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George Benson Absolutely Live DVD Reissued

Kayos reports: Eagle Eye Media will re-release George Benson Absolutely Live on DVD September 16. The show filmed at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, features the nimble-fingered jazz guitarist in a variety of musical settings. Benson's multi-genre versatility was never more evident than on this night in 2000. The 105-minute show features guest appearances by Houston bebop/fusion keyboard great Joe Sample, The BBC Big Band, and members of The Ulster Orchestra.

Benson plays it cool and fast, skipping elegantly between his major hits, some straight-ahead jazz improvisation, and reconfiguring of timeless standards. His sultry rhythm'n'blues touch is plainly evident, as is his penchant for reinvention and surprise (dig his wonderfully creative "Danny Boy" and "I Only Have Eyes For You," two of the most beloved and timeless of standards, which would be mush in the hands of a lesser artist).

Special features include a mini-documentary "The Making Of Absolutely Live," a biography and photo gallery. - more on this story

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Fearless Records Signs Myspace Band

PR reports: Fearless Records would like to welcome Artist Vs Poet to their growing roster of artists. Artist Vs Poet, also known to fans as AVP, sprung to life last year in Dallas, TX when vocalist Tarcy Thomason simply posted a MySpace bulletin searching for musicians who were interested in starting a new acoustic project.

Shortly after guitarist/ vocalist Craig Calloway responded and they started writing. As they started writing they decided to form a full band and brought in bassist Joe Westbrook, and drummer Jason Dean. Little did they know what would happen a few short months later: Artist Vs Poet eating Double-Doubles (animal style of course) at In-N-Out while signing their recording contract with Fearless Records.

Artist Vs Poet is currently recording their debut self-titled EP with renowned producer Mike Green (Paramore, The Higher, Danger Radio). This album is scheduled for release in November 2008. - Myspace page

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Essential Celtic Woman Collection Coming to CD and DVD

Blue Note reports: Celtic Woman, the multi-platinum selling Irish sensation, will release The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection on CD and DVD on October 28, 2008 (EMI/Manhattan). The Celtic Woman journey to international renown began in 2005. Now, with more than 3 million CDs/DVDs sold in the US - including gold & platinum album certifications, a #4 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and being #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart for over 90 consecutive weeks - three hit PBS TV specials, and concerts in front of over 800,000 fans in the US alone, Celtic Woman remains a major force in the contemporary music landscape.

Under the musical direction of David Downes it captures the stunning voices of Lisa, M�av, Chlo�, �rla, Lynn & Alex and the inspired fiddle playing of M�ir�ad. This essential collection of their most beloved and memorable songs will give new fans a chance an opportunity to catch up on their phenomenal success and old fans a chance to reminisce.

Celtic Woman will once again be featured on PBS during the network's December 2008 pledge drive campaign. The new TV special will be a collection of memorable highlights taken from their past PBS specials: Celtic Woman: Live, A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle and A Christmas Celebration. - more on this story

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Band Give 10 Grand to Amateur Video Maker

PR reports: It is with great pleasure that The Weepies announce the $10,000 grand prize winner of the imeem video contest as Santa Monica based animator Michael Warner.

With over 100 entries to choose from, picking the winner was no easy task. But after hours and hours of viewing, Deb and Steve Talan found the video that truly matched the spirit of the band and their song "Hideaway".

Appropriately named The Weepies, Steve and Deb let their true band colors shine. "Quite simply, Michael Warner's video made us both teary," the Weepies proclaimed. "It is lovely, playful, and it captured something in the feeling of 'Hideaway,' but also created its own story - an elegant, mostly line-drawing animation of a bunch of little characters who see the stars disappear, then go on a journey to find them and put them back in the sky."
Warner took his love of the band and combined it with his dazzling animation skills. "I entered the challenge on imeem because I am a fan of The Weepies music, and I love music videos. I wanted to see if I could put together, visually, something fun that would be representative of the feeling I got from listening to the song." - more on this story

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Guitar Superstar Competition

PR reports: Guitar Player Magazine, one of the World's premiere guitar publications, stages its 4th Annual Guitar Superstar Competition in San Francisco at the legendary Great American Music Hall on Saturday, September 13th 2008. Hosted by Andy Summers of the Police and a panel of celebrity guitarist judges including Joe Satriani, Elliot Easton (Cars), George Lynch (Lynch Mob), Brendon Small (Adult Swim's Metalocalypse) & others.

Hundreds of guitarists from around the world submitted their songs to Guitar Player Magazine for review. Out of those, only 10 were chosen to compete live. The finalists include a diverse collection of talented "shredders", with styles ranging from rock to funk, blues, rockabilly, metal, country, jazz, fusion, fingerstyle, percussive, and slack key.

A prot�g� of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar legends, including the late master Uncle Sonny Chillingworth, Makana has dedicated his life to perpetuating as well as evolving the traditional Hawaiian art form. Slack key or Ki Ho'alu, over 200 years old and indigenous to Hawaii, was created by 'ohana (families) on the different islands as a very personal folk music expression of their beautiful surroundings and way of life. - more on this story

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James Brown Double Dynamite

antiMusic reports: The James Brown Double Dynamite DVD will hit stores on September 30th from MVD. Here is what they had to say about it:

Performing right up to his sudden death on Christmas Day 2006 whilst he was in the midst of a major career revival, The Godfather of Soul's media profile around the world has never been higher. James Brown was a true legend in his time and a major figure in the development of both soul and funk music. Remarkable as his latest live performances were, James Brown was at the height of his considerable powers when the two sensational performances featured on this DVD were filmed.

The first show was recorded in 1980 at Manhattan's ultra-fashionable Studio 54 - at that time a disco Mecca for nightlife preeners where you couldn't get in if your face didn't fit or you weren't on the right guest list. The event caught the Godfather and his revue on top form, their barnstorming performance placing less emphasis than usual on the famous JB's horn section being driven more by driving guitar and organ. In contrast to the comparatively intimate setting of Studio 54, the second featured show captures him on home turf in 1985 when he played Atlanta's gigantic Chastain Park Stadium. - more on this story

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Chic Live At The Budokan DVD To Feature Slash Guest Spot

antiMusic reports: Chic Live At The Budokan DVD will hit stores on September 30th from MVD. Here is what they had to say about it:

Between 1977 and 1980 Chic produced some of the most successful and memorable music of the disco era. Their sublime blend of soul, funk and disco took a genre not best remembered for musical innovation and longevity to new heights.

This DVD, recorded in April 1996 at Tokyo's famed Budokan Stadium, was destined to be the group's last performance, since sadly Bernard Edwards died shortly afterwards. The group is joined by Sister Sledge for stellar performances of that group's two biggest hits, "He's The Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family", both of which were written and produced by Rodgers and Edwards. Guns 'n' Roses guitarist Slash makes a guest appearance and solos on 'Le Freak'. - more on this story

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SSS Set CD Release

Hooked on Caps Lock Records reports: British crossover thrashers SSS have revealed the title of their upcoming new album as THE DIVIDING LINE.

Due out on September 29th in Europe and November 11th in the US, the limited edition first pressing of THE DIVIDING LINE comes with a free SK8+DESTROY 7" picture disc featuring bonus tracks not included on the album. This exclusive freebie will also feature a very special and rather amusing guest appearance from English comedian and musician FRANK SIDEBOTTOM.

SSS comment on working with SIDEBOTTOM: "SSS is stoked to have Frank Sidebottom guesting on our "Sk8+Destroy" picture disc. His cult status is legendary. For him to get the motor train up to Liverpool with a permission slip from his mum and lay down some killer keyboard riffage is beyond a dream come true. We have been long-standing fans of the Franks for many, many years. Frank has his own style and that's something we admire. Frank is a true genius. - more on this story

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. Three Doors Down, Staind, Hinder and Jet Black Stare Live

A Marshal force of rock guitars set ears a blaze on a sweaty Sunday afternoon at Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Pavilion. The four bands, Three Doors Down, Staind, Hinder and Jet Black Stare rolled rock anthems into our banging heads. - Read the full Three Doors Down, Staind, Hinder and Jet Black Stare Live review

. Marduk - Obedience

Obedience enjoyably captures how quickly the bowels of Marduk can poison black metal while bringing shame upon great songs these idiots should have never touched- they've proven themselves to be utter clowns again and again. - Read the full Marduk - Obedience review

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