Music News Page 1074

Velvet Underground is slated to have their reunion DVD, "Live MCMXCIII," released January 24 next year via Archival label Rhino Records. Chronicles the legendary act's brief 1993 reunion tour, the set previously only available on VHS and was taped June 15-17, 1993, at Paris' Olympia.

It consisted of classic tracks, like "Venus in Furs," "Femme Fatale," "Rock'n'Roll," "Sweet Jane," "I'm Waiting for the Man," "Heroin" and "Pale Blue Eyes." More on the set, "Live MCMXCIII" actually was the final performances of VU guitarist Sterling Morrison with bandmates Lou Reed, John Cale and Maureen Tucker before he finally died of cancer in 1995.

David Gilmour of the rock band Pink Floyd has planned a solo tour. The singer and guitarist has scheduled 10 U.S. and Canadian dates in April as an attempt to support his upcoming solo studio album, "On an Island."

"I've had a fantastic time making On an Island and really want to perform tracks from it, along with my more familiar repertoire," Gilmour said. The tour reportedly will begin April 4 next year at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Rapper Eminem starts this year Christmas season with such a great attainment in music scene as his album "Curtain Call" debuts at No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts Wednesday for a second week in a row, sold 324,000 copies in its second week on release.

The second position this weekend is secured by Carrie Underwood whose album "Some Hearts" sold 271,000 copies in its fifth week. "Now That's What I Call Music! 20" by various artists is the 3rd, one place ahead of American Idol runner up Bo Bice whose debut album "The Real Thing" sold 227,000 in its first-week.

One of country's hardest rock bands, Brooks & Dunn, has been set to help rolling the Stones tour with their opening performance in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 29 next year. "We've thrown around the concept of opening for the Stones forever," singer Ronnie Dunn commented about their being tapped to warm up The Rolling Stones tour.

Amazed upon getting the invitation from their manager, the duo immediately "started calling our friends as fast as we could as soon as we walked out of the room," Ronnie added. See you there friends.

Death Cab for Cutie reveals their plan to unveil new "Directions." Consisting of an anthology of 12 short films, the set will also include a music video of each song from the band's Grammy-nominated album, "Plans."

Created by 12 different directors, the videos will be unveiled one by one on Death Cab for Cutie's Web site early January next year. As for fans to know, band members don't appear in the films, which were made with small budgets.

The hotel heiress has had much, but still wanting more and more. Acting, writing, now Paris Hilton would like to sing. Yes, the socialite is eyeing a singing career and reportedly has employed composer Cathy Dennis to help with her future music career.

As for everybody to know, Cathy first was discovered by Simon Fuller, creator of American Idol, in the mid-80s. She then spawned great music works, as that of Kylie Minogue "Can' Get You Out Of My Head" and Britney Spears "Toxic," only to mention some hits Cathy has created.

Two years break is more than enough for music group Matchbox 20 to come back into music industry with their new material or at least new idea. Having the things in head, all the group members planning for a December 30-January 1 reunion at the Joint in Las Vegas.

Soon then, as said by guitarist Kyle Cook, Matchbox 20 will comeback to the studio to record a new album. Asked about the involvement of the group's lead singer Rob Thomas who has gone solo, Cook simply replied "Vegas, cash, New Year's Eve and booze, all in that order."

At least three big names have confirmed to perform at the One Earth benefit, to be held Jan. 28 next year at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. They are The Strokes, The Darkness and the Super Furry Animals.

The show is aimed to convert one million European households to renewable energy sources as a part of a not-for profit, non-political, ethical initiative (CNN) with any proceeds going to the UK-based charitable organization One Earth Trust.

As the world goes round, actor Jamie Foxx keeps sharpening his singing skills while also is still maintaining his acting career. Gaining success through his collaboration with Kanye West on "Gold Digger," Foxx is now looking for success in music industry on his own.

As an attempt to achieve the success he dreamt of, Foxx is releasing his debut album, entitled "Unpredictable," Tuesday Dec 20. Released under J Records, the set features cameo appearances from West, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris and other musicians.

Saturday Dec 17th was the day for Texas country singer Willie Nelson and folk singer Arlo Guthrie to treat fans with their last performance of their Katrina tour. During that time, the two musicians entertained about 800 New Orleans residents with good music, a good time and a reminder of what they love most about this city.

Took place at legendary Tipitina's, the tour was the last of the series aimed to raise money for musicians left homeless and without a place to work by Katrina. Money and equipment from the Arlo Guthrie and Friends benefit tour will be donated to performers and to churches and schools that have music programs.

The classic collections of American rock band ZZ Top, mainly the "Tres Hombres" and "Fandango!" are about to be reissued in expanded editions February 28 next year via Warner Bros. label. Each set will feature three previously unreleased live versions of songs from their respective studio albums.

As for everybody to know, "Tres Hombres" was ZZ Top's third album released in 1973 and has become the group's first to hit the top 10. As of the new version, it's rounded out with live versions of the album's singles "La Grange" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago."

Billboard.com reported that vocalist David Lee Roth is about to make an appearance on a bluegrass tribute album to his former band, Van Halen. Tentatively titled "Strummin' With the Devil," the set due March 14, 2006 via CMH Records.

Roth reportedly will sing versions of "Jump" and "Jamie's Cryin'". Moreover, the set also will include other Van Halen favorites, including that of "I'll Wait", "Hot for Teacher", "Eruption", "Panama" and "Unchained".

Amidst the preparation for their North American tour next month, The Rolling Stones has proposed such music acts, like California rockers Queens of the Stone Age and country duo Brooks & Dunn as some of their tour's opening acts.

The tapping of the music performers has been confirmed by the Stones publicist on Thursday, adding that country veteran Merle Haggard, New Orleans funk veterans The Meters, and all-girl rock group Antigone Rising also will perform.

The Billboard Hot 100 singles chart again is topped by rookie R&B singer Chris Brown, whose track "Run It!" holds firm at No. 1 for a fifth straight week. Followed behind at No. 2 is Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us" which jumps five places from number seven.

D4L's "Laffy Taffy" falls one slot to No. 3 on the Hot 100 this week, while Nelly's "Grillz" featuring Paul Wall ups seven places to No. 4. Nickelback's "Photograph" downs to No. 5, followed by Kanye West's "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx at No. 6.

Amidst bewilderment on his going to retire from music industry, rapper Eminem surprisingly scored his fourth consecutive No. 1 debut on the U.S. pop charts Wednesday. His latest piece of work "Curtain Call" sold nearly 441,000 units in the week ended December 11, a number that soared the star right to the top of Billboard album charts.

Rapper Lil Wayne's fifth studio album, "Tha Carter II" debuts at No. 2 with 240,000 copies. Right behind at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 is Korn's "See You on the Other Side," which taking in 220,000 units. The No. 4 for this week is "Now That's What I Call Music! 20" by various artists, followed after by Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" at No. 5.