54th Ivor Novello Awards

The Ivor Novello Awards celebrate the outstanding writing achievements of songwriters, composers and their music publishers. The awards either celebrate artistic excellence in a specific work, exceptional sales or performance figures in the award year or recognise the outstanding achievements of a particular songwriter or composer throughout their career.

Nominees:
BEST SONG MUSICALLY & LYRICALLY

Song: My Mistakes Were Made For You
Performed By: The Last Shadow Puppets

Song: One Day Like This
Performed By: Elbow

Song: The Last Of The Melting Snow
Performed By: The Leisure Society

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG

Song: Dance Wiv Me
Performed By: Dizzee Rascal

Song: Grounds For Divorce
Performed By: Elbow

Song: That’s Not My Name
Performed By: The Ting Tings

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK

Song: Mercy
Performed By: Duffy

Song: Sweet About Me
Performed By: Gabriella Cilmi

Song: Viva La Vida
Performed By: Coldplay

BEST SELLING BRITISH SONG

Song: Mercy
Performed By: Duffy

Song: Paper Planes
Performed By: M.I.A

Song: Viva La Vida
Performed By: Coldplay

ALBUM AWARD

Album: Rockferry
Performed By: Duffy

Album: Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
Performed By: Coldplay

Album: We Started Nothing
Performed By: The Ting Tings

One of the biggest surprises this year is Nick Hemming and his band The Leisure Society which is nominated for the ‘Best song musically & lyrically’ award. Nick is a warehouse worker who has been trying to break into the music industry for 15 years. The band has no record deal and their self-published debut single, The Last of The Melting Snow, failed to trouble the top 40 on its release in December. However, now, if Hemming’s song were to win, he would join a select roster of songwriters including Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie and John Barry.

54th Ivor Novello Awards will be held on 21st of May at the Grosvenor House.

‘Noiret & The Flowers’ Excellent New Single: “Fragile”

Italian band, ‘Noiret & The Flowers’, are to release their debut single “Fragile”
on the MBOP megastore. Famous for their live performances, their sound is completely organic void of any technological meddling, incorporating percussion instruments such as the vibraphone and marimba. Their approach in making music is fascinatingly fresh and original.

“Fragile” beautifully demonstrates this, an infusion of soft seductive sounds; emotive melodies and captivating lyrics enchant the listener. This is acoustic pop music at its best. The new age-feel of the vocals forms the basis of the album, which hooks the listener with its strong emotional impact.

This new musical departure may, at first seem unusual and hard to classify as belonging to any particular genre, but the more you listen, the more you will be swept away by a type of music that has its own new and very personal identity. In the words of the man himself, “life without songs is like a garden without flowers” They are ‘Noiret & the Flowers’.

CLICK HERE FOR NOIRET & THE FLOWERS WEB SITE

Bat For Lashes: “Two Suns”

Bat For Lashes is a band, Natasha Khan is the lead singer, and they have released a new album “Two Suns”. We music buffs at MBOP like it so much that we decided to write a special article about the band, their music, and what makes their shamanic music so exquisite. If you haven’t listened to it yet, “Two Suns” is available to download from the MBOP megastore right now, what are you waiting for?

Kahn is one of the most dynamic and intriguing singers in the country, her powerful and whimsical voice is an asset in itself, her ability to effortlessly shift between subtle and histrionic vocal styles is miraculous, but her talent lies her lyrics and song writing.

Kahn can conjure powerful emotions with vivid swathes of words (“I drove past true love once, in a dream/Like a house that caught fire, it burned and flamed”). It’s all vivid imagery, almost sensual.

Her songs allure the senses, both sonically and vocally. Her lyrics give us an insight into her psyche, imagination and experiences. Her live performances amaze, entice and seduce you into her mystical world. In 2007, she transformed the stage of ‘Koko’ in Camden into enchanted woodland; she also writes all of her songs, designs the costumes that she wears on stage as well. It’s almost as if she continues to fascinate and demand your attention with music and lyrics that are as visual as watching a film.

In 2006 Kahn released her debut album “Fur and Gold”, meanwhile Razorlight and the Kooks also released new material as well, which unfortunately suffocated the British public with their dowdy sounds and tedious lyrics.

Kahn was an inspiration, offering a suitably enigmatic alternative; “Fur and Gold” appeared to be from some kind of enchanted utopia. As if the lyrics and songs were written whilst intoxicated by some Alice in Wonderland type potion. The debut album had a haunting; a celestial beauty in it, the critics accepted it and her performance at Glastonbury was confirmed. She donned a feathered headband and became a fashion icon.

Three years have passed and Kahn’s been developing her music, mind and her alter ego ‘Pearl’. Being a believer in Analytical / Jungian psychology, Kahn is influenced by her physical and mystical surroundings absorbing different elements from each place.

Kahn travelled to the US touring, inspiring, whilst visually making a mental scrapbook, putting ideas in her head, she visited Joshua Tree (US National Park) in California to absorb the desert its skies and its mystics and Brooklyn in New York to capture the electricity and grittiness of the city. Eventually returning home to start writing lyrics in her controlled environment / bedroom.

“Two Suns” is the newest addition to the Bat For Lashes legacy, and I’m glad to report it doesn’t disappoint. The album art for starters immediately presents Kahn in a surreal environment. ‘Glass’ kicks off the album beautifully, delicate vocals and synth’s slither in, heavy rolling drums begin, and shamanic instruments jingle it’s a song that burst out, unafraid, it has melody, ambition and intent. Yeah… they certainly haven’t lost their signature sound, swirling crystalline pop, haunting piano ballads, ethereal melodies swathed in shimmering keyboard.

I could compare “Two Suns” with ‘The Animal Collective’s’ “Post Merriweather Pavillion”, there’s not quite as much going on here granted but the hazy, dreamlike state it induces is near identical. At its heart, this is a pop record bursting at the seams with melody and invention. “Fur and Gold” was nominated for Mercury & Brit Awards in the UK, and a Plug Award in the US. “Two Suns” will no doubt receive its highly deserved awards.

However “Fur and Gold” and “Two Suns” are completely different from one another, moving away from the debut album’s storytelling, “Two Suns” is more emotional, human, accessible, more Pop. It’s music like this that makes me think, why is the music industry drowned by over manufactured rubbish? Put simply this is a dazzling album!

Download the “Two Suns” from MBOP megastore here!

Doyle Take On The Doors With “Crystal Ship”

“Crystal Ship” is the brilliant new single from ‘Doyle’.

‘Doyle’ is a combination of talent, Mick Doyle as lead singer, Dermot McKlusky on bass, Gary Pickard on guitar, and Louie Palmer on the drums.

Originally from Manchester, Mick has had a lifelong affair with music. Growing up he soon became captivated by rock n’ roll and its greats. Inspiration stemmed from Elvis Presley’s vocals to the poetry of ‘The Doors’ and the energy, power and attitude of the Sex Pistols.

Mick has totally dedicated his life to becoming the next musical prodigy, from learning and discussing music in Bexley Heath men’s clubs to recording his first track at 18. Mick’s experiences have all helped forge ‘Doyle’ and their sound.

Doyle’s “Crystal Ship” is a rework of ‘The Doors’ 1967 eerie, dark love song. ‘Doyle’ bring with them relaxed undulating drums, sensational guitar rifts, and dynamic vocals, energising and strengthening the original to excellent heights. They enlighten the original and give it a modern almost manic street preacher type sound.

So far ‘Crystal Ship’ has received great reactions industry wise and support from BBC London, ‘6 Music’ & ‘XFM’. ‘Doyle’ can be checked out on MySpace where his site has received over a million hits and a quarter of a million plays. His life story in music has been recorded on film in a documentary all about ‘Doyle’.

‘Doyle’ will be releasing a 10-track album later this year. This will include a theme song for the London Marathon, featuring Israel’s prized musician Gillad on saxophone.

CLICK HERE FOR DOYLE WEB SITE

To create a summary mood, check out The Beach Boys!!!

The Beach Boys is a legendary Californian rock band formed in late 60s. Among rock and roll groups of the Sixties, the California quintet place second only to the Beatles in terms of their overall impact on the Top Forty. The Boys also sold more than 65 million albums worldwide. The Beach Boys’ sunny vocal harmonies are one of the signatures sounds of the modern era. The band mainly concentrated on California’s teenhood ideology such as surfing, dating, and driving. Many changes in both musical styles and personnel have occurred during their career, notably because of Brian Wilson’s mental illness and drug use and the deaths of Dennis and Carl Wilson in 1983 and 1998, respectively. The band was introduced into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as well as received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is “The Greatest Hits Volume 2: 20 Good Vibrations” which includes some greatest Beach Boys songs such as “California Girls”, “Help me, Rhonda” and “Kokomo”.

Buy The Beach Boys Music Here

Perfect new release for Manchester United fans!!!

Although Manchester United lost 2-4 to Everton on penalties on Sunday, fans can keep their spirit high by listening to the great soundtrack.

More about the failure:

But Ferguson said: “He came on and actually did quite well. He did really well. He is disappointed to miss a penalty of course and he will get criticised.”

“When you pay £30million for a player then everyone thinks he should be able to score a penalty.”

“But it’s not just about that. Anyone can lose a penalty shootout.”

Manchester United are the most successful Premier League Club having won the title 10 times. It all began in 1993 when manager Sir Alex Ferguson ended a 26-year wait to lift Premier League crown.

iTunes download

MBOP Megastore download

The Ultimate Manchester United Support Track Exclusively At Mbop Megastore

Glory Glory Man United is the new single which no Manchester United football fan should be without. The new release exclusively at Mbop Megastore is now available to download. What a better way to celebrate a victory than by playing Glory Glory Man United in full blast and why stop there, beat the queue and be the first to sing along the karaoke version which is also available to download at our Megastore. This single is a triumphant preparatory and after victory fuelling engine, which will make you want to march forward and support your Man United at all costs. Check it out here!

Nina Simone – High Priestess of Soul

Nina Simone was the sixth out of seven children of her family and was born as Eunice Kathleen Waymon on 21 of February 1933 Tryon, North Carolina. She went to study at Julliard School of Music in New York, where she studied to become a classical music pianist.

To fund her study, she started working as an accompanist. In the summer of 1954 she took a job in an Irish bar where the owner told her she had to sing as well. Without having time to realize what was happening, Eunice Waymon, who was trained to become a classical pianist, stepped into the show business. At that time she changed her name into Nina (“little one”) Simone (“from the French actress Simone Signoret”) because she did not want her mother, who was a strict Methodist minister, to know that she was playing “the devil’s music”.

Combining Bachian counterpoint, the improvisational approach of jazz and the modulations of the blues, she went on to become one of the biggest stars of Jazz music.

Some facts:

Her first album Little Girl Blue did not bring her much financial rewards. She sold the rights of the album for $3000, despite the album bringing in more than $ 1 million in royalties, especially after the successful re-release “My Baby Just Cares for Me” during the 80s.

Her autobiography, “I Put A Spell on You” which was published in 1991 was translated into 3 different languages.

Her daughter Lisa Celeste (Lisa Stroud) was born in 1962. She`s a Broadway actress, star of the Broadway musical “Elton John`s Aida”.

She had a reputation in the music industry for being volatile and sometimes difficult to deal with. On one occasion she shot and wounded her neighbor’s son with a pneumatic pistol after his laughter disturbed her concentration. She also fired a gun at a record company executive whom she accused of stealing royalties.

In her later life she was awarded an Honorary Doctor in Music and Humanities.

Plans for a Nina Simone biographical film were released at the end of 2005. The movie will be based on Simone’s autobiography I Put A Spell On You (1992) and will also focus on her relationship in later life with her assistant, Clifton Henderson, who died in 2006. TV writer Cynthia Mort (Will & Grace, Roseanne) is working on the script, and singer Mary J. Blige will play the lead role. The movie is scheduled for release this year.

She once said that “Jazz is a white term to define Black people. My music is Black classical music.”

Buy Nina Simone`s Esential

Johnny Cash: “Portrait”

With a career that spanded over 6 decades Johnny Cash is regarded as an all time musical legend. He became famous as an outlaw figure, for playing in prisons and creating the myth of the ‘Man In Black’.

If you want a quick way to discover more about his life, then I suggest you watch James Mangold’s Oscar winning film “Walk The Line” (2006). A dedicated chronicle to Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix), from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins.

However if you’ve watched the film and want to listen to his all time classics, then MBOP megastore has a little treat for you, Johnny Cash’s 26 six-track album “Portrait”.

So here’s a little summary on Johnny Cash for you all. Cash was one of country music’s most enduring stars, as well as blues, folk, rock ‘n’ roll and gospel. Originally born in 1932, Arkansas, US. Cash began to write songs at the age of 12, picking up influences from the radio and through country and western music. He soon became an icon of American country music in the 50’s, with a full album release on Sun records in 57 he managed to beat Elvis Presley.

Elements that made Cash stand out from other artists was his deep bass-baritone voice, perfectly complementing his songs themes and his blacked out clothes, hence the nick name ‘The Man In Black’. In the 60’s Cash had hits with “Ring of Fire” and “A Boy Named Sue”. “Ring of Fire” was co-written with his future wife June Carter Cansas.

During his extensive career, Cash won 11 Grammy Awards and received multiple Country Music Awards. Unfortunately Cash died at the age of 71. He influenced a plethora of artists, including Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones who said, “His influence spread over many generations of different people. I loved him as a singer and a song writer.”

“Portrait” and many other of his albums and releases are all available to download off the MBOP megastore, we strongly recommend that you check these out, because lets face it, he’s a bit of a legend!

WIN AN IPOD SHUFFLE OR £500 WORTH OF MP3 DOWNLOADS.

A perfect combination.

Limited storage space has always meant you had to leave a lot of your songs back on the substitutes bench. The iPod shuffle has 4GB of storage leaving you with plenty of room to store hours and hours of music. That’s up to 1,000 songs with room for multiple playlists too.

Mbop boasts an impressive back catalogue from a multitude of record labels ranging from Aaargh!Records through MaxJazz all the way to the Zavitson Music group! Whether its an artist currently at the summit of the charts or a refreshing blast from way back when, Mbop has the right selection.

For your chance to merge these two innovative concepts by winning the iPod shuffle or £500 worth of mp3 downloads from Mbop, all you have to do is register! Signing up to Mbop is quick and easy and within minutes you can be onboard. www.mbopdigital.com