Depending on who you talk to, The Boss’s new single “We Take Care Of Our Own” is an ode to the self-reliant (conservative) American spirit, or a sneering, dark condemnation of our nation’s lack of desire to provide for our citizens.

Either way, I like the sound… I’ll have to go over the lyrics a few more times to see what I think, but the song is a good one.

The comparisons to the pseudo-patriotic “Born In The U.S.A.” are popping up again and again in reviews, but musically this isn’t quite as big and certainly not vocally as bold as that famous track. Bruce almost sounds wounded in the recording, vocally holding back and singing lower than I’m used to… although his style has been more along these lines for a few years now.

The single is available now on Amazon.com and iTunes, and is the lead single from Springsteen’s upcoming album, “Wrecking Ball,” which comes out March 6th.

Reviewers are also torn on their opinions of the song:

* “The band has been in tight form & the result will please fans. If anyone is entitled to mimic Springsteen, it’s the man himself. He does it so well.” -Bloomberg

* “1st singles are meant to whet appetites & get people excited about a new album. Sadly, this 1 does neither. Instead it causes trepidation: Will the other songs be better? ” -North Jersey

* “For more than 40 yrs, he’s carried the torch of rock & roll to millions of fans, & now he’s headed back on tour, this time with a new song that, believe it or not, speaks to conservative values.” -Heritage

Decide for yourself; listen to the song below:

SOURCE: Summit Daily News

By Kimberly Nicoletti
summit daily news

Songwriter Hall of Fame member John Oates wants to help budding musicians, & he’s creating a big opportunity this year.

Oates has set up a musical home for himself in Aspen, & for the last two years, he has co-produced, & performed in, the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival, a five-day event at the Wheeler Opera House. Shawn Colvin, Donavan Frankenreiter, Keb Mo, Sam Bush & plenty of others have joined Oates in the intimate 7908 shows, but this year, Oates is opening up the stage to unknowns.

Six Colorado towns will hold preliminary competitions this month, bringing six finalists to Aspen to perform during the first three days of the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival March 21-25.

Each finalist will win three nights lodging in Aspen, perform in several of Aspen’s bars in three evenings, & receive a full festival pass for the 7908 event & an invitation to all after-show parties.

The overall winner garners two extra nights of lodging & will perform at the 7908-finale concert, featuring Matt Nathanson, with a special introduction by Oates.

“It could literally be life-changing,” said festival spokesperson Katharine Richardson.

“It is very important to me personally to nurture young songwriters & give them an opportunity to interact & collaborate with professionals & more experienced writers,” Oates said through an email interview. “Songwriting is the life blood of the music industry, & our mission is to assure that the wellspring of talent have a creative ‘home’ from which the future of music can emerge.”

The 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival evolved from a series of shows Oates did in 2008 called The Stories Behind the Songs in Nashville & New York, then brought it to Aspen. The City of Aspen asked him to expand the concept into a larger format in partnership with the Wheeler Opera House, & now Velocity Television network broadcasts the festival nationwide. Recently Oates helped form the 7908 Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to fund scholarships, provide mentors & perpetuate the art and craft of songwriting, he said.

“This year’s Colorado-wide songwriters’ contest is the first step in the educational component of our festival & hopefully will expand nationally and internationally for the future,” he said.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 23. For more information, visit www.wheeleroperahouse.com/default.asp?wheeler=39.

SOURCE: AllVoices
PIC SOURCE: Belfast Telegraph

By Sherrill Fulghum

(Los Angeles, CA) There was a time when an artist would take a week off, or two at the most, from playing live gigs; enter the studio; & record an entire album ready for release in only a few weeks. Today it takes artists months & even years to complete an album.

Whether musicians… or fans… believe the world is scheduled to come to an end, quite a number of singers & groups have planned new album releases in the coming year.

Material girl Madonna is scheduled to play the halftime show at the February 5 Super Bowl & in March she will release a new album.

The boys of Van Halen have announced a reunion tour with David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen & his son Wolfgang. Along with the tour the rockers are releasing a new reunion album on February 7.

Depending on which band member you listen to, the boys of U2 may or may not be releasing an album this year. The boys have been in the studio with two different producers & reportedly have quite a few songs ready for an album; but there has been no word on an approaching release.

After the death of longtime friend & band member Clarence Clemmons, “the Boss” Bruce Springsteen was unsure as to whether or not to continue. Ultimately, “the Boss” made the decision to keep making music & a new album is also set for release sometime in the coming months – reportedly the first quarter of the year.

After much balking about a reunion, Ozzy Osbourne has agreed to join up with Geezer Butler, Bill Wark, & Tony Iommi to reunite Black Sabbath. In light of the announcement, a new album is expected for sometime in the autumn.

“Chimes of Freedom” is a compilation of songs originally recorded by Bob Dylan. Over 80 artists have covered Dylan’s songs to honour 50 years of Amnesty International. The album set for a February release includes Elvis Costello, Sting, Pete Townsend, & Patti Smith.

Although no release date has been issued, the boys of Aerosmith have reportedly been working on a new album – their first since “Honkin’ on Bobo” in 2004. Since that time, Aerosmith has threatened to break up , had numerous medical issues, & has seen the band’s leader – Steven Tyler – taking on a new job as a judge on “American Idol”.

On February 7th, Sir Paul McCartney will release the album he has been wanting to make for some fifty years, an album of standards – the music his Dad used to listen to when Sir Paul was a young lad.

The collection will include two new songs written by Sir Paul himself. While there has been no word on exactly which songs Sir Paul has recorded for the album, Sir Paul will be joined by Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, & Diana Krall on the album.

Fellow surviving Beatle Ringo Starr also has an album set for release at the end of January.

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Sherrill Fulghum is based in Niagara Falls, New York, United States of America, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.