Ghana Special release Modern Highlife

To celebrate the release of Ghana Special Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian this week Soundway are offering up a free download widget, which includes the track Aaya Lolo by The Barbecues, and a pdf of the first five pages featuring an intoduction from compiler Miles Cleret and some amazing artwork and photos from the time.

The Barbecues were one of the bands from the stable of King Bruce, a Ga from Jamestown, Accra. His Black Beats band were one of the big names of the 1950s and 60s, having been formed in 1952, they soon became renowned as the hottest dance band in town. The Barbecues were formed solely to play firstly soul and later afro-beat. Tommy Darling was hired for his soulful vocal talents and soon after its release Aaya Lolo ('we are moving on') was a fairly big hit. It was recorded as the Big Beats 45s were released in 1972.

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Ray Davies duets with Chrissie Hynde

Ray Davies releases 'Postcard From London’, December 7th – an uplifting and compelling duet with Chrissie Hynde, which has just been added to his acclaimed summer release 'The Kinks Choral Collection By Ray Davies’.

Written and produced by Ray Davies 'Postcard From London’ was recently recorded by Ray and Chrissie at Konk studios. Instantly memorable upon its first listen it has the potential to rank among the great male & female duets.

The track kicks off with Chrissie Hynde’s timeless voice, beautifully complemented by Ray Davies’ striking and distinctive vocal. It also features a nape prickling, epic crescendo with choral refrains from the Crouch End Festival Chorus.

'It feels as if the people I wrote the songs for are singing it,' Davies said of the Crouch End vocal. 'They display an ingenious palette of choral techniques.'

Directed by Julien, Ray and Chrissie shot the video for the single earlier this week (November 3rd) in various places around London tracing Ray’s lyrical past including The Statue of Eros steps, Carnaby Street, beneath the Charlie Chaplin statue in Leicester Square and on the parapet of Waterloo Bridge.

Davies with his regular backing group and the Crouch End Festival Chorus created 'The Kinks Choral Collection’ (released June 15th), a compelling survey of Ray Davies’ work that casts fresh and unexpected light on some of his key compositions.

Backed by the Crouch End Festival chorus, Ray Davies plays 5 shows in December, which will feature songs from 'The Kinks Choral Collection’.

Ray Davies December UK Dates are:

December
Fri 11th CAMBRIDGE, The Corn Exchange
Sat 12th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Mon 14th GLASGOW, Concert Hall
Tue 15th MANCHESTER, The Bridgewater Hall
Sat 19th LONDON, Hammersmith Apollo

www.raydavies.info

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Little Boots wants to join the Sugababes

Little Boots wants to join the original Sugababes.

The 'Meddle’ singer said she would love to join the girl group’s original line-up – Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy - if they have a reunion.

She said: 'They could call themselves The Real Sugababes. It would knock the current Sugababes out of the water.

'If one wasn’t up for it, I could be the blonde one.'

Keisha - the last original member - was ousted from the band in September after months of feuding with bandmates Amelle Berrabah and Heidi Range.

Despite recent speculation, Keisha has insisted she is not planning a reunion with Mutya and Siobhan, who formed the trio in 1998.

Her spokesperson said: 'Keisha is definitely 100 per cent not going to be involved in any kind of Sugababes reformation. Keisha has solo projects that she's working on which will be out next year."

Keisha’s replacement in the current line-up of the group, Jade Ewen, recently said she is terrified of meeting the singer.

Jade, 21, said: "I haven't met her yet. I'm quite scared. I'm sure she wouldn't do anything to me..."

Siobhan was the first of the Sugababes to leave the group, departing in 2001 to be replaced by Heidi Range, while Amelle Berrabah joined the group in 2005 to replace Mutya.

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Iggy Pop named Living Legend

Iggy Pop was named Living Legend at the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards last night (02.11.09).

The legendary Stooges frontman joined rockers including Queen guitarist Brian May, Slash, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and ZZ Top rocker Billy Gibbons at the awards, held at the Park lane Hotel in London.

Upon being presented his award, 62-year-old Iggy – who is famed for exposing himself on stage - was handed a painted portrait of himself by Ronnie, and his speech was met with wild cheers.

Accepting his gong, Iggy said: 'It’s been a long dinner, so I’m not gonna whip out my d**k.

'Alright, you know, thank you to everybody who has strong feelings about music so that when you hear something you don’t like you wanna f**king kill somebody and when you hear something you like you wanna f**k everybody.'

He also dedicated his award to Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, who tragically died last year.

He said of the guitarist: 'He was my high school skipping rope buddy, we were pot smoking, LSD taking Stooges together, and I feel really bad. Hey Ron.'

Ronnie was given an Outstanding Contribution award for his 'ageless presence on the scene' at the event while Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham was posthumously given the Tommy Vance Inspiration Award. Drummer Ginger Baker was also honoured as Classic Rock Magazine Innovator.

Iron Maiden were named band of the year, while AC/DC's 'Black Ice’ was named the year's best album, as voted for by the magazine’s readers.

Marshall Classic Rock Roll Of Honour 2009 - Full List of Winners

Best New Band: Chickenfoot
Album Of The Year: AC/DC 'Black Ice’
Band Of The Year: Iron Maiden
Best Reissue: Black Sabbath 'Reissues’
DVD / Film Of The Year: Anvil 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil!’
Event Of The Year: Download Festival
Outstanding Contribution: Ronnie Wood
Tommy Vance Inspiration Award: John Bonham
Innovator: Ginger Baker
VIP Award: Doc McGhee
Metal Guru: Biff Byford
Spirit Of Prog: Dream Theater
Marshall 11 Award: Billy Gibbons
Childline Rocks Award: Steve Harley
Classic Songwriter: Paul Rodgers
Classic Album: Aerosmith 'Rocks’
Breakthrough: Joe Bonamassa
Comeback of the Year: Mott The Hoople
Living Legend: Iggy Pop

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Frightened Rabbit return to London for intimate date

Frightened Rabbit return to London on the 6th November to premiere new material in their first ever show as a five piece, joined by new recruit Gordon Skene, formerly of Make Model. Tickets are available to buy from Monday 2nd at www.wegottickets.com or www.kililive.com or www.seetickets.com

Returning from headline dates in the US with labelmates The Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks, Frightened Rabbit have been a hive (warren?) of activity even ahead of their UK tour. In a whirlwind week last week, the band stole the show at the inaugural Scottish Royal Variety Show and put in a special date at In The City headling Drowned In Sound’s 9th birthday party. Back in London they supported Biffy Clyro at Q Magazine’s Awards Show at The Forum, and there were scenes of pandemonium back in Edinburgh at the HMV Picturehouse where the band played a benefit for the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

A stirring new single 'Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ is released through FatCat on 16th November, a primer for the band’s forthcoming abum, due Spring 2010, Boasting a stunning string arrangment from labelmate, Teutonic ivory-botherer, Hauschka, 'Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ takes up where we left off, a hugely anthemic song that is perfect as a first indiacator of the new album’s direction, it’s very upbeatness perhaps to be read as a subconscious riposte to the angst of the preceeding, 'Midnight Organ Fight’ album. Scott expands, 'Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ was the title I had in my mind before I even started writing the album; I was becoming more and more interested in the idea of a rejection of the habits and behaviour most people see as normal, and in turn embracing a certain madness. It’s about losing your mind in order to reset the mind and the body. Forget what’s gone before and wash it out. This is not necessarily a geographical journey, as the 'swim’ can involve any activity in which you can lose yourself. It’s a good introduction to the record as the theme unravels therein.'

NOVEMBER DATES:

Sat 7 Aldershot West End Centre
Mon 9 Oxford Academy 2
Tue10 York Duchess of York
Wed 11 Nottingham Bodega
Thu 12 Liverpool Academy 2
Sat 14 Coventry Kasbah
Sun 15 Northampton Roadmenders
Mon 16 Brighton Corn Exchange

Tue 17 Southampton University
Thu 19 Exeter Lemon Grove
Fri 20 London Troxy
Sat 21 Tunbridge Wells Forum
Sun 22 Cambridge Soul Tree
Tue 24 Sheffield Plug
Wed 25 Whitehaven Civic Hall
Fri 27 Fort William BA Club
Sat 28 Stirling Tolbooth
Sun 29 Inverness Ironworks

DECEMBER
Tue 1 Aberdeen Moshulu
Wed 2 Dundee Fat Sams
Sat 5 Galway Black Box
Mon 7 Dublin Academy^
Tue 8 Dublin Academy^
Wed 9 Belfast Mandella Hall^
Sun 13 Manchester Ritz^
Mon 14 London Shep Bush Empire^
Tue 22 Glasgow ABC

^ with Modest Mouse

The band premiered three new songs - including 'Swim Until You Can See Land’ – in August at the Edinburgh Festival, The Fly reporting a performance 'life-affirming, the crowd’s reaction almost frightening. Seldom do bands inspire such a fanatical and justified response to their music. Unquestionably, Frightened Rabbit tonight is the best show of The Edge Festival so far.' The Herald, simulary moved; 'Judging by the ovation that greeted Frightened Rabbit as they ambled on stage, this Glasgow based band have truly arrived.'

Over the last two years Frightenened Rabbit have become one of Britain’s most fiercely taken-to-heart new bands, publically feted by fellow musicians like Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), Nick Harmer (Death Cab For Cutie) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro), and no wonder – 'Midnight Organ Fight' was a visceral - bordering on the metaphysical - break up record, and loaded with memorable, heartbreaking songs.

Frightened Rabbit: Scott Hutchison (vocals, guitar), Billy Kennedy (guitar, keys), Grant Hutchison (Drums, vocals), Andy Monaghan (bass, keyboard, guitar), Gordon Skene (guitar, keys).

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La Roux spring tour

As they prepare for their sold out November 09 tour, La Roux are excited to announce a follow up UK tour in spring 2010.

Taking in massive venues up and down the country and culminating in a home-town show at Brixton Academy, Elly Jackson and her well-honed band will take to the stage with refreshed, new season vigour.

Termed 'The Gold Tour’, this series of dates will mark 12 months since the band headlined the NME Radar tour and with over a quarter of a million album sales and 1.5 million single sales under their belt already, it looks set to be some party.

The Gold Tour:
26/4 Reading Hexagon
28/4 Brighton Concert Hall
29/4 Cambridge Corn Exchange
30/4 Bournemouth 02 Academy
02/5 Glasgow Academy
03/5 Sheffield 02 Academy
04/5 Manchester Academy
06/5 Cardiff University
07/5 London Brixton Academy

Tickets are on sale now priced at £17.50 London and £15.00 Regionally (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk

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Boyzone plan Gately tribute album

BOYZONE are to release an album in tribute to their late bandmate Stephen Gately.

The Irish pop stars will include a number of songs which feature Gately's voice on the LP.

Gately died suddenly aged 33 on October 10 from natural causes at his home on the Spanish island of Majorca.

Speaking to Sky News, lead singer Ronan Keating said: "We're going to make the next album for Stephen... we have a couple of songs with Stephen's vocal on it so that's a saving grace.

"Thank God we have that - that's very important to all of us and we know the fans would really appreciate that too."

He added: "We want to stick together because we find comfort in being together at the moment."

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