KIFM promo radio
While promo people give a lot of stuff out, we don’t often get items back from our business to business partners – the relationships are way too unequal for that. But occasionally, in a few instances, I have picked up t shirts, mousepads, antenna bobbles or other items meant for entities other [...]
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Elton John and Leon Russell
The Union is the new album by Elton John and Leon Russell, a collaboration inspired during a conversation Elton had with Elvis Costello on the tv program Spectacle where he detailed the profound influence the Oklahoman had on his music in the early 70s. Today, the pair are also announcing two concert dates, starting October 19 at the Beacon Theater in New York. The album comes out on October 25, and then there is another show at the Hollywood Palladium on November 3. They’re probably the smallest venues Elton John has played in a long time, and I think the album and shows will start a new career renaissance, or as the man once said, “another burst” (after “Tiny Dancer” appeared in Almost Famous).
The album features 14 songs, and was produced by the red-hot T-Bone Burnett in collaboration with its principals. While this is the first recording they have made together, the relationship goes back to the early 70s, when they met during Elton John’s legendary Troubadour stint. Neil Young and Brian Wilson contribute background vocals, and musicians on the album include Booker T. Jones and Robert Randolph. Having heard the album, I can tell you it lives up to its heavy billing. Hear the first single after the jump!
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What more do you need to launch a band these days than a fresh video? It pays to have a name too, and in this case Fistful of Mercy is rolling with three. Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison have teamed to make at least one song so far (also titled “Fistful of Mercy.” Maybe this means Dhani Harrison’s band thenewno2 is on ice for a while? Whatever the case, this seems like a good match for him. As Sean Lennon is also proving with his recent work, you can make a big ripple without being in the ratrace of the traditional music business (verse-chorus-verse and tour-album-t shirt) which his pop and the other Beatles rode to the stars.
Fistful of Mercy from Fistful of Mercy on Vimeo.
In Fistful of Mercy, Harrison has picked some friendly collaborators, both to the audience and the organization with Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur. They are about the same age and have been plowing the adult rock/jamband scene for years. They are also proven songwriters with radio hits (Arthur’s “Honey and the Moon” is to me at least). Coincidentally, Ben Harper and his band abetted Dhani’s Uncle Ringo on The Artist’s Den this past year. He’s coming in at a low angle after making big splashes with his father’s audience at the Concert for George and the Rock Hall of Fame induction, where he performed “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with Prince and Tom Petty (!). Dhani also takes the stage with Eric Clapton occasionally.
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After an entire month of slacking on the site, I have returned. It got a little busy. Then it got ridiculously hot and humid, and here we are at the end of August. There is a lot to report on. I have video from a few shows to upload, and a long list of topics [...]
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Doug Harvey in action
Umpire Doug Harvey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday, after a long career making calls of ball or strike, out or safe and whether to keep playing in rain (maybe even darkness). His speech showed the minimal and firm style of communication that enabled him to only eject [...]
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