VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:







Both Ohh Crapp and Poster Girl have features on Troy This!, definitely worth checking out his funky pop music. Looking forward to buying his album, I will be playing "Back That Up!" and "American Dream" on my radio show this Monday.








Ben Lee starts his North American tour tonight in San Diego, promoting his latest and very good album "The Rebirth Of Venus", check out the dates here.

Howard Jones is set to play a trio of album premiere showcase gigs in the UK in November 2009. Taking in London, Manchester and Cardiff, each location has a special significance for Howard. The gigs will include a premiere of Howard's new "Ordinary Heroes" album in its entirety, performed by the artists used in the recording of the album and followed by a full electronic band set including his biggest hits. Special guests will also be included at the London and Cardiff shows. Special VIP tickets will be available at each venue with access to an exclusive after show party attended by Howard and the band. These tickets will be very limited and early purchase is advised. The dates are:

Friday 6th Nov 2009, Indigo2, Greenwich, London
A return to the venue which hosted the fabulous 25th Anniversary concert. Howard will be supported by the talented Nick Heyward.

Thursday 12th Nov 2009, Royal Northern College Of Music, Manchester.
A very special evening for Howard, as he returns for the first time to play a gig at the conservatoire where he studied music and piano before hitting the big time. This will be a very intimate gig with just 650 tickets available.

Friday 13th Nov 2009, St.Davids Hall Cardiff,Wales
In the city where Howard spent much of his childhood, he will perform a concert which promises to be a fantastic finale to the trio of gigs. Howard will be supported by the rousing 95 strong world famous Morriston Orpheus Choir, who will also accompany Howard during the performance of the new album.
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THE RETURN OF BEN LEE:




















Ben Lee has just released his new album titled "The Rebirth Of Venus" (out on Feb. 10th in North America - there is a 2 cd limited edition version also) and it is a fantastic collection of pop songs (order it here). I remember him performing the songs "Surrender" and "I Love Pop Music" the last time I saw him live in Vancouver just over a year ago. Stand out tracks from the album are "Boy With A Barbie", "Families Cheating At Boardgames", "What's So Bad (About Feelin' Good)?" and the gentle "Rise Up". Up for a week is the song "Boy With A Barbie".

On December 29th Ben married girlfriend Ione Skye at a ceremony in India "under the divine gaze of Shakti Narayani Amma." Ben is busy with lots of projects and will hopefully have a large tour to promote the new cd.

Tonight (February 7th, 2009) Ben performs the song "Yoko Ono" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (I wonder what word he will substitute F*#k with in the lyrics?)
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VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:

All I can say is head over to Ohh Crapp and download the song "Walking On A Dream" by Australian band Empire Of The Sun, you won't be disappointed (and the Sam La More remix is pretty good too). Sounds like an album is due out through EMI, I hope it gets released.

Ben Lee is busy completing work on his next regular album. He recently released the soundtrack he did for the Australian film called "The Square". Click here to see Ben and Jessica Chapnik performing the song 'Sand" from the soundtrack on Aussie TV.

I'm now booked for a week long visit to London in a couple of weeks. Besides visiting with my cousin and his family, plans include Howard Jones 25th Anniversary concert, and I also hope to see Nik Kershaw (for the first time in concert) with his band performing at the Days For Heroes charity concert in support of the British Troops. Should get a couple of meals in at Wagamama's, check out the cd stores and see some sights also. If you have any recommendations of things to do in London please leave a comment.
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