Music stories.

Operatic groundbreaker Camilla Williams dies

Filed under: Music, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 2:29 pm on February 1, 2012

February 1, 2012

Opera star Camilla Williams has died aged 92.

The Associated Press reports that Williams — the first African American to receive a contract with a major American opera company, and a professor emeritus at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — died at her home in Bloomington, Indiana on Sunday, January 29.

A spokesperson for the music school said the cause was complications from cancer.

Williams’ illustrious career began when she made her debut as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly with the New York City Opera in 1946. A review of her performance in the New York Times said she sang with “a vividness and subtlety unmatched by any other artist who has assayed the part here in many a year.” The part eventually became her signature role.

She went on to break down racial barriers worldwide, becoming the first black artist to ever sing a major role with the Vienna State Opera in 1954 and was the first black professor at Beijing’s Central Conservatory in 1983.

In 1963, she had the honour of performing just before Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the civil rights march in Washington, D.C.

Williams retired from performing in 1971 and shifted her efforts exclusively to teaching. In 1977 she became the first African American professor of voice at the Jacobs School of Music, and continued working in education until her late 70s.

Williams is predeceased by her husband Charles T. Beavers also originally from Danville and who was one of the main attorneys for Malcolm X.

(Image: United States Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons)

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Cult frontman Ian Astbury says rock has “lost its teeth”

Filed under: Music, Rock, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 2:06 pm on

February 1, 2012

As veterans of the music industry often do, The Cult’s frontman Ian Astbury is bemoaning the current state of music.

In a recent interview with Billboard about the Brit band’s new album Choice of Weapon, Astbury says that online critics have made some musicians afraid to take artistic risks.

“I’m watching so many artists just terrified to make a statement of any kind. They’re afraid they’re going to get ripped apart in the blogosphere or torn apart by some critic who’s basically just out of diapers. So many (artists) seem to be scared to come out and say what they feel. A lot of rock ‘n’ roll music has lost its teeth.”

Still, Astbury is confident that his band’s new output, their ninth record since forming in 1983, steers clear of such pitfalls.

He says the album is “coherent. It’s cohesive. It’s very confident, and the statements are very bold. Some may feel there’s a certain arrogance to it, but I think there’s a healthy confidence to this record. We knew it wasn’t going to be superficial. The gloves were coming off. We were going to show it as raw and as intimate as we could.”

In addition to his work with The Cult, Astbury has toured with The Doors of the 21st Century. In 2002, he teamed up with original Doors members Robby Kreiger and Ray Manzarek and last year, went on a 10-country world tour.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Katy Perry: The Motion Picture?

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 1:47 pm on

February 1, 2012

Katy Perry may be headed to the big screen – in 3D!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Perry is in talks with Paramount to shoot a 3D documentary about the “Teenage Dream” singer, in the hopes of capturing the same sort of success as Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never.

The Bieb’s flick, released last February, grossed $73 million, giving it the record for biggest grossing concert film in North America – though Michael Jackson’s This Is It holds the global record, having grossed $261 million.

THR notes that the recent trend back towards big screen concert docs was kicked off back in 2008 by the success of Miley Cyrus’ Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour and the subsequent hit Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.

The disappointing reaction to Glee the 3D Concert Movie, however, proved that the genre isn’t bulletproof.

Perry’s colourful style and popularity with teenage girls are both seen as positives when it comes to positioning the star as the next big screen concert queen.

Though she recently split from hubby Russell Brand, Perry hasn’t retreated to the sidelines.

MTV reports that the often blue-haired chanteuse will perform at this year’s Grammy Awards, where her song “Firework” is up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Rap, reggae pioneer King Stitt dead at 72

Filed under: Music, Sympatico, Urban — D.I.S.H. @ 1:37 pm on

February 1, 2012

King Stitt, a pioneering force in the creation and development of rap reggae, has died at age 72.

Billboard reports that Stitt passed away on Tuesday in his home in Kingston, Jamaica following battles with both prostate cancer and diabetes.

Born Winston Sparks, Stitt is credited as being one of the originators of “toasting” the Jamaican form of deejaying that led directly to the advent of rapping in New York City in the 1970s.

The Jamaica Observer notes that Stitt was known as “King of the Deejays” in the 1960s, having been influenced by Count Machuki “the original Jamaican deejay.”

Born disfigured, Stitt branded himself “The Ugly One” and became famous for such songs as “Paradise Plum” and “Fire Corner.”

“Without being disrespectful, Stitt made a mark vocally and visually,” says friend and Jamaican musicologist Bunny Goodison. “Because of his image everyone knew him.”

“He had a very deep and abiding love for music, not just Jamaican music because he knew his jazz and he grew up in the American rhythm and blues era,” Goodison says. “He had no trade and knew no other life.”

(Image: Jamaican Gold)

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Paul McCartney to write video game music

Filed under: Music, Rock, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 8:57 am on

February 1, 2012

Paul McCartney is no stranger to music composition beyond his rock and roll roots and now he’s adding video game scoring to his growing list of endeavors.

The former Beatle, who has written film scores and classical pieces, tells German newspaper Die Zeit he’s excited about the opportunity to branch out in this direction – though he hasn’t revealed the name of the game in question.

Apparently it didn’t take much convincing by the game makers, whoever they are, to get Sir Paul on board. He’s fully aware that video games sell faster than albums.

“It’s a fascinating market. A new computer game sells so much better than a new CD these days. Young people will hear my music for the first time in a game.”

While McCartney hasn’t written specifically for this format before, this isn’t the first time his songs have made it into the gaming world. In 2010, some of The Beatles’ catalogue was put out in The Beatles: Rock Band, an installment in the mock-performance Rock Band franchise.

Fans hoping to get their hands on new music by Macca in a more traditional format don’t have long to wait. His cheekily-titled new album Kisses on the Bottom comes out February 6.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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President Obama to sing on Idol?

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 12:18 pm on January 31, 2012

January 31, 2012

Is the American president headed to American Idol?

He will be if Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe gets his way.

The Huffington Post reports that Lythgoe was so impressed with President Barack Obama’s recent rendition of the Al Green classic “Let’s Stay Together” that he wants to stage a star-studded duet on Idol’s stage.

Obama caused a recent stir online when footage surfaced of the President singing a few lines from the soul song at an event at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater.

Now Lythgoe has taken to Twitter to issue an invitation to Obama to join Green onstage for a proper duet.

“@BarackObama we loved your vocal performance so much we’d love to invite you on to #AmericanIdol this Season for a duet with Al Green,” Lythgoe tweeted.

Republican presidential wannabe Mitt Romney failed to win such raves with his own recent performance however. Romney sang at a campaign stop last week, drawing a negative review from Lythgoe.

“If it were an election based on vocal talent @barackobama would beat Romney hands down,” Lythgoe tweeted. “Mitt was very flat singing ‘America the Beautiful.’”

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Trisha Yearwood to host cooking show

Filed under: Country, Music, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 11:20 am on

January 31, 2012

Country music superstar Trisha Yearwood will soon be the host of her very own cooking show.

Billboard reports that Yearwood has signed a deal to host a six-episode series for the Food Network in which she’ll share family recipes and stories while demonstrating her Southern hospitality.

“Fans know Trisha best as a music powerhouse, and through her new Food Network show audiences will learn first-hand what her friends and family already know — that Trisha is a talented, passionate rock-star cook too,” says Food Network GM Bob Tuschman.

“We look forward to sharing this side of Trisha with viewers, showcasing an intimate, entertaining look at her personal recipes, family traditions and warm Southern hospitality.”

The show doesn’t have a name just yet, but production is already underway and the show will begin airing in April.

Yearwood, who previously published two best-selling cookbooks, says she’s having a blast sharing the food she loves.

“I’m so grateful to Food Network for the opportunity to share my family’s favorite recipes and precious memories in this show,” Yearwood says. “I’m having so much fun, it’s a very special experience.”

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Lana Del Rey on SNL performance: “I sang fine”

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 11:00 am on

January 31, 2012

Polarizing hipster chanteuse Lana Del Rey says she’s happy with her recent performance on Saturday Night Live despite the critical drubbing she’s received as a result.

Del Rey performed two songs, “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” live on the NBC comedy sketch show on January 14 and soon found herself on the receiving end of some nasty criticism suggesting that the newcomer was unready and unfit for such a stage.

MTV reports that NBC news broadcaster Brian Williams wrote that Del Rey’s performance was “one of the worst outings in SNL history.”

The singer tells Rolling Stone, however, that she’s unfazed by the negativity and pleased with her performance on the show.

“I actually felt good about it,” she tells the magazine. “I thought I looked beautiful and sang fine.”

The young star admits she’s uncomfortable on stage, but says she’s gotten used to the haters.

“I’m not a natural performer or exhibitionist,” Del Rey admits. “When I was younger, I hated the focus, and it made me feel strange…There’s backlash about everything I do. It’s nothing new. When I walk outside, people have something to say about it. It wouldn’t have mattered if I was absolutely excellent.”

Del Rey’s first album Born to Die, is out now.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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Rev. Jesse Jackson may protest Grammys

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 12:44 pm on January 30, 2012

January 30, 2012

Outspoken preacher, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, is threatening to organize a protest over the axing of 31 Grammy categories.

Since The Recording Academy announced that they would be downsizing the number of categories at this year’s Grammys from 109 to 78, there have been a number of complaints over which ones were chosen for the chopping block. Some opponents of the cuts, including Jackson, have accused the Academy of getting rid of categories commonly linked to minorities.

The Associated Press reports that in a letter to Academy president and CEO, Neil Portnow, Jackson asked if representatives from his organization, the Rainbow Push Coalition, could “meet with you urgently to express our concerns and to see if we might help resolve this conflict.”

Portnow responded in a statement to the AP, confirming that he would be open to talks with Jackson saying, “We are receptive to meeting with the Rev. Jackson to explain how our nomination process works and to show the resulting diverse group of nominees it produced for the 54th Grammys – many in the musical genres he cited in his letter.”

While Jackson has stressed that he wants “cooperation, not confrontation,” he may also choose to protest the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 12 in Los Angeles if the talks don’t go especially well.

“We are prepared to work with artists and ministers and activists to occupy at the Grammys so our appeal of consideration of mercy really might be heard,” he said.

Back in 1996, Jackson called for a boycott of the Grammys over the industry’s approach to minority groups. This time, he says, “I don’t think that we have to prove that [the cuts are racially motivated] to make our point,” adding that “Sometimes inclusion is inconvenient but it’s the right thing to do.”

(Photo by PR Photos)

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Shakira is a knight in France

Filed under: Music, Pop, Sympatico — D.I.S.H. @ 12:35 pm on

January 30, 2012

Shakira has been awarded a knighthood in France.

The UK’s Daily Mail reports that the Colombian singer was given the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters) for her musical contributions. Frederic Mitterand, the French Minister of Culture and Communication presented the award at a ceremony in Cannes.

Shakira joins the formidable ranks of past Chevalier award winners including Kylie Minogue, George Clooney, Tim Burton and Jude Law.

The singer was also in Cannes for the NRJ Music Awards, which take place at the opening of MIDEM, the largest music industry trade fair in the world. Racking up yet another prize, Shakira was named this year’s recipient of the NRJ Award of Honour, as recognition of her 22-year career in music.

During her acceptance speech at the NRJs, she expressed her gratitude to the French people.

“I’m happy. I always felt connected with France. Thanks for all the love you send me.”

In December, Shakira released an official video for her cover of “Je l’aime a mourir.” The ballad was a huge hit for Francis Cabrel in 1979, spending 5 weeks at No.1 on the French charts.

(Photos by PR Photos)

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