LONDON (Reuters) - The Rolling Stones released new single 'Doom and Gloom' on Thursday, their first new song in over six years, and early reviews were mixed.
Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, the British rock veterans behind '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' and 'Honky Tonk Women' have gone back to their roots in a fast-tempo, blues track described variously as 'gritty', 'dirty' and 'swampy'.
Doom and Gloom is one of two new songs on their upcoming greatest hits album 'GRRR!', which hits shelves on November 12, and there was a sense of relief among critics that the track sounded like the Stones of old.
'Received music industry wisdom has it that new Rolling Stones material exists purely to flog compilation albums or tour tickets,' wrote Dan Silver in the Mirror tabloid.
'It's with some relief that we report it's actually rather good,' he added in a three-out-of-five star review.
Neil McCormick of the Daily Telegraph also gave Doom and Gloom three stars, saying it was 'business as usual' for the band and drawing comparisons between the song and the 'basement rock' of their acclaimed 1972 album 'Exile on Main Street'.
Both critics argued that the song's weakest point was lead singer Mick Jagger's vocals.
'The best bit is when he stops singing and starts blowing,' said McCormick of the harmonica interlude.
Silver praised the 'nicotine-stained chords' of Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards on guitars and Charlie Watts's 'customary magic' on the drums, but added:
'If there's a weak link here then it's actually Jagger, who honks and caterwauls over the track like one of his own tribute artists. His extended enunciation is excruciating - almost to the point of parody in places.'
Music magazine NME called Doom and Gloom a ''Gimme Shelter' for Generation Wii.
'The ... new Stones song ... is a revitalizing reminder of what made them great in the first place, a tune that will sit seamlessly amongst their classics. Are you listening, Macca?' it concluded, in a challenge to ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.
Doom and Gloom and GRRR! are part of a series of events to celebrate half a century of the Stones, one of the world's most successful and influential rock and roll bands who started out on July 12, 1962 at the Marquee Club in London's Oxford Street.
The rockers walk the red carpet at the London film festival next week for the premiere of a documentary called 'Crossfire Hurricane' and they also published a photograph album in July.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York stages a film retrospective opening on November 15 and the Stones are even helping to decorate London's famous Carnaby Street this Christmas.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Rod and Elton? Just call them Phyllis and Sharon
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rock star Rod Stewart may be famous for his bevy of ex-wives and girlfriends, but it is fellow pop star Elton John who comes in for the lion's share of Stewart's affection in excerpts from his new memoir.
In an excerpt to be published in Rolling Stone magazine on Friday, Stewart recalled bygone days the two British singers spent partying and on holiday, the Christmas presents they exchanged, and even their nicknames for each other - Phyllis and Sharon.
'It was in the early 1970s that Elton and I drew especially close, the best of mates for a while,' Stewart, now 67, writes in 'Rod: The Autobiography.' Reuters was given an advance copy of the magazine article on Wednesday.
John lived with his then-boyfriend just down the road from Stewart in the countryside west of London, not far from one of the royal palaces at Windsor, Stewart recalled.
'Our mutual friend Long John Baldry had christened me 'Phyllis,' he had christened Elton 'Sharon,' and that's what we were to each other: Phyllis and Sharon. Or just 'dear'.'
Stewart, who had scored by then with both the No.1 single, 'Maggie May' and No.1 album on both sides of the Atlantic, also wrote admiringly of John's stamina for hard partying:
'I also had to be in awe of the fact that, whether it was drink or cocaine, he could see me right under the table every time.'
John's extravagance also impressed. Stewart writes of one Christmas when he scoured shops and found a novelty portable refrigerator for John that opened up automatically as a cloud of vapor emanated and a bottle was hoisted up - 'Brilliant.'
'Elton's present to me that year: a Rembrandt.'
'He later tartly referred to my present as 'an ice bucket,'' Stewart wrote.
In 1985 on safari in Africa, the pair would dress up in bow ties and dark jackets for dinner round the fire.
The book also gave Stewart an opportunity to lay to rest a gay sex rumor that has dogged him since the 1970s. It involved a claim that he needed to get his stomach pumped after an encounter with sailors at a gay bar in San Diego, as he describes it.
The singer, who has eight children from three marriages and other girlfriends, attributed its origins to his flamboyant assistant and publicist, the late Tony Toon, who he said fed the story to the press in revenge for Stewart's firing him.
'This story has stayed with me ever since,' Stewart wrote. 'And God rest his soul -- but he was good at his job.'
'Rod: The Autobiography' will be published on October 23 by Crown Archetype.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
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In an excerpt to be published in Rolling Stone magazine on Friday, Stewart recalled bygone days the two British singers spent partying and on holiday, the Christmas presents they exchanged, and even their nicknames for each other - Phyllis and Sharon.
'It was in the early 1970s that Elton and I drew especially close, the best of mates for a while,' Stewart, now 67, writes in 'Rod: The Autobiography.' Reuters was given an advance copy of the magazine article on Wednesday.
John lived with his then-boyfriend just down the road from Stewart in the countryside west of London, not far from one of the royal palaces at Windsor, Stewart recalled.
'Our mutual friend Long John Baldry had christened me 'Phyllis,' he had christened Elton 'Sharon,' and that's what we were to each other: Phyllis and Sharon. Or just 'dear'.'
Stewart, who had scored by then with both the No.1 single, 'Maggie May' and No.1 album on both sides of the Atlantic, also wrote admiringly of John's stamina for hard partying:
'I also had to be in awe of the fact that, whether it was drink or cocaine, he could see me right under the table every time.'
John's extravagance also impressed. Stewart writes of one Christmas when he scoured shops and found a novelty portable refrigerator for John that opened up automatically as a cloud of vapor emanated and a bottle was hoisted up - 'Brilliant.'
'Elton's present to me that year: a Rembrandt.'
'He later tartly referred to my present as 'an ice bucket,'' Stewart wrote.
In 1985 on safari in Africa, the pair would dress up in bow ties and dark jackets for dinner round the fire.
The book also gave Stewart an opportunity to lay to rest a gay sex rumor that has dogged him since the 1970s. It involved a claim that he needed to get his stomach pumped after an encounter with sailors at a gay bar in San Diego, as he describes it.
The singer, who has eight children from three marriages and other girlfriends, attributed its origins to his flamboyant assistant and publicist, the late Tony Toon, who he said fed the story to the press in revenge for Stewart's firing him.
'This story has stayed with me ever since,' Stewart wrote. 'And God rest his soul -- but he was good at his job.'
'Rod: The Autobiography' will be published on October 23 by Crown Archetype.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
This article is brought to you by PHOTOS OF SEXY GIRLS.
Debbie Reynolds due out of hospital after bad reaction to meds
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Veteran singer and actress Debbie Reynolds was hospitalized in Los Angeles over the weekend after a bad reaction to medication but is expected to be released on Wednesday, her manager said.
'Ms. Reynolds had an adverse reaction to some medicine and is on the mend and hopefully will be released today,' manager Milt Suchin said in an email. He did not provide details.
Reynolds, 80, who starred in the classic movie musical 'Singin' in the Rain' and dozens of other films in the 1950s and 1960s, is one of Hollywood's enduring legends.
Married three times, the actress shared a husband with Elizabeth Taylor when Eddie Fisher left Reynolds for her violet-eyed rival in a 1950s scandal. Reynolds also had her own TV comedy, 'The Debbie Reynolds Show,' in 1969, and continues to make guest appearances in movies and TV shows.
Celebrity website TMZ.com said Reynolds had canceled all upcoming appearances for the next three months. But Suchin said the actress was taking a 'wait and see' approach based on the advice of doctors.
'It's too soon to make a decision right now. But the prognosis is excellent,' Suchin said.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Matthew Lewis)
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'Ms. Reynolds had an adverse reaction to some medicine and is on the mend and hopefully will be released today,' manager Milt Suchin said in an email. He did not provide details.
Reynolds, 80, who starred in the classic movie musical 'Singin' in the Rain' and dozens of other films in the 1950s and 1960s, is one of Hollywood's enduring legends.
Married three times, the actress shared a husband with Elizabeth Taylor when Eddie Fisher left Reynolds for her violet-eyed rival in a 1950s scandal. Reynolds also had her own TV comedy, 'The Debbie Reynolds Show,' in 1969, and continues to make guest appearances in movies and TV shows.
Celebrity website TMZ.com said Reynolds had canceled all upcoming appearances for the next three months. But Suchin said the actress was taking a 'wait and see' approach based on the advice of doctors.
'It's too soon to make a decision right now. But the prognosis is excellent,' Suchin said.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Matthew Lewis)
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Rihanna, Nicki Minaj lead American Music Awards nominations
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - R&B star Rihanna and rapper Nicki Minaj led nominations for the American Music Awards with four apiece on Tuesday, edging out stiff competition from pop sensations Justin Bieber and One Direction.
Rihanna, 24, was nominated in the top category - artist of the year - where she will compete with Bieber, Katy Perry, pop-rockers Maroon 5 and Canadian rapper Drake.
She also won nods for female soul/R&B artist and album for 'Talk That Talk,' and will battle Minaj, 29, in the female pop/rock artist category.
Minaj scored two nods for her album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' in both the pop/rock and rap/hip hop categories this year, as well as a nomination for favorite rap artist, alongside Drake and American newcomer Tyga.
Minaj has been making headlines after joining the 'American Idol' judging panel, where she was caught feuding on camera with fellow judge Mariah Carey in early audition rounds.
'Boyfriend' singer Bieber, 18, landed three nominations this year, tying with British boy band One Direction, Maroon 5, Drake and R&B star Usher.
Following in the footsteps of the Grammy Awards earlier this year, which hosted a tribute to electronic dance music, the American Music Awards introduced a new category in that genre, with David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex competing for the trophy.
Last year's big winners, Adele and Taylor Swift, who both scored three awards each, received one nomination each this year. Swift scored a nod for female country artist alongside Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, while Adele was nominated in the favorite adult contemporary artist category alongside Kelly Clarkson and Train.
The closely-watched new artist category will be a battle between R&B singer J.Cole, indie-pop ban fun., Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepson and One Direction.
The AMA winners are determined by fans through online voting, which starts on Tuesday.
The American Music Awards will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the ceremony and performance show will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on November 18.
Pop star and 'The Voice' judge Christina Aguilera, who announced the nominees on Tuesday, was the first performer to be announced for the live show.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
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Rihanna, 24, was nominated in the top category - artist of the year - where she will compete with Bieber, Katy Perry, pop-rockers Maroon 5 and Canadian rapper Drake.
She also won nods for female soul/R&B artist and album for 'Talk That Talk,' and will battle Minaj, 29, in the female pop/rock artist category.
Minaj scored two nods for her album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' in both the pop/rock and rap/hip hop categories this year, as well as a nomination for favorite rap artist, alongside Drake and American newcomer Tyga.
Minaj has been making headlines after joining the 'American Idol' judging panel, where she was caught feuding on camera with fellow judge Mariah Carey in early audition rounds.
'Boyfriend' singer Bieber, 18, landed three nominations this year, tying with British boy band One Direction, Maroon 5, Drake and R&B star Usher.
Following in the footsteps of the Grammy Awards earlier this year, which hosted a tribute to electronic dance music, the American Music Awards introduced a new category in that genre, with David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex competing for the trophy.
Last year's big winners, Adele and Taylor Swift, who both scored three awards each, received one nomination each this year. Swift scored a nod for female country artist alongside Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, while Adele was nominated in the favorite adult contemporary artist category alongside Kelly Clarkson and Train.
The closely-watched new artist category will be a battle between R&B singer J.Cole, indie-pop ban fun., Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepson and One Direction.
The AMA winners are determined by fans through online voting, which starts on Tuesday.
The American Music Awards will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the ceremony and performance show will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on November 18.
Pop star and 'The Voice' judge Christina Aguilera, who announced the nominees on Tuesday, was the first performer to be announced for the live show.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
This news article is brought to you by PERSONAL FINANCE BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
Rihanna's "Diamonds" reaches UK pop chart summit
LONDON (Reuters) - Barbadian pop singer Rihanna climbed to the top of the British charts on Sunday with her new single 'Diamonds', ousting South Korean pop star Psy and his internet video sensation 'Gangnam Style' from the number one spot.
Local boy band One Direction were new in third place with 'Live While We're Young', while London-born singer Adele burst in at number four with the theme song for the latest James Bond film 'Skyfall'.
English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding arrived in fifth place with her new single 'Anything Could Happen', the Official Charts Company said.
British stadium rockers Muse shot to the summit of the album charts with their new release 'The 2nd Law', including the track 'Survival', the official song of London's 2012 Olympic Games.
Boy band Overtones entered the charts at number six with their second album release 'Higher'.
Veteran British rock band the Electric Light Orchestra re-entered the list at number 10 with their 2005 greatest hits compilation 'All Over The World', notching up a 173rd week in the charts. (Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Will Waterman)
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Local boy band One Direction were new in third place with 'Live While We're Young', while London-born singer Adele burst in at number four with the theme song for the latest James Bond film 'Skyfall'.
English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding arrived in fifth place with her new single 'Anything Could Happen', the Official Charts Company said.
British stadium rockers Muse shot to the summit of the album charts with their new release 'The 2nd Law', including the track 'Survival', the official song of London's 2012 Olympic Games.
Boy band Overtones entered the charts at number six with their second album release 'Higher'.
Veteran British rock band the Electric Light Orchestra re-entered the list at number 10 with their 2005 greatest hits compilation 'All Over The World', notching up a 173rd week in the charts. (Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Will Waterman)
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Monday, October 8, 2012
Jerrod Niemann takes new tack on 'Free the Music'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Some things have changed for Jerrod Niemann since he finally scored a couple of hit songs after years of disappointment. And some things haven't.
In the change category, the rising country singer-songwriter has been on the road constantly the last two years and has finally found the stardom he's been seeking. He even has the impulse buy to prove it.
'Well, I bought a car when I was drunk,' Niemann acknowledged sheepishly when asked recently about celebrity moments. 'I wanted a car. I didn't know what I was going to get and I didn't even see it. I was on eBay in my hotel room and I woke up and had bought one and had bid on another one. I was, 'Oh, please don't win!' Luckily, I didn't win the other one.'
While that Dodge Charger has helped keep his lifestyle in fast forward, Niemann remains firmly rooted when it comes to his music. 'Free the Music,' out this week, is another re-imagining of what the modern country music album can be. He used humor and spoken-word interludes to subvert the form on his debut, 'Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury.'
This time around he takes a more sober-minded, but no less interesting look at the history of country music. 'Free the Music' has a few potential cuts that could be hits on country radio, but it's also got just as many songs that push the boundaries of what we've come to expect from the genre in the 21st century.
Using a unique tape-to-digital format, the 33-year-old native of Texas peppered the album with Dixieland clarinet, a horn section, swampy B3 Hammond organ, unconventional percussion and pre-steel guitar instrumentation, all mixed in with some of country's modern mainstays. Niemann said so often country performers pay tribute to the great songwriters of yesteryear. He came at it from a different direction.
'I want to pay homage to certain instrumentation,' Niemann said. 'The pedal steel guitar wasn't invented until '48, so there was horns in country music for 20 years before the pedal steel guitar was even invented. When we think of horns first and foremost, you don't think of traditional country music.'
That clarinet grabs your attention on the jazzy 'Honky Tonk Fever,' which swings unlike any song you've heard with honky-tonk in the title. The muted horns add to the Caribbean vibe on 'I'll Have to Kill the Pain,' what might otherwise be a conventional country take on drinking away woman troubles. And that rolling B3 adds a funky J.J. Cale vibe to 'Guessing Games.' Tuba and French horn are buried in the mix as well.
'Jerrod has definitely put himself in that category: Not your average Nashville artist,' said close friend Lee Brice, who co-wrote two songs on the album. '... Now, he's a country boy at heart and he's a huge country music fan. But also the other types of music in him come out. When he sits down to write, he just wants to write a song he loves and he wants that song to be him. So sometimes he loves the horns and sometimes he loves some percussion and things that aren't necessarily on a country record.'
Niemann wants those sounds and ideas to resonate with listeners - and the other musicians who follow the muse.
'Hopefully someday down the road - even if it's just one person - maybe it will inspire someone else to do their own thing,' Niemann said.
___
Online:
http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/
___
For the latest country music news from the Associated Press: http:twitter.com/AP_Country. Follow AP Music Writer Chris Talbott: http://twitter.com/Chris_Talbott .
This news article is brought to you by GLOBAL WEATHER NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
In the change category, the rising country singer-songwriter has been on the road constantly the last two years and has finally found the stardom he's been seeking. He even has the impulse buy to prove it.
'Well, I bought a car when I was drunk,' Niemann acknowledged sheepishly when asked recently about celebrity moments. 'I wanted a car. I didn't know what I was going to get and I didn't even see it. I was on eBay in my hotel room and I woke up and had bought one and had bid on another one. I was, 'Oh, please don't win!' Luckily, I didn't win the other one.'
While that Dodge Charger has helped keep his lifestyle in fast forward, Niemann remains firmly rooted when it comes to his music. 'Free the Music,' out this week, is another re-imagining of what the modern country music album can be. He used humor and spoken-word interludes to subvert the form on his debut, 'Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury.'
This time around he takes a more sober-minded, but no less interesting look at the history of country music. 'Free the Music' has a few potential cuts that could be hits on country radio, but it's also got just as many songs that push the boundaries of what we've come to expect from the genre in the 21st century.
Using a unique tape-to-digital format, the 33-year-old native of Texas peppered the album with Dixieland clarinet, a horn section, swampy B3 Hammond organ, unconventional percussion and pre-steel guitar instrumentation, all mixed in with some of country's modern mainstays. Niemann said so often country performers pay tribute to the great songwriters of yesteryear. He came at it from a different direction.
'I want to pay homage to certain instrumentation,' Niemann said. 'The pedal steel guitar wasn't invented until '48, so there was horns in country music for 20 years before the pedal steel guitar was even invented. When we think of horns first and foremost, you don't think of traditional country music.'
That clarinet grabs your attention on the jazzy 'Honky Tonk Fever,' which swings unlike any song you've heard with honky-tonk in the title. The muted horns add to the Caribbean vibe on 'I'll Have to Kill the Pain,' what might otherwise be a conventional country take on drinking away woman troubles. And that rolling B3 adds a funky J.J. Cale vibe to 'Guessing Games.' Tuba and French horn are buried in the mix as well.
'Jerrod has definitely put himself in that category: Not your average Nashville artist,' said close friend Lee Brice, who co-wrote two songs on the album. '... Now, he's a country boy at heart and he's a huge country music fan. But also the other types of music in him come out. When he sits down to write, he just wants to write a song he loves and he wants that song to be him. So sometimes he loves the horns and sometimes he loves some percussion and things that aren't necessarily on a country record.'
Niemann wants those sounds and ideas to resonate with listeners - and the other musicians who follow the muse.
'Hopefully someday down the road - even if it's just one person - maybe it will inspire someone else to do their own thing,' Niemann said.
___
Online:
http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/
___
For the latest country music news from the Associated Press: http:twitter.com/AP_Country. Follow AP Music Writer Chris Talbott: http://twitter.com/Chris_Talbott .
This news article is brought to you by GLOBAL WEATHER NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Amnesty issues rights plea to Rihanna, Shakira before Azeri concerts
(Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International urged pop stars Rihanna and Shakira on Friday to open their eyes to recent arrests of journalists, bloggers and activists in Azerbaijan, before their performances in the former Soviet republic this month.
Amnesty and Sing for Democracy said in a joint letter that it wanted to draw the singers' attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues in Azerbaijan.
'Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,' the letter said, referring to the singing contest in the Azeri capital of Baku in May, which spurred protests and rallies by Azeris demanding democracy.
Authorities in Baku arrested dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journalists and political activists.
'We Found Love' singer Rihanna, 24, is scheduled to perform in Baku on Saturday. 'Hips Don't Lie' singer Shakira, 35, is performing in Baku for football organization FIFA's under 17 women's world cup on October 13, and at another venue in the capital on October 14.
International rights groups often have criticized Azerbaijan for curbing public dissent, while the government in Baku says Azerbaijanis enjoy full freedom of speech.
'Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,' said the letter to Rihanna and Shakira.
Representatives for both singers did not immediately return calls for comment.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant)
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Amnesty and Sing for Democracy said in a joint letter that it wanted to draw the singers' attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues in Azerbaijan.
'Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,' the letter said, referring to the singing contest in the Azeri capital of Baku in May, which spurred protests and rallies by Azeris demanding democracy.
Authorities in Baku arrested dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journalists and political activists.
'We Found Love' singer Rihanna, 24, is scheduled to perform in Baku on Saturday. 'Hips Don't Lie' singer Shakira, 35, is performing in Baku for football organization FIFA's under 17 women's world cup on October 13, and at another venue in the capital on October 14.
International rights groups often have criticized Azerbaijan for curbing public dissent, while the government in Baku says Azerbaijanis enjoy full freedom of speech.
'Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,' said the letter to Rihanna and Shakira.
Representatives for both singers did not immediately return calls for comment.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant)
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