Advertisement

Rock News: Music's high and low notes

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

C-MURDER

First-degree murder charges have been filed against rapper C-Murder.

Advertisement

MTV News reports that the rapper, whose real name is Corey Miller, is being held on $1 million bail, according to a spokesperson for the Jefferson Correctional Facility in Gretna, La. Police are not releasing any further details at this time.

This is the second time in less than six months that C-Murder has been in hot water. Last August, he was charged with attempted murder and released on $100,000 bail.

C-Murder is the younger brother of Percy "Master P" Miller.

No comment from C-Murder's recording label, No Limit.


MARY J. BLIGE

MCA Records is releasing a new version of Mary J. Blige's latest album, "No More Drama" -- complete with a new album cover, a pair of new remixes and two new bonus tracks. It hits stores Jan. 29.

Advertisement

The new version includes a fresh mix of the single "No More Drama" featuring P. Diddy, as well as a remix of "Dance For Me" featuring a guest appearance by Common. There're also two previously unreleased tracks: "Rainy Dayz," featuring Ja Rule; and the ballad "He Think I Don't Know."

The original version of the CD was released last fall and has since gone platinum. Blige is up for two Grammys for Best Vocal Performance and Best Album in the R&B category. Her tour is set to begin Feb. 5.


MIDNIGHT OIL

Midnight Oil will release their first U.S. album in more than four years next month. The band previewed tracks from "Capricornia," their 14th album, during a recent 6-week mini-tour of

the United States.

(Thanks to UPI's Mike Cooper in Atlanta)


DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS

The Dexy's Midnight Runner's album that included the 1982's No.1 single "Come On Eileen" is being reissued. "Too-Rye-Ay" (on the Mercury/UME label) has been digitally remastered from the original tapes and includes deluxe booklet and new liner notes. It hits stores Feb. 5.

The revamped "Too-Rye-Ay" adds five bonus tracks: "Dubious" ("Come On Eileen" b-side), "TSOP" ("Jackie Wilson Said" b-side), "Reminisce Part One" ("The Celtic Soul Brothers" remix b-side) and a pair of non-album singles, "Show Me" and "Let's Get This Straight (From The Start)." The new packaging also features a commentary by Dexy's Billy Adams.

Advertisement


OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN'S GREATEST HITS

A dozen of her greatest hits are featured on "The Best Of Olivia Newton-John," the latest in the 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection series being released by Hip-O Records.

The CD reaches stores Feb. 5. It includes Newton-John's first big hit, "Let Me Be There," which won her the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal, as well as "Hopelessly Devoted To You," from the 1978 movie musical "Grease."

"The Best Of Olivia Newton-John" is the latest release in an ongoing series in conjunction with the singer, which began in September and will stretch over the next two years. Among the upcoming releases will be the U.S. debut of a 2000 live album; first-time compilations of her dance, country-pop and love songs; reissues with bonus tracks, and a box set.


BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Spears is the subject of the latest episode of VH1's new series "Driven." "Driven: Britney Spears" takes a look at the pop diva's earliest years with rare and never-before-seen footage and new interviews with family, friends and teachers. The episode premieres Tuesday (at 9 p.m. ET/PT).


'PMRC'

Twisted Sister's Dee Snider plays himself in the VH1 original movie "P.M.R.C." It's a satiric look at the mid-1980s war on "porn rock" led by Tipper Gore and the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) -- and featuring a bizarre cast of unlikely characters who get caught up in the battle on Capitol Hill. The film -- starring Jason Priestley and Mariel Hemingway -- premieres April 17 (at 9 p.m. ET/PT).

Advertisement


LADY ROCKERS

Some of the most successful female singers from the early days of rock 'n' roll are back on the boards in Las Vegas in a revue called "The Legendary Ladies of "Rock 'n' Roll."

The show -- playing at the Wayne Newton Theater in the Stardust -- features Lesley Gore, Shirley Alston Reeves (the original lead singer of the Shirelles) and Little Peggy March and the Chiffons.

Best known, of course, is Lesley Gore. She was only 16 when she went to the top of the charts with "It's My Party," a song you can still hear daily on many oldies stations. "It's My Party" is considered by many music experts to be one of the most popular sing-along rock songs of all time. And Gore reached her early success at a time when all-male acts, such as the Beatles and Elvis, were dominating the charts. She was named America's favorite female recording artist by Cash Box, Record World and Music Business magazines.

Reeves founded the Shirelles with two other friends while attending high school in New Jersey. The group's best known hits are "Dedicated To The One I Love" and "Tonight's The Night."

Advertisement

Little Peggy March was just that, "little," when she signed with RCA at age 15. Her biggest hit, "I Will Follow Him," is also a staple on oldie stations and was used in the movie "Sister Act."

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

Latest Headlines