Nick Jonas takes his Administration on the road
Tour starts Jan. 2; album out Feb. 2
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Nick Jonas
Credit: AP Photo
Wednesday night’s performance on "Grammy Nominations Concert Live" by Nick Jonas & the Administration may be your first chance to see the younger JoBro’s solo outing, but it won’t be the last.
The band will start a 14-city tour on Jan. 2, followed by a new album out Feb. 2, according to People.
Jonas Bros.' fans know that Nick was originally signed as a solo act, so this move should come as no surprise. With no disrespect to the contributions by his brothers, Joe and Kevin, Nick is the musical leader of the group in the same way that Taylor Hanson is the top talent within Hanson.
Before any Jonas Bros. fans throw themselves off a building, NJ and the Admin is a side project and the Jonas Bros. will continue. The Jonas Bros. are not breaking up. Step away from the ledge. This just means there’s more Nick to go around.
Backing up Nick in the new venture are three member of Prince’s New Power Generation and Jonas Bros.’s producer John Fields. “The funk R&B rock style we’ were going for is definitely there, “ Nick tells People.
'Good Morning America' to Chris Brown: you can talk, but you can't sing
What was morning show thinking?
Chris Brown leaving a courthouse last month on Nov. 19
Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon
“Good Morning America” keeps putting its foot in its mouth. Let’s recap, shall we? First, ABC’s morning program cancels Adam Lambert’s Nov. 24 appearance after the network receives more than 1,500 complaints following his salacious show-closer, “For Your Entertainment” on Nov. 22’s “American Music Awards.” CBS’s “The Early Show” quickly grabs Lambert, who performs without incident and manages not to repeat a man-on-man kiss or grind faces into his crotch simulating oral sex.
Team Lambert goes on the offensive, basically accusing anyone who complains about his AMA appearance of being homophobic since no one raised such a fuss when Madonna and Britney Spears locked lips on MTV. I’ll grant him half a point on that one: that kiss took place on cable outlet MTV, which is vastly different than ABC. Plus, let’s not make this wholly a gay vs. straight issue since CBS is still dealing with the firestorm created by the Justin Timberlake/Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction from the Super Bowl several years ago.
But I digress. A few days after cancelling Lambert on the grounds that ABC couldn’t ensure that the delicate sensibilities of the housewives watching “GMA” wouldn’t be offended by something Lambert committed during his performance, “GMA” announced that it would feature an interview and performance with Chris Brown. That same Chris Brown, who is now a convicted felon for assaulting Rihanna. Call me crazy, but I don’t think there’s a mugshot of Lambert floating around. So, if I have this straight, “GMA” is saying that we’ll let you come perform if you hit a woman, but if you’re a man and you kiss another man, that we just can’t have.
So, as you can imagine, “GMA” then starts to catch hell for its latest action. So today, according to Associated Press, “GMA” cancelled Chris Brown’s Dec. 11 performance. The interview with Brown, that will also be on “20/20” will air, but he will not be allowed to perform, and, therefore, promote his new CD (Yeah, we’re sure they won’t even mention that he has a new project). Instead, he’ll explain and apologize for the umpteenth time why he hit Rihanna. ‘GMA” falls under ABC’s News division, not the entertainment division—not that you’d know it by watching most mornings—therefore, it can justify the interview as a news story.
In some ways, this is the only way that “GMA” could handle this once it bungled the Lambert appearance, but I wish the show had simply grown a pair and kept Lambert’s performance as slated. Then it could have also gotten a news scoop: the first interview with him about his AMA appearance and the aftermath. Instead, it then committed another blunder that it had to right.
Norah Jones takes 'The Fall' on the road in the Spring
Beastie Boys and Beck tapped for track remixes
Norah Jones
Norah Jones, who’s rocking a guitar instead of sitting behind the piano on her new album, “The Fall,” will hit the road in support of the new album in March.
Additionally, starting tomorrow, Jones will begin premiering remixes of tracks from “The Fall.” On Dec. 1, Rcrd Lbl will debut a remix of “That’s What I Said (The NYC Remix by The Beastie Boys’ Adrock and Mike D)”; Dec. 2, Stereogum will debut “Chasing Pirates (Santigold and Snotty remix), while the Droogs' remix of “Chasing Pirates,” will be on Artist Direct on Dec. 3. The Droogs is a collective that includes Beck.
Dates for Jones’ tour are below.
March 5 Tulsa, OK Brady Theater
March 6 Kansas City, MO The Midland
March 7 Omaha, NE Orpheum
March 9 Des Moines, IA Civic Center
March 11 Akron, OH E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall
March 12 Louisville, KY Whitney Hall
March 13 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
March 15 Madison, WI Overture Hall
March 17 St. Paul, MN The O'Shaughnessy
March 19 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
March 20 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
March 25 Boston, MA Wang Theatre
March 26 Mashantucket, CT MGM Foxwoods
March 27 New York, NY WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden
March 30 Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House
April 1 Charlottesville, VA The Paramount Theater
April 2 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
April 3 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
April 18 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
April 19 Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Hall
April 21 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
April 23 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theater
April 24 San Diego, CA Spreckels Theatre
April 25 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theater
April 28 Albuquerque, NM Kiva Auditorium
April 29 El Paso, TX Plaza Theatre
May 1 Austin, TX Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
May 4 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre
May 5 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
May 6 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre
May 8 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
May 9 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre
May 11 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
May 12 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
May 14 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
April 28 Albuquerque, NM Kiva Auditorium
April 29 El Paso, TX Plaza Theatre
May 1 Austin, TX Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
May 4 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre
May 5 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
May 6 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre
May 8 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
May 9 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre
May 11 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
May 12 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
May 14 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
May 15 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Allison Iraheta, The Bravery, R. Kelly lead Dec. 1 new album releases
Will Iraheta outsell fellow 'American Idols' Adam Lambert and Kris Allen?
R. Kelly wants to be Number One
Following last week’s Super Monday, releases slow slightly before picking back up the rest of December. However, the flow of major-label debuts from “American Idol” contestants continues unabated as we see the third effort in as many weeks with Allison Iraheta’s “Just Like You.” R. Kelly returns with his ninth studio album, full of slow grinds and salacious come ons, and Kanye West protégé, British singer Mr. Hudson, continues his quest for stateside stardom.
The Bravery, “Stir the Blood” (Island): After moonlighting on Shakira’s new album (co-founder Sam Endicott co-wrote title track, “She Wolf”), rockers release third full-length studio album, produced by John Hill. The first single, “Slow Poison,” peaked at No. 23 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart. The album also includes the song “Hatefuck,” which spawned the controversial video.
Enya, “The Very Best of Enya” (Warner): Available as a CD or CD/DVD, this collection highlights the greatest hits from the ethereal sounding Irish lass. The tracks span her 22-year career including “Orinoco Flow” and “Only Time.”
Allison Iraheta, “Just Like You” (19/Jive): “American Idol” runner up follows new releases from fellow season eight participants Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. See review here.
Juvenile, “Cocky & Confident” (UTP/Atlantic/E1): Rapper’s first album in three year features a number of special guests including Pleasure P, Bobby V and Rico Love. Juvenile is now 34….we’re just saying.
R. Kelly, “Untitled” (Jive): Following this summer’s mixtape, “The Demo Tape,” scandal-plagued R&B singer returns with his much-delayed ninth studio album. First single, “Number One,” with Keri Hilson, reached No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Mr. Hudson, “Straight No Chaser,” (G.O.O.D. Music/Mercury): British R&B/hip-hop artist hopes to replicate his homegrown success with this set, executive produced by Kanye West (who featured him on “Paranoid” from “808s & Heartbreak.).
Bob Seger, “Early Seger, Vol. 1” (Hideout): New recordings from the Detroit rocker are few and far between these days, so fans will have to settle for this 10-cut collection that includes four previously unreleased tracks from the early ‘70s, as well as five remastered cuts from “Back in 72” and “Smokin’ O.P.’s.”
Review: Allison Iraheta’s ‘Just Like You’
'American Idol' showcases her potent pipes
Allison Iraheta's "Just Like You"
Credit: 19/Jive
At 16, the magenta-haired Allison Iraheta was the youngest contestant on “American Idol,” but she quickly proved more than capable of holding her own among singers much older than she. The confidence and bravado, the now-17 year old displayed on the reality show is amplified on “Just Like You,” her major label debut out Dec. 1.
Iraheta’s strength is her ability to plant her feet and belt out a tune, so it’s no surprise that most of the songs here are tailored to her big voice. Even the mid-tempo selections allow her flex her pipes. She comes across like a junior Pink or Kelly Clarkson on many of the tunes, including pop punky first single “Friday I’ll Be Over U”; her voice has the same huskiness. (Speaking of, Pink co-wrote the mid-tempo somewhat bland “No One Else” here; Pink also co-wrote Adam Lambert’s new single, “Whataya Want from Me.”)
Iraheta has found her sweet spot: powerhouse pop/rock melodies that allow her go from a whisper to a scream as warranted. For someone so young, she already has a knack for finding the right phrasing and emotional level for each song. Her performance of Janis Joplin’s “Cry Baby” on “AI” and her outsized vocals have lead to comparisons to Pearl, whom she adores, but that’s way, way too heavy a mantle to hang on anyone. However, it’s going to be a pleasure watching how her delivery and song choices develop as she gets a little more life experience under her belt.
Among the solid pop/rock songs here there are a few mixed messages: on girl-empowerment tune “Don’t Waste the Pretty,” she sings in a more restrained tone to great effect about not spending a minute on someone who’s not worth it. It could be her “Beautiful.” But then she turns around on the spiky “Beat Me Up,” singing about a guy who, if not physically abusive, runs her through the emotional ringer and she stays around nonetheless. Not a good message to send to anyone, especially impressionable young girls. It’s a shame it’s such a damn catchy tune.
Other songs worth noting are “Trouble Is,” a gorgeous ballad that melodically is a little like Robbie Williams’ “Angels.” The emotionally raw “Scars” showcases her vulnerability.
There are a few clunkers here, like “Robot Love,” which declares “technology sucks,” and is a rant against her beau’s fascination with his gadgets. Melodically, it’s a cross between Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part II” and, we’re sure this wasn’t intentional; Chili’s baby back ribs jingle. “D is for Danger” is a cute idea taken too far.
Iraheta’s the third season eight finalist to release an album, following winner Kris Allen on Nov. 17 and runner-up Lambert on Nov. 23. Third-place finisher Danny Gokey has signed with 19/RCA Nashville and is expected to release is major label debut next March. Of the three releases so far, Lambert's disc is by far the most self-assured, confident set, followed by Iraheta and then Allen.
Susan Boyle outsells Eminem for best sales week in 2009
Just how high will her 'Dream' soar?
Susan Boyle and Eminem: Birds of a feather
Credit: AP Photo
It’s one of those feel-good stories that comes along every few years that the media grabs hold of and squeezes out every last drop. Susan Boyle’s rags-to-riches tale started on “Britain’s Got Talent” when she astonished the judges with her made-for-Broadway pipes, despite her “Calling all K-Mart shoppers” looks. Her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” became a worldwide YouTube sensation.
The tale could have ended there, but it’s gone on: Boyle with an refreshing, yet awkward, confidence, submitted to a few cursory makeovers, but resolutely resisted losing weight or altering her appearance to suit the good fortune that supposedly only young, photogenic people deserve.
Now Boyle is prepped to enter the record books. Her debut CD, “I Dreamed a Dream,” will come at No. 1 on Tuesday, logging the highest first-week sales week of 2009, according to Hits Daily Double. Boyle is on target to sell up to 675,000 copies of the CD, handily topping Eminem’s “Relapse,” which sold around 605,000 units its opening frame.
As we noted earlier, she is accomplishing this feat with virtually no radio play. Instead this is solely a TV and internet phenomenom.
Furthermore, according to Britain’s The Daily Mail, “I Dreamed a Dream,” which came out last week in the U.K., is the quickest-selling debut album ever in England. The title sold more than 411,000 copies in the U.K., besting previous record-holder, Leona Lewis’s “Spirit.” It is also poised to debut at No. 1 on Canada and New Zealand.
Back to U.S., Boyle’s stunning feat robs another reality TV star, Adam Lambert, of debuting at No. 1. “For Your Entertainment” will sell around 230,000 copies, which would normally handily land him at the top.
U2 slated to headline Glastonbury in 2010
Legendary British festival turns 40
U2
U2 will headline Somerset, England’s famed Glastonbury Festival next summer in the group’s only UK/Irish date for 2010.
Glastonbury will mark its 40th anniversary in June. U2 will play June 25, according to the band’s website. Remarkably, it will be U2’s first ever appearance at Glastonbury and its first major festival show in more than 25 years.
Interview with Adam Lambert: 'Whatever the cost, so be it'
He's here for your entertainment
Adam Lambert on "The Early Show"
Credit: AP Photo
Before he dragged a woman across stage, kissed a boy (and liked it) and simulated certain sex acts during his performance on the American Music Awards, Adam Lambert talked to us about sudden fame, making his CD, "For Your Enteratinment, and what life is like post-“American Idol.”
Below are tidbits we saved for Hitfix. For much more with Lambert, click here to read our interview from MSN.com. He reveals the strangest rumor he’s ever heard about himself, whether he’s dating fellow singer/songwriter Ferras, working with Lady GaGa and what was going on in his mind with that wacky album cover.
Q: I was talking to a fellow journalist who met you backstage in Washington, D.C., who was impressed with how kind you were to a terminally ill child who came to see you. Did you have a model for that or where did that graciousness come from?
A: I actually think I learned that from being in the theater. I was working for a production of “Wicked” for almost four years on and off. I watched the women who were the leads in the show every night exit the stage door and there was a huge line of fans that wanted to take pictures that wanted autographs. I think that that really prepared me for the whole “Idol” experience and being on the tour this summer and meeting fans before and after the show. You really have to realize, “You know what? This is this person’s first time seeing you” or “This is their night to see you and they’re excited, it’s not about you.” it’s about them at that point.. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing, so we owe them a lot of gratitude …. Theater is a great teaching tool for that because you have to give the illusion of the first time every night.
Q: You’ve been very open in your interviews, whether print or TV and usually say something that makes great copy, whether it’s coming out or talking about making out with women. Is there a point where you feel like you have to coming up with something shocking to say?
A: You know what’s really funny about that is I’m not thinking, “Oh, I have to come up with something shocking.” I really feel like I’m just standing there, being interviewed, answering a bunch of questions and I think it’s actually the journalists who can choose to sensationalize something that I say. I really feel for the most part I’m being 100% myself and just being candid and open and no secrets and it gets kind of turned around sometimes or maybe it’s blown out of proportion…Sometimes I’ll go back and read something and be like (laughs), “That’s an interesting way to interpret what I said, okay.” It’s like what I’m saying being interpreted by somebody else. It’s actually kind of funny to me; I get a kick out of it.
Q: You are very focused on what kind of image you want to present and what kind of music you record for an artist just starting out. Where does that come from?
A: I’m a little older and I’ve been in the entertainment industry for a minute and I think that I just kind of have gotten clear on what I want I’d like to go for. It’s like someone gives you an opportunity and goes, “Guess what? You just got a major record deal. Now what?” You have one of two choices: you can kind of be afraid of it and let someone else be in charge of it or you can step up to the plate and [say, “Okay, cool. Thanks a lot for the opportunity and here we go and this is what I want to do.” You can either steer or let someone else steer and I like to steer (laughs).
Q: So you’re not going to be one of those artists that comes back a year from now and says you didn’t get to make the album you wanted to make.
A: No, this is the album I wanted to make. Of course, there were some time constraints. There are some limitations considering I was on tour this summer and we only had a little while to put it out. I can guarantee you I will grow in the next couple of years and evolve, but for where I’m at right now, I’m very proud of this.
Q: Working with Lady GaGa surprised no one, but what about Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo? Huh?
A: Yeah, it was random. The producer that I worked with on that song, he had a relationship with Rivers and they had begun to write this song together. He showed it to me and I said that’s a great song, I want to do that and at least that’s my end of it. I think Rivers did an interview saying they had written it for Weezer and Weezer didn’t want it, so whatever. I don’t even know what the story is anymore.
Q: What’s your last thought before your head hits the pillow at night?
A: Oh gosh, what’s next? What’s tomorrow? Right now, I’m just focused on looking ahead and then also being in the moment itself, but at night after I go to bed after a long day, I go, “Okay, that was today, you digested it and what’s tomorrow, what’s next on the agenda.”
Q: What’s the hardest thing about someone has a schedule knowing where you’ll be for the next two years.
A: I guess the inflexibility of it all, but you now what? It’s all about how you look at it. I spent the last couple of years working on a show where it was a routine, eight shows a week and I kind of burned out on that lifestyle. I really love the adventure that I’m on now, I love that it’s all in support of my project. I feel like I finally have reached my full potential. On a personal level, I’m doing what I love and it feels good. So whatever the cost of that is, so be it.
Welcome 'California Girls,' 'Riders on the Storm' and more to the 2010 Grammy Hall of Fame
Annual induction includes 25 classic songs
The Grammys have once again honored James Brown.
What do the Beach Boys’ “California Girls,” James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” and the Doors’ “Riders on the Storm” have in common? They’re all waltzing into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.
In addition to all the artists honored at the Grammy every year, governing body NARAS selects 25 tunes annually to be inducted into the hall for their historical significance. The Grammy Hall of Fame started in 1973. Songs are eligible 25 years after their initial release. The new group brings the total number of songs in the hall up to 851 (no idea where that one came from… they must have inducted 26 one year….)
Say hello to the class of 2010:
Who may be the first artist to surpass the 500,000 sales mark since Eminem?
Is it Rihanna, Adam Lambert or Susan Boyle?
Susan Boyle performs on The Today Show.
Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew
Have you heard the one about the dowdy looking, middle-aged British singer who, with virtually no airplay and armed only with a great voice, rides not only to the top of the charts, but could possibly experience one of the highest sales weeks of the year?
If not, you will. As you may know, Susan Boyle’s “I Dreamed a Dream” set a record for pre-orders at Amazon.com, but Hits Daily Double reports that following one day after its release Nov. 23, Boyle’s collection is selling at three times the estimated pre-release tally. The tip sheet predicts that “I Dreamed a Dream” could sell more than 500,000 copies in its opening frame. In May, Eminem's "Relapse" sold more than 600,000.
Let’s look at this a little further. Boyle’s competing this week against new releases from Rihanna’s “Rated R” and Adam Lambert’s “For Your Entertainment,” among many other titles. Music industry pundits would have you believe that every advantage should go to Rihanna and Lambert: they get more radio play and, most importantly, they’re younger—young enough to be Boyle’s children. Even though Boyle is on a major label, Columbia (only because Simon Cowell’s label goes through Columbia), no major label would normally come near someone like Boyle because major labels have utterly convinced themselves that artists over 40 don’t sell records, despite the RIAA stats that show that people 35 and up buy more albums than those 35 and under (this is a stat that held true even before rampant piracy started).
Rihanna, rightly or wrongly, has seen her stardom zoom into the stratosphere on the back of a tragic event. Lambert’s popularity has been propelled, in part, by his outsized personality and willingness to discuss his sex life...and simulate fellatio on national TV. I don't think we have to worry about Boyle doing that.
Another factor seemingly going against Boyle is although she was a fixture on U.K. television via being a contestant on “Britain’s Got Talent,” her main exposure in the U.S. has come through YouTube. You can count her U.S. television appearances on two hands. She hasn’t graced the cover of any major magazines yet.
Here’s what Boyle has that few artists today have: she has heart. And she wore her heart on her sleeve from the moment she walked out onto that ‘Britain’s Got Talent” stage and, amid snickers and rolled eyes because she didn’t fit the perfect picture (read: young, thin and conventionally pretty), she sang her heart out. She laid herself bare to ridicule because she had a dream and somewhere, somehow, her need to be heard outweighed her fear. Regardless of whether you appreciate her voice, you have to admire her pluck: every message in society tells someone like Boyle that dreams are for younger, prettier people and she said no they aren’t. And if they her dream can come true, maybe yours can too.
That’s why people are buying “I Dreamed a Dream.” There’s no telling what kind of career Boyle will have, but there’s a lesson to be learned simply from what’s happening this week, if only the industry will listen.
