San Francisco guitar man Chuck Prophet wrote a series of incredible songs examining the contradictions of American life during the recession. Prophet decided to gain some perspective by recording it outside of the US. He travelled to Mexico City where he ran into a H1N1 flu pandemic, electrical blackouts, and a major earthquake. A crew was capturing every moment so that you can share in his experience.
Check out more of Chuck Prophet’s songs Here.
EMI Music/Vector Recordings is set to release the highly anticipated recording Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration on March 31. The album features performances by 3 Doors Down, Al Green, Patty Griffin, Heather Headley, Jon Bon Jovi, Jonny Lang, Queen Latifah, Joss Stone with Buick Audra and many more (see below for full track listing). For the project, these world-renowned musicians collaborated with Gospel artists and several of today’s top Gospel Choirs to record renditions of some of the most loved and recognizable inspirational songs. It’s been said you don’t just hear gospel music you feel it. It’s woven through the fabric of the American spirit and history and its influence can be felt and heard around the world today and in the background of many of today’s most talented artists and musicians.
The album’s concept resulted from a close partnership between EMI Gospel and Vector Recordings and was produced by Ken Levitan, Bill Hearn, Jack Rovner, Ken Pennell, Drew & Shannon, Johnny K, Sanchez Harley, Obie O’Brien, Keith Thomas, Tommy Sims, Cedric Thompson, Simon Climie, Michael McDonald, Joss Stone and Buick Audra. Of the project, Bill Hearn, CEO of EMI Christian Music Group comments, “We wanted to create an album that honored the legacy of gospel music—it’s the backbone of the American spirit—but also create unique artist pairings that fans could find no where else.” Vector’s Ken Levitan adds, “Gospel music has always been not only spiritually and musically uplifting but also a great American art form. With this project we’ve taken artists who have been successful in other genres and combined them with this great art form to create new powerful music.”
While recording the record at Ocean Way Studio in Nashville, Jonny Lang notes, “(Gospel music) is really all I’ve been listening to for the last few years…it’s my favorite form of music…at least for now…” Lang goes on to say, “it’s such an honor to record with the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers, their very first take on the song just blew me away. They’re such pros…quite an honor…” Additionally, Heather Headley comments, “It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to revisit a classic song like “People Get Ready,” record it with a great producer like Keith Thomas, and sing alongside a legend such as Rev. Al Green. It really was a pleasure, and I had a great time doing it.”
Track Listing:
1. Jonny Lang & the Fisk Jubilee Singers “I Believe”
2. 3 Doors Down & the Soul Children of Chicago “Presence of the Lord”
3. Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters “Higher Ground”
4. Jon Bon Jovi & the Washington Youth Choir “Keep the Faith”
5. Al Green & Heather Headley “People Get Ready”
6. Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin “Waiting for My Child To Come Home”
7. Michael McDonald & the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir “Storm Before The Calm”
8. Angelique Kidjo “Redemption Song”
9. Aaron Neville & the Mt. Zion Mass Choir “A Change is Gonna Come”
10. Queen Latifah & Jubilation “Oh Happy Day”
11. Joss Stone & Buick Audra “This Little Light Of Mine”
DeepRockDrive (www.DeepRockDrive.com), the world’s first interactive online concert venue, has launched a global free concert series in partnership with Pepsi starring Disturbed. The series reinforces DeepRockDrive’s prominence as the world’s most popular destination for online, interactive concerts. Presented by Pepsi, Disturbed will be performing to global audiences on Thursday May 29th, 2008 @ 7PM PST. During the set, fans will be able to communicate and interact with the band in real time via the revolutionary service that DeepRockDrive has created.
Free tickets are limited and it’s first come first serve.
Users may redeem their free ticket to the show here http://www.deeprockdrive.com/event/5455/pepsi_free_concert_series_starring_disturbed
Shout! Factory is proud to present In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 which will be available April 1st. The CD is currently at number 6 and rising on the World Music radio charts and features brand-new covers of classic U2 songs by Grammy Award-winning and up-and-coming African artists including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians and Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. A portion of the record’s proceeds will directly benefit The Global Fund.
Visit the official Africa Celebrates U2 Site:
www.africacelebratesu2.com
Preferred retail link:
http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=4201687
In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2
Available Tuesday, April 1, 2008 From Shout! Factory
Featuring original interpretations of classic U2 songs by
Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré,
Vusi Mahlasela, Soweto Gospel Choir, Ba Cissoko, Cheikh Lô, Keziah Jones, Tony Allen, Waldemar Bastos, African Underground All-Stars featuring Chosan, Optimist & Iyeoka.
“Raised in war-torn Chad… [Les Nubians] have seen firsthand how music can heal souls—including their own.” –Newsweek
“I believe that art is a prime facilitator of truth, and those who have come to embrace this have always enhanced our humanity. Angelique Kidjo is such an artist, using her work and her growing fame to change the way the world views Africa. …Most artists talk about doing good, few go out and do it. Angelique Kidjo is one of them.” -Harry Belafonte (Vanity Fair, July 2007)
“The mind struggles to grasp the idea that tragedy and even horrific brutality can somehow give birth to life-affirming, uplifting music. But there is no better proof of that bittersweet truth than the joyful sounds of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars…” -Montreal Gazette
On April 1, 2008, Shout! Factory will release In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, an album celebrating the music, culture and future of Africa, and an unprecedented musical homage to Bono and U2 for their ongoing humanitarian relief efforts aiding the beloved continent. A portion of the record’s proceeds will directly benefit The Global Fund. Interviews with select artists are available upon request.
Produced by Shawn Amos and Paul Heck, In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 features Grammy Award-winning/nominated African artists as well as top up-and-coming talents including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Initially inspired by his work in South Africa while running the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation, Amos re-entered the music industry with a heartfelt initiative to cultivate greater awareness of the emerging socio-economic success stories happening within many of the country’s regions. Amos, a longtime fan of U2, witnessed Bono’s direct philanthropic impact via the launch of the ONE campaign and (RED), and his poignant outspoken public commentary on the immediate financial needs facing Africa.
Amos felt it was essential that African musicians unite and collectively share their voices of pride, accomplishment and appreciation for both their native country and icons like Bono who’ve substantially embraced the fight against the global AIDS crisis, extreme poverty and the spread of malaria. On December 1, 2006 at the World AIDS Day benefit concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Amos approached Red Hot producer Paul Heck about co-producing In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2. Several notable African artists were performing as part of Heck’s live production of Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti including Les Nubians, Tony Allen, Cheikh Lô and Keziah Jones. Heck expressed support for the budding project, and quickly became an invaluable partner with his strong ties to various well-established African artists and knowledge of a handful of buzz-worthy upstarts. Together, they consulted with the artists appearing at the World AIDS Day event, bringing Amos’s personal dream a step closer to becoming a reality.
“Paul and I wanted to develop an easy entry point for the growing global community where they could get more involved and learn something deeper about Africa,” says Amos. “It’s really a focus on the key successes of several regions, and the African artists who originate from these areas. It’s our goal for the public to learn more about all the good that’s happening in Africa. We are trying to garner excitement about the culture, in addition to drawing people toward the struggles of Darfur, etc. This is a project which celebrates Africa!”
12 original interpretations of classic U2 hit songs and some of their more obscure material are featured on In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2. The collection kicks off with Angelique Kidjo’s powerful multilingual cover of the 1991 chart-topper, “Mysterious Ways.” Aerosmith’s Joe Perry joins Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars for an upbeat, guitar-driven take on “Seconds,” a track from U2’s third studio release, War (1983). Rising Malian star, Vieux Farka Touré offers a trancy, Sahara Desert blues-influenced rendition of “Bullet The Blue Sky,” an absolute standout performance of one of U2’s most-played live in concert tunes. Additional highlights include Les Nubians dubbed-out dancefloor ready version of “With Or Without You,” the Soweto Gospel Choir’s epic a cappella version of “Pride In The Name Of Love,” and Tony Allen’s Afrobeat translation of “Where The Streets Have No Name Paul Heck notes that, “I was amazed when we approached the artists of how quickly they chose the songs they wanted to do. Many of them grew up listening to U2, and knew the songs so well.”
In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 sets itself apart from an array of other tribute albums as Amos and Heck have captured a compassionate human element at its core. The liner notes include demographic information, e.g., each artist’s country of origin, date of independence, population size, main export, major issue facing the region, recent actions taken to improve its current state, and relevant websites with additional information. All of the songs were recorded exclusively for this album, and a portion of its proceeds will directly benefit The Global Fund, the world’s largest international financier of the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture - The Stuff You Grew Up On But Never Outgrew. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts Grammy®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists and lovingly assembled album reissues. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention.
In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2
1. Angelique Kidjo “Mysterious Ways”
2. Vieux Farka Touré “Bullet The Blue Sky”
3. Ba Cissoko “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
4. Vusi Mahlasela “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”
5. Tony Allen “Where The Streets Have No Name”
6. Cheikh Lô “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
7. Keziah Jones “One”
8. Les Nubians “With Or Without You”
9. Soweto Gospel Choir “Pride (In The Name Of Love)”
10. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars “Seconds”
11. African Underground All-Stars Featuring Chosan, Optimus & Iyeoka “Desire”
12. Waldemar Bastos “Love Is Blindness”
Say it ain’t so Neil? From the AFP:
BERLIN (AFP) — Canadian folk rock legend Neil Young said he has lost all hope that music can change the world, as he presented a documentary about his 2006 anti-war concert tour at the Berlin film festival on Friday.
“I know that the time when music could change the world is past. I really doubt that a single song can make a difference. It is a reality,” Young told reporters.
“I don’t think the tour had any impact on voters.”
But the silver-haired frontman of the sixties supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young nonetheless dealt US President George W. Bush a stinging, back-handed insult and said his own “naive” urge to make people think remains intact.
“What is wrong with George Bush? That would take a really long time. Let’s talk about what is right with him, it is a much shorter answer.
“He is a very good physical specimen. He shows that a man his age can stay in physical condition,” said Young, who is 62.
He made no distinction between the Vietnam War, during which CSNY first earned their reputation as political activists, and the US-led war in Iraq which their tour condemned with songs like “Let’s Impeach The President”.
“It is all the same war and it hurts everybody. It’s a wrong way to solve a problem,” he said, adding that Americans were deluded if they thought they were liberating Iraq.
“We just don’t have to go and spread democracy around the world.”
Young said he deliberately included interviews with unimpressed critics and soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the documentary of his band’s “Freedom of Speech” reunion tour, which earned them both praise and death threats.
“Otherwise I thought it would just feel like a bunch of old hippies. And nobody would care. I would not, I would have left,” said Young, who directs his films under the pseudonym Bernard Shakey.
“I wanted to serve the people who came to see the shows, to serve the soldiers who fought in the war and to serve the people who started the war. It sounds naive but everybody has to make a decision in their hearts about how they want to live.”
“CSNY: Deja Vu”, which borrows its title from an album the band released in 1970, had its world premier at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
It is screening in the Berlinale Special section of the Berlin festival, which has this year made music a headline act by bringing The Rolling Stones, Madonna and rock poetess Patti Smith to town.
Martin Scorcese’s Stones concert film “Shine A Light” opened the festival with a bang on Thursday night and the Oscar-winning director said he wanted to pay tribute to the vintage rockers as they had inspired his work from “Mean Streets” through to “The Departed.”
Coming days will see screenings of Madonna’s directorial debut, “Filth and Wisdom,” movies about Sudanese hip-hop artists and Argentinian tango and “Om Shanti Om”, the Bollywood song and dance blockbuster.
Patti Smith will attend a screening of a documentary on her career and play a sold-out concert on the festival sidelines.
Young, who managed the quirky feat of singing every line of dialogue in his 2003 film “Greendale” said music was a “primal subject” for the movies.
But the genre has changed little in his time, he added.
“I have not seen tremendous growth, any evolution really. From the Sinatra years, The Who’s ‘The Kids Are Alright’ … directors have always made films about music culture. There have been some great ones though.”
Under the odd and random category:
More than 40 years after it barred the iconic British band from playing there, Israel said it wants the surviving members of the Beatles to participate in a concert celebrating the country’s 60th birthday.
But the Israeli embassy in London denied a report that the Jewish state had apologized for its original refusal to let the Beatles perform in the country. The band had been booked to appear in 1965, but the government refused to grant the necessary permits on the ground that its music might corrupt the country’s morals.
“Israel missed a chance to learn from the most influential musicians of the decade, and the Beatles missed an opportunity to reach out to one of the most passionate audiences in the world,” Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor said in a letter addressed to Sir Paul McCartney. “On our 60th anniversary, we would like to take the opportunity to offer you a second chance to play in Israel.”
Check out a video of Nicole Scherzinger’s promotional tour through London, including her performance at Swarovski’s Fashion Rocks:
Also, check out Nicole’s official site www.hernameisnicole.com to vote on the song that they think should be Nicole’s next single. Nicole’s new album Her Name Is Nicole will be released in 2008.
Continuing its pledge to serving others, Hard Rock is proud to announce the launch of SERVE2 – a benefit compilation, digitally available exclusively at iTunes, featuring previously unreleased tracks from some of music’s most influential artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and more – to benefit WHY (World Hunger Year), a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world. All net proceeds from SERVE2 will be donated directly towards Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (AAHP), a special artist-directed program of WHY – for which, Hard Rock has proudly raised more than $1 million to date.
Joining Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and others in the fight against hunger and poverty, SERVE2 features never-before-released tracks by a unique blend of major multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning and acclaimed recording artists like The Hold Steady, Mat Kearney, Brandi Carlile and more. The songs are new, classic, electric or acoustic, and reflect the generosity of the artists that donated them to the project on behalf of serving those in need.
Download “Baby It’s Fact (Live From New York)” by Hellogoodbye
SERVE2 Tracklist:
01. The Ghost Of Tom Joad (Live In Dublin) - performer - Bruce Springsteen
02. Heal Over (Live At Gaia Music, London) - performer - KT Tunstall
03. The Ballad of Hollis Brown (Live At Carnegie Hall, 1963) - performer - Bob Dylan
04. Big Ol’ Game - performer - Joss Stone
05. Casino Nation (Live From Melbourne, Australia) - performer - Jackson Browne
06. 107° - performer - Citizen Cope|Alice Smith
07. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Live From Boston) - performer - Brandi Carlile
08. Bring It On Home To Me - performer - Marc Broussard
09. Arms And Hearts - performer - The Hold Steady
10. Dareh Meyod (Live At Madison Square Garden) - performer - O.A.R.
11. Lay Down - performer - Natasha Bedingfield
12. Nothing Left To Lose (Acoustic Version) - performer - Mat Kearney
13. Stay The Night - performer - Ghosts
14. This Is My World - performer - Andrew W.K.
15. Better (Live From Joe’s Pub) - performer - Toby Lightman
16. Bell Bottom Blues - performer - Sons Of William
17. Baby It’s Fact (Live From New York, NY) - performer - Hellogoodbye
18. Start Again - performer - Josh Rouse
19. You Haven’t Done Nothin’ - performer - Jen Chapin
20. Man-Child - performer - Eli Cook & Electric Holy Fire Water
21. Love To Begin - performer - Griffin House
22. God’s Last Days - performer - Favourite Sons
23. Everybody’s Jesus - performer - AM
24. Sonny (Live) - performer - New Found Glory
25. A River Blue - performer - Joseph Arthur
For More Information:
Orlando, Fla., October 9, 2007 – Hard Rock International differentiates itself with Rock, but philanthropy is the company’s soul. Hard Rock has remained true to its “Love All, Serve All” creed since the company’s founding in 1971 – a motto that can be heard or seen at every Hard Rock location around the world. Continuing its pledge to serving others, Hard Rock is proud to announce the launch of SERVE2 – a benefit compilation CD, featuring previously unreleased tracks from some of music’s most influential artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall and more – to benefit WHY (World Hunger Year), a nonprofit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world. All net proceeds from SERVE2 will be donated directly towards Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (AAHP), a special artist-directed program of WHY – for which, Hard Rock has proudly raised more than $1 million to date.
Joining Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and others in the fight against hunger and poverty, the SERVE2 CD features never-before-released tracks by a unique blend of major multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning and acclaimed recording artists like The Hold Steady, Mat Kearney, Brandi Carlile and more, as well as several bonus digital tracks. The songs are new, classic, electric or acoustic, and reflect the generosity of the artists that donated them to the project on behalf of serving those in need.
“We are honored to be partnering once again with Hard Rock and such great musicians for this effort,” said Bill Ayres, founder of WHY. “The generosity and time committed to SERVE2 has been tremendous, and we are overwhelmed by the support for the cause.”
Servin’ Up Some Rockin’ Charity . . .
SERVE2: Physical Album (also available digitally):
Bruce Springsteen “The Ghost of Tom Joad (Live in Dublin)”
KT Tunstall “Heal Over (Live at Gaia Music, London)”
Bob Dylan “The Ballad of Hollis Brown (Live at Carnegie Hall, 1963)”
Joss Stone “Big Ol’ Game”
Jackson Browne “Casino Nation (Live from Melbourne, Australia)”
Citizen Cope feat. Alice Smith “107°”
Brandi Carlile “The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Live from Boston)”
Marc Broussard “Bring It On Home To Me” (Sam Cooke cover)
The Hold Steady “Arms and Hearts”
*O.A.R. “Dareh Meyod (Live at Madison Square Garden)”
Natasha Bedingfield “Lay Down”
Mat Kearney “Nothing Left to Lose” (Acoustic Version)
Ghosts “Stay The Night”
Andrew W.K. “This Is My World”
Bonus / Digital Tracks:
Toby Lightman “Better (Live From Joe’s Pub)”
Sons of William “Bell Bottom Blues” (Derek & the Dominos cover)
Hellogoodbye “Baby It’s Fact (Live From New York, NY)”
Josh Rouse “Start Again”
Jen Chapin “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” (Stevie Wonder cover)
Eli Cook “Man-Child”
Griffin House “Love to Begin”
*Previously-released track
Listen to Hellogoodbye’s “Baby It’s a Fact” (Live From New York) from Serve2
http://dev.theorchard.com/jaclyn/mp3/Hellogoodbye_babyitsafact_livenewyork.mp3
One Million and Counting . . .
To celebrate reaching the $1 million mark in funds raised for WHY, in addition to SERVE2, Hard Rock International will continue to offer its 21st Signature Series T-Shirt, inspired by Bruce Springsteen, and also launch a new commemorative limited-edition pin, to benefit WHY. The Bruce Springsteen Signature Series t-shirt and collectible pin feature a drawing of one of Bruce’s favorite guitars. The shirt is available in black in classic men’s sizes.
“Hard Rock International possesses a social consciousness that benefits a number of charities and organizations, including World Hunger Year,” said Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. “Hard Rock has actively supported World Hunger Year for years, raising more than $1 million to date, and we are proud to continue to support a great organization that envisions a world without hunger and poverty.”
In addition to Hard Rock’s Rock Shops throughout the world, the SERVE2 compilation, Bruce Springsteen Signature Series t-shirt and pin will also be available for sale through Hard Rock’s Web site at www.hardrock.com and WHY’s Web site www.worldhungeryear.org beginning November 6th, 2007. All songs featured on the SERVE2 CD, as well as bonus tracks, will also be available for download at major online retail stores via The Orchard’s digital distribution network.
“We applaud Hard Rock and the entire WHY team for their passion, commitment and dedication to harnessing the power of music to fight global poverty,” said Greg Scholl, President and Chief Executive of The Orchard. “We are proud to be a part of this project and to help spread the message of SERVE2 to fans around the world.”
Junkyard Prophet’s new album The Price is finally here! With 14 songs including 6 new bonus tracks, The Price will be available on August 28th. Below, you’ll find the release info, streaming audio, YouTube video link, buy link and more.
Junkyard Prophet is a Rap-Core Metal band based out of “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.” For nearly a decade, the band’s primary focus has been the future of the youth; so much so that the band turned down major label offers, knowing that the mainstream music machine might ask them to water down their message. Bradlee Dean, drummer and no-holds barred mouthpiece for the group says, “We chose kids over the labels (money), because if we had chosen the label, we know that it wouldn’t have been about the kids!”
On The Price, Junkyard Prophet’s Rap-Core style has the ferocity and musical chops of Dragon Force with the crunch, melody and pop sensibility of Linkin Park. They fit every rock playlist and make a habit of staying in your face, with original style and a message that demands movement. Even former drummer of Megadeth, Nick Menza, says “I love the music, powerful tracks…”
Junkyard Prophet to date has played countless shows and has been able to reach over 500,000 young people all over America. Without distribution, or record company assistance, the band has sold over 25,000 CD’s in the Midwest alone.
Check out their new video for the first single, “Remember Me,” from The Price on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoimAd_G0MM
Audio Streams
“Junkyard Rock”
http://junkyardprophet.com/promo/Junkyard%20Rock.mp3
“Enemies of the State”
http://junkyardprophet.com/promo/Enemies%20Of%20The%20State.mp3
Pre-Order Link
http://youcanrunbutyoucannothide.com/shop/cart.php?target=cart
Official Site:
http://www.junkyardprophet.com
and on MySpace:
http://myspace.com/junkyardprophet
PLAY
