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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 09
Friday, February 9, 2007
New B-52’s album taxis toward fall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the group’s first full-length studio recording in 15 years, the B-52’s are returning to their Southern roots. Over a late dinner Thursday upstairs at Repast in Midtown, B’s frontman Fred Schneider told Buzz that he and original members Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland have been recording locally at Nickel and Dime Studios and are “halfway finished” with the album, tentatively scheduled for a fall release.
“It’s us, updated, essentially,” Schneider said of the sounds originating from the sessions. “It’s a little more electronic with guitars. But if we sample anyone, we’ll be sampling ourselves!”
The group has been routinely meeting here and in the band’s birthplace in Athens, to create the new tunes.
“This is where we started, so it just feels right to be making this record here,” Schneider explains. “We’ve loved recording at Nickel and Dime Studios, too. There are no distractions there. Once you’re in Avondale [Estates], you’re in Avondale. I love the Salvation Army there. I’ve found some great records there.”
On Thursday, Schneider also bought some vintage vinyl at Wax n Facts in Little Five Points to visit proprietor Danny Beard. (The DB Recs founder was the first to press the band’s single “Rock Lobster” as a 45 in 1978.)
Early Friday morning, Beard returned the favor by popping by Schneider’s guest DJ gig at Bazzaar in Midtown as Schneider spun James Brown, Yoko Ono and remixed Sarah Vaughan for the packed club.
Of the band’s return South to record, Beard told us: “They want to do it where they feel comfortable, I think. It’s great to have them back.”
And just when we didn’t think it was humanly possible for Bazzaar owner Bill Kaelin to become any cooler, he upended our opinion early Friday. He told us that for him, booking Schneider was a bit like returning to high school.
Kaelin confessed to us that he once got bounced out of a dance at his Catholic high school by gyrating to the B’s “Strobelight.”
Young Day is declared in L.A.
Former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young has been making the rounds this week in Los Angeles in his new capacity as a filmmaker. Young is the driving force behind the documentary “Rwanda Rising,” which drew a capacity crowd and a standing ovation Thursday night when the film opened the Pan African Film and Arts Festival there. Among those in attendance: Los Angeles Mayor Tony Villaraigosa. The “Rwanda Rising” director, Atlantan C.B. Hackworth, even managed to assemble a partial “Roots” reunion for the documentary when he hired Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr. and Levar Burton to provide voice work on the project. Young also discussed the project with Stevie Wonder on the singer’s weekly Los Angeles radio show this week. On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council proclaimed it Andrew Young Day. Hackworth told us via e-mail from the Left Coast that the film chronicles Rwanda’s success story of reconciliation and forgiveness in the aftermath of genocide. For Atlantans, there is a gallery of Hackworth’s photography from the project on display at Fernbank Science Center through March 31. Said Hackworth: “It was a rare privilege to work on this project with Ambassador Young.”
An ‘Ugly’ face may pay off in contest
They’re reeeally not paying B98.5 FM Kelly and Alpha morning show producer/human piñata Will Gara enough. Gara is vying with 23 other DJs across the country for a trip to Los Angeles to meet the cast of “Ugly Betty” on the set of the ABC comedy. In ABC’s “Ugly Betty: A Face for Radio DJ Contest,” listeners go to www.pciasp.com/uglybettycontest/selectphoto.aspx and vote on which radio guy is the most hideous in his cross-dressing Betty garb. Listeners can win a vacation to Cancun, Mexico, in exchange for voting. Gara is ticked that a radio guy from Florida is beating him. “You know how they are with elections,” Gara cracks via e-mail to Buzz. “I do hope my mini-sombrero propels me to first place real soon.”
Stork report
First for couple: Actor Kevin Costner (above) and his wife, Christine, are expecting their first child.
“They’re very excited, very happy about the pregnancy,” publicist Paul Bloch said.
Costner and his wife married in September 2004. He has three children from a previous marriage.
On my iPod
Grammy winner Mary J. Blige (right): “Funny you should ask because I just bought ‘Ask Rufus’ [by] Rufus & Chaka Khan. I’m all old soul, baby. Everything old. Chaka. Aretha [Franklin]. Candi Staton. Mavis Staples. The Stylistics. It helps me get through.”
Celebrity birthdays
Saturday: Actor Robert Wagner is 77. Singer Roberta Flack is 68.
Sunday: Actor Leslie Nielsen is 81. Actress Tina Louise (“Gilligan’s Island”) is 73. Actor Burt Reynolds is 71. Actress Jennifer Aniston is 38. Singer D’Angelo is 33. Singer-actress Brandy (“Moesha”) is 28. Singer Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) is 26.
Contributing: Sonia Murray and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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History of sauce bottle something to chew on
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chefs can be a superstitious sort.
Still, it’s tough to deny the message in an unusual green-hued bottle that plumbers recently unearthed while digging into the floor of the Krog Street site where Kevin Rathbun Steak will debut this spring.
Upon examination, Rathbun identified it as an old Lea & Perrins steak sauce bottle. He estimates that it could have been left from when the building was operated as a cotton warehouse at the start of the last century.
Says Rathbun of the potential sign: “I think this building was destined to be Kevin Rathbun Steak. There hasn’t been any digging in the building for many, many years, so the bottle sat in the ground since the early 1900s. Somebody must have been enjoying a steak sandwich for lunch one day and had the sauce with it.”
At deadline Thursday, it could not be determined if the archaeological find would occupy a place of distinction when Rathbun’s steak concept bows or if Lea & Perrins had yet closed a deal to be the once-and-future steak sauce of the location.
Juicy response to magazine talk
As we fielded random calls and e-mails from sources asking about a rumor spreading across the city that Atlanta Peach magazine’s days on the newsstand are numbered, the glossy’s February-March, 158-page issue with cover guy Usher landed at Buzz Central this week.
With the current edition, the formerly quarterly publication ups its frequency to bimonthly. Usually, this isn’t a sign of impending publication suspension.
In the past year, Atlanta Peach and about a half-dozen other similar fashion/style/society mags have been launched here.
When we reached Atlanta Peach editor Elizabeth Roth on her BlackBerry on Thursday at New York Fashion Week, she told us, “I love it whenever anybody is talking about us, but no, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to be in Atlanta for a very long time.” Roth said Atlanta Peach is planning “a huge” anniversary party for April.
A ‘Turned Funny’ return in Marietta
In an attempt to satisfy the demands of our late AJC colleague Celestine Sibley’s many readers, Theatre in the Square in Marietta has managed to book an encore run for its sold-out 25th season opener, “Turned Funny.”
The adaptation by Phillip DePoy is based on the longtime Atlanta Constitution reporter’s 1988 memoir of the same name.
For its return run, set for June 17 to July 29, Theatre in the Square has even secured the same cast of Jill Jane Clements, Ric Reitz and Linda Stephens as Sibley.
Theatre rep M.J. Conboy happily told us this week that tickets will go on sale March 15.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer another run,” Conboy said. “We still have people calling. So many people just weren’t able to see it the first time around.”
Sir Elton’s Oscar party books Blunt
The Atlantans heading to Los Angeles for the 15th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards celebration Feb. 25 at the Pacific Design Center will get to partake of a special performance by singer-songwriter James Blunt.
“James is a truly talented singer-songwriter,” Sir Elton said via a statement. “His voice and expressive lyrics enchant audiences worldwide. I have no doubt that he will do the same for our guests on Oscar night.”
Blunt, 32, is up for five awards at the Grammys, which will air live Sunday on CBS. His double-platinum debut album, “Back to Bedlam,” yielded the smash hit “You’re Beautiful.” He toured with John in 2004.
Sick bay /celebrity docket
Singer R. Kelly, 40, missed a Chicago court appearance on child pornography charges this week after undergoing surgery for a burst appendix, his lawyer said.
Attorney Terence Gillespie said the R&B singer underwent surgery Sunday, shortly after being admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The court hearing was Wednesday.
Gillespie said Thursday that Kelly was in good condition and was expected to be released from the hospital later in the day.
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography and is awaiting trial. Kelly was charged in 2002 with engaging in videotaped sex acts with an underage girl.
In December, a judge issued a ruling that allowed Kelly to travel out of state for business purposes without permission. Kelly was in Miami to perform at a Super Bowl party over the weekend.
Kelly’s next court date is Feb. 21, and Gillespie said he expected Kelly to be there.
Quote of the day
“It’s a nonsense I perpetrate purely for financial gain.”
— Actor Hugh Grant, the star of the upcoming romantic comedy “Music and Lyrics,” on whether he believes in happy endings, in People magazine, out today.
Celebrity birthdays
News correspondent Roger Mudd is 79. Singer Carole King is 65. Actor Joe Pesci is 64. Author Alice Walker is 63. Actress Mia Farrow is 62. Country singer Travis Tritt is 44. Actor David Gallagher (“7th Heaven”) is 22.
Contributing: news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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