Music News & Notes

Sony: Michael Jackson Album Will Be Sold on iTunes, Contrary to Report

Michael Jackson’s posthumous album This Is It will be sold through iTunes, Sony told Wired.com, contradicting a Digital Music News report that Apple’s policy of insisting that songs be sold individually had cost it the chance to sell the album.

“I’m happy to report that [that] story is incorrect,” said Epic Records (Sony) senior vice president of publicity Lois Najarian. “Michael Jackson’s This It It album will indeed be for sale on iTunes Oct. 27. I don’t have much more information to impart other than that right now, but suffice [it] to say fans will be able to purchase it there.”

If Sony is right, either Michael Jackson’s people have agreed to let iTunes sell songs from the album individually, or Apple has reversed its longstanding policy of insisting that songs on albums also be sold individually in iTunes. We’ve asked Sony and Apple about this and hope to have an answer shortly.

“I know that’s the question of the day and they are working on that now,” said Najarian, when asked about the bundling issue.

This widely anticipated album includes only one new track, also called “This Is It” (listen), which was co-written by Michael Jackson and Paul Anka in 1983, although four demos and a poem are also included. By making this only available as a complete album, Sony and Jackson’s estate would be able to force fans who want to buy the new track and the four demos to purchase 14 tracks they probably already own.

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Rare outtakes from The White Stripes' first ever record to be released

Jack White's label Third Man to release rare tracks via online service The Vault

Outtakes from The White Stripes' first ever recording session are set to be released from the first time.

Alternative takes from the duo's 1998 seven-inch single 'Let's Shake Hands' – and its B-side 'Look Me Over Closely' – will be available via The Vault, the online service of Jack White's label Third Man.

The rarities will be available to The Vault's platinum subscribers, who will also receive an exclusive vinyl album 'The Raconteurs, Live In London' and a screen print poster for The Dead Weather.

The latest release is part of a regular giveaway organised by Third Man for Vault subscribers. Registration for the service is available until October 22, and also includes audio and video previews, pre-sales and more.

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Elvis to release '100-song box set' to celebrate his 75th birthdayCollection to be released on December 8.


A "career spanning" Elvis Presley collection is being released to mark what would have been his 75th birthday.

A 100-song box set called 'Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight' will be released on December 8.

The collection will include many fan favourites but also lesser know tracks like 'My Happiness' the song Presley paid four dollars to record at the Memphis Recording Service in July 1953, a year before signing with Sun Records.

The collection will also feature an 80-page booklet featuring rare photos and a new essay by journalist Billy Altman.

A single-disc edition of 'Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight.' will be released January 5, three days before what would have been Presley's 75th birthday.

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The Tragically Hip announce UK tour and album details

Canadian band head to the UK this autumn

Tragically Hip have announced details of a UK tour to support their forthcoming new album.

The album, called 'We Are The Same', is due out on November 17, and the band will call at four venues in the UK and Ireland this November and December.

The band have posted a new video featuring material from the album on their YouTube page.