"Oasis is no longer. I think we all know that."
Back in August, it was reported that Noel Gallagher had quit Oasis, issuing a brief statement that he:
"simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer." In an interview with the London Times (via Billboard), Liam confirmed that Oasis is kaput: "Well, Oasis is no longer. I think we all know that. So that's done."
Given that Noel served as the band's co-frontman and its guiding musical and artistic force, it was tough to picture Oasis soldiering on without him. But up until now, it wasn't exactly clear to anyone if they were a band anymore or not. Well, I guess that this isn't the old 'brothers will be brothers' fued, the group has ended.
Me? I have some mixed emotions, I was not a huge fan, but I never turned off their music when it played on the radio. I once read where they were compared to the Beatles, they certianly got the bickering down to a science like the Fab Four did, but musically, they were not in the same ballpark as the Beatles- not even close. Oasis will go down in rock history as just another band from England, but, unlike the beatles; they will not be remembered forty years from now.
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Brian Wilson & Gershwin
Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson belongs on any list of the most important musicians of the 20th century as does composer/songwriter George Gershwin. So the news that the two are coming together for a collaboration is taking some by surprise. Although Gershwin died in 1937, he left a legacy that is revered to this day and he is looked up as one of the founding fathers of songwriting. It's hard to compare the two musicians, but they say great minds think alike.
Yesterday the L.A. Times reported that Gershwin's estate had authorized Wilson to complete unfinished songs that Gershwin left behind when he died. According to the Times, Wilson "plans to finish and record at least two such pieces on an album of Gershwin music he hopes to release next year." Wilson told the Times that he's "thrilled to death" at the chance to work on Gershwin's music: "I'm proud to be able to do it. Hopefully I'll be able to do them justice."
Apparently Gershwin left behind "several dozen" fragments in various stages of completion before his death. Wilson isn't quite sure what he'll do with all these pieces: "I can't decipher the verse from the chorus from the bridge, so I'm going to try to insert some new music into them. I might even write some music for an introduction."
Should be an interesting collaboration, stay tuned......
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Susan Boyle Debut Album To Be A Covers Album
We first saw Susan Boyle earlier this year rise to fame as runner up on Britain's Got Talent and now she's getting ready to release her debut album next month, which will be an album full of cover songs. She will be covering songs from Madonna ("You'll See") the Rolling Stones ("Wild Horses"), the Monkees ("Daydream Believer"), as well as a song written for her called "Who I Was Born to Be."
"It was my greatest ambition to release an album and I have finally achieved it," she gushed. "This amazing journey has helped me find my own identity and fulfill my wish. There is happiness out there for everyone who dares to dream."
Here's the complete track list for the album, due out Nov. 24:
* "Wild Horses"
* "I Dreamed a Dream"
* "Cry Me a River"
* "How Great Thou Art"
* "You'll See"
* "Daydream Believer"
* "Up to the Mountain"
* "Amazing Grace"
* "Who I Was Born to Be"
* "Proud"
* "The End of the World"
* "Silent Night"
Now, I won't say that I am a big fan of the kind of music she sings, I don't like show tunes or cover songs per se, but I do like her striking voice and her determination and the story of how she developed from some lonely gal minding the house after her Mum died, to becoming an international singing sensation. She sings wiith such conviction and joy and for me, it is a pleasure to hear her angelic voice. I happened to catch her on America's Got Talent (she was a guest star) and when I heard what she would be singing I thought, not THE Rolling Stones song "Wild Horses." However, she pulled it off, with an uncanny ease, I was alone in my living room when I watched it and as she finished, I was clapping for her. Not many singers can do that, here she is singing the Stones' hit. Amazing, simply, amazing:
Preorder her music today, I have already ordered my copy:
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Official Cover Art for Britney Spears' 'The Singles Collection'
The artwork which will be featured on the front cover of the standard edition of Britney Spears' forthcoming greatest hits album has been released. It shows artworks of her previous releases, including debut album "...Baby One More Time".
Britney Spears is scheduled to release the compilation album "The Singles Collection" in US market on November 24. It will be in two forms; a standard set and a packaged box set. "The ultimate fan box set version of 'The Singles Collection' will contain all 29 of her singles, including the new song '3'," it was detailed.
"Each disc will be packaged in its own slip sleeve case with original artwork, and will include an additional b-side or a remix of the track," the announcement continued. "The collection will include a DVD featuring all of Britney's videos in chronological order. The ultimate fan box set will also include a special booklet featuring iconic images and fun facts about each track." The first look at the ultimate fan box set has also been unveiled.
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Unreleased Michael Jackson Song Coming On Sunday
The unreleased Michael Jackson track "This Is It" will get a worldwide digital release this Sunday night, October 11, at midnight EST. The song also plays during the closing sequence of Sony Pictures' forthcoming movie, Michael Jackson's This Is It, and it will be included on the two-CD set Michael Jackson's This Is It, the companion music to the film. The song features backing vocals by Michael's brothers and the Columbia/Epic Label Group is scheduled to release the two-disc album on October 27, in time to coincide with the worldwide release of the motion picture, which arrives in theaters on October 28 and runs for a limited two-week engagement. Disc one will feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits such as "Billie Jean," "Smooth Criminal," "Human Nature" and "Thriller" arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film. The disc ends with two versions of "This Is It," the original and an orchestral rendition. Disc two offers fans a rare listen to the early demo versions of classics "She's Out Of My Life," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Beat It." It also features a recently discovered spoken word poem from Michael called "Planet Earth." Michael Jackson's This Is It also includes a 36-page booklet featuring exclusive photos of Michael from his last rehearsal.
The movie will offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his run of This Is It concerts that would have taken place at London's O2 Arena. Looks like we will be hearing much more form MJ in the upcoming weeks. I was not a huge fan, but what he did for music cannot be measured in my words. He helped in so many ways, both socially and musically. He was a great talent, one of the best showman I have ever witnessed. RIP Mr. jackson, your music will always be heard......
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Phish Tour
Phish has announced a series of tour dates for this fall, following the release of their new album Joy. After playing their own Festival 8 in Indio, CA on October 30 and 31 and November 1, the band will primarily play the eastern half of the U.S. Starting in Detroit on November 18, Phish will tour until December 5 in Charlottesville, VA. They will play two-night stands in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Albany, as well as three nights at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Fans of the band are excited to hear them sing and play again.
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SLAYER: Limited-Edition 'Hate Worldwide' Single To Be Released In U.K.
A very limited-edition SLAYER "Hate Worldwide" one-track CD will be released in the UK on October 19 (only 1,000) and will be made available exclusively through independent record shops. For a complete list of stores that will carry the CD, go to this location. slayer"World Painted Blood" will be released on November 3 via American Recordings. The CD will initially ship with four special collector's edition covers. Each of the four covers will display one-fourth of a provocative continental map illustrated with human skulls and bones; when placed together, the four images form a complete and grisly map of the world.
All four of the initial CD packages will include a special blood-red, see-through top panel with the map displayed beneath it.
The "World Painted Blood Deluxe Edition" will have its own special layout of the map cover art and will be in a double-digipak housed in a blood-red, see-through plastic sleeve. The "Deluxe Edition" will include the "World Painted Blood" CD, the "Playing With Dolls" DVD, a 20-minute animated graphic novel featuring music from the album (including part of a new non-album song), and an expanded booklet.
Slayer fans rejoice!
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Freddie Mercury Memorial To Be Unveiled Near His Teenage London Home in West London
A memorial for late Queen legend Freddie Mercury is scheduled to be unveiled in West London next month. The 'Hollywood style' honor will be outside the The Centre library in Feltham, the town where Mercury lived in his teenage years after coming to London from Zanzibar.
Councillor Paul Jabbal was part of the committee that pushed for memorial.
“I am delighted that at last we are honoring Freddie Mercury's memory and his achievements with a permanent memorial. As well as celebrating his life and success, it can serve as a reminder to local people that it doesn't matter where you come from, if you work hard you can succeed in whatever you do."
“I'm looking forward to welcoming his family, friends and some band members to Feltham to show how proud we are to be associated with such a legendary artist.”