Rock 'N Roll Chaos and Hollywood Glam Collide as MTV Unleashes the VMAs in Los Angeles & other

Beijing Olympic authorities accused of plagiarising national anthems

2008-08-29T18:16:00.001-07:00

China can't seem to do anything right. Despite the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, medals won and dives dived, people scarcely won't shut up about Tibet, smogginess and human rights. Well, there's a new ailment to add together to the list, and it's the most outlandish yet. Remember the national anthems played during the Games? Well, they were nicked, a Czech composer has alleged.

In 2004, Peter Breiner arranged more than 200 national anthems for use at the Athens Olympic Games. Though some might think that a song's a song, in copyright terms an agreement is an original put to work. What's more, Breiner sawed-off these anthems, in some cases, to their minute-long essences, or brought out different classifiable elements.

Watching medal ceremonies in Beijing, Breiner and several other close listeners noticed a striking resemblance between the Chinese arrangements and Breiner's 2004 compositions. Or, more cuttingly, Breiner is "100% positive" that the Beijing Olympic Committee is victimisation his work without ascription, permission or compensation, he told the Washington Post.

Breiner's Athens anthems were released as an eight-volume set by the well-known Naxos label. And, indeed, Breiner and Naxos offered to license these recordings to the Beijing Olympics. "They responded that they would make their own recordings with a Chinese orchestra," Breiner told the Post.

The difficulty is, on that point are quirks to Breiner's arrangements that are distinctive. His withdraw on the American hymn, The Star-Spangled Banner, wound up considerable disputation in 2004, with a Wall Street Journal writer calling it a "Europe-friendly version of the anthem" that dulls "the notion of the US as a chest-thumping, butt-kicking, jingoistic powerhouse".

And when it comes to the Beijing version of that same anthem, "Breiner's basic conception of the unhurt piece [had] been copied," the Post alleges. "The brass opening, the increase of strings when the opening melody repeats, the inclusion of complex bass lines in Measures 14 and 28, and the use of an antiquated little cadency at the end of several phrases [were] all very particular to Breiner's original."

Olympic organisers denied the allegations. "We have non heard of Naxos," Sun Weide, lieutenant director for communications for the Beijing Olympics, told the Post. "All the anthems and songs put-upon at the Beijing Games were orchestrated by Chinese musicians."

In other conversations with Breiner and Naxos, the Chinese gave different explanations for the arrangements' origins. Beijing aforementioned that they had been sent copies by the International Olympic Committee, or had just "found them on the internet", Naxos president Klaus Heymann said.

Certainly, Olympic government may suffer just hired a Chinese musician to transcribe Breiner's arrangements from CD. But the legal twists and turns are complicated indeed. Experts say that the case would have to be fought in China, a area that does not exactly have a reputation for strictly enforced copyright constabulary.

Still, Breiner is firm in his position. "My arrangements of public-domain anthems are original compositions from a sound point of view," he told the post. "Which means if someone wants to record them, they have to purchase the material."

Maybe he can sleeve wrestle them for it.

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Elwing

2008-08-09T18:17:00.001-07:00

Artist: Elwing

   Genre(s):
Metal: Power

Discography:

War

Year: 2005
Tracks: 10

'WALL-E' has a $23.2 million opening

2008-07-01T19:16:00.001-07:00

Even as the G-rated animated movie topped the day's boxoffice returns, Universal's R-rated "Wanted" gave it a run for its money, as the action pic roared out of the gate with a powerful second-place showing. Full story

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George Carlin becomes first posthumous Mark Twain honoree

2008-06-30T08:46:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts said on Monday it would go ahead with plans to present its Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to the late George Carlin, making him the first comedian so honored posthumously.

Carlin, the counter-culture figure famed for his provocative stand-up routines on such subjects as profanity, drugs and the demise of humankind, died on Sunday at age 71 after complaining of heart problems earlier in the day.

The Kennedy Center had only announced days before that Carlin was selected as the 11th recipient of its prestigious Mark Twain award, an honor bestowed annually at a black-tie gala televised on the Public Broadcasting Service network PBS.

"He was thrilled that he was chosen ... and today was the day we were supposed to talk on the phone about potential guests," said Mark Krantz, an executive producer of the show. "So he was very much into it and was already agreeing to do some press, and we were getting ready to get the nuts and bolts worked out when this terrible thing happened."

After consulting with Carlin's family and PBS, the Kennedy Center decided to go forward with the ceremony as scheduled on November 10. The show, taped at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will air on PBS at a date to be announced.

Last year's honoree was actor-comedian Billy Crystal. The first in 1998, was Richard Pryor, the only other recipient who is now deceased. Others have included Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, playwright Neil Simon and "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels.

For Carlin's ceremony, producers will stick with the usual format described by Krantz as "a funny celebration of a career," with friends and peers telling stories and anecdotes and introducing clips of his work.

"He has a 50-year career to look back on," Krantz said. "He was the first host of 'Saturday Night Live.' He did 130 Johnny Carson shows, he did 13 or more HBO specials, he's won four Grammys."

The Mark Twain prize is named for the 19th-century novelist, essayist and humorist whose given name was Samuel Clemens, author of such classics as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."

Dodgy

2008-06-30T07:19:00.001-07:00

Artist: Dodgy

   Genre(s):
Rock

Discography:


Ace A's and Killer B's

   Year: 1998
Tracks: 17


Free Peace Sweet

   Year: 1996
Tracks: 14

Dodgy never was taken severely. Then again, they ne'er precious to be taken in earnest. As the clowns of Brit-pop, Dodgy carved out a recession with their infectious, goofy punk-pop that alternately sounded like the early Who and the Stone Roses. While they had a number of attain singles in the UK, highlighted by "Staying Out for the Summer," their offbeat British body fluid prevented them from landing an American criminal record deal for several years. Nevertheless, Dodgy was able to hold a devoted furor undermentioned into the late '90s, as they kept turning out attention-getting, zany power-pop tunes.

An early version of Dodgy formed in the tardy '80s, when Nigel Clarke (vocals, bass) and Mathew Priest (drums) moved from their native Birmingham to London. As they began working unmatched jobs, they placed an advertizement for a guitar player, eventually recruiting Andy Miller. Over the future few years, Dodgy played often, including regular stints at the Dodgy Club, where they made their live debut. In 1991, they formed their possess Bostin criminal record label to exit their possess singles, including "Summertime Fayre" and "Easy Way.". By the goal of 1992, Dodgy had earned a sizeable next, attracting the care of major labels. They gestural a contract with A&M later that yr, releasing their debut, The Dodgy Album, in May 1993. The criminal record was praised by the British music agitate, and Dodgy soon became regulars at the rising Camden bulge scene, which was headed by Blur.

Foxy returned during the flow of 1994 with the single "Staying Out for the Summer," which became their first gear Top 40 bump off. It set the stage for their breakthrough album, Homegrown, which was greeted with positive reviews upon its October release. Following a class of touring in 1995, the band returned in the summer of 1996 with Free Peace Sweet, which was their biggest bump off to day of the month, spawning the hits "In A Room," "Good Enough" and "If You're Thinking of Me," which peaked at number 11.

Hot Tuna

2008-06-30T00:26:00.000-07:00

Artist: Hot Tuna

   Genre(s):
Rock
   Rock: Blues

Discography:


The Phosphorescent Rat

   Year: 2004
Tracks: 10


Yellow Fever

   Year: 2001
Tracks: 8


Live at Kenswick CD2

   Year: 2000
Tracks: 12


Live at Kenswick CD1

   Year: 2000
Tracks: 14


Live in Japan: At Stove's Yokohoma City

   Year: 1998
Tracks: 14


Classic Hot Tuna Electric

   Year: 1996
Tracks: 8


Classic Acoustic

   Year: 1996
Tracks: 10


Double Dose

   Year: 1995
Tracks: 14


Live at Sweetwater 2

   Year: 1993
Tracks: 12


Live At Sweetwater

   Year: 1992
Tracks: 13


Pair A Dice Found

   Year: 1990
Tracks: 14


Historic Live

   Year: 1985
Tracks: 8


Hoppkorv

   Year: 1976
Tracks: 10


Splashdown Two

   Year: 1975
Tracks: 14


America's Choice

   Year: 1975
Tracks: 8


Burgers

   Year: 1972
Tracks: 9


First Pull Up, Then Pull Down

   Year: 1971
Tracks: 7


Hot Tuna

   Year:
Tracks: 15


Funky

   Year:
Tracks: 11

Begun as an acoustic spin-off of the Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna eventually became the full-time focus of creation members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, rising as a democratic touring act of the 1970s. The 2 were lifelong friends, maturation up together in Washington, D.C., and playing in the chemical group the Triumphs. After heights school, guitarist Kaukonen and his government-service parents resettled to the Philippines, merely he returned to the U.S. in time for the advent of psychedelia, landing place in San Francisco and co-founding the Airplane in 1965. Bassist Casady united not long after, and together they helped lead the group to massive success during the late '60s.

Hot Tuna -- in the first place dubbed Hot Sh*t, much to the mortification of their label, RCA -- start began pickings cast in 1969, patch both Casady and Kaukonen were tranquil active members of the Jefferson Airplane; in fact, their first performances were sandwiched between regular Airplane gigs. As a threesome rounded out by mouth harp player Will Scarlet (and at times including Airplane members Marty Balin and Spencer Dryden), Hot Tuna debuted in 1970 with a low-key self-titled LP of traditional blues and ragtime recorded live at the New Orleans House in Berkeley; by the undermentioned year's more rock-inspired First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, their roster included violinist Papa John Creach, at the same time a full-time member of the Airplane, and drummer Sammy Piazza. Minus Scarlet, a third album, Burgers, appeared in 1972.

By the appearance of 1974's The Phosphorescent Rat, both Casady and Kaukonen had formally exited Jefferson Airplane; by this time Creach, world Health Organization elective to persist with the Airplane, was no thirster in the group. With 1975's America's Choice, Piazza as well was kaput, replaced by drummer Bob Steeler; Sensationalistic Fever appeared that same twelvemonth, with Hoppkorv following in 1976. Keyboardist Nick Buck signed on for 1978's Double Dose, but Hot Tuna after announced their separation, ending out the first phase of their career with 1979's Last Vinyl.

In the come alive of the group's dying, Kaukonen released a solo LP, Jorma, and after joined the new wave unit Vital Parts; Casady as well fronted a modern wave group of his own, SVT. In 1984, both returned to their roots: Casady joined beau Airplane alums Balin and Paul Kantner in the K.B.C. Band, spell Kaukonen reverted to the acoustic folks and blue devils of his formative long time. Finally, Casady and Kaukonen played a handful of club dates under the Hot Tuna aegis, re-forming on a more concrete basis in 1986; by 1990, their ranks included Michael Falzarano, a veteran of many early reunion shows. That class Hot Tuna released Twin a Dice Found, their first base accumulation of new studio material in over a decade; a serial of live releases followed, including 1992's Live at Sweetwater, 1997's Splashdown Two, and 1999's And Furthurmore... In the geezerhood to follow, Hot Tuna continued to play respective alive shows a class in assorted configurations. A single-disc best-of from the RCA geezerhood, Keep on Truckin', was released in 2006.

Our Brother The Native Man Features on Phantom Channel Compilation

Sigur Ros unveils fall tour slate

2008-06-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

Just before their new album hits store shelves across the country, art-rockers Sigur Ros [ tickets ] have announced dates for a headlining US tour this fall.The Icelandic post-rock ensemble, which earlier this week completed a quick US outing anchored by an appearance at last weekend's Bonnaroo Festival, will launch the new run with back-to-back shows in New York City beginning Sept. 17. The group will hit 15 cities on the early autumn trek, which follows a full schedule of European dates planned for the summer.North American dates are shown below; details of the group's European plans can be found at the Sigur Ros website.Due in stores June 23, "Med Sud i Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust" (English translation: "With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly") is the band's fifth studio album, and follows 2005's "Takk...," which was certified gold in the UK and sold more than 30,000 copies in the US during its first week in stores.Despite the unwieldy title, the disc is the group's first to feature a song performed in English ("All Alright.") The album was co-produced by the band with veteran producer Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and recorded in New York City; London; the band's hometown of Reykjavik, Iceland; and Havana, Cuba.Earlier this month, the band made the album free in streaming form through its website and the music community website Last.fm.Last year, the group released "Hvarf-Heim," a 2-CD compilation album containing studio versions of previously unreleased songs, and the live DVD "Heima," which documents the group's 2006 tour of Iceland.

Bill Murray - Murray Wife Granted Quick Divorce

2008-06-30T00:18:00.001-07:00

BILL MURRAY has ended his 10-year marriage to wife JENNIFER following a quick divorce.

The couple's separation only hit the headlines last month (May08) and now the Murray's are single again.

In court documents obtained by TMZ.com, the movie star has been ordered to pay child support.

His ex-wife will have custody of their four children and she'll keep the family home.

Jennifer filed for divorce a month ago, alleging the Lost In Translation star was an abusive sex addict.

According to legal documents, she moved out of the family home in 2006 as a result of the comedian's "adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behaviour, physical abuse, sexual addictions and frequent abandonment."

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Third Man

2008-06-30T00:15:00.001-07:00

Artist: Third Man

   Genre(s):
New Age
   New Age

Discography:


One To One

   Year:
Tracks: 13


Inner Vew

   Year:
Tracks: 11


Dream On

   Year:
Tracks: 11

Last Perfection

2008-06-30T00:12:00.001-07:00

Artist: Last Perfection

   Genre(s):
Other

Discography:

Drawing Conclusions

Year: 2004
Tracks: 9

Based in New York City and Long Island, Last Perfection fuse influences from Iron Maiden to Converge into their violent firebrand of melodic metalcore. Formed in 2001, the band began prepping demos, playing local shows, and struggling with an ever-shifting lineup on its way to 2003's Violent Solutions for a Violent World debut, and, simply over a twelvemonth by and by, the sophomore Drawing off Conclusions. Last Perfection's force includes vocalist James, guitarists Matt and Josh, bassist Paul Gesl, and drummer Chris.

Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie

2008-06-30T00:11:00.001-07:00

Artist: Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie

   Genre(s):
Jazz

Discography:


Verve Jazz Masters 25

   Year: 1994
Tracks: 6


Jazz Masters 25

   Year:
Tracks: 6

Amy Winehouse - Stars Line Up For Mandela Concert

2008-06-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

Amy Winehouse, Razorlight and Leona Lewis are among tonight's line-up for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations in Hyde Park.

The concert will also star several performers who sang at a rally to free the South African statesman from prison, held 20 years ago.

Jerry Dammers, whose song Free Nelson Mandela became synonymous with the anti-apartheid movement in Britain in the 1980s, will take the stage along with Simple Minds and Annie Lennox, who were also at the 1988 concert.

There were concerns that Winehouse would not take part in the concert after doctors diagnosed early signs of lung condition emphysema, but she is said to be rehearsing the song Free Nelson Mandela for the concert.

Queen is also taking part, as are the Sugababes, the Soweto gospel choir and Eddy Grant.

Proceeds from the show, which is hosted by Will Smith, will go to 46664, the AIDS charity named for the number Mandela wore in prison.

Although Mandela retired from politics nine years ago, he is still seen as a moral authority.

He recently chose to speak out against Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, saying the situation was a "tragic failure of leadership", making headlines around the world.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned by the South African government for 27 years for his stand against apartheid. He was released in 1990 and became the country's first black president in 1994.

27/06/2008 16:47:55

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John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman.

2008-06-30T00:09:00.001-07:00

Artist: John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman.

   Genre(s):
Pop
   Other

Discography:


Original Recording Remasteres

   Year:
Tracks: 1


John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman

   Year:
Tracks: 1

Rock 'N Roll Chaos and Hollywood Glam Collide as MTV Unleashes the VMAs in Los Angeles

2008-06-30T00:08:00.001-07:00

2008 VMAs Set to Air Live From Paramount Pictures on Sunday, September 7,
2008 at 9PM (ET/PT)

NEW YORK, June 23 -- Van Toffler, President, MTVN Music
Group, today announced that the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards are headed to
Hollywood to celebrate the rock 'n roll spirit of music in celebrity
playground Los Angeles. What better way to do that than to take over a
Hollywood movie lot and produce the most ambitious and creative music
awards show while also paying tribute to the musical heritage that Los
Angeles is known for? The star studded awards show will be staged over city
streets, rooftops, and sound stages utilizing all that the legendary
Paramount Pictures studios lot have to offer. Also, MTV will empower their
audience to executive produce this year's show including giving them the
opportunity to decide this year's nominees helping to create an awards show
with the music they love. MTV's 25th annual Video Music Awards will air
live and only one time in its original incarnation, on Sunday, September 7,
2008 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Host, performers, nominees, and
presenters for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards will be announced at a later
date.

"With Paramount Pictures as the ideal setting, the glamour and musical
heritage of L.A. are sure to be catalysts for creating explosive pop
culture moments that the VMAs are known for," said Toffler. "By anointing
our audience as un-official executive producers, this year's VMAs will live
and breathe the music they love and we're looking forward to producing a
complete music experience that will connect to them beyond television."

"Paramount is proud to serve for the first time, as the host of the
VMAs," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures. "Combining
the rich history of the Paramount lot with MTV's cutting-edge show will
make this one of the year's most exciting and memorable events."

"The City of Los Angeles is proud to host the MTV Video Music Awards,"
said City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "There is no better
place to hold one of the music industry's most exciting awards shows than
right here in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. We will
roll out the red carpet for MTV and allow this awards show to not only
recognizes the best in music, but to also celebrate the creative talent and
diversity our great city has to offer."

MTV has tapped Jesse Ignjatovic once again to executive produce this
year's "MTV Video Music Awards." Ignjatovic spent many years as Vice
President of Music & Talent Development, creating, executive producing and
developing shows like, MTV Ultimate Mash Ups featuring Jay-Z/Linkin Park,
Life & Rhymes of ... , J Lo's Dancelife, Snoop Dogg's Doggy Fizzle, Meet
The Barkers, and MTV Icon. In 2007, Ignjatovic launched Den of Thieves and
has been able to continue his incredible relationship with MTV, Executive
Producing the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards" and most recently, the new
music series "FNMTV Premieres."

Jesse Ignjatovic is the Executive Producer, for the "2008 MTV Video
Music Awards." Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Chris Choun is
Co-Executive Producer. Jane Mun is Producer. Amy Doyle and Joanna Bomberg
are Music Talent Executives. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent
Executive. Garrett English is Executive in Charge of Production.

About MTV

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music,
creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved,
challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation
a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every
platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour
ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com
scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched ten dynamic online
communities and six new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1
music brand in the wireless space -- delivering 90% more streams than in
2006. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each
deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college
students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV
Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading
creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know
more? Come on in ... http://www.mtvpress.com.

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