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Archive: June 2010 (51-60 of 135)

Jun 18 2010 05:25 PM ET

Jack Johnson, 'Spring Wind': An EW exclusive stream from the upcoming '180 Degrees South' soundtrack

Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Jack Johnson, Movies, Soundtracks

Jack-Johnson Image Credit: Ben Hider/Getty ImagesWhen Emmett Malloy—one half of the Malloy Brothers, prolific directors of top-line music videos for, among others, Ke$ha, Vampire Weekend, and Avril Lavigne, as well as concert films for Metallica, the White Stripes, and Jack Johnson—began work on the adventure documentary 180 Degrees South three years ago, he hoped to rope in a few of his former subjects for the soundtrack.

James Mercer (the Shins, Broken Bells) and singer-songwriter Mason Jennings did him one better, accompanying Malloy on one of his journeys into the Patagonia wilderness; Jack Johnson didn’t make the trip, but he, along with Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock (performing as his sometime alter ego Ugly Casanova), offered their services from Stateside.

Johnson’s contribution, a cover of Greg Brown‘s reflective, lovely “Spring Wind,” has been known to pop up for years in his live sets, but you can find it for the first time here as a studio recording; stream the song below, and find the soundtrack in full when it’s released June 22.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)

Jun 18 2010 02:01 PM ET

Bruce Springsteen exclusive: Watch 'Seeds' from his 'London Calling' DVD here

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Bruce Springsteen, Festivals

If you have not witnessed Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert at any point since their late-’90s reunion, then it is entirely possible that you, my friend, have not truly lived for the past decade. All apologies. To make it up to you, we’ve got an exclusive clip from London Calling: Live in Hyde Park, the 2-DVD concert film that arrives in stores next week.

Hit the jump to see the Boss and Co. tear through live favorite “Seeds” for 50,000 adoring Brits. This clip comes fairly early in the three-hour London Calling set, which was shot at the Hard Rock Calling festival in June 2009. Back then, Springsteen’s hard-times holler (“Big limousine, long, shiny, and black/You don’t look ahead, you don’t look back/How many times can you get up after you’ve been hit?”) was all too in tune with the state of the global economy. A year later, it still feels pretty timely. And there’s no denying that these fifty- and sixty-somethings can still bring the heat on stage. If you doubt that, skip straight to 3:51 or so for a mean Springsteen guitar solo.

What do you think of this clip? Will you be buying London Calling on DVD?

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Jun 18 2010 01:02 PM ET

Jay-Z's surprise 'Late Show' performance canceled by NYC mayor's office

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Jay-Z, Things That Make Us Go Hmm

Image Credit: Kent Miller/PR PhotosJay-Z was planning to surprise Midtown Manhattan this coming Monday with a performance outside the studio where CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman tapes — until New York City government bureaucrats nixed the set today. It’s an odd decision, given that massive acts like Phish and Paul McCartney have performed on that same Ed Sullivan Theater balcony as recently as last summer without a problem. What makes this Jay-Z gig different, aside from the fact that he’s a rapper and they’re rockers?

“There was discussion of a concert, and ultimately it was decided there would be no permit,” a representative of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting said in a statement provided to EW. “Many permits are granted on the condition that the event is not made public beforehand for capacity and security reasons. This event was made public.” Yet I was unaware of this performance before news of its cancellation got out, and I am a music journalist who works a few blocks away from the site of the concert. How widely was this secret show really known before this? The city office has not answered my request for clarification on what publicity they’re referring to.

More likely, this has something to do with the near-riot that broke out at a free Drake/Hanson show at NYC’s South Street Seaport earlier this week. Perhaps the city is wary of free outdoor concerts by major stars right now. Fair enough — but if that’s the real reason, then why hasn’t anyone moved to cancel the many free concerts still planned at that same South Street Seaport venue this summer? As the Village Voice has noted, the next scheduled show in the free series that would have brought Drake and Hanson to South Street Seaport is a Ke$ha gig, and her fans are surely no older or less potentially unruly than Jay-Z’s. I can’t help thinking the whole thing smacks of a double standard.

UPDATE: Jay-Z got around the denied permit by moving his Letterman performance to the theater’s rooftop, where he was joined by Eminem.

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Jun 18 2010 11:39 AM ET

Snoop Dogg raps for 'True Blood': Watch his hilarious 'Oh Sookie' video here

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Music Videos, Snoop Dogg, Vampires 'n Things

Snoop Dogg outed himself as a fan of TV’s hottest summer hit some time ago. “True Blood, get at me,” he announced in an October 2009 MTV News interview. “Snoop Dogg wants to be a vampire.” Well, he isn’t sporting fangs (yet), but he’s just teamed up with HBO for something even better: A hilarious True Blood rap song called “Oh Sookie,” complete with a music video. Oh yes.

Who needs the Hague when Snoop can run game in Bon Temps? “Oh Sookie, let me get in your head,” he whispers seductively to the show’s telepathic waitress. “Oh Sookie, we can lay in the bed/Oh Sookie, choose a player like me/Do it in the daytime with the D-O-double-G.” Next thing you know, he’s trying to get Sookie stoned and spirit her off to L.A., right after he “order[s her] a gin and juice at Merlotte’s.” But won’t her undead boyfriend mind? “We’ll do it in the daytime, Bill won’t know a thing.” Slick.

Watch the very amusing promotional clip after the jump (via Rap Radar). Like it? Think Snoop could compete with the likes of Bill, Eric, and Sam for Ms. Stackhouse’s affections?

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Jun 18 2010 10:53 AM ET

New Justin Bieber video feat. Usher, 'Somebody to Love': Everybody dance now

by Leah Greenblatt

Categories: Justin Bieber, Kids Do the Darndest Things, Music Videos, New Stuff, Television, Usher, YouTube Delights

Last night, after sweating out about 18 buckets of Dance Dance Perspiration for a live performance of his current no. 2 hit “OMG” on SYTYCD, Usher introduced the world premiere of Le Bieber’s latest video, “Somebody to Love.”

The R&B star’s lil’ protege has so far stuck to pretty straightforward set pieces—bowling alley, rooftop pool party, Xboxing on the couch—but, perhaps in honor of his mentor, or the show on which it was bowed, he has finally gone in for some hardcore Happy Feet choreography.

Clearly, Biebs has not yet mastered the melted-butter liquidity of Daddy Usher. But who needs Fame-caliber moves when you’ve got bangs? Plus: Asian ladies with fans, stalactite lights, well-contained flames, and three dudes in fencing masks doing the standing worm. Click after the jump; it will all make sense: READ FULL STORY »

Jun 18 2010 09:59 AM ET

Miley Cyrus and Bret Michaels on 'Good Morning America': A solid 'B+' (for the music... an 'A' for the hair)

by Tanner Stransky

Categories: Bret Michaels, Divas!, Do My Job For Me, Miley Cyrus, Poison, Songs of Summer, Television, Things We Love

Image Credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicYou know what makes a Friday morning pleasurable — besides thinking about the simple truth that in eight hours I’ll be enjoying a cocktail on a street-side table somewhere in NYC? The combination of Miley Cyrus and Bret Michaels! Singing his hit “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”!

Yeah that’s right, the teen queen showed up with the so-having-a-moment Michaels on Good Morning America to sing the song together. Cyrus, of course, has included a studio version of “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” on her upcoming album, Can’t Be Tamed, which goes on sale this coming Tuesday. We’ve already been treated to gems like the title track “Can’t Be Tamed” and “Liberty Walk.” Michaels’ has got a new album, Custom Built, coming out on July 6, and the single he recorded with Cyrus, “Nothing to Lose,” has already been causing quite the stir.

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Jun 17 2010 04:36 PM ET

Funkadelic and Parliament guitarist Garry Shider dies at age 56

by Clark Collis

Categories: R.I.P.

Image Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty ImagesFunkadelic and Parliament guitarist Garry “Starchild” Shider died yesterday at his home in Upper Marlboro, Md, according to the AP. In March, the longtime sideman of funk legend George Clinton was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer.

Shider first recorded with Clinton on the 1971 Funkadelic album Maggot Brain and his playing, singing, and writing were crucial to the development of Clinton’s “P-Funk” sound. Among the songs co-penned by the guitarist was the classic Funkadelic cut “One Nation Under A Groove.”

Shider also cut a colorful figure onstage thanks to his habit of wearing a diaper. “George said, ‘Put a diaper on,’ and it was comfortable,” he recalled earlier this year. “I’ve been wearing it ever since.”

George Clinton’s official web site has paid tribute to the guitarist with the message, “Thank you Garry for all you have done, Forever funkin’ on!”

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Jun 17 2010 03:08 PM ET

Pauly Shore shills for Eminem's 'Recovery': Watch the funny clip here

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Eminem, Hip-Hop/Rap

Is Pauly Shore someone whose taste in rap music you trust? If so, you’ll definitely want to see a new promotional clip in which the Bio-Dome star weighs in on Eminem’s upcoming Recovery album.

Spoiler alert: He’s not feeling it. “This album doesn’t have all the accents that he had on the prior album,” Shore complains. That’s a bit of reverse psychology, since even Em himself now admits that last year’s Relapse overdid the silly voices. (“Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/Relax, I ain’t going back to that now.”) In other words, Shore’s dis is really a compliment. Well done!

Check out the clip after the jump (h/t Vulture). Like it? Which do you think is funnier, this or the other viral Recovery promo starring the ShamWow dude? Will you be buying Recovery when it arrives in stores Monday?

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Jun 17 2010 02:56 PM ET

Katy Perry's 'California' holds on to No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100 chart

by Brad Wete

Categories: B.O.B., Charts, Eminem, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, Usher

Image Credit: Janet Mayer/PR PhotosThe top three spots on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart are the same as they were last week. For its second straight week, Katy Perry‘s ”California Gurls” is at No. 1. Usher holds his spot, remaining at No. 2 with “OMG,” And B.o.B‘s the most successful rapper on the chart. His “Airplanes” featuring Hayley Williams holds on at No. 3.

Travie McCoy and Ke$ha switched spots. McCoy’s “Billionaire” jumps from No 5 to No. 4. Ke$ha‘s “Your Love Is My Drug” moves back to No. 5. Lady Gaga‘s “Alejandro” moves up a spot from No. 7 to No. 6. “Break Your Heart” by Taio Cruz falls back a slot to No. 7. Eminem‘s former No. 1 “Not Afraid” returns to the top 10, moving up three spots to No. 8. The Black Eyed Peas’ “Rock That Body,” remains at No. 9. While Drake’s “Find Your Love” closes out the top 10, moving up three spaces.

The top three artists didn’t budge last week. Do you think someone will break in or fall out next week? Let us know.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

Jun 17 2010 12:35 PM ET

Snoop Dogg barred from Dutch festival

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Legal Troubles, Snoop Dogg

Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty ImagesSnoop Dogg has been banned from headlining a June 27 festival in the Dutch city of the Hague, Reuters reports. Apparently the Hague’s mayor and law enforcement officers demanded that Snoop be removed from the bill “in order to be able to guarantee the open and friendly character and free admission of Parkpop.”

You can almost see Reuters’ reporter grinning as he calls Big Snoop “a frequent visitor to the Netherlands and aficionado of its readily available marijuana.” Yes, there’s a certain amount of irony in rap’s most famous pothead being turned away from the land of semi-legal weed. But let’s get serious for a second: What, exactly, are the Hague’s bureaucrats trying to communicate with that “open and friendly character” line? Snoop Dogg is one of the most open and friendly characters in all of pop culture these days! He’s just about the cuddliest gangsta on the face of the planet. The man parties in Candyland with Katy Perry, for goodness’ sake. Reuters links this turn of events to Snoop’s trouble getting into the U.K. and Australia due to various criminal cases, but if that’s the issue, why didn’t the Hague cite that reason — and why has Snoop been allowed to perform so often in the Netherlands before? It doesn’t really add up.

Snoop Dogg’s reps have not responded to EW’s request for comment. Snoop Dogg’s camp responded with a statement that you can read after the jump. What do you think of this story?

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