Ramblings

This guy is off to see Spiderman again this evening. And I'm supposed to be working on a review of the "Eastwood After Hours" DVD for the Digital Bits. Bill, I'm working on it buddy!! We also have some additions coming having to do with upcoming releases. I'm going to work on a weekly feature that rambles off the upcoming releases by label and their release dates. Watch for that. Lets see what has transpired over the course of the day.

Notables (Slow News Day)

Michael Jackson is offering his fans a chance to do some song writing with him. Talk about slick marketing.....Fans of the band Boston may be pleased to know that they have a tour planned. Here's your details.....and finally, The Stones plan on riding into NYC in a blimp to announce the details of their newest tour. Now, this is one that everyone should attend as it may be the Stones last.

May 07 2002

Stones on Tour

Notables

The announcement made today in dramatic fashion by circling a park in NYC in a yellow blimp decked out with the Stones logo. Celebrating 40 great years as a band and ready to acknowledge that by giving the world a tour AND a greatest hits package which will include new songs. The tour begins Sept 5th in Boston and will include 3 different sets and productions. In short, you could go see them 3 times and get three different shows. Thus far there are 32 dates. Where they play the same city, they will alternate venues to complete the shows. This is a must attend!!.....A moment of silence and hats off to Otis Blackwell, who wrote many songs, over a thousand of them. Songs like"Daddy Rolling Stone", "All Shook Up", "Return to Sender" and "Great Balls of Fire". Blackwell died Monday at age 70 of a heart attack.....A note from the webmaster at YesWorld reveals that a concerted effort by Atco Records and Rhino will result in a box set entitled "In a Word: Yes (1969 - )" The set will release July 16th and will feature 55 tracks spanning the career of Yes as well as 6 unreleased tracks, an 80 page book and new Roger Dean artwork. A YES tour is also coming.....

May 08 2002

Contest Ending May 10th at midnight for Wishbone Ash's "Bona Fide". Send your top ten favourite CD titles list to qualify. Simple as that. the 10th email that I receive wins the CD, which, I might add, is not available in the USA other than www.wishboneash.com. Thanks to Wishbone Ash for the giveaway copy. Check out the review of "Bona Fide" here.

Notables

Mariah Carey has signed a deal with Island Def Jam to distribute her own label stamp. She is apparently back in the studio preparing a new studio.....R Kelly will be interviewed tonight on BET 11:30p/8:30p ET/PT. This should be interesting as you know its PR to help alleviate the bad press. Hey, look what happened to Michael Jackson when allegations came out about him.....Nils Lofgren has released a new CD titled "Break Away Angel" I'm hoping to secure a copy for review.....Aimee Mann is in the studios working on her newest "Lost in Space". Also, Sanctuary Records will be releasing a live recording of "Pet Sounds" on June 11th.

Ramblings

My friend Bill Hunt of DigitalBits.com attended a private viewing of Stars Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones last night. You may be very interested in what he has to say concerning the film.....I was perusing the bins at Amoeba Music in LA last weekend and uncovered a gem. The CD was "Sense of Direction", a 1974 release by Climax Blues Band. What a find. I'm blown away by the vastness of selection at Amoeba and will be a regular customer. Now, where did my wallet get off to?

NOTE to my OverSeasVisitors: How can I make this site more interesting to you? Talk to me.

May 09 2002

I've just turned in my DVD review of "Eastwood After Hours" to Digital Bits. It can be accessed here. There are reports that ticket prices will rise over the summer with the travel of top-tiered bands like Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. While some bands will keep it at affordable levels, it does look like a trend for upper echelon bands to take advantage of.....Good news for Who fans. A two disc collection of tunes from the 60s thru the 80s will be released on June 11th. The Who: The Ultimate Collection is the package to watch for.....There is also the Public Enemy release due on July 23rd called Revolverlution..... Congratulations to Jon Bon Jovi and his wife. They now have a new baby boy born on May 7.....R Kelly, in his most effective Clintonesque press grabbing. says that he did not have sex with that girl, that it is not he in those pictures now presently traversing the internet....Welcome Bits Readers.....A great big hi, and hug, to Georgia Faith. She's gonna be my pal.....I've axed the birthday thing cuz who really cares anyway. If you did, write and tell me. The Tours section is coming back.

May 10 - May 12 2002 Weekend

Contest Over! Contest Winner is Luke Murray of Dunkirk, NY!! I'll Send the Wishbone Ash CD "Bona Fide" out quickly! Thanks to all that participated. Thanks to Wishbone Ash and their generous contribution to the contest.

We hear that the family of Jimi Hendrix is going after the early recordings held by PPX Enterprises. The recordings in question are ones that were made when Jimi was in a band called Curtis Knight & The Squires. It's gone to court with the family wanting total control of the tapes....Bob Dylan is going out on the road on yet once again. The guy don't quit, but ain't you glad he doesn't......The band, Chicago, is in for a big celebration. First off is a Greatest Hits collection entitled "Complete Greatest Hits" that encompasses their entire career, due July 5. After which, every album they have recorded will be re-released in remastered format. Additionally, they will begin a summer tour in late May. The deluxe versions of their first three will be released July 16......Eddie Van Halen says hes got a clean bill of health after suffering from cancer. He says they'll be heard from very soon. Did the 2 ex rouse him from slumber?.....Mick Jagger gets the dirt spilled on him now....And now, the Osbournes get a few more bucks for their retirement fund. Ozzy and clan has signed a two book deal with Simon and Schuster. the first book, a tie-in to the wildly popular series, The Osbournes, while the second volume will be a tell all between the family members.....A British poll has culminated in the listing of the all time greatest singles. Check out the listing and you decide:

1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

2. Imagine - John Lennon

3. Hey Jude - The Beatles

4. Dancing Queen - Abba

5. Like a Prayer - Madonna

6. Angels - Robbie Williams

7. Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles

8. Wannabe - Spice Girls

9. Yesterday -The Beatles

10. Let It Be - The Beatles

11. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

12. Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis

13. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

14. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

15. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

16. Losing My Religion - REM

17. Hotel California - The Eagles

18. (Everything I do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams

19. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum

20. With or Without You - U2

21. Candle in the Wind - Elton John

22. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

23. Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

24. Vogue - Madonna

25. Heartbeat/Tragedy - Steps

26. Thriller - Michael Jackson

27. Never Ever - All Saints

28. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

29. I Turn To You - Melanie C

30. Wonderwall - Oasis

Finally, fans buying their pre-sale Stones tix crashed the server that handled the sales for Sam Goody. Not to mention the tidy rip-off that Sam Goody/Stones propagated against the fans. Seems that Sam Goody charges a 60 dollar fee to acquire the privilege to buy pre-sale tix. Bummer! But it didn't stop the fans, it usually doesn't, and the press crash the server. Fans, look at it this way...take the time out to snap out of your stupor and wait...wait for the usual method. Someone has to stop the madness that fuels these ridiculous price fixes....Finally, Jerry Garcia's two guitars, Tiger and Wolf sold for a total of $1.75 million in an auction.

Have a great weekend!! I'm off to see the White Sox beat up on the Angels. I hope. Can't have Minnesota keeping the edge, right Bill?. Owww, back from the game. Sox lose 19-0. That couldn't have happened.