Did poison kill James Brown? & other: April 2008

Thursday 24 April 2008

Original Jane's Addiction lineup to perform at US NME Awards

For the first time in almost two decades, the four original members of Jane's Addiction [ tickets ] will hit the stage together during this month's inaugural US NME Awards ceremony.Prompting the reunion was British music mag NME's announcement that it would present the band with the Godlike Geniuses award during the April 23 event, which is set to take place at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre."When we were in the planning stages of bringing the NME Awards to America, Jane's Addiction were always in our thoughts," NME Editor Conor McNicholas said in a press release. "They are exactly the sort of once-in-a-lifetime, inspirational, aspirational, no-holds-barred, genre-busting, risk-taking, pioneering group which sums up what the NME Awards is all about."The group's imminent performance will mark the first time since 1991 that original bassist Eric Avery has played with frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins; the latter trio has participated in several reunions sans Avery."OK, so ... short story is that I've decided to do a few songs with Jane's Addiction at the NME awards show," Avery said in a blog entry posted Tuesday (4/15). "... I was really conflicted and I am still unsure that this is the right answer (if there is such a thing) but I am happy to be a part of honoring Jane's. ... I must admit that it has felt really good so far in both heart and mind; just sounds like a cool night. Amazing.""Eric's bass lines and writing contributions are such an integral part of the Jane's sound that the night would feel somewhat incomplete without his presence," Navarro wrote in a Tuesday (4/15) message at his own website. "We couldn't be happier about his decision to join us."Navarro went on to describe an impromptu performance he gave with Farrell at Monday night's (4/14) Axis of Justice show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA."Around 8:00pm I got a text from Perry that read, 'Dave ... Get down here. [Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist] Flea is on his way and wants to jam!' Of course I accepted the invitation and immediately rolled over to joined Perry, Flea and Travis Barker (Blink-182, Plus 44) for an impromptu Mountain Song."... it gave Perry and I an opportunity to perform again in front of a public audience before hitting the awards show next Wednesday," Navarro continued. "I have had the good fortune throughout my years as a guitarist to share the stage with some unbelievable talents, but there is no one in the world that I feel more comfortable and at home with musically than Perry Farrell."

Kidman confirms pregnancy reports

Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has confirmed that she is expecting a baby with her singer husband Keith Urban.
The 40-year-old Australian star has pulled out of filming for her next movie 'The Reader'.
Kidman's publicist, Wendy Day, confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban confirmed today that they are expecting a baby. The couple are thrilled."
Referring to Kidman's decision to pull out of her next movie, her publicist said: "I understand she's had to withdraw from the film and therefore she's had to give them the reason, and therefore she's now able to confirm that she's pregnant."
"I don't know how far pregnant she is, or when the baby's due. She just simply rang me and said, 'Wendy I always told you I would tell you first, and I'd confirm it and you could make the appropriate announcement'."
Kidman and Urban married in 2006. The actress already has two adopted children from her marriage to actor Tom Cruise, 15-year-old Isabella and 12-year-old Conor.

Wednesday 23 April 2008

Mario Schonwalder and Detlef Keller, Bas Broekhuis

Artist: Mario Schonwalder and Detlef Keller, Bas Broekhuis

   Genre(s):
Electronic

Discography:

Wolfsburg

Year: 2002
Tracks: 3

Sabbat

Wednesday 16 April 2008

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Auckland Town Hall

English cellist Natalie Clein and Finnish music director Pietari Inkinen proved a galvanic partnership in the first two concerts of the Newly Seeland Symphony orchestra Orchestra's 2008 time of year.

Clein's 1777 Guadagnini violoncello was in full and glorious voice from the start. Her reception to Elgar's numerousness of markings and directions was scrupulous to the last quiver of bow on strand.

The blithe sinlessness of the number 1 movement turned confrontational in the second and Inkinen made the orchestral weight of the account felt. The Adagio, suffused with autumnal lyricism, most seemed to sob, spell the Finale was painted in more ominous colors.

An encore of a Bach Preliminary was quirkily, well-nigh skittishly delivered, and a draw to a lesser extent effective and convincing when presented over again on the Sabbatum night.

Just Clein's offer on her second appearance, Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, was tout ensemble less meaty. After a series of orchestral bows and curtsies, the violoncello leads us firmly into the beauty salon and, although Clein entranced with so many details, Tchaikovsky's score did non coalesce as had Elgar's on the previous evening.

Few concert-goers would have been expecting Pietari Inkinen to

McCoy Tyner

Tuesday 15 April 2008