Country music artist Skyla Spencer's You Said You'd Call Me is Number 6 on the IndieWorld Country Chart! Skyla says: ‘“You Said You’d Call Me” was a blast to record! I feel many people will be able to relate to this song - both women and men". “You Said You'd Call Me" was released to radio via HMG and Hillcrest, as well as CDX to major radio in October.

When asked how she describes her music, Skyla replies “My music is fun, energetic, & up-lifting. I love a sense of humor, and that shows through on some of my songs. I also enjoy writing ballads. Some of the songs on this album are from real life experiences, but it’s through these experiences, either good or bad, that I have become stronger. My first album is dedicated to the people I have lost in my life...”

Xbox 360: First Strike!

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is positioned well in the upcoming Next Generation Console battle with a gaming entertainment system that is both extremely powerful and easy to develop for. As current gaming systems, particularly the original Xbox, have yet to be pushed to their technological limits in game design, it is the 'ease of development' component of the Xbox 360 rather than the obvious performance increase that will set the 360 apart from it's next generation rivals Sony and Nintendo.

Shorter game development times through the use of Microsoft's XNA language and developer tools give the 360 a decided advantage allowing game companies to co-develop Xbox 360 games along with PC titles. The fact that the new Xbox 360 controller can function both as a console and a PC (gaming) controller is just one example of how Microsoft has addressed game developer issues. John Carmack of ID Software and creator of the fabled DOOM gaming engine has stated that the Xbox 360 has far and away the best development tools. Microsoft, well aware of the complexities of game programming created the XNA Toolkit specifically for cross platform, PC and Xbox 360, game development. Conversely, programmers developing games for Sony's upcoming Playstation 3 have complained that the system is difficult to develop for, leading to the prospect of much longer development times for game projects. Nintendo's new console, the Revolution, uses a radically different gaming controller that may affect development cycles as programmers learn to incorporate its new features.

As in most businesses, time equals money. Getting quality next-generation titles to market in a timely matter with lower comparative costs means higher profits. Providing game developers the tools to accomplish that goal may be the definitive factor in deciding who wins the next generation console wars.

Incredble looking games such as Call of Duty 2, Project Gotham 3 and Quake 4 among the Xbox 360's launch titles leave little doubt that the next generation is here.

First Mr Nichols, now Everything Is Under Control

New Coldcut video steams, audio and eCard: Everything Is Under Control

For many, Coldcut's 70 Minutes of Madness holds rank as 'the best DJ mix album of all time'. Mixing drum and bass, electronica, dub, hip-hop, reggae, cutting-edge techno into a tight, ever-flowing smooth ensmeble of sound, Coldcut raised the 'mix-album' bar and had other DJs take notice. When the original production of the album ceased in 1998, the demand was so high the copies were selling on eBay for $70! If you are a fan of DJ mixes and have yet to experience Coldcut then be sure to check out the new Coldcut Everything Is Under Control video & audio streams, and the Coldcut eCard.

Coldcut MEDIA [ Everthing Is Under Control (VIDEO Windows) | Everthing Is Under Control (VIDEO Real) | Everything Is Under Control (AUDIO Windows) | Everything Is Under Control (AUDIO Real) | Everything Is Under Control (eCard) ]

KEYWORDS [ Coldcut | Ninja Tune | Coldcut Biography ]

Dance, Dance, Work-out Solution: House Mixed Vol. 1

House Mixed, Vol. 1: 24 Worldwide House Anthems is a must have for Dance DJs, aerobics coaches and home-gym enthusiasts. Fans of House Music will want to add this CD to their collections. Dave Mathias' mix is pulsating and relentless. At times, it's dead sexy too. The mixing is superb with individual tracks flowing into one another so seamlessly that the exact moment of transition is often very difficult to pin-point. The energy level is intense throughout making this an outstanding work-out soundtrack. it is impossible to listen to this mix and not feel your energy level pumped to the max. It will leave you breathless.

KEYWORDS [ House Mixed, Vol. 1: 24 Worldwide House Anthems ]

Fred Rogers, American Icon

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood lives on…

Stop a moment to consider this truth: At one time or another many of today's American rock & rap stars have watched at least one episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It's true. Admit it. Whether they watched at the insistance of a doting aunt or busy parent, or simply because of the infamous Eddy Murphy Saturday Night Live Mister Robber's Neighborhood spoof, they watched. Truth is, many watched more than once.

No one can dispute that Fred Rogers has earned the title of American icon. He reached millions of American youth over several generations. There is no arguing with success, period. So it is only natural that Songs From the Neighborhood, a Fred Rogers tribute, came into existence. Read about it here: Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers.

Enjoy Your Digital Music Library, with The Savvy Guide to Digital Music

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Indy-Tech Publishing, the publishing division of Sams Technical Publishing, LLC, has announced the September 2005 release of The Savvy Guide To Digital Music, ISBN 0-7906-1317-4.

Once music is in digital form you have a host of options for enjoying your collection of hits, whether they're today's DJ-inspired dance tunes, or classic tunes by the Beach Boys. Mansfield has 38 books to his credit and has put his experiences on paper for all to learn from.

"This book covers the issues surrounding digital music," notes Richard White, Chief Operating Officer at Sams Technical Publishing. "Mansfield covers all the bases, from storage to manipulation to copyright issues. It's a very complete book that will help both the novice and experienced listener."

Author Richard Mansfield calls upon his extensive background in computers and his love of music to bring a new spin to the topic. Mansfield believes that his primary strength as a writer is explaining technology to the average person, empowering people to get involved and benefit from the amazing things computers can do. From 1981 through 1987, Mansfield was editor of COMPUTE! Magazine. He has written hundreds of magazine articles and two columns. From 1987 to 1991 Mansfield was editorial director and partner in Signal Research and began writing books full-time in 1991. He has written 38 computer books since 1982. Overall, Mansfield's books have sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide, and have been translated into 12 languages.

Sams Technical Publishing, LLC, formerly a part of the Howard W. Sams Company, has a long history of publishing, dating back to 1946, with books covering a myriad of topics. Sams Technical Publishing continues to publish Photofact Repair Schematics, the publications on which the company was founded. Sams Technical Publishing, LLC is based in Indianapolis, Indiana and is part of the AGS Capital, LLC group of companies, which includes Superior Metal Technologies, FastTek Group, Hoosier Trim, and MedTech Colleges.

More information regarding Sams Technical Publishing can be found at www.samswebsite.com.

B.B. King's got the Blues

Here are B.B. King/Gary Moore U.K. tour dates:

March 29: Sheffield (Arena)

March 31: Manchester (MEN Arena)

April 1: Birmingham (NEC Arena)

April 2: Bournemouth (BIC Arena)

April 4: London (Wembley Arena)

Moore, who is best known in the U.S. for his on-again, off-again affiliation with Thin Lizzy and his acclaimed 1990 release, "Still Got the Blues," explained how the tour materialized. "B.B.'s U.K. promoter asked me and it seemed like a great honor, so I didn't give it a second thought and jumped at the opportunity to play with BB again," he says. "(King is) a warm and generous guy, a real gentleman with such a great presence, on and off stage." [LINK]

R&B Artist: Jesse Powell

It's been over four years since Jesse Powell's 2001 release titled JP, BIGBAER Urban Alternative Music Magazine (BIGBAER.COM/Jesse-Powell) interviewed Jesse in Chicago shortly after the album was released and we were as impressed then as we remain now. Jesse Powell is one of the contemporary R&B greats, singing with an angelic voice and an incredible four-octave range, Jesse Powell is what rhythm and blues is all about. If you are a fan of R&B and you've not heard Jesse Powell, then you are truly missing something special.

Jesse Powell, If I [lyrics]

Artist - Jesse Powell
Album - JP
Lyrics - If I

I was so busy doin' things
Doin' things that I wasn't supposed to
And I know you might not believe me babe
But I love you

For each tear, forgive me
It was unintentional
That I made you cry
I want you to know that I
I apologize
And I'm prayin' that it's not too late

1 - Girl, if I, if I should lose you girl
If I could make love to you girl
If I have thrown our love away
I don't know what I'm gonna do

I can't even imagine babe
I can't imagine my life without you
And I, I can't even fathom babe
Someone is loving you

Don't turn away from me
And leave me here down on my knees
Without you, I'm dying
Won't you come save my life
Now I realize
That I'll never love the way that I loved you

Repeat 1

Oh, I know
I know I was wrong
With you, I belong
If our love is gone
How can I carry on?
I'm so alone without you to hold
Won't you come home

Repeat 1 to fade

LINK [ Jesse Powell Interview ] KEYWORDS [ Jesse Powell ]

Viva K resulted from a winter-long marathon recording session at the Ranch, living off of wine funded with unemployment checks. as the band recorded all of their jams, material started piling up. Studio wiz Skoda began mixing and editing their prolific output and the result was an album's worth of songs that combined the drone element of raga with the simple aggressiveness of punk.

Listen to Splendour from Viva K

Viva K
Splendour [ RealAudio ]

Artist: Viva K
Album: Viva K (self-titled)
TRACK LIST

1. Guru
2. Dekoder
3. No Better Time
4. Does It Matter?
5. We Are Safe
6. Light Light Light
7. Who You Are
8. Splendour
9. Porch Raga
10. Love Everybody
11. Just One More
12. Ming

KEYWORDS [ Viva K ] TAGS [ Viva K | BIGBAER | Alternative Music | Music Magazine ]

At first listen you might think She Wants Revenge hails from across the Atlantic Ocean, from across the pond, but you would be painfully wrong. She Wants Revenge hails from the sunny shores of the Pacific Ocean, from a small town known as L.A. The history of this band is shrouded in mystery—seriously, lots of bands wish they were as mysterious as these guys…hell, Batman wishes he was as mysterious as these guys, So no one really knows who, what or why the California sun inspires She Wants Revenge to make such dark dance music. Whatever the reason, I am grateful.

BEASTIE BOYS SOLID GOLD HITS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 8 ON LP, COMPACT DISC & LIMITED EDITION DVD/CD

In celebration of Beastie Boys' 24th anniversary, Capitol Records has suddenly decided to pay tribute to their second (or perhaps even third) best band with a greatest hits record: Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Adrock" Horovitz and Adam "MCA" Yauch-known collectively as Beastie Boys-will be lionized November 8th with the release of Solid Gold Hits.

This sick ass 15-track compendium distills the NYC trio's storied career into a very friendly friend format: Making it’s way from the "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" and "Fight For Your Right" antipasti, through the "Shake Your Rump, "So What'cha Want" and "Sabotage" primi piati, right into last years secundi piati To The 5 Boroughs' "Ch-Check It Out," "An Open Letter To NYC" and "Triple Trouble" - and all courses in between.

So whether you're reliving your own favorite Capitol Records memories or sharing the "Sabotage" or the "Intergalactic" with a loved one for the first time, the audio and visual Solid Gold Hits experience is guaranteed to put the nuts back in your fruitcake this holiday season.

Track listing for Beastie Boys Solid Gold Hits

1. So What'cha Want
2. Brass Monkey
3. Ch-Check It Out
4. No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn
5. Hey Ladies
6. Pass The Mic
7. An Open Letter To NYC
8. Root Down
9. Shake Your Rump
10. Intergalactic
11. Sure Shot
12. Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)
13. Triple Trouble
14. Sabotage
15. Fight For Your Right

KEYWORDS [ Beastie Boys | Solid Gold Hits | Beastie Boys DVDs ]

Beastie Boys - Now Get Busy [mp3] ♬ [legal mp3 download]

]]> http://www.bigbaer.com/archives/2005/09/beastie_boys_so_1.html http://www.bigbaer.com/archives/2005/09/beastie_boys_so_1.html Musical Alternatives Sat, 24 Sep 2005 02:36:38 -0600