Yes Will Perform Three Of Their Studio Albums During Upcoming Tour

Yes Will Perform Three Of Their Studio Albums During Upcoming Tour

A major trend in live music nowadays is for a band to play an entire studio album live.
 
The Who is currently doing that with Quadrophenia. Rush did it with Moving Pictures. And Steely Dan did it, depending on the night, with The Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho.

It’s a way for an established act, one that has performed live for years, to do something different and treat their fans.
 
It’s obviously not something a relatively new band can do like .fun, The Neon Trees, or Foster the People but it works for artists with decades of world tours under their belts and several albums to their name.

In 2013, the progressive rock band Yes will do the same thing but they won’t be playing one album live they’ll be playing three.

The band is slated to perform The Yes Album (1971), Close to the Edge (1972), and Going For One (1977) in their entirety.

In case you’re not that familiar with Yes, what those albums mean is they’ll be playing classic hits like “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “And You And I,” and “Wondrous Stories.”

Three albums sound like a lot of music but you have to remember that Yes is from a woebegone era called the 1970s. They do things a little differently than we do now.
 
There are only 15 songs on the three previously mentioned albums; Closer to the Edge has only three track.
 
However, seven of the 15 songs they’ll perform are longer than 8:54 and another is 7:56. The shortest track from the triad is The Yes Album’s “Clap.” It’s 3:17.

To put that in perspective, the longest song on The Beatles debut album, Please Please Me, is 2:57.
Songs not included on those three albums include “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”

Someone suggested they’ll play those cuts as an encore. While some hope they’ll skip “Owner of a Lonely Heart” altogether. The track is widely regarded as the song that nearly ruined the band.

Getting to hear Yes play three of their most popular studio albums all the way through does come with a price and we’re not talking about the price of Yes tickets. The tour will be without Jon Anderson. He’s being replaced by another Jon, Jon Davison.
 
Davison was discovered while performing in a Yes cover band. This has led some fans to quip that the current incarnation of Yes is also a cover band. Their situation is reminiscent of what’s currently going on with Journey.

Yes’ tour gets underway March 1 in West Wendover, Nevada and ends April 12 in Detroit. The band has a total of 25 dates on their itinerary.
 
San Francisco welcomes Yes to The Warfield on March 5. Kansas City says hello to Yes and their show at The Midland scheduled for March 18, and New York City hosts a Yes performance at the Beacon Theatre on April 9.

Look for a new Yes album, their first with Davison, sometime in 2013.

Marilyn Manson Needs Stitches In Ear After Drunken Fall

Marilyn Manson Needs Stitches In Ear After Drunken Fall

Marilyn Manson got into a fight in Basel, Switzerland and needed 24 stitches on the inside of his ear. Manson was in Switzerland with Rob Zombie as part of their co-headlining Twins of Evil Tour.

Manson posted a picture of his bandaged auricle on his Twitter account. It’s gross but not half as bad as the singer looked on the cover of Mechanical Animals.

Details of the incident have not been released. All we know is what Manson Tweeted:

"I was hit by a glass table in a dangerous fight. I was however, the victor but had to have 24 stitches to keep my ear from becoming Van Goth[sic]."

Those 30 words tell the entire story. All we have to do is interpret them.

The phrase “I was hit by a glass table…” means Manson fell into a glass table. No one throws a glass table. No one throws tables in a fight. They throw chairs, maybe an ottoman, but never a table.

“In a dangerous fight…” was Manson’s attempt at humor. He was covering the fact that he was actually fall-down drunk, fell, and hit his ear against a piece of furniture.
 
“I was however, the victor…” means he didn’t vomit on the way to the hospital.

“Van Goth” is not only a clever reference to “Van Gogh”—the artist who cut off part of his ear and gave it to a prostitute—but will likely be the name of his next album.

What was even more amusing then reading about the “brawl” that almost cost Manson an earlobe was the tangents his incident inspired various Web sites to take.

Most outlets just reported Manson’s ear wound and tapped out, but some used the incident to go off on bizarre non sequiturs.

She Knows Entertainment morphed into a discussion about school shootings. They even included a sagacious quote Manson gave about the Columbine massacre.
 
Asia One spent most of their lengthy article detailing a project about the West Memphis Three—Manson contributed a song to a soundtrack to a film about the killers.

Mail Online shared a brief rundown of the musician’s romantic relationships. Manson has bedded Dita Von Teese and Evan Rachel Wood and is currently seeing American photographer Lindsay Usich.

After reporting the gammy lug, NME detailed Marilyn Manson’s brush with Charles Manson. The latter sent the former a letter from his prison cell. After citing a bizarre and incoherent passage from the dispatch, NME revealed that Manson is conservative in the bedroom.

A few articles made a more obvious segue into either Manson’s current tour with Rob Zombie or his upcoming trek of North America.

From late January through the end of February, Marilyn Manson tickets will be collected all over the United States and Canada. This will be a solo campaign with Manson headlining.

Manson’s expedition begins Jan. 18 in Milwaukee and concludes Feb. 21 in Los Angeles.

Perhaps we should give those aforementioned Web sites a break. How much column space can you devote to a 30-word Tweet and a photograph of an ear? If this article is any indication then you can devote 532 words.

Rod Stewart Teams With Steve Winwood For North American Tour In 2013

Rod Stewart Teams With Steve Winwood For North American Tour In 2013

When I was young I had this coffee table book that profiled a bunch of rock stars. One of the rock stars profiled was Jim Morrison. His section began with a story detailing a degenerate night in which he ingested cocaine and imbibed blood with a witch.

I was devastated and disturbed. I couldn’t believe what I had read. My father, who knew the book was published by Rolling Stone magazine, doubted the yarn’s validity. Still, it took a long time before I got that tale out of my system and I could listen to The Doors again.

Laugh if you must but I just didn’t have enough life experience to realize rock stars were, for the most part, sad pathetic people you wouldn’t want to invite into your home for dinner. I was such an innocence child.

Nowadays, I don’t care about rock stars and the sordid details of their licentious and decadent lives. All I care about is the music (that’s why I can still listen to John Mayer). So when I learned that Rod Stewart once took cocaine anally I nary batted an eye.

Early in 2013, Stewart released “Rod: The Autobiography.” The fun read included the confession that he used to get high by taking cocaine suppositories.

What he and his friends did was buy cold medicine in capsule form from a pharmacist (called a “chemist” in the U.K.). They’d replace the cold medicine with coke and then stuck it where the sun don’t shine. The body would eventually dissolve the capsule and the cocaine would enter into the blood stream.
 
Stewart worried that snorting cocaine would damage his vocal chords. Yeah, that was his ONLY worry.

Obviously, the anecdote was included to help sell copies (by the way his book makes a great stocking stuffer). What I find funny isn’t that he revealed such an embarrassing account but the fact that it’s really not that embarrassing—at least by today’s standards—although it’s sure to make him the butt of more than a few jokes.

Of all the crazy things rock stars do nowadays, Stewart’s attempt to get high via the rectum so he can protect his voice reeks more of responsibility than reprehensibility. Dare I say it’s a cute story (relatively speaking of course).

It was a big year for Stewart. Also in 2012, he released a holiday album, Merry Christmas, Baby, and announced plans for a tour of North America.

Dubbed “Live the Life,” Stewart’s trek begins April 10 in Chicago and ends May 1 in Toronto. Right now, there are just nine dates planned, all in the eastern part of the U.S. For example, Rod Stewart and Steve Winwood visit Boston on April 13, Rod Stewart and Steve Winwood will be in New York City on April 19, and Rod Stewart and Steve Winwood roll into Atlanta on April 28 for a show at Philips Arena.

I don't have a crystal ball but it's very likely that more Rod Stewart concerts are forthcoming.
Since his recent touring partner Stevie Nicks will be busy touring with Fleetwood Mac, Stewart has tapped Steve Winwood to join him on the marquee. It should make for quite the night of blue-eyed soul.

More good news for Stewart fans, the singer is planning on releasing new material in 2013. Even better news, it won’t be like his American Songbook series but a “sequel to Gasoline Alley.”

5 Top Christmas Shows For The 2012 Holiday Season

5 Top Christmas Shows For The 2012 Holiday Season

The Nutcracker. A Christmas Carol. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Mannheim Steamroller.

Those are five of the most popular and well-known live Christmas shows in the United States but they are far from the only ones. Below, we look at five lesser-known Christmas/Christmas-related musical performances organized for the 2012 holiday season. Some of these live events aren’t really Christmassy they’re just scheduled near the Dec. 25. Still, what they lack in Yuletide atmosphere they more than make up for it by providing attendees with a great evening of live entertainment.

British Invasion X-Mas Party
We doubt there will be much “Fa la la la la-ing” but on Dec. 22 the House of Blues in San Diego, California is hosting a British Invasion X-Mas Party. HOB is welcoming four of the best tribute acts in the country to its stage. If you’re in to The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Idol, and Elvis Costello then Christmas comes three days early. It should be both a “jolly” and “groovy” time.

Hollywood Christmas Spectacular
The Hollywood Christmas Spectacular is set to go down Dec. 22 at the California Theatre of the Preforming Arts in San Bernardino, California. This show features singers, dancers, and of course, the big guy in the red suit. The spectacular employs music from some of Hollywood’s most famous and popular holiday flicks like Home Alone, Elf, The Muppet Christmas, and Polar Express.

Miracle on State Street
Getting your mittens on Miracle on State Street tickets earns you the pleasure of seeing Train, Karmin, and Ed Sheeran in concert at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Planned for Dec. 14, this Christmas party is sponsored by radio station 101.9 The Mix. San Diego singer-songwriter Tristan Prettyman has been tapped to open the night’s festivities. Yes Virginia, there is a great concert in the Windy City this holiday season.

The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show
Get yourself into a holiday mood with one of country music’s most beloved and enduring acts (the quartet was founded in 1947; the current lineup has been together since 1973). The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show visits Florence, South Carolina on Dec. 6; Dodge City, Kansas on Dec. 16; and Lincoln, Nebraska on Dec. 18. The band is supporting their sixth holiday CD, Christmas Time’s A-Coming.

Singing Christmas Trees
A lot of cities have singing Christmas Trees shows. Two of the oldest, and most successful, are found in Edmonton, Alberta and Charlotte, North Carolina. You can catch Edmonton’s 43rd version of the crooning Christmas tree at the Northern Alberta Jubilee from Dec. 7 through Dec. 9. In Charlotte, residents are celebrating the 58th Annual Singing Christmas Tree at the Ovens Auditorium on Dec. 8. The star of that show is the 80-plus members of the Main Stage Choir. There are also singing Christmas trees in Portland, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; and Muskegon, Michigan.

Why Jon Bon Jovi’s Daughter’s Overdose Is An Important News Story

Why Jon Bon Jovi’s Daughter’s Overdose Is An Important News Story

Lately, Jon Bon Jovi has been making a lot of headlines. Unfortunately, it’s not for his band’s upcoming tour—Bon Jovi tickets will be collected beginning Feb. 9 in Uncasville, Connecticut—or their pending album (Because We Can). Nor is it for sitting on the advisory board of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Jon Bon Jovi is making headlines because his daughter, Stephanie Bongiovi, was hospitalized in mid-November for an apparent heroin overdose.
 
A week later, Jon Bon Jovi told a local news station that the “tragedy was something that [he would have to] face.” He said he would “get through it” and thanked his fans for their support.

Usually, I say children are off limits. However, this story is important and deserves media attention (although I’d rather see more headlines about his involvement in Hurricane Sandy relief). Besides, Stephanie Bongiovi is the child of Jon Bon Jovi but she’s no longer a child. At nineteen she’s barely an adult but an adult nonetheless.

The general public needs to know about this incident for four reasons…

1) Even if she wasn’t the daughter of a major rock star her drug overdose is newsworthy (at least locally). Stephanie Bongiovi not only O.D. but she was arrested for drug possession. The public has the right to know who the police arrests and why. It should be noted that all charges against Stephanie Bongiovi were dropped. Is that another benefit of having a famous and wealthy father?

2) It’s the media’s job to be watchdogs of the wealthy and powerful. Granted, Jon Bon Jovi is pretty much the epitome of what we want in a celebrity, but he’s still not above scrutiny. His daughter’s overdose making the papers (to use an outdated phrase) may shed light on other issues that are far worse than a heroin overdose. We doubt it but it’s possible.

3) Say what you will about Jon Bon Jovi’s music, he is an artist. Many of his songs draw from his personal experiences. If he’s going to make himself vulnerable through his music, and reveal his deepest feelings, like all artists do, then his fans deserve to know the events behind his life experiences. If an artist bares their soul on stage, and shares their most private moments, they lose the privilege of privacy. Artists can’t have it both ways.

4) Drug use is a disease and the public needs to be informed when and how it’s spread. It’s especially relevant when someone as privileged as Stephanie Bongiovi overdoses. Knowing the reasons behind her use of narcotics—a person who seemingly has all the material possessions one could ever hope for—may help others stay away from drugs.

While this sordid story is legitimate fodder for news agencies it’s still the hope of decent people everywhere that she gets her life back in order and never does drugs again.
 
It is tragic if the rigors of her father’s career propelled her towards drug use. Having her plight broadcasted to the world is not insult to injury but the price she must pay for being her father’s daughter.

Miranda Lambert: “I Love Projects”

Miranda Lambert: “I Love Projects”

Miranda Lambert recently told an online country music publication that she loves projects... “anything that stimulates my creativity.”

That’s good because the 28-year-old singer is having a busy November and December. In other words, she’s got projects coming out of her cowboy boots.

The Pink Pistol
The day after Thanksgiving, Lambert will be at the grand opening of her new mega store, The Pink Pistol. The establishment is located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
 
The day following T-Giving is known in the retail business as “Black Friday” but the country music songstress is trying to turn it into “Pink Friday.” To do so, her and her Pink Pistol staff are holding a pageant where fun-loving contestants will flex their creativity, and show off their spunkiness, by dressing in pink.
 
Lambert’s store sells a variety of wares including boots, jeans, and antiques. There’s even a pink bicycle hanging from the ceiling. The store sounds interesting but it will only be successful IF Lambert finds qualified people to run it and doesn’t interfere.
 
Christmas Special
Yes, the program was probably recorded in July but she’ll still have to do press for it. On Dec. 3, Lambert appears on her husband’s television special, “No Sot Family Christmas,” airing on NBC. Blake Shelton’s holiday program also stars Christina Aguilera, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and his mother Dorothy Shackleford.

As for the holidays themselves, Lambert told People magazine that she and Shelton will spend four days together around both Thanksgiving and Christmas. For those dreaming of becoming a big-time recording artist get ready not to see your family.

Pregnancy Rumors
If opening a store and promoting a Christmas special weren’t bad enough, Lambert also had to deal with pregnancy rumors. The social media world recently lit up over speculation that Lambert was with child.

Now, rumors about a married couple of 18 months having a baby are fairly mundane. However, they’re a big deal if the suspected expecting couple are alcoholics. Okay, I can’t say that for sure (wink wink) but Lambert and Shelton (especially Shelton) are notorious for their partying.
 
In responding to questions about a “bun in the oven,” Shelton tweeted that he hoped not because his wife is “passed out with a bottle of Bacardi in her hands.”
 
They can’t drink and party all they want. They can also have as many kids as they want. They just can’t do both.

Locked & Reloaded Tour
Lambert already has a project planned for 2013. She’s joining forces with Dierks Bentley for a co-headlining trek of the United States. The duo kicks off their “Locked & Reloaded Tour” on Jan. 17 in Columbia, South Carolina. Their odyssey ends March 8 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Warming up audiences will be singer-songwriter Lee Brice.

Highlights Of Lambert & Bentley’s 2013 Tour
>>Jan. 24 - Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley in Baltimore
>>Jan. 26 - Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley in Atlantic City
>>March 2 - Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley in Albany
>>March 8 - Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley in Oklahoma City

Taylor Swift Shows Her Intelligence By Saying She’s Stupid

Taylor Swift Shows Her Intelligence By Saying She’s Stupid

Taylor Swift is refreshing. No, I don’t mean her blue eyes and the lilt in her step, I mean her attitude. In a day and age where everyone thinks their every thought is worthy of a blog entry, Tweet, or Facebook update, Swift impresses us with her ability to keep at least one of her opinions to herself.

And it’s an opinion most celebrities just have to tell everyone.

Leading up to the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, Swift refused to say who she voted for. Interestingly enough, she was in London (opening a mall) on Election Day.

She told Time magazine “I don’t talk about politics because it might influence other people. And I don’t think that I know enough yet in life to be telling people who to vote for.”

Hallelujah!

Thank you Taylor for saying what most fans want to hear from big-time recording artists. In fact, have you ever heard a musician say they don’t know “enough” especially when it comes to politics?

Okay. Okay. I know what you’re saying, especially you over there—the cynical one by the window—that her statement was a calculated message written by a team of handlers. She has millions and millions of fans from all walks of life. An endorsement of either candidate would likely alienate some of them.

I don’t care why she said it. I only care that she said it.

We get enough politics from people who really know politics. We don’t need political analysis from our musicians as well. Besides, if Swift wants to spread her views she can always do so with a song.

Kudos to Taylor Swift for recognizing, either on her own or through the help of a public relations firm, that just because she’s famous doesn’t mean she knows everything.
 
“I… feel like I don’t have enough wisdom,” Taylor told NPR.

I wish more singers would follow her lead. Heck, I wish more people would follow her lead.

By the way, I found it cute that she said that she doesn’t “talk about politics because it might influence other people” which is the definition of politics.

Music fans consistently vote for their favorite artists but instead of punching a ballot they buy albums and concerts tickets. That’s good news for the 22-year country singer because she sells a boat load of albums and a bunch of Taylor Swift concert tickets.

Her fourth studio album, Red, dropped in late October. It debuted at number one with more than 1.2 million copies sold. That’s an amazing total for 2012—Wilco couldn’t sell that many records in a decade.

To support her release, Taylor will embark on the “RED Tour” in 2013. The trek kicks off March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and ends Sept. 21 with a Taylor Swift concert in Nashville, Tennessee.
Highlights of her outing include Swift in Newark (March 27-29), Swift in Atlanta (April 18 & 19), Swift in Washington D.C. (May 11 & 12), Swift in Arlington (May 25), Swift in Foxborough (July 27), and Swift in Los Angeles (Aug. 19 & 20).