Thursday, November 27, 2008

Music News & Notes

Thin Lizzy Moves to Stop Biopic of Phil Lynott


Members of Thin Lizzy have moved to stop a biopic of late frontman Phil Lynott. Guitarist Scott Gorham told the director that he would not receive the group's approval until their was a complete rewrite of the script.

"It's an ongoing saga because when we looked at the script, it was full of truths and half-truths and Hollywood's take on Phil's life was all about drugs.

"Of course there were drugs - that's the sensational side of Thin Lizzy - but when the movie absolutely centred on that it became a problem.

"We want to veer people towards the music of Phillo and Thin Lizzy because he was a remarkable songwriter, musician and performer.

"There was a lot more to Phil and the band than just taking drugs. It irritates me that the personal stuff overshadows the musical legacy. You only get one shot at getting a movie right. We won't give it the green light until everyone is happy."

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Blink 182 Members Reconcile

The former members of Blink 182 don't hate each other so bad anymore.

After drummer Travis Barker was severely injured in a plane crash in September and producer Jerry Finn passed away, the members of Blink 182 are letting some of the old issues be water under the bridge.

"(Singer/guitarist) Tom (DeLonge), Travis, and I have all spoken together," singer/bassist Mark Hoppus wrote on his blog. "First through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. They've all been great, very positive conversations. We're just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking."

No immediate plans to reunite Blink have been discussed Hoppus said.

SOURCE: http://www.aversion.com

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Opeth And Immortal To Release Vinyl Box Sets


German label Viva Hate Records has announced the release of limited edition, hand numbered OPETH And IMMORTAL vinyl wooden boxes.

The Opeth box is a 6xLP set of the following albums: The Orchid, Morningrise, My Arms Your Hearse. The wooden box will have the Opeth logo and album details printed/burned on it. The first 200 coloured versions contain an exclusive special Opeth shirt. This is due for release in January.

The Immortal box is a 6xLP set of the following albums: Diabolical Fullmoon, Pure Holocaust, Battles In The North, Blizzard Beasts,At The Heart Of Winter, Damned In Black. The wooden box will have the Immortal logo and album details printed/burned on it. The white vinyl version is limited to 100 pieces. The dark red vinyl version is limited to 200 pieces. Each will include a special shirt. This is due for release in March.

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The Jesus Lizard Reuniting In 2009

Seminal indie rock outfit the Jesus Lizard will play its first shows in 10 years in 2009, while Touch & Go will remaster and reissue its first four studio albums.

The original lineup of David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims and Mac McNeilly will return to the stage May 9-10 at All Tomorrow's Parties' the Fans Strike Back in Minehead, England, which will also feature Devo, Spiritualized, the reunited Sleep and Young Marble Giants. The group will play "very limited" as-yet-unannounced dates in the months to follow, concluding with a November show in Chicago.

After splitting with Touch & Go in 1995, the band jumped to a major-label, Capitol, and released two more albums that sold appreciably less than its prior efforts. Its last show was in late March 1999.

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Concord Starts Ray Charles Reissue Program


Concord Records has announced that they have entered an agreement with the Ray Charles Foundation to begin releasing the singer's catalog, covering his work on the ABC and Tangerine labels. The program will include both physical and, for the first time on many titles, digital media.

The first reissue will be Charles' 1985 release The Spirit of Christmas. This year, it will be made available only as a digital release which began yesterday on iTunes. A physical copy will be out next year for the Christmas season.

Next, in March, will come a new 21-track retrospective containing many of Charles' great 60's hits (Georgia On My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, Unchain My Heart, etc.).

The balance of 2009 will see reissues of Modern Sounds in Country Western Music Volumes 1 & 2, The Genius Hits the Road, Genius + Soul = Jazz and Berlin, 1962. In addition, Starbucks will get an exclusive, Starbucks Opus Anthology, and a few digital-only exclusives.

John Burk, Concord Music Group exec VP of A&R stated, "Ray Charles is one of America's most iconic and treasured voices. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to once again present Ray's music with the reverence and respect it deserves and continue our dynamic partnership with Val Ervin and everyone at the Ray Charles Foundation."

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