There’s no competition really. Beck takes the prize for Most Perverse Offering by an Artist in 2012. OK, there is that giant bathtub adjunct to Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum. So maybe Beck should win for Most Delightfully Perverse Offering for Song Reader, his new album, which is indeed an album but one containing no CD, LP, or MP3 download code. Instead, in a format more at home in 1912 than 2012, Beck has given us 20 new songs on sheet music.
If you want to hear this music, you’ll have to play it yourself: on piano, guitar, ukulele, ocarina, whatever. If you don’t know how to read standard notation, you’ll have to find someone to play it for you.
So much for the who, what, when, and where. As for the why, Beck understands that he has some explaining to do, and includes a self-penned preface and an introduction by Slate’s Jody Rosen. For his part, Beck acknowledges that some people encountering Song Reader “will dismiss it as a stylistic indulgence, a gimmick,” and further that a project such as this risks “neutralizing the past” by “encasing it in a quaint, retro irrelevancy and designating it as something only fit for curiosity-seekers or revivalists.” I hope he’s wrong about that.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Brown said drugs were part of Houston Is life
I was hurt ... because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years - I felt that she was, you know, I didn't know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know - listen, it's a hard fight," he said.
Brown said drugs were part of Houston's life before he met her in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," he said.
"So this was a part of her life before you and she got together?" Lauer asked.
"Way, way before. Yeah ... It's just, it's just unexplainable - how one could, you know, (say that I) got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone," Brown replied.
Brown said Houston had a "glow about her" when he last saw her about a week before she died. He was at a restaurant having dinner with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
"She just looked like she was in a good place," he said about the "I Will Always Love You" singer.
The interview will be aired on "Today" show on Wednesday and Thursday.
Brown turned up for Houston's funeral in New Jersey but left before the service started saying he felt unwanted and disrespected.
Brown said drugs were part of Houston's life before he met her in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," he said.
"So this was a part of her life before you and she got together?" Lauer asked.
"Way, way before. Yeah ... It's just, it's just unexplainable - how one could, you know, (say that I) got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone," Brown replied.
Brown said Houston had a "glow about her" when he last saw her about a week before she died. He was at a restaurant having dinner with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
"She just looked like she was in a good place," he said about the "I Will Always Love You" singer.
The interview will be aired on "Today" show on Wednesday and Thursday.
Brown turned up for Houston's funeral in New Jersey but left before the service started saying he felt unwanted and disrespected.
Superboy to superstar
After winning third place on Super Boy, China's most popular televised singing competition, in 2007, Wei Chen became another pretty boy singer-actor in mainland showbiz. But he has been trying to break out his image by releasing three albums and starring in two movies. The 27-year-old will stage his first concert at Beijing Workers' Gymnasium. From his first smash single, Disparate, to his latest dance song, Daybreak, Wei will show his fans his transformation.
Actor and singer Shirota Yu will make his singing debut in Beijing. He'll release his first album, UNO, in China in both disc and digital formats, following its March 7 Japan release. The album will include Japanese and Spanish tracks - a few which were originally composed by Backstreet Boys member Howie D - and a special song featuring Yu's brother, Shirota Jun. The Japanese Spaniard cooperated with Howie D on his third single, Worth Fighting For, which was released on Feb 22 and was digitally distributed in 31 countries.
Actor and singer Shirota Yu will make his singing debut in Beijing. He'll release his first album, UNO, in China in both disc and digital formats, following its March 7 Japan release. The album will include Japanese and Spanish tracks - a few which were originally composed by Backstreet Boys member Howie D - and a special song featuring Yu's brother, Shirota Jun. The Japanese Spaniard cooperated with Howie D on his third single, Worth Fighting For, which was released on Feb 22 and was digitally distributed in 31 countries.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Sinead O Connor cancels tour due to bipolar disorder
Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor has cancelled her tour schedule due to bipolar disorder, she said in a statement quoted by British media and fansites on Tuesday.
She said she called off plans to tour North America "with enormous regret" and was "very unwell due to bipolar disorder."
O'Connor added that she had a "very serious breakdown" between December and March, but ignored her doctor's advice not to go on tour because she did not want to let people down.
"So very stupidly I ignored his advice to my great detriment, attempting to be stronger than I actually am. I apologize sincerely for any difficulties this may cause."
O'Connor's website and Twitter account were not accessible on Tuesday morning. A spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment on the statement.
The 45-year-old singer, who released a new album entitled "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" in March, has had a tumultuous few months, ending her marriage after only 16 days in December before announcing shortly afterwards that her relationship was back on.
O'Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her shaved head and haunting voice, and is best known for her chart-topping cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U", released in 1990.
She said she still hoped to appear at a tribute concert for Curtis Mayfield at the Lincoln Center in July.
She said she called off plans to tour North America "with enormous regret" and was "very unwell due to bipolar disorder."
O'Connor added that she had a "very serious breakdown" between December and March, but ignored her doctor's advice not to go on tour because she did not want to let people down.
"So very stupidly I ignored his advice to my great detriment, attempting to be stronger than I actually am. I apologize sincerely for any difficulties this may cause."
O'Connor's website and Twitter account were not accessible on Tuesday morning. A spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment on the statement.
The 45-year-old singer, who released a new album entitled "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" in March, has had a tumultuous few months, ending her marriage after only 16 days in December before announcing shortly afterwards that her relationship was back on.
O'Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her shaved head and haunting voice, and is best known for her chart-topping cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U", released in 1990.
She said she still hoped to appear at a tribute concert for Curtis Mayfield at the Lincoln Center in July.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Music to our ears, but not to Westerners
A group of international music agents and festival programmers gathered in Beijing recently and saw shows from more than 10 Chinese bands. The result was rather disappointing: None of the bands really impressed them.
"From my perspective as a Western promoter, I think it's very important that you have some certain identity if you want to play abroad. What I'm looking for is not a band that copies a famous Western band. I'm looking for music that brings something extra," says Bertus de Blaauw, a booker from Mojo Concerts, presenter of the Netherlands' Lowlands Festival.
Jerome Williams, another Dutch agent, with the Earth Beat company, shares the same opinion.
"It is very important to be original. That doesn't mean it has to be traditional. It can be punk, electronic, or rock, but try to create your own style as a band," he says.
They were speaking at the International Urban Music Culture Summit, held last week as part of the Sound of the Xity, a series of musical events that also included performances and screening of music documentary films. Present at the summit were also programmers from the Sziget Festival of Hungary, Ulsan World Music Festival of South Korea, and Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Every now and then some Chinese bands take overseas tours, but few of them, if any, have been really accepted by the international market.
"From my perspective as a Western promoter, I think it's very important that you have some certain identity if you want to play abroad. What I'm looking for is not a band that copies a famous Western band. I'm looking for music that brings something extra," says Bertus de Blaauw, a booker from Mojo Concerts, presenter of the Netherlands' Lowlands Festival.
Jerome Williams, another Dutch agent, with the Earth Beat company, shares the same opinion.
"It is very important to be original. That doesn't mean it has to be traditional. It can be punk, electronic, or rock, but try to create your own style as a band," he says.
They were speaking at the International Urban Music Culture Summit, held last week as part of the Sound of the Xity, a series of musical events that also included performances and screening of music documentary films. Present at the summit were also programmers from the Sziget Festival of Hungary, Ulsan World Music Festival of South Korea, and Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Every now and then some Chinese bands take overseas tours, but few of them, if any, have been really accepted by the international market.
Monday, December 24, 2012
The cultural industry
Li Ruigang, also chairman of China Media Capital, said the company aims to become the largest animation production base in China and explore opportunities in copyright distribution, consumer goods, online games and musicals in the hope of establishing a complete home entertainment industry chain.
Xiang Yong, deputy director of the cultural industry research institute at Peking University, added that for Chinese domestic animators, who have suffered from an extended recession, DreamWorks' entry into China brings a great chance to learn from an industry leader.
"The cultural industry should always target a global market. We can now adapt to having global competition on our own doorstep."
China's animation industry had its first heyday in the 1960s, when the film Uproar in Heaven was screened at renowned international film festivals.
But the industry has struggled of late, burdened by a lack of original ideas and professionals, said experts.
Some local animation firms said they are looking forward to learning from DreamWorks, especially from its world-leading 3D technology.
During a visit to Shanghai in March, Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation SKG, said the Shanghai studio will concentrate on stories that "have a connection to the culture, history and literature of China".
He also promised to bring the 3D technology that DreamWorks has developed during the past five years to Shanghai.
Xiang Yong, deputy director of the cultural industry research institute at Peking University, added that for Chinese domestic animators, who have suffered from an extended recession, DreamWorks' entry into China brings a great chance to learn from an industry leader.
"The cultural industry should always target a global market. We can now adapt to having global competition on our own doorstep."
China's animation industry had its first heyday in the 1960s, when the film Uproar in Heaven was screened at renowned international film festivals.
But the industry has struggled of late, burdened by a lack of original ideas and professionals, said experts.
Some local animation firms said they are looking forward to learning from DreamWorks, especially from its world-leading 3D technology.
During a visit to Shanghai in March, Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation SKG, said the Shanghai studio will concentrate on stories that "have a connection to the culture, history and literature of China".
He also promised to bring the 3D technology that DreamWorks has developed during the past five years to Shanghai.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Gospel singer Marvin Sapp
Country music band Rascal Flatts saw their 9th studio album, "Changed," enter at No. 3 with 130,000 copies, while newcomers Of Monsters and Men, a British folk-rock band, saw their debut album "My Head is an Animal" come in at No. 6 with 55,000 copies.
Gospel singer Marvin Sapp was the fourth new entry in the top ten as "I Win" took the No. 9 position with 37,000 copies sold in its opening week.
Indie trio fun. climbed back to the top of the Digital Songs chart this week with their youth anthem "We Are Young," ousting last week's chart-topper, "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber, which fell to No. 3, below Gotye's break-up melody "Somebody That I Used To Know," featuring Kimbra, which clocked in at No. 2.
Gospel singer Marvin Sapp was the fourth new entry in the top ten as "I Win" took the No. 9 position with 37,000 copies sold in its opening week.
Indie trio fun. climbed back to the top of the Digital Songs chart this week with their youth anthem "We Are Young," ousting last week's chart-topper, "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber, which fell to No. 3, below Gotye's break-up melody "Somebody That I Used To Know," featuring Kimbra, which clocked in at No. 2.
Fat Joe Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Fat Joe pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion in court today, Billboard reports. The rapper, legally known as Joseph Cartagena, could face up to two years in prison.
Cartagena faced a charge of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars of income in 2007 and 2008. His lawyer issued a statement saying that Cartagena plans on paying back the taxes before his sentencing next April.
Fat Joe's most recent studio album was 2010's The Darkside Vol. 1, and his only release since then was the mixtape The Darkside Vol. 2 in 2011.
When U.S. Magistrate Cathy Waldor asked him in federal court if he understood the charges he faced, Cartagena reportedly replied, "I super understand it."
Cartagena faced a charge of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars of income in 2007 and 2008. His lawyer issued a statement saying that Cartagena plans on paying back the taxes before his sentencing next April.
Fat Joe's most recent studio album was 2010's The Darkside Vol. 1, and his only release since then was the mixtape The Darkside Vol. 2 in 2011.
When U.S. Magistrate Cathy Waldor asked him in federal court if he understood the charges he faced, Cartagena reportedly replied, "I super understand it."
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Guitarist plucked from obscurity
So while his parents were at work, he arranged the living room himself and recorded his favorite pieces, one at a time over straight five days and then sent it to the academy.
He was accepted on a scholarship.
The video he recorded to apply is also in A Journey.
Milos learned under the British guitarist Michael Lewin, head of guitar studies of the academy, for four years. He graduated with first class honors in 2004. He went on to complete a master's degree in performance and became the first guitarist the Royal Academy of Music has named a Meaker Junior Fellow.
He devised a theme for his debut album on DG, which reflects his own experiences.
"The guitar was brought to Spain by the Moors and has a huge Arabic influence," he explains.
"My part of the world and the eastern Mediterranean were heavily under the influence of the Ottoman empire for 500 years. So there is a clear connection between the eastern and western Mediterranean. I am exactly in the middle of them, and I want to present that on this recording."
He was accepted on a scholarship.
The video he recorded to apply is also in A Journey.
Milos learned under the British guitarist Michael Lewin, head of guitar studies of the academy, for four years. He graduated with first class honors in 2004. He went on to complete a master's degree in performance and became the first guitarist the Royal Academy of Music has named a Meaker Junior Fellow.
He devised a theme for his debut album on DG, which reflects his own experiences.
"The guitar was brought to Spain by the Moors and has a huge Arabic influence," he explains.
"My part of the world and the eastern Mediterranean were heavily under the influence of the Ottoman empire for 500 years. So there is a clear connection between the eastern and western Mediterranean. I am exactly in the middle of them, and I want to present that on this recording."
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Aerosmith says new album brings a little of 1975 back
LOS ANGELES -- Veteran rock band Aerosmith said on Wednesday they were bringing "a little of 1975 back" on a long-delayed album of new material to be released this summer to coincide with a U.S. tour.
The band said they were working on finishing up the album - the first of new material since 2001's "Just Push Play" - ahead of the tour, but kept the title under wraps.
"The camaraderie's there, there's some songs that are new rock, and old rock and middle-of-the-road rock, and blues, piano. Joe Perry singing a couple of songs, I'm playing the drums, Joey sings, just all kinds of stuff," frontman Steven Tyler told Reuters.
Aerosmith, whose previous attempts to make a new album were dogged by a litany of health problems and internal strife, said they had been working with their long-time producer Jack Douglas to bring "a little bit of 1975 back."
The band will kick off their North American "Global Warming Tour" on June 16 in Minneapolis, playing 18 cities from Toronto to Oakland, California and Atlanta, Georgia. Tickets go on sale from Friday.
"You're going to get some new songs from the new album and some old songs from the old albums and you're going to get new us and old us, and we're just going to go out and rock your world," Tyler, 64, told Reuters.
The band said they were working on finishing up the album - the first of new material since 2001's "Just Push Play" - ahead of the tour, but kept the title under wraps.
"The camaraderie's there, there's some songs that are new rock, and old rock and middle-of-the-road rock, and blues, piano. Joe Perry singing a couple of songs, I'm playing the drums, Joey sings, just all kinds of stuff," frontman Steven Tyler told Reuters.
Aerosmith, whose previous attempts to make a new album were dogged by a litany of health problems and internal strife, said they had been working with their long-time producer Jack Douglas to bring "a little bit of 1975 back."
The band will kick off their North American "Global Warming Tour" on June 16 in Minneapolis, playing 18 cities from Toronto to Oakland, California and Atlanta, Georgia. Tickets go on sale from Friday.
"You're going to get some new songs from the new album and some old songs from the old albums and you're going to get new us and old us, and we're just going to go out and rock your world," Tyler, 64, told Reuters.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Conducting marvels
Lorin Varencove Maazel will lead the Phiharmonia Orchestra for a fabulous performance at NCPA next Thursday.
Maazel was born to a musical family. He took his first conducting lesson at age 7 and made his debut a year later. At 11, he guest conducted the NBC Symphony Orchestra on the radio. The year after, he toured the United States to conduct major orchestras. He made his violin debut at age 15 and later studied at the University of Pittsburgh.
He was depicted conducting Vienna's New Year concert on a 2005 Austrian postage stamp.
Beijing cello player Zhao Jing will join the lineup to add a local element to the performance. The program includes Mahler: Symphony No 5 and Cello Concerto No 1 in C Major.
Maazel was born to a musical family. He took his first conducting lesson at age 7 and made his debut a year later. At 11, he guest conducted the NBC Symphony Orchestra on the radio. The year after, he toured the United States to conduct major orchestras. He made his violin debut at age 15 and later studied at the University of Pittsburgh.
He was depicted conducting Vienna's New Year concert on a 2005 Austrian postage stamp.
Beijing cello player Zhao Jing will join the lineup to add a local element to the performance. The program includes Mahler: Symphony No 5 and Cello Concerto No 1 in C Major.
Monday, December 17, 2012
For metal fans, a return that dreams are made of
Stability in a band can help singer-songwriters concentrate on writing more material and playing more concerts. That's the case for Dream Theater, the American progressive metal band, that will return to the stage of Beijing.
This concert will retrace the career of the band founded in Boston in 1985 by John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy. There will also be songs from their latest album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, released in September 2011.
Ever since the band came to Beijing in January 2008, the musicians have won over Chinese fans with their technical proficiency.
Founded under the name Majesty, the band rose to fame with a gold-selling album, Images and Words, in 1992. Since then, its albums have been fixtures on the US Billboard chart and the band was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Over time, Dream Theater's live shows have gradually become bigger, longer and more diverse.
This concert will retrace the career of the band founded in Boston in 1985 by John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy. There will also be songs from their latest album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, released in September 2011.
Ever since the band came to Beijing in January 2008, the musicians have won over Chinese fans with their technical proficiency.
Founded under the name Majesty, the band rose to fame with a gold-selling album, Images and Words, in 1992. Since then, its albums have been fixtures on the US Billboard chart and the band was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Over time, Dream Theater's live shows have gradually become bigger, longer and more diverse.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sounds for the eyes
Tel Aviv's innovative act Eatliz will bring its spectacular visual performances and genre-crossing music to China for the first time.
Eatliz is a female-fronted visual art rock band, known for its animated music videos. Besides its artful music, Eatliz emphasizes staging and features video art.
Lei is known as a "musical poet". Her lyrics, music and singing have a unique poetic feel, with evocative and stirring imagery. Her musical accomplishments have been recognized by Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards several times. In 2010, she won the Golden Horse Award for Best Original Film Score for the movie Taipei Exchange.
The organizer says 100,000 tickets were sold in the first five minutes. The concert is part of their 2012 world tour, Nowhere, and will showcase their progress since 1997.
The band rose to fame with pop rock songs and has released nine albums, which have sold more than 5 million copies in Taiwan alone.
Eatliz is a female-fronted visual art rock band, known for its animated music videos. Besides its artful music, Eatliz emphasizes staging and features video art.
Lei is known as a "musical poet". Her lyrics, music and singing have a unique poetic feel, with evocative and stirring imagery. Her musical accomplishments have been recognized by Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards several times. In 2010, she won the Golden Horse Award for Best Original Film Score for the movie Taipei Exchange.
The organizer says 100,000 tickets were sold in the first five minutes. The concert is part of their 2012 world tour, Nowhere, and will showcase their progress since 1997.
The band rose to fame with pop rock songs and has released nine albums, which have sold more than 5 million copies in Taiwan alone.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Liu Wei gives back
Armless pianist Liu Wei has established his Embrace Fund at Renmin University of China in Beijing. With the support of a Shanghai-based company, the fund has accumulated 1 million yuan ($160,000) so far.
Liu will tour more than 10 cities, giving speeches and calling for support of the fund, which helps people with disabilities and poor students. Liu has also visited children living in remote areas of Guizhou province, who are suffering from poverty.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has apologized to Mick Jagger for derogatory comments he made about the lead singer in his 2010 memoir "Life", which caused a rift within the band.
In comments reported by Rolling Stone magazine, the two rock'n'roll veterans agreed it was time to move on.
Fans will be relieved to see them burying the hatchet, as the row had threatened to undermine plans to celebrate the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary this year and to go on another world tour.
"Looking back at any career you are bound to recall both the highs and the lows," Jagger was quoted as saying. "In the 1980s for instance Keith and I were not communicating very well.
"I got very involved with the business side of the Stones, mainly because I felt no one else was interested, but it's plain now from the book that Keith felt excluded, which is a pity. Time I reckon to move on."
Richards added: "Mick's right. He and I have had conversations over the last year of a kind we have not had for an extremely long time and that has been incredibly important to me.
Liu will tour more than 10 cities, giving speeches and calling for support of the fund, which helps people with disabilities and poor students. Liu has also visited children living in remote areas of Guizhou province, who are suffering from poverty.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has apologized to Mick Jagger for derogatory comments he made about the lead singer in his 2010 memoir "Life", which caused a rift within the band.
In comments reported by Rolling Stone magazine, the two rock'n'roll veterans agreed it was time to move on.
Fans will be relieved to see them burying the hatchet, as the row had threatened to undermine plans to celebrate the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary this year and to go on another world tour.
"Looking back at any career you are bound to recall both the highs and the lows," Jagger was quoted as saying. "In the 1980s for instance Keith and I were not communicating very well.
"I got very involved with the business side of the Stones, mainly because I felt no one else was interested, but it's plain now from the book that Keith felt excluded, which is a pity. Time I reckon to move on."
Richards added: "Mick's right. He and I have had conversations over the last year of a kind we have not had for an extremely long time and that has been incredibly important to me.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Taylor Swift reclaims top spot on Billboard 200
Country-pop star Taylor Swift reclaimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday with her hit album "Red," keeping three new entries from the No 1 position.
"Red" landed back at No 1 for the fourth time after selling 167,000 copies last week according to Nielsen SoundScan, ousting Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire," which fell to No 7 this week.
New entries this week include rapper Wiz Khalifa's sophomore record "O.N.I.F.C.," which debuted at No 2 after selling 141,00 copies. Pop star Ke$ha's new album "Warrior" landed at No 6 with sales of 85,000 while country band Florida Georgia Line's debut album "Here's To the Good Times" came in at No 10.
Ahead of the holidays, festive albums featured heavily in the top 10, with Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas, Baby" at No 3, Michael Buble's "Christmas" at No 5 and Blake Shelton's "Cheers, It's Christmas" at No 8.
"Red" landed back at No 1 for the fourth time after selling 167,000 copies last week according to Nielsen SoundScan, ousting Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire," which fell to No 7 this week.
New entries this week include rapper Wiz Khalifa's sophomore record "O.N.I.F.C.," which debuted at No 2 after selling 141,00 copies. Pop star Ke$ha's new album "Warrior" landed at No 6 with sales of 85,000 while country band Florida Georgia Line's debut album "Here's To the Good Times" came in at No 10.
Ahead of the holidays, festive albums featured heavily in the top 10, with Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas, Baby" at No 3, Michael Buble's "Christmas" at No 5 and Blake Shelton's "Cheers, It's Christmas" at No 8.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Spice Girls take stage at musical premiere
To boost flagging audience figures - a nod to "The X Factor"s real-life ratings woes in Britain this season - their "mentor" springs a surprise and throws out three members of the band to leave Viva on her own.
What follows is part morality tale examining what is more important - friends, family or fame - and part satire on reality television, including a callous, Simon Cowell-like producer.
"We love you Judy!" said Geri Halliwell at the end of the show, which closed with a romp through some of the Spice Girls' biggest hits including "Spice Up Your Life".
"Thank you for making the Spice Girls' dream come true," Halliwell added.
Halliwell was joined on stage by Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm, who together stormed the charts in the 1990s and put "girl power" on the map.
Beckham, who arrived at the London premiere after her ex-bandmates, sat with her soccer star husband David and three sons, who clapped along to the music during the final medley.
What follows is part morality tale examining what is more important - friends, family or fame - and part satire on reality television, including a callous, Simon Cowell-like producer.
"We love you Judy!" said Geri Halliwell at the end of the show, which closed with a romp through some of the Spice Girls' biggest hits including "Spice Up Your Life".
"Thank you for making the Spice Girls' dream come true," Halliwell added.
Halliwell was joined on stage by Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm, who together stormed the charts in the 1990s and put "girl power" on the map.
Beckham, who arrived at the London premiere after her ex-bandmates, sat with her soccer star husband David and three sons, who clapped along to the music during the final medley.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Grammy spotlight shines on Adele
The Grammys in recent years have targeted young audiences even as older acts won key awards to the surprise of some music fans, but this Sunday's honors will shine its spotlight on Adele, whose popularity crosses all age boundaries.
The soulful British singer, whose album "21" has spawned massive hits like "Rolling in the Deep" and topped charts for 19 weeks, enters music industry's biggest awards with six nominations, second only to rapper Kanye West with seven.
But all ears will be tuned in to Adele, 23, who is scheduled to give a Grammy performance that is her first since undergoing throat surgery late last year. And everybody -- young and old -- wants to know if 2011's top-selling performer has recovered.
"My eight-year-old daughter sings Adele songs, and my friend's 75-year-old grandmother sings Adele songs," said Nic Harcourt, former radio host at KCRW, who is among those credited with helping put the British chanteuse on the U.S. music map.
Adele's voice was a breath of fresh air in 2011 for a struggling industry. "21" album sold more copies in one year than any other act since Usher's "Confessions" in 2004. Its current U.S. sales total is roughly 6.3 million copies.
In years past, the Grammys have often seen relative newcomers in top categories like album of the year face off against veteran acts, only to see the older performers win, shocking the youth-driven industry. Herbie Hancock's 2007 jazz album, "River: The Joni Letters," was among the recent surprises.
That won't happen at Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles. Competing for album of the year are Adele with "21," Lady Gaga for "Born This Way," Rihanna with "Loud," Bruno Mars for "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" and Foo Fighters for "Wasting Light."
The soulful British singer, whose album "21" has spawned massive hits like "Rolling in the Deep" and topped charts for 19 weeks, enters music industry's biggest awards with six nominations, second only to rapper Kanye West with seven.
But all ears will be tuned in to Adele, 23, who is scheduled to give a Grammy performance that is her first since undergoing throat surgery late last year. And everybody -- young and old -- wants to know if 2011's top-selling performer has recovered.
"My eight-year-old daughter sings Adele songs, and my friend's 75-year-old grandmother sings Adele songs," said Nic Harcourt, former radio host at KCRW, who is among those credited with helping put the British chanteuse on the U.S. music map.
Adele's voice was a breath of fresh air in 2011 for a struggling industry. "21" album sold more copies in one year than any other act since Usher's "Confessions" in 2004. Its current U.S. sales total is roughly 6.3 million copies.
In years past, the Grammys have often seen relative newcomers in top categories like album of the year face off against veteran acts, only to see the older performers win, shocking the youth-driven industry. Herbie Hancock's 2007 jazz album, "River: The Joni Letters," was among the recent surprises.
That won't happen at Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles. Competing for album of the year are Adele with "21," Lady Gaga for "Born This Way," Rihanna with "Loud," Bruno Mars for "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" and Foo Fighters for "Wasting Light."
Monday, December 10, 2012
Chris Brown returns to Grammys
Chris Brown will perform at this Sunday's Grammy Awards for the first time since beating his then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 on the eve of the music industry's biggest night, which threatened to derail his music career.
Rihanna also is among the stars performing live at the event, and rumors have flown among fans and celebrity watchers in recent weeks that the pair may be secretly dating again -- speculation Brown's representatives have dismissed.
Grammy organizers said on Tuesday that Brown, who has three nominations including best R&B singer for his album "F.A.M.E.", had been added to the line-up for the February 12 awards show in Los Angeles.
They said Brown will join Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, David Guetta and deadmau 5 for a performance highlighting dance and electronica music for the first time on the Grammy Awards show stage.
Organizers said last month that Rihanna, who has four nominations including album of the year for "Loud", will sing with Coldplay on the Grammy stage.
Brown, 22, has skipped the Grammys since launching a violent attack on Rihanna in 2009, leaving her battered and bruised and Brown in the custody of police.
Brown publicly apologized, admitted to criminal assault in court. A judge sentenced him to five years probation, six months community service and anger management counseling. But his clean-cut image took a major blow.
Rihanna's career on the other hand soared, and she scored hits with songs like "Man Down" and "Love the Way You Lie", which dealt with violence against women.
Rihanna also is among the stars performing live at the event, and rumors have flown among fans and celebrity watchers in recent weeks that the pair may be secretly dating again -- speculation Brown's representatives have dismissed.
Grammy organizers said on Tuesday that Brown, who has three nominations including best R&B singer for his album "F.A.M.E.", had been added to the line-up for the February 12 awards show in Los Angeles.
They said Brown will join Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, David Guetta and deadmau 5 for a performance highlighting dance and electronica music for the first time on the Grammy Awards show stage.
Organizers said last month that Rihanna, who has four nominations including album of the year for "Loud", will sing with Coldplay on the Grammy stage.
Brown, 22, has skipped the Grammys since launching a violent attack on Rihanna in 2009, leaving her battered and bruised and Brown in the custody of police.
Brown publicly apologized, admitted to criminal assault in court. A judge sentenced him to five years probation, six months community service and anger management counseling. But his clean-cut image took a major blow.
Rihanna's career on the other hand soared, and she scored hits with songs like "Man Down" and "Love the Way You Lie", which dealt with violence against women.
Friday, December 7, 2012
LL Cool J to host Grammys
Rapper and "NCIS: Los Angeles" actor LL Cool J will be the first official host of the Grammy Awards in seven years, the Recording Academy said on Wednesday.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of music's biggest night," said the two-time Grammy award winning host.
"I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true."
LL Cool J, who has been the host of the Grammy nominations concert since its first live broadcast in 2008, is the first emcee of the awards program since 2005 when Queen Latifah headlined. Since then, music's biggest night has foregone a host.
The "Mama Said Knock You Out" rapper will lead a star-studded line-up of performances, including country singers Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift, pop singer Kelly Clarkson, rockers The Foo Fighters, R&B singer Bruno Mars and first-time performer, rapper Nicki Minaj.
Kanye West is currently leading the nominations with seven nods, followed by the Foo Fighters, Mars and British singer Adele, who all have six nominations.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12 in Los Angeles, and broadcast live on CBS.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of music's biggest night," said the two-time Grammy award winning host.
"I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true."
LL Cool J, who has been the host of the Grammy nominations concert since its first live broadcast in 2008, is the first emcee of the awards program since 2005 when Queen Latifah headlined. Since then, music's biggest night has foregone a host.
The "Mama Said Knock You Out" rapper will lead a star-studded line-up of performances, including country singers Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift, pop singer Kelly Clarkson, rockers The Foo Fighters, R&B singer Bruno Mars and first-time performer, rapper Nicki Minaj.
Kanye West is currently leading the nominations with seven nods, followed by the Foo Fighters, Mars and British singer Adele, who all have six nominations.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12 in Los Angeles, and broadcast live on CBS.
We Found Love tops chart in milestone for Rihanna
Rihanna's single "We Found Love" on Thursday held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the eighth straight week, making it the singer's longest-running No. 1 single of her career.
The Barbadian chanteuse's single overtook Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," which stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks earlier this year, and beat her previous top-selling singles, 2007's "Umbrella" and 2010's "Love The Way You Lie" featuring Eminem.
"We Found Love" is the lead single from Rihanna's sixth studio album "Talk That Talk," and the singer will wrap her last concert on her "Loud" tour in London on Thursday.
LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," notched a seventh week at No. 2 on the singles chart, while Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" held steady at No. 3, Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" climbed to No. 4 and Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" rounded out the top five.
The Barbadian chanteuse's single overtook Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," which stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks earlier this year, and beat her previous top-selling singles, 2007's "Umbrella" and 2010's "Love The Way You Lie" featuring Eminem.
"We Found Love" is the lead single from Rihanna's sixth studio album "Talk That Talk," and the singer will wrap her last concert on her "Loud" tour in London on Thursday.
LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," notched a seventh week at No. 2 on the singles chart, while Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" held steady at No. 3, Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" climbed to No. 4 and Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" rounded out the top five.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Lady Gaga crushes rivals in 2011 music earnings
Lady Gaga towered over other female musicians in 2011, heading a list of top earning women with an estimated $90 million in income, according to a Forbes.com survey released on Wednesday.
The "Born This Way" singer and performance artist made more than double her nearest rival -- country/pop artist Taylor Swift -- thanks to multiple endorsement deals and an estimated $1.3 million nightly gross ticket sales from her concert tour.
Swift earned about $45 million, thanks to her hit album "Speak Now", perfume line, and other deals, just ahead of "Teenage Dream" singer Katy Perry with $44 million.
Forbes.com drew up its list from data on pre-tax income compiled through record sales, touring data and interviews with music lawyers, managers and concert promoters.
Beyonce's 2011 income dipped to an estimated $35 million, mostly because of her relatively small amount of touring this year, but her new album "4", fashion line, and two fragrances helped to put her in 4th place.
Rihanna rounded out the top 5, earning an estimated $29 million from sales of her album "Loud", and endorsements from cosmetics company CoverGirl.
The "Born This Way" singer and performance artist made more than double her nearest rival -- country/pop artist Taylor Swift -- thanks to multiple endorsement deals and an estimated $1.3 million nightly gross ticket sales from her concert tour.
Swift earned about $45 million, thanks to her hit album "Speak Now", perfume line, and other deals, just ahead of "Teenage Dream" singer Katy Perry with $44 million.
Forbes.com drew up its list from data on pre-tax income compiled through record sales, touring data and interviews with music lawyers, managers and concert promoters.
Beyonce's 2011 income dipped to an estimated $35 million, mostly because of her relatively small amount of touring this year, but her new album "4", fashion line, and two fragrances helped to put her in 4th place.
Rihanna rounded out the top 5, earning an estimated $29 million from sales of her album "Loud", and endorsements from cosmetics company CoverGirl.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Breaking the sound barriers
Chinese rockers are increasingly breaking the sound barriers of the country's cultural geography. Rock 'n' roll has been a particularly location-centric genre. The chillier northern half of the country warmly welcomes rock shows, which often get a cold shoulder in the hotter southern regions. Indie band Miserable Faith is a case in point. The hardcore pioneers' heavy beats and furious lyrics are today well received nationwide. But in the early days following their 1999 formation, they were shrugged at throughout the southern leg of their national tour, which was inspired by the band's adoration of Jack Kerouac's novel, On the Road.
The crowds sizzled for them in Beijing, Tianjin and Shaanxi's provincial capital Xi'an. But audiences were cool toward them in Shanghai, Guangdong province's capital Guangzhou and Fujian province, the band recalls.
Sometimes, they even had to cancel shows because of tepid turnouts in the South.
"It's so sad to have just a few people there when you stand on the stage, especially for rock 'n' roll," the band's vocalist and songwriter Gao Hu says.
"The audience's emotion is very important for us to unleash ourselves. We usually write songs when we are on the road, turning our feelings about different cities into lyrics. We expected the audiences to have the same emotions toward us, but we were wrong."
When they released their second album, Don't Stop My Music, in 2009 and toured the South again, they were surprised to find the song On the Road was the best received at their shows. They even named their tour after their namesake song, Heading to the South Later.
"Heading to the South, heading to the South, and my dream is in front of me; the light of dawn comes," Gao sings.
The song is softer and more poetic than their others.
"In our earlier music, we preferred to express our attitude sharply and directly," Gao says.
"With the second album, we came to see the world with an open and forgiving attitude. The album is warm but still powerful. We didn't do that intentionally but felt it was right. I think the change helped us feel closer to audiences in the South, who like expressing themselves in a gentler way."
The crowds sizzled for them in Beijing, Tianjin and Shaanxi's provincial capital Xi'an. But audiences were cool toward them in Shanghai, Guangdong province's capital Guangzhou and Fujian province, the band recalls.
Sometimes, they even had to cancel shows because of tepid turnouts in the South.
"It's so sad to have just a few people there when you stand on the stage, especially for rock 'n' roll," the band's vocalist and songwriter Gao Hu says.
"The audience's emotion is very important for us to unleash ourselves. We usually write songs when we are on the road, turning our feelings about different cities into lyrics. We expected the audiences to have the same emotions toward us, but we were wrong."
When they released their second album, Don't Stop My Music, in 2009 and toured the South again, they were surprised to find the song On the Road was the best received at their shows. They even named their tour after their namesake song, Heading to the South Later.
"Heading to the South, heading to the South, and my dream is in front of me; the light of dawn comes," Gao sings.
The song is softer and more poetic than their others.
"In our earlier music, we preferred to express our attitude sharply and directly," Gao says.
"With the second album, we came to see the world with an open and forgiving attitude. The album is warm but still powerful. We didn't do that intentionally but felt it was right. I think the change helped us feel closer to audiences in the South, who like expressing themselves in a gentler way."
Korean pop music out to conquer the world
A host of young Korean stars are taking to the stage in London, New York and beyond in a bid to crack one of the final global frontiers for Asian culture -- pop music.
"K-pop," as Korean pop is called, has made major inroads into Japan, the world's second largest music market.
But breaking into key countries further afield like Britain, Germany, France and, most crucially, the United States, has so far eluded acts who may be household names at home but remain virtual unknowns outside Asia.
Korean bands are not the only ones trying to be the next Britney Spears, Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Japanese artists, some of them "J-pop" superstars, have also looked overseas for new audiences, although the size of their own market, only just behind the United States in the world rankings, means they have less incentive.
"It is a pain for a lot of these Japanese bands to make the effort to try and penetrate overseas markets," said Steve McClure, executive editor of McClure's Asia Music News and an authority on the region's music scene.
"Time spent doing that is time not spent here and it's a really fast-paced market and you have to work at it," he told Reuters, speaking from Japan.
Foreign music accounts for around a quarter of Japanese record sales, and the top 10 albums on record are all by local artists. Hikaru Utada holds the record with "First Love" from 1999, while Mariah Carey is the biggest international artist.
"K-pop," as Korean pop is called, has made major inroads into Japan, the world's second largest music market.
But breaking into key countries further afield like Britain, Germany, France and, most crucially, the United States, has so far eluded acts who may be household names at home but remain virtual unknowns outside Asia.
Korean bands are not the only ones trying to be the next Britney Spears, Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Japanese artists, some of them "J-pop" superstars, have also looked overseas for new audiences, although the size of their own market, only just behind the United States in the world rankings, means they have less incentive.
"It is a pain for a lot of these Japanese bands to make the effort to try and penetrate overseas markets," said Steve McClure, executive editor of McClure's Asia Music News and an authority on the region's music scene.
"Time spent doing that is time not spent here and it's a really fast-paced market and you have to work at it," he told Reuters, speaking from Japan.
Foreign music accounts for around a quarter of Japanese record sales, and the top 10 albums on record are all by local artists. Hikaru Utada holds the record with "First Love" from 1999, while Mariah Carey is the biggest international artist.
Monday, December 3, 2012
A key instrument of changing times
Russian pianist Galina Chistiakova says she has never experienced anything like the 16 days she spent in Guangdong province's Shenzhen city earlier this month.
The 24-year-old says it has been a blur of immersing herself in Chinese culture amid a whirl of piano competitions.
"This is the most difficult competition I have taken (part in)," Chistiakova, who took first prize, says.
"I feel like a sportswoman in the Olympic Games, as I have to play two concertos without a break in the final. But my stay in Shenzhen is a perfect experience. I didn't have to worry about anything and could concentrate totally on my performance."
She had never even heard of the metropolis, she says, until she entered the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition. That's despite Shenzhen's domestic identification as the country's "Piano City".
The contestants stayed with about 30 host families, most of whom are well-to-do and have children studying piano.
Chistiakova's hosts provided her with an independent sleeping room and bathroom, three daily meals, a car to drive her to and from the performance venue, and a Boston piano for practicing.
"I have participated in many competitions around the world, but never in my life there was anything like this," she says.
It was a special experience for her host mother, Deng Lihong, too.
The real estate investor was grateful for the chance to expose her 12-year-old daughter to piano through interactions with Chistiakova. She also met prospective tutors for her daughter through her involvement with the competition.
The 24-year-old says it has been a blur of immersing herself in Chinese culture amid a whirl of piano competitions.
"This is the most difficult competition I have taken (part in)," Chistiakova, who took first prize, says.
"I feel like a sportswoman in the Olympic Games, as I have to play two concertos without a break in the final. But my stay in Shenzhen is a perfect experience. I didn't have to worry about anything and could concentrate totally on my performance."
She had never even heard of the metropolis, she says, until she entered the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition. That's despite Shenzhen's domestic identification as the country's "Piano City".
The contestants stayed with about 30 host families, most of whom are well-to-do and have children studying piano.
Chistiakova's hosts provided her with an independent sleeping room and bathroom, three daily meals, a car to drive her to and from the performance venue, and a Boston piano for practicing.
"I have participated in many competitions around the world, but never in my life there was anything like this," she says.
It was a special experience for her host mother, Deng Lihong, too.
The real estate investor was grateful for the chance to expose her 12-year-old daughter to piano through interactions with Chistiakova. She also met prospective tutors for her daughter through her involvement with the competition.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Halin is flying high
Known as the "Mongolia Enya" and a real-life princess, the singer is about to make her debut on the Beijing stage. Chen Nan reports.
Singer Halin recalls a spring day school outing when she was 6 in her hometown of Ejina, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. A nomad passed by, bowed and addressed her as "dear princess" -startling her classmates. She is from one of the four major subgroups of the Four Qirats of Mongolia, and her mother's father was prince of the 13th generation of the Torghut clan.
The clan moved west to Volga in 1630 after the Four Qirat Alliance collapsed and returned to Mongolia in 1771.
The group of about 300,000 people and 6 million animals suffered from raids and starvation, and was reduced to just 85,000 survivors after eight months, before settling near the Ejin River.
"I have been called 'princess' since I was born," says Halin, whose name in Mongolian means "flying high".
"My mother told me never to forget my identity. It's my faith," the 27-year-old, who now lives in Beijing, says.
"I grew up with the family legends and received a lot of respect because of my blood line. Though the times have changed and we live ordinary lives now, the spirit of our family still remains."
Singer Halin recalls a spring day school outing when she was 6 in her hometown of Ejina, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. A nomad passed by, bowed and addressed her as "dear princess" -startling her classmates. She is from one of the four major subgroups of the Four Qirats of Mongolia, and her mother's father was prince of the 13th generation of the Torghut clan.
The clan moved west to Volga in 1630 after the Four Qirat Alliance collapsed and returned to Mongolia in 1771.
The group of about 300,000 people and 6 million animals suffered from raids and starvation, and was reduced to just 85,000 survivors after eight months, before settling near the Ejin River.
"I have been called 'princess' since I was born," says Halin, whose name in Mongolian means "flying high".
"My mother told me never to forget my identity. It's my faith," the 27-year-old, who now lives in Beijing, says.
"I grew up with the family legends and received a lot of respect because of my blood line. Though the times have changed and we live ordinary lives now, the spirit of our family still remains."
Bieber, Gaga dominate MTV awards in Belfast
LONDON - The MTV Europe Music Awards turned into a celebration of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga Sunday night as the two picked up a number of top prizes, including best male and best female act.
Gaga, striking in several outfits throughout the evening, also won for best song and best video for "Born This Way." Bieber picked up best pop act as well.
Their live performances captured the differences between the two ascendant mega-stars: the teenage Bieber, wholesome and almost impossibly cute; Gaga challenging and aggressively sexual in her approach.
Other awards went to Bruno Mars, Eminem and Katy Perry while the band Queen received the "Global Icon" award, in effect a lifetime achievement award to the now-graying rockers, who closed the show with a spirited set of their classics, including "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions."
It was a rousing end to the awards show, a highlight on the European music calendar that also draws A-list stars from the United States. It was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the first time.
Queen guitarist Brian May said the show focused attention on how Belfast had found "true peace" after years of sectarian violence.
"It's wonderful to be in Belfast," he said.
The show also included a video tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, who died earlier this year in London.
Gaga, striking in several outfits throughout the evening, also won for best song and best video for "Born This Way." Bieber picked up best pop act as well.
Their live performances captured the differences between the two ascendant mega-stars: the teenage Bieber, wholesome and almost impossibly cute; Gaga challenging and aggressively sexual in her approach.
Other awards went to Bruno Mars, Eminem and Katy Perry while the band Queen received the "Global Icon" award, in effect a lifetime achievement award to the now-graying rockers, who closed the show with a spirited set of their classics, including "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions."
It was a rousing end to the awards show, a highlight on the European music calendar that also draws A-list stars from the United States. It was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the first time.
Queen guitarist Brian May said the show focused attention on how Belfast had found "true peace" after years of sectarian violence.
"It's wonderful to be in Belfast," he said.
The show also included a video tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, who died earlier this year in London.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The sounds of Romance are in the air
Shenyang explains there was method, rather than mere madness, to his repertoire selection at the recently concluded Beijing Music Festival.
The bass-baritone performed works by not only the acclaimed names of the Romantic Austro-German lieder but also those by the genre's more obscure composers, such as Carl Loewe and Hugo Wolfe. He completed his performance with an encore of four Chinese songs - Xia Zhiqiu's Longing for Home, Chen Tianhe's In the Mountain, and Huang Zi's Plum Blossoms in the Snow and Flower in the Mist.
These four songs were composed between 1919 and 1945, which Shenyang calls "the era of Chinese Romanticism".
"Chinese people were exposed to the outside world after the last dynasty's fall, catalyzing an era of Romanticism in China more than 100 years after the West's," he says.
"These works aren't perfect but stand out because of their sincerity and passion."
As for the little-known foreign songs, he says, "I chose this program to provide a wider picture of the Romantic Austro-German lieder, so audiences can feel the influence of destiny and this historical era on composers."
The 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World will perform three operas during the 2011-12 season. He'll stage Rodelinda and Don Giovanni with the Metropolitan Opera, and La Cenerentola with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
"I don't believe Western vocal music belongs solely to the West," the Juilliard School graduate says."I'm performing them against my own cultural background."
The bass-baritone performed works by not only the acclaimed names of the Romantic Austro-German lieder but also those by the genre's more obscure composers, such as Carl Loewe and Hugo Wolfe. He completed his performance with an encore of four Chinese songs - Xia Zhiqiu's Longing for Home, Chen Tianhe's In the Mountain, and Huang Zi's Plum Blossoms in the Snow and Flower in the Mist.
These four songs were composed between 1919 and 1945, which Shenyang calls "the era of Chinese Romanticism".
"Chinese people were exposed to the outside world after the last dynasty's fall, catalyzing an era of Romanticism in China more than 100 years after the West's," he says.
"These works aren't perfect but stand out because of their sincerity and passion."
As for the little-known foreign songs, he says, "I chose this program to provide a wider picture of the Romantic Austro-German lieder, so audiences can feel the influence of destiny and this historical era on composers."
The 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World will perform three operas during the 2011-12 season. He'll stage Rodelinda and Don Giovanni with the Metropolitan Opera, and La Cenerentola with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
"I don't believe Western vocal music belongs solely to the West," the Juilliard School graduate says."I'm performing them against my own cultural background."
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Akon touching down
Akon's hard-edged hip-hop and catchy dance floor hits are on the menu for his first Chinese mainland tour, on Nov 4 at Beijing's Mastercard Center, Nov 5 at Shanghai's Mercedes Benz Arena and Nov 7 at Guangzhou Stadium.
The multi-platinum superstar, who is the boss and broker of Lady Gaga, will bring his hit songs including Mr Lonely, Right Now, Beautiful and Oh Africa, which he sang for the World Cup in South Africa 2010.
"We had a show set up a few years ago and had to cancel for some reasons, but I am excited to finally get the chance to visit China and be able to perform. I hope that I have time to explore," the 38-year-old singer-songwriter says in an e-mail interview.
As a songwriter and producer with his own record label, Akon has influenced the music industry behind the scenes by working with many of the world's biggest names, from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber and Eminem.
He is credited with 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs since he first rose to prominence in 2004 with the release of Locked Up and has six Grammy nominations, an American Music Award for favorite male R&B artist and four World Music Awards. The prolific artist also made it onto Forbes' 2011 list of hip-hop top earners.
Akon says that balancing his roles as a boss and a singer is the core to win in the market. In order to stay fresh, he listens to "everything but what I do". Traveling also has given him plenty of inspiration.
"My past experiences have affected and will always affect my music," he says.
The multi-platinum superstar, who is the boss and broker of Lady Gaga, will bring his hit songs including Mr Lonely, Right Now, Beautiful and Oh Africa, which he sang for the World Cup in South Africa 2010.
"We had a show set up a few years ago and had to cancel for some reasons, but I am excited to finally get the chance to visit China and be able to perform. I hope that I have time to explore," the 38-year-old singer-songwriter says in an e-mail interview.
As a songwriter and producer with his own record label, Akon has influenced the music industry behind the scenes by working with many of the world's biggest names, from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber and Eminem.
He is credited with 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs since he first rose to prominence in 2004 with the release of Locked Up and has six Grammy nominations, an American Music Award for favorite male R&B artist and four World Music Awards. The prolific artist also made it onto Forbes' 2011 list of hip-hop top earners.
Akon says that balancing his roles as a boss and a singer is the core to win in the market. In order to stay fresh, he listens to "everything but what I do". Traveling also has given him plenty of inspiration.
"My past experiences have affected and will always affect my music," he says.
Monday, November 26, 2012
All we had was our voice
The 1980s and 1990s were decades when mainland pop stars were nothing short of divas. They appeared at every kind of gala, and their tapes were everywhere. Of these, the most famous was Mao Amin, who was as much sought after for her silky smooth voice as her gorgeous onstage presence. So it came as quite a surprise to discover she seems utterly devoid of celebrity pretensions or airs, face to face. She still has the same friends as before she became famous and sees being a pop star as just another job, one that she says she is incredibly lucky to have.
She even credits the tax scandal of 1990, which broke out when she was at the peak of her career, and all but destroyed her reputation, with helping her become more musical.
When she returned to the stage in January 2010, for her first solo concert in a three-decade-long career, she proved her genius is still intact, a sentiment acknowledged by the rapturous applause of the full house.
The success of that concert led to the release of her latest album, Tune of Voice, after an eight-year gap.
"I was ready to stay at home, take care of my kids and be a full-time mother," says the 48-year-old singer, who put her career ambitions on the back burner for marriage and family after releasing the 2003 album, Perfect.
The new album's songs, written by veteran musicians, including San Bao and Lao Zai, capture the defining moments of her life, Mao says.
"I don't know if young audiences will understand the songs because some of the lyrics are poetic. But those who have grown up with me will," she says. "I just present a real me here."
Tune of Voice is packaged along with a remake of her 1986 classic album, Songs from Echo, in memory of the late Taiwan writer, Sanmao.
"During the days of my absence from the music circuit, I liked listening to this album again and again. It speaks to my youth, and I believe those songs have touched people my age."
Mao's early hits not only made her a regular at grand galas, such as the Spring Festival Gala, but also a popular voice of many mainland TV series, such as Yearning (1990), one of the most watched shows in the history of Chinese television.
She even credits the tax scandal of 1990, which broke out when she was at the peak of her career, and all but destroyed her reputation, with helping her become more musical.
When she returned to the stage in January 2010, for her first solo concert in a three-decade-long career, she proved her genius is still intact, a sentiment acknowledged by the rapturous applause of the full house.
The success of that concert led to the release of her latest album, Tune of Voice, after an eight-year gap.
"I was ready to stay at home, take care of my kids and be a full-time mother," says the 48-year-old singer, who put her career ambitions on the back burner for marriage and family after releasing the 2003 album, Perfect.
The new album's songs, written by veteran musicians, including San Bao and Lao Zai, capture the defining moments of her life, Mao says.
"I don't know if young audiences will understand the songs because some of the lyrics are poetic. But those who have grown up with me will," she says. "I just present a real me here."
Tune of Voice is packaged along with a remake of her 1986 classic album, Songs from Echo, in memory of the late Taiwan writer, Sanmao.
"During the days of my absence from the music circuit, I liked listening to this album again and again. It speaks to my youth, and I believe those songs have touched people my age."
Mao's early hits not only made her a regular at grand galas, such as the Spring Festival Gala, but also a popular voice of many mainland TV series, such as Yearning (1990), one of the most watched shows in the history of Chinese television.
Adele leads American Music Awards nominations
British singing star Adele continued her current pop reign with a leading four nominations for the 2011 American Music Awards announced on Tuesday, edging out the likes of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
Adele, 23, who was recently forced to cancel the remainder of her sold out U.S. tour due to a vocal chord hemorrhage, was nominated for favorite rock/pop female artist, adult contemporary artist, album with her "21" and artist of the year for the awards to be broadcast from Los Angeles on November 20.
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and country music group The Band Perry were nominated three times, followed by artists such as Bruno Mars and Beyonce with two nods each.
Besides Adele, other artist of the year contenders are Gaga, Wayne, Swift and Perry, whose album "Teenage Dream" two months ago achieved the rare distinction of having five singles reach the top of the Billboard's pop songs chart. Perry also will perform at the key music industry awards.
In other rock/pop music categories, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and the U.S. rapper Pitbull will vie for favorite male artist, while Maroon 5, OneRepublic and the dance music group LMFAO are nominated for favorite band. Besides Adele's hit "21", favorite pop album nominations were shared by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and Rihanna's "Loud."
In rap/hip hop categories, Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West earned nods for favorite artist. "Watch The Throne" by West and Jay-Z, "The Carter IV" by Lil Wayne, and "Pink Friday" from Nicki Minaj were nominated for favorite album.
Country music nominees included Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean for favorite male artist and Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift for favorite female artist.
Chris Brown, Beyonce, Rihanna and Kelly Rowland were all nominated in the soul and R&B categories, and in the indie rock arena, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons will compete for favorite artist.
Adele, 23, who was recently forced to cancel the remainder of her sold out U.S. tour due to a vocal chord hemorrhage, was nominated for favorite rock/pop female artist, adult contemporary artist, album with her "21" and artist of the year for the awards to be broadcast from Los Angeles on November 20.
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and country music group The Band Perry were nominated three times, followed by artists such as Bruno Mars and Beyonce with two nods each.
Besides Adele, other artist of the year contenders are Gaga, Wayne, Swift and Perry, whose album "Teenage Dream" two months ago achieved the rare distinction of having five singles reach the top of the Billboard's pop songs chart. Perry also will perform at the key music industry awards.
In other rock/pop music categories, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and the U.S. rapper Pitbull will vie for favorite male artist, while Maroon 5, OneRepublic and the dance music group LMFAO are nominated for favorite band. Besides Adele's hit "21", favorite pop album nominations were shared by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and Rihanna's "Loud."
In rap/hip hop categories, Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West earned nods for favorite artist. "Watch The Throne" by West and Jay-Z, "The Carter IV" by Lil Wayne, and "Pink Friday" from Nicki Minaj were nominated for favorite album.
Country music nominees included Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean for favorite male artist and Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift for favorite female artist.
Chris Brown, Beyonce, Rihanna and Kelly Rowland were all nominated in the soul and R&B categories, and in the indie rock arena, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons will compete for favorite artist.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Jackson children dance to his music at tribute gig
Tens of thousands of fans rocked to the hits of Michael Jackson on Saturday at a tribute concert his brothers hoped would put the spotlight on his musical legacy after so much controversy.
The late singer's children -- Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and "Blanket," 9 -- appeared on stage briefly to address the crowd and at the end joined other family members dancing to "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
"We're very happy to be here on this special night to honor our father," said Paris, dressed in a red jacket similar to the one worn by Jackson in his groundbreaking "Thriller" music video.
The "Beat It" star, one of the most successful yet troubled artists of the pop era, died in 2009 aged 50 while rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts.
The "Michael Forever" tribute in Cardiff, Wales, coincides with the involuntary manslaughter trial of the singer's doctor in Los Angeles, drawing criticism from some fans and members of his family.
Brothers Jermaine and Randy boycotted the event because of the timing, while sister Janet said it would be too painful to perform in Cardiff during the trial.
But it had the blessing of his mother Katherine, who was at the gig, and Michael's older brother Marlon said it should be seen as a celebration of Jackson's music.
"They (the fans) have the right to (protest)," he said backstage. "I think they have the right to do whatever they feel, but we're celebrating the positive side of our brother's life.
"We know our brother better than anybody else and he would love that we are doing this for him and remembering him in that way."
The late singer's children -- Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and "Blanket," 9 -- appeared on stage briefly to address the crowd and at the end joined other family members dancing to "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
"We're very happy to be here on this special night to honor our father," said Paris, dressed in a red jacket similar to the one worn by Jackson in his groundbreaking "Thriller" music video.
The "Beat It" star, one of the most successful yet troubled artists of the pop era, died in 2009 aged 50 while rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts.
The "Michael Forever" tribute in Cardiff, Wales, coincides with the involuntary manslaughter trial of the singer's doctor in Los Angeles, drawing criticism from some fans and members of his family.
Brothers Jermaine and Randy boycotted the event because of the timing, while sister Janet said it would be too painful to perform in Cardiff during the trial.
But it had the blessing of his mother Katherine, who was at the gig, and Michael's older brother Marlon said it should be seen as a celebration of Jackson's music.
"They (the fans) have the right to (protest)," he said backstage. "I think they have the right to do whatever they feel, but we're celebrating the positive side of our brother's life.
"We know our brother better than anybody else and he would love that we are doing this for him and remembering him in that way."
Noel Gallagher slams publicity hungry Lady Gaga
Noel Gallagher has blasted Lady Gaga - claiming her career is based on "meat suits" and "controversy".
The 'AKA. What A Life' singer thinks the 'Bad Romance' star is good at getting attention, but he doesn't think her music will stand the test of time.
He said: "It's all about the meat suit and the controversy. Is it about music? Really? She's got the publicity side sorted, but where's the music.
"Her album gets played a lot around my house by my daughter and it's Madonna-lite. Madonna was hardcore. She took it to the edge musically as well as everything else.
"Twenty years from now, will we listen to Lady Gaga? No. She might think she is making a stand for the freaks and the weirdos. But they're not going to have any decent music to play are they?"
The former Oasis star - who has an 11-year-old daughter Anais with his ex-wife Meg Matthews and two sons, three-year-old Donovan and 10-month-old Sonny, with his current spouse Sara MacDonald - is disappointed that most current rock bands have nothing interesting to say and laments the lack of a "focal point" for rock 'n' roll.
He added in an interview with Q magazine: "Who will retell the rock 'n' roll story for a new generation? The problem with bands these days is half of them get the music right but you read an interview and think, 'I can't buy into them as people.'
"It's become this prevailing thing where, 'It's all about the music.' It's not. It's more than that. The way you look or what you say or what you stand for is crucial. People are so wary of being the spokesman for a generation. It's a tag, but still . I wish someone would provide a focal point."
The 'AKA. What A Life' singer thinks the 'Bad Romance' star is good at getting attention, but he doesn't think her music will stand the test of time.
He said: "It's all about the meat suit and the controversy. Is it about music? Really? She's got the publicity side sorted, but where's the music.
"Her album gets played a lot around my house by my daughter and it's Madonna-lite. Madonna was hardcore. She took it to the edge musically as well as everything else.
"Twenty years from now, will we listen to Lady Gaga? No. She might think she is making a stand for the freaks and the weirdos. But they're not going to have any decent music to play are they?"
The former Oasis star - who has an 11-year-old daughter Anais with his ex-wife Meg Matthews and two sons, three-year-old Donovan and 10-month-old Sonny, with his current spouse Sara MacDonald - is disappointed that most current rock bands have nothing interesting to say and laments the lack of a "focal point" for rock 'n' roll.
He added in an interview with Q magazine: "Who will retell the rock 'n' roll story for a new generation? The problem with bands these days is half of them get the music right but you read an interview and think, 'I can't buy into them as people.'
"It's become this prevailing thing where, 'It's all about the music.' It's not. It's more than that. The way you look or what you say or what you stand for is crucial. People are so wary of being the spokesman for a generation. It's a tag, but still . I wish someone would provide a focal point."
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Michael Jackson saw salvation in dangerous drug
LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson was physically exhausted from a day of grueling rehearsals for his marathon 50-night comeback tour. But his nightly battle with insomnia had just begun. After showering and getting into bed, he called for his "milk," a powerful drug he had been using to escape into unconsciousness.
Jackson saw the anesthetic known as propofol as his salvation. On June 25, 2009, it became the King of Pop's death potion.
How he overdosed in his mansion on a drug intended for hospital use is at the center of the manslaughter trial this week of the doctor he hired to be his highly paid personal physician for the "This is It" tour.
Testimony about the drug is expected to dominate the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The prosecution claims Murray was grossly negligent in giving Jackson propofol at home without proper lifesaving equipment available and then left the room long enough to find his patient not breathing when he returned.
His defense team claims the singer, desperate for sleep, swallowed an additional dose of the drug when his doctor was out of the room.
Getting to the truth of it will come down to sometimes technical testimony from an array of medical experts, pathologists and even the police officers and paramedics who inspected Murray's equipment in the bedroom where Jackson went into cardiac arrest.
The defense theory, based on evidence that a trace amount of propofol — .13 milligrams — was found in Jackson's stomach, may be a hard sell.
The drug is administered intravenously, usually during surgery. Scientific witnesses may be asked to explain how it could have gotten into his stomach. Some doctors say ingesting it orally is almost unheard of.
Jackson saw the anesthetic known as propofol as his salvation. On June 25, 2009, it became the King of Pop's death potion.
How he overdosed in his mansion on a drug intended for hospital use is at the center of the manslaughter trial this week of the doctor he hired to be his highly paid personal physician for the "This is It" tour.
Testimony about the drug is expected to dominate the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The prosecution claims Murray was grossly negligent in giving Jackson propofol at home without proper lifesaving equipment available and then left the room long enough to find his patient not breathing when he returned.
His defense team claims the singer, desperate for sleep, swallowed an additional dose of the drug when his doctor was out of the room.
Getting to the truth of it will come down to sometimes technical testimony from an array of medical experts, pathologists and even the police officers and paramedics who inspected Murray's equipment in the bedroom where Jackson went into cardiac arrest.
The defense theory, based on evidence that a trace amount of propofol — .13 milligrams — was found in Jackson's stomach, may be a hard sell.
The drug is administered intravenously, usually during surgery. Scientific witnesses may be asked to explain how it could have gotten into his stomach. Some doctors say ingesting it orally is almost unheard of.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Pete Wentz dating mystery brunette
Pete Wentz is dating a mystery brunette.
The former Fall Out Boy rocker – who split from wife Ashlee Simpson in February – stepped out with his two-year-old son Bronx and his leggy new lady to visit a Los Angeles playground.
A source told E! News: "She's a model and it's a new relationship. They're taking things slowly but he obviously thinks highly of her to introduce her to Bronx."
The couple were pictured holding hands in the park and he also took her on a date to Katsuya Hollywood restaurant on Sept 19 where he set about impressing her by ordering the most expensive bottle of sake spirit on the menu.
Pete, 32, also cryptically tweeted earlier this week: "You always get to make the decision to be a bright light in someone's life or enhancing their own darkness. Don't complain when you pick wrong."
Ashlee, 26, has also showed she is moving on from the marriage this week, appearing at the Emmy awards with 'Boardwalk Empire' actor Vincent Piazza, where the couple gave a very public display of affection.
The former Fall Out Boy rocker – who split from wife Ashlee Simpson in February – stepped out with his two-year-old son Bronx and his leggy new lady to visit a Los Angeles playground.
A source told E! News: "She's a model and it's a new relationship. They're taking things slowly but he obviously thinks highly of her to introduce her to Bronx."
The couple were pictured holding hands in the park and he also took her on a date to Katsuya Hollywood restaurant on Sept 19 where he set about impressing her by ordering the most expensive bottle of sake spirit on the menu.
Pete, 32, also cryptically tweeted earlier this week: "You always get to make the decision to be a bright light in someone's life or enhancing their own darkness. Don't complain when you pick wrong."
Ashlee, 26, has also showed she is moving on from the marriage this week, appearing at the Emmy awards with 'Boardwalk Empire' actor Vincent Piazza, where the couple gave a very public display of affection.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
One Direction top single album charts
Boy band One Direction topped Britain's singles and album charts on Sunday, outselling new releases from rock veterans Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones, the Official Charts Company said.
The English-Irish quintet shot to number one in the album charts with "Take Me Home", with one of its tracks, "Little Things", also taking first place in the singles rankings.
Singer Rod Stewart had to settle for number two for his new collection of seasonal classics "Merry Christmas Baby", while the Rolling Stones were third with their 50th anniversary compilation "GRRR!".
Also new in the album lists were British tenor Alfie Boe at number six with "Storyteller", while American punk band Green Day entered in tenth place with "¡Dos!".
American singer Bruno Mars took second place in the singles charts with "Locked Out Of Heaven", just ahead of "DNA" at number three from British girl group Little Mix.
The English-Irish quintet shot to number one in the album charts with "Take Me Home", with one of its tracks, "Little Things", also taking first place in the singles rankings.
Singer Rod Stewart had to settle for number two for his new collection of seasonal classics "Merry Christmas Baby", while the Rolling Stones were third with their 50th anniversary compilation "GRRR!".
Also new in the album lists were British tenor Alfie Boe at number six with "Storyteller", while American punk band Green Day entered in tenth place with "¡Dos!".
American singer Bruno Mars took second place in the singles charts with "Locked Out Of Heaven", just ahead of "DNA" at number three from British girl group Little Mix.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Chen Liyuan sings about home
Chen Liyuan, a young soloist from China Coal Mind Art Troupe, announced the release of her first album "The Moon Homeland" in Beijing.
Chen, known for her physical resemblance to famous Chinese singer Song Zuying, studied under Meng Ling of People's Liberation Army Institute of Arts and Jin Tielin of China Conservatory of Music.
Chen's new record was created by CA&VA RC (Beijing), published by China Record Shenzhen Corporation and released by Starwin Culture Communication.
Produced by the renowned music producer Zou Tiefu, the new record has 13 tracks including original songs and classic tunes. "Home" was the theme of the album and Chen sang mostly about the scenery and longing for one's hometown. Chen was praised for her mastery of techniques and emotion put into her renditions of the tracks.
Chen performed "The moon homeland" and showed its music video at the event. The video will be aired on CCTV-3 (Entertainment) and CCTV-15 (Music) channels soon.
Chen hopes that the release of her album will spur reflections and thoughts for people away from their homes during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival - a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates reunions- just like her.
She also wished to send her best wishes to those who cannot return home through her passion and devotion to music.
Chen, known for her physical resemblance to famous Chinese singer Song Zuying, studied under Meng Ling of People's Liberation Army Institute of Arts and Jin Tielin of China Conservatory of Music.
Chen's new record was created by CA&VA RC (Beijing), published by China Record Shenzhen Corporation and released by Starwin Culture Communication.
Produced by the renowned music producer Zou Tiefu, the new record has 13 tracks including original songs and classic tunes. "Home" was the theme of the album and Chen sang mostly about the scenery and longing for one's hometown. Chen was praised for her mastery of techniques and emotion put into her renditions of the tracks.
Chen performed "The moon homeland" and showed its music video at the event. The video will be aired on CCTV-3 (Entertainment) and CCTV-15 (Music) channels soon.
Chen hopes that the release of her album will spur reflections and thoughts for people away from their homes during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival - a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates reunions- just like her.
She also wished to send her best wishes to those who cannot return home through her passion and devotion to music.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Paul McCartney teams up with Decca label at last
The ballet, "Ocean's Kingdom," is the former Beatle's first foray into the world of dance, and has its world premiere at the New York City Ballet on September 22. There will be four additional performances in September and five more in January.
The Decca recording hits shelves in Britain on October 3.
Decca famously snubbed the Fab Four early in 1962, reportedly saying at the time that "guitar groups are on the way out" and "the Beatles have no future in showbusiness."
The quartet from Liverpool went on to sign with EMI label Parlophone and became arguably the most successful and influential pop band in history.
"Ocean's Kingdom," commissioned by the New York City Ballet, is conducted by John Wilson and performed by the London Classical Orchestra.
When he decided to write a ballet, McCartney visited the Royal Opera House in London and saw "Giselle," meeting the dancers of the Royal Ballet afterward to discuss the work.
McCartney's ballet tells of a love story set in an underwater world where people are threatened by humans. The score lasts an hour and is divided into four movements -- Ocean's Kingdom, Hall of Dance, Imprisonment and Moonrise.
In a statement, the 69-year-old singer/songwriter said he was "trying to write something that expressed an emotion -- so you have fear, love, anger, sadness to play with, and I found that exciting and challenging."
McCartney has written classical music before, including the award-winning choral work "Ecce Cor Meum."
The Decca recording hits shelves in Britain on October 3.
Decca famously snubbed the Fab Four early in 1962, reportedly saying at the time that "guitar groups are on the way out" and "the Beatles have no future in showbusiness."
The quartet from Liverpool went on to sign with EMI label Parlophone and became arguably the most successful and influential pop band in history.
"Ocean's Kingdom," commissioned by the New York City Ballet, is conducted by John Wilson and performed by the London Classical Orchestra.
When he decided to write a ballet, McCartney visited the Royal Opera House in London and saw "Giselle," meeting the dancers of the Royal Ballet afterward to discuss the work.
McCartney's ballet tells of a love story set in an underwater world where people are threatened by humans. The score lasts an hour and is divided into four movements -- Ocean's Kingdom, Hall of Dance, Imprisonment and Moonrise.
In a statement, the 69-year-old singer/songwriter said he was "trying to write something that expressed an emotion -- so you have fear, love, anger, sadness to play with, and I found that exciting and challenging."
McCartney has written classical music before, including the award-winning choral work "Ecce Cor Meum."
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Jackson fans say tribute concert doomed to fail
A group of 35 Michael Jackson fan clubs have joined forces to lobby for the cancellation of a Michael Jackson tribute concert, saying the October event is "doomed to fail".
In an open letter to organizers Global Live Events, the fan clubs representing thousands of die-hard Jackson followers in Europe, Australia, China and Russia, said they had multiple concerns with the October8 event in Wales.
These ranged from confusion over charitable donations to the timing of the concert during the scheduled involuntary manslaughter trial in Los Angeles of the singer's doctor.
Organizers on Monday announced that Beyonce would sing one song via satellite at the "Michael Forever Tribute." Other headliners include Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson and Cee Lo Green who are due to perform a Jackson hit along with their own songs. Ticket prices range from 55 to 240 pounds (about$90-$390).
Last week, organizers were forced to oust rock band Kiss from the line-up after Jackson fans recalled that frontman Gene Simmons called the "Thriller" singer a child molester last year.
Jackson, who died in Los Angeles in June 2009 at age 50, was acquitted of all charges in a 2005 child sex abuse trial.
"From the timing of this tribute...to the ticketing prices, to the obscurity over what charities will be receiving the donation, to the no-guarantee policy of performers, the addition of Gene Simmons and dishonoring, thus tarnishing Michael Jackson's legacy was simply the last straw," said the letter from the 80,000 strong members of MJJ Community, and more than 30 other fan clubs.
"Please understand that this concert is doomed to fail now...Do the right thing for Michael Jackson and cancel this tribute," said the letter, posted on the Fans against Michael Forever Tribute Facebook page.
In an open letter to organizers Global Live Events, the fan clubs representing thousands of die-hard Jackson followers in Europe, Australia, China and Russia, said they had multiple concerns with the October8 event in Wales.
These ranged from confusion over charitable donations to the timing of the concert during the scheduled involuntary manslaughter trial in Los Angeles of the singer's doctor.
Organizers on Monday announced that Beyonce would sing one song via satellite at the "Michael Forever Tribute." Other headliners include Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson and Cee Lo Green who are due to perform a Jackson hit along with their own songs. Ticket prices range from 55 to 240 pounds (about$90-$390).
Last week, organizers were forced to oust rock band Kiss from the line-up after Jackson fans recalled that frontman Gene Simmons called the "Thriller" singer a child molester last year.
Jackson, who died in Los Angeles in June 2009 at age 50, was acquitted of all charges in a 2005 child sex abuse trial.
"From the timing of this tribute...to the ticketing prices, to the obscurity over what charities will be receiving the donation, to the no-guarantee policy of performers, the addition of Gene Simmons and dishonoring, thus tarnishing Michael Jackson's legacy was simply the last straw," said the letter from the 80,000 strong members of MJJ Community, and more than 30 other fan clubs.
"Please understand that this concert is doomed to fail now...Do the right thing for Michael Jackson and cancel this tribute," said the letter, posted on the Fans against Michael Forever Tribute Facebook page.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
All I have is my voice
Na Ying's new concert, like her new album released after nine years, is appropriately titled, Na You Zen Yang, or So What. The mainland's queen of pop says that title captures her daring and optimistic outlook on life. The 44-year-old singer, who has sold more than 10 million albums, says she is in total control of her life and her astonishing 25-year career. For more than two decades, she has stayed in the spotlight by retreating every once in a while to recharge herself.
Na's influence on the mainland pop music scene is a continuous one, from the 1980s to the present. From the folk-pop music of northwest China, the inspiration for her wildly popular 1980 song Xibeifeng, to Cantonese pop and Western music, Na has constantly sought to reinvent herself.
In Beijing recently to promote her upcoming concert and new album, she is a picture of confidence and fitness and cuts a slim figure in a white silk dress.
"I spend at least three hours a day in the gym. My husband loves going to the gym, and this has influenced me," she smiles. "I used to hate the gym even though I had to battle my weight for years. But now I enjoy sweating."
When her fans call her a legend, she laughs loudly. "I always know you are there, no matter what I do, whether I sing or not," she says to her screaming fans. "Now I am ready for my comeback.
"I just follow my feelings to make decisions," she says explaining the reason for her long break from the pop music scene. For the decade that she's been away, she got married, gave birth to two children, and played full-time mother and wife.
"Now I feel like singing again," she says, smoothing her clean short hair.
Na and her record company started preparing for the new album in 2010. She cooperated with Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua for its songs.
While the concert she held on the last day of 2009, to mark the 20th anniversary of her singing career, featured a number of her signature songs, the upcoming concert will represent a fresh start. However, she is confident her silky, sometimes haunting, voice will continue to tug at her fans' heartstrings.
Na's influence on the mainland pop music scene is a continuous one, from the 1980s to the present. From the folk-pop music of northwest China, the inspiration for her wildly popular 1980 song Xibeifeng, to Cantonese pop and Western music, Na has constantly sought to reinvent herself.
In Beijing recently to promote her upcoming concert and new album, she is a picture of confidence and fitness and cuts a slim figure in a white silk dress.
"I spend at least three hours a day in the gym. My husband loves going to the gym, and this has influenced me," she smiles. "I used to hate the gym even though I had to battle my weight for years. But now I enjoy sweating."
When her fans call her a legend, she laughs loudly. "I always know you are there, no matter what I do, whether I sing or not," she says to her screaming fans. "Now I am ready for my comeback.
"I just follow my feelings to make decisions," she says explaining the reason for her long break from the pop music scene. For the decade that she's been away, she got married, gave birth to two children, and played full-time mother and wife.
"Now I feel like singing again," she says, smoothing her clean short hair.
Na and her record company started preparing for the new album in 2010. She cooperated with Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua for its songs.
While the concert she held on the last day of 2009, to mark the 20th anniversary of her singing career, featured a number of her signature songs, the upcoming concert will represent a fresh start. However, she is confident her silky, sometimes haunting, voice will continue to tug at her fans' heartstrings.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Jackson concert promoters remove Kiss from lineup
The announcement Tuesday came a day after Global Live Events announced Kiss would join the show planned for Oct. 8 in Cardiff, Wales. Fans, media and the singer's estate quickly noted that Simmons has said in recent years that he was convinced Jackson molested children. Some of the critical comments came within days of Jackson's June 2009 death.
Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges after a 2005 trial in California.
Some of Simmons' harshest comments came last year in an interview with Classic Rock magazine. "Well, you know, where there's smoke there's fire," Simmons said regarding accusations that Jackson abused young boys. "There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt."
Global Events Live CEO Chris Hunt accepted blame, calling Kiss' booking an "oversight."
"Under the circumstances, we fully agree that even though Kiss is a band Michael admired, we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert," Hunt wrote in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the band was not immediately available for comment.
It is the latest stumble for a show that is endorsed by Jackson's mother and several siblings but is opposed by brothers Jermaine and Randy. The brothers have noted that the show is scheduled to happen during the involuntary manslaughter trial of a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death.
Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges after a 2005 trial in California.
Some of Simmons' harshest comments came last year in an interview with Classic Rock magazine. "Well, you know, where there's smoke there's fire," Simmons said regarding accusations that Jackson abused young boys. "There's no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt."
Global Events Live CEO Chris Hunt accepted blame, calling Kiss' booking an "oversight."
"Under the circumstances, we fully agree that even though Kiss is a band Michael admired, we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert," Hunt wrote in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the band was not immediately available for comment.
It is the latest stumble for a show that is endorsed by Jackson's mother and several siblings but is opposed by brothers Jermaine and Randy. The brothers have noted that the show is scheduled to happen during the involuntary manslaughter trial of a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Glee The 3D Concert Movie not just about music
LOS ANGELES - Concert movies typically offer a peek into the private moments of a pop star's life. "Michael Jackson: This Is It" revealed the entertainer's perfectionist tendencies, and sly sense of humor. "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" showed the teen singer's drive for success.
"It would have been completely disconnected from what made (the show) extremely popular if it had turned into, 'Oh, look at Lea Michele and Cory Monteith and Harry Shum Jr. be superstars and rehearse and do press and record and go on tour,'" Tancharoen said.
"That's why I think it's different from those other concert films," he continued. "Those are all rock stars and musicians, and these are characters who mean something different to everybody else. They are extremely talented and they all sing very well and perform very well, and that's another big part of the show that was very popular, so we kind of wanted to mix all that stuff together to make this 3-D concert experience."
In addition to on-stage performances of songs such as "Teenage Dream" and "I'm a Slave 4 U," the film also shows its stars giving backstage interviews in character. In one segment, Michele's character, the spotlight-loving Rachel Berry, explains her pre-performance ritual of drinking "lukewarm hot water."
"I feel like I did a nice blend of Rachel and of Lea while I was onstage performing," Michele said Saturday. "We are our characters, but at the same time when we walk on stage, we are ourselves."
"It would have been completely disconnected from what made (the show) extremely popular if it had turned into, 'Oh, look at Lea Michele and Cory Monteith and Harry Shum Jr. be superstars and rehearse and do press and record and go on tour,'" Tancharoen said.
"That's why I think it's different from those other concert films," he continued. "Those are all rock stars and musicians, and these are characters who mean something different to everybody else. They are extremely talented and they all sing very well and perform very well, and that's another big part of the show that was very popular, so we kind of wanted to mix all that stuff together to make this 3-D concert experience."
In addition to on-stage performances of songs such as "Teenage Dream" and "I'm a Slave 4 U," the film also shows its stars giving backstage interviews in character. In one segment, Michele's character, the spotlight-loving Rachel Berry, explains her pre-performance ritual of drinking "lukewarm hot water."
"I feel like I did a nice blend of Rachel and of Lea while I was onstage performing," Michele said Saturday. "We are our characters, but at the same time when we walk on stage, we are ourselves."
Friday, November 9, 2012
JJ Lin signs contract with Warner Music
Singer JJ Lin, of Singapore, signed a contract with Warner Music at a news conference in Beijing on August 8, 2011. Lin, in a red suit at the conference, called it a new start for him. Lin said he wanted to know more people and make positive changes to his environment, so he didn't continue his previous contract. He had been with Ocean Butterflies for eight years.
Lachie Rutherford, president of Warner Music Asia Pacific, and Sam Chen, president of the China market of Warner Music attended the conference to show their appreciation for JJ Lin. Sam Chen gave Lin a piano ornament decorated with crystal as welcome present. Lanchie said they have known each other and they have "talked about music, songs and the future."
Singers at Warner Music including Jolin Tsai, Khalil Fong and F.I.R expressed their greetings of welcome through VCR and JJ Lin said he expected to cooperate with them in music.
Lachie Rutherford, president of Warner Music Asia Pacific, and Sam Chen, president of the China market of Warner Music attended the conference to show their appreciation for JJ Lin. Sam Chen gave Lin a piano ornament decorated with crystal as welcome present. Lanchie said they have known each other and they have "talked about music, songs and the future."
Singers at Warner Music including Jolin Tsai, Khalil Fong and F.I.R expressed their greetings of welcome through VCR and JJ Lin said he expected to cooperate with them in music.
Chinese Orchestra performs at Austria Salzburg Festival
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The China Central Chinese Orchestra performed Friday at the 91st Salzburg Festival, the first time a traditional Chinese music group played at the world-renowned event.
The state-level group presented music from both China and the West, including The Moon Over a Fountain, My Motherland, Swan,Festival Overture and Tritsch Tratsch Polka.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Austria. Austria's literature and art community cherished very much the orchestra's arrival at the festival.
"I am sure that your performance at the Salzburg Festival will deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples," Austrian President Heinz Fischer said in a written address.
While meeting the group, Salzburg Mayor Heinz Schaden said Chinese music has a long tradition and he was confident the performance would bring more understanding of that to Austrians.
The performance was a good start to promoting important cultural exchanges between the two countries, he said.
Orchestra chair Xi Qiang told Xinhua that Chinese music uses ethnic aroma, in particular beautiful melodies, to express some of the characteristics of traditional Chinese culture.
the lute, urheen, bamboo flute, Ruan and many other traditional Chinese music instruments have created a unique spiritual musical realm for audience so that they can feel the rich connotation of Chinese folk music, Xi said.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Katy Perry Teenage Dream make Billboard history
Pop princess Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" reached a new height this week as "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" became the album's fifth single to reach the top of Billboard's pop songs chart, marking the first time any album has amassed such a feat in its 19-year history.
If Perry's newest No. 1 also lands atop the Hot 100 later this week, "Teenage Dream" will be the only album other than Michael Jackson's "Bad" to generate five separate No. 1s. "Bad" was released in 1987, before Billboard began issuing the pop song chart.
Prior to "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" reaching No. 1, "Teenage Dream" was tied with Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds" (2006-07) and Lady Gaga's "The Fame" (2009) which both had four singles snag the top spot.
"Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" became not only Perry's fifth No. 1 off "Teenage Dream" but her seventh overall, tying her with Lady Gaga for second-most No. 1s since the chart's inception. Rihanna currently holds the record with eight.
If Perry's newest No. 1 also lands atop the Hot 100 later this week, "Teenage Dream" will be the only album other than Michael Jackson's "Bad" to generate five separate No. 1s. "Bad" was released in 1987, before Billboard began issuing the pop song chart.
Prior to "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" reaching No. 1, "Teenage Dream" was tied with Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds" (2006-07) and Lady Gaga's "The Fame" (2009) which both had four singles snag the top spot.
"Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" became not only Perry's fifth No. 1 off "Teenage Dream" but her seventh overall, tying her with Lady Gaga for second-most No. 1s since the chart's inception. Rihanna currently holds the record with eight.
Rare John Lennon letter to Eric Clapton up for auction
John Lennon held out the promise he could bring out more musical greatness in legendary guitarist Eric Clapton in a letter that could fetch as much as $30,000 when it is sold at auction next month, the organizers of the sale said on Monday.
The signed, hand-written letter by the Beatle, who died in 1980 at the age of 40, is one of a selection from some of the world's great musicians that will go under the hammer in Los Angeles at the Profiles in History auction on December 18.
In a draft letter dated September 29, 1971, Lennon expressed his respect and admiration for British guitarist Clapton and suggested that they form a band together.
"Eric, I know I can bring out something great, in fact greater in you that had been so far evident in your music. I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us, which I know will happen if/when we get together," Lennon wrote in the letter.
The signed, hand-written letter by the Beatle, who died in 1980 at the age of 40, is one of a selection from some of the world's great musicians that will go under the hammer in Los Angeles at the Profiles in History auction on December 18.
In a draft letter dated September 29, 1971, Lennon expressed his respect and admiration for British guitarist Clapton and suggested that they form a band together.
"Eric, I know I can bring out something great, in fact greater in you that had been so far evident in your music. I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us, which I know will happen if/when we get together," Lennon wrote in the letter.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Cole said Winehouse shouldn't have been trying to perform
Her treatment facility gave her a brief reprieve so she could perform for a worldwide audience and receive her accolades.
Cole said the entire episode sent a bad message. "Her life was at stake. I mean, she was trying to get off heroin, which is probably one of the most difficult drugs to recover from," Cole said.
"I just don't get it. What more can we do other than everybody needs to grow up? Hollywood needs to grow up and stop glorifying this kind of behavior and thinking it's cute," she said.
Cole said Winehouse shouldn't have been trying to perform, given her condition. Winehouse had been in and out of rehab and battled a host of problems since her Grammy triumph, had not released another album and was performing only sporadically.
Pax Prentiss, founder of the Malibu, Calif.-based Passages treatment center, said it's often in an addicted performer's best interest to be working, rather than living an unstructured lifestyle without getting help.
"It keeps them busy. ... I don't think it's good to have idle time," said Prentiss, a former addict himself. "But in saying that, Amy was not ready to go back to work. ... She clearly was not ready for the stage, or for life in general."
Winehouse's management and record label did not respond to requests seeking comment for this story.
Prentiss said Winehouse's problem may have been that the underlying causes leading her to take drugs were not dealt with. But he added that he didn't think the music industry "should try and manage Amy's personal life."
Cole disagreed. She said the industry has a responsibility to step in and push an artist out of the spotlight until they get their personal act together.
Cole said the entire episode sent a bad message. "Her life was at stake. I mean, she was trying to get off heroin, which is probably one of the most difficult drugs to recover from," Cole said.
"I just don't get it. What more can we do other than everybody needs to grow up? Hollywood needs to grow up and stop glorifying this kind of behavior and thinking it's cute," she said.
Cole said Winehouse shouldn't have been trying to perform, given her condition. Winehouse had been in and out of rehab and battled a host of problems since her Grammy triumph, had not released another album and was performing only sporadically.
Pax Prentiss, founder of the Malibu, Calif.-based Passages treatment center, said it's often in an addicted performer's best interest to be working, rather than living an unstructured lifestyle without getting help.
"It keeps them busy. ... I don't think it's good to have idle time," said Prentiss, a former addict himself. "But in saying that, Amy was not ready to go back to work. ... She clearly was not ready for the stage, or for life in general."
Winehouse's management and record label did not respond to requests seeking comment for this story.
Prentiss said Winehouse's problem may have been that the underlying causes leading her to take drugs were not dealt with. But he added that he didn't think the music industry "should try and manage Amy's personal life."
Cole disagreed. She said the industry has a responsibility to step in and push an artist out of the spotlight until they get their personal act together.
Should the music industry have tried to save Amy
Most entertainers prepare for a concert tour with rehearsals. For Amy Winehouse, it was rehab.
Just before her disastrous European tour last month, the infamously addicted singer entered a rehabilitation center on doctor's orders, ostensibly to ensure that she would be ready to perform. She left a week later, with her publicist announcing she was "raring to go."
She clearly wasn't. At the concert's kickoff June 18 in Belgrade, Serbia, Winehouse struggled to remember the words to her songs, stumbled around the stage and even tried to get one of her background singers to warble for her.
Her tour was soon canceled. A little over a month later, she was dead.
There's a long history, to be sure, of performers who wither away due to addiction while the world watches, but Winehouse's death Saturday at age 27 has rekindled questions about the role the music industry should play in helping stars kick self-destructive habits.
Why, for example, was Winehouse still being booked for concerts even though she was battling a devastating addiction? Could the entertainment community have done more to save one of its most gifted young artists?
A former heroin addict herself, Cole was critical of the industry after Winehouse won five Grammys in 2008, including record and song of the year for "Rehab," the song where Winehouse rebuffed help for addiction.
Winehouse performed triumphantly during the Grammy telecast that year — but did so via satellite from London, in part because she couldn't get a visa to come to the United States, and also because she was in rehab at the time.
Just before her disastrous European tour last month, the infamously addicted singer entered a rehabilitation center on doctor's orders, ostensibly to ensure that she would be ready to perform. She left a week later, with her publicist announcing she was "raring to go."
She clearly wasn't. At the concert's kickoff June 18 in Belgrade, Serbia, Winehouse struggled to remember the words to her songs, stumbled around the stage and even tried to get one of her background singers to warble for her.
Her tour was soon canceled. A little over a month later, she was dead.
There's a long history, to be sure, of performers who wither away due to addiction while the world watches, but Winehouse's death Saturday at age 27 has rekindled questions about the role the music industry should play in helping stars kick self-destructive habits.
Why, for example, was Winehouse still being booked for concerts even though she was battling a devastating addiction? Could the entertainment community have done more to save one of its most gifted young artists?
A former heroin addict herself, Cole was critical of the industry after Winehouse won five Grammys in 2008, including record and song of the year for "Rehab," the song where Winehouse rebuffed help for addiction.
Winehouse performed triumphantly during the Grammy telecast that year — but did so via satellite from London, in part because she couldn't get a visa to come to the United States, and also because she was in rehab at the time.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Katy Perry says good people help handle fame
Katy Perry believes keeping "good people around" helps her deal with the pressures of being one of the world's biggest pop stars, which currently has her on a global concert tour and taking part in her first movie.
As the music world mourns the death of British singer Amy Winehouse, Perry told Reuters she is not tempted by the hedonistic lifestyle that has helped fuel the demise of talented performers before her.
Perry, whose hits include "Teenage Dream" and "Firework," said she is able to stay away from the wild, party life with the help of honest, supportive people around her, such as her British actor/comedian husband Russell Brand, himself a recovering drug addict who is now clean and sober.
"I like to keep good people around me, people that aren't always 'yes' people, people that sometimes it's difficult to be around because they're not 'yes' people," she told Reuters.
"My husband is definitely one of those, he keeps me accountable and, you know, he's not a fan, even though he is a fan...he supports me and loves me but he doesn't bullshit me, which is really important."
The 26-year-old California native, who is one year younger than Winehouse, tweeted on Saturday when Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace".
Brand said on his website that his old friend Winehouse was a "genius" and recalled sharing with her the "disease of addiction," referring to both their public battles with drinking and drug use.
As the music world mourns the death of British singer Amy Winehouse, Perry told Reuters she is not tempted by the hedonistic lifestyle that has helped fuel the demise of talented performers before her.
Perry, whose hits include "Teenage Dream" and "Firework," said she is able to stay away from the wild, party life with the help of honest, supportive people around her, such as her British actor/comedian husband Russell Brand, himself a recovering drug addict who is now clean and sober.
"I like to keep good people around me, people that aren't always 'yes' people, people that sometimes it's difficult to be around because they're not 'yes' people," she told Reuters.
"My husband is definitely one of those, he keeps me accountable and, you know, he's not a fan, even though he is a fan...he supports me and loves me but he doesn't bullshit me, which is really important."
The 26-year-old California native, who is one year younger than Winehouse, tweeted on Saturday when Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace".
Brand said on his website that his old friend Winehouse was a "genius" and recalled sharing with her the "disease of addiction," referring to both their public battles with drinking and drug use.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Katy Perry crushes Gaga in MTV music video noms
Pop singer Katy won a leading nine nominations for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, reducing eccentric superstar Lady Gaga to also-ran status with just three nods.
Sultry British singer Adele, whose second album "21" is the world's top-selling record this year, earned seven nominations -- all of them for her hit single "Rolling in the Deep".
Rapper Kanye West was the top male nominee, with seven nods for his futuristic "E.T" collaboration with Perry as well as his own music videos for "All of the Lights" and "Power".
Soulful "Grenade" singer Bruno Mars earned four nominations while Beyonce, Eminem, rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars and female rapper Nicki Minaj racked up three nods apiece. The awards will be handed out during a televised live show in Los Angeles on August 28. Winners are picked by public voting.
The nine nods for Perry, 26, were the climax of an extraordinary 12 months that has seen the once struggling gospel singer reinvent herself as a pop sex kitten with a string of hits like "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream" and "Firework".
"Firework" was nominated for both video of the year and best female video, while "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)" got a best pop video mention.
Perry will compete with Adele ("Rolling in the Deep"), first time VMA nominee Tyler the Creator ("Yonkers"), Bruno Mars ("Grenade") and the Beastie Boys ("Make Some Noise") for video of the year --the top MTV video music prize.
Website to pay $950000 for posting Beatles hits
LOS ANGELES – A website that sold Beatles songs online for 25 cents apiece before they became legally available has agreed to pay record companies nearly $1 million to settle a federal lawsuit.
US District Judge Josephine Staton Tucker signed off on the settlement between BlueBeat.com and music companies EMI Group PLC, Capitol Records and Virgin Records America on Friday. The judge ruled in December that the site violated the music labels' copyrights and presented unfair competition.
A trial to determine how much BlueBeat owed the companies was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Santa Ana, Calif.
BlueBeat streamed and sold music by the Fab Four and other top-name acts, including Coldplay and Lily Allen, for several days before music companies sued to shut it down in November 2009. By then, the site had already distributed more than 67,000 songs by The Beatles.
The posting of Beatles songs came shortly after the release of the group's re-mastered albums and a pricey box set. A year later, Apple Inc. announced with great fanfare that it was selling Beatles music on its popular music service iTunes.
Within the first week, more than 2 million Beatles songs were purchased online for $1.29 apiece and 450,000 albums were sold.
BlueBeat had denied wrongdoing, claiming owner Hank Risan had pioneered a method called "psycho-acoustic simulation" that resulted in unique versions of copyrighted music.
The judge rejected his arguments and explanations of his technique in her December ruling, noting that Risan's recordings were based on copies of CDs that he had purchased.
Risan said the settlement amount was a fraction of what the companies sought. He said the site, which is still active but doesn't have any Beatles music available, is still working to register copyrights for 800,000 recordings.
"So long as we pay royalties, we can stream their stuff all day and all night without a problem," said BlueBeat's attorney Archie Robinson.
US District Judge Josephine Staton Tucker signed off on the settlement between BlueBeat.com and music companies EMI Group PLC, Capitol Records and Virgin Records America on Friday. The judge ruled in December that the site violated the music labels' copyrights and presented unfair competition.
A trial to determine how much BlueBeat owed the companies was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Santa Ana, Calif.
BlueBeat streamed and sold music by the Fab Four and other top-name acts, including Coldplay and Lily Allen, for several days before music companies sued to shut it down in November 2009. By then, the site had already distributed more than 67,000 songs by The Beatles.
The posting of Beatles songs came shortly after the release of the group's re-mastered albums and a pricey box set. A year later, Apple Inc. announced with great fanfare that it was selling Beatles music on its popular music service iTunes.
Within the first week, more than 2 million Beatles songs were purchased online for $1.29 apiece and 450,000 albums were sold.
BlueBeat had denied wrongdoing, claiming owner Hank Risan had pioneered a method called "psycho-acoustic simulation" that resulted in unique versions of copyrighted music.
The judge rejected his arguments and explanations of his technique in her December ruling, noting that Risan's recordings were based on copies of CDs that he had purchased.
Risan said the settlement amount was a fraction of what the companies sought. He said the site, which is still active but doesn't have any Beatles music available, is still working to register copyrights for 800,000 recordings.
"So long as we pay royalties, we can stream their stuff all day and all night without a problem," said BlueBeat's attorney Archie Robinson.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Britney is back but can she compete with Gaga
Her younger rivals' dominance this week may be coincidental -- indeed, Spears also topped the ranking recently with "Hold It Against Me." -- but the chart is a reminder of how crowded the pop diva market has become since Spears rose to fame as a teenager.
There is little doubt her fans will ensure brisk sales -- Spears has sold nearly 70 million albums, according to label Jive Record -- and her music is making headlines again instead of personal meltdowns, a custody battle and rehab stints.
Spears kicked off a string of promotions for the album on Friday with a performance at a Las Vegas nightclub. On Sunday in San Francisco she will record a sold-out mini-concert to be aired on ABC's "Good Morning America" TV show on Tuesday.
Yet after more than 10 years in the music business, Spears, now 29, may have to do more to remain relevant in the era of Gaga, critics say.
"As far as novelty goes, her natural demographic now has an icon as quirky and characterful as Lady Gaga to fascinate and fuss over," said Andy Gill of Britain's Independent newspaper.
"Gaga's music, let's be frank, is not that much better than, or even different to, that on 'Femme Fatale', but she knows the lingering appeal of playing dress up," he added in a two-out-of-five star review of Spears' record.
Adrian Thrills of the Daily Mail added: "The one-time gymslip diva has had to contend with the emergence of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Rihanna -- a brash new wave of female performers who have made their mark while seemingly exercising far more creative control."
There is little doubt her fans will ensure brisk sales -- Spears has sold nearly 70 million albums, according to label Jive Record -- and her music is making headlines again instead of personal meltdowns, a custody battle and rehab stints.
Spears kicked off a string of promotions for the album on Friday with a performance at a Las Vegas nightclub. On Sunday in San Francisco she will record a sold-out mini-concert to be aired on ABC's "Good Morning America" TV show on Tuesday.
Yet after more than 10 years in the music business, Spears, now 29, may have to do more to remain relevant in the era of Gaga, critics say.
"As far as novelty goes, her natural demographic now has an icon as quirky and characterful as Lady Gaga to fascinate and fuss over," said Andy Gill of Britain's Independent newspaper.
"Gaga's music, let's be frank, is not that much better than, or even different to, that on 'Femme Fatale', but she knows the lingering appeal of playing dress up," he added in a two-out-of-five star review of Spears' record.
Adrian Thrills of the Daily Mail added: "The one-time gymslip diva has had to contend with the emergence of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Rihanna -- a brash new wave of female performers who have made their mark while seemingly exercising far more creative control."
Monday, October 29, 2012
King Singers right royal treat
As a young DJ with a radio station in Hong Kong, I had to host a late-night easy listening program called Oldies But Goodies. It came on at 11 every night and my instructions from the program director were: No rock, no Beatles, nothing loud.
My favorite fallback album from the library then was a well-worn vinyl record with six fresh-faced, soap-scrubbed young men in Oxfords grinning engagingly from the cover. They were The King's Singers, and they sang a cappella in perfect harmony. They also made pleasing my bosses so much easier.
That was at least 30 years ago, and the group had already been singing for more than 10 then. Fast-forward to 2011, when they celebrated their 43rd anniversary, with their popularity no less than it has always been.
When a group stays evergreen with no sign of fading, you sit up and want to know more about the formula for success. For the King's Singers, it has always been perfect harmony - and proof that the most beautiful and versatile instrument is the human voice.
When The King's Singers toured China recently, they stopped in Beijing for a one-night performance at the Concert Hall of the National Center of the Performing Arts. The acoustics in the hall are excellent, as we all know, and The King's Singers exploited all the advantages.
My favorite fallback album from the library then was a well-worn vinyl record with six fresh-faced, soap-scrubbed young men in Oxfords grinning engagingly from the cover. They were The King's Singers, and they sang a cappella in perfect harmony. They also made pleasing my bosses so much easier.
That was at least 30 years ago, and the group had already been singing for more than 10 then. Fast-forward to 2011, when they celebrated their 43rd anniversary, with their popularity no less than it has always been.
When a group stays evergreen with no sign of fading, you sit up and want to know more about the formula for success. For the King's Singers, it has always been perfect harmony - and proof that the most beautiful and versatile instrument is the human voice.
When The King's Singers toured China recently, they stopped in Beijing for a one-night performance at the Concert Hall of the National Center of the Performing Arts. The acoustics in the hall are excellent, as we all know, and The King's Singers exploited all the advantages.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Gaga gives a naughty and nice concert in NYC
Gaga performed a slightly naughty rendition of the holiday classic Friday night as part of her mini-concert at the radio station's event at Madison Square Garden. Gaga — sporting tight studded leather pants, matching top and a bare midriff — gyrated on a set that included antlers, Christmas trees and holiday lights as she performed "White Christmas."
"So I recently added a couple of lyrics to this song because I think it's too short. It's like when you really start to enjoy it it stops. It's like a really bad orgasm. Merry Christmas New York!" she shouted. Later, she made a suggestive pose as she gave a come hither coo to Santa.
But her performance wasn't all saucy. She was nostalgic and appreciative as she thanked the radio station for allowing her to be the headliner of this year's show, which included performances from Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, LMFAO, Pitbull, David Guetta, Foster the People, Hot Chelle Rae and more.
Gaga said her first concert as a young girl growing up in New York City was the Z100 Jingle Ball.
"I worked so hard and when I was 11 ... my mom got me tickets to Jingle Bell Ball," she said.
Gaga opened the Jingle Ball concert three years ago, she said: "I'll never forget there were a whole lot of superstars and no one knew who the hell I was. ... Some people thought I was going to be a one-hit wonder."
The singer, recently nominated for three Grammys, proved to be otherwise, and sang a few of her best-known songs, including "Telephone," ''Just Dance" and "Edge of Glory."
"So I recently added a couple of lyrics to this song because I think it's too short. It's like when you really start to enjoy it it stops. It's like a really bad orgasm. Merry Christmas New York!" she shouted. Later, she made a suggestive pose as she gave a come hither coo to Santa.
But her performance wasn't all saucy. She was nostalgic and appreciative as she thanked the radio station for allowing her to be the headliner of this year's show, which included performances from Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, LMFAO, Pitbull, David Guetta, Foster the People, Hot Chelle Rae and more.
Gaga said her first concert as a young girl growing up in New York City was the Z100 Jingle Ball.
"I worked so hard and when I was 11 ... my mom got me tickets to Jingle Bell Ball," she said.
Gaga opened the Jingle Ball concert three years ago, she said: "I'll never forget there were a whole lot of superstars and no one knew who the hell I was. ... Some people thought I was going to be a one-hit wonder."
The singer, recently nominated for three Grammys, proved to be otherwise, and sang a few of her best-known songs, including "Telephone," ''Just Dance" and "Edge of Glory."
Friday, October 26, 2012
Spreading the rock and roll gospel
China's burgeoning music festival scene helps bridge the regional differences when it comes to understanding rock 'n' roll.
In 2010, there were more than 60 music festivals across the country, from the northern grasslands of Inner Mongolia to the southern highlands of Yunnan province.
In 2011, the growth of music festivals has continued, with more than 100 staged across the country.
In December 2011 alone, there will be three outdoor music festivals on in southern cities, including Guangdong province's Shenzhen, Fujian province's Xiamen and Yunnan.
The headliners include the "Godfather of Chinese rock 'n' roll" Cui Jian, rock singer/songwriters Zheng Jun and He Yong, and bands like Miserable Faith and Second Hand Rose.
"We believe the three music festivals will help promote rock music from the North in the southern cities," says Xu Xiaofeng, whose National Music Industry Base has been working with Beijing Beida Jade Bird Co to build a series of platforms for music festivals.
With a 250 million yuan ($39.3 million) investment, the two companies will jointly host 20 music festivals in 20 cities across China in 2012.
"Usually, a music festival gathers some big names and some new faces. But the influence of those bands doesn't last as the music festival ends after several days. What we are going to do is to make the festival longer and more lasting," says Xu, who started preparing the program over a year ago.
In 2010, there were more than 60 music festivals across the country, from the northern grasslands of Inner Mongolia to the southern highlands of Yunnan province.
In 2011, the growth of music festivals has continued, with more than 100 staged across the country.
In December 2011 alone, there will be three outdoor music festivals on in southern cities, including Guangdong province's Shenzhen, Fujian province's Xiamen and Yunnan.
The headliners include the "Godfather of Chinese rock 'n' roll" Cui Jian, rock singer/songwriters Zheng Jun and He Yong, and bands like Miserable Faith and Second Hand Rose.
"We believe the three music festivals will help promote rock music from the North in the southern cities," says Xu Xiaofeng, whose National Music Industry Base has been working with Beijing Beida Jade Bird Co to build a series of platforms for music festivals.
With a 250 million yuan ($39.3 million) investment, the two companies will jointly host 20 music festivals in 20 cities across China in 2012.
"Usually, a music festival gathers some big names and some new faces. But the influence of those bands doesn't last as the music festival ends after several days. What we are going to do is to make the festival longer and more lasting," says Xu, who started preparing the program over a year ago.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Korean pop music out to conquer the world
A host of young Korean stars are taking to the stage in London, New York and beyond in a bid to crack one of the final global frontiers for Asian culture -- pop music.
"K-pop," as Korean pop is called, has made major inroads into Japan, the world's second largest music market.
But breaking into key countries further afield like Britain, Germany, France and, most crucially, the United States, has so far eluded acts who may be household names at home but remain virtual unknowns outside Asia.
Korean bands are not the only ones trying to be the next Britney Spears, Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Japanese artists, some of them "J-pop" superstars, have also looked overseas for new audiences, although the size of their own market, only just behind the United States in the world rankings, means they have less incentive.
"It is a pain for a lot of these Japanese bands to make the effort to try and penetrate overseas markets," said Steve McClure, executive editor of McClure's Asia Music News and an authority on the region's music scene.
"Time spent doing that is time not spent here and it's a really fast-paced market and you have to work at it," he told Reuters, speaking from Japan.
"K-pop," as Korean pop is called, has made major inroads into Japan, the world's second largest music market.
But breaking into key countries further afield like Britain, Germany, France and, most crucially, the United States, has so far eluded acts who may be household names at home but remain virtual unknowns outside Asia.
Korean bands are not the only ones trying to be the next Britney Spears, Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Japanese artists, some of them "J-pop" superstars, have also looked overseas for new audiences, although the size of their own market, only just behind the United States in the world rankings, means they have less incentive.
"It is a pain for a lot of these Japanese bands to make the effort to try and penetrate overseas markets," said Steve McClure, executive editor of McClure's Asia Music News and an authority on the region's music scene.
"Time spent doing that is time not spent here and it's a really fast-paced market and you have to work at it," he told Reuters, speaking from Japan.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A key instrument of changing times
Guangdong province's Shenzhen enjoys an emergent reputation as the country's 'Piano City', creating an oasis in a metropolis once known as a 'cultural desert'. Mu Qian reports.
Russian pianist Galina Chistiakova says she has never experienced anything like the 16 days she spent in Guangdong province's Shenzhen city earlier this month.
The 24-year-old says it has been a blur of immersing herself in Chinese culture amid a whirl of piano competitions.
"This is the most difficult competition I have taken (part in)," Chistiakova, who took first prize, says.
"I feel like a sportswoman in the Olympic Games, as I have to play two concertos without a break in the final. But my stay in Shenzhen is a perfect experience. I didn't have to worry about anything and could concentrate totally on my performance."
She had never even heard of the metropolis, she says, until she entered the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition. That's despite Shenzhen's domestic identification as the country's "Piano City".
The contestants stayed with about 30 host families, most of whom are well-to-do and have children studying piano.
Chistiakova's hosts provided her with an independent sleeping room and bathroom, three daily meals, a car to drive her to and from the performance venue, and a Boston piano for practicing.
"I have participated in many competitions around the world, but never in my life there was anything like this," she says.
Russian pianist Galina Chistiakova says she has never experienced anything like the 16 days she spent in Guangdong province's Shenzhen city earlier this month.
The 24-year-old says it has been a blur of immersing herself in Chinese culture amid a whirl of piano competitions.
"This is the most difficult competition I have taken (part in)," Chistiakova, who took first prize, says.
"I feel like a sportswoman in the Olympic Games, as I have to play two concertos without a break in the final. But my stay in Shenzhen is a perfect experience. I didn't have to worry about anything and could concentrate totally on my performance."
She had never even heard of the metropolis, she says, until she entered the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition. That's despite Shenzhen's domestic identification as the country's "Piano City".
The contestants stayed with about 30 host families, most of whom are well-to-do and have children studying piano.
Chistiakova's hosts provided her with an independent sleeping room and bathroom, three daily meals, a car to drive her to and from the performance venue, and a Boston piano for practicing.
"I have participated in many competitions around the world, but never in my life there was anything like this," she says.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Halin is flying high
Known as the "Mongolia Enya" and a real-life princess, the singer is about to make her debut on the Beijing stage. Chen Nan reports.
Singer Halin recalls a spring day school outing when she was 6 in her hometown of Ejina, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. A nomad passed by, bowed and addressed her as "dear princess" -startling her classmates. She is from one of the four major subgroups of the Four Qirats of Mongolia, and her mother's father was prince of the 13th generation of the Torghut clan.
The clan moved west to Volga in 1630 after the Four Qirat Alliance collapsed and returned to Mongolia in 1771.
The group of about 300,000 people and 6 million animals suffered from raids and starvation, and was reduced to just 85,000 survivors after eight months, before settling near the Ejin River.
"I have been called 'princess' since I was born," says Halin, whose name in Mongolian means "flying high".
"My mother told me never to forget my identity. It's my faith," the 27-year-old, who now lives in Beijing, says.
"I grew up with the family legends and received a lot of respect because of my blood line. Though the times have changed and we live ordinary lives now, the spirit of our family still remains."
Singer Halin recalls a spring day school outing when she was 6 in her hometown of Ejina, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. A nomad passed by, bowed and addressed her as "dear princess" -startling her classmates. She is from one of the four major subgroups of the Four Qirats of Mongolia, and her mother's father was prince of the 13th generation of the Torghut clan.
The clan moved west to Volga in 1630 after the Four Qirat Alliance collapsed and returned to Mongolia in 1771.
The group of about 300,000 people and 6 million animals suffered from raids and starvation, and was reduced to just 85,000 survivors after eight months, before settling near the Ejin River.
"I have been called 'princess' since I was born," says Halin, whose name in Mongolian means "flying high".
"My mother told me never to forget my identity. It's my faith," the 27-year-old, who now lives in Beijing, says.
"I grew up with the family legends and received a lot of respect because of my blood line. Though the times have changed and we live ordinary lives now, the spirit of our family still remains."
Monday, October 22, 2012
Black Sabbath announce new album 2012 world tour
Veteran British rock band Black Sabbath announced on Friday they are reuniting in their original four man line-up for their first new album in 33 years and a 2012 world tour.
Singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bass player Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward told a news conference at legendary Sunset Strip club Whisky a Go Go they would perform at the Download Festival in England in June 2012, and then embark on a world tour.
The band, which first got together under the Black Sabbath name in 1969, said they were working on new material for the album for release in the fall of 2012. There is no title as yet but it will be produced by Rick Rubin.
"It's now or never. We are getting along great. Everything's really good," Iommi told reporters at the club where Black Sabbath played their first show in Los Angeles exactly 41 years ago.
"It's like putting on an old glove. It's fantastic," Iommi added.
The four musicians, now all in their 60s, released their last studio album of all original material in 1978 with "Never Say Never."
Rumors of a possible reunion of the English metal band, regarded as one of the pioneers of heavy metal with hits like "Iron Man" and "War Pigs," had been swirling for months.
"It's just time," Osbourne said, noting that the four had tried in the past to work together again. "This time, for some magical reason, we have written about seven or eight songs."
Singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bass player Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward told a news conference at legendary Sunset Strip club Whisky a Go Go they would perform at the Download Festival in England in June 2012, and then embark on a world tour.
The band, which first got together under the Black Sabbath name in 1969, said they were working on new material for the album for release in the fall of 2012. There is no title as yet but it will be produced by Rick Rubin.
"It's now or never. We are getting along great. Everything's really good," Iommi told reporters at the club where Black Sabbath played their first show in Los Angeles exactly 41 years ago.
"It's like putting on an old glove. It's fantastic," Iommi added.
The four musicians, now all in their 60s, released their last studio album of all original material in 1978 with "Never Say Never."
Rumors of a possible reunion of the English metal band, regarded as one of the pioneers of heavy metal with hits like "Iron Man" and "War Pigs," had been swirling for months.
"It's just time," Osbourne said, noting that the four had tried in the past to work together again. "This time, for some magical reason, we have written about seven or eight songs."
Friday, October 19, 2012
The sounds of Romance are in the air
Shenyang explains there was method, rather than mere madness, to his repertoire selection at the recently concluded Beijing Music Festival.
The bass-baritone performed works by not only the acclaimed names of the Romantic Austro-German lieder but also those by the genre's more obscure composers, such as Carl Loewe and Hugo Wolfe. He completed his performance with an encore of four Chinese songs - Xia Zhiqiu's Longing for Home, Chen Tianhe's In the Mountain, and Huang Zi's Plum Blossoms in the Snow and Flower in the Mist.
These four songs were composed between 1919 and 1945, which Shenyang calls "the era of Chinese Romanticism".
"Chinese people were exposed to the outside world after the last dynasty's fall, catalyzing an era of Romanticism in China more than 100 years after the West's," he says.
"These works aren't perfect but stand out because of their sincerity and passion."
As for the little-known foreign songs, he says, "I chose this program to provide a wider picture of the Romantic Austro-German lieder, so audiences can feel the influence of destiny and this historical era on composers."
The 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World will perform three operas during the 2011-12 season. He'll stage Rodelinda and Don Giovanni with the Metropolitan Opera, and La Cenerentola with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
"I don't believe Western vocal music belongs solely to the West," the Juilliard School graduate says.
The bass-baritone performed works by not only the acclaimed names of the Romantic Austro-German lieder but also those by the genre's more obscure composers, such as Carl Loewe and Hugo Wolfe. He completed his performance with an encore of four Chinese songs - Xia Zhiqiu's Longing for Home, Chen Tianhe's In the Mountain, and Huang Zi's Plum Blossoms in the Snow and Flower in the Mist.
These four songs were composed between 1919 and 1945, which Shenyang calls "the era of Chinese Romanticism".
"Chinese people were exposed to the outside world after the last dynasty's fall, catalyzing an era of Romanticism in China more than 100 years after the West's," he says.
"These works aren't perfect but stand out because of their sincerity and passion."
As for the little-known foreign songs, he says, "I chose this program to provide a wider picture of the Romantic Austro-German lieder, so audiences can feel the influence of destiny and this historical era on composers."
The 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World will perform three operas during the 2011-12 season. He'll stage Rodelinda and Don Giovanni with the Metropolitan Opera, and La Cenerentola with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
"I don't believe Western vocal music belongs solely to the West," the Juilliard School graduate says.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
U2 honored as Greatest Act in 25 years
LONDON - Rock icons U2 have something new to brag about - winning Q Magazine's Greatest Act of the Last 25 Years award.
The annual music awards by Britain's best-selling music monthly took place Monday in London and the Irish quartet was among the music notables at the ceremony.
The U.K.'s artist of the moment, singer/songwriter Adele, won two awards, for Best Female and Best Track for her song "Rolling in the Deep." She didn't attend, since the event comes just two weeks after she was forced to cancel her U.S. tour due to throat problems.
Coldplay was voted Best Act in the World Today, although lead singer Chris Martin disagreed with the accolade.
"U2 are the best band in the world at the moment. We are about seventh," he said.
Noel Gallagher, one-half of the warring brothers who led the rock band Oasis to chart glory, was named a Q icon. But he said that award did not come close to rivaling his joy when his favorite soccer team, Manchester City, smashed crosstown rival Manchester United 6-1 on Sunday.
"No award can compare to that. That was the best day of my life, bar my children being born," Gallagher said.
Eighteen awards were handed out, including to rapper Tinie Tempah for Best Male Artist and to U.S. internet sensation Lana Del Ray, who was crowned the Next Big Thing.
Brian May and Roger Taylor accepted entry into the Q Hall of Fame on behalf of glam rockers Queen, and Take That's Gary Barlow was honored as Classic Songwriter.
The annual music awards by Britain's best-selling music monthly took place Monday in London and the Irish quartet was among the music notables at the ceremony.
The U.K.'s artist of the moment, singer/songwriter Adele, won two awards, for Best Female and Best Track for her song "Rolling in the Deep." She didn't attend, since the event comes just two weeks after she was forced to cancel her U.S. tour due to throat problems.
Coldplay was voted Best Act in the World Today, although lead singer Chris Martin disagreed with the accolade.
"U2 are the best band in the world at the moment. We are about seventh," he said.
Noel Gallagher, one-half of the warring brothers who led the rock band Oasis to chart glory, was named a Q icon. But he said that award did not come close to rivaling his joy when his favorite soccer team, Manchester City, smashed crosstown rival Manchester United 6-1 on Sunday.
"No award can compare to that. That was the best day of my life, bar my children being born," Gallagher said.
Eighteen awards were handed out, including to rapper Tinie Tempah for Best Male Artist and to U.S. internet sensation Lana Del Ray, who was crowned the Next Big Thing.
Brian May and Roger Taylor accepted entry into the Q Hall of Fame on behalf of glam rockers Queen, and Take That's Gary Barlow was honored as Classic Songwriter.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
All we had was our voice
The mainland's queen of pop of the 1980s, Mao Amin, proves her vocals still have the magic of her first solo concert. Chen Nan reports.
The 1980s and 1990s were decades when mainland pop stars were nothing short of divas. They appeared at every kind of gala, and their tapes were everywhere. Of these, the most famous was Mao Amin, who was as much sought after for her silky smooth voice as her gorgeous onstage presence. So it came as quite a surprise to discover she seems utterly devoid of celebrity pretensions or airs, face to face. She still has the same friends as before she became famous and sees being a pop star as just another job, one that she says she is incredibly lucky to have.
She even credits the tax scandal of 1990, which broke out when she was at the peak of her career, and all but destroyed her reputation, with helping her become more musical.
When she returned to the stage in January 2010, for her first solo concert in a three-decade-long career, she proved her genius is still intact, a sentiment acknowledged by the rapturous applause of the full house.
The 1980s and 1990s were decades when mainland pop stars were nothing short of divas. They appeared at every kind of gala, and their tapes were everywhere. Of these, the most famous was Mao Amin, who was as much sought after for her silky smooth voice as her gorgeous onstage presence. So it came as quite a surprise to discover she seems utterly devoid of celebrity pretensions or airs, face to face. She still has the same friends as before she became famous and sees being a pop star as just another job, one that she says she is incredibly lucky to have.
She even credits the tax scandal of 1990, which broke out when she was at the peak of her career, and all but destroyed her reputation, with helping her become more musical.
When she returned to the stage in January 2010, for her first solo concert in a three-decade-long career, she proved her genius is still intact, a sentiment acknowledged by the rapturous applause of the full house.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Red bright and true
Wearing a casual white T-shirt paired with navy blue jeans and trendy sneakers, pianist Li Yundi looks every bit a Mando pop star. The 29-year-old is a star, a huge celebrity, but moves in very different musical circles within the world of classical performance. Last month he launched his new album Red Piano, the first in which he focuses only on Chinese folk music masterpieces.
Li says the recording is a milestone turning point in his musical career. After years of playing Western classical music Red Piano reveals the young man's desire to look for new inspiration by returning to his own cultural roots.
"I hope Red Piano opens a new gateway for music lovers in the West. They may better understand the folk features of Chinese music and it may spark their interest to know more about China, the place where I come from," Li says.
Li knows the power of music and its global reach. "Music is the best communication tool that does not need language and can bring people from different cultures together. My new album is an opportunity to win glory for Chinese music."
Li also knows about the glory of music.
When Li was just 18 he walked onto the international stage and was rocketed to fame when he won the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2000. He became the youngest winner of this prestigious prize.
Li says the recording is a milestone turning point in his musical career. After years of playing Western classical music Red Piano reveals the young man's desire to look for new inspiration by returning to his own cultural roots.
"I hope Red Piano opens a new gateway for music lovers in the West. They may better understand the folk features of Chinese music and it may spark their interest to know more about China, the place where I come from," Li says.
Li knows the power of music and its global reach. "Music is the best communication tool that does not need language and can bring people from different cultures together. My new album is an opportunity to win glory for Chinese music."
Li also knows about the glory of music.
When Li was just 18 he walked onto the international stage and was rocketed to fame when he won the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2000. He became the youngest winner of this prestigious prize.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Adele cancels US dates due to vocal hemorrhage
British singer-songwriter Adele is canceling the remainder of her sold out U.S. tour due to a hemorrhage in her vocal chord, her record label said on Tuesday.
The Grammy-winning singer pulled out of 10 dates, starting with Atlantic City in New Jersey on October 7 and finishing with three gigs in Texas two weeks later, on the back of her bestselling album "21" that has produced hits such as "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You."
"I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or I risk damaging my voice forever," the 23-year-old singer said in a statement on her website. "I have great confidence in believing you know how much this upsets me, how seriously I take it and how truly devastated and annoyed I am by this."
Adele was already forced to postpone several U.S. dates earlier this year due to vocal chord issues and was finishing up a tour in Britain when her illness reappeared and she decided to cancel the remaining U.S. dates, said a statement by Columbia Records.
"My voice is weak and I need to build it back up. I'm gonna be starting up vocal rehab as soon as, and start building my overall stamina in my voice, body and mind," the singer said. "I will be back and I'm gonna smash the ball out the park once I'm touring again. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, sincerely I do."
The Grammy-winning singer pulled out of 10 dates, starting with Atlantic City in New Jersey on October 7 and finishing with three gigs in Texas two weeks later, on the back of her bestselling album "21" that has produced hits such as "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You."
"I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or I risk damaging my voice forever," the 23-year-old singer said in a statement on her website. "I have great confidence in believing you know how much this upsets me, how seriously I take it and how truly devastated and annoyed I am by this."
Adele was already forced to postpone several U.S. dates earlier this year due to vocal chord issues and was finishing up a tour in Britain when her illness reappeared and she decided to cancel the remaining U.S. dates, said a statement by Columbia Records.
"My voice is weak and I need to build it back up. I'm gonna be starting up vocal rehab as soon as, and start building my overall stamina in my voice, body and mind," the singer said. "I will be back and I'm gonna smash the ball out the park once I'm touring again. I apologize from the bottom of my heart, sincerely I do."
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Latin Grammys name Shakira person of the year
Organizers for the Latin Grammys, the top honors for Latin music, on Monday named Colombian superstar Shakira as their person of the year to be feted at the group's annual awards show in November.
Shakira, who was nominated for three Latin Grammys this year including album of the year for her "Sale el Sol," will be given the award not only for her songs and performing but for philanthropic work through her Pies Descalzos Foundation.
"We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally," Latin Recording Academy president Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. said in a statement.
Shakira, 34, rose to fame as a singer in the early 1990s combining rock, Latin and Mediterranean music with her own original dancing -- a feature of Shakira's that eventually manifested itself in the smash hit single, "Hips Don't Lie."
In 1996, Shakira released "Pies Descalzos" with hit singles "Estoy Aqui" and "Se Quiere...Se Mata." Her first crossover album, Laundry Service, debuted in 2001 and went on to become her most successful album, to date.
Shakira's foundation focuses on helping impoverished children receive an education.
Shakira, who was nominated for three Latin Grammys this year including album of the year for her "Sale el Sol," will be given the award not only for her songs and performing but for philanthropic work through her Pies Descalzos Foundation.
"We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally," Latin Recording Academy president Gabriel Abaroa, Jr. said in a statement.
Shakira, 34, rose to fame as a singer in the early 1990s combining rock, Latin and Mediterranean music with her own original dancing -- a feature of Shakira's that eventually manifested itself in the smash hit single, "Hips Don't Lie."
In 1996, Shakira released "Pies Descalzos" with hit singles "Estoy Aqui" and "Se Quiere...Se Mata." Her first crossover album, Laundry Service, debuted in 2001 and went on to become her most successful album, to date.
Shakira's foundation focuses on helping impoverished children receive an education.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Michael Jackson saw salvation in dangerous drug
LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson was physically exhausted from a day of grueling rehearsals for his marathon 50-night comeback tour. But his nightly battle with insomnia had just begun. After showering and getting into bed, he called for his "milk," a powerful drug he had been using to escape into unconsciousness.
Jackson saw the anesthetic known as propofol as his salvation. On June 25, 2009, it became the King of Pop's death potion.
How he overdosed in his mansion on a drug intended for hospital use is at the center of the manslaughter trial this week of the doctor he hired to be his highly paid personal physician for the "This is It" tour.
Testimony about the drug is expected to dominate the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The prosecution claims Murray was grossly negligent in giving Jackson propofol at home without proper lifesaving equipment available and then left the room long enough to find his patient not breathing when he returned.
His defense team claims the singer, desperate for sleep, swallowed an additional dose of the drug when his doctor was out of the room.
Getting to the truth of it will come down to sometimes technical testimony from an array of medical experts, pathologists and even the police officers and paramedics who inspected Murray's equipment in the bedroom where Jackson went into cardiac arrest.
Jackson saw the anesthetic known as propofol as his salvation. On June 25, 2009, it became the King of Pop's death potion.
How he overdosed in his mansion on a drug intended for hospital use is at the center of the manslaughter trial this week of the doctor he hired to be his highly paid personal physician for the "This is It" tour.
Testimony about the drug is expected to dominate the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The prosecution claims Murray was grossly negligent in giving Jackson propofol at home without proper lifesaving equipment available and then left the room long enough to find his patient not breathing when he returned.
His defense team claims the singer, desperate for sleep, swallowed an additional dose of the drug when his doctor was out of the room.
Getting to the truth of it will come down to sometimes technical testimony from an array of medical experts, pathologists and even the police officers and paramedics who inspected Murray's equipment in the bedroom where Jackson went into cardiac arrest.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Got Talent Not really
Actor-singers are not a new phenomenon, but what is new is that fierce competition is forcing more young stars, with indifferent skills, to release albums to stay in the limelight. Chen Nan reports.
Actress Yang Mi has finally signed up with a record company, Show City Times, to produce an album, capping a long career in singing. Over the past year, she has partnered popular mainland singers such as Zhang Liangying (Jane Zhang) at New Year galas across the country.
She has also sung the theme song of popular TV series Palace, which brought her overnight fame.
In the horror film, Mysterious Island, which grossed more than 90 million yuan ($14 million) in the mainland, Yang is not just the lead actress, but also the singer. Her two singles, Love of Support and Summer in Love, have topped local new song charts and are highly rated online.
Show City Times, founded by former Super Girl winner Zhang Liangying, comes under the China branch of Universal Music Group (UMG), which has signed on such stars as Mariah Carey, Akon and Bjork.
The actress, who began acting at the age of 4, played a minor role in King of Beggars in 1992, which starred Stephen Chow in the lead. The slim, big-eyed girl then went on to study at Beijing Film Academy.
She had starred in five movies and nine TV series before she rose to fame with her role in the 2006 TV series, The Return of the Condor Heroes, as the lovely and kind Guo Xiang.
Actress Yang Mi has finally signed up with a record company, Show City Times, to produce an album, capping a long career in singing. Over the past year, she has partnered popular mainland singers such as Zhang Liangying (Jane Zhang) at New Year galas across the country.
She has also sung the theme song of popular TV series Palace, which brought her overnight fame.
In the horror film, Mysterious Island, which grossed more than 90 million yuan ($14 million) in the mainland, Yang is not just the lead actress, but also the singer. Her two singles, Love of Support and Summer in Love, have topped local new song charts and are highly rated online.
Show City Times, founded by former Super Girl winner Zhang Liangying, comes under the China branch of Universal Music Group (UMG), which has signed on such stars as Mariah Carey, Akon and Bjork.
The actress, who began acting at the age of 4, played a minor role in King of Beggars in 1992, which starred Stephen Chow in the lead. The slim, big-eyed girl then went on to study at Beijing Film Academy.
She had starred in five movies and nine TV series before she rose to fame with her role in the 2006 TV series, The Return of the Condor Heroes, as the lovely and kind Guo Xiang.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Hennessy Artistry held in Beijing
Hennessy Artistry, a renowned musical event in China, was successfully held in Beijing's Coco Club on Sept 16, 2011. Songstress A-Lin, a rising Chinese star based in Taiwan province, and dance music diva Katerine Avgoustakis attended the celebration in and brought the excitement to new heights.
Hennessy Artistry, organized by the world top-class cognac maker Hennessy V.S.O.P, has always brought the newest and hippest music to every corner of the world. The final round of Hennessy Artistry 2011 has already begun and will be touring in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.A-Lin joined hands with Katerine Avgoustakis and staged an "East meets West" erformance. It was the first collaboration between A-Lin, who boasts a reputation for her clean and powerful voice, and Avgoustakis, a Greek-Belgian star who specializes in dance music. The duo gave soulful and groovy performances that warmed up the scene.
"We hope to combine different musical style and modern elements of the world to create a product where music, trends, culture and humanities converge. Art has no borders, and this is the message we want to spread," Christina Leung, director for brand communication and public relations said.
Hennessy Artistry, organized by the world top-class cognac maker Hennessy V.S.O.P, has always brought the newest and hippest music to every corner of the world. The final round of Hennessy Artistry 2011 has already begun and will be touring in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai.A-Lin joined hands with Katerine Avgoustakis and staged an "East meets West" erformance. It was the first collaboration between A-Lin, who boasts a reputation for her clean and powerful voice, and Avgoustakis, a Greek-Belgian star who specializes in dance music. The duo gave soulful and groovy performances that warmed up the scene.
"We hope to combine different musical style and modern elements of the world to create a product where music, trends, culture and humanities converge. Art has no borders, and this is the message we want to spread," Christina Leung, director for brand communication and public relations said.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Chen Liyuan sings about home
Chen Liyuan, a young soloist from China Coal Mind Art Troupe, announced the release of her first album "The Moon Homeland" in Beijing.
Chen, known for her physical resemblance to famous Chinese singer Song Zuying, studied under Meng Ling of People's Liberation Army Institute of Arts and Jin Tielin of China Conservatory of Music.
Chen's new record was created by CA&VA RC (Beijing), published by China Record Shenzhen Corporation and released by Starwin Culture Communication.
Produced by the renowned music producer Zou Tiefu, the new record has 13 tracks including original songs and classic tunes. "Home" was the theme of the album and Chen sang mostly about the scenery and longing for one's hometown. Chen was praised for her mastery of techniques and emotion put into her renditions of the tracks.
Chen performed "The moon homeland" and showed its music video at the event. The video will be aired on CCTV-3 (Entertainment) and CCTV-15 (Music) channels soon.
Chen hopes that the release of her album will spur reflections and thoughts for people away from their homes during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival - a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates reunions- just like her.
She also wished to send her best wishes to those who cannot return home through her passion and devotion to music.
Chen, known for her physical resemblance to famous Chinese singer Song Zuying, studied under Meng Ling of People's Liberation Army Institute of Arts and Jin Tielin of China Conservatory of Music.
Chen's new record was created by CA&VA RC (Beijing), published by China Record Shenzhen Corporation and released by Starwin Culture Communication.
Produced by the renowned music producer Zou Tiefu, the new record has 13 tracks including original songs and classic tunes. "Home" was the theme of the album and Chen sang mostly about the scenery and longing for one's hometown. Chen was praised for her mastery of techniques and emotion put into her renditions of the tracks.
Chen performed "The moon homeland" and showed its music video at the event. The video will be aired on CCTV-3 (Entertainment) and CCTV-15 (Music) channels soon.
Chen hopes that the release of her album will spur reflections and thoughts for people away from their homes during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival - a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates reunions- just like her.
She also wished to send her best wishes to those who cannot return home through her passion and devotion to music.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Earthy melodies
A Henan-based band of musicians from farmer families comes under the spotlight, after spending years in anonymity. Liu Xiangrui and Pan Yanan report.
The band Farmer Brothers takes great pride in its rural roots and simple music that celebrates everyday life. The six-member band based in Xunxian, Henan province, had been playing for years in relative anonymity, but is now under the spotlight.
After appearances on local stages and TV, they made it onto CCTV (China Central Television) in July, and turned overnight into celebrities.
But even so they are sometimes mocked for their "rustic" band name, and at other times, accused of cashing in on their ordinary identities.
"We all grew up in the countryside," says the band's leader and keyboard player Jiang Liwei, 37.
"Farmers don't always wear old clothes and straw hats, just as rock musicians don't necessarily wear long hair and outlandish clothes."
Jiang founded the band with five teenage students in 2002, while teaching music at a technical school. However, most of the band members went their separate ways after graduating.
The only other original member of the band, besides Jiang, is 24-year-old drummer Zhao Yanqing.
"Rock bands were extremely cool then, and I joined Jiang as soon as he suggested it," Zhao says.
The band Farmer Brothers takes great pride in its rural roots and simple music that celebrates everyday life. The six-member band based in Xunxian, Henan province, had been playing for years in relative anonymity, but is now under the spotlight.
After appearances on local stages and TV, they made it onto CCTV (China Central Television) in July, and turned overnight into celebrities.
But even so they are sometimes mocked for their "rustic" band name, and at other times, accused of cashing in on their ordinary identities.
"We all grew up in the countryside," says the band's leader and keyboard player Jiang Liwei, 37.
"Farmers don't always wear old clothes and straw hats, just as rock musicians don't necessarily wear long hair and outlandish clothes."
Jiang founded the band with five teenage students in 2002, while teaching music at a technical school. However, most of the band members went their separate ways after graduating.
The only other original member of the band, besides Jiang, is 24-year-old drummer Zhao Yanqing.
"Rock bands were extremely cool then, and I joined Jiang as soon as he suggested it," Zhao says.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Wild child's wacky styles
Musician Shang Wenjie's outlandish fashion statements say more than most care to hear. Han Bingbin reports.
When Chinese people call Shang Wenjie "China's Lady Gaga", it's not meant as a compliment.
Rather, the moniker conveys disdain for her imitation of Western fashion.
Shang traipses across red carpets with half her face painted yellow, her hair curled into a ball of frizzled wool, a mask shaped like an eagle's beak or headgear shaped like a bird's nest.
Such daring antics have earned her another nickname - "Leiren Jiaomu", which translates as, "Lady Shock".
To these detractors, she has failed to live up to the role of being China's Lady Gaga.
Her current image would have been unimaginable when the former French major at Shanghai's Fudan University first appeared in the "fair lady" role of the 2006 Super Girl reality TV singing competition, China's take on American Idol.
Shang dressed more conservatively than the other contestants and barely moved onstage. She projected what audiences widely considered a "petty bourgeois" identity, marked by reticence, elegance and arrogance.
Kevin Tsai, the Taiwan talk show host who judged the competition in 2006, said: "I would love to hear you sing jazz in a little pub."
Then, people were more likely to liken her to Norah Jones or Ono Lisa.
When Chinese people call Shang Wenjie "China's Lady Gaga", it's not meant as a compliment.
Rather, the moniker conveys disdain for her imitation of Western fashion.
Shang traipses across red carpets with half her face painted yellow, her hair curled into a ball of frizzled wool, a mask shaped like an eagle's beak or headgear shaped like a bird's nest.
Such daring antics have earned her another nickname - "Leiren Jiaomu", which translates as, "Lady Shock".
To these detractors, she has failed to live up to the role of being China's Lady Gaga.
Her current image would have been unimaginable when the former French major at Shanghai's Fudan University first appeared in the "fair lady" role of the 2006 Super Girl reality TV singing competition, China's take on American Idol.
Shang dressed more conservatively than the other contestants and barely moved onstage. She projected what audiences widely considered a "petty bourgeois" identity, marked by reticence, elegance and arrogance.
Kevin Tsai, the Taiwan talk show host who judged the competition in 2006, said: "I would love to hear you sing jazz in a little pub."
Then, people were more likely to liken her to Norah Jones or Ono Lisa.
Guitarist Jack White stalks off N.Y. concert stage after 45 minutes
Jack White didn't quite repeat the rock star meltdown by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, but he did enrage fans by stalking off the stage just 45 minutes into his Saturday night concert at New York City's famed Radio City Music Hall.
The critically acclaimed guitarist behind the White Stripes and The Raconteurs - and now touring behind his solo record "Blunderbuss" - pulled the plug after 12 songs lasting just 45 minutes.
White, 37, thanked the crowd and exited stage right, leaving the sold-out venue chanting for more. The crowd's enthusiasm initially turned to perplexity as roadies removed White's guitars but transformed into anger as the curtain fell on the stage.
No official explanation was given for White's quick exit. While audience members had been told not to use their cellphone cameras, early in the concert White was seen exchanging words with someone video recording the concert from the seating area nearest the stage.
In between songs, White also seemed underwhelmed by the crowd response, at one point asking, "Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?"
Radio City security officials scrambled to barricade the stage door as angry concert goers crowded the exit and, once outside, banged on two parked tour buses. Other fans crowded the lobby to return t-shirts, records and other merchandise purchased ahead of the show.
Twitter lit up with complaints and theories about why White quit.
"Chatter about Jack White's abbreviated show at New York's Radio City Music Hall last night has officially lasted longer than the concert itself," noted Spin.com, the music website.
The critically acclaimed guitarist behind the White Stripes and The Raconteurs - and now touring behind his solo record "Blunderbuss" - pulled the plug after 12 songs lasting just 45 minutes.
White, 37, thanked the crowd and exited stage right, leaving the sold-out venue chanting for more. The crowd's enthusiasm initially turned to perplexity as roadies removed White's guitars but transformed into anger as the curtain fell on the stage.
No official explanation was given for White's quick exit. While audience members had been told not to use their cellphone cameras, early in the concert White was seen exchanging words with someone video recording the concert from the seating area nearest the stage.
In between songs, White also seemed underwhelmed by the crowd response, at one point asking, "Jesus Christ, is this an NPR convention?"
Radio City security officials scrambled to barricade the stage door as angry concert goers crowded the exit and, once outside, banged on two parked tour buses. Other fans crowded the lobby to return t-shirts, records and other merchandise purchased ahead of the show.
Twitter lit up with complaints and theories about why White quit.
"Chatter about Jack White's abbreviated show at New York's Radio City Music Hall last night has officially lasted longer than the concert itself," noted Spin.com, the music website.
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