Τρίτη 3 Απριλίου 2012

Robin Gibb: My cancer is gone


Robin Gibb's son RJ says that his father has beaten his battle with cancer.
The 29-year-old son of the legendary Bee Gees star opened up to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper about the recent news.
He said that Robin told him from his hospital bed that he had received positive feedback from the doctors.
'It's gone, they can't see it no more. I've done it,' Robin, 62, told his son.
RJ revealed that he then hugged his father and held hands as they took in the information.
'I leant over the hospital bed and I kissed him on the forehead, looking him in the eyes and said, 'I love you.' It was the best news we could have hoped for.'
But RJ warned that the liver and colon cancer that Robin battled could come back at any time and he will have to keep going back for 'tests and check-ups.'
Robin was diagnosed last year, coming nine years after his twin brother Maurice died from complications of a twisted intestine at 53.

Rihanna: I'd love to play Whitney Houston


Rihanna has admitted that she would love to portray the late Whitney Houston in a movie about her life.
The 24-year-old says that the music icon, who died on February 11, was someone she 'looked up to.'
During a press conference for her upcoming movie Battleship in Japan today, Rihanna revealed that she was not in the running to play Whitney but she would be honoured to do it.
'I didn't get that call yet,' the Barbadian singer-turned-actress said. 'That would be something that I would have to give my entire life to do because I would want to really pull it off.'
'That's a huge, huge role and whoever does it has to do a good job.'
Rihanna added that she admired the Bodyguard star and had the pleasure of meeting her.
'I met her at a Clive Davis party,' Rihanna shared. 'I love her. She's one of my big music icons, and I have always looked up to her.'
'My first song that I remember falling in love with was a Whitney Houston song ' I Will Always Love You. All of her music actually was played in my house, with Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.'
'It was really inspiring and it made me develop a passion for music, so really she's partly responsible for me being here in this industry.'
Rihanna says that if she doesn't get the Whitney role she wants to try her hand at 'different roles - maybe comedy next.'

Jennifer Lopez steamy display with toyboy


Jennifer Lopez gets to grips with her young lover Casper Smart in her new music video.
The 42-year-old performer is seen cavorting with the backing dancer in stills released from Dance Again, which will debut on American Idol on Thursday.
The pictures show the 24-year-old shirtless and blindfolded with the words 'Love is blind' written on the black cloth.
Casper then ties the blindfold around the mother-of-two's eyes for the provocative shoot.
'Nobody knows what I'm feeling inside, I find it so stupid, So why should I hide, That I love to make love to you baby,' are some of the lyrics to the song.
The couple have been dating for a few months following Jennifer's split from estranged husband Marc Anthony.
Casper and Jennifer have been seen all over the world together and the Hollywood star, who has been married three times, is said to be head over heels for him.
'There is a lot of love between [them],' a source close to the pair told People magazine. 'He treats her like a queen.'
This is not the first time that Jennifer has had a lover in one of her videos. Her ex-fiancé Ben Affleck made a cameo in Jenny From the Block.

Florence + The Machine release exclusive track to MTV Unplugged

MTV today announced divine songstress Florence + The Machine, made famous by her breathtaking 2010 MTV Video Music Awards performance, will be featured in the premiere episode of the GrammyΒ�- and EmmyΒ�-winning series 'Unplugged' when it returns on Saturday 21st April at 9pm on MTV Music. 

To celebrate, an exclusive song 'Cosmic Love', that won't be seen on the programme, is available online now here. An additional song will be added to the site on Monday 9th April.

Filmed at the historic Angel Orensanz Foundation for Contemporary Art, a former gothic revival synagogue in New York's lower east side dating back to 1849, the 'Unplugged' performance features Florence Welch's signature powerful vocals with selections spanning her debut album 'Lungs' and sophomore set, 'Ceremonials, ' including 'Dogs Days Are Over,' 'Shake It Out,' 'What The Water Gave Me,' 'No Light, No Light,' ' Drumming Song,' 'Only if For a Night,' and 'Breaking Down'. 

The 10-song-set also includes a stirring cover of Otis Redding's 'Try a Little Tenderness,' as well as a special appearance from Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) who duets on a cover of the Johnny Cash/June Carter classic 'Jackson.'

'MTV Unplugged was a truly amazing experience for me, such an honor to perform in such a beautiful place,' said Florence Welch.

Feeder bassist cooks up a stir with new food website

Not content with fingering the fret-board of his bass guitar for Feeder, one of Britain's biggest rock bands, Taka Hirose's digits are clearly in other pies too. Taka's website 'Cook Me Japanese' differs from ordinary Japanese food recipe books as he offers you his own take on 'everyday simple Japanese food that you can make cheaply and easily'. Forget standing in a foreign supermarket feeling lost, www.cookmejapanese.com is the perfect way to create your favourite restaurant dish in the comfort of your own home. 

From basic to more adventurous Japanese food, Chicken Katsu to Turkey and Tofu meatballs, Taka has provided for everyone needing to widen their Japanese cooking skills. With no strict measurements in the recipes given, www.cookmejapanese.com acts as guidance to find your own way of creating mouth watering Japanese dishes, with photos taken by Taka himself to show how it's done.

'Cook Me Japanese' is a website that provides an oriental experience for those who want to try something new. Taka provides his own personal soundtrack (via an embedded Spotify player) from the likes of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown and Kool & the Gang ' funk is the special ingredient in Taka's food.

British rock institution Feeder return with 'Generation Freakshow' - their 8th studio album on April 23rd. Classic Feeder with an updated twist, the album is twelve tracks of masterfully-crafted, fresh sounding strong songs, drawing from metal, grunge, punk and classic rock - absorbed and melded together as unmistakably Feeder.

Ultravox to release first studio album in 28 years

EMI are proud to announce the return of Ultravox with their first studio album in 28 years. 

Following on from the sold-out Return To Eden reformation shows in 2009, the classic Ultravox line-up has recorded a 12-track collection of brand new songs which will be released on May 28th ahead of a full UK tour in September and October.

Dramatic, passionate and truly epic in scale and sound, 'Brilliant' is not only a prescient reminder of how great this reborn band are, but an exciting and vital addition to an extraordinary catalogue of music which today sounds more current and influential than ever. 

Emerging from the new wave and electro scenes of the late 70's, Ultravox fashioned a form of electronic rock music that was uniquely powerful and delivered massive hits though the 1980's such as 'Hymn', 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes', 'The Voice', 'Reap The Wild Wind', 'Love's Great Adventure', 'We Came To Dance' and of course the timeless and atmospheric 'Vienna'.

'Brilliant' sees Ultravox expanding their classic sonic template and reminding us of their strength as songwriters of the highest calibre. Full details of the album will be revealed soon along with the thirteen-date tour they will be embarking on later this year.

Δευτέρα 2 Απριλίου 2012

The Film News

Come Soons And The Blog With Film News !!!!!!

Louise Dearman Here Comes The Sun

Louise Dearman faces two major challenges as she continues to build her ‘pop’ career. Firstly, moving from musicals to the charts is not always easy and success is far from guaranteed; just ask Frances Ruffelle. Secondly, Dearman has chosen to release a cover of a Beatles classic as her first single from her latest album.

There can be no beating George Harrison’s original but having said that, the point of a cover is not normally to improve on the original, just provide your own interpretation. And that’s something that Dearman achieves surprisingly well here.

Her career has involved starring and lead roles in the likes of Wicked and Evita and she has recently toured with Lee Mead. He describes her voice as rich and powerful, although here the power is played down for a more plaintive and surprisingly fresh feel on a song also done by the likes of Steve Harley and Nina Simone.

It is the latter’s version that is Dearman’s real benchmark as her forthcoming album sees her take on songs performed by female artists. If this first single is an indication then her takes on the likes of Time After Time and One Day I’ll Fly Away will be quite engaging.

Original Sugababes sign £1 million deal

The original Sugababes, Keisha Buchanan, Siobhan Donaghy and Mutya Buena, have reformed and have signed with Polydor records but cannot use Sugababes name.

The original members all left the group and were replaced but new members and the current line-up of Sugababes is still together.

Siobhan Donaghy was the first to leave in 2001 after the first album. Mutya Buena left in 2005 and Keisha Buchanan left in 2009.

The three original members are yet to announce their group named but The Sun reports they have already signed at £1 million record deal with Universal's Polydor Records.

The old new group has been in the studio recording with the Xenomania songwriting and production team (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys). The album is being produced by their original record producer Cameron McVey. The girls are managed by Felix Howard, the songwriter of their Sugababes hit 'Overload'.

Lady Gaga: Compassion is empowering


Lady Gaga encourages people to 'empower kindness.'
The 26-year-old songstress launched the Born This Way Foundation in February.
The charity created by Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta strives to assist youth who are suffering from bullying and self-confidence problems.
Gaga is unwavering in her commitment to creating dynamic communities amongst young people.
The star was deeply moved by a segment on schoolyard torment that aired on weekly American news broadcast Dateline NBC Sunday.
'@Datelinenbc Breeding compassion in the student body is the way toward saving lives, both sides. This message is key. Empower kindness. (sic)' Gaga posted on her Twitter account yesterday.
'@Datelinenbc I appreciated that you used modern approaches to this issue, making less distinction between victim + bully, showing both sides (sic)'
Gaga believes that tolerance is more effective at creating peace than outrage.
'Anger creates a domino affect, let empathy take its place,' the star tweeted.
'The culture of students must gravitate towards empathy, not aggression. Compassion is the water to put out a angry fire. (sic)'
Gaga won the outstanding music artist prize for her album Born This Way at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Awards in March.
The ceremony honours those who promote positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the media.

Taylor Swift wins big at ACMs


Taylor Swift won the top honour at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.
The 22-year-old country singer beat off stiff competition to be named Entertainer of the Year at last night's ceremony.
Taylor ' who also won the gong last year - took to the stage to thank her loyal supporters.
'Thank you so much to the fans who voted for this, I am so happy about this,' she gushed when accepting the award. 'I want to say to my fellow nominees: I respect you so much. I love you.'
Miranda Lambert picked up Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year prizes at the ceremony. Her fourth studio album Four the Record triumphed over records from Kenny Chesney and Lady Antebellum.
The country songstress was surprised at the win.
'Seriously? I own every record in this category and I've been thinking 'Man, I'm not going to get it.' . I am so thrilled, I will never take this trophy for granted. My albums are my babies,' she exclaimed.
Blake Shelton, who co-hosted the ceremony with Reba McEntire, was named Male Vocalist of the Year.
The singer ' who is married to Miranda ' beat stars including Brad Paisley and Chris Young to the accolade.
'Man . I didn't see that coming at all,' he said.
The Academy of Country Music awards also played host to a wedding last night.
Music fans Frank Tucci and Christina Davidson tied the knot in a special ceremony at the awards.
The pair met after each tragically lost their spouse. Frank and Christina enjoyed a public ceremony on the ACM stage.
Martina McBride and Train singer Pat Monahan serenaded them with a duet of Marry Me, before they exchanged vows in front of a 12,000-strong audience.
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards winners
Song of the year - Eli Young Band, Crazy Girl
Album of the year - Miranda Lambert, Four the Record
Single record of the year- Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Don't You Wanna Stay
Vocal group of the year - Lady Antebellum
Vocal event of the year - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Don't You Wanna Stay
Video of the year - Toby Keith, Red Solo Cup
Vocal duo or the year: Thompson Square
New artist of the year - Scotty McCreery
Female vocalist of the year - Miranda Lambert
Male vocalist of the year - Blake Shelton
Entertainer of the year - Taylor Swift

Spice Girls 'can't agree on musical'


Mel B and Mel C are reportedly struggling to agree on details for the upcoming Spice Girls musical.
The production has been in the works since early 2010 and will feature the British girl band's biggest hits. Theatre producer Judy Craymer is working on it, having previously lent her services to Mamma Mia! The script is being penned by comedienne Jennifer Saunders, but is apparently taking longer than was first thought.
Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Mel B and Mel C are supposed to be heavily involved in the musical. However, the two Mels apparently are not seeing eye to eye.
'Melanie Brown [Scary Spice] and Melanie Chisholm [Sporty Spice] can't agree on anything,' a source told New York Post.
'It's driving Jennifer crazy.'
Also problematic is Victoria's hectic work schedule. The star lives in Los Angeles, where she raises four children with David Beckham. She also has a successful fashion label and is constantly busy working on various collections for it.
This made it difficult to pin her down.
'The show, which has been scheduled to debut in London by year's end, has reportedly been delayed before because of the busy former pop stars' scheduling issues,' the publication reports.
Although the musical will feature the famed band's songs, it won't be about them. Instead it will follow a mother and daughter as they go to a talent show.
Mel B has been spending a lot of time in Australia recently, thanks to her role as a judge on the country's version of The X Factor. She is also set to host Dancing with the Stars there and has now decided she wants to permanently set up home in the sunny country.
'I would love to become an Australian citizen,' she told Australian newspaper Daily Telegraph. 'I've set up shop here. We are all really happy and settled.'

Κυριακή 1 Απριλίου 2012

Jessie J romance blossoms from TV


Jessie J fell for her rumoured new boyfriend when he was giving her tips on how to look good on TV.
The British singer can currently be seen on the UK version of The Voice, where she is acting as a judge.
She reportedly felt worried about how she would be compared to the other members of the panel, Sir Tom Jones, Danny O'Donoghue and will.i.am so asked British rapper Tinie Tempah for advice. The two are now rumoured to be in the first flushes of love.
'I thinks she had a shaky first couple of days when she recorded the auditions last month,' a source told Look magazine.
'So he talked her through a few pointers to get her on-screen performance up to scratch. Then he invited her over to his place to hang out and that's clearly when the sparks between them started to fly!'
The pair have been spending increased amounts of time together but have eschewed showbiz hangouts for more down-to-earth pursuits. According to insiders they have been enjoying romantic strolls and meeting for drinks in cafes as they try to work out how compatible they are.

Dance Marathon fundraiser back in town

Headway East London's Dance Marathon is back in town on Saturday 28th April. As an annual fundraiser for brain injury charity Headway East London, the Dance Marathon registration is now open and needs you! 

With some of the finest DJs providing the soundtrack, Headway East London's Dance Marathon will move through the eras from 1940s ' present day, for a mix of jitter bugging, lindy hopping, clock rocking and electronic; step up folks, it's your time to shine! With a mixture of Charleston shimmies, nineties booty wiggles, gravity defying swing and mind boggling boogie, The Dance Marathon is the only event of its kind in the UK. Entries are now open to be part of the next big dance craze to sweep the capital and raise some valuable cash for a thoroughly worthwhile charity.

Hackney based Headway East London supports brain injury survivors, their families and carers across 15 London boroughs. It is London's only inner city centre offering a variety of services five days a week including family and carer support, a younger person's network, outreach, volunteering programme, occupational programme, advocacy and key therapies. 

The Dance Marathon is one of the key fundraising events in Headway East London's yearly calendar and they really go to town on it! Gone are the days of the Dance Marathons of 1920s & 30s in the US that lasted for days, even weeks at a time, with the record standing at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes! This side of pond we like to take things a little less seriously and with a little more glitter and florescent lycra!

Taking place over an 8-hour stint, each hour is themed around a decade, starting with the 1940s and working through to 2010s. Kicking off proceedings are the connoisseurs of swing, Swing Patrol, then moving through the decades to Rock A Billy Rebels vs Lady Luck for some1950s rare grooves to Funk Soul Brothers for a 1960s funktastic fix, Carwash will be on-hand for a much needed disco injection for the midway point for the 1970s, then racing through all the final decades, 1980s sees the purveyors of London's most popular fancy dress night, Club de Fromage, U:Funk for 1990s hip-hop, the final two hours commence with Dare from the Glitterbanitz, flashing his sparkly undergarments in a very naughties way, and finally seeing the last hour out and bringing the whole proceedings to a close with a tirade of genres The Fun Fed presents The Final Countdown! 

On top of the perfect soundtrack and energy inducing dance instructors, there will be live bands, interactive entertainment, games, cabaret, stalls, dance troupes and competitions throughout the day to create a carnival feeling and keep all the participants toes tapping and hips shacking all day long!

To sign up, pop along to http://www.londondancemarathon.org.uk/register-now.html, raise a minimum of £250, then rock up in your glad rags and best dancin' shoes on Saturday 28th April at York Hall in Bethnal Green and have the time of your life!

Noisettes and Toddla T to play Blissfields

Blissfields 2012 is shaping up to be the festival of choice this June (29th June ' 1st July, Winchester) with weekend adult tickets a mere £74 and an atmosphere to be reckoned with.

Last year saw the crowds welcoming the likes of Frank Turner and King Charles, with the very impressive SixNationState and crowd pleaser Tricky. The weather was glorious and the small festival had an ambience and accommodating vibe for all. 

This year is shaping up to trump the last, with March already beaming British Summer and the Blissfields acts being announced. Big name of the season Noisettes will be rocking the main stage (and hopefully performing their beautiful version of 'When you were young' by the Killers) alongside big name Toddla T on second stage, who is fresh from performing at SXSW.

Other huge acts include Crazy P, The C90s, Charli XCX and Passenger, meaning a fantastic and diverse range of unique acts ready to set the summer festival standard.

New RockNess acts announced including Sub Club and Soma line-ups

In an announcement of cosmic proportions, RockNess confirms a constellation of electronic acts guaranteed to unleash an unearthly level of dancefloor devastation this June. What's more, the stratospheric celebrations are set to land on the Scottish Highlands for three days in a brand new stage concept - THE ARCADIA UFO - the likes of which Scotland has never seen!

Brought to RockNess by Arcadia, originators of the now legendary Afterburner, THE ARCADIA UFO is a 360 degree rave machine from outer space, based on a flying saucer, and guaranteed to get the party people well and truly moving! Loaded with an armoury of brand new high powered effects and a thunderous sound system, this incredible new sculpted arena, which replaces the Afterburner, will crash land into the festival radiating fire, light, lasers and intergalactic vibrations. Head there as dusk falls for a truly space age experience for 2012! And the soundtrack to THE ARCADIA UFO is suitably galaxy-spanning too.

Having thrown the mother of all birthday parties at RockNess last year to celebrate an output of outstanding electronica spanning 20 years, our friends at SOMA RECORDS are back with an almighty bang for 2012, assuming control of THE ARCADIA UFO on Friday and Saturday and with a line up set to eclipse last year's now legendary birthday euphoria.

First up is an artist who enjoys one of the most loyal & die-hard fanbases of all, JAMES HOLDEN. Founder of the Zeitgeist Border Community label, and hugely in demand as a remixer extraordinaire, HOLDEN's record releases ' including his recent rave reviewed DJ Kicks compilation on the K7! Label - plus packed out globetrotting DJ sets are as forward thinking as house and techno gets. It is a great honour and pleasure to have him on the bill.

Known as the '3 Deck Master' and 'The Machine', BEN SIMS is an unstoppable force on the global electronic circuit. His Theory Recordings imprint, much of which enjoys cult status, is highly regarded by the scene's mightiest players, and the skill and dexterity of his mixing knows no bounds. With a signature of tough funk and hard grooves, it is with much excitement that RockNess and SOMA RECORDS welcomes BEN SIMS to play his first ever set in the Scottish Highlands.

Ronnie Wood to curate Chess Records Bluesfest show

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been chosen to curate a concert celebrating the music of Chess Records for Bluesfest UK in June.

Ronnie will perform at the show and bring along some very special friends to play with him as well.

Chess Records was founded in Chicago in 1950 by brothers Leonard and Phillip Chess. The label was at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue. That address became famous as the title of a 1964 Rolling Stones years later.

Chess Records featured the world's finest blues artists including Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, Do Diddley, Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williams II, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy.

The Rolling Stones recorded a total of 26 songs at Chess Records including 'Satisfaction', 'Time Is On My Side', 'Little Red Rooster' and 'It's All Over Now'.

The association with Chess continued when The Stones set up their own label 'Rolling Stones Records' and hired Leonard's son Marshall to run the business.

Ronnie has been working on a setlist for his show and it will include the Chess classics No Particular Place To Go, At Last, My Babe, Hoochie Coochie Man, I'd Rather Go Blind, I'm A Man, Smokestack Lighnin', Forty Days and Forty Nights and Maybellene.

Ronnie Wood and Friends ' Celebrating The Chess Records Story will be held at the Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday, June 30, 2012.