Jan 17

Lucinda Williams previews new songs
[source: NME.com] Lucinda Williams has uploaded four tracks from her forthcoming album to her record label’s website.
West, the star’s first studio LP in three years, will be released in the US on Tuesday February 13 via Lost Highway Records.
Tracks from the record can be heard at http://www.losthighwayrecords.com.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Lucinda-Williams.aspx


Bob Dylan buys Scottish home
[source: NME.com] Bob Dylan has purchased a mansion in Scotland.
The US singer bought the pad – at Aultmore House near Nethybridge, Invernesshire – in the Cairngorms National Park with his brother.
Dylan has often expressed a fondness for Scotland and he even included a track called “Highlands” on 1997's Time Out Of Mind.
Aultmore House was built at the turn of the 20th Century and had previously been available to rent for AU$7,500 a night.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bob-Dylan.aspx


James Brown dispute takes new twist
[source: NME.com] The dispute over James Brown’s will has taken another twist after lawyers revealed it had been made more than a year before he married his last wife, Tomi Rae Hynie.
According to Brown’s probate attorney, Strom Thurmond Jr, the document was signed on August 1, 2000, some ten months after the birth of son James Brown Jr and 16 months after he married Hynie.
The late singer’s attorneys said his will does not include his widow or his son, although he did include his other six children.
According to North Augusta lawyer James Huff, if a will specifically names some children but excludes others, the excluded children have no claim to the parent’s assets, regardless of when they were born.
Brown's lawyers also argue that Hynie is technically not Brown’s widow as she was still married at the time of their wedding. She later annulled her previous marriage but she and Brown never remarried.
Despite the claims, Hynie is adamant she was legally married to the soul singer.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/James-Brown.aspx


Korn announce tracklisting for unplugged album
[source: NME.com] Nu-metal kings Korn have revealed the 14 tracks that will appear on their forthcoming Unplugged album.
The LP, set for release on Monday February 19, features a duet with Evanescence singer Amy Lee on “Freak On A Leash”, plus covers of “Creep” by Radiohead and The Cure's “In Between Days” (which features a guest appearance from Robert Smith).
Unplugged was recorded at Times Square in New York City on Saturday December 9.

Unplugged tracklisting:

“Thoughtless”
“Blind”
“Hollow Life”
“Freak On A Leash” (featuring Amy Lee)
“Falling Away”
“Creep”
“Love Song”
“Got The Life”
“Twisted Transistor"
“Dirty”
“Coming Undone”
“Make Me Bad”/“In Between Days” (featuring Robert Smith)
“No One’s There”
“Throw Me Away”

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Korn.aspx


Fall Out Boy team with Kanye West
[source: NME.com] Fall Out Boy have revealed plans to work with Kanye West.
The rapper will remix a track from the band's forthcoming Infinity On High album, while Fall Out Boy hope to return the favour on a future Kanye West recording.
The album, due out Monday February 5, features an appearance from rapper and label manager Jay-Z.
Meanwhile, new single “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” is out on Monday January 29.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kanye-West.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Fall-Out-Boy.aspx


Brit nominations announced
Nominees for the annual Brit Awards – England’s equivalent to the ARIAs – were announced yesterday during a ceremony in London.
"Crazy" US duo Gnarls Barkley have three nominations, an honour they share with mouthy pop singer Lily Allen and mega-rockers Muse. All three acts tour Australia in the next two months.
Elsewhere, Bob Dylan, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Amy Winehouse and Scissor Sisters picked up two nominations each, while Aussie rock trio Wolfmother are up against The Saboteurs (The Raconteurs) and Gnarls Barkley for Best International Breaking Act. Liam and Noel Gallagher will be honoured with the Outstanding Contribution To Music award.
The Brits will take place on Thursday February 15 and feature performances from Oasis, The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and a reunited Take That (minus Robbie Williams, of course). For a full list of nominees, check out the Brits website at http://www.brits.co.uk.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Muse.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Oasis.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Wolfmother.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Gnarls-Barkley.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Lily-Allen.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kasabian.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Arctic-Monkeys.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Scissor-Sisters.aspx


John Butler spreads more of his seed
A musician who puts his money where his mouth is, John Butler has announced the categories for the 2007 JB Seed Programme.
Created by Butler and wife Danielle Caruana back in 2005, the scheme has funded 66 projects via workshops and arts grants. Funded by Butler and other noteworthy industry insiders (including The Cat Empire, Missy Higgins, Butler’s manager and Silverchair manager John Watson), the JB Seed is designed to help empower emerging musicians.
Categories for 2007 include Speak (an indigenous hip-hop competition where the successful artist will record an EP with producer Tony Buchman), Social Activism Through The Arts (grants of up to $5000 awarded to artists who focus on themes of nuclear energy and indigenous issues), Professional And Skills Development (grants of up to $3000) and the JB Seed Management Workshop (20 places offered).
For more information, visit http://www.thejbseed.com.


Sigur Ros in the studio
Icelandic moodists Sigur Ros, who last visited Australia in April 2006, are in the studio working on the follow-up to 2005’s Takk.
The five-piece, who say their next longplayer will be released either later this year or in early 2008, have given fans a brief insight into what to expect.
“We have finished recording a few songs but some more things need to be done,” the group revealed via their website.
“We don’t know exactly where the album is heading yet. We are really just experimenting at this stage. Some of the songs we recorded are old songs we had written a while ago, unreleased material we never got a chance to finish. We decided it was time they were recorded.”

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sigur-Ros.aspx


Slim Dusty foundation seeks funding
Named after the late country music legend, the Slim Dusty Foundation has lobbied the New South Wales Government for $1.5 million.
The funds will help build the Slim Dusty Centre, located at Kempsey on the mid-north coast of NSW. Five years in the making, the Centre will cost around $9 million and is being constructed on 12 hectares of land close to the Pacific Highway.
The foundation's general manager, Katherine Yarnold, revealed Slim’s family and various industry groups have already donated around $700,000 to the project.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Slim-Dusty.aspx


More legal problems for Jacko
Pop star Michael Jackson has a new set of legal problems this week, with news that a Beverly Hills pharmacy is suing him for failing to pay for prescription drugs.
The singer has, according to his lawyers, paid off most of his debts, however the pharmacy claim he still owes AU$130,000. They said Jackson's been ignoring financial notices since mid-2005.
Jackson reportedly also still owes his dermatologist $19,000, while another business, Celebrity Costumes, is chasing $147,000.
Jackson’s management have declined to comment on this latest suit.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Michael-Jackson.aspx