84 year old Tony Bennett w/ a 27 year old Amy Winehouse

The great Tony Bennett has a new album of Duets, titled Duets II, coming out on September 20th. The 17-track CD features boring names like Michael Buble, John Mayer and Sheryl Crow, and some interesing names like Willie Nelson and Lady Gaga, but most notably includes a duet with Amy Winehouse who unfortunately never had the chance to realize her full potential due to a sad past few years and her untimely death today (7/23/2011).

In a video interview (that you can watch HERE), Tony says "Amy Winehouse was my favorite to perform with on the whole album." He compares her to Dina Washington and says she had the butterflies and nervousness that all the greats like Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington had. He talks about how they clicked and says he thought she really loved to perform (though you might not know it from recent live videos) (too much butterfly medicine). RIP Amy.

Winehouse hasn't released an album since 2006 hit "Back to Black". The album won five of six Grammys it was nominted for including Record of the Year (and Best New Artist). She also won at the Brits that year. She was nominated for the UK's Mercury Prize twice. In 2004 "Frank" lost to Franz Ferdinand. In 2006 she lost to the Klaxons (check out who was nominated this year). Whether or not Amy has any other unreleased material remains to be seen, though there were rumors that she also recently recorded a track with Cee Lo Green.

Speaking of duets, in Amy Winehouse's too-short career she also performed with Mick Jagger, Mos Def, Mark Ronson, sort of Ghostface, and probably others I missed.

The full tracklist and cover art for Tony's "Duets II", and a video of Amy performing with The Rolling Stones, below...

Continue reading "Amy Winehouse appears on soon-to-be-released Tony Bennett 'Duets' album, Tony loved working with her"

And like he does in Coney Island, Marty Markowitz also brings free concerts to Brooklyn's Wingate Field each summer. The 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series happens every Monday through August 22. The first one, on July 11th, will feature Maze with Frankie Beverly. The entire lineup, mystery guest included, and more info is below....

Continue reading "2011 Martin Luther King concert series lineup (free Monday shows in Wingate Field)"

by Ryan Barkan

Tracy Morgan & Stevie Wonder (picture via Hipster Runoff)

Super Bowl XLIV (44) took place Sunday night in Florida between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints semi-upset the Colts to win the big game for the first time in the franchise's history. This post is a special edition of the long lost "Week In Music Licensing" post and as such, that's the last you will hear about the game. Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire, many videos and more below...

Continue reading "music & commercials of Super Bowl XLIV (Grizzly Bear, Arcade Fire, The Who, Mini Kiss, The Heavy & more) "

photos by Eric Townsend

Q-Tip and Common

"The Hennessy Artistry concert series ended with it's grand finale in Hip-Hop's birthplace last night in a true celebration of Hip Hop Music. As The Roots band backed Common, New York City erupted with energy unmatched even at a certain "fest" that took place last weekend. With only Common and The Roots on the bill, special guests Bilal,Don Omar, Consequence, Karen Wheeler of Soul II Soul, Q-Tip, and Queen Latifah made it night to remember. Seriously, watching Queen Latifah perform "Unity" live gave me chills." [MissInfo.TV]

Continue reading "Common, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, The Roots, Consequence & friends @ Terminal 5 (Hennessy Artistry) - pics & video"

Emiliana Torrini

Emiliana Torrini is playing Highline Ballroom on August 14th. Tickets are on sale (@ noon).

America are playing Nokia Theatre on October 16th. Tickets are on sale (@ noon).

Satanicide are headlining Bowery Ballroom on July 25th. Tickets are on sale.

Tickets are on sale for the Tori Amos show at Radio City.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the show Seasick Steve is playing at Mercury Lounge. Tickets are on sale for the show he's playing at Southpaw too.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the show Los Campesinos! and Girls are playing at Webster Hall.

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine are playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 7th. Tickets are on sale.

"DAVE STEWART, ARETHA FRANKLIN, WYCLEF JEAN, QUEEN LATIFAH, CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY, JOSH GROBAN, CYNDI LAUPER, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, BAABA MAAL, JESSE MCCARTNEY, TLC, THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR, AND OTHER GUESTS" are celebrating Nelson Madela's 91st birthday at Madison Square Garden on July 18th. Tickets are on sale.

The Black Crowes are playing Central Park Summerstage on September 2nd. Tickets go on sale June 12.

Bruce Springsteen tickets go on sale Monday.

Friday night 'dance' events in The Week In Dance.

No tickets needed for Monday's David Byrne show.

Check out some Emiliana Torrino videos below...

Continue reading "America, Emiliana Torrini, Satanicide, Tori Amos, Seasick Steve & other tickets"