Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson Demos Almost Ready for Release

Please follow the link to read more about the Michael Jackson/Freddie Mercury demos that are being finished by the surviving members of Queen.  

R.I.P. J.J. Cale

J.J. Cale, the singer-songwriter who wrote two of Eric Clapton's most beloved hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" passed away on Friday evening, July 26th, at the age of 74.  J.J. Cale also penned "Call Me The Breeze" made famous by Lynyrd Skynyrd and a two staples in Widespread Panic's setlist, "Travelin' Light" and "Ride Me High"

Cale's musical style was a blend of country, folk, blues, and jazz and his laid-back boogie shuffle was contradictory to the music released in the early 70s.  J.J. Cale's style is often referred to as the "Tulsa Sound" after Cale's hometown in Oklahoma.  

The statement on J.J. Cale's website read as follows:

"JJ Cale passed away at 8:00 pm on Friday July 26 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. The legendary singer / songwriter had suffered a heart attack. There are no immediate plans for services.

His history is well documented at JJCale.com, rosebudus.com/cale, and in the documentary, ‘To Tulsa and Back.’

Donations are not needed but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, donations can be made to your favorite local animal shelter."

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids 

Trey Anastasio Talks New Phish Album, Robin Thicke, Children and More (Jambands)

Please follow the link to read more of Trey Anastasio's Q&A with Rolling Stone Editor, Patrick Doyle. 

On the turntable this Sunday...In The Right Place

In the Right Place is a 1973 album by New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John. The album was originally released on Atco Records and became the biggest selling album of Dr. John's career. The song "Such a Night" was also performed as part of The Band's 'The Last Waltz' concert, made famous by Martin Scorsese's film. The song also appears in the music video of 3000 Miles to Graceland.

Listen to Elvis Costello & The Roots' New Single "Walk Us Uptown" (Paste)

Please follow the link to hear the new Elvis Costello & The Roots' New Single "Walk Us Uptown."

Surviving Members of Nirvana Join Paul McCartney in Seattle

Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic joined Sir Paul McCartney over the weekend during his performance at Seattle's Safeco Field.  Read more here. 

Win Harry Nilsson’s ‘The Complete RCA Albums Collection’ Box Set (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Ultimate Classic Rock is giving away 5 copies of the 17-disc box set of Harry Nilsson's 'The Complete RCA Albums Collection.' Please follow the link to read more.

The Black Crowes Extend Tour Through December

The Black Crowes recently confirmed their plans to extend their current tour into the fall. Please read more at Relix.

Phish Close Chicago Run with Another Rain Delay, "Harpua" and Members of Second City

Phish treated fans in Chicago to a special set due to rain delay and a cancelled show on Friday. Please read full article at Jambands.com.

Phish "Yarmouth Road" and "Energy" (Relix)

Phish debuted "Yarmouth Road"  and a cover of Apples in Stereo's "Energy" two weeks ago in Saratoga Springs, NY. Check it out here. 

On the turntable this Sunday...Lawn Boy

Lawn Boy is Phish's second official studio album, released on September 21, 1990, on the Absolute A Go Go Records and Rough Trade labels on cassette, single-LP vinyl and CD (with CD bonus track Fee). Vinyl LPs of the original Absolute A Go Go release are still known to circulate. The album was later re-mastered by Bob Ludwig and re-released on CD and cassette by Elektra Records June 30, 1992.

The songs on Lawn Boy include many of the progressive rock and fusion elements featured on the band's first studio album, Junta, as well as incorporating elements of bluegrass, jazz and barbershop quartet.

According to Phish Archivist Kevin Shapiro: Lawn Boy was recorded and mixed at Archer Studios in Winooski, VT in 1989 and 1990 on 16-track 2" tape and was mixed to 1/4" stereo reels. The band won the initial studio time with a first-place Rock Rumble performance on April 21, 1989 at a downtown Burlington, VT club called The Front. The Lawn Boy sessions that followed consisted of mostly live takes with a few effects and overdubs. Engineer Dan Archer acquired a baby grand piano specifically for the recording, Fishman played his drums squeezed into a vocal isolation booth and the band utilized local musicians including members of what would soon be called the Giant Country Horns. Like Junta before it, Phish self-produced Lawn Boy on a hands-on level, surrounding the console for group fades without aid of automation.

The album was certified gold by the RIAA on July 7, 2004.

In February 2009, Lawn Boy became available as a download in FLAC and MP3 formats at LivePhish.com.

JEMP Records released "Lawn Boy" on Record Store Day 2013 as a Limited Edition Deluxe 2-LP vinyl set. The LE Deluxe 2-LP vinyl set was limited to 7,500 individually numbered copies and was created from the original 1/4" stereo master reels with lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Each LP is pressed onto 180g audiophile grade vinyl. Deluxe packaging includes an 8-page photo booklet and an etched D-side.

EDM Stars Remix Bob Marley's 'Legend' (Rolling Stone)

Read more about how LEGEND: Remixed came together here. 

Daft Punk Will Sell Action Figures (Rolling Stone)

'Random Access Memories' figures available after Christmas..read more at Rolling Stone.

Pearl Jam Announce 2013 Fall Tour Dates

Pearl Jam have announced the dates for their fall North American tour. The band will start the tour in Pittsburgh, PA on October 11 and will close out the tour in their hometown of Seattle on December 6.

Pearl Jam Fall Tour 2013 Dates: 


October 11 Pittsburgh, PA—Consol Energy Center
October 12 Buffalo, NY—First Niagara Center
October 15 Worcester, MA—DCU Center
October 18 Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center
October 19 Brooklyn, NY—Barclays Center
October 21 Philadelphia, PA—Wells Fargo Center
October 22 Philadelphia, PA—Wells Fargo Center
October 25 Hartford, CT—XL Center
October 27 Baltimore, MD—1st Mariner Arena
October 29 Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena
October 30 Charlotte, NC—Time Warner Cable Arena
November 1-3 New Orleans, LA—Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
November 15 Dallas, TX—American Airlines Arena
November 16 Oklahoma City, OK—Chesapeake Energy Arena
November 19 Phoenix, AZ—Jobing.com Arena
November21 San Diego, CA—Viejas Arena
November 23 Los Angeles, CA—Sports Arena
November 24 Los Angeles, CA—Sports Arena
November 26 Oakland, CA—Oracle Arena
November 29 Portland, OR—Rose Garden Arena
November 30 Spokane, WA—Spokane Arena
December 2 Calgary, AB—Scotiabank Saddledome
December 4 Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena
December 6 Seattle, WA—Key Arena

Zac Brown Band: Everywhere Is Southern Ground (Relix)

Please follow the link to read more about the Zac Brown Band, featured on the cover of the July-August issue of Relix magazine.  

Mark Knopfler to release Privateering in U.S.

Mark Knopfler will release his 2012 double-album Privateering in the United States on September 10th. The album will be distributed by Universal Music Group’s Verve Records and was released in Canada and Europe last year.  

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Lou Gramm Interview-Ultimate Classic Rock

Later this month, Lou Gramm and Mick Jones of Foreigner will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Read Lou Gramm's discussion with Matt Wardlaw on the Foreigner reunion and other musings at Ultimate Classic Rock. 

On the turntable this Sunday...New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

New Gold Dream is the fifth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. The album was released in 1982 and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe. It made #3 in the UK Albums Chart.  In the US, A&M issued some limited edition gold marble vinyl pressings of the album.

The record generated a handful of singles; "Promised You A Miracle" (released in April 1982), "Glittering Prize" (August 1982) and "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)" (November 1982). The title track saw a limited release in Italy, when the band visited the country during their tour in March 1983. In addition, the jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock performed a synthesizer solo on the track "Hunter and the Hunted."

Virgin Records reissued the album as a remastered edition in 2002 (cardboard vinyl replica edition) and early 2003 (jewel-case). On the 2002/2003 edition, the gaps between the tracks on the album are slightly shorter. Virgin also reissued the album on SACD in 2003.

The album has generated substantial critical acclaim since its release; it was included in the list 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. An albums poll on the band's website suggests that it is regarded by many fans to be their finest work.

"Every band or artist with a history has an album that's their holy grail," said Jim Kerr. "I suppose New Gold Dream was ours. It was a special time because we were really beginning to break through with that record, both commercially and critically. The people that liked that record connected with it in a special way. There was a depth to it: it created its own mythology. It stood out. It was our most successful record to date and, critically, the Paul Morleys of this world were writing very nice things about it."

Phish in Bangor (A Relix Gallery)

Please follow the link to see photos taken last week at Phish's summer opener in Bangor. 

Grateful Dead Archivist David Lemieux Discusses Dave’s Picks 7 (Relix)

Please follow the link to Relix to hear Grateful Dead archivist David Lemiuex reflect on one of his favorite shows, 04/24/78 from Horton Field House at Illinois State University in Normal, IL.  The show will soon be released as Dave's Picks Volume 7.

Jack White’s Best Classic Rock Cover Songs (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Jack White is one of the most prolific and talented guitarists of this century.  Please follow the link to view Ultimate Classic Rock's list of Jack White's best classic rock cover songs.  

Rolling Stone Names The Best Amphitheaters in America

Please follow the link to read Rolling Stone's list of the best amphitheaters in America. 

Phish Close Out SPAC with "Run Like a Meatstick" (Jambands.com)

Phish is back on tour this summer and ended their three-night run at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY with several "Meatstick" references during Run Like An Antelope before segueing into "Meatstick."  Read more here. 

Fleetwood Mac Revisit Their Early Days

Reprise Records recently announced the reissue and expanded edition of Fleetwood Mac's third studio album, Then Play On. Read more here. 

On the turntable this Sunday...Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic is the self-titled, second studio album by the Athens, Georgia-based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by Capricorn Records and Warner Bros. Records on July 30, 1991. It was re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group.
The band had originally recorded material in September 1990 at producer/collaborator/friend John Keane's studio in Athens, Georgia. 

This session, called Mom's Kitchen, featured the majority of the songs that would eventually be recorded for Widespread Panic, along with other tracks like "A of D", "Impossible", "Machine", "Liza's Apartment (L.A.)", "Conrad", "Contentment Blues", and "Holden Oversoul", of which the latter two were included on the reissues of Space Wrangler (1988). Mom's Kitchen, however, was never released because the band signed a six album deal with Capricorn Records in January 1991.

Recording of the album proper took place at Emerald Sound Studios (Nashville, Tennessee), Kiva Studios (Memphis, Tennessee), and Duck Tape Music Studio (Decatur, Alabama). The album features T Lavitz on keyboards and was produced by Johnny Sandlin.

The band played the album in its entirety at the Charter One Pavilion in Chicago on September 2, 2009.

The String Cheese Incident Will Release Their New Album in 2014

The String Cheese Incident have plans to release a new studio album in early 2014.  Read more at Jambands.com

36 Years Ago: Kiss Fire Their ‘Love Gun’

KISS released their sixth studio album, Love Gun, 36 years ago this week.  Read more about it at Ultimate Classic Rock.

Happy 4th of July from The Showbiz Kids

Pink Floyd, AC/DC, U2 Stage Designer Mark Fisher Dies (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Stage designer Mark Fisher, who has worked with artists such as U2, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones, passed away last week at the age of 66.  Please read more at Ultimate Classic Rock.

Widespread Panic Red Rocks 2013

Widespread Panic once again proved that they own Red Rocks with another epic and sold-out 4 night stand.  Of all the venues that I have traveled to see this band in 57 shows, I have yet to see them at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO.  Please read the review of Saturday night's show here, at The Grateful Web.

As always, all shows are available for high quality download at www.livewidespreadpanic.com


-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Queens of the Stone Age Storm Back

Please follow the link to read more at Rolling Stone.