| CMU Daily - on the inside 24 Apr 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Labels take on download backers
• EMI make tracks available to download pre-release
• Stanton's bootleg gets release
• Review: Various - The Adventures Of Shindig Volume One
• Elbow fans to get credit
• Blur album online
• Live Review: Farrah at the Monarch
• DMX in talks for werewolf film
• Midweek chart update
• Dixie Chicks respond to backlash
• Carey latest to cancel due to SARS scare
• Religious tunes favourite for English anthem
• Review: Various - Empire Presents Soundtracks
• S Club solo plans
• Slim Shady launches clothes range
• Robbie appears in smart car ad
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CMU POP QUIZ
With Mr Scruff's remixed Sweetsmoke CD out end of May, here's another chance to win Scruff goodies (a mug, t-shirt and some vinyl). Check the 'songs in ads' questions each day and find out how to win on Friday.
Q3: The song - Faithless' 'Sunday 8pm' - whose ad?
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LABELS TAKE ON DOWNLOAD BACKERS
Universal and EMI have sued a San Francisco based investment firm called Hummer Winblad Venture Partners for investing in the Napster of old - the lawsuit claims that by backing the now defunct file-share site the company contributed to millions of copyright violations - ambitious as ever the label's lawyers are asking for $150,000 per violation and punitive damages.
Industry insiders reckon the move is more about setting a precedent than actually winning compensation off Hummer Winblad. A number of the current file share websites have venture capital backing - the record labels hope that by threatening legal action against anyone who backs file share companies they will scare investors and cut off a vital income stream for file share operations of the present and future.
A spokesperson for the US based National Venture Capital Association told the LA Times yesterday that the labels might get their way even if they lose this case. They reckon that by simply filing a lawsuit in the first place many investors may be dissuaded from giving money to Napster clones.
Hummer Winblad's $13 million investment began in May 2000 after the RIAA first sued Napster. However the company's lawyers are likely to say that because no verdict had been reached on that legal action when the investment was made they are not liable for giving cash to what was later deemed an illegal operation.
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EMI MAKE TRACKS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD PRE-RELEASE
Elsewhere in the world of downloading EMI have committed to make 140,000 tracks from its catalogues available to legit download sites like HMV, Freeserve, Blueyonder and BT's Dotmusic. What's more they plan to follow the lead of Warners in the US in making certain new tracks available as a download prior to retail release. The download sites will pay a premium for carrying pre-release MP3s which they may recoup by charging subscribers a specific download fee, or they may just swallow in existing subscription fees.
Announcing the venture EMI chairman Tony Wadsworth old reporters: "This is a significant initiative because it brings many new features to the online offering. EMI has a vast digital catalogue and is now providing consumers with the music they want in a way that is faster, safer and more adaptable than is currently available on any of the current services - and it's legal."
The move may represent an internal admission at EMI that MP3 downloads sold or given away through legit avenues are likely to seriously compete with CD singles sold in shops in the not too distant future. As we've always pointed out, for most labels CD singles are a loss leading tool for maximising album sales - MP3s are actually cheaper to distribute and could therefore benefit record labels providing they can safeguard the sales of CD albums.
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STANTON'S BOOTLEG GETS RELEASE
That Stanton Warriors bootleg track 'Can You Feel It' - which takes the Busta Rhymes' track 'Everybody Come On' and adds some extras courtesy of Rampage - is getting a proper release via London Records on 12 May. The track originally featured on the Warriros' 2001 Stanton Sessions' mix album.
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REVIEW: Various - The Adventures of Shindig Volume One (Shindig Music)
The Geordie house club celebrates eleven years in business with the inception of their very own label. Shindig has hosted many big names over the years - Tenaglia, Rampling, Kevorkian, Deep Dish, Garnier and Sasha to name but a few - and the sound of this double mixed CD encompasses a blend of the above, mixed by frontmen Scott Bradford and Lee Melrose. You get two CDs for your money. Number one gets tribal with 'Aint Gonna' by Brent Laurence, the rather thumping Ananda Project's 'Falling for You' (with class vocals from Teza Downs), the sweeping 'Golden Sol' remixed by Montanari and Ruberto, a powerful Lexicon Avenue rework of Creamer and Steph K¦s 'Wish You Were Here' and an awesome cut from Sidechained with tech classic 'Cityscape'. The only really weak point here is Palm Rich's track - which tries too hard to be progressive. Disc 2 is more relaxed, and starts well with 'I Believe' by Future Funk Essential, an excellent cut. Gene Farris gets a Mig rework of 'Black Satin', which works well with its sassy vocal, the ever dependable Joey Negro mixes up 'Serious Vibes' by Kojo, and there's some mellow funk in 'Reach for Freedom' by Dennis Ferrer. A nice package all in all - which reflects well on the long running night. Far from a run of the mill house compo, with many tunes you won't stumble upon easily. PV
Release date: 28 Apr
Press contact: Velocity PR
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ELBOW FANS TO GET CREDIT
Elbow return with a new album in August, which will feature a live version of a track called 'Grace Under Pressure' recorded at last year's Glastonbury Festival. The crowd can be clearly heard singing along on the track, so much so the band are inviting anyone there to let them know via their website (http://www.elbow.co.uk) so they can give crowd members a credit on the album. Elbow will follow up the release of the new album by co-headlining the Radio 1 stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals.
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BLUR ALBUM ONLINE
The NME have got the whole new Blur album online at http://www.nme.com and are inviting readers to take a listen and make comment. So if you're yet to get your hands on a copy of 'Think Tank', which hits stores on 5 May, go listen online.
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LIVE REVIEW: Farrah at the Monarch on 22 Apr
Ah yes, it's clear from the increase in bird shit on CMU's car that Spring is upon us once more. So, after a day spent shopping for half-price Easter eggs, a Farrah gig seems somehow appropriate. With breezy harmonies about daytime TV and never being wrong, and melodies that glitter and shimmer like frontman Jez's guitar, tonight's set feels like the musical equivalent to birds and bees, blooming blossom and shagging rabbits. Crowd-pleaser 'Terry' is a charming snapshot of Drugs Gone Bad, and 'Lois Lane's lilting, off-key guitar more than makes up for the song's hackneyed 'I'll be your Superman' sentiment. True, they're sometimes a bit too Bluetones for their (or anyone's) own good, and on quieter songs the amps are only a few notches up from Coldplay, but when they draw the big guns Farrah lay waste to chimp-faced pansy Chris Martin's claims of rockulidge in an instant. Not as good as chocolate eggs with bits of Crunchie in them, obviously, but good nonetheless. DR
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DMX IN TALKS FOR WEREWOLF FILM
According to the Hollywood Reporter rapper DMX is currently in negotiations to star in (and produce) a new werewolf thriller movie called, erm, 'Werewolf'. Apparently in the same vein as 'Blade', and the US feature debut for Italian director Dario Piana, DMX will play a mysterious bluesman whose mission is to rid Earth of werewolves - the last of whom conveniently lives in the Hollywood Hills. If all goes to plan work should begin on the film later this year.
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MIDWEEK CHART UPDATE
Madonna's new album 'American Life' is likely to top both the UK and US charts this week - the album is currently the best selling on both sides of the Atlantic.
That said, there's tough competition in the US. Madonna's album is expected to get to number one with sales somewhere between 200,000 and 250,000. That's considerably less that the 300,000 American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson sold to top the chart last week, and Clarkson is still selling well this week. And some reckon 50 Cent might triumph, again. 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' sold another 200,000 units last week, while hybrid CD/DVD '50 Cent The New Breed' sold 250,000 copies, so this week's chart could yet prove another coup for Shady Records.
In the UK Madonna's number one seems more secure (though we all thought she'd top the singles charts this time last week) with MeatLoaf the only other album expected to enter into the top ten. Mr Loaf's new album is expected to fair better than the first single release, which only managed number 31 on its first week. But as Meat Loaf fans will tell you - he's always faired better when it comes to album sales.
Singles wise midweeks expectations are that Busted will end Room 5's four week run at the top with their first number one with 'You Said No'. In fact current sales figures suggest Room 5 will slip to number five to make way for four new entries - Busted, David Sneddon, Lisa Maffia and White Stripes in that order.
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DIXIE CHICKS RESPOND TO BACKLASH
The Dixie Chicks will respond to the recent boycott of their music after they made anti-Bush remarks in an interview with Diane Sawyer to be aired in the US on ABC tonight. In the pre-recorded interview frontwoman Natalie Maines will say that her onstage comments that she was "ashamed" of fellow Texan George W Bush was "an off-the-cuff statement". While she admits it was "disrespectful" she adds "Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don't just follow [Bush's rationale behind the U.S. waging war on Iraq]? ... No I'm not."
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CAREY LATEST TO CANCEL DUE TO SARS SCARE
More pop cancellations in Asia as the SARS epidemic heightens. This time Mariah Carey has confirmed she will postpone her forthcoming Singapore concert which was due to take place on 11 Jun. No word yet on a new date, though July has been mentioned if the epidemic goes into decline, otherwise fans may be looking at a November date.
In a statement concert organisers M2 told reporters: "Mariah, with the assessment of her management team, has decided not to proceed with the Singapore concert after taking into consideration the latest developments of Sars. The date will have to follow Carey's Japanese concerts in July, or come after her European tour which is in November".
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REGLIOUS TUNES FAVOURITE FOR ENGLISH ANTHEM
It all got quite religious when a digital music channel Music Choice yesterday asked listeners to vote for an English national anthem ('God Save The Queen is, of course, the British national anthem, though don't expect the Scots to join in). The overall winner with 51% of the vote was William Blake's hymn 'Jerusalem' - and it was followed by 'Abide with Me' and 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. All three songs have associations with key English sport events of course ('Abide With Me' is traditionally played before the start of the FA Cup Final and the other two are favourites of supporters' of the England rugby team), which probably explains their popularity. Given that 'Candle In The Wind' comes in at 5 frankly we've no problem with 'Jerusalem'. The ten favourites were:
1. Jerusalem
2. Abide With Me
3. Swing Low Sweet Chariot
4. All You Need Is Love
5. Candle In The Wind
6. The Italian Job
7. Great Escape
8. Angels
9. Vindaloo
10. Wonderwall
Announcing the top 10 Music Choice executive Simon Bell commented: "It's odd that England doesn't have its own national anthem so we thought it would be intersting to see what the English public would want. Now the public have spoken, let's hope Jerusalem will be adopted as the true English national anthem."
Xfm's drive time show undertook a similar poll yesterday - their listeners opted for The Beatles' 'Penny Lane'.
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REVIEW: Various - Empire Presents Soundtracks (Universal TV)
I've kinda lost count of how many 'songs from films' compilations I now own - each new edition seems to carry the same songs with a couple of more recent additions thrown in for good measure - and none has ever been as good as the 'Cult Fiction' compilation that came out in the mid-nineties (my copy of which got nicked back in my student radio days). Anyway, here comes another one, this time with Empire magazine's seal of approval. We go back as far as Highlander (Queen's 'A Kind Of Magic'), there's the usual Trainspotting and Reservoir Dogs tracks ('Lust For Life', 'Born Slippy' and 'Stuck In The Middle With You'), and there's some newer tracks from the 'Spiderman' and 'xXx' movies. The added bonus here is a DVD featuring videos from five of the tracks and footage from this year's Empire awards - a nice addition but unlikely to be viewed more than the once. So - an unoriginal concept with a predictable line up of tracks that I'm likely to put on repeat play for the next four weeks. CC
Release date: 19 May
Press contact: Wild [CP, CR] Universal TV IH [RP, RR, NP, NR]
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S CLUB SOLO PLANS
Needless to say the announcement of S Club's pending split has been followed up with solo career speculation. Rachel Stevens has told reporters she would "love to go solo" while Jo O'Meara told GMTV that she won't let her debilitating back condition get in the way of her new music.
Hannah Spearritt has expressed an interest in acting, Tina Barrett is interested in music, writing and acting, Bradley Mcintosh plans to concentrate on publishing and songwriting while Jon Lee says he has his eye on a career in the theatre.
The former S Club members may well need to find another career because reports suggest that, despite selling 10 million albums and appearing in various TV series and a film, their contracts mean they will each net about £500,000 for their time in the band. There manager, one Simon Fuller, is reported to have made considerably more out of the whole venture.
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SLIM SHADY LAUNCHES CLOTHES RANGE
Eminem's clothing range - Shady Limited - hits US stores this weekend with a collection of T-shirts and hats. Jogging suits, pants and jackets are all expected to follow. Omar 'Big O' Miller (Sol George) and Evan Jones (Cheddar Bob), 'spokes-models' for the range and co-stars of '8 Mile' have told reporters that all items in the range had to pass the rapper's comfort requirement before getting the official Marshall Mathers stamp of approval. So now you know.
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ROBBIE APPEARS IN SMART CAR AD
Robbie Williams has filmed an advert for Daimler Chrysler Geostar Smart cars in which he comes across a busker singing a bad version of his song 'Feel' in order to make enough money to put in his parking meter. Smart cars are often exempt from meter charges - which we're guessing is the point of the ad (drive a smart car, avoid the embarrassment of having to sing Robbie songs). The ad will be screened prior to Robbie's live shows and is unlikely to make it to the TV.