Music Blog Today
Music News and Commentary.
September 04, 2010
Grab Our Feed
Grab Our Feed
Music News and Commentary.
September 04, 2010
The Royal Mail of England is apparently the hippest government agency in Great Brittan. They’ve just released a set of 10 special stamps honoring the best and brightest from the British music scene, dating back to the 1960s.
Albums being recognized include Pink Floyd’s Division Bells, David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, The Clash’s London Calling, and Primal Scream’s Screamadelica.
Issuing rock and roll stamps is no casual matter for the Royal Mail as they only issue 12 special stamp sets each year. Philip Parker, head of the Stamp Policy for the Royal Mail views each stamp as a 1-inch work of art and says that a lot of research, conversations with music journalists, and analysis of many existing lists over the decades led to the final 10.
Rounding out this very cool list are Blur’s Parklife, Coldplay’s A Rush of Blood to the Head, Led Zeppelin’s IV, New Order’s Power, Corruption and Lies, Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, and The Rolling Stones’ Let it Bleed.
Seriously, how cool is this?
Many thanks to music writer Lincoln Wilder for this great blog!
Readers of the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, the most read newspaper throughout Sweden and Scandinavia, voted the 2006 In Flames CD, Come Clarity, as the top Swedish album of the past decade. No other metal acts from Sweden, of which there are many, made the top ten. Swedish rock band, Kent, had four CDs in the top ten, but it was In Flames who garnered slightly more than a quarter of all votes cast to take the honors.
Winning the Foreign Artist (non-Swedish) honors was the Bruce Springsteen CD, Magic. The Boss edged out Eminem, Lincoln Park, Cold Play, and the White Stripes. Cold Play had three CDs on the Foreign Artist list.
Many thanks to writer Lincoln Wilder for this newsworthy blog! Regular blogger Kate Kelly is currently on sabatical.
For as long as most of us can remember, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve has been a holiday music classic.
Many festive gatherings have watched the ball drop along with Dick and his guests, and several small or even solitary New year's eve celebrations have enjoyed Dick's festive company.
This year the show features one of the biggest music stars of the year, Taylor Swift. From winning the CMA Entertainer of the Year award (the youngest country music star ever to take the honor), to having Kanye West interrupt her on stage in one of the rudest displays of all time from a former celebrity, 2009 was definitely rockin' for Swift.
The evening will also feature co-hosts Ryan Seacrest, Fergie (of Black-eyed Pea fame), and performances by the Jonas Brothers and the Pussycat Dolls. Be sure to tune in for a little musical fun as we wrap up '09. Happy New Year everyone!
Few people live out their dreams with the consummate success of playboy Hugh Hefner. Hef passed away today at age 83.
Hefner grew up in the mid-west, in a rather conservative and (by his own account) repressed household. His success story in later years is known worldwide; he was the ultimate entrepreneur.
Looking at the outcome of Hefner's Playboy enterprise, we might credit at list a sliver of his optimistic and ever-adventurous spirit to some of the music that helped define his upbringing.
Born in 1926, Hugh was raised in a world that was drastically different from that which we know today. In 1930 the top two most popular songs were Happy Days Are Here Again and Puttin' On The Ritz. Five years later, society still enjoyed unbelievably optimistic tunes; the number one spot was taken by (no kidding) On The Good Ship Lollipop.
Were musical influences heading in a new direction by the time Hefner faced adulthood? Hardly; the two top songs for 1946 were Nat 'King' Cole's Christmas Song and Personality, by Johnny Mercer.
I can't help but wonder if folks raised in a day and age where quality, wholesome entertainment with a positive message might turn out with a bit more of that effective can-do attitude than those who are subjected to growling Cookie-Monster vocals, disturbed and depressing lyrics and concert performances that practically make a person's ears bleed. Something to think about.
Hugh, you were an example for many and your achievements should be an inspiration for us all. Rest in peace.
Carrie Underwood continues to captivate the country -- and not just fans of country music. Tonight the adorable and talented singer will star in her own televised Christmas special. Watch the fun on Fox TV; Monday, December 07, 2009, 8:00 pm central time.
Country singers Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton, as well as the most recent American Idol, David Cook, will join AI alumni Carrie for the two hour program. Comedy skits and musical entertainment, including several of Underwood's current chart-topping songs, will be featured.
Underwood's musical releases have sold roughly 15 million worldwide since winning the American Idol title in the show's fourth season. I'll admit, I was cheering for Bo Bice, despite my family's rabid support for Carrie. They don't even like country music! Just goes to prove that her charm and beauty -- and talent -- can win over just about anyone.
I've since become a huge fan myself. No doubt we'll be tuning in to check out this Grammy winning star's holiday TV special tonight.