Our dear Amy has canceled her UK tour by her Doctor’s order…, and said that she can’t do it “without my Blake”. Her Blake (her husband- Blake Fielder- Civil) is now in prison and waiting to see what will happen with his case. Meanwhile, NME reports that Amy’s dad, Mitch Winehouse say that his daughter is considering entering rehab to take care of her drug problems. And I say Yes Yes Yes.
Amy Winehouse’s new album Frank was originally released in the UK in 2003. As it often happen with British musicians, it took some time for Amy to get some recognition here in America, but now everybody knows who she is (”There is no such thing as bad publicity, except your own obituary…Brendan Behan) and Frank is now being sold in the US as her new album.
Howard Cohen from Kansascity.com wrote that Frank is “a more stripped-down, jazzy effort… finds the edgy British singer rivaling greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt and Lauryn Hill with her silky, smoky voice.”"Winehouse’s voice is a jazz instrument in itself, constantly riffing around, exploring and enhancing blues chords while staying fully anchored, seemingly unable to hit a sour note. Those who would blanch at comparisons of Winehouse to timeless jazz and blues chanteuses surely haven’t heard her sing.”
I’m totally on the same page with Mr. Cohen here. Amy Winehouse’s voice belongs on that list.
To cover a Led Zeppelin song is like turning a Stephen King’s book into a movie- many have tried, but only a few have succeeded to have the same impact as the original. Godsmack (what a horrible name,) a hard rock band from Massachusetts just released a cover version to Good Times Bad Times, the 1969 Zepp hit. And (with the words of my dear wife,) I have to say, they are doing a pretty good job. Not since Minimal Compact gave their on interpretation to Immigrant Song in the mid 80’s, that I’ve heard a good Led Zeppelin cover version. And don’t talk to me about Tori Amos, cause her covers all sounds just the same!
Amy’s family are so freaked out about the possibility that their daughter will do something stupid after her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil got arrested, and because she is after all, Amy Winehouse, that they had to call the police when they couldn’t get a hold of her last night. “Amy’s family are petrified she’ll do something stupid. They know she’s very low at the moment and misses Blake terribly.” A “source” told the Daily Mail.
I’m a lover scorned. A meerkat whose mother has been viciously killed by a snake leaving me to make my way thru the wild without any well-trained defenses or line of attack. I’m Rambo without any ammo and Schwarzenegger without the Kennedy connections and steroids that made him.
I’m also fed up with the writers’ strike and feeling pangs of loss that can best be expressed thru the myriad of metaphors above.
And how it could potentially affect my January, no wait my FEBRUARY? That’s right, Lost fans will have to wait till February now to see just where things left off post-Looking Glass. Given that the show’s executive producer is claiming that only 8 shows have been written out of the regular 16, and that the final 8 will tie up all the loose ends presented in the first 8 (and that I happen to LIVE for resolutions), you can understand why the writers’ strike is getting me down.
I can do without Leno and his glib comments to Halle Berry, grimace at Tina Fey as she takes to the picketing stands (she is an executive producer after all) and bands with her fellow starving artists (?), but seeing writer/creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof lament the plight of writers (and himself) not getting their/his share of the moola generated by all the new media around makes me wanna lose the one I’m with and start a new relationship.
We understand fame and new-found fortune is enough to even make a decent man turn to debauchery. But really, how long do the producers at Lost think that they can play with their fanbase before their numbers of viewers start to diminish?
That’s how it goes, from public enemy No. 1, to a saint. That’s what is happening to Michael Jackson these days. As we approach the 25th anniversary of Thriller, the album who broke any record in the record book, Jacko is back in business with an exclusive interview after 10 years to “Ebony” magazine. Harriette Cole, editor of “Ebony” magazinesaid on The Today Show that: “The thing that was most impressive to me about him (M.J.) is that he is so loving and generous to everyone, we photographed in the Brooklyn Museum. It was the guard he made sure he spoke to, the elevator operator, everybody who was there was someone he wanted to treat with kindness.” Rumors about a new album were also thrown in the air.
In 1982, as a little kid, in the land of far far away, I had a small cassette player with Thriller on it. Michael Jackson just before going nuts was my hero. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years.
If he can make a comeback, everyone can.
Amy, Amy, what are we going to do with you? After the Norwegian Police arrested one of our blog’s main subjects, she was released just in time to go on stage and do her thing. I also hear that some of her friends seemed pleased of the fact she only got arrested for the possession of weed and not something stronger. If they are so concerned about her they should send her to this place in Utah, to dry her talented but disturbed soul of all the shit that runs there. After watching Regina Spektor performers last week, without all the meshigayes*, but with a lot of magic, I understand that you don’t have to be a nut job to succeed, well maybe just a little…
I’ve been owing readers here a recap of the Regina Spektor concert I attended last Sunday for roughly a week now, so here goes. In my defense, I turned the big 3-0 last week and was slightly preoccupied with birthday shenanigans. So now I’m back and ready to give Regina Spektor, experimental folk-acoustic, seductive songstress du jour (du semaine) a proper ode.
Headlining the Regina show was Only Son, aka iPod Man. His act was decent enough, but he went on for way too long and his shtick involved an iPod, which he used in lieu of a band. It got a little irksome after a while and as he came onstage drunk and saying a little too many “F*cks,” I quickly realized that a) I’m too old to find this MySpace-generated Mick Jagger/Bono wannabe remotely appealing and b) My generation (X) is WAY cooler than the 18-year-olds bopping along to the Yeah, like, that’s so f*cked man. Shit, ya know. Yeah, f*ck. Then again, maybe I’m being way too hard on our nation’s youth and even more frightening, maybe my generation sounded like that 12 years ago.
But then again, why were all these youngsters who I couldn’t envision really “getting” Regina’s brand of music, the overriding demographic present at her show?
Regina came out onstage 1.5 hours after the 7:30 starting time. While one can argue that the wait augments the level of anticipation, being stuck in the auditorium seating in Boston’s Orpheum Theater- whose seating was constructed and hasn’t been renovated since the early 20th Century when my height of 5′3 was the average height of a male, you can imagine the physical comfort level by the time the illustrious Ms. SpeKtor finally came onto stage.
Don’t get me wrong. Regina is a force to be reckoned with and well worth any wait. Coming onto stage, bright curly red hair, bright royal blue babydoll dress, with intermittent sprinklings of softspoken “thank you(s)” between belting out “Mary Anne is a B*tch” (it’s a song) and songs about people f*cking to her music, she carefully positions herself as the naughty nice girl. Others have gone down this road before in more gimmicky fashion, but Regina successfully avoids the common pitfalls of her peers and predecessors, salvaged by her musical range (high-pitched, discordant elongated shrieks a la Laurie Anderson to heavy, bluesy spirituals) and well, her, incredibly diverse RAW talent. (Norah Jones may also sing to the tune of the sweet songstress, but doesn’t manage the same sub-alt following, perhaps limited by range and level of experimentation. ) The difference being Regina owns her music, even when it’s not her music. Take her cover of John Lennon’s “Real Love” or her recent gig covering “Little Boxes” for the show Weeds. You can’t imagine (no pun intended) either song wasn’t written by her for her.
But back to the concert’s finale, Regina gave us our encores (”Samson”/”Fidelity” et al) and didn’t hold out on her audience, instead generously playing to the crowd, amidst delayed starts and iPod men that read more like boys. Oh, yeah. And really young kids yelling, That’s the f*ckin sh*t iPod Man!
I recently heard a cover of Iron & Wine’s “Such Great Heights” on the radio and loved it more than the original. (Ben Folds’ cover is the version usually attributed as the original version of the song, but it’s not.) Nonetheless, it got me thinking that most often, we squirm at the thought of song covers (similar to the reaction to a movie sequel) and for good reason. Have you listened to Kelly Clarkson try and replicate the brilliance of Ray LaMontagne’s “Shelter”? If you haven’t, don’t. You’re better off listening to this guy on YouTube. He does a pretty good rendition. Of course, “Shelter” is a tough song to sing as my husband and I (and our neighbors who’ve listened to us) can both attest to.
But back to my new-found obsession with pop-techno, 80s retro band The Postal Service. They first broke onto the mainstream scene with their cover of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” for the Wicker Park soundtrack. That caught my attention a few years back, but listen to “Such Great Heights” below and enjoy them a bit. If you like, give “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” a try.
PS- Off to see Regina Spektor tonight (finally!) at the Orpheum. To give a synopsis in days to come…
Can’t belive I’m writing about this again, but it is confirmed that Robert, Jimmy, John Paul, and Jason will play in memory of Ahmet Etegun , Atlantic Records founder. Tickets will cost 125 British Pound about $250 and will be distributed by ballot. Due to past disapointments, I dare not think about a tour option.
Sarah Silverman will always be remembered as the comedian who aimed high, and went after the strong. The same way she went after Paris Hilton just days before she went to jail. This time it was Britney Spears. While the comeback wannabe singer did a very good job in embarrassing herself on the MTV Music Awards, Sarah Silverman would not let go and kicked her ass. When someone is on his low you either help or stay out, but not our bully Sarah, she will keep on hurting, over and over. We said it in this blog before, Silverman suck big time. And bully Sarah is full of BS.
All of a sudden the rumors come up again, rising from deep like a glitter of gold, sneak on you like a black dog, but when you prepare your self for a day of celebration, you find out it was just another breakdown in communication, and you are left dazed and confused, asking your self how many more times you will believe this crap about a Led Zeppelin reunion?
This week in pop culture was all about people who have a lot to lose and they are just about to lose it. Even though I have seen a thing or two in my life, I was very surprised about Owen Wilson’s suicide attempt and even more, to learn that he is a junkie. For him and for his family and friends, I hope he reached the bottom, and he understands where he is. I hear he canceled his appearance in the new comedy ‘Tropic Thunder’. I hope he can now concentrate on his recovery. Amy Winehouse didn’t reach rock bottom yet, but she is definitely on the way to disaster. While Owen Wilson tried to get rid of the habit times and times before, Amy just don’t care. First she canceled her North American tour, then she canceled her performance in the MTV Video Music Awards. Winehouse is very talented, but she is also very young and unstable, and she is with someone who’s personality is not much different then hers. Amy is going in and out of rehab, fights with her man, and living a miserable life. Some characters of Amy Winehouse’s story remind me of the Kurt Cobain story.
She needs to take real good care of herself, before her career and life will be a mach, that burns strong at first, but seconds later, there is nothing left, all is ashes.
Adding to the leak of damaging and discouraging Amy Winehouse photos/news of late, Winehouse’s dad has now entered into the paparazzi mixploitationgiving an interview to the BBC earlier today, which read like a sincere enough plea for help on behalf of his daughter. Concerned father or not, Mitch is clearly in denial about a few things regarding his daughter’s history of emotional health. First off, Mitch states (in the transcript) that Amy only started using hardcore drugs in the past few mos and that prior to this, she prided herself on being “clean”. The girl has been spiraling down on a drug-frenzied journey for at least a year now. Also, given the combination of eating disorder, potential spousal abuse, and drugs, it’s quite obvious she’s self-medicating and self-destructing at the same time. That sh*t doesn’t happen overnight.
If, as Mitch Winehouse is quick to relay, the record companies are really looking out for Amy’s best interest in canceling her tour dates and ensuring a speedier and healthier recovery period for the gifted singer, then props to them. Somehow Mitch Winehouse’s careful finessing of certain high density media outlets at opportune times makes me think he might quietly be relishing all this attention. I hope time prove me wrong. Lord know we have enough celebrity whore fathers out there…
So Amy checks in and out of rehab, mysterious health problems that lead to hospital visits, and weird late night hotel stays is all we hear. Now it seems as if one of our favorite singer’s problems are getting worse. The music news site NME reports today that Winehouse’s North American tour was postponed until early next year. In a statement Tracy Miller, Amy’s publicist said: “Due to the rigors involved in touring, Amy Winehouse has been advised to postpone her upcoming September U.S. and Canadian tour dates, Amy’s European and U.K. tour dates in October and November remain in place. Plans are being made to reschedule her U.S. tour for early 2008. Until then, Amy has been ordered to rest and is working with medical professionals to address her health.” Take it easy Amy, we hope you will get better soon.
August 16 marks 30 years since Elvis Presley’s died. And as a tribute to the man, and maybe to all those who finds the facts of his death a little suspicious, and be lives Elvis never died and he is still here with us, here is a live performance of the song Suspicious Minds.
Where to begin, I guess with a recap of last week’s R&R Triple A Summit in Boulder, CO. It was great spending time with all of my fellow music loving radio folks, label reps and promotions guys and girls. Nothing like being around a bunch of people who share the same passion, drive and enthusiasm for music and spreading its gospel to eager ears around the globe.
I am such a big fan of this conference that I would attend even if I wasn’t in the business. It makes me believe in the power or music and shows me that real radio is alive and well. BIG THANKS to R&R Triple A Editor John Schoenberger, President/Publisher Erica Farber and everyone involved in putting on this wonderful event.
I must admit, I was a bit irked by some of the grumblings I heard about this year’s lineup. Yes, there were no “headline” names so to speak but the quality of the acts that performed spoke for itself and what the convention lacked in “big names” it more than made up for with credible acts putting on memorable performances. And after all, aren’t we the people who make the stars of tomorrow? Aren’t we the ones who give the up and comer a chance and let our listeners hear their music in its infancy? Aren’t we the ones who don’t forget the artists after the rest of the industry has thrown them on the scrap heap even if they are still making incredible music? If you were one of the ones bitching about the lineup, I think you oughta check yourself! Read More…
NME reports that our beloved MOT equivalent of Diana Ross, aka Amy Winehouse is currently in a hotel in London recovering from what appears to have been a drug overdose.
Reports have suggested that Winehouse suffered from a drug overdose at 1am on Wednesday (August , and was treated with an adrenaline shot before her stomach was pumped.
Anyone else find it mildly perplexing that Amy is convalescing in the warm, homey environs of a hotel? Anyways, talk-of-town post OD rumors was the Amy was entering rehab, but as fate would have it, her publicist dismissed that rumor with a “no, no, no.”
Winehouse overdosed on August 10th. Only two days earlier, she was nominated for 3 MTV VMA awards including Female Artist of the Year and and Video of the Year. Precluding any potential rumor of Winehouse succumbing to the pressure, and falling prey to its folly, one can only hope she’s emotionally and mentally in better shape when Grammy nomination time comes.
After Robert Plant denied the rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion, and braking many fan’s heart by doing so, Reuters now reports that Van Halen (and I certainly bag the differ,) will reunite with original singer David Lee Roth, and will go on a US tour. Van Halen will announce the reunion next week in a news conference in Hollywood.
P.S.
My deepest apologies to all those Led Zeppelin fans who’s feeling were rightfully hurt by the mentioning of their beloved band with Van Halen.
Amy Winehouse’s new album Frank was originally released in the UK in 2003. As it often happen with British musicians, it took some time for Amy to get some recognition here in America, but now everybody knows who she is (”There is no such thing as bad publicity, except your own obituary…
That’s how it goes, from public enemy No. 1, to a saint. That’s what is happening to Michael Jackson these days. As we approach the 25th anniversary of Thriller, the album who broke any record in the record book, Jacko is back in business with an exclusive interview after 10 years to “
Amy, Amy, what are we going to do with you? After the Norwegian Police arrested one of our blog’s main subjects, she was released just in time to go on stage and do her thing. I also hear that some of her friends seemed pleased of the fact she only got arrested for the possession of weed and not something stronger. If they are so concerned about her they should send her to this place in Utah, to dry her talented but disturbed soul of all the shit that runs there. After watching Regina Spektor performers last week, without all the meshigayes*, but with a lot of magic, I understand that you don’t have to be a nut job to succeed, well maybe just a little…
Can’t belive I’m writing about this again, but it is confirmed that Robert, Jimmy, John Paul, and Jason will play in memory of Ahmet Etegun , Atlantic Records founder. Tickets will cost 125 British Pound about $250 and will be distributed by ballot. Due to past disapointments, I dare not think about a tour option.
Sarah Silverman will always be remembered as the comedian who aimed high, and went after the strong. The same way she went after Paris Hilton just days before she went to jail. This time it was Britney Spears. While the comeback wannabe singer did a very good job in embarrassing herself on the MTV Music Awards, Sarah Silverman would not let go and kicked her ass. When someone is on his low you either help or stay out, but not our bully Sarah, she will keep on hurting, over and over. We said it in this blog before, Silverman suck big time. And bully Sarah is full of BS.
This week in pop culture was all about people who have a lot to lose and they are just about to lose it. Even though I 
have seen a thing or two in my life, I was very surprised about Owen Wilson’s suicide attempt and even more, to learn that he is a junkie. For him and for his family and friends, I hope he reached the bottom, and he understands where he is. I hear he canceled his appearance in the new comedy ‘Tropic Thunder’. I hope he can now concentrate on his recovery. Amy Winehouse didn’t reach rock bottom yet, but she is definitely on the way to disaster. While Owen Wilson tried to get rid of the habit times and times before, Amy just don’t care. First she canceled her North American tour, then she canceled her performance in the MTV Video Music Awards. Winehouse is very talented, but she is also very young and unstable, and she is with someone who’s personality is not much different then hers. Amy is going in and out of rehab, fights with her man, and living a miserable life. Some characters of Amy Winehouse’s story remind me of the Kurt Cobain story.
Adding to the leak of damaging and discouraging Amy Winehouse photos/news 
August 16 marks 30 years since Elvis Presley’s died. And as a tribute to the man, and maybe to all those who finds the facts of his death a little suspicious, and be lives Elvis never died and he is still here with us, here is a live performance of the song Suspicious Minds.
by DJ Scott Register
NME 
, and was treated with an adrenaline shot before her stomach was pumped.
