It’s one small step for man, but one giant step for music.

Moonalice, the Bay Area act that features musical all-stars including GE Smith and Barry Sless, is going where no band has gone before – a real-time Twitter concert.

Always at the forefront of the latest digital developments, Moonalice will post their upcoming CD release show and party on April 3, 2009, at Slim’s in San Francisco at www.twitter.com/moonalice.

Immediately following each song during the show, Moonalice’s sound team will take that song’s audio, digitize it, upload it and “Tweet” about its availability – all before the group finishes playing the very next song. This is the first time that any artist has broadcast a concert in real time on the Twitter platform.

Twitter CEO Evan Williams says, “We are amazed by all the new ways people are using Twitter, and what Moonalice is doing exemplifies this to the core. Twittering a live show is a new and profoundly cool way for a band to reach its fan base and beyond. We hope to see more of this as bands see the value of connecting to their audience in new ways.”

In addition to Smith (Saturday Night Live house band, Hall & Oates, Bob Dylan) and Sless (David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh & Friends), Moonalice includes veteran players Pete Sears (Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship), Ann McNamee (Flying Other Brothers, Ann Atomic), Jimmy Sanchez (Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt), Roger McNamee (Flying Other Brothers) and occasional seventh member Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna).

On April 14th, 2009, Moonalice will release their self-titled debut studio effort. The band entrusted legendary producer T Bone Burnett to help transform the highly regarded Moonalice live act into a gem of studio wizardry. Burnett recently won both “Record of the Year” and “Album of the Year” Grammy Awards for his work on Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ ‘Raising Sand’.

Listeners are sure to notice the sound quality of Moonalice, due not only to its sterling musicianship and exceptional production, but also because it features Burnett’s innovative new XO?E (CODE in Greek letters) mastering technology. In addition to the CD, the DVD-V is packed with a high-resolution stereo version (24-bit/96 kHz), as well as optimized MP3, AAC and FLAC formats, plus two music videos. The entire package comes at the price of a regular, single CD.

In addition to their Twitter CD release show, Moonalice is currently racking up the miles on a nationwide 2009 tour (see www.moonaliceband.com/tour for full schedule). At every show, the audience receives a free, limited edition poster, as well as local updates to the Moonalice legend. All posters are four-color offset lithographs, created by San Francisco’s finest poster artists.

For more information, visit:

Moonalice Official Website

Moonalice on Twitter

Elvis Costello is set to release his new album, ‘Secret, Profane & Sugarcane’ on Universal June 1st, 2009. The record was produced by T Bone Burnett and recorded by Mike Piersante during a three-day session at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studio.

Elvis Costello on amazon.co.uk

Elvis Costello on amazon.com

Joining Costello were Jerry Douglas (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Jeff Taylor (accordion) and Dennis Crouch (double bass), some of the most highly regarded recording artists and musicians in traditional American country music, Bluegrass and beyond.

Several of these songs, including “Down Among The Wines and Spirits”, were given their first public performances during Costello’s acclaimed solo appearances as part of “The Bob Dylan Show” in late 2007.

Watch “The Scarlet Tide” video:

The album includes ten previously unrecorded songs. “Sulphur to Sugarcane” and “The Crooked Line”, were co-written with T Bone Burnett while, “I Felt The Chill” marks Costello’s second recorded songwriting collaboration with Loretta Lynn.

Costello revisits two songs from his catalogue in string band style. Both songs were originally written for Johnny Cash. “Hidden Shame” was indeed included on Cash’s album, ‘Boom Chicka Boom’.

The album title makes reference to “The Secret Songs”, Costello’s unfinished commission for the Royal Danish Opera about the life of Hans Christian Andersen.

Seeking a new connection from the author to the Anglophone world, Costello wrote about the Andersen’s relationship with the world famous singer, Jenny Lind in “She Handed Me A Mirror” and “How Deep Is The Red”.

“She Was No Good”, relates some of the chaotic details of Lind’s famous “All-American” concert tour of 1850, which was promoted by P.T. Barnum. In its aftermath, “Red Cotton” imagines Barnum reading an Abolishionist pamphlet, while manufacturing cheap souvenirs of the adventure.

These four episodes were newly adapted for the instrumentation of this record.

Indeed these are first Costello compositions to be predominantly rooted in acoustic music since his 1986 album, ‘King Of America’, which was produced by T Bone Burnett. He also produced the 1989 album, ‘Spike’.

T Bone adds his distinctive Kay electric guitar to several of the numbers, the only amplified instrument on the recording.

Jim Lauderdale takes the close vocal harmony part throughout the record and Emmylou Harris contributed a third vocal part on the chorus of “The Crooked Line” on the final day of recording.

The record concludes with the waltz, “Changing Partners”, a song made famous by Bing Crosby.

The cover artwork of ‘Secret, Profane & Sugarcane’ is an ink drawing by the renowned cartoonist, illustrator and author, Tony Millionaire.

Elvis Costello first recorded in Nashville with George Jones in 1979 and returned to the city for ‘Almost Blue’, his 1981 album of classic country covers.

He returned to the city in 2004 to record a duet rendition of “The Scarlet Tide” with Emmylou Harris.

This song, co-written with T Bone Burnett, received an Academy Award nomination for Alison Krauss’ rendition in the motion picture, “Cold Mountain” in 2003.

Select US tour dates featuring musicians from the album — dubbed “The Sugarcanes” — will follow in June and August, 2009.

‘SECRET, PROFANE, & SUGARCANE’ TRACK LIST:

1. Down Among the Wine and Spirits
2. Complicated Shadows
3. I Felt the Chill
4. My All Time Doll
5. Hidden Shame
6. She Handed Me a Mirror
7. I Dreamed of My Old Lover
8. How Deep is the Red
9. She Was No Good
10. Sulfur to Sugarcane
11. Red Cotton
12. The Crooked Line
13. Changing Partners

Due to the division of the music over four sides, the vinyl edition will contain two additional tracks, a arrangement of Lou Reed’s “Femme Fatale” and Costello’s sequel to the old Appalachian murder ballad, “Omie Wise”, entitled, “What Lewis Did Last.”

Elvis Costello Official Website
MySpace

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss received the highest honours at last night’s Grammy Award ceremony in LA, when ‘Raising Sand’ was named Album of the Year and “Please Read The Letter” won Record of the Year.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on amazon.com

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on amazon.co.uk

The duo also took home awards for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “Rich Woman”, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Killing The Blues” and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for ‘Raising Sand’.

Last year Robert and Alison received a Grammy for their single “Gone Gone Gone” in the only category they were eligible for.

Last night they performed “Rich Woman” and “Gone Gone Gone” with producer/bandleader and fellow Grammy winner T Bone Burnett along with a stellar cast of musicians including Buddy Miller, Dennis Crouch and Jay Bellerose.

T Bone Burnett as producer and Mike Piersante as engineer/mixer also received Grammys for Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Myspace

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Official Website

Like Plant, we hail from West Bromwich in the heart of the Black Country (indeed, my dad frequented the same drinking hole as Planty) and wondered what the leonine rock god must make of the changes to the ’second city’ since he last strolled its streets. Gone are the grubby factories and warehouses, replaced by shimmering glass towers and a slick, cosmopolitan atmosphere. We were certainly struck anew by the city’s transformation as we wandered down the canal-side before the gig.

It seems Brum is not the only thing to have changed – there’s no trace of a Black Country twang in Plant’s voice and his partnership with Krauss on ‘Raising Sand’ is a departure from the heavy rock of his Led Zeppelin days. It’s also the stuff of music critics’ wet dreams: a beautiful bluegrass angel collaborating with the hoary old man of rock to make one of the finest and unlikely parings in recent musical times.

Anticipation was high for this, Plant’s homecoming performance. From a purely anthropological bent, there was also much fun to be had in identifying fans there for Alison Krauss and those there for Robert Plant. Needless to say there were ponytails aplenty on men of a certain age and later in the evening, some head-banging in the aisles to some of the rockier numbers. Of course I can only speculate that they were Led Zep fans …

But before I discuss the main act … the support. This was Scott Matthews, Wolverhampton-based urban-folk troubadour whose band and he were, he cheerily confessed, ’shitting ourselves’. The local feel of one up-and-coming Black Country lad supporting another made good, set a nice tone and the audience warmed to Matthews fast. He opened with the beautiful “Dream Song”, arguably his best work to date, and gave a soulful and professional support to the main act.

As “Rich Woman’s” swampy guitars kicked in, Plant and Krauss crept out from either side of the stage each looking a million dollars. There’s a strange kind of symmetry seeing them live, all big blond hair and even bigger voices, although this is as far as the visual resemblance goes. In her diaphanous, floaty dress with her perfectly coiffed hair, Alison Krauss looked like she’d been whisked in from Stepford; whereas Robert Plant, wearing block colours and some pretty fine winkle pickers, looked every inch the rock god. He trod the stage like a caged animal for the first few songs, a mesmerising “Sister Rosetta” and “Through the Morning, Through the Night”, and I like to think it did the old boy some good when he finally let rip on tracks like “Nothin” – it certainly looked and sounded like it!

The two were on fire; their voices were nothing short of awesome and melted into each other’s tones perfectly. “Stick with Me Baby” was mesmerising. I’d expected them to sound good, but this good? Krauss’s demure presence belied a torrent of feeling conveyed through her singing which was by turns eerie and angelic. Her rendition of Tom Waits’ “Trampled Rose” was goose-bump inducing and her violin playing exceptional. Her voice was as sweet as honey but more penetrating than any I’ve heard in a long time, filling every crevice of the cavernous NIA.

Despite the obvious difference between her vocals and Plant’s blues wail, his voice was equally on form. He sang as if he wanted to tear the audience’s eardrums out on tracks like “Gone, Gone Gone” and an old Led Zeppelin track (that’s the head-bangers happy then).

By far his finest moment was on “Fortune Teller”, an amusing old standard on which Alison supplemented his bluesy delivery with haunting backing vocals. Of this track he confided that he’d first come across it in the ’60s and that only two others knew it – he got ‘free prescriptions and a long memory’ he self-deprecatingly joked.

On other songs his sound was more restrained, allowing the gravely textures of his voice to reveal themselves in a wonderfully new way. The two were generous to each others’ performances, stepping back to spotlight the others’ strengths through songs which ranged from the old standards from “Raising Sand” and beyond, to blues, country and soul.

The legendary T-Bone Burnett, a black-clad, narrow and angular presence on the stage, was met with adulatory cries of ‘you the man T-Bone!’ from an enthusiastic crowd when he performed two of his own tracks. Krauss nodded to his producing the score to ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’, on which Krauss sings, when she threw in “Down to the River to Pray” with Plant joining in for backing vocals.

To see the three on stage together, their chemistry and obvious ease with each other, was a live crystallization of the successes of ‘Raising Sand’ and was really something. In short, the gig was a triumph. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss made it look so easy and surpassed the elegance of their recordings. Long may the partnership between the bluegrass beauty and rock beast continue.

By: Lindsey Davis

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have been picking up rave reviews for their ‘Raising Sand 2008′ Tour in the US. The UK leg of the tour kicked off May 5th, 2008 at the Birmingham NIA Arena.

Read Robert Plant & Alison Krauss review at Birmingham NIA.

Performing songs from their hugely popular and critically acclaimed album, ‘Raising Sand’, Robert and Alison played a dazzling set at the New Orleans Jazz Fest last month. According to the Boston Herald, “The unlikely pair’s harmonies and chemistry were something to behold…” while USA Today declared that the duo “…set the early high bar for the rest of Jazz Fest’s eclectic bill”.

The Raising Sand tour features legendary producer T Bone Burnett on guitar and renowned musicians Stuart Duncan on guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, Buddy Miller on guitar, autoharp, mandolin and pedal steel, Jay Bellerose on drums and percussion and Dennis Crouch on bass.

Named album of the year by the Sunday Times, ‘Raising Sand’ has sold over two million copies to date worldwide and topped critics 2007 best-of lists. The thrilling first single “Gone Gone Gone” went on to win a prestigious Grammy Award.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss tour dates:

UK tour dates:

May 2008

7th MANCHESTER, Apollo – Tel: 08444 777 677
8th CARDIFF, International Arena – Tel: 02920 224488
22nd LONDON, Wembley Arena – Tel: 0870 060 0870

European Dates:

May 2008

10th DUSSELDORF, Philipshalle
11th BRUSSELS, Forest National Club
13th PARIS, Le Grand Rex Theatre
14th AMSTERDAM, Heineken Music Hall
16th STOCKHOLM, Hovet (Ice Hall)
18th OSLO, Spektrum
19th BERGEN, Bergenshalle

The new single, “Rich Woman” is out now on Rounder/Decca.

Raising Sand on amazon.com

Raising Sand on amazon.co.uk

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Myspace
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Official Website

On the eve of their eagerly anticipated tour, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are set to release their new single “Rich Woman” on the 14th April, 2008 in the UK.

Taken from their critically acclaimed album ‘Raising Sand’, it follows the Grammy Award winning single “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” and the sublime “Please Read The Letter”.

Written by Dorothy LaBostrie and McKinley Millet, and produced by T Bone Burnett, “Rich Woman” is characterised by a unique honey sweet delivery from Alison Krauss matched perfectly with Robert Plant’s haunting vocals. This is the third single taken from ‘Raising Sand’ that debuted on the US Billboard chart at #2, and Top 5 here in the UK. It has sold nearly 2 million copies internationally, and over 440,000 in the UK.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss embark on a 47-date North American and European tour beginning April 19th, 2008 in Louisville, KY. Joined by a stellar group of musicians featuring T Bone Burnett (band leader/Guitar), Jay Bellerose (Drums and Percussion), Dennis Crouch (Double Bass), Buddy Miller (Guitar) and Stuart Duncan (Fiddle/Mandolin/Banjo/Guitar).

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss 2008 UK tour dates:

May 2008

5th Birmingham, NIA
7th Manchester, Apollo
8th Cardiff, International Arena
22nd London, Wembley Arena

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Robert Plant
Alison Krauss

A self-taught guitarist who combines blues & soul with a nod to Bonnie Raitt, the 26 year-old stateside hit plays 5 nationwide shows, including Camden’s Roundhouse, March 5th, 2008.

Having toured America as special guest to Ray LaMontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak and Tori Amos, Brandi is a talented artist in her own right.

Produced by legendary Grammy Award winner - T Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss), Brandi’s forthcoming LP, released in the UK April 21st on Sony BMG, is already making waves in the US and looks set to be one of the ultimate discoveries of 2008.

A sonic soundscape of honest vocals, organic sounds and arresting delivery, it’s a back-to-basics album that majestically blends raw music with real talent. Highlights include the forthcoming single “Turpentine” set for release on April 14th – which featured in the smash-hit US show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – plus “Cannonball”, which was recorded in Atlanta with The Indigo Girls.

Brandi Carlile tour dates w/Newton Faulkner:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Brandi Carlile’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

February 2008

28th GLASGOW, Barrowlands – Tel: 0141 552 4601 (sold out)
29th LEEDS, University – Tel: 0113 3801 400 (sold out)

March 2008

2nd MANCHESTER, Apollo – Tel: 08444 777 677 (sold out)
3rd LIVERPOOL, University – Tel: 0151 256 5555
5th LONDON, Roundhouse – Tel: 0870 389 1846 (sold out)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM INDIVIDUAL BOX OFFICES

“She silences the chatter and leaves the room spellbound in awe of her great asset – that voice” – Independent

Watch Brandi Carlile: “Turpentine” video

Brandi Carlile Official Website
Brandi Carlile on Myspace

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ gold LP ‘Raising Sand’ continues its hold on the UK Top 10, where it currently resides at #2!

The album’s second single “Please Read The Letter” is released today in the UK, January 28th, 2008 and follows the Grammy nominated “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” – Watch video.

They’re set to play US and UK dates this spring, including Wembley Arena, May 22nd.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss ‘Raising Sand’ April 2008 US tour dates (More dates TBA):
(Featuring T Bone Burnett in a special role for US dates)

Dates could change! Go to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

20 April – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
22 April – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
23 April – Chattanooga, TN – Memorial Auditorium
26 April – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Arena

May 2008 UK tour dates:

5 May – BIRMINGHAM, NIA – Tel: 0871 945 6000
7 May – MANCHESTER, Apollo – Tel: 08444 777 677
8 May – CARDIFF, International Arena – Tel: 02920 224488
22 May – LONDON, Wembley Arena – Tel: 0870 060 0870

Raising Sand on amazon.com

Raising Sand on amazon.co.uk

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on Myspace
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Official Website

Armed with thriving stateside success, her acoustic guitar and an arsenal of songs, emerging singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile plays her first ever London show, which has now sold out, at the Borderline, November 30th, 2007. Joined by her impressive band, she’ll preview tracks from her forthcoming digital live EP (Released November 26th, 2007) and debut LP ‘The Story’, out in 2008 in the UK.

Having toured America as special guest to Ray Lamontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak and Tori Amos, Brandi Carlile is a talented artist in her own right. Produced by legendary Grammy Award winner T Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss), Brandi’s forthcoming LP ‘The Story’ is already making waves in the US and looks set to be one of the ultimate discoveries of 2008.

Her headline band includes: Philip Hanseroth (Bass/vocals), Timothy Hanseroth (Guitar/vocals), Matt Chamberlain (Drums) and Joshua Neumann (Cello).

Captured mainly on tape, ‘The Story’ smoulders with a stark and soulful authenticity, rarely heard today. This is most notable on the rousing title track, which Brandi herself describes as “A pure moment. Technically wrong, but emotionally right”.

Other highlights include “Turpentine”, “Tragedy”, “What Can I Say?” and “Throw It All Away” – which all featured in the smash-hit US show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – plus, “Cannonball”, which was recorded in Atlanta with The Indigo Girls.

For more information, go to:

Brandi Carlile Official Website
Brandi Carlile on Myspace