Music News Net

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PAUL McCARTNEY Adds 2014 Tour Dates!!!

MUSIC NEWS - After his incredible 2013 which had Paul McCartney's universally acclaimed Out There tour launch in Brazil and visit twenty-three cities across South America, Europe, North America and Japan, Sir Paul has confirmed another half dozen dates on the 2014 USA Out There tour.

Kicking off next week in Uruguay, and ripping through Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica, as well as Paul’s return to Japan and debut in Korea, the upcoming Out There 2014 world tour will now feature six more shows:

* Paul will open the 2014 USA leg of the tour on June 14 with his first ever appearance in the hometown of his beloved Buddy Holly, playing the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock TX.

* On June 16, Paul will return to Dallas to play the American Airlines Center, his first visit to Dallas since closing his summer 2009 tour with a sold out show at Cowboys Stadium.

* June 21 will see Paul get back to another city he last played on that 2009 tour, when the Out There extravaganza rolls into Atlanta’s Philips Arena.

* Jacksonville FL will experience its first ever full Paul McCartney headline concert June 22 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena–Paul’s only previous performances in Jacksonville being his four-song set at Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, and the one and only show The Beatles ever played in Florida at the Gator Bowl in 1964.

(photo MJKim)

Dave Mason Premieres First Tune Off New, FUTURE'S PAST

MUSIC NEWS - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and TRAFFIC co-founding member, DAVE MASON, premiered the first track “Dear Mr. Fantasy” from his new album, FUTURE’S PAST (Something Music/MRI). FUTURE’S PAST will be available on May 13 and features new versions of his classic songs plus new material that MASON has written and performed on tour over the last few years.

Listen to his re-interpreted version of “Dear Mr. Fantasy” below.

“It [“Dear Mr. Fantasy”] came about redoing the chords,” MASON told USATODAY.com recently of the bluesy rewrite. “I was doing some shows and I was trying to think of something to make it a little more interesting, so I just started playing around with it. I put it in a minor key instead of a major key, and I sort of developed it from there.

AC/DC Takes a Break Due to Malcolm Young's Illness

MUSIC NEWS- AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young will have to take a break from the Australian hard rock group he founded because of ill health, the band said in a statement on Wednesday.

The pioneering hard rock group dispelled speculation that they would break up after Young, 61, takes his leave due to complications from a recent stroke, stating "the band will continue to make music."

"Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support," the Aussie group posted.

Steely Dan and Their Jamalot Ever After Tour News

MUSIC NEWS- Steely Dan will be back at it in 2014 as the classic rock unit has announced they will be hitting the road this summer for a North American tour, aptly named the Jamalot Ever After tour. The summer long tour is scheduled to kick off on July 2nd in Portland, OR at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and end on September 17 in Baltimore, MD at the Pier Six Pavilion with numerous multi nite stops along the way!

Steely Dan anchors, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen will be joined on this tour by Keith Carlock on drums, Freddie Washington on bass, Jim Beard on keyboards, Jon Herington on guitar, Michael Leonhart on trumpet & keys, Jim Pugh on trombone, Roger Rosenberg on baritone saxophone and Walt Weiskopf on saxophone. Also on board are with singers La Tanya Hall, Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery and Cindy Mizelle.

Brit Rockers, Eagulls, Make Their UK TV Debut

MUSIC NEWS- Eagulls make their UK TV debut, playing "Possessed" on Later with... Jools Holland, see below.  The British post-punk rockers have also announced a May/June North American concert tour, see full itinerary below from MNN.

 

   

 

 

The Who Consider Releasing a New Album

MUSIC NEWS- Classic rockers, The Who will kick off a world tour in December, beginning with UK dates and continuing with shows in North America into 2015.  Reported by Billboard.com, the band will hit the road sometime around Christmas.  “It will be a world tour,” reveals Pete Townshend. “I’m not crazy about going on the road, but I’m in good shape and once I start doing it--and I’m still very good at it—I’ll take some pleasure from it.”

The legendary guitarist added that a new album by The Who is a real possibility. “I'm trying to [look] through my 20,000 hours of complete and utter disorganized music [to find possible songs],” he said. “I’ll be pulling some songs out of [his long-gestating project] ‘Floss’ to give to Roger [Daltrey] to see if we've got enough to make an album. It might be a big waste of time, but I'm hoping there will be an album.”

Natalie Merchant Announces July Summer Concert Tour

MUSIC NEWS- As Nonesuch Records preps to release Natalie Merchant’s new self-titled album on May 6, 2014, word is out that the multi-platinum singer will embark on a sixteen date summer tour across the USA.  Tickets are available at her site, see full itinerary below.

 

The new recording marks Merchant’s sixth solo collection and her first of entirely original songs in 13 years. The brand new Dan Winters-directed video for the track “Giving Up Everything” premiered on recently and can be seen below.

 

Her self-produced album is the work of a mature artist with a clear and distinctive voice. Long appreciated for the depth and substance of her writing, Merchant has never shied away from weighty themes or subjects for her lyrics. She describes the new release as informed “by experience and keen observation,” dealing with issues of “love gained and lost, regret, denial, surrender, greed, destructiveness, defeat, and occasional triumph.”

 (photo Dan Winter)

Prince Signs New Agreement with Warner Bros

MUSIC NEWS- Prince and Warner Bros. Records today announced a new agreement that will see the release of long-awaited, previously unheard Prince music, while giving the artist ownership of the master recordings of his classic, global hits.  And, the deal extends Prince’s relationship with Warner Bros. Records, through an exclusive world wide licensing partnership that covers every album released from 1978 into the nineties. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

For Prince fans worldwide, the new partnership will open up a veritable goldmine. The surprise announcement comes just in time for this summer's 30^th Anniversary celebrations of the artist's breakthrough album and film, Purple Rain, which were released in 1984. For the first time, Prince will be releasing a digitally re-mastered, deluxe version of this classic album.  Other planned projects will follow.

The GOASTT Premier New Video

MUSIC NEWS - The GOASTT, (formerly the Ghoat of a Saber ToothTiger) the modern psych-rock band fronted by Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, has premiered a  music video for “Animals,” off of their upcoming album entitled Midnight Sun (out April 29^th via Chimera Music). Director Rich Ragsdale puts it best: “We had all the elements a good video should have - nudity, llamas and UFOs.”  See below to watch the trippy, NSFW video now via MNN.

Ms Muhl describes the inspiration for the "Animals" video:  "It's a loving spoof of The Source Family, that infamous 60's cult of polygamous vegetarian hippies. We shot it on 35 millimeter and were inspired by the surrealist aesthetics of Jowdorowsky and Kenneth Anger."  The Hollywood hills hippie commune was immortalized in a 2006 CD & book (by Isis Aquarian and Electricity Aquarian) and the The Source Family Documentary (2012) by Jodi Wille and Maria Demopoulous.

Better Than Ezra Back With New "Crazy Lucky" Tune

MUSIC NEWS - Better Than Ezra, best known for their hits “Good,” “Desperately Wanting,” and “Juicy,” have premiered the lyric video for their first single “Crazy Lucky” off their upcoming album. Watch it below from MNN. The catchy first single “Crazy Lucky” which charted #13 on iTunes Rock Charts, was produced by Grammy nominated mixer/producer Tony Hoffer (Fitz and the Tantrums, M83, Beck, Silversun Pickups). The single is now available digitally.

When it comes to inspiration behind the song, lead singer Kevin Griffin says “It’s about that serendipitous moment when you meet the person you are meant to be with and it was luck / fate / destiny that made it happen…it’s kismet.”

Together Live Tour Announced; Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and Rick Springfield

MUSIC NEWS- Grammy award-winning musician, actor and NY Times best selling author Rick Springfield will hit the road this summer on a co-headlining tour with his friends and fellow musicians, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. The multi-city tour will kick off on June 28th in Atlanta, GA with additional dates throughout July.

This tour marks the first time that Rick will tour with Pat and Neil. The iconic rock star has been touring for more than thirty years and his shows are legendary for their rock heavy, high energy, full band sets. Although Rick has known Pat & Neil for more than 30 years he has never had the chance to tour with them, until now. Springfield said recently, “Although I first met Pat and Neil when Neil played on the original recording of Jessie’s Girl in 1980 it took 35 years before we got together to tour. It should be one for the books.”

Simon Townshend Embarks on USA "Denial" Tour

MUSIC NEWS- Just off a series of concert dates with Roger Daltrey, Pete's brother, Simon Townshend will be launching a tour of the United States on April 9 in support of his new album, Denial.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist will kick off the nineteen date tour in Vienna, VA at the Barns at Wolf Trap, then wind his way through the northeast, across the midwest and to the west coast. 

Said Simon recently; “I’m really proud of my new LP, Denial; the songs, lyrics and  sonics. Mastering at Abbey Road helped bring my mixes to life. Now I can’t wait  to get on the road in the US throughout April to share the music with my fans,  old and new. Exciting times…. can’t wait to see you there.”

Stephen Stills' Spring Solo Shows Set

MUSIC NEWS- Legendary singer/songwriter, guitarist and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stephen Stills will headline a solo tour in the western USA this May and June during a break in the current Crosby, Stills & Nash's 2014 concert tour. Tickets are available now through www.stephenstills.com beginning Monday, April 7.

His solo tour will kick off on May 8 at the Catalyst Club in Santa Cruz, CA, and wrap up on June 3 at the Fox Theater in Tucson, AZ. The show will feature two sets: one solo acoustic and one full electric band set of career-spanning favorites, including several new songs. Stills will be accompanied by longtime CSN bandmates Kevin McCormick (bass) and Todd Caldwell (organ), with a new addition on drums, Mario Calire.

Jack White Announces Lazaretto Summer Tour

MUSIC NEWS- Until today, Jack White's 2014 summer schedule seemed to be filled with one-off gigs, the most notable included a Record Store Day show to promote his label, Third Man, and some June festival dates at Governors Ball, Bonnaroo and Glastonbury.

But now, the former White Stripes singer has announced that he will be much busier this summer with the announcement of a full across North America and Europe. No surprise though with the recent announcement of his new album.  He will be separately supported by fellow Third Man artist Kelley Stoltz and soul singer-songwriter Benjamin Booker.