GRAMMY-Nominated Musician & Researcher Stephen Wade to Release 'Across the Amerikee'

Stephen Wade has spent nearly his entire life playing and studying American folk music, a rich history he mines on 'Across the Amerikee: Showpieces from Coal Camp to Cattle Trail,' out June 30 on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Wade's first entirely solo endeavor, 'Across the Amerikee' presents "solo and display music"--performances that are created for listening rather than to accompany working or dancing, and that are often designed to display instrumental prowess or imitate life sounds such as fox chases and steam locomotives. Pre-order the album thru B&T, today

Listen to selections from 'Across the Amerikee' via bit.ly/2rp4pSH

Grassroots singers and players throughout the United States have long cultivated their own varieties of recital music. A simple dance tune transforms into a concert masterpiece; a personal plaint becomes emblematic of an era. With the banjo and guitar, Wade deftly explores this music made for music's sake. His selections draw from Southern sources as well as Northern interpreters, centering on lyric folksongs and old-time instrumentals transmitted (as one of its older players memorably said) across the Amerikee.

NOT FANCY, Anjelah Johnson's Comedy CD out October 21

Comedy Dynamics will release Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy stand-up comedy album on CD format on October 21^st.   
 

Not Fancy was filmed at the City National Grove in Anaheim, California and the show still streams exclusively on Netflix. The special includes Johnson's take on learning Spanish, marriage, her in-laws and jobs that she doesn't have.  Onion AV Club raves about Not Fancy, "Anjelah Johnson is unapologetically herself…. She's being her authentic self, and that authenticity makes her comedy visceral and personal."

 

"Anjelah is one of the most exciting and watchable comedians out there. She makes being Not Fancy sound exactly the opposite." - Decider

 

Johnson's years of experience in the comedy scene includes her infamous viral video, "Nail Salon," her work as a series regular on MADtv with her fan favorite character Bon Qui Qui, and her commercial spots for a variety of brands, movies, voice-overs, and serving as spokesperson for the Texas chain Taco Cabana.   She has appeared on the shows The Shield, Ugly Betty, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and others all while touring with her stand up comedy.  Johnson has starred in such films as OUR FAMILY WEDDING, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL, MOM'S NIGHT OUT and ENOUGH SAID. Born and raised in California, Johnson began her career as a professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders.  

Walt Disney Records Releases Zootopia Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Walt Disney Records released the Zootopia soundtrack which features score by Oscar-winning composer, Michael Giacchino and the end-credit song "Try Everything" performed by Grammy-winning artist Shakira.  Zootopia,a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard ("Tangled," "Bolt") and Rich Moore ("Wreck-It Ralph," "The Simpsons") and co-directed by Jared Bush ("Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero"), opened in theaters on March 4, 2016.

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it's a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn't so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery.

Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino marks his first-ever feature collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios for "Zootopia." Featuring an 80-piece orchestra and conductor Tim Simonec, Giacchino's score reflects the diversity of the world.

Yo-Yo Ma And The Silk Road Ensemble Releases New Album Featuring Special Guests

 The latest album by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble will surprise and delight, with guest performers and imaginative sounds that transform the traditional musical landscape. Sing Me Home is the sixth album by the Grammy-nominated Silk Road Ensemble and its founding member and guiding light Yo-Yo Ma — available from Sony Music Masterworks on April 22, 2016.
Sing Me Home is a companion album, developed and recorded alongside The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, a documentary feature from Oscar and Emmy-winning director Morgan Neville that tells the story of the Ensemble and Silkroad, its parent organization. The Music of Strangers is slated for theatrical release in June.

Produced by Silk Road Ensemble member Johnny Gandelsman and Grammy Award winner Kevin Killen (U2, Kate Bush, Elvis Castello, David Bowie), the album examines the ever-changing idea of home, with original and traditional tunes composed or arranged by members of the Ensemble's unique collective of global artists. Each piece invites listeners to explore the "music of home" through the individual experiences of Ensemble members, many of whom are immigrants. The result is a compelling collection of innovative and deeply moving tributes to the rich cultural heritage of the Balkans, China, Galicia, India, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Mali, people of the Roma, Syria, and the United States.