James Reed is editor of Globe Calendar and a frequent music contributor.
Devra First is interim assistant arts editor for the Boston Globe.
Ask the Globe's music writers a question about local bands, forthcoming shows, or anything else.
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« April 01, 2007 - April 07, 2007 |
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| April 15, 2007 - April 21, 2007 »
April 13, 2007
Hard Rock Park, the planet's first rock 'n roll theme park, broke ground in Myrtle Beach, SC, last month and today announced a new roller coaster that should have the parental units packing their bags in anticipation: "Led Zeppelin -- The Ride." How is this coast different from all other coasters? A high-fidelity onboard sound system cranks a loop of "Whole Lotta Love" to serenade you during gag-inducing twists and turns. Can't wait. Hard Rock Park is slated to open in spring 2008. Since Sound Effects' hyperlinks capability is on the blink, you'll have to manually surf on over to hrpusa.com for more info.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 02:48 PM
April 13, 2007
Nobody expects bluegrass songbird Alison Krauss to rub shoulders on the charts with Beyonce, Akon, and Hilary Duff. But Krauss's greatest hits package, "A Hundred Miles or More: The Collection," showed up in the number 10 spot on this week's Billboard album charts, with sales of 72,771 -- even more impressive considering the disc wasn't available on iTunes. Krauss's disc is the first ever Top Ten album for the local Rounder Records label.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 11:15 AM
April 13, 2007
Julian Lennon, the eldest son of John Lennon, has sold a financial stake in his late father's songs to Primary Wave Musical Publishing, a year-old company based in New York. No word on the deal's terms, but evidently the agreement concerns songwriting income rather than publishing rights and the catalog share is significant. Last year Primary Wave forked over $50 million to Courtney Love for a 50 percent stake in her late husband Kurt Cobain's publishing catalog.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 10:56 AM
April 12, 2007
Sound Effects has two words for you: Motley Cruise.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 04:58 PM
April 12, 2007
On the heels of long-mothballed CBS Records' revival (as a new-school, digital-only label) comes the announcement that Island Def Jam is giving new life to the Mercury imprint. Founded in 1945, Mercury has been home to Sarah Vaughan, the Platters, and Louis Armstrong as well as latter-day success stories John Mellencamp, Rod Stewart, Kiss, and Rush. The label fell through the cracks of the Seagram's/Polygram merger in 1999, although it continued to operate overseas. Former Sony exec David Massey will helm the U.S. operation. No word yet on new signings or upcoming releases.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 04:45 PM
April 11, 2007
U2 guitarist the Edge, Latin music supercouple Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and jazz pianist Andrew Hill will receive Honorary Doctor of Music degrees at Berklee College of Music's commencement ceremonies on May 12 at Agganis Arena. Sounds Effects hopes the Edge wears a mortarboard over his knit cap.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 02:13 PM
April 11, 2007
Mark your calenders: June 12 is the release date for the new White Stripes disc, "Icky Thump." Word is the album takes its name from the Northern English expression "ecky thump," an exclamation of surprise. Huh? Sound Effects bets the album takes its name from Meg's drum chops. But we digress. "Icky Thump" features the first spoken-word entry in the Stripes' oeuvre, called "Rag and Bone," as well as a cover of the 1950's Patti Page classic "Conquest."
Posted by Joan Anderman at 01:52 PM
April 11, 2007
Has anyone noticed how much John Mayer and Jessica Simpson resemble each other? When they wake up in the morning and gaze into each other's eyes it's like falling in love all over again. With yourself. Which explains the durability of this relationship.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 01:37 PM
April 10, 2007
If you don't already have plans for this evening and you dig the idea of an acid rock/shoe gaze match up than by all means get thee to the Middle East tonight to check out the Black Angels.
This Austin outfit blew it out at South By Southwest last month with its hypnotic blend of droning guitars and keyboards and lead singer Christian Bland's otherworldy vocals careening from Jim Morrison-style intoning to Frank Black-esque screams. Psychedelicized rock and soul at its finest. Tickets are $9, it's 18-plus and the show's at 9 pm.
Posted by Sarah Rodman at 05:07 PM
April 10, 2007
Some serious talent has signed on to rock in the name of climate change at the Live Earth concerts, which are happening Live 8-style in cities around the world on July 7. Confirmed for Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, are the Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Roger Waters, Dave Matthews Band, and Kanye West, while Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, the Beastie Boys, and Foo Fighters will perform at London's Wembley Stadium. Five other cities will host Live Earth concerts, the brainchild of former vice-president and environmental activist Al Gore, but lineups haven't yet been announced for Shanghai, Johannesburg, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. Concert organizers plan to use eco-friendly electricity and carbon-neutral travel to set an example. "By attracting an audience of billions, we hope Live Earth will launch a global campaign giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help solve the climate crisis," said Gore, in a statement. "But ultimately, corporations and governments must become global leaders taking decisive action to stop global warming."
Tickets go on sale Monday at 10am. Click here for more concert and ticket info.
Posted by Joan Anderman at 01:26 PM
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