 Produced by Billboard chart-topper Steve Oliver, she drops her debut album on May 29 and will celebrate that evening with an album release cocktail party via Zoom.
VANCOUVER (22 May 2020): One could easily make the case that singer-songwriter Cat Levan has much more than just a double life. The former professional fighter, restaurant owner, clothing designer, marketing director, illustrator and mother will finally realize her long-held musical dream when her debut album, “Double Life,” drops May 29 on the Wide Sky Records label. The Vancouver-based artist teamed with Billboard Top 10 hitmaker Steve Oliver to write seven original songs for the 11-song set produced by Oliver in the guitarist’s Southern California studio. Her Canadian countryman and brother-in-law, contemporary jazz saxophonist Walle Larsson, guests throughout the collection that finished tracking just prior to the closure of the border due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ve done a lot of different things throughout my life and experienced success in a variety of areas, but music has been a constant presence dating back to my family household while growing up. ‘Double Life’ speaks to the dreams we hold tight to our chest and never let anyone know about. The artist who has a rich inner musical world but lives a life of logic and order that never reveals the depth of her inner world. It's a double life, but in a good way,” said Levan whose sister is Juno Awards-nominated singer-songwriter Melanie Chartrand. As a lyricist, Levan is a storyteller who writes about love, loneliness, connection and uncertainty, which suits the inherently vulnerable qualities of her ethereal voice. After opening the disc with the upbeat dance-pop title track that is bolstered by tribal percussion beats, “What’s Been Going Down” pours a smooth cosmopolitan cocktail of jazz and pop. The downtempo “Keep Moving” was the first song penned for the album. “It's about a time in my life when I was stuck in an awful place. My mother had died, and I had just left a relationship and moved back to Vancouver. I was really down, feeling very alone, not seeing a future that I liked. Every day, I would get up and try to push myself to do something that would move me forward. I was sleepwalking through life with a constant ache in my chest,” admitted Levan who plans to film a couple of videos to accompany the album release. Levan found singing “December Road” helped her let go of the heartache. It is a stark and poignant piano ballad about accepting love and loss. She loves how the soulful and sensual “Something’s Gotta Give” exposes the seedy side of life. “It makes me feel like I'm walking down the street late at night, peeking into steamy bars and witnessing shady deals. It’s fascinating seeing the colorful underside of the streets.” The haunting “The Way I Feel” was written and recorded by Gordon Lightfoot and Levan’s version exquisitely captures the pain and reality of love. A joyous slice of sunshine, “Baba Doo” is a wordless contemporary jazz dance set to the rhythm of life. “Waiting for the Right Time” moves at the deliberate, tension-filled pace of a prowl. “This is a song with two stories. One is a story of an assassin stalking her prey, waiting for the moment to strike. The other story talks about how we hide our darker side in a relationship. We’re always looking to see if it’s safe to reveal our weaknesses. If we show who we are, will it push them away? It’s all a test to see how much we are accepted exactly as we are.” Layers of percussion drive the snappy groove of “Diving Deep,” Levan’s first track ever sung in vocalese, one of Oliver’s hallmarks. “When we wrote this song, I had no idea what vocalese was. Steve introduced me to it and asked me to be open to this new style of singing. We wrote and recorded the song the same day, so I was trying to adjust, but my voice was tired and a little unhappy with me. There were a few notes that I was struggling with and Steve recorded me grumbling about them. When we were playing back the rough track, he left my comments in and it made me laugh so we kept them as an inside joke.” Levan calls “Coming Home” a companion piece to “Double Life.” It is about the achingly deep connection between romantic soulmates. The album closes with a bonus track, the jazz standard “Autumn Leaves,” that leaves lovelorn listeners remembering the sweet and seductive memories of summer love. To help launch “Double Life,” Levan will host a CD release party via Zoom on May 29 at 7pm PT/10pm ET that will include a live performance. General admission tickets ($15.00) include a signed CD while the VIP ticket package ($35.00) consists of a signed CD, bottle of wine, special party favor and a live Q&A with the artists. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3cOR36L. The “Double Life” album contains the following songs: “Double Life” “What’s Been Going Down” “Keep Moving” “December Road” “Something’s Gotta Give” “The Way I Feel” “Baba Doo” “Waiting for the Right Time” “Diving Deep” “Coming Home” “Autumn Leaves” (bonus track) For more information, please visit https://catlevan.com.
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 In een ziekenhuis in de Guinese hoofdstad Conakry is zanger en muzikant Mory Kanté overleden. In 1987 had hij een wereldhit met "Yéké yéké". Kanté, bijgenaamd "de elektrische griot", was erg belangrijk voor de popularisering van de muziek uit West-Afrika. Hij werd 70 en was al een tijd ziek. Mory Kanté scoorde zijn grootste en enige echte wereldhit "Yéké yéké" toen de hype van de Afrikaanse muziek al voorbij was. Zijn aanstekelijk liedje veroorzaakte een nieuwe golf van belangstelling voor muziek uit West-Afrika. Van zijn plaatje gingen miljoenen exemplaren de deur uit, hij stond op nummer 1 in verscheidene landen. Mory Kanté was al een tijd ziek, en reisde af en toe naar Frankrijk voor medische zorg. Door de coronacrisis kon dat niet meer. De voorbije dagen ging zijn gezondheid snel achteruit. Alpha Condé, de president van Guinée, tweette: "De Afrikaanse cultuur is in rouw. Kanté was een voorbeeld." Mory Kanté kende de cultuur van Guinée en buurland Mali erg goed. Hij verzette zich tegen te veel westerse invloed in de Afrikaanse muziek. Zijn bijnaam was "de elektrische griot". Een griot is een lokale dichter, verhalenverteller of zanger die mondelinge tradities doorgeeft. Hij was verschillende keren te gast in ons land, onder meer op het Sfinksfestival in Boechout. Mory Kanté zong en bespeelde de kora, de West-Afrikaanse harp met snaren bevestigd op een kalebas. Kanté, die uit een familie van geestelijke leiders stamde en een van de 38 kinderen van dezelfde vader was, leefde een tijd als illegaal in Parijs. "Yéké yéke" nam hij al op in 1984, het brak in 1987 door en kende nog een aantal succesvolle heruitgaven. In 2014 zong Kanté, samen met andere Afrikaanse musici als Salif Keita en Amadou en Mariam een lied tegen ebola. De opbrengst van "Africa stop ebola" ging naar Artsen zonder Grenzen.  THE FANTASY VOCAL SESSIONS VOL 2, the newest project by Santana keyboard player DAVID K. MATHEWS, is a tribute to the San Francisco Bay Area where he grew up and still resides, and to the iconic FANTASY STUDIOS where he recorded most of the project. Mathews has had a long and eclectic career performing with some of the biggest names in music. He toured with Tower Of Power for two years, and then spent 20 years accompanying Etta James, right up to her last performances. Since 2010 he has been touring the world as a member of Santana. Over the years, he has also performed and/or recorded with a Who’s Who of diverse artists, such as Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Toots Thielemans, Ruben Blades, Gloria Estefan, and many more. THE FANTASY VOCAL SESSIONS VOL.2 is the second release of a projected five album series. The name Fantasy Sessions is a double-entendre, referring to both Mathews’ fantasy to put out a series of recordings with some of his favorite singers and musicians, and to the famous studio where a host of artists, from Sonny Rollins and Charlie Mingus to Aerosmith and Green Day, recorded their music. The Fantasy Vocal Sessions Vol. 1 featured straight-ahead jazz standards in an acoustic setting. Vol. 2 features jazz arrangements of soul, pop, and R&B tunes in a more expansive setting as befits the style of the music. Mathews is planning subsequent volumes in the series. Vol.3 will focus on the blues and Vol. 4 on Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music. Unfortunately, the studio closed in 2018, and future recordings will have to be made elsewhere. With its top-notch musicianship, first-class improvisatory chops by both the instrumentalists and vocalists, and Mathews’ hip arrangements, THE FANTASY VOCAL SESSIONS VOL. 2 is a love letter to one of the most diverse, creative, and inclusive musical milieus anywhere on the planet.
Personnel All Keyboards David K. Mathews Guitar Jim Nichols, Ray Obiedo, Bruce Conte Electric Bass Dewayne Pate, Marc van Wageningen Acoustic Bass Peter Barshay, John Wiitala Drums Billy Johnson, Akira Tana, Brian Collier, Deszon Claiborne, Vince Lateano, Kevin Hayes Featuring Carl Lockett, Chris Cain, Wayne de Silva, Marc Russo Vocals Tony Lindsay, Lady Bianca, Steve Miller, Amikaeyla, Funky Fred Ross, Glenn Walters, Kenny Washington, Alex Ligertwood Tracks 1. For the Love of You 7:04 2. You Had to Know 5:58 3. One Mint Julep (Space Cowboy Mash-up) 5:03 4. Superwoman 10:04 5. So Sweetly 5:21 6. I Got You (I Feel Good) 4:28 7. Giving Up 7:03 8. Going Out of My Head 5:01 9. Wichita Lineman 5:32 10. I Love You More Thank You’ll Ever Know 6:14 11. Yesterday (extended mix) 11:30  Rosetta Reitz, jazz historian, author and record producer has been honored with a street dedicated to her in Leiden, Netherlands. We heard the news from her daughter, Rebecca. A group of community activists in Leiden, Netherlands live in or near a street called ReitzStraat (Reitz Street) that was named for a leader in the Boer War, Francis W. Reitz. They decided to change the dedication of the street for two reasons: 1) To rethink the role the Boers played as colonists and their link to rise of apartheid. 2) There are not enough streets named after women. In their research to find a woman named Reitz, the Dutch activists quickly discovered Rosetta and were impressed with her all accomplishments. They especially loved Rosetta Records, the label she established in 1980 where she retrieved lost women’s blues and jazz. The double fold albums were lavishly illustrated with photos of the women. Rosetta wrote about the historical context of the music in liner notes that presented a new view from a woman's perspective. This thoughtful group found the tribute website that her daughter Rebecca created and also discovered her book on Menopause and other meaningful achievements. They went ahead and created a new street sign that they placed over the old one. They will also go through the official Council channels. “To replace an imperialist warrior with a feminist historian is EXACTLY the kind of grassroots effort that my mother, Rosetta, would have loved,” said Rebecca. “Rosetta spent her life and creative energy correcting wrongs and giving women the chance to be heard. And now, this group has acknowledged her efforts in a most delightful and important manner.”   Hello Sjock people
We hope you are all doing ok! It took a while for us to give you an update on the plans we have for next Sjock fest, but we are living in very uncertain times and the situation is new to all of us. Finally here’s what we can share with you at this point:
We’ll all be back stronger than ever!  Op 1 april 2021 spelen The Analogues opnieuw in Kursaal Oostende en brengen er voor het eerst in België hun Let it Be:ABBEY ROAD theatershow die alle zalen in Nederland deed vollopen. Volle focus dus op de twee laatste albums die de Beatles opnamen en uitbrachten, aangevuld met klassiekers uit de andere albums. The Analogues gelden wereldwijd als de ultieme vertolkers van ‘The Beatles van na 1966’. The Beatles die niet meer live optraden en vanuit de beslotenheid van de opnamestudio een serie meesterwerken de wereld in stuurden. Die meesterwerken werden door The Beatles nooit live uitgevoerd maar The Analogues hebben die missie alsnog met grootste onderscheiding volbracht. Zonder verkleedpartijen, maar mét het originele instrumentarium en bijgestaan door strijkers, blazers en alles wat er verder nodig is voor de ultieme authentieke reproductie. The Analogues tourden de afgelopen jaren langs uitverkochte zalen in binnen- en buitenland met integrale vertolkingen van de Beatles-albums Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The White Album, Abbey Road en Let it Be; albums die worden gekenmerkt door een enorme diversiteit, complexe arrangementen, innovatieve studio-experimenten en boven alles: songs die na meer dan 50 jaar nog niets van hun zeggingskracht verloren hebben. Wie The Analogues vorig jaar aan het werk zag in Kursaal Oostende ("The White Album") en de Antwerpse Lotto Arena ("Abbey Road 50th Anniversary Edition") weet dat dit een niet te missen, onvergetelijke én emotionele ervaring is. 'Bijna beter dan The Fab Four zelf' zoals een gereputeerd journalist het uitdrukte. Let It Be: ABBEY ROAD ? Hebben de Beatles-archeologen van The Analogues in hun ondoorgrondelijke wijsheid besloten om de laatste twee albums te verenigen in één concert? Bart van Poppel (bassist en musical director): “We hebben de laatste jaren chronologisch het latere werk van The Beatles aangepakt. Na The White Album was de vraag: wat nu? Let It Be kwam weliswaar als laatste uit, maar Abbey Road werd als laatste opgenomen”. Fred Gehring (drummer en initiator): “The White Album was een vijf maanden durende ‘zware bevalling’, met de nodige spanningen en onrust. Maar wel met resultaat: een fenomenaal dubbelalbum. Je zou zeggen – voorlopig even genoeg. Toch gingen The Beatles zes weken later, in januari 1969, alweer de studio in voor het volgende project. Het werd een moeizame maand; de opnames verdwenen in de la en het einde van The Beatles leek nabij. Maar een paar maanden later vonden ze, bijna miraculeus, de kracht en inspiratie om samen met de teruggekeerde George Martin nog één maal als collectief te excelleren – en hoe! Het absolute meesterwerk Abbey Road was het gevolg. Bijna een jaar later kwamen die eerdere opnames alsnog van de plank onder de titel Let It Be maar toen was de band dus al uit elkaar gevallen. Dus zeg jij het maar: wat is het laatste album?” Van Poppel: “Abbey Road natuurlijk. Dat was hun laatste productie. En Abbey Road is natuurlijk een echt coherent album dat integraal moet worden gebracht. The Beatles op hun best. Een geweldig hoogtepunt.” Gehring: “Maar op Let It Be staan toch ook wel een aantal fantastische nummers. Die verdienen het zonder meer om meegenomen te worden in deze show. En waarschijnlijk heeft het zo moeten zijn – moesten ze door die chaotische Let It Be sessies om de voedingsbodem te creëren voor het maken van Abbey Road.” Van Poppel: “Precies. Let It Be: ABBEY ROAD dus.” Er zullen tijdens Let It Be: ABBEY ROAD weer genoeg nummers te horen zijn waarbij de hulptroepen (blazers, strijkers) en het volledige vintage instrumentarium kunnen schitteren. Denk onder meer aan Here Comes The Sun, Come Together, Octopus’s Garden, Something, Let It Be en Across The Universe. En The Analogues kennende zullen ze in deze nieuwe show zeker ook nog verschillende andere albums ‘bezoeken’. Volg The Analogues via Facebook en website  2020 Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Winner Carla Bley
May 18, 2020 -- Carla Bley, composer-arranger-bandleader and pianist, is celebrated for her Lifetime Achievement in Jazz by the Jazz Journalists Association, in the 2020 JJA Jazz Awards, the 25th annual honors for excellence in music and music journalism, announced today by the non-profit organization of writers, photographers, broadcasters and new media professionals covering jazz. Stanley Crouch, author, essayist, novelist, advisor to Jazz at Lincoln Center and president of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, has been named recipient of the JJA's Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism Award. See winners of all 39 categories of awards at JJAJazzAwards.org. This year's Awards for instrumentalists continue a multi-year trend by the JJA's voting members to recognize accomplished women among the multiple nominated finalists, with women winning half the categories for the first time. Drummer and educator Terri Lyne Carrington (Musician of the Year), pianist-composer Kris Davis (Composer and Pianist of the Year), saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (Up & Coming Musician of the Year), drummer-composer Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom (for Mid-Size Ensemble of the Year), baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian and harpist Brandee Younger (Player of Instruments Rare in Jazz), and several other women were voted Best of the Year for their achievements in 2019. Not that men are ignored in this year's Jazz Awards. Miguel Zenón won Arranger of the Year and Alto Saxophonist of the year, Branford Marsalis' quartet won Record of the Year for The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, Christian Scott aTundé Adjuah was named Trumpeter of the Year and Joel Ross was Mallet Player of the Year, both for the first time. Mark Stryker's Jazz From Detroit (University of Michigan Press) was voted Best Book About Jazz, San Francisco Bay Area radio show host Richard Hadlock and New York-based photographer Richard Conde won, respectively, the Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting, and the Lona Foote-Bob Parent Award for Lifetime Achievement in Photography. "The JJA is pleased to congratulate these winners, and indeed all the musicians nominated in our two-stage voting process," said Howard Mandel, veteran journalist, author, NPR arts reporter and president of the JJA. "Especially with listeners largely confined to home, it's important to let artists know they're being heard, and to advise music fans about the best current jazz creativity, as jazz journalists do." The Jazz Awards were initiated in 1996, and follows on the JJA's Jazz Heroes Awards for "activists, advocates altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz (which are being promoted via interactive broadcasts featuring Boston hero Ran Blake on May 23, and Los Angeles Hero Billy Mitchell on May 28 – see JJANews.org for details). Since mid-March, the JJA has also published international reports, JazzOnLockdown, about responses to the coronavirus. Winners of JJA Jazz Awards have previously been presented with engraved statuettes before audiences at summer performances. This year's winners will receive hand-printed scrolls certifying their Awards. For more information on the JJA Jazz Awards, or the Jazz Journalists Association, visit www.JJAJazzAwards.org or contact President@JazzJournalists.org.  photo credit: © Stefan Meekers / Swing 2019 Legendary American Bluesman Lucky Peterson, master of the blues guitar and the Hammond B3, has died at the age of 55, according to his Facebook page. One of the most riveting performers of the modern blues era, Lucky Peterson was a lead guitarist, organist and vocalist. Lucky translated gospel, soul, R&B, rock and jazz into 21st century blues. He celebrated his 50th anniversary of performing professionally in 2019. From Lucky Peterson’s Facebook page: “It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Lucky Peterson on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 2:25 PM CST in Dallas, Texas. He was at home when he became ill and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but unfortunately did not recover. At this time please respect the family’s privacy, but do keep them in your prayers.” No cause of death was disclosed. Born Judge Kenneth Peterson in Buffalo, NY in 1963, Lucky was the son of James Peterson, a blues singer and owner of “The Governor’s Inn”, a nightclub in Buffalo, New York. Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor performed there regularly. Willie Dixon saw the five year old Lucky Peterson performing at the club and took him under his wing. He produced Little Lucky Peterson’s first album when he was only 5 years old, a single entitled “1,2,3,4” and follow up album for Chicago’s Today Records. Before Lucky turned six, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and What’s My Line? As a teenager, Lucky Peterson studied at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Soon after he was playing backup guitar and keyboards for Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Little Milton. He also toured and recorded with artists including, Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton, Otis Rush, Kenny Neil and others, performing on many of their albums. In 1989, Lucky Peterson recorded his solo album, Lucky Strikes! on Alligator Records, followed by Triple Play in 1991 also on Alligator Records. He went on to record many albums on labels such as Verve, Universal, Dreyfus, JSP Records, and others. He toured worldwide extensively with his band, The Organization, performing his original style of contemporary blues, fusing soul, R&B, gospel and rock and roll. In 2013, the Blackbird Music/55 Arts Club DVD of Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin he was nominated for a Blues Music Award. In March 2018 Lucky Peterson was nominated by JAZZ FM in the UK for this year’s “Best Blues Act” award.
 Musician Jorge Santana, the younger brother of guitar great and former Bay Area resident Carlos Santana, died on Friday at 68 years old from natural causes.
Much like his brother, he was into music and started played the guitar at the age of 14. Jorge began playing in San Francisco with a band formed by some high school friends called The Malibus. They later changed the name to Malo, which translates to "bad" in Spanish. It came from one of the band member's mother who would tell them "todos ustedes son malo!" One of the group's biggest hits came in 1972 with the song "Suavecitio," which made the top 20 and the group got to perform on the television show "American Bandstand." Jorge also played with another band called "The Fania All-Stars" before releasing two solo albums. Later, he would work with his famous brother, going on tour with him during the 1990s and teaming up for the 1994 album "Santana Brothers." Jorge was extremely active in the Bay Area and spent a lot of time helping out local charities. "This is such a sad loss of a very talented, community minded, and kind man who I was proud to call a friend over many years," Ashley said. "We both had a passion to send underserved children to summer camp and a few years ago he joined me on the board of Friends of Camp Concord to help make that happen. Jorge was a gentleman and a very decent human being. It's quite a loss for our community. We always had such terrific conversations, whether in person or on the phone. He was a man of great perspective and great depth and compassion. We also had a wonderful time sharing the stage many, many times when he would join my band. He was a talented and generous musician who had a mastery of the guitar that was a joy to watch."  The Pretty Things-frontman Phil May is overleden. Volgens het management van de invloedrijke Britse rockband stierf de zanger aan complicaties bij een heupoperatie na een fietsongeluk. Hoewel het in 1963 opgerichte The Pretty Things weinig grote hits scoorde, werden de heren bewonderd door vele artiesten met meer commercieel succes. Zo coverde David Bowie maar liefst twee nummers van de band voor zijn album Pinups (1973) en werkte Pink Floyds David Gilmour mee aan een live-uitvoering van albumklassieker S.F. Sorrow. Ook de Nederlandse bluesformatie Cuby + Blizzards liet zich beïnvloeden door de Britten en drummer Hans Waterman werd eind jaren tachtig zelfs lid van The Pretty Things. May en gitarist Dick Taylor waren de enige constante leden in de vaak van bezetting wisselende band, die zijn grootste successen in de jaren zestig boekte en met S.F. Sorrow (1968) een van de eerste rockopera’s uitbracht. In 2014 vertelde Phil May aan Lust For Life: “Het was een heel ambitieus album. We hadden er met hart en ziel aan gewerkt. De recensies waren euforisch. Alleen had onze platenmaatschappij er totaal geen vertrouwen in. We werden nog steeds gezien als een stel holbewoners; niet bij machte om betekenisvolle muziek te maken. S.F. Sorrow had de geschiedenis in kunnen gaan als de eerste rockopera ooit, maar ons label in Amerika bleef de release uitstellen. Uiteindelijk verscheen Tommy van The Who, dat later was opgenomen, maanden eerder dan onze plaat. Toen ons label medio 1969 eindelijk wakker schrok en S.F. Sorrow dan toch uitbracht, werden we weggehoond als copycats. De schade was onherstelbaar.” (bron: LFL) Phil May is 75 jaar geworden.  'Hey Hey, My My', een Neil Young cover opgenomen in Nashville met Vance Powell. Approved by Neil ! Het franse duo The Inspector Cluzo ziet zijn concerten in Eu & US geannuleerd, maar blijft niet bij de pakken zitten. Ze brengen een cover uit van Neil Young's emblematische nummer Hey Hey My My, live opgenomen (analoog op tape) afgelopen oktober in Nashville door Vance Powell (rechterhand van Jack White), met wie ze eerder verleden jaar het akoestisch album 'Brothers in Ideals' opnamen. Vance stuurde de versie door naar het management van Neil waarop deze liet weten (sic) 'dat Neil de cover erg goed vond'. Which is nice !
Cluzo hierover: We hebben veel onuitgebrachte nummers en aangezien het ons eigen label is, laten we ze dan ook uitbrengen! Dus ondertussen hebben we na de albums #Rockfarmers en #WeThePeopleOfTheSoil besloten om 4 onuitgebrachte nummers onder THE ORGANIC FARMERS SEASON thema uit te brengen: één per seizoen. Deze nummers zijn al sinds oktober opgenomen aan het einde van onze US tournee door onze vriend & producer Vance Powell in Nashville. Dit is dus geen nieuw album, maar gewoon een manier om ons dagelijks werk op de boerderij te volgen, seizoen na seizoen, het is gewoon onze job als zelfvoorzienende biologische boeren. Deze 1e single voor 'SUMMER SEASON' is de Neil Young cover "Hey Hey, My My". De keuze van het eerste nummer van de serie lag voor de hand door wat Neil Young is en wat hij deed met Willie Nelson en John Mellencamp die @FarmAid creëerden. We zijn nederige fans en we hopen* dat hij het leuk zal vinden... " (*wat ondertussen bevestigd is !) PRESS: The American Songwriter, het prestigieuze Nashville magazine, zal het nummer bovendien in première brengen. : "Inspector Cluzo Will Make You Cheer “Hey Hey My My” With Neil Young Cover" En het niet minder prestigieuze Engelse tijdschrift Classic Rock Magazine (link) heeft net The Inspector Cluzo verkozen bij de "10 meest invloedrijke internationale bands uit de nieuwe blues scene", naast Jack White, Black Keys, Fantastic Negrito, Gary Clark Jr., enz. Ongetwijfeld een primeur voor een Franse band.  It’s been seven years since the last set of brand-new songs, written by a man who can’t escape being compared to Jim Bob from Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine*
What’s happened in that time? Well, more things than you can write in a press release that’s for sure. Colombia’s President struck a peace deal with Marxist guerrilla group FARC, both Brazil and South Korea impeached their presidents, Pokémon Go was invented, a military coup against Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey failed, Netflix added offline downloads, Russia interfered with the U.S. election and Britain voted to leave the EU. Oh and Donald Trump. All this was in 2016 alone and we haven’t even mentioned David Bowie yet. None of those events though are linked to Jim Bob’s album that year (Jim Bob Sings Again – old songs reinterprated on the piano) or indeed his last album proper (2013’s That’s What I Think About When I Think About You). It does however lead us seamlessly to his 2020 opus Pop Up Jim Bob. After a successful career shift as an author of both fiction and autobiographies, Jim found himself writing new songs for the first time since 2013. As Jim says himself: “Much of the world seemed to be going to hell in a handcart/basket/bag and people would frequently suggest what was needed was a new Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine like album to document or make sense of it all. Sting even said it, when he saw my manager at a David Bowie tribute concert wearing a Carter shirt.” The main reason, though, he started writing songs again is because as Jim Bob said “I binge-watched ‘Succession’ and became obsessed with the theme tune. I tried to copy it on my iPad using GarageBand, which I’d never used before.” (Season three is out before this album, just as a fyi). As importantly to us here Jim Bob is simply one of best songwriters in the UK. His ability to connect with everyday life in a thoughtful, funny and compelling way has rightfully earned him a legion of dedicated fans. The time is now right for them to hear new music from him. One thing Jim has never stopped doing in this time is playing live, including sold out shows in 2018 and 2019 at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Jim Bob gigs remain euphoric, singalong and acoustic affairs. Recently, though, he’s performed a handful of explosive shows with a full band, in Jim’s words: “It was like being in the Sex Pistols.” It’s this band ‘The Hoodrats’ that backs Jim Bob on this album, along with a few other guests to boot. In between the 2019 shows Jim was listening to the audiobook version of James Acaster’s ‘Perfect Sound Whatever’ - a memoir about how he listened to over five hundred albums released in 2016 to help him deal with a breakdown. Jim says: “I was moved by James’s enthusiasm for new music and some of the stories behind how and why many of the five hundred records were made.” The music Jim was inspired to make as a result of James’ book (and indeed ‘Succession’) is a return to his honest and intelligent indie-pop-rock. From the frank, dark humoured lyrics of Jo’s Got Papercuts (“Jo knows it is what it is now, she knows she can’t dance to The Smiths now”), to the much darker meander of Truce, Jim provides us with ten full songs of his most unique views on life. Kidstrike! is a lyrically busy snapshot of modern life in London, while #Thoughts And Prayers is a sardonic number that shines a light on the downtrodden in our society. From TED talks to drinking in the park, Jim’s vivid descriptions of his characters let us in on his world. A place that, deep down, we knew all along – and live every day. This one’s for you Sting. TRACKLISTING SIDE A: 1. Turn On, Tune In, Pop Up! 2. Jo’s Got Papercuts 3. KIDSTRIKE! 4. Ted Talks 5. Truce SIDE B:
 THE FURIOUS SEASONS TO RELEASE LA FONDA (August 7th, 2020) A Very Personal And Eloquent Tribute To Shared Memories  The Furious Seasons are an acoustic folk-pop trio that creates complete soundscapes with very limited instrumentation. “The interplay between us sometimes feels a little like jazz in the way we approach it,” David Steinhart explained. “ We listen to each other carefully and try to honor the negative spaces.” The trio consists of acclaimed songwriter, singer and guitarist, David Steinhart; upright bassist Jeff Steinhart (and also David’s brother), and guitarist, Paul Nelson. David Steinhart has distilled decades of songwriting on over 20 album releases, and with his brother has toured the US and Europe in the 90’s and ‘00s in the bands, Smart Brown Handbag and Pop Art (both still have cult followings).
La Fonda is an album that is inspired by love and heartbreak. Building on the success of the 2018 album, Now Residing Abroad, David Steinhart became consumed with a new song cycle that deals with the harsh reality of having lost a best friend to the ravages of drink. “It started out as a more general album with certain songs that dealt with him and others about other subjects,” Steinhart revealed. “In time it was clear that it should be a more specific album, with the entire song cycle relating to that subject. Making that decision helped to broaden the scope of the songs. I was able to include songs that talk about when and how we met and why the friendship was important.” By the time David had amassed new songs to the point that an album was inevitable, the band had serendipitously met up with producer and mixing engineer Alfonso Rodenas, whose expert and insightful approach to recording acoustic instruments made him the perfect match for this project. They recorded live as a 3-piece for the most part, sitting in a semicircle in front of microphones. “I sang and played guitar at the same time on all of the songs,” Steinhart described. “Jeff would overdub an occasional bass line and Paul added his vocals and some overdubbed parts afterward, but the core of the songs are live recordings.” La Fonda begins with “As a Matter of Fact”, a minor key groove in 4/4 that the trio does well, but not often. “The percussion part is me strumming a muted acoustic guitar, an old Nashville trick,” Steinhart allows. “The song is a good starting place as it details someone who is letting the LA nights get the best of them.” “Slide Into Sadness” references Steinhart’s guilt and imagined responsibility in his drinking buddy’s demise from alcohol. Now you’re just chatter among friends/ Wine and tall tales/ You me, we were a classic war story/ Ahab and his whale. “Vast Divide” is the first of two songs about the friend’s funeral. A nice little shuffle, the drums are played with brushes and Paul and David sing a clean tight harmony. “Your Irish Funeral” is the second, with Rodenas playing percussion and using instruments from all over the world, including Ireland. “The song talks about his funeral in Indiana, where about 10% of the people in attendance knew him,” noted Steinhart. “At the memorial in Los Angeles, all of his friends were so angry that it became like a horrible therapy session. On this one, I’m just imagining all of us drunk and happy, playing songs that he loved and saying a proper goodbye.” The trio’s last album, Now Residing Abroad covered a lot of styles within an acoustic framework. The trio did a fair amount of exploration in both the song structures and arrangements. One glowing review from No Depression announced, “you are about to find your new musical obsession” while, Jack Rabid of The Big Takeover stated, “NPR should have made stars of these talented everymen eons ago.” La Fonda is the 7th album for The Furious Seasons and the 3rd as an acoustic trio. The subject matter is so specific that it sets it apart from any other album Steinhart has written. “This album feels a lot more traditional to me,” he said. “The subject matter made me want to write more folky and roots sounding chord structures. Production wise, Alfonso brings a balance and confidence to the songs that contrasts with the more experimental approach to the last album. I appreciate that this is a matter of small degrees for a band like ours, but it still feels pretty significant to us.” Guitarist Paul Nelson’s background as a working musician in Santa Barbara plying his trade in various facets of Americana, afforded him the ability to illuminate David’s songs with melodic and mercurial inventions that create a bespoke blend of blues, folk and country influences. Jeff Steinhart’s upright bass provides the supple underpinning that pulls the songs together with a gravitas that makes the vocals and guitars soar; also in the recording studio he adds subtle washes of organ and piano in just the right places. At the core of the material, David’s modal approach to guitar keeps the songs grounded and at the same time creates with painterly strokes open-ended, sometimes impressionistic sonic landscapes on which the trio builds arrangements. “My friend who passed, who is also named David, was such a big part of my wife and I’s lives. His ex-wife is our best friend and his daughter is our goddaughter. Our circle of friends and family merged into a very central community in our lives with years of shared memories. To have Jeff and Paul embrace these songs that are of such a personal nature feels amazing. Playing music with The Furious Seasons and recording with Alfonsi is a gift and I hope it came out in the recordings. With vocal harmonies abounding, instruments soaring and clear-eyed storytelling, you can hear the band’s joy in making La Fonda. For more information: https://www.thefuriousseasons.com/  photo credit: Pieter Postma In tijden van crisis is het belangrijk om je te concentreren op positieve zaken. De coronacrisis heeft de wereld hard geraakt en ook de muziekindustrie heeft het zwaar te verduren. Maar het is wat het is. We zijn altijd op zoek naar nieuwe, talentvolle acts en Electric Hollers hadden we al een tijd op onze radar. Vorig jaar hebben we ze geholpen met een supportshow en dat trok ons over de streep: deze band willen we in ons roster. De band is jong, gemotiveerd en gewillig om vanuit Friesland het hele land door te reizen om optredens te geven. In het Noorden van Nederland staan ze al bekend om hun energieke live reputatie. Muzikaal beïnvloed door acts als Led Zeppelin, Ten Year After en Santana maar ook vaak vergeleken met DeWolff en My Baby. Blues, rock, een tikje psychedelisch, vintage geluid en energie. Zware bastonen, donderende drums en gitaarsolo’s die je meeslepen naar vervlogen tijden. Gecombineerd met een leadzanger waarvoor het woord charismatisch een understatement is. In 2021 zal de band supportshows gaan verzorgen voor enkele van de beste internationale namen uit de blues & rock scene zoals Robin Trower, Band of Friends en Danny Bryant. Meer namen zullen volgen en uiteraard zullen ze ook hun eigen shows en festivals doen.  photo credit: Jan Lenting Reactie band: ‘We kijken enorm uit naar deze samenwerking. We hebben het afgelopen jaar flinke stappen gezet en we willen stappen blijven zetten. Hierdoor waren op zoek naar een boeker die onze plannen begrijpt en met ons de volgende stap wil zetten. Ed heeft zijn sporen in de muziek ruimschoots verdiend en vanaf het begin was er een klik.  photo credit: Jan Lenting Bio:
Electric Hollers is een blues/rock-sensatie uit Noord-Nederland. Maak je klaar om weggeblazen te worden door een muur van vintage sound en energie! Zware bastonen, donderende drums en gitaarsolo’s die je meeslepen naar vervlogen tijden. De band laat zich inspireren door bands als Led Zeppelin, Santana & Ten Years After en bracht in 2018 hun eerste plaat ‘Rise’ uit. Het uitbrengen van dit album leverde lovende recensies en een volle agenda op met als hoogtepunten een finaleplaats van de Dutch Blues Challenge, een voorprogramma van Ten Years After en een show op Waterpop. In februari 2020 bracht de band het nieuwe album ‘Electric Hollers’ uit. Op dit album staan een rauwe sound en een live-feel centraal. Het album is verkrijgbaar op CD, vinyl en de streamingdiensten. Bezetting: Tim Birkenholz – Leadzang/gitaar Inge de Vries – Basgitaar/zang Max Mollema – Drums/zang Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=aROaKJDBrxE&feature=emb_title https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Qnvtb4b_Y&feature=emb_rel_pause https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN3dzcti8fw&feature=emb_title  Features performances by Joe Louis Walker, Robben Ford, Elvin Bishop, Junior Wells, Pat Travers, Steve Cropper, Martin Barre, Harvey Mandel and others! Being the blues-singing daughter of B.B. King has earned Shirley King the title “Daughter of the Blues,” but she is an outstanding singer and performer in her own right and capable of singing any kind of music that comes her way. Just witness her newest full-length album, Blues For A King, which crosses musical genres from blues to rock to soul and back again. Even next to such high wattage guests as Joe Louis Walker, Robben Ford, Junior Wells, Pat Travers & Elvin Bishop, King absolutely shines as she performs spectacular version of the blues classics “Gallows Pole” and “Hoodoo Blues Man” as well as the soul hit “Johnny Porter” (originally by The Temptations) plus two songs by British rock band Traffic, “Can’t Find My Way Home” and “Feelin’ Alright?.” The album closes with a powerful version of Etta James’s unforgettable “At Last,” which signals that, at long last, Shirley King is finally getting the attention and recognition she so richly deserves.
“I’m so thrilled that these great artists lent their amazing talents to my new album. I can’t thank them enough for believing in me. I’m so proud of this album and can’t wait for the world to hear it. I feel it’s my best work yet,” enthuses Shirley. Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Joe Louis Walker, who guests on two tracks on the new album, says, “I’ve had the honor of performing on two B.B. King albums. Now I have the distinct honor and pleasure of playing on his daughter’s album, Shirley King, who is also my dear friend. Keep the thrill goin’ on, Shirley….” Blues For A King will be available on both CD and vinyl starting June 19 from Cleopatra Blues, a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records, Inc. To purchase the album: https://orcd.co/shirley-king Track List: 1. All Of My Lovin' feat. Joe Louis Walker 2. Feelin' Alright feat. Duke Robillard 3. I Did You Wrong feat. Elvin Bishop 4. That's All Right Mama feat. Pat Travers 5. Can't Find My Way Home feat. Martin Barre 6. Johnny Porter feat. Arthur Adams 7. Feeling Good feat. Robben Ford 8. Give It All Up feat. Kirk Fletcher 9. Gallows Pole feat. Harvey Mandel 10. Hoodoo Man Blues feat. Junior Wells & Joe Louis Walker 11. At Last feat. Steve Cropper BIO Born and raised in Memphis, Shirley began singing in the church choir at age nine. When she was thirteen, she met another music legend – Etta James. Young Shirley was so impressed by Etta’s performance that she made Etta her musical role model. Ruth Brown and the late Mahalia Jackson also greatly influenced the fledgling singer. Shirley says, “I grew up around the stage watching my dad become famous, but I never imagined I’d become a blues singer too.” Ms. King came late to the blues, first trying it on in 1990. Within six months, she was a regular performer at famed Chicago blues club Kingston Mines. Two years later she saw the release of her first CD, “Jump Through My Keyhole.” In 1999, Shirley released her highly acclaimed blues album, “Daughter of the Blues,” which featured her soulful, bluesy versions of classics like “Wang Dang Doodle,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Every Day I Have the Blues” and, fittingly, “The Thrill is Gone.” Once her father caught her act he lent his full support to Shirley’s efforts at carrying on the blues. She admits that having a legendary father helped open some doors for her, but it was her talent, charisma and high-energy stage presence, along with her big, beautiful singing voice, that put her on the musical map. From traditional blues to gospel to funky R&B to smooth soul, Shirley defies genre and her singing and stage antics never fails to excite her growing number of fans worldwide. Shirley also believes in giving back. She has worked with kids as an artist-in-residence with the highly acclaimed Urban Gateways Arts in the Schools Program at Chicago Public Schools and continues to expose school children to the history blues has played in American culture. All in all, Shirley King continues to be the quintessential ambassador for the blues - and that’s something that would certainly make her daddy proud. For more info, visit Shirley’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shirley.king.790  De wereldwijde uitbraak van het coronavirus (COVID-19) heeft een ongeziene impact op onze zomer. Verschillende festivals en tal van andere evenementen, nationaal en internationaal, zijn geannuleerd. Lokerse Feesten 2020 is daar helaas geen uitzondering in.
Tickets 2020 worden een waardebon voor edities 2021 en 2022De tickets van de 2020 editie worden automatisch omgezet in een waardebon met dezelfde waarde als het aangekochte ticket. Met deze waardebon kan je in 2021 of 2022 dus vrijuit kiezen welke dag je wil komen: het bedrag dat je reeds hebt uitgegeven kan integraal gebruikt worden voor een aankoop in 2021 of 2022. Deze waardebon is twee jaar geldig en kan gebruikt worden bij elke toekomstige on-line aankoop. We zijn allemaal getroffen door het coronavirus, zo ook de hele festivalsector. Voor artiesten, podiumbouwers, technici, enz., en vele anderen wereldwijd heeft deze crisis een belangrijke financiële impact. “We stonden te popelen om onze bezoekers een onvergetelijke editie te brengen, maar het mag helaas niet zijn. We willen heel graag van Lokerse Feesten 2021 meer dan ooit een kick ass jaar maken, maar daarvoor hebben we jouw hulp nodig.”, zegt Timothy Heyninck, voorzitter Lokerse Feesten. “De beste manier om ons te helpen is om er gewoon volgend jaar terug massaal te zijn en je gekochte ticket bij te houden voor onze 2021 editie, waar we ons al met veel goesting hebben aangezet. Zo bouw je mee aan de toekomst van Lokerse Feesten en kunnen wij ons blijvend inzetten om je memorabele edities te bezorgen.” Dit volgt de richtlijnen van het Ministerieel besluit van 17 maart 2020 (meer informatie over deze richtlijnen vind je op https://www.saveyourticket.be/ Barcodenummer van je 2020 ticket is waardebon Om je oude ticket/waardebon te verzilveren heb je het barcodenummer op je aangekochte ticket nodig. Bij je volgende online-aankoop voor 2021 of 2022 kan je het barcodenummer van je ticket intikken als kortingscode. Je vindt dit 20-cijferige barcodenummer op je ticket rechts van de QR code. Meer informatie hierover is te vinden op de website van Lokerse Feesten: https://www.lokersefeesten.be Registreer je combiticket Iedereen die reeds via onze website een ticket, combiticket of drankvoucher gekocht heeft, heeft reeds een e-mail ontvangen met alle instructies en barcodenummers. “Wie bij een fysiek verkooppunt tickets heeft gekocht, zoals bij FNAC of tijdens de early bird combiticketverkoop bij Dranken Van Eetvelde, kunnen we niet rechtstreeks bereiken.”, vervolgt Heyninck. “We vragen die personen dan ook om hun tickets te registreren via www.lokersefeesten.be/registreer. Op die manier kunnen we hen makkelijker op de hoogte houden in de toekomst omtrent het inwisselen van de waardebon.” Lokerse Feesten 2021 De 46e editie van Lokerse Feesten vindt dus niet plaats in 2020 maar wordt verschoven naar 30 juli tot 8 augustus 2021. “De voorbereidingen voor editie 2021 zijn reeds volop aan de gang”, vermeldt Heyninck nog. “Verschillende artiesten van onze 2020 editie hebben reeds aangegeven dat er interesse is om terug te komen in 2021.” Op finale bevestigingen is het echter nog even wachten. “Later dit jaar kondigen we onze eerste namen aan en kunnen de waardebonnen verzilverd worden. Wij - en onze honderden vrijwilligers - zullen onze uiterste best doen om terug onvergetelijke edities in 2021 en 2022 voor te schotelen.”  De Rotterdamse zanger en producer Clifton Giersthove, bekend van de R&B-formatie Roméo, is vorige week vrijdag 8 mei op slechts 47-jarige leeftijd overleden. Hij stierf aan de gevolgen van een hersenbloeding. Clifton richtte Roméo samen met Milton Wijngaarde op. Dat gebeurde in de muziekschool aan de Pieter de Hoochweg in Rotterdam-West. De twee namen hun eerste demo op met de tweeling Julian en Spencer Barry. De interesse bleef aanvankelijk uit, maar na de vierde demo toonden verschillende platenmaatschappijen wel belangstelling. Roméo besloot met Dureco in zee te gaan. De eerste single ‘Always Fall For Love’ werd nog geen hit, maar daarna ging het snel. Eind jarig negentig scoorde Roméo een viertal hits, waarvan ‘Secret Love’ (zesde plaats in de Nederlandse Top 40) en ‘Coming Home’ (tweede plaats in de Top 40) hoge ogen gooiden. De viermansformatie maakte met het nummer 'Flying' (samen met Gwen Dickey) ook de soundtrack bij de film ‘Abeltje’ en maakte een liedje met Gordon, dat een bescheiden hit werd. Het succes hield na enkele jaren op, maar in 2014 werd Roméo nieuw leven ingeblazen, al was dat zonder Clifton. De overige drie leden gingen zonder hem verder, omdat Clifton met andere zaken bezig was. Acht jaar eerder had Giersthove een rap gemaakt over luchtvervuiling in Rotterdam door vlieg-, weg- en vaarverkeer voor het milieucentrum, om jongeren bewust te maken van de milieuproblematiek. De video werd opgenomen in het Jan Evertsenplantsoen in het centrum van Rotterdam. Clifton Giersthove ruste in vrede!
Met dank aan Leo Weijers. Ex-HAWKWIND Bassist ALAN DAVEY Releases 4CD Box Set Of Home Demos Including Early HAWKWIND Songs!12/5/2020  Alan Davey, the brilliantly creative musician/songwriter/producer perhaps best known for being the protégé of Motörhead’s Lemmy as well as filling Lemmy’s leather boots as the bassist for space rock icons Hawkwind, is an astoundingly exhaustive artist. Just this year, Davey has overseen the release of new singles by his superstar project Hawkestrel that featured Rick Wakeman, Pat Travers and electronic violinist Shankar (Peter Gabriel, Frank Zappa) as well as the release of a 3-album set from his side project Pre-Med. And now comes the release of a 4CD collection of home studio recordings, awesomely dubbed Four-Track Mind. With recordings that date back to the mid-‘80s all the way up to this decade, Four-Track Mind will give the listener a glimpse into the creative evolution of this amazingly adventurous artist. Packaged in a deluxe clamshell box with individual wallets for each disc along with a 12-page booklet with detailed liner notes and vintage photos, this is a box set that no Alan Davey fan should be without!
Davey has this to say about the collection: “Rarely do musicians ever release their learning curves of writing, mixing, and production skills, with all the clicks and pops and unedited flaws, but I thought people would find it interesting to see how I evolved my style and sound over the years. From a 4-track cassette machine, here are 60+ demos of many of my songs and some not yet used!” Four-Track Mind will be available on both CD and digital everywhere starting May 22! Tracks: DISC 1 1. Spiritual Modulator (1986) 2. R.E.M. Time (1986) 3. Chinese Whispers (1986) 4. Transient (1986) 5. Slumber Head (1986) 6. Dragon Chaser (1986) 7. Hypno Trip (1986) 8. In A Sphere (1986) 9. E-On Strings (1986) 10. Wind Of Ghosts (1987) 11. Dark Light (1987) 12. Moody Motion (1987) 13. Flight To Andromeda (1987) 14. Sunrise Assassins (1988) 15. Moonstone (1988) 16. Dragon Chaser (1988) 17. Sword Of The East (1988) 18. A Shot In The Dark (Motor Pink Head) (1988) DISC 2 1. Spiritual Modulator 2. The Call 3. Fire Tribe 4. Return To... 5. Simulator 6. Chased 7. Dragon Chaser 8. Drive 9. On Acid Bass! 10. Hitze Seeker V 11. Of Wings 12. Out Of My Box 13. Robby's Rap 14. Jigging 15. The Noise 16. Abab Fed 17. Backwards Thru Water 18. Tribal Daze DISC 3 1. Lost In The Smoke 2. Snake Charmer 3. Up And Up 4. The Animal 5. Deep Space Rock 6. Don't Fret 7. From The Deep 8. Blue Shift 9. OSC Squared 10. Stan's Middle 8 11. Astron Belt 12. Special Place 13. Received 14. Fear At Night 15. Endoparasitoid 16. Wave Upon Wave 17. Space To Go DISC 4 1. Greenback Massacre 2. Shahadah 3. Many Voices 4. Bird Nebula 5. Creamy 6. Holosuite Program 7. Assimilation 8. Alien Fingers 9. The Wind 10. Be Still 11. Magic B 12. LGM 13. In The Game 14. Reality Foil  Betty Wright's cause of death was not announced when her niece confirmed the passing. Something was clearly wrong though because 2 days ago, Chaka Khan made a plea ... "Calling all my #PrayWarriors. My beloved sister, Betty Wright @MsBettyWright, is now in need of all your prayers."
Wright, whom some in the music industry called one of the most underrated singers of her time, was recently honored on TV One's, "Unsung." Betty recorded so many songs, including her 1971 hit, “Clean Up Woman”. She was only 18 when the song was released, and it turned out to be her biggest song ever. Other hits included "Let Me Be Your Lovermaker," "Shoorah Shoorah," "Tonight is the Night," and "Where is the Love." Betty made a bold move in the '80s, launching her own independent label ... it had not been done before by a female artist. That's when she recorded "No Pain (No Gain)." Ever heard that phrase? Later she recorded "Mother Wit," and it went gold -- the first time an African-American female singer went gold on her own record label. Wright became an inspiration to so many singers, including Mary J. Blige, The Roots and Joss Stone. Wright performed with Joss on her song, "The Art of Love and War." In 2005, her 21-year-old son, Patrick, was shot and killed. She had 4 other children. Betty was 66.  Cristina Monet-Palaci, known also by her stage name of Cristina, has died at the age of 61.
Cristina, best known for her contribution to the new wave movement which boomed in the 1980s in New York City, worked closed with ZE Records and released four studio albums. With releases such as ‘Disco Clone’, which was produced by John Cale, Cristina also earned success with her cover of Peggy Lee’s ‘Is That All There Is?’ and The Beatles’ ‘Drive My Car’ along with other popular singles of the time. After marrying Ze Records founder Michael Zika, Cristina would step away from recording music and focus predominantly on writing. Her death was confirmed by Michel Esteban, co-founder of her label ZE Records, who wrote on Facebook, “Wake up this morning with this devastated news, dearest Cristina past away. So sad..” Those closest to her have paid tribute, Joanna Pickering wrote: “Saddened at the death of Cristina Monet Zilkha she said she was sick last evening but not so worried as her lungs were clear and she always battled with underlying health issues so bravely. I can’t believe this sad news this morning. A rock star. I grew up on her music.” She added: “I soon found she wasn’t just a rock star, she was a gorgeous, caring, super smart (incredibly wonderful to debate with), beyond generous and hilarious eccentric friend. Margaritas, taco dinner uptown. The infamous Christmas party invite, always her soirées or openings. One of the greatest lyricists for all these reasons. She was an inspiration when I was younger and fabulous through and through onwards. Sending love to her family and many mutual friends who she abundantly introduced me to. She will be missed. How sad. The world just lost a brightest light.”  Little Richard, in de jaren 50 een van de pioniers van de rock-’n-roll, is op 87-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dat heeft de zoon van de muzikant, Danny Penniman, zaterdag aan het Amerikaanse tijdschrift Rolling Stone laten weten. De oorzaak van zijn dood is nog onbekend. Little Richard liet het eerst van zich horen met ‘Tutti Frutti’, in 1956. Dat nummer werd zijn grootste hit. In de drie jaar daarop volgde een reeks hits, onder meer ‘Long Tall Sally’, ‘Rip It Up’, ‘Lucille’ en ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’. Er volgden geen grote hits meer na het einde van de jaren 50, maar zijn invloed bleef nog jaren doorwerken. Onder meer The Beatles gaven meermaals aan sterk beïnvloed te zijn door de Amerikaan. Behalve The Beatles coverden ook The Kinks, Creedence Clearwater Revival en Elvis Costello nummers van Little Richard.
 Brian Anthony Howe, known for his time as the lead singer of the UK rock band Bad Company, has died, , Howe died May 6 at his Florida home from cardiac arrest. The singer had previously suffered a heart attack in September 2017. Brian Howe was 66 years old. Brian Howe gained notoriety when he sang lead vocals on Ted Nugent’s 1984 album Penetrator, which reached No. 56 on the Billboard 200. Shortly after his Nugent stint, Howe joined Bad Company, replacing original vocalist Paul Rodgers. Howe sang on Bad Company’s Fame and Fortune (1986), Dangerous Age (1988), Holy Water (1990), and Here Comes Trouble (1992), as well as the 1993 live album What You Hear Is What You Get. After leaving the band in 1994, Howe released three solo albums: 1997’s Tangled in Blue, 2003’s Touch, and 2010’s Circus Bar.  TK Russell staat voor een innovatief, fris geluid, gecombineerd met een vleugje old school, Hij mixt probleemloos Disco, Pop, Funk, Techno en Afro tot een one-of-a-kind sound, geînspireerd door de grote performers van weleer zoals JAMES BROWN, CURTIS MAYFIELD, TABU LEY ROCHEREAU, PRINCE en PAPA WEMBA... om er maar een paar te noemen. Zijn stem is zijn troef, dansen en performen zijn leven: "Op jonge leeftijd al waren zingen en dansen voor mij de vorm van zelfexpressie die ik nodig had als ontsnapping en veilige plek waar ik mijn levenslust kon tonen. Ik ontdekte na verloop van tijd dat optreden de beste manier was om mijn vreugde over te brengen. Ik wou muziek maken die het publiek hun dagelijkse zorgen doet vergeten door op de dansvloer te komen. Deze filosofie vormde mij tot de artiest die ik vandaag ben en in het bijzonder kon ik met ‘Lovely’ mijn droom uitvoeren: met muziek mezelf en mijn publiek van het hier en nu laten genieten." Bio Gedurende zijn reeds rijke carrière heeft TK met en naast artiesten met verschillende achtergronden gewerkt, waaronder AKON, DAMON ALBARN, ROKIA TRAORE, FERDINAND RICHARD, LOKWA KANAZ, FABRIZIO CASSOL, PUGGY BAND, SALIF KEITA, DAVID GILMORE, MARIE DAULNE (Zap mama), ALAIN PLATEL (Les Ballets C de la B), AKA MOHOMBI, BANA C4, PAPA WEMBA... en meer. A natural born entertainer.” (Jan Hoozee, artistiek directeur Trefpunt Festival) "Tk is niet alleen een geweldige en unieke muzikant en performer, hij is ook een zeer creatieve artiest, warm, intelligent en zeer geëngageerd mens .... Ik heb hem ook gezien als een solo-muzikant en ik garandeer je dat hij er staat." Alain Platel (Artistiek directeur van Les Ballets C de la B)
 watchoutforthegiants' EP "Extended Play" Out 08/05/20 on 62TV Records / PIAS including "None Of It", new single & clip “Extended Play” is the rebirth of watchoutforthegiants into the realm of curvy pop. It twitches and twirls into different directions, eventually finding the center between rock with an edge and artsy synth-pop. It is a story about rising up to the occasion. After all: the show must go on, hence “Extended Play”. (watchoutforthegiants) Over de EP: Watchoutforthegiants zijn vier jonge mannen uit Ninove en Gent, indierock fans, kunstzinnig - maar niet te - en ze vergeten nooit dat een goeie melodie altijd welkom is. In hun muziek waart de geest rond van XTC, Midlake of zelfs Wire, ten tijde van ‘154’. In 2018 haalde de band de Humo’s Rock Rally finale, en aansluitend namen ze een mini super-album ‘Extended Play’ op dat officieel (en fysiek) zou worden uitgebracht & voorgesteld ter gelegenheid van het 25-jarig bestaan van hun label - 62TV Records - tijdens het festival Les Nuits Botanique, op 29 april... De plannen zijn ondertussen radicaal veranderd: het release-concert wordt uitgesteld tot 5 oktober en hun Extended Play wordt momenteel alleen digitaal uitgebracht omdat de band al nieuwe songs heeft opgenomen die aan het eind van het jaar worden gereleased. Maar deze eerste EP was dus goed en wel klaar, dus …. hier is ie ! Ps Het is “grappig” hoe sommige van hun songtitels een beetje klinken als een voorgevoel: Patient Zero, Taking Back Time, Get Over You, None Of It, of Dear Friends ...?
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson Joins Leslie Mandoki for “WeSayThankYou” to Our First Responders8/5/2020  “We all thank the brave, hardworking front-line medics and care workers around the world. Leslie managed to put into the lyrics references to the police, grocery clerks, supermarket workers too. I would like to add those essential worker folks who it was impossible to squeeze into a three-minute song. To all, we say, thank you.” - Ian Anderson on singing and playing flute on Leslie Mandoki’s “WeSayThankYou.” As the world continues to be consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson sings and plays flute with Mandoki Soulmates leader Leslie Mandoki. Mandoki has found inspiration and a new spark of hope amidst the chaos. He has penned a powerful new song in appreciation for the heroes who have emerged in this global crisis, the nurses, doctors, and other health care providers as well as the grocery store clerks and food delivery personnel who have stepped up to serve their communities. The new song, entitled simply “#WeSayThankYou,” expresses so clearly the feelings of gratitude many of us have felt in these troubled times. Mandoki explains, “As an artist, I feel it is my duty to contemplate ideas for a better world. Now, like so many of us, I suddenly have the time. Let us grab this uncommon moment of pause together and take a new approach to the problems of the world. And let’s take a hard look at who this crisis is casting in a heroic light, and who comes out the villain.” The duet is being released as an EP on Thursday, May 7, 2020, through the Purple Pyramid imprint of indie giant Cleopatra Records, Inc. and is Mandoki Soulmate’s first release in the recently inked partnership with the L.A.-based label. Additional Mandoki releases are set to follow later this year. There are three different versions of the song on the EP: 1. Duet with Ian Anderson. 2. New Version with Ian Anderson and Leslie Mandoki featuring Soulmates: Supertramp saxophonist John Helliwell, multi Grammy Winner Randy Brecker (on trumpet), Chair of Berklee´s Bass Department Steve Bailey, Simon Phillips (drums, along with Leslie),and backup singers: Bobby Kimball (Toto) and Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann´s Earth Band). 3. Unplugged, Acoustic, Living-Room-Concert, with Ian & Leslie, Randy, Steve, John. Leslie will be donating the royalties from the sales, syncs, and airplay of “#WeSayThankYou” to a To-Be-Announced Charity. “#WeSayThankYou” was written in the context of Leslie’s own isolation in Germany, where his doctor wife, Eva, is a first contact physician. Ian and Leslie have worked together for over 25 years on various collaborations with his jazz-rock band Soulmates featuring the good and great of classic rock and jazz. Mandoki’s Soulmates toured North America in 2018. VIDEOS Ian Anderson & Leslie Mandoki #WeSayThankYou https://youtube.com/watch?v=l0Y6XFZw7Hk Statements of the Mandoki Soulmates on the crisis: Leslie, Ian, Randy, Al DiMeola, Bill Evans, Jesse Siebenberg, Nick Van Eede, Steve, John, Simon, Chris talking about the “#WeSayThankYou”’ mission. https://youtube.com/watch?v=5EK2LEZIBiA Ian Anderson & Leslie Mandoki with the Mandoki Soulmates #WeSayThankYou with John Helliwell of Supertramp, Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann, Bobby Kimball & Simon Phillips of Toto, Jazz-Icon and Grammy-Winner Randy Brecker, Chair of Berklee´s Bass Department Steve Bailey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNScHWwFNqA Landing Page with Advance Music and Digital Media Links https://orcd.co/mandoki-soulmates-with-ian-anderson Social Media, including Hashtags #WeSayThankYou #TogetherAtHome http://www.twitter.com/lesliemandoki https://www.mandoki-soulmates.com https://www.instagram.com/themandokisoulmates/ https://www.facebook.com/mandoki.soulmates |