Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 24, 2018
Neil Diamond leaves the tour road behind and a look into the chaos behind Exile On Main Street. Those also in the headlines today include Bob Dylan, A Tribe Called Red, Stanley Booth, Rigoletto, Justin Timberlake, female producers, and The Balconies.
By Kerry Doole
Chaos in “Exile”: The Rolling Stones record their masterpiece
Drugs, hangers-on and petty feuds; the perils of recording in Keith Richards’ basement – Bill Janovitz, Salon
Neil Diamond announces retirement from touring after receiving a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis
The 77 year old has cancelled an Australasian tour but plans to keep writing and recording – Jem Aswad, Variety
Remake, remodel: what makes musicians rerecord old albums?
The Shins and Car Seat Headrest are the latest bands to indulge in rerecording their earlier work. Is it money for old rope, or a chance at artistic liberation? – Michael Hann, The Guardian
Where are all the female music producers?
An analysis of why no woman has ever been awarded the Grammy for producer of the year, non-classical -- and what female producers face behind the boards – Melinda Newman, Billboard
Rigoletto revival graced with first-rate voices
The Canadian Opera Company's production of the Verdi classic is let down by awkward staging however – John Terauds, Toronto Star
Dylan's presumed 'Girl from the North Country' has died
Considered the muse for the Dylan classic, Echo Star Casey, nee Helstrom, was in her late 70s and had lived in California for years, though she stayed in touch with her Hibbing roots – Christa Lawler, Duluth Tribune
30 fascinating early bands of future music legends
From Billy Joel's heavy-metal duo to Madonna's post-punk act and Neil Young's Motown outfit, these are the primordial groups that rock forgot – Rolling Stone
A Tribe Called Red has lost a member, but hasn't missed a step
In the first of three nights at the Danforth Music Hall, the Indigenous electronic duo put on a powerful and uplifting dance party – Chaka V. Grier, NOW
Stanley Booth: The true adventures of a great rock journalist
Booth was one of the most eloquent music journalists to pioneer the field during the late 1960s. He profiled Elvis and called Eric Clapton a "boring asshole" – Corbin Reiff, uproxx
Vancouver concerts of note this week
The eclectic list includes Queens of the Stone Age, Yung Lean, The Flesheaters, Jim Byrnes, MGB, and Passion Pit – Steve Newton Georgia Straight
Soy Bomb, ODB, Aretha & the craziest Grammys ever
An oral history of the 1998 Grammys is full of fascinating incidents – Andrew Unterberger, Billboard
Justin Timberlake’s listening party served up fresh records and grasshoppers
For his new album Man Of the Woods, the singer hosted two nature-inspired soirees – Michele Laufik, BizBash.com
World travels inspire Albertan jazz saxophonist
“I like to try and tell a story in music, and I have an active imagination. Sometimes I was just reflecting on my time in these places and people I met there," says jazz saxophonist Keith O'Rourke – Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
The Balconies go out on a high note
The Toronto modern rock outfit calls it quits after a decade – Joshua Kloke, Globe and Mail
