Dolly Parton
Whitney Houston
Due to the poularity of Whitney's version, a lot of people do not know that the song is originally by Dolly Parton.
I prefer Dolly's version because it so much simpler and feels more heartfelt. Whitney has the better voice, but Dolly just sells the song better to me.
MITNB
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
African Music Award: Africa Music Video Of The Year
You know the drill, continuing the African Music Award series.
Artist: Desmond Black and Kwaku ft Jay So
Song Title: Breathe
Country: Ghana
Artist: Black Coffee ft Zakes Bantwini
Song title: Juju
Country: South Africa
Artist: Darey
Song title: Not the girl
Country: Nigeria
Artist: M.I featuring Djinee
Song Title: Safe
Country: Nigeria
Artist: Becca ft Samini
Song: Fire
Country: Ghana
MITNB
Sunday, September 19, 2010
We'll be Alright
This is my anthem! For me it captures that moment in time when you are with a friend or group of friends and you are all having a food time. And it seems like there are no problems in the world. You don't hate your job, your family isn't giving you a headache, you are just enjoying the here and now.
MITNB
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Why rock skills don't pay all the bills
From the outside, it often sounds fun to be in a band. But before picking up that guitar or microphone,
SLRP: The suggested list retail price of a CD is currently $16.98, while the standard wholesale price -- what retail stores pay the label per CD -- is about $10. Once the retailer gets the CD, they can sell it for however much they'd like -- hence "suggested." Artist's royalties are a percentage of the retail price. Superstars can get 20 percent of the SLRP, but most get 12 percent to 14 percent.
Packaging charge: 25 percent of the SLRP goes back to the record company immediately for what's called a "packaging charge" -- that's the label literally charging the artist for the plastic case in which his or her CD is sold.
Free goods: In essence, "free goods" are a roundabout way for labels to discount records so stores will be more inclined to buy them. So rather than sell Best Buy 100,000 records at the regular wholesale price, the label will sell them 100,000 records for the price of 85,000. The artist is then paid for the 85,000 CDs, not the actual 100,000 sold to the retailer.
Reserves: Records, especially records by newer artists, are generally sold with the caveat that retailers can return to the label whatever copies they don't sell for a full refund. Thus to ensure they don't lose too much money on artists, record labels will sometimes pay artists for only 65,000 copies out of 100,000 copies, just in case 35,000 (25,000 if you consider the free ones) are returned. If the retailer ends up selling all their copies, the label will then pay the artist the balance owed, which can sometimes take years.
Distributor: Music distributors are entities designed to promote and distribute records. The major labels maintain in-house distributors, while most all indie labels use private distribution companies. For smaller bands' records, the distributor can take as much as a 24 percent cut of the SLRP; bigger bands might only be charged 14.2 percent.
Songwriter/publisher: If an artist doesn't write his or her own music, someone else has to. And someone who writes a song must first go through a music publisher, whose job it is to place that song with a recording artist who will agree to perform it. If an artist buys the song, the writer and publisher then receive 9.1 cents for every copy of the song sold, a sum they must then split.
Personal manager: This manager guides the career of the artist and gets about 15 percent of the artist's gross earnings.
Business manager: This manager is the artist's money man, making sure the musician repays his debts and invests his earnings wisely. A business manager charges 5 percent of an artist's gross.
Lawyer: While it's not always the case-many charge hourly-some artist's lawyers charge 5 percent.
AFTRA and AFM: These are the musicians unions. Singers join AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), while players join AFM (the American Federation of Musicians). If an artist cuts an album, he has to join a union, which will then take $63.90 in base dues plus 0.743 percent of the artist's first $100,000.
Record advance: Unlike touring fees, of which the record company can only recoup half, record advances are 100 percent recoupable. That means that if the label fronts an artist $75,000 to pay for whatever he or she needs to record an album--studio time, new instruments, etc. -- the artist then owes the label that initial $75,000, regardless of whether the record is a success or not.
Source: http://www.theroot.com/views/how-much-do-you-musicians-really-make?page=0,0>1=38002
MITNB
SLRP: The suggested list retail price of a CD is currently $16.98, while the standard wholesale price -- what retail stores pay the label per CD -- is about $10. Once the retailer gets the CD, they can sell it for however much they'd like -- hence "suggested." Artist's royalties are a percentage of the retail price. Superstars can get 20 percent of the SLRP, but most get 12 percent to 14 percent.
Packaging charge: 25 percent of the SLRP goes back to the record company immediately for what's called a "packaging charge" -- that's the label literally charging the artist for the plastic case in which his or her CD is sold.
Free goods: In essence, "free goods" are a roundabout way for labels to discount records so stores will be more inclined to buy them. So rather than sell Best Buy 100,000 records at the regular wholesale price, the label will sell them 100,000 records for the price of 85,000. The artist is then paid for the 85,000 CDs, not the actual 100,000 sold to the retailer.
Reserves: Records, especially records by newer artists, are generally sold with the caveat that retailers can return to the label whatever copies they don't sell for a full refund. Thus to ensure they don't lose too much money on artists, record labels will sometimes pay artists for only 65,000 copies out of 100,000 copies, just in case 35,000 (25,000 if you consider the free ones) are returned. If the retailer ends up selling all their copies, the label will then pay the artist the balance owed, which can sometimes take years.
Distributor: Music distributors are entities designed to promote and distribute records. The major labels maintain in-house distributors, while most all indie labels use private distribution companies. For smaller bands' records, the distributor can take as much as a 24 percent cut of the SLRP; bigger bands might only be charged 14.2 percent.
Songwriter/publisher: If an artist doesn't write his or her own music, someone else has to. And someone who writes a song must first go through a music publisher, whose job it is to place that song with a recording artist who will agree to perform it. If an artist buys the song, the writer and publisher then receive 9.1 cents for every copy of the song sold, a sum they must then split.
Personal manager: This manager guides the career of the artist and gets about 15 percent of the artist's gross earnings.
Business manager: This manager is the artist's money man, making sure the musician repays his debts and invests his earnings wisely. A business manager charges 5 percent of an artist's gross.
Lawyer: While it's not always the case-many charge hourly-some artist's lawyers charge 5 percent.
AFTRA and AFM: These are the musicians unions. Singers join AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), while players join AFM (the American Federation of Musicians). If an artist cuts an album, he has to join a union, which will then take $63.90 in base dues plus 0.743 percent of the artist's first $100,000.
Record advance: Unlike touring fees, of which the record company can only recoup half, record advances are 100 percent recoupable. That means that if the label fronts an artist $75,000 to pay for whatever he or she needs to record an album--studio time, new instruments, etc. -- the artist then owes the label that initial $75,000, regardless of whether the record is a success or not.
Source: http://www.theroot.com/views/how-much-do-you-musicians-really-make?page=0,0>1=38002
MITNB
African Music Award:African Song of the Year
The African music award nominees continuing from my post about it last week.
Artist: Wande Coal
Song: Bumper to Bumper
Country: Nigeria
Artist: Black Coffee ft Zakes Bantwini
Song: Juju
Country: South Africa
Artist: Nameless ft Habiba
Song: Sunshine
Country: Kenya
Artist: K'naan ft David Bisal
Song: Waving flag
Country: Somalia
Artist: Sarkodie featuring Mugeez
Song: Babe
Country: Ghana
It's not hard to guess who I'm rooting for in this category!
MITNB
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Kings Of Leon's New Album, Come Around Sundown, Due In October
image source: tinypic
Kings of Leon have already finished the follow-up to their 2008 U.S. breakthrough Only by the Night. and it'll be in stores this fall. The brotherly band announced on Wednesday (August 4) that they would release Come Around Sundown on October 19.
The band's fifth album was produced by their trusted team of Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King and was described in a press release as "yet another bold and expansive statement" from the Nashville-based quartet. Six million copies of Night, which also nabbed them four Grammy awards in February, have been sold worldwide.
The Kings finished a nearly two-year stint touring in support of Night in October 2009, and in February they began work on Sundown. They capped off the sessions in June, when they played to one of the largest U.S. audiences of their careers at the Bonnaroo festival.
Though they haven't talked much about how the new album will sound, drummer Nathan Followill said in May that Sundown might have a "darker" feel because it was recorded in New York. "And I'll be damned if we didn't go in there and make a fun record! It's got songs that are beachy, it's got songs that are a little more like our [debut full-length] Youth and Young Manhood days. ... We're super excited," he added.
They're already started previewing some of the new songs while on tour, including tracks that are tentatively titled "Immortals," "Radioactive," "Southbound" and "Mary." The Kings have also been playing a song fans have dubbed "Lucifer" since last year, though it's unknown if that one will make the new record.
Those songs are likely to keep sneaking into their sets as they play amphitheaters on a summer tour, which has already included a now-legendary gig in St. Louis last month. That show was cut short after three songs because pigeons in the rafters of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater bombed them with poop.
MITNB
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
The 2010 Mercury Prize Winner
Update from my pervious post, 'The XX' were crowned winners for the 2010 mercury prize. I was rooting for Mumford and sons. But, I'm still pleased 'The XX' won.
Artist: The xx
Album: xx
Song: VCR
MITNB
K'naan at Hoxton Bar and Grill
On monday night, I went to see K'naan at the Hoxton Bar and Grill, London. I've featured him so many times on this blog that this could be would be a mini fan site.
The show was started 30 minutes late. The opening act, Cortes are good, but not great. They sound like they have been listening to a lot of Lenny Kravitz. They are amazing guitarists and they know it, but they lack the song writing skills they need to make it big. Reptitive lyrics work for Black eyed peas, but when Cortes do the same thing they come off a bit lazy and boring. Their songs had lengthy, phenomenal guitar solos, but without the lyrics to back it up, it got boring quickly.
K’naan came on around 10 (he was sheduled to come on at 9:30), some of us started to think he wasn't going to show. When he first started to perform, it seemed like he didn’t want to be there. During the show he admitted to being a bit sore and tired from touring, but as the show went on things really picked up. The energy was intense and amazing. Every single song was heartfelt and by the end he felt like a familiar friend.
Before we left for the concert my sister asked me, “what would he sing about once he becomes rich and famous?”. I said “I guess he would just have to remain humble”. I doubt money and fame is going to change K’naan anytime soon. During the show he talked passionately about life in Somalia – friends and girlfriends getting killed or left behind. When he moved to America, he problems with the INS which led to the eventual move to Canada. The stories were sad, but empowering.
I wish I had recorded it all, but I have some little clips and some mediocre pictures to share. If you are a fan, he is going to be at Koko, London in November. It is worth every penny without a doubt, I’m actually thinking of going to see him again.
The Stage
Cortes
K'naan
MITNB
The Stage
Cortes
K'naan
MITNB
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The 2010 Mercury Prize nominees
I can't believe I forgot that the Mercury prize award was today! I think I got too caught up in preparing to see K'naan (review up soon) and I'm just coming down from that high.
I have to say I'm surprised that people like Paul Weller, Dizzee Rascal (who won once before) and Corine bailey Rae are nominated for the Mercury prize. I always though the Prize was given to less established musicians/bands. I'll be pretty disapointed if someone established wins, I'm rooting for Mumford and Sons. I got their album "Sigh No More" and it lives up to the hype. The winner is going to be announced later today, but for now here are the nominees
Artist: Dizzee Rascal
Album: Tongue N' Cheek
Artist: The xx
Album: xx
Artist: Paul Weller
Album: Wake Up the Nation
Artist: Corinne Bailey Rae
Album: The Sea
Artist: Mumford & Sons
Album: Sigh No More
Artist: Laura Marling
Album:I Speak Because I Can
Artist: Foals
Album: Total Life Forever
Artist:Wild Beasts
Album: Two Dancers
Artist: Biffy Clyro
Album: Only Revolutions
Artist:Villagers
Album: Becoming A Jackal
Artist: Kit Downes
Album: Trio ‘Golden
Artist: I Am Kloot
Song: Sky At Night
I'll post the winner today or tomorrow.
MITNB
African Music Award: African Artist of the Year
The nominees for the 2010 African Music awards have been announced. So Tuesdays are going to be dedicated to featuring the nominees from the various categories.
AFRICAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Artist: D’Banj (feat. Genevieve)
Title: Fall In Love
Country: Nigeria
Artist: Fally Ipupa
Title: Associé
Country: DR Congo
Artist: Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini
Title: Juju
Country: South Africa
Artist: Tamer Hosny
Title: I woke up to her voice
Country: Egypt
Artist: K'naan ft David Bisal
Title: Waving Flag
Country: Somalia
Voting takes place from the 6th of September to the 10 october. Check: http://www.africamusicawards.coml for more details of the event.
MITNB
Monday, September 06, 2010
New Music Post: Ceelo - Pimps Don’t Cry
Another video from one of my faves, Ceelo Green featuring the stunning Eva Mendes. The song is for 'The Other Guy' Sound track.
MITNB
Friday, September 03, 2010
New Music Post:Cee-Lo - F***k You (Parental Advisory/why is your kid listening to Ceelo Green)
The song on everyone's lips this past week!
With 50cent (eww)
Official video
The single is going to be released in the U.S. and UK on October 4. The album, 'The LadyKiller" is going to be released in December and it features the cover of "Band of Horses' No One's Gonna Love You", which has previously been posted on this blog.
For UK and US residents, if you join ceelo's mailing list (and what's the harm in that) @ http://www.ceelogreen.com/. You will be sent a copy of "champion" and "Georgie" absolutely FREE!
MITNB
With 50cent (eww)
Official video
The single is going to be released in the U.S. and UK on October 4. The album, 'The LadyKiller" is going to be released in December and it features the cover of "Band of Horses' No One's Gonna Love You", which has previously been posted on this blog.
For UK and US residents, if you join ceelo's mailing list (and what's the harm in that) @ http://www.ceelogreen.com/. You will be sent a copy of "champion" and "Georgie" absolutely FREE!
MITNB
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