After a few weeks of rumors and nail-biting, Phish have announced that they are returning to the festival game with an event they are simply calling "Festival 8," which will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California (the same venue that houses the annual Coachella festival). Over three days this Halloween weekend, the band will play a total of eight sets, and one of those sets will be another grand Phish tradition: The "musical costume," where the band plays a set that consists only of a classic album in its entirety.
In past years, the group has taken on epics like the Beatles' White Album, the Velvet Underground's Loaded and the Who's Quadrophenia. We've already made a handful of suggestions about what the group could tackle this year (it'll remain a mystery until they play the first note on Halloween night), but here are a few more ideas.
U2, The Joshua Tree
Trey Anastasio probably wouldn't be able to handle Bono's vocals, but the rest of the band would be able to capture the grandeur of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and Larry Mullen, Jr.'s rhythms would be excellent fodder for expert skinsman Jon Fishman.
Jimi Hendrix, Axis: Bold As Love
Anastasio has borrowed a lot of his guitar technique from Jimi (who hasn't?), so it only seems right that he pay homage to the man. The bluesy runs on "Little Wing" would probably melt a face or two.
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If reports are to be believed, Michael Jackson may have as many as 100 unreleased songs that he left behind. Though it may be quite some time before any songs ever get out, it's certain that fans will be clamoring for songs they've never heard.
But if pop history has taught us anything, it's that posthumous music releases can be a bit of a nightmare both for the people in control of the estate and the fans craving new music. In fact, sometimes that music actually hurts the legacy of the artist.
When Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, he left behind at least one incomplete album and many more unfinished tracks, demos and outtakes. But for decades, the previously unreleased songs were released haphazardly and were underproduced. It wasn't until Hendrix's sister managed to gain control of his catalog that the recordings were considered reasonable enough for commercial release. Hendrix albums have slowed and there are still legal battles over Hendrix's legacy, but the reconstructed First Rays of the New Rising Sun and the restored Live at Monterey are both keepers. But be warned: A lot of the post-1970 Hendrix releases are horrible.
The same could be said of Tupac, but in reverse. Read more...
By Nick Neofitidis
It's 1969, New Year's Eve in New York. You're 15 years old, and your dad just dropped you off in front of the Fillmore East on Second and 6th in the East Village. The marquee above you reads, "Jimi Hendrix LIVE Tonight - SOLD OUT." You're armed with unease, excitement and the small Pentax camera your grandfather gave you.
You walk into the venue. Some of your past photos already adorn the walls. Legends such as Frank Zappa refer to you as "the prodigy," and backstage, Jimi Hendrix hands you a funny-smelling cigarette. Somewhere in between all that, you take a couple of amazing photos from the stage — photos that nearly 40 years later hold more significance than you ever could have imagined.
Sound like the best night of your life?
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· Will.I.Am refuses to take part in the human-rights boycott of China, saying the Black Eyed Peas have no problem playing there.
· OMG, maybe Heidi and Lauren from “The Hills” do have something in common after all! They both love John McCain.
· Talent from “The Simpsons” and “Arrested Development” are creating a new animated show -- and you know it’s got a good chance of being amazing.
· Behold the Jimi Hendrix sex tape -- um, alleged, of course.
