Around the Tubes: September 7, 2024

   

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Benee, Weezer, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, America, ABBA, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Paisans for Kamala.

- Ahead of its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, Hulu has announced the premiere date for the highly anticipated original film "Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band."  The film premieres on October 25, 2024, on Hulu and Disney+.  Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band offer the most in-depth look ever at the creation of their legendary live performances - sharing fly-on-the-wall footage of band rehearsals and special moments backstage - as well as hearing directly from Springsteen on the topic. Fans get the chance to experience professionally shot footage from the 2023-2024 tour for the first time ever - while following the band through their one-of-a-kind preparation process, and onto performances for tens-of-thousands across continents.

- Kicking off what promises to be another bold and bright creative chapter, Multi-Platinum alt-pop visionary BENEE returns with a brand new single entitled “Sad Boiii,” out now via Republic Records—listen HERE. It notably marks the first release from the New Zealand-born and Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter since 2023, and it also heralds more music to come soon. The song is released alongside the music video, directed by Nikki Milan Houston and featuring a very special guest, Cotton the lamb—watch HERE.  On this highly anticipated release, BENEE leaps forward by looking back, nodding to a formative musical memory in the process. The track captures the breezy energy of a New Zealand summer into its loosely strummed guitar chords and island-inspired beat. At the same time, the sun-kissed soundscape only gives her lyrics more gravity. Over the production’s buoyant bounce, she exhales, “No, I don’t want another sad boiii.” As always, her dynamic approach simply enchants.

- GRAMMY® Award-winning multi platinum alt rock icons Weezer will celebrate three decades of their seminal full-length debut LP, Weezer a.k.a. the Blue Album, with the release of the Blue Album 30th Anniversary Edition on November 1, via Geffen/UMe. This must-have for any Weezer fan will be available in multiple configurations, including a massive Super Deluxe Edition 4LP + 10-inch + 7-inch box set as well as a Deluxe 3CD set, and digitally. Pre-order any of these amazing options HERE.   To herald the arrival of Blue Album 30th Anniversary Edition, Weezer just shared the earliest known recording of “Undone – The Sweater Song (Third Practice).”  Listen HERE.

- In celebration of its 40^th anniversary, Capitol Records and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), in conjunction with Frank Sinatra Enterprises, announce the October 25 release of Frank Sinatra’s L.A. Is My Lady with Quincy Jones and Orchestra.  The vinyl is a reproduction of the 1984 LP release and features the original 11 songs. The CD and digital versions will appear as Deluxe Editions featuring six bonus tracks, three previously unreleased, plus the original liner notes by Stan Cornyn with new notes by Charles Pignone that include revealing quotes from the main participants. Long-time Sinatra engineer Larry Walsh created new mixes for this release.

-  Capitol Records/UMe announces the first-time vinyl release of Dean Martin’s Greatest Hits on November 1, 2024. This 1LP collection of 13 classic tracks will be pressed on standard black vinyl available in retailers nationwide and on exclusive limited-edition color vinyl available for pre-order, HERE.  Greatest Hits notably boasts 13 of Dino’s biggest hits and signature songs on one comprehensive compilation. These range from “That’s Amore” and “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” to “Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)” and “Sway (Quien Sera),” among others. Fittingly, the album concludes with the heartfelt “Return To Me (Ritorna-Me).”

-  For nearly five decades, an unforgettable live performance from the iconic band AMERICA at the Hollywood Bowl lay dormant as a lost treasure. That night included many surprises: a stunning rendition of the band’s smash hit, “A Horse With No Name,” replete with an orchestra conducted by Sir George Martin, the world’s most famous producer; skywriting and fireworks that went hilariously awry; and a program of songs that have since become indelibly imprinted in popular consciousness.   That special night is widely available for the first time ever as America – Live From The Hollywood Bowl 1975 (Primary Wave Music; distributed by Sun Records). The record comes out almost exactly 49 years to the day of the performance (the show took place on September 5th, 1975). The never-before-heard tapes were recently restored and recently mixed and produced from the original master tapes. Previously issued in limited quantities on Record Store Day, the 20-track album is now being released on CD, on a new red vinyl variant, and digitally.  Stream/purchase the album here

- he 50th anniversary of ABBA’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest on April 6^th 1974 has been thoroughly celebrated all over the world – not just the triumph with ‘Waterloo’, but the group’s amazing accomplishments and their position as one of the world’s major pop bands. And the celebrations aren’t over yet! In October 2024, Polar Music International will issue a magnificent box set of ABBA’s single A-sides: The Singles – The First Fifty Years. The compilation brings together, for the first time, not only every ABBA single issued by Polar up until 1982 but also the singles released in conjunction with 2021’s Voyage album.  The Singles – The First Fifty Years is the ultimate celebration of ABBA’s pop music genius!  Linkfire: https://abba.lnk.to/TheSingles50Years

- GRAMMY® Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys are excited to announce their new album, Mama’s Boys from Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers, set for release on Friday, October 25. This project marks their fifth collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and was recorded at Historic RCA Studio A and Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. To build anticipation for the album, the first single, “I Thought About You, Lord,” featuring Willie Nelson, is available for download and streaming on all digital platforms today and has been premiered exclusively by Whiskey Riff!  To preorder: orcd.co/mamasboys

- With the stakes higher than ever in the 2024 election, the Italian American community is rallying together to flex its political and celebrity influence in support of the Harris-Walz ticket. Paisans for Kamala, organized by the Italian American Democrats, is hosting a star-studded Sunday Sauce Kickoff on September 8th at 6 PM ET. This event isn’t just another organizing call—it’s a family-style gathering where participants will share stories, recipes, and the values that define their heritage, all while mobilizing to support the Harris-Walz ticket. At this virtual dinner table, you’ll hear from some of the most prominent Italian American figures, including Robert De Niro, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Marisa Tomei, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Alyssa Milano, Lisa Ann Walter, Anthony Scaramucci, Rosa DeLauro, and Jim Messina. Not only will they discuss why they’re doing everything possible to make sure Kamala Harris is the next president, but they’ll also share their favorite family recipes, traditions, and what makes their heritage so important.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: September 1, 2024

  

Snowpiercer: I feel like I missed an episode, I do not remember what happened to Roashe at all.  But we are getting the inevitable teamup between Wilford and Layton.  I am sure that will end well.

 

Orphan Black: Echoes:  Apologies for the “Thanos was right” type statement, but is cloning the smartest people in attempt to solve climate change and other major issues at the time really that bad?  Sure, very unethical to do this without permission but it should do more good than harm.  But a bad ending to a bad show.  I audibly laughed when the bad guy killed the younger Jessica Jones only for there be another one with a bad wig.

 

Only Murders in the Building:  Backula!!!  Though, he is kind of on top of my murder board after the first episode.  But the big question is: is he a good enough shot to kill someone from across the street and through glass?  Maybe I should scroll through his IMDB to see if he has any sniper experience.  There were moments that I thought maybe Sazz did not die as my number one rule in television shows, if you do not see a body, then they are not dead (and even if you see the body, there is still a chance they are not really dead).

 

I guess the Bulgarian replacements pretty much confirm it was her, but I still go back to my number one rule on television.  Until I see a flashback, I will probably still have an inkling she somehow survived.  But then who is the body?  Could Sazz have put something in the incinerator and have spare parts to make people think she is dead?  Though the killer presumably cleaned up after themselves.  It is weird that the camera made note of Sazz writing something with her blood, but the killer then cleaned it up.  Unless some forensic equipment will be able to detect it.

 

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras:  Well, looks like Tony Time is already over.  Moron.  I usually complain whenever the peanut gallery helps one contestant, but that was just karma that everyone ganged up on Tony.

 

The Ark: Myonly take away from this episode: nerd sex.  I am kind of glad this is not on premium television.  I am not sure I wanted to see a more graphic version of that scene.