Category Archives: Music News

Coming to A Theatre (Hopefully!) Near You: Stevie Wonder Live At Last!

18 Wednesday Feb 2009

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by vivrant thang on stevie live on dvd in theatres

steviedvd

Many thanks to my reader Becky for the heads up on this hot news!

We are less than two weeks out from the release of the Stevie Wonder: Live at Last DVD.  Now comes word that on March 4th ONLY, the week before the DVD is released, the performance will be shown in select theatres across the country!

One day only. Stevie on the big screen.

Click here to see if indeed it’s coming to a theatre near you. You can already purchase advance tickets there as well. I imagine as the word spreads, this will sell out.

You can also view a longer version of the trailer there as well

Stevie Wonder Live at Last: With nearly 200 #1 songs worldwide, no other record label has influenced music and culture more than Motown. To kick-off Motown’s 50th anniversary celebration, Stevie Wonder put on a show at the O2 Arena in London in October 2008 during the ‘A Wonder Summers’ Night’ tour – His first European tour in over a decade. This is the first EVER official live DVD release from one of the most cherished singer’s of all time, Motown legend, Stevie Wonder. Stevie at his very finest, backed by an incredible 14 piece band (including daughter Aisha on backing vocals), captured in pristine high definition and presented in digital 5.1 surround sound.

Contest Giveway: India.Arie Love & Politics T-Shirt and Signed Guitar

17 Tuesday Feb 2009

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freetshirt_300x250

Excellent promotion for this album.  Here’s the latest contest giveaway.

TESTIMONY: VOL. 2 CONTEST

Purchase a copy of India.Arie’s Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics between Thursday, February 12 through Sunday, February 15 @ 6PM and get a FREE India.Arie LOVE & POLITICS T-SHIRT.

To redeem your gift, scan your store receipt with date and store name clearly visible and email to indiaariecontest@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at midnight.

No handwritten receipts accepted. Only receipts purchased during indicated dates qualify. 

BONUS: all entries will qualify for one chance to win a signed and hand-painted GODIN guitar.

New Van Hunt Tracks: But Will We Get an Album Soon?

13 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Music News, Underrated Artist Spotlights

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SECOND POST OF THE DAY

by vivrant thang on new van hunt music

vanhunt

So it’s been a year since the shelving of the Popular album . Well, it was shelved for some. Ya’ll pirates are probably grooving it right now! I was fortunate to experience his live performance of many tracks from the long lost album.  Truly a Bilal-esque Love for Sale experience where you will forever bemoan the fact that the album didn’t see the light of day.

According to his Myspace blog, Van Hunt is currently awaiting word on the fate of his next album, which I’m highly anticipating. I wish the man would truly find a way to go independent and be done with all this label bullshit. Seems like things may be moving that way. He certainly has the fan base, almost a cult-like following. The EVANgelists ride hard. And I mean that in a good way. Make no mistake about it. If there was a Bilal cult, I’d be the HNIC.

So while we wait, he decided to share some tracks for our listening pleasure. They won’t appear on said album though. So consider them bonus tracks.

He says,

While i await the fate of my new record, i decided to let ya’ll hear some things that will not appear on the new record. i like the ideas presented here, but, they will probably not see the light of day for a long time; and i wanted to share them with somebody. it is likely that only musicians will like the sounds. maybe not. either way, they will not be up for long. so, pirates, on your mark, get set, download!

He didn’t have to tell me twice! As long as I got his permission and all.

There are a few beautiful instrumental tracks, my favorite being “I Only Want To Conquer You.”  Did I mention that Van comes up with the best song titles? It’s got a funky, seventies soul feel to it. I can dig it.

I simply love the tone and purity of Van’s voice. He’s one of the artists I think could pull off an entirely acoustic album.

Listen to I Love You, Madly.

Two other standout tracks which stay true to his style, yet still feel fresh and experimental are

Unaffected

The Look of Sincere Pleasure

I don’t know about you all but these tracks have definitely heightened my excitement about the album. If this meets the same fate as Popular, I’m joining the EVANgelists and calling for an independent revolution!

Let me know what you think of these tracks in the comments.

New India Arie: In Stores Tomorrow, Preview Now!

09 Monday Feb 2009

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by vivrant thang on india arie  new album

indiarie

As you know, I’ve been highly anticipating India Arie’s fourth album, Testimony 2: Love and Politics. Her songs have definitely been key in my life.

Well tomorrow is the day – it will be available in stores and on Itunes for your listening pleasure.

Impatient like me? Want to try before you buy? Well the entire album is currently streaming on her Myspace page. I took a quick listen and the tracks that grabbed me immediately are “Yellow,” “Ghetto,” and “River Rise.” I’m looking forward to really spending time with this album and may review it. On first listen, I think if you liked her last album, you’ll have this one in constant rotation as well.

In case you’ve missed the video for the first single, “Chocolate High,” you can view it here.

You also still have several hours to enter the contest to win a free copy of the album with a side of India.Arie chocolate. Head on over to Soul Bounce and enter now!

india_album

Once you’ve listened, come back and let me know what you think!

Stevie Does The Ellen Show

08 Sunday Feb 2009

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by vivrant thang on stevie wonder on ellen

stevie_ellen

First news of the live DVD, a 2009 release and now a live performance on Ellen this past Friday. I was excited to be home to catch the face-to-face and the final song.

I tell you, Stevie Wonder has to be on every television personality’s list of favorite people to interview. Aside from his storied musical career, his personality is an interviewer’s dream. He’s the quintessential Taurus 🙂 We’re talented, a tad raunchy, but always fun!

He talked a bit about his writing process, mentioning how he came to be involved with the Hidden Beach Obama-inspired compilation CD.

Stevie talked about the possibility of being on Dancing With The Stars, which would certainly be groundbreaking in many ways. I hope they find a way to make it happen.

He performed “I Wish” and “All About The Love Again,” from the Hidden Beach CD.

Tune into the Grammys tonight to see if Raphael Saadiq and Stevie win for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “Never Give You Up,” a track from The Way I See It. The competition is stiff. “Stay With Me (By The Sea) was one of my top songs of 2008. However, any track that Stevie blesses is a winner.

His live DVD should already be on your Amazon wish list ready to order on March 10th, followed up by an album later this year.