New Releases

New West Records proudly introduces Norah Jones: "Live From Austin, TX," the latest DVD release from the acclaimed PBS Austin City Limits television series. Taken from the full ACL concert that was then edited into the half hour TV show, the DVD contains previously unreleased performances. The 18 song disc was filmed in Hi-Definition and has DTS 5.1Surround Sound. Norah Jones: Live From Austin, TX, will be the first release from the series available as a Limited Edition 180 gram vinyl record. Vinyl will be available on August 5, 2008 with the DVD in stores September 2, 2008.

Grammy Award winning artist Norah Jones recorded this stunning ACL performance on June 14, 2007, the second time the young artist has graced ACL's stage. Jones' music has touches of smoky jazz, country twang and Memphis soul that permeate her original songs. Her emotional, seductive performance is captured on the intimate DVD whether she is playing guitar on “Come Away With Me" or piano on “Don't Know Why." In addition to her own songs, Norah also plays a few covers including “Hands On The Wheel, “ made famous by Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison's “Blue Bayou." Norah shares the stage with The Handsome Band as well as special guests J. Walter Hawkes and M. Ward.

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New Metallica Album Gets Release Date

Aug 05, 2008

A release date's been set for the new Metallica album.


The band's "Death Magnetic" will enjoy a rare Friday release, finding its way into stores Sept. 12 from Warner Bros, bucking the usual practice of dropping new albums into stores on Tuesdays. No reasons for the oddball release date were revealed by the band or its label.

Death Magnetic's track listing is:

That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
Broken, Beat and Scarred
The Day That Never Comes
All Nightmare Long
Cyanide
The Unforgiven III
The Judas Kiss
Suicide and Redemption
My Apocalypse

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James Taylor to Release Covers


Throughout James Taylor's career, he's made it a habit to throw in occasional cover songs among his numerous originals. A number have even made it on the charts, including Up on the Roof, Handy Man, How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved By You), Mockingbird and Devoted to You (the last two with ex-wife Carly Simon).

On September 30, Taylor will release an entire record of cover songs, appropriately titled Covers, on the Hear Music label. It is his first release of studio material since 2003's October Road and his second recording for Hear Music (the first being a live CD).

Included are songs originally done by everyone from Elvis Presley and the Drifters to Junior Walker and the Allstars and Glen Campbell.

The track list:

It's Growing
(I'm A) Road Runner
Wichita Lineman
Why Baby Why
Some Days You Gotta Dance
Seminole Wind
Suzanne
Hound Dog
Sadie
On Broadway
Summertime Blues
Not Fade Away

This Date In Music History- August 5

Birthdays:

Renee Benson (my better half) celebrates her 39th birthday (again) on this date.

Samantha Sang ("Emotion") is 55.

Rick Derringer ("Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo" and leader of the McCoys) turns 61.

Born on this day in 1946, Jimmy Webb US singer and songwriter. Wrote the 1968 hit for Richard Harris 'MacArthur Park', plus 'Galveston', for Glen Campbell, 'Up Up and Away,” for the 5th Dimension.

Born on this day in 1942, Rick Huxley guitar of the Dave Clark Five.

History:

Today in 1978 the song "Miss You," by the Rolling Stones topped the charts and stayed there for a week. It reached #3 in the UK. It has been reported that the lyrics were inspired by Mick Jagger's deteriorating relationship with his wife, Bianca.


In Britain in 1966, the Beatles released "Revolver," frequently cited as the best album ever made. Certainly in my Top Ten list of classic albums.

Pink Floyd released their debut album, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn," in England in 1967.

In 1957, Sonny Bono was hired by Specialty Records as their Hollywood "artists & repertoire" man.

In 1972, Stevie Wonder signed a $13 million deal with Motown Records, the richest ever at that time.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member David Crosby was sentenced to five years in jail in Texas in 1983 for cocaine and firearms offences. Crosby had slept through most of his trial. (the conviction was overturned after he spends less than a year in prison).

In 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home at the age of 36.

In 1972, Clive Davis signed a young band called Aerosmith to CBS Records after seeing them play Max's Kansas City in New York. They receive $125,000 for their services.

American Bandstand made its network debut on ABC-TV in 1957. The show was hosted by Dick Clark. Until this day the show had been a local show in Philadelphia since 1952. The first record Clark played on the network debut show was "That'll Be the Day" by Buddy Holly and his first guests were the Chordettes.

Drummer Jeff Porcaro, from Toto died age 38 in 1992. His death has been the subject of controversy: some say the attack was caused by an allergic reaction to garden pesticide, while others say Porcaro's heart was weakened by smoking and cocaine use. Porcaro also worked with many other acts including Sonny and Cher, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Steely Dan, Paul Simon and Boz Scaggs.

A report by 560 UK undertakers in 2005 revealed that bereaved families preferred Pop songs to Hymns at funerals. "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler was the most requested song, along with Robbie Williams "Angels,” Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and Elton John's "Candle In The Wind.” Among the most unusual songs played was Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust".

Beatles fans feared the misuse of the Fab Four’s music had hit rock bottom in 2007 following the decision to license ‘All You Need Is Love’ for use in a diaper ad. Procter & Gamble had purchased the rights to use the song from Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which now owned Northern Songs, the Beatles’ catalogue. The ad featured a baby jumping on a teddy bear in a disposable diaper which offered “ultimate leak protection.” What a disgrace, Beatles music, or for that matter, any classic rock and roll, does not belong in advertisements pitching any product. There, I said it, and I feel much better.