May I introduce you to ... Mark Bacino

To let him talk for himself - Mark Bacino says: "I’m an American singer/songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist born and raised in New York City".

Bacino's official debut, Pop Job…the long player! a great collection of carefree pop music (in a positive way!) was released in 1997. The album was promoted in NYCs "The Living Room" (still hope to get there when my daughter is old enough to travel long distances and gets interested in good music... *ahem*).
The second album, The Million Dollar Milkshake followed in 2003.

In May 2010 Bacino's third album Queens English was released.
All Music Guide descibes it as an album that "proves it's possible to introduce actual maturity into pop with no adverse effects". Bacino says "it’s sort of a melancholy love-letter to NYC and specifically life in the outer-boroughs".

But lets listen to what the man himself has to say:

Discography:

• "Queens English" (2010)
• "The Million Dollar Milkshake" (2003)
• "Pop Job...the long player!" (1997)

If you like the new CD buy it. Just one suggestion from me: if you buy it, do it via CDBaby (the link above) - the shipment email alone is it worth it to buy from them (but I won't tell you more!).

+ + + News June 2010 + + +

Mike Viola & Kelly Jones - Melon EP
Mike Viola & Kelly Jones have their new record Melon out in late July 2010. It can be preordered here  for 10$ + shipping.
The special thing is: it's on vinyl. And for all who want to start to complain about it: you get it as a digital release too.

Bleu in Europe!
Bleu announced last week that he will be in the UK in October 2010 (for all Germans: keep your fingers crossed!) to promote his new album "Four". Which means, it's out in or before October 2010!

To look beyond the rim of your teacup: New Chicane album in July 2010
No, it's not PowerPop, it's not even Pop (well, sometimes...). But I don't want this blog to be too rigid.
Chicane will release his new album "Giants" in July.
Those who don't know Chicane: it's  ambient music. Try the album Behind The Sun. It fits to these summer days very well.

Fran Healy – Wreckorder
The frontman of Travis is going solo (not permanently!) with Wreckorder, his new CD. It's not clear when the record will be out, but Healy performs with Keane this July and August. So it may be very soon.

Ben Folds - Lonely Avenue
Ben has recorded an album with Nick Hornby. Yes, the author Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About A Boy, A Long Way Down). Hornby wrote the lyrics, Folds built the songs around it. It will be out in late September.

Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time

Stephen Duffy seemed luckless for a long time: He was vocalist and bassist in a british band he left in 1979. One year later this band signed a contract with EMI. It was Duran Duran. He also refused the offer to write songs for a young singer. The girl was later known as Madonna.

In the early 80s he had one hit in the UK with "Kiss Me", but never got recognized by public or the radio. His songs are melodious, introspective and warming.

I suggest you should listen to his last two albums: "Runout Groove" or his Best Of with his Band The Lilac Time - "Memory & Desire".

Runout Groove

(start with: Another Time, The Kite And The Sky, A Dream Of A Girl)

Memory & Desire - Best Of

Compendium - The Fontana Trinity (another Best Of Collection)

And if you like it, buy it!

Owsley Live - Listen!

Without many words - just listen (Owsley live in Nashville 2004):




Owsley - Live in Nashville 2004

+ + + News May 2010 + + +

I'm still shocked about the sad loss of Will Owsley.
But I want to give you a music news update for may 2010:

Mike Viola: Three albums in 2010 & Vinyl!
Mike has a new band: VICTOR. The new album "Electro De Perfecto" will be released soon.
He produces also CD with Ned Brower (from Rooney) called "Great To Say Hello" und finally works on a Kelly Jones & Mike Viola duet EP. All this in 2010? Maybe. But there's more:
"Hang On Mike", the last Candy Butchers album will get a re-release on vinyl. Mike is looking through demos and unreleased material (39 songs!) and wants to include this in the package as mp3s.
Read more here.

Ron Sexsmith
Ron finished his new record. Seems it will be released in 2010.
Producer is Bob Rock, who also worked with Metallica, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, the Cult, Our Lady Peace or the Offspring.

Aqualung
The new Aqualung CD "Magnetic North" was released some days ago. Have a listen!





David Mead
... is just now creating a new album of sun-themed music called Vitamin D. He writes in his blog: "Vitamin D is produced by our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight. It makes us happy. Until we are burnt to a crisp."
He already posted 3 songs here.

R.I.P. Will Owsley

As reported today, Will Owsley passed away on April 30, 2010. It's sad to hear.
R.I.P. Will. We will miss you.

I normally don't post official material, but if you don't know him, you should listen to the little compilation I did of this great musician who died too early:

RIP Will Owsley

Rooney

While listening to Rooney - a band formed in Los Angeles in 1999 - you will rediscover a lot of Jellyfish or The Beatles sound.

Discography:
2003 Rooney
2007 Calling the World
2009 Wild One EP
2010 Eureka

Listen to their last EP - Wild One

You can order the new album "Eureka" (incl. autographed CD + T-Shirt) here:

http://rooney.hasawebstore.com/

Owsley

Will Owsley - or Owsley - an american songwriter & producer released two CDs in 2000 und 2004, both have written powerpop all over:

Owsley - listen @ amazon.com

The Hard Way - listen @ amazon.com

Sadly he stopped with his own music career and is now supporting other artists like Amy Grant.

Here's a little something to cheer those up who hoped for new material (like me) - a recording of a live performance from 1999:

Owsley - Live (1999)

Bleu - again

Last week (while expecting our baby any day...) there was an internet-stream of a Bleu gig. You still can watch it here:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bleu-is-live

For all who haven't got the chance to see Bleu live (like me from Germany), I converted & cut the concert into a live album - here it is:

Bleu - Live 2010 @ Ustream

Bleu!

Another fav of mine: William James McAuley III, or short Bleu , is an american songwriter and musician. Besides his solo work (he has released three CDs: Headroom, Redhead and A Watched Pot) there are collaborations with Mike Viola (ELO, The Major Labels).

Bleu - No Such Thing As Love

Bleu - Come 'n' Go

A Watched Pot - Listen & buy at amazon.com

Official Website

Listen to new songs from his upcoming CD FOUR

(Ya Catch More Flies With Honey Than Vinegar, How Blue!)

Not PowerPop - but worth watching! Trololo!

Eduard Khil is now 75 and has become a star - 30 years after his actual performance. The Russian sang a song without words (because of soviet censorship).
Now he has a hundred thousand of fans, a bunch of remixes and an iphone app:

Trololo!

And here's the remix! Listen!