And the pro-Obama hits just keep coming....

By Fred Mills

"Did I fall or was I pushed? In celebration of November 5, Jonny's birthday amid bonfire and fireworks in the UK and the dawn of a new era in politics in the USA, I humbly donate a remix of 'Harrowdown Hill' that was finished ages ago during the band webcasts, a small reminder of the dark days of Bush's."

That's Radiohead's Thom Yorke, announcing a free download of his 2006 The Eraser song "Harrowdown Hill" - remixed, remade, remodeled and retitled ‘Tchk Harrowdown Jump Rmx" for the occasion, which sounds like a pretty good deal anyway you cut it.

Go to the band's Dead Air Space website and look for the Wed, 05 November news entry on the front page.

In case anyone doesn't have long memories, not too many  artists were stepping up to give away free stuff when Bush got elected or re-elected....

Damon Albarn tries to make a monkey out of a BBC reporter...

By Fred Mills

It might just be a case of him monkeying around, but erstwhile Blur frontman Damon Albarn is sparking some tantalizing rumors about a possible Blur reunion.

Yeah, us neither.

But for those of you who don't think Blur was the most overrated band to come outta Britain since Zodiac Mindwarp and are literally dripping between your thighs at the prospects, read on.

In a report filed this morning by the BBC, Albarn - who has been hard at work on the next Gorillaz album as well as getting his Monkey: Journey to the West opera staged in London starting next week - indicated that he'd been lunching with his old Blur bassist Graham Coxon (who himself has definitely been monkeying around, if you believe the reports of Coxon teaming up with professional crackhead Pete Doherty).

"It's very possible I'll go back to Blur, it really is very possible," Albarn told a reporter, explaining, "The truth be known Graham and I have been hanging out together a bit. We had lunch the other day."

Promoters, start your checkbooks. These things don't just happen out of pure friendship....

Two days after the election, we are feeling the love...

By Fred Mills

"Man, that "Obama Remix" is on fuckin' repeat over here... what a feeling to be proud of your country! Hope you fellas are feelin' the love... the hope... the progress."

Thus reads a memo just slipped over the BLURT transom - our correspondent is referring, of course, to Louisville-based cellist Ben Sollee's "A Few Honest Words Remix". Seems that DJ 2^nd Nature has performed his wizardry once again (he previously gave My Morning Jacket's "One Big Holiday" a reworking), tackling Sollee's pre-election tribute to Barack Obama. And while this all went down way back in September, it's as timely as ever now. Check out the MP3 here:

A Few Honest Words Remix  

Meanwhile, head over to Sollee's MySpace page. You can check out Sollee's tunes, along with a really compelling video clip for the Obama song. And yes, we are feeling the love, the hope, and the progress - since the wee hours of yesterday morning, it feels like a great weight has been lifted off everyone's shoulders. Scroll down after the tour dates to view a YouTube clip of Sollee doing "A Few Honest Words" with the DJ 2^nd Nature remix (directed by Ty Risby).

Ben Sollee Tour Dates:

Nov 6 2008     8:00P

            The 5 Spot       Atlanta, Georgia

Nov 7 2008     8:00P

            Nighlight         Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Nov 8 2008     8:00P

            Iota      Washington, Washington DC

Nov 11 2008   8:00P

            The Bell House           Brooklyn, New York

Nov 12 2008   8:00P

            Mercury Lounge         New York, New York

Nov 13 2008   8:00P

            Great Scott      Boston, Massachusetts

Nov 14 2008   8:00P

            World Cafe Live         Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nov 15 2008   8:00P

            Club Café        Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Nov 17 2008   8:00P

            Schuba's          Chicago, Illinois

Nov 18 2008   8:00P

            400 Club         Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nov 21 2008   8:00P

            TBA    Seattle, Washington

Nov 22 2008   8:00P

            Balcony Bar At The Hawthorne Theatre        Portland, Oregon

Nov 24 2008   8:00P

            Cafe Du Nord             San Francisco, California

Nov 25 2008   8:00P

            Hotel Cafe      Los Angeles, California

Dec 11 2008    9:00P

            The Dame        Lexington, Kentucky

Back to school with the king of Turntablism...

By Blurt Staff

DJ Qbert has just announced the opening of his "Qbert Skratch University", an online video learning site, which will break virtual ground in early 2009 in partnership with ArtistWorks.

Qbert is often billed as the "Undisputed King of Turntablism", which may seem like hype unless you've actually seen the cat on the wheels of steel. According to a press release from ArtisWorks, he'll be using "a series of progressive videos to teach all levels of Scratching techniques from basic to exotic and beat juggling. This format of exchanging videos with a legendary Turntablist where the entire community learns is the first of its kind. Turntablists around the world use simple and innovative video management technology created by ArtistWorks. Student members post videos on the University site and using the latest in Internet video technology, Qbert responds to student videos, offering his personal guidance and suggestions."

"There is no central place or community for farflung Turntablists to gather, so this platform will provide them with a great opportunity" says David Butler, Founder and CEO of ArtistWorks, Inc. DJ Qbert adds, "It's cool that Skratching has so many fans around the world and we can all be in one place now and learn from each other no matter where we live."

For more details, go to www.artistworks.com.
 

Compiled by Blurt Staff

206 digital, satellite and hi-def channels and nothin' on? Not likely. Here are BLURT's top music television picks of the day. The time is followed by the network/cable/satellite channel, then the name of the program and/or featured artist(s). All times are EST. For a comprehensive hour-by-hour listing, go to the VH1 Rock On TV site. Note that for certain channels, shows frequently repeat during the day on or subsequent days.

TIME (EST) / CHANNEL / PROGRAM / ARTIST(S)

8:00 AM TVONE: Tom Joyner Sky Show:  Chaka Khan

10:00 AM RAVE HD: Other Voices: Ryan Adams , Cathy Davey , The Crimea , Foy Vance

11:30 AM NICK: Yo Gabba Gabba!: Cornelius

3:00 PM Great American Country: Master Series: The Boxmasters

3:30 PM PLD HD: Hall & Oates: Our Kind of Soul

4:00 PM VH1C: BBC Crown Jewels: Rock Goes To College: The Police

5:30 PM Noggin: Yo Gabba Gabba!: Smoosh

9:00 PM & 1:00 AM IFC: 24 Hour Party People (2002) w/Siouxsie and the Banshees , New Order , The Buzzcocks , The Sex Pistols , Joy Division , Happy Mondays

9:00 PM RAVE HD: From The Basement: Damien Rice , Autolux , eels , Architecture In Helsinki

11:00 PM IFC: Sex Pistols - The Filth and the Fury (2000)

11:35 PM CBS: The Late Show With David Letterman: Brad Paisley

11:35 PM NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tracy Chapman

12:05 AM ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: John Legend

12:35 AM NBC: Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Phil Lesh

1:30 AM ETV: Saturday Night Live (E!): Christina Aguilera / Maroon 5

1:35 AM NBC: Last Call with Carson Daly: Yelle

Change.

True.

First time on these shores in eight years for Springsteen's pal.

By Blurt Staff


Based in Paris but born in the USA, legendary songwriter Elliott Murphy will embark on his first American tour in eight years.  The tour kicks off December 2008 in the Northeast U.S. (New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Albany, Larchmont, Amagansett), and continues on to the West Coast, where he hasn't played in 12 years) in January 2009 (San Francisco, Felton, Tehachapi, Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach). Elliott will be accompanied by his longtime guitarist extraordinaire Olivier Durand.  More shows will follow in Spring 2009.

Murphy's long been considered a true songwriter's songwriter - Springsteen is a big fan, and Murphy is a regular onstage guest of the Boss whenever he tours Europe and makes it to France. For this rare arrival on our shores, Murphy will be promoting his 30^th album, Notes From the Underground. Don't be surprised if Springsteen pops up at one or more of his shows.

Opening all shows will be NYC-based multi-cultural singer-songwriter Jann Klose, who was born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa, Hamburg and first came to the US as an exchange student in Cleveland.  His latest album, Reverie, was issued earlier this year.  Recent shows included collaborations with Annie Haslam and John Tout of Renaissance, sharing the stage with Marty Stuart, Rosanne Cash and Roger McGuinn at Martin Guitars' 175th Anniversary Concert, and a special show at the German Embassy in Washington, DC.

The Elliott Murphy story:


Elliott Murphy was born to a show business family in New York and began his career by winning the 1966 New York State Battle of the Bands, and then followed a troubadour's odyssey across Europe included a bit part in Federico Fellini's film "Roma." His career was launched by the critical success of his debut album AQUASHOW followed by LOST GENERATION (Produced by Doors producer Paul Rothschild), NIGHT LIGHTS (featuring Billy Joel), JUST A STORY FROM AMERICA (featuring Phil Collins and Mick Taylor) and an extraordinary duet with Bruce Springsteen on his 1996 masterpiece SELLING THE GOLD.   In October 2008, he was honored with a monumental exhibition in Paris' Town Hall entitled "Elliott Murphy - Last of the Rock Stars - Retrospective" featuring hundreds of posters, photos, videos, album covers and memorabilia.

Elliott Murphy is also a published author of short story collections  (most recently Café Notes) and two novels (Cold And Electric and the neo-western Poetic Justice) as well as penning the liner notes for the Velvet Underground album 1969 Live. Elliott has lived in Paris for 18 years and has performed at such prestigious venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival as well as opening for Bob Dylan at the Pistoia Blues Festival.

Elliott Murphy tour dates:

Dec 10 2008 Johnny D's   Somerville, Massachusetts
Dec 12 2008 The Stephen Talkhouse   Amagansett, New York
Dec 13 2008 Valentine's   Albany, New York
Dec 15 2008   The Living Room   New York, New York
Dec 16, 2008   Velvet Lounge    Washington, DC
Dec 17 2008   World Cafe Live   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dec 18 2008   Watercolor Cafe   Larchmont, New York
Jan 7, 2009     Café Du Nord    San Francisco, California
Jan 8, 2009     Don Quixote's   Felton, California
Jan 10, 2009   Hotel Café, Los Angeles, California
Jan 11, 2009     Mama's Hilly Beans, Tehachapi, California
Jan 13 2009    Acoustic Music San Diego  San Diego, California
Jan 14 2009   The Blue Cafe   Long Beach, California
Jan 16 2009     NAMM 2009 Anaheim, California

Two disc set with remixes, videos....

By Fred Mills

Call it an early Christmas present for Feist fans: her acclaimed 2007 release The Reminder gets the deluxe/expanded treatment on Dec. 2, courtesy Arts & Crafts, as a two-CD set that features a slew of remixes (Chromeo, Grizzly Bear and others) plus the four music videos originally created for the album.

Also available for folks who don't want to buy the same album twice will be a standalone The Reminder: Bonus Content. It will contain the audio tracks from Disc 2 but not the videos.

***

The Reminder: Deluxe Edition

(From the label: "Feist's worldwide multi-Platinum album, The Reminder, will now be available as a deluxe edition featuring key remixes (some of which have never before been available commercially), and duets with Mocky and Constantines. The deluxe physical edition includes a bonus enhanced CD with additional exclusive video content, including Feist's latest video for the song ‘Honey Honey.'")

Disc 1:

1 So Sorry
2 I Feel It All
3 My Moon My Man
4 The Park
5 The Water
6 Sealion
7 Past in Present
8 The Limit to Your Love
9 1234
10 Brandy Alexander
11 Intuition
12 Honey Honey
13 How My Heart Behaves

Disc 2:

1 I Feel It All (Escort Remix)
2 Sealion (Chromeo Remix)
3 My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Classic Mix)
4 1234 (Van She Remix)
5 Fightin' Away the Tears [with Mocky]
6 So Sorry (One Mic Mix)
7 My Moon My Man (Grizzly Bear Remix)
8 Broken Social Scene: "Lover's Spit (Redux)"
9 Islands in the Stream [with Constantines]
10 My Moon My Man [video]
11 1234 (Director's Cut) [video]
12 I Feel It All [video]
13 Honey Honey [video]

The Reminder: Bonus Content

(From the label: "Key remixes (some of which have never before been available commercially) from Feist's worldwide multi-Platinum album, along with duets with Mocky and Constantines.")

1 I Feel It All (Escort Remix)
2 Sealion (Chromeo Remix)
3 My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Classic Mix)
4 1234 (Van She Remix)
5 Fightin' Away the Tears [with Mocky]
6 So Sorry (One Mic Mix)
7 My Moon My Man (Grizzly Bear Remix)
8 Broken Social Scene: "Lover's Spit (Redux)"
9 Islands in the Stream [with Constantines]

***

Speaking of some Feist videos.....

Coming the day after Nov. 4... didn't something historic happen then?

Fred Mills

11-5-08

Thrill Jockey's indiepop worldbeat avatars Extra Golden has created a smokin' 7-minute tune paying tribute to - you guessed it - President-elect Barack Obama, titled, sensibly enough, "Obama." Nice timing, that, and the perfect post-Nov. 4 gift.

Currently the Kenyan-American band has two releases out on Thrill Jockey, Hera Ma Nono and Ok-Oyot System,

We've got the YouTube video for "Obama" posted below, and you can check out the free-for-download MP3 here:

Obama

Steven Wilson releases solo album next year

By Mandy Rodgers

Born in England, Steven Wilson's musical influences came at an early age, particularly when his mom and dad bought each other differing albums for Christmas. His dad received Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, and his mom got Donna Summer's Love to Love You Baby. As Wilson listened to both albums intently, these musical styles meshed and influenced his own musical creations, like the critically acclaimed prog-rock band, Porcupine Tree. He started Porcupine Tree to be a solo effort, but he's gotten help from several musicians over the band's history and nine albums.

Wilson is also a member of other bands, including Blackfield, No-Man and Bass Communion, but he felt the music written for this effort would be best released solo. Insurgents was recorded in two years across the world from Mexico City to Japan to Israel and has ten new tracks from anthems to ballads to experimental efforts.

Though the record is set to hit on February 10, a deluxe (read: expensive) high-quality version expected to be released in late November. Two versions are available, one CD and one vinyl, both contained in a hardback book with photos and including bonus records. For more information or to preorder visit, www.insurgentes.org.