Each release will include two discs, and the DVD set will also available on Blu-Ray.

Brits will get to watch the show for free on BBC 4, Monday, 4 May.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTqg9WSsrCg[/youtube]

Recorded live at Harmony Festival, 2008.

Scientists have just shown that one of Bob Dylan’s most famous lines–”everybody must get stoned”– is correct. That’s because they’ve discovered that the brain manufactures proteins that act like marijuana at specific receptors in the brain itself.

The possibilities are intoxicating.

This discovery may lead to new marijuana-like drugs for managing pain, stimulating appetite, and preventing marijuana abuse.

Dylan says it all.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFbZxV4KMvo[/youtube]

That performance of “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35″ was recorded at a concert in Dallas in 2008. Lyrics are posted here.

Over 40 years after its release, whether “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35″ has anything to do with marijuana remains controversial.

An evil Spector: Record producer guilty of murder
Second jury convicts producer in actress’s death

LOS ANGELES — Phil Spector, the rock music impresario behind hits like Da Doo Ron Ron and You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling, was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in shooting a struggling actress at his mansion in 2003 after a night of drinking.

Spector, 68, faces at least 18 years in prison. The jury, in a five-month trial, reached its unanimous decision after 27 hours of deliberating whether he shot the woman in a fit of anger or, as his lawyers argued, merely witnessed her suicide.

Phil Spector was responsible for some of the most joyous moments in 1960s pop-rock music.  His work with such groups as the Ronettes, the Crystals, and the Righteous Brothers earned him world-wide recognition as an influential and respected creative artist.

Today, however, it all turns sour.  The music will live on, but its creator is brought low in shame and disgrace.  How the mighty have fallen.

On another day, I’d post a video of the Ronettes in happier times, but not today.  Here’s an AP report on the verdict.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPHx4VCknfE[/youtube]

Fans of Twitter say its beauty is that it allows users to upload their thoughts as and when they think of them. This can be a serious disadvantage for those of a belligerent disposition. Ms Love’s angry “tweets” against her former fashion designer, Dawn Simorangkir, have landed her in court.

This seems an appropriate place to post Monty Python’s Upper Class Tweet Twit of the Year.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSqkdcT25ss[/youtube]

When he opened up the CD, we were both astonished however. I hadn’t noticed when I bought it, but the tightly sealed plastic wrap packaging had been removed and had been replaced with a clear plastic resealable envelope-type wrapper. The front cover of the little booklet tucked inside serves as the front of the CD cover. This little booklet insert has photos of the artist, a list of the songs and lyrics, as well as the artistic credits.

Here’s what the front cover looks like before and after Saudi CD cops got through with it.

Click on images for enlargements.  See Susie of Arabia’s blog for the rest of the censored and uncensored cover art.

Saudi Arabian CD cops went to a lot of trouble to remove the plastic wrap and take the jewel box apart so they could carefully colour Kate Perry’s excessive exposed flesh with red and black markers.

One suspects, however, that the CPVPV agents were so distracted by Ms Perry’s bare legs that they completely forgot to read the song titles and lyrics. The second song is the notorious (and fatuous) “I Kissed A Girl”. How did that slip past the CD constabulary’s black markers?

h/t: Global Voices

They were the jaunty, forgettable streams of synthesized music you would hear between the lobby and your floor.

But like so many other cultural reference points, the elevator-music industry has faded away. And barely anybody noticed.

The breaking point came in February, when Muzak, the company that introduced us to elevator music, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

“We just don’t have music in elevators anymore,” said Joseph Lanza, author of “Elevator Music: A Surreal History of Muzak, Easy-Listening, and Other Moodsong.” Introduced in the early 1930s, elevator tunes were designed to calm the nerves of jittery passengers and mask the loud, frightening sounds of the grinding gears. But now, they are almost all silent, Lanza said. And somewhere along the way, the term elevator music became derisive, he lamented.

In 1989, Muzak rejected Ted Nugent’s offer to buy the company for $10 million with the intention of shutting it down. Ted hated elevator music:

“It’s an evil force in today’s society, causing people to lapse into uncontrollable fits of blandness. It’s been responsible for ruining some of the best minds of our generation.”

No more minds shall be so ruined.

h/t: Allmusic Blog

This hidden gem, recorded in 1962 for a film that was never released, Ten Girls Ago, features the great Dion singing “Feeling No Pain”. He co-wrote the song and produced a version by The del Satins that was released in 1963. The del Satins were the back-up group on many of Dion’s 1960s Columbia recordings, including “Runaround Sue”.

The del Satins’ version (also posted at YouTube) has a pop-rock doo-wop arrangement, whereas Dion goes for a big-band sound.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has now banned the Indonesian song ‘Allah Peduli’ (Allah Cares) because of the word Allah in its lyrics.

MAIS chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said today the song by Indonesian singer Agnes Monica used the word ‘Allah’ when referring to Jesus Christ and anyone found playing the song can be fined up to RM1,000 under the Non-Muslim Religious Enactment 1988.

Under the edict, non-Muslims who use the word “Allah” are subject to unspecified “action”.

MAIS also doesn’t want anyone discussing the ruling: the council has objected to two online polls regarding the usage of “Allah” by non-Muslims.

Mohamad Adzib said the ban is in place to prevent Muslims from being confused.

Mr Adzib is the one who’s confused: Arabic-speaking Christians have referred to God as “Allah” for centuries.

h/t: International Christian Concern

The girl walked away from God for a time, but God didn’t walk away from her. Her rebellious boyfriend started reading the Bible and says that she saved him from the devil. The sad part of the story is that her parents apparently fail to see God at work in her life.

h/t: Assist News Service

I apologise for the poor quality of the video.  YouTube is not allowing the official music video to be embedded.  Click here to watch a high-quality version.

Speaking at a conference in Dushanbe on February 26 attended by religious leaders and scholars, President Emomali Rahmon said religious figures should not appear in public, including in mosques, with untrimmed, bushy beards and wearing “scruffy” clothes.

The president personally criticized two high-ranking religious leaders, including the head of the country’s Council of Islamic Ulama, who were present at the conference, for the “appalling state” of their clothes that “tarnish the country’s image.”

“What is this you’re wearing?” asked Rahmon pointing to the modest, long overcoat worn by the head of the council. “As if you don’t have enough money to wear something more suitable.”

At least one fashion expert leading Muslim concurs.

“Nothing is wrong with wearing a suit and tie, even in mosques,” said Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, a prominent religious leader. “Just put on a light overcoat on top of your suit during prayers.”

The right overcoat can make even the most radical imam look dapper.

Modern mullahs would do well to heed Joe Jackson’s advice: “Look Sharp”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYhHycdy2SY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpnNrMhO9cc[/youtube]

h/t: Francis Beckwith at What’s Wrong With The World

The World Academy of Arts, Literature & Media recently named Iranian band Kiosk Best Blues Band of 2008.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjKQigyw8C0[/youtube]

To me, except for the Farsi lyrics, Kiosk looks and sounds like an American alt-country band.

KIOSK is often noted for its biting critical social and
 political, but humorous lyrics.

I’ll just have to take your word on that.

The band’s website is here; listen to their latest CD Global Zoo for free here.

h/t: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Transmission blog

Speaking at the MidemNet conference in Cannes, the Manx inward investment minister explained that the island has achieved 100% broadband penetration and now seeks that its citizens be able to download music with impunity – under an island-wide blanket licence.
[…]
The Isle of Man’s proposed scheme follows a similar model to legislation that was rejected by French parliament in 2006. Internet subscribers would pay an extra monthly fee to their ISPs, who would in turn purchase a blanket music licence from rights holders. Users would then be permitted to download whatever music they pleased, from whatever source – rogue P2P networks, shady BitTorrent trackers – without any legal repercussions.

The music industry has supported similar proposals elsewhere, but internet service providers wouldn’t appreciate being forced to raise their monthly fees and hand the proceeds over to music rights holders. Also, requiring non-downloading internet users to pay the fee is manifestly unfair. Nevertheless, the plan sounds like it’s almost a done deal.

The level of the fee is as yet unknown.  Manx investment manager Ron Berry thinks it could be as low as €1 per month, but the plan nixed by the French parliament suggested a monthly fee of €8-€12.

h/t: AllMusic Blog

A local Maryland newspaper reports that William Zantzinger has died at age 69. The cause of death is not given.

In 1963, a 24-year-old Zantzinger was attending a Baltimore hotel when he struck Hattie Carroll — a 51-year-old black barmaid — in the head and shoulders with a toy cane. Details of the attack vary, but most claim he was enraged she wasn’t serving him quickly enough. A distraught Carroll, who suffered from high blood pressure and an enlarged heart, returned to the kitchen where she complained to a co-worker about Zantzinger — and quickly collapsed and died. An autopsy stated she died of a brain hemorrhage and there was no mark on her head from the cane. Zantzinger was eventually charged with involuntary manslaughter due to the “tremendous emotional upsurge” caused by his attack. He paid a $25,000 fine and served a six-month prison sentence.

The song dogged Mr Zantzinger all his life. In 2001, he complained that Dylan’s song was “a total lie” and Dylan himself was “a scum bag of the earth”.  If the song were to be released today, he’d probably sue.

This clip shows Dylan singing “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” on CBC television, 1 February 1964.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4n-vL65dDM[/youtube]

The song’s lyrics are posted here.

The tapping high heel at the beginning is a classic Ferry touch.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkcsm9Ask_A[/youtube]

An alternate version turns up on this year’s Tell Tale Signs, while a different alternate version was included on the 1998 Touched By An Angel soundtrack CD.

This video was recorded during a 2000 concert in Sheffield.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl1UUDL-TBk[/youtube]

A full set of lyrics is posted here.

h/t: DylanTube

1. Christmas Intro [Explicit]
2. Xmas on Soul [Explicit]
3. This Christmas [Explicit]
4. A Gift That Keeps On Giving [Explicit]
5. A New Xmas [Explicit]
6. I Miss Them Days [Explicit]
7. A Very Special Christmas [Explicit]
8. Twas The Night Before Xmas [Explicit]
9. My Little Mama Trippin On Xmas [Explicit]
10. Just Like Xmas [Explicit]
11. Look Out [Explicit]
12. When Was Jesus Born? [Explicit]
13. Xmas Trees [Explicit]
14. Everyday Is Like Christmas To Me [Explicit]
15. Christmas In The Hood [Explicit]
16. The Grinch [Explicit]
17. It’s Christmas Time [Explicit]
18. Landy In My Egg Nog [Explicit]
19. Christmas Outro [Explicit]
20. A Pimp’s Christmas Song [Explicit]

Sounds like just the thing to add a little holiday cheer.

I have never knowingly listened to Snoop’s music, and this latest offering doesn’t tempt me to start now.  For those who may be interested in purchasing Christmas in tha Dogghouse, it’s not for sale in music shops.  It can only be bought through iTunes Music Store and other digital outlets.

Many of Nick Cave’s songs have obvious religious implications. He admits that his art has been informed by the language of the Bible, and the Old Testament in particular. His songs recognise—and often dwell upon—human sin, depravity, perversity, and evil.

Born and raised in Australia, he sang in an Anglican Church choir as a young boy. The experience turned him off traditional religion.

I spent my pre-teen years singing in the Wangaratta Cathedral Choir and even at that age I recall thinking what a wishy-washy affair the whole thing was. The Anglican Church: it was the decaf of worship and Jesus was their Lord.

Later, an Anglican vicar encouraged Cave to read St Mark’s Gospel “because it’s short”. “Willing to give anything a go”, he did and found it inspiring. In 1998, he wrote an introduction to Mark for a series of biblical publications. Here’s a snippet:

The Gospel According to Mark has continued to inform my life as the root source of my spirituality, my religiousness. The Christ that the Church offers us, the bloodless, placid ‘Saviour’ – the man smiling benignly at a group of children or serenely hanging from the cross – denies Christ His potent, creative sorrow or His boiling anger that confronts us so forcibly in Mark. Thus the Church denies Christ His humanity, offering up a figure that we can perhaps ‘praise’ but never relate to. The essential humanness of Mark’s Christ provides us with a blueprint for our own lives so that we have something we can aspire to rather than revere, that can lift us free of the mundanity of our existences rather than affirming the notion that we are lowly and unworthy.

Here is Nick Cave singing Blind Willie Johnson’s gospel spiritual “John the Revelator”.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPmacnYVb6A[/youtube]

Click here to see a video of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, with Kylie Minogue, singing Bob Dylan’s “Death Is Not The End”.

h/t: Ruminations by the Lake

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRouBEVf_U[/youtube]

Dylan appeared on the season premiere of The Johnny Cash Show, originally aired on 7 June 1969.