Music News

Annie Lennox performed a carol service at London's Abbey Road studios on Thursday (04.12.14).
The 59-year-old musician sang at the iconic studio as part of Amazon's revolutionary Carols by Kindlelight which was the first ever carol service delivered using Kindles.
Speaking about her performance, she said: "I had a fantastic time taking part in the Carols by Kindlelight concert at Abbey Road studios.
"It's always such a special experience to perform there as the building is so resonant with British recording history, so I'm sure that the magic of the evening will be transported beautifully to a global audience."
Presented by Steve Jones, lucky attendees to the one-off event also witnessed performances from classical vocal ensemble VOCES8, six time Platinum-selling New Zealand opera trio Sol3 Mio and million-selling soprano Laura Wright, who covered 'Let It Go' from the hit movie 'Frozen' at the event.
Talking about the idea of using kindles for the concert, she said: "When I heard about such a cool concept I immediately said yes,
"This is great way to make classical Christmas songs accessible to people around the world. It was beautiful to look out from the stage and see the sea of faces illuminated as they e-read the carols."
World renowned tenor Alfie Boe was also at the event, where he sang 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing' and a cover of the Elton John classic 'Step Into Christmas', while chart-topping Imelda May performed the festive classic 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'.
Amazon Prime Instant Video will release Abbey Road Carols by Kindlelight Concert at 7pm on December 12 for on demand enjoyment

David Aldo says Rod Stewart is a big fan.
The singer - who has had six number one singles in South Africa - claims the 69-year-old music icon is a huge fan and even invites him over to perform at his home in Los Angeles.
He revealed: "Rod Stewart has me sing at his home on occasions too. He digs my style and coming from a music legend like him, is a big compliment for me."
The singing sensation - who is quickly gaining attention outside of his native South Africa - now lives in Los Angeles and admitted he frequently comes into contact with famous fans that come to see him live.
He added: "It's nice to be appreciated and respected by successful people in the entertainment industry. I guess it validates me in some way. I'm more excited when I see big stars that have been around for a long time, like Oprah, or Tom Cruise than some of the newer ones.
"I like it when Sylvester Stallone comes to me and chats when he's in my audience. Like most kids the 'Rocky' movies made a big impact on me."
Aldo - whose single 'Just You' is out now - also recalled one moment in particular when he was shocked to be approached by 'Total Recall' actor Colin Farrell who said the late actress Elizabeth Taylor loved his music.
He explained: "I'm not usually a star struck kind of guy and truly believe that we are all equals on this earth, although Elizabeth Taylor used to come to the Polo Lounge and watch me sing. I thought this was pretty cool, after all she is a huge Hollywood icon.
"Once she was with Colin Farrell and he pulled me aside and said she was a big fan of mine. That made me feel good."
David's debut UK album 'David Aldo' is released in February 2015. For more information visit: http://www.davidaldo.com

Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Iggy Azalea are among artists nominated for next year's Grammy Awards.
The three acts are up for the coveted Record of the Year category alongside Sia for 'Chandelier' and Meghan Trainor with 'All About That Bass', while acts including Coldplay and Miley Cyrus have also been nominated in the first wave of categories announced today (05.12.14).
Speaking on Thursday (04.12.14) about the prospect of being nominated for any award, Sam told Billboard.com: "The Grammy to me is everything, and it's something that I've dreamed of from a very, very young age. I lose my sense of humour when people start talking about it, because it's something that I really don't take very lightly. So anything that happens ... If I get to attend again, I'll be happy."
The 22-year-old musician has also been shortlisted for the Pop Solo Performance for 'Stay With Me' and he will compete against John Legend, Sia, Taylor Swift and Pharrell Williams for the honour.
Sam is also in contention for the Pop Vocal Album gong for his debut LP 'In the Lonely Hour' and is up against Coldplay's 'Ghost Stories', Miley Cyrus' 'Bangerz', Ariana Grande LP 'My Everything', Katy Perry's global hit album 'Prism' and Ed Sheeran's 'x'.
Following the announcement, Ed thanked fans on Twitter for their support.
The 23-year-old songwriter wrote: "Grammy nom and my album multiply has sold 3 million worldwide as of this morning. Good start to the day, thanks for all the support and love (sic)"
Beyonce and Chris Brown are among acts up for the Urban Contemporary Album, with the latest round of announcements also including nominees for the Country Album category which includes Miranda Lambert's 'Platinum' and the Eric Church record 'The Outsiders'.
Winners of all 83 Grammy categories will be revealed at the 57th edition of the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday February 8 2015.

Partial list of nominations for the Grammy Awards 2015:

Record of the Year
Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX - 'Fancy'
Sia - 'Chandelier'
Sam Smith - 'Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)'
Taylor Swift - 'Shake It Off'
Meghan Trainor - 'All About That Bass'

Country Album
Dierks Bentley - 'Riser'
Eric Church - 'The Outsiders'
Brandy Clark - '12 Stories'
Miranda Lambert - 'Platinum'
Lee Ann Womack - 'The Way I'm Livin'

Pop Vocal Album
Coldplay - 'Ghost Stories'
Miley Cyrus - 'Bangerz'
Ariana Grande - 'My Everything'
Katy Perry - 'Prism'
Ed Sheeran -'X'
Sam Smith - 'In the Lonely Hour'

Urban Contemporary Album
Jhene Aiko - 'Sail Out'
Beyonce - 'Beyonce'
Chris Brown - 'X'
Mali Music - 'Mali Is...'
Pharrell Williams - 'Girl'

Pop Solo Performance
John Legend - 'All of Me'
Sia - 'Chandelier'
Sam Smith - 'Stay With Me'
Taylor Swift - 'Shake It Off'
Pharrell Williams - 'Happy'

Rod Stewart has paid tribute to his late Faces bandmate Ian McLagan, admitting he is "devastated" by his death.
Keyboard player Ian died at the age of 69 at a hospital in Austin, Texas, after having a "massive stroke" on Wednesday (03.12.14), and Rod admits he is in shock after being told the tragic news by fellow former Faces member Ronnie Wood.
Talking to NME.com, Rod said: "I'm absolutely devastated. Last night I was at a charity do, Mick Hucknall was singing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and Ron Wood texted to say Ian had passed. It was as if his spirit was in the room. I'll miss you mate."
Ian was in the Faces with Rod and Ronnie Wood until their split in 1975, when he decided to pursue a musical career as a session artist, performing with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Bragg.
Singer/songwriter Billy, 56, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Ian - who was also in the Small Faces - describing him as one of the "greatest players" in "British rock".
He tweeted: "I have lost a dear friend and British rock has lost one of its greatest players. RIP Ian McLagan."
Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones were among other stars who posted on the social networking site to mourn the loss of the musician.
Steve wrote: "Sorry to hear Ian McLagan died today, he and the faces was a big part of my teens. (sic)"

Sir Paul McCartney lost 14lbs in one week after contracting a stomach bug.
The 72-year-old music icon was rushed to hospital in May during a trip to Japan, where he fell ill with the mystery sickness which resulted in him suffering dramatic weight loss.
Discussing the illness, he revealed: "It was some stomach thing and I was throwing up and didn't eat for a week, which is one way to lose weight.
"That's not recommended. I lost nearly a stone (14lbs) or something."
The former Beatles star - who is married to Nancy Shevell - was forced to cancel the remainder of his Asian tour but ultimately was glad he did because the time he spent resting made him feel "stronger than ever".
He added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "My friends said, 'Normally, you'd hate that because you love working.' "
"But I took six weeks and came back stronger than ever."
Thankfully the illness was not life-threatening, and he praised doctors at Tokyo's St Luke's International Hospital who nursed him back to full health following the scare.
He said: "They looked after me amazingly and by then I was on the drugs anyway, so I didn't care. I felt great."
Following the cancellation of several dates in the country, as well as one show in Seoul, South Korea, the 'Hey Jude' hitmaker has vowed to make it up to his Japanese fans and promised he would soon be returning to the country.
He said: "I'm going back to Japan next year."

Paolo Nutini will be a special guest to Fleetwood Mac at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2015. The 27-year-old musician is the latest act to join the line-up of the famous festival which will take place over the weekend of June 11-14 at Seaclose Park, a...

Labrinth's new album is "all about the vocals".
The 'Earthquake' hitmaker claims he's taken a step back from dance music and really worked at improving his voice for the tracks on his upcoming second album 'Take Me To The Truth'.
He said: "It's all about the vocals on the new songs. The first album didn't have as much depth as this record, because I was still learning and still trying to experiment with production and being inspired by club music.
"I feel like some of that essence got lost on the first album. This is completely different. I've worked so hard on my singing.
"It's all about me and my voice, which is bold. There have been nerves."
The 25-year-old star has already found success with the first two tracks from the record, 'Let It Be' and 'Jealous', but he admits he's more nervous performing live than ever before.
He told The Sun newspaper: "And playing live is intense. It's like not wearing any make-up. It feels like I'm singing, standing on stage in just my boxers, so it's great and liberating."
Labrinth - whose real name is Timothy McKenzie - also admitted to writing 'Jealous' about his father leaving his mother and their nine children.
He explained: "It was my perception of how my dad leaving my family affected us all ... I think it is one of the strongest songs because it made me have to take a bit of myself out and put it on a record and I've never really done that before."

Olly Murs has been tipped to land his own Las Vegas residency.
Respected songwriter Claude Kelly has worked with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Britney Spears but of all the artists he has written for, he says the 'Troublemaker' hitmaker - who shot to fame after coming second on 'The X Factor' in 2009 - is his favourite and a "world class entertainer".
He said: "I'll probably get in trouble for saying this, but Olly is probably one of my favourite artists to work with.
"It is because he is the same person I met right after he got off X Factor.
"He is going to be around and be a world class entertainer, he is still very young and has a long way to go.
"I see Olly doing Vegas at some point, he's a great guy."
Claude is very disillusioned with the current pop scene and thinks music has got "lazy" and less innovative.
He told BBC Radio 1's 'Newsbeat': "To me, it's got in a place that is a little bit lazy.
"I'm finding, as a person who does this, I am a little bit offended by some of the things I hear.
"It feels like those who are in charge of it are not taking good care of it, not taking good care of developing new artists.
"I think pop music has always been the genre that was culture-bending and futuristic in its approach.
"Somewhere along the line we've become a little bit reactive and reductive in following the media, whereas pop is supposed to push the media and it's supposed to catch up with us."

Dave Grohl enjoyed the most "amazing" jam with Prince.
The Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer went to see the 'Purple Rain' hitmaker during his 21-date residency at Los Angeles' Forum in 2011 and was too "hammered" to take up an invitation to play with the singer, so they rearranged for another day and Dave was astonished by Prince's musicianship.
He recalled: "Prince just appears and says, 'Hey man, you wanna jam?' and I go, 'Yeah'.
"And I get up on the drums and I start playing. He picks up a bass and shreds the bass like I've never seen anyone play it [with his] full band on stage...We end that jam. He's throwing chords with hand signals to his band, then we start playing [Led Zeppelin's] 'Whole Lotta Love.'
"He picks up a guitar and we play about five or eight minutes...then we end it, and he's like, 'Yeah, that's great.' I'm like, 'That was amazing.'
"He goes, 'We should totally do that.' And he goes, 'What are you doing next week?' "
Sadly for the 'Walk' rocker, he hasn't seen Prince since but insists he doesn't care if the singer was "blowing him off".
He told DJ Howard Stern: "Then I never saw him again. He was probably blowing me off...
"It's Prince, dude. He could beat me up as much as he wants."
The 45-year-old singer also revealed he had tried to get reclusive star David Bowie to work with him on a song for a movie soundtrack, and though they were unable to make the collaboration happen, they became "e-mail buddies".
He said: "I'd worked with his producer, Tony Visconti, and I asked Tony, 'Hey, do you think David would be into doing something?'/
"So then we became [e-mail buddies].
"Sometimes you want to do something and there's no time."