Classic Hits

The UB40 spin-off group UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro will release a new studio album called Unprecedented on June 17.

The album is dedicated to Terence “Astro” Wilson, who died in November 2021 at age 64 after a short illness. Ali Campbell was UB40’s original lead singer and was a member of the popular U.K. reggae band until 2008. Astro, a vocalist, percussionist and trumpet player, joined UB40 in 1979 and left the group in 2013.

Campbell and Astro, along with fellow UB40 alum Mickey Virtue, then formed their own incarnation of the band.

Unprecedented, which you can pre-order now, will be available on CD, as a two-LP set pressed on either standard black black vinyl or limited-edition white vinyl, as a limited-edition cassette, and digitally.

In advance of Unprecedented‘s arrival, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro has released a cover of “Sufferer,” a 1970 song by the Jamaican reggae vocal group The Kingstonians, as the lead single.

“‘Sufferer’ is a song that Astro and I have always loved, from the brilliant Kingstonians,” says Ali. “Astro was so proud of our version of this song, as am I…This song is more poignant and special than I ever realized after Astro heartbreakingly passed away after recording this album. We want to keep his memory alive through his music and this song and album.”

Now known as UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, the band will be playing three U.S. shows next month — on May 14 in Las Vegas, May 15 in Redondo Beach, California, and May 16 in San Diego. Check out their full tour schedule at UB40.org.

Here’s the Unprecedented track list:

“Caught You in a Lie”
“Do Yourself a Favour”
“Emperors Wore No Clothes”
“Happy Includes Everyone”
“Heaven in Her Eyes”
“Lean on Me” (In Aid of NHS Charities Together)
“Lean on Me”
“Mellow”
“Stay Another Day”
“Sufferer”
“Sunday Morning Coming Down”
“Unprecedented”
“We’ll Never Find Another Love”
“What Have I Done”

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When you heard the new Red Hot Chili Peppers single “Black Summer,” your first thought might’ve been, “Yay, new Red Hot Chili Peppers music!” Your second thought might’ve been, “Wait, why is Anthony Kiedis singing like that?”

Fans were quick to point out Kiedis’ unusual annunciation on certain words throughout the song, which made it sound like he was singing with an accent somewhere between Irish and trying out to play The Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Now, Kiedis has offered an explanation behind his unusual vocal styling.

During an online listening party for the new RHCP album Unlimited Love, which features “Black Summer” as the lead single, Kiedis wrote, “My adopted accent on this one is a tribute to Cate Le Bon,” referring to the Welsh musician.

Whatever you may think about Kiedis’ “Black Summer” accent, the song is doing just fine. “Black Summer” currently sits at number one on Billboard‘s Alternative Airplay chart and number two on the Mainstream Rock Airplay tally, while Unlimited Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with the biggest week for a rock album in over a year.

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Sheryl Crow has released a cover of the 1969 Rolling Stones song “Live with Me” that features none other than Mick Jagger playing some blues harmonica licks throughout the track.

The song is featured in her new documentary, Sheryl, and on its accompanying soundtrack. The film will get its television premiere on Showtime on May 6, and the album, titled Sheryl: Music from the Feature Documentary, will be released the same day.

Crow has had a long association and friendship with The Rolling Stones, and performed “Live with Me” in concert with the band as far back as 1994.

According to a press release, the movie “[n]avigates Crow’s seminal yet hard-fought musical career battling sexism, depression, perfectionism, cancer, and the price of fame — before harnessing the power of her gift.”

As previously reported, the album is a 35-track compilation that features the Grammy winning singer and songwriter’s biggest hits, including “If It Makes You Happy,” “Soak Up the Sun,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Strong Enough,” “Everyday Is a Winding Road” and many others.

The album also is packed with deep tracks and three newly recorded songs, one of which is the “Live with Me” cover, as well as collaborations with other stars including Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Sting, Keith Richards and the late Johnny Cash.

Sheryl: Music from the Feature Documentary can be pre-ordered now, and will be available digitally and as a two-CD set.

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Queen guitarist Brian May has released his 1998 cover of rock ‘n’ roll great Buddy Holly‘s 1958 hit “Maybe Baby” as a digital single and via streaming services, along with a companion music video.

May’s rendition of “Maybe Baby” will be featured on a bonus disc of the forthcoming deluxe reissue of his second studio album, 1998’s Another World, due out April 22. The song originally appeared on an EP called Retro Rock Special that Brian released under the alter ego T.E. Conway and that was only available at the time to those who purchased Another World.

“I’ve never done a Buddy Holly song, and I did ‘Maybe Baby,'” says Brian, reflecting on the cover. “That song more than probably any other, is the reason that I’m here doing this, playing guitar and being a rock star and being a very fortunate person.”

The “Maybe Baby” video features a montage of fan artwork capturing the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer at various ages, and in various styles.

The paintings and drawings appearing in the clip all come from the new book Another World: The Bri-Art Collection, which celebrates the new reissue and will be released the same day. The book features over 300 pieces created by both professional and amateur artists, and includes a number of images that can be viewed in 3-D with OWL Stereoscopic Viewer designed by May that’s packaged with the volume.

All of the profits from sales of the book will be donated to Brian’s Save Me Trust charity. You can pre-order it at Queen’s online store and LondonStereo.com.

The Another World reissue, which you can pre-ordered now, features a remastered version of the original album, as well as a bevy of previously unreleased remixes, rarities, live tracks and covers.

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Founding Blondie guitarist Chris Stein has announced that he’ll be sitting out the band’s next series of concerts because of an issue with his heart.

In a message posted on his Twitter and Instagram pages, Stein writes, “I’m sad and frustrated to report that I’m not going out with the next bunch of Blondie touring. I’ve been dealing with a dumba** condition called Atrial Fibrillation or AFib which is irregular heart beats and combined with the meds I take for it I’m too fatigued to deal.”

The 72-year-old musician adds, “I’m still all in with recording and other band projects and I should be out for [discussion events, etc.,] later on…That’s it, I’m fine, I’m around here and I love you all.”

Stein also reports that original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock will be playing with Blondie on the band’s upcoming shows.

Meanwhile, in a separate Facebook post, Stein notes that the heart condition was the reason he was sitting down during Blondie’s most recent shows.

He adds, “My brain is doing great and I’ve been writing during [the COVID-19 pandemic],” while revealing that he has a book deal in place in the U.K. for a memoir, while things are pending in the U.S.

Blondie kicks off a 10-date U.K. tour on April 22 in Glasgow, Scotland. The trek runs through a May 7 concert in Birmingham, England, and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr will open all dates. The band also has a handful of California performances lined up in May, including sets at the 1980s-themed Cruel World festival on May 14-15 in Pasadena.

Then, in August, Blondie will launch a 10-show U.S. trek dubbed the Against the Odds Tour, featuring U.K. punk veterans The Damned as the support act.

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Edgar Winter‘s new album, Brother Johnny: An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Winter, hit stores Friday. As its title suggests, the 17-track collection features Edgar teaming up with a variety of well-known musicians to pay homage to the music of his late brother, blues-rock guitar legend Johnny Winter.

Among the many stars who contributed to the project are Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Michael McDonald, ex-Allman Brothers Band members Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, Toto‘s Steve Lukather, and late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

“I thought this was gonna be a hard album to make, but this turned out to be just a joyous, inspiring, uplifting experience for me,” Edgar tells ABC Audio. “It was just so amazingly beautiful to do this with a lot of my longtime friends, and then a lot of people that I had never met.”

Edgar says one standout track is a version of Johnny’s soulful 1974 ballad “Stranger,” which features Starr, Walsh and McDonald.

Edgar explains that he initially envisioned Walsh playing guitar on a version of Chuck Berry‘s “Johnny B. Goode” that’s included on Brother Johnny, but notes that after Joe heard “Stranger,” he “flipped out,” and insisted on contributing guitar to that track.

After Walsh signed on, Edgar says he felt comfortable enough to ask Ringo, Joe’s brother-in-law, to play drums on “Stranger.” Winter admits that he “was blown away” when Starr agreed.

Edgar tells ABC Audio that it was his wife, Monique, who suggested getting McDonald to sing “Stranger,” which he immediately realized was a great idea.

“I just knew that it would be something special,” he notes. “And I really do feel like it’s a magical vocal, and one of the highlights on the album.”

Here’s Brother Johnny‘s full track list:

“Mean Town Blues” — featuring Joe Bonamassa
“Alive and Well” — featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Lone Star Blues” — featuring Keb’ Mo’
“I’m Yours and I’m Hers” — featuring Billy Gibbons & Derek Trucks
“Johnny B. Goode” — featuring Joe Walsh & David Grissom
“Stranger” — featuring Michael McDonald, Joe Walsh & Ringo Starr
“Highway 61 Revisited” — featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd & John McFee
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Koo” — featuring Steve Lukather
“When You Got a Good Friend” — featuring Doyle Bramhall II
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” — featuring Phil X
“Guess I’ll Go Away” — featuring Taylor Hawkins & Doug Rappoport
“Drown in My Own Tears”
“Self Destructive Blues” — featuring Joe Bonamassa
“Memory Pain” — featuring Warren Haynes
“Stormy Monday Blues” — featuring Robben Ford
“Got My Mojo Workin'” — featuring Bobby Rush
“End of the Line” — featuring David Campbell Strings

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Peter Frampton, George Thorogood and doo-wop/rock ‘n’ roll legend Dion DiMucci are among the artists who will be taking part in acclaimed blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa‘s third annual Stream-A-Thon charity event scheduled for Saturday, May 1, at 3 p.m. ET.

The event benefits the Fueling Musicians program launched by Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation to help support supports musicians in need. Bonamassa will host the presentation, which will feature over two hours of music performed by more than 25 artists.

In addition to Frampton, Thorogood, Dion and Bonamassa, the lineup includes Litte Feat/Doobie Brothers keyboardist Bill Payne, Eric Gales, Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes.

The Stream-A-Thon will be viewable on Bonamassa’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

To date, To date, the Fueling Musicians program has raised more than $500,000 for touring musicians who have faced financial difficulties and whose livelihood has been impacted by the the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry.

To find out more information about the Fueling Musicians program and to donate to the cause, visit KeepingtheBluesAlive.org.

“I am so thankful for the incredible support from our industry partners and for the fans who have donated to this program,” Bonamassa says. “Through the generosity of our contributors, we can continue to impact musicians who still need our help.”

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John Fogerty is featured on a new album called Americana Railroad made up of train-themed songs recorded by a variety of artists.

The 19-track collection, which will be released on CD and digital formats on June 17, was the brainchild of veteran roots rocker Carla Olson and her husband and longtime manager, Saul Davis. Olson is known for her series of collaborations with late Byrds member Gene Clark, while an early version of her band The Textones featured future Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine.

Americana Railroad features a mix of traditional and contemporary songs involving trains.

Fogerty contributes a version of the classic Steve Goodman folk song “City of New Orleans” that features Mickey Raphael on harmonica.

Other artists who appear on the album include Rocky Burnette, founding Electric Flag keyboardist Barry Goldberg, former Blasters guitarist Dave Alvin, longtime Paul McCartney touring guitarist Brian Ray, and Gene Clark’s son, Kai.

Olson is featured on three songs, including the album’s lead track, “Here Comes That Train Again,” a duet with Long Ryders member Stephen McCarthy, who also wrote the track. You can check out the tune at PopMatters.com and on YouTube.

Among the other noteworthy songs on the album are renditions of “Mystery Train,” “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” Woody Guthrie‘s “This Train,” Graham Nash‘s “Marrakesh Express” and Curtis Mayfield‘s “People Get Ready.”

“The Americana Railroad album is a collection of both history and metaphor for your listening and thought provoking pleasure,” says Olson.

You can pre-order the album now. It originally was issued as a limited-edition vinyl LP as part of the 2021 Record Store Day Black Friday event.

Here’s the full track list of Americana Railroad:

“Here Comes That Train Again” — Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson
“The Conductor Wore Black” — Robert Rex Waller Jr. with Chip Kinman
“Mystery Train” — Rocky Burnette with Barry Goldberg
“This Train” — Peter Case
“City of New Orleans” — John Fogerty with Mickey Raphael
“Marrakesh Express” — Dustbowl Revival
“Train Leaves Here This Morning” — Kai Clark with Byron Berline
“Train Kept A-Rollin'” — Gary Myrick
“Southwest Chief” — Dave Alvin
“500 Miles” — Alice Howe
“People Get Ready” — Deborah Poppink
“Steel Pony Blues” — Dom Flemons
“Runaway Train” — John York
“Waiting for a Train” — Paul Burch & Fats Kaplin
“Freight Train” — AJ Haynes of Seratones
“Whiskey Train” — Carla Olson & Brian Ray
“Mystery Train” — James Intveld with Barry Goldberg
“Midnight Rail” — Robert Rex Waller Jr. with Todd Wolfe
“I Remember the Railroad” — Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson

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Mariah Carey is teaching her very own MasterClass that will train students how to use their voice like an instrument.

According to the official press release, “Carey will bring members into the Butterfly Lounge, her mobile studio, to show how they can use their voice not only to sing but also to write and produce melodies, lyrics and instrumentation that blend genres and break barriers.”

In addition, attendees will be first to hear a remix of Mariah’s 1997 song “The Roof,” which will feature new vocals from Brandy.  The Moesha star will also be a part of the class so students can “see Carey in action as she directs Brandy on background vocals.”

“I’ve never let cameras in when I am creating — not when I’m writing, and especially not when I’m singing,” Mariah said in a statement, adding she hopes her class will help teach people they can “become anything they want to be as long as they create, re-create, reimagine and reinvent.”

Mariah’s MasterClass is now available, consisting of seven video lessons that run just under an hour and 45 minutes total.

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A new film titled Moonage Daydream billed as “a definitive…portrait” of the late David Bowie will be released soon, BMG has announced.

The movie, which has been in the works for five years and was written and directed by Brett Morgen, is the first film to be officially sanctioned by Bowie’s estate.

In a press statement, Moonage Daydream is described as “a sublime kaleidoscopic experiential cinematic odyssey that explores Bowie’s creative, spiritual, and philosophical journey.” The movie includes previously unseen footage and performances, and will feature Bowie’s own narration. The film includes 47 musical tracks, mixed from the original recordings. David’s longtime friend and collaborator Tony Visconti is serving as the project’s musical producer.

BMG executive-produced and financed Moonage Daydream with Live Nation Productions. The Neon production company is handling distribution in the U.S. The film will be shown in theaters, including select IMAX cinemas. Cable and streaming rights have been licensed to HBO and HBO Max, where, according to Billboard, the film will get its TV premiere in spring 2023.

Moonage Daydream is the first movie of a multiple-film agreement Morgen has struck with BMG for IMAX productions. Brett’s previous credits include the 2012 Rolling Stones documentary Crossfire Hurricane and 2015’s Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck.

“This has been a five year labour of love to honour one of the greatest song catalogues in music history,” says BMG executive Fred Casimir. “BMG is proud to build on our long-term relationship with the David Bowie estate working hand-in-hand with our partners Live Nation Productions to bring Brett Morgen’s vision to the big screen.”

BMG holds a 25% stake in Bowie’s song catalog dating from 1970 to 1977, including such classics as “Changes,” “Starman,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Life on Mars,” “Rebel Rebel” and “Fame.”

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