Music Week articles from March 2003

Music Week archives from March 2003

Wadsworth passes baton for Brits 2004.
March 1, 2003... Tony Wadsworth is stepping down as Brits chairman after overseeing one of the most far-reaching series of changes in the event's history. Universal Music chairman Lucian Grainge and BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson are joining forces...

This year's Brit Awards proved to be a controversy-free zone, with none of the on- and off-stage spectacles that have traditionally made the event a talking-point.
March 1, 2003... This year's Brit Awards proved to be a controversy-free zone, with none of the on- and off-stage spectacles that have traditionally made the event a talking-point. The lack of stunts let the spotlight fall on the two biggest winners of the...

Unknown heads for Top 40.
March 1, 2003... A self-funded single available in only six Virgin Megastores was yesterday (Sunday) wing for a Top 40 debut, after being pushed via a national schools campaign. Mark Joseph's Get Through has been issued on the 22-year-old guitar-playing,...

Deayton to host MW Awards.
March 1, 2003... The Music Week Awards is returning to one of the most popular presenters in its history for next month's March 6 show--Angus Deayton. The former Have I Got News For You host last presented the event in 1996. The awards will see the...

Tattersfield leaves East West for Warner joint venture.
March 1, 2003... Warner Music UK has confirmed that it is setting up a new joint-venture label with Christian Tattersfield, who is to step down as managing director of East West. Tattersfield, whose contract with Warner is understood to have expired at the...

Wright set for keynote speech at Music Radio Conference. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Virgin Entertainment Group CEO and Bard chairman Simon Wright (pictured) is set to become the first retailer to give a keynote speech at the annual Music Radio Conference. Wright will address the Radio Academy-organised event at London's Shaw...

Creditors meet for Relentless liquidation. (news file).
March 1, 2003... A creditors meeting in the liquidation of the Relentless Records label was due to take place last Friday, with Rothman Pantall & Co expected to be named as liquidator of the company. The label was put into liquidation by majority shareholder...

Leeds festival rioters receive court punishment. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Eight teenagers who took part in violent scenes at last year's Carling Weekend Leeds Festival were handed community service orders at Leeds Crown Court last Wednesday. The teenagers had admitted their part in the disturbance. More than 40...

Valentino wins fight for co-composer status of Young At Heart. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Session musician Bobby Valentino has won his fight to be recognised as a co-composer of the Bluebells' 1984 hit single Young At Heart. The Court Of Appeal upheld a ruling that Valentino should be credited for his part in the song, which...

Radio Two blunder results in damages for Weedon. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Guitar veteran Bert Weedon has received "substantial" damages from the BBC after Radio Two wrongly claimed he learned to play while in prison. A judge in London's High Court awarded the undisclosed sum after ruling that the statement had...

McCartney lines up European tour dates. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Paul McCartney (pictured) will play his first Manchester concert in 24 years this spring as part of his first UK and continental European tour since 1993. The Manchester Evening News Arena gig on April 9 will be part of the UK leg of the...

Emap appoints Pinker to commercial director role. (news file).
March 1, 2003... IPC's group ad director for Manchester Sandra Pinker has taken up the newly-created role of Emap Performance commercial director. Tinker, who is being based at Emap's Manchester station Key 103, has been tasked with driving revenue from the...

MW playlist. (News).
March 1, 2003... THE WHITE STRIPES--Seven Nation Army (XL) Ramshackle riffs from one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year (from Elephant album, March 31) POLAROID--Silence (unsigned) A thought-provoking blend of Bjork and Liz Fraser that is...

BBC winning Saturday AM ratings battle. (News).
March 1, 2003... The battle lines over Saturday morning TV have been re-drawn, with BBC1's Saturday Show heating its ITV1 rival SM:TV on total audience for two weeks running, the first BBC victory in the slot since 1999. The Saturday Show, which includes...

Clear Channel launches festival with digital edge. (News).
March 1, 2003... Clear Channel Entertainment is bidding to bring the digital age to the traditional music festival market with the launch of a two-day "multimedia experience" during the last weekend in May. The US giant says Download Festival is an attempt...

Howells agrees to meet Bill's critics. (News).
March 1, 2003... Culture minister Kim Howells has offered an olive branch to critics of the Licensing Bill by offering to set up a working group, including musicians, to help provide guidance to licensing authorities. At the same time, the DCMS...

Retail backs new Brits format as TV show lifts acts' profiles. (Brits News).
March 1, 2003... Retailers were expecting Coldplay, Tom Jones and Justin Timberlake to figure among the big Brits sales winners following their performances at this year's event. However, the full Picture of who gained most from last Thursday's show was...

Justin Timberlake's captivating Brits performance provided the "wow" factor on the night and underlined his growing status as an international superstar. (Brits News).
March 1, 2003... Caption: Justin Timberlake's captivating Brits performance provided the "wow" factor on the night and underlined his growing status as an international superstar. His medley of solo singles Cry Me A River and Like I Love You--which merged into...

Universal and EMI tie for biggest haul of awards. (Brits News).
March 1, 2003... Universal and EMI fought out a 5-5 draw at the, Brits, as the two big guns dominated the Earl's Court event. Universal company Polydor took four gongs on its own, with two wins apiece for Ms Dynamite and Eminem, while EMI supplied the...

Dynamite duet release dismissed by Polydor. (Brits News).
March 1, 2003... Polydor says it has no plans to Issue Ms Dynamite and George Michael's Brits reworking of the latter's Faith, despite it winning huge press attention and plays on Radio One. The track, which reached number two in its original version by...

Guests hit by logistical hiccups in dinner and after-show party. (Brits News).
March 1, 2003... While the staging of the Brits show received general acclaim, criticism centred on the organisation of the main dinner and after-show party. Holders of tickets costing either 600 [pounds sterling] or 1,000 [pounds sterling] per person...

Brits moaners miss the point. (MW comment).
March 1, 2003... Lack of atmosphere, no booze during the show, endless queues for aftershow food, poor value for money or a lack of controversy--there were plenty of gripes on Brits night. But, aside from the fact that Brits-bashing is pretty much a...

Love-Hewitt takes fright. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Jennifer Love Hewitt has become the latest artist to postpone her promotional commitments in Europe because of the threat of war with Iraq. Stuart Watson, head of international at the US singer's label Jive, says, "While it's impossible to...

Bertelsmann faces $17bn suit. (news file).
March 1, 2003... A group of US music publishers, including legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, have filed a lawsuit against Bertelsmann over the German media giant's investment in Napster. In a suit filed in a New York federal district court,...

Music pirates Make Sparks Fly. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Education and the needs of the consumer in the digital age were pinpointed as key issues in an online debate entitled Music Piracy--Victimless Crime or Outright Theft held last week. The event, hosted by intellectual property rights discussion...

Plant in rare TV outing. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Robert Plant is due to make a rare TV appearance on the first in a new series of Re:Covered, which returns to screens in April on the recently-launched BBC Three. The former Led Zeppelin singer is due to record the show this Friday and is set...

Mean Country now on sky. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Mean Fiddler's London-based radio station Mean Country 1035 has been given a national outlet with its debut last week on Sky Digital's radio platform. Alongside its London and south east 1035AM analogue frequency, the station is also on digital...

New faces at Diabolical. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Guerilla and ambient media specialist Diabolical Liberties has appointed former Swinstead Publishing (Sleaze Nation, X-Ray and Jockey Slut) special projects manager Addi Merrill as communications manager. Felicity Young is also joining the...

Primal Scream going home. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Sony's Primal Scream are set to return to their home turf to play a gig to 500 fans at Glasgow's Garage as part of the Carling Homecoming series on April 11. Fans can win tickets to the gig via the Carlinglive.com website while a documentary,...

Positiva harnesses ad power. (News).
March 1, 2003... Positiva is looking to harness the power of two massive TV advertising campaigns with releases this spring. Make Luv by Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham is due for release on March 24 following its adoption as the sound-bed of a year-long...

Entertainment income sends Asda skywards. (News).
March 1, 2003... Strong entertainment sales for Asda helped parent company Wal-Mart's fourth quarter net income soar by 16% to $2.53bn (1.58bn [pounds sterling]). The US retail giant, which is a leading contender to take over Safeway, last Tuesday revealed...

Virgin's done deal signals ambitious expansion plans. (News).
March 1, 2003... Virgin Entertainment Group has confirmed that it has sealed the deal to take over one of London's prime retail sites with the acquisition of Tower's Piccadilly store. The deal--also taking in Tower's only other surviving British store in...

Things go better with huge Coke credit collection promo. (News).
March 1, 2003... Some of the UK's most popular acts are about to receive massive exposure from Coca-Cola, which is linking with a host of record labels, including Island and Telstar, to create the drinks company's biggest music promotion from next month. ...

Former Sneaker Pimps vocalist Kelli Ali is gearing up for her highest profile release to date, which is already receiving wide mainstream exposure thanks to its use in the new Levi's Type 1 Jeans TV ad campaign. (News).
March 1, 2003... Caption: Former Sneaker Pimps vocalist Kelli Ali is gearing up for her highest profile release to date, which is already receiving wide mainstream exposure thanks to its use in the new Levi's Type 1 Jeans TV ad campaign (pictured). Ali is the...

Edel aims to buck dance downturn with free2air. (Talent).
March 1, 2003... Edel UK is locking to buck the general decline in the fortunes of dance labels with a new venture which is set to launch with a remix of an old Housemartins track. The company has backed a new joint venture business, free2air, being...

2M nets Simple Kid as priority for 2003. (Talent).
March 1, 2003... Independent label 2M Recordings has beaten off competition from a number of major labels to sign up-and-coming artist Simple Kid to a long-term deal. The deal is a coup for the fledgling label following recent uncertainty over its future,...

The growing power of "earshot" promotion is highlighted with the campaign for Moloko's forthcoming album Statues, which is due for release through Echo on March 3. (Talent).
March 1, 2003... Caption: The growing power of "earshot" promotion is highlighted with the campaign for Moloko's (pictured) forthcoming album Statues, which is due for release through Echo on March 3. In addition to traditional radio, TV, press and internet...

Label focus. (Talent).
March 1, 2003... If you haven't already heard of west London's Xosa Music, chances are you will have, or will soon be hearing about one of their artists. One of the company's vocalists, Terri Walker, is currently the subject of much word-of-mouth in urban...

Irish bands set for SXSW boost. (news file).
March 1, 2003... The Irish Music Rights Organisation has organised a showcase at SXSW on March 14 to boost the US profile of a number of Irish acts. The event at Austin's Hard Rock Cafe will feature Mundy, Relish, Woodstar and Roesy. The Irish showcase will be...

Taste Media signs Shed Seven. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Veteran indie rockers Shed Seven are poised for another comeback having signed a new deal with Taste Media, home to Muse, Serafin and Vega 4. The band will return in May with a new single titled Why Can't I Be You, which has been produced by...

Wall of Sound turns 10. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Independent label Wall of Sound is planning a host of activities to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. A compilation of classic tracks and remixes is currently being compiled and will be supported by live events in 10 UK cities. The...

Stylophonic online remix. (news file).
March 1, 2003... EMI dance imprint Prolifica is launching an online remix initiative for its Italian act Stylophonic. Parts of the band's track It's Old School With The New School are available for download from MP3.com Europe, while finished remixes should be...

This week's BPI awards. (news file).
March 1, 2003... Albums: Red Hot Chili Peppers By The Way (4 x platinum) Oasis Heathen Chemistry (3 x platinum) Norah Jones Come Away With Me (3 x platinum) Justin Timberlake Justified (2 x platinum) Queen Queen Platinum Collection (3 x platinum) Busted Busted...

50 cent lifted by February factor. (US chartfile).
March 1, 2003... Valentine's Day gift buying and the President's Day weekend brought American record buyers out in droves last week, with sales of the Top 200 albums improving by 29.6% week-on-week to a shade under 6m. In the Top 20, the only album to suffer a...

Euro consumers back bid to reduce VAT and boost sales. (International).
March 1, 2003... A significant number of consumers across Europe say they would buy more CDs if prices were slashed through reduced VAT rates. Nearly 60% of those aged 16 or over quizzed in an IFPI-commissioned poll said they would be willing to increase...

Skydog is making tracks for London. (International).
March 1, 2003... Skydog Records, the legendary French indie behind classic albums such as Iggy Pop's Metallic KO, is moving its headquarters to London. Skydog is retaining a presence in Paris and its other office in Madrid, but new UK label manager Frenchy...

Streets' big US push backed by flagship TV. (International).
March 1, 2003... Locked On/679 Recordings' The Streets have secured key promotional spots on US TV in March on the back of an eight-date tour. The Streets are scheduled to perform Let's Push Things Forward on NBC's flagship Jay Leno show on March 12 and...

MTV unveils plans for new European formats. (International).
March 1, 2003... MTV Networks Europe is bidding to create its own versions of popular US series such as The Osbournes, Jackass and Becoming... with the launch of a new development unit dedicated to creating original music-related programming across Europe. ...

DB Records/BMG's Tom McCrae's Just Like Blood album has made its first significant inroads into international sales charts, with a Top 10 entry in Norway and Top 40 spots in France and Belgium. (International).
March 1, 2003... Caption: DB Records/BMG's Tom McCrae's (pictured) Just Like Blood album has made its first significant inroads into international sales charts, with a Top 10 entry in Norway and Top 40 spots in France and Belgium. The album, which was released...

TOTP brand scores Mid-Eastern success. (International).
March 1, 2003... Top Of The Pops has secured its first localised version outside Europe and first broadcast slot in the Middle East following a deal between pan-Arab broadcasting group MBC and BBC Worldwide. The Arabic version of the chart show formed part...

All the charts: exposure.
March 1, 2003... [CD UK] Performances: Spirit In The Sky Gareth Gates; Being Nobody Richard X Vs Liberty X; Supernaturally Appleton; Scandalous Mis-Teeq; Provider NERD; Here It Comes Again Melanie C; All The Things She Said T.A.T.U. Final line-up 22/2/2003 ...

The official UK airplay charts top 50.
March 1, 2003... AIRPLAY COMMENTARY In a rare three-way tussle for the number one position on the airplay chart, Christina Aguilera's power ballad Beautiful prevails, dashing 4-1 with an audience of 89.79m pipping the 88.89m attracted by T.A.T.U's All The...

The official UK singles chart top 75.
March 1, 2003... SINGLES COMMENTARY It has been a strange week for the singles chart, with a paucity of hot new releases, school half term and clearance sales all combining to produce a Top 75 which makes rather less sense than usual. T.A.T.U. are to be...

The official UK albums chart top 75.
March 1, 2003... ALBUMS COMMENTARY A week after the Valentine's Day effect gave the albums chart a welcome 16% boost, the Brit Awards helped cushion the return to normality with sales declining by 12%. That is better than last year, when the two events...

The official UK charts: specialist.
March 1, 2003... CLASSICAL ARTISTS Label This Last Title Artist (Distributor) 1 1 SENTIMENTO Andrea Bocelli Philips 4734102...

Dub Vendor. (Store Of The Week).
March 1, 2003... "After the reggae boom of the late Seventies and early Eighties had died down, we looked to start broadening our base and range. Although the reggae seven-inch single is still, and always will be, our foundation we had to reflect the wider...

In-store next week: from 3/3/03. (Frontline).
March 1, 2003... Andys RECORDS Windows--Massive Attack, 8 Legged Freaks; In-store--Mel C, Turin Brakes, Roxette, Ed Harcourt, Massive Attack, Art Garfunkel, Ben Harper, Oliver Lapage-Dean, Rodrigo, Idlewild, Kelly Rowland, 3rd Edge, Roberto Alagna, Hell Is...

Sales watch: massive attack. (Frontline).
March 1, 2003... MASSIVE ATTACK: 100TH WINDOW (VIRGIN) LW Chart position: 1 Pie charts show sales by Retailer type and Geographical region respectively, for sales Week to the end of February 15, 2003. RETAILER Specialists 40.6% Indies ...

New release countdown. (Frontline).
March 1, 2003... ALBUMS This week Appleton Everything's Eventual (Polydor); Clipse Lord Willin' (StarTrak/Arista); Matchbox Twenty More Than You Think You Are (Atlantic); Tosca Delhi 9 (!K7) March 3 Bent Everlasting Blink (Sport); Tracy...

Mann releases Elgar hymns. (Classical news).
March 1, 2003... Abbey Road Studios might appear to provide the only common link between Sir Edward Elgar (pictured) and Manfred Mann, as the venue for legendary recordings made by both musicians. The connection runs deeper thanks to the rocker's investment in...

BBC Worldwide links with Opus Arte. (Classical news).
March 1, 2003... A 10m [pounds sterling] deal between BBC Worldwide and the Anglo-Dutch independent multimedia company Opus Arte is expected to unlock the corporation's rich archive of classical music, opera and ballet for DVD video exploitation. The nine-year...

Classic FM TV helps drive sales. (Classical news).
March 1, 2003... Figures released by Sony Classical suggest that Classic FM TV, the world's first 24/7 classical music video channel, could provide a significant marketing tool and help boost record sales. Video exposure for a track from Bobby McFerrin's album,...

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5. Aimard; COE/Harnoncourt (Teldec 0927 47334-2 (3CD)).
March 1, 2003... Wit, perception and daring are among a string of qualities that help answer inevitable questions about the need for yet another recorded set of Beethoven's piano concertos. The ingredients necessary for fine music-making are, in the case of...

Goldenthal: Frida--Music for the Motion Picture. Various (Deutsche Grammophon 474 150-2).
March 1, 2003... Composer Elliot Goldenthal scooped a Golden Globe for his OST for Frida, Julie Taymor's compelling film interpretation of the life and loves of Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo. The blend of Goldenthal's original music with traditional...

Per Monsieur Pisendel: Six sonatas by Albinoni, Pisendel, Vivaldi. La Serenissima; Chandler (Avie AV0018).
March 1, 2003... German violinist Johann Georg Pisendel (1687-1755) was among four chamber musicians in service to the Saxon court in Dresden who travelled to Venice in 1716. The virtuosity of Pisendel's playing greatly impressed his Venetian colleagues,...

Rorem: The End of Summer; Book of Hours; Bright Music. Fibonacci Sequence (Naxos 8.559128).
March 1, 2003... The strengths of the Naxos selling proposition could scarcely be better defined than by this new budget release of chamber works by Ned Rorem. Outstanding musicianship from the Fibonacci Sequence, the chamber ensemble resident at the University...

Sugababes: Shape (Universal Island Island CID817).
March 1, 2003... By the fourth release from an album, most bands start to scrape the barrel for possible single material. But this is another killer cut from the `Babes, who have borrowed the melody from Sting's Shape Of My Heart. Not only should this Radio One...

Missy Elliot: Gossip Folks (East West E73BOCD).
March 1, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] After the Top 10 hit Work It, Miss E and Timbaland roll out another old-skool-flavoured cut from her album Under Construction. Off-kilter beats and a guest spot from rapper Ludacris join a feisty put-down to all Missy's...

Jennifer Lopez: All I Have (Epic 67367854).
March 1, 2003... Featuring LL Cool J, who seems to be enjoying a renaissance, this Radio One C-listed track is prettty much standard J-Lo fare and misses the deft urban touch that she enjoyed during her P Diddy phase. The vocal lacks her usual strong touch and...

DJ Format: We Know Something You Don't Know (Genuine GEN004CD).
March 1, 2003... The Brighton cratedigger has employed Jurassic 5 rappers Chali 2na & Akil for this third single, a rumbustious slab of good-time hip hop. Format's music has been causing minor ripples and this single could well light the touch paper for his...

Pepe Deluxe: Salami Fever (Catskills RID025).
March 1, 2003... Pepe Deluxe finally follows his Levi's-endorsed single Before You Leave with this hectic wah-wah-led delight. Displaying a healthy disregard for dancefloor diplomacy, this meaty treat heralds a welcome return for the breakbeat buff.

Gareth Gates: Spirit in the Sky (S COMIC01).
March 1, 2003... This lame cover version--recorded for Comic Relief--pushes the concept of the "comedy" record to breaking point. Gareth Gates and the Kumars have removed any charm Norman Greenbaum's original song might have possessed. That is not to say,...

Ladytron: Blue Jeans (Invicta Hi-Fi/Telstar CDSTAS3311).
March 1, 2003... This is excellent, brooding electro*pop from Ladytron, a band whose aloof, icy persona mirrors the studied nonchalance of their songs. An avalanche of praise for their recent Light & Magic album and a well-received showcase at Midem should...

50 Cent: In Da Club (Interscope/Polydor 4978742).
March 1, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] Signed jointly to Dr Dre's Aftermath label and Eminem's Shady Records, this hardcore Queens rapper looks set to follow his mentors into the mainstream. Produced by Dre, this crunching cut follows his club hit Wanksta...

Dirty Vegas: Simple Things (Credence CREDCD032).
March 1, 2003... The progressive duo show their knack for writing a good pop tune on this acoustic guitar-driven strummer, whch is underpinned by a techno-tinged bassline. The band's current success in the US should be boosted by supermodel Helena Christensen's...

Alison Moyet: More (Sanctuary SANX174).
March 1, 2003... The irrepressible Moyet has capped a successful renaissance with a nomination for best British female at the Brits, 18 years after she first won the award. The exposure should see More, taken from her recent gold status album Hometime, nudge...

Ok Go: Get Over It (Capitol OKGO001).
March 1, 2003... This debut single from the Chicago four-piece with its tough guitar hook and punchy vocals has been B-listed at Radio One. A self-titled debut album follows at the end of March, after the band conclude their a short UK tour. Recent interest in...

Medium 21: Killings from the Dial (Temptation TEMPTCD002).
March 1, 2003... Following several EP releases that have earned praise from contemporaries such as Cooper Temple Clause and seen them categorised alongside the Mercury Revs, Flaming Lips and Lemonheads of this world, UK four-piece Medium 21 deliver a sparkling...

Bent: the Everlasting Blink (Sport/Ministry of Sound SPORTCD02).
March 1, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] Simon Mills and Nail Tolliday follow 2000's excellent Programmed To Love with another enchanting album of downtempo grooves. With warmth and energy to spare, plus a more cohesive feel, it features guests including David Essex...

DJ Sammy: Heaven (Data DATACD01).
March 1, 2003... Majorca's DJ Sammy takes up the Eurotrance baton from Sash on this debut album. Boasting a shimmering digital sound topped by vocals from Loona, it sticks closely to the template of chart-topping hit Heaven. While Bryan Adams and Don Henley...

The Thrills: One Home Town (Virgin VSCDT 1845).
March 1, 2003... [RECOMMENDED] This should be playlisted at all self-respecting radio stations across the country. With the seeming rise in guitar bands once again being heralded, this thrilling slice of sunny California by way of Ireland will bring spring...

Melanie C: Reason (Virgin CDV2969).
March 1, 2003... This, the follow-up to the million-selling Northern Star, sees Melanie C move even further away from the Spice Girls. It is full of choice, well-performed songs; Chisholm is in fine fettle and displays a new soulful confident voice, perfect for...

Ibrahim Ferrer: Buenos Hermanos (World Circuit WCD 065).
March 1, 2003... This, the second album from one of the brightest stars to come from the Buena Vista Social Club, is a work of stylish poise and talent. Ferrer's first solo outing has sold in excess of 1.5m copies worldwide and his popularity does not look like...

Everclear: Slow Motion Daydream (Capitol 538 2702).
March 1, 2003... This is a more politically-aware album than usual from Everclear, whose mainman, Alexakis, deals in intelligent, well-crafted songs. Tracks such as Volvo Driving Soccer Mum and TV Show are up to his usual quality but there is a nagging feeling...