$5,000 could cover the cost of hair and make-up for one day on set in LA or pay for one year's schooling for 145 girls in Afghanistan. Sarah McLachlan does the math and encourages you to join her.

 "Children are the forgotten victims of the fighting and continue to be neglected",Reports of children being used by anti-Government elements, the death and injury children suffer during the fighting, the detention of children, sexual violence against children and the continuing attacks on schools, teachers and school children.

"Children are increasingly reported to be used by armed groups, including the Taliban, as combatants, porters of munitions, informants and in some cases as carriers of improvised explosive devices. Continuing attacks by anti-Government elements are also taking a heavy toll on children,"

U Want Me 2

from her first ever career-spanning greatest hits album  

“Closer:  The best of Sarah McLachlan”

 in stores October 7^th!

Click here to hear her brand new song "u want me 2" on Sarah’s Myspace Page

ARISTA RECORDS TO RELEASE

CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLAN

ON OCTOBER 7, 2008

 16 –Track Anthology Surveys The Spectacular Career

Of The Multi-Platinum Singer/Songwriter

And Includes Two Brand New And Previously Unissued Recordings

New York -On October 7^th, 2008, multi-platinum Arista recording artist Sarah McLachlan will release the first best-of collection of her long and illustrious career.

Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan contains 14 classic tracks personally selected by the artist from her award-winning catalog, as well as two newly recorded and previously unreleased songs, “U Want Me 2” and “Don't Give Up On Us,” working with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand. Additionally, a deluxe 2-CD version will be available, which will include the 16 song album plus a bonus disc of additional songs from Sarah's discography.

Since joining Arista two decades ago, every one of Sarah McLachlan’s studio and live albums and videos have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA, starting with Touch (1988) and Solace (1991), both gold sellers.  Her 1993 breakthrough, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (triple-platinum) was followed by the digitally enhanced multimedia version of The Freedom Sessions (1995, gold).  Sarah’s landmark fifth album, the 8x-platinum Surfacing (1997), contained two Grammy Award-winning tracks, as “Building a Mystery” won for Best Female Pop Vocal, and “Last Dance” was voted Best Pop Instrumental.  1999’s triple-platinum Mirrorball, and its platinum long-form video counterpart, were both culled from that year’s Lilith Fair tour, and spun off Sarah’s third Grammy-winning performance, as “I Will Remember You” won for Best Female Pop Vocal.  The double-platinum Afterglow followed in 2003, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, while its opening track, “Fallen” was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal.  2007's Wintersong, was the #1 best seller on the Holiday Album charts that year, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and was certified Platinum, marking her 15^th release to be certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA.

Here are some of the highlights of Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan:

·    “Good Enough,” “Possession” – Both tracks are culled from Sarah McLachlan’s third Arista album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (released 10/22/1993), her commercial break­through and first Billboard Top 50 chart entry. “…McLachlan never flinches, never takes the easy route of cliché and formula. This care and attention given to her art allows each song to stand strong individually, making the whole an extraordinary collection.” (AllMusic.com)

·    “Building A Mystery” – Taken from the Diamond-certified (10X platinum) album Surfacing (released 7/15/1997), which entered the Billboard chart at Number Two, “Building A Mystery” won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. (“Last Dance,” a second track from Surfacing not included on the new collection, was voted Best Pop Instrumental.)

·    “I Will Remember You” – Sarah McLachlan founded the legendary Lilith Tour in 1997 and her quadruple-platinum album, Mirrorball (released 6/15/1999), was recorded live during the 1999 tour. “I Will Remember You” from Mirrorball earned Sarah her third career Grammy Award, again in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal.

·    “Fallen” – The opening track from Sarah’s double-platinum album Afterglow (released 11/4/2003), which reached Number Two on the Billboard Top 200. "Fallen" was nomi­nated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. In addition, Afterglow was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album.

·    “U Want Me 2,” “Don't Give Up On Us” – Composed by Sarah McLachlan and co-produced by Sarah and Pierre Marchand, these new recordings will be a special treat for fans who eagerly await the follow-up to Afterglow, Sarah’s last album of all-original material.

The lines above have been going through my head. Realizing I have spent a lot of years looking for my flaws instead of embracing the positive. And I'm not sure why.

My brain isn't working today - I can't seem to string words together to make coherent thought, so I thought I'd cheat and just plug in a song. And a video.

Not entirely sure what to write about this.

It was good. And I wanted to do it. I wanted to do it more.

make me a witness... take me out... out of darkness... out of doubt... I won't weigh you down... with good intention... won't make fire out of clay... or other inventions... will we burn in heaven...? like we do down here... will the change come... while we're waiting..? everyone is waiting... and when we're done... soul searching... and we've carried the weight... and died for a cause... is misery made beautiful... right before our eyes..? will mercy be revealed... or blind us where we stand..? will we burn in heaven..? like we do down here... will the change come... while we're waiting..? everyone is waiting...

I felt so... alive. And I hate to admit that it's been a while since I felt like that.

Big emailed me, and we met, and when I touched him, I lit up inside. Electricity. And last night was the same.

everyone is waiting

Jesus. I could have fucked right then. Right there. And I wanted to... SO much. What held me back? Worry I guess. Worry that it would end badly. I guess it just wasn't to be.

The animal awakens, and all I feel is black & white. Unravel me.  Everyone loves you when you're easy. Everybody hates when you're a bore. Everyone is waiting for your interest... So don't disappoint them.

Sarah McLachlan - Time

Time here,
all but means nothing, just shadows that move across the wall
They keep me company, but they don't ask of me
they don't say nothing at all.
And I need just a little more silence
And I need just a little more time
But you send your thieves to me
silently stalking me
Dragging me into your wall
Would you give me no choice in this?
I know you can't resist, trying reopen a sore

Leave me be, I don't want to argue
I'd just get confused and I'd come all undone
If I agree, well, it's just to appease you
Cause I don't remember what we're fighting for

You see love-- a tight, thorny thread that you spin in a circle of gold
You have me to hold me
a token for all to see
captured to be yours alone
And I need just a little more silence,
and I just need a little more time
The courage to pull away
there will be hell to pay
the deeper you cut to the bone

Leave me be, I don't want to argue
I'd just get confused and I'd come all undone
If I agree, well, it's just to appease you
Cause I don't remember what we're fighting for

Time here,
all but means nothing,
just shadows that move across the wall
They keep me company,
but they don't ask of me
they don't say nothing at all.

Leave me be, I don't want to argue
I'd just get confused and I'd come all undone
If I agree, well, it's just to appease you
Cause I don't remember what we're fighting for

"When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not such a really big threat after all.  We all need some form of deeply rooted form of powerful motivation - it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams."  -Les Brown, Speaker and Author

SARAH MCLACHLAN-FEAR  *******This is one of Sarah's many beautiful songs.  As beautiful as it sounds, it addresses an ugly topic - fear.  Many of us are crippled by it.  I, too, am one of fears victims.  You can choose to act out of fear or love in any given situation.  Ultimately, you're choice is THE deciding factor of the outcome.  Have you noticed that while in a relationship, if you choose to act and react towards your beloved out of fear, it falls apart?  I'm sure most of us have experienced a romance turning sour because of jealousy and past hang ups.  Merely choosing to look upon the relationship you are in as a new beginning and not letting the past taint it because you've learned from it, will allow your new beginning to turn into happily ever after.  You can buy programs such as "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" http://home.marsvenus.com/, "Light His/Her Fire" http://www.lightyourfire.com/ (love them both) or just Google relationship advice to help you keep from making the same common mistakes over and over again.  I wish you all the best in your current and/or future relationships!*******

WORD OF THE DAY

ASYLUM

(noun)
[ah-SIE-lahm]

1. a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person; mental hospital; psychiatric hospital

2. a shelter from danger or hardship; refuge; sanctuary: "I've cleared my bedroom of magazines, television and radio, to make it an asylum from the outside world."

3. a place, such as a church, that once offered shelter to criminals and debtors

SOUL ASYLUM-RUNAWAY TRAIN  *******This is such a great song.  I remember watching this video as a kid on MTV and thinking how sad it was that those children were missing.  I wonder if any of them were ever found.  According to statistics, "...between 1.3 and 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth live on the streets of America each year.  View more statistics at http://www.armenianteens.com/runaway-teens.php.  Last year, I found a young teenage boy rifling through the trash outside of my local CVS.  He was so filthy and was obviously so hungry that my first instinct was to cry, but it was chased away bit a tinge of anger.  How did he get into that situation?!  He was so dirty it looked like he had been outside for weeks!  I didn't have much money, but I asked him if he wanted some pizza.  He was ecstatic about eating pizza (what kid doesn't like pizza?), so I took him next door to Bambino's and bought him the 2-slice + pop meal deal.  He thanked me profusely, but it was a no-brainer for me to do that.  Because he had a bike, I directed him to the Salvation Army (they've helped me before and I am indebted to them) just up the street and told him they would help.  I haven't seen him since and I just hope he's okay.*******

On October 7th, 2008, multi-platinum Arista recording artist Sarah McLachlan will release the first best-of collection of her long and illustrious career.

“Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan” contains 14 classic tracks personally selected by the artist from her award-winning catalog, as well as two newly recorded and previously unreleased songs, “U Want Me 2” and “Don’t Give Up On Us,” working with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand. Additionally, a deluxe 2-CD version will be available, which will include the 16 song album plus a bonus disc of additional songs from Sarah’s discography.

[Source: Hip Online]

A little late here, but this leaves me elated even on this terribly humid afternoon.  It's been years and we'll finally get some new songs!

Wow "U Want Me 2" Is a beautiful new track from Sarah, Though nothing can beat "angles" no sure on any details on this track yet.

Your Comments Are always Welcome ;)

I like music.  I listen to all kinds.  But I recently stumbled upon a real find.

I always liked the sound of sarah mclachlan, regina spekter and even Natalie Merchant (10,000 maniacs, go 80s music!).  That was the reason when I heard this singer on the radio, the voice caught my attention right away.   I later learned that the singer was Corrinne May.

She plays the piano and composes her own songs.  Born in Singapore and now based in LA, she sings and writes mostly 'inspirational' songs (mostly Christian).  The song I heard was "On the Side of Me".  The first line goes, "Im not the easiest person to love" will surely appeal to emo-heads and depressives. But unlike the usual emo songs, corrinne may's song rings with inspiration and hope. And the melodies aren't rock inspired.  Accompanying piano might remind one of jim brickman or jim chappell.  I heard jessica zafra once saide that brickman and chappell are music meant for elevators.  But I always believe that people should form their own opinion and that there are many things that depend on personal taste. So F u zafra! hehehe.

Im always at the fence when it comes to Christian Rock.  It is a paradox.  Rock connotes a certain lifestyle that does not agree with the virtues of being a good Christian. Its an uphill battle for the Christian Rock bands to break that connotation.   Unlike rock, Corrinne's music agrees with those virtues.  The words of her music are kind, gentle and lifts your spirit. 

I would recommend her album to anyone who needs inspiration and relief from stress.  I got mine when I got her album.  God Bless you, corrinne.  Definitely doing the Lord's work.

Fifteen years after Sarah McLachlan's landmark album was issued it will be on the store shelves again, with some new packaging and a couple of companion discs.

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Legacy Edition will be released Aug. 5. The "limited collectors series release" is a three-disc set with two CDs and a live DVD. The first CD is the original 1993 album. Disc two is The Freedom Sessions, originally released in 1994 with different versions of many of the songs from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Disc three is a DVD with live versions of many of the songs from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, plus a couple of others.

You can preorder the album on Amazon by clicking here. If you don't need the extra material, you can order the original album here.

Brendan Canning

One of the founding members of Broken Social Scene, Brendan Canning's inaugural solo release was issued July 22. Something for All of Us is available on iTunes and elsewhere.

Spirit of the West

Last week Canada's favourite West Coast celtic band celebrated 25 years of making music with Spirituality: The Consumate Compendium. The new Spirit of the West compilation includes 30 of their best tracks, including the beerhall classic, "Home for a Rest," and two brand new tracks.

You can order it on iTunes, but you have to switch to the Canadian store to find it. If you click here it should offer you that choice. (To switch back to the U.S. store—or another country—go to the iTunes Store home page and scroll down to the very bottom. See example here.)

Tori Amos will be conducting a live video webchat on her website on July 23rd, ahead of the release of 'Comic Book Tattoo', a 400-page anthology of comic strips based on writers' and artists' interpretations of her lyrics. The chat starts at 4pm PST, which is 8am (oops!) midnight UK time. Tori is currently in California promoting the anthology with an appearance at this year's Comic-Con. Read all about 'Comic Book Tattoo' over at Spinner.

* * *

Regina Spektor has recorded a duet with piano man Ben Folds who releases his new album, Way To Normal, on September 29th. The song, 'You Don't Know Me' will be the album's first single so we can expect to hear it soon! Folds, of course, has recently worked with Dresden Dolls singer Amanda Palmer, producing her debut solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer?, out September 15th.

* * *

In other duet news, Lancashire's finest export Nancy Elizabeth guests on the upcoming James Yorkston album, When The Haar Rolls In, released on September 1st. Nancy and James duet on the song, 'Tortoise Regrets Hare', a gently rolling allegory for a love gone wrong. It's the first new material from Nancy Elizabeth since last year's gorgeous debut album Battle & Victory.

* * *

The $550,000 indecency fine levied against the US television network that broadcast Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 Super Bowl has been overturned, with the US Court of Appeal saying that the Federal Communications Commission "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in their litigation. Clearly, the whole thing should have been nipped in the bud.

* * *

Goldfrapp become the latest act to release an iTunes Originals session on August 12th. The 25-track set includes album songs, interviews and new recordings of 'Paper Bag', 'Strict Machine', 'You Never Know', 'Ooh La La', 'Eat Yourself', 'Road To Somewhere' and 'Little Bird'.

* * *

The tracklist for the previously reported Sarah McLachlan greatest hits collection has been revealed. It now has a name, too, and that is Closer. The two new songs are called 'Don't Give Up On Us' and the uncharacteristically titled 'U Want Me 2 Don't U'. The album is currently scheduled for release on October 6th.

* * *

Some videos we've been enjoying this week:

Róisín Murphy camping it up with 'Movie Star'...

'Movie Star' was supposed to be out this week but hasn't surfaced anywhere we know of.

* * *

Ida Maria performing an acoustic version of 'I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked'...

Ida Maria releases her debut album Fortress Round My Heart on September 29th with an in-store performance at London's only surviving Fopp store in Covent Garden the same day. 

* * *

An old clip of Marianne Faithfull singing 'As Time Goes By'...

Marianne Faithfull's Live At The BBC was released last week.

* * *

Alan Pedder

Reading: 'Long Night's Journey into Day' by James Emery White

Thinking: "The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you..."

How to Annoy Me: I'm too tired to remember. :-)

How to Charm Me: Clear my tray for me because you see that I'm exhausted.

Quote of the Day: To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer. It is more than a word of praise or appreciation; it is more than pointing out someone's talents or good deeds; it is more than putting someone in the light. To give a blessing is to affirm, to say "yes" to a person's Belovedness. - Henri Nouwen

Versuri:

Give me release
Witness me
I am outside
Give me peace

Heaven holds a sense of wonder And I wanted to
believe that I’d get caught up
When the rage in me subsides

Passion chokes the flower
until she cries no more
Possesing all the beauty
hungry still for more

Heaven holds a sense of wonder And I wanted to
believe that I’d get caught up
When the rage in me subsides

In this white wave I am sinking in this silence
In this white wave…in this silence…I believe

I can’t help longing
comfort me
I can’t hold it all in
if you won’t let me

Heaven holds a sense of wonder And I wanted to
believe that I’d get caught up
When the rage in me subsides

In this white wave I am sinking in this silence
In this white wave…in this silence…I believe
I have seen you…in this white wave you are silent
you are breathing in this white wave…I am free

That did not deterred me. I explored every inch out of necessity. I delved into cupboards, broom closets, the backyard, the attic and the bathrooms (two, one per floor). I dared not use the things I found within; the soap, towels, toothpaste, utensils, etc. It was as if they where contaminated somehow by the ghost of their former owners. Crucial to my quest was knowing how the hot and cold water taps worked. Survival depended on avoiding either freezing death or scalding my skin raw. I started to catalog everything, setting it aside and in between short trips to the local stores (taking advantage of the stops made by the company drivers I was riding with) I started carving a little niche for myself inside the place.

Michael behavior did not help, not that I had any time for it.  He did not say a single word when he got home or the days since.  It  was as if I was an unwelcome guest at best, a dangerous intruder at worst. I spent most of my time at the office or riding along with the company drivers, getting a feel for the business. It was not until Saturday morning over breakfast (first meal we had together by the way) that Michael deigned to speak to me.

"I need some money" he said in a low tone.

"How much?"

"Twenty quid".

Bewildered I said "What?"

Michael face scrunched "Twenty pounds."

"For what?"

His face hardened as he tried to stare me down. If he thought I was just going to hand him money  because he asked he was sorely mistaken. I grinned and waited. I mastered the art of extracting information from my taciturn father. Michael was no challenge.

"Its for my mum?"

"Your mom?"

"Yeah."

Again silence. The staring contest continued. It didn't take long for him to give in.

"I need the money to fuel up the car and buy some flowers, for Sunday."

"What happens on Sunday?"

"I go and visit her".

"At what time?"

Michael's voice betrayed his edginess. My interrogation technique wore him down. Then he switched to the offensive.

"Why? Why do you wanna know?"

"I want to see her" I said with a grin.

His' nostrils flared. For a second I thought he was going to storm out of the kitchen. But he was stubborn enough to stick it out. "Why? She is not your mum? You're not family."

If that last was meant as a barb it missed. I was enjoying this a bit too much. "Well Mike" he bristled upon hearing the epitaph "I will have to meet her sometime or other. Am sure she would like to see me, eventually. Might as well make it sooner rather than later".

And then he switched tactics, unexpected but not surprising "She is not well".

"Can she talk? Recognize people?"

"Well yes."

"Then she will recognize me."

"She never seen you in her life!"

"That won't be a problem."

Michael had enough and got up to leave "I need to go to the library. I got study for my A-levels".

I didn't know what that meant, probably some kind of exam. Using my most neutral voice possible I pressed him "Mike, it would be best if I go with you tomorrow, otherwise things could get more complicated. Like I said, the sooner the better".

"Whatever!" and he stormed off. The sound of the front door banging shut and his old beat up VW driving away marked his escape.

I sighed. It was not fair. Dad had screwed us both real good. However I was not about to put up with my brother's bullshit for long. I was in charge, whether he or liked it.

[audio http://joshuameadows.com/audio/12192003.mp3]

- more Sarah McLachlan reissues on the way
- new Jolie Holland album coming in October
- The Organ come out of retirement, temporarily
- two more Christmas albums previewed
- Dar Williams takes us down to the Promised Land
- new Nikka Costa coming out on Stax
- rummage through Pumajaw's Curiosity Box
- Manda Rin (ex-Bis) announces debut solo album

* * *

With a reissues and repackaging programme that rivals even Björk's for its sheer audacity, Sarah McLachlan is set to release not one but two more stopgap releases this year. Hot on the heels of Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff Vol. 2 comes an as-yet-untitled greatest hits package and a Legacy edition of her multi million-selling album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. The latter staples together the original album and its live-in-the-studio counterpart The Freedom Sessions with a DVD transfer of McLachlan's 1994 VHS Fumbling Towards Ecstasy - The Home Video.

Released on August 11th, the press release says that it includes "bonus material on each disc that makes it a must-have for true McLachlan fans". Except it doesn't; well, not as far as we can tell from the Play.com listing. Yes, there's a piano version of ‘Possession' tacked onto the original album and an alternative version of ‘Hold On' closing out The Freedom Sessions, but both of those have long been available on these releases in the UK. In fact, this reissue seems to be down a bonus track, omitting the version of Joni Mitchell's ‘Blue' originally packaged with the original album. Not that it matters, you can get that on at least two other releases.

The greatest hits (due in October) sounds more inviting on paper with the promise of two brand new songs. McLachlan's manager Terry McBride certainly seems to be very excited about them, writing on his blog: "It is amazing to hear Sarah McLachlan's voice again. There is a purity to her magic as it's from a heart that is wide open and bare in its naked emotion. The melodies are addictive, the lyrics personal to each and everyone, and the delivery is both spine chilling and uplifting. The airwaves sincerely need her energy. There will be many tears shed, many in happiness, when these songs get released."

Presumably the other tears will be shed by those who have been forced to buy a zillionth version of ‘Adia' just to hear something fresh! Fans can expect to hear the first of the two new songs next month.

* * *

Critically revered singer-songwriter Jolie Holland releases her fourth album, The Living & The Dead, on October 6th. Holland promises more of her evocative ghostly refrains but this time she's loosened up, rocked out, and roped in some famous friends. Former bandmate Samantha Parton of the Be Good Tanyas duets on ‘Enjoy Yourself', Marc Ribot and the ubiquitous M Ward play a bit of guitar, and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily brings everything but the kitchen sink, including, we're told, a duck call.

The Living & The Dead
01 Mexico City
02 Corrido Por Buddy
03 Palmyra
04 You Painted Yourself In
05 Fox In Its Hole
06 Your Big Hands
07 Sweet Loving Man
08 Love Henry
09 The Future
10 Enjoy Yourself

* * *

If, like us, you felt pretty robbed when The Organ unexpectedly split in 2006 after a stellar debut album (that we're still listening to) then rejoice at the news that the band have come in from the cold to own up to their crime. Well, kinda. You see, the five Organ ladies briefly regrouped late last year to finish up the leftover songs planned for their never-to-be-completed second album, just for their fans. The result was Thieves, a six-song EP due for release on October 13th through Mint/604.

Excited? Let the bells ring.

Thieves
01 Even In The Night
02 Oh What A Feeling
03 Let The Bells Ring
04 Fire In The Ocean
05 Can You Tell Me One Thing
06 Don't Be Angry

* * *

Last week brought the unexpected news that Sheryl Crow is planning a Christmas album for the forthcoming season. This week we hear that Rosie Thomas and Sixpence None The Richer are among the other contenders for the Christmas crown. Well, Rosie hasn't set anything in stone but is hoping to complete her festive offering in time if being newly married doesn't prove too distracting. Sixpence None The Richer, on the other hand, have a title (The Dawn Of Grace) and a release date (October 14th in the US) and everything. Two original songs (‘The Last Christmas' and ‘Christmas For Two') appear alongside eight traditional numbers, including ‘Silent Night' featuring guest vocals from Jars Of Clay's Dan Haseltine. Apparently Joni Mitchell's ‘River' is now a traditional Christmas song. Fans of Sixpence singer Leigh Nash's 2006 seasonal EP Wishing For This will be in heaven.

The Dawn Of Grace
01 Angels We Have Heard On High
02 The Last Christmas
03 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
04 Silent Night
05 Riu, Riu, Chiu
06 Carol Of The Bells
07 Christmas Island
08 River
09 Christmas For Two
10 Some Children See Him

* * *

The wait is nearly over for Dar Williams fans as the lovable lady is releasing a brand new album, Promised Land, in September. Giving her a helping hand this time around are producer Brad Wood (Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins), Suzanne Vega, Marshall Crenshaw and The Jayhawks' Gary Louris. As well as 10 new Dar originals, the album features covers of Fountains Of Wayne's ‘Troubled Times' and, brilliantly, ‘Midnight Radio' from the musical ‘Hedwig & The Angry Inch'. Other song titles include ‘It's Alright', ‘The Easy Way' and ‘Buzzer'.

* * *

Prince's favourite funky lady Nikka Costa returns with a new album, Pebble To A Pearl, in September, which she describes as "a totally unfiltered version of expression of who I am and what I do." With a crack band of players and Justin Mitchell Stanley on production duties, Costa recorded 15 new songs within 5 days, 12 of which made the final cut. Having been burnt by some major label "bullshit", Costa originally planned to release the album herself but it wasn't too long before she attracted the attention of the legendary Stax Records who decided they wanted to put it out. "How perfect is that?," says Nikka. "Stax is the epitome of what I'm about - that was the original, integrated soul music. That's the vibe that moved me about soul music when I was 12, and it moves me still."

Pebble To A Pearl
01 Stuck To You
02 Can't Please Everyone
03 Pebble To A Pearl
04 Someone For Everyone
05 Cry Baby
06 Keep Wanting More
07 Keep Pushin'
08 Love To Love You Less
09 Without Love
10 Damn I Said It First
11 Loving You
12 Bullets In The Sky

* * *

Desperately underrated musical auteur Pinkie Maclure continues her fruitful partnership with John Wills on their upcoming fifth album as Pumajaw. Curiosity Box, released September 22nd through Fire Records, features guest appearances from Alasdair Roberts and James Yorkston, and will be preceded by a 7"/download single, ‘Jacky Daw' on August 11th. ‘Jacky Daw' actually isn't on the album but the B-side, ‘Horseshoe Nail', is. If previous Pumajaw releases are anything to go by, this should be rather special.

Curiosity Box:
01 Visiting Hour Part 1
02 Visiting Hour Part 2
03 Mother & The Two Trees (feat. Alasdair Roberts)
04 Spangler
05 The Burning Of Auchindoun (feat. Alasdair Roberts)
06 The Auld Rigmarole
07 Buds
08 Lang, Lang A-Growin'
09 Horseshoe Nail
10 Lamkin' (feat. James Yorkston)

* * *

Manda Rin, leader of beloved indie-pop underachievers Bis, releases her debut solo album, My DNA, on September 8th through This Is Fake DIY. The Glaswegian will first issue a single, ‘DNA', on August 18th, which you can hear (along with three other new songs) on her Myspace. Manda celebrates her album release with a launch party at The Fly bar in London on the day it hits the shops. Tickets are £7.

My DNA
01 DNA
02 Typeface
03 Bad Things Happen To Bad People
04 Do The Static
05 Guilty Pleasures
06 The Word Out
07 Break Up / Breakdown
08 Love To Hate You
09 No Language
10 Less Than Zero
11 Black Book
12 Bruises

* * *

Alan Pedder

Long Walk to Freedom is an album to celebrate Ladysmith Black Mambazo's 45th anniversary (as well as 20 years since Paul Simon's Graceland), it came out in 2006. It features the core group along with a whole bunch of guest artists. These include Zap Mama, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Joe McBride, Natalie Merchant, Emmylou Harris,Taj Mahal, Lucky Dube, Phuzekhemisi, Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Nokukhanya, Thandiswa, Vusi Mahlasela and Hugh Masekela (nope Paul Simon did not perform on the album, Joe McBride singings the lead in Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes on this one) . The album was nominated for two Grammy awards just last year (I personally think it is deserving of a win).

I don't even know where to begin with how great this album is. If you've never listened to Isicathamiya music before then you probably are unaware of the pure gold that comes ringing in your ears whilst listening to these men sing. Maybe its the gorgeous timber of their voices, or just how natural it sounds, but it's really quite something. I can only imagine what it would be like to see these men perform live, breathtaking is a word I can imagine using. I play a lot of music when I work, and this album got the largest amount of people asking "who are these guy's they're wonderful?" The addition of the guest artists also makes this album fun to listen to. I especially liked the song Mbube that featured Taj Mahal and Homeless which Sarah McLachlan sings in. Zap Mama also has a beautiful voice that reminds me vaguely of another artist I can't quite place. This album makes me not only want to go out and get their other works, but delve a little deeper into the music of South Africa.

Jonathan Melvoin was a keyboard player who worked with such artists as the Dickies, Prince, Wendy & Lisa, and the Smashing Pumpkins. The "Wendy" of Wendy & Lisa was in fact, his sister, Wendy Melvoin. In late 1995, Melvoin joined up with Smashing Pumpkins to lend his talent while on the road to support their brilliant Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album, but previous incidents with heroin cut his tenure short when the band fired him. It was while he was finishing up that leg of the tour that Melvoin overdosed on heroin in his hotel room. It has been reported that then-Pumpkins drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin was in the room with him and tried to revive him after calling 911. His efforts failed and Jonathan Melvoin died on July 12, 1996 at the age of 34. His death apparently inspired a few songs, including Sarah McLachlan's hit, "Angel."

I don't think I need to tell who Sarah McLachlan is ? Do I ?

  Angel 

As a soundtrack

This is also a theme song for the 1998 movie City of Angels.

Angel

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There’s always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Live Performance

[dailymotion id=x1z0nv]

For tsunami aid

I will remember you

MTV

I will remember you

I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by,
Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad.
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me
I wanna be the one
I will rememeber you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
But I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
I'm so afraid to love you
But more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness
Deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light
And I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories

Live Peformance

Unplugged

As scenery

Ordinary Miracle

Another theme song for the  2006 movie Charlotte's Web

Aren't Animal Farm and Charlotte's Web the same as both star with a cute piggy and wise spider ?
MTV

Ordinary Miracle

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

The sky knows when its time to snow,
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday;
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own.

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a rain drop falls,
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Birds in winter have their fling
But always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away;
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we’re all a part
Of the ordinary miracle.
Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?
ohh ohh ohh, ohhh ohh ohh...

It seems so exceptional
That things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Sun comes up and shines so bright
And disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.
ohh ohh ohh, ohh ohhh ohh...
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Live

Adia

MTV
[dailymotion id=x13058]

Adia

Adia, I do believe I failed you
Adia, I know I've let you down
Don't you know I tried so hard to love you in my way
It's easy, let it go

Adia, I'm empty since you left me
Tryin' to find a way to carry on
I search myself and everyone to see where we went wrong
There's no one left to finger
There's no one here to blame
There's no one left to talk to, honey, and there ain't no one to buy our innocence

'Cause we are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter
But does it matter?

Adia, I thought that we could make it
I know I can't change the way you feel
I leave you with your misery, a friend who won't betray
I pull you from your tower, I take away your pain
And show you all the beauty you possess
If you'd only let yourself believe

That we are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter
But does it matter?

Ba ba ba
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba

We are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter
Does it matter?

Believe me, Adia
We are still innocent

'Cause we are born innocent
Oooh, Adia, we are still
It's easy, we all falter
But does it matter?

Live Performance