More than a year after the death of David Crosby, the music he made with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash will be saluted in a tribute concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall this spring.
Set for May 13, the show — simply titled “The Music of Crosby, Stills and Nash” — will present interpretations of both group and solo songs by an eclectic lineup, including genre-fluid singer Yola; classic rock visionary Todd Rundgren; singer-songwriters Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, and Aoife O’Donovan; indie rockers Iron & Wine and Real Estate; and jam-rock vanguard Grace Potter.
Set for May 13, the show — simply titled “The Music of Crosby, Stills and Nash” — will present interpretations of both group and solo songs by an eclectic lineup, including genre-fluid singer Yola; classic rock visionary Todd Rundgren; singer-songwriters Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, and Aoife O’Donovan; indie rockers Iron & Wine and Real Estate; and jam-rock vanguard Grace Potter.
- 3/14/2024
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Patti Smith unexpectedly popped by an all-star Paul McCartney charity tribute concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, March 15th, during which she performed a moving cover of The Beatles’ 1967 cut “She’s Leaving Home.” Watch the fan-shot footage below.
McCartney himself wasn’t on hand for the show, which raised money for music education programs, but it featured an absolutely stacked lineup including Graham Nash, Wings guitarist Denny Laine, Bettye Lavette, Nancy Wilson, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Hornsby, Shovels & Rope, Lake Street Dive, Natalie Merchant, Allison Russell, Ingrid Michaelson, and Christopher Cross. They were all backed by a house band led by Rolling Stones touring drummer Steve Jordan and Fab Faux bassist Will Lee.
Other highlights from the concert include Nash’s rendition of “For No One,” Lavette’s soulful version of “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and Wilson and Laine performing Wings’ “Band on the Run.” To close out the show,...
McCartney himself wasn’t on hand for the show, which raised money for music education programs, but it featured an absolutely stacked lineup including Graham Nash, Wings guitarist Denny Laine, Bettye Lavette, Nancy Wilson, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Hornsby, Shovels & Rope, Lake Street Dive, Natalie Merchant, Allison Russell, Ingrid Michaelson, and Christopher Cross. They were all backed by a house band led by Rolling Stones touring drummer Steve Jordan and Fab Faux bassist Will Lee.
Other highlights from the concert include Nash’s rendition of “For No One,” Lavette’s soulful version of “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and Wilson and Laine performing Wings’ “Band on the Run.” To close out the show,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
As U2 announced last week, they’ll be back in March with a brand new album that, really, is anything but. Songs of Surrender, playing off Bono’s recent memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, finds the band remaking 40 songs from its back catalog — “a musical reimagining resulting in a completely new recording of each track, to include the arrangements and, in some cases, new lyrics.”
Not surprisingly, when it comes to a band that can still be polarizing after four decades, reactions rattled and hummed. On Rolling Stone’s social media feeds alone,...
Not surprisingly, when it comes to a band that can still be polarizing after four decades, reactions rattled and hummed. On Rolling Stone’s social media feeds alone,...
- 1/18/2023
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Yes, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell were this year’s big surprises — but the 2022 Newport Folk Festival contained so much more than a pair of jaw-dropping legends. The first full-capacity iteration of the fest since 2019 featured the desert instrumentals of Hermanos Gutiérrez, the soulful country-pop of Maren Morris, the sweet blues of Taj Mahal, the indie electronic of Sylvan Esso (who debuted a brand-new album), and the scaled-down arena rock of the National, who also premiered brand-new material in their headlining set. Taken in full, this year’s festival represented...
- 7/25/2022
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: The strange, true-life story of Elmer McCurdy, a turn-of-the-20th Century train robber whose corpse became a carnival attraction and unwitting stage prop well into the 1970s, will be adapted into a musical by the writers of Broadway’s acclaimed The Band’s Visit.
The new theater piece, titled Dead Outlaw, will feature music and lyrics by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, with a book by Itamar Moses. The project marks the first reteaming of Yasbek and Moses since their multiple-Tony-winning The Band’s Visit, which made its Broadway debut in 2017.
Yazbek and Della Penna have composed 14-songs for Dead Outlaw, and a premiere presentation is scheduled for March 14 at the Manhattan venue 54 Below.
Elmer J. McCurdy was a bank and trainer robber in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who died in a 1911 shoot-out with police in Oklahoma. His corpse was mummified and displayed at a funeral home...
The new theater piece, titled Dead Outlaw, will feature music and lyrics by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, with a book by Itamar Moses. The project marks the first reteaming of Yasbek and Moses since their multiple-Tony-winning The Band’s Visit, which made its Broadway debut in 2017.
Yazbek and Della Penna have composed 14-songs for Dead Outlaw, and a premiere presentation is scheduled for March 14 at the Manhattan venue 54 Below.
Elmer J. McCurdy was a bank and trainer robber in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who died in a 1911 shoot-out with police in Oklahoma. His corpse was mummified and displayed at a funeral home...
- 2/7/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
So, How Was Your 2020? is a series in which our favorite entertainers answer our questionnaire about the music, culture and memorable moments that shaped their year. We’ll be rolling these pieces out throughout December.
After eight years between albums and a sojourn running her own coffee shop — the cheekily named Quitters — Kathleen Edwards came roaring back to music in 2020 with Total Freedom. Like its title implies, it’s a record of liberation that finds the Canadian songwriter embracing the ups and downs of her past and present. “Life’s imperfections,...
After eight years between albums and a sojourn running her own coffee shop — the cheekily named Quitters — Kathleen Edwards came roaring back to music in 2020 with Total Freedom. Like its title implies, it’s a record of liberation that finds the Canadian songwriter embracing the ups and downs of her past and present. “Life’s imperfections,...
- 12/28/2020
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
Bruce Springsteen inducted manager Jon Landau into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rare honor of receiving the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which is reserved for songwriters, producers, record company executives during the virtual ceremony aired on HBO Saturday night).
Springsteen talked about first coming across Landau’s work as a rock critic, years before they met. “One of my first recollections of Jon Landau was his trashing of the Blues Project in Crawdaddy,” Springsteen laughed. “I was thinking, ‘Who does this guy think he is?'”
Springsteen’s segment — which was produced by director Thom Zimny — shone a light on Landau, and included insight from label mogul Jimmy Iovine, who was Springsteen’s engineer in the mid-1970s, Jann Wenner, who published his work for a decade in Rolling Stone, and Jackson Browne, whose “The Pretender” album was produced by Landau.
With this, he becomes one of...
Springsteen talked about first coming across Landau’s work as a rock critic, years before they met. “One of my first recollections of Jon Landau was his trashing of the Blues Project in Crawdaddy,” Springsteen laughed. “I was thinking, ‘Who does this guy think he is?'”
Springsteen’s segment — which was produced by director Thom Zimny — shone a light on Landau, and included insight from label mogul Jimmy Iovine, who was Springsteen’s engineer in the mid-1970s, Jann Wenner, who published his work for a decade in Rolling Stone, and Jackson Browne, whose “The Pretender” album was produced by Landau.
With this, he becomes one of...
- 11/8/2020
- by Michele Amabile Angermiller
- Variety Film + TV
Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant, and Sean Lennon will perform at the third annual Hudson Valley Votes concert and rally, which will be held virtually October 17th at 8 p.m. Et.
The event will feature a mix of musical performances and guest speakers, as well as appearances from down-ballot candidates in upstate New York, including U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado, State Senator Jen Metzger, and State Senate candidates Michelle Hinchey and Karen Smythe. The show will air on Hudson Valley Votes’ YouTube channel, Radio Kingston, and Radio Woodstock, and while the event is free,...
The event will feature a mix of musical performances and guest speakers, as well as appearances from down-ballot candidates in upstate New York, including U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado, State Senator Jen Metzger, and State Senate candidates Michelle Hinchey and Karen Smythe. The show will air on Hudson Valley Votes’ YouTube channel, Radio Kingston, and Radio Woodstock, and while the event is free,...
- 10/12/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Hal Willner, a music producer and longtime sketch songwriter for “Saturday Night Live,” has died at the age of 64, TheWrap has confirmed.
Willner died Tuesday of an illness, according to a representative. No cause of death has been determined, though Willner’s symptoms were consistent with Covid-19.
Willner served as the sketch music producer for “SNL” for nearly two decades, first joining the NBC program in 1981. His Twitter bio poked fun at how long he’d been with the show, describing him as “so-called Music Producer & Saturday Night Live sketch music guy since Raging Bull debuted, Another One Bites the Dust a hit & Kim Kardashian was born. Oy Vey.”
Willner also served as the music coordinator on Lorne Michaels’ short-lived “Sunday Night” musical variety program on NBC. The music-centric program, hosted by Jools Holland and David Sanborn, ran for two...
Willner died Tuesday of an illness, according to a representative. No cause of death has been determined, though Willner’s symptoms were consistent with Covid-19.
Willner served as the sketch music producer for “SNL” for nearly two decades, first joining the NBC program in 1981. His Twitter bio poked fun at how long he’d been with the show, describing him as “so-called Music Producer & Saturday Night Live sketch music guy since Raging Bull debuted, Another One Bites the Dust a hit & Kim Kardashian was born. Oy Vey.”
Willner also served as the music coordinator on Lorne Michaels’ short-lived “Sunday Night” musical variety program on NBC. The music-centric program, hosted by Jools Holland and David Sanborn, ran for two...
- 4/7/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
We awoke this morning to the sad news that Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala has died. “Our Founder, our Teacher and most importantly, our Father left us today for eternal peace,” the South African vocal troupe said in a group statement. “We celebrate and honor your kind heart and your extraordinary life. Through your music and the millions who you came in contact with, you shall live forever.”
Shabalala started the group in the early Sixties, but they first entered the consciousness of most Americans in 1986 when they appeared...
Shabalala started the group in the early Sixties, but they first entered the consciousness of most Americans in 1986 when they appeared...
- 2/11/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
“Saturday Night Live” has given Taylor Swift the opportunity to show off her comedic skills, and she has knocked it out of the park time after time. Check it out.
“Roomies” — A romantic evening on the sofa, watching television with his girlfriend (Nasim Pedrad) is what Bennett (Andy Samberg) hoped for. And all was going planned… until her roomie (the bestest Bff in the universe) showed up.
“SNL Digital Short: Firelight” — Talk about beauty and the beast! In this “Twilight” spoof, Swift’s teen girl falls for Phillip Frank (Bill Hader), a new guy at school who has green skin… and bolts in his neck.
“Scared Straight: Lorenzo and Skeet Devlin” – Swift and Kenan Thompson play ex-cons from the Scared Straight program who try to scare kids busted for joyriding by using plots from “The Sound of Music,” “Top Gun” and “Back to the Future.”
“Bunny Business” – The soundtrack from...
“Roomies” — A romantic evening on the sofa, watching television with his girlfriend (Nasim Pedrad) is what Bennett (Andy Samberg) hoped for. And all was going planned… until her roomie (the bestest Bff in the universe) showed up.
“SNL Digital Short: Firelight” — Talk about beauty and the beast! In this “Twilight” spoof, Swift’s teen girl falls for Phillip Frank (Bill Hader), a new guy at school who has green skin… and bolts in his neck.
“Scared Straight: Lorenzo and Skeet Devlin” – Swift and Kenan Thompson play ex-cons from the Scared Straight program who try to scare kids busted for joyriding by using plots from “The Sound of Music,” “Top Gun” and “Back to the Future.”
“Bunny Business” – The soundtrack from...
- 10/6/2019
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
The 20th Anniversary Gala to celebrate Hudson River Park was held at Pier Sixty in New York City last week.
Jay Leno onstage at 20th Anniversary Gala to celebrate Hudson River Park
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images
The event, hosted by Jay Leno, honored Claire Danes, Alicia Glen and Scott Rechler.
Additional guests in attendance included Martha Stewart, Gabby Hoffmann, Alex and Keytt Lundqvist, Lea DeLaria, Diana Taylor, and Ryan and Emilia Serhant. The evening featured music Natalie Merchant and DJ Lina.
Hudson River Park, the longest riverfront park in the nation, is Manhattan’s backyard. Running from Chambers to 59th Street along the Hudson River, it has transformed four miles of decaying industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. Hudson River Park attracts millions of visitors to its myriad recreational facilities, educational and cultural programs, imaginative playgrounds, lively dog parks and lush green lawns, waterfront esplanade and bike paths.
Jay Leno onstage at 20th Anniversary Gala to celebrate Hudson River Park
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images
The event, hosted by Jay Leno, honored Claire Danes, Alicia Glen and Scott Rechler.
Additional guests in attendance included Martha Stewart, Gabby Hoffmann, Alex and Keytt Lundqvist, Lea DeLaria, Diana Taylor, and Ryan and Emilia Serhant. The evening featured music Natalie Merchant and DJ Lina.
Hudson River Park, the longest riverfront park in the nation, is Manhattan’s backyard. Running from Chambers to 59th Street along the Hudson River, it has transformed four miles of decaying industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. Hudson River Park attracts millions of visitors to its myriad recreational facilities, educational and cultural programs, imaginative playgrounds, lively dog parks and lush green lawns, waterfront esplanade and bike paths.
- 10/18/2018
- Look to the Stars
Cyndi Lauper has tapped A$AP Rocky, Bebe Rexha, Amanda Palmer and more to appear at her eighth annual “Cyndi Lauper and Friends: Home for the Holidays” benefit concert. The show will take place December 8th at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
The eclectic lineup will also feature blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite, soul singer Angie Stone, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, 10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant, jazz pianist Robert Glasper and veterinarian/country singer, Dr. Elmo, who penned the Christmas novelty song, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
Carson Kressley will host the event,...
The eclectic lineup will also feature blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite, soul singer Angie Stone, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, 10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant, jazz pianist Robert Glasper and veterinarian/country singer, Dr. Elmo, who penned the Christmas novelty song, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
Carson Kressley will host the event,...
- 10/16/2018
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The Hudson River Park has announced that they will honor Award-winning actor, Claire Danes; Deputy Mayor, City of New York & Vice Chair, Hudson River Park Trust, Alicia Glen and Chairman & CEO, Rxr Realty LLC, Scott Rechler at the 2018 Gala on Thursday, October 11th at Pier 62 in Hudson River Park.
The evening, which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Hudson River Park Gala, will be hosted by acclaimed late night TV host, comedian, author and philanthropist, Jay Leno and will feature a special performance by Natalie Merchant. This 2018 Gala co-chairs include Sukey and Michael E. Novogratz; Diana L. Taylor and Michael R. Bloomberg; Mia Jung and Scott M. Lawin; Paula and Eric Madoff; Lee and Justin Sadrian and Megan Walsh Shaoul and Ben Shaoul.
Hudson River Park, the longest riverfront park in the nation, is Manhattan’s backyard. Running from Chambers to 59th Street along the Hudson River, it has...
The evening, which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Hudson River Park Gala, will be hosted by acclaimed late night TV host, comedian, author and philanthropist, Jay Leno and will feature a special performance by Natalie Merchant. This 2018 Gala co-chairs include Sukey and Michael E. Novogratz; Diana L. Taylor and Michael R. Bloomberg; Mia Jung and Scott M. Lawin; Paula and Eric Madoff; Lee and Justin Sadrian and Megan Walsh Shaoul and Ben Shaoul.
Hudson River Park, the longest riverfront park in the nation, is Manhattan’s backyard. Running from Chambers to 59th Street along the Hudson River, it has...
- 10/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
Unreleased cover songs by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Donovan and Tim Robbins highlight the massive compilation celebrating the 21st anniversary of protest music label Appleseed Recordings.
In addition to Springsteen’s take on “We Shall Overcome,” Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches exclusively features the rocker’s rendition of the Pete Seeger folk classic “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).” Morello contributes his version of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” while Donovan covers Joan Baez’s “Wild Mountain Thyme.”
John Wesley Harding, John Stewart,...
In addition to Springsteen’s take on “We Shall Overcome,” Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches exclusively features the rocker’s rendition of the Pete Seeger folk classic “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).” Morello contributes his version of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” while Donovan covers Joan Baez’s “Wild Mountain Thyme.”
John Wesley Harding, John Stewart,...
- 8/20/2018
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
As The Voice neared the swan song of its Season 12 Blind Auditions Monday, we were treated to a bevy of contenders covering everyone from Justin Bieber to Johnny Cash. But were any of the vocalists the kinds of talents whose hits future wannabes would cover during their Blind Auditions? Read on for my randomly-ordered reviews of the nine performers (whose full auditions were shown) advancing to the Battle Rounds, then hit the comments to critique and grade them yourself.
RelatedMarch TV Premieres, Finales, Returns, Series Enders and More: Save the Dates
Kenny P (Team Gwen), “Hello It’s Me” — Grade:...
RelatedMarch TV Premieres, Finales, Returns, Series Enders and More: Save the Dates
Kenny P (Team Gwen), “Hello It’s Me” — Grade:...
- 3/14/2017
- TVLine.com
With Donald Trump holding a pre-inauguration concert in Washington D.C. tonight that is sparsely attended by celebrities (and maybe in general), a bunch of those famous people that Trump supposedly doesn’t care about have popped up in New York City outside of the Trump International Hotel for an anti-Trump rally. According to MoveOn.org, the attendees include Sally Field, Mark Ruffalo, Rosie Perez, Alec Baldwin, Marisa Tomei, Julianne Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Natalie Merchant, Michael Moore, and Shailene Woodley. Robert De Niro was doing a slick, stand-up routine of sorts a few minutes ago, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio just finished making a passionate plea for upholding the Affordable Care Act.
This is one of many anti-Trump events happening this week, with a number of pro-women’s rights marches scheduled across the country on Saturday.
Update: The stream has ended, but you can see an archived version...
This is one of many anti-Trump events happening this week, with a number of pro-women’s rights marches scheduled across the country on Saturday.
Update: The stream has ended, but you can see an archived version...
- 1/19/2017
- by Sam Barsanti
- avclub.com
If MTV Classic is anything like MTV, it'll be on the air for a month before people start complaining they don't play enough music. The "new" channel launched on August 1st, the 35th anniversary of MTV's debut, opening up the vaults to a pop-culture treasure trove that's been gathering dust for years. They should have done this years ago. MTV Classic wants to establish its music cred early on — they were wise to spend most of the first day playing classic Unplugged episodes, with Nirvana, Erykah Badu and R.E.M. The...
- 8/10/2016
- Rollingstone.com
It was 15 years ago today that Moulin Rouge! opened in theaters across the U.S. The opening followed a world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and New York and Los Angeles premieres the month prior. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman made us all swoon with their charm and their palpable chemistry in the heartfelt, old-fashioned, tragic love story of Christian and Satine (very old-fashioned, in a sense — director Baz Luhrmann has said he drew from the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice in writing the film). The spectacular spectacular of Moulin Rogue! didn’t win over everybody — Luhrmann’s glitzy, dazzling style has been quite divisive over the years. But the film caught the attention of Oscars voters — it was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including wins for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Beyond the technical categories, the film earned Kidman her first Oscar nomination, and with a Best Picture nomination,...
- 6/1/2016
- by Emily Rome
- Hitfix
The final Top 4 in American Idol history hit the stage to perform both a classic rock hit and a tune from the Sia songbook, and the results were largely underwhelming until two singers provided moments at the end. The episode also featured the wholly-expected elimination of Sonika Vaid, who fails to make the rankings with her non-performances even though I think she would've done well with "Because the Night." It's a Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen favorite, but Sonika may have been able to channel at least one of her inner maniacs into Natalie Merchant success. But alas, it was not meant to be. And based on the rankings, it's clear who should join her next week.
- 3/25/2016
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
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America's serial killers come out to play in American Horror Story Hotel's latest Halloween episode, Devil's Night...
This review contains spoilers.
5.4 Devil's Night
The announcement that Lady Gaga would play a prominent role in American Horror Story: Hotel was a bit of a divisive one. She was the centerpiece of a lot of the show's commercials, particularly one of her set to the memorable industrial tune Du Hast by Rammstein. No one knew what role she would play, or what her purpose would end up being, but everyone had an opinion about it, and most of those opinions seem to have been negative. It's easy to see why; Gaga's a pop star, not an actress. If she's been on stage or screen, it's been in the context of her musical talents first and foremost, not her ability to emote or cry on cue. I have to admit to having been pleasantly surprised.
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America's serial killers come out to play in American Horror Story Hotel's latest Halloween episode, Devil's Night...
This review contains spoilers.
5.4 Devil's Night
The announcement that Lady Gaga would play a prominent role in American Horror Story: Hotel was a bit of a divisive one. She was the centerpiece of a lot of the show's commercials, particularly one of her set to the memorable industrial tune Du Hast by Rammstein. No one knew what role she would play, or what her purpose would end up being, but everyone had an opinion about it, and most of those opinions seem to have been negative. It's easy to see why; Gaga's a pop star, not an actress. If she's been on stage or screen, it's been in the context of her musical talents first and foremost, not her ability to emote or cry on cue. I have to admit to having been pleasantly surprised.
- 10/30/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The Clinton Global Initiative will mark its 10th anniversary with a star-studded Manhattan gala and internationalized awards ceremony Sept. 21, honoring, among others, Leonardo DiCaprio for his environmental activism and the president of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, for peacemaking. While the initiative’s annual meetings always have attracted an A-list of the world's activists, along with movers and shakers from commerce and government, this year’s celebratory anniversary includes an expanded entertainment component. Seth Meyers will host the gathering’s kick-off event, the 8th annual Clinton Global Citizen Awards, featuring performances by Aloe Blacc, Natalie Merchant, Jason Mraz and Raining Jane
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- 9/10/2014
- by Tina Daunt
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The editor of British Vogue picks her cultural highlights of the moment, from Kathryn Bigelow to Juergen Teller
The editor of British Vogue since 1992, Alexandra Shulman originally pursued a career in the music industry before following in her parents' footsteps as a journalist, working for Tatler, the Sunday Telegraph and GQ. With Shulman at the helm, Vogue courted controversy by publishing photographs of a young, extremely slim Kate Moss, but Shulman also championed positive changes in the fashion industry by writing an open letter to designers in 2009 arguing for larger sample sizes. Her 2012 debut novel, Can We Still Be Friends, has just been published as a Penguin paperback.
Film
Zero Dark Thirty
I saw Kathryn Bigelow's film last week and thought it was a wonderful example of how to create suspense, even though everybody knows the outcome. It's very well edited, particularly the storming of the terrorists' compound.
Music...
The editor of British Vogue since 1992, Alexandra Shulman originally pursued a career in the music industry before following in her parents' footsteps as a journalist, working for Tatler, the Sunday Telegraph and GQ. With Shulman at the helm, Vogue courted controversy by publishing photographs of a young, extremely slim Kate Moss, but Shulman also championed positive changes in the fashion industry by writing an open letter to designers in 2009 arguing for larger sample sizes. Her 2012 debut novel, Can We Still Be Friends, has just been published as a Penguin paperback.
Film
Zero Dark Thirty
I saw Kathryn Bigelow's film last week and thought it was a wonderful example of how to create suspense, even though everybody knows the outcome. It's very well edited, particularly the storming of the terrorists' compound.
Music...
- 1/27/2013
- by Gemma Kappala-Ramsamy
- The Guardian - Film News
The Incredible Hulk and the leader of 10,000 Maniacs are getting together to protest fracking. Actor Mark Ruffalo and singer Natalie Merchant are leading a group to Albany this Wednesday to register their anti-fracking feelings with Governor Andrew Cuomo.They’re planning an all out campaign to appear at Cuomo’s State of the State Address. You can read about it at www.nyagainstfracking.org. ”Fracking” has become a hot button issue, especially in New York and Pennsylvania, along what’s known as the Marcellus Shale. Actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski have been drawn into the war because of their new movie, “Promised Land.” The documentary, “Gasland,” was the first to address the dangers of fracking in farm lands. My own thought, is you don’t fish in your own pond. It’s as simple as that. Both Ruffalo and Merchant live in the area, so it’s important to them.
- 1/7/2013
- by roger@hollywoodnews.com (Roger Friedman)
- Hollywoodnews.com
By: Courtney Vaudreuil
Last night on NBC’s The Voice, the top 10 contestants pulled out all of the stops. The voting is now closed and tonight Carson Daly will reveal which contestants America voted through to the next round. For two singers, this will be their last night on stage. theTVaddict.com weighs in on the pros and cons of each contestant below.
Sylvia Yacoub – Performed Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Pros: Sylvia showcased her ability to sing and play the piano. She took on a difficult song, but did it justice by hitting all of the notes and giving it an emotional gravitas.
Cons: Sylvia is strongest with songs that have a big, rousing chorus. The audience appreciates and expects that, which may end up pigeon-holing her.
Terry McDermott – Performed Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
Pros: Terry is a quintessential rock performer. He has more experience than some of the other contestants,...
Last night on NBC’s The Voice, the top 10 contestants pulled out all of the stops. The voting is now closed and tonight Carson Daly will reveal which contestants America voted through to the next round. For two singers, this will be their last night on stage. theTVaddict.com weighs in on the pros and cons of each contestant below.
Sylvia Yacoub – Performed Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Pros: Sylvia showcased her ability to sing and play the piano. She took on a difficult song, but did it justice by hitting all of the notes and giving it an emotional gravitas.
Cons: Sylvia is strongest with songs that have a big, rousing chorus. The audience appreciates and expects that, which may end up pigeon-holing her.
Terry McDermott – Performed Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
Pros: Terry is a quintessential rock performer. He has more experience than some of the other contestants,...
- 11/20/2012
- by theTVaddict
- The TV Addict
Tags: Afternoon DelightWanda SykesKristen StewartIMDbYuliya SnigirShelby Lynne
Good afternoon everyone and happy Friday!
Happy birthday to Morgan Saylor, Rosemarie DeWitt, Natalie Merchant, Hillary Clinton, Rita Wilson and Jaclyn Smith!
DeWitt at the premiere of My Sister's Sister in Park City, Ut
Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images
Two straight women in Marseille, France puckered up and kissed in front of a slew of anti-gay protestors. Now that's what I call gay allies!
Photo by Gerard Julien/Getty Images
Speaking of France, The Gossip will be performing throughout the country from Sunday, November 4 to Saturday, November 10.
Tegan and Sara are gearing up for tonight's concert with The Killers in Glasgow, UK!
So excited 2 be in Glasgow! Can't really understand anything anyone is saying but everyones So Nice! And well dressed! See u in a few hours!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) October 26, 2012
Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams and Kirsten Dunst appear on the...
Good afternoon everyone and happy Friday!
Happy birthday to Morgan Saylor, Rosemarie DeWitt, Natalie Merchant, Hillary Clinton, Rita Wilson and Jaclyn Smith!
DeWitt at the premiere of My Sister's Sister in Park City, Ut
Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images
Two straight women in Marseille, France puckered up and kissed in front of a slew of anti-gay protestors. Now that's what I call gay allies!
Photo by Gerard Julien/Getty Images
Speaking of France, The Gossip will be performing throughout the country from Sunday, November 4 to Saturday, November 10.
Tegan and Sara are gearing up for tonight's concert with The Killers in Glasgow, UK!
So excited 2 be in Glasgow! Can't really understand anything anyone is saying but everyones So Nice! And well dressed! See u in a few hours!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) October 26, 2012
Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams and Kirsten Dunst appear on the...
- 10/26/2012
- by Bridget McManus
- AfterEllen.com
-- The Beatles are finally appearing at a Woodstock festival.
A restored version of the Beatles' 1967 made-for-British-tv psychedelic romp "Magical Mystery Tour" will be featured at the annual Woodstock Film Festival kicking off Wednesday. The movie and a new documentary about how it was made will be among 130 narrative and documentary films shown over five days in and around the Hudson Valley arts colony that lent its name to the 1969 music festival, which was held in Bethel in neighboring Sullivan County.
Also highlighted at the film festival this year will be "Vamps," director Amy Heckerling's comedic take on the travails of club-hopping vampires, which reunites her with "Clueless" star Alicia Silverstone.
Another film, "Dear Governor Cuomo ...," chronicles a concert and political rally in Albany earlier this year featuring actor Mark Ruffalo, singer Natalie Merchant and other opponents of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, director of "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia,...
A restored version of the Beatles' 1967 made-for-British-tv psychedelic romp "Magical Mystery Tour" will be featured at the annual Woodstock Film Festival kicking off Wednesday. The movie and a new documentary about how it was made will be among 130 narrative and documentary films shown over five days in and around the Hudson Valley arts colony that lent its name to the 1969 music festival, which was held in Bethel in neighboring Sullivan County.
Also highlighted at the film festival this year will be "Vamps," director Amy Heckerling's comedic take on the travails of club-hopping vampires, which reunites her with "Clueless" star Alicia Silverstone.
Another film, "Dear Governor Cuomo ...," chronicles a concert and political rally in Albany earlier this year featuring actor Mark Ruffalo, singer Natalie Merchant and other opponents of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, director of "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Philadelphia,...
- 10/10/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Natalie Merchant is to perform a special benefit concert, lending her voice in song to defend New York’s waters in support of a ban on shale gas hydrofracking in New York State and beyond.
According to the Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative: “Shale gas hydrofracking is perhaps the most deleterious technology ever invented to poison our land, air, and water. The Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative is dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the precious and still largely clean waters of New York State. Our focus is event-based education, and we harness the considerable power of live music presentation to illuminate and educate the public at large about the importance of clean water and a healthy environment.”
Read more...
According to the Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative: “Shale gas hydrofracking is perhaps the most deleterious technology ever invented to poison our land, air, and water. The Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative is dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the precious and still largely clean waters of New York State. Our focus is event-based education, and we harness the considerable power of live music presentation to illuminate and educate the public at large about the importance of clean water and a healthy environment.”
Read more...
- 2/22/2012
- Look to the Stars
Natalie Merchant was still a teenager when she strolled into the community college radio station in Jamestown, New York, arms loaded with albums and eight-tracks she wanted to hear. She met DJs Steven Gustafson and Dennis Drew, and together with Robert Buck and John Lombardo, they formed the band 10,000 Maniacs. They came out with their first record, "Secrets Of The I-Ching," in 1981.
In 1987, the Maniacs released "In My Tribe," selling more than two million copies in the U.S. alone. The band's eclectic lyrics and Merchant's voice, which shimmers, smolders and soothes like a glass of cabernet, captivated alternative-rock fans. In the 1990s, Merchant launched a successful solo career, touring constantly and selling millions of albums over the next dozen years on the Elektra label, including quintuple-platinum "Tigerlily," her solo debut released in 1995.
In 2003, Merchant married documentary filmmaker Daniel de la Calle and had a daughter; she and de la Calle later divorced.
In 1987, the Maniacs released "In My Tribe," selling more than two million copies in the U.S. alone. The band's eclectic lyrics and Merchant's voice, which shimmers, smolders and soothes like a glass of cabernet, captivated alternative-rock fans. In the 1990s, Merchant launched a successful solo career, touring constantly and selling millions of albums over the next dozen years on the Elektra label, including quintuple-platinum "Tigerlily," her solo debut released in 1995.
In 2003, Merchant married documentary filmmaker Daniel de la Calle and had a daughter; she and de la Calle later divorced.
- 1/31/2012
- by Laura Rowley
- Huffington Post
Sauli Koskinen and Elvis Adam Lambert have dinner Tuesday night in L.A. (more at Just Jared)
Birthday shoutouts! A belated happy birthday to Ae member acdcguy1991, and happy birthday to Ae member Jay (if you'd like a Briefs Birthday Shoutout, Pm me!) Also, Hillary Clinton is 64, Jaclyn Smith is 64, B-52's Keith Strickland is 58, Dylan McDermott is 50, Cary Elwes is 49, Anthony Rapp is 46, and Natalie Merchant is 48. Time to name your top five Natalie or 10,000 Maniacs songs. Here are mine: 5. "Like The Weather," 4. "Eat For Two," 3. "Because The Night," "2. "These Are Days," 1. "Carnival"
The Spurf has a spoiler about Jonathan Groff returning to Glee as the _ o _ _ h of _o_ a _ _d _ _ _l_ _ e. Cyndi Lauper is planning an all-star "Home For The Holidays" benefit concert for the True Colors Fund. The Artists participating include Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey,...
Birthday shoutouts! A belated happy birthday to Ae member acdcguy1991, and happy birthday to Ae member Jay (if you'd like a Briefs Birthday Shoutout, Pm me!) Also, Hillary Clinton is 64, Jaclyn Smith is 64, B-52's Keith Strickland is 58, Dylan McDermott is 50, Cary Elwes is 49, Anthony Rapp is 46, and Natalie Merchant is 48. Time to name your top five Natalie or 10,000 Maniacs songs. Here are mine: 5. "Like The Weather," 4. "Eat For Two," 3. "Because The Night," "2. "These Are Days," 1. "Carnival"
The Spurf has a spoiler about Jonathan Groff returning to Glee as the _ o _ _ h of _o_ a _ _d _ _ _l_ _ e. Cyndi Lauper is planning an all-star "Home For The Holidays" benefit concert for the True Colors Fund. The Artists participating include Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey,...
- 10/26/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
HollywoodNews.com: Buddy Holly might have been celebrating his 75th birthday Sept. 7, had the iconic rock ‘n’ roll pioneer not lost his life at age 22 in the infamous “day the music died” Iowa plane crash along with Richie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. This year, Holly’s birthday will be celebrated in a huge way, with events including the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame, and the release of “Listen To Me: Buddy Holly” an all-star tribute album that will also serve as the basis of the “Ultimate Buddy Party,” a VIP concert event that will be filmed as a PBS special.
Legendary record producer Peter Asher is the man behind “Listen To Me,” and he’ll be on hand to speak at the star unveiling as well as the concert. He tells us the first performer lined up for the album was Stevie Nicks.
Legendary record producer Peter Asher is the man behind “Listen To Me,” and he’ll be on hand to speak at the star unveiling as well as the concert. He tells us the first performer lined up for the album was Stevie Nicks.
- 8/24/2011
- by Beck / Smith
- Hollywoodnews.com
Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Richard Branson, Ted Turner, Sarah Jessica Parker, George Soros, Gordon Brown and many more will come together this week to celebrate global health achievements.
The 2011 Global Business Coalition Conference and Gala Awards Dinner rolls out the red carpet on June 2, bringing together major celebrities, heads of state, big-name CEOs, and more for our most memorable evening yet. Actor, comedian and activist Whoopi Goldberg will host an evening that includes honoring two of Gbc’s visionary founding supporters—George Soros and Ted Turner—and celebrates the power of business to create positive change on global health. Gordon and Sarah Brown will be recognized for their years of work and leadership addressing international health concerns, and we will pay special tribute to Gbc’s founding CEO and leader, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke.
With Sigourney Weaver and Kim Cattrall on hand to present awards to George Soros and the Browns,...
The 2011 Global Business Coalition Conference and Gala Awards Dinner rolls out the red carpet on June 2, bringing together major celebrities, heads of state, big-name CEOs, and more for our most memorable evening yet. Actor, comedian and activist Whoopi Goldberg will host an evening that includes honoring two of Gbc’s visionary founding supporters—George Soros and Ted Turner—and celebrates the power of business to create positive change on global health. Gordon and Sarah Brown will be recognized for their years of work and leadership addressing international health concerns, and we will pay special tribute to Gbc’s founding CEO and leader, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke.
With Sigourney Weaver and Kim Cattrall on hand to present awards to George Soros and the Browns,...
- 6/1/2011
- Look to the Stars
If last week's "30 for 30" was a bit heavy on the style over substance, tonight's "Unmatched" was the opposite. No frills(*), just old rivals/friends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova talking about their respective careers and their frequent and memorable clashes. (*) Other than the Natalie Merchant soundtrack and the unnecessary gimmick of conducting some of the interviews in a car that sometimes looked like Martina was driving and sometimes looked like it was being towed or standing still in front of a green screen. Much as I enjoyed HBO's Bird/Magic documentary from the spring, watching "Unmatched" made me wish the...
- 9/15/2010
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
By Christopher Stipp
The Archives, Right Here
Check out my other column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on Twitter under the name: Stipp
Innocence Mission- Interview
I remember taking a cab when I lived in the city of Chicago to see The Innocence Mission in 2006. It was a cold night, and they were playing a small club, but I couldn’t have been more excited. The band was riding a small wave of popularity with a couple of singles, most notably Bright As Yellow which became ubiquitous as their signature song around this time. Meeting them after the show was done I was struck with how disaffected they were with popularity. Meeting lead singer Karen Peris and talking with her I’ll never forget simply because of how low-key and genial she was, the moment captured with a ballpoint autograph on a CD single I brought with me.
The Archives, Right Here
Check out my other column, This Week In Trailers, at SlashFilm.com and follow me on Twitter under the name: Stipp
Innocence Mission- Interview
I remember taking a cab when I lived in the city of Chicago to see The Innocence Mission in 2006. It was a cold night, and they were playing a small club, but I couldn’t have been more excited. The band was riding a small wave of popularity with a couple of singles, most notably Bright As Yellow which became ubiquitous as their signature song around this time. Meeting them after the show was done I was struck with how disaffected they were with popularity. Meeting lead singer Karen Peris and talking with her I’ll never forget simply because of how low-key and genial she was, the moment captured with a ballpoint autograph on a CD single I brought with me.
- 8/20/2010
- by Christopher Stipp
I'm no music aficionado (I would be embarrassed for you to see my iPod playlist), but I was excited when my wife got us tickets ($72 each!) to see Natalie Merchant at the Fox Theater in Oakland last night. I've listened to and enjoyed her music for years and looked forward to hearing it live. I'm also no music critic as my knowledge of music is pretty limited, but I know what I like and all a review really is is one person's opinion. And here is my opinion of Ms. Merchant's performance last night: It was a great disappointment and I would recommend against seeing her in concert. Let's start with the positives of the show. Ms. Merchant has a remarkable voice: deep, resonant, and evocative. Her back-up band was talented, though they were shrouded in semi-darkness and her introductions...
- 8/16/2010
- by Dr. Jim Taylor
- Huffington Post
Chelsea Clinton could have chosen just about any town for her Saturday wedding to investment banker Marc Mevinsky - but since she chose Rhinebeck, N.Y., the small town north of Manhattan is suddenly in the spotlight. Here are five fun facts about the town where the former First Daughter will become a bride. • This Isn't the Town's First Brush with FameRhinebeck, N.Y., is the birthplace of Emma Roberts, daughter of actor Eric Roberts - and niece of Eat Pray Love star Julia Roberts. Emma was born on February 10, 1991, in Northern Dutchess Hospital. Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright was also born...
- 7/31/2010
- by Liz McNeil
- PEOPLE.com
Chicago – Natalie Merchant, formerly the lead singer for 10,000 Maniacs, has come back with a solo album after a seven year hiatus. “Leave Your Sleep” has an unusual theme, as it takes verse from the 19th and 20th Century poets and sets it to music best described as lullabies, written for her daughter.
Natalie Merchant at Borders Books State Street, Chicago, July 22nd, 2010
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
Merchant appeared at the Borders Books on State Street in Chicago, as she signed her new CD and greeted admirers there. The same night, she played a sold-out show at the Chicago Theater across the street, where she highlighted her new album and many of her pop favorites.
HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce took these exclusive portraits at Merchant’s Borders appearance.
Smiling for the Camera: Natalie Merchant in Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.
Natalie Merchant at Borders Books State Street, Chicago, July 22nd, 2010
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
Merchant appeared at the Borders Books on State Street in Chicago, as she signed her new CD and greeted admirers there. The same night, she played a sold-out show at the Chicago Theater across the street, where she highlighted her new album and many of her pop favorites.
HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce took these exclusive portraits at Merchant’s Borders appearance.
Smiling for the Camera: Natalie Merchant in Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.
- 7/25/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
I'm in a bad mood today. There's nothing I actually want to watch on TV tonight and I've been re-watching old episodes of "The X-Files" through Netflix lately and I'm reminded of a time when a television show was given time to grow its audience, when not everyone on the TV screen looked halfway to being a supermodel, and when we didn't know about the sexual proclivities of David Duchovny (which are suspiciously similar to the sexual proclivities of Mulder). Of course, it wasn't all good times; one look at Scully's atrocious early '90s wardrobe and fluffed and feathered hair will let you in on that. Also, I've mentioned this previously, but "The X-Files" has to have one of the worst title sequences ever. Have you ever really paid attention to it? It tells you fuck-all about the show and the production looks like it cost $5. The theme song,...
- 4/21/2010
- by Intern Rusty
New Mgmt, Coheed and Cambria albums see strong debuts.
By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images
There's just no holding down Justin Bieber. The pint-size Canadian pop sensation will hold onto the #1 slot on the Billboard 200 albums chart next week, thanks to another 92,000 in sales for his My World 2.0 album, which has sold more than 760,000 copies in its first month. The competition wasn't even really close, though hipster duo Mgmt had a relatively strong showing for their difficult second album, Congratulations, which debuts at #2 (66,000), according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
The other debut in the top 10 comes from complicated rockers Coheed and Cambria, who notch a #5 showing for Year of the Black Rainbow (51,000). It's the concept-album-loving MTV Musical March Madness champs' highest-ever chart debut.
The rest of the top 10 found Acm darlings Lady Antebellum moving up a notch with Need You Now (65,000), the year's best-selling album so far,...
By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images
There's just no holding down Justin Bieber. The pint-size Canadian pop sensation will hold onto the #1 slot on the Billboard 200 albums chart next week, thanks to another 92,000 in sales for his My World 2.0 album, which has sold more than 760,000 copies in its first month. The competition wasn't even really close, though hipster duo Mgmt had a relatively strong showing for their difficult second album, Congratulations, which debuts at #2 (66,000), according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
The other debut in the top 10 comes from complicated rockers Coheed and Cambria, who notch a #5 showing for Year of the Black Rainbow (51,000). It's the concept-album-loving MTV Musical March Madness champs' highest-ever chart debut.
The rest of the top 10 found Acm darlings Lady Antebellum moving up a notch with Need You Now (65,000), the year's best-selling album so far,...
- 4/21/2010
- MTV Music News
Ke$ha, Coheed and Cambria and more knock last week's champ Jack Johnson out of the top 10.
By Gil Kaufman
B.o.B
Photo: Frank Mullen
The critical response to Mgmt's sophomore album Congratulations has been mixed so far, but their fans had no qualms downloading the psychedelic warriors' album from iTunes. According to figures provided by iTunes, the trippy disc shot right to #1 on the iTunes albums chart this week, bumping mellow strummer Jack Johnson out of the #1 position. (In fact, after one week at the top, Johnson was out of the top 10 entirely for the sales week that ended Monday).
Mgmt were followed by Ke$ha's Animal, which likely stormed back up thanks to her appearance on "Saturday Night Live," and Coheed And Cambria's Year of the Black Rainbow, which we like to think was goosed by their win in the MTV Musical March Madness competition.
By Gil Kaufman
B.o.B
Photo: Frank Mullen
The critical response to Mgmt's sophomore album Congratulations has been mixed so far, but their fans had no qualms downloading the psychedelic warriors' album from iTunes. According to figures provided by iTunes, the trippy disc shot right to #1 on the iTunes albums chart this week, bumping mellow strummer Jack Johnson out of the #1 position. (In fact, after one week at the top, Johnson was out of the top 10 entirely for the sales week that ended Monday).
Mgmt were followed by Ke$ha's Animal, which likely stormed back up thanks to her appearance on "Saturday Night Live," and Coheed And Cambria's Year of the Black Rainbow, which we like to think was goosed by their win in the MTV Musical March Madness competition.
- 4/20/2010
- MTV Music News
This week's new releases can be summed up in two words: Jeff Beck. The legendary guitarist is back with his first new studio album in seven years. For anyone who needs a reminder of what it means to be a true Guitar Hero, you need look no further than Beck's new album, Emotion & Commotion. For the rest of you who want some vocals with your music, there are new releases from Mgmt, former Maniac Natalie Merchant, Coheed and Cambria, and American Idol alum Jason Castro. Hey, maybe someone can start an "American Guitar Idol." We need a new generation of axe men. Oh wait... Beck will be a guest on next week's Idol Gives Back. Turn your TV up to 11. Slideshow: See the most overrated guitarists Ever. Play: Jeff Beck, Emotion & Commotion One of the most influential guitarists in...
- 4/13/2010
- by Shawn Amos
- Huffington Post
Natalie Merchant
“Leave Your Sleep,” the new album from Natalie Merchant, is her first album of new material in seven years. That’s a long time for a pop singer to be on the sidelines–long enough from Justin Bieber to grow from a tween to a teen, and other performers to move from their prime to well past it. Merchant, the former frontwoman for 10,000 Maniacs, draws on poetry for her new album, combing the verse of such writers as E.E. Cummings and Odgen Nash with her own original melodies and arrangements. The juxtapositions of lyrics and music are sometimes jarring, sometimes inspired–sometimes both. On “Adventures of Isabel,” she matches Nash’s poem with a country hoedown; on “Topsyturvey-World,” Merchant takes a poem by 19-century author William Brighty Rands and adds a reggae beat. And on the song “The Man in the Wilderness,” Merchant combines children’s Mother...
“Leave Your Sleep,” the new album from Natalie Merchant, is her first album of new material in seven years. That’s a long time for a pop singer to be on the sidelines–long enough from Justin Bieber to grow from a tween to a teen, and other performers to move from their prime to well past it. Merchant, the former frontwoman for 10,000 Maniacs, draws on poetry for her new album, combing the verse of such writers as E.E. Cummings and Odgen Nash with her own original melodies and arrangements. The juxtapositions of lyrics and music are sometimes jarring, sometimes inspired–sometimes both. On “Adventures of Isabel,” she matches Nash’s poem with a country hoedown; on “Topsyturvey-World,” Merchant takes a poem by 19-century author William Brighty Rands and adds a reggae beat. And on the song “The Man in the Wilderness,” Merchant combines children’s Mother...
- 4/13/2010
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Mgmt’s second Columbia release is Tuesday’s (April 13) biggest release, but there are other goodies: For “American Idol” fans, as Jason Castro puts out his first full-length set, vets Jeff Beck and Natalie Merchant return after seven-year absences, and Coheed & Cambria rock your world with their fifth studio album. Jeff Beck, “Emotion & Commotion” (Atco/Rhino): In Beck’s first album in seven years, he uses his stunning guitar work to unite a hodgepodge of music including a few originals, covers of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Nessun Dorma,” and portion of a movie score to “Atonement” into a somewhat cohesive work.?)...
- 4/12/2010
- Hitfix
Natalie Merchant sings from her new album, Leave Your Sleep. Lyrics from near-forgotten 19th-century poetry pair with her unmistakable voice for a performance that brought the Ted audience to its feet. Natalie Merchant's career spans three decades -- as the leader of 10,000 Maniacs and in her own solo work -- of making warmly personal music. In the 1980s, Natalie Merchant led the great folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs. She went solo in the '90s, and to maintain creative control over her music, she self-funded her debut album, Tigerlily, which had chart-toppers like "Jealousy," "Carnival" and "Wonder." She recorded her sophomore album, Ophelia, at her home studio; the album went platinum, and she headlined at Lilith Fair and joined the American Folk Music Tour before releasing Motherland, which paired her rich voice with more strings. Merchant independently released her 2003 album, The House Carpenter's...
- 4/9/2010
- by TEDTalks
- Huffington Post
A self-surpassing milestone Natalie Merchant is just talented enough to escape her own trap. On her new album, she’s taken poems by everyone from Jack Prelutsky to Robert Louis Stevenson and crammed them into 26 tracks of museum-piece jazz, Starbucks bluegrass and PBS reggae. It’s an effortlessly elegant and pleasant ride that even the obvious hip-yuppie trappings of it all can’t obscure....
- 4/1/2010
- Pastemagazine.com
Have a question about gay male entertainment? Send it to aftereltonflyingmonkey@yahoo.com! (Please include your city and state and/or country.)
A Note from the Flying Monkey: I recently wrote how weird it is that, completely coincidentally, I often get a bunch of questions all at the same time clustered around a central theme. Well, almost every question I received this week had something to do with music. Check it out!
Q: Oh, Great Flying Simian Even Smarter Than the Only Other Smart Monkey I Can Think Of, Doctor Zaius: You might not have heard about it because it was very hush-hush, but Adam Lambert kissed his keyboardist during a performance at the American Music Awards. Supposedly, it wasn’t rehearsed, but done “in the moment.” So what does the keyboardist think – and is he gay? – Martin, U.S. Virgin Islands
Adam Lambert plants one on keyboardist Tommy Ratliff
A: Hush-hush indeed,...
A Note from the Flying Monkey: I recently wrote how weird it is that, completely coincidentally, I often get a bunch of questions all at the same time clustered around a central theme. Well, almost every question I received this week had something to do with music. Check it out!
Q: Oh, Great Flying Simian Even Smarter Than the Only Other Smart Monkey I Can Think Of, Doctor Zaius: You might not have heard about it because it was very hush-hush, but Adam Lambert kissed his keyboardist during a performance at the American Music Awards. Supposedly, it wasn’t rehearsed, but done “in the moment.” So what does the keyboardist think – and is he gay? – Martin, U.S. Virgin Islands
Adam Lambert plants one on keyboardist Tommy Ratliff
A: Hush-hush indeed,...
- 12/7/2009
- by Brent Hartinger
- The Backlot
Despite press reports suggesting that further scrutiny may be needed, it appears unlikely at this time that Worldwide Pants and/or CBS will conduct an internal investigation following David Letterman's televised revelation on Oct. 1 that he had affairs with female staff members. Press reports have indicated that the host had a relationship with former assistant Stephanie Birkitt, 34, and an employee in the 1990s who was one of his peers. A spokesman for Worldwide Pants (the production company that produces The Late Show for CBS) indicated to EW that, like most companies, it circulates an employee manual each year that addresses harassment,...
- 10/5/2009
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside Movies
Want to know the status of a particular movie, TV show, or band? Wondering what a certain actress is up to these days? Send your entertainment-related questions to askafterellen@gmail.com — with your first name, city and country — and we'll try to answer as many as we can.
Question: I just caught the tail end of Kissing Jessica Stein on TV today and I was wondering if you could tell me what writers/co-stars Heather Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt are up to these days? I love that movie and thought they both did brilliant jobs both writing and acting in it!
― Kelcie, Bellingham, Wa
Helen Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt in Kissing Jessica Stein
Answer: Jennifer Westfeldt has worked steadily following the success of Kissing Jessica Stein. Just last year she had a multi-episode arc as a patient on Grey's Anatomy, and this fall she'll join the cast of 24 as journalist Meredith Reed.
Question: I just caught the tail end of Kissing Jessica Stein on TV today and I was wondering if you could tell me what writers/co-stars Heather Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt are up to these days? I love that movie and thought they both did brilliant jobs both writing and acting in it!
― Kelcie, Bellingham, Wa
Helen Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt in Kissing Jessica Stein
Answer: Jennifer Westfeldt has worked steadily following the success of Kissing Jessica Stein. Just last year she had a multi-episode arc as a patient on Grey's Anatomy, and this fall she'll join the cast of 24 as journalist Meredith Reed.
- 9/2/2009
- by karman
- AfterEllen.com
Toronto International Film Festival
Having already tackled such wide-ranging topics as comic books, poetry, dance crazes and marijuana, Canada's leading counterculture chronicler, Ron Mann, decided to tag along with actor, eco-activist and professed hemp-o-phile Woody Harrelson on his awareness-building Simple Organic Living Tour.
The resulting "Go Further" is an agreeably goofy road movie of a documentary that chronicles the exploits of Harrelson (who narrated Mann's "Grass") and his similarly enlightened cohorts as they make their way down the Pacific Coast on a bio-fueled bus spreading the eco-gospel.
Aside from preaching the joys of a sustainable lifestyle and the dangers of processed foods -- Harrelson warns of the blood and pus that can be found in the milk of hormonally altered cows -- "Go Further" generally eschews the scare tactics of a Michael Moore documentary.
Instead, the film takes a mellower route, with Woody and his colorful band of Merry Hempsters stopping along the way to visit with a guy who sells worm tea (a chemical-free fertilizer) and hear a band that recruits members of the audience to power their instruments by riding stationary bicycles.
They also pay a visit to the late Ken Kesey, whose rusting psychedelic Merry Pranksters bus provided the inspiration for the trek, while the likes of Natalie Merchant, The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis and Dave Matthews are among those who pop by to perform some environmentally friendly tunes.
Having already tackled such wide-ranging topics as comic books, poetry, dance crazes and marijuana, Canada's leading counterculture chronicler, Ron Mann, decided to tag along with actor, eco-activist and professed hemp-o-phile Woody Harrelson on his awareness-building Simple Organic Living Tour.
The resulting "Go Further" is an agreeably goofy road movie of a documentary that chronicles the exploits of Harrelson (who narrated Mann's "Grass") and his similarly enlightened cohorts as they make their way down the Pacific Coast on a bio-fueled bus spreading the eco-gospel.
Aside from preaching the joys of a sustainable lifestyle and the dangers of processed foods -- Harrelson warns of the blood and pus that can be found in the milk of hormonally altered cows -- "Go Further" generally eschews the scare tactics of a Michael Moore documentary.
Instead, the film takes a mellower route, with Woody and his colorful band of Merry Hempsters stopping along the way to visit with a guy who sells worm tea (a chemical-free fertilizer) and hear a band that recruits members of the audience to power their instruments by riding stationary bicycles.
They also pay a visit to the late Ken Kesey, whose rusting psychedelic Merry Pranksters bus provided the inspiration for the trek, while the likes of Natalie Merchant, The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis and Dave Matthews are among those who pop by to perform some environmentally friendly tunes.
Toronto International Film Festival
Having already tackled such wide-ranging topics as comic books, poetry, dance crazes and marijuana, Canada's leading counterculture chronicler, Ron Mann, decided to tag along with actor, eco-activist and professed hemp-o-phile Woody Harrelson on his awareness-building Simple Organic Living Tour.
The resulting "Go Further" is an agreeably goofy road movie of a documentary that chronicles the exploits of Harrelson (who narrated Mann's "Grass") and his similarly enlightened cohorts as they make their way down the Pacific Coast on a bio-fueled bus spreading the eco-gospel.
Aside from preaching the joys of a sustainable lifestyle and the dangers of processed foods -- Harrelson warns of the blood and pus that can be found in the milk of hormonally altered cows -- "Go Further" generally eschews the scare tactics of a Michael Moore documentary.
Instead, the film takes a mellower route, with Woody and his colorful band of Merry Hempsters stopping along the way to visit with a guy who sells worm tea (a chemical-free fertilizer) and hear a band that recruits members of the audience to power their instruments by riding stationary bicycles.
They also pay a visit to the late Ken Kesey, whose rusting psychedelic Merry Pranksters bus provided the inspiration for the trek, while the likes of Natalie Merchant, The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis and Dave Matthews are among those who pop by to perform some environmentally friendly tunes.
Having already tackled such wide-ranging topics as comic books, poetry, dance crazes and marijuana, Canada's leading counterculture chronicler, Ron Mann, decided to tag along with actor, eco-activist and professed hemp-o-phile Woody Harrelson on his awareness-building Simple Organic Living Tour.
The resulting "Go Further" is an agreeably goofy road movie of a documentary that chronicles the exploits of Harrelson (who narrated Mann's "Grass") and his similarly enlightened cohorts as they make their way down the Pacific Coast on a bio-fueled bus spreading the eco-gospel.
Aside from preaching the joys of a sustainable lifestyle and the dangers of processed foods -- Harrelson warns of the blood and pus that can be found in the milk of hormonally altered cows -- "Go Further" generally eschews the scare tactics of a Michael Moore documentary.
Instead, the film takes a mellower route, with Woody and his colorful band of Merry Hempsters stopping along the way to visit with a guy who sells worm tea (a chemical-free fertilizer) and hear a band that recruits members of the audience to power their instruments by riding stationary bicycles.
They also pay a visit to the late Ken Kesey, whose rusting psychedelic Merry Pranksters bus provided the inspiration for the trek, while the likes of Natalie Merchant, The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis and Dave Matthews are among those who pop by to perform some environmentally friendly tunes.
- 9/29/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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