. . . or technically if you follow all the antics of the Jamie Hewlett characters, it is a 2D "solo" effort (voice of Damon Albarn) along with the help of New Zealand saxophonist Nathan Haines covering the Becker/Fagen tune which originally appeared on the soundtrack for the very forgettable film of the same name. You'll find it on the web-only accessed new Gorillaz album The Fall. And it will not be titled "FM." Go to Track 6, under the playfully misleading title "Little Pink Plastic Bags." Some wags on the internet have indicated that the cover was recorded two years ago, and therefore cannot be part of the claim of Albarn that the new collection of songs was recorded on the road solely via iPad. Whatever. Haines puts his smooth jazz imprint on the song but doesn't try to replicate the original of Pete Christlieb. And if that's Albarn on guitar, cheers to him.
Now here's some intrepid surfing: Consequence of Sound dug out a recent interview on Perth Now with Jamie Hewlett, the visual mastermind of Gorillaz, who spilled a significant surprise. "On Christmas Eve, a video for one of the new songs from the iPad album will be released," Hewlett said. "Then, on Christmas Day fans get the whole album downloaded to their computer for free as a gift."
This confirms Damon Albern's earlier hint that an album was being written and recorded by the band on an iPad during the course of its US tour. "I wanted to make sure that it came out at the end of the tour because I don't want anyone to think I'd tampered with it," he says.
As for the overall sonic vibe of the record, Albarn revealed last month that the record is more "American-sounding" and a departure from his Blur days. "It sounds like an English voice that has been put through a vocoder of America," he said.
The record will be available as a free download on the band's official website, courtesy of the Gorillaz Advent Calendar, where the band is unveiling all sorts of ephemera (videos, computer wallpaper, and downloadable masks) leading up to the big day.
Here's the newest Gorillaz video, this one for "On Melancholy Hill," the second single from Plastic Beach. After escaping the pursuing Bruce Willis in the last episode ("Stylo"), the band discovers its island hideaway - and potentially the whereabouts of Russel Hobbs? Watch for cameos by various album collaborators.
If your bus from downtown doesn't stop until 82nd Street uptown, TNOP's got some news to keep you company and while away the time . . . A double CD of a 1966 Otis Redding show at Hollywood's Whisky-A-Go-Go, Otis Redding - Live On The Sunset Strip, was released this week. Pop & Hiss brings us a great story on the gigs, taped over four nights, using a noted eye-witness as its main source: Ry Cooder, who was playing guitar at the time for the warm-up act, Taj Mahal. "It was unbelievable," recalled Cooder. "He'd get up, stomp his foot, wave his arm, grab a microphone and sing with such searing intensity, I thought, this man's going to have a heart attack if he keeps this up. He's not going to make it. But it was good -- a great R&B show, the likes of which I'd never seen."
Step right up! Mr. Tom Waits edits the 200th issue of Mojo, on newstands in the UK soon. Wait a couple of weeks for it to show at your favorite bookstore in the US. Features in the July edition include Waits' interview of Harry Belafonte, a 15-song CD selected and sequenced by the singer and the magazine's guide to all of the Waits album catalog.
U2 had to cancel as the headliner at the massive Glastonbury Festival on opening night, 25 June. But The Guardian reports that Gorillaz have stepped into the breach. Speaking on behalf of 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel Hobbs, Damon Albern said, "it was us or The Beatles, and they split up years ago."
The Cute Beatle visits The White House next week, feted by a number of noted musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jack White and Emmylou Harris. Click Track gives us a Macca song wish list. TNOP agrees wholeheartedly that "We Can Work It Out" is the hands-down choice for The Wonderous One.
OK. So you are in your cap and gown at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute and thinking what boring commencement speaker am I going to have to suffer through? And out walks . . . Patti Smith! And she not only is funny, entertaining, name-dropping and emotional, but sings a couple of songs too! And how can't you love this send-off into the world: "be happy, take care of your teeth, always let your conscience be your guide. well, i wish you god and good luck." The Awl gives great video and The Smoking Bop Gun provides the transcript.
TNOP UK music correspondent and all-around bon vivant Miles Gallagher has been talking up Rock Island, Illinois singer-songwriter Lissie Maurus over the past couple of weeks. Now a great new video of a live performance with Ellie Goulding at the Brighton Great Escape has surfaced. Enjoy Lissie's composition "Everywhere I Go" (via TwentyFour Bit).
Here's a great excuse to escape to a great city: NXNE takes place 14-20 June in Toronto. Billed as "650 Bands - 7 Days - 40 Films - 50 Venues" the festival music headliners include Iggy & The Stooges, De La Soul and The Ravonettes and screens Don Letts' documentary on the late Joe Strummer.
To coincide with the 1974 release of Brian Eno's Here Come The Warm Jets (which, by the way, contained the classic track "The Paw-Paw Negro Blow Torch"), a pre-Pretenders Chrissie Hynde was sent by NME to interview the ex-Roxy Music chameleon. He answered the door to his London flat in a red satin kimono and black satin dress pants. Ah, those were the days . . .
Well, our stop's coming up. Before we step off into the hustle and bustle of the big city, slip on your earbuds and listen to Stevie Wonder sing maybe the best Beatles' cover ever.
Various blogs are abuzz, understandably, today about last night's Gorillaz interview and live performance of "Stylo" last night on The Colbert Report. They noted Damon Albern and the featured appearance of Bobby Womack, and they lamented the absence of Mos Def and the subliminal images of Jamie Hewlett's (left to right above) Noodle, 2-D, Russel Hobbs, 2-D and Murdoc Nicalls.
But why no mention of these two blokes?
Yep, that's ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon and guitarist Mick Jones. (The two played with Gorillaz last weekend at Coachella and are featured guests on the band's latest release, Plastic Beach.) Granted, last night both were sporting caps right off a Gilligan's Island set, but they sure do know how to help pace the rhythm.
NPR Music is streaming the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. We're a couple of spins through and its true to the groove. While there doesn't appear to be a song like "Feel Good Inc." or "Clint Eastwood" that immediately catches the ear, the Lou Reed tune, "Some Kind of Nature," is especially cool. And you can also check out 2D, Murdoc and Noodles being pursued by Bruce Willis in the video for the first single, "Stylo." Where's Russel? Stay tuned.
On May 18, Universal Music will reissue one of the most critically acclaimed rock records of all time, The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street. The new package will include four never heard tunes produced by Jimmy Miller, Don Was and The Glimmer Twins (Mick & Keef).
The Morning Benders, a three piece outfit from Berkeley, California, have warmed up for some significant indie acts (Grizzly Bear, The Kooks and Ra Ra Riot, to name a few) over the past couple of years. Now they may be on the verge of breaking out with their pending CD Big Echo. You can stream the whole album over at Muzzle of Bees. And the band lets you download their Phil Spector Wall of Sound influenced opening track, "Excuses," for free at their website.
The Choice Music Prize is Ireland's annual bow to the best pop music on the Emerald Isle. The Irish Times gives us a run-down on all the nominees and sets the odds of winning, as well.
Finally, The Band's multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Richard Manuel passed away 15 years ago today. In gracious memory of his extraordinary talent, listen to his lead on "Tears of Rage" at Woodstock in 1969. The footage is rare and quite coarse, but it's worth it. As Levon Helm put it, ". . . once he got started, man: drums, piano, play it all, sing, do a lead in one of them high, hard-assed keys to sing in. Richard just knew how a song was supposed to go. Structure, melody; he understood it."
TNOP brings you the news without the idiot wind . . .
As previously reported, Gorillaz new record, Plastic Beach, will be released 8 March. The Guradian reports on the project, including the track listing. In addition, you can listen to the first single, "Stylo," featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def, here.The band also will headline the last night of the Coachella festival in California on 18 April.
Vinyl lives! The web site nylvi reports that Radiohead sold the most wax albums in 2009, moving 45,700 copies. Close behind were The Beatles (38,800). Filling out the top ten: Michael Jackson, Metallica, Wilco, Dylan, Animal Collective, Pearl Jam, Bon Iver and Iron and Wine.
Conan O'Brien has announced the guest list for his last NBC Tonight Show tomorrow night: Tom Hanks, Will Farrell and Ol' Shakey himself, Neil Young.
Our friends at Muzzle of Bees tip us off to the upcoming Austin City Limits show this weekend, starring the Avett Brothers and Heartless Bastards. Visit their site and take in a video sneak preview.
Free Documentaries OnLine allows you to view The U.S. v. John Lennon, the story behind the government's efforts to deport the former Beatle in the 1970s.
Kate McGarrigle, who along with her sister Anna wrote pop songs and performed as the McGarrigle Sisters, died after a battle with cancer this past week in her native Montreal. In recent years, McGarrigle was best known as the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright. The singer who made the sisters' songs most famous, Linda Ronstadt, reflects on McGarrigle's contribution to pop music with The Los Angeles Times.
Get your credit card and dialing finger ready. Radiohead plays a benefit show for Haiti at the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles this Sunday night. Good luck at the auction.
The Guardian reports that the third Gorillaz album, due for release sometime in 2010, will be titled Plastic Beach. In a lengthy audio interview with Paul Morley, head cartoon (and sometimes Blur member) Damon Albern also reveals that the first effort of the "band" since 2005's Demon Days will include vocal contributions from the likes of Lou Reed, Mos Def, Snoop Dog, Bobby Womack, The Horrors and . . . the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. Oh, and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees too.
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