Americana UK reviewed Rain Crow, the new album from Tony Joe White ahead of its release this Friday, 27th May. Read it in full, below:
The Swamp Fox returns with some irresistable Southern Gothic fables - 8/10
The legend that is Tony Joe White, the loquacious Louisiana raconteur who wrote ‘Rainy Night in Georgia’ and ‘Polk Salad Annie’ makes a welcome return with ‘Rain Crow’ his second album for Yep Roc. Produced by his son Jody, with some co-writes from his wife, Leann, and recorded in his own studio, ‘Rain Crow’ exemplifies White’s gift for telling a good story. The album delightfully shimmers with references to crawdads, ‘gators, moonshine and other Southern tropes. ‘The Bad Wind’ is a grim tale about a cuckold wronged by his baby girl, who he trails to a cafe downtown to an assignation with her new beau, where the only item on the menu is a loaded 12-Gauge. One could easily imagine former Bad Seed Nick Cave covering ‘Bad Wind’; its filmic lyrics embroidered with a dark but engaging rhythm that billows like a shroud.
White co-wrote ‘The Middle of Nowhere’ with neighbour Billy Bob Thornton, it tells the sweet story of Joe Carroll, a friend of White’s with Down’s Syndrome who longed to get on the yellow school bus and go to class with the other students. ‘Joe, you’re 30 years old’ says his Ma, as they sit on the porch together watching the bus depart. ‘Ain’t no place for you on that bus.’ It’s a deeply moving song that resonates with the sympathetic spirit of Thornton’s role of Karl Childers in the film ‘Sling Blade’ for which he won an Oscar for best original screenplay. On ‘Right back in the Fire’ the hoodoo guru opens his heart with a tender tale that reveals how a chance meeting with an ex- rekindled an incendiary flame. ‘Do you know what your hand-written letters meant to me? / Does the rain still sound the same on your roof?’ White’s longing is captured in a tortured vocal which sounds like Ian Curtis, if he’d forgone the rope and lived on into his seventies and, natch’... if he’d been born in the USA. ‘Where do they go?’ with its lyric ‘Where do hummingbirds go when winter’s coming on? / Do they make their way down south, to find a place that’s warm? / I’d like to know, where do they go?’ turns into a reflection on mortality, with White musing on his grandparent’s demise, whilst obviously thinking about his own eventual departure.
Dark thoughts muster for a finite number of days. There is a darkness that pervades much of White’s work, that’s not to say that it’s depressing, far from it. ‘Rain Crow’ exudes the kind of murky warmth that welcomes us into the paludal depths where we can blissfully wallow.
Pre-order Rain Crow here.
See Tony Joe White live in concert across the UK & Europe this October and November. Click for full details and to purchase tickets here.
Curtis Stigers announces UK & Europe dates for Summer 2016
Curtis Stigers has announced UK & Europe dates for Summer 2016.
Dates include the Montreux Jazz Festival on the shores of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, Helsinki's Savoy Theater and a June residency at London's legendary Ronnie Scott's.
Full details on the tour page here.
Ethan Johns to support Lisa Fischer in London this May
Ethan Johns will be opening for Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton when she appears at the Barbican in May.
Ethan is renowned for the vividness and purity of his productions with the likes of Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling and Paul McCartney. He first came into view as the drummer/guitar player with Crosby, Stills and Nash and then as a guitarist in Emmylou Harris' band, and subsequently, as a producer. He played all the lead guitars, drums, bass and piano on Ray LaMontagne's 2004 breakthrough debut album Trouble and is now making a name for himself as a songwriter and performer in his own right.
Tickets for Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton at the Barbican London on May 20th can be purchased here.
James McCartney announces London residency
Following 2013′s critically received debut album Me, James McCartney's journey now continues with the announcement of a three-night residency at London's The Islington on Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 10th & Thursday 17th December.
Tickets On-sale: Friday 6th November 9am. Click here for tickets.
Having spent much of 2013 on the road touring the US, Europe and the UK and playing to bigger crowds, who have discovered his songs and music organically, James is now set to release new music in 2016.
"The set of songs I'm currently working on definitely have a harder edge, but the thread of commonality that runs through them, is a great lyric or a great melody."
Melding influences ranging from current indie rockette's Warpaint with shades of Nirvana, James' new material promises one thing; not to conform. "That's the main thing for me as an artist, not to compromise lyrically, musically or artistically."
Full Event Information:
Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 10th & 17th December
The Islington, London
Online at: ticketmaster.co.uk | AXS.com | seetickets.com | songkick.com
Cher's rescheduled D2K tour dates announced
The one and only Cher, whose phenomenally successful 'Dressed to Kill' Tour was postponed for several weeks due to the star's recent illness, has now confirmed the newly rescheduled dates which are as follows:
Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum - November 21, 2014
Albany, NY - Times Union Center - December 4, 2014
Hartford, CT - XL Center December - 13, 2014
Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena - January 5, 2015
Boston, MA - TD Garden - January 7, 2015
State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center - January 9, 2015
Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena - January 11, 2015
Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre - January 13, 2015
Ft Wayne, IN - War Memorial Coliseum - January 15, 2015
Green Bay, WI - Resch Center - January 17, 2015
Moline, IL - iwireless Center - January 19, 2015
Chicago, IL - United Center - January 21, 2015
Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena - January 23, 2015
Sioux Falls, SD - Denny Sanford Center - January 25, 2015
Omaha, NE - CenturyLink Center - January 27, 2015
Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena - January 29, 2015
Fargo, ND - Fargodome - February 4, 2015
Tickets purchased for original or rescheduled dates will be honored for these latest newly rescheduled dates. Fans that are unable to attend the new date can obtain a refund at point of purchase.
The Grammy, Oscar and Emmy winning star is on the mend and already in rehearsals to continue her stunning extravaganza which began last March in Phoenix and played for 49 shows across the US. The D2K Tour has received some of the greatest reviews of the legendary star's career.
This second leg will include a totally new wardrobe which was created in collaboration with long time designer Bob Mackie and according to Cher is "more incredible than ever". Cher's current CD "Dressed to Kill debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Pop Charts and includes the No. 1 dance hit "Woman's World".
The complete Cher Dressed To Kill Tour dates follow this release. Further information can be found on the D2K tour page here.
Cher's D2K Tour:
Sun, Nov 09 - Lubbock, TX - United Supermarkets Arena
Tues, Nov 11 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
Thurs, Nov 13 - Corpus Christi, TX - American Bank Center
Sat, Nov 15 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyLink Center
Mon, Nov 17 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Bay Center
Weds, Nov 19 - Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum
Fri, Nov 21 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum
Sun, Nov 23 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
Tues, Dec 2 - Allentown, PA - PPL Center
Thurs, Dec 4 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center
Sat, Dec 6 - Washington DC - Verizon Center
Mon, Dec 8 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
Wed, Dec 10 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Fri, Dec 12 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
Sat, Dec 13 - Hartford, CT - XL Center
Mon, Dec 15 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Mon, Jan 5 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
Weds, Jan 7 - Boston, MA - TD Garden
Fri, Jan 9 - University Park, PA - Bryce Jordan Center
Sun, Jan 11 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
Tues, Jan 13 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
Thurs, Jan 15 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Sat, Jan 17 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
Mon, Jan 19 - Moline, IL - iWireless Center
Weds, Jan 21 - Chicago, IL - United Center
Fri, Jan 23 - Cincinnati, OH - U.S. Bank Arena
Sun, Jan 25 - Sioux Falls, SD - Denny Sanford Premier Center
Tues, Jan 27 - Omaha, NE - CenturyLink Center
Thurs, Jan 29 - Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena
Weds, Feb 4 - Fargo, ND - Fargodome
José Carreras to premiere A Life in Music concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Legendary tenor José Carreras will premiere his stunning new show at the Royal Albert Hall in May: a very personal, intimate career retrospective from one of the world's greatest ever opera stars. This follows his triumphant return to the stage with the new opera El Juez in season 2014/15.
A Life in Music will take fans on a unique musical journey, as José sings the songs that have influenced and defined his life, from the tunes he loved as a boy to the arias and songs he performed as one of the famous Three Tenors, alongside Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
José Carreras said: "I am incredibly excited about presenting my new show at the Royal Albert Hall. For me this will be a very special occasion to share all of the music that means the most to me."
"There will be 'greatest hits' and many special surprises, as I celebrate A Life in Music. I hope you can join me on May 15th for what promises to be an incredible evening."
The show, which is in London for one night only, will see the Grammy and Emmy award-winning classical superstar accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as he revisits many of his all time favourite pieces."
Lucy Noble, Director of Events at the Royal Albert Hall, said: "We always strive to bring the world's most popular and respected artists to the Hall, and there are very few as beloved or renowned than the extraordinary José Carreras, whose genius has thrilled the world for generations.
"It is a tremendous honour for us to play host to the world premiere of José's first ever career retrospective: a veritable wish list of classics for any fan of his incomparable work – or of the classical world in general."
José Carreras has made well over 80 recordings, including 50 complete operas, and has sold more than 85 million records. He has performed in every major opera house in the world, and has been awarded doctorates from 16 universities for his services to music.
A Life in Music will include opera, operetta, musical numbers, music from the Mediterranean and songs from the Belle Époque.
"This is my personal selection of arias and songs that have been special to me at different times through my long career," he said. "It is an ode to life because in this music is the passion, the emotion, a feeling in my heart and soul that I attempt to express with my voice."
"It is always very special for me when I perform in London. I am really looking forward to singing at the Royal Albert Hall once more as it is one of the most special places to perform in the world. I plan to make it a wonderful evening full of great music together with all of my British friends."
It will be José's first headline appearance at the Royal Albert Hall since 2008, when he starred in a gala concert in aid of The José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation* and Mencap.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 2nd October. Visit royalalberthall.com.
* In 1987, José was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and given a 1 in 10 chance of survival. Since making a full recovery following an extensive course of treatment, Jose has performed around the world for the last decade and has established the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation which began in Barcelona and now has branches in the United States, Switzerland and Germany.
Susan Boyle announces South Africa date
Susan Boyle is the highlight of the line-up for YOU's sister magazine Huisgenoot's SuperSkouspel on 19 September at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Huisgenoot Skouspel, the pioneering Afrikaans music concert that's rocked Sun City annually over the past 15 years, becomes SuperSkouspel this year.
Instead of consisting of several shows over two weekends, just one major concert accommodating 30 000 people will be held on Saturday, 19 September, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
This year Huisgenoot has joined forces with kykNet and Big Concerts to reinvent Skouspel.
The date of the event has been selected to coincide with Heritage Day (on 24 September) and the Rugby World Cup tournament. "We'll be celebrating our South African heritage with Afrikaans as the main character," says Karen Meiring, head of kykNet.
Tickets available here.
Further information on Susan's appearance in South Africa can be found here.
Hunter Hayes announces return to UK this Autumn
HUNTER HAYES TO BRING EVEN MORE "CRAZY" TO UK AND IRELAND THIS AUTUMN
Five-time GRAMMY nominee announces return for Let's Be Crazier Tour following sold-out run of UK shows.
LONDON – (26th May, 2015) – Hunter Hayes has had so much fun in the UK this spring, he's coming back as soon as possible. Following a sold-out run of shows in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow over the last few days, Hayes announced today that he'll be returning for a second leg of the Let's Be Crazier Tour starting in September.
"The crowds here in the UK have been fantastic," said Hayes. "The fact that we sold out our first UK run within seconds is just surreal to me, and it's such a great feeling to see fans over here singing our songs and coming out to support us every night."
UK fans embraced Hayes enthusiastically during his latest visit, which he made in support of his first UK album, I Want Crazy, released on 25th May. The album includes several of the five-time GRAMMY nominee's biggest hits, including the UK singles "Tattoo" and "Light Me Up" and the multi-Platinum smashes "Wanted" and "I Want Crazy."
During the Autumn leg of the Let's Be Crazier Tour, Hayes will make stops in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. Ticketing information for each is available below:
27th September: Birmingham The Institute | 0844 844 0444 | ticketmaster.co.uk
28th September: Bristol O2 Academy | 0844 477 2000 | ticketweb.co.uk
30th September: London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire | 0844 477 2000 | ticketweb.co.uk
1st October: Manchester Academy 2 | 0161 832 1111 | ticketline.co.uk
2nd October: Glasgow O2 ABC | 0844 477 2000 | ticketweb.co.uk
3rd October: Dublin Vicar Street | 0818 719 300 | ticketmaster.ie
For more information and the latest updates, visit HunterHayes.com and follow on Twitter @HunterHayesand Facebook.com/HunterHayes.