Music News & Notes

Peter Gabriel to Release Indie-centric Covers Album

The latest news is that Peter Gabriel will be releasing an album of covers entitled ‘Scratch My Back’ on February 15th 2010.

Gabriel describes this as “a very personal record” with the twelve songs performed only with orchestral instruments and voice. To help craft the recording he enlisted John Metcalfe as composer/arranger, the expertise of producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’, Lou Reed’s ‘Berlin’) and the engineer, mixer and producer Tchad Blake (Suzanne Vega, Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits).

It’s chock full of indie goodness!

Heroes (David Bowie)
The Boy in the Bubble (Paul Simon)
Mirrorball (Elbow)
Flume (Bon Iver)
Listening Wind (Talking Heads)
The Power of the Heart (Lou Reed)
My Body is a Cage (Arcade Fire)
The Book of Love (The Magnetic Fields)
I Think it’s Going to Rain Today (Randy Newman)
Après Moi (Regina Spektor)
Philadelphia (Neil Young)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Radiohead)

=====================

Judas Priest To Reissue Classics On Vinyl

Back on Black, a company specializing in vinyl re-issues of classic metal albums, has announced that they will be re-releasing a number of classic Judas Priest albums beginning next year.

The reissues begin February 22 with Sin After Sin, followed by British Steel, which will be reissued April 19 to coincide with its 30th anniversary.

Other release dates include the seminal live disc Unleashed in the East on March 22, Screaming for Vengeance on May 24 and both Painkiller and Angel of Retribution on July 19.

All records will be 180 gram heavyweight vinyl and will come packaged in deluxe gatefold sleeves. The first 1,000 pressed will be limited-edition colored collectible vinyl. All of the records will contain bonus tracks.

=====================

Paul McCartney: 'It Would Have Been Interesting To Work With John Lennon Again'

Sir Paul McCartney has admitted it would have been “pretty interesting” to work again with former Beatles bandmate John Lennon. In an interview with The Times, Sir Paul said the pair had resolved their tumultuous relationship before Lennon was murdered in 1980.

But the singer said they were still cautious about re-igniting their creative relationship.

“Yeah, we were mates. God, that was so cool. It was the saving grace. Because it got a bit sticky after the Beatles,” he said. “No, we were really good mates again — it was lovely, actually.”

When asked if they had considered working together again, Sir Paul replied: “I dunno. We were always a bit nervous of that.

"Had he lived it might have happened, there was a mellowing. It could have been pretty interesting.”

How freaking sad, with the anniversary of his death tomorrow, December 8.

=====================

Nickelback Donates $500K to the Obakki Foundation

Founder and Obakki Designs Inc. owner Treana Peake launched the first awareness building and fundraising campaign for the newly created Obakki Foundation this week. The creative and moving campaign began with Peake, a philanthropist, entrepreneur and wife of Nickelback guitarist Ryan Peake, who gave 150 children at three orphanages in Cameroon, Africa a piece of paper and a pen and asked: What Makes You Happy? What Makes You Afraid? What Makes You Sad? Their answers can now be found on a series of fashion items that will be available for purchase at www.obakki.com in early 2010.

“I have always been involved in charitable causes, even when I could only afford to donate my time, ” said Treana. “I am so grateful to now have a platform for people to come together and, through small actions, create big results. We are excited about the impact that the Obakki Foundation will have on these children in Africa.”

The Obakki Foundation partners with organizations around the world that seek to empower individuals, groups and communities, at a grassroots level, to make a positive change. 100% of all donations made go directly back to the projects being supported by the Obakki Foundation. International superstars Nickelback recently became one of the first major contributors to the Obakki Foundation donating $1 of every ticket sale from their sold out summer tour, resulting in a total contribution of $500K.

“Through the ongoing support of our incredible fans, Nickelback has the opportunity to step up, contribute and make a difference,” said Ryan. “I will personally be making the trip to Africa this weekend and I’m really looking forward to visiting the villages and communities to see where we can make the largest impact.

With an active role, Treana personally visits all project locations supported by the Obakki Foundation. All travel and accommodation costs are paid out of pocket to ensure that 100% of the funds raised go to helping others. From December 5 - 15, the Peakes will visit the children from all three orphanages to share the impact of their stories and words and show what it brings to their world. They will assist in the construction of a new child-care center as well as conduct surveys for water sites and other potential projects related to education and health.

=====================

Technics 1200 & 1210 turntables not facing axe

Panasonic has issued a clarification to its statement on the future of its Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 turntables. There has been speculation about the industry standard decks since the announcement from antipodean retailers that they would be discontinued.

However, the company has now confirmed the invaldity of the rumour, telling Pocket-lint: "As a major global business, Panasonic keeps all of its operations under constant review. However, there are no current plans to discontinue the Technics brand and the production of Technics turntables".

Previously, the company had issued a similar denial, however it only covered the Technics brand, which contains many products. The news that the SL-1200 and SL-1210 will be continued for now should keep vinyl DJs and other fans of the turntable happy.