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British Pop Music

Friday Night Is Music Night Invite Violinist Diana Yukawa

The world's longest-running live music programme, featuring the BBC concert orchestra have invited one of the worlds most pioneering solo violinist, Diana Yukawa, to perform with them for the performance on 5th February 2010.

The performance for Radio 2 will be broadcast live from the Mermaid Theatre in London in recognition of the arranger Angela Morley who died last year at 7:30pm.

Angela was born Wally Stott in Leeds in March 1924. In a career at the BBC, Wally was the musical director for the Goons Show and wrote the signature tune and accompanying music to Hancock's Half Hour. As a musical director in the 1950s, Wally worked with the cream of British pop including the likes of Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield and Ronnie Carroll. He also composed a number of tuneful light music pieces including Rotten Row and Canadian in Mayfair.

Following a sex change operation in 1960, Wally took the name Angela Morley and became one of the great orchestral arrangers working mostly in the United States. She won two Emmy Awards for her work with Julie Andrews and was nominated twice for an Oscar for her work on The Slipper and the Rose with the Sherman Brothers and The Little Prince with Lerner and Loewe. She also provided the scores for classic 70s television shows such as Dallas, Dynasty and Cagney and Lacey.

From the 1970s Angela was closely associated with the composer John Williams and aided him in the production of many of his classic film scores - including Star Wars, Superman and ET. It began a long association with the Boston Pops Orchestra.

The London based violinist, Diana Yukawa is due to perform “St Patrick's Day (from the multi Oscar winning motion picture, The Quiet Man) and Laura (from the Oscar winning motion picture Laura) both by John Williams and arranged by Angela Morley.

Diana Yukawa has recently released her new crossover album “The Butterfly Effect” in Japan  which also features a track she performed for the motion picture Shizumanu Taiyo (The Sun that Doesn't Set). Eleven of the fourteen tracks were co written by Diana and recorded at Abbey Road studio in London, a venue often used by Angela Morley.

The revolutionary album is not yet available in the UK but is expected to make an appearance later in 2010.

Tune in to Radio 2 on Friday 5th February 2010 at 7:30pm on Digital, online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wrrv or on 88-91 FM.

www.dianayukawa.co.uk – Diana’s official website.

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Tangled Up: Great Pop Masterpiece

Tangled Up is the fourth studio album released by Fascination Records on November 2007 in UK. The music album is by renowned British pop group named Girls Aloud. The production teams behind this are Brian Higgins and Xenomania. The album was titled ‘Tangled Up’ from featured track ‘Close to Love’, the second track of the album. The track named "Sexy! No No No..." was a hit for 16 consecutive weeks, followed by Call the Shots".

The Tangled Up started unsatisfactorily but later become a riot. With uniformly fantastic melodies, audacious creativity and excellent juxtapositions, the album is just superb. Black Jack's soul-inspired chorus, aggressive terrace chant, What You Crying For's, the rave break beat and fingers down guitar fretboard commanding I'm Falling, all are included in this latest release. Girl aloud presents “a bit of ding-a-ling" with distinct musical elements and nuclear-powered music that left everyone speechless.

This pop group has been known for making thrilling and ground breaking albums and after listening to album you can feel a distinctive rhythm coming from intricate jazzy guitar. Sometimes you will feel pretty irresistible with the witty, experimental and diverse music. This album was greatly adored by critics and fans. It’s “Sexy! No No No..." song helped in making the album an unrelenting pop masterpiece.

The tracks "I Think we’re Alone Now", "Close To Love" and "Call The Shots", have monster beat and catchy melody. Marking a backward step, Girls Aloud has offered a generic album with very few surprises. The girl’s vocal talents gets stuck and failed to impress the listeners. The Music track "Close To Love" is based on disco. The “Girl Overboard” is quite good but “Control of the Knife” is like pure album filler. This pop group has delivered excellent music albums in the past and they are capable of much better.

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If you would like more information on buy Online Tangled up Music and Sexy! No No No… visit Online Music

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LILY ALLEN REGRETS POP CAREER
LILY ALLEN regrets launching a pop career, confessing she was "sucked in" by the lure of fame.

Pop Music Charts

Michael Jackson Legendary Pop Music Idol and Dancing Machine Dies at Age 50

Everyone remembers where they were when something important or life-changing breaks in the news, it is almost as if time stands still just long enough to leave its indelible impression. Yesterday, millions of people the world over were left shocked and utterly speechless upon learning about the untimely death of legendary pop music icon, Michael Jackson. There are some in Jackson’s close personal circle who have come out in the press saying that while it was shocking, they were not truly surprised.

Michael Jackson first broke into the music industry at the tender age of five and achieved a career that spanned a lifetime, reaching heights that one can only dream about. His songs are memorable, his dance moves were incredible, his stage presence intoxicating and vibrant. He was a consummate professional and his appeal was universal and widespread, reaching all four corners of the globe. Throughout his long and prosperous career he had an impressive total of 13 songs that climb the charts to number one, released 12 albums, 6 films and 13 music videos.

The music was cut short on June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 p.m., when Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center in California. The apparent cause of death was first attributed to cardiac arrest, but media reports are speculating now as to the underlying reason Jackson died. Some are saying it was due to the stress of performing a series of sold-out concerts set to begin in July, others are sighting something more sinister was behind the demise of the musical genius. With parallels being made to the tragic details surrounding the sad deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson may have met his end due to misuse of prescription drugs.

How bad was Jackson’s addiction to prescription drugs? Some would say the descent into prescription drug abuse first began in the early1990’s, as a result of Jackson’s image beating in light of child molestation charges. It is speculated during this time that he began taking prescription painkillers, Valium, Ativan and Xanax to cope with the stressful allegations that were made against him. During the fall of 1993, some allege Jackson was in full-blown drug addiction. At some point during this time frame, Jackson’s good friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor was instrumental in getting him into drug rehabilitation.

With the mounting investigation and accompanying personal humiliation, Jackson further descended into a dangerous pattern of behavior. He is said to have ceased eating and suffered a significant weight loss, further suffering dangerous health related complications. Due to the debilitating stress, his financial advisors and legal counsel urged him to settle the matter out of court, believing he could not physically withstand the rigors and shame of a lengthy trial played out in the public eye.

News of continued drug use was brought to light again in 2007, during which time a deposition Jackson gave in regards to business agreements signed with former manager Dieter Wiesner. He denied any knowledge of signing his name to contracts, and when asked in a court deposition about being under the influence of prescription drugs, Jackson replied weakly,” I could have been.” Other questions about his personal drug use elicited responses of “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure.” For Michael Jackson to publicly on record, admit to being “impaired” to the point of memory loss is a startling testimony to how possibly serious his drug use had grown over the years.

In 2006, the entire Jackson family is said to have harbored a great concern and fear about Michael’s growing dependence on prescription medications. According to various media sources, the Jackson’s staged an intervention in Las Vegas which is said to have gone terribly wrong and backfired on the family. Michael Jackson was said to have been angry and denied having a drug problem at the time.

More recently, those close to Jackson sited the singer being “listless” and experiencing a decline in health due to the physical exertion required to train for his upcoming world tour. In recent months the singer had been looking gaunt and fragile, which he tried to hide by wearing heavy make-up and surgical masks when out in public.

Currently, the body of Michael Jackson has been moved to the Los Angeles, California coroner’s office for autopsy and toxicology testing. The death of one of the world’s greatest entertainers is shrouded in secrecy and controversy, to which one can only ponder and question. Was his death the results of physical exhaustion and stress coupled with prescription drug misuse or was it just a simple sudden, tragic passing? The world waits on baited breath for further information.
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Drug Addiction Treatment can help you overcome the battle between getting clean and sober vs dying to the disease of addiciton. Christian Drug Rehab is available for anyone who struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism and needs help finding a loving higher power.

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5 Hit Latin Music Charts

Do you have an idea about the Latin Hits that have created an ever lasting impression on the mind of the listeners? If you do not have these singles in your collection go get them today. You can find Latin American audience who are crazy about hip hops and peppy numbers. Another group of people like soft love songs. Check out the songs given below to get an idea about the singles that are getting popularity in the Music Charts.

She Bangs:

"She Bangs"is one of the most popular sound track from Ricky Martin's album Sound Loaded. The album was released on 14th November 2000."She Bangs" is doing great in the music chart of Latin America. This is a romantic song that comes under the Salsa musical genre. The song also has a Spanish version. While the original song stood #12 on the Billboard Hot100 music chart the Spanish version got the Latin Grammy Award in 2001 for being the Best Short Form Music Video.

Shake Your Bon Bon:

Released in the same year as She Bangs, Shake Your Bon Bon has topped some of the very popular charts of Latin Music. The song is sung by Ricky Martin for the self–titled album. It reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.The video of this single also got much recognition.It was nominated for Best Male Video in the year of 2000 in the MTV Video Music Awards. The craze for this single is going to boost the popularity of the album.

Latin Lover:

The next that comes in the list is the song named "Latin Lover"from the self-titled album. Having a great impression on music critics this rock album was released in 1982. This popular song was sung by the famous Gianna Nannini. Some of the musicians who contributed to the composition of this song were Annie Lennox, Hans Baar, Rudy Spinello, Conny Black, Annette Humpe and so on.

My Baby You:

One of the most famous songs that have maintained their position in the box office for long is "My Baby You". This song is a part of Marc Anthony's first self named English album. The song was written as well as produced by both Marc Anthony and Walter Afanasieff. It was the first of its kind without a Spanish version. Marc Anthony dedicated this song to Arianna, his daughter.This Latin pop number ranked 70 in Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Maria Maria:

What is next? The next song was a huge success in the music chart. This song was released in 1999.Sung by Santana,Maria-Maria gained a remarkable position on Billboard Hot 100. It reached the number one position and remained there for ten week.It also received the Grammy Award in 2000 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

These Music Charts have been greatest hits of all time to come in Latin America and across the world.While some of the songs are made to be danceable some others celebrate eternal human emotion.

About the Author

Steve is a media professional and writes for different online publications on media and advertising industry.For more information music tracks and href="http://www.billboardenespanol.com/musica/index.jsp">music newshe recommends you to visit http://www.billboardenespanol.com/

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Cult rock band Melvins hit pop charts after 26 years
The music industry's collapse is good news for the Melvins, the defiantly uncommercial "thud-rock" band that just cracked the U.S. pop album chart for the first time in its 26-year career.

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(AFX UK Focus) 2010-06-10 01:04 Cult rock band Melvins hit US chart after 26 years
LOS ANGELES, June 9 (Reuters) - The music industry's collapse is good news for the Melvins, the defiantly uncommercial "thud-rock" band that just cracked the U.S. pop album chart for the first time in its 26-year career. The group, whose heavy guitar riffs and mumbled vocals paved the way for fellow Seattle-area bands such as Nirvana and Soundgarden, grabbed the last spot on Billboard's Top 200 ...

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Music: CD – MGMT - Congratulations
Only their second album since they made their debut 2008 hit, and the electro-pop 5-some have managed to produce a wonderfully slow, lyrically bizarre, yet surprisingly meaningful collection of songs that somehow seem to work. Perfectly."

Indie Pop Music

Anticipated Indie Rock Albums for Early 2010

Get off your bar stool and prepare yourself for these hot new indie rock albums to be released in early 2010. You can bet your poker chips these albums will be some of the most talked about records of the year so hear about them here first!

Hot Chip – One Life Stand

There are lots of bands that have incorporated the style and glossy production sound of top 40 hip-hop and pop into their music, but none are able to do it with as much class as the indie rock band Hot Chip. They have been crafting some of the catchiest dance-floor anthems of the past decade with their great music and clever, often tongue-in-cheek lyrics. They burst onto the scene largely with the tracks “Over and Over” and “And I Was a Boy from School” from their 2006 release, “The Warning.” Their new album, “One Life Stand” is said to be more somber than their previous releases, so it will be interesting to see where the band goes from here on out.

Vampire Weekend – Contra

These preppy art school kids have divided music fans into love it or hate it camps, with their detractors criticizing their usurping of African rhythms and Paul Simon “Graceland” influences in their music. It’s hard to come down on Vampire Weekend for stealing from black musicians when throughout musical history that is all that white people have done. Their new record is full of even more of that catchy, literate pop music that they are known for, with lyrics that sound straight out of a “Gossip Girl” novella.

The Besnard Lakes – Are the Roaring Night

This epic indie rock band is hard to pin down; their vocalist sounds like your typical whiney indie rock singer but their sound really shoots for the stars, with lengthy, often seven minute long songs that slowly burn their way into your skull. Their albums seem to be loosely conceptual, with their breakthrough “Are the Dark Horse” being followed by “Are the Roaring Night,” with an effectively appropriate image of a roaring night fire on the album cover. I don’t know what these guys are up to but it sounds like it is worth following.

About the Author

Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.

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Music Review of Off With Their Heads by Kaiser Chiefs

“Kaiser Chiefs” are a five-piece indie rock band hailed from Leeds, England. They consist of frontman Ricky Wilson (Vocals), Andrew ‘Whitey’ White (Guitar), Simon Rix (Bass), Nick ‘Peanut’ Baines (Keyboards) and Nick Hodgson (Drums). They are noted for their musical genre in post-punk revival and new wave. Kaiser Chiefs were formed way back in 1996 - 1997. On an interview with BBC, Kaiser Chiefs were named after South African football club Kaizer Chiefs, a club where former Leeds United defender Lucas Radebe played for.

The third album Off With Their Heads kicks off with cheeky “Spanish Metal”. Pay attention to the keyboard, it’s like a modern background music used in a cowboy flick, especially when two cowboys are preparing to draw their pistols for a gun fight. Just cute isn’t it? Spanish Metal is a heavy guitar-based introducing track, in the verse, you’ll find frontman Ricky singing in a somewhat very subtle voice. I find this track kind of cute. Go Kaiser Chiefs!

“Never Miss A Beat” is very funky and catchy. The combination of the singing and the music fit in very well here. Once the first verse comes in, i already knew i’m going to like this track. Check out the lyrics, “What did you learn today? I learned nothing. What did you do today? I did nothing. What did you learn at school? I didn’t go. Why didn’t you go to school? I don’t know…” It’s simple, but yet it ables to make me repeat these phrases over and over again. Starting to stuck in my head. Never Miss A Beat is always building up the tempo and climbing up the stairs, once it reaches the peak, then only Ricky and other featured guests can be heard singing together. The featured guests are Lily Allen and three members of indie band New Young Pony Club, Anne-Marie Chirema, Lou Hayter and Sarah Jones. Nice guests appearances.

“Like It Too Much” has this thing that makes me hopes that this track is never going to stop. When it reaches a certain point like the chorus and once Ricky is almost done singing the chorus, the music and rhythm just gets me hoping for more singing from Ricky. It sounds complicated, but it’s true. Like It Too Much is also the only track that features the phrase “Off With Their Heads” in its lyrics. What makes this track unforgettable is the string arrangements by David Arnold of James Bond fame and the inclusion of a number of instruments such as violin, viola and cello. After a few listens, you would find as if Kaiser Chiefs were performing with the help of a big orchestra. Bravo!

“You Want History” has a strong electronic elements and at times, groovy. Anne-Marie Chirema, Lou Hayter and Sarah Jones of New Young Pony Club again do some backing vocals on this track. The singing by Ricky sounds like a robot to me in his effort to follow the beat and rhythm of the music. The beginning of You Want History is cute with the electronic music going on, as this song goes along, the chorus is catchy as well, as Ricky sings, “It’s a mystery, oh, it’s a mystery, you want history, oh its a mystery…”, the keyboard just comes in. I find it catchy in a faint hilarious way.

In “Can’t Say What I Mean”, you’d find frontman Ricky hardly has time to gasp for air. It’s fast and groovy. The bass especially sounds like a motorcyle’s engine, it just keeps grooving. The keyboard also being played in a way that is so cheeky i would say. It just has the same rhythm all the way, but it blends in just fine. Great and cute stuff again by Kaiser Chiefs!

“Good Days Bad Days” is very cheerful and positive. It starts from a distance before the rest of Kaiser Chiefs just come in and join the fun. The guitar especially is very, very catchy. Amazing riff! With each verse, the guitar just follows, making it unbearable to miss it. When comes the break, the short guitar solo and the djembe playing are really something to be remembered. When you’re feeling down, have a break and listen to Good Days Bad Days, this music is designed to make you feel good. Have a look at their final verse, “If you had a different attitude, instead of take and take and take, you have missed an opportunity, and that’s a really big mistake, if you had a different attitude, you’d still have good days and bad days…” I feel great now!

Kaiser Chiefs slow it down with “Tomato In The Rain”. I would describe this track as soft and infectious. Ricky’s voice is found soft throughout this lovely track and the music in the chorus has a hook that is really infectious. This only part is short, but can cause a stir. “Yes I do know about you, shall I come home…?”, what a lovely and simple phrase, but whenever Ricky sings this phrase, the whole Kaiser Chiefs just let themselves in and provide some backing vocals for Ricky. Lovingly infectious!

“Half The Truth” brings the notches up again! The keyboard on this track is kind of good. Ricky doesn’t really sound like singing, he sounds more like rapping and talking his way through this track. Fast and furious! When the chorus comes, the keyboard is played in a way that you would only hear it in a haunted house. Nice and scary. The lyrics are also written smartly, “I will not lie to you, but i defiantly only gave you half the truth, i wil not lie to you…”. It puts smile on my face after listening to it. Kaiser Chiefs also brought in a special guest, Sway DaSafo (A rapper from UK), to help finish Half The Truth in style! Crunchy!

“Always Happens Like That” is a funky and groovy pop song from Kaiser Chiefs. It has the quality to make one dance. After each verse, Ricky will go, “And it always happens like that…” Lily Allen is also featured on this track, they make a great team singing together. The guitar on Always Happens Like That is also everything but sad. It’ll make you feel better and happier, just like Good Days Bad Days. At times, it reminds me of Nick Valensi of The Strokes with the chirpy guitar sound.

“Addicted To Drugs” awed me at the beginning with the Agogo bells (Courtesy of producer Mark Ronson). It’s very delicious how the Agogo bells fit in so well into this track. It’s very, very groovy here. The music here doesn’t fit the title at all, it sounds more cheerful than it should be if you just look at the title, Addicted To Drugs. This track alone can be the anthem for Off With Their Heads, the part where Kaiser Chiefs go, “Woah… Yeah…” will definitely straighten you up right away. In fact, Kaiser Chiefs make this song sweaty sexy as well.

Wow, after a great deal of some cheeky and catchy tunes, Kaiser Chiefs’ “Remember You’re A Girl” is also not to be taken lightly. Remember You’re A Girl is a lovely indie pop tune that you’d find almost every member of Kaiser Chiefs contributes on the singing part. It’s very soothing to listen to such track after a long hard day at the office or work. Ricky and co. can be heard singing in a softer tone, as if singing to little children who are fast asleep. Just so lovely and sweet!

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Never Miss A Beat, Like It Too Much, Good Days Bad Days, Tomato In The Rain, Half The Truth, Always Happens Like That, Addicted To Drugs and Remember You’re A Girl.

Cheers!
Darren Tan
Indiesurf.com

About the Author

Darren Tan is a huge avid fan of indie music, indie bands and indie artists. Since he was 17 years old, he started to fall in love with the indie music scene. It was a total turning point in his life for him as he no longer look at the indie music industry the same since.

With Indiesurf.com he wants to share his thoughts, comments, reviews and opinions on the latest (and past/old) indie music, indie bands and indie artists with the world and you. You are also invited to share your views as well, so he'll see you at Indiesurf.com.

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WATCH: Renee Fleming's Take on Pop and Indie Rock
The opera star talks about new album, "Dark Hope." Indie rock - Music - Arts - Arts and Entertainment - Reviews