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.
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