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Jeff Bridges Will Record New Album with “Crazy Heart” Crew

Roger Friedman
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Jeff Bridges Will Record New Album with “Crazy Heart” Crew

Jeff Bridges– you remember, he won the Oscar last March for playing country singer Bad Blake in “Crazy Heart”?

I know, it seems like a long time ago.

But you’ll be interested to know that Bridges is set to record an album of songs written by him and/or by Ryan Bingham, the singer songwriter who penned the hits from “Crazy Heart.”  T Bone Burnett, who produced the “Crazy Heart” music, will produce the tracks.

Bridges’ deal is with EMI/Blue Note Records, headed up by the valiant Ian Ralfini, one of the last great music men in the industry.

EMI is otherwise really a mystery at this point. Although Katy Perry has been a big seller for them, and the Beatles, of course, EMI/Capitol etc is suffering through the current trial that pits Guy Hands and his Terra Firma fund against Citigroup.

(I should say that Capitol Nashville is doing great with Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker.)

When the trial is over, expect even more layoffs at the beleaguered company. I was surprised to learn that recently Jeanne Meyer, the long time head of corporate PR was gone.  Jeanne has gone out on her own, and will do spectacularly, I am sure. But she’s been the mainstay of EMI as far as I can recall.

One last thing: I was wondering what happened to Ryan Bingham. He won so many awards for “Crazy Heart,” you’d think he’d have exploded. Turns out he released an album in August on Lost Highway called “Junky Heart.” Some of the song titles were “Depression” “Yesterday’s Blues” and the title track. His group is called the Dead Horses. So now I know what happened: he could cheer up a bit, right?

Women on the Verge Musical: Something Stinks

Roger Friedman
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0
Women on the Verge Musical: Something Stinks

A musical adaptation of Pedro Almodovar’s great film, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” opens this Thursday on Broadway.

The show has a lot of negative buzz. A blog in the New York Times (which helped itself to our “King’s Speech” scoop last week) noted that the opening number from the Second Act had recently been moved to the opening of the First Act.

Still: there’s bad a smell in the Belasco Theater, recently refurbished most beautifully.

The problem comes from a fire that’s started on stage. A real fire. As in the movie, the main character, Pepa, sets her bed ablaze. At the Saturday matinee, the fire was quite lively. And when it was put out, the white smoke it generated billowed up to a giant fan set way above the stage. Unfortunately, the odor from the smoke never subsides. Through the rest of the show, it smells like rubber and steel are burning. Even toward the end of the show, there’s a faint memory of the fire.

And the fan: during quiet scenes, you can hear it. Either that, or Madrid is just noisy 24/7.

“Women on the Verge” has a bunch of big Broadway stars: Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Laura Benanti, and Sherie Rene Scott are mixed in with a pretty big cast. I kept wondering if they could smell what was going on. I guess we’ll find out later this week!

Paul Simon Announces New Album Title, Reviews Sondheim

Roger Friedman
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3
Paul Simon Announces New Album Title, Reviews Sondheim

Paul Simon announced his new album in an unsual way this weekend: in his bio note from the New York Times Book Review. Simon reviewed Stephen Sondheim’s autobiography, called “Finishing the Hat,” on the front page of the Book Review. At the very end a little bit of news” his new album is called “So Beautiful or So What,” and it will be released in early 2011.

You may recall that last Simon told me he’d moved his entire solo catalog back to Columbia Records, away from Warner Music Group. It’s still unclear who’s releasing the new album. Anybody will be better than WMG which botched his last two releases, “Surprise” and “You’re the One.” The former should have been a hit, and remains a forgotten gem. Simon told me back in May that this new album, he thought, was his best work in 20 years. That’s saying a lot.

Meanwhile, he retells a good story in the Sondheim review about writing “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Simon deeply admires Sondheim’s song, “Maria,” from West Side Story. But he reports that Sondheim thought the song had a kind of “overall wetness” — “a wetness, I regret to say, which persists throughout all the romantic lyrics in the show.”

Simon observes:
“Sondheim’s rule, taught to him by his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, is that the book and composer are better served by lyrics that are “plainer and flatter.” It is the music that is meant to lift words to the level of poetry.

Sondheim’s regret about “Maria” reminded me of my own reluctance to add a third verse to “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” I thought of the song as a simple two-verse hymn, but our producer argued that the song wanted to be bigger and more dramatic. I reluctantly agreed and wrote the “Sail on silvergirl” verse there in the recording studio. I never felt it truly belonged. Audiences disagreed with both Sondheim and me. “Maria” is beloved, and “Sail on silvergirl” is the well-known and highly anticipated third verse of “Bridge.” Sometimes it’s good to be “wet.”

George Hickenlooper, RIP

Roger Friedman
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3
George Hickenlooper, RIP

I am so sad about the passing of George Hickenlooper, the fine director and a great guy. He was only 47. Reports say he died of “natural causes” Saturday morning in Denver. It’s unbelievable.

I got to know George when he made “Factory Girl” starring Sienna Miller. There were many cuts, and he had a crazy time. Ultimately he was ok with the finished product. I still love that movie. It was just rushed into release. Somewhere there’s a montage he cut to Donovan’s “Wear Your Hair Like Heaven” that should have stayed in the film. It was so cool.

This year George invited me to a screening of “Casino Jack,” the film he made about Jack Abramoff starring Kevin Spacey. It was back during Oscar week, and they showed it at CAA. Spacey has had kind of a negative vibe in recent years, but I thought George put him back where he belongs, playing great, weaselly characters. The film is very, very good and should be seen by a wide audience.

My condolences to George’s family and close friends. He was way too young, had much to do, and will be very, very missed.

As We Said: Cat Stevens Among Rally Artists

Roger Friedman
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0
As We Said: Cat Stevens Among Rally Artists

http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/10/14/colbert-stewart-rallies-book-elvis-costello-want-cat-stevens

Not to be mean. But I told you on October 14th that Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, Mavis Staples, and Jeff Tweedy from Wilco would likely be the performers at Colbert-Stewart rally in Washington, DC.

Immediately, someone from Comedy Central called to insist I was wrong, and that no one had been selected. Boo hoo.

Gawker says today they were surprised that Cat Stevens made an appearance. I wasn’t. Neither were the Showbiz411 readers.

Also on today’s bill were Tony Bennett, Sheryl Crow, and Kid Rock.

Back on the 13th I was told that the gang also wanted Elvis Costello. Unfortunately, he was booked. They also wanted Toby Keith.

Stick with me, kids.

Keith Richards, Bookworm, Plays the New York Public Library

Roger Friedman
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1
Keith Richards, Bookworm, Plays the New York Public Library

It was about time one of the Rolling Stones came to the library.

Last night it was Keith Richards‘ turn, and he didn’t take out any books. But he allowed himself to be interviewed for about an hour and twenty minutes in the magnificent Celeste Bartos Forum of the New York Public Library. In front of a few hundred lucky souls, Keith answered questions gently–but precisely–presented to him by rock journalist Anthony DeCurtis.

In the audience: two of Richards’ kids, as well as wife Patti Hansen; also, Lou Reed and Steve van Zandt, and Lorne Michaels and Jimmy Fallon. Also there, Keith’s collaborator, the writer James Fox.

But mostly it was the public, who’d paid to get in. There was a long line going east on 42nd St. from the side entrance of the library, with hopefuls holding signs to get in. The event, we were told, sold out in 42 seconds.

Richards did not disappoint. There to promote his bestselling memoir, “Life,” Keith appeared about 20 minutes late. Forty minutes into the interview he got up and took a two minute bathroom break. But otherwise, he was on point, as they say. He didn’t avoid any of DeCurtis’s questions, although he was more reticent in person about discussing his romantic history than in the book.

“It’s very futile to say anything bad about women,” Keith told DeCurtis, and got a knowing laugh from the audience. He added: “I love them dearly.”

He also didn’t want to say much about his notorious and legendary relationship with drugs. “I haven’t been a junkie for 30 years,” he said. “Drugs seep into your life. You’re not aware of it at first. Getting in is easy. Getting out is difficult. I could give you a lecture all night about…quality [of drugs]. Anyway, all my news is out of date.”

Richards was more open about songwriting and how he’s dealt with Mick Jagger all these years. On the Stones’ classic fertile stretch from about 1967 to 1973, he said: “It seemed very easy. Songs were just popping out.”

He met Jagger in a rail station. Mick was carrying records under his arm by Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. “I probably wanted to steal them,” Keith laughed. As his partner for over forty years, Richards says: “from my point of view, I’m covering Mick’s ass. I have to make sure he’s supported and confident, whatever he does. I’m like a safety net.”

As for the actual songs, many of which Richards wrote first and then Jagger elaborated on or added lyrics: “They’re tailor made for Mick, although I’m not that good a tailor.”

Richards has four children from two different women–Hansen, to whom he’s been married for almost 27 years and with since 1979; and girlfriend Anita Pallenberg. When DeCurtis asked him about parenting, Keith lit up. “Wife, family kids. Nothing can come between them.”

He paused, and maybe the Rolling Stones, who’ve also been his life, came to mind. “What is a family?” he asked rhetorically. “It sticks together.”

Keith Richards photos c2010 Ann Lawlor. Reproduction prohibited.

Six Degrees of Angelina Jolie, James Taylor and the Beatles

Roger Friedman
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0
Six Degrees of Angelina Jolie, James Taylor and the Beatles

Angelina Jolie and James Taylor are connected to each other and to the Beatles–did you know that?

The linchpin is Peter Asher, the famed music producer and one half of Peter & Gordon. He’s bringing his one man show to New York on December 3rd.

It was Angie’s uncle, Chip Taylor, whose real name is James Wesley Voight, and is Jon Voight‘s brother, who worked with James in New York on his first recordings in 1966– when James was just 18.

http://tinyurl.com/23nha95 Rare footage of James Taylor, Paul McCartney, and Badfinger.

Chip, who is not related to James, was the guy behind James’s initial group, the Original Flying Machine. It’s all in the terrific liner notes for James’s album, just re-released and remastered by the Beatles’ Apple Records. Angie’s Uncle Chip also wrote two huge 60s hits–“Wild Thing.” for the Troggs, and “Angel of the Morning,” for Merilee Rush (and later, Juice Newton).

There’s more: Peter Asher, brother of Paul McCartney‘s long ago girlfriend, Jane Asher, was the guy who then brought James into Apple in 1968. Peter also had been one half of the famed singing duo, Peter & Gordon, who had a #1 hit with Paul’s song, “A World Without Love.” Peter went on to produce all of Linda Ronstadt‘s famous albums (“Heart Like a Wheel” is a desert island disc), many of James’s and to manage James as well. Whew! He recently produced James Taylor and Carole King‘s big duet comeback.

Now Peter is coming to New York’s Iridium Jazz Club on December 3rd with his one man show about all of this. He just sent this email:

“I have recently put together a kind of one man show.  Following Gordon’s untimely death, I was not willing to accept that I could never sing those songs again at all, even though there could never be another Peter & Gordon concert.   So I assembled an experimental mixture of story-telling, music and memorabilia; and I wanted to let everyone know that I am going to be trying it in New York on Friday December the 3rd.  I am bringing a great band, some rare video clips and photos and all of my hazy recollections of the sixties and beyond.”

You can buy tickets to Peter’s show at www.iridiumjazzclub.com

And the James Taylor album–with Paul McCartney playing bass on “Carolina on My Mind”–and a demo version of “Sunny Skies” is just out, solo or in the great Apple box set of 17 CDs including Beatle-backed efforts from Doris Troy, Billy Preston, and Badfinger.

PS The James Taylor album is really amazing–a work of art by a 21 year old. It’s hard to imagine any singer songwriter now pulling off such a feat. The album also includes “Something in the Way She Moves” and a couple more songs–“Don’t Talk Now,” “Rainy Day Man,” and “Night Owl”–which Carly Simon recorded four years later–that are quite remarkable and became instant classics. And this was two years before “Sweet Baby James.”

Celine Dion Doesn’t Name Her Twins for Josh Groban of the 1940s

Roger Friedman
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10
Celine Dion Doesn’t Name Her Twins for Josh Groban of the 1940s

Celine Dion has named her twin boys Nelson and Eddy.

They are not named for Nelson Eddy, the famed singer-movie star of the 1940s who co-starred with Jeanette MacDonald in a bunch of hit movies. Nelson Eddy was like the Josh Groban or Michael Buble of the 40s–a trained opera singer who turned pop.

No, the twins are named Nelson–for Nelson Mandela–and Eddy for the producer who worked with Celine on her first five albums.

But still, anyone over 70, upon hearing the names, will think otherwise. Keep that in mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-6ToFUId4o&feature=related

Ric Ocasek Confirms First New Cars Album Since 1987

Roger Friedman
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5
Ric Ocasek Confirms First New Cars Album Since 1987

After much speculation and some blogs trying to piece together the story, here it is: Ric Ocasek confirmed for me last night he and the Cars have made their first new album together since 1987.

Ocasek and his drop dead gorgeous wife, Paulina Porizkova, were among the guests last night at the Huffington Post’s Game Changers event in Soho. Porizkova often blogs for the web site.

Among the other stars at the event were Sean Penn and writer Nora Ephron, each of whom won awards, as well as Arianna Huffington, Joe Klein, Lewis Lapham, and Nick Pileggi. Penn skipped out a little early for dinner at the Waverly Inn with his daughter, Dylan, 19, and pal John Sykes. Sean told me that today (Friday) he heads back to Haiti, despite the recent outbreak of cholera. “You can’t get cholera,” he reassured me. “I’m even taking my mother this time.”

Meanwhile, Ocasek was brimming with news that he and the remaining members of the Cars have made a new album. “It actually sounds like a modern version of the Cars,” he said, proudly. Missing, sadly: Benjamin Orr, who died in 2000. Orr wrote and sang the Cars hit, “Drive.” He also had a solo hit following the band’s breakup, called “Stay the Night.”

Here’s a preview of the first new single called “Blue Tip.” It sounds pretty good!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=445115559565

The band made the album with their own money, so they’re not under any pressure from a record label. They may return to Elektra, which Ocasek says Warner Music Group–a mess, by any standards, is trying to revive. “They’ve even talked to Jac Holzman,” he said of the Elektra leader during its heyday.

Ocasek told me that reuniting with the band has been a pleasure. “I was amazed at how we clicked when we got back together,” he said.

The Cars– a great unsung group from the New Wave era–are, of course, not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They had a dozen or so top 10 hits including “Just What I Needed,” “Drive,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Since You’re Gone,” “Candy O,” “Let’s Go,” and “Shake It Up.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yf2WP6K1gQ

Mel Gibson Far From Broke: Private Church Fund Now Worth $60 Mil

Roger Friedman
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3
Mel Gibson Far From Broke: Private Church Fund Now Worth $60 Mil

Mel Gibson is heard shouting on those Oksana tapes about being broke.

He is far from it.

The new federal tax filing for Mel’s A P Reilly Foundation is in. And guess what? Mel added $9.6 million to his investment in his Holy Family  Church, built on 17 acres. The Agoura Hills religious group — through A P Reilly–now claims just under $60 million in assets. That’s a lot of money for a church that serves around 100 people.

Holy Family, as we know, was built by Mel for “true” Catholics who don’t believe in the Pope, the archdiocese, or the Second Vatican Council of 1965. They’re Holocaust deniers who blame the death of Jesus on the Jews. The Catholic Church doesn’t give Holy Family its blessing.

On the tax filing, there’s one other change. Mel’s ex wife Robyn has been taken off the A P Reilly paperwork as an officer of the foundation. She’d been listed as an officer for the last several years.

Sixty million dollars--and it does look like this whole enterprise has been kept of the Gibsons’ divorce. Maybe Oksana will find god now. Or the money.

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