Rod Stewart’s ‘Swing Fever’ album has “a rude edge,” but was “a pleasure” to make

February 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Swing Fever, Rod Stewart‘s new album with bandleader and TV host Jools Holland, is out February 23. It’s a collection of standards like “Pennies From Heaven” and “Ain’t Misbehavin‘” done in an upbeat, big-band style. Rod had actually started making a swing album before this, but scrapped it because, as he tells ABC Audio, it was “too polite.”

“It didn’t have a rude edge, which is what I wanted,” he adds. “So I went to Jools.”

Once Holland realized that the call he got from Rod Stewart inviting him to make a record wasn’t a prank, he jumped onboard.

“He said, ‘I want it really sort of a bit rough around the edges,'” Holland tells ABC Audio. “And I said, ‘Well, you’ve come to the right man.'”

As it happens, they both have extensive knowledge of swing tunes of the ’20s and ’30s. “I’ve known these songs all my life,” Rod says. “My family played Glenn Miller, all that stuff, Rosemary Clooney.”

“My grandmother’s family all sang the old songs at Christmas,” Holland adds.

As a result, says Rod, “There were no arguments. We all agreed on everything: the songs that we chose, the rhythms, the arrangements — everything was just a pleasure. It was quick … Jools rehearsed the songs in the morning and recorded in the afternoon, sometimes two or three a day.”

However, there won’t be a Swing Fever tour in 2024.

“Our schedules are very full,” Rod explains. “Maybe next year if the album does considerably well, we could do it.”

In the meantime, Holland says what he wants fans to take away from the album is “joy.”

“We really loved making this record,” he says. “And I hope that people feel the same way as we felt when we were making it.”

From a million different people to 1 billion views: “Bitter Sweet Symphony” hits YouTube milestone

February 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Verve‘s video for “Bitter Sweet Symphony” has hit 1 billion views on YouTube.

The clip, which features frontman Richard Ashcroft walking down a busy London street, is the latest ’90s video to join the billion views club, following the likes of Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Guns N’ Roses‘ “November Rain,” AC/DC‘s “Thunderstruck,” R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion,” The Cranberries‘ “Zombie” and Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ “Californication.”

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” was first released as the lead single off The Verve’s 1997 album, Urban Hymns. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA on its way to becoming the English band’s signature hit. It was also memorably used in the 1999 movie Cruel Intentions.

However, the success of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” was, well, bittersweet. The Verve was sued by Allen Klein, the former manager of The Rolling Stones, over the string sample used in “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” which came from an orchestra recording of the Stones song “The Last Time.” As a result, The Verve forfeited the song’s publishing rights, and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were retroactively credited as the writers of “Bitter Sweet Symphony.”

Over 20 years later, in 2019, Jagger and Richards relinquished their songwriting credits, and the rights to “Bitter Sweet Symphony” were returned to Ashcroft.

Selena in the South of France: Watch her flirty new video for “Love On”

February 23, 2024 by WDNY Radio

You’ve heard of Emily in Paris? Get ready for Selena in the South of France. Selena Gomez has just released her first single of 2024, “Love On,” and the video features beautiful French vistas, gorgeous clothing and lots of people making out with each other.

The song is Selena’s invitation to a lover: “Clock in, baby get to work/I’m a rollercoaster ride, baby jump on.” The second verse is half-sung, half-spoken, with Selena asking “Why we conversing over this steak tartare/when we could be somewhere other than here/making out in the back of a car?”

The video begins with a group of couples lined up on a staircase, all kissing each other passionately, as we hear someone whisper in French, “What am I going to name you? I will name you love. Tender love.” Doors then open onto a balcony of a grand hotel overlooking the sea, where Selena sings while getting her nails done.

The rest of the clip features Selena frolicking in and out of rooms rocking some fabulous outfits, including a white tutu-style dress she wears while dancing with ballerinas, a rainbow-striped ’60s-style number and a gold gown with a giant rosette on the front. In between shots of Selena, the couples from the beginning of the clip continue making out with each other.

In the comments section of the video, one user wrote, “I was one of the ballerinas in this video and I just wanted to say that everything about the video shoot was an absolutely magical experience!! Selena was so charming and humble, yet shined with star-power and I feel infinitely lucky to have been a part of this celebration of love.”

Texas county issues disaster declaration ahead of April total solar eclipse

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(KILLEEN, Texas) — A small county in Texas is bracing for a state of emergency when hundreds of thousands of skywatchers are expected to flock to the South for the total solar eclipse in April.

Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a local disaster declaration this week, ahead of the April 8 natural phenomenon, saying the county’s population of 400,000 residents is expected to double in tourists.

The declaration allows Bell County to coordinate with the state’s Department of Emergency Management if needed on eclipse day.

“In order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of both residents and visitors, Bell County has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken in the form of a local disaster declaration,” the county said in a press release Wednesday.

Bell County is expecting the influx of eclipse viewers in the area to cause traffic congestion, shortages of food and fuel and cellular network congestion, according to the release.

The declaration also requires property owners planning to host events with over 50 attendees to register with the county to ensure proper “life safety and critical infrastructure” is in place.

“Registering information will provide public safety officials and first responders with important information that will aid them during this period when roads and highways may be stressed, and responders may be impeded by population conditions,” the release notes.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and, for a short time, completely blocks the face of the sun, according to NASA.

In the U.S., the path of totality begins in Texas and will travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, the agency reports.

April’s total solar eclipse will be the last of its kind to occur in North America for 20 years and is expected to be the largest mass travel event in 2024, Michael Zeiler, expert solar eclipse cartographer, told ABC News.

Zeiler compared eclipse day travel to “50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation,” saying 4 million people are estimated to travel to view the eclipse.

“When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine,” he said.

Zeiler said Texas is a prime place for eclipse chasers to head to because it is located in the path of totality and has the best chances for clear skies on eclipse day.

“You want to be in the center of the path for the longest duration,” Zeiler explained. “If you have a friend or relative in the path in Texas, and there are 12 million Texans inside the path, that’s the spot to go because that’s where the best weather prospects are.”

Zeiler explained how eclipse travel should be celebrated, despite the hazard of heavy tourism, “All of us are united in pursuing the unimaginable beauty of a total solar eclipse.”

DHS looking for increased authority to investigate drug crimes

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — It would only take a small change in legislation to allow more Homeland Security Investigations agents to investigate drug crimes without first getting the authority to do so from the Justice Department, a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told ABC News Thursday.

At the heart of the issue is law enforcement agencies’ Title 21 authority — which allows the federal government to investigate drug crimes. As it currently stands, Homeland Security Investigations has to ask the Justice Department first before investigating drug crimes.

Homeland Security Investigations is the Department of Homeland Security’s law enforcement arm.

Patrick J. Lechleitner, deputy director and senior official performing the duties of the director of ICE, which is Homeland Security Investigations’ parent agency, said the statue was written in the 1970s and doesn’t allow for law enforcement to tackle a 21st century problem.

“I just think it would benefit the American people just having the authority just to pivot and spin quickly because we are currently hamstrung because, you know, we’re delegated the authority,” he said in an interview. “So, by having the authority delegated to us fully delegated to us via legislation, literally we’re talking like a few words changed, right? That would reflect the current environment in 2024.”

He said that because of the delegated authority and the way the law is written, the agency now has only select agents work drug cases, and it can’t give the authority to their task force officers.

“We are limited in scope to who can do that,” he explained. “You would instantly add thousands and thousands of agents and officers to combat synthetic opioids and fentanyl and come and really add a lot more bearing to the fight. It’s just common sense.”

Lechleitner said the Homeland Security secretary should have the ability to delegate the authority to HSI without running into red tape.

“We’re trying to fight very nimble, agile adversaries with antiquated rules and regulations and it’s just not productive,” he said.

There is legislation proposed in both the House and Senate to give the authority to HSI, but it hasn’t gone anywhere since being introduced in September.

Louisiana GOP Rep. Clay Higgins’ office said in a press release that ” HSI agents are limited by a reliance on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to investigate Title 21 crimes.”

“Due to bureaucratic constraints, HSI lacks the independent statutory authority to enforce drug crimes and target these transnational criminal organizations,” Higgins, one of the sponsors of the bill, said in September 2023 “It’s absurd. This common-sense bill adds thousands of highly skilled federal law enforcement officers to lead the fight against drug trafficking at no cost to the American taxpayers. We must work to keep deadly drugs out of our communities and keep America’s borders safe.”

The DEA has not responded to an ABC News request for comment.

Last year, more than 112,000 people died of fentanyl overdoses, and Lechleitner said by giving the authority to HSI to investigate drug crimes, it could potentially save lives.

“We’re not looking to take anything away from anybody else, just add our resources to the fight. Allow us to take off the strap that puts our arm behind our back, allow us to be flexible enough to deal with these organizations in meaningful way with all of our partners, very closely aligned across the federal spectrum,” he said. “We have joint investigations and we deconflict all of it. We collaborate with everyone. And we’re just looking to try and do more so that we won’t have another 112,000 deaths.”

The Who’s Pete Townshend to miss Teenage Cancer Trust concert celebrating Roger Daltrey

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

The Who is set to headline Teenage Cancer Trust benefit shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on March 18 and 20, but Pete Townshend wants fans to know he will not be taking part in a separate Teenage Cancer Trust concert celebrating his bandmate Roger Daltrey.

Townshend announced on Instagram he won’t be able to make the March 24 show, Ovation, a Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs for TCT, because of his commitments to Tommy the Musical, which opens on Broadway on March 28.

The concert is a celebration of Daltrey’s tenure as host and curator of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust concerts; he’s stepping down from the post after this year.

“I’m sorry for anyone who feels I have let them down,” Townshend shared in his post, “my New York dates have been in my calendar for several months and I have tried to address this calendar conflict with Roger and Who management without any result.”

He adds, “That said, Roger is perfectly capable of blowing your minds in a solo show without me, and has a wonderful array of guests lined up to celebrate his 24 years of producing and performing at the annual Teenage Cancer Trust Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.”

“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, Roger should have a knighthood for his Teenage Cancer Trust campaigning,” Pete writes.

As for those “wonderful array of guests” who’ll be joining Roger, they include Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones and Paul Weller.

It’s “Showtime”: Catfish and the Bottlemen return with first new song in five years

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Catfish and the Bottlemen are back with their first new song in five years.

The track is called “Showtime” and follows the “Kathleen” outfit’s 2019 album, The Balance. You can listen to it now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming on YouTube.

A new Catfish album, their fourth, is also in the works.

Catfish and the Bottlemen are also set to return to the live stage for their first shows in three years, including headlining the 2024 Reading & Leeds festival.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Iron Maiden announces collaboration with ’Dead by Daylight’ video game

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Iron Maiden has announced a collaboration with the video game Dead by Daylight.

In Dead by Daylight, players can either be a Killer or one of four Survivors. As their titles suggest, the Killer is tasked with eliminating the Survivors, who must work together in order to do just that.

As part of the partnership with Maiden, Dead by Daylight players can now choose from a variety of costumes inspired by albums including Powerslave and Senjutsu for the Killer character to wear. Survivors can also suit up in a Maiden tour T-shirt.

You can check out a trailer now via the Dead by Daylight YouTube.

Iron Maiden has long been involved in the video game world with their Legacy of the Beast mobile game. In Legacy of the Beast, you play as Maiden mascot Eddie as you try to defeat different enemies. It’s also featured crossovers with bands including Disturbed, Ghost, Motörhead, Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death Punch.

In Iron Maiden music happenings, the metal legends will launch a U.S. tour in October. Meanwhile, frontman Bruce Dickinson will release a new solo album, The Mandrake Project, on March 1.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg slams Arizona prosecutor who won’t extradite murder suspect: ‘Political games’

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg criticized his Maricopa County, Arizona, counterpart who doesn’t want to extradite a New York City murder suspect, saying she’s playing “political games in a murder case.”

Raad Almansoori, 26, is in custody in Arizona, where he is charged in two stabbings. He is also the suspect in the death of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, who was found beaten and strangled at New York’s SoHo 54 Hotel earlier this month.

Bragg said he learned from Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s Wednesday news conference that Mitchell would not extradite Almansoori.

“Her reasoning?” Bragg said at a news conference Thursday. “Not because that’s what the law dictates. Not because that’s what advances justice. Not because of a concern for victims. Not at the request of the NYPD. But rather, plain and simple, old-fashioned grandstanding and politics.”

“That should have no place in our profession,” Bragg said. “It is deeply disturbing to me that a member of my profession … would choose to play political games in a murder case.”

Mitchell said at her news conference Wednesday that she would not agree to send Almansoori to New York.

“Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg,” Mitchell said, “I think it’s safer to keep him here and keep him in custody, so that he cannot be doing this to individuals either in our state or county, or anywhere in the United States.”

Mitchell “professes concern that a murder suspect in Manhattan would be released?” Bragg responded at his news conference. “I do not know what they do in Arizona, but I know that here in this county, New York County, we routinely seek and get remand … in our murder cases.”

Bragg said shootings in Manhattan decreased by 38% and homicides have dropped 24% during his two years as DA.

He stressed that New York City’s murder rate is less than half Phoenix’s rate.

Almansoori is facing charges of attempted homicide, theft of means and aggravated assault in Surprise, Arizona, and robbery, assault, theft and criminal damage in Phoenix, police said. He is being held without bond.

The Arizona and New York crimes are both important, Bragg said, but he slammed Mitchell for not calling him to speak about the cases and instead holding a news conference.

Moving forward, Bragg said he hopes to have “regular, professional conversations” about Almansoori’s extradition.

If Almansoori agrees to be extradited to New York, “it’s a moot issue,” Bragg said, but if he does not agree to be extradited, Bragg said his office would likely prepare an extradition package.

Bragg said that extradition package would be reviewed by the governor, not a local prosecutor.

“This is not the Maricopa County attorney’s decision, and I’m hoping that facts, law, justice and reason will prevail,” he said.

Almansoori was arrested in Arizona on Feb. 18 after he allegedly stabbed a woman and stole a car, authorities said. While in custody, Almansoori allegedly indicated to police that he was involved in another stabbing in Arizona, a deadly attack in New York City and an attack in Florida, authorities said.

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Alex Stone contributed to this report.

U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ wins RTÉ Choice Music Prize award for Classic Irish Album

February 22, 2024 by WDNY Radio

U2’s 1991 album Achtung Baby has won Ireland’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Classic Irish Album.

In announcing the choice, the judging panel, made up of Irish music media and industry professionals, said “you cannot deny the album’s authenticity and significant cultural impact as one classic song after another unfolds over 55 minutes.”

They add, “To this day, it still resonates as a collection of songs that capture the spirit of change at both a personal as well as a societal level, when the Berlin wall came tumbling down, and Ireland sensed a change in the air.”

The panel also points out how the band’s Zoo TV tour “helped to reinvent the studio show,” and how U2 is doing that again with their Las Vegas residency dedicated to the album, U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere.

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize was established in 2005 to highlight the best in Irish music and “promote and showcase the health and growth of the local industry both within Ireland and overseas.”

The first-ever Classic Irish Album Award was handed out last year to Sinéad O’Connor’s 1990 release I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.

U2’s Achtung Baby, produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, went to #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured two top 10 hits, “One” and “Mysterious Ways.” The band is playing the album in full during their Las Vegas Sphere residency, which only has four dates left: February 23 and 24, and March 1 and 6.

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