"American Girl : Grace Stirs Up Success" Soundtrack Releasing

American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success will be released on June 23 by  ABKCO Records through its Little World Records imprint. This marks the second time time Little World has teamed up with American Girl to release a music CD soundtrack for a direct-to-video title based on its popular Girl of the Year series for girls ages 8 and up (American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight was released last summer). The new album features music from the live action film, which will be  available on HD Digital June 9 and on Blu-ray and DVD June 23 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Starring Virginia Madsen (“Witches of East End,” Sideways) and Olivia Rodrigo, the heartwarming film brings to life the story of Grace Thomas, an inventive, enthusiastic nine-year-old girl who is full of  big ideas. A planner at heart, Grace finds the courage to step outside her comfort zone during a trip to Paris that broadens her perspective and challenges her to try new things. Back home, Grace uses her newfound courage and culinary skills to start her own French baking business with her two best friends. When she learns her beloved grandparents’ bakery might close, Grace and her friends combine their talents to mix together some great ideas that, ultimately, lead to many sweet rewards.

Teen Beach 2 Film Soundtrack Out June 22

Walt Disney Records will release the surf-rock/pop soundtrack for "Teen Beach 2," the anticipated Teen Beach 2" which  premieres on Friday, June 26 (8:00 pm, ET/PT) on Disney Channel USA.

surf and song sequel to "Teen Beach Movie," the Disney Channel Original Movie that ranks as the second highest-rated cable television movie of all time.  "

 The soundtrack will release on June 22 and includes a blend of contemporary- and 1960s-inspired songs performed by the cast, an end credit song performed by Hollywood Records' artist R5, one song performed by Hollywood Records' artist Sabrina Carpenter, three bonus tracks and a radio version of Ross Lynch's "On My Own" (written by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Evan Bogart, Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Ross Lynch and Ellington Ratliff).

A fantastical music- and dance-driven story designed for kids, tweens and families, "Teen Beach 2" picks up at the close of summer. With surf season over and high school back in session, laid-back Brady and studious Mack's relationship is headed for a wipeout when they receive a surprise real-world visit from their 1960s silver screen friends, Lela and Tanner, who have remarkably departed "Wet Side Story," quickly followed by their 1960s bikers and surfer friends led by Butchy, Cheechee and Seacat.  Knowing first-hand that the "real" world and the movie world don't mix, Mack, Brady and all of the "Wet Side Story" friends must quickly devise a plan and use the magic of Lela's necklace to get everyone back to their movie world before it's too late.

"A Boy Named Charlie Brown" Soundtrack Releasing in June

Varèse Sarabande will release Rod McKuen Performs and Conducts All His Songs From A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN And Selections From THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE, ME NATALIE And JOANNA on CD June 23, 2015. The album includes liner notes written by McKuen shortly before he passed away earlier this year.


“Writing music for films is hard work but an all-together lovely occupation,” said McKuen. “Some of my most cherished moments have been spent in screening rooms timing scenes for cues and on Russian, British and Hollywood sound stages making music with many of the world’s best musicians.”

The statistics involving Rod McKuen’s career and work are staggering. He recorded over two hundred albums and is the recipient of 63 gold and platinum records worldwide. His three-dozen books of poetry have been published in eleven languages, sold 65 million copies and made him the most widely read poet of his time. The songs he wrote and composed have accounted for the sale of over 100 million records for such diverse artists as Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Johnny Cash, Petula Clark, Perry Como, Chet Baker, Andy Williams, The Kingston Trio, Dusty Springfield, Johnny Mathis and Barbra Streisand.

Music from the PBS Series, POLDARK , Out June 9

Sony Classical is delighted to announce the release of Poldark – music from the hit BBC period drama TV show. With original score by Anne Dudley, the soundtrack album will be available on June 9. The TV series will begin airing nationally on PBS starting on June 21, and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 7, 2015.

With weekly viewing figures approaching 9 million, Poldark is the hottest new drama series on British TV. Based on the novels by Winston Graham and adapted by Debbie Horsfield, Poldark is set in the late 18th century. Lead character, Ross Poldark – memorably played by Aidan Turner (The Hobbit) - returns from the American War of Independence to his beloved Cornwall, having spent three years in the army to avoid charges of smuggling, leaving behind his sweetheart Elizabeth. Alas, he finds his world in ruins with his father dead, his house wrecked and his sweetheart engaged to his cousin. How will he move on from this destruction?

The Who's Pete Townshend Talks with Baker & Taylor About His New "Classic Quadrophenia" Release

It’s a rare event to pose questions to the great Pete Townshend - one of the world’s greatest living songwriters and a sea-change musical visionary. Pete is very enthused to release his classic rock opera, Quadrophenia, finally in a classical and operatic form, on June 9, 2015, and he graced Baker & Taylor with an illuminating, personal interview. Without further introduction, we present Pete’s feedback (of the written kind) on Pete Townshend’s Classic Quadrophenia.
B&T: What would you tell a customer in a music store or library that would encourage them to pick up Pete Townshend’s Classic Quadrophenia?

Pete: This is a modern opera, or cantata – the story is one that we have all lived through. It will connect because the story is so simple. It’s about a few very difficult days in the life of a young person. We’ve all been there. What is unusual in this case perhaps is that the hero’s difficulty becomes a conduit for an explosion of passion, sexual frustration, anger and awkward love. My music seems to be especially good at expressing all this, and The Who band members were great at performing it. Audiences respond according to their ability (or need) to reconnect with this part of their growing up. Or, they might simply look back sadly or fondly to the way they got through it all. In literature there are many examples of this kind of inconclusive story. Catcher in the Rye is maybe the most well-known. This orchestral version unlocks an entire range of new shades in this tale of teenage struggle.

James Taylor Releases "Montana" Tune- LISTEN

Today James Taylor debuted a song called "Montana," from his new studio album Before This World.

Before This World is the iconic singer/songwriters first album of new songs since 2002's platinum-selling October Road. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Dave O'Donnell, Before This World features ten songs, nine of which are new James Taylor compositions, and is due out June 16th, 2015 on Concord Records.

Recorded at his home studio TheBarn, in Washington, MA, Taylor enlisted the longtime members of his band for the sessions including bassist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Steve Gadd, guitarist Michael Landau, keyboardist Larry Goldings, percussionist Luis Conte, fiddler and vocalist Andrea Zonn and vocalists Arnold McCuller, David Lasley and Kate Markowitz. Taylor also called on close friends Yo-Yo Ma and Sting to add their remarkable talent to the new album, (Ma's cello is heard on "You And I Again" and "Before This World"; Sting added vocals to "Before This World.") Additionally, Taylor's wife Kim and son Henry sing harmony on "Angels Of Fenway" and the classic folk tune "Wild Mountain Thyme."

Read more at http://sceneandheardav.blogspot.com/2015/04/james-taylor-announces-before-this.html

"Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City" CD Arrives June 16

Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City, featuring a previously unreleased version of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You" and 35 other essential tracks, will be releasing Tuesday, June 16.

The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum exhibition, "Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City Presented by Citi," opened March 27, 2015 and will run through December 31, 2016. The museum will celebrate the album's launch later this summer with a concert to be held on 5th Avenue between Demonbreun Street and Korean Veterans Boulevard on July 7, 2015 at 6 pm. The line-up for the concert will be announced soon.

"Bob Dylan surprised many when he came to Nashville and began working with the city's unmatched session musicians the Nashville Cats," said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum historian Michael Gray. "Around this same time, Johnny Cash was recruiting folk and rock musicians—including Dylan—to appear on his groundbreaking network television show. This album and Spotify playlist, with commentary from Nashville Cat Charlie Daniels, explore this magical time in 'a new Music City.'"

Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City explores the relationship between pop, rock, folk and country music through a variety of essential recordings that define an American era and sensibility that continue to shape and influence contemporary culture across the world.

Richard Thompson Announces "Still" , Tweedy Produced, Album

Richard Thompson is the kind of guitar player other guitar players revere. It’s not just his technique, nor the fact that he’s equally at home with an electric or an acoustic guitar. He’s also a songwriter of uncommon skill.”—NPR

Renowned guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson will release Still, an album of new music produced by Jeff Tweedy, on June 23, 2015 via Fantasy Records (part of the Concord Music Group). 
Still will be available in several configurations including a twelve-track CD, a twelve-track double 180-gram vinyl album and a deluxe CD package that includes a five-song EP from a previously un-released session, all available from B&T.

Still was recorded in a two-story rehearsal loft in Chicago over the course of just nine days with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy at the helm, backed by several longtime players from both Thompson’s and Tweedy’s bands.  "Richard's been one of my favorite guitar players for a very long time,” said Tweedy. "When I think about it, he's also one of my favorite songwriters and favorite singers. He's the Ultimate Triple Threat. Getting to work closely with him on this record was a truly rewarding experience, not to mention a great thrill.  And he keeps alive my streak of working exclusively with artists who make me look good as a producer."

The Tenors UNDER ONE SKY Arrives on June 2

UNDER ONE SKY is THE TENORS new recording that combines a mix of originals alongside new interpretations of familiar favorites that releases on June 2, 2015 from Decca Records. Highlighting their signature blend of classical and contemporary pop, the record includes the popular hits “Tears in Heaven” (Eric Clapton) “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers) and “Who Wants To Live Forever” (Queen) as well as the soaring original title track, “Under One Sky” and the inspirational “New Day’s Begun.”

The foursome dedicates the classic Joe Cocker track, “You Are So Beautiful” to their mothers and all mothers around the world, while “My Father’s Son” pays universal homage to dads. The group pays extra tribute to their moms in the forthcoming hardcover book, “A Letter To My Mom” by Lisa Erspamer to be released April 7. Honoring their respective mothers, the book also includes letters from Melissa Rivers, Shania Twain, will.i.am, Christy Turlington, and Kristin Chenoweth among others.

An American in Paris Original Cast Recording Announced for Album Release

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY proudly announces the signing of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of An American in Paris. Produced by Rob Fisher and Scott Lehrer, the album will be recorded on April 20 in anticipation of a June 2 release. 

 

The score of An American In Paris includes the songs “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not For Me,” “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “Second Prelude,” “Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture” and “An American In Paris.”

 

An American In Paris is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Inspired by the Academy-Award winning film and opens on Broadway on April 12, 2015.  An American In Paris brings this classic tale to Broadway for the first time with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas.

James Taylor Announces "Before This World" Release

Five-time GRAMMY Award winner James Taylor will release Before This World, the legendary singer/songwriter’s first album of new songs since 2002’s platinum-selling October Road.  Produced by Grammy Award-winner Dave O’Donnell, Before This World features ten songs, nine of which are brand new James Taylor compositions, and is due out June 16, 2015 via Concord Records.

In addition, the special 2-Disc CD/DVD Before This World Deluxe Edition includes the full-length album on CD plus "There We Were: The Recording of James Taylor’s Before This World,” a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the album on DVD. Through studio footage and interviews (including Taylor and album guests Sting and Yo-Yo Ma) this beautifully rendered 30-minute film provides an intimate look into Taylor’s creative process and the recording of this landmark album.

Recorded at his home studio The Barn, in Washington, MA, Taylor enlisted the longtime members of his band for the sessions including bassist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Steve Gadd, guitarist Michael Landau, keyboardist Larry Goldings, percussionist Luis Conte, fiddler and vocalist Andrea Zonn and vocalists Arnold McCuller, David Lasley and Kate Markowitz. Taylor also called on close friends Yo-Yo Ma and Sting to add their remarkable talent to the new album, (Ma’s cello is heard on "You And I Again” and "Before This World”; Sting added vocals to "Before This World.”)  Additionally, Taylor’s wife Kim and son Henry sing harmony on "Angels Of Fenway” and the classic folk tune "Wild Mountain Thyme.”

"Jeff Beck Performing This Week...Live At Ronnie Scott's Special Edition" Out June 2

 Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Jeff Beck’s Performing This Week…Live At

Ronnie Scott’s – Special Edition on 2CD set on June 2, 2015  [Order Date May 8, MSRP $17.98]. A 3LP Edition will be released shortly thereafter.

Now released for the first time with the full audio from these incredible shows, Performing This Week… features classic tracks from across Jeff Beck’s career including: “Beck’s Bolero,” “Led Boots,” “Scatterbrain,” “Where Were You,” “Angels (Footsteps),” “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers,” and his now iconic version of “A Day In The Life.” This amazing show includes guest appearances by Joss Stone, Eric Clapton and Imogen Heap, in addition to a 7-track set with the Big Town Playboys.

 

This 2007 series of concerts at the renowned Ronnie Scott’s club in London became a must-have ticket of the year, with a packed audience every night consisting of the famous and the fans. The CD and DVD releases of these shows (released via Eagle Rock Entertainment in 2008, 2009 respectively) have become the definitive Jeff Beck live recordings. Now for the first time on LP and CD, all of the live tracks are available (including those with special guests plus the Big Town Playboys set, which has previously only been on the Blu-ray release).

 

From his time with the Yardbirds in the sixties, through the Jeff Beck Group and throughout his solo career, Jeff Beck’s unique guitar style and constant desire to explore new musical areas and sounds has won him the admiration of peers and legions of fans worldwide. Performing This Week… Live At Ronnie Scott’s – Special Edition is a stunning representation of the unmatched live experience that only he can deliver.