I'm in a bit of a sensitive mood today, so this week's classic tune is a tender ballad from the Weeping Willows. They didn't actually write the song, it's actually originally by Tom Paxton, but it was first made popular in Sweden by Fred Åkerström way back in 1972 with his Swedish language version "Jag ger dig min morgon". Quite possibly my most favorite love song ever - the lyrics are just so incredibly heartwarming. If my wife wasn't so cranky before she gets her coffee, I'd croon it to her all the time. Or maybe not. I highly doubt anyone wants to wake up to my shoddy singing voice. Anyhow, this version appears on the elusive Weeping Willows singles compilation from back in 2000, back when they were still a classic 50s rock/torch song band. I like the later-era modern rock stuff from "Into the light" on, but it's those first two albums ("Broken promise land" and "Endless night") that I treasure most.
On a side note: If anyone can find me a copy of that Ww singles collection, I'd really really appreciate it. Email me.
The new issue of Danish rocker zine Lowcut is now online: http://www.lowcut.dk/
Check out the studio session Mando Diao did with MTV in New York: http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/mando_diao/audvid.jhtml
Kaizers Orchestra has set an August 15 release date for their new album "Maestro" and will be heading out on a huge European tour in support. Dates booked so far:
07/01 - Eurockeennes, Belfort (FRA)
07/08 - Træna Festivalen, Træna (NOR)
07/16 - Pop'D Europe / Arena, Berlin (GER)
08/05 - Haldern Pop, Haldern (GER)
08/31 - Folken, Stavanger (NOR)
09/01 - Teatergarasjen, Bergen (NOR)
09/02 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
09/08 - Storan, Gothenburg (SWE)
09/09 - Studenterhuset, Ålborg (DK)
09/11 - Rytmeposten, Odense (DK)
09/13 - Knust, Hamburg (GER)
09/14 - Kato, Berlin (GER)
09/15 - Batschkap, Frankfurt (GER)
09/16 - Melkweg, Amsterdam (NL)
09/17 - Vera, Groningen (NL)
09/18 - Leffingeleuren, Leffinge (BEL)
09/19 - Botanique, Brussels (BEL)
09/20 - Le Boule Noire, Paris (FRA)
09/24 - ISC, Bern (SWI)
09/25 - X-tra, Zurich (SWI)
09/27 - Rockhouse, Salzburg (AUS)
09/28 - Scene, Vienna (AUS)
09/29 - Backstage, Munich (GER)
09/30 - Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg (GER)
10/01 - Gebäude 9, Cologne (GER)
10/02 - Ringlockschuppen, Bielfeld (GER)
10/03 - Tivoli, Utrecht (NL)
10/04 - Modernes, Bremen (GER)
10/05 - Vega, København (DK)
10/07 - Nalen, Stockholm (SWE)
10/08 - KB, Malmö (SWE)
Scapesonik has signed to Lobotom Records and are currently working on their debut album. Plans are also underway for a Japanese tour in November.
PostEverything profiles artist Hanne Hukkelberg who some consider to be a Norwegian equivilent to Stina Nordenstam: http://www.posteverything.com/artists/release.php?id=10410
Renown Swedish electronic artist Andreas Tilliander will be playing a one-off gig at The Spitz in London on June 28. More info: http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2005_06_01_djmartian_archive.html#111774674151232270
The new self-titled album from Finnish doom-metallers Shape of Despair has been confirmed for an August 3 release via Spinefarm Records. The special low-priced CD features rare and previously unreleased material from the band, including tracks from the band's first demo, "Alone in the Mist", and one new song called "Sleeping Murder", which was recorded last March.
A little bird has informed me that time has been booked at Tonteknik Studios in Umeå to mix the sound for the long-promised Refused DVD. That means the film has actually been compiled and is ready to go. Finally! It should be 100% finished by midsommar.
Dates for the upcoming co-headlining powermetal tour featuring both Hammerfall and Stratovarius:
10/26 - Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki (FIN)
10/28 - Pakkahuone, Tampere (FIN)
10/29 - Caribia, Turku (FIN)
10/30 - Skycom Arena, Umeå (SWE)
11/01 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
11/02 - Arenan, Stockholm (SWE)
11/04 - Palladium, Köln (GER)
11/05 - Hof Ter Lo, Antwerp (BEL)
11/06 - 13, Tilburg (NL)
11/07 - Koko, London (UK)
11/09 - Splendid, Lille (FRA)
11/10 - Docks, Hamburg (GER)
11/11 - Halle Gartlage, Osnabrück (GER)
11/13 - Elysée Montmartre, Paris (FRA)
11/16 - Razzmatazz, Barcelona (SPA)
11/17 - Sala Gamma, Murcia (SPA)
11/18 - La Riviera, Madrid (SPA)
11/19 - Pabellon Anaitasuna, Pamplona (SPA)
11/21 - Transbordeur, Lyon (FRA)
11/23 - Z7, Pratteln (SWI)
11/24 - Stadthalle, Fürth (GER)
11/25 - Z7, Pratteln (SWI)
11/26 - All-Karthalle, Kaubeuren (GER)
11/27 - Alcatraz, Milan (ITA)
11/29 - VPK Mediapark, Ljubljana (SLO)
11/30 - Planet Music, Wien (AUS)
12/01 - Petöfi 12, Budapest (HUN)
12/03 - Vanue Novesta, Zlin (CZ)
Stockholm-based indierockers Smashed has posted two new tracks for download on their website: http://www.smashed.se/news.asp
Katatonia has begun recording their next album at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. Check out some pics from the session here: http://katatonia.com/newsmid.html
Check out a charming little promo film for the new album from Swedish mod-rockers The Men: http://www.themen.se/new/watch.html
The band is fronted by Ola Framby, previously of Swedish pop act The Girls.