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Unsigned UK Band Battle With Cola Giant

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London ska band 7 Seconds of Love are considering taking drinks giant Coca-Cola to court over copyright infringement. A video for the unsigned band's track Ninja appears to have been copied by the global fizzy drinks company for a Coca-Cola advert aired in Argentina. The musical and visual resemblence between the two videos - which feature an animated dancing ninja cat came to light after South American fans of the band emailed 7 Seconds frontman Joel Veitch via the group's website attaching a link to the commercial. The band's video released on websites such as MySpace and YouTube, was created by the 7 Seconds of Love lead singer Joel Veitch, 32, who earns a living as a freelance animator. He has previously worked with French and Saunders and on the Big Brother idents. Although the band has never charted, online they enjoy considerable success, particularly via cult website Rathergood.com - authored by Veitch, which recieves up to 100,000 hits a day and incorporates a forum where the band chat directly with the fans. The message from the South American fans on the forum is to "Find a lawyer, a good one; someone is becoming rich off your back". Veitch speaking to Sky News yesterday morning, said "We're considering our position. We're just a bunch of blokes from London. They're the biggest brand in the world." In response Coca-Cola Argentina have so far said that,"The piece in question was commissioned to a local advertising agency, which assured us that each element was original. Therefore, we are surprised by the alleged claim and deeply regret being associated to this unusual and unexpected debate." Check out the original 7 Seconds of Love Ninja video by clicking here And then check out Coca-Cola Argentina's advert here - What do you think??

London ska band 7 Seconds of Love are considering taking drinks giant Coca-Cola to court over copyright infringement.

A video for the unsigned band’s track Ninja appears to have been copied by the global fizzy drinks company for a Coca-Cola advert aired in Argentina.

The musical and visual resemblence between the two videos – which feature an animated dancing ninja cat came to light after South American fans of the band emailed 7 Seconds frontman Joel Veitch via the group’s website attaching a link to the commercial.

The band’s video released on websites such as MySpace and YouTube, was created by the 7 Seconds of Love lead singer Joel Veitch, 32, who

earns a living as a freelance animator.

He has previously worked with French and Saunders and on the Big Brother idents.

Although the band has never charted, online they enjoy considerable success, particularly via cult website Rathergood.com – authored by Veitch, which recieves up to 100,000 hits a day and incorporates a forum where the band chat directly with the fans.

The message from the South American fans on the forum is to “Find a lawyer, a good one; someone is becoming rich off your back”.

Veitch speaking to Sky News yesterday morning, said “We’re considering our position. We’re just a bunch of blokes from London. They’re the biggest brand in the world.”

In response Coca-Cola Argentina have so far said that,”The piece in question was commissioned to a local advertising agency, which assured us that each element was original. Therefore, we are surprised by the alleged claim and deeply regret being associated to this unusual and unexpected debate.”

Check out the original 7 Seconds of Love Ninja video by clicking here

And then check out Coca-Cola Argentina’s advert here – What do you think??

Inspiral Carpets To Tour

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Inspiral Carpets have announced that they are to play an 8-date UK tour in March. The band, made up of the definitive line-up, Tom Hingley, Clint Boon, Craig ‘Noddy’ Gill, Martyn Walsh and Graham Lambert play their first shows since their 2003 sell-out tour. Prior to going on the road, the band who first emerged out of Manchester with the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses, will release an exclusive digital album, "Keep The Circle." As well as containing all 13 B-sides to the Inspiral 13 Top 40 singles – “Keep The Circle” also contains previously unreleased rarities. A version of Saturn 5 featuring Mark E Smith of The Fall and the first ever Inspiral Carpets recording- Garage Full Of Flowers which was previously only available on a limited release flexi disc in 1988 are included. The band who famously gave Noel Gallagher his first job as a roadie will be playing the following venues: Birmingham Academy (March 2) Glasgow ABC (3) Lincoln Engine Shed (4) Norwich Waterfront (5) Brighton Concorde 2 (7) Leeds University (8) Manchester Academy (9) London Shepherds Bush Empire (10)

Inspiral Carpets have announced that they are to play an 8-date UK tour in March.

The band, made up of the definitive line-up, Tom Hingley, Clint Boon, Craig ‘Noddy’ Gill, Martyn Walsh and Graham Lambert play their first shows since their 2003 sell-out tour.

Prior to going on the road, the band who first emerged out of Manchester with the Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses, will release an exclusive digital album, “Keep The Circle.”

As well as containing all 13 B-sides to the Inspiral 13 Top 40 singles – “Keep The Circle” also contains previously unreleased rarities.

A version of Saturn 5 featuring Mark E Smith of The Fall and the first ever Inspiral Carpets recording- Garage Full Of Flowers which was previously only available on a limited release flexi disc in 1988 are included.

The band who famously gave Noel Gallagher his first job as a roadie will be playing the following venues:

Birmingham Academy (March 2)

Glasgow ABC (3)

Lincoln Engine Shed (4)

Norwich Waterfront (5)

Brighton Concorde 2 (7)

Leeds University (8)

Manchester Academy (9)

London Shepherds Bush Empire (10)

James Brown – And I Just Do What I Want/ Fine Old Foxy Self

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It’s hard to knock a comp that boasts "Cold Sweat", "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Say It Loud", but And I Do Just What I Want is a lazily-compiled 2CD set that adds little to the JB legend. A far more worthy primer is the triple-disc Fine Old Foxy Self, tracing Brown’s arc from ‘50s R&B balladeer to Apollo sensation and on through the rubbery ‘60s grooves that defined the new superfunk. And whilst the ‘70s tracks are less obvious – "Giving Out Of Juice"; "Mind Power" – the fat rhythms grow ever more elastic. Invest in this instead. ROB HUGHES

It’s hard to knock a comp that boasts “Cold Sweat”, “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and “Say It Loud”, but And I Do Just What I Want is a lazily-compiled 2CD set that adds little to the JB legend. A far more worthy primer is the triple-disc Fine Old Foxy Self, tracing Brown’s arc from ‘50s R&B balladeer to Apollo sensation and on through the rubbery ‘60s grooves that defined the new superfunk. And whilst the ‘70s tracks are less obvious – “Giving Out Of Juice”; “Mind Power” – the fat rhythms grow ever more elastic. Invest in this instead.

ROB HUGHES

John Lee Hooker – Hooker

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Some musicians arrive fully formed. From the outset John Lee Hooker appeared hewn from primal matter - Mississipi mud, perhaps? Listen to “Boogie Chillen”, his first record from 1948, and you have his essence in three minutes: the chugging electric guitar, clanking like a steam train; vocals that at once confront and converse; a semaphore stomped out by foot; the prophetic declaration from infancy, “Let that boy boogie woogie, cos it’s in him and it’s got to come out…” Skip 45 years, during which the boogie woogie had poured out, and the same simplicity – guitar, voice, foot-tap – animates a spine-shivering “Tupelo”, his account of the 1927 Mississippi flood. The voice is deeper, grainier, but otherwise nothing has changed. By then, Hooker was the planet’s best known bluesman, his fame exceeding anything he could have imagined when playing bars in post-war Detroit, and surpassing that of more accomplished pioneers like Muddy Waters or BB King. Yet just a decade before, Hooker could barely give away an album. What happened? Astute management helped, smoothing the way to the superstar duets that lit up his autumn years. More importantly, a fedora’d Hooker had become iconic, appearing in TV adverts as if carved from timber, a totem of authenticity for an age of bogus celebrity. The 84 tracks here return us to the wellspring of his fame. Hooker’s recording career was labyrinthine, involving a bewildering number of labels and licensing deals, re-making old material and recording under pseudonyms. Finally, that prolific output is set in chronological order, with only a few quibbles about the choices made. Born into a share-cropper’s family in the Delta, where he learnt guitar from his step-father, Hooker held fast to the visceral mysteries of rural blues – check his lusty, moaning “Crawling King Snake” – while yoking them to the electric crackle of the industrial north – check the distorted guitar snarl of “Down Child”. Having made his name with tough urban hits like “I’m In the Mood”, Hooker was happy to cut an album of acoustic ‘folk-blues’ that endeared him to the coffee house circuit (for whom electricity was anathema). European audiences of the 1960s made standards of 1956’s “Dimples” and 1961’s “Boom Boom”, laconic masterpieces both, though Hooker’s unstructured style – he frequently stretched 12 bars into 14 or 16 – left him less influential than, say, Muddy or Wolf. Discs two and three here mop up Hooker’s ‘50s and ‘60s heyday; hits like “No More Doggin” and “One Scotch”, impressive live shows alongside Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy, and Hooker’s surprisingly successful 1970 alliance with Canned Heat. The comeback years on Disc Four – with, Keef, Van, Eric et al – have already endured less well, but doubtless make commercial sense, and Carlos Santana’s re-imagining of Hooker as “The Healer” remains inspired. Hooker is testament to how deep the healing went. NEIL SPENCER

Some musicians arrive fully formed. From the outset John Lee Hooker appeared hewn from primal matter – Mississipi mud, perhaps? Listen to “Boogie Chillen”, his first record from 1948, and you have his essence in three minutes: the chugging electric guitar, clanking like a steam train; vocals that at once confront and converse; a semaphore stomped out by foot; the prophetic declaration from infancy, “Let that boy boogie woogie, cos it’s in him and it’s got to come out…”

Skip 45 years, during which the boogie woogie had poured out, and the same simplicity – guitar, voice, foot-tap – animates a spine-shivering “Tupelo”, his account of the 1927 Mississippi flood. The voice is deeper, grainier, but otherwise nothing has changed.

By then, Hooker was the planet’s best known bluesman, his fame exceeding anything he could have imagined when playing bars in post-war Detroit, and surpassing that of more accomplished pioneers like Muddy Waters or BB King. Yet just a decade before, Hooker could barely give away an album. What happened? Astute management helped, smoothing the way to the superstar duets that lit up his autumn years. More importantly, a fedora’d Hooker had become iconic, appearing in TV adverts as if carved from timber, a totem of authenticity for an age of bogus celebrity.

The 84 tracks here return us to the wellspring of his fame. Hooker’s recording career was labyrinthine, involving a bewildering number of labels and licensing deals, re-making old material and recording under pseudonyms. Finally, that prolific output is set in chronological order, with only a few quibbles about the choices made.

Born into a share-cropper’s family in the Delta, where he learnt guitar from his step-father, Hooker held fast to the visceral mysteries of rural blues – check his lusty, moaning “Crawling King Snake” – while yoking them to the electric crackle of the industrial north – check the distorted guitar snarl of “Down Child”. Having made his name with tough urban hits like “I’m In the Mood”, Hooker was happy to cut an album of acoustic ‘folk-blues’ that endeared him to the coffee house circuit (for whom electricity was anathema).

European audiences of the 1960s made standards of 1956’s “Dimples” and 1961’s “Boom Boom”, laconic masterpieces both, though Hooker’s unstructured style – he frequently stretched 12 bars into 14 or 16 – left him less influential than, say, Muddy or Wolf. Discs two and three here mop up Hooker’s ‘50s and ‘60s heyday; hits like “No More Doggin” and “One Scotch”, impressive live shows alongside Otis Spann, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy, and Hooker’s surprisingly successful 1970 alliance with Canned Heat.

The comeback years on Disc Four – with, Keef, Van, Eric et al – have already endured less well, but doubtless make commercial sense, and Carlos Santana’s re-imagining of Hooker as “The Healer” remains inspired. Hooker is testament to how deep the healing went.

NEIL SPENCER

Ray Lamontagne – Till The Sun Turns Black

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Given the popular resurgence of the sensitive male songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is a rogue trader. Scruffily bearded, press-shy and dealing in themes that are hardly the stuff of snuggling lovers, his current standing in Britain as housewives’ choice is a wholly unexpected victory, especially given the competition. Far from the Blunts and Morrisons, LaMontagne’s comforts are much colder. Yet this summer’s relaunch of 2004 debut Trouble – an Uncut favourite - has seen him fixed in the UK top ten, just as he started packing major venues back home. This follow-up seems like a wary reaction to all that. Reunited with producer Ethan Johns (best known for his work with Ryan Adams), LaMontagne is clearly intent on tending his own furrow. Whereas Trouble was country-blues stripped bare, Till The Sun… has far more texture, making use of strings, swampy guitars and Memphis horns. Opener "Be Here Now" derives mournful pleasure from banks of violins, cello and bowed bass, further dampened by Johns’ fat-raindrop piano. "Empty" is equally beautiful, LaMontagne at his most crestfallen. There’s a touch of Ted Hawkins about the tattered-soul voice, too. He’s never sounded bleaker: "There’s a lot of things that can kill a man/ There’s a lot of ways to die/Yes, and some already did/And walk beside me." Can you imagine Daniel Powter singing that? It’s not quite all despair. The homesick "Three More Days" is an upbeat slice of Southern soul, jumping to Wurlitzer piano and trumpet. The circular riff of "You Can Bring Me Flowers" sounds like a funky JJ Cale. Anti-war song "Within You" is a surprising burst of Beatlesy orch-pop. For all these diversions, though, LaMontagne has a tendency to plod. "Can I Stay" and "Barfly", for example, nudge the bearable limits of the pained-man-with-acoustic-guitar syndrome. His paymasters might also be frustrated that Till The Sun… doesn’t boast an obvious hit in the way that Trouble was blessed with its title track. But in a strange way, that only enhances the appeal of this ultimately brave and rewarding record . ROB HUGHES

Given the popular resurgence of the sensitive male songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is a rogue trader. Scruffily bearded, press-shy and dealing in themes that are hardly the stuff of snuggling lovers, his current standing in Britain as housewives’ choice is a wholly unexpected victory, especially given the competition. Far from the Blunts and Morrisons, LaMontagne’s comforts are much colder. Yet this summer’s relaunch of 2004 debut Trouble – an Uncut favourite – has seen him fixed in the UK top ten, just as he started packing major venues back home.

This follow-up seems like a wary reaction to all that. Reunited with producer Ethan Johns (best known for his work with Ryan Adams), LaMontagne is clearly intent on tending his own furrow. Whereas Trouble was country-blues stripped bare, Till The Sun… has far more texture, making use of strings, swampy guitars and Memphis horns. Opener “Be Here Now” derives mournful pleasure from banks of violins, cello and bowed bass, further dampened by Johns’ fat-raindrop piano. “Empty” is equally beautiful, LaMontagne at his most crestfallen. There’s a touch of Ted Hawkins about the tattered-soul voice, too. He’s never sounded bleaker: “There’s a lot of things that can kill a man/ There’s a lot of ways to die/Yes, and some already did/And walk beside me.” Can you imagine Daniel Powter singing that?

It’s not quite all despair. The homesick “Three More Days” is an upbeat slice of Southern soul, jumping to Wurlitzer piano and trumpet. The circular riff of “You Can Bring Me Flowers” sounds like a funky JJ Cale. Anti-war song “Within You” is a surprising burst of Beatlesy orch-pop.

For all these diversions, though, LaMontagne has a tendency to plod. “Can I Stay” and “Barfly”, for example, nudge the bearable limits of the pained-man-with-acoustic-guitar syndrome. His paymasters might also be frustrated that Till The Sun… doesn’t boast an obvious hit in the way that Trouble was blessed with its title track. But in a strange way, that only enhances the appeal of this ultimately brave and rewarding record .

ROB HUGHES

Gruff Rhys – Candylion

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It’s been all change in the Super Furry Animals camp since the release of 2005’s opulent, leisurely-paced Love Kraft. In that period, the band have parted company with Sony/BMG and inked a fresh deal with Rough Trade, drummer Daf Ieuan has formed The Peth, a supergroup that contains within its number actor Rhys Ifans, and keyboardist Cian Ciaran is performing as Beach Boys-inspired electronica act Acid Casuals. One face that has been largely absent, though, is frontman Gruff Rhys, who emerges here, blinking as if from hibernation, with his second solo album. Recorded at SFA producer Gorwel Owen’s cottage in Anglesey, Candylion is a more layered, fully-realised album than 2005’s Yr Atal Genhedlaeth; 12 tracks of fantastical, strings-assisted acoustic pop and exotica-tinged psychedelia that smuggle in curious parables and flashes of apocalypse amid its nursery rhyme sing-songs. The childish, xylophone-accompanied title track is cute and guile-free. Further in, though, Gruff’s more esoteric musical fascinations – Brazilian Tropicalia, Turkish psychedelia, ‘70s Welsh prog – rear their heads. “Lonesome Words” is a spooked folk elegy dashed with violins courtesy of High Llama Sean O’Hagan. The wonderful “Con Carino”, meanwhile, imagines the fuzz-pop of Psychocandy in gentle slumber, a blissful drone with the voice of Lisa Gen – a vocalist from Gruff’s hometown of Bethesda – seemingly fed in through airport tannoy. Thematically, it’s all very much in step with the times. “Cycle Of Violence” is like Dr Strangelove set to song, while “Ffrwydriad Yn Y Ffurfafen”, one of two Welsh language songs, loosely translates as “Explosion In The Upper Stratosphere”. Yet the mood is unshakeably upbeat. Take “Skylon”, a 13-minute modern fable that casts Gruff as a bomb disposal expert snipping at wires on an airborne aeroplane. In one comic passage, Gruff considers self-immolation when he recognises the tedious TV personality sat next to him. By the close, though, the moral is clear - we should overcome our differences in the name of the common good: “Define myself/Against everything you stood for, now I’m sitting by your side.” Good attitude. Great album. LOUIS PATTISON

It’s been all change in the Super Furry Animals camp since the release of 2005’s opulent, leisurely-paced Love Kraft. In that period, the band have parted company with Sony/BMG and inked a fresh deal with Rough Trade, drummer Daf Ieuan has formed The Peth, a supergroup that contains within its number actor Rhys Ifans, and keyboardist Cian Ciaran is performing as Beach Boys-inspired electronica act Acid Casuals.

One face that has been largely absent, though, is frontman Gruff Rhys, who emerges here, blinking as if from hibernation, with his second solo album. Recorded at SFA producer Gorwel Owen’s cottage in Anglesey, Candylion is a more layered, fully-realised album than 2005’s Yr Atal Genhedlaeth; 12 tracks of fantastical, strings-assisted acoustic pop and exotica-tinged psychedelia that smuggle in curious parables and flashes of apocalypse amid its nursery rhyme sing-songs.

The childish, xylophone-accompanied title track is cute and guile-free. Further in, though, Gruff’s more esoteric musical fascinations – Brazilian Tropicalia, Turkish psychedelia, ‘70s Welsh prog – rear their heads. “Lonesome Words” is a spooked folk elegy dashed with violins courtesy of High Llama Sean O’Hagan. The wonderful “Con Carino”, meanwhile, imagines the fuzz-pop of Psychocandy in gentle slumber, a blissful drone with the voice of Lisa Gen – a vocalist from Gruff’s hometown of Bethesda – seemingly fed in through airport tannoy.

Thematically, it’s all very much in step with the times. “Cycle Of Violence” is like Dr Strangelove set to song, while “Ffrwydriad Yn Y Ffurfafen”, one of two Welsh language songs, loosely translates as “Explosion In The Upper Stratosphere”. Yet the mood is unshakeably upbeat. Take “Skylon”, a 13-minute modern fable that casts Gruff as a bomb disposal expert snipping at wires on an airborne aeroplane. In one comic passage, Gruff considers self-immolation when he recognises the tedious TV personality sat next to him. By the close, though, the moral is clear – we should overcome our differences in the name of the common good: “Define myself/Against everything you stood for, now I’m sitting by your side.” Good attitude. Great album.

LOUIS PATTISON

Bryan Ferry Does Dylan

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Bryan Ferry is to release ‘Dylanesque’, an album of Bob Dylan cover songs, this Spring. The Roxy Music front man is a longtime fan of the great man Dylan having first recorded a swaggering version of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” in 1973. Ferry says recording the new album has always been an ambition, saying, "I just thought it would be great to make a whole album of Dylan songs. And at the end of last year, finally, it happened." ‘Dylanesque’ features eleven Dylan songs, recorded in just one week in the studio with his full touring band backing him. Ferry says, "I wanted to get away from that locked-in-the-studio feeling. We were doing live vocals, harmonica, live everything." Ferry has changed the moods and temper of the songs, protest song ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ is no longer just that. Ferry tells us "The way I do it doesn't mean it isn't a protest song… this song can be whatever you want it to be. I grew up with the jazz idea that you could do a song in many different ways." Other tracks Ferry has tackled include, 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues,' 'Simple Twist of Fate,' ‘All I Really Want To Do’ and ‘Positively 4th Street.’ Guest musicians also appear on the covers album – Brian Eno provides "sonic enhancements" on ‘If Not For You’ and The Dirty Three’s Warren Ellis brings a string arrangement to ‘Positively 4th Street.’ Ferry also tackles ‘Knocking On Heaven's Door’ admitting that “[it] was a risky one, because it's been covered so many times by different people. With All Along The Watchtower there was a nod to Hendrix as well as Dylan. The backing track was done about eight years ago, just an acoustic guitar played by Robin Trower, bass, drums and me. I kept looking at it and thinking, one day I've got to finish that..." ‘Dylanesque’ is released on Virgin Records on March 5.

Bryan Ferry is to release ‘Dylanesque’, an album of Bob Dylan cover songs, this Spring.

The Roxy Music front man is a longtime fan of the great man Dylan having first recorded a swaggering version of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” in 1973.

Ferry says recording the new album has always been an ambition, saying, “I just thought it would be great to make a whole album of Dylan songs. And at the end of last year, finally, it happened.”

‘Dylanesque’ features eleven Dylan songs, recorded in just one week in the studio with his full touring band backing him. Ferry says, “I wanted to get away from that locked-in-the-studio feeling. We were doing live vocals, harmonica, live everything.”

Ferry has changed the moods and temper of the songs, protest song ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ is no longer just that. Ferry tells us “The way I do it doesn’t mean it isn’t a protest song… this song can be whatever you want it to be. I grew up with the jazz idea that you could do a song in many different ways.”

Other tracks Ferry has tackled include, ‘Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,’ ‘Simple Twist of Fate,’ ‘All I Really Want To Do’ and ‘Positively 4th Street.’

Guest musicians also appear on the covers album – Brian Eno provides “sonic enhancements” on ‘If Not For You’ and The Dirty Three’s Warren Ellis brings a string arrangement to ‘Positively 4th Street.’

Ferry also tackles ‘Knocking On Heaven’s Door’ admitting that “[it] was a risky one, because it’s been covered so many times by different people. With All Along The Watchtower there was a nod to Hendrix as well as Dylan. The backing track was done about eight years ago, just an acoustic guitar played by Robin Trower, bass, drums and me. I kept looking at it and thinking, one day I’ve got to finish that…”

‘Dylanesque’ is released on Virgin Records on March 5.

Marianne Faithfull Guests On New Patrick Wolf Album

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Marianne Faithfull is to appear on forthcoming Patrick Wolf album "The Magic Position" due for release next month. Faithfull’s track, "Magpie" is in keeping with Wolf’s classical yet modern sound, which has won him an underground fanbase of dedicated followers. This is Faithfull's first appearence on record since undergoing surgery for breast cancer in September last year. She has since made a full recovery. Another guest on "The Magic Position" is Wolf's close friend Ed Larrikin, front man of other new Uncut favourites, Larrikin Love. Larrikin has described the album's title track as magically unique, saying, "it’s really different, like something you would hear at a wedding." "The Magic Position" is Wolf’s third album and his growing reputation will be reinforced when he embarks on a nationwide tour at the end of the month. For more information about Patrick Wolf and his search for 'superfans' - Click here to go his homepage

Marianne Faithfull is to appear on forthcoming Patrick Wolf album “The Magic Position” due for release next month.

Faithfull’s track, “Magpie” is in keeping with Wolf’s classical yet modern sound, which has won him an underground fanbase of dedicated followers.

This is Faithfull’s first appearence on record since undergoing surgery for breast cancer in September last year. She has since made a full recovery.

Another guest on “The Magic Position” is Wolf’s close friend Ed Larrikin, front man of other new Uncut favourites, Larrikin Love. Larrikin has described the album’s title track as magically unique, saying, “it’s really different, like something you would hear at a wedding.”

“The Magic Position” is Wolf’s third album and his growing reputation will be reinforced when he embarks on a nationwide tour at the end of the month.

For more information about Patrick Wolf and his search for ‘superfans’ – Click here to go his homepage

Is OK Computer The Greatest Album Of The 90s?

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Radiohead's OK Computer is 10 years-old in 2007 - when it was released in June 1997 it was hailed as a 21st-century rock 'n' roll blueprint. In the latest Uncut, David Cavanagh explores the inside story of the making of the album- how Radiohead captured the politics, the panic, the pessimism, and the culture of the time to make an astounding record. OK Computer spawned us Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Karma Police, Electioneering, No Surprises amongst it's 53 minutes. We think OK Computer is a pivotal, revolutionary album, but is it? What does OK Computer mean to you? Does it still send a chill down your spine a decade on? Is it the greatest album made in the 90s? Let us know what you think here - we'll be printing some of your answers in a future edition of Uncut. Read the full OK Computer story in the latest Uncut, available in shops now.

Radiohead’s OK Computer is 10 years-old in 2007 – when it was released in June 1997 it was hailed as a 21st-century rock ‘n’ roll blueprint.

In the latest Uncut, David Cavanagh explores the inside story of the making of the album- how Radiohead captured the politics, the panic, the pessimism, and the culture of the time to make an astounding record.

OK Computer spawned us Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Karma Police, Electioneering, No Surprises amongst it’s 53 minutes.

We think OK Computer is a pivotal, revolutionary album, but is it?

What does OK Computer mean to you? Does it still send a chill down your spine a decade on? Is it the greatest album made in the 90s?

Let us know what you think here – we’ll be printing some of your answers in a future edition of Uncut.

Read the full OK Computer story in the latest Uncut, available in shops now.

Check out Johnny Thunders With Peter Perrett

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Everyday, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube -- a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows. Today: Watch this brilliant clip filmed at Max’s Kansas City in 1980. Joining Johnny Thunders on stage is Only Ones Peter Perrett on guitar. The 7-minute clip treats us to two fabulously unique Thunders’ cover versions. Firstly he growls through The Monkees “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” before the highlight – “Great Big Kiss” by The Shangri-Las! Doesn't get much better than this. Peter Perrett is interviewed in the latest issue of Uncut - on sale tomorrow - Find out what he thought about Babyshamble Pete Doherty when he stayed at his house. Check out the brilliant Johnny Thunders clip- by clicking here now

Everyday, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube — a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows.

Today: Watch this brilliant clip filmed at Max’s Kansas City in 1980.

Joining Johnny Thunders on stage is Only Ones Peter Perrett on guitar.

The 7-minute clip treats us to two fabulously unique Thunders’ cover versions. Firstly he growls through The Monkees “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” before the highlight – “Great Big Kiss” by The Shangri-Las!

Doesn’t get much better than this.

Peter Perrett is interviewed in the latest issue of Uncut – on sale tomorrow – Find out what he thought about Babyshamble Pete Doherty when he stayed at his house.

Check out the brilliant Johnny Thunders clip- by clicking here now

Buzzcocks Announce More Gigs

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Following the sell-out success of their birthday celebrations ‘Buzzcocks 30’ tour last month, the group have announced that they will now be playing a handful of additional regional shows next month. The band, inspired by the Sex Pistols and fronted by Pete Shelley were pivotal in the pop-punk scene of the 70s, and are "still playing their trademark punk pop as if the future of rock ‘n’ roll depended on it" -as Uncut said when we reviewed the band's latest studio album, 'Flat Pack Philosophy.' 31 years after forming, the band are in turn inspiring music, Green Day are the latest band to declare a debt to their sound. You can catch the band at the following towns early next month: Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens (February 8) Gloucester, Guildhall (10) Preston, 53 Degrees (11) Sheffield, The Plug (12) For more Buzzcocks action – Click here to go the band’s homepage Pic credit: Chris Gomez

Following the sell-out success of their birthday celebrations ‘Buzzcocks 30’ tour last month, the group have announced that they will now be playing a handful of additional regional shows next month.

The band, inspired by the Sex Pistols and fronted by Pete Shelley were pivotal in the pop-punk scene of the 70s, and are “still playing their trademark punk pop as if the future of rock ‘n’ roll depended on it” -as Uncut said when we reviewed the band’s latest studio album, ‘Flat Pack Philosophy.’

31 years after forming, the band are in turn inspiring music, Green Day are the latest band to declare a debt to their sound.

You can catch the band at the following towns early next month:

Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens (February 8)

Gloucester, Guildhall (10)

Preston, 53 Degrees (11)

Sheffield, The Plug (12)

For more Buzzcocks action – Click here to go the band’s homepage

Pic credit: Chris Gomez

David Lynch Hooks Up With Donovan

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Innovative filmmaker David Lynch is to celebrate the publication of his new book by collaborating with folk guitar star Donovan with a handful of special events later this month. Lynch, famous for the originality of films such as 'Blue Velvet' and 'Mulholland Drive' will be discussing his new book "Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity" as well as his forthcoming new movie 'Inland Empire.' The events taking place in three cities in the US will also see performances from Donovan, who will be play a set of his greatest songs from the 60s and 70s. Donovan, known for hits such as ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Sunshine Superman’ has just taken up the post of heading up the musical wing of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Taking on the new role fulfils Donovans 40-year interest in Transcendental Meditation. The two unique cultural icons and can be seen at the following venues: Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City (January 12) Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. (14) Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles (21) For more information about the events or the David Lynch Foundation - Click here to go to the homepage For more information about the events or the David Lynch Foundation - Click here to go to the homepage

Innovative filmmaker David Lynch is to celebrate the publication of his new book by collaborating with folk guitar star Donovan with a handful of special events later this month.

Lynch, famous for the originality of films such as ‘Blue Velvet’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’ will be discussing his new book “Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity” as well as his forthcoming new movie ‘Inland Empire.’

The events taking place in three cities in the US will also see performances from Donovan, who will be play a set of his greatest songs from the 60s and 70s.

Donovan, known for hits such as ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Sunshine Superman’ has just taken up the post of heading up the musical wing of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace.

Taking on the new role fulfils Donovans 40-year interest in Transcendental Meditation.

The two unique cultural icons and can be seen at the following venues:

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City (January 12)

Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. (14)

Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles (21)

For more information about the events or the David Lynch Foundation – Click here to go to the homepage

For more information about the events or the David Lynch Foundation – Click here to go to the homepage

Bjork, Prince, and Sufjan Stevens To Pay Homage To Joni Mitchell

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Bjork, Sufjan Stevens and Prince are all to appear on the first ever tribute album to legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. They are amongst a line-up that spans musical genres and each of the 12 artists has contibuted a personal rendition of some of her poetic masterpieces. "A Tribute To Joni Mitchell" is due for release through Nonesuch Records in the Spring. The full tracklisting is as follows: 1. Free Man in Paris - Sufjan Stevens 2. Boho Dance - Björk 3. Dreamland - Caetano Veloso 4. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow - Brad Mehldau 5. For The Roses - Cassandra Wilson 6. A Case of U - Prince 7. Blue - Sarah McLachlan 8. Ladies Of The Canyon - Annie Lennox 9. Magdalena Laundries - Emmylou Harris 10. Edith And The Kingpin - Elvis Costello 11. Help Me - K.D. Lang 12. River - James Taylor Pic credit: Jay Blakesberg

Bjork, Sufjan Stevens and Prince are all to appear on the first ever tribute album to legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.

They are amongst a line-up that spans musical genres and each of the 12 artists has contibuted a personal rendition of some of her poetic masterpieces.

“A Tribute To Joni Mitchell” is due for release through Nonesuch Records in the Spring.

The full tracklisting is as follows:

1. Free Man in Paris – Sufjan Stevens

2. Boho Dance – Björk

3. Dreamland – Caetano Veloso

4. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow – Brad Mehldau

5. For The Roses – Cassandra Wilson

6. A Case of U – Prince

7. Blue – Sarah McLachlan

8. Ladies Of The Canyon – Annie Lennox

9. Magdalena Laundries – Emmylou Harris

10. Edith And The Kingpin – Elvis Costello

11. Help Me – K.D. Lang

12. River – James Taylor

Pic credit: Jay Blakesberg

Rod Stewart Recognised in New Year Honours

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Rod Stewart has been nominated for a CBE for his "services to music" in the Queen's New Year Honours list. He has stated that he is “overjoyed” at the recognition. The singer has been recording and performing for 40 years, starting in the Jeff beck Group with Ron Wood, then with The Faces in the early 70s. Now in his fifth decade of performing, Stewart has sold over 250 million records, with 62 hit singles, including 24 that were number ones, making him one of the highest selling artists of all time. No stranger to accolades in recent times, Stewart was inducted into the Hollywood Walk Of Fame last year as well as receiving a Grammy Award for "Stardust", the third album in his 'Great American Songbook' series. It’s a good start to the year for the 61-year old singer who recently announced a stadium tour of the UK, which is due to begin on June 28th at the City of Manchester Stadium. Others on 2007's honours list include actors Hugh Laurie and Penelope Keith, who both will be getting OBEs. The jazz pianist George Shearing, who was born blind, will receive a knighthood and Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist who uses vibration to experience music, will become a dame. Folk musicians Archie Fisher and Shirley Collins are also honoured with MBEs.

Rod Stewart has been nominated for a CBE for his “services to music” in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

He has stated that he is “overjoyed” at the recognition.

The singer has been recording and performing for 40 years, starting in the Jeff beck Group with Ron Wood, then with The Faces in the early 70s.

Now in his fifth decade of performing, Stewart has sold over 250 million records, with 62 hit singles, including 24 that were number ones, making him one of the highest selling artists of all time.

No stranger to accolades in recent times, Stewart was inducted into the Hollywood Walk Of Fame last year as well as receiving a Grammy Award for “Stardust”, the third album in his ‘Great American Songbook’ series.

It’s a good start to the year for the 61-year old singer who recently announced a stadium tour of the UK, which is due to begin on June 28th at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Others on 2007’s honours list include actors Hugh Laurie and Penelope Keith, who both will be getting OBEs.

The jazz pianist George Shearing, who was born blind, will receive a knighthood and Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist who uses vibration to experience music, will become a dame.

Folk musicians Archie Fisher and Shirley Collins are also honoured with MBEs.

Get On Down With James Brown

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Everyday, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube -- a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows. Today: Check out some early footage of the late great soul singer James Brown who passed away on Christmas day. This footage shows Brown perform “Please Please Please” on 60s US TV show “Shindig!” Check out the young man’s quiffage. Great hair Its so far in, it’s out of sight as the Shindig presenter says at the start. Check out James Brown strutting by clicking here now

Everyday, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube — a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows.

Today: Check out some early footage of the late great soul singer James Brown who passed away on Christmas day.

This footage shows Brown perform “Please Please Please” on 60s US TV show “Shindig!”

Check out the young man’s quiffage. Great hair

Its so far in, it’s out of sight as the Shindig presenter says at the start.

Check out James Brown strutting by clicking here now

Queen Are Better Than The Beatles

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English rock band Queen have beaten The Beatles to be named the “Greatest British band of all time” in a contest conducted by BBC Radio 2. It was a close call though with only 400 votes coming between Queen and The Beatles getting the top honour. More than 20,000 listeners voted for their favourites, with the finalists also including The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Take That. The groups were judged on song-writing, lyrics, live performances, originality and showmanship. The poll result was decided in a special three-hour live broadcast yesterday (New Years Day), with celebrity guests debating who should win. Queen, fronted by the iconic Freddie Mercury, were one of the highest selling groups of all time with 18 number 1 albums and 18 number one singles released throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s - including Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975. Mercury died from an Aids-related illness in 1991, but the band have continued with former Free singer Paul Rodgers taking on the role of singer. Queen guitarist Brian May confirmed late last year that a new studio album with Rodgers is soon to come. They are due to record early this year.

English rock band Queen have beaten The Beatles to be named the “Greatest British band of all time” in a contest conducted by BBC Radio 2.

It was a close call though with only 400 votes coming between Queen and The Beatles getting the top honour.

More than 20,000 listeners voted for their favourites, with the finalists also including The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Take That.

The groups were judged on song-writing, lyrics, live performances, originality and showmanship.

The poll result was decided in a special three-hour live broadcast yesterday (New Years Day), with celebrity guests debating who should win.

Queen, fronted by the iconic Freddie Mercury, were one of the highest selling groups of all time with 18 number 1 albums and 18 number one singles released throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – including Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975.

Mercury died from an Aids-related illness in 1991, but the band have continued with former Free singer Paul Rodgers taking on the role of singer.

Queen guitarist Brian May confirmed late last year that a new studio album with Rodgers is soon to come. They are due to record early this year.

Dylan Not Slandered Says Factory Girl Miller

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Sienna Miller, starring as Andy Warhol’s muse Edie Sedgewick in new film Factory Girl, has denied that Bob Dylan has been defamed. As previously reported, Dylan is suing producer Harvey Weinstein over the character of Billy Quinn – who he claims is a defamatory portrayal of himself. Factory Girl director George Hickenlooper has said that Quinn – played by Hayden Christensen (Star Wars) is “a hybrid of Dylan, Jim Morrison, Donovan.” It is believed that Dylan and Sedgewick had an affair in the late 60s, and that the songs “Like A Roling Stone” and “Just Like A Woman” were about her, but Dylan has never spoken publicly about the friendship. Sienna Miller in an interview with UK newspaper, The Observer has said that although the character is similar, it is definitely not a “libelous portrayal” as claimed by Dylan’s lawyer Orin Snyder. Miller said “It very obviously looks and sounds like Dylan, but I think a lot of actors base performances on real life.” The actress who is hoping to win an Academy Award nomination for the role of Sedgewick, also said, "I'm Bob Dylan's biggest fan. I'm mortified that he's pissed off.” Dylan is still proceeding to sue the film’s producers. Released in the US on Friday, after Dylan’s lawyers failed to halt distribution, Factory Girl follows the life of Sixties fashion icon Sedgwick, who committed suicide at the age of 28.

Sienna Miller, starring as Andy Warhol’s muse Edie Sedgewick in new film Factory Girl, has denied that Bob Dylan has been defamed.

As previously reported, Dylan is suing producer Harvey Weinstein over the character of Billy Quinn – who he claims is a defamatory portrayal of himself.

Factory Girl director George Hickenlooper has said that Quinn – played by Hayden Christensen (Star Wars) is “a hybrid of Dylan, Jim Morrison, Donovan.”

It is believed that Dylan and Sedgewick had an affair in the late 60s, and that the songs “Like A Roling Stone” and “Just Like A Woman” were about her, but Dylan has never spoken publicly about the friendship.

Sienna Miller in an interview with UK newspaper, The Observer has said that although the character is similar, it is definitely not a “libelous portrayal” as claimed by Dylan’s lawyer Orin Snyder.

Miller said “It very obviously looks and sounds like Dylan, but I think a lot of actors base performances on real life.”

The actress who is hoping to win an Academy Award nomination for the role of Sedgewick, also said, “I’m Bob Dylan’s biggest fan. I’m mortified that he’s pissed off.”

Dylan is still proceeding to sue the film’s producers.

Released in the US on Friday, after Dylan’s lawyers failed to halt distribution, Factory Girl follows the life of Sixties fashion icon Sedgwick, who committed suicide at the age of 28.

Smile With Glee At Sufjans Holiday Message

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Everyday, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube -- a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows. Today: Watch an animated video for Sufjan Steven’s “Put The Lights On The Tree.” This sweet video reminds us to look after the lonely at this festive time of year. Check our the ‘Illinoise’ cheerleaders, and Sufjan’s demonic eyes! The song is taken from Sufjan Steven’s recently released “Songs For Christmas” 5-CD box set. Happy holidays! Check out Sufjan’s animated fairies and cheerleaders by clicking here now

Everyday, we bring you the best thing we’ve seen on YouTube — a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows.

Today: Watch an animated video for Sufjan Steven’s “Put The Lights On The Tree.”

This sweet video reminds us to look after the lonely at this festive time of year.

Check our the ‘Illinoise’ cheerleaders, and Sufjan’s demonic eyes!

The song is taken from Sufjan Steven’s recently released “Songs For Christmas” 5-CD box set.

Happy holidays!

Check out Sufjan’s animated fairies and cheerleaders by clicking here now

Grateful Dead And Led Zeppelin To Sue Music Site

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Rock legends the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin are are to take music memorabilia website, Wolfgang’s Vault to court. They claim the site’s owner William Sagan is illegally selling vintage recordings and memorabilia. The plaintiffs, Grateful Dead Productions, Carlos Santana and members of Led Zeppelin and The Doors are attempting to get Sagan to stop selling the materials that he obtained from the estate of Bill Graham, a concert promoter who died in a 1991 helicopter crash. Wolfgang’s Vault, based in San Francisco is a hugely popular memorabilia site that sells concert posters, shirts, photographs and recordings, but which the artists claim were never authorised for Sagan to sell and distribute. Bob Weir, of the Grateful Dead, said in a statement, "We have never given permission for our images and material to be used in this way, what Sagan is doing is stealing. He is stealing what is most important to us - our work, our images and our music - and is profiting from the good will of our fans." The lawsuit also accuses William Sagan of trademark infringement by selling baby clothing showing the artists' names. Sagan has yet to comment about the claims, saying that he had not yet been served with the lawsuit.

Rock legends the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin are are to take music memorabilia website, Wolfgang’s Vault to court. They claim the site’s owner William Sagan is illegally selling vintage recordings and memorabilia.

The plaintiffs, Grateful Dead Productions, Carlos Santana and members of Led Zeppelin and The Doors are attempting to get Sagan to stop selling the materials that he obtained from the estate of Bill Graham, a concert promoter who died in a 1991 helicopter crash.

Wolfgang’s Vault, based in San Francisco is a hugely popular memorabilia site that sells concert posters, shirts, photographs and recordings, but which the artists claim were never authorised for Sagan to sell and distribute.

Bob Weir, of the Grateful Dead, said in a statement, “We have never given permission for our images and material to be used in this way, what Sagan is doing is stealing. He is stealing what is most important to us – our work, our images and our music – and is profiting from the good will of our fans.”

The lawsuit also accuses William Sagan of trademark infringement by selling baby clothing showing the artists’ names.

Sagan has yet to comment about the claims, saying that he had not yet been served with the lawsuit.

Gospel Legend Mavis Staples Gets Political

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One of the original Stax recording artists, Mavis Staples is to release “We’ll Never Turn Back” – her ninth and most polemical album of her career. The album, produced by Uncut favourite, Ry Cooder, features raw, emotional and updated versions of traditional freedom songs from the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Talking about the new record, Mavis Staples says, “Like many in the Civil Rights movement, The Staples Singers drew on the spirituality and strength of the church to help gain social justice and to try to achieve equal rights. She adds, "With this record, I hope to get across the same feeling, the same spirit and the same message as we did then - and to hopefully continue to make positive changes. Things are better but we’re not where we need to be and we’ll never turn back.” As well as these personal and political songs, “We’ll Never Turn Back” will also feature two new songs, written by Mavis Staples and Ry Cooder. Rob Bowman, author of “Soulsville USA: The Story of Stax Records” says about Mavis and the new album, “With ‘We'll Never Turn Back,’ Mavis Staples has come full circle, singing songs that were seminal to a movement and time that helped form her as an artist. Alongside songs that were inextricably part of the Civil Rights movement - many of them associated with the Freedom Singers - Mavis co-wrote the title track with producer and guitarist extraordinaire Ry Cooder. She also sings a Cooder original, ‘I'll Be Rested’, and opens the CD with a cover of bluesman J.B. Lenoir's ‘Down in Mississippi’, connecting the disc to her own roots down South.” Musicians involved in the new recordings include Ry Cooder himself – along with his son Joaquin, drummer Jim Keltner and bassist Mike Elizando. Singers helping create a soundscape for Staples' vocals include South African choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo and many of the original Freedom Singers - the group that formed in 1962, whose songs and music played an important role in the Civil Rights movement. “We’ll Never Turn Back” is to be released on Anti-Records on April 23, 2007.

One of the original Stax recording artists, Mavis Staples is to release “We’ll Never Turn Back” – her ninth and most polemical album of her career.

The album, produced by Uncut favourite, Ry Cooder, features raw, emotional and updated versions of traditional freedom songs from the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Talking about the new record, Mavis Staples says, “Like many in the Civil Rights movement, The Staples Singers drew on the spirituality and strength of the church to help gain social justice and to try to achieve equal rights.

She adds, “With this record, I hope to get across the same feeling, the same spirit and the same message as we did then – and to hopefully continue to make positive changes. Things are better but we’re not where we need to be and we’ll never turn back.”

As well as these personal and political songs, “We’ll Never Turn Back” will also feature two new songs, written by Mavis Staples and Ry Cooder.

Rob Bowman, author of “Soulsville USA: The Story of Stax Records” says about Mavis and the new album, “With ‘We’ll Never Turn Back,’ Mavis Staples has come full circle, singing songs that were seminal to a movement and time that helped form her as an artist.

Alongside songs that were inextricably part of the Civil Rights movement – many of them associated with the Freedom Singers – Mavis co-wrote the title track with producer and guitarist extraordinaire Ry Cooder. She also sings a Cooder original, ‘I’ll Be Rested’, and opens the CD with a cover of bluesman J.B. Lenoir’s ‘Down in Mississippi’, connecting the disc to her own roots down South.”

Musicians involved in the new recordings include Ry Cooder himself – along with his son Joaquin, drummer Jim Keltner and bassist Mike Elizando.

Singers helping create a soundscape for Staples’ vocals include South African choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo and many of the original Freedom Singers – the group that formed in 1962, whose songs and music played an important role in the Civil Rights movement.

“We’ll Never Turn Back” is to be released on Anti-Records on April 23, 2007.