Jonathan Hatchman (@JonHatchman) picks out the sounds and stories that have been making headlines over the last seven days… and presents them all as a handy playlist
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and as no strangers to providing the World with a festive tune, The Killers recently unveiled Joel The Lump Of Coal, performing the song on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, following the band’s tradition of recording a charity single each year. Strictly speaking, this year’s recording far from the band’s strongest to date, yet in the spirit of the season, it’s refreshing to find a band as prominent as Brandon Flowers and co refusing to take themselves too seriously. Skip to 5:21 to watch the band perform their new song.
In other Christmas related news, a Facebook campaign for Iron Maiden’s 1982 single Number Of The Beast to secure this year’s Christmas number-one spot has made headlines. Following in a similar vein to Rage Against The Machine’s successful attempt to steal the spot from The X Factor winner, in which RATM single-handedly soiled 2009 winner Joe McElderry’s career and rebelliously reaped the talent show’s reputation of nabbing the number-one slot year after year. This time fans of the Irons will have to download the single on 14 December 14 to potentially secure the chart placing. And with the odds having been slashed in Maiden’s favour, we may be about to experience yet another hard rocking festive smash.
Having suddenly disappeared from the internet last month, deleting his 3rdeyegirl Twitter account and all of his material available on YouTube, the ever-elusive Prince made a surprise appearance at Hollywood’s W Hotel this week, taking place as part of the venue’s local jazz night, in which he joined musicians Ryan Edgar and Nikki Leonti-Edgar for a rendition of The Beatles’ With A Little Help From My Friends in which the little purple genius played the guitar, of course. Here’s some fan-footage captured by an audience member, watch it while it’s still up…
It was announced earlier in the week, that saxophonist Bobby Keys has died following a lengthy illness. Having played with a range of acts that notably include The Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, and Eric Clapton, here’s a reminder of the musician’s incredible sax solo on Mick and co’s Brown Sugar.
The Small Faces and Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan, also passed away following a stroke. Aged 69, his death was something of a shock to fans and bandmates alike, particularly with strong rumours cirulating about a possible full Faces reunion next year.
Previously working alongside the likes of Damon Albarn and Mary J Blige, London based newcomer Ala.ni is emerging from the background and is set to make waves as a solo artist. Having played her debut headline show within the cavernous setting of Farringdon’s Winemaker’s Club earlier this week, showcasing her serene voice within the intimate setting, the artist has released a video for her song Suddenly. Featuring a warm retro sound that transports the listener straight back to the 1960s, comprising a beautiful soundscape that falls somewhere in between Audrey Hepburn’s performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the jazzy nostalgia of Ella Fitzgerald.
