The Announcement of PEARL JAM TWENTY

The captivating documentary gives fans and audiences an intimate first glimpse into Pearl Jam’s journey culled from more than 1,200 hours of rarely and never-before-seen footage, over 24 hours of recent interviews with the band, as well as live footage of their spellbinding concert performances.

- courtesy of www.pearljam.com

So here's what's gonna happen:

Sep 10:
- World Premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

Sep 13:
- Release of PJ20 Companion Book -- compiled and written by veteran music writer Jonathan Cohen with Mark Wilkerson, the book includes a foreword by Cameron Crowe (and material from all his own band interviews) as well as original interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Dave Grohl

Sep 20:
- Worldwide Release of Pearl Jam Twenty in select theaters and cities

- Release of PJ20 Original Soundtrack -- includes 2 CDs with 29 tracks of rare and unreleased from across Pearl Jam's 20 year history, curated by Cameron Crowe

Oct 25:
- DVD Release of Pearl Jam Twenty

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDER...

Are you excited??

Lifes Rich Pageant

I just realized I'm about the same age as R.E.M's fourth album. It's also their fourth one from the 80's to get the remaster/re-issue edition, though I can't say that the songs benefit from the treatment (loudness war strikes again!). Like their previous Fables Of The Reconstruction, Pageant is criminally underrated. To my ears, it's the band's most catchy record (my only gripe: why the cheesy banjo playing at the start of I Believe?). It also contains the best sounding drums out of all their first decade's output. This album highlights the start of the maturity and sophistication of Michael Stipe's songwriting.; you'll notice how he puts more political subtext into the words. Still present here is Mike Mills' signature background vocals and of course Peter Buck's awesome Rickenbacker jangles, but managing to sound very different from their first three records. But this is only half the fun. The other half is the second disc titled Athens Demos, in which I got a real kick out of. Bare in mind it's not a bunch of throwaway songs. Gives us some insight into the band's creativity. The last six songs or so is classic stuff. Biggest surprise here is a very early version of Bad Day, which was finally released as a single in 2003. So here's how I rank my top five R.E.M. albums: first Murmur, then Reckoning, Lifes Rich Pageant, Automatic For The People, and New Adventures In Hi-Fi.

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Goodbye, Amy

So now Amy Winehouse joins the infamous '27 club'. I can't say I was totally shocked when I heard the news. With all due respect, somehow I knew something like this was gonna happen. She was no doubt the best female singer of her generation, and I'm very sad she threw away her amazing talent for drugs and alcohol. I liked her album Back To Black, but if you want real artistic genius, listen to her debut, Frank. Rest in peace.

RS Interview with Clarence's wife

Another look into the greatness that is the Big Man. It's now slightly over a month since his death, and I still think about him every single day. Life just wouldn't be the same without Clarence, but one thing's for certain, and Bruce said it best:

"Clarence doesn't leave the E Street Band when he dies. He leaves when we die."

Remember that.

CLICK HERE TO READ...

Cameron Crowe

There's this excellent new interview with one of my favorite film directors, only second to Martin Scorsese when it comes to putting together movie soundtracks (by the way I enjoyed the widely-panned Elizabethtown). He talks in detail about this aspect, also his rock journalism, and some interesting tidbits about his two new films, including PJ20, and apparently a HUGE upcoming project on Neil Young!

CLICK HERE TO READ...

George Harrison Documentary & Book Announced

GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.

Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese traces Harrison's life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist, and filmmaker. Scorsese weaves together interviews with Harrison and his closest friends, performances, home movies, and photographs. Much of the material in the film has never been seen (or heard) before. The result is a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and a profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema.

The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart. They speak honestly and frankly about George's many talents and contradictions.

- official press release; courtesy of georgeharrison.com

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE...

Revelator

This is the first collaboration between singer Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks, of whom I've been a fan of ever since I saw him live with Clapton four years ago. Backed by nine experienced players, Revelator is ear-pleasing blues rock, soul and R&B. I dig Tedeschi's vocals for the most part; she does sing a bit like Bonnie Raitt, which is cool, though after a while I feel that her singing sounds pretty much the same throughout the album, but at least it rises above the average songwriting. It's a record that strives to be great, but falls slightly short. Trucks' guitar playing is stellar as usual, but he's not 'let loose' enough as you might expect, as opposed to say, not playing it safe. The musical synergy is definitely there, but nothing compared to what you get from listening to The Band. Also I wished there were more horns! Anyway the album's good enough that I'll keep coming back to it often.

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Powderfinger

Something I just discovered. My God, this International Harvesters rendition is sublime. How we all wished it was included in A Treasure.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Event

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Update - Newly Added Shows:

2 Feb: Brisbane Entertainment Centre (2nd Brisbane show)
10 Feb: Rod Laver Arena (3rd Melbourne show)

P.S. The Perth show seems to be selling very slowly, so I'm doubtful if there will be a 2nd one.

albums I listened to this week...

I still love the idea of listening to a record in its entirety, just sitting in front of the hi-fi and soaking everything in, first to last track, not doing anything else. THAT'S the way to appreciate music.

P.S. song of the week: The Golden State - John Doe & Kathleen Edwards

Men Without Women

Remember there are certain records in your life the first time you listen to you don't think much of, and then when you revisit them years later you're absolutely blown away? Little Steven's debut solo album is the one that did it for me. I now understand why this music is so important. I love everything about it -- the genius Stax & Motown-like instrumentation and arrangements, Steve's vocals (definitely inspired by Keith Richards), the classy songwriting, even the kick-ass back album cover of the band. Do yourself a favor and pick this up.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE...