Author: Martin D'Anjou

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Musique

Tony Iommi autobiography planned for autumn

Legendary lead guitarist for heavy metal band Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi finally has a release date this fall for his long-awaited autobiography, Iron Man: My Life With Black Sabbath And Beyond, reports NME.

Although rumors suggest that the book is not yet finished and the date is subject to change, currently Iommi’s memoir is expected to arrive in stores on October 23, years after he started writing it.

"I’ve been working on it for a long time. We’ve been so busy for the last couple of years it’s been difficult finding the time to do it. But it’s coming on and hopefully it will be out at the end of the year," he told the Birmingham Post in March, 2010.

"I’m not going out to blast at everybody, that’s for sure. That’s for the next book!" he added.

In the meantime, fans can check out the May 23 blu-ray release of Radio City Music Hall – Live! The recording documents a 2007 concert reunion of Iommi’s current band, Heaven and Hell.

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Musique

Lil Wayne featured on new Limp Bizkit album

American rock band Limp Bizkit will feature rapper Lil Wayne on a track of their upcoming album, Gold Cobra, reports NME.

Frontman Fred Durst confirmed the news through Twitter: "Oh, excuse me, sixteenth song mixed is Ready To Go featuring Lil Wayne! …I love it," the singer wrote on March 12.

The album also features Wu Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, while Gene Simmons of KISS provides the voiceover on the album’s introduction.

The band’s fifth studio album, Gold Cobra will be their first since guitarist Wes Borland rejoined the group. No release date has been confirmed yet, although it is expected out early this year.

"We are extremely excited to get this album into your eardrums. As some of you have noticed, we have and will take as much time as we need before putting this album out regardless of any pressure or impatience that is thrown our way. So, waste your breath if you like. Its your prerogative," wrote Durst on the band’s website.
 

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Musique

Slash cancels gigs in Japan

Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash announced on his Twitter page that he cancelled his gigs in Tokyo and Yokohama due to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The rocker wrote: “Its logistically not possible for us to do the Tokyo & Yokohama shows as scheduled. We will try to reschedule them asap.”

Slash also Retweeted a fundraising message, “People are in Tohoku, Japan need foods, water, clothes and more. So #helpJapan In US REDCROSS text 90999 to donate $10.”

Slash and his band were to play tomorrow (March 16th) and Thursday at Studio Coast in Tokyo, as well as Bay Hall in Yokohama on Friday.

Last Friday (March 11), Japan experienced an 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a massive tsunami, which caused the deaths of thousands of people and forced the evacuation of more than 600,000. More recently, the country is dealing with emergencies at its nuclear power plants – unstable since the quake.

In addition, Slash also announced the cancellation of a concert scheduled for April 13 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Logistical reasons were also mentioned.

 

 

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Nouvelles quotidiennes

Celine Dion performs in Vegas

Canadian singer Celine Dion is returning to Las Vegas for a three-year stint at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace which kicks off today (March 15), reports Nevada Magazine.

The new show will integrate elements of classic Hollywood movies with Dion’s biggest hits, backed by a big band of 31 musicians.

"Celine’s production team has been working on some unique, creative elements for the show which will take the live Las Vegas experience to a whole new level and offer audiences something refreshingly unexpected," said John Meglen of AEG Live/Concerts West,which is producing the show.

Tickets are currently on sale for the first 54 shows which run through to August 14, 2011. Starting tonight, the singer will perform eight shows in March.

"It’s more Celine, because the last show was Celine surrounded by different personalities. Here, it’s Celine surrounded by musicians," Rene Angélil, the singer’s husband and manager, told the Canadian Press.

"This draws attention to her voice – which is better than ever, by the way. The audiences will see more Celine, and that’s also what they want."

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Musique

Celine Dion opens new show in Vegas

French-Canadian singer Celine Dion opens her new show in Las Vegas tonight (March 15) at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

During the three-year run of her new show entitled Celine, Dion will perform in a different style from her previous shows.

"I’m coming back home to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and I’m very excited about it. With the orchestra and the band we’re going to be able to perform our songs like never before,” said Dion.

“The repertoire is going to be extraordinary…a mix of timeless Hollywood classics, along with all the favorites that my fans like to hear me sing. It’s going to be a very beautiful show, and I think we’ll be raising the bar higher than we’ve ever done before. There’ll be some truly wonderful moments……I can’t wait!

On stage, The Power of Love diva will be accompanied by full orchestra of 31 musicians. Her two-hour performance will feature some of the most popular songs in the history of music.

As the U.S. gambling capital struggles to recover from the last recession, Dion’s return to Las Vegas is much anticipated, with the hope that her new show will help attract tourists to the city. Initial ticket sales were strong, with opening night selling out within the first few minutes.

The singer returns to work only a few months after giving birth to her twins, Eddy and Nelson, born on October 23.

Categories
Nouvelles quotidiennes

Tulip time in Holland

Spring brings with it a celebration of tulip time in Holland, and visitors to the region can surround themselves with the sights and smells of the blooming flowers, reports Forbes.

For those who prefer a more organized adventure, Keukenhof, the world’s largest bulb-flower garden, opens for the season on March 23. Visitors can catch a tour bus from Amsterdam to the gardens in Lisse. Over 4.5 million tulips in 100 different varieties cover an area of 32 hectares.

Each year the Keukenhof gardens take on a different theme, and this year’s theme, Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers, will include a flowering bulb mosaic of the Brandenburg Gate and a special tour route through the gardens.

Those who prefer something a little more quiet and intimate can rent a bike from the Keukenhof parking lot and peddle through the rural roads of Lisse to see the vibrant tulip fields that fill the region. Each field can be explored on foot and the growers are usually nearby to answer any questions.

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Musique

Arcade Fire wins best album at Independent Canadian Music Awards

In a surprise upset, Alexisonfire beat out recent Grammy winners Arcade Fire for group of the year, while Arcade Fire took home the prize for best album at the 2011 Independent Canadian Music Awards on Saturday (March 12), reports FYIMusic.

Punk rock/hardcore band Alexisonfire took home the award for favorite group or duo of the year, beating out Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Elias and Tegan and Sara for the top prize.

Montreal’s Arcade Fire won album of the year for their recent hit The Suburbs – which had also won them the same prize at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, where it beat albums by pop heavyweights Eminem and Lady Gaga.

Marianas Trench took home favorite single of the year for Celebrity Status, and also won for favorite pop artist of the year.

Emilie-Claire Barlow was named favorite jazz artist of the year, Shakura S’Aida was named favorite blues artist of the year, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson won for favorite country artist of the year.

The full list of winners from the 11th annual Independent Canadian Music Awards:

Group of the year: Alexisonfire
Solo artist of the year: Hannah Georgas
Album of the year: Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Single of the year: Marianas Trench – Celebrity Status
Video of the year: Hollerado – Americanarama
Pop: Marianas Trench
Urban: Shad
Jazz: Emilie-Claire Barlow
Blues: Shakura S’Aida
Country: Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Folk/Roots: The Sadies
Children’s artist: Andrew Queen
World: Delhi 2 Dublin
Rock: Crash Karma
Live artist/group: Metric
Electronic: Holy F—
Francophone: Karkwa
Punk/hardcore: Cancer Bats
Metal: 3 Inches of Blood
International group: Mumford & Sons
International solo artist: Taylor Swift
International breakthrough artist/group: Sleigh Bells
International single: The Black Keys – Tighten Up
International album: The Black Keys – Brothers

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Musique

Beastie Boys to launch new album in May

American rap trio the Beastie Boys are set to release a new album, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, on May 3, reports MusicNews.

As the name suggests, the album is a sequel to the upcoming Hot Sauce Committee, but as the first album was not yet quite ready, the band has decided to proceed with releasing the sequel first.

"Since the dawn of time, and perhaps even before, there was a silent order who were tasked with a mission. They held their secret tightly. On May 3rd the Hot Sauce Committee Part Two will be unleashed on the general public. Hold fast ye heathens," announces a statement on their official website.

The sixteen-track album will be the band’s first new studio release since 2007’s The Mix-Up, and includes singles Too Many Rappers, featuring Nas, and Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win, featuring Santigold.

"Basically we were making … part one, had too many songs, so we recorded some more songs. Which sounds bizarre but it actually worked out, because it made it clear to us which songs were going to be on … part one. Then we had this whole other album of songs: … part two," band member Mike D explained to Drowned in Sound.

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Musique

The Darkness reunites brothers

Feuding brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins have finally made their peace and are ready to reunite their hard rock band The Darkness along with other original members, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Ed Graham, according to British newspaper, The Sun.

More good news for fans as the quartet is planning to return to the studio to record a third album, their first since the disappointing One Way Ticket to Hell … and Back released in 2005.

The band formed in 2000 and shot to fame with the release of their debut album, Permission to Land in 2003. At the 2004 BRIT Awards ceremony, the group won best album of the year.

In August 2006, lead singer Justin Hawkins went into rehab for alcohol and cocaine addiction, and the group subsequently disbanded. Justin’s decision to leave the band led to the squabble with his brother Dan, and they stopped speaking.

 

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Musique

Kanye West working on remix

Rapper Kanye West is working on a remix of All of the Lights, featuring Drake and Big Sean, reports MTV.

An early leak of All of the Lights included a verse from Drake, but the official version released in November on West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was without the Toronto rapper’s contributions, although it still featured top names such as Elton John, Charlie Wilson, Elly Jackson, and Ryan Leslie.

Although he admits that they have very different working styles, in an interview with Shade 45 radio, Drake shared his views on matters: "We make music differently. I make what comes to me and I hate changing it, whereas ‘Ye will change something 30 or 40 times to get it perfect. To each their own, and the change was to put all those people on it, and I wasn’t one of them. That’s completely okay."

Now Drake will have another opportunity to contribute to the hit single. The rapper will add another verse to the remix – not the one that was previously heard on the leaked single, according to Complex.