new album
Michael Bublé entertains commuters
Singer Michael Bublé entertained a crowd of commuters in an acapella performance this morning in New York City’s subway.
Bublé posted the video on his website and Facebook page as he took to the streets to introduce his eighth studio album ‘To Be Loved,’ Bublé performed “Who’s Lovin’ You” off the new album at the NYC subway stop at West 67th Street and Lincoln Center.
As commuters gathered round, Bublé started singing with the group Naturally 7, while onlookers were grabbing for their camera phones. In the video passengers could be seen off-loading from the subway trains trying to figure out what all the commotion was about.
After the performance Bublé exclaimed, “That is the coolest thing ever man!” He went on to say, “Singing in the New York subway is something that’s been done for years, and years, and years, and ah I feel like it’s the most authentic, organic way to make music.” Looking forward to playing in the subway he said, “Out of all the press I had to do, out of Europe and America, this was the thing I was most excited about.”
The Canadian singer, songwriter and actor has won several Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards. He’s been in a number of movies including ‘Duets’ and ‘Totally Blonde.’
Check it out.
Adam Ant releases new album after 18 years
Adam Ant is the Blueback Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter
Today Adam Ant released his first new album in 18 years. The 17 song album, “Adam Ant is the Blueback Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter,” is semi-autobiographical, according to Ant, with a few songs dealing with his mental illness.
The 58-year-old made dressing like a pirate sexy back in the ‘80s, and brought us a string of hits like, “Stand and Deliver,” “Prince Charming” and “Goody Two Shoes.”
Adam Ant by Andy Gotts
In an interview with Reuters Ant says he has no television and loves to read, particularly historical books. He sports a number of tattoos with one on his left arm of Admiral Lord Nelson’s inspirational last prayer before the infamous battle of Trafalgar, and below that an image of his grandfather who served in the navy during World War One.
Another tattoo on his right arm is an Oscar Wilde quote: “Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” Telling Reuters Adam said, “I can certainly say I have had that experience.”
After dropping out of the music world in 1995 battling exhaustion and mental illness, Ant spent most of that time raising his daughter while being treated for bipolar disorder. He finally emerged in 2010 performing concerts around London and beyond.
Adam Ant, Blueblack Hussar, pc, Courtesy of Adam Ant
Ant, still sporting his signature eye liner, goatee beard, and bandana over his greying ponytail, says he missed music during his years out of the industry and started writing songs about three years ago. Telling Reuters, “It felt like the right time. I had missed it a great deal … It is almost a blessing to work in rock ‘n roll and play live.”
Reviews have been mixed with The Independent saying, “It’s sprawling, overdue and not for everyone, but at least it’s not a play-it-safe comeback.” One reviewer at The Guardian gave it only two stars saying, “one has to question the wisdom of a 58-year-old man singing: ‘Punky young girl needs a middle-aged man whose midlife crisis you began’.”
Ant is planning a tour in the UK and a return to the United States. He’s also working on his autobiography, “Stand and Deliver” and planning a fashion line.
Justin Timberlake unveils new Myspace page
Yesterday Justin Timberlake unveiled his new Myspace page to coincide with the release of his new single “Suit and Tie,” and he plans on bringing the new Myspace back the same way he brought “SexyBack.”
Timberlake is not just another pretty face, but an investor in Myspace when, in 2011, the then 29 year old pop-star invested an undisclosed amount of money into the flagging social site.
So what does someone who brought “SexyBack” do to reimagine a social site like Myspace? Well, you dress it in a suit and tie and introduce your latest single “Suit and Tie.”
Justin Timberlake on Myspace
Going to the new Myspace you are now presented with Timberlake dressed in a suit and tie, announcing the release of his latest single to, the soon to be released, album The 20/20 Experience.
The site has been completely revamped and is back to being focused on artists and sharing their music with fans. By placing Timberlake’s new single front and center, Myspace is sending a clear message to artists and fans alike. They’re back to help artists share their music, and fans to stay in touch with their favorite artists.
Questions/comments? Email me at randy@sacandbeyond.com or visit SacAndBeyond.com
Beach Boys Reunion Tour Comes to a Close
(LR) David Marks, Mike Love, and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys
Last year The Beach Boys announced a reunion tour that included the original surviving members Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine, plus longtime members Bruce Johnston and David Marks, along with Jeffrey Foskett.
When they kicked off their 50th anniversary tour in Tucson on April 24, they brought with them a set list of 42 songs. By the time they played at the Hollywood Bowl in June their set list grew to 46 songs.
Obviously they were saving their best for last because when they played their final concert at London’s Wembley Arena on September 27, the set list was a whopping 55 songs!
Prior to the final show Love announced that he planned on touring as The Beach Boys with Johnston, leaving out Wilson, Jardine, and Marks. While some have feigned shock over the announcement, it should come as no surprise, since Love had been touring with Johnston, and his son Christian under The Beach Boy name prior to their reunion tour.
Mike Love of The Beach Boys at Thunder Valley Casino in 2011
Brian Wilson, who stopped touring with the group in 1965, said at their September 18 Grammy appearance, “I wouldn’t mind getting together with Mike and the guys and recording an exciting rock ‘n’ roll album.” There’s no word on whether or not that will become a reality, but odds are that it won’t materialize.
Wilson told CNN in September, “I’m disappointed and can’t understand why he (Love) doesn’t want to tour with Al, David and me. We are out here having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys.”
For their reunion The Beach Boys released a new album which included “That’s Why God Made the Radio”, beating The Beatles’ record for duration on Billboard’s top 10 chart (the Fabs’ top 10 hits spanned 47 years, seven months and three weeks, versus the Beach Boys’ 49 years and one week).
So what did they play for their final set?
| Set 1 | Set 2 |
| Do It Again Little Honda Catch a Wave Hawaii Don’t Back Down Surfin’ Safari Surfer Girl Please Let Me Wonder This Whole World Wendy Getcha Back Then I Kissed Her You’re So Good to Me Kiss Me, Baby Isn’t It Time Come Go With Me Why Do Fools Fall in Love When I Grow Up (to Be a Man) Dance, Dance, Dance Darlin’ Disney Girls It’s OK Cotton Fields Be True to Your School Ballad of Ol’ Betsy Don’t Worry Baby Little Deuce Coupe 409 Shut Down I Get Around |
Pet Sounds Add Some Music To Your Day Sail On, Sailor Heroes and Villains I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times California Dreamin’ California Saga: California In My Room All This is That That’s Why God Made the Radio Summer’s Gone Forever God Only Knows Sloop John B Wouldn’t It Be Nice Good Vibrations California Girls All Summer Long Help Me, Rhonda Rock and Roll Music Do You Wanna Dance? Surfin’ U.S.A.Encore Kokomo Barbara Ann Fun, Fun, Fun |
Beach Boys Release New Single
David Marks, Mike Love, and Al Jardine
The founding members of The Beach Boys, one of the world’s most legendary bands in popular music history, have reunited for a global 50th Anniversary celebration, including a new album release, an international tour, and commemorative catalog releases. The Beach Boys announced details about their new studio album, That’s Why God Made The Radio, to be released June 5 by Capitol/EMI.
Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks recently completed their recording sessions at Los Angeles’ Ocean Way Studios for That’s Why God Made The Radio, the band’s 29th studio album (including 2011′s The SMiLE Sessions), the first in decades to feature all of the band’s surviving original members. Produced by Brian Wilson and executive produced by Mike Love, the album’s 11 new songs illustrate The Beach Boys’ unique and evocative West Coast story.
The album’s lead single, “That’s Why God Made The Radio,” showcases The Beach Boys’ soaring harmonies in an upbeat, beaming ode to music’s radio champions around the world. Listen to their latest song
“Radio was my whole education,” says Brian Wilson. “Chuck Berry, Rosemary Clooney, The Four Freshmen, Phil Spector, Little Richard … To hear ‘That’s Why God Made The Radio‘ on the radio would be a thrill beyond belief, it really would.”
Mike Love
“I got a lot of my appreciation for all of the creativity in the world, in terms of music, through the radio,” says Mike Love. “For all of us who grew up in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and beyond, the radio has played such a huge, important part in our lives. When we were kids, we’d sneak out of the house and go and sit in Brian’s car and listen to the local radio stations on his car radio.”
The album’s other new songs include “Think About The Days,” “Isn’t It Time,” “Spring Vacation,” “Private Life Of Bill And Sue,” “Shelter,” “Daybreak Over The Ocean,” “Beaches In Mind,” “Strange World,” “My Life Suite,” and “Summer’s Gone.”
The Beach Boys’ collaborative approach to writing and recording their new music is evidenced throughout the album, with all of the band members participating to create its glorious harmonies, lyrics, and arrangements.
“We’ve come full circle,” says Al Jardine. “Sharing our memories and ourpresent in the studio has been really remarkable. I can especially feel it when we’re all singing around the mic together, because we all hear each other and we really lock in.”
“We have reunited as a band, but we never ‘un-reunited’ as friends,” says Bruce Johnston. “To be back in the studio with these guys is like a prayer that’s been answered and I am thrilled to be sharing it with everybody.”
“This is more like a family reunion than anything,” says David Marks. “When we’re together, we get along great. The chemistry always works the same as the last time we were together, and the five of us become a single element.”
