�Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) has chosen his vice presidential pick and is expected to announce his choice on Friday, the Washington Post reports. McCain, wHO opposes abortion rights, in an interview in The Weekly Standard earlier this month aforementioned he would not rule out choosing an abortion-rights supporter as his working mate. However, a young Post-ABC News poll ground that selecting such a candidate for the vice presidency would be risky for McCain, who has worked strong to win the support of conservatives.
According to the poll of 1,108 registered voters, 20% of McCain's supporters would be less likely to vote for him if he picked an abortion-rights supporter as his running checkmate, such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) or former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge (R). The poll likewise found that nearly six in 10 of McCain's supporters aforesaid abortion should be illegal in most cases (Barnes et al., Washington Post, 8/28).
The New York Times reports that it is unclear how seriously McCain has considered Lieberman, whose selection could set off a "disgust" among delegates at the Republican National Convention next week in Minneapolis, as well as a "raging backlash" among Christian conservatives. The Times reports that as of Tuesday, McCain still was considering Lieberman. According to the Times, McCain's option of Lieberman could help him appeal to women, independents and conservative Democrats in a "tough year" for Republican candidates. However, other Republicans said they suspected that regardless of McCain's personal views, his aides "could be pushing" Lieberman with the media "as voice of a disinformation military campaign to arouse interest in the pick and to make it appear" as though McCain is "clear to all possibilities and therefore more than of an independent candidate" (Bumiller/Cooper, New York Times, 8/28).
Sen. Brownback To Discuss Abortion During Convention Speech
In related news, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) has proclaimed that he will promote his "whole life" philosophy, which golf links his antiabortion position with a call to time value life "at every stage," during his speech at the Republican convention side by side week, the AP/Denver Rocky Mountain News reports.
According to the AP/Rocky Mountain News, Brownback says that Republicans wHO accept the "whole life" ethic have more of a claim to compassion and social justice than Democrats. "It's a philosophical position for the political party that we're fighting to get the party to embrace," Brownback said. Brownback added that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and his running mate Sen. Joseph Biden (Del.) want voters to ignore the Democratic Party's position on abortion rights yet silent claim the higher ground on broader social justice issues. "What I'm expression is: Look at where the Republican Party is on hale life," Brownback said, adding, "That message competes now with what I think Obama and Biden will try to pitch. The Republican Party can be one of compassion, and there's a philosophical consistency for us that doesn't exist in their stance" (Hananel, AP/Denver Rocky Mountain News, 8/27).
Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You toilet view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
� 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
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Thursday, 4 September 2008
Monday, 25 August 2008
Download Axxis mp3
 Artist: Axxis: mp3 download Genre(s): Metal Metal: Heavy Rock Rock: Hard-Rock Discography:  Paradise In Flames Year: 2006 Tracks: 14  Time Machine Year: 2004 Tracks: 12  Collection Of Power Year: 2002 Tracks: 7  Eyes of Darkness Year: 2001 Tracks: 13  Pure and Rouht Year: 1999 Tracks: 9  Voodoo Vibes Year: 1997 Tracks: 12  Matters Of Survival Year: 1995 Tracks: 12  The Big Thrill Year: 1993 Tracks: 11  Axxis Ii Year: 1990 Tracks: 11  Kingdom Of The Night Year: 1989 Tracks: 12 Hoping to play along in the footsteps of the Scorpions earlier them, German metal/hard rock stripe Axxis was formed in 1988 by Bernhard Weiss (vocals, guitar), Walter Pietsch (guitar, vocals), Werner Kleinhans (bass), and Richard Michalski (drums). Quickly signed by EMI's German subordinate, Axxis unleashed their impressive Kingdom of the Night debut album the following class, and followed suit with 1990's II and 1991's live Access All Areas. Although none of these releases fared all that well outside of their native land, 1993's The Big Thrill was considered something of a band landmark for being their commencement effort recorded in America (Philadelphia, to be precise). (It as well saw the comer of keyboardist Harry Oellers and, soon after its transcription, the divergence of bassist Kleinhans.) Axxis carried on undeterred, nevertheless, touring consistently across Europe and transcription 1995's Matters of Survival in Los Angeles with celebrated producer Keith Olsen. 1997's Voodoo Vibes preceded an extended layoff punctuated by major musician employee turnover, as longtime guitarist Pietsch distinct to move back and was replaced by Guido Wehmeyer. A new basso purpose player named Kuno Niemayer was excessively on deal by the fourth dimension Axxis made their comeback with 2000's Back to the Kingdom, and, since then, the stripe has released Eyes of Darkness in 2001 and Meter Machine in 2004. |
Saturday, 16 August 2008
George Furth, Sondheim collaborator, dies
NEW YORK �
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George Furth, an actor and playwright wHO wrote the book for the forward-looking Stephen Sondheim musical "Company," died Monday. He was 75.
Furth died at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., said Dennis Aspland, his agent, who didn't know the cause of death.
Furth's quislingism with Sondheim started with 1970's "Company," an unconventional, revuelike musical which followed the tribulations of a thirtysomething New York unmarried man and his inability to commit to a relationship. Furth won a Tony for his book of the point, which was directed by Harold Prince and featured the choreography of Michael Bennett.
"Company" has had deuce Broadway revivals since so - in 1995 and again in 2006 in a production where the actors as well served as the show's musicians.
"Merrily We Roll Along," based on a play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, was the duo's second musical collaboration. The 1981 show, which told its showbiz story in reverse chronology, closed in two weeks. Yet Sondheim's score remains a favourite of musical buffs, and revised versions of "Merrily" have been done in various regional theaters as well as in London.
Furth and Sondheim also collaborated on "Getting Away with Murder," a comedy thriller that had a little Broadway run in 1996.
Furth began his career as an worker, appearing on Broadway in such transient productions as 1961's "A Cook for Mr. General" and the Judy Holliday musical "Hot Spot" in 1963.
As a playwright, Furth had respective solo Broadway productions, most notably "Twigs" (1971), a comedy which won its star, Sada Thompson, a best-actress Tony. Directed by Michael Bennett, it told the story of quatern women, all members of the same family and all played by Thompson.
Among Furth's former Broadway efforts were the book for the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical "The Act" leading Liza Minnelli (1977) and two other plays, "The Supporting Cast" (1981) and "Precious Sons" (1986).
Furth too acted in movies including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Myra Breckenridge," "Airport '77" and "Shampoo," as well as numberless TV comedies.
There were no immediate survivors.
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Thursday, 7 August 2008
Australian Independent Label Eleven Enters Joint Venture With Universal Music Group
Missy Higgins
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SYDNEY, July 30, 2008 � Acclaimed Australian independent label, Eleven: a music company, and the Universal Music Group, the world�s leading music company, proclaimed today that they take entered into a new joint venture.�The two companies will partner equally in releasing recordings by preeminent Australian artists, including Missy Higgins, Kisschasy, Little Birdy, Paul Mac and Silverchair.
The agreement will continue to provide these artists with full ascendence over the creation of their music.�Marketing will be brought in house at Eleven, and promotion will be outsourced.�Universal Music Australia will provide funding, statistical distribution, back power services and strategic oversight.�This new poser will allow Eleven�s artists to aggregate the exemption and flexibility of an independent career with the �muscle� of a major label.
�Everyone at Eleven is very emotional to be entering into this partnership,� aforesaid label President, John Watson. "We share Universal's belief that transformative times like these demand new shipway of doing business.�This newfangled structure will allow our artists to make the music they want to make and to get it heard as widely as possible over the years ahead.�
George Ash, Managing Director, Universal Music Australia, commented:��John Watson, Melissa Chenery, the squad at Eleven, and their amazing artists are at the head of success and creative thinking, and the Universal Music family is honoured to be partnering with them as we work towards an exciting new future.�Our bond is based upon a heat for artists and connecting them with their fans in a fast changing music world.�Eleven are the leaders, the innovators and the dead on target home for artists.�We couldn�t be more than excited.�
John Watson Management, which counts well-nigh of the Eleven roster as clients, will go forward to operate as a completely independent entity for its current roster.�Future signings will be made to a new management company in partnership with Universal Music.�In each case, the new structure will provide JWM/Eleven artists to more than closely aggregate the exposure of their recordings and touring.
�In this cluttered media environment, we believe that artists need to aggregate their finite marketing and promotional resources,� aforementioned John Watson.��Instead of the traditional approach of having one grouping of people trying to sell �CDs� while others try to sell �concert tickets�, artists need to be in the broader business of building abiding relationships with their audiences in all the different forms that may take.�Universal Music truly understands all this, so our new deal testament allow us to integrate those processes much more than seamlessly.�
Max Hole, Executive Vice President, Universal Music Group International, and President, Asia-Pacific Region, said, �John Watson has an enviable track record for finding and developing capital talent.�This partnership with Eleven promises a new way of connecting those artists and their music to the widest possible audiences.�We can�t hold off to contract started.�
The Universal Music joint venture brings to an end Eleven's remarkably successful association with Virgin/EMI Music Australia.�During that time, Eleven's artists sold over 2 million albums and standard 21 ARIA Awards.
�On behalf of ourselves and our artists, I want to sincerely give thanks EMI Australia�s past and present stave for all their grand and consecrated work,� said John Watson.��While we�ll miss our friends thither, we trust that this new venture with Universal Music volition definitely provide the topper strategic fit for us over the years ahead.�We are very excited to be starting this newfangled chapter in partnership with George Ash and his team.�
The new distribution arrangements for Eleven will direct effect from September 1.�Existing global licensing arrangements for Eleven artists are unaltered.
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Friday, 27 June 2008
Soccer Just Got More Popular in the States
If Portuguese futbol star Cristiano Ronaldo always played shirtless, we'd actually watch a game. Gostoso!
What the hell are you doing reading this, when you could be looking at him?!
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What the hell are you doing reading this, when you could be looking at him?!
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Monday, 23 June 2008
Crossfire
Artist: Crossfire
Genre(s):
Drum & Bass
Metal: Heavy
Metal
Discography:
The Signz / Camouflage
Year: 2005
Tracks: 2
Crossfire (CF004)
Year: 2005
Tracks: 2
Avalanche (AVA002)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 2
Drop On Request (DOR002)
Year: 2003
Tracks: 2
Hideout Swordfight
Year: 2002
Tracks: 1
Live Attack
Year: 1986
Tracks: 9
Sharpshooter
Year: 1985
Tracks: 6
Second Attack
Year: 1985
Tracks: 7
See You In Hell
Year: 1984
Tracks: 8
Heavy metal play Crossfire hailed from Belgium, where they originally formed as a kindling careen band named The Onion Dolls. Finding themselves, care many European compatriots, swept up by the excitement of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (and perchance keenly cognizant that tough was already on the way out), vocalist/guitarist Nero Neerinckx, guitar player Marc new wave Caelenberge, bassist Patrick new wave Londerzele and drummer Peter De Windt got their first break from Holland's Aardschock Magazine, which featured 2 of their songs in their 1982 Metal Clogs compiling. When Neerinckx all of a sudden throw in the towel the band (later on to be confined for murdering a officer!), he simply opened the door for de Windt to take up his place as frontman, and, after the enlisting of new drummer Chris de Brauwer, this adjust recorded Crossfire's debut record album, See You in Hell, for Mausoleum Records. Released in 1983 to selfsame favourable reviews, its melodic and energetic weighed down alloy bordered on as-yet-undeveloped slam, and drew comparisons to former contemporary European bands care Helloween, Angus and regular the mighty Accept. 1985's soph Second Attack (where they added arcsecond guitar player Rudi Van de Sijpe) pretty a great deal replicated this recipe, though non the far-flung acceptance, and its overly rush and uninspired heir, 1986's Sharpshooter (featuring in time some other newfangled guitar instrumentalist in Jacky D'Hondt), injury up losing them their recording contract, to kicking. Crossfire managed a terminal live album the undermentioned year before quietly fading into obscurity, although de Windt hung on for a couple more age with German metal band Ostrogoth.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Jay-Z Agrees That Kanye West Is The 'Hottest'; Nas Says Barack Obama Can Put U.S. On The 'High Road': Mixtape Monday
Artist: Maino
Representing: Brooklyn
Mixtape: The Last Real N---a Alive
411: Jimmy Spicer definitely wasn't the best rapper in the world. You haven't heard of him, right? OK. He wasn't even good. But his "Money (Dollar Bill Y'All)" was influential. The repetition of "dollar, dollar bill, y'all" had to inspire the same words on the hook to Wu-Tang's "C.R.E.A.M." Also, in the '90s, Mary J. Blige took her classic "Be Happy" to another level by speeding up Spicer's instrumental and remixing her hit.
Now, in 2008, Brooklyn's Maino has used the same sample for his "Hi Hater," a record that embraces jealousy and uses the negative energy for positive fuel.
"It was the Mary beat," he said driving through downtown Brooklyn past the location where the famous Albee Square Mall used to be (shout-out to Biz Markie!). "I figured [the beat] was older. I wasn't really sure. It was the Mary beat, to the 'Be Happy' remix. I always wanted to rap to it. I loved that. Then I researched the beat and it was 'dollar, dollar bill, y'all.' That's why I started my song with 'Dollar bill, y'all/ Lot of bills, y'all/ New year, trying to touch me a mil, y'all.'
"A lot of people ask me, 'How did you come up with that [hook]?' " he continued. "That's what I heard. I was riding around in the car listening to the beat. That's what I heard: 'Hi, hater!' I saw it. We coming through, and the haters is over, and we roll down the window — 'hi, hater!' — waving at them."
Two Sundays ago, Maino, tore down the Hot 97 Summer Jam by coming onstage with Alicia Keys as a surprise guest. The tens of thousands embraced his record. Maino credits Swizz Beatz for hooking him up with A. Keys. His life is so much different than it was when he was serving out an almost 10-year prison sentence not too long ago.
"I know what it feels to wake up and the first thing you see is them bars," said Maino, who started his bid when he was just 16 years old. "One thing about being in prison I ain't lose, when I wake up now, the fist thing I see is those bars. You feel hopeless. You at your lowest low. You not able to take care of your own self. You're depending on people in the outside world to check in on you. ... It's very depressing. You try to find hope in that by reading. Music for me helped me get through that. We were able to get mixtapes and things like that."
Maino's rise in the music game has been a process. He had one deal with Universal Records that fell through, and he's since signed to Atlantic. While everybody in the streets knows him through his mixtapes, cameos with good friend Lil' Kim and appearances on street DVDs, "Hi Hater" is actually the first real single he's ever had. His next album is slated for September 30 with production from Cool & Dre and GQ Beats, among others.
His latest mixtape, The Last Real N---a Alive, was just released with DJ Superstar Jay.
"I think I got better as a song maker, and I wanted people to see that," he said of his street CD. "Instead of trying to display a bunch of frivolous lyrics — 'my rhymes do this, my rhymes do that' — I wanted to give them real talk. You hear a lot of good records — a lot of records that could have made the album. I'm just trying to give them what's in store."
Joints To Check For
» "The Streets Been Good to Me." "I'm just trying to show people the edge of me," Maino explained. "The streets been good to me. They raised me as a person, as a man. The streets gave birth to the way I think before I went to prison and while I was in prison. It was the streets I came back to."
» "Dey Know" remix by Shawty Lo, also featuring Lil' Kim and Busta Rhymes. " 'Maino, I keep it gangsta. The side of my face been cut with a razor,' " Maino rapped as a preview. "I learned when a person underestimates you, they really at the disadvantage. You're at the advantage. They letting their guards down. That's how people get hurt, literally! I love when a person underestimates me. He's taking away from himself. I did that one time and got cut in my face. I underestimated the dude and overestimated myself: 'He ain't gonna do sh--.' It was in jail, Comstock [New York]. Never could I overestimate myself again and underestimate the next man. I apply the same thing to music. You think I ain't got it? You think I ain't capable? You don't think I know how to play chess? First move, check! Do something."
» "Real Talk." "I'm the last real n---a in the game. That speaks for itself," Maino said. "Real n---as are outnumbered 99 to one. I don't think I'm the sole real n---a on Earth. But I'm speaking for all the real n---as that's outnumbered. Where they at? In this rap game, there's not too many that's stand-up. There's a couple. It ain't too many. It's a few. I'm just making my mark, man. I'm just trying to tell the people. Like I said, you need a G in office. Who else is gonna represent you?"
Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week
» D12 - Return of the Dozen
» DJ Bobby Black - Crack Addiction
» DJ Dolla Sign - Terminator: The Curtis Jackson Chronicles
» J. Period and G. Brown - March 9 V.2
'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar
» G-Unit - "Straight Outta Southside"
» N.E.R.D. - "Time For Some Action"
» Plies (featuring Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday) - "#1 Fan"
» Sean Garrett (featuring Pharrell Williams) - "Patron"
Celebrity Faves
Big brother is a proud brotha. The MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust recently voted Kanye West as the Hottest MC in the Game (the public is still up in arms over the top 10!), and Jay-Z agrees that 'Ye's development has been major.
"He's a complete package now," Hov said. "He's working on his craft as an MC. In the beginning, his flow wasn't as tight. It was more stretched out. He wouldn't hit everything all the time like the one, two. His flow was lacking, in my opinion. And this last album, everything came together. The songs were great, the hooks were incredible, and the lyrics — he really takes a lot of pride in what he writes. That happiness is seeing his evolution from the first album to now. It's like, 'Wow!' "
The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground
You hear about it all the time: African-Americans who have "made it" but get reminders that racism in this country still exits, no matter how big your celebrity is or how much money you have. But how far up the food chain does racism go? Will it affect Illinois Senator Barack Obama if he were to become president?
"I get reminders," Nas told us of coming into contact with bigotry. "I see a lot of people get reminders all the time. But the president of the United States? I don't know. He can expect that everything that can happen, will happen. But he's a lot more powerful than Nasir Jones in a lot of ways. I think he'll be all right. People like me, we're gonna deal with [racism]. There's a lot of ignorance in the world. Look at the human family. We've been able to design iPods and so-called go the Moon. Yet, we can't get over racial difference and colors of skin. That's gotta go.
"If Barack becomes the president, it doesn't matter who looks at him as a n---er at that point," Nas continued. "Everybody gotta go through scrutiny, criticism by crazy people. They will criticize your child. They talked about the Clintons' daughter, and they talked about this one and that one. You gotta be able to take the high road on everybody. I think Obama is perfect for taking the high road. He's prepared. He's a black man. Him taking the high road is him taking the country on a high road. I think it's gonna benefit everybody in America with that guy in office. Let's hope it happens. Let's hope it's no funny business with that guy in office. Let's hope for the best."
After years of disinterest, the Big Apple native credits Obama's campaign for raising his awareness and excitement in politics again.
"It got me interested," Nas admitted. "I think in about 10 more years from today, you're gonna have more politicians who grew up listening to Illmatic that are ... MCs! That are rappers. You're gonna start seeing more rappers evolve into politicians. If we have a change this year and it's a positive thing, we trusting the system now. We believe in it more. We see something positive coming out of it that makes us want to get involved more. Five or 10 years from now, you might see somebody like me trust it more. Who knows? I won't say for sure."
Although he's anticipating a big change in the country should Obama take the Oval Office, Nas hasn't committed to casting a vote.
"I don't know what I'm doing as far as the vote this year," he admitted. "I'm excited about it, I just don't know what I'm doing. I'm still trying to figure out the next few months of my own life. My own politics. I'm the president of Nas World. That's a busy job already. To get out and vote? I gotta see."
The new song "Black President" appears on Nas' new The N---er Mixtape with DJ Green Lantern as well as his yet-untitled July LP. ...
Shawty Lo doesn't want to fight T.I. He doesn't even want to battle him song for song with disses. The self-proclaimed "King of Bankhead" is ready to see his rivalry with the King of the South go up one notch, though. L.O. says he and Tip can duke it out on Saturday with their sets.
Both rappers are on the bill for the Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9's 13th annual Birthday Bash concert. The roster also features the Game, Lil Boosie, Webbie, DJ Khaled, Young Jeezy, Plies and Rocko.
"We gonna give the people what they want," Lo said late last week about what he and Tip will bring to the concert in their separate sets. "It's gonna be either he wins or I win. It ain't no beef or nothing. He said he's gonna have the best show. I say I'm gonna have the best show."
So what's at stake? "Bragging rights," Lo said. It's just that simple.
"He put the challenge out there. I'm going out there to do my show," Lo explained. "He said the Birthday Bash is his. It probably was. But now Shawty L.O. is in town."
He's in town for the show, at least. Shawty is still in demand out of town for various spot dates. He said his record label would love for him to put out the follow-up to his debut, Units in the City. The Georgia bulldog is still collecting beats from people like Polow Da Don, Jazze Pha and Soulja Boy but says he needs to finally buy an iPod so he can listen to and write tracks on the road. In addition to his next solo LP, there might be a group album on the horizon. Not with D4L, but with his favorite collaborator: Gucci Mane.
"Gucci, we were grinding together before it got to this point," he explained. "We were grinding hard. Right now, we're thinking about putting an album together. It's more than us two. [The record company was] saying me and Gucci, Lil Boosie and Gorilla Zoe. It would be crazy. We're gonna take it one day at a time and see how it goes. I believe we could put it together. We all get along very good. It's about making it make sense and making it happen." ...
Usually, rappers jack a singer's song and make an unofficial remix. Unless the singer is R. Kelly, we don't typically see it the other way around — especially not with a star as big as Janet Jackson.
"It was weird, bruh," Plies said about finding out that Janet took it upon herself to remix his "Bust It Baby 2" by adding her vocals. "I was in Milwaukee. One of the [program directors] said, 'I love the "Bust It Baby" remix. The one y'all did with Janet Jackson.' I didn't even know she did the record. Then I got a call from one of my peoples in Atlanta. They said Jermaine [Dupri] had just dropped the record off to the station. For the first 15, 20 minutes, I really thought the person who was telling me this was just talking.
"But to see a person of her caliber embrace my craft enough to feel that she wanted to be a part of it, that made me not only appreciate it, but made me feel I was going in the right direction," he continued.
Plies' Definition of Real comes out this week. Other than Ne-Yo, he has guest appearances from Jamie Foxx, J. Holiday, Keyshia Cole and the "radio killer" himself, The-Dream. No other rappers. And get this: He's already almost done with his third LP. It's called The Realest and comes out December 16.
For other artists featured in Mixtape Monday, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.
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Sunday, 15 June 2008
Ledger's family write about heartbreak
Heath Ledger's family have expressed their heartbreak at losing their son and brother in a series of death notices in an Australian newspaper.
In a message published in the West Australian, the actor's mother Sally wrote: "Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us. You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda [Ledger's daughter]."
Ledger's older sister Kate wrote: "I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from where ever you were in the world."
She also wrote: "I especially loved all the precious time we spent together. We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did. You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother."
The actor's father Kim wrote: "My beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young... no more chess games mate... this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!"
"My body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together."
A message from all of the family read: "How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss?... You were the most amazing individual "old soul" in a young man's body."
"Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken."
Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment earlier this week. Police are investigating the possibility that he died from a drugs overdose.
To view our gallery special 'Heath Ledger: In Pictures' click here.
In a message published in the West Australian, the actor's mother Sally wrote: "Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us. You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda [Ledger's daughter]."
Ledger's older sister Kate wrote: "I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from where ever you were in the world."
She also wrote: "I especially loved all the precious time we spent together. We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did. You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother."
The actor's father Kim wrote: "My beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young... no more chess games mate... this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!"
"My body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together."
A message from all of the family read: "How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss?... You were the most amazing individual "old soul" in a young man's body."
"Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken."
Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment earlier this week. Police are investigating the possibility that he died from a drugs overdose.
To view our gallery special 'Heath Ledger: In Pictures' click here.
Oliver Parker - Plans For St Trinians Sequel
Moviemakers OLIVER PARKER and BARNABY THOMPSON are set to make a follow-up to the 2007 British movie ST TRINIAN'S.
It was announced at the weekend (16-18May08) at the Cannes Film Festival in France that St Trinian's: The Legend of Fritton's Gold - which has yet to be cast - will be released by Ealing Studios in 2009.
The 2007 school comedy starred new Bond girl Gemma Arterton, funnyman Russell Brand and Rupert Everett.
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The Smurfs Hitting The Big Screen
Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation announced on Tuesday (June 10) that they're set to bring the classic cartoon series 'The Smurfs' to the big screen.
The company's have obained the motion picture rights to 'The Smurfs' and will feature the little blue characters in a mixture of live-action and animation.
In a statement announcing the new film, Columiba president Doug Belgrad said, "The Smurfs are one of the best-known franchises and among the most beloved collection of characters in the world. We're very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other Smurfs in all of their 'three apple tall' glory."
The Smurfs began life as a Belgian comic strip in 1958 created by Pierre Culliford, and later became a popular television series.
NEXT: Paul Newman Not Battling Cancer
Photo courtesy of Hanna Barbera.
Jack Black & wife welcome second child
Comedy actor Jack Black and his wife Tanya Holden are celebrating the birth of their second child, a baby boy.
According to reports, the baby, who was born last week, will be named Jack after his father.
Black confirmed the news to 'Entertainment Tonight', saying that his new son was "fresh out of the oven".
"I have a new one. It's eating every three hours," he said.
The couple already have a 23-month-old son called Samuel.
According to reports, the baby, who was born last week, will be named Jack after his father.
Black confirmed the news to 'Entertainment Tonight', saying that his new son was "fresh out of the oven".
"I have a new one. It's eating every three hours," he said.
The couple already have a 23-month-old son called Samuel.
Madonna - Madonnas Brother To Pen Tell-all Memoir
MADONNA's brother CHRISTOPHER CICCONE plans to release a tell-all memoir about his superstar sibling - set to be published without the singer's permission.
Ciccone, 47, is penning the tome with infamous celebrity biographer Wendy Leigh, who has written intimate biographies on Liza Minnelli and Grace Kelly - and is due to be released next month (Jul08).
The book, published by Simon + Schuster, is reportedly: "Ciccone's extraordinary memoir is based on his life and 47 years of growing up with and working with his sister - the most famous woman in the world."
However, the book is allegedly set to be released without the Material Girl star's consent, with the star's publicist Liz Rosenberg stating: "Madonna has not cooperated with any biography about herself."
Madonna's relationship with her younger brother is said to have become strained in recent years, even though the pair worked together intimately in the early 1990s, with Ciccone serving as artistic director on the star's 1991 documentary In Bed With Madonna, and designing and directing her Girlie Show tour in 1993.
See Also
Charles Trenet
Artist: Charles Trenet
Genre(s):
Vocal
Discography:
Anthologie
Year: 1999
Tracks: 20
Ses Plus Belles Chansons
Year: 1998
Tracks: 16
Charles Trenet was among the last-place of his kind of isaac Merrit Singer, a hangover from the eRA of pre-World War II France and the prime of Maurice Chevalier, as well as singer/composers such as Georges Brassens and Leo Ferre. Originally an artistic creation student, Trenet sour to singing in his early twenties. The relaxed, affable style and persona that he presented stood in sharp contrast to the stage fright with which he was impaired from the showtime, and that he never all overcame. His smooth, light baritone voice was attractive and his part won o'er audiences in euphony hall performances, where he became known as "Le Fou Chantant" (the Singing Fool) -- at one of his most famed engagements, in 1938, he was scheduled to sing 3 songs in what was the gap countersink of the evening and was called back by the hearing and performed a total of 12 songs that night, and the featured performing artist ne'er went on.
Trenet composed as well as panax quinquefolius and enjoyed his first bad shoot in 1939 with "Boum," an contagiously effervescing tune that captured the French listening public's attention. After World War II, Trenet's career moved into outside circles as his songs started acquiring picked up in version, unremarkably with lyrics by Lee Wilson -- his biggest success was "La Mer," a piece that Bobby Darin sour into an English nomenclature reach (as "Beyond the Sea"). His other hits included such songs as "Le Soleil A Des Rayons De Pluie," "Il Y Avait Des Abres," "Printemps a Rio," "Bonsoir Jolie Madame," and "Que Reste-Il De Nos Amours" (bettor known in English as "I Wish You Love").
Trenet's longevity was something of a surprise fifty-fifty to him -- the vocalizer had intended to retire in the 1970s, and had made a farewell spell of France; then he agreed to a request for a leave-taking concert in Canada and establish the reception on that point so encouraging, that he chose to celebrate performing and was noneffervescent working in the nineties, a period in which at least four CDs of his work were released. Over the course of his 60-year career, Trenet promulgated some 850 songs as well as books of poetry and a smattering of novels, although he tended to push aside the significance of his productivity with a certain isolated amusement. Into his 80s, he still presented an ebullient visage, a all-encompassing grinning topped by thinning loss hair that made him look exactly like the ageing euphony hall entertainer that he was. Trenet was still writing songs very prolifically in the late '90s, often elysian by thoughts that occurred to him as he worked on his fiction, which was one reason he had so practically trouble complementary the latter.
Nash, Dizzee, Maximo play The Edge
Kate Moss - Moss Sparks Safety Fears Over Quad Bike Ride
British supermodel KATE MOSS has sparked outrage after she was photographed riding a quad bike with her five-year-old daughter without a crash helmet.
The catwalk queen has been accused of taking an unacceptable risk as she drove the vehicle with Lila Grace close to her home in the English countryside.
But the move has angered health and safety groups.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says, "Thousands suffer injuries a year in quad bike accidents. It's usually through lack of training to lack of protective clothing.
"Quad bikes should only be used for the number of people that they are designed for otherwise they may be liable to tip over. The health and safety executive would recommends that people wear helmets."
In 2003, rock star Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to intensive care at a UK hospital after being injured in a quad bike accident.
See Also
Matchbox 20
Artist: Matchbox 20
Genre(s):
Other
Rock
Discography:
More Than You Think You Are
Year: 2003
Tracks: 12
Mad Season
Year: 2000
Tracks: 13
Live From Australia
Year: 1999
Tracks: 16
Upon the spillage of their debut record album, Yourself or Someone Like You, in fall 1996, Matchbox Twenty was pigeonholed as one of the legions of post-grunge guitar bands that roamed the American pop prospect in the eye of the '90s. As their first single, "Push," climbed the charts, it was widely sham (at least by misanthropic critics) that they were a one-hit wonder, simply Yourself or Someone Like You continued to spin off singles well into 1998. By that time, the group's blend of '70s arena rock music and early-'90s American alt-rock -- finisher to Pearl Jam and perchance R.E.M. than Nirvana -- had turn the good of mainstream American rock. That transition slipped underneath the radiolocation of many pop music critics and fans. Yourself or Someone Like You sold millions of copies without ever really overlooking the charts -- by 1998, it had gone pt quint multiplication; by 2000, 10 times. At no time did the book summit the charts, just it was always around, a staple of modern tilt, grownup alternate, and Top 40 radio set likewise. Matchbox Twenty was omnipresent because they managed to blend the social organisation and opinion of '70s area rock candy with '90s hard rock, thereby winning a big audience by ostensible simultaneously classical scholar and modernistic. They were a little more than classicist than new, simply that's the reason why they became America's most popular rock band of the tardy '90s -- even if nobody quite an accomplished they had achieved that position.
The de facto drawing card of Matchbox Twenty is trail singer and songster Rob Thomas. An Army little terror born on a military base in Germany, Thomas exhausted practically of his childhood 'tween his mother's house in Florida and his grandmother's place in South Carolina. The stress of the constant movement spilled over into his school assignment, and he dropped out of high school at the age of 17. He exhausted some time winding about the Southeast, singing in a variety of rock bands in front he made Orlando, FL, his household base. There, he met bassist Brian Yale and drummer Paul Doucette, and the tercet spent several age drifting through local bands earlier Matchbox Twenty officially formed. They rounded out the card with Adam Gaynor (rhythm guitar, vocals), wHO had antecedently worked at the Criteria Recording Studios in Miami, and Kyle Cook (trail guitar), a late student of the Atlanta Institute of Music.
The isthmus dependant up with Collective Soul producer Matt Serletic and recorded a pot of demos, which helped the band fix gigs throughout the U.S. Soon, the isthmus signed to Lava, a underling of Atlantic Records, and recorded its debut, Yourself or Someone Like You, too with Serletic. The album was released in October 1996 to little attention, simply Matchbox Twenty continued to turn America, cultivating a fan base. They finally landed their single "Farsighted Day" on various influential wireless stations of the Cross, which paved the means for their discovery come to, "Push." In springiness 1997, "Push" began climbing its way to the superlative of the modern rock candy charts, as it standard heavy airplay from radio and MTV. By the summer, the single was in the new stone Top Ten, and Yourself or Someone Like You had reached the album Top 40 and gone gold.
As it turns out, "Push" wasn't the apogee of their exploit simply the commencement of a reasonably surprising succeeder write up. During pass 1997, the record picked up impulse, as "3am" became a larger hit than "Push," propelling Yourself or Someone Like You to multi-platinum status. Early in 1998, the chemical group was named Best New Band by Rolling Stone's annual reader's poll parrot -- proof that, fifty-fifty if Matchbox Twenty wasn't victorious critics, they were winning over a broad, mainstream audience. The isthmus and its debut record album continued to sell at a firm pace throughout the year as the singles "Tangible World" and "Back 2 Good" joined "Push" and "3am" as wireless favorites. Throughout it all, Matchbox Twenty stayed on the road, at household and abroad. They did well in foreign territories, including Canada, simply they sincerely connected with Australia, where they went atomic number 78 eight times; in neighboring New Zealand, the isthmus went quintuple pt.
Matchbox Twenty reserved 1999 as the year to record their eagerly anticipated second album, only they didn't go away from the spot, due to the unexpected success of "Legato," a Santana song dynasty co-written and sung dynasty by Rob Thomas. "Smooth" was one of many songs song by celebrities on Santana's cameo-studded comeback album Occult, simply it was the one chosen as the lead single. A overbold selection, as it off out, since it became a true bulge phenomenon, topping many receiving set charts and driving Supernatural to multi-platinum gross revenue and many industriousness awards. Throughout the arcsecond half of 1999, "Smooth" was unavoidable, as it and Occult sabbatum on the circus tent of the toss off charts. Its succeeder brought more attention to Matchbox Twenty, and Yourself or Someone Like You rocketed to over ten zillion copies sold -- which now qualified it for the RIAA's Diamond Award, which is only granted to records that have stirred over ten-spot million units. On top of that, Thomas was named BMI's 1999 Pop Songwriter of the Year, for "Smooth" and his work with Matchbox Twenty. Early in 2000, Thomas won three Grammys for "Smooth" -- Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
All of this winner happened as Matchbox Twenty was recording their bit album, once more with producer Matt Serletic. The succeeder raised expectations for the new album, entitled Mad Season, which was released in May 2000. Two years later on, the striation emerged with its third base album, More Than You Think You Are. With this particular record, the striation shared songwriting duties as a whole for the number one time always. Despite, or maybe because of, the band's winner and haunt touring, Matchbox Twenty decided to take a break from recording and in 2005 Thomas released his debut solo album, Something to Be. Featuring a more polished funk and dance-influenced well-grounded, the album sold well and spawned respective hit songs, including "Solitary No More" and "This Is How a Heart Breaks." In 2007, the reunited Matchbox Twenty -- with Doucette now on guitar replacing Gaynor, wHO left wing the striation in 2005, and Push Stars's Ryan MacMillan on drums -- delivered the hits aggregation Expat on Mainstream which included a incentive EP of new tracks.
Cloverfield (2008) [Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller]
Former top model found dead in Paris
The body of Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to become an internationally-acclaimed model, was found in the Seine River, Parisian police have said.
Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other renowned designers was found on Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris.
According to police an autopsy showed no signs of foul play, pointing to the possibility that the 47-year-old may have fallen into the river accidentally.
She had been missing since January and was last seen returning home from a party.
She lived in a houseboat near Paris' Alexandre III bridge, and her handbag was later found on board the boat.
The Guinean-born model told The Associated Press in 1994 that she ran away to Europe at 17 aiming to be a model. Her big break came when a designer at Lanvin spotted her in a line-up.
After quitting the catwalk, she turned to speaking out actively against female circumcision, describing her own experience at age 9-years-old in a book, 'Katoucha, In My Flesh', which was published last year.
"I will never get the incomparable pain out of my head": she wrote in the book, which she dedicated to her three children.
Vanity Fair's fashion and style director, Michael Roberts, said Katoucha was: "One those girls who used her fame to spotlight the misfortunes of others."
In the months before her death, Katoucha took on her first film role, playing a beautiful and rebellious woman, said Leandre-Alain Baker, director of 'Ramata'.
Filming is complete but a release date has not yet been set.
Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other renowned designers was found on Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris.
According to police an autopsy showed no signs of foul play, pointing to the possibility that the 47-year-old may have fallen into the river accidentally.
She had been missing since January and was last seen returning home from a party.
She lived in a houseboat near Paris' Alexandre III bridge, and her handbag was later found on board the boat.
The Guinean-born model told The Associated Press in 1994 that she ran away to Europe at 17 aiming to be a model. Her big break came when a designer at Lanvin spotted her in a line-up.
After quitting the catwalk, she turned to speaking out actively against female circumcision, describing her own experience at age 9-years-old in a book, 'Katoucha, In My Flesh', which was published last year.
"I will never get the incomparable pain out of my head": she wrote in the book, which she dedicated to her three children.
Vanity Fair's fashion and style director, Michael Roberts, said Katoucha was: "One those girls who used her fame to spotlight the misfortunes of others."
In the months before her death, Katoucha took on her first film role, playing a beautiful and rebellious woman, said Leandre-Alain Baker, director of 'Ramata'.
Filming is complete but a release date has not yet been set.
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