Acoustic Clients

LEO SAYER

‘COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS’ DOWNLOAD-ONLY SINGLE (GUMSDL001)

– RELEASED MONDAY, DECEMBER 19^th PROCEEDS GO TO THE ‘HELP FOR HEROES’ CAMPAIGN

LEO SAYER, one of the most successful British singer-songwriters of the last four decades, makes a long overdue and very welcome return to the recording fray by way of a fine new download-only single release, COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – to be released on Monday December 19^th 2011. As the title suggests, the single is a seasonal offering – but with a difference. For COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a poignant, touching and heartfelt song written from the point of view of a serving soldier returning home from a tour of duty – with “shrapnel scars and a weeping eye”. It’s one of Sayers’ finest – an emotive, heart-wrenching opus with a contemporary message.

Proceeds from the sale of the single, which is available from iTunes, will go to the HELP FOR HEROES campaign (www.helpforheroes.org.uk), an acclaimed charity dedicated to providing help and support for wounded servicemen and women.

Leo Sayer rose to prominence in the mid – 1970s, having penned (along with David Courtney) the entirety of Daltrey, the first solo album by lead singer with The Who, Roger Daltry. Sayer himself, then memorably dressed in Pierrot garb, enjoyed a smash hit with the single ‘The Show Must Go’ On in December 1973, the first in a string of international hit records that includes such classics as ‘When I Need You’ and ‘Thunder In My Heart.’ 

www.leosayer.com / www.cookingvinyl.com

ADAM COHEN

ALBUM:  ‘Like A Man’ (COOKCD550) on Sept 30th ’11.

+ Following IRISH tour dates have been confirmed :

Nov 02nd Cork Cyprus Avenue IRELAND

Nov 03rd Dundalk The Spirit  Store IRELAND

Nov 04th Dublin Crawdaddy IRELAND Cooking Vinyl Records are delighted to announce that they have signed Canadian recording artist Adam Cohen and will release his new album ‘Like A Man’ (COOKCD550) on Sept 30th ’11.  ‘Like A Man’ is Cohen’s fourth album release and sees him abandon the pop rock stylings of his previous releases and embrace his family inheritance with an intimate album of romantic poetic folk-pop that has echoes of his father Leonard’s finest work.

He previously released his eponymously titled debut on Columbia in 1998 followed by a French language album ‘Melancolista’ on EMI in 2004 then as lead singer/guitarist of the band Low Millions he released the album ‘Ex-Girlfriends’ on Manhattan Records in late 2004.Says Adam; “I know it sounds strange but this feels like I’ve finally found my voice and that this record is my debut album.  I’m really proud of it and I’m delighted to entrust it to the team at Cooking Vinyl, who are a talented and artist-friendly bunch, certainly to this artist!  I feel this could be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.”Says Martin Goldschmidt, owner and Managing Director of The Cooking Vinyl Group: “The songwriting and story telling on this album hit me for six.  Our whole team are really looking forward to working for Adam.”

Links: www.adamcohen.com / www.cookingvinyl.com

ELEANOR MCEVOY

MOSCODISC is pleased to announce the September 9th release for Eleanor McEvoy’s 9th studio album Alone.

Alone is a beautiful collection of 12 stripped-down solo tracks, including the new single You’ll Hear Better Songs (Than This), A Woman’s Heart and a unique take on P.F. Sloan’s Eve Of Destruction.

Says Eleanor, “There was a time when I was stranded in a long gap between tour dates and, with time to kill, I headed for the peace of The Grange; a small studio tucked away in the Norfolk countryside. In the converted barn, alone except for Dave the engineer, I stepped up to the microphone and sang my songs. My state of mind wasn’t the brightest, but there was a certain something about being in the studio with no agenda, no deadline, no pressure, it just came out.”

The product of those tranquil sessions is an album of incredibly haunting performances, up close, personal, and timeless. This is Eleanor McEvoy in her most intimate setting, running through the journey of her writing and singing career.

One of Ireland’s most accomplished singer/songwriters, McEvoy’s life as a musician began at the age of four. To date, she has released albums on the Geffen and Columbia record labels and continues to tour the world over to her ever increasing legion of fans. Eleanor wrote and recorded the worldwide hit single A Woman’s Heart which was the title track on the album Only A Woman’s Heart; the best-selling Irish album in Irish chart history.

To coincide with the September 9th release of Alone, McEvoy will embark on a 16 date tour of the UK, which kicks off on September 21st in Birmingham.

TRACKLISTING:

1. DID I HURT YOU?
2. HARBOUR
3. I’LL BE WAITING
4. WHAT’S HER NAME?
5. YOU’LL HEAR BETTER SONGS (THAN THIS)
6. SOPHIE
7. JUST FOR THE TOURISTS
8. DAYS ROLL BY
9. FOR AVOIDANCE OF ANY DOUBT
10. A WOMANS HEART
11. DID YOU TELL HIM?
12. EVE OF DESTRUCTION

Links: www.eleanormcevoy.com

BEN GLOVER

Ben Glover: Before the Birds
Single: TRICK OF THE LIGHT
RELEASE DATE: Fri August 26th
Album: BEFORE THE BIRDS
RELEASE DATE: Fri Sept 9th

Ben Glover has been compelled to write songs since his mid-teens growing up in County Antrim, Northern Ireland— when he was awoken and unsettled by Bob Dylan. Armed with a law degree from Queens University Belfast, he put his legal ambitions on hold to pursue a career in music. That career got its start with Glover’s debut outing, The Week The Clocks Changed, produced by J.D. Foster (Calexico, Richmond Fontaine) and featuring guest appearances by A-list roots music artists including Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller and Vince Gill.Through the Noise, through the Night followed in 2009, which was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Kim Richey, Matthew Perryman Jones, Glen Phillips), and drew rave reviews and comparisons to the likes of Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen.

Relocating to Nashville in ‘09—to summon the spirits of great songwriters that came before him—Hank, Willie, Cash and Kristofferson—Glover began penning new tunes with some of Music Row’s finest, including acclaimed singer-songwriter, Mary Gauthier. His second record Through the Noise, Through the Night was filled with soul-moving melodies that linger and stir.
Now comes his 2011 outing, Before the Birds, again produced by Neilson Hubbard and recorded in Nashville.

On your third recording, Before the Birds, how has your sound evolved?
“I feel as if it’s taken three albums for me to finally step into my own shoes; to finally create a sound, which I feel wholly represents me. It’s not as if my first two albums were very heavily produced, but my sound has naturally become more stripped back, less layered. I was very intent on making my vocal and the essence of the song be the focal point of Before The Birds. This was my second album working with the producer Neilson Hubbard and it’s the most personal record I’ve made. Neilson creates such a trusting environment that allows for us both to throw out ideas and try new things. That relationship afforded me the space to explore and make the truest record of my career.”

Ben is hitting the road in support of the new release with highly acclaimed Americana artist Mary Gauthier. Gauthier has invited Ben to be her special guest on the UK/Ireland leg of her “Foundling” Tour, which begins in April and runs through May. After wrapping the tour with Gauthier, Ben heads out to headline his own shows in Northern Ireland and Scotland through the summer with plans to return to the States for shows on the West Coast towards the end of the summer months.

Links: www.benglover.co.uk

CITY AND COLOUR

CITY AND COLOUR UNLEASHES ‘LITTLE HELL’ Release date: June 3rd + Irish gig: Fri July 8, 2011 Oxygen.

Dallas Green will be releasing his 3rd solo album as a singer-songwriter under the moniker CITY AND COLOUR on Dine Alone Records. The album titled Little Hell is scheduled for release on June 3rd, 2011 and is the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2008’s Bring Me Your Love, which was certified platinum in Canada.  Alternately sparse and inviting, intense and delicate, Little Hell shows music fans another side of Green’s incredible songwriting skills, and features some of his finest songs to date.  The track listing for Little Hell is listed below.

Little Hell was recorded earlier this winter at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON with producer/engineer/mixer Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, Mars Volta, Death Cab For Cutie). Fans got a sneak preview of a brand new track from the upcoming album when an alternate version of the song titled “Northern Wind” recently made its debut on a special Valentine’s Day episode of the hit series One Tree Hill.  Green performed on the episode as part of the show’s story line.

Little Hell – named after the album’s title track, a song that explores the little heavens and little hells that comprise a relationship – is the first of Green’s albums to be recorded and mixed to tape.  This sonic move ultimately resulted in the album’s warm immediacy, allowing the songs to take on spaciousness previously unheard in City and Colour albums.  The record allows Green to highlight all of the facets of his songwriting, from Blues-tinged rockers to pedal steel-soaked acoustic gems.  Songs like “Northern Wind” have a beautiful intimacy, as if Green is in the same room and singing right to you, while “Sorrowing Man” is dark and brooding, anchored by an ominous organ in the chorus. The record also highlights Green’s impressive vocal range, from driving a full band on the rousing chorus of “Natural Disasters” or sighing mellifluously on opener “We Found Each Other in the Dark.”

Green has won JUNO’s for ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR (2007), and SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (2009).

Little Hell Track Listing:

1. We Found Each Other in the Dark
2. Natural Disaster
3. The Grand Optimist
4. Little Hell
5. Fragile Bird
6. Northern Wind
7. O’Sister
8. Weightless
9. Sorrowing Man
10. Silver and Gold
11. Hope for Now

www.cityandcolour.ca /   www.cookingvinyl.com

PAUL SHEVLIN

SINGLE: BACKFIRE (SET THEM ALL ALIGHT) OUT MAY 27TH

The last twelve months have seen young Paul Shevlin come from nowhere, to end up almost everywhere. Fuelled by generous radio play and lots of live performances, his popularity has grown. His dynamic live show, which is an energetic three piece, was aptly described as “piano pounding intensity and softly tinkling melancholia” (BBC). The highlight of his 2010 live circuit was supporting one of his first musical inspirations, Duke Special, at a low-key show in Belfast. The following day Paul played at Glasgowbury 2010.

His melodic piano led songs have been heavily featured on BBC Radio 1 ‘Introducing’ and BBC Radio Ulster ‘Across The Line’ program. In addition Paul recorded several sessions for radio broadcast and made his television debut in November for BBC 2 program ‘Blas Ceoil’.

January 2011 brought exciting developments as Paul became the latest signing for Northern Irish Record label Di Di Mau, who will release the next single ‘Backfire (Set Them All Alight)’. Ongoing interest from music publishing companies culminated in Paul working on new material in Brighton with songwriter James Flannigan who is signed to B- Unique Music Publishing. This is still work in progress.

PRS have just tipped Paul in their most recent ‘M-Magazine’ publication and duly placed ‘Backfire (Set Them All Alight’) on their four track Podcast. Paul will be touring with his band throughout the UK and Ireland in April 2011 to promote the aforementioned new single ‘Backfire (Set Them All Alight)’.

Links:

http://www.paulshevlin.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Shevlin-Music/365562492612

http://twitter.com/paul_shevlin

Artist label: http://didimau.wordpress.com/

Contact DiDiMau directly Rory McConnell at: rory@didimau.co.uk

***

SEEPING INTO CINEMAS

‘100,000 times’ the debut album – Release date: June 17th Launch night June 16th Odessa, Dublin

Seeping into cinemas is the solo project of Dublin musician, Barry O’ Brien who releases his debut LP this summer. The album blends beautiful low-key delicate music and reoccurring whispery vocals strewn in a perfectly sublime manner; allowing each track to evolve into the next. Consisting of ten songs, inhabited with dreamy soundscapes and a whisper quiet voice, “100,000 Times” is a melodic and haunting homage to a world full of broken hearted misanthropes and sad souls who dream of escape. Resonant of the early soft acoustics of Smashing Pumpkins, Yo la Tengo and Low, O’ Brien’s songs remain with you and linger on un-invasive to the listener.

The project came into formation when after playing in bands on the Dublin independent scene for a number of years, O’Brien came to the conclusion that the best way to find the sound he was looking for but had yet to find, was to go it alone. Localised but well received gigs followed and he then focused his efforts on writing and recording. Holing up at home with a bunch of guitars, microphones and other music making devices, work began on what would eventually become his first album; ‘100,000 times’.

February 2010 he emerged briefly from recording hibernation with the self released single “Dour Hour”, and then disappeared again for more writing, rewriting and recording. The months that followed were full of late nights, obsessive attention to detail, ups, downs, and finally in December 2010, completion. In January 2011, Barry called on the mixing skills of Dublin producer Stephen Shannon. Mixing went smoothly, and “100,00 Times”, the debut Seeping Into Cinemas album was finished.

The album will be released via CD and download on June 17th 2011 through Le Cheap Équipe Records. Prior to the album he will be releasing SHOOT OUT the first single on May 20th.

Web links:

https://twitter.com/seepinginto

http://www.facebook.com/seepingintocinemas

http://www.myspace.com/seepingintocinemas

The Travelling Band

Single ‘Fairweather Friends’ – 20 May

ALBUM: SCREAMING IS SOMETHING MAY 27TH

+announce Irish Date JUNE 5th Co Clare, Ireland, Surf Pro Festival www.thetravellingband.co.uk

“The Travelling Band take me back to my musical roots. Marvellous music to savour and enjoy” Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Festival. On 20 May 2011 The Travelling Band precede the release of their second album ‘Screaming Is Something’ with a download only single. Called ‘Fairweather Friends’ (Cat. No.: FRYDL461), the single is the opening track off the new album, and is backed with ‘Rise Fast Fall Slow’.

The Travelling Band’s shimmering blend of cosmic-country-pop, understated psychedelia, vocal harmonies and nu-folk has made them one of the most talked about artists to emerge from the Manchester music scene – “If you consider the term Mancunian Americana to be an oxymoron try listening to the Travelling Band. Brilliant” Marc Riley BBC 6 Music.

A recording project in New York City in 2006 led a collective of like minded souls to record what was to become ‘Under The Pavement’, their debut studio album. Released two years later, the record was very well received by the UK media, gaining BBC Radio 6 ‘Album of The Day’, BBC Radio 2’s ‘Single of The Week’ and a featured song in the Ian Dury biopic ‘Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll’.

With a democratic approach to songwriting, similar to that of Teenage Fanclub before them, The Travelling Band, aided by their 2010 ‘Sundial’ anthem (featured on the album), have become a firm favourite on the thriving British festival scene. After winning the ‘Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition’ in 2008 they have performed at Glastonbury, Wychwood, Larmer Tree, Kendal Calling, Wizard, End of Road, Llama, Sunrise, Moseley Folk, Summer Sundae, Mad Ferret, Hop Farm, Hungry Pigeon and Beathearder. Whilst international festival appearances  include CMJ (USA) , MIDEM (France), NXNE (Canada), Tbilisi Open Air (Georgia, N.Europe) and L’es Nuit D’o (Montpellier, France).

The Travelling Band’s carefully honed mixture of folk, country, and understated psychedelia came as a result of their involvement in earlier acts … The players are: Adam Gorman: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Pump Organ, Accordion, Banjo,  Harmonica, Percussion, Keys. Jo Dudderidge: Vocals, Keys, Acoustic Guitar, Synth, Percussion Steve Mullen: Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Percussion Chris Spencer: Bass Nick Vaal: Drums, Percussion

http://www.thetravellingband.com/

http://twitter.com/TravellingBand

HENRIETTA GAME

SINGLE “SLEEP THEN’ OUT MAY 27th VIA ITUNES.

FROM THE ALBUM ‘BLACK SHIP’ OUT JUNE 24TH.

Henrietta Game:::
SINGLE “SLEEP THEN’ OUT MAY 27th VIA ITUNES. FROM THE ALBUM ‘BLACK SHIP’ OUT JUNE 24TH.

HENRIETTA GAME are: Aongus Mac Amhlaigh – Cello and Vocals, Christy Leech – Guitar, Stomp and Vocals, Aisling O’ Connor – Violin, Harmonium and Vocals & Judy Macnamara – Glockenspiel, Drum, Piano and Vocals.

A merging of disparate musical influences has resulted in a blend of sound which some have classified as alternative-folk and others have found difficult to categorise. ‘With their tinkling xylophone, cello, guitar, violin and sumptuous vocals, Henrietta Game are clearly playing outside the box’… ‘They possess a uniqueness in both their instrumentation and style making it very difficult to classify them definitively’ – (Hotpress, 2010). Various members of the band are classically trained musicians which adds a depth of sheer quality to their work.

No strangers to the gigging circuits, these ‘little gems’ (Tony Fenton, Today FM) performed at a number of music festivals around the country over the last two years including Electric Picnic (2009/10) and Oxegen (2010). They also attained the title of Jack Daniels Set 2010 finalists. They have had numerous appearances on both television (RTE ‘The Café’, BBC 2, TG4) and radio (Today FM, 98 FM, Phantom FM, RTE RnaG, LMFM).

Although, the majority of Henrietta Game’s shows have been to audiences in the capital (The Olympia, Tripod, Whelan’s, The Button Factory, The Academy, The Village), various Gaeltacht areas (Gweedore, Connemara, Meath) have also enjoyed visits from the band where they perform ‘as Gaeilge’ as they are all fluent in their native tongue. They have also supported fellow luminaries including Peter Green, KILA, Fionn Regan, Mick Flannery, The Walls.

Still a young band (formed January 2009), there is no doubt that Henrietta Game have experienced a meteoric rise in the Irish music scene, and with the upcoming release of their debut album (produced by Tommy McLaughlin – ‘Villagers’) they look set to continue to do so. Check them out!

Band Members::
Christy Leech combines his passionate and poetic lyrics with exciting melodies and chord-progressions, setting the foundation for the band’s complex and clever musical arrangements.
Judy Macnamara, creates the melodies and counter melodies, both vocally and with the use of the gentle lullaby-like tones of the glockenspiel.
Aisling O’ Connor , sings with a distinctive style and clarity and adds powerful melodic phrases on the violin. Aongus Mac Amhlaigh is responsible for the deep, soul awakening sounds of the cello. His vocal performances silence crowds who are always in awe at hearing such control and purity.

Website: www.henriettagame.com

SUZANNE VEGA

SUZANNE VEGA CLOSE-UP VOL 3 (COOKCD523) ‘STATES OF BEING’ Released July 8th

Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega is reinterpreting a majority of her catalogue in an intimate and personal manner, creating 4 new, thematic albums called The Close-Up series. The latest, Close-Up Vol. 3, States of Being, (COOKCD523) has Suzanne revisiting her most haunting songs.

“This is Volume 3 of the Close-Up series, called States of Being. I used to call these the ‘Mental Health’ songs. They express a state of mind, but also more than that. I wouldn’t call them personal songs, but descriptions of a place deep inside. Anyone can feel like the narrator in Penitent, or Cracking, depending on your mood.

The new song in this collection is called ‘The Instant of the Hour After’. It’s a song from a new theatre piece with music, Carson McCullers’ ‘Talks About Love’.  Duncan Sheik is the composer, and I have written the script and lyrics. It is based on the short story by Carson McCullers, which is loosely modelled after the author and her husband Reeves McCullers, featuring two alcoholics at the end of a long night of drinking.  Hope you enjoy what I think of as the freakier side of my songwriting” -SUZANNE VEGA

Tracklisting:

1. Undertow

2. When Heroes Go Down

3. My Favorite Plum

4. Solitude Standing

5. Cracking

6. Last Years Troubles

7. Solitaire

8. Tombstone

9. Blood Makes Noise

10. 50-50 Chance

11. Penitent

12. Straight Lines

13. Pornographers Dream

14. Instant of the Hour After

www.suzannevega.com / www.cookingvinyl.com

***

JP RYAN

SINGLE: ‘LEAVE THE RADIO ON’ OUT JUNE 24TH

JP Ryan is an astute observer of life’s peculiarities and his songs are enriched by a wonderfully warm, rich breathy vocal similar to that of the late Christie Hennessey.  Such can be heard on the new Single ‘Leave The Radio On’. The prelude of JP’s musical endeavours were very much influenced by old Irish folk songs and after graduating from art college in the mid nineties, JP integrated music and art into his profession in the area of Art and Health, in tandem with playing live music on a leisurely basis.

Continuing his education, JP went on to study Art Therapy completing a Postgraduate Diploma awarded from Hertfordshire University, followed by an MA from Crawford in Ireland. The implementation of creative expression through music and art has been an integral part of JP’s remit, not only through clinical application, but also from a personal.

He has opened for Rod Steward, playing in a line up that also included Natasha Bedingfield and a host of additional established acts. JP has also opened for acts such as Chris Diffard and Ollabelle and has recently become part of the Outbound and Noteborn music roster, with a song from his album ‘Dancing With Anima’ included in a forthcoming feature film by award winning director, Harry Sparks as well as on the CD soundtrack to the movie. Recorded in Ireland and mastered in the US by renowned Mastering Engineer, Bob Katz, the album ‘Dancing with Anima’ is out now.

Irish Tour dates::

May

27th Wexford Arts Centre

June

1st The Song Rooms, Dublin

3rd Castalia Concert Hall, Kilkenny

4th Conary Hall Avoca, Wicklow

8th New Music Club, Clonmel

9th Bewleys Cafe Theatre, Dublin

July

1 The George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow

8 Upstairs at Dolans, Limerick

http://www.jpryanmusic.com

JOHN EDGAR VOE

RELEASE BRAND NEW EP: “WESTERN NOTES” OUT FRIDAY 24 JUNE VIA ITUNES

LINKS: http://johnedgarvoe.bandcamp.com , www.johnedgarvoe.com

John Edgar Voe are a band of Belfast based musicians led by songwriter Martin J Corrigan who’s songs capture the down-to-earth-philosophy of the common man. The name comes from a character Corrigan encountered in a dream. The band consists of members of Alloy Mental, Three Tales and The Desert Hearts as well as acclaimed singer songwriter Robyn G Shiels. An established songwriter, Martin (under the name Alloy Mental) has had tracks placed in Gran Turismo Prologue, the US television series Damages, British soap Hollyoaks and the film Cherrybomb. A track under the name of Corrigan was also used for the title sequence of the BBC Northern Ireland series ATL TV.

The band formed in the summer of 2009 and worked with producer David Holmes on the limited edition single ‘From A Soldier’. ‘Western Notes’ is the band’s first official release on their own label and combines the attitudes of Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, Fela Kuti and Keith Richards to produce a sound Corrigan refers to as Fermanicana. The EP’s songs cover themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, redemption and old fashioned love.

The EP was recorded in the band’s newly completed studio and mixed in Los Angeles. It is a sampler of what is to come from the album set to be released in early 2012.

THE BAND: Live 
Martin J Corrigan, vocals/acoustic guitar 
Charlie Mooney, electric guitar/vocals 
Robyn G Shiels, acoustic guitar/electric guitar/vocals 
James Heaney, bass guitar 
Ben Maculey, drums

Unplugged 
Martin J Corrigan, vocals/guitar 
Charlie Mooney, guitar/vocals 
Robyn G Shiels, guitar/vocals/percussion

TRACKLISTING:

1 Highwayman

2 The Conscript

3 Letter to Joanna

4 Welded

THE GANDHIS

Single ‘You are my friend’ Out March 4th 2011

Dublin pop outfit ‘The Gandhis’ are set to release the last single to be taken from their debut album ‘You Are My Friend’ (which was released through 1969 Records to a sold out launch night in Whelan’s sandwiched between appearances on RTE’s “Saturday Night With Miriam” and “The Cafe” TV shows) on March 4th 2011.

Having developed a strong reputation for their energetic live shows which regularly involve a live brass section, The Gandhis have received notable acclaim and have been described as: “A sweet delight….some of the catchiest pop tunes you’re likely to hear all year” Evening Herald, “a great night out is always guaranteed at their gigs” News Of The World.

Tour dates Nationwide will be announced in the pending weeks.

Links: http://www.facebook.com/thegandhis

RON SEXSMITH

NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCED “Long Player Late Bloomer” FEB 25TH

He comes from the land that gave the world Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot and Rufus Wainwright.  He’s the definition of a ‘songwriters’ songwriter’ – Elton John once said that Ron has the voice of an angel, Chris Martin duetted with him on “Gold In Them Hills”, Nick Hornby named a book after one of his songs, Bruce Springsteen used his version of the American classic “Comrade Fill No Glass For Me” as warm-up music on tour, Elvis Costello loves his work and has toured with him on several occasions, Bob Dylan has played his music on his celebrated Radio Hour show.  Many stars have covered his songs including Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Elvis Costello and most recently Michael Bublé, whose multi-platinum album ‘Crazy Love’ features a duet with Ron on his song ‘Whatever It Takes’.

The shy genius that is Ron Sexsmith will release his new album Long Player Late Bloomer in the UK on February 25, on Cooking Vinyl.

Produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi and Michael Bublé), Long Player Late Bloomer was recorded in Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver.  The album features a star-studded cast of musicians, including guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), bassist Paul Bushnell (Elton John, No Doubt), keyboard player Jamie Edwards (Aimee Mann) and drummer Josh Freese (Devo, Nine Inch Nails).  Long Player Late Bloomer is Ron’s eleventh studio album.  It features 13 new Sexsmith penned songs.

Ron Sexsmith fans can get their first taste of the album on his website, www.ronsexsmith.com where the song ‘Love Shines’ is streaming.

The recording of Long Player Late Bloomer is commited to celluloid in the documentary “Love Shines”, directed by Douglas Arrowsmith.  The movie, which premiered to rave reviews at the Vancouver International Film Festival in October 2010, is an intimate portrait of Ron as a songwriter and includes interviews with Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Feist and Daniel Lanois.  The film will be broadcast in the UK in the spring.

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE

‘UP WHERE WE BELONG’ – COOKCD530

RELEASED FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19th 2010

One of the most successful and versatile songwriters of the last half-century”– The Guardian

Buffy Sainte-Marie virtually invented the role of Native American international activist pop star. She’s a medal recipient from Queen Elizabeth II, Governor General’s Performing Arts Award recipient, digital art pioneer with a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, singer/songwriter with seven albums – this list only skims the surface of the remarkable achievements of Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Up Where We Belong could almost be considered a “greatest hits”, one of the first albums of its’ kind, blending traditional Native American singing with contemporary rock/pop.

Scores of artists have recorded her songs. Her song “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” was recorded by Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Barbara Streisand and Cher, “Universal Soldier” became the anthem of the peace movement, and “Up Where We Belong” garnered her an Academy Award. The album Up Where We Belong is her defining work in inventing the pow-wow rock genre.

Buffy Sainte-Marie is a prolific songwriter and a Native American heroine; in 2009, Buffy Sainte-Marie released her 18th album, Running for the Drum to critical acclaim.

http://www.creative-native.com/

SUZANNE VEGA

Close Up: VOL. 2 PEOPLE & PLACES. (COOKCD522)

Released October 1st + Irish dates: Oct 22nd Vicar St. Dublin Oct 23rd Empire Music Hall Belfast

“Suzanne Vega will go down in pop history as the bard of Tom’s Diner,but she’s also been writing potent love songs since her debut album in1985.” – TIME MAGAZINE 2/12/10

Iconic singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega continues her journey back into her illustrious songbook with the second volume of her superb four-part thematic acoustic album series SUZANNE VEGA CLOSE-UP, VOL. 2 PEOPLE & PLACESout October 4th ( OCT 1st IN IRELAND ) on Amanuensis Productions/Razor & Tie.

With her native New York City serving as a constant inspiration throughout her work, Vega acoustically re-imagines thirteen gems on this new volume, from the career defining “Luka,” one of the most instantly recognizable pop songs of the past 20 years, “Tom’s Diner” to the quietly stirring emotions of the classic “Queen and theSoldier,” as well as a new song written with Mark Linkous and Dangermouse, “The Man Who Played God.”

AMANUENSIS PRODUCTIONS 826 Broadway, Ste 413 New York, NY 10013 “This album begins and ends in New York City, where I am from,” explains Vega. “In between we visit other lands, some of them imaginary. It’s an album filled with children, aging femme fatales, goddesses and queens, neighbourhood girls, unhappy wives, honest men, and unsung heroes and soldiers.” Critics were enthralled with the first instalment of the series, VOL. 1: LOVESONGS released earlier this year. MOJO MAGAZINE gave a rave review, saying “What Love Songs does, however, is remind us what a brilliant vocalist and songwriter Vega has been.” (JULY 2010). Stephen Holden of the NEW YORK TIMES called her performance of the material “a beautifully rendered careerretrospective…”(1/30/10) and the NY POST music critic Dan Aquilante stated “Vintage Vega still runs smooth…Vega lived up to her rep as one of our most important singer/songwriters with intelligent, crafty lyrics hitched to music that is not only memorable but also hummable.” (1/30/10).

VOL. 2: PEOPLE & PLACES track listing:

1. Luka;

2. Zephyr & I;

3. NY Is a Woman;

4. In Liverpool;

5. Calypso;

6. Fat man & Dancing Girl;

7. The Queen & the Soldier;

8. Rock In This Pocket (Song of David);

9. Angel’s Doorway;

10. Ironbound/Fancy Poultry;

11. Neighbourhood Girls;

12. Tom’s Diner;

13. The Man Who Played God

www.cookingvinyl.com / www.suzannevega.com / www.myspace.com/suzannevega