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News from the darkest corners of the
musical universe:
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Tuesday, February 27, 2007 ◦
This spring Nonesuch Records will release a Joni Mitchell tribute album featuring a variety of musical legends such as Prince, Emmylou Harris, and James Taylor. Sufjan Stevens contributes "Free Man In Paris" which originally appeared on Mitchell's 1974 album Court And Spark. The compilation is due in stores on April 24.
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Sunday, February 25, 2007 ◦
Barnes & Barnes' classic Voobaha album, along with two Wild Man Fischer albums - Pronounced Normal and Nothing Scary - will be reissued on Collectors' Choice Music on April 3, 2007.
More info here.
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Saturday, February 24, 2007 ◦
Al Viola, a versatile guitarist best known for his long association with Frank Sinatra and his memorable mandolin playing on "The Godfather" soundtrack, has died. He was 87. Viola died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Studio City, said his wife, Glenna.
Viola, who arrived in Los Angeles as a member of the Page Cavanaugh Trio after World War II, became a prominent member of the local recording-studio scene.
He worked in the recording studio - and occasionally did local gigs - with the big bands of Harry James, Ray Anthony, Les Brown and Nelson Riddle. He also worked with jazz groups, including playing with Collette, Red Callender, Bobby Troup, Terry Gibbs and Shelly Manne.
As a studio musician, Viola appeared on more than 500 albums with artists such as Julie London, Steve Lawrence, Marvin Gaye, Neil Diamond, Linda Ronstadt and Natalie Cole.
In addition to being the solo mandolinist who performed the classic "Godfather" theme, he played on numerous TV and film soundtracks, including "West Side Story," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Blazing Saddles."
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Thursday, February 08, 2007 ◦
The Asphalt Tango label is pleased to announce that the new Fanfare Ciocarlia album "Queens and Kings" is finalized.
On Queens & Kings Romania's celebrated brass orchestra Fanfare Ciocarlia welcome onboard their Romani brethren like ESMA REDZEPOVA, SABAN BAJRAMOVIC, JONY ILIEV, LILIJANA BUTLER, MITSOU and KALOOME. Visas obtained, borders crossed, foreign tongues mastered, FANFARE CIOCARLIA and their guests overcame differences of nationality, rhythm and instrumentation to forge an epic celebration of Gypsy life and song.
Release date Europe (except France) 23th February 2007
Release date USA 10th April 2006
More information here.
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Tuesday, February 06, 2007 ◦
Frankie Laine, the singer with the booming voice who hit it big with such songs as "That Lucky Old Sun," "Mule Train," "Cool Water," "I Believe," "Granada" and "Moonlight Gambler," died today at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. He was 93.
Laine entered the hospital over the weekend for hip replacement surgery but suffered complications from the operation, said his friend A.C. Lyles, the longtime producer at Paramount Pictures.
In all, Laine sold well over 100 million records and was hugely popular not only in the United States but in Britain and Australia.
Even after his popularity crested after the rise of rock 'n' roll, Laine was heard for many years singing the theme to the TV series "Rawhide," which featured a young Clint Eastwood and ran until 1966.
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