Click here to see more details on the following musical updates:
Michael Jackson has been sued by Bahreini Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa for $7 million.
Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles hopes to release "Carnival of Light", a 14-minute experimental work that was only performed once by the supergroup.
In a remarkable sweep of three of the charts of last week's Billboard Magazine, 18-year-old Taylor Swift made a Number One debut on both the Billboard Country Albums and the Billboard 200 chart with her new CD, "Fearless", which includes "Love Story", which also zoomed to Number One on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
Guns 'N Roses has release its long-awaited new CD, "Chinese Democracy", more than a decade in preparation, and recorded in 14 different studios at a cost of $13 million.
Barry Manilow has brought out "The Greatest Songs of the 80's", the fourth album in his series of decade-wise hits.
Superstar Madonna and director/screenwriter Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary divorce by the High Court of London.
Pop singerAshlee Simpson-Wentz and her husband Pete Wentz welcomed their first child, a boy they named Bronx Mowgli Wentz.
A number of prominent pop, rock and country artists have donated tracks to a special CD album, which is available at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Website as a free digital download to active duty service members and veterans worldwide.
And see:
The new album releases as of the 25 November, and
A list of recent award presentations and winners.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Recent VOA Music programs
See Larry London's television interview of Frankie Valli, the lead singer of the Four Seasons, who had more than two dozen hits, primariy in the 1960s, and whose rise to fame is chronicled in a hit Broadway musical, Jersey Boys. Now 74, Valli is still performing actively.
Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, still has a formidable public presence, given that his name is at the top of a Forbes Magazine list of dead celebrities with the biggests earnings for the second year in a row; his estate reported earnings of $52 million. Greg Flakus reports from Memphis.
A University of Maryland scientist has completed research that suggest that listening to music you enjoy has positive effects on blood pressure. Listen to Rose Hoban's feature, which notes that the scientest, Dr. Michael Miller, also found beneficial effects on the heart from laughter.
The winner of last year's "American Idol" -style singing competition has released a new CD titled--and stressing--"Diversity," but as Derek Moyo reports from Harare, Zimbabwe, the album has not had a positive response from critics, despite the excessive buildup that the album received as a result of the contest.
Visitors to Nashville, the capital of country music, now have a chance to see the seamier side of life in that city in tours conducted by social activist Clemmie Greenlee, as reported by Mike Osborne in VOA's American Life series.
Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, still has a formidable public presence, given that his name is at the top of a Forbes Magazine list of dead celebrities with the biggests earnings for the second year in a row; his estate reported earnings of $52 million. Greg Flakus reports from Memphis.
A University of Maryland scientist has completed research that suggest that listening to music you enjoy has positive effects on blood pressure. Listen to Rose Hoban's feature, which notes that the scientest, Dr. Michael Miller, also found beneficial effects on the heart from laughter.
The winner of last year's "American Idol" -style singing competition has released a new CD titled--and stressing--"Diversity," but as Derek Moyo reports from Harare, Zimbabwe, the album has not had a positive response from critics, despite the excessive buildup that the album received as a result of the contest.
Visitors to Nashville, the capital of country music, now have a chance to see the seamier side of life in that city in tours conducted by social activist Clemmie Greenlee, as reported by Mike Osborne in VOA's American Life series.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Click here to see more details on the following musical updates:
Rolling Stone magazine releases a list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
A man who had been stalking American Idol judge Paula Abdul for several years committed suicide outside her home in Los Angeles.
Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead of natural causes in a hotel room in Portland, Oregon. He was 62.
Singer Rod Stewart releases a two-CD compilation of his greatest hits.
Country music star Tim McGraw will host 'Saturday Night Live'.
MTV's "Total Request Live" (TRL) show ended After a 10-year run.
And see:
The new album releases as of the 18 of November. . .
A list of recent award presentations and winners, and
Who is going on tour.
Rolling Stone magazine releases a list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
A man who had been stalking American Idol judge Paula Abdul for several years committed suicide outside her home in Los Angeles.
Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead of natural causes in a hotel room in Portland, Oregon. He was 62.
Singer Rod Stewart releases a two-CD compilation of his greatest hits.
Country music star Tim McGraw will host 'Saturday Night Live'.
MTV's "Total Request Live" (TRL) show ended After a 10-year run.
And see:
The new album releases as of the 18 of November. . .
A list of recent award presentations and winners, and
Who is going on tour.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
More recent VOA music programs
Miriam Makeba, the world-famous singer from South Africa, died suddenly at the age of 76 after a concert in Italy. Listen to Delia Robertson's report from Johannesburg, about this outstanding artist. A subsequent extended piece, written by Howard Lesser and voiced by Matthew LaVoie, reflects on the enormous impact Ms. Makeba had on world politics and culture.
The latest CD by Nbabaningi Mabuye, the prominent hip-hop artist from Zimbabwe, has caused a controversy in neighboring South Africa for allegedly including a call to violence. You can hear Derek Moyo's story, also from Johannesburg, on the controversy.
Ralph Stanley II, the son of legendary bluegrass music master of the same name, is emerging as an artist of his own merit, as evidenced in the release of his CD "This One Is II (Two)." Katherine Cole interviews the young artist on his life and career.
The 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards will be presented in Nashville, Tennessee on November 12. VOA's Mary Morningstar "gives us a glimpse of some of this year's top contenders, many of whom also competed last year.
Another Zimbabwean artist, Chiwoniso Maraire, is described in a feature, again by Derek Moyo, which describes the success of her new CD, "Rebel Woman" which has been three years in the making, and features a number of songs, mostly in the Shona language, of inspiration, hope, and resistance.
Learn how "Rock the Vote" has used music and celebrities to encourage young voters to go to the polls in the recent U.S. presidential elections. Kambiz Hosseini reports from Washington.
The latest CD by Nbabaningi Mabuye, the prominent hip-hop artist from Zimbabwe, has caused a controversy in neighboring South Africa for allegedly including a call to violence. You can hear Derek Moyo's story, also from Johannesburg, on the controversy.
Ralph Stanley II, the son of legendary bluegrass music master of the same name, is emerging as an artist of his own merit, as evidenced in the release of his CD "This One Is II (Two)." Katherine Cole interviews the young artist on his life and career.
The 42nd Annual Country Music Association Awards will be presented in Nashville, Tennessee on November 12. VOA's Mary Morningstar "gives us a glimpse of some of this year's top contenders, many of whom also competed last year.
Another Zimbabwean artist, Chiwoniso Maraire, is described in a feature, again by Derek Moyo, which describes the success of her new CD, "Rebel Woman" which has been three years in the making, and features a number of songs, mostly in the Shona language, of inspiration, hope, and resistance.
Learn how "Rock the Vote" has used music and celebrities to encourage young voters to go to the polls in the recent U.S. presidential elections. Kambiz Hosseini reports from Washington.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Click here to see more details on the following musical updates:
The Jackson family, minus Michael, are planning a reunion tour.
AC/DC's first album in eight years, "Black Ice", brings the band its first Number One debut on the Billboard 200 Chart.
Disney's Hollywood Records is re-releasing the historic English rock band Queen's entire catalogue of studio albums on vinyl long playing records (as opposed to the now-dominant medium of CDs).
Neil Diamond has been named by the MusiCares Foundation as its 2009 Person of the Year.
British supergroup Led Zeppelin is featured on Rhino Records' 10-CD anthology of nine studio releases and a collection of rare tracks, including art work from the original U.K. vinyl releases.
The three slain family members of actress-singer Jennifer Hudson were remembered on November 3 in a private memorial service in Chicago, Illinois.
And see:
The new album releases as of the 4 of November. . .
A list of recent award presentations and winners, and
Who is going on tour.
The Jackson family, minus Michael, are planning a reunion tour.
AC/DC's first album in eight years, "Black Ice", brings the band its first Number One debut on the Billboard 200 Chart.
Disney's Hollywood Records is re-releasing the historic English rock band Queen's entire catalogue of studio albums on vinyl long playing records (as opposed to the now-dominant medium of CDs).
Neil Diamond has been named by the MusiCares Foundation as its 2009 Person of the Year.
British supergroup Led Zeppelin is featured on Rhino Records' 10-CD anthology of nine studio releases and a collection of rare tracks, including art work from the original U.K. vinyl releases.
The three slain family members of actress-singer Jennifer Hudson were remembered on November 3 in a private memorial service in Chicago, Illinois.
And see:
The new album releases as of the 4 of November. . .
A list of recent award presentations and winners, and
Who is going on tour.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Some recent music stories from VOA:
The Mega-hit television show, "American Idol", is gaining a new judge in the person of celebrated song-writer, Kara DioGuardi, who will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul as the fourth judge in the first installment of the singing competition's eighth season, which begins in January 2009. VOA's Ilir Ikonomi interviews Ms. DioGuardi about her new role in this enormously popular prime-time TV program.
With all the anxieties and even panic in the U.S. at the current financial crisis, one San Francisco banker has found a special place in the hearts of his fellow "Frisco" citizens. Listen to Jan Sluizer's radio report on financier Warren Helman's annual sponsorship of "The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival," which is held each October in the city's famous Golden Gate Park.
The above-mentioned crisis has of course affected people in countries all over the world, including musicians. Yet for Zimbabwe's star Oliver Mtukudzi, his popularity among fans outside his country have enabled him to continue his successful career, as Unathi Kondile tells us in this radio feature from Capetown, South Africa.
For artists involved with jazz, perhaps the highest honor is to be selected as a "Jazz Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA. Mona Ghuneim reports from New York City on those individuals who were recognized for 2009.
Brazil is a the largest and most populous country in South America, with an enormously rich range of musical traditions, some of which (for example, Bossa Nova), have achieved wordlwide popularity. Yet despite the major Hispanic population in the U.S., contemporary Brazilian artists--perhaps because the dominant language in Brazil is Portuguese, not Spanish--have continued to struggle to find an audience here. VOA's Steve Mort brings us his radio story from Rio de Janeiro on the challenges facing Brazilian musicians in reaching the market in their northern neighbor, the United States.
With all the anxieties and even panic in the U.S. at the current financial crisis, one San Francisco banker has found a special place in the hearts of his fellow "Frisco" citizens. Listen to Jan Sluizer's radio report on financier Warren Helman's annual sponsorship of "The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival," which is held each October in the city's famous Golden Gate Park.
The above-mentioned crisis has of course affected people in countries all over the world, including musicians. Yet for Zimbabwe's star Oliver Mtukudzi, his popularity among fans outside his country have enabled him to continue his successful career, as Unathi Kondile tells us in this radio feature from Capetown, South Africa.
For artists involved with jazz, perhaps the highest honor is to be selected as a "Jazz Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA. Mona Ghuneim reports from New York City on those individuals who were recognized for 2009.
Brazil is a the largest and most populous country in South America, with an enormously rich range of musical traditions, some of which (for example, Bossa Nova), have achieved wordlwide popularity. Yet despite the major Hispanic population in the U.S., contemporary Brazilian artists--perhaps because the dominant language in Brazil is Portuguese, not Spanish--have continued to struggle to find an audience here. VOA's Steve Mort brings us his radio story from Rio de Janeiro on the challenges facing Brazilian musicians in reaching the market in their northern neighbor, the United States.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Flash: Aretha Franklin LIVE on Border Crossings!
Larry London's show on 22 October included an appearance by the American musical icon, Aretha Franklin. To hear Larry's interview, click here, and then click on the Wednesday program under "Last Week's Show" to listen to the entire program, including Aretha's interview.
A musical legend for decades, the Ms. Franklin had numerous hit records spanning a period of decades. For more information on her go to the Wikipedia article on this unique and Protean American artist.
A musical legend for decades, the Ms. Franklin had numerous hit records spanning a period of decades. For more information on her go to the Wikipedia article on this unique and Protean American artist.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
More recent programs on music
Here are some of the latest music stories from VOA on music and musical events from the U.S.:
Pete Seeger's name has appeared in several of my previous blogs. Now Katherine Cole reports on his latest album, "Pete Seeger at 89", in which he sings "old favorites" with a new approach.
Doug Levine reviews the exciting series of events that took place here in Washington during the recent Fourth Annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. The event culminated with a splendid performance at the Voice of America celebrating the music of the Americas, with a group led by the electrifying Paquito D'Rivera, and featuring outstanding musicians from the U.S., Peru, Colombia, Curacao, Argentina, and Cuba. We are hoping to be able to make at least portions of this concert available on line, pending obtaining the appropriate clearances from the musicians.
Bluegrass music, like jazz, is one of the quintessentially American contributions to the musical world. Originating in the southern mountains of the United States, and characterized as having "a high, lonesome sound", bluegrass has now become a major musical genre, practised by performers from around the world. Listen to Katherine Cole's report on the 19th International Bluegrass Music Awards, in which a number of performers emerged as new stars.
Returning to jazz, Doug Levine tells us about a very successful new album of jazz standards by the vocalist Nicole Henry, "The Very Thought of You." You can see, and hear, more of her on her official Website, www.nicolehenry.com.
Moving to country music--related to but separate from bluegrass--Mary Morningstar reports on the success of the new album, Learn to Live, by Darius Rucker, the African American lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish.
Keep listening, and send us your reactions and requests!
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Britney Spears' "Womanizer," the first single from her upcoming album Circus, zoomed up 95 places to become the Number 1 song on Billboard's Top 100 Chart--the biggest one-week gain in the chart's history.
Janet Jackson resumed her "Rock Witchu Tour" October 15 in Washington, D.C.
Madonna (herself a new film director) and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are divorcing after less than eight years of marriage.
Singer Patti LaBelle, after a hiatus of 32 years, releases Back To Now-- her first new album in 32 years!
Sony Legacy will release a four-CD, 71-track box se--Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia--on October 21, showcasing songs, released between 1967 and 1983, by a host of stars representing the "The Philly Sound".
And see
The new album releases as of the 20th of October . . .
Musical events, festivals, and benefits . . .
A list of the week's award presentations and winners . . . and
Musical events, festivals, and benefits . . .
A list of the week's award presentations and winners . . . and
Who's going on tour.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Flash: 7-year old Connie Talbot LIVE on Border Crossings!
This show (on Wednesday, 8 October) featured Larry London's live interview of perhaps Britain's youngest pop superstar, Connie Talbot. That show is no longer currently available for you to hear (the usual program is replaced by that broadcast a week later), but I have contacted Larry to see if there is some way it can be archived, since the original entry did attract a large number of visitors.
The young Ms. Talbot has appeared twice in the Guinness Book of World Records, and her YouTube videos have received millions of hits. She was also a finalist on the English TV show, "Britain's Got Talent".
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Janet Jackson hospitalized.
Bruce Springsteen slated for half-time at the Super Bowl.
Sebastian Bach of the band Skid Row wins the second season of Gone Country, the reality series from Country Music Television.
At the Grand Old Opry, Winona Judd tapes a holiday special for the troops to be aired on Armed Forces Radio and Television.
The Allman Brothers Band will receive Billboard's prestigious Fifth annual Legend of Live award.
And see
The new album releases for the second week of October . . .
Who's going on tour . . . . and
A list of the week's award presentations.
Bruce Springsteen slated for half-time at the Super Bowl.
Sebastian Bach of the band Skid Row wins the second season of Gone Country, the reality series from Country Music Television.
At the Grand Old Opry, Winona Judd tapes a holiday special for the troops to be aired on Armed Forces Radio and Television.
The Allman Brothers Band will receive Billboard's prestigious Fifth annual Legend of Live award.
And see
The new album releases for the second week of October . . .
Who's going on tour . . . . and
A list of the week's award presentations.
Monday, October 6, 2008
More recent VOA programs on music
The past two weeks have continued to bring a range of interesting radio and television reports about music and musical events from the U.S. and around the world:
VOA's Adam Phillips has created a fascinating radio feature on how a jazz clarinetist, who like many youngsters, was entranced by by the visual zap and sizzle of television cartoons in his childhood, has founded a big-band jazz ensemble, The Cartoon Jazz Orchestra, which performs some of the music so vital to enhancing or changing moods in the rapid-fire action of classic American animated films.
Listen to Philip Graitcer's radio report on a new exhibit honoring the great soul singer Otis Redding (who died tragically at the early age of 27) at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
American songwriter, Brent Burns, whose work is usually humorous, has written "Pain at the Pump" to express motorists' frustrations at the high price of gasoline (petrol). VOA Central Programs' Faisa Elmasry's piece brings us the details of the creation of this song, which helps us to laugh at an all-too-painful set of circumstances.
You can hear about how Tutu Puoane, an Exciting jazz vocalist from South Africa, finds enthusiastic audiences in Belgium. Unathi Kondile files for VOA from Cape Town.
VOA also carried Mary Morningstar's radio feature on how major pop star Jessica Simpson's first Country music album has drawn rave reviews.
You can listen to Mike O'Sullivan describing a recent tribute, held in Los Angeles, to Sammy Cahn, the famous writer of the lyrics for many of America's greatest pop stars, including Frank Sinatra.
In the world of the Blues, senior artist Buddy Guy, who has won five Grammies and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has recorded a new album with a number of his famous friends, as described by Doug Levine.
And finally, Doug also tells us of the sad death of Motown Producer Norman Whitfield, who in addition to winning three Grammies for songs he had written or produced, brought the world such hits as "I heard it through the Grapevine" and "Papa was a rolling stone."
In the world of the Blues, senior artist Buddy Guy, who has won five Grammies and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has recorded a new album with a number of his famous friends, as described by Doug Levine.
And finally, Doug also tells us of the sad death of Motown Producer Norman Whitfield, who in addition to winning three Grammies for songs he had written or produced, brought the world such hits as "I heard it through the Grapevine" and "Papa was a rolling stone."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Recent music programs on VOA
This past week provides a rich offering of radio and television reports by VOA reporters on matters musical from around the U.S. and the world:
Watch Kevin Cronin, the lead singer of supergroup REO Speed-Wagon, talking with Larry London about the group's 2007 Album, which brought them surging back to popularity.
Feliciano dos Santos, a musician from Mozambique, has received one of the world's most prestigious environmental awards. See Paul Sisco's television piece, Goldman Foundation Honors African Musician for Work to Protect Environment.
In Jazz Bass Trio SMV Wows Fans with Debut CD 'Thunder', Doug Levine talks about the formation of a new trio by three of today's greatest jazz bass players.
You can also hear Doug interviewing jazz clarinetist, composer and music historian, Dr. Michael White, about his new CD, Blue Crescent, which pays tribute to his native New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
And rounding up a trio of radio features on jazz, Doug tells us about 8th Annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival in Boston, presented by one of America's premier music schools, the Berklee College of Music. Click here for the complete schedule, and also here or here to learn more about the College and educational opportunities there.
Listen to Katherine Cole's new radio feature, Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Are 'Two Men With The Blues', in which she describes the improbable but succesful collaboration between the jazz giant and the country music legend.Watch Kevin Cronin, the lead singer of supergroup REO Speed-Wagon, talking with Larry London about the group's 2007 Album, which brought them surging back to popularity.
Feliciano dos Santos, a musician from Mozambique, has received one of the world's most prestigious environmental awards. See Paul Sisco's television piece, Goldman Foundation Honors African Musician for Work to Protect Environment.
In Jazz Bass Trio SMV Wows Fans with Debut CD 'Thunder', Doug Levine talks about the formation of a new trio by three of today's greatest jazz bass players.
You can also hear Doug interviewing jazz clarinetist, composer and music historian, Dr. Michael White, about his new CD, Blue Crescent, which pays tribute to his native New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
And rounding up a trio of radio features on jazz, Doug tells us about 8th Annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival in Boston, presented by one of America's premier music schools, the Berklee College of Music. Click here for the complete schedule, and also here or here to learn more about the College and educational opportunities there.
In another radio feature, you can hear Mary Morninstar speaking about one of country music's most promising new acts: Trio Lady Antebellum's Fame On the Rise.
And to end on a light--but no less musical note--VOA's Yi Suli reports on the Helms Barbershop in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where a group of elderly local musicians gather to perform some of the best music this side of Nashville.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Barbra Streisand, the Who's Pete Townshend, and Roger Daltrey to receive this year's Kennedy Center Honors
Former American Idol Runner-Up Aiken Returns to Broadway
Kanye West Arrested
Jennifer Lopez Cancels Project Runway Appearance
Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers to Perform in Cancer Benefit Concert
New Album Releases September 16
Musical Events/Festivals
Awards Presentations/Winners
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Former American Idol Runner-Up Aiken Returns to Broadway
Kanye West Arrested
Jennifer Lopez Cancels Project Runway Appearance
Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers to Perform in Cancer Benefit Concert
New Album Releases September 16
Musical Events/Festivals
Awards Presentations/Winners
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Music news notes from VOA's Mary Morningstar
Britney Opens MTV's VMAs; Janet Jackson Launches World Tour
Stevie Wonder to Receive Gershwin Prize
Daughtry Re-Releases Debut Album
Patti LaBelle to Receive UNCF Award of Excellence
New Album Releases - September 9
Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits
Award Presentations & Winners
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Stevie Wonder to Receive Gershwin Prize
Daughtry Re-Releases Debut Album
Patti LaBelle to Receive UNCF Award of Excellence
New Album Releases - September 9
Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits
Award Presentations & Winners
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Recent music programs on VOA
Award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb has released over 10 albums and won a number of awards for her music. She recently released a new album, Camp Lisa. Lisa speaks about her accomplishments in a television interview with VOA's Larry London.
VOA's Derek Moyo reports from Johannesburg, South Africa, on how a Zimbabwe Musician Turns Acoustic Jazz into Household Word. Listen to his lively radio feature here here
After Lifehouse's hit, "Hanging By a Moment," became the number one song for 2001, the band went through troubling times, losing band members and their record deal. Here you can see VOA Larry London's speaking with Rick Woolstenhulme and Jason Wade after their recent show in Washington.
VOA's Derek Moyo reports from Johannesburg, South Africa, on how a Zimbabwe Musician Turns Acoustic Jazz into Household Word. Listen to his lively radio feature here here
After Lifehouse's hit, "Hanging By a Moment," became the number one song for 2001, the band went through troubling times, losing band members and their record deal. Here you can see VOA Larry London's speaking with Rick Woolstenhulme and Jason Wade after their recent show in Washington.
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