That’s just music

Grateful Dead’s leader Jerry Garcia will be the main character in a movie made about him and his band, said Billboard. Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa are going to produce it. These two directors (producers) have already created such movies as “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Cold Mountain” and “Election”. Everyone is sure that they’re capable of making something really good about Jerry. The base for scenario shall include episodes that were described by Robert Greenfield in his book about Garcia “Dark Star”. Robert’s work incorporates various stories about Grateful Dead’s frontman, which were told by his close friends. Who exactly will play Jerry’s role is not know yet. Producers are saying that their movie will show Garcia’s early days when his music interests and talents began to show up. Also, these guys are planning to focus upon the roots of Grateful Dead, this band’s influences and later growth. However, this move is not the first one which shall describe Grateful Dead. Way back in 1977 Jerry Garcia himself made a move about his musical creation called “The Grateful Dead Movie”.

http://www.jerrygarcia.com/ Jerry Garcia’s official website.

R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe had participated in the project organized by Lacoste (clothing designers and producers). This information just showed up on the Rolling Stone website. Stipe had personally designed the whole line of t-shirts. He has noted that, “I’ve created a monumental two tone photographic image depicting a crowd at a stadium concert from the perspective of a performer on the stage”. In order to see how this new stuff looks like anyone can check it out on the Lacoste web page: http://www.lacoste.com/michaelstipe/. T-shirts that were designed by Stipe are made in four colour variations: grey, deep red, black/white and deep green. An approximate price (men and women models) may go up to three hundred dollars. Pretty expensive, and again sounds less like rock n’ roll because everything what belongs to the real rock culture should be way cheaper. High society culture is on the move, not the real rock n’ roll, but cool anyway.

R.E.M. itself is currently on tour in South America. On November 11 they’ve performed at a concert in Brazil.

DJ Norman Cook who is better known under his nickname Fatboy Slim had announced the release date of his new album. This work is the first product made by his side project Brighton Port Authority (BPA), said New Musical Express. “I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat” shall become available in February, 2009. Surprisingly, BPA was made with some valuable help from Iggy Pop, David Byrne (ex-leader of the British new wave band Talking Heads), and the British house-rap star Dizzy Rascal. Dizzy was participating in the Basement Jaxx’s production of “Lucky Star”. Besides these musicians, “I Think We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat” incorporates Martha Wainwright (folk singer), and two other British musicians Jamie T and Jack Penate. The best part about this thing is that so many brilliant people are taking part in it. Fatboy Slim will never stop innovating and changing himself, and that’s why so many fans shall never stop admiring him.

Anybody can check out more about this incredible music project on this web page – http://www.thebrightonportauthority.com/

The British band Ultravox had reunited in it’s “classic” line-up, said Billboard. In April 2009 they’re planning to start touring around the UK, and so far it is confirmed that they shall visit London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and some other cities (totally fourteen concerts). Right now there is no information on the fact that Ultravox is planning to record the new album. Vocalist/guitarist Midge Ure,  keyboardist Billy Currie, bassist Chris Cross and drummer Warren Cann will perform together for the first time since 1985. Practically, nobody remembers them playing together after the infamous Live Aid concert. Ultravox which always produced the “new wave” sounds was formed in London (1976). During their career they’ve recorded ten studio albums, among which “Vienna” (1980), and “Quartet” (1980) may be called the most prominent. In 1988 the band fell apart and came back again in 1992–1996, but with the different line-up. This time they’ll look original.

The British musicians Alex Turner and Miles Kane have finished their joint project – The Last Shadow Puppets, said The Sun. On November 3 the band had performed at it’s last concert in Los Angeles, (North American tour) after which they’ve officially stated a wish to go back to their original groups – Arctic Monkeys and The Rascals. The Last Shadow Puppets were pretty good, and like it often happens may come back sometimes later. It was formed in the beginning of 2008, producing “The Age of the Understatement”  and three singles. This album was warmly welcomed by the fans and critics while conquering a number one on the British charts. “The Age of the Understatement” was nominated for the prestigeous Mercury Prize award, but failed due to Elbow’s victory (“The Seldom Seen Kid” album). Turner and Kane are not sure what they’re going to do with this project. At least it is confirmed that Turner will soon start recording the Arctic Monkey’s third album, and The Rascals shall do the same.   

The British performer Damon Albarn had announced a wish to reunite his first music project - Blur, said The Guardian. Seriously, what a great news for those who like this band. Just a few days ago Albarn has told BBC that recently he met with the former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon to discuss these plans. In the 90’s Blur was one of the most prominent brit-pop bands, which was formed in London (1989). During their career they’ve released seven studio albums, and the last one “Think Tank” was produced in 2003. Practically, it was recorded withon Coxon, and since then this band did not exist anymore.

At this time Albarn had started to produce and manage some side projects, which included Gorillaz and The Good, the bad and the Queen. “Monkey: Journey To The West” opera also belongs to his creative talent. Graham Coxon had released the number of solo albums, and currently helps Peter Doherty (The Libertines and Babyshambles) in making of some fresh sounds. Blur’s drummer Dave Rowntree keeps on trying to enter the London’s city council (The Labour Party), but so far without any success. Bassist Alex James is doing an unusual business, he’s producing the new type of cheese which is called “Blue Monday”.

MTV surprised Sir Paul McCartney with granting him an honourable award, which is designed specifically for him, said BBC News. The “Ultimate Legend” is going to be given to him in his hometown of Liverpool today (November 6) during the MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony. As the music channel’s representatives say, McCartney turned to be one of the most influential artists of all times and definitely deserves this prize. Generations of people were growing up with his music and the Ultimate Legend should belong to him. The British newspaper The Mirror says that this award will be given to an ex-Beatle by a U2 frontman Bono. There is no information about McCartney’s upcoming performance at the ceremony, but it’s organizers believe that he shall sing a few ones just with the help of his guitar and no other musicians. 

The band Coldplay is now foreseen to be the favourite of this year’s ceremony. Also, the list of favourites may include Britney Spears and Duffy. Beyonce, Pink, Take That and The Killers should be just performing, and will they steal a few trophies too is not known so far.

On November 3 London was witnessing another Classic Rock N’ Roll Of Honour ceremony, which is always greatfully organized by the “Classic Rock” magazine, said The Daily Telegraph. As the result of it a lot of great bands have received cheers and gifts. Foo Fighters were proclaimed to be the coolest band of this year, and the best album went to Whitesnake’s “Good To Be Bad”. The most ‘successful new band’ nomination was given to the Australian group Airborne. Led Zeppelin was honoured for their O2 Arena concert in London, and Ozzy Osbourne was named to be the living legend. This prize was given to Ozzy by another legendary figure Slash (Guns n’ Roses lead guitarist). After receiving it Ozzy began to joke, “I hope I don’t die on the way home,” also noting that, “I couldn’t be happier to know that Classic Rock haven’t written me off!”. In other words, legends, fame and cool jokes, things are moving in their traditional direction, and maybe that’s exactly the way it should always be, even if they’re often the same.

AC/DC turned to be the first band to release a video for the computer software program. They’ve produced one for the Microsoft Excel, said Rolling Stone. Their song “Rock N’ Roll Train” was written with the use of symbols, letters and numbers. It can be activated right in the mentioned above program, and may look very surprising to many of AC/DC’s fans. XLS format shall perform some extra fun. “Rock N’ Roll Train” became the first single on their new album ‘Black Ice’, which was long awaited since the release of “Stiff Upper Lip” in 2000. ‘Black Ice’ proved to be quite successful by climbing towards number one during the first week of sale in twenty nine countries. AC/DC guys have already started the world tour in support of this new release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9_YkXHCkgA

http://www.acdcrocks.com/excel/

DJ Mag magazine was recently making some cool charts in order to identify and name the world’s best DJ (as of 2008). The first three spots were taken by the Dutch guys: 1) Armin van Buuren, 2) DJ Tiesto, 3) Paul van Dyk. It definitely means that trance music still remains to be the most popular dance/party style, and nothing seems to be moving it away from the scene.  At least a lot of music experts are actually agreeing on such a fact. Armin himself was becoming better as a musician since 1995 and eventually was voted to be the number one. Practically, the European dance music stands on him and the following two sound creators. This list also includes David Guetta, Sasha, John Digweed and of course Infected Mushroom.

The second chart (11–20) includes Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold, Richie Hawtin and James Zabiela. A French group Daft Punk ended up only at the 38^th place. Benny Benassi and Bob Sinclair went down to numbers 39/40.  

http://www.djmag.com/