W♥M

Back to Black

Read More Amy Winehouse The film has us from its opening credits- a group of friends are gathered for a party in 1998 and each teen sings along to ‘Happy Birthday’, only to have a 14-year old Amy Winehouse finish the song solo with such aplomb and obvious talent …

We Heart Music had the pleasure of previewing Back to Black, the new movie about Amy Winehouse, only in theaters this Friday, May 17th.

The film opens with a beautiful aerial view of the singer/songwriter running. The audience is left wondering if she is sprinting towards something or away from it. Marisa Abela cast as Amy was done well, from her head bobs to the fashion, down to her shoes. I, for one although I know I'm not the only one, was surprised when I learned she didn't lip sync the songs. In any case, the music had my toe tapping, as Blake's friend in the pub said about "Valerie," I felt it for all the tunes.

The story touches on all aspects of her life, the headlines that we saw from bulimia to the drug usage that inspired Rehab. Ms. Winehouse often says in the movie that she wasn't in it for the money or the "fame game." It's quite obvious though, that with a talent so strong and a voice so powerful, she was impossible to suppress. There are scenes sprinkled throughout with a yellow canary flying around her house. Although these are most likely a nod to Ava, the subject of the October song, the imagery is also synonymous with a freed bird from its cage.

She claimed to have wanted a "normal" life where she gets married and has kids. In the end, we learn that she is running towards her would be husband. The decision then is a joyful one hence a choice that anyone can relate to.

Trailer

quynh ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Record Store Day 2021 Drop 2 - Sat. July 17

Read More Record Store Day The annual Record Store Day is tomorrow (Saturday, April 16th). Here are some events taking place in the Minneapolis area .…

In another positive sign of returning normalcy, Record Store Day returns this Saturday to your favorite neighborhood independent record store, with the final of two “drops” of exclusive and rare releases.

Planned in the midst of the global pandemic, thisbest day of the year for music collectors is to be wisely split into two dates this year, making the most sense fiscally and socially responsible, while also giving production plants a chance to meet customer demands.

In addition to Saturday July 17, June 12 also served as a RSD release day and there are likely some limited releases left over from that day at your favorite indie store.

Titles available are all listed on the official RSD website but availability will vary depending on the store and their ability to receive what they pre-ordered. Additionally, rules and social protocols will likely be taking place, from mask wearing, to limiting quantities, browsing time and in-store capacity, so check with the preferred establishment of your choice.

In Minneapolis/St. Paul, Electric Fetus will be handing out early line numbers and selling out of their back garage, while Down in the Valley features grab bags and giveaways and will be partnering with Broken Clock Brewing for an exclusive lime-tinged beer.

In Kansas City, Josey Records completes their first RSD at their new location (just a block from the old one), Mills Record Co. will be handing out early wish lists to fill out then have their staff shop for you, while Love Garden in Lawrence will randomize the lining up order with a lottery system.

Each year, the event also selects a celebrity Record Store Day Ambassador and this year, it is musician/ comedian/ actor/ writer/ late- night- talk- show- bandleader Fred Armisen (who also releases a new EP as part of the July 17 drop).

“I've been completely lost in records for most of my life”,Armisen said, “They have defined the way I see the world and how I remember different years in the past. As I moved to different cities throughout my life, I never stopped collecting records. That also goes for CDs.”

Though the releases are primarily on vinyl, there are a few on CD, as well as on another “thought-dead” format, the cassette.  With 162 titles coming this Saturday, there are far too many to mention, but here are a few highlights:

(click any image to enlarge)

The Monkees Missing Links Volumes 1, 2 and 3 LP each limited to 2000	Aretha Franklin Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly 1972 2 x LP limited to 5050	Amy Winehouse Remixes 2xLP limited to 13000	Waterboys How Long Will I Love You (2021 Remix) 12” Vinyl limited to 3000
The Cure Wild Mood Swings 2 x LP Picture Disc limited to 8000	Ramones Live in Sydney, Australia, July 8, 1980 LP limited to 6000	Bob Dylan Jokerman / I And I Remixes 12" Vinyl  limited to 7000	Ultravox Vienna (Steven Wilson Remix) 2xLP limited 2500 / 2xCD limited to 1500
The Clash If Music Could Talk 2 x LP  limited to 3600	Cat Stevens / Yusuf Songs From Harold & Maude LP limited to 8000	Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Déjà vu Alternates LP limited to 10000	Rolling Stones Hot Rocks (50th Anniversary Edition) LP limited to 7200
Karen O & Willie Nelson Under Pressure 7" Vinyl limited to 2500	Allman Brothers Band The Final Note  2 x LP limited to 9000	Pearl Jam Alive Cassette limited to 6300 / LP limited to 18500	Foo Fighters (as The Dee Gees) Hail Satin LP limited to 12000

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Movie review: Amy

Synopsis From BAFTA award-winning director Asif Kapadia (SENNA), AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse—in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archive footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few can. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world’s attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense—she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyse her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of the modern era. Her huge success, however, resulted in relentless and invasive media attention which, coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle, saw her life tragically begin to unravel. Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27. Director: Asif Kapadia Genre: Documentary Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Read More Amy Winehouse Did you miss the Amy free movie screening at the Walker Art Center on July 2nd? Here is your second chance to score a pair of free passes for July 7th, courtesy of 89.3 The Current. The film opens on July 10th. …

Gone too soon—

That sentiment can unfortunately apply to so many rock icons, and so many were gone at age 27, including Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones and more recently, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. A new documentary about Winehouse, called Amy has just been released, compelling but is not without its share of controversy.

The film has us from its opening credits- a group of friends are gathered for a party in 1998 and each teen sings along to ‘Happy Birthday’, only to have a 14-year old Amy Winehouse finish the song solo with such aplomb and obvious talent, that it seems obvious from that clip, that she would go on to greater things.

Filmmaker Asif Kapadia previously helmed an equally tragic story of race car driver Aryton Senna and developed a reputation of providing an unflinching look at his subjects.  Initially, the project had complete support from the Winehouse family and friends, only to view the finished work, and have many disown the film, including Winehouse’s estranged father, Mitch.

Most of the film is culled from private home video footage, TV clips, and press filming, with most of the interviews done in voiceover over the clips, rather than in a face-to-face setting.  Because of this, much of what’s on screen is raw and often shaky, so a close seat in the theater is not recommended.

Winehouse fans will be drawn to the footage itself, much of which is previously unseen, as well as the unheard music scattered throughout the film, while even casual fans will find many of the clips interesting viewing.  Musical footage includes the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2000, recording her breakthrough second album, Back to Black, with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, and a duet with Tony Bennett for his album, as well as her Grammy wins in 2008.

Hindsight may be 20/20, but it seems obvious when Winehouse goes from the highest of musical heights, to get caught up with bad people such as ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, the introduction of lethal drugs, and facing her own self-harm and bulimia, that this will not end well.

One aspect that is revealed about the early Winehouse is her obvious love with jazz legends, modeling her vocal delivery after greats Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, which is much more evidenced in her first album, Frank.  If she had stayed the jazz chanteuse she started out to be, she might still be alive, playing clubs today.

While the first two-thirds of the film can be watched with a fly-on-the-wall fascination; the last third is a tougher view, chronicling the singer’s descent- in and out of treatment, publicly embarrassing situations, and the infamous last performance in Belgrade, Serbia where a near-incoherent Winehouse freezes, stumbles around, and is booed. Even her father near the end was cashing in on her celebrity, bringing a complete film crew with him as he visited her in the Caribbean.

Despite her father and a few others' misgivings about their portrayals, the film opened to a box office record in the UK as the highest grossing documentary, with a high per-screen average here in the States as well.

This is required viewing for any Amy Winehouse fan simply because of the footage and unheard music, and anyone with a casual interest will find her story intriguing, complicated, and ultimately heartbreaking.

Amy is in theaters nationwide currently.

W♥M movie grade- "B+"

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

Minneapolis: Independence Day Weekend (2015)

Here are some last-minute events taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area this Independence Day Weekend: July 4th, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Wizard World Minneapolis The second annual Wizard World Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Convention Center just ended on Sunday. Compared to last year, I felt this year more fans were attending the panels... …

CONVERGENCE 2015
at DoubleTree (Bloomington, MN)
07/02/2015 to 07/05/2015 ($120)
Details: convergence-con.org

CONvergence is the annual convention for fans of science fiction and fantasy, kicking off the first weekend of July.

The $120 entry fee (which covers all four days), is a little hard to swallow ... but if fantasy/sci-fi is your thing, it might be worth it to meet some of these writers. NOTE: Although their poster art lists comic book/fantasy artist Charles Vess, I did not see his name on the 2015 Guests List.

Music fans: Our friends Fuzzy Machete will be playing at the "Harmonic CONvergence Stage" near the Crowne Plaza hotel on Friday, July 3rd at 8:30pm. The show is free; you do not need a badge to attend.

It's a pretty easy drive at the end of Highway 100, so I might stop in tomorrow to show support.

CONvergence 2015 Guests

Wesley Chu

Nicole Dubuc

Chad Frey

Charlotte Fullerton

Lee Harris

Jennifer Ouellette

Gordon Smuder

Toni Weisskopf

Bryan Thao Worra

Illustration: Andy Rementer Read More Walker Art Center On May 9th the final concert in this season’s Liquid Music series was held at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Performing were Noveller, Victoire, and Glasser. …

FREE FIRST SATURDAY
at Walker Art Center
Saturday, 07/04/2015 (FREE)
Details: walkerart.org

Celebrate Independence Day for free at the Walker Art Center this Saturday, July 4th. In addition to the free gallery entry for everyone on the first Saturday of each month, there are a variety of family activities scheduled from 10 am to 3 pm at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. In the event of rain, some programs will move inside the Walker Art Center.

Performance: Garden Party

11 am: Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players
1 pm: Brass Messengers

Workshop: Double Dutch, 11 am–2 pm

Art-Making: Fantastical Hats, 10 am–3 pm

Art Making: Totally Tubular, 10 am–3 pm

Free First Saturday: Fantastic Fourth

Read More Amy Winehouse Off topic, but I've also noticed all these compilations called Amy Winehouse Tribute/Collection appearing on iTunes and Zune marketplace. …

AMY (Rated R)
at AMC Rosedale 14
Tuesday, 07/07/15, 7pm (FREE)
Details: amctheatres.com

Did you miss the Amy free movie screening at the Walker Art Center on July 2nd? Here is your second chance to score a pair of free passes for July 7th, courtesy of 89.3 The Current: gofobo.com. The film opens on July 10th.

Location:

AMC Rosedale 14
850 Rosedale Shopping Center
Roseville, MN 55113
6516049344

Synopsis:

From BAFTA Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (SENNA), AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archival footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on our culture and the world we live in today.A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world’s attention with her unforgettable voice and charisma. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense, Amy poured her heart and soul into her music, expressing personal struggles and pain through her intimate lyrics. The combination of her raw honesty and virtuosity resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of our time.

Read More KFAI I have listed for Monday, March 3rd is Aaron Kamm & the One Drops from St. Louis. This is part of the "Only Every Monday" event, sponsored by K.F.A.I. 90.3 Minneapolis & 106.7 St. Paul. …

MUSIC IN THE CAFE
at Landmark Center
Wednesday, 07/08/15, 12pm (FREE)
Details: landmarkcenter.org

Now in their ninth season of lunchtime performances, the Music in the Café returns to Landmark Center, starting every Wednesday from July 8 to July 29, 2015 at 12 pm at the Landmark Center. Music in the Café is sponsored in part by KFAI Radio. Larry Englund, from KFAI's Rhythm and Grooves show will be on hand to host each concert.

Music in the Café performers:

July 8 - Mother Banjo Band. Featuring Ellen Stanley on banjo and vocals.

July 15 - Paul Seeba. Singer/songwriter with his latest Mitchell Yards album.

July 22 - Lynn O'Brien and Steven Hobert. A funk, folk, and Motown band, but "they are constantly reinventing themselves in every moment."

July 29 - Café Accordion. Described as a loungy, eclectic mix, full of French flare, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

Tributes

I've a couple of Crickets/Buddy Holly and Bobby Vee albums that I ended up listening to all day today. They sure don't write them like they used to.

>>>
THAT'LL BE THE RAVE
Since it would be Buddy Holly's 75th birthday, if he were still alive, so there's actually a few tribute album to the thick-rimmed glass-wearing rock pioneer.

Listen to Me: Buddy Holly is one of the albums, coming out September 6th, 2011, via Verve/Forecast in the US (and eOne Music in Canada). The album is produced by Peter Asher (with Songmasters), and it features a collection of tribute/cover songs, all originally written by the late Buddy Holly. Some of the artists involved, includes Ringo Starr (Beatles), Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac), Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs), Jackson Browne, Cobra Starship, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Chris Isaak, Pat Monahan (Train), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), and Zooey Deschanel (She & Him).

In case you were wondering what Songmasters' name attached to this project, they are supporting emerging talents to carry on Buddy Holly's legacy. Since 2009, Songmasters has given out The Holly Prize, an annual award presented by the Songwriters Hall of Fame to recognize and support aspiring young musician/singer/songwriter whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly's music.

More information on Songmasters at songmasters.org, more information about Listen to Me: Buddy Holly at listentomebuddyholly.com.

While the above tribute is more centered around established and older musicians, it would seem that Rave On Buddy Holly speaks more on the modern music listeners with such artists like Paul McCartney, My Morning Jacket, Cee Lo Green, Justin Townes Earle, The Black Keys, Florence + The Machine, She & Him (Zooey is double-dipping!), Modest Mouse, Julian Casablancas (Strokes), Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Fiona Apple and John Brion, Graham Nash, The Detroit Cobras, Kid Rock, John Doe, Karen Elson, Nick Lowe and Jenny O.

The album actually came out last month (June 28, 2011), via Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group. I don't have a copy, but I'm curious what Fiona Apple & Jon Brion's version of "Every Day" (one of my favorite Holly song) would sound like. I can only imagine Apple to ooze of sex and weirdness.

You can find out more about Rave On Buddy Holly at raveonbuddyholly.com.

NEVERFIND
I'm not sure if you can still get this, but Spin Magazine is giving away Newermind, a collection of covers by Meat Puppets, The Vaselines, Butch Walker & The Black Widows, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Midnight Juggernauts, Titus Andronicus, Amanda Palmer, Surfer Blood, Foxy Shazam, Ema, Telekinesis, Jeff the Brotherhood, Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band. I was told that the album is free until July 25th, but as of this writing, it's still available at facebook.com.

You are required to "like" Spin (lame, I know)... but it's cool, I actually like Spin Magazine, they give away a lot of free music.

Since I have a lot of music to shift through, the only song I listened to from this tribute is the Meat Puppets song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I've heard a lot of "Teen Spirit" covers, this isn't one of my favorite - but there are very few bands that can do Nirvana justice.

GERMFREE IDENTITY
It was at the Hunx and His Punx show (05/01/11) when I first heard that Poly Styrene had passed away. It was a random conversation with a fellow X-Ray Spex fan. She's gone, but she's definitely not forgotten.

The latest news is that Michael Jackson impersonators paid tribute to the late Poly Styrene for the video "Ghoulish". Having just watched the video, it's about a Michael Jackson audition, and it turned into a massive Thriller-dance throw down at the end. Really fun video.

I think the real irony is that the song "Ghoulish" was inspired by Michael Jackson himself. Her lyrics about seeing through Jackson's mask of "crimson lips and charcoal eyes" to see that he is "quite a nice guy", even though she's never met him.

The music video can be seen at youtube.com, more information about Poly Styrene can be found at www.poly-styrene.com.



YOU KNOW I'M NO GOOD
I know, I know, she's not gone for a week and already I got a note about a mini-mix tribute by Diwon.

Off topic, but I've also noticed all these compilations called Amy Winehouse Tribute/Collection appearing on iTunes and Zune marketplace. I know they have to strike while the iron is hot, but doesn't it seem weirdly greedy? In fact, Microsoft apologized for tweeting "Remember Amy Winehouse by downloading the ground-breaking 'Back to Black' over at Zune." Microsoft didn't need to do that, by all accounts, her death brought her album album "Back To Black" back on the charts.

Anyway, the free Amy Winehouse mix by Diwon can be download at shemspeed.com, where they have this to say:

We were all really sad to hear that Amy Winehouse, the English singer-songwriter known for her powerful contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz passed away two days ago and we wanted to pay tribute with a mini-mix that really shows how incredible of an artist she was. Feel free to share and re-post wherever you would like.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Breaking News: Amy Winehouse dead

It's widely reported that Amy Winehouse was found dead at her home.

Police issued this statement, but does not name Winehouse: "On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained." (via TMZ.)

I saw footage of her concert at Serbia from last month, it clearly shows Winehouse stumbling and confused, as if she's very drunk or high on something. The fans at that show booed her off stage and she canceled her two-week European tour after that.

The Sun also reported her use of crack, XTC, and cocaine. From a July report, the Sun also said, "Three times this week she has been so drunk she passed out."

Maybe Winehouse said it best:

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no".

Update: The following Statement is being issued on behalf of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and the entire Daptone Records Family:

We are very sad to have lost Amy Winehouse today. She was one of a kind and we were fortunate to have had the chance to make music with her. She was always gracious and a pleasure to work with in the studio and on the road. She brought a lot of people joy with her voice and her irreverent personality. It is a tragedy that she was taken from us so soon when she had much more music to give.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

From the trenches of my artificial Glastonbury: Day Two

 

Love Is A Losing Game

I was sitting back watching more coverage of Glastonbury when it suddenly occurred to me that I actually have a mental image of the whole layout of Glastonbury superimposed in my mind. I could literally walk you from stage to stage...

I won't...

Day two of the biggest music festival in the UK has seen some of awesome bands on all of the main stages but I'll start by talking about Amy Winehouse (Website, Myspace) who featured on the Jazzworld stage.

Winehouse has been over described by most of the music magazines to the extent that a rather simple down-to-earth pint drinking gal appears to be almost schizophrenic on their pages. She is one of the leading lights of British soul music and has more balls than most of girl power groups. Her set went down a treat with the viewing audience and rightly so!

 

Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above

My favourite moment of the day (I am still pretending I am there) was the sex god of the mods, Paul Weller (Website). His time on stage was made all the better by the presence of Ocean Colour Scene's Damon Minchella (Fired from the group in 2003) and Steve Cradock, two mighty fine guitarists. A Town Called Malice has never sounded sweeter.

The award for best attempt at crowd surfing goes to Lovefoxxx from CSS (Website, Myspace), who successful managed to lose her head band in the process. Like everybody who performs at Glastonbury, the Brazilian group played in awe of the festival itself.

With tickets for Glastonbury costing £145 these days, I almost feel sorry for the hippies who attend for the spiritual side of the festival. But one glance at the faces in the crowd and all criticisms of the growing commercialisation of the festival are thrown to one side. Glastonbury makes people happier. Drunk, drugged up and happier.
 

 

Books From Boxes

Last time I was at Glastonbury, I was approached by a young lady offering to share some of her LSD with me in the toilets. Memories. I said "no" because drugs are bad and my mind at the point could barely handle reality.

 

Maximo Park (Website, Myspace) impressed me on the Pyramid Stage with a confident performance. Impressed and surprised me. However even more spectacular was the sight of a sea of people singing along to the instrumental stylings of Rodrigo y Gabriela (Website, Myspace).

Bat  for Lashes were awesome on the John Peel stage and I am really looking forward to seeing them live now. If you don't own their album, I highly recommend you pop it on your wishlist if nothing else.

 

Jackie Big Tits

All in all, rock was pretty well represented in the lineup this year. One of the advantages of watching from home is the late night special performances in the BBC tent. It was with some delight I witnessed Calvin Harris sing along to an acoustic version of his track, The Girls. Another treat was hearing the Canadian poet and hip hopster K'Naan (Website, Myspace) for the first time. He has secured a place on my wish list.

Back to the big bands, the Kooks (Website, Myspace) were the penultimate act on the Pyramid stage. I've never been caught up in the fuss surrounding the Kooks. In my opinion, there are pretty average but you have to appreciate Jackie's Big Tits. The Killers (Website, Myspace) finished off the night. They were, well, The Killers. You either love them, hate them or stalk them. Interestingly, David Keuning claimed that when recording a song, the band ponders how the track will sound at Glastonbury.

Either Way

The Twang

There is no better way to finish my drunken early morning rambling than with the music of the Brummie band, The Twang (Website, Myspace). This group has been nominated by NME as "the Group of 2007". Putting that cursed title to one side, The Twang are pretty damn good. They have an additive from the gutter sound. The Streets gone rock. Poetic and working class. Definitely my one of the highlights of my festival experience. - Ryan.

Amy Winehouse - itunes, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.
CSS - itunes, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.
Maximo Park - itunes, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.
The Kooks - itunes, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.
The Twang - itunes, Amazon UK, Amazon USA.