Robbie Robertson news

More cool news from the label just came across my desk...

On April 5, 429 Records will release How To Become Clairvoyant, Robbie Robertson's fifth solo album and his first record in more than 10 years. Guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton (who co-wrote three tracks with Robertson), Tom Morello and Robert Randolph guest on the album, which Robertson co-produced with Marius de Vries. How To Become Clairvoyant also features Steve Winwood and Trent Reznor as well as vocalists Angela McCluskey, Rocco Deluca and bassist Pino Palladino.

On his last two albums – Music for The Native Americans (1994) and Contact from the Underworld of Redboy (1998) – Robertson explored his ancestry. Now, with How To Become Clairvoyant, he takes on his rock heritage, delivering his first-ever song about leaving The Band, the evocative "This Is Where I Get Off." "What is lost? What is missing?" Robertson asks on "When The Night Was Young," a poignant reflection on youthful idealism. "We could change the world/stop the war…but that was back when the night was young."  You can check out "When The Night Was Young" at:
http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/pressclips/robbie/

The smoldering "Straight Down The Line" is a sly nod to rock 'n' roll's early reputation as the Devil's music, while the blistering "He Don't Live Here No More" details a battle with addiction. The latter features Clapton on harmony vocal and electric and slide guitars alongside Robertson's soulful gut string guitar solo.

Named one of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time," Robertson was a founding member of The Band, penning such classic songs as "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up On Cripple Creek." The Band's 1976 farewell concert was documented by director Martin Scorsese in the film The Last Waltz and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

In addition to his acclaimed solo albums, Robertson also has a long list of film credits. As Executive Soundtrack Producer for 1996's Phenomenon, he recruited Clapton to perform "Change the World," which subsequently won GRAMMY® awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. He has collaborated with Scorsese on numerous films, including Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Casino, Gangs of New York and Shutter Island.

Shooter Jennings re-releases due

This just arrived from 429 Records:

Shooter Jennings, hot on the heels of the July release of the acclaimed, controversial project "Black Ribbons"— a "concept" album which represents a true paradigm shift for the mercurial musician, has signed with 429 Records which will re-release the original version of  "Black Ribbons" plus a new 10-track "bullet" version in 2011.  Jennings is currently prepping a brand new recording which will be released on 429 Records later this year.

The progeny of country music outlier legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings has leapt out of the comfort zone of country music on "Black Ribbons" for an ambitious leap into a fierce, blistering musical journey through the darker corners of human society.

With the narrative help of Stephen King—a true icon of pitch black literary themes, Shooter Jennings and his band (the 357's renamed Hierophant for this outing) have created a magnum opus which rails against the inhumane aspects of an ever technologically obsessed society.  429 Records will re-release both the 20 track original recording with King's narrative as well as a new 10 track bullet version on February 8th.  Shooter and band will tour throughout 2011.

Jennings is also the host of Shooter Jennings' Electric Rodeo, a two-hour weekly music show on Sirius/XM's Outlaw Country channel, airing Saturdays from 6-8pm est and rebroadcasts Sundays from 10pm-midnight est. For more information, visit: www.429records.com

Paul McCartney: Kennedy Center Honors

After watching the Kennedy Center Honors this week, I must say Paul McCartney's tribute segment was mostly a snooze. Not that it was going to be rock-fest, in a presentation with President Obama and the First Lady in attendance, but still...

I enjoy Alec Baldwin's acting, but thought he was all wrong for the opening speech. 

No Doubt seemed out of their depth while doing "Hello Goodbye" and "Penny Lane." Dave Grohl and Norah Jones did a nice take on "Maybe I'm Amazed," which Grohl added some soulful vocals. Steven Tyler was very lackluster during "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" (even Rob Thomas has done a more spirited version), "Golden Slumbers," "The End," etc. I wondered, "where was Aerosmith?" And why not do "Come Together?" Aerosmith did it on their first Greatest Hits. James Taylor was his usual sedate self for "Let it Be" and "Hey Jude," joined by Mavis Staples and the other musicians.

I also just saw the repeat of Macca's appearance on Jimmy Fallon's late night talk show from Dec. 7 and that was excellent. In NYC to play a gig and talk about the fab new reissue of Wings' Band on the Run, he only did that show and SNL.

The pair duetted on a humorous "Scrambled Eggs" (the original title for "Yesterday") with updated lyrics and Fallon even got Macca to do a moving, acoustic rendition of "Here Today," in honor of John Lennon's passing.    

2010 in review: best albums-the top 10

These are my picks for the top 10 albums of the year...

1. Josh Ritter, So Runs the World Away –The Americana singer/songwriter’s knack for penning literary-minded lyrics, rife with by atypical characters and scenarios, continued. Elegant vocals and a rich sonic tapestry woven by uncommon instrumentation added up to one stunning album. 

 

2. Hoodoo Gurus, Purity of Essence – Rejuvenated and eclectic as ever, this veteran Aussie band used the Stones, Stooges, MC5 and New York Dolls as touchstones for its rousing garage rock and power pop excursions.

3. Against Me!, White Crosses – Ironing out some rough edges didn’t dilute the politically-minded punkers’ intense sonic attack, especially during “I Was a Teenage Anarchist,” “Suffocation” and the title track.

 4. Steel Train – Frequently frantic like Arcade Fire and quirky as Modest Mouse, the young Jersey guys played like their life depended on it, particularly on exhilarating anthem “Bullet”  and punkish “Speedway Motor Racers Club.”

 

 5. Trashcan Sinatras, In the Music – These Scotsmen tend to take several years to make albums, but they are always worth the wait. Case in point: this enthralling, ultra-melodic batch of alt-pop tunes, encompassing everything from poetry to Burt Bacharach-styled grandeur.

 

 6. Devo, Something for Everybody –A welcome return for the innovative group, whose long-awaited comeback album sounded completely modern, yet revisited stylistic elements that put them at the forefront of the late ‘70s post-punk movement. “Sumthin’” and “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” proved they could still whip it real good. 

7. Ed Harcourt, Lustre – The British singer/pianist’s studious chamber pop is rife with vivid lyrical imagery and bolstered by more of a female harmony presence than usual, making for an inspired, captivating collection.

8. Matt White, It’s the Good Crazy – From the whimsical opener “And the Beat Goes On” and sly humor in “Therapy” to a simply gorgeous falsetto on “When I Fall” and ebullient closer “Sunshine,” this soulful piano popster’s winsome NYC tales definitely stuck in your mind.

  

9. Far, At Night We Live – Jonah Matranga’s singing teetered on the edge of desperation, while his band mates provided a sound both monstrous and mellow. The result was the year’s most compelling alt-rock reunion effort.

10. Findlay Brown, Love Will Find You – Filled with swelling orchestrations, quavering vocals and reverb-drenched music that recalled Orbison, Presley and Spector, this British male’s latest dose of sublime pop treasures transported the listener back to the early Sixties.

2010 in review: best albums-the bottom 10

 













My top 20 album picks of 2010:

11. Jason & the Scorchers/Halcyon Times - This just narrowly missed my top 10. It was great to have the alt-country band back in action on this solid reunion effort - even if it was just down to original members Jason Ringenberg and Warner Hodges.


Rest of the best:

12. John Mellencamp/No Better Than This
13. Kings of Leon/Come Around Sundown
14. Arcade Fire/The Suburbs
15. Gin Blossoms/No Chocolate Cake
16. Robert Plant/Band of Joy
17. Gaslight Anthem/American Slang
18. Hellogoodbye/Would it Kill You?
19. Griffin House/The Learner
20. Young Veins/Take a Vacation

2010 in review: best singles

The following are my picks for top 10 singles of the year...

1. Saturday Sun/Crowded House
2. Teenage Dream/Glee Cast feat. Darren Criss
3. Animal/Neon Trees
4. Bloodbuzz, Ohio/The National
5. Holiday/Vampire Weekend
6. Ready to Start/Arcade Fire
7. Written in Reverse/Spoon
8. Something Beautiful/needtobreathe
9. Radioactive/Kings of Leon
10. Superman Tonight/Bon Jovi

Crowded House photo, above, courtesy of Big Hassle Publicity

2010 in review: top concerts

This year, I managed to attend 66 concerts (nowhere near my record of 86 in 2001), held in everything from small clubs to large outdoor festivals. Although there were highlights among the quick glimpses of acts at various fests, I limited my choices to full performances. 

Here are ten of the most memorable...

1. needtobreathe, The Glass House, Pomona, Calif. (April)
2. Florence & the Machine, Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival-Day 3, Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, Calif. (April)
3. Peter Wolf, the Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (October)
4. Muse, Coachella-Day 2, Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, Calif. (April)
5. Green Day, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, Calif. (August)
6. Gary Numan-"The Pleasure Principle Live," El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, Calif. (November)
7. Paul Weller, the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, Calif. (November)
8. Crowded House, Club Nokia, Los Angeles, Calif. (August)
9. Nada Surf, Troubadour, West Hollywood, Calif. (May)
10. Something Corporate, Grove of Anaheim (August)

Bear Rinehart photo, above, courtesy of needtobreathe.net and Atlantic Records