For the majority of John Oates’ professional career, solo work was a means to keep busy and creatively fulfilled between the Daryl Hall & John Oates projects that took up most of his time. But now that the duo has hopelessly fractured after more than 50 years of partnership, Oates has the time to concentrate all his energies on his own music, beginning with his new LP, Reunion, out May 17.
The album is the culmination of years of work and features original compositions he wrote with A.J. Croce, Keith Sykes, Jim Lauderdale,...
The album is the culmination of years of work and features original compositions he wrote with A.J. Croce, Keith Sykes, Jim Lauderdale,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
The Bee Gees’ sound evolved from pop to R&b in what became the disco music era, but it was their falsetto that was their unmistakable trademark… and it came about by accident many years into their career.
In the HBO documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” surviving Bee Gee, Barry Gibb, takes viewers inside the studio, showing archival footage performing with his brothers Maurice and Robin and honing their signature sound.
In 1975, the band took the advice of veteran rocker Eric Clapton and went down to Miami to record their first album since the split at Criteria Studios in 1969. “I thought those guys were really an R&b band that hadn’t really worked that out yet, and I thought, man, this would be so good if they could pick up on what’s going on in America,” Clapton said.
It was in Miami that the Bee...
In the HBO documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” surviving Bee Gee, Barry Gibb, takes viewers inside the studio, showing archival footage performing with his brothers Maurice and Robin and honing their signature sound.
In 1975, the band took the advice of veteran rocker Eric Clapton and went down to Miami to record their first album since the split at Criteria Studios in 1969. “I thought those guys were really an R&b band that hadn’t really worked that out yet, and I thought, man, this would be so good if they could pick up on what’s going on in America,” Clapton said.
It was in Miami that the Bee...
- 12/22/2020
- by Samson Amore
- The Wrap
Last year, Jason Isbell came home to his wife and bandmate, Amanda Shires, and played her a duet he’d just recorded with Barry Gibb. “She said, ‘That’s the best I’ve heard you sing,'” Isbell says. “I said, ‘Well, I was singing with Barry Gibb. I had to do my absolute best.'”
Isbell may be a rootsy songwriter from Alabama, but he’s been a Bee Gees fan his entire life. The song he and Gibb recorded, “Words of a Fool,” appears on Gibb’s upcoming album,...
Isbell may be a rootsy songwriter from Alabama, but he’s been a Bee Gees fan his entire life. The song he and Gibb recorded, “Words of a Fool,” appears on Gibb’s upcoming album,...
- 12/7/2020
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
By the early 1970s, Willie Nelson was both an acclaimed songwriter and a frustrated artist. Having recorded for Liberty and then RCA Records, the Texan notched just one Top Ten solo hit with “Touch Me,” in 1962. He wouldn’t have another until 1975, by which time he was recording for Columbia Records, a move that afforded him more creative control over his material and the production of his albums.
But between his seven-year stretch at RCA, and the golden — and platinum — years at Columbia, Nelson was living in Austin and entertaining...
But between his seven-year stretch at RCA, and the golden — and platinum — years at Columbia, Nelson was living in Austin and entertaining...
- 3/6/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: David Browne on Aretha’s glide into the synth-happy 1980s.
The early ’80s and the dawn of the MTV takeover weren’t always kind to singers and bands from the previous two decades,...
The early ’80s and the dawn of the MTV takeover weren’t always kind to singers and bands from the previous two decades,...
- 8/18/2018
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein — who signed and released albums by Madonna, the Ramones, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, the Smiths, the Pretenders, and many others — will be leaving Warner Music Group after four decades with the company, it was announced Wednesday. The announcement was made in tandem with Stein receiving the Recording Academy’s Trustees Award on Saturday night at the organization’s Special Merit Awards ceremony and tribute concert in Los Angeles. Last year, Rani Hancock was named president of Sire, which was acquired by Warner in 1978, and will helm the label going forward.
“I’ve enjoyed much of my time at Warner’s, but in truth I long for my indie roots and the greater independence that I experienced back in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s,” Stein (pictured above with David Byrne and Madonna) said in making the announcement. “So the time has come to move on to...
“I’ve enjoyed much of my time at Warner’s, but in truth I long for my indie roots and the greater independence that I experienced back in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s,” Stein (pictured above with David Byrne and Madonna) said in making the announcement. “So the time has come to move on to...
- 7/18/2018
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Like with Inventing David Geffen, The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story celebrates one of the unsung heroes of the music industry whose fingerprints can be found on some of the most enduring songs from the 70s onward. The hero in question is Arif Mardin and his influence has left a lasting impression on artists like Bette Midler, the Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Hall & Oates, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield, Norah Jones, and far too many other names to list. He could coax the perfect take from an artist and then pair it with an instrumental backup that few other producers could match thanks to his education in music. The man is a music legend, and The Greatest Ears in Town is a great tribute to the man behind the music.
Read more...
Read more...
- 11/11/2013
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
As my friend Pam Grossman put it, "Yes, universe, I know. I know too well that time passes and we are all going to die, sooner or hopefully later. I also know that cancer sucks. You do not need to drive these points home by killing off musicians I love every other day." This was prompted by the passing of Robin Gibb just after we lost Donna Summer and several other greats. Meanwhile, my friend Davie Kaufman, the biggest Flying Burrito Brothers fan I know, was disappointed that I hadn't yet marked the passing of Chris Ethridge, an original member of the Burritos, also taken from us by cancer.
Chris Ethridge was born in Mississippi in 1947 and moved to California when he was 17. In 1967 he joined Gram Parsons in the International Submarine Band in time to play bass on the group's only LP, Safe at Home. Though its release was delayed,...
Chris Ethridge was born in Mississippi in 1947 and moved to California when he was 17. In 1967 he joined Gram Parsons in the International Submarine Band in time to play bass on the group's only LP, Safe at Home. Though its release was delayed,...
- 5/21/2012
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
By Roger Friedman
HollywoodNews.com: The Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin, turns 70 years young tomorrow, Sunday, March 25th. Yesterday she celebrated with an all star party in New York, followed by taking a few friends to a Broadway musical. I’ll tell you all about after the festivities are over. But 70 years–what an amazing life the gifted singer, performer, and writer has had. From her early days at Columbia Records to her halcyon recordings with the Atlantic crew–Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun. Her four CD box set, “Queen of Soul,’” tells that story. Then she went on to another successful chapter with Clive Davis Arista Records, with hits like “Freeway of Love” and “Jump to It.” Aretha marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, has sung for all the presidents, topping off with her performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration. In her hometown of...
HollywoodNews.com: The Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin, turns 70 years young tomorrow, Sunday, March 25th. Yesterday she celebrated with an all star party in New York, followed by taking a few friends to a Broadway musical. I’ll tell you all about after the festivities are over. But 70 years–what an amazing life the gifted singer, performer, and writer has had. From her early days at Columbia Records to her halcyon recordings with the Atlantic crew–Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun. Her four CD box set, “Queen of Soul,’” tells that story. Then she went on to another successful chapter with Clive Davis Arista Records, with hits like “Freeway of Love” and “Jump to It.” Aretha marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, has sung for all the presidents, topping off with her performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration. In her hometown of...
- 3/25/2012
- by Roger Friedman
- Hollywoodnews.com
By Roger Friedman
HollywoodNews.com: The Rascals –one of the greatest rock vocal groups of all time– are getting ready to reunite for a massive tour next year, I am told.
The famous group has not been together since the beginning of the 1970s. What happened? Lots of ego trouble, and infighting. But this past April, Little Steven van Zandt brought the foursome together for a rare appearance at New York’s Tribeca Grill.
The occasion was to raise money for the Kristen Ann Carr Foundation, which is run in memory of the late daughter of rock writer Dave Marsh and his wife, Bruce Springsteen’s co-manager Barbara Carr.
Since then, the Rascals turned up at a Grammy screening of Joe Mardin’s movie about his late legendary producer father Arif Mardin–who made all those glorious Rascals records. The Rascals, I’m told, have signed a management contract with...
HollywoodNews.com: The Rascals –one of the greatest rock vocal groups of all time– are getting ready to reunite for a massive tour next year, I am told.
The famous group has not been together since the beginning of the 1970s. What happened? Lots of ego trouble, and infighting. But this past April, Little Steven van Zandt brought the foursome together for a rare appearance at New York’s Tribeca Grill.
The occasion was to raise money for the Kristen Ann Carr Foundation, which is run in memory of the late daughter of rock writer Dave Marsh and his wife, Bruce Springsteen’s co-manager Barbara Carr.
Since then, the Rascals turned up at a Grammy screening of Joe Mardin’s movie about his late legendary producer father Arif Mardin–who made all those glorious Rascals records. The Rascals, I’m told, have signed a management contract with...
- 8/5/2010
- by Roger Friedman
- Hollywoodnews.com
Amy Dawes caught the L.A. premiere of The Greatest Ears In Town, based on the life and footage of music luminary, Arif Mardin. She also stuck around for an inspired Q&A: “It’s like the director of a film. It doesn’t matter what you’ve got going on in front of the camera, if they don’t capture it in a masterful way, you don’t see it on the screen.” That’s Quincy Jones, explaining the role of a record producer Monday night at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. But Jones, who produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, among other pop milestones, wasn’t talking about himself. He was trying to convey the importance of Arif Mardin, whose work is celebrated in the new documentary The Greatest Ears In Town, co-directed ...
- 6/30/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
Have a question about gay male entertainment? Send it to aftereltonflyingmonkey@yahoo.com! (Please include your city and state and/or country.)
Q: I'm curious about Project Runway's Christopher Straub. The ring he wears suggests he has a husband / partner / significant other. What details might you know on this? Every time Heidi had him in tears, I found myself strongly torn between wanting to give him a hug and going all Cher on him. – LgH, Houston, TX, Usw, Earth
Christopher Straub
A: “I am married!” Straub tells the Flying Monkey. “Well, not legally, but Ronnie and I had a commitment ceremony two-and-a-half years ago. We've been together for over five years. He's a little scientist, and we really don't understand what each other does for a living.”
I asked what the two of them do for fun. “We like to travel, watch TV – I like reality shows and he...
Q: I'm curious about Project Runway's Christopher Straub. The ring he wears suggests he has a husband / partner / significant other. What details might you know on this? Every time Heidi had him in tears, I found myself strongly torn between wanting to give him a hug and going all Cher on him. – LgH, Houston, TX, Usw, Earth
Christopher Straub
A: “I am married!” Straub tells the Flying Monkey. “Well, not legally, but Ronnie and I had a commitment ceremony two-and-a-half years ago. We've been together for over five years. He's a little scientist, and we really don't understand what each other does for a living.”
I asked what the two of them do for fun. “We like to travel, watch TV – I like reality shows and he...
- 11/16/2009
- by Brent Hartinger
- The Backlot
Carly Simon Doyenne of song Carly Simon is one the most prolific and masterful American singer/songwriters of the 20th century. Her sense of melody and lyric is always an odyssey encased in a thumbprint voice so perfect it even makes tears think twice. Simon's catalog is extraordinary and towering, with over twenty albums and countless soundtracks to her credit. Accolades include a 1989 Academy Award, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe for the title "Let the River Run" and a Best New Artist Grammy in 1971. Collaborations include Mike Nichols, Marvin Hamlisch, Jimmy Webb, Michael McDonald, Jacob Brackman, Arif Mardin, and Frank Filipetti. The title "Forever My Love," from her 1974 album Hotcakes, produced by Richard Perry, weaves a spell that will forever enchant. Buy: iTunes Genre: Pop Artist: Carly Simon Song: Forever My Love Album: Hotcakes Latin Playboys David Hidalgo and Louis P...
- 4/24/2009
- by Phil Ramone and Danielle Evin
- Huffington Post
NEW YORK -- Chris Blackwell's Palm Pictures has picked up North American rights to Mark Moormann's "Tom Dowd and the Language of Music," a feature documentary profiling the life and work of legendary producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. The Sundance Channel will premiere the film on cable Oct. 3 as part of the network's monthlong music series Sonic Cinema. Palm will follow up with a limited theatrical run later this year and a DVD release in 2004. As part of the pact, Palm also snapped up Caribbean rights. "Music" screened in competition at this year's Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival. The film features appearances by music luminaries Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Les Paul, Aretha Franklin, Joe Bonamassa, Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Phil Ramone, Arif Mardin, Mike Stoller and Al Schmitt.
- 8/10/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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