Archive: December 2010 (51-60 of 79)

Dec 10 2010 04:31 PM ET

'Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune,' a great documentary about an underappreciated folk singer

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Phil-Ochs-folkThe story told by the new documentary Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune is a very sad one, no question about it. Ochs was one of the 1960s’ greatest folk singers and activists to those in the know, but he never got as much fame as he desired or deserved. He died by his own hand in 1976, and as the film proceeds through his life’s work, you know all along where it’s heading.

Before reaching that inevitably tragic conclusion, filmmaker Kenneth Bowser (Easy Riders, Raging Bulls) does an admirable job of conveying why Ochs’ music continues to mean so much to his fans. Friends and fellow radicals like Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Tom Hayden give illuminating interviews, as do latter-day admirers like Sean Penn, Billy Bragg, and Christopher Hitchens. They help explain exactly what made Ochs great — his unresting commitment to social justice, his genuine belief that songs could change the world, and of course his songs themselves. But you don’t have to take their word for it. Bowser has unearthed who knows how many hours of unseen footage, including clips in which Ochs sings “I Ain’t Marching Anymore,” “There But for Fortune,” “Changes,” “Crucifixion,” “I’m Going To Say It Now,” and more. These alone make the film a must-see for fans like me.

Bowser doesn’t shy away from Ochs’ battles with mental illness and alcoholism. The film’s honest depiction of Ochs’ final years can be hard to watch; by the end of a press screening last night, I was tearing up. But I’m absolutely glad I saw this movie, and I think any fan would feel the same. It’s an essential portrait of an artist who ought to be far better known.

Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune opens Jan. 5 in New York City. Any Ochs fans out there looking forward to seeing the film? Let us know in the comments.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)

More from EW.com:
Remembering Phil Ochs (2008)

Dec 10 2010 12:55 PM ET

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg steam up the club in 'Kush' video: Watch here

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Dr-Dre-KushOkay, so now I’m actually starting to believe Dr. Dre‘s Detox is coming soon. “Kush,” the album’s lead single leaked online last month and positive feedback demanded they run with it. Acting fast, the video was released this morning. The legendary California producer teams up with singer Akon and frequent collaborator Snoop Dogg here. In the clip Dre and Snoop hit the club to spark up some fun while Akon makes it rain in a private jet cruising over the city. Visually, it’s an interesting video. The trio are the only ones moving in the majority of it. Motionless party-goers are seen enjoying various facets of after hours fun, be it exhaling puffs of smoke, knocking back a drink, or dancing. Flight attendants are frozen, as is the cash Akon tosses up on his plane.

The camera work is not untraveled territory, though. T-Pain’s recent “Rap Song” features the style. As does Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” with slow motion and rewinding at times. But Dre’s has a Cali-cool vibe that’s all its own.

Check out the video after the jump and let us know what you think. But beware: the language is NSFW.

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 9 2010 01:46 PM ET

Eminem, Train top iTunes year-end sales charts

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eminem-trainImage Credit: Karin CattEminem‘s Recovery was the best-selling album of 2010 at the iTunes Music Store, while Train‘s “Hey, Soul Sister” was the biggest single, according to year-end charts released by Apple today. Other top-selling albums came from Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, and Lady Antebellum. Katy Perry, B.o.B, and Eminem were among the singles chart’s runners-up.

Click through to the jump for the full list of iTunes’ top 10 best-selling albums and singles. For much more, visit iTunes’ “Rewind 2010″ page. Then let us know what you think. Surprised by any of these results? READ FULL STORY »

Dec 9 2010 01:24 PM ET

Diddy-Dirty Money's 'Last Train to Paris': Read EW's review

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_DiddyImage Credit: Travis ShinnPeople chuckled when Diddy announced that his next project would be a concept album about a tempestuous relationship played out on Europe’s international rail system. They laughed when he declared that his ambitions were so vast, no existing genre could hold him. “I’m ushering in a new movement called ‘train music,’” the hip-hop mogul boasted in one press release. That was in February 2009, and the snickers only got louder each time he subsequently pushed back the disc’s release date. Now Last Train to Paris is finally pulling into the station, and here’s the funniest thing about it: Diddy has followed through on every crazy promise and then some, resulting in his best work in years. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 9 2010 01:09 PM ET

Katy Perry earns third No. 1 single of 2010 on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with 'Firework'

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Katy Perry’s latest single, “Firework,” is this week’s No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, moving up one spot. Following her summer anthem “California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream,” this is her third No. 1 single from her Teenage Dream album. Last week‘s chart-topper, Pink’s “Raise Your Glass,” swaps places with Perry. Meanwhile, Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?” moves back into the top three, hopping up two place to No. 3. Check out the full top 10 below.

Dec. 9, 2010′s Billboard Hot 100 singles top 10

No. 1 – Katy Perry, “Firework”

No. 2 – Pink, “Raise Your Glass”

No. 3 – Rihanna, “What’s My Name?”

No. 4 – The Black Eyed Peas, “The Time (Dirty Bit)”

No. 5 – Bruno Mars, “Grenade”

No. 6 – Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)”

No. 7 – Bruno Mars, “Just the Way You Are”

No. 8 – Ke$ha, “We R Who We R”

No. 9 – Nelly, “Just a Dream”

No. 10 – Trey Songz, “Bottoms Up”

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


Dec 9 2010 12:57 PM ET

Michael Jackson's 'Hold My Hand' video released: Watch here

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Hold-My-Hand-videoThis morning the video for Michael Jackson‘s Akon-assisted “Hold My Hand” hit the net. In it, clips from Jackson’s History tour are sprinkled in with shots of his most favorite things; fans, amusement park rides, and dancing children are all present. Akon, of course, is too — singing alone. But the focus over all is love. Several couples and families are seen together at the dinner table or hugged up at home. Check out the video after the jump and let us know if what you think.

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 8 2010 03:59 PM ET

Willow Smith plans to tour with Justin Bieber in Europe

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Willow-Smith-Justin-BeiberImage Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.comWillow Smith, the 10-year-old singer of the hit song, “Whip My Hair,” is making plans to be in Europe this March. According to her official Twitter feed, Smith will join Justin Bieber on his tour. “Got news that my big bro @justinbieber invited me on his European Tour in March..so exciting! Maybe I’ll let Jaden come..LOL”

Read more:
Willow Smith on ‘Ellen’
Is Willow Smith the next Rihanna?

Dec 8 2010 12:50 PM ET

John Lennon 30 years after his death: Lost interview surfaces, family and fans remember

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john-lennon-1980Image Credit: Steve Sands/AP ImagesJohn Lennon‘s life ended far too soon on Dec. 8, 1980. His murder can still be painful to think about, even after so much time has passed. What are we supposed to do when confronted with a crime so senseless, a loss so needless? Today, on the 30th anniversary of Lennon’s death, we might as well remember all the joy he brought into the world while he was still alive. Several newly published pieces might help fans do that.

The latest issue of Rolling Stone features one of Lennon’s final interviews, conducted just three days before he died and never before released in full. The audio excerpts RS has posted online are essential listening. “I’m not claiming divinity,” Lennon said at one point. “I’ve never claimed divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answer to life. I’ve never made any claims. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can.” Later he spoke on the ways his philosophy had and hadn’t changed since the idealistic ’60s: “I see the world through different eyes now, [but] I still believe in love, peace and understanding, as Elvis Costello said. What’s so f—ing funny about love, peace, and understanding?” READ FULL STORY »

Dec 8 2010 12:34 PM ET

Susan Boyle returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 albums chart

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

Susan Boyle’s holiday gift to all has given her another week on top of the Billboard 200 albums chart. After being unseated Kanye West’s new album last week, The Gift sold 272,000 copies to bring her to No. 1. What most thought would debut on top this week, the Black Eyed Peas’ The Beginning, stalled at No. 6. Only 119,000 copies were bought. Taylor Swift’s Speak Now comes in at No. 2, moving 182,000 units. While 10-year-old America’s Got Talent sensation Jackie Evancho and her Christmas album, O Holy Night, comes in at No. 3 selling 145,000 copies. Check out the full top 10 below.

Dec. 8, 2010′s Billboard 200 albums top 10

No. 1 – Susan Boyle, The Gift: 272,000

No. 2 – Taylor Swift, Speak Now: 182,000

No. 3 – Jackie Evancho, O Holy Night: 145,000

No. 4 – Glee‘s Christmas album: 129,000.

No. 5 – Glee, The Music Volume 4:  128,000

No. 6 – Black Eyed Peas, The Beginning: 119,000.

No. 7  – Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: 108,000

No. 8 – Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: 103,000

No. 9 – Josh Groban, Illuminations: 78,000

No. 10 – Rihanna, Loud: 77,000

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

Dec 7 2010 04:08 PM ET

T.I. releases 'No Mercy': Can he make his new album a hit from jail?

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TIImage Credit: Arnold Turner/WireImage.comT.I. couldn’t have picked a worse time to be missing in action. The rapper-actor, 30, should be out hawking his long-delayed seventh album, No Mercy, which finally arrived in stores today. Instead he’s sitting in a federal prison cell in Arkansas, where he began an 11-month sentence on Nov. 1 after violating probation. “We were gearing up to put an album out,” sighs Michael Kyser, head of urban music at Atlantic Records, T.I.’s label since 2003. “But we wanted him to help market and promote it. That would have been nice.”

Click through to the jump for more of this magazine preview. READ FULL STORY »

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