U2: New single and new short film
U2's new song, "You're the Best Thing About Me," not only has a regular music video, it now has a short film.
Filmmaker Tatia Pilieva created a short documentary about love and separation featuring a newlywed military couple, high school sweethearts, a Syrian refugee family in Greece and a young couple from Mexico City. The film follows each couple for the final 24 hours they are together before one partner has to leave. And "You're the Best Thing About Me" provides the soundtrack.
Tatia says, "The key for me is that when these people are saying goodbye, they are still very much in love. I didn't want to film a bunch of breakups. I didn't want to put that into the world. I wanted to put out something positive. Yes, it's positively heartbreaking, but there's love all over it."
The song, off the forthcoming U2 album Songs of Experience, was written by Bono as a love letter to his longtime wife Ali.
THE MOODY BLUES: Days of Future Passed 50th anniversary re-issue
The Moody Blues will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album Days of Future Passed with an expanded Deluxe Edition. The concept album blends orchestral and psychedelic influences on its best-known tracks, "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon."
On sale November 17th, this set features the 1972 stereo remix along with a restored version from the original master tapes. The bonuses begin with nine BBC Radio session performances, as well as a DVD in 5.1 surround sound, plus previously unreleased 1968 video footage of three key Days of Future Passedtracks, done just eight weeks after the album’s release. The set also includes a poster designed by Ray Thomas.
The second album by the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, it signaled the beginning of the band's classic era, with Justin Hayward and John Lodge replacing founding members Denny Laine and Clint Warwick.
Days of Future Passed will also be available on a 180-gram vinyl LP.
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: Fan voting is revving up
Fan voting for the 19 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees for induction next year heated up over the weekend, with The Moody Blues overtaking Dire Straits for second place.
Bon Jovi still top the list, and their total has doubled to more than 122,000 votes.
The Moodies are in the 86,000 range, and Dire Straits are closing in on 84,000. This pleases Moody Blues bassist John Lodge, who says, "I’ve been reading the posts of tremendous support from our fans to the nomination... I’m blown away. Thank you."
Even the bottom of the list has seen a change as the late Link Wray has jumped past The Meters, leaving the New Orleans band in last place.
- Bon Jovi - 122,101
- Moody Blues - 85,871
- Dire Straits - 83,545
- The Cars - 71,732
- Eurythmics - 54,243
- Judas Priest - 48,230
- Depeche Mode - 44,992
- J. Geils Band - 41,820
- The Zombies - 37,843
- Radiohead - 31,795
- Nina Simone - 27,735
- Rage Against the Machine - 26,817
- Kate Bush - 21,370
- LL Cool J - 19,305
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe - 13,438
- The MC5 - 12,932
- Rufus featuring Chaka Khan - 12,011
- Link Wray - 11,102
- The Meters - 9,559
You have until 10:59 p.m. (Central) on December 5th to place your vote at RockHall.com/Vote. The Top 5 artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2018 inductees. You'll need to login with a Facebook account or E-mail to vote. Voting is capped at one ballot per day.
The 2018 inductees -- the five to seven acts chosen -- will be announced in December, with the 33rd annual induction ceremony set for April 14th at Public Auditorium in Cleveland. HBO will once again air the ceremony, with details to be announced later.