Surroundablog

Stevie Winwood DualDisc

(Press Release) On November 1st, Epic Records will re-issue Winwood's solo album About Time as a deluxe Dual Disc. Included in this Dual Disc release are 3 limited edition live tracks on the audio side and a live concert performance from Winwood on the video side.

In support of his extraordinary "Last Traffic Jam" DVD release as well as the About Time deluxe Dual Disc re-issue, Steve Winwood will hit the road for select U.S. tour dates starting in New York City on September 20th. While in NYC, Winwood will be stopping by NBC's Weekend Today for an outdoor performance on September 17th as well as performing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on September 21.

The following tour dates are confirmed with more to be announced:
September 20 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
September 25 Los Angeles, CA The Wilshire
September 27 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
September 28 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
September 30 Denver, CO Paramount
October 1 Kansas City, MO The Uptown
October 2 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre
October 4 Detroit, MI State Theatre
October 5 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
October 7 Chicago, IL House of Blues
October 8 Chicago, IL House of Blues
October 10 New York, NY Nokia Theatre
October 11 Albany, NY Hart Theatre
October 12 Waterbury, CT Palace Theatre
October 14 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
October 15 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre

Nina Simone and Bill Withers Bolstered For DualDiscs

By Jordan Heller Weissmann, N.Y.

Sony BMG will re-release material from R&B performer Bill Withers and legendary soul singer Nina Simone in the form of two DualDisc albums due on Oct. 11. Withers' 1971 debut, "Just As I Am," and a Simone compilation "The Soul of Nina Simone" have been expanded with DVD documentary interviews and live footage.

Collecting 15 tracks from her landmark 1960s recordings, Simone's retrospective will be the first new compilation to be packaged in a DualDisc format. Simone referred to her style as "Black classical," and built her reputation on intense, plaintive renditions Broadway and jazz standards such as "I Loves You Porgy" and contemporary hits like Bob Dylan's "Tom Thumb's Blues," both of which are featured on the disc.

Also included are two previously unreleased tracks, "Porgy and Bess Medly" from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" from the Westbury Music Fair.

The Dual Disc will include a DVD of rare and unreleased performances from the "Ed Sullivan Show," "Live At the Bitter End" and the 1969 "Harlem Festival," often referred to as the Black Woodstock.

Withers recorded "Just As I Am" in the summer of 1970. In the midst perpetual rejection from industry A&R men and a crumbled relationship, Withers caught a break with Sussex Records, which paired him with producer Booker T. Jones.

The album eventually birthed the smash single "Ain't No Sunshine," winner of the 1971 Grammy for best R&B song. The DVD side will include a new documentary on the making of the album and Withers' early life, as well as live performances of "Ain't No Sunshine," "I'm Her Daddy," and "Harlem."

Talking Heads Refurbish Catalog For DualDisc

By Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

  The Talking Heads have expanded their eight studio albums with previously unreleased content for their release as DualDiscs. Due Oct. 4 via Rhino, the sets will be packaged together in a white molded plastic box that holds eight jewel cases. Each album has also been remastered by Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison.

The group's 1977 debut, the appropriately named "Talking Heads: 77," will include a 5.1 mix of a previously unreleased acoustic version of "Psycho Killer" and an alternate 5.1 mix of "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town." The DVD side sports a live clip of "Pulled Up" taped in 1978 in Berkeley, Calif., and "I Feel It in My Heart" shot in 1976 at New York's now-defunct the Kitchen.

The follow-up, "More Songs About Buildings and Food," is bolstered by alternate versions of "The Big Country," "I'm Not in Love" and "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel," as well as a "1977 version" of "Stay Hungry." The DVD pulls "Warning Sign" from the aforementioned Berkeley show plus "Found a Job" from a 1978 gig at New York's Entermedia Theatre.

Best known for "Cities" and "Life During Wartime," 1979's "Fear of Music" is expanded here with alternate versions of those tracks as well as "Mind," and an unfinished outtake of "Dancing for Money." The DVD side includes performances of "Cities" and "I Zimba" from the German TV show "Rockpop" in 1980.

"Remain in Light" is beefed up with four unfinished outtakes: "Fela's Riff," "Unison," "Double Groove" and "Right Start." "Rockpop" performances of "Once in a Lifetime" and "Crosseyed and Painless" are utilized for the DVD side. The 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues" features an alternate 5.1 mix of "Burning Down the House" as well as videos for that tune and "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)."

Bon Jovi plans multimedia launch and a retro DualDisc

Bon Jovi will be the first band to rock the new Nokia Theatre Times Square with a live launch of their new album, "Have a Nice Day." The Sept. 19 performance will be the centerpiece of a massive multimedia event produced by Network Live, the newly formed joint venture between America Online, XM Satellite Radio and AEG.

A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of making the album will precede the live performance. Network Live will broadcast the entire event to AOL.com users and XM Satellite Radio subscribers, while the show will be simulcast live in High Definition and 5.1 audio to more than 100 Regal, United Artists, Edwards, and Georgia Theatre Company movie screens in 50 U.S. markets.

National CineMedia entertainment services will present the entire program in 50 U.S. markets as a part of its Big Screen Concerts series. Advance tickets will be available at participating movie theatre box offices nationwide and online at BigScreenConcerts.com on a date to be announced shortly. Tickets to the Nokia Theatre event will also be available to the public.

As previously reported, "Have a Nice Day" is due Sept. 20 via Island Records.

On the same day, the label will issue a DualDisc edition of the group's iconic 1986 album “Slippery When Wet.” The DVD side will boast a 5.1 Surround Sound mix and videos for “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin' on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Never Say Goodbye” and “Wild in the Streets.”

The band is eyeing a fall tour that will be promoted by AEG Live/Concerts West.

Boz Scaggs' "Fade Into Light" Album Makes U.S. DualDisc Debut

New Songs, Fresh Re-Interpretations of Scaggs Classics, Three Video Performances Are Combined in American Edition

NEW YORK, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Aug 16, 2005 -- "Fade Into Light," an intimate and understated studio album from the singer BOZ SCAGGS, will be released by Virgin Records on September 27, 2005. Previously released by Virgin Japan, "Fade Into Light" has become a much-sought-after prize among Scaggs aficionados who've paid high prices for the import. It offers "unplugged" versions of some of Scaggs' best-known songs, along with several new compositions. Included in this U.S. Virgin DualDisc edition is a new recording by Scaggs of the 80's classic, "Love TKO."

The DVD side of the U.S. package contains the entire album in Enhanced Stereo, along with concert performances in 5.1 Surround Sound and High Definition Video of "Lowdown," "Harbor Lights" and "We're All Alone," taken from the "Boz Scaggs Greatest Hits Live" DVD, recorded in San Francisco.

No One to Run With in 5.1

Editor's note: I'm off to the Molson Amphitheatre tomorrow night to check out the sweet duality of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks as they slide all over the Allman Brothers set list. Speaking of which...Allman Brothers fans will be enthused to hear about a new Dickie Betts package coming out on September the 30th. Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Dickie Betts & Great Southern's CD/DVD set called "Back Where It All Begins: Live at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum".

The DVD will be presented in 5.1 Surround with the CD accompaniment containing soundcheck versions of some of Betts' best work with the Allman Brother's Band.The cd will; unfortunately, only be issued in 2 track stereo.

A 5.1 edition...That's Alright Mama

Editor's note: I just received this snippet of a Scooty Moore tribute album that's been all mixed up for 5.1 lovers. Moore of course was famous for playing guitar on many of Elvis Presley's biggest hits. The source was Prosoundnews.com and the snippet was taken from a story on the activities at South Beach Studios.

And, engineer Patrice Cramer completed a 5.1 mix for the upcoming DVD release of Tribute to Scotty Moore, featuring Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Ron Wood, Bill Wyman. Cramer was assisted by Rick Bryant.

And this little bit ran on whereseric.com...

On 2 and 3 December a concert-style tribute to guitarist Scotty Moore was filmed at London's Abbey Road Studios. Moore is considered one of the true innovators of early rock guitar.In 1954, he was working at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee when studio owner Sam Phillips auditioned Elvis Presley. The audition yielded Elvis' first single, "That’s Alright Mama" and Moore began his 14 year association with Presley playing on some of the King's greatest hits of the 1950s and early 1960s.

On the first day of filming, Eric played on three numbers with work being completed in about two-hours. The only other celebrity of note present at the time was Mark Knopfler. The bulk of the filming occurred on the following day, but Eric did not attend. Other participants in the project included David Gilmour, Bill Wyman, Ron Wood, and Albert Lee. The audience was the same for both days. As it was filmed, audience members had to wear the same clothes! The DVD should be released sometime in 2005.

A television special is also being tossed about. At this time we are unsure if a cd of the performances will be rockabilly-ing into your favorite retail outlet...

DualDisc is here to stay

NARM report prepared by The NPD Group shows much growth potential for CD/DVD hybrid format

(San Diego) -

Just one year ago, DualDisc technology was heralded by the music industry as a dramatic expansion of the music experience.  According to a recent report prepared for the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) by The NPD Group, consumers who have tried the new format already have a high level of satisfaction with it. Since their introduction in the fourth quarter of 2004, nearly five million DualDisc units have been sold, which accounts for two percent of total CD sales.

"Based on the results of our survey of music consumers, a majority of those who are aware of the DualDisc format plan to purchase," said Russ Crupnick, president of NPD's Music & Movies division.   "It's now incumbent on retailers and manufacturers to better educate consumers as to the availability - and value - of this new, integrated format."

According to the NARM/NPD report, more than a quarter of recent music buyers were aware of the DualDisc format.  Nearly 60 percent of consumers who were aware of the format expect to buy one for themselves in the next six months.  Among those who have already purchased DualDisc, nearly three quarter expect to do so again in the next six months.

The consumers who purchased the most music overall were also the heaviest buyers of DualDiscs. This technologically savvy consumer segment is also most likely to purchase a la carte digital downloads, subscribe to online music services and by all measures highly value exclusive content. DualDiscs give manufacturers and retailers of physical music a powerful way to garner a greater share of these consumers' entertainment budgets.

"Our research shows that building awareness of the added value of the DualDisc format may go a long way toward increasing sales potential, especially among the heavy music buying segment," said NARM President Jim Donio. "Once consumers are aware of the format, their purchase intent is strong. Additionally, once buyers experience the format, repeat purchase intent is very high - especially when the features integrate music extras with the video."

Born to Run on DualDisc?

Editor's note: Here's a rumour that's been kicked around for a few months now. Although still unconfirmed, it would appear that Bruce Springteen's incredible "Born to Run" is being reissued as a 30th anniversary package. Depending on who you talk to...it may be coming out in multi-channel...

In the midst of discussing his "Underground Garage" and "The Sopranos", guitarist Steven Van Zandt hints at a 30th anniversary DualDisc reissue of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run". Let's hope it's a 96\24 multi-fun release. Here's a choice bit...

In related news, Van Zandt confirms work is underway on a new edition of the Springsteen classic "Born To Run," which turns 30 next month. "There is a very cool thing that's going to come out," he says, declining to reveal additional details. "It's a CD/DVD -- one of those combinations." He adds with a laugh, "I don't think it's a big surprise. I hope it's not a surprise!"

Editor's note: Read the whole article here. In another posting on badlands.co.uk, we read:

Yes, it really is 30 years since the release of Bruce's classic album and in August a three disc edition of the album will be reissued in a deluxe package. The set will contain the original album remastered (and we would guess in 5.1surround sound) plus replicated memorabilia from the era and two discs full of rarities. The "bonus" discs will contain tons of rare and un-broadcast concert footage from 1975 along with unearthed documentary footage and contemporaneous interviews with Bruce himself and all the major participants in the album's creation. This will be a deluxe package to treasure as Bruce himself has been heavily involved in the entire reissue project!

And then it gets a little murky...in an interview with backstreets.com, former E-Street keyboardist David Sancious says...

"A couple of months ago, I did an interview for a documentary that Bruce's company is making about the 30th anniversary of Born to Run. They got everybody down to New York City in a studio and filmed interviews with everybody who played on [the album], getting people to remember the sessions and tell stories about what went on."

While it's too early for set-in-stone details, the reissue is planned as a lavishly packaged multi-disc affair, including the remastered BTR CD along with bonus material including a long-awaited official DVD of performance footage from the era and the making-of documentary Sancious mentions. Look for a release date in late summer or fall, and we'll have more details right here as it approaches.

Hmmmm....guess we'll wait and watch for more details on this one...

Sony DADC Certified As First Global DualDisc Manufacturer

Terre Haute, IN (August 10, 2005)--Sony DADC has announced its official certification as DualDisc manufacturer by the Recoding Industry Association of America (RIAA). The official certification is obligatory for all DualDisc manufacturers and stands for high-quality replication standards.

According to a company statement, Sony DADC is the first RIAA-certified replicator for a global DualDisc replication solution. This includes the facilities in Salzburg, Austria and Terre Haute, IN. The facility in Austria is the only location certified in Europe.

Sony DADC started its DualDisc mass production in the fourth quarter of 2004. In April, Sony DADC Americas announced that it had ramped up its DualDisc production to 100,000 discs per day. Today, the current global capacity is at 5.25 million discs per month, making Sony DADC the world's largest provider for the format.

RIAA operates the DualDisc program to ensure product consistency and compatibility between manufactured discs and consumer playback equipment. An important part of RIAA's certification and licensing program is that the two-sided discs bearing the DualDisc logo are manufactured by replicators that have demonstrated that their discs comply with the DualDisc physical specification.

Sony DADC engineers have been actively involved in the challenging development of this complicated product. "DualDisc is a format that upholds to consistent and high standards in quality so that consumers can enjoy this new value-adding and innovative product," said Johannes Stegfellner, sales director at Sony DADC, Salzburg. "Music labels can be sure that this entertainment-packed format meets today's consumer expectations and therefore is essential in driving music sales."

Sony DADC
www.sonydadc.com