Around the Tubes: 4/20/2018

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack, Sigrid, Shaggy, James Bay, Amanda Brown, Sheppard, I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman, and Catch-22.

- June 8th sees the release of the complementary OST to the new Eric Clapton documentary, Life In 12 Bars. From Showtime Documentary Films and directed by Oscar-winner, Lili Fini Zanuck, the film takes an unflinching and deeply personal look into the life of the legendary 18-time Grammy Award winning guitarist and multi-million selling recording artist. Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars is currently available on Showtime via streaming and on demand. The OST, available as a 2-CD and 4-LP set plus digital formats, comprises 32 tracks spanning Clapton’s long and illustrious career. (The LP version will be released at the later date of July 20th). It includes tracks by The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters and Clapton’s solo work.

- On May 18, Virgin/UMe lets love rule with the release of Lenny Kravitz’s massively successful Greatest Hits for the very first time on vinyl in the United States. Kravitz’s three-times-platinum 15-track Greatest Hits, originally released in 2000, will finally be made available to all retail outlets in a 2LP 180-gram black vinyl configuration. Additionally, a limited-edition exclusive 180-gram version available from uDiscover will feature custom clear mixed with smoky silver and white swirls on LP1, and custom clear mixed with blue and white smoky swirls on LP2.

- UMe is pleased to announce the release of Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack on June 8. The album comes on the heels of the film’s streaming debuts on Hulu and Amazon Prime following last year’s successful theatrical run and the DVD/Blu-ray releases. The soundtrack is the first official career retrospective compilation for the guitar virtuoso, Mick Ronson, known affectionately as “Ronno.” As well as highlights from Ronson’s solo records, the compilation includes material from his key collaborations with David Bowie, Elton John, Ian Hunter, Michael Chapman and Queen. The album also includes a previously unreleased cover version of “This Is For You” by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and a piano tribute to Ronson from Bowie’s piano-man and band alumni Mike Garson (David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins). The soundtrack includes extensive essay & liner notes and will be available on CD and digital and heavy-weight 180-gram black vinyl. There will also be a limited edition red vinyl version available exclusively at uDiscover. Pre-order Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack now on CD/digital or vinyl. Limited edition red vinyl.

- High Five is the third in a collection of brand new material from BBC Sound of 2018 winner and the most exceptional breakout star of the year, Sigrid. The colossal pop song ‘High Five’ is about “the importance of those relations where you both dare to be completely honest with each other, rather than exchanging superficial ‘high fives’” says the 21-year-old pop sensation. The anthemic track follows the beautifully poignant ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ and the unadulterated ‘Raw’, a collection of songs that will culminate in an EP. Last week Sigrid sold-out her Somerset House headline on 11 July within hours, the first to sell out in the Summer Series, which includes Jorja Smith, De La Soul and MGMT. Sigrid begins festival season with a much-anticipated Coachella performance this weekend. Listen to High Five here.

- Iconic Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy is back with the visuals to his new single Why featuring Toronto singer, Massari. Why is available on all streaming platforms via 300 Entertainment and Brooklyn Knights Entertainment. Shaggy has had an incredible year. Currently, he is readying a joint album release with Sting and a performance at Queen Elizabeth’s birthday party.

- Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and BRIT Award-winning multiplatinum singer-songwriter James Bay unveils the official music video for his latest single “Us.” Watch it HERE.

- Amanda Brown has built her career off of taking risks that provoke intense reactions. Her highly anticipated new album, Dirty Water, brims with a distinct confidence, the kind earned by choosing personal truth over people pleasing. The album meditates on the complexity of life’s ups and downs, as told by Brown’s unmistakable vocals -- capable of awe-inspiring power and delicate nuances. Dirty Water is set to release on May 11 and the album’s next single, “No Good,” is now available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, and Spotify.

- Brisbane hitmakers Sheppard drop their brand new single Riding The Wave this week along with news of their second album Watching The Sky which will hit stores globally on June 8. Check out Riding The Wave Here.

- Hulu has ordered 11 episodes of I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman to return on September 6th, 2018. This season of the hit variety series will return just in time for some seriously funny conversation around the midterm elections.

- Hulu announced this week that Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler has joined the cast of Catch-22, from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Kyle Chandler has been cast as Colonel Cathcart in Hulu's six-part limited series Catch-22, from Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Colonel Cathcart is a full Colonel that takes himself very seriously. George Clooney will now play Scheisskopf. Scheisskopf is a training commander at cadet school in California. Ambitious, humorless, inept, angry, sadistic – and above all else, obsessed with parades and winning parade tournaments. At cadet school he makes the men’s lives a living hell. Deep down he’s just an angry idiot, so there’s no real danger he’ll ever be sent overseas. And then: he is sent overseas. As the Head of Operations for the entire Mediterranean Theater. And straight back into Yossarian’s life.

The Voice Season Fourteen Knockout Round Power Rankings

I got a press release this week that season three’s Amanda Brown will be releasing her debut album soon. She was a staple in my Best of the Voice list until the best orginals list since she had not released anything despite her season aring in 2012. It is nice to see she is finally releasing her own music.

I bring this up now because nothing that happening on the current season of the show is worth mentioning. Yeah, I am officially out on this season. I am kind of surprised I made it this far. But before I go, here is my final ranking of this subpar season.

1. Spensha Baker (Team Blake) – Can we just advance her to the finals? I fear America’s dislike of black chicks may hurt her. But if anyone can do it, Blake probably can.

2. Terrence Cunningham (Team Alicia) – He was so subtal on Stars it seemed like he went way too far in the other way this week. And that song is too repetitive for a singing competition.

3. Tish Haynes Keys (Team Kelly) -After all the RnB singers who over did it this round, Tish was actually kind of understated, at least at first.

4. Kelsea Johnson (Team Alicia) – Kind of boring, but let’s be honest, no one really stuck out this round.

5. Kyla Jade (Team Blake) – I have liked Kyla, but that was a bit much.

6. D.R. King (Team Kelly) – Again, a way bit too much.

7. Rayshun LaMarr (Team Adam) – Again, just way too overdone.

8. Gary Edwards (Team Adam Blake) – Kind of boring.

9. Mia Boostrom (Team Adam) – I have been waiting for Mia to sing a song that did not suck and while this song is not bad, it is repetitive.

10. Brynn Cartelli (Team Kelly) – Sure, good for fourteen, but I do not grade on a curve.

11. Sharane Calister (Team Alicia Adam) – Wait, who was she again? Did she just show up this round? I have no idea what songs she did in the first two rounds. Or why Adam used his Steal on her.

12. Jackie Foster (Team Kelly Adam Alicia) –I believe this is the second or third time Evanescence has been on this show and yet no one has done My Immortal which seems like it would be great for a singing competition. As for Jackie, she did nothing to take this away from boring karaoke and anything worthy of a Steal.

13. Johnny Bliss (Team Alicia) – Alive is one of those songs that is alright the first time you hear it but gets annoying with every successive listening. And Johnny did nothing to improve it. Actually he made it worse by screaming at the end.

14. Britton Buchanan (Team Alicia) – That was kind of breathy. And nothing more annoying than someone leaving their instrument during the middle of a song. Nothing says this I just a prop than that.

15. Dylan Hartigan (Team Kelly Blake Kelly) – Did he really try to turn a Ray LaMontange song into a slow jam baby-making song? Weird.

16. Christiana Danielle (Team Alicia) – The most overrated this season, I was right for Alicia to cut her loose.

17. Alexa Cappelli (Team Kelly) – Maybe one of the least memorable singer to ever make the Live Shows. I am not saying Jorge was good or anything, but at least I remember him.

18. Drew Cole (Team Adam) – Drew really needs to be banned from picking the songs he sings. Dude just has horrible taste in music.

19. Pryor Baird (Team Blake) – His weakest performance but lucky for him he was going up againsta lay-up.

20. Kaleb Lee (Team Blake Kelly) – When the Caleb / Justin was announced I thought it was going to a bloodbath with Kelly’s vaunted Block going against someone who did not even deserve a Steal. And though Caleb did not really deserve to advance on its own merit, wow, did Justin bomb.

21. Reid Umstattd (Team Adam) – Montage win… yawn.

22. Jackie Verna (Team Adam) – Well that was boring.

23. Wilkes (Team Blake) – What the flying fork was that? Sad thing is I do not even think he was the first dude to sing this shirty song on the show. Hopefully he is the last.

24. Austin Giorgio (Team Blake) – When the Steal was introduced, Blake made some of the most dumbfounding Steals, but eventually started Stealing some worthy contestants. Now with the introduction of the Save, he is back to making dumbfounded decisions again.

But who cares what I think, here is how they ranked by their highest iTunes ranking.

1. Brynn Cartelli (58)
2. Kyla Jade (81)
3. Caleb Lee (94)
4. Reid Umstattd (107)
5. Kelsea Johnson (129)
6. Spensha Baker (135)
7. Johnny Bliss (181)
8. Britton Buchanan (180)
9. Christiana Danielle (197)
10. Wilkes (205)
11. Rayshun LaMarr (250)
12. Dylan Hartigan (272)
13. Terrence Cunningham (280)
14. Mia Boostrom (280)
15. Pryor Baird (281)
16. Tish Haynes Keys (318)
17. Jackie Foster (321)
18. Drew Cole (323)
19. Sharane Calister (333)
20. Austin Giorgio (338)
21. Jackie Verna (406)
22. Alexa Cappelli (422)
23. Gary Edwards (492)
24. Livia Faith and Terrence Cunningham (513)
25. Brynn Cartelli – Beneath Your Beautiful (866)
26. Britton Buchanan and Jaclyn Lovey (836)
27. Brynn Cartelli and Dylan Hartigan (933)
28. D.R. King and Jackie Foster (1227)
29. Terrence Cunningham – My Girl (1357)
30. D.R. King (1306)

And if you average the peaks in each round (of those that charted all three of their songs):

1. Brynn Cartelli (121.3)
2. Terrence Cunningham (138)
3. Britton Buchanan (155)
4. Christiana Danielle (164.6)
5. Drew Cole (226)
6. Rayshun LaMarr (301.6)
7. Reid Umstattd (312)
8. Kelsea Johnson (324)
9. Dylan Hartigan (341.3)
10. Pryor Baird (343.3)
11. Wilkes (353.5)
12. Sharane Calister (400.6)
13. Spensha Baker (433.3)
14. Kaleb Lee (450.5)
15. Jackie Foster (524.5)
16. Jackie Verna (538)
17. D.R. King (801)

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 4/15/2018

Homeland: How profound that the president says she is turning into the person her detractors says she is. Maybe that is the overarching theme to this season. But poor Carrie, relegated to “Useful Idiot.” Sure horrible parent definitely (wait, did she run over Frannie or not). The senator makes sense because all of ours seem like partisan hacks that are quick to say anything they think will help their side or hurt the other. But, c’mon, just how easy was it for the Russian to get into the hospital? After these people were able to extract Simone, how do you not beef up presence at the hospital? How could you not at least have someone right outside the room?

The Walking Dead: Meh, I thought Simon was a much better villain than Negan. They killed off the wrong bad guy.
You can download The Walking Dead on iTunes.

Billions: Well Chuck’s buddy turned on him pretty quickly. I wonder if Chuck accounted for that or not. Chuck was quick to end the conversation after his buddy said that would be the last time they talked after it was over. And just what will Connelly do with that information? He almost got turned by Bobby in the first season, could he be the next to turn on Chuck?

Good Girls: I wonder a what point the “Good Girls” decide to cut their losses because they just seem to dig themselves a bigger hole every week, now being blackmailed monthly. Oh wait, they cannot because there would be no show.
You can download Good Girls on iTunes.

Rise: So Simon did not even last an episode at the private school? I guess that was longer than I thought, I did not think he would make it there. And what was with the hissy fit his father threw when he gave in? I hope the season does not end with him enjoying the musical.
You can download Rise on iTunes.

The Challenge: Vendettas: The was complete and utter bullshirt. Not only that but this was the second straight season they had a second Reunion show where they announce the winner.
You can download The Challenge: Vendettas on iTunes.

The Looming Tower: The biggest problems with historical shows are that they are easily spoiled by Wikipedia. And when I started watching this show I did not even go to Wikipedia for spoilers, I just wanted to see what John O’Neil’s official title was. And there I saw his death was dated 9/11/2001. Oops. I stopped reading there so I did not know how exactly he died. To leave the FBI to take a job as head of security of the World Trade Center was really tragic. But that was a weird chose of editing of the show. They started off with more time spent in the 2004 hearing than the previous episodes before, but then end with the exact same hearing but the real people. I wonder if we are just going to get stock footage in the finale.
You can stream The Path Hulu.

Survivor: Ghost Island: I routinely peruse Twitter during ad breaks and one Tweet that caught my eye was someone asking for the number of Idols played setting the number at 1.5. I had to reply over because after everyone but Dominick and Wendell went to “get water” they would have to play their Idols. Then Chris would be stupid not to play his. Michael may even play his out of fear.

I was shocked that Wendell saved his and it turns out Chris is just that stupid. I guess I should have figured that by risking his vote at Ghost Island. Sure the first guess is just fifty-fifty but there is only a twenty-five percent chance of guessing right twice in a row. And just how stupid do you have to be to have someone gunning for you, risk your vote for an extra day to use your Idol. Take the Idol and vote and use them both. How many Idols were at Ghost Island because people held on to them too long?
You can download Survivor: Ghost Island on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I wonder if the near miss with the robots will scare Simmons or embolden her thoughts of invincibility even more. I still think the more invincible they think they are, the more likely one of them dies. I can totally see Fitz sacrificing himself thinking he has to make it out alive, only to die but only to find out Simmons is already pregnant so no need for him to be around. That would worry me. But Daisy showed exactly why she deserved the Destroyer of Worlds treatment because she wiped the floor with Ruby in pretty short order.
You can download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.