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THE BEATLES’ NEW LOVE ALBUM

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Experimental versions of The Beatles’ original Abbey Road studio master tapes are on ‘Love’, a new collection due out next month. The highly anticipated album was created by legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin while working on a collaboration with Cirque Du Soleil. The remaining Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon, helped on the album. Martin, working with his son Giles, has meticulously trawled through the entire archive of Beatles recordings in a quest to create this new Beatles album. The album is dense with remixes and snippets taken from the entire catalogue. Tracks include “Eleanor Rigby”, “A Day In The Life”, “Here Comes The Sun” and “Dear Prudence”. Sir George Martin told Uncut: “It’s a Da Vinci Code for Beatles fanatics, isn’t it? It’s the most supreme puzzle of all time. I wanted to have a competition to see if anyone could spot everything we’d done in the right sequence. No one will be able to do it.” An added highlight of ‘Love’ for Beatles completists is an unearthed demo version of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Martin has said of the album: “The Beatles always looked for other ways of expressing themselves and this is another step forward for them.” The album will be released worldwide in November 2006.

Experimental versions of The Beatles’ original Abbey Road studio master tapes are on ‘Love’, a new collection due out next month.

The highly anticipated album was created by legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin while working on a collaboration with Cirque Du Soleil.

The remaining Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon, helped on the album.

Martin, working with his son Giles, has meticulously trawled through the entire archive of Beatles recordings in a quest to create this new Beatles album.

The album is dense with remixes and snippets taken from the entire catalogue. Tracks include “Eleanor Rigby”, “A Day In The Life”, “Here Comes The Sun” and “Dear Prudence”.

Sir George Martin told Uncut: “It’s a Da Vinci Code for Beatles fanatics, isn’t it? It’s the most supreme puzzle of all time. I wanted to have a competition to see if anyone could spot everything we’d done in the right sequence. No one will be able to do it.”

An added highlight of ‘Love’ for Beatles completists is an unearthed demo version of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’.

Martin has said of the album: “The Beatles always looked for other ways of expressing themselves and this is another step forward for them.”

The album will be released worldwide in November 2006.

PATTI SMITH SAYS GOODBYE TO CBGBs

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Patti Smith will play the final ever gig at the legendary New York venue CBGBs in a fortnight. Smith, an original icon of the ‘70s New York music scene, who helped create CBGBs' cool punk reputation, is a fitting addition to the club’s final show bill. CBGBs is being forced to close after a disagreement over future rent with its landlord. Hilly Kristal, owner of CBGBs, has also confirmed that the club will re-open in a similar guise in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new venue is expected to open in 2008. About playing at the historic venue at a show earlier this year, Smith said she “had the Jackie Onassis spirit of preservation of our historic architecture. One of the things that has drawn so many people down to the Bowery area—the people living there and the housing and shops and all of the revitalization of that area—was CBGB." Tickets for the final show went on sale yesterday, but are already sold out.

Patti Smith will play the final ever gig at the legendary New York venue CBGBs in a fortnight.

Smith, an original icon of the ‘70s New York music scene, who helped create CBGBs’ cool punk reputation, is a fitting addition to the club’s final show bill.

CBGBs is being forced to close after a disagreement over future rent with its landlord. Hilly Kristal, owner of CBGBs, has also confirmed that the club will re-open in a similar guise in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The new venue is expected to open in 2008.

About playing at the historic venue at a show earlier this year, Smith said she “had the Jackie Onassis spirit of preservation of our historic architecture. One of the things that has drawn so many people down to the Bowery area—the people living there and the housing and shops and all of the revitalization of that area—was CBGB.”

Tickets for the final show went on sale yesterday, but are already sold out.

BJORK TO REJOIN THE SUGARCUBES

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The Sugarcubes are to reform for a one-off gig in Iceland, when quirky singer Bjork rejoins them to mark the cult band’s 20th anniversary. This concert will be the first time the band have played together in 14 years. It is also 20 years since Smekkleysa, the band’s label, released their debut single ‘Birthday’. The Sugarcubes were born on exactly the same day as Bork’s’ first child, in 1986. They had their first bona fide UK Top 20 single with the aptly named ‘Hit’ in January 1992. However, the band’s success was short-lived. They had three top 20 UK albums - 1988’s ‘Life’s Too Good’, 1989’s ‘Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!’ and 1992’s ‘Stick Around For Joy’ – before calling it quits. They split when singer Bjork left to pursue an incredibly successful solo career. 1993’s Debut was a massive success, including several hit singles and earning two Brit award nominations. Bjork also performed at the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Athens in 2004. All profits from the concert, with the support of FL Group, will go back into Smekkleysa SM. Bjork states on her website that the money will allow the company to "continue to work on a non-profit basis for the future betterment of Icelandic music". Other artists on the label include Gus Gus and Sigor Ros. www.Icelandair.net are offering flight and ticket packages for the gig on November 17th.

The Sugarcubes are to reform for a one-off gig in Iceland, when quirky singer Bjork rejoins them to mark the cult band’s 20th anniversary.

This concert will be the first time the band have played together in 14 years.

It is also 20 years since Smekkleysa, the band’s label, released their debut single ‘Birthday’.

The Sugarcubes were born on exactly the same day as Bork’s’ first child, in 1986. They had their first bona fide UK Top 20 single with the aptly named ‘Hit’ in January 1992.

However, the band’s success was short-lived. They had three top 20 UK albums – 1988’s ‘Life’s Too Good’, 1989’s ‘Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week!’ and 1992’s ‘Stick Around For Joy’ – before calling it quits.

They split when singer Bjork left to pursue an incredibly successful solo career. 1993’s Debut was a massive success, including several hit singles and earning two Brit award nominations.

Bjork also performed at the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Athens in 2004.

All profits from the concert, with the support of FL Group, will go back into Smekkleysa SM.

Bjork states on her website that the money will allow the company to “continue to work on a non-profit basis for the future betterment of Icelandic music”.

Other artists on the label include Gus Gus and Sigor Ros.

www.Icelandair.net are offering flight and ticket packages for the gig on November 17th.

JACK WHITE GOES ORCHESTRAL

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White Stripes and Raconteurs man Jack White has put together ‘Aluminium’ – an avant-garde album of orchestral recordings. The album – co-produced by Richard Russell and Joby Talbot, the latter formerly of The Divine Comedy - will be available in limited quantities: 3,333 CDs and 999 LPs to be precise, and only through the Aluminium website. The album will come accompanied by a series of 10 special images, created by artist and White Stripes collaborator, Rob Jones. The arty LP format will also feature a silk screen print by Jones. As if that wasn’t enough, choreographer Wayne McGregor has incorporated several tracks from the haunting ‘Aluminium’ into a piece he is putting together for the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden this November. Aluminium will be available for pre-order from November 6th, through XL, also label home to The White Stripes. More details on the classical concept album can be found at www.alumiiinium.com

White Stripes and Raconteurs man Jack White has put together ‘Aluminium’ – an avant-garde album of orchestral recordings.

The album – co-produced by Richard Russell and Joby Talbot, the latter formerly of The Divine Comedy – will be available in limited quantities: 3,333 CDs and 999 LPs to be precise, and only through the Aluminium website.

The album will come accompanied by a series of 10 special images, created by artist and White Stripes collaborator, Rob Jones. The arty LP format will also feature a silk screen print by Jones.

As if that wasn’t enough, choreographer Wayne McGregor has incorporated several tracks from the haunting ‘Aluminium’ into a piece he is putting together for the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden this November.

Aluminium will be available for pre-order from November 6th, through XL, also label home to The White Stripes.

More details on the classical concept album can be found at www.alumiiinium.com

JAMES BLUNT IS TOP OF THE STIFFS

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“Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt is officially the most popular funeral song request in Britain. Last year’s winner, “Angels” by Robbie Williams, is relegated to second place. The Bereavement Register survey also unearthed a diverse selection of songs in the Top 20, including Daniel O’Donnell’s “Danny Boy” at number 11 and S Club 7’s “Reach For The Stars” marking the kids’ top request at Number 20. Here’s the gloomy yet strangely uplifting Top 10 in full: 1. Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt 2. Angels – Robbie Williams 3. I’ve Had The Time of My Life – Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley 4. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler 5. Pie Jesu – Requiem 6. Candle In The Wind – Elton John 7. With Or Without You – U2 8. Tears From Heaven – Eric Clapton 9. Every Breath You Take – The Police 10. Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers The Bereavement Register helpfully removes names and addresses of the deceased from companies’ mailing lists; to register a relative, visit www.the-beareavent-register.org.uk

“Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt is officially the most popular funeral song request in Britain. Last year’s winner, “Angels” by Robbie Williams, is relegated to second place.

The Bereavement Register survey also unearthed a diverse selection of songs in the Top 20, including Daniel O’Donnell’s “Danny Boy” at number 11 and S Club 7’s “Reach For The Stars” marking the kids’ top request at Number 20.

Here’s the gloomy yet strangely uplifting Top 10 in full:

1. Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt

2. Angels – Robbie Williams

3. I’ve Had The Time of My Life – Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley

4. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler

5. Pie Jesu – Requiem

6. Candle In The Wind – Elton John

7. With Or Without You – U2

8. Tears From Heaven – Eric Clapton

9. Every Breath You Take – The Police

10. Unchained Melody – Righteous Brothers

The Bereavement Register helpfully removes names and addresses of the deceased from companies’ mailing lists; to register a relative, visit www.the-beareavent-register.org.uk

BECK – THE INFORMATION

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Though he may be styled as a maverick, Beck Hansen has stuck to a pretty predictable routine in the decade since Odelay. He releases a hip-hop/pop/blues romp, produced by the Dust Brothers, showcasing his post-modern hipster schtick. Then he follows it up with a faintly ethereal, largely straight-faced singer-songwriter album, helmed by Nigel Godrich. Fine records all, but a little formulaic. Beck’s ninth album represents a twist, of sorts. As the schedule dictates, Godrich is on duty (The Dust Brothers having handled last year’s Guero). But instead of muted introspection, The Information finds Godrich complicit in one of Beck’s elaborate party projects. Stickers allow you to design the sleeve. Daft, cute, lo-fi videos for every track come on a bonus DVD. Puppets dance at the accompanying gigs. As for the music, the first half-dozen songs are terrific, and suggest Godrich has introduced Beck to a crateful of British music he’d hitherto ignored. The glittering synth-pomp of Simple Minds’ “New Gold Dream” is invoked by “Soldier Jane”, while “Loaded”-era Primal Scream are manifest on “Cellphone’s Dead” and “Strange Apparition”. Spooks from old Warp records squelch and hiss in the background throughout. Over 17 tracks, however, something more compromised emerges - a spacey, live reconfiguring of Odelay’s sample-heavy sound. As Radiohead can testify, Godrich’s precise, airless style can add other-worldly gravitas to a conventional rock song. But another former client, Stephen Malkmus, described his work on Pavement’s Terror Twilight as putting “Nigel Godrich swooshing” all over it. Similarly, The Information often feels hygienised and missing some grit: the clanking metal percussion for “1000 BPM” is unencumbered by rust; the harmonica on “Dark Star” tastes resolutely spittle-free. There are plenty of good things here, but there’s also a sense of artist and producer (and Godrich’s presence sometimes overwhelms even Beck) operating in default mode. Only “Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton” totally fulfils the promise of risk-taking: a 12-minute sprawl that takes in ambient jams, disruptive electric guitar, shades of Serge Gainsbourg and Boards Of Canada, the shipping forecast, a conversation between Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers, and an edginess that breaks up the prevailing sheen. “There’s a light beaming through the galaxy, telling you everything’s gonna be OK,” Beck claims on “Motorcade”. Once, we’d have taken it as fabulist irony. Now, the thought occurs that it may be Scientologist rhetoric. It’s a paradox that could usher in a tricky and interesting phase of Beck’s career: how best to resolve the realities of his life with the flippancy of his best art? By John Mulvey

Though he may be styled as a maverick, Beck Hansen has stuck to a pretty predictable routine in the decade since Odelay. He releases a hip-hop/pop/blues romp, produced by the Dust Brothers, showcasing his post-modern hipster schtick. Then he follows it up with a faintly ethereal, largely straight-faced singer-songwriter album, helmed by Nigel Godrich. Fine records all, but a little formulaic.

Beck’s ninth album represents a twist, of sorts. As the schedule dictates, Godrich is on duty (The Dust Brothers having handled last year’s Guero). But instead of muted introspection, The Information finds Godrich complicit in one of Beck’s elaborate party projects. Stickers allow you to design the sleeve. Daft, cute, lo-fi videos for every track come on a bonus DVD. Puppets dance at the accompanying gigs. As for the music, the first half-dozen songs are terrific, and suggest Godrich has introduced Beck to a crateful of British music he’d hitherto ignored. The glittering synth-pomp of Simple Minds’ “New Gold Dream” is invoked by “Soldier Jane”, while “Loaded”-era Primal Scream are manifest on “Cellphone’s Dead” and “Strange Apparition”. Spooks from old Warp records squelch and hiss in the background throughout.

Over 17 tracks, however, something more compromised emerges – a spacey, live reconfiguring of Odelay’s sample-heavy sound. As Radiohead can testify, Godrich’s precise, airless style can add other-worldly gravitas to a conventional rock song. But another former client, Stephen Malkmus, described his work on Pavement’s Terror Twilight as putting “Nigel Godrich swooshing” all over it. Similarly, The Information often feels hygienised and missing some grit: the clanking metal percussion for “1000 BPM” is unencumbered by rust; the harmonica on “Dark Star” tastes resolutely spittle-free.

There are plenty of good things here, but there’s also a sense of artist and producer (and Godrich’s presence sometimes overwhelms even Beck) operating in default mode. Only “Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton” totally fulfils the promise of risk-taking: a 12-minute sprawl that takes in ambient jams, disruptive electric guitar, shades of Serge Gainsbourg and Boards Of Canada, the shipping forecast, a conversation between Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers, and an edginess that breaks up the prevailing sheen.

“There’s a light beaming through the galaxy, telling you everything’s gonna be OK,” Beck claims on “Motorcade”. Once, we’d have taken it as fabulist irony. Now, the thought occurs that it may be Scientologist rhetoric. It’s a paradox that could usher in a tricky and interesting phase of Beck’s career: how best to resolve the realities of his life with the flippancy of his best art?

By John Mulvey

RYAN ADAMS GOES HIP HOP!

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Ryan Adams has streamed a new track online at Ryan-Adams.com called “Look Who's Got A Website” - and it marks yet another surprising new musical direction for the ever-changing Americana singer-songwriter. The track sees Adams trying his hand at rapping in a similar style to Beck. Sounding also a bit like The Beastie Boys, Adams gives shout-outs to New York, Kevin Costner and witches. He also takes the opportunity to rap about his recent albums and the critical maulings and low sales they’ve suffered: "Two and a half star... My record went balsa wood... basically he's alternative country but crappy.” The website has been revamped in a garish ‘80s retro-galactic style – with a Cardinals Radio flight deck to ensure safe passage through a moving cartoon galaxy. Hidden gems on the site include a Space Invaders-style game, while hitting random buttons reveals links to New York weather, Google Earth and geometric visual puzzles. It’s all guaranteed to make your eyes hurt. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Adams is set to play London's Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday (September 30) - however, it's unclear whether or not he will be on a hip hop tip.

Ryan Adams has streamed a new track online at Ryan-Adams.com called “Look Who’s Got A Website” – and it marks yet another surprising new musical direction for the ever-changing Americana singer-songwriter.

The track sees Adams trying his hand at rapping in a similar style to Beck. Sounding also a bit like The Beastie Boys, Adams gives shout-outs to New York, Kevin Costner and witches.

He also takes the opportunity to rap about his recent albums and the critical maulings and low sales they’ve suffered: “Two and a half star… My record went balsa wood… basically he’s alternative country but crappy.”

The website has been revamped in a garish ‘80s retro-galactic style – with a Cardinals Radio flight deck to ensure safe passage through a moving cartoon galaxy.

Hidden gems on the site include a Space Invaders-style game, while hitting random buttons reveals links to New York weather, Google Earth and geometric visual puzzles.

It’s all guaranteed to make your eyes hurt.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Adams is set to play London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday (September 30) – however, it’s unclear whether or not he will be on a hip hop tip.

JAZZ LEGEND GETS POSTHUMOUS ACCOLADE

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Yesterday (Sep 28) saw Miles Davis inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk, for his significant contribution to music with landmarks albums such as Kind Of Blue, On The Corner and Bitches Brew. His son Erin Davis was at the induction to accept the special award. Former RockWalk inductee, celebrated guitar wizard Carlos Santana, said of Davis’ recognition, “He represents the very best that the human mind, soul, and spirit have ever conceived.” Previous inductees have included Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder and B.B. King.

Yesterday (Sep 28) saw Miles Davis inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk, for his significant contribution to music with landmarks albums such as Kind Of Blue, On The Corner and Bitches Brew.

His son Erin Davis was at the induction to accept the special award.

Former RockWalk inductee, celebrated guitar wizard Carlos Santana, said of Davis’ recognition, “He represents the very best that the human mind, soul, and spirit have ever conceived.”

Previous inductees have included Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder and B.B. King.

GIG ON A RIG PLANNED BY KATIE MELUA

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Katie Melua will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the deepest underwater concert when she performs a concert at the bottom of the North Sea on October 2nd. The concert will be held at the bottom of one of the four shafts of the Statoil Troll A Platform gas rig, Europe’s largest. They invited Melua to play as part of the gas platform’s 10th anniversary celebrations. In addition to the gas rig staff, the audience will include Craig Glenday, Editor-in Chief of Guinness World Records, to make sure the right criteria are met. Melua will perform a fully live concert in order to be eligible for a Guinness World Record, and will be likely performing tracks from her debut album ‘Call Off The Search’ (from 2004) and its 2005 follow-up ‘Piece By Piece’. Katie Melua is one of Britain’s most successful exports, having sold more than 6 million albums globally. The concert will premiere on Norwegian television. Melua releases a new single, ‘It’s Only Pain’, later this year. www.katiemelua.com

Katie Melua will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the deepest underwater concert when she performs a concert at the bottom of the North Sea on October 2nd.

The concert will be held at the bottom of one of the four shafts of the Statoil Troll A Platform gas rig, Europe’s largest. They invited Melua to play as part of the gas platform’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

In addition to the gas rig staff, the audience will include Craig Glenday, Editor-in Chief of Guinness World Records, to make sure the right criteria are met.

Melua will perform a fully live concert in order to be eligible for a Guinness World Record, and will be likely performing tracks from her debut album ‘Call Off The Search’ (from 2004) and its 2005 follow-up ‘Piece By Piece’.

Katie Melua is one of Britain’s most successful exports, having sold more than 6 million albums globally.

The concert will premiere on Norwegian television.

Melua releases a new single, ‘It’s Only Pain’, later this year.

www.katiemelua.com

ROBERT PLANT PLAYS BENEFIT SHOW FOR NEIGHBOUR

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Robert Plant is staging a benefit gig at his local town hall, in, of all places, Kidderminster! He hopes to raise £25,000 to help pay for specialist medical treatment required by local resident named Jackie Jennings. Jennings needs treatment for a recurring brain tumour. The kind-hearted Plant heard that she’d already raised £75,000, and so offered to stage the gig as the quickest way to raise the remainder, since time is of the essence. Plant is to be backed by a group of musicians who are billed as "The Return Of The Honeydrippers". 1984’s Return Of The Honeydrippers: Volume One was a Plant solo album. It featured cameos from Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, among others. However, it is not known who the latterday version of The Honeydrippers will be. Plant and Co are booked to play the Kidderminster Town Hall, Worcestershire, on December 23rd.

Robert Plant is staging a benefit gig at his local town hall, in, of all places, Kidderminster!

He hopes to raise £25,000 to help pay for specialist medical treatment required by local resident named Jackie Jennings.

Jennings needs treatment for a recurring brain tumour. The kind-hearted Plant heard that she’d already raised £75,000, and so offered to stage the gig as the quickest way to raise the remainder, since time is of the essence.

Plant is to be backed by a group of musicians who are billed as “The Return Of The Honeydrippers”.

1984’s Return Of The Honeydrippers: Volume One was a Plant solo album. It featured cameos from Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, among others. However, it is not known who the latterday version of The Honeydrippers will be.

Plant and Co are booked to play the Kidderminster Town Hall, Worcestershire, on December 23rd.

ELVIS TRIBUTE ACT EXTRAVAGANZA THIS WEEKEND

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The biggest Elvis event of the year, the Elvies Awards, will see hundreds of Elvis tribute acts from all over Europe gather to compete this weekend in Porthcawl, South Wales. The Elvies on Saturday is only part of the festival. An Elvis Disco kicks off proceedings on Friday night. Other Elvisy highlights include an Elvis Gospel show, and the Elvis Presley Story, a glittering two-hour show featuring Mario Kombou, star of the musical Jailhouse Rock. Dust off your blue suede shoes. Tickets for shows over the weekend start at £5. A weekend VIP package is £86. More information about the festival is available at www.elvies.co.uk.

The biggest Elvis event of the year, the Elvies Awards, will see hundreds of Elvis tribute acts from all over Europe gather to compete this weekend in Porthcawl, South Wales.

The Elvies on Saturday is only part of the festival. An Elvis Disco kicks off proceedings on Friday night. Other Elvisy highlights include an Elvis Gospel show, and the Elvis Presley Story, a glittering two-hour show featuring Mario Kombou, star of the musical Jailhouse Rock.

Dust off your blue suede shoes.

Tickets for shows over the weekend start at £5. A weekend VIP package is £86.

More information about the festival is available at www.elvies.co.uk.

ISLAND TO RE-RELEASE JULIAN COPE’S JEHOVAHKILL

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Julian Cope’s Jehovahkill is being re-released next month in a two-disc deluxe edition. 1992’s Jehovahkill, the follow-up to Peggy Suicide, was a mad scramble of pop bliss, krautrock and techno-dance. It was arguably Cope’s biggest critical success. However, the self-styled arch drude was famously dropped from Island Records only one week after the album's release, the label citing as justification that acclaim was not being matched by record sales. Ironically, all this publicity helped Jehovahkill become a career turning point for the wilful, experimental rocker. The deluxe edition features eight previously unreleased album sessions as well as a 22-minute version of the far-out ‘Poet Is Priest’. Jehovahkill is re-released on October 30th, through Universal/Island.

Julian Cope’s Jehovahkill is being re-released next month in a two-disc deluxe edition.

1992’s Jehovahkill, the follow-up to Peggy Suicide, was a mad scramble of pop bliss, krautrock and techno-dance. It was arguably Cope’s biggest critical success.

However, the self-styled arch drude was famously dropped from Island Records only one week after the album’s release, the label citing as justification that acclaim was not being matched by record sales.

Ironically, all this publicity helped Jehovahkill become a career turning point for the wilful, experimental rocker.

The deluxe edition features eight previously unreleased album sessions as well as a 22-minute version of the far-out ‘Poet Is Priest’.

Jehovahkill is re-released on October 30th, through Universal/Island.

NEW RANGE OF MUSIC BOOKS-PLUS-CDs HIT SHOPS

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The definitive Jam collection is here! Entitled Direction, Reaction, Creation, this 5-CD set features their complete studio recordings - all 117 tracks. But there’s more. The music is part of a sumptuous thread-bound book, featuring extensive liner notes, in-depth band chronology, as well as rare photographs and memorabilia. Everything you wanted to know about The Jam, basically, plus a whole lot more. This collectors’ package is part of a new concept series, courtesy Universal Music, called ‘Earbooks’. The first six Earbooks will feature seminal bands The Jam, The Police and Thin Lizzy as well soul legends Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and country-pop star Dusty Springfield. The Police collection, ‘Message In A Box – The Complete Recordings’, for example, contains all 78 songs released by the band between 1977 and 1986; it also features Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland revealing their thoughts about the recordings. The first Earbooks will be on sale from October 23rd in book and gift shops, as well as traditional music retailers.

The definitive Jam collection is here! Entitled Direction, Reaction, Creation, this 5-CD set features their complete studio recordings – all 117 tracks.

But there’s more. The music is part of a sumptuous thread-bound book, featuring extensive liner notes, in-depth band chronology, as well as rare photographs and memorabilia. Everything you wanted to know about The Jam, basically, plus a whole lot more.

This collectors’ package is part of a new concept series, courtesy Universal Music, called ‘Earbooks’.

The first six Earbooks will feature seminal bands The Jam, The Police and Thin Lizzy as well soul legends Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and country-pop star Dusty Springfield.

The Police collection, ‘Message In A Box – The Complete Recordings’, for example, contains all 78 songs released by the band between 1977 and 1986; it also features Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland revealing their thoughts about the recordings.

The first Earbooks will be on sale from October 23rd in book and gift shops, as well as traditional music retailers.

LEE HAZLEWOOD’S SWANSONG

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Lee Hazlewood has confirmed details of his final album, saying these are the 13 songs he wants to bequeath to the world before he dies. Entitled Cake Or Death, in homage to his comic hero Eddie Izzard, the album pulls together the different strands of his career, employing musicians he has previously worked with, as well as those he has always wanted to. Among the tracks is a new version of ‘Some Velvet Morning’, originally recorded as a duet with Nancy Sinatra, this time reprised by his granddaughter Phaedra Dawn Stewart. Joked Hazelwood recently: “Who says nepotism is dead?” Life-long collaborator Al Casey co-writes two tracks on the album. As well as recording with Hazlewood, Casey has previously worked with The Beach Boys, Dean Martin and Duane Eddy. Hazlewood’s music found a new audience in the ‘90s when influential artists such as Beck, Pulp, Sonic Youth and Nick Cave rediscovered him. Cake or Death will be released on the BPX1992 label on December 4th

Lee Hazlewood has confirmed details of his final album, saying these are the 13 songs he wants to bequeath to the world before he dies.

Entitled Cake Or Death, in homage to his comic hero Eddie Izzard, the album pulls together the different strands of his career, employing musicians he has previously worked with, as well as those he has always wanted to.

Among the tracks is a new version of ‘Some Velvet Morning’, originally recorded as a duet with Nancy Sinatra, this time reprised by his granddaughter Phaedra Dawn Stewart. Joked Hazelwood recently: “Who says nepotism is dead?”

Life-long collaborator Al Casey co-writes two tracks on the album. As well as recording with Hazlewood, Casey has previously worked with The Beach Boys, Dean Martin and Duane Eddy.

Hazlewood’s music found a new audience in the ‘90s when influential artists such as Beck, Pulp, Sonic Youth and Nick Cave rediscovered him.

Cake or Death will be released on the BPX1992 label on December 4th

GRUNGE LEGENDS JOIN FORCES

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Two of the biggest names from the grunge era, Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli and Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan, have joined forces on a new five-track EP, A Stitch In Time. The lead track on the EP is a hypnotic cover version of the Massive Attack song 'Live With Me' (written by and featuring soul legend Terry Callier). Other tracks on the EP are ‘Sublime’, co-written by Dulli and Joseph Arthur (with Arthur on guest vocals); ‘Flashback’, a track by New Zealand’s finest high-tech soulsters Fat Freddy’s Drop and featuring Mark Lanegan again on vocals; ‘They Ride’, co-written by Dulli and Rick McCollum; and ‘The Lure Would Prove Too Much’, written by Dulli. The full track listing for A Stitch In Time is: 1. Live With Me (featuring Mark Lanegan) 2. Sublime (featuring Joseph Arthur) 3. Flashback (featuring Mark Lanegan) 4. They Ride (featuring Rick McCollum) 5. The Lure Would Prove Too Much ‘Live With Me’ was one of the highlights of the August gig by Twilight Singers, Greg Dulli’s new band. It was at that gig that Lanegan joined Dulli and Co onstage as guest vocalist. The collaboration proved such a success that the grunge twosome, together named The Gutter Twins, are currently working on a full length album. They aim to have the album completed by early 2007. In the meantime you can catch the Twilight Singers on a brief tour of the UK, after they complete a mammoth 19-date US tour in October. Mark Lanegan will be joining them. The dates are as follows: Dublin, The Village (November 18) Belfast, Limelight (19) London, KOKO (23) The EP is released through One Little Indian on 4th Dec. The tracks will be available for download through iTunes on Nov 20th.

Two of the biggest names from the grunge era, Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli and Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan, have joined forces on a new five-track EP, A Stitch In Time.

The lead track on the EP is a hypnotic cover version of the Massive Attack song ‘Live With Me’ (written by and featuring soul legend Terry Callier).

Other tracks on the EP are ‘Sublime’, co-written by Dulli and Joseph Arthur (with Arthur on guest vocals); ‘Flashback’, a track by New Zealand’s finest high-tech soulsters Fat Freddy’s Drop and featuring Mark Lanegan again on vocals; ‘They Ride’, co-written by Dulli and Rick McCollum; and ‘The Lure Would Prove Too Much’, written by Dulli.

The full track listing for A Stitch In Time is:

1. Live With Me (featuring Mark Lanegan)

2. Sublime (featuring Joseph Arthur)

3. Flashback (featuring Mark Lanegan)

4. They Ride (featuring Rick McCollum)

5. The Lure Would Prove Too Much

‘Live With Me’ was one of the highlights of the August gig by Twilight Singers, Greg Dulli’s new band. It was at that gig that Lanegan joined Dulli and Co onstage as guest vocalist.

The collaboration proved such a success that the grunge twosome, together named The Gutter Twins, are currently working on a full length album. They aim to have the album completed by early 2007.

In the meantime you can catch the Twilight Singers on a brief tour of the UK, after they complete a mammoth 19-date US tour in October. Mark Lanegan will be joining them.

The dates are as follows:

Dublin, The Village (November 18)

Belfast, Limelight (19)

London, KOKO (23)

The EP is released through One Little Indian on 4th Dec. The tracks will be available for download through iTunes on Nov 20th.

UNHEARD DYLAN SONGS – YOURS FOR ONLY $100,000

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A tape featuring four songs by a young Bob Dylan is expected to fetch up to $100,000 (£53,000) when it is sold in Dallas next month. Dylan, then named Robert Zimmerman, recorded the songs with school friend Ric Kangas in the late ‘50s, after meeting at a school talent show. Dylan sings on three tracks, and plays guitar on the fourth. Kangas found the tape a couple of years ago, but due to the age of the tape had difficulty finding a suitable tape player! Two of the tracks, “I Got Trouble” and “I Got A New Girl”, featured in Martin Scorsese's 2005 Bob Dylan documentary, No Direction Home. Kangas, a former Elvis impersonator, says he kept in touch with his childhood friend, although their last meeting was backstage after a show in Memphis in 1974. Dylan has made no comment about the recordings up for sale. The auction at the Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas, takes place in October.

A tape featuring four songs by a young Bob Dylan is expected to fetch up to $100,000 (£53,000) when it is sold in Dallas next month.

Dylan, then named Robert Zimmerman, recorded the songs with school friend Ric Kangas in the late ‘50s, after meeting at a school talent show.

Dylan sings on three tracks, and plays guitar on the fourth. Kangas found the tape a couple of years ago, but due to the age of the tape had difficulty finding a suitable tape player!

Two of the tracks, “I Got Trouble” and “I Got A New Girl”, featured in Martin Scorsese’s 2005 Bob Dylan documentary, No Direction Home.

Kangas, a former Elvis impersonator, says he kept in touch with his childhood friend, although their last meeting was backstage after a show in Memphis in 1974.

Dylan has made no comment about the recordings up for sale.

The auction at the Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas, takes place in October.

MERCURY REV TACKLE DYLAN AND LENNON ON NEW GREATEST HITS

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Mercury Rev are set to release ‘The Essential Mercury Rev - Stillness Breathes (1991-2006)’, a two-disc retrospective, on Monday (2 Oct). Disc one contains selections from the band's six studio albums, including the highly acclaimed Deserter’s Songs (Uncut’s Album Of The Year for 1998) and All Is Dream from 2001. Disc two, meanwhile, is a collection of B-sides and rarities including David Bowie, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young and Nico covers as well as other previously unreleased oddities. As well as looking back, Mercury Rev will be issuing their first new track proper since last year’s well received album The Secret Migration - ‘Cecilia’s Lunar Expose’. The song will appear exclusively on their Back To Mine compilation, along with a handpicked selection of the band’s favourite music from artists such as David Bowie, John Cale, Spacemen 3, and Alex Chilton. Back To Mine is available from 20th November, through DMC world records. The full tracklisting is: 1. A New Career In A New Town – David Bowie 2. Hotel Borg – Johan Johannsson 3. Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks 4. When Will You Come Home – Galaxie 500 5. I’m A Fool To Want You – Billie Holliday 6. Days of Steam – John Cale 7./=/=/ - Andrew Bird 8. The Grand Tour – George Jones 9. If I Were A Little Star – Nicolai Dunger 10. Cecilia’s Lunar Expose – Mercury Rev 12. Big City – Spacemen 3 13. Dream Baby Dream – Suicide 14. Let Me Get Close To You – Alex Chilton 15. Astral Travelling – Pharoah Sanders 16. Cast Anchor – Hanne Hukkleberg 17. Self Portrait In 3 Colours – Bill Frisell, Don Byron, Art Baron, et al 18. Uncle Bob’s Midnight Blues – Randy Newman 19. When You Wish Upon A Star – Cliff Edwards

Mercury Rev are set to release ‘The Essential Mercury Rev – Stillness Breathes (1991-2006)’, a two-disc retrospective, on Monday (2 Oct).

Disc one contains selections from the band’s six studio albums, including the highly acclaimed Deserter’s Songs (Uncut’s Album Of The Year for 1998) and All Is Dream from 2001.

Disc two, meanwhile, is a collection of B-sides and rarities including David Bowie, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young and Nico covers as well as other previously unreleased oddities.

As well as looking back, Mercury Rev will be issuing their first new track proper since last year’s well received album The Secret Migration – ‘Cecilia’s Lunar Expose’.

The song will appear exclusively on their Back To Mine compilation, along with a handpicked selection of the band’s favourite music from artists such as David Bowie, John Cale, Spacemen 3, and Alex Chilton.

Back To Mine is available from 20th November, through DMC world records.

The full tracklisting is:

1. A New Career In A New Town – David Bowie

2. Hotel Borg – Johan Johannsson

3. Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks

4. When Will You Come Home – Galaxie 500

5. I’m A Fool To Want You – Billie Holliday

6. Days of Steam – John Cale

7./=/=/ – Andrew Bird

8. The Grand Tour – George Jones

9. If I Were A Little Star – Nicolai Dunger

10. Cecilia’s Lunar Expose – Mercury Rev

12. Big City – Spacemen 3

13. Dream Baby Dream – Suicide

14. Let Me Get Close To You – Alex Chilton

15. Astral Travelling – Pharoah Sanders

16. Cast Anchor – Hanne Hukkleberg

17. Self Portrait In 3 Colours – Bill Frisell, Don Byron, Art Baron, et al

18. Uncle Bob’s Midnight Blues – Randy Newman

19. When You Wish Upon A Star – Cliff Edwards

UNCUT NEW FAVES THE FRATELLIS HIT THE ROAD

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Uncut punky-pop favourites The Fratellis, described in the next issue of the magazine as “the missing link between Supergrass and The Libertines”, have announced a series of headline tour dates to follow their appearance on the NME Rock’n’Roll Riot Tour during October. The band's debut, 'Costello Music', is currently at Number 2 in the British album charts, only kept off pole position by Uncut’s current Album Of The Month, Ta-Dah by Scissor Sisters. The Fratellis release another single from the album, ‘Whistle For The Choir’, on November 20. The dates for the gigs are as follows, tickets on sale now: Manchester Academy (October 28) Brighton Corn Exchange (30) Southampton Guildhall (November 4) London Astoria (5) Birmingham Academy (6) Glasgow Barrowland (9) For ticket availability go to www.nme.com/gigs

Uncut punky-pop favourites The Fratellis, described in the next issue of the magazine as “the missing link between Supergrass and The Libertines”, have announced a series of headline tour dates to follow their appearance on the NME Rock’n’Roll Riot Tour during October.

The band’s debut, ‘Costello Music’, is currently at Number 2 in the British album charts, only kept off pole position by Uncut’s current Album Of The Month, Ta-Dah by Scissor Sisters.

The Fratellis release another single from the album, ‘Whistle For The Choir’, on November 20.

The dates for the gigs are as follows, tickets on sale now:

Manchester Academy (October 28)

Brighton Corn Exchange (30)

Southampton Guildhall (November 4)

London Astoria (5)

Birmingham Academy (6)

Glasgow Barrowland (9)

For ticket availability go to www.nme.com/gigs

JOY DIVISION DVD OFFERS INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF IAN CURTIS

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A new documentary focusing on the career of Mancunian post-punk legends Joy Division is to be released on DVD on October 31. ‘Joy Division: Under Review’ includes rare footage, brand new interviews and photographs. The 70-minute DVD charts the band’s rapid rise from their origins as Warsaw to their position as arguably the most influential band of their generation. ‘Joy Division: Under Review’ features rare live footage of frontman Ian Curtis as well as interviews with co-author of 'Torn Apart: The Life Of Ian Curtis', Mick Middles, Manchester musician John Robb, and Uncut contributors David Stubbs and Barney Hoskyns. Included in the extras are 'The Hardest Joy Division Quiz in the World Ever', contributor biographies, and a 'Beyond DVD' section. The late Joy Division vocalist, who hanged himself in 1980, is also the subject of the feature film ‘Control’, which is currently under development in the UK, helmed by ex-NME photographer Anton Corbijn. It is expected to be released in 2007.

A new documentary focusing on the career of Mancunian post-punk legends Joy Division is to be released on DVD on October 31. ‘Joy Division: Under Review’ includes rare footage, brand new interviews and photographs.

The 70-minute DVD charts the band’s rapid rise from their origins as Warsaw to their position as arguably the most influential band of their generation.

‘Joy Division: Under Review’ features rare live footage of frontman Ian Curtis as well as interviews with co-author of ‘Torn Apart: The Life Of Ian Curtis’, Mick Middles, Manchester musician John Robb, and Uncut contributors David Stubbs and Barney Hoskyns.

Included in the extras are ‘The Hardest Joy Division Quiz in the World Ever’, contributor biographies, and a ‘Beyond DVD’ section.

The late Joy Division vocalist, who hanged himself in 1980, is also the subject of the feature film ‘Control’, which is currently under development in the UK, helmed by ex-NME photographer Anton Corbijn. It is expected to be released in 2007.

WELLER GOES ‘WILD’

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Paul Weller will release a new single, ’Wild Blue Yonder’, on October 30. The song is brand new and didn’t appear on 2005’s Top 5 ’As Is Now’ album. The 7" and CD version of ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ will feature another new track called ’Small Personal Fortune’, co-written with Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock, a member of Weller's band and someone with whom Weller has collaborated before. As previously announced on www.uncut.co.uk’s sister site, NME.COM, Weller will also undertake a winter tour of the UK and Ireland, comprising these dates: London Forum (November 14, 15) Dublin Olympia (17, 18) Newcastle City Hall (20, 21) Sheffield Octagon (23) Glasgow Barrowlands (24, 25) Manchester Apollo (27, 28) Wolverhampton Civic Hall (30) Brighton Centre (December 2) Poole Lighthouse (3) Gloucester Leisure Centre (4) London Forum (6,7) For ticket availability go to http://www.nme.com/gigs.

Paul Weller will release a new single, ’Wild Blue Yonder’, on October 30.

The song is brand new and didn’t appear on 2005’s Top 5 ’As Is Now’ album.

The 7″ and CD version of ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ will feature another new track called ’Small Personal Fortune’, co-written with Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock, a member of Weller’s band and someone with whom Weller has collaborated before.

As previously announced on www.uncut.co.uk’s sister site, NME.COM, Weller will also undertake a winter tour of the UK and Ireland, comprising these dates:

London Forum (November 14, 15)

Dublin Olympia (17, 18)

Newcastle City Hall (20, 21)

Sheffield Octagon (23)

Glasgow Barrowlands (24, 25)

Manchester Apollo (27, 28)

Wolverhampton Civic Hall (30)

Brighton Centre (December 2)

Poole Lighthouse (3)

Gloucester Leisure Centre (4)

London Forum (6,7)

For ticket availability go to http://www.nme.com/gigs.