Classic Hits

The 1995 Eric Clapton documentary Nothing but the Blues, which was broadcast just once on PBS, got its official release Friday on multiple formats and configurations, along with a companion soundtrack album.

The film features Clapton showcasing and discussing his lifelong passion for the blues. It includes performances from two concerts that he played in November 1994 at San Francisco’s famed Fillmore venue during his tour in support of his blues covers album From the Cradle.

Nothing but the Blues is available as a super deluxe limited-edition box set and as a standalone DVD or Blu-ray, while the soundtrack has been issued on CD and digitally. A two-LP vinyl version of the album will be released on July 29.

The movie was executive produced by Martin Scorsese, who also conducted an in-depth interview with Clapton for the film, in which the British guitar legend talks about his love for blues music and the artists who influenced him, such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Robert Johnson.

The film has been upgraded to 4K video, while the audio has been newly remastered.

The box set features a Blu-ray of the documentary, the soundtrack on both CD and as a two-LP set, and a bonus CD featuring four extra tracks. The collection comes packaged in an exclusive hardcover book and includes a lithograph, a poster, a set of Clapton guitar strings, guitar picks and a bandana.

In conjunction with Friday’s release of Nothing but the Blues, a video of Clapton performing the Willie Dixon-penned 1957 song “Groaning the Blues” has premiered at Clapton’s YouTube channel, where you also can watch a few other clips from the film.

Here’s the track list of the Nothing but the Blues DVD and Blu-ray:

“Blues All Day Long”
“Standin’ Round Crying”
“Forty-Four”
“It Hurts Me Too”
“Early in the Morning”
“Five Long Years”
“Crossroads”
“Malted Milk Blues”
“Motherless Child”
“How Long Blues”
“Reconsider Baby”
“Sinner’s Prayer”
“Every Day I Have the Blues”
“Crosscut Saw”
“Someday After a While”
“Have You Ever Loved a Woman”
“I’m Tore Down”
“Groaning the Blues”
“T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness”
“Driftin” (Bonus Track)

And here’s the soundtrack’s track list:

“Blues All Day Long”
“Standing ‘Round Crying”
“Forty-Four”
“It Hurts Me Too”
“Early in the Morning”
“Five Long Years”
“Crossroads”
“Malted Milk”
“Motherless Child”
“How Long”
“Reconsider Baby”
“Sinners Prayer”
“Every Day I Have the Blues”
“Someday After a While (You’ll Be Sorry)”
“Have You Ever Loved a Woman”
“I’m Tore Down”
“Groaning Blues”
“County Jail Blues”*

* = exclusive to two-LP vinyl version.

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The Supreme Court on Friday ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade and the fundamental right to abortion that has been the law for almost 50 years. The court ruled 6-3 in an opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito. The court upheld a Mississippi law that bans all abortion past 15 weeks, with very few medical exceptions. Now, some musicians and songwriters have taken to social media to express their horror and dismay at the ruling.

Cyndi Lauper posted a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt that says, “Girls just want to have fun…damental rights” and wrote, “Today is hard, but we are not done here because in this country the conversation and fight for our civil rights will always continue. Equality for all, not just for some. Stand together with those who need our help most right now.” She linked to abortionfunds.org.

Cher tweeted, “TODAY, TRUMPS RADICAL (REPUBLICAN) SUPREME COURT, BECAME RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN WOMEN. THEY CAN’T BE PROSECUTED, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE… ‘THEY ARE GUILTY.’ WHAT OTHER RIGHTS (WE TAKE 4 GRANTED) ARE NEXT? BE AFRAID BE VERY AFRAID.”

Carole King tweeted, “Taking a right away from more than half the population affects every member of a family. Reproductive healthcare is on the ballot. Organize & plan your vote.”

Bette Midler tweeted, “They did it. THEY DID IT TO US! #SCOTUS has overturned #RoevWade, enshrined in the Constitution as settled law for over 50 years. How dare they? This #SCOTUS is absolutely tone-deaf to the will and even the actual needs of the American people. #WakeUpAmerica.”

Hit-making songwriter Diane Warren tweeted, “Welcome to the live version of the Handmaids Tale.”

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The new Elvis Presley biopic Elvis opened in theaters Friday, and with its arrival an expansive star-studded soundtrack album has been released. The album features 36 tracks that include new versions of classic Presley tunes, remixes, virtual duets and more.

Among the songs that appear on the Elvis soundtrack is a duet between Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak on a rendition of the 1963 Presley rarity “Cotton Candy Land.”

The album also features contributions from Doja Cat, Eminem & CeeLo Green, Kacey Musgraves, Jazmine Sullivan and Måneskin, and virtual duets pairing Presley’s archival vocals with Elvis star Austin Butler and with ex-White Stripes frontman Jack White.

You can purchase the Elvis soundtrack now. A special immersive website has also been launched to showcase the music.

Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, stars Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Here’s the album’s full track list:

“Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro)” — Elvis Presley
“Also Sprach Zarathustra/American Trilogy” — Elvis Presley
“Vegas” — Doja Cat
“The King and I” — Eminem & CeeLo Green
“Tupelo Shuffle” — Swae Lee & Diplo
“I Got a Feelin’ in My Body (Stuart Price Remix)” — Elvis Presley and Stuart Price
“Craw-Fever” — Elvis Presley
“Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix)” — Elvis Presley & PNAU
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” — Kacey Musgraves
“Product of the Ghetto” — Elvis Presley & Nardo Wick
“If I Can Drea” — Måneskin
“Cotton Candy Land” — Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
“Baby, Let’s Play House” — Austin Butler
“I’m Coming Home (Film Mix)” — Elvis Presley
“Hound Dog” — Shonka Dukureh
“Tutti Frutti” — Les Greene
“Strange Things Are Happening Every Day” — Yola
“Hound Dog” — Austin Butler
“Let It All Hang Out” — Denzel Curry
“Trouble” — Austin Butler
“I Got a Feelin’ in My Body” — Lenesha Randolph
“Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) ” — Elvis Presley & Tame Impala
“Summer Kisses/In My Body” — Elvis Presley
“’68 Comeback Special (Medley)” ” — Elvis Presley
“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” — Jazmine Sullivan
“If I Can Dream” — Elvis Presley
“Any Day Now” — Elvis Presley
“Power of My Love” — Elvis Presley & Jack White
“Vegas Rehearsal/That’s All Right” — Austin Butler & Elvis Presley
“Suspicious Minds (Film Edit) ” — Elvis Presley
“Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley
“Burning Love (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley
“It’s Only Love” — Elvis Presley
“Suspicious Minds” — Paravi
“In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) ” — Elvis Presley featuring Nardo Wick
“Unchained Melody (Film Mix) ” — Elvis Presley

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If you’re a Grateful Dead fan who also happens to like the New York Yankees, here’s some cool news for you: The first 1,000 fans who purchase a special-event ticket to the Yankees’ August 1 home game will receive a collectible Jerry Garcia Bobblehead doll.

The promotion takes place on what would’ve been the late Garcia’s 80th birthday. The doll depicts Garcia with gray hair and a gray beard holding a guitar and wearing a Yankees home jersey, complete with pinstripes, the team’s interlocking NY logo on the front and the number 80 on the back.

Tickets to the game, which will feature the Yankees facing off against the Seattle Mariners, are available now at MLB.com. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated to The Grateful Dead’s Rex Foundation charity, which supports people involved with creative endeavors in the arts, sciences and education.

Fans can pick up their doll at Yankee Stadium by heading to the Bobblehead redemption table located on the Field Level next to Gate 2 up to one hour after the game’s first pitch is scheduled to be thrown.

It’s worth noting that a number of Grateful Dead fans have taken exception to the Yankees-themed Garcia Bobblehead, with some pointing out in the comments of a post on Jerry’s Facebook page that, as a native of the Bay Area, the legendary musician was a big San Francisco Giants fan.

Garcia died August 9, 1995, at the age of 53.

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Stephen Stills has joined the growing ranks of famous rock artists who have sold the rights to their musical recordings for a big payday.

Stills’ recorded music assets have been acquired by longtime Eagles manager Irving Azoff‘s Iconic Artists Group company, whose roster also includes David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt and The Beach Boys.

The 77-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist’s recorded assets include his solo work as well as music he created as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Manassas, The Stills-Young Band and other projects. Stills has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice — with Buffalo Springfield and CSN.

The agreement also includes an interest in Stephen’s band trademarks and the use of his name and likeness.

In the wake of the acquisition, plans are in the works to release an archival live solo album that Stills recorded in 1971 in Berkeley, California, in support of his second solo album, Stephen Stills 2, and an expanded, 50th anniversary reissue of Manassas’ 1972 self-titled debut album.

“Music is one of the greatest driving forces in my life, a means to communicate a universal language, and it’s comforting to know my life’s work is in the very best hands with Irving and the Iconic team,” Stills says in a statement. “With the unreleased recordings I’m uncovering from my vault, and the 50th anniversary of Manassas, it couldn’t have been a more opportune time.”

Adds Azoff, “I have had the pleasure of knowing Stephen for more than 50 years and he is certainly one of rock’s most enduring American treasures. I’m pleased that we will be working together to preserve, expand, and share his musical legacy for his next generation of fans.”

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Neil Young will release a new live album and concert film titled Noise & Flowers on August 5, which was recorded during his nine-date 2019 European tour with his frequent backing group, Promise of the Real.

The album and film are dedicated to Young’s longtime friend and manager, Elliot Roberts, who died at age 76 just a couple of weeks before the trek was launched.

Noise & Flowers, which can be preordered now, will be available on CD, as a two-LP vinyl set, via digital formats and as a deluxe CD/two-LP/Blu-ray collection featuring the film on the Blu-ray disc. In addition, a standalone Blu-ray can be purchased exclusively at Young’s Greedy Hand Store. The film was co-directed by Young and his wife, Daryl Hannah, under their Bernard Shakey and dhlovelife pseudonyms.

“Playing in [Elliot’s] memory [made it] one of the most special tours ever,” Young notes in the album’s liner notes. “We hit the road and took his great spirit with us into every song. This music belongs to no one. It’s in the air. Every note was played for music’s great friend, Elliot.”

Noise & Flowers includes performances of a wide range of songs from Young’s back catalog, including classics such as “Mr. Soul,” “Helpless” and “Rockin’ in the Free World” and deeper cuts like “On the Beach,” “I’ve Been Waiting for You” and “Winterlong.”

One track, a rendition of the 1992 tune “From Hank to Hendrix,” has been issued as an advance digital single, while a video of the performance has been posted on Young’s official YouTube channel.

Those who purchase Noise & Flowers at the Greedy Hand Store will receive a high-res digital download of the album from Young’s Xstream Store at his NeilYoungArchives.com website.

Here’s Noise & Flowers full track list:

“Mr. Soul”
“Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”
“Helpless”
“Field of Opportunity”
“Alabama”
“Throw Your Hatred Down”
“Rockin’ in the Free World”
“Comes a Time”
“From Hank to Hendrix”
“On the Beach”
“Are You Ready for the Country”
“I’ve Been Waiting for You”
“Winterlong”
“F***in’ Up”

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Styx‘s Tommy Shaw is among the artists who have lent their talents to veteran British producer, composer and musician Alan Parsons‘ latest album, From the New World, which will be released on July 15.

Shaw is featured on a song titled “Uroboros.” The album also includes guest appearances by acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, ex-Ambrosia singer David Pack and James Durbin, an American Idol alum and former Quiet Riot frontman.

Parsons has released a track titled “I Won’t Be Led Astray” as a new advance single that features Pack on vocals and Bonamassa on guitar. A music video for the song also has debuted on the Frontiers Music label’s YouTube channel.

The album can be preordered now and is available on CD, as a CD/DVD-audio set, as a colored-vinyl LP, digitally and as a Collector’s Box Set.

The box set includes the CD, the DVD audio disc, a blue-vinyl LP, a t-shirt, a poster, a digipak version of the Alan Parsons Live Project‘s Live in Madrid concert album and more.

Here’s the full track list of From the New World:

“Fare Thee Well”
“The Secret”
“Uroboros” — featuring Tommy Shaw of Styx
“Don’t Fade Now”
“Give ‘Em My Love” — featuring James Durbin and Joe Bonamassa
“Obstacles”
“I Won’t Be Led Astray” — featuring David Pack and Joe Bonamassa
“You Are the Light”
“Halo”
“Goin’ Home”
“Be My Baby”

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After The Zombies canceled two shows in Ontario, Canada, this week because founding singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent contracted COVID-19, the band launches the second leg of its 2022 Life Is a Merry-Go-Round Tour tonight in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Interestingly, Blunstone also celebrates his 77th birthday today.

The North American summer trek features 26 shows, and is mapped out through a three-night stand, July 28-30, in Park City, Utah.

Fans who attend the shows can expect the British Invasion group to perform their classic hits, some deeper cuts from their 1960s heyday and a few brand-new tunes that will be featured on the band’s upcoming studio album, which is expected to be released in the coming months.

Argent tells ABC Audio that it’s very important for the band to continue to make new music and to include fresh material in their concerts. He also notes that in general, Zombies fans have been reacting very positively to the new songs that the group has been performing.

“Obviously, if we play ‘Time of the Season,’ the place erupts,” Argent explains. “But…[when we play a] new song after that, [while the reaction isn’t] quite as amazing as we get after ‘Time of the Season’…it’s a really, really significant reaction…So people embrace that as well.”

One of the new tunes The Zombies are playing is “Merry-Go-Round,” which is the song that the tour is named after. Argent says “Merry-Go-Round” was one of the first tracks that the band recorded for the upcoming album, and he feels that it could be chosen as a single.

You can check out The Zombies’ full schedule at TheZombiesMusic.com. No word yet if the canceled Ontario shows will be rescheduled.

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The 13th annual Global Beatles Day will be observed on Saturday, June 25.

The event, which was founded in 2009 by an Indianapolis-based Beatles fan named Faith Cohen, was established to honor the music and ideals of the Fab Four’s members and their many contributions to the world’s culture, including their promotion of peace and love.

June 25 was chosen as the date of the annual event because that was the day in 1967 that The Beatles’ performance of “All You Need Is Love” was part of Our World, a famous satellite broadcast that aired around the world.

This year, in addition to generally celebrating the band on June 25, Cohen is asking people to send a link to a video of the 1967 “All You Need Is Love” performance, which can be found at DailyMotion.com, to “10 people who matter” as a way to spread the message of peace and love around the world.

“This could be to family, friends and coworkers or elected officials,” Cohen says. “It could be kings, queens, princes, presidents, ambassadors, military leaders and law enforcement organizations.”

She adds, “We want them to send links to 10 people or organizations that matter in running our world and keeping it going. Then we want them to ask those 10 entities to send it on to 10 more and ask them to do the same. On and on … Send the link to those in power, from the local to global level, who keep the world running.”

You also can check out Cohen’s general suggestions for 10 ways you can celebrate Global Beatles Day at the event’s official site.

Interestingly, Paul McCartney‘s headlining set at England’s Glastonbury Festival coincides with the 2022 Global Beatles Day.

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Former White Stripes frontman Jack White has shared a preview of his contribution to the soundtrack for the upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, Elvis.

The song is a combination of Presley’s 1969 recording of “Power of My Love” and White’s new vocals.

“It is an incredible honor to be a part of this ‘duet’ with the king of rock n’ roll,” White writes in a message posted on his social media sites, along with a video playing a clip of the track.

Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, stars Austin Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Both the film and its soundtrack, which also features Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak, Rufus Thomas, Gary Clark Jr., Eminem, CeeLo Green and many others, will be released this Friday, June 24.

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