Via James Taylor Online. James Taylor upcoming Christmas album was created for Hallmark and will be sold exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown stores. The CD, titled "James Taylor: A Christmas Album," is being produced by music veteran Dave Grusin.

James Taylor "Pull Over" DVD (2002) : ORDER IT NOW.

Ray Charles, the genius, passed away at 73 y.o., in Los Angeles, his publicist said.
Despite recent ill health, Ray Charles had been working on a CD of duets with performers such as Elton Ray Charles was of course considered a pioneer of soul music with hits including "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You".
The 12-time Grammy winner played his 10,000th concert on 23 May 2003 in Los Angeles and he has just finished to record a new duet album in which there was a duet with Michael McDonald.

"I said Georgia,
Ooh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind

I said just an old sweet song,
Keeps Georgia on my mind"

Our very good friend and very talented artist Arnold McCuller (the guy with the angelic voice) has suffered a knee injury - accident during rehearsals for the Phil Collins Tour on May 17th 2004. Arnold is at home this month from the road to repair his knee. Here is an update from Arnold:

"10 days and I rejoin the tour in Paris. I've decided to watch the show a couple of times to see just how well I'll fit back in and then slowly find my way back.
I've been working out with the physical therapist and a private trainer almost daily, with a bit of massage thrown in for good measure, and the results are noticable. Holding the leg up, and bending a little more each day. Ice is the key and I've found a little steam or sauna seems help too.
I still sit and wonder why. I just don't get to know yet."

Hope you have a full recovery, Arnold and see ya next week in Paris, France with Mister Bill Cantos ;-)

According to MelodicRock.com : "I have confirmed that moves are being made to secure a new vocalist for a revamped Foreigner line-up. Management have reached out to at least one singer that I know of. Where this leaves Lou Gramm is anyone's guess, but on the road with Mick Jones is sadly unlikely (...)."

Joni Mitchell will release an anthology on July 27 on Geffen Records. It is called "The Beginning of Survival". Calling the CD "commentaries on the world in which we live," Joni focuses on songs from her 1985-1998 releases.

In addition to the original artwork and song lyrics we always look forward to, Joni's written an essay for inclusion in the CD package. Also included is a reproduction of an inspiring circa-1850s speech by Chief Seattle. The CD title is taken from a translation of this speech; the Chief was speaking to address a proposed treaty under which the Indians were persuaded to sell two million acres of land to the US Government for $150,000. Reading any one of the many translations of Chief Seattle's letter 150 years on can be an eerie, unsettling experience.

A wide range of guest artists appear with Joni on The Beginning of Survival: Willie Nelson duets with Joni on her version of "Cool Water," originally by the Sons of the Pioneers, a group Joni has called one of her very early influences. Playing a fire-and-brimstone televangelist, actor Rod Steiger spikes "Tax-Free" with incendiary shouts as he feeds off his flock. Other guests include Wayne Shorter, Iron Eyes Cody, James Taylor and Don Henley.

Audiophiles are sure to enjoy the sound quality: the tracks have all been 96k/24-bit mastered from the original master tapes.

Song list:
"Slouching Toward Bethlehem"
"The Beat of Black Wings"
"The Reoccuring Dream"
"Impossible Dreamer"
"The Windfall (Everything for Nothing)"
"No Apologies"
"Dog Eat Dog"
"Passion Play (The Story of Jesus and Zachius ... The Little Tax Collector)"
"The Three Great Stimulants"
"Cool Water"
"Lakota"
"Sex Kills"
"Fiction"
"Tax Free"
"The Magdalene Laundries"
"Ethiopia"

Via Bob Reinhart weblog: "Bernie Leadon only released 2 proper solo discs, the most recent, "mirror," is his first in 27 years!
He has played on literally hundreds of releases... probably because 1) he can play a boatload of instruments and 2) he has a boatload of friends!
He was a founding member of the eagles, and the single biggest reason why, even today, the first 4 Eagles records are considered their best (think "twenty one," "witchy woman" or "journey of the sorcerer")."
You can listen to Bernie Leadon interview and performance at the Acoustic Cafe radioshow there.

Via Bluedesert.dk, we learn about a new Steve Dorff's album "Original Demos", a collection of songs featuring Warren Wiebe on vocals!!
"Original Demos" 'll be out on October 15th 2004 by The brand new record label Contante & Sonante. Released in a limited numbered edition, this album will include thirteen original Steve Dorff demo songs, beautifully enhanced by the soulful & unforgettable voice of Warren Wiebe.
The Tracks are: A Little Thing Called Life, And Still Run Out Of Time, I Never Stopped Loving You, True Love At Last, Kindred Spirits, The Echo Of Your Whisper, Everytime You Cross My Mind, Love's The Silver Lining, The Wait Was Worth The Angel, In Love's Name, I Just Fall In Love Again, Before We Kiss Tonight Goodbye & Somewhere In Time.
Steve Dorff has written music for such fine artists as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, George Strait, Vanessa Williams to name a few.  
David Foster's wife, Linda Thompson, will be credited as co-writer of two of the songs...
More information at www.songwriterseries.com and Bluedesert.