Music Week articles from September 2007

Music Week archives from September 2007

Elvis records public domain first.
September 1, 2007... More than 50 years after it was first recorded, Elvis Presley's My Baby Left Me - which lost its copyright protection in January - has entered the Top 40 as a public domain track, reigniting the term extension debate The debate over...

The Playlist: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Haunts Low Slung City Skyline (Another Label) One of the best new voices in rock. Haunts pen mesmerising, angular rock that stands out. (single, September 17) Yoav Beautiful Lie (Field/Island) With his haunting guitar-led...

In The Studio: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Chuck Norman is producing new material from Shirley Bassey at Bob Kraushaar's Studio in Acton, London. Tim Simenon is currently at work in his home studio on a new Bomb The Bass album; his first since Tracks in 2001. A&M artist Nick...

Singles revival pins hopes on new rules.
September 1, 2007... New chart rules aim to give physical singles sales a shot in the arm Retail The physical single is to be given new support in its battle with digital downloads, though a series of new chart rules aimed at encouraging creativity and...

Agent joins Live & Direct line-up.
September 1, 2007... Music Week's live conference partnership with the Vodafone Live Music Awards has signed up leading booking agent Ed Bicknell as a guest moderator. Live & Direct, organised by Music Week Events in partnership with the Vodafone Live Music...

Ups and downs: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... In The City conference will go ahead as planned, despite the recent death of co-founder Tony Wilson New chart rules, which will include USB sticks, to help physical singles market Commercial Radio revenues are up 3.4% year on year,...

Nokia launches online store, as US rivals take on Apple.
September 1, 2007... As Nokia launches a global download store, a new handset and a retail shop on London's Regents Street, rivals keep one eye on the mobile operator's launch, and the other on a raft of US-based online activity Digital Nokia is set to...

Vodafone Live Music Awards 2007.
September 1, 2007... Live Act: Arctic Monkeys; Kaiser Chiefs; Kasabian; Muse. Live Male: James Morrison; Mark Ronson; Mika; Jamie T. Live Female: Amy Winehouse; Lily Allen; Kate Nash; Kt Tunstall.. Live Impact 2007: Arcade Fire; Gossip; Prince; Uk...

IN BRIEF: Madonna in talks with Warner and Live Nation.
September 1, 2007... Madonna's US publicist has confirmed that the singer is "in talks with Warner Brothers as well as with Live Nation" about the singer's future recording contract. Longtime Madonna publicist Liz Rosenberg told Rolling Stone, "Madonna has a new CD...

IN BRIEF: Amy Winehouse award nomiations.
September 1, 2007... Amy Winehouse scooped four Mobo award nominations; for best UK female, best song, best video and best R&B. Meanwhile, the event faced criticism from Echoes magazine for continuing not to have a soul awards. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Ticketmaster unlikely to extend deal.
September 1, 2007... Ticketmaster is unlikely to extend its deal with Live Nation beyond next year. According to reports, the largest US ticket seller has been unable to negotiate a new long-term deal with the concert promoter, whose contract expires at the end of...

IN BRIEF: BBC spending on radio at highest for five years.
September 1, 2007... The BBC's spending on radio is at its highest for five years, according to a report from Ofcom. The annual Communications Market Report 2007 estimates that the BBC spent #637m in 2006, compared to the commercial radio sector, whose spending...

IN BRIEF: Marquee Club to reopen.
September 1, 2007... London's famous Marquee Club is to reopen as a live venue at a new site next month. The owner says the club at 14 Upper Saint Martin's Lane, which will open on September 3, will include a replica of the stage from the club's previous life in...

IN BRIEF: GCap in syndicate deal for new entertainment show.
September 1, 2007... GCap Media has signed a radio deal with E! Entertainment Television and American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest to host a new entertainment show on The One Network. Syndicated across the UK to an audience of more than 7m listeners, The...

IN BRIEF: Baltic Optical Disc ordered to pay fines.
September 1, 2007... Baltic Optical Disc, the largest CD replicating plant in the Baltic states, has been ordered to pay E500,000 (#338,500) in fines after being found guilty of music piracy. A Lithuanian court ruled the plant was guilty after a civil action was...

IN BRIEF: Fopp failed to secure a London store.
September 1, 2007... HMV's Fopp has failed to secure a London store for the chain despite five of the original shops - in Edinburgh, Nottingham, Glasgow and Cambridge - reopening by the end of the week. It was unable to persuade the landlord of Fopp's former branch...

IN BRIEF: GCap urges government to support DAB radio.
September 1, 2007... GCap Media chief executive Ralph Bernard has urged the Government, in an open letter, to support DAB digital radio by setting out a clear plan for the switchover from analogue. Bernard said that his and many other companies had invested...

IN BRIEF: Universal Music Group reaches deal.
September 1, 2007... Universal Music Group has reached a deal with The Eagles to internationally distribute and market the release of the group's first full studio album in 28 years, Long Road Out Of Eden, which will be released in the UK on October 29. ...

IN BRIEF: 7digital to offer Stones DRM-free.
September 1, 2007... 7digital has become the first digital retailer to offer The Rolling Stones' catalogue DRM-free. The move coincides with The Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang European Tour. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Virgin selling Stateside stores to Related after improved performance.
September 1, 2007... Virgin North America's Megastore chain poised to capitalise on a successful turnaround for the brand by selling stores to Related Companies Retail Virgin Megastores' North American chain is poised to begin a new phase of expansion on...

Mobo nominations: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Best UK female: Amy Winehouse, Beverley Knight, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia, Joss Stone Best UK male: Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Lethal Bizzle, Sway, Wiley Best international act: Akon, P Diddy, Kanye West, Rihanna, T.I. Best hip hop: 50...

Kerrang! Awards winners: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Best live band: Enter Shikari Kerrang! Spirit of independence award: Enter Shikari Best British newcomer: Gallows Best international newcomer: Madina Lake Best single: 30 Seconds to Mars' The Kill Best album: Machine Head's The...

Major definition changes on the way for labels.
September 1, 2007... Live Nation's potential record deal with Madonna is a major break from the record company norm How the definitions are changing. Ten years ago, the options for an established artist looking to sign a record deal were limited. There were...

Changing nature of business.
September 1, 2007... The arrival of a public domain Elvis Presley single in the singles chart is another indication of the changing nature of the business. On one hand, it is a smart move by an independent company, who are capitalising on the raised profile of...

NME pushes on with cover disc.
September 1, 2007... Following the success of NME's White Stripes freebie, the rock mag persuades Parlophone to agree to Babyshambles seven-inch giveaway Media Don't tell Prince, but NME may have hit upon a covermount blueprint that works for labels,...

IN BRIEF: Jimmy Page earns living legend accolade.
September 1, 2007... Jimmy Page will be named living legend at Classic Rock magazine's Roll Of Honour, the title's third annual awards show which takes place on November 5. Keith Richard's legendary claim that he snorted his dad's ashes has been nominated for event...

IN BRIEF: Wal-Mart launches DRM-free download store.
September 1, 2007... Wal-Mart has launched a DRM-free download store on its US website, selling MP3s from Universal and EMI. The world's biggest retailer says its music catalogue will include tracks from Universal and EMI sold at 94 cents per track (47p) and $9.22...

IN BRIEF: Commercial radio more optimistic.
September 1, 2007... Commercial radio is feeling more optimistic about the future following an increase in revenue on the back of the recent good showing in the Rajars. RadioCentre, the industry body for UK commercial radio, has revealed that national revenue...

IN BRIEF: Virgin Radio flotation on track.
September 1, 2007... Virgin Radio non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford has reassured investors that the planned flotation of the station is on track, despite the turbulent financial market. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: ChoicesUK to call in administrators.
September 1, 2007... Music and DVD rental and sale company ChoicesUK, which has approximately 170 across the UK, is to call in the administrators and suspend shares from trading, after attempts to refinance or sell the group failed. Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: Applications for second New Music Award has opened.
September 1, 2007... Applications for the second New Music Award have opened, with the PRS Foundation For New Music contributing #50,000 to inspire and stimulate the creation of an imaginative and original piece of new British music. The New Music Award 2008 is...

IN BRIEF: Smooth Radio show.
September 1, 2007... GMG has announced that from September 3 Mark Goodier's Smooth Radio show will be broadcast on Smooth Radio's London, East Midlands, West Midlands and Glasgow stations. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Vodafone Live Music Awards 2007.
September 1, 2007... James Morrison, Mark Ronson, Mika and Jamie T will battle it out after being nominated for live male in the Vodafone Live Music Awards 2007. Amy Winehouse has picked up a nomination, joining Lily Allen, Kate Nash and KT Tunstall in the female...

The Big Question: Peter Doherty's latest arrest.
September 1, 2007... In the light of Pete Doherty's latest arrest for suspected drug possession, can Parlophone turn his media profile into commercial success for the second Babyshambles? Conor McNicholas, NME editor "The only thing holding Pete back...

Memorial for Wilson.
September 1, 2007... Manchester City Council considers memorial to Tony Wilson Manchester City Council is considering how it will commemorate Tony Wilson's life and achievements in his home city, following talks with his family. With In The City confirming...

Raye of sunshine.
September 1, 2007... Given his client's larger-than-life persona, it is a surprise to find that Amy Winehouse's manager Raye Cosbert is so unassuming. But behind the modesty is a man who has been the mainstay of Amy's success He is one of the main driving...

Taming the wild ones.
September 1, 2007... When an artist's creativity and sales success occasionally gives way to illness, breakdown or other problems, record labels and management companies must pick up the pieces - but how should they deal with the fallout without repercussions? ...

Aiming for America.
September 1, 2007... Propelled by a powerful promotions team and transatlantic whispers of her talent, Amy Winehouse's mission to conquer America was turning into a fairytale story - but one that is now on hold as her North American tour is postponed It was...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: This Week.
September 1, 2007... Albums Tunng Good Arrows (Full Time Hobby) The Polyphonic Spree The Fragile Army (Gut) In April, the Spree released an eight-minute mash-up preview download of their third album which, after a three-year break for the Texas 20,...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Single Of The Week.
September 1, 2007... James Blunt: 1973 (Atlantic) Already in the Top 10 of the UK airplay chart after being playlisted at Radio One, Radio Two and Galaxy, the lead single from James Blunt's second album - Warner UK's biggest release of the year - is off to a...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Album Of The Week.
September 1, 2007... Super Furry Animals: Hey Venus (Rough Trade) This is the Welsh quintet's eighth studio offering and the first for Beggars imprint Rough Trade. Largely a dreamy, laid-back affair, and awash with beautiful harmonies, stand-out...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Future release - Tunng.
September 1, 2007... Tunng will enjoy their most extensive global release to date with the arrival of their third studio album Good Arrows today (Monday). British indie label Full Time Hobby has secured a network of licences for the album around the world and...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Radio playlists.
September 1, 2007... Radio 1 A list: Athlete Hurricane; Axwell I Found You; Booty Luv Don't Mess With My Man; David Guetta Feat. Chris Willis Love Is Gone; Editors An End Has A Start; Freaks The Creeps...; Gym Class Heroes Clothes Off!!!; Hard-Fi Suburban...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Catalogue reviews.
September 1, 2007... Paul Young: The Secret Of Association (Edsel EDSD 2006) It didn't quite match the sales of its illustrious predecessor, No Parlez, but Paul Young's second album was still a significant success, topping the charts in 1985 and spawning four...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Future release - Bob Dylan.
September 1, 2007... Bob Dylan will be the focus of an innovative partnership between Sony BMG and National Poetry Day (NPD) in which the major will target secondary schools with an online education resource based around his work. The initiative will follow...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: The Specialists.
September 1, 2007... Dan Martin (NME) Nine Black Alps: Bitter End (Island) Their first album was angry noise, but this is something else. Sam Forrest sounds like he's had a sunshine enema on this Dave Sardy- produced future single, which brings to mind the...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: The Panel.
September 1, 2007... Rav Singh (News Of The World) Jamie Scott & The Town: Park Bench Theories (Polydor) After signing to Polydor, Jamie Scott looks set for the mainstream. I'm predicting big things for this album, which is due out on September 3. I'm a...

DATAFILE - 01.09.07: Future release - DanceX.
September 1, 2007... Gut Records is today (Monday) digitally rush-releasing the DanceX single, two days after the winning team triumphed live on BBC1's prmetime reality show. Two teams of five singers and dancers were battling it out last Saturday to win the...

Instore Next Week: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Asda Albums: Athlete, Hard-Fi, Pink Floyd, The Proclaimers, Plain White T's, Jamie Scott And The Town Borders Albums: Ben Harper, Ringo Starr, Sharon Shannon, SFA CWNN Albums: Gypsy Beats & Balkan Bangers 2, Bedouin...

Datafile - Exposure: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Amy Winehouse's first number one radio airplay hit, Tears Dry On Their Own, spends its fourth week at the airplay chart's summit, overcoming a modest decline in support to record a 7.5% victory margin over new runners-up Plain White T's debut...

DATA FILE - SALES - 01.09.07: Number One Single.
September 1, 2007... Kanye West (Def Jam) It is another good week for Kanye West, who remains at number one with Stronger, although its sales dip a little to 32,915. West performed the song when he guest-hosted The Friday Night Project on August 17, when...

Datafile - Sales: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Although no individual music title managed to sell more than 30,000 copies, combined album sales last week improved marginally for the second time in a row, edging up 1.9% to 1,998,253. In the absence of any major new releases, the top five...

DATA FILE - SALES - 01.09.07: Number One Album.
September 1, 2007... Newton Faulkner (Brightside) After three weeks at number three, Newton Faulkner's debut album, Hand Built By Robots, climbs to number one. The 22-year-old from Surrey has made a very impressive start to his album career, building on...

Chart leader Kanye shares chart with shortest track to date.
September 1, 2007... It wasn't the best-selling CD, download or vinyl release last week, but Kanye West's Stronger remains top of the singles chart for a second week. Its combined sales tally of 32,915 comprising 25,343 downloads, 7,179 CD sales and 393 12-inch...

DATA FILE - SINGLES - 01.09.07: Sean Kingston.
September 1, 2007... Number one in the US for the fourth week in a row, Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls provides the 17-year-old with a number two debut in the UK on download sales of 27,685. The track, based around the tune to Stand By Me, has sold 773,886...

DATA FILE - SINGLES - 01.09.07: Hard-Fi.
September 1, 2007... The release of two vinyl variants and a CD help Hard-Fi's Suburban Knights to jump 12-7 on sales of 14,842 and become the group's highest charting single. The first track from their second album, Once Upon A Time In The West (released September...

DATA FILE-SINGLES - 01.09.07: 50 Cent Feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland.
September 1, 2007... Featuring contributions from Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Ayo Technology is the first single from 50 Cent's third album and debuted at number 22 in the US and number 23 in the UK last week. It only improves to number 18 in the US, but...

DATA FILE - SINGLES - 01.09.07: Elvis Presley.
September 1, 2007... The second in the new series of RCA re-releases of Elvis Presley hits, Blue Suede Shoes debuts at number 13 this week on sales of 9,247, 51 years after the song - Presley's second hit - peaked at number nine. It is joined in the chart by My...

DATA FILE - ALBUMS - 01.09.07: Richard Hawley.
September 1, 2007... A week after making his Top 40 singles chart debut at the 11th attempt with Tonight The Streets Are Ours, Richard Hawley breaks new ground on the albums chart, debuting at number six with his fifth album, Lady's Bridge. The album - named after...

DATA FILE - ALBUMS - 01.09.07: Daughtry.
September 1, 2007... Some 23 artists introduced to American TV audiences by American Idol have made the US album chart since the reality show's 2002 debut, but only first-season winner Kelly Clarkson has charted in the UK - until now. Doubling the tally, Chris...

Newton Falukner replaces Elvis at one, as Amy re-enters top three.
September 1, 2007... All change again at the top of the artist album chart, where Elvis Presley's reign with The One is cut short after one week. The album's sales dip 40% to 27,005 as it cedes pole position to Newton Faulkner's Hand Built By Robots. ...

BPI Awards: 01.09.07.
September 1, 2007... Singles Rihanna Feat Jay-Z Umbrella (silver); Mika Grace Kelly (silver) Albums Gym Class Heroes As Cruel As School Children (silver); Richard Hawley Lady's Bridge (silver); Maroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Long (gold); The Twang I...

DATA FILE - ALBUMS - 01.09.07: Darren Hayes.
September 1, 2007... On The Verge Of Something Wonderful gave Darren Hayes his seventh consecutive Top 20 hit since Savage Garden split, but has plunged 20-73- 193 in the last fortnight. That is not the best preparation for the release of his third solo album, This...

DATA FILE - ALBUMS - 01.09.07: Kaiser Chiefs.
September 1, 2007... Ruby, the first single from the Kaiser Chiefs' current album Yours Truly Angry Mob, topped the chart in February, but follow-up Everything Is Average Nowadays stuttered to number 19, and The Angry Mob arrives at number 22 on sales of 6,172 - a...

EMI's future in Terra's Hands.
September 8, 2007... Interested parties at EMI, Warner Music and in the City await Guy Hands' revelation about his vision for the music company's future as two Terra Firma directors are appointed to EMI board Terra Firma CEO Guy Hands will set out his...

The Playlist - 08.09.07.
September 8, 2007... Kate Nash Mouthwash (Fiction) The video for Nash's second single is a radiant, Kinga Burza-directed delight. Should give her debut album a boost. (single, September 17) KT Tunstall Saving My Face (Relentless) This...

In The Studio: 08.09.07.
September 8, 2007... * Grand Union management artists John Power, The Enemy and The Boyfriends are playing a game of musical chairs in London's 2kz Studios, grabbing time between live dates. * Australian outfit Van She are recording with Jim Abiss, while label...

Nicoli falls on his sword as he pays price for EMI performance.
September 8, 2007... Swift departures "a shock" for EMI staff as CEO Eric Nicoli and CFO Martin Stewart step down in advance of Terra Firma ownership EMI Group CEO Eric Nicoli finally paid the price for nine months of bad news, bad results and - some argue -...

EMI's publishing arm ups sticks to Group HQ.
September 8, 2007... EMI Music Publishing is exiting its London home in Charing Cross Road after two decades next month, to move to the second floor of EMI Group's Wrights Lane offices. A total of 111 employees - including 49 European staff - will be affected...

EMI: DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
September 8, 2007... Eric Nicoli The physics graduate had a distinguished career at United Biscuits, which he joined in 1980 and progressed through the marketing ranks to become chief executive in 1991. He joined EMI as a non-executive director in July 1993...

Live & Direct to herald live study.
September 8, 2007... Leading market research bureau Mintel is to unveil details from its brand new study of the UK live business, as part of this month's Live & Direct conference. The conference, organised by Music Week Events in partnership with the Vodafone Live...

Ups and downs: 08.09.07.
September 8, 2007... UPS My Bloody Valentine fans: hints suggest that the much-loved guitar manglers may reform for Coachella 2008. An iTunes-compatible Creative Zen. Yay! A mud-free Reading - a welcome relief from the foul weather. Songwriters:...

Music world wonders what Hands plans for EMI.
September 8, 2007... Despite all the talk about "vision", innovation and growing the business organically, analysts continue to wonder what Terra Firma chief executive Guy Hands knows - or thinks he knows - which is different from them and every other music...

Harnessing UK creativity.
September 8, 2007... Trade and Investment Minister Lord Digby Jones last month launched the new Creative Industries Marketing Strategy. Here he talks about the project Quickfire You clearly believe the Creative Industries are an important contributor to...

Nokia eyes DRM-free after launching download store.
September 8, 2007... Mobile giants keen to kick-start the faltering over-the-air download market with a la carte and subscription services Nokia has emphasised that it is keen to switch its freshly-launched music download store to selling DRM-free content as...

A cuppa with Mr Scruff.
September 8, 2007... Veteran DJ trades his record bags for teabags in unique retail tie-up Composers to gain from YouTube streaming A cuppa with immaculate music industry credentials will hit the shops today, as Mr Scruff's Make Us A Brew range of teabags...

Composers to gain from YouTube streaming.
September 8, 2007... Crib Sheet The MCPS-PRS Alliance last week agreed a landmark deal to license more than 10m pieces of music to YouTube, allowing writers to get paid performance fees when users stream video clips containing their tracks. Those internet...

Putting the brakes on the iTunes juggernaut.
September 8, 2007... New download stores can only be a good thing in creating a level playing field for the digital market This past week feels like it has been a particularly significant one in the development of the digital music market - particularly in...

How history will judge EMI's Eric Nicoli.
September 8, 2007... How history will judge EMI's Eric Nicoli, only time will tell. He will certainly be remembered as the chief executive who attempted to steer EMI into merger at least three times and failed each time, while the company's share price declined by...

IN BRIEF: Music Week editor announces move to OCC.
September 8, 2007... The Official UK Charts Company has announced that Music Week editor Martin Talbot will be joining the company on October 1 to take up the newly-created role of managing director. Paul Williams will become MW acting editor from the same date....

IN BRIEF: Richard Cook has died.(Obituary)
September 8, 2007... Jazz writer, label manager and presenter Richard Cook has died from cancer, aged 50. Cook, who edited Jazz Review and The Wire as well as regularly contributing to The Sunday Times, New Statesman and NME, was head of jazz for PolyGram between...

IN BRIEF: Snoop Dogg to host Music Awards.
September 8, 2007... Snoop Dogg is to host the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, which takes place in Munich's OlympiaHalle on November 1, with Mika and Foo Fighters confirmed to perform. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Emap reveals it has received interest.
September 8, 2007... Emap has revealed it has received further interest for every part of the group following an announcement last month that all its businesses could be demerged or sold. The company added it would give an update when it announced its interim...

IN BRIEF: Aim to take independent companies on Beijing trip.
September 8, 2007... Aim is to take a group of 10 independent music companies on a trade mission to Beijing in September. Taking place from September 8 to 14, the mission coincides with the Beijing Pop Festival, the country's largest annual open-air music festival....