| CMU Daily - on the inside 7 Jul 2003 |
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In today's CMU Daily:
• Chart report
• Barry White dies
• T in the Park
• Capital's Hyde Park show
• Norman Cook releases Elton John
• Licenses for small venues
• Review: The Roots – Breakin You Off
• Dido new album
• Luke Haines live
• Tesco talent search
• How to raise $12,000
• A Tribe Called Quest reunion
• Media Guardian media top 100
• The Chemical Brothers best of and DVD
• Live review: Guilfest
• Tatu head of PR in coma
• Skeleton not manics'
• BBC gets unencrypted
• Suicide bomb at Moscow concert
• Review: Pleasure - Don't Look The Other Way
• Diesel U Music Awards
• Artist compiled CDs for Starbucks
• Osbourne duet
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CHART UPDATE
For a brief moment I had a near heart attack on seeing S Club 8 with a new entry at number four in the singles chart. Not only had they not split up as promised – but they'd added two new members. Then I remembered that since the S Club Seniors reached retirement age, the band formerly know as the S Club Juniors have been rebranded. Presumably to make way for the next generation of S Club Juniors. Rumour has it the S Club Toddlers have been in training for several months now and eight mums-to-be have already been selected to provide the S Club Babies in time for a Christmas number one. Still, you can't question the marketing genius with the 8's 'Fool No More' keeping the S Club brand alive.
But enough S Club. A good week for Sony. If anything was going to bring an end to Evanescence's surprising four weeks at the top, one would assume Sony bosses would like it to be Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love' – which goes straight in at the top. Add to that the fact that Beyonce still tops the album chart, and that Sony artist Deltra Goodrem goes in at number two there with 'Innocent Eyes', and it's presumably a good Monday to be hanging around Great Marlborough Street.
Elsewhere in the singles chart…
Don't know if we're getting bored with 50 Cent quicker over here than in the US, or perhaps it's just because '21 Questions' aint that good, either way despite being released straight after the Anger Management hype the new rapper's second single only goes in at 6.
Other new entries of note this week: Mis-Teeq go in at 8, Ocean Colour Scene are back at 13, Lisa Marie Presley's new single enters at 16 and British Sea Power score a new entry at 36. Ladytron's 'Evil' just misses the Top 40, going in at 44.
Albums wise, lots of new entries this week. CMU favourites The Thrills go straight in at three with debut 'So Much For The City'. Ashanti goes in at 5, Morcheeba at 6 and those other CMU favourites Electric Six at 7.
Not quite sure why both Gareth Gates and Will Young re-enter the album top 40 (at 38 and 35 respectively). Either there's some price slashing going on somewhere – or the thousands of wannabes currently filling audition rooms for Pop Idol 2 are looking for some guidance.
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BARRY WHITE DIES
Soul singer Barry White has died in Los Angeles aged 58. White suffered kidney failure from years of high blood pressure and died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, LA. He had been undergoing dialysis treatment for some time and had been in hospital since last September.
White's music – whether dancefloor disco or slow ballads – oozed seductive sensuality and erotic passion, exemplified in hits like 'You're the First, The Last, My Everything', 'I'm Going To Love You A Little More Baby' and 'It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me'. Despite having his peak in the seventies White remained popular throughout his career and it wasn't until 2000 that he won a Grammy – taking the best male and traditional R&B vocal performance awards for the song 'Staying Power'.
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T IN THE PARK
There may have been an increase in the number of tickets available (2,500 per day), but this year's T In The Park has still sold out in record time. Organisers of the event at Balado near Kinross on 12-13 Jul are keen to warn people that no tickets will be available on the door.
A spokesman said: "We are all extremely proud that T In The Park has sold out in record time on its Tenth Birthday - thanks to one of the best line ups of any UK festival and the promise of an amazing party for our tenth year celebrations. 2003 has already been a great year for us and for live music in Scotland, and T In The Park will undoubtedly be the highlight for music fans. We look forward to seeing everyone there."
REM, Coldplay, The White Stripes, Feeder, Charlatans, The Music and Underworld will all be playing.
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CAPITAL'S HYDE PARK SHOW
Thousands of fans witnessed Beyonce perform her new number one single 'Crazy In Love' at the Capital Radio Party in Hyde Park. Girls Aloud, Gareth Gates, Sugababes, Blue and Meatloaf also appeared at the bash that raised £1m for the Prince's Trust. Said Prince was on hand to exchange pleasantries with the Blazin Squad et al.
Reborn in the USA winner and former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley performed at the event, but due to continuing fights with songwriter Gary Kemp over rights to the eighties band's songs Hadley couldn't perform any of the Spandau songs while Channel 5's cameras were rolling.
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NORMAN COOK RELEASES ELTON JOHN
Norman Cook's record label, Southern Fried, plan to release Elton John's 26 year old 'Are You Ready For Love?' complete with the new Ashley Beedle remix in September.
The label had already planned to release the track on a limited edition coloured vinyl in Jul, but Sep will now see it on general release.
Southern Fried's Nathan Thursting said: "We first heard Justin Robertson play it and flipped. Then we started talking to all sorts: Ashley Beedle, Harvey, Dave Hill et al, who all knew and loved the record. We couldn't resist testing the water, and after discussion with EJ's management and label, a deal was struck."
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LICENSES FOR SMALL VENUES
The Musicians' Union has criticised new legislation which will force pubs, clubs and cafes to apply for entertainment licences for any form of amplified live music. The ruling was pushed through the House of Lords late last week after peers failed to defeat the government on the Licensing Bill.
The move means that, for the first time, venues with audiences of less than 200 will have to obtain a licence to stage gigs. The government claim unlicensed gigs can be dangerous pointing out that there had been more than 1,500 fires in pubs and clubs in England and Wales.
The Musicians' Union argues that the measures will act as a deterrent to small venues wanting to host live bands, cutting off a vital network of venues for up and coming musicians. Union spokesman Hamish Birchall said: "It's very disappointing that at the final hurdle we couldn't have secured some kind of exemption for small gigs."
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The law will be under constant review, and any evidence of a negative impact on live music will be considered."
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REVIEW: The Roots – Breakin you Off (Universal Island)
The second single from The Roots' 'Phrenology' LP is this sweet soul/hiphop cut with it's syncopated stunted rhythms, smooth Rhodes refrain and layers of vocal harmony. The track has a slicker production sound than it's predecessor 'The Seed' ft Cody Chesnutt, but makes up for it with its heartfelt sentiments and tight rhymes. JG
Release date: 4 Aug
Press Contact: Universal Island IH [all]
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DIDO NEW ALBUM
Dido is set to release the follow up to her 'No Angel' album this Autumn. The 'Life For Rent' album, scheduled for 29 Sep, will be preceded by the, 'White Flag' single, on 1 Sep. The first airing of the track will be on Jo Whiley's Radio 1 show on 9 Jul.
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LUKE HAINES LIVE
Luke Haines is staging a reunion at St. Luke's at Old Street on 31 Jul. The gig will feature a string quartet, and follows the release of a compilation of greats from Mr Haines and The Auteurs, 'Das Capital'.
The tracklisting for Das Capital is: How Could I Be Wrong, Showgirl, Baader Meinhof, Lenny Valentino, Starstruck, Satan Wants Me, Unsolved Child Murder, Junk Shop Clothes, Michael Powell, Bugger Bognor, Future Generation.
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TESCO TALENT SEARCH
Tesco is teaming up with a company called Northwest Cherries in a quest to find fresh and exciting music talent. The scheme invites wannabe musicians to submit their music for consideration by post or online to be in with the chance of winning "career guidance that will take the Northwest Cherries music act to the top of pops" – apparently.
The competition will launch in Tesco stores nationwide on 1 Jul. Entries will be judged by a panel comprising representatives from Tesco, Northwest Cherries and the leading music expert Colin Larkin.
Finalists have the chance to win a recording studio session with an experienced producer, professional photo session, band logo, a music marketing consultant's services, a central London gig and their choice of contemporary music from Tesco.
More at http://www.nwcherrypoppickers.com
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HOW TO RAISE $12,000
One of the four college students sued by the Recording Industry Association of America for copyright infringement back in April - New Yorker, Jesse Jordan - has made back all the money he has to pay the labels via his website. While he admitted no wrongdoing Jordan, and the three other accused college students, agreed to pay $12,000 to the labels to cover copyright violations rather than challenge the lawsuit. Faced with the 12 grand bill he invited the network of people with whom he had been 'sharing music' to contribute . Six weeks in he had received funds exceeding the settlement by $5.67. In the end Jordan had to post a message on his notorious http:/www.chewplastic.com site to tell people to stop sending him money. More than 900 people from around the world sent the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sophomore donations ranging from 10 cents to $500.
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A TRIBE CALLED QUEST REUNION
The word is that A Tribe Called Quest are back in the studio working on an album that would be the first since 1998's 'The Love Movement'. When the album will get released is another matter because various logistical issues need to be straightened out first.
TCQ's have a contract with Jive. Last month, they released an 18-track retrospective titled 'Hits, Rarities & Remixes', but its not clear what obligations they still have to the label. Meanwhile Q-Tip will have to clear things with Universal/DreamWorks with whom he has a solo deal – they won't want any new TCQ release to compete with his solo album due for release early 2004. Likewise Muhammad is working on his debut for ArtistDirect Records, which is expected in November, so a TCQ release is unlikely to be given the OK around that time.
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MEDIA GUARDIAN MEDIA TOP 100
The Media Guardian publishes its Media Top 100 today naming the 100 most important people in the British media. Full list is in today's paper and articles galore are online at http://www.mediaguardian.co.uk. Meantime, here are the highlights.
First the radio top ten:
1. Jenny Abramsky (No 32 in top 100) director of radio and music, BBC
2. David Mansfield (33) chief executive, Capital Radio
3. Ralph Bernard (34), executive chairman, GWR
4. Tom Moloney (37), chief executive, Emap
5. Mark Byford (39), director, World Service and global news
6. Chris Wright (40), chairman, Chrysalis
7. Kevin Marsh (41), editor of the Today programme, Radio 4, BBC
8. Roger Parry (42), chief executive, Clear Channel International
9. Jonathan Ross (64), TV and radio presenter
10. Helen Boaden (87), controller, Radio 4, BBC
Second, the telly top ten:
1. Greg Dyke (No 1 in top 100), director general, BBC
2. Rupert Murdoch (2), chairman and chief executive, News Corporation
3. Gavyn Davies (4), chairman, BBC
4. Tony Ball (11), chief executive, BSkyB
5. Charles Allen (14), chairman, Granada
6. Michael Green (15), chairman, Carlton Communications
7. Dawn Airey (16), managing director, Sky Networks, BskyB
8. Eileen Gallagher (17), managing director, Shed Productions; chair of Pact
9. Jana Bennett (22), director of television, BBC
10. Mark Thompson (23), chief executive, Channel 4
And, third the publishing top ten:
1. Rupert Murdoch (No 2 in top 100), chairman and chief executive, News Corporation
2. Rebekah Wade (6), editor, the Sun, News International
3. Paul Dacre (7), editor-in-chief, Associated Newspapers
4. Richard Desmond (9), chief executive, Northern and Shell, Express Newspapers
5. Sly Bailey (18), chief executive, Trinity Mirror
6. Les Hinton (19), executive chairman, News International
7. Dame Marjorie Scardino (27), chief executive, Pearson Industry
8. Conrad Black (28), chairman, Hollinger International
9. Piers Morgan (29), editor, the Daily Mirror, Trinity Mirror
10. Tom Moloney (37), chief executive, Emap
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THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS BEST OF AND DVD
Forthcoming Chemical Brothers best of, 'The Singles 1993-03', will feature two brand new tracks – a track with CMU's favourite Canadian MC, K-OS ('Get Yourself High') and their collaboration with The Flaming Lips, 'The Golden Path'. The latter will be released as a single on 8 Sep.
The DVD features the duo's videos, including work from Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry, plus live and rare unreleased footage. A bonus disc will accompany the collection for a limited period, consisting of rare and previously unreleased tracks voted for by the fans.
Full tracklisting: [CD #1 & #2] 'Song To The Siren', 'Not Another Drugstore' (Planet Nine Mix), 'Chemical Beats', 'The Duke', 'Leave Home', 'If You Kling To Me I'll Klong to You', 'Setting Sun', 'Otter Rock', 'Block Rockin' Beats', 'Morning Lemon', 'Private Psychedelic Reel', 'Galaxy Bounce' (Original Version), 'Hey Boy Hey Girl', 'Loops Of Fury', 'Let Forever Be', 'Delik', 'Out Of Control', 'Elektrobank' (Live From The Roxy, NYC, Nov 96) , 'Star Guitar', 'Under the Influence' (Mix 2), 'The Test Piku Playground' (Live), 'Get Yourself High The Golden Path'.
The Chems are already in the studio working on their next album, due next year.
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LIVE REVIEW: Guilfest, Guilford, 4 Jul
Guilford is actually further from London than you'd expect – it also feels like it. People who look down their noses at smaller less mainstream (read indie/rock/dance mainstream) festivals can fuck off to their shit-ridden Radiohead-lining festivals where you can't move for freaks, twats and the smell of shit (I could rant for ages on why massive festivals don't add up). If you need me I'll be watching Clannad in Norwich. Guilfest doesn't claim to be some international mecca for rock or dance, it just has a handful of good bands and a larger handful of people who want to drink cider and watch rock. On the main stage the action started at 5ish with Arthur Brown doing a psychedelic set of covers and of course 'Fire'. While the Wildhearts and Alice Cooper really cooked up a storm – the latter proving that he really does still have what it takes, the band that stole the day were the Darkness. Lowestoft's finest exploded onto the stage with their instrumental 'Growing on Me' single's B-side 'Bareback' – Justin Hawkins strutting onto the stage and stripping to his tight leather jeans. While the crowd was not at its peak in size - the naughties' answer to every hard stadium rock band ever, whipped up an absolute storm as they blasted at breakneck pace through 'Growing on Me', 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman' 'I Believe In A Thing called Love' and finally 'Love On The Rocks'. I will no longer settle for miserable indie bands who come on stage, be miserable and then leave – performance is the future, and luckily the Darkness are both consummate entertainers, and accomplished musicians (with more hammer-ons than a DIY programme and more slides than a Aqua Park). This band will be all conquering. JG
PS. Don't forget the Darkness instore tonight at HMV on Oxford St.
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TATU HEAD OF PR IN COMA
Tatu's PR director, Beata Ardeeva, was involved in a car crash while holidaying in Turkey last week and is currently in a coma. Ardeeva has been credited with playing a major role in Tatu's success by helping them get international press coverage for their controversial image.
The girls (Julia Volkova and Lena Katina) are said to be extremely worried and have sent messages to the hospital, and their manager Ivan Shapovalov has flown to see her and to pay for her treatment.
A spokesperson at Ardeeva's office said "We can confirm that Beata Ardeeva has had a car crash but we can't tell you any more at the moment."
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SKELETON NOT MANICS'
Police have confirmed that a skeleton found in riverside mud near Bristol on Tuesday evening was not that of Manic Street Preachers guitarist Richey Edwards – now missing for eight years after leaving his car abandoned at a motorway service station near the Old Severn Bridge. The discovery of the skeleton is the latest in a string of false leads into the disappearance of the former Manic.
Edwards' family have always refused to give up their quest to find the musician, who would now be 35 years old. Meanwhile band members James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore have continued to pay the guitarist's share of their royalties into a trust fund for him if he returns. His parents were entitled to claim his estate after seven years - but vowed never to give up hope that he may be found one day.
Confirming the latest finding was not Edwards police said: "Investigations are continuing to discover the identity of this person and this could take several weeks."
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BBC GETS UNENCRYPTED
Following those BBC / Sky wranglings earlier this year, all of the BBC's 8 channels and 11 radio stations will be broadcast 'in the clear' on digital satellite from next Thursday. That means their signals will be unencrypted so anyone with a satellite dish and decoder will be able to pick them up without a 'card' from BskyB – though those with Sky subscriptions will still be able to access them via the Sky electronic programme guide.
At the time of the BBC / Sky row some media insiders reckoned the Beeb were trying to create a satellite version of their Freeview platform. The terrestrial digital platform is limited in terms of how much of the country it reaches. If all the terrestrial channels made their satellite broadcasts unencrypted then anyone with a dish and decoder could access all the free channels without the help of Sky. If satellite dishes come down in price (currently they are very subsidised by Sky) a one-off-payment satellite TV network would be born.
While that may still be a long term plan ironically the Beeb's move has had the opposite affect in the short term. ITV, ITV2, Channel 4 and Channel Five were all accessed by the BBC funded encryption card for satellite users without a proper Sky subscription. Those broadcasters have said they can not afford to fund the card now the Beeb has pulled out, meaning satellite TV owners will have to buy a proper Sky subscription to access those channels. Freeview channels are not free at all!
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SUICIDE BOMB AT MOSCOW CONCERT
Two suicide bombs outside Moscow's main music festival have left 20 people dead and a further 50 injured. The attack is believed to have been masterminded by Chechen rebels. The one-day music festival known as Krylya (Wings) is the one of Moscow's most popular summer music festivals and attended by the countries biggest rock bands.
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REVIEW: Pleasure - Don't Look The Other Way (Circus)
Staring up at me form my desk is a black CD cover with the word "Pleasure" splashed across the front in metallic silver. It looks good, but so do Girls Aloud. "Ein, zwei, drei," the female vocals begins, a slow electronic grind. Perhaps it's a bit of an electroclash leftover, there's certainly nothing preset that we did not see last year, blown up, dressed in wigs and ball gowns, and exaggerated beyond all proportions. Still listenable, though not quite danceable. FC
Released: 4 Aug
Contact: Circus IH [CP], Sainted [RP, NP], Alan James [CP, RP, NP]
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DIESEL U MUSIC AWARDS
Coldcut (Matt Black and Jonathon More) claimed the Outstanding Contribution Award at the third annual Diesel-U-Music Awards at London's Fabric last Thursday. Isaac Hayes won the gong for Lifetime Achievement. On receiving the award Hayes said: "It's a cause close to my own heart, this is where it really matters the talent that's up and coming."
The U-Music event is primarily about new music – bands from across the country are encouraged to submit their music for consideration. On the night the best new dance act was named as drum & bass three-piece, Nebulae, who recently supported Goldie on tour. The Electronic Award went to Adrian Williams under his Midiman moniker for his sample littered hiphop shapes.
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ARTIST COMPILED CDS FOR STARBUCKS
Hear Music, a Starbucks backed company, are set to release a series of 'Artist's Choice' compilations compiled by Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, BB King, Johnny Cash The Rolling Stones and Sheryl Crow, that will go on sale in the chain's stores, before going on general release. The musicians involved in the project have to explain their choices on the inside of the CD cover
The idea came from Hear Music's founder Don MacKinnon, who sold his retail chain to Starbucks in 1999. MacKinnon said: "It needs to feel like when you're sitting in the living room and a friend says, "I know you like Billie Holiday but have a listen to this'".
Said artists have already made their choices and MacKinnon is not going through the tricky task of getting permission to use the songs the artists have chosen. He admits some are proving difficult, though adds many have been flattered to have been chosen by fellow artists. Even Bob Dylan was persuaded to part with a track.
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OSBOURNE DUET
Ozzy Osbourne is set to record a new version of the Black Sabbath track 'Changes' with his Kelly. The duet will appear on Ozzy's next album. The two Osbournes are both currently unsigned having left Sony.