John Mayer, who has sold over 13 million albums worldwide is building up for the release of his eagerly anticipated fourth studio album out November 23, 2009.

Produced by John with Steve Jordan the LP also features Pino Palladino and Ian McLagan.

From what we’ve heard, this is definitely the record that will catapult John to massive UK success.

John Mayer is currently the second-most-followed artist on Twitter with more than 1.5 million tweeters following his humorous and entertaining tweets.

Buy Music:

John Mayer on amazon.com

John Mayer on amazon.co.uk

For music and more, go to:

MySpace
John Mayer Official Website
John Mayer on Twitter

The nominations for the 51st annual Grammy Awards were announced at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, with MBC’s British contingent gaining a hatful of nominations.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss continue to impress, and will compete in five categories:
- Album of the year (for ‘Raising Sand’)
- Record of the year (for ‘Please Read The Letter’)
- Best contemporary folk/Americana album (for ‘Raising Sand’)
- Best pop collaboration with vocals (for ‘Rich Woman’)
- Best country collaboration with vocals (for ‘Killing The Blues’)

Duffy also had an excellent night gaining three nominations:
- Best new artist
- Best female pop vocal performance (for ‘Mercy’)
- Best pop vocal album (for ‘Rockferry’)

MBC’s American artists also scored highly. After providing one of the night’s stand out performances, five-time Grammy winner John Mayer was rewarded with five nominations:
- Best male pop vocal performance (for ‘Say’)
- Best pop collaboration with vocals (for ‘Lesson Learned’)
- Best solo rock vocal performance (for ‘Gravity’)
- Best song written for Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media (for ‘Say’)
- Best long form music video (for ‘Where The Light Is – Live in Los Angeles’)

Jason Mraz also had a good night, gaining three nominations (song of the year, best male pop vocal performance, best engineered album, non-classical), while Madonna (best pop collaboration with vocals) and Rufus Wainwright (best traditional pop vocal album) walked away with one nomination apiece.

The Grammy Awards show takes place February 8th 2009.

Grammy Official Website

Ray LaMontagne reached new sales highs this week with his much lauded album ‘Gossip In The Grain’ debuting at #3 on Billboard Charts selling 60,476 albums. LaMontagne’s previous best came on the his last album ‘Until The Sun Turns Black’ with a #28 ranking and 28,000 copies sold this represents an increase of over 115%.

Gossip In The Grain on amazon.com

Gossip in the Grain on amazon.co.uk

The album was the best selling album digitally over the past week landing at #1, selling over 32,081 downloads 54% more than the #2 album by Kenny Chesney. Furthermore the album’s first single “You Are The Best Thing” increased sales by almost 1,000% at iTunes.

Listen to “You Are The Best Thing” on YouTube:

LaMontagne is one of the most respected artists in music today, especially with fellow artists. John Mayer writing on his website only last week said that he “is as brilliant as any artist that has ever lived,” Lucinda Williams recently compared him favorably to Otis Redding.

The press has also latched on to the new album with the Washington Post calling it, “brilliant.” The Boston Globe noted that “LaMontagne’s songs, have grown exponentially with each release.” The New York Daily News in a 4 star review said, the payoff to listening to the album comes in “a sound so concentrated, listening will make you feel like your living right inside the song.”

All reviews have remarked on a more upbeat attitude and a new looser even more soulful sound than previous releases. That sound is epitomized on the Stax inspired horn-led first single, “You Are The Best Thing,” which is racing up the AAA radio charts and will soon hit that charts Top Ten. The song was also recently showcased on Late Show With Conan O’Brien when Ray appeared with Conan’s horn section backing him up.

The Conan appearance occurred on an off day from a North American tour, which goes until mid-November. Spin on its website in rave review of a show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, “laughter, both by LaMontagne and the audience — that was something new. His fresh style showcased both on his new album and in the performance Saturday, illustrated a near flawless transition from a front porch in Maine to the front of the most prestigious stage in the world.”

For more music and information, go to:

Ray LaMontagne Official Website
MySpace

Singer/songwriter Brett Dennen’s October release ‘Hope For The Hopeless’ on Dualtone Music Group/Downtown Music will be followed by a pared-down mini-tour sponsored by organic drink-maker Guayaki Yerba Mate.

Tickets became available September 18 for the intimate tour which starts in Portland, OR on November 3, 2008 and wraps at New York City’s Canal Room November 18. Please see below for a full list of dates. The mini-tour is a return to the smaller venues Brett began playing just five years ago; Dennen and his full band are preparing a larger headlining tour for early 2009.

The tour celebrates the release of Brett’s third album ‘Hope For The Hopeless’ out October 21, 2008. Fans can pre-order through www.brettdennen.net beginning September 15 and the first 200 fans to order will receive an autographed album and a chance to win a Martin acoustic guitar hand-painted by Brett.

Billboard wrote that “Dennen is just as in demand as a solo performer [as a supporting act].” This summer, while on the road with John Mayer, USA Today listed Brett among three artists worth arriving early for stating, “these opening acts are the talent before the star storm.”

Brett’s audiences have consistently doubled in size with each return to a city. Adding fuel to the fire is Hope For The Hopeless’ first single, “Make You Crazy” featuring Afro-Beat king Femi Kuti. It is an infectious, uptempo song already playing on tastemaker stations across the U.S.

‘Hope For The Hopeless’ features an increasingly electric take on Brett’s narrative-rich songs and pop, folk, rock and Afro-Caribbean sounds. The album was recorded at the Village Recorder Studios in Los Angeles with multi-platinum producer John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band). Brett cites inspiration ranging from Fela Kuti’s Expensive Shit/Ransome Kuti, to Joni Mitchell’s Court And Spark, to The Rolling Stone’s Exile On Main St.

Brett Dennen 2008 Mini Tour Sponsored by Guayaki Yerba Mate:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

November 3 Portland, OR Doug Fir
November 5 Seattle, WA Triple Door
November 6 San Francisco, CA The Independent
November 7 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
November 8 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
November 10 Denver, CO Walnut Room
November 11 Austin, TX The Continental Club
November 13 Chicago, IL Schubas
November 14 Annapolis, MD Ramshead Onstage
November 15 Philadelphia, PA Tin Angel
November 16 Boston, MA Passim
November 18 New York, NY Canal Room

BIO

Brett Dennen’s break-through 2006 release, ‘So Much More’, prompted Rolling Stone to name him one of their “Artists to Watch in 2008.” He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call with Carson Daly and NPR.

The Washington Post called him “a folk rock revelation” and Entertainment Weekly enthused, “He’s a big talent with a fresh face and an old soul.”

John Mayer, Michael Franti and Jason Mraz are outspoken advocates and Brett’s songs have been featured in episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs and House, among others.

Brett joined Mayer’s 2008 Summer Tour, prompting USA Today to affirm him one of the summer’s “opening acts worth arriving early for.” He recently co-headlined a theater tour with Mason Jennings and has also toured with the John Butler Trio, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Ben Folds.

The 6′ 4″ former camp counselor from Northern California seems an unlikely front man – with his long red hair, trademark headband and guitar held high on his frame he nonetheless radiates confidence and ease in his own skin. His smooth sound is in stark contrast to his persona and the combination of wit and sentiment amount to a captivating performance. As the audience grows, Brett remains the folky, soulful, witty and insightful artist that first captured hearts in California coffee houses five years ago.

Much like the theme of Brett’s new album, Guayaki Yerba Mate is providing ‘Hope for the Hopeless’ as it relates to the plight of the rainforest of South America and its native people.

Brett is an avid supporter of Guayaki Yerba Mate’s mission to protect the rainforest and proud to be featured on the label of the award-winning Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate Drinks distributed throughout the U.S. Learn more at: Guayaki Official Website.

Brett Dennen Official Website
MySpace

Following a special one off date last Autumn, American sensation John Mayer returns to the UK for a series of must-see dates.

The hugely talented guitarist, singer and songwriter will kickstart his mini tour at the Birmingham Carling Academy June 26th, 2008.

John Mayer has also confirmed he will be playing at Glastonbury Festival as well as performing alongside Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park, June 28th.

John Mayer June 2008 UK tour dates:

June

24th BIRMINGHAM Carling Academy
25th MANCHESTER Carling Academy
27th LONDON Brixton Carlin Academy
28th LONDON Hard Rock Calling (with Eric Clapton)
29th GLASTONBURY Festival

TicketMaster UK

Performing songs from his latest acclaimed album ‘Continuum’ as well as tracks from his impressive back catalogue, these dates look set to be one of the live highlights of the summer.

An incredible live performer Mayer picked up a five star review in The Independent for his two night residency at the Royal Albert Hall last year.

Praise for John Mayer:

“Refreshingly intelligent…a potent force. He deserves a regular residency” – ***** The Independent Live Review

“The most complete musician of his generation” – WORD

John Mayer on amazon.co.uk

John Mayer on amazon.com

John Mayer Official Website
John Mayer Myspace

The concept for Live From Abbey Road is very simple, nonetheless, it revolutionises the way in which music television is viewed. The focus is to capture great, live, musical performances and to place musicians in the world’s most inspiring and creative environment in which to do so, Abbey Road.

Music television has evolved into more of a ’spotlight’ for celebrities and our aim is to shift that attention and make music more personal. Live From Abbey Road gives artists with the assurance and freedom they need in order to perform to their very best. Our priority is to capture great performances.

Following on from the Channel 4 broadcast, Fremantle Home Entertainment bring you Live from ABBEY ROAD the DVD – the ultimate 2 disc DVD, released in the UK on 15th October, 2007, capturing some of the greatest artists performing live in one of the most famous studios in the world, each track hand-picked for inclusion to make this a must have DVD for any music fan.

It presents a diverse array of artists from a variety of genres, from newcomers to legends including David Gilmour, Iron Maiden, Primal Scream, Natasha Bedingfield, Massive Attack and Gipsy Kings to name but a few.

Artists included are:

Disc One Features: John Mayer; Corinne Bailey Rae; Dr John; Craig David; Damien Rice; LeAnn Rimes; Josh Groban; Natasha Bedingfield ; Wynton Marsalis; Nerina Pallot; Jamiroquai; Ray LaMontagne; Gipsy Kings; Norah Jones.

Disc Two Features: David Gilmour; Richard Ashcroft; Massive Attack; The Good, The Bad And The Queen; The Kooks; Gnarls Barkley; The Goo-Goo Dolls; Iron Maiden; Kasabian; Primal Scream; The Zutons; Dave Mathews; Amos Lee.

The 2 disc DVD also comes crammed with a good helping of Special features such as extended interviews (much of which is previously unseen and exclusive to this release), behind the scenes, picture galleries and more to ensure fans get the full ‘live’ Abbey Road experience, all in glorious 5.1 audio.

Some of the most renowned artists in the world performing in the ultimate music studio – Live From ABBEY ROAD is a unique chance to capture all these acts which you would be mad to miss out on!

Run Time: 165 minutes and Approx 65 minutes Extras

*For more information including footage with performances by Muse, The Feeling, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol and more, go to:

Live From Abbey Road Official Website

Alicia Keys has once again come up with the goods with her new video for hit single, “No One”. The single is off of her third studio album, ‘As I Am,’ set for release on November 13th, 2007 on J Records. ‘As I Am’ features collaborations with John Mayer, Linda Perry, Floetry’s Marsha Ambrosius and Timbaland.

Ever since a friend handed me her debut CD, ‘Songs in A Minor’ and I heard “Fallin’” for the first time, back in 2001, I knew we were on to something good – and it seems Alicia Keys has just been getting better as the years go on. On stage she’s grown from being the girl with braids, sitting behind the piano to a now more glamorous woman who can dance and “work” the stage more comfortably.

It’s too bad that Britney Spears walked away with the most publicity after the 2007 Video Music Awards. After watching Alicia Keys at the VMAs, it’s amazing that this talented singer and performer wasn’t all the rage after the show. Luckily, though, there’s still plenty of time to savor a fine performance, like a fine wine. Maybe in the long run, it’s best that Alicia’s hype is more subtle.

Watch Alicia Keys perform “No One” at the VMAs

When I was growing up, Irene Cara and Donna Summer were two of my favorite singers to sing along with. Alicia Keys has captured that feeling with “No One” along with a current and modern vibe. Since her voice naturally sounds the way it does, there’s no need for the flamboyant “trills” that have become the norm for so many singers. The video for “No One” is a new window into the world of Ms. Keys and it’s great to see true talent once again, hitting the airwaves.

Watch Alicia Keys – “No One” video (debuted on BET):

Track Listing for ‘As I Am’:

1. As I Am (Intro)
2. Go Ahead
3. Superwoman
4. No One
5. Like You’ll Never See Me Again
6. Lesson Learned (featuring and co-written by John Mayer)
7. Wreckless Love
8. The Thing About Love
9. Teenage Love Affair
10. I Need You
11. Where Do We Go From Here
12. Prelude To A Kiss
13. Tell You Something (Nana’s Reprise)
14. Sure Looks Good To Me

“No One” video link

Alicia Keys Official Website
Alicia Keys on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Acts scheduled to perform at the US concert in New Jersey are to include:

AFI, Akon, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Fall Out Boy, John Mayer, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Kenna, KT Tunstall, Ludacris, Melissa Etheridge, Roger Waters, Sheryl Crow, Smashing Pumpkins, The Police, Keith Urban and Taking Back Sunday.

From LiveEarth.org, “Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 16 2007 and will be available at livenation.com/liveearth or by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171. All ticket information is available at LiveEarth.MSN.com. All proceeds will benefit the Alliance for Climate Protection and other international NGOs.”

More information about Live Earth and the bands playing at Wembley Stadium in London. Also Live Earth locations around the world: Hamburg, Germany, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tokyo, Japan, Shanghai, China, Antarctica, Johannesburg, South Africa, Sydney, Australia and Washington, D.C.

Live Earth is going to be the most talked about music event of the summer. I can say that with confidence, and there are many reasons why people will be discussing the worldwide concerts that will be taking place to help raise awareness about climate change and global warming. You could spend days debating the subject. For instance, the fact that Al Gore is the co-chair of Live Earth is just enough information to have caused a mass media feeding frenzy. Some people like the idea of Al Gore’s involvement, some people don’t and they all have their reasons for it.

Then there are the questions about the concert goers who will be traveling to the shows and all of the equipment that needs to get to the shows and the “carbon footprint” that the concerts will leave behind. Is it justifiable?

And of course with Live Earth founder Kevin Wall’s recent announcement of concert venue locations and headlining acts like Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers brings to light a fresh debate of more carbon footprints and is this hypocrisy?

Quite a few people that I’ve talked to about Live Earth think that rather than having only a handful of concert locations around the world for thousands of people to have to travel to, why not put on local gigs? To Think Globally, Act Locally, with local clubs set up to host a special Live Earth night.

Say for example, if Radiohead and Supergrass, two bands that happen to be from my town which is Oxford, were to announce that they are headlining Live Earth down the road at The Zodiac or the New Theatre for the locals – that would be brilliant. Of course this is just a hypothetical wish. Seriously though, have there been any local arrangements made throughout the towns and communities for Live Earth?

I obviously don’t have all the answers and am simply a bystander without a car, who has no plans to travel to the shows but will be happy to watch the Live Earth concerts either online or on TV. However, if there is a local event happening in Oxford, that would be a different story. I would be there with bells on.

Live Earth Official Website

By: Jenny May

Continuum is easily in my top ten albums for 2006. After listening several times it has continued to grow on me with each listen. Make no mistake about it; Mayer is a very talented and real individual with nothing but a great future ahead. He knew exactly what he was doing when he hooked up with some blues legends and played his six-string right alongside them (check out his tear-out-your-heart version of the Hendrix classic “Bold As Love.”) Not only did he learn his chops, he exposed himself as a legitimate contender to take his place alongside the legends he was playing with. If he continues to release albums like this his place in history is secure. Even if he suddenly stopped recording today, his impact would still be felt for many more years to come.

Out of the 12 tracks, I did not hear one that I could not identify with or thoroughly enjoy for the musicianship, vocals, and lyrics. This recording oozes with a strong feeling of confidence and maturity at every turn. Mayer owns who he is, unlike that ditzy blonde he was dating recently. He called it as he saw it and told her to take a hike. I say right on brother! You are the real deal and your music tells the story beautifully who you are deep down in your soul.

The lead off track “Waiting For The World To Change” is so prolific, musically and lyrically. You have to love what Mayer says in the fourth verse.

Now, if we had the power
To bring our neighbors home from war
They would have never missed Christmas
No more ribbons on their door
And when you trust your television
What you get is what you get
Cause when they own the information
They can bend it all they want

Now if that does not make you look in the mirror and question who you are and the world we live in, well you just are not hearing this young man’s message.

Mayer’s guitar playing is clean, sharp, and biting all at the same time. His vocal style is relaxed yet very effective because of the way he brings each word from his toes to his lips; it all comes rolling out with meaning, like something he holds very close to his heart. I especially enjoyed the irresistible hooks and rhythms of “Vulture.” And oh the words, my oh my does it hit you square between the eyes. This album is so good you could choose any one of these tracks and make it a single and it would zoom up the charts. Yes, it is that good.

Continuum is a true classic of our time, a sparkling and memorable production that deserves all the gushing and media attention that it has been receiving and will continue to get many years from now. John Mayer arrived a few years ago but this time out he has made a statement that he is here to stay and expect more of the same in the future. As we are waiting for the world to change, we can listen to good music and do our part to change it.

Artist: John Mayer
Title: Continuum
Genre: Rock-Blues-Pop
Label: Columbia
Website

01. Waiting on the World to Change (3:21)
02. I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You) (4:52)
03. Belief (4:02)
04. Gravity (4:05)
05. The Heart of Life (3:19)
06. Vultures (4:11)
07. Stop This Train Mayer (4:45)
08. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (4:02)
09. Bold as Love (4:18)
10. Dreaming with a Broken Heart (4:07)
11. In Repair (6:09)
12. I’m Gonna Find Another You (2:43)

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck