Tribute to TOWNES VAN ZANDT wins a Grammy

Steve Earle's heartfelt tribute to songwriter Townes Van Zandt, appropriately entitled TOWNES, has won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

You can find out more about this recording here and more about Townes here.

"Just Kids" - Patti Smith reflects on Robert Mapplethorpe

This week Patti Smith celebrates the release of 'Just Kids', her book on her early years and life with Robert Mapplethorpe, her friend / confidant / roommate in the '70s. The NY Times reports, "'Just Kids' carries its author to the verge of fame. . .becoming pregnant at 19 and heading to New York for a fresh start. . .(a) tenderly evocative memoir."


Read the full The New York Times Review

FREE MUSIC FROM PALM!!

In association with Amazon, Palm proudly announces the release of "THE PALM SAMPLER", a free full-length download featuring tracks from some of your favorite Palm artists. From the world beat rhythms of BAABA MAAL and SIDESTEPPER to indie rock favorites EARLIMART and MOVING UNITS, the Palm Sampler give you 10 choice cuts as an introduction to our catalog.

Go HERE to check it out!

Baaba Maal "Best of 2009" - Nat Geo Music

Among the many accolades given to Baaba Maal's latest CD "Television", National Geographic has chosen it one of the best new discs of 2009. Calling it "a complex, heady album that gets more rewarding with each listen," Nat Geo Music celebrates "Television" as a highlight in a great year for international music.

See the full list at National Geographic's site here

Patti Smith DREAM OF LIFE on PBS

On December 30th , Patti Smith's 63rd Birthday, the documentary DREAM OF LIFE will be making its on-air broadcast premeire as part of the PBS series POV.

Check your local listings to confirm and for rebroadcast times. Meanwhile, today's NY Times has a feature article on the upcoming Patti Smith celebration (including her annual end-of-year concerts at the Bowery Ballroom and a new gallery exhibit (with director Steven Seibring) in the new year.

A Legend as Muse: Patti Smith Fills Role, The New York Times, December 20, 2009

Jonathan Demme directs for theater

Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Stop Making Sense) will be directing his first play in NYC this spring:

Apr 7-May 23, 2010
Family Week
by Beth Henley

A year after the death of her son, Claire checks into a recovery center in the desert, searching for a way to cope. When her mother, daughter and sister arrive to participate in "family week," long-dormant traumas collide with recent tragedies in surprisingly comical, shocking and deeply moving ways. United in this family struggle, the women rage and reach out in an effort to reconcile their love with the way things are. Making his theatrical debut, Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) collaborates with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart) on a new version of this bitterly funny play. Acclaimed actresses Rosemarie DeWitt (Rachel Getting Married) and Sarah Jones (Tony Award-winner for Bridge and Tunnel) will join the cast.


"With Jonathan Demme in charge, there’s a guarantee of taste and skill.” -New Yorker

For more information, go to MCC Theater

Baaba Maal completes promo tour at Joe's Pub

Baaba Maal completed a whirlwind visit to the US (Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York), culminating in a sold-out show at Joe's Pub on Saturday October 17th. Billed as IN CONVERSATION WITH BAABA MAAL, the show featured a dialogue between Baaba and MTV's Bill Flanagan, followed by a short acoustic set by Baaba and guitarist Barry Reynolds. Other shows included the UCLA campus and the Chicago Cultural Center, plus live radio appearances on World Cafe and WNYC Soundcheck. [Photos by Kevin Yatarola]

Look for Baaba's return in April for a full tour with band!

Talking Heads STOP MAKING SENSE on BLU RAY TODAY!!!

Get Your Copy Today!