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VIGSY'S OTHER CLUB TIP: Futureboogie presents Bonobo at the Westbury Saturday 22 Nov, The Westbury, 34 Kilburn High Road, London NW6, 8pm - 3am, £3.99 then £4.99 after 11pm, more info from www.westburybar.com, press info from Joe at Outpost ([email protected]). |
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Don't forget to vote for your track of the year. Just email us your favourite track released this year and a couple of sentences saying why you love it to [email protected]. |
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NO. 2: THOM YORKE He says: "I was on a ferry from France to England, coming back from a school trip to Berlin, and who should we find reading a book in the public lounge, but Thom Yorke. It was 1996, I think - around the time of 'Just' - and Radiohead were just becoming well known. I walked up to him and said, 'Sorry to disturb you, but would you mind if I could I have a very quick photograph with you?' 'Fuck Off', he replied... So my mate took the photo anyway". Has a pop star told you to fuck off? Tell us your story by emailing [email protected] |
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MADONNA AND RITCHIE DIVORCE DEAL DONE Because whatever you think about Guy Ritchie's frequently terrible films, you have to respect the man for not asking for a penny off soon-to-be-ex-wife Madonna, despite UK divorce laws in theory offering him anything up to half of Madge's estimated £300 million fortune. Of course Ritchie himself is reportedly worth about £30 million, so it's not like he needed the money, but still, resisting the temptation to use the divorce courts to double your wealth overnight is a good thing. Billie Piper famously adopted the same attitude when she divorced Chris Evans of course, winning much public respect in the process, and leading to the expression that "Guy was doing a Billie Piper" being used by at least two legal experts yesterday. We know Ritchie has requested a cash-less divorce from Madonna because negotiations between the couple's respective legal reps have been completed, a lot quicker than many expected, and the couple's decree nisi is expected to be posted at the London High Court today. As previously reported, despite denials from the couple that their divorce was both a long-time coming and pretty acrimonious, and despite initial indications the divorce would go through without incident, as friends of Madonna and especially Ritchie started to diss whichever one of the couple they weren't friends with, some thought the divorce proceedings might prove to be much more bitchy and contentious than original thought. That said, it was known from the start that the big issue was the children, the couple's son Rocco and adopted son David. Madonna is known to want to return to New York with her children, while Ritchie wanted them to stay with him in London. There were rumours Madge would try to get custody of the kids by offering Ritchie a generous financial package, but given money never seems to have been on his agenda, that plan was never going to work or, possibly, never actually existed. Both sides hired legal help who were experts on custody battles, and it seems a deal was reached earlier this week as to how the two boys will split their time between London and New York. -------------------------------------------------- JACKSON WILL APPEAR AT SHEIKH TRIAL As previously reported, Jacko's people had said that their client was too ill, certainly to travel to London to testify, and possibly too sick to testify at all (ie not even by video link). Laywers for Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa said they were dubious of Jackson's illness claims, while the judge hearing the case said he'd wait until the results of medical tests were available to decide whether he would insist Jacko take to the witness stand. In the end the singer's lawyer announced his client would now attend court have being given the okay by his doctors. As previously reported, Bahrain-based Abdulla, who supported Jackson in the months after the singer's acquittal on those child abuse charges, set up a business with Jacko, which planned to release a new album and autobiography and stage a Jackson-based play. But despite lots of plans being made, and Abdulla financing Jackson's life while they were being made, the business relationship fell apart having produced nothing. Not even the promised charity single in aid of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Abdulla claims Jackson reneged on contractual obligations when he walked away from the joint venture, and that the singer is still to repay loans made to him. Jackson says no legitimate contract was ever signed, and that the payments were gifts. As also previously reported, Jackson's people have being trying to play down the singer's business skills, in a bid to show that any chat between the plaintiff and defendant about possible joint venture companies couldn't have been binding, because Jacko wouldn't be in a position to make such commitments without business advice. The Sheikh himself took to the witness stand yesterday. He admitted that Jackson was an "emotionally vulnerable" person, but added: "I regarded him in the same way as other businessmen. He is a person who is very switched on, a fantastic businessman and fantastic intellectual". On the money he gave Jackson, Abdulla told the court the loans "were sent to help Michael, and many times he confirmed to me he would pay me back". -------------------------------------------------- TACO BELL TO FIGHT FIDDY LAWSUIT As previously reported, the fast food company approached 50 Cent about him changing his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent as part of a possible marketing partnership to promote their value menu, where foods cost those amounts. Although Fiddy knocked them back, the proposal was leaked to the press getting Taco Bell quite a bit of media coverage. Fiddy is suing the company, claiming that they leaked the letter before he had chance to respond because they knew doing so would get them media coverage. In that way, he argues, they used his trademark name for marketing purposes without his permission - so he's suing for trademark infringement. But Taco Bell this week denied that was so, and told reporters that Fiddy's lawsuit "distorted beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer". They say they think the rapper is proceeding with legal action against them simply to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona". So, it doesn't look like Taco Bell are keen to settle out of court. Could make for an interesting court case. Tacos all round. -------------------------------------------------- KRAFTWERK SAMPLING CASE TO BE RECONSIDERED This is of interest to Kraftwerk, who had previously won a lawsuit in the Hamburg court against German rap producer Moses Pelham who used an uncleared two-second sample from their 1977 track 'Metal On Metal' in the rhythm sequence of the 1997 Sabrina Setlur song 'Nur Mir'. The key to the German higher court ruling is that sampling a melody does constitute infringement, but a couple of notes taken from a previous recording used in such a way as the original melody is not identifiable - which was arguably the case in 'Nur Mir' - does not. The higher court decision means the Hamburg court will now have to reconsider the Kraftwerk case anew. The ruling is good news for French electro duo Justice, one half of which, Xavier De Rosnay, recently admitted there were a number of uncleared but unrecognisable samples of their debut album, including notes from Slipknot, Queen and 50 Cent tracks. If ever Roadrunner, Parlophone or Interscope tried to sue, De Rosnay should try and fight the lawsuit in the German courts. -------------------------------------------------- MCCAIN TO FIGHT JACKSON BROWNE LAWSUIT WITH FAIR USE EXEMPTIONS A number of artists objected to their songs being used at Republican rallies in the run up to America's big vote, though the Republicans correctly pointed out that recorded music played at events - even political events - is covered by blanket licences, and providing the venue is licenced any song can be used. Browne's 1978 song 'Running On Empty', however, was used in an advert, so this case is a bit different. However, with only a few words used from the song, McCain's people are claiming that - while they didn't clear the use of the track with Browne - it is covered by the fair use exemptions in US copyright law. His defence cites four fair use exemptions - that fact the song was used for non-commercial purposes, the fact the words that were used from the song (it's title line) are an acknowledged cliché, that only a tiny portion of the song was used, and that its use won't have damaged Browne commercially (in fact, they argue, it probably added a boost to sales of the song). They also reject claims the use of the song breaches US "false association or endorsement" laws because, they argue, those laws only cover commercial rather than political association. On top of that, they have filed an anti-SLAPP motion, which is used when a defendant believes a plaintiff is using a lawsuit in a bid to stop free speech. If such a motion is successful the plaintiff can find themselves having to pay the defendant's legal costs and maybe even damages. If all of this gets to court, it could be an interesting case. Many artists (including UK artists, the situation is the same over here) are already pissed off that blanket licencing arrangements allow politicians to use their music at rallies and conventions - fearing that by having their music featured at a political party's event the public may assume they somehow endorse said party. If, under fair use exemptions, politicians can legitimately use bits of recognisable music without an artist's permission in adverts, and if said artists risk being accused of being anti-free speech if they sue, that could cause quite a bit of outrage among more politically motivated pop stars. -------------------------------------------------- SID MCCAIN PROMOTED AT EMI -------------------------------------------------- NOW THERE WILL BE A TOTP CHRISTMAS SPECIAL As previously reported, despite TOTP's demise as a weekly pop show in 2006, the BBC has continued to broadcast a Christmas Day edition. However, they recently announced not even that would air this year - leading to much online chatter about how much TOTP is missed and how the Beeb should never have axed it to start with. And also to Simon Cowell telling reporters that if the BBC wouldn't do a TOTP Christmas show they should be forced to hand the brand over to ITV, where he'd do one instead. With all that chatter going on, the BBC yesterday announced it would, after all, air a TOTP Christmas Special on BBC 1 - and not only that but a New Year's Eve Special too. Though just to remind us all why we had grown to hate the show so much in the years before its axing, Fearne Cotton will return as presenter for both special editions. -------------------------------------------------- Ikin was a popular record company man who worked his way up the Warner hierarchy after joining the major in 1975. As well as playing a key role in establishing Warner Music Australasia, he also spent some time working for EMI Australia, and prior to his retirement in 2000 worked in international marketing for Warner Music International in London. Warner Music Australasia top man Ed St John told Billboard: "He had a role in the way the company was set up, who worked here and how the office looked. From the moment he arrived here in 1975, he set an agenda for a marketing-driven company focused on blockbuster hits and peerless artist relations. The 70s and 80s were a time of massive artist egos - Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Rod Stewart - and Peter Ikin gained a reputation for handling superstars that was beyond compare". -------------------------------------------------- DIAMOND DOGS ARTIST DIES Although Peellaert had a varied career, and created artwork for several films, including 'Taxi Driver' and 'Short Cuts', it is probably his seminal album covers that many will remember him for. Stand outs included the cover to The Rolling Stones' 1974 album 'It's Only Rock N Roll', and the slightly controversial (at the time) cover to David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' album, also released in 1974, original uncensored copies of which are said to be worth several thousand dollars (the painting of Bowie as a half-man, half-dog character offended some, mainly because the hybrid creature's genitals were clearly shown). -------------------------------------------------- SINGLE REVIEW: Clinic - Tomorrow (Domino) Buy from iTunes -------------------------------------------------- BRITNEY SONG NOT ABOUT GHALIB, OKAY? But lyricist Morier has denied she ever linked the song to Ghalib. She's told Perez Hilton: "I never said that to Us Weekly! The song is definitely not about Adnan and in the whole time I worked with her last spring and summer I never once saw that guy. We strictly wrote the song for fun. The 'Mmm Papi' part came out of 'Mmm Papa Luv U' and I came up with it because the track was a fun up beat track and we wanted to do something crazy like 'mmmpapamowow'". Morier adds that she doesn't want the press implying Spears still has some attachment to Ghalib and that whole mad time in her life, saying: "Please be kind to Britney and I and post this correction. She was oh so sweet and professional to work with, and I believe she's really gotten her life together". -------------------------------------------------- WARNER ADMIT NEW ORDER COLLECTOR EDITIONS HAVE SOUND ISSUES Following much online chatter about poor sound quality on some tracks, a statement has been issued thus: "Warner Bros UK, Rhino and New Order regret that the initial pressings of the Collector Editions of 'Movement', 'Power, Corruption & Lies', 'Low-Life', 'Brotherhood' and 'Technique' contain some minor audio problems on the bonus discs. We are now in the process of correcting the problems, but it should be noted that due to the age and condition of some of the original source tapes, the sound quality may vary. A further statement will be issued once the corrected product is available. At that time, the procedure for exchanging CDs will be announced. Thank you for your patience while we resolve this situation". The band's Peter Hook has commented on the problems on his MySpace, blaming the label for the sound issues, saying the sound problems weren't fixed before release because [a] the majors cut corners on these things these days and [b] the band didn't get to hear the final masters before the CDs were pressed. Hookie: "This is a very difficult one, we are aware of the problems and because we did not have finished product to listen to it has, shall we say... slipped through the net? My great friend [and New Order biographer] Claude Flowers has taken it on himself to sort this mess out personally. I have said before how difficult it is compiling this stuff, the masters Steve [Morris] and I listened to, were all basically from people's collections, so it was then left to someone in the library department to compile, as much as possible from original masters. This is where it seems to have gone wrong. Unfortunately, it is industry standard these days to not have production masters of the CDs or the sleeves, much to [artwork man] Pete Saville's amazement, but that's just the way it is. Hopefully they might resurrect the process after this. Here's hoping". -------------------------------------------------- ROOTS INVOLVED IN BUS CRASH In an email to his online hip hop community Okayplayer, the band's drummer Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson said: "In reality the crash was all of about seven seconds, but to do a 360 on the highway and end up ramped up (the van that crashed into ours was UNDER our double decker bus) in the air... [and all survive] is... well... a frigging miracle". He continued: "My drum tech, D was the first to make sure I was okay and since the panic mode was setting in, the way he was asking me was rather... panicky. And, based on the fact that he was walking on the ceiling, indeed let me know that this was no fender bender I was in". Confirming that all were okay, he finished: "We are soooo alive right now. And, yes, we went through all that shit people go through when they go through accidents; dazed, amazed, grateful, laughing. ... Some of us have cuts and neck braces on. ... [I] just wanna let everyone know that we are happy to be alive. And not in that TV cliché way. But man, that was divine intervention. We are so grateful for this outcome". -------------------------------------------------- A CAMP ANNOUNCE SINGLE AND ALBUM The album will be preceded by a single, 'Stronger Than Jesus', on 19 Jan. -------------------------------------------------- MY CHEM GUITARIST ANNOUNCES SIDE PROJECT ALBUM Writing on the band's official website, he said: "Damn it feels like its been a lifetime of waiting for this record to see the light of day, but it really is a dream come true. Every step of this journey has been a blast, from the first practice, to touring, and now seeing the artwork come to life. I apologise to everyone that has been waiting along with us but fuck man, I've been busy ...and we really wanted to make sure everything was right and now, finally, I truly feel it's coming out right". As previously reported, My Chemical Romance are currently taking a break before beginning work on the follow-up to their 2006 album 'The Black Parade'. -------------------------------------------------- BON JOVI TOP LIVE EARTH INDIA BILL Money raised by the concert will be donated to Climate Project India, a charity which runs education programmes and renewable energy projects in the country, and TERI's Light A Billion Lives campaign, which provides solar lighting to homes without electricity. -------------------------------------------------- SIMPLE MINDS ANNOUNCE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Tour dates: 27 Nov: Manchester, MEN Arena -------------------------------------------------- ALBUM REVIEW: Saturday Morning Pictures - It's Cool To Hate The Singer (Snapper Music) His nasal delivery commits that most heinous of crimes; sounding like he's from California when in reality he lives in that most rock n roll of places - Surrey. The tweeness of the songs should really aggravate such a bitter man as myself, but for some reason there's something alluring in this sickly sweet release. Sounding like an emo Jamie Cullum who is more concerned with sunshine than suave, Saturday Morning Pictures are shamelessly pop. And not the annoying bubblegum kind either, the good kind that Take That are currently throwing back at the charts with surprising success. Indeed by the time most of these songs climax, complete with resplendent horn sections, I can't help but picture the end to their video 'Shine', or think the song should be accompanied by the Simpson's couch gag where the entire cast end up in a huge kick line. There is no doubt as to the songwriting skills on display here; grandiose arrangements add sprinklings of brass and strings to good effect, whilst a walking jazz bassline keeps the whole thing swinging nicely. If, like me, you can't resist a bit of pop indulgence, you could definitely do worse than this to brighten up your wintry evenings. ME Buy from iTunes -------------------------------------------------- ZUNE SUBSCRIPTION TO COME WITH PERMANENT TRACKS However, with newer subscription services offering a service more akin to eMusic's subscription model, whereby users get to keep songs they acquire via their subscription, Zune are adding some permanent download to their offer. However, unlike the Orange permanent download subscription system in France and the recently launched here in the UK Nokia Comes With Music, which allow subscribers to download permanent copies of an unlimited number of tracks, the new look ZunePass system will combine the Napster and eMusic models, so that users have unlimited access to music while their subscription is valid, and in addition to that can download permanent copies of ten tracks a month. I think I'm right in saying that the permanent tracks will be provided in DRM-free MP3 formats. All four majors and indie aggregators The Orchard and IODA are signed up to the new deal. The a la carte bit of the Microsoft download service, still only available in the US, is also moving over to DRM-free MP3, and hopes to soon have about 90% of its catalogue available in that format. -------------------------------------------------- MP BRINGS COPYRIGHT EXTENSION UP IN COMMONS As much much much previously reported, record labels and recording artists want the government to extend the copyright term on recordings from fifty years, probably to 95 years, which would bring it in line with the US (though songwriters and composers enjoy a life plus 70 years copyright term). Though there is some parliamentary support for such an extension, and moves are afoot at a European level to extend the term, the UK government is still officially aligned to the 2006 Gowers Review of copyright law, which said there was no real case for extension. Earlier this week the performer members of recording royalty collecting society PPL, ie recording artists, signed a letter to Gordon Brown demanding a government rethink on the issue. Presumably Cawsey's bringing up the issue in the House Of Commons this week was prompted by said letter. -------------------------------------------------- BBC TRUST REJECTS LOCAL WEBSITE PLANS The plans needed approval of BBC regulator the BBC Trust to go ahead, and they announced this morning no such approval would be given. Trust chair Michael Lyons said in a statement that while licence fee payers wanted better regional and local services from the BBC, the website proposal was "unlikely to achieve what they want". He added: "We also recognise the negative impact that the local video proposition could have on commercial media services which are valued by the public and are already under pressure". -------------------------------------------------- ROBBIE TOPS KARAOKE CHART 1. Robbie Williams - Angels -------------------------------------------------- RINGTONE CREATION ADDED TO SCHOOL CURRICULUM |
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SUBSCRIPTIONS>> CMU Daily is a free daily e-bulletin for people working in the music industry and music media, delivered direct to your PC each morning. If you want to stop receiving this e-bulletin click the 'unsubscribe' button below and follow the instructions. If any of your colleagues want to receive the CMU Daily tell them to email their name, company, job title and email to [email protected]. If you would like to recieve the CMU Daily as a text email, send a blank email from the email address you are registered at to [email protected]. MEDIA PEOPLE>> If you are looking for an independent quote on anything to do with the music business, or you need someone to come on your TV or radio show and talk music business, then we can help. There's nothing we don't know about. Email requests to [email protected] or call 020 7099 9050. CMU is published by and (c) UnLimited Media - www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk Send news stories to [email protected]. If we don't respond directly, we do apologise, only we get sent hundreds of emails a day and don't have time to respond to every one of them. However we do check every email sent to the musicnews email address, and do pull out stories that we feel are relevant to our readers. Send CDs for review to CMU, UnLimited Media, 221-222 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PJ. |
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