February 14, 2011

Blur and Gorillaz lose out on Grammy Awards 2011

Previously, I wrote about how Blur and Gorillaz were nominated for 3 awards in the Grammys 2011Some awards were handed out yesterday afternoon. Sadly both bands did not pick up a trophy. 


...and the winners were:


When You're Strange: A Film About the Doors (Best Long Form Music Video)


Bad Romance – Lady Gaga (Best Short Form Music Video)


Nessun Dorma -- Jeff Beck (Best Pop Instrumental Performance)

Blur's "No Distance Left to Run" was nominated for the same category but lost out to The Door's film "When You're Strange". 


As much as I love The Doors, it's a pity indeed that they robbed Blur of its nomination.


60s Rock Band The Doors
I've included links in the post to the winners' work. Feel free to leave a comment on what you think of the pieces. Personally I really think Jeff Beck's instrumental is nothing compared to Gorillaz's. It does not have flair, and sounds like an orchestral piece rather than a "pop" performance.

Gorillaz screams "Pop" in their sound, artwork and just everything!


Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/List+2011+Grammy+winners+nominees+updated+evening/4268723/story.html#ixzz1DtTyYZ8N


February 13, 2011

Blur and Gorillaz - nominated for Grammy Awards 2011

I'm watching the Grammy Awards Clive Davis Party live online. Still a day before the real awards. Both Blur and Gorillaz were nominated this year, and it's the FIRST TIME Blur's ever received a Grammy Award. Ironic isn't it, how it's been years since they made any album and it's still the first time ever that they got nominated. 

Blur's documentary No Distance Left To Run was nominated for Best Long Form Music Video. 

Best Long Form Music Video
  • 1. NO DISTANCE LEFT TO RUN -  Blur
  • 2. WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE - The Doors
  • 3. THE GREATEST EARS IN TOWN: THE ARIF MARDIN STORY -  Arif Mardin
  • 4. RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE - Rush
  • 5. UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS - The White Stripes
Gorillaz's were nominated for 2 awards:

Best Pop Instrumental Performance
  • "Flow" -- Laurie Anderson
  • "Nessun Dorma" -- Jeff Beck
  • "No Mystery" -- Stanley Clarke
  • "Orchestral Intro" -- Gorillaz
  • "Sleepwalk" -- The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Best Short Form Music Video
  • Johnny Cash – "Ain't No Grave / The Johnny Cash Project"
  • Eminem and Rihanna – "Love the Way You Lie"
  • GorillazMos Def and Bobby Womack– "Stylo"
  • Cee Lo Green – "Fuck You!"
  • Lady Gaga – "Bad Romance"

Bruce Willis in Stylo
Lets see if Gorillaz or Blur notches up an award! Keep checking this site for updates!   


February 10, 2011

Damon Albarn to sing with Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg's official site confirms that Gorillaz will feature on his new album "Doggumentary", due to be released on March 29th. The album art was unveiled a few days ago to fans. 



Guests on the album include Kanye, E-40, Gorillaz, R.Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, Jeezy, T-Pain and more. Below is the tracklist for Doggumentary.

01. Toys In The Hood (feat. Bootsy Collins) /Produced by Jake One
02. My Own Way /Produced by Denaun Porter
03. Eyes Closed (feat. Kanye West & John Legend) /Produced by Kanye West
04. Something Like This (feat. Gorillaz) /Produced by Gorillaz
05. Take You Home (feat. Too Short, Kokane & Daz Dillinger) /Produced by Meech Wells
06. El Jay (feat. Marty James) /Produced by Scoop Deville
07. Cold Game (feat. LaToya Williams) /Produced by Rick Rude
08. Don't It Feel Good (feat. Ne-Yo) /Produced by David Banner
09. Dirty Dancer (feat. Trey Songz) /Produced by Trylogy
10. Superman (feat. Willie Nelson) /Produced by Willie Nelson's Band
11. Raised In The Hood /Produced by Warren Campbell
12. Choose /Produced by Black Mob
13. This Weed Is Mine (feat. Wiz Khalifa) /Produced by Scoop Deville
14. Gangbang Rookie (feat. Pilot) /Produced by J-Kwon
15. New Year's Eve (feat. Marty James) /Produced by Scoop Deville
16. Wet /Produced by The Cataracs


Click here to check out Snoop Dogg's official website with the good news.

I'm glad - this means we will get to hear Damon sing again. One more of his fantastic collaborations with different bands can be added to our Blur collection!

Seeing as Snoop Dogg sang in Plastic Beach (Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach, watch below), I wonder if Damon will even tour with him in 2011 ?




Guys, 2011 seems very promising so far. Damon's back on track, Gorillaz is not splitting up (yet), Graham, Dave and Alex seems optimistic and open about Blur doing some more tracks and jamming together and don't forget Damon's new opera and Graham's film soundtrack!

Oh, and don't forget, Alex James is hosting a music festival and Dave's running for politics again.

Now if only Jamie and Damon can just get along.... then we might even get to hear those Gorillaz B-sides that they never released.

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February 9, 2011

Alex James on the possible Blur reunion

Blur bassist Alex James has refused to talk about rumours that the band are recording new material.

Last month, Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree told Gigwise the band would “definitely” do something together again in 2011.

The band were planning to reunite and gather in the studio together again at the end of January and into February. 




But when asked about the speculation, James told BBC Newsbeat: "Musician makes record, that's not news, but musician makes cheese and puts on festival that's news.

"Nothing to report from Blur, we're mates and we always will be. We'll always get together now and again."
 

James added that he was currently concentrating on his forthcoming musical festival, Harvest, which will take place at his home in Oxfordshire in September.

"Would Blur play? You should ask them. One day. Who knows? Could be good," he said. 


Just a little update on what's going on in the Blur world... Alex's keeping it positive and Dave and Graham have tweeted and facebook'd about this. All up to Damon now!

Read the original article: Gigwise


February 8, 2011

Vote for Gorillaz in the NME Awards 2011

Gorillaz are up for 3 awards at this year's NME Awards.

Damon doing Gorillaz

Stylo is up for best track, against Cee Lo Green - "Fuck You" -Foals - "Spanish Sahara" -Janelle Monae (feat. Big Boi) - "Tightrope" -Mark Ronson & the Business Intl - "Bang Bang Bang"

Stylo is also up for best video, up against -Arcade Fire - "We Used to Wait" -Brandon Flowers - "Crossfire" -Chase & Status - "Let You Go" -My Chemical Romance - "Na Na Na"



Plastic Beach is up for Best Album Artwork, up against -Foals - "Total Life Forever" -Klaxons - "Surfing the Void" -MGMT - "Congratulations" -My Chemical Romance - "Danger Days"

You can check out all the categories, and vote, here.



Hope Gorillaz sweep 3 awards up!


February 3, 2011

Dave and Graham on Facebook - speculation

I was just browsing through the blur boards this morning and I saw this post by Cold War Kid:



This leads me on to think about the possible new Blur material, EP or even album.

Now Damon has always been rather... indecisive. He'd say something like he'd never want to do Blur again, and then next week we get something in the news about a surprise single release (Fools Day anyone?).

Dave - he's as the fans call him, the Reliable one. Honest, down to earth, political red-head. The drummer who famously smashed Song 2. Dave has been sort of the spokesman of the bad these few years. Graham's busy with his elusive life a a guitarist bachelor, Damon's apeing with Gorillaz and Alex's busy making cheese and appearing on random talk shows.

Dave was quoted says 'nothing concrete' is confirmed and admitted any plans for any new material from the four-piece are still up in the air. "We’re in touch," he said. "But we've got nothing concrete and nothing formalised about doing anything." Check the article out here.

Anyways, two things I want to say.

Firstly, I do think that the band are getting along well and have reconciled their differences before. Fools Day, the single out by Blur as a charity record, sounds like something straight out of Parklife or Modern Life is Rubbish. The reunion gig last year was also great, great for the fans and the band. If they do have something coming up to spring upon us, I wouldn't be too surprised!

Lastly, Graham Coxon has facebook? I would not have thought he would make it so public and comment on Dave's status. Hmm... I question the actuality of the facebook page itself.

Thanks for reading and what do you guys think of Dave and his facebook saga?


February 2, 2011

New Blur Album in 2011

Well, news for all you Blur lovers out there. Good news. The band are planning recording sessions in 2011, and if happy with the results, they will release a new album sometime this year.

blurtheband, blur group picture, blur damon alex dave, dave rowntree, graham coxon blur, alex james blur, rowntree blur, blur scan

According to a reliable source,  the lads will be getting in the studio next year. There's no concrete plans regarding what they will do with the material, but if they're all agreed it could become the first full Blur album to feature all four members in over a decade.

The band played some huge outdoor shows in the summer of 2009 and briefly reunited again in January this year. They also recorded limited edition single Fool's Day, which was released in April. You can check it out here.

The source added: "When they went into the studio earlier this year everyone was really pleased to discover that the old magic was still there. They would have liked to have done more, but Damon could not take part due to his commitments with GORILLAZ."

"Now that he's finished touring with the band he has more time on his hands."

Looks like we might get Blur back in 2011! What do you guys think - for better or for worse? Do you guys like Fool's Day?

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3308801/Britpop-legends-Blur-get-together-for-new-album.html


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