Archive: October 2010 (21-30 of 120)

Oct 25 2010 11:28 AM ET

Reggae star Gregory Isaacs dies at age 60

Filed under: Music, News and tagged:

Gregory-IsaacsImage Credit: David Corio/Redferns/Getty ImagesFamed Jamaican singer Gregory Isaacs died of cancer today at his London home, his manager confirms. He was 60.

Isaacs became one of the world’s biggest reggae stars in the 1970s and 1980s with major hits like “Night Nurse” (hear it after the jump) and “Rumours,” spanning the transition from more traditional styles to synth-based dancehall.

“Yes, it’s true,” Isaacs’ manager, Copeland Forbes, writes in an email to the Music Mix. “Gregory passed away this morning in London at 4 A.M. He had a tumor which had spread to other areas of his body. He was 60 years old. I spoke with him last week and he said that I should read Psalm 41 and Psalm 91 for him. I had made arrangements to go back to London on Wednesday to see him as I hadn’t seen him since we went to London together to do the Big Chill Festival (his last show in his life), which had over 60,000 people in attendance. He was the only reggae act on the bill. May his soul rest in peace.”

Please join the Music Mix in sending our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of reggae’s “Cool Ruler.” READ FULL STORY »

Oct 25 2010 09:44 AM ET

Flaming Lips visit 'Yo Gabba Gabba!': Watch an exclusive preview here

Yo-Gabba-Gabba-FlamingThe Flaming Lips are coming to Yo Gabba Gabba! Oklahoma’s most famous psychedelic rockers will appear on the Nov. 5 episode of the popular kids’ show singing “I Can Be a Frog,” from their 2009 album Embryonic. Hit the jump for an exclusive minute-long preview of their performance.

As you’ll see, “I Can Be a Frog” is a catchy tune about the power of imagination. Lead Lip Wayne Coyne sings it while wearing multiple hats.

Cute, right? Will you be tuning in to Nickelodeon at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, Nov. 5? Let us know what you think in comments. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 22 2010 06:22 PM ET

Are the Grammys out of touch? Legendary producer Daniel Lanois agrees with Kanye West

Filed under: Let's Argue!, Music, News and tagged: , ,

grammys-Daniel-LanoisImage Credit: Rick Diamond/WireImage.comKanye West touched off a new round of controversy yesterday when he said that artists like Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks, Ray Charles, and Herbie Hancock didn’t deserve their Grammy Awards for Album of the Year. But did he have a point? Famed producer Daniel Lanois — who’s helmed several AOTY Grammy winners, including Bob Dylan’s Time Out of Mind (1998 ceremony) and U2′s The Joshua Tree (1988) and How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2005) — thinks he might.

Lanois says that by recognizing legacy artists, the Grammys sometimes miss out on the best music of the moment. “In defense of the Grammy people, they are probably a little bit embarrassed about the fact that they never gave Grammys to the folks that deserved it back in the day,” Lanois tells the Music Mix. “To think that Bob Dylan had never gotten a Grammy Award [for Album of the Year]! I mean, we made a great record, and I think it deserved to win that year. But should Steely Dan be the album of the year from a few years ago [2001]? Kanye might have had a good point on that year. Maybe [they should say], ‘We made a mistake and we didn’t notice so-and-so back then.’ A lot of cool records don’t get noticed at the moment, and then a few years go by, and it’s like, ‘Oh, these people were breaking some ground.’…Just tell it like it is. ‘We overlooked this artist for many years. They’re doing good work now. They’re getting the Overlooked for Many Years award.’ Something like that.”

What do you think about Lanois’ remarks in support of Kanye? Are they right about this one? Speak up in the comments.

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

More on the Music Mix:
Kanye West says Taylor Swift, Ray Charles didn’t deserve Grammys
Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year: Did the Grammys get it right?
Bob Dylan’s Time Out of Mind: Ken Tucker’s A+ review

Oct 22 2010 01:52 PM ET

Watch Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan harmonize, Paul Simon rap at Too Many Stars benefit

Nothing lights up the telethon phone lines like the dulcet harmonies of folk icons Simon and Garfunkel. Or, perhaps, the pitch-nasty, Prince-quoting yodels of “Simon” and “Garfunkel”—otherwise known as Chris Rock in a cableknit turtleneck, and Tracy Morgan in a ‘Funkel fro wig.

The two comedians were joined by the actual Paul Simon onstage at last night’s Night of Too Many Stars autism fundraiser for an ear-burning take on his “Scarborough Fair,” before Simon offered his own shuffling version of Snoop’s “Gin and Juice.”

Not sure I’m a huge fan of the “making the olds say dirty sh– is HI-larious” school of comedy, but it’s for a good cause, yes? I mean, at least they didn’t trot out Betty White to rappin’-granny her way through “Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta.”

Watch this odd celebrity triad after the jump: READ FULL STORY »

Oct 22 2010 01:06 PM ET

Miniature Tigers singer talks about their 'awesome' year -- plus his favorite tunes by Kanye West, Katy Perry, and Simon and Garfunkel

Filed under: Music and tagged: , ,

miniature-tigersImage Credit: Jason Kempin/WireImage for Entertainment WeeklyMiniature Tigers are one of our favorite new indie bands here at the Music Mix, so we were thrilled to have them headline our latest EW Lounge event highlighting emerging artists. The Brooklyn foursome delighted the crowd last night at Good Units, a hip subterranean spot in Midtown NYC. Amiable singer Charlie Brand (pictured at right) wore a bright red poncho and brandished an acoustic guitar decorated with Dharma Initiative stickers as he led the band through selections from their latest LP, Fortress — twinkly indie-pop confections that burst into blazing noise when required. Tunes like the excellently titled “Rock and Roll Mountain Troll,” “Bullfighter Jacket,” and “Mansions of Misery” were choice highlights. If Miniature Tigers’ career keeps gaining momentum like it has been lately, everyone who saw them in that little room yesterday will have definite bragging rights. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 22 2010 11:03 AM ET

Black Eyed Peas party 'Dirty Dancing' style in 'The Time': Hear their new single now

Filed under: Black Eyed Peas, Music, News and tagged:

BEP-dirty-dancingThe Black Eyed Peas sure do enjoy life. Their brand new single “The Time (the dirty bit)” takes a sample of Dirty Dancing jam “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” — already one of pop history’s tastiest slices of cheese — and turns it into an even more over-the-top dance party. “‘Cause I’m! Having! A good! Time! With you!” chant the Peas in unison. At this point, it’s fair to wonder, are these guys and gal ever not having a good time?

This appears to be the first single from The Beginning, the Peas’ upcoming follow-up to last year’s smash The E.N.D. I’m a Peas fan, but I have to admit that “The Time” didn’t give me the same immediate euphoria I experienced upon first hearing “I Gotta Feeling” or “Boom Boom Pow.” Those songs made me feel like I’d never encountered anything quite so transportingly catchy; in this case, of course, we’ve all heard the original sample a billion times, and the Peas’ additions come straight from their playbook of the past 18 months. But so what? “The Time” still has “hit” written all over it. No one does mindless fizzy fun like the Black Eyed Peas, even when they’re possibly slightly treading water.

But what do you think? Take a listen to “The Time” after the jump and let us know how you like it. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 21 2010 06:53 PM ET

Kanye West says Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks, Ray Charles didn't deserve Grammys

kanye-west-AccessKanye West has strong opinions about awards shows. Anyone who has forgotten this salient fact can find a reminder in West’s latest explosive interview with Access Hollywood. The rap superstar spoke out against what he sees as undeserving recent winners of the Grammy Award for Album of the Year…including, you guessed it, Taylor Swift. Oh dear. Here we go again!

“Where’s our instant replay clock?” West asked, according to Access Hollywood. “Why are the last four Albums of the Year: Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks, Ray Charles and Herbie Hancock? Like, you know, with all due respect… that’s inaccurate.” (Speaking of inaccuracies, he forgot to mention Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, who won in 2009. Maybe he’s a fan.)

Instead, West suggested a few albums he’d rather have seen win. “It’s like ‘SexyBack’ — you know what I’m saying? Like [Justin Timberlake's] FutureSex/LoveSounds, Gnarls Barkley. How about Usher — Confessions? How about albums that sold 10 million?”

Lest you misunderstand the motivations behind these words, West clarified the larger social significance involved: “I pinpoint the Grammys and the VMAs because they have to take responsibility, because they mean something to us. Little kids, 6 years [old], that are singing in front of the mirror. They’re also thinking about their Grammy speech; they’re thinking about when there will be a VMA so these people, whoever run them… they have to take some responsibility to say what really happened in culture this year because we’re marking it down.”

What do you think? Is West right about those Grammy winners? Did Justin Timberlake deserve to win over Dixie Chicks, or Usher over Ray Charles? Check out the the Access Hollywood clip after the jump and sound off in the comments.

READ FULL STORY »

Oct 21 2010 04:44 PM ET

Lady Antebellum play free show at site of 'worst gig ever': read the EW story that started it all

Lady-AntebellumImage Credit: Michael Tran/FilmMagic.comEvery band that’s spent more than a few weeks on the road has a tour horror story, and Lady Antebellum are no exception.

When the Nashville trio was profiled in EW this past February, they didn’t hesitate to list their worst gig: A 2007 stop in Milwaukee that co-vocalist Charles Kelley described to writer Whitney Pastorek as taking place in a gas station ”at the butt crack of dawn to kick off hunting season … Everybody was sitting there eating. They didn’t know who the hell we were. It was funny as s—.”

That admission went on to be widely quoted, and eventually led to a local Wisconsin country radio station’s offer of a do-over. So last night, Lady A returned to the scene of the crime, and got a chance to rewrite history (or just pick up some snack mix and a nice road atlas), performing free for some 1,000 fans at the Mayfield Mobil station in Richfield, Wisconsin.

Apparently, the second time was far more charmed: “Thanks to the great Milwaukee folks and @FM1061 for the great gas station gig! Really fun!” the band wrote from their official Twitter. “See u guys again tonight!”

“Tonight” would be the sold-out show they’re scheduled to play at Milwaukee’s considerably swankier Riverside Theater. Were you there in Richfield? Tell us in the comments section below.

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

More on the Music Mix:
Elton John and Lady Gaga: Exclusive details on their duet
Phoenix takes flight at Madison Square Garden

Far East Movement bumps Bruno Mars from No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100

Watch Chris Brown’s ‘Yeah 3X’ video
Did Kanye West really have his teeth pulled out and replaced with diamonds? An expert weighs in
Can Gwyneth Paltrow sing country live?

Oct 21 2010 03:19 PM ET

Elton John and Lady Gaga: Exclusive details on their duet

Filed under: Music, News and tagged: , , ,

elton-john-lady-gagaImage Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.comIf you were watching Elton John on The View this morning, you might have heard him mention that he’s planning to release a duet with Lady Gaga. It’s something he’s alluded to before, but now EW can report exclusively that the track, called “Hello, Hello,” will appear in the upcoming Disney animated film Gnomeo & Juliet, which is being produced by Sir Elton and his partner, David Furnish.

The charming pop track plays during the moment where the two lead characters, lawn ornaments named Gnomeo (voiced by James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt), meet for the first time. The film hits theaters on Feb. 11, 2011.

Looking forward to hearing Elton John and Lady Gaga sing together? Let us know in the comments.

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

More on the Music Mix:
Phoenix takes flight at Madison Square Garden

Far East Movement bumps Bruno Mars from No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100

Watch Chris Brown’s ‘Yeah 3X’ video
Did Kanye West really have his teeth pulled out and replaced with diamonds? An expert weighs in
Can Gwyneth Paltrow sing country live?

Oct 21 2010 03:09 PM ET

Phoenix takes flight at NYC's Madison Square Garden with surprise guests Daft Punk

Phoenix-and-Daft-Punk-encoreImage Credit: Anna Webber/WireImage.comPhoenix saved the best part of their concert at Madison Square Garden last night for the very end of the final encore. That was when the band’s French frères, Daft Punk, showed up out of nowhere and drove the already-excited crowd into utter frenzy. Clad in their signature robot helmets, the reclusive duo stood silently on stage at a console and began unleashing serious beats. These soon resolved into a version of “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” with Phoenix crunching gamely along, then a tantalizing snippet of “Around the World.” Finally, Daft Punk hung around and added some space-age laser synth buzz to “1901,” Phoenix’s last song of the night. According to Stereogum, it was the first time Daft Punk has performed in public since 2007. That, folks, is how you do a proper encore. (Check out shaky YouTube video of the whole thing at Pitchfork.) READ FULL STORY »

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