Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Music News & Notes

Def Jam Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Four-LP Retrospective

To celebrate Def Jam's 25th anniversary, Island Def Jam Music Group is set to release "Def Jam 25." The limited-edition four-LP deluxe set -- due on Record Store Day, April 18 -- features several classics as well as newer hits from R&B and hip-hop stars including LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Rihanna, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Young Jeezy among others.

Here is the track list for 'Def Jam 25':

Def Jam 25 Vol. 1: DJ Bring That Back (2008-1997)

"Disturbia" - Rihanna (2008)
"I Luv Your Girl" - The-Dream (2007)
"Hustlin'" - Rick Ross (2006)
"Go Crazy" - Young Jeezy (2005)
"Jesus Walks" - Kanye West (2004)
"Splash Waterfalls" - Ludacris (2003)
"Foolish" - Ashanti (2002)
"Put It On Me" - Ja Rule featuring Vita (2001)
"Just Friends (Sunny)" - Musiq Soulchild (2000)
"What's My Name" - DMX (1999)
" Money Ain't A Thang" - Jay-Z featuring Jermaine Dupri (1998)
"Big Bad Mama" - Foxy Brown featuring Dru Hill (1997)

Def Jam 25 Vol. 2: DJ Bring That Back (1996-1984)

'Whateva Man" - Redman (1996)
"This Is How We Do It" - Montell Jordan (1995)
"Bring The Pain" – Method Man (1994)
"Slam" - Onyx (1993)
"Deeper" - Boss (1992)
"Hip Hop Junkies" – Nice & Smooth (1991)
"911 Is a Joke" - Public Enemy (1990)
"Pop Goes The Weasel" - 3rd Bass (1989)
"Children's Story" - Slick Rick (1988)
"I Need Love" - LL Cool J (1987)
"The Rain" - Oran Juice Jones (1986)
"My Radio" - LL Cool J (1985)
"It's Yours" - T la Rock featuring Jazzy Jay (1984)

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New Talking Heads Material

Warner Brothers has just announced that they will be releasing an album of unheard, archived music from the Talking Heads. David Byrne said "It's not a whole lot, but it's going to happen."

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Echo Awards

AC/DC won the award for Best International Rock/Alternative/Heavy Metal Artist at the Echo Awards in Germany over the weekend. Additionally, smooth-R&B crooner Lionel Richie was given a special award saluting his achievements and those of the Motown label over the last 50 years. The Scorpions also received a lifetime achievement award.

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Russian Heavy Metal

ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons provided guitar and vocals to a track on the new album by Russian metal band called Pushking.

The group's new album, "Duets," also features 19 of their songs re-recorded with guest vocalists including: Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley (Kiss), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) and Ian Gillian (Deep Purple).

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Country Vinyl


According to Curb Record’s New Releases page, all three of Hank Williams' III’s albums prior to "Damn Right, Rebel Proud" are going to be released on vinyl on April 18! There are also a couple of Hank Jr. albums to be released on vinyl as well.




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Canada's SAVAGE BLADE Release Debut

Nelson, BC based metallers SAVAGE BLADE have issued the following press release:

"Classic 80's style power metal returns with a vengeance, with the release of Savage Blade's debut album, We Are The Hammer.


Savage Blade is a new, Canadian-based classic power metal outfit formed by Eric Hoodicoff (LILLIX, THE FUCKSTIXX, JERMUN), Chris Archibald (BC/DC, Jermun), and ex-MORMON wild child vocalist Nikko Forsberg. Fueled by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the classic power metal bands of the early eighties, Savage Blade pledge to "Kill 'Em All For One".

We Are The Hammer was recorded in Nelson, BC, Canada, with the assistance of producer/engineer Andy Chute, engineer Cole St. Denys, and mixed by Vancouver-based producer, Futcher. Chock-full of vintage riffs, pounding rhythms, instantly memorable hooks and balls-to-the-wall vocals, the album is sure to strike a chord with fans of the classic metal bands of the early 80's.

In conjunction with the album release, the band has also launched their new website at www.wearethehammer.com. Through the new site, the Canadian metal warriors are offering up the new album in a number of ways - both old and new. Leveraging the power of ReverbNation, the entire 11 song album is available for free, in high quality streaming audio. And instead of releasing the album on CD, the band has opted to deliver their music on the increasingly popular media platform, the USB/Flash Drive. The reason for this is simple - more Blade for your Buck. The Flash Drive features the full album in both FLAC (Level 8) and MP3 (320CBR) formats, along with some great bonus material, including high resolution album art (so you can burn and brand your own CD), band photos, bonus track (SAXON's classic, 'Dallas 1PM'), desktop wallpaper and MP3 Ringtone.

The band is also releasing We Are The Hammer as a limited edition (500), high quality, 180 gram vinyl LP. Currently in manufacturing, the LP's are available now for pre-order from the new website, at a special introductory rate, until the official shipping date of April 1st, 2009.

True Metal will never die. Savage Blade won't allow it."

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Obama to Award Stevie Wonder Special Prize


Pop/Soul legend Stevie Wonder will receive the second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize on February 25, 2009. President Barack Obama will present him with the award in the East Room of the White House. Wonder and other unnamed artists are scheduled to perform a concert that is being taped for a PBS special in celebration of African American History Month. The show will air on February 26.

"The Gershwin Prize was created to honor an artist whose creative output transcends distinctions between musical styles and idioms, bringing diverse listeners together, and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation," Librarian of Congress James H. Billington explains. "Stevie Wonder's music epitomizes this ideal." Paul Simon received the library's first Gershwin Prize in 2007.

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Earth, Wind and Fire Perform at White House


On February 22, Earth, Wind and Fire performed at the White House Governors' Dinner. The event marked the first formal White House dinner hosted by President and First Lady Obama. The U.S. Marine Band also made an appearance.

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