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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Is this the last chance to see Tina Turner?
As soon as the tour was announced anticipation began building and when tickets were released for the first show in Kansas City MO, they sold out within 2 minutes. If that is possible – sounds like a lot of jammed phone lines and ticket selling systems. But she is one popular lady. Extra concerts have been added to Kansas City, Boston, Toronto and Chicago, while new shows have been added in Hartford and Minneapolis.
This will be Tina Turner’s first tour since the record breaking and triumphant tour of 2000. It was in that year, following the success of her platinum-selling album Twenty Four Seven, she cemented herself as a stadium rock superstar. She is rightly regarded as the first genuine female stadium rock superstar, selling out 120 stadiums across the US and Europe, and grossing $80 million in the US alone. It was the biggest tour of that year and the biggest ever undertaken by a female artist, performing to more than 2 million people.
In 2008, with 24 shows scheduled, what can the fans expect? Tina is known for her high-energy action packed performances and a song list that extends back to the mid sixties. “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Proud Mary”, “What’s Love Got to do With it” and “Nutbush City Limits” are some of the favourites that the crowd can expect. But the greatest treat will be seeing the first diva of rock & roll in full flight, after an extended absence. After this will we have to wait another eight years? This might be the last chance ever to see the great Tina in concert.
For information about hard to get tickets to Tina Turner concerts, check out www.concert-ticketdeals.com or click here.
Friday, May 16, 2008
American Idol…it’s all over!
With 49 shows scheduled, the Top 10 finalists will undertake a massive tour this summer. Like previous years, the shows are likely to be a mix of some of the great highlights of the onscreen journey, and some of those stirring group numbers.
If you have missed out on the excitement so far, the top two were:
David Archuleta: This 17-year old baby-faced high school student has excelled on American Idol. Archuleta’s heartfelt ballads and strong vocals make the young girls scream, and have earned him a massive nationwide fan base
David Cook: Beginning with a brilliant performance of Lionel Richie’s “Hello”, this guitar-playing rocker has brought something original to his performances each week. It is likely that David Cook will be among the American Idol concert tour’s biggest draws this year.
David and David were favourites throughout the series to make it to the final.
And the rest of the American Idol stars for 2008 … hope you haven’t forgotten them:
Syesha Mercado: Syesha might just be the reason to buy your American Idol tickets as she has an awesome Broadway-style voice and presentation. She’s a dynamic diva with a million-dollar smile that is known to bring the house down from time to time.
Carly Smithson: Carly is often spoken as one of the purest talents on this year’s American Idol show. She is an Irish-born singer who delighted judges and fans alike with her powerful voice and playful personality.
Jason Castro: Jason has an easygoing style that made him a hit with legions of young fans. He has a mellow yet sincere style, and this dreadlocked performer has inspired comparisons to laid-back stars like John Mayer and Jack Johnson.
Brooke White: Brooke comes through like a ray of sunshine, with performances that reflect this authentic spirit. Her gentle voice is perfectly suited for heartfelt melodies. Brooke evokes comparisons to classic singer/songwriters like Carly Simon and Carole King.
Kristy Lee Cook: Kristy Lee is an up and coming country star with a winning personality and a huge fanbase to match. She’s most at home singing up tempo country classics, and we expect her to be a lot of fun in the American Idols Live! performance setting.
Michael Johns: Michael is a native Australian who was given rave reviews for his bluesy performances, as well as his renditions of classic Queen songs. With large numbers of female fans, he’s going to be hugely popular on the American Idol tour.
Ramiele Malubay: This pint-sized dynamo has a huge voice that made her an early favorite to win American Idol. She’s at her best on the uptempo pop songs, and her personality wins the room.
Chikezie Eze – Known on American Idol by his first name, Chikezie takes risks across genres as diverse as R&B, pop, and country. This L.A. native promises to be an exciting live performer on the American Idol stage.
M. Paul is a mad keen music fan. He runs the ticket selling site www.concert-ticketdeals.com/
To find American Idol tickets, click here: American Idol tickets
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Song sung Caroline – Neil Diamond’s greatest song?

There will always be a great deal of interest in the genesis of one of the greatest love songs of the 1960s. To fans across the world, it is one of the most recognisable songs of the 60s, a lively, catchy song to a girl known simply as Sweet Caroline. Now, 40 years after its release, the singer and songwriter Neil Diamond has revealed the inspiration behind the song: the Caroline in the song was Caroline Kennedy, now the only surviving child of President John F Kennedy.
Diamond, 66, revealed how he had never revealed the origins of the song with anyone, preferring to keep it to himself until the day he actually met Caroline face to face.
Diamond opened up, telling both the press and the song's subject about its origin, when he finally met the now Caroline Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, and performed the song for her 50th birthday. He stated that the song was quite important to him and one of his first really big hits, going onto to be a massive seller. “I have to thank her for the inspiration," he said. The song really made his mark and left the public in no two minds that Neil was a great songwriter and performer.
He told Associated Press that he was happy to have gotten it off his chest and to have expressed it to Caroline. “I thought she might be embarrassed, but she seemed to be struck by it and really, really happy."
The motivation for the song came from a photograph of the then nine-year-old Kennedy the singer saw in a magazine while staying at a hotel in Memphis.
"It was a picture of a little girl dressed to the nines in her riding gear, next to her pony," Diamond said. "It was such an innocent, wonderful picture; I immediately felt there was a song in there."
A few years later, Diamond penned the song inspired by the photograph. It became a hit, reviving his flagging career and eventually selling more than 2 million copies and providing countless karaoke singers with a chance to shine.
Ever popular the song recently reappeared in the singles chart in the US, thanks in part to the fact that it is belted out during home games at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. "I think they consider it good luck," Diamond told the Associated Press, adding that the Red Sox have become his favourite baseball team.
Just for memories, here are the words to the great song – you can hum along to the melody…
Where it began
I cant begin to knowin
But then I know its growin strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Whod have believed youd come along
Hands, touchin hands
Reachin out
Touchin me
Touchin you
Sweet caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Ive been inclined
To believe they never would
But now i
Look at the night
And it dont seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when Im with you
Warm, touchin warm
Reachin out
Touchin me
Touchin me
Sweet caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Ive been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Ive been inclined
I believed they never could
Sweet caroline
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Concerts - Neil Diamond at Earls Court, London in 2005
It’s 1st June, 2005 and three years less a month or so since I last saw Neil Diamond perform here at Earls Court. I’m wondering if this could be a mistake because the 2002 concert was so fantastic and Neil so charismatic that I’m not sure if he can possibly live up to my, now very high, expectations.
The atmosphere is electric in the 17,000-odd seat arena and I wish that Neil would hurry up and get on stage. I don’t have to wait long. The band, all 12 pieces, emerge through the floor of the stage and the show begins with “Crunchy Granola Suite”, swiftly followed by more vintage Diamond.
Neil is just the same - the black trousers, the sparkly shirt, the energy, the voice, the charm and the mixture of panache and passion with which he delivers the timeless favourites.
Contrary to expectations, there is nothing from his imminent new album, but a sort of a preview in the form of a set of acoustic numbers including “And The Grass Don’t Pay No Mind”, a personal favourite of mine which Neil performs sitting down with his guitar.
Some of the oldies have been given a slightly new treatment in terms of arrangement, but the voice, the centrepiece, is the same. In tribute to UB40s hit with Red Red Wine, Neil starts to rap part way through. I’m not sure that I don’t prefer the original though. “Forever in Blue Jeans” introduces some interesting brass and harmonies from the three backing singers (one more than last time)
The patriotic “America” brings the crowd to their feet (even the London crowd) and “Sweet Caroline”, as ever, makes everyone sing along, our enthusiasm encouraging Neil to a couple of encores.
Except for those rare seated moments, Neil roams the stage with his usual energy, encouraging the crowd (as if they need it) and generally looking as though he is having a good time. He has the ladies in the audience practically swooning through the slightly suggestive “Play Me” and his sotto voce asides nearly bring them to their knees.
For me, apart from “And The Grass Don’t Pay No Mind”, the highlights were “DesirĂ©e” (missing from the 2002 tour) and “You Don’t Bring Me Flower”, once again in duet with Linda Press and an encore of the fabulous“I’ve Been This Way Before”.
I can’t believe how fantastic this show is, the lights, the music, the skill and camaraderie of the band but above all, the sheer presence and unmistakeable voice that is Neil Diamond.
Michael Russell Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell |
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Police – the third album
The album was originally going to be called Trimondo Blondomina, meaning "three blond guys (dominating the world)," but the band did not want another title referring to "blond" so that title was dropped. They reached a consensus with Zenyatta Mondatta. Zenyatta Mondatta is supposedly a composite of several things. "Zen" comes from the eastern religion. "Yatta" is rumored to have ties to Kenyatta (the leader of the Mau Mau's of Congo-Zaire-Kenya). "Mond" comes from "Monde" - the French word for world. The whole thing was then articulated in such a way to sound like "Reggatta." Another possibility is that the title came from "Zenith" and "Monde," which means "Top of the World." A third theory: In Japanese, Zenyatta Mondatta allegedly has a somewhat rude meaning: "gave money, gave a massage."
"Don't Stand So Close to Me," the album's first single, became the group's second number one single in the U.K. and in America, the single became their second Top Ten hit in the spring of 1981. Earlier that year "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" made it to number ten. By the beginning of 1981, the Police were able to sell out Madison Square Garden, and were rising in the ranks of the worlds most celebrated artists.
Sting was reported as having stated that he regretted the rushed recording for the album. However, many critics would later cite it as one of their strongest efforts evidenced by the album winning two Grammy awards. The instrumental "Behind My Camel," written by Andy Summers won the band a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The song "Don't Stand So Close to Me" won the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance For Duo Or Group.
To obtain tickets to a Police show near you follow this link here: Police Concert
Monday, May 5, 2008
Neil Diamond releases his US tour dates
After releasing 29 albums is his illustrious career, Neil Diamond has announced that he will tour the U.S. and some of Canada this summer. Following is a list of the dates.
July 19 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
July 22 - Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center
July 24 - Omaha, NE @ Qwest Center Omaha
July 26 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
July 29 - Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse
July 31 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
August 3 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
August 5 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
August 7 - Hartford, CT @ XL Center
August 9 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center
August 12 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
August 14 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
August 18 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mellon Arena
August 20 - Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
August 23 - Boston, MA @ Fenway Park
August 25 - Columbus, OH @ Value City Arena at The Schottenstein Center
August 27 - Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
August 29 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
September 14 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Center
September 16 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
September 18 - Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
September 20 - Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place
September 22 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden
September 24 - Seattle, WA @ KeyArena at Seattle Center
September 26 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
September 28 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
October 1 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
October 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
October 7 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
October 10 - Phoenix, AZ @ Jobing.com Arena
October 12 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
October 14 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
October 16 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
October 19 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
October 21 - Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
October 24 - Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
October 26 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BankAtlantic Center
October 28 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Arena Orlando
October 30 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
The Police finish world tour in New York
The Police have been nominated for a People's Choice Award. The show aired on January 8, 2008. They were nominated in the category "Favorite Reunion Tour." They did not win.
Famous auction house Christie's held a Pop and Rock Memorabilia sale in New York which featured some Sting and Police items; part of the Ian Copeland estate. The sale was held on November 30, 2007 and included vintage concert posters, many record awards and a Rolling Stone cover plaque.
On October 1, 2007, The Police were honored in Paris, France, with an award called "Order of the Arts and Letters" for their contribution to the arts.
On September 29, at their Paris concert, The Police were joined on stage by original Police guitarist, Frenchman Henry Padovani, for the song Next to You.
In September, 2007 in London, there was a new photo exhibit featuring pics from the early days of The Police, called On The Beat: The Police. The exhibition ran from Wednesday, September 5th - Sunday, September 23rd
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Who is Neil Diamond?
It is hard to believe that there are many concert goers and music lovers who may not know the name of Neil Diamond! They may know Miley, Hilary, Kelly or the Jonas Brothers, but when you ask them what thier favourite Neil Diamond song is, they glaze over.
Neil Diamond has has been a pop music stalwart since the mid-1960s. His songs, compositions, and performances are legendary. He has had numerous hit songs such as "Kentucky Woman" (1967), "Song Sung Blue" (1974) and "Love on the Rocks" (1980).
In the early 1960s, he wrote the Monkees' 1967 hit "I'm a Believer" around the time he began his own recording career. On the strength of a string of hits, Diamond became one of the best selling performers of the 1970s.
His devoted fan base carried him through the 1980s and in the 1990s he was rediscovered by a new generation of retro-loving pop fans. He has released two soundtracks for the movies (Jonathan Livingston Seagull in 1973 and The Jazz Singer in 1980, with Diamond also starring in the latter film), several albums of live performances and many collections of his greatest hits. His 2005 album 12 Songs was hailed as a return to his early days of songwriting and was the basis for one of the top grossing tours of the year. His other songs include: "Cherry, Cherry" (1966); "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" (1967); "Red, Red Wine" (1968); "Sweet Caroline" (1969); "Cracklin' Rosie" (1970); "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (1978, a duet with Barbra Streisand); and "America" (1981).
Idol takes on Neil Diamond
Tonight each of the contestants sang two songs from Diamond’s extensive song collection. David and David were easily the best two contestants tonight. I still believe they are likely to face off in the finals.
Miley is back
With no mention of the Vanity Fair issue, the 15 year old star of the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana performed several songs in a concert that will be included in the forthcoming Disney Channel Games.