Atlanta Music Scene Has Moved To WordPress
Slowly but surely, the Atlanta Music Scene blog has been transitioning to WordPress - a bigger and better blogging and commenting experience!
See you there, at http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/
Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > February > 06
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
“Classic Janet - With A Modern Twist”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEW YORK - By now, the miniature cherry-topped chocolate cakes, fresh fruits and cheeses have probably been devoured.
Now, the only treats left are still dancing in about 300 or so guests’ heads.
Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid unveiled part-time Atlantan Janet Jackson’s upcoming CD “Discipline” tonight in New York. And if this one doesn’t win audiences back, they flat-out don’t want to return.
Reid had to know he had something special when he walked on the Stage 1 of New World Stages in Midtown. There was no long introduction. No hyperbolic speech spilling over with adjectives.
“Thank you all for coming,” he told a crowd of tastemakers who’d spent the past hour taking full advantage of the open bars, bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers, beats from DJ Finesse and the bodies of the “Disciplinarians” walking around in black patent leather bustiers, black tights, thigh-high, high-heeled boots and whips. “Sit back and enjoy.”
And with that, a montage of Jackson’s two decades-plus of videos played, followed by most of “Discipline.”
It begins with “Feedback,” a fine enough return to the dancefloor for Jackson, that only gets better and stronger further into the disc. After the third track, the delightful drum-centric “Rollercoaster,” the first major applause spread across the room. After the slower, “Can’t Help It”-like “Can’t B Good” - even more applause. And then again after “The 1,” the one song played withe a featured artist, rapper-producer Missy Elliott.
Then the lights came up. The vintage-looking black and white montage stopped. And Reid walks Jackson on stage to a standing ovation. (Never mind that her boyfriend, Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri, was standing nearby under an exit).
“Thank you very much you guys,” Jackson said in that signature whisper. Shortly after, Joe Levy of Blender asked her a few questions about the album- basic stuff like who she worked with (local notables such as Tricky Stewart and The Dream, Ne-Yo and, of course Dupri); where she got the song title “Rock With U” (“some guy that thinks he can dance and sing…my brother”); how she would describe “Discipline” (“classic Janet with a modern twist”); and two recurring themes of her more recent albums - love and sex (“I love love and I love sex”).
The last response, of course, eliciting wild applause as well.
Afterwards, comedian/actor Mike Epps offered his critique of what he heard of “Discipline” - in between bites of dessert: “I’d rate it great! Janet has some Charley WallBANGERS on this one.”
CLICK HERE to hear two new songs.
What do you think?
First Taste of New R.E.M. Album
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It sounds like R.E.M. has recaptured their spark.
Just take a listen to the first single from the band’s upcoming 14th album, “Accelerate.” The song, “Supernatural Superserious,” is streaming online at music site Pitchfork.
“Supernatural Superserious” is tight, punchy and catchy. Early reports suggested that the new album would be a return to a rockier sound and that’s just what you get on this first taste. Peter Buck’s guitar has some of the crunch of “Monster,” but without that album’s murky sludge. This is a crisp return to form for our Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Have a listen and tell us what you think.
The Atlanta Music Scene in L.A., for the Grammys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With 25-plus acts with Georgia connections up for Grammys this Sunday, of course the Atlanta Music Scene blog will be in Los Angeles as well.
Return here all weekend for coverage of local music mogul Jermaine Dupri’s annual “Welcome to Atlanta” party; local R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo’s midnight brunch on Grammy eve; what our artists have to say backstage at the ceremony after their wins; and other sights and sounds from that scene.
It all begins this evening, after the listening party Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid is hosting for Janet Jackson’s upcoming CD, “Discipline”.
So again - check back, and weigh in.
Meanwhile, what are you most looking forward to seeing on the Grammys? Atlanta songwriter-producers Tricky Stewart and The Dream joining Rihanna on stage to pick up a grammophone for “Umbrella”? Jazz singer Freddy Cole getting his Grammy due? Or Christian music act Casting Crowns finally getting some on-air time?
Bonnaroo Reveals All
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s the big reveal for Bonnaroo 2008. The annual music festival, which takes place just up the road in Tennessee in June, has announced the majority of this year’s line-up. There’ll be more to come, but here’s the bulk of it. Tell us your take on this year’s model. Is it better than ever, or not worth the trip?
2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists:
Pearl Jam
Metallica
Jack Johnson
Kanye West
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Phil Lesh & Friends
My Morning Jacket
The Allman Brothers Band
The Raconteurs
Willie Nelson
Death Cab for Cutie
B.B. King
Sigur Ros
Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road
Ben Folds
O.A.R.
The Bluegrass Allstars Feat. Luke Bulla, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton
M.I.A.
Umphrey’s McGee
Iron & Wine
Yonder Mountain String Band
Swell Season
Talib Kweli
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi’s Soul Stew Revival
Gogol Bordello
Broken Social Scene
Robert Randolph’s Revival
Rilo Kiley
Mastodon
Lupe Fiasco
Against Me!
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Pat Green
Ozomatli
Tegan & Sara
Solomon Burke
Drive-By Truckers
!!!
The Avett Brothers
Israel Vibration
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck
Phil Lesh / Larry Campbell / Jackie Greene
Aimee Mann
Ladytron
The Fiery Furnaces
Orchestra Baobab
Ghostland Observatory
Jose Gonzalez
Dark Star Orchestra
Minus the Bear
Donavon Frankenreiter
Lez Zeppelin
State Radio
Battles
Jakob Dylan
Two Gallants
The Sword
Vampire Weekend
Little Feat
Nicole Atkins
The Felice Brothers
Mason Jennings
MGMT
The Lee Boys
Black Kids
Serena Ryder
Steel Train
Grupo Fantasma
Back Door Slam
