, but I think that might be the most paid for a left hand glove in the history of gloves. Jackson’s fedora from the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards was thought to garner attention in the 6 to 8 thousand dollar range. The gavel fell after a winning bid of $73, 800. Michael Jackson sketches of Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Mouse (in Jackson’s jacket from the Bad album cover) also sold for at high prices.
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Bits & Pieces
Starr and McCartney Reunite on Y Not
11.20.09
A Beatles reunion is in the works, as the surviving members of the seminal band Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are getting together to play on Starr’s new album Y Not. McCartney is picking up the lead guitar duties on the lead off single Walk With Me, and features on Peace Dream playing bass. Ringo lauds his former bandmate, saying of the collaboration; “That was all Paul McCartney, and there could be nothing better. He’s a genius.” Y Not is due January 12th, and features Ben Harper and Joss Stone, in addition to Sir Paul.
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Bits & Pieces
David Lynch Filming Tale of The Beatles’ Guru Mahesh In India
11.18.09
India will be hosting one of the more interesting filmmakers of the times, as David Lynch heads out east to make a new film about The Beatles’ mediation guru Maharishi Mahesh. The ‘60s saw the Maharshi emerge as a pop culture icon, as well as a beacon of spiritual enlightenment, following an influx of Western celebrities, including The Beatles, began to attend his seminars in India. Lynch said of his upcoming film, “It won’t be a so-called David Lynch film, really; it will be about Maharishi and the knowledge he brought out. It’ll hold a lot of abstractions.” Talk right now is that the project will be a documentary. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died in 2008, but Lynch is hopeful that insight into the man and the guru will be provided through interviews with a 97 year old friend of the deceased holyman’s. No word on whether or not any of The Beatles will be involved in the project.
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CD Reviews
Say Anything – Say Anything
11.07.09
Nothing says reboot, reinvention, or any of the other ‘re’ words associated with pop music quite like the mid-career self-titled album. The Beatles did it. Fleetwood Mac did it. Metallica did it. Heck, Weezer can’t stop doing it. And now, L.A.’s Say Anything has gone ahead and done it. (more…)
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Bits & Pieces
The Beatles Offering USB Drive Chock-O-Block Full Of Tunes
11.05.09
Pony up $279.99 at The Beatles’ online store on December 7th (in the UK) or 8th (over here in North America); just in time for Christmas, you’ll receive an apple shaped USB drive with September’s Beatles reissues. Apple Corps and EMI have put their heads together on this one to bring us all 14 reissued albums, as well 13 mini-docs about the releases. There will only be 30,000 of these guys out there, so if you’re interested, move quickly… If this is not your idea of the perfect gift, there is always the vinyl option. On November 7th, a limited edition box set commemorating the 40th anniversary of Abbey Road is being released by the good people of Record Store Day fame. The vinyl comes with a T-shirt and poster, emblazoned with the cover of the Come Together/Something single. There are only 5000 of these out there, and word is they are only going to be made available to the indie record stores of discerning taste…
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