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Roy Orbison - Roy Orbison - The Monument Singles Collection The most common mistake made about Roy Orbison is to confuse his life with his music. While the cataclysmic series of personal horrors he endured (the death of his wife in a motorcycle accident, the later house fire that stole two sons) have added even more wrenching depth to his heartbreak masterpieces, they were written earlier: Orbison was pop's greatest tragedian long before his life caught up with his art. Another mistake is to focus solely on that voice - soaring, versatile and sublimely moving though it is - and forget what an extraordinary songwriter he was. The Monument Singles Collection... Etta James - Etta James - Who’s Blue? Rare Chess Recordings of the 60s and 70s In recent years, Etta James has finally gained the respect she has so richly deserved. Previously in the shadow of other performers, James, through a variety of compilations and use of her music in adverts, has been appropriately reassessed and placed among the very greatest R&B singers. Who’s Blue? is a look into the Los Angeles-born vocalist’s deeper catalogue, and provides a scintillating dip into the funk, blues, soul and doo-wop from her high-period Chess era. And these really are the rarities. Lesser artists would have donated their eye teeth for songs as powerful as this. James’ mastery of her material,... Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash - Bootleg, Volume 2: From Memphis to Hollywood Every generation has its own version of Johnny Cash. In the 21st century, most people know Cash as imagined by the producer Rick Rubin: a weathered monument of popular music, sermonizing rock standards like Hurt with a voice cracked by the weight of too much living. But it’s a sheer tonic to meet the Johnny Cash of a different era, a 22 year-old just moved to Memphis, with a timbre as deep as a canyon and cool as the other side of the pillow. This was the young singer whose rigorously simple three-chord songs were a shot in the arm to... Etta James - Dr. John & Etta James :: I’d Rather Go Blind In terms of sheer personality the above performance has it in spades (and then some). I happened upon this vintage clip a couple of days ago and have since shared it with just about every Dr. John freak I could think of. This, his pairing with Etta James on “I’d Rather Go Blind,” is beyond ...Quantic - Download A Treat From Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque Comprised of DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis alongside The Mighty Crime Minister, Sofrito has consistently combined the serious vinyl hunter’s ear for amazing records with the know-how to throw a great party, rocking dancefloors worldwide since their inception in 2005 with a mixture of vintage tropical grooves and exclusive dubplate edits. From their legendary Tropical Warehouse events in East London to the clubs and bars of Brooklyn, from beach parties in Greece to festivals and clubs across Europe including WOMAD and the Worldwide Festival, Sofrito has now become an international proposition. Over the years the club has also attracted... Amy Winehouse - Amy Winehouse Makes Live Return Amy Winehouse has made a triumphant return to live duties with a show in Brazil. The decline of Amy Winehouse has been as sad as it was inevitable. The singer's spiralling drug habit pushed her off the road, making recording sessions for a potential new album almost impossible to complete. Recently, though, the singer's life has become more positive. A much delayed contribution to a Quincy Jones tribute album was completed, with old friend and sparring partner Mark Ronson at the controls. Arranging a five date Brazilian tour, Amy Winehouse prepared to return to live duties. The singer has not appeared... Chuck Berry - Chuck Berry Collapses Onstage Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry is recovering after dramatically collapsing onstage in Chicago. No one person invented rock 'n' roll. Ike Turner, Elvis Presley and more can all stake a claim to forging its DNA, but for fans rock 'n' roll reached its true incarnation in the form of guitarist Chuck Berry. Scoring countless hits, Chuck Berry has lead a hugely influential if sometimes controversial career. Still performing at the ripe old age of 84 the guitarist is thrilling crowds across the globe... because he's Chuck Berry. Last year the rock legend pulled out of several UK shows due to... Amy Winehouse - Amy Winehouse Teenage Diaries Found in Trash Posted on December 30th, 2010 by andPOP Staff They say one person’s trash is another one’s treasure, and that is kind of the case with Amy Winehouse. Winehouse’s teenage diary was found in a London trash can which reveals an interesting side to the singer. The diary was written in 2001 when Winehouse was 17. On a list that includes handwritten reminders to get a “treadmill” and “buy car,” the singer also wrote, “get teeth fixed.” It also says that she dreams of buying a flat in London. Winehouse’s rep tells PEOPLE she... The Rolling Stones - 100 Club Close To Being Saved? Iconic London music venue The 100 Club is close to being saved, with owners negotiating a sponsorship deal. Founded during the Second World War, the 100 Club has been at the centre of virtually every youth movement Britain has produced. From bebop to punk, from The Rolling Stones to The Libertines the venue has seen it all. Recently, though, spiralling rents and rising costs have made the 100 Club difficult to sustain. The London venue announced that unless funding was found it would close its doors before Christmas. A high profile campaign was launched to save the venue, with the... Nina Simone - Nina Simone - Nina Simone at Town Hall It was said of Nina Simone that she performed "with heart at all times", and that is none more evident than on Nina Simone at Town Hall. Only her fourth album, it was recorded mostly live at the prestigious New York venue in September 1959, with three songs " The Other Woman, Cotton Eyed Joe and Wild Is the Wind " cut in a studio in the city a month later. It captures the 27-year-old at one of her early pinnacles. The show was her New York concert debut. Simone later wrote how, after years playing clubs, that it was one... |