Showbiz411 » Music

“Gatsby” Soundtrack Race to top of Charts Blocked by…Zooey Deschanel?

Roger Friedman — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:36:21 +0000

The Jay Z executive-produced soundtrack to “The Great Gatsby” is a hit. Currently, it’s blazing up the iTunes chart. Over on amazon.com, where sales skew older, customers have put two editions of the soundtrack at numbers 2 and 3 respectively (the second one is a deluxe edition). But what’s keeping “Gatsby” from the top spot on amazon? None other than TV star Zooey Deschanel’s new album with partner M. Ward. They call themselves “She and Him.” It’s their third edition of songs together. Interesting–that the likeable Deschanel is holding Jay Z and friends back. In physical sales of CDs, amazon has “Gatsby” at number 12. Combined with iTunes and whats left of record stores, “Gatsby” should finish in the top 3 when sales are added up beginning tomorrow. What’s interesting about the “Gatsby” soundtrack: many of the tracks are only available if you buy the whole album for download. Customers can’t cherry pick nine of the 14 tracks and call it a day. I often wonder why this isn’t usually the case for albums. This was a smart move on [...]

Categories:

(Read more...)

Fleetwood Mac Has Four New Songs Out (It’s a Secret…Shhhhh….)

Roger Friedman — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:06:29 +0000

Fleetwood Mac, a group I listened to with great interest in 1975, has a new album out. Or rather four songs they’ve put on iTunes. You can hear them on Soundcloud and iTunes. They released these tracks themselves, bypassing their old label Warner Bros. Records. If they used a publicist, it was probably Stealth PR, the same company that’s handling Rod Stewart. So shhh…. Maybe they’re just counting on everyone to find the songs. I really like “Sad Angel.” If radio still existed, this very nice Lindsay Buckingham song would be a hit. And here’s my Fleetwood Mac:

Categories:

Music

(Read more...)

Rolling Stones Open Maybe (Final) U.S. Tour with Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban as Guests

Roger Friedman — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:02:39 +0000

The Rolling Stones kicked off their 50th anniversary tour — in their 51st year– with lots of action. That included guest stars Gwen Stefani and Keith Urban, who sang and played, respectively, on “Wild Horses” and “Respectable.” Jack Nicholson was among the stars spotted in the Staples Center. And the show was sold out, despite what some naysayers might think. The fact is, the Stones always sell out in the end even if they have slow starts to sales. That’s just the way it is. They sang “This may be the last time” last night, which may be true for once. And as far as the show itself goes: my experience seeing them last December in Brooklyn and then Newark was that show was quite amazing, the group was beyond expectations. Not only are Keith and co. superbly rocking as if they were in their 20s, but I challenge anyone to do what Mick Jagger does on that stage. Cannot be done. He’s like a panther, he never stops, never stops, never stops. And get this: I told you that [...]

Categories:

Music

(Read more...)

Mariah Carey Exclusives: New Video Will Debut on “Idol,” New Album Coming, New Manager Hired

Roger Friedman — Sat, 04 May 2013 02:05:57 +0000

Mariah Carey runs to the rescue of “American Idol.” With ratings precariously low, and “The Voice” playing directly against it next Wednesday, “American Idol” needed something to give it a boost. That brings Mariah to the story. She’ll debut the new video for her new song, “Beautiful,” on the show on May 8th. “Beautiful” is a mid tempo pop song with an usually catchy and sophisticated melody. It’s co-written, sung and produced by newish sensation Miguel. I’ve heard “Beautiful” and it’s a hit. A real hit that fans will sing along with. The rather short–about 3 minutes, 3 seconds– single opens with Miguel singing to an acoustic guitar. After the first verse and chorus, Mariah makes a spine-tingling entrance. I am told her album, still unnamed, is just in this vein– lots of great singing, very little singing, no hip hop, all songs with a capital S. My only peeve about “Beautiful” is that it’s too short– I think the album version should be longer. And the album– it’s coming sometime between June 25th and July 7th, my sources say. [...]

Categories:

(Read more...)

Emeli Sande Breaks A Beatles UK Chart Record With Debut CD

Roger Friedman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:51:57 +0000

I’ve been telling you about Emeli Sande, raving about her, since February when she rocked the Grammys, a Universal Music showcase, and Elton John’s charity fundraiser. Now she’s broken a record held by the Beatles for 50 years. Her debut album, “Our Version of Events,” has spent 63 weeks in the top 10 in Britain. That’s the longest any debut album by an artist has spent consecutive weeks in the top 10 since the Beatles “Please Please Me” in 1963. Emeli is the Adele of 2013, but you wouldn’t know it in the U.S. Why is America always the last to grab hold of a star? That album should be the biggest thing on our charts. too. Who do we have pay at radio to get her over the top? (Not kidding really when you look at rest of the charts.) Wait– next year she’ll have a second album that will take off like crazy, and U.S. radio will say they “broke” her. That’s what happened with Adele’s “19″ album which preceded her hit, “21.” The following spring Emeli will [...]

Categories:

Music

(Read more...)

Marvin Gaye Non-Motown Movie Picked up by Focus Features

Roger Friedman — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:29:19 +0000

The Marvin Gaye movie without any Motown songs now has a home. Focus Features has bought the rights to “Sexual Healing,” starring Jesse L. Martin as the late great singer. Here’s the deal: this is a movie that will have zero, zilch, none– no Motown songs. There won’t be any Tammi Terrell duets or “What’s Going On” or “Stubborn Kind of Fellow.” No “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” This movie will have Gaye’s 1982 hit, “Sexual Healing” and could include several unremembered songs from that album and the one that followed on Columbia Records. The filmmakers have no rights to Gaye’s huge Motown catalog. The could show Gaye as a young man singing standards. But really what they’re interested in his drug addiction in the early 80s and his death at his father’s hand on April 1, 1984. Gaye’s family and Motown object to the film. I’m not sure what audience there is for it anyway. My guess this will end much like “Soul Men” did for Malcolm Lee–badly. Focus is bringing “Sexual Healing” to the [...]

Categories:

(Read more...)

Richie Havens’ Ashes Will Be Scattered Over Original Woodstock Farm

Roger Friedman — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:48:56 +0000

The ashes of the great singer-performer Richie Havens will be scattered over Max Yasgur’s farm in upstate New York later this summer. That’s the word from his estate. Yasgur’s farm is known as Woodstock, but it’s not actually in Woodstock. The farm is in nearby Bethel, where 1969 Music and Arts Festival really took place. Havens was the first act up at the most famous outdoor music festival of all time. But before his ashes are scattered there, Havens will have a kind of wake or viewing on Monday, April 29th at the City Winery in New York on Varick St. It’s free to the public, but you have to make a reservation with them anyway so it’s not a free-for-all. Woodstock ’69 | Richie Havens Opening by moluu Here’s the message from his family: Dear friends, Heartfelt thanks for the worldwide showing of love and respect for Richie. This is a very difficult time for everyone and knowing you’re all right here with us is tremendously moving. As per his very specific wishes, Richie was cremated on Tuesday and [...]

Categories:

(Read more...)

UPDATE: Rolling Stones US Tour Announced, Starts in L.A. (As We Scooped)

Roger Friedman — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:03:26 +0000

Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia– Mick is painting the names of the towns on an easel. So far those are the places, in order. Where are the rest? The video below is the first clue. This might be a tiresome marketing campaign. We’ll see. I did tell you last night that the 18 date US tour would start in L.A. at the Staples Center. Keep refreshing, I guess…Here’s the latest, with Hyde Park, all of which I told you last week exclusively… Los Angeles (May 2, 3, or 4), Oakland May 5, San Jose May 8, Las Vegas 11 , Anaheim 15, Toronto 25, Chicago 28, Boston June 12, Philadelphia June 15… and more to come…keep refreshing…They announced Hyde Park for July 6th and there will be a second show on July 13th…

Categories:

(Read more...)

Elton John & Bernie Taupin Will Get Special Songwriters Hall of Fame Award

Roger Friedman — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:14:44 +0000

Elton John and Bernie Taupin are receiving the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is a special award to songwriters of the highest merit who are considered the gold standard. This is exciting news because the songs from this duo really are in a league with the legendary Mercer. And what a night the SHOF will be on June 13th, with Berry Gordy getting his own Lifetime Achievement Award, and the inductees including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, as well as JD Souther and Holly Knight. Past Johnny Mercer Award recipients have included songwriting giants: Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Phil Collins, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Paul Anka, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Billy Joel, Jimmy Webb, Hal David, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Paul Simon, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Stephen Sondheim, Cy Coleman, Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. Jimmy Webb said of the duo in a statement: “Some catalogs are more ‘deep’ and significant than others not only because of their pertinence to the times in [...]

Categories:

Music

(Read more...)

Why Taylor Swift Is Not Going to Find a Happy Relationship Anytime Soon

Roger Friedman — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 05:48:47 +0000

Yes, I went to a Taylor Swift show last night. Judging by the audience of preteen girls at the Prudential Center in Newark, I doubt many of my colleagues have had this experience. My twin nieces, Hannah and Charlotte, turning 13 on Tuesday, wanted to see opening act Ed Sheeran. They had no interest in Swift, but since i paid for the tickets, I told them we had to do the whole thing. Now, having seen her in arena, I can tell you why Taylor Swift will never find a happy relationship. In a minute. First the show: I don’t know who wrote it, directed, choreographed it, scripted it in within an inch of its life. But the Red tour show is not about rock and roll or even pop. It’s a humongous Broadway spectacle. Or a series of them. There are 18 songs including a duet with Sheeran and a guest spot. Last night that went to Pat Monahan of Train, whom Swift called “my favorite singer from my favorite band.” I know, I am an old curmudgeon, but [...]

Categories:

(Read more...)