Monday, March 26, 2012

Clark Center Announces their 10th Anniversary Festivities

 

The Clark Center for the Performing Arts is celebrating their 10th Anniversary! More than 30 years ago, Cliff and Mary-Lee Clark were at a musical program at the Arroyo Grande High School gymnasium when they were struck with the idea for the Clark Center. A group of dedicated community leaders, arts patrons and parents soon came together in order to raise the money to build a high-quality facility to serve children, local artists and community service groups.

In 1986, The South County Performing Arts Building Foundation was established and began a unique partnership with the Lucia Mar Unified School District in order to create a joint-use community and school facility on the site of the Arroyo Grande High School Campus. In 1999, construction began and was funded with the $9 million the Foundation raised through gifts from private citizens and supplemented by generous grants from the State of California, San Luis Obispo County, and the cities of Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, and Grover Beach. The Grand Opening of the Clark Center for the Performing Arts was held on May 10th, 2002.

The Clark Center's 10th Anniversary Celebration will be held from May 2-May 12. Most events will be free of charge in order to enable as many community members as possible to participate in the festivities! The schedule is as follows:

  • 5/2/12 - Business Open House/Mixer from 5-7pm. Light appetizers will be provided by the Arroyo Grande High School ROP Culinary Arts program and backstage tours will be given every half hour. This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 5/3/12 - Family Movie Night featuring Finding Nemo at 6pm. The Arroyo Grande High School Technical Theater class will be selling concessions as a fundraiser. This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 5/4/12 - Comedy Night in the Studio Theatre at 8pm. This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 5/5/12 - Central Coast Performing Arts Showcase at 7pm. This event will feature local theatre and dance Studios. This event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • 5/6/12 - Blue Steele US Air Force Band at 2pm. Blue Steel is the commercial, popular music ensemble of the United States Air Force Academy Band. These full time, active duty bandsmen perform high energy music from a variety of genres, and their versatility and dynamic stage presence enables them to tell the Air Force story to audience members of all ages. A BBQ Fundraiser will be held prior to the Concert. This event is free and tickets are available through the Box Office.
  • 5/7/12 - Facility Tours 3:30-6:30pm. New Tours will begin every 30 minutes. This event is free and open to the public.
  • 5/8/12 - Facility Tours 3:30-6:30pm. New Tours will begin every 30 minutes. This event is free and open to the public.
  • 5/10/12 - Nipomo High School Dance - 7pm. NHS Dance presents their annual dance performance, Dance Til The World Ends. General Admission tickets are $10.
  • 5/11/12 - Nipomo High School Dance - 7pm. NHS Dance presents their annual dance performance, Dance Til The World Ends. General Admission tickets are $10.
  • 5/12/12 - 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration. The Clark Center Association and Clark Center founding members Judy & Hardy Hearn with Blanche Hollingsead will present a 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Celebration honoring the Clark Family and other founding donors at the Historic Santa Maria Inn at 5pm. Tickets are $95 or $950 for a Champagne table of 10 and includes dinner with complimentary wine and silent and live auctions. Black Tie is optional.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (805) 489-9444 for tickets or come to the Clark Center Box Office at 487 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande.

For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit the Clark Center website at www.clarkcenter.org.

For photos or interviews, contact Jamie Maraviglia at 489-4196 or email jamie@clarkcenter.org.

The Clark Center for the Performing Arts...Ten Years of Quality Entertainment!!!


MADONNA MAKES SURPRISE GUEST APPEARANCE AT ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

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MADONNA MAKES SURPRISE GUEST APPEARANCE AT ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL - GLOBAL POP ICON INTRODUCES AVICII AND HIS REMIX OF “GIRL GONE WILD” AT THE WORLD’S PREMIER ELECTRONIC MUSIC EVENT

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Madonna and Avicii. Photo Credit: Seth Browarnik/Worldredeye.com

Saturday, March 24, Miami’s ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL (ULTRA), the world’s premier electronic music event, took the genre to the next level.  For the first time ever at ULTRA, global pop icon MADONNA appeared as a special surprise guest—the festival’s gift to their fans—to introduce the main stage final headlining artist AVICII.  After her introduction, she joined the Swedish producer and DJ behind the decks and together they premiered his remix of her new single “Girl Gone Wild” from her upcoming album MDNA.

“I’ve been here in spirit for many years, but it’s good to finally be standing on the stage, looking at all you people who have come here from all around the world,” said MADONNA as she took ULTRA’s Main Stage. “In my world the words ‘music’ and ‘dance’ are not separated.  Electronic music has been a part of my life since the beginning of my career.  I can honestly say that a DJ saved my life.”

Beyond the weekend’s 165,000 fans in attendance of the sold-out festival in downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park, the event was captured on a world-wide scale over UMF TV’s free HD live stream, happening now via Google Play on YouTube at www.youtube.com/umtv.  

Follow ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL at: www.ultramusicfestival.com - www.facebook.com/ultrafanpage - @ultramusic - #ULTRA2012

View MADONNA’s intro now on www.youtube.com/user/MDNADNA.

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Avicii and Madonna. Photo Credit: Seth Browarnik/Worldredeye.com                                                             Xavier de Rosnay (Justice), Madonna, David Guetta and Avicii. Photo Credit: Seth Browarnik/Worldredeye.com

About ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL:

As the world’s most famous outdoor electronic music festival, ULTRA has won “Best Music Event” by the International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) six consecutive years, from 2005 to 2011, “Best International Dance Music Festival” by the Ibiza DJ Awards in 2008 and “Best Festival” by the Village Voice Media New Times consecutively five years running from 2005 through 2009.  Originally created as a pure EDM (electronic dance music) festival in 1999, ULTRA has grown through the years to present not only the genre’s hottest, biggest and best headline artists (The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Tiësto, David Guetta, deadmau5, Underworld, Kraftwerk, Armin van Buuren, Moby, Fatboy Slim, Justice, Carl Cox, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia, to name a few), but also crossover headline bands that incorporate EDM elements in their music and have a history or new beginning in the EDM community and culture (The Cure, The Killers, New Order, Duran Duran, The Black Eyed Peas, Erasure, M83, Santigold, The Ting Tings, Cut Copy, Empire of the Sun and Bloc Party). Together with its signature, cutting-edge productions, ULTRA is unrivaled by consistently presenting the world’s greatest, most diverse EDM line-ups year after year. In 2011, its 13th year in existence, ULTRA had its best year to date with over 150,000 attendees coming from 71 countries and territories and all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.


 

Norah Jones returns to the beautiful Santa Barbara Bowl on Tuesday, August 7th

Nederlander Presents…


NorahJones1byFrankWOckenfels3image

WITH SPECIAL GUEST


Norah Jones returns to the beautiful Santa Barbara Bowl on Tuesday, August 7th, with special guest.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 31st at 11am.

Norah Jones’ new collaboration with Danger Mouse, called Little Broken Hearts has expanded her sound in thrilling and characteristically subtle ways. Twelve darkly luminous songs. Twelve little broken hearts. Each an exploration of wounded emotions from various perspectives that invariably leads to a place of beauty and uplift.

Jones says that as she worked to fit the songs together into a workable sequence, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that it coalesced into a unified statement – even “Happy Pills,” with its talk of “tryin’ to make it so I never see your face again,” revolves around the overall theme. “I didn’t expect all the lyrics to tie in so well, especially since we wrote in such a spontaneous way. It turns out to be kind of a story. It has these different dimensions. Things sneak up on you. And even though the record has all these cool sounds and interesting grooves that are Brian’s signature, mostly I’m proud of our writing together. The songs themselves.”

10 years after she first performed at SXSW, Jones made a triumphant return to the festival the other week, performing Little Broken Hearts in its entirety in front of an enraptured capacity crowd. The Associated Press praised the new songs, calling them “stylish yet deeply emotional,” adding that “she showed fans a different side” and that the album is “a departure for Jones and another step in her evolution.” USA Today wrote “sometimes sweet and sometimes spooky, the songs, co‐written and produced by Danger Mouse on the album, have atmospheric weight performed live also,” and highlighted the “cheery, cutting” lead single “Happy Pills.”

Don’t miss your chance to see Norah Jones at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Tuesday, August 7th, with special guest.

Tickets range from $39 to $69, plus applicable service charges.

The Santa Barbara Bowl is located at 1122 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103, 805-962-7411.


A SOUND OF THUNDER Premiere New Video

Out of the Darkness Available March 27th on Nightmare Records

With their new album less than a week away from being released A SOUND OF THUNDER have unveiled a new video for the song "Murderous Horde". Today Pure Grain TV, a division of Pure Grain Audio is hosting an exclusive premiere of the video HERE.

imageOut of the Darkness is available for pre-order on Amazon.

In support of their upcoming release, A SOUND OF THUNDER have announced a string of North American tour dates, including a special CD release show and appearances with Sabaton and Virgin Steele. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Relatively new faces in the metal world, A SOUND OF THUNDER is fronted by powerful lead vocalist Nina Osegueda. Lead guitarist Josh Schwartz and drummer Chris Haren founded A SOUND OF THUNDER in 2008. Nina joined in 2009, and was followed by bass and keyboard player, Jesse Keen, in 2010. In less than two years, A SOUND OF THUNDER recorded and released an EP, a charity single benefiting the West Memphis Three, and a full length self-produced album. They have performed throughout the US, and opened for such high profile bands as Accept, Sabaton, Firewind, Primal Fear and Doro.

The songs for Out of the Darkness were written and arranged by Josh Schwartz and the rest of A Sound of Thunder, with lyrics written by Nina Osegueda and Chris Haren. Legendary Raven front-man John Gallagher also appears, performing a duet with Nina on the title trackOut of the Darkness.

Head over to http://www.reverbnation.com/asoundofthunder and get a free download of the non-album version of the song "Out of the Darkness". This exclusive version features all vocals by Nina Osegueda. The album version features a duet with Raven vocalist and bassist John Gallagher.

Noisecreep is hosting a stream of the song "The Day I Die" HERE.

A SOUND OF THUNDER Live

3/31: West Springfield, VA @ Empire (CD Release Party)

4/14: Johnstown, PA @ Ace's

5/12: Pittson, PA @ Diane's

5/14: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

5/15: St Paul, MN @ Station 4 (With Sabaton)

5/17: Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground

5/18: Joliet, IL @ Mojoe's (Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse)

5/19: Nashville, TN @ The Limit

5/21: West Springfield, VA @ Empire (With Sabaton)

6/16: Fredericksburg, VA @ KC's Music Hall

 

A SOUND OF THUNDER lineup

Nina Osegueda - Vocals, Lyrics

Josh Schwartz - Guitars, Keys

Chris Haren - Drums, Lyrics

Jesse Keen - Bass, Keys

 

For More Information Please Visit: - www.asoundofthunderband.com / www.facebook.com/asoundofthunder

Twitter: @asotband - www.reverbnation.com/asoundofthunder


Rising Pop/Country Star BREANNA LYNN Releases New Self-Titled Album Exclusively with iTunes – AVAILABLE NOW!

 

imageRising artist BREANNA LYNN is a rare find in the pop music scene of today. As a seemingly typical teen from a small town in Illinois, BREANNA LYNN’s natural musical ability gives her an extraordinary quality that defines her as an artist and makes her much more than your average teenager. With an increasing amount of buzz developing for her music, BREANNA LYNN will release her highly anticipated, self-titled full-length album exclusively with iTunes on March 18th, 2012. Filled with passion for sharing her musical talents, BREANNA LYNN was born to be a star. Fans can witness this shining new talent this summer—Breanna has plans to announce tour dates in the coming weeks!

For the new album, BREANNA LYNN teamed with highly credited producers like Ken Caillat (Colbie Caillat, Fleetwood Mac), Keith Follese (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Randy Travis), and performing artist Jamie O’Neil. BREANNA LYNN was credited and featured in ‘Dorothy of OZ’, directed by Will Finn and Dan St. Pierre, scheduled to be released August 3rd, 2012 via Summertime Entertainment.

“I’m so excited to have had the amazing opportunity to work with some incredible producers on this album. They’ve helped bring my art to life,” states Breanna. “The album contains seven of my favorite songs that I’ve written along with three original songs that I wrote with Jamie O’Neal, Keith and Adrienne Follese, and Jim Cooper (Rachel Lampa, Building 429, Natalie Grant) and Tommy Collier (Katy Perry). I have my own style in writing music, but have been inspired by Demi Lovato, Stevie Nicks and Christina Perri. I’m hoping this album can give hope to those who have forgotten how to love themselves. I hope people can connect to this album as much as I can.”

imageA gifted singer and guitar virtuoso, BREANNA LYNN picked up her first guitar at the age of nine and began writing her musical autobiography in songs by the time she was just 12 years old. At the age of 15, her talent awarded her a sponsorship with Taylor Guitars. As a young child, BREANNA LYNN practiced singing notes with her aunt, a world-renowned opera singer. Her love of music and performance grew with each year, and in 3rd grade when she was chosen over every other student, including high school students, to be the lead vocalist of her school's band, BREANNA LYNN knew that music was something special to her.

Growing up in the Midwest wasn’t always easy for this talented teen, but BREANNA LYNN held on tightly to her faith in God. Her interest in music and poetry made her an outcast at school, and she often was bullied for her unique devotion to creative expression. While her peers were quick to judge her for being different, BREANNA LYNN turned to music and began to pour her heart into her very own songs. As music took on an even greater meaning in BREANNA LYNN’s life, she made a promise to herself to never let anyone make her feel like she didn’t belong. That promise proved to be the pivotal moment that ignited BREANNA LYNN’s career, and the young talent has been devoted to speaking out against anti-bullying ever since. Even as a teen, the fiercely independent BREANNA LYNN is on a mission to inspire young girls around the world to never give up hope and be who you are.

“They’re not worth pretending for,” states BREANNA LYNN. “You are so beautiful the way you are, it’d be a shame if you let them change that.”

Please check out this website to learn about the horrible growing bullying trend:
http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/#/home

BREANNA LYNN’s youth brings a charming energy to her original melodies, which carry BREANNA LYNN's refreshing lyrical honesty. It is this rarely found unique talent that has allowed BREANNA LYNN coveted opportunities to work with some of the most well-respected and well-known names in music. Armed with this mission to inspire and provoke through her music and an unquestionable talent, BREANNA LYNN's exciting journey as a musician has only just begun!

For more information on BREANNA LYNN, please visit these websites:
www.breannalynnmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/BreannaLynnMusic
http://www.youtube.com/breannalynnmusic

DIGITAL EPK - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkS0npUWMMU


ROBIN WILLIAMS TO RECEIVE THE “STAND-UP ICON” AWARD AT “THE COMEDY AWARDS”

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imageROBIN WILLIAMS TO RECEIVE THE “STAND-UP ICON” AWARD AT “THE COMEDY AWARDS”

Prestigious Award To Be Presented During The Second Annual Event Honoring The Best In Comedy

Show Tapes At New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28 And Premieres on COMEDY CENTRAL On Sunday, May 6

The Comedy Awards,” the annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, announced today that Robin Williams will be honored as the recipient of the prestigious “Stand-Up Icon” award. This honor is bestowed each year to a modern icon, an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to stand-up comedy and whose impact and innovations have changed the landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers. Williams will be honored for the unparalleled scope of his imagination, his repertoire of indelible characters, and his outstanding work as a stand-up comedian. Eddie Murphy was the inaugural recipient and he was presented with the honor by Tracy Morgan during last year’s show.

“Robin Williams is a comedic force of nature whose intensity and explosive free-associating style as a stand-up comedian made him a superstar,” said Casey Patterson, Executive Producer, “The Comedy Awards” and EVP, Event Production, Viacom Entertainment Group. “Academy Award-winner, beloved TV star and passionate activist, Robin used stand-up comedy to literally change the world with ‘Comic Relief.’ Robin Williams is more than an ICON… he is one of the most important comedic voices of our time. We're thrilled, and just a little bit scared, to be honoring Robin at ‘The Comedy Awards’ this year.”

The “Stand-Up Icon” award will be presented during the taping of the event at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28 and the show will premiere on COMEDY CENTRAL on Sunday, May 6. “The Comedy Awards” will also air on COMEDY CENTRAL’s international channels across Europe, New Zealand, India, Israel and Africa.

An Academy Award-winning actor and multiple Grammy-winning performer unparalleled in the scope of his imagination, Robin Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian, delighting audiences across the country with the beginnings of what would become his renowned repertoire of indelible characters. Throughout his legendary career as a star of stage and screen, Williams has returned to his stand-up roots, most recently with his critically-acclaimed, sold-out, “Weapons of Self Destruction” comedy tour during which Williams performed 90 shows in 65 cities in front of 300,000 fans across the U.S., as well as London and Canada.

Well known for his free-associative monologues and for pointing out life’s absurdities through his astute social and political observations, Williams’ previous comedy tour was in 2002. After a 16-year absence from the stand-up scene, he hit the road and toured America with a critically acclaimed one-man show that became the highest-grossing comedy tour ever and culminated in a final performance filmed by HBO and broadcast live from New York on July 14, 2002. The special, entitled “Robin Williams: Live On Broadway,” was nominated for five Emmy Awards.

Offstage, Williams takes great joy in supporting causes too numerous to identify, covering the spectrum from health care and human rights, to education, environmental protection, and the arts. He has toured the Middle East with the USO a total of five times, including visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, to help raise morale among the troops and is, perhaps, best known philanthropically for his affiliation with “Comic Relief,” which was founded in 1986 as a non-profit organization to help America’s homeless. To date, the overall efforts of the “Comic Relief” organization have raised over $50 Million.

A full list of previously announced nominees for the 2012 “The Comedy Awards” and more information about the show and its prestigious Board of Directors can be found at www.thecomedyawards.com. “Modern Family,” Bridesmaids,” “30 Rock,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” and Louis C.K. lead the nominations and fans can vote for “Breakout Performer of the Year.” Click here to view a highlight reel from last year’s show. Follow “The Comedy Awards” on Twitter @TheComedyAwards.

“The Comedy Awards” has once again joined forces with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to endow The American Comedy Fund. Without a union or other protection, many comedians face unique challenges to succeed and survive. The Fund provides much-needed financial assistance, health benefits and other resources for comedians across the country during times of need, crisis or transition. The American Comedy Fund is administered by EIF in collaboration with the Motion Picture & Television Fund and The Actors Fund.

Don Mischer, Casey Patterson, EVP, Event Production, Viacom Entertainment Group and Charlie Haykel are the Executive Producers. Juliane Hare is Producer. Beth McCarthy Miller, the Peabody and DGA Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Director, will once again direct “The Comedy Awards.” “The American Comedy Awards” were originally created by George Schlatter.


Create Your Sound in Perfect Tempo

 

Tempo_KR_with_iPad

Review of the Tempo KR USB Condenser Microphone from MXL / Marshall Electronics

Price Point $ 79.95 USD

Music Recording and the advances in Recording Technologies have escalated hand in hand throughout the decades. We have seen that whether it is in professional studio or small / home studio situations the musician or artist has searched for equipment that enhances their natural sounds and talents while being flexible in use and matches their budgets. Today we have seen many technical advances that allow the use of personal computers, laptops, iOs tablets and smartphones to record anytime or anywhere. To meet this need, many companies have developed microphones to connect to the computer systems through their USB ports, some claim to be “plug and play” but require specific, hard to use or share software or is made from flimsy, easily damaged materials, making them a poor replacement for the standard microphones of the recording industry. Whether an artist is in the studio or in the home studio, the goal is crystal clear audio quality, ease of use / functionality and quick implementation or integration into existing studio systems. Musicians and Artists everywhere have found this to be a daunting, and at times, impossible task to achieve, even with large budgets.

MXL, a division of Marshall Electronics has risen to the call for a microphone to meet the needs of the professional artist, the home studio artist, and the technical savvy/experimenting artist with a revolutionary design in USB Condenser Microphone technology. The Tempo KR and Tempo SK USB Condenser Microphone series is the perfect blend of traditional – high quality, studio grade recording microphone and the flexibility of “Home Studio” or “On the Move” digital recording end user. We at Xombiewoof.Com Magazine received a Tempo KR USB Condenser Microphone to put to the test and evaluate for this review article, and we are seriously impressed.

The solid construction of the Tempo KR starts with an all metal body case and metal mesh surrounding the works make this a formidable piece of engineering genius. The Tempo KR has a built in headphone jack which make it perfect for mobile recording, podcasting and web/voice chatting. The Tempo KR comes with a small but durable table top / desk stand that can be easily positioned. The included USB cable is long enough to connect to any PC / Mac configuration yet provide the user the ability to set the Tempo KR up on any microphone stand, whether a floor or boom stand, it can be set up in any space. We investigated the competition to the Tempo KR for design, features and price, the Tempo KR was untouchable, with the best overall design features, affordability, and construction, the Tempo KR the best selection in a truly innovative microphone available at the price point.

Another feature of the Tempo KR that is a vast improvement over competitor products is that the Tempo KR is truly “Plug and Play”; it does not require any specific software or specialized programing. We connected to a windows desktop pc, a windows laptop, a Mac desktop and an iPad, no problems in configuration, set up or use. We used the Tempo KR with many of the popular studio programs as well at programs such as Skype, iChat and Facetime, all with no problems in connectivity, crystal clear audio and the flexibility to use with a broad range of programs and applications. We also connected the Tempo KR to a several recording devices, Digital DJ Equipment and sound / PA equipment that have USB interfacing; again, the Tempo KR was perfect in set up and use, no issues, no stress.

Ok, about now you may think we are just a bunch of review geeks that don’t know real time applications, well we do. For our final tests, we took the Tempo KR into the studio, single voice, duet, and trio / group vocals. The Tempo KR held up to the vocal testing with strong and consistent results, when we moved to recording instruments, the tempo KR also rose to the challenges, we found the Tempo KR to be especially great in recording with Acoustic Guitars and Percussion Instruments like Conga Drums. In fact, with every instrument we tried we could not get the Tempo KR to fail or show poor response. We did have one issue, while testing, the boom stand fell over and the Tempo KR hit the floor, HARD – at this point we thought it was over, WE WERE SO WRONG, the Tempo KR did not show any change in quality or signs of damage, no rattle, hum or static, simply flawless.

We encourage you to go to the MXL web site http://www.mxlmics.com/microphones/usb/Tempo and check out the Tempo Series USB Condenser Microphone from MXL / Marshall Electronics. We are sure you will be just as impressed with the quality and the new level of excellence developed for today’s recording needs. The Tempo Series will quickly become the new standard in digital recording technology.

 

img36Technical Specs:

Size: 1.85" X 7.5" (47mm X 190mm)

Sensitivity: -47 dB re 1 v/Pa

Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 18kHz

Metal Finish: Black / Red

A/D Converter: 16-bit Delta Sigma with THD%N - 0.01%

Power Requirements: USB Powered

Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz - 48kHz

Weight: 0.65 lbs (280 g)

Compatibility: Windows and Mac® OS

Output: 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone Jack / USB

USB Compatibility: USB 1.1 and USB 2.0

 


Monday, March 12, 2012

TENACIOUS D to Perform At Santa Barbara Bowl on May 23rd !!

Nederlander Presents…
TENACIOUS D

 lhfscreenshot

Wednesday, May 23rd • 7pm Santa Barbara Bowl

Tenacious D will hit the road this May in support of their new album Rize of the Fenix. The band will kick things off in Austin, TX for a special SXSW performance, and then makes it way to the Santa Barbara Bowl on Wednesday, May 23rd!

The bands first studio album in over six years, Rize of the Fenix will be out May 15th via Columbia Records. Tenacious D describes the making of the album as “journey similar to that of Gandolph in The Lord of the Rings.” Produced by the brilliant John Kimbrough, Rize Of The Fenix was recorded in the garage behind his LA home and features Jack Black and Kyle Gass (Tenacious D’s core duo), performing with Dave Grohl (drums), John Spiker (bass, piano, organ) and John Konesky (electric guitar). The album was engineered and mixed by John Spiker who has been touring with the band for years.

Rize of the Fenix album Pre-order available now:
Standard:
http://amzn.to/A2CD1c
Clean: http://amzn.to/w6t5N9
LP: http://amzn.to/xpcoRc

Don’t miss your chance to see Tenacious D at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Wednesday, May 23rd, with special guest. Tickets range from $34 to $44, plus applicable service charges. The Santa Barbara Bowl is located at 1122 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103, 805-962-7411. Tickets On Sale THIS SATURDAY, March 10th at 11am!


JANIS JOPLIN - THE PEARL SESSIONS

COLUMBIA/LEGACY RECORDINGS CELEBRATES JANIS JOPLIN WITH THE RELEASE OF ESSENTIAL NEW ADDITIONS TO HER CATALOG: JANIS JOPLIN - THE PEARL SESSIONS (NEW TWO-DISC EDITION PREMIERING NINE PREVIOUSLY UNAVAILABLE TRACKS & NEWLY DISCOVERED STUDIO RECORDINGS) & THE FIRST OF BEAR'S "SONIC JOURNALS": BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY FEATURING JANIS JOPLIN  - LIVE AT THE CAROUSEL BALLROOM 1968 RECORDED & PRODUCED BY OWSLEY STANLEY ("BEAR" )

imageHighlights From The Pearl Sessions, Limited Edition Double 10" Vinyl Release, Struck For Record Store Day 2012

New York, NY – Columbia/Legacy Recordings celebrates Janis Joplin with the release of two essential new titles in the catalog of the American blues-rock-country-soul singer: Janis Joplin - The Pearl Sessions, a two-disc set premiering newly discovered studio recordings produced by Paul Rothchild (available Tuesday, April 17) and Big Brother and the Holding Company Featuring Janis Joplin - Live at the Carousel Ballroom 1968, an electrifying full-length concert recorded and produced for release by the legendary soundman Owsley ("Bear") Stanley (available Tuesday, March 13). The Pearl Sessions is an historic expansion of Joplin's final studio album, providing fascinating new insight into Janis' creative process through a range of rare and previously unreleased material.

Newly available bonus material on The Pearl Sessions includes the original master mono mixes of the album's singles ("Cry Baby," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Half Moon," "Get It While You Can," "Move Over," "A Woman Left Lonely") and a full-length second disc showcasing Joplin live in the studio performing never-before-heard takes of Pearl classics. From behind-the-scenes banter to full finished takes, The Pearl Sessions shows the complexity of Joplin's genius, the tough and vulnerable aspects of her personality, her lightning sense of humor, and her razor-sharp attention to the details of her craft. Offering fresh perspectives on the more familiar "official" versions of the songs, alternate takes of "Get It While You Can," the Janis Joplin-composed "Move Over," and others open up unexpected new dimensions in the material and in the sublime nuances of Joplin's delivery.

The Pearl Sessions offers an unprecedented opportunity to be in the room with Janis, her producer, Paul Rothchild, and the members of the Full Tilt Boogie Band (guitarist John Till, pianist Richard Bell, bassist Brad Campbell, drummer Clark Pierson, organist Ken Pearson) as they create one of the enduring masterpieces of rock 'n' roll.

Originally released on January 11, 1971 (three months after her passing on October 4, 1970), Pearl debuted Joplin's final finished studio recordings. The only album Joplin ever recorded with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, the touring ensemble that had backed her on the Festival Express (a mythic 1970 concert tour by railroad across Canada with the Grateful Dead, the Band and others), Pearl included canonical studio recordings of songs that had been introduced to audiences on tour. A live version of "Tell Me Mama" (a song not included on the original Pearl), recorded during the legendary Toronto Festival Express date, is included as a bonus track on The Pearl Sessions. Also included as a bonus is Janis' scorching live version of "Half Moon," recorded for her appearance on "The Dick Cavett Show" on August 3, 1970.

Peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200, a position it held for nine weeks, Pearl included some of Janis's most familiar and best-loved performances including her cover of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" and her off-the-cuff a cappella "Mercedes Benz." A never released alternate take and the original "Me and Bobby McGee" demo are both included on The Pearl Sessions.

When putting together material for a 40th anniversary edition of Pearl, researchers discovered a treasure-trove of previously uncatalogued audio tapes from the album's sessions, produced by Paul Rothchild. An industry legend, perhaps best-known for producing the first five Doors albums, Rothchild further solidified his position in music history with his work on Pearl.

The Pearl Sessions brings together the original mono versions of the album’s 45s and the original LP tracks alongside a revelatory cavalcade of newly-discovered alternate versions, outtakes and vocal takes that put you in the studio with Janis Joplin.

A limited edition double 10" high fidelity vinyl gatefold release, Highlights from The Pearl Sessions will be available exclusively for Record Store Day (April 21, 2012). A companion to the newly curated two CD edition of Joplin's farewell masterpiece, Pearl, this vinyl release presents previously unreleased and seldom heard takes and early versions of classic songs, culled from the recently discovered tapes used to create The Pearl Sessions.

A limited edition 12" vinyl edition of Pearl will also be available on Tuesday, April 17. A breakout from the Classic LP Collection box, the album is pressed at RTI on 180-gram audiophile vinyl.

The release of The Pearl Sessions marks a renewed focus on Janis Joplin and the continuing influence of her music. Columbia/Legacy Recording will release Live at the Carousel Ballroom 1968, a previously unavailable live concert recording of Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin,recorded June 23, 1968 by legendary soundman Owsley Stanley, a/k/a "Bear," who supervised the mastering of this release before his fatal car accident in his adopted homeland of Australia on March 12, 2011. Dedicated to Bear, the album will be released on March 13, 2012, marking the one-year anniversary of his passing.

A special collector's edition of Live at the Carousel Ballroom will be available in a special two 12" vinyl LP gatefold collector's edition on Tuesday, March 27. "This evening was special," remembers Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart was in the Carousel Ballroom that night in June '68. "The Bear loved Janis. Her ability to sing multiple tones simultaneously and then morph them into heart wrenching chords was singular. Her primal cry, filled with tenderness and hurt, was delivered at 140 decibels as the band pushed here into the slipstream. There could be no one more qualified to bring Big Brother and the Holding Company to life than Owsley. Together they captured the magic. The Bear sure had it right this night."

As potentially being the complete and definitive collection of  Janis Joplin’s work and her short but exciting career in music, these offerings would be the key part of any rock and roll fan, historian or audiophile.